Prelims Current Affairs includes Important Day, Strait of Malacca, RBI approved the reappointment of R Gandhi as Yes Bank’s Non-Executive Chairman, Blood Moon, Rayleigh Scattering, Vishwamitri River, Flamingo Missile, Angikaar 2025 and Vulture Network Portal.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. GRANDPARENTS’ DAY

Observed every year on: First Sunday of September (In 2025 – 7 September in USA).

• Objective: To honour grandparents and celebrate intergenerational bonding.

• Origin: Officially recognised in the United States in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter.

2. INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

Observed on: 8 September (every year, since 1967).

• Established by: UNESCO in 1966.

• Objective: To highlight the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.

3. WORLD PHYSICAL THERAPY DAY

Observed every year on: 8 September (since 1996).

• Established by: World Confederation for Physical Therapy (founded in 1951, now World Physiotherapy).

• Theme 2025: Healthy Ageing – Prevention of Frailty and Falls.

• Objective: To raise awareness about the contribution of physiotherapists in improving mobility, independence, and overall health.

PLACE IN NEWS

4. STRAIT OF MALACCA

Current Context: India recently secured Singapore’s support for its interest in patrolling the Malacca Strait.

About Strait of Malacca

• Location: Connects the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean).

• Boundaries: Lies between Sumatra (Indonesia) to the west and Malaysia & southern Thailand to the east.

• History: Named after the Malacca Sultanate (ruled 1400–1511).

• Importance: One of the busiest shipping lanes in the world; links Indian and Pacific Oceans.

• Control: Jointly patrolled by Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Significance

• Around 60% of India’s seaborne trade and almost all LNG imports pass through it.

• A key choke point for Chinese shipping, giving it strategic importance.

Malacca Straits Patrols (MSP)
Launched in 2004 by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (Thailand joined later).

• Malacca Straits Sea Patrol – Joint naval patrols

• Eyes-in-the-Sky – Combined air surveillance

• Intelligence Exchange Group – Real-time data sharing

APPOINTMENTS

5. R. GANDHI REAPPOINTED AS YES BANK CHAIRMAN

Current Context: RBI approved the reappointment of R Gandhi as Yes Bank’s Non-Executive Chairman.

About R. Gandhi

• Position: Part-time Non-Executive Chairman of Yes Bank

• New Term: 20 September 2025 – 13 May 2027

• Authority: Appointment cleared by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• Significance: Ensures leadership stability at Yes Bank

GEOGRAPHY

6. BLOOD MOON

Current Context: Millions across Asia and Europe are expected to witness a total lunar eclipse turning the moon blood red.

About Blood Moon

• A Blood Moon is when the Moon appears red/orange during a total lunar eclipse.

• Process: Earth blocks sunlight; atmosphere scatters shorter blue light, allowing red light to reach the Moon (Rayleigh scattering).

• Appearance: Can look red, orange, or copper depending on atmosphere and light pollution.

Rayleigh Scattering

• Explained by Lord Rayleigh (19th century).

• Light scatters inversely with wavelength.

• Reason sky is blue: Blue light has shortest wavelength and scatters more.

7. VISHWAMITRI RIVER

Current Context: After heavy rains, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) opened 62 gates of Ajwa Reservoir to release water into the Vishwamitri River.

About Vishwamitri River

• Location: Gujarat; about 200 km long

• Origin: Western & southern slopes of Pavagadh Hills

• Course: Flows through Vadodara → joins Dhadar & Jambuva → drains into Arabian Sea (Gulf of Khambhat)

• Features: Meandering river with ravines supporting diverse ecosystem

Flora & Fauna

• Species: Porcupine, civet, jungle cat, cobras, pythons, monitor lizards

• Home to Indian Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)

• 2020 Survey: ~300 muggers found within Vadodara city limits

SPACE

8. FLAMINGO MISSILE

Current Context: Ukraine has recently unveiled a new long-range cruise missile named Flamingo (FP-5).

About Flamingo Missile

• Developer: Ukraine’s Fire Point Defense Company

• Type: Long-range ground-launched cruise missile

• Category: First indigenously produced “heavy” missile system of Ukraine

Features

• Range: 3,000 km

• Warhead: 1,150 kg

• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 6,000 kg

• Wingspan: About 6 meters

• Engine: Turbofan engine

• Speed: Up to 900 km/h

• Navigation: Inertial system + GPS

Special Ability

• Resistant to electronic warfare

• Secure GPS module with CRPA antennas

• Heavy weight + high terminal velocity → deeper penetration before explosion, increasing destructive power

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

9. ANGIKAAR 2025 CAMPAIGN

Current Context: The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs launched Angikaar 2025 Campaign under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0).

About Angikaar 2025

• Nature: Last-mile outreach campaign

• Purpose: To create awareness about PMAY-U 2.0 and fast-track verification of applications

• Duration: Two months across 5,000+ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)

• Focus: Vulnerable sections of society

• Method: Door-to-door awareness and community mobilisation

About PMAY-Urban 2.0

• Objective: Provide all-weather pucca houses to eligible urban beneficiaries

• Government Assistance: Up to ₹2.5 lakh per unit

• Significance: Major flagship programme for affordable housing

10. VULTURE NETWORK PORTAL

Current Context: An Assam-based foundation developed the Vulture Network Portal, India’s first such digital platform for vulture conservation.

About Vulture Network Portal

• Type: Cloud-based portal

• Initiated By: We Foundation India with support from Assam Bird Monitoring Network and other organisations

Purpose

• Create a network for vulture conservation

• Compile scientific data and outreach materials

• Spread awareness in local languages (starting with Assamese)

Focus Areas

• Threats like carcass poisoning, harmful veterinary drugs (diclofenac), and negative social perception

• Free downloadable resources for awareness campaigns

Vultures Found in India

• Slender-billed vulture (~800 left)

• White-rumped vulture

• Red-headed vulture

• Himalayan griffon

• Indian vulture

• Cinereous vulture

• Eurasian griffon

• Egyptian vulture

• Bearded vulture

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