Prelims Current Affairs includes World Ozone Day, Mizoram’s first railway line, Sustainable Development Report 2025, SDG 11 Challenges, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), Opium & Cultivation Policy, Tadoba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserves, 4th Coast Guard Global Summit in Rome and Albania appointed “Diella”.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. WORLD OZONE DAY

Current Context: World Ozone Day is observed every year on 16 September to raise awareness about the depletion of the ozone layer and the need to protect it.

About World Ozone Day

• Commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol on 16 September 1987 to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

• Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994.

• The ozone layer absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation.

• The day highlights global efforts in ozone protection and celebrates the success of the Montreal Protocol.

STATE IN NEWS

2. MIZORAM’S FIRST RAILWAY LINE – BAIRABI–SAIRANG

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Mizoram’s first railway line — the Bairabi–Sairang broad gauge line (51.38 km), marking a historic milestone in Northeast India’s connectivity.

About the Project

• Sanctioned: 2008–09 | Construction started: 2015

• Cost: Approx. ₹8,070 crore

• Route: From Bairabi (Assam border) to Sairang (20 km from Aizawl)

• Structures: 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges

• Tallest Bridge: Bridge No. 144 at 114 m — tallest pier railway bridge in India

• Terrain: 54% alignment through tunnels and bridges due to complex Himalayan geology

Strategic Importance

• Makes Aizawl the 4th northeastern capital with railway connectivity (after Guwahati, Agartala, Itanagar).

• Reduces travel time and logistics cost; supports supply of essentials and promotes tourism.

• Supports Act East Policy and enhances cross-border trade.

New Train Services

• Sairang–Delhi Rajdhani Express (weekly)

• Sairang–Guwahati Express (daily)

• Sairang–Kolkata Express (thrice weekly)

Complementary Infrastructure Projects

• ₹9,000 crore worth projects announced:

  • Aizawl Bypass (45 km)

  • Roads like Thenzawl–Sialsuk and Khankawn–Rongura

  • Chhimtuipui bridge under Kaladan Multimodal Transit framework

  • LPG bottling plant, sports facilities, and new educational institutions

REPORT

3. INDIA’S URBAN SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES & SDG 11

Current Context: India ranked 99th out of 167 countries in the Sustainable Development Report 2025, but faces major challenges in achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

About SDG 11 Challenges

• Indicators under SDG 11:

  • Proportion of slum population

  • Air pollution (PM 2.5)

  • Access to improved piped water

  • Public transport availability

Key Findings

• Stagnant progress on slum population and PM 2.5 pollution levels.

• Decline in access to piped water in 2025; only 65% households had it in 2022.

• Water supply highly irregular — e.g. Mumbai gets just 5 hours/day.

• High water cost in slums (30× more from tankers); only 45 lpcd supply vs. 135 lpcd norm.

• Half of slum households live in non-pucca houses with overcrowding and tenure insecurity.

Environmental & Disaster Risks

• • High exposure to pollution, flooding, landslides during monsoons.

  • Poor infrastructure increases loss of life, health risks, and income shocks.

  • Weak resilience building deepens urban poverty and inequality.

ECONOMY

4. PINK TAX

Current Context: While no specific laws exist in India against the Pink Tax, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has ruled that companies must avoid gender-based price discrimination.

About Pink Tax

• Not a government tax — refers to extra cost charged for women’s products compared to similar men’s products.

• Seen in toys, haircuts, dry cleaning, razors, shampoos, lotions, clothing, salon services etc.

• Originated in California, U.S. (1994) after studies showed:

  • Women’s personal care products cost 13% more.

  • Women’s clothing 7–8% costlier than men’s.

• In India:

  • No legal prohibition.

  • Prices based on market demand.

  • Studies show clear price gaps between male and female versions.

ENVIRONMENT

5. TIGER TRANSLOCATION TO SAHYADRI TIGER RESERVE

Current Context: MoEFCC has approved the translocation of 8 tigers (3 males, 5 females) from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserves to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.

About the Project

• Legal basis: Section 12 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Aim: Revive tiger population in the northern Western Ghats.

• Earlier approved by: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Benefits

• Restores predator-prey balance.

• Reduces human-tiger conflict in overcrowded reserves.

• Rewilds habitats where tigers were locally extinct.

Concerns: Local protests, territorial disputes with existing tigers, poor prey base, weak forest management.

About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

• Established: 2010 (by merging Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary).

• Location: Sahyadri ranges, Western Ghats, Maharashtra (northernmost tiger habitat in the Western Ghats).

• Reservoirs: Shivsagar (Koyna River), Vasant Sagar (Warana River).

• Fauna: Wild dog, leopard, gaur, sambar, mouse deer, hornbills, Indian river tern.

SUMMIT

6. INDIAN COAST GUARD

Current Context: India participated in the 4th Coast Guard Global Summit in Rome and bid to host the next edition in 2027.

About Indian Coast Guard

• Established: 1977.

• Under: Ministry of Defence.

• Motto: Vayam Rakshamah — “We Protect”.

• Roles:

  • Protect ocean and offshore wealth (oil, fish, minerals).

  • Assist mariners in distress.

  • Enforce maritime laws against poaching, smuggling, narcotics.

  • Preserve marine environment and ecology.

  • Collect scientific data and support Navy during wartime.

POLITY

7. PERSONALITY RIGHTS

Current Context: Delhi High Court passed an interim order protecting actor Abhishek Bachchan’s personality rights, stopping misuse of his name, image, voice, or persona for commercial gain without consent.

About Personality Rights

• Give individuals exclusive commercial control over their identity.

• Covers name, image, voice, behaviour, and unique personal attributes.

• Not defined by statute in India, but protected under:

  • Common law.

  • Article 21 (Right to Privacy).

  • Intellectual Property laws.

INTERNATIONAL

8. NEW YORK DECLARATION ON PALESTINE

Current Context: India voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue.

About New York Declaration

• Calls for:

  • Immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

  • Establishment of an independent, sovereign, economically viable Palestinian State.

  • Disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from governance.

  • Normalisation of ties between Israel and Arab states.

  • Collective security guarantees for all parties.

SCIENCE AND TECH

9. WORLD’S FIRST AI MINISTER – ALBANIA

Current Context: Albania appointed “Diella” — an AI-generated bot — as the world’s first AI Minister to handle and award public tenders for government projects.

Role of AI in Governance

• Improves efficiency in urban planning, healthcare, disaster relief.

• Reduces corruption through automation.

• Enhances citizen service delivery (chatbots, multilingual apps).

Challenges:

• Risk to democracy, accountability, and transparency.

• Data privacy issues, bias and discrimination.

• Lack of legal framework for AI errors.

MISC

10. OPIUM CULTIVATION (2025–26)

Current Context: Union Government has announced the annual licensing policy for opium cultivation for 2025–26 under NDPS Rules, 1985.

About Opium & Cultivation Policy

• Opium poppy produces opium gum rich in morphine, codeine, thebaine (medicinal alkaloids).

• India is the only country allowed by UN (1961 Single Convention) to produce gum opium.

• Cultivation permitted in: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (notified tracts).

• Licensing Authority: Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Gwalior (Ministry of Finance).

• Farmers must sell entire produce to CBN at government-decided price.

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