Prelims Current Affairs includes Red Panda Day, Gourangalal Das, a 1999 batch IFS officer, has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to South Korea., Marium Fatima from Muzaffarpur has become Bihar’s first Woman FIDE Master (WFM), Mukhya Mantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana in 2025, Anbu Karangal, Moran community of Assam and Puducherry has become the first Union Territory in India to achieve zero maternal mortality.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. INTERNATIONAL RED PANDA DAY

Celebrated on 20 September.

• Started by: Red Panda Network

• Observed on: Third Saturday of September each year

• Aim: To educate people about red pandas and encourage conservation through schools, zoos, and community events

• Red pandas are endangered species facing threats like habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and climate change

APPOINTMENT

2. GOURANGALAL DASS — INDIA’S NEW AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH KOREA

Current Context: Gourangalal Das, a 1999 batch IFS officer, has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to South Korea.

ABOUT

• Former Director General, India-Taipei Association

• Expert in East Asia affairs and China-related negotiations

PERSON IN NEWS

3. MARIUM FATIMA – BIHAR’S FIRST WOMAN FIDE MASTER

Current Context: Marium Fatima from Muzaffarpur has become Bihar’s first Woman FIDE Master (WFM), marking a historic milestone for the state in the field of chess.

ABOUT WOMAN FIDE MASTER (WFM) TITLE

• Awarded by: Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE)

• Significance: An official international chess title, ranked below Woman International Master (WIM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM).

• Basis of Award: Achieved through outstanding rating performance and results in recognized FIDE tournaments.

STATE IN NEWS

4. BIHAR LAUNCHES ₹1,000 ALLOWANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES

Current Context: The Bihar government led by CM Nitish Kumar has expanded the Mukhya Mantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana in 2025 to include unemployed graduates, aiming to empower youth and promote employment.

ABOUT THE SCHEME

• Name: Mukhya Mantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana

• Launched by: Government of Bihar

• Eligibility: Unemployed graduates (Arts/Science/Commerce), aged 20–25 years, not studying/working/self-employed

• Benefit: ₹1,000 per month for 2 years

• Earlier Scope: Only for intermediate pass unemployed youth

• Objective: Encourage skill training, competitive exam preparation, and youth self-reliance

• Target: To help achieve Bihar’s goal of creating 1 crore jobs in 5 years

• Part of: 7 Nischay Programme (Youth Welfare & Skill Development)

5. ZERO MATERNAL MORTALITY

Current Context: Puducherry has become the first Union Territory in India to achieve zero maternal mortality, a significant milestone in public health.

ABOUT MATERNAL MORTALITY

• Definition: Death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from causes related to pregnancy or its management.

• Indicator: Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) = Number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births.

• India’s MMR: 93 per 1,00,000 live births.

GLOBAL/SDG TARGET

• Target: Reduce MMR to 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030.

• States already meeting SDG target: Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Karnataka.

SCHEME

6. ‘ANBU KARANGAL’ SCHEME

Current Context: Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin launched the ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Hands of Love) scheme on 16 September 2025 to support orphaned children.

FEATURES

• Benefit: ₹2,000/month per child

• Duration: Till 18 years or completion of school

• Initial Beneficiaries: 6,082 children

• Eligibility:

  • Children who lost both parents

  • Children with one surviving parent unable to care

• Legal Basis: Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

• Additional Aid: Laptops to 1,340 orphan students (Class 12 pass, entering college)

• Digital App: Developed with TN e-Governance Agency for:

  • Online applications

  • Grievance redressal

  • Real-time monitoring of beneficiaries

GEOGRAPHY

7. MORAN COMMUNITY

Current Context: The Moran community of Assam has recently intensified its demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status from the Government of India.

ABOUT MORAN COMMUNITY

• Location: Mainly in Tinsukia district of Assam; also present in parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

• Historical Background: Had an independent kingdom at Bengmara (present-day Tinsukia) before the arrival of the Ahoms.

• Language: Earlier used a dialect from the Bodo group (Tibeto-Burman family); later shifted to Assamese.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

• Follow Vaishnavism (Moamoria sect) introduced by Sri Aniruddha Deva, disciple of Srimanta Sankardeva.

• Before Vaishnavism, they followed the Shakta faith linked to Kechaikhati Than (mother goddess shrine).

FESTIVALS

• Gasar Talar Bihu – a traditional Bihu dance performed under a tree.

• Kheri – another popular cultural festival.

REPORT

8. WORLD TRADE REPORT 2025 — WTO

Current Context: The World Trade Organization (WTO) released its World Trade Report 2025, highlighting the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in boosting global trade and growth by 2040.

RELEVANT DATA

• AI Impact: Could raise global trade by 34–37% and GDP by 12–13% by 2040

• AI-enabling goods trade (2023): USD 2.3 trillion

• Digital Gap: If low- and middle-income nations halve their digital gap, income may rise by 14–15%

• Barriers:

  • Tariffs on AI goods up to 45%

  • Trade restrictions rose from 130 (2012) → 500 (2024)

• Challenges: Uneven access to AI technologies

• WTO Role: Promotes commitments under ITA & GATS; 80 AI-related trade concerns raised since 2012

• Focus: Need for open and predictable trade environment, digital infrastructure, and workforce skill development

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