Prelims Current Affairs includes a book on Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), Sixth Schedule, Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), Varkala Cliff in Kerala, 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Venezuela and Sujalam Bharat Summit (2025).

IMPORTANT DAY

1. WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DAY

• Observed globally on 26 September.

• Aim: To raise awareness about the link between environmental conditions and human health.

• Established by: International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH).

• Theme 2025: “Clean Air, Healthy People.”

ECONOMY

2. INDIA–AUSTRALIA ORGANIC PRODUCTS MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT

Current Context: India and Australia have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi.

About the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA)

• Purpose: Allows mutual acceptance of organic certification standards, eliminating duplicate inspections.

• Coverage:

  • Unprocessed plant products (excluding greenhouse crops and aquatic plants).

  • Processed plant-based foods (including third-country certified ingredients processed in India or Australia).

  • Wine.

• Implementing Agencies:

  • Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India.

  • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australia.

3. GOODS AND SERVICES TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL (GSTAT)

Current Context: The Union Minister for Finance launched the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) in New Delhi.

About GSTAT

• Established Under: Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

• Function: Hears appeals under CGST and State/UT GST Acts.

• Composition:

  • President (Supreme Court judge or former High Court Chief Justice).

  • Judicial Members.

  • Technical Members (Centre & State).

• Eligibility: Requires long judicial or revenue service experience (25 years in Group A for technical members).

• Tenure: 4 years or until 70 years (President) and 67 years (other members).

• Powers: Equivalent to a Civil Court – can hear cases, pass orders, impose penalties, revoke or cancel registrations.

POLITY

4. SIXTH SCHEDULE

Current Context: Recently, Ladakh witnessed violent protests demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

About the Sixth Schedule

• Origin: Based on the recommendations of the Bordoloi Committee; came into effect in 1950.

• Constitutional Basis: Articles 244(2) and 275(1).

• Applicability: Special provisions for tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

• Governance System: Provides elected Autonomous District and Regional Councils with legislative, judicial, and financial powers.

Key Provisions:

• Autonomous Districts & Regions: Created by the Governor for tribal administration.

• Councils: District Councils (up to 30 members) and Regional Councils with law-making powers on land, forests (except reserved), inheritance, and customary laws.

• Judicial Powers: Councils establish Village and District Council Courts (excluding serious crimes).

• Financial Powers: Councils can levy taxes, regulate mineral extraction, and collect land revenue.

• Local Administration: Councils manage schools, dispensaries, roads, fisheries, and markets.

• Governor’s Powers: Can reorganise districts and review administration.

PLACE IN NEWS

5. VARKALA CLIFF

Current Context: UNESCO has placed the Varkala Cliff in Kerala on its tentative list of World Heritage Sites.

About Varkala Cliff

• Location: Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala.

• Geological Significance: Exposes the Warkalli Formation of Mio-Pliocene age (13 lakh–2.5 crore years).

• Local Name: Sivagiri Thuruthu.

• Features: Laterite and sedimentary layers with fossils and traces of ancient climate.

• Environmental Importance:

  • Acts as a natural aquifer and water harvesting system.

  • Supports biodiversity and underwater reefs vital for fishing communities.

• Status: 27th national geological monument in India and 2nd in Kerala (after Angadipuram Laterite).

6. VENEZUELA

Current Context: A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Venezuela, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.

About Venezuela

• Location: Northern coast of South America.

• Boundaries: Guyana (east), Brazil (south), Colombia (southwest/west), Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean (north).

• Terrain: Andes Mountains, Maracaibo Lowlands, central plains (llanos), Guiana Highlands.

• Rivers: Orinoco and Rio Negro.

• Lakes: Lake Maracaibo (largest in South America), Lake Guri.

• Natural Resources: World’s largest oil reserves, coal, iron ore, bauxite, gold.

• Special Features: Angel Falls (world’s highest waterfall) in Guiana Highlands.

• Capital: Caracas.

ORGANISATION

7. CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION (CWC)

Current Context: The Central Water Commission organised a virtual workshop on “Technology for Efficient Water Management” under the Sujalam Bharat Summit (2025).

About CWC

• Organisation: Premier technical body under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

• Headquarters: New Delhi.

• Functions: Flood control, irrigation, hydropower, drinking water, navigation, project planning, and implementation.

About Sujalam Bharat Summit (2025)

• Led by: Ministry of Jal Shakti, coordinated by NITI Aayog.

• Objective: Promote water management, sanitation, and sustainable practices.

• Features: Grassroots feedback for national water policy, six departmental summits planned.

8. FORUM FOR INDIA–PACIFIC ISLAND COOPERATION (FIPIC)

Current Context: India hosted a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Forum for India–Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC).

About FIPIC

• Founded: 2014, under India’s Act East Policy.

• Members: 14 Pacific Island nations – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

• Island Groups: Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia.

• Objective: Strengthen cooperation between India and Pacific Island countries in trade, climate resilience, development, and connectivity.

POLITY

9. APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE OF THE CABINET (ACC)

Current Context: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of tenure of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) till May 2026.

About ACC

• Type: One of the eight Cabinet Committees within the Union Executive.

• Composition: Prime Minister (Chairperson), Minister of Home Affairs (Member).

• Functions:

  • Decides senior-level government appointments including Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Joint Secretaries.

  • Handles appointments in Public Sector Units (PSUs), banks, insurance companies, and autonomous bodies.

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