Prelims Current Affairs includes 22nd Asean–India Summit, Kafala System Abolished By Saudi Arabia, Kunar River Dam Project, Cyclone Montha, Justice Surya Kant To Become 53rd Chief Justice Of India, Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025, Indian-Origin Sunil Amrith Wins British Academy Book Prize 2025.

DEFENCE

1. BRAHMOS MISSILES

Current Context: The first batch of BrahMos supersonic missiles manufactured at the Lucknow unit of BrahMos Aerospace Limited has been successfully flagged off.

ABOUT BRAHMOS

• Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

• Cost: ₹380 crore over 200 acres (inaugurated May 2025)

• Features:

  • Two-stage fire-and-forget cruise missile (solid propellant booster).

  • Proven across land, air, ship, and submarine platforms.

• Significance: Strengthens India’s self-reliance in missile production.

REPORT

2. SYNCHRONOUS ALL-INDIA ELEPHANT ESTIMATION (SAIEE) 2021–25

Current Context: The SAIEE 2021–25 report was released in Dehradun on October 14, 2025, by the Environment Ministry and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

ABOUT SAIEE

• Total Elephants (2025): 22,446

• Top States:

  • Karnataka (6,013)

  • Assam (4,159)

  • Tamil Nadu (3,136)

  • Kerala (2,785)

• Observation: 18% decline since 2017; major dips in Jharkhand (68%) and Odisha (54%).

• Largest Sub-Population: Brahmagiri–Nilgiri–Eastern Ghats block.

• Conservation Status: Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) – Endangered, IUCN Red List since 1986.

ENVIRONMENT

3. GREEN CRACKERS & GRAP IN DELHI–NCR

Current Context: The Supreme Court has allowed limited use of green crackers in Delhi–NCR on a test basis, amid rising air pollution during Diwali.

ABOUT GREEN CRACKERS

• Developed By: CSIR & NEERI

• Composition: No barium nitrate, arsenic, lithium, or mercury; reduced aluminium and sulphur.

• Noise Limit: ≤120 decibels.

• Types:

  • SWAS – Safe Water Releasable

  • STAR – Safe Thermite Cracker

  • SAFAL – Safe Minimal Aluminium

• Licensing: Approved by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation & CSIR–NEERI.

ABOUT GRAP (GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN)

• Implemented By: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

• Purpose: Set of measures to control air pollution based on AQI levels.

• Stages:

  • Stage 1 – Poor (201–300)

  • Stage 2 – Very Poor (301–400)

  • Stage 3 – Severe (401–450)

  • Stage 4 – Severe+ (>450)

4. M.S. SWAMINATHAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION WINS IUCN TECH4NATURE AWARD 2025

Current Context: The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai, received the IUCN Tech4Nature Award 2025 for its innovative Fisher Friend Mobile App (FFMA) aiding conservation of the Olive Ridley Turtles.

ABOUT THE FISHER FRIEND MOBILE APP (FFMA)

• Developed By: MSSRF in collaboration with INCOIS and Qualcomm Wireless Reach.

• Function:

  • Provides real-time ocean and weather data to coastal communities.

  • Translates scientific data into actionable local information.

• Language Coverage: Available in nine Indian languages across nine states.

• Impact:

  • Enhances marine safety and biodiversity conservation.

  • Empowers fishing communities with sustainable practices.

5. CHENNAI BECOMES FIRST INDIAN CITY WITH REAL-TIME FLOOD FORECASTING SYSTEM

Current Context: Chennai has become the first Indian city to operationalise a Real-Time Flood Forecasting and Spatial Decision Support System (RTFF & SDSS) in October 2025, enhancing its urban flood management capacity.

ABOUT RTFF & SDSS

• Developed For: Early flood prediction, disaster management, and climate resilience.

• Components Include:

  • Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs)

  • Automatic Weather Stations (AWS)

  • Automatic Water Level Recorders (AWLRs)

  • Gate Sensors (GS)

• Function: Integrates real-time hydrometeorological data for decision-making.

• Significance:

  • Improves disaster response efficiency.

  • Reduces loss of life and property due to urban flooding.

  • Strengthens climate-resilient infrastructure in coastal cities.

PERSON IN NEWS

6. VIVEK MENON – NEW CHAIR OF IUCN SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMISSION

Current Context: Vivek Menon has been elected as the Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) for the 2025–2029 term.

ABOUT VIVEK MENON’S APPOINTMENT

• Organisation: IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)

• Significance:

  • First time in 75 years an Asian leader will head the Commission.

  • Symbolises growing global leadership of Asia and the Global South in conservation policy.

ABOUT IUCN SSC

• One of seven expert commissions under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

• Advises on biodiversity protection, species conservation, and Red List preparation.

• Coordinates specialist groups working on global conservation strategies.

SPORTS

7. KHELO INDIA UNIVERSITY GAMES (KIUG) 2025

Current Context: The Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 will be held in Rajasthan from November 24 to December 5, 2025 — the first time the State will host the event.

ABOUT KIUG 2025

• Host State: Rajasthan

• Duration: November 24 – December 5, 2025

• Venues: Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Bharatpur

• Launched In: 2020 (First Edition hosted by Bhubaneswar, Odisha)

• Purpose: To promote university-level sports talent under the Khelo India Mission of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

8. INDIA ELECTED UNOPPOSED TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (2026–28)

Current Context: India has been elected unopposed to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–2028 term, marking its seventh term in the Council.

ABOUT UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

• Established: 2006 by the UN General Assembly.

• Membership: 47 countries.

• Purpose:

  • Promote and protect human rights globally.

  • Review human rights situations in member states.

  • Provide a platform for dialogue on human rights issues.

• India’s Role:

  • India’s election reflects its commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

  • Permanent Representative P. Harish expressed gratitude to member nations for their support.

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