‘Promise to Children’ Campaign About the Campaign – Launched on 29 September 2025 in New Delhi. – Jointly initiated by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and UNICEF. – Occasion: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. – Focus: Children’s rights to quality education, healthcare, nutrition, safe water, sanitation, and protection from violence. – Mode: Digital campaign engaging cricket fans, players, and global audiences. – Key Figures: UNICEF National Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana and Indian women’s cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. Significance…

Kaziranga National Park: Recent Visit by Assam Governor Historical Background – 1905: First proposed as a Reserved Forest. – 1908: First notified as a Reserved Forest. – 1916: Declared as a Game Reserve. – 1950: Upgraded to a Wildlife Sanctuary. – 1974: Declared a National Park. – 1985: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) for its unique natural habitat. – 2006: Declared a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. – Recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by…

BSF’s New Decision Support System (DSS) Key Features of DSS – Enhanced Decision-Making: Offers commanders role-based dashboards for real-time operational planning and execution. – Complete Operating Picture (COP): Integrates GIS with legacy operations data, incident logs, and border sensor inputs for a unified situational overview. – AI & ML Capabilities: Uses predictive analytics to map smuggling hotspots, infiltration routes, and optimize resource deployment. – Inter-Agency Integration: Designed to link with electronic border solutions, BSF command centres, and GIS platforms…

World Tourism Day 2025: Meghalaya’s New Tourism Initiatives <h3>World Tourism Day 2025: Meghalaya’s New Tourism Initiatives</h3> <h3>Key Features of the Initiative</h3> – <strong>Tourism Helpline:</strong> Launch of India’s first multilingual tourism helpline (CM Connect), operating in 7 languages — English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Khasi, Pnar, and Garo. Provides real-time guidance on safety, logistics, and destinations. – <strong>Meghalaya Homestay Mission:</strong> Focus on utilising homestays during the upcoming National Games and later as permanent tourist facilities. Nearly 800 homestays sanctioned, 237 operational,…

The 149-Year-Old Durgabari Durga Puja, Tripura Historical Background – The tradition of Durga Puja in Tripura dates back over 500 years under the Manikya dynasty. – The Durgabari temple was set up near the Ujjayanta Palace (constructed 1899–1901 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya). – After Tripura’s merger with India in 1949, successive state governments—irrespective of ideology—have continued sponsoring the festival. Administrative Role – The West Tripura District Magistrate (DM), known as the ‘Sebayet’, officially organises the Puja. – Ritual…

Syllabus: GS-III & V: Infrastructure Why in the News? The Children in India 2025 report by MoSPI highlights a major rise in internet connectivity in Assam’s schools. From just 13.7% in 2015-16, internet availability has reached 53.8% in 2023-24, marking a crucial step toward digital equity, NEP 2020 implementation, and preparing students for a knowledge-driven economy. Status of Schools with Internet Connectivity – 2015-16: 13.7% schools connected – 2019-20: 22.6% schools connected – 2022-23: 34.6% schools connected – 2023-24:…

Syllabus: GS-III & V: Environmental Concerns Why in the News? The Centre for Environment and Social Justice (CEJS) has flagged concerns over the construction of the western Aizawl bypass. Large volumes of excavated soil are being dumped into the Tlawng river, the primary water source for Aizawl, causing turbidity beyond safe treatment limits. Activists allege the work began without mandatory forest clearance, potentially violating the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. More About the News…

Syllabus: GS-II & V: Bilateral Relations Why in the News? India has announced its first-ever cross-border railway links with Bhutan through the Kokrajhar–Gelephu line (Assam) and Banarhat–Samtse line (West Bengal), worth ₹4,033 crore, aimed at boosting connectivity, trade, tourism, and strategic ties. Key Details of the Rail Projects Kokrajhar–Gelephu Line: 70 km, 6 stations, ~100 bridges; connects Bodoland to Bhutan’s Gelephu Economic Hub. Banarhat–Samtse Line: 20 km, 2 stations, ~25 bridges; links WB with Bhutan’s industrial hub in Samtse….

Syllabus: GS-I & V: Social Issues in Assam Why in News Assam has recorded the steepest decline in child marriages in India, surpassing the national average, marking a significant boost to its human development indices. More About the News Survey “Tipping Point to Zero” (2025): Assam recorded 84% decline among girls and 91% among boys. National average: 69% (girls), 72% (boys). Success factors: awareness campaigns, police action, NGO partnerships. 99% awareness of child marriage laws; TV (92%) and NGOs…