CURRENT AFFAIRS 26 August, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 26 August, 2025

1. SUPREME COURT CONSTITUTES SIT TO INVESTIGATE VANTARA –

• The Supreme Court ordered an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the affairs of Vantara, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre of Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
• A 4-member SIT will be formed under the chairmanship of former SC Justice J. Chelameswar and has been directed to submit its report by September 12.

Mandate of the SIT

• Animal Acquisition: Examine acquisition of animals (within India & abroad), especially elephants.
• Legal Compliance: Check adherence to Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, zoo rules, and CITES provisions.
• Import/Export Regulations: Review laws and statutory requirements related to trade in live animals.
• Animal Welfare: Assess animal husbandry, veterinary care, welfare standards, mortalities, and their causes.
• Physical Verification: Conduct physical verification and inspection of Vantara.
• Fact-Finding Role: Function as a fact-finding inquiry to assist the Court, without expressing views on allegations.

2. GAGANYAAN CREW MODULE PASSES CRUCIAL RE-ENTRY TEST –

• ISRO successfully carried out an Integrated Air Drop Test simulating the re-entry, parachute deployment, and sea recovery of the Gaganyaan crew module, marking a key milestone for India’s first human spaceflight mission.
• Parachute System: Designed by DRDO; part of a 10-parachute configuration for actual flights.

About Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01)

• Aim: To evaluate the end-to-end parachute deployment sequence, including: Extraction, Drogue chute activation, Main parachute deployment.
• Method: A dummy crew capsule (~5 tonnes) is dropped from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter to validate the system’s performance

3. SHIPKI-LA PASS –

• Recent developments indicate a positive shift in India-China border trade relations. China has agreed in principle to reopen the Shipki-La trade route in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district.
• This follows diplomatic engagement during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India. The route’s reopening is part of broader discussions to resume trade through all three designated border points between the two countries.

Shipki-La Trade Route

• Shipki-La is a historic trade pass located in the Himalayas. It has served as a traditional link between India and Tibet. The route was officially designated for border trade under the 1994 India-China bilateral agreement. Trade through Shipki-La was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, halting centuries-old economic and cultural exchanges.

4. NEPAL JOINS INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE FOR CONSERVATION –

• Nepal officially joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in August 2025. This India-led global initiative focuses on the conservation of seven big cat species. Nepal’s diverse wildlife includes the snow leopard, tiger and common leopard. Its membership strengthens international cooperation to protect these iconic animals.

Background

• The IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 April 2023 in Mysuru. It aims to conserve seven big cat species – tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.
• The alliance includes over 90 countries, both range and non-range nations, united by a shared goal of big cat conservation. The Union Cabinet approved the IBCA’s establishment in February 2024 with headquarters in India.

5. INDIA-THAILAND MAITREE EXERCISE 2025 –

• The 14th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise Maitree is scheduled from 1 to 14 September 2025. It will be held at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
• This exercise returns to Indian soil after five years. It aims to enhance the operational capabilities of both armies in counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under the United Nations mandate. The exercise reflects the shared commitment of India and Thailand towards global peace and security.

Background

• Exercise Maitree began in 2006 as an annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army.
• The exercise alternates between locations in India and Thailand.
• It is designed to improve joint operational skills and encourage defence cooperation.
• The 2025 edition is important as it marks the continuity of strong defence ties between the two nations.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   The Matua community is primarily found in which state ?

1. a) Sikkim
2. b) West Bengal
3. c) Bihar
4. d) Odisha

Q2.   What is “INS Kadmatt” that was recently seen in news ?

1. a) Kiev class aircraft carrier
2. b) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
3. c) Stealth multi role frigate
4. d) Stealth anti-submarine warfare corvette

Q3.   NAMASTE scheme is jointly implemented by which two ministries ?

1. a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & Ministry of Jal Shakti
2. b) Ministry of Rural Development & Ministry of Labour and Employment
3. c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment & Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
4. d) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Ministry of Skill Development

Q4.   Consider the following statements about the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS):

1. It is capable of neutralising threats within a range of up to 10 km.
2. It includes both kinetic and non-kinetic air defence components.
3. It has been entirely developed indigenously by the DRDO.

          Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

1. a) Only 1
2. b) Only 2
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• The IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system, which includes components that cover ranges from 300 meters up to 30 km — not just under 10 km. Thus statement 1st is incorrect.
• It includes kinetic systems like QRSAM and VSHORADS, and non-kinetic systems like the laser-based DEW. Thus statement 2nd is correct.
• The system is fully indigenous, developed by DRDO and its associated labs. Thus statement 3rd is correct.

Q5.   Consider the following statements:

1. The headquarters of IBCA is located in India.
2. Nepal was the first country to sign the IBCA Framework Agreement.
3. The IBCA initiative was launched during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.

          Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: The IBCA headquarters is in India.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: While Nepal is a member of the IBCA, it was not the first country to sign the framework agreement. India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua were the first five countries to ratify and sign the agreement.
• Statement 3 is correct: The IBCA was launched on April 9, 2023, during 50 years of Project Tiger.

Answer Key