NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
ASI Declares Gollala Gudi Temple as Monument of National Importance
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the Gollala Gudi Temple at Palampet, Mulugu district, Telangana, a Monument of National Importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
- About Temple: Built during the 12th–13th centuries CE under the Kakatiya Dynasty, the temple is located near the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple and is renowned for its intricate carvings, Trikutalaya architecture, one east-facing mandapa, and three garbhagrihas.
- Significance: The notification ensures ASI-led conservation, maintenance and regulated public access, helping preserve the temple’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.
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India–Germany Deepen Green Partnership on Wetland Conservation
- India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on the conservation and wise use of wetlands of international importance during the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEF) to strengthen scientific cooperation and exchange best practices in wetland management.
- About IGEF: Established in 2008, the Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEF) is the highest-level bilateral platform for environmental cooperation between the two countries.
- Objective: The partnership aims to promote wetland conservation, sustainable ecosystem management and biodiversity protection through enhanced policy and technical collaboration.
- Key Facts: India is on track to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of schedule. The country’s circular economy has the potential to generate over USD 2 trillion in market value and create nearly 10 million jobs by 2050.
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BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
SEBI Grants Merchant Banking Licence to Zerodha
- Key Development: Zerodha has received a Category-I Merchant Banking licence from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), enabling its entry into the investment banking business through Zerodha Corporate Advisors.
- Significance: The licence allows Zerodha to manage Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Follow-on Public Offers (FPOs), rights issues, and other capital-market transactions, expanding beyond its core brokerage services.
- About Category-I Merchant Bankers: They are full-service intermediaries authorised to manage IPOs, act as lead managers and underwriters, facilitate mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and provide business valuation and other corporate advisory services.
- Fact: With Zerodha’s approval, the number of SEBI-registered merchant bankers has increased to 249.
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STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Kerala to Set Up Coconut Value-Addition Park
- Key Development: The Kerala government, with support from the Coconut Development Board, will establish a Coconut Value-Addition Park to modernise the coconut sector and increase farmers’ incomes.
- Objective: The park will promote modern processing and value addition, producing high-quality coconut products that meet export-market requirements. It will focus on processing, packaging, branding and marketing.
- India’s Global Position: India ranks 1st in coconut production and 3rd in cultivation area, contributing 31.24% of global production and 17.90% of global cultivation area.
- State-wise Contribution: Kerala has the largest area under coconut cultivation, while Tamil Nadu leads production. Andhra Pradesh has the highest productivity, followed by West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
- Policy Support: The sector is also supported by the Coconut Promotion Scheme under Budget 2026–27, aimed at sustainability, value addition and higher farmer incomes.
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Tamil Nadu to Set Up Olympic City and Motor Sports City
- Olympic City: Tamil Nadu plans to develop an Olympic City through the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), featuring international-standard sports arenas, a High Performance Training Centre and accommodation for sportspersons and coaches.
- Objective: The project aims to improve training and competition facilities and help Tamil Nadu athletes win more medals at the Olympics and other international competitions.
- Talent Development: SDAT will establish a Talent Research Wing (TRW) and Olympic Centres of Excellence at 10 locations across the state.
- Motor Sports City: A separate Motor Sports City will include a state-of-the-art motorsports complex capable of hosting Formula 1, 2, 3 and 4 races, while providing training and talent-identification opportunities for young motorsport enthusiasts.
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AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
National Wildlife Day: 4 September
- About: National Wildlife Day is observed on 4 September to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, endangered species and habitat protection, while highlighting the importance of biodiversity in maintaining ecological balance.
- Objective: The day encourages action against major threats to wildlife, including habitat destruction, pollution, climate change and illegal wildlife exploitation.
- Background: National Wildlife Day was established in 2005 by Colleen Paige, an animal behaviourist and philanthropist. The 4 September observance commemorates the legacy of renowned wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin.
- Significance: National Wildlife Day is observed twice each year—on 22 February and 4 September—to promote wildlife conservation and inspire greater public participation in protecting natural ecosystems.
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Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026
- About: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced the Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026 to promote sustainable plantation, landscaping and green management practices along National Highways.
- Objective: The awards recognise best plantation practices and encourage environmentally sustainable development of highway infrastructure.
- Award Categories: The awards were presented in Avenue Plantations, Median Plantations and Plantation in Land Parcels (including clover leaves, interchanges, toll plazas and service areas).
- First Prize Winners: Chilakaluripet Bypass (NH-16, Andhra Pradesh) won in Avenue Plantations; Hyderabad–Yadgiri section (NH-163) in Median Plantations; and Jamtha Clover Leaf & Oxygen Bird Park (NH-44, Nagpur) in Land Parcel Plantations.
- Participation: Entries were invited from NHAI field offices, concessionaires, contractors, government agencies, NGOs and private organisations.
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International Day of Charity: 5 September
- About: The International Day of Charity is observed annually on 5 September to promote charity, philanthropy and volunteerism in addressing poverty, humanitarian crises and social inequalities. It was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2012 through Resolution 67/105.
- Significance: The date commemorates the death anniversary of Mother Teresa (5 September 1997), recognising her lifelong humanitarian service and the importance of charitable action worldwide.
- About Mother Teresa: Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, she founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta (1950) to serve the poor, sick and destitute. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1979) for her outstanding humanitarian work.
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World Skyscraper Day 2026: 3 September
- About: World Skyscraper Day is observed annually on 3 September to celebrate achievements in architecture, engineering and urban development represented by high-rise buildings.
- Significance of 3 September: The date marks the birth anniversary of Louis H. Sullivan, born on 3 September 1856. Known as the “Father of Skyscrapers,” he pioneered modern high-rise architecture and popularised the principle “form follows function.”
- Skyscraper Definition: According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), a skyscraper is generally a building at least 150 metres (492 feet) tall.
- World’s Tallest: Burj Khalifa, Dubai, is the tallest completed skyscraper at 828 metres (2,717 feet).
- Most High-Rises: Hong Kong has more than 500 high-rise buildings, among the highest concentrations globally.
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World Coconut Day: 2 September
- World Coconut Day is observed annually on 2 September to highlight the importance of coconut in agriculture, nutrition, rural livelihoods and the economy, while promoting sustainable cultivation and value addition.
- Theme (2026): “Coconuts in Times of Uncertainty: Securing Food, Energy, and Livelihoods.”
- History: First celebrated in 2009, the day commemorates the Foundation Day of the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC). Scientifically known as Cocos nucifera, coconut is popularly called the “Tree of Life” due to its diverse uses.
- Government Support: Copra is among the 22 crops covered under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme. NAFED and NCCF are the Central Nodal Agencies responsible for copra procurement, with support from designated state agencies.
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