SHRESTH
News- SHRESTH: India’s First State Health Regulatory Excellence Index.
- Event – Launch of SHRESTH (State Health Regulatory Excellence Index) on 12 August 2025.
- Launched By – Union Health Ministry.
- Purpose – Benchmark and strengthen state drug regulatory systems.
- Significance – First-of-its-kind national initiative for drug safety, quality, and efficacy.
- Oversight – SHRESTH to be overseen by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
- State Categories –
– Manufacturing States – Evaluated on 27 indices under 5 themes: Human Resources, Infrastructure, Licensing Activities, Surveillance Activities, Responsiveness.
– Primarily Distribution States/UTs – Evaluated on 23 indices across similar parameters.
- Process –
– States submit data by the 25th of every month.
– Metrics scored on the 1st of the next month.
– Rankings shared with all States/UTs for transparency.
Defence Industrial Corridors
News-Two More Defence Industrial Corridors to Boost India’s Self-Reliance in Defence
- Initiative – Government to set up two new Defence Industrial Corridors in Maharashtra and Assam.
- Purpose – Boost Atmanirbhar Bharat, create jobs, and strengthen defence manufacturing.
- Context – Follows success of existing corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu launched in 2018.
- Timeline – To be established in the coming months.
Disha Abhiyan
News-Maharashtra Launches ‘Disha Abhiyan’ for Uniform Education of Students with Intellectual Disabilities
- Initiative – Maharashtra implements ‘Disha Abhiyan’ for uniform, quality education of students with intellectual disabilities.
- Announcement – Made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- Significance – First state in India to adopt this programme.
- Coverage – Rolled out across 453 special schools.
- Objective – Promote inclusive education and standardised learning for special needs students.
Nari Adalat
News- Sikkim CM Launches ‘Nari Adalat’ on 1st Amma Samman Diwas to Empower Women in Local Justice.
- Event – Launch of ‘Nari Adalat’ on the first Amma Samman Diwas.
- Launched By – Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang at Rongpo.
- Nature – Women-led community justice forum.
- Purpose – Provide accessible, informal, and empathetic conflict resolution.
- Focus Area – Rural and semi-urban communities in Sikkim.
World Elephant Day 2025
News- World Elephant Day 2025: Bringing the World Together to Help Elephants.
- Event – World Elephant Day observed annually on 12 August.
- Purpose – Raise awareness on conservation, protection, and welfare of elephants.
- Focus – Preserve natural habitats; combat poaching and habitat destruction.
- 2025 Theme – “Bringing the world together to help elephants.”
- History of World Elephant Day
- Year of Establishment – 2012.
- Founded By – Canadian filmmaker Patricia Sims & Thailand’s Elephant Reintroduction Foundation.
- Origin – Inspired by Patricia Sims’ documentary “Return to the Forest” on elephant rehabilitation in Thailand.
- First Celebration – 12 August 2012.
International Youth Day 2025
News- International Youth Day 2025.
- Event – International Youth Day celebrated annually on 12 August.
- Established – Declared by UN in 1999; first observed in 2000.
- 2025 Theme – “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.”
- Significance 2025 – Marks 10 years of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- Main Event 2025 – Nairobi, Kenya in partnership with UN-Habitat.
- Purpose – Highlight youth role in achieving SDGs and address youth-related issues globally.
MCQs
Q1. Which ministry launched SHRESTH?
A) Ministry of AYUSH
B) Union Health Ministry
C) Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
D) Ministry of Home Affairs
Q2. In which two states will the government set up new Defence Industrial Corridors?
A) Gujarat and Rajasthan
B) Maharashtra and Assam
C) Odisha and Punjab
D) Haryana and Karnataka
Q3. Which state launched ‘Disha Abhiyan’ for uniform, quality education of students with intellectual disabilities?
A) Gujarat
B) Maharashtra
C) Karnataka
D) Rajasthan
Q4. On which occasion was ‘Nari Adalat’ launched in Sikkim?
A) International Women’s Day
B) First Amma Samman Diwas
C) National Legal Services Day
D) Women’s Empowerment Week
Q5. When is World Elephant Day observed every year?
A) 10 August
B) 12 August
C) 14 August
D) 15 August
Q6. What is the theme of International Youth Day 2025?
A) Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future
B) Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond
C) Youth and Climate Action
D) Youth Engagement for Global Change