1 . Thiru Subramania Siva
Syllabus Mapping: GS I: Modern Indian History – Freedom Struggle • Important Personalities
- Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes to Thiru Subramania Siva at the Vice-President’s House on the occasion of his death anniversary, describing him as a great patriot who dedicated his life to the service of the nation.
- Thiru Subramania Siva (1884–1925) was an eminent Tamil freedom fighter, nationalist, writer and orator from Vathalakundu (Wattalakundu), present-day Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu.
- He was among the earliest political prisoners of the Madras Presidency during the Indian freedom movement.
- He worked closely with O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC) and Subramania Bharati, playing a significant role in spreading the Swadeshi Movement in South India.
- He actively participated in the Swadeshi Movement (1905–08) and delivered fiery speeches against British rule, leading to his repeated imprisonment.
- During imprisonment, he reportedly contracted leprosy, attributed to the harsh prison conditions, yet continued to participate in the nationalist movement after his release.
- He founded the Dharma Paripalana Samajam to promote patriotism and social awakening.
- He started the Tamil journals: Gnanabhanu (monthly) + Prabanja Mithran (weekly)
to spread nationalist ideas. - He wrote under the pen name “Naradhar” and authored works such as Ramanuja Vijayam and Madhva Vijayam.
- He is popularly remembered as “Veeramurasu” (Drum of Valour) for his inspirational speeches that mobilised people against colonial rule.
- He passed away on 23 July 1925, and his death anniversary is observed in remembrance of his contribution to India’s freedom struggle
2. DESH Scheme(Development of Excavation Sites and Heritage Complexes)
Syllabus Mapping: GS I: Indian Heritage & Culture • Ancient Indian History • Art & Architecture
- DESH is a Centrally Sponsored Sub-Scheme of the Ministry of Culture announced in the Union Budget 2026.
- It aims at the promotion and sustainable development of 15 selected tangible cultural heritage sites across the country.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the protection and conservation of Centrally Protected Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains.
- Sannati (Karnataka)
- Situated on the banks of the Bhima River, Sannati is an extraordinary Buddhist monastic site that evolved between the 3rd Century BCE and 3rd Century CE. Its crown jewel is the Kanaganahalli stupa mound, which unearthed the only surviving stone sculpture portrait of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka bearing the Brahmi inscription “Raya Asoko” (King Ashoka).
- Sibasagar (Assam)
- Formerly known as Rangpur, it served as the historic capital of the Ahom Kingdom, which ruled the Assam region successfully for six centuries. The landscape is defined by the massive 257-acre Borpukhuri (Sivasagar Tank) and iconic multi-storied Ahom architectural wonders like the Talatal Ghar (palace) and Rang Ghar (an ancient royal sports pavilion).
3. Eran (Madhya Pradesh)
Syllabus Mapping: GS I: Indian Heritage & Culture • Ancient Indian History • Art & Architecture
- Eran is an ancient archaeological site located in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, at the confluence of the Bina and Reuta rivers, occupying a strategic location between Malwa and Bundelkhand.
- Ancient inscriptions refer to Eran as Erakina (Airikina/Erakanya), which served as an important administrative centre during the Gupta period.
- Excavations indicate continuous cultural occupation from the Chalcolithic period (c.1800 BCE) through the Early Historic, Gupta, and Late Medieval
- Eran was an important minting centre, evidenced by the discovery of coins belonging to several ancient dynasties.
- The site is renowned for the colossal Varaha (Boar) sculpture, one of the finest Gupta-period representations of Varaha, the third avatar of Lord Vishnu. The sculpture depicts Bhudevi (Earth Goddess) being rescued by Varaha and is richly carved with sages and divine figures.
- Eran contains the famous Garuda Pillar, associated with an early Vaishnavite temple complex, reflecting the flourishing of Vaishnavism during the Gupta age.
- The Eran Inscription of Samudragupta is an important epigraphic source for reconstructing the political history and administrative geography of the Gupta Empire.
- The Budhagupta Inscription (484–485 CE) records the establishment of a Garuda-dhvaja (Garuda standard), illustrating Gupta patronage of Vaishnavism.
- The Bhanugupta Inscription (510 CE) records the death of Goparaja in battle and contains one of the earliest epigraphic references associated with the practice of sati, making it significant for social history.
4. Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
Syllabus Mapping: GS II: Governance • Transparency & Accountability • Public Institutions
- the Prime Minister announced the setting up of fast-track courts for paper leak cases to ensure swift prosecution and stringent punishment under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- Enacted to prevent unfair means in public examinations and curb organised paper leaks and examination malpractices.
- The Act applies to examinations conducted by authorities specified in the Schedule or notified by the Central Government, including:
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
- National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
- Recruitment examinations conducted by Central Government departments and attached offices
- Punishments:
- General offences: Imprisonment 3–5 years and fine up to ₹10 lakh.
- Organised crime: Imprisonment 5–10 years and minimum fine of ₹1 crore.
- Offences are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
- Service providers involved may face:
- Fine up to ₹1 crore.
- Recovery of examination costs.
- Debarment from conducting public examinations for 4 years.
- The Act primarily targets organised gangs, institutions and service providers involved in examination fraud.
5. Operation Southern Readiness 26-2
Syllabus Mapping: GS III: Internal Security • Maritime Security • Defence Cooperation
- Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a four-day multinational maritime security training engagement, concluded at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi on 23 July 2026.
- Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 is a multinational maritime security training engagement, not a naval combat exercise.
- It was hosted at the Southern Naval Command (SNC), Kochi, from 20–23 July 2026.
- The exercise was conducted by the Indian Navy in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
- It was organised under the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, the Training Task Force of the CMF.
- It marked the maiden conduct of Operation Southern Readiness in India, highlighting India’s expanding role in multinational maritime training.
