• A towering figure in Indian politics
• Born: 25 December 1924, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
• Died: 16 August 2018, New Delhi
• Identity: An eloquent orator, poet, journalist, and the “Bhishma Pitamah” of Indian politics

Prime Ministerial Tenure :

• 1996: 13 days
• 1998–1999: 13 months
• 1999–2004: Full five-year term

Key Positions Held :

• Member of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1951–1977)
• Founding President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (1980–1986)
• Minister of External Affairs (1977–1979)
• Member of Parliament: 10 times in Lok Sabha and 2 times in Rajya Sabha

Historic Decisions :

• Pokhran-II (1998): Nuclear tests
• Lahore Bus Yatra (1999): Peace initiative with Pakistan
• Kargil Victory: Strong military leadership

Major Schemes and Initiatives :

• Golden Quadrilateral Project: National highway development
• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Rural road connectivity
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Expansion of primary education
• Special Day : 25 December (Birth Anniversary): Observed as Good Governance Day

• Indira Gandhi International Airport – New Delhi
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport – Mumbai

• Kempegowda International Airport – Bengaluru
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport – Hyderabad
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport – Kolkata

• Script: Ol Chiki – the official script of the Santali language, developed in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
• Format: The President released both a physical (hard copy) and a digital version, enabling easy access via mobile devices and the internet.
• Objective: To ensure wider access to the Constitution in remote tribal regions and to raise awareness about constitutional rights.
• Constitutional Inclusivity: Santali is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Constitutional Status: Santali is one of the 22 official languages listed in the Eighth Schedule, added through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
• Article 394A: Empowers the President to publish authoritative translations of the Constitution in various languages.
• Speakers: As per the 2011 Census, over 7 million people in India speak Santali.

• Established: 31 December 2008
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Background: Formed in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks
• Legal Basis: Functions under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008
• Administrative Control: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India

• LPG consumption has increased; the average number of cylinders per household has risen from 3 in 2019-20 to 4.47 in 2024-25 and is projected to reach 4.85 in 2025-26.
• The government has sanctioned 25 lakh additional LPG connections in 2025-26.
• Biometric authentication coverage has increased; 12.12 crore inspections were conducted in the safety check campaign, and 4.65 crore hoses were replaced.
• Petroleum infrastructure has been strengthened; over 90,000 retail outlets have been digitized, CGD coverage has been extended to 307 areas, 1.57 crore PNG connections have been provided, and over 8,400 CNG stations have been established.

• She is a 1991 batch Odisha cadre IAS officer and holds a Master's degree in Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins University (USA).
• Anu Garg previously served as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) from 2012 to 2015. She was also the first woman Development Commissioner of Odisha.
• She will replace Manoj Ahuja, a 1990 batch IAS officer, who is retiring on December 31, 2024. Her tenure is scheduled until March 2029.

Odisha:

• Establishment: April 1, 1936 (separated from Bihar)
• Capital: Bhubaneswar (also known as the 'City of Temples')

• Major Rivers: Mahanadi (Odisha's largest river), Brahmani, Baitarani, and Subarnarekha
• Chilika Lake: It is India's largest brackish water lake and a famous Ramsar site.
• Highest Peak: Deomali (Koraput district)
• Classical Dance: Odissi
• Major Temples:
• Jagannath Temple (Puri): Its annual Rath Yatra is world-famous.
• Konark Sun Temple: UNESCO World Heritage Site (also known as the 'Black Pagoda')
• Lingaraj Temple: Located in Bhubaneswar

• Capital: Mumbai
• Sub-capital: Nagpur (Winter Session)
• State Formation Day: 1 May 1960 (Maharashtra Day)
• State Song: Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha
• Major Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Bhima, Tapi, Penganga

• Folk Dances: Lavani, Tamasha
• Major Festivals: Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padwa, Diwali
• Traditional Cuisine: Puran Poli, Vada Pav, Misal Pav
• Special Fact: Mumbai is the financial capital of India

• Venue: The first KITG was held on the campus of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Deemed University, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• Unveiling: The logo, theme song, and mascot were formally unveiled in Bhubaneswar, in the presence of the then Chief Minister and Sports Minister of Odisha.
• Mascot: The mascot for these games was 'Dhumsa', a traditional tribal musical instrument symbolizing the tribal spirit.
• Objective: The objective of these games was to identify and promote sporting talent among India's tribal population.
• The first edition is scheduled for February 14, 2026, in Bilaspur.
• The first edition of the games will include seven competitive sports: Archery, Athletics, Football, Hockey, Wrestling, Swimming, and Weightlifting.
• Various Khelo India Events:
• Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG): 7 editions have been held. The seventh edition was held in Bihar in January 2025.
• Khelo India University Games (KIUG): 5 editions have been completed. The 5th edition was held in Haryana in 2025.
• Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG): 6 editions have been held. The sixth edition was held in Gulmarg and Leh in 2025.
• Khelo India Para Games (KIPG): 2 editions have been held. The second edition was held in November-December 2025.
• Khelo India Beach Games: The first edition was held in Diu (Ghoghla Beach) in 2024.
• Khelo India Water Sports: Under this initiative, water sports festivals have been organized in various states (such as Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala).

• Objective: The facility will ensure a continuous supply of electricity for future lunar missions, including lunar rovers, scientific observatories, and other infrastructure.
• Collaboration with China: Russia is working jointly with China on this project. The proposed power plant will serve as the primary energy hub for their planned International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
• Choice of Nuclear Energy: The Moon experiences long nights lasting about 14 Earth days, during which solar energy is insufficient. Nuclear power is considered the only reliable option capable of providing uninterrupted energy.
• Key Contract: Roscosmos has signed a government contract with the aerospace company NPO Lavochkin for the construction of the facility, to be implemented between 2025 and 2036.
• Expert Institutions Involved: Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom and the leading nuclear research body, the Kurchatov Institute, are also participating in the project.

• Date of Birth: 26 December 1899
• Place of Birth: Sunam, Sangrur district, Punjab
• Birth Anniversary: 26 December (annually)
• Martyrdom: 31 July 1940
• Place of Death: Pentonville Prison, London (executed by hanging)

• Role in Freedom Struggle :
• Eyewitness to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
• Took a vow to avenge the massacre
• On 13 March 1940, at Caxton Hall, London, he assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, the former Governor of Punjab
• A fierce opponent of British imperialism
• Associated with the Ghadar Party

• Announcement: By Prime Minister Modi in 2022
• Tribute: To the courage of the Sahibzadas (sons of Guru Gobind Singh)
• Four Sahibzadas:
• Elder Sahibzadas:
• Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh
• Martyred: 1704, Battle of Chamkaur
• Younger Sahibzadas:
• Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh

• Refused to convert to Islam
• Bricked alive in Sirhind (December 26, 1704)
• On this occasion, President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Children's Awards in New Delhi.
• This year, 20 children from 18 states and Union Territories were honored for their outstanding achievements.

• Size and Structure: The labyrinth covers an area of approximately 50 feet × 50 feet. It consists of 15 concentric circuits, the highest number recorded so far in any circular stone labyrinth discovered in India.
• Comparison with Chakravyuh: Its design closely resembles the complex military formation known as “Chakravyuh”, described in Indian epics.
• Historical Period: The structure is believed to be around 2,000 years old, dating back to the Satavahana dynasty of the Deccan region (1st–3rd century CE).