Topic 1: Lucknow Designated as UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
GS Paper I – Indian Culture/ GS Paper II – Governance (Cultural Diplomacy, International Recognition)/ GS Paper III – Economy (Tourism, Sustainable Development)
Context:
On World Cities Day (31st October 2025), UNESCO officially designated Lucknow as a Creative City of Gastronomy, recognizing its rich culinary heritage, especially its Awadhi cuisine. This makes Lucknow the second Indian city after Hyderabad (2019) to receive this honor under the Gastronomy category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
Key Highlights
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- UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was launched in 2004 to promote creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
- The Gastronomy category celebrates cities with:
- Distinct culinary traditions.
- Indigenous ingredients and cooking methods.
- Vibrant food communities and traditional markets.
- Sustainable food practices and cultural preservation.
- Lucknow’s nomination was submitted by the UP Directorate of Tourism and selected by the Ministry of Culture.
- The city is known for:
- Galouti Kebabs, Awadhi Biryani, Tokri Chaat, Malai Gilori, and Sheermal.
- Culinary techniques like Dum Pukht (slow cooking).
- The designation enhances Lucknow’s global stature and opens avenues for:
- Culinary tourism.
- Food-based entrepreneurship.
- International cultural exchange.
- PM Modi expressed happiness, calling Lucknow “synonymous with vibrant culture and great culinary tradition.”
Strategic Significance
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- Strengthens India’s soft power by showcasing its culinary heritage globally.
- Boosts tourism, hospitality, and local food industries.
- Aligns with SDG 11 – making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
- Encourages documentation and transmission of traditional recipes and cooking methods.
Conclusion:
Lucknow’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network is a historic milestone that not only honors its culinary legacy but also positions it as a global hub for gastronomy and cultural tourism.
Topic 2: Foundation Laid for Integrated Sohra Tourism Circuit under PM-DevINE
GS Paper I – Indian Culture & Geography (Tribal Heritage, Eco-Tourism)/ GS Paper II – Governance (Regional Development, Centre-State Coordination)/ GS Paper III – Economy (Infrastructure, Tourism, Employment Generation)
Context:
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, along with Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, laid the foundation stone for the Integrated Sohra Tourism Circuit under the PM-DevINE scheme and launched ₹233 crore worth of DoNER projects. The initiative aims to transform Sohra (Cherrapunji) into a model of sustainable and experiential tourism, while accelerating Meghalaya’s development into a connected, confident, and competitive state.
Key Highlights
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- PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in Budget 2022–23 to catalyze development in the Northeast.
- Total investment in Sohra Circuit: ₹650 crore (₹221 crore under MDoNER).
- Sohra Experience Centre at Kutmadan (₹115 crore):
- Cultural nucleus showcasing tribal heritage.
- Features: amphitheatres, rain experience parks, art galleries, craft pavilions.
- Supporting projects include:
- Nohkalikai Falls precinct (₹26 crore)
- Mawsmai Eco Park (₹29 crore)
- Seven Sisters Falls Viewpoint, Shella Riverside, Wahkaliar Canyon with hot-air balloon rides.
- Infrastructure Boost:
- Pynursla–Latangriwan–Mawlynnong Road (₹29.97 crore)
- Mawshynrut–Hahim Road (₹99.76 crore)
- Bridge over Umngot River (₹21.86 crore)
- Skill Development:
- Training in hospitality, eco-tourism, and safety via Meghalaya Skills Development Society and IHM Shillong.
- Expected Outcomes:
- Sixfold increase in tourist spending.
- Over 4,600 direct and indirect jobs.
- Enhanced connectivity via Umroi Airport expansion and Shillong–Silchar Expressway (₹22,864 crore).
Conclusion:
The Integrated Sohra Tourism Circuit is a transformative initiative that blends infrastructure, heritage, and livelihoods.
Topic 3: India Sets Three Guinness World Records Under Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan
GS Paper II – Governance (Health, Women Empowerment, Public Policy) / GS Paper III – Economy (Human Development, Health Infrastructure)
Context:
On 1st November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the creation of three Guinness World Records under the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, a nationwide campaign focused on women’s health, nutrition, and preventive care. The campaign was conducted from 17th September to 2nd October 2025, coinciding with Poshan Maah.
Key Highlights
The three Guinness World Records achieved are:
1. Most people registered on a healthcare platform in one month – 3.21 crore registrations.
2. Most online breast cancer screening sign-ups in one week – 9.94 lakh participants.
3. Most online vital signs screening registrations at state level in one week – 1.25 lakh participants.
Other campaign achievements include:
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- 19.7 lakh health camps organized across all districts.
- 11 crore+ people reached through various healthcare platforms.
- 1.78 crore hypertension screenings, 1.73 crore diabetes tests, 69.5 lakh oral cancer screenings, and 62.6 lakh antenatal check-ups.
- 1.43 crore vaccine doses and 1.51 crore anaemia tests administered.
- 85.9 lakh women screened for TB, 10.2 lakh for sickle cell disease, and 2.14 crore attended wellness sessions.
The campaign saw participation from:
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- 20+ ministries, MPs, MLAs, and officials.
- 5 lakh Panchayati Raj representatives, 1.14 crore students, 94 lakh SHG members, and other community platforms.
- Supported by Nikshay Mitras and My Bharat volunteers.
Strategic Significance
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- Positions women’s health as central to family and national well-being.
- Promotes early detection and proactive health management.
- Demonstrates scalability of tech-enabled health outreach.
- Exemplifies whole-of-government and whole-of-society collaboration.
- Enhances India’s image in public health and social mobilization.
Topic 4: ISRO Launches CMS-03 Communication Satellite to Boost Naval Connectivity
GS Paper III – Space Technology, Strategic Infrastructure
Context:
On 2nd November 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched CMS-03, also known as GSAT-7R, India’s heaviest and most advanced communication satellite for the Indian Navy, aboard the LVM3-M5 (Bahubali) rocket from Sriharikota. The launch was hailed by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a milestone in India’s space and defence capabilities.
Key Highlights
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- CMS-03 / GSAT-7R weighs 4,410 kg, making it the heaviest satellite launched from Indian soil into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
- Designed to replace GSAT-7 “Rukmini” (launched in 2013), CMS-03 will serve as the core of the Indian Navy’s communication network.
- Operates across C, extended C, Ku, UHF, and S bands, enabling secure voice, data, and video transmission.
- Enhances real-time coordination between warships, submarines, aircraft, and Maritime Operations Centres across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Expected to operate for 15 years.
- Launched using LVM3-M5, ISRO’s most powerful rocket, nicknamed “Bahubali”, capable of lifting up to 8,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 4,000 kg to GTO.
- The launch featured a re-ignition experiment of the cryogenic upper stage, showcasing ISRO’s advanced propulsion capabilities.
Strategic Significance
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- Enhances secure communication for network-centric naval operations, vital for strategic command and control.
- Demonstrates India’s ability to indigenously launch heavy satellites, reducing dependence on foreign launchers.
- Embodies India’s push for self-reliance in space and defence technology.
- Civilian Applications: Supports telemedicine, disaster management, remote sensing, and tele-education in remote regions.
Conclusion:
By empowering the Indian Navy with robust, secure, and high-capacity communication capabilities, CMS-03 strengthens India’s maritime security and positions the nation as a formidable space power.
Topic 5: Historic Enshrinement of Holy Jore Sahib at Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib
GS Paper I – Indian Culture / GS Paper II – Governance
Context:
On 1st November 2025, a momentous spiritual event took place at Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, where the sacred Jore Sahib. The blessed footwear of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji was ceremoniously enshrined. The event marked the culmination of the Guru Charan Yatra, a nine-day pilgrimage from Delhi to Patna, passing through Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Key Highlights
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- The Guru Charan Yatra was a spiritually uplifting procession led by the Panj Pyaras, symbolizing devotion, unity, and sacrifice.
- Thousands of devotees lined the route to pay homage to the sacred relics.
- The enshrinement ceremony was attended by:
- Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Bihar.
- Spiritual leaders from various faiths, reflecting communal harmony.
- The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and Takhat Sri Patna Sahib Management Committee received custodianship of the relics on 22nd October.
- The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA):
- Scientifically validated the antiquity of the 300-year-old relics.
- Developed a conservation framework and preservation measures.
- Key contributors: Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi and Prof. Achal Pandya.
- The relics are now permanently enshrined at Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Strategic Significance
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- Reinforces efforts to conserve and honor India’s religious and spiritual heritage.
- The presence of leaders from diverse faiths highlights India’s pluralistic ethos.
- Enhances the significance of Patna Sahib as a pilgrimage destination.
- Mobilizes emotional and cultural unity among Sikh devotees and the broader community.
Conclusion:
The enshrinement of Jore Sahib at Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib stands as a timeless tribute to devotion, service, and cultural continuity, and strengthens the spiritual bond shared by millions of devotees across generations.
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