Prelims Focus 2nd September 2025

02/09/2025

123 2 minutes read

Koya tribe

In News: The Supreme Court recently issued notice on a plea filed by members of the Koya tribe challenging the Telangana High Court’s December 17, 2024 order that upheld the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status granted to the Lambadi, Sugali, and Banjara communities.

The plea argues that the inclusion of these communities as Scheduled Tribes through the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Acts of 1976 and 2002 was unconstitutional and violated the procedure under Article 342 of the Constitution.
It is contended that this inclusion has severely impacted the Koya tribe’s access to reservation benefits in education, employment, and political representation, as Lambadi, Sugali, and Banjara communities have historically been more socio-economically advanced and have been unfairly benefiting from ST status at the expense of genuine tribal groups like the Koya.
The petitioners claim that Lambadi, Sugali, and Banjara communities were originally classified as Backward Classes and not Scheduled Tribes until 1976, and their current ST status has caused prejudice against indigenous tribes in Telangana by affecting reservations and benefits meant for them.
The plea was heard by a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Vijay Bishnoi, which issued notices to the Central Government and the State of Telangana for their response.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025

In News: An Indian Army contingent has departed for Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA, to participate in the 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025, scheduled from September 1 to 14, 2025. This is an annual India-US joint military exercise aimed at enhancing tactical proficiency, interoperability, and cooperation between the two armies.

The Indian contingent comprises personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment, while the US side includes soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment “Bobcats” of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.
The exercise involves training in heliborne operations, mountain warfare, use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS, surveillance, rock craft, casualty evacuation, combat medical aid, and the integrated use of artillery, aviation, and electronic warfare systems.
Additionally, subject-matter experts from both armies will conduct working groups on UAS and counter-UAS operations, information warfare, communications, and logistics.
The exercise will conclude with jointly planned tactical maneuvers, including live-fire exercises and high-altitude warfare scenarios, with an emphasis on boosting UN peacekeeping capabilities and multi-domain operational readiness.

Beta Version of “Adi Vaani”

In News: The “Adi Vaani” app’s beta edition has been released by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Adi Vaani is a translation tool powered by artificial intelligence that is intended to support a future large language model for tribal languages.
It brings together community initiatives and cutting-edge technology to revitalize and safeguard India’s tribal languages and cultures.
Under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, India’s first AI-powered translator for tribal languages was created.
Adi Vaani promotes the languages Santali (Odisha), Bhili (Madhya Pradesh), Mundari (Jharkhand), and Gondi (Chhattisgarh).
The upcoming phase includes the development of more languages, such as Kui and Garo.

India’s First Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling System

In News: India’s first complete Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system will be implemented under an agreement between the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and ICICI Bank. at the Choryasi Fee Plaza in Gujarat, along NH-48.

Toll Collection Using Multi-Lane Free Flow is a tolling mechanism without barriers that facilitates transactions by reading FASTag and Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) via high-performance RFID Readers and ANPR Cameras.
By enabling uninterrupted toll collection without stopping vehicles at toll plazas, it lowers emissions and improves fuel efficiency by shortening travel time and reducing traffic.
In addition, it will help to enhance toll revenue collection and establish a National Highway network that is more intelligent, quicker, and more effective throughout the nation.