World No Tobacco Day

Context: World No Tobacco Day was observed on 31 May 2026 to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use, expose evolving tobacco and nicotine industry tactics, and promote stronger measures to prevent addiction.

About World No Tobacco Day

• World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on 31 May to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use, industry practices, and measures to prevent nicotine and tobacco addiction. 

• It was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable deaths and diseases caused by tobacco consumption. 

• In 1988, the World Health Assembly decided to celebrate World No Tobacco Day every year on 31 May. 

• The 2026 theme is “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.” 

• The 2026 campaign focuses on exposing industry tactics such as the promotion of synthetic nicotine, nicotine salts, attractive flavours, packaging, and digital marketing aimed at youth. 

• It also advocates stronger regulations on advertising, promotion, product design, and flavouring while empowering young people with awareness and access to evidence-based cessation support.

DRDO Successfully Flight-Tests RudraM-II Missile

Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted flight tests of the indigenously developed RudraM-II Air-to-Surface Missile.

About RudraM-II Air-to-Surface Missile

• RudraM-II is an indigenously developed Air-to-Surface Missile designed for precision strikes against high-value enemy targets. 

• Developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, as the nodal laboratory, in collaboration with: 

• Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) 
• High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) 
• Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) 
• Integrated Test Range (ITR) 

• The missile was flight-tested from an airborne platform under extreme release conditions and successfully engaged a predefined target with pinpoint accuracy. 

• Flight data recorded by tracking instruments deployed at ITR, Chandipur, confirmed the successful achievement of all mission objectives. 

• Strategic Significance: 

• Enhances India's long-range precision-strike capability. 
• Acts as a force multiplier for the Indian Air Force. 
• Intended to eventually replace the Russian-origin Kh-31 missiles in service. 
• Contributes significantly to the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in advanced weapon systems.

S-400 Air Defence System

Context: India has received the fourth squadron of the Russian-origin S-400 "Sudarshan" air defence missile system under the 2018 India-Russia agreement, significantly strengthening its long-range air defence network.

About the S-400 Air Defence System

• The S-400 Triumf is a Russian-made long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and is considered among the world's most advanced air defence platforms. 

• India signed a $5.43 billion contract with Russia in 2018 for the procurement of five S-400 regiments (squadrons). 

• With the arrival of the fourth squadron, only one squadron remains to be delivered, expected in 2027. 

• The system can detect targets up to 600 km away and engage fighter aircraft, surveillance platforms, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles at long ranges. 

• A squadron comprises command-and-control vehicles, advanced radar systems and missile launchers, organised into two batteries with six launchers each. 

• Each squadron can collectively field up to 128 missiles, enabling engagement of multiple aerial threats simultaneously. 

• The S-400 forms a crucial component of India's layered air defence architecture along the western and northern fronts. 

• The system is being integrated with AI-enabled decision-support capabilities to improve threat identification, prioritisation and target selection, while retaining human control over engagement decisions. 

• India has also approved the procurement of five additional S-400 squadrons and is simultaneously developing an indigenous long-range air defence system under Project Kusha.

South Coast Railway Becomes India’s 18th Railway Zone

Context: The South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, headquartered at Visakhapatnam, commenced operations on 1 June 2026, becoming the 18th railway zone of Indian Railways and fulfilling a long-pending demand of Andhra Pradesh.

About the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone

• The South Coast Railway was created through the reorganisation of parts of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South-Central Railway (SCR) zones. 

• As part of the restructuring, the Waltair Division was bifurcated, with one portion becoming the new Rayagada Division under ECoR and the other forming the Visakhapatnam Division under SCoR. 

• The new zone comprises four divisions—Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Guntakal—and oversees a major rail network across Andhra Pradesh and adjoining regions.

• The zone is expected to enhance passenger and freight operations, accelerate railway infrastructure projects and strengthen multimodal logistics connectivity. 

• It manages nearly 17,000 employees and serves key ports such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam and Kakinada.

Railway Zones in India

• Railway zones are the principal administrative units of Indian Railways, responsible for coordinating train operations, maintenance, infrastructure development and passenger and freight services through their divisions. 

• Each zone is headed by a General Manager and functions under the Ministry of Railways. 

• With the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway, the total number of railway zones in India has increased from 17 to 18.