Protests for demand of statehood and recognition as tribal area under Sixth Schedule turned violent in the UT of Ladakh.

About Sixth Schedule

• Under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution, it provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. 
• It empowers the Governor to create Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs) in these four states.
  • ARCs are constituted if there are different Scheduled Tribes in an autonomous district.
• ADCs and ARCs have been conferred with different legislative, executive, judicial and financial powers in respect of land, forest management, inheritance of property, marriage, etc.

External Affairs Minister hosted a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Forum for India-Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC).

About FIPIC

• Founded in 2014, it is a multinational grouping of Pacific island nations formed for cooperation between India and 14 Pacific Islands. 
• It has been announced as part of India's broader "Act East" policy.
• Members: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
  • These Islands are part three major groups of islands namely Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

RBI sold net $2.54 billion in spot forex market in July, shows monthly bulletin.

Spot Market

• The spot market is where financial instruments, such as commodities, currencies, and securities, are traded for delivery either immediately or within few days. 
  • Delivery is the exchange of cash for the financial instrument.
• Importance: Crucial for importers, exporters, and monetary stability.

It is a new visa category by China which will be effective from October 1. 

About K Visa policy

• It specifically aimed to attract foreign science and technology talents who meet certain conditions and requirements in China.
  • All foreign nationals, including those without a confirmed job, can enter China. 
  • Allows multiple entries, longer validity, and extended stays.
• Eligible applicants include graduates in STEM fields who have earned at least a bachelor’s degree from recognised universities or research institutions. 

Appointment Committee of the Cabinet approves extension of tenure of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) till May 2026.

About Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)

• It is one of eight cabinet committees within the Union Executive.
• Composition: Two-member committee - Prime Minister (Chairperson), with the Minister of Home Affairs as the only other member.
• Responsibilities:
  • Handling senior government appointments, including Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Joint Secretaries.
  • Deciding on appointments to top positions in Public Sector Units (PSUs), banks, insurance companies, and autonomous bodies.

National Medical Commission completed 5 years since its constitution.

About National Medical Commission 

• Genesis: It is a statutory body constituted under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
  • Notification of the NMC led to dissolution of Board of Governors of Medical Council of India constituted under of Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.
• Aim: To improve access to quality and affordable medical education.
• Functions:
  • Lay down policies for regulating medical institutions, medical researchers and medical professionals.
  • Ensure coordination among the Autonomous Boards, etc.

NPCI International Payments Ltd, in partnership with Qatar National Bank, has enabled the acceptance of QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across Qatar.

About Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

• Launched in 2016, it is an instant payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an RBI regulated entity. 
• It is built over Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) infrastructure.
• Safe and Quick Payments: With secure two-step authentication.
• Other countries where UPI-based international merchant payments are accepted include Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a new e-sign feature on its ECINET portal  and application. 

• Anyone seeking to register as a voter, or apply for deletion or correction, must authenticate his or her identity through Aadhaar-linked phone number.

About ECINET

• ECINET is a unified digital platform of ECI to streamline electoral processes.
  • It will integrate and subsume 40 existing apps like Voter Helpline App, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0 etc.
• It is designed to serve as a single-point interface for all election-related services.