In News:

NITI Aayog has recently released a comprehensive report titled “Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains”. It offers a roadmap to boost India’s role in the global automotive sector by enhancing competitiveness, production capacity, and export potential.

India’s Current Position

India is the world’s fourth-largest automobile producer, with nearly 6 million vehicles manufactured annually. However, its share in the global automotive component trade remains modest at 3%, primarily due to limited penetration in high-precision segments like engine components and drive transmission systems. The country exports auto components worth $20 billion, with major strengths in small cars and utility vehicles.

Global Landscape and Emerging Trends

Globally, 94 million vehicles were produced in 2023, with the automotive components market valued at $2 trillion, of which $700 billion was exported. The industry is witnessing rapid transformation through:

• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Rising demand, regulatory shifts, and battery innovations are reshaping manufacturing.
• Battery Ecosystems: Hubs in Europe and the US are altering global supply chains, focusing on lithium and cobalt.
• Industry 4.0: AI, IoT, robotics, and machine learning are revolutionizing automotive manufacturing through smart factories and digital supply chains.

Challenges to India’s GVC Participation

Despite a strong production base, India faces several hurdles in climbing the Global Value Chain (GVC):

• Low R&D spending and limited innovation
• High operational costs and infrastructural gaps
• Weak IP ecosystem and low brand visibility
• Inadequate skilling and moderate digital adoption

Strategic Interventions Proposed

NITI Aayog recommends a combination of fiscal and non-fiscal measures to address these gaps and strengthen India’s automotive ecosystem.

Fiscal Measures:

• Opex support to scale up production and infrastructure
• Skilling initiatives to build a trained workforce
• R&D incentives and IP transfer support for MSMEs
• Cluster development for shared R&D and testing facilities

Non-Fiscal Measures:

• Promoting Industry 4.0 adoption and quality manufacturing
• Ease of Doing Business reforms in labour, logistics, and regulations
• Global tie-ups and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to boost exports

Vision for 2030

By 2030, the report envisions:

• Auto component production to grow from ~$60 billion to $145 billion
• Exports to increase from $20 billion to $60 billion
• GVC share to rise from 3% to 8%
• Trade surplus of around $25 billion
• Employment generation of 2–2.5 million additional jobs

In News:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted release trials of the indigenously developed Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from a Su-30 MKI aircraft.

About LRGB ‘Gaurav’

• Type: Air-launched, precision-guided munition.
• Purpose: Designed for accurate strikes on land targets from stand-off distances, i.e., beyond enemy air defence range.
• Indigenously developed by DRDO under the Ministry of Defence.

Key Features

• Range:
  • Demonstrated precision strike at nearly 100 km.
  • Operational range: 30–150 km.
• Variants by Weight:
  • Gaurav (winged): 1,000 kg
  • Gautham (non-winged): 550 kg
• Guidance Systems:
  • Inertial Navigation System (INS)
  • Satellite-based navigation (e.g., GPS/IRNSS)
  • Digital control for enhanced accuracy

Significance

• Boosts India’s precision strike capability.
• Promotes self-reliance in defence technology under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Related Concepts

Glide Bomb:

• A precision-guided munition that travels significant distances without powered propulsion.
• Uses aerodynamic lift to glide toward the target.
• Navigation via INS, GPS, or laser guidance.

Su-30 MKI Aircraft:

• A twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft.
• Developed jointly by Sukhoi Design Bureau (Russia) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) combat fleet.

In News:

The Government of India has launched the ‘Seva Se Seekhen’ (Learn by Doing) campaign to empower youth through hands-on experience at Jan AushadhiKendras (JAKs). Starting from June 1, 2025, this initiative aims to blend experiential learning with public health outreach.

About the Campaign:

• Launched in: 2025
• Nodal Ministries:
  • Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
  • Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
• Framework:Part of the National Youth Development Framework, aligning youth engagement with grassroots service.

Objectives:

• Provide experiential learning opportunities in real-world public service settings.
• Raise awareness about generic medicines and enhance health literacy.
• Equip youth with technical and soft skills in areas such as inventory, logistics, customer service, and communication.
• Foster values such as discipline, empathy, and civic responsibility among the youth.

Key Features:

• Nationwide Implementation:
  • Five youth volunteers per district will be placed across five Jan AushadhiKendras.
  • Covers all states and Union Territories.
• Volunteer Sources:Participants are selected from:
  • MY Bharat
  • National Service Scheme (NSS)
  • Pharmacy colleges
  • Other youth-focused platforms
• Duration:15-day structured engagement, including guided tasks and learning outcomes.

Roles and Responsibilities of Volunteers:

• Support daily functioning and customer services at JAKs.
• Assist in medicine inventory and logistics management.
• Promote generic medicine awareness among the public.
• Participate in community health outreach activities.
• Observe backend processes like supply chains and stock maintenance.

Key Benefits for Youth:

• Practical exposure to pharmacy operations and public health service.
• Skills in record-keeping, inventory handling, and basic operations.
• Development of employability and customer interaction skills.
• Insights into affordable healthcare delivery under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanaushadhiPariyojana (PMBJP).

In News:

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched BharatGen, India’s first indigenously developed, government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) at the BharatGen Summit 2025, marking a significant step in India’s AI innovation landscape.

About BharatGen:

• BharatGen is a Multimodal LLM designed to support 22 Indian languages and various content formats—text, speech, and image.
• Developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and implemented by the TIH Foundation for IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay.
• Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), it is a collaborative effort involving premier academic institutions, researchers, and innovators.

Key Features:

• Multilingual and multimodal capabilities (text, voice, image inputs).
• Open-source platform to encourage accessible innovation.
• Trained on Indian datasets to reflect Indian linguistic and cultural diversity.
• Integrated applications across critical sectors like healthcare, education, governance, and agriculture.
• Aims to deliver region-specific AI solutions rooted in Indian values and societal contexts.

Implementation Mechanism:

• Executed through 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) across India.
• Four of these TIHs have been upgraded to Technology Translational Research Parks (TTRPs) for real-world deployment.
• Guided by four pillars: technology development, entrepreneurship, human resource development, and international collaboration.

In News:

Recently, Goa became the second state in India to achieve full functional literacy under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat SaakshartaKaryakram (New India Literacy Programme), marking a key achievement in India’s goal of attaining full literacy by 2030, as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

About ULLAS

• ULLAS stands for Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Education from 2022 to 2027.
• Target Group: Adults aged 15 years and above who missed formal schooling.
• Alignment: The scheme is aligned with NEP 2020, emphasizing inclusive and equitable education.
• Implementation Basis: The programme is built on the spirit of volunteerism and Kartavya Bodh (sense of duty).

Five Components of the ULLAS Scheme:

1. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
2. Critical Life Skills
3. Basic Education
4. Vocational Skills Development
5. Continuing Education

Digital Outreach

• The ULLAS mobile app facilitates registration of learners and volunteers.
• It also provides access to learning resources through the DIKSHA portal of NCERT.
• So far, over 2.40 crore learners and 41 lakh volunteer teachers have been registered on the app.
• Over 1.77 crore learners have taken the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).

Goa Achieves Full Literacy

• Declared Fully Literate: On May 30, 2025, during the 39th Goa Statehood Day celebrations at Panaji, Goa was declared fully literate.
• Reported Literacy Rate: As per PLFS 2023–24, Goa had a literacy rate of 93.60%, among the highest in India.
• State Survey Update: A state-led survey confirmed that Goa had crossed the 95% benchmark, qualifying it as fully literate under ULLAS.

Key Factors Behind Goa’s Success

• Adopted a Whole-of-Government approach, involving departments such as:
  • Directorate of Panchayats
  • Municipal Administration
  • Social Welfare
  • Planning & Statistics
  • Women & Child Development
• Engaged SwayampurnaMitras for grassroots awareness and learning support.
• Played an active role in certification and inclusion of learners into the literacy programme.
• Strong collaboration between SCERT, local administration, school heads, volunteers, and field workers ensured last-mile delivery.

Significance for India

• Goa's achievement underscores the effectiveness of decentralized, people-driven literacy campaigns.
• Demonstrates the potential of tech-enabled platforms, volunteerism, and inter-departmental coordination.
• Sets a model for other states in achieving India’s literacy goal by 2030.
• Reinforces the broader national vision of “Jan-Jan Saakshar” and a Viksit Bharat.

In News:

In May 2025, the Department of Posts, under the Ministry of Communications, released the policy framework for DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address) — a key initiative aimed at creating a standardized, geo-coded digital address infrastructure across India.

What is DHRUVA?

DHRUVA is a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative that conceptualizes Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) — a secure, consent-based, and interoperable system for managing and sharing address data. It builds upon the earlier DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number) system, which created a national-level, geo-tagged addressing grid for improved governance and service delivery.

Objectives of DHRUVA

• Transform address information into a digital public good.
• Enable secure, standardized, and interoperable access to address data across sectors.
• Empower users with control and consent over how their address data is shared.
• Promote public-private collaboration in areas like logistics, e-governance, and financial inclusion.

Key Features

• DIGIPIN Backbone: Utilizes the Digital Postal Index Number system, allowing logical and directional naming of addresses with precise geolocation.
• Address-as-a-Service (AaaS): Facilitates seamless address validation, authentication, and sharing across government and private platforms.
• User Autonomy: Individuals can manage and consent to how their address data is used, ensuring privacy and user-centric governance.
• Open & Inclusive Access: The infrastructure is freely accessible, promoting innovation and broad-based adoption.
• Consent Framework: Address data sharing will be user-approved, ensuring a secure and trusted digital ecosystem.

Significance of DHRUVA

• Geospatial Governance: Enhances planning, disaster management, and delivery of public services through precise address mapping.
• Improved Logistics & E-Commerce: Enables more efficient last-mile delivery, reducing ambiguity in address identification.
• Financial Inclusion: Facilitates smoother KYC, subsidy disbursement, and service access in rural and underserved areas.
• Ease of Living & Digital India: Aligns with broader national goals by supporting smart governance and digital transformation.
• Public-Private Synergy: Encourages co-creation of solutions by government bodies and private enterprises based on shared, trusted digital address data.

In News:

With growing attention on sustainable marine resources and coastal livelihood enhancement, the Government of India is promoting seaweed cultivation as part of its broader Blue Economy strategy. Recognized for its nutritional, economic, and ecological value, seaweed farming is emerging as a viable livelihood and environmental solution for India's coastal communities.

What is Seaweed?

Seaweed is a nutrient-rich marine plant that grows in shallow ocean waters. It is:

• Rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and 54 trace elements.
• Known to aid in managing non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, and hypertension.
• Used in food, cosmetics, fertilizers, medicines, and industrial gelling agents like agar, alginate, and carrageenan.

Global Significance and Industry Potential

• The global seaweed market is valued at US$ 5.6 billion and projected to reach US$ 11.8 billion by 2030 (World Bank).
• Major consumers: Japan, China, and South Korea.
• India possesses vast untapped potential with over 7,500 km of coastline and 844 identified seaweed species, of which ~60 are commercially viable.

Seaweed and the Blue Economy in India

Government Initiatives:

• Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana (PMMSY) (launched in 2020):
  • Total Outlay: ?20,050 crore.
  • ?640 crore allocated for seaweed development (2020–25).
  • Goal: Increase seaweed production to 1.12 million tonnes in five years.
  • Projects funded:
    • Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu.
    • Seaweed Brood Bank in Daman & Diu.
    • Provision of 46,095 rafts and 65,330 monocline tubenets to farmers.

Supportive Regulatory Measures:

• Seaweed-based biostimulants regulated under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985.
• Integrated with Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and MOVCDNER to promote organic farming.

Economic, Environmental & Social Benefits

Economic:

• Seaweed farming offers high returns — e.g., farming Kappaphycusalvarezii may yield up to ?13.28 lakh/hectare/year.
• Generates foreign exchange through exports of seaweed-based bio-products.

Environmental:

• Requires no land, freshwater, fertilizers, or pesticides.
• Absorbs CO?, combats ocean acidification, and enhances marine biodiversity.

Social:

• Provides alternative livelihoods for fishers.
• Particularly beneficial for women and youth, promoting inclusive growth in coastal regions.

Success Stories and Innovations

Women Empowerment in Tamil Nadu:

Four women from Mandapam, Tamil Nadu, trained under PMMSY, successfully cultivated seaweed, producing 36,000 tonnes despite cyclones and market challenges. Their venture created employment and inspired other women.

Tissue Culture Innovation:

The CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI)developed tissue-cultured Kappaphycusalvareziiseedlings, leading to:

• 20–30% higher growth rates.
• Better carrageenan quality.
• Enhanced farmer productivity in Tamil Nadu’s coastal districts.

Challenges and Way Forward

Challenges:

• Vulnerability to climatic shocks (cyclones, salinity changes).
• Limited market access and value chain infrastructure.
• Need for increased awareness and skill-building in coastal areas.

Recommendations:

• Strengthen public-private partnerships and R&D for better cultivars.
• Expand seaweed farming cooperatives with financial inclusion mechanisms.
• Promote Blue Economy integration in coastal development policies.

In News:

The Vice-President of India recently inaugurated the statues of Acharya Charaka and Sage Sushruta at Raj Bhavan, Goa, to honour India's ancient medical heritage rooted in Ayurveda and surgery.

Acharya Charaka – Father of Indian Medicine

• Period: Circa 100 BCE – 200 CE
• Region: Associated with Taxila, under the Kushan emperor Kanishka.
• Key Contribution:
  • Originally based on the Agnivesha Samhita, later revised and compiled by Charaka.
  • Focused on internal medicine (Kayachikitsa).
  • Discussed physiology, disease pathology, diagnosis, and therapeutic techniques.
  • Introduced the concept of three doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha—the basis for diagnosis and treatment in Ayurveda.
  • Provided early insights into embryology (Garbha Vigyan) and preventive healthcare.
  • Stressed medical ethics, such as confidentiality, non-maleficence, and the moral duties of a physician.
  • Emphasized the importance of diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors in health.
  • The Charaka Samhita is part of the B?hatTrayi (Great Trilogy) of Ayurveda and was expanded by D??habala.
  • Translated into Arabic, Latin, and other languages, reflecting its global medical influence.

Sage Sushruta – Father of Surgery

• Period: Circa 600–700 BCE
• Region:Practised in Kashi (Varanasi), likely under King Divodasa.
• Key Contribution:
  • A pioneering treatise in surgery and medical science.
  • Detailed 300+ surgical procedures and over 100 surgical instruments.
  • Innovations include rhinoplasty (nasal reconstruction), skin grafts, cataract surgery, and caesarean sections.
  • Explained fractures, dislocations, use of anaesthesia, and surgical training.
  • Emphasized dissection-based anatomy, practical education, and simulation for surgical learning.
  • Covered areas like public health, toxicology, pediatrics (Kaumarbhritya), and neonatal care.
  • Integrated scientific observation, hygiene, and evidence-based methods long before modern systems.

Collective Significance:

• Both are part of the B?hatTrayi (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya), forming the backbone of Ayurvedic literature.
• Their work laid the foundation for:
  • Holistic medicine and ethical healthcare practice.
  • Advanced understanding of human physiology and embryology.
  • Scientific surgery, centuries ahead of global developments.
  • Contributions to child health (Kaumarbhritya) and public hygiene.
• Their texts influenced Arab and European medicine through translations such as Kitab-i-Susrud.

In News:

To mark its 25th anniversary, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences inaugurated two landmark facilities—Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan—at the NCPOR campus in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

About NCPOR

• Established: 25 May 1998 (originally as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research – NCAOR).
• Status: Autonomous R&D institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Headquarters: Vasco da Gama, Goa.
• Governing Body: Includes 13 members; the Secretary of MoES serves as the ex-officio Chairman.

Mandate and Key Functions

• Polar Research Leadership:
  • Manages India's scientific stations:
    • Antarctica: Maitri and Bharati
    • Arctic: Himadri
    • Himalayas: Himansh
  • Coordinates India’s Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayan expeditions.
• Oceanic Research:
  • Implements projects under the Deep Ocean Mission.
  • Conducts Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) mapping and continental shelf surveys.
  • Explores deep-sea minerals, gas hydrates, and metal sulphides.
• Policy Implementation:
  • Supports India’s Arctic Policy (2022) and Indian Antarctic Act (2022):
    • Antarctic Act: Provides legal framework for governance and environmental protection via CAG-EP (Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection).
    • Arctic Policy: Based on six pillars—science, environment, development, connectivity, governance, and capacity building.
• Scientific Logistics and Collaboration:
  • Operates research vessels (e.g., ORV Sagar Kanya).
  • Engages in international polar networks and climate monitoring programs.
  • Maintains India’s Antarctic Data Centre and conducts climate modelling.

New Facilities at NCPOR

Polar Bhavan:

• Area: 11,378 sq. m | Cost: ?55 crore
• Features:
  • Advanced polar and ocean research laboratories
  • Science on Sphere (SOS) 3D visualization platform
  • Accommodation for 55 scientists
  • Conference halls, library
  • Home to India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum

Sagar Bhavan:

• Area: 1,772 sq. m | Cost: ?13 crore
• Features:
  • Two -30°C ice core laboratories
  • +4°C storage units for biological and sediment samples
  • Class 1000 clean room for trace metal and isotope studies

Significance for India

• Strengthens India’s strategic presence in polar regions.
• Enhances research capacity in ocean and climate sciences.
• Enables India to fulfill international obligations under polar treaties.
• Promotes science diplomacy and public outreach through the upcoming museum.

In News:

The Government of India launched the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) initiative on International Day for Women in Maritime (18 May), observed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The 2025 theme is “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women.”

About the Initiative:

• Objective: To build a gender-equitable maritime workforce by promoting inclusivity, safety, skill development, leadership, and equal opportunities for women across seafaring and shore-based maritime operations.
• Alignment:
  • IMO’s gender inclusion mandate.
  • UN SDG-5 (Gender Equality).
  • India’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) framework.
  • Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Key Features:

• Structured Policy Roadmap covering:
  • Planning & strategy.
  • Training & development.
  • Research & innovation.
  • Governance & compliance.
  • Outreach & communications.
• Financial Support: ~2,989 women received assistance since 2014.
• Incentives for Industry: Shipping companies are incentivized to hire women; scholarships support training.

Achievements:

• 649% growth in women seafarers:From 341 in 2014 to 2,557 in 2024.
• Rise in financial aid beneficiaries:From 45 in 2014-15 to 732 in 2024-25.
• Female representation target:12% in technical maritime roles by 2030.
• Increasing employment of Indian women on Indian and foreign-flagged ships.

Recognition and Outreach:

• Women Leaders Honoured: Ten outstanding women were felicitated for their contributions to maritime.
• Focus on awareness campaigns, onshore job facilitation, and leadership opportunities.

Significance:

• Aims to dismantle gender-based barriers and promote inclusive economic growth.
• Reinforces India’s commitment to gender equity as a strategic enabler of maritime sustainability and national development.
• Aligns with global maritime norms and India’s broader commitment to SDGs.

Other Key Maritime Initiatives:

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): Maritime security and regional cooperation.
• Maritime India Vision 2030: Long-term strategy for port-led development and gender inclusion.

In News:

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications, has launched the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) to counter the growing menace of cyber-enabled financial frauds, especially those involving mobile numbers.

What is FRI?

The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) is a multi-dimensional analytical tool developed under the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). It classifies mobile numbers based on their risk level—Medium, High, or Very High—of being associated with financial fraud.

Purpose:

• To provide advance risk intelligence to financial institutions.
• To serve as a pre-transaction validation tool, flagging suspicious mobile numbers involved in digital transactions.

How It Works:

• The classification is based on data inputs from:
  • National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)
  • DoT’s Chakshu facility
  • Intelligence from banks and NBFCs
• Risk-tagged mobile numbers are flagged in real-time to stakeholders, including banks, UPI platforms, and payment service providers.
• Acts as a cyber shield, preventing fraudulent digital payments before they occur.

Implementation and Use Cases:

• PhonePe, an early adopter, uses FRI to:
  • Block transactions involving "Very High" risk numbers.
  • Warn users during transactions with "Medium" risk numbers via its "PhonePe Protect" feature.
• Other UPI giants like Google Pay and Paytm (collectively handling 90% of UPI traffic) are integrating FRI-based alerts.
• Banks have begun introducing transaction delays and alerts to curb cyber fraud using FRI data.

Why FRI is Crucial:

• India lost over ?3,207 crore to approximately 5.82 lakh cyber fraud cases between FY 2020–2024.
• The short operational window of fraudulent mobile numbers makes advance detection vital.
• Common cyber frauds include:KYC scams, UPI frauds, investment scams, digital arrest frauds, and get-rich-quick schemes.

Supporting Mechanisms:

• Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP): Facilitates real-time intelligence sharing between law enforcement and financial institutions.
• Chakshu on Sanchar Saathi: Enables citizens to report suspicious communication.
• Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting System: Part of I4C, it allows real-time fraud reporting via the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in.
• E-Zero FIR: Automatically registers FIRs for cybercrime complaints involving more than ?10 lakh.
• Mulehunter (RBI): AI-based tool to identify and track money mule accounts.

In News:

Recently, India successfully hosted the Second Blue Talks in New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in collaboration with the Embassies of France and Costa Rica. This high-level consultation platform aims to contribute to the upcoming 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) scheduled from June 9–13, 2025 in Nice, France.

About Blue Talks

• Purpose: A multilateral platform for dialogue among governments, scientists, civil society, and stakeholders to promote the sustainable use of ocean resources and accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 – Life Below Water.
• Key Objectives:
  • Promote marine sustainability, research, and education.
  • Facilitate global scientific cooperation on ocean-related challenges.
  • Share best practices and strategic knowledge tools.
  • Strengthen consensus and policy alignment in the lead-up to UNOC3.
• Thematic Focus Areas of 2nd Blue Talks:
  • Conservation and Restoration of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems.
  • Scientific Cooperation, Marine Technology, and Ocean Literacy.
  • Reduction of Marine Pollution from land and sea-based sources.
  • Interlinkages among Oceans, Climate, and Biodiversity.

Highlights of the Event:

• White Paper Released: Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth.
• Aim: To align government action, mobilize investments, and promote sustainable ocean development.
• Notable Themes:
  • Mapping of marine resources.
  • Promotion of offshore wind and deep-sea exploration.
  • Technology and data-sharing gaps.
  • Women-led seaweed farming, smart ports, and green ship recycling as success models.

About the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3)

Feature                                          Details

Host Countries                         France and Costa Rica

Venue & Dates                         Nice, France; June 9–13, 2025

Organiser                                    United Nations

Theme                                           “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and

                                                 sustainably use the ocean.”

Goal                                                  Strengthen global efforts under SDG 14

Key Outcome                             Nice Ocean Action Plan – a non-binding but politically influential declaration.

Focus Areas                                Marine conservation, pollution reduction, global partnerships, and

                                                 BBNJ ratification.

UN Ocean Conference Series

• 1st UNOC (2017): New York, USA – Raised awareness and voluntary commitments.
• 2nd UNOC (2022): Lisbon, Portugal – Focused on innovation and science-driven approaches.
• 3rd UNOC (2025): Nice, France – Aims to intensify action and collaboration.

India’s Blue Economy Vision

• India's Blue Economy is a critical pillar of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• MoES is the nodal agency for national ocean governance.
• The white paper integrates efforts from 25 ministries and all coastal states/UTs.
• Builds on India’s G20 Presidency and Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy.

IN News:

In a significant stride toward modernizing cybercrime response mechanisms, Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the e-Zero FIR system. This initiative ensures that complaints involving financial cyber frauds exceeding ?10 lakh—submitted via the 1930 helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)—are automatically registered as FIRs, eliminating the need for the complainant to visit a police station.

Objective and Operational Rollout

The project, developed under the guidance of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), is aimed at accelerating the registration and investigation of high-value cybercrime cases.

• Pilot Implementation: Initiated in Delhi as a testbed.
• National Expansion: Plans are underway to replicate the model across India.

Concept of Zero FIR

The Zero FIR mechanism permits the filing of an FIR at any police station, regardless of the location of the offence. This removes jurisdictional constraints and ensures prompt registration of cases.

• Legal Backing: Incorporated under Section 173 of the BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
• Historical Context: Introduced following recommendations from the Justice Verma Committee post the 2012 Nirbhaya case, to address delays caused by jurisdictional rigidities.

Salient Features of Zero FIR

• No Jurisdictional Restrictions: Victims may file complaints at any police station or via electronic means.
• Initial Registration: The complaint is logged as a Zero FIR and then forwarded to the relevant jurisdictional police unit for investigation.
• Primary Goal: To facilitate timely intervention and prevent procedural delays for the complainant.

Integration with National Digital Systems

To enhance responsiveness and coordination, the e-Zero FIR system integrates with several key digital platforms:

• NCRP (National Cybercrime Reporting Portal) – Administered by I4C.
• Delhi Police’s e-FIR mechanism
• Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) – Maintained by theNational Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

This digital infrastructure enables real-time complaint registration at Delhi’s e-Crime Police Station, which then redirects the FIR to the appropriate jurisdiction.

Alignment with New Criminal Legislation

The initiative is fully aligned with India’s revised criminal justice framework effective from July 1, 2024, which includes:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
• BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
• BharatiyaSakshyaAdhiniyam (BSA), 2023

Under the BNSS provisions:

• Mandatory Zero FIR registration under Section 173.
• Victim must visit a cybercrime police station within 72 hours to convert a Zero FIR into a formal FIR.
• Free copy of FIR to be provided to the complainant, ensuring transparency and empowering victims.

Vision for a Cyber-Secure India

The launch of the e-Zero FIR system underscores the government’s resolve to build a secure and digitally empowered India by:

• Ensuring easy and immediate access to justice for victims of cyber fraud.
• Facilitating quick action by investigative agencies without procedural bottlenecks.
• Strengthening citizen trust through digital governance and victim-friendly policing.

In News:

Recently, the President of India, presented the 58thJnanpith Award to renowned Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Ji at a function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. She also extended congratulations to celebrated writer Gulzar, a fellow recipient who could not attend due to health reasons.

About Jagadguru Rambhadracharya

• A prominent Sanskrit scholar, spiritual leader, poet, and educationist.
• Despite being visually challenged, he has made significant literary and social contributions.
• Recognized for his multi-faceted excellence in Sanskrit literature and devotion to nation-building through literary and cultural service.

Highlights from the President’s Address

• Emphasized that literature unites and awakens society, playing a key role in movements from 19th-century social reform to the freedom struggle.
• Referenced the literary legacy of figures like Valmiki, Vyas, Kalidas, and Rabindranath Tagore as embodiments of India’s civilizational essence.
• Praised the BharatiyaJnanpith Trust for honoring literary excellence since 1965 across various Indian languages.
• Celebrated the contributions of women Jnanpith awardees such as Ashapurna Devi, Amrita Pritam, Mahasweta Devi, and Pratibha Ray, urging young women to draw inspiration from their works.

About the Jnanpith Award

Feature                                           Details

Established                                  1961

First Awarded                             1965 to Malayalam poet G. SankaraKurup for Odakkuzhal

OrganisedBy                                BharatiyaJnanpith, a literary and cultural organization founded in 1944

Eligibility                                         Indian citizens writing in Schedule VIII languages of the Constitution or

                                                   in English

Award Components              Cash prize, citation, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati)

Nature                                              Annual, but may be withheld if no suitable candidate is found

One-Time Recognition        A writer can receive the award only once

Language Rotation Rule     A language that has received the award is ineligible for the next two years

In News:

Operation Olivia is an annual conservation initiative launched by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in collaboration with the Odisha Forest Department, aimed at protecting the nesting habitats of Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coastline. It is conducted from November to May, aligning with the turtles’ mass nesting (Arribada) season.

Key Features of Operation Olivia (as of 2025)

• In February 2025, a record 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nested at the Rushikulya river mouth.
• Since inception, the ICG has conducted:
  • 5,387 surface patrol sorties
  • 1,768 aerial surveillance missions
• 366 boats involved in illegal fishing were detained, ensuring effective protection of the turtles' breeding grounds.
• 225 ship days and 388 aircraft hours were dedicated to Operation Olivia during a recent season.
• Focus areas include Gahirmatha Beach, Rushikulya, and Dhamra river mouths in Odisha—home to over 8 lakh nesting turtles annually.

Conservation Measures

• Fishing ban within 20 km of nesting coasts (Devi, Dhamra, and Rushikulya rivers), enforced under:
  • Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• Promotion of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to reduce accidental bycatch.
• Community awareness campaigns and MoUs with NGOs to ensure local participation and education on marine conservation.

About Olive Ridley Turtles

• Scientific Name:Lepidochelysolivacea
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Legal Protection:
  • Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
  • Appendix I, CITES
• Habitat: Warm tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans
• India’s Nesting Sites:
  • Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary – world’s largest rookery
  • Rushikulya and Devi river mouths in Odisha
• Unique Feature: Mass nesting behavior known as Arribada, where thousands of females lay eggs on the same beach.
• Behavior: Omnivorous and solitary; migrate thousands of kilometers annually between feeding and breeding grounds.

In News:

The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is a nationwide agricultural outreach and awareness initiative being launched by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare from May 29 to June 12, 2025.

The campaign is part of the government’s vision of “Viksit Bharat” and seeks to empower farmers through the dissemination of modern agricultural knowledge, technologies, and innovations across India.

Key Objectives and Vision

• Enhance agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, and ensure national food security.
• Promote modern, sustainable, and scientific farming practices aligned with the Prime Minister’s Lab-to-Land vision.
• Strengthen agriculture’s contribution to making India the “Food Basket of the World.”

Campaign Features

• Coverage: 700+ districts, 65,000+ villages, targeting 1.3–1.5 crore farmers
• Organized by: Ministry of Agriculture, ICAR, agricultural universities, and state governments
• Teams Deployed: ~2,170 expert teams with scientists, officials, FPOs, and progressive farmers
• Sessions Held: Morning, afternoon, and evening village-level meetings daily
• Format: Two-way interaction for knowledge dissemination and farmer feedback

Strategic Focus Areas

• Lab-to-Land Technology Transfer:Dissemination of ICAR research, advanced seed varieties, scientific sowing practices, and balanced fertilizer use through 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
• Farm Productivity and Resource Use Efficiency:Recommendations based on Soil Health Cards, agro-climatic conditions, water availability, and rainfall data to reduce input costs and promote sustainable practices.
• Farmer Empowerment and Inclusivity:Addressing field-level challenges like pest infestation, enabling participatory feedback loops for future agricultural research.
• Six-Point Strategy by Ministry:
  • Increase agricultural output
  • Lower production costs
  • Ensure fair pricing for farmers
  • Compensate disaster-related losses
  • Promote crop diversification and value addition
  • Encourage natural and organic farming

Notable Achievements and Data

• Record Agricultural Output (2024–25):
  • Foodgrains: 3309.18 lakh tonnes (up from 3157.74 lakh tonnes in 2023–24)
  • Pulses: 230.22 lakh tonnes
  • Oilseeds: 416 lakh tonnes
  • Kharif Rice: 1206.79 lakh tonnes
  • Wheat: 1154.30 lakh tonnes
  • Maize: 248.11 lakh tonnes
  • Groundnut: 104.26 lakh tonnes
  • Soybean: 151.32 lakh tonnes
• Over 16,000 agricultural scientists are contributing to real-time research translation to the field.

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, has successfully developed a high-pressure, nanoporous, multilayered polymeric membrane for seawater desalination.

Developing Agency:

• The technology was developed by the Defence Materials Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur, a DRDO laboratory.
• It addresses the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) operational needs aboard Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), especially to counter instability caused by chloride ions in saline water.

Salient Features of the Technology:

• Indigenous development completed in a record time of 8 months.
• Successfully tested in existing desalination plants aboard ICG vessels.
• Undergoing 500-hour operational testing before final clearance by ICG.
• Can be adapted for use in coastal areas for civilian desalination purposes as well.

Strategic Significance:

• Enhances onboard freshwater self-reliance for maritime security forces.
• Reduces dependency on imported technologies.
• Contributes to India’s self-reliance in critical defence and water technologies.

Desalination Technology: Key Concepts

What is Desalination?

Desalination is the process of removing dissolved salts and minerals from seawater or brackish water to produce potable or industrial-grade water.

Main Technologies Used:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO):
  • Pressure-driven membrane filtration.
  • Uses semi-permeable membranes to separate salts from water.
• Thermal Desalination:Involves evaporation followed by condensation to obtain fresh water.

Working of RO Desalination:

• In osmosis, water naturally moves from low solute to high solute concentration across a membrane.
• In reverse osmosis, external pressure is applied to force water from high solute (saline) to low solute (freshwater) side.
• RO membranes allow only water molecules to pass, filtering out salts and impurities.
• Seawater with ~35,000 ppm Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is reduced to 200–500 ppm, making it drinkable.

In News:

In May 2025, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), convened a strategic preparatory meeting at SEBI’s Mumbai office to launch the “NiveshakShivir” initiative. This nationwide investor outreach program aims to facilitate the reclamation of unclaimed dividends and shares by investors across India.

Key Features of “NiveshakShivir”

• Investor Helpdesks: Physical helpdesks will be set up to enable investors to interact directly with company representatives and Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs) for end-to-end assistance in recovering unclaimed assets.
• Digital Search Facility: IEPFA provides an online portal (https://iepfa.gov.in/login) where shareholders can check if their shares have been transferred to the IEPF and file claims using Form IEPF-5.
• Streamlined Process: Clear guidance is provided for shareholders holding shares in dematerialized or physical form to verify and reclaim their unclaimed dividends and shares efficiently.
• Coverage: The initiative is set to launch first in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with plans to expand to other cities with high volumes of unclaimed investor assets.

Actions for Shareholders

• Demat Shareholders: Are encouraged to directly contact respective companies for clarification regarding shares liable for transfer to IEPFA.
• Physical Shareholders: Should verify share status on the IEPFA website and claim refunds if shares have been transferred.
• The initiative reduces dependence on intermediaries and improves transparency and efficiency in the recovery process.

About the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA)

• Legal Basis: Established under Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Function: Operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to protect investor interests, promote financial literacy, and manage the corpus of unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, and shares transferred by companies.
• Objective: To foster a transparent, investor-friendly financial ecosystem through outreach and education programs like “NiveshakShivir.”

In News:

Recently, India and Chile signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to initiate negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a significant step toward deepening bilateral economic ties.

Background and Significance

• The CEPA aims to expand and build upon the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries by covering a broader range of sectors including digital services, investment promotion, MSMEs, and critical minerals.
• India and Chile share warm, strategic bilateral relations strengthened over years through high-level exchanges. The economic partnership began with a Framework Agreement in 2005, followed by a PTA in 2006, an expanded PTA effective from 2017, and further discussions towards CEPA since 2019.
• A Joint Study Group report finalized in April 2024 laid the foundation for advancing to a CEPA to unlock the full trade and investment potential between the two nations.
• The recent State visit of Chile’s President Gabriel Boric Font to India in April 2025 reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to enhancing trade frameworks and fostering a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial economic agreement.

About Chile: Geopolitical and Economic Profile

• Chile is a long, narrow South American country bordered by Peru and Bolivia to the north, Argentina to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
• It shares the longest border in South America with Argentina, which is also the third-longest international border worldwide.
• Key geographical features include the Andes Mountains (the world’s longest continental mountain range), the Atacama Desert (driest non-polar desert globally), the Loa River (Chile’s longest river, approx. 440 km), and Ojos del Salado volcano (world’s highest active volcano at 6,880 meters).
• Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Chile is prone to frequent earthquakes and tsunamis.
• Chile is the world’s largest producer of copper and a significant member of the “Lithium Triangle” (alongside Argentina and Bolivia), holding over 75% of global lithium reserves found in salt flats.
• Other important resources include molybdenum, iron ore, timber, hydropower, and precious metals.

Importance for India

• The CEPA negotiations with Chile are expected to enhance trade and investment flows, promote MSMEs, and strengthen cooperation in critical sectors such as minerals and digital services.
• This move aligns with India’s broader strategy to diversify economic partnerships globally and deepen ties with Latin American countries.
• Enhanced economic integration with Chile will boost employment, trade balance, and strategic cooperation between the two nations.

In News:

Recently, the Indian Navy received Arnala, the first of eight indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs). The vessel was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in partnership with M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), exemplifying the growing collaboration in India’s defence manufacturing sector.

Key Features and Significance

• Arnala is named after the historic Arnala Fort located off Vasai, Maharashtra, symbolizing India’s rich maritime heritage.
• The ship measures 77 metres in length and is the largest Indian Naval warship powered by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion system.
• Designed and built according to the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules, the vessel adheres to domestic naval architecture standards.
• Over 80% of the ship’s components are sourced indigenously, marking a significant stride toward the Government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence production.

Operational Roles

The Arnala class ASW SWCs are specialized for:

• Underwater surveillance in coastal and littoral zones
• Conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations
• Engaging in Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO)
• Performing coastal Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions
• Advanced mine-laying activities

The induction of these vessels enhances India’s capabilities in shallow water ASW, critical for safeguarding maritime security in near-shore environments and ensuring dominance in the strategically vital littoral areas.

Strategic Importance

The delivery of Arnala signifies a major milestone in the Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to promote indigenous shipbuilding and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing. It highlights successful public-private collaboration in advanced warship construction and contributes directly to India’s broader strategic goal of self-reliance in defence technology.

In News:

India actively participated in the 20th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20) held from May 5 to 9, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. UNFF, established in 2000 by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is the sole intergovernmental platform dedicated to global forest policy dialogue and coordination, aiming to promote sustainable forest management (SFM) and strengthen political commitment worldwide.

Key Objectives and Functions of UNFF

• Promotes conservation, management, and sustainable development of all forest types.
• Supports the implementation of Agenda 21, Rio Forest Principles, and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030.
• Oversees six voluntary Global Forest Goals (GFGs) and 26 targets, including reversing deforestation and enhancing forest governance.
• Facilitates cooperation through technical exchanges, policy development, financing mechanisms like the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network, and advocacy linking forests with climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

India’s Highlights at UNFF20

India reaffirmed its commitment to the Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs) under the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030, reporting progress in increasing its forest and tree cover, which now constitutes 25.17% of the country’s geographical area, as per the latest India State of Forest Report. Major achievements include:

• Restoration efforts under the Aravalli Green Wall project.
• A 7.86% increase in mangrove cover over the past decade.
• Afforestation of over 1.55 lakh hectares through the Green India Mission.
• Plantation of 1.4 billion seedlings under the “Ek Ped MaaKe Naam” (Plant4Mother) campaign.

Global Contributions and Initiatives

India extended an invitation to all UN member states to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)—a global platform launched by India to conserve seven big cat species through collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building.

India also emphasized the importance of incorporating the outcomes of the Country-Led Initiative (CLI) on forest fire management and forest certification—hosted by India in Dehradun in October 2023—into formal global mechanisms. It acknowledged contributions from other countries such as the Republic of Congo, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Austria in this initiative.

Policy and Technical Engagements

India hosted a side event titled “Restoring Degraded Forest Landscapes: India’s Approach to Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Resilience”, showcasing integrated forest restoration strategies combining policy innovation, resource convergence, community participation, and technology.

In a high-level panel on “Valuing Forest Ecosystems in National Policy and Strategy,” India shared pilot study findings from Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and tiger reserves that quantified ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, water provisioning, and biodiversity conservation. India stressed the need to incorporate ecosystem valuation into national planning to enhance forest governance and ecological sustainability.

Significance of UNFF20

The session focused on advancing three Global Forest Goals:

• Reversing forest cover loss.
• Increasing protected and sustainably managed forests.
• Promoting forest governance and legal frameworks.

UNFF20 aimed to strengthen global dialogue following the 2024 midterm review of the international arrangement on forests and set the agenda for future policy deliberations in 2026. It underscored the critical role forests play in climate resilience, biodiversity, livelihoods, and sustainable development.

In News:

The International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia is a leading biennial maritime and defence event in the Asia-Pacific region, held since 1997 in Singapore at the Changi Exhibition Centre. It serves as a key global platform for navies, coast guards, and maritime defence industries to showcase advanced naval platforms, cutting-edge technologies, and engage in strategic dialogue.

Indian Navy’s Participation

• In May 2025, the Indian Naval Ship INS Kiltan arrived in Singapore to participate in IMDEX Asia 2025.
• This deployment forms part of the Indian Navy’s operational commitments and highlights the strong maritime partnership between India and Singapore.
• During the exhibition, the Indian Navy crew engaged in multiple bilateral and multilateral activities, including professional exchanges with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and other participating navies.
• Activities included guided tours for schoolchildren, cross-deck visits with other navies, and curated visits for defence industry representatives to promote awareness of maritime security and India’s naval heritage.

Key Features of IMDEX Asia

• Platform for Defence Collaboration: IMDEX Asia facilitates showcasing of naval systems and debut of advanced maritime technologies.
• Strategic Dialogue: The event hosts high-level policy discussions and strategic dialogues on maritime security.
• International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC):
  • Established in 2009, IMSC is a crucial component of IMDEX.
  • Jointly organised by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).
  • It convenes navy chiefs, coast guard leaders, policymakers, and strategic analysts.
  • The conference aims to enhance mutual maritime security, improve maritime domain awareness, and foster cooperative responses to challenges in the global maritime commons.

Significance

• The Indian Navy’s participation in IMDEX Asia underlines its commitment to regional maritime security and stability.
• It also reinforces the longstanding friendly ties between India and Singapore and highlights the importance of naval interoperability and defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

In News:

India is set to host the 12th edition of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025 from 7th to 9th May 2025 in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the nation's emergence as a key global player in space exploration.

Key Highlights of GLEX 2025:

• Theme: “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance”
  • The conference theme underscores a renewed global commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and international collaboration in space science and technology.
• Organisers:
  • International Astronautical Federation (IAF) – The world’s foremost space advocacy organisation.
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – Serving as the primary host, reflecting India’s growing stature in the global space ecosystem.
  • Astronautical Society of India (ASI) – Acting as the co-host and supporting India's role in global space diplomacy.

GLEX 2025 is expected to bring together global experts, policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders to discuss cutting-edge advancements, collaborative missions, and the future of space exploration. It will also highlight India's evolution from a regional space power to a central figure in the international space community.

About the International Astronautical Federation (IAF):

• Established: 1951
• Membership: Over 500 organisations from 78 countries, including major space agencies, private companies, academic institutions, and research bodies.
• Vision: “A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity”
• Motto: “Connecting @ll Space People”
  • The IAF promotes global space cooperation and knowledge exchange. Through platforms like GLEX, it fosters dialogue on programmatic, technical, and policy aspects of space missions.

Significance for India:

GLEX 2025 reflects India’s growing prominence in the global space domain, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful space exploration and international collaboration. The event offers a valuable opportunity for India to showcase its achievements, build new partnerships, and contribute to shaping the future of global space policy and science.

In News:

The Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel, INS Sharda, has reached Maafilaafushi Atoll in the Maldives to participate in its first-ever Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, scheduled from May 4 to May 10, 2025.

Strengthening Regional Maritime Cooperation and Disaster Preparedness

This exercise is a key part of India’s strategic efforts to enhance regional maritime cooperation and bolster disaster readiness within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It underscores India’s steadfast commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” Policy, which recognizes the Maldives as a close maritime neighbour with deep strategic and cultural ties.

Aligning with the MAHASAGAR Vision

The HADR exercise supports the recently unveiled MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—introduced by the Prime Minister during the Mauritius visit. MAHASAGAR reaffirms India’s role as a net security provider and first responder in the Indian Ocean, building on the earlier SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region). Both frameworks emphasize inclusive security, regional cooperation, and disaster resilience.

Objectives of the HADR Exercise

According to the Indian Navy, the exercise aims to:

• Enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
• Conduct joint drills focusing on Search and Rescue (SAR), disaster response coordination, logistical support, and medical aid.
• Facilitate training programs for capacity building among personnel.
• Engage with local communities to raise awareness and strengthen disaster preparedness.

This maiden HADR exercise by INS Sharda marks a significant step toward deepening India-Maldives maritime collaboration and regional disaster management capabilities.

In News:

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently released findings from a pilot study on the Annual Survey of Services Sector Enterprises (ASSSE). This initiative aims to fill a crucial data gap regarding India’s incorporated service sector, which is not currently covered by regular surveys like the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE).

Significance of the Services Sector

• Contribution to Economy: The services sector contributed ~55% of India's Gross Value Added (GVA) in FY 2024–25, up from 50.6% in FY14.
• Employment: It employs around 30% of India’s workforce, spanning industries like IT, finance, education, tourism, and healthcare.
• Trade: India’s services exports stood at USD 280.94 billion (April–Dec 2024). In ICT services, India is the 2nd-largest global exporter, accounting for 10.2% of global exports.
• FDI Magnet: The sector attracted USD 116.72 billion in FDI (April 2000–Dec 2024)—about 16% of total FDI inflows.
• Support to Digital India & Urbanization: The sector underpins the Digital India initiative and Smart Cities Mission by enabling digital payments, urban mobility, e-governance, and waste management.

About the ASSSE Pilot Study

Purpose & Objectives

• To test the suitability of the GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network) database as a sampling frame.
• To develop robust survey instruments and methodology for a full-scale annual survey starting January 2026.
• To gather data on economic characteristics, employment, and financial indicators from incorporated enterprises under:
  • Companies Act, 1956/2013
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Act, 2008

Survey Coverage

• Conducted in two phases:
  • Phase I (May–Aug 2024): Verified enterprise data for 10,005 units.
  • Phase II (Nov 2024–Jan 2025): Collected detailed data from 5,020 enterprises under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
• Data collected for FY 2022–23 using CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing).

Key Findings:

Enterprise Type Distribution

• Private Limited Companies: 82.4%
• Public Limited Companies and LLPs: ~8% each

Size-Class Analysis (FY 2022–23)

Output Class (?)      % Share of Gross Value Added (GVA)      % Share of Fixed Assets         % Share of Employment

< 10 crore                    1.19%                                                                   2.64%                                        9.28%

10–100 crore              9.45%                                                                 9.58%                                        20.03%

100–500 crore          19.90%                                                                25.00%                                      33.73%

> 500 crore                69.47%                                                                              62.77%                                                36.96%

• Large enterprises (output > ?500 crore) dominate in assets, value addition, and compensation paid, but smaller units employ over 63% of the total workforce in the sample.

Additional Establishments

• 28.5% of enterprises reported having additional business locations within the state.
• Highest in the Trade sector (41.8%).

Insights and Challenges from the Pilot

• Suitability of GSTN as Sampling Frame: Confirmed.
• Challenges Faced:
  • Data retrieval from enterprises with headquarters in other states.
  • Centralized data (CIN-based) posed difficulty in disaggregating state-level data.
• Positive Outcomes:
  • High response rate and cooperation.
  • Survey instruments found largely clear and functional.

Challenges Faced by the Services Sector

• Skill Gaps:
  • Only 51.25% of youth are employable (Economic Survey 2023–24).
  • Merely 5% of workforce is formally skilled (WEF).
• Informality:
  • About 78% of service jobs were informal in 2017–18.
  • Gig workers lack social protection.
• Global Competition:
  • Visa restrictions (e.g., H-1B in the US).
  • Competing hubs: Philippines, Vietnam.
  • Rising IT wage costs in India.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies:
  • Inadequate AI/ML adoption.
  • Digital divide persists in rural and marginalized MSMEs.
• Post-COVID Recovery:
  • Inbound tourism yet to reach pre-pandemic levels (90% of 2019 arrivals in H1 2024).

Way Forward

• Upskilling Initiatives:
  • Expand Skill India Digital and PMKVY 4.0.
  • Promote Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) for bridging academia-industry gap.
• Boosting Global Competitiveness:
  • Negotiate FTAs with EU, UK, Australia.
  • Expand Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
• Digital Infrastructure & Security:
  • Strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and promote secure cloud adoption.
  • Improve digital literacy, especially in financial services.
• Decentralized Growth:As per NITI Aayog, promote services sector in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with better infrastructure and connectivity.

In News:

The 6th edition of Exercise DUSTLIK, a bilateral joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan, was recently held at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune. The previous edition (2024) was conducted in Termez, Uzbekistan.

Key Highlights:

• Exercise Theme: Joint Multi-Domain Sub-Conventional Operations in Semi-Urban Terrain.
• Aimed at simulating counter-terrorism operations, especially in scenarios involving territorial capture by terrorist groups.
• Indian contingent: 60 personnel from the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Uzbek contingent: Personnel from the Uzbekistan Army.

Core Activities:

• Establishment of a Joint Operations Centre at the battalion level.
• Execution of population control, raids, search-and-destroy operations.
• Use of air assets: drones, helicopters for reconnaissance, Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO), Small Team Insertion and Extraction (STIE).
• Focus on counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) measures and logistics support in hostile conditions.

Objectives:

• Enhance interoperability, tactical coordination, and operational synergy between the two armies.
• Promote defence cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations between India and Uzbekistan.
• Exchange of best practices in conducting joint sub-conventional operations.

About Uzbekistan:

• Doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, located between the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers.
• Borders: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan.

In News:

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has recently approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the forthcoming national Population Census. This marks a significant policy shift from its 2021 position, where the idea was set aside.

Understanding the Caste Census

A caste census involves the systematic recording of individuals' caste affiliations during a national population count. This exercise aims to generate detailed socio-economic profiles of various caste groups, facilitating better policy planning, especially in the context of welfare schemes and affirmative action.

Legal and Constitutional Framework

• No Direct Provision: The Constitution does not expressly mandate a caste census.
• Permissibility Under Article 340: The government is empowered to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes, which provides scope for caste-based data collection.
• Union Subject: As per Entry 69 of the Union List (Seventh Schedule), the Census falls within the legislative jurisdiction of the Union Government under Article 246.

Historical Context

• Colonial Era (1881–1931): The British administration included caste enumeration in decennial censuses, the last being in 1931.
• Post-Independence Practice (1951 onwards): Independent India has only counted Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in its censuses.
• Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011: Though it aimed to gather caste-related data, the caste-specific findings remain unpublished due to concerns over accuracy.

Why a Caste Census is Relevant Today

• Evidence-Based Policy Making:Reliable data on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is absent. For example, the Mandal Commission (1980) estimated OBCs at 52%, but this figure lacks empirical validation. Recent data from Bihar's 2023 caste survey pegged the OBC+EBC population at 63%.
• Restructuring Reservation:A caste census can guide rationalisation of quotas and potential sub-categorisation within OBCs, ensuring benefits reach the most deprived segments.
• Social Welfare Targeting:Caste-disaggregated data allows for focused delivery of healthcare, education, and livelihood schemes.
• Women’s Political Representation:Accurate population data is necessary for delimitation, a precursor to implementing the recently passed Women’s Reservation Act, which reserves seats for women in legislatures.
• Constitutional Backing:Article 15(4) enables the state to provide for the advancement of backward classes, but this requires reliable data for identification.

In News:

In line with the vision of “Create in India, Create for the World,” the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in partnership with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), is hosting WAVES 2025—India’s largest summit for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector. A major highlight of this summit is the WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga Contest)—India’s first national initiative to promote original Indian IPs in anime, manga, webtoons, and cosplay.

What is WAM!?

• Full Form: WAVES Anime & Manga Contest.
• Nature: India’s first national initiative focused on discovering and nurturing original Indian creative intellectual properties (IPs) in:Anime, Manga, Webtoons&Cosplay
• Organisers: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in collaboration with MEAI.
• Finale: To be held at WAVES 2025, from May 1–4, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
• Participants: Finalists from 11 cities selected through regional contests.

Global Support & Incentives

• Crunchyroll, a global anime platform (a joint venture of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, Japan), is the Title Sponsor of WAM! 2025.
• It has introduced a Creator Development Grant to support Indian talent and foster global-ready original content.

Grant Details

Category       Student (INR)       Professional (INR)

Manga          25,000                    25,000

Webtoon      25,000                    25,000

Anime           50,000                    50,000

• Winners of WAM! 2025 will represent India at Anime Japan 2026 in Tokyo—one of the world's leading anime conventions—marking India’s presence on the global animation stage.

About WAVES 2025

• Full Form: World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit.
• Objective: Showcase India's capabilities in content creation, technological innovation, and media & entertainment IP development.
• Hosted by: Government of India.
• Venue: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai

Key Pillars of WAVES 2025

• AVGC-XR Sector Focus:Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics&Extended Reality (XR) including AR, VR, and Mixed Reality.
• "Create in India" Challenges (CIC):
  • Season 1 witnessed over 1 lakh registrations, including 1,100 international participants.
  • 750+ finalists selected through 32 unique creative challenges.
• Thematic Focus Areas:
  • Broadcasting, Films, Television, Radio
  • Print & Digital Media, Advertising, Social Media Platforms
  • Sound & Music
  • Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Extended Reality (XR)
• Target Audience: Content creators, industry professionals, investors, technology innovators, and global studios.

In News:

India’s textile sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy, contributing nearly 2% to GDP and ranking as the world’s 6th largest textile exporter with a 3.9% share of global textile exports. The sector is projected to grow to USD 350 billion by 2030, generating around 3.5 crore jobs. Alongside traditional textiles, technical textiles—specialized fabrics designed for specific industrial and functional uses—are emerging as a major growth driver.

What are Technical Textiles?

Technical textiles are fabrics engineered for performance rather than aesthetics. They serve diverse sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, construction, automotive, and safety by providing solutions like protective gear, medical textiles, geotextiles, and industrial fabrics. The industry segments technical textiles into 12 categories based on application.

National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)

To capitalize on this potential, the Ministry of Textiles launched the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) in 2020, with an outlay of ?1,480 crore running through 2025-26. The mission aims to position India as a global leader in technical textiles by focusing on innovation, research, market expansion, export promotion, and skill development.

Four Pillars of NTTM:

1. Research, Innovation, and Development: Funding and supporting R&D projects to develop new materials and processes.
2. Promotion and Market Development: Facilitating wider adoption of technical textiles domestically and internationally.
3. Export Promotion: Establishing dedicated export councils to enhance global market access.
4. Education, Training, and Skill Development: Training 50,000 individuals, from students to professionals, through specialized courses and industry internships.