Current Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), through its Grand Challenges India (GCI) initiative at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), announced the successful scientific review and validation of India’s first indigenously developed Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test kits for cervical cancer screening.

About

• Developed by Molbio Diagnostics Ltd., Bangalore and Mylab Discovery Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Pune.
• Validation supported by World Health Organization (WHO)’sInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
• Aims to strengthen cervical cancer diagnostics through affordable, indigenous solutions.
• Part of efforts to promote healthcare innovation under the biotechnology sector.

Current Context: The Viksit Vibrant Villages Program, launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to transform border villages in Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

• It will run from 15th to 30th May 2025, with 500 Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) volunteers involved.

About

• Objective: Youth-led grassroots development of border villages.
• Support: Local governance and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
• Volunteers: 500 selected nationally; registration started on 23rd April 2025 via MY Bharat Portal.
• Activities: Community engagement, leadership, healthcare, education, cultural promotion, and career counseling.
• Orientation: Pre-deployment training in Delhi.
• Vision: Transform border villages into hubs of heritage, innovation, and national pride, contributing to Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Current Context: The Sachet mobile application, launched by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), enhances disaster preparedness in India. Mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ address, it provides real-time, geo-tagged alerts for various disasters.

Key Features

• Alerts: Real-time notifications on disasters like floods, cyclones, and tsunamis, based on user location.
• Technology: Uses Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) for timely updates.
• Weather Updates: Daily forecasts from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
• Satellite Connectivity: Ensures communication during extreme emergencies.
• Languages: Supports 12 Indian languages for broader accessibility.
• Platforms: Available on Android and iOS.

International Aid

• Operation Brahma: India’s response to the Myanmar earthquake, providing rescue, relief, and humanitarian aid.

Individual Alertness

PM Modi emphasized the importance of individual alertness in disaster management, encouraging citizens to use the Sachet app for safety.

Current Context: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been authorized to share information with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to combat rising cyber frauds targeting the public.

About I4C

• Operates under: Ministry of Home Affairs
• Purpose: Central hub for addressing cybercrime, enhancing public awareness, and improving law enforcement capacity.
• Role of ED: The ED can now act against offenders under the anti-money laundering law.

Nature of Cyber Frauds

• Tactics: Fake websites, deceptive social media pages, fraudulent ads, and malicious links that compromise individuals’ devices, leading to financial losses.

Public Reporting Initiatives

• Citizens can report frauds via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and the helpline ‘1930’ for tracking and combating cybercrime.

Capacity Building and Awareness

• Training: I4C offers cyber forensics training for law enforcement.
• Campaigns: Promotes public education on cyber hygiene and partners with the Department of Telecommunications for awareness initiatives like caller tune campaigns.

• Celebrated on April 29, established by the International Sculpture Center (ISC) to appreciate the art of sculpture.​
• Highlights the creative and cultural significance of sculpture in society.​
• Engagement: Encourages exhibitions, workshops, and public art installations to engage communities.​
• Significance: Promotes understanding and appreciation of sculpture as a vital form of artistic expression.​

• Observed on the last Saturday of April, which fell on April26 in 2025, organized by the World Veterinary Association (WVA). ​
• The 2025 theme is “Animal Health Takes a Team”, emphasizing the collaborative efforts in veterinary care.​
• Engagement: Recognizes the contributions of veterinary professionals and promotes animal health and welfare.​
• Significance: Highlights the role of veterinarians in public health, food safety, and environmental protection

Current Context: The 9th Annual Inter College Sports, Games, and Athletic Meet commenced at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, with enthusiastic participation from students across four constituent colleges: Horticulture and Forestry Colleges at Nauni, Neri, and Thunag.

About

• Chief Guest: Gaurav Singh, Superintendent of Police, Solan.
• Objective: Promote holistic development, physical fitness, and sportsmanship.
• Participants: Over 360 students from four constituent colleges.
• Sports Events: Track & field (100m–10,000m, relays, jumps, throws), team sports (football, volleyball, basketball, etc.), chess.
• Highlights: Singh emphasized leadership, teamwork, and the importance of sports in well-being. Strong message against drug abuse.
• Goal: Foster physical fitness, leadership, and community spirit.

Current Context: Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy won the Pune Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) Women’s Grand Prix 2024–25, finishing with 7/9 points, marking a major achievement for Indian chess on the international stage.

Key Highlights

• Winner: Koneru Humpy (7/9 points)
• Final Round: Defeated Nurgyul Salimova
• Runner-up: Zhu Jiner (China) — also scored 7/9 but ranked second on tiebreaks
• Third Place: Divya Deshmukh (5.5/9 points) — drew against Alina Kashlinskaya
• Event: Part of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) Women’s Grand Prix series, hosted in Pune, India

Current context: Union Health Minister Dr. Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella (MR) Elimination Campaign 2025–26, reaffirming India’s target to eliminate both diseases .

Key Highlights:

• Campaign Aim:
• Achieve zero measles and rubella cases by 2026.
• Ensure >95% MR vaccine coverage across all districts.

Current Progress:

• MR first-dose coverage: 7%
• MR second-dose coverage: 92.2%
• 332 districts: Zero measles cases (Jan–Mar 2025)
• 487 districts: Zero rubella cases (Jan–Mar 2025)
• India awarded Measles and Rubella Champion Award 2024

Strategic Focus:

• Rapid outbreak response and inter-departmental coordination.
• Strengthened surveillance via Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
• Multilingual public awareness campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy.

Current context: The Indian Navy’s INS Surat successfully executed a precision cooperative engagement against a sea-skimming target in the Arabian Sea using the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM).

About MRSAM:

• Range: 70 km

Features:

• Dual guidance systems (command and active radar seeker), dual pulse solid motor, proximity fuse for effective target engagement.
• Capable of intercepting missiles, aircraft, bombs, and helicopters.
• Significance of the Test:
• The test marks a significant milestone in India’s naval and indigenous warship development.
• Highlights India’s growing military technology prowess.