Current Context: The 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics recognized 13,508 physicists from four CERN projects for advancements in life sciences, mathematics, and fundamental physics, announced on April 5, 2025.

Key Facts:

• Breakthrough Prize History: Established in 2013 by Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Sergey Brin, Anne Wojcicki, and Yuri & Julia Milner, to honor scientific achievements and promote global scientific progress.
• Life Sciences Prize: Awarded for developing weight-loss drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy), understanding the link between Multiple Sclerosis and Epstein-Barr virus, and advancing gene-editing technologies.
• Fundamental Physics Prize: Recognized four CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) for their research on the Higgs boson and mass generation, significantly advancing the understanding of fundamental particles.
• Mathematics Prize: Dennis Gaitsgory awarded for his groundbreaking work on the geometric Langlands conjecture, bridging multiple areas of mathematics.

Current Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched a revamped Microdata Portal to enhance data accessibility and user experience. The new portal integrates advanced technologies, aiming to improve the Official Statistical System in India.

Key Facts:

• Objective: Overcomes technological limitations of the previous portal, facilitating easier access to national surveys and economic censuses data for better planning and policy-making.
• AI/ML Tool: Introduced a tool using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)to classify National Industrial Classification (NIC) codes, improving accuracy and reducing manual effort.
• Collaboration with World Bank: The portal was developed with the World Bank Technology Team, adopting scalable technology and modern security standards.
• Training Academy: Launched the National Statistical System Training Academy website to centralize capacity-building resources and promote skill development.
• Impact on Policy: By improving data accessibility, the portal will support data-driven policy-making, contributing to the goal of Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

Current Context: The Digital Threat Report 2024 was launched as a joint initiative by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Computer Security Incident Response Team for the Financial Sector (CSIRT-Fin), and global cybersecurity firm SISA, focusing on strengthening cyber resilience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.

About

• Released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Department of Financial Services (DFS), in collaboration with CERT-In and SISA.
• Analyses current and emerging cyber threats, including artificial intelligence (AI)-driven attacks and systemic vulnerabilities.
• Based on inputs from forensic investigations, incident response teams, and real-time cyber intelligence.

Key Highlights

• Digital payments in India projected to touch USD 3.1 trillion by 2028, accounting for 35% of total banking revenues.
• The report underscores cybersecurity as the foundation of financial stability in the digital era.
• Promotes sector-wide collaboration, intelligence-sharing, and proactive response mechanisms.
• Identifies key attack vectors, gaps in security posture, and provides actionable recommendations for BFSI institutions.

Current Context: India will commission INS Varsha near Rambilli, Andhra Pradesh by 2026 to bolster nuclear submarine operations amid rising Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

About

• Nuclear submarine base (SSBNs & SSNs)
• Located ~50 km from Visakhapatnam

Features:

• Underground submarine pens for stealth
• Advanced docking, repair yards, munitions storage
• Command and control systems

Strategic Significance

• Enhances nuclear deterrence and maritime security
• Segregates military/naval operations from civilian ports
• Counters China’s influence in the Bay of Bengal
• Boosts India’s role in the Indo-Pacific & Quad cooperation

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a Dokra Brass Peacock Boat with a Tribal Rider to the Prime Minister of Thailand during his visit, highlighting India’s rich tribal art traditions.

About

• Ancient Craft: Over 4,000 years old, with roots tracing back to the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Example: The iconic “Dancing Girl” sculpture from Mohenjo-daro is made using the same technique.
• Name Origin: Derived from the Dhokra Damar tribes of West Bengal.

Technique Used:

• Lost-Wax Casting (also called Cire Perdue).
• The mold is used only once and destroyed, making each piece unique.
• Materials Used: Mainly brass and other non-ferrous metals.
• Themes: Tribal motifs, animals, deities, and rural life scenes.
• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:Granted in 2008 to Dokra of Bankura, West Bengal.

Current Context: The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch its Biomass Mission on April 29, 2025, aimed at accurately measuring global forest biomass and understanding its role in the carbon cycle — a critical step in tracking climate change.

About

• It is the 7th Earth Explorer mission under ESA’s Earth Observation Programme.
• The satellite will be the first to carry a P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), capable of penetrating forest canopies to map biomass.

Objective

• To quantify the amount of carbon stored in forests worldwide.
• To fill gaps in biomass and forest height data, essential for climate models and carbon budgeting.
• To support international frameworks like REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).

Key Technical Details

• Orbit Type: Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO)
• Altitude: 666 km
• Radar Type: P-band SAR – penetrates dense forests for accurate 3D biomass mapping
• Additional Capability: Monitoring ice sheet movement in Antarctica; creating 3D models of heavily forested terrains.

Current Context: On April 4, 2025, Bangladesh officially took over the chairmanship of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) for a two-year term, succeeding Thailand.

About

• Founded: 1997
• Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand
• Objective: Regional cooperation in areas like trade, transport, energy, technology, and security among Bay of Bengal nations
• Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Chairmanship: Rotates alphabetically among member states every two years

6th BIMSTEC Summit –

• Held in: Bangkok, Thailand
• Theme: Prosperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC
• Hosted by: PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand
• Bangkok Declaration & BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2025 adopted to provide strategic roadmap for: Sustainable development, Regional connectivity, Economic integration & Disaster resilience

Current Context: On April 5, 2025, Cambodian PM Hun Manet inaugurated the expanded Ream Naval Base, developed with Chinese support, sparking global concern over China’s growing naval footprint.

About

• Located on Cambodia’s Gulf of Thailand coast, near Sihanoukville.
• Close to the Malacca Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint.
• Expansion funded and supported financially & technically by China.

Strategic Significance

• Proximity to Indo-Pacific sea lanes boosts China’s reach in Southeast Asia.
• May serve as a potential Chinese military outpost, despite Cambodian denial.

Satellite imagery shows Chinese warships at the base.

• Observed on April 11 every year to raise awareness about maternal health; marks the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi.
• India was the first country to declare this day; initiated by White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI) in 2003.
• Aims to reduce maternal mortality and promote safe healthcare practices during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.
• Focuses on improving access to medical care for pregnant and lactating women to ensure a healthy motherhood experience.

Current Context: Gujarat Police has launched the GP-DRASTI (Drone Response and Surveillance Through Integration) initiative to enhance crime response and public safety using drone technology.

Key Highlights:

• Objective: Improve response time and situational awareness using drones alongside traditional patrols.
• Deployment: Phase 1 covers 33 police stations in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot.
• Pilot Success: Drones responded in half the time compared to PCR vans in Surat and Ahmedabad.
• Application: Focused on hotspots of violent crimes—rioting, assault, mob violence.
• System Integration: Drones integrated with police control room systems for streamlined response and evidence capture.