Current context: The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA, active in the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, will conduct a joint exercise with the Indian Navy in late May 2025 to bolster anti‑piracy cooperation.

Background

• Launch: Initiated in 2008 to combat piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
• Mandate: Protects World Food Programme (WFP) vessels, deters piracy and maritime crime, and monitors illegal fishing and drug trafficking.

Key Details

• Joint Exercise: Planned in late May 2025 with the Indian Navy to enhance interoperability in counter‑piracy operations.
• Current Threats: While overall piracy incidents have declined, a recent resurgence—linked to Houthi activities in the Red Sea—underscores ongoing risks.
• Response Capability: EUNAVFOR can deploy assets and respond to piracy incidents within 48–72 hours, serving as a key deterrent.
• Expanded Role: Beyond piracy, the operation now focuses on unregulated fishing and narcotics interdiction under its expanded mandate.

Current context: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has selected PAIR Networks under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Program.

About

• The PAIR Program seeks to strengthen India’s higher education and research ecosystem by nurturing innovation, building research capacity, and promoting regional excellence through collaborative networks.

Key Highlights

• Structure: PAIR Networks consist of 18 Hub institutions and 106 Spoke partners, organized into two categories:
• Category A: 7 Hubs with 45 Spokes
• Category B: 11 Hubs with 61 Spokes
• Mentorship Model: Each Hub provides structured mentorship, funding support, and infrastructure access to its Spokes for joint projects.
• Scope: Connects universities, colleges, and research institutes to address local and national R&D

Current context: South Africa’s Sterkfontein Caves, part of the Cradle of Humankind, reopened to the public in April 2025 after a three‑year closure.

About

• Location: 50 km northwest of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa.
• Geology: Dolomitic limestone cave system featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and other karst formations formed over millions of years.

Palaeoanthropological Significance:

• One of the world’s richest hominid fossil sites.
• Home to “Mrs Ples” (Australopithecus africanus skull) and “Little Foot” (nearly complete Australopithecus skeleton).
• Provides evidence of human ancestors living in the region up to 3.5 million years ago.
• UNESCO Status: Designated part of the “Cradle of Humankind” World Heritage Site in 1999 for its outstanding universal value in human evolutionary studies.

• World Earth Day 2025 is observed on April 22, led by the Earth Day Network.
• The theme for 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet”, highlighting individual action for climate protection.
• It marks the 55th edition, first celebrated in 1970, promoting awareness of environmental challenges.
• The day encourages people worldwide to adopt sustainable habits and protect Earth.

Current Context: The South California city of Pomona will host the cricket event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking cricket’s return to the Olympics after 128 years.

Key Highlights

• Venue: Fairgrounds, Pomona, California.
• Format: T20 format; 6 teams each in men’s and women’s categories.
• Other sports added: Baseball/Softball, Flag Football, Lacrosse (Sixes), and Squash.

Historical relevance:

• Last played in 1900 Paris Olympics.
• T20 cricket featured in Asian Games (2010, 2014, 2023) and Commonwealth Games 2022 (Women’s event).

Current context: The Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra have been added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register on April 17, 2025, marking a major recognition of India’s rich cultural heritage.

• This brings the total number of Indian inscriptions in the list to

Key Points

• UNESCO Memory of the World Register: A prestigious list of documentary heritage collections, showcasing significant cultural and historical documents globally.
• New Additions: 74 new collections, including the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra, are added, making the total number of inscriptions 570.
• Global Recognition: The inclusion is a recognition of India’s timeless wisdom and culture, especially the Bhagavad Gita, a philosophical and spiritual guide, and Natyashastra, a foundational treatise on performance art
• Significance: The Gita has been translated into around 80 languages, while the Natyashastra remains one of the most comprehensive texts on theatre and performing arts.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla outlined a comprehensive roadmap for achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.

About

• India’s vision for 2047, known as ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), aims to transform the nation into a developed economy by the time it celebrates its 100th anniversary of its independence.
• The four pillars of Viksit Bharat are Yuva (Youth), Garib (Poor), Mahila (Women) and Kisan (Framers).
• It requires comprehensive efforts across various sectors, including economic growth, social equity, global competitiveness, environmental sustainability, industrial modernization and good governance.

Major Highlights

• Economic Growth Trajectory: Growth rate increased from 2.9% (1951–52) to 7.6% (2023–24).
• GDP to surpass USD 7 trillion by 2030 and projected to reach USD 34.7 trillion by 2047, as per the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI).
• Per Capita Income: Estimated to reach USD 4,667 by 2030 and USD 21,000 by 2047.
• Sectoral Contributions to GDP (By 2047):
  • Agriculture: From 20% (FY23) to 12%.
  • Industrial Sector: To reach 34%.
  • Manufacturing Sector: To reach 25%.
  • Services Sector: Stable at around 54%.
• Key Enablers:
  • Ease of doing business.
  • Global scalability of promising sectors to become MNCs.
  • Development of the semiconductor industry.
  • Support for the startup ecosystem.
  • Export capacity building.
  • Reforms in agriculture and food processing.
  • Filling vacant positions in government (National and State levels).
  • Digital transformation acceleration.
  • Boost to the renewable energy sector.
  • Investment in physical infrastructure.
• Global Standing Goals: 2nd largest Economy in Asia-Pacific by 2030.
  • 3rd largest economy globally by 2030.
• Renewable Energy Goals: India ranks 4th globally in renewable energy.
• Government target: 500 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2030.
• PHDCCI projections: 900 GW by 2040 and 1500 GW by 2047.
• Digital & AI Adoption: Internet usage rose from 8% in 2010 to 52% in 2024, projected to reach 82% by 2047.
  • Projected to rank among the top 5 globally in AI readiness by 2047.
• India’s Innovation-Driven Growth: Global Innovation Index rank improved from 52nd in 2019 to 39th in 2024.
  • PHDCCI projects India will be among the top 5 innovation leaders by 2047.
  • The semiconductor industry is projected to reach USD 750 billion by 2047.

Government Initiatives

• Impact of Government Initiatives: Make in India, Digital India, Gati Shakti, Bharatmala, Udaan Yojana, and electronic manufacturing clusters are reshaping infrastructure and commerce.
• Policy Reforms:
  • Simplification of industrial policies.
  • Transparent tax regime.
  • Single-window clearance system.
  • All contributing to a more business-friendly environment.

Conclusion

• India is progressing steadily toward economic prosperity and innovation leadership.
• Marked by resilience, adaptability, and focus on inclusive growth.
• Positioned to become a key global economic player by 2047.

Current Context:Himachal Pradesh government has allocated ₹193.75 crore to boost healthcare through Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) and District Integrated Public Health Laboratories (DIPHLs).

Key Details

Critical Care Blocks (CCBs):

• Location: 50-bedded units at PHC Swahan (Bilaspur) & Civil Hospital Rohru (Shimla).
• Infrastructure: Emergency services, ICUs, HDUs, isolation beds, OTs, dialysis units, labs.
• Functionality: Operate regularly but can be isolated during health emergencies like COVID-19.
• District Integrated Public Health Laboratories (DIPHLs):
• Approved at: Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Govt. Medical College (Chamba) & District Hospital–Hamirpur.
• Facilities: Pathology, haematology, cytology, biochemistry, microbiology under one roof.
• Staffing: 1 pathologist, 1 microbiologist, 1 biochemist, 11 lab techs, 1 data entry operator, 2 sanitatio

Additional Approval:

• Equipment for mother & child hospital wings at:Kamla Nehru Hospital (Shimla),Regional Hospital (Una)
• &Civil Hospital (Sundernagar)

Current context: K2-18b, an exoplanet located 120 light-years away, has shown signs of biosignatures.

Key Details

• Gases Detected: Dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), gases linked to biological processes, have been detected for the first time beyond our solar system.
• Potential Link to Life: These gases are produced by ocean organisms on Earth, suggesting a warm ocean environment on K2-18b.
• Significance: The discovery has sparked theories about extraterrestrial life but remains inconclusive.

About K2-18b

• Super Earth: 6 times the mass of Earth.
• Habitable Zone: Positioned in a region where liquid water could exist.
• Orbit: Orbits a red dwarf star, smaller than the Sun.
• Exoplanets Discovery: Over 5,800 exoplanets discovered since the 1990s.
• Hycean Worlds: Hypothetical planets with oceans and hydrogen-rich atmospheres, potentially suitable for microbial life.

Current context Russia has stated that any Ukrainian strike using German Taurus missiles will be viewed as direct participation by Germany in the war.

Key Details

• Type: Long-range cruise missile
• Manufacturer: Used by German military (Bundeswehr)
• Speed: Up to 1,170 km/h
• Range: Effective at 500 km
• Flight Altitude: Capable of flying at 35 meters above the ground, evading radar detection

Capabilities:

• Operates in day, night, and all-weather conditions
• Designed for terrain-following flight to avoid detection

Technology:

• Mobile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Category II weapon
• Uses four independent navigation systems for precision
• Equipped with satellite-supported GPS that is jam-resistant
• Purpose: Engineered to penetrate thick, hardened air defences through low-level flight