Current Context: The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and UNICEF Yu Waah have entered into a three-year collaboration to enhance rural employment, entrepreneurship, and skill development for women and youth.

• Key Features
  • Pilot Projects: Computer Didi Centers and Didi ki Dukan will be introduced in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
  • Aim: Strengthen digital infrastructure and economic opportunities.
• Target Expansion:
  • If successful, the initiative aims to benefit 35 lakh women across 7,000+ blocks in India.
  • Aligned with rural development goals outlined in the 2025-26 Union Budget.
  • Youth Hub: A platform for jobs, skilling, and volunteering opportunities for rural youth.
  • Lakhpati Didis:Focused on creating successful women entrepreneurs in rural areas.

Current Context: India’s bioeconomy reached $165 billion in 2024, contributing 4.2% to GDP, with projections of $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2047.

• Key Facts
  • Definition: Bioeconomy involves using biological resources and natural processes to produce sustainable goods and services.
  • Growth: Bioeconomy doubled since 2020 ($86 billion to $165 billion); over 10,000 companies (90% increase).
• Sector Contributions:

1. 1. Industrial: Nearly half the value of the bioeconomy (roughly $78 billion) was generated in the industrial sector.
   2. Pharmaceuticals: 35% share (vaccines major contributor).
   3. Research & IT: Fastest-growing (biotech software, clinical trials).

• Regional Disparity:
  • Top states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh (66% share).
  • Low contribution: Eastern and Northeastern regions (<6%).

Current Context: The European Space Agency (ESA) concluded the Gaia mission on March 27, 2025, after over a decade of mapping the Milky Way.

• Key Facts
  • Launch: December 2013.
  • Objective: Create a precise 3D map of the Milky Way, analyzing ~2 billion stars.
  • Positioning: Operated at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), 5 million km from Earth.
• Achievements:
  • Detected a new type of black hole through gravitational effects.
  • Discovered 150,000+ asteroids and mapped the galaxy’s structure, including its warped disc and bulge.
  • Produced 3 trillion observations and contributed to over 13,000 scientific publications.
  • Technology: Equipped with a billion-pixel camera and instruments for astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopy.

Current Context: The Indian Armed Forces conducted Exercise Prachand Prahar, a tri-service integrated multi-domain exercise, in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Key Details
  • Location: High-altitude terrain in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Objective: Demonstrate advanced surveillance, strike capabilities, and multi-domain operational planning.
  • Key Platforms Used: Long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, Armed helicopters and UAVs, Loitering munitions &Space-based assets
  • Highlights: Focused on achieving total situational awareness and rapid target engagement.
• Significance
  • Strengthens operational readiness in challenging terrains.
  • Enhances interoperability between the three services.

Current Context: The 14th edition of the India-Russia naval exercise INDRA is being held off Chennai from March 28 to April 2, 2025.

• Key Highlights
• Phases:
  • Harbour Phase (March 28-30): Includes opening ceremony, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), visits, sports, and briefings in Chennai.
  • Sea Phase (March 31-April 2): Conducted in the Bay of Bengal with advanced naval drills, including tactical maneuvers, live weapon firing, anti-air operations, and helicopter cross-deck landings.
• Participants:
  • Russian Navy: Ships Pechanga, Rezkiy, and Aldar Tsydenzhapov.
  • Indian Navy: Ships Rana, Kuthar, and P8I maritime patrol aircraft.
• Significance
  • Enhances naval interoperability and operational synergy.
  • Strengthens maritime cooperation and strategic ties between India and Russia.
  • Promotes exchange of best practices and bolsters diplomatic relations

Current Context: India becomes the second-largest tea exporter globally, surpassing Sri Lanka, after Kenya.

• Key Facts
  • Exports in 2024: 255 million kg, valued at ₹7,111 crore (15% growth).
  • Major Types: 96% black tea; green, herbal, masala, and lemon tea.
  • Top Destinations: Iraq (20% of exports), UAE, Iran, Russia, US, UK.
  • Tea Regions: Assam (Valley, Cachar), West Bengal (Darjeeling, Dooars, Terai), Nilgiris.
  • Drivers of Growth: Tea branding and promotions., Better tea worker welfare &Rising demand from West Asia.
• Tea Board of India
  • Founded: 1954 (Tea Act, 1953).
  • Purpose: Regulates the tea industry and supports producers.
  • HQ: Kolkata.

Current Context: NITI Aayog Member Arvind Virmani launched the second edition of the NITI Aayog Trade Watch Quarterly Report for Q2 (July–September) FY 2025 in New Delhi.

• Key Highlights
• Trade Growth:
  • India’s total trade increased by 5.67% (April–September 2024) compared to the same period in 2023.
  • Exports grew 5.23%, averaging $35.4 billion/month over six months.
  • Imports rose 6.07%, averaging $57.8 billion/month, with an August surge.
• Textile Exports: India ranks 6th globally, with a focus on natural fibers like cotton and carpet threads.
• Significance: Provides a holistic trade analysis, including sectoral performance and emerging opportunities.

Current Context: India, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), conducted a comprehensive data-pooling exercise to assess social protection coverage across 34 major schemes, including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN).

• Key Highlights
  • Coverage: 65% of the population (92 crore) benefits from at least one scheme; 48.8% receive cash benefits.
  • Data Insights: Coverage doubled from 24.4% (2021) to 48.8% (2024). Excludes in-kind benefits and state-specific schemes.
  • Phase 01 States: Focus on 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh (UP), Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, for data consolidation.
• Significance
  • Efficient Welfare: Prevents duplication, optimizing welfare spending.
  • Global Recognition: Strengthens India’s role in trade and social security negotiations.
  • Collaboration with ILO: Advocates inclusion of food security and housing in assessments.

Current Context:Rushikonda Beach, Visakhapatnam, has regained its Blue Flag certification after a temporary withdrawal due to compliance issues.

• Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Significance: Only Blue Flag-certified beach in Andhra Pradesh; first awarded in 2020. Known for golden sands and clear waters
• Blue Flag Certification
  • Administered by: Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark.
  • Monitored by: In India, Blue Flag India under Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM).

Current Context: India secured the bronze medal in the mixed quad category at the ISTAF Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025, held in Patna, Bihar.

Key Highlights

• Bronze Medal: India shared the bronze medal with Vietnam after being defeated by Myanmar in the semifinals.

Final Results:

• Gold Medal: Thailand
• Silver Medal: Myanmar
• Venue: Matches were held at the Patliputra Sports Complex Indoor Stadium, Patna.