Current Context: India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has expanded its NAFTA division to facilitate trade negotiations with the United States, aiming to avoid the imposition of 26% reciprocal tariffs and strengthen bilateral trade ties.

About

• NAFTA was a trilateral trade agreement among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, effective from 1994 to 2020.
• It eliminated tariffs, promoted investment, and created one of the largest free trade zones globally.
• In 2020, NAFTA was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with updated provisions on:Digital trade,Labour and environmental standards & Intellectual property rights

Current Context: A historic archaeological discovery in Lefkada, Greece, has revealed the first-ever ancient Greek theater in the Ionian Islands.

About

• Group of islands off the western coast of Greece, in the Ionian Sea.
• Known collectively as Heptanese (meaning “Seven Islands”).

Key Features:

• Major islands: Kerkyra (Corfu), Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaki, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Kythira.
• Largest island: Kefalonia/Cephalonia.
• Highest point: Mount Ainos (1,628 m).

Historical Significance

• Venetian control: 15th–16th centuries.
• Captured by Russian-Turkish forces in 1799.
• Under British control via the Treaty of Paris (1815).
• Ceded to Greece in 1864.

• Observed annually on April 10 to mark the birth anniversary of Samuel Hahnemann (born in 1755), the founder of homeopathy.
• Hahnemann, a German physician, developed homeopathy in 1796 as a gentle and effective medical system.
• Based on the principle of “Like Cures Like”, where substances that produce symptoms in a healthy person can treat similar symptoms in the sick.
• A two-day national convention is being held on April 10–11, 2025, at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, organized by Ministry of AYUSH.
• Theme 2025: Study, Teaching & Research – focusing on the three pillars of strengthening homeopathy in India.

Current Context: In March, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed the International Dam Safety Conference in Shimla, emphasizing Himachal Pradesh’s role in renewable energy and addressing dam-related rehabilitation.

Key Highlights:

• Himachal Pradesh is emerging as a global hub for renewable energy, particularly hydropower.
• CM stressed efforts to ensure compensation and justice for displaced people from Bhakra and Pong Dams.
• Reaffirmed commitment to eco-friendly development, especially in the face of climate change.

Current Context: PM Narendra Modi received Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour during his 2025 state visit.

About

• Established: 2008 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
• Awarded to: Foreign leaders for fostering strong ties with Sri Lanka.
• Symbolism: Silver medal with Navarathna, globe, lotus petals, Pun Kalasa, Sun, Moon, and Dharma Chakra—reflecting shared prosperity and Buddhist heritage.
• Significance: Symbol of diplomatic respect, regional friendship, and cultural solidarity.

Current Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of its publication titled “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”.

About

• The report presents gender-disaggregated data across sectors like population, health, education, economic participation, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and decision-making.

Key Highlights

• Education: Gender Parity Index (GPI) improved at primary and higher secondary levels, with near-equal enrolment at upper primary and elementary stages.
• Labour Force Participation: Female LFPR (15+ age) rose from 49.8% in 2017–18 to 1% in 2023–24.
• Financial Inclusion: Women held 2% of bank accounts and contributed 39.7% of deposits, with rural women making up 42.2% of account holders.
• Entrepreneurship: Female-headed proprietary establishments increased steadily, and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT)-recognized startups with at least one woman director grew from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024.
• Political Participation: Female voter turnout rose to 67.2% in 2019 but dipped to 65.8% in 2024.
• Violence Against Women: 31.9% of married women aged 18–49 reported spousal violence, with highest rates in Karnataka (48.4%), Bihar (42.5%), and Manipur (41.6%).

Current Context: ISRO successfully completed the controlled re-entry of PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4), reaffirming its commitment to space sustainability and debris management.

Key Highlights:

• Mission Launch: POEM-4 was launched on 30 December 2024 aboard PSLV-C60 as part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission.
• Function: Served as PSLV’s upper stage and carried 24 payloads (14 ISRO, 10 non-governmental), including India’s first astrobiology experiments by students from RV College and Amity University.
• De-Orbiting: ISRO engineers maneuvered POEM-4 from 475 km to a safe 350 km circular orbit; passivated fuel to avoid explosion risk.
• Sustainability Commitment: Aligned with ISRO’s Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) to promote clean space operations and responsible mission planning.
• Significance: Sets a benchmark for future missions in ensuring safe re-entry, scientific utility, and orbital debris mitigation.

Current Context: CSIR-NAL signed its first technology transfer agreement with Pioneer Clean Amps Pvt. Ltd. to manufacture HANSA-3 (NG).

About HANSA-3 (NG)

• Next-generation, two-seater ab-initio trainer aircraft for pilot training.
• Indigenously developed by CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru.

Purpose & Aim

• To offer a cost-effective alternative to imported trainer aircraft.
• Designed for training pilots for Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
• Supports India’s aviation sector by addressing rising demand for trained pilots.

Key Features

• Equipped with advanced Glass Cockpit for digital instrumentation.
• Powered by Rotax 912 iSc3 Sport Engine (fuel-efficient and digitally controlled).

Bubble Canopy for wide visibility and better pilot experience.

• Lightweight composite airframe with electrically operated flaps.
• Priced at ₹2 crore – ~50% cheaper than foreign trainer aircraft.
• Electric variant E-HANSA under development for sustainable aviation.

Current Context: The bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2025 between Indian and Russian navies was held from 28 March to 02 April 2025.

About

• Biennial joint military exercise initiated in 2003, now a tri-service engagement involving Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• 2021 (12th edition): Volgograd, Russia – Focus on counter-terrorism and operational synergy.
• 2023 (13th edition): Bay of Bengal – Naval cooperation and joint maritime operations.
• 2025 (14th edition): Two phases – Harbour phase in Chennai and Sea phase in Bay of Bengal.

Strategic Importance

• Enhances interoperability and joint operational capabilities in maritime security.
• Reinforces India-Russia defence ties and commitment to a stable maritime order.

Current Context: US President Donald Trump declared ‘Liberation Day’ on April 2, 2025, announcing reciprocal tariffs to address trade imbalances and protect domestic industries.

Key Highlights:

• Base Tariff: 10% universal import duty; higher rates up to 50% for nations with trade surpluses.
• India: 26% Discounted Reciprocal Tariff imposed.
• Other Nations: China – 54%, European Union (EU) – 20%, Japan – 24%, Taiwan – 32%.
• Affected Sectors: Textiles, electronics, chemicals, machinery.
• Objective: Address trade deficits, currency manipulation, and regulatory barriers.
• Sector-Wise Impact (India):
  • Electronics: ~$14 billion worth of exports affected.
  • Gems & Jewellery: ~$9 billion hit.
  • Auto Parts & Aluminium: Not affected by new 26% tariff, but earlier subject to a 25% tariff.
  • Pharmaceuticals: ~$9 billion exports mostly exempt.
  • Energy Products: Exempt from tariff hike.