• The rise in swine flu (H1N1) cases in India has alarmed health authorities, with over 20,414 infections and 347 fatalities reported by December 2024. States such as Delhi, Kerala, and Maharashtra are the most affected.
• ABOUT:

1. A respiratory infection caused by the H1N1 virus, initially found in pigs but now adapted to humans.
2. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, and fatigue, similar to seasonal flu.
3. Severe cases may lead to pneumonia and respiratory complications.

• Swine Flu Outbreak in India (2024)

1. Delhi reported the highest number of cases, followed by Kerala and Maharashtra.
2. Maharashtra recorded the highest number of deaths, followed by Kerala, Gujarat, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana.
3. The surge is attributed to seasonal changes, increased human interaction, and the spread of multiple viruses like H1N1, H3N2, and adenoviruses.
4. The government is actively monitoring the outbreak through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).

• Factors Contributing to the Surge

1. Seasonal Trends: Peaks typically occur January–March and August–October.
2. Environmental Conditions: Monsoon and winter months create favorable conditions for the virus.
3. Increased Travel: Post-pandemic movement has facilitated virus transmission.
4. Weakened Immunity: Weather changes, COVID-19 effects, and stress have led to reduced immunity.
5. Vaccination Delays: Limited awareness and access to flu shots contribute to low vaccination rates.

• Transmission

1. Respiratory Droplets: Coughing, sneezing, and talking spread the virus.
2. Contaminated Surfaces: The virus can survive on surfaces for hours.
3. Close Contact: Spending time near infected individuals increases the risk.

• Treatment and Prevention

1. Antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are effective when administered within 48 hours of symptom onset.
2. Vaccination, good hygiene, and avoiding crowded places can help prevent infection.

• NITI Aayog recently released a report titled From Borrowers to Builders – Women’s Role in India’s Financial Growth Story, highlighting the growing financial engagement of women in India.
• As of December 2024, 27 million women were actively monitoring their credit scores—a 42% rise from the previous year, reflecting increased financial awareness.
• Key Findings

1. Financial Participation: Women’s involvement in financial activities tripled between 2019 and 2024, with 60% of women borrowers residing in semi-urban and rural areas.
2. Credit Monitoring Growth: Women’s share in self-monitoring credit reached 19.43% in December 2024, up from 17.89% in 2023. Non-metro areas saw a 48% rise in credit monitoring compared to 30% in metro areas.
3. Regional Trends: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana accounted for nearly half of all self-monitoring women. The southern region led with 10.2 million women, while Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest growth in active borrowers.
4. Loan Preferences: Women preferred loans against property (36%), agricultural loans (26%), and business loans (25%). By December 2024, women constituted 35% of business borrowers, with business loan origination rising 14% since 2019.

• The U.S. Air Force recently tested the Harpoon anti-ship missile on F-16s at Nellis Air Force Base, marking a strategic shift to enhance maritime strike capabilities and enable faster deployment of advanced weaponry.
• Harpoon Missile Overview

1. Developer: Boeing; introduced in 1977, used by 30+ countries, including India.
2. Specifications: 4.5m long, 526kg weight, launched from ships, submarines, and aircraft.

• Features:
  • All-weather, over-the-horizon targeting.
  • Range: 90-240 km; Speed: Mach 0.85.
  • GPS-assisted navigation, capable of both anti-ship and land strikes.
  • 221kg blast warhead for high-impact destruction.
• Rapid Integration Process

1. Innovative System: The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group introduced a gateway system for quick missile-aircraft communication.
2. Efficiency Gains: Reduces modification needs, allowing faster deployment of advanced weaponry.

• Implications for Naval Warfare

1. Strategic Shift: Traditionally, the Harpoon was reserved for U.S. Navy aircraft.
2. Enhanced Air Force Role: Equipping F-16s with anti-ship capability expands operational versatility and strengthens combat readiness.

• The Wallace Line has gained attention in the news following recent research that offers fresh perspectives on the complex biogeographical patterns of Southeast Asia and Australia.
• The Wallace Line : A faunal boundary line separating the ecozones of Asia and Australia.
• Discovered by: Alfred Russel Wallace in 1863 during his explorations.

Location:

• Southern part: Intersects the Lombok Strait (between Bali and Lombok).
• Northern part: Passes through the Makassar Strait (between Borneo and Sulawesi).
• Significance:Divides Asian fauna (west) from Australian fauna (east).
• Example species:

1. West (Asia): Orangutans, tigers, rhinos.
2. East (Australia): Tree-kangaroos, Komodo dragons.

• Effects:
• Acts as a barrier for land animals, limiting species migration.
• Does not affect marine life.
• Wallacea: The transitional zone around the Wallace Line, known for high biodiversity.
• Scientific Importance: Helps in studying animal evolution and species distribution.

• Recently, Pakistan and Afghanistan security forces exchanged gunfire at the Torkham border crossing.
• The clash occurred due to a dispute over border post construction.
• The border has been closed for over a week, impacting trade and civilian movement

About Torkham Border Crossing

• Location: A key transit point between Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Afghanistan (Nangarhar Province).
• Importance: Facilitates trade and travel, serving as the busiest border crossing between the two nations.
• Humanitarian Concerns

1. Critical Timing: The border closure comes during Ramadan, a period when food imports typically surge to meet increased demand.
2. Escalating Food Insecurity: Afghanistan is already grappling with a severe hunger crisis, with millions at risk of starvation.

• Impact of Taliban Rule & Aid Reduction:

1. International sanctions have severely restricted Afghanistan’s banking sector, limiting financial transactions.
2. Declining foreign aid has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, making it difficult to secure essential supplies.

• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently extended a heartfelt send-off to the Special Athletes and Coaches from Himachal Pradesh who have been selected to represent India at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, scheduled to take place in Turin, Italy, from March 7 to 16, 2025.

Himachal Pradesh’s Contribution:

• Total Indian Contingent:49 athletes and coaches
• From Himachal Pradesh:24 athletes and coaches
• Disciplines Participated: Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Floorball.

Enhanced Prize Money Announced by Himachal Pradesh Government:

Olympics, Winter Olympics & Paralympics:

• Gold Medal:Increased from ₹3 crore to ₹5 crore
• Silver Medal:Increased from ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore
• Bronze Medal:Increased from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore

Asian Games & Asian Para Games:

• Gold Medal:Increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹4 crore
• Silver Medal:Increased from ₹30 lakh to ₹2.5 crore
• Bronze Medal:Increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹1.5 crore

Commonwealth Games:

• Gold Medal:Increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹3 crore
• Silver Medal:Increased from ₹30 lakh to ₹2 crore
• Bronze Medal:Increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹1 crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated “Vantara,” a new cultural and tourism hub in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

• “Vantara” showcases the rich cultural heritage and history of the Saurashtra region, aiming to boost tourism and local economy.
• The project includes museums, art galleries, and performance centers to promote regional arts and crafts.

• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the two-day Visitor’s Conference for the academic year 2024-25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The conference serves as a platform for discussions on enhancing the quality of higher education in India.
• Vice-Chancellors of central universities, Directors of IITs, NITs, and other institutions of national importance participated in the event.

Christian Stocker was sworn in as Austria’s Chancellor on March 3, 2025, leading a three-party coalition government comprising the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), the center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos.

• Key figures in the new government include Andreas Babler as Vice Chancellor and Beate Meinl-Reisinger as Foreign Minister.

About Austria

• Capital:Vienna
• Official Language:German
• Government Type:Federal Parliamentary Republic
• President (2025):Alexander Van der Bellen
• Geographical Location:Landlocked country in Central Europe
• Bordering Countries:Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein
• Major River:Danube (Europe’s second-longest river)

• The Government of India has appointed Ajay Bhadoo, an IAS officer from the 1999 batch, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Government e Marketplace (GeM), effective March 3, 2025.
• Prior to this appointment, Bhadoo served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce since August 2024.
• The GeM portal, launched on August 9, 2016, is an online platform for public procurement of goods and services by central government ministries and departments.