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of the World Register: A prestigious list of documentary heritage collections, showcasing significant cultural and historical documents globally.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

Current Context: The Philippines will host the Balikatan 2025 joint military exercise from April 21 to May 9, 2025.

About the Exercise –

• Balikatan means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog.
• Initiated in 2002, primarily between the US and the Philippines.
• Focus areas:Humanitarian Assistance,Disaster Relief,Military Coordination & Readiness
• Nations participating: United States, Japan, Australia.
• Japan to formally participate for the first
• Drills will focus on defending Palawan and Luzon islands , near the South China Sea and Luzon Strait.

Japan’s Role in 2025:

• 150 personnel from Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
• Deployment of a Mogami-class frigate.
• US Military Deployment:Inclusion of NMESIS (Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) – enhances anti-ship capability.
• Participation Size: Around 15,000–16,000 troops.
• Observer Nations: Czech Republic, Poland, others.

Current Context: India’s retail inflation dropped to 4.6% in FY 2024–25, the lowest since 2018–19.

About Retail Inflation

• Retail Inflation refers to the rise in prices of goods/services consumed by households.
• It is measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• CPI reflects the weighted average price of a basket of essential goods and services.
• Movements in CPI affect purchasing power, interest rates, and monetary policy.

CPI in India

• Calculated by: National Statistical Office (NSO) under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Base Year:

Current context: Japan will provide two Shinkansen trains (E5 and E3 models) to India for testing as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, marking a significant step in India’s high-speed rail ambitions.

Key Points

• Shinkansen: Japan’s high-speed rail system, operational since 1964, is known for speed (up to 320 km/h), efficiency, and safety.
• Models: The E5 model is the latest, reaching speeds of 320 km/h, while the E3 model still incorporates advanced safety features.
• Collaboration: Japan will deliver the trains in early 2026, which will be used for testing and gathering data on environmental conditions to inform the development of future E10 trains (to be introduced by 2030).
• Financial Aspects: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is 80% funded by a low-interest loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), covering an estimated cost of8 trillion yen.
• Historical Context: The Shinkansen revolutionized rail travel in Japan, connecting Tokyo and Osaka in record time, and inspired high-speed rail systems in countries like China, France, and Spain.
• Global Influence: The technology has spurred global high-speed rail projects, and China now boasts the world’s longest high-speed rail network.
• Challenges & Innovations: Japan’s Shinkansen trains are engineered to withstand seismic activity in earthquake-prone regions, contributing to a perfect safety record.

Current context: Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand will be named after Baba Baukhnag.

Key Details

• Type: Bi-directional, double-lane tunnel
• Length: 4.531 km
• Location: On the Yamunotri National Highway, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
• Project: Part of the Char Dham All-Weather Road Project
• Impact: Will reduce the distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri by approximately 25 km
• Baba Baukhnag: A revered local deity worshipped by communities in and around Uttarkashi district,Considered a guardian spirit of the mountains.

• Observed on: Celebrated every year on April 21 to honor the role of civil servants.
• Organized by: Government of India, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• Significance: Commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s address to India’s first batch of civil servants in 1947 and honors excellence in public administration.