Current Context: Maharashtra recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s state-owned company ROSATOM to develop a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) based on thorium fuel.

• This initiative marks a significant step in nuclear energy development, traditionally overseen by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).​

Objectives:

• Develop and commercialize thorium reactors in Maharashtra.​
• Establish a local assembly line under the ‘Make in Maharashtra’ initiative.​
• Ensure compliance with Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) safety standards.​
• Key Participants:Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (MAHAGENCO),ROSATOM Energy Projects,Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA)​&Global Technology Alliance
• Safety & Compliance: All activities will adhere to Government of India and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board guidelines, with a joint working group overseeing coordination and research.​

Current Context:  NITI Aayog released the report titled “Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains,” aiming to enhance India’s role in the global automotive market.

Key Findings:

• Global Position: India ranks as the fourth-largest automobile producer, with an annual production of nearly 6 million vehicles.​
• Trade Dynamics: India’s share in the global automotive component trade is approximately 3%, valued at $20 billion, indicating significant potential for growth.​
• Emerging Trends: The global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies present both challenges and opportunities for India.​

Vision for 2030:

• Production Target: Increase automotive component production to $145 billion.​
• Export Ambition: Triple exports from $20 billion to $60 billion.​
• Trade Surplus: Achieve a trade surplus of approximately $25 billion.​
• Employment Growth: Create 2-2.5 million new jobs, raising total employment to 3-4 million.​

Current Context: BatEchoMon is India’s first automated bat monitoring and detection system using acoustic sensors and machine learning.

• Developed by Kadambari Deshpande (bat biologist) and Vedant Barje (technologist).

Key Highlights:

• Technology: Records bat echolocation calls, identifies species, and analyzes behavior.
• Conservation Impact: Aids in bat population monitoring to support wildlife conservation.
• Research Application: Deployed in Maharashtra to study bats in agro-ecosystems, focusing on their role in pest control.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Combines expertise from wildlife research, technology, and environmental conservation.

Current context: The Ministry of Railways has announced the implementation of Kavach 5.0, an advanced Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, to enhance Mumbai’s suburban train services.

Key Features:

• Enhanced Safety: Kavach 5.0 automatically applies brakes if the Loco Pilot fails to respond within safe speed limits, preventing accidents due to human error.​
• Operational Efficiency: Designed to reduce inter-train headway, it enables a 30% increase in train frequency, accommodating approximately 80 lakh daily commuters more comfortably.​
• Implementation Timeline: The system is expected to be fully operational by December 2025.​

Significance:

• Technological Advancement: Demonstrates India’s commitment to indigenous technological solutions in railway safety.​
• Economic Impact: Enhanced train frequency and safety can boost economic activities by improving commuter efficiency and reducing travel time.​

Current Context: India’s industrial output, as measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), grew by 2.9% in February 2025, marking the slowest pace in six months.​

Sectoral Performance:

• Manufacturing: Grew by 2.9%, down from 5.0% in January.​
• Mining: Increased by 1.6%, a decrease from 4.4% in the previous month.​
• Electricity: Expanded by 3.6%, up from 2.4% in January.​
• Cumulative Growth: From April 2024 to February 2025, cumulative industrial output grew by 4.1%.​

Significance:

• Economic Indicator: IIP serves as a crucial indicator of industrial performance, influencing policy decisions and economic forecasts.​
• Policy Implications: Understanding IIP trends aids in assessing the effectiveness of economic policies and identifying areas needing intervention.​

About IIP:

• Released by: Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.​
• Base Year: 2011-12​
• Frequency: Monthly​
• Sectors Covered: Mining, Manufacturing, Electricity​

Current Context: Singapore Changi Airport has been named World’s Best Airport 2025 by Skytrax, marking its 13th win.

• Known for innovative features like early check-in (up to 48 hours before flight), Changi allows passengers to treat the airport as part of their travel experience.

Key Highlights:

• Doha’s Hamad International Airport ranked 2nd, also receiving Best Airport Shopping and Best Airport in the Middle East.
• Tokyo Haneda Airport ranked 3rd, winning awards for World’s Cleanest Airport (Major Airport), Best Domestic Airport, and Best Accessible Facilities.

India’s Recognition:

• Delhi International Airport: Best Airport in India & South Asia.
• Hyderabad International Airport: Best Airport Staff Service.
• Bangalore International Airport: Best Regional Airport in India & South Asia.
• Goa’s Manohar International Airport: Best in under 5 million passengers category.

Current Context: On April 10, 2025, Mauritius became the first African nation to sign the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), following Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba.

Key Highlights:

• Objective: Facilitate structured collaboration between ISA and Mauritius on solar energy initiatives, aligning with national priorities.​
• Duration: Three years, renewable upon mutual consent.​

Focus Areas:

• Development of a solar power roadmap.
• Creation of regulatory frameworks to support the solar sector.
• Implementation of innovative solar technologies, including floating solar and rooftop solar projects.
• Establishment of a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) in Mauritius.​

About ISA:

• Establishment: Launched in 2015 by India and France during ​
• Objective: Promote solar energy as a sustainable solution for energy access and climate change mitigation.​
• Membership: Over 100 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement, with more than 90 having ratified it.​
• Headquarters: Gurugram, India.​

Current Context: The Thar Desert has seen a 38% annual increase in greening over the past two decades due to monsoon rainfall and agricultural expansion.

Key Highlights:

• Location: Spans 200,000 sq km across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana in India, and Sindh, Punjab in Pakistan.

Geography & Climate:

• Bordered by Indus River plain (west), Punjab Plain (north/northeast), Aravalli Range (southeast), and Rann of Kachchh (south).
• Subtropical desert climate with high pressure and subsidence.

Soil Composition:

• Includes Desert, Red Desertic, Sierozems, Regosols, Saline, and Lithosols.

Biodiversity:

• Home to species like Blue Bull (Nilgai), Blackbuck, Great Indian Bustard (GIB), and Indian Gazelle (Chinkara).
• Houses Desert National Park in Rajasthan, one of India’s largest national parks.

Mineral Resources:

• Rich in lignite coal, gypsum, and salt.
• Includes significant saltwater lakes, such as

Current Context: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced major initiatives to transform Himachal Pradesh into the tourism capital of India with an investment of ₹2,400 crore.

Key Developments

• 200 Hotels (ranging from 3-star to 7-star) and wellness centres will be set up.
• Introduction of water sports activities at Gobind Sagar Lake to boost adventure tourism:
• Cruise, houseboats, jet skis, motorboats, and water scooters will be available.
• Establishment of new tourist destinations combining:Religious, eco, water, nature, and health tourism.

Major projects for Bilaspur:

• 110 KW solar power plant at the DC office.
• Livelihood centre and space labs.
• Shree Naina Devi Temple facilities to be upgraded with an investment of ₹100 crore.
• A ₹200 crore convention centre will be built in Dharamshala.

Current Context: The central government has approved over 11,000 Anganwadi-cum-crèches under the Palna scheme, only 1,761 have become operational nationwide.

• The Palna Scheme, launched in 2022, provides quality crèche (day-care) facilities to support working mothers, under Mission Shakti.

Background & Structure

• Sub-scheme: Samarthya (of Mission Shakti)
• Ministry:Implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD).
• Replaces the National Crèche Scheme
• Aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

Funding Pattern

• General States: 60:40 (Centre:State)
• North-Eastern/Special Category States: 90:10
• Union Territories without legislature: 100% Centre-funded

Key Objectives

• Provide crèche services for children aged 6 months to 6 years
• Ensure health, nutrition, cognitive development
• Comply with Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 provisions for workplace crèches
• Support women’s workforce participation
• Integrated Services:Day-care, early learning & stimulation,Pre-school education Health monitoring&Supplementary nutrition via Mission Poshan 0

Types of Crèches

• Standalone Crèches: Independent facilities
• Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs): Combine Anganwadi and crèche roles

Current Status (as of March 2025)

• 11,395 AWCCs approved
• Target: Establish 17,000 new AWCCs by 2024-25