Current Context: The Union Education Ministry announced a 9.5% increase in the material cost under the centrally sponsored PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) scheme, adding a ₹954 crore burden.

About

• Formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme, renamed in Sept 2021.
• A centrally sponsored scheme providing hot cooked meals to students from Balvatika to Class VIII in govt & govt-aided schools.

Objectives

• Improve nutritional status of children.
• Promote school attendance among disadvantaged sections.
• Provide support during summer vacations in drought/disaster-hit areas.

Financial Update (2025-26)

• Material cost hiked by 9.5%, adding ₹954 crore burden.
• Revised cost/student/day:
• Balvatika & Primary: ₹6.78 (↑ from ₹6.19)
• Upper Primary: ₹10.17 (↑ from ₹9.29)

Monitoring & Data

• Inflation tracked by Labour Bureau using CPI-Rural Labourers (CPI-RL).
• Data from 600 villages across 20 states.
• Scale & Coverage:Reaches 11.20 crore students in 10.36 lakh schools.

Current Context: The recently released World Bank report emphasizes significant gaps in global social protection coverage.

Key Highlights

• Global Gaps: 1.6 billion people lack any form of social protection.
• LMICs (Low- and Middle-Income Countries): Nearly 2 billion people inadequately covered.
• LICs (Low-Income Countries): 80% have no access to social protection.
• LMICs: Over 30% of the population inadequately covered.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Over 70% without any protection.
• UMICs (Upper-Middle-Income Countries): Only 11% excluded, but due to population size, large numbers still uncovered.
• Progress (2010–2022): Coverage in LICs & LMICs improved from 41% to 51%, mainly via cash transfers.
• Remaining Gap: 75% of people in LICs still lack coverage.
• Future Projections: At the current pace, full coverage of the extreme poor may take until 2043.
• Climate Impact: Climate change could push an additional 130 million people into extreme poverty.
• Risk to SDGs: Delay threatens achievement of Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Financing Gaps:

• Global average spending:3% of GDP.
• LICs spend only8% of GDP on social protection.
• Policy Suggestion: Reallocate fossil fuel and agriculture subsidies to fund social protection.

Current Context:  Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) unveiled BM-04, a next-gen Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), at a defence expo in Hyderabad.

Key Features

• Length: 10.2 m | Diameter: 1.2 m | Weight: 11,500 kg
• Range: Up to 1,500 km | Warhead: 500 kg (conventional)
• Circular Error Probability (CEP): 30 metres → high accuracy
• Propulsion: Two-stage solid fuel
• Re-entry vehicle: Hypersonic – evades air defences

Canisterised Launch System

• Rapid deployment via canister-based system
• Carried on indigenous 6-wheel Transport Erector Launcher (TEL)
• Pre-mated warhead → reduced launch time

Strategic Significance

• Supports India’s plan for an Integrated Rocket Force (IRF)
• Boosts counterforce capabilities — targeting enemy launchers & command centres
• Deep deployment possible within Indian territory for survivability

Current Context: DRDO conducted successful release trials of the ‘Gaurav’ Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) from Sukhoi-30MKI (April 8–10, 2025).

Key Features

• Range: 30–150 km (trial hit at ~100 km)
• Weight: ~1,000 kg | Length: 4 m | Wingspan: 3.4 m
• Guidance: Inertial Navigation System (INS) + Satellite navigation
• Purpose: Neutralises targets beyond anti-aircraft range
• Design & Development:Developed by DRDO with support fromARDE (Armament Research & Development Establishment),RCI (Research Centre Imarat)&ITR (Integrated Test Range)
• Configurable for different warhead types and operational needs

Technological Advancements

• Features digital control systems for improved precision
• Designed for high accuracy & survivability in contested airspace
• Private sector collaboration with:Adani Defence Systems and Technologies,Bharat Forge&Various MSMEs

Current Context: The Ministry of Finance has notified the amalgamation of 26 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across 10 states and 1 union territory, effective May 1, 2025, reducing the number of RRBs to 28.

About

• Initiative by: Department of Financial Services
• Origin: Based on Vyas Committee (2005) recommendations
• Aim: Consolidate all RRBs within a state into a single RRB

Objectives:

• Improve operational efficiency and governance
• Rationalize costs, optimize human and technological resources
• Eliminate inter-sponsor bank competition within a state

About Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

• Established: 1975 under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976
• Based on: Narasimham Committee Report (1975)
• Purpose: Bridge rural credit gaps and support institutional rural lending
• Regulated by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Supervised by: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
• Ownership Structure:Government of India – 50%,State Government – 15%&Sponsor Bank – 35%

Current Context: West Japan Railway Company unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed railway station in Arida Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.

• Named Hatsushima Station, replacing a wooden station built in 1948.

Construction Highlights

• Printing Time: Parts printed in 7 days by Serendix in Kumamoto Prefecture.
• Material: Special durable mortar used for 3D printing.
• Assembly Time: Under 6 hours, done overnight after last train.

Significance

• Addresses Japan’s ageing population and shrinking workforce.
• Cuts down construction time drastically (2+ months → 6 hours).

Current context: Panama reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Panama Canal, with the U.S. recognizing it, despite recent tough rhetoric.

• Both nations announced new defence cooperation agreements, enhancing U.S. military training in Panama.

About

• Type: Artificial waterway connecting Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
• Global Role: Handles ~6% of global maritime trade.
• Length: ~82 km (51 miles).
• Opened: 1914 by the United States.

Historical Background

• Controlled by the U.S. until December 31, 1999.
• Handover under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties (1977).

• April 14th is observed as Ambedkar Jayanti, commemorating the 134th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar,
• The chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a prolific writer whose notable works include “The Problem of the Rupee,” “Annihilation of Caste,” and “Who Were the Shudras?”.
• Revered as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution,’ he was a pivotal leader in the struggle against the caste system.
• This day serves as a reminder of his profound contributions to the making of modern India

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The Union Information and Technology Minister said that personal details that are subject to disclosure under various laws will continue to be disclosed under the RTI Act after the implementation of the new data protection rule.

About

• Amendment to RTI Act (2005) will come into effect once Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules are notified in the coming weeks.
• Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act now includes a blanket prohibition on disclosing personal information, even if it serves the public interest.
• Concerns Raised:
  • The change makes it harder to access information vital for social audits and uncovering misuse of public funds or corruption.
  • RTI requests have been critical in verifying government programs and ensuring accountability, e.g., checking food ration distribution.
  • The original RTI Act balanced privacy and transparency; they reject the argument that the changes align with the Supreme Court’s privacy ruling.
  • The Union Minister stated the amendment won’t restrict transparency or disclosure of personal information when legally required.
  • He cited the 2017 Supreme Court judgement affirming the right to privacy under Article 21 to justify the amendment.

Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005

• Aim: It was designed to promote transparency in the functioning of the government by giving citizens the right to access information from public authorities.
• Scope: The Act applies to public authorities, which include government departments, ministries, and organizations that are substantially funded by the government.
• Information Accessible to the Public: Citizens have the right to request information from public authorities. This includes the right to access records, documents, and other information.
• Exclusions: Information that may compromise national security, breach confidentiality, or harm the integrity of ongoing investigations.
• Timeframe for Response: Public authorities are required to respond to information requests within 30 days. In certain cases, this period can be extended to 45 days.
• Penalties: The Act provides for penalties against officials who withhold information without reasonable cause or provide false information.

Significance of the Act

• Empowers Citizens: By accessing information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability in government.
• Holds Government Accountable: Helps in holding public authorities accountable for their actions, preventing corruption.
• RTI helped uncover misuse of funds in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
• Promotes Good Governance: It strengthens democratic processes by ensuring that the government operates transparently, fostering public trust.
• Enables Social Audits: Activists and NGOs use RTI to perform social audits of government schemes and services.
• RTI was used to check if food rations were correctly distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
• Access to Public Records: RTI requests have been used to obtain details of government contracts, exposing corruption or inefficiencies.
• Strengthens Democracy: Provides a tool for citizens to actively participate in the decision-making process, enhancing democracy.

Criticism of the Act

• Overburdening Public Authorities: It has led to an overload of information requests, putting a strain on public authorities and diverting attention from their primary duties.
• Misuse of the Act: Some individuals or groups use RTI requests as a tool for harassment or to settle personal or political scores.
• Delay in Processing Requests: Despite the stipulated time frames for response, some public authorities struggle to adhere to these deadlines, causing frustration among information seekers.
• Capacity and Training Issues: Some public authorities lack the necessary infrastructure, manpower, and training to effectively implement the RTI Act.
• Exemptions and Ambiguities: The Act’s provisions regarding exemptions are sometimes vaguely defined, this ambiguity can be exploited to withhold information that should ideally be in the public domain.

Way Ahead

• The RTI Act has played a significant role in promoting transparency, reducing corruption, and empowering citizens to actively participate in the democratic process by holding government institutions accountable.
• It is a powerful tool for promoting good governance and ensuring that citizens have access to information that affects their lives.
• The amendment has not yet come into effect, as the rules for implementing the DPDP Act (Digital Personal Data Protection Act) are still in draft form.
• Civil society organizations are calling for these draft rules to be revised so that the changes to the RTI Act are not finalized.

Current Context: Himachal Pradesh government approves installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at 402 locations to boost sustainable transport.

Key Highlights:

• Charging stations to be set up at:
  • 252 in Public Works Department (PWD) rest houses
  • 19 in Jal Shakti Vibhag rest houses
  • 18 at Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) premises
  • 100 in Forest Department rest houses
  • 12 at Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) office complexes
  • 1 at Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA) office
• Current Scenario:
  • 4,997 EVs registered in the state
  • 23 charging stations operational at petrol pumps
  • 90 more to be added by year-end
• Additional Steps:
  • 6 highways notified as green corridors
  • Charging infra planned at Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels and private hospitality units