Current Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has capped penalties for certain Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations at ₹2 lakh, replacing the earlier percentage-based system.

Key Highlights

• Act: Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 (replaced Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), 1973)
• New Change: Penalty capped at ₹2 lakh for specific FEMA contraventions
• Earlier System: Penalties ranged from 30% to 0.75% of the violation amount

Violations Covered:

• Failure to reinvest Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) proceeds within 180 days
• Delay in completing exports after advance receipts
• Gifting high-value shares to non-resident relatives without prior RBI approval

Objective:

• Reduce compliance burden for individuals and corporations
• Improve ease of doing business
• Promote a conducive environment for foreign investment

Current Context: Pakistan’s suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement marks a significant shift in India-Pakistan relations, following India’s actions after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The agreement, signed post-1971 Indo-Pakistani War, aimed to normalize ties.

Key Highlights

• Signatories: Indian PM Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
• Objective: Restore peace and establish bilateral

Provisions:

• Peaceful Resolution: Dispute resolution via direct talks.
• Respect for Sovereignty: Territorial integrity commitment.
• LoC: Maintenance of the Line of Control.
• Prisoner Release: Release of 93,000 Pakistani POWs.

Impact of Suspension:

• Tensions Escalate: Risk of increased conflict, particularly along the LoC.
• Shift in Strategy: Pakistan may seek international mediation on Kashmir, contradicting the agreement.

Current context: The Indian government has barred Pakistani nationals from availing benefits under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), citing security and diplomatic concerns.

Key Highlights:

Launched: 1992.

• Objective: To allow visa-free travel within SAARC nations for select categories of people such as dignitaries, officials, and business leaders.
• Mechanism: Eligible individuals receive SAARC Visa Stickers, valid for one year, issued by respective member countries.
• Privileges: Exempts sticker holders from needing a visa or facing travel restrictions, such as police reporting or filling extra entry forms across SAARC nations.
• India’s Decision:Pakistan nationals are now excluded from traveling to India under this scheme.

About SAARC:

• Established: December 8, 1985, in Dhaka.
• Members (8): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
• Purpose: Promote regional cooperation and economic integration in South Asia.

Current Context: The Syrian civil war (2011) turned Palmyra into a conflict zone, resulting in significant damage to its ancient monuments.

About :

• Location: An ancient city in central Syria, situated in an oasis surrounded by palms and nestled between the northern and southern Palmyrene mountain ranges.

Historical Significance:

• Human settlement dates back to the Neolithic period.
• First mentioned in historical records in the early second millennium BCE.
• Integrated into the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD.
• Located at a key junction on the Silk Road, Palmyra served as a significant trade and cultural hub, linking the Roman Empire, Persia, India, and China.

• Held on April 28, established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to promote safe and healthy workplaces. ​
• The 2025 theme focuses on “Revolutionizing health and safety: the role of AI and digitalization at work”, exploring how technology can enhance occupational safety.​
• Engagement: Encourages stakeholders to adopt innovative solutions for improving workplace health and safety.​
• Significance: Aims to reduce work-related accidents and diseases through proactive measures and awareness.​

• Observed on April 27, initiated by the International Council of Design (ico-D) to celebrate the value of design. ​
• The 2025 theme is “Outlandish Optimism”, encouraging designers to envision bold and positive futures.​
• International Council of Design
• Engagement: Promotes the role of design in addressing global challenges and improving quality of life.​
• Significance: Recognizes design as a powerful tool for innovation, sustainability, and social impact.

Current context: Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inspected the first ‘Complete Streets’ initiative in Udyog Vihar, Gurugram.

Key Points:

• The initiative is designed to provide safe mobility for all, including children, elderly, women, and persons with disabilities (divyangjan).
• The project covers a 2.4 km stretch along Sanath Road and Gali No. 7, with a total width of 30 meters.
• The total project cost is ₹23 crore, funded by GMDA (Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority), MCG (Municipal Corporation of Gurugram), DHBVN (Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam), and the Raahgiri Foundation.
• Private sector partners, such as Nagarro, Maruti Suzuki, and SafeExpress, contributed to the funding.

Key features of the project include:

• Wide and shaded footpaths for pedestrians.
• Cycling tracks for a safer experience.
• Bioswales for rainwater harvesting.
• Preservation of 700 mature trees.

Current Context: Yeshasvini Health Scheme in Karnataka is set for revisions to improve healthcare access for rural beneficiaries.The report was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of the scheme.

Key Points:

Proposed Changes:

• 15% to 25% increase in rates for general procedures.
• An expert committee has recommended a 12% to 50% increase for complex procedures like paediatric heart surgeries and oncology.
• Six outdated procedures removed and 69 new procedures added.

Enrollment & Funding:

• Scheme is projected to serve 75,000 beneficiaries this financial year, with an estimated cost of ₹127.5 crore.
• ₹40 crore additional funding has been recommended to accommodate the new rates and procedures.

Hospital Participation:

• Currently, 45.6 lakh members are enrolled, with 782 hospitals empanelled.
• The hope is that rate revisions will encourage more hospitals to participate in the scheme.

Current context: In a stellar start to his 2025 season, Neeraj Chopra, the two-time Olympic medallist, clinched the gold medal at the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom Invitational, held in South Africa

Key Points:

• Neeraj Chopra, the two-time Olympic medalist, won gold with a throw of 84.52 meters.
• He defeated Douw Smit (South Africa) who secured silver with 82.44 meters, and Duncan Robertson who took bronze with 71.22 meters.

Current Context: On April 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE), launched the ‘I Am Circular’ Coffee Table Book.

Key Highlights:

• Circular Economy Focus: The book emphasizes principles of reusing, recycling, and reducing waste as key components of sustainable development.
• Recognition of Innovation: The event recognized 30 groundbreaking Indian innovations that are driving the shift towards a circular economy.
• Tech-Integrated Development: The book promotes tech-integrated solutions that support scalable and sustainable practices.
• Commitment to Sustainability: Highlights India’s growing leadership in creating smart, scalable solutions for a sustainable future.