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.

Current Context:Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to become the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 14, 2025, succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna. He will be the second Dalit to hold this position, after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan.

Current context :The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, has developed a new turmeric variety named IISR Surya, specifically designed for the masala and powdering industry.

Key Highlights:

• High Yield: IISR Surya is a high-yielding variety, producing 20–30% more compared to existing local varieties. Under optimal conditions, it can yield up to 41 tonnes per hectare.​
• Light-Coloured Rhizomes: The variety features light-colored rhizomes, making it ideal for powdering and catering to the preference for pale turmeric in specialty markets.​
• Pleasant Aroma: IISR Surya has a pleasant aroma, which is expected to increase its market appeal.​
• Market Demand: The demand for IISR Surya is particularly strong in Japan and Europe. The All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices (AICRPS) has recommended its cultivation in several states in India, including Kerala and Telangana, to boost local production and meet the increasing market demand.​
• Farmer Benefits: IISR Surya provides an opportunity for higher yields and better profitability. As local cultivars often yield poorly, IISR Surya offers a viable alternative that can enhance farmers’ incomes and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.​

Current Context:The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) recently felicitated five individuals from the Armed Forces with the prestigious MacGregor Memorial Medal Award.

About the Award:

• Institution: The MacGregor Memorial Medal was instituted in 1888 to honor Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, the founder of the United Service Institution (USI) of India, established in 1870.
• Purpose of USI: The USI was created to advance military knowledge and professional development among officers of the British Indian Army.
• Post-Independence Expansion (1986): The scope of the medal was expanded to include military expeditions and adventure activities, reflecting the changing nature of military service.
• Eligibility: The medal is awarded to all ranks (both serving and retired) of:Armed Forces,Territorial Army,Reserve Forces,Rashtriya Rifles&Assam Rifles
• Number of Awards: A total of 127 medals have been awarded to date, with 103 medals awarded prior to India’s independence.

Current Context: The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released its report titled “Trade and Development Foresights 2025 – Under Pressure: Uncertainty Reshapes Global Economic Prospects”, highlighting significant challenges to global economic stability.​

Key Highlights:

• Global Growth Outlook: Projected to decelerate to 2.3% in 2025, down from 2.8% in 2024, indicating a shift toward recessionary conditions. ​
• Trade Dynamics: Late 2024 trade growth was driven by advance ordering before new tariffs; however, freight rates fell by 40% in early 2025, signaling a sharp decline in global trade activity. ​
• Policy Uncertainty: The Economic Policy Uncertainty Index reached its highest levels this century in early 2025, with concerns about shifting trade policies leading to financial turbulence. ​
• Development Finance Challenges: Official development assistance (ODA) is declining, with preliminary estimates suggesting an 18% drop from major donors between 2023 and 2025, jeopardizing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. ​
• Crisis for Developing Countries: Many developing countries face high debt, weak growth, and costly borrowing, with 35 out of 68 low-income countries in or near debt distress. ​
• South–South Trade: South–South trade now constitutes approximately one-third of global trade and is growing faster than the global average, especially within East and Southeast Asia.

Current Context: The World Trade Organization (WTO) has recently released reports indicating a significant slowdown in global economic growth for 2025.​

About

• Global Merchandise Trade Volume: Projected to decline by 0.2% in 2025, a sharp revision from earlier expectations of growth.​

Factors Contributing to Decline:

• S. Tariffs: Potential reciprocal tariffs could reduce global trade volume growth by 0.6 percentage points.
• Trade Policy Uncertainty: Widespread uncertainty may further decrease growth by 0.8 percentage point
• Worst-Case Scenario: If conditions worsen, trade could shrink by5% in 2025. ​