Current Context: An Indian Air Force transport aircraft carrying relief to earthquake-hit Myanmar in March 2025 experienced a GPS spoofing attack.

About

• A cyberattack where false GPS signals are broadcast to mislead a GPS receiver.
• The aircraft or vehicle is tricked into navigating based on fake location data.

Implications

• Navigation Disruption: May cause aircraft to deviate from course or report incorrect positions.
• Operational Risk: Can compromise humanitarian missions, military operations, and civil aviation.
• Electronic Warfare Threat: Especially in conflict-prone or hostile regions with high reliance on satellite-based systems.

Current context: The Cheetah Project Steering Committee has approved the relocation of cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh (~300 km away).

• The aim is to create a metapopulation of 60–70 cheetahs across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape, including parts of Rajasthan.

About

• Launched: 2022
• Objective: Reintroduce cheetahs in India, extinct since 1952.

Initial Introduction:

• 8 cheetahs from Namibia
• 12 from South Africa
• Casualties so far: 8 adult cheetahs and 5 cubs have died.

Implementing Agencies

• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) – Statutory body under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

In collaboration with:

• Madhya Pradesh Forest Department
• Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
• Cheetah experts from Namibia and South Africa

Current Context: Israel announced the complete takeover of the Morag Axis, a new security corridor in southern Gaza.

About

• Location: Cuts across southern Gaza, between Rafah and Khan Yunis.

Strategic Purpose:

• Links the Philadelphi Route (along Egypt-Gaza border) to Morag, a former Israeli settlement.
• Forms part of a wider Israeli-controlled buffer/security zone.

Related Corridors

• Philadelphi Corridor: Narrow land strip along Gaza-Egypt border, Under Israeli control since 2024.
• Netzarim Corridor: Cuts through central Gaza, linking northern and southern Israeli military positions.

• Observed on: April 17 every year, marking the birth anniversary of Frank Schnabel, founder of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).
• Established by: WFH in 1989 to raise awareness on hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.
• Theme 2025: “Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too” — focusing on gender-inclusive diagnosis and treatment.
• Significance: Highlights the need for early diagnosis, comprehensive care, and equal treatment access, especially in developing countries.

Current Context: The Union Government has allocated Rs 15 crore for the construction of Himachal Pradesh’s longest bridge over the Beas River near Pong Reservoir in the Fatehpur Assembly constituency. The bridge, part of the Setu Bharatam Scheme, is expected to improve interstate connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

Key Details

• Bridge Length: 800 meters
• Project Cost: Rs 104 crore
• Funding Source: Central Roads and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF)
• Location: Downstream of Pong Reservoir, connecting Sthana (Fatehpur) and Sansarpur-Terrace (Jaswan Pragpur constituency)

Implementation Details:

• Construction Timeline: Expected completion within 2 years post commencement.
• Approval Process: No-objection certificate (NOC) needed from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for land usage.

Current Context: Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has been re-appointed as the Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket Committee. This announcement comes after the tenure of his predecessor, Anil Kumble, who stepped down after serving three terms.

Current Context: Mohun Bagan Super Giant has clinched the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 title after a 2-1 victory over Bengaluru Football Club (FC )at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata.

Key  Facts:

• Title Victory: Mohun Bagan Super Giant won their second ISL title.
• Previous Title: Their first title was in the 2022-23 season.
• Match Score: Mohun Bagan defeated Bengaluru FC 2-1.
• Historical Achievement: Mohun Bagan became only the second team after Mumbai City to secure multiple ISL titles.

Current Context: The Telangana Government has launched the ‘Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Scheme 2025’ to promote economic self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship among marginalized youth from SC, ST, BC, Minority, and EBC/EWS communities.

Key Details

• Objective: Empowering marginalized youth by providing financial support to boost entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.
• Target Groups: Youth from SC, ST, BC, Minority, and EBC/EWS communities.
• Loan Facility: Eligible beneficiaries can avail subsidized loans of up to ₹4 lakh to start businesses.
• Implementation: The scheme will be implemented through respective community welfare corporations.

Current Context: Ernakulam district in Kerala has been declared the first fully digital literate district in the state under the Digi Keralam project.

About

• Digi Keralam Project:
• Launched by: Local Self Government Department, Kerala
• Objective: Achieve 100% digital literacy among people aged 14 to 65 years
• Inspired by: 1991 campaign for total literacy
• Structure: Three phases —Information Gathering,Training&Formal Recognition
• Digital Literacy: Ability to effectively navigate, evaluate, and create information using digital tools like computers, smartphones, and the internet.

Current Context: On April 13, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system, placing India among nations with advanced laser weapon capabilities.

About the System:

• Developed by Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), a DRDO lab in Hyderabad
• The system uses laser beams at light speed to neutralize drones, missiles, and surveillance equipment
• Targets are tracked via radar or Electro-Optic (EO) systems

Key Features & Significance:

• Cost–effective: Firing cost ≈ price of a few litres of petrol
• High precision: Causes structural failure with minimal collateral damage
• Counter-drone capability: Engages multiple drones and asymmetric threats
• A step towards replacing traditional kinetic defence systems