• The Ministry of Defence has signed a $248 million contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport (RoE) for the procurement of 1000 HP engines to upgrade T-72 tanks of the Indian Army.

About T-72 Tank

• Main Battle Tank (MBT) of the Indian Army, currently powered by a 780 HP engine.
• Originally designed by Uralvagonzavod (USSR) and later manufactured & upgraded in India at Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi.
• Equipped with a carousel-type automatic loader, reducing reload time and increasing combat efficiency by maintaining a steady fire rate.

Key Features of T-72

• Enhanced Mobility: New 1000 HP engine improves speed and maneuverability.
• Better Armour Protection: Uses layered armor for increased durability.
• Advanced Weaponry:

1. 125mm D-81 smoothbore gun for high-impact firepower.
2. 62mm co-axial machine gun and 12.7mm air defense machine gun.

44 rounds of 125mm ammunition, with 22 rounds in an automatic loading carousel.

• The Union Government has declared Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as India’s 58th and the state’s 9th Tiger Reserve, now home to five tigers, including two recently born cubs.

Location:

• Situated in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Lies on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands, forming part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills with plateaus and valleys.

Historical Background

• Once a hunting ground for Mughal emperors and the Maharaja of Gwalior.
• Declared as Madhya Bharat National Park in 1955 and renamed Madhav National Park in 1959.
• Officially Recognized as a National Park in 1958.

• Anju Rathi Rana has been appointed as India’s first woman Law Secretary, marking a historic milestone in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Professional Journey and Experience

• An Indian Legal Service (ILS) officer with decades of experience in legal administration.
• Served 18 years as a public prosecutor in the Delhi Government.

• No Smoking Day is observed on the second Wednesday of March, which falls on March 12, 2025.
• Established in 1984 in the UK, it is observed globally with anti-smoking campaigns, health initiatives, and awareness drives.
• The day promotes tobacco control policies and smoking cessation programs.

• Mauritius Day, celebrated on March 12, commemorates the country’s Independence in 1968 and its transition to a Republic in 1992.
• It highlights Mauritius’ journey towards sovereignty and democratic governance.
• Location: Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 km (1,200 miles) off the southeast coast of Africa.
• Capital: Port Louis
• PrimeMinister:Navinchandra Ramgoolam

• India clinched the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, defeating New Zealand in the final.
• The tournament was held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, hosted by Pakistan, with some matches in Dubai.
• Third Champions Trophy title for India (previous wins in 2002 (joint) & 2013).

 Final Match Highlights

• India vs. New Zealand final was played on March 9, 2025, in Dubai.
• Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma for his impactful innings.
• Player of the Tournament: Rachin Ravindra for consistent all-round performances.

Significance of the Win

• India wins the Champions Trophy after 12 years (last won in 2013).
• Strengthens India’s position as a top white-ball cricket team.

About ICC Champions Trophy

• Introduced in 1998 as the ICC Knockout Tournament to fund cricket in non-Test nations.
• Success led to hosting by major cricketing nations; from 2009, only the top eight ICC ODI teams participated.

• A recent measles outbreak in West Texas has led to 164 cases and two fatalities, both of whom were unvaccinated.

Measles

• Highly contagious viral disease spread through coughing/sneezing.
• Virus remains active on surfaces or in the air for up to 2 hours.
• 90% transmission rate among unvaccinated individuals.

High-Risk Individuals

• Unvaccinated individuals are most susceptible to measles.
• Children under five, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems face a higher risk. Malnourished children with vitamin A deficiency are also more vulnerable to severe complications.

Symptoms

• Appear 10–14 days after exposure.
• Early signs: Cough, fever, sore throat, red/watery eyes.
• Koplik’s spots: White spots inside the mouth.
• Rash: Starts on the face, spreads across the body, lasts 5–7 days.

Complications

• Common: Ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia.
• Severe: Encephalitis (brain inflammation), brain damage.
• Pregnancy risks: Premature birth, low birth weight.
• Leading cause of death: Pneumonia, encephalitis.

Treatment

• No specific antiviral treatment.
• Supportive care: Rest, hydration, nutrition.
• Vitamin A supplements: Reduce complications.
• Antibiotics: For secondary infections.
• Recovery time: 10–14 days.

Prevention

• Vaccination is key (safe & effective).

Two doses:

• First dose: 9–15 months.
• Second dose: 15–18 months.
• 95% vaccination coverage needed for herd immunity.

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working on a LOX-methane engine for its Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
• This engine will feature a reusable booster stage and two expendable upper stages, aiming to enhance mission flexibility with multiple restart capabilities.
• Recent successful tests of a spark torch igniter mark a significant step in this ambitious project.

About LOX-Methane Engines

• Uses Liquid Oxygen (LOX) as an oxidiser and methane as fuel.
• Methane is preferred for future space missions due to:
• Ability to be synthesized from water and CO₂ in space.
• Potential use in long-duration Mars missions.

Importance of Multiple Restarts

• Helps in booster stage recovery and upper stage operations.
• Allows trajectory adjustments during flight.
• Enhances mission adaptability for changing objectives.

Development of Spark Torch Igniter

• ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is developing the igniter.
• Ensures higher ignition reliability and cleaner combustion.
• Successfully tested using gaseous oxygen and hydrogen.
• Shift from Hydrazine to Methane: Current fuel (hydrazine) is toxic and carcinogenic.
• Methane advantages:
• Non-toxic and safer to handle.
• Higher specific impulse (better efficiency).
• Easier storage and handling.

• Launched by Punjab Government on the eve of International Women’s Day.
• Aimed at supporting women and children facing violence and harassment.
• Focuses on domestic violence prevention and victim support.

Objectives:

• Eliminate fear among victims and encourage them to seek help.
• Provide an integrated support system for distressed women and children.
• Enhance last-mile connectivity for immediate assistance.

Helpline & Response Mechanism:

• 24×7 helpline (181) categorizing calls into emergency, non-emergency, and informational.
• Emergency cases are transferred to ERSS-112 for swift action.

Multi-Agency Collaboration:

• Departments involved: Social Security, Health, and Punjab Police.
• Facilitates rescue operations, legal aid, medical assistance, and psycho-social support.

Support Services:

• One Stop Centres (OSCs) and District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) provide:
• Psychological counseling, legal aid, and rehabilitation services.
• Information on shelter homes and welfare schemes.
• State-of-the-art control room in Chandigarh monitors helpline traffic and effectiveness.

Legal Framework & Implementation:

• Strengthens the Domestic Violence Act & POCSO Act implementation.

Enhances legal and social support for a safer society.

• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Advanced Cybersecurity Operations Centre (SOC) of the Kerala Police Cyber Division via video conferencing. The initiative aims to strengthen cybersecurity for police systems and critical infrastructure.

Developing Agency:

• The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, designed and developed the TRINETRA Cyber Security Operation Centre for the Kerala Police.

ABOUT TRINETRA

• TRINETRA is an AI-powered, indigenous, integrated cybersecurity platform that enables enterprises to establish a comprehensive Security Operations Centre (SOC).
• It helps in:
• Monitoring endpoints, network traffic, and user behavior
• Proactively identifying vulnerabilities
• Detecting anomalies
• Mitigating cyber threats

Significance of the Initiative

• The SOC and TRINETRA system mark a major milestone in Kerala’s cybersecurity infrastructure. This initiative reinforces the state’s proactive approach to protecting digital assets and enhancing cybersecurity resilience.