Current Context: NITI Aayog Member Arvind Virmani launched the second edition of the NITI Aayog Trade Watch Quarterly Report for Q2 (July–September) FY 2025 in New Delhi.

• Key Highlights
• Trade Growth:
  • India’s total trade increased by 5.67% (April–September 2024) compared to the same period in 2023.
  • Exports grew 5.23%, averaging $35.4 billion/month over six months.
  • Imports rose 6.07%, averaging $57.8 billion/month, with an August surge.
• Textile Exports: India ranks 6th globally, with a focus on natural fibers like cotton and carpet threads.
• Significance: Provides a holistic trade analysis, including sectoral performance and emerging opportunities.

Current Context: India, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), conducted a comprehensive data-pooling exercise to assess social protection coverage across 34 major schemes, including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN).

• Key Highlights
  • Coverage: 65% of the population (92 crore) benefits from at least one scheme; 48.8% receive cash benefits.
  • Data Insights: Coverage doubled from 24.4% (2021) to 48.8% (2024). Excludes in-kind benefits and state-specific schemes.
  • Phase 01 States: Focus on 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh (UP), Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, for data consolidation.
• Significance
  • Efficient Welfare: Prevents duplication, optimizing welfare spending.
  • Global Recognition: Strengthens India’s role in trade and social security negotiations.
  • Collaboration with ILO: Advocates inclusion of food security and housing in assessments.

Current Context:Rushikonda Beach, Visakhapatnam, has regained its Blue Flag certification after a temporary withdrawal due to compliance issues.

• Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Significance: Only Blue Flag-certified beach in Andhra Pradesh; first awarded in 2020. Known for golden sands and clear waters
• Blue Flag Certification
  • Administered by: Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark.
  • Monitored by: In India, Blue Flag India under Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM).

Current Context: India secured the bronze medal in the mixed quad category at the ISTAF Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025, held in Patna, Bihar.

Key Highlights

• Bronze Medal: India shared the bronze medal with Vietnam after being defeated by Myanmar in the semifinals.

Final Results:

• Gold Medal: Thailand
• Silver Medal: Myanmar
• Venue: Matches were held at the Patliputra Sports Complex Indoor Stadium, Patna.

Current Context Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara received the 2025 Abel Prize for his pioneering contributions to algebraic analysis, representation theory, the development of D-modules, and the discovery of crystal bases.

About Abel Prize

• Named After: Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel (1802–1829).
• Established: 2002 by the Norwegian Parliament to commemorate Abel’s 200th birth anniversary.
• First Awarded: 2003.
• Significance: Regarded as the “Nobel Prize” equivalent in mathematics.
• Selection Process: Recipients are chosen by a committee appointed by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, in consultation with the International Mathematical Union (IMU) and the European Mathematical Society (EMS).
• Award: Includes a cash prize and a specially designed glass plaque by Norwegian artist Henrik Haugan.

Current Context: The Union Environment Ministry allocated ₹858 crore for the ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme in FY 2024-25. However, less than 1% of funds has been utilised due to pending approvals, raising concerns about the effectiveness of pollution control efforts.

Control of Pollution’ Scheme:

• Launch Year:
• Objective: Monitor air, water, and noise pollution under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
  • NCAP Target: Reduce particulate pollution by 40% in 131 cities by 2026 (compared to 2019-20 levels).
• Funding: Fully centralised.

Key Issues

• Underutilisation of Funds:
  • Only ₹7.22 crore spent from ₹858 crore allocation.
  • Pending approvals have stalled fund disbursement.
  • Plantation Drives:
• Low survival rates of planted trees.
  • Lack of monitoring and management reduces effectiveness.
• Budget Utilisation:
  • Ministry spent only 54% of its budget by January 31, 2025.
  • Discrepancies in official claims and actual fund utilisation highlight transparency issues.
• Recommendations
  • Expedite approval processes for schemes to ensure timely fund utilisation.
  • Conduct audits and improve transparency in fund allocation and management.
  • Enhance monitoring and survival rates for plantation drives.
  • Strengthen accountability measures within the ministry to meet NCAP objectives.

Current Context: On March 26, 2025, the DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully tested the VLSRSAM at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha, marking significant progress in India’s air defence capabilities.

About VLSRSAM:

• Purpose: Indigenously developed short-range air defence missile.

Features:

• Engages various aerial threats at low altitudes.
• Equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker for advanced target acquisition and engagement.

Flight Test

• Launch: Conducted from a land-based vertical launcher.
• Target: High-speed aerial target at close range.
• Components Tested: Missile, Multi-Function Radar, and Weapon Control System in combat configuration.

Significance

• Strengthens India’s air defence capabilities.
• Enhances the Indian Navy’s operational readiness.
• Showcases India’s advancements in defence research and self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Current Context: Launched by NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam to digitally transform India’s MSME sector.

• Aims to connect MSMEs with technology providers and academic institutions.

Key Objectives

• Technology Access: Provide structured and cost-effective technology solutions to 6 crore MSMEs.
• Digital Transformation: Develop a large pool of technical expertise and use AI for problem-solving.
• Global Competitiveness: Enhance MSME efficiency, revenue, and competitiveness.

Significance

• Public-Private Collaboration: Foster cooperation between government, private sector, and academia.
• Economic Growth: Positions MSMEs as drivers of development.

Current Context: Scientists have developed Bedmap3, the most detailed map of Antarctica’s subglacial landscape beneath its ice sheet.

Key Features of Bedmap3

• Advancement: Extends the earlier Bedmap2 dataset.
• Data Sources Includes:84 new aero-geophysical surveys,15 data sources, 52 million additional data points, and 1.9 million line-km of measurements.
• Gap Coverage: Fills gaps in knowledge about mountain ranges, East Antarctica’s deep interior, and coastlines of West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Importance of Bedmap3

• Enhanced Understanding: Provides a clearer picture of Antarctica’s subglacial landscape and ice distribution.

Scientific Insights:

• Studies the interaction between the ice sheet and bedrock.
• Offers clues about the continent’s geological evolution.

Climate Change Predictions:

• Aids in modeling ice sheet behavior under global warming.
• Improves projections of future ice loss and sea-level rise.

Current Context: India and Singapore recently signed an agreement to collaborate on the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) to promote maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation.

GDSC Objectives:

• Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Accelerate adoption of green technologies.
• Enhance maritime digitalisation.

Significance:

• India’s Role: Expertise in information technology and green fuel production.
• Singapore’s Role: Advanced maritime infrastructure and global expertise.

Future Prospects: Plans to replicate Singapore’s cruise tourism model in India (Goa, Mumbai, Chennai as hubs).