• The 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise, Khanjar-XII, will be held from 10 to 23 March 2025 in Kyrgyzstan and has been conducted annually since 2011, alternating between the two nations.

Participants:

• India – Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).
• Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade.

Objectives of the Exercise

• Enhance counter-terrorism and special operations skills.
• Focus on urban and mountainous warfare techniques.
• Training in sniping, building interventions, and mountain craft.

Cultural Significance

• Includes celebration of Nowruz, a Kyrgyz festival.
• Strengthens bilateral ties and cultural understanding.

Strategic Importance

• Reinforces India-Kyrgyzstan defence cooperation.
• Supports regional peace and counter-terrorism efforts.
• Addresses common threats from international terrorism and extremism.

Previous Editions

• Last edition (2024) was held in India.
• Each edition improves operational readiness and interoperability.

• The 2025 edition of the Indian Navy’s flagship Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) took place over three months, from January to March 2025. Concluding in early March, the exercise played a crucial role in validating the Navy’s operational concepts.

Key Exercise Components

• Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX) – Focused on amphibious warfare operations.
• Joint Work Up Phase – Emphasized precision in ordnance delivery.
• Cyber & Electronic Warfare – Tested resilience against modern threats.
• Tactical Phase – Assessed strategic response to operational scenarios.

Strategic Importance

• Evaluated the Navy’s ability to handle multi-dimensional threats.
• Strengthened integrated defense mechanisms for maritime security.

Theatre of Operations

• Covered the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal.
• Spanned 4300 nm (North-South) up to 35°S Latitude and 5000 nm (West-East) from the Strait of Hormuz to the Sunda & Lombok Straits.

Participation

• Indian Navy: 65-70 ships, 9-10 submarines, 80+ aircraft.
• Indian Army, Air Force & Coast Guard.
• Sukhoi-30, Jaguar, C-130, Flight Refueller, Airborne Warning and Control System(AWACS )aircraft.
• Over 600 Infantry troops and 10+ Indian Coast Guard ships.

• The Sahitya Akademi Translation Award recognizes outstanding translations of literary works in 24 Indian languages, including English.
• The award aims to promote linguistic diversity and cross-cultural literary appreciation.

Award Winner & Recognized Works

1. Chandan Negi (Punjab) – Awarded for translating Himanshi Joshi’s Hindi novel Tere Liye into Punjabi (Tere Laee).
2. Madan Soni – Recognized for translating Yashodhara Dalmia’s biography Sayed Haider Raza into Hindi.
3. Archana Kesar – Honored for translating Bhishama Sahani’s Hindi novel Tamas into Dogri.

Award Details

• Prize: ₹50,000 cash and a copper plaque.
• Eligibility: Translations published between January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2022.

About Sahitya Akademi

• Established in 1954 under the Ministry of Culture.
• India’s National Academy of Letters, promoting literature in 24 languages, including English.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’ for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The award was presented by Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, at a ceremony in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Background of the Award

• The ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’ is a prestigious recognition awarded to individuals who have significantly contributed to the nation.
• PM Modi was acknowledged for his strategic leadership and assistance during the global health crisis.
• The award was announced by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley during the India-CARICOM Leaders’ Summit in Guyana, November 2024.

About Barbados

• Location: A small island nation in the southeastern Caribbean Sea.
• Neighbors: Close to Saint Lucia (north), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (west), and Trinidad and Tobago (south).

Colonial History:

• Became an English colony in 1625.
• Remained part of the British Empire for over 400
• Gained independence on November 30, 1966.

• Vanuatu has recently gained attention for its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which enables affluent individuals to acquire its passport.
• The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program enables wealthy individuals to obtain citizenship through financial contributions.

About Vanuatu

• Location: South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands.
• Capital: Port Vila, situated on the island of Efate.
• Geography: Consists of 13 principal volcanic islands and many smaller islands.
• Active Volcanoes: Yasur, Manaro, and Garet.
• Colonization: Initially inhabited by Melanesians, later became a joint Anglo-French colony (New Hebrides), gaining independence in 1980.

Climate Change Vulnerability

• Faces rising sea levels at twice the global average.

Ranked most at-risk country globally under the UN’s World Risk Index.

• The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission, has developed AI Kosha, a centralized AI innovation platform to facilitate secure access to datasets, AI models, and development tools.
• Key Features
  • AI Dataset Repository: Hosts 300+ datasets and 80+ AI models for research.
  • AI Sandbox Environment: Provides an integrated development environment (IDE) with tools and tutorials for model training.
  • Content Discoverability: Uses AI-readiness scoring to identify relevant datasets.
  • Security & Access Control: Implements data encryption, secure Application Programming Interface(API)access, and real-time threat filtering.
  • Permission-Based Access: Offers tiered access for researchers, startups, and government bodies.
• Benefits of AI Kosha
  • Accelerates AI Research: Reduces AI development time with pre-trained models and quality datasets.
  • Enhances AI Innovation: Supports startups and enterprises in building AI solutions.
  • Strengthens AI Security: Ensures ethically sourced and consent-based datasets for responsible AI.
  • Boosts Public Sector AI Adoption: Supports AI applications in governance, healthcare, and education.
• Limitations
  • Limited Dataset Variety: Mostly sourced from government and research institutions, lacking commercial data.
  • Access Restrictions: Strict security protocols may limit private-sector participation.
  • Early Stage Development: Needs wider industry collaboration for expansion.

• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has inaugurated the first batch of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme.
• This initiative, launched by the Capacity Building Commission, aims to instill a solution-oriented, compassionate, and citizen-focused approach among government officials.
• Key Features of the Programme
  • Comprises four short training sessions (approximately 1.5 hours each).
  • Encourages interactive discussions, teamwork, and practical problem-solving using service-oriented case studies.
  • Hosted at Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, from 5th to 11th March 2025.
• Launch and Vision
  • Inaugurated by Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary, DoSJE, who emphasized the fundamental purpose of public service.
  • Highlighted how bureaucratic routines can sometimes diminish direct citizen interaction, making such programmes crucial for renewing commitment to public welfare.
  • Stressed the need for leadership skills, a problem-solving mindset, and Seva Bhav (spirit of service) in governance.
• Significance of the Initiative
  • Encourages self-improvement and citizen engagement among government officials.
  • Reinforces the idea that every action by public servants contributes to national progress.
  • Aligns with the philosophy of Karmayogi, which underscores duty towards the nation, citizens, and self-improvement.

• The Ganga Water Treaty (1996) between India and Bangladesh is set to expire in 2026. Upcoming negotiations hold critical importance as Bangladesh seeks a larger share of Ganga’s dry-season water to address severe agricultural shortages.
• The discussions take place amid political shifts in Bangladesh and unresolved transboundary water-sharing disputes, particularly regarding the Teesta River.
• Background of the Ganga Water Treaty
  • The Ganga River has been a source of India-Bangladesh tensions for decades.
  • Farakka Barrage (1975), built to regulate Ganga’s flow, intensified disputes over water distribution.
  • The treaty established a structured water-sharing mechanism, recognizing Bangladesh’s status as a lower riparian state.
  • It aimed to balance India’s upstream needs and Bangladesh’s water security, addressing historical grievances.
• Key Provisions of the Treaty
  • Water-sharing formula based on Ganga’s flow at Farakka Barrage during the dry season:
  • If flow is 70,000 cusecs or less, both nations receive equal shares.
  • Guarantees minimum water availability for Bangladesh during critical months.
  • Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) oversees treaty compliance and dispute resolution.
• Significance of Upcoming Talks
  • Marks the 86th round of negotiations between India and Bangladesh.
  • Bangladesh demands a more comprehensive framework, addressing all transboundary rivers.
  • The Ganga Water Treaty remains the only active water-sharing agreement between the two nations.
  • The outcome could set a precedent for resolving other disputes, especially concerning the Teesta River.

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially named its latest beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile as Gandiva. This advanced missile is set to strengthen India’s aerial combat capabilities, particularly against potential adversaries.
• Development and Key Features
  • Under Development: The Gandiva missile is under development to enhance India’s air superiority.
• Extended Strike Range:
  • 340 km for high-altitude targets.
  • 190 km for low-altitude targets.
• Advanced Propulsion: Equipped with a dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine, allowing launch from various altitudes and making it highly adaptable.
• Multi-Target Engagement: Capable of striking fighter jets, bombers, and other aerial threats.
• Deployment and Testing
  • Integrated with Indian Air Force (IAF) platforms:Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas
  • Successful Trials: Ground and flight tests have validated integration with aircraft systems
• Aligned with India’s Indigenisation Goals:
  • Part of the Positive Indigenisation List, promoting domestic defence manufacturing.
  • Strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence technology.

Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

• The Union Cabinet has approved the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a budget of ₹3,880 crore for 2024-25 and 2025-26. The programme aims to improve livestock and poultry health through enhanced disease control and veterinary services.
• About LHDCP
• Comprises three major components:

1. National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) – Focuses on controlling major livestock diseases.
2. LHDCP – Strengthens veterinary infrastructure and disease management.
3. Pashu Aushadhi –
4. A new initiative to provide affordable veterinary medicines for farmers.
5. Seeks to reduce disease outbreaks, enhance productivity, and support rural livelihoods.

• Key Sub-components

1. Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP): Focuses on managing severe animal diseases.
2. Establishment & Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals (ESVHD-MVU): Expands veterinary care, especially in remote areas.
3. Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD): Supports states in disease prevention efforts.

• Affordable Veterinary Medicines
  • ₹75 crore allocated for Pashu Aushadhi to ensure low-cost generic veterinary medicines.
  • Includes incentives for distribution, making medicines more accessible to farmers.
• Impact on Livestock Productivity
  • Aims to control diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, and Lumpy Skin Disease.
  • Strengthens immunisation efforts to prevent outbreaks.
  • Enhances overall livestock health, leading to higher productivity and reduced economic losses.
• Benefits for Farmers and the Rural Economy
  • Creates employment opportunities in rural areas.
  • Reduces financial losses for farmers due to disease outbreaks.
  • Improves accessibility to veterinary services through mobile units and strengthened infrastructure.
• Surveillance and Disease Control
  • Emphasises early detection and monitoring to respond swiftly to outbreaks.
  • Strengthens biosecurity measures to safeguard the agricultural economy.