Current Context: The Third Session of the India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held in New Delhi from 25th-26th March 2025, marking a pivotal step in India-Uganda trade relations after a 23-year gap.

• Goal: Enhance, diversify, and deepen bilateral trade; establish an India-Uganda Joint Business Forum for industry collaboration.

Focus Areas:

• Trade Sectors: Minerals, coffee, cocoa, spices, dairy, essential oils, pharmaceuticals, REE, and electric vehicles.
• MoU Discussions: Public Works, Agriculture, Traditional Medicine, Telemedicine, and Standardization (Indian Pharmacopoeia).

Leadership

• India: Shri Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Commerce; Ms. Priya P. Nair, Economic Adviser.
• Uganda: Amb. Elly Kamahungye Kafeero and a 28-member delegation.

Current Context: Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has secured a ₹7,500 crore order to set up an 800 MW supercritical thermal power unit at Ukai plant, Gujarat.

Project Details:

• Awarding Authority: Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd (GSECL).
• Location: Ukai Plant, Tapi District, Gujarat.
• Capacity: 800 MW

Execution:

• EPC Basis (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction).
• Includes design, supply, and commissioning of boilers, turbines, and generators.
• Timeline: Commercial operations to begin within 54 months from March 21, 2025.

Significance:

• Energy Sector Contribution:
• Highlights BHEL’s role in India’s energy sector with 1,70,000 MW installed capacity nationwide.
• Reinforces BHEL’s partnership with GSECL since the first Ukai unit in 1976.

Current Context: Anahat Singh and Veer Chotani won the women’s and men’s singles titles at the SRFI Indian Tour PSA Challenger in Chennai.

Key Facts

• Prize Money: $15,000 each for men’s and women’s categories.

About PSA Challenger:

• Organized by the Professional Squash Association (PSA).
• A second-tier event for upcoming squash players to earn points for the premier PSA Squash Tour.
• The PSA Squash Tour is the top-level tournament featuring the world’s best squash players.

Current context: Launch of the book March of Glory commemorating the Golden Jubilee of India’s 1975 Hockey World Cup victory.

• Date and Venue: March 18, 2025, at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi.
• Authors: Hockey historian K. Arumugam and journalist Errol D’Cruz.
• Content: Chronicles India’s dramatic journey to World Cup glory in Kuala Lumpur on March 15, 1975.

Current Context: Violinist R K Shriramkumar awarded the Sangita Kalanidhi by the Music Academy for 2025.

• Sangita Kala Acharya awards conferred to Carnatic singer Shyamala Venkateswaran and Tavil artist Thanjavur R Govindarajan.

Key Facts about R K Shriramkumar:

• Renowned Carnatic violinist from the Rudrapatnam lineage.
• Trained under R K Venkatarama Sastry and D K Jayaraman.
• Known for expertise in Subbarama Dikshitar’s Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini.

Current context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has sequenced 10,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis samples under the Dare2eraD TB Programme as of March 2025.

• This milestone is part of India’s efforts to combat drug-resistant TB and eradicate tuberculosis by 2025, ahead of the WHO’s 2030 target.

Dare2eraD TB Programme:

• Launched on World TB Day, March 2022.
• Collaborative effort by the Ministry of Science & Technology and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Programme Objectives:

• Sequence 32,200 MTB strains and create a centralised clinical MTB strain biorepository.
• Map genetic diversity, associate mutations with drug resistance, and study transmission dynamics.
• Alignment with National Goals: Supports India’s mission to eradicate TB by 2025, ahead of WHO’s 2030 goal.

Current TB Statistics:

• India accounts for 28% of global TB cases; incidence declined to 1,990 cases per million in 2022.
• 7% of sequenced samples show single-drug resistance; TB mainly affects individuals aged 18–45.
• Future Goals: Complete sequencing by October 2025 to enhance TB management, public health strategies, and treatment outcomes.

Current context: The Indian Navy is set to conduct AIKEYME off Tanzania’s coast, showcasing India’s commitment to strengthening maritime ties and security cooperation with African nations.

Exercise AIKEYME:

• Full Form: Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement.
• Aim: Strengthen defence cooperation, maritime security, and interoperability with 10 African nations.
• Venue: Off the coast of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
• Hosts: Indian Navy and Tanzania Peoples Defence Force.
• Participating Nations: Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa.

Objectives:

• Counter piracy and illegal fishing.
• Promote information sharing and surveillance.
• Build capacity of African navies.
• IOS Sagar Initiative: Deployment of INS Sunayna with a combined crew from India and nine African nations to boost operational capabilities.
• Training: Two-week capacity-building program for African personnel in Kochi.

Strategic Importance:

• Part of PM Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision.
• Counters China’s influence and addresses regional threats like piracy and Houthi rebels.

Current Context: India has imposed anti-dumping duties on five Chinese goods, including aluminium foil, to protect domestic industries from cheap imports.

• Purpose: Protects domestic industries from unfairly cheap imports (dumping).

Framework:

• Governed by WTO’s Anti-Dumping Agreement and Article 6 of GATT.
• Recommended by Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)under the Commerce Ministry.
• Significance: Restores fair competition and ensures a level-playing field for domestic producers.

Current Context: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes quality Early Childhood Education and the importance of multilingualism and mother tongue inclusion in primary education.

Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative:

• Objective: Create a compendium of nursery rhymes/poems in Indian languages and English with content rooted in the Indian context for joyful learning at the Foundational stage.
• Focus: Promote cultural relevance and joyful learning through regional and folklore-based rhymes.

Categories for Contribution:

• Pre-primary (Ages 3–6).
• Grade 1 (Ages 6–7).
• Grade 2 (Ages 7–8).

Features:

• Contributions include existing folklore poems or newly composed poems with cultural relevance.

Current Context: The Supreme Court of India established a National Task Force (NTF) to address the rise in student suicides in higher educational institutions, following recent incidents at IIT Delhi.

Key Details:

• Chairperson: Justice S. Ravindra Bhat (former SC judge).

Mandate:

• Identify causes of student suicides.
• Analyze mental health policies.
• Recommend solutions for better safeguards.
• Conduct surprise inspections in institutions.

Key Issues:

• Over 13,000 student suicides in recent years, linked to academic pressure, harassment, and caste discrimination.
• Focus on addressing caste-based discrimination and systemic challenges.

Legal and Institutional Reforms:

• Police directed to register FIRs in suspected foul play.
• Educational institutions urged to adopt empathetic approaches to reduce academic pressure.

Funding and Reporting:

• Initial Funding: Rs 20 lakh by the Centre.
• Timeline: Interim report in 4 months, final report in 8 months.