• Recent studies have highlighted a rise in melioidosis cases in Odisha, emphasizing South Asia’s significant share of global cases. A collaborative effort between microbiologists and climate scientists is underway to analyze the environmental factors influencing disease transmission.

About Melioidosis

• Melioidosis is a bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• It spreads through contact with contaminated soil or water.
• Symptoms range from mild skin infections to severe pneumonia.
• In severe cases, fatality rates can reach up to 50%, making early detection crucial.
• Environmental Factors & Disease Spread
• The bacteria’s survival is influenced by rainfall, temperature, and monsoon patterns.
• The disease peaks during and after monsoons, linking climatic changes to infection rates.

Key Research Findings

• AIIMS Bhubaneswar and IIT Bhubaneswar conducted a study analyzing nine years of meteorological data alongside reported cases.
• A risk map was created, identifying high-risk districts like Cuttack, Balasore, Khordha, and Jajpur, where human exposure is significant.

• The Government has approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) & Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) Extension till 2025-26 .

About PMFBY & RWBCIS

• PMFBY launched in Kharif 2016 to provide comprehensive risk coverage against crop loss due to natural calamities.
• RWBCIS covers weather-related crop losses based on predefined weather triggers.
• Voluntary for States/UTs & farmers, currently implemented in 23 States/UTs.
• ₹69,515.71 crore allocated for 2021-26 for both schemes.

Premium Rates (PMFBY)

• Kharif Crops: 2% premium
• Rabi Crops: 1.5% premium
• Annual Commercial & Horticultural Crops: 5% premium
• Implementation & Monitoring
• State governments handle selection of insurance companies, farmer enrollment, and claim processing.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism:

• District Level Grievance Redressal Committee(DGRC) & State-Level Redressal Committee(SGRC) Committees address complaints.
• Krishi Rakshak Portal & Helpline (14447) for farmer grievances.
• Regular monitoring through weekly video conferences, reviews, and National Review Conferences.

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has inaugurated the Shri S Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research at IIT Madras to advance space-related thermal and fluid research.

About the Research Centre

• Named after S Ramakrishnan, an IIT Madras alumnus and distinguished aerospace engineer.
• Established in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras.
• Aims to develop cutting-edge thermal and fluid science solutions for space applications.

Objectives

• Develop advanced cooling solutions to tackle heat dissipation challenges in satellites and launch vehicles.
• Establish high-fidelity simulation and testing facilities for improved thermal control systems.
• Enhance India’s self-reliance in space technologies and support future deep-space missions through industry-academia collaboration.

• ISRO has developed two advanced 32-bit microprocessors, Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201, for space applications in collaboration with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh.

Background

• ISRO has a legacy of microprocessor development for its launch vehicles.
• Vikram 1601 (16-bit), operational since 2009, was an earlier milestone.
• The new 32-bit processors mark a step towards self-reliance under Make in India.

Vikram 3201: Features & Applications

• India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor.
• Built using 180-nanometer Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology at SCL.
• Supports floating-point computations and Ada language compatibility.
• Designed to withstand extreme space conditions.

Kalpana 3201: Features & Applications

• Based on Scalable Processor Architecture (SPARC) Version 8 Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture.
• Compatible with open-source software and diverse development tools.
• Offers high efficiency and adaptability for space applications.
• Testing & Validation: Vikram 3201 successfully tested in the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) mission.

• The Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Telangana have been added to India’s tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If approved, they could become the state’s second UNESCO site after the Ramappa Temple, which was listed in 2021.
• Menhirs
  • Menhirs are large, upright stones placed by humans, often tapered at the top.
  • The name comes from Brittonic words meaning “stone” and “long.”
• Historical Context
  • Menhirs date back to the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age (about 4,800 to 3,800 years ago).
  • Some of the oldest menhirs in Europe are around 7,000 years old.
  • The Mudumal menhirs are significant as they represent one of India’s earliest forms of monumental architecture.
• Purpose and Significance
  • The purpose of menhirs remains debated, but they were likely used for ceremonial functions, grave markers, or astronomical observations.
  • The Mudumal site is believed to be an ancient astronomical observatory, with some menhirs aligned with solar events like solstices.
• Cultural Importance
  • The Mudumal menhirs are linked to local legends, with one particular menhir venerated as Goddess Yellamma.

• Recently, the Union Home Minister addressed the 57th annual conference of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) in Kokrajhar, Assam, where he highlighted the success of the Bodo Peace Accord (2020) in bringing peace and stability to the region.

Background: Bodo Movement

• The Bodos are one of the largest tribal communities in Assam, with a distinct cultural and linguistic identity.
• Long-standing demands for autonomy led to the Bodoland movement in the 1980s, marked by agitation and insurgency led by groups like the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT).

Earlier Attempts to Resolve the Issue

• Bodo Accord (1993): Established the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC).
• Bodo Accord (2003): Created the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Bodo Peace Accord (2020):Signed between the Government of India, Assam Government, and Bodo organizations (including NDFB) to ensure peace and development in Bodo-dominated areas.

Key Features of the Accord

• BTC renamed as Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) with enhanced autonomy.
• Non-Bodo villages excluded from BTC for better administrative management.
• Expanded powers under the Sixth Schedule to strengthen governance.
• Bodo language recognized as an associate official language of Assam.

• India and New Zealand have officially commenced negotiations for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to strengthen economic ties and expand market access.
• Expected Outcomes
  • Enhanced trade and investment across diverse sectors.
  • Stronger supply chain integration for goods and services.
  • Increased market access for Indian exports in New Zealand.
  • Strengthened Indo-Pacific economic cooperation aligning with India’s Act East Policy.
• Bilateral Trade Overview
  • Strategic Importance: This will be India’s second bilateral trade agreement in Oceania, following the India-Australia FTA (April 2022).
  • Trade Growth: Bilateral trade between India and New Zealand surpassed $1 billion during April-January 2025.
  • Key Exports (India to New Zealand): Pharmaceuticals, nuclear reactors and boilers, textiles.
  • Key Imports (India from New Zealand): Fruits and nuts, mineral fuels and oils, wood and articles, iron and steel, machinery.
• 2024-25 (April-December Data):
  • Indian exports to New Zealand: $494.44 million.
  • Indian imports from New Zealand: $463.07 million.

• The 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism is set to take place in New Delhi on March 19-20, 2025, co-chaired by India and Malaysia.
• This marks India’s first time as a co-chair of the EWG on Counter-Terrorism.

About ADMM-Plus

• Established in 2010, it is a security platform including ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members and eight dialogue partners.
• Aims to enhance security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Focus areas include counter-terrorism, maritime security, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance & disaster management, military medicine, humanitarian mine action, and cyber security.

Role of Experts Working Groups (EWGs)

• Each EWG is co-chaired for three years (one ASEAN nation + one dialogue partner).
• Co-chairs define objectives, policies, and guidelines for their tenure.
• Two meetings per year and one practical exercise in the final year.

Participants

• 10 ASEAN members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand.
• 8 Dialogue Partners: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, China, USA, Russia, India.
• Others: Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthening counter-terrorism strategies and regional security.
• Enhancing cooperation through experience-sharing and policy development.
• Formulating a strategic plan (2024-2027) for security collaboration.

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has released a comprehensive report on the population estimation and human-wildlife conflict assessment of common leopards and Asiatic black bears in Himachal Pradesh.

Key Findings

• Population Density:
  • 1,114 leopards (2 per 100 sq. km) and 835 bears (1.5 per 100 sq. km).
  • Leopards inhabit mid-to-low altitudes, bears in higher elevations.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict:
  • 15% of the state is conflict-free, but conflict zones are increasing.
  • Low (18.5%), medium (7.83%), and high (4.45%) conflict areas identified.
• Survey Method: Used Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (SECR) with cameras and microphones.
• Una District Insights
  • 30-34 leopards, no bears.
  • Leopards found in Ramgarh, Kutlehar, and Bharwain forest ranges.
  • Prey includes sambar, barking deer, and blue bull calves.

• Mumbai Indians secured their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title in three seasons, defeating Delhi Capitals by 8 runs in the WPL 2025 final at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.

Match Highlights:

• Mumbai Indians: 149/7 (20 overs)
• Delhi Capitals: 141/8 (20 overs)
• WPL 2025 Awards:
• Player of the Match: Harmanpreet Kaur (MI)
• Player of the Series: Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI)