• 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.

• On March 4, 2025, the Arab League held an Emergency Summit, adopting the Cairo Declaration—a $53-billion plan for Gaza’s reconstruction. This initiative, aimed at addressing the post-conflict humanitarian crisis, hinges on the full implementation of a ceasefire agreement.
• Key Elements of the Cairo Declaration

1. Rebuilding Gaza’s Infrastructure: Aims to restore essential services and stabilize the region through financial and political support.
2. Gaza Administration Committee: Proposes a governing body led by qualified Gazans to oversee administration and governance.
3. Trust Fund for Reconstruction: Calls for the establishment of a dedicated fund to ensure transparent and efficient rebuilding efforts.
4. UN Peacekeeping Deployment: Suggests stationing UN peacekeeping forces in Gaza and the West Bank to maintain stability and prevent further conflict.

• Historical Context and Previous Initiatives
  • Builds upon past Arab League proposals, particularly the Bahrain Declaration (May 2024).
  • Aligns with the Arab Peace Initiative (2002), which advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Political Dynamics and Palestinian Governance
  • Stresses the need to unify Palestinian factions under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
  • Notably omits any reference to Hamas, allowing the group to maintain influence during the transition.
  • Proposes an interim governance structure to restore administration and prepare for future elections.
• International Reactions and Challenges
  • Israel and the United States have expressed concerns, particularly over Hamas’ potential role.
  • Israel opposes the PLO’s involvement in Gaza’s governance.
  • The success of the Cairo Declaration depends on cooperation from all stakeholders, including international actors and regional powers.

• The World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), have recently introduced Mission 300.
• About Mission 300:
  • Objective: To provide electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
  • Background: This initiative builds on extensive efforts, particularly those spearheaded by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).
• Key Goals:
  • Accelerate electrification while promoting sustainable energy sources.
  • Drive economic growth and create job opportunities.
  • Current Scenario:Around 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack electricity, constituting 83% of the world’s unelectrified population.
• Key Focus Areas:
  • Strengthening power generation, transmission, distribution, and regional connectivity.
  • Implementing sectoral reforms to ensure affordable, reliable, and high-quality electricity.
• India’s Electrification Journey:
  • Pre-Independence Era (Before 1947): Limited electrification, mostly confined to urban centers.
  • Post-Independence: Emphasis on rural electrification and state-driven electricity management.
  • 1980s: Establishment of the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) to enhance rural power supply.
  • 1990s: Introduction of private sector participation, leading to structural reforms in the power sector. The Electricity Act of 2003 reshaped regulations to boost efficiency.
  • 2021 Milestone: India achieved 100% household electrification.

• The Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution under the Ministry of Culture, is organizing its annual literature festival, Sahityotsav: The Festival of Letters, from March 7 to 12, 2025, in New Delhi.
• About Sahityotsav 2025
  • The festival will feature 722 authors, poets, and literary figures from 53 Indian languages across 120 sessions.
• Theme: Indian Literary Traditions: Heritage and Evolution.
  • Sahitya Akademi Awards: On March 8, 23 award winners will be felicitated.
  • Special Focus Areas: Literature from the Northeast, tribal regions, and LGBTQ+ communities will be highlighted through panel discussions, writer interactions, and book readings.
  • Venues: The festival will take place at Rabindra Bhawan Lawns, Kamani Auditorium, Art Galleries of Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sahitya Akademi Auditoriums.
• About Sahitya Akademi
  • Founded: March 1954.
  • Status: Autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.
• Objectives:
  • Promote literary excellence and healthy reading habits.
  • Foster dialogue between different linguistic and literary traditions.
  • Facilitate mutual translations through workshops and projects.
  • Publish literary works, including translations, journals, anthologies, and dictionaries.

• The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) scheme, launched in 2019 to provide pension security for unorganized workers, has completed six years.
• As of March 2025, the scheme has recorded 46.12 lakh enrollments across 36 States/UTs, with Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra leading in registrations.
• Background

1. India’s unorganized sector contributes nearly 50% of GDP, employing workers in street vending, construction, agriculture, and domestic work.
2. Financial insecurity after retirement remains a major challenge.
3. E-Shram Portal (Govt. of India’s flagship initiative) supports the unorganized workforce. As of 2024, over 30.51 crore workers are registered.
4. Registered workers receive a UAN linked to Aadhaar, ensuring seamless access to benefits.

• Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Scheme
• Type: Voluntary & contributory pension scheme.
• Benefits:

1. Minimum ₹3,000 monthly pension after 60
2. 50% pension for spouses if the subscriber dies post-retirement.
3. Spouses can continue or exit the scheme if the beneficiary dies before 60.

• Implementation: Ministry of Labour & Employment, managed by LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India).
• Eligibility: Age: 18–40 years, income ₹15,000/month or less, not covered under Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), or National Pension System (NPS).
• Contribution: Monthly ₹55 to ₹200, depending on the age of joining.
• Enrollment: Through Common Service Centres (CSC) or the Maandhan portal.
• Implementation & Current Status

46. Total Enrollments: 46.12 lakh (as of March 2025) across 36 States/UTs.
47. Top 3 States: Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra.

• The Golden Dome missile defense shield is aS. initiative aimed at enhancing national security against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome system.
• Golden Dome Initiative
• Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, the initiative was later expanded to include broader missile defense technologies.
• Builds on previous missile defense initiatives, including Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (1983).
• Mechanism of Operation
• Utilizes satellites, ground-based radars, and interceptors to detect, track, and neutralize missile threats.
• Employs hit-to-kill technology, destroying incoming threats through direct collision.
• Technological Advancements
• Incorporates space-based sensors, advanced interceptors, and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) technology.
• Aims to counter evolving missile threats with cutting-edge innovations.
• Private Sector Involvement
• The U.S. government is partnering with private companies to develop the system.
• Firms like Voyager are exploring edge computing solutions, but production challenges remain.
• Timeline & Future Steps
• The Trump administration set an aggressive timeline, with technology demonstrations expected by late 2026.

• India’s Yuki Bhambri and Australia’s Alexei Popyrin secured the doubles title at the Dubai Tennis Championships 2025, marking a significant milestone in their careers.
• Key Highlights:
• Historic Victory: This was the maiden Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) 500 doubles final for both Bhambri and Popyrin.
• Final Match: They defeated the second-seeded duo of Finland’s Harri Heliovaara and Great Britain’s Henry Patten with a score of 3-6, 7-6 (12), 10-8.
• Giant-Killing Run: The duo displayed exceptional resilience, overcoming several higher-ranked opponents on their way to the title.
• Player Achievements:
• Yuki Bhambri: This was his fourth ATP Tour doubles title but his first ATP 500 win, with his previous three victories all coming at the ATP 250 level.
• Alexei Popyrin: This was his first ATP Tour doubles final at any level. However, he has won three singles titles, including the Canada Open Masters 1000.
• This victory marks a significant achievement for both players, boosting their presence in the ATP doubles circuit.