PIB247

12 April 2025 23:29

NITI Aayog - Trade Watch Quarterly

• NITI Aayog has launched the second edition of "Trade Watch Quarterly" for Q2 of FY 2024-25.
Key Findings:
• India's Trade Growth:
○ Total trade (exports + imports) grew 5.67% compared to last year.
○ Exports increased by 5.23% and imports grew 6.07% year-on-year.
• Major Export Destinations:
○ Top 3 export markets: USA, UAE, Netherlands (these three account for 33% of total exports).
○ Netherlands' growth was driven by smartphones & petroleum exports.
• Major Imports:
○ Top 3 import sources: China, UAE, Russia.
○ Gold demand pushed imports from the UAE higher.
○ Crude oil imports from Russia, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia slowed down.
• Trade Deficit (Imports > Exports):
○ India's trade deficit with Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners rose to $26 billion.
○ Exports to Japan grew 30% (driven by smartphone sales).
○ Imports from UAE jumped 48% due to gold demand.
• Textile Industry Trends:
○ India is ranked 6th in global textile exports.
○ Most of India's textile exports are natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk).
○ Global trend is shifting towards manmade & technical textiles, but India is lagging in these areas.
• India's Trade Potential:
○ India accounts for only 8% of trade in regions that make up 77% of global trade.
○ This means huge opportunities exist for India to expand into high-value markets.
Government's Borrowing Programme for H1 of FY 2025-26
• The borrowing plan aims to meet the government's financing needs while ensuring market stability and efficient debt management.
• India to Borrow ₹8 Lakh Crore via Bonds in H1 FY26
• Total Borrowing for FY 2025-26: ₹14.82 lakh crore
• Borrowing in H1 (April-Sept 2025): ₹8.00 lakh crore (54% of the total), including ₹10,000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs).
• How will the borrowing be done?
○ The government will issue bonds (dated securities) every week (26 auctions).
• Borrowing Distribution Across Maturities: The ₹8.00 lakh crore will be divided across different repayment timelines to spread out the
debt.
Maturity Share in Borrowing
3-year 5.3%
5-year 11.3%
7-year 8.2%
10-year 26.2%
15-year 14.0%
30-year 10.5%
40-year 14.0%
50-year 10.5%
• Other Borrowing Methods
○ Greenshoe Option: The government can borrow an extra ₹2,000 crore per security if needed during auctions.
○ Treasury Bills (Short-Term Borrowing in Q1 FY 2025-26)
 These are short-term loans used to manage cash flow.
 Total weekly borrowing: ₹19,000 crore, split as:
□ 91-day T-bill: ₹9,000 crore
□ 182-day T-bill: ₹5,000 crore
□ 364-day T-bill: ₹5,000 crore
○ Ways and Means Advances (WMA) Limit:
 The RBI has set a ₹1.50 lakh crore limit for WMA, which helps the government handle temporary cash shortages
5 Years of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)
• The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) launched in 2020 has recently completed 5 years
• Objectives:
○ Encourage new technology and startups in agriculture, infrastructure, and healthcare.
○ Make India a leader in technical textiles with a budget of ₹1,480 crore (2020-26).
○ Train 50,000 people in technical textile skills.
• Launched: 2020
• Duration: 2020-21 to 2025-26
• Total Budget: ₹1,480 crore
• NTTM is divided into 4 major components to improve the technical textile sector:
1. Research & Innovation: Encourages R&D for new materials and technologies in technical textiles.
2. Market Development: Promotes technical textiles in India and strengthens international partnerships.
3. Export Promotion: Supports Indian exporters to increase global sales of technical textiles.
4. Education & Skill Development: Trains students and workers to improve skills in technical textiles.
Major Initiatives Launched Under NTTM
• GIST 2.0 (Internship Support for Technical Textiles):

New Section 1 Page 1

 • GIST 2.0 (Internship Support for Technical Textiles):
○ Connects students with industries for hands-on training.
○ Supports Make in India by promoting local talent and innovation.
• GREAT Scheme (Funding for Startups & Research):
○ Launched in 2023, this scheme provides ₹50 lakh funding per startup for medical, industrial, and protective textiles.
○ IIT Indore & NIT Patna received ₹6.5 crore for specialized courses in geotextiles, geosynthetics, and sports textiles.
• Skill Development Programs:
○ Aims to train 50,000 people in areas like medical, protective, and agricultural textiles.
○ Courses developed by SITRA, NITRA, SASMIRA, and other top textile research institutes.
• Technotex 2024:
○ A major exhibition as part of Bharat Tex 2024, showcasing India’s technical textile sector and attracting global investors.
Let's Fix Our Food (LFOF) Consortium
• The Let's Fix Our Food (LFOF) Consortium, led by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN),
the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), UNICEF-India along with other esteemed national and international partners.
• Why: For addressing the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among Indian adolescents by working in factors influencing their
food environments.
• Main Focus Areas:
○ Improve food environments to help adolescents make healthier choices.
○ Educate young people about nutrition and healthy eating habits.
○ Advocate for better food policies to control unhealthy food marketing.
○ Collaborate with schools, policymakers, and organizations to create lasting change.
• How will LFOF make a difference?
○ Policy Changes: Push for stricter food regulations to reduce unhealthy options.
○ Awareness Programs: Teach young people about healthy eating.
○ Collaborations: Work with schools, governments, and food companies to improve food quality.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Agricultural Sector
• The Government has employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to address various challenges in the agricultural sector to aid
farmers.
• Key AI Initiatives in Agriculture
○ Kisan e-Mitra (AI Chatbot):
 A chatbot that answers farmers' questions about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
 Supports multiple languages and is being upgraded to help with other government schemes.
 Handles over 20,000 farmer queries daily and has answered 92 lakh+ queries so far.
○ National Pest Surveillance System:
 Uses AI & Machine Learning to detect pest infestations in crops.
 Farmers can upload images of pests, and the system provides solutions to prevent crop damage.
 Helps in tackling climate-related crop losses.
 Supports 61 crops and detects 400+ types of pests, with 1 lakh+ images uploaded so far.
○ AI-Based Crop Health Monitoring:
 Uses AI and satellite data to monitor crop health.
 Analyzes soil moisture, weather, and satellite images for crops like wheat and rice.
 Helps farmers make better decisions to improve yield.
• Why is AI important for farmers?
○ Reduces crop losses by detecting pests early.
○ Provides instant help through AI-powered chatbots.
○ Improves farming decisions with satellite and weather data.
○ Supports government schemes in multiple languages.
Other Important Questions
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in partnership with IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT
Kharagpur, and IIT Guwahati, recently hosted India’s first Nano Electronics Roadshow on March 27, 2025, at the IISc Bengaluru.
• National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics (NACIN) has recently signed an MoU with Indian Maritime University for
strategic knowledge partnership.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development organizes the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar every year to honor exceptional
children aged 5-18 for achievements in Bravery, Sports, Social Service, Science & Technology, Environment, and Arts & Culture.
• Union Cabinet had approved PLI Scheme for Automobile & Auto Components 2021 with budgetary outlay of ₹25,938 crore.
• India and UK recently collaborated to launch the ‘STEM Engagement and Learning’ programme, aimed at training 50 teachers and
museum professionals from 14 Indian states.

Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal

• Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal
• Why: To streamline the monitoring of live storage capacity across the country's major reservoirs.
• The Central Water Commission (CWC) used to manually track the water storage of 161 big reservoirs in India.
• Every Thursday, they published a weekly bulletin with updates.
• These 161 reservoirs together hold about 182.375 billion cubic meters of water, which is around 70.74% of India's total live storage
capacity.
• The report was sent to important departments like the PMO, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Power, Ministry of
Agriculture, IMD, Disaster Management Authorities, and state governments. It was also uploaded on the CWC website.
• The portal automates the process of creating reports, graphs, tables, and advisories – which were earlier done manually.
• Developed by CWC, it gives real-time data on water storage in reservoirs.
• It is useful for government bodies and the public alike.
• You can search by individual reservoir or see state-wise or national water storage status.
• The portal follows the latest government design guidelines (GIGW 3.0) and is one of the first to use the Digital Brand Identity Manual
(DBIM).
• GIGW 3.0 – Guidelines for Indian Government Websites, version [Link] ensures that government websites are user-friendly, secure, easy to
navigate, and work well on all devices, including mobiles.
• DBIM - Digital Brand Identity [Link] gives a standard look and feel to all government websites and apps, so they look more
professional, consistent, and trustworthy.
Outcomes of PM Visit to Thailand

New Section 1 Page 2

Outcomes of PM Visit to Thailand
• A Joint Declaration was made to build a Strategic Partnership between India and Thailand, meaning the two countries will now work
more closely on important matters like security, trade, and regional cooperation.
• India and Thailand will work together in the field of digital technologies.
○ Signed between: Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (Thailand) and Ministry of Electronics and IT (India)
• Thailand will help in developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat.
○ Signed between: Sagarmala Division, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (India) and Fine Arts Department, Ministry of
Culture (Thailand)
• Both countries will support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by sharing knowledge and encouraging business.
○ Signed between: National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (India) and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion
(Thailand)
• Agreements were signed to improve development and cultural cooperation between India's North Eastern Region and Thailand.
○ Between Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (India) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand)
○ Between North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (India) and Creative Economy Agency
(Thailand)
Water Resource Census application and portal
• Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched Water Resource Census application and portal
• It will be used to collect and manage data for different water-related surveys (called censuses), such as:
○ 7th Minor Irrigation Census – Data about small irrigation systems like wells and tube wells.
○ 2nd Census of Water Bodies – Data about lakes, ponds, tanks, etc.
○ 1st Census of Springs – First-time survey of natural springs.
○ 1st Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects – For big irrigation projects like dams and canals.
• Objective: To build a comprehensive and reliable database in the irrigation sector for effective planning and policymaking including
water use efficiency, water budgeting etc.
• It is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Irrigation Census Scheme.
• Reference year: It will be 2023-24 agricultural year (July 2023-June 2024)
• For the first time, a fully digital, paperless system will be employed to collect data through mobile app.
• Geotagging and satellite-based validation will also ensure the accuracy of the data.
• Geotagging: recording the exact location (using latitude and longitude) of a water source like a well, tank, or pond.
○ Along with the location, a photo of the water source will also be taken.
• Satellite Check: The data collected will be verified using satellite images.
• Old Data Reused: Information from previous water surveys (censuses) will be used again, wherever possible.
• Reverse GIS (Geographic Information System): A smart tool that helps accurately record the location of a water source by using
village boundaries on maps.
• LGD Codes (Local Government Directory Codes): These are unique codes given to each village, district, and state and help ensure
that the location of each water source is correctly recorded and linked to the right place.
6th BIMSTEC Summit
• Prime Minister participated in the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)
Summit hosted by Thailand
• BIMSTEC stands for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation – a group of 7 countries near the
Bay of Bengal working together for economic and social development.
• Theme of the Summit: “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open”
○ Prosperity (economic growth for all), Resilience (staying strong in tough times), and Openness (working together and sharing).
• Key Outcomes:
○ Summit Declaration – Final statement showing what all countries agreed on.
○ BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 – A plan for the future to ensure the region grows together by 2030.
○ BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement – Countries will now support each other’s ships, crew, and cargo; accept each other’s
shipping documents; set up a joint committee to handle shipping issues; have a system to resolve disputes.
○ Eminent Persons Group Report – A group of experts gave suggestions on how to make BIMSTEC stronger and better in the
future.
• Major India-Led Initiatives:
○ Centres of Excellence – India will set up special centers in areas like Disaster Management, Maritime Transport, Traditional
Medicine, and Agriculture Training & Research
○ BODHI Programme - BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure – A plan to train youth and
professionals by offering skills, scholarships, and research opportunities.
○ Digital Public Infrastructure Study – India will study the need for digital tools (like UPI, Aadhaar-type systems) in the BIMSTEC
region.
○ BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce – India will start a business platform to connect companies in BIMSTEC countries and will also host a
business summit every year.
○ Strengthening people-to-people linkages: India will be hosting a BIMSTEC Athletics Meet in 2025, First BIMSTEC Games in
2027, and a BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival.
○ Youth Empowerment: Young Leaders’ Summit, a Hackathon and a Young Professional Visitors programmes were also
announced
Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II)
• The Union Cabinet has approved the Vibrant Villages Programme -II (VVP-II) as a Central Sector Scheme (100% Centre funding)
• Why: For furthering its commitment for the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 for ‘Safe, Secured & Vibrant land borders’.
• Objective: To support the dream of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 and to make India’s border villages safe, secure, and
well-developed.
• Total outlay of ₹2544 crore, including ₹687 crore specifically for developing infrastructure in these villages.
• VVP was launched in 2022
• VVP Phase 2 will include all the inhabited border villages that were left out in Phase 1
• It will cover villages in the northern border areas of:
○ Himachal Pradesh
○ Uttarakhand
○ Arunachal Pradesh
○ Sikkim
○ West Bengal
• Special focus will be on 19 border blocks.

New Section 1 Page 3

 • Special focus will be on 19 border blocks.
• 100% saturation of Central and State schemes.
• Key activities:
○ Building infrastructure
○ Providing housing
○ Creating tourism centers
○ Connecting villages
○ Promoting sustainable livelihoods.
• Panchayats, local communities, and NGOs will play a big role in planning, implementation, and social audits.
Outcomes of PM Visit to Sri Lanka
• A Joint Declaration was made to build a Strategic Partnership
• India and Sri Lanka will work together in the field of digital technologies.
○ Signed between: Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (Thailand) and Ministry of Electronics and IT (India)
• India, Sri Lanka, and UAE agreed to develop Trincomalee, a coastal city in Sri Lanka, into a center for energy projects like oil storage
or renewable energy
• Agreement to work together on defense-related matters, like training, sharing knowledge, or joint exercises.
• India will provide financial and development assistance to improve the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.
• Both countries will work together in healthcare, including exchange of knowledge, training, and medical research.
• Agencies from both countries will cooperate to make sure medicines follow the same quality standards.
○ Pharmacopoeia = An official book that lists all medicines and their standards.
• Upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line: A better railway line was opened to improve train services.
• New Signalling System for Maho-Anuradhapura: A project to install modern signals on another railway route was started.
• Sampur Solar Power Project: Work began on a solar energy project in Sampur (done virtually).
• Agricultural Warehouse in Dambulla: A warehouse with temperature control was inaugurated. It will store fruits and vegetables safely.
• India will help install solar panels on temples, mosques, churches, etc., across Sri Lanka.
Report - Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data
• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, released the 26th edition of its publication titled
"Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data".
• Offers a detailed snapshot of gender-related trends in India.
• Includes key indicators across sectors like population, education, health, economy, and leadership.
• Data compiled from multiple government ministries, departments, and organizations.
• Presents gender-disaggregated statistics to highlight disparities.
• Analyzes differences across urban and rural areas, as well as regions.
• Helps in understanding the unique challenges and opportunities for both women and men.
Some of the highlights
• Education:
○ The Gender Parity Index (GPI) is high, especially in primary and higher secondary schools.
○ GPI = A number that shows how many girls are going to school compared to boys. If it’s 1, it means equal numbers.
• Jobs (Labour Participation):
○ More people (including women) are working now.
○ Labour Participation Rate (LPFR) for age 15+ went up from 49.8% (2017-18) to 60.1% (2023-24).
○ LPFR = The percentage of people working or looking for work.
• Banking Access:
○ 39.2% of all bank accounts in India are held by women.
○ Women also make up 39.7% of total bank deposits.
○ In rural areas, women have even more participation: 42.2% of account holders.
• Capital Market (Stock Market):
○ More people are investing in stocks, and women investors are growing too.
○ DEMAT accounts (used to buy/sell shares) grew a lot:
 Female accounts: 6.67 million (2021) → 27.71 million (2024)
 Male accounts are still more, but women are catching up.
• Women-Owned Businesses: More women are starting and running their own businesses, especially in:
○ Manufacturing
○ Trade
○ Services
• Voting and Elections
○ More women are voting than ever before.
○ Total voters in India grew from 173.2 million (1952) to 978 million (2024).
○ Female voter turnout in 2024: 65.8%
○ For the first time, more women voted than men in the 2024 elections.
• Women in Startups
○ Startups with at least one-woman director are increasing.
○ These kinds of startups went from:
 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024
• India’s Progress in Maternal and Child Health
○ Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) dropped from 130 (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20) per 1,00,000 live births – a decline of 33 points.
○ Over the last 30 years (1990–2020), MMR declined by 83% in India.
 Global comparison: Global MMR reduced by 42% in the same period.
○ Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Babies dying before 1 year of age. Improved from 39 (2014) to 28 (2020) per 1,000 live births.
• Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR): Babies dying within the first 28 days of life. Declined from 27 (2014) to 20 (2020) per 1,,000 live
births.
• Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR): Deaths of children before their 5th birthday. Decreased from 43 (2014) to 32 (2020) per 1,000 live
births.
• Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Number of female births per 1,000 male births. Increased by 19 points from 919 (2014-16) to 938 (2018-20).
• Institutional Birth: Percentage of births in hospitals or medical facilities. Rose from 78.9% (2015-16) to 88.6% (2019-21).
• Full Immunization Coverage: Children aged 12-23 months who received all recommended vaccines. Improved from 62% (2015-16) to
76.4% (2019-21).

New Section 1 Page 4

 76.4% (2019-21).
• Stunting in Children Under 5: Children who are too short for their age. Decreased from 38.4% (2015-16) to 35.5% (2019-21).
• Wasting in Children Under 5: Children who are too thin for their height. Increased slightly from 19.3% (2015-16) to 19.7% (2019-21).
• Underweight Children Under 5: Children who are too light for their age. Declined from 35.8% (2015-16) to 32.1% (2019-21).

Niveshak Didi Initiative

• The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB),
Department of Posts, have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)
• To jointly launch Phase 2 of the "Niveshak Didi initiative.
• Goal: To help women understand money matters like saving, investing, avoiding fraud, and using digital banking tools.
• How: By training women postal workers and local leaders to become "Niveshak Didis (financial teachers).
• These Didis then teach other women in their communities.
• Phase 1:
○ Over 55,000 people attended IPPB financial literacy camps across India.
○ About 60% were women, mostly young and working-age.
○ Most participants were from remote rural areas.
• Phase 2:
○ Over 4,000 new financial camps will be held across India.
○ Around 40,000 women postal workers will be trained to lead these sessions.
○ Topics:
 How to invest money wisely
 How to avoid frauds
 Importance of saving
 Using online banking tools
India Skills Accelerator
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) will launch "India Skills
Accelerator" initiative
• Why: For accelerating India's skilling goal
• Objectives:
○ Raise awareness and change mindsets about future skill needs
○ Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders
○ Improve institutions and policies to make the skill ecosystem more flexible and responsive
• It will act as a national platform for public-private partnerships.
• The goal is to bridge skill gaps through inclusive upskilling and reskilling, promote investment in lifelong learning, and strengthen
government-industry cooperation.
• Who is involved?
○ From the Government:
 Jayant Chaudhary - Minister of State for Skill Development and Education (leader of this initiative)
 Dr. Sukanta Majumdar – Minister of State for Education and North-Eastern Region
○ From the Private Sector:
 Shobana Kamineni - Head of Apollo HealthCo
 Sanjiv Bajaj - Head of Bajaj Finserv
○ These leaders will guide the program from both public and private sides.
Modernization of Command Area Development & Water Management (M-CADWM) under PMKSY
• The Union Cabinet has approved the Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-
scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
• Time Period: Till 2025–26
• Budget: ₹1600 crore
• Goal: To make sure water reaches farms efficiently and without waste, helping farmers grow more and earn more.
• It will upgrade old canal systems and other water supply channels to deliver water more efficiently to farms.
• Special focus is on small farms (up to 1 hectare) using modern underground pipe systems for irrigation.
• Technological Integration:
○ Technologies like SCADA and IoT will be used to track water use and manage it more efficiently.
○ This will increase water use efficiency on farms, improve crop productivity, and raise farmer incomes.
• Sustainability through Community Ownership:
○ Irrigation systems will be managed by local Water User Societies (WUS) to ensure long-term care.
○ These societies will get support for 5 years and be connected with FPOs or PACS for better coordination and sustainability.
• Youth Involvement:
○ The scheme aims to draw rural youth to agriculture by promoting modern irrigation techniques.
• Implementation Approach:
○ First Phase (2025–26): Pilot projects will be launched in different agro-climatic zones using challenge-based funding to states.
○ Future Plan: Lessons from these pilots will help design a National Plan for Command Area Development and Water
Management, starting in April 2026, in line with the 16th Finance Commission period.
Material Cost under PM POSHAN Scheme
• Scheme Objective: To provide nutritional support and enhance school participation.
• Coverage: Hot cooked meal to 11.20 crore students in Balvatika and classes I to VIII, across 10.36 lakh government and
government-aided schools.
• Material Cost: Covers ingredients like pulses, vegetables, oil, spices, condiments, and fuel.
• Inflation Data: Labour Bureau uses CPI-RL to track inflation.
• CPI-RL: Prepared by Labour Bureau in Chandigarh, using monthly price data from 600 villages across 20 states.
• Enhancement: Ministry of Education increased Material Cost by 9.5%, effective from May 2025.
• Central Government Coverage: Covers additional cost (around ₹954 crore for FY 2025-26)
• Per Student Per Day Material Cost:
○ Bal Vatika & Primary: Existing - ₹6.19, Enhanced - ₹6.78
○ Upper Primary: Existing - ₹9.29, Enhanced - ₹10.17
• Minimum Mandatory Rates: States/UTs can contribute more.
• Additional Support: Central Govt provides 26 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains through FCI.
• Foodgrain Cost: Centre bears 100% cost, including subsidy (₹9,000 crore/year) and transportation.

New Section 1 Page 5

 • Foodgrain Cost: Centre bears 100% cost, including subsidy (₹9,000 crore/year) and transportation.
• Total Per Meal Cost:
○ Bal Vatika & Primary: ₹12.13
○ Upper Primary: ₹17.62

Record Renewable Energy Growth in FY 2024-25

• Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Record Addition: 29.52 GW of renewable energy capacity added.
• Total RE Capacity: 220.10 GW as of 31st March 2025 (up from 198.75 GW).
• Target: 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 (Panchamrit commitments).
• Solar Energy Growth: 23.83 GW added in FY 2024-25. Total solar capacity: 105.65 GW.
• Wind Energy: 4.15 GW added. Total wind capacity: 50.04 GW.
• Bioenergy: 11.58 GW (including 0.53 GW off-grid & waste-to-energy).
• Small Hydro Power: 5.10 GW (with 0.44 GW under implementation).
• Projects Pipeline: 169.40 GW under implementation, 65.06 GW tendered.
• Innovative Formats: 65.29 GW from hybrid systems, RTC power, peaking power, thermal + RE bundling.
Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk
• Ministry: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Purpose: To assist stakeholders with emerging trade issues.
• Issues Addressed: Import/Export Challenges, Import Surges/Dumping, EXIM Clearance, Logistics/Supply Chain, Financial/Banking,
Regulatory/Compliance.
• Coordination: Collates trade issues concerning other Ministries/Departments/Agencies.
Report on Automotive Industry
• Report By: NITI Aayog.
• Title: "Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains".
• Global Vehicle Production: 94 million vehicles in 2023.
• Global Auto Components Market: USD 2 trillion (exports: USD 700 billion).
• India's Position: 4th largest vehicle producer globally (after China, USA, Japan).
• India's Production: ~6 million vehicles annually.
• EV Trends: Growing demand, stricter emission norms, battery tech advancements.
• Industry 4.0: Impact of AI, ML, IoT, and robotics on manufacturing.
• India's Challenges: Low share in global auto component trade (3%), focus on low-precision parts instead of high precision like
engines etc, high operational costs, poor infrastructure, low GVC (global value chain) integration, limited R&D.
• NITI Aayog's Interventions: Fiscal and non-fiscal measures.
• Fiscal Interventions: Operational support, skill development, R&D & branding, cluster development.
• Non-Fiscal Interventions: Promote Industry 4.0, global collaboration, ease of doing business.
Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)
• Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• Purpose: To localize SDGs and strengthen grassroots governance.
• PAI Baseline Report: First-ever report for FY 2022-23.
• Scope: Performance of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs).
• Parameters: 435 indicators across 9 themes aligned with LSDGs.
• Themes: Poverty-Free & Enhanced Livelihoods, Healthy Panchayat, Child-Friendly Panchayat, Water-Sufficient Panchayat, Clean &
Green Panchayat, Self-Sufficient Infrastructure, Social Justice & Security, Good Governance, Women-Friendly Panchayat.
• Alignment: Themes aligned with National Indicator Framework (NIF) of MoSPI.
• Classification: Based on PAI scores: Achiever (90+), Front Runner (75-90), Performer (60-75), Aspirant (40-60), Beginner (<40).
• Data Coverage: 2,16,285 GPs from 29 States/UTs.
• Top Front Runner States: Gujarat346, Telangana270
• High Performer States: Gujarat 13k, Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.
• High Aspirant States: Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.

New Section 1 Page 6

Other Important Points/Questions
• Agriculture Cooperation Agreement: India and Israel (soil and water management, horticulture, mechanization, etc.).
• PM-ABHIM for Delhi: MoU between Delhi NCT and Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Amount approved: ₹1749 Crore.
• Tourism Cooperation: India and Japan (4th Joint Working Group Meeting in New Delhi).
• Scheme for Setting up Plastic Parks: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. GoI provides grant funding up to 50% of project cost,
ceiling of ₹40 crore per project.
• ASEAN-India Trade Agreement: India hosted the 8th Meeting of Joint Committee on ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement
(AITIGA).

National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)

• Objective: To establish a framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
• Objectives:
○ Fast-track regulatory approval for mining projects.
○ Offer financial incentives for exploration.
○ Encourage Indian PSUs and private sector to acquire assets abroad.
○ Develop mineral stockpiles and promote mineral recovery.
• Total Outlay: ₹34,300 crore (Expenditure: ₹16,300 crore; Investment: ₹18,000 crore from PSUs and stakeholders).
• Duration: 7 years (2024-25 to 2030-31).
• Geological Survey of India (GSI): Tasked with 1,200 exploration projects.
• Components:
○ Increase domestic production.
○ Acquire assets abroad.
○ Develop funding and incentives.
○ Promote recycling.
○ Advance R&D.
○ Develop trade and markets.
○ Promote human resource development
• Strengthening the Value Chain:
○ Exploration and Mining.
○ Beneficiation and Processing.
○ Recovery from end-of-life products.
• Development of Infrastructure & Research:
○ Mineral Processing Parks.
○ Recycling promotion.
○ Centres of Excellence.
• Whole-of-Government Approach: Collaboration between government, PSUs, private companies, and research bodies.
• Key Targets (2024-25 to 2030-31):
○ Domestic Exploration Projects: 1200
○ Foreign Mines (PSUs): 26
○ Foreign Mines (Private): 24
○ Recycling Incentive Scheme: 400 kt
IND-RIVERS
• Partnership: NMCG, IIT Delhi, and the Netherlands.
• Purpose: To strengthen NMCG's research program, combat pollution, and revive rivers.
• India-Netherlands Water Strategic Partnership: Collaboration on water issues.
• Focus:
○ Urban river issues.
○ Nature-based solutions.
○ Action-based research.
High-Altitude Climate Research Station
• Location: Nathatop, Jammu & Kashmir.
• Importance: Studies the impact of climate change in the Himalayas.
• Collaboration: Government of India, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Central University of Jammu, and Swiss National
Science Foundation.
• First Project: ICE-CRUNCH (Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project).
• ICE-CRUNCH Focus: Study of ice-forming particles and cloud formation in the North-Western Himalayas.

New Section 1 Page 7

 • ICE-CRUNCH Focus: Study of ice-forming particles and cloud formation in the North-Western Himalayas.
Digital Threat Report 2024
• Published by: CERT-In (MeitY), CSIRT-Fin, and SISA.
• Purpose: To strengthen cybersecurity in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.
• BFSI Sector Risk: Increasing digital banking and online transactions.
• Report Focus:
○ Current and future cyber threats.
○ Increasing attack types.
○ Defense strategies.
○ Collaboration between stakeholders.
○ Identifying weak areas.
○ Roadmap for cyber risk safety.
Other Important Points/Questions
• Assistive Technology Workshop: NITI Aayog and Maharashtra government.
• Zirakpur Bypass Project: 6-lane project approved with a capital cost of ₹1878.31 crore.
• Agriculture MoU: India and Nepal signed a cooperation agreement.
• BIMSTEC Meeting: Nepal hosted the 3rd Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture.
• Helicopter Fuselage Manufacturing: Airbus signed contract with Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd.

NITI Aayog Report: 'Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential - India's Hand & Power Tools Sector'
• Objective: To analyze challenges and suggest policies to boost the hand and power tools sector.
• Global Market Size: Currently ~$100 billion; projected to reach ~$190 billion by 2035.
• Market Leaders: China dominates with ~50% of the hand tools market ($13B) and ~40% of the power tools market ($22B).
• India's Position: Minor presence; exports of hand tools at $600 million (1.8%) and power tools at $470 million (0.7%).
• India's Ambition: To achieve $25 billion in exports in the next 10 years.
• Job Creation: Capturing 10% of the global power tools market and 25% of the hand tools market could create about 35 lakh
jobs.
• Key Challenges:
○ Higher costs than China (14-17% more expensive) due to higher raw material costs and smaller production scale.
○ Expensive raw materials (steel, plastic, motors).
○ Labour issues (lower productivity, overtime pay, limits on extra working hours).
○ Finance & transport problems (higher loan interest rates, high transport costs).
• Three-Pillar Strategy for Transformation:
1. Build World-Class Manufacturing Clusters:
 Set up 3-4 large industrial zones (around 4,000 acres each) through public-private partnerships (PPP).
 Include facilities like ready-to-use factory spaces, worker housing, and logistics and convention centers.
2. Address Structural Cost Disadvantages:
 Rationalize Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and import duties on essential raw materials.
 Reform labour laws and building regulations.
 Simplify schemes like the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme by easing Authorized Economic
Operator (AEO) requirements.
 Reduce penal provisions like interest on defaults.
3. Provide Temporary Financial Support:
 ₹8,000 crore investment (not subsidy) to support the sector if reforms are delayed.
IWAI Achieves Record Cargo Movement
• Achievement: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) reported a historic milestone with 145.5 million tonnes (MMT) of
cargo moved across National Waterways (NWs) in FY 2024-25.
• Highest Ever: This is the highest ever cargo volume achieved in India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector.
• Growth: Cargo traffic on NWs increased from 18.10 MMT in FY14 to 145.5 MMT in FY25, a CAGR of 20.86%.
• Year-on-Year Growth: 9.34% growth in FY25 compared to FY24.
• Expansion of operational waterways: Increased from 24 to 29 during FY 2024-25
• Top 5 Cargo Commodities (FY25): Coal, Iron Ore, Iron Ore Fines, Sand, and Fly Ash (over 68% of total cargo moved).
• Key Policy Interventions & Schemes:
○ Jalvahak – Cargo Promotion Scheme:
 Launched: December 2024.
 Incentive: 35% reimbursement of actual operating cost for cargo shifted to IWT mode.
 Reach: Operational on NW-1, NW-2, NW-16 via Indo-Bangladesh Protocol.
 Impact: Targeting diversion of 800 million tonne-kilometers to waterways (17% of total current cargo).
○ Simplified NOC Process via Digital Portal:
 Regulation: National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025.
 Enables private/public/JV entities to set up terminals through a single-window digital portal.
 Aims to catalyze private sector investment in jetty and terminal infrastructure.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

• Objective: To stimulate economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, Arabian
Gulf, and Europe.

New Section 1 Page 8

 Gulf, and Europe.
• About IMEC:
○ Strategic multi-modal connectivity initiative launched through a MoU at the G20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi.
○ Signatories: India, US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union.
○ Part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII), a G7-led effort.
○ Comprises two corridors:
 East corridor: Connects India to the Arabian Gulf.
 Northern corridor: Connects the Arabian Gulf to Europe.
○ The route can also carry electric cables, digital cables, and pipelines for clean hydrogen export.
WPI Inflation March 2025
• Released by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
• Purpose: Tracks the average movement of prices for goods sold in bulk at the wholesale level. often used as a GDP deflator
Base Year: 2011-12
Components:
Manufactured Products (Weight 64.23%)
Primary Articles (Weight 22.62%)
Fuel & Power (Weight 13.15%)
Annual rate of inflation based on all India WPI number is 2.05% (provisional) for the month of March, 2025 (over March, 2024
Month-over-Month Change in Major Groups of WPI:
▪ Primary Articles: Decreased by 1.07% for the month of February, 2025.
▪ Fuel & Power: Decreased by 0.91%
▪ Manufactured Products: Increased by 0.42%
WPI Food Index (Weight 24.38%): It consists of 'food articles' from primary articles group and 'food product' from manufactured products
group
▪ Decreased from 189.0 in February, 2025 to 188.8 in March, 2025.
▪ Annual rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index decreased from 5.94% in February, 2025 to 4.66% in March, 2025.
• Final Index for the month of January, 2025 (Base Year: 2011-12=100):
▪ Final WPI stood at 155.0
▪ Final inflation rate for 'All Commodities' (Base: 2011-12=100) stood at 2.51

CPI Inflation March 2025

What: Headline retail inflation (Consumer Price Index) for March 2025 stood at 3.34% (provisional) on a year-on-year basis, marking
a 27 basis point decline from February 2025.
• This is the lowest recorded inflation since August 2019, reflecting cooling price pressures in both food and non-food segments.
•
Components: All-India General Group level CPI comprises:

• Food and beverages (Weightage: 54.18)

• Miscellaneous (27.26)
• Housing (10.07) - CPI (Rural) for housing is not compiled
• Fuel and light (7.94)
• Clothing and footwear (7.36)
• Pan, tobacco and intoxicants (3.26)
Out of 12 sub-groups contained in ‘Food and Beverages’ group, CFPI is based on ten sub-groups, excluding ‘Non-alcoholic beverages’ and
‘Prepared meals, snacks, sweets etc.’.
Sector-wise Inflation (YoY March 2025):
• Housing: 3.03% (↑ from 2.91%).
• Fuel & Light: 1.48% (↑ from -1.33%).
• Education: 3.98% (↑ from 3.83%).
• Health: 4.26% (↑ from 4.12%).
• Transport & Communication: 3.30% (↑ from 2.93%).
Top 5 items with Highest Inflation:
1. Coconut oil (56.81%)
2. Coconut (42.05%)
3. Gold (34.09%)
4. Silver (31.57%)
5. Grapes (25.55%)
Top 5 items with Lowest Inflation:
1. Ginger (-38.11%)
2. Tomato (-34.96%)
3. Cauliflower (-25.99%)
4. Jeera (-25.86%)
5. Garlic (-25.22%)

New Section 1 Page 9

• The food inflation rate in March 2025 is the lowest since November 2021.
• Fuel inflation turned positive after being negative in February 2025

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA)

has announced its Audited Standalone and Consolidated financial results for the Quarter and Year ended March 31, 2025, showcasing significant
growth across key financial metrics.
The company reported its highest ever Annual Profit After Tax of ₹1,699 crore.
• As the nation’s largest pure-play Green Financing NBFC, IREDA has once again set industry standards by publishing its Audited Financial Results
within just 15-days.
▪ This milestone positions IREDA as the first company in the NBFC and Banking Sector, and the first PSU, to publish Audited Financial Results in
just 15-days

Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) - March 2025

• Growth: The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) grew by 3.8% (provisional) in March 2025 compared to March 2024.
• About ICI:
○ Measures the combined and individual production performance of eight core industries.
○ Eight Core Industries: Fertilizers, Cement, Natural Gas, Crude Oil, Coal, Electricity, Steel, and Petroleum Refinery
Products.
○ These industries are the backbone of industrial activity, influencing a large portion of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
and overall economic performance.
○ Contribute 40.27% of the weight of items included in the IIP.
• Released by: Office of the Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Importance:
○ Provides insights into overall industrial activity and is used to gauge economic trends.
○ Key indicator of the health and growth trajectory of the Indian economy.
○ Crucial for understanding economic performance.

• ICI Performance Overview:

○ Strong Performers: Cement (11.6%), Fertilizers (8.8%), Steel (7.1%), and Electricity (6.2%) led growth in March 2025.
○ Negative Contributors: Crude Oil and Natural Gas saw declines in both monthly and annual growth.

New Section 1 Page 10

 ○ Negative Contributors: Crude Oil and Natural Gas saw declines in both monthly and annual growth.
○ Cumulative Growth (FY25): The combined ICI grew by 4.4% (provisional) during April 2024-March 2025, compared to the
same period last year.
○ Final Growth for December 2024: Revised to 5.1%.
• Additional points:
○ Industrial growth impacts IIP.
○ Eight core industries crucial for economic analysis.

Cruise Bharat Mission

• Launch: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways flagged off cruise operations from the Mumbai International
Cruise Terminal (MICT) in Mumbai.
• About MICT:
○ Developed under the Cruise Bharat Mission.
○ Located at Ballard Pier, covering over 4.15 lakh square feet.
○ Features 72 check-in and immigration counters across 2.07 lakh square feet.
○ Capacity: Handles 1 million passengers annually, around 10,000 passengers daily.
○ Accommodates 5 ships simultaneously, with an 11-meter draft and up to 300 meters in length.
• About Cruise Bharat Mission:
○ Launched in 2024 from Mumbai Port.
○ Aim: To make India a global hub for cruise tourism.
○ Objective: To double the number of cruise passengers by 2029. (In 2023-24, 4.71 lakh cruise passengers were recorded)
○ Framework: Establishes inter-ministerial collaboration for cruise tourism policies, rules, and actions.
○ Coordination: Ensures smooth coordination among agencies like Customs, Immigration, CISF, State Tourism, maritime
bodies, local administration, and police.
○ Duration: Implemented in three phases, from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2029.
• Additional points:
○ MICT developed under Cruise Bharat Mission.
○ Cruise Bharat Mission launched in 2024.
○ Mission aims to make India a global cruise hub.
India’s DBT Achievements
• Savings: India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has helped achieve cumulative savings of ₹3.48 lakh crore by plugging
leakages in welfare delivery. Assessment by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has helped to
achieve cumulative savings of ₹3.48 lakh crore by plugging leakages in welfare delivery,
• Subsidy Reduction: Subsidy allocations decreased from 16% to 9% of total government expenditure since the implementation
of DBT, indicating improved efficiency in public spending.
• About Assessment:
○ Data Period: 2009 to 2024.
○ Focus: Impact of DBT on budget use, subsidy reduction, and beneficiary support.
○ Key factor: Shift from paper-based to direct digital transfers using the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile phones).
• Key Findings:
○ Before DBT (2009–2013): Subsidies were 16% of government spending (₹2.1 lakh crore/year) with significant leakages.
○ After DBT (2014–2024): Subsidies dropped to 9% by 2023-24; beneficiaries increased from 11 crore to 176 crore (16 times growth).
○ COVID-19 Exception: Subsidy spending rose in 2020–21 due to emergency relief measures, but efficiency improved post-
pandemic.
• Sectoral Analysis:
○ Food Subsidies (PDS): Saved ₹1.85 lakh crore (53% of total savings) using Aadhaar-linked ration cards.
○ MGNREGS: 98% of wage payments made on time, saving ₹42,534 crore through better accountability.
○ PM-KISAN: ₹22,106 crore saved by removing 2.1 crore fake or ineligible beneficiaries.
○ Fertiliser Subsidies: Significant savings and subsidy reduction₹18,699 crore saved by reducing 158 lakh metric tonnes of excess
fertiliser sales through targeted delivery
• Additional points:
○ DBT uses JAM trinity.
○ DBT has led to a significant reduction in subsidy spending.
○ DBT has increased the number of beneficiaries.
Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI):
The WEI is a new measure introduced to show how well the DBT system is working.
• It looks at both money saved and people reached, giving a complete picture of DBT’s impact.
• It combines three key areas:
1. DBT Savings (50%) – ₹3.48 lakh crore saved by reducing leakages.
2. Subsidy Reduction (30%) – Subsidy share in the budget dropped from 16% to 9%.
3. Beneficiary Growth (20%) – Number of beneficiaries increased 16 times.

• WEI increased from 0.32 (2014) to 0.91 (2023).

• Positive correlation (0.71): More beneficiaries = More savings.
• Negative correlation (-0.74): Less subsidy = More welfare efficiency.

BharatNet & Amended BharatNet 2023 (ABN)

• Launched: October 2011 (Ministry of Communications).
• Initial Target: Connect ~2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs).
• Amended BharatNet 2023:
○ Approved: 2023.
○ Aim:
 2.64 lakh GPs via ring topology.
 ~3.8 lakh non-GP villages on demand.
○ Total Cost: ₹1.39 lakh crore.
Features:
• OF cable from Blocks to GPs using ring topology.

New Section 1 Page 11

 • OF cable from Blocks to GPs using ring topology.
• IP (Internet Protocol) + MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) network with routers at both GPs and Blocks.
• Internet to non-GP villages on demand 10-year Operation & Maintenance support with monitoring through a Centralized Network
Operating Centre (CNOC)
• Payment to service providers based on Service Level Agreements (SLA)
• Power backup systems at all GPs and Blocks
• Remote Fibre Monitoring System (RFMS) at Block level for real-time monitoring
1. Phase I (Completed in Dec 2017)
✓ Connected 1 lakh Gram Panchayats using existing infrastructure.
2. Phase II (Ongoing)
✓ Expanding to 1.5 lakh more GPs using fiber, radio, and satellite.
✓ Involves states and private partners.
3. Phase III (Ongoing)
✓ Aims to future-proof the network.
✓ Adds 5G-readiness, higher bandwidth, and better last-mile connectivity

Implementation:
• BBNL: Agency for Implementation.
• BSNL: Maintenance (NOT implementation).
Funding:
• Funded by: Digital Bharat Nidhi (earlier USOF).
• Total funding for Phase I & II: ₹42,068 crore (excluding taxes).
• Mode: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for effective rollout and maintenance.

Current Status (March 2025):

• 2,18,347 GPs service-ready.
• 42.13 lakh route km OFC installed.
• 6,92,676 km OFC laid (January 2025).
• 12,21,014 FTTH connections commissioned.
• 1,04,574 Wi-Fi hotspots installed.

Other Important One-Liners

 APEDA facilitated 1st commercial sea shipment of Bhagwa pomegranates from Maharashtra to the USA.
 HEALED Scheme launched by ILBS (Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences) for liver health awareness (World Liver Day).
 PoshanTracker (Ministry of Women and Child Development) won PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024
(Innovation Category - Centre).
 Safeguard duty of 12% imposed on imported steel products to protect domestic industry.
 Centre of Excellence (CoE) launched at Gandhinagar, Gujarat by Ministry of Skill Development (NSDC + PDEU) — focused on
semiconductors, energy, smart manufacturing.
 PM SVANidhi Scheme won PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 (Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs).

AI Careers for Women Initiative

• Objective: Empower women in higher education to pursue AI careers.
• Aim: Close the gender gap in tech, enable women to contribute to the digital economy, and support India's innovation-driven growth.
• Collaboration: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Microsoft.
• Training: Microsoft will provide a 240-hour AI training curriculum, developed with the National Council for Vocational Education and
Training (NCVET).
• Implementation Model: "Hub and spoke" model.
○ 30 "hub" centers in women's institutions.
○ 150 "spoke" centers in Tier-II and Tier-III towns across 6 states.
• Implementing Agency: Edunet Foundation

2. India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) Outcomes

• Location: Jeddah.
• Leaders: PM Narendra Modi & Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• New Committees Created:
○ Defence Cooperation Committee.
○ Tourism and Cultural Cooperation Committee.
• Saudi Arabia committed: $100 billion investment in India.
• Agreements Signed:
○ Cooperation in Space Activities.
○ Cooperation in Health.
○ Cooperation in Anti-Doping Education and Prevention.
○ Surface Parcel Cooperation (Trade/logistics).

3. Competency-Based Curricula for Allied and Healthcare Professions

• Launched by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare + National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP).
• Aim: Produce globally competent healthcare professionals.
• The curriculum follows the rules set by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021.
• Sectors Covered:
○ Physiotherapy
Applied Psychology

New Section 1 Page 12

 ○ Applied Psychology
○ Optometry
○ Nutrition and Dietetics
○ Dialysis Therapy
○ Radiotherapy Technology
○ Medical Imaging
○ Anesthesia & OT Tech
○ Health Information Management
○ Physician Associates
• Principles: Standardization, Competency-Based Approach, Holistic Development, Support for Universal Health Coverage.

4. Special Category National Panchayat Awards 2025

• Celebrated on: 24th April 2025 (32 years of 73rd Constitutional Amendment).
• Main Event: Lohna Uttar Gram Panchayat, Madhubani, Bihar.
• Ministries involved: Rural Development, Housing & Urban Affairs, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Power, Railways, Road Transport & Highways.
• New Awards:
○ CASPA (Climate Action Special Panchayat Award)
○
○ ANPSA (Atma Nirbhar Panchayat Special Award)
○ PKNSSP (Panchayat Kshamta Nirman Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar)
• Award Amounts:
○ Rank 1: ₹1 crore
○ Rank 2: ₹75 lakh
○ Rank 3: ₹50 lakh
• Women Leadership: 3 out of 6 winning Panchayats led by women Sarpanches.

5. SVAMITVA Scheme – 5 Years Completion

• Launched: 2020 (Pilot in 9 states) → Na onwide in 2021.
• Ministry: Panchayati Raj.
• Features:
○ Drone-based, GIS-based land mapping.
○ Provides SVAMITVA Property Cards (ownership proof for rural properties).
• Implemented by: Ministry of Panchayati Raj + Survey of India + States + NIC.
• MoUs signed with 31 States/UTs.
The pilot phase started in 2020 in 9 states (Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh and Uttarakhand)and was expanded nationwide in 2021.
• The scheme is 100% funded by the Central Government and is managed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

• Awards:
○ Gold at National Awards for e-Governance 2023.
○ Gold at Digitech Conclave 2023.

• Impact:
• provides clear land boundaries and gives people SVAMITVA Property Cards to confirm property ownership.

New Section 1 Page 13

 • provides clear land boundaries and gives people SVAMITVA Property Cards to confirm property ownership.
○ Over 2.42 crore property cards issued across 1.61 lakh villages (as of 2025).

6. India Fastest-Growing Major Economy – IMF WEO (April 2025)

• Source: IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO), April 2025.
A key report by IMF released twice a year.
• It tracks global growth trends and gives forecasts for different countries.
• Helps in global economic policy-making

• India’s GDP projections:

○ 2025: 6.2%
○ 2026: 6.3%
• Global comparison:
○ China: 4.0%
○ USA: 1.8%
• Context:
○ Growth driven by high rural consumption.
○ Despite global risks like trade tensions and policy uncertainty.

7. Other Important Current Affairs One-Liners

• World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2025: Hosted by India (New Delhi).
○ Focus: Health Equity, Traditional Medicine (WHO-GTMC collaboration).
• Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn):
○ Declared 1st dividend: ₹1,42,23,513 for FY 2023–24.
○ Established: 2011 (Commercial arm of ICAR).
• "I Am Circular" Coffee Table Book:
○ Curated by: International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE).
○ Released by: Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
• Fire Safety Week (21–25 April 2025):
○ Launched by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Reports on Crimes in India

• Released by: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
• Data: Crime statistics for 2023.
• Registration: Over 70 lakh cases registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special & Local Laws (SLL).
• Increase: 18.7% increase in crime registration compared to 2022.
• IPC Crimes: 41.85 lakh cases, 11.5% increase from 2022.
• SLL Crimes: 28.63 lakh cases, 31.2% increase.
• Highest Crime Rate (per lakh population): Delhi (1,713.5).
• Lowest Crime Rate: Andhra Pradesh (212.5).
• States/UTs with more than 1000 cases per lakh population: Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan, Telangana.
• Charge Sheeting Rate: 76.1% for IPC crimes.
• Economic Offences: 98,445 cases.
• Cyber Crimes: 86,010 cases.
• Offences Against State: 10,236 cases.

Exercise Cutlass Express 2024

• Conducted by: U.S. Africa Command.
• Location: Ports and coastal areas of East Africa.
• Participants: 16 nations.
• Focus: Maritime security, particularly countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF).
• Duration: 11 days.
• Indian Navy Participation: INS Teg.
• Objective: Enhance regional cooperation, information sharing, and coordination.
• Activities: Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations, ship maneuvers, maritime domain awareness.
International SME Day 2024
• Celebrated on: 27th June.
• Focus: Supporting and elevating Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Events:
○ Inaugural SME Awards.
○ Workshops and panel discussions.
○ Showcasing best practices and innovations.
• Participants: Over 1,200 attendees, including MSME leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and international delegates.
• Key Themes:
○ Innovation.
○ Sustainability.
○ Global integration.
○ Inclusive policies.
○ Digital transformation.
• Organizers: Ministry of MSME and the United Nations.
Global Report on Food Crises 2024
• Released by: Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC).
• Key Findings:
○ 281.6 million people in 59 countries/territories faced acute food insecurity in 2023.
Increase of about 24 million people compared to 2022.

New Section 1 Page 14

 ○ Increase of about 24 million people compared to 2022.
○ Conflict and insecurity are the main drivers of food crises.
○ Other factors: economic shocks and climate change.
• Countries with the highest number of people in IPC/CH phase 3 or above:
○ Democratic Republic of the Congo (5 million).
○ Nigeria (24.8 million).
○ Sudan (20.3 million).
• Urgent attention needed: To prevent widespread hunger and malnutrition.
Additional Points
• Centre of Excellence: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at NSTI,
Mumbai, in collaboration with Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM).
• Global Initiative on AI: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will lead discussions on building a global
framework for AI at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit 2024 in New Delhi.
• New Peepal Tree Town Hall Series: Ministry of Culture launched the series to promote intellectual discussions and preserve India’s
heritage.
• Conference on Women in Hydro Power: Ministry of Power organized the conference to promote gender diversity and inclusivity in
the hydropower sector.

New Section 1 Page 15