NCBC Annual Reports for years 2022-23 and 2023-24
Context: The NCBC presented its overdue annual reports for 2022–23 and 2023–24 to the President, addressing a backlog that had persisted for several years.
Key Highlights:
- Constitutional Mandate: Under Article 338B, the NCBC must submit annual reports to the President, reviewing safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) and recommending measures for their welfare.
- Delayed Submissions: Before this, the NCBC had not submitted its annual reports for up to three years, contributing to a broader issue where over a dozen reports from commissions for SCs, STs, and OBCs remained unpublished for up to seven years.
- Institutional Challenges: The NCBC has faced functional limitations due to prolonged vacancies. As of March 2023, the commission operated with only a chairperson and one member, lacking a vice-chairperson and other members.
- Judicial Observations: The Madras High Court noted that the Union Government had rendered the NCBC nonfunctional by not making timely appointments, emphasizing the need for expeditious action to fill these vacancies.
Lokmata Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh to participate in the ‘Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan’ (Women Empowerment Conference) at Jamboree Ground, commemorating the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.
Key Highlights:
- The visit focused on women’s empowerment, infrastructure development, and honoring Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy.
- Indore Metro Inauguration: PM Modi virtually inaugurated Indore’s first Metro train, launching a 6 km ‘Super Priority Corridor’ with stainless steel coaches and smart stations.
- Airport Launches: He unveiled two new airports in Satna and Datia, enhancing regional connectivity.
- Infrastructure Projects: The Prime Minister laid the foundation for 1,271 Atal Gram Seva Kendras (₹483 crore) and riverfront development along the Kshipra River (₹778.91 crore).
- Tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar: A commemorative coin and postage stamp were released in her honor, and the National Devi Ahilyabai Award was presented to a distinguished woman artist.
- Operation Sindoor Recognition: PM Modi praised the bravery of women personnel in the Border Security Force (BSF) for their role in Operation Sindoor, describing it as India’s most successful anti-terror operation.
Niveshak Shivir Initiative
Context: The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), is launching a pilot initiative called Niveshak Shivir. The first camp is scheduled for June 1, 2025, in Pune, aiming to empower investors and streamline grievance redressal and unclaimed dividend claims.
Key Highlights:
- Niveshak Shivir is designed to serve as a one-stop solution for investors to resolve issues related to unclaimed dividends and shares, offering direct access to investor services
- Direct Facilitation: Assistance in recovering unclaimed dividends held for six to seven years.
- On-the-Spot Services: Immediate updating of KYC and nomination details.
- Grievance Redressal: Resolution of pending IEPFA claim issues through dedicated kiosks.
- Eliminating Intermediaries: Fostering direct interactions between investors, companies, and Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs).
- Stakeholder Participation: Companies with significant volumes of unclaimed dividend accounts will be invited to participate.
- Future Plans: The Pune pilot is the first in a series of Shivirs planned across cities with high concentrations of unclaimed investments
Evaluation of Central Schemes
Context: The Indian government has mandated that all Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and Central Sector Schemes (CS) undergo third-party evaluations to continue beyond March 31, 2026.
Key Highlights:
- To enhance accountability and effectiveness, the Ministry of Finance requires ministries and departments to conduct third-party evaluations of their schemes.
- These evaluations are prerequisites for scheme appraisals and approvals in the upcoming financial cycle.
- This directive aligns with preparations for the 16th Finance Commission cycle (2026–31), aiming to ensure schemes demonstrate tangible outcomes and relevance.
- Mandatory Evaluations: No CSS or CS scheme will be considered for continuation beyond March 31, 2026, without a third-party evaluation demonstrating positive outcomes and continued relevance.
- NITI Aayog’s Role: The government’s think tank, NITI Aayog, is conducting evaluations of CSSs, with draft reports to be shared with respective ministries and departments.
- Timeline: Ministries and departments must complete evaluations by the end of July 2025 and seek approval from the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) before the budget-making process begins.
- Funding Framework: Allocations for the 16th Finance Commission cycle will be 5.5 times the average actual annual expenditure during the last five fiscal years (2021–22 to 2025–26).
- Budgetary Discipline: The Cabinet Secretary emphasized realistic outlays, cautioning against inflated figures during funding requests.
Comprehensive Modular Survey—Telecom (CMS-T)
Context: The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) as part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS), this survey provides insights into mobile and internet usage, as well as ICT skills across India.
Key Findings:
Mobile Phone Usage (Ages 15–29):
- Overall Usage: Approximately 97.1% used a mobile phone at least once in the past three months.
- Rural Areas: 96.8% usage rate.
- Urban Areas: 97.6% usage rate.
Smartphone Ownership (Among Mobile Phone Owners, Ages 15–29):
- Rural Areas: 95.5% own a smartphone.
- Urban Areas: 97.6% own a smartphone.
Internet Usage (Ages 15–29):
- Rural Areas: 92.7% accessed the internet at least once in the past three months.
- Urban Areas: 95.7% accessed the internet.
Online Banking via UPI (Ages 15–29):
- Overall: 99.5% reported the ability to perform online banking transactions through UPI.
Household-Level Indicators:
- Smartphone Ownership: 85.5% of households possess at least one smartphone.
- Internet Access: 86.3% of households have internet access within the premises.
India’s first AI SEZ
Context: India is set to establish its first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-focused Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, marking a significant step in the nation’s digital infrastructure development.
Project Overview
- Developer: RackBank Datacenters Pvt. Ltd., an Indore-based carbon-neutral data center company.
- Investment: ₹1,000 crore for the initial phase, with plans to expand up to ₹3,000 crore in subsequent phases.
- Location: Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- Area: Approximately 13.5 acres.
- Capacity: An 80MW facility housing 100,000 GPUs, designed to support AI workloads with flexible rack densities ranging from 80 kW to 200 kW per rack.
Strategic Significance
- Digital Infrastructure: The SEZ will feature a 1.5 lakh square foot data center equipped with high-performance computing systems, aiming to serve as a digital nerve center for India.
- Global Collaboration: The facility is expected to host operations for leading global technology companies such as Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta, positioning India as a producer and host of AI services rather than merely a consumer.
- Economic Impact: The project is anticipated to generate employment opportunities in IT, data science, cybersecurity, and network management, contributing to the state’s economic growth.
Educational and Social Impact
- Skill Development: RackBank plans to collaborate with local ITIs, engineering colleges, and polytechnic institutes to offer specialized training programs, preparing students for future roles in the AI industry.
- Inclusive Growth: The initiative aims to provide opportunities to students from remote and tribal regions, reducing the need for migration to metropolitan cities and promoting inclusive development.
Alignment with National Initiatives
- Digital India & Make in India: The AI SEZ aligns with national visions to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, fostering innovation and self-reliance in emerging technologies.
Sindoor Samagam
Context: The Indian diaspora in Latvia warmly welcomed an all-party parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi with a ‘Sindoor Samman’ event in Riga.
Key Highlights:
- This event was part of the delegation’s international outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor.
- Delegation Arrival and Purpose: The multi-party delegation, including members from various Indian political parties, arrived in Riga, Latvia, and was received by India’s Ambassador to Latvia, Namrata Kumar.
- The visit aimed to emphasize India’s stance on zero tolerance towards terrorism and to strengthen bilateral relations with Latvia.
- ‘Sindoor Samman’ Event: Organized by the Indian diaspora in Latvia, the ‘Sindoor Samman’ event served as a cultural welcome for the delegation.
- Members of the diaspora expressed solidarity with India’s actions against terrorism, praising Operation Sindoor for its decisive response to the Pahalgam attack
- Meetings with Latvian Officials: The delegation held discussions with the chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Friendship group of Parliamentarians for India at the Latvian Saeima (Parliament).
- These meetings focused on mobilizing a global alliance against terrorism and enhancing India-Latvia relations
Nurdles
Context: The recent sinking of the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast has led to a significant environmental concern due to the release of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, along the shores of Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Environmental Impact
- Marine Ecosystems at Risk: Nurdles, small plastic pellets used in manufacturing, are non-biodegradable and can be mistaken for food by marine life, leading to ingestion that may cause starvation, ulceration, or death.
- Chemical Contamination: These pellets can absorb and transport harmful chemicals and pathogens, potentially introducing toxins into the marine food chain.
Response and Cleanup Efforts
- Government Initiatives: The Kerala state government has declared the incident a state-specific disaster and initiated cleanup operations involving local authorities, volunteers, and civil defense teams.
- Scientific Assessment: Efforts include sampling marine water and beach sediments to assess chemical contamination, with advanced technologies like pyrolysis gas chromatography being considered to determine the pellets’ origin and toxicity.
- Fishing Restrictions: A 20-nautical-mile fishing ban has been imposed around the disaster site to safeguard public health and marine life.
Valmik Thapar
Context: Renowned Indian conservationist Valmik Thapar, famous for his work on tiger protection, passed away at the age of 73. He significantly shaped India’s wildlife conservation policies over four decades.
Key Highlights:
- Valmik Thapar was a leading tiger conservationist, author, and documentary filmmaker.
- Started his conservation journey in 1976 after meeting Fateh Singh Rathore at Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.
- Authored over 24 books and produced major wildlife documentaries like BBC’s “Land of the Tiger” (1997).
- Served on the National Board for Wildlife and the Tiger Task Force, contributing to national conservation policies.
- Founded the Ranthambhore Foundation (1987) to involve local communities in conservation efforts.
- Son of journalists Romesh and Raj Thapar; survived by wife Sanjana Kapoor and son Hamir Thapar.
- Known for the quote: “Bureaucracy killed more tigers than bullets ever did.”
- Worked with Dastkar to promote sustainable livelihoods for displaced forest dwellers.
1st ISRO-DBT JWG meeting
Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) held their first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting to advance collaboration under the BioE3 policy, focusing on space biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
Key Highlights:
- First ISRO-DBT JWG Meeting: Convened online on May 28, 2025, chaired by Shri M. Ganesh Pillai (ISRO) and co-chaired by Dr. Alka Sharma (DBT).
- MoU Background: Follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 25, 2024, between ISRO and DBT to collaborate on space biotechnology initiatives.
- BioE3 Policy: Aims to foster high-performance biomanufacturing, focusing on economy, environment, and employment.
- Research Institutions Involved: DBT institutions like ICGEB (New Delhi) and BRIC-inStem (Bangalore) are exploring experiments in space biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
- Focus Areas: Discussions included opportunities in extra-terrestrial biomanufacturing and in-space biomanufacturing for long-term space missions.
WMO Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update (2025-2029)
Context: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2025–2029, projecting continued high global temperatures with significant climate implications.
Key Highlights:
- Global Temperature Projections:
- Annual global mean near-surface temperatures for 2025–2029 are predicted to be 1.2°C to 1.9°C above the 1850–1900 average.
- There is an 86% chance that at least one year will exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- A 70% chance exists that the five-year average will surpass the 1.5°C threshold.
- Record-Breaking Temperatures:
- An 80% likelihood that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than 2024, the current warmest year on record.
- Arctic Warming:
- The Arctic is expected to warm at more than three and a half times the global average, with temperatures over the next five extended winters (November to March) projected to be 2.4°C above the 1991–2020 average.
- Climate Risks: Every additional fraction of a degree of warming increases the likelihood of:
- Harmful heatwaves
- Extreme rainfall events
- Intense droughts
- Melting of ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers
- Ocean heating
- Rising sea levels
- Precipitation Variations: Wetter-than-average conditions are anticipated in:
- Sahel
- Northern Europe
- Alaska
- Northern Siberia
- Drier-than-average conditions are expected over the Amazon region.
- South Asia
International Day of the Potato
Context: The second International Day of Potato was observed on 30 May 2025, under the theme “Shaping History, Feeding the Future”, highlighting the potato’s role in global food security and sustainable agriculture.
Key Highlights:
- Global Significance: The potato is the third most consumed food crop worldwide, following rice and wheat, and is cultivated in over 100 countries.
- Theme Emphasis: The 2025 theme acknowledges the potato’s journey from its Andean origins to its global prominence, emphasizing its importance in combating hunger and poverty.
- Sustainability Focus: The observance calls for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, conservation of potato biodiversity, and strengthening of value chains to ensure food security.
- Support for Small-Scale Farmers: Recognizes the vital role of smallholder farmers, many of whom are women, in preserving diverse potato varieties and contributing to rural economies.
India AI Mission
Context: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the expansion of India’s AI compute capacity to over 34,000 GPUs, alongside the selection of three new startups to develop indigenous AI foundation models.
Key Highlights:
- Compute Capacity Expansion:
- India’s national AI infrastructure now boasts over 34,000 GPUs, up from an initial target of 10,000 GPUs.
- This expansion includes an addition of 15,916 GPUs, facilitated through partnerships with seven industry players.
- Startup Selections for Foundation Models:
- Sarvam AI: Tasked with developing a 120-billion parameter open-source Large Language Model (LLM) tailored for Indian governance and public services.
- Soket AI: Developing a 120-billion parameter open-source model optimized for India’s linguistic diversity, targeting sectors like defense, healthcare, and education.
- Gnani AI: Creating a 14-billion parameter Voice AI model for real-time, multilingual speech processing with advanced reasoning capabilities.
- Gan AI: Building a 70-billion parameter multilingual foundation model focusing on advanced text-to-speech capabilities.
- AI Kosh – Open Datasets Platform: A total of 367 datasets have been uploaded to AI Kosh, enhancing access to public data for AI research and governance.
- Mission Objectives:
- Democratize AI access and usage across governance, startups, and citizens.
- Develop indigenous foundation and language models.
- Promote ethical, safe, and responsible AI.
- Foster a self-reliant AI innovation ecosystem.
Miniratna Category-I status
Context: The Ministry of Defence has granted Miniratna Category-I status to three Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs): Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), and India Optel Limited (IOL). This recognition underscores their significant contributions to India’s defence sector and aligns with the nation’s push for self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Key Highlights:
- Munitions India Limited (MIL):
- Headquarters: Pune
- Specialization: Manufactures a range of ammunition, including small, medium, and high-caliber rounds, mortars, rockets, and hand grenades.
- Financial Performance: Achieved a provisional turnover of ₹8,214 crore in FY 2024-25, up from ₹2,571.6 crore in H2 of 2021-22.
- Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL):
- Headquarters: Chennai
- Specialization: Produces armored and combat vehicles, including T-90 and Arjun tanks, BMP-II infantry combat vehicles, and support vehicles.
- Financial Performance: Reported a provisional turnover of ₹4,946 crore in FY 2024-25, up from ₹2,569.26 crore in H2 of 2021-22.
- India Optel Limited (IOL):
- Headquarters: Dehradun
- Specialization: Develops opto-electronic systems and vision equipment for land systems and weapons like battle tanks and artillery guns.
- Financial Performance: Achieved a provisional turnover of ₹1,541.38 crore in FY 2024-25.
Significance of Miniratna Status:
- Enhanced Autonomy: Allows these DPSUs to make capital expenditure decisions up to ₹500 crore or equal to their net worth, whichever is lower, without seeking government approval.
- Operational Efficiency: Empowers companies to respond swiftly to market dynamics, fostering innovation and competitiveness.
- Strategic Growth: Facilitates expansion into new markets and diversification of product portfolios, bolstering India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
India: fastest-growing major economy in 2025-26
Context: India is projected to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy in the fiscal year 2025–26, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest annual report. The central bank forecasts a real GDP growth rate of 6.5% for FY26, with inflation expected to stabilize at 4%.
Key Highlights:
- GDP Growth Projection: The RBI anticipates a 6.5% real GDP growth for FY26, maintaining India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy globally.
- Inflation Outlook: Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation is projected to be 4%, aligning with the central bank’s target.
- Economic Drivers:
- Private Consumption: A pickup in household spending is expected to bolster economic activity.
- Capital Expenditure: Continued government investment in infrastructure projects aims to stimulate growth.
- Financial Sector Health: Robust balance sheets of banks and corporates provide a stable foundation for expansion.
- Global Challenges: The RBI acknowledges potential risks from global trade uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and financial market volatility, which could impact growth and inflation dynamics.
Recent Economic Performance:
- FY25 Growth: India’s economy grew by 7.4% in the January–March 2025 quarter, surpassing expectations and marking the highest quarterly growth since early 2024.
- FY25 Annual Growth: The overall GDP growth for the fiscal year 2024–25 stood at 6.5%, reinforcing India’s status as the fastest-growing major economy.
Government Perspective: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that India has maintained its position as the fastest-growing economy for the fourth consecutive year, attributing this to robust performances in the manufacturing, services, and agriculture sectors.