Golden Dome

Context: The United States has officially selected a design for its ambitious $175 billion Golden Dome missile defence shield project, aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia. 

About Golden Dome

• The system is envisioned to include ground and space-based capabilities that can detect and stop missiles at all four major stages of a potential attack
• Features space-based sensors and interceptors to neutralize enemy missiles shortly after launch.
• It comprises thousands of small satellites in Earth’s orbit to detect and intercept threats, particularly Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
• It is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome.

Nationwide Survey To Examine Patterns Of Substance Use

Context: The Union government has started planning a fresh round of a nationwide survey to establish the extent and pattern of substance use.

• This follows the last comprehensive survey conducted in 2017–18, which was a first-of-its-kind study on estimating illicit drug use in the country.

About Substance Use

• Substance use refers to the consumption of both legal substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and prescription medications and illegal substances, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine etc.

Key Features of the 2025 Survey

• Nodal Ministry: The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• District-Level Focus: For the first time, data will be collected at the district level, enabling localized intervention planning.
• Enhanced Methodology: Greater emphasis on granular data, including specific pharmaceutical substances.
  • Better understanding of changing patterns and health impacts of substance use.

About the 2017–18 Survey

• The 2017–18 survey by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC).
• It used two main methods: 
  • Household Survey: Researchers visited about 2 lakh homes and talked to 4.7 lakh people across India.
  • Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS): This method focused on people who were already using drugs.
    • Over 72,000 drug users were surveyed through a peer network — where one person referred another.
• Findings: Alcohol was the most common substance. Around 15 crore people were drinking alcohol and this included 30 lakh children and teenagers aged between 10 and 17 years.
  • This was followed by cannabis, opioids, sedatives, inhalants, cocaine, amphetamine type stimulants, and hallucinogens respectively.

International Booker Prize, 2025

Context: Kannada author Banu Mushtaq’s short story collection Heart Lamp, which interprets and inhabits the faultlines and silent revolts in the everyday lives of Muslim women, won the 2025 International Booker Prize in 2025.

Significance of the 2025 Win

• Milestone: This is the first time a Kannada writer has won a Booker Prize.
• Not the First Nomination: Kannada literature was previously recognized on the global stage when U. R. Ananthamurthy was nominated in 2013, but this is the first win.

About International Booker Prize

• Established: 2005 (originally known as the Man Booker International Prize).
• Current Format: Since 2016, it has been awarded annually for a single book, not a lifetime body of work.
• Eligibility: Open to books originally written in any language, as long as they are translated into English and published in the U.K. or Ireland.
• Prize Money: £50,000 is awarded, shared equally between the author and the translator.
• Organized by: The Booker Prize Foundation, which also oversees the Booker Prize for English-language novels.
• Purpose: Promote literary translation, Highlight global voices and diverse cultures, Elevate lesser-known authors and literary traditions.
• It is translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi.
• Novels and collections of short stories are both eligible.

Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)

Context: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced the “Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)”  for cyber fraud prevention.

About Financial Fraud Risk Indicator

• It is a risk-based metric that classifies a mobile number to have been associated with Medium, High, or Very High risk of financial fraud. 
• Objective: It is developed as part of the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to empower financial institutions with advanced actionable intelligence.
• Stakeholders: The mobile no. are classified based on inputs obtained from stakeholders like the I4C’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), DoT’s Chakshu platform, and Intelligence shared by banks and financial institutions.
• Significance: It will empower stakeholders like banks, NBFCs, and UPI service providers to take additional customer protection measures in case a mobile number has high risk.
  • The FRI allows for swift, targeted, and collaborative action against suspected frauds in both telecom and financial domains.
• Industry Collaboration: PhonePe has used FRI to decline transactions linked to Very High FRI mobile numbers and display an on-screen alert as part of PhonePe Protect feature

About ‘Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)’

• It is a secure and integrated platform for real time intelligence sharing, information exchange and coordination among the stakeholders i.e.
  • Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), banks and financial institutions (FIs), social media platforms, identity document issuing authorities etc.
• Launched By: The platform was launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)’s.
• Aim: To enhance coordination among the stakeholders to curb misuse of telecom resources in cyber-crime and financial frauds

INSV Kaundinya

Context: Recently,  the Indian Navy inducted a traditionally built stitched ship as INSV Kaundinya,  Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka.

About NSV Kaundinya

• Named after Kaundinya, the legendary Indian mariner who sailed to Southeast Asia.
• The ship is built using ancient stitching techniques, modeled after a 5th Century ship depicted in the Ajanta caves.
• The project was approved by the National Implementation Committee, chaired by the Union home minister, as a commemoration project.

Cultural and Historical Features of INSV Kaundinya

• Sails adorned with Gandabherunda motifs, representing a two-headed eagle royal insignia of the Kadamba dynasty.
• The bow features Simha Yali carvings and a Harappan-style stone anchor.
• Built with a main mast, mizzen mast, and bowsprit mast, controlled using steering oars instead of rudders.
• Uses square sails instead of modern triangular sails, requiring sailors to relearn ancient sailing techniques.

What is a Stitched Ship?

• A stitched ship is a type of ancient wooden vessel built using traditional stitching techniques instead of metal nails or fasteners. 
• This method was widely used in India and other maritime cultures before modern shipbuilding techniques emerged.
• Construction: Made using ancient techniques – wooden planks stitched together with coconut fibre, coir ropes, and sealed with natural resins.
• Built by: Traditional shipbuilders and artisans from Kerala.
• Power: Uses cotton sails – no engines or modern machinery.

Asian Productivity Organization

Context: India has officially taken over the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025-26 term during the 67th Governing Body Meeting.

About Asian Productivity Organization (APO)

• It is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1961 to promote productivity and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Headquarters: Based in Tokyo, Japan.
• India is a founding member and has actively contributed to APO’s initiatives since its inception
• APO Member Countries: 21 countries-  Bangladesh, Cambodia, Taiwan, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkiye, and Vietnam.
• In its Chairmanship role, India is committed to support the APO’s strategic goals, including the development and implementation of the APO Vision 2030 and expansion of the Green Productivity 2.0 framework. 
  • About APO Vision 2030: It focuses on innovation driven, inclusive, and sustainable growth across the Asia-Pacific region. 
  • Green Productivity 2.0 framework: This framework is an updated framework of GP 1 that  focuses on enhancing productivity with environmental sustainability. 
• Main Roles and Functions of APO
  • Supports Economic Growth: Helps countries grow sustainably through higher productivity.
  • Policy Advisory: Offers expert advice on productivity policies.
  • Think Tank: Acts as a center for research and ideas on productivity.
  • Smart Initiatives: Works in key sectors like industry, agriculture, services, and public administration.
    Capacity Building: Trains institutions and helps create national productivity strategies.
  • Centers of Excellence: Promotes research and best practices in member countries.

Autism

Context: The US Health Secretary has announced a testing and research effort to identify the environmental toxins behind the growing cases of autism.

About Autism

• Autism, also referred to as autism spectrum disorder constitutes a diverse group of conditions related to development of the brain. 
  • It is a developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior.
• Co-occurring Conditions: People with autism often also suffer from epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
• Epidemiology: It is estimated that worldwide about 1 in 100 children has autism.
• Probable Cause:
  • Genetic Factors: People with certain specific genetic conditions such as Fragile X Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis are at increased risk for being diagnosed with autism
  • Other Factors: 
    • Parents being older at the time of pregnancy is additionally linked with greater risk of autism.
• Initiatives to promote Awareness:
  • World Autism Awareness Day: Celebrated annually on April 2nd aims to promote awareness, early diagnosis, and intervention for individuals with autism.
  • Global Movement Beyond Awareness: To actively promote acceptance, appreciation, and inclusion, recognizing the contributions of autistic people.
  • Awareness Programs: Organizations like NIEPvD organize awareness programs with cultural performances, and informative sessions on government schemes.
  • Samagra Shiksha Scheme: The Indian government funded Samagra Shiksha scheme provides essential therapy and learning support for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Amrit Bharat Railway Stations

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat Railway Stations via video conference from Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Key Highlights of the Initiatives

• Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), over 1,300 railway stations are being renovated to enhance passenger facilities.
• One of the significant features of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is that the designs of redeveloped station buildings are inspired by local culture, heritage and architecture. 
• For e.g. the Ahmedabad station draws inspiration from the Modhera Sun Temple, while Dwarka station is inspired by the Dwarkadheesh Temple.

About The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a railway modernization initiative launched in February 2023 by Indian Railways.
• Key features
  • Accessibility: Enhanced facilities for Divyangjans (persons with disabilities), including ramps, tactile maps, and accessible toilets
  • One Station One Product’:  local products and traditional products are shown at station kiosks which promote regional culture and local artisans. 
  • Urban Integration: Linkage of railway station to metro and buses will make stations better connected to the city. 
  • Modernisation: Enhance passenger experience by modernizing railway stations.

Algeria Admitted as Member of The New Development Bank (NDB)

Context: The New Development Bank (NDB) has admitted Algeria as a new member recently.

About The New Development Bank (NDB)

• NDB is a multilateral development bank aimed at mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other EMDCs.
• Parent Organisation: BRICS
• Establishment: It was established in 2015, at the 6th BRICS Summit at Fortaleza, Brazil for financing development projects in the group’s member countries.
• Headquarters: Shanghai, China.
• Equal Vote: Each participant country is assigned one vote, and none of the countries has a  veto power.
• Membership: NDB currently has 9 members including the 5 BRICS nations plus Bangladesh, UAE, Egypt and Algeria.
  • The NDB has an observer status at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
• Presidency: Both the presidency and vice-presidency are rotated among BRICS founding members.
• Major Projects Funded by NDB in India:
  • Mumbai Urban Transport Project-3A-II; Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project; Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.

Three Digital Initiatives to Streamline PDS

Context: Recently, the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has launched three digital initiatives — the Depot Darpan Portal, and digital platforms Anna Mitra, and Anna Sahayata to streamline India’s Public Distribution System (PDS).

About the Three Digital Initiatives

• Depot Darpan Initiative: 
  • Objective: Enhance transparency, efficiency, and infrastructure at food grain depots.
  • Key Features:
    • Self-assessment & Monitoring portal for depot officials.
    • Assigns a Composite Rating based on:
      • Operational parameters: occupancy, profitability, storage efficiency.
      • Infrastructure parameters: safety, sustainability, statutory compliance.
    • Uses IoT sensors, CCTV, and live analytics for real-time monitoring.
    • Targets ₹275 crore in Food Corporation of India (FCI) savings and ₹140 crore income boost in CWC depots.
    • Grading system: 60% operational, 40% infrastructure performance.
• Anna Mitra Initiatives
  • Objective: Empower field-level stakeholders in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
  • Key Features:
    • For FPS Dealers: stock view, sales reports, alerts.
    • For DFSO Officers: monitor FPS performance, manage grievances, access data.
    • For Food Inspectors: geo-tagged inspections, verify stock distribution, FPS ratings.
    • Available in Hindi & English.
    • Pilot launched in Assam, Uttarakhand, Tripura, and Punjab.
• Anna Sahayata Initiative:
  • Objective: Provide advanced, accessible grievance redressal for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
  • Key Features:
    • Utilizes WhatsApp, IVRS, and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) for filing complaints.
    • Built for accessibility, speed, and multilingual reach.
    • Pilot phase in Gujarat, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh in 5 languages.

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