Dr. K Kasturirangan

Context: Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman and eminent space scientist Dr. K Kasturirangan (1940-2025), passed away at the age of 84.

About K Kasturirangan

• Dr. K Kasturirangan was a respected astrophysicist specializing  in high-energy astrophysics, focusing on X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy.

Legacy and Contributions

• ISRO’s Chairman (1994-2003):
  • Commercial Operations of ISRO: ISRO leased 10 transponders of INSAT-2E satellite to INTELSAT in 1999 which resulted in the start of cable TV programmes in India.
  • Thematic Space Missions: Some examples are, EDUSAT (for tele education), INSATs/GSATs  (telemedicine and communication), RESOURCESAT (earth resources), and Chandrayaan-1 (lunar science).
  • ISRO’s main launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, were made operational.
• Committees Headed:
  • He chaired the committee that drafted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
  • The Kasturirangan Committee: He headed a High-Level Working Group in 2012 to review the Gadgil Committee report on the Western Ghats.
• Distinguished Positions: 
  • He was a member of the erstwhile Planning Commission of India from 2009-14.
  • He served as the Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
  • Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission
    • Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) in Bengaluru between 2004 and 2009.
    • Chairman of the Space Commission and Secretary to the Government of India.
    • He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009 
  • National Awards: Dr. K Kasturirangan was awarded all of the three major civilian awards from the Government of India ie,
    • The Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan

SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme

Context: Recently, in response to Pahalgam, the Indian government has announced that Pakistan nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES).

About SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme

• SVES was launched in 1992 after a decision taken at the 4th SAARC Summit in 1988 (Islamabad).
• Objective: To allow visa-free travel for selected people among SAARC countries.
• Eligibility: covers 24 categories of people including: Dignitaries, Judges of higher courts, Parliamentarians, Senior officials, Businessmen, Journalists, and Sportspersons and others.
• Key Features:
• • Visa stickers issued by individual member states.
  • Stickers valid for one year.
  • No travel restrictions to specific cities for SVES holders.

26 Rafale-M Jets

Context: India and France are set to formally announce the ₹63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets on April 28, 2025.

About India-France Rafale-M Fighter Jet Deal

• It is a government-to-government (G-to-G) agreement.

About Rafale – M Fighter Jet 

• Rafale-M stands for Rafale marine.
• It is a naval variant of Dassault Rafale fighter jet,designed for deployment on aircraft carriers. 
• Rafale-M features:
  • Uses ski-jump for takeoff.
  • Uses arrestor cables for landing.
• Need for Rafale-Ms in Indian Navy
  • Rafale-Ms will fill the fighter jet gap until India’s indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is ready.
  • Aircraft carrier in India: India operates two aircraft carriers:
    • INS Vikramaditya (Russian origin) and INS Vikrant (indigenous).
  • They will enhance the combat capability of the Indian Navy, especially for operations on aircraft carriers.

INS Surat & Exercise Aakraman

Context: INS Surat successfully tested a 70-km range surface-to-air missile, while the Indian Air Force conducted ‘Exercise Aakraman‘ showcasing Rafale jets in a central sector drill.

About INS Surat

• INS Surat is a next-generation Visakhapatnam-class stealth-guided missile destroyer.
• Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mumbai
• Project: Part of India’s prestigious Project 15B.
  • It is a programme launched in 2011 to construct four guided missile destroyers—the INS Visakhapatnam, the INS Mormugao, the INS Imphal and the INS Surat
• Key Features
  • It is a Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) that intercepts enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones up to a range of 70 km.
  • It is equipped with BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles for long-range precision strikes.
  • It has cutting-edge multi-function radar to detect, track, and engage multiple targets simultaneously.
  • INS Surat is stealth designed to reduce radar cross-section, making it difficult for enemy forces to detect.
  • These ships use a rail-less system to secure helicopters without traditional tracks. 
    • This mechanism stabilizes helicopters even in rough sea conditions.

About Exercise Aakraman

• Exercise Aakraman is a full-spectrum operational readiness drill conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to sharpen its combat capabilities and operational preparedness.
• Location: variety of terrains in Central Sector.
• Participation: The Indian Air Force, featuring premier Rafale fighter squadrons based at Ambala (Haryana) and Hashimara (West Bengal).

AI Kiran

Context: The AI Kiran initiative was officially launched recently.

About AI Kiran

• AI Kiran is a  mission-driven platform that aims to recognise, nurture and grow women leaders in AI and Machine Learning.
• Lead By: The Initiative is co-led by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Verix, and INK Women  Foundation. 
• Host: The initiative will be hosted on the Manthan Platform.
• Participants: The initiative will feature over 250 prominent women in AI in key domains including education, healthcare, sustainability, and enterprise tech
• Significance: To ensure diverse leadership to reduce algorithmic bias and build more inclusive AI systems.
• Features: 
• • Funding: A fundraising drive of $3 million is targeted with corporate, VC partners and Government organisations, via the INK Women Foundation.
  • Verification: All recognitions under AI Kiran are digitally verified using Verix’s blockchain-powered credentialing platform.
  • The program will expand to women in AI from the Indian Diaspora across the globe

Women in AI Statistics

As per a recent BCG report titled “GenAI: The Diversity Game Changer We Can’t Ignore”,

• Women account for only 33 per cent of GenAI roles at the junior level and only 19 percent at the senior level. 
• At the Head/Director level, India has 65 percent more male GenAI professionals than female

Akshvi Digital Wallet

Context: Akshvi is a unique digital disaster wallet, offering a community-driven solution to record and recover from climate disasters.

About Akshvi

• Meaning: Akshvi is  short for Aapda Kshati Vivaran (Disaster Damages Description).
• Purpose: It is a digital platform that allows disaster-affected families to self-report their economic and non-economic losses. 
• Developed by:  SEEDS India (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society).
  • SEEDS India aims to scale the initiative to one million households within a year.

Competition Commission of India

Context: Recently, Competition Commission of India had alleged Google engaged in anti-competitive practices by creating barriers for firms wanting to use or develop modified versions of Android for smart TVs.

About Competition Commission of India (CCI) 

• Establishment: Statutory body established in 2009 under the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Replaced the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) based on the recommendations of the Raghavan Committee.
• Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• Aim: To promote and sustain competition, protect consumer interests, and ensure freedom of trade in India.
• Purpose:
  • Prevent anti-competitive practices.
  • Promote and sustain market competition.
  • Protect consumer interests.
  • Ensure freedom of trade in Indian markets.
• Composition: Consists of a Chairperson and 6 Members appointed by the Central Government.
  • Members must have at least 15 years of professional experience.
  • Serve a five-year term to ensure informed decision-making in complex market cases.
• Nature: Quasi-judicial body that adjudicates cases and provides opinions to statutory authorities.
  • Its orders and directions are binding on the parties involved.

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