NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Ayushman Bharat and Universal Health Coverage: Dominance of Private Hospitals: Of the 31,005 hospitals empanelled under AB-PMJAY, only 45% are private, yet they account for 52% of the 9.19 crore hospitalisations and receive 66% of the total ₹1.29 lakh crore treatment cost. Treatment Trends: Since 2018, 14% of treatments under AB-PMJAY have been for haemodialysis, followed by fever (4%), gastroenteritis (3%), and animal bites (3%). In 2024 25, the top specialties were General Medicine, Ophthalmology, and General Surgery. Patient Mobility: A key feature of Ayushman Bharat is portability, enabling treatment across states. Top in-migration destinations are Chandigarh (19%), Uttar Pradesh (13%), and Gujarat (11%), while states with highest out-migration are Uttar Pradesh (24%), Madhya Pradesh (17%), and Bihar (16%). ABHA number is a 14-digit ID that creates a cloud-based account for securely storing digital health records.
2. Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme: The Union Finance Minister of India announced the release of ₹3,791.1 crore to States and Union Territories under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) Scheme. About: PM-FME aims to strengthen micro food enterprises, promote ‘Vocal for Local’ products, and integrate rural entrepreneurs into the formal economy. Launched on 29 June 2020, the PM-FME Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. It was launched for a duration of 2020–21 to 2025–26 with a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore. Salient Features of the Scheme: Common Infrastructure: FPOs, Cooperatives, SHGs, and Government agencies setting up food processing units with shared facilities are eligible for a 35% credit-linked subsidy, up to ₹3 crore. Credit-Linked Subsidy: Individuals, FPOs, NGOs, Cooperatives, SHGs, and Pvt. Ltd. firms can avail a 35% subsidy, up to ₹10 lakh per unit, for upgrading or setting up new units. One District One Product (ODOP): Implements an ODOP approach to promote scale, value chain development, and marketing support- covering 713 districts in 35 States/UTs with 137 unique products. Seed Capital for Self Help Groups: Provides ₹40,000 per member, up to ₹4 lakh per SHG, as seed capital for working capital and small tools, disbursed through SHG federations. Marketing & Branding: Offers a 50% grant for branding and marketing initiatives by FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, or SPVs to promote processed food products. Capacity Building: Provides training under the Food Processing Entrepreneurship Development Programme to enhance technical and business skills of beneficiaries.
3. Northeast Monsoon: The timely onset of the northeast monsoon in October 2025 has brought much-needed relief to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, regions that rely heavily on it for both agriculture and water security. Northeast Monsoon (October to December): As the southwest monsoon (June to September) begins to fade, the northeast monsoon sets in by October. This is also called the retreating monsoon. It is shorter and less widespread but still important, especially for southern India. By October, the land starts to cool faster than the ocean. This creates a high-pressure area over the Indian subcontinent and a low-pressure area over the surrounding seas. The direction of wind flow reverses and winds blow from land to sea. These are called northeasterlies. Since these winds pass over the Bay of Bengal before reaching the southeastern coast, they pick up some moisture. As they reach Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh and parts of Sri Lanka, they provide abundant moisture for rainfall activity. This rain is crucial for regions like Tamil Nadu that do not receive much during the southwest monsoon. It supports rabi crops and replenishes reservoirs in the southern peninsula.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India-Mongolia Strategic Partnership: Defence & Security Cooperation: India launched a capacity-building programme for Mongolia’s border security forces and strengthened defence ties via training programmes and a Defence Attache at the Indian Embassy. Energy Security: The visit confirmed the USD 1.7 billion Oil Refinery Project in Mongolia, funded by an Indian Line of Credit, marking India’s largest global development partnership and pivotal for Mongolia’s energy security.Cultural Connectivity: India will send the holy relics of Lord Buddha's disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, to Mongolia, and an MoU was signed between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Arkhangai Province to boost cultural ties.
India will also send a Sanskrit teacher to the Gandan Monastery (Mongolia) and launch a project to digitize one million ancient Mongolian manuscripts. Development Cooperation & Skill Development: Both sides signed pacts on cultural exchange, immigration cooperation, disaster management, and Bogd Khan Palace (Mongolia) renovation, while India’s developmental role was highlighted via the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre of Excellence for IT and the India-Mongolia Friendship School.
2. India-Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor: About: IMEC is a strategic multi-modal connectivity initiative launched through a MoU at the G20 Summit 2023, New Delhi. It has two corridor segments Eastern Corridor (connects India to the Gulf region) and Northern Corridor (connects the Gulf region to Europe). IMEC signatories include India, US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, Germany, Italy, and the EU. It is part of the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII, 2021). The IMEC emerged in 2023 amid favourable geopolitics, supported by the Abraham Accords and improving India-UAE, Saudi Arabia, and US ties. It aims to link Israel’s Haifa port with Jordanian railways and Gulf ports. Purpose: IMEC aims to develop an integrated network of ports, railways, roads, sea lines, energy pipelines, and digital infrastructure (undersea digital cables) to enhance trade and economic cooperation between India, the Middle East, and Europe. IMEC is designed as a transparent, sustainable, and debt-free alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), ensuring infrastructure development without compromising national sovereignty. Economic & Strategic Benefits for India: IMEC reduces logistics costs by ~30% and transport time by ~40% versus the Suez Canal route, boosting export competitiveness. For India, IMEC is a strategic opportunity to diversify trade routes, reducing reliance on chokepoints like the Suez Canal. The corridor enhances access to European markets via the Mediterranean, providing an alternative to China’s BRI.
3. Sundarbans’ SAIME Model Wins FAO Global Recognition: Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) model developed by the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) in West Bengal’s Sundarbans has been conferred Global Technical Recognition by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. What is the SAIME Model? About: It is a community-based initiative in the Sundarbans, West Bengal, that aims to balance mangrove conservation with aquaculture-based livelihoods. Under this model, 5–30% of aquaculture pond areas are kept under mangrove cover, protecting the ecosystem while supporting fish and shrimp farming. Farmers use mangrove litter as natural fodder for the Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), a high-value species traditionally farmed in the region, thereby reducing dependence on chemical inputs. The approach promotes climate-adaptive aquaculture, helping farmers increase profits and strengthen coastal resilience against sea-level rise and erosion. Impact: The SAIME Model has doubled farmers’ annual net profits by cutting down on production costs. The SAIME approach is climate-adaptive, addressing the threats of sea-level rise and salinity intrusion in the deltaic Sundarbans. Mangroves integrated into ponds act as natural carbon sinks, aiding carbon sequestration and mitigating local climate impacts. By balancing economic needs with environmental responsibility, it demonstrates a scalable solution for coastal livelihood resilience. The model contributes directly to global climate goals under the FAO’s sustainable food systems and ecosystem restoration frameworks.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Tomahawk Missiles: The U.S. President has indicated that Washington may consider supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if Russia does not undertake credible measures to de-escalate the ongoing conflict. About: The Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile. It can be launched from ships and submarines for precision strikes on high-value or heavily defended targets. The missile’s low-altitude flight path and advanced guidance systems allow it to evade radar and navigate complex terrain. Propulsion: The missile fires a solid propellant at launch, then runs on a turbofan that emits minimal heat, so it’s hard to spot with infrared sensors. Guidance Systems: Uses GPS, Inertial Navigation System (INS), TERCOM (terrain mapping), and DSMAC (digital scene matching) for high precision. Modern variants allow mid-flight reprogramming, enabling real-time target adjustments or mission aborts.
2. Indigenous Military Combat Parachute System: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the indigenously developed Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) from a record altitude of 32,000 feet, marking a major milestone in indigenous defence innovation and self-reliance. Development: MCPS is developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (Agra) and Defence Bioengineering & Electromedical Laboratory (Bengaluru). High-Altitude Capability: It is the only parachute system in operational use by the Indian Armed Forces capable of functioning above 25,000 feet. Navigation Security: Integrated with Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), MCPS provides secure, interference-free operations and resilience against external jamming or denial-of-service threats. Advanced Features: Designed with a lower descent rate, superior steering control, accurate navigation, and pre-determined landing zone deployment, ensuring greater paratrooper safety and mission efficiency. Strategic Importance: MCPS enhances operational autonomy, reduces dependency on foreign systems, and ensures quicker maintenance turnaround during wartime or emergencies.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. GPS Spoofing: An Air India flight operating from Vienna to Delhi was forced to divert after a suspected GPS signal spoofing over the Middle East disrupted its navigation. The spoofing of signals caused severe degradation of the aircraft’s flight control systems, including failures in autopilot, autothrust, flight director, and autoland functions. GPS Spoofing: It is a cyberattack in which fake or counterfeit GPS signals are sent to receivers, causing them to compute incorrect position, navigation, or time information. Working Mechanism: Attackers use ground-based transmitters to broadcast strong counterfeit GPS signals that override genuine satellite signals. The GPS receiver locks onto these fake signals, producing incorrect location or time readings. Effects on Aviation: Spoofing can cause aircraft navigation systems including autopilot, flight director, and autoland, to malfunction, leading to misrouting, cockpit confusion, false warnings, and risks of entering restricted airspace or collisions. Difference from Jamming: Unlike jamming, which blocks or disrupts signals, spoofing feeds false data, making detection and response more difficult. Mitigation Measures: Robust backup navigation systems like Inertial Reference Systems (IRS) offer alternative location data during spoofing.
2. Green Crackers: The Supreme Court of India has relaxed the year-long blanket ban on fireworks in Delhi-NCR, allowing the sale and use of green crackers approved by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) during Deepavali 2025. The court called it a “test case” to balance festivals with pollution control, noting blanket bans led to smuggling and use of harmful fireworks. Green Crackers: Designed to reduce air pollution by modifying traditional formulations. They achieve this through smaller shell sizes, elimination of ash, reduced raw material use, and addition of dust suppressants. They ensure at least 30% reduction in particulate matter (PM) or 20% PM reduction plus 10% reduction in gaseous emissions (SO₂ and NO₂) compared to conventional crackers.Green crackers can be of two types:Improved Fireworks: Modified existing crackers with cleaner compositions. New Formulation Fireworks: Developed with new materials and compositions to further cut emissions.In Arjun Gopal vs Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court banned non-certified firecrackers with barium salts and allowed only PESO-approved green crackers meeting reduced-emission standards.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India-Australia Clean Energy Partnership: Australia is engaging with India at a crucial time as both nations aim to achieve ambitious renewable energy goals while reducing reliance on China for critical materials amid global supply chain vulnerabilities. Climate Change in the Indo-Pacific Region: The Indo-Pacific faces grave climate risks, averaging 10 climate disasters per month (1970–2022), with up to 89 million displaced and 80% of the population affected by 2050. Overdependence on China: China dominates critical materials, refining over 90% of rare earth elements and producing 80% of global solar modules. India relies on imports of rare earth magnets and battery materials for EVs and wind power,while Australia produces lithium, cobalt, and rare earths but lacks refining and downstream manufacturing capacity. Renewable Energy Partnership (REP): Launched in 2024, REP outlines cooperation across eight areas—solar PV technology, green hydrogen, energy storage, solar supply chains, circular economy in renewables, two-way investment, capacity building, and other shared priorities. It also introduces a Track 1.5 Dialogue to connect policymakers, industry, and research institutions for practical collaboration. Clean Energy Supply Chain: Australia provides critical minerals and regulatory stability for co-investment in refining and processing, while India offers scale, a skilled workforce, and market demand for solar, storage, and hydrogen backed by Skill India and Production Linked Initiative (PLI) schemes.
