NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Cabinet Approves Nutrient Based Subsidy Rates For Kharif Season 2025: The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilisers for fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Kharif Season, 2025 from April 1 to September 30 on Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers.The budgetary requirement for Kharif season 2025 would be Rs 37,216.15 crore, which is Rs 13000 crore more than the budgetary requirement for Rabi season 2024-25.BenefitsAvailability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidized, affordable and reasonable prices will be ensured.Rationalization of subsidy on P&K fertilizers in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilizers and inputs.Besides this, Cabinet has also given its nod to inclusion of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme.
2. Final Budget allocation for the Department of Fertilizers has increased to Rs. 1,91,836.29 crore: The final budget for the Department of Fertilizers in 2024-25 was raised from ₹1,68,130.81 crore to ₹1,91,836.29 crore, with the NBS scheme allocation increasing from ₹45,000 crore to ₹54,310 crore through Supplementary Demands for Grants.The government assesses state-wise and month-wise demand before each cropping season and allocates adequate supplies. The Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS) tracks movement, with weekly video conferences ensuring smooth distribution.In Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, extended till 2025-26, the overall outlay of Rs. 93,068.56 crores have been approved by the Government for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.Urea is provided at a fixed MRP of ₹242 per 45 kg bag, unchanged since 2018. Under the NBS scheme, P&K fertilizers receive subsidies, with companies setting MRPs under government monitoring.
3. Punjab to develop Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary for Leopard safari: The Punjab government will develop the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary as a leopard safari destination to promote eco-tourism in the state.The Punjab Government will develop the wildlife sanctuary in the Sri Anandpur Sahib as the state’s first wildlife sanctuary of the state where the tourist will view the wildlife in its natural habitat.The state government has allocated Rs 10 crore for the Nangal project in its 2025-26 budget to develop the tourist infrastructure in the region.The Jhajjar- Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a protected sanctuary by the Punjab government in 1998 under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
4. Startup Mahakumbh 2025: The Startup Mahakumbh 2025, scheduled for April 3-5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, is initiative by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA). This event aims to empower Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform to showcase their innovations and connect with industry leaders. Dharti Aaba TribePreneurs 2025 is a flagship initiative under MoTA. It marks the importance of tribal entrepreneurship in India. The event aims to encourage inclusive economic growth and self-reliance among tribal communities. It features more than 45 startups founded by ST entrepreneurs. These startups have been incubated at prestigious institutions like IIM Calcutta and IIT Bhilai.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Recent Appointment in Foreign: President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry (first female President in IOC history).CEO of Unilever -Fernando Fernandez (replace Hein Schumacher)Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Kash Patel (9th)Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence by Trump – Sriram KrishnanChairperson of United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC) – Madan B Lokur (for 4 year)
2. Recent Exercise: 23rd edition of bilateral naval exercise, Varuna 2025 between India and Franc – Arabian SeaINS Ranvir participates in Exercise Bongosagar 2025 between India and Bangladesh12th edition of Exercise KHANJAR-XII between India and Kyrgyzstan – Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan7th edition of Security Belt-2025 between Russia, China and Iran – Iranian port of Chabahar near Indian Ocean Exercise Desert Hunt 2025 between Indian Navy, Indian Army and India Air Force – Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Operation Brahma: Recently, Myanmar experienced a catastrophic earthquake that resulted in loss of life and widespread destruction. In response, India launched ‘Operation Brahma’ to provide urgent humanitarian assistance.Operation Brahma is a humanitarian mission initiated by the Indian Army. It involves the deployment of a specialised medical task force to Myanmar. The operation aims to provide immediate medical care to earthquake victims and support the local healthcare system, which has been overwhelmed.
2. Exercise INIOCHOS-25: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise INIOCHOS-25. This biennial multinational air exercise is hosted by the Hellenic Air Force in Greece. Scheduled from 31 March to 11 April 2025, the exercise aims to enhance international cooperation among air forces. It focuses on simulating modern air warfare challenges.INIOCHOS-25 serves as a platform for air forces to improve skills. It facilitates the exchange of tactical knowledge. The exercise strengthens military ties among participating nations. It prepares forces for complex air operations in realistic combat scenarios.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. SpaceX’s Fram2 Mission: Recently, SpaceX is set to launch the Fram2 mission. The mission will take astronauts directly over Earth’s polar regions. It aims to conduct a series of scientific experiments. These include the first X-ray in space and cultivating mushrooms in microgravity.Earth’s polar regions have largely been unexplored by astronauts. Previous missions, including Apollo, did not fly over these areas. Fram2 aims to fill this gap in space exploration. It will provide a unique perspective on Earth’s poles from orbit.
2. What is Semicryogenic Engine?: Recently, ISRO achieved breakthrough in space propulsion technology with the successful hot test of its Semicryogenic engine. This engine is designed to power the Semicryogenic booster stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and boasts a thrust of 2,000 kN. The test, conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, validated various critical subsystems and marked a very important step towards enhancing India’s space capabilities.The Semicryogenic engine uses Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene as propellants. These non-toxic and non-hazardous materials provide enhanced performance compared to the existing L110 liquid stage. The new engine, designated SE2000, is expected to increase the payload capacity of LVM3 from 4 tonnes to 5 tonnes in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Govt to mobilise Rs 8 lakh cr via bonds in first half of FY26. :The Centre plans to raise Rs 8 lakh crore through dated securities during April-September period of 2025-26 to fund the revenue gap.Out of gross market borrowing of Rs 14.82 lakh crore estimated for 2025-26, Rs 8 lakh crore, or 54 per cent, is planned to be borrowed in the first half (H1) through issuance of dated securities, including Rs 10,000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs).Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Budget proposed to borrow Rs 14.82 lakh crore by issuing dated securities to meet revenue shortfall in the next financial year.Fiscal deficit, the gap between the government’s total revenue and total expenditure, is estimated to be 4.4 per cent of GDP for FY26 as compared to 4.8 per cent of the GDP estimated for the current financial year. In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit is pegged at Rs 15,68,936 crore for the financial year 2025-26.To finance the fiscal deficit, the net market borrowings from dated securities are estimated at Rs 11.54 lakh crore. The balance financing is expected to come from small savings and other sources.
2. Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project: The project has received substantial financial backing from the central government. Out of the total estimated cost, Rs. 3,652.56 crore will be provided as central assistance to Bihar. This funding is crucial for the timely completion of the project and aims to alleviate water scarcity issues in the region.Once completed, the project is expected to improve agricultural productivity. It will restore irrigation supply to 1.57 lakh hectares currently served by the EKMC. Additionally, it will facilitate the diversion of approximately 2,050 million cubic metres of surplus water during the monsoon season, enhancing water availability for farming.