May Flashcards
(94 cards)
the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) issued comprehensive guidelines for establishing _______ under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).
- The initiative is aimed at promoting chemical-free natural farming by enabling cluster-level enterprises to support the local production and distribution of natural farming inputs
Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs)
Financial Support & Implementation:
i. A financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh will be provided for each BRC, disbursed in two equal tranches of Rs 50,000.
ii. The cost of bio-inputs produced and sold at the BRCs must be affordable, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
iii. BRCs may converge with other schemes such as:
* Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
* National Mission on Edible Oilseeds
About Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs):
i. BRCs are envisioned as cluster-level enterprises to ensure the availability, affordability, and accessibility of natural farming inputs such as bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic formulations.
ii. These centres will also function as knowledge hubs for farmers transitioning to natural/organic farming, especially those unable to produce inputs individually.
iii. These centres will provide training, demonstrations, and guidance on the preparation, dosage, and application of bio-inputs suitable for local soil, crop patterns, and land-use systems.
iv. The initiative, announced by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) in the Union Budget 2024-25, plans to set up _______ BRCs.
10,000
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based CareEdge Ratings (formerly CARE Ratings Ltd) released its second edition of it’s state rankings, _______ has emerged as the best in overall composite rankings with a score of 56.5, followed by Gujarat (52.4) and Karnataka (51.9).
- Western and southern states dominated the top five rankings. Western states ranked high on fiscal and economic parameters, while southern states stood out across governance, environment and social outcomes.
- Goa topped the ranking in the North-East, Hilly & Small states (Group B) category with a score of 62.1.
Maharashtra
About CareEdge state rankings :
i. This is a quantitative assessment of states’ potential in terms of sustainable and equitable growth and is also a reflection of the investment attractiveness of these states. The first edition of the report was released in 2023.
ii. It evaluates Indian states across 7 pillars: Economic, Fiscal, Infrastructure, Financial Development, Social, Governance and Environment – together capturing 50 indicators.
iii. The 2025 methodology incorporates a longer normalisation period for better comparability across periods going forward.
under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), _______ has raised Rs.150 crore through India’s first certified Green Municipal Bond (GMB).
- The funds are allocated for constructing a 40 Million Liters per Day (MLD) Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP) in _______.
- The bonds were issued with an annual coupon rate of 8.1% and are listed on the BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) Bond platform.
Note: A Green Municipal Bond (GMB) is a fixed-income financial instrument issued by municipal entities such as city or local governments to raise capital specifically for financing projects that deliver environmental benefits.
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) (Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation) in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP) ;
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad ;
_______ became the first state in India to implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Real-Time Forest Alert System to monitor forest encroachments and tree felling.
i. The system utilizes satellite imagery, machine learning, and field feedback to detect changes within forest areas as small as 10×10 meters (m).
ii. It integrates satellite data from Google Earth Engine, AI algorithms, and ground feedback into a unified platform.
iii. It can identify activities such as crop sowing, construction, and land-use changes.
iv. Upon detection, immediate alerts are sent to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), who then directs beat guards for on-site verification.
v. The system was conceptualized and coded by Akshay Rathore, DFO of Guna, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee (Uttarakhand) and supported by Aseem Shrivastava, the Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Indian Forest Service (IFS) and S. Annigeri, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF- IT) in MP
Madhya Pradesh (MP)
- The pilot project is launched in 5 districts of MP, namely Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Burhanpur, and Khandwa, and will expand statewide from 7th June 2025.
the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based _______, a prominent ride-hailing service provider, to enhance employment opportunities in the logistics sector through the National Career Service (NCS) portal in New Delhi, Delhi
Rapido Private Limited
The Liberal Party, led by Canada Prime Minister (PM), _______ won Canada’s federal election against Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party.
- He was the 24th Prime Minister of Canada.
- The Liberal Party is elected to power for the fourth consecutive time.
Mark Carney
- Mark Carney, sworn in as the first unelected PM of Canada in March 2025 after the resignation of former PM Justin Trudeau.
_______, leader of the United National Congress (UNC), was elected as the 9th Prime Minister (PM) of Trinidad and Tobago for five years, marking her second term in office from April 30, 2025
Kamla Susheila Persad-Bissessar (commonly referred to as KPB)
the Indian Armed Forces underwent significant leadership changes across the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), and the Indian Army’s Northern Command. These changes will be effective from ______
1.Indian Air Force (IAF): New Vice Chief: Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari assumed the role of 49th Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on 1st May 2025, succeeding Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar, who retired on 30th April 2025 after a 40-year career.
- Integrated Defence Staff (IDS): New Chief: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), on 1st May 2025, replacing Lieutenant General Johnson P Matthew, who retired on April 30, 2025.
- Indian Army – Northern Command: New Commander: Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma was appointed as the General Officer Commandingin-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Northern Command in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). He succeeded Lieutenant General MV Suchendra Kumar, who retired on April 30, 2025.
1st May, 2025.
Rajasthan Royals’ (RR’s) _______ has became the youngest player to score century (100 runs) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history, reaching the mark in just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT) during IPL 2025 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
- He surpassed the previous record held by RR’s Riyan Parag (17 years, 175 days), and RR’s Sanju Samson ranks third on the list (18 years, 169 days).
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (14 year old)
the Kuwait City (Kuwait) based Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Japan-based Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC), officially confirmed the inclusion of Cricket and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the _______, during the 41st AINAGOC Board meeting at Nagoya City Hall, Japan.
- The event is scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
2026 Asian Games
April 30
- Ayushman Bharat Diwas is annually observed across India on 30th April as part of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan to raise awareness about the objectives of Ayushman Bharat, a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GoI). The objective of this day is to raise awareness about the significance of maintaining good health and to inform citizens about the benefits available under the government’s free healthcare initiatives.
- The United Nations (UN)’s International Jazz Day is observed annually on 30 April to highlight the role of jazz in uniting people worldwide. This International Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about the art of jazz, its roots, its future and its impact.
April 24 to 30
World Immunization Week (WIW) was observed annually across the globe in the last week of April, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the critical role of vaccines in preventing diseases and saving lives. World Immunization Week 2025 was observed from April 24 to 30, 2025. The theme for WIW 2025 is “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible.” It emphasizes the collective responsibility to ensure equitable access to vaccines for individuals of all ages, regardless of geographic or socioeconomic barriers.
the Maharashtra State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, approved the ‘Shipbuilding, Ship Repair and Ship Recycling Policy 2025’, making Maharashtra the first state in India to introduce a dedicated policy in the maritime manufacturing sector. This initiative aligns with the Union Government’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aimed at positioning India among the top five countries in global shipbuilding by 2047.
Objectives of the Policy:
The policy focuses on transforming Maharashtra into a maritime hub through:
i. Investment of Rs ______ by 2030, with a target of generating 40,000 jobs by then.
ii. Investment of Rs 18,000 crore by 2047, with a target of 3.3 lakh jobs in the maritime sector.
iii. Contributing to one-third of India’s shipbuilding targets by 2030.
6,600 crore
the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched a new version of its flagship programme, _______, to access faster services under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).The platform developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) went live from
April 28, 2025.
Health Management Information System (HMIS)
- Besides HMIS, the ministry has re-launched CGHS mobile application (app) for Android and iOS (formerly iPhone Operating System) with upgraded interface and digital services.
About the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS):
i. CGHS was introduced in 1954 by the MoHFW to provide comprehensive medical care to the Central Government employees and pensioners. It caters to the needs of eligible beneficiaries covering the four pillars of democratic set up in India namely Legislature, Judiciary, Executive and Press.
ii. It covers a range of medical services for its beneficiaries, including outpatient and inpatient treatment, specialist.
iii. CGHS provides healthcare through the following systems of medicine: Allopathic, Homeopathic, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Yoga.
iv. CGHS is unique of its kind due to the large volume of beneficiary base, covering approximately 42 lakh beneficiaries in 80 cities across India, aiming to include more cities to improve the accessibility of the services.
as per the Survey of India (SoI) data, India’s coastline length was officially updated to ______, increasing by 3,537.21 km or nearly 50% from the earlier figure of 7,516.60 km recorded since the 1970s.
- This revision follows a multi-year scientific review led by the Dehradun (Uttarakhand) based National Hydrographic Organisation (NHO) in coordination with SoI. According to the updated measurements, Gujarat has the longest coastline among states, while Goa has the shortest. Among union territories (UTs), Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands has the longest, and Puducherry the shortest.
11,098.81 kilometers (km)
the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India (GoI), constituted a High-Level Committee under the chairmanship of _______, to oversee national disaster preparedness and response mechanisms under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- The committee was formed under sub-section (2) of Section 8B of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Act No. 53 of 2005).
Union Minister Amit Shah, MHA
Jishnu Dev Varma, Governor of Telangana, inaugurated ______, the world’s first energy transmission garden at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture (MoC) and was launched as part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Pujya Babuji Maharaj, the founder of the Sahaj Marg meditation system
Babuji Vanam
Key Features of Babuji Vanam:
i. The garden encompasses 40 species of medicinal trees, including Neem, Red Sandalwood, Tulsi, and Tropical Almond, selected for their spiritual and healing properties.
ii. Designed to radiate Pranahuti (yogic transmission), the garden features acupressure pathways, percolation pits, and sloped landscapes to facilitate rainwater harvesting and promote ecological sustainability.
iii. A central water body symbolizes the origin of creation, while a biodiversity patch attracts native fauna and birds.
iv. A cow pen is integrated to foster children’s connection with nature, reflecting Babuji’s affinity for cows.
India has achieved a significant milestone in medical science by conducting its first human gene therapy trial for haemophilia, which was conducted through a collaboration between Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based _______ and Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, Vellore (Tamil Nadu, TN).
Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council’s (BRIC’s) Institute for Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (BRIC-inStem)
UNESCO Global Geoparks Council (UGGp), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added 16 new sites across 11 countries to its _______.
- North Korea recorded its historic first with the inclusion of its site, Mt Paektu, Saudi Arabia has made its debut with North Riyadh and Salma.
- India does not have featured site in the list.
Global Geoparks Network (GGN)
- The UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, announced the list during its 10th anniversary.
- With the new entries, the Geopark network consists of 229 sites across 50 countries. The Network now comprises 229 sites across 50 countries, collectively spanning nearly 855,000 square kilometers
- UNESCO Geoparks are the model for the conservation of Heritage. They also support educational projects, promote sustainable tourism.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Forbes India, in collaboration with France based L’Oréal Paris, unveiled its annual W-Power 2025 list, honoring 20 exceptional self-made women who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and resilience across various sectors, including business, finance, sports, entertainment, and public service.
- The honorees included Dr. Gita Gopinath, Manu Bhaker, and Payal Kapadia, among others, recognized for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to building meaningful legacies.
This initiative, launched in ______, aims to spotlight women who have carved their paths to success, serving as inspirations for future generations.
2017
Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B) has announced the entry of its film _______ to 78th Festival De Cannes.
- The film has been selected for the prestigious La Cinef section, which showcases works by film school students across the world.
“A Doll Made Up of Clay”
i. The movie has been written and directed by KokobGebrehweria Tesfay, an Ethiopian student under the Indian Council of Cultural Research (ICCR) at SRFTI and produced by Sahil Manoj Ingle.
ii. The movie features a 23-year-old Nigerian Footballer, Ahmed, who originally came to play seven-a-side games in the city and somehow, he ended up as an actor.
iii. The 23-minute experimental film, was made as a part of an academic project for the Department of Producing for Film and Television, SRFTI. The movie has a mix of Yoruba and Bengali languages.
Note: SRFTI, established in 1995, is an autonomous premier institution dedicated to film and television education in India. Named after the renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray, it is located in Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)
______-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the ‘Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Nature Restoration (AIM4NatuRe) initiative’ to enhance global monitoring of ecosystem restoration across forests, wetlands, grasslands, marine ecosystems, and degraded farmlands.
- This four year (2025-28) initiative was launched with 7 million Great British Pounds (GBP) or approximately USD 9.38 million support from the United Kingdom (UK).
- Initial pilot projects will begin in Brazil and Peru in collaboration with FAO’s Indigenous Peoples Unit to integrate traditional knowledge and biocentric practices.
Rome, Italy
i. Builds upon FAO’s AIM4Forests by utilizing advanced tools such as the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) to enhance restoration monitoring and reporting efforts.
ii. This initiative directly supports Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
iii. Addresses data gaps highlighted by a Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) survey, where 80% of countries lack the technical skills to track restoration.
the Government of India (GoI) reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), appointing _______, former Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), as its new Chairman. This strategic move aims to bolster national security advisory mechanisms in light of recent security challenges.
Alok Joshi