Weekly Brief 24-30/03/2025

1 .1 . The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme,

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

a central sector initiative by India'sMinistry of Minority Affairs, aims to foster inclusive growth and economic prosperity within the nation's six notified minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis.

 This comprehensive scheme focuses on empowering these communities through a multi-pronged approach, encompassing skill development to enhance employability and entrepreneurship, providing leadership training, and supporting education, particularly for school dropouts via open schooling.

A significant emphasis is placed on preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of these communities, notably their traditional arts and crafts, ensuring that these valuable skills are not lost and contribute to the economic well-being of the artisans.

2 .Turkey,

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with the majority of its territory located in Anatolia (Asia). Ankara serves as its capital, while Istanbul, a unique city spanning two continents, is its largest metropolis. Geographically,

Turkey is bordered by eight countries and surrounded by four seas, making it a strategically important region.

Historically, Turkey has been a cradle of civilizations, hosting ancient empires such as the Hittites, Greeks (notably Troy), and Romans (Byzantine Empire).

The Ottoman Empire, which flourished from 1299 to 1922, left a profound legacy before its dissolution after World War I.

Modern Turkey was established in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who led the Turkish War of Independence and instituted a secular republic, introducing significant reforms.

Today,

Turkey operates as a unitary presidential republic under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Its economy, ranking 19th globally by GDP (PPP), is diversified, relying on industry, agriculture, and a robust tourism sector. Key exports include automobiles, textiles, and electronics.

Culturally, Turkey is a melting pot of European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian influences, evident in its cuisine, architecture (like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque), and traditions. As a member of NATO and the G20, Turkey holds a significant geopolitical position.

However, its EU accession talks have faced challenges. Notable landmarks such as Cappadocia and Pamukkale further highlight its rich cultural and natural heritage. With a population exceeding 85 million, Turkey remains a dynamic and influential nation.

3 .Punjab's Jaspreet Kaur breaks national record in powerlifting at Khelo India Para Games in New Delhi.

4 .The Black Sea Grain Initiative,

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

facilitated by the UN and Turkey, was a vital agreement designed to mitigate the global food crisis exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

It established a safe maritime corridor for the export of grain and agricultural products from key Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which had been blockaded,

thus aiming to stabilize global food prices and ensure supply to vulnerable nations heavily reliant on Ukrainian exports.

 However, it's crucial to note that Russia has since withdrawn from this initiative, changing its current status and impacting the ongoing flow of grain.

5 .The AFC Asian Cup 2027, the 19th edition of the prestigious continental football tournament, is set to be hosted by Saudi Arabia from January 7th to February 5th, 2027. This event will feature 24 national teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), all vying for the coveted championship title. The qualification process is currently underway, with teams across Asia competing for a place in the final tournament.

Saudi Arabia's successful bid to host the 2027 Asian Cup is a significant part of the nation's Vision 2030, highlighting its commitment to developing its sports infrastructure and hosting major international events.

6.Signal app:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

 recently found itself at the center of a White House controversy after it was revealed that senior Trump administration officials were using the encrypted messaging platform to discuss sensitive military operations.

A journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to a group chat containing these discussions, exposing details about planned military strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

This accidental inclusion raised significant concerns about the security of government communications and the handling of classified information.

The incident has since sparked debates about the appropriateness of using such apps for official government business, highlighting potential security risks and prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the leak, with Elon Musk offering assistance.

7 Airfare Vigil app

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

 aims to empower Indian air passengers by providing a direct platform to report unjustified and arbitrary airfare hikes. Modeled after the Election Commission's cVIGIL app, this initiative seeks to bring greater transparency to the civil aviation sector.

Users will be able to submit complaints with real-time geo-tagging and evidence, track their submissions through a unique ID, and benefit from a time-bound resolution process. To prevent misuse, the app will include safeguards against duplicate or frivolous complaints and offer the option for anonymous submissions.

Notably, it will be integrated with "AirPrice Guardian," an AI-powered system designed to identify exploitative pricing patterns. This app, a recommendation from a Parliamentary panel, is intended to assist the DGCA in effectively monitoring and regulating airfare practices, ultimately enhancing consumer rights and ensuring a fairer aviation industry.

8.First Indigenous MRI Machine:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

India has achieved a significant milestone in its healthcare and technological advancement with the development of its first indigenous MRI machine, a 1.5 Tesla scanner set for clinical trials at AIIMS Delhi in October 2025.

Developed by SAMEER, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, this project, part of the national mission SCAN-ERA, aims to drastically reduce MRI scan costs by up to 50%, making this crucial diagnostic tool more accessible to the Indian population.

The initiative, supported by the government's PLI scheme, also seeks to diminish India's reliance on imported medical equipment and bolster the domestic medical device manufacturing sector.

 This advancement not only signifies a major leap towards self-reliance in medical technology but also promises to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability across the nation.

9 .The International Labour Organization's (ILO) recent World Social Protection Report 2024-26 reveals a significant surge in India's social security coverage, doubling from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024.

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

 This dramatic increase is largely attributed to progressive government policies that have expanded access to crucial benefits like health insurance, pensions, and employment support, alongside a more thorough accounting of existing central government social protection schemes.

This expansion signifies a broader reach of welfare benefits, enhancing economic security for vulnerable populations across India.

While the Indian government believes actual coverage is even higher, nearing 65%, and is working to consolidate state-specific data for accurate reporting,

 the ILO's findings nonetheless highlight a substantial and positive trend towards securing the nation's workforce and providing a vital safety net.

10 .A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock, devastated central Myanmar and caused significant damage in Thailand.

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

 The epicenter, located northwest of Sagaing city in Myanmar, unleashed widespread destruction, collapsing buildings and damaging historical structures like pagodas. In Bangkok, Thailand, a high-rise construction site crumbled, trapping numerous individuals.

The earthquake's impact extended beyond immediate structural damage, causing injuries, fatalities exceeding 150 across both nations, and infrastructure damage to roads and bridges. Emergency response teams are actively engaged in rescue efforts, and states of emergency have been declared in the affected regions.

Myanmar has also issued an appeal for international aid, highlighting the severity of the disaster.

 The tremors from this earthquake were felt across a broad region, reaching neighboring countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, underscoring the earthquake's widespread impact.

11.The Indian government has recently approved two significant measures:

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

a ₹22,919 crore scheme aimed at bolstering domestic electronics manufacturing and a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees.

The electronics manufacturing scheme signifies a strategic push towards "Atmanirbhar" (self-reliance), with the goal of reducing import dependence and integrating Indian companies into global value chains.

This substantial financial investment is expected to attract significant domestic and international investments, increase production output, and generate numerous employment opportunities within the sector.

Simultaneously, the 2% DA hike addresses the impact of inflation on central government employees, providing them with much-needed financial relief to maintain their purchasing power.

These actions reflect a dual focus on stimulating industrial growth in a key sector and ensuring the economic well-being of government employees amidst rising prices.

12.The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

is a regional organization established on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration, comprising seven member countries bordering the Bay of Bengal Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka (South Asia), and Myanmar and Thailand (Southeast Asia). Headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, BIMSTEC aims to enhance economic cooperation, social progress, and regional connectivity across key sectors such as trade, energy, transport, and counter-terrorism.

Initially focused on six sectors, BIMSTEC expanded to 14 areas of cooperation before streamlining them to seven priority sectors in 2022, each led by a member state: Trade & Investment (Bangladesh), Environment & Climate Change (Bhutan), Security & Energy (India), Agriculture & Food Security (Myanmar), People-to-People Contact (Nepal), Science & Technology (Sri Lanka), and Connectivity (Thailand).

The organization represents a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion and a population of 1.7 billion, making it a significant economic bloc.

BIMSTEC has strategic importance for India, aligning with its "Act East Policy" and efforts to boost development in the Northeast. However, progress has been slow, with only five summits held since 2004, and challenges such as economic disparities among members and delayed infrastructure projects persist. Key initiatives include the proposed Free Trade Area (FTA), Coastal Shipping Agreement, and energy grid interconnection.

Compared to SAARC, BIMSTEC is seen as more effective due to its economic focus and absence of India-Pakistan tensions. Recent developments include the 5th Summit (2022) in Colombo, which adopted a Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, and a new charter allowing observer members, with Indonesia showing interest.

For general knowledge exams, understanding BIMSTEC’s objectives, member states, key sectors, and strategic significance is essential.