Nirbhaya Nisha Initiative

• The Kerala Police has announced the launch of the Nirbhaya Nisha initiative to enhance the safety of women travelling at night across the state.

About Nirbhaya Nisha initiative:

• Nirbhaya Nisha is a women’s safety initiative launched by the Kerala Police to provide immediate assistance to women travelling at night.
• It focuses on strengthening night-time policing, emergency response, and digital safety mechanisms.

Aim

• To ensure safe mobility for women during night hours.
• To provide quick police response in emergencies and deter crimes against women.

Key Features

• Emergency Helpline Support – Women can seek assistance through the 112 national emergency helpline during night hours.
• Pol-App SOS Facility – The Kerala Police Pol-App includes an SOS feature enabling instant distress alerts to the police.
• Night Safety Coverage – The initiative operates specifically between 9 PM and 5 AM.
• Enhanced Police Patrols – Increased night patrols and police presence in vulnerable areas across the state.
• Rapid Response Mechanism – Police teams are deployed to respond quickly to emergency calls from women.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)

• The U.S. has deployed THAAD batteries to West Asia to counter Iranian ballistic missile threats during the ongoing conflict, though reports suggest an AN/TPY-2 radar was recently destroyed at a base in Jordan.

About Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD):

• THAAD is a highly mobile, sophisticated missile defence system designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and limited intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase (the final stage of flight as they descend toward their target).

Developed by:

• It is a key component of the United States’ Ballistic Missile Defence System (BMDS), primarily developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Missile Defence Agency.
• Aim: The system aims to provide a layered defence shield, protecting population centers and critical infrastructure by neutralising incoming threats at high altitudes—both inside and outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

Key Features:

• Hit-to-Kill Technology: Unlike traditional systems, THAAD does not use explosive warheads; it destroys targets through pure kinetic energy by colliding with them at extremely high speeds.
• AN/TPY-2 Radar: It uses a powerful X-band radar capable of detecting, tracking, and discriminating missile threats at long ranges.
• Mobility: The system is truck-mounted, allowing it to be rapidly deployed to any global flashpoint.
• Engagement Range: It can engage targets at ranges of 150–200 kilometers and reach altitudes that bridge the gap between lower-tier systems (like the Patriot) and exo-atmospheric systems (like Aegis).

Significance:

• It fills a critical gap in the missile defence architecture, intercepting threats higher than the Patriot system but lower than the Aegis system.
• By using kinetic impact rather than an explosion, it reduces the risk of spreading debris or triggering the chemical/nuclear payloads of incoming missiles over populated areas.
• THAAD can talk to and integrate with other systems like the Aegis and Patriot (PAC-3), creating a seamless, multi-layered defensive web.

Lighting a Billion Lives 2.0  (LaBL 2.0)

• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched LaBL 2.0 (Lighting a Billion Lives 2.0) in New Delhi to expand decentralized renewable energy solutions across India.

About LaBL 2.0 (Lighting a Billion Lives 2.0):

• LaBL 2.0 is a next-generation decentralised renewable energy (DRE) programme aimed at expanding clean energy access while enabling productive rural livelihoods and climate action.
• It builds upon the earlier Lighting a Billion Lives initiative (launched in 2008) that focused on providing solar lighting solutions to off-grid communities.
• Launched By: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

Aim:

• To expand clean and decentralized renewable energy access in rural and underserved regions.
• To promote green livelihoods and women-led enterprises.
• To integrate climate finance, carbon markets, and sustainable development goals into grassroots energy projects.

Key Features:

• Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Expansion – Promotes solar and other clean energy solutions in off-grid and rural areas.
• Green Livelihoods Creation – Encourages productive use of energy for small businesses and rural enterprises.
• Women-led Entrepreneurship – Focuses on empowering women as clean energy entrepreneurs.
• Carbon Accounting & Climate Outcomes – Integrates Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) frameworks to measure climate benefits.
• Finance-ready Implementation Models – Links decentralized projects with climate finance and carbon markets to attract investment.
• Flagship Projects – Includes initiatives such as Hastinapur Model City, HUDCO Model Solar Village, GCC DRE Carbon Credit Program, and solar technology partnerships.

Significance:

• Supports India’s energy transition and Net Zero 2070 commitments.
• Strengthens rural economic development and employment through clean energy.

Karnataka Announces Ban on Social Media for Children Under-16

• Karnataka became the first Indian state to announce a complete ban on social media use for children under 16.
• Andhra Pradesh and Goa are contemplating similar restrictions on children’s access to social media.
• Federal Issue: Union List Entry 31 assigns telecommunications and the internet to the Union government, potentially overriding conflicting state bans.
• Global Precedent: Australia became the first country to enforce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16 years.

Rationale for Social Media Ban

• Algorithmic Addiction: Infinite-scrolling algorithms trigger dopamine reinforcement loops, reducing attention spans and fuelling addiction among children.
• Cyberbullying Harm: Cyberbullying on anonymous online platforms increases paediatric depression and self-harm among teenagers.
• Sleep Disruption: Late-night screen exposure disrupts children’s circadian rhythms, causing chronic sleep deprivation and impaired development.

Rationale Against Social Media Ban

• Privacy Risk: Enforcing age limits requires platforms to collect biometric and ID verification data, creating a new risk of privacy breaches and surveillance.
• Platform Accountability: Social media bans allow platforms to evade responsibility for safer algorithms, shifting digital oversight to parents and authorities.
• Digital Divide: A blanket ban unfairly punishes marginalised students who rely on free social platforms for peer-to-peer learning.

Regulatory Framework for Children’s Social Media Use

• Definition: Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, defines a child as any individual below 18 years of age.
• Consent Requirement: Section 9 requires platforms to obtain verifiable parental consent before processing minors’ personal data.
• Platform Restrictions: The Act prohibits data fiduciaries from behavioural monitoring, tracking, or targeted advertising directed at minors.
• Penalty Provision: It imposes financial penalties up to ₹200 crore on platforms that violate child data protection rules.

Seven Years of SWAYATT Initiative

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated seven years of the SWAYATT initiative, highlighting its role in promoting inclusive public procurement for underrepresented sellers.

About SWAYATT (Startups, Women and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions)

• SWAYATT is a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), launched in 2019 to democratise public procurement.
• Nodal Agency: The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under MoCI administers the initiative.
• Objective: It improves access to markets, finance, and value addition for smaller local sellers to participate in GeM procurement.
• Beneficiaries: SWAYATT targets start-ups, women entrepreneurs, youth, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
• Storefronts: Dedicated storefronts like “Womaniya” for women-led enterprises and “Startup Runway” for innovative start-ups enhance visibility for smaller sellers on GeM.

About Government e-Marketplace (GeM)

• GeM is India’s national procurement portal for common-use goods and services used by government departments, organisations, and PSUs.
• Launch: The portal was launched in 2016, replacing the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D) procurement system.
• Operator: The GeM Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the MoCI operates the platform.
• Nature: It functions as a completely cashless, paperless, and contactless e-marketplace with minimal human interface.
• Mandate: Rule 149 of the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017 mandates central ministries and departments to procure available goods and services through GeM.
• Transparency: Seller identities remain hidden until bid opening to prevent collusion.
• Registration: Any legally registered business possessing GST registration and PAN can register to sell on GeM.

TRP Reporting for TV News Channels Halted

• Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to temporarily halt TRP publication for TV news channels.

About TRP (Television Rating Point)

• Television Rating Point (TRP) is used to measure the viewership and popularity of television programmes and channels in India.
• TRP guides advertising budget allocation within the broadcasting sector, influencing programme scheduling and content strategies.
• Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) is the only authorised agency that reports and releases TRP ratings once every week.
• Measurement Method: BAR-O-meters (electronic devices) installed in TVs of selected sample households measure viewership using audio watermarking technology.
• Audio Watermarking: Broadcasters embed inaudible codes in programme audio; BAR-O-meters detect these to identify the channel being watched.
• BARC was founded in 2010 and is based in Mumbai; it comprises three industry bodies — Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF), Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA), and Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).

70th Session of Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

• Context (PIB): Union Minister for Women and Child Development will represent India at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-70) in New York.
• India will promote women-led development and outcomes of Global South cooperation initiatives like the IBSA (India–Brazil–South Africa) Fund.
• The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is holding its annual session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, bringing together governments, UN agencies, and civil society to review global progress on gender equality.

About The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW):

• The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.
• It operates as a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and serves as the largest annual UN forum on women’s rights and gender equality.

Established in:

• 1946, through ECOSOC Resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946.
• Its secretariat support is provided by UN Women, the UN entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Aim:

• To promote gender equality and protect the rights of women and girls worldwide.
• To develop international policy frameworks and recommendations that advance women’s empowerment in political, economic, and social spheres.

Key Functions

• Policy Formulation – Develops global policy recommendations and agreed conclusions to promote gender equality.
• Monitoring Implementation – Reviews progress in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) and other gender commitments.
• Standard Setting – Contributes to international norms such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
• Global Dialogue Platform – Provides a forum for member states, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society to discuss gender equality issues.
• Mainstreaming Gender Perspective – Integrates gender considerations into broader UN programmes and policies.

Significance:

• Acts as the central UN platform for advancing women’s rights globally.
• Helps shape international legal and policy frameworks on gender equality.

Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)

• The United States reportedly used the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the first time in combat during strikes on Iran amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

About Precision Strike Missile (PrSM):

• The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a long-range, surface-to-surface precision-guided missile designed for deep-strike operations against enemy targets such as air defenses, command centers, and logistics hubs.
• It is intended to replace the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) used by the United States.
• Developed by: Lockheed Martin (USA) for the United States Army as part of its modernization of long-range strike capabilities.

Aim:

• To provide the US Army with enhanced long-range precision strike capability.
• To improve the range, accuracy, and firepower of ground-based missile systems while maintaining compatibility with existing launch platforms.

Key Features

• Long Range Capability – Can strike targets from about 60 km to over 499 km, significantly farther than ATACMS (~300 km).
• Launcher Compatibility – Can be launched from M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
• Higher Firepower – A launcher can carry two PrSM missiles per pod, compared to only one ATACMS missile, effectively doubling strike capacity.
• Precision Targeting – Uses advanced guidance systems for accurate strikes on strategic targets.
• Open Systems Architecture – Modular design allowing easier upgrades and integration of new technologies.
• Insensitive Munitions (IM) Warhead – Uses safer explosives that reduce the risk of accidental detonation during handling or transport.

Significance

• Represents the next generation of US long-range missile systems following the US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty (2019).
• Enhances the deep-strike capability of HIMARS and MLRS platforms, widely used in modern conflicts.

The Blue Book

• A controversy arose after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers were absent during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Bagdogra Airport, triggering allegations of a protocol breach.

About The Blue Book:

• The Blue Book is a confidential protocol and security manual issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• It lays down detailed procedures for the reception, security, and logistics during visits of the President, Vice-President, and Prime Minister within India.

Origin:

• Prepared and periodically updated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Copies are circulated to relevant authorities and maintained at the district level by the District Magistrate and the district police chief.

Aim:

• To ensure uniform protocol, security arrangements, and administrative coordination during visits of high constitutional dignitaries.
• To maintain dignity, security, and smooth conduct of official engagements of the President, Vice-President, and Prime Minister.

Key Features:

• Reception Protocol – The visiting dignitary is typically received and seen off by the Governor and Chief Minister, or a designated minister if the CM is unavailable.
• Security Arrangements – Mandates high-level multi-layered security coordination involving district administration and police authorities.
• Advance Approval of Protocol Lists – The list of officials who will receive or meet the dignitary must be approved by the respective secretariats (President, VP, PM) beforehand.
• Logistical Guidelines – Covers arrangements related to transport, venue security, routes, crowd management, and emergency preparedness.
• Table of Precedence – Recognizes the President as Rank 1, followed by the Vice-President and Prime Minister, reflecting the constitutional hierarchy.

Recent Violations / Controversy

• During President Droupadi Murmu’s March 2026 visit to West Bengal, neither the Chief Minister nor a nominated minister was present to receive her.
• This deviation from convention triggered political criticism and a request for explanation from the central government.

Implications:

• Raises concerns about adherence to constitutional conventions and federal protocol norms.
• Highlights the importance of coordination between state governments and the Union in maintaining institutional dignity.

Upemba National Park

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) condemned an armed attack on Upemba National Park headquarters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

About Upemba National Park:

• Upemba National Park is one of Africa’s oldest national parks and an important biodiversity hotspot in the Congo Basin ecosystem.
• It was established by royal decree in May 1939 and plays a key role in protecting wildlife and freshwater ecosystems in Central Africa.
• Located in: Southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The park spans across three provinces:

1. Lualaba
2. Haut-Katanga
3. Haut-Lomami

• Neighbouring Protected Areas: The park lies close to Kundelungu National Park, with the Lubudi–Sampwe hunting reserve acting as an ecological corridor between them.

Key Features

• Large Protected Area – Covers around 12,752 km², including a core conservation zone and annex areas.
• Unique Biogeographic Location – Situated at the intersection of the Zambezian and Guinean biogeographic regions, resulting in high biodiversity.
• Diverse Landscapes – Includes savanna valleys, high plateaus with gallery forests, and the Kamalondo Depression wetlands.
• Important Freshwater Ecosystem – Contains over 80 interconnected lakes, including Lake Upemba, rich in endemic fish species.
• Source of Major Rivers – Hosts the headwaters of several rivers including the Lualaba River, which forms the upper course of the Congo River.
• Wildlife Habitat – Provides refuge for species such as savanna elephants, zebras, Katanga buffalo, and other endemic fauna.

Significance:

• A key conservation area in the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest.
• Supports endangered wildlife and unique freshwater ecosystems.

ASMITA Athletics League

• Raksha Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, launched the nationwide ASMITA Athletics League across 250 locations in India.
• Organised By: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the ASMITA programme (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action), linked with the Khelo India initiative.
• Objective: Increase women’s participation in sports and grassroots competitions.
• Identify talent from rural, tribal, & school levels for future national and international competitions.
• Occasion: Conducted nationwide on 8 March (International Women’s Day) to promote women’s participation in sports.
• Participation: Around 2 lakh girls and women participated in the one-day nationwide athletics competitions.
• Age categories: Competitions were held for Under-13, 13–18 years, and 18+ age groups.

ASMITA Initiative (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action)

• Launch: ASMITA Initiative was launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote women’s participation in sports across India.
• It was formerly known as the Khelo India Women’s League.
• Objective: To increase participation of girls and women in sports at grassroots levels and to identify and nurture sporting talent from rural, tribal and school backgrounds.
• Implementation: Implemented through sports leagues and conducted with support from the Sports Authority of India, national sports federations and state sports bodies.
• Participation: Around 2,600 ASMITA leagues have been organised across 33 sports disciplines amnd saw participation of nearly 3 lakh women athletes.
• Significance: Encourages gender inclusion in sports and builds a strong grassroots sports ecosystem.

Three Seas Initiative (3SI)

• Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs met Croatia’s Special Envoy for the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) to discuss trade and investment.
• The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is a regional forum comprising 13 European Union member states located between the Baltic Sea, Adriatic Sea, and Black Sea.
• It was launched in 2016 by Poland and Croatia during the Dubrovnik Summit.
• Objective: Improve north–south connectivity for economic development in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Members: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
• India’s Interest: India views it as a northern extension of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to secure trade and supply chain resilience.
• Baltic Sea: It is a branch of the North Atlantic Ocean in Northern Europe, bordered by several NATO member countries.
• Adriatic Sea: It is the northern arm of the Mediterranean Sea, separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan Peninsula.
• Black Sea: It is a large inland sea at Europe’s southeastern edge, connecting Europe with Western Asia.

State of India’s Environment 2026 Report

• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has released its annual State of India’s Environment 2026 report.
• CSE is a non-government organisation working on environmental and sustainable development issues in India.
• Established in 1980, it is headquartered in New Delhi.

About the State of India’s Environment 2026 Report

• Publisher: Published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) annually since 1982.
• Objective: To provide a comprehensive assessment of India’s environmental status and highlight emerging ecological and climate challenges.
• Coverage: Covers issues such as climate change, extreme weather events, biodiversity, pollution, disasters, and environmental governance.
• Significance: Serves as an important reference for policymakers, researchers, and civil society to support sustainable development and environmental planning.

Key Highlights of the State of India’s Environment 2026 Report

• Extreme Weather Events: 2025 experienced extreme weather on 99% of days, the highest in the past four years.
• Events included heatwaves, cold waves, heavy rainfall and floods, showing the growing impact of climate change.
• Human and Agricultural Losses: Extreme weather caused 4,419 deaths in 2025.
• Around 17.41 million hectares of crop area were affected, indicating rising climate risks for agriculture.
• Regional Vulnerability: Himachal Pradesh recorded the highest number of extreme weather days.
• Other highly affected states include Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
• Rising Flood Risks: Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of floods.
• The report calls for a shift from post-disaster relief to pre-disaster resilience planning.
• Nature-Based Solutions: Emphasis on wetland restoration, reconnecting rivers with floodplains, groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, and lake restoration to improve climate resilience.
• Human–Tiger Conflict: Increasing tiger attacks on humans due to habitat pressure and human expansion near forests.
• About 60 million people live within tiger landscapes across 20 states.
• Air Pollution Monitoring: Only 15% of India’s population lives within 10 km of an air-quality monitoring station.
• 85% of people remain outside measurable monitoring zones, especially in small towns and industrial belts.
• Urgent Climate Action: The report warns that global warming may breach the 1.5°C threshold, highlighting the urgency of stronger climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Two New Fruit Fly Species Discovered from Himachal Pradesh

• Entomologists identified two new fruit fly species, Acidoxantha paratotoflava and Hemilea suneriae, in the Himalayan foothills of the Solan region, Himachal Pradesh.
• Sampling Tool: Researchers used Solan Bait – a patented female-attractant developed to lure elusive fruit flies.
• First Record: The fruit-crop pest genus Rhagoletis was recorded in India for the first time
• Breakthrough: Scientists captured the male of the Euphranta nigripeda fruit fly, resolving a century-old mystery as only the female had been identified earlier.

Acidoxantha paratotoflava

• Appearance: It is a medium-sized fruit fly with a greenish-yellow body.
• Markings: Its thorax has four black stripes, and the abdomen displays large black spots.
• Unique Trait: Males possess distinctive hook-like anatomical structures

Hemilea suneriae

• Appearance: It is a reddish-brown fruit fly marked by numerous black dots across its body.
• Wing Pattern: It has a single clear patch within a dark wing region, unlike its closest relatives with two such patches.

Low Temperature Thermal Desalination

• Union Minister for Earth Science reviewed the functioning of the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
• LTTD is a desalination technology that converts seawater into potable water using the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep-sea water.
• Developed By: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Scientific Principle: Based on the principle of evaporation at low pressure.
• Warm surface seawater evaporates under a vacuum, and the vapour is condensed using cold deep-sea water, producing fresh water.
• Temperature Gradient: Requires a temperature difference of about 15–20°C between warm surface water and cold deep water.
• Energy Efficient: Uses natural ocean temperature differences, so it requires very little external energy, making it suitable for islands and coastal regions.
• The first LTTD plant was commissioned in 2005 at Kavaratti, and later expanded to other islands.

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)

• NIOT is an autonomous research institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, established in 1993 and headquartered in Chennai.
• Mandate: Develop indigenous ocean technologies for exploration, resource utilisation, and ocean observation.
• NIOT also plays a key role in implementing technologies under India’s Deep Ocean Mission.

Dark Oxygen Discovery in the Pacific Ocean

• A study published in the journal Nature Geoscience reported the presence of “dark oxygen” on the Pacific Ocean seafloor.
• Dark oxygen refers to oxygen produced in deep-sea environments without sunlight, unlike conventional oxygen generated through photosynthesis.
• Discovery: Identified during deep-sea research in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
• Associated Feature: Found near polymetallic nodules, mineral-rich deposits containing metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
• Possible Mechanism: Nodules may trigger electrochemical reactions that split seawater into hydrogen and oxygen even in complete darkness.
• Significance: Challenges the traditional view that oxygen production requires sunlight and has implications for deep-sea ecology and the search for life beyond Earth.

Clarion–Clipperton Zone

• Location: A vast deep-sea region in the central Pacific Ocean, lying between Hawaii and Mexico.
• Rich in Polymetallic Nodules: Contains large deposits of polymetallic nodules rich in metals like nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper, making it a major target for deep-sea mining.
• Ecological Importance: Home to unique deep-sea ecosystems and biodiversity; the area is regulated for exploration by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

Denmark Eliminates Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis

• World Health Organisation (WHO) certified Denmark as the first European Union country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and syphilis.
• Denmark’s success strengthens global efforts towards WHO’s target of triple elimination (HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B) by 2030.
• Certification Criteria: Requires MTCT rates below 50 per 100,000 live births and over 95% of pregnant women tested and treated.
• Global Status: Over 20 countries have received this certification, with Cuba being the first.
• Maldives was the first country to achieve “triple elimination” of MTCT in 2025.

About HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

• HIV is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system, specifically T-lymphocytes (white blood cells).
• It causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which has no cure; Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) reduces viral load and prevents transmission.
• Transmission: HIV spreads through infected bodily fluids—blood, semen, vaginal or rectal fluids, breast milk—via sexual contact, contaminated needles, transfusion, or childbirth.
• India’s Burden: India has the second-largest HIV population after South Africa, with the highest prevalence in Mizoram and Nagaland.

About Syphilis

• Syphilis is a contagious but curable bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum.
• Transmission: Mainly through sexual contact, but it can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth, causing congenital syphilis.
• Congenital syphilis can cause neonatal deaths, stillbirth, deafness and developmental delays.
• Symptoms: Primary stage shows painless sores; secondary stage causes skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes. If untreated, it can damage the brain, nerves, eyes, and heart.
• Treatment: Injection of Benzathine Penicillin-G is the standard and effective treatment.
• India’s Initiative: National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) Phase-V (2021–2026) integrates HIV and syphilis control, targeting their dual elimination by 2030.

Janaushadhi Diwas to raise awareness about Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

• PMBJP was launched in 2008 as ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’ to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the public.
• It was revamped as PMBJP in 2015.
• Nodal Agency: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
• Implementation Agency:  The Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India.

Initiatives under PMBJP

• Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin: Provides oxo-biodegradable sanitary pads at ₹1 per pad to improve affordable menstrual hygiene for women.
• Jan Aushadhi Sugam Mobile App: A digital platform that helps citizens locate nearby Kendras, check medicine availability, and compare prices.
• Expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAK): Franchise-based expansion to increase the number of Kendras and improve access to affordable medicines nationwide.
• Cooperative Sector Participation : Utilises the rural network of cooperatives to improve last-mile access to affordable medicines.
• JAKs at Railway Stations: To provide affordable medicines to travellers and migrant workers.

Major Achievements

• Wide Network Expansion: Over 18,000 JAKs established across India, including rural and remote areas.
• Huge Public Savings: By June 2025, medicines worth ₹7,700 crore sold, generating ₹38,000 crore savings for citizens.
• Large Medicine Basket: Availability of 2,000+ medicines and 300+ surgical items covering multiple therapeutic categories.

International Women’s Day and India’s focus on Women-led Development

• Theme for International Women’s Day 2026:  “Rights. Justice. Action For ALL Women and Girls.”
• India’s development approach has evolved from development for women to women-led development, recognising women as drivers of economic and social progress.

Steps taken for Women Led Development in India:

• Gender-responsive public investment: FY26 features India''s highest-ever gender budget at ₹5.01 lakh crore (9.37% of the Union Budget).

Women building rural economies:

• Lakhpati Didi: Over 3 crore rural women are actively progressing toward building sustainable, high-income livelihoods
• NaMo Drone Didi Yojana: Provides agricultural drones to 15,000 SHGs with an 80% subsidy, integrating women into the tech ecosystem.

Finance fuelling entrepreneurship

• Financial Inclusion: Women comprise 68% of the PM MUDRA loan beneficiaries and hold 56% of all Jan Dhan accounts.
• Stand-Up India: Supported over 2 lakh women entrepreneurs in launching greenfield enterprises.
• Start-Up India: Has supported over 75,000 women-led startups.

Skills, Innovation, & Leadership

• Skilling Programs: Women make up nearly 45% of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana trainees.
• Social Justice & Empowerment: Abolition of Triple Talaq criminalizes instant divorce, ensuring dignity, equality for Muslim women.

Santiniketan

• Spring festival (Basant Utsav) was recently celebrated in Bengal, a tradition first started by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan.

About Santiniketan

• Established in 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore located in West Bengal.
• The site was established as an ashram and given its name in 1863 by Tagore’s father, Debendranath Tagore.
• It was a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions.
• In 1921, a ‘world university’ was established at Santiniketan, later recognised as ‘Visva Bharati’.
• It was recognized by UNESCO as India''s 41st World Heritage Site in 2023.
• Recent World Heritage Sites in India: Moidams – Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (2024); Maratha Military Landscapes (2025).