India hosts inaugural Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics on combating terrorism financing

• The Department of Revenue (DoR), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), successfully organised the first-ever Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics (CARs) on ‘Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) through Cryptocurrencies, Crowdfunding, and Non-Profit Organisations’. The two-day programme was held on 21^st-22^nd April, 2025.
• Bringing together senior experts from five Central Asian countries — Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan — the programme served as a platform for knowledge exchange and regional cooperation in tackling terrorism financing. Participants benefited from a series of sessions led by Indian authorities, including representatives from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Cell of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND). Additionally, an expert from the Eurasian Group (EAG), a FATF-style regional body (FSRB), contributed valuable insights on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) standards, with a focus on the non-profit and virtual asset sectors.
• Customised to the specific needs of the Central Asian region, the programme aimed to build technical capacity and deepen understanding of emerging terrorism financing risks. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and the sharing of operational best practices, the initiative fostered a collaborative approach to addressing key challenges.
• Technical sessions explored a broad range of issues, including the use of financial intelligence in terrorism-related investigations, the growing threat posed by the misuse of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), and the exploitation of crowdfunding platforms. Additional discussions covered the financing of radicalization and the abuse of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) for terrorist purposes.
• This initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening regional cooperation and resilience against terrorism financing, reflecting India’s commitment to global counterterrorism efforts

Relief to Tobacco Farmers: Government Notifies 3-Year Validity for Grower Registrations and Barn Licenses

• Government of India has decided to renew the Certificate of Registration as Virginia tobacco grower and License for operation of a barn to 3 years instead of 1 year as a part of ease of doing business, in order to reduce the burden of mandatory yearly renewal of Certificate of Registration as Virginia tobacco grower and license for operation of a barn. This means, the registrations / licenses will be valid for 3 years instead of the existing practice of renewing every year.
• To facilitate the growers to renew this registration / licenses once in 3 years, the Government of India has amended the sub-rule(5), (6) and (7) of rule 33 and sub-rule (2) and (3) of rule 34N, of Tobacco Board Rules, 1976.  The amendment to the aforementioned Tobacco Board Rules, 1976 was published in the Gazette of India by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India.The same will be effective from 2025-26 crop season in Andhra Pradesh.
• This amendment of increasing the periodicity from one to three years will be greatly helpful to around 83,500 farmers covering around 91,000 barns in renewing their registrations/licenses across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha states.
• Virginia tobacco is being regulated in India by an Act of Parliament i.e., Tobacco Board Act, 1975 and the rules notified there under.  As per the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 and Rules notified thereunder, every grower intending to take up cultivation of Virginia tobacco has to obtain certificate of registration as a grower and a license for operation of a barn.  Accordingly, the Tobacco Board is facilitating the registration / licensing on an annual basis. 
• India is 2^nd largest producer and 4^th largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco in the World (in value terms during 2023) and generating to the Indian exchequer. 
•   During 2024-25 Financial Year, Tobacco exports contributed 1979 US million dollars (Rs.16,728 Crores) to the Indian exchequer.

Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Visits Nepal to Strengthen India-Nepal Energy Cooperation

• Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, undertook a significant visit to Nepal today, marking a new chapter in India-Nepal energy cooperation.
• Accompanied by Nepal’s Minister of Energy, Water Resources & Irrigation, Shri Dipak Khadka, and senior officials from both nations, the Union Minister reviewed key bilateral energy initiatives aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and sustainable power development.
• During his visit to the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project in Nepal’s Sankhuwasabha district, Shri Manohar Lal reviewed the progress of this landmark project being developed by SJVN Limited, a leading Indian public sector enterprise.
• The Arun-3 project stands as a symbol of robust India-Nepal partnership in the hydropower sector. On this occasion, Shri Manohar Lal inaugurated the commencement of electromechanical works at the powerhouse site, a critical milestone towards the project’s timely completion.
• Later in Kathmandu, in the august presence of Shri Manohar Lal and Shri Dipak Khadka, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between POWERGRID, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) of India, and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). This MoU paves the way for the incorporation of two joint venture companies—one in India and one in Nepal—to implement high-capacity cross-border transmission infrastructure.
• The proposed projects include the development of the 400 kV Inaruwa (Nepal)–New Purnea (India) and 400 kV Dododhara (Nepal)–Bareilly (India) double-circuit transmission systems.
• These critical transmission links will significantly boost power exchange capabilities between the two countries, fostering energy security, grid stability, and economic growth across the region.

A DST institute, NECTAR showcases Innovative Aerostatic Drone for Enhanced Surveillance and Disaster Management

·         Forest surveillance, wildlife monitoring, border and disaster surveillance in the North East, may soon be much easier -- thanks to the Aerostatic Drone developed with support from North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR).

·         NECTAR, an autonomous body under Department of Science and Technology, Government of India organized a live demonstration of the technology developed by Airbotix Technologies, Gurgaon.

·         It is the first of its kind in India, designed with high endurance and aero-statically stable capabilities to deploy for forest surveillance, wildlife monitoring, border and disaster surveillance application. Aerostatic drones are aerial platforms that derive their lift from both buoyancy and aerodynamics.

·         This makes them very energy efficient making them a better alternative for tethered drones. Aerostatic drones are silent as they do not require constant thrust to stay afloat, making them cost-effective and versatile solution for providing persistent surveillance.

·         The aerostatic drone provides a silent aerial platform that can persistently stay afloat for surveillance with an endurance of over 4 hours. The system is designed to be modular and could be integrated with any ground vehicle or can be installed at any site. The drone can be utilized for a variety of use cases such as wildlife monitoring, forest surveillance, crowd monitoring, border security and disaster surveillance to name a few.

·         The flexibility to equip the drone with both day and night camera as well as any other payload such as telecommunication relay and anti-drone payload. The Day and Night Vision Camera cameras further enhances its utility, especially in tracking monitoring forests for illegal activities such as poaching, smuggling and logging, as well as by providing support for security operations along borders.

·         Participants from various organizations interacted with Airbotix Technologyy about the drone''s technical capabilities. The Drone has features related to surveillance using thermal imaging and detection capabilities. 

·         Officials from the CRPF showing a keen interest in how the drone could enhance their operations, particularly in border surveillance and security in challenging terrains. The ability of the drone to operate in both daylight and low-visibility conditions using thermal cameras could be a significant asset for security personnel.

·         The drones could play a crucial role in monitoring forest health and wildlife populations, enabling conservationists to track animal movements and assess habitat conditions without disturbing the ecosystem as they are silent.

·         In military and security contexts, aerostatic drones are employed for ISR missions, providing real-time data and situational awareness, which enhances strategic planning and operational effectiveness. Furthermore, as they have very little metal components, they are practically invisible to the RADAR.

·         Aerostatic drones can serve as temporary communication relays in remote areas or during emergencies, ensuring connectivity where traditional infrastructure may be lacking or compromised.

·         Aerostatic drones can also be integrated into systems designed to detect unauthorized drone activity, enhancing security measures at sensitive locations such as airports and military bases.

·         During public events, these drones could assist law enforcement by monitoring crowd behavior, helping to ensure safety and manage potential disturbances effectively. Moreover, they can be utilized to monitor traffic conditions in urban areas, providing valuable data for traffic management systems and aiding in the reduction of congestion through real-time information dissemination.

·         The officials from Brahmaputra Board expressed their keenness to use the aerostatic drone for disaster management and for monitoring civil construction such as roads.

·     The Aerostatic Drone is expected to be a game-changer in its field, with its versatility and high-performance features setting a new standard for unmanned aerial vehicle technology in India

India Stakes Claim to the Top Leadership position at International Telecom Union (ITU)

·         Circuit board India has nominated Ms. M. Revathi, Joint Wireless Advisor at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as its candidate for Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This marks India’s most significant bid in decades to influence global radio spectrum governance.

·         A specialized UN agency based in Geneva, the ITU ensures that the world’s communication systems work together, safely, securely, and fairly. The Radiocommunication Bureau of the ITU regulates the global radio frequencies and satellite orbits—crucial for 5G, 6G, space broadband, disaster response, managing these finite resources. As Director, Ms. Revathi would play a central role in shaping next-gen radiocommunication standards and ensuring equitable spectrum access.

·         Her candidacy reflects India’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and its push for inclusive digital growth, particularly benefiting developing nations. If elected, she would become the first woman and the first representative from ITU Regions E (Asia/Australasia) and D (Africa) to lead the Bureau—representing more than half the world’s population.

·         With nearly 30 years of experience in spectrum and satellite orbit management, Ms. Revathi is widely recognized for pioneering regulatory innovations. She currently serves on the ITU’s Radio Regulations Board, advocating global equity in spectrum use.

·         India’s leadership in global telecom was also underscored by its successful hosting of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in Oct 2024 in New Delhi, attended by the highest ever 3,700 delegates from 150+ countries. The adoption of eight landmark Resolutions at WTSA 2024 highlights India’s growing role in shaping the digital future.

ITU:

·         ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for digital technologies (ICTs). ​The Organization is made up of a membership of 194​ Member States and more than 1000 companies, universities and international and regional organizations. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and with regional offices on every continent, ITU is the oldest agency in the UN family – connecting the world since the dawn of the telegraph in 1865.

·         ITU coordinates the global telecom systems through its three sectors: ITU-T (Standardization), ITU-D (Development), and ITU-R (Radiocommunication). The Radiocommunication Bureau manages the global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources, ensuring countries and technologies (like 5G, aviation, space missions, etc.) don’t interfere with one another. This coordination is crucial for everything from mobile networks to GPS, weather satellites, and broadcasting

Visit of His Majesty The King of Bhutan to Assam

·          His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, The King of Bhutan, paid a visit to Assam on 19 April 2025 to view the facilities at the Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) and the Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Jogighopa. His Majesty was received by the Minister for Public Health Engineering and Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of Assam, Shri Jayanta Malla Baruah.

·          As part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the Government has been pursuing several connectivity initiatives for boosting people-to-people ties and facilitating trade and economic cooperation with Bhutan. The IWT at Jogighopa, which was inaugurated in February this year, is an important infrastructure project for economic development and enhancing connectivity in the region.

·         India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, underpinned by mutual understanding, trust and utmost goodwill at all levels. The visit of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, to Jogighopa, Assam is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries

·         The IWT at Jogighopa, which was inaugurated on February 18, is an important infrastructure project for economic development and enhancing connectivity in the region.

·         Built at a cost of Rs 82 crores, the terminal is expected to handle cargo of 1.1 million tonnes per annum.

·         The logistics park is being developed under the Bharatmala project on the banks of the Brahmaputra. 

·         The park, being developed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), will seamlessly integrate road, rail, air and waterways upon completion.

·         Spread across 317 acres on the banks of the Brahmaputra, this project will unlock immense economic potential for our state by facilitating trade with neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Bangladesh.

·         The strategic proximity of Bhutan’s visionary urban development initiative -- Gelephu Mindfulness City, will also undoubtedly contribute to the success of the park.

·         As part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the Indian government has been pursuing several connectivity initiatives for boosting people-to-people ties and facilitating trade and economic cooperation with Bhutan.

·         Assam’s CM Himanta Biswas Sarma said the projects will be a game-changer for the region, and ensure seamless trade and logistics movement, besides aiding the development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City in Bhutan.

India-Bhutan Relations

·         The basic framework of India-Bhutan bilateral relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries and revised in February 2007.

·         Diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968 with the establishment of a special office of India in Thimphu.

·         An agreement on trade and commerce between India and Bhutan was first signed in January 1972. Since then, the agreement has been renewed/revised many times.

·         In November 2016, both countries signed an Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit, which provides for a free trade regime aimed at boosting bilateral trade for mutual benefit. 

·         In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’, making him the first foreign head of the government to receive the honour.

·         The government of India has consistently supported the socio-economic development of Bhutan. Hydropower cooperation between the two countries is an example of win-win cooperation. 

·         India has been extending economic assistance to Bhutan’s socio-economic development since the early 1960s when Bhutan launched its Five Year Plans.

·         Mutually beneficial hydropower cooperation with Bhutan forms the core of bilateral economic cooperation. For Bhutan, hydropower development continues to be a vital catalyst for socio-economic development. The ongoing cooperation between India and Bhutan in the hydropower sector is covered under the 2006 bilateral agreement for cooperation and its protocol signed in 2009. Four hydroelectric projects (HEPs) totaling 2,136 MW are already operational in Bhutan and are supplying electricity to India.

·         The 720 MW Mangdechhu was commissioned in August 2019 and handed over to Bhutan in December 2022. Two hydroelectric projects, 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I, 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II in inter-governmental mode and Kholongchu HEP (600 MWs) under the joint venture mode are under various stages of implementation. 

·         India is Bhutan’s top trade partner both as an import source and as an export destination. Since 2014, India’s merchandise trade with Bhutan has almost tripled from $484 million in 2014-15 to $1,615 million in 2022-23., accounting for about 80 per cent of Bhutan’s overall trade, with the balance of trade in India’s favour. 

·         India’s top exports to Bhutan are petrol, diesel, passenger cars, rice, wood charcoal, cellphones, soya-bean oil, excavators, electric generators & motors, parts for turbines, transport vehicles and bitumen. 

·         India is the leading source of investments in Bhutan, comprising 50 per cent of the country’s total FDI.

·         Around 600 big and small projects in the areas of infrastructure development, roads and bridges, industries, agriculture, e-governance, community development projects like irrigation channels, farm roads, block connectivity roads, basic health units, etc have been identified by the two sides and are at various stages of implementation.

·         Apart from hydro-power cooperation and development partnership has moved into new and emerging areas with full interoperability of the flagship digital project RuPay, which has been successfully completed.

·         BHIM UPI was launched in Bhutan on July 13, 2021. Bhutan became the first foreign country to adopt UPI standards for its QR deployment and the first country in the immediate neighbourhood to accept mobile-based payments through the BHIM app

WHO’s rapid response to sustain HIV, hepatitis and STI service

·         In response to unprecedented suspensions and reductions in official development assistance (ODA) for health and HIV programmes, WHO’s Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes (HHS) has stepped up with a strategic response plan to protect essential health services for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

·          This critical initiative aims to ensure that vital services continue uninterrupted despite the growing challenges.

·         Recognizing the urgency, HHS swiftly mobilized a dedicated operational team to provide immediate technical support and coordinate efforts across 5 key pillars: strategic information and analytics; service delivery; country support; community engagement; and communication.

·         This structured response enables WHO, in coordination with its country offices and ministries of health, not only to tackle immediate disruptions but also to streamline long-term solutions, enhance data-driven decision-making and ensure integrated, community-supported service continuity.

·         “Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to support ministries of health by offering timely guidance, tools and global collaboration tailored to country needs,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of HHS. “Our focus remains clear: ensuring essential services reach those most in need, even in times of financial uncertainty.” 

Strategic information and analytics 

·         A rapid survey conducted by HHS in February 2025 assessed the continuity of essential HIV, hepatitis and STIs services across 55 countries that rely heavily on funding from the Government of the United States of America.

·         Preliminary results from 36 countries, revealed evidence of service disruptions in key populations, pre-exposure and post-exposure services, testing and treatment services, and health information systems. These findings are used to estimate the impact on HIV-related mortality and new infections in both short and long term.

·         Additionally, a rapid WHO country office stock take on impact of suspensions, conducted with 108 of its country and field offices between March and April 2025 shows that 71% of countries experienced interruptions in at least one health service area. Moderate to severe levels of disruptions are being reported in HIV services in 48 % (43 of 90) countries, STIs services in 43% (37 of 86) countries, and viral hepatitis services in 38% (33 of 87) countries. 

·         Moderate to severe disruptions have also been reported on the availability of medicines and health products, impacting HIV in 36% (32 of 88 countries, STIs in 34% (30 of 87), and viral hepatitis in 29% (25 of 86).

·         Furthermore, job losses among health-care workers and increased out-of-pocket costs for patients were among the key consequences observed. 

Tailored support on sustaining service delivery

·         To mitigate disruptions and adapt essential services package, WHO has issued multilingual internal guidance to support WHO country offices, ministries of health and civil society partners, aiming to reduce disruptions and sustain essential HIV, hepatitis and STIs treatment and care services for people at major risk. WHO country staff shared how the guidance helped them for developing mitigation plans to sustain provision of life-saving treatment and care interventions for people in need. A technical extended version of this guidance will be released soon.

Community-led response and engagement

·         An informal community reference group has been established to ensure the voices of affected populations guide WHO’s response. Key support priorities from these communities have been identified and integrated into WHO’s approach, fostering a more inclusive and effective response.

·          The priorities include enhancing communication; supporting innovative approaches to secure new access points for HIV services; developing strategies for affordability; leveraging innovations like long-acting PrEP; and ensuring stronger global coordination.

·         Communities of people living with HIV have been instrumental in monitoring the extent of service disruptions and continue to provide guidance and peer support to those affected. In response to their feedback and lived experiences, WHO developed and published a Questions and Answers on managing interruptions in antiretroviral treatment due to service disruptions, drug shortages, or stockouts. 

Country support

·         A real-time coordination hub, powered by the HIV Country Intelligence dashboard, tracks evolving needs and facilitates rapid response across WHO’s global structure. Regular capacity-building webinars are conducted to equip WHO country staff with the necessary skills to address ongoing and emerging challenges. 

Communication and partnership

·         WHO is actively engaging countries and communities to develop mitigation plans, mobilize resources and strengthen service delivery. Internal coordination across WHO programmes and regular meetings organized with partners ensure a unified approach to both short-term resilience and long-term sustainability. WHO staff focal points in-country maintain ongoing communication with ministries of health and local stakeholders to ensure alignment and collaborative action.

·         As the situation evolves rapidly, WHO remains steadfast in its commitment to working with countries, communities and partners to achieve global health equity, ensuring that no one is left behind due to financial constraints. Amid funding uncertainties, WHO stands as a reliable partner, safeguarding the rights and well-being of those most affected by HIV, hepatitis and STIs

New optical sensing platform for detecting cholesterol could indicate probability of diseases

·         A highly sensitive, eco-friendly and cost-effective optical sensing platform developed for cholesterol detection can help identify early symptoms of diseases like atherosclerosis, venous thrombosis, cardiovascular diseases, heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and cancer.

·         Detecting fatal diseases at their earliest symptoms is essential, as abnormal biochemical markers may sometimes accompany such disorders. Therefore, reliable point-of-care (POC) detection of biomarkers associated with these diseases is necessary for personalized health monitoring.

·         Cholesterol is an essential lipid in humans, produced by the liver. It is the precursor for vitamin D, bile acids, and steroid hormones. Cholesterol is necessary for animal tissues, blood, and nerve cells, and it is transported by blood in mammals. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein), often referred to as ''bad'' cholesterol because it can accumulate in the walls of arteries and contribute to severe diseases, and HDL (high-density lipoprotein), known as ''good'' cholesterol.

·         However, maintaining a balance in cholesterol levels is crucial. Both high and low cholesterol levels can lead to various diseases, including atherosclerosis, venous thrombosis, cardiovascular diseases, heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and cancer. Atherosclerotic plaques form when excess cholesterol builds up on artery walls, hindering proper blood flow.

·         A team of interdisciplinary researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST, has developed an optical sensing platform for cholesterol detection based on silk fibre functionalized using phosphorene quantum dots.

·         A point-of-care (POC) device has been developed in the laboratory scale for detecting cholesterol using this. It can sense cholesterol in trace amounts, even below the preferred range. It can be an efficient tool for routine monitoring of cholesterol levels in the human body.

·         The project, led by Prof. Neelotpal Sen Sarma, a retired Professor; Dr. Asis Bala, an Associate Professor; and Ms. Nasrin Sultana, a DST INSPIRE Senior Research Fellow incorporated the material – the silk fibre, into a cellulose nitrate membrane to create an electrical sensing platform for cholesterol detection.

·         The synthesized sensors were highly sensitive as well as selective for cholesterol detection. Furthermore, the electrical sensing platform generates no e-waste, a key advantage of the fabricated device. Both sensing platforms respond similarly to real-world media such as human blood serum, experimental rat blood serum, and milk

Building a Self-Reliant India  5 Years of SVAMITVA Scheme

·         Launched in April 2020, SVAMITVA provides legal ownership of rural residential land using drone-based surveys.

·         SVAMITVA was implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj with support from Survey of India and National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI).

·         It aims to empower rural citizens with property cards, enabling access to credit, dispute resolution, and better planning.

·         Over 2.42 crore property cards have been created for 1.61 lakh villages under the scheme.

·         Drone surveys completed in 3.20 lakh villages, covering 68,122 sq. km of the area.

·         The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on April 24, 2020, on National Panchayati Raj Day. This year, SVAMITVA is celebrating its 5^th anniversary

·         The scheme helps people in villages get legal ownership papers for the houses and land they live on. It uses drones and special mapping tools to clearly mark property boundaries. With these papers, people can take bank loans, settle land disputes, and even use their property to earn more. It also helps in better village planning.

·         The SVAMITVA Scheme is implemented by the Survey of India (SoI) with the National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) as the technology partner. The total cost is ₹566.23 crores from Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, with an extension until FY 2025-26.

Key Achievements Under Scheme:

·         On 18th January 2025, 65 lakh SVAMITVA property cards were distributed across more than 50,000 villages in 10 States (Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) and 2 Union Territories (Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh).

·         As of 2^nd April 2025, drone surveys have been completed in 3.20 lakh villages under the SVAMITVA Scheme. These surveys have covered an estimated area of 68,122 square kilometers, based on the average size of the inhabited areas in each village.

·         As of 11^th March 2025, 31 States and Union Territories have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Drone surveys have been completed in 3.20 lakh villages, with full coverage in the Union Territories of Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Delhi and the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. A total of 2.42 crore property cards have been issued for 1.61 lakh villages.

·         SVAMITVA is setting a global example by using technology to transform land governance and inspire other countries to adopt similar models.

·         The International Workshop on Land Governance  held from March 24-29, 2025, at Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Gurugram, brought together senior officials from 22 countries. The event showcased India’s innovative approach, including drone-based surveys, digital property records and transparent governance through the SVAMITVA Scheme.

·         At the India International Trade Fair 2024 in Bharat Mandapam, the scheme demonstrated how drones and GIS mapping are helping rural communities gain clear and legal land ownership. This not only reduces disputes but also improves access to credit and fosters economic growth, empowering rural India and enhancing property rights.

Need for SVAMITVA

·         For decades, many village homes and lands in India were never properly recorded. Without legal documents, people couldn’t prove ownership or use their property to get bank loans or government help. This lack of records slowed down the economic growth of rural areas and led to frequent land disputes. To solve this, the SVAMITVA Scheme gives people legal ownership papers, helping them secure their rights and build a better future.

SVAMITVA Components :

·         The SVAMITVA Scheme is built on key components that ensure accurate land mapping, efficient implementation, and community awareness:

·         Establishment of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network: The CORS network support in establishing Ground Control Points, which is an important activity for accurate Geo-referencing, ground truthing and demarcation of Lands. 

·         Large Scale Mapping using Drones: Rural inhabited (abadi) area is being mapping by Survey of India using drone Survey. It generates high resolution and accurate maps to confer ownership property rights. Based on these maps or data, property cards issue to the rural household owners. 

·         Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Initiatives: Awareness program to sensitize the local population about the scheme methodology and its benefits.

·         Enhancement of Spatial Planning Application “Gram Manchitra”: Leveraging digital spatial data/maps created under drone survey for creation of spatial analytical tools to support preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). 

·         Online Monitoring System: Online Monitoring and reporting dashboard is monitored to track the progress of activities. 

·         Project Management: Programme Management Units at the National and State levels for supporting Ministry & State respectively with scheme implementation.

Success Stories :

·         The SVAMITVA Scheme is transforming rural governance by providing clear property rights and improving land management. These examples underscore the scheme''s role in driving rural progress and fostering self-reliance.

·         Dispute Resolution: After 25 years of uncertainty, Smt. Sunita from Taropka village in Himachal Pradesh got legal ownership of her ancestral land through the SVAMITVA Scheme. With her property card, she settled a long-standing dispute with her neighbor, bringing peace and security to her family’s future. The SVAMITVA Scheme gave her clear ownership, improving her life.

·         Financial Inclusion: Sh. Sukhlal Pargi from Falated village in Rajasthan received a Patta and Property Card through the SVAMITVA Scheme. With these documents, he was able to access financial services. He used the property card to get a bank loan of Rs 3 lakh quickly. The SVAMITVA Scheme gave him legal ownership and helped improve his financial stability

·         The SVAMITVA Scheme is changing land ownership in rural India. It turns old challenges into new opportunities for growth and empowerment. The scheme uses technology to solve disputes and break barriers. It helps people use their land for economic progress.

·          With drones and digital property cards, it’s about creating new possibilities. SVAMITVA is more than a government program, it’s a step toward self-reliance, better planning and a stronger rural India

Countries are already experiencing significant health system disruptions – WHO

·         The World Health Organization (WHO) issues warning on health service disruptions reported in 70% of its surveyed country offices as a result of sudden suspensions and reductions in official development assistance (ODA) for health.

·         The findings, based on rapid WHO assessment of the fast-evolving situation, raise concern for potentially deeper and prolonged effects on health systems and services across the world, especially in vulnerable and fragile settings. This requires urgent action and international response.

·         The new rapid stock take conducted in March–April 2025 with 108 WHO country offices, primarily in low- and lower-middle-income countries, shows that many countries are working to increase or reallocate funding from domestic and alternative external sources to address gaps.

·         However, up to 24% of WHO Country Office responses suggest budget cuts are already translating into increased out-of-pocket payments. The poor and vulnerable likely risk bearing the additional brunt of these impacts.

·         “These results paint a worrying picture about the impact of the sudden and unplanned cuts to aid on the health of millions of people,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

·          “Although these cuts are a shock, they are also driving an accelerated transition away from aid dependency to a more sustainable self-reliance, based on domestic resources. Many countries are asking for WHO’s support, and WHO is working with them to identify and tailor the most effective measures.”

·         The stock take reports provide an early snapshot and insights from WHO country offices that work closely with ministries of health, providing regular support on health systems policies and planning. The stock take aimed at identifying the urgent support countries need to avoid catastrophic impacts on the health of the populations and to guide monitoring of the rapidly evolving situation. 

Key findings from the stock take show the following.

·         The suspensions and reductions in ODA are disrupting all health system functions, with the most frequently reported impacts being on health emergency preparedness and response (70%), public health surveillance (66%), service provision (58%), humanitarian aid (56%), and the health and care workforce (54%).

·         Health services are being disrupted across the board in at least one third of the responding countries, with high levels of disruptions reported in outbreak detection and response, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, family planning, and maternal and child health services.

·         The nature and scale of service disruptions are comparable to those observed during the peak periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in some settings. 

·         Critical shortages in the availability of medicines and health products are leaving one third of responding countries without commodities for major service areas.

·         The pause in ODA has led to job losses for health and care workers in over half of responding countries, and significant disruptions to trainings.

·         Information systems are particularly impacted as key health data collection is disrupted. Over 40% of countries experienced disruptions to key information systems, including collaborative surveillance and emergency systems, health management information systems, disease-specific reporting systems, lab information systems, and household/population surveys.

·         Eighty-one of the 108 WHO country offices have expressed the need for support across a broad range of health areas, including innovative funding and resource mobilization, targeted technical assistance and support.

·         Given the rapidly evolving context, WHO will be monitoring the situation over time and will engage the global health community, including partners and donor agencies, to inform urgent response plans to mitigate deepening country impacts and enable greater sustainability

·         WHO collaborates with global health organizations through various initiatives aimed at strengthening health systems, improving disease prevention, and responding to emergencies. Some key areas of collaboration include:

·         Pandemic Preparedness & Response: WHO works with international partners to develop agreements that enhance global coordination in preventing and managing pandemics. Recently, WHO Member States finalized a draft Pandemic Agreement to improve global preparedness.

·         Clinical Trials & Research: WHO convenes forums to accelerate clinical trials and improve efficiency in global health research. The Global Clinical Trials Forum brings together stakeholders to implement best practices and strengthen trial governance.

·         Health Emergency Training & Capacity Building: WHO supports frontline health workers through initiatives like Learning 4 Impact, which focuses on strengthening community-based learning for health emergencies.

·         These collaborations ensure that WHO can effectively support countries in addressing health challenges

I4C issues alert about online frauds targeting pilgrims, tourists

•  The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in alert said that cyber frauds are noticed to be executed through fake websites, social media pages, WhatsApp accounts and even sponsored advertisements on major platforms like Google and Facebook.
• A senior MHA official said, “The I4C has alerted the public about online booking frauds, especially those targeting religious pilgrims and tourists across the country. These frauds are being perpetrated through fake websites, deceptive social media pages, Facebook posts, and paid advertisements on search engines like Google.”
• According to I4C, these scams typically lure victims with offers like helicopter bookings for Kedarnath and the Char Dham yatra, guest house and hotel accommodations, online cab or taxi services, and religious tourism packages, they said.
• Even as such websites and their profiles apparently look legitimate, users who make payments often receive no confirmation or service, and are unable to contact the service providers afterwards.
• “To protect citizens, I4C urges the public to remain vigilant; verify the authenticity of websites before making any payments; be cautious of clicking on sponsored or unfamiliar links on Google, Facebook, or WhatsApp, use only official government websites or trusted travel agencies for bookings; report suspicious sites via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) or call 1930 in case of fraud,” the official said.
• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has alerted the public about online booking frauds, especially those targeting Char Dham pilgrims and tourists, across the country.
• These frauds are being perpetrated through fake websites, deceptive social media pages, Facebook posts, and paid advertisements on search engines such as Google.
• The scams involve the creation of professional-looking but fake websites and social media profiles and WhatsApp accounts offering various services.
• These include helicopter bookings for Kedarnath, guest house and hotel bookings for Char Dham pilgrims, online cab or taxi reservation, holiday packages and religious tours.
• Unsuspecting individuals, upon making payments through these portals, often realise they have been duped when no confirmation or service is received and the contact numbers become unreachable.
• Always verify the authenticity of websites before making any payments. Verify before clicking on ‘sponsored’ or unknown links on Google, Facebook or WhatsApp. Cross-check bookings only through official government portals or trusted travel agencies, the I4C said.
• It also urged the public to report such websites immediately on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 in case of any fraud.

I4C adopts a multi-pronged strategy to check scams

• To check such scams, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is adopting a multi-pronged strategy.
• Among the steps taken include scam signal exchange through which scam signals are being regularly exchanged with IT intermediaries such as Google, WhatsApp, Facebook for proactive detection.
• Cybercrime hotspots are being identified and states and Union Territories from where these originate are being sensitised.
• Fake websites and advertisements and impersonating social media accounts access are being disabled to protect citizens.
• Suspect checking and reporting features on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal are being developed to facilitate hassle-free reporting

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is an initiative of the ministry of home affairs to provide a national platform for tackling cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. 
• I4C is working towards its vision to create an effective framework and ecosystem for prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime.
• I4C aims to strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and improve coordination among various stakeholders and LEAs. 
• It is continuously working for the enhancement of the nation’s technical capabilities to deal with cybercrime and to further strengthen the operational architecture and coordination among LEAs and other stakeholders.
• The focus of I4C has been on tackling all the issues related with cybercrime for all citizens, such as improving coordination among various central and state agencies, driving change in India’s overall capability to tackle cybercrime and facilitating capacity development of LEAs to better respond to cybercrime.
• I4C also focusses on strengthening the fight against cybercrime, committed against women and children. 
• Ease of filing cybercrime related complaints has been improved with the various initiatives of NCRP. 
• I4C has assisted states/UTs in capacity building of police officers and judicial officers in the areas of cyber forensics, cyber hygiene, cyber-criminology, etc.

Components of I4C: 

• i) National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit for reporting threats pertaining to cybercrimes at regular intervals.
• ii) National Cybercrime Reporting Portal to report various cybercrime complaints by citizens at all India level on a common platform on 24x7 basis from “anywhere, anytime”.
• iii) National Cybercrime Training Centre to impart training to government officials, specially state law enforcement agencies.
• iv) National Cybercrime Research & Innovation Centre to carry out research for development of indigenous tools for prevention of cybercrimes.
• v) Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Coordination Teams for coordination, sharing of modus operandi of cybercrimes, data/information among states/UTs LEAs.
• vi) National Cybercrime Ecosystem Management Unit for creating mass awareness in cyber hygiene for prevention of cybercrimes.
• vii) National Cybercrime Forensic Laboratory (Investigation) Ecosystem for helping LEAs in cyber forensics investigation.

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

• The portal was launched on a pilot basis on August 30, 2019, and it enables filing of all cybercrimes with specific focus on crimes against women, children, particularly child pornography, child sex abuse material, online content pertaining to rapes and gang-rapes.
• The portal can boost the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate cases and will improve the success rate of prosecutions.
• It also focuses on specific crimes, especially those related to finance and social media stalking, cyber bullying, etc.
• The portal will improve coordination among law enforcement agencies of different states, districts and police stations for dealing with cybercrimes in a coordinated and effective manner.