Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches Guidelines and Portal for ECMS to Boost Electronics Manufacturing in India.

In April 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the guidelines and dedicated portal for the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) — a significant initiative aimed at strengthening India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

      - The scheme seeks to promote domestic production, attract large-scale investments, and integrate Indian firms into Global Value Chains (GVCs).

      - The guidelines of ECMS are designed with clarity, transparency, and simplicity to ensure a smooth and unambiguous implementation process.

      - ECMS stands out as India’s first dedicated Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme focused exclusively on accelerating the manufacturing of electronic components.

Main Point :-   (i) In April 2025, the Government of India (GoI) approved the scheme with a total outlay of Rs 22,919 crore, covering a period of six years from Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) to FY2031-32 (FY32).

      (ii) Additionally, the GoI has selected Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based startup Sarvam to develop India’s first indigenous AI Large Language Model (LLM) under the Rs 10,370 crore India AI Mission, further marking a milestone in India’s tech innovation landscape.

India and France Ink ₹64,000-Crore Agreement for Procurement of 26 Rafale-M Fighter Jets.

On 28 April 2025, the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of France officially signed a ₹64,000-crore (approximately USD 7.4 billion) agreement for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy (IN).

      - The fleet will comprise 22 single-seat fighter aircraft and 4 twin-seat trainer aircraft, which will primarily operate from India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant.

Main Point :-   (i) The contract was signed during a virtual ceremony attended by Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, and Thierry Matho, Defence Minister of France.

      (ii) The agreement is a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal, meaning it was directly negotiated and concluded between the two governments, without the involvement of private entities.

(iii) Deliveries of the Rafale-M fighter jets are scheduled to begin by the end of 2029 and are expected to be completed by 2031.

Government Brings Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) Under the Purview of PMLA.

In April 2025, the Department of Revenue (DoR) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) authorized the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), based in New Delhi (Delhi), to exchange information with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under Section 66 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

      - This decision is aimed at enhancing the detection of money trails and strengthening efforts to combat cyber fraud.

      - With this move, I4C is now empowered to share and receive information with the ED and other law enforcement agencies, enabling improved tracking and identification of cybercrime masterminds.

      - Established in 2018 under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) serves as the central agency for coordinating efforts to combat cybercrime across India.

Main Point :-   (i) Amid the rising cases of cyber fraud affecting the general public, this initiative will aid in identifying perpetrators behind trans-national cybercrimes.

      (ii) These cyber frauds are often executed through fake websites, misleading social media pages, and paid advertisements on search engines. Fraudsters trick victims by sending OTPs (One-Time Passwords) or malicious links via phone or email. Once the unsuspecting user clicks the link or shares the OTP, their devices become compromised.

(iii) The government has urged citizens to report cyber fraud through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) at cybercrime.gov.in or by calling the cyber helpline 1930.

Cooperation Ministry Collaborates with Swiggy Instamart to Promote Sale of Cooperative Products Online.

In April 2025, the Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swiggy Instamart, a Bengaluru, Karnataka-based quick-commerce platform, to onboard dairy and other cooperative products. This collaboration aims to help cooperatives connect with a wider consumer base by leveraging digital marketplaces.

      - The MoU was signed by Amitesh Jha, CEO of Swiggy Instamart, and D.K. Verma, Joint Secretary, MoC, during a formal event attended by Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation. The partnership is a step forward in modernizing and empowering India’s cooperative sector.

      - Under the agreement, products from Bharat Organics and other cooperative dairy units will be listed on Swiggy’s e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms.

      - Swiggy will create a dedicated "Cooperative" category on its app, featuring a range of products including organic items, dairy, millets, handicrafts, and more—sourced from cooperative societies across India.

Main Point :-   (i) The collaboration will support cooperative brands in the areas of marketing, promotion, consumer technology, and capacity building.

      (ii) The MoU aligns with the United Nations’ declaration of 2025 as the ‘International Year of Cooperation’, further highlighting the global focus on strengthening cooperative systems.

(iii) On 24 April 2025, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani also inaugurated a state-of-the-art packaging facility of the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, which will specialize in hygienic packaging of pulses and various organic food products.

‘Revive Our Ocean’ Global Initiative Launched to Empower Coastal Communities in Marine Protection.

In April 2025, a new global initiative titled ‘Revive Our Ocean’, a first-of-its-kind programme, was launched to empower coastal communities in establishing and managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) through localized efforts.

      - This initiative is being spearheaded by the United States of America (USA)-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Dynamic Planet, in collaboration with the National Geographic Society (NGS)’s Pristine Seas programme.

      - The initiative is supported by renowned British naturalist David Attenborough and is structured around three core pillars: Inspire, Enable, and Equip.

Main Point :-   (i) The primary objective of this initiative is to assist coastal communities in creating and managing MPAs by eliminating barriers that hinder their conservation efforts.

      (ii) Revive Our Ocean has also formed the Revive Our Ocean Collective, uniting local leaders and successful community organizations to promote collaborative marine protection.

(iii) Initially, the programme will focus on seven countries: United Kingdom (UK), Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico.

SIPRI Report 2024 Reveals Global Military Spending Exceeds USD 2.7 Trillion with India Investing USD 86.1 Billion.

Amid major global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict, world military expenditure reached USD 2718 billion in 2024, reflecting a 9.4% increase in real terms from 2023, as per a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), based in Stockholm, Sweden.

      - Military spending rose across all regions, with particularly rapid growth in Europe and the Middle East.

      - The United States of America (USA) remained the world’s top spender with USD 997 billion, followed by China with USD 314 billion in second place and Russia with USD 149 billion in third.

      - India retained its position as the 5th-largest military spender, investing USD 86.1 billion, marking a 1.6% increase from the previous year.

Main Point :-   (i) The top five military spenders – USA, China, Russia, Germany, and India – accounted for 60% of global military expenditure, with a combined total of USD 1635 billion.

      (ii) Over 100 countries increased their military spending in 2024, with the share of global GDP devoted to military expenditure rising to 2.5%.

Uganda Announces End of Ebola Sudan Virus Outbreak.

In April 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Uganda officially declared the end of the Ebola Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak, less than 3 months after it was confirmed in the capital, Kampala.

      - The outbreak was officially declared over after the discharge of the last confirmed patient on 14 March 2025, followed by a 42-day countdown, in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

      - This marked Uganda’s 2nd Ebola outbreak in less than 3 years, which was confirmed on 30 January 2025.

      - The Ebola strain involved in this outbreak was the SVD subtype, which, in past outbreaks, has had a fatality rate of 4 in 10 people infected.

Main Point :-   (i) SVD is a severe disease caused by the Sudan virus (SUDV), which belongs to the same family as the Ebola Virus (EBOV). SUDV was first identified in southern Sudan in June 1976.

      (ii) Prior to this outbreak, there had been 8 previous outbreaks caused by SUDV, with 5 occurring in Uganda and 3 in Sudan. Uganda last reported an SVD outbreak in 2022.

Axis Max Life Introduces AI-Powered 'Bandhan 2.0' for New Hire Onboarding.

In April 2025, Gurugram (Haryana)-based Axis Max Life Insurance Limited (formerly Max Life Insurance Company Limited), the largest non-bank private-sector life insurer in India, launched Bandhan 2.0, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled Augmented Reality (AR) platform.

      - This platform is designed to transform the onboarding process for new hires by incorporating immersive storytelling, interactive gamification, and real-time leadership engagement.

      - Bandhan 2.0 is available in English and Hindi on both mobile and desktop devices, enabling employees to onboard at their own pace.

      - The platform offers virtual interactions with leadership and gamified modules covering company history, values, and culture.

Main Point :-   (i) Uniform onboarding is provided for thousands of employees annually, regardless of their location, and modules are accessible for 60 days post-joining for ongoing learning.

      (ii) Real-time HR dashboards track employee progress and reduce onboarding time, resulting in faster employee productivity.

(iii) Axis Max Life Insurance is a joint venture (JV) between Max Financial Services Limited (MFSL) and Axis Bank Limited.

Bihar Creates History with Two Guinness World Records in Madhubani Art and Singing Bowl Performance.

In April 2025, Bihar made history by setting two Guinness World Records (GWR). The records included the world’s largest Madhubani painting on canvas and the largest singing bowl ensemble performed by 375 Buddhist monks in Bodh Gaya. The GWR certificates were officially presented to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a ceremony at Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna, Bihar.

      - The first world record was achieved with a massive Madhubani painting measuring 18.69 square meters (201.17 square feet). This monumental artwork was created at the Madhubani Painting Institution in Bihar.

      - The painting was the collaborative effort of a 50-member team of women artists, guided by Padma Shri Bauaa Devi. It was specially crafted as a tribute to another legendary Madhubani artist, Padma Shri Jagdamba Devi. The team dedicated 50 continuous hours to completing the artwork.

      - This record-setting painting is scheduled to be unveiled at the opening ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games on May 4, 2025. This marks the first time the games are being hosted in Bihar, with events spread across cities like Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai.

Main Point :-   (i) Madhubani, also known as Mithila painting, is a traditional folk art that originates from the Mithila region in Bihar, particularly the town of Madhubani. The artists used natural colors made from turmeric, beetroot, carbon, and flowers to craft the record-breaking painting.

      (ii) The second Guinness World Record was set in Bodh Gaya, where 375 Buddhist monks—aged between five and seventy—came together to perform a singing bowl ensemble. This gathering marked the largest-ever such performance linked to traditional Buddhist rituals and meditation.

(iii) This unique event was organised by the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA). Singing bowl performances are deeply connected with Buddhist culture, known for their calming effects and spiritual significance during meditation and ceremonies.

Question : Who has recently launched the guidelines and portal for the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)?

Question : India has recently signed a ₹64,000-crore deal with which country for the purchase of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets?

Question : The Indian government has recently empowered which agency under Section 66 of PMLA to share information with the Enforcement Directorate (ED)?

Question : Recently in April 2025, which global initiative was launched to help coastal communities establish and manage Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)?

Question : In April 2025, which country announced the end of the Ebola Sudan Virus outbreak?

Question : What is the name of the AI-enabled augmented reality platform recently launched by Axis Max Life Insurance for employee onboarding?

Question : Which Indian state recently created history by securing two Guinness World Records in April 2025?

Question : The Ministry of Cooperation has recently partnered with which quick-commerce platform to market dairy and organic cooperative products?

Question : In the recent SIPRI Report 2024, which country ranked 5th globally in military spending, investing USD 86.1 billion?