- The exercise, held from March 25 to 27, 2025, under the Eastern Command, aimed to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
- The exercise demonstrated the Indian Armed Forces’ ability to execute multi-spectrum operations in challenging mountainous terrain along the Northern Borders.
Main Point :-
(i) The exercise began with the deployment of advanced surveillance assets from all three branches of the armed forces, including aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF), maritime aircraft from the Indian Navy (IN), helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), space-based resources from the Indian Army (IA), and Special Forces.
(ii) The targets were swiftly neutralized using coordinated firepower from fighter jets, rocket systems, artillery, armed helicopters, swarm drones, loitering munitions, and kamikaze drones. The exercise was conducted in an electronically contested environment to simulate real-world combat conditions.
(iii) Prachand Prahar follows Exercise Poorvi Prahar, which took place in November 2024 in AR and focused on the integrated application of aviation assets.
About Indian Army
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) : General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters : New Delhi
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Deputy CM of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, Unveils Rs 39,842 Crore Budget for FY 2026.
In March 2025, Chowna Mein, Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) and Minister-In-Charge of Finance, Planning, and Investment of Arunachal Pradesh, presented the state's budget for the financial year 2025-26 (FY 26) in the assembly, with a total expenditure of Rs 39,842.23 crore. This marks an 11.16% increase from the previous year's estimate of Rs 35,840.79 crore. The FY26 budget has been declared the 'Year of Human Capital.'
- The key pillars of the budget focus on four main areas: People, which includes health, education, skills development, and welfare for women and youth; Infrastructure, covering connectivity, urban development, power, and transport; Economy, which emphasizes agriculture, tourism, industries, and startups; and Innovation, focusing on governance, citizen services, and improving the quality of life.
- The revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 34,544.07 crore, with the state's share of central taxes rising by 16.61% to Rs 24,992.35 crore, while capital receipts total Rs 5,298.16 crore.
- The Fiscal Deficit (FD) is projected at Rs 966.65 crore, or 2.02% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), in line with the targets of the Arunachal Pradesh Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2006.
Main Point :-
(i) Rs 3,000 crore will be invested to strengthen the education sector, integrating central and state scheme funds.
(ii) Rs 435 crore is allocated to uplift the most vulnerable sections of society, with a comprehensive training program for skill development and capacity building.
About Arunachal Pradesh
Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
Governor: Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
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GRSE Recently Signed MoU with Indian Army for Modular Steel Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh.
Kolkata (West Bengal) based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army (IA) for the construction of a 130-foot-long Single Lane Modular (SLM) Steel Bridge (70R) in Arunachal Pradesh (AR).
- The agreement was signed by Natarajan Partheepan, General Manager (GM) (Bailey Bridges), representing GRSE with the IA.
- In 2022, GRSE became the sole Indian company to be awarded the Green Channel Certification for Portable Steel Bridges (Bailey Type) by the Indian Army.
Main Point :-
(i) Previously, GRSE provided 44 Modular Bridges to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for installation across India, as well as to various state governments and friendly countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
(ii) In 2024, GRSE and the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) made an agreement for delivering Class 70R Double-Lane Bridges.
(iii) As of February 2025, GRSE has supplied more than 5,800 Modular Bridges. This aligns with the Government of India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
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GRSE Recently Signed MoU with Indian Army for Modular Steel Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh.
Kolkata (West Bengal) based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army (IA) for the construction of a 130-foot-long Single Lane Modular (SLM) Steel Bridge (70R) in Arunachal Pradesh (AR).
- The agreement was signed by Natarajan Partheepan, General Manager (GM) (Bailey Bridges), representing GRSE with the IA.
- In 2022, GRSE became the sole Indian company to be awarded the Green Channel Certification for Portable Steel Bridges (Bailey Type) by the Indian Army.
Main Point :-
(i) Previously, GRSE provided 44 Modular Bridges to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for installation across India, as well as to various state governments and friendly countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
(ii) In 2024, GRSE and the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) made an agreement for delivering Class 70R Double-Lane Bridges.
(iii) As of February 2025, GRSE has supplied more than 5,800 Modular Bridges. This aligns with the Government of India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
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Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Navin Chawla Passes Away.
On February 1, 2025, former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Navin Chawla, passed away at the age of 79 in New Delhi. Born on July 30, 1945, in New Delhi, Chawla was a retired 1969-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre.
- Chawla served as Election Commissioner from May 16, 2005, to April 20, 2009, and as CEC from April 2009 to July 2010. He oversaw the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and implemented key reforms, including the introduction of a third-gender voting category.
- He received the Mazzini Award from the Government of Italy in 2005 for strengthening relations between India and Italy. In 2014, he was honored with the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai Award for his exemplary work in election processes in India.
Main Point :-
(i) In 1992, he authored the "Authorized Biography of Mother Teresa," which was later translated into 14 languages both in India and internationally.
(ii) Chawla’s contributions in both administrative and electoral processes have left a lasting impact on the nation.
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ZSI Team Discovers New Pangolin Species in Arunachal Pradesh.
In January 2025, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a new pangolin species, named the Indo-Burmese Pangolin (Manis indoburmanica), in Arunachal Pradesh (AR). This species diverged from the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) approximately 3.4 million years ago.
- The newly discovered species belongs to the family Manidae, featuring dark brown to olive-brown scales and a pinkish-colored face. Its body is covered with bristle-like fur, similar to other Asian pangolins.
Main Point :-
(i) Researchers from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL) at Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, have discovered two rare species from the Order Neuroptera: Glenochrysa zeylanica and Indophanes barbara.
(ii) Glenochrysa zeylanica is a green lacewing species from the Chrysopidae family, classified under the Order Neuroptera.
(iii) Indophanes barbara is an antlion species belonging to the Myrmeleontidae family, characterized by its long, distinct antennae.
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India Launches Tri-Services Military Exercise 'Poorvi Prahar' in Eastern Sector.
The Indian Army is conducting a high-intensity tri-services exercise Poorvi Prahar from 10th to 18th November 2024 in the forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
- This joint exercise aims to sharpen the combat effectiveness of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in implementing Integrated Joint Operations in the difficult mountainous terrain of the region, thus increasing inter-service coordination and operational readiness.
- The exercise will act as a platform to showcase various sophisticated platforms and assets from all three services, including fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, strategic helicopters like the Chinook and Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), and M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer Artillery Systems.
Main Points:-
(i) The Indian Army uses its M-777 ultra-lightweight howitzers, which are weapons designed for mountainous regions and have been recently introduced in the artillery units deployed in the eastern sector.
(ii) The exercise, Poorvi Prahar, will involve innovative technological advancements such as First Person View (FPV) Drones, and Loiter Munitions. These technologies, including Swarm Drones, will transform modern warfare by providing situational awareness and accuracy in operations.
(iii) Joint control structures will be established during the exercise to maintain the efficiency of operations.
About Indian Army
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters: New Delhi
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