28 April 2025

• Economy: World Bank Poverty Brief Spring 2025 confirmed India lifted 171 million out of extreme poverty. Youth unemployment at 13.3 per cent and graduate unemployment at 29 per cent remain concerns.
• Health: The next-generation Health Management Information System (HMIS), part of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, was launched on 28 April 2025.
• Economy: National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation won the Udyom Vikas Award 2025.
• Security: Indian Navy and CSIR-IMMT bilateral agreements with Russia reflected India's efforts to diversify critical mineral sourcing.

GS area: Economy, Social Issues

The World Bank's Poverty and Equity Brief for India (Spring 2025) is one of the most frequently cited documents in recent UPSC current affairs.

• Headline: 171 million people lifted out of extreme poverty between 2011-12 and 2022-23.
• Extreme poverty rate: From 16.2 per cent to 2.3 per cent.
• Lower-middle-income poverty: From 61.8 per cent to 28.1 per cent (378 million people).
• Multidimensional poverty: From 53.8 per cent (NFHS-5, 2005-06) to 15.5 per cent (NFHS-5 based estimate for 2022-23).
• Gini: Improved from 28.8 to 25.5.
• Urban unemployment: 6.6 per cent, the lowest since 2017-18.
• Concerning data:
  • Youth unemployment: 13.3 per cent.
  • Graduate unemployment: 29 per cent.
  • Formal employment: Only 23 per cent of non-farm jobs.
  • Women's labour participation: 31 per cent.
  • Geographical concentration: Five states account for 54 per cent of the extremely poor.
• Key schemes cited: PMAY, MGNREGA, Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, PMGSY.

Static linkage: Poverty, welfare schemes, economic development (GS-3 Economy, GS-2 Social Issues).

GS area: Governance, Health, Technology

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the next-generation HMIS on 28 April 2025.

• Developer: C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing).
• Part of: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• Key feature: PAN-based unique patient identification. Each patient has a unique digital health ID linked to their PAN.
• Function: Integrated digital tracking of healthcare contributions and patient records across public health facilities.
• Significance: Moves India from fragmented, paper-based health records to a unified digital health architecture.

Static linkage: Health governance, digital health, e-governance (GS-2 Governance).

GS area: Environment and Ecology

Similipal's designation as India's 107th national park was confirmed in April 2025 context.

• Location: Mayurbhanj district, Odisha.
• Area: 845.70 sq km.
• Status: Tiger Reserve (1973), Wildlife Sanctuary (1979), and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2009).
• Melanistic tigers: The only known wild population of melanistic tigers (pseudo-melanistic tigers, with abnormally dark coats).
• Biodiversity: 55+ mammal species, 361 bird species, 62 reptile species, 1,352+ plant species.
• Second largest national park in Odisha: Bhitarkanika is the first.

Static linkage: Biodiversity, wildlife conservation (GS-3 Environment).

GS area: International Relations, Geography, Economy

India filed an expanded claim with the UNCLCS in April 2025 for continental shelf rights beyond 200 nautical miles in the Arabian Sea.

• New area claimed: Approximately 10,000 sq km of additional continental shelf.
• Potential total: If accepted, India's extended continental shelf could add approximately 1.2 million sq km, nearly the size of India's entire landmass.
• Benefits: Exclusive rights over seabed mineral resources, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas deposits, and enhanced maritime security jurisdiction.
• Legal basis: UNCLOS Article 76 permits extensions beyond 200 nm if the natural prolongation of the landmass extends further.
• Strategic context: India is simultaneously developing blue economy policies and critical minerals strategy where seabed resources are relevant.

Static linkage: Maritime law, geography, blue economy (GS-2 IR, GS-1 Geography).

GS area: Economy

The Dani Rodrik trilemma appeared in April 2025 economic commentary following US tariff escalation.

• Core argument: Nations cannot simultaneously maintain (a) national sovereignty, (b) democracy, and (c) deep economic globalization. At most two of three can coexist.
• April 2025 application: US tariffs represent democratic populism (democracy) asserting sovereignty against globalisation. India's cautious trade deal approach reflects similar tensions.
• Western crisis as evidence: Rising populism, eroding institutional trust, economic dislocation reflect the trilemma playing out.

Static linkage: Trade policy, international political economy (GS-3 Economy, GS-2 IR).

• Pandit Chatur Lal: Recalled following his BAFTA recognition and cultural contributions. Nominated for Oscar (1957). Collaborated with Ravi Shankar. First tabla player to achieve Western recognition in the 1950s.
• Next-generation HMIS PAN linkage: The use of PAN (Permanent Account Number) as a health ID anchor is a departure from Aadhaar-centric identification in health, raising both inclusivity and privacy questions.