Highlights
- International Relations: A ceasefire between India and Pakistan took effect at 1700 hours IST. India abstained from the IMF vote on a Pakistan assistance package.
- Security: India's air defence successfully intercepted Pakistani drone and missile attacks. Three Jan Suraksha Schemes completed a decade.
- Environment: India's mangrove cover rose 7.86 per cent over the last decade. Forest and tree cover is 25.17 per cent of geographical area.
- Economy: Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups expanded. Guarantee limit raised from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore per borrower.
- Health: Thalassemia awareness highlighted. West Bengal's carrier rate of 6-10 per cent is double the national average.
1. India-Pakistan ceasefire and IMF vote
GS area: International Relations, South Asian Security
A ceasefire between India and Pakistan took effect on 10 May 2025 at 1700 hours IST, following four days of military exchanges after Operation Sindoor.
- Ceasefire terms: Both sides agreed to stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and at sea.
- India's position: The ceasefire was tactical. India did not abandon its counter-terrorism doctrine. Its three-pillar stance: decisive retaliation on India's terms; zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail; no distinction between terrorists and state sponsors.
- IMF vote: India abstained from the IMF vote on a new Pakistan assistance package. India cited Pakistan's record on structural reforms and its continued support for terrorism. This is the IMF mechanism note: the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) addresses prolonged balance-of-payments problems with 3-plus year tenures and periodic tranche releases.
- South Asia trade cost: Past wars reduced India's GDP growth by 0.5 to 1.2 per cent (RBI data). SAARC trade constitutes only 5 per cent of total regional trade.
Static linkage: India-Pakistan relations, SAARC, IMF and its lending instruments.
2. Three Jan Suraksha Schemes: tenth anniversary
GS area: Social Security, Welfare Schemes, Financial Inclusion
The three Jan Suraksha Schemes were launched on 9 May 2015. Their tenth anniversary renewed attention to their reach and design.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY):
- Coverage: ₹2 lakh on death from any cause.
- Premium: ₹436 per annum.
- Eligibility: Ages 18-50 with a bank or post office account.
- Implementing agencies: LIC and approved life insurers through banks and post offices.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY):
- Coverage: ₹2 lakh for death or total disability; ₹1 lakh for partial disability.
- Premium: ₹20 per annum (one of the world's cheapest insurance premiums).
- Eligibility: Ages 18-70.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY):
- Pension: ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 monthly after age 60.
- Eligibility: Ages 18-40, non-income tax payers.
- Implementing agency: PFRDA under the National Pension System.
Static linkage: Financial inclusion, social security, Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile trinity.
3. India's forest cover at UN forum
GS area: Environment, International Relations, Governance
India presented its forest statistics at UNFF20 (the 20th session of the UN Forum on Forests).
- UNFF: Established in 2000 by ECOSOC Resolution 2000/35. A functional commission under ECOSOC. Headquarters in New York.
- India's forest cover: 25.17 per cent of total geographical area (forest and tree cover combined).
- Mangrove growth: 7.86 per cent rise over the last decade.
- Green India Mission: 1.55 lakh hectares afforested.
- Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Campaign planted 1.4 billion seedlings.
- Big cat alliance: India invited nations to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) at the forum.
Static linkage: Forestry, environmental governance, international environmental bodies.
4. Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups expanded
GS area: Economy, Entrepreneurship, Financial Inclusion
The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) was expanded with enhanced coverage limits.
- Launched: October 2022 under the Startup India Action Plan.
- Operationalised by: National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC).
- Ministry: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- Expanded features (2025): Guarantee limit raised from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore per borrower. Coverage is 85 per cent for loans up to ₹10 crore and 75 per cent for loans above that.
- Fee reduction: Annual guarantee fee reduced to 1 per cent for 27 Champion Sectors (previously 2 per cent).
- Eligible lenders: Scheduled commercial banks, NBFC-BBB+ rated, SEBI-registered AIFs.
Static linkage: Startup India, DPIIT, credit guarantee schemes, entrepreneurship.
5. Thalassemia and Gomti River
GS area: Public Health, Indian Geography
Two distinct prelims-focused items.
- Thalassemia: An inherited blood disorder causing insufficient or abnormal haemoglobin. It is the most common single-gene disorder globally. West Bengal's carrier rate is 6-10 per cent versus the national average of 3-4 per cent.
- Alpha Thalassemia: Up to 4 gene deletions. Prevalent in Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern and African populations.
- Beta Thalassemia Major (Cooley Anaemia): Severe form requiring lifelong blood transfusions. Treatment options include regular transfusions, iron chelation and bone marrow transplantation.
- Gomti River: Originates at Gomat Taal (Fulhaar Jheel) in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh. Length approximately 960 km. Flows entirely through Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow, Sitapur, Sultanpur, Jaunpur). Joins the Ganga at Kaithi, Ghazipur district. Sacred river mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. The rare Gomti Chakra is found in its riverbed sands. Facing severe ecological degradation from untreated sewage.
Static linkage: Genetic disorders, public health, river systems of UP.
6. Tagore birth anniversary (7 May)
GS area: Modern Indian History, Culture
Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary fell this week and merits note for prelims.
- Born: 7 May 1861, Kolkata. Son of Debendranath Tagore (Brahmo Samaj reformer).
- Nobel Prize: Literature, 1913. The first non-European recipient.
- Composed: India's national anthem Jana Gana Mana. Also composed Bangladesh's national anthem Amar Sonar Bangla.
- Renounced knighthood: 1919 after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- Founded: Santiniketan with a holistic educational philosophy blending Eastern spirituality and Western liberalism.
- Major works: Gitanjali, Gora, Ghare Baire, The Post Office, Raktakaravi.
Static linkage: Modern Indian history, cultural figures, Brahmo Samaj.
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