1. NSO Report: Decade of Agricultural Performance
Context:
The National Statistics Office (NSO) released a report reviewing India’s agricultural sector performance over the past decade.
Key Highlights:
- Gross Value Added (GVA): Rose by ~225% (current prices) between 2011–12 and 2023–24.
- Gross Value of Output (GVO): Grew by 54.6% (constant prices) in the same period.
- Crop Sector: Largest contributor to agriculture GVO in 2023–24 (54.1%).
- Top Cereal Producer: Uttar Pradesh.
- Paddy & Wheat: Account for ~85% of total cereal GVO.
- Floriculture: GVO nearly doubled to ₹28,100 crore.
- Condiments & Spices: Madhya Pradesh (19.2%) leads, followed by Karnataka and Gujarat.
- Fishing & Aquaculture: Contribution rose from 4.2% to 7.0%; marine fish share increased, inland fish share declined.
- Importance:
- Contributes ~16% to GDP (FY24).
- Supports ~46.1% of the population.
- Challenges:
- Low productivity, low farmer income, water overexploitation, climate change, extreme weather.
- Low productivity, low farmer income, water overexploitation, climate change, extreme weather.
Major Schemes:
- Agriculture Investment Fund, Digital Agriculture Mission, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, MIDH, Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Fund, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
2. Indus Waters Treaty Dispute: India Rejects CoA Award
Context:
India rejected the supplemental award by the Hague-based Court of Arbitration (CoA) on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
Background:
- Treaty: Signed in 1960; brokered by World Bank.
- India: Unrestricted use of Sutlej, Beas, Ravi.
- Pakistan: Rights over Indus, Jhelum, Chenab.
- Dispute: Pakistan objected to Kishenganga and Ratle hydro projects’ design.
- Resolution Mechanism:
- Permanent Indus Commission
- Neutral Expert
- Court of Arbitration
India’s Stand:
- CoA was “illegally constituted,” violating the treaty.
- India suspended the treaty post-April 2025 terror attack, citing sovereign rights.
3. India’s External Debt Rises
Context:
RBI reported India’s external debt at US$ 736.3 billion (March 2025), up by US$ 67.5 billion year-on-year.
Key Highlights:
- Debt-to-GDP Ratio: Rose to 19.1% (from 18.5%).
- Long-term Debt: $601.9 billion; short-term share fell to 18.3%.
- Currency Composition: USD (54.2%), INR (31.1%), JPY, SDRs.
- Borrowers: Non-financial corporations (35.5%), deposit-taking corporations (27.5%), government (22.9%).
- Debt Instrument: Loans (34%) largest.
- Concerns:
- Repayment burden (exchange rate risk).
- Rising inflation, crowding out investment, BoP pressure.
4. “Skills For The Future” Report: India’s Workforce Landscape
Context:
Ministry of Skill Development released a report on India’s skills scenario.
Key Findings:
- 88% of workforce in low-competency jobs.
- Skill mismatch: Over/underqualification due to education-job gaps.
- Impact:
- Reduces productivity and innovation.
- Limits mobility, widens inequality, triggers migration/brain drain.
Recommendations:
- Revamp TVET, align with industry needs.
- Standardize skill assessment.
- Incentivize industry hiring from certified pools.
- Promote lifelong learning.
5. Adi Karmyogi Programme
Context:
Launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Key Points:
- Aim: Build a cadre of motivated officers for grassroots transformation.
- Target: 1 lakh tribal villages; reach 20 lakh stakeholders.
- Focus: Capacity-building, citizen-centric delivery.
6. Rath Yatra (Puri, Odisha)
Context:
Annual Hindu festival; ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple.
Features:
- Begins on second day of Asadha month (June–July).
- Return journey: Bahuda Yatra.
7. India’s Start-Up Ecosystem Boom
Context:
Meta report highlights exponential growth in Indian startups.
Key Points:
- 150,000+ DPIIT-recognized startups (2024); 51% from non-metros.
- $380+ billion combined unicorn valuation; India ranks 3rd globally.
- 70% startups use AI; 87% report improved marketing efficiency.
- Focus: Tier 2/3 cities, omnichannel models, cross-border expansion.
- Government Initiatives: Startup India, SISFS, FFS, CGSS, AIM, Meity Startup Hub.
8. India’s Current Account Surplus
Context:
India recorded a current account surplus of $13.5 billion (1.3% of GDP) in Q4 FY25.
Key Points:
- FY25 deficit narrowed to $23.3 billion (0.6% of GDP) from $26 billion (0.7%) in FY24.
- Current account measures goods, services, income, transfers in BoP.
9. Vera C. Rubin Observatory
Context:
Released first cosmic images; located in Chile.
Key Points:
- Conducts Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) for 10 years.
- Named after astronomer who proved dark matter’s existence.
10. PFAS-Degrading Bacteria
Context:
Researchers found 20+ bacteria species capable of breaking down PFAS (“forever chemicals”).
Key Points:
- PFAS: Strong carbon-fluorine bonds, used in cookware, packaging, fabrics.
- Environmental impact: Persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic.
11. IBAT Alliance
Context:
Doubled investment in biodiversity data.
Key Points:
- Coalition of Birdlife International, Conservation International, IUCN, UNEP-WCMC.
- Supports World Database on Protected Areas, IUCN Red List, Key Biodiversity Areas.
12. SPREE Scheme (ESIC)
Context:
ESIC re-launched SPREE to promote registration of employers/employees.
Key Points:
- Initial success: Registered 88,000 employers, 1.02 crore employees.
- 2025: One-time window for voluntary compliance; includes amnesty and revised AYUSH policy.
13. Goldilocks Economy
Context:
Finance Ministry describes India’s economic health as a “Goldilocks situation.”
Key Points:
- Economy is neither overheating nor contracting excessively.
Features: Moderate growth, stable inflation, manageable unemployment.