• Total Forest and Tree Cover: 25.17% of the country's total geographical area (8,27,357 sq km)
• Forest Cover: 21.76% of the total geographical area (7,15,342.61 sq km)
• Tree Cover: 3.41% of the total geographical area (1,12,014.34 sq km)
• Mangrove Area: Total 4,992 sq km (0.15% of the total geographical area)

States with the Highest Increase:

• Chhattisgarh (683.62 sq km)
• Uttar Pradesh (559.19 sq km)
• Odisha (558.57 sq km)

States with the Highest Decrease:

• Madhya Pradesh (-612.41 sq km)
• Karnataka (-459.36 sq km)
• Top States (Based on Forest Cover):
• By Area: Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra
• By Percentage (%): Mizoram (Highest Percentage), Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland
• Carbon Stock: India's total forest carbon stock is estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes.

• The current cost of space research in India is approximately $9 billion, and it is projected to exceed $44 billion by the year 2033.
• To date, 1,320 students have benefited from the Young Scientist Programme.
• The 'Yuvika' initiative is playing a pivotal role in inspiring school students to pursue careers in space science. This program is designed for Class 9 students across the country.

• Objective: To transition civil servants from a 'rule-based' to a 'role-based' work culture.
• Duration: April 2 to April 8, 2026 (a week-long program).
• Goal: To build a 'future-ready' civil service in order to realize the dream of a 'Developed India' (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.
• Focal Point: This mission is one of the world's largest initiatives for the capacity building of government employees, focusing on both individual and organizational development.
• Mission Karmayogi (National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building - NPCSCB):
• Launch: September 2020
• Objective: To achieve the goal of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" by making civil servants more creative, imaginative, proactive, professional, and tech-savvy—a vision aligned with the concept of a Developed India by 2047.
• iGOT-Karmayogi Platform: This is an online learning platform where Karmayogis complete courses to enhance their competencies.
• Target: It aims to cover approximately 4.6 million central government employees and, in the future, to train 15 million employees (including those from state and local bodies).

• The government has introduced two mascots—Pragati (female) and Vikas (male)—to reflect the inclusive nature of the census.
• Mobile Apps: Approximately 3 million field workers will collect data using mobile apps (Android/iOS) available in 16 languages.
• Geo-tagging: For the first time, all buildings will be geo-tagged using Digital Layout Mapping (DLM) to ensure accuracy and facilitate better planning.
• Live-in Couples: A review of the Census portal's FAQ section reveals that it also includes provisions for collecting data on live-in couples. Couples who consider their relationship to be stable may be included in this category and will be enumerated as married.
• The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) is overseeing this entire process. All personal data remains protected under the Census Act, 1948.
• The census will be conducted across the country in two main phases, for which the Union Cabinet has approved a budget of ₹11,718.24 crore.

• Inaugurator: P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs.
• Location: Nalanda University Campus, Rajgir, Bihar.
• Objective: To strengthen academic, cultural, and strategic cooperation between India and Southeast Asia (ASEAN).
• Research Areas: The Centre will operate through 10 interdisciplinary clusters, covering areas such as climate change, maritime studies, trade, heritage, public health, migration, and digital cooperation.
• Historical Significance: The Centre will serve as a 'Knowledge Partner' for the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the period 2026–2030, thereby bolstering India's 'Act East' policy.
• International Presence: The inauguration ceremony was attended by numerous international dignitaries, including ambassadors and high commissioners from ASEAN nations, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

• Total Collection: ₹2,00,064 crore—an 8.8% year-on-year increase (compared to ₹1,83,845 crore in March 2025).
• Domestic Revenue: Increased by 5.9% to over ₹1.46 lakh crore.
• Import Revenue: Rose by 17.8% to ₹53,861 crore.
• Total Growth in FY26: For the full financial year, GST collection grew by 8.3%, totaling ₹22.27 lakh crore.
• State Performance: Maharashtra made the highest contribution (approximately ₹0.13 lakh crore), followed by Karnataka and Gujarat.
• Refunds: Refunds amounting to ₹0.22 lakh crore were issued in March—a 13.8% increase—resulting in a net revenue of ₹1.78 lakh crore.

• Income Tax: Under the new tax regime, annual income up to ₹12 lakh will now be exempt from tax. The 'Income Tax Act, 2025' has superseded the 'Income Tax Act, 1961'. Under the new tax system, the concepts of 'Financial Year' and 'Assessment Year' have been replaced by a single system known as the 'Tax Year'.
• Changes to ITR Filing Deadlines: For salaried individuals, the deadline remains July 31, while for other taxpayers, it has been set at August 31. In cases where an audit is mandatory, the deadline will be October 31.
• The tax exemption limit for gifts and vouchers has now been increased to ₹15,000, up from the previous limit of ₹5,000.
• PAN and HRA: Additional documentation will now be mandatory for obtaining a PAN card. To claim an exemption on House Rent Allowance (HRA), it will be mandatory to provide the landlord's PAN details. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad have now been classified as 'metro cities'; consequently, residents of these cities will be eligible for an HRA exemption of up to 50 percent.
• Banking and UPI: 'Two-Factor Authentication' (2FA) has been made mandatory for all digital payments and UPI transactions. Cash withdrawals from ATMs via UPI will now also be subject to charges once the free transaction limit is exhausted.
• Railway Tickets (Railway Rules): Under stricter refund regulations, a refund will now be granted only if a train ticket is cancelled at least 8 hours prior to the scheduled departure time. No refund will be issued for cancellations made less than 8 hours before departure. The facility to change one's boarding station will now remain available up to 30 minutes prior to the train's departure.
• FASTag and Tolls: The price of FASTag has increased; it will now be available for ₹3,075, up from the previous price of ₹3,000. Cash payments at toll plazas have been completely discontinued.
• Expensive items: Luxury watches, imported liquor, and cigarettes have become more expensive due to increased taxes.
• Cheaper items: Electronic goods (smartphones, tablets) and certain medicines have become cheaper.

International Monetary Fund (IMF):

• Establishment: It was established in July 1944 during the Bretton Woods Conference and formally began operations in 1945.
• Headquarters: Washington D.C., United States.
• Current Members: It currently comprises 190 member countries (as of Liechtenstein's accession in May 2024).
• Managing Director (MD): Currently, Kristalina Georgieva serves as the Managing Director of the IMF. She began her second five-year term on October 1, 2024.

World Bank:

• An international financial institution that provides economic assistance and technical advice to developing countries.
• Its primary goals are to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity.
• Establishment: July 1944 (during the Bretton Woods Conference).
• Headquarters: Washington D.C., United States.
• Member Countries: Currently, there are 189 member countries (India is a founding member).
• President: Currently, Ajay Banga serves as the 14th President of the World Bank Group, having assumed office on June 2, 2023.

• Total Growth: This figure represents a massive increase of ₹14,802 crore (62.66%) over the ₹23,622 crore recorded in the previous financial year (2024-25).
• Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs): Contributed 54.84% (approximately ₹21,071 crore) to the total exports.
• Exports by Defence Undertakings (DPSUs) witnessed a 151% increase compared to the previous year.
• Meanwhile, private companies demonstrated their strong presence by registering a growth of 14%.
• In terms of value, the private sector contributed ₹17,353 crore to defence exports, while the DPSUs contributed ₹21,071 crore.
• In the previous financial year, these figures stood at ₹15,233 crore and ₹8,389 crore, respectively.
• Export Destinations: Currently, India is exporting defence equipment to over 80 countries.
• The number of exporters has increased by 13.3% compared to the previous financial year, rising from 128 to 145.
• Future Target: The Government of India has set a target of achieving annual defence exports worth ₹50,000 crore by the year 2029.
• The Ministry of Defence has declared the year 2025 as the "Year of Reforms."

• Total Growth: This figure represents a massive increase of ₹14,802 crore (62.66%) over the ₹23,622 crore recorded in the previous financial year (2024-25).
• Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs): Contributed 54.84% (approximately ₹21,071 crore) to the total exports.
• Exports by Defence Undertakings (DPSUs) witnessed a 151% increase compared to the previous year.
• Meanwhile, private companies demonstrated their strong presence by registering a growth of 14%.
• In terms of value, the private sector contributed ₹17,353 crore to defence exports, while the DPSUs contributed ₹21,071 crore.
• In the previous financial year, these figures stood at ₹15,233 crore and ₹8,389 crore, respectively.
• Export Destinations: Currently, India is exporting defence equipment to over 80 countries.
• The number of exporters has increased by 13.3% compared to the previous financial year, rising from 128 to 145.
• Future Target: The Government of India has set a target of achieving annual defence exports worth ₹50,000 crore by the year 2029.
• The Ministry of Defence has declared the year 2025 as the "Year of Reforms."

• Kuppa also serves as the Department's Chief Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer.
• She will continue to oversee information technology strategy, digital transformation, and the utilization of AI within the agency.
• A senior executive in the technology sector, Kuppa possesses over 25 years of experience.
• She joined the Department of Labor in 2010 and has since served in various senior capacities, including Chief Technology Officer and Director of Business Application Services.

• Objective: The primary goal of this collaboration is to promote music education in India and to further deepen people's passion for music.
• Long-standing Association: A.R. Rahman has been utilizing Yamaha keyboards and instruments in his music production for decades, a fact that makes this partnership even more special.
• Brand Vision: Through its global tagline, 'Make Waves,' Yamaha aims to inspire music enthusiasts to express themselves through their music.
• A.R. Rahman—also known as the 'Mozart of Madras'—is a titan of the Indian music industry who has given Indian music a distinct global identity.
• Oscars (Academy Awards): In 2009, he won two Oscars for the film *Slumdog Millionaire* (for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, 'Jai Ho').

• Dr. Pratibha Ray (Odia): An eminent Odia writer, known for celebrated works such as 'Yajnaseni'; she has also been honored with the Jnanpith Award and the Padma Bhushan.
• Lakhmi Khilani (Sindhi): A prominent Sindhi fiction writer, playwright, and translator, who has been honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award.
• Abdus Samad (Urdu): A renowned Urdu writer and poet, who is a recipient of both the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Ghalib Award.

• Theme: This year's main slogan was "Connecting Nature to Sustain Life."
• Key Outcomes: During the conference, a decision was made to add approximately 40 new migratory species to the conservation list, including species such as the cheetah, striped hyena, and snowy owl.
• Strategic Plan: This meeting emphasized the implementation of the Samarkand Strategic Plan 2024–2032 and its alignment with the 'Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.'
• Previous Conference (COP14): The preceding 14th conference was held in February 2024 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
• According to the report, a total of 188 migratory species currently face the risk of extinction; these include 28 terrestrial mammals, 23 aquatic mammals, 103 bird species, 8 reptile species, and 26 types of fish.
• Twenty-six species listed under the CMS—including 18 migratory coastal birds—have now fallen into the category of high extinction risk.
• This analysis also mapped over 9,000 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)—sites that are indispensable for sustaining species and ecosystems.

• Snake Identification: The app assists in identifying 25 venomous snake species found in Costa Rica.
• Comparative Data: It provides detailed visual aids (photographs) and textual descriptions to aid in identification, allowing users to compare a real-life snake with the species listed within the app.
• Dispelling Confusion: The app also provides information on 12 non-venomous species that are frequently mistaken for venomous ones, thereby helping to prevent the unnecessary killing of harmless snakes.
• First Aid and Safety: It offers an accurate first aid guide and safety instructions, outlining the essential "dos and don'ts" to follow in the event of a snakebite.

• Theme for this year (2026): "Autism and Humanity – Every Life Matters"
• Establishment: The United Nations General Assembly recognized this day in December 2007, and it has been observed annually since 2008.
• Objective: To spread awareness regarding the rights, unique talents, and support requirements of individuals affected by ASD.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): This is a neuro-developmental disorder that primarily affects social communication and behavior. It is referred to as a 'spectrum' because its symptoms and severity can vary significantly from one individual to another.
• Key Initiatives (India):
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: Under this Act, Autism has been recognized as a specific disability.
• Swavlamban Card (UDID): A national database and identity card for persons with disabilities.
• Global Symbol: The color blue is considered the symbol of autism awareness (the 'Light It Up Blue' campaign).