India Meteorological Department (IMD):

• Establishment: 1875
• Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• International Cooperation: The IMD is one of the six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The New Delhi-based RSMC is responsible for the naming of cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region.
• 150th Anniversary Celebration: The IMD completed 150 years of its establishment on January 15, 2025.

Mission Mausam:

• An ambitious initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), launched with the objective of transforming India into a "Weather-Ready and Climate-Smart" nation.
• Phase-I: This is being implemented during the period 2024–2026. A budget of ₹2,000 crore has been allocated for this phase.
• Phase-II: This will be implemented during the next financial cycle, spanning 2026–2031.

Implementing Agencies:

• India Meteorological Department (IMD)
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune
• National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Noida

• Reduced Travel Time: This corridor reduces the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from approximately 6.5 hours to just 2.5 hours.
• Total Length and Cost: The 213-kilometer-long, six-lane, access-controlled expressway has been constructed at a cost exceeding ₹12,000 crore.
• Wildlife Protection: A unique feature of this corridor is a 12-kilometer-long elevated wildlife corridor—the longest of its kind in Asia. It is designed to ensure the safe and unhindered movement of animals through ecologically sensitive areas, such as Rajaji National Park.

Environmental Sustainability: The project incorporates several measures for wildlife protection, including:

• Eight dedicated passages for animals.
• Two underpasses for elephants, each 200 meters in length.
• A 370-meter-long tunnel near the Maa Dat Kali Temple.
• Regional Connectivity: This corridor enhances connectivity between Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, linking key economic and tourism hubs such as Haridwar, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, and Saharanpur.
• Advanced Facilities: The expressway is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to ensure safer and smoother travel.
• Infrastructure: It serves as a prime example of developing "next-generation infrastructure" that strikes a balance between high-speed connectivity and environmental sustainability.
• Economic Impact: The corridor is expected to bolster regional economic growth, boost tourism in the Himalayan region, and unlock new trade opportunities.
• Ecological Conservation: This project serves as a case study for mitigating human-wildlife conflict in sensitive forest areas, as highlighted in studies conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the NHAI.

• Partnership: This agreement has been established between Gurugram-based KC Aviation Pvt. Ltd. and the UK's ARC Aerosystems Ltd.
• Program: It is funded under the 'India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme for Industrial Sustainability.'
• Approving Body: Technology Development Board (TDB) – Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Partner Companies: KC Aviation (India) and ARC Aerosystems (UK).
• Key Program: India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme (for Industrial Sustainability).

Key Technical Features:

• System: Hybrid propulsion-based Jump Take-Off (JTO).
• Capability: Enabling aircraft to take off without a runway (near-vertical) or from very short runways.
• Equipment: Primarily developed for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Gyrocopters.
• Infrastructure:
• An advanced propulsion test bench facility will be established in North India.
• This will be the first-of-its-kind facility in India for the testing and validation of rotorcraft propulsion systems.

Key Applications:

• Regional Connectivity: Connecting remote and inaccessible areas.
• Disaster Management: Providing rapid assistance during situations such as floods or earthquakes.
• Medical Evacuation: Emergency medical evacuations.
• Surveillance: Enhanced surveillance in border and inaccessible regions.

• Co-chairmanship: The meeting was co-chaired by India's Foreign Secretary, Mr. Vikram Misri, and the Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Martin Briens.

Key Discussion Topics:

• Strategic Domains: Defence, civil nuclear energy, space, and cyber and digital cooperation.
• Innovation and Technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deliverables related to the 'India-France Year of Innovation' were reviewed.
• Economic Security: Both countries discussed cooperation on economic security and the goal of doubling bilateral trade, particularly in the context of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• Talent and Mobility: Emphasis was placed on enhancing the exchange of talent in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and on the ambition to increase the number of Indian students in France.
• Regional and Global Issues: The meeting also featured an exchange of views on the current situation in West Asia and Ukraine, as well as on the Indo-Pacific region, climate change, and health-related challenges.
• Additional Meetings: During his visit, the Foreign Secretary also met with France's Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, and the Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Mr. Emmanuel Bonne.

Other Recent Developments (2026):

• Special Global Strategic Partnership: Relations were upgraded to this new level in February 2026.
• AI Impact Summit 2026: President Macron participated in this summit during his visit to India.
• G7 Summit: France has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the G7 Summit scheduled for 2026.

France:

• Capital: Paris
• Official Language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Borders: It shares borders with Belgium and Luxembourg to the north; Germany, Switzerland, and Italy to the east; and Spain and Andorra to the south.
• Shape: Due to its geographical shape, it is often referred to as 'The Hexagon'.
• Mountains and Rivers: The Alps and the Pyrenees are the major mountain ranges. The Seine and the Loire are the significant rivers of the region.
• Overseas Territories: France comprises 5 overseas departments/regions: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, and Mayotte.
• India and France have maintained a strategic partnership since 1998.

• Capital: Washington, D.C.
• Largest City: New York City
• Currency: US Dollar (USD)
• National Day: July 4 (Independence Day)
• Continent: North America

Major Landmarks:

• Statue of Liberty (New York)
• The White House (Washington, D.C.)
• Grand Canyon (Arizona)
• Disneyland (California)

• Political Background: The 58-year-old Amedi is a senior leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party and previously served as Iraq's Minister of Environment (2022–2024).
• Election Process: After no candidate secured a two-thirds majority in the first round, Amedi achieved a majority in the second round, defeating independent candidate Muthanna Amin Nader (who received only 15 votes).
• Constitutional Tradition (Muhasasah System): According to Iraq's power-sharing system, the office of the President is traditionally held by a Kurd, while the Prime Minister is a Shia Muslim and the Speaker of Parliament is a Sunni Muslim.
• Next Steps: As per the Constitution, President Amedi has 15 days to invite the candidate nominated by the largest parliamentary bloc (the Shia Coordination Framework) to assume the office of Prime Minister.

Iraq:

• Location: It is situated in the Middle East. It is often referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization."
• Neighboring Countries: Iraq shares borders with six countries: North: Turkey; East: Iran; West: Syria and Jordan; South: Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
• Coastline: In the southeast, it possesses a very short coastline (approximately 58 km) along the Persian Gulf.
• Rivers: The Tigris and Euphrates are the two most prominent rivers in the country. The fertile region situated between these two rivers is historically known as Mesopotamia.
• Mountains: The Zagros mountain range is located in the northeast. Iraq's highest peak is Cheekha Dar.
• Capital: Baghdad
• Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
• Official Languages: Arabic and Kurdish

• Retail Inflation (CPI): 3.4% (March 2026)
• Food Inflation: 3.87% (March 2026)
• Key Causes: Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and elevated food prices
• Regional Impact: Rural inflation stood at 3.63%, while urban inflation was 3.11%

Retail Inflation Rate (CPI):

• Also known as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• It represents the rate at which the prices of goods and services purchased by consumers change over time.
• It reflects changes in the cost of living for the common person.
• Issuing Authority: National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
• New Base Year: The base year has been revised from 2012 to 2024.
• Inflation Target: The government has set a target of 4% (+/- 2%) for the RBI, implying that the inflation rate should ideally range between 2% and 6%.

• Total Corpus: ₹10,000 crore
• Implementation Period: Commitments under this fund will span across the 16th and 17th Finance Commission cycles.
• Nodal Ministry and Agency: This is an initiative of the 'Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade' (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will serve as the implementing agency for this initiative.
• Operational Model: It does not invest directly into startups; instead, it invests in SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which, in turn, provide funding to startups.

Priority and Focus Areas:

• Deep Tech: High-technology innovations in sectors such as AI, Robotics, Quantum Computing, and Semiconductors.
• Innovative Manufacturing: Manufacturing units that focus on technology-driven innovation.
• Early-Growth Stage Startups: Providing financial security to early-stage startups that are at risk of failure due to a lack of funding.
• Geographical Expansion: Extending innovation beyond metropolitan areas to reach Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
• 'Startup India Fund of Funds 1.0':
• Launch: It was launched in January 2016 as a key component of the 'Startup India Action Plan'.
• Total Corpus: A corpus of ₹10,000 crore was allocated for this fund.
• Operations: It is managed and operated by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India).

• Annual Growth: The industry's total asset base witnessed a growth of 12.2% (approximately ₹8 lakh crore) compared to ₹65.74 lakh crore in the previous year (FY25).
• Record SIP Contribution: In FY26, total SIP investments rose by 20.7% to reach ₹3.5 lakh crore. In March 2026 alone, monthly SIP contributions stood at an all-time high of ₹32,087 crore.
• Monthly Fluctuations: Total AUM witnessed a decline of 10.1% in March compared to ₹82.02 lakh crore in February 2026. This was primarily attributed to heavy outflows from Debt Funds at the end of the financial year, as well as market volatility.
• Confidence in Equities: Despite market volatility, equity mutual funds attracted inflows of ₹40,450.26 crore in March 2026—the highest level recorded since July 2025.
• Pace of Growth: This growth rate of 12.2% was slower compared to the preceding two years (~23% in FY25 and ~36% in FY24), a trend attributed to stock market volatility and global tensions.

• Baisakhi: Primarily celebrated in Punjab and Haryana. It is a harvest festival celebrated to mark the ripening of the Rabi crops and also signifies the Sikh New Year. It was on this very day in 1699 that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth.
• Bohag Bihu: Also known as 'Rongali Bihu,' this is a major festival of Assam. It celebrates the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the arrival of the spring season.
• Vishu: This marks the Malayali New Year of Kerala. On this day, there is a tradition of viewing the 'Vishukkani' (the first auspicious sight of the morning), which is believed to symbolize prosperity in the coming year.
• Puthandu: This is the New Year of Tamil Nadu, also referred to as 'Tamil Puthandu.' It is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of 'Chithirai.'
• Poila Boishakh: This is celebrated as the Bengali New Year in West Bengal, Tripura, and Bangladesh. It falls on the first day of 'Boishakh,' the first month of the Bengali calendar.
• Vishuva/Mahavishuva Sankranti: Celebrated in Odisha, this festival is also known as 'Pana Sankranti.' It marks the Odia New Year.
• Meshadi and Vaishakhadi: These names denote an astronomical phenomenon—the Sun's entry into the zodiac sign of Aries (Mesha). In certain regions, Vaishakhadi is also observed as the commencement of the crop-sowing season.

• Capital: Jerusalem. However, Tel Aviv is the country's largest urban area and its primary economic hub.
• Currency: New Israeli Sheqel (NIS)
• Language: The official language is Hebrew, while Arabic and English are also widely used.
• Religion: It is the world's only Jewish-majority nation.
• Borders: North: Lebanon; Northeast: Syria; East: Jordan; Southwest: Egypt.
• Israel is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

• Men's 100m: Aniket Nalwade (10.60s)
• Men's Long Jump: Sarun Payasingh (7.48m)
• Men's High Jump: Sarvesh Kushare (2.19m)
• Men's Javelin Throw: Uttam Balasaheb Patil (74.85m)
• Women's 200m: Mousumi Roy (24.79s)

• Women's 100m: Mousumi Roy (11.83s)
• Women's 400m Hurdles: Vithya Ramraj (57.02s)
• Women's Long Jump: Ancy Sojan (6.45m)
• Men's 5000m: Sandeep Pal (14:11.62s)
• Women's 5000m: Bharti (16:55.42s)
• Javelin Throw (Bronze): Arun Modi (Bihar)

Winner (India):

• The India national cricket team defeated the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs in the final.
• India will receive prize money of US$ 2,639,423.

Runner-up (New Zealand):

• New Zealand will receive prize money of US$ 1,422,692.

Teams defeated in the semi-finals:

• South Africa national cricket team → US$ 1,005,577
• England national cricket team → US$ 974,423
• Teams that reached the Super-8 stage but were eliminated in the knockouts:
• West Indies cricket team → US$ 538,269
• Pakistan national cricket team → US$ 522,692
• Zimbabwe national cricket team → US$ 491,538
• Sri Lanka national cricket team → US$ 475,962

Other teams reaching the Super-8 stage:

• Afghanistan national cricket team
• Australia national cricket team
• United States national cricket team
• Each team will be awarded US$ 309,808.

Other participating teams:

• Scotland national cricket team → US$ 278,654
• Ireland national cricket team → US$ 271,731
• Other teams (Preliminary Stage):
• Italy national cricket team
• Netherlands national cricket team
• United Arab Emirates national cricket team
• Nepal national cricket team
• Each will receive US$ 256,154.

Teams eliminated in the first stage:

• Canada national cricket team
• Namibia national cricket team
• Oman national cricket team
• Each team will receive a base participation payment of US$ 225,000.

• Gold Medal: The Indian pair of Palak Gulia and Mukesh Nelavalli won the gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event.
• World Record: In the final, the Indian duo set a new World Record—as well as a Junior World Record—with a score of 487.7.
• Competition Details: They defeated the Chinese pair of Wang Zhifei and Hu Kai in the gold medal match.
• India finished third in the medal tally, while China topped the table with eight gold medals and a total of 13 medals.

• Birth: April 14, 1891 (Mhow, Madhya Pradesh)
• He participated in all three Round Table Conferences.
• Signed the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi: 1932
• 1946: Elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bengal.
• Served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee formed for the creation of the Constitution.
• Known as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
• 1947: Became the Law Minister in the first Cabinet of independent India.
• Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's memorial is located at Chaitya Bhoomi, Mumbai.
• Journals: Mooknayak (1920), Bahishkrut Bharat (1927), Samata (1929), Janata (1930)
• Books: Annihilation of Caste, Buddha and Karl Marx, The Untouchables: Who Are They and Why They Have Become Untouchables, Buddha and His Dhamma, The Rise and Fall of Hindu Women
• Organizations: Bahishkrut Hitakarini Sabha (1923), Independent Labour Party (1936), Scheduled Castes Federation (1942)