Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared the state 'free from extreme poverty' during a special Assembly session on State Formation Day. This achievement follows the implementation of the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme launched in 2021. The process involved identifying 1,03,099 individuals from 64,006 families through local body data collection and grama sabha scrutiny. The state provided essential documents, food via Kudumbashree, health services, and housing under the LIFE mission. Kerala aims to be a model for other states in poverty alleviation and has shown significant progress in the UN Sustainable Development Index.
Kerala is the first Indian state to declare itself free from extreme poverty through a systematic identification and support program.
The identification process used micro-plans for each family focusing on four critical factors: food, health, housing, and income.
Various existing schemes like the LIFE mission for housing and MGNREGS for employment were integrated into the eradication strategy.
Exam Points
1,03,099 individuals from 64,006 families were identified as extremely poor.
The Kerala government spent over ₹1,000 crore for the implementation of this scheme.
20,648 families were ensured regular food supply through the Kudumbashree network.
Researchers from IIT-Kanpur attempted cloud seeding in Delhi to combat air pollution, despite warnings from the IMD about insufficient cloud cover. Using a Cessna aircraft, they fired a mixture of silver iodide, common salt, and rock salt into the atmosphere. While the experiment failed to produce rain due to low moisture (less than 15%), it aimed to test a 'proprietary solution' manufactured in Sivakasi. This was the first time since 1972 that Delhi experimented with cloud seeding specifically for air quality improvement. The IMD and MoES remained neutral, providing data but not specific advice on proceeding.
Cloud seeding involves spraying fine chemical aerosols like silver iodide into clouds to induce precipitation.
The experiment failed because the clouds lacked the minimum 15% moisture required for effective seeding.
This was Delhi's first attempt at using cloud seeding to mitigate air pollution since 1972.
Exam Points
10 kg of silver iodide and salt mixture was used in the experiment.
The proprietary seeding solution was manufactured at Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.
The experiment required clouds with at least 15% moisture to be effective.
Lucknow has been officially declared a UNESCO 'Creative City of Gastronomy' during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Uzbekistan. This recognition honors the city's centuries-old Awadhi cuisine, its living food traditions, and its inclusive cultural heritage. The government highlighted that this milestone positions Lucknow among the world's top gastronomic destinations. It serves as a symbol of cultural diplomacy and sustainable tourism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged global visitors to experience the city's unique culinary heritage, emphasizing its role in India's soft power.
Lucknow joins the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) specifically for its gastronomic heritage.
The recognition focuses on the historical significance of Awadhi cuisine and its inclusive cultural roots.
This status is expected to boost sustainable tourism and strengthen India's cultural diplomacy.
Exam Points
The declaration was made during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Uzbekistan.
Lucknow is recognized for its centuries-old Awadhi cuisine.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) includes categories like Gastronomy, Music, and Crafts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the number of districts affected by Maoism in India has significantly decreased from 125 to just three over the last 11 years. Speaking in Chhattisgarh, he attributed this success to development projects and a firm security stance. He inaugurated several projects worth over ₹14,260 crore, including a tribal museum and a new Legislative Building. The PM emphasized that the elimination of Maoist terrorism has enabled the construction of roads, schools, and hospitals in previously inaccessible regions like Bastar, where hundreds of Naxalites have recently surrendered.
Maoist influence has been restricted to only three districts, down from 125 a decade ago.
Development initiatives in tribal areas, including infrastructure and education, are credited with weakening the insurgency.
Over 200 Naxalites surrendered in Bastar recently, indicating a significant shift towards the mainstream.
Exam Points
The number of Maoist-affected districts fell from 125 to 3 in 11 years.
Development projects worth ₹14,260 crore were inaugurated in Chhattisgarh.
The event marked the 25th anniversary of the formation of the State of Chhattisgarh.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized India's commitment to a rules-based order and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region during the ADMM-Plus meeting in Kuala Lumpur. He stated that India's stance is not directed against any specific country but aims to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders. Singh called for 'collective security' to ensure the sovereignty of every nation and urged for the region to remain free from coercion. He highlighted the ADMM-Plus (ASEAN and eight dialogue partners) as a vital platform for strategic dialogue and practical cooperation towards peace and shared prosperity.
India supports an inclusive Indo-Pacific that respects international law and freedom of navigation.
The ADMM-Plus serves as a bridge between 11 ASEAN nations and 8 dialogue partners including India.
The focus is on collective security and preventing any form of regional coercion or aggressive military posturing.
Exam Points
The ADMM-Plus meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
ADMM-Plus comprises 11 ASEAN nations and 8 dialogue partners.
India's policy emphasizes 'collective security' and 'freedom of navigation'.
A recent report in Scientific Reports and The Lancet Healthy Longevity highlights how plant-based dietary patterns reduce the risk of multi-morbidity, including cancer and type 2 diabetes. Analyzing data from 2.3 lakh individuals, researchers found that healthy plant-based diets are associated with lower risks of cardiovascular diseases. In India, where 35% of the population is vegetarian, the prevalence of diabetes remains high (16.4% in urban areas). The study emphasizes that while many Indians follow vegetarian diets, they often include high amounts of sugar and processed foods, which must be addressed to realize full health benefits.
Healthy plant-based diets are linked to lower incidences of chronic multi-morbidity such as cancer and heart disease.
Approximately 35% of Indians are vegetarians, but metabolic disorders remain a significant concern due to dietary quality.
Tobacco use remains a major contributor to cancer in India, affecting both urban and rural populations significantly.
Exam Points
16.4% of India's urban population is estimated to be diabetic.
35% of the Indian population follows a vegetarian diet.
The study analyzed data from approximately 2.3 lakh individuals from the EPIC and UK Biobank.
Southeast Asia, particularly the Myanmar-Thailand border and Cambodia, has become a hotspot for 'compound crime' facilities where thousands are trafficked to commit cybercrimes. These hubs, like KK Park in Myanmar, use 'pig butchering' scams—building fake romantic relationships to lure victims into fraudulent investments. The UNODC estimates these scams generate billions of dollars annually. India faces a dual impact as both a source of trafficked labor and a target for financial fraud. Since July 2022, over 1,600 Indians have been repatriated from these centers, highlighting a major consular and security challenge.
'Pig butchering' (shā zhū pán) involves long-term psychological manipulation to defraud victims of large sums.
Scam centers often operate in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) or areas controlled by non-state armed groups in Myanmar and Cambodia.
India is a major target, with hundreds of citizens lured by fake job offers and forced into cyber-slavery.
Exam Points
Over 1,600 Indians have been repatriated from scam centers since July 2022.
283 Indians were airlifted from Thailand in March 2025 after being lured with fake job offers.
The UNODC identifies these operations as 'industrial-scale cyber-enabled fraud'.
Kerala has finally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union government to implement the PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme. The state had initially resisted due to ideological differences regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. PM SHRI aims to develop over 14,500 schools as model institutions showcasing NEP features. The Union government will provide 60% of the funding (90% for hilly/NEP states), with the state covering the rest. Kerala's decision was partly influenced by the Union's condition of linking PM SHRI participation to the release of Samagra Shiksha funds.
PM SHRI schools are designed to be 'exemplar schools' that demonstrate the implementation of NEP 2020.
Funding is shared in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and States (90:10 for specific regions).
States like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu still oppose the scheme due to branding and language policy concerns.
Exam Points
Total project outlay for PM SHRI is ₹27,360 crore for five years.
The scheme aims to develop over 14,500 schools across India.
The Central share of the project is ₹18,128 crore.
The U.S. administration has doubled the bounty on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of leading a narco-trafficking cartel. Concurrently, the U.S. has deployed significant military assets to the Caribbean, including 10,000 troops, F-35 fighter jets, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford. This buildup follows allegations of Maduro's links to global terrorist organizations and drug cartels like Tren de Aragua. While the U.S. has conducted strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats, there are concerns about potential military intervention aimed at regime change, despite Maduro's continued control over the Venezuelan military.
The U.S. has designated Maduro's 'Cartel de los Soles' as a global terrorist organization involved in drug trafficking.
Military deployment includes the USS Gerald Ford and B-1 Lancer bombers to project power in the Caribbean.
The situation reflects escalating tensions between the U.S. and left-wing governments in Latin America, focusing on regime change.
Exam Points
The bounty on Nicolas Maduro was increased to $50 million.
10,000 U.S. troops and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford have been deployed to the region.
The U.S. has deployed at least 10 F-35 fighter jets and three MQ-9 Reaper drones to Puerto Rico.
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