News In Short-12-04-2025

Navkar Mahamantra Divas

Syllabus: GS1/History and Culture

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and participated in Navkar Mahamantra Divas.

About

• The Prime Minister proposed nine resolutions anchored in the Navkar Mantra, each a commitment to knowledge, action, harmony, and rooted progress.
  • Saving water, 
  • planting a tree in one’s mother’s name, 
  • promoting cleanliness, 
  • being vocal for local products, 
  • fostering a sense of national pride through ‘Desh Darshan,’ 
  • adopting natural farming practices, 
  • embracing a healthy lifestyle, 
  • encouraging yoga and participation in sports, 
  • and helping the poor.

What Is Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Divas?

• It is an annual event observed on April 9, dedicated to promoting global peace, non-violence, and spiritual harmony through the collective chanting of the Navkar Mantra – the most revered prayer in Jainism. 
• The mantra venerates the five supreme beings: Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and all Sadhus, personifying the core values of Jain philosophy.
• The day is observed by mass chanting sessions, both in-person and virtual. 

Jainism

• It is a spiritual path focused on non-violence, truth, self-discipline, and the pursuit of liberation (moksha) through personal effort.
• The word Jaina is derived from a Sanskrit word jina, meaning the ‘conqueror’, i.e., conqueror of passion and desire. 
• The last tirthankara, Mahavir is called Jina as he conquered his passion after the attainment of the supreme realisation
• Jainism later split into two sects: Digambaras (sky-clad) and Swetambaras (white-clad). 
• Kings like Bimbisara and Ajatsatru adopted Jainism, and Jain art, architecture, and literature flourished under their patronage.

Source: PIB

DR Congo 

Syllabus :GS1/Places in news

Context 

• The UN condemned the widespread rape of children in eastern DR Congo, where thousands faced sexual violence in early 2025.

 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• It is a country located in Central Africa. It is the second-largest country in Africa by land area 

• Kinshasa is the capital city, located on the Congo River, and is one of the largest urban areas in Africa.
• Bordering countries :  Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
• It is endowed with exceptional natural resources, including minerals such as cobalt and copper, hydroelectric potential, significant arable land, immense biodiversity and the world’s second largest rainforest.

Source  :TH

Odisha to Launch Unified Health Insurance Scheme

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• The Odisha government launched a unified health coverage scheme combining Ayushman Bharat and ‘Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana’.

About

• The scheme will provide health coverage of 5 lakh rupees per family per annum, with an additional 5 lakh rupees for women members. 
• Under the Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, all persons aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, will be eligible for coverage.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme – It was launched in 2018, by the Government of India with the aim of achieving universal health coverage. It has two key components; 1. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)  2. Ayushman Arogya Mandir  Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) – AB PM-JAY is the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme in the world which provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. – Coverage: It covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post – hospitalization expenses such as diagnostics and medicines. 1. The beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or private hospital in India to avail cashless treatment. 2. There is no restriction on the family size, age or gender. – Eligibility:  The inclusion of households is based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas, respectively.  1. This number also includes families that were covered in the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) but were not present in the SECC 2011 database. – Funding: The funding for the scheme is shared by the Centre and the state in a 60:40 ratio. 1. However, for North-Eastern states, Himalayan states (such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh), and Union Territories, the ratio is 90:10. Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana 2025 – The scheme provides Healthcare facilities to the citizens of Odisha state who cannot afford it. 1. All state citizens selected under the scheme will receive free healthcare of up to INR 5 lakh in rural areas and INR 6 lakh in urban areas.

Source: AIR

Mauritius Signed ISA’s Country Partnership Framework

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Mauritius has become the first African country to sign a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

About

• It is also the fourth country globally, after Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba, to sign the CPF. 
  • This partnership aims to provide a structured approach for collaboration between ISA and Mauritius on solar energy initiatives, aligning with the country’s national priorities.
• The CPF is a strategic initiative developed by ISA to facilitate long- and medium-term cooperation with its member countries. 

The International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• It is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization, launched in 2015 by India and France at the COP21 summit.
• Aim: Promoting solar energy as a sustainable solution for energy access and climate change, with the goal of mobilizing USD 1 trillion in solar investments by 2030.
• Members: Currently, 100+ countries are signatories, with 90+ countries having ratified to become full members.
  • Initially focused on developing countries, the ISA’s Framework Agreement was amended in 2020 to allow all United Nations member states to join.
• Headquartered in Gurugram India, the ISA is the first international organization established in the country.

Source: AIR

Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• UTs with legislatures – Delhi, J&K, Puducherry – are now included under the ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’ scheme, launched in 2020-21.

Scheme Highlights:

• Under this scheme, the Central government provides financial assistance to states in the form of a 50-year interest-free loan for capital investment projects.
  • Provisions are made for infrastructure projects like roads, flyovers, bridges, hospital buildings, development of tourism sectors and other capital projects.
• It was launched considering the tough fiscal environment faced by the State Governments due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• Ministry: Ministry of France.
• The Scheme was continued in financial years 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 and further in FY 2024-25.

Source: IE

Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew at its slowest rate in six months, clocking a pace of 2.9% in February 2025.

Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

• The IIP is an index which shows the growth rates in different industry groups of the economy in a stipulated period of time.
• It is a composite indicator that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:
  • Broad sectors: Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.
  • Use-based sectors: Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.
• Released by: The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) , Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Base year: 2011-2012
• Periodicity: Monthly basis

Source: TH

Kavach 5.0 System

Syllabus:GS 3/Science and Technology/Economy 

In News

• The Ministry of Railways announced the implementation of Kavach 5.0  to enhance Mumbai’s suburban train services.

Kavach System

• Indian Railways has indigenously developed an automatic train protection system rechristened as ‘Kavach’ (Train Collision Avoidance System), to prevent accidents due to human error resulting in Signal Passing at danger and over-speeding.
• It is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4).
• It aids the loco pilot in trains running within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and helps the train safely run during inclement weather.

Progress

• The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016.
• Based on the experience gained and Independent Safety Assessment of the system by Independent Safety Assessor (ISA), three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach Version 3.2.
  • Kavach was adopted as the National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system in July 2020.
• Kavach version 4.0 covers all the major features required for the diverse railway network

Kavach 5.0

• It is  an upgraded Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system which is designed specifically for Mumbai and  will be completed by December 2025 .
• It is expected to increase train frequency by 30% by reducing the gap between trains.
  • This aims to accommodate the 80 lakh daily commuters more comfortably.

Source :IE

‘Gaurav’ (Bomb)

Syllabus :GS 3/Defence 

In News

• DRDO successfully conducted the Release Trials of Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from the Su-30 MKI aircraft. 

Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’

• LRGB ‘Gaurav’ is a 1,000 kg class glide bomb. It is a precision-guided, long-range glide bomb developed to strike land targets from stand-off distances, i.e., beyond enemy air defence range.
• It is  designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, Armament Research and Development Establishment and Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. 
• The trials successfully demonstrated a range close to 100 kms with pin-point accuracy.  The stated range capability is between 30 km and 150 km.
• Importance: The development of LRGB will further enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces to a great extent.

Source :PIB

Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros Griseus)

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• A team of researchers from Kerala has been awarded the Future Conservationist Award by the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) for their project on conserving the Malabar Grey Hornbill.

About

• The Malabar grey hornbill is a keystone species, endemic to the Western Ghats in India.
• Physical characteristics: The bird is characterized by its large, curved bill, lack of a prominent casque (horn-like structure), and grey plumage.
  • It’s known for its loud and distinctive calls.
• Habitat: Found in evergreen forests, plantations (coffee, rubber, arecanut), and other modified habitats.
  • Some specific locations include Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Anamalai Tiger Reserve, and Dandeli National Park.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (VU)​
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I

Source: TH