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• Successful Trials: DRDO conducted successful release trials of the Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from the Su-30 MKI aircraft between April 8-10, 2025.
• Indigenously Developed: ‘Gaurav’ is an indigenously designed and developed air-launched precision-guided weapon.
• Purpose: Designed for accurate strikes on land targets from standoff distances, avoiding enemy air defenses.
• Range: Demonstrated a range close to 100 km with pinpoint accuracy, and has an operational range between 30 km to 150 km.
• Weight: The winged version ‘Gaurav’ weighs 1,000 kg.
• Navigation: Utilizes Inertial Navigation System (INS), satellite guidance, and digital control system.
• Integration: Successfully integrated with multiple stations on the Su-30 MKI in various warhead configurations, hitting a land target on an Island.
• Significance: Enhances India’s precision strike capabilities and promotes indigenous defense development.
• Industry Collaboration: Developed with support from Development-cum-Production Partners, including Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge, and various MSMEs.
• Impact: Paves the way for induction into the Indian Air Force, increasing capabilities of the Armed Forces.

• Successful Trial: India successfully tested the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

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• Advanced Technology: India joins a select group (US, China, Russia) possessing advanced DEW technology.

• DEW Explained: DEWs use focused energy (lasers, microwaves) to damage/destroy targets without projectiles. They offer precision, speed-of-light engagement, and cost-effectiveness.

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• Mk-II(A) Features:

  • A 30-kilowatt vehicle-mounted laser system.
  • Developed by DRDO and Indian collaborators.
  • Effective range up to 3.5 km.
  • Uses radar/EO systems for target acquisition.
  • Destroys UAVs, drone swarms, and disables surveillance equipment.
  • Can shoot down drones and missiles in seconds.

• Strategic Significance: Showcases India’s self-reliance in defense technology (Atmanirbhar Bharat). Provides a rapid, cost-effective means of defense against aerial threats.

• Supreme Court’s Ruling on Article 143: The Supreme Court has stated that the President “ought to” seek its opinion under Article 143 of the Indian Constitution when a Governor reserves a bill for the President’s consideration due to perceived unconstitutionality. This stems from the April 8, 2025 judgement.

• Article 143 and Advisory Jurisdiction: Article 143 grants the President the power to seek advisory opinions from the Supreme Court on matters of public importance, particularly on questions of law or fact.

• President’s Role as a Prudent Measure: The Court clarified that while seeking the SC’s opinion is not mandatory, it is a prudent measure, especially for bills reserved on grounds of perceived unconstitutionality. The Court cited recommendations from the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions.

• Value of SC’s Opinion: The Supreme Court’s opinion under Article 143 holds high persuasive value and should be accepted by the legislature and the executive.

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• Court’s Approach to References: The SC will exercise restraint when evaluating such references and would refuse to express its advisory opinion if questions are purely socio-economic or political in nature, and not related to the constitution.

• Preventing Unconstitutional Bills: The Court believes using Article 143 can help avoid challenges to the bill’s validity, save public resources, and respect the legislature by providing the constitutional functionaries to review the bill, and take appropriate actions.

• Kavach 5.0 Announced: Union Minister for Railways announced Kavach 5.0, the next iteration of India’s indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.

• Building on Kavach 4.0: Kavach 4.0 is already being deployed across Indian Railways, and Kavach 5.0 aims to further enhance train safety.

• Kavach System Overview: Kavach is designed to prevent train collisions by automatically applying brakes if the loco pilot fails to act. It uses RFID tags and optical fiber cables for train tracking and data transmission.

• Mumbai Local Focus: Kavach 5.0 is specifically being developed with the Mumbai local train system in mind. Its development is projected to be completed by the end of December.

• Increased Train Frequency: Kavach 5.0 aims to reduce the headway (time gap) between trains, potentially enabling a 30% increase in the number of train services. This would improve service frequency and accommodate more passengers.

• Addressing Mumbai Local Demands: Implementation aims to improve infrastructure, technology, and trains.

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• Mumbai Infrastructure Upgrades: Projects worth approximately ₹17,000 crore are underway to improve Mumbai’s rail infrastructure.

• World Chagas Disease Day: Observed annually on April 14th to raise awareness of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease.

• 2025 Theme: “Prevent, Control, Care: Everyone’s Role in Chagas Disease” emphasizes the need for collective global action.

• First Celebration: The day was first celebrated in 2020.

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• Global Impact: Over 7 million people are infected worldwide, with more than 100 million at risk.

• Annual Deaths: An estimated 10,000–12,000 deaths occur annually due to Chagas disease.

• WHO Urgency: The World Health Organization and partners urge strengthening early diagnosis, treatment, and comprehensive care.

• What is Chagas Disease: A potentially life-threatening illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.

• Transmission: Primarily transmitted by triatomine bugs (“kissing bugs”), but also via blood transfusions, organ transplants, mother-to-child transmission, and contaminated food.

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• “Silent Disease”: Often called the “silent or silenced disease” due to its asymptomatic nature and impact on marginalized populations.

• Geographic Spread: Endemic in 21 Latin American countries but increasingly detected in the United States, Europe, and other regions due to migration.

• Treatment: Benznidazole is the preferred first-line treatment.

• Tribute to Fearless Voice: Prime Minister acknowledged Sir Sankaran Nair’s courage against British tyranny on the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

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• Upcoming Film: “Kesari Chapter 2” is based on the book “The Case That Shook the Empire,” highlighting Nair’s fight for truth about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

• Early Life and Principles: Born in 1857, known for his unwavering commitment to his beliefs, even when facing strong opposition. This made him unpopular with some British officials and Brahmins.

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• INC President: Youngest President of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1897, the only Malayali to hold that post.

• Judge and Social Reformer: Appointed as a permanent judge of Madras High Court in 1908. Notable judgments supported social reforms, including inter-caste marriages.

• Role in Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms: Contributed significantly to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms in 1919, advocating for greater Indian participation in administration.

• Resignation after Jallianwala Bagh: Resigned from the Viceroy’s Council in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. This triggered reforms like lifting press censorship.

• Defamation Trial: Accused Michael O’Dwyer of responsibility for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, leading to a defamation trial in England in 1922.

• Trial Outcome and Impact: Although Nair lost the trial, it exposed bias in the British legal system, boosting nationalist sentiments in India. He refused to apologize, even to avoid the penalty.

• Critique of Gandhi: Published “Gandhi and Anarchy,” critiquing Gandhi’s methods of non-violence.

• STELLAR Model Launched: Central Electricity Authority (CEA) launched the State-of-the-art, Totally indigenously developed Resource adequacy model (STELLAR) on April 11, 2025.
• Purpose: To help Indian states and discoms prepare resource adequacy plans, ensuring reliable electricity supply. It assists in meeting the Ministry of Power’s resource adequacy requirements.
• Integrated Planning: Enables simultaneous planning for generation, transmission, and storage expansion, incorporating demand response.
• Key Features: Considers chronological power system operation, unit commitment constraints, endogenous demand response, and ancillary services.
• Benefits: Ensures adequate resource adequacy, avoids load shedding, optimizes costs, and optimizes storage size and location.
• Free Distribution: The software will be provided free of cost to all states and discoms.
• Indigenous Development: Developed entirely in India under CEA’s guidance, ensuring transparency, with future updates based on user feedback.
• Collaboration: Developed in partnership with The Lantau Group (TLG) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• Resource Adequacy Focus: Designed to assist states in comprehensive Resource Adequacy planning, following Ministry of Power guidelines issued in June 2023. CEA has already completed RA plans for discoms up to 2034-35 and nationally.
• Dynamic Tool: It is mandated to be revised every year, it was thought to develop a common tool for all and share it with them free of cost to play with it.

• Cheetah Relocation Approved: The Cheetah Project Steering Committee has approved relocating cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary to expand their habitat.

• Gandhi Sagar’s Importance: It’s earmarked for long-term cheetah conservation, aiming for a metapopulation of 60-70 cheetahs across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape.

• Preparation & Initial Release: Madhya Pradesh has been preparing Gandhi Sagar for over a year. The first phase involves releasing 4-5 cheetahs into a fenced 64 sq km area after relocating leopards.

• Prey Augmentation Efforts: Concerns over adequate prey are being addressed by introducing chital and other herbivores, with in-situ breeding programs.

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• Location and Ecosystem: Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh bordering Rajasthan, features savanna, grasslands, dry deciduous forests and riverine areas, recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area(IBA). Chambal River flows through it.

• Controversy & Training: The committee addressed a video showing a driver offering water to cheetahs, emphasizing the need for better training and adherence to SOPs, also highlighting need for sensitisation and water supply management.

• Setbacks and Monitoring: Project Cheetah, initiated in 2022, has faced setbacks with cheetah deaths in Kuno. The Cheetah Project Steering Committee was formed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority to monitor the project.

• Siachen Day, April 13th: Commemorates Operation Meghdoot (1984), marking India’s successful establishment of control over the Siachen Glacier. Celebrates the 41st anniversary of the Operation this year.

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• Operation Meghdoot: Launched on April 13, 1984, under PM Indira Gandhi to secure the Siachen Glacier and Saltoro Ridge, including key passes like Bilafond La and Sia La, pre-empting Pakistani claims. A response to Pakistan’s “cartographic aggression” and aim to gain connectivity to China.

• Strategic Importance: Siachen controls routes from Gilgit-Baltistan to Leh and the Karakoram Pass. Dominates Shaksgam Valley (ceded by Pakistan to China) and borders Gilgit Baltistan (Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan).

• Historical Context: The Karachi Agreement of 1949 left the boundary undefined beyond point NJ9842. Post-Simla Agreement in 1972, the LoC wasn’t addressed beyond NJ9842.

• Military Significance: The first military assault on the world’s highest battlefield. Involved airlifting troops and supplies, with crucial support from the Indian Air Force (IAF). Masterminded by Lieutenant General Manohar Lal Chibber, Lieutenant General PN Hoon, and Major General Shiv Sharma.

• IAF’s Role: The IAF transported stores, troops, and air-dropped supplies to high-altitude airfields. IAF helicopters have been operating in the Siachen Glacier since 1978.

• Current Situation: Indian soldiers stationed in harsh conditions, guarding the “Frozen Frontier” with tenacity.

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• Poetic Tribute: “Quartered in snow, Silent to remain, When the clarion calls, They shall rise and march again” captures the spirit of Indian soldiers in Siachen.

• Bridge Construction: Telangana government plans to build a 2.5 km bridge across Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad.
• Island Development: Three island zones will be developed in the style of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay to attract tourists.
• Musi River Rejuvenation: The project is part of a larger plan to rejuvenate the Musi River and develop water bodies in Hyderabad.
• Project Timeline: Tenders for the bridge construction are expected to be issued by June. Survey, DPR (Detailed Project Report), and designs for the rejuvenation project are to be completed promptly.
• Emphasis on Aesthetics and Safety: The Chief Minister emphasized building the bridge in a visually appealing manner with a focus on visitor safety.

Why these are key points:

• The bridge and island development signal a significant infrastructure and tourism project.
• The Musi River rejuvenation shows a broader environmental focus.
• The project timelines demonstrate the government’s intent to move quickly on the project.
• The focus on aesthetics and safety underscores the government’s priorities for the project.