Weekly Affairs 3-9/03/2025

1 .GeM Sees Growth in Women Seller Participation:  (GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has seen a notable rise in the participation of women entrepreneurs, now accounting for 8% of sellers and having successfully fulfilled orders totaling a substantial ₹46,000 crore.

This achievement underscores the growing economic empowerment of women through digital platforms and government procurement. Initiatives like SWAYATT are instrumental in fostering this growth, providing essential support and addressing the unique challenges faced by women-led businesses.

The significant order value highlights the real economic impact these entrepreneurs are making, demonstrating their capacity to compete and succeed in the public sector.

 Partnerships with organizations like FICCI-FLO further solidify this positive trend, signaling a continued effort to expand opportunities and support for women entrepreneurs within the GeM ecosystem.

 SWAYATT initiative, an acronym for "Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through e-Transactions," serves as a cornerstone of the Indian government's strategy to foster inclusive economic growth through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).

 Its primary objective is to broaden market access for historically underrepresented groups, including women entrepreneurs, youth, startups, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), within the realm of public procurement.

By simplifying business processes and providing direct access to government opportunities, SWAYATT aims to promote social inclusion and empower these groups. Specifically, the initiative focuses on targeted training and onboarding of last-mile sellers, with a notable emphasis on cultivating women entrepreneurship, demonstrated by features like the "Womaniya" storefront.

Through strategic partnerships with organizations like FICCI-FLO, SWAYATT facilitates crucial support and training, contributing to a tangible increase in the participation of women-led MSEs and startups on the GeM platform, and effectively addressing critical challenges related to market access, finance, and value addition

2 .Cyclone Garance.: (General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

Tropical Cyclone Garance delivered a devastating blow to Réunion Island, making landfall on its northern coast and unleashing destructive winds and torrential rainfall. The impact was severe, resulting in reported fatalities, widespread power outages, and significant disruptions to water supplies.

The severity of the cyclone prompted high-level warnings, reflecting the rare occurrence of such direct landfalls on the island. Even as the most intense phase subsided, severe weather conditions persisted, necessitating ongoing vigilance.

Recovery efforts are now underway, focusing on restoring power and water supplies, and providing shelter to those affected, as the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.

Réunion Island, nestled in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar and southwest of Mauritius, stands as an overseas department and region of France, seamlessly integrating French culture with a breathtaking tropical landscape. This volcanic island boasts a dramatic topography, characterized by towering mountains, including the "active" Piton de la Fournaise and the "extinct" Piton des Neiges, alongside stunning cirques, verdant rainforests, and varied coastlines.

3 . Blue Ghost (General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

by Firefly Aerospace's is a lunar lander developed to deliver scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the Moon. As part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, the lander aims to support future human exploration under the Artemis program.

The first Blue Ghost mission launched on January 15, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. After a 46-day journey, it successfully landed on the Moon's Mare Crisium on March 2, 2025.

Equipped with ten scientific instruments totaling 94 kilograms, Blue Ghost's 14-day mission includes experiments such as:

• Lunar Instrumentation for Subsurface Thermal Exploration with Rapidity (LISTER): Measures heat flow from the Moon's interior by drilling into the lunar surface.

  
  

• Lunar PlanetVac (LPV): Collects lunar soil samples for analysis or potential return to Earth.

  
  

• Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS): Generates electric fields to repel lunar dust from equipment surfaces.

  
  

This mission marks Firefly Aerospace as the second private company to achieve a successful lunar landing, following Intuitive Machines' earlier attempt.

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Achieves Successful Lunar Landing

4.Ukraine Summit : (GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a summit in London with leaders from over a dozen European nations to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The summit focused on developing a European-led peace plan, which would later be presented to the United States for support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended, emphasizing the need for strong security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.

Key outcomes included commitments to maintain military aid to Ukraine, increase economic pressure on Russia, and ensure Ukraine's involvement in any peace negotiations.

Additionally, the UK announced a £1.6 billion export finance agreement to supply Ukraine with over 5,000 air defense missiles, reinforcing its defense capabilities.

 The summit also proposed forming a "coalition of the willing," comprising nations prepared to uphold any peace agreement and guarantee Ukraine's security.

5 .World Wildlife Day,(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

 observed annually on March 3rd, is a global celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the planet's diverse wild fauna and flora. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, the day commemorates the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

 This observance serves as a crucial platform to highlight the myriad threats facing wildlife, including habitat destruction, illegal poaching, and the escalating impacts of climate change. By promoting understanding and action, World Wildlife Day encourages individuals, communities, and governments worldwide to prioritize wildlife conservation, ensuring the preservation of our planet's invaluable natural heritage.

 In 2025, the theme will be "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.”, which shows the need for financial investment into conservation.

6.Tariffs,(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

 essentially taxes levied on imported goods, serve various purposes for governments. Primarily, they aim to protect domestic industries by making foreign products more expensive, thereby giving local producers a competitive edge.

Additionally, tariffs can generate revenue for the government and be used to address trade imbalances. In some instances, they are employed for national security reasons or as retaliatory measures against unfair trade practices by other nations.

 Currently, the United States is seeing a resurgence of tariff implementation, particularly with recent actions by President Trump, implementation of 25% tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada, and also tariffs placed on goods from China. These tariffs are being used in part to combat the flow of drugs, and illegal immigration.

 These actions are causing responses in the stock market, and raising concerns about the increase of prices for consumers. While tariffs can serve specific economic and political objectives, they also carry the potential for adverse effects, such as increased consumer costs, retaliatory measures from other countries, and disruptions to global supply chains.

7.Ho Chi Minh City: (General Studies-I (250 marks): Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & India, and Indian Society.) As many as 39 Indian pharma companies connected with more than 50 Vietnamese counterparts, holding productive discussions during an ‘India-Vietnam Business-to-Business (B2B)’ meeting on the pharmaceutical industry organised in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.

 formerly known as Saigon, stands as Vietnam's largest city and its bustling economic heartbeat.

This dynamic metropolis seamlessly blends its rich historical tapestry, marked by French colonial influences and the pivotal events of the Vietnam War, with a rapidly evolving modern cityscape. Today, skyscrapers punctuate the horizon alongside traditional architecture, reflecting the city's journey through time.

 Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City serves as a gateway to Vietnam, offering a captivating fusion of past and present.

The Vietnam War, spanning from 1955 to 1975, was a protracted and devastating conflict fueled by Cold War tensions. It arose from the division of Vietnam into communist North Vietnam and anti-communist South Vietnam, with the North aiming to unify the country under its ideology.

The United States intervened to support the South, driven by the "domino theory," while the North received backing from communist powers. Characterized by intense guerrilla warfare, the war resulted in immense human suffering and ultimately concluded with the fall of Saigon in 1975, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule and leaving a profound impact on global politics and social consciousness.

8 .PM-SYM: The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) is a government-sponsored pension scheme in India designed to provide social security to workers in the unorganized sector. It aims to offer a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month after the age of 60, thereby ensuring financial stability during old age for individuals with limited resources.

Eligibility is restricted to those aged between 18 and 40, with a monthly income of ₹15,000 or less, and who are engaged in unorganized labor, excluding those covered by existing social security schemes like EPF, ESIC, or NPS, and income taxpayers.

The scheme is voluntary and contributory, with the government matching the worker's contributions, and it also includes a family pension provision for the spouse. Enrollment is facilitated through Common Service Centres (CSCs) and the Maandhan portal, with the overarching goal of providing a crucial safety net for some of the country's most vulnerable workers.

9 . Christian Stocker was sworn in as Austria's new Chancellor on March 3, 2025, leading a three-party coalition government comprising the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos.

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and stunning Alpine landscapes.

 It shares borders with eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

The nation has a profound musical legacy, being the birthplace of classical composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss II. The capital city, Vienna, has historically been a hub for classical music, hosting numerous concerts and festivals that continue to attract enthusiasts worldwide.

Austria's diverse geography includes the Eastern Alps, which cover a significant portion of the country, making it a prime destination for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

In terms of environmental initiatives, Austria is recognized for its commitment to sustainability. The country recycles approximately 63% of its waste and generates most of its electricity from renewable energy sources, reflecting its dedication to eco-friendly practices.

10 .5.Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

Government has taken decisions for livestock health and disease prevention with the cost of three thousand 880 crore rupees. He said the vaccination programme will be a major thrust area of this programme. He said, this will help the farmers. He said, good quality and affordable generic veterinary medicine will be provided through Pashu Aushadhi.

Productivity of the livestock is impacted adversely due to diseases like 

•  Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis,

•  Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), 

• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF),

•  Lumpy Skin Disease, etc.

  
  

   Implementation of the LHDCP will facilitate reduction in these losses by preventing diseases through immunization.  The Scheme also supports door-step delivery of livestock health care through the subcomponents of Mobile Veterinary Units (ESVHD-MVU) and improving availability of generic veterinary medicine- Pashu Aushadhi  through network of PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendra and Cooperative Societies. 

11.Barbados:(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) 

(General Studies-I (250 marks): Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & India, and Indian Society)

an island nation nestled in the eastern Caribbean, boasts a captivating blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. Once a British colony, Barbados achieved independence in 1966 and further solidified its sovereignty by becoming a republic in 2021.

 The island's past is deeply intertwined with the sugar industry and the legacies of the era of slavery, shaping its present-day identity. Today, Barbados thrives on its robust tourism sector, attracting visitors with its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and warm tropical climate.

The island's culture reflects a unique fusion of British and African influences, evident in its language, music, and traditions. capital city of Bridgetown 

12 .Jan Aushadhi Diwas, (GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) observed annually on March 7th, is a pivotal event in India's healthcare landscape, dedicated to promoting the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and the use of affordable, quality generic medicines. This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the benefits of generic drugs, ensuring that essential healthcare becomes more accessible to all citizens.

PMBJP's commitment to providing "Daam Kam - Dawai Uttam," highlighting that low-cost medicines can be just as effective as their branded counterparts. By encouraging the establishment and utilization of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) across the nation, this initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden of healthcare, making quality treatment a reality for everyone.

13 .Nari Shakti Se Viksit Bharat:(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)  meaning "Developed India through Women's Power," encapsulates a national vision that places women at the heart of India's progress.

This powerful phrase signifies a recognition that women's contributions are indispensable for achieving a truly developed nation. It moves beyond mere acknowledgment to actively promoting women's empowerment across all sectors, from education and healthcare to entrepreneurship and leadership.

The Indian government is driving this vision through numerous initiatives, reinforcing the idea that "Viksit Bharat" cannot be realized without the full and equal participation of women. Beyond governmental efforts, the phrase calls for a profound societal transformation, urging a shift in attitudes and behaviors to foster gender equality and dismantle traditional barriers.

empowering women is not just a matter of social justice, but a critical imperative for building a strong and prosperous future for India.

14 .The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS),(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

 organized annually by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), serves as a crucial international platform for addressing pressing global sustainability challenges.

Established in 2001, this summit convenes a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, scientists, and civil society representatives, to foster dialogue and develop actionable solutions.

 WSDS focuses on critical issues such as climate change, energy transitions, and resource management, aiming to accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Through high-level discussions, thematic tracks, and collaborative initiatives, the summit facilitates knowledge sharing and promotes partnerships that can drive meaningful change.

Notably, it also includes the Sustainable Development Leadership Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field.

15 .Cyclone Alfred, a severe weather event , distinguished itself by its a typical southward track and unusually slow movement, significantly amplifying its destructive impact on Australia's east coast. The prolonged exposure to heavy rainfall and strong winds resulted in widespread flooding, extensive power outages affecting hundreds of thousands, and severe coastal erosion, even unearthing historical shipwrecks.

The sheer scale of the disaster necessitated a massive emergency response, with emergency services and the Australian Defence Force conducting numerous flood rescues and providing critical assistance. Government disaster recovery payments were crucial in supporting affected communities.

The cyclone's impact extended to critical infrastructure, causing airport closures, impassable roads, and prolonged power disruptions, ultimately testing the resilience of the entire region.

A cyclone is a large-scale, rotating weather system characterized by a center of low atmospheric pressure. These powerful storms are defined by their circulating winds, which rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Primarily forming over warm ocean waters, tropical cyclones draw energy from the heat of the sea, fueling their intensity.

While "cyclone" is a general term, these storms are known by various names depending on their location, such as hurricanes in the Atlantic and typhoons in the western Pacific.

The impacts of cyclones can be devastating, encompassing strong winds, torrential rainfall leading to widespread flooding, and storm surges that cause significant coastal inundation.

The formation and intensity of a cyclone are influenced by factors such as warm ocean temperatures, low-pressure areas, and the Coriolis effect, which dictates the storm's rotation.

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