20th February 2025

Explanation - The Exercise Dharma Guardian, between India and Japan is scheduled at Mount Fuji, Japan from February 25 to March 9, the Indian Army. It is a joint military exercise between India and Japan. It is an annual exercise and conducted alternatively in India and Japan. It aims to enhance interoperability between the two forces while undertaking joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under UN mandate. 2025 Exercise will focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills. Drills to be rehearsed during the exercise include advanced special forces skills and various other tactics, techniques and procedures as per the current operational paradigm. It will culminate with a 48-hour-long validation to rehearse the tactical drills for counterterrorism operations in desert and semi-desert terrain. In addition to tactical manoeuvres, it will foster stronger cultural and professional ties between the participating contingents. Significance — The exercise will enable the two sides to share their best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting tactical operations.

Explanation - Project WATERWORTH involves a 50,000 km long subsea cable that connects India, the US, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions. This highlights the project's global scale and its aim to enhance connectivity across continents.
The cable reaches depths of up to 7,000 meters in deep waters, showcasing its ability to operate in challenging underwater environments. Additionally, the project leverages AI to improve subsea cable infrastructure, focusing on deployment and maintenance to ensure reliability and efficiency. The project aims to enhance global internet connectivity by using advanced techniques, such as enhanced burial methods in high-risk fault areas. This ensures the cable's protection and longevity, contributing to uninterrupted internet access. The project does not avoid shallow waters near the coast. Instead, it uses enhanced burial techniques specifically in shallow waters to protect the cable from damage caused by ship anchors and other hazards. This distinction is crucial for understanding the project's approach to risk mitigation.

Explanation - The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi. APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled products viz. fruits, vegetables and their products; meat and meat products; poultry and poultry products; dairy products; confectionery, biscuits and bakery products; honey, jaggery and sugar products; cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; cereal and cereal products; groundnuts, peanuts and walnuts, pickles, papads and chutneys; guar gum; floriculture  and floriculture products; herbal and medicinal plants. APEDA has been entrusted with the  responsibility to monitor import of sugar. It looks after the development of industries relating to  the scheduled products for export by way of providing financial assistance or otherwise for  undertaking surveys and feasibility studies, participating through subsidy schemes.  Registration of persons as exporters of the scheduled products and fixing of standards and  specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of exports. Carrying out inspection  of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants, storage premises and improving packaging of the scheduled products.

Explanation - The NAKSHA programme aims to create and update land records in urban areas to ensure accurate and reliable documentation of land ownership. This initiative is designed to empower citizens, improve urban planning, and reduce land-related disputes.