UN Road Safety Financing Framework

Context: Recently, the United Nations launched a road safety financing framework in partnership with Four Indian States to strengthen road safety systems and reduce fatalities.

More on the News

• The project will be implemented across Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam.
• It will be coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in India.
• Funding will come from the UN Road Safety Fund.
• The initiative aims to:
  • Build national and sub-national capacities for road safety governance.
  • Improve implementation of road safety action plans.
  • Reduce road fatalities and serious injuries, including disability-causing crashes.

Significance

• The initiative highlights that the world is not on track to achieve the goal of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030 under the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030).
• It underscores India’s severe road safety crisis, with nearly 600 deaths daily (around 25 per hour) due to road crashes.
• A large number of crash survivors suffer lifelong disabilities, creating long-term social and healthcare burdens.
• Road accidents impose a major economic cost, with the World Bank estimating losses of about 7% of India’s GDP.
• The project reinforces the need for systemic reforms in road safety governance through institutional capacity building.
• It emphasises priority interventions such as road safety education, stricter enforcement, vehicle fitness checks, improved road signage, and robust post-crash care.
• The initiative also reflects the importance of global cooperation and financing mechanisms in addressing road safety challenges in developing countries like India.

Operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’

Context: Recently,Pakistan launched a retaliatory military operation named Operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ against the Afghan Taliban following escalating cross-border hostilities along the Durand Line.

About the Operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’

• Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, meaning “Wrath for the Truth” or "Wrath for the Sake of Truth", is the name given by Pakistan to its coordinated air and ground offensive against Taliban positions inside Afghanistan.
• The operation was launched on February 26 and involves fighter jets, artillery and ground forces striking military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar and Paktika.

Reason Behind the Operation

• Immediate Trigger: Pakistan described the operation as an immediate response to alleged unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces across the disputed Durand Line.
• Strategic Justification: Islamabad framed the strikes as a retaliatory move to defend territorial integrity and border security, citing the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants allegedly operating from Afghan territory.
• Underlying Conflict: The operation stems from longstanding tensions over the Durand Line, marked by mutual accusations of cross-border militancy, sovereignty violations, and deep historical mistrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Blockchain India Challenge Initiative

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched the Blockchain India Challenge, a national initiative aimed at encouraging Indian startups to develop permissioned blockchain-based digital governance solutions for government use cases.

More on the News

• The initiative is being implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) with support from MeitY.
• The challenge invites Indian startups to design and pilot Permissioned Blockchain Solutions tailored for government use cases.
  • Permissioned blockchain solutions are distributed ledger technologies designed for enterprise environments where access control, privacy, and governance are critical.
  • Unlike public networks like Bitcoin, participation is restricted to known, vetted entities, making them ideal for high-stakes business-to-business (B2B) operations.
• The focus is on non-crypto-based blockchain and Web3 applications that prioritise regulatory control and data security.
• The initiative aims to create tamper-proof digital records and establish a single source of truth across government systems.
• The programme identifies ten governance domains, including e-procurement, supply chain management, public distribution system, education, healthcare, agriculture, power sector, Internet of Things integration, land records, and environment and sustainability.
• The domains are indicative, and startups are allowed to propose additional impactful use cases in collaboration with government departments.
• The competition will be conducted in four stages, including Ideation, Prototype, Minimum Viable Product and Deployment.
• The selected startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade will receive stage-wise funding support.

Major Focus of the Challenge

• Development and deployment of 10 pilot solutions from the winners, based on Web3 and Blockchain, in collaboration with the government institutions/departments of the states.
• Opportunities for startups to be able to take the outcome forward for larger proliferation after the completion of the challenge.
• Promote entrepreneurs in the area of Blockchain Technology and Web3, and wider adoption of technology.
• Opportunity for winners to host their applications as part of the National Blockchain Technology Stack and collaborate with user agencies/ departments for deployment.
• Solutions developed under the hackathon would be non-Crypto-based Blockchain & Web3 Applications.

Exercise 'DHARMA GUARDIAN'

Context: India is hosting the 7^th edition of the annual Joint Military Exercise 'DHARMA GUARDIAN' between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia in Uttarakhand.

More on the News

• The exercise is being conducted from 24 February to 9 March 2026.
• The Japanese contingent is represented by troops from the 32nd Infantry Regiment, while the Indian Army contingent comprises soldiers from the Ladakh Scouts.
• Held alternately in India and Japan, the exercise remains a key pillar of defence cooperation between the two nations.

Objectives

• To strengthen military collaboration between India and Japan.
• To enhance combined capabilities for joint operations in a semi-urban environment.
• To improve interoperability and tactical coordination through joint planning and drills.
• The exercise is anchored in the employment of modern technology and contemporary operational practices.

Key Tactical Activities

• Establishing a Temporary Operating Base
• Developing an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) grid
• Setting up Mobile Vehicle Check Posts
• Conducting Cordon and Search Operations in a hostile environment
• Executing Heliborne Operations
• Undertaking House Intervention Drills

About Exercise 'DHARMA GUARDIAN'

• Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN was established following a decision at the 2017 India-Japan Summit to deepen strategic and defence ties.
• It forms a key component of the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
• Focuses on joint operations in semi-urban and counter-insurgency scenarios, enhancing operational synergy between both forces.
• Editions Timeline:
  • 1st Edition (2018): Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJW), Vairengte, Mizoram (India)
  • 5th Edition (2024): Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan (India)
  • 6th Edition (2025): East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area (Japan)
  • 7th Edition (2026): Chaubattia, Uttarakhand (India)

Exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’

Context: India is hosting the 16^th edition of the India-U.S. Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’ at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh (Himachal Pradesh) from 24 February to 16 March 2026.

More on the News

• The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation between India and the United States through interoperability and jointness, and the exchange of special operations tactics.
• The Indian Army contingent comprises 45 personnel drawn from its Special Forces units.
• The United States is represented by 12 personnel from the Green Berets of the US Special Forces.
• The training is focused on joint Special Forces operations in mountainous terrain, reflecting realistic operational environments.
• Key activities include high-intensity physical conditioning, Joint mission planning, Execution of joint tactical drills, andExchange of best practices and operational experiences in special operations.
• The exercise is expected to deepen mutual trust, interoperability, and professional camaraderie, reinforcing the expanding India–U.S. defence partnership.

About Exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’

• Exercise Vajra Prahar is a bilateral joint training exercise conducted annually between the Special Forces of India and the United States.
• First held: 2010 (India).
• Format: Conducted alternately in India and the United States
• Previous edition: 15th edition (November 2024)
  • Location: Orchard Combat Training Centre, Idaho (USA)

Exercise Agni Varsha

Context: Recently, the troops of the Indian Army Southern Command conducted Exercise Agni Varsha at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.

More on the News

• The exercise reaffirmed the operational preparedness and integrated combat capability of the Indian Army in the desert sector.
• The drill demonstrated coordinated employment of combined arms, precision long-range fires and network-enabled command and control systems.
• The exercise was conducted in a realistic battlefield environment in the Thar desert to test combat effectiveness under challenging terrain conditions.

Key features of the Exercise

• The validation focused on seamless integration of mechanised forces across multiple domains.
• The exercise emphasised speed, accuracy and synchronisation in combat execution.
• The exercise showcased contemporary battlefield technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, counter-drone solutions and precision strike rockets.
• The exercise underlined the Army’s focus on technology infusion, indigenisation and capability development.