India's satellite navigation system, Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), is currently not fully operational, raising serious concerns among experts about its ability to support national security and strategic needs. The issue intensified after the last functioning atomic clock aboard IRNSS-1F failed on March 10, leaving only three satellites capable of delivering position, navigation, and timing services, whereas at least four are required for proper functioning.

Ananya Ray, a former ISRO scientist, explained that systems like NavIC provide both civilian and restricted military signals, with the latter offering much higher accuracy. She warned that relying on foreign navigation systems could be risky, especially during conflicts, as signals could be manipulated or disrupted, potentially leading to critical errors in positioning.

India initiated the NavIC program after the Kargil War in 1999, when access to foreign GPS data was denied. The first generation of satellites, launched between 2013 and 2018, soon encountered repeated failures in their atomic clocks, which are essential for precise navigation. In the case of IRNSS-1F, all onboard clocks have stopped functioning despite built-in redundancy systems.

Efforts to replace faulty satellites have also faced setbacks. A 2017 mission to deploy IRNSS-1H failed, and although the newer NVS-01 satellite was successfully launched in 2023, the 2025 launch of NVS-02 was unsuccessful, delaying subsequent missions. As a result, only three satellites—IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1L, and NVS-01—are currently operational.

Former government secretary EAS Sarma criticized the focus on other high-profile missions, suggesting that attention may have shifted away from NavIC. He emphasized that India must prioritize developing its own navigation system for strategic independence rather than depending on foreign alternatives.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

The Government of India has convened an all-party meeting on March 25 at 5 PM to discuss the escalating crisis in West Asia. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led a high-level review meeting to assess recent global and regional security developments, as well as India’s defence preparedness. Senior officials, including CDS General Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, General Upendra Dwivedi, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and DRDO Chairman Samir Kamat, were present.

The conflict in West Asia has now entered its fourth week, significantly disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions intensified after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israel strikes on February 28. In response, Iran launched attacks on US and Israeli assets across several Gulf nations, further affecting the waterway, global energy markets, and economic stability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the Rajya Sabha today regarding the crisis and its implications for India’s energy security. A day earlier, he spoke in the Lok Sabha, describing the situation as “worrisome” and highlighting the wide-ranging economic, security, and humanitarian challenges it poses.

He emphasized that the conflict has created serious global challenges and could impact India’s trade ties with the region, which supplies a large share of the country’s crude oil and gas. The region also remains strategically important as a key trade route. Meanwhile, opposition parties criticized his remarks, calling them overly self-congratulatory and politically charged.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, remembering him as a remarkable thinker and a leading advocate for social justice. Describing Lohia as a multifaceted personality, the Prime Minister emphasized his key role in mobilizing the public against colonial rule and his significant contributions to India’s development after 1947.

PM Modi noted that Lohia’s steadfast dedication to empowering the poor and marginalized continues to inspire generations. He highlighted that Lohia’s ideas on gender equality and participatory governance remain highly relevant today. On X, he tweeted, “Tributes to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Ji on his birth anniversary. A multifaceted personality, he played a pivotal role in mobilizing people against colonial rule and later contributed to India’s progress post-1947. An outstanding thinker and a foremost voice of social justice, his unwavering commitment to empowering the poor and marginalized continues to inspire generations. His insights on gender equality and participatory governance are equally noteworthy.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute via social media, stating, “On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, eminent socialist thinker, and pioneer of ‘Sapta Kranti’, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, humble tributes. His dedication to social justice, equality, and the national language Hindi will forever inspire us to build a strong and self-reliant India.” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other Parliament members offered floral tributes to Lohia in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

Lohia was an active participant in India’s Independence movement and a prominent socialist leader, associated with the Praja Socialist Party and later the Samyukta Socialist Party. In 1962, he contested against former PM Jawaharlal Nehru from Phulpur but lost. He later won a bye-election in 1963 from Farukkhabad and was elected again in 1967 from Kannauj.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, through the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), organized the Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala in Delhi to strengthen district-level efforts in combating HIV/AIDS. The workshop focused specifically on the states of Haryana and Delhi as part of a broader strategy to enhance targeted interventions.

The session was chaired by Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary and Director General of NACO. S. P. Bhavsar delivered the background address, highlighting the changing patterns of HIV in India and stressing the importance of district-specific strategies supported by data analysis, focused outreach, and improved healthcare delivery systems.

Dr. Gupta emphasized that HIV/AIDS remains a serious public health concern, requiring continued vigilance, innovation, and coordinated action at all levels. Referring to the global 95:95:95 targets, he explained that the goal is for 95 percent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed to receive sustained Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), and 95 percent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.

He noted that Delhi still faces significant gaps, with only about 70 percent of identified individuals currently receiving treatment, indicating a need to improve treatment access and retention. Haryana, on the other hand, has achieved progress with a cascade of approximately 81:83:95, though further improvements in diagnosis and treatment linkage are still required. Dr. Gupta also stressed the importance of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding but is entirely preventable through timely testing, counselling, and treatment. He called for stronger antenatal screening and universal access to preventive services.

At the national level, 219 districts have been identified as priority areas for intensified HIV interventions, including 11 in Haryana and 7 in Delhi. Delhi has an adult HIV prevalence of 0.33 percent with around 59,079 people living with HIV, while Haryana has a prevalence of 0.24 percent with approximately 59,642 cases. Specific districts have been prioritized for focused action. In Delhi, these include North, New Delhi, Shahdara, Central, South East, South, and North West. In Haryana, the priority districts are Panipat, Rohtak, Sirsa, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Hisar, Sonipat, Kaithal, and Fatehabad.

District programme teams are actively participating in the workshop, sharing progress, identifying challenges, and working together to create targeted, results-driven action plans to strengthen HIV response at the grassroots level. Dr. Gupta highlighted the need for coordinated efforts across national, state, and district levels, especially at the field level, to address gaps in awareness, testing, treatment, and adherence. He also outlined a clear roadmap aimed at bringing HIV/AIDS under control in India by World AIDS Day 2027, with an enhanced target of 95:95:99.

The Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala serves as a platform for collaboration among stakeholders, promoting a data-driven approach to HIV prevention and care. It aims to improve treatment linkage and retention, increase viral suppression rates, and expand outreach to vulnerable populations. Discussions during the workshop focused on strengthening programme implementation through better coordination, capacity building, and monitoring, with special emphasis on early diagnosis, timely treatment, sustained adherence, and reducing stigma and discrimination. This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, reflecting a comprehensive and inclusive approach to HIV prevention and ensuring equal access to quality healthcare services for all.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PIB.

In spring 2003, the initial euphoria over Saddam Hussein’s fall quickly turned into deadly chaos across Iraq. Guardian reporters, whether working independently or embedded with military units, witnessed the violence and disorder firsthand, documenting the rapid shift from jubilation to conflict, looting, and unrest that marked the early days following the invasion and the collapse of Saddam’s regime.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Our system of mental health diagnosis and labeling has provided clear benefits, helping people access treatment and understand their conditions. However, as a practicing doctor, I am concerned that overdiagnosis and excessive labeling may be causing more harm than good, potentially stigmatizing patients and oversimplifying complex mental health experiences.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Under President Lee Jae Myung’s guidance, investor confidence in South Korea has surged, fueled by ambitious reforms—from proposed corporate governance improvements and regulatory adjustments to efforts aimed at revitalizing the stock market. His pro-market policies have shifted sentiment positively, attracting both domestic and international investors and pushing the Kospi to new highs. But is this surge sustainable, or merely a short-term spike? Hairianto Diman and Elakeyaa Selvaraji explore the outlook with Betty Wang, Head of Northeast Asia Research at Oxford Economics.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

The Barries have returned, and Angus Taylor has emerged victorious in the Liberal leadership contest, defeating Sussan Ley. Speaking on Friday afternoon, the newly elected leader stressed that he had no intention of becoming “One Nation lite,” but vowed to “close the door” to those who do not share “Australian values.” However, the leadership spill was not the only major development in Australian politics this week. Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry also examine the challenges facing Taylor, the growing momentum of One Nation, and the recent visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.