This week’s UPSC Current Affairs brings a focus on key developments from the economy, politics, sports, and more. These highlights cover the Economic Survey, the Union Budget, critical minerals exploration, new pension schemes, and significant achievements in various sectors.

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• Economic Survey 2024-25: Projected growth rate of 6.3-6.8% for 2025-26, with a focus on deregulation, AI challenges, and the impact of trade protectionism and China’s dominance in manufacturing.
• Union Budget 2025: Key focus on agriculture, MSMEs, investment, and exports. Introduced Makhana Board in Bihar and raised tax rebate limit to Rs 12 lakh. FDI in insurance sector raised to 100%.
• Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP): Government revised ethanol procurement prices to boost blending and reduce energy import dependence, aiming for 20% ethanol blending by 2025-26.
• Unified Pension Scheme: A new pension option for government employees, with a raised contribution from the government to 18.5% and an assured payout for long-term employees.
• Annual Status of Education Report (Rural): Improvements in reading and arithmetic skills for children in government schools, showing positive trends since 2022.
• National Critical Minerals Mission: A ₹16,300 crore mission to explore and mine critical minerals in India, including offshore areas, to reduce dependence on foreign resources.
• Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF): Sikkim faces threat from GLOFs after 2023 flood, prompting environmental assessments and the construction of a new dam.
• CAR T-cell Therapy: Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi successfully carried out a revolutionary CAR T-cell procedure on a 48-year-old lymphoma patient, marking a milestone in cancer treatment.
• Shubhanshu Shukla: The first Indian astronaut selected for Axiom Mission 4, set to travel to the ISS, further advancing India’s space exploration ambitions.
• Jasprit Bumrah: Awarded ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, becoming the fifth Indian to receive the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award.