rawan239

Nanozyme Anticoagulant

• Researchers at IISc. developed a metal-based nanozyme to combat abnormal blood clotting. This is significant because it offers a potential treatment for dangerous conditions like pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and thrombosis.
• Abnormal clotting occurs when platelets over-activate, often triggered by increased oxidative stress and toxic Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in conditions like PTE or Covid-19. This over-activation leads to excessive and dangerous clot formation.
• The developed nanozyme, a nanomaterial mimicking natural enzymes, works by scavenging ROS. This is key as it prevents the over-activation of platelets, thus controlling abnormal clot formation.
• Spherical vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) nanozymes proved most effective, mimicking a natural antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase. Their unique chemistry helps reduce oxidative stress.
• Testing in a mouse model of PTE showed the nanozyme significantly reduced thrombosis and increased survival rates without immediate signs of toxicity. This provides preclinical evidence of its effectiveness and safety.
• The researchers plan to explore its use for ischemic stroke and are hopeful about potential human clinical studies based on successful experiments with human platelets. This indicates potential for broad clinical application.

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

• Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) completes a decade, why: marking its significant role in redefining higher education’s engagement with rural development.
• Aims to leverage higher education institutions (HEIs) resources for rural transformation, why: crucial as 70% of India lives in rural areas with agriculture contributing disproportionately low to GDP.
• Coordinated by IIT Delhi, involving 4,000+ institutions and 19,000+ villages, why: showing its extensive national reach and collaborative approach.
• Focuses on key areas like organic agriculture, water, healthcare, rural crafts, and e-governance, why: addressing fundamental challenges in rural communities.
• Emphasizes “Village Adhyayan” and Participatory Learning (bottom-up planning), why: ensuring solutions are based on local needs and wisdom, not imposed from above.
• Notable successes include IIT Delhi’s lemongrass cultivation (boosting income) and NIT Manipur’s water purifier (providing clean water), why: demonstrating tangible impact on livelihoods and health.
• UBA 2.0 (since 2018) uses a Challenge Mode, requiring HEIs to adopt villages voluntarily, why: significantly expanding scale and reach compared to the earlier Invitation Mode (UBA 1.0).
• Forged strategic partnerships with multiple ministries and institutions, why: integrating efforts and leveraging diverse expertise for effective implementation.
• Aims to transform higher education by moving beyond classrooms to engage directly with rural realities, why: fostering scholars attuned to rural needs and promoting action-oriented research.
• Rooted in contrasting ideas of Gandhi (village independence) and Ambedkar (caste oppression), why: reflecting the complex history and aspirations guiding India’s rural development efforts.

Food Safety Day 2025

• World Food Safety Day 2025 Theme: “Food Safety: Science in Action.”
  • Why: Highlights the shift towards a science-based approach to food safety, especially in India, moving away from a simple adulteration focus.
• India’s Evolution: From the outdated Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act (binary view, no risk assessment) to the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, establishing FSSAI.
  • Why: The PFA Act was insufficient; the FSS Act adopted a risk-based framework aligned with global standards (Codex Alimentarius), incorporating MRLs, ADI, etc., essential for modern food safety.
• Challenges in India: Lack of India-specific scientific data, ineffective risk communication (confusing labels like FOPL, INR), outdated regulations (MSG), large informal sector, slow response to emerging risks (AMR, GMOs), rise of processed foods, and misleading advertising.
  • Why: These gaps weaken the scientific basis of standards, confuse consumers, hinder enforcement, and impact public health. The MSG rule, for instance, contradicts global science.
• Needed Reforms: Strengthen labelling (mandatory FOPL), curb misleading ads (empower FSSAI), improve surveillance, mainstream the informal sector, promote healthy diets, and tackle emerging risks.
  • Why: To ensure consumers make informed choices, enforce standards effectively, improve compliance, promote public health, and adapt to new threats, making the system truly science-based and consumer-centric.
• Overall Significance: Food safety is a public health imperative and a fundamental right.
  • Why: Requires multi-sectoral reforms beyond just penalties to empower consumers and build a truly safe and nourishing food system, reflecting the “Science in Action” theme.

Etna

• Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), erupted on June 2, 2025, putting on a fiery show.
• The eruption, the 14th recent phase, involved a collapsed part of the southeast crater resulting in hot lava flows and sent a smoke and ash cloud several kilometers high.
• Initially called a Strombolian eruption, the high ash plume caused some experts to suggest it might have been a more explosive Plinian eruption.
• Officials confirmed no danger to the population as the lava flows did not pass the natural containment area, and the danger was confined to the summit area which was closed.
• The volcanic activity led to a raised alert at Catania airport but no immediate flight interruptions; the ash cloud emission ended by the afternoon.
• Tremors from the eruption were widely felt in nearby towns and villages, and the visual event was captured and shared widely online.

Global Economic Outlook 2025

World Economic Situation and Prospects-2025 is in news because its mid-2025 update revised India’s GDP growth forecast down to 6.3% for 2025. The report, by UNDESA and others, gives global/regional economic outlooks.

• India’s Growth Still Highest: Despite a downward revision to 6.3% for 2025 (from 6.6% previously, and down from 7.1% in 2024), India remains the fastest-growing major economy globally, projected to reach 6.4% in 2026.
• Inflation Manageable: Inflation is expected to decrease to 4.3% in 2025, staying within RBI’s target range, indicating effective monetary policy.
• Key Growth Drivers: India’s growth is driven by strong manufacturing GVA, record total exports (especially services and non-petroleum merchandise), and increased defence exports showing rising global trust.
• Global Slowdown: Global GDP growth is projected to slow to 2.4% in 2025 due to various factors including tariffs, policy uncertainty (US), weak demand, export disruptions, and real estate stress (China).
• Other Economies Face Challenges: Many Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face downgrades or declining growth due to factors like tepid trade, falling investment, commodity price volatility, reduced aid, and debt risks.
• Persistent Issues: High food inflation (driven by climate shocks, trade protectionism, etc.) remains a global issue affecting food security for millions, with countries like India particularly vulnerable due to food being a large share of spending.
• Rising Global Risks: Increased trade tensions and US tariffs are causing a “tariff shock,” raising costs, disrupting supply chains, and disproportionately harming developing economies, weakening multilateralism.

New UNSC Members

• UN General Assembly elected Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia, and Liberia as non-permanent members of the UNSC for a 2-year term starting Jan 1, 2026.
• Why: These countries will join the UNSC, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, bringing their regional perspectives and contributing to global governance for their term.
• They will serve alongside members elected in 2024 (Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, Somalia).
• Why: Ensures continuity and rotation of non-permanent members representing various regions.
• Pakistan will chair the UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025 and be vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee during its 2025-26 term.
• Why: Assigns specific roles to elected non-permanent members, giving them influence and responsibility over critical security issues like counter-terrorism and sanctions enforcement related to Afghanistan.
• The UNSC is the UN body primarily responsible for international peace and security, with 5 permanent members (P5) with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected for 2 years by the UNGA based on regional distribution.
• Why: Provides context on the structure and function of the body these countries are joining.
• Decisions of the UNSC are obligatory for UN member states.
• Why: Highlights the unique authority of the UNSC within the UN system.
• The 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee monitors targeted sanctions against individuals and entities associated with the Taliban threatening Afghanistan’s stability.
• Why: Explains the specific mandate of the committee Pakistan will chair, showing its relevance to current security challenges.

Stratosphere Injection

• Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) is a proposed geoengineering technique to cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight back into space.
• It is inspired by the cooling effect observed after large volcanic eruptions like Mount Pinatubo.
• SAI involves injecting small reflective particles (like sulfate aerosols) into the stratosphere (10-50 km altitude).
• Particles stay in the stratosphere for months to years, scattering solar radiation and increasing Earth’s reflectivity (albedo).
• Recent research explores lower-altitude (around 13 km) SAI in polar regions using existing aircraft, making it potentially faster and cheaper than high-altitude methods requiring specialized planes.
• This lower-altitude approach might require injecting significantly more aerosols (e.g., 12-21 million tonnes/year for 0.6-1°C cooling) compared to higher-altitude injections.
• SAI only masks warming; it does not address the root cause of climate change (greenhouse gas emissions).
• Associated risks include potential damage to the ozone layer, acid rain, uneven cooling (more pronounced in polar regions), alteration of precipitation/monsoon patterns, and disruption of stratospheric chemistry.
• The effects are global, making it controversial due to potential geopolitical and governance challenges; a moratorium on R&D has been called for by some groups.

Energy Investment 2025

• Record Global Investment: Total energy investment is set to hit a record $3.3 trillion in 2025, with clean energy attracting $2.2 trillion (twice fossil fuels’ $1.1 trillion). Why: Shows a significant shift towards cleaner sources driven by emission reduction efforts, energy security concerns, and cost competitiveness.
• Clean Energy Dominance: Spending on low-emissions power nearly doubled in five years, led by solar ($450 billion), sharp rise in battery storage ($65 billion), and significant growth in nuclear (50% increase to $75 billion). Why: Highlights the accelerating deployment of key technologies crucial for the energy transition.
• China’s Outsized Role: China accounts for over 25% of global energy investments in 2025, equalling the US and EU combined, and leads in both clean and fossil fuel infrastructure spending. Why: Demonstrates China’s massive influence on global energy markets and its dual focus on clean energy and energy security (including coal).
• Developing Countries Face Barriers: While global clean energy investment surges, developing countries like those in Africa struggle to mobilise capital due to currency depreciation, high interest rates, and debt servicing costs. Africa accounts for only 2% of clean energy investment despite 20% of the world population. Why: Shows unequal progress in the energy transition and highlights financial challenges hindering climate goals in vulnerable regions.
• India’s Mixed Picture: India significantly increased renewable power investment ($13bn to $37bn) and other clean sources, but fossil fuel investment also rose, and grid/storage investment declined ($31bn to $25bn). High cost of capital remains a challenge. Why: Reflects India’s efforts to diversify its energy mix for security and demand growth, but also persistent reliance on fossil fuels and infrastructure bottlenecks.
• Persistent Fossil Fuel Investment: Oil exploration investment drops, but LNG is rising sharply, and coal investment remains strong, with China approving significant new capacity. Why: Indicates ongoing investments in fossil fuels despite clean energy growth, driven by energy security concerns and regional dynamics, posing challenges to rapid decarbonisation.
• Lagging Grid Investment: While generation investment nears $1 trillion, grid spending lags at $400 billion, a gap widening due to material costs and permitting issues. Why: Grid infrastructure is critical to integrate renewables, and underinvestment risks slowing down the clean energy transition and impacting reliability.

NCC India

• Expansion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) by three lakh cadets has been announced by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth. This is news because it signifies a major growth initiative for the world’s largest uniformed youth organization, requiring significant effort in terms of infrastructure development and state support.
• The announcement was made at a conference in Bhopal on June 03, 2025, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening the NCC’s role in nation-building and youth development.
• Several states have already agreed to support the expansion, indicating a collaborative effort needed to implement this plan, which involves securing manpower, infrastructure, and funding.
• Recent NCC initiatives were highlighted, including the inclusion of Ex-Servicemen as instructors, providing employment opportunities for veterans. This is news as it introduces a new operational change and benefits scheme.
• The NCC’s active participation in national campaigns like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Nasha Mukti Abhiyan was lauded, showcasing its current relevance and contribution beyond military training.
• The successful summit by the NCC Mount Everest Expedition team was also mentioned, demonstrating the cadets’ courage and training effectiveness.

ULLAS Literacy

Date: 9-06-2025
Mainspedia TOPIC: ULLAS program for literacy
GS Paper II – Governance

• News Context: Goa and Mizoram declared “fully literate” under ULLAS, following Ladakh (first UT in June 2023).
• ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society): Also known as New India Literacy Programme, launched 2022 by Ministry of Education (Centrally Sponsored, runs until 2027).
• Goal: Empower 5 crore adults (15+ years) with foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills (digital, financial) by 2027.
• Full Literacy Definition: Achieving a 95% literacy rate, including reading, writing, numeracy, comprehension, and life skills. Aligns with NEP 2020 and SDG Target 4.6 (by 2030).
• Implementation: Uses door-to-door surveys to identify learners, volunteers (students, youth, citizens) as educators, NCERT materials (local languages), and a mobile app.
• Assessment: Learners take Functional Literacy Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) and are certified by NIOS upon passing.
• Status: Over 2.43 crore learners registered, ~1.03 crore certified since March 2023. National average pass rate ~90%. High participation from women (>70% in several states).
• Achievements: Ladakh (2023), Goa (99.72%), and Mizoram (98.2%) declared fully literate based on ULLAS training/assessment or PLFS data.
• Challenges: Elderly participation, state-wise performance disparities, accurately tracking non-literates.
• Significance: Modern, technology-enabled adult education initiative aligning with national (NEP 2020) and global (SDG 4.6) goals for inclusive development.

UMEED Portal

• UMEED portal (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) launched by the Government of India.
• Acts as a centralized digital platform for real-time registration, verification, and monitoring of Waqf assets nationwide.
• Requires mandatory registration of all Waqf properties within six months, including geo-tagging and detailed documentation.
• Why News: Aims to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and public participation by making Waqf data digitally traceable and accessible.
• Why News: Designed to streamline administration, curb misuse, and empower beneficiaries by ensuring fair utilization of community-owned assets.
• Why News: Aligned with the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, implementing its reforms for improved governance and management of Waqf properties.

Satellite Internet

• Elon Musk’s Starlink has received a key licence from India’s Department of Telecommunications. Why: This clears a major regulatory hurdle for launching satellite internet services in the country.
• Starlink is now the third company to get a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence in India. Why: Shows market entry alongside existing players like OneWeb and Reliance Jio.
• India will allocate spectrum for satellite communication administratively, not through auction. Why: This decision is based on the technical challenges of auctioning shared satellite spectrum and supports Starlink’s stance.
• Once spectrum is allocated, Starlink can begin commercial rollout. Why: Spectrum is required to offer the service.
• The service is expected to significantly expand internet access, particularly in remote and underserved regions. Why: Traditional internet infrastructure is difficult to deploy in these areas.
• Starlink is a satellite internet constellation by SpaceX using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Why: Its goal is to provide high-speed internet globally, especially where traditional broadband is limited.
• Administrative allocation is preferred for satellite internet in India. Why: Because spectrum for satellite services is shared globally, making auctioning technically unfeasible, unlike mobile services where exclusive rights are needed.

MagIC Microscopy

• MagIC Microscopy introduces a method to study biological molecules using cryo-EM even at extremely low concentrations. Why: Traditional cryo-EM requires high sample amounts, preventing research on rare or difficult-to-purify samples.
• It uses magnetic beads to bind to target molecules and magnetic fields to concentrate them. Why: This bypasses the need for high overall sample concentration, making previously inaccessible molecules visible.
• Enables analysis of samples up to 100 times more dilute. Why: Opens new avenues to study rare biological complexes, transient states, or proteins expressed in tiny amounts.
• Reduces the total amount of sample required and speeds up data collection. Why: Makes structural biology research more cost-effective, less resource-intensive, and faster.
• Broadens cryo-EM’s application range for drug discovery, vaccine development, and understanding fundamental biology. Why: Provides crucial structural insights into molecules previously impossible to image at high resolution.
• Represents a major step forward in overcoming a key limitation in structural biology. Why: Expands the power of cryo-EM to a wider array of important biological questions and samples.

Boost India Apparel Exports

• India’s apparel sector contributes significantly to employment (45M) and GDP (2.3%) but has a low (3%) and stagnant share in global trade, with recent exports declining (-2% AAGR) against a $40bn 2030 target. (Why: Highlights the sector’s potential and current underperformance gap).
• The fundamental constraint is lack of scale; over 80% are fragmented MSMEs compared to competitors’ large, vertically integrated export factories preferred by global buyers for volume, consistency, and cost. (Why: Explains why India struggles to compete internationally).
• Case studies like Shahi Exports show large-scale (100k+ employees, $1bn+ revenue), integrated operations can succeed ethically in India, demonstrating the need for more such models. (Why: Provides proof of concept and a strategic direction).
• Reforms are needed in capital access & affordability (subsidies, tax holidays) because India’s high capital cost (9%) and thin industry margins (~4-5%) hinder global competitiveness. (Why: Financial barriers need addressing).
• Labour reforms (rationalising laws, revising overtime, linking MGNREGA funds, expanding SAMARTH skilling) are crucial to ease formal hiring, improve scalability, and address labour costs (~30% of production), boosting job creation, especially for women/youth. (Why: Rigid labour framework and skill gaps limit formal growth and employment).
• Infrastructure development via designating specific PM MITRA parks as apparel hubs, ideally located near labour sources (like UP, MP), is needed to reduce logistics costs and support decentralised, inclusive industrialisation. (Why: Improves efficiency and reduces regional inequality).
• Export-focused incentives (shifting from PLI to ELI, reorienting RoDTEP, RoSCTL) should replace domestic-output focus to directly reward firms for winning in international markets. (Why: Aligns incentives with the export growth target).
• Achieving the $40bn export goal requires bold reforms enabling large-scale, export-oriented manufacturing through targeted support for capital, labour, infrastructure, and performance-linked incentives. (Why: Summarises the necessary strategic shift).

Manipur Unrest

• Violence erupted following the arrest of Kanan Singh, a Meitei leader. Why: He was linked to previous ethnic violence in 2023, suggesting the arrest reignited existing tensions.
• Protests quickly became violent, leading to government imposing curfews and internet shutdowns. Why: These measures were implemented to control the escalating situation and prevent the spread of unrest and misinformation.
• The core issue is deep-rooted ethnic tensions between the Meitei majority and Kuki-Zomi tribes. Why: This historical divide was exacerbated by a court order favouring Scheduled Tribe status for Meiteis, which triggered fears among Kukis of marginalization, particularly regarding land rights.
• Underlying drivers include disputes over land rights, political representation, and access to government benefits. Why: These are long-standing grievances contributing to the overall instability and mistrust between communities.
• The conflict remains unresolved with periodic flare-ups. Why: Despite security measures and calls for peace, the fundamental issues and fragile communal relations persist, preventing a lasting resolution.

Aerosol Geoengineering

• Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) is a controversial climate idea involving injecting reflective particles into the stratosphere (around 20 km altitude) to cool the planet.
  • Why: It aims to mimic the cooling effect of major volcanic eruptions by reflecting sunlight away from Earth, helping to reduce climate change impacts.
• A new study suggests methods to make SAI more realistic by proposing innovative ways to reduce costs and technical difficulties.
  • Why: It explores optimizing materials, timing, and injection locations, noting that existing aircraft could potentially be modified for this purpose.
• Achieving significant cooling could require injecting large amounts (e.g., 12 million tonnes of sulfur aerosols over six years) at certain altitudes (like 13 km).
  • Why: This scale is comparable to the cooling effect observed after the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption.
• Major risks and challenges are associated with SAI.
  • Why: Potential side effects include delaying ozone layer recovery, altering global rainfall and weather patterns (potentially causing droughts or altered monsoons), and creating complex geopolitical issues.
• SAI is contentious because its effects would be global.
  • Why: Any country implementing SAI would affect the entire planet, with consequences that may not be beneficial for all regions, raising ethical and governance challenges.
• While the study addresses technical hurdles, significant scientific, ethical, and governance challenges remain.
  • Why: The debate continues on whether the potential climate benefits of SAI outweigh the unpredictable and potentially severe global risks.

FDI India

• India’s net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) declined sharply to USD 0.4 billion in 2024-25 from USD 10.1 billion in 2023-24, as per RBI data.
• This decline is primarily due to increased repatriation and disinvestment by foreign firms (USD 51.5 billion) combined with a rise in Outward FDI (OFDI) by Indian companies.
• Gross FDI inflows remained strong, increasing to USD 81 billion in 2024-25, concentrated in sectors like manufacturing, financial services, and energy, mainly from Singapore, Mauritius, and UAE.
• Outward FDI by Indian companies surged by 75% to USD 29.2 billion in 2024-25, driven by global expansion, resource acquisition, cost efficiency, trade agreements, and service sector globalization.
• FDI is a long-term, non-debt capital flow regulated by FDI Policy 2020 and FEMA, allowing investment via automatic or government approval routes.
• FDI is crucial for India’s growth, contributing to capital formation, jobs, technology transfer, infrastructure, exports, and domestic competition.
• Major barriers include a complex regulatory environment (taxation), infrastructure gaps, challenges in market competition, uneven distribution across regions/sectors, and environmental concerns.
• Boosting FDI requires policy reforms (single-window, dispute resolution), addressing structural issues (incentives for underdeveloped areas), encouraging reinvestment, and improving infrastructure/skills, especially in non-metro areas.

800-Yr Shiva Unearthed

• Discovery of an 800-year-old Shiva temple near Madurai. Why: This is the primary event and the core news.
• Dates back to the reign of Pandya king Maravarman Sundarapandian I (early 13th century CE). Why: Provides historical context, linking the temple to a specific period and ruler known for temple patronage.
• Reflects Pandya-style architecture. Why: Significant for understanding regional architectural traditions, known for intricate stone work.
• Inscriptions may offer details on land grants, administration, and taxation. Why: Potential to provide valuable historical data on the Pandya dynasty’s socio-economic and political systems.
• Unearthed by local villagers and archaeologists after centuries of neglect. Why: Highlights community involvement and expert contribution in historical preservation.
• Could reshape understanding of medieval South Indian temple networks. Why: The find’s potential impact on historical research, revealing connections and scope of religious infrastructure.
• Linked to the Pandya Dynasty, known for promoting Shaivism and temple patronage. Why: Places the temple within the broader historical and cultural context of a major ancient Tamil kingdom.

MPC cuts repo rate

• Repo Rate Reduced: The RBI MPC lowered the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5%.
  • Why: To support economic growth by lowering borrowing costs for consumers and businesses. This aims to reduce loan EMIs and make credit cheaper, encouraging spending and investment.
• Cumulative Reduction: This reduction is part of a cumulative 100 bps cut in recent months.
  • Why: Reinforces the central bank’s efforts to stimulate the economy through lower interest rates.
• Boost Credit Growth: The rate cut is expected to stimulate borrowing and lending activity.
  • Why: Increased credit availability and lower costs are intended to drive consumption and investment, supporting GDP growth.
• Support GDP & Inflation: The policy aims to support India’s projected GDP growth (6.5% for FY26). The inflation outlook has also been revised down (to 3.7%).
  • Why: Monetary policy is a key tool used by the MPC to balance price stability (inflation control) with economic growth objectives. The lower inflation outlook provides room for rate cuts to prioritize growth.
• Shift in Stance: The policy stance moved from ‘accommodative’ to ‘neutral’.
  • Why: Provides the RBI flexibility for future monetary actions based on evolving economic conditions, suggesting the significant easing phase might be moderating.
• Related Action (CRR Cut): A phased reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) was also announced (from 4% to 3%).
  • Why: To inject significant liquidity into the banking system, enabling banks to lend more easily and further supporting lower interest rates.

Ladakh Reg & 6th Sched

• Following the abrogation of Article 370 and becoming a Union Territory without a legislature, Ladakh’s people (LAB, KDA) demanded inclusion under the Sixth Schedule for constitutional protection of their land, jobs, and cultural identity, along with land ownership restrictions and a legislative assembly.
• The Centre responded by issuing regulations for Ladakh under Article 240, which include domicile-based job reservations (15 years residency criteria), overall reservation caps (85% + 10% EWS), designation of multiple official languages, and reserving one-third of LAHDC seats for women. (Why: These measures are the Centre’s attempt to address some demands like jobs and language, but are seen as less robust than constitutional protection).
• Ladakhis advocate for Sixth Schedule status over Article 240 regulations because the Sixth Schedule is constitutionally protected, providing greater autonomy and security through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative power over land, culture, etc. (Why: Article 240 regulations can be unilaterally altered, while the Sixth Schedule ensures long-term protection, crucial for safeguarding the fragile ecosystem, tribal land rights (97% tribal population), and cultural identity from outside pressures).
• The Sixth Schedule governs tribal areas in four North-Eastern states via ADCs having powers to legislate on matters like land, forests, and social customs, offering a degree of self-governance and autonomy not available under current administrative LAHDCs or Article 240 regulations. (Why: It represents the robust framework sought for protecting Ladakh’s unique needs).
• Suggested measures to address Ladakh’s needs include enacting a customized constitutional framework, implementing strict land ownership restrictions similar to other protected states, and granting legislative and financial autonomy to LAHDCs. (Why: These are seen as necessary steps to balance development, tribal rights, and ecological sustainability in Ladakh, potentially as alternatives or additions if full Sixth Schedule inclusion is not granted).

Daojali Hading Neolithic Site

• Recent archaeological findings at Daojali Hading reaffirm its status as a significant Neolithic habitation site in Assam, confirming human presence over 2,700 years ago.
• The discovery of domestic artefacts like polished stone tools (celts, grinding stones), pottery (cord-marked, low-fired), mortars, and pestles provides insights into the daily life, technology, and practices of the people living there during the New Stone Age.
• Evidence of early metallurgical activity indicates that inhabitants were beginning to engage in metal working, a key transition phase from purely stone-based technology.
• The presence of jadeite stones, unique to the site in the region and found elsewhere like China, strongly suggests ancient trade routes and cultural links existed between Northeast India and distant East/Southeast Asian regions over two millennia ago.
• The site is identified as a prominent example of a Neolithic settlement in Northeastern India, contributing to the understanding of this period in the region.

INS Arnala SWC

• INS Arnala, India’s first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), is set to be commissioned by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.
• It is the lead ship of a series of 16 vessels, built by GRSE, Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders, under a Public-Private Partnership model.
• Key to India’s self-reliance in defence, it boasts over 80% indigenous content, integrating systems from major Indian firms and contributions from over 55 MSMEs.
• Designed specifically for anti-submarine warfare, subsurface surveillance, search & rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations to enhance coastal defence capabilities. This is important for detecting and countering threats in shallow waters amid increasing submarine activity in the region.
• With a length of 77 meters and over 1,490 tonnes displacement, it is the largest Indian warship powered by a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system.
• Named after the historic Arnala Fort, it symbolizes India’s rich maritime heritage.

India Electric Car Scheme

• The Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) was issued by the Centre, initiated by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI).
• Its primary objective is to boost domestic manufacturing of electric passenger cars (e-4W). This is crucial to reduce reliance on imports and build India’s own EV industry.
• The scheme aligns with India’s broader commitments, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and promoting sustainable mobility. This links the scheme to national environmental and transport policy goals.
• Eligibility is restricted to companies/groups with significant automotive revenue (min Rs 10,000 cr) and existing investment (min Rs 3,000 cr in fixed assets). This ensures that only serious and established players with the financial capacity for large-scale investment can participate.
• Approved applicants get a customs duty concession, importing expensive (> USD 35,000) electric car Completely Built-in Units (CBUs) at a reduced 15% duty for 5 years (capped at 8,000 units/year). This allows companies to introduce high-end models while they establish local manufacturing.
• A mandatory investment commitment of at least Rs 4,150 crore within 3 years is required, alongside establishing manufacturing units and commencing production. This forces rapid and substantial investment in building domestic production capabilities.
• Applicants must achieve phased Domestic Value Addition (DVA) of 25% within 3 years and 50% within 5 years. This requirement, aligned with the PLI scheme, is key to developing a strong local supply chain and ensuring that a significant portion of the car is made in India, boosting local industry and employment.
• The overarching goal is to establish India as a global EV manufacturing hub. This positions the scheme as a strategic step towards making India a significant player in the international electric vehicle market.

NITI Calls for Federalism

• NITI Aayog’s 10th Governing Council meeting, themed “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047”, stressed cooperative federalism’s importance for national development goals.
• Key meeting outcomes included addressing state-specific demands (like Tamil Nadu’s tax share, Punjab’s water rights), promoting trade/investment by reducing bottlenecks, enhancing security preparedness, and discussing state strategies for economic and social reforms.
• NITI Aayog supports federalism by acting as a bridge aligning state/national goals (Team India Hub) and fostering competitive federalism through data-driven rankings (like ADP) to drive sectoral improvements.
• Major challenges identified include infrequent federal dialogue leading to policy paralysis, the Centre using financial leverage undermining spirit, states demanding fairer tax devolution (50%) citing fiscal constraints, and unresolved inter-state disputes over resources like water.
• Proposed measures to strengthen cooperation involve regularizing NITI Aayog/GST Council meetings, ensuring fairer resource sharing (increased tax devolution, performance grants), encouraging state-to-state partnerships, and improving inter-state water coordination.

India Cancer Gaps

• A National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) report points out major gaps in cancer care in India, especially in early diagnosis and timely treatment of breast cancer. Why: This indicates a significant challenge in effectively managing a prevalent disease among women.
• Over 60% of breast cancer patients in India are diagnosed at late stages (Stage 3 or 4), starkly different from the US where 60% are diagnosed early (in situ or Stage 1). Why: Late diagnosis severely limits treatment options and outcomes.
• More than 50% of Indian patients delay seeking medical advice for over 3 months. Why: This significant patient delay is a key reason for the high rate of late-stage diagnoses.
• India ranks 3rd globally in cancer cases and the burden is projected to rise by 57.5% by 2040. Why: This highlights the massive and growing scale of the cancer problem requiring urgent and improved care strategies.
• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), upgraded primary health centers, have conducted over 10 crore breast cancer screenings by 2023. Why: This shows an initiative to improve early detection and accessible services, particularly for underserved communities, as part of strengthening primary healthcare.
• AAMs offer a wide range of free, accessible health services beyond maternal and child care, including non-communicable disease treatment and palliative care. Why: This integrated approach aims to address health needs, including cancer care and support, at the grassroots level.

G7

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited by Canada to attend the 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. This is news because it signals potential improvement in India-Canada relations which were strained after the 2023 Nijjar killing controversy.
• The G7 is a forum of seven major industrialized democracies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US) plus the EU, formed to coordinate on global economic and political challenges. This provides context for why India is invited (as a significant global player) and the type of discussions expected.
• The invitation comes despite recent tensions, following a phone call where leaders discussed ties, law enforcement cooperation, and security concerns. This highlights the complexity of the relationship and the effort to move past recent difficulties.
• Canada emphasized India’s global economic importance and role in supply chains as key reasons for the invitation. This indicates the G7’s recognition of India’s growing influence beyond the G7 membership.
• Modi’s acceptance, acknowledging shared democratic values, reinforces the positive intent behind the move. The invitation of non-member countries like India is a regular feature, but this specific instance is news due to the bilateral context.
• G7 decisions are not legally binding but carry significant political weight, meaning India’s participation allows engagement on crucial global issues like economic stability, security, and supply chains.

Insolvency Code

• The IBC is India’s landmark law (2016) to streamline insolvency resolution for individuals, companies, and firms in a time-bound manner, crucial for economic governance.
• Its main objectives are time-bound resolution (target 330 days), maximizing asset value, promoting entrepreneurship and credit availability, and balancing stakeholder interests to improve ease of doing business.
• It provides a single framework covering all entities and establishes key institutions like IBBI (regulator), NCLT/DRT (adjudicating authorities), and Resolution Professionals (RPs) to manage the process.
• Creditors can initiate proceedings on default of ₹1 crore or more, and control shifts from management to the Committee of Creditors (CoC) on initiation, empowering creditors.
• Achievements include reducing NPAs (e.g., from 11.2% to 2.8%), promoting credit discipline, and recovering substantial amounts (over ₹3.89 lakh crore), enhancing investor confidence.
• Challenges include significant delays often exceeding the 330-day limit due to judicial backlogs, low recovery rates in recent cases (around 28.6%), inadequate infrastructure, valuation disputes, and lack of clarity on certain aspects, hindering full effectiveness.
• Its ultimate effectiveness relies on improvements in judicial efficiency, legal clarity, and institutional capacity to overcome current challenges.

India Water Source-Sea

• India faces a severe water crisis due to pollution, scarcity, overexploitation, and fragmented governance, indicating the current isolated management system is failing.
• The Source-to-Sea (S2S) approach emerges as a critical alternative, recognizing the ecological interconnectedness of systems from glaciers and mountains to the ocean.
• S2S promotes integrated governance across land, freshwater, estuarine, and marine domains because human upstream activities significantly impact downstream ecosystems and ocean health.
• India’s current water management is fragmented across departments and levels, leading to policy mismatch, coordination gaps, severe pollution, and over-extraction of resources like groundwater.
• The S2S approach is formalized under initiatives like the Manila Declaration and supported by global efforts like the UN’s International Year of Glaciers 2025 and the Decade of Ocean Science, highlighting the need for holistic action.
• Integrating S2S into India’s national water policy requires new institutional mechanisms, multi-stakeholder platforms, and science-based tools to ensure holistic, sustainable, and resilient water management.

Safe Food

• World Food Safety Day (June 7) highlights the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action,” focusing on India’s evolution from basic anti-adulteration laws to a modern, science-based framework led by the FSSAI. This shift signifies a major regulatory modernization aligning India globally.
• India’s food safety journey progressed from the binary Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 to the risk-based, scientific Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, establishing FSSAI. This move incorporated risk analysis, MRLs, and ADIs.
• Robust food safety is crucial for public health (reducing foodborne illness, long-term issues), building consumer trust, economic impact (reducing healthcare costs, supporting trade), global trade compliance (aligning with Codex), and sustainable development (promoting safe, nutritious food).
• Key challenges remain, including a lack of India-specific data for standards (needing a Total Diet Study), poor communication of scientific concepts like MRLs to the public, legacy regulatory issues like outdated MSG labelling causing misinformation, and institutional weaknesses such as inadequate trained personnel and fragmented state implementation.
• Moving forward requires strengthening scientific research specific to India, improving risk communication to consumers, building institutional capacity, regularly revising regulations based on science, and enhancing dialogue with stakeholders. These steps are vital for effective, transparent, and trust-based food safety.

China Dams & Brahmaputra India

• Concerns raised over China’s hydroelectric projects on the Brahmaputra River, particularly near the border with India, affecting India’s water security.
• Why: China’s construction of major dams like the Medog Hydro Project near the ‘Great Bend’ could alter the river’s natural flow and course before it enters India.
• Potential alteration of water flow could reduce flow downstream into India and Bangladesh, raising concerns about water scarcity, especially as Chinese projects may have minimal storage but affect natural flood cycles.
• Why: Changes in flow impact water availability for irrigation and domestic use downstream.
• Ecological disruptions are feared due to altered water flow.
• Why: This could affect the river’s ecosystems in India, including vital wildlife habitats like Kaziranga National Park (home to rhinos), potentially disrupting fish migration patterns and the habitat of other species.
• The Brahmaputra is crucial for India, holding over 30% of the nation’s water resources and 41% of its hydropower potential, with significant flow contribution from tributaries within India.
• Why: This highlights India’s high dependence on the river downstream, making upstream activities a critical concern despite India’s own hydro projects on its tributaries.

Flamingo Sanctuary

• Tamil Nadu government notified the 524.8-hectare Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi (what). Why: Officially designates a crucial wetland area for protection.
• Announced on World Environment Day 2025, it lies within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (what). Why: Reinforces environmental commitment and integrates with an existing protected area.
• The sanctuary is a key stopover along the Central Asian Flyway and hosts 128 bird species, including flamingos (what). Why: Provides vital habitat for migratory birds and supports regional biodiversity.
• It also conserves mangroves, marine life, and sea turtle nesting sites (what). Why: Protects a rich and interconnected coastal ecosystem.
• The initiative aims to conserve biodiversity, promote eco-tourism, and support local livelihoods (what). Why: Balances ecological protection with socio-economic benefits for the region.
• The forest department will be strengthened (what). Why: Ensures better protection and management of the sanctuary area.

Thermophiles AMR Treatment

• Thermophilic bacteria found in Rajgir (Bihar) hot springs are a promising source for discovering new antibiotics. Why: They thrive in extreme environments, potentially producing potent antimicrobials to outcompete other organisms.
• Researchers used 16S rRNA metagenomics to study the microbial diversity in the hot springs. Why: This technique allows identification of microbes, including antibiotic producers like Actinobacteria, directly from environmental samples without needing lab culture, which is useful for extreme conditions.
• Actinobacteria comprised a high percentage (40-43%) of the bacteria in the Rajgir hot springs. Why: This group is well-known for producing many existing antibiotics like streptomycin and tetracycline, indicating a high potential for finding new ones.
• A compound called diethyl phthalate was extracted from an Actinomycetales bacterium from Rajgir. Why: This compound showed inhibition against the dangerous foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, suggesting it could be developed into a new treatment.
• Finding new potent antibacterial compounds from sources like thermophiles is crucial to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Why: AMR is a growing global threat making infections harder to treat, increasing healthcare costs (projected $1 trillion by 2050), and reducing the effectiveness of existing drugs.
• Thermophiles also have significant industrial and agricultural applications. Why: Enzymes from thermophiles are vital for technologies like the PCR test (used for COVID-19), and some bacterial combinations can promote plant growth due to their heat tolerance.

Disinflation Stronger

• OECD forecasts global headline inflation in G20 economies to significantly moderate in 2025 and 2026 compared to 2024.
• Eurozone inflation has cooled below the ECB’s target, suggesting potential further interest rate cuts.
• China is experiencing deflationary pressures driven by weak consumer demand.
• The combination of easing inflation globally (excluding the US), weak demand in China, and potential central bank rate cuts (like in the Eurozone) indicates disinflation is the dominant global trend currently.
• While the U.S. is an exception with inflation expected to remain above target, the broader international picture points towards a slowdown in the rate of price increases outweighing inflationary pressures for now.

TASL makes Rafale fuselage

• TASL (Tata Advanced Systems Limited) to produce Rafale fighter jet fuselages in India: This is a landmark partnership between Dassault Aviation (France) and TASL, marking the first time Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France. It signifies a major boost to India’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
• Setting up a new facility in Hyderabad: TASL will establish a cutting-edge plant specifically for manufacturing key fuselage sections (rear, central, front). This creates advanced manufacturing infrastructure and jobs in India.
• Production starts in FY 2028, targeting 2 fuselages per month: The facility will begin delivering parts soon and aims for significant output, indicating a long-term commitment and scaling up of production capacity in India.
• Supporting both Indian and global markets: The fuselages produced will serve India’s existing Rafale fleet, future naval orders, and potentially Dassault’s international customers. This positions India as a key player in the global aerospace supply chain.
• Alignment with ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’: This collaboration directly supports the government’s initiatives to enhance self-reliance in defense and aerospace manufacturing, moving towards indigenous production of complex defense systems.
• Potential implications for future Indian Air Force requirements: Establishing production capability in India could pave the way for potentially producing more Rafale aircraft locally if chosen under future procurement programs like the MRFA.

Census

• India’s next census, postponed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now targeted for completion by March 1, 2027. Why: This sets the updated timeframe for this vital national data collection exercise after a significant delay.
• The census will be conducted in two phases (house listing and population enumeration). Why: This is the standard, systematic method used for comprehensive data gathering.
• For the first time since 1931, the census will include caste enumeration. Why: This is a significant addition that can provide detailed insights into social structures and demographics, influencing policy.
• Snow-bound and non-synchronous regions will have a different reference date (October 1, 2026) and earlier data collection. Why: This ensures coverage in challenging geographical areas.
• The official notification is expected on June 16, 2025, as required by the Census Act, 1948. Why: This provides the legal basis and formal start for the extensive process.
• The census is crucial as it provides updated demographic, social, and economic data. Why: This data is foundational for government policymaking, resource allocation, welfare scheme planning, electoral boundary delimitation, and implementing new laws such as women’s reservation.

World Milk Day 2025

• World Milk Day 2025, established by the FAO, highlights the nutritional, economic, and environmental importance of milk and the dairy industry’s role.
• The 2025 theme, “Let’s Celebrate the Power of Dairy,” focuses on its contributions to nutrition, rural livelihoods, economic growth, and sustainability.
• India is the world’s top milk producer since 1998, accounting for 25% of global production and having high per capita availability (471g/day). This signifies India’s crucial role in global dairy and national food security.
• India’s dairy sector is a rural economic backbone, contributing over 6% to GDP, supporting 80 million farmers (many women), and providing 12-14% of agricultural income, promoting livelihoods and empowerment.
• Dairy is vital for nutritional security in India, providing essential protein, calcium, and vitamins, important for combating deficiencies.
• Challenges include climate impacts (heatwaves reducing yield), rising costs, low productivity, disease outbreaks (causing output drops and losses), unorganised sector dominance affecting quality, and the threat to indigenous breeds. These issues impact production, farmer income, and sustainability.
• Improvements require genetic technologies (sex-sorted semen, embryo transfer), better feed, climate-resilient native breeds, digital tech adoption (IoT, AI), strengthened infrastructure/cold chains, and targeted support for farmers to address challenges and ensure sustainable growth.

PM-PRANAM

• Initial Success in Reducing Fertilizer Use: The scheme has shown initial success with a reduction of 15.14 lakh tonnes of fertilizers in 2023-24, which is significant as it resulted in substantial subsidy savings.
• Aimed at Reducing Synthetic Fertilizer Dependency: PM-PRANAM (Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth), approved in June 2023 for 3 years, is in the news because it specifically targets reducing chemical fertilizer use by incentivizing states to adopt alternatives, reflecting a shift towards sustainable agriculture.
• Significant Target Savings: The scheme aims to achieve a ₹20,000 crore reduction in fertilizer spending, highlighting its ambition to curb chemical fertilizer dependency and promote balanced use with bio/organic fertilizers.
• Incentivizes States for Reduction: States are incentivized based on the reduction in urea consumption compared to their three-year average, making it newsworthy as it provides a clear mechanism for states to benefit from subsidy savings and grants by promoting chemical reduction.
• Supports Sustainable Agricultural Practices: The scheme contributes to sustainable practices by encouraging the minimization of excessive chemical inputs, allocating grants for alternative fertilizer technology and production (70% of subsidy savings grant), and rewarding stakeholders (30%) for their efforts, which helps reduce environmental risks.
• Financed by Existing Subsidies: The scheme is financed by savings from existing fertilizer subsidies from the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers with no separate budget, notable as it leverages current expenditure to fund environmental and agricultural goals.

India’s Tiger Prey Status

• A first assessment shows decline in tiger prey (ungulates) in states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, while stable elsewhere. Why: This poses a threat to tiger conservation and the ecological balance of forests.
• Ungulates (hoofed mammals) are the primary food base for tigers and play a crucial role in forest ecosystems. Why: Tigers rely on them for survival; their grazing and movement maintain plant growth, disperse seeds, and recycle nutrients.
• Low prey density forces tigers to prey on livestock outside protected areas. Why: This leads to increased human-animal conflict and retaliatory killings of tigers.
• The NTCA report based on 2022 data indicates key prey like Chital are abundant, Sambar stable, but species like Hog deer, Barasingha, Wild buffalo, and Pygmy hog are declining or restricted. Why: Due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and isolation.
• Reasons for the decline include habitat degradation (deforestation, mining, infrastructure), fragmentation, subsistence hunting, human-wildlife conflict, and wetland loss. Why: These factors directly reduce ungulate numbers, survival, and habitat quality.
• Prey scarcity negatively affects forest ecology, predator balance, and biodiversity. Why: Ungulates are keystone species supporting the entire food web and ecosystem health.
• Protecting ungulates is central to India’s tiger protection and ecological sustainability strategies. Why: Their survival ensures tiger survival and the health of forest ecosystems.

India Biotech Hub

• India is positioning itself as an emerging global biotech destination, highlighted at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) meeting in New Delhi.
• India inaugurated its first public-funded DST-ICGEB Bio-foundry to scale up bio-based innovations and support startups and researchers.
• India’s bioeconomy has grown significantly from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of $300 billion by 2030.
• India ranks 12th globally and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region in biotechnology and is the largest global vaccine producer.
• The number of biotech startups in India has increased dramatically from 50 in 2014 to over 10,000 in 2024.
• Key achievements include developing the world’s first DNA-based Covid vaccine (ZyCoV-D), indigenous antibiotic (Nafithromycin), cervical cancer vaccine (CERVAVAC), and pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumosil).
• The BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) is described as a game-changer for building a resilient bio-manufacturing ecosystem.
• India is considered to have the right environment and leadership to lead the next global biotechnology revolution.

Nuclear Law Changes

• India is considering amending the Atomic Energy Act 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) 2010. Why: To facilitate greater private sector participation and align liability with international standards.
• Proposed changes aim to open the nuclear sector to private players and allow foreign firms minority stakes. Why: The current framework restricts government entities, limiting private/foreign investment needed to attract capital and technology.
• Amendments are expected to cap supplier liability under CLNDA. Why: Current potentially unlimited liability deters global vendors; capping aligns with international norms, reassuring suppliers and boosting project execution.
• These legal reforms are crucial for scaling up India’s nuclear capacity from ~8 GW to the 100 GW target by 2047. Why: Meeting this ambitious goal requires substantial investment and regulatory support.
• Greater private sector involvement facilitated by the amendments supports India’s energy transition and climate goals. Why: Nuclear power is vital for reducing emissions, and private participation can accelerate deployment of advanced technologies like SMRs.

Stampede Prevention

• A stampede is a sudden, uncontrolled crowd rush often triggered by panic, leading to serious injuries or fatalities due to trampling or asphyxiation.
• Major causes include overcrowding (exceeding capacity leads to pressure), poor planning (lack of exits causes chaos), trigger events (sudden panic), and inadequate infrastructure/facilities (exacerbate situation).
• The Bengaluru stampede likely resulted from overcrowding, inadequate/poorly marked exits, lack of communication, and insufficient security staff.
• Crowd Management is the planned handling of large gatherings to ensure safety, order, and smooth movement.
• Basic principles include assessing venue capacity, planning entry/exit routes, deploying security, using barricades/signage, surveillance, providing medical services, public communication, and coordinating with agencies.
• Shortcomings in management arise from inefficient staffing, unclear command, poor inter-agency coordination, ad hoc planning, improper communication, lack of risk assessment, and no community integration – these hinder effective response.
• NDMA guidelines provide a framework covering pre-event planning, venue layout, personnel training/deployment, infrastructure readiness (lighting, signage, medical), technology use (CCTV, tracking), public awareness, emergency response, and inter-agency coordination to systematically prevent incidents.
• The way forward involves systematic planning with defined roles, mandatory safety audits, using technology like AI for prediction, regular training, community participation, strict enforcement of NDMA norms, and integrated agency efforts to enhance safety and accountability.
• Effective crowd management is crucial for public safety (Article 21) and requires proactive implementation of guidelines, especially given frequent large gatherings in India.

Irrigation-Crop Sync

New data (2011-23) indicates farmers’ cropping decisions synchronise with irrigation availability based on immediate factors like rainfall, market prices, and policy signals, rather than irrigation alone causing shifts to water-intensive crops. Why: This dynamic understanding is crucial for effective and sustainable irrigation investments.
Reliable irrigation facilitates shifts to high-value crops (fruits, vegetables), enables multiple cropping, and supports high-yielding varieties. Why: It reduces dependence on uncertain monsoons, increasing land use efficiency and productivity, particularly in areas with developed infrastructure.
The timing of irrigation strongly impacts its effectiveness; delayed infrastructure or water release weakens its benefits. Why: Farmers make sowing choices based on current conditions, needing timely water access.
India saw a significant increase in Gross Irrigated Area and the share of irrigated sown area between 2011-23. Why: This shows expanded irrigation coverage but highlights the need to ensure it aligns with efficient and sustainable practices.
Synchronising irrigation with actual crop cycles and needs is vital. Why: It ensures efficient water use, reduces waste, increases yields, buffers against climate risks like dry spells, makes infrastructure cost-effective, and reduces environmental issues like waterlogging, salinity, and groundwater depletion.
Traditional irrigation planning suffers from delays missing sowing windows, top-down approaches ignoring local conditions (leading to groundwater depletion in some regions), lack of integration with other essential inputs (seeds, credit), absence of real-time data use, and poor drainage management causing soil salinity. Why: These flaws result in inefficient water use, environmental damage, and limited impact on overall agricultural productivity despite investment.
Reforms are needed for sustainable irrigation. Why: This involves adopting region-specific strategies, integrating irrigation with other inputs and technology (micro-irrigation, real-time data), reforming subsidies to discourage overuse, restoring traditional water systems, proactively managing drainage and salinity, and building farmer capacity.
Future irrigation planning must be climate-smart, farmer-responsive, and sustainable. Why: To ensure water, food, and livelihood security through integrated policies, behavioural change, technology, and community participation.

Flipkart NBFC Licence

• Flipkart has received a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Why: This is notable as Flipkart is the first Indian e-commerce company to obtain such a licence.
• Why: The licence empowers Flipkart to directly offer lending services to its customers and sellers.
• Why: This capability facilitates easier access to credit for platform users, potentially supporting purchases for customers and working capital for sellers.
• Becoming an NBFC requires registration under the Companies Act and maintaining a minimum Net Owned Fund of Rs 10 crore, indicating regulatory compliance.
• An NBFC is primarily engaged in lending activities, distinct from banks as it cannot accept demand deposits or issue cheques.

India Heads IIAS

• India has been elected President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the term 2025–2028.
• This marks the first time in the IIAS’s near 100-year history that India will hold the Presidency.
• It is also the first time the IIAS Presidential election was conducted through a ballot process.
• India secured the presidency by winning 87 votes (61.7%) against Austria’s 54 votes in the election held on June 3, 2025.
• India has been a Member State of the IIAS since 1998, represented by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• The IIAS, established in 1930 and headquartered in Brussels, is a global federation focused on public administration solutions and works closely with the United Nations.
• India’s candidacy, led by Secretary DARPG Shri V.Srinivas and nominated by Hon’ble Prime Minister, was supported by a wide range of member countries.
• India’s Presidency aims to promote the vision of “Maximum Governance – Minimum Government,” focusing on digital administrative reforms, and seeking to bridge the North–South Divide with a focus on unity and inclusivity in public administration research.

India Renewables Boom

• India is a global clean energy leader, ranking 3rd in solar, 4th in wind, and 4th overall with high installed and under-construction capacity, driving global sustainability.
• Renewable capacity has seen rapid growth, with solar increasing 41-fold since 2014, demonstrating successful scaling.
• Reforms like market-driven bidding reduced solar tariffs significantly, while ISTS waivers removed geographical barriers for nationwide renewable energy flow.
• Flagship programs like PLI for solar manufacturing, PM Surya Ghar, PM-KUSUM, National Green Hydrogen Mission, EBP, and SATAT are boosting domestic industry, decentralized capacity, farmer income, and promoting green fuels.
• Emerging areas like offshore wind and hybrid power policies are being developed to achieve 24/7 clean energy solutions.
• India attracts significant investment, with renewable energy accounting for a higher share of FDI and substantial commitments from global investors.
• Global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, launched by India, unite nations towards clean energy goals.
• This transition supports key UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to energy security, sustainable growth, and climate action.

Indian Defence Women

• First-ever batch of 17 female cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) on May 30, 2025, a historic step marking the entry of women into cadet training alongside men, seen as a transformative milestone towards gender-inclusive military leadership and potentially opening paths for future women service chiefs.
• Non-medical roles for women in the armed forces began in 1992 via the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES), inducting women as Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in select branches. This initiated the formal inclusion of women beyond traditional medical roles.
• The Supreme Court mandated Permanent Commission (PC) for women in all arms where SSC is permitted in 2020 (Babita Puniya v. Union of India), ruling that denying PC violated Article 14 and constituted unconstitutional sex-based discrimination. This allows women officers to hold command positions.
• The Indian Air Force began experimental induction of women in combat roles (fighter pilots) in 2015, institutionalized in 2022. The Navy opened all branches, including submarines and aviation, to women officers from 2022. This signifies significant progress towards full inclusion of women in combat and operational roles.
• The Agnipath scheme (2022) includes women recruits in all three Services (Army, Navy, Air Force) at the soldier level, a paradigm shift in recruitment norms beyond the officer cadre.
• Key challenges faced by women include cultural/societal bias, limited combat roles in certain Army branches (like Infantry), work-life balance issues, psychological pressures, and infrastructure gaps. These issues affect career progression, representation, and retention.
• Addressing these challenges requires equitable, role-specific training, gender sensitization programs, monitoring inclusion progress, promoting role models, adopting international best practices, and improving gender-sensitive infrastructure. This aims to balance operational effectiveness with gender equality for a more inclusive force.

Khichan Menar New Ramsar

• Khichan (Phalodi) and Menar (Udaipur) wetlands in Rajasthan have been declared new Ramsar Sites. This is key because it adds to India’s list of globally important wetlands.
• India now has a total of 91 Ramsar Sites, which is the highest number in Asia. This highlights India’s significant commitment to wetland conservation on a global scale.
• Khichan is notable for hosting thousands of migratory Demoiselle cranes. This makes it a crucial site for bird migration and biodiversity conservation.
• Menar, also known as ‘Bird Village’, is recognized for its successful community-led bird conservation efforts. This demonstrates the importance of local participation in environmental protection.
• Rajasthan now has 4 Ramsar Sites, including the previously listed Sambhar Lake and Keoladeo Ghana National Park. This increases the state’s contribution to national wetland conservation efforts.
• Wetlands are ecologically significant areas, defined as transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, crucial for biodiversity and hydrological cycles. Their protection is vital for ecological balance.
• The Ramsar Convention provides a global framework for wetland conservation. India’s participation since 1982 underscores its commitment to international environmental agreements.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the additions as “Great news!” reflecting the government’s focus on environmental conservation and linking it to public participation, highlighting the political significance and broad support for these actions.

Exposomics: Env Health

• Exposomics comprehensively studies the totality of environmental exposures throughout a lifetime. Why: It offers a holistic view, moving beyond single factors to understand complex interactions affecting health.
• It considers both External factors like pollutants, diet, and lifestyle, and Internal factors such as inflammation and the gut microbiome. Why: These factors interact and cumulatively impact disease risk.
• The approach captures multiple exposures across an individual’s entire life course. Why: This emphasizes cumulative and synergistic effects often missed in studies focusing on limited exposures at a specific time.
• It is Discovery-Driven, employing high-throughput tools like mass spectrometry. Why: This helps identify previously unknown environmental risk factors and biomarkers.
• Exposomics links environmental exposures to molecular-level biological changes (e.g., gene expression, metabolomics). Why: This supports personalized medicine and early disease detection by showing how exposures translate into biological responses.
• It has significant Public Health Relevance. Why: It improves the understanding of environmental origins of chronic diseases, facilitating better risk assessments, interventions, and prevention strategies.
• The field informs policy and societal impact. Why: It provides evidence for developing targeted environmental health regulations and public health programs.
• Exposomics marks a transformative shift from traditional environmental health studies. Why: It offers a holistic, dynamic, and personalized framework for understanding and preventing environmentally influenced diseases.

IMEC

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a strategic project designed to link India with Europe via the Middle East, enhancing trade, digital, and energy connectivity and is viewed as a counterweight to China’s BRI.
• A senior Indian official warned that rising tensions and instability in West Asia, involving countries like Israel, Palestine, and Iran, could delay IMEC’s implementation.
• Ongoing regional unrest creates uncertainty, impacting confidence needed for significant infrastructure investments crucial for IMEC’s progress.
• Delayed rollout could disrupt India’s trade routes and supply chain connectivity with the Middle East and Europe.
• A delay is also seen as a strategic setback for India’s aim of expanding its regional influence and diversifying global supply chains.
• Investor confidence in the project may weaken amid the persistent instability in the region.
• India continues to support IMEC and engages diplomatically with partners, stressing that regional peace and stability are essential conditions for the corridor’s development.
• India is monitoring the situation and actively pursuing diplomatic measures to de-escalate tensions.

DPDP Act & Rules

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology sought public feedback on Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 for implementing the DPDP Act, 2023.
• Stakeholder feedback is under review, and final rules are expected to be enforced soon, making the framework’s effectiveness topical.
• The DPDP Act, 2023 is India’s first comprehensive data protection law, establishing a legal framework for handling digital personal data to safeguard individual privacy while allowing lawful data processing, enacted after the Supreme Court recognized privacy as a fundamental right.
• The Act applies to digital personal data processed in India or for offering goods/services in India.
• Personal data processing requires the Data Principal’s consent for a lawful purpose, with special provisions for children (<18) requiring verifiable parental consent and prohibiting harmful processing/advertising.
• Data Principals have rights including access, correction, deletion, and grievance redressal, alongside a duty to avoid false complaints.
• Data Fiduciaries must ensure data accuracy, implement security measures, notify breaches, and erase data once its purpose is fulfilled. Significant Data Fiduciaries have additional duties like appointing a Data Protection Officer.
• Exemptions exist for specified agencies (security, public order), research, startups, and legal/judicial functions.
• The Act establishes the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI) to monitor compliance, impose penalties, and handle grievances.
• Key provisions in the Draft DPDP Rules, 2025 detail implementation, allowing government-approved data transfer outside India, setting data retention limits, prescribing a digital-first approach for DPBI and grievance redressal, defining graded responsibilities for fiduciaries (including startups/MSMEs), and outlining requirements for Consent Managers (Indian company, min Rs 2 cr net worth).
• Concerns include excessive state exemptions, absence of certain data rights like portability, potentially unrestricted cross-border data flow depending on government discretion, and lack of explicit harm prevention measures.
• The Act forms India’s first comprehensive framework; the Rules aim to enhance compliance and digital redressal, aligning with global standards while addressing local needs, with the institutional independence of the DPBI being vital.

India EV Policy Update

• India introduced a new EV policy offering 15% import duty on fully built EVs. Why: Aims to attract global manufacturers and encourage local production setup.
• Condition: Manufacturers must invest a minimum of ₹4,150 crore in India over 3 years. Why: Ensures significant foreign investment into the domestic EV manufacturing ecosystem.
• Policy requires increasing domestic value addition (DVA): 25% within 3 years and 50% by the 5th year. Why: To build local supply chains and reduce reliance on imported components, fostering indigenous manufacturing.
• Allows importing up to 8,000 fully built units per year per manufacturer for 5 years at the concessional duty. Why: Provides companies limited market access to build demand while they establish local manufacturing capabilities.
• A key gap identified is the lack of a clear mandate for technology transfer. Why: Without mandatory technology sharing, India risks long-term dependence on foreign technology, particularly for advanced components like batteries and powertrains, potentially limiting its growth as a technology hub.
• The policy is part of India’s broader efforts (like FAME and PLI schemes) to promote EVs, but specifically targets attracting major global passenger car manufacturers to set up significant local operations. Why: Aims for a targeted approach to scale up high-value manufacturing in the passenger EV segment.

Lady’s-Slipper

• Lady’s-Slipper Orchid, once thought extinct in the UK, has been spotted growing naturally in the wild in England again after being rediscovered in 1930.
• Known for its distinctive slipper-shaped labellum which helps trap insects for pollination.
• Belongs to the Cypripedioideae subfamily of orchids.
• Found globally in Europe, Asia, and North America, including in India’s Himalayan and Northeast hills.
• Typically grows in moist, shady boreal/temperate forests and alpine zones, requiring specific soil and fungal conditions.
• Threatened by overcollection, medicinal use, habitat loss, and difficulty in cultivation.
• Conservation efforts in India include in-situ/ex-situ conservation, tissue culture, and habitat restoration led by BSI.
• Listed under CITES Appendix I & II, IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered/Endangered, and India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Schedule III.

Iron Pollution: Ocean Cycle

• Industrial iron pollution significantly disrupts ocean nutrient cycles. Why: It leads to depletion of essential nutrients in the ocean.
• Human activity releases iron, boosting spring phytoplankton blooms but accelerating overall nutrient loss. Why: This rapid nutrient use and subsequent scarcity destabilize the marine ecosystem base.
• Accelerated nutrient depletion threatens the entire marine food chain, from zooplankton to whales. Why: Marine life depends on these nutrients, putting species unable to adapt at risk.
• Excess nutrients from pollution can trigger toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs). Why: HABs damage marine life and can be harmful to humans.
• The problem of ocean nutrient depletion is worsened by climate change. Why: It adds further stress to already disrupted marine ecosystems.
• Industrial emissions, including from sectors like iron and steel, are sources of this pollution. Why: These industries release pollutants that contribute excess iron to the environment.

India’s First M LLM

• Launched by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at the BharatGen Summit 2025, signifying its official unveiling as a major national AI project.
• It is India’s first indigenously developed, government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM), important as it highlights domestic innovation and strategic national investment in AI.
• Operates in 22 Indian languages and is trained on diverse data types (text, images, audio, video), enabling widespread use across India’s linguistic landscape and interpretation of complex, real-world information.
• Developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) by the TIH Foundation at IIT Bombay, indicating a collaborative, structured approach driven by a government mission.
• Aims to create AI that is ethical, inclusive, multilingual, and deeply rooted in Indian values, focusing on providing region-specific solutions in sectors like healthcare (including AI doctors speaking native languages for telemedicine), agriculture, education, and governance, aligning AI development with national needs and values.
• Positioned as a “national mission” aligning with the vision of “India’s Techade”, underscoring its strategic importance for fostering both innovation and inclusion across the country.

BESS: India’s Green Pillar

• Grid Stability and Reliability: BESS balances the grid by storing intermittent solar/wind energy and releasing it during shortfalls, smoothing fluctuations and enhancing reliability.
• Supporting Renewable Expansion: Government mandates for co-located storage with new solar projects ensure grid resilience necessary for higher renewable energy integration.
• Declining Costs: Significant drops in lithium-ion battery prices and tariffs are making BESS more affordable and competitive with conventional power sources.
• Policy and Regulatory Support: Measures like Energy Storage Obligations requiring increased storage from renewables and Viability Gap Funding reducing upfront costs are driving deployment and investment.
• Utility-Scale and Urban Use: Operational standalone BESS improves power quality, benefiting consumers, and plans are underway to integrate storage with urban EV infrastructure.
• Projected Growth: India requires substantial BESS capacity (47 GW/236 GWh by 2031–32) to support its large future solar and wind targets, indicating the scale and urgency.
• Investments and Innovation: Rising domestic battery manufacturing and advanced tech development, supported by policies and private sector, are accelerating growth.
• Broader Impact: Widespread BESS adoption can delay costly grid upgrades, improve energy security, and support a shift to a resilient, modern power system.

Eco Textiles

• India, as a major textile producer and exporter aiming for $350 billion by 2030 and 35 million jobs, must adopt sustainability (regenerative farming, traceability, circularity). This is because traditional strategies are insufficient against geopolitical tensions, climate vulnerability, and shifting consumer demands for ethical sourcing, making sustainability the new competitive advantage needed for growth.
• Regenerative farming is crucial as it improves soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Successful pilots show higher yields, reduced chemical costs, and better incomes for farmers, supporting rural livelihoods and ensuring product sustainability compliance required in global markets.
• Traceability solutions are essential for building consumer trust (37% care) and ensuring ethical practices across the supply chain. Initiatives like Kasturi Cotton and tech solutions are driven by trade negotiations and standards, which require authenticated, environmentally conscious products for market access.
• Product circularity is vital for reducing textile waste, where India contributes 8.5% globally. By focusing on longer lifecycles and waste reuse, it drives innovation, creates jobs, and improves resource efficiency, aligning with national development goals like Viksit Bharat.
• Despite the push, challenges include fragmented implementation, low awareness among small manufacturers, and limited infrastructure. Addressing these through scaling practices, technology investment, R&D support, and policy alignment with green standards is necessary to achieve global leadership.

Rajasthan Ramsar Sites

• Two wetlands in Rajasthan, Khichan (Phalodi) and Menar (Udaipur), have been added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
• This designation increases India’s total Ramsar Sites to 91 and Rajasthan’s count to 4 (the others being Sambhar Salt Lake and Keoladeo Ghana National Park).
• Why it’s news: The Ramsar recognition highlights these sites as critical ecosystems.
• Menar is significant for its community-driven conservation model and rich bird diversity, particularly migratory species.
• Khichan is globally known for hosting thousands of Demoiselle Cranes and is an excellent example of local ecological stewardship.
• The Ramsar listing acknowledges wetlands’ vital roles in supporting biodiversity, regulating floods, recharging groundwater, and purifying water.
• It reinforces India’s position as a leader in wetland conservation in Asia.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the addition as great news and a testament to India’s environmental conservation efforts, powered by public participation.
• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the update, attributing it to the PM’s focus on environmental preservation.

World Env Day 2025

• World Environment Day (WED) 2025 is being celebrated on 5th June, with South Korea (Republic of Korea) serving as the global host.
• The event is in the news because it highlights urgent global environmental issues, particularly focusing on its theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”.
• The theme aims to raise global awareness about the significant production, use, and disposal of plastics and promote solutions like refusing, reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic to tackle the crisis.
• The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) leads WED, which was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference, a landmark event for the global environmental movement that recognized the right to a clean environment.
• Plastic pollution is a major concern because it contributes to pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change, with millions of tonnes entering water bodies and polluting soil annually, incurring high economic costs globally.
• As part of the WED events, India’s Prime Minister will plant a Banyan sapling under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, linked to the ‘Aravalli Green Wall project’, showcasing national environmental efforts.
• The focus on plastic pollution is critical due to issues like high global consumption, poor waste management, and the dominance of single-use plastics, which harm ecosystems, wildlife, public health, and economies worldwide.

Environmental Exposomics

• Exposomics is a new approach studying all environmental exposures over a lifetime and their health impact, moving beyond assessing single risk factors traditionally. Why: It offers a comprehensive understanding of disease causes, complementing genomics.
• It uses advanced methods like wearable sensors, untargeted biomonitoring, organs-on-chip, AI, and big data platforms to integrate complex exposure data. Why: Enables detailed measurement and analysis of the ‘exposome’ for better environment-health mapping (EWAS).
• Exposomics improves upon current Global Burden of Disease studies by including crucial environmental factors often missed, such as microplastics, chemical mixtures, environmental noise, psycho-social stress, and specific climate change impacts. Why: Addresses data gaps in traditional assessments, providing a more complete picture of environmental health risks.
• Exposomics is particularly relevant for India due to its large, complex, and under-monitored environmental challenges, fragmented surveillance, and significant environmental disease burden (e.g., NCDs linked to OEH risks, lead exposure impacting children). Why: Offers a pathway for India to develop data-driven, integrated prevention strategies and precision public health interventions.
• Adopting exposomics requires developing harmonized data repositories, investing in surveillance infrastructure (real-time monitoring, biomonitoring labs), mainstreaming environmental factors in public health programs, and promoting interdisciplinary research and training. Why: These steps are necessary to translate exposomic science into effective policy and public health action.

Indian at ISS

• Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to conduct scientific research aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
• Why significant: This marks India’s active participation with defined scientific responsibilities in an international human space mission, a source of national pride.
• Key Research: Study human adaptation to the space environment, including physical (muscle/bone), cognitive (memory, attention), and physiological responses.
• Why this research: Essential for ensuring astronaut health, safety, and efficiency during long-duration missions, supporting future plans like India’s own space station.
• Key Research: Investigate the cognitive impact of prolonged exposure to electronic displays in microgravity.
• Why this research: To guide the design of astronaut-friendly interfaces and technology for space.
• Key Research: Examine skeletal muscle dysfunction and evaluate therapeutic interventions in space conditions.
• Key Research: Study the revival and survival of extremophiles like Tardigrades in space.
• Why these studies: Advance scientific understanding of human factors and life’s resilience in space, contributing to global knowledge and India’s self-reliance in space technology.
• The mission follows discussions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States and reflects India’s progress in its human spaceflight program alongside Gaganyaan.
• Utilizing the ISS is vital for preparing for India’s planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035.

Metal Nanozyme Anticoagulant

• Researchers at IISc, Bengaluru, developed a novel artificial metal-based nanozyme.
• It prevents excessive blood clotting (thrombosis).
• Why it’s significant: Unlike traditional anti-clotting drugs, it does this without causing bleeding risks. It selectively targets abnormal clotting while preserving normal blood clotting function.
• The nanozyme is made of spherical vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) nanoparticles.
• How it works: It mimics a natural enzyme, regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are triggers for excessive clotting.
• Tests on human platelets and mouse models showed it effectively prevented clots and improved survival in mice with no observed toxicity.
• Potential use: Exploration for conditions like ischemic stroke is planned.
• Human clinical trials are the next step to advance this safer anti-clotting approach.

Varma Impeachment

• Government plans to introduce an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court. Why: This is the main action being taken.
• The motion follows a Supreme Court-appointed panel’s finding of unaccounted cash at his residence. Why: This is the serious allegation leading to the impeachment process.
• The panel found Justice Varma failed to explain the source of the cash, terming it serious misconduct. Why: This confirms the official investigation’s conclusion that warrants action.
• Justice Varma refused to resign despite the Supreme Court’s urging. Why: His refusal led the government to proceed with the formal impeachment process.
• Government is seeking cross-party support, which opposition parties indicate they will likely give based on judicial accountability. Why: Shows the political backing and likelihood of the motion progressing.
• Due to the prior SC inquiry, Parliament can proceed directly to the impeachment motion without forming a new committee. Why: Explains a specific procedural efficiency in this case.
• If successful, it would be the first impeachment of a High Court judge in India. Why: Highlights the unprecedented and historic nature of the event.
• The case emphasizes judicial accountability and integrity in the higher judiciary. Why: Places the event within a broader discussion on judicial standards.

Nightingale Awards 2025

• News Point: The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards for 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 30, 2025.
  Why: This marks the official recognition ceremony for outstanding nursing professionals in India by the head of state.

• News Point: 15 nursing professionals received the award, recognizing their exemplary contributions to healthcare and public service.
  Why: Highlights the dedication and vital role of these individuals in the health sector across different capacities (clinical care, public health, education, administration).

  Subscribe on YouTube

• News Point: The National Florence Nightingale Awards were instituted in 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  Why: Provides context on the long-standing tradition and governmental significance of this honour for nurses.

• News Point: Awards are given to nursing personnel serving in Central and State Governments, Union Territories, and Voluntary Organizations across categories like Registered Nurses and Midwives, Registered Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives, and Registered Lady Visitors.
  Why: Shows the broad scope and inclusivity of the award, covering various roles and sectors where nurses serve.

• News Point: Each award includes a Certificate of Merit, a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000, and a medal.
  Why: Details the tangible recognition provided to the awardees.

• News Point: The award is named after Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), founder of modern nursing known for her work during the Crimean War and establishing formal nursing education.
  Why: Explains the historical figure honoured by the award and her foundational contribution to the nursing profession globally.

Mustard Oil Policy Regs

Date: 4-06-2025
Mainspedia TOPIC: Mustard oil Policy and regulation

• FSSAI banned blending of mustard oil (2021): Why? To prevent adulteration and increase domestic mustard production, aiming for safety.
• Supreme Court split verdict on GM mustard DMH-11 (2024): Why? Rejected approval due to insufficient human health data, despite DMH-11 having lower erucic acid and promising higher yields.
• High Erucic Acid in Indian Mustard Oil (40-54%): Why? It’s a naturally present fatty acid linked to health risks like heart disease and liver damage; globally safe levels are <5%.
• Ban on blending removed a safer option: Why? Blending dilutes erucic acid and improves fatty acid profiles, making it potentially safer than pure high-erucic mustard oil.
• GM Mustard (DMH-11) has lower erucic acid (30-35%): Why? It’s a GM variant developed to address the high erucic acid issue and boost yields/reduce imports, though still higher than global safe levels.
• Need for a balanced strategy: Why? Both the blending ban and SC verdict haven’t fully solved the high erucic acid problem; requires regulating safe blending and accelerating low-erucic GM development.

3 DPSUs Get Miniratna

• The Ministry of Defence has approved the conferment of “Miniratna (Category-I)” status to three Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs): Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), and India Optel Limited (IOL).
• Why: These companies were among the seven PSUs carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in 2021 as part of the Government’s defence sector reforms to enhance functional autonomy and efficiency.
• Why they qualified: They transformed into profit-making corporate entities in a short span and met the eligibility criteria for Miniratna-I status, including continuous profit for three years, pre-tax profit of Rs. 30 crores or more in at least one year, and a positive net worth. They also achieved significant milestones like substantial growth in sales (e.g., MIL sales from Rs. 2571.6 Cr to Rs. 8282 Cr) and exports (e.g., MIL exports from Rs. 22.55 Cr to Rs. 3081 Cr), and increased indigenization (e.g., AVNL achieving 100% engine indigenization).
• Why it matters (Impact): Miniratna status grants these companies greater autonomy to invest, raise capital, and make quicker decisions. This empowerment is expected to boost their efficiency, competitiveness, global reach, and accelerate their growth trajectory in defence production and exports.

RadioX Star

• Discovery of a unique celestial object emitting simultaneous radio waves and X-rays.
  • Why: The simultaneous emission of these different radiation types from a single transient source is highly unusual.
• It emits bursts every 44 minutes, placing it in a new class called long-period radio transients.
  • Why: This period is much longer than the milliseconds to seconds seen in typical rapidly rotating pulsars, highlighting its distinct nature.
• The exact nature of the object is still unknown.
  • Why: Possible identities include a magnetar (a highly magnetic neutron star) or a white dwarf in a binary system. These are very different stellar remnants, making its true identity a significant mystery revealing new astrophysical processes.
• Located about 15,000 light-years away in the Milky Way galaxy.
  • Why: Provides context for its distance and location, crucial for further observation.
• Studied using data from telescopes including NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.
  • Why: Indicates the advanced observational capabilities needed to detect and characterize this unique object.

BIPV

• BIPV integrates solar panels directly into building structures like façades, roofs, and windows, acting as both building material and power generator.
• It is relevant news because India’s rapid urban vertical growth limits traditional rooftop solar space, making BIPV a crucial scalable, land-neutral alternative to meet rising energy demand and clean energy goals.
• BIPV is needed in India as conventional rooftop solar alone cannot meet the energy gap in densely populated cities and high-rises due to space constraints, while BIPV can utilise larger building surface areas for higher power generation.
• The status is gaining momentum with falling costs and sustainability focus, seen in notable installations across commercial, public, and institutional buildings in India.
• Scaling faces challenges like high initial cost, lack of dedicated policies/incentives, insufficient expertise, and low awareness. Solutions include targeted subsidies, regulatory integration into building codes, pilot projects, and boosting domestic manufacturing.

Ladakh Job Domicile

• New regulations notified for Ladakh covering land, jobs, and cultural preservation, addressing long-standing concerns of civil society groups like LAB and KDA amidst demands for Sixth Schedule status. (Why: Centre’s response to activism and demands)
• Introduces domicile requirement for government jobs (15 yrs residence, or 7 yrs schooling + Class 10/12, or children/spouses of specific categories), establishing a specific definition for Ladakh. (Why: Protects local employment, addresses fears of demographic change not covered by previous J&K laws)
• Sets procedure for obtaining domicile certificates via Tehsildar/Deputy Commissioner. (Why: Formalises the new domicile rule)
• Caps total reservation in jobs and professional institutions at 85% (SC, ST, OBC, others) plus 10% EWS. (Why: Expands reservation limits beyond previous 50% cap in institutions)
• Recognises English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as official languages, with support for Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi. (Why: Acknowledges local languages, affirms cultural identities, a shift from older laws)
• Reserves one-third of seats for women in Leh and Kargil LAHDCs. (Why: Promotes gender empowerment and inclusive governance)
• Regulations shift from adapted J&K laws to UT-specific rules. (Why: Tailors governance to Ladakh’s unique context post-2019)
• Challenges remain: Regulations are executive orders under Article 240, easily alterable; lack constitutional status unlike Sixth Schedule; no explicit land safeguards for non-domiciles; LAHDCs lack legislative power. (Why: Highlights limitations of the regulations compared to demands for constitutional protection and autonomy)

India Polar Research Vessel

• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) signed an MoU with Norway’s Kongsberg firm to develop India’s first indigenously built Polar Research Vessel (PRV). Why: Marks an important step for indigenous shipbuilding and international collaboration in specialized vessel development.
• A PRV is a ship supporting research in polar and ocean areas, tailored for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research. Why: Provides a dedicated platform for scientific exploration in challenging environments.
• The vessel will support India’s existing research stations (Bharati, Maitri in Antarctica, Himadri in Arctic). Why: Strengthens India’s polar and ocean research missions and logistical capabilities in remote regions.
• Equipped with advanced instruments, it will explore marine ecosystems and deep-sea biodiversity. Why: Enhances India’s scientific capabilities for critical ocean and climate research.
• The project reinforces India’s commitment to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions) and aligns with Sagarmala 2.0 goals. Why: Aims to position India as a global maritime leader, enhancing regional security and sustainable development.
• Collaboration with Norway aligns with ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals by boosting indigenous shipbuilding capability, utilizing design expertise. Why: Crucial for self-reliance and growth in India’s maritime sector.
• Expected within five years at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,600 crore, to be built by GRSE in Kolkata. Why: Provides a timeline and scale for this significant national project.

Smart IoT Future

• Why in News? The Internet of Things (IoT) is a transformative force profoundly impacting daily lives by infusing intelligence into everyday things, making homes and systems more intuitive, efficient, and secure.
• What is IoT? It’s a network of physical devices embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity that collect, exchange, and act on data.
• Key Features: Includes Connectivity, Automation & Intelligence, Remote Monitoring, Interoperability, Scalability, Data Analytics & AI Integration, and Customization.
• Key Components: Sensors & Actuators (physical interaction), Connectivity (communication protocols), IoT Gateways (bridge to cloud), Cloud Computing & Data Processing (analysis), and User Interface (human control).
• Key Applications: Smart Cities (traffic, energy, waste), Smart Homes (energy, security), Healthcare (remote monitoring, wearables), Smarter Transportation (fleet tracking, connected vehicles), Industrial & Workplace Safety (predictive maintenance, hazard monitoring), and Agriculture & Food Safety (precision farming, supply chain tracking).
• Risks and Challenges: Include Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities (weak passwords, insecure APIs), Unauthorized Access (privacy concerns, data leaks), Lack of Standardization/Interoperability (fragmentation), Scalability/Infrastructure Demands (data overload, energy), and AI-Powered Cyber Threats (manipulating data).
• Strengthening Measures: Enhance IoT Security (MFA, PKI, updates, AI analytics), Improve Interoperability & Standardization (universal standards), Strengthen Compliance Frameworks (data protection laws like India’s DPDP Act, GDPR), and Build Robust Infrastructure (5G, Edge computing).

Rajgir Spring Antimicrobial

• Recent research shows bacteria isolated from Rajgir hot spring exhibit notable antimicrobial activity.
• Rajgir’s hot springs unique thermal and chemical conditions harbour thermophilic and extremophilic bacteria like Bacillus, Geobacillus, and Anoxybacillus.
• These bacteria produce valuable bioactive compounds, including antibiotics and enzymes, displaying antimicrobial properties against pathogens.
• The finding holds significant potential for developing new antibiotics and biotechnology applications, crucial given rising antibiotic resistance.
• Antimicrobial activity is the ability of a substance or organism to kill or inhibit microorganisms, vital for controlling infections and developing new drugs.
• Rajgir Hot Spring is a natural geothermal spring in Bihar whose environment provides the habitat for these scientifically significant bacteria.

ML in Gaming

• Why in News: India plans to include online real money gaming (RMG) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
• RMG allows staking real money; India is a large and growing market driven by data, smartphones, and digital payments, but vulnerability is high due to unemployment, celebrity endorsements, and poor digital literacy.
• Current regulation is fragmented across states and national laws, with foreign investment banned in betting/gambling.
• Money laundering typically involves Placing illicit funds, Layering through complex in-game transactions, and Integration by withdrawing “cleaned” money.
• PMLA inclusion is needed due to regulatory gaps exploited by illegal offshore operators for tax evasion and fraud (e.g., Mahadev app case).
• It strengthens accountability, helps monitor virtual assets, combats potential terror financing via anonymous gameplay, and improves cybersecurity against malware and fraud.
• Challenges include tracking funds through mule accounts/shell entities and vast micro-transactions, misuse of in-game assets, multiple payment methods, cross-border issues with offshore platforms, difficulty proving laundering intent vs. high-stakes play, evolving fraud techniques, and fragmented enforcement with ineffective penalties.
• Balancing regulation and user convenience can involve tiered KYC and regulation based on risk, algorithmic accountability, intelligence-led enforcement, consumer protection, and international cooperation.
• A balanced framework integrating PMLA with tech-driven, risk-based rules is key for financial integrity and safety.

Kochi Container Accident

• A container ship sank off Kochi carrying 643 containers, including 13 known to be hazardous, triggering a tier-2 maritime emergency.
• The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences is leading an urgent 10-day oceanographic study (June 3-12, 2025) in the southeastern Arabian Sea, focusing on the wreck site.
• The study aims to assess the immediate and long-term ecological and biogeochemical impacts of the hazardous cargo and oil spill on marine ecosystems, coastal habitats, and fisheries.
• Concerns include toxic effects on marine biodiversity, contamination of fish stocks, and potential health risks to coastal populations, especially as the area is a critical breeding ground for commercially important fish.
• Rapid monitoring, collection of water, sediment, and marine life samples, and analysis of chemical and biological parameters (hydrocarbons, heavy metals, plankton, etc.) are being conducted to determine the pollution’s scale and severity.
• The study involves inter-agency coordination (Coast Guard, NDRF, Customs, state agencies) for containment, cleanup, and risk mitigation.
• Authorities have implemented a 20-nautical-mile fishing ban around the wreck site and issued public advisories to avoid contact with contaminated materials to protect public safety and livelihoods.
• The findings will guide immediate cleanup efforts and support long-term strategies for hazardous cargo management and marine disaster preparedness, minimizing ecological damage and enhancing India’s response capacity.

Trojan Drone Attack

• Ukraine used a “Trojan Horse” tactic by hiding FPV drones in wooden cabins on trucks to smuggle them deep into Russia. Why: This method allowed covert infiltration and launch of attacks far behind enemy lines using deception.
• The attacks targeted multiple Russian air bases, some located thousands of kilometres from the Ukraine border. Why: This demonstrated Ukraine’s capability for deep strikes and challenged Russia’s security far from the front lines.
• Ukraine claimed significant damage, including the destruction of strategic bombers and A-50 early-warning planes. Why: These are high-value, difficult-to-replace assets, impacting Russia’s strategic military capabilities.
• The attack used numerous small FPV drones for a deep, coordinated strike, a departure from previous tactics. Why: Experts see this as a potential shift in modern warfare, highlighting the effectiveness of low-cost drone tactics against expensive, traditional military assets.
• The mission was planned for 18 months, indicating a sophisticated and long-term covert operation by Ukraine’s security services. Why: Shows the depth of planning and operational capability required for such audacious strikes deep inside enemy territory.

Neuro Decline

• Recent research, including studies from NCBS-TIFR, indicates neurodegenerative diseases may start years before symptoms appear. Why? This challenges the traditional view focusing solely on late-stage neuron damage and shifts attention to earlier changes.
• Early causes identified include blood vessel dysfunction, particularly damage to the blood-brain barrier, and abnormal protein activity like TDP-43 dysfunction. Why? Damage allows harmful substances into the brain, triggering inflammation and neuron loss early in the disease process.
• Dysfunction of proteins such as TDP-43 and Esyt disrupt essential cell processes and signaling in neurons. Why? This breakdown initiates damage and contributes to neurodegeneration from the cellular level.
• This new understanding focusing on early vascular and molecular changes paves the way for earlier diagnosis and preventive strategies. Why? Detecting issues before significant neuron death occurs offers a better chance for effective intervention.
• Neurodegenerative diseases are progressive disorders where brain/nerve cells break down, leading to problems with memory, movement, etc., and currently lack a complete cure. Why? This highlights the urgent need for understanding early mechanisms to develop better treatments and prevention.

India BioE3 Life

• India will conduct its first biological experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) under the BioE3 mission.
• Purpose is to study the sustainability of human life in space, specifically focusing on food sources and waste recycling.
• The mission is led by ISRO in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
• Experiments are part of the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (AXIOM-4), a private spaceflight scheduled for launch in June 2025.
• Two Indian astronauts from ISRO, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, will participate and conduct the experiments.
• Experiments include studying:
  • The effect of microgravity/radiation on edible microalgae growth (potential food, air purification).
  • Cyanobacteria like Spirulina growth using different nutrients (urea vs. nitrate) for waste recycling and evaluating Spirulina as a “superfood.”
• The initiative is a key part of India’s BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) policy, aimed at advancing biotechnology for various sectors including space research.
• The announcement highlights India’s vision for global biotech leadership, as stated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Osaka Expo 2025

• What: 2025 Osaka World Expo is being held in Japan.
  Why: It serves as a “Living Lab” to find solutions for global challenges, aligned with SDGs, fostering international exchange.
• Expo Theme: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.
  Why: Focuses on innovation and co-creation of solutions.
• India’s Approach: Focused on soft power and cultural renaissance, blending ancient wisdom with modern innovation.
  Why: To embrace its civilisational ethos, promote inclusivity, and foster global partnerships using spiritual, cultural, and scientific achievements.
• India’s Pavilion Curator: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
  Why: Positions itself as a modern “sutradhar” (narrator) of India’s story, stringing together ancient philosophies and contemporary ambitions.
• Pavilion Theme/Inspiration: Compassion and inclusivity, symbolized by the ‘Bodhisattva Padmapani’ from Ajanta Caves.
  Why: Represents compassion and knowledge, embodying India’s values and serving as a bridge between heritage and future.
• Key Pavilion Elements: Lotus Courtyard (Ajanta frescoes), ‘Oneness Lounge’ (reimagined Bodhi Tree), ‘Wall of Life’ (Yoga & Ayurveda), highlighting India’s space program and UNESCO sites.
  Why: To showcase India’s rich legacy, promote wellness, boost tourism, and highlight achievements.

Planet 9 & Dwarf

• A new dwarf planet, 2017 OF201, was discovered during the search for the hypothetical Planet Nine. This is significant because it sheds light on unexplored regions at the solar system’s edge.
• 2017 OF201 is about 700 km wide with a vast, 25,000-year orbit reaching far into the Oort cloud. This is important as its unusual orbit might be influenced by Planet Nine or require alternative explanations.
• The discovery of 2017 OF201 suggests the existence of hundreds more similar icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. This is significant for understanding the composition and structure of the outer solar system.
• The Planet Nine hypothesis suggests a large, unseen planet beyond Neptune. This is based on the clustered orbital patterns of distant objects like 2017 OF201’s potential influence or other TNOs, indicating a gravitational pull.
• A dwarf planet is a celestial body orbiting the Sun that is nearly round but has not cleared its orbital path, unlike a full planet. This clarifies the classification of 2017 OF201.

Farm Subsidy Reform

• Why in News: The Vice President advocated for direct transfer of agricultural subsidies to farmers’ accounts, stating it could significantly boost farmer income (estimating Rs 35,000 annually per farmer).
• Current Subsidies: India has various subsidies including Direct Benefit Transfer (PM KISAN), Input Subsidies (Fertilizer, Seed, Irrigation, Power), Credit & Insurance (PMFBY, Interest Subvention), Output Subsidies (MSP), and Infrastructure (Warehouse/Cold Storage).
• Consequences of Current Subsidies:
  • Fiscal Burden: Strains government finances (e.g., Rs 3.71 lakh crore allocated for food/fertiliser in FY26).
  • Environmental Damage: Leads to soil degradation (unbalanced fertiliser use) and groundwater depletion (free power for pumps).
  • Market Distortions: Skewed benefits (only 6% farmers benefit from MSP), leading to overproduction of certain crops and waste (e.g., FCI rotting grains).
  • Export Issues: Limits India’s ability to export due to WTO rules on subsidy ceilings.
• Advantages of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Improves targeting, increases transparency, promotes farmer autonomy, reduces market distortion, and enhances administrative efficiency.
• Limitations of DBT: Potential for exclusion risks, digital divide issues, misuse of funds, exposure to price volatility, and implementation challenges.
• Proposed Reforms:
  • Targeted DBT: Use technology like geo-tagging to ensure aid reaches smallholders.
  • Market-Responsive MSP: Make MSP dynamic based on real-time data and costs.
  • Green Subsidies: Link power/fertiliser aid to sustainable practices (e.g., water-efficient tech).
  • Post-Harvest Infrastructure: Boost investment in storage and processing to reduce losses and increase farmer value.
  • WTO Compliance: Shift focus to non-trade-distorting areas like R&D and rural infrastructure.

New Caledonia

• Talks aimed at establishing a new political agreement for New Caledonia collapsed on May 8, plunging the French territory into uncertainty. This follows years of unrest and three contested independence referendums (2018-2021) held under the now-expired 1998 Nouméa Accord.
• The recent failure is tied to violent riots in May 2024 triggered by a proposed French law to change voting rights for provincial elections, highlighting the persistent deep divisions.
• The core issue remains the conflict between the indigenous Kanak people’s demand for independence, rooted in the territory’s colonial history since French seizure in 1853, and loyalist factions wishing to remain with France.
• Efforts to find a “third way” or “sovereignty in partnership” during the recent talks were rejected by loyalists, who instead proposed partition, neither gaining consensus.
• Provincial elections are now set to proceed by November 2025 without a prior political agreement on New Caledonia’s future status.

Glacier Preservation Conf

• The 1st UN International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation was hosted by Tajikistan in Dushanbe, collaborating with UNESCO and WMO.
• It aimed to highlight the vital role of glaciers in global ecological balance and water security.
• The conference resulted in the adoption of the Dushanbe Glaciers Declaration, signifying international commitment to preservation.
• Glaciers are crucial as they hold about 70% of the world’s freshwater supply.
• They are critical water sources for major river systems, like the Hindu Kush Himalayas for the Indus River.
• Glacier retreat is a significant concern, with countries like Venezuela losing all glaciers, indicating accelerating climate change impacts.
• India’s Minister of State for Environment used the forum to counter Pakistan’s criticism regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
• India stated Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism interferes with the treaty’s implementation and necessitates a reassessment of obligations due to changed circumstances (technology, demographics, climate change, terrorism).
• Pakistan’s PM accused India of an illegal and regrettable unilateral decision to hold the IWT in abeyance, endangering millions for political gains.
• This spat highlights how climate-related forums can become platforms for addressing broader geopolitical issues like water sharing and terrorism, particularly concerning resources like glacier-fed rivers governed by treaties like the IWT.
• The conference also set the stage for future initiatives like the International Year of Glaciers Preservation (2025) and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034).

India FY25 Deficit Target Met

• India successfully met its fiscal deficit target of 4.8% of GDP for the financial year 2024-25, based on provisional data from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
• The actual fiscal deficit for FY25 was Rs 15.77 lakh crore, which is 4.8% of the estimated GDP.
• Total revenue receipts amounted to Rs 30.78 lakh crore, while total expenditure was Rs 46.55 lakh crore.
• Fiscal deficit is the difference between government expenditure and total receipts (excluding borrowings), indicating the government’s borrowing needs.
• Meeting the target is crucial for maintaining macroeconomic stability, managing the national debt burden, controlling inflationary pressures, and preventing the crowding out of private investment.
• A manageable fiscal deficit helps ensure fiscal space for future development spending and maintains investor confidence.
• The government has set a tighter fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP for FY 2025-26.
• Achieving the target aligns with India’s glide path strategy towards fiscal consolidation, supported by measures like the FRBM Act and increased capital expenditure.

India-Maldives Bill Rollover

• Key Point: India, through the State Bank of India (SBI), rolled over (renewed) a USD 50 million Treasury Bill for the Maldives.

  • Why: To provide financial support to the Maldives as part of India’s ongoing assistance under a special government-to-government (G2G) framework active since 2019. This is emergency financial assistance requested by the Maldivian government.

• Key Point: The rollover helps the Maldives manage its finances.

  • Why: Maldives is facing economic challenges, including high public debt and a widening fiscal deficit. Rolling over the T-Bill delays the need for the Maldives government to repay this short-term debt, easing immediate liquidity pressures and supporting efforts for fiscal reforms.

• Key Point: This rollover is part of broader Indian support.

  • Why: India has a history of providing financial and economic assistance to the Maldives, including past rollovers of T-Bills, a currency swap facility (USD 400 million and Rs 3,000 crore), and other forms of economic and defence cooperation, reflecting the close bilateral relationship.

• Key Point: Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are short-term government debt instruments.

  Subscribe on YouTube
  • Why: Understanding T-Bills clarifies that the rollover involves extending the maturity period of a debt the Maldives government owes, providing them more time before repayment is due.

LRS Scheme

• India’s outward remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) fell to USD 29.56 billion in FY2025 from USD 31.74 billion in FY2024.
• The decline is attributed to global uncertainties, sluggish domestic income growth, high base effect, and notably a 16% drop in student remittances.
• Student remittances decreased primarily due to stricter student visa regulations in countries like the US, UK, and Canada, leading to a significant fall in study permits issued to Indian students.
• Travel remittances saw a marginal decline but remain the largest component of LRS outflows, accounting for over 57%, indicating continued interest in international travel despite a slower pace.
• Investment in equity and debt abroad by resident Indians under LRS increased by 12.51% in FY2025.
• LRS allows resident individuals to remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year for approved transactions, including education, travel, and investment.
• The Union Budget in February 2025 increased the threshold for Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on LRS transactions from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, aimed at boosting outbound tourism and education.
• Certain transactions like purchasing lottery tickets or remittances to FATF non-compliant countries are prohibited under LRS.

Pharma Tech

• The pharmaceutical industry is rapidly evolving driven by biologics, AI, and automation, necessitating that India fosters specialized skills and addresses challenges like regulatory compliance and innovation to stay competitive globally.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) speed up drug discovery, predict molecular behavior, and personalize treatments; India is deploying AI for diseases like tuberculosis and diabetes.
• Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) monitors health parameters in real-time, enabling personalized treatment and supporting decentralized clinical trials.
• Blockchain technology ensures privacy, transparency, and traceability in the pharmaceutical supply chain, helping detect counterfeit medicines.
• Biologics are complex medicines from living organisms, while biosimilars are cost-effective equivalent versions; technologies like organ bioprinting are also emerging.
• Digital Twin technology uses virtual simulations to improve drug manufacturing efficiency and optimize operations.
• India is the world’s 3rd largest producer of pharmaceuticals by volume, supplying over 50% of global vaccine demand and a significant portion of generics to the US market, with its market projected to grow significantly by 2030.
• Key concerns include data privacy and cybersecurity risks, escalating costs that create barriers for SMEs, complex regulatory frameworks, skill deficits in new technologies, and ethical considerations.
• Ensuring responsible technological intervention requires adaptive regulatory ecosystems, strengthening data security and ethics (aligned with laws like the Digital Data Protection Act, 2023), investing in human capital and digital skills, and promoting collaboration.
• Bridging the skill gap in emerging technologies is crucial for sustaining India’s leadership in the pharmaceutical sector and enhancing its global competitiveness.

RBI Annual 24-25

• Why in News: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its comprehensive Annual Report for 2024-25, detailing economic, monetary, and financial developments and outlook.
• Indian Economy: Remained the fastest-growing major economy globally at 6.5% GDP growth in 2024-25, driven by strong services (7.5%) and improved agriculture (4.6%), despite global slowdown.
• RBI Balance Sheet & Surplus: Grew 8.2%, with income up 22.77% (boosted by forex gains, higher investment returns) and expenditure up 7.76%. This led to a record surplus transfer of Rs 2.68 lakh crore to the government (up 27.37%). Assets saw significant increases in gold (52.09%) and domestic investments (14.32%).
• Inflation: Headline inflation moderated to 4.6% in 2024-25 (from 5.4% in 2023-24), with core inflation at 3.5% and food inflation falling to 2.9% by March 2025.
• Monetary Policy: Repo rate held at 6.50% through much of the year; stance shifted from “withdrawal of accommodation” to “neutral” in Oct 2024; CRR reduced to 4% in Dec 2024 to ease liquidity.
• Financial Stability: Bank credit growth healthy, NPAs declined. Increased household savings (5.1% of GNDI).
• Digital Leap: Digital payment volume surged 34.8%, UPI accounted for 48.5% of global real-time payments. Financial Inclusion Index rose to 64.2, showing deeper service usage.
• Challenges: Surge in bank fraud amounts (nearly tripled to Rs 36,014 cr), rise in counterfeit Rs 200/500 notes, managing volatile food prices, global uncertainties, and balancing fiscal consolidation with capex needs.
• Outlook & Measures: GDP growth projected at 6.5% for 2025-26, inflation at 4.0%. Key measures needed include strengthening agri-logistics, intensifying fraud tech, scaling CBDC, diversifying external trade, prioritizing quality capex, and integrating climate risk/green finance.

Mosura Fentoni

• Mosura Fentoni is a newly discovered Cambrian radiodont fossil from Canada’s Burgess Shale. Why: It provides new insights into ancient marine life and the evolution of arthropods.
• It exhibits advanced swimming (paddle flaps) and respiratory (gills in posterotrunk) adaptations. Why: These sophisticated features were unexpected for a small creature from this early period, challenging prior assumptions about the capabilities of arthropod relatives.
• Its posterotrunk functioned as a specialized respiratory tagma with concentrated gills, similar to the tails of horseshoe crabs. Why: This demonstrates early functional specialization of body segments, a key characteristic that later enabled the vast diversity of modern arthropods.
• Its anatomy suggests that early segment specialization was already occurring in radiodonts. Why: This crucial ability, foundational to the diversity seen in modern insects, crustaceans, and spiders, appears to have roots in these ancient forms.
• It challenges existing views on arthropod evolution. Why: By revealing unexpected complexity and specialization in an early relative, it requires a re-evaluation of the evolutionary timeline and the origins of traits characteristic of modern arthropods.

Nomadic Elephant 17

• The 17th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant is taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• It is an annual bilateral exercise held alternately in India and Mongolia, continuing a tradition since 2006.
• The last edition was held in Umroi, Meghalaya in July 2024.
• The exercise is scheduled from 31st May to 13th June 2025.
• The Indian Army contingent, mainly from the ARUNACHAL SCOUTS, comprises 45 personnel. The Mongolian Armed Forces contingent, also of similar strength, is represented by their 150 Special Forces unit.
• Its primary aim is to enhance interoperability between the two forces for semi-conventional operations in semi-urban/mountainous terrain under the United Nations Mandate (Chapter VII). This is why it focuses on joint task force employment.
• Training activities include endurance training, reflex shooting, room intervention, small team tactics, rock craft training, and, uniquely this year, aspects of Cyber Warfare to enhance complexity.
• The exercise reinforces regional security, peace, and stability, highlighting the shared commitment and fostering strong military ties, trust, and cultural understanding between India and Mongolia.

Birch Glacier

• A catastrophic collapse of Switzerland’s Birch Glacier triggered a massive landslide, burying an Alpine village under ice, rock, and mud. This is key because it highlights the immediate destructive impact of the glacier failure.
• The glacier’s instability and collapse were caused by a cascading disaster combining heavy debris load, permafrost thawing, and rising temperatures. This explains the reasons behind the event.
• The collapse impacted the River Lonza, increasing the risks of flooding downstream due to the debris. This details a significant consequence beyond the immediate landslide area.
• Birch Glacier is located in the Swiss Alps’ Lotschental Valley near the Bietschhorn mountain, providing geographical context for the event.
• Swiss glaciers, in general, have lost nearly 40% of their volume since 2000, with a 10% loss in 2022–2023 alone due to record temperatures. This broader context shows the event is part of a wider trend of glacier retreat linked to climate change.
• The Swiss Alps are a prominent mountain range forming a natural barrier in Europe. This places the glacier event within a significant European geographical region.

Padma Honours

• Why in News: The President of India presented the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri Awards for 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 27, 2025. These awards, honouring 139 distinguished persons, were announced on the eve of Republic Day 2025.
• Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours, instituted in 1954 and announced annually on Republic Day (January 26th).
• They honour excellence across diverse fields of public service like art, social work, medicine, sports, civil service, and more.
• Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (exceptional service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of high order), and Padma Shri (distinguished service), ranking highest to lowest respectively.
• Conferred by the President of India, recipients receive a Sanad, medallion, and replica.
• Eligibility extends to all persons regardless of race, occupation, position, or sex.
• Since 2014, the awards have increasingly recognized “unsung heroes,” transforming into the “People’s Padma”; 30 such individuals were honoured this year (2025).
• Nominations are reviewed by the Padma Awards Committee for final approval by the Prime Minister and President.
• Generally not awarded posthumously, they are not titles and cannot be used as prefixes/suffixes. A maximum of 120 awards are given annually (excluding certain exceptions).

Sikkim@50

• Why in News: Sikkim celebrated the 50th anniversary of its integration with India (on 16th May 1975, becoming the 22nd state), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi participating in the Golden Jubilee celebrations on 29th May 2025 and highlighting the state’s journey and future.
• Key Points:
  • Sikkim was a hereditary monarchy ruled by the Chogyal dynasty until 1975.
  • It maintained autonomy, becoming a British protectorate via treaties (Tumlong, Titaliya, Calcutta Convention) and later an Indian protectorate through the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of 1950, controlling defence, external affairs, and communication.
  • In 1975, a referendum resulted in 97% of voters supporting integration with India.
  • The 35th Amendment Act, 1974 made Sikkim an ‘Associate State’, and the 36th Amendment Act, 1975 made it a full-fledged state of India.
  • PM Modi praised Sikkim’s democratic decision to integrate and envisioned it as a “golden” state, a global hub for tourism, and a powerhouse in sports.
  • He highlighted Sikkim’s success as a “model of development with nature”, noting its high per-capita income, status as the world’s first fully organic state (2016), biodiversity, and conservation efforts.
  • New initiatives mentioned include developing Soreng district as India’s first organic fishery cluster and inaugurating the Pelling Ropeway to boost tourism.
  • Improved connectivity and investment commitments were noted as drivers for development and employment.
  • A commemorative ₹50 postage stamp was released as part of the celebrations.
  • Sikkim is located in the Eastern Himalayas, bordering China, Bhutan, West Bengal, and Nepal, and is home to Mount Kanchenjunga, the Teesta river, and diverse biodiversity.

Primate Crisis

• A report titled “Primates in Peril: The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates 2023–2025” highlights increasing risks faced by 25 primate species globally.
• The list includes 6 species from Africa, 4 from Madagascar, 9 from Asia, and 6 from South America (Neotropics).
• The Cross River Gorilla (Cameroon/Nigeria) and Tapanuli Orangutan (Sumatra, Indonesia) are specifically highlighted as Critically Endangered and among the most endangered. The Tapanuli Orangutan has fewer than 800 individuals.
• Two primates found in Northeast India and Bangladesh, Phayre’s Langur and the Western Hoolock Gibbon, were considered for the final list but excluded.
• Phayre’s Langur is found in eastern Bangladesh and northeastern India, listed as Endangered (IUCN) and Schedule I (India). It faces threats from hunting, habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal trade, electrocution, and roadkill.
• The Western Hoolock Gibbon, India’s only ape, is found in NE India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It is also listed as Endangered (IUCN) and Schedule I (India). Key threats include continuous habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting, and capture for illegal trade.
• For these Indian species, the report emphasizes the need for conservation action, including habitat protection and restoration, creating corridors, research, community engagement, and government intervention.