Black boxes are in the news as they were recovered from the recent Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash site near Ahmedabad, and are crucial evidence for the investigation.
They are crash-resistant devices (painted bright orange for visibility) located in the tail, consisting of a Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).
DFDR records flight data (speed, altitude, engine, etc.) for 25+ hours, while CVR records cockpit audio (conversations, sounds) for at least 2 hours (modern CVDRs store 25+ hours).
Invented in 1954 and mandatory since 1960, their primary purpose is to provide data and audio recordings to help investigators determine the probable cause of aircraft accidents.
They are designed to survive extreme impacts and fire, made of strong materials like steel or titanium.
While crucial, they have limitations, such as potential signal issues (e.g., MH370) and lack of video recording.
Recent advancements include automatic deployable recorders and combined Voice & Data Recorders (CVDRs).
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) uses black box data as key evidence to investigate accidents and incidents in Indian airspace, aiming solely for accident prevention.
Boko Haram Insurgency
Boko Haram is in the news due to a recent deadly attack in Borno state, Nigeria, where militants linked to its JAS faction killed at least 57 people and abducted over 70. This highlights the group’s continued violence and threat to national security.
The attack targeted civilians accused of collaborating with the rival ISWAP faction. This shows the internal conflict among militant groups and JAS’s shift towards terrorizing civilians for resources like ransom, as it lacks the capacity to attack military targets like ISWAP.
The killings occurred amidst a surge in violence in Borno, including ISWAP attacks on military bases and roadside bombings. This indicates the deteriorating security situation despite government claims of progress against the insurgency.
Years of insurgency have resulted in over 35,000 deaths and 2.6 million displaced people across four countries, primarily Nigeria. This statistic underscores the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict and why it remains a major news story.
Boko Haram, founded in 2002, opposes Western education and aims to establish an Islamic state, operating across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. Its continued activity and expansion into central Nigeria highlight the enduring challenge it poses to regional stability.
DNA Identification
Why in News: Used for victim identification after mass fatality events like the Air India crash where body remains were severely damaged.
DNA Analysis Techniques: Scientific methods to examine genetic material for identification, relationship testing, or detecting traits. DNA profiling uses unique variations (0.1% of DNA) for identification.
Gold Standard for DVI: DNA analysis is crucial for identifying individuals in mass disasters because it can work even with degraded remains, offering high accuracy.
Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis: Most common method examining repeating sequences in nuclear DNA. Why: Highly accurate for identity (15+ loci) but less reliable if DNA is severely degraded.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Analysis: Used when nuclear DNA is degraded or absent, examining maternally inherited DNA. Why: Higher survival in degraded remains due to multiple copies per cell; matches maternal relatives.
Y-Chromosome STR Analysis: Examines paternally inherited STRs on the Y chromosome. Why: Useful for identifying male victims by matching paternal relatives, even distant ones.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Analysis: Used when DNA is highly degraded. Why: Identifies single base variations; less discriminatory but viable when other methods fail and limited reference material is available.
Sample Collection and Storage: DNA starts degrading after death; timely collection and proper storage (cold, dry, ideally frozen or in ethanol) are vital. Why: Hard tissues (bones, teeth) preserve DNA better than soft tissues, making collection methods critical for successful analysis.
Reference Samples: Comparison DNA samples are needed from biological relatives (parents, children ideal) or personal items for identification. Why: Victim DNA must be matched against a known sample to confirm identity.
FGD Units
News: A committee of experts, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor, has recommended that India discontinue the policy of mandating Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) units in all coal-fired thermal power plants.
Why News: This recommendation stems from concerns over the high installation cost of FGD units, approximately ₹1.2 crore per megawatt, which poses significant financial and logistical challenges given India’s large coal capacity. The government is reconsidering the mandatory policy due to these cost and feasibility issues.
FGD Function: Flue Gas Desulphurisation units are systems designed to remove sulphur dioxide (SOâ‚‚), a harmful pollutant linked to respiratory problems and environmental damage, from the flue gases produced by burning fossil fuels in power plants.
Context: While FGDs are important for reducing air pollution and meeting environmental standards, the substantial investment required is the key factor driving the potential shift away from mandatory nationwide implementation.
The Finance Ministry has capped MGNREGA spending at 60% of the annual allocation for the first half of FY 2025-26, moving away from its demand-driven nature.
Why (Government Justification): To prevent funds from being exhausted rapidly by mid-year, which has historically happened, and improve fiscal management to ensure funds last throughout the year and reduce large pending dues.
Why (Concerns Raised): MGNREGA is a legal right to work (statutory guarantee of 100 days) and a crucial safety net.
Why (Concerns Raised): Demand is not uniform and increases significantly during rural distress or weather crises, which the cap doesn’t account for, limiting the scheme’s buffer function.
Why (Concerns Raised): Courts have held that financial limitations cannot override statutory entitlements; the cap could make it impossible to provide work once the limit is reached, potentially violating the legal right to work and timely wages (within 15 days of demand/work completion).
Why (Concerns Raised): The cap, while addressing financial issues like pending dues, risks undermining the scheme’s core objective and legal basis by leading to denied work or payment delays.
DNA Study
DNA analysis is used to identify victims of fatal accidents when visual identification is impossible, leveraging the uniqueness of individual DNA profiles.
DNA is collected from human remains and compared with samples from biological relatives who share DNA.
Sample collection needs to be done early as DNA degrades after death, especially in hot/humid conditions. Bone and tooth tissues preserve DNA better than soft tissues.
Collected samples must be stored in cool/frozen conditions or in ethanol to slow degradation.
Reference samples from close relatives like parents and children are ideal as they share 50% of the victim’s DNA.
Different methods are used depending on the DNA quality:
Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis: Highly accurate, used when nuclear DNA is well-preserved.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Analysis: Used for degraded nuclear DNA, identifies maternal lineage.
Y Chromosome Analysis: Used for degraded DNA, identifies paternal male lineage.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) Analysis: Used when DNA is highly degraded but is less accurate than STRs.
These techniques are crucial for identification even when samples are degraded or only distant relatives are available for comparison along the maternal or paternal lines.
Iran vs Israel
Recent Escalation: Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” attacks on Iranian nuclear/military sites (Tehran, Natanz, military bases) to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Why: Israel views Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat and seeks to halt its progress towards atomic weapons.
Iranian Retaliation: Iran responded with ballistic missiles under “Operation True Promise 3” targeting Israel (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv).
Why: Retaliation for Israel’s direct strikes on its territory and facilities.
Reasons for Conflict (Root Causes):
Historical/Ideological: Deep hostility since the 1979 Iranian Revolution transformed Iran from an ally to an antagonist towards Israel, rooted in religious and ideological differences (Shia Islamic vs. Jewish state).
Proxy Wars: Iran supports anti-Israel groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, seen by Israel as direct threats, fueling conflict through proxies.
Geopolitical Rivalry: Struggle for regional dominance, clashing interests in conflicts like Syria and Yemen.
Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions: Israel fears Iran developing nuclear weapons and actively seeks to disrupt its program.
Implications for India:
Energy Security: Instability threatens oil imports via the Strait of Hormuz, causing shortages, price hikes, and inflation.
Indian Diaspora: Large Indian population in the Middle East faces risks to safety.
Connectivity Projects: Projects like Chabahar Port and IMEC are vulnerable to disruption.
Diplomatic Challenge: India faces pressure to take sides, complicating its balanced relations with Israel, Iran, and Gulf nations.
Possible Solutions Mentioned: Two-state solution (for Israel-Palestine context), direct dialogue, recommitting to JCPOA (nuclear deal), regional cooperation, normalising relations.
Why: Aims to de-escalate tensions, build trust, address root causes, and ensure long-term regional stability.
MGNREGS Cap Rationale
Centre imposed a spending cap on MGNREGS for the first half of FY 2025-26, limiting usage to 60% of the total budget until September.
This is a shift from the scheme being demand-driven and exempt from budgetary caps, now under Monthly/Quarterly Expenditure Plan (MEP/QEP).
Rationale for the cap is to address persistent financial troubles and unpaid dues.
In past years, over 70% of the budget was spent by September, leading to supplementary funds needed by December, which still resulted in unpaid bills by year-end.
Pending dues have ranged from ₹15,000 crore to ₹25,000 crore in the last 5 years, using up about 20% of the next year’s budget.
The cap aims to ensure budget remains for the latter half, avoiding shortages and supplementary allocations.
Disadvantages include ignoring fluctuating demand which spikes during drought/crop failure, restricting flexibility needed in crisis.
Raising concerns about legal implications as MGNREGS is a statutory right under the 2005 Act, guaranteeing work and timely wages.
Supreme Court rulings state financial constraints cannot override statutory or constitutional rights.
Cap alters the scheme from a rights-based, demand-driven program to a supply-driven one based on fiscal convenience, potentially violating the Act and principles like Right to Livelihood.
India Aviation Security
News: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) cancelled the license of Celebi Aviation, a Turkish ground-handling firm operating at major Indian airports.
Why: The cancellation was based on ‘national security concerns’. This followed Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan after India’s Operation Sindoor, which was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
BCAS Role: BCAS is the national regulator for civil aviation security under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, responsible for setting and enforcing security standards.
Legal Basis: Under the Aircraft Rules, 1937 (framed under Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024) and Aircraft Security Rules, 2022, BCAS has the authority to suspend or cancel licenses for non-compliance or national security reasons.
Impact on Celebi: The company faces significant operational setbacks across nine major airports where it provided services.
Context for India’s Aviation Sector: India is the 3rd-largest domestic aviation market, rapidly growing, projected to be 3rd-largest globally by 2030, with significant economic contribution, infrastructure growth (more airports), and ongoing modernization efforts. Regulatory actions like this highlight the security focus within this crucial and expanding sector.
GFW 2024 India Forests
Global Forest Watch (GFW) report highlights India’s forest trends from 2001-2024, significant as it’s a key independent assessment by WRI and University of Maryland.
India lost 2.31 million hectares of tree cover (7.1% decline) between 2001 and 2024, a major environmental concern due to resulting 1.29 gigatonnes of COâ‚‚ emissions.
Natural forest loss in 2024 alone was 150,000 hectares, releasing 68 million tonnes of COâ‚‚ emissions, showing recent degradation continues.
Primary forest loss increased slightly from 17,700 ha in 2023 to 18,200 ha in 2024, concerning as primary forests are mature, carbon-rich ecosystems.
348,000 hectares (5.4%) of humid primary forests were lost from 2002-2024, accounting for 15% of total tree cover loss, critical due to their high biodiversity and carbon storage value.
Major drivers of forest loss include shifting cultivation and logging in the Northeast, mining in Central India, and infrastructure/tourism in the Western Ghats, indicating diverse pressures on different forest types.
India gained 1.78 million hectares of tree cover between 2000 and 2020, showing some areas are recovering or being reforested, though net loss remains high.
Globally, India ranked second in deforestation between 2015-2020 (FAO data), underscoring the scale of the challenge.
PM Visits Cyprus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit marks a significant step in revitalizing India-Cyprus relations after more than two decades to deepen cooperation.
The visit aimed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and security, covering strategic sectors.
PM Modi met with President Nikos Christodoulides to strengthen bilateral ties.
A Business Roundtable led to proposals for long-term economic collaboration between the two nations.
The visit is strategically important given Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council presidency in 2026 and regional geopolitical shifts.
Key cooperation areas include boosting trade and investment, using Cyprus as a gateway to Europe, collaborating on technology, and enhancing security ties against terrorism.
Cyprus provides consistent international support for India on issues like Kashmir and UN reforms.
Cyprus holds strategic importance for India’s outreach to Europe and initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) due to its location and EU membership.
Leaders reaffirmed commitment to concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The visit signals a new phase of strategic, economic, and diplomatic collaboration for sustained engagement.
Maritime Accident Regulation
Recent accidents off Kerala’s coast highlight concerns about maritime accident regulation and liability. Why: These incidents make the topic timely and demonstrate the practical impact of current regulations.
Global shipping is mainly regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through conventions. Why: IMO establishes international standards for safety, pollution, and liability.
Member states, including India, adopt IMO conventions into domestic law. Why: This translates international rules into national legal frameworks.
India has not ratified key conventions like the HNS Convention (Hazardous and Noxious Substances). Why: This limits India’s ability to claim compensation for specific types of environmental damage caused by such substances, as seen with the MSC ELSA 3 sinking.
Ships often use Flags of Convenience (FOC) by registering in nations like Liberia for easier operation and less scrutiny. Why: This complicates tracking ship ownership and enforcement, despite vessels being governed by IMO norms.
Ship owners are liable for loss of cargo and environmental damage. Why: Establishes primary responsibility for accident consequences.
Liability is typically covered by P&I Clubs (insurer groups). Why: Provides a financial mechanism for covering claims against owners.
While cargo loss liability is capped by conventions, compensation for environmental damage (like pollution) is often uncapped under the “polluter pays” principle (e.g., MARPOL). Why: Allows for potentially extensive claims to cover cleanup and impact costs.
Ship owners are responsible for salvaging sunken vessels under the Nairobi Convention, which India is a signatory to. Why: Defines who must remove wrecks within a nation’s waters.
Accidents occur due to complex factors, including human error and sea conditions, despite regulations. Why: Shows that regulations are necessary but cannot entirely prevent incidents.
The industry learns from accidents, leading to revised IMO guidelines and conventions. Why: Ensures regulations evolve based on real-world experience to improve safety.
AI Bio Manuf
India is actively integrating AI into biotechnology/biomanufacturing (Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Context: India emerging player) because it aims to become a global leader in this ethical, AI-driven innovation (Decoding Context: BioE3, IndiaAI Mission goals).
AI is crucial for enhancing drug discovery, optimizing production, and improving quality control in biomanufacturing (Key Highlights: AI’s Role) because firms are using it to reduce costs and speed up innovation (Key Highlights: Biocon, Strand Life Sciences examples).
Regulatory gaps and fragmented policies are major challenges (Decoding Context: regulatory gaps) because they lack clarity on data, ownership, and licensing, which can hinder innovation or cause legal issues (Key Highlights: Regulatory Challenges).
Data diversity and risk-based regulation are needed (Key Highlights: Data Diversity) because AI models must be trained on diverse datasets relevant to India’s varied conditions for safety and relevance (Key Highlights: Need for Data Diversity).
Developing clear data standards and supportive frameworks is essential (Key Highlights: Future Opportunities) because it will accelerate drug development and allow India to remain globally competitive (Key Highlights: Future Opportunities).
India’s success depends on robust, harmonized policies (Conclusion) because these are necessary to promote innovation while ensuring safety, public trust, and high data quality (Conclusion).
Biomanufacturing is a key part of India’s bioeconomy and national policies (Learning Corner, BioE3 Policy) because it aligns with economic growth, environmental goals (green production), and employment generation (Learning Corner: BioE3 Objectives).
Eurasian Otter in Kashmir
The sighting of the Eurasian Otter (locally ‘Vuder’) in Kashmir is news because it hadn’t been spotted in the region for 25-30 years and was thought to be locally extinct due to increased water pollution and hunting.
Its presence was confirmed by wildlife officials through villager videos, photographic evidence, and CCTV surveillance after initial reports.
Historically, the otter was abundant in Kashmir’s water bodies (Dachigam, Dal tributaries, Lidder river) and is a keystone species, meaning its presence is an indicator of clean water and healthy aquatic biodiversity.
This is the third reported sighting in the Valley this year, suggesting a potential return or re-establishment of the species.
Wildlife officials see the sighting as encouraging and believe it could help restore Kashmir’s aquatic ecology.
The Eurasian Otter is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN and is protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act (Schedule II) and CITES (Appendix I), highlighting its vulnerability.
India, Gender Gap 25
Context: The 19th Global Gender Gap Report 2025 by WEF released, measuring gender parity across 148 countries in 4 dimensions: Economic, Education, Health, Political.
Global Snapshot: Global gender gap closed to 68.8%, strongest annual gain since COVID-19. Iceland leads globally (92.6%). Gaps remain largest in Political Empowerment (22.9%) and Economic Participation (61.0%).
India’s Performance (GS2): India ranks 131 out of 148, slipping two places from 2024. Parity score is 64.1%. Overall score slightly improved (+0.3), but rank dropped due to decline in Political Empowerment.
Why India Performs Poorly (GS1, GS2):
Economic (GS1): Low female labour force participation (45.9%) and limited leadership roles; significant income disparity (women earn only 29.9% of male income). Social norms and patriarchy hinder economic access.
Political (GS2): Parliamentary representation dropped (13.8%) and ministerial roles low (5.6%). Delay in implementing the Women’s Reservation Act till 2029 impacts political parity score.
Societal (GS1): Deep-rooted social norms, patriarchy, and safety concerns restrict women’s full participation.
Significance (GS2): The index acts as a crucial policy diagnostic tool, highlighting areas needing urgent intervention (like political representation and economic parity in India) and enabling benchmarking.
Way Forward (GS2): Proactive implementation of Women’s Reservation Act, investing in skills and entrepreneurship, enforcing equal pay, addressing social norms, and improving access to services are key to achieving real parity on the ground.
