Current Affairs Exam

SC Case Disposal Boost

• Remarkable Case Disposal Rate: The Supreme Court (SC) achieved a Case Clearance Ratio (CCR) above 100% (106.6%) in 100 days (Nov 2024-May 2025), disposing more cases than filed, a significant improvement from the past average of 96%. This demonstrates a successful strategy for tackling judicial backlogs.

• Strengthening Case Verification & Listing: Process re-engineering with IIM Bangalore improved case verification to 228 cases/day. The Integrated Case Management and Information System (ICMIS) now automates case allocation, reducing bias and saving time.

• Reintroduction of Registrar’s Court: This expedited the resolution of cases with procedural defects, preventing prolonged pendency. Unheard cases are now relisted within 2-3 weeks.

• Email Requests for Urgency: Replacing oral mentions by senior advocates with email requests for urgent listings has saved judicial time and created a level playing field for all litigants.

  Subscribe on YouTube

• Tackling Unlisted and Old Cases: Dedicated “Miscellaneous after Notice Days” were used to clear a backlog of over 16,000 unlisted cases, including significant numbers of criminal matters, boosting the criminal CCR to 109%.

• Differentiated Case Management (DCM): Cases were classified based on complexity and urgency. The Centre for Research and Planning analysed cases, preparing briefs for judges, leading to faster disposal of older matters (30-45 mins per case).

• Revamped Case Categorisation Framework: A new system categorises cases into 48 types and 182 sub-types, enabling better tracking of backlogs and identifying government litigation as a key contributor, encouraging ministries to strengthen their legal cells. This framework is proposed for wider adoption.

• Technological Integration (AI): The SUPACE programme is experimenting with AI for transcription, defect detection, and preparing case synopses, showing positive initial results for judicial efficiency.

• Blueprint for Judicial Reforms: These SC initiatives, driven by data, stakeholder commitment, and technological adoption, offer a model for other courts to improve access to justice and judicial credibility.

• Way Forward: Institutionalizing DCM, strengthening government litigation cells, expanding AI use, increasing judicial strength, and promoting ADR are crucial for sustained improvement.

Gulf of Mannar

• Artificial Reef Restoration Success: The Gulf of Mannar is implementing artificial reef restoration using triangular and perforated trapezoidal modules. This initiative has shown success in boosting coral cover, survival rates, and fish density.
• Methodology: Scientists from SDMRI, with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, are using concrete frames and artificial reef modules (TARs and PTARs) deployed by divers. Over 51,000 coral fragments have been transplanted onto 5,550 artificial substrates, restoring about 40,000 sq. m. of reefs.
• Positive Outcomes: The restoration efforts have led to increased coral recruit density and live coral cover, even showing resilience during coral bleaching events. Fish density has also significantly improved in restored areas.
• Community Benefits: The project enhances community awareness, capacity-building for reef managers, and supports livelihoods dependent on the marine ecosystem.
• Government Initiatives: The Tamil Nadu government plans further comprehensive restoration under the TNSHORE project, including the deployment of 8,500 artificial reef modules for Kariyachalli Island.
• Geographical Significance: The Gulf of Mannar is a vital marine biodiversity hub, part of the Laccadive Sea, between India and Sri Lanka, known for its 21 islands and diverse marine life, including threatened species like the sea cow.

India-ASEAN Nexus

• Why in News: ASEAN’s significance is growing due to China’s assertiveness and Indo-Pacific uncertainties, making it crucial for India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.

• Economic Opportunities:

  • Large market (650 million people, $3.2 trillion GDP).
  • Bilateral trade reached $122.67 billion (2023-24).
  • Singapore is a major trade and FDI partner.
  • Full utilization of ASEAN-India FTA and finalization of AITIGA can boost trade.

• Defence Cooperation:

  • India is a reliable defense partner, supplying hardware and technology (e.g., BrahMos to Philippines).
  • Offers training and technical expertise to modernize ASEAN armed forces.

• Strategic & Security Engagement:

  • Provides a counterbalance to regional tensions, supporting ASEAN Centrality.
  • Engages through forums like EAS, ARF, and joint exercises (e.g., ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise).
  • Covers anti-piracy, disaster management, and promoting a rules-based order (SAGAR doctrine).

• Connectivity & Infrastructure:

  • Projects like India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan project enhance regional connectivity.
  • Boosts Northeast India’s role as a trade hub.
  • Digital initiatives (5G, cybersecurity, ASCN) strengthen linkages and offer alternatives to BRI.

• Tech & Energy Cooperation:

  • Collaboration in IT, fintech, AI, start-ups, and via ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund.
  • Focus on energy security, solar, clean tech, and semiconductors.

• Cultural & People Ties:

  • Leverages historical links through festivals and university networks.
  • 2025 designated ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.
  • Shared cultural heritage evident in events and sites.

• Areas of Friction:

  • Trade Imbalance: Widening trade deficit for India, with concerns over market access and tariff asymmetry.
  • Connectivity Delays: Funding, security, and bureaucratic issues plague projects like IMT Trilateral Highway.
  • Limited Defence Cooperation: Divergent security priorities and economic dependence on China hinder deeper collaboration.
  • Digital Trade Challenges: Regulatory mismatches in digital trade and data governance due to differing approaches (data sovereignty vs. liberal regime).
  • Myanmar Approach: India’s pragmatic ties with the junta contrast with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.

• Strategies for Strengthening Ties:

  • Enhance Connectivity: Expedite physical and digital projects, expand digital payments architecture.
  • Maritime Security & Blue Economy: Deepen cooperation in underwater awareness, logistics, and non-traditional threats; joint initiatives in marine tech and renewable energy.
  • Sustainability & Resilience: Collaborate on climate change, renewable energy, disaster management, and supply chain diversification.
  • Institutional & People-Centric Engagement: Utilize platforms like EAS/ARF, integrate Quad-ASEAN cooperation, and bolster people-to-people ties.
  • Space for Sustainability: Spearhead a dedicated “Space for Sustainability” program with a Regional Satellite for Sustainability for ASEAN.

SAF: Greener Skies

• India’s First SAF Plant: IOC will produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil at its Panipat refinery, marking a significant milestone for India.

  • Why: This is a crucial step towards reducing aviation’s carbon footprint in India.

• ISCC CORSIA Certification: IOC received ISCC CORSIA certification, a prerequisite for commercial SAF production and compliance with global aviation emission reduction schemes.

  • Why: This certification allows IOC to sell SAF and sets a benchmark for other Indian refiners, enabling compliance with international regulations.

• SAF: A “Drop-in” Fuel: SAF is chemically similar to conventional jet fuel and can be used in existing aircraft engines and infrastructure without modifications.

  • Why: This facilitates easy adoption by airlines and avoids costly infrastructure changes.

• Significant Emission Reduction: SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and is projected to contribute over 60% to aviation decarbonisation efforts.

  • Why: This is vital for meeting climate goals and making air travel more sustainable.

• Global Aviation Emission Regulations (CORSIA): From 2027, international airlines must offset emissions exceeding 2020 levels, making SAF blending a key compliance method.

  • Why: This creates a strong demand driver for SAF globally and for Indian production.

• India’s SAF Roadmap: India targets 1% SAF blending in 2027 and 2% in 2028 for international flights, aligning with Net Zero 2070 goals.

  • Why: This policy support will boost domestic SAF production, promote a circular economy, and create green jobs.

• Export Opportunities: European airlines are potential buyers of Indian SAF due to existing blending mandates in Europe.

  • Why: This opens up new revenue streams for Indian SAF producers.

• Challenges Remain: High production costs (2-3 times conventional fuel) and feedstock availability are key hurdles for widespread SAF adoption.

  • Why: Overcoming these challenges is critical for scaling up SAF use in India.

Derozio

• Henry Derozio (1809–1831) in News: As a historical figure relevant to current intellectual and nationalist discourse.
• Background: Anglo-Indian poet, teacher, and reformer appointed at Hindu College, Calcutta, at 17.
• Intellectual Influence: Promoted liberty, rationalism, equality, and social reform, encouraging critical thinking.
• Young Bengal Movement: Led radical students (Derozians) who questioned caste, social inequality, and traditions.
• Significance: Despite his short life, he founded early modern Indian nationalism, liberalism, and intellectual awakening.
• Legacy: Considered a precursor to the Bengal Renaissance, his reformist ideals influenced future national leaders.

Bioactive Peptides

• Bioactive Peptides (BAPs) from Fermented Foods: Study shows BAPs from traditional fermented foods offer health benefits.

  • Why it’s news: This opens doors for personalized nutrition in India, tailoring health plans to specific groups.

• What are BAPs: Short chains of 2-20 amino acids, active after digestion, affecting body functions.

  • Why it’s news: Understanding their composition and “activation” process is key to their function.

• Health Benefits: BAPs can regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, immunity, inflammation, and impact cardiac/metabolic health. They also possess antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.

  • Why it’s news: Demonstrates a wide range of potential health advantages.

• Personalized Nutrition Importance: How BAPs work varies individually due to genetics, gut microbiota, diet, etc.

  • Why it’s news: Underscores the need for precision nutrition, especially in a diverse population like India.

• Amino Acids: Building blocks of proteins, essential for bodily functions.

  • Why it’s news: Provides foundational knowledge about the components of BAPs.

India’s Tourism Engine

• Tourism as a Growth Engine: Experts suggest tourism can offset potential losses from US tariffs as it’s free from tariff barriers.
  • Why: The US imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods creates a need for alternative economic drivers. Tourism offers a tariff-free solution.
• India’s Tourism Potential:
  • Regained pre-pandemic momentum, contributing 5% to GDP and 7.6 crore jobs in FY23.
  • Projected to contribute Rs 42 trillion by 2035, supporting 64 million jobs.
  • Aims for a USD 3 trillion tourism economy by 2047, attracting 100 million international tourists and creating 200 million jobs.
  • India ranks 8th globally in tourism economy (WTTC).
  • Good potential in Medical Tourism (ranked 10th).
  • Why: These figures demonstrate significant economic impact and future growth potential, making it a strong candidate to compensate for trade losses.
• Key Source Markets & Travel Purposes: US, UK, Australia, Canada are major sources. Leisure, diaspora visits, and business travel are primary purposes.
  • Why: Understanding source markets helps in targeted promotion to attract visitors.
• Challenges Hindering Growth:
  • Visa and travel hurdles (complex processes, limited visa-free access).
  • Poor infrastructure (limited hotel rooms, weak transport).
  • Lack of cleanliness and safety concerns.
  • Low global promotion and underutilization of cultural assets.
  • Urban and connectivity gaps to remote areas.
  • Why: Addressing these challenges is crucial for unlocking tourism’s full potential and attracting high-value tourists.
• Strategies to Attract High-Value Tourists:
  • Simplify entry and travel (e-Visa, visa-on-arrival).
  • Promote niche, premium experiences (Ayurveda, luxury safaris, wellness).
  • Develop world-class infrastructure and connectivity.
  • Upgrade service quality and manpower training.
  • Leverage Medical and Wellness Tourism (“Heal in India”).
  • Enhance safety and comfort for visitors.
  • Why: Shifting focus from volume to value, by catering to tourists willing to spend more, can maximize economic benefits and compensate for trade challenges.
• Call for Reforms: Simplification of GST, personal tax, and removal of quality control orders are recommended alongside increased promotion funding.
  • Why: Streamlining processes and investment in promotion are seen as vital for making India competitive and driving tourism growth.
• Industry Vision: FAITH aims to double tourism’s contribution to GDP to 10% by 2047.
  • Why: This highlights the industry’s ambition and its recognition of tourism’s capacity to be a major economic driver.

GST Revamp

• Long-term Revenue Boost:
  • Why: Reforms lower rates but are projected to increase consumption, eventually adding ~₹2 lakh crore in revenue, offsetting an initial ~₹85,000 crore shortfall.
• Simpler Tax Structure:
  • Why: Moving to a two-slab system (9% and 18%) aims to improve compliance and make accounting fairer.
• Economic Growth Support:
  • Why: The overall reforms, including simplification and better compliance, are expected to support economic growth.
• Strengthened Fiscal Discipline & Investment Climate:
  • Why: Along with potential S&P upgrades and global trade changes, GST revamp can improve India’s fiscal health and attract investment.
• Execution is Key:
  • Why: Success hinges on effective implementation, coordination with the GST Council, and adjustments in revenue sharing.
• GST Council’s Role:
  • Why: This constitutional body (Article 279A) is crucial for recommending rates, simplification, and ensuring Centre-State consensus on indirect taxation, making it vital for the success of these reforms.

UT Assembly Nominations

• LG’s Nomination Power: Union Home Ministry states the LG of J&K can nominate 5 members to the Legislative Assembly independently, without the Council of Ministers’ advice.
• J&K Reorganisation Act: The Act allows for 90 elected members and LG nomination of up to five members (two women, two Kashmiri migrants, one from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir).
• Constitutional Context (Rajya Sabha): President nominates 12 members on Union Cabinet’s advice, who can participate in debates but not vote in presidential elections.
• Constitutional Context (Legislative Councils): Governors nominate members (around one-sixth) on State Cabinet’s advice.
• Abolished Provisions: Nomination of Anglo-Indian members to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies was discontinued in 2020.
• UT Assemblies: Delhi has no nominated MLAs. Puducherry’s assembly can have up to three nominated members by the Union government.
• Court Rulings:
  • Madras High Court upheld Union govt’s power to nominate Puducherry MLAs without UT CM’s advice, but suggested statutory clarity. Supreme Court later set aside these recommendations.
  • Supreme Court in the Delhi case emphasized LG’s accountability to the Council of Ministers on matters within the Assembly’s legislative powers. This rationale could apply to nominations.
• Concerns: In smaller assemblies like J&K, nominated members can significantly alter the majority, potentially overriding popular mandates, especially when Union and UT governments have differing political affiliations.
• J&K’s Unique Status: J&K was a state with significant autonomy and is expected to regain statehood.
• Recommendation: For J&K, nominations should be made by the LG based on the advice of the Council of Ministers to uphold democratic principles.

SN 2023zkd Nova

• New Supernova Type Detected: SN 2023zkd is a novel type of supernova, the first strong evidence of a black hole directly triggering a star’s explosion.

  • Why it’s news: This challenges previous understandings of stellar death, showing black holes can actively cause supernovae, not just influence them.

• Massive Star & Black Hole Interaction: A massive star (over 10x Sun’s mass) in a close orbit with a stellar-mass black hole underwent this event.

  • Why it’s news: The black hole’s gravity stripped the star’s outer layers, causing unusual brightening and ultimately triggering the supernova.

• AI-Driven Discovery: An AI system flagged unusual activity, prompting rapid observations of SN 2023zkd.

  Join Our Telegram Channel
  • Why it’s news: Highlights the increasing importance of AI in astronomy for detecting and analyzing rare cosmic events.

• Unusual Pre-Explosion Brightening: The star showed four years of continuous brightening before exploding, an unprecedented precursor.

  • Why it’s news: This gradual mass transfer and abnormal brightening provided crucial data confirming the interaction process.

• Reshaping Understanding: The discovery impacts how we view massive star death and black hole growth.

  • Why it’s news: It offers a new model for how compact objects like black holes can initiate stellar explosions and grow in mass.

India’s Stunting Crisis

• Persistent Stunting Crisis: India faces a significant stunting crisis, with 37% of children under five being stunted (Poshan Tracker, June 2025). This shows minimal progress, only a 1% decline from 2016 (38.4%), despite ambitious targets.
• What is Stunting: Stunting is impaired growth due to poor nutrition, repeated infections, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation, particularly in the first 1,000 days of life. It leads to cognitive impairment, lower adult wages, and increased risk of chronic diseases.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan’s Goals & Reality: Launched in 2018, POSHAN Abhiyaan aimed to reduce stunting by 2% annually to reach 25% by 2022. However, progress has been slow due to systemic issues.
• Key Factors for Persistent Stunting:
  • Maternal Health & Early Pregnancy: Teenage pregnancies (7% of women 15-19 childbearing, NFHS-5) result in low-birth-weight babies and hinder adequate infant care.
  • Maternal Education: Children of uneducated mothers have a higher stunting rate (46%) compared to those of mothers with 12+ years of schooling (26%).
  • Anaemia & Maternal Nutrition: High rates of anaemia in women (57%) and children (67%) lead to inadequate foetal growth and poor nutrient absorption.
  • Infant Feeding Practices: Low exclusive breastfeeding rates (64% under 6 months) and high C-section rates disrupt early nutrition. Informal sector women often cut short breastfeeding due to work.
  • Diet Quality: Only 11% of children under 2 receive a minimum acceptable diet; most poor households consume carb-heavy meals lacking protein and micronutrients.
  • Sanitation & Water: Despite Swachh Bharat, 19% of households still practice open defecation, leading to infections that impede nutrient absorption.
• Way Forward: Strengthen maternal and adolescent health, delay marriage and pregnancy, expand micronutrient supplementation, promote universal secondary education for girls, enforce maternity benefits for informal workers, promote early breastfeeding, diversify Anganwadi meals, improve sanitation and water access, and strengthen Anganwadi worker training.
• Conclusion: Stunting is a complex issue reflecting deep societal, economic, and governance challenges. A holistic approach integrating health, education, sanitation, poverty alleviation, and dietary diversification is crucial for a malnutrition-free India.

Jan Dhan Yojana

• 23% PMJDY Accounts Inoperative: Out of 56.04 crore Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts, 13.04 crore (23%) are inoperative, meaning no transactions have occurred for over two years.

  • Why it’s news: This raises concerns about the effectiveness of financial inclusion efforts and actual account usage. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh have the highest numbers of inoperative accounts.

• DBT Continues to Inactive Accounts: Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) are still being credited to these inactive accounts, indicating that the funds are reaching beneficiaries but the accounts themselves are not being actively used.

• Government Efforts to Reactivate: The government is undertaking measures like informing account holders, quarterly contact, and specific campaigns, such as a Gram Panchayat level Saturation Campaign, to activate these dormant accounts.

• PMJDY’s Transformative Impact: Despite inoperative accounts, PMJDY has significantly boosted women’s financial inclusion and savings habits, with an average deposit of ₹4,352. It also serves as a crucial platform for DBT and welfare scheme delivery through the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile).

India Stray Dog Balance

• Why in News: Supreme Court’s directive to remove stray dogs in NCR following attacks on children, sparking debate on public safety vs. animal welfare.
• Legal & Policy Framework:
  • Constitution: States manage livestock (Art 246(3)), local bodies control stray dogs (Art 243(W), 246), citizens must show compassion (Art 51A(g)).
  • SC ruling: Extended right to life to animals (Animal Welfare Board v. Nagaraja, 2014), though a counter-argument states animals don’t have fundamental rights.
  • PCA Act, 1960: Prohibits cruelty, mandates humane treatment.
  • ABC Rules, 2023: Mandate sterilization, vaccination, and release of strays; criticized for prioritizing animal rights over public safety.
  • NRCP: Aims for rabies elimination via vaccination, sterilization, and surveillance.
• Ethical Aspects:
  • Human Safety vs. Animal Rights: Conflict arises from rising dog bites and rabies deaths, with attacks on children raising concerns about safeguarding vulnerable populations. ABC Rules are seen as risking human safety by releasing aggressive, albeit vaccinated/sterilized, dogs.
  • Disparity in Treatment: Well-bred dogs are prioritized over strays, leading to unequal treatment.
  • Control Methods: Culling, poisoning, or cruel relocation violate ethical principles.
  • Corruption/Mismanagement: Funds for welfare programs are misused, undermining efforts and ethical obligations.
• Measures for Balance:
  • Service Roles: Leverage dogs’ skills in detection, therapy to promote positive views.
  • Policy Implementation: Collaborative efforts for vaccination/sterilization, preventing abandonment, and a national policy on human-dog conflict.
  • Dedicated Facilities: Establish feeding stations, vet care, support for welfare organizations, and a helpline for attacks.
  • Public Awareness: Educate on responsible pet ownership, sterilization, and safe interaction.
• Critique of ABC Rules:
  • Prioritize “animal rights” over public health, allowing even rabid/aggressive dogs to be released.
  • Mandate feeding in public spaces, causing territoriality and attacks.
  • Conflict with other acts permitting permanent removal of strays.
  • Seen as a “failed experiment” that increased suffering for both humans and dogs.
  • Contrasts with global practices of zero tolerance for strays and euthanasia.
• SC Intervention: Signals an end to the ABC Rules’ dominance, restoring balance by directing shelter establishment and accountability, upholding fundamental rights of people.

Saltwater Croc

• Saltwater Crocodile Population Surge in Sundarbans:
  • Why in News: Latest survey estimates 220–242 individuals, a significant increase. This reflects successful conservation efforts.
• Effective Conservation Measures:
  • Why in News: Systematic surveys, GPS mapping, and the Bhagabatpur breeding facility contribute to the population growth.
• Ecological Importance of Saltwater Crocodiles:
  • Why in News: As apex predators, they are crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of India’s coastal and riverine ecosystems.
• Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve Significance:
  • Why in News: This UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world’s largest mangrove forest, also supports the saltwater crocodile population alongside the Royal Bengal Tiger.
• Conservation Status and Threats:
  • Why in News: While IUCN lists them as ‘Least Concern’, they face local threats like habitat loss and human-crocodile conflict, necessitating continued protection under India’s Wildlife Protection Act.

Brain-eating amoeba

• Fatal Brain Infection: Naegleria fowleri, a “brain-eating amoeba,” caused the death of a child and infected two others in Kerala, India.
• Disease: The infection, Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is extremely rare but has a devastatingly high fatality rate of approximately 97% globally.
• Habitat: The amoeba thrives in warm freshwater environments like ponds, lakes, rivers, and poorly maintained swimming pools. It is thermophilic (heat-loving).
• Transmission: Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, typically during swimming or water sports in warm freshwater. The amoeba travels to the brain via the olfactory nerve. It is not transmitted through drinking water.
• Symptoms: Initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and stiff neck. These can progress to confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and coma. Death usually occurs within 1-2 weeks.
• Treatment Challenges: There is no proven universally effective treatment. Drug combinations are attempted with limited success, and early diagnosis is critical but difficult.
• Rising Cases & Prevention: Kerala is seeing increasing cases, potentially linked to unclean water sources and environmental changes, with infections often occurring in children in poorly maintained swimming areas. Preventive measures involve avoiding water entry into the nose during swimming in warm freshwater.
• Geographic Spread: Cases are primarily reported in the USA, South Asia, and other warm climates, often associated with recreational water use in hot weather.

Gold Dome Defense

• US Finalizes Golden Dome Design: The United States has completed the design phase for its new Golden Dome missile defense system.

  • Why: This signifies a critical step towards actual development and deployment of a new layer of national security.

• Advanced Multilayered Defense: Golden Dome is designed as a sophisticated system using space-based sensors and interceptors.

  • Why: To provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats, including hypersonic, ballistic, and cruise missiles, as well as drones from anywhere globally.

• Inspired by Proven Systems: The system draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome and the US’s own Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars Programme).

  Join Our Telegram Channel
  • Why: This suggests leveraging successful concepts from existing and historical defense strategies to create a robust and effective solution.

• Integration of Existing Technologies: Golden Dome will incorporate components from current US missile defense systems like Patriot, THAAD, Aegis BMD, and GMD.

  • Why: This approach aims to create a synergistic system by combining and enhancing the capabilities of established defense platforms, making it more efficient and potent.

• Early-Stage Interception: The system will utilize a satellite network to target missiles in their boost phase, intercepting them shortly after launch, before or as they enter space.

  • Why: This “catch them early” strategy is crucial for preventing attacks and minimizing the risk of any ordnance reaching its target.

Alaska Summit

• US-Russia Alaska Summit Failure: The summit concluded without a peace agreement for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, extending global diplomatic uncertainty.

• US Tariffs on Indian Exports: The US imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, potentially harming trade and complicating negotiations. This aims to pressure India regarding its imports of Russian oil.

• India’s Strategic Autonomy: India seeks to maintain independent foreign policy, balancing relationships with both the US and Russia for its energy, defense, and trade interests.

• Geo-Political Ramifications: The summit’s failure intensifies concerns about security guarantees, territorial integrity, and NATO’s role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Dibru-Saikhowa NP

• Ecological Shift: Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (DSNP) in Assam is experiencing significant ecological changes due to both invasive and native plant species altering its landscape.
• Invasive Plant Threat: Invasive species like Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Mikania micrantha are outcompeting native flora, degrading grasslands, and threatening grassland-dependent wildlife.
• Native Grassland Invaders: Native trees Bombax ceiba (Simalu) and Lagerstroemia speciosa (Ajar) are also contributing to changes, increasing shrubland and degraded forest cover.
• Land Use Changes (2000-2024): A study shows a significant conversion of grasslands and semi-evergreen forests into shrubland and degraded forest. Grasslands reduced from 28.78% to degraded forest covering 23.47% by 2024.
• Habitat Loss for Wildlife: These LULC changes threaten grassland-dependent species such as the Bengal florican, Hog deer, and Swamp grass babbler. The park’s endemic feral horses (around 200 individuals) are also at risk.
• Multiple Pressures: The changes are attributed to recurring Brahmaputra floods, forest villages within the park, grazing, and resource extraction, leading to soil erosion and habitat fragmentation.
• Importance of DSNP: DSNP is a Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO designation 1997) and an Important Bird Area (IBA) with over 382 bird species, and it’s the only habitat for feral horses in India.
• Recommendations: A study recommends targeted grassland recovery projects, including invasive species control, improved surveillance, increased staffing, and relocating forest villages to reduce human impact and support conservation.

India’s Patent Revamp

• Why in News: India aims to transition from a technology user to a global innovator by strengthening its R&D and patent ecosystem, crucial for its “Make in India” ambition.

• Key Trends:

  • India ranked 6th globally in patent filings in 2023.
  • Over 1 lakh patents granted in FY24, a 17-fold increase since 2015.
  • Total IP filings (patents, trademarks, designs, GIs) rose by 44% in the last 5 years.
  • Universities are actively supporting patent filing, technology transfer, and monetization through IP cells.
  • India ranked 4th globally in trademarks (WIPO 2024), with a significant rise in applications.

• Key Challenges (CLOG):

  • Concentrated on Foreign Filings: Over 74% of patents are granted to foreign entities.
  • Low R&D Investment: Only 0.67% of GDP spent on R&D hinders quality patent generation.
  • Overburdened & Outdated Processes: Average patent approval time is 58 months due to examiner shortages and inefficiencies.
  • Gaps in Enforcement: IP protection issues, slow judicial processes, and digital piracy limit creators’ rights.
  • Low commercialization of granted patents.

• Measures for Transformation (REFORM):

  • Regulatory & Legal Reforms: Dedicated IP courts, stronger penalties, and updating laws for emerging technologies.
  • Ecosystem Building: Foster academia-industry-government partnerships, support innovation hubs.
  • Fuel R&D Investment: Tax incentives and venture capital for private sector R&D.
  • Optimize Processes: Modernize patent office portals, use AI for searches.
  • Resource Mobilization: Increase skilled examiners, upgrade infrastructure, use AI for scrutiny, create training hubs.
  • Mobilize Global Partnerships: Collaborate with WIPO for cross-border filings and investment.

E. coli

• Genetically Engineered E. coli as Self-Powered Chemical Sensors: Researchers have successfully modified Escherichia coli bacteria to act as self-powered chemical sensors, capable of detecting specific chemicals and generating electrical signals.

• Advancement in Bioelectronics: This development is a step towards creating cheap, programmable bioelectronic devices by interfacing living organisms directly with electronics, leveraging advances in synthetic biology and bioelectrochemistry.

• Superiority to Traditional Biosensors: Unlike fragile, costly, and slow enzyme-based biosensors, these whole-cell biosensors using living E. coli are self-repairing, robust, and can operate in contaminated environments.

• Electrical Output for Easy Integration: The engineered E. coli modules convert detected chemicals into electrical signals (phenazines) through voltammetry, making them easily integrable with portable and field-deployable electronics, overcoming limitations of optical signals in other whole-cell biosensors.

• Modular Design and Applications: The biosensors have a modular structure (sensing, processing, output) and can be programmed. They have demonstrated detection of plant sugars and trace amounts of mercury ions, with potential applications in water quality monitoring, pollution detection, and public health warnings.

• ‘AND’ Logic Gate Capability: The research also demonstrated an ‘AND’ logic gate within E. coli, meaning it can signal only when two specific molecules are present simultaneously, showcasing advanced programmable sensing.

S&P Rating

• S&P Raises India’s Sovereign Rating: S&P Global Ratings upgraded India’s rating to BBB from BBB- after approximately 20 years, signaling improved creditworthiness.

• Reasons for Upgrade:

  • Fiscal Deficit Reduction: Steady progress in lowering the fiscal deficit, targeting 5.1% of GDP for 2024-25.
  • Debt Management Reforms: Implementation of reforms like the FRBM Act and slower borrowing patterns.
  • Strong Economic Growth: Projected growth of 6.5% for 2024-25, coupled with stable inflation.
  • Rising Forex Reserves: Significant increase in foreign exchange reserves, reaching $688 billion.

• Economic Improvement Indicators (Comparison 2006-07 vs. 2024-25):

  • Per capita GDP more than doubled.
  • Inflation (WPI and Retail) substantially decreased.
  • Debt-to-GDP ratio saw a marginal increase, offset by stronger economic fundamentals.

• Implications of the Upgrade:

  • Cheaper Global Capital Access: Lower borrowing costs for India in international markets.
  • Increased Investor Confidence: Boosts foreign investor sentiment, potentially leading to higher FDI.

• Global Standing: India’s BBB rating now matches Italy and Bulgaria, with a positive outlook similar to the Philippines.

• Future Outlook: Continued fiscal discipline and reforms could lead to further rating upgrades.

• Validation: The upgrade is seen as recognition of India’s economic resilience and policy effectiveness.

• Learning Corner: Credit Rating Agencies:

  • Definition: Entities that assess creditworthiness and assign ratings indicating default risk.
  • Major Agencies: S&P, Moody’s, Fitch.
  • Function: Evaluate financial strength and provide risk assessments for investors.
  • Significance: Influence borrowing costs and investment decisions.
  • Indian Regulator: SEBI oversees domestic CRAs (e.g., CRISIL, ICRA) ensuring transparency and investor protection.

Ikshak

• Indian Navy Receives “Ikshak”: Ikshak, the third of four Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) ships, has been delivered to the Indian Navy.
  • Why: This delivery enhances India’s maritime survey capabilities and strengthens its position in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Indigenous Design & Construction: Ikshak is the 102nd ship designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
  • Why: Highlights the success of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative in defense manufacturing and design.
• Advanced Hydrographic Capabilities: The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment for coastal and deep-water surveys, data collection, and seabed mapping.
  • Why: Crucial for navigation safety, charting, port development, and supporting both defense and civil applications.
• High Indigenous Content: Over 80% of Ikshak’s cost is from indigenous sources.
  • Why: Further emphasizes self-reliance and boosts the domestic defense industry.
• First SVL with Women’s Accommodation: Ikshak is the first SVL ship to include accommodation for women officers and sailors.
  • Why: Promotes inclusivity and gender equality within the naval forces.
• Fleet Expansion: Ikshak joins INS Sandhayak and INS Nirdeshak, with one more SVL ship under construction.
  • Why: Shows a consistent build-up of India’s naval assets for critical maritime roles.
• Timeline: Keel laid Aug 2021, launched Nov 2022, delivered Aug 2025 after trials.
  • Why: Demonstrates efficient project execution and readiness.

Aurobindo Ghose

• Birth Anniversary: Sri Aurobindo’s birth anniversary was celebrated on August 15th, 2025. He was born on August 15th, 1872.
• Multifaceted Figure: He was a yogi, philosopher, poet, seer, nationalist, political thinker, leader, activist-journalist, and scholar of Indian civilization.
• Rejection of ICS: Aurobindo qualified for the Indian Civil Service but skipped the horse-riding tests, renouncing a career in the British bureaucracy.
• Radical Nationalism: He advocated for radical nationalism and mass mobilization, criticizing the Indian National Congress’s moderate policies in articles like “New Lamps for Old.”
• Alipore Bomb Case: He was arrested in connection with the Alipore Bomb Case (1908) and was defended by Chittaranjan Das.
• Spiritual and Philosophical Contributions: He established the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry and collaborated with Mirra Alfassa, who founded Auroville. His spiritual experiences in jail led him to focus on spiritual pursuits beyond Swaraj.
• Literary Works: Authored influential works like “The Life Divine,” “Savitri,” and “Essays on the Gita.”
• Journalism and Activism: Founded and contributed to revolutionary journals like “Bande Mataram” and “Karmayogin,” and was associated with organizations like the Anushilan Samiti.
• Nobel Prize Nominations: Nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature (1943) and Nobel Peace Prize (1950).
• Vishwa Guru Concept: Early proponent of India as a “Vishwa Guru,” emphasizing spiritual leadership and pride in Indian civilization.
• Passive Resistance: Championed passive resistance as a strategy to undermine the colonial system, differing from Gandhi’s approach by not ruling out non-peaceful means for self-preservation.
• Nationalism as Religion: Viewed nationalism as a religious movement, a “work of god,” requiring faith and conviction.
• Withdrawal from Politics: Left active politics in 1910 for Pondicherry, dedicating himself to spiritual practice until his death in 1950.

Hunger & Food Security

• India’s Food Security Status:
  • Progress: Shifted from food deficit to surplus.
  • Challenges: Still highest in the world for undernourished individuals (194.6 million); over 790 million cannot afford healthy diets; high child stunting (31.7%) and wasting (18.7%); persistent anemia in women.
• Key Government Initiatives:
  • NFSA, 2013: Legal entitlement to subsidized food grains for 75% rural, 50% urban population; life-cycle approach with provisions for vulnerable groups.
  • PDS: World’s largest network for food grain distribution; being reformed with technology (Aadhaar, computerization) to reduce leakages.
  • PM POSHAN: Provides nutritious meals in schools to improve child health and attendance.
  • Poshan Abhiyaan: Focuses on improving nutritional outcomes for children and mothers.
  • PMGKAY: Pandemic-era scheme providing additional free food grains.
• Major Persistent Challenges:
  • Double Burden of Malnutrition: Coexistence of undernutrition and rising obesity due to poor diets.
  • Agricultural Vulnerability: Climate change, land fragmentation, soil degradation, and erratic monsoons threaten production.
  • Post-Harvest Losses: Inefficient supply chains and lack of storage lead to significant food wastage.
  • PDS Inefficiencies: Inclusion/exclusion errors and leakages persist.
  • Dietary Imbalance: MSP policies favor rice/wheat, reducing cultivation of nutritious millets and pulses.
• Way Forward/Solutions:
  • Revamp PDS: Further digitalization and schemes like ONORC for portability.
  • Promote Nutritional Diversity: Encourage cultivation and consumption of millets and pulses.
  • Invest in Infrastructure: Improve cold chains, storage, and transportation.
  • Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Promote climate-smart farming practices.
  • Empower Women: Support women in food enterprises.
  • Strengthen Health & Sanitation: Crucial for nutrient absorption.
• Why this is news: Highlights the critical and dual role India plays – facing significant domestic hunger issues while also being pivotal globally. It underscores the need for continuous reform despite past achievements to ensure true food and nutritional security for all.

Bharat@2047 Reforms

• Vision: Transform India into a developed $30 trillion economy by 2047 (100th year of Independence).
• Why in News: India is actively working towards this ambitious goal, requiring significant reforms.

Key Reforms:

Governance & Bureaucracy (CIVIC):
* Cut Compliance: Reduce the overwhelming number of compliances and digitize processes.
* Institutions for Accountability: Modernize bureaucracy via lateral entry and strengthen the judiciary.
* Voter & Electoral Reforms: Enhance voter education and electoral funding transparency.
* Inclusive Cities & Federalism: Develop livable cities and improve Centre-State fiscal cooperation.
* Cyber & Digital Public Infrastructure: Expand digital infrastructure with AI and secure financial access.

Economic Reforms (LIBERATE):
* Labour & Land: Implement labour codes and streamline land acquisition.
* Inflation Targeting: Strengthen CPI and improve repo rate transmission.
* Banks & Bankruptcy: Enhance banking competitiveness and speed up IBC resolutions.
* Ease of Doing Business: Decriminalize minor business offenses.
* R&D: Increase R&D spending and involve the private sector.
* Asset Sales: Pursue disinvestment and privatization.
* Tax Reform (GST): Simplify GST and expand its ambit.
* Empower Consumers & Investors: Ensure transparent markets and strong protection.

Industrial & Manufacturing (MADE):
* MSMEs & Markets: Boost MSME growth and facilitate global listings.
* Atmanirbhar in Defence: Increase defence spending and domestic production.
* Deregulation: Implement single-window systems for factory setup.
* Energy & Exports: Strengthen renewables, promote green hydrogen, and facilitate exports.

Agriculture (FARM):
* Finance & Fertility: Improve farm credit and invest in irrigation and mechanization.
* Agri Markets & Export: Expand APMC, allow private procurement, and focus on value chains.
* Rural Livelihoods: Diversify incomes and promote ethanol blending.
* Market & Land Security: Implement comprehensive insurance and digitize land records.

Education (LEARN):
* Literacy & Learning: Increase education spending and focus on foundational skills.
* Education Regulation: Strengthen higher education regulators.
* Acquire Skills Early: Integrate vocational training in schools.
* Reach Global Standards: Invite foreign universities and improve sports infrastructure.
* Nurture Innovation & Digital Learning: Digitize curricula and reform testing.

Health (CURE):
* Coverage & Care: Guarantee Universal Health Coverage.
* Unified Standards: Mandate hospital accreditation and enforce labeling.
* Records & Rights: Ensure health data ownership and digital security.
* Encourage Innovation: Promote MedTech startups and create a trauma care grid.

Environment & Sustainability (GREEN):
* Green Manufacturing & Hydrogen: Mandate eco-friendly practices and promote green hydrogen.
* Renewable Energy & Battery R&D: Expand renewables and invest in battery technology.
* Emissions & Carbon Trading: Develop carbon markets.
* Environmental Protection & Waste Management: Tackle pollution and promote recycling.
* Nature & Climate-Resilient Urban Planning: Plan climate-resilient cities.

Infrastructure (TRIP):
* Transport Modernisation: Invest in future mobility and rationalize fares.
* Regulate & Rationalise: Promote green freight and single-window clearances.
* Infrastructure Indexing: Create public dashboards for equitable development.
* Ports & Logistics: Develop world-class ports and efficient logistics.

Tech & Digital (IDEAS):
* Invest in AI & Emerging Technologies: Expand the AI ecosystem and chip fabrication.
* Digital Rights & Consumer Protection: Implement DPDP Act for data control and privacy.
* Education & Skills for the Future: Integrate ethics and digital civics into STEM.
* Audits & Ethics in Technology: Mandate Tech Impact Assessments and AI ethics.
* Security, Crypto & Innovation: Modernize cybersecurity and set clear crypto rules.

UT Assembly

• LG’s Nomination Power: Union Home Ministry stated LG of J&K can nominate 5 members to the Assembly without consulting the Council of Ministers.
  • Why: Constitutional provisions allow nominated members in legislatures. UT Assemblies follow specific Acts of Parliament. J&K Assembly Act allows LG to nominate 2 women, 2 migrants, and 1 displaced person from PoK.
• Judicial Precedents: Madras High Court upheld Centre’s power to nominate Puducherry MLAs. Supreme Court emphasized LG is bound by Council of Ministers’ advice in legislative matters (except Delhi services).
  • Why: Demonstrates differing judicial interpretations on LG’s powers and the balance of authority in Union Territories.
• Concerns Over Nominations: Nominations can be arbitrary, undermining democratic accountability and potentially converting majorities into minorities.
  • Why: Unconsulted nominations by LG/Centre can bypass elected representatives and skew legislative outcomes.
• J&K Assembly Structure: Unicameral with 90 seats, 87 elected and up to 5 nominated by the LG.
  • Why: Details the specific composition and powers of the J&K Legislative Assembly, highlighting the LG’s role in nominations.
• Union Govt. Oversight: Union government retains control over critical subjects like Public Order, Police, and Land in UTs, with the LG acting as the President’s representative.
  • Why: Explains the overarching administrative control the Centre exercises through the LG in Union Territories.

SatNet

• Starlink Receives Unified License in India: This is the primary news driver, signifying Starlink’s official entry into the Indian market for satellite internet services.

• Why Satellite Internet is Needed:

  • Overcomes Limitations of Ground-Based Networks: Terrestrial networks are expensive in sparsely populated areas and vulnerable to natural disasters.
  • Provides Remote and On-the-Go Connectivity: Fills gaps in areas without terrestrial infrastructure and supports mobile platforms.
  • Transformative Technology: Reshapes digital economy, civil infrastructure, and military strategy.

• How Satellite Internet Works:

  Subscribe on YouTube
  • Two-Segment System: Space segment (satellites) and ground segment (user terminals, ground stations).
  • LEO Mega-Constellations: Hundreds/thousands of satellites at low altitudes (below 2,000 km) for low latency and global coverage. Feature on-board processing and inter-satellite links.

• Key Applications:

  • Connectivity: Remote areas, direct-to-smartphone services.
  • Transport/Logistics: Navigation, autonomous vehicles, smart cities.
  • Healthcare/Agriculture: Telemedicine, precision farming.
  • Strategic/Environmental: Defence, monitoring, bridging digital divide.
  • Disaster Response: Rapid deployment of connectivity.

• Dual-Use Nature and Security Implications: Benefits both civilian and military sectors, but also poses security challenges, with potential for illicit use and control becoming a dimension of national power.

Stagnant Inflation

• Global Investors Expect Stagflation: 70% of global investors anticipate stagflation in the next 12 months, highlighting widespread concern. This is driven by U.S. economic data showing labor market weakness, rising core inflation, and surging producer prices.
• Impact on Bonds: Persistent inflation in a stagflationary environment erodes the value of long-dated bonds. If U.S. stagflation continues, it could trigger a global sell-off in bonds as G7 markets move in correlation, particularly impacting pension funds and insurers.
• Investor Sentiment: Wall Street anticipates slowing U.S. growth. Stagflation is now a top concern for global asset managers. While tech stocks remain resilient, small-cap indices are considered vulnerable.
• Currency Implications: Stagflation could lead to a weaker U.S. dollar due to slower growth and higher inflation. This might relatively benefit the euro.
• Global Spillover Risk: Historical data (since 1990) shows a ~15% fall in world stocks when U.S. manufacturing contracts alongside high prices. Even if stagflation is U.S.-specific, it will have ripple effects on global portfolios.
• Stagflation Defined: Stagflation is characterized by stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and high inflation, as experienced by the U.S. in the 1970s oil crisis.

Contaminated Site Rules

• Systematic Framework: The Rules establish a clear process for identifying, assessing, and cleaning up chemically contaminated sites, including landfills and spill sites.
  • Why: This formalizes procedures, moving beyond previous less structured approaches, to ensure effective management of pollution.
• Clear Identification & Transparency: Local bodies/district administrations identify sites, which are then listed on a public online portal within 60 days, with public consultation invited.
  • Why: Increases transparency and public involvement in the cleanup process, contrasting with the limited public access in older rules.
• Defined Assessment Timelines: Preliminary assessment within 90 days, with detailed assessment within 3 months if contamination exceeds limits, leading to sites breaching thresholds being declared “contaminated.”
  • Why: Introduces accountability and a structured approach to determining the severity of contamination, unlike previous rules which lacked specific timelines.
• Polluter Pays & Liability: Remediation costs are borne by the polluter. Criminal liability is established under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for damage or loss of life.
  • Why: Strengthens the polluter-pays principle and introduces stronger deterrents against environmental damage, enhancing accountability.
• Scope & Exclusions: Covers chemical contamination from landfills, spill sites, and hazardous dumps, but excludes radioactive waste, mining, marine oil pollution, and municipal solid waste.
  • Why: Focuses the rules on specific types of chemical contamination while acknowledging other areas managed by different regulations.
• Enhanced Environmental Governance: The Rules signify a major step in strengthening India’s environmental governance by formalizing cleanup procedures and assigning clear responsibilities.
  • Why: Aims to improve overall environmental protection and ensure accountability for managing polluted sites.

ECI: Statutory & Quasi-Judicial

• Bedrock of Democracy: ECI ensures free and fair elections, a fundamental democratic principle.
• Constitutional Authority: Article 324 grants ECI superintendence, direction, and control over elections; it’s a multi-member body with Supreme Court judge status equivalent.
• Erosion of Autonomy: The 2023 Act’s change in the selection committee (replacing CJI with a Union Minister) raises concerns about executive influence and neutrality.
• Politicization: Allegations of partisanship and motions to remove the CEC undermine public trust.
• Criminalization of Politics: ECI has limited power to prevent candidates with criminal backgrounds from entering politics.
• Misinformation Challenge: Combating fake news and hate speech on social media during campaigns is a new regulatory hurdle.
• Judicial Interventions:
  • Mohinder Singh Gill v. CEC (1978): Affirmed ECI’s plenary powers.
  • Union of India v. ADR (2002): Mandated disclosure of candidate backgrounds.
  • PUCL v. Union of India (2013): Introduced the NOTA option.
• Reform Recommendations:
  • Dinesh Goswami Committee/Law Commission: Inclusive selection process, disqualification for serious offenses upon charge framing.
  • Indrajit Gupta Committee: Partial state funding for elections.
• Way Forward:
  • Strengthen Autonomy: Revert to a more consultative appointment process.
  • Electoral Reforms: Curb criminalization, enhance funding transparency.
  • Leverage Technology: Monitor campaign finance, combat misinformation.

Reefs

• Successful Coral Restoration in Gulf of Mannar: A large-scale program by SDMRI has restored 40,000 sq. m. of degraded reefs using 5,550 artificial substrates and 51,183 coral fragments.
  • Why it’s news: Demonstrates effective, scalable solutions for coral reef recovery, a critical environmental issue.
• Improved Coral Survival Rates: Survival rates increased from 56.6% to 71.6%, with live coral cover rising in Vaan Island.
  • Why it’s news: Highlights the efficacy of the restoration methods and their positive impact on reef health.
• Ecological and Economic Benefits: Restoration boosted species diversity, fish biomass, and marine biodiversity, benefiting local communities through improved fisheries.
  • Why it’s news: Shows that conservation efforts can yield tangible benefits for both ecosystems and livelihoods.
• Key Restoration Methods Highlighted:
  • Coral Gardening: Growing fragments in nurseries before transplanting, suitable for fast-growing species.
  • Larval Propagation: Using sexual reproduction to cultivate larvae, promoting genetic diversity.
  • Coral Transplantation: Direct transfer from healthy to degraded sites.
  • Artificial Reefs: Using substrates to provide attachment surfaces.
  • Emerging Techniques: Cryopreservation and assisted breeding for enhanced stress tolerance.
  • Why it’s news: Provides practical insights into diverse techniques available for coral reef rehabilitation.
• Persistent Challenges: Climate change (warming seas, acidification), natural disasters (tsunamis, bleaching), and human pressures (fishing, pollution) threaten reef survival.
  • Why it’s news: Underscores the ongoing need for conservation and the urgency of addressing climate change.
• Future Focus: Scaling up restoration, continuous monitoring, community involvement, and stricter protection measures are crucial for long-term success.
  • Why it’s news: Outlines a path forward for effective and sustained coral reef management.

WTO Future Trade

• Why in News: US unilateral tariffs spark global debate on WTO’s effectiveness and the future of multilateral trade.
• WTO’s Role:
  • Rule-making and negotiation platform for trade agreements.
  • Promotes trade liberalization, predictability, and a rules-based system.
  • Ensures transparency and monitors trade policies.
  • Provides capacity building for developing economies.
  • Balances trade with development goals and prevents protectionism.
• Factors Limiting WTO Effectiveness:
  • Dispute Settlement Paralysis: Non-functional Appellate Body due to US blocking appointments.
  • Negotiation Deadlock: Doha Round collapse and North-South divide.
  • Rise of Regional Trade: Proliferation of FTAs fragments global trade.
  • Rise of Protectionism: Use of security exceptions for unilateral tariffs (US-China trade war).
  • Gaps in Addressing Evolving Trade: Struggles with digital trade, e-commerce, and climate-related issues.
  • Development Disparities: Ambiguous “developing country” definition leads to disputes.
• Crucial Reforms:
  • Revitalize dispute resolution by reviving the Appellate Body.
  • Enhance transparency through Trade Policy Reviews.
  • Strengthen partnerships with other international institutions.
  • Institutionalize reform mechanisms with a permanent council.
  • Evolve to address new trade dimensions like digital trade and green subsidies.
• India’s Role:
  • Champion for the Global South, advocating for developing countries’ concerns.
  • Balance protectionism and liberalization, resisting unilateral actions.
  • Promote sustainable and inclusive trade, linking it to SDGs.
  • Showcase as a model economy balancing development and global integration.

Rupee Global, SRVAs

• SRVAs for Rupee Trade: Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) are accounts opened by foreign entities with Indian banks to settle international trade in INR.
  • Why in News: RBI allowed non-residents holding SRVAs to invest surplus INR in government securities and removed prior RBI approval for opening SRVAs by banks.
• Boosting Rupee Internationalization: These measures aim to increase the usage and acceptance of the Indian Rupee in global transactions.
  • Significance: Promotes INR’s global use, reduces reliance on USD for bilateral trade, and encourages productive deployment of surplus INR.
• Investment in G-secs: SRVA holders can now invest their rupee surplus in Central government securities and Treasury Bills.
  • Why: This provides a channel for productive use of rupee funds held by foreign entities.
• Streamlined SRVA Opening: Authorized dealer banks no longer need RBI’s prior approval to open SRVAs for overseas correspondent banks.
  • Why: This speeds up the operationalization of rupee-based trade settlements.
• Internationalization of Rupee: Involves promoting INR usage in cross-border trade, investments, and financial transactions, reducing dependence on foreign currencies like the USD.
  • Benefits: Reduces vulnerability to global crises, lowers hedging costs, eases forex reserve pressure, and strengthens Indian financial markets.
  • Challenges: Limited global acceptance, INR liquidity constraints abroad, regulatory complexities, insufficient trade invoicing in INR, lack of global payment infrastructure integration, and USD dominance.
• RBI Recommendations: Include boosting cross-border settlement mechanisms, strengthening financial market infrastructure, simplifying KYC, and aiming for INR inclusion in the IMF’s SDR basket.

Agri R&D India

• Shift Subsidies to R&D: India currently spends too much on input subsidies, which have low social returns. Reallocating even a portion of this to agricultural R&D, climate-smart practices, and post-harvest infrastructure will yield higher benefits for farmers and the nation.
• Sustainability is Crucial: Addressing groundwater depletion, soil degradation, and extreme weather requires focused research on water-saving crops, resilient seeds, and carbon-smart farming methods. This is a necessity, not an option.
• Focus on Quality and Value Addition: To truly increase farmer incomes, India must move beyond producing raw agricultural output. R&D should drive the development of value-added, market-linked, and traceable agri-products.
• Underinvestment in R&D: India’s public agri-R&D spending (0.6–0.7% of agri-GDP) lags behind the global average (~0.9%) and advanced economies (over 2%). This limits innovation and competitiveness.
• Yield Gaps Persist: Despite agricultural growth, yields in India trail major producers due to fragmentation, low investment, and insufficient mechanisation. R&D can help bridge these gaps.
• Leverage Government Initiatives: Programs like the Digital Agriculture Mission, Clean Plant Programme, and NICRA are crucial for modernization and resilience. However, challenges like under-investment, state disparities, and digital divides need urgent attention.
• Strengthen Extension Services: Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are vital for transferring research to farmers, but their capacity needs enhancement and performance-linked funding.
• Way Forward: Increased Investment and Targeted Support: The recommendation is to raise agri-R&D spending to 1.2–1.5% of agri-GDP, establish a Competitive Grants Fund, link subsidies to outcomes, fast-track climate-resilient seeds, and support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and mechanization.

Why this is news: This highlights a critical juncture for Indian agriculture, proposing a fundamental shift in resource allocation from subsidies to innovation to address current challenges and secure future food security, farmer prosperity, and environmental sustainability.

Connexins

• Discovery: Researchers found Connexin proteins (Cx37 and Cx40) are crucial for rapid blood flow coordination in arteries.
  • Why: These proteins form gap junctions, enabling fast, electrical-like signals between artery walls, unlike slower chemical messengers.
• Mechanism: Gap junctions allow synchronized widening of arteries.
  • Why: This ensures timely blood delivery to active brain regions, explaining how the brain maintains attention and function.
• Significance:
  • Brain Health: Helps understand how the brain maintains cognitive function and avoids lapses.
  • Disease Research: Offers insights into impaired brain blood flow in aging and small vessel disease due to loss of gap junction function.
  • Future Applications: Valuable for AI brain models, stroke research, and drug delivery strategies.
• Connexin Proteins: These are membrane proteins forming channels between cells, allowing direct communication via passage of ions, metabolites, and signaling molecules.
  • Why: Essential for cell communication, electrical coupling, developmental regulation, and metabolic cooperation.

E20 Fuel

• India’s E20 Petrol Push: India is rapidly expanding the use of E20 petrol (20% ethanol blend), aiming for nationwide availability by 2025. This program aims to reduce oil imports and carbon emissions.

• Vehicle Owner Concerns: Around 77% of vehicle owners in some districts are reportedly against the E20 shift due to potential mileage drops and increased maintenance costs for older vehicles.

• Economic and Environmental Benefits: E20 has led to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (700 lakh tonnes) and supports India’s rural economy by benefiting sugarcane farmers.

• Environmental and Agricultural Concerns: Heavy reliance on sugarcane for ethanol production raises concerns about water usage, food security, and ecological strain.

• Global Trade Friction: The US has been pushing India to relax ethanol import restrictions, highlighting ongoing trade disputes.

• Ethanol as a Bridge Fuel: Ethanol blending is viewed as a temporary solution to reduce emissions while India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem develops, which faces challenges like high costs and inadequate infrastructure.

• Ethanol Production Landscape: India’s ethanol production is primarily domestic, driven by government policies and financial incentives. India is the third-largest ethanol producer globally.

• Government Initiatives: Policies like the National Policy on Biofuels (2018) and the PM-PRANAM Scheme aim to boost biofuel production and usage, including diversifying feedstocks beyond sugarcane.

  Join Our Telegram Channel

OCI Scheme

• Stricter OCI Card Revocation Rules: The Home Ministry has expanded reasons for cancelling OCI cards.
  • Why: Holders convicted with imprisonment of 2 years or more, or charged with offenses punishable with 7 years or more, can now have their OCI status revoked. This is a significant tightening of the rules.
• OCI Scheme Basics: Launched in 2005, it grants foreign passport holders of Indian origin a lifelong multiple-entry visa for India.
  • Why: It aims to facilitate visits for Persons of Indian Origin but does not confer dual citizenship.
• Key Restrictions for OCI Holders:
  • Why: OCI cardholders are barred from political rights (voting, contesting elections) and cannot hold constitutional posts. They are also not eligible for public employment unless specifically notified. Special permits are needed for certain activities like research or journalism.
• Expanded Revocation Grounds:
  • Why: Beyond fraud, misrepresentation, or aiding the enemy, the grounds for cancellation now explicitly include serious criminal offenses and actions deemed prejudicial to India’s interests (sovereignty, security, etc.).
• OCI vs. NRI Differences:
  • Why: OCIs are registered foreign nationals with a lifelong visa, unlike NRIs who are Indian citizens residing abroad and retain full rights, including voting.

India@79: Big News

• PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: To create 3.5 crore jobs in two years with Rs 15,000 support for 3 crore new employees. This signifies a shift towards a prosperous India.
• Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Development of an indigenous Iron Dome-like air defence system by 2035 to protect key sites.
• Made-in-India Semiconductor Chip: First chip to be rolled out by end of 2025.
• National Deep Water Exploration Mission (“Samudra Manthan”): To explore offshore oil, gas, and mineral resources.
• GST and Task Force Reforms: GST reforms by October 2025 with reduced taxes and MSME relief. A Task Force to drive economic growth and modernization for a $10 trillion economy by 2047.
• High-Powered Demography Mission: To address demographic imbalance from illegal migration for national security and unity.
• Nuclear Energy Expansion: Tenfold increase in nuclear power capacity by 2047 with 10 new reactors under development.
• Clean Energy Target Achieved: Goal of 50% electricity capacity from non-fossil sources met five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.
• Prime Minister’s Speech: Modi delivered a record 103-minute speech from the Red Fort on India’s 79th Independence Day.

India’s IP Ecosystem

• Shift in Patent Landscape: India transitioning from technology consumer to producer; Indian filings surged post-2013, now over 43%.
  • Why: Driven by “Make in India” and strengthened R&D.
• Sectoral Growth: Computer science (11.27% to 26.5%) and electronics (8.27% to 16.41%) patents rising. Physics patents declined.
  • Why: Reflects focus on digital and electronic innovation.
• University Dominance: Institutions like IITs and IISc are leading patent filers.
  • Why: Increased R&D focus and effective technology transfer offices (TTOs).
• Government Initiatives: KAPILA, Atal Innovation Mission, National IPR Policy aim to boost IP literacy, R&D, and innovation.
  • Why: Policy push to foster an innovation ecosystem.
• Key Challenges:
  • Delays: ~5-year patent grant time hampers innovation.
  • Low R&D Spend: ~0.6-0.7% of GDP vs. >2% in advanced economies.
  • Brain Drain: Indian talent patents filed abroad, losing IP ownership.
  • Awareness Gap: Limited IP knowledge among MSMEs and startups.
  • Funding Constraints: Insufficient venture capital for early-stage innovation.
  • Quality vs. Quantity: Focus on filing numbers over commercialization.
• Brain Drain Impact: Top researchers abroad contribute to foreign patents.
  • Why: Need for initiatives to retain and attract global Indian talent.
• R&D and Patent Linkage: Low R&D spending directly impacts patent output.
  • Why: Need for increased R&D investment and academia-industry collaboration.
• Way Forward:
  • Time-bound patent grants.
  • Strengthened TTOs.
  • Increased R&D expenditure (target 2% GDP).
  • MSME IP enablement.
  • Talent retention and diaspora engagement.
  • Focus on commercialization and quality.
• Global Best Practices: Adaptations from USA’s Bayh-Dole Act, USPTO’s Track One, EU’s Unitary Patent, and Patent Prosecution Highway can improve India’s ecosystem.

Dibru-Saikhowa NP

• New Study on DSNP Ecosystem: A study found that native species Bombax ceiba and Lagerstroemia speciosa, along with invasive plants, are altering Dibru-Saikhowa National Park’s (DSNP) grassland ecosystem.
• Grassland Degradation: DSNP has seen a significant decline in grasslands, from covering ~28.78% in 2000 to being overtaken by shrubland and degraded forests by 2013 and 2024, respectively.
• Ecological Impact: This grassland degradation leads to biodiversity loss, habitat shrinkage, and intensifies climate change, threatening endemic species like the Bengal florican and hog deer.
• Threat to Feral Horses: DSNP is the only habitat for India’s feral horses (around 200 remain), descendants of WWII cavalry horses, which are also at risk from habitat changes.
• Conservation Recommendations: To address these issues, the park needs targeted grassland recovery projects, invasive species control, improved surveillance, and the relocation of villages from within its boundaries.
• DSNP’s Significance: Located in Assam, DSNP is vital for its wetlands, grasslands, swamp forests, and biodiversity, acting as a carbon sink and supporting endangered species. It is also threatened by oil exploration and floods.

Gov. Powers

• SC Hearing on Governor’s Bill Powers: The Supreme Court is examining whether timelines should be imposed on Governors for approving state bills.

  Subscribe on YouTube

• Centre’s Argument: Governors are constitutional actors with discretion, not just rubber stamps, serving as a check on hasty legislation. The Constitution’s silence on timelines for Articles 200 and 201 shows deliberate design, and judicial deadlines would rewrite the Constitution. The SC shouldn’t use Article 142 to create “deemed assent.”

• Tamil Nadu’s Argument: Governors and the President cannot indefinitely delay bills. Prolonged inaction undermines democracy and violates the “aid and advice” principle of the Council of Ministers. Tamil Nadu is challenging Governor R.N. Ravi’s delays.

• Key Issues: Balancing state legislative mandates with Governor/President discretion, whether courts can set deadlines where the Constitution is silent, and the scope of Article 142 regarding “deemed assent.”

• Governor’s Role: Constitutional head, appointed by the President, acts as a link between Union and State. Powers include giving assent to bills (Article 200), recommending President’s Rule (Article 356), and having discretionary powers in specific situations like hung assemblies.

Kakori Centenary

• 100 Years of Kakori Train Action: The event, occurring in August 1925, is being commemorated, highlighting its significance in India’s freedom struggle.
• Why in News: It’s a centennial commemoration of a pivotal moment in the independence movement.
• What it was: On August 9, 1925, Indian revolutionaries, part of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), robbed the Number 8 Down train near Kakori, Lucknow.
• Objective: The aim was to seize British government funds to finance the freedom struggle, particularly after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Key Personalities: Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, and Chandrashekhar Azad were prominent figures involved.
• British Reaction: The British government responded with a crackdown, arresting many revolutionaries. Four were hanged (Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Roshan Singh, Lahiri), 17 were jailed, and four were transported for life.
• Legacy: The Kakori Train Action is seen as a symbol of unity and continues to inspire the youth as a heroic chapter in India’s fight for independence.

Viksit Bharat Rozgar

• Scheme Name: Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)
• Announced: On the 79th Independence Day (August 15, 2025) by the Prime Minister.
• Objective: To boost employment generation and formalize the workforce.
• Financial Outlay: Nearly ₹1 lakh crore.
• Job Creation Target: Over 3.5 crore jobs within two years.

• Formalization: Aims to provide social security coverage to young men and women.

• Part A – Support to First-Time Employees:

  • Benefit: EPF wage support up to ₹15,000 in two installments.
  • Eligibility: First-time employees registered with EPFO earning up to ₹1 lakh salary.
  • Installments: First after 6 months of service, second after 12 months and financial literacy program completion.
  • Savings Component: A portion of the incentive will be put into a savings instrument for later withdrawal.
  • Beneficiaries: Expected to benefit around 1.92 crore first-time employees.
  • Payment: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via Aadhar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).

• Part B – Incentives for Employers:

  • Benefit: Up to ₹3,000 per month per new employee for 2 years.
  • Eligibility: For employers creating new jobs (salaries up to ₹1 lakh), sustained for at least six months.
  • Manufacturing Sector: Incentives extend to the 3rd and 4th years.
  • Job Creation Impact: Expected to incentivize the creation of approximately 2.60 crore additional jobs.
  • Payment: Into employers’ PAN-linked accounts.

Sports Bills Pass

• Two Key Sports Bills Passed: Parliament has passed the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

  • Why: These bills aim to reform sports governance and strengthen anti-doping measures in India, aligning with international standards.

• National Sports Governance Bill:

  • Establishes National Sports Board (NSB): The NSB will oversee sports federations, including the BCCI.
    • Why: To regulate sports administrators and ensure compliance.
  • Empowers NSB: Can recognize, suspend, or cancel sports bodies, conduct inquiries, frame policies, and regulate elections.
    • Why: To improve the functioning and accountability of sports organizations.
  • Federation Structure: Mandates specific structures for national/regional sports federations (General Body, Executive Committee with representation, and specific committees).
    • Why: To ensure better representation and specialized functions within federations.
  • National Sports Tribunal: Creates a tribunal for speedy dispute resolution (excluding doping, internal, and international event matters).
    • Why: To provide efficient resolution of sports-related disputes.
  • Public Authority Status & Audits: Recognised bodies are public authorities under RTI if receiving grants; must maintain CAG-audited accounts.
    • Why: To enhance transparency and financial accountability.
  • Government Oversight: Centre can frame rules, relax eligibility, and restrict national teams’ participation abroad for security reasons.
    • Why: To maintain national interest and security in sports.

• National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill:

  • Strengthens Anti-Doping Framework: Amends the 2022 Act to align with UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sports.
    • Why: To combat doping effectively in Indian sports.
  • Enhances NADA’s Independence: Provides greater operational independence to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel.
    • Why: To ensure autonomy in anti-doping operations, investigations, and enforcement.
  • National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports: Establishes a board to oversee NADA and advise the government.
    • Why: To provide strategic direction and oversight to anti-doping efforts.
  • Clear Rule Violations: Specifies a clear list of anti-doping rule violations.
    • Why: To ensure robust enforcement and compliance.

India’s Naxal Threat

• Dramatic Decline: Affected districts reduced from 126 to ~38; incidents down ~70%; fatalities at multi-decade lows.

  Subscribe on YouTube
  • Why: Security dominance (FOBs, grid policing), leadership attrition/surrenders, and weakened political messaging.

• Shift from Movement to Fragments: Naxalism is now regional, tactically violent cells, not pan-India ideological insurgency.

  • Why: Continuous decapitation of leadership and reduced recruitment pools.

• Security Dominance & Governance Entry: Forward operating bases enable civil administration and welfare.

  • Why: Allows for greater reach and implementation of government schemes.

• Challenges Persist: Governance deficits (land/forest rights, slow justice), resource conflicts (mining, displacement), inter-state mobility, and cadre sustenance via extortion.

  • Why: Underlying socio-economic grievances remain unresolved.

• Emerging Challenges: Technology diffusion (IEDs, drones, encrypted comms), micro-cells with urban facilitators, perception risks from heavy-handed operations, and post-clearance vacuums.

  • Why: Adaptability of extremist groups and potential for backlash from security operations.

• Way Forward:

  • Security: Expand specialized units (Greyhounds/CoBRA model), enhance tech capabilities (counter-drone, SIGINT), seam management, and targeted finance choke.
  • Governance & Rights: Fast-track FRA, value chains for forest produce, transparent benefit-sharing in extractives, last-mile state capacity, and justice/accountability mechanisms.
  • Socio-economic: Youth diversion programs, linking surrenderers to jobs.
  • Narrative & Legal Clarity: Differentiate lawful dissent, protect civil society, and ensure proactive communication/grievance redressal.
  • Why: A holistic approach combining security with rights-anchored development and accountable governance is crucial for durable peace.

Health Reg Index

• Launch of State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH): Union Health Ministry has introduced SHRESTH.

  • Why in News: This is a significant initiative by the central government to enhance drug safety and quality nationwide.

• Purpose of SHRESTH: It’s a virtual gap assessment tool developed by CDSCO to help states evaluate their progress towards maturity certification for drug regulation.

  • Why in News: It provides a standardized method for states to identify and address shortcomings in their regulatory systems.

• Key Assessment Areas: SHRESTH evaluates states on human resources, lab testing, licensing, surveillance, and grievance redressal.

  • Why in News: This comprehensive assessment ensures a holistic view of regulatory capabilities across different states.

• Categorization of States: States are classified as Manufacturing or Primarily Distribution States/UTs.

  • Why in News: This allows for tailored assessments and targeted improvements based on the specific roles of each state in the drug supply chain.

• Monitoring and Accountability Mechanism: States submit monthly data to CDSCO, which compiles scores and shares them.

  • Why in News: This establishes a system of continuous monitoring and holds states accountable for their regulatory performance.

• Alignment with Global Standards: SHRESTH aims to align with WHO’s Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Maturity Level 3 (ML3).

  • Why in News: This reinforces India’s aspiration to be the “Pharmacy of the World” by ensuring its regulatory system meets international quality benchmarks, building on India’s achievement of ML3 in 2024.

Wildfires

• Why in News: Wildfires have ravaged several Mediterranean countries, including Albania, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey, causing fatalities and widespread evacuations.

• What are Wildfires? Uncontrolled fires in vegetated areas (forests, grasslands, etc.) spread by wind and terrain, fueled by dry matter, oxygen, and heat.

• Types of Wildfires:

  • Surface Fire: Burns along the ground.
  • Underground/Zombie Fire: Burns organic matter beneath the surface, slow and undetected.
  • Canopy/Crown Fire: Spreads through treetops, intense and difficult to control.
  • Controlled Deliberate Fire: Planned burns for fuel reduction.

• Key Causes:

  • Geography: Mediterranean climates with hot, dry summers and dry winds.
  • Climate Change: Droughts, heatwaves, and El Niño dry vegetation.
  • Human Factors: Slash-and-burn agriculture, tourism, waste mismanagement.
  • Weak Management: Inadequate surveillance, outdated response systems.
  • Flammable Vegetation: Dry forests, pine needles, bamboo.
  • Deforestation: Habitat degradation and fragmentation.

• Major Impacts:

  • Air Pollution: Release of CO₂, PM2.5, and toxic gases.
  • Biodiversity Loss: Wildlife deaths and habitat destruction.
  • Human Health: Respiratory problems, heat injuries, mental stress.
  • Economic Damage: Property loss, firefighting costs, agricultural damage.
  • Soil & Water Degradation: Erosion and water pollution.

• Wildfires in India: Over 36% of India’s forest cover is prone to fires, with significant surges in incidents in mountain regions.

• Needed Steps:

  • Integrated Fire Management: Prescribed burning, fuel reduction, safety regulations.
  • Community Involvement: Training and incentives for local participation.
  • Advanced Technology: AI prediction, satellite monitoring, real-time alerts.
  • Ecosystem Restoration: Promoting fire-resistant species, resilient forestry.
  • Policy Enforcement: Strict regulations on development and land use.

Viksit Bharat Rozgar

• Scheme Name: Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY).
• Launch Date: Announced on August 15, 2025.
• Objective: To generate 3.5 crore new jobs and formalize the workforce.
• Financial Outlay: ₹1 lakh crore.
• Timeline: August 2025 to July 2027.
• Target Beneficiaries: Youth entering their first private sector job (salary up to ₹1 lakh/month) and employers.
• Incentives for Youth: ₹15,000 in two installments (after 6 months and 1 year of service), including a financial literacy program. A portion will be saved for later withdrawal.
• Incentives for Employers: Up to ₹3,000 per month per eligible new employee for two years, extendable to four years for manufacturing sector sustained jobs.
• Eligibility Criteria: Registration with EPFO, generation of UAN, face authentication, and a minimum 6 months EPF contribution.
• Focus Areas: Manufacturing, MSMEs, services, and technology sectors.
• Mechanism: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for youth, direct to PAN-linked accounts for employers.
• Significance: Aims to strengthen job creation, formalize employment, and boost social security coverage.
• Context: Announced on Independence Day, it’s a key step towards strengthening the economy.
• Comparison: Builds on previous employment generation schemes like PMRPY, ABRY, MGNREGA, and NCS, but with a broader scope and higher financial allocation.

Sikh Protector

• Event: 350th martyrdom anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.
• Key Participant: Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• Reason for Significance: Honors Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice for religious freedom, unity, and human dignity.
• Organizer: Maharashtra Government with support from Sikh Coordination Committee of Maharashtra and other Sikh groups.
• Broader Impact: Events scheduled across India, highlighting the national significance of his legacy of peace and unity.
• Who was Guru Tegh Bahadur: Ninth Sikh Guru, advocated for human rights and religious freedom, opposed forced conversions under Aurangzeb, known as “Hind di Chadar” (Shield of India).
• His Sacrifice: Executed in Delhi for defending the right of Kashmiri Pandits and others to practice their faith.

Ocean Voyage

• Record-Breaking Dives: Two Indian aquanauts, Cdr (Retd) Jatinder Pal Singh and R. Ramesh, reached depths of 5,002m and 4,025m in the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Why: This surpasses previous Indian deep-sea dive limits (500m, deepest 670m) and serves as crucial preparation for the Samudrayaan Mission.

• Samudrayaan Mission Advance: These dives are a significant step for India’s Samudrayaan Mission, scheduled for 2027.

  • Why: The mission aims to explore deep-sea resources and develop advanced technologies, with aquanauts targeting depths of up to 6,000m in the MATSYA 6000 submersible.

• International Collaboration: The Indian flag was unfurled underwater alongside the French flag.

  • Why: Symbolizes India’s commitment to international cooperation in deep-sea exploration.

• Mission Objectives: Key goals include exploring polymetallic nodules and minerals, developing deep-sea technologies (submersibles, mining systems, robotics), understanding biodiversity, and enhancing India’s Blue Economy and energy security.

  • Why: These objectives are critical for resource utilization and scientific understanding of the deep ocean.

RBI AI Report

• RBI Releases FREE-AI Report: The Reserve Bank of India has launched the Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial Intelligence (FREE-AI) Committee Report.

  • Why: To guide the responsible and ethical adoption of AI in India’s financial sector, balancing innovation with risk management.

• Seven Guiding Sutras for AI Adoption: The report outlines seven key principles for responsible AI use:

  • Trust: AI systems must be reliable, transparent, and foster public confidence.
  • People First: AI should support human decision-making, prioritizing citizen welfare and dignity.
  • Innovation over Restraint: Encourage responsible innovation without unnecessary restrictions.
  • Fairness and Equity: AI outcomes must be non-discriminatory.
  • Accountability: Entities deploying AI are responsible for its decisions and impacts.
  • Understandable by Design: AI systems and their decisions should be interpretable.
  • Safety, Resilience, and Sustainability: AI should be secure, adaptable, and long-term viable.

• Significance of AI in Finance:

  • Revenue Growth: Projected to drive significant revenue increase.
  • Efficiency & Personalization: Streamlines tasks, enabling faster and more accurate data processing.
  • Financial Inclusion: Uses alternative data to assess creditworthiness for underserved populations.
  • Digital Infrastructure: Enhances India’s digital public infrastructure for personalized services.
  • Risk Management: Improves fraud detection, early risk warnings, and decision-making.

• Challenges of AI in Finance:

  • Model Bias: Training data can lead to unfair decisions and make AI systems difficult to audit.
  • Third-Party Risks: Reliance on vendors can lead to service disruptions or cyber vulnerabilities.
  • Regulatory & Liability Concerns: Lack of transparency complicates liability allocation.
  • Cybersecurity Threats: AI can introduce new attack vectors like data poisoning.
  • Ethical & Consumer Protection: Algorithmic bias and privacy violations can erode trust.

• RBI Recommendations:

  • Innovation Enablement: Develop high-quality financial sector data infrastructure and an AI Innovation Sandbox for testing.
  • Consumer Protection & Security: Conduct AI red teaming and implement incident reporting frameworks.
  • Capacity Building: Develop training programs for AI governance and risk mitigation.
  • AI Incident Reporting: Establish a framework for timely detection and disclosure of AI-related issues.

Rights: GS2 Polity

• Freedom as Opportunity, Not Absence of Restraint: News emphasizes that true freedom means having the chance to question, reason, and disagree, not just being free from external control. This is crucial for a vibrant democracy.

• Democracy Needs Critical Citizenship: The health of democracy depends on citizens actively challenging authority and holding institutions accountable. Without space for dissent, democracy risks becoming a mere formality.

• Constitutional Basis of Freedoms: India’s Constitution, particularly Article 19, guarantees fundamental rights like freedom of speech and association. This establishes a framework for balancing state authority with citizen liberties.

• Constitutional Morality is Key: Upholding constitutional morality, which involves respecting institutions while also questioning them, is essential for sustaining freedom, as highlighted by Dr. Ambedkar.

• Civic Freedom is Active Participation: True civic freedom involves citizens being active participants in policy-making and challenging state actions, rather than being passive subjects. Pluralism and tolerance are seen as strengths.

• Measuring Freedom by Civic Virtues: The quality of freedom in India should be judged by its protection of constitutional values, democratic dissent, and citizen autonomy, not just by military or economic strength.

2025 Tax Bill

• Parliamentary Passage: Both houses passed the Income Tax Bill, 2025.
  • Why: This signifies a major legislative step towards modernizing India’s income tax laws.
• Simplification & Rationalisation: The Bill aims to simplify, rationalise, and shorten the existing Income Tax Act, 1961.
  • Why: This addresses the long-standing need for a more accessible and efficient tax framework, potentially reducing compliance burdens.
• Definition of Virtual Digital Space: It defines virtual digital space broadly, including emails, social media, and online platforms.
  • Why: This expansion signals an attempt to bring digital activities and assets under the tax net, acknowledging the evolving economic landscape.
• Access to Digital Information: Tax authorities may gain access to or bypass passwords for investigations.
  • Why: This provision aims to curb tax evasion and under-reported income in the digital realm, though it raises privacy concerns.
• Uniform ‘Tax Year’: Replaces ‘assessment year’ and ‘previous year’ with a single ‘tax year’ (April 1st to March 31st).
  • Why: This streamlines the tax calendar, making it easier for taxpayers to understand and comply with deadlines.
• LRS Education Remittances Exempt from TCS: No Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on education remittances under LRS financed by financial institutions.
  • Why: This provides relief for students pursuing education abroad, making it more affordable by removing an additional tax burden.
• Nil TDS Certificate for Non-Taxpayers: Individuals with no tax liability can seek a nil Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) certificate in advance.
  • Why: This simplifies the process for low-income earners and those with zero tax liability, preventing unnecessary tax deductions.
• AMT Alignment for LLPs: Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) for LLPs aligned with existing IT Act provisions.
  • Why: This ensures consistency in tax treatment for LLPs, promoting a fairer and more predictable tax environment.

Alaska 2025

• High-Stakes US-Russia Summit in Alaska: President Trump and President Putin to meet, aiming to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, the first such meeting since June 2021.

  • Why: Crucial for Ukraine’s fate and European security, with significant global implications.

• Trump Seeks “Win” and Global Image Boost: Aims for a ceasefire and recognition as a deal-maker, potentially linked to a Nobel Peace Prize.

  • Why: To enhance his domestic and international standing.

• Putin Demands Recognition and Security Guarantees: Seeks acknowledgment of annexed territories, a halt to NATO expansion, and sanctions relief while retaining occupied lands.

  • Why: To consolidate gains and secure Russia’s strategic interests.

• Zelenskyy Insists on Sovereignty and Continued Support: Demands no territorial concessions and ongoing Western military and financial aid for a lasting peace.

  • Why: To preserve Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.

• Europe Fears Marginalization: EU leaders emphasize unity but worry that US-Russia talks could overlook European interests, recalling historical precedents.

  • Why: To ensure European security priorities are addressed and not bypassed.

• India Concerned by Sanctions’ Impact: Affected by US tariffs on Russian oil and Indian exports, seeking a stabilizing outcome to protect its economy and geopolitical balance.

  • Why: To mitigate economic damage and maintain stability for its own interests.

PM-DAKSH

• Purpose: PM-DAKSH aims to provide skill training, upskilling, and entrepreneurship support to marginalized groups like SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, sanitation workers, and persons with disabilities.
• Training Scope: Offers short-term/long-term training, reskilling, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and entrepreneurial development, aligned with NSQF standards in trades like tailoring, digital literacy, etc.
• Artisan Support: Focuses on modernizing traditional artisan skills.
• Monitoring & Quality: Training institutes are empanelled with biometric attendance and strict monitoring. Performance is inspected, with unsatisfactory institutes facing program cancellation.
• Placement Goal: Aims for at least 70% of trainees to be employed or self-employed. If this benchmark is not met, 30% of training costs are withheld.
• Current Impact: Over 1.8 lakh individuals trained, with 39% (73,102) achieving employment or self-employment.
• Financial Support: NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC assist eligible youth with loan facilities and project setup after training.
• Implementation: Training is conducted through empanelled institutes based on proposals, demand, and viability, with online registration via the PM-DAKSH portal/app.
• Government Oversight: Monitored by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment through its three corporations.

India Semicon

• Why in News: Union Cabinet approved 4 new semiconductor projects in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh under India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), bringing total to 10 projects across 6 states.

• Market Size & Growth: India’s semiconductor consumption market to reach USD 103.4 billion by 2030 (CAGR 13%). Mobile, IT, and industrial sectors are key, with automotive and industrial electronics offering significant scope.

• Surging Imports: Imports of ICs, memory chips, and amplifiers surged by 2,000%–4,800% (FY16–24), with China as a major supplier.

• Key Opportunities:

  • Large Market Potential: India is the world’s second-largest 5G smartphone market.
  • Domestic Demand: Growing consumption of digital devices, 5G rollout, and AI adoption drive demand.
  • Global Partnerships: Collaborations with US and Japan facilitate technology transfer.
  • Government Support: Semicon India Programme and ISM strengthen the ecosystem.

• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): Aims to establish India as a global manufacturing hub by supporting chip design startups, indigenous IP, R&D, and reducing import dependence.

• Key Schemes: Include 50% fiscal support for Semiconductor Fabs, Display Fabs, Compound Semiconductors & ATMP/OSAT, and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme for startups.

• Key Challenges:

  • Infrastructure & Innovation: High setup costs, need for advanced infrastructure, technology, and skilled talent; weak R&D and dependence on imported components.
  • Skilled Workforce Gap: Projected shortfall of 250,000–350,000 skilled workers by 2027.
  • Technology & Global Competition: Dominance of Taiwan, South Korea, ASML (Netherlands), Nvidia, and ARM in advanced technologies.
  • Environmental & Regulatory: Hazardous material usage, high energy consumption, complex regulations, IP issues, and export controls.

• Steps to Strengthen:

  Join Our Telegram Channel
  • Skill Development: Specialized training programs.
  • Boost R&D & Indigenous IP: Increase investment, support product design.
  • Incentives & Policy Support: Strengthen ISM and state policies.
  • Chip Diplomacy & Niche Focus: International collaboration, focus on MEMS and sensors.
  • Private Sector Participation: Encourage investment and collaborations (e.g., Tata-PSMC).

Union Cess Finance

• CAG Flags Shortfall: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has identified a Rs 3.69 lakh crore shortfall in the transfer of cess collections to their intended funds. This highlights issues with the utilization of these specific levies.

• Cess Defined: A cess is an additional tax levied by the Union government on top of existing taxes for a specific, stated purpose.

• Purpose-Driven Levy: Unlike general taxes, the proceeds from a cess are legally earmarked and must be used solely for the purpose for which they were collected. Cesses are named according to their intended use (e.g., Education Cess).

• Union Finance Role: Cess collections are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India but are kept separate from the divisible pool of taxes shared with states, remaining under Union government control for their designated purpose.

• Distinction from Taxes: While both are government levies, taxes can be used for general expenditure and are often shared with states. Cesses are strictly for specified purposes and generally not shared.

Alaska Summit IR

• Shifting Geopolitical Equations: The Alaska summit signals changes in the post-Cold War global order, with implications for India’s strategic autonomy and multipolarity.
• Tentative Thaw in US-Russia Relations: It marked the first presidential visit from Russia to the US in over a decade, indicating a potential easing of tensions.
• Deep-Rooted Mistrust and Conflict: Talks occur amid significant mistrust, NATO-Russia tensions, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Divergent Agendas: The US focused on arms control, while Russia sought security guarantees and a NATO rollback.
• Exclusion of Ukraine: Ukraine’s absence from negotiations raises concerns about the legitimacy and longevity of any potential peace settlement.
• Implications for India:
  • Strategic Balancing: India aims to maintain ties with both the US and Russia for energy and defense needs.
  • Counterbalancing China: Reduced US-Russia tensions could allow Russia to focus more on the Indo-Pacific, potentially counterbalancing China.
  • Economic and Security Stability: Breakdown of talks could disrupt vital flows of food, energy, and arms for India.
• Opportunity for Incremental Peace: Despite contradictions, the talks offer a chance for peace-building in Eurasia.
• Risk of Unstable Peace: Bilateral talks without directly involved parties can lead to fragile outcomes, as highlighted by Ukraine’s exclusion.

Dhirio

• Dhirio’s Historical Roots: Traced back to Harappan civilisation and Portuguese era, traditionally a post-harvest community entertainment.
• Current Debate: MLAs across party lines are demanding its legalization.
• Why it’s in the news: Renewed political push for legalizing the banned practice.
• Proponents’ Arguments: Claim it’s not cruel, compare it to regulated sports, and argue for tourism and economic benefits.
• Opponents’ Stance: Animal rights activists deem it violent, cruel, and primarily for gambling, opposing any exceptions.
• Legal Status: Currently prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 following a fatal 1996 incident.
• Continued Practice: Despite the ban, events continue clandestinely, often publicized privately.
• Popularity: Attracts large crowds and is popular for betting, including among the Goan diaspora.
• Government Stance: Goa CM Pramod Sawant has pledged to review the issue.
• Comparison: Dhirio is a bull-versus-bull fight, distinct from Jallikattu (bull-taming) and Kambala (buffalo races) in other Indian states.

India-Oman CEPA Pact

• Negotiations Concluded: India and Oman have finished talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
  • Why: This signifies a major step towards formalizing and expanding economic ties between the two nations.
• CEPA Scope: The agreement goes beyond a typical Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by covering trade in goods and services, alongside broader economic cooperation including trade facilitation, competition policy, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
  • Why: This broader scope aims to create a more comprehensive and predictable environment for businesses, addressing regulatory issues.
• Strategic Partnership: Oman is a key Gulf partner for India, with diplomatic relations upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2008.
  • Why: The CEPA builds upon this existing strong relationship, indicating a willingness to deepen strategic economic integration.
• Bilateral Trade: Oman is India’s third-largest export destination in the GCC. Bilateral trade reached USD 10.61 billion in FY 2024-25.
  • Why: The CEPA is expected to further boost this trade volume, benefiting both economies by facilitating the exchange of key goods.
• India’s FTA Strategy: This concluded negotiation is part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen trade ties, having signed five major FTAs in the past five years and pursuing several new ones.
  • Why: It highlights India’s proactive approach to expanding its global trade footprint through preferential agreements.
• No Timeline Mentioned: The Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, confirmed the conclusion of negotiations but did not provide a date for the signing ceremony.
  • Why: While a positive development, the lack of a timeline indicates that further procedural steps are required before the agreement comes into effect.

Swift Justice Courts

• Underperformance in Delhi: Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in Delhi have disposed of only about 43% of cases as of June 2025. This is significant as it undermines public confidence in the justice system’s ability to handle severe crimes swiftly.

• Scheme Background: The FTSCs Scheme 2019, funded by the Nirbhaya Fund under the Ministry of Law & Justice, aims to speed up trials for rape and child sexual abuse cases. Each FTSC is meant to dispose of at least 165 cases annually. The scheme has been extended until March 2026, with a target of 790 FTSCs.

• Need for FTSCs: The establishment of FTSCs was driven by a large backlog of rape and POCSO cases. The Supreme Court directed districts with over 100 pending POCSO cases to set up exclusive special courts. The POCSO Act mandates trials to conclude within one year of cognizance.

• Performance Snapshot: Nationally, as of June 2025, 725 FTSCs (including 392 POCSO courts) are operational, and reported a 96% disposal rate in 2024. However, Delhi’s figures show a slower pace.

• Challenges:

  Subscribe on YouTube
  • Insufficient FTSCs: Only around 700 of the 1,023 sanctioned FTSCs are functional, with an estimated need for 1,000 more.
  • Quality Concerns/Political Gimmick: Critics argue that fast-tracking cases by reallocating the same judges delays other cases, calling it a “political gimmick.”
  • Lack of Specialized Support: Many FTSCs lack victim-friendly facilities like Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers and specialized support staff (female prosecutors/counselors).

• Impact on Survivors: Delays in the legal process for rape cases prolong the suffering and hinder the healing and recovery of survivors.

• Avoidable Delays: Experts believe delays are avoidable due to the typically limited number of witnesses and less lengthy cross-examinations in these cases, suggesting trials could conclude much faster with greater seriousness from the state.

De-Radicalizing Left

• Significant Contraction of LWE: Left Wing Extremism (LWE), once a major threat spanning a vast “Red Corridor,” has been significantly reduced to only 18 districts.

• Why in News: The article highlights the decline of LWE as a successful outcome of India’s multi-pronged strategy, particularly the SAMADHAN doctrine.

• Decline in Incidents & Fatalities: LWE incidents dropped by over 50% and fatalities by nearly 70% between 2004-14 and 2014-23. Naxal-related violence has drastically reduced from its peak in 2010.

• Factors Contributing to Decline:

  • Targeted Development: Implementation of development schemes addressing socio-economic grievances in affected regions.
  • Sustained Security Operations: Coordinated intelligence sharing, smart policing, and area domination operations by security forces.
  • Internal Crises: Leadership crises (e.g., resignation of Ganapathy, Basava Raju’s death) and ideological rigidity led to alienation of the support base.
  • Erosion of Grassroots Support: Communities are increasingly focused on education, employment, and mainstream integration rather than Maoist ideology.
  • Rehabilitation & Mainstreaming: Successful surrender-cum-rehabilitation packages and livelihood opportunities for former extremists.
  • Inter-Agency Coordination: A whole-of-government approach and effective Centre-State coordination.

India’s Private EO

• India’s First Private EO Satellite Constellation: Marks a significant step in India’s private space sector.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model: Led by PixxelSpace India, with Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space.
• ₹1,200 Crore Investment: Fully funded by the private sector over five years, zero cost to the government.
• 12 Advanced EO Satellites: Equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and SAR sensors for comprehensive Earth observation.
• Phased Deployment: Scheduled for launch over 4–5 years.
• Government Support & Data Sovereignty: IN-SPACe provides strategic, technical, and policy support. All aspects (build, launch, operate) are in India, ensuring data sovereignty.
• Diverse Applications: Crucial for climate change, disaster management, agriculture, urban planning, marine surveillance, national security, and water quality.
• Global Data Supplier: Aims to serve both domestic and international markets with high-quality EO data.
• Economic Boost: Expected to significantly grow India’s private space industry, projected to reach $44 billion by 2033.

SC Ends JAG Gender Quota

• SC Strikes Down Gender-Based Quota for JAG Recruitment: The Supreme Court invalidated the Army’s policy that reserved more vacancies for men in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch, asserting that selection must be based solely on merit, not gender.

  • Why: The Court found that bifurcating candidates by gender and reserving posts for men violated legal standards and fundamental rights to equality. It emphasized that the Army cannot restrict numbers or make reservations for men through policy under the guise of administrative instructions.

• Common Merit List Mandated: The SC directed the Army and Union Government to prepare a single, merit-based list for JAG recruitment, ensuring women are considered for all available vacancies once permitted entry.

  • Why: The previous notification offering women only three posts compared to double the vacancies for men was deemed a violation of equality. The Court reasoned that selection criteria and testing parameters for men and women in JAG were the same, and officers don’t have different conditions of service based on gender.

• Equal Opportunity in Combat-Support Roles: The Supreme Court rejected the Army’s argument that women cannot serve in counter-insurgency or counter-terror roles, highlighting that excluding women from these operational areas lacks a legal basis and infringes upon equality.

  • Why: The Court pointed to examples of women officers excelling in high-risk duties and commanding convoys in militant-prone areas, questioning their exclusion from combat operations. It stressed that a nation cannot be secure when half its population is held back.

• Significance of Women in Defence: The ruling underscores the importance of women in enhancing operational effectiveness through diverse skills, strengthening peace by protecting vulnerable populations, and inspiring younger officers, thereby promoting gender equality and reflecting societal progress.

  • Why: Integrating women ensures representation, upholds constitutional articles related to equality, and promotes accountability and human rights within the armed forces.

Earth’s Crust Moves

• Scientific Significance: The region (Eastern Himalayas) is highly seismically active due to the collision of Indian and Eurasian Plates, with convergence rates of 10-38 mm/year. A recent earthquake displayed unique mixed thrust and strike-slip motion, causing significant landscape changes.

• Geological Context: The Great Assam Earthquake stemmed from continental plate collision, creating a complex tectonic zone linked to the Assam syntaxis, featuring multiple faults. Historical data indicates significant seismic activity in this area throughout history.

• Implications for the Future: The Eastern Himalayas remain a high-risk seismic zone, capable of producing a 1950-scale earthquake. While prediction is impossible, the growing urban population and infrastructure make a future event potentially more catastrophic.

• Plate Tectonics Basics: This theory explains Earth’s lithosphere is divided into moving plates. Plate movement, driven by mantle convection, leads to various geological phenomena like mountain building (convergent boundaries), seafloor spreading (divergent boundaries), and earthquakes (transform boundaries). It explains the global distribution of geological features.

SHRESTH

• SHRESTH launched by Union Health Ministry: A national framework to benchmark and strengthen state drug regulatory systems.
  • Why in news: It’s India’s first initiative of its kind, aiming for uniform drug quality and safety nationwide.
• Objectives: Evaluate, rank, and guide improvements in state drug regulators, aligning with global standards like WHO ML3 for vaccines.
  • Why in news: This move seeks to elevate India’s pharmaceutical sector to global standards, ensuring medicines are trusted internationally and domestically.
• Framework Developed by CDSCO: Utilizes a data-driven approach with monthly data submission and scoring.
  • Why in news: Transparency and cross-learning are key, with rankings shared among states to promote best practices.
• Categorization: States are divided into Manufacturing States (27 indices) and Distribution States/UTs (23 indices).
  • Why in news: This tailored approach allows for targeted improvements based on specific roles, addressing gaps in human resources, infrastructure, licensing, surveillance, and responsiveness.
• Significance: Promotes consistent drug safety, regulatory maturity, public trust in medicines, and supports India’s global pharmaceutical leadership.
  • Why in news: SHRESTH is seen not just as a scorecard but as a roadmap for states to ensure safe and effective drugs, fostering a collaborative spirit for better public health.
• Capacity Building: Workshops, joint audits, and training will be organized to strengthen regulatory processes.
  • Why in news: This proactive approach demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and empowering state authorities.

Goa Bull Fights

• Demand for Legalization: There’s a push in Goa to legalize Dhirio bull fighting for cultural and tourism benefits.
• Traditional Sport: Dhirio is a Goan sport with roots in the Portuguese era, involving specially bred bulls fighting for strength, not ritualistic killing like in Spanish bullfighting.
• Cultural Significance: It’s historically tied to church feasts and agrarian celebrations, serving as a significant social event with dedicated local followings.
• Ban in Place: The Bombay High Court banned Dhirio in 1997 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court, similar to the Jallikattu ban.
• Continued Practice: Despite the ban, Dhirio continues clandestinely in some Goan villages, often publicized via social media and WhatsApp groups to avoid authorities, with betting being a significant aspect.
• Arguments for Legalization: Supporters claim it’s a test of strength, not cruelty, and can be regulated. They see it as a potential tourist attraction and revenue source, drawing parallels to boxing and other traditional sports.
• Arguments Against Legalization: Animal rights activists highlight the inherent violence, potential for serious injury, psychological harm to animals, and the link to gambling as reasons to maintain the ban.
• Recent Developments: Politicians continue to advocate for legalization, citing cultural heritage and economic potential, with the Chief Minister stating the issue will be examined. Incidents of bulls and spectators being injured or killed underscore the ongoing concerns.

Sickle Cell

• National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM) Launched: The Union government initiated this mission in July 2023 with the ambitious goal of eliminating sickle cell genetic transmission by 2047.

  • Why News: This is a significant, long-term public health initiative targeting a widespread genetic disorder.

• Progress and Scale: Over 60.7 million people have been screened by July 2024, with 216,000 diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and 1.69 million identified as carriers. The mission aims to screen 70 million people under 40 by FY26.

  • Why News: Demonstrates rapid progress and a massive screening effort, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the government’s commitment.

• Disproportionate Impact: SCD primarily affects India’s tribal population, causing severe health issues due to impaired oxygen transport.

  • Why News: Underscores the social justice aspect of the mission, addressing health inequity among vulnerable communities.

• Geographic Focus: 95% of cases are concentrated in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.

  • Why News: Informs resource allocation and targeted interventions for the most affected regions.

• Interventions and Approach: The mission involves free healthcare, essential medicines (like hydroxyurea), diagnostics, genetic counselling, awareness campaigns, genetic status cards, Centres of Excellence, and cost-effective PoC diagnostic devices. It employs a “whole-of-government” strategy.

  • Why News: Details the comprehensive, multi-pronged approach being taken to tackle the disease, from diagnosis to prevention and treatment.

• PM’s Endorsement: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared an article by Union Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, calling the mission a “landmark initiative” marking “a new era in public health.”

  • Why News: High-level political endorsement signifies the national importance and strategic priority given to the elimination of Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Stray Dog Governance

• Public Health Crisis: Rising dog bites and rabies deaths in Delhi-NCR highlight an urgent public health issue, with rabies being nearly 100% fatal.
• Infrastructure & Policy Gaps: Severe lack of adequate shelter infrastructure, skilled personnel, and financial resources; conflict between SC’s sheltering directive and existing CNVR rules.
• Urban Drivers: Open garbage, waste mismanagement, and pet abandonment contribute to sustained stray dog populations.
• Data & Coordination Issues: Absence of a comprehensive dog census, microchipping, and weak inter-departmental coordination hinder effective management.
• Ethical Dilemmas: Balancing human safety (preventing bites/rabies) with animal welfare and rights, upholding constitutional duties of compassion and scientific temper.
• Way Forward: Mass vaccination, targeted CNVR, building humane shelters (PPPs/NGOs), waste management enforcement, pet ownership regulations, improved bite-response protocols, data-driven governance, community engagement, and inter-departmental coordination are crucial.
• Case Studies: Successful models like Jaipur, Sikkim, and Kerala demonstrate the effectiveness of combined CNVR, vaccination, and community involvement in reducing dog bites and rabies. International examples like Bhutan show the impact of nationwide sterilization and humane treatment.

India EO Constellation

• India’s First Indigenous EO Constellation: A private consortium, led by PixxelSpace, will build and operate India’s first fully indigenous commercial Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP): This initiative is a significant step in the PPP model for India’s space sector, with the government providing support and the private consortium handling operations and investment.
• PixxelSpace-led Consortium: The consortium includes Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space, demonstrating private sector capability.
• Investment and Scale: Over five years, the consortium will invest over ₹1,200 crore to launch 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites.
• Advanced Satellite Technology: The constellation will feature satellites with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors, offering high resolution and wide coverage.
• Analysis Ready Data (ARD) & Value-Added Services (VAS): The constellation will provide ready-to-use data for various applications.
• Key Applications: Data will support climate change monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure development, marine surveillance, national security, and urban planning.
• Data Sovereignty and Self-Reliance: This project ensures India’s control over its satellite data and reduces reliance on foreign sources.
• Global Geospatial Intelligence: The constellation will also cater to the global demand for high-quality geospatial intelligence.
• Phased Deployment: Satellites will be launched in phases over four years for continuous service upgrades and expanded coverage.
• “Coming of Age” for Private Space: IN-SPACe chairman highlighted this as a major milestone for India’s private space industry, showcasing its capability for large-scale, technologically advanced missions.

MP LAD Scheme

• Revised MPLADS Guidelines 2023: Detailed provisions were released by the Minister of State for MoSPI for effective utilization of funds and improving asset quality.

• Why in News: The release of these revised guidelines for Parliament’s consideration highlights the scheme’s current operational framework.

  Join Our Telegram Channel

• Central Sector Scheme: Launched in 1993, it allows MPs to recommend development works in their constituencies focusing on community assets.

• Fund Allocation: Each MP receives ₹5 crore annually since 2011-12. Since April 2023, the entire ₹5 crore is authorized in a single installment at the beginning of the financial year or MP’s term, via the eSAKSHI web portal.

• Mandatory Allocations: MPs must allocate at least 15% for Scheduled Castes and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes.

• Special Provisions: MPs can spend up to ₹25 lakh annually outside their constituency for national unity projects and up to ₹1 crore anywhere for calamity relief.

• Implementation & Monitoring: District authorities sanction projects and manage funds. A robust monitoring mechanism involves MoSPI, Central Nodal Agency, State/UT Governments, and District Authorities with periodic inspections and audits.

• Delegation of Powers: State/UT Governments are mandated to delegate full technical, financial, and administrative sanction powers to District Authorities for prompt project execution.

AI India IT Lead

• AI-driven Transformation: The Indian IT sector, a USD 280 billion industry, is experiencing a profound shift due to AI. AI is enhancing productivity through tools like coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot), automating routine tasks (e.g., UiPath), improving cybersecurity with real-time threat detection (e.g., Darktrace), and streamlining data management.
  • Why: AI drives efficiency, reduces errors, and boosts output, leading to over 30% productivity gains in software development.
• Workforce Impact & Skill Gap: AI adoption is leading to workforce transformation, with potential job displacement in routine roles and a significant skill gap emerging. Developers need to upskill in AI, data science, and ethical AI, evolving into AI supervisors focused on strategy and ethics.
  • Why: Generative AI could automate ~50% of global work activities. While some jobs may be lost, new roles requiring advanced skills will emerge.
• India’s Opportunity: Indian IT firms can leverage AI to help global clients manage legacy systems, clean data, and build compliant AI solutions, repositioning from “back office of the world” to indispensable AI partners.
  • Why: Global firms struggle with data and infrastructure for AI, creating an opening for Indian IT to provide solutions and regulatory compliance expertise.
• Shift from Scale to Specialization: The sector’s focus is shifting from large-scale outsourcing to specialized expertise and AI-powered innovation.
  • Why: The advantage of scale in traditional IT services is diminishing with AI, requiring a move towards knowledge-driven, AI-native solutions.
• Government-Industry Collaboration: Government-industry partnerships are crucial for building AI infrastructure, facilitating data access, and implementing nationwide AI skilling programs.
  • Why: To bridge the skill gap, foster AI research, and strengthen India’s competitive edge in the global AI landscape.

Israel-Palestine: Global Impact

• Netanyahu’s Rejection of Two-State Solution: PM Netanyahu’s stance against a Palestinian state marks a significant ideological shift, moving away from previous Israeli governments that, while hesitant, didn’t outright reject the concept. This directly impacts the foundational framework for peace negotiations.
• Global North’s Shift Towards Recognizing Palestine: Historically, Western nations linked recognition to a final settlement. Now, countries like the UK, France, Canada, and Australia are signaling a willingness to recognize Palestinian statehood independently, driven by the humanitarian crisis and a reassessment of Israel’s actions. This breaks from established diplomatic norms.
• Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza as a Catalyst: The severe conditions in Gaza, including mass civilian deaths and famine, have severely damaged Israel’s international standing and moral authority. This humanitarian crisis has become a primary driver for the changing global perception and policy shifts.
• Erosion of Israel’s Soft Power: Allegations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing have polarized global opinion, diminishing Israel’s soft power. This shift in perception influences how other nations view its policies and their justification.
• Public Opinion as a Foreign Policy Driver: Protests in Europe and dissent within the U.S. are increasingly influencing government positions, demonstrating how public sentiment can pressure states to alter their foreign policy approaches to the conflict.
• Netanyahu’s Ideological Regime: Supported by ultra-nationalist allies, Netanyahu’s government prioritizes indefinite territorial control over Palestinian sovereignty. This ideological entrenchment, often framed by security concerns, solidifies the “no-state solution” policy.
• Unraveling of Liberal Internationalism: The failure of the Oslo Accords and the two-state solution framework signifies a breakdown in UN-backed diplomatic consensus, weakening the foundations of liberal internationalism in conflict resolution.
• Realignment in Balance of Power: Divergences in policy between the U.S. and its European allies regarding Israel indicate a potential realignment in global power dynamics and diplomatic priorities.
• Constructivist Turn and Soft Balancing: Evolving international norms around sovereignty and human rights are influencing state behavior. The Global South is leveraging recognition of Palestine as a form of “soft balancing” against perceived U.S.-Israel dominance.
• Analysis of the Statement: The statement is accurate. Netanyahu’s ideological shift (“no-state solution”) directly challenges the normative structure of international diplomacy that has, for decades, been oriented towards a two-state solution as the accepted outcome. This, combined with the Global North’s changing attitudes on Palestinian statehood, reflects a significant transformation. The crisis in Gaza and public opinion are powerful forces reshaping how states interact and what constitutes acceptable international behavior, thus altering the diplomatic landscape.

OCO Carbon Watch

• Why in News: The US has directed NASA to prepare for the early termination of OCO-2 and OCO-3, satellites vital for tracking atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and monitoring crop health. NASA cites the missions being “beyond their prime mission” and alignment with budget priorities, though experts argue the satellites remain highly sensitive and accurate.

• What are Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCOs): A series of NASA Earth observation satellites designed to track CO2 sources and sinks, and their impact on climate change.

  • OCO (2009) failed at launch.
  • OCO-2 (2014) measures atmospheric CO2, identifies sources/sinks, and tracks crop health via photosynthesis “glow.” Operates in a sun-synchronous polar orbit.
  • OCO-3 (2019) is on the ISS, observing locations at multiple times of day, providing complementary data.

• Significance:

  • Revolutionized understanding of CO2 accumulation with global, high-resolution data, moving beyond ground-based measurements.
  • Revealed the significant CO2 absorption role of boreal forests, contrary to the long-held belief about tropical rainforests.
  • Showed natural carbon sinks can become carbon emitters during events like droughts or deforestation.
  • Monitors plant growth globally, aiding climate mitigation policy and emission reduction strategies.
  • Provides data used for forecasting crop yields and tracking drought conditions.

• Cost Controversy: Maintaining the satellites costs approximately $15 million per year, a fraction of the $750 million spent on their design, build, and launch. Experts argue this makes termination economically nonsensical given the data’s value.

SkyNet

• What is Satellite Internet? It’s an “Internet in the sky” that bypasses traditional ground infrastructure like cables and towers.

• Why is it News (Need)? Traditional ground networks are costly and vulnerable in remote or disaster-hit areas. Satellite internet fills this gap, enabling connectivity for underserved regions and critical sectors.

• How it Works: Modern systems use “mega-constellations” of hundreds or thousands of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for high-speed, low-latency service.

• Key Advantages: Global coverage, resilience to disasters, rapid deployment, and reduced reliance on physical infrastructure.

• Challenges: High equipment and subscription costs for consumers (e.g., Starlink in India), space debris, and regulatory hurdles.

• Applications: Crucial for military, emergency services, healthcare (telemedicine), agriculture, transportation, and direct-to-smartphone connectivity.

• Comparison: Unlike traditional internet which relies on physical cables, satellite internet offers near-universal access but typically has higher latency and cost, though LEO technology is improving speeds.

OMC Subsidy Extension

• Budgetary Support for OMCs: Union Cabinet approved budgetary support of ₹30,000 crore for public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) like IOC, BPCL, and HPCL to cover losses from selling LPG below international prices in FY 2024-25.

  • Why in news: OMCs incurred significant losses (over ₹41,000 crore in FY25) by not passing on high international LPG prices to consumers, ensuring affordable cooking gas. This compensation allows them to cover essential costs like procurement and debt servicing, ensuring uninterrupted supply.

• PMUY Subsidy Extended: The targeted LPG subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2-kg cylinder under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is continued for FY 2025-26, applicable for up to 9 refills per year.

  • Why in news: PMUY, launched in 2016, aims to provide clean cooking fuel to rural and economically disadvantaged households. This extension ensures continued financial relief for beneficiaries, supporting improved women’s health, reduced drudgery, and environmental protection. Over 10.33 crore PMUY connections have been issued.

• Government’s Commitment: The move highlights the government’s commitment to protecting consumers from global energy market volatility while maintaining the financial health of OMCs.

  • Why in news: This demonstrates a balanced approach to energy affordability and the operational stability of key energy providers in India.

**Sleep Sickness**

• Kenya Declared Sleeping Sickness Free: The WHO has officially declared Kenya free of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness.

  Subscribe on YouTube
  • Why it’s news: This is a significant public health achievement, marking Kenya as the tenth country to reach this milestone. The last indigenous case was in 2009, and the last imported case in 2012.

• Parasitic Disease Transmitted by Tsetse Fly: Sleeping sickness is caused by protozoan parasites transmitted through the bite of infected tsetse flies.

  • Why it’s news: Understanding the transmission method is crucial for appreciating the control efforts undertaken. Kenya battled the rhodesiense form, known for its rapid and fatal progression.

• Decades of Sustained Public Health Efforts: Kenya’s success is attributed to comprehensive measures including tsetse fly control, improved diagnostics, community awareness programs, and strong partnerships.

  • Why it’s news: It highlights the effectiveness of long-term, multi-faceted public health strategies in eradicating diseases.

• Second Eliminated Neglected Tropical Disease: This follows Kenya’s elimination of Guinea worm disease in 2018.

  • Why it’s news: Demonstrates Kenya’s commitment and capability in tackling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases, contributing to broader continental goals.

• Ongoing Vigilance Required: Kenya will continue strong surveillance and community engagement to prevent the disease’s return, with support from the WHO and partners.

  • Why it’s news: Emphasizes that eradication requires ongoing monitoring and rapid response mechanisms, even after official declaration.

Dardanelles

• Temporary Closure to Maritime Traffic: The Dardanelles Strait has been temporarily closed. This is due to forest fires affecting northwestern Turkey.

• Vital Waterway: The Dardanelles Strait is a crucial, narrow waterway in northwestern Turkey.

• Geographical Importance: It divides Europe’s Gallipoli Peninsula from mainland Asia Minor.

• Strategic Connection: It links the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, enabling access to the Black Sea through the Bosporus Strait.

• Major Ports: Important ports like Gallipoli, Eceabat, and Çanakkale are situated on the strait within Turkey.

• Historical Significance: The strait has been the site of major historical events, including the Persian invasion (480 BCE) and World War I’s Gallipoli Campaign.

Sports Governance Bill 2025

• Shift to Rule-of-Law & Athlete-Centricity: The Bill moves from ad-hoc guidelines to a legally binding, athlete-focused governance structure, aligning with the Olympic Charter and India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.

  • Why: Current governance is based on non-binding codes and directives, leading to inconsistent application, weak accountability, and international compliance risks.

• Institutional Accountability & Governance Norms: Establishes a statutory regulator (National Sports Board) with powers to grant/suspend recognition, enforce ethics, and probe fund misuse. Mandates age (70/75) and tenure (12 years/3 terms) caps, plus athlete and ethics committees within federations.

  • Why: Addresses issues like long tenures, opaque selections, conflicts of interest, and poor grievance redressal plaguing sports administration.

• Specialised Dispute Resolution: Creates a National Sports Tribunal, headed by a senior judge, for timely and credible adjudication of sports disputes.

  • Why: Addresses fragmented dispute resolution mechanisms that delay justice and affect athletes’ careers.

• International Compliance & Recognition: Provides a legal basis for sports bodies, linking recognition to compliance with international norms.

  • Why: Essential for protecting participation and hosting rights for international events.

• Policy Alignment & Enforcement: Converts non-binding codes into enforceable law, complementing the National Sports Policy 2025’s focus on excellence and reform.

  • Why: Strengthens compliance and discipline in sports governance.

• Critiques & Challenges:

  • Centralisation Concerns: Potential for excessive executive control over recognition and suspension decisions.
  • Transparency Gap: Exclusion of BCCI from RTI provisions creates a significant accountability loophole.
  • Implementation Capacity: Success hinges on adequate resources, independence, and a clear balance between autonomy and regulation for the NSB and Tribunal.
  • Why: These factors pose risks to uniform accountability and effective, unbiased implementation.

Kakori Martyrs

• 100th Anniversary of Kakori Train Action: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the Kakori Heroes on August 9, 2025, marking a significant centenary. This highlights the enduring importance of this historical event in India’s freedom struggle.

• Revolutionaries’ Daring Act: The Kakori Train Action, a 1925 train robbery near Lucknow, was led by figures like Ram Prasad Bismil, Chandra Shekhar Azad, and Ashfaqullah Khan. It demonstrated the revolutionaries’ commitment to raising funds for independence by targeting British colonial rule.

• Pivotal Moment in Freedom Struggle: The incident, which resulted in arrests and executions of revolutionaries, is a key event in India’s fight for freedom. Modi’s tribute underscores the government’s dedication to preserving their legacy.

• Government’s Commitment: PM Modi reiterated the government’s resolve to honor the Kakori Heroes’ memory and work towards a strong and prosperous India, connecting past sacrifices to present national aspirations.

Flood Risk Best Practices

• Why in News: Climate change is increasing severe floods, making resilience vital. Global best practices offer lessons for India’s flood management strategies.

• Tanzania’s Msimbazi Basin Project:

  • Aims to reduce flooding through dredging, improved drainage, and infrastructure upgrades.
  • Includes relocating vulnerable residents and converting floodplains into green, climate-resilient areas.
  • Demonstrates the effectiveness of nature-based solutions and modern infrastructure, as seen in Jangwani where floods cause mass displacement and destruction.

• Other Leading Global Best Practices:

  • Netherlands’s Floating Homes: Flood-resistant structures that float during floods.
  • Vienna’s Flood Protection System: Flood relief channels to absorb excess water.
  • China’s Sponge Cities: Nature-based solutions (permeable surfaces, wetlands) to absorb rainwater.
  • Denmark’s Green Climate Screen: Natural rainwater absorption using mineral wool and willow panels.
  • Texas-Harnessing AI and Satellite Imagery: AI and satellite data for detailed flood maps and forecasts.

• India’s Flood Risk Management:

  • Primarily a State subject; Central government provides technical/advisory support.
  • Structural Measures: River interlinking, reservoirs, detention basins, embankments, channelization, diversion channels.
  • Non-Structural Measures: Flood forecasting and warning, flood plain zoning, flood proofing.

• Conclusion for India: Shift from reactive relief to proactive risk reduction requires Forecasting, Financing, and Frontline Preparedness, integrating nature-based solutions with existing strategies.

Ink’s Second Wave

• Project Approval: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves the 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Shi Yomi District, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Why: This signifies government backing and investment for a significant clean energy project.
• Capacity and Output: 700 MW capacity (4 units of 175 MW each), expected to produce 2738.06 million units of energy annually.
  • Why: Highlights the project’s substantial contribution to power generation.
• Investment and Timeline: Outlay of ₹8146.21 crore with an estimated completion period of 72 months (6 years).
  • Why: Provides financial and temporal context for the project’s development.
• Implementation: Joint venture between North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Why: Indicates a collaborative approach to project execution.
• Government Support: Government of India to provide budgetary support for enabling infrastructure (roads, bridges, transmission lines) and equity share for the state.
  • Why: Demonstrates central government commitment and financial assistance for regional development.
• Benefits for Arunachal Pradesh:
  • Improved power supply within the state.
  • Contribution to national grid stability.
  • 12% free power allocation.
  • 1% for Local Area Development Fund (LADF).
  • Significant infrastructure development (approx. 33 km roads/bridges).
  • Development of essential local infrastructure like hospitals, schools, markets ( ₹20 crore dedicated funds).
  • Socio-economic growth through job creation, compensation, and CSR activities.
  • Support for local suppliers and MSMEs, aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
  • Why: Emphasizes the direct and indirect benefits to the state, its people, and its economy.
• Context: Tato-II is part of India’s broader push to expand hydroelectric capacity for clean energy and regional development, contributing to energy security and sustainable development goals.
  • Why: Places the project within a larger national strategy for renewable energy and infrastructure.

Maritime Law Modernization

• Bills Passed: Parliament approved the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, and Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025.
• Why in News: These bills modernize India’s maritime laws, replacing outdated colonial-era legislation (Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925).
• Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025:
  • Modernizes cabotage norms and simplifies licensing.
  • Aims to boost coastal cargo to 230 million tonnes by 2030.
  • Enhances supply security, jobs, and ease of business.
  • Mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan and Database.
• Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025:
  • Aligns Indian laws with IMO conventions for clarity and compliance.
  • Enhances sea safety, emergency response, environmental protection, and seafarer welfare.
  • Boosts India’s global maritime reputation and tonnage.
  • Authorizes detention of vessels without nationality, improving maritime security.
• Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025:
  • Adopts internationally accepted Hague-Visby Rules (1924).
  • Sets global standards for maritime trade and regulates Bills of Lading.
  • Aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in cargo movement.
  • Empowers the government to issue directions and amend rules on Bills of Lading.
• Indian Maritime Sector Context: India is the 16th largest maritime nation, handling 95% of trade by volume through its ports. Port capacity has grown significantly, but shipbuilding lags. Initiatives are underway to boost domestic capacity and exports.

Caucasus Accord

• Peace Agreement Signed: Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed a US-brokered peace agreement. This is a significant step toward resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
  • Why: It marks progress in a long-standing dispute.
• Key Terms: Both countries agreed to respect each other’s territorial integrity, relinquish territorial claims, and ban the use of force, adhering to international law.
  • Why: These are foundational elements for establishing lasting peace and preventing future conflict.
• US Strategic Gain: The US secured exclusive rights to develop the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ transit corridor in the South Caucasus.
  • Why: This corridor is strategically important for trade and energy exports in the region.
• Nagorno-Karabakh Context: The conflict stems from claims over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but previously under Armenian-backed control. Azerbaijan reclaimed control in 2023, leading to displacement of ethnic Armenians.
  • Why: Understanding this history is crucial to grasping the significance of the current peace deal.
• India’s Support: India backs the deal, viewing Armenia and Azerbaijan as vital to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and having a friendship treaty with Armenia.
  • Why: India’s support highlights the regional economic importance of the agreement.

India’s Chip Boost

• Union Cabinet Approves Four New Semiconductor Manufacturing Projects: This signifies a major step in boosting India’s chip production capabilities.

• Total Investment of ₹4,594 Crore: The projects are backed by substantial government and private investment, indicating a serious commitment to the sector.

• Projects Spread Across Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh: Diversifying the geographical locations of these crucial manufacturing units.

• First Silicon Carbide (SiC) Fab in Odisha: This specialized plant will cater to high-demand sectors like Electric Vehicles (EVs) and defense, marking a technological advancement.

• Advanced 3D Glass Semiconductor Packaging Unit in Odisha: Leveraging Intel-backed technology for high-performance electronics, enhancing the sophistication of India’s chip ecosystem.

• MOSFETs and IGBTs Manufacturing in Punjab: Contributing to the production of fundamental semiconductor devices for various applications.

• Chip Packaging for Consumer Electronics and Automotive in Andhra Pradesh: Strengthening the back-end processes critical for the electronics and auto industries.

• Creation of Over 2,000 Direct High-Skilled Jobs: This initiative will foster significant employment opportunities in advanced technological fields, aligning with India’s skill development goals.

• Boost to India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): These approvals are a testament to the ISM’s objective of developing an end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem and reducing import dependency.

• Strategic Importance for “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”: The move directly supports national goals of self-reliance and enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities in critical technology sectors.

• Strengthening Supply Chain Security: By establishing domestic production, India aims to mitigate risks associated with global supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions.

Civic Health Governance

• Context: States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are launching doorstep healthcare schemes (Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam, Gruha Arogya) for NCDs, raising the need to engage communities in shaping health systems.
• Evolution of Health Governance: Traditionally state-led, health governance now includes civil society, professional bodies, etc. NRHM (2005) institutionalized community participation via platforms like VHSNCs and RKS.
• Significance of Civic Engagement: Enhances respect, ensures voices are heard, upholds democratic values, makes systems accountable, reduces elite dominance, and prevents corruption. Fosters trust and improves health outcomes.
• Challenges to Engagement:
  • Mindset: Policymakers view communities as beneficiaries, not co-creators. Success is measured by targets, not quality or user experience.
  • Medicalised Governance: Decision-making dominated by doctors with limited public health training; promotions based on seniority, not expertise.
  • Resistance to Participation: Officials fear increased workload, accountability, and dominance by vested interests.
  • Weak Platforms: Committees are often non-functional, with unclear roles, infrequent meetings, misused funds, poor coordination, and dominance by powerful groups.
• Need for a Shift:
  • Mindset Change: View communities as rights-holders and co-creators, not just tools for targets.
  • Empowerment: Disseminate health rights information, foster civic awareness, reach marginalized groups, and equip citizens with participation tools.
  • Sensitization: Train health professionals to see communities as partners and address structural determinants of health, not just individual behavior.
  • Activate Platforms: Ensure committees have clear roles, regular meetings, adequate funding, and transparency. Promote two-way accountability.
• Conclusion: Meaningful civic engagement is a democratic necessity to transform citizens into active partners for equitable health systems.

Lunar Nukes

• Lunar Nuclear Reactor Accelerated: NASA is prioritizing the development of a nuclear reactor for the Moon, aiming for a 2030 deployment.

  • Why: To enable a permanent human presence on the lunar surface, supporting long-term missions and habitats, and to align with the Artemis Accords.

• 100 Kilowatt Power Output: The reactor is designed to produce 100 kW of power.

  • Why: This provides a consistent and reliable energy source, crucial for lunar operations, unlike intermittent solar power, especially in permanently shadowed regions of the Moon.

• Addressing Solar Power Limitations: Nuclear power is favored over solar for the Moon.

  • Why: Solar power is unreliable due to extended periods of darkness on the lunar surface, making nuclear energy essential for continuous power for habitats, rovers, and missions.

• International Competition: NASA’s accelerated timeline is partly driven by similar lunar nuclear ambitions from China and Russia.

  • Why: This reflects a global race for lunar dominance and resource utilization, with other nations like India and Japan also pursuing lunar exploration and settlement.

• Legal and Ethical Framework: The project operates within established international guidelines.

  Join Our Telegram Channel
  • Why: The Outer Space Treaty (1967) permits peaceful use of nuclear power in space, emphasizing safety and transparency, while the Artemis Accords further promote international cooperation and responsible space exploration.

Tuvalu

• Tuvalu to Relocate Population to Australia: Tuvalu is undertaking the world’s first planned migration due to climate change-induced sea-level rise.

  • Why in News: This historic move highlights the tangible and immediate impacts of global warming on vulnerable nations.

• Falepili Union Treaty (2023): This treaty facilitates the relocation of Tuvaluans to Australia.

  • Why in News: It establishes a framework for climate-induced migration, offering a pathway to permanent residency and equal rights for Tuvaluans in Australia.

• “Climate Visa” for Tuvaluans: Australia will accept 280 Tuvaluans annually as permanent residents starting in 2025 through a ballot-based visa.

  • Why in News: This “climate visa” is a pioneering initiative, acknowledging and addressing the needs of climate refugees.

• Rising Sea Levels Threaten Tuvalu’s Existence: NASA predicts most of Tuvalu’s land will be submerged by 2050 due to its low elevation.

  • Why in News: This underscores the existential threat faced by low-lying island nations and the urgent need for climate action.

• Tuvalu’s Vulnerability: With an average elevation of only 2 meters, Tuvalu is highly susceptible to floods, storms, and coastal erosion.

  • Why in News: This highlights Tuvalu’s extreme vulnerability and the direct consequence of climate change on its geography and people.

Biochar Carbon Growth

• India’s Carbon Market Launch (2026): Biochar is positioned as a key CO₂ removal technology to reduce emissions and support sustainable growth in anticipation of the Indian carbon market.

• India’s Emission Profile: While India’s per capita emissions are low, it’s the third-largest emitter globally. The power sector (coal) and transport are major emission hotspots. This necessitates scalable CO₂ removal solutions.

• Biochar’s Potential:

  • Waste Utilization: India generates vast amounts of agricultural residue and municipal waste, much of which pollutes. Using 30-50% for biochar could remove ~0.1 GtCO₂eq annually.
  • Carbon Sequestration: Biochar stores carbon in soil for centuries, enhancing soil health.
  • Energy Generation: Pyrolysis of waste produces syngas for electricity (8-13 TWh/yr) and bio-oil to replace fossil fuels (reducing imports and emissions by >2%).
  • Agriculture: Improves water retention and reduces potent nitrous oxide emissions by 30-50%.
  • Construction: Enhances concrete strength, heat resistance, and sequesters ~115 kg CO₂/m³.
  • Wastewater Treatment: Offers a cost-effective solution for India’s significant untreated wastewater.

• Broader CO₂ Removal Landscape: Biochar is part of a suite of solutions including afforestation, agroforestry, soil carbon sequestration, ocean-based methods, BECCS, DAC, and CCUS.

• Opportunity: Promoting biochar and similar technologies transforms climate challenges into sustainable growth, aiding India in meeting Paris Agreement goals.

GeM’s 9 Years: Procurement Transformed

• GeM Celebrates 9 Years: The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) reached its 9th Foundation Day, highlighting its transformative impact on public procurement.
  • Why it’s news: Marks a significant milestone for a key government initiative.
• Theme: “Ease, Access and Inclusion”: The celebration focused on simplifying processes, increasing accessibility, and fostering broader participation in government buying.
  • Why it’s news: Underscores the core values and ongoing goals of the platform.
• Online Platform for Government Procurement: GeM, launched in 2016, is a digital marketplace for Central and State Governments, PSUs, and their affiliates to buy goods and services.
  • Why it’s news: Provides context on what GeM is and its scope.
• Mandatory for Government Purchases: The Ministry of Finance has made using GeM compulsory for government procurement under the General Financial Rules, 2017.
  • Why it’s news: Emphasizes the official backing and mandatory nature of the platform.
• Promotes Transparency, Efficiency, and Fairness: GeM aims to streamline processes, reduce corruption, and ensure a level playing field in government buying.
  • Why it’s news: Explains the fundamental benefits and objectives driving GeM.
• Validated Cost Savings: Independent assessments, including from the World Bank, confirm that GeM leads to an average cost saving of nearly 10% in government procurement.
  • Why it’s news: Provides concrete, external validation of GeM’s effectiveness and financial impact.
• Empowering Small Businesses and Diverse Groups: GeM has integrated over 10 lakh MSEs, 1.3 lakh artisans and weavers, 1.84 lakh women entrepreneurs, and 31,000 startups.
  • Why it’s news: Highlights the platform’s success in achieving its inclusion goals and supporting various segments of the economy.
• Launch of GeMAI Chatbot: GeM has introduced India’s first generative AI-powered public sector chatbot, offering voice and text support in 10 Indian languages.
  • Why it’s news: Showcases technological innovation and enhanced user experience within the platform.

Tax Amend Bill 2025

• Lok Sabha Passes Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025: This signifies a major step towards modernizing India’s tax structure.
• Replaces Income Tax Act, 1961: This bill is set to supersede the existing Income Tax Act, indicating a comprehensive overhaul.
• Effective April 1, 2026: The new law will come into effect post Rajya Sabha and presidential assent, providing a transition period.
• Simplification and Modernization: The primary aim is to make tax provisions easier to understand and more relevant to current economic realities.
• Incorporates 285 Committee Recommendations: This suggests a thorough review and a consensus-driven approach to the amendments.
• Revised Tax Slabs: A new, potentially progressive, tax structure is introduced, with a nil tax up to ₹4 lakh.
• TDS Refunds for Late Filers: This is a significant relief measure for individuals who may have filed their returns late.
• Expanded Digital Search and Seizure Powers: Tax officials gain broad powers to access digital information (emails, social media, cloud storage) if they suspect tax evasion, raising privacy concerns.
• Broad Definition of “Virtual Digital Space”: This vagueness, coupled with limited judicial oversight, is a point of concern regarding privacy.
• Focus on Ease of Doing Business & Digital Processes: The bill aligns with government efforts to improve the business environment and digitize tax administration.
• Money Bill Classification: The bill’s passage as a Money Bill restricts the Rajya Sabha’s role to making recommendations, with the Lok Sabha having the final say.

Cruelty Law & SC

• Supreme Court Endorses ‘Cool-off’ Period in Cruelty Cases: In Shivangi Bansal vs Sahib Bansal, the SC upheld an Allahabad High Court directive suspending arrest/coercive action for two months in Section 498-A IPC (cruelty by husband/relatives) cases pending review by family welfare committees.

• Section 498-A IPC Context: Enacted in 1983 to protect married women from cruelty, harassment (including dowry), or acts leading to suicide/injury. Penalties include up to 3 years imprisonment.

• Court’s Ruling & Implications: The SC approved a two-month “cool-off” period before arrests, without in-depth analysis of socio-political impact. This grants temporary blanket protection, potentially hindering immediate police action even with evidence, deterring complainants, increasing victim safety risks, and legitimizing police inaction.

• Concerns of Misuse vs. Reality: While some allege misuse of Section 498-A for revenge or financial settlements, the article argues this is often based on individual cases, not empirical data. The low conviction rate (18% in 2022) is attributed to investigation issues, bias, and societal pressures, not necessarily misuse. NCRB data shows over 1.3 lakh cases registered in 2022, and NFHS-5 indicates significant under-reporting of domestic violence.

• Precedent & Impact on Gender Justice: The ruling, by suspending protections based on alleged misuse, contradicts previous SC judgments (like Sushil Kumar Sharma) stating misuse is not grounds for striking down a law. It weakens victim protection and raises concerns about the uniformity and consistency of criminal law, potentially hindering gender justice and victims’ access to immediate relief.

• Way Forward: The article suggests addressing misuse concerns without diluting core protections, ensuring prompt inquiries instead of blanket suspensions, and prioritizing victim safety through protection orders and immediate intervention.

Minister Out

• Minister Removed: Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna was removed from Karnataka’s Cabinet on the first day of the Monsoon Assembly Session.
• Basis of Removal: In India’s parliamentary system, a minister’s removal is tied to the confidence of the Legislative Assembly.
• Mechanism: A minister can be removed by the Governor on the Chief Minister’s advice. The Chief Minister can also ask for their resignation or reshuffle the cabinet.
• Governor’s Role: The Governor acts on the CM’s advice, not personal discretion, in such removals.
• Legislative Control: While direct removal of an individual minister by the Assembly isn’t standard, a no-confidence motion against the entire Council of Ministers or censure/cut motions can indirectly pressure the government.
• Underlying Principle: The removal reinforces the principle of collective responsibility and the supremacy of the Legislature, where ministers serve as long as they have the support of the Chief Minister and the Assembly.

EDE Epitope

• Identification of Envelope Dimer Epitope (EDE)-like antibodies: Researchers have identified these antibodies as crucial for strong, broad immunity against dengue virus across different serotypes.
• Significance for Dengue Vaccines: EDE-like antibodies show cross-serotype protection, meaning they can neutralize multiple dengue virus strains, which is vital for developing effective universal dengue vaccines.
• Reduced Risk of Severe Disease: The study found a strong link between EDE-like antibodies and a lower risk of severe dengue, suggesting a protective role.
• Potential for Next-Generation Vaccines: These findings could lead to better-targeted dengue vaccines and therapeutics by focusing on the EDE as a key target.
• Research Breakthrough: Understanding the EDE helps scientists design antibodies or vaccine components with broad protective capabilities against all four dengue serotypes.
• Dengue’s Global Impact: Dengue is a major health challenge affecting over 100 countries, with an estimated 390 million infections annually, highlighting the urgent need for better control measures.

Topra Kalan Iron Age Find

• Discovery of Iron-Age Settlement: Evidence of human settlements dating back to approximately 1500 BC has been found in Topra Kalan, Haryana.

• Significance of the Period: This discovery signifies the transition from the Bronze Age (Indus Valley Civilization) to the Iron Age in India.

• Archaeological Findings: Artifacts unearthed include Painted Grey Ware (PGW), stamped pottery, moulded bricks, beads, and pottery types like Black-and-Red Ware. Structural remains like walls, platforms, room-like enclosures, and a potential Buddhist stupa were also found.

• Historical Context of Topra Kalan: The village is historically significant as the original location of the Delhi-Topra Ashokan pillar, later moved by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, and has links to ancient Buddhist activity.

• Iron Age Characteristics in India: The Iron Age, following the Bronze Age, is defined by the widespread use of iron for tools and weapons. Texts like the Atharvaveda mention iron, and its importance grew significantly during the early historic period.

• Associated Cultures: Key pottery cultures associated with the Iron Age in North India include Black-and-Red Ware (BRW), Painted Grey Ware (PGW), and Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW), the latter marking the period of the Second Urbanization.

• Iron Age in South India: In peninsular India, the Iron Age is largely represented by the Megalithic culture, with significant sites like Naikund and Paiyampalli revealing iron-smelting practices. Recent findings suggest iron’s presence in South India as early as the fourth millennium BCE.

India SDG VNR 3

• NITI Aayog presented India’s 3rd Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report on SDGs at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). This reaffirms India’s commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda for SDGs and marks its third such submission.
• India employs a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach. This involves States, Union Territories, civil society, and the private sector in preparing the VNR, ensuring broad engagement and data-driven policies.
• Key Progress Highlights:
  • Poverty Alleviation (SDG 1): Around 248 million people escaped multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23.
  • Food Security (SDG 2): PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has provided nutritional support to millions, continuing for five years from 2024.
  • Health and Nutrition (SDG 3): POSHAN Abhiyaan and Ayushman Bharat have improved access to nutrition and healthcare, with out-of-pocket health expenditure declining.
  • Clean Energy (SDG 7): Initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana are accelerating clean energy adoption.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) drives inclusive services. India’s JAM trinity-based DPI, particularly UPI, accounts for a significant portion of global real-time payments.
• Data Tools for Monitoring: India utilizes the SDG India Index, District SDG Index, and MPI to monitor progress, identify lagging areas, and guide policy.
• Localization of SDGs: Emphasis is placed on sub-national and district-level actions, supported by UNDP.
• Broader Development Focus: The VNR also highlights India’s growth in start-ups, infrastructure development (PM Gati Shakti), and its contribution to South-South Cooperation.
• Alignment with Viksit Bharat @2047: India’s SDG efforts are integrated with its long-term vision for a developed India by 2047.

Rudra’s Weapon

• Asia’s Longest Freight Train Trial: Indian Railways successfully tested ‘Rudrastra’, a 4.5 km long freight train with 345–354 wagons.
  • Why in News: This trial marks a significant advancement in India’s freight logistics capacity.
• Impressive Length and Capacity: The train comprises 345–354 wagons, each capable of carrying 72 tonnes, and is powered by 7 engines.
  • Why in News: Its sheer size demonstrates a leap in the volume of goods that can be transported in a single journey.
• Route and Performance: The 209 km trial run from Ganjkhwaja (UP) to Garhwa (Jharkhand) was completed in approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes, averaging 40.5 km/h.
  • Why in News: The successful execution and efficiency showcased highlight the potential for faster and more effective cargo movement.
• Aims to Boost Freight Efficiency: The experiment is designed to move massive cargo volumes, reduce fuel consumption per tonne, ease rail congestion, and lower bulk transport costs.
  • Why in News: These objectives address critical aspects of economic efficiency and infrastructure optimization in India’s railway network.

Patagonia’s Ice Giant

• Rapid Thinning Since 2019: The Perito Moreno Glacier, historically known for its stability, has begun thinning at an accelerated rate.

  • Why it’s news: This marks a significant departure from its long-standing pattern and raises concerns about its future.

• Vulnerability Despite Unique Geography: Previously, its stability was attributed to high-altitude ice fields and a submerged bedrock ridge preventing detachment.

  • Why it’s news: Even with these protective factors, the glacier is now showing signs of increased vulnerability.

• Likely Cause: Climate Change: New radar studies suggest accelerated ice loss is probable due to ongoing climate change.

  • Why it’s news: This highlights how global warming is impacting even glaciers previously thought to be resilient.

• Warning of Inevitable Retreat: Scientists warn that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the glacier’s retreat is unavoidable.

  • Why it’s news: This is a stark warning about the long-term consequences of climate change on natural landmarks.

Himalayan Resilience

• Why in News: The flash flood in Dharali, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, highlights the escalating threat of disasters in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) due to extreme weather.

• Factors Driving Disasters:

  • Tectonic Activity: Himalayas are seismically active due to plate collisions, triggering earthquakes that cause landslides, avalanches, and flash floods.
  • Fragile Geology: Young, sedimentary rocks and steep slopes make the region prone to landslides.
  • Glacial Hazards: Rapid glacial melt, accelerated by climate change, leads to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), causing destructive downstream flooding.
  • Extreme Rainfall & Cloudbursts: Intense, short bursts of rain and cloudbursts trigger flash floods and landslides.
  • River Dynamics: Young, fast-flowing rivers with heavy sediment loads are prone to flash floods when blocked by landslides or glacial debris.
  • Deforestation & Land Use: Clearing forests destabilizes slopes, increasing erosion and runoff, while unregulated construction exacerbates vulnerability.

• Challenges in Mitigation:

  • Predicting which events (like moderate rain) will trigger flash floods is difficult.
  • Cloud cover hinders satellite assessment of potential ice-breaks.
  • Fragile geology means even low-intensity rain can cause landslides or floods.

• Mitigation Measures:

  • Develop comprehensive early warning systems with sensors.
  • Implement engineering interventions like check dams and spillways.
  • Promote sustainable tourism with caps and eco-friendly models.
  • Conduct region-specific Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
  • Revise building codes for earthquake and landslide resistance.
  • Integrate disaster risk reduction into development projects.
  • Manage watersheds and river basins holistically.
  • Enhance community awareness and preparedness.
  • Foster multi-agency coordination.

India’s Elephants

• Why in News: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) celebrated World Elephant Day in Coimbatore on August 12th, focusing on human-elephant conflict.

• India’s Elephant Population: India hosts over 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephants. Elephants are crucial “ecosystem engineers,” “keystone,” “umbrella,” and “flagship species.”

• Conservation Efforts:

  • Project Elephant: Launched in 1992, it supports 22 states in elephant conservation, habitat, and corridor protection. Merged with Project Tiger from FY 2023-24.
  • Project RE-HAB: Uses bee-fences to deter elephants from human settlements.
  • Elephant Reserves: 33 designated reserves across 14 states provide critical habitats.
  • Elephant Corridors: 150 corridors are ground-validated to ensure safe movement.
  • Population Increase: Wild elephant population rose from 27,669-27,719 (2007) to 29,964 (2017).

• Challenges:

  • Elephant-Train Collisions: 186 elephants died between 2009-2024 due to tracks through corridors and high speeds.
  • Habitat Loss & Fragmentation: Settlements and infrastructure shrink and break up forests.
  • Human-Elephant Conflict: Shrinking habitats push elephants into human areas, causing deaths and crop damage.
  • Poaching: For ivory, meat, skin, and tail hair.
  • Infrastructure Threats: Electrocution from power lines, injuries from crude bombs.
  • Accidental Deaths: Falling into open wells and trenches.
  • Limited Resources: Remote areas have poor monitoring and patrolling.

• Measures Needed:

  Subscribe on YouTube
  • Mitigate Collisions: Build ramps, underpasses, overpasses, and install Intrusion Detection Systems.
  • Deterrents: Chili powder fences and beehives.
  • Habitat Protection: Reconnect fragmented habitats through land acquisition and relocation.
  • Technological Interventions: GPS collar tracking for real-time monitoring and prediction.
  • Capacity Building: Better equipment and training for forest staff.
  • Community Participation: Expand awareness programs.

Justice Reform India

• Why in News: Over 5 crore cases pending in Indian courts, crippling justice delivery, governance, and citizen trust.

  Join Our Telegram Channel

• Key Statistics:

  • Over 5 crore total pending cases (mid-2025).
  • District courts: 90% (4.6 crore+).
  • High Courts: 63.3 lakh+.
  • Supreme Court: 86,700+.
  • Criminal cases disposed faster (85.3% High Court cases within a year).
  • Civil cases slower (38.7% district court cases within a year, 20% pending >5 years).
  • CJI noted “fear psychosis” in bail grants contributing to pendency.

• Contributing Factors:

  • Low Judge-Population Ratio: 15 judges/10 lakh people vs. recommended 50.
  • Frequent Adjournments: Culture of “tareek pe tareek,” with 70% of Delhi HC cases having >3 adjournments.
  • Underutilized ADR: Mediation, arbitration, conciliation not fully leveraged; lack of data on ADR performance.
  • Rise in Litigation: Increased awareness, PILs, trivial cases, and government departments as litigants.
  • Structural/Procedural Constraints: Inadequate infrastructure, staff shortages, poor ICT, lack of case management, witness delays.

• Recommended Reforms:

  • Strengthen Judicial Capacity: Fast-track appointments, increase judge-population ratio, reform collegium, expand judge strength, specialized courts.
  • Infrastructure & Technology: National Judicial Infrastructure Authority, expand e-Courts, FASTER, staff training.
  • Procedural Reforms: Limit adjournments, summary trials, pre-trial conferences, time-bound hearings, AI for case management.
  • Promote ADR & Access: Scale up mediation (Mediation Act, 2023), Lok Adalats, strengthen legal aid (Tele-Law, NALSA).

Gold Potatoes

• Introduction of Iron-Rich Potatoes in India: The International Potato Center (CIP) from Peru is introducing biofortified potatoes, rich in iron, to India to combat iron deficiency anemia.
• Development and Adaptation: These potatoes were developed at CIP Peru using nutrient-rich germplasm and have been adapted by ICAR–CPRI Shimla for local conditions, seed multiplication, and farmer distribution.
• Establishment of CIP South Asia Regional Centre: CIP will set up its South Asia Regional Centre in Agra, located in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, a major potato-producing region, to improve farmer access to quality seeds and markets.
• Existing Biofortified Sweet Potatoes: Biofortified sweet potatoes, enriched with Vitamin A, are already cultivated in several Indian states (Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Assam) and are known for their nutritional benefits, especially for children.
• Biofortification Process: Biofortification is the process of increasing micronutrient levels in crops through breeding or biotechnology, while maintaining desirable traits.
• Advantages of Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes have a long shelf life (2 years without refrigeration), are versatile in cooking, and are suitable for nutrition programs like Mid-day Meals.
• Collaboration and Market Access: CIP is working with Indian research institutes and private companies to ensure quality seed production and distribution, aiming to integrate nutritious potatoes into the market chain and food processing.
• Government Support: The initiative is supported by the Union Agriculture Ministry, recognizing the potential for economic growth in India’s potato sector.
• Market Stabilization: CIP also aims to help stabilize potato prices and supplies by introducing new varieties that can extend the harvest season and working with government bodies on market management.

India’s Water Woes

• Why in News: The 2024 Annual Groundwater Quality Report highlights widespread contamination, impacting over 600 million Indians reliant on groundwater, turning it into a public health crisis.

• Causes:

  • Industrial Pollution: Discharge of heavy metals and toxic chemicals from industries creates “death zones.”
  • Overuse of Fertilizers: Nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers pollute groundwater.
  • Improper Sanitation: Leakage from septic tanks and sewage systems introduces pathogens.
  • Natural Contamination: Fluoride, arsenic, and uranium naturally occur, concentrated by excessive pumping.
  • Fragmented Regulation: Weak enforcement of laws and siloed agency efforts hinder effective management.
  • Poor Monitoring: Infrequent data collection and lack of public awareness delay response.

• Impacts:

  Subscribe on YouTube
  • Health: Fluoride causes skeletal fluorosis; arsenic leads to cancer and neurological issues; nitrates cause “blue baby syndrome”; uranium damages organs; heavy metals cause developmental delays; pathogens cause waterborne diseases.
  • Agriculture: Reduced crop yields and salinity intrusion due to contamination and over-extraction.
  • Ecosystems: Harm to wildlife and biodiversity.

• Reforms Needed:

  • National Groundwater Pollution Control Framework for clear roles and CGWB authority.
  • Modernized monitoring systems with real-time sensors and integrated health surveillance.
  • Targeted remediation like community water purification plants.
  • Strict industrial and waste regulation (e.g., Zero Liquid Discharge).
  • Agrochemical reforms promoting organic farming and reduced chemical use.
  • Community-centric governance involving local bodies.

Rhisotope

• What is it: The Rhisotope Project is an anti-poaching initiative using radioactive isotopes (radioisotopes) to mark rhino horns.
• Why in News: Launched by a South African university in collaboration with the IAEA, it’s an innovative approach to combat rhino poaching.
• How it works: Low doses of radioisotopes are injected into live rhinos’ horns in a non-invasive procedure.
• Effectiveness:
  • Makes horns detectable by Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) and scanners at borders and airports.
  • Horns become useless and toxic for human consumption.
  • Discourages poaching by making horns dangerous for smugglers and less marketable.
  • Proven safe for rhinos through pilot studies showing no cellular damage.
  • Detection confirmed even inside full shipping containers.
• Advantages over dehorning: Less disruptive to rhino behavior and social interactions.
• Goal: To deter poaching by making the illegal trade traceable and risky, hoping to reduce the severe losses of rhinos, particularly in South Africa.
• Future Scope: Potential to be applied to other endangered species like elephants and pangolins.

MERITE Scheme

• Scheme Name: MERITE (Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education).
• Objective: To enhance quality, equity, and governance in technical education across India, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020.
• Scope: Covers 275 technical institutions nationwide (175 engineering institutions, 100 polytechnics), including NITs, State Engineering Institutions, and Affiliating Technical Universities.
• Budget: Rs. 4200 crore for 2025-26 to 2029-30, with Rs. 2100 crore from World Bank loan assistance.
• Beneficiaries: Around 7.5 lakh students across all States and Union Territories.
• Key Focus Areas:
  • Digitalizing education.
  • Developing multidisciplinary programs.
  • Boosting student learning and employability skills.
  • Strengthening research and innovation.
  • Improving quality assurance and accreditation.
  • Creating labor-market aligned curricula.
  • Supporting future academic leaders, especially women.
• Implementation: Involves collaboration with premier institutions (IITs, IIMs) and regulatory bodies (AICTE, NBA). Funds transfer via a Central Nodal Agency.
• Impact/Why it’s news:
  • Aims to improve the skills and employability of students through updated curricula, internships, and research opportunities, potentially reducing unemployment.
  • Strengthens the research ecosystem, crucial for technological advancements and addressing national challenges.
  • Focuses on modernizing technical education in line with NEP 2020 reforms, including curriculum revamp and faculty development.
  • Supports academic administrators and addresses gender gaps in technical education.

Animal-to-Human Plagues

• High Risk Areas Identified: Over 9% of Earth’s land is at high or very high risk of zoonotic diseases.
• Epidemic Risk Index: A new index combines zoonotic risk with country preparedness to help policymakers identify vulnerable areas and improve responses.
• Definition and Causes: Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases transmitted between animals and humans, caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi.
• Increased Risk Factors: Climate change and land-use changes are increasing human-animal interaction and the risk of disease spillover.
• Significant Global Burden: Zoonotic diseases account for 60% of known infectious diseases and 75% of emerging infectious diseases, causing billions of cases and millions of deaths annually.
• Regional Vulnerabilities: Latin America, Oceania, Asia, and Africa show significant regional vulnerabilities to zoonotic outbreaks.
• India’s Vulnerability: India experiences a substantial number of zoonotic diseases, with Northeast India being a particular hotspot.
• Global Initiatives: ZODIAC (IAEA) and the G20 Pandemic Fund aim to strengthen early detection, rapid response, and pandemic preparedness.
• India’s Initiatives: Programs like NADCP focus on livestock vaccination for diseases like FMD and Brucellosis, while the National One Health Programme tackles zoonotic diseases through inter-sectoral coordination and surveillance.

India ESG Watch

• Dedicated ESG Oversight Body: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance recommends MCA establish a dedicated ESG oversight body to actively combat greenwashing.
  • Why: Rising concerns about greenwashing (deceptive claims of environmental friendliness) and the need to ensure genuine sustainability claims.
• Penal Provisions & Forensic Experts: The proposed body should include forensic experts to detect fraud and ensure expeditious and deterrent penalties for fraudulent ESG claims.
  • Why: To deter greenwashing and build trust in sustainability reporting.
• Sector-Specific Guidelines & MSME Support: The oversight body should formulate sector-specific ESG guidelines and support MSMEs in adopting ESG practices.
  • Why: To create tailored guidance and enable smaller businesses to transition to sustainable practices.
• ESG as Director’s Duty: Proposes amending the Companies Act, 2013, to make ESG a core duty of directors, embedding sustainability into business strategy.
  • Why: To elevate ESG considerations to a non-negotiable strategic imperative and provide a clear legal basis for accountability.
• Strengthen Financial Crime Units: Urges developing strategies to address financial crimes early and bolstering the SFIO and NFRA.
  • Why: To enhance overall corporate governance and financial integrity.
• CSR Oversight Improvement: Emphasizes improving the transparency and effectiveness of the CSR oversight system.
  • Why: To ensure CSR activities are meaningful and contribute to genuine societal impact.
• Ministry’s Stance: MCA initially demurred, citing the adequacy of the current disclosure-based regime and board accountability.
  • Why: The committee’s push highlights a perceived gap in current oversight mechanisms despite existing regulations.

LionDay 2025

• Why in News: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Gujarat Government celebrated World Lion Day 2025 at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Key Facts:

  • Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions, with a distinctive belly skin fold and less prominent manes.
  • They inhabit grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands.
  • As apex predators, they maintain ecosystem balance.
  • India’s Asiatic lion population rose from 523 in 2015 to 891 by May 2025 (a 32% increase since 2020).
  • Found primarily in Gir Forest and Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat.
  • Symbol of strength, featured on India’s national emblem.
  • Conservation Status: Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act 1972), Vulnerable (IUCN Red List), Appendix I (CITES).

• Conservation Efforts:

  • Project Lion: Launched August 15, 2020, a 10-year initiative to secure Asiatic lions’ future, implemented by Gujarat with Central support. Focuses on habitat improvement, population monitoring, and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
  • International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): Launched April 2023 for global cooperation on big cat protection.
  • Greater Gir Concept: Expands lion habitats beyond Gir National Park.
  • Barda Wildlife Sanctuary: Emerging as the second home for lions, with a growing population and planned safari park.
  • Wildlife Conservation Initiative: ₹180 Crore initiative launched to boost lion conservation and ecotourism.
  • Advanced Technologies: GPS, GIS, and automated sensor grids are used for monitoring and management.

• Event Highlights:

  • Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav and Gujarat CM Shri Bhupendra Patel presided.
  • Union Minister lauded the lion population growth to 891, crediting PM Modi’s leadership.
  • Gujarat reaffirmed its commitment as the global home of Asiatic lions.
  • Celebrations involved lakhs of students across 11 districts.
  • A National Referral Centre for wildlife healthcare is being developed.

Affordable Dx for All

• Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Imperative: India’s commitment to UHC necessitates high service coverage and financial protection, which are currently undermined by the lack of accessible, reliable diagnostics at public healthcare facilities.

• Role and Significance of Diagnostics: Diagnostic services are crucial for accurate disease identification, enabling informed clinical decisions, early detection, timely intervention, and preventing unnecessary or mistimed treatments, thereby saving costs.

• Access Gaps in India: Private diagnostic services are expensive and inaccessible to the poor in urban and rural areas, leading to over-reliance on the public system, which itself suffers from a lack of diagnostics.

• Addressing Changing Disease Patterns: India faces a rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) alongside persistent infectious diseases, requiring diagnostic services to adapt to these evolving health challenges.

• Cost-Effectiveness and Evidence-Based Guidelines: Ensuring diagnostic tests are cost-effective and guided by evidence is vital. The ICMR is tasked with preparing such guidelines, considering the sequence, cost, and diagnostic benefit of various tests.

  Join Our Telegram Channel

• Updates to the National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED): The revised NLED by ICMR incorporates changes to reflect current disease patterns and technological advancements, expanding diagnostics at different healthcare levels.

  • Sub-Centre Level: Introduction of rapid tests for sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, Hepatitis B, syphilis, and sample collection for dengue.
  • PHC Level: HbA1C blood sample collection for diabetes, and on-site blood chemistry tests (blood sugar, liver enzymes, cholesterol).
  • CHC Level: Introduction of dental X-rays.
  • TB Diagnosis: Sample collection at sub-centres/PHCs, with in-house molecular TB testing at CHCs and higher levels.

• Way Forward: Strategies include equipping primary care facilities with diagnostic tools, training personnel, expanding health insurance for outpatient diagnostics, ensuring last-mile availability via mobile clinics, and leveraging AI/telemedicine for skill and access gaps.

Kaleshwaram Lift

• KLIP’s Purpose: A massive lift irrigation project on the Godavari River in Telangana, designed to irrigate 16 lakh hectares, stabilize existing farming areas, and supply 240 TMC ft of water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial uses. It’s recognized as the world’s largest multi-stage irrigation project.

• Structural Failures & Controversy: Within three years of its construction, the Sundilla barrage experienced pier sinking, and both Sundilla and Annaram barrages developed cracks. Allegations point to permeable foundations being unable to handle heavy water flow.

• Location Change Criticism: Shifting the project’s origin from Tummidihatti to Medigadda significantly increased costs and drew political criticism. While water availability at Tummidihatti was cited as the reason for the change, opposition parties alleged ulterior motives.

• Judicial Inquiry: Following a promise by the Congress party, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy established a one-man judicial commission headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose to investigate corruption allegations. The inquiry, spanning 15 months, heard over 110 witnesses, including former Chief Minister KCR and former ministers.

• Inquiry Findings: The commission’s report, submitted on July 31, 2025, reportedly found negligence in the project’s execution and fund release. The findings are slated for discussion in the Assembly.

IMEC Corridor

• Gaza War Delayed IMEC: The ongoing conflict has significantly hindered progress on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

  • Why in News: The war has disrupted diplomatic efforts, making stakeholder meetings impossible and impacting regional cooperation crucial for the corridor’s development. Jordan-Israel ties have also weakened, directly affecting a key transit point.

• Strategic Alternative to BRI: IMEC offers India a crucial counter-initiative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

  • Why in News: It provides enhanced connectivity with Europe, bypassing Pakistan, and strengthens India’s economic and strategic ties with the Middle East and the EU.

• Multimodal Connectivity: The corridor involves a combination of sea, rail, and road links, along with digital and energy infrastructure.

  • Why in News: This comprehensive approach aims to drastically cut shipping times (estimated 40% reduction compared to the Red Sea route) and boost trade, digital connectivity, and clean energy transfer between India and Europe.

• Geopolitical Vulnerabilities: The project, launched during a period of Middle East normalization, is now facing challenges from renewed regional instability.

  • Why in News: Saudi Arabia’s normalisation with Israel has stalled, and the broader geopolitical tensions, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, pose significant risks to the corridor’s implementation and stakeholder commitment.

• Key Members & Aims: Announced at the G20 Summit, IMEC includes India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Israel, the EU, and the USA.

  • Why in News: The project’s success is vital for strengthening economic ties, especially given the EU’s position as India’s largest trading partner. It aims to boost trade, resilience, and energy cooperation.

LionDay 2025

• Asiatic Lion Population Surge: Population has grown by 32% in five years (674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025), marking over 70% growth in a decade.

  • Why in news: Demonstrates significant success in India’s lion conservation efforts, highlighting a positive trend for an endangered species.

• Key Conservation Success Factors:

  • Visionary Leadership & Project Lion: Prime Minister Modi’s prioritization drove policy, funding, and habitat expansion.
    • Why in news: Illustrates the impact of strong political will on conservation outcomes.
  • Community Participation: Local communities, like Maldhari pastoralists, have coexisted with lions, reducing conflict and aiding growth.
    • Why in news: Underscores the crucial role of local involvement and traditional practices in conservation.
  • Scientific Management & Infrastructure: Revival of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary and improved veterinary care have enabled natural expansion into new districts.
    • Why in news: Shows the effectiveness of habitat restoration and scientific approaches in species recovery.
  • Policy & Funding: A ₹2,900 crore national project supports monitoring and healthcare centers.
    • Why in news: Indicates substantial government commitment and investment in long-term conservation.

• Global Benchmark: India’s model, combining science, policy, and community partnership, is a global benchmark for wildlife conservation, especially for the sole wild population of Asiatic lions.

  • Why in news: Positions India as a leader in successful wildlife management and conservation globally.

Contaminated Site Rules 2025

• First Legal Framework: India now has its first dedicated legal framework for managing chemically contaminated sites, notified on July 25, 2025, under the Environment Protection Act.
  • Why: Addresses a long-standing gap in environmental governance and enables structured action.
• What are Contaminated Sites: Places with historical dumping of hazardous waste, leading to soil, groundwater, and surface water contamination, posing risks to health and environment.
  • Examples: Landfills, waste dumps, spill sites, chemical waste storage.
  • Current Status: 103 sites identified, with remediation started at only 7. Many polluters are defunct or unable to afford clean-up.
• Rule Provisions:
  • Reporting: District Administration to submit half-yearly reports on suspected contaminated sites to State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
  • Preliminary Assessment: SPCB/Reference Organisation to conduct within 90 days of being informed to check for historical activity and potential contamination.
  • Detailed Survey: If preliminary assessment indicates contamination, a comprehensive survey must be done within the next 90 days to identify type, extent, and levels of hazardous chemicals.
  • Disclosure & Restrictions: Contaminated sites exceeding safe limits will be publicly disclosed, with access restrictions.
  • Remediation Plan: A Reference Organisation (expert body) will design a plan detailing clean-up technology and timelines.
  • Polluter Pays Principle: SPCB to identify polluters within 90 days; polluters bear full remediation costs.
  • Government Funding: State/Central government to finance clean-up if polluters are defunct, missing, or unable to pay.
  • Legal Liability: Criminal proceedings under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023) possible if contamination caused death or injury.
• Gaps/Exemptions: Rules do not cover radioactive waste, mining operations, oil pollution of the sea, and municipal solid waste from dump sites.
  • Why Needed: Addresses gaps where other laws apply.
  • Omission: Lack of defined timelines for site remediation after identification.

Farm Exports Surge

• 5.84% Year-on-Year Growth: India’s agricultural exports reached $51.94 billion (annualized), showing a healthy increase, driven by factors like higher global food prices and easing export restrictions.

• Key Export Drivers: Non-basmati rice (+11.54%), tobacco (+19.29%), coffee (+13.87%), and processed fruits & vegetables (+12.08%) are leading the growth.

  Subscribe on YouTube

• Trade Surplus Halved: While agriculture exports ($51.9B) still exceed imports ($38.5B), the trade surplus has significantly reduced compared to a decade ago, indicating increased import costs or lower export prices for certain goods.

• Global Demand and Domestic Factors: Increased demand from countries like Brazil and Zimbabwe, along with the lifting of domestic onion export bans, have boosted exports.

• Potential Risks: A significant concern is the potential impact of US tariffs under Trump’s policies and ongoing global market volatility.

• Overall Export Performance: This growth contributes to India’s strong merchandise exports exceeding $450 billion in FY 2023-24, with agriculture being a key sector alongside petroleum products and engineering goods.

• Policy Support: Government initiatives like the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, RoDTEP, and schemes managed by APEDA and MPEDA provide crucial support for agricultural exports.

TN School Policy 2025

• Two-Language Formula: Reaffirms Tamil and English as the sole mediums of instruction, rejecting NEP’s three-language model and Hindi imposition. Tamil is seen as identity, English as a global skill.

• Vision: To build an inclusive, equitable, future-ready system rooted in Tamil culture, promoting critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and rational inquiry. Special focus on marginalized groups.

• Class XI Board Exam Scrapped: Only Classes X and XII will have public exams.

• School Entry Age & Structure: Retains 5 years for school entry and the 10+2 structure, diverging from NEP’s 5+3+3+4 model.

• Admissions & Curriculum: No centralized entrance tests for arts/science; admissions based on Class XI/XII marks. Competency-based, inquiry-driven curriculum emphasizing Tamil heritage, environment, social-emotional learning, and digital skills. Arts, sports, life skills, and experiential learning are prioritized.

• Policy Stand: Positioned as a counter to NEP, citing concerns over social justice and linguistic autonomy. State asserts control over education as a concurrent subject and opposes unilateral central mandates.

• Implementation Goal: Developed by an expert panel; aims for 100% school-to-higher education transition (currently 75%).

• Contrast with NEP: State views its policy as “madhi” (wisdom) against NEP’s “vidhi” (fate). Policy formulation based on Justice D. Murugesan Committee recommendations. NEP favors 6 years for school entry; Tamil Nadu policy mandates completion of 5 years.

WWII Global Power Shift

• Why in News: 80th anniversary of Hiroshima Day (August 6, 2025), marking the US atomic bombing of Japan and its surrender in WWII.

• Global Power Shift:

  • Emergence of the US and Soviet Union as superpowers, leading to the Cold War.
  • Weakening of European colonial empires, fueling decolonization.

• Key Causes of WWII:

  • Harsh Treaty of Versailles terms on Germany.
  • Failure of the League of Nations.
  • Rise of Fascism and Nazism.
  • Policy of Appeasement by Britain and France.
  • German invasion of Poland.
  • Japanese expansion (Pearl Harbor).

• Key Events:

  • German invasion of Poland (1939).
  • Fall of France (1940).
  • Battle of Britain (1940).
  • Operation Barbarossa (Germany invades USSR, 1941).
  • US entry into the war (1941).
  • Turning points: Midway, Stalingrad (1942-43).
  • Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945).

• Key Consequences:

  • Estimated 70-85 million deaths.
  • Establishment of the United Nations.
  • Nuclear age and arms race.
  • Decolonization movements.
  • Economic recovery efforts (Marshall Plan).

• Impact on India:

  • Economic hardship (famines, inflation).
  • Intensified nationalism.
  • Weakened British rule, contributing to independence in 1947.
  • India’s massive military contribution to the Allied war effort.

Starfish Plague

• Mystery Solved: After over a decade, scientists identified the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida (strain FHCF-3) as the cause of Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD).
• Massive Die-Off: The disease has killed over 5 billion starfish along the Pacific coast of North America since 2013, with sunflower sea stars suffering up to 90% population loss.
• Ecological Impact: The disappearance of the sunflower sea star, a keystone predator, led to a boom in sea urchin populations, which in turn devastated kelp forests vital for marine life and carbon sequestration.
• Research Journey: Initial suspicions of a virus were incorrect. The breakthrough came when researchers focused on the coelomic fluid (like blood) of starfish, discovering that boiling this fluid eliminated the disease agent, indicating a bacterium.
• Why it Took So Long: The disease’s symptoms had multiple potential causes. Early research targeted the wrong tissues and pathogens, and the bacterium was only detectable in the fluid of living specimens, not dead tissue.
• Future Implications: Understanding the cause allows for potential treatments, such as probiotics or breeding resistant starfish. However, caution is advised as research is ongoing and lab findings may differ from ocean realities.

MANAS Support

• MANAS Helpline Completes One Year: Launched in July 2024, the helpline has been operational for a full year, indicating its sustained effort in addressing drug-related issues.
• Over 70,000 Citizen Reports Received: This significant number of reports highlights public engagement and the helpline’s effectiveness in reaching citizens.
• Secure and Anonymous Platform: MANAS provides a safe space for individuals to report drug crimes and seek assistance for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, fostering trust and encouraging participation.
• Initiative of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): The helpline is a key project of the NCB under the Ministry of Home Affairs, demonstrating a government-led, organized approach to combating drug menace.
• Supports India’s Anti-Drug Framework: The helpline aligns with constitutional directives (Article 47), international conventions, and national legislation (NDPS Act, 1985) aimed at curbing drug abuse.
• Part of Broader Anti-Drug Efforts: MANAS complements other government initiatives like the NIDAAN Portal and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, showcasing a comprehensive strategy against drug abuse.

Swadeshi India

• Why in News: August 7th is National Handloom Day, commemorating the 1905 launch of the Swadeshi Movement, which championed indigenous industries, especially handlooms, as economic resistance to British rule.

• Origins:

  • Partition of Bengal (1905): Seen as a British tactic to divide and weaken nationalist unity.
  • Lord Curzon’s Policies: Repressive measures fueled middle-class anger.
  • Calcutta Townhall Meeting (August 1905): Formally launched the movement, advocating boycotting British goods and supporting Indian products.

• Key Methods:

  • Boycott of British Goods: Promoted economic self-reliance by supporting local industries and crafts.
  • National Education: Led to the establishment of national schools and institutions like the Bengal National College.
  • Formation of Samitis: Volunteer organizations like Swadesh Bandhab Samiti mobilized masses.
  • Use of Traditional Festivals: Festivals like Ganapati and Raksha Bandhan were used to spread Swadeshi messages and foster unity.
  • Emphasis on Self-Reliance (Atma Shakti): Linked national dignity with social reforms like fighting caste oppression and alcohol abuse.

• Impact:

  • Political: Shifted focus from petitions to demanding Swaraj, fueling revolutionary activism and influencing the Indian National Congress’s goals. Led to the Moderate-Extremist split.
  • Social: Fostered Indian art and cultural pride (Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose), united Bengalis, and saw significant participation from women.
  • Economic: Caused a decline in foreign imports, boosted Indian industries like handloom and textiles (Bengal Chemicals, Lakshmi Cotton Mills), and pressured Britain for reforms. Annulment of Bengal Partition followed.

• Contemporary Relevance:

  • Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: Revives Swadeshi ideals, promoting Indian goods globally and aiming for self-reliance with goals like “local for global.”
  • Make in India: Promotes India as a manufacturing hub, boosting FDI and exports, similar to Swadeshi’s focus on local industry.
  • Revival of Khadi and Cottage Industries: The Khadi movement continues to be relevant, with KVIC showing significant growth in production, sales, and employment.
  • Economic Nationalism and Protectionism: Modern strategies prioritize domestic industries through import substitution and incentives, reducing dependency on global supply chains.

Green Ammonia

• SECI’s First Green Ammonia Auction: Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) held its inaugural auction for Green Ammonia under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). This is a significant step towards decarbonizing key industries.

• Record Low Price: The auction discovered a price of ₹55.75/kg (approx. USD 641/MT), a substantial decrease from the previous year’s ₹100.28/kg. This near price parity with grey ammonia (USD 515/MT) makes green ammonia economically viable.

• Large-Scale Procurement: SECI will procure 75,000 MT/year for Paradeep Phosphates. This is the first of 13 planned auctions targeting a total of 7.24 lakh MT/year, indicating a strong commitment to scaling up green ammonia adoption.

  Subscribe on YouTube

• 10-Year Fixed Price Contracts: These long-term contracts provide price stability, encouraging industries like fertilizers and shipping to transition to green ammonia.

• Why Green Ammonia Matters:

  • Climate Goals: Reduces CO₂ emissions from ammonia production, which currently accounts for 1-2% of global emissions.
  • Energy Transition: Decarbonizes hard-to-abate sectors like shipping and fertilizers.
  • Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependence: Decreases reliance on natural gas.
  • Lower Fertilizer Subsidies: Contributes to economic benefits.

• Applications: Primarily used in fertilizers, but also promising as a zero-carbon fuel for shipping, for power generation, and as a hydrogen carrier.

• India’s Green Hydrogen Hub Vision: This auction reinforces India’s ambition to become a global leader in green hydrogen and its derivatives.

RBI Liquidity Mgt

• Why in News: RBI’s Internal Working Group (IWG) submitted recommendations to enhance the Liquidity Management Framework (LMF), in place since Feb 2020.
• LMF Purpose: The toolkit RBI uses to control cash in the banking system, influencing short-term rates and monetary policy transmission.
• Core Mechanism: The Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) using repo and reverse repo to inject/absorb liquidity, operating within a corridor system with the policy repo rate. The overnight Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR) is the key operating target.
• Other LMF Tools: Open Market Operations (OMO), Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) for longer-term adjustments.
• Key Recommendation 1: Continue using overnight WACR as the operating target.
  • Rationale: WACR is highly correlated with other money market rates, ensuring effective policy signal transmission.
• Key Recommendation 2: Discontinue 14-day VRR/VRRR auctions as primary operations.
  • Rationale: Lower bank participation in 14-day auctions; shorter-term tools are preferred and more effective for managing transient liquidity.
• Key Recommendation 3: Manage transient liquidity primarily through 7-day operations and overnight to 14-day tenors.
  • Rationale: Shorter-term operations better manage liquidity needs without market disruption.
• Key Recommendation 4: Provide at least one day’s advance notice for repo/reverse repo operations, with same-day operations for evolving conditions.
  • Rationale: Advance notice reduces market uncertainty and stabilizes money market rates.
• Key Recommendation 5: Continue the 90% daily minimum CRR maintenance requirement.
  • Rationale: Ensures banks hold adequate reserves and prevents liquidity shortfalls.

Cafe Norms

• Stricter Enforcement of CAFE Norms: New draft rules empower the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to penalize automakers exceeding fleet-level fuel efficiency (CAFE) norms. This strengthens enforcement and aims to accelerate cleaner vehicle adoption.

• Clear Penalty Structure: Penalties are defined: ₹25,000 per vehicle for CO₂ excess of 0–4.7g/km, and ₹50,000 per vehicle for excess above 4.7g/km. A base penalty of ₹10 lakh applies for administrative breaches.

• Adjudication by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs): SERCs will act as adjudicating authorities, with disputes resolved by the SERC in the state where the automaker’s registered office is located.

• Revenue Allocation: 90% of penalties will be transferred to state governments, with 10% going to the Central Energy Conservation Fund, supporting energy conservation initiatives.

• Industry Impact and Debate: Eight carmakers exceeded CAFE norms in FY23, facing potentially hundreds of crores in penalties. The industry is seeking non-retroactive application of the rules and broader recognition of cleaner technologies like hybrids and CNG.

• Policy Evolution: These rules replace earlier, lighter fines and come into effect from January 2023, aligning with the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022. This provides a clear penalty process where none previously existed.

India-UAE JDCC

• Deepened Defence Ties: India and UAE reaffirmed commitment to strengthening defence cooperation at the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in New Delhi.

  • Why in news: This signals continued strategic alignment and mutual trust in the security domain between the two nations.

• Enhanced Maritime Security: An MoU was signed between the Indian Coast Guard and UAE National Guard for maritime security, covering Search and Rescue (SAR), anti-piracy, pollution response, and real-time information sharing in the Indian Ocean Region.

  • Why in news: This is crucial for regional stability, combating piracy, and ensuring safe maritime trade in a vital economic zone.

• Joint Defence Manufacturing & Technology: Exploration of co-development in AI and shipbuilding technologies, including refits and maintenance of shared platforms, was discussed, building on the ICOMM-CARACAL small arms partnership.

  • Why in news: This indicates a move towards collaborative innovation and self-reliance in defence production.

• Boosted Inter-Service Cooperation: Talks aimed at increasing joint exercises, training, Subject Matter Expert (SME) exchange, and inter-service coordination were held for all three branches of the armed forces.

  • Why in news: This enhances interoperability and strategic readiness for potential joint operations.

• Strong Economic & Strategic Partnership: The UAE is India’s 3rd-largest trading partner and 2nd-largest export destination, with bilateral trade covering key sectors. The UAE also plays a vital role in India’s energy security and connectivity initiatives like IMEC and I2U2.

  • Why in news: This highlights the significant economic interdependence and strategic importance of the UAE for India’s growth and global positioning.

Posh Act & Politics

• Supreme Court Refusal: The Supreme Court declined to extend the POSH Act (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013) to political parties, stating it’s a legislative and executive policy matter.
• POSH Act Basics: The 2013 Act aims to protect women from sexual harassment at the workplace, mandating Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in establishments with 10+ employees. It defines sexual harassment broadly and protects all women visiting or working at a workplace, regardless of employment status.
• Historical Context: The POSH Act codified and legislated the Vishakha Guidelines (1997), which were established after the Bhanwari Devi case, providing a statutory framework for addressing workplace sexual harassment.
• Political Parties & POSH Applicability: Political parties are currently not covered under the POSH Act. The Kerala High Court previously ruled that political parties lack the employer-employee relationship and “workplace” definition required for POSH compliance.
• Challenges for Political Parties: Defining a “workplace” and “employee” in the context of political parties is complex due to the often informal, temporary, and field-based nature of party work.
• The Issue: Despite the POSH Act’s broad definitions, women in political work face significant sexual harassment with no structured redressal mechanisms, highlighting a legal gap.
• Way Forward: Suggestions include expanding the POSH Act’s definition of “workplace” to include political organizations, mandating grievance redressal mechanisms within parties, and conducting sensitization programs.
• Related Context (Justice Hema Committee): The Justice Hema Committee report on the Malayalam film industry highlighted similar issues of sexual harassment, lack of facilities, and fear of reprisal, suggesting that ICCs alone may not be a complete solution in certain sectors.

India’s Laundering Woes

• Low Conviction Rate Despite High Cases:
  • Why: ED registered 5,892 PMLA cases since 2015, but only secured 15 convictions. This highlights a significant gap between case registration and successful prosecution, raising questions about investigative effectiveness or legal processes.
• Supreme Court’s Directive on ED:
  • Why: The Supreme Court emphasized the ED must adhere to the rule of law. It also called for fast-track courts for PMLA cases and cryptocurrency regulation (without a ban) to curb misuse. This indicates a need for procedural fairness and specialized mechanisms to handle evolving money laundering methods.
• Reasons for Rising Cases:
  • Legal/Enforcement Gaps: Misuse of Section 5 of PMLA (property attachment without registered offense) and prosecution delays hinder effectiveness.
  • Complex Techniques: Cryptocurrencies, fintech, and cross-border schemes make detection difficult.
  • Shadow Economy: High informal sector presence and lax regulation in real estate, jewelry, and luxury goods provide cover.
  • Weak Global Cooperation: Limited information sharing with other countries hampers investigations.
• Consequences of Money Laundering:
  • Fueling Crime/Terrorism: Sustains organized crime, drug trafficking, and terror financing.
  • Erosion of Trust: Encourages corruption and weakens democratic institutions.
  • Economic Distortion: Undermines monetary policy, causes volatility, inflates prices, deters FDI.
• PMLA 2002 Framework:
  • Purpose: Enacted to prevent money laundering and confiscate illicit property, targeting crimes like drug trafficking and terror financing.
  • Key Provisions: Empowers attachment, seizure, and confiscation of property; allows proceedings based on ECIR (not requiring FIR); has strict bail conditions (Section 45).
• Measures for Improvement:
  • Strict FATF compliance, independent investigations, better evidence collection, improved inter-agency coordination, effective use of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs), and judicial oversight are needed.

India’s Diabetes Burden

• One in Five Indians Aged 45+ Had Diabetes in 2019: A Lancet Global Health study using LASI data revealed a significant prevalence of diabetes in older Indian adults. This is concerning due to the long-term health complications associated with the disease, including heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss.

• 40% Unaware of Diabetes Diagnosis: A large proportion of affected individuals are undiagnosed. This highlights critical gaps in awareness and access to diagnostic services, preventing timely intervention and management, which can worsen outcomes.

• Type 2 Diabetes Dominant (Over 95%): Most diabetes cases in India are Type 2, linked to lifestyle factors like inactivity and being overweight. This underscores the potential for prevention through widespread lifestyle modification campaigns.

• India’s Initiatives: The government is promoting healthy lifestyles via Fit India Movement, conducting population-based screenings at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and educating children on sugar content in schools. These efforts aim to curb the rising tide of diabetes by fostering a healthier environment and increasing public knowledge.

CATCH Grant

• Initiative Launch: IndiaAI and the National Cancer Grid (NCG) have launched the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) Grant Program.
  • Why it’s news: This signifies a major government push to integrate AI into India’s cancer care ecosystem.
• Funding & Scale: Offers up to ₹50 lakh per project for pilots, with potential for ₹1 crore scale-up grants.
  • Why it’s news: Provides significant financial incentive for AI innovation in a critical healthcare area.
• Focus Areas: Supports AI for screening, diagnosis, treatment, patient engagement, and operational efficiency in cancer care.
  • Why it’s news: Addresses a broad spectrum of challenges within oncology using AI.
• Eligibility & Collaboration: Open to startups, health tech firms, academia, and hospitals, with joint clinical-tech applications encouraged.
  • Why it’s news: Promotes a multi-stakeholder approach, crucial for translating AI into practical healthcare solutions.
• Deployment & Validation: Leverages NCG’s network of over 300 cancer centers for real-world testing and scaling.
  • Why it’s news: Ensures AI solutions are clinically validated and can achieve widespread adoption.
• Timeline: Applications close September 2, 2025, with grants disbursed from February 2026.
  • Why it’s news: Sets a clear roadmap for the program’s implementation.
• Support Offered: Includes mentorship, regulatory guidance, and clinical support for selected projects.
  • Why it’s news: Provides comprehensive support beyond just funding, crucial for early-stage innovation.
• AI in Medicine: The program highlights the growing role of AI (ML, DL) in improving medical diagnostics, treatment, and healthcare delivery.
  • Why it’s news: Reinforces the transformative potential of AI in healthcare globally and specifically in India.

NEP 5+3+3+4: India’s School Shift

• NEP 2020 replaces 10+2 with 5+3+3+4 model: Aligns education with child’s cognitive development.

• Objective: Universal access, increase Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education to 50% by 2035, increase public investment in education to 6% of GDP.

• 5+3+3+4 Structure Explained:

  • Foundational (5 yrs): Age 3-8 (Preschool + Classes 1-2). Focus on play-based learning, social skills, language, basic numeracy.
  • Preparatory (3 yrs): Age 8-11 (Classes 3-5). Introduces subjects, discovery-oriented learning, critical thinking.
  • Middle (3 yrs): Age 11-14 (Classes 6-8). Deeper subject knowledge, interest exploration, structured environment.
  • Secondary (4 yrs): Age 14-18 (Classes 9-12). Prepares for higher education/vocational training, flexible subject choices.

• Core Shift: Emphasis from rote memorization to experiential, multidisciplinary, inquiry-based learning, holistic assessment.

• Implementation Challenges:

  • Infrastructure Gaps: Many government/rural schools lack basic facilities (toilets, water, proper classrooms, teaching materials) for foundational stage.
  • Teacher Preparedness: Teachers lack exposure to new teaching methods, B.Ed. courses are outdated, insufficient continuous training and mentoring.
  • Curriculum & Textbook Changes: Uneven state-level rollout, late textbook delivery, inconsistent quality due to reliance on old materials.
  • Parental Awareness: Parents in semi-urban/rural areas are unaware of NEP’s approach, doubt value of play-based learning, focus on rote outcomes.

• Progress & Initiatives:

  Join Our Telegram Channel
  • PM SHRI Schools aim to upgrade 14,000 government schools.
  • States like Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha piloting new curricula.
  • NISHTHA and DIKSHA platforms offer teacher training.

• What Needs to Be Done: Strengthen infrastructure, revamp teacher education, ensure timely curriculum rollout, engage parents/communities, monitor progress transparently.

• Significance: It’s a mindset shift for education, requiring collective effort for success and global benchmark potential.

MERITE

• Scheme Name: Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme.
• Approval: Approved by the Union Cabinet.
• Objective: To improve quality, equity, and governance in technical education across India, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Funding: Total outlay of ₹4,200 crore, with ₹2,100 crore as a loan from the World Bank and ₹2,100 crore from the Central Government.
• Duration: Implementation period from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
• Coverage: Will support 275 government and government-aided technical institutions, including 175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnics. This includes NITs, State Engineering Institutions, Polytechnics, and Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs).
• Beneficiaries: An estimated 7.5 lakh students are expected to benefit.
• Key Interventions:
  • Quality Enhancement: Improving teaching, research, governance, and industry relevance.
  • Equity & Inclusion: Focusing on women faculty, diverse student groups, and regional balance.
  • Research & Innovation: Boosting institutional autonomy, innovation culture, and R&D.
  • Skills & Employability: Promoting curriculum reform, internships, blended learning, and setting up research hubs and skill labs.
  • Digital Transformation: Expanding the use of digital tools and e-learning platforms.
  • Governance Support: Capacity-building for state/UT technical education departments.
• Implementation: A Central Sector Scheme administered by a central nodal agency in collaboration with states/UTs, AICTE, NBA, IITs, and IIMs.
• Why it’s News: The MERITE Scheme is a significant initiative to upgrade technical education in India, addressing key aspects like quality, research, and employability in line with NEP 2020, with substantial financial backing and broad institutional coverage. It aims to enhance student skills and foster a stronger research environment, contributing to technological advancements and economic growth.