Neuro Decline
- Recent research, including studies from NCBS-TIFR, indicates neurodegenerative diseases may start years before symptoms appear. Why? This challenges the traditional view focusing solely on late-stage neuron damage and shifts attention to earlier changes.
- Early causes identified include blood vessel dysfunction, particularly damage to the blood-brain barrier, and abnormal protein activity like TDP-43 dysfunction. Why? Damage allows harmful substances into the brain, triggering inflammation and neuron loss early in the disease process.
- Dysfunction of proteins such as TDP-43 and Esyt disrupt essential cell processes and signaling in neurons. Why? This breakdown initiates damage and contributes to neurodegeneration from the cellular level.
- This new understanding focusing on early vascular and molecular changes paves the way for earlier diagnosis and preventive strategies. Why? Detecting issues before significant neuron death occurs offers a better chance for effective intervention.
- Neurodegenerative diseases are progressive disorders where brain/nerve cells break down, leading to problems with memory, movement, etc., and currently lack a complete cure. Why? This highlights the urgent need for understanding early mechanisms to develop better treatments and prevention.
India BioE3 Life
- India will conduct its first biological experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) under the BioE3 mission.
- Purpose is to study the sustainability of human life in space, specifically focusing on food sources and waste recycling.
- The mission is led by ISRO in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
- Experiments are part of the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (AXIOM-4), a private spaceflight scheduled for launch in June 2025.
- Two Indian astronauts from ISRO, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, will participate and conduct the experiments.
- Experiments include studying:
- The effect of microgravity/radiation on edible microalgae growth (potential food, air purification).
- Cyanobacteria like Spirulina growth using different nutrients (urea vs. nitrate) for waste recycling and evaluating Spirulina as a “superfood.”
- The initiative is a key part of India’s BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) policy, aimed at advancing biotechnology for various sectors including space research.
- The announcement highlights India’s vision for global biotech leadership, as stated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Osaka Expo 2025
- What: 2025 Osaka World Expo is being held in Japan.
Why: It serves as a “Living Lab” to find solutions for global challenges, aligned with SDGs, fostering international exchange. - Expo Theme: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.
Why: Focuses on innovation and co-creation of solutions. - India’s Approach: Focused on soft power and cultural renaissance, blending ancient wisdom with modern innovation.
Why: To embrace its civilisational ethos, promote inclusivity, and foster global partnerships using spiritual, cultural, and scientific achievements. - India’s Pavilion Curator: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
Why: Positions itself as a modern “sutradhar” (narrator) of India’s story, stringing together ancient philosophies and contemporary ambitions. - Pavilion Theme/Inspiration: Compassion and inclusivity, symbolized by the ‘Bodhisattva Padmapani’ from Ajanta Caves.
Why: Represents compassion and knowledge, embodying India’s values and serving as a bridge between heritage and future. - Key Pavilion Elements: Lotus Courtyard (Ajanta frescoes), ‘Oneness Lounge’ (reimagined Bodhi Tree), ‘Wall of Life’ (Yoga & Ayurveda), highlighting India’s space program and UNESCO sites.
Why: To showcase India’s rich legacy, promote wellness, boost tourism, and highlight achievements.
Planet 9 & Dwarf
- A new dwarf planet, 2017 OF201, was discovered during the search for the hypothetical Planet Nine. This is significant because it sheds light on unexplored regions at the solar system’s edge.
- 2017 OF201 is about 700 km wide with a vast, 25,000-year orbit reaching far into the Oort cloud. This is important as its unusual orbit might be influenced by Planet Nine or require alternative explanations.
- The discovery of 2017 OF201 suggests the existence of hundreds more similar icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. This is significant for understanding the composition and structure of the outer solar system.
- The Planet Nine hypothesis suggests a large, unseen planet beyond Neptune. This is based on the clustered orbital patterns of distant objects like 2017 OF201’s potential influence or other TNOs, indicating a gravitational pull.
- A dwarf planet is a celestial body orbiting the Sun that is nearly round but has not cleared its orbital path, unlike a full planet. This clarifies the classification of 2017 OF201.
Farm Subsidy Reform
- Why in News: The Vice President advocated for direct transfer of agricultural subsidies to farmers’ accounts, stating it could significantly boost farmer income (estimating Rs 35,000 annually per farmer).
- Current Subsidies: India has various subsidies including Direct Benefit Transfer (PM KISAN), Input Subsidies (Fertilizer, Seed, Irrigation, Power), Credit & Insurance (PMFBY, Interest Subvention), Output Subsidies (MSP), and Infrastructure (Warehouse/Cold Storage).
- Consequences of Current Subsidies:
- Fiscal Burden: Strains government finances (e.g., Rs 3.71 lakh crore allocated for food/fertiliser in FY26).
- Environmental Damage: Leads to soil degradation (unbalanced fertiliser use) and groundwater depletion (free power for pumps).
- Market Distortions: Skewed benefits (only 6% farmers benefit from MSP), leading to overproduction of certain crops and waste (e.g., FCI rotting grains).
- Export Issues: Limits India’s ability to export due to WTO rules on subsidy ceilings.
- Advantages of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Improves targeting, increases transparency, promotes farmer autonomy, reduces market distortion, and enhances administrative efficiency.
- Limitations of DBT: Potential for exclusion risks, digital divide issues, misuse of funds, exposure to price volatility, and implementation challenges.
- Proposed Reforms:
- Targeted DBT: Use technology like geo-tagging to ensure aid reaches smallholders.
- Market-Responsive MSP: Make MSP dynamic based on real-time data and costs.
- Green Subsidies: Link power/fertiliser aid to sustainable practices (e.g., water-efficient tech).
- Post-Harvest Infrastructure: Boost investment in storage and processing to reduce losses and increase farmer value.
- WTO Compliance: Shift focus to non-trade-distorting areas like R&D and rural infrastructure.
New Caledonia
- Talks aimed at establishing a new political agreement for New Caledonia collapsed on May 8, plunging the French territory into uncertainty. This follows years of unrest and three contested independence referendums (2018-2021) held under the now-expired 1998 Nouméa Accord.
- The recent failure is tied to violent riots in May 2024 triggered by a proposed French law to change voting rights for provincial elections, highlighting the persistent deep divisions.
- The core issue remains the conflict between the indigenous Kanak people’s demand for independence, rooted in the territory’s colonial history since French seizure in 1853, and loyalist factions wishing to remain with France.
- Efforts to find a “third way” or “sovereignty in partnership” during the recent talks were rejected by loyalists, who instead proposed partition, neither gaining consensus.
- Provincial elections are now set to proceed by November 2025 without a prior political agreement on New Caledonia’s future status.
Glacier Preservation Conf
- The 1st UN International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation was hosted by Tajikistan in Dushanbe, collaborating with UNESCO and WMO.
- It aimed to highlight the vital role of glaciers in global ecological balance and water security.
- The conference resulted in the adoption of the Dushanbe Glaciers Declaration, signifying international commitment to preservation.
- Glaciers are crucial as they hold about 70% of the world’s freshwater supply.
- They are critical water sources for major river systems, like the Hindu Kush Himalayas for the Indus River.
- Glacier retreat is a significant concern, with countries like Venezuela losing all glaciers, indicating accelerating climate change impacts.
- India’s Minister of State for Environment used the forum to counter Pakistan’s criticism regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
- India stated Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism interferes with the treaty’s implementation and necessitates a reassessment of obligations due to changed circumstances (technology, demographics, climate change, terrorism).
- Pakistan’s PM accused India of an illegal and regrettable unilateral decision to hold the IWT in abeyance, endangering millions for political gains.
- This spat highlights how climate-related forums can become platforms for addressing broader geopolitical issues like water sharing and terrorism, particularly concerning resources like glacier-fed rivers governed by treaties like the IWT.
- The conference also set the stage for future initiatives like the International Year of Glaciers Preservation (2025) and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034).
India FY25 Deficit Target Met
- India successfully met its fiscal deficit target of 4.8% of GDP for the financial year 2024-25, based on provisional data from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
- The actual fiscal deficit for FY25 was Rs 15.77 lakh crore, which is 4.8% of the estimated GDP.
- Total revenue receipts amounted to Rs 30.78 lakh crore, while total expenditure was Rs 46.55 lakh crore.
- Fiscal deficit is the difference between government expenditure and total receipts (excluding borrowings), indicating the government’s borrowing needs.
- Meeting the target is crucial for maintaining macroeconomic stability, managing the national debt burden, controlling inflationary pressures, and preventing the crowding out of private investment.
- A manageable fiscal deficit helps ensure fiscal space for future development spending and maintains investor confidence.
- The government has set a tighter fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP for FY 2025-26.
- Achieving the target aligns with India’s glide path strategy towards fiscal consolidation, supported by measures like the FRBM Act and increased capital expenditure.
India-Maldives Bill Rollover
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Key Point: India, through the State Bank of India (SBI), rolled over (renewed) a USD 50 million Treasury Bill for the Maldives.
- Why: To provide financial support to the Maldives as part of India’s ongoing assistance under a special government-to-government (G2G) framework active since 2019. This is emergency financial assistance requested by the Maldivian government.
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Key Point: The rollover helps the Maldives manage its finances.
- Why: Maldives is facing economic challenges, including high public debt and a widening fiscal deficit. Rolling over the T-Bill delays the need for the Maldives government to repay this short-term debt, easing immediate liquidity pressures and supporting efforts for fiscal reforms.
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Key Point: This rollover is part of broader Indian support.
- Why: India has a history of providing financial and economic assistance to the Maldives, including past rollovers of T-Bills, a currency swap facility (USD 400 million and Rs 3,000 crore), and other forms of economic and defence cooperation, reflecting the close bilateral relationship.
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Key Point: Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are short-term government debt instruments.
- Why: Understanding T-Bills clarifies that the rollover involves extending the maturity period of a debt the Maldives government owes, providing them more time before repayment is due.
