09.04.25

IPU: Global Parliament

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  • Lok Sabha Speaker’s Address: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla delivered the keynote address at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on April 6, 2025.
  • Theme: The address focused on ‘Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Justice’.
  • Indian Legislation: Birla highlighted recent Indian legislation promoting social justice, inclusion, and security, such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, and Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
  • Labor Laws: Mentioned new labor laws and codes for the welfare of unorganized sector workers.
  • Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita: Replacing the Indian Penal Code with Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
  • Parliamentary Committees: Highlighted the role of Parliamentary Committees in ensuring effective implementation of schemes.
  • Economic Growth: Emphasized India’s economic growth and progress towards ‘Viksit Bharat’ in 2047, including Ayushman Bharat.
  • India’s Global Role: Mentioned India’s progress in innovation, AI, startups, space and defence technology, IT, fintech, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Meeting with Vietnam: On the sidelines, Birla met with the President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Tran Thanh Man, discussed strengthening ties, especially in defence and technology.
  • IPU Overview: The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments, founded in 1889. It comprises 181 member parliaments and promotes democracy and parliamentary strengthening.
  • IPU Assemblies: The IPU convenes assemblies twice a year. The Governing Council, with representatives from each member parliament, is its principal administrative body.
  • IPU Headquarters and Funding: Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and funded primarily by its members.

Bringing Back the Dead

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  • Colossal Biosciences Claims “De-Extinction” of Dire Wolf: A US-based company claims to have revived traits of the extinct dire wolf by genetically engineering grey wolf pups.

  • Birth of Modified Wolf Pups: Three pups, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, were born in late 2024 with edited DNA.

  • Genetic Engineering Process:

    • DNA was extracted from ancient dire wolf fossils (11,500 to 72,000 years old).
    • The dire wolf genome was reconstructed and compared to closely related canids. Grey wolves share 99.5% of DNA similarity.
    • Scientists made 20 unique edits to 14 genes in the grey wolf genome to mimic dire wolf traits like coat color, size, and musculature.
    • Modified embryos were implanted into surrogate dog mothers.

  • De-Extinction Definition: The process of reviving extinct species using biotechnology, including gene editing, cloning, or back-breeding.

  • Potential Benefits (India): De-extinction could aid in restoring keystone species to rebalance ecosystems and boost biodiversity.

  • Ethical Concerns:

    • Potential ecosystem disruption.
    • Animal welfare issues.
    • Resource diversion from conserving extant endangered species.

  • Global Initiatives: The Lazarus Project collaborates with Indian researchers on reviving the extinct Himalayan Quail.

  • International Frameworks: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) urges caution, prioritizing habitat protection over de-extinction.

  • Why in News: This initiative highlights the advancements and controversies surrounding de-extinction, sparking debates about its potential benefits and risks for biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Konkan Giant Squirrel

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  • Discovery: A new species of land snail, Theobaldius konkanensis, was discovered in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India, by a team of researchers from India and the U.K.
  • Endemicity: It is endemic to the northern Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot.
  • Habitat: Primarily found in tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
  • Distinct Features: Slightly flattened shell with a raised centre, a triangular-shaped outline near the neck of the shell, and a protective cover with a raised edge and tiny spines. Shell is corneous yellow with brown striations.
  • Activity: Active during both day and night.
  • Bioindicator: Land snails are excellent bioindicators and susceptible to climatic fluctuations.
  • Conservation Significance: The species exists only in specific regions of Konkan, making it an invaluable part of Konkan’s natural heritage, and conservation is critical.
  • Research Locations: Samples were found at Dev Gireshwar Temple, Uttamrao Patil Biodiversity Garden, Kesharnath Vishnu Temple, and Phansad Sanctuary.
  • Taxonomic Importance: The new species differs from other Indian Theobaldius species by its triangular apertural notch and operculum ornamentation.
  • Limited Research: Land snails are a neglected group due to unavailability of literature, descriptions mostly in Latin, and identification problems.
  • Reproduction: Snails are generally visible in the rainy season, most operculate land snails have separate sexes and majority are hermaphrodite, and they reproduce by cross-fertilisation and self-fertilisation.
  • Publication: The discovery was published in the international scientific journal Molluscan Research on March 11, 2025.

Blue Industries

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  • New “Blue Category” Introduced: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has added a “Blue Category” to its industry classification system.

  • Focus on Essential Environmental Services: This category is specifically for industries providing crucial environmental services.

  • Examples of Blue Category Industries: Includes landfill maintenance, biomining, waste-to-energy plants, and certain compressed biogas (CBG) plants.

  • Incentive for Environmental Management: Blue category industries receive a two-year extension on their consent to operate.

  • Classification Based on Pollution Index (PI): The CPCB uses the PI to classify industries based on their pollution potential (air, water, waste). Red (PI > 80), Orange (55 ≤ PI < 80), Green (PI < 25), and now Blue.

  • Waste-to-Energy Exception: Despite a high PI (e.g., 97.6), waste-to-energy plants can be classified as Blue due to their essential service.

  • CBG Plant Eligibility: CBG plants may qualify for Blue status depending on the type of feedstock used.

  • CPCB’s Role: The CPCB is a statutory organization under the Water Act (1974) and Air Act (1981), providing technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

  • State Board Directive: The CPCB has directed state pollution control boards to implement the revised classification system.

  • Why it Matters: This change aims to incentivize industries that are vital for managing environmental concerns, even if they have a high pollution potential, by recognizing their essential role.

India Skills Boost

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  • Initiative: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the India Skills Accelerator (ISA).
  • Purpose: The ISA is a public-private collaboration platform to address skill gaps in India’s ecosystem. It focuses on innovation, knowledge sharing, and policy reforms.
  • Goals:
    • Support India’s demographic dividend
    • Make India the Skill Capital of the World.
    • Close skill gaps, cited by 65% of organizations, through upskilling, reskilling, and aligning education with industry.
  • Key Objectives:
    • Improve awareness of future skills needs.
    • Increase collaboration among stakeholders.
    • Upgrade institutional structures and policy frameworks.
  • Areas of Focus: AI, robotics, energy, GCCs, advanced manufacturing, and formalizing the informal workforce.
  • Governance: Led by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, along with private co-chairs.
  • Impact: The ISA aims to close critical skills gaps, supporting the growth of the digital and innovation-driven economy.
  • Alignment: Aligns with the WEF’s Future of Jobs 2025 report to maintain global competitiveness.
  • Actions: Will establish dedicated working groups to implement and track progress, and will involve diverse stakeholders for coordinated action.

Mudra Yojana @ 10

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  • 10th Anniversary: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) completed 10 years on April 8, 2025, since its launch in 2015.
  • Purpose: To provide collateral-free financial support to micro and small enterprises (MSEs), “funding the unfunded”.
  • Credit Disbursement: Over ₹32.61 lakh crore disbursed through 52 crore loans since 2015, including over 100 million first-time borrowers.
  • MSME Lending Growth: MSME lending rose from ₹8.5 lakh crore (FY14) to ₹27.25 lakh crore (FY24), share in bank credit grew from 15.8% to nearly 20%. Projected to cross ₹30 lakh crore in FY25.
  • Women Empowerment: Women constitute 68% of PMMY beneficiaries. Per woman loan disbursement and incremental deposits increased at a CAGR of 13% and 14% respectively (FY16-FY25). Higher women disbursement correlates with higher employment generation in women-led MSMEs.
  • Inclusive Finance: 50% of Mudra accounts are held by SC, ST, and OBC entrepreneurs, and 11% by minorities, promoting financial inclusion.
  • Evolving Loan Sizes: Shift from primarily Shishu loans to a rise in Kishor and Tarun loans, indicating business growth and scaling. Average loan size has nearly tripled since FY16, reaching ₹1.02 lakh in FY25.
  • Regional Impact: Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka lead in total PMMY disbursals. Jammu and Kashmir leads among UTs.
  • International Recognition: IMF acknowledged PMMY’s impact on expanding financial access, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, and supporting women-owned MSMEs.
  • Impact: PMMY enabled grassroots entrepreneurship, job creation, and equitable growth by providing access to formal credit, particularly for marginalized communities and women. The scheme helped in shift of mindset from job seekers to job creators.

GenomeIndia Project

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  • GenomeIndia Project Findings Published: Nature Genetics released preliminary findings from the GenomeIndia project, sequencing ~10,000 individuals from 85 Indian population groups (32 tribal, 53 non-tribal).
  • Vast Genetic Diversity: The study identified 180 million genetic variants; 130 million on autosomes and 50 million on sex chromosomes. Some variants are disease-linked, rare, or unique to India/specific communities.
  • Project Overview: Launched in 2020 by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), GenomeIndia aims to map the genetic diversity of the Indian population and create a comprehensive reference genome.
  • Collaborative Effort: Over 20 institutions collaborated in the first phase to sequence 10,000 genomes from 20,000 samples collected.
  • Data Repository: Genome data is stored in the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) at RCB Faridabad, India’s first national life science data repository.
  • Significance: Addresses the underrepresentation of Indian genomes in global databases, boosting India’s role in international genomics research.
  • Variant Analysis: Researchers are investigating the implications of identified variants related to diseases, therapeutic responses, and environmental adaptations. They are constructing a panel of variants for future use in genotyping.
  • Real-Time Applications: Genome data will be used to develop low-cost diagnostic kits and personalized medicine strategies. It will also improve disease diagnostics and predict drug responses.
  • Genome Sequencing Explained: Genome sequencing determines the complete sequence of nucleotide bases in an organism’s genome. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides the most comprehensive genetic blueprint.

India’s Presidential Tour

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  • Strengthening India-Europe Engagement: The visits to Portugal and Slovakia signify India’s commitment to bolstering its diplomatic ties with Europe.
  • 50th Anniversary (India-Portugal): The Portugal visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of India-Portugal diplomatic relations, highlighting the historical significance.
  • Growing Bilateral Trade: Trade between India and Portugal is growing steadily, currently at USD 1.5 billion.
  • Migration and Mobility Agreement: Portugal was the first European nation to sign a Migration and Mobility Agreement with India, easing work visas.
  • 30th Anniversary (India-Slovakia): The Slovakia visit marks the 30th anniversary of the Indian Embassy in Bratislava, emphasizing sustained diplomatic engagement.
  • Support During Ukraine Crisis: India appreciates Slovakia’s assistance in evacuating Indian students from Ukraine in 2022.
  • Focus Areas: Discussions centered on strengthening bilateral ties in technology, renewable energy, and diaspora engagement (especially in Portugal, with 85,000+ citizens).
  • Agreements with Portugal: MoUs were signed on green hydrogen, marine conservation, and a mobility pact.
  • Defense Cooperation with Slovakia: Talks involved joint production of anti-drone systems and leveraging Slovakia’s EU membership for India’s FTA negotiations.
  • City Key of Honour: The President received the ‘City Key of Honour’ of Lisbon, highlighting the city’s openness and technological advancements where cooperation can be built.
  • Cultural Ties: The President acknowledged the centuries-old cultural ties between India and Portugal visible in architecture, historical sites, languages, and cuisines.
  • Portugal as a Partner: India sees Portugal as a partner in harnessing its strengths as a knowledge-based economy.
  • Portugal’s EU Role: The President appreciated Portugal’s role in promoting India’s relations with the European Union, especially its role in hosting India-EU summits.

Kashmir in Bloom

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  • Unique Agroclimatic Conditions: Kashmir’s distinct environment, with harsh winters and altitudinal variations (1,600m-4,500m), supports a diverse range of spring blooms.

  • Key Spring Flowers: Prominent species include Colchicum luteum (veer kaum), Sternbergia vernalis (goul tour), Salix (braed mushuk), and Viburnum grandiflorum (kulmansh), each with unique characteristics and cultural significance.

  • Ecological Importance: These blooms are vital for ecosystem services, particularly pollination of fruit trees, crucial for the local horticulture industry.

  • Cultural Significance: The flowers have medicinal uses and are deeply embedded in Kashmiri folklore, passed down through generations.

  • Threats to Blooms: Unsustainable development, deforestation, human encroachment, and climate change pose significant threats. Climate change causes premature flowering, disrupting natural cycles.

  • Lack of Dedicated Conservation: Currently, no specific conservation programs target these spring blooms. Existing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries offer some protection.

  • Urgent Need for Conservation: Balancing development and conservation is crucial to protect the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Kashmir. Unregulated tourism adds to the challenges.