10.05.25

Songar Drones

• Pakistan Drone Incursion: Pakistan reportedly deployed 300-400 Songar drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek.

• Origin of Songar Drones: Developed by Turkey’s Asisguard, Songar is considered Turkey’s first indigenous armed drone system.

• Turkish Armed Forces Use: Officially inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in February 2020.

• Technical Specs: 140 cm rotor-to-rotor width, 45 kg max takeoff weight, 35-minute flight time (without payload), 10 km range, 3000 m max altitude (above mean sea level), autonomous and manual flight modes.

• Key Features: Real-time video, dual cameras, GPS/GLONASS navigation, return-to-base function.

• Weapon Variants: 5.56×45 mm assault rifle, 2×40 mm grenade launcher, 6×40 mm drum grenade launcher, 3×81 mm mortar gripper, 8×tear/smoke grenade launcher.

• Safety Protocols: Multi-layered safety protocols require operator authorization before firing.

• Turkey-Pakistan Defense Cooperation: Pakistan’s acquisition and use of Songar drones highlight its strong defense ties with Turkey.

• Turkish Support: Turkish President Erdogan expressed solidarity with Pakistan amid tensions with India.

• Growing Partnership: Turkey and Pakistan have deepened defense cooperation through deals, joint exercises, and technology transfer. Pakistan also collaborates with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar.

• Songar Specs: 145cm rotor-to-rotor width and 70cm height, 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, a 200 round ammo capacity, single and 15-round burst modes, and a gun stabilization system.

• Camera System: Pilot camera with 10x zoom and gun-mounted camera capable of transmitting video and real-time images.

• Target precision: Capable of hitting targets within a 15-cm area from a distance of 200 m. The drone can ascend to an altitude of up to 2,800 m at mean sea level and 400 m above ground level.

Women in Cooperatives

• Low Representation: Despite India’s large cooperative movement (8.5 lakh), women-only cooperatives are only 2.52% (NITI Aayog, 2023).
• International Year of Cooperatives: UN declares 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, themed “Cooperatives Build a Better World”. Launched in India in November 2024.
• Empowerment Pathway: Cooperatives empower women socio-economically through income generation, skill development, and inclusive governance.
• Successful Models: SEWA, Amul, and Lijjat Papad demonstrate the success of cooperatives in fostering women’s economic self-reliance.
• Access to Services: Women’s cooperatives improve access to credit, banking, healthcare, and education.
• Challenges: Many women’s cooperatives are dormant (around 50%) due to inadequate support, limited financial linkages, training, and market access.
• Time Poverty: Women spend significantly more time on unpaid domestic work, limiting their participation.
• Underrepresentation: Women hold only 26% of positions in mixed cooperatives and even fewer leadership roles.
• Cultural Norms: Patriarchy and societal expectations hinder women’s autonomy and participation.
• Support Measures: Reviving dormant cooperatives, providing dedicated funding, promoting cluster-based models, and ensuring digital platforms for marketing and training.
• Policy Integration: Convergence between Ministries of Cooperation, Women and Child Development, MSME, and Agriculture is crucial.
• New Guidelines: Mandate reservation of two seats for women on the board of multi-state cooperative societies and the presence of women directors on the board of primary agricultural credit societies.
• Dormant Cooperatives The unusually high number of dormant women’s cooperatives (11,869), demonstrates that women face barriers in maintaining and sustaining them.

US Watch on India

• India Placed on ‘Priority Watch List’ (PWL): USTR’s 2025 Special 301 Report puts India on the PWL for persistent IPR protection and enforcement challenges.
• USTR Concerns: India’s progress on IP protection is inconsistent, with long-standing concerns remaining unaddressed, despite efforts to strengthen the IP regime.
• IPR Challenges: India remains a challenging major economy for IPR protection and enforcement.
• Potential Impact: PWL listing could impact trade talks with the US; USTR may initiate trade investigations or impose sanctions if no improvement.
• India’s Stance: India maintains its IP laws comply with WTO TRIPS agreement and views the report as unilateral pressure.
• Patent Concerns: Patent issues, including revocations, discretionary patentability criteria, long
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  waiting periods, and excessive reporting, are specific concerns. Vagueness in interpreting the Indian Patents Act also raised.
• Customs Duties: High customs duties on IP-intensive products like ICT, solar, medical devices, pharma, and capital goods cited.
• Enforcement Inadequate: Despite improvements in IP office operations, overall IP enforcement remains inadequate.
• Bilateral Trade Context: Report coincides with India-U.S. trade negotiations aiming for $500 billion commerce by 2030; US wants to reduce its trade deficit.
• Industry Perceptions: Concerns based on American industry’s perception of India’s IP protection level.
• Section 3(d): Concerns related to section 3(d) of the patent act, and pharmaceutical patent disputes persist.
• Other Countries: China, Indonesia, Russia, Argentina, and Venezuela are also on the PWL; Pakistan and Turkey are on the watch list.

PMFME Scheme

• Bihar Leads in PMFME Implementation: Bihar secured the top rank nationally for successfully implementing the PMFME scheme in FY 2024-25. This success is attributed to effective execution of the scheme, promoting entrepreneurship and small-scale industries.
• Loan Disbursement Success: Loan approval has been granted to 10,296 applicants in Bihar with loans disbursed to 6,589 units, representing 63% of the total distribution.
• PMFME Scheme Overview: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched on June 29, 2020, by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Aims to formalize and upgrade micro food processing enterprises.
• Key Objectives: Increase access to credit, integrate with the supply chain, formalize 200,000 enterprises, improve access to common services (processing, storage, packaging), and strengthen institutions.
• Financial Outlay & Sharing: ₹10,000 crores over five years (2020-21 to 2024-25). Cost-sharing ratios: 60:40 (Centre:State), 90:10 (NE & Himalayan States), 100% by Centre for UTs without legislatures.
• Coverage: Direct assistance to 200,000 micro food processing units via credit-linked subsidies. Focus on supportive infrastructure.
• Financial Support (Individuals): 35% credit-linked subsidy on project cost, capped at ₹10 lakh. Minimum 10% beneficiary contribution.
• Financial Support (FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives): Seed capital to SHGs (₹4 lakh per SHG). 35% credit-linked capital subsidy (max ₹3 crore) for common infrastructure. Up to 50% grant for branding and marketing.
• Eligible Borrowers: FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, Existing Micro Food Processing Entrepreneurs. New units supported only for ODOP.
• Beneficiaries: Entrepreneurs, private limited companies, proprietorship firms, partnership firms, NGOs, cooperative societies, FPOs, and self-help groups.
• Scheme Impact: Promotes the unorganized food processing sector, enhances competition, and helps FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives get actual value for their products.

Pakal Dul Hydropower

• Fast-tracked Approval: The Indian government has expedited the approval process for the electricity transmission line of the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul hydropower project. This signals a push to complete the project and integrate its power output into the grid.

• 1 GW Run-of-the-River Project: Pakal Dul is a significant 1 GW hydroelectric project located on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. This highlights the project’s scale and importance for the region’s power generation capacity.

• Key Infrastructure Components: The project includes a 167m high dam, underground powerhouse, transformer cabin, and cofferdam. This indicates a complex and substantial engineering undertaking.

• Power Generation: The project is expected to generate approximately 3,330 million units of energy annually. This emphasizes the project’s potential to significantly boost the region’s power supply.

• Joint Venture: The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects [P] Ltd. (CVPPL), a joint venture between NHPC and J&K State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC). This highlights the collaborative nature of the project.

• Benefits to J&K: The state of J&K will receive 12% free power for the first ten years and has the first right to purchase power allotted to NHPC and PTC. This showcases the project’s economic benefits for the region.

Manas National Park

• Elephant Poaching: Three individuals have been arrested for allegedly killing three wild elephants within Manas National Park.

• Location & Border: Manas National Park is situated in the Himalayan foothills of Assam, bordering Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park.

• Manas River: The Manas River flows through the park’s western side and serves as a natural border between India and Bhutan. It’s a major Brahmaputra tributary.

• Multiple Designations: The park holds the distinction of being a Natural World Heritage Site, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, and Important Bird Area.

• Project Tiger: Manas was among the first reserves included in Project Tiger in 1973.

• Tiger Conservation Landscape: It’s part of a larger tiger conservation network with other reserves in India, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

• Indigenous Communities: The park is inhabited by communities like the Bodo, who have strong ties to the land.

• Flora: Vegetation includes Sal forests, grasslands, and riparian vegetation. Hoolong trees are prominent.

• Fauna: Known for endangered species like Hispid Hare, Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros, and Asiatic Buffalo.

• Districts: Manas National Park is located in Chirang and Baksa districts of Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam.

India’s Schools: Status

• Poor Learning Outcomes: ASER 2024 reveals that only 23.4% of Class 3 students in government schools can read a Class 2-level text. India’s learning poverty rate is high, with 70% of 10-year-olds unable to read a basic text.
• Underfunding: Public education spending remains at 4.6% of GDP, falling short of the 6% target set by NEP 2020.
• Teacher Shortage: Over 1 million teacher vacancies exist, particularly in rural areas, leading to high pupil-teacher ratios (up to 47:1).
• High Dropout Rates: Dropout rates increase with grade level, reaching 14.1% at the secondary level. Boys have higher dropout rates than girls at the secondary level.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Only 43.5% of government schools have computers for teaching. Many schools lack basic amenities like electricity, functional toilets, and disabled-friendly toilets.
• Regional Disparities: States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra have the highest dropout rates.
• Curriculum Issues: The school system focuses on rote learning over creativity and critical thinking.
• Regulatory Deficits: Regulation focuses on inputs rather than learning outcomes, lacking an independent quality monitoring body. SSSA implementation is slow.
• Addressing Issues via measures: Focus on learning outcomes through assessments and performance-linked funding. Scale up NIPUN Bharat Mission. Strengthen teacher training. Bridge the urban-rural divide. Expand digital access via DIKSHA. Operationalise SSSA for quality benchmarks.

Why in News?

The ASER 2024 report highlights the struggling state of India’s school education system, with significant learning deficits, teacher shortages, and infrastructural gaps.

AI Water Atlas

• Haryana Launches AI-Enabled Water Atlas 2025: The Haryana government has introduced a geospatial platform powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address its rapidly depleting water reserves.
• Comprehensive Water Resource Monitoring: The platform monitors crucial water-related parameters, including groundwater levels, surface water bodies, aquifers, recharge zones, canal systems, and cropping patterns.
• Real-Time Data Integration: It integrates data from various sources, such as satellite imagery, GPS surveys, meteorological inputs from IMD, and data from CGWB, Irrigation, and Agriculture Departments.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: The AI-enabled atlas offers real-time insights to support informed decision-making in water conservation, sustainable farming practices, and infrastructure development.
• Focus on Water Conservation: The platform’s primary goal is to conserve and manage Haryana’s water resources more effectively in the face of a deepening water crisis.
• AI for Effective Water Management: India is actively adopting AI in water management, as exemplified by the Haryana Water Resource Atlas and AI based prediction model for Arsenic pollution developed by IIT Kharagpur, showcasing a broader trend in utilizing technology for water resource optimization.

One RRB Per State

• 4th Phase Rolled Out: The ‘One State-One RRB’ (OS-OR) plan’s 4th phase is underway in 10 states and 1 Union Territory, further reducing the number of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in India.

• Objective: To improve the operational viability and efficiency of RRBs.

• What is OS-OR Policy: It is a reform initiative by the Department of Financial Services aimed at consolidating multiple RRBs within a state into a single unified entity

• Background: Consolidation started in 2005, based on Dr. Vyas Committee (2001) recommendations. Implemented under Section 23A(1) of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976

• Reduction in Numbers: RRBs have been reduced from 196 in 2005 to 28 with the current phase.

• Increased Capital: Each restructured RRB will have an authorized capital of Rs 2,000 crore.

• Impact: RRBs achieved a record net profit of Rs 7,571 crore in FY 2023-24. Expected to further support rural development.

• Challenge 1: High Operational Costs: High cost/income (77.4%) and wages/operating expenses (72%) ratios indicate inefficiency. Requires cost optimization, tech adoption, and cybersecurity investment while maintaining personal engagement with villagers.

• Challenge 2: Concentration Risk: A single RRB now bears the full risk of state agricultural sector failures, potentially exacerbating regional economic vulnerabilities.

• Challenge 3: Governance Issues: Complex three-way ownership (Central and State governments, sponsor banks) and dual regulation (RBI and NABARD) lead to slow decision-making.

• Challenge 4: Regional Considerations: One-size-fits-all approach may not work; consolidation needs to account for each state’s unique economic, demographic, and geographic factors.

• Why in News: The consolidation aims to create stronger, more efficient RRBs, but potential risks related to cost management, concentrated risks, and complex governance need careful management.

Aotearoa

• India-New Zealand FTA Negotiations: The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand concluded successfully in New Delhi from May 5-9, 2025.
• High-Level Support: Launched following discussions between Indian and New Zealand ministers in March 2025, building upon the commitment made by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon.
• Comprehensive Discussions: Constructive negotiations covered a broad spectrum including trade in goods and services, trade facilitation, and mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
• Strong Bilateral Trade Growth: Merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in FY2024-25, marking a significant 48.6% increase over the previous year, indicating growing economic partnership potential.
• FTA Benefits: The FTA aims to enhance trade and investment, improve supply chain integration, and create a predictable trading environment for businesses in both countries.
• Future Plans: Both countries are committed to concluding the FTA this year, with the next round of negotiations scheduled for July 2025.
• Strategic Importance: This FTA reflects the strategic importance both nations place on fostering a mutually beneficial and balanced trade agreement, aligning with India’s broader efforts to enhance economic partnerships.
• Geopolitical Context: New Zealand is located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Its diverse geography supports hydroelectric energy and tourism.

Seabirds & Marine Pollution

• Hormonal Disruption: Research indicates that plastic ingestion by seabirds can disrupt their hormonal systems due to chemicals released from the plastic, affecting fertility, development, and behavior.

• Vulnerable Seabird Species: Albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters (Procellariiformes) are highly susceptible due to their foraging habits and ability to retain plastic in their stomachs for extended periods.

• High Plastic Ingestion Rates: Procellariiformes have some of the highest rates of plastic ingestion; approximately 63% retain pollutants in their stomachs for weeks or months. Northern fulmars are bioindicators of marine plastic pollution due to surface feeding habits.

• Physical Harm: Plastic ingestion causes physical harm like obstruction, perforation of the digestive tract, a false sense of satiation leading to malnutrition, and inflammation/fibrosis from micro/nano-plastics.

• Marine Plastic Pollution Statistics: 8-10 million metric tons of plastic enter oceans annually, constituting 80% of marine waste. By 2050, plastic may outweigh fish. 50-75 trillion plastic pieces currently pollute the oceans.

• Broader Impacts: Marine pollution harms biodiversity, reduces oxygen levels, disrupts deep-sea ecosystems, contaminates the food chain, and negatively impacts human health and coastal livelihoods.

• Global Efforts: The Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) and the 1972 London Convention/1978 MARPOL Protocol aim to combat marine plastic pollution.

INS Tamal

• INS Tamal delivery imminent: India is set to receive INS Tamal, its second advanced stealth frigate built in Russia, expected within a month after trials.

• Part of Indo-Russian deal: INS Tamal is a Krivak-III class frigate, part of a 2016 agreement where two ships are built in Russia and two in India. INS Tushil was the first ship built and commissioned in December 2024

• Advanced Stealth Features: It is designed with stealth technology to evade radar, enhancing survivability.

• Weapon Systems: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (extended range to 450 km), Shtil surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets.

• Multi-Role Capabilities: Designed for air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic warfare. It can operate Kamov-28 and Kamov-31 helicopters

• Speed and Range: Can achieve speeds of over 30 knots, with a mission range of 3,000 km.

• Enhanced Undersea Warfare: The Indian Navy also showcased indigenous underwater mines designed to destroy enemy submarines and warships.

• Strengthening Naval Power: These frigates will add to the existing Russian frigates in the Indian Navy, enhancing its blue-water capabilities.