10.07.25

Why in News: India is rapidly urbanizing, with its urban population set to surge, shaping its economic and social future. However, urban challenges are hindering its full potential.

Cities as Economic Engines:

• Contribute ~60% of India’s GDP on only 3% of land, highlighting productivity and innovation.
• Just 15 cities account for 30% of GDP and are projected to add 1.5% more by 2047.
• Agglomeration benefits (density) boost economic output and job creation.
• Enhance global competitiveness and ease of doing business, crucial for economic growth ambitions.

Urban Challenges:

• Congestion: 1.5-2 hours daily lost in traffic, costing billions annually due to poor public transport and infrastructure.
• Pollution: India has many of the world’s most polluted cities, impacting health.
• Water Scarcity: Polluted rivers and poor infrastructure lead to significant water loss.
• Waste Management: Low processing rates and poor segregation create pollution and health hazards.
• Sanitation: Inadequate facilities in many urban areas, especially informal settlements.
• Affordable Housing: A significant shortage leading to slums and potential social issues.
• Urban Flooding: Caused by inadequate drainage and encroachment, exacerbated by extreme weather.
• Weak Municipal Finances: Low revenue generation limits investment in urban development.
• Digital Deficits: Slower internet speeds hinder digital economy growth.
• Urban Heat Island: Increases energy demand, emissions, and health risks.

Needed Reforms:

• Treat Urban Infrastructure as Core: Elevate urban infrastructure to national priority status.
• Synchronize Urban Expansion: Integrate housing, commerce, and transport for efficient growth.
• Unified Governance: Streamline urban planning with tech-enabled, accountable bodies.
• Sanitation/Waste as Economic Priorities: Adopt industry-led models for sustainable management.
• Recapitalize PPPs: Redefine Public-Private Partnerships to attract long-term capital.
• Co-Develop Digital Backbone: Collaborate with industry for smart city infrastructure.
• Climate Resilience: Integrate adaptive infrastructure and green spaces into planning.
• Societal Engagement: Co-create reforms with citizens and industry for legitimacy.

Why in News: Indian Prime Minister’s state visit to Brazil reaffirmed commitment to the Strategic Partnership, focusing on five priority pillars. PM Modi received Brazil’s highest state honor.

Five Priority Pillars:

• Defense and Security: Deepened cooperation via classified information exchange, combating terrorism and organized crime, and cybersecurity dialogue.
• Food & Agricultural Security: Focus on sustainable agriculture, food access, joint R&D, and opposing trade barriers. Support for Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
• Energy Transition & Climate Action: Emphasis on sustainable biofuels, flex-fuel vehicles, strengthening the Global Biofuels Alliance, and supporting Brazil’s COP30 Presidency.
• Digital Transformation & Emerging Technologies: Collaboration on digital public infrastructure, AI, quantum technologies, renewable energy, and outer space via Joint Commission.
• Industrial Partnerships: Collaboration in pharmaceuticals, mining/critical minerals, and oil & gas, addressing non-tariff barriers and promoting investment. Launch of Brazil-India Business Council.

Government’s Claim vs. Reality: India’s claim of being “one of the most equal societies” (Gini 25.5) based on consumption data is contested by academic studies showing rising income inequality (Gini 62).

Gini Coefficient Explained: Measures income/wealth inequality from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality).

Data Discrepancy: India’s consumption Gini improved (28.8 to 25.5), while income inequality (World Inequality Database) rose (52 to 62). Wage disparity remains high (top 10% earn 13x bottom 10%).

Consumption vs. Income Gini: Consumption Gini underestimates inequality as rich people save more, making income more volatile and indicative of disparity.

Survey Limitations: Differential non-response from the rich and under-sampling of top earners lead to an underestimation of inequality.

Alternative Data Sources: World Inequality Lab uses income tax data, showing rising inequality, and recommends combining survey data with tax data for accuracy.

Gini Index Limitations: Insensitive to extremes, overly sensitive to the middle. The Palma Ratio (top 10% vs. bottom 50% income share) is suggested as a clearer measure.

Way Forward: Combine survey and income tax data, use multiple inequality measures, and focus on inclusive growth.

News Significance: Inaccurate inequality measurement can lead to ineffective or counterproductive policies. Relying solely on limited Gini data obscures the true economic disparity.

Two-Year Nationwide Commemoration Launched: The Ministry of Culture has initiated a two-year (July 6, 2025 – July 6, 2027) nationwide celebration of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary. This event honors his significant role in India’s political, educational, and industrial development.

Inaugural Events and Releases: The commemoration began in New Delhi with an event attended by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. A special postage stamp and a ₹125 commemorative coin were released, symbolizing his contributions to national unity and self-reliance.

Emphasis on National Unity: A central theme is Dr. Mookerjee’s advocacy for “one nation, one flag, one Constitution” and his strong opposition to Article 370, highlighting his efforts for Jammu and Kashmir’s integration. This is reflected in remarks about fearless “Tiranga Yatras” in Kashmir and the implementation of all Indian laws there.

Educational and Industrial Contributions: The commemoration also focuses on his achievements as the youngest Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University and India’s first Minister for Industry and Supply, recognizing his impact on educational reform and industrial development.

Nationwide Outreach and Activities: Numerous exhibitions, outreach programs, workshops, and screenings are being organized across India, including in states like Sikkim and Assam, to showcase his life, philosophy, and ideals to future generations.

Legacy and Inspiration: The events aim to inspire citizens by reflecting on Dr. Mookerjee’s vision for a self-reliant and united India. His principled stands, even leading to resignation from government, and his early opposition to partition are highlighted as defining aspects of his character.

• Why News: Highlights the urgent need for innovative financial solutions beyond traditional insurance.

• Why News: Offers a new mechanism for governments to access large, immediate funds for post-disaster relief and reconstruction.

• Why News: Explains the operational aspects and the role of various financial actors in disaster risk transfer.

• Why News: Clarifies the risk-reward profile for investors, crucial for market participation.

• Why News: Underscores the practical benefits for governments and disaster preparedness.

• Why News: Points out critical design flaws and the perception challenges of paying for protection that isn’t triggered.

• Why News: Assesses the specific relevance and benefits for India in managing its disaster risk.

• Why News: Proposes a strategic, collaborative approach for enhanced disaster financing and resilience in the region.

Lok Sabha Speaker’s Call for Enhanced Productivity: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasized the need for greater legislative productivity and improved quality of discourse, drawing parallels with the functioning of urban local bodies (ULBs).

Reduced Disruptions in Parliament: The Speaker highlighted a significant reduction in disruptions within Parliament, attributing this to increased maturity and responsibility, which has led to enhanced productivity and more meaningful debates. This marks a positive shift from previous practices of frequent adjournments.

Lessons for Urban Local Bodies: Birla urged ULBs to adopt parliamentary practices like Question Hour and Zero Hour to enhance accountability and incorporate structured procedures such as regular sittings and robust committee systems. He stressed the importance of shunning disruptive behavior and focusing on constructive, inclusive discussions.

Historical Decline in Sitting Days: The provided context notes a steep decline in Parliament’s sitting days, from around 135 days annually in the first Lok Sabha to approximately 55 days in the 17th Lok Sabha, impacting thorough deliberation.

Impact of Disruptions and Low Scrutiny: Disruptions, low attendance in debates, and a reduced referral of bills to committees (10% in the 17th Lok Sabha compared to 60-71% in earlier ones) have hampered the quality of lawmaking and executive oversight.

Consequences of Low Productivity: Key implications include weakened executive oversight, potential for poor-quality legislation, marginalization of the opposition, erosion of public trust, and executive overreach through ordinances.

Measures and Future Steps: Existing measures include a Code of Conduct for MPs, technology adoption (e-Vidhan), strengthening committee systems, and capacity building. Proposed steps involve institutional discipline, mandatory committee scrutiny, enhanced transparency, fostering dialogue, and citizen engagement.

ULBs as Foundations of Democracy: The Speaker underscored the crucial role of ULBs as the closest tier of governance to citizens and as vital institutions for strengthening constitutional democracy and nation-building. Empowering local bodies is seen as strengthening national governance.

World Bioproduct Day 2025 & BioE3 Policy: DST, BIRAC, and iBRIC+ organized the event focusing on Equity, Environment, and Economy, highlighting public participation in biotechnology and reinforcing the USD 300 billion bioeconomy goal by 2030 under the BioE3 framework.

Bioeconomy Target & Public Participation: Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that every Indian is a stakeholder in the $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030 and urged for wider public understanding and inclusive participation.

‘Voices Across the Cities’ Initiative: A nationwide hourly dialogue series showcased India’s biotech diversity through theme-based discussions across different cities, reflecting regional capabilities.

BioE3 Policy Aims: The policy promotes high-performance biomanufacturing, integrates advanced biotechnological processes, strengthens India’s bioeconomy through sustainable practices, innovation, and employment, and aligns with ‘Net Zero’ goals and circular bioeconomy principles.

Bioproduct Significance: Bioproducts derived from renewable biomass reduce reliance on fossil fuels, addressing pollution and biodiversity loss while promoting climate-resilient development through biotechnological innovation.

Growth of Biotech Ecosystem: India’s biotechnology startup ecosystem has significantly grown from around 50 a decade ago to nearly 11,000 today, driven by policy support and institutional partnerships.

Policy Focus: The BioE3 Policy supports biomanufacturing infrastructure (hubs, biofoundries), regenerative bioeconomy models, ethical biosafety, and workforce expansion, especially in Tier-II/III cities.

Biotechnology for Livelihoods: Bioproducts are seen as contributing to livelihoods through biodegradable packaging, eco-friendly products, and rural/green job creation, moving beyond laboratory applications.

Leveraging Traditional Knowledge: The importance of valuing India’s natural resources and traditional knowledge systems was highlighted, contrasting with past policy priorities informed by Western models.

Operationalizing the Policy: Steps to operationalize the BioE3 Policy include support for pilot manufacturing, region-specific innovation, and strengthening the research-to-market pipeline, fostering academia-industry collaborations.

First Test Images Released: The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has issued its inaugural test images, showcasing the capabilities of its Simonyi Survey Telescope. This marks a significant milestone in its journey towards full operational status.

Comprehensive Southern Sky Survey: Its primary purpose is to conduct the most thorough survey of the southern hemisphere’s night sky through continuous scanning, providing unprecedented data.

Honoring Vera C. Rubin: The observatory is named after astronomer Vera C. Rubin, who provided early evidence for dark matter.

Unparalleled Field of View: The Simonyi Survey Telescope boasts an exceptionally wide field of view, capturing an area equivalent to 40 full Moons at once, vastly exceeding the capabilities of Hubble and JWST. This is achieved through its innovative three-mirror design.

World’s Largest Digital Camera: It houses the world’s largest digital camera, a 3,200-megapixel instrument that can detect objects 100 million times dimmer than the naked eye. Its sensors are designed to capture light across various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum using six filters.

Fastest-Slewing Telescope: The telescope is the fastest in the world, capable of repositioning itself in just five seconds, allowing for rapid sky coverage and the capture of up to 1,000 images per night.

Exploring Dark Matter and Dark Energy: A key objective is to deepen our understanding of dark energy (68% of the universe) and dark matter (27%), which constitute 95% of the cosmos.

Addressing Key Astronomical Questions: It aims to answer fundamental questions about the Milky Way’s formation, the potential existence of a ninth planet in our solar system, and asteroid threats to Earth.

Revolutionary Data Generation: Over 10 years, it will generate 20 terabytes of data nightly, leading to an estimated 10 million alerts per night for celestial changes.

Asteroid Discovery Powerhouse: In just 10 hours of engineering data, its software identified over 2,100 new asteroids, including seven near-Earth objects. It is expected to triple the current inventory of catalogued asteroids and near-Earth objects.

New Fish Species Discovered: Researchers from ICAR-CIFRI have identified a new cyprinid fish species, Pethia dibrugarhensis.

• Why it’s news: This adds to the known biodiversity of freshwater fish in India and highlights ongoing scientific exploration.

Named After Dibrugarh District: The species is named Pethia dibrugarhensis after the district in Assam where it was first found.

• Why it’s news: This localizes the discovery and connects it to a specific geographical region.

Belongs to the Barb Family: It is classified under the Cyprinidae family, commonly known as barbs.

• Why it’s news: Despite lacking typical barbels, its morphological features place it within this well-known group, providing context for its characteristics.

Found in Brahmaputra River: The new species inhabits moderately fast-flowing waters with a muddy-sandy-stony substrate in the Brahmaputra River.

• Why it’s news: The Brahmaputra is a significant river system, and discovering a new species within it indicates the river’s ecological importance and the potential for further discoveries.

Key Features: It is characterized by an incomplete lateral line, a black blotch near the caudal peduncle, and the absence of humeral marks and barbels.

• Why it’s news: These distinct features are crucial for scientific identification and differentiation from other species.

ICAR-CIFRI’s Role: The discovery was made by scientists from ICAR-CIFRI, a premier research institute focused on inland fisheries.

• Why it’s news: This underscores the vital research contributions of Indian institutions in understanding and conserving aquatic biodiversity.