12.07.25

Andhra Pradesh’s Sub-Replacement Fertility Rate: Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu highlights the state’s fertility rate of 1.7, below the replacement level of 2.1.

• Why it’s news: This low rate is a cause for concern due to potential negative consequences.

Consequences of Low Fertility:

• Economic slowdown: Fewer young people entering the workforce.
• Labour shortage: Difficulty filling jobs.
• Geriatric care burden: An increasing proportion of elderly people requiring care.
• Widening urban-rural disparities: Potential impact on regional development.
• Long-term population sustainability: Questions about future population levels.

India’s Fertility Trend: India’s overall fertility rate has fallen to 1.9, below the replacement level. Projections show a further decline. Southern states have reached this level earlier.

Government’s Response:

• Policy on the way: A comprehensive policy with incentives and support systems will be introduced soon to increase the fertility rate to above 2.1.
• Focus shift: The emphasis is moving from family planning to viewing people as “human capital” for investment.

Addressing Imbalances: The state needs to tackle gender imbalances, teenage pregnancies, and rising early hysterectomies. Real-time data is crucial for monitoring.

Impact on Representation: Declining populations in South India could lead to reduced representation in Parliament due to delimitation.

Global Context: Developed nations are now looking to populous countries for their workforce as their own fertility rates fall.

Reasons for Decline (Broader Context): Factors include female literacy, workforce participation, women’s empowerment, changing attitudes towards marriage/motherhood, increasing infertility, and availability of abortion.

Parliamentary Push for Bharat Ratna for Dalai Lama: Over 80 MPs from various parties, led by BJP MP Sujeet Kumar, are petitioning the Union government to award the Bharat Ratna to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday.

Why it’s News: This is significant as it represents cross-party support for honoring a globally recognized spiritual leader with India’s highest civilian award. The Dalai Lama’s recent 90th birthday provides a timely context.

Dalai Lama’s Successor and India’s Stance: The effort is linked to the Dalai Lama’s right to recognize his successor, a matter on which the Indian government, through the MEA, maintains a neutral stance, stating it does not comment on religious practices.

Ministerial Clarification: Minister Kiren Rijiju’s statement affirming the Dalai Lama’s right to appoint a successor is seen as consistent with the MEA’s position, emphasizing India’s non-interference in religious matters.

Critique of China’s Position: The move also includes criticism of the Chinese government’s claim to regulate the Dalai Lama’s successor, highlighting the irony of an atheist nation dictating religious succession.

Bharat Ratna Basics: The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award, granted for outstanding service, and can be awarded to non-Indians. Recommendations are made by the Prime Minister to the President.

Recent Floods & Impact: Heavy rainfall (>71 mm in hours) caused cloudbursts in Mandi, Kullu, Chamba districts, leading to landslides, road closures, and loss of life. Economic loss exceeds Rs 700 crore, with significant environmental damage including soil erosion and loss of agricultural land. This highlights the impact of climate change on the Himalayas.

Causes of Increased Flooding:

• Global Climate Change: Alters regional weather, causing more intense storms, unpredictable rainfall, rapid glacier melting, and increased flooding.
• Global Warming: Increases atmospheric moisture (7% per 1°C rise), leading to heavier rainfall.
• Glacier Melt: Himalayan glaciers are melting rapidly (up to 30m thickness loss annually), increasing river flow and flood risk during monsoons.
• Water Volume Increase: Melting glaciers and intense rainfall swell rivers (Beas, Yamuna, Ganges), leading to bank erosion and floods.
• Topography: Mountain slopes funnel rainwater, and unstable slopes cause landslides, exacerbating flood threats.

Impacts of Floods:

• Connectivity Disruption: Key roads blocked, disrupting essential services.
• Displacement & Hardship: Thousands displaced, facing food shortages and livelihood loss.
• Vulnerability: Affected communities are more susceptible to future disasters.
• Economic Losses: Massive agricultural losses worsen poverty in fragile hill economies.
• Strain on Resources: Frequent displacement strains government and disaster response systems.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Remote villages lack adequate infrastructure and early warning systems.

Way Forward (Adaptive & Mitigation Strategies):

• Infrastructure: Build durable, all-weather roads, bridges, and flood barriers, considering local geological/hydrological conditions.
• Environmental Protection: Expand afforestation, stabilize slopes, protect wetlands/forests as natural flood buffers.
• Water Management: Develop reservoirs, promote rainwater harvesting to regulate river flows.
• Technology & Early Warning: Deploy advanced forecasting and timely alert systems.
• Community Engagement: Launch awareness campaigns and build local emergency response capacity.
• Sustainable Livelihoods: Support flood-tolerant crops and soil conservation for farmers.
• Climate Action: Incentivize renewables, reduce fossil fuel dependence.
• Coordination: Foster collaboration across government, agencies, and communities for long-term resilience.

• Why in News: Marks a significant step in indigenous naval shipbuilding, bolstering underwater operational capabilities.

• Why in News: Enhances the Navy’s ability to conduct critical deep-sea and submarine-related operations.

• Why in News: These features enable precise operations, seabed mapping, and deep-sea recovery.

• Why in News: Directly strengthens India’s submarine rescue capabilities.

• Why in News: Enhances the operational reach and effectiveness of a key naval command.

• Why in News: Reinforces India’s self-reliance in strategic defense and its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Why in News: Union Minister highlighted initiatives driving Indian agricultural growth at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave, focusing on soil health, credit, digital innovation, and global trade.

MSP Enhancements: Significant increases in Minimum Support Prices, especially for pulses and oilseeds (up to 98%), ensure remunerative prices for farmers and reduce market vulnerability.

Soil Health Cards: Distribution of over 25 crore Soil Health Cards guides farmers on soil nutrition, improving yields and reducing chemical use.

Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Facilitates wider access to crop loans, with 7.75 crore active accounts and significant credit outstanding, including for fisheries and animal husbandry.

PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi: A major DBT scheme providing ₹6,000 annually to landholding farmers; 11.8 crore farmers have received financial assistance.

e-NAM Integration: Linking 1,400 mandis to the e-NAM platform enhances market transparency and price realization.

Fertiliser Subsidies: A substantial budget allocation (over ₹1.67 lakh crore for FY25-26) supports fertilizer availability for farmers.

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): FTAs with Australia, UAE, EFTA, and the UK are opening new international markets for Indian agri-products.

Digital Agriculture: Focus on AI, geospatial tech, weather forecasting, and vertical farming. The Digital Agriculture Mission and AgriStack aim to create a farmer-centric digital ecosystem.

Support to FPOs: The “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs” scheme empowers small farmers by collectivizing them for better market access and income.

Agri-Exports and Value Addition: Aiming to scale up agri-exports from ₹4.5 lakh crore to ₹20 lakh crore through value addition.

Infrastructure and Irrigation: Investments in warehousing, cold chains, and drip irrigation are increasing. The Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) expansion supports broader projects, and the PDMC scheme covers nearly 1 crore ha under micro-irrigation.

• Microalgae: Studying the potential of microalgae for food, oxygen, and biofuels in deep space missions.
• Voyager Displays: Examining how spaceflight affects eye movement and coordination.
• ENPERCHAR: Understanding how astronauts perceive and interact with their orbital environment for designing better habitats.
• Cerebral Blood Flow: Investigating microgravity and CO₂ effects on cardiovascular function, with potential terrestrial benefits.
• Radiation Exposure: Monitoring astronaut safety using the Rad Nano Dosimeter.
• Acquired Equivalence Test: Measuring learning and adaptability in space.
• PhotonGrav Study: Collecting brain activity data for neuroadaptive technologies.

• Why in News: Demonstrates the ICG’s capability in maritime search and rescue operations in challenging conditions. The rescue occurred southeast of Indira Point, a significant geographical location in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• Why in News: Highlights the ICG’s critical role as India’s primary agency for safeguarding maritime interests and ensuring the safety of vessels and seafarers in its vast Exclusive Economic Zone.

• Why in News: Underscores the ICG’s operational reach and preparedness in the strategically important and geographically diverse Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, which also houses India’s first joint operational command (ANC).

• Bt Cotton: The only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation, covering over 90% of India’s cotton area, leading to increased production and reduced pesticide use. However, yields have declined recently due to pest resurgence and outdated traits.
• Bt Brinjal: Approved but under a moratorium due to public and political concerns.
• HT-Bt Cotton: Illegally cultivated in several states despite not being approved.
• GM Mustard (DMH-11): Environmental clearance granted, but commercial release is pending.

• Pest/Disease Resistance: Reduces pesticide use and environmental harm.
• Climate Resilience: Enhances tolerance to drought and salinity.
• Nutritional Enhancement: Biofortification addresses malnutrition (e.g., Golden Rice).
• Reduced Post-Harvest Losses: Improves shelf life.
• Environmental Cleanup: Potential for phytoremediation.

• Environmental/Health Concerns: Gene flow, harm to non-target insects, potential allergens.
• Regulatory/Policy Hurdles: Slow approvals, political hesitancy, restrictive policies hindering R&D.
• Socio-Economic/Ethical Issues: Market concentration, seed dependence, “playing God” concerns.
• Coexistence/Contamination: Risk of cross-pollination and market access issues for non-GM crops, alongside illegal cultivation.
• Resistance Development & Competitiveness: Pest resistance and declining global competitiveness due to delayed innovation.

• Why in News: This signifies the ICC’s action against systematic gender and political persecution in Afghanistan.

• Why in News: It’s the world’s first permanent international court dedicated to individual accountability for grave global offenses.

• Why in News: Afghanistan’s membership allows the ICC to act within its territory, and the non-membership of major powers like India, US, and China highlights ongoing debates about international justice and national sovereignty.

• Why in News: This highlights the dependency of international justice mechanisms on state cooperation, which can be a challenge.

World Population Day 2025 Theme: “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.”

• Why in News: Focuses on empowering youth regarding sexual and reproductive health choices.

India’s Youth Demographic:

• World’s largest youth population (371 million, 15-29 age group).
• Projected to decline from 27.2% (2021) to 22.7% (2036) of the population.
• Significance: Large youth population contributes to workforce participation and a demographic dividend.

Evolution of Youth Policy:

• NYP 2014: Defines youth as 15-29 years, aims for full potential realization.
• Draft NYP 2024: 10-year vision aligned with SDGs, focuses on skills, leadership, mental/reproductive health, safety, and justice for marginalized youth.

Opportunities Presented by India’s Youth:

• Demographic Dividend: Boosts GDP growth and per capita income (potential $1 trillion by 2030).
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Flourishing startup ecosystem driven by youth.
• Global Workforce: Addresses global talent shortages (e.g., Germany, Japan).
• Social & Cultural Influence: Driving social change, advancing gender equality, and boosting India’s soft power.
• Strengthening Democracy: Fostering civic awareness and leadership.

Key Challenges Faced by Youth:

• Sexual & Reproductive Health: High rates of unintended pregnancies and unmet reproductive goals.
• Gender Inequality: Patriarchal norms limit women’s autonomy.
• Mental Health Crisis: Increasing stress, anxiety, depression, and stigma.
• Employment Crisis: Skill mismatch leading to educated youth unemployment.
• Substance Abuse: Increasing vulnerability to drug addiction.

Steps to Empower Youth:

• Education Revolution: Promote critical thinking, digital literacy, and vocational training.
• Job-Linked Skill Development: Encourage apprenticeships, upskilling, and entrepreneurship.
• Healthcare Access: Improve mental health support, nutrition, and reproductive health services.
• Sports & Arts Infrastructure: Expand facilities and financial support for young talent.
• Digital Empowerment: Bridge the digital divide and enhance digital skills.

Kashmir’s Ancient Climate: A palaeobotanical study reveals Kashmir Valley, now temperate, was a warm, humid subtropical region ~4 million years ago.

• Why it’s news: Challenges current understanding of the region’s climate history and its ecological evolution.

Study Methodology: Researchers used leaf morphology analysis (CLAMP) and compared fossil species to modern relatives (Coexistence Approach) to reconstruct past climate.

• Why it’s news: Highlights advanced scientific techniques used to understand geological climate shifts.

Subtropical Forest Evidence: Fossilized leaves from Karewa sediments show evidence of lush subtropical forests, unlike today’s alpine vegetation.

• Why it’s news: Provides tangible proof of a dramatic past climatic transformation.

Tectonic Uplift as Cause: The study attributes this climate shift to the tectonic uplift of the Pir Panjal Range.

• Why it’s news: Directly links geological processes to significant climate and ecosystem changes.

Monsoon Barrier: The Pir Panjal uplift created a barrier that blocked the Indian summer monsoon, leading to reduced rainfall and a drier climate.

• Why it’s news: Explains the mechanism behind the climate change, demonstrating the sensitivity of regional weather patterns to topography.

Significance for Climate Modeling & Conservation: The findings improve climate models by linking tectonics and ecosystems, show Himalayan ecosystem sensitivity, and offer insights for biodiversity conservation and disaster preparedness in mountain regions.

• Why it’s news: Emphasizes the practical applications of palaeoclimate research for current environmental challenges.

US Funding Halt Threatens Progress: A sudden withdrawal of the US’s USD 4 billion pledge to PEPFAR could reverse decades of gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

• Why: PEPFAR is a cornerstone of global HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts. Its funding is critical for widespread access to life-saving interventions.

Potential for Increased Deaths and Infections: The funding cut could lead to an estimated 4 million more AIDS-related deaths and 6 million new HIV infections by 2029.

• Why: Reduced funding means fewer people will have access to prevention methods, testing, and treatment, directly contributing to increased mortality and transmission.

New Drug Out of Reach: The promising injectable drug Yeztugo, with 100% prevention efficacy, is currently too expensive for most low- and middle-income countries.

• Why: High-cost innovations, while scientifically significant, fail to benefit those who need them most if affordability and accessibility are not addressed, exacerbating existing disparities.

PEPFAR’s Crucial Role: Launched in 2003, PEPFAR has been instrumental in preventing HIV infections and saving lives globally.

• Why: PEPFAR has a proven track record of delivering tangible results in combating the epidemic.

UNAIDS Goal at Risk: The global aim to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is jeopardized by funding instability.

• Why: Achieving ambitious public health goals requires sustained and predictable investment, which is undermined by sudden funding withdrawals.

Lotus Blooms Return to Wular Lake: After a 30-year absence following the 1992 flood, lotus flowers are blooming again in Wular Lake.

• Why it’s news: This signifies a major success in conservation efforts and the ecological recovery of a vital ecosystem.

Conservation Efforts Paid Off: Focused conservation work by the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) is credited with the lotus revival.

• Why it’s news: It highlights the positive impact of dedicated environmental management.

Silt Removal Uncovered Surviving Rhizomes: The flood had buried lotus seeds under heavy silt, preventing growth. However, surviving rhizomes deep below have now sprouted after silt removal.

• Why it’s news: It explains the scientific reason behind the long dormancy and the key to the current revival.

Wular Lake’s Ecological Significance: Wular Lake is India’s largest freshwater lake and a Ramsar Convention-designated Wetland of International Importance, supporting diverse avian and aquatic life.

• Why it’s news: The revival of the lotus adds to the ecological richness and beauty of this crucial wetland.

Lotus Symbolism: The lotus is India’s national flower and holds religious significance in Hinduism and Buddhism.

• Why it’s news: The return of the lotus carries cultural and symbolic weight beyond its ecological importance.