15.03.25 Archives

UNCTAD

UNCTAD warns of economic fragmentation, urging global cooperation to prevent trade disruption and ensure long-term growth.
UNCTAD highlights protectionism and shifting policies in major economies as key risks.
2025 challenges include preventing global fragmentation and managing policy shifts without harming growth.
2024 saw record world trade expansion ($33 trillion), driven by developing economies and strong services trade.
New risks include trade imbalances, evolving policies, and geopolitical tensions.
Governments are using tariffs, subsidies, and industrial policies to reshape trade flows, tying trade measures to economic security and climate goals.
Rising protectionism is creating retaliatory measures and trade barriers.
Shipping trends indicate a slowdown, suggesting weaker industrial activity.

Air Quality 2024

India’s air quality: Ranked 5th most polluted globally in 2024, slightly improving from 2023’s 3rd place. A 7% decrease in PM2.5 levels, but still 10 times the WHO safe limit.
Polluted cities: Delhi remains the world’s most polluted capital. 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, led by Byrnihat. Other highly polluted Indian cities include Mullanpur, Gurugram, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Noida.
PM2.5 levels: India’s average PM2.5 level is 50.6 µg/m³, down from 54.4 µg/m³ in 2023. 35% of Indian cities exceed the WHO safe limit.
Pollution sources: Vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and biomass burning (especially crop stubble burning in northern India, contributing to 60% of PM2.5) are major contributors.
Global context: Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Congo are among the most polluted countries. Only 12 countries meet WHO’s PM2.5 limit.
Health impact: Air pollution significantly impacts health, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years. Studies link it to 1.5 million deaths annually in India between 2009 and 2019.
Solutions: Dr. Swaminathan emphasized the need for stricter emission regulations, replacing biomass with LPG (with higher subsidies for lower income families), expanding public transport, and fining high-emission vehicles. She highlighted that data exists, and concrete action is needed.

Pilibhit’s Tigers

Rhino Sanctuary in the Making: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) is planned to become a new habitat for rhinos, primarily from Nepal.
54 sq km Designated Area: A 54 sq km area within the Mala and Mahof forest ranges is being considered for rhino settlement.
Expert Assessment: A team led by B.S. Bonal assessed the feasibility of rhino relocation and habitat development
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in March.
Lagga Bagga Focus: Lagga Bagga, a 1,905-hectare forested region bordering Nepal’s Shuklaphanta National Park, is a prime location due to its grasslands, water bodies, and wildlife corridors.
Project Rhino Initiative: The “Project Rhino” aims to relocate rhinos from Assam and Nepal, and to establish a permanent population of rhinos from Nepal in PTR, and is planned for 10 years.
Habitat Needs: The assessment includes evaluating marshy areas, suitable vegetation, and protection from threats like tigers and poachers.
Fencing Crucial: Due to PTR’s narrow width, fencing is necessary to prevent rhinos from straying into agricultural areas.
PTR Location and Geography: Situated in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, part of the Terai Arc Landscape, upper Gangetic Plain Biogeographic Province, along the India-Nepal border.
River Gomti: The river Gomti originates from PTR, and is the catchment for Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot rivers.
Other Potential Sites: Apart from PTR, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary are also considered for Project Rhino.

UNCTAD

UNCTAD warns of economic fragmentation risks amid growing trade uncertainty. Global cooperation and balanced policies are crucial for long-term growth.
World trade reached a record $33 trillion in 2024, rising 3.7% from 2023, primarily driven by developing economies and services trade.
Protectionism, shifting trade strategies in major economies (like the US, EU, and China), and geopolitical tensions pose new risks.
Governments are increasingly tying trade to economic security and climate goals, fueling uncertainty and potential retaliatory measures.
Slowing shipping trends, indicated by falling freight indices, suggest weaker industrial activity and supply chain disruptions.
China’s stimulus and lower inflation in some regions support trade, but protectionism remains a significant risk.
UNCTAD’s focus is on preventing global fragmentation and managing policy shifts without harming long-term growth.
UNCTAD was established in 1964 and is part of the UN, focusing on trade and development issues and assisting developing nations.

UNCTAD

Artsakh

Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region in the South Caucasus, is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Armenia claims the region, historically populated by Armenians.
Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh date back to the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917.
Following the Soviet collapse, the region declared independence, leading to the First Karabakh War (1992-1994), with significant casualties.
Azerbaijan later regained territory around Karabakh in the Second Karabakh War (2020).
Recent clashes and a peace agreement led to Azerbaijan’s full control of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The region’s population was predominantly Armenian historically, though the area has a complex multi-ethnic history.
The region’s recent status has been dissolved, becoming fully part of Azerbaijan.

PM-ABHIM: Healthcare Focus

Centralized Scheme: PM-ABHIM is a centrally sponsored scheme similar to other CSS schemes, aiming to enhance health service delivery and public health.
Strengthening Health Systems: The scheme aims to improve health systems at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, making them more resilient to pandemics and disasters.
Infrastructure Development: It involves establishing 3382 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs), 730 District Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHLs), and 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) in designated districts.
State Implementation: While a central scheme, PM-ABHIM is implemented by state governments, receiving technical and financial support from the MoHFW.
Mohalla Clinic Upgradation: The scheme includes upgrading 553 existing mohalla clinics to U-AAMs and opening 413 new U-AAMs.
Delhi Implementation Issues: Delhi, under previous AAP governance, did not implement the scheme. The current BJP government is implementing the scheme, but faced a legal challenge concerning the implementation in Delhi hospitals. Supreme Court intervention has temporarily halted the compulsory MoU signing process.
Pilot Implementation: AIIMS reports indicate that only diagnostic labs at Indira Gandhi Hospital are being piloted under PM-ABHIM.

APAAR ID

APAAR ID aims to standardize student records: A 12-digit ID linking academic records to DigiLocker and Academic Bank of Credits. It’s part of the National Education Policy 2020 and National Credit Framework, promoting a “One Nation, One Student ID” system.
Implementation concerns and data privacy: Concerns exist about the system’s implementation and data privacy. Aadhaar linkage issues (spelling mismatches) require updates, and the voluntary nature of APAAR is questioned by mandatory enrolment drives from the CBSE.
Data Protection Act 2023 concerns: The Data Protection Act, though not yet enforced, mandates free, informed, and unambiguous consent. Activists argue that the APAAR ID process violates this principle by making enrollment seem mandatory.
Supreme Court ruling implications: The APAAR ID system contradicts the Supreme Court’s ruling that Aadhaar cannot be mandatory for basic education.
Coercive measures at state level: States like Uttar Pradesh are using APAAR to scrutinize school enrollment, with threats of derecognition for non-compliance. This pressure on parents undermines voluntary consent.
Parents’ pushback and lack of alternatives: Parents are pushing back against APAAR’s perceived mandatory nature. Options for opting out are insufficient, creating pressure to enroll.

Bond Varieties

Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs): Issued by the government to fund green projects (energy efficiency, reduced emissions, etc.). India’s recent auctions saw muted response, despite relaxed NRI/FPI participation rules. Weak demand impacts government’s fiscal constraints.
Bonds in general: Instruments for raising money, issued by governments (G-secs, Treasury, Gilts) or companies. Government bonds are considered safe, with lower yields. Yields change with bond prices. Example: A Rs 100 bond with Rs 5 coupon pays Rs 5 annually for 10 years, then returns Rs 100, for a 5% yield.
Masala Bonds: Rupee-denominated bonds issued by Indian entities (companies, banks) in overseas markets. Offers lower borrowing costs and diversifies funding sources, boosts rupee internationalization, but foreign investors face currency risk.
Social Impact Bonds (SIBs): Innovative financial instruments funding social programs. Returns are tied to achieving predefined social outcomes (e.g., reducing unemployment). Pay-for-success model, shifting risk from public sector, encouraging innovation.
Blue Bonds: A proposed bond type for sustainable use of ocean resources, to support the blue economy. This concept was proposed by SEBI, highlighting India’s potential.
Sustainability-linked bonds: Bonds whose features depend on achieving pre-defined sustainability/ESG goals, showcasing forward-looking, performance-based instruments.
SDG alignment: All these bond types (SGrBs, blue bonds, SIBs, etc.) contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly relating to energy, climate, and ocean conservation.

PM-YUVA 3.0

PM-YUVA 3.0 Launched: Ministry of Education launched PM-YUVA 3.0, a mentorship program for young authors (under 30) to promote reading, writing, and book culture.
Focus Areas: The program focuses on the contribution of the Indian diaspora, the Indian knowledge system, and the makers of modern India (1950-2025).
Implementing Agency: National Book Trust (NBT) is the implementing agency.
Language Promotion: Books will be published by NBT and translated into multiple Indian languages under “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.
NEP 2020 Alignment: The program aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, focusing on youth empowerment.
Mentorship Program: Young authors will be mentored by esteemed writers.
Selection Process: 50 authors will be selected through an online contest (MyGov) from March 11th to April 10th, 2025, with specific quotas for each theme.
Training Schedule: Training for selected authors will happen from June 30th to December 30th, 2025, including a national camp at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026.
Nation Building Focus: The program emphasizes showcasing India’s rich heritage, culture, and knowledge system globally, particularly highlighting the contribution of Indian diaspora.

Coronal Mass Ejections

Aditya-L1 mission: India’s first dedicated solar science mission.
Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC): Instrument onboard Aditya-L1 observing solar corona. VELC can observe closer to the solar surface and at shorter intervals than other coronagraphs.
Flareless CME observation: VELC observed a CME eruption on July 5, 2024, without a preceding solar flare.
Magnetic instability: Data helps differentiate magnetic instabilities causing flares vs. CMEs.
CMEs: Massive bursts of solar plasma and magnetic fields ejected from the Sun. Associated with solar flares and impacting Earth’s magnetosphere.
CME causes: Intense solar magnetic field activity and magnetic field line reconnection.
Solar cycle 25: Sun approaching peak activity (solar maximum), expected CME frequency increase.
VELC’s role: Uninterrupted monitoring for CMEs during solar maximum, providing valuable data for studying CME-flare associations.
CME impact on Earth: Geomagnetic storms, auroras, power grid disruptions, communication issues (radio, satellite), satellite damage, and astronaut health risks.
Flares: Explosive solar events releasing energy as electromagnetic radiation, often associated with CMEs.
Flare-CME association: The connection between flares and CMEs is still not fully understood.

Amrit Sarovar Mission

Mission Amrit Sarovar: Aims to address water scarcity by constructing or rejuvenating 75 ponds (Amrit Sarovars) in each district, totaling 50,000 across India. Launched in April 2022.
Progress: Over 68,000 ponds completed by October 2024, improving surface and groundwater availability.
Phase 2 Focus: Emphasis on community participation (Jan Bhagidaari) to strengthen climate resilience and ensure lasting benefits.
Railway Involvement: Indian Railways to dig ponds, desilt, or excavate existing water bodies near railway lines. Excavated soil used for suitable railway embankments.
Coordination: Railways to work closely with the Rural Development Ministry and district authorities.
Timeline: A substantial number of ponds to be completed by August 15, 2025.
Technical Partner: Bhaskar Acharya National Institute for Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) develops tracking tools (portal/app).
Funding: No separate financial allocation. Utilizes existing schemes.
Community Role: Gram Sabhas approve pond sites, and Panchayat Partinidhi supervise development.
Conservation & Infrastructure: Focuses on water conservation, community participation, and utilization of excavated soil for infrastructure.

Ashwini Radar

Contract Signed: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a ₹2,906 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) Ashwini.
Radar Name: LLTR is also known as Ashwini.
Technology: Ashwini is an active electronically scanned phased array radar using solid-state technology.
Target Tracking: It can track both fast (fighter jets) and slow-moving aerial targets (UAVs, helicopters).
Indigenous Design: The radar is indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), specifically the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment. BEL is the manufacturer.
IFF System: Features an integrated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system for 4D surveillance.
Mobility and ECCM: Designed for mobility across terrains and has Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities.
Automatic Detection: Automatically detects and tracks aerial targets.
Enhanced Preparedness: Acquisition will significantly enhance the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force.
Key Personnel: The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Ashwini Radar

Gold Import Laws

Gold smuggling in India is governed by the Customs Act, 1962, and CBIC guidelines.
The Gold (Control) Act, 1968, was repealed in 1990, replaced by import duties.
Baggage Rules, 2016, determine duty-free allowances based on duration abroad and passenger gender.
Customs duty varies based on gold quantity and time spent abroad.
Smuggling is a criminal offense under the Customs Act (Sections 111, 112, 135) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Section 111).
The UAPA also criminalizes smuggling if it harms India’s monetary stability.
Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, was arrested for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold from Dubai.
DRI found gold concealed on her person and seized jewellery and cash.
Rao allegedly travelled to Dubai frequently (27 times in six months) using VIP channels.
Local police escorted her home, bypassing security checks.
Rao’s stepfather, a senior IPS officer, was linked to a previous gold robbery.
Investigations are underway into potential police involvement and misuse of privileges.

Railways & Amrit Sarovar

Indian Railways is collaborating with the Mission Amrit Sarovar initiative to conserve water.
The initiative aims to construct or rejuvenate ponds across the country, particularly near railway lines.
Railways will desilt, excavate, or create water bodies in coordination with district authorities and the Rural Development Ministry.
Mission Amrit Sarovar, launched in April 2022, aims to create/renovate 75 ponds per district.
Over 68,000 ponds have been completed as of October 2024, enhancing water availability.
Phase two emphasizes community participation (Jan Bhagidaari) and climate resilience for long-term water security.
Railway excavated material will be used in railway embankments where suitable.
Letters have been sent to Chief Secretaries of states/UTs outlining the Railways’ role in this mission.
A significant number of ponds are expected to be completed by August 15, 2025.

Mycelium Bricks

Mycelium bricks are a promising low-carbon alternative to traditional fired clay bricks, created from fungal spores, husk, and sawdust.
They are lightweight, biodegradable, fire-resistant, and good heat insulators,
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suitable for various applications like interior panelling and filters.
Production of fired clay bricks emits nearly 300 million tonnes of CO2 annually, a concern exacerbated by urbanization.
Mycelium bricks have drawbacks: low load-bearing capacity, high moisture absorption, short lifespan, and vulnerability to termites.
Tropical weather, high humidity, and lack of infrastructure in India hinder large-scale production.
Solutions include flame retardants, UV coatings, R&D, and policy support to improve durability and competitiveness.
Mycelium’s strength-to-weight ratio is much lower than concrete.
Cost of growing and treating fungi for construction is currently high due to infrastructure limitations.
Higher moisture absorption compared to synthetic materials makes them unsuitable for damp environments.
Consumer awareness and investment in research and development are crucial for wider adoption.
Growing interest in sustainable materials, including high-performance buildings, is driving demand for mycelium bricks.

Brahmani River

Bridge Construction Stalled: Construction of the Brahmani River bridge near Brahmabarada has been stalled for two years, despite 70% completion. Construction began in 2016 under the Biju Setu scheme.
Inconvenience to Residents: The unfinished bridge inconveniences residents of over 20 villages across five gram panchayats in Rasulpur and Jajpur blocks.
Increased Travel Distance: Villagers now travel 8 km instead of 1 km to reach the Brahmabarada market due to the incomplete bridge.
Impact on Students and Elderly: Students and elderly residents in Jhalpada and Rudrapur gram panchayats face difficulties accessing essential services like schools, hospitals, and banks.
Project Cost: The project was sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 10.42 crore.
River’s Importance: The Brahmani River is a major river in eastern India, primarily flowing through Odisha.
River Course: Formed by the Sankh and South Koel rivers near Rourkela, originating from the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Flows through Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
Delta Formation: Together with the Mahanadi and Baitarani rivers, forms a large delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
Bhitarkanika Sanctuary: The Brahmani delta is the site of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.
River Length: The total length of the river is about 799 km, with 541 km in Odisha.
Rengali Dam: The Rengali Dam is located on the Brahmani River.

SpaDeX Mission

ISRO successfully undock two satellites (SDX01 and SDX02) in the SpaDeX mission on March 13, 2025.
SpaDeX is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for in-space docking.
Primary objective: Demonstrate rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft in low-Earth orbit.
Secondary objectives: Power transfer between docked spacecraft, composite spacecraft control, and payload operations post-undocking.
Two spacecraft (220 kg each) launched by PSLV-C60.
Undocking took place in a 460 km circular orbit with a 45-degree inclination.
Satellites are now orbiting independently, functioning normally.
India becomes the fourth country after USA, Russia, and China to achieve this feat.
SpaDeX is a stepping stone for future missions like lunar sample return, a space station (Bharatiya Antariksha Station), and human lunar missions.

India-Mauritius Ties

Enhanced Strategic Partnership: India and Mauritius elevated their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership, focusing on security, trade in local currencies, and development.
Agreements: Eight agreements were signed covering trade, maritime security, and defense, signifying deepened regional cooperation.
MAHASAGAR Initiative: India introduced MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) to strengthen engagement with the Global South, leveraging technology sharing, loans, grants, and mutual security cooperation.
Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA): The protocol amending the DTAA was agreed upon to meet international standards.
Agalega Island: India and Mauritius will enhance the use of Agalega Island’s new runway and jetty, developed by India, for strengthened security cooperation.
Chagos Archipelago: India reaffirmed support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.
Developmental Support: India announced its first rupee-denominated Line of Credit for Mauritius’ water pipeline replacement, along with support for a police academy and maritime information-sharing center.
Infrastructure Projects: India provided support for various infrastructure projects in Mauritius, including a new parliament building.
Maritime Security Cooperation: Increased cooperation in white shipping, blue economy, and hydrography will strengthen maritime security.
Regional and International Forums: India reaffirmed its commitment to working with Mauritius in regional and international forums like the Colombo Security Conclave, IORA, and the Indian Ocean Conference.
Strategic Importance: Mauritius’ strategic location in the Indian Ocean is vital for India’s SAGAR/MAHASAGAR initiative, supporting maritime security and countering external influences.
Economic Relations: Mauritius is a crucial trading and investment gateway for India in Africa, and a significant FDI source into India. India is one of Mauritius’ largest trading partners.

Supersolid

Here’s a summary of the key points regarding the “supersolid” news:

Breakthrough: Researchers have successfully created a “supersolid” using light for the first time.
Supersolid Definition: A state of matter combining properties of both solids (orderly structure) and superfluids (frictionless flow). Particles condense into an orderly, crystalline solid but also move like a liquid that has no viscosity.
Novel Approach: This discovery expands the scope of supersolid research beyond traditional Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) of ultracold atoms by coupling light and matter.
Quantum Realm: Supersolids exist in the quantum world and, until now, have all been made using atoms.
Potential Applications: The light-based supersolid could revolutionize quantum computing (enhancing qubit stability), optical circuits, photonic devices, materials science, and energy storage.
Material Behavior Solids have a fixed structure while supersolids combine crystalline order with frictionless flow
Significance This is not simply a photonic analogy of atomic systems, but a fundamentally new approach to achieve supersolidity. It also opens the way to the exploration of quantum phases of matter in non-equilibrium systems
New opportunities:Realising this exotic state of condensed matter in a fluid of light flowing in a semiconductor nanostructure will allow us to investigate its physical properties in a new and controlled way and perhaps to be able to exploit its unique characteristics for possible applications to new light-emitting devices.

UN80 Initiative

UN80 Initiative: A comprehensive reform program launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness. It’s timed for the UN’s 80th anniversary.
Concerns: The world faces numerous challenges including escalating conflicts, poverty, human rights violations, and rapid tech advancements (like AI). Shrinking resources and a liquidity crisis are also major factors.
Objectives: Identify operational inefficiencies, review mandate implementation, and conduct a strategic structural review to realign UN programs.
Rationale: The UN is struggling with growing demands (increased mandates), funding shortfalls (member state dues), and challenges of managing complex issues.
Implementation: Led by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder, a task force of UN officials from across the system will oversee the initiative encompassing all UN entities.