18.08.25

Reefs

• Successful Coral Restoration in Gulf of Mannar: A large-scale program by SDMRI has restored 40,000 sq. m. of degraded reefs using 5,550 artificial substrates and 51,183 coral fragments.
  • Why it’s news: Demonstrates effective, scalable solutions for coral reef recovery, a critical environmental issue.
• Improved Coral Survival Rates: Survival rates increased from 56.6% to 71.6%, with live coral cover rising in Vaan Island.
  • Why it’s news: Highlights the efficacy of the restoration methods and their positive impact on reef health.
• Ecological and Economic Benefits: Restoration boosted species diversity, fish biomass, and marine biodiversity, benefiting local communities through improved fisheries.
  • Why it’s news: Shows that conservation efforts can yield tangible benefits for both ecosystems and livelihoods.
• Key Restoration Methods Highlighted:
  • Coral Gardening: Growing fragments in nurseries before transplanting, suitable for fast-growing species.
  • Larval Propagation: Using sexual reproduction to cultivate larvae, promoting genetic diversity.
  • Coral Transplantation: Direct transfer from healthy to degraded sites.
  • Artificial Reefs: Using substrates to provide attachment surfaces.
  • Emerging Techniques: Cryopreservation and assisted breeding for enhanced stress tolerance.
  • Why it’s news: Provides practical insights into diverse techniques available for coral reef rehabilitation.
• Persistent Challenges: Climate change (warming seas, acidification), natural disasters (tsunamis, bleaching), and human pressures (fishing, pollution) threaten reef survival.
  • Why it’s news: Underscores the ongoing need for conservation and the urgency of addressing climate change.
• Future Focus: Scaling up restoration, continuous monitoring, community involvement, and stricter protection measures are crucial for long-term success.
  • Why it’s news: Outlines a path forward for effective and sustained coral reef management.

WTO Future Trade

• Why in News: US unilateral tariffs spark global debate on WTO’s effectiveness and the future of multilateral trade.
• WTO’s Role:
  • Rule-making and negotiation platform for trade agreements.
  • Promotes trade liberalization, predictability, and a rules-based system.
  • Ensures transparency and monitors trade policies.
  • Provides capacity building for developing economies.
  • Balances trade with development goals and prevents protectionism.
• Factors Limiting WTO Effectiveness:
  • Dispute Settlement Paralysis: Non-functional Appellate Body due to US blocking appointments.
  • Negotiation Deadlock: Doha Round collapse and North-South divide.
  • Rise of Regional Trade: Proliferation of FTAs fragments global trade.
  • Rise of Protectionism: Use of security exceptions for unilateral tariffs (US-China trade war).
  • Gaps in Addressing Evolving Trade: Struggles with digital trade, e-commerce, and climate-related issues.
  • Development Disparities: Ambiguous “developing country” definition leads to disputes.
• Crucial Reforms:
  • Revitalize dispute resolution by reviving the Appellate Body.
  • Enhance transparency through Trade Policy Reviews.
  • Strengthen partnerships with other international institutions.
  • Institutionalize reform mechanisms with a permanent council.
  • Evolve to address new trade dimensions like digital trade and green subsidies.
• India’s Role:
  • Champion for the Global South, advocating for developing countries’ concerns.
  • Balance protectionism and liberalization, resisting unilateral actions.
  • Promote sustainable and inclusive trade, linking it to SDGs.
  • Showcase as a model economy balancing development and global integration.

Rupee Global, SRVAs

• SRVAs for Rupee Trade: Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) are accounts opened by foreign entities with Indian banks to settle international trade in INR.
  • Why in News: RBI allowed non-residents holding SRVAs to invest surplus INR in government securities and removed prior RBI approval for opening SRVAs by banks.
• Boosting Rupee Internationalization: These measures aim to increase the usage and acceptance of the Indian Rupee in global transactions.
  • Significance: Promotes INR’s global use, reduces reliance on USD for bilateral trade, and encourages productive deployment of surplus INR.
• Investment in G-secs: SRVA holders can now invest their rupee surplus in Central government securities and Treasury Bills.
  • Why: This provides a channel for productive use of rupee funds held by foreign entities.
• Streamlined SRVA Opening: Authorized dealer banks no longer need RBI’s prior approval to open SRVAs for overseas correspondent banks.
  • Why: This speeds up the operationalization of rupee-based trade settlements.
• Internationalization of Rupee: Involves promoting INR usage in cross-border trade, investments, and financial transactions, reducing dependence on foreign currencies like the USD.
  • Benefits: Reduces vulnerability to global crises, lowers hedging costs, eases forex reserve pressure, and strengthens Indian financial markets.
  • Challenges: Limited global acceptance, INR liquidity constraints abroad, regulatory complexities, insufficient trade invoicing in INR, lack of global payment infrastructure integration, and USD dominance.
• RBI Recommendations: Include boosting cross-border settlement mechanisms, strengthening financial market infrastructure, simplifying KYC, and aiming for INR inclusion in the IMF’s SDR basket.

Agri R&D India

• Shift Subsidies to R&D: India currently spends too much on input subsidies, which have low social returns. Reallocating even a portion of this to agricultural R&D, climate-smart practices, and post-harvest infrastructure will yield higher benefits for farmers and the nation.
• Sustainability is Crucial: Addressing groundwater depletion, soil degradation, and extreme weather requires focused research on water-saving crops, resilient seeds, and carbon-smart farming methods. This is a necessity, not an option.
• Focus on Quality and Value Addition: To truly increase farmer incomes, India must move beyond producing raw agricultural output. R&D should drive the development of value-added, market-linked, and traceable agri-products.
• Underinvestment in R&D: India’s public agri-R&D spending (0.6–0.7% of agri-GDP) lags behind the global average (~0.9%) and advanced economies (over 2%). This limits innovation and competitiveness.
• Yield Gaps Persist: Despite agricultural growth, yields in India trail major producers due to fragmentation, low investment, and insufficient mechanisation. R&D can help bridge these gaps.
• Leverage Government Initiatives: Programs like the Digital Agriculture Mission, Clean Plant Programme, and NICRA are crucial for modernization and resilience. However, challenges like under-investment, state disparities, and digital divides need urgent attention.
• Strengthen Extension Services: Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are vital for transferring research to farmers, but their capacity needs enhancement and performance-linked funding.
• Way Forward: Increased Investment and Targeted Support: The recommendation is to raise agri-R&D spending to 1.2–1.5% of agri-GDP, establish a Competitive Grants Fund, link subsidies to outcomes, fast-track climate-resilient seeds, and support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and mechanization.

Why this is news: This highlights a critical juncture for Indian agriculture, proposing a fundamental shift in resource allocation from subsidies to innovation to address current challenges and secure future food security, farmer prosperity, and environmental sustainability.

Connexins

• Discovery: Researchers found Connexin proteins (Cx37 and Cx40) are crucial for rapid blood flow coordination in arteries.
  • Why: These proteins form gap junctions, enabling fast, electrical-like signals between artery walls, unlike slower chemical messengers.
• Mechanism: Gap junctions allow synchronized widening of arteries.
  • Why: This ensures timely blood delivery to active brain regions, explaining how the brain maintains attention and function.
• Significance:
  • Brain Health: Helps understand how the brain maintains cognitive function and avoids lapses.
  • Disease Research: Offers insights into impaired brain blood flow in aging and small vessel disease due to loss of gap junction function.
  • Future Applications: Valuable for AI brain models, stroke research, and drug delivery strategies.
• Connexin Proteins: These are membrane proteins forming channels between cells, allowing direct communication via passage of ions, metabolites, and signaling molecules.
  • Why: Essential for cell communication, electrical coupling, developmental regulation, and metabolic cooperation.

E20 Fuel

• India’s E20 Petrol Push: India is rapidly expanding the use of E20 petrol (20% ethanol blend), aiming for nationwide availability by 2025. This program aims to reduce oil imports and carbon emissions.

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• Vehicle Owner Concerns: Around 77% of vehicle owners in some districts are reportedly against the E20 shift due to potential mileage drops and increased maintenance costs for older vehicles.

• Economic and Environmental Benefits: E20 has led to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (700 lakh tonnes) and supports India’s rural economy by benefiting sugarcane farmers.

• Environmental and Agricultural Concerns: Heavy reliance on sugarcane for ethanol production raises concerns about water usage, food security, and ecological strain.

• Global Trade Friction: The US has been pushing India to relax ethanol import restrictions, highlighting ongoing trade disputes.

• Ethanol as a Bridge Fuel: Ethanol blending is viewed as a temporary solution to reduce emissions while India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem develops, which faces challenges like high costs and inadequate infrastructure.

• Ethanol Production Landscape: India’s ethanol production is primarily domestic, driven by government policies and financial incentives. India is the third-largest ethanol producer globally.

• Government Initiatives: Policies like the National Policy on Biofuels (2018) and the PM-PRANAM Scheme aim to boost biofuel production and usage, including diversifying feedstocks beyond sugarcane.

OCI Scheme

• Stricter OCI Card Revocation Rules: The Home Ministry has expanded reasons for cancelling OCI cards.
  • Why: Holders convicted with imprisonment of 2 years or more, or charged with offenses punishable with 7 years or more, can now have their OCI status revoked. This is a significant tightening of the rules.
• OCI Scheme Basics: Launched in 2005, it grants foreign passport holders of Indian origin a lifelong multiple-entry visa for India.
  • Why: It aims to facilitate visits for Persons of Indian Origin but does not confer dual citizenship.
• Key Restrictions for OCI Holders:
  • Why: OCI cardholders are barred from political rights (voting, contesting elections) and cannot hold constitutional posts. They are also not eligible for public employment unless specifically notified. Special permits are needed for certain activities like research or journalism.
• Expanded Revocation Grounds:
  • Why: Beyond fraud, misrepresentation, or aiding the enemy, the grounds for cancellation now explicitly include serious criminal offenses and actions deemed prejudicial to India’s interests (sovereignty, security, etc.).
• OCI vs. NRI Differences:
  • Why: OCIs are registered foreign nationals with a lifelong visa, unlike NRIs who are Indian citizens residing abroad and retain full rights, including voting.

India@79: Big News

• PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: To create 3.5 crore jobs in two years with Rs 15,000 support for 3 crore new employees. This signifies a shift towards a prosperous India.
• Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Development of an indigenous Iron Dome-like air defence system by 2035 to protect key sites.
• Made-in-India Semiconductor Chip: First chip to be rolled out by end of 2025.
• National Deep Water Exploration Mission (“Samudra Manthan”): To explore offshore oil, gas, and mineral resources.
• GST and Task Force Reforms: GST reforms by October 2025 with reduced taxes and MSME relief. A Task Force to drive economic growth and modernization for a $10 trillion economy by 2047.
• High-Powered Demography Mission: To address demographic imbalance from illegal migration for national security and unity.
• Nuclear Energy Expansion: Tenfold increase in nuclear power capacity by 2047 with 10 new reactors under development.
• Clean Energy Target Achieved: Goal of 50% electricity capacity from non-fossil sources met five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.
• Prime Minister’s Speech: Modi delivered a record 103-minute speech from the Red Fort on India’s 79th Independence Day.

India’s IP Ecosystem

• Shift in Patent Landscape: India transitioning from technology consumer to producer; Indian filings surged post-2013, now over 43%.
  • Why: Driven by “Make in India” and strengthened R&D.
• Sectoral Growth: Computer science (11.27% to 26.5%) and electronics (8.27% to 16.41%) patents rising. Physics patents declined.
  • Why: Reflects focus on digital and electronic innovation.
• University Dominance: Institutions like IITs and IISc are leading patent filers.
  • Why: Increased R&D focus and effective technology transfer offices (TTOs).
• Government Initiatives: KAPILA, Atal Innovation Mission, National IPR Policy aim to boost IP literacy, R&D, and innovation.
  • Why: Policy push to foster an innovation ecosystem.
• Key Challenges:
  • Delays: ~5-year patent grant time hampers innovation.
  • Low R&D Spend: ~0.6-0.7% of GDP vs. >2% in advanced economies.
  • Brain Drain: Indian talent patents filed abroad, losing IP ownership.
  • Awareness Gap: Limited IP knowledge among MSMEs and startups.
  • Funding Constraints: Insufficient venture capital for early-stage innovation.
  • Quality vs. Quantity: Focus on filing numbers over commercialization.
• Brain Drain Impact: Top researchers abroad contribute to foreign patents.
  • Why: Need for initiatives to retain and attract global Indian talent.
• R&D and Patent Linkage: Low R&D spending directly impacts patent output.
  • Why: Need for increased R&D investment and academia-industry collaboration.
• Way Forward:
  • Time-bound patent grants.
  • Strengthened TTOs.
  • Increased R&D expenditure (target 2% GDP).
  • MSME IP enablement.
  • Talent retention and diaspora engagement.
  • Focus on commercialization and quality.
• Global Best Practices: Adaptations from USA’s Bayh-Dole Act, USPTO’s Track One, EU’s Unitary Patent, and Patent Prosecution Highway can improve India’s ecosystem.

Dibru-Saikhowa NP

• New Study on DSNP Ecosystem: A study found that native species Bombax ceiba and Lagerstroemia speciosa, along with invasive plants, are altering Dibru-Saikhowa National Park’s (DSNP) grassland ecosystem.
• Grassland Degradation: DSNP has seen a significant decline in grasslands, from covering ~28.78% in 2000 to being overtaken by shrubland and degraded forests by 2013 and 2024, respectively.
• Ecological Impact: This grassland degradation leads to biodiversity loss, habitat shrinkage, and intensifies climate change, threatening endemic species like the Bengal florican and hog deer.
• Threat to Feral Horses: DSNP is the only habitat for India’s feral horses (around 200 remain), descendants of WWII cavalry horses, which are also at risk from habitat changes.
• Conservation Recommendations: To address these issues, the park needs targeted grassland recovery projects, invasive species control, improved surveillance, and the relocation of villages from within its boundaries.
• DSNP’s Significance: Located in Assam, DSNP is vital for its wetlands, grasslands, swamp forests, and biodiversity, acting as a carbon sink and supporting endangered species. It is also threatened by oil exploration and floods.

Gov. Powers

• SC Hearing on Governor’s Bill Powers: The Supreme Court is examining whether timelines should be imposed on Governors for approving state bills.

• Centre’s Argument: Governors are constitutional actors with discretion, not just rubber stamps, serving as a check on hasty legislation. The Constitution’s silence on timelines for Articles 200 and 201 shows deliberate design, and judicial deadlines would rewrite the Constitution. The SC shouldn’t use Article 142 to create “deemed assent.”

• Tamil Nadu’s Argument: Governors and the President cannot indefinitely delay bills. Prolonged inaction undermines democracy and violates the “aid and advice” principle of the Council of Ministers. Tamil Nadu is challenging Governor R.N. Ravi’s delays.

• Key Issues: Balancing state legislative mandates with Governor/President discretion, whether courts can set deadlines where the Constitution is silent, and the scope of Article 142 regarding “deemed assent.”

• Governor’s Role: Constitutional head, appointed by the President, acts as a link between Union and State. Powers include giving assent to bills (Article 200), recommending President’s Rule (Article 356), and having discretionary powers in specific situations like hung assemblies.

Kakori Centenary

• 100 Years of Kakori Train Action: The event, occurring in August 1925, is being commemorated, highlighting its significance in India’s freedom struggle.
• Why in News: It’s a centennial commemoration of a pivotal moment in the independence movement.
• What it was: On August 9, 1925, Indian revolutionaries, part of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), robbed the Number 8 Down train near Kakori, Lucknow.
• Objective: The aim was to seize British government funds to finance the freedom struggle, particularly after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Key Personalities: Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, and Chandrashekhar Azad were prominent figures involved.
• British Reaction: The British government responded with a crackdown, arresting many revolutionaries. Four were hanged (Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Roshan Singh, Lahiri), 17 were jailed, and four were transported for life.
• Legacy: The Kakori Train Action is seen as a symbol of unity and continues to inspire the youth as a heroic chapter in India’s fight for independence.

Viksit Bharat Rozgar

• Scheme Name: Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)
• Announced: On the 79th Independence Day (August 15, 2025) by the Prime Minister.
• Objective: To boost employment generation and formalize the workforce.
• Financial Outlay: Nearly ₹1 lakh crore.
• Job Creation Target: Over 3.5 crore jobs within two years.

• Formalization: Aims to provide social security coverage to young men and women.

• Part A – Support to First-Time Employees:

  • Benefit: EPF wage support up to ₹15,000 in two installments.
  • Eligibility: First-time employees registered with EPFO earning up to ₹1 lakh salary.
  • Installments: First after 6 months of service, second after 12 months and financial literacy program completion.
  • Savings Component: A portion of the incentive will be put into a savings instrument for later withdrawal.
  • Beneficiaries: Expected to benefit around 1.92 crore first-time employees.
  • Payment: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via Aadhar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).

• Part B – Incentives for Employers:

  • Benefit: Up to ₹3,000 per month per new employee for 2 years.
  • Eligibility: For employers creating new jobs (salaries up to ₹1 lakh), sustained for at least six months.
  • Manufacturing Sector: Incentives extend to the 3rd and 4th years.
  • Job Creation Impact: Expected to incentivize the creation of approximately 2.60 crore additional jobs.
  • Payment: Into employers’ PAN-linked accounts.

Sports Bills Pass

• Two Key Sports Bills Passed: Parliament has passed the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

  • Why: These bills aim to reform sports governance and strengthen anti-doping measures in India, aligning with international standards.

• National Sports Governance Bill:

  • Establishes National Sports Board (NSB): The NSB will oversee sports federations, including the BCCI.
    • Why: To regulate sports administrators and ensure compliance.
  • Empowers NSB: Can recognize, suspend, or cancel sports bodies, conduct inquiries, frame policies, and regulate elections.
    • Why: To improve the functioning and accountability of sports organizations.
  • Federation Structure: Mandates specific structures for national/regional sports federations (General Body, Executive Committee with representation, and specific committees).
    • Why: To ensure better representation and specialized functions within federations.
  • National Sports Tribunal: Creates a tribunal for speedy dispute resolution (excluding doping, internal, and international event matters).
    • Why: To provide efficient resolution of sports-related disputes.
  • Public Authority Status & Audits: Recognised bodies are public authorities under RTI if receiving grants; must maintain CAG-audited accounts.
    • Why: To enhance transparency and financial accountability.
  • Government Oversight: Centre can frame rules, relax eligibility, and restrict national teams’ participation abroad for security reasons.
    • Why: To maintain national interest and security in sports.

• National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill:

  • Strengthens Anti-Doping Framework: Amends the 2022 Act to align with UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sports.
    • Why: To combat doping effectively in Indian sports.
  • Enhances NADA’s Independence: Provides greater operational independence to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel.
    • Why: To ensure autonomy in anti-doping operations, investigations, and enforcement.
  • National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports: Establishes a board to oversee NADA and advise the government.
    • Why: To provide strategic direction and oversight to anti-doping efforts.
  • Clear Rule Violations: Specifies a clear list of anti-doping rule violations.
    • Why: To ensure robust enforcement and compliance.