20.01.25

Fund of Funds

• Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) Scheme: Established in 2016 with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore.

• Objective: To boost the Indian startup ecosystem by providing access to domestic capital.

• Investment Mechanism: FFS does not directly invest in startups. It invests in SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) (“daughter funds”), which then invest in startups.

• SIDBI’s Role: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) manages the FFS, selecting daughter funds and overseeing capital disbursal.

• Leverage: AIFs supported by FFS must invest at least twice the amount committed by FFS in startups.

• SIDBI’s Broader Mandate: SIDBI supports the MSME sector through financing, promotion, and development activities. It also plays a role in cleaner production and energy efficiency.

• Startup India Mission: Launched in January 2016 to create a supportive environment for startups in India.

NDRF: India’s First Responders

• Established: Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Section 44). Initially established in 2006.
• Mandate: Specialized response to natural and man-made disasters.
• Composition: Expanded to 16 Battalions, drawn from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) – BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles.
• Capabilities: Multi-skilled force for floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, building collapses, train/road accidents, etc.
• Deployment Strategy: “Proactive availability” and “pre-positioning” to minimize damage.
• International Engagement: Responds to disasters internationally under agreements. Examples: Fukushima, Japan (2011) and Nepal (2015).
• Governance: Functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), headed by a Director General.
• Core Function: Primary task is specialized disaster response.
• Preparedness: Maintains readiness through rigorous training, practice, and mock drills.

Great Barrier Reef: Intro

• Location: Off the northeastern coast of Australia in the Coral Sea.

  • Why: Establishes its geographical context.

• Size and Scale: The world’s largest and longest reef complex; the largest living structure on Earth, spanning 350,000 sq km. Visible from space.

  • Why: Highlights its immense scale and global significance.

• Composition: Composed of nearly 3,000 individual reefs of different types, including platform, wall, and fringing reefs.

  • Why: Explains its diverse structure and formation.

• Biodiversity Hotspot: Home to 400 coral types, 1,500 fish species, and 4,000 mollusk species.

  • Why: Emphasizes its rich and diverse ecosystem.

• Threatened Species Habitat: Critical habitat for endangered species like the dugong and green sea turtle.

  • Why: Underscores its importance for conservation.

• Protected Area: Managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority of Australia.

  • Why: Points to conservation efforts.

• World Heritage Site: Designated by UNESCO in 1981.

  • Why: Recognizes its global cultural and natural value.

Singapore Semiconductor Alliance

• Singapore-India Partnership: Singapore aims to collaborate with India on semiconductor manufacturing and ecosystem development.
• Singapore’s Strengths: Singapore has a mature semiconductor industry contributing significantly to its GDP, specializing in mature-node chips.
• India’s Semiconductor Market: India’s market is projected to reach USD 103.4 billion by 2030, heavily reliant on imports currently.
• India’s Advantages: India offers a skilled workforce, cost advantages, and benefits from global supply chain diversification.
• Singapore’s Potential Contribution: Singapore can aid India in expanding manufacturing capabilities through outsourcing partnerships, talent development via educational collaborations, and establishing wafer fab parks.
• Significance for India: Semiconductors are crucial for India’s industrial development, technological sovereignty, global supply chain influence, and digital transformation.
• Challenges: High capital requirements, talent shortages, limited access to advanced technology, and environmental concerns pose significant hurdles.
• Way Forward: Focus on education and training programs, indigenous chip design, building a comprehensive supply chain, establishing a sovereign semiconductor fund, and promoting green semiconductor manufacturing.

Why in News?

• Singapore’s interest in partnering with India signals a strategic move to tap into India’s growing market and potential as a semiconductor manufacturing hub.
• This collaboration is vital for India to reduce import dependence, boost its economy, enhance its technological capabilities, and become a key player in the global semiconductor industry.

Marburg Outbreak

• Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) Outbreak in Tanzania: A suspected outbreak in the Kagera region, Tanzania, has caused 8 deaths.

• Deadly Hemorrhagic Fever: MVD is a severe illness with a high fatality rate (up to 89%) and no approved treatments.

• Symptoms Resemble Ebola: Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting blood, and bleeding.

• Transmission: Spread to humans from fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.

• Diagnosis: Confirmed via RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing.

• Tanzania Context: Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean and eight other countries.

• Why it matters: MVD’s high fatality rate and lack of treatment make outbreaks a serious public health concern. The rapid spread through bodily fluids requires immediate and strong containment measures to prevent widespread infection. The absence of any information from the secondary article suggests all available relevant details are already included from the first source.

Davos Forum

• Forum’s Core Mission: The World Economic Forum (WEF) aims to improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation, shaping global, regional, and industry agendas.

• Stakeholder Capitalism: The WEF champions stakeholder capitalism, engaging organizations and leaders in dialogue to build future-ready, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economies.

• Historical Evolution: Founded in 1971 as the European Management Forum, it broadened its scope to economic and social issues, formally becoming the World Economic Forum in 1987. It was recognized as an international organization in 2015.

• Global Platform: The WEF serves as a platform for dialogue, debate, and action, connecting political, business, and other

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  leaders to address global challenges.

• Key Reports: The WEF publishes influential reports, including the Global Competitiveness Report, Global Gender Gap Report, and Global Risks Report, informing global understanding and policy.

• Davos Annual Meeting: The annual Davos meeting convenes around 3,000 participants to discuss global issues across various sessions, fostering collaboration and driving change.

• Funding Structure: The WEF is primarily funded by its partnering corporations, typically global enterprises with substantial annual turnover.

Frontier Nagaland Demand

• Demand: The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) demands the creation of a Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).
• MHA Agreement: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has agreed to grant autonomy for the proposed FNT.
• Objective: The FNT aims to address developmental imbalances in six eastern Nagaland districts: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang.
• Autonomy: The proposed territory seeks executive, legislative, and financial autonomy for better governance and resource allocation.
• Development Deficit: The primary reason for the demand is a perceived “development deficit” in these districts compared to the rest of Nagaland.
• Demographics: The six districts are home to 7 Naga tribes (Konyak, Khiamniungan, Chang, Sangtam, Tikhir, Phom and Yimkhiung), representing over 30% of Nagaland’s population and holding 20 of the 60 legislative assembly seats.
• Historical Context: The demand for a separate state emerged in 2010, highlighting long-standing grievances related to development.
• Nagaland’s Formation: After 1947, the Naga territory was initially part of Assam, later becoming a state on December 1, 1963.

Fonio: Ancient Grain

• Fonio: An Ancient, Resilient Grain: Fonio millet, originating in West Africa (e.g., Ghana), is gaining recognition for its ability to withstand climate shocks.

• Adaptable and Easy to Grow: Fonio thrives in poor soils with minimal water, making it a valuable crop in arid and semi-arid regions. It is also easy to cultivate.

• Nutritional Value (“Miracle Grain”): Due to its adaptability and nutritional value, it is often referred to as a “miracle grain”.

• Traditional Cultivation: Fulani tribes, the largest nomadic tribe in Africa, traditionally cultivate fonio.

• Versatile Use: Fonio can be used in various dishes like salads, porridges, pasta, and bread, or as a side dish.

• Comparison to Indian Millets: Fonio is similar to Indian millets like sikiya and raishan. Sikiya is the millet favoured by Baiga tribe in Madhya Pradesh.

• International Year of Millets: The United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

• Threat from Profit-Driven Agriculture: Profit motive among farmers is leading to neglect of millet production e.g., in Odisha’s Niyamgiri hills, pineapple cultivation for profit has sidelined millets.

Rubber Rise: India

• Focus: Boosting India’s rubber industry, increasing domestic production, and achieving global competitiveness.

• iSNR Initiative: Launched to meet EUDR standards, ensuring traceability and compliance for EU market access. Promotes sustainable rubber production.

• INR Konnect Platform: Aims to increase productivity by connecting growers of untapped rubber holdings with potential adopters, targeting neglected plantations.

• mRube: Rubber Board’s digital marketing platform to enhance trade efficiency.

• Subsidy Hike: Government plans phased increase in rubber cultivation subsidies.

• EUDR Concerns: India sees EUDR as a non-tariff barrier, increasing compliance burden for exporters and potentially slowing FTA negotiations.

• National Rubber Policy (NRP) 2019: Aims to develop the rubber value chain, expand plantations in non-traditional regions, enhance productivity, ensure domestic supply, and promote quality standards.

• Increased Production Strategies: Land diversification through mixed farming, scientific farming (high-yielding varieties, high-density planting), increased R&D (disease-resistant, climate-resilient varieties), efficient tapping methods, and expanded market access.

• Rubber Production & Trade: India is 3rd largest producer and 4th largest consumer. Kerala contributes over 90% of India’s rubber production. Key export markets include the USA, Germany, UAE, UK, and Bangladesh. Imports are mainly from Indonesia, Thailand, China, South Korea, and Japan.

India-EU Ties

• Shared Democratic Values & Authoritarian Pressure: India and the EU, as democracies, face increasing pressure from authoritarian regimes (China and Russia, respectively), necessitating closer cooperation to defend democratic values.
• Economic Partnership Potential: The EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods. A successful FTA would boost trade and investment. India provides market access and strategic Indo-Pacific partnership, while the EU offers investment, technology, and market access.
• Geopolitical Divergences: Differing views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and approaches to China (India sees China as a strategic competitor while EU continues to trade with it) create a trust deficit and hinder policy coordination.
• Trade & Economic Barriers: Stricter EU IPR norms clash with India’s generic pharmaceutical focus. EU’s labor/environmental standards (e.g., Carbon Border Adjustment
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  Mechanism) pose challenges. FTA negotiations are delayed.
• Maritime Security & Military Cooperation: EU’s ESIWA initiative and joint naval exercises (e.g., in Gulf of Guinea) enhance security cooperation, particularly in securing sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.
• Technology & Innovation Gaps: India prioritizes affordable technology; Europe focuses on sustainability/advanced manufacturing. Lack of coordinated response to China’s dominance in emerging technologies hinders joint progress.
• Need for Strengthened Relations: Countering authoritarianism, boosting economic growth through FTA and technological collaboration (AI, quantum computing, biotech, space), and driving global climate action.
• Way Forward: Unity against authoritarianism, leveraging the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to align technology agendas, forming strategic economic partnerships beyond an FTA.
• Defense Divergence: India’s reliance on Russian defense systems limits deeper EU collaboration on advanced military tech.

Electoral Trust Donations Soar

• Significant Increase in Donations: Electoral trusts saw a surge in donations, particularly to the Prudent Electoral Trust (PET), which tripled its contributions from 2022-23 to 2023-24. This is new normal as electoral bonds which previously enable anonymous donations were declared unconstitutional and ceased issuance.

• Dominant Recipient: The ruling party at the center (BJP) received the most funds through electoral trusts, followed by Congress, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and YSR Congress.

• Shift from Electoral Bonds: The Supreme Court’s decision against electoral bonds has shifted political funding towards electoral trusts, which offer greater transparency as they require disclosure of donor identities. Electoral bonds allowed anonymity, leading to concerns about undisclosed corporate influence.

• Transparency Enhancement: Electoral trusts enhance transparency by disclosing donor identities, amounts, and recipient parties, improving accountability in political funding.

• Corporate Influence: Electoral trusts channel significant corporate funds into the political system, reinforcing corporate influence on party finances. The dominance of a few trusts like PET highlights the centralization of political funding among top donors.

• Regulation: Electoral trusts are regulated under the Companies Act and monitored by the Election Commission and Income Tax Department, ensuring compliance and accountability. They must donate at least 95% of their funds to registered political parties.

• Imbalance in Funding: The ruling party tends to receive a disproportionate share of donations, potentially creating an unequal playing field. This is a point of concern highlighted by ADR reports.

• Need for Balanced Approach: A balance between transparency and anonymity is crucial. Allowing anonymity for small donors while disclosing large donations can be an effective strategy.

ISRO’s New Launchpad

• Third Launch Pad (TLP) Approved: The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a third launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• Increased Capacity: The TLP will be able to handle spacecraft weighing up to 30,000 tonnes in low Earth orbit. This increased capacity is crucial for launching heavier satellites and future missions.
• Supports Advanced Vehicles: The TLP is designed to support Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) vehicles with semi-cryogenic stages, and scaled-up NGLV configurations, indicating a focus on future launch vehicle technologies.
• Addresses Future Mission Needs: The new launch pad is essential to accommodate India’s ambitious space goals, including a crewed lunar landing by 2040 and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035, which require heavier launch vehicles than the existing launch pads can handle.
• Complements Existing Infrastructure: Currently, ISRO operates two launch pads (FLP and SLP). The FLP supports PSLV and SSLV launches, while the SLP is primarily for GSLV and LVM3 launches. The TLP will expand launch capabilities and reduce strain on existing infrastructure.
• Kulasekarapattinam Launchport: Foundation stone laid for ISRO’s 2nd rocket launchport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu for commercial, on-demand, and small satellite (SSLVs) launches.

Global Jobs Outlook

• Report Overview: The International Labour Organization (ILO) releases the World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) report, offering in-depth analysis of global labor markets. It identifies trends and challenges affecting employment worldwide.

• Global Unemployment: In 2024, global employment grew in line with the labour force, keeping the unemployment rate steady at 5%.

• Key Challenges: Geopolitical tensions, climate change costs, and debt issues are putting pressure on labor markets.

• Labor Force Participation: Labor force participation is declining in low-income countries but increasing in high-income countries, particularly among older workers and women.

• ILO Recommendations: The report urges member countries to take key actions to boost the economy, such as:

  • Invest in skills training, education, and infrastructure.
  • Expand social protection, including social security and safe working conditions.
  • Effectively use private funds like remittances for local development in low-income countries.

Panchayat Awards ’24

• National Panchayat Awards 2024 presented: 45 Panchayats across India recognized for contributions to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
• Significance of Panchayats highlighted: Event emphasized the critical role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in rural governance and environmental sustainability.
• Commemoration of 73rd Amendment Act: Awards commemorate the constitutional recognition of Panchayats as self-governance bodies.
• Award Objectives: Promotion of best practices, competition, and motivation for quality governance at the rural level.
• SDG Alignment: Awards revamped in 2022 to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Evaluation Criteria: Panchayats assessed across 9 thematic areas linked to SDGs, evaluated at multiple levels (Block, District, State/UT, National).
• Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (DDUPSVP): Recognizes top Gram Panchayats (GPs) for excelling in each of the 9 Localization of SDGs (LSDGs) themes.
• Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar: Awarded to top GPs, Block Panchayats, and District Panchayats for overall performance.
• Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar: Recognizes GPs for renewable energy adoption.
• Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar: Awards GPs for achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
• Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar: Honors institutions supporting Panchayats in implementing LSDGs.
• National Panchayati Raj Day: Awards typically presented on April 24th each year.

Indian Wolf

• Indian Grey Wolf Defined: A subspecies of the grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) found from Southwest Asia to the Indian Subcontinent.
• Unique Behavior: Smaller packs, less vocal, nocturnal hunting (dusk to dawn).
• Appearance Adaptations: Intermediate size; lacks the thick winter coat of the Tibetan wolf due to warmer climate.
• Preferred Habitat: Scrub, grasslands, semi-arid agro-ecosystems.
• Wide Distribution: Ranges from the Indian subcontinent to Israel.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Least Concern, CITES Appendix I, Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
• Threats: Habitat loss and prey depletion are impacting populations.
• Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary: Located in Karnataka, India. Second protected area exclusively for wolves in India.
• Sanctuary Terrain: Scrub forests, hills, and natural caves.
• Sanctuary Fauna: Wolves, leopards, peacocks, blackbucks, foxes, hares, and porcupines.

Future Skills 2025

• India’s Ranking: India ranks 25th in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025, categorized as a “future skills contender.”

• Index Purpose: The index evaluates countries’ preparedness for the evolving demands of the global job market, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and talent development.

• Four Key Indicators:

  • Skills Fit: Measures alignment between education systems and employer demands. India ranks 37th, indicating a significant gap.
  • Academic Readiness: Reflects higher education’s capacity to equip students with future-relevant skills (AI, digital tech, green industries). India ranks 26th, needing improvement.
  • Economic Transformation: Assesses adaptability to economic changes, linking education, workforce skills, and industrial growth. India ranks 40th, signaling challenges in innovation.
  • Future of Work: Evaluates preparedness for future jobs and adaptation to technological/industrial shifts. India ranks 2nd globally, demonstrating strong demand-driven readiness.

• India’s Strengths: Strong performance (2nd globally) in “Future of Work” due to demand for skills in AI, digital technologies, and green industries.

• India’s Weaknesses: Significant gaps exist between workforce skills and employer demands (Skills Fit rank: 37th), and challenges in aligning economic strategies with workforce adaptability (Economic Transformation rank: 40th). Higher education needs to better adapt to evolving job market needs (Academic Readiness rank: 26th).

Lake Naivasha

• Lake Naivasha’s ecological significance: A shallow, freshwater lake in Kenya’s Rift Valley, supporting diverse waterbirds and mammals. It’s a Ramsar site, highlighting its importance.
• Economic Importance: Vital for flower growing, fishing, and geothermal power generation, supporting large-scale economic activities.
• Water Hyacinth Threat: The invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) poses a threat. It was introduced in the 1980s and thrives in polluted waters.
• Impact of Water Hyacinth: It blocks sunlight and airflow, harming aquatic life. Its presence suggests pollution issues in the lake.
• Lake Naivasha Attractions: Known for its hippo and flamingo populations, making it a popular tourist destination.

Krishna River: Key Facts

• Fourth Largest River: Krishna is the fourth largest river in India in terms of water inflows and river basin size, after the Ganga, Godavari, and Brahmaputra. Why: Establishes the Krishna River’s significant importance in the Indian river system.

• Origin and Course: Originates in the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, and flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Empties into the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh. Why: Describes the geographical path of the river and the states it impacts.

• Length: Approximately 1300 km long. Why: Provides a measure of the river’s scale.

• Basin Area: The Krishna River basin covers about 258,948 sq. km, approximately 8% of India’s total geographical area. Why: Highlights the extensive reach and influence of the river basin.

• Basin Boundaries: Bounded by the Balaghat range to the north, Eastern Ghats to the south and east, and Western Ghats to the west. Why: Defines the geographical boundaries of the river basin.

• Key Tributaries: Major right bank tributaries include Ghatprabha, Malprabha, and Tungabhadra. Left bank tributaries include Bhima, Musi, and Munneru. Why: Identifies the river’s main sources of water and contributing rivers.

• Prakasam Barrage: Located at the southern entrance of Vijayawada. Constructed across the Krishna River. Why: Highlights a significant infrastructure project on the river.

• Historical Significance of Prakasam Barrage: First built by Sir Arthur Cotton in 1855, later reconstructed in the 1950s. Named after Tanguturi Prakasam, the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Why: Underscores the barrage’s historical context and importance.

• Irrigation Impact of Prakasam Barrage: Irrigates nearly one million hectares of land, transforming the Krishna delta into a fertile granary in Andhra Pradesh. Supplies water to Buckingham Canal. Why: Emphasizes the barrage’s crucial role in irrigation and agriculture.