22.03.25

• Why: This highlights previously unknown biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in extreme environments.

• Why: Deep-sea communities typically rely on surface nutrients, which are blocked by centuries-old, 150-meter-thick ice.

• Why: Understanding the nutrient source is crucial for comprehending how these ecosystems function and their vulnerability to environmental changes.

• Why: It demonstrates the global effort to map and understand deep-sea ecosystems, essential for their sustainable management and aligning with the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

• Why: This underscores how climate change-induced events can create opportunities for scientific exploration while also serving as a reminder of the changes happening at the poles.

Okjökull, Iceland’s First Dead Glacier: Okjökull, also known as Ok Glacier, was declared “dead” in 2014, marking the first time a glacier in Iceland lost its status due to climate change.

Significant Shrinkage Due to Climate Change: The glacier drastically shrunk from approximately 16 square kilometers in the late 19th century to just 0.7 square kilometers by 2012 because of rising global temperatures.

Defined as Dead: Okjökull was deemed dead because it no longer had the characteristics of a glacier, particularly the ability to move under its own weight.

World’s First Iceberg Graveyard: In 2023, Iceland created an iceberg graveyard, with headstones for 15 major glaciers, including Okjökull, that are either dead or critically endangered because of climate change.

Part of a Larger Global Effort: The loss of Okjökull highlights the broader issue of glacier decline due to climate change, a crisis being documented by the Global Glacier Casualty List (GGCL).

GGCL’s Role: The GGCL, established in 2024, documents glaciers that have disappeared or are critically endangered, preserving their stories and significance.

Focus on Global Issue: Okjökull’s story underscores the impact of human-caused climate change on glaciers globally and emphasizes the need for awareness and action.

X (formerly Twitter) Challenges Government’s Content Blocking: X is contesting the Indian government’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, arguing it’s being misused for content moderation.

Focus on Section 69A: X insists content blocking should primarily occur under Section 69A, which has procedural safeguards, not via Section 79(3)(b).

Shreya Singhal Ruling: The Supreme Court’s 2015 Shreya Singhal case is central. It struck down Section 66A (vague law on online speech) and clarified the roles of Section 69A and Section 79.

Section 69A’s Requirements: Section 69A allows blocking based on grounds like national security, and it requires the government to record reasons, allowing for court challenges.

Section 79’s “Safe Harbour”: Section 79 provides “safe harbour” to intermediaries like X from liability for third-party content, unless they fail to remove illegal content after a court order or government notification.

Government Directive and “Sahyog” Portal: The government, since 2023, has instructed the use of Section 79(3)(b) for blocking orders and launched the “Sahyog” portal for issuing orders, which X argues bypasses 69A safeguards.

X’s Argument: X claims the government is circumventing the protections of Section 69A.

Grok AI Bot and Liability: The case is also related to the use of Grok, X’s AI chatbot, with the court having to decide the scope of “third party” content under section 79 in respect of content generated by AI.

Theme: “Forests and Food” for International Day of Forests 2025.

Significance of Forests:

• Ecological: Crucial for climate change mitigation by absorbing ~30% of global CO₂ emissions. Forests host 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and mitigate floods.
• Economic & Livelihoods: 1.6 billion people rely on forests for food, fuel, and medicine. Over 30 million Indians depend on forestry for their livelihood.
• Cultural: Forests are culturally revered and safeguard genetic diversity.

Key Indian Initiatives:

• National Agroforestry Policy (2014): Promotes tree plantation for climate resilience, environmental conservation, and economic benefits, with ICAR-CAFRI as the nodal agency.
• Green India Mission (GIM): Aims to expand and improve forest/tree cover, enhancing biodiversity, water resources and climate resilience .
• Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme utilizing remote sensing for fire detection.
• Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY): Enhances tribal livelihoods by adding value to Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) through skill training, infrastructure, and market linkages.

Why in News: The day raises awareness about forests’ importance for humanity and the planet, especially the crucial links between forests and global food security and livelihoods. India highlights its commitment through ongoing projects.

Context: The UN declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests (IDF) to celebrate and raise awareness about the vital role of forests.

Finland topped the World Happiness Index 2025 for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.

The index, published by the University of Oxford, Gallup, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks countries based on self-reported life evaluations from the Gallup World Poll.

The rankings consider six factors: social support, GDP per capita, health life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perception of corruption. Positive and negative emotions are also mapped.

India ranked 118th out of 147 countries.

Neighboring countries’ rankings: Sri Lanka (133rd), Bangladesh (134th), Pakistan (109th), Nepal (92nd), and China (68th).

Afghanistan was ranked the least happy country (147th).

Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top 10 for the first time.

The UK ranked 23rd, the US 24th.

The rankings reflect people’s subjective assessments of their lives, using a 0-10 scale (“Cantril ladder”).

Arrest Warrant Issued: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

• Why: This signifies a significant legal action against a former head of state.

Charges: Duterte is charged with crimes against humanity, specifically related to extrajudicial killings that allegedly occurred between 2011 and 2019.

• Why: This points to alleged human rights violations.

Historical Significance: Duterte is the first former Asian head of state to face ICC charges.

• Why: This sets a precedent for accountability.

ICC’s Role: The ICC is a permanent international court established to prosecute genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. It operates independently of the UN but relies on global cooperation.

• Why: This clarifies the ICC’s mandate and its limitations (like lacking its own enforcement arm, relying on member state cooperation)

Enforcement Challenges: The ICC depends on member states to enforce warrants, which may lead to referral to the UNSC if those member states do not comply. Non-member states are not obligated to cooperate.

• Why: Highlighting the complexities of enforcement and potential political hurdles.

Membership: The ICC has 125 member states; major powers like the US, China, Russia, and India are non-members.

• Why: To highlight the limitations of its jurisdiction.

Why in News: Growing calls for natural farming due to soil degradation, high input costs hurting small farmers, and the need for sustainable agriculture.

What is Natural Farming: A chemical-free, traditional farming method that emphasizes minimal human intervention and utilizes on-farm inputs. It differs from organic farming by exclusively using on-farm resources.

Government Initiatives: The Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) supports over 28 lakh farmers. The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a standalone scheme aiming to cover 1 crore farmers and 7.5 lakh hectares in two years, with a budget of ₹2,481 crore, focusing on soil health, farmer income, and environmental sustainability. This includes establishing bio-resource centers, deploying Krishi Sakhis, and developing demonstration farms.

Benefits: Improved soil health, higher farmer incomes, and environmentally sustainable practices.

Challenges: Concerns about lower crop yields initially, threat of pests and diseases, limited market access, reliance on natural inputs, and lack of farmer awareness. Regional variations in outcomes necessitate robust research. Certification of products is another challenge.

Recommendations: Comprehensive scientific assessment is needed to understand the effects on crop yields, economic feasibility data, and environmental benefits. A gradual, region-specific approach with self-certification frameworks (like CETARA-NF) may be beneficial.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional intergovernmental organization focused on political, economic, and security cooperation among Southeast Asian countries. Founded August 8, 1967, in Bangkok.

India and Malaysia co-chair the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT) for 2024-2027.

A table-top counter-terrorism exercise will be held in Malaysia in 2026, and a field training exercise in India in 2027, under the EWG on CT.

The recent EWG on CT meeting in New Delhi involved ASEAN members, the ASEAN Secretariat, and ADMM-Plus dialogue partners (including China, US, Russia, Australia, Japan, South Korea).

The European Union (EU) held a workshop in New Delhi on preventing and countering violent extremism, highlighting India-EU counterterrorism cooperation. The workshop focused on de-radicalization, rehabilitation, and whole-of-government approaches.

India and ASEAN have a strong relationship, including the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership (2012) and an India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. India joined the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996.

ASEAN has 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It has a combined GDP of $3.2 trillion (2022) and a population of 662 million (2022).

A Eurasian Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), a medium-large bird of prey, was sighted at Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra, India. This is newsworthy due to the rarity of the sighting in this specific location.

The sanctuary, located 90 km northeast of Mumbai in the Western Ghats foothills, is significant as a water source for Mumbai and Thane cities.

The sighting highlights the biodiversity of Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary, which includes a variety of animals and birds, some endangered, such as critically endangered Gyps vultures and vulnerable Pallas’s Fish-Eagles.

Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary is characterized by Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest, with flora including Kalamb, Bibla, Khair, Hed, Teak, and Bamboo trees.

The Eurasian Goshawk is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America, but the sighting emphasizes its presence in this specific Indian location within a rich ecosystem.

The Goshawk’s characteristics include short, broad wings, a long tail, and varying plumage from bluish-grey to brownish-grey, with females larger than males.

The sanctuary is located in Thane District of Maharashtra and covers an area of 320 sq km, encompassing the Tansa and Vaitarna rivers.

The Eurasian Goshawk’s IUCN conservation status is “Least Concern,” indicating a healthy global population, although regional sightings still hold ecological significance.

The Gambhir River (also called Utangan River) is primarily located in Rajasthan, India.

It’s a seasonal river, flowing mainly during the rainy season, originating in the Aravalli Hills near Hindaun.

It flows approximately 288 kilometers, eventually joining the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh.

The Gambhir River is crucial for the Keoladeo National Park (Ghana Bird Sanctuary), supplying it with water. Recent encroachment on its floodplain threatens this vital water source.

The Rajasthan High Court is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding alleged encroachment on the Gambhir River’s floodplain near the Ghana Bird Sanctuary.

The court has given the Rajasthan government eight weeks to respond to the allegations of encroachment which includes approximately 230 bighas of land in the village of Sanent in Karauli district.

This encroachment is alleged to disrupt the ecological balance of the sanctuary and reduce migratory bird populations.

The important tributaries of the Gambhir River are Sesa, Kher, and Parbati. The river becomes perennial after its confluence with the Parbati.

New Security Ink: Indian scientists developed a nanoparticle-based security ink to combat counterfeiting.

Composition: The ink is made of Sr₂BiF₇ nanoparticles doped with erbium and ytterbium ions.

Unique Properties: The ink exhibits fluorescence under multiple wavelengths: blue (365 nm UV), magenta (395 nm UV), and orange-red (980 nm near-infrared).

Advantages: The ink is cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally stable. It remains effective under varying conditions of brightness, temperature, and humidity.

Synthesis: The ink is produced through a simple coprecipitation technique, making it easy to scale up the manufacturing process.

Security Printing’s Importance: Governments and financial institutions are continuously seeking advanced security features to protect documents and currency from counterfeiting.

Current Application: Currently tested for screen printing, with research underway to implement the ink in offset printing, used for banknotes and passports.

Fluorescence: The multi-wavelength fluorescence provides enhanced security compared to existing inks.

Section 79 of the IT Act grants immunity to intermediaries (like X) from liability for third-party content, provided they act as neutral hosts and comply with government removal orders.

Section 79(3)(b) states intermediaries lose immunity if they fail to remove unlawful content after government notification.

The Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal clarified that Section 79(3)(b) only applies after a court order or government notification based on Article 19(2) restrictions (national security, etc.).

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a directive allowing content blocking orders under Section 79(3)(b), bypassing the safeguards in Section 69A.

X (formerly Twitter) challenged MeitY’s directive in the Karnataka High Court, arguing it misuses Section 79 to create an unlawful blocking regime without procedural safeguards.

X contends content censorship should only happen through Section 69A or court orders, not through Section 79.

The challenge highlights the tension between intermediary liability, freedom of speech, and government’s power to regulate online content.

The case also raises questions about the application of Section 79 to AI-generated content, as seen with X’s Grok chatbot.

Why in News: Sighting of Chinese UAVs near Okinawa highlights the growing role of UAVs in military operations, raising security concerns.

Advantages of Drones:

• Cost-effective compared to manned aircraft (lower purchase, fuel, maintenance costs).
• Reduce human risk in high-risk missions.
• Enable persistent surveillance for real-time intelligence and improved situational awareness.
• Offer operational flexibility in reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes.
• Effective in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations.
• Lower logistical requirements compared to traditional military assets.

Concerns Related to UAV Use:

• Facilitate conflict by lowering the threshold for military action.
• Empower non-state actors.
• Escalate regional tensions and fuel arms races.
• Enable deniability and proxy warfare.
• Prolong warfare and lead to civilian casualties.

Impact on India:

• Increased security threats from drone incursions (weapon and drug smuggling, surveillance).
• Military asymmetry with China and Pakistan.
• Cybersecurity risks from drone hacking.
• Reliance on foreign drones.

Why UAVs Are Perceived as Less of a Threat:

• UAVs, even armed ones, are less capable than fighter jets.
• Lack of human presence makes them less of an instrument of state power.
• Lower financial cost if downed.
• Can encourage risk-taking behaviors.

Challenges for India:

• Dealing with small, propeller-powered UAVs used for smuggling.
• Managing incursions without costly responses.
• Addressing large UAV incursions without escalating tensions.

How India Can Strengthen UAV Capabilities:

• Enhance counter-drone measures (e.g., Indrajaal).
• Promote indigenous drone development.
• Invest in R&D for AI, robotics, and autonomous drones.

• Concerns regarding the weaponization of trade and the need for trust-based partnerships were emphasized.
• Focus on India’s approach to the Indo-Pacific region, including security and trade.
• Discussions on digital sovereignty, data flow, AI regulation, and its impact on trade negotiations.
• Resumption of FTA talks between India and New Zealand was announced.
• The event also included ministerial sessions and conversations of issues of global importance, including Europe’s role within the Indo-Pacific strategic theatre to the African Union’s role within the G20.

Success of Conservation Efforts: The sighting of the Indian Long-Billed Vulture highlights the success of protected area-based conservation.

Location: Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary is located in the Ramadevara Betta Hill Range, Ramanagara, Karnataka.

Significance: It is India’s first and only vulture sanctuary, established in 2012, with Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) notified in 2017. This is important for protecting endangered vulture species.

Species Present: The sanctuary houses three vulture species: the Indian Long-Billed Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, and White-Backed Vulture.

Indian Long-Billed Vulture: This vulture is native to Asia and a critically endangered species. Its population drastically declined (97-99%) due to poisoning from the veterinary drug diclofenac, emphasizing the ongoing threats to these birds.

Lok Sabha approved over ₹50 lakh crore in Demands for Grants for 2025-26.

Demands for Grants are expenditure estimates requiring Lok Sabha approval (Article 113). They cover revenue & capital expenditure, grants to states/UTs, and loans & advances.

The approval process included the use of the “guillotine,” passing remaining Demands without discussion.

The Appropriation Bill (3), 2025 was also passed.

Debate on the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare highlighted concerns about farmer protests, police action, and potential impacts of increased US agricultural imports.

Opposition MPs criticized the government’s handling of farmer protests, citing police action, lack of MSP fulfillment, and potential harm to domestic agricultural production due to reduced import duties.

The Agriculture Minister defended government spending on MSP and announced plans for digital ID cards for farmers. He also addressed concerns about farmer protests.

Concerns were raised about India’s agreement to lower import duties on grains, potentially harming domestic farmers. The potential negative effects on Indian farmers from increased competition with US agricultural products were discussed.

The Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA), enacted in 1958, grants special powers and immunity to the armed forces in “disturbed areas.”

Areas are declared “disturbed” by the central government, state governor, or union territory administrator, often due to inter-community conflicts. The declaration lasts at least three months.

The Army in Manipur recently requested extending AFSPA to additional police station limits in the valley for operational efficiency.

AFSPA’s application varies across states; currently in force in parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Manipur (excluding Imphal), and Arunachal Pradesh. Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh’s declarations are issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, while Manipur and Assam’s are issued by their respective state governments.

AFSPA grants the armed forces the power to prohibit gatherings of five or more people, use force/fire after due warning, arrest without warrant, search premises without warrant, and ban firearm possession. They are immune from prosecution without the Union government’s sanction.

The AFSPA’s scope in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur was recently reviewed, with potential denotification of a district in Assam.

In Manipur, AFSPA was partially reimposed in November 2024 following ethnic violence, and its withdrawal from valley police stations between April 2022 and April 2023 is noted.

The ongoing debate highlights tensions between security concerns and human rights considerations in the context of ongoing conflicts.

Projected Growth: Municipal bond issuances in India are anticipated to raise over ₹1,500 crore in FY2025-FY2026, driven by government initiatives. This indicates a growing trend in using these bonds for infrastructure financing.

Recent Market Performance: Since FY2018, the market has experienced substantial growth, raising over ₹2,600 crore, exceeding the ₹1,000 crore raised between FY1998-FY2005. This signifies increased adoption by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Purpose of Municipal Bonds: Municipal bonds are debt instruments used by ULBs to finance urban infrastructure projects, such as roads, water systems and waste management facilities.

Government Support: The government’s role is crucial, evidenced by SEBI regulations in 2015 and incentive schemes launched in FY2018. This demonstrates government encouragement of the bond market.

Creditworthiness and Investor Confidence: Strong structured payment mechanisms have helped bonds secure AA ratings. This ensures timely repayments, boosting investor trust.

Challenges: ULBs face challenges including heavy reliance on government grants, lack of financial transparency, limited liquidity due to an absent secondary market, regulatory hurdles, and weaker credit quality. These challenges hinder wider adoption and investor confidence.

India’s $23 billion Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, launched in 2020 to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on China, is set to lapse.

The scheme aimed to increase manufacturing’s share in India’s GDP to 25% by 2025, but it fell from 15.4% to 14.3%. Only 37% of the production target was achieved.

Delays in subsidy payouts and bureaucracy hampered the scheme’s effectiveness. Only about 8% of allocated funds were disbursed.

While mobile phone and pharmaceutical sectors saw significant success (63% and near doubling of exports respectively), other sectors like steel, textiles, solar panels, and IT hardware lagged significantly. Many firms failed to meet production targets or investment thresholds.

The government will not extend the scheme beyond the initial 14 sectors or deadlines.

Alternative strategies are being considered, focusing on partial investment reimbursements to incentivize quicker plant setups.

Critics argue the scheme’s failure represents a missed opportunity to revive India’s manufacturing sector amidst global shifts and competition from China. The timing coincided with a global push to diversify away from China, but India’s bureaucratic hurdles and slow payout hampered success.

Collegium’s Recent Decision: The Supreme Court collegium decided to transfer Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma back to the Allahabad High Court. This decision followed allegations of cash recovery from Justice Varma’s residence.

What is the Collegium? The collegium is the system used for appointing and transferring judges in India’s higher judiciary (Supreme Court and High Courts). It’s based on judicial precedents rather than specific laws.

Composition of the Collegium: The Supreme Court collegium consists of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the four other senior-most judges. High Court collegiums are led by the Chief Justice and the two senior-most judges of that court.

How it Works: The SC collegium recommends judges for the Supreme Court, while High Court collegiums recommend for their respective High Courts, with SC collegium approval needed. The government’s role is limited to IB inquiries, but it must approve recommendations if the collegium reiterates them.

Criticisms: The system is criticized for its lack of transparency, closed-door nature, and absence of clear eligibility criteria or minutes of meetings.

Alternative Suggestions: The Justice M N Venkatachaliah Commission suggested the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) to replace the collegium. The NJAC was struck down by the SC as unconstitutional because it wouldn’t give the judiciary the primacy in selecting judges.