23.07.25

Post-Pandemic Reality of Remote Work: Remote work, initially seen as the future, is more complex than anticipated, with a gap between aspiration and practice.

Global Survey Findings: A survey of 16,000 college-educated workers across 40 countries (2024-25) shows a global average desire for 2.6 remote days, but only 1.27 days are being realized, a decline from 2022.

Regional Disparities: US, UK, and Canada average 1.6 remote days, while Asia averages 1.1.

Reasons for Lag in Asia: “Presenteeism” culture, cramped living conditions, shared spaces, and unreliable internet hinder remote work adoption.

Gender Dynamics: Women, especially mothers, desire and work from home more than men, linking it to balancing work and caregiving. Men without children seek it for freedom, hobbies, and relief from office life.

Employer Hesitation: Concerns about team spirit, oversight, innovation, and existing office-centric management systems lead to employer reluctance.

Health Concerns: Remote workers report more physical ailments (backaches, headaches) and mental toll (isolation, blurred boundaries) due to non-ergonomic home environments and constant connectivity.

Way Forward (Hybrid & Support): Hybrid work is recommended. Companies need to invest in ergonomic home offices, support healthy routines, and create digital boundaries. Governments should ensure universal broadband, provide home-office stipends, and enforce health standards.

Societal Reckoning: Remote work highlights unresolved tensions in gender equality, male identity, freedom vs. control, and autonomy vs. loneliness.

UK Launches World-First Sanctions Regime: The UK has introduced a new sanctions regime specifically targeting individuals and networks involved in global migrant smuggling operations. This is a pioneering initiative by any country.

Targets Gangs, Middlemen, and Enablers: The sanctions are designed to impact all levels of smuggling networks, from the gang leaders themselves to those who supply equipment (like small boats), facilitate payments (e.g., via hawala networks), and provide fake travel documents.

Measures Include Asset Freezes and Travel Bans: Designated individuals will face asset freezes, meaning their UK-based assets will be immobilized. They will also be banned from traveling to the UK, and UK businesses will be prohibited from engaging with them.

Aim to Disrupt Smuggling Operations: The primary goal is to make it more difficult for these criminal networks to operate by cutting off their financial resources and restricting their movement.

Expert Skepticism on Effectiveness: Experts question the overall impact of these sanctions, suggesting they may only have marginal effects due to the sheer number of people involved in the industry.

Need for International Cooperation: The effectiveness of the sanctions is heavily reliant on the cooperation of other countries where smugglers operate. Without this, their impact could be limited.

Distinction from Human Trafficking: Migrant smuggling is defined as facilitating illegal entry for financial gain. It’s distinct from human trafficking, which involves exploitation, though smuggled migrants can become trafficking victims.

Context of Rising Channel Crossings: The sanctions come as the UK sees a significant increase in people crossing the English Channel in small boats, highlighting the urgency of the issue.

India Criticizes Proposed US Sanctions on Russian Oil: India has strongly opposed the US Russian Sanctions Act, 2025, which threatens 500% tariffs on countries importing Russian oil and energy. NATO has also pressured India, China, and Brazil to cease Russian oil purchases or face 100% secondary sanctions.

Accusations of “Double Standards”: India has accused the West of hypocrisy, pointing out that European nations continue to buy Russian energy while pressuring others to stop. This is highlighted by the EU’s continued procurement of Russian oil and gas, even as India significantly increased its reliance on discounted Russian crude post-2022.

Rising Dependence on Russian Oil: Since Western sanctions in 2022, Russia has become India’s top oil supplier, accounting for 35.1% of imports by FY25. This discounted oil has been crucial for India’s energy security, helping manage inflation and saving approximately USD 13 billion.

Concerns Over Secondary Sanctions: India views secondary sanctions as economic coercion that extends one country’s laws into others’ affairs, potentially straining diplomatic ties. The proposed tariffs risk India’s USD 41 billion trade surplus with the US.

Energy Security Priority: India imports over 85% of its oil and sees Russian crude as vital for its energy needs. Excluding Russia could significantly drive up global oil prices, negatively impacting consumers.

Diversification and Diplomatic Engagement: India is diversifying its oil sources and engaging with the US to convey its concerns and seek waivers or exemptions from the proposed tariffs.

Impact on Trade Relations: The sanctions threat complicates ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US.

• Why in News: This is a significant long-term goal, reflecting a strategic shift towards nuclear energy.

• Why in News: Highlights India’s established, albeit complex, nuclear journey.

• Why in News: Explains the reasons for previous slow growth in the sector.

• Why in News: Marks a turning point for India’s nuclear power development.

• Why in News: Illustrates the substantial gap between current status and future targets, highlighting immediate challenges.

• Why in News: Essential steps for enabling the ambitious 100 GW target.

• Why in News: Addresses the economic realities of nuclear power projects.

• Total installed capacity: ~485 GW.
• Coal & thermal: ~50-55% installed, ~70-75% generation.
• Renewables (solar, wind): ~35-40% installed, fastest growing.
• Large Hydro: ~10% installed.
• Nuclear: ~2% installed, ~3% generation.
• Why in News: Provides a snapshot of the current energy landscape, showing the dominance of coal but a strong shift towards clean energy, with nuclear a relatively small but growing component.

• Why in News: Underscores the broader national commitment to decarbonization, supporting the nuclear push.

• Why in News: Sets a near-term benchmark for the transition towards cleaner energy sources.

India’s Millet Standards Recognized: India’s group standard for whole millet grains, approved last year, was lauded at the 88th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Executive Committee in Rome.

Why in News: This recognition highlights India’s leadership in setting global food standards, particularly for millets, a key focus for the nation.

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC): An international body jointly established by FAO and WHO to protect consumer health and ensure fair food trade, with 189 members. India is a member since 1964.

India’s Role: India chairs the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs and led the development of global millet standards, also co-chairing proposals for turmeric and broccoli standards.

Millets (Shree Anna): Nutritious, gluten-free, climate-resilient grains promoted globally by India, which declared 2023 the International Year of Millets.

Indian Millet Standards: FSSAI has framed standards for 15 millet types, setting limits for moisture, contaminants, and grain defects, forming a basis for global standards.

India’s Millet Production: India is the largest producer of millets (38.4% of global production), with significant cultivation and exports.

India’s Millet Promotion: Initiatives include Production Linked Incentive Schemes, subsidies for farmers, inclusion in public distribution, and the ‘Eat Right Campaign’.

Capacity Building: India is recognized by FAO for its capacity-building programs for neighboring countries, promoting the use of the Codex Trust Fund.

Government Acquiring Bitra Island: The government is acquiring Bitra Island in Lakshadweep.

• Why: For defense and strategic purposes, complementing existing naval bases.

Bitra Island Details:

• Smallest Inhabited: It’s the smallest inhabited island in Lakshadweep.
• Location: Situated at 11°36′N, 72°11′E, 483 km from Kochi.
• Size: Spans 0.57 km in length.
• Lagoon: Surrounded by a large 45.61 sq km lagoon supporting rich marine biodiversity.
• Population: Home to 271-350 people, primarily dependent on fishing and coconut cultivation.

Concerns Raised:

• Resident Fears: Locals fear displacement from their traditional fishing grounds due to the acquisition.

US to Withdraw from UNESCO: The US plans to exit UNESCO by December 2026. This is a recurring pattern, with previous withdrawals in 1984 and 2017, and a rejoining in 2023.

• Why: The US cites ideological differences, opposition to Palestine’s membership, and alignment with its “America First” policy as reasons for this latest withdrawal.

Potential Impact on US Influence: The withdrawal could diminish US influence in crucial global areas like education, culture, and technology governance.

UNESCO’s Response: UNESCO expressed regret over the decision but stated its readiness to continue its work without US support.

UNESCO’s Role: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a UN agency focused on promoting peace and sustainable development through international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication. Its key functions include protecting World Heritage Sites, promoting education for all, supporting scientific collaboration, and addressing ethical AI and climate education.

• Why: Based on studies indicating ambient SO2 levels are well below prescribed norms, even without widespread FGD. Indian coal’s low sulphur content (under 0.5%) and tropical climate contribute to lower SO2 concentrations compared to regions using high-sulphur imported coal.

• Economic Burden: High capital expenditure for FGD installation estimated to lead to tariff increases of Rs 0.25 – 0.30 per kWh.
• Environmental Impact: Mining and transportation of limestone (FGD input) increases carbon emissions (CO2).
• Limited Necessity: Arguments that Indian coal’s low sulphur content made FGD unnecessary for most plants.

• Plants retiring before 2030 are exempt.
• Plants near NCR or cities with >1 million population: Deadline extended to Dec 2027.
• Plants near critically polluted areas: Compliance by 2028, case-by-case.
• Other plants: Exempt if chimney height norms are met.
• Impact: Around 78% of power plants may not require FGD, saving capital expenditure.

• Why it’s news: This is a rare public solemnization of a tradition that has become less common, attracting significant attention and going viral online.

• Why it’s news: Their status as a recognized tribe adds a layer of cultural and legal context to their traditions.

• Why it’s news: It highlights the socio-economic reasons behind cultural practices, showcasing how traditions adapt to historical needs.

• Why it’s news: This shows a conflict and coexistence between national law and specific tribal customs, highlighting the complexities of cultural preservation.

• Why it’s news: It illustrates the ongoing evolution of tribal customs in the face of modernization, with some members actively choosing to uphold older traditions.

• Why it’s news: It provides a visual and sensory aspect to the story, illustrating the vibrancy of the tradition beyond its legal or social implications.

Presidential Reference under Article 143: President sought Supreme Court’s opinion on powers and timelines for President/Governors to act on state Bills.

• Why in News: Addresses delays and potential misuse of power in clearing state legislature bills, impacting federalism and accountability.

Key Judicial Questions:

• Can the judiciary impose timelines on constitutional authorities when the Constitution is silent?
• Are the President’s and Governors’ actions/inactions under Articles 200 & 201 judicially reviewable?
• Can the SC deem assent under Article 142 for inaction?
• Are delays/refusals based on irrelevant reasons unconstitutional?
• Why in News: These questions challenge the scope of judicial review over executive discretion and the interpretation of constitutional silence.

Article 200 (Governor’s Assent): Governors can assent, withhold, reserve for President, or return Bills for reconsideration.

• Why in News: Governors are expected to act within a reasonable timeframe; delays, as seen with the Tamil Nadu NEET Bill, raise concerns about misuse of this power.

Article 201 (President’s Power on Reserved Bills): President can assent, withhold, or direct the Governor to return reserved Bills.

• Why in News: State Bills pending presidential assent for years (e.g., Telangana’s reservation bill) highlight federalism and accountability issues.

Article 143 (Advisory Jurisdiction): Empowers the President to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on significant legal/factual matters.

• Why in News: This reference is a key instance of the President utilizing this power to clarify constitutional procedures and powers.