Maharashtra scraps mandatory three-language policy: The state government has removed the requirement for schools to compulsorily teach Marathi, Hindi, and English.
Why: This change aims to give schools greater flexibility in language selection, allowing choices based on specific school boards and student preferences. It may also reduce the academic burden on students.
Shift towards flexibility: Instead of a fixed set of three languages, schools now have more autonomy in deciding their language curriculum.
Why: This allows schools to potentially focus more on regional languages like Marathi and globally relevant languages like English, aligning with diverse educational board requirements and student needs.
Impact on students and schools: Students may experience a reduced load of compulsory languages, allowing for focus on other subjects or chosen languages. Schools will need to revise their language teaching plans.
Why: The move necessitates curriculum adjustments by schools and directly affects the language learning path of students in Maharashtra, potentially increasing emphasis on specific languages deemed more relevant.
Context of National Policy: The Three-Language Policy is a national framework introduced in 1968 (and reiterated) to promote multilingualism and national integration by typically requiring students to learn their regional language, Hindi, and English or another Indian language.
Why: Understanding the national policy provides context for Maharashtra’s decision, showing it’s a departure from a long-standing national educational guideline regarding language instruction.
Plastic & Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) in Plastics: Chemicals like BPA, Phthalates, and PFAS in common plastic items interfere with human hormones (estrogen, testosterone, thyroid), disrupting vital bodily functions.
Microplastics are Not Inert: Plastic particles <5mm, formed from waste breakdown, are biologically active and enter the body via ingestion and inhalation. Why: Previously underestimated, they now show significant biological activity and widespread presence.
Widespread Human Contamination: Microplastics found in 80-89% of blood samples (Amsterdam 2022, India 2024) and various organs (lungs, heart, placenta, reproductive fluids). Why: Demonstrates pervasive exposure and internal bioaccumulation.
Severe Reproductive Health Impacts: Linked to reduced male fertility (sperm count/motility), female issues (reduced egg quality, PCOS, miscarriage risk), and detected in semen and ovarian fluid. Why: Direct threat to human reproductive capacity, supported by declining trends and presence in reproductive tissues.
Increased Cancer & Chronic Disease Risks: Some plastic additives classified as probable carcinogens; EDCs linked to increased risks of breast, prostate, uterine cancers and metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes, thyroid issues). Why: EDCs mimic hormones or alter metabolic pathways, driving chronic illnesses.
Significant Impact on Wildlife: Microplastics found in organs of marine and terrestrial animals, causing biochemical and structural damage, leading to organ dysfunction. Why: Highlights the broader ecological impact and biomagnification potential.
India’s High Vulnerability & Cost: India’s status as a major plastic waste generator leads to high exposure (inhalation/ingestion), linked health problems (early puberty, learning disorders), and substantial annual health costs (₹25,000 crore). Why: The scale of pollution directly translates into a public health and economic crisis for India.
Urgent Need for Action: Requires policy amendments for low-dose EDC effects, monitoring programmes, public education, infrastructure for waste management (segregation, recycling, filtration), and promoting EDC-free alternatives. Why: Current regulations and awareness are insufficient to tackle the pervasive and insidious nature of this pollution.
News is a Parliamentary Standing Committee report highlighting the growing presence of extra-regional players, especially China, in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a significant strategic challenge for India.
China is expanding its footprint through dual-use infrastructure like ports (Hambantota, Gwadar) and logistics hubs near India’s maritime boundaries, military expansion including the Djibouti base and increased naval deployments, debt-trap diplomacy via BRI projects, and strengthening security partnerships and joint exercises.
This presence threatens India’s interests by enabling Chinese naval monitoring and potential blockade of sea lanes, disrupting trade routes crucial for India’s energy security, facilitating intelligence and surveillance near Indian waters, and potentially isolating India diplomatically by leveraging influence over neighbouring states.
The IOR is strategically vital for India’s maritime security, economic lifeline (trade routes), geopolitical influence (countering China’s ‘String of Pearls’), and environmental management.
India is countering this challenge by enhancing its naval capabilities, promoting economic alternatives to BRI like IMEC and investing in regional ports, strengthening alliances like QUAD and regional groupings, improving technological surveillance, and leveraging soft power through cultural diplomacy and HADR efforts.
National Turmeric Board headquarters inaugurated in Nizamabad, Telangana. Why: Establishes the board in a major growing region, fulfilling a 40-year farmer demand.
Board aims to boost farmer income, free them from middlemen, and increase prices (target +₹6k-7k/quintal). Why: Directly addresses key economic challenges for farmers.
Focus on market access, packaging, branding, marketing, value addition, and exports. Why: Creates a complete value chain to enhance domestic and international trade.
Target set for $1 billion in turmeric exports by 2030, promoting Indian turmeric’s quality and medicinal properties globally. Why: Aims to significantly enhance India’s global market presence and trade value.
Promotes research, quality improvement, and sustainable farming practices. Why: Essential for meeting global standards and leveraging turmeric’s health benefits.
Board structure includes representation from government, states, research, farmers, and exporters. Why: Ensures comprehensive input and policy alignment across the industry.
Nodal Ministry is Department of Commerce. Why: Defines the administrative lead focused on trade and market development.
RUPPs
ECI initiating de-listing of 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs). This is news because it targets inactive parties potentially misusing benefits like income tax exemptions.
RUPPs are registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. They must declare allegiance to the Constitution.
Key benefits for RUPPs include income tax exemption, common election symbol, and donation benefits. This is why their status matters and inactivity/de-listing is significant.
The 345 RUPPs are being de-listed because they haven’t contested elections in the last six years (since 2019) and their offices cannot be physically located, deeming them ‘inactive’.
This action highlights the issue of potentially over 1000 other ‘active’ RUPPs who may also not contest elections.
Current law lacks explicit power for ECI to de-register parties, even those inactive for long periods (like the recommended 10 years by Law Commission/ECI), making ECI’s current steps notable but limited. Legal amendments to the RP Act may be needed.
CRISPR Climate Crops
Scientists developed a novel CRISPR-dCas9-based molecular tool to enhance plant resistance to heat stress and pathogen attacks. This is key because climate change increases these threats, impacting crop yield.
The tool uses CRISPR-dCas9, a modified version that acts as a gene switch instead of cutting DNA. This is important as it allows specific stress-response genes to be turned on only when needed, saving energy and improving efficiency without permanently altering the plant’s DNA.
It incorporates a part of a tomato protein (TM domain) which keeps the dCas9 “switch” outside the plant’s nucleus under normal conditions. This is crucial as it ensures the defense genes are only activated when stress occurs, providing a smart, targeted response.
Under stress, the TM domain releases dCas9, which enters the nucleus and activates specific defense genes. This is vital because activating genes like CBP60g/SARD1 boosts immunity against pathogens and NAC2/HSFA6b improves heat tolerance, water retention, and leaf greenness.
Tested effectively in tomato, potato, and tobacco plants, showing highest efficiency in tomato. This demonstrates its potential application for improving climate resilience in important food crops.
This technology can help plants “outsmart” heat and disease, paving the way for climate-resilient crops and smart agriculture. This is significant for ensuring food security in the face of rising global temperatures and unpredictable weather.
ECI Party Delisting
ECI initiated de-listing of 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) that haven’t contested elections in six years or have identifiable offices.
This is news because it’s a ‘clean-up drive’ to ensure electoral integrity and address issues with numerous non-functioning parties.
RUPPs are registered political parties (under RP Act 1951) that don’t meet criteria for recognition. They enjoy benefits like tax exemptions (under Section 13A, IT Act) and common election symbols.
The de-listing targets ‘letter pad parties’ – RUPPs that exist primarily on paper, potentially misusing tax benefits or involved in financial irregularities. As of May 2025, there are over 2,800 RUPPs, but many don’t contest elections.
A key challenge is the lack of explicit statutory power for ECI to de-register parties merely for not contesting elections or lacking internal democracy, as affirmed by the Supreme Court (2002). ECI can only de-register under exceptional circumstances (fraud, disloyalty to Constitution).
The current de-listing criteria include being ‘non-existent’ at the registered address or ‘inactive’ (e.g., not updating details since 2014, not contesting elections since 2019).
The purpose is to prevent misuse of registration and financial benefits.
Legislative changes have been recommended by the Law Commission (255th Report) to empower ECI to de-register parties inactive for a significant period (e.g., 10 years) and strengthen internal democracy norms.
Bonnet Macaque
Kerala is planning mass sterilisation of Bonnet Macaques to manage their rising population locally and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
This action is driven by farmers’ complaints about crop damage and the presence of macaques in eco-tourism areas causing nuisance.
The proposal, part of “Mission Bonnet macaque,” needs permission from the Union Ministry because the species is listed under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Despite localised population issues causing conflict, the Bonnet Macaque is globally classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN due to an overall decline in its population from various threats.
The plan is to sterilise monkeys in specific conflict locations and release them, unlike proposed culling for species like wild pigs.
Additional measures include improving waste management and discouraging people from feeding monkeys in conflict areas.
Bonnet Macaques, native to southern India and omnivorous, often raid human food sources near settlements, contributing to conflicts.
Mahalanobis Stats Day
19th Statistics Day celebrated on June 29th: Why? To mark the 132nd birth anniversary of PC Mahalanobis and raise awareness about the role of statistics in policy-making and national development.
Theme was ‘75 Years of National Sample Survey’: Why? To highlight NSS’s key role and enduring legacy in strengthening India’s statistical system.
Launch of GoIStat app: Why? To improve accessibility and engagement with official statistical products and enhance the ease of access to official statistical data for stakeholders.
Prof. C.R. Rao Award for 2025 conferred: Why? To Dr. Prajamitra Bhuyan for excellence and remarkable contributions in the field of statistics.
Release of SDG National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2025: Why? To monitor and report progress towards Sustainable Development Goals using the national statistical framework.
Commemorative coin and stamp for NSS released: Why? To symbolize and commemorate the enduring 75 years of legacy of the National Sample Survey.
PC Mahalanobis (1893–1972) honored: Why? As an eminent Indian scientist and statistician, his contributions significantly shaped India’s statistical system and economic planning.
Key Contributions of PC Mahalanobis:
Mahalanobis Distance: Why? A measure used in multi-dimensional data, useful in areas like pattern recognition (e.g., face recognition).
Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) founded in 1931: Why? Became a global hub for statistics, economics, and data science, founding Sankhya journal in 1933.
Advised on the Second Five-Year Plan (1956–61): Why? Emphasized heavy industries based on the Mahalanobis Model for industrialization and long-term self-reliance.
Recommended the launch of the National Sample Survey (NSS) in 1950: Why? Led to the establishment of NSSO (now NSO) for conducting large-scale nationwide sample surveys crucial for data collection for policy and governance.
MoSPI’s focus on technology and data dissemination: Why? To change the paradigm of data-driven policy making and support the national vision of a transparent and ever-improving National Statistical Office en-route to ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Statistical agencies can contribute to governance: Why? By creating uniform methodology for normalization of scores in competitive exams and validation of online voting, which can create public trust and facilitate smooth governance.
Indo-SA Sub Pact
India and South Africa signed two agreements on submarine cooperation during the 9th Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting in Johannesburg.
Why: This strengthens bilateral defence ties, building on formal cooperation established in 1996 and rooted in a shared anti-colonial history.
The JDC is a key bilateral mechanism under the 2000 MoU on Defence Cooperation.
Why: It serves as a high-level platform to review ongoing collaboration, identify new areas of mutual interest (like defence policy, training, production, research), and oversee related sub-committees. It also supports India’s strategic outreach to Africa.
The meeting discussed various areas of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen relations.
Why: It allowed both countries to review progress in defence cooperation and set the agenda for detailed discussions within the JDC’s sub-committees on policy/military cooperation and acquisition/production/R&D.
Kolhapuri Chappals
Italian luxury brand Prada acknowledged being inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear for its men’s sandals after facing backlash for resemblance to GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals.
This follows accusations of cultural appropriation and potential violation of the GI tag.
Prada stated the collection is in early design stages and expressed commitment to responsible design, cultural engagement, and dialogue with artisans.
Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) communicated with Prada, requesting public acknowledgement, exploration of collaboration/compensation, and support for ethical practices.
MACCIA is now planning to patent Kolhapuri chappals internationally, stating the Indian GI tag is not sufficient globally.
Artisans welcome Prada’s acknowledgement but hope for more support, such as direct export channels and a share of international profits.
Kolhapuri Chappals are traditional handcrafted leather sandals from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, dating back centuries, known for their T-strap design and fully handmade process.
They received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019, protecting their name for products originating from specific districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Cardamom Thrips Biopest
ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-IISR) developed an eco-friendly biopesticide using the fungus Lecanicillium psalliotae to control cardamom thrips.
Why: Cardamom thrips are a major pest causing significant damage (up to 90% of capsules, 48% yield loss, Rs 2-4 lakhs/acre loss), impacting farmer income and export quality.
The biopesticide, isolated from cardamom thrips, infects the pest (larvae, pupae, adults) on contact.
Why: It provides an effective alternative to chemical insecticides, which pose health risks and leave residues, hindering export compliance.
It is eco-friendly, non-toxic, cost-effective, reduces chemical dependence, and promotes plant growth and soil health.
Why: Supports sustainable agriculture, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and ensures compliance with international residue standards necessary for cardamom export.
The granular formulation is ready for commercialisation, with ICAR-IISR seeking industry partners.
