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AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 1
Table of Contents
1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE ________________4
1.1. Prison Reforms __________________________4
1.1.1. Crime in India Report: 2023 _________________ 5
1.1.2. Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India 2023 Report
_____________________________________________ 6
1.2. IT (Amendment) Rules, 2025 _______________6
1.3. Regulation of India’s Pharmaceutical Sector___9
1.4. Tribal Governance ______________________10
1.5. News in Shorts _________________________12
1.5.1. Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules,
2025 notified _________________________________ 12
1.5.2. Postal Ballot_____________________________ 13
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ______________14
2.1. Rise of Anti-Immigration Policies___________14
2.2. India Afghanistan Relations: Strategic Resetting
of Ties____________________________________15
2.3. India-Russia Relations ___________________17
2.4. Gaza Peace Summit _____________________19
2.5. India-European Free Trade Association Trade and
Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) _______20
2.6. News in Shorts _________________________22
2.6.1. India-ASEAN Relationship __________________ 22
2.6.2. India-United Kingdom_____________________ 22
2.6.3. New Strategic EU-India Agenda _____________ 23
2.6.4. India-Mongolia __________________________ 23
2.6.5. Sevilla Forum on Debt launched_____________ 24
2.6.6. Plutonium Management and Disposition
Agreement (PMDA) ____________________________ 24
2.6.7. UN Human Rights Council__________________ 25
2.6.8. International Convention for the Suppression of the
Financing of Terrorism _________________________ 25
2.6.9. Areas in Conflict in News __________________ 25
3. ECONOMY_____________________________27
3.1. Multidimensional Poverty ________________27
3.2. Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2025______28
3.3. PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana ___________30
3.4. Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses_______32
3.5. WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies _____34
3.6. India’s Approach to AI and Employment_____36
3.7. Incentive Scheme for the Promotion of Critical
Mineral Recycling __________________________37
3.8. Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for 2023-24 39
3.9. News in Shorts _________________________39
3.9.1. Payments Regulatory Board constituted by RBI 39
3.9.2. Internationalisation of Rupee_______________ 40
3.9.3. Self-Regulatory Organisation for NBFCs_______ 41
3.9.4. Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme,
2021 ________________________________________ 42
3.9.5. New Initiatives by RBI _____________________ 42
3.9.6. SWAMIH Fund ___________________________ 43
3.9.7. Engels’ Pause ___________________________ 43
3.9.8. Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR)_________ 44
3.9.9. World Economic Outlook (WEO) ____________ 44
3.9.10. Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) _____ 44
3.9.11. PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and
Employability Transformation Through Upgraded ITIs)
Launched____________________________________ 44
3.9.12. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported
Products (RoDTEP) Scheme _____________________ 45
3.9.13. ‘We Rise’ Initiative ______________________ 45
3.9.14. Discovery of Natural Gas in Andaman Basin __ 45
3.9.15. State Mining Readiness Index _____________ 46
3.9.16. Major and Minor Minerals________________ 46
3.9.17. Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas
(MAHA) - MedTech Mission launched _____________ 46
4. SECURITY_____________________________ 48
4.1. Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) _______________48
4.2. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) __49
4.3. United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime
_________________________________________51
4.4. News in Shorts _________________________52
4.4.1. Anant Shastra Air Defence System __________ 52
4.4.2. SAKSHAM System for Real-Time Counter-Drone
Defence _____________________________________ 52
4.4.3. Drone Wall _____________________________ 52
4.4.4. Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association
with Aadhaar (SITAA) __________________________ 52
4.4.5. INS Androth ____________________________ 53
4.4.6. Exercise in News _________________________ 53
5. ENVIRONMENT________________________ 54
5.1. 10 Years of SDGs: India’s Progress__________54
5.2. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve ____________56
5.3. News in Shorts _________________________57
5.3.1. Environmental Accounting on Forest 2025 Report
____________________________________________ 57
5.3.2. Government notifies First Greenhouse Gas
Emission Intensity (GEI) Target Rules______________ 57
5.3.3. Ozone Pollution _________________________ 58
5.3.4. NATPOLREX-X ___________________________ 59
5.3.5. New Ramsar Sites in Bihar _________________ 59
5.3.6. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change Launches Multiple Initiatives _____________ 59
5.3.7. Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025
____________________________________________ 60
5.3.8. State of Finance for Forests 2025 ___________ 61
5.3.9. IUCN World Conservation Congress _________ 61
5.3.10. Update to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species61
5.3.11. First IUCN Green Status of Species assessment for
the Tiger Released ____________________________ 62
5.3.12. Status of Elephants in India: DNA Based
Synchronous All India Population Estimation of Elephants
(SAIEE) 2021-25_______________________________ 63

2 AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI
5.3.13. Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) __________ 63
5.3.14. Draft Policy Paper on Camels proposes National
Camel Sustainability Initiative (NCSI) ______________ 64
5.3.15. India’s Dugong Conservation Reserve recognized
by IUCN _____________________________________ 64
5.3.16. Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) ____ 65
5.3.17. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Congress calls for accelerated implementation of Early
Warnings for All (EW4All) _______________________ 65
5.3.18. Arabian Sea Mini Warm Pool ______________ 66
5.3.19. Maitri II _______________________________ 66
5.3.20. Mud Volcano ___________________________ 67
6. SOCIAL ISSUES _________________________68
6.1. State of Social Justice____________________68
6.2. Global Hunger Index_____________________70
6.3. News in Shorts _________________________72
6.3.1. Vital Statistics Of India Based On Civil Registration
System (Crs) Report (2023) Released ______________ 72
6.3.2. Children In India 2025 Report_______________ 73
6.3.3. Who Global Report On Trends In Prevalence Of
Tobacco Use 2000–2024________________________ 73
6.3.4. Swachh Shehar Jodi_______________________ 74
7. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ______________75
7.1. Nobel Prize In Physiology Or Medicine 2025__75
7.2. Nobel Prize In Chemistry 2025_____________76
7.3. Nobel Prize In Physics 2025 _______________78
7.4. Astrosat_______________________________79
7.5. Non-Communicable Diseases______________80
7.6. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) ___________82
7.7. News In Shorts _________________________84
7.7.1. Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project84
7.7.2. Launch Of First Fully Indigenous 4g (5g-Ready)
Network ____________________________________ 85
7.7.3. Guidelines And Special Purpose Fund (Spf) For
Research Development And Innovation (Rdi) Scheme
Approved____________________________________ 85
8. CULTURE _____________________________ 87
8.1. Sree Narayana Guru _____________________87
8.2. News in Shorts _________________________88
8.2.1. Vande Mataram _________________________ 88
8.2.2. Bamiyan Buddhas ________________________ 88
8.2.3. Bathukamma Festival _____________________ 88
8.2.4. Nobel Peace Prize 2025 ___________________ 88
8.2.5. World Para Athletics Championship _________ 89
9. ETHICS _______________________________ 90
9.1. Inclusive Growth________________________90
10. SCHEMES IN NEWS ____________________ 92
10.1. MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act) _________________92
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1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1.1. PRISON REFORMS
Why in the News?
Recently, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released Prison Statistics India (PSI) 2023 Report.
Governance of Prisons in India
• Prisons/ Persons detained therein is a 'State' subject
(Entry 4) under Schedule VII of the Constitution. Therefore,
administration and management of prisons and prisoners is
the responsibility of respective State Governments/ UT
administrations.
o Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also been providing
regular guidance and support to States and UTs on
various issues relating to prison administration.
• Earlier, prison was governed by Prison Act, 1894 and Prison
manuals of respective state governments.
o MHA has prepared Model Prisons and Correctional
Services Act, 2023 which may serve as a “guiding
document” for States to reform British era laws.
o ModelPrisonsAct, 2023 assimilates relevant provisions
of the Prisoners Act, 1900 and the Transfer of Prisoners
Act, 1950.
Judicial Pronouncements related to Prisons
• Suhas Chakma v. Union of India & Others (2024): Supreme Court observed that establishing open prisons is
one of the solutions for overcrowding and also promote rehabilitation.
o An open prison is penal establishment in which prisoners serve their sentence with minimal supervision
and perimeter security, and are not locked up in prison cells. Open prison model was adopted in Rajasthan.
• Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979): Supreme Court held that right to a speedy trial is a fundamental
right under Article 21, resulting in the release of thousands of undertrial prisoners.
Measures taken for Prison Reforms
• MHA amended Model Prison Manual, 2016 rules and Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023: To
address caste-based discrimination within prisons across country.
o The amendments have been made in compliance with Supreme Court order on caste-based discrimination of
prisoners in Sukanya Santha vs. UoI & Others Case.
o Model Prison Manual 2016 aims at bringing in basic uniformity in laws, rules, and regulations governing
administration of prisons and management of prisoners all over the country.
• Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme: It provides financial assistance to States/UTs for extending relief to poor
prisoners who are unable to secure bail or release from prison due to non-payment of fine, on account of financial
constraints.
• E-Prison Project: It supplements Prisoner Information Management system, developed by National Informatics
Centre, which provides a centralized approach for recording and managing prisoner information and generating
different kinds of reports.
• Modernization of Prison Project: It aims to fill existing gaps in security infrastructure of jails and provide new
security equipments to jails in line with modern day technologies.
• FASTER (Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records) system of Supreme Court: To resolve delays in
communication of bail orders from courts to prison authorities.

Way Forward/ Recommendations
• Follow Supreme Court’s three Principles regarding imprisonment and custody:
o First, a person in prison does not become a non-person.
o Second, a person in prison is entitled to all human rights within the limitations of imprisonment.
o Third, there is no justification for aggravating the suffering already inherent in the process of incarceration.
• Recommendations of Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs:
o Utilise technology like trackable bracelets to keep track of prisoners on bail.
o Renovate colonial-era prisons to preserve their heritage and earn revenue by encouraging tourism.
o State Governments may create a Prison Development Fund for the welfare activities of the prisoners.
• Recommendations of Justice A.N. Mulla Committee:
o Setting up an All India Service called Indian Prisons & Correctional Service.
o After-care, rehabilitation and probation to be an integral part of prison service.
o Press and public to be allowed inside prisons and allied correctional institutions periodically.
o Undertrials in jails to be reduced to bare minimum and they be kept away from convicts.
• Recommendations of Justice Amitava Roy Committee:
o Establishment of special fast-track courts to handle petty offenses and cases pending for over 5 years.
o Use of Video Conferencing for the production of senior citizens and sick prisoners in courts.
o Establishment of exclusive women's prisons, and medical wards for female inmates; formulation of welfare
schemes for transgender prisoners etc.
o Mandatory segregation of undertrials, convicts, and first-time offenders within prisons to reduce violence.
Conclusion
The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, and recent judicial pronouncements reflect a growing national
consciousness that justice must extend beyond punishment to encompass dignity, reform, and rehabilitation. By
harnessing technology, strengthening human resources, and fostering empathy-driven correctional practices, prisons
can evolve into true reformative institutions that prepare individuals for constructive re-entry into society.
1.1.1. CRIME IN INDIA REPORT: 2023
Recently, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) published the Annual Crime in India report 2023.
Key Highlights of the report
• Overall cases registered: Cognizable crimes (where an arrest can be made without warrant) saw an increase of
7.2% over 2022.

o This equates to a crime occurring every 5 seconds.
• Cyber Crime:Registered cases surged by31.2%over2022.The predominant motive behindthese crimes was fraud,
followed by sexual exploitation.
• Crimes Against Scheduled Tribes (STs): Saw a 28.8% increase in cases registered. This is largely attributed to the
ethnic violence in Manipur.
• Crimes Against Children: Cases increased by 9.2% over 2022. The highest number of cases were registered under
Kidnapping and abduction, followed by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
• Crimes Against Women: Saw a marginal increase of 0.7% over 2022.
1.1.2. ACCIDENTAL DEATHS & SUICIDES IN INDIA 2023 REPORT
Recently, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) published the Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India 2023 Report.
Key Highlights of Report
• Increase in Suicides: Total reported suicides showed an increase of 0.3% (2023) as compared to 2022.
o However, rate of suicides has decreased by 0.8% during 2023 over 2022.
• Rate of Suicide rate: A & N Islands (Highest) >Sikkim> Kerala.
o Cities have higher suicide rate as compared to all-India suicide rate.
• States with higher Percentage Share of Suicides: Maharashtra (Highest)>Tamil
Nadu>Madhya Pradesh>Karnataka>West Bengal
• Male : Female Ratio: 72.8 : 27.2
• Major Causes: Family Problems (31.9%, other than marriage related
problems)> Illness (19.0%)> Drug Abuse/Alcoholic Addiction (7.0%) >Marriage
Related Issues (5.3%)> Love Affairs (4.7%)> Bankruptcy or Indebtedness (3.8%)>
Unemployment (1.8%)>Failure in Examination (1.4%)
• Farmer Suicide: A total of 10,786 persons accounting for 6.3% of total suicides
victims
o Zero suicides of Farmers/Cultivators/Agricultural Labourers: West Bengal,
Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa.
Initiatives taken to prevent Suicides
• National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022): Aims to reduce suicide mortality by
10% by 2030.
• Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States): It provides 24/7, free, tele-mental
health support.
• National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): To provide accessible, decentralized mental healthcare.
• Manodarpan: Ministry of Education project to provide psychosocial support for the mental health and well-being of
students, teachers, and families.
1.2. IT (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2025
Why in the news?
Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) proposed
amendments toInformation Technology(IntermediaryGuidelinesand DigitalMedia
Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules 2021) to check misuse of Synthetically Generated
Information, including Deepfakes.
More on the News
• The amended Rules shall come into effect from November 15, 2025 and be called
as Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics
Code) Amendment Rules, 2025.

o Proposed amendments aim to strengthen due diligence obligations of intermediaries’ particularly Social
Media Intermediaries (SMIs) and Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs).
About Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
• Originally notified in 2021 and subsequently amended in 2022 and 2023. They prescribe-
o Framework for regulation of content by online publishers of news and current affairs content, and curated
audio-visual content.
o Due diligence obligations on intermediaries, including SMIs with objective of ensuring online safety, security
and accountability.
• Defines SMIs and SSMIs as:
o SMI means an intermediary which primarily or solely enables online interaction between two or more users
and allows them to create, upload, share, disseminate, modify or access information using its services.
o SSMIs mean a social media intermediary having number of registered users in India above such threshold as
notified by Central Government.
Key Features of the proposed Amendments
Aspect Details
Defines Synthetically
Generated Information
(SGI)
• Information that is artificially or algorithmically created, generated, modified or
altered using a computer resource, in a manner that appears reasonably authentic or
true.
Due Diligence in
Relation to SGI
• Mandates that intermediaries offering computer resources enabling creation or
modification of SGI must ensure such information is labelled or embedded with a
permanent unique metadata or identifier.
• In case of visual content, label should cover at least 10 percent of the total
surface area, and in case of audio content, it should cover the initial 10 percent of
the total duration.
• Label or identifier must enable immediate identification of content as SGI.
• Prohibits intermediaries from modifying, suppressing, or removing such labels or
identifiers.
Enhanced Obligations
for SSMIs
It requires SSMIs to-
• obtain a user declaration on whether uploaded information is synthetically
generated;
• deploy reasonable and proportionate technical measures including automated
tools or other suitable mechanisms to verify such declarations;
• ensure that SGI is clearly and prominently displayed with an appropriate label or
notice.
If they fail to comply, the platforms may lose the legal immunity they enjoy from third-
party content.
Senior-level
Authorisation
Any intimation to intermediaries for removal of unlawful information can now only be
issued by-
• Senior officer at joint secretary rank or above in central ministries, their equivalents
in states,
• Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or higher in police forces.
Challenges in identifying AI Generated Content
• Lack of benchmarks: Existing AI detectors have high error rates due to lack of standardized benchmarks, thus often
leads to False Positives (flagging human content as AI) or False Negatives (failure to identify AI-generated text in
document).

• Lack of capacity: The sheer volume of AI-generated content exceeds the processing and storage capabilities of
most detection systems. Further, scaling up detection system will pose financial challenges.
• Anonymity: AI-generated content/deepfakes can
be made anonymously or housed on foreign
servers. Further, lack of unified laws or regulatory
mechanism hinders cross-border verification and
traceability.
• Imperceptibility: GenAI (Generative AI) generated
content blend seamlessly with human created
content, making it challenging for detection
systems to identify.
o E.g., Tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable
Diffusion can generate hyper-realistic images
that are often difficult to detect as AI-
generated.
• Balancing Innovation and Privacy: Detection
mechanisms often raise privacy concerns due to
metadata tracking. Over-regulation could
constrain AI innovation while under-regulation risks unchecked spread of misinformation.
Initiatives taken to tackle Deepfake
India
• Election Commission of India (ECI) issued advisory on disclosure of SGI and Al-generated content during
elections: All political parties shall ensure that
o Any synthetically generated or AI-altered image, audio, or video used or disseminated for campaigning
purposes shall bear a clear, prominent, and legible label such as "AI-Generated", "Digitally Enhanced",
or "Synthetic Content", covering at least 10% of the visible display area (or initial 10% duration for audio
content).
> The label in the case of video content shall be carried as part of the top hand of the screen.
o Any instance of AI-altered image,audio, or video, misinformation, or manipulated content detected on official
party handles shall be taken down within 3 hours of being noticed or reported.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Ensures that personal data is processed lawfully by Data
Fiduciaries (including AI companies) with user consent and reasonable security safeguards. Deepfakes using
personal data without consent can attract penalties under this Act.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Empowers agencies to issue notices for removal or disabling
access to unlawful content including deepfakes under IT Act read with IT Rules, 2021.
• Others: SAHYOG Portal by I4C, National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, CERT-In, etc.
Global
• EU’s AI Act mandates watermarking of synthetic content.
• Denmark proposed new deepfake legislation as part of its digital copyright law to protect individuals' rights
from the impact of AI-generated deepfakes.
• China rolled out its AI labelling rules, under which content providers must now display clear labels to identify
material created by AI.
Way Forward
• Digital framework: A durable solution for AI content detection can be developed based on three pillars:
o Establishing a digital provenance framework, similar to Aadhaar, embedding invisible yet verifiable
signatures to authenticate content.

o Implementing tiered accountability that assigns responsibility based on the role and influence of platforms
managing synthetic media.
o Promoting AI literacy to empower citizens to recognize manipulation.
• Governance Architecture: Develop regulatory structures, standardized technical protocols, and robust
oversight mechanisms to strengthen AI content detection, while balancing privacy and ethical considerations.
• Watermarking: AI watermarking can provide a solution by embedding indelible markers into AI-generated content,
serving as a digital signature that attests to the content’s origin and integrity.
o E.g., China's mandatory AI labeling rules.
• Establish Global standards for AI-generated content detection: Work towards aligning domestic frameworks
with international benchmarks and periodically review policies to ensuring robust and adaptive governance in the
AI ecosystem.
• Multi-stakeholder approach: Adopt a multi-stakeholder approach byactively engaging government bodies,industry
representatives, academia, and civil society in consultations to identify and share best practices for AI content
detection.
Conclusion
As India steps into the era of AI governance, harmonizing domestic regulations with global standards, fostering
innovation-friendly safeguards, and enhancing public AI literacy will be crucial to building a safe and trustworthy online
space that upholds both creativity and integrity.
1.3. REGULATION OF INDIA’S PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR
Why in News?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced deep concern over gaps in India's drug safety regulations, following the
deaths of at least 20 children from contaminated cough syrups.
More on News:
• India's drug regulator has identified three contaminated cough
syrups - Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceuticals), Respifresh (Rednex
Pharmaceuticals), and ReLife (Shape Pharma).
Regulation of Pharma Products in India:
• The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Drugs and Cosmetics
Rules, 1945: It governs the import, manufacture, distribution,
and sale of drugs and cosmetics in India. It ensured that drugs
meet the required standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.
• State Drug Regulatory Authorities: It is empowered to grant
licenses, conduct inspections, and ensure compliance with
drug laws at the state level.
• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry
of Health & Family Welfare is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.
o Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for approval of Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials,
laying down the standards for Drugs, control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country.
• The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA): It enforces the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control)
Order.
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules prescribes Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which align with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
Key challenges leading to cases of spurious drugs in India:
• Regulatory Gaps: Oversight by the CDSCO and state authorities is inconsistent & fragmented resulting in weak
monitoring of pharmaceutical companies.

• Toxic Contamination or Substandard Medicines: E.g: Investigations have shown some cough syrups contained
toxic substances like Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a toxic substance found in industrial solvents.
• Poor Quality Control: Lapses in manufacturing practices, inadequate lab testing, and failure to adhere to Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMP) allow unsafe drugs to reach the market.
• Supply Chain and Storage Issues: Improper storage conditions and poor cold chain management can degrade
medicines, making them unsafe.
• Absence of Mandatory Recall Law: India lacks a binding national law to mandate the recall of substandard drugs,
a measure discussed since 1976 but never implemented.
• Rising Threat of Online Spurious Drugs: WHO warns that 1 in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries
are substandard or falsified, with unauthorized online platforms becoming a major channel for their spread.
Recommendations
Standing Committeeon ChemicalsandFertilizers (2024-25),has emphasized theneedforurgent and concrete measures
to strengthen enforcement, regulatory oversight, and public awareness to combat spurious and adulterated drugs.
• Rigorous Enforcement of Laws: The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945, must be enforced
rigorously across the country to eliminate the menace of spurious and adulterated drugs.
o Swift Legal Action and Stronger Penalties: Conduct prompt prosecutions, impose stricter penalties, and shut
down non-compliant manufacturers.
o Strengthened Monitoring and Inspections: Ensure strict monitoring, timely inspections, and full compliance,
especially in high-risk regions.
• Legally Enforceable GDP Guidelines: Make CDSCO guidelines on Good Distribution Practices (GDP) legally
enforceable to strengthen quality standards throughout the supply chain.
• Enhanced Inter-Agency Coordination: Strengthen collaboration with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to
dismantle networks producing counterfeit drugs.
• Enforcing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): Implement updated Good Manufacturing Practices at the earliest.
• National awareness campaign: Launch a national awareness campaign to educate consumers and healthcare
professionals about identifying counterfeit medicines and reporting violations.
1.4. TRIBAL GOVERNANCE
Why in the News?
Special Gram Sabhas held across 1 lakh tribal-dominated villages and Tolas adopted the Tribal Village Vision 2030
Declaration as part of Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan.
Key Features of Tribal Village Vision 2030 Declaration
• Village-Level Priorities: Each declaration outlines actionable goals in education, health, livelihood, social and
financial inclusion, and infrastructure at the village level.
• Institutional Mechanism: Establishment of Adi Sewa Kendras in every village as single-window citizen service
centres, with villagers contributing 1 hour per week of voluntary service (Adi Sewa Samay).
About Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan
• It is a national movement to build a decentralized tribal leadership and governance ecosystem.
• Coverage: It marks the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership programme, covering 11 crore citizens in 30
States and UTs.
o It is world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership mission.
• Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Key Objectives
o Train and mobilize 20 Lakh tribal changemakers across 1 Lakh villages in 550 tribal-dominated districts
o Facilitate Village Vision 2030 Planning & Development Action Plan
o Promote last-mile convergence & effective service delivery

o Capture & amplify voices of tribal communities
• Three pillars of leadership: Adi Karmayogi, Adi Sahyogi, Adi Saathi.
Tribal Governance
• Ministry of TribalAffairs: Founded in 1999 to provideorganisedapproach to integrated socioeconomicdevelopment
of Scheduled Tribes.
• The Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA): It seeks to empower tribal communities in
practicing self-governance and preserving their core beliefs, values, and way of life in Scheduled Areas.
o It empowers Gram Sabhas, giving them authority over resources, land transfers, socio-economic development
etc.
• Fifth and Sixth Schedule: Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides autonomy to tribal areas in the northeastern
states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
o While, the Fifth Schedule deals with the administration of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in states except
those mentioned in the Sixth Schedule.
• Customary tribal institutions (e.g., Adivasi Sabhas, Tribal Panchayats): Such institutions continue to play a
meaningful role in internal governance, culture, resource management and conflict resolution in tribal communities,
often co-existing with formal Panchayat institutions.
Reasons to promote grassroot population in governance
• Inclusiveness: When people take part in governance, they feel more connected and valued.
o For example, social audits in MGNREGA let local communities, especially the poor, check how funds are used
and ensure their needs are addressed.
• Trust-building: Active citizen participation programs foster trust in government institutions.
o For example, Gram Sabhas fosters community trust at the grassroot level.
• Accountability and Transparency: For instance, RTI empowers citizens by providing them information to hold
government officials and agencies accountable for their actions.
• Raise concerns: For example, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) provides opportunity to common people
to express their opinions on adverse effects of the development projects on social and environmental issues.
• Social Justice and Representation: Political participation provides tribal communities with representation,
challenging age-old marginalization and empowering them in leadership roles.
Issues in Tribal Governance
• Gaps in PESA implementation: Many states have been slow to adopt PESA provisions in state laws, and there is
lack of awareness and capacity among local officials and communities about their rights under PESA.
o E.g. Despite being formed in 1996, Jharkhand is yet to implement PESA.
• Limited Voice in Decision-Making: Studies have found that the formal Gram Panchayat system, often does not
ensure adequate representation of tribal voices or preservation of their cultural heritage.
o Moreover, in Fifth Schedule states, Tribes Advisory Councils (TACs) are purely advisory and have largely been
ineffective in most states.
• Land Alienation and Displacement: In many areas, tribals are vulnerable to losing their land to outsiders or
development projects.
o Even in regions with special constitutional protections (like Sixth Schedule areas), land alienation,
displacement, and socio-economic marginalization of tribal people have been observed.
• Poor Implementation of Welfare Policies: Schemes targeting tribal welfare, such as the Forest Rights Act (FRA),
often suffer from weak execution.
o Over 38% FRA claims for land have been rejected till November 2022 (Central Government).
• Socio-Economic Marginalization: Poverty levels are very high, about 45% of tribals in rural areas and 24% in urban
areas live below the poverty line.
o Many are excluded from economic opportunities due to low education levels (literacy rate for Scheduled
Tribes in India is 72.1% according to PLFS report 2022)

Steps towards Tribal Development
• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM JANMAN): A time-bound initiative for socio-economic
development of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) residing in 18 states and one UT.
• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA): Mission seeks to develop enabling infrastructure and
enhancesocio-economicconditionsin selected tribal-majorityvillages(with a population of 500ormore, and at least
50% tribal residents as well as villages in Aspirational Districts with a tribal population of 50 or more).
• Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): Under it, besides Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 41
Ministries/Departments are allocating certain percentage of their total scheme budget every year for tribal
development.
• PM Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Aims at transforming villages with significant tribal population into model
village (Adarsh Gram) covering about 40% of the total tribal population.
• Development of Education: Eklavya Model Residential Schools, National Fellowship Scheme, Pre Matric
Scholarship scheme, Top Class Education Scheme etc.
• Promotion of Entrepreneurship: Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (sanctioning of 4,465 VDVKs across 29 states and union
territories), Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation
of India (TRIFED) outlets with 118 TRIBES INDIA outlets.
Conclusion
The Tribal Village Vision 2030 and Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan represent a transformative shift in India’s approach to tribal
development, from a top-down welfare model to a bottom-up, community-led governance paradigm.
1.5. NEWS IN SHORTS
1.5.1. PROMOTION AND REGULATION OF ONLINE GAMING RULES, 2025 NOTIFIED
The rules notified by the Ministry of Electronics and IT will operationalize the Promotion and Regulation of Online
Gaming Act, 2025.
• The act categorizes online games as E-Sport, Online Social Games, and Online
Money Games.
• It prohibits all forms of online money games (e.g., poker & fantasy sports), while
only allowing “online social games” and e-sports.
Key Highlights of Rules
• Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI): It will be established to regulate online
games, maintain registry, decide legality, impose penalties etc.
o It will have a chairperson and five other members from various government
ministries.
• Registration of Games: Both social games and e-sports must register with the
OGAI and seek a valid Certificate of Registration.
• 3-Tiered Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Every registered online game or e-
sportprovider mustmaintain a functionalgrievance redressalmechanismfor user
complaints.
o Appeals can be made to the Grievance Appellate Committee and then to the
Authority.
• Violation: The draft rules propose to make violations a non-bailable offence and
hold the entire company staff liable for facilitating any breach.

1.5.2. POSTAL BALLOT
According to ECI’s notification, penultimate round of EVM counting shall be taken up only after complete counting of
Postal Ballots.
About Postal Ballot
• Allows voters to cast their votes on an electronically received postal ballot, Avoiding the need to visit polling
stations physically.
• Legal Framework: Governed by Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and Representation of People Act, 1951.
• Eligibility: Service voters, special voters, absentee voters (seniors above 85, persons with disabilities, etc.) those
under preventive detention, and election duty personnel.
o Service Voters include Members of the Armed Forces, central armed police forces, government servants posted
abroad etc.
o Special voters include the President, Vice President, Governors, Cabinet Ministers, other high-ranking
dignitaries, etc. and their spouses.

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
2.1. RISE OF ANTI-IMMIGRATION POLICIES
Why in the News?
In the recent years, there has been a striking surge in anti-immigration rhetoric, protests, and policies worldwide from
Western democracies to the parts of Asia.
More on the News
• Examples of recent events displaying anti-immigration sentiments-
o Hike in H1B Visa fee by the US administration
o Campaigns by Japan’s Sanseito Party framing immigration as ‘silent invasion’
o Opposition to Indian migration in Australia organized under the banner of “March for Australia”, etc.
• This is primarily because of the rise of populism where public opinion takes the form of hostility to immigration, the
political response has invariably been to curb new immigration by reducing legal migration routes, reinforcing border
protection, cutting the entitlements of new arrivals and, in general, trying to deter migrants.
Causes of rising Anti-Immigration Sentiment
• Economic: Immigrants are often perceived as taking away local jobs, depressing wages, especially in low-skill
sectors, and put strain on welfare systems.
o E.g., Perception of job loss and wage depression was a major driver of support for BREXIT in the UK.
• Social and Cultural: Migrants are seen as a threat to national identity, language, religion, and traditions, fuelling
cultural anxiety among native populations, especially in societies facing demographic change.
o E.g., Rising anti-immigration sentiment in Europe, the United States.
• Political: Populist and nationalist leaders exploit public fears (unemployment, crime, welfare strain) over
immigration to gain electoral support.
o E.g., Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni argued that the country faces a migrant “invasion”.
• Security: Governments and citizens link migration with illegal border crossings and terrorism, heightening fear and
opposition, or organized crime.
o E.g., Post 9/11 stricter immigration laws in USA.
• Misinformation: Social media amplify xenophobia through false narratives (migrants “taking jobs” or “raising
crime rates”), reinforcing negative stereotypes, creating mass fear and moral panic.
o E.g., Fake news on migrant-related crimes spread through media in Germany intensified anti-immigrant
sentiment.
Impact of Anti- Immigration
• Economic Impact: Restrictive immigration laws reduce labour supply, especially in sectors dependent on
migrant workers (agriculture, construction), leading to rise in labour costs and slower economic growth.
o E.g., Post-Brexit UK faced shortages of farming sector.
• Demographic impact: Anti-immigration policies can worsen the ageing population crisis in developed countries,
leading to fewer working-age taxpayers, and rising dependency ratio.
o E.g., Labour shortages in Japan and EU due to ageing population.
• Socio-cultural: Stricter immigration laws can potentially reduce multicultural exchange and hamper social
cohesion, further leading to polarization and xenophobia.
• Reduced innovation: Restricting skilled migrants reduces innovation, research capacity, and start-up formation.
o E.g., As per National Foundation for American Policy, 55% of country’s $1 billion start-up had at least one
immigrant founder.
• Political Impact: Stringent policies can lead to strained relations with neighbouring or source countries due to
deportations or discriminatory visa regimes, and international criticism for violating human rights.

Measures taken to prevent illegal Immigration
• National Register of Citizens (NRC): It is a list of citizens which was created for the first time in Assam in 1951 to
combat the issue of illegal immigration in state.
• Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025: It confers upon Central Government certain powers to provide for
requirement of passports or other travel documents in respect of persons entering into and exiting from India.
How should India respond?
• Diplomatic engagement with host countries: Bilateral dialogues and agreements
with the host countries (like the US, Australia, Japan) to ensure fair treatment and legal
protection for Indian workers and students abroad.
• Leveraging Diaspora Diplomacy: Proactive diaspora outreach through embassies
and cultural missions to counter negative stereotypes and showcase positive
contributions of Indians globally.
• Strengthening domestic opportunities: Creating more high-quality jobs in sectors
such as IT, Healthcare, manufacturing, etc., within India can help reduce push factors
driving migration.
o In this regard, coordinated and effective implementation of initiatives like Make in
India, Skill India, and Startup India can help retain skilled youth and reduce
dependence on foreign employment.
• Countering misinformation and xenophobia: Government of India and other non-
State actors can collaborate with international digital platforms to curb fake narratives
against migrants.
Conclusion
The rise of anti-immigration sentiment across the world reflects deeper economic anxieties, cultural insecurities, and
political populism. For India, with one of the world’s largest diasporas, the challenge lies in protecting its citizens abroad
while promoting inclusive and responsible migration policies at home. A calibrated approach anchored in diplomacy,
evidence-based policymaking, and respect for human rights, can ensure that migration remains a source of strength
rather than contention in an increasingly interconnected world.
2.2. INDIA AFGHANISTAN RELATIONS: STRATEGIC RESETTING OF TIES
Why in News?
Recently, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister arrived in New
Delhi to hold bilateral discussions with India’s External
Affairs Minister.
More on News
• This visit follows a special travel exemption granted to
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister by United Nations
Security Council to travel to India.
• It is the first ministerial-level visit to India since the
Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Key outcomes of the Visit
• Diplomatic Engagement: India restored status of
Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of Embassy
of India in Afghanistan.
• Connectivity: commencement of India-Afghanistan
Air Freight Corridor.

• Infrastructure and Energy: Both side appreciated India’s support for India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma
Dam) in Herat and India agreed to collaborate on hydroelectric projects in Afghanistan.
Why India is showing renewed interest in Afghanistan?
• Safeguarding Strategic Interests:
o Counterterrorism: India’s foremost priority is to prevent Afghanistan from once
again becoming a breeding ground for terrorism threatening its security. E.g.
Presence of groups such as Al-Qaeda, Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-
KP), Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed remains a serious threat.
o Security Commitments from Kabul: E.g. Afghan Foreign Minister assured that
Afghan territory will not be used for activities hostile to India.
• Geopolitical Balancing and Rival Management
o Limiting Pakistan’s Influence: India aims to counter Pakistan’s influence by
leveraging the deteriorating Pakistan–Afghanistan ties, creating space for
pragmatic India–Afghanistan cooperation.
o Checking China’s Strategic Expansion: India also aims to prevent its strategic
rivals, particularly China, from dominating Afghanistan’s economic and
geopolitical landscape following the Taliban’s return to power.
• ProtectingStrategic Investments: Indiahas investedUSD 3billion in more than500
projects across various provinces of Afghanistan, covering power, water, roads, healthcare, education, agriculture,
and capacity building.
Global and Regional Perspectives
• Moscow Format Unity: India participated in the 7th
Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan alongside
China, Iran, Pakistan, Central Asian nations, and Russia.
o India reiterated that a secure, peaceful and stable Afghanistan is vital for its people, regional resilience and
global security.
• Russia’s Recognition: Russia has formally recognized Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, effectively legitimizing
Taliban governance and consolidating Moscow’s growing influence in the region.
• U.S. Strategic Posture: The United States has signaled a renewed interest in Bagram Air Base, suggesting a
possible re-entry into Afghanistan’s strategic sphere.
• China’s Strategic Initiative: China has promoted trilateral cooperation among China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aiming to link Afghanistan to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC).
Challenges for India: Navigating a Complex Political Landscape
• Lack of Formal Recognition: India has not formally recognised the Taliban government, limiting the scope of
diplomatic and institutional cooperation.
• Diplomatic Dilemmas: Moreover, India risks losing its moral credibility if perceived as aligning with an oppressive
regime just to counter Pakistan.
• Balancing Strategic Interests with Humanitarian Concerns: India’s secular democracy contrasts with the
Taliban’s theocratic rule whose restrictions on women and religious freedoms raises concerns about Human Rights
violations.
Conclusion
India’s renewed engagement with the Taliban reflects a pragmatic shift by prioritising strategic interests over earlier
ideological reservations. This renewed approach is vital for securing India’s borders against terrorism and countering the
influence of strategic rivals. It underscores that engaging with a difficult partner does not signify endorsement and
reflects a pragmatic choice of dialogue over disengagement.

2.3. INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS
Why in the News?
Recently, the 25th anniversary of the Declaration of Strategic Partnership between Russia and India has been celebrated.
More on the News
• The Declaration was signed in the year 2000.
• Since then, 22 annual summits, regular leader-level
meetings, ministerial dialogues and working groups
across sectors have institutionalised the
partnership, ensuring continuity and depth.
• It established a qualitatively new framework that
elevated bilateral cooperation across political,
security, economic, defence, and cultural spheres.
Core pillars of the India-Russia partnership:
• Political and Diplomatic Convergence: Annual
summit is at its centrepiece. Beyond summits, the two
nations coordinate closely through ministerial
exchanges, the 2+2 dialogue, and forums like UN, G20, BRICS, SCO etc.
o Russia also backs India's bid for a
permanent seat on the UN Security
Council.
• Defence and Security: Russia is India's top
military supplier accounting for 36% of
total defence imports during 2020-24
(SIPRI Report). E.g., S400 air defence
system, MiG-29K naval fighter aircraft, etc.
o Defence ties have evolved from a buyer-
seller model to joint research,
development, and production of
advanced defence technologies. E.g.,
BrahMos Cruise Missiles
o Conducts military exercise INDRA and
Avia Indra.
• Energy Security:
o Russia is the largest crude oil supplier to India. It supplies oil at discounted prices which has helped in curbing
inflation.
o Some of India’s largest state-owned and private companies have invested in the Russian Far East (RFE),
including ONGC’s investments in oil and gas project.
o Promotes nuclear energy development. E.g., Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu.
• Trade and Economic: Bilateral trade between both countries reached a record high of USD 68.7 billion in FY 2024-
25.
o They have set a target to take bilateral trade to $100 billion (by 2030).
o Major items of export from India include pharmaceuticals, organic and inorganic chemicals, iron & steel etc.
o 90% trade between Russia and India is conducted in local currencies i.e. rubles and rupee.
• Connectivity: Russia can enhance India's connectivity with Central Asia and the wider Eurasia through projects like
the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Northern Sea Route and Chennai-Vladivostok
Eastern Maritime Corridor.
• Enhances Technological Capability: E.g., In Space sector, it is assisting first crewed space mission, Gaganyaan.
• Cultural and people-to-people ties: Indian cinema once captivated Soviet audiences, Russian ballet continues to
find fans in India, and yoga enjoys wide popularity across Russia - building long-lasting goodwill.

Challenges in the India–Russia Relations
• Trade Imbalance: Trade balance favors Russia. Indian imports from Russia are about of USD 63.84 billion in FY 2024-
25, while exports stood at USD 4.88 billion.
• Rupee Surplus Problem: Trade imbalance has generated financial challenges as billions of Indian rupees have
accumulated in Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) in Indian banks.
o The Russian Foreign Minister identified this surplus as a "problem," noting Russia's inability to use these funds
for international transactions outside the Western financial system.
• Declining Defence Imports: It is mainly due to diversification of India’s arms import from countries like Israel,
France, and the United States – along with indigenization efforts.
• Diverging Geopolitical Priorities:
o India-US convergences: India is increasingly aligning with the West, particularly the US. E.g. Security
relationship such as Quad.
o Growing Russia-China ties: In 2022, Russia and China announced a “no limits” partnership outlining closer
political, security, and economic engagement.
o Russia’s rapprochement with Pakistan: E.g., Recent cooperation between Pakistan and Russia includes
defence initiatives like joint counter-terrorism drills and naval exercises.
• Sanctions by USA: No major military deals with Russia have been concluded since the S-400 deal to avoid USA
sanctions under Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), 2017.
o CAATSA allows the imposition of sanctions on countries dealing with three nations, i.e., Russia, Iran,andNorth
Korea.
How India is balancing its relation with Russia and USA?
• India sometimes finds itself caught between the interests of the US and Russia.
o E.g. US recently imposed tariffs on India for purchasing oil from Russia. It accuses India of financing Russia's
war in Ukraine.
• India’s Approach in dealing with such situations
o Following Strategic Autonomy: India follows a flexible foreign policy approach balancing ties with both the
USA and Russia. Approach is based on strategic autonomy and realistic policies.
> For instance, in the case of Ukraine- Russia Conflict, India abstained from a UNSC resolution which called
for condemning the Russian military action against Ukraine.
o Relationships based on national interest: Despite the imposition of additional tariff, India has maintained
deep ties with Russia.
> At the same time, India’s quiet diplomacy in multilateral platforms like BRICS, SCO, and G20 has
allowed it to remain a bridge between the Global South and competing power blocs.
o Internationalisation of Rupee: To deal with sanctions on Russia, India is promoting alternative payment
mechanisms such as trading in rupees or roubles.
Way Forward
• Enhancing Mutual Trust: Both countries need to reinforce mutual trust amid growing apprehensions about Russia-
China and India-US convergences.
• Strengthening Tier II diplomacy: Strengthening contacts with the new generation as well as academia and
stationing Indian correspondents in Russia.
• Diversifying trade: Indo-Russia trade should expand beyond oil, incorporating products from traditional sectors
such as IT, textile, agriculture, etc. It will promote India’s export to Russia.
• Promoting Joint research & co-development: Building on past successes like BrahMos missile and AK-203 rifles,
future collaboration should focus on next-generation defence technologies.
• Finalizing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU): Russia is a key member of the
EAEU.
• Promote cooperation in Nuclear Energy: Russia can help India in developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
• Other: Promoting Cooperation in non-traditional areas like AI, cyber security, etc.

Conclusion
Thefutureof India–Russia relationsdependson bothnations’ability to adapt theirpartnership to emerging global realities
expanding beyond defence and energy into technology, innovation, and people-to-people links.
2.4. GAZA PEACE SUMMIT
Why in the News?
Recently, USA and Egypt co-hosted the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
to advance peace in Gaza and overall stability in the Middle East.
More on the News
• During the summit, four ceasefire mediators—the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and
Turkeysigneda declaration to inaugurate theUSA’s 20-point peaceplan orthe Trump
Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity.
• Peace plan declares that future disputes will be resolved via diplomatic
engagement and negotiation, not through force or protracted conflict.
• Plan callsfor Hamas’s disarmament and an internationally supervised reconstruction
of Gaza.
• Long term, Trump’s twenty-point plan stipulates that no Palestinians will be
militarily forced to leave Gaza, and that Israel will agree not to occupy or annex the
Gaza Strip.
o Importantly, 20-point plan for Gaza does not guarantee a two-state solution or
the creation of the state of Palestine.
• India’s Minister of State for External Affairs attended the summit and appreciated the efforts towards a lasting
peace in the region.
Significance of Peace in the region
• Regional
Prosperity: The
peace plan could
aid in the expansion
of Abraham
Accords and
unlock broader
peace and
prosperity.
o The Abraham
Accords are a
feature of U.S.
Middle
Eastern
diplomacy
involving peace
agreements
between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, etc.
• Strategic Location: The region, rich in oil and gas resources is strategically located at the juncture of critical global
lines of communication involving Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz, and Suez Canal.
• Contemporary Geopolitics: Great power competitions can lead to regional fragmentation in the absence of
peace. E.g., Russia is showing security interest while China has economic interests in the region.
• Global Trade: The region houses one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations expected to reach around
580 million people by 2030, serving as a market for goods and services in times of peace.

• Importance for India: Energy and remittances from the Indian workforce in the region are of vital strategic interest
for India.
o India imports nearly 70% of its annual oil from the region and is gaining importance through initiatives/groupings
like India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, I2U2, etc.
India’s Stance on the Palestinian issue
1947-1991 1991-2014 2014- Present
• Support for Two-State Solution:
Driven by a combination of
anticolonial solidarity with Arab
states and commitment to Non-
Aligned Movement.
o India favours a sovereign and
independent State of
Palestine living side by side
with Israel.
o India recognized Palestine in
1988.
• Strategic Ties with Israel:
Establishment of full
diplomatic relations with
Israel in 1992 marking a
fundamental policy shift.
o Presently, India and Israel
have formed a strong
strategic connection,
with India being top buyer
of Israel’s defence
products.
• De-hyphenation: It establishes
diplomatic ties with Israel
separate from those India would
have with Palestine.
o Indian Prime Minister’s visit to
both Israel (2017) and
Palestine (2018) highlights that
India's ties with Israel would not
alter its fundamental attitude
on Palestine.
Conclusion
India’s present foreign policy toward Israel has witnessed strategic recalibration. From historical support for Palestine
to increased engagement with Israel, India has gradually shown pragmatic shift in its priorities aligning with its moral
commitments, strategic imperatives, and regional geopolitics.
Key Strategic Locations in the Region (See Map)
• Gaza: Small piece of landon the Mediterranean Sea bordering Egypt to the
south. Under the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority since 1993.
• West Bank: Landlocked region to the west of Jordan and East of Israel.
Territories divided into three: fully controlled by Israel, fully controlled by
Palestine, and ones shared between Israel and Palestine.
• Golan Heights: Bounded by the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee on
the west. Contentious between Israel and Syria.
• Sinai Peninsula: Lies between Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aqaba,
bounded by Mediterranean Sea (North) and the Red Sea (South).
• Jerusalem: Ancient city wholly under Israel. Important for three major
monotheistic religions- Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
2.5. INDIA-EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION TRADE AND ECONOMIC
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (TEPA)
Why in the News?
India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed on 10
March 2024, came into effect from 01 October 2025.

Key Features of the Agreement
• Capital Investment: EFTA will promote investments worth USD 100 billion in India over 15 years-a major boost to
“Make in India”.
o This is accompanied by the creation of one million direct jobs in India, a first in any FTA signed by the country.
• Market Access for Goods: Indian exporters in sectors like machinery, organic chemicals, textiles, and processed
foods to have improved access to EFTA markets enhancing competitiveness, and reducing compliance costs.
o Under TEPA, EFTA has offered 92.2% of tariff lines encompassing 99.6% of India’s exports.
• Boost for Services and Mobility: It is the first Indian FTA to include Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) in
regulated professions like nursing, chartered accountancy, and architecture, making it easier for Indian
professionals to work in EFTA countries.
o Improved access via: Mode 1: Digital delivery of services, Mode 3: Commercial presence and Mode 4: Greater
certainty for entry and temporary stay of key personnel.
• Intellectual Property Rights: TEPA ensures IPR commitments at TRIPS level, along with fully addressing India’s
interests in generic medicines and those related to evergreening of patents.
• Sustainable and Inclusive Development: It will foster transparency, efficiency, simplification, harmonization, and
consistency in trade procedures.
• Technology Collaboration: Access to world leading technologies in precision engineering, health, renewable
energy, Innovation and Research & Development.
• Reinforces India’s Global Image: Positions India as an equal negotiating partner with advanced economies,
ensuring outcomes aligned with its long-term strategic and developmental interests.
About EFTA
EFTA is an intergovernmental organisation set up in
1960 for the promotion of free trade and economic
integration to the benefit of their trading partners across
the globe.
• Its current members are Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway and Switzerland, which are in the Schengen
area but are not EU member states.
• It has population of 13 million and a combined GDP
of more than $1 trillion.
• India is the EFTA's fifth-largest trading partner after
the European Union, the United States, Britain and
China
• Among EFTA, Switzerland is the largest trading
partner of India, followed by Norway.
Issues with the agreement
• Limited Benefits for India: For India, the benefits are limited in terms of trade in goods, given pre-existing low tariff
rates in the EFTA bloc and most imports already receiving tariff-free treatment.
o The agreement mainly favours EFTA exports to India through tariff reductions and better market access.
• Trade imbalances: Despite modest current trade volumes India exported goods worth around USD 1.97 billion to
EFTA in FY25 against imports of USD 22.44 billion.
• Limitations of the pact: Several analysts warned that India is likely to keep facing difficulties in exporting farm
produce to Switzerland due to a complex web of tariffs, quality standards, and approval requirements.
o Key agricultural items including dairy, soya, coal, etc., placed on the exclusion list.
• Limited Investment Options: The investment section of the deal excludes pension and sovereign wealth funds.

Conclusion
TEPA serves as both an economic and diplomatic asset and is India’s most forward-looking deal. In an era where trade
is increasingly tied to resilience, supply chain diversification, and climate commitments, it sets a new benchmark
for future global partnerships.
2.6. NEWS IN SHORTS
2.6.1. INDIA-ASEAN RELATIONSHIP
The 47th
ASEAN summit was held recently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• ASEAN Summits take place twice a year, hosted by the country holding the ASEAN
Chairmanship.
Key Highlights of the Summit
• Addition of 11th
Member: Timor-Leste (East Timor) was officially admitted as
ASEAN's 11th member
• Theme: Inclusivity and Sustainability.
• Kuala Lumpur Accord: Joint ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia.
22nd ASEAN-India annual Summit was also held on the sidelines of the summit. The key
highlights include:
• Maritime Cooperation: 2026 was designated as “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime
Cooperation” and supported the grouping's centrality in the Indo-Pacific.
• Sustainable Tourism: Adoption of the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Tourism.
• Plan of Action: Extended support for implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-
India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030)
2.6.2. INDIA-UNITED KINGDOM
India and UK released Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister of England to India.
Key highlights of the India-UK Joint Statement
• Technology: Both nations welcomed the tangible progress made across critical
and emerging technologies, including telecommunications, critical minerals, AI,
and health tech. Key outcomes of Technology Security Initiative (TSI) include:
o Connectivity & Innovation Centre for AI native network for 6G, Non-
Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), cyber security for telecoms with at least £24m
of joint funding.
o Joint Centre for AI promoting responsible AI in healthcare, climate, FinTech,
and BioTech.
o Phase 2 of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory to
expand Mineral coverage and establish a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM
Dhanbad.
• Trade and Investment: Both welcomed the resetting of the Joint Economic and
Trade Committee (JETCO) which will support the governance and utilisation of the
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
• Defence: Both sides committed to maritime security cooperation in the Indo-
Pacific, including establishing a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific
Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• Education: Both sides reaffirmed the Migration and Mobility Partnership to enable legal migration and curb
irregular movement.

o E.g., Queens University of Belfast and Coventry University have been authorised to open their branch
campuses in GIFT City.
• Climate and Energy: Both announced a joint investment in the Climate Tech Start-up Fund to support innovation
in climate tech and AI.
o Additionally, Offshore Wind Taskforce and expressed intent to collaborate through the Global Clean Power
Alliance (GCPA).
2.6.3. NEW STRATEGIC EU-INDIA AGENDA
The European Council has approved the EU-India Strategic Agenda, identifying five priority pillars to address emerging
opportunities, challenges, and threats in a geopolitical context.
Five Priority Pillars
• Prosperity and Sustainability: Focuses on economic growth, job creation, decarbonization, and strengthening
supply chains.
o Thegoalsof finalizing a Free TradeAgreement (FTA) and concluding an Investment ProtectionAgreement(IPA)
are central to this.
• Technology and Innovation: Deepens cooperation on critical emerging technologies, digital infrastructure, and
promoting research collaboration through the Trade and Technology Council and Horizon Europe.
• Security and Defence: Addresses global security threats, geopolitical tensions, and technological change. E.g.
Coordinate on Indo-
Pacific and promote
rule based maritime
order.
• Connectivity and
Global Issues:
Strengthens regional
connectivity, global
governance, and
cooperation in third countries.
o Example: Strengthening initiatives like India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and Global
Gateway.
• Enablers across Pillars: Facilitates skills mobility, knowledge exchange, business engagement, and institutional
cooperation to support all four main pillars.
2.6.4. INDIA-MONGOLIA
The two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of their Strategic
Partnership with key MoUs signed during the visit of Mongolian
President to India.
Key MoUs signed
• Development Cooperation: Both countries reaffirmed
commitment to the Mongol Oil Refinery Project, being
implemented with US$ 1.7 billion Line of Credit by India.
• Cultural Relations: MoU between Ladakh Autonomous Hill
Development Council and Mongolia’s Arkhangai Province.
• Spiritual Cooperation: India plans to send holy relics of Lord
Buddha’ disciples Sariputra and Maudgalyayana to Mongolia,
help digitise the 1 million ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and link
Nalanda and Gandan Monastery.
• Others: Free e-visas to Mongolian citizens, strengthening trade through exploring the potential of third-country ports,
enhance cooperation in Uranium, resilient supply chains and critical minerals, etc.

Significance Of Mongolia for India
• Strategic Importance: Mongolia’s strategic location, essential for enhancing geopolitical balance and regional
stability.
• International and Development Cooperation: Both countries commit to a free, open, and rule based Indo-
Pacific, along with cooperation in multilateral fora.
• Energy and Economic Partnership: Mongolia has vast reserves of coking coal, useful for Steel industry.
2.6.5. SEVILLA FORUM ON DEBT LAUNCHED
The forum is launched at the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16)
to tackle the entrenched debt crisis in developing countries.
About Sevilla Forum on Debt
• It is led by Spain, supported by the UNCTAD and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN
DESA).
• It will bring together all stakeholders, creditors, borrowers, international financial institutions and academia on debt
sustainability, management and innovative solutions.
• It is one of the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) and part of
Sevilla Platform for Action.
o The other three outcomes are Debt Swaps for Development Hub, Debt-for-Development Swap Programme,
and Debt “Pause Clause” Alliance.
• This initiative will complement the Sevilla Commitment.
o Sevilla Commitment lays out a path to close the $4 trillion annual SDG financing gap in developing countries.
o It is the first inter-governmentally agreed financing for development framework since 2015.
Debt Crisis
• Global public debt: In 2024, global public debt reached $102 trillion (developing countries burden-US$ 31 trillion)
o Developing countries spend $1.4 trillion on annual debt service.
• Over 3.4 billion people live in nations spending more on debt servicing than on health or education.
2.6.6. PLUTONIUM MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSITION AGREEMENT (PMDA)
Russia’s lower house approved withdrawal from Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) with
the U.S.
• Previously, Russia in 2016 suspended implementation of the agreement, citing U.S. sanctions.
About PMDA
• The agreement signed in 2000 commits the U.S. and Russia to each irreversibly dispose of at least 34 metric tons
of weapons-grade plutonium.
o Plutonium (atomic number 94) is a radioactive material with a high melting point, and the heaviest naturally
occurring element.
• Disposition goal: Convert plutonium into safer forms (MOX fuel, reactor irradiation).

2.6.7. UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
India was elected unopposed to UN Human Rights Council for the seventh time.
• India is elected for a three-year term (2026–28) starting next year.
About UN Human Rights Council
• Overview: It is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system that promotes and protects
human rights globally.
• Genesis: Established in 2006 by the General Assembly by replacing the Commission on Human Rights.
• Membership: It has 47 members elected annually by the UN General Assembly, serving three-year terms with a
maximum of two consecutive terms.
• Function: Provides a global forum on human rights, adopts resolutions, reviews member states, and mandates
investigations and special procedures.
2.6.8. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE
FINANCING OF TERRORISM
Iran ratified International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.
About International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism
• Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1999 and entered in 2002.
• Purpose: Criminalizes the financing of terrorism and holds funders of terrorist acts
accountable.
• India has also ratified it
2.6.9. AREAS IN CONFLICT IN NEWS
Areas in
Conflict
Reason Key Geographical Features Map
Myanmar
(Sagaing
Region)
Over a
million
Rohingya
Muslims
from
Myanmar
now live as
refugees in
Bangladesh,
where their
human
rights are
being
violated.
• Lies at the
northwesternmost part of
mainland Southeast Asia.
• Bordered by: China (North
and Northeast), Laos (East),
Thailand (South East),
Bangladesh (West), India
(Mizoram, Manipur,
Nagaland and Arunachal
Pradesh in the North West).
• Bordering water bodies:
Andaman Sea (south) and by
the Bay of Bengal
(southwest).
• Major mountain ranges:
Rakhine Mountains, Shan
Plateau, Dawna Range,
Tenasserim Mountains etc.
• Highest point: Mount
Hkakabo Razi
• Major rivers: Irrawaddy,
Chindwin, Sittang, Salween,
Yangon River.

Madagascar
(Antanan-
arivo, the
capital city)
Anti-
government
Gen Z
protests in
Madagascar
have led to
the fall of
the
government.
• Bordered by: Mauritius and
Réunion (territory of France)
(east). The French territory of
Mayotte and the island
country of Comoros
(northwest).
• Located off the coast of
East Africa in the Indian
Ocean.
• The second-largest island
country in the world.
• Approximately 90% of
Madagascar’s flora and
fauna is found nowhere
else.

3. ECONOMY
3.1. MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY
Why in the News?
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Initiative (OPHI) released the
2025 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report.
Key Highlights of Report
• Multidimensional Poverty: 1.1 billion (18.3%) out of 6.3 billion people across 109 countries live in acute
multidimensional poverty.
o Almost half of all multidimensionally poor peopleglobally live injust six middle-incomecountries:Bangladesh,
China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania.
o Around 27.8 % of all children live in multidimensional poverty, more than double the rate among adults (13.5
%).
• Poverty and Climate Hazards: Poverty and climate shocks create a double burden. Poverty drives exposure to
climate hazards. These, in turn, reinforce and prolong poverty.
o Nearly 8 in 10 people living in multidimensional poverty – 887 million out of 1.1
billion globally – are directly exposed to climate hazards such as extreme
heat, flooding, drought, or air pollution.
o 309 million poor people live in regions exposed to three or four overlapping
climate hazards while experiencing acute multidimensional poverty.
> These individuals face a "triple or quadruple burden," often possessing
limited assets and minimal access to social protection systems,
amplifying the negative effects of the shocks.
o Individually, the most widespread hazards affecting poor people globally are
high heat (608 million) and air pollution (577 million).
o Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are identified as global hotspots,
accounting for the largest numbers of poor people living in regions affected by
climate hazards.
• Poverty in India: In 2005–2006, 55.1 % of people in India were poor. The share
plummeted to 16.4 % in 2019–2021, and roughly 414 million people left poverty.
Methodology of Global MPI
• Deprivation Indicators: Computation of the global MPI begins by constructing a deprivation profile for each
household and person in it, covering 10 indicators of health, education and standard of living (see table).
o All indicators are equally weighted within each dimension.
o A person’s deprivation score is the sum of the weighted deprivations she or he experiences.
o The global MPI identifies people as multidimensionally poor if their deprivation score is one third (33.3%) or
higher.
• MPI Value: It is the product of the incidence (H, or the proportion of people who live in multidimensional poverty)
and intensity of poverty (A, or the average deprivation score among multidimensionally poor people).
o Put simply, MPI = H × A.
o The MPI is known as the adjusted headcount ratio and it includes both the share of people in multidimensional
poverty (Incidence or Headcount) and the extent to which they are deprived (Intensity).
o MPI values range from 0 to 1, and higher values imply higher poverty.
Dimensions of
Poverty
Indicator Deprived if living in the household where… Weight
Health Nutrition Any adult under 70 years of age or any child for whom there is nutritional
information is undernourished.
1/6

Child
mortality
Any child under the age of 18 years has died in the family in the five-year
period preceding the survey.
1/6
Education Years of
schooling
Nohouseholdmember aged ‘school entranceage +six years orolderhas
completed at least six years of schooling.
1/6
School
attendance
Any school-aged child is not attending school up to the age at which
he/she would complete class eight.
1/6
Standard of
living
Cooking fuel The household cooks with dung, wood, charcoal or coal. 1/18
Sanitation The household’s sanitation facility is not improved (according to SDG
guidelines) or it is improved but shared with other households.
1/18
Drinking
water
The household does not have access to improved drinking water
(according to SDG guidelines) or improved drinking water is at least a 30-
minute walk from home, round trip.
1/18
Electricity The household has no electricity. 1/18
Housing At least one of the three housing materials for roof, walls and floor are
inadequate: the floor is of natural materials and/or the roof and/or walls
are of natural or rudimentary materials.
1/18
Assets The household does not own more than one of these assets: radio,
television, telephone, computer, animal cart, bicycle, motorbike or
refrigerator, and does not own a car or truck.
1/18
NITI Aayog National Multidimensional Poverty Index
• Methodology: It uses the internationally acclaimed Alkire
Foster methodology (also used in Global MPI), retaining all 10
indicators from Global MPI and incorporating two additional
indicators – Maternal Health and Bank Accounts.
• National MPI Value: Like global MPI, the MPI value is arrived at
by multiplying the headcount ratio (H) and the intensity of
poverty (A).
• Indicators: Like the global MPI, India’s national MPI has three
equally weighted dimensions Health, Education, and
Standard of living – which are represented by 12 indicators
(See infographic).
Conclusion
2025 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index underscores that
poverty is no longer a unidimensional challenge of income
deficiency but a complex web of interlinked deprivations in health,
education, and living standards, now further aggravated by climate vulnerabilities. India’s remarkable reduction in
multidimensional poverty reflects the effectiveness of targeted welfare interventions and inclusive growth strategies.
However, sustaining this progress demands a paradigm shift toward resilience-oriented development.
3.2. NOBEL PRIZE IN ECONOMIC SCIENCES 2025
Why in the news
The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences 2025 (Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences) was awarded to Joel Mokyr,
Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt for explaining innovation-driven economic growth.

About The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences (Nobel Prize of economics)
• Establishment: In 1968 by Sveriges Riksbank
(Sweden's central bank).
o It is not one of the five Nobel Prizes established
by Alfred Nobel's will in 1895.
• Awarded by: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
• First recipients: To Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen in
1969.
o Amartya Sen was the first Indian to receive Nobel
Prize for Economics in 1998 for his contributions
to welfare economics and social choice theory.
Specific Contributions of the Laureates
Joel Mokyr: Prerequisites for Sustained Growth
• He was awarded for "having identified the
prerequisites for sustained growth through
technological progress".
• For technological advances to drive sustained growth,
three key elements must be present:
o A joint evolution of science and technology
o Mechanical competence
o A society open to change
Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt: The Theory of Creative Destruction
• They were recognized for their mathematical model (framework) of creative destruction, developed in 1992.
• Creative destruction describes the process where a new and better product enters the market, making older
products obsolete and causing companies selling them to lose out.
o This process is creative because it introduces something new and destructive because it outcompetes existing
products.
• One of the key elements of their model stated that companies are incentivized to invest in R&D by temporary
monopoly through patents. However, patents do not protect firms from a competitor making a new patentable
innovation.
Role of innovation and knowledge in growth
Role Examples
Boosts productivity- Same
input generates greater
output
In OECD countries (UK, USA), 2/3rd to 3/4ths of labour productivity growth came from
intangibles (R&D, software, innovation) and ICT (1995 to 2006)
Improving standard of living New medicines, transport, better food, internet, increased opportunities for
communication
Transforms Economies into
Knowledge-Based Systems
Countries investing in education, ICT, and R&D (like South Korea R&D spending 4.9%
of GDP) experience faster GDP growth and higher income mobility (World Bank’s
Knowledge Economy Index)
Encourages
Entrepreneurship and High-
Value Jobs
India’s startup ecosystem created 1.5 lakh startups and 17 lakh direct jobs (Dec
2024)
Promotes Sustainable and
Inclusive Growth
Renewables (onshore Wind and solar)- the most cost-effective option for new
electricity generation (IRENA, 2024)

Role of Creative Destruction in growth
Role Examples
Fosters Innovation and
Technological Upgrading
Automobile industry’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) displacing traditional
combustion-engine firms, creating new markets for batteries and clean energy
Encourages Entrepreneurship
and Competition
India’s digital revolution (UPI, fintech, e-commerce) disrupted traditional banking
and retail, increasing inclusion and innovation
Reallocation of Resources High rates of firm entry and exit (over 10% in U.S.) and improved efficiency of
production factors across units, improves labor productivity growth.
Economic Resilience COVID-19 digital transformation accelerated, enabling remote work and e-
commerce growth
Conclusion
Economic growth stems from both innovation and strong fundamentals. Investment in infrastructure, education, and
health boosts productivity, while macroeconomic stability builds investor confidence. Efficient use of resources and
global integration further drive industrial expansion and technology transfer. Sustaining this momentum requires a
proactive approach —fostering openness, managing disruption, resisting protectionism, ensuring coherent policies, and
investing in research to secure long-term prosperity.
3.3. PM DHAN DHAANYA KRISHI YOJANA
Why in the News?
The Prime Minister launched The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) initiative to revolutionize
Indian agriculture by making it more productive, sustainable, and financially rewarding for farmers.

About PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)
• It was announced during the Union Budget 2025-26 and draws inspiration from NITI Aayog's Aspirational District
Programme.
• It consolidates 36 existing agricultural schemes across 11 ministries, including PM-KISAN (cash transfers),
PMFBY (crop insurance), PMKSY (irrigation), with multiple benefits (refer table).
o The convergence will also include state schemes and local partnerships with the private sector.
• Aim: To support 1.7 crore farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers owning less than 2 hectares of land, who
constitute 86% of India’s farming population (Economic Survey 2024-25).
• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• Duration: 6 Years (2025-26 to 2030-31).
• Financial Outlay: Annual budget of ₹24,000 crore for 6 years, totaling ₹1.44 lakh crore.
o 40% for subsidies, 30% for infrastructure (storage, irrigation), 20% for loans, and 10% for training and
market support.
• Coverage: 100 underperforming districts with low crop yields, water scarcity, and limited access to resources.
(minimum of 1 district from each state).
o Uttar Pradesh to have maximum 12 districts in
scheme.
• Focus: On regions with lowcrop yields (e.g., wheat
yields below 3.5 tonnes/hectare national average),
moderate cropping intensity (fewer than 1.55
crop cycles per year), and limited access to
credit.
• Beneficiaries: Small and Marginal Farmers,
Women Farmers, Young Farmers adopting modern
farming techniques/starting agribusinesses/value-
added product ventures, Farmers in Low-
Productivity Areas, Farmer Producer Organizations
(FPOs), Allied Sector Workers.
• Significance of Consolidation of agricultural
schemes under PMDDKY: It will resolve
Duplication & inefficiency.
o 45% of capital expenditure in agriculture is
actually utilized for asset formation, indicating
low expenditure efficiency.
o Sectors like water supply, transport, etc., allocate more than 75% of capital towards asset formation.
Key Benefits and their impacts
Aspect Benefit Impact
Crop Yields
• 50-80% discounts on high-yielding seeds, bio-fertilizers, and
equipment like drip irrigation systems
• 20-30% more output
Financial aid • Short Term Loans: ₹50,000–₹1 lakh at 4-7% interest through
Kisan Credit Cards for immediate needs like seeds, fertilizers, or
pesticides
• 20-40% profit increase
• Affordable inputs,
investment
• Long Term loans: ₹1–10 lakh for capital investments such as
tractors, storage units etc.
Storage • Free or low-cost use of village and block-level warehouses
and cold storage
• Saves 20% of crops
Irrigation
• Subsidized drip and sprinkler systems • Saves 30-50% water

Market Access
• Free access to digital platforms like e-NAM or new PMDDKY
apps for direct sales to buyers
• Higher prices, no
middlemen
Modern skills,
global exposure
• Free workshops by KVKs, agricultural universities, and private
partners on organic farming, mechanization, and allied
activities.
• Fully funded international trips for 500 farmers to learn
advanced techniques in countries like Israel (drip irrigation),
Japan (precision farming), etc.
• Modern skills, global
exposure
Structural Design and Institutional Mechanism of the scheme
• National level: Oversight from a National Steering Committee
o Two teams to be formed at the central level: One under Union Ministers and another under Secretaries and
department officers.
• State level: Nodal committees
• District level: District Dhan Dhaanya Samitis led by District Collectors.
o District-level plans will be prepared by district collectors with support from agricultural universities and NITI
Aayog.
o Use of digital dashboard, farmer app, and district ranking system (117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)) to
ensure transparency.
o Central Nodal Officers appointed for each district to conduct regular field visits, monitor progress, and
coordinate with local teams.
Conclusion
The PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana ensures scheme convergence, data-driven planning, and resource
optimisation, fostering integrated agricultural growth, productivity enhancement, and farmer welfare through
holistic, sustainable, and technology-enabled rural transformation.
3.4. MISSION FOR AATMANIRBHARTA IN PULSES
Why in the News?
Prime Minister of India recently launched the Mission for
Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (Dalhan Aatmanirbharta
Mission).
Key Features of Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
• Aim: Boosting domestic production, reduce import
dependence and achieving self-sufficiency
(Aatmanirbharta) in pulses by December 2027.
• Duration: 6 Years (2025-26 to 2030-31).
• Financial Outlay: Rs. 11,440 crore.
• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare,
Government of India
• Focus Crops: Tur/Arhar (pigeon pea); Urad (black gram) &
Masoor (red lentil).
• Cluster-based approach: Tailoring interventions to the specific needs of each cluster.
• Benefit: To benefit 2 crore farmers from guaranteed procurement, quality seed distribution, and enhanced value
chain support.
• Other intended benefits:
o Promote climate-resilient and soil health-friendly practices.
o Create substantial employment opportunities.
o Promoting intercropping and crop diversification.

• Operational Strategy
o Seed Development and Distribution: Production and distribution of 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds and
the free provision of 88 lakh seed kits to farmers.
> Emphasis is placed on developing and disseminating high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient
pulses varieties.
o Assured Procurement: 100% procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor at MSP for four years.
> NationalAgriculturalCooperativeMarketing Federation of India(NAFED)& NationalCooperativeConsumers'
Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) will procure from farmers in participating states under Price Support Scheme
(PSS) of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).
o Role of states: To ensure effective implementation, states will prepare rolling five-year seed production plans,
with breeder seed production monitored by ICAR and quality assurance maintained through the SATHI portal.
> SATHI (Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory) is a user-oriented centralized portal by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, in partnership with National Informatics Centre (NIC).
o Post-harvest value chain: Establishing 1,000 processing and packaging units, supported by subsidies of up
to ₹25 lakh per unit.
Status of Pulses production in India
• India is world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses.
• Top 3 pulses-producing states: Madhya Pradesh (largest producer, contributing 22.11% of total production),
Maharashtra, and Rajasthan accounting nearly 55% of India's pulse production.
• Season: Grown in all three seasons (kharif, rabi, and summer).
o Kharif crops: pigeon pea, green gram, black gram, and minor pulses (moth bean, rajmash, horse gram, etc.)
o Rabi crops: chickpea, lentil, field bean, green gram, and black gram
o Summer crops: green gram and black gram
• Important pulses: Chickpea (47.4%), pigeonpea (15.4%), green gram (12%), black gram (10.3%), and lentil (5.4%)
• Production trend: Rose from 192.55 lakh tonnes in FY14 to 244.93 FY24 lakh tonnes.
Need for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
• Insufficient Domestic Production: Domestic production has not kept pace with demand, leading to a 15–20%
increase in pulse imports
o In 2023–24, India imported 47.38 lakh tonnes of pulses, even as it exported 5.94 lakh tonnes.
• Addressing Malnutrition: Pulses contribute nearly 20–25 % of total protein intake in Indian diets, however the per
capita consumption of pulses falls short of the recommended 85 grams per day.
• Increasing Demand: Total demand is projected to reach 46.33 MT by 2030 and 50.26 MT by 2047.
• Environmental and Soil Health Benefits: Pulses enhance soil fertility due to their ability to fix atmospheric
nitrogen, which helps reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers,
• Price and Market Stabilization: Price fluctuation due to volatility in global trade and domestic production acts as a
challenge in meeting inflation targets.
Other initiatives for promoting pulse production
• National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Pulses: Initiated in 2007, focused on area expansion, productivity
enhancement, and the adoption of modern technologies.
• Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P) (2010–2014): Focused on cluster demonstrations of advanced
agricultural practices.
• PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan): Launched in 2018, this umbrella scheme
provides price assurance for pulse, oilseeds, and copra.
• Minimum Support Prices (MSPs): For key pulse crops, including pigeonpea(tur), chickpea(chana), green gram
(Moong), black gram(urad), and lentil(masoor).
• Buffer Stock Management: The government maintains a buffer stock of pulses through the Price Stabilization
Fund (PSF) and PSS procurement to stabilize consumer prices and ensure availability.

• Subsidized Retail Distribution (Bharat Dal): Government launched an initiative to convert stocks of chana
(chickpea), mung (green gram), and masur (lentil) into subsidized “Bharat Dal” for retail distribution through
outlets like NAFED, NCCF etc.
Conclusion
The“Mission forAatmanirbharta in Pulses” lays thegroundworkfora self-reliant,sustainable,and resilient pulsessector.
By combining technology, innovation,and farmer empowerment, it will ensurenutritional security, boost rural prosperity,
and reduce import dependence — steering India toward true agricultural and economic self-sufficiency.
3.5. WTO AGREEMENT ON FISHERIES SUBSIDIES
Why in the News?
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has officially entered into force after two-thirds of WTO members submitted
their instruments of acceptance.
About WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
• Overview: It is the first WTO agreement to explicitly focus on the environment and the first broad, binding,
multilateral agreement on ocean sustainability.
• Adoption: It was adopted at the 12th
WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), Geneva, 2022 and entered into force
on September 15, 2025.
• Aligned with SDG 14: The agreement seeks to protect marine ecosystems through the elimination of harmful
fisheries subsidies.
o SDG 14.6 aims to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies that cause overfishing, overcapacity, or support Illegal,
Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• India: India has not yet ratified the Agreement.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
• Prohibition of Harmful Subsidies: The Agreement prohibits subsidies that contribute to Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as those linked to overfished stocks and unregulated fishing activities in the
high seas.

o The top 5 subsidizers i.e., China, EU, U.S., South Korea, and Japan, account for 58% of the global fisheries
subsidies.
• Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT): Recognizing the developmental needs of poorer nations, developing
and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are granted a two-year transition period from the date of entry into force
of the Agreement.
• WTO Fish Fund: The Agreement creates a voluntary funding mechanism to support developing and least-
developed countries (LDCs) with technical assistance and capacity building for its implementation.
o It is fully operational.
• Transparency obligations: Members are required to notify the WTO about their fisheries subsidies, fish stock
status, and management measures.
• High Seas Fishing: The Agreement also prohibits providing subsidies for fishing on high seas, which are outside
the jurisdiction of coastal countries and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations/ Arrangements (RFMO/As).
• Implementation: A Committee on Fisheries Subsidies will oversee the Agreement’s implementation, ensure
transparency, and facilitate regular dialogue among members on their fishing practices and subsidy policies.
Implementation Issues
• Capacity Constraints: Many developing countries lack the technical and institutional capacity to monitor fishing
activities and ensure compliance with the Agreement.
• Data Gaps: Incomplete or unreliable data on fish stocks and subsidies may hinder accurate reporting and
transparency.
• Enforcement Challenges: Effective monitoring of high seas and distant-water fleets remains difficult due to
jurisdictional limitations and lack of surveillance infrastructure.
• Financial Dependence: Small-scale fishers in developing countries rely on limited subsidies for livelihood and food
security, making abrupt withdrawal challenging.
• Unequal Obligations: Concerns persist that the Agreement may disproportionately affect developing nations,
while major subsidizing nations continue with capacity-enhancing support under different categories.
Way Forward
• Strengthen Capacity Building: Enhance technical and financial support through mechanisms like the WTO Fish
Fund to help developing countries comply effectively.
• Improve Data and Monitoring Systems: Establish robust national databases and use satellite-based tracking
and digital tools for better reporting and enforcement.
• Promote Equity: Ensure that the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) guides to
protect the interests of small-scale fishers.
• Global Cooperation: Foster coordination among RFMOs and promote information sharing to combat IUU fishing
collectively.
Why India has not ratified the Agreement?
• Low Subsidies: India is one of the lowest fisheries subsidizers globally, despite a large coastal population and
extensive fisheries sector.
o India’s fishing practices are small-scale, sustainable, and support the livelihoods of millions of traditional
and artisanal fishers.
• PPP and CBDR: Indiaadvocates the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ and‘CommonbutDifferentiated Responsibilities
(CBDR)’, ensuring that countries responsible for overfishing take greater obligations, while protecting
developing nations from undue burden.
• Moratorium: India had proposed that Distant Water Fishing Nations be subject to a 25-year moratorium on all
subsidies for fishing or fishing-related activities beyond their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
• Other issues: Flawed Over Capacity and Over Fishing (OCOF) approaches, grossly overlooking the intensity of
subsidies, and other factors such as the size of the EEZ, long coastal line, population of small fishers and the per
capita subsidies to fisher men.

Conclusion
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies aims to protect oceans and fish stocks by curbing harmful subsidies and
promoting transparency in fisheries management. This is expected to lead to the recovery of fish stocks, better
monitoring of fishing, the establishment of sustainable fishing measures, and the protection of food security and
income for people dependent on fisheries globally. It is a common effort to better protect our oceans, our fisheries and
our shared future.
3.6. INDIA’S APPROACH TO AI AND EMPLOYMENT
Why in the News?
Recently, two reports highlighting India’s approach to AI
and employment were released by NITI Aayog.
About The NITI Aayog Reports
• "Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy": This
report outlines India's strategic plan to navigate AI
disruption and position itself as the global AI
workforce capital. It highlights the 3W framework for
AI and the associated impact (refer infographics).
• "Roadmap on AI for Inclusive Societal
Development": This report aims to leverage frontier
technologies to transform informal workers into a
formal, empowered, future-ready labour force.
• AI presents a challenge and opportunity for the
Indian economy: It is disrupting established formal jobs while offering an unparalleled pathway to formalize and
boost the productivity of the vast informal workforce.
o On similar lines, the Nobel Economic Prize 2025 has been awarded for explaining innovation-driven
economic growth, particularly the theory of sustained growth through creative destruction.
> This concept highlights that new technology like AI is creative (innovation) but also destructive
(companies/older technologies become outcompeted).
AI related risks in India
Operational Risks
• High Job Displacement Risk: Over 60% of formal sector jobs in India are susceptible to automation by 2030,
particularly within the IT and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors.

o The report highlights that a "business-as-usual approach" risks irreversible job losses and shrinkage in
competitiveness and societal disruption.
o Talent Migration: India has a net negative talent migration for AI professionals (-1.55 per 10,000), risking the
loss of highly skilled professionals abroad.
Structural Risks
• Education and Skill Gaps:
o Curriculum: Indian curricula often lag, focusing less on specialized, research-intensive courses compared to
global peers.
> Furthermore, computer science education is unevenly offered, unlike in countries like China and Russia
where it is mandatory at primary/secondary levels.
o Lagging Research Output: India lags significantly in AI publication citations and its share of granted AI patents
fell from 8–10% in 2010 to under 5% in 2023.
o Critical Talent Supply-Demand Gap: The supply of AI talent currently meets only 50% of the existing demand,
and this gap is expected to widen, despite growing demand.
o Limited access to informal workers: This is a systemic barrier characterized by the absence of verifiable
identities, contracts, and work histories, limiting access to secure jobs and financial services.
o Systemic Access and Usability Gaps: Digital Public Infrastructure remains underutilized due to low digital
literacy, linguistic challenges, and complex interfaces that are difficult to navigate.
Recommendations
• To establish National AI Talent Mission: As recommended by NITI Aayog, the mission will focus on making AI
literacy a foundational skill across schools and universities.
o Key features:
> Building India as a Global AI Talent Magnet to retain domestic talent and attract international experts with
AI Talent Visa for fast-track residency.
> Building a national reskilling engine to upskill and reskill millions of professionals for higher-value, AI-
augmented roles.
• To establish Mission Digital ShramSetu: To empower informal workers with access and skills in the digital age by
harnessing frontier technologies such as AI, blockchain, and immersive learning to enable inclusion at an
unprecedented scale.
Conclusion
India stands at a critical juncture where the threat of AI disruption is real, potentially leading to irreversible job losses in
the absence of action. By executing a unified, urgent, and mission-driven response through the implementation of the
National AI Talent Mission and the Mission Digital ShramSetu, India can proactively capitalize on the tailwinds of new
AI roles to emerge as a global AI leader.
3.7. INCENTIVE SCHEME FOR THE PROMOTION OF CRITICAL MINERAL
RECYCLING
Why in the News?
The Ministry of Mines has issued detailed guidelines for the Incentive Scheme for the Promotion of Critical Mineral
Recycling.
Key features of the scheme
• It is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).
• Ministry: The Ministry of Mines

• Aim: To incentivize the development of recycling capacity for the
separation and extraction of critical minerals from eligible waste streams
within the country.
• Tenure: 6 years (from FY 2025-26 till FY 2030-31).
• Financial Outlay: ₹1,500 crore.
• Eligible Feedstock: Includes e-waste, Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB) scrap, and
other scraps such as catalytic converters from end-of-life vehicles.
o Schemes covers 27 critical minerals including Antimony, Cadmium,
Cobalt, Gallium, Graphite, Lithium, Nickel, Niobium, Rare Earth
Elements (not containing Uranium and Thorium) etc.
• Beneficiaries: Both large and small/new recyclers (including start-ups).
• Incentive Mechanism:
o Capital expenditure (capex) subsidy: Upto 20% capital expenditure
subsidy on plant and machinery for timely production.
o Operational expenditure (opex) subsidy: on incremental sales; 40% in
the 2nd year and 60% in the 5th year (FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31)
o Incentive Ceilings: Total incentives per entity capped at ₹50 crore for
large entities and ₹25 crore for small entities, within which there will be a
ceiling for Opex subsidy of Rs.10 crore and Rs.5 crore respectively.
About Critical minerals
• Minerals that are naturally occurring elements and compounds essential for a country's economic development
and national security but facing significant supply-related challenges, often stemming from limited geographical
occurrences or sourcing vulnerabilities.
• Ministryof Mines identified 30 criticalminerals for India including Bismuth,Cobalt, Copper, Phosphorous,Potash,
Rare Earth Elements (REE), Silicon, Tin, Titanium, etc.
o 24 minerals from the list were included in Part D of the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals
(Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
Significance of Recycling of Critical Minerals
• Strengthening Domestic recycling Infrastructure: It will enhance the technological, regulatory, and financial
ecosystems for processing and recycling such as chemical processing, metallurgical extraction, or R3 and R4 level
recycling of LIB scrap.
o The scheme incentives is expected to develop at least 270 kilo ton of annual recycling capacity resulting in
around 40 kilo ton annual critical mineral production.
• SecuringSupplyand Mitigating Geopolitical Risk: Critical minerals arevitalfor modern technologyand their supply
chain is fragile and vulnerable due to the geographical concentration of their production and processing.
o China controls ~60-70% of rare earth production and placed export restrictions on rare earth elements (REEs)
and magnets used in the defence, energy, and automotive sectors.
• Saving forex reserves: Recycling, often referred to as urban mining, can reduce India’s reliance on importing saving
valuable forex reserves.
o Import on four critical minerals - lithium (apart from lithium ion), cobalt, nickel and copper alone was around
₹34,800 crore in FY23-24.
• Environmental and Sustainability Goals: It will help improve E-Waste Management, conserving natural resources
and reducing pollution from new mines.
• Formalization of industry: It is estimated to bring in Rs.8,000 crore of investment and creating 70,000 direct and
indirect jobs as envisaged in recycling scheme.

3.8. ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIES (ASI) FOR 2023-24
Why in the news?
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) FY 2023-
24.
About Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)
• Conducted by: National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
(MoSPI).
• Mandated By: Conducted annually under the Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Act, 2017.
• Industries covered:
o Factories registered under Sections 2m (i &ii) of Factories Act,1948.
o Bidi and cigar manufacturing establishments under the Bidi & Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act,
1966.
o Electricity undertakings not registered with Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
o Units with 100 or more employees registered in the Business Register of Establishments (BRE) prepared and
maintained by the State Governments.
• Industries Excluded: Defense establishments, oil storage and distribution depots, departmental units such as
railway workshops, gas storage, etc.
Key Findings from the ASI 2023-24 Report
• Gross Value Added (GVA): Increased by 11.89% at current prices from the previous year.
o Top 5 Industries: Basic metal, motor vehicles, chemical and chemical products, food products, and
pharmaceutical products were the largest contributors.
o Top States: Maharashtra (16%), Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh were the top five states by
GVA.
• Industrial Output: Grew by 5.80%
over the previous year.
• Employment Growth: The
industrial sector added over 5.7
million jobs during the last
decade, with a 5.92% year-on-year
increase in employment for 2023–
24.
o Top 5 States: Tamil Nadu,
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar
Pradesh, and Karnataka had
the highest employment
share.
3.9. NEWS IN SHORTS
3.9.1. PAYMENTS REGULATORY BOARD CONSTITUTED BY RBI
The 6-member Board will be responsible for the regulation and supervision of payment systems under the Payment
and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
• It has replaced the earlier Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems (BPSS).
About the Payments Regulatory Board
• Composition & Structure:
o As per Section 3 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, the Board shall consist of

> Governor of the Reserve Bank as ex officio Chairperson;
> Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank (in-charge of the Payment and Settlement Systems) as ex officio
member;
> One officer of the Reserve Bank, nominated by the Central Board of the Reserve Bank as ex officio
member;
> Three central government nominated persons, expert in payment systems, IT, cybersecurity, law.
✓ Tenure: 4 years, not eligible for re-nomination; resignation allowed with 6 weeks’ notice.
✓ Disqualifications: Age >70; insolvency; criminal conviction ≥180 days; MPs/MLAs, etc.
o Principal Legal Adviser of RBI is a permanent invitee.
o RBI may also invite experts (permanent/ad hoc) for meetings.
• Meetings: At least twice a year with a Quorum of 3 members including Chairperson (or Deputy Governor in his
absence) and a nominated member.
• Decision-making: Decisions by majority of votes of the members present and voting;
o Chairperson (or Deputy Governor in his absence) has a casting vote in case of tie.
3.9.2. INTERNATIONALISATION OF RUPEE
The RBI has unveiled new measures to promote wider international use of the Indian
Rupee (INR), expanding both trade and investment avenues.
• Internationalisation of the Rupee means allowing the Indian Rupee to be used for
global trade and financial transactions.
Key Measures Announced
• Loans in Indian Rupees to Non-Residents: Authorised dealer banks in India and
their overseas branches will be permitted to lend in INR to persons resident in
Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, including a bank.
• Establishing Transparent Reference Rates: Financial Benchmarks India Limited
(FBIL) will develop transparent reference rates for the rupee against major global
currencies.
o Currently, the RBI publishes reference rates for the U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese
yen, and sterling.
• Widening Use of Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs): SRVA balances can now be used to invest in corporate
bonds and commercial papers.
o Previously, surplus vostro balances were allowed to be invested in central government securities.

Special Rupee Vostro Account
• A Special Rupee Vostro Account is an account maintained by a foreign bank with an Indian bank to facilitate
settlement of trade transactions directly in Indian Rupees (INR) without converting into foreign currencies.
3.9.3. SELF-REGULATORY ORGANISATION FOR NBFCS
RBI granted Self-Regulatory Organisation status to Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) to oversee NBFCs.
• FIDC is a representative body of non-banking financial companies (NBFC) registered with the RBI.
• Granting SRO status to FIDC will ensure better governance for NBFCs.
About Self-Regulatory Organisation
• Objective: SRO is expected to adhere to a set of overarching objectives for betterment of the sector they
represent, foster advancement and address critical industry concerns within the broader financial system.
• Legal Backing: RBI’s Omnibus Framework for recognising Self-Regulatory Organisations (SROs) for Regulated
Entities (REs), 2024
• Eligibility of SROs:
o An SRO shall be setup as a not-for-profit company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
o It should have adequate net worth, sufficiently diversified shareholding (no entity shall hold 10% or more of its
paid-up share capital) and must represent the sector.
• Responsibilities of SROs:
o Towards members: Frame a code of conduct, establish a grievance redressal anddispute resolution/ arbitration
framework, etc.
o Towards Regulator: Ensuring regulatory compliance, promote sector development, foster innovation and detect
early warning signals.
• Governance framework:
o Articles of Association (AoA)/bye-laws shall provide for manner of functioning of Governing Body and specify the
functions of SRO.
o At least one-third of members in Board of Directors including Chairperson shall be independent.

3.9.4. RESERVE BANK - INTEGRATED OMBUDSMAN SCHEME, 2021
The Central and State Co-operative Banks have been brought under the ambit of Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman
Scheme, 2021.
About Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 (RB-IOS, 2021)
• Objective: Provide customers of regulated entities (REs) a speedy, cost-effective and expeditious alternate
grievance redress mechanism.
• Coverage: Until now it covered-
o All Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, and Non-
Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks with deposits size of ₹50 crore.
o All Non-Banking Financial Companies (excluding Housing Finance Companies) which are authorised to
accept deposits or have customer interface, with an assets size of ₹100 crore
o All System Participants (includes System Provider which participate in a payment system in accordance with
the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007).
o Credit Information Companies
• It integrated the three Ombudsman schemes of RBI, namely,
o the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006;
o the Ombudsman Scheme for Non-Banking Financial Companies, 2018; and
o the Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions, 2019.
• It adopted the ‘One Nation One Ombudsman’ approach by making the RBI Ombudsman mechanism jurisdiction
neutral.
• Power: The Ombudsman can award up to ₹20 lakh in compensation, plus up to ₹1 lakh for the complainant’s time,
expenses, and any mental distress or harassment.
3.9.5. NEW INITIATIVES BY RBI
Recently, RBI unveiled key initiatives like the Unified Lending Interface (ULI), Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
retail sandbox, pilot for tokenisation of Certificates of Deposit (CDs).
About Initiatives
• ULI: It is envisioned as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
o It aggregates data from multiple data sources which would be made available to lenders for better credit
assessment.
o It aims to enhance the delivery of credit.
• CBDC Retail sandbox- for fintech firms to innovate and test solutions.
o CBDC is a digital version of fiat currencies issued by Central Banks.
• Tokenisation of CDs: Facilitates faster settlements, improves liquidity, enhances transparency, etc.

o Tokenization is the process of creating a digital representation, called a "token", of a real-world asset like
stocks on a distributed ledger or blockchain.
o CD is a negotiable money market instrument and issued in dematerialised form or as a Promissory Note against
funds deposited at a bank or other eligible financial institution.
o Its maturity period is up to one year (min- 7 days).
3.9.6. SWAMIH FUND
RBI has exempted SWAMIH (Special Window for Affordable and
Mid-Income Housing) Fund, a government-backed fund from its
tightened rules of Alternate investment fund (AIF).
• The RBI prescribes the regulatory guidelines in respect of
investment by the regulated.
• entities in AIF.
About SWAMIH, 2019
• It is a Category II AIF.
o AIF means any fund established or incorporated in India
which is a privately pooled investment vehicle which
collects funds from sophisticated investors, whether
Indian or foreign, for investments.
o SEBI regulates AIF. E.g., Venture capital funds (Including
Angel Funds)
• Objective: Provide priority debt financing for completion of stalled housing projects.
• Fund Manager: SBI Ventures Limited.
3.9.7. ENGELS’ PAUSE
Geoffrey Hinton who was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize, warned that AI could trigger a modern Engels’ pause.
About Engels’ Pause
• It is a term coined by Oxford economist Robert Allen, based on Friedrich Engels’ observations of 19th-century
Britain.
• It refers to the paradox during early Industrial Revolution in Britain (c. 1780–1840) when industrial output rose
sharply but real wages of workers remained stagnant.
• There are concerns that AI driven Economy could replicate Engels’ pause, where economic growth exists but the
gains are unequally distributed, leaving many behind.
Aspect Historical (Industrial Revolution) Modern (AI-driven Economy)
Driver of Change Mechanization and steam power Artificial Intelligence, automation, machine learning
Timeframe 1780–1840 2020s–2030s (projected)
Productivity Trend Sharp industrial growth Rising output through AI automation
Wage Response Real wages stagnant Wages of low/mid-skill workers stagnate or decline
Distribution of
Gains
Capital and inventors enriched Tech firms, investors,and high-skilled AI workers benefit
Social Outcome Urban inequality, worker unrest Skill polarization, job displacement, inequality across
sectors and countries

3.9.8. WEIGHTED AVERAGE CALL RATE (WACR)
RBI would continue to use the overnight weighted average call rate (WACR) as the operating target for monetary policy.
About WACR
• It is the average interest rate at which banks lend and borrow money from each other overnight, just for one day.
• Significance:
o It reflects the short-term cost of money in the banking system.
o It helps the RBI monitor how easy or difficult it is for banks to get funds.
> If WACR goes up, it means money is becoming costlier; if it goes down, it means money is easier to get.
3.9.9. WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK (WEO)
IMF projected India’s GDP growth rate for 2025-26 to 6.6% (6.4% earlier) and 6.2% for 2026-27 in its WEO.
• Global growth is projected to slow from 3.3% in 2024 to 3.2% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026.
About World Economic Outlook
• Published by: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• Purpose: It presents analyses and projections of the world economy in the near and medium term.
• It is usually published twice a year with updates in between.
3.9.10. GLOBAL FINANCIAL STABILITY REPORT (GFSR)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently released the Global Finance Stability Report (GFSR), April 2025.
About GFSR
• Purpose: Provide a regular assessment of global financial markets and identify potential systemic weaknesses
before they lead to crises.
• Key Findings
o Tightened Global Financial Conditions: Have caused significant increase in the Global financial stability risks.
o Role of Major geopolitical risk events: Especially military conflicts, can lead to substantial decline in stock
prices and increases in sovereign risk premiums.
• Other Key Reports by IMF: World Economic Outlook, Fiscal Monitor.
3.9.11. PM-SETU (PRADHAN MANTRI SKILLING AND EMPLOYABILITY TRANSFORMATION
THROUGH UPGRADED ITIS) LAUNCHED
The scheme will be implemented under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
About PM-SETU
• Type: ₹60,000 crore centrally sponsored scheme.
• Aim: To transform 1,000 Government Industrial Training Institutes (it is) across India into modern, industry-aligned
training institutions.
• Implementation: PM-SETU will follow a hub-and-spoke model, with 200 hub ITIs linked to 800 spoke ITIs.
o Each hub will be equipped with advanced infrastructure, innovation and incubation centres, production units,
training of trainer facilities, and placement services, while the spokes will extend access and outreach.
• Main Components:
o Introduce new, demand-driven courses and revamp existing ones in collaboration with industry;
o Set up Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with credible Anchor Industry Partners to manage clusters and ensure
outcome-based training;
o Create pathways for long-term diplomas, short-term courses, and executive programs;
o Strengthen 5 National Skill Training Institutes in - Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Hyderabad
(Telangana), Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Ludhiana (Punjab), as Centres of Excellence with global partnerships.

3.9.12. REMISSION OF DUTIES AND TAXES ON EXPORTED PRODUCTS (RODTEP) SCHEME
Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme has been extended till March 2026.
About RoDTEP Scheme
• Launched: January 2021 by Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Objective: To reimburse taxes, duties, and levies at central, state, and local levels that are not refunded under
any other mechanism.
o Reduces hidden costs and make Indian exports more competitive in global markets.
• Scope: Covers taxes incurred during manufacture and distribution of exported products
3.9.13. ‘WE RISE’ INITIATIVE
‘We Rise’ (Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises) initiative was launched
recently.
About We Rise Initiatives
• Launched by: NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) under its Award to Reward (ATR) initiative
along with DP World.
• Objective: To help women entrepreneurs, including women-led MSMEs, to scale their businesses globally
through trade facilitation, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.
3.9.14. DISCOVERY OF NATURAL GAS IN ANDAMAN BASIN
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
informed about the occurrence of
naturalgas in theSriVijayapuram 2well
at 17 km from the shoreline on the east
coast of the Andaman Islands.
• India’s Hydrocarbon Resource
Assessment Study (HRAS)
estimates hydrocarbon resources
of 371 million Metric Tons of Oil
Equivalent (MMTOE) in the
Andaman-Nicobar (AN) Basin.
o Geologically, the AN basin lies
at the intersection of the
Andaman and Nicobar Basins,
part of the Bengal-Arakan sedimentary system.

o Tectonic setting at the boundary of the Indian and Burmese plates have created numerous stratigraphic traps
conducive to hydrocarbon accumulation.
o Earlier, gas has been discovered in adjacent basins along North Sumatra (Indonesia) and Irrawaddy-Margui
(Myanmar).
• The discovery aligns with India’s vision of establishing a Gas Based Economy by 2030 and increasing share of
natural gas in its primary energy basket to 15 percent by 2030.
o Currently, India’s natural gas production meets only around 50% of its demand with rest demand being
fulfilled through imports.
> Qatar, US and UAE are major sources of India’s Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports.
Initiatives for Natural Gas Exploration
• Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) 2016: Introduced a uniform licensing framework for all
hydrocarbon exploration and production and introduced Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP).
• National Deep Water Exploration Mission: Under it, large number of deepwater exploration wells are planned in
offshore basins to find new discoveries and fully exploit hydrocarbon reserves.
• Other Initiatives: National Data Repository, National Seismic Program, 100% FDI in natural gas sector etc.
3.9.15. STATE MINING READINESS INDEX
Ministry of Mines releases State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI)
About State Mining Readiness Index
• Objective: To capture State’s relative contribution in developing the country’s mining sector, promote mining
sector reforms and assess State performance.
• Basis: The index evaluates States based on auction performance, early mine operationalization, exploration
thrust, and sustainable mining practices related to non-coal minerals.
• Classification: States are classified into three categories based on their mineral endowment.
o Top Performers in these categories are:
> A: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat
> B: Goa, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam
> C: Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Tripura
3.9.16. MAJOR AND MINOR MINERALS
Ministry of Mines classified limestone as a major mineral completely.
• Earlier limestone was classified as minor mineral as well as major mineral depending
upon the end use.
About Major and Minor minerals
• Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957,
minerals are broadly classified in two categories,i.e.major minerals andminorminerals.
• The major minerals cover fuel minerals consisting of coal, lignite, petroleum & natural
gas and metallic minerals including atomic minerals and non-metallic minerals.
• Minor minerals consist of materials such as marble, slate, shale etc.
o MMDR Act gives State Governments the power to make rules for minor minerals.
3.9.17. MISSION FOR ADVANCEMENT IN HIGH-IMPACT AREAS (MAHA) - MEDTECH
MISSION LAUNCHED
MAHA-MedTech Mission has been launched by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), in
collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation.

• ANRF has been established, through ANRF Act, 2023, as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of
scientific research as per recommendations of the National Education Policy.
About MAHA-MedTech Mission
• Aim: To accelerate innovation in India’s medical technology sector, reduce reliance on high-cost imports, and
promote equitable access to affordable and high-quality medical technologies.
• Funding: Provide funding support to a wide range of entities including Academic and R&D institutions, Hospitals,
Startups, MSMEs, MedTech industry and collaborations between entities.
o Milestone-linked funding of ₹5–25 crore per project (and up to ₹50 crore in exceptional cases).
• Enabling Support: Through national initiatives such as PatentMitra (IP protection and technology transfer),MedTech
Mitra (regulatory guidance and clearances), a Clinical Trial Network (for clinical validation and evidence generation)
etc.
• Technology Areas: Innovative medical devices and IVD (In vitro diagnostics) including High-end Frontier
Technologies (Deep Tech like Imaging, Radiotherapy equipment, Robotics, minimal invasive technologies, implants,
AI/ML enabled platforms & devices etc.).

4. SECURITY
4.1. LEFT-WING EXTREMISM (LWE)
Why in the News?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has informed that the number of most affected districts reduced from 6 to three
(Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur- all in Chhattisgarh).
More on the News
• State achievements: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
have recently been delisted from the category of LWE-
affected states.
• Government Target: Complete elimination of Naxalism
by March 31, 2026.
o The overall number of LWE-affected districts has
reduced from 18 to 11.
About LWE
• LWE, commonly referred to as Naxalism, is one of India's
most serious internal security challenges.
• Ideology: It is rooted in socio-economic inequalities
and fueled by Maoist ideology, utilizing violence and
propaganda to overthrow the existing democratic
government and establish a classless society.
• Region affected
o Origin: The movement originated from the Naxalbari movement of 1967 in West Bengal.
o Historical Reach (Red Corridor): It spread primarily across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra,
Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Threats posed by LWE
Human Cost Between 2004 to 2025(31March),8895liveshave been lost to LWE- related violence in different parts
of India (Ministry of Home Affairs).
Infrastructure
Destruction
Extremists deliberately targets school buildings, roads, railways, bridges, health infrastructure,
and communication facilities to perpetuate marginalization and set back development by decades
Subversion of
Democracy
In Bijapur district, polling booths could not be set up for 17 years due to Maoist intimidation
Measures by Government to eradicate LWE
• Developmental initiatives (3Cs: Road, Mobile and Financial connectivity)
o Financial Inclusion: More than 1,000 bank branches and 900 ATMs have been opened in 30 most affected
districts. Around 5,900 Post Offices (with banking services) have opened in LWE districts (since 2014).
o Education & Skill Development: 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) have been made functional.
48 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 61 Skill Development Centres (SDCs) are functional.
o Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Launched in 2024, to achieve full saturation in rural amenities,
benefiting nearly 1.5 crore people in over 15,000 villages.
o Other: Civic Action Programme (civic activities for local welfare, bridging the gap between Security Forces and
locals), road connectivity projects, installing mobile towers to improve telecom expansion, etc.
• Security Initiatives
o SAMADHAN Framework: It was enunciated to tackle LWE by MHA in 2017.

o Financial Choking: The National Investigation Agency
(NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been
activated to break the Naxalites' financial backbone by
seizing assets and filing cases under the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
o Others: Enhancing security infrastructure like
construction of Fortified Police Stations, increasing
presence of security forces, Naxals Surrender and
Rehabilitation Policy to integrate surrendered extremists
back into society, ensuring rights and entitlements of local
communities under PESA and Forest Rights Act.
Way forward
• Sustained Holistic Approach: The integrated strategy
focused on security, development, and rights empowerment
must be sustained.
• Focus on Local Capacity: Emphasis must be placed on
capacity-building, modernization of local police forces and
use of specialized and skilled Joint Task Forces.
• Grievance Redressal: Ensure legitimate forums exist for
grievance redressal, acknowledging that violence cannot succeed in a democracy. Effective implementation of the
Forest Rights Act, 2006, is a key policy measure for indirect benefit.
• Judicial Accountability: Accelerate investigation and prosecution of all LWE-related cases.
• Countering Propaganda: Civil society and media must be sensitized to the violent nature of the Maoist insurgency
to build pressure on extremists to abandon violence. The Civic Action Programmes (CAP) should continue to build
trust between forces and locals.
Conclusion
India’s fight against LWE is in its final phase, shifting the narrative from the "Red Corridor" to "Growth Corridors". The
resolute implementation of the multi-pronged strategy, blending aggressive security operations with an unprecedented
focus on development, financial inclusion, and social justice has systematically dismantled the insurgency, both
operationally and geographically, ensuring lasting peace and development for the most vulnerable sections of society.
4.2. ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWERS) ACT (AFSPA)
Why in the News?
The Ministry of Home Affairs recently extended the Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act, 1958 in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh,
and Nagaland for another six months.
More on the News
About AFSPA, 1958
• It is a special law granting extraordinary powers to the military to maintain law and order.
• Objective: To empower the armed forces to operate in “disturbed areas” where public order is seriously
threatened.
• Currently, AFSPA is in effect in parts of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.
o It was lifted from Tripura in 2015, Meghalaya in 2018 and Mizoram in 1980s.
• AFSPA also remains in force in Jammu and Kashmir through the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special
Powers Act, 1990.
Key Provisions of the Act
• Declaration of Disturbed Area (Section 3): Governor, Administrator, or Central Government can declare part or
whole state/UT as “disturbed” if they believe the situation requires armed forces to aid civil authorities.

• Special Powers of the Armed Forces (Section 4): Grants special powers to armed forces personnel in areas
declared as “disturbed” -
o Use force, including shooting to kill, against anyone violating law.
o Arrest and Enter/Search premises without warrant based on suspicion.
o Prohibit assembly of 5 or more persons.
o Destroy any arms dump, fortified position from which armed attacks can be made or any training camp for
armed volunteers
• Immunity to Armed Forces personnel (Section 6): Protection from prosecution and legal suits for acts under
AFSPA without the Central government’s sanction.
• Treatment of arrested person: Armed forces required to hand over the person to the nearest police “with least
possible delay.”
Landmark Judicial Decisions
• Naga People’s Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997): Validated AFSPA constitutionally with
safeguards on use of force and immunity.
• Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association v. Union of India (2016): Immunity under Section 6 is not
absolute; accountability for excessive force is mandatory.
• Sebastian M. Hongray v. Union of India (1984): Security personnel can be held accountable despite AFSPA
immunity.
Critical analysis of AFSPA
Arguments in Favor of AFSPA Arguments Against AFSPA
• National Security: Empowers armed forces to
swiftly tackle insurgency and protect India’s
sovereignty in conflict-prone and border areas like
the North East and J&K.
• Aids Civil Administration: Allows quick deployment
of military support when civil authorities are unable
to maintain law and order in “disturbed” regions.
• Prevents Legal Paralysis: Officers can arrest,
search, or use force without warrants, preventing
delays that insurgents could exploit.
• Accountability Through “Sanction Clause”: Central
government approval is required to prosecute
personnel safeguarding them from frivolous or
politically motivated cases.
• Judicial and Legislative Validation: Supreme Court
ruling (Naga People’s Movement of Human Rights v.
Union of India (1997)) affirms AFSPA’s
constitutionality, emphasizing that armed forces act
in aid of, not above, civil power.
• Proven Role in Stabilizing Regions: Contributed to
reducing insurgency in states like Mizoram,
Tripura.
• Violation of Fundamental Rights: Sections allowing
shoot-to-kill and legal immunity clash with Articles
14, 21, and 22 on equality, life, and liberty.
• Lack of Accountability: Sanction clause effectively
shields security personnel from prosecution, creating
a culture of impunity.
• Prolonged Militarization: Areas remain under
military control for decades without a defined time
limit, normalizing conflict conditions and anti-Army
sentiment.
• Federalism and Civil-Military Friction: Central
deployment undermines state autonomy and
demoralizes local police forces, leading to tension.
• Damages India’s Democratic Image: Continued use
of AFSPA contradicts international human rights
commitmentsunder Universal Declarationof Human
Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention against
Torture.
• Allegations of Human Rights Abuses: Numerous
reports allege cases of extrajudicial killings, torture,
and sexual violence.
Way Ahead
• Restrict & Phase Powers: Apply AFSPA only in disturbed districts; gradually reduce powers as situations improve.
• Amend Sections for Accountability: Amendments may include provisions to prevent extrajudicial killings; present
arrested persons before magistrates within 24 hours and limit immunity while establishing oversight for prompt
investigations.

• Alternative Policing: Use CRPF/state police for routine law and order; reserve army for high-intensity conflicts.
• Human Rights Compliance: Ensure military operations respect human rights; strengthen professionalism in
counterinsurgency.
• Local Trust & Participation: Involve civil society, bureaucracy, and army in local development to gain public
support.
• Follow Committee Recommendations:
o Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005): Repeal AFSPA; restrict prolonged army deployment; merge powers into
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
o Second ARC (2007): Repeal AFSPA after stakeholder consultations.
o Santosh Hegde Committee (2013): Investigate unlawful encounters; prevent misuse of powers.
o Justice J.S. Verma Committee (2013): It recommended for immediate review of AFSPA and if any officer of
armed forces commits sexual violence against women he should be dealt under ordinary criminal law.
Conclusion
AFSPA, while vital for counterinsurgency in disturbed areas, raises concerns over human rights and accountability.
A balanced approach restricting its scope, ensuring oversight, and strengthening local governance can safeguard
security without compromising democratic values.
4.3. UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CYBERCRIME
Why in the News?
Recently, 72 of the 193 member states signed the United Nations Convention
against Cybercrime in Hanoi, Vietnam.
About United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime
• Convention was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on
24 December 2024.
• It will enter into force 90 days after the 40th State deposits its ratification.
o The signing process will remain open until 31 December 2026.
o India has not signed the treaty yet.
• UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) served as secretariat to negotiations.
• UN Convention Against Cybercrime is the first universal legally binding
framework for the collection, sharing and use of electronic evidence for all
serious offences.
o Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (2001), drafted by the Council of
Europe, was the first international treaty focused on combating
cybercrime and strengthening cross-border cooperation.
o A number of states such as Russia and China have rejected the Budapest Convention and have long advocated
for a new international cybercrime convention.
Key features of the Convention Against Cybercrime
• Expanded Scope of Cyber Offences: It criminalize cyber-dependent crimes and also offences related to online
fraud, online child sexual abuse, non-consensual dissemination of intimate images etc.
• International Cooperation: It establishes a 24/7 network to boost international cooperation.
• Protection of sovereignty: States Parties shall carry out their obligations under this Convention in a manner
consistent with the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States and that of non-intervention
in the domestic affairs of other States.
• Victim Support: The Convention encourages States to provide victims with access to recovery services,
compensation, restitution, and the removal of illicit content. This support will be delivered according to each
country’s domestic laws.
• Respect for human rights: States Parties to ensure that the implementation of their obligations under the
Convention is consistent under international human rights law.

Significance of the Convention
• Relevance of Multilateralism: The convention marks the victory of multilateralism, reflecting collective will of
States to promote international cooperation for combating cybercrime.
• Tackle Rising Digital Threats: Global cybercrime costs are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, as
per industrial experts.
• Helping Global South States: Global convention would help developing countries who often lack robust
cybersecurity infrastructure.
• Emerging Challenges: It provides a cooperative framework to address new and evolving threats such as AI-driven
cyberattacks, deepfakes, disinformation campaigns etc.
Conclusion
The UN Cybercrime Convention marks a milestone in global cooperation against cyber threats, promoting prevention,
capacity-building, and multilateral solidarity. Its success depends on protecting rights, preventing misuse, aiding
developing nations, and adapting to evolving technologies for a secure digital ecosystem.
4.4. NEWS IN SHORTS
4.4.1. ANANT SHASTRA AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM
• It is an indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system.
• Developed by: DRDO in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• Capabilities: Highly mobile and agile with a range of around 30 km.
• Integration: Works alongside MR-SAM, Akash, Spyder, and Sudarshan S-400 systems.
• Deployment: To be stationed along western and northern borders once approved.
4.4.2. SAKSHAM SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME COUNTER-DRONE DEFENCE
Indian Army initiated procurement of indigenously developed SAKSHAM (Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and
Hard Kill Assets Management) Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) Grid System.
About SAKSHAM System
• It is a modular, high-end Command and Control (C2) system operating on the secure Army Data Network (ADN).
• It can detect, track, identify, and neutralise hostile drones and unmanned aerial systems in real time, ensuring
comprehensive airspace security across the newly defined Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS).
o TBS is a domain extending up to 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) above ground level.
• Developed in collaboration with the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
4.4.3. DRONE WALL
After suspected Russian drone incursions in Denmark,the European Union has started efforts towards buildinga ‘drone
wall’.
About Drone Wall
• An artificial intelligence (AI)-based multilayered drone defence system called Eirshield, an anti-drone platform.
• Designed to work on fast-flying unmanned targets carrying warheads.
• Provides earlywarning,real-time threatdetection,and intelligenceagainstdroneincursions, GPS jamming, and
other unconventional attacks.
4.4.4. SCHEME FOR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION WITH AADHAAR
(SITAA)
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with
Aadhaar (SITAA).

About SITAA
• Aim: To strengthen India's digital identity ecosystem and combat emerging security threats such as deepfakes,
spoofing, and presentation attacks.
• Implementing Agency: UIDAI under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
• Focus Areas: Biometric authentication, AI/ML solutions, data privacy, and advanced biometric security.
4.4.5. INS ANDROTH
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.
About INS Androth
• It is the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) after INS Arnala.
o These are part of the 8 ASW-SWCs being constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd.
(GRSE), Kolkata.
• It is named after Androth, the northernmost island of the Lakshadweep group.
• Capabilities: Maritime Surveillance, Search and Rescue, coastal and anti-submarine defence missions, and Low
Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).
4.4.6. EXERCISE IN NEWS
• Exercise Pacific Reach: It is biennial multinational submarine rescue exercise featuring participation from over
40 nations.
o Host: Singapore.
• KONKAN-25 Exercise: Joint bilateral exercise between Indian Navy and United Kingdom’s Royal Navy.
• AUSTRAHIND 2025: India-Australia joint annual military exercise.
• Samudra Shakti Exercise: India-Indonesia joint bilateral maritime exercise.
• JAIMEX -2025: Biennial naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
• Exercise Ocean Sky: Multinational air exercise hosted by the Spanish Air Force.
o This is the first time a non-NATO country (India) is participating in this exercise.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. 10 YEARS OF SDGS: INDIA’S PROGRESS
Why in the News?
Recently, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), also known as Global Goals,
completed ten years since their adoption in September 2015.
About Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Sustainable development was first defined in World Commission on
Environment and Development’s 1987 Brundtland report as development that
meets the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.
• In 2015, all the countries in United Nations adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. It sets out 17 SDGs, which include 169 targets.
o SDGs are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and
ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity. It is critical that no
one is left behind.
Progress towards achieving SDGs
• Global (as per 10th edition of Sustainable Development Report (SDR), 2025)
o Finland has been ranked first in SDG Index with a score of 87, followed by Sweden and Denmark. On average,
East and South Asia has shown fastest progress on SDGs since 2015, driven notably by rapid progress on
socioeconomic targets.
o Only 17% of SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030.
> Most UN member states have made strong progress on targets related to access to basic services and
infrastructure, including mobile broadband use and internet use (SDG 9), access to electricity (SDG 7),
under-5 mortality rate and neonatal mortality (SDG 3).
• India's progress in achieving SDGs
o For the first time, India ranks among top 100 in SDG Index at 99 in 2025 with a score of 67 out of 100. (SDR,
2025)
SDG Achievement(s)
SDG-1 (No Poverty) Over 135 million people have movedout of multidimensional poverty between 2015-
2016 and 2019-2021. (NITI Aayog SDG India Index 2023-24)
SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) Prevalence of undernourishment in 2021-23 is 13.7%. (SOFI 2024)
SDG-3 (Good Health and
Well-Being)
Maternal mortality ratio (Per 100,000 live births) declined to 80.5 in 2023 from 130 in
2014-16. (SDR, 2025)
SDG-4 (Quality Education) Net primary enrollment rate is 99.9% in 2024. (SDR, 2025)
SDG- 5 (Gender Equality) Demand for family planning satisfied with modern methods rose to 77.5% in 2024.
(SDR, 2025)
SDG- 7 (Clean Energy) 99.2% population have access to electricity in 2022. (SDR, 2025)
SDG- 9 (Industry, Innovation
and Infrastructure)
886 million active internet users in 2024. (IAMAI, 2024)
Integration of SDGs into India’s Development Planning
• Whole-of-GovernmentApproach: India adopted a comprehensiveapproach by integratingSDGs vertically across
the three tiers of government (central, state, and local) and horizontally across ministries.

o Example: NITI Aayog acts as the central coordinating body to facilitate SDG implementation across sectors
and states, ensuring systemic alignment. NITI Aayog's State Support Mission further bolsters the bottom-up
approach for fostering inclusive and sustainable development.
• Data-Driven Competitive Federalism: e.g., NITI Aayog's SDG India Index, School Education Quality Index, State
Health Index, Composite Water Management Index, SDGs India Index, etc.
• Localization: e.g., NER District SDG Index has directly influenced targeted investment in Northeastern states,
including the $825 million investment via PM-DevINE scheme.
• Institutionalization of SDGs: Several states have set up dedicated SDG Coordination and Acceleration Centres
to institutionalize and mainstream SDG efforts within governance frameworks, improving accountability and
implementation capacity.
• Inclusive and Equitable Focus: Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) focuses on lagging regions and addresses
various socioeconomic challenges by sharing responsibilities, expertise and resources, ensuring equitable SDG
delivery.
o E.g., As per UNDP report, aspirational districts experienced improved development outcomes in just 3 years of
ADP implementation.
Issues faced in achieving SDGs
• Data Availability: e.g., SDG India Index 2023-24 does not measure indicators of SDG 17 owing to the unavailability
of suitable data at State/UT level.
• Regional Disparities: e.g., Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh have emerged as poorest states in India while Kerala
Sikkim, Tamil Nadu have registered lowest poverty across India. (MPI report, 2023)
• Financial Constraints: Persistent financing gap driven by difficulties in mobilizing domestic resources, limited
access to private finances, and constraints in leveraging international development cooperation, etc.
• Institutional and Governance: Despite efforts to mainstream SDGs in planning, varying capacities and coordination
across ministries, states, and local bodies affect uniform implementation, impacting SDG progress.
o Example, while measuring progress of developmental schemes, focus is on Central Sector Schemes, while
schemes implemented by State Governments are often overlooked in measuring progress.
• Sustainability Challenges: Balancing rapid economic growth with environmental protection remains difficult,
especially in areas like renewable energy expansion, forest conservation, and reducing emissions intensity.
• Pandemic After-effects: Learning losses and interrupted healthcare services due to COVID-19 have reversed years
of human development gains.
Way Forward
• Data quality: Strengthening data systems and capacity building at national and sub-national levels to improve data
availability, quality, and monitoring.
• Mobilise finances: Enhancing financial resource mobilization by boosting domestic revenue generation,
increasing private and international participation through innovative financing instruments.
• Governance: Promoting cooperative federalism by strengthening institutional frameworks and coordination
among central, state, and local governments. Further, integrating SDGs into sectoral policies and budgets
systematically to ensure policy coherence and financial alignment
• Engaging stakeholders: Encouraging multi-sectoral partnerships and wider societal participation including civil
society, academia, and private sector for more inclusive implementation.
• Sustainability: Development policies must integrate environmental sustainability by promoting clean energy,
efficient water management, waste reduction, and conservation of natural ecosystems.
o Example: Prioritizing renewable energy expansion, waste-to-energy projects, water resource management, etc.
Conclusion
India’s decade-long journey with the SDGs shows meaningful progress in key social and infrastructure indicators. With
sustained institutional coordination and inclusive stakeholder participation, India can accelerate its path toward
achieving the SDGs by 2030.

5.2. COLD DESERT BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Why in the news?
UNESCO designated the Cold Desert Biosphere
Reserve in India – as part of 26 new sites – to
UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere
Reserves (WNBR).
More in the news
• This designation brings India’s total to 13 UNESCO
Biosphere Reserves, joining a global network of
785 sites.
• Also, São Tomé and Príncipe – a Central African
island nation – became the first State to have its
entire territory designated as a biosphere reserve.
About Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
• Location: This is India’s first high-altitude cold
desert biosphere reserve and one of the coldest
and driest ecosystems in UNESCO’s WNBR.
o It is located in Himalayas and stretches from
Ladakh (comprising Leh and Kargil Districts) in
north to Kinnaur (Spiti valley and Kinnaur
district in Himachal Pradesh) in South.
• Protected Areas: It covers the Pin Valley National
Park and its surroundings, Chandratal and Sarchu
and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Biome: It constitutes a Cold Desert biome with
harsh climatic conditions, attributed to two factors – location on leeward side of Himalayas (making it a rain-shadow zone)
and very high elevation.
• Soil: Thin, coarse-textured, sandy-loamy soils with low organic matter due to limited vegetation.
• Hydrology: Meltwater from glaciers feeds rivers like Spiti and Pin rivers.
• Flora: Common species include Caragana, Ephedra, Juniperus, Artemisia, and Seabuckthorn
o Seabuckthorn is particularly important for soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, and local livelihoods (used for
juice, oil, and medicinal products).
• Fauna: Snow Leopard (Flagship species), Himalayan Ibex, Tibetan Argali, Blue Sheep (Bharal), Red Fox, Eurasian Lynx,
and Himalayan Wolf.
• Culture: Distinct Buddhist culture dominates the region with presence of:
o Gompas (Buddhist monasteries), Chorten (remarkable type of stupas) and Mani Walls (long and thick platform like
row of stones).
• Human Settlements: Dominant communities include Bhotia, Changpa, and Spiti tribes, practicing pastoralism,
barley and buckwheat cultivation, and yak and goat rearing.
About WNBR
• Launched in 1976, WNBR is managed by the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO.
o Launched in 1971, MAB is an intergovernmental scientific programme aiming to establish a scientific basis for
enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.
• Network promotes synergies between human societies and natural ecosystems, facilitating sustainable
development.
• How are Biosphere reserves (BRs) designated under MAB?
o Designated by: Director-General of UNESCO following the decisions of the MAB International Coordinating Council
(MAB ICC).

o Methodology used: Seville Strategy for BRs and the Statutory Framework of the World Network of BRs
o Proposal: Sites can be proposed by all Member States and Associate Members of UNESCO
> After designation Sites remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of states where they are located.
> States can also remove a BR from the network by notifiying the MAB Secretariat
o Periodic review: Each BR undergoes a periodic review every 10 years to assess its functioning and management
effectiveness.
> UNESCO can withdraw designation if a reserve fails to meet the required standards.
5.3. NEWS IN SHORTS
5.3.1. ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTING ON FOREST 2025 REPORT
Released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), it is the 8th
consecutive issue related
to environment accounts.
• It is also the first dedicated publication on forest accounting, based upon the UN System of Environmental
Economic Accounts (SEEA) Framework.
Key Findings of the Report
• Physical Asset Account:
o Forest Cover (2010-11 to 2021-22): Increased by 17,444.61 sq. km (22.50%), reaching 7.15 lakh sq. km (21.76%
of India’s geographical area).
o Top States in gains: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
• Extent Account:
o Forest Extent (2013–2023): Net increase of 3,356 sq. km in forest extent due to reclassification and boundary
adjustments.
o Top States: Uttarakhand, Odisha, Jharkhand in Recorded Forest Area (RFA).
• Condition Account: Assesses ecosystem quality, focusing on growing stock (volume of usable wood in living trees).
o Growing Stock (2013-23): rose by 305.53 million cum (7.32%).
o Top Contributors: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana.
• Service Accounts:
o Provisioning Services (timber and non-timber products): Value increased to ~0.16% of GDP in 2021-22.
> Top States: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala.
o Regulating Services (carbon retention): Value rose to ~2.63% of GDP in 2021-22.
> Top States: Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam.
5.3.2. GOVERNMENT NOTIFIES FIRST GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION INTENSITY (GEI)
TARGET RULES
First legally binding GEI Target Rules, 2025 target four high-emission sectors i.e. aluminium, cement, pulp & paper,
and chlor-alkali.
• Each facility must reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted per unit of output compared to a 2023-24
baseline.

• GEI is the amount of GHGs that are emitted per unit of product output. For instance, the gases released in the
production of a tonne of product, such as cement or aluminium.
What are the rules?
• Issued under: compliance mechanism of Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023.
• Compliance Enforced by: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• Objective: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output (tCO2e per tonne of product) in carbon-
intensive sectors and facilitate carbon credit trading.
Mechanism:
• Compliant entities reducing emissions below target earn tradable carbon credit certificates.
o The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will issue the carbon credits certificate.
• Non-compliant entities must buy additional certificates or pay an environmental compensation, which equals
twice the average carbon credit price for that compliance year.
Significance
• Market-based compliance: Earned carbon credits can be traded on the domestic carbon market.
o Rules will help operationalize the country’s domestic carbon market under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme
(CCTS), 2023.
• Transparency: Registration and documentation under Indian Carbon Market portal.
• Revenue for sustainability: Environmental compensation funds support carbon market infrastructure.
• Supports India’s climate goals: Supports commitments under the Paris Agreement.
5.3.3. OZONE POLLUTION
In its report, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is the worst
impacted in the country by high Ozone (O3) pollution, followed by Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
About Ozone
• Ozone (O3) is a variant of oxygen composed of three oxygen atoms. It occurs in two layers of the atmosphere: the
stratosphere (upper layer) and the troposphere (ground level up to 10km).
o In the stratosphere, ozone protects life on Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
o In the troposphere, it is an air pollutant.
• The safe eight-hourly ozone standard is set at 100 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), while the one-hour limit is
180µg/m³.
Ground-level Ozone (GLO)
• GLO is a secondary, short-lived pollutant that remains in the atmosphere for only hours to weeks.
• Factor Responsible: Created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (Nox) and volatile organic
compounds (VOC).
o Anthropogenic sources: Transportation, power plants, residential, agricultural activities, etc.
o Natural sources: Soil-based emissions of Nox, and wildfire-induced CO and biospheric methane emissions.

5.3.4. NATPOLREX-X
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the 10th
edition of the National Level Pollution Response Exercise
(NATPOLREX-X).
• NATPOLREX is a biennial flagship exercise which aims to evaluate and enhance India’s national preparedness to
respond to marine oil spill incidents.
5.3.5. NEW RAMSAR SITES IN BIHAR
Gokul Reservoir and Udaipur Lake in Bihar have been designated as new
Ramsar Sites.
• With these additions, India now has 93 Ramsar sites. They cover total area
of 1,360,719 hectares.
• Bihar already had three Ramsar sites – Kabar Jheel (Kabar Taal) in
Begusarai and Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries in Jamui district.
About New Wetlands
• Both Wetlands are oxbow lakes.
o An oxbow is a crescent-shaped lake lying alongside a winding river.
• Gokul Reservoir (Buxar district) is located on the southern edge of the
Ganga River.
• Udaipur Lake in West Champaran district is surrounded by the Udaipur
Wildlife Sanctuary.
o It is an important wintering ground for many migratory bird species,
including pochard (Aythya ferina).
About Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands)
• Adopted in 1971.
• An intergovernmental treaty under UNESCO.
• Objective: Provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
• Criteria: A wetland must meet at least 1 of 9 criteria such as regularly supporting 20,000 or more water birds, or
conserving biological diversity etc.
• India ratified the Convention in 1982.
5.3.6. UNION MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LAUNCHES
MULTIPLE INITIATIVES
It includes 5 initiatives launched for Species Conservation and Conflict Management:-
Initiatives Details
Project Dolphin (Phase-II):
Implementation of the Action Plan to
strengthen conservation measures for
• India is home to freshwater dolphins such as Ganges (National Aquatic
Animal of India) and Indus water dolphins.

both riverine and marine cetaceans
across India.
• Protection Status (Both): Endangered (IUCN)
and Schedule I (WPA, 1972).
Project Sloth Bear: Launch of the
national implementation framework
for the conservation of the Sloth Bear.
• Mainly found in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka
• Protection Status: Vulnerable (IUCN) and Schedule I (WPA 1972)
• They primarily eat termites and ants.
• Unlike other bear species, they carry their cubs on their backs.
Project Gharial: Launch of the
implementation action plan for the
conservation of Gharials.
• Mainly found in Nepal and India
• Protection Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN) and Schedule I
(WPA1972).
• Males develop a bulbous growth at the tip of their snout, called a "ghara"
o It has several functions, including acting as a vocal resonator.
Tigers Outside Tiger Reserve: A
project to address conflicts involving
tigers outside protected areas,
employing a landscape approach,
technological interventions, capacity
building, and community support.
• Found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar.
• Protection Status: Endangered (IUCN), Schedule I (WPA1972)
• Their unique stripes make each tiger identifiable.
Centre of Excellence for Human–
Wildlife Conflict Management (CoE-
HWC)
• Establishment of a dedicated national center at SACON to support
policy, research, and field-based mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts.
5.3.7. GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCES ASSESSMENT (GFRA) 2025
GFRA, released every five years by FAO, was published during Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) Plenary in
Bali, Indonesia.
• GFOI is a flagship programme of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), which is a network of governments,
academia, organizations, civil society and private sector aiming to harness the power of Earth Intelligence.
o India is a member of GEO.
Key highlights of GFRA 2025
• Forest extent: Forests cover 4.14 billion hectares, or 32% of the global land area.
o Nearly half of the world’s forests are located in the tropics, followed by boreal, temperate and subtropical
domains.
o Europe has the largest forest area, accounting for 25% of world’s total.
• India’s Forest Extent: India moved up one rank to 9th
position in terms of total forest area globally, accounting for
2% of global forest area.
o India ranks 5th
in terms of rubber plantation.
• Deforestation and expansion: Deforestation slowed to 10.9 million hectares per year in 2015–2025, down from 17.6
million in 1990–2000.
• Natural Regeneration: More than 90% of world’s forests are regenerating naturally.
• Carbon Stock: Forest carbon stocks have increased, reaching 714 gigatonnes, with soil holding majority forest
carbon stock, followed by living biomass, and litter and deadwood.

• Disturbances: Fire is prevalent forest disturbance in subtropics while insects, diseases and severe weather affect
mainly the temperate and boreal domains.
5.3.8. STATE OF FINANCE FOR FORESTS 2025
The UN Environment Programme released the first State of Finance for Forests 2025 report, providing a global
overview of public and private forest finance in 2023.
Major Findings
• Report finds an annual forest finance gap of US$ 216 billion between current financial flows and the investment
required to achieve global forest goals by 2030.
• Governments were the primary source of forest funding, accounting for 91% of total flows in 2023.
5.3.9. IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress 2025 concluded in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Held once every four years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress hosts the Members’ Assembly, which is the IUCN’s
highest decision making body.
Key Resolutions at Member’s Assembly
• Abu Dhabi Call to Action: Accelerate action across five key areas – reaffirming nature as foundation of well-being,
strengthening multilateralism, ensuring justice and inclusion, advancing knowledge and innovation, and scaling up
resources for nature and climate action.
• New Members: Over 100 new members including six states – Armenia, Tajikistan, Marshall Islands, Gabon, Tuvalu,
and Zimbabwe.
• First-ever Policy on Synthetic Biology and Nature Conservation: Synthetic biology may carry both substantial
benefits (e.g. to restore lost genetic diversity or to locally eradicate invasive alien species) and significant risks (e.g.
unintended ecological cascades), necessitating balanced policy.
• Crime of Ecocide: Recognizes ecocide (deliberate environmental harm) as international crime under the
International Criminal Court.
5.3.10. UPDATE TO IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES
Released by IUCN World Conservation Congress latest update modified the conservation status of 12 Indian bird
species, downlisting eight species, signaling positive trends in their conservation while uplisting four species.
• Four species that have been uplisted include:
o Indian Courser, Indian Roller and Rufous-tailed Lark uplisted to Near Threatened;
o Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler uplisted to Endangered.
• All these four species depend upon open natural ecosystems, which include habitats like grasslands, semi-arid
landscapes, desert, croplands, hilly scrublands, and fallow lands.

o Threats to these ecosystems: Expansion of power infrastructure, intensification of agriculture, introduction of
invasive species, and conversion of grasslands into woodlands through afforestation.
Update to IUCN Red List
• More than half of bird species globally are in decline
primarily due to habitat loss and degradation, driven by
agricultural expansion and intensification and logging.
o Birds play vital roles in ecosystems and for people,
serving as pollinators, seed dispersers, pest
controllers, scavengers and ecosystem engineers.
• Three species of Arctic seal have moved closer to
extinction with primary threat being sea ice loss driven by
global warming.
o Seals, a keystone species, play a central role in food
web, consuming fish and invertebrates and recycling
nutrients.
• Green Sea Turtle, a keystone species, has improved in status from Endangered to Least Concern, due to sustained
conservation efforts.
5.3.11. FIRST IUCN GREEN STATUS OF SPECIES ASSESSMENT FOR THE TIGER RELEASED
The assessment classified the Tiger as ‘Critically Depleted,’ reflecting the severe historical and ongoing threats.
• Threats include habitat loss, prey depletion, poaching, and regional extinctions.
Key Findings
• Population Trend: Decreasing (Current estimate (mature individual)- 2608-3905)
o Tigers are now extinct in 9 of the 24 areas evaluated and are threatened in all spatial units where they still persist.
• Status of Conservation Legacy and Recovery Potential: High and Medium, respectively.
About IUCN Green Status of Species
• Launched in 2012, it builds upon the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
o In 2020, it became an optional part of Red List assessments.
• Provides a tool for assessing the recovery of species’ populations and conservation impact alongside extinction
risk.
• Categories: It includes Largely Depleted, Moderately Depleted, Slightly Depleted, Fully Recovered, etc.
How Green Status defines Species Recovery?
• A species is fully recovered if :
o It is present in all parts of its historical range (including areas lost due to human impact).
o It is viable (not at risk of extinction) across its range.
o It performs its ecological functions in all parts of its range.
• These factors together give a "Green Score" (0–100%), indicating how close a species is to full recovery.
About Tiger (Panthera tigris)
• The tiger is the largest wild cat in the world.
• India has almost 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.
• Range Countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India,
Indonesia, etc.
• Habitat: Forest, Savanna, Shrubland, Grassland,
Wetlands (inland), etc.
• Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List); Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972); CITES Appendix I

5.3.12. STATUS OF ELEPHANTS IN INDIA: DNA BASED SYNCHRONOUS ALL INDIA
POPULATION ESTIMATION OF ELEPHANTS (SAIEE) 2021-25
SAIEE is India’s first DNA-based count of elephants conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India, under the aegis of Project
Elephant, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Key Findings of the report
• It estimates total Asian Elephant population at 22,446 and India harbours the largest wild population –
approximately 60% of global total.
• Currently, wild elephants persist mainly in four forested hill regions— Himalayan foothills, Northeastern states,
East-central India, and Western/Eastern Ghats—with a small feral population in Andaman Islands.
o Western Ghats hosts the largest population of wild elephants followed by North Eastern Hills and
Brahmaputra Flood Plains.
• Among states, Karnataka supports highest population, followed by Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Threats:
o Habitat Shrinkage & Fragmentation: Once-contiguous elephant population in the Western Ghats is rapidly
disconnecting due to changing land use, including expanding commercial plantations (coffee and tea), invasive
plants, farmland fencing, human encroachment and mushrooming developmental projects.
o Human–Elephant Conflict (HEC): Rising sharply in Central India and Eastern Ghats.
o Linear Infrastructure: Roads, railways, and power lines disrupt corridors and cause fatalities via electrocution
and collisions.
• Recommendations: Strengthening corridors and connectivity, restoration of habitat, improving protection
strategies and mitigation of developmental projects.
Asian Elephants
• Largest land mammal on Asian continent, they inhabit dry to wet forest and grassland habitats in 13 range
countries.
• Characteristics:
o Elephants are organized into complex social structures led by a matriarch (a female leads the group).
o They have the longest gestation period of any mammal, lasting 22 months.
• Role of Elephants in Ecosystem: Create pathways for other animals in dense forest, creation of micro
ecosystems, and seed dispersal maintaining forest diversity.
• Conservation Status:
o Endangered in IUCN Red List
o Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
o Listed in Appendix I of CITES
5.3.13. INDIAN WOLF (CANIS LUPUS PALLIPES)
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the first time evaluated Indian Wolf separately as potential
distinct species within the Canis genus.
• The genus currently has seven species recognized by the IUCN. With the inclusion of the Indian wolf, this will be the
eighth recognized species of the genus.
About Indian Wolf
• Habitat: Thorn forests, scrublands, arid and semi-arid grassland habitats in India (few found in Pakistan).
o It is one of the common large carnivores found in the agro-pastoral regions of semi-arid India.
• Threats: habitat loss, conflict with humans, and diseases.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN).

5.3.14. DRAFT POLICY PAPER ON CAMELS PROPOSES NATIONAL CAMEL SUSTAINABILITY
INITIATIVE (NCSI)
Draft policy paper has been prepared by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in consultation with the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Key Highlights of Draft Policy Paper
• India’s camel population has declined by more than 75% since the 1970s.
• Drivers of Population Decline: Decline in traditional economic utility, loss of grazing lands, environmental stress
(desertification, invasive species, prolonged droughts etc.), restrictive legal framework, underdeveloped markets for
camel products etc.
• Strategic Recommendations: Launching National Camel Sustainability Initiative (NCSI), securing grazing rights,
strengthening camel dairy value chains, reviving camel-based tourism, and introducing veterinary and genetic
conservation programs.
About Camels
• Once revered as “Ship of the Desert”, camels are exceptionally suited to dryland ecosystems and are primarily
reared (90%) in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
o Pastoralist communities associated with camel
rearing include Raika, Rabari, Fakirani Jat, and
Manganiyar communities.
• Characteristics:Survive days without drinking water,
travel long distances, feed on thorny desert plant
species.
o Camels' humpsstorefatsproviding them energy
when food is scarce and they store water in their
blood cells, not their humps.
• Role of Camels:
o Ecological Role: Their low water needs, selective
grazing habits, and soft-padded hooves help
maintain vegetative diversity and prevent desertification.
> Camel dung enriches soil in arid regions.
5.3.15. INDIA’S DUGONG CONSERVATION RESERVE RECOGNIZED BY IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has adopted a motion recognising India’s first Dugong
Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay at IUCN World Conservation
Congress 2025.
• To promote dugongs (Dugong dugon) conservation, IUCN
encouraged extending the Indian model to other parts of the
Indian Ocean and similar habitats worldwide.
Dugong Conservation Reserve
• Established in 2022, by the Tamil Nadu government under the
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Covers 448.34 sq. km. in northern Palk Bay.
• The region is home to over 12,250 hectares of seagrass
meadows.
o Seagrasses also support a host of other marine species,
making the reserve ecologically significant.
o Seagrass plays a vital role in carbon sequestration.

About Dugong (Sea Cow)
• Key Feature: Only marine herbivorous mammals that depend on seagrass.
• Distribution: In India, apart from Palk Bay (highest), it is also found in Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, etc.
• Population: Expected about 200.
• Threat: Habitat degradation, hunting and unintentional captures.
• Status:
o IUCN Red list status: Vulnerable
o Listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
5.3.16. CENTRAL ASIAN MAMMALS INITIATIVE (CAMI)
Central Asian countries have come together under CAMI to protect 17 shared species like Saiga, Bukhara Deer etc.
Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI)
• It was launched in 2014 at the 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
• Objective: To coordinate conservation efforts for 17 key migratory mammal species in Central Asia.
5.3.17. WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION (WMO) CONGRESS CALLS FOR
ACCELERATED IMPLEMENTATION OF EARLY WARNINGS FOR ALL (EW4ALL)
Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative
• Aim: Ensure universal protection from hazardous hydrometeorological, climatological and related environmental
events through life-saving multi-hazard early warning systems by 2027.
• Launched: At COP27 of UNFCCC in 2022 by the UN Secretary-General.
• Organizations: It is jointly led by WMO, UNDRR, ITU and IFRC.
• Coverage: Initially focused on 30 high-risk countries, EW4All has since expanded to more than 100 participating
nations.

About Early Warning System (EWS)
• EWS is an integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting, disaster risk assessment, communication and
preparedness which aims at enabling early action to save and protect lives, livelihoods and assets of people at risk.
• Need for Early Warning:
o The damage caused by a disaster can be reduced by 30% if an early warning is issued within 24 hours.
o Disaster mortality is six times higher and the number of people affected is four times higher in countries with
limited multi-hazard early warning systems.
o Economic damages from extreme weather events continue to surge, with over US$4 trillion in losses globally
since 1970.
5.3.18. ARABIAN SEA MINI WARM POOL
Scientists have uncovered that Arabian Sea Mini Warm Pool (MWP) acts as a self-correcting mechanism that helps the
monsoon recover from the disruptions caused by the previous El Niño.
About Arabian Sea Mini Warm Pool (MWP)
• The Arabian Sea MWP is a small patch of unusually warm sea surface temperatures (SST) in the Arabian Sea,
especially the southeastern part (near the Kerala coast).
o A warm pool is defined as a body of very warm water, typically with sea surface temperatures exceeding 28.5°C,
that plays a significant role in influencing regional climate and weather patterns.
o Duration: Forms every year during April and May, just before the onset of the Indian Summer Monsoon.
5.3.19. MAITRI II
Union Finance Ministry granted approval to Maitri II, new research station in Eastern Antarctica.
• This will be India’s 4th
research base expected to be operational by January 2029.
• It would be established as a green research base powered using renewable energy sources (solar and wind) and
would house automated instruments.
Importance of the Antarctica Region
• World’s Natural Laboratory: It is the 5th
largest continent, holds key to understanding Earth’s climate and ocean
systems, acting as a natural tracker of global climate change.
• Natural Resources: Holds nearly 75 percent of the earth’s freshwater reserves and houses abundance of edible
algae, more than 200 species of fish including the discovery of iron and copper.
• Geopolitical Significance: Overlapping territorial claims, China’s expansion with dual-use critical
infrastructures raises global concerns.

5.3.20. MUD VOLCANO
India’s only Mud Volcano in Baratang Island in Andamans and Nicobar Islands erupts after 20 years.
About Mud Volcano
• It is a geological formation where a mixture of mud, water, and gases (mainly methane, sometimes carbon dioxide
or nitrogen) erupts to the surface, creating cone-like structures that resemble true volcanoes without molten lava.
• Mud volcanoes are generally encountered in areas where natural gas is present.
• Eruptions are caused by the pressure from Earth’s tectonic forces or by accumulation of hydrocarbon gases.

6. SOCIAL ISSUES
6.1. STATE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
Why in the News?
Recently, the International Labour Organization (ILO) released a report titled ‘The state of social justice: A work in
progress’.
More on the News
• The report has been released ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha (November,
2025) that marks 30 years of the landmark 1995 Copenhagen Summit on Social Development held in Denmark.
o The summit adopted the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Copenhagen Programme
of Action.
o These documents outlined ten key commitments e.g., Eradicating poverty, Achieving full and productive
employment, Promoting social integration and Equality between men and women etc.
• The 2025 report provides an extensive overview of the state of social justice globally, examining progress and
persistent challenges across several key pillars.
What is Social Justice?
• It means that “all human beings, irrespective of race, caste, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their
material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and
equal opportunity”.
• It helps build trust, enhances legitimacy and unlocks productive potential for sustained inclusive growth, peace
and stability.
Key Achievements in social Justice (According to Report)
• Decline in Extreme Poverty: From 39% (1995) to 10%
(2025) while working poverty dropped from 28% to 7%.
• Increased Social Protection Coverage: For the first time
in history, more than half the world’s population is covered
by at least one social protection scheme.
• Reduced Gender gap in Labour Force Participation: From
26% to 24% points from 2005 to 2025.
• Decline in Inequality: Inequality between countries has
been falling since the early 2000s, due to rising worker
productivity in middle-income countries.
• Child Labour: Declined from 20.6% in 1995 to 7.8% in 2024.

Key Achievements in Social Justice in India:
• Extreme Poverty: Fell sharply from 16.2% in 2011-12 to just 2.3% in 2022-23.
• Female Labour Force participation: Rose significantly in 2024, with the rate increasing to 41.7 % in 2023-24 from
23.3 % in 2017-18.
• Increased Social Protection Coverage: India's social security coverage has increased from 19% in 2015 to 64.3%
in 2025.
• Decline in Inequality: India ranks fourth globally after the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Belarus in income
equality with a Gini score of 25.5.
• Access to basic services: E.g. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has significantly increased rural household access to tap
water, with over 15.72 crore households now connected.
Key Concerns to Achieve Social Justice in recent times:
• Challenges related to Fundamental human rights:
o Wage Gap: In 2025, the earnings ratio between men and women is 78%.
> At the current rate, the wage gap will take 50–100 years to close.
o Child Labour: 138 million children aged 5–17 are child labour, with almost 50% engaged in hazardous labour.
o Forced Labour: People in forced labour from 2016 to 2021 have risen from 24.9 million to 27.6 million.
• Challenges related to Equal access to opportunities:
o Inequality: The top 1% of people still controls 20% of income and 38% of wealth.
o Informal employment: It accounts for approximately 58 % of total employment.
o Accessibility to basic Services: E.g., 1 in 4 lacks access to clean water
• Challenges related to Fair transitions:
o Environmental transition: Measures needed to limit global warming to a maximum of 2°C may lead to job losses
of around 6 million (Primarily in fossil fuel sector).
o Digital transition: The latest ILO research indicates that around one in four jobs will likely be transformed by
generative AI.
o Demographic transition: In labour markets, improving productivity and access to decent jobs (In most low-
and upper-middle-income countries) remain paramount as well as addressing needs of an ageing workforce
(In high- and upper-middle-income countries).
Key Initiatives for Social Justice
• Global:
o Global Coalition for Social Justice: Launched by the ILO in 2023, this initiative unites governments, worker and
employer organizations, and other partners for social justice.
o Decent Work Agenda: ILO's Decent Work Agenda promotes opportunities for all people to obtain productive
work with fair income, security, and social protection.
o ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization: Adopted in 2008, this declaration places the Decent
Work Agenda at centre of ILO's policies.
o Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Sets out the fundamental human rights that every person is
entitled to.
o Other Initiatives: The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), Global Alliance
against Hunger and Poverty (G20), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) etc.
• India
o Constitutional Measures: E.g., Preamble ensures social, economic, and political justice, Fundamental
Rights (E.g. Article 23), Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 38), etc.
o Legislative Measures: E.g., Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, SC
and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 etc.
o Institutional Measures: E.g., National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), National Commission for
Women (NCW), etc.
o Welfare Measures: E.g., PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), etc.

Way Forward
• Fair distribution
o Effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, Update minimum wage policies and operationalize
a living wage through a wage-setting process in line with ILO principles.
o Increase the efficacy of non-discrimination policies and enhance the sustainability, coverage and adequacy of
social protection systems.
• Equal access to opportunities
o Strengthen Active labour market policies (ALMPs), including training and labour intermediation.
o Support sustainable enterprise measures and offer formalization pathways for micro- and small enterprises.
o The government shall provide employment subsidies, such as wage subsidies and hiring incentives.
o Implement well-designed public employment programmes. E.g., India’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).
• Fair Transition
o Adopt place-based strategies, such as investing in renewable energies in geographic areas where other energy
production has been reduced.
o Need for policies like partial retirement and anti-age discrimination laws to retain older workers and support
economic participation.
o Expansion in the provisions of paid leave to care for ageing family members.
Conclusion
Despite notable gains in poverty reduction, education, and gender inclusion, social justice remains an unfinished
agenda. To sustain progress, nations must focus on reducing structural inequalities, expanding social protection, and
ensuring that economic growth translates into dignity and opportunity for all.
6.2. GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX
Why in the news?
Global Hunger Index (GHI), 2025 ranks India under ‘serious’ category.
About Global Hunger Index (GHI)
• Index has been released by Irish humanitarian organization ‘Concern Worldwide’ and German aid agency
‘Welthungerhilfe’ (with
FAO, UNICEF, WHO, IFPRI).
• Purpose of Index is to track
hunger globally using
nutrition & mortality
indicators.
• Each country’s GHI score is
calculated based on a
formula (See image) that
combines four indicators:
o Undernourishment
(Insufficient caloric
intake);
o Child stunting (Children with low height under age 5);

o Child wasting: (Children with low weight for their height under age 5);
o Child mortality: (Children who die before their fifth birthday).
Key Findings of the report
• India Related Findings:
o India’s Position: India is ranked 102nd among the 123 countries assessed with a GHI score of 25.8, which is
classified as serious.
o Child Nutrition Crisis: 1 in 3 Indian children is stunted. Undernourishment affects 172 million people, 13.5
million more than in 2016.
• Global Findings:
o Achieving Zero Hunger: At current rates, SDG-2 (Zero Hunger by 2030) is out of reach. At least 56 countries
are not on track to achieve even low hunger by 2030.
o Global Status: 2025 global GHI score is 18.3 (moderate category), showing only marginal improvement from
19.0 in 2016.
o Regional Disparities: Serious hunger in Africa, South Asia, and alarming hunger in 7 countries, like Somalia
(worst), DRC, and South Sudan, etc.
o Drivers of Rising Hunger:
> Globally: Armed conflicts, climate shocks, economic fragility, and declining political and financial
commitment.
> India: Intergenerational Cycle of malnutrition,
reduced productivity, and Poverty; Persistent poor
maternal nutrition and uneven access to child-
health service; High Chronic Malnutrition; Poverty
and Inequality; etc.
Consequences of Hunger
• Higher child mortality: Under-nutrition is responsible for
45% of deaths among children under the age of five.
• Lower productivity: Hunger reduces physical capacity
and cognitive efficiency, lowering workforce productivity
and national economic growth.
• Rising healthcare burden: Malnutrition increases illness,
putting pressure on public health systems and raising preventable healthcare costs.
• Other Consequences: Poor learning outcomes, Violation of Human Right to adequate food, Famine and
Catastrophe & Deepening inequalities etc.
Initiatives taken for Tackling Hunger in India
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) launched to provide food grains free of costs to 80 crore
poor.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna: Registered women were provided Rs 5000/- on the birth of their first child
for wage support and nutritious food during pregnancy and post-delivery period.
• POSHAN Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission): Aims to achieve improvement in key nutrition parameters for
children and women.
• Eat Right Movement: Aims to transform the country's food system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food.
• Integrated child development scheme (ICDS): Supplementary Nutrition is one of the six services provided under
the ICDS. It is intended primarily to bridge gap between Recommended Dietary Allowance and Average Daily
Intake.
• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: NFSA is an Act of the Parliament of India intended to provide subsidised
food grains to approximately two-thirds of India's 1.2 billion people, Recognizes the right to food as a statutory
right.

Way Forward
• Ensure political commitment and good governance: Treat food security as a right, not charity; strengthen
accountability, coordination, and transparent monitoring.
• Increase and diversify financing: Reverse recent funding cuts, ensure timely and flexible financing, and align aid
with national priorities through results-based mechanisms.
• Build resilient and inclusive food systems: Promote climate-resilient agriculture, restore ecosystems, secure
land and water rights, empower smallholders and women, and integrate nutrition with agriculture.
• Adopt multisectoral, locally led strategies: Link hunger reduction with health, education, WASH and social
protection; empower local governments and communities to design solutions.
• Other Ways for Zero Hunger: Strengthen social safety nets, connect farmers to markets, reduce food loss, and
prevent maternal-child malnutrition.
Conclusion
Hunger is not merely a lack of food, but a result of poverty, conflict, climate shocks, and policy gaps. Addressing it
requires resilient food systems, targeted nutrition support, empowered communities, and global cooperation to
ensure the right to food for all.
6.3. NEWS IN SHORTS
6.3.1. VITAL STATISTICS OF INDIA BASED ON CIVIL REGISTRATION SYSTEM (CRS) REPORT
(2023) RELEASED
The report is compiled by the Registrar General of India (RGI), Ministry of Home Affairs.
Key highlights of the report
• Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): (excluding Sikkim) was 928 females per 1000 males.
o Highest - Arunachal Pradesh (1,085)
o Lowest – Jharkhand (899)
• Share of institutional Deaths and Births (excluding Sikkim)- 74.7% and 24%.
• Births: Number of registered births decreased by 0.9% from 2022.
o Level of Registration of Births (LoR)- 98.4%
o Births registered in urban areas was higher than in rural areas.
• Deaths: Number of registered deaths increased by 0.1% from 2022
o Level of Registration of Deaths (LoR)- 97.2%
o Deaths registered in rural areas was higher in urban areas.
• Infant deaths increased from 2022
• 21 and 19 States/UTs have achieved 100% level of registration of births and deaths respectively.
o Birth and death registrations for males was higher than females in both rural and urban areas.

6.3.2. CHILDREN IN INDIA 2025 REPORT
Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 4th
issue of the Children in
India 2025 Report.
• The report provides details on children’s education, health, nutrition, protection, etc. to guide evidence-based
policies to improve children’s rights and well-being.
Key Highlights of the Report
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Decreased from 44 (2011) to 25 (2023).
o IMR is the number of deaths of infants (children below 1 year of age) per 1,000 live births in a given year.
• Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR): Declined from 30 (2022) to 29 (2023).
o U5MR is the probability of a child dying before reaching the age of five, expressed as the number of deaths per
1,000 live births in a given year.
• Birth Rate: Declined to 18.4 per 1,000 population in 2023 ; Rural: 20.3, Urban: 14.9
• Dropout Rate (2022-23 to 2024-25):
o Preparatory stage: Dropped from 8.7% to 2.3%.
o Middle level: Declined from 8.1% to 3.5%.
o Secondary level: Reduced from 13.8% to 8.2%.
• Child Marriage (Women aged 20-24 married before 18): Reduced from 26.8% (2015-16) to 23.3% (2019-21).
• Adoption Statistics: Total adoptions increased from 3,927 (2017-18) to 4,515 (2024-25).
o In-country adoptions: 4,155; Inter-country adoptions: 360–653 annually.
• Gender Parity Index (GPI): Achieved parity across all education stages in 2024-25.
6.3.3. WHO GLOBAL REPORT ON TRENDS IN PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE 2000–2024
Key Highlights
• Decline in Global Tobacco Use: The global prevalence of current tobacco use among adults significantly dropped
from 26.2% (2010) to 19.5% (2024).
o Despite this reduction, 1 in 5 adult’s worldwide remains hooked on tobacco.
• Rising Popularity of E-Cigarettes: More than 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes.
India’s Progress and Status
• Tobacco Use in India (2024): In 2024, India accounted for approximately 243.48 million tobacco users aged 15 and
older.
• India on Track to Meet WHO NCD Target: India's expected relative reduction in tobacco use prevalence between
2010 and 2025 is substantially high, projected at 43%.
o WHO NCD Target to achieve a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025.
India’s Steps to Curb Tobacco Use
• Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003: Prohibits smoking in public places; ban on sale of
tobacco products to minors, etc.
• Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2022: Provided images for
display on package with health warnings.
• National Tobacco Control Programme: To create awareness & reduce the production and supply of tobacco
products.
• Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.

6.3.4. SWACHH SHEHAR JODI
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched the Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) initiative.
• It will be implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban (SBM-U).
About SSJ initiative:
• It is a structured mentorship and collaborative action program involving 72 mentor cities and around 200 mentee
cities.
o The mentee cities will get direct exposure to well performing cities to replicate their best practices.
• Aim: Foster knowledge and experience sharing, peer learning and transforming best practices in sanitation and
waste management across urban India.

7. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
7.1. NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE 2025
Why in the News?
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon
Sakaguchi have been awarded Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine 2025 for their discoveries
concerning peripheral immune tolerance.
More on news
• Our immune system protects the body from
harmful pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and
fungi.
• However, it must also make sure not to
attack its own cells — this balance is very
important for healthy body function.
• The immune system uses two types of
tolerance to achieve this — central
tolerance and peripheral tolerance.
Central Tolerance
• This process happens in the thymus, a small
gland in the lymphatic system that produces
and trains T cells (a type of white blood cell).
• During training, the thymus removes self-
reactiveT cells— theseare harmful cells that
could attack the body’s own proteins.(see
infographic)
• However, this process is not perfect. Some of
these self-reactive T cells escape from the
thymus and enter the body’s circulation and
tissues, known as the periphery.
Peripheral Tolerance
• Once in the periphery, additional control is
needed to prevent escaped self-reactive T
cells from attacking the body.
• Here, Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) play a
key role.
o Shimon Sakaguchi discovered this
special class of T cells.
• These patrolling regulatory T cells identify
self-reactive T cells and stop them from attacking our own tissues.(see infographic)
• In this way, Treg cells act as a security guard, protecting the body from its own overactive immune responses.
Role of the FOXP3 Gene
• Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell discovered the FOXP3 gene, which controls the development and function of
regulatory T cells in human body.
• If there is a mutation in the FOXP3 gene, regulatory T cells do not form properly.
• This can cause a rare autoimmune disease called IPEX, where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues.

Significance of the Discovery
• Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases: In autoimmune diseases the body’s immune system starts to attack itself.
o In a patient suffering from such diseases, increasing the number of
regulatory T cells can significantly supress the self-attacking behaviour of
immune system.
• Providing Cancer Treatment: In cancer, regulatory T cells are often found in
large numbers around tumours, where they suppress the activity of immune
cells (like killer T cells) that would otherwise attack the cancer.
o This means too many regulatory T cells can protect the tumour, allowing
it to grow. In many cancers, therapies try to reduce or block regulatory T
cells inside the tumour.
o This helps free the immune system to attack and kill cancer cells more effectively
7.2. NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY 2025
Why in the News?
Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 for the
development of metal–organic frameworks.
More on the News
• The laureates have created molecular building blocks called metal organic frameworks (MOFs) having large spaces
through which gases and other chemicals can flow.
What is Metal–Organic Framework (MOF)?
MOFs are special materials made up of two parts:
• Metal ions (such as copper, zinc etc.) – this act like the “joints” or
“connecting points”
• Organic molecules (carbon based molecules like coal, glucose
etc.) – these act like the “links” or “bridges” that connect the metal
parts together.
• When metal ions and organic molecules join through chemical
bonds, they form a network structure.
• The network structure can be in one, two, or three dimensions —
just like lines, sheets, or 3D frameworks with a lot of empty spaces
or cavities between them.
• The cavities inside the network make the material highly porous- full of tiny holes inside.
Other Similar Applications
• Preventing organ transplant
rejection.
• Type 1 diabetes
• Asthma
• Skin related diseases
T cells
• T cells are a type of white blood cell that protects our body from infections.
• Types of T cells: There are two main types of T cells-
o Cytotoxic T cells: Cytotoxic T cells kill cells infected with viruses and bacteria, and they also destroy tumour
cells.
o Helper T cells: Unlike cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells don’t kill cells directly. Instead, they send signals that
tell other cells in your immune system how to coordinate an attack against invaders.
• Regulatory T cells: Although they’re not considered one of the main T cell types, regulatory T cells play an
essential role in our immune system. These cells reduce the activity of other T cells when necessary. They can
prevent T cells from attacking our body’s healthy cells.
• All T cells possess T-cell receptors (TCRs) — surface proteins that act as sensors, enabling them to detect
whether the body is under attack.

o For example (see infographic): Copper metal (shown as dot)
combines with the organic molecule (shown as honeycomb like
structure) to produce a 3D chain like framework with cavities.
o Another example(see infographic)- The metals are like bricks in a
wall and organic molecules are like pillars which connect one brick to
another.
> When bricks and pillars are arranged periodically they form
spacious molecular rooms.
> The size and shape of these molecular rooms can be changed by
changing the bricks (metals) and pillars (organic molecules).
Origin of the Idea of MOF
• The idea to create MOFs came from studying the structure of
diamond - in which each carbon atom connects to four others,
forming a small pyramid-like pattern.
• Scientists used a similar concept but replaced carbon with
metal atoms and organic molecules to create these new porous
materials.
Key Features
• The pores or cavities inside MOFs can be made bigger or
smaller by changing the metals or the organic molecules used.
• This means MOFs can be customized to absorb or trap specific
kinds of materials like gases, water, or chemicals.
• One gram of MOF can have an internal surface area roughly equal to two football fields - showing how spacious it
is inside.
• Because of their large cavities and surface area, MOFs are more absorbent than many other porous materials (like
zeolites).
• They act like molecular storehouses, storing gases,
liquids, or other materials inside their pores.
Key Applications
Their ability to trap, store, or release molecules makes
them useful for:
• Water collection from dry air
o Water in desert regions is scarce. The
concentration of water in the air is low which
makes several existing methods of water
collection from air ineffective.
o MOFs have large cavities with good absorption
capacity. Membranes made of MOF material can
absorb large quantity of water.
o After theabsorption, liquidwater can be efficiently
extracted by slightly heating the MOF membrane.
Thus, MOFs can solve the problem of water
shortage in desert areas.
• Food Processing
o Fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas (it is a
hormone) which causes ripening. After the
harvesting, the release of ethylene is significantly
increased which causes their spoilage.

o MOF based packaging materials have strong absorption capacity which stores the ethylene gas into its cavity.
o This absorption reduces the concentration of ethylene and increases the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
Other Similar Applications
• Pollution control: Extracting pollutants, such as separating PFAS, antibiotics etc. from polluted water.
• Rare-Earth Elements: Experimentally mining rare-earth elements from wastewater.
• Gas storage: Storing gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane etc.
7.3. NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS 2025
Why in the News?
John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis have been awarded Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 for the discovery
of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.
Background
• Quantum Physics deals with the behavior of particles at the microscopic level — such as atoms, electrons, and
nuclei.
• At this scale, particles exhibit dual nature, behaving both as particles and waves.
• The wave-like behaviour of these particles leads to several intriguing phenomena, including:
o Quantizationof energyandangular
momentum
o Quantum tunnelling
• These quantum effects, prominent at
the microscopic level, vanish at the
macroscopic scale (e.g., in everyday
objects like a cricket ball).
• For decades, scientists have been
intrigued by the question: What is the
largest possible size of a system that
can still exhibit quantum behavior?
• The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics
honors experiments that demonstrated
how quantum phenomena—such as
energy quantization and quantum tunnelling—can also be observed in macroscopic systems involving many
particles.
Quantisation of Energy
• At the microscopic level, particles absorb and emit energy in discrete packets, known as quanta.
• This concept can be visualized as
climbing a ladder — one can stand
only on specific rungs, not in between
them.
• Likewise, particles such as atoms,
electrons, and protons can exist only
in certain fixed energy levels, and not
in between.
• This phenomenon is known as the
quantisation of energy.
Quantum Tunnelling
• When we throw a cricket ball at a wall, it naturally bounces back — a familiar, everyday observation.

• In contrast, quantum physics reveals a surprising phenomenon: when a particle encounters a barrier (a wall of
potential energy), there exists a finite probability that it may pass through the barrier and appear on the other side.
• This strange behavior, known as quantum tunnelling, occured only at the microscopic scale.
• A classic example is radioactive decay, where part of an atomic nucleus escapes by tunnelling through its potential
barrier — as seen in alpha decay.
About the Experiment and Result
• In 1984–85, John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis at UC Berkeley built an electric circuit using two
superconductors separated by an insulator — a Josephson Junction. (see image)
• Although the circuit’s voltage was initially set to zero, it
unexpectedly shifted to a finite value due to quantum
tunnelling from the zero-voltage state.
• They demonstrated that all charged particles in the
circuit behaved collectively as a single quantum
particle.
• They also demonstrated the quantisation of energy in
the circuit.
Significance of the discovery
• The discovery revealed a macroscopic quantum state, enabling experiments that apply quantum phenomena to
large-scale systems.
• The Josephson Junction acts as an artificial atom, allowing researchers to simulate and study complex quantum
systems.
• This principle was later used to create quantum bits (qubits), where quantised energy states represent 0 and 1,
forming the basis of superconducting quantum computers.
• The work has advanced both practical quantum technologies such as quantum computing, quantum
cryptography and quantum sensors and the theoretical understanding of quantum physics.
Conclusion
Even after a century since its discovery,the quantum world surprises with its bizarre but fascinating behaviour. The theory
which is fundamental for understanding the behaviour of nature at minute scale is also becoming the foundation of many
modern technologies.
Related News
Quantum Echoes Algorithm
• Google Quantum AI has demonstrated the Quantum Echoes algorithm on its Willow quantum processor (105
qubits), achieving what it calls the first verifiable quantum advantage— result can be cross-benchmarked and
verified by another quantum computer of similar quality.
o Performance: Achieved a ~13,000× speed-up over the best classical algorithms on top supercomputers.
o Working: This new technique functions like an advanced quantum “echo,” similar to how a bat locates its
prey by interpreting returning sound waves.
o Application: This new achievement brings quantum computers closer to becoming tools for practical
applications— medicine, material science, sensors etc.
7.4. ASTROSAT
Why in the News?
India’s first dedicated space observatory, AstroSat, has completed 10 years since its launch.

About Astrosat
• Objective: India’s first dedicated astronomy mission, designed to study celestial objects across X-ray, ultraviolet,
and optical wavelengths simultaneously, offering a holistic view of cosmic phenomena.
• Launch: Launched on September 28, 2015, aboard PSLV-C30 from Sriharikota.
• Orbit: Placed in a low Earth orbit at 650 km altitude for a minimum lifespan of 5 years.
• Spectral Range: The mission spans a broad energy
band from 0.3 keV to 100 keV, covering near and far
UV regions, enabling exploration of both high-energy
and faint astronomical sources.
Scientific Objectives of AstroSat
• Study High-Energy Phenomena: To understand high-
energy processes in binary star systems containing
neutron stars and black holes, offering insights into
extreme cosmic environments.
• Measure Magnetic Fields: To estimate the magnetic
fields of neutron stars, aiding in the study of their
structure and evolution.
• Explore Star Formation: To study star birth regions
and high-energy activities in star systems beyond our
galaxy, expanding the understanding of galactic
evolution.
• Detect Transient X-ray Sources: To identify new, short-lived X-ray sources, helping track sudden cosmic events.
• Ultraviolet Universe Survey: To conduct a limited deep-field survey of the universe in the ultraviolet spectrum,
enhancing data on distant and faint celestial bodies.
Significance for India
• Scientific Leadership: Established
India as a global leader in multi-
wavelength astronomy (Satellites
capable of simultaneous X-ray, UV,
and optical observations).
• Indigenous Capability: Showcased
India’s ability to design and operate a
complex space observatory.
• Research and Academic Growth:
Enabled frontline research in
astrophysics across India.
• Global Collaboration: Enhancing India’s scientific reputation and fostering international partnerships in astronomy.
AstroSat marks a milestone in India’s space research, deepening multi-wavelength astronomy and strengthening global
scientific collaboration while reflecting the nation’s growing self-reliance in space science.
7.5. NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Why in the News?
India’s Disease Burden has been shifted to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) according to Global Burden of Disease
(GBD) Report.
More on the News
• The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Report has been released by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
(IHME) at the World Health Summit, Berlin.
Other Space and Ground observatories of India
• XPoSat: First dedicated satellite from ISRO to carry out research
and measure X-ray emission from celestial sources.
• Aditya-L1: Launched in September 2023, India’s first solar mission
orbits the Sun-Earth L1 point for continuous solar observation.
• Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), Hanle (Ladakh): it hosts
optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes for astronomical and
atmospheric studies.
• Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (Tamil Nadu): One of India’s oldest
solar observatories, known for long-term solar observations.

Findings of the report:
• Shift toward NCDs: According to report, NCDs remain the largest contributor to global disease burden,
accounting for 1.80 billion global DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) in 2023, an increase from 1.45 billion in
2010.
o NCDs accounted for nearly two-thirds of global DALYs
in 2023. While Infectious diseases have declined due to
better healthcare access, immunization, and sanitation.
• Leading NCD Causes: The leading Level 3 NCDs globally
were ischaemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
• Fastest Growing NCDs: The largest increases in age-
standardized rates since 2010 occurred for anxiety
disorders, depressive disorders, and diabetes.
Causes of the Rising Burden of Non-communicable Diseases
• Epidemiological & Demographic Transition: India is shifting from communicable to lifestyle-related chronic
diseases due to urbanization, aging population e.g. growth of tier 1 and 2 cities.
• Unhealthy Lifestyle:
o Dietary Changes: Shift from traditional, fiber-rich diets to high-calorie, processed foods with excess fat, salt,
and sugar e.g. fast food culture.
o Physical Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles, mechanized transport, and reduced physical activity (e.g. due to quick
delivery apps) increase metabolic and cardiovascular risks.
o Tobacco & Alcohol Use: Rising consumption, particularly among youth and lower socioeconomic groups,
contributes to cancers, liver, heart, and metabolic disorders.
• Environmental Risk Factors:
o Air Pollution (Indoor & Outdoor): High PM2.5 exposure from industry, fossil fuels, and biomass burning causes
chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases e.g. Cities like Delhi.
• Biological Risk Outcomes:
o Overweight/Obesity and Raised Blood Pressure: all resulting from unhealthy lifestyles and environmental
exposures.
o Hereditary Predisposition also increases individual vulnerability.
• Psychosocial and Mental Health Factors: Stress, urban pressures, job insecurity, and social isolation indirectly
worsen NCD risks by promoting unhealthy coping behaviors e.g. FOMO Culture (Social Media).
• Socioeconomic Factors: Income growth, urban migration, and educational disparities influence health behaviors,
leading to unequal NCD burden across populations. E.g. tobacco use is normal in rural areas.
Impact of Non-communicable Diseases on India
• Leading Cause of Death: NCDs account for 63–65% of all deaths in India (2023), with cardiovascular diseases,
cancers, chronic respiratory illnesses, and diabetes as major contributors.
• Premature Mortality: NCDs contribute significantly to deaths occurring between ages 30–70.
• Morbidity & Disability: NCDs cause long-term illness, disability, and dependence, affecting quality of life across
urban and rural areas and all socioeconomic groups.
• Economic Impact: India may lose USD 4.58 trillion by 2030 due to NCDs and mental health conditions (World
Economic Forum).
• Strain on Health System: Rising NCD burden increases demand for diagnostic infrastructure, medicines, chronic
care, and diverts public expenditure from other development priorities.
• Socioeconomic & Developmental Challenges:
o NCDs undermine SDG progress, including health equity, poverty reduction, and gender equality.
o Long-term disabilities reduce labor productivity and exacerbate income inequality.

Steps taken by Government
• National Program for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NP-NCD): Strengthens healthcare infrastructure, trains
personnel, ensures early diagnosis, and spreads awareness.
• Community Screening: Nationwide checks for diabetes, hypertension, and cancers bring care closer to
people’s homes.
• Health Infrastructure: District NCD Clinics, Day Care Centers, Cardiac Care Units, and CHC NCD Clinics
improve treatment access.
• Lifestyle Promotion: Campaigns like Eat Right India, Fit India Movement, and Yoga initiatives encourage
citizens to adopt healthier routines.
• GST Reforms: Sin tax on high sugar products like Cold Drinks. (40% Tax Slab)
• National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP): Launched in 2007-08 for creating awareness about the harmful
effects of tobacco consumption; reducing production, etc.
• National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke
(NPCDCS): Launched in 2010 to combat NCDs.
Way Forward
• Health Promotion: Encouraging healthy lifestyles through awareness, diet, exercise, tobacco cessation, and
reduced alcohol use.
• Early Detection: Screening adults 30+ for diabetes, hypertension, and cancers to ensure timely care.
• Healthcare Strengthening: Expanding NCD clinics, critical care, referral services, and training healthcare workers
for better management.
• Digital Health: Using teleconsultation, digital portals, and data systems for monitoring, decision-making, and
remote specialist access, leveraging the National Digital Health Mission.
• Leveraging fiscal tools: To reduce risk factors e.g. raising taxes on tobacco, Salt, sugar etc.
• Sustainable Financing: Ensuring regular medicines, diagnostics, and funding, aligned with SDG 3.4 to cut
premature NCD deaths by one-third by 2030.
7.6. ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)
Why in the News?
The World Health Organization (WHO) released the Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025.
Key Findings of the Report
• Antibiotic Resistance: In 2023, approximately 1 in 6 bacterial infections worldwide was caused by antibiotic-
resistant bacteria.
o Antibiotic Resistance rose in more than 40% of the bacteria-drug combinations tracked between 2018 and
2023.
o Gram-negative bacteria pose a severe threat. These are pathogens that are hard to kill and resistant to multiple
drugs. E.g., Escherichia coli (E.coli)
• Regional Hotspots: AMR was most frequent in Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean.
• India Related Finding: Around 41% of bloodstream infection reports came from China, India, and Pakistan
combined.
• Improvement in Surveillance: Country participation in the WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use
Surveillance System (GLASS) has increased four-fold since 2016.
o GLAAS (2015) is a comprehensive global system designed to monitor antimicrobial resistance and support
appropriate use of antibiotics worldwide.
What is meant by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
• AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to withstand the drugs designed to kill them.
o Strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that are resistant to most antimicrobials are called Superbugs.

• Due to drug resistance, antimicrobial medicines become ineffective, and infections become difficult or
impossible to treat. E.g., Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
o This increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability, and death.
• AMR is a natural process that happens over time through genetic changes in pathogens.
o However, its emergence and spread are accelerated due to several anthropogenic factors.
• WHO recognized AMR as one of the top ten global health threats.
o It is often described as a silent pandemic.
Why is AMR a Global Health Threat?
• Mortality and Morbidity: Bacterial
AMR was directly responsible for
1.27 million deaths in 2019 and
contributed to nearly five million
deaths globally.
• Economic Impact: Resistant
infections could cause an estimated
$3 trillion in global GDP losses per
year by 2030.
• Outpacing advances in modern
medicine: It makes infections
increasingly difficult to treat and
renders medical procedures such as surgery far riskier.
• Threat to Food Security: Drug-resistant infections impact the health of animals and plants, reducing productivity in
farms.
Measures taken to address AMR
National
• National Program on AMR containment: Launched during the 12th FYP in 2012-17 to carry out surveillance of
antimicrobial usage in healthcare settings.
o It is coordinated by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• National Action Plan on AMR (NAP–AMR), 2017: Focuses on the One Health approach and involves various
stakeholder ministries/departments.
• Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945: Antibiotics included in Schedule H1 of the rules are required to be sold by retail
only under the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.
• Red Line awareness campaign: Urging people not to use medicines marked with a red vertical line, including
antibiotics, without a doctor’s prescription.
• Other: Ban on inappropriate fixed dose combinations (FDCs), Operation AMRITH (AMR Intervention for Total
Health) was launched by Kerala to detect the over-the-counter sales of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription.
Global
• Global Action Plan (GAP), 2015: Adopted by the World Health Assembly of WHO.
• Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR: It includes WHO, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN
Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
• United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on AMR (2024): It aims to reduce deaths associated with
bacterial AMR by at least 10% and ensure that at least 70% of overall human antibiotic use is from the WHO AWaRe
Access group.
• Other: World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classification of antibiotics
(by WHO), etc.

Way Forward
• Implement integrated intervention packages: It includes infection
prevention and control, water, sanitation and hygiene, vaccination,
antimicrobial stewardship, and strengthening of the laboratory.
o Antimicrobial stewardship aims to educate and support
healthcare professionals to follow evidence-based guidelines
for prescribing and administering antimicrobials.
• Strict implementations of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945: All
pharmacist associations shall adhere to the rules and sell antibiotics
only with valid prescriptions.
• Enhancing Monitoring: Generating reliable surveillance data,
especially from underserved areas.
• Appropriate Antibiotic selection: Reduce use of AWaRe Watch
antibiotics and increase the use of Access antibiotics
• Other: Enforce stricter controls on antibiotic use in Agriculture and
Veterinary.
o Expand social protection, such as Universal health coverage
(UHC).
Conclusion
AMR poses a grave threat to global health, food security, and sustainable
development. Combating it requires a coordinated One Health approach
that integrates human, animal, and environmental health efforts.
Strengthened surveillance, rational antibiotic use, and global cooperation
are essential to preserve the effectiveness of existing antimicrobials and
safeguard future generations.
7.7. NEWS IN SHORTS
7.7.1. MAHI BANSWARA RAJASTHAN ATOMIC POWER
PROJECT
PM laid the foundation of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power
Project (MBRAPP).
• Location: Banswara, Rajasthan near the Mahi Dam on River Mahi.
• Capacity: 4 x 700 MWe PHWR (4 nuclear power units of Indigenous
PHWRs (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors)).
• It will be developed by Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam (ASHVINI), a joint
venture between Nuclear Power Corporation India Limited (NPCIL)
and National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC).
• The project is part of India’s “fleet mode” initiative.
o Under this Initiative, ten identical 700 MW reactors are being
built across India under uniform design and procurement plans.
Nuclear Power Capacity in India
• India currently has 24 reactors across 7 power plants with
installed nuclear energy capacity of 8180 MW (January 30, 2025).
o The government plans to increase this to 22,480 MW by 2031-32.

• Nuclear power accounts for 3.61% of India’s total electricity generation in 2022-23, making it fifth-largest Non-fossil
fuel source of electricity.
• India is currently in the 1st stage of its three-stage Nuclear Power Programme (NPP).
o The 1st Stage is based on uranium fuelled PHWRs.
o The 2nd
Stage and 3rd
stage are based on Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) utilising plutonium-based fuel and
Thorium, respectively.
7.7.2. LAUNCH OF FIRST FULLY INDIGENOUS 4G (5G-READY) NETWORK
India’s first fully indigenous 4G (5G-ready) network has been deployed by BSNL and developed through collaboration
between C-DOT, Tejas and TCS.
• This provides India the capability to quickly develop technologies for fast tracking adoption of 5G and laying
foundation for 6G.
Significance of indigenous 4G Stack
• Strategic Autonomy: Empowers India to control its telecom
infrastructure, therefore reducing dependency on foreign
technologies and foreign vendors, and enhancing national
security.
• Cloud native: Enables rapid upgrades, scalability and easier
future migration path to 5G.
• Improving Accessibility: Expected to benefit tribal regions,
remote villages, and hilly areas by providing access to quality
digital services.
• Supply Chain Development: Localised manufacturing and
deployment are creating employment, strengthening supplier ecosystems, and nurturing a skilled domestic
workforce.
• Technological Capability: With this, India is now among the select five nations globally with the capability to
launch fully indigenous 4G services.
7.7.3. GUIDELINES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE FUND (SPF) FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
AND INNOVATION (RDI) SCHEME APPROVED
It was approved by the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research
Foundation (ANRF) ensuring seamless scheme execution, effective private sector
participation and long term innovation.
• ANRF was established with Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act,
2023.
• It acts as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research.
• Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by 2008 Act has been
subsumed into ANRF.
RDI Scheme
• About: Establishes ₹1 Lakh crore RDI Fund approved by the Union Cabinet on July 1,
2025.
• Nodal Department: Department of Science & Technology (DST)
• Funding Structure: Two Tiered
o Special Purpose Fund (SPF): Being set up under the Anusandhan National
Research Foundation (ANRF) to serve as the first-level custodian.
o Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs): Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), Development Finance Institutions
(DFIs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), or Focused Research Organizations (FROs) like Technology

Development Board (TDB), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), IIT Research Parks,
etc.
• Exclusions: Grants and short-term loans are not supported.
• Coverage: Financing can cover up to 50% of assessed project cost for transformative RDI projects at Technology
Readiness Levels (TRLs) 4 and above.

8. CULTURE
8.1. SREE NARAYANA GURU
Why in the News?
The President inaugurated the observance of the Mahasamadhi centenary of
Sree Narayana Guru in Kerala.
About Sree Narayana Guru (1856–1928)
• Birthplace: He was born in Chempazhanthy (near present-day
Thiruvananthapuram) to Ezhava family.
o Ezhava is a backward untouchable community which faced social
injustice in the caste-ridden Kerala society.
• Key Details:
o He was a saint, philosopher, poet, spiritual leader and social reformer
who revolted against caste system.
o He was commonly known as Gurudevan among his followers.
Key Contributions
• Teachings and principles:
o He emphasized self-purification, simplicity, and universal love.
o Emphasized the principle of "One caste, One Religion, One God for all
human beings.”
o Real liberation comes from knowledge and compassion, not from blind faith.
o He considered education as the only means to human progress and prosperity and the supreme panacea for
all social evils like superstitions and unhealthy tradition.
> He advocated equal opportunity for women and began the number of schools all over Kerala.
o He founded the Advaita Ashram at Aluva in 1913.
> This Ashram was dedicated to Om Sahodaryam Sarvatra (all men are equal in the eyes of God).
• Key Contributions:
o Temple Entry: He launched the Aruvipuram movement for equal rights to temple entry.
> In 1888, Sree Narayana Guru took a plunge into the Neyyar River and emerged with a Sivalinga.
> He consecrated it in a makeshift temple, breaking the centuries-old barriers of caste-based
discrimination in worship.
> This symbolized the empowerment of marginalized communities, granting them the right to worship.
o Ezhava Community: He established an organization, later called the Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam
for upliftment of Ezhava community in 1903.
> This movement was based on the approach of reinterpreting Hindu religion in search of self-determination.
> The new ideology was based on the principle of self-respect, honour and worth of individual.
> It was an ideology of protest against the Brahminical values system of hierarchy and pollution.
> He established a parallel source of legitimacy by establishing new institutions like temple priest, monk and
monasteries.
o Vaikom Satyagraha: He lent support to Vaikom Satyagraha for temple entry (1924-25) in Travancore.
> It was a historic non-violent temple entry protest that began in Vaikom, a town in the princely state of
Travancore (Kerala region) against untouchability and caste discrimination.
> It was in a response to the discriminatory exclusion of "lower caste" Hindus from accessing the Vaikom
Mahadeva temple.
> T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon and K. Kelappan (also known as Kerala Gandhi) are considered the
pioneers of the Vaikom Satyagraha movement.
• Works: Anukamba Dasakam, Brahmavidya Panchakam, Asramam, Bhadrakaliashtakam, Atmopadesa Satakam,
Advaitha Deepika, Daiva Dasakam, etc.

Conclusion
Sree Narayana Guru’s life and teachings stand as a symbol of social equality, spiritual enlightenment, and human
dignity. Through his reformist movements, temple-entry initiatives he challenged entrenched caste hierarchies and
inspired generations toward justice and harmony.
8.2. NEWS IN SHORTS
8.2.1. VANDE MATARAM
The Union Cabinet announced nationwide celebration of 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.
About Vande Mataram
• Origin: Composed in Sanskrit by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and first published in Anandamath (1882).
• On 24th January 1950, it was declared thatVandeMataram wouldhaveequalstatus with the NationalAnthem (Jana-
gana-mana).
o Jana Gana Mana, originally composed in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in Hindi version by the
Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950.
• Theme: Pays tribute to Mother India, inspiring devotion, courage, and unity.
• It was recited by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896 at the annual session of the Indian National Congress.
8.2.2. BAMIYAN BUDDHAS
Bamiyan Buddhas statues were in the news recently.
About Bamiyan Buddhas statues
• Location: sandstone cliffs of the Bamiyan valley in
central Afghanistan.
• Period: Built in the 6th century
• Artistic Significance: Exemplified Gandharan
Buddhist art.
o Closely connected with spread of Buddhism
across Central Asia
• Destruction: Destroyed by the Taliban in 2001
• UNESCO Recognition: Bamiyan Valley declared a
World Heritage Site in 2003.
8.2.3. BATHUKAMMA FESTIVAL
Bathukamma Festival celebrations in Telangana create 2 Guinness World Records.
About Bathukamma Festival
• It is a floral festival celebrated by the women folk of Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh.
• It is celebrated every year for nine days during Durga Navratri.
• It involves preparation of Bathukamma - the traditional art of flower arrangement using seasonal flowers with
medicinal values.
• Bathukamma means “come back to life-Mother” and it is dedicated to Goddess Parvati.
• It is declared as Telangana State Festival.
8.2.4. NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2025
Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 is awarded to Maria Corina Machado.
• It is awarded for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy’ in
Venezuela.

Nobel Peace Prize
• Since WW-II, The Peace Prize (started in 1901) has been awarded to honour efforts in four main areas:
o arms control and disarmament.
o peace negotiation.
o democracy and human rights.
o work aimed at creating a better organized and more peaceful world.
• Indian citizen who won Nobel peace prize
o Mother Teresa (1979)
o Kailash Satyarthi (2014)
8.2.5. WORLD PARA ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP
India won a record 22 medals including 6 Gold, marking its best-ever performance at World Para-Athletics
Championships 2025.
• India (fourth Asian nation) hosted the World Para Athletics Championships for the first time in 2025.
About World Para Athletics
• Para athletics is the biggest sport within the Paralympic Movement.
• The first Para athletics competition was held in 1952.
• Governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), it includes a wide range of competitions:
o Paralympic Games: Held every four years.
o World Para Athletics Championships: Held biennially.
o World Para Athletics Grand Prix: Held annually in different cities since 2013.

9. ETHICS
9.1. INCLUSIVE GROWTH
Introduction
Despite the World Bank’s data showing that extreme poverty has dropped to 2.3% and a consumption-based Gini
coefficient has fallen to 25.5, making India the 4th
most equal country, a rising income-based Gini coefficient to 61
(according to the World Inequality Database) underscores persistent disparities. This contrast underscores the
importance of examining how growth can embody distributive justice and ensure universal access to basic services,
thereby making prosperity truly inclusive.
Key Ethical Principles underlying Inclusive Growth
• Gandhi’s Principle
o Trusteeship theory –Business owners are urged to view their wealth as assets of society.
> They must act as trustees, retaining only a reasonable share and dedicating the rest to the welfare of the
community.
o Gandhi’s Talisman: Asks to judge every decision by its impact on the poorest and weakest.
o Gandhi’s Sarvodaya: Calls for development that uplifts all sections of society, not just a privileged few.
• Categorical Imperative: Kant’s principle of universal law demands that actions be morally valid only if they can be
willed as universal.
o Excluding the marginalised from development would fail this ethical test, as inequality cannot be universalised
without contradiction.
• Rawls’ difference principle: Any inequality that is permitted in society should only be permitted on the basis that it
benefits the least favoured in society.
o E.g. Progressive taxation and corporate social responsibility (CSR), where extra taxes on well-off people fund
welfare schemes for the upliftment of poor people.
• Constitutional morality: Adhering not just to the text of the Constitution but to its spirit, which embodies values like
equality, justice, the dignity of every individual, etc.
• Religious sanctions
o Mahabharat: With the surplus wealth, one must
relieve the wants of the indigent (poor people). It is
for this reason that the Creator ordained the
practice of increasing one’s wealth.
o Jainism: The doctrine of Aparigraha (non-
possession) discourages hoarding wealth and
calls for sharing resources, supporting fairness and inclusivity.
o Islam: The principle of Zakat (mandatory charity) ensures redistribution and social justice, reflecting inclusive
growth through community welfare.
o Stewardship Principle: Wealth and resources are gifts of God, to be managed responsibly for the benefit of all,
not selfish accumulation.
Key Stakeholders and their role
Government
• Serve Constitutional Duty: Under the Directive Principles (Articles 38, 39, 46), the State isobliged
to promote social justice, reduce inequalities, and uplift socially backward classes.
• Fulfil Policy Role: Designing progressive taxation, welfare schemes like MGNREGA, and public
services (education, healthcare, sanitation) that bridge disparities.
International
Institutions
• Reducing global inequalities: Agencies like UNDP, World Bank, and IMF promote SDGs which
align with equity, poverty reduction, and sustainability with a focus of reducing gap between
global north and south
o E.g. Global financing facility of world bank to reduce health gaps.

Civil Society
• Acting as Moral Voice: NGOs, community organizations, and citizen groups act as watchdogs,
ensuring marginalized voices are heard.
• PlayingAdvocacyRole:Mobilizing publicopinion,spreading awarenesson rights, and demanding
accountability for equitable development.
Corporates /
Private
Players
• Interest changes with changing perspective
o Shareholder perspective: Focused on profit maximization and returns on investment.(short
term growth)
o Stakeholders’ perspective: Recognizes responsibility towards employees, communities,
consumers, and the environment. (long term growth)
Way to Inclusive Growth
• Accountability and transparency in governance: Ensure that decision-making remains fair, ethical, and inclusive,
preventing misuse of power.
o E.g. CPGRAMS, which provides a digital platform for citizens to lodge and track complaints against government
departments.
• Adopting the capability approach of Amartya Sen: Focus on human development, e.g, access to education, skill-
building, etc, to enhance the capability of people to lead a quality life.
o E.g. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to enhance
employability by giving skill training
• Promote Ethical Corporate Practices: Encourage CSR, fair wages, and stakeholder-oriented governance
o E.g. Mahindra & Mahindra’s – Project Nanhi Kali supports the education of underprivileged girls.
• Sustainable Development: By embedding environmental justice in growth policies to ensure intergenerational
justice
o E.g. LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Movement launched by India in 2021 at COP26, encouraging mindful
consumption.
• Inculcating inclusive values: such as empathy, social responsibility, equality, etc in children from a young age
through schools and families
o E.g., National Education policy 2020’s focus on value-based education can be leveraged to form an inclusive
society.
Check your Ethical Aptitude
You are the District Collector of a semi-urban district where industries and IT parks are coming up rapidly. This is
creating new jobs and giving more revenue to the government. But, at the same time, poor and marginalized
communities are being displaced, income gaps are increasing, etc.
Some companies are spending money on schools and hospitals under CSR, but the benefits are not reaching everyone
equally. People are angry and feel ignored. Civil society groups are blaming the administration for helping corporations
more than the people. On the other hand, industrialists are unhappy with rules and delays, which they say slow down
development.
The Chief Minister has asked you to make sure that growth in your district is not only fast but also fair and inclusive.
Answer the following questions:
• Identify the major ethical issues and dilemmas in ensuring inclusive growth in this situation.
• Suggest a set of practical and ethical policy measures you would take in your district to ensure growth is both
economically vibrant and socially inclusive.

10. SCHEMES IN NEWS
10.1. MGNREGA (MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT
GUARANTEE ACT)
Why in News?
The Centre has amended Schedule-I of the MGNREGA Act, prioritising water conservation and related works in rural
blocks.
Core Objectives of the
Scheme
Salient Features of the Scheme
• Providing not <100 days of
unskilled manual work as
a guaranteed employment
in a financial year to every
household in rural areas
as per demand.
• Strengthening livelihood
resource base of the poor
• Proactively ensuring social
inclusion
• Strengthening Panchayati
Raj Institutions
Major Amendments
• Blocks classified as ‘Over-exploited’, ‘Critical’, ‘Semi-critical’, and ‘Safe’ will
be treated as priority areas for action.
• The District Programme Coordinator or Programme Officer must ensure that a
minimum share of total project costs in these blocks is spent on water-related
works as follows:
o 65% in Over-exploited and Critical rural blocks
o 40% in Semi-critical rural blocks
o 30% in Safe rural blocks
• Categorisation of Assessment Units as per Dynamic Ground Water Resources
Assessment Report (Central Ground Water Board)
About MGNREGA:
• Launch Year: 2005
• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (60:40 by Centre and States)
• Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development.
• Total Outlay: ₹86,000 crore (Union Budget 2025)
• Beneficiaries: All Household members aged more than 18 years and residing
in rural area.
• Coverage: Entire country except districts having 100 % urban populations.
• Monitoring: Social Audit by the Gram Sabha
• Basis for Wage Rates:
o CPI-AL (Consumer Price Index-Agriculture Labour)
o Each State/UT can provide wage over and above the wage rate notified by the
Central Government.
• Additional 50 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year during:-
o drought/natural calamity affected notified rural areas and
o For ST Household in a forest area, provided that these households have no
other private property except for the land rights provided under Forest
Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

o State Governments may make provision for providing additional days of
employment beyond the period guaranteed under the Act from their own
funds.
• Right to unemployment allowance and the payment is to be made in 15 days.
o Delay compensation at a rate of 0.05% of unpaid wages per day for duration
of delay beyond 16th
day of the closure of Muster Roll.
• Special Category of Workers (Vulnerable Groups) under MGNREGA
o It includes Persons with disabilities, Primitive Tribal Groups, Nomadic
Tribal Groups, De-notified Tribes, Women in special circumstances, Senior
citizens(>65 years of age), HIV positive persons, Internally displaced
persons & Rehabilitated bonded labour
• Key procedural features of MGNREGS:
o Wage to material ratio to be maintained at 60:40 at Gram Panchayat level.
o At least 1/3rd
of the beneficiaries shall be women who have registered and
requested for work under this Act.
• Other Key features:
o GeoNREGA: tracks creation of assets by geotagging it, at “Before”, “During”
and “After” stages of the asset creation.
o Project 'UNNATI': aims to skill MGNREGS beneficiaries so that they can
move from the current partial employment to full-time employment.
Achievements
• MGNREGA has become the world’s largest social welfare programme.
• Women’s participation has risen from 48% in 2014 to 58% in 2025.

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