In News:

A three-year study was conducted on a 23-hectare DDT-contaminated former tree nursery in southern Sweden. Researchers mixed biochar into sections of the contaminated soil and planted different crops, including pumpkins, legumes, grasses, and willows.

Key findings:

• Reduction of DDT Uptake: The presence of biochar reduced DDT absorption by soil organisms, cutting the toxin uptake by earthworms in half.
• Enhanced Soil Health: Biochar improved soil structure, fertility, and microbial activity.
• Cost-Effective Alternative: Unlike traditional soil removal methods, which are expensive and labor-intensive, biochar treatment offers a sustainable and economical approach.
• Support for Renewable Energy: The method allows for the growth of bioenergy crops such as willow trees, further contributing to environmental benefits.

Implications for Future Agricultural Practices

This breakthrough provides a viable approach to rehabilitate contaminated lands worldwide. Many regions, including India, still grapple with DDT contamination. While India banned agricultural use of DDT in 1972, it continues to be used for disease control under strict regulations. The application of biochar could significantly aid in soil restoration and sustainable land management

About DDT

• Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a synthetic insecticide first introduced in 1939. It was widely used in agriculture and public health initiatives to control vector-borne diseases like malaria.
• However, despite its effectiveness against pests, DDT’s persistence in the environment led to severe ecological and health concerns.
• It degrades slowly, accumulates in fatty tissues, and disrupts ecosystems by affecting soil fertility, harming wildlife, and posing potential human health risks, including endocrine disruption and carcinogenic effects.

Challenges Posed by DDT-Contaminated Soils

The prolonged use of DDT has resulted in extensive soil contamination, making land infertile and unsuitable for cultivation. Conventional methods of decontamination, such as soil excavation and disposal, are expensive and environmentally unsustainable.

Biochar as a Solution

Researchers at Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology have developed an innovative method to restore DDT-contaminated soils by integrating biochar.

What is Biochar?

Biochar is a charcoal-like material produced by burning organic waste in a controlled oxygen-limited environment (pyrolysis). It is known for its ability to enhance soil quality, bind contaminants, and store carbon for extended periods.

In News:

On January 17, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann paid tribute at the Namdhari Shaheed Smarak in Malerkotla to commemorate Kuka Martyrs’ Day. The event marks the execution of 66 Namdhari Sikhs by the British in January 1872.

Kuka Rebellion: An Overview

The Kuka Rebellion was an anti-British movement led by the Namdhari sect in Punjab. It combined religious reform with resistance to colonial rule, reaching its peak in January 1872.

Key Events:

• January 13, 1872: Kukas, led by Hira Singh and Lehna Singh, protested against cow slaughter in Malerkotla.
• January 15, 1872: Clashes occurred between Kukas and government officials. A contingent attacked Malaudh Fort but was repulsed.
• January 17-18, 1872: 66 Kukas were executed by being blown up with cannons under orders of British official John Lambert Cowan.

Reasons Behind the Movement:

• Religious Reform: Opposed meat consumption, alcohol, and social vices.
• Colonial Oppression: Protested against British rule and native collaborators.
• Cow Protection: Strongly opposed cow slaughter, leading to confrontations with British authorities.

Impact and Aftermath:

• Suppression: The British crushed the movement with extreme brutality.
• Exile of Leaders: Satguru Ram Singh and other key leaders were exiled to Rangoon, Burma.
• Legacy of Martyrdom: The sacrifice of young Namdharis like 12-year-old Bishan Singh and Waryam Singh inspired future resistance movements in India.

Who are the Namdharis?

The Namdharis, also called Kukas, are a Sikh sect founded by Satguru Ram Singh in 1857 in Ludhiana. Their distinctive practices include:

• High-pitched recitation of Gurbani (hence the name ‘Kuka’ meaning ‘crying’ or ‘screaming’ in Punjabi).
• Wearing white attire as a sign of mourning for their exiled leader.
• Early adoption of Swadeshi principles, boycotting British goods and services.

Current Status of Namdhari Sect:

• The Namdharis, numbering around 2 lakh in Punjab today, have faced internal divisions since the death of Satguru Jagjit Singh in 2012.
• Two major factions exist:
  • One led by Thakur Dilip Singh, headquartered in Sirsa, Haryana.
  • Another led by Sangrur Uday Singh, headquartered at Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana.
• A core belief remains that Satguru Ram Singh is still alive and will return one day.

Significance:

The Kuka Rebellion, though localized, was an important precursor to later national movements against British rule. It showcased the early spirit of resistance, long before organized freedom movements gained momentum in the 20th century.

In News:

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the 20th edition of the Global Risks Report 2025, outlining the most pressing global risks over short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (10 years) horizons.
• The report, based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) 2024-2025, categorizes risks across economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological domains.

Key Findings of the Report

Short-Term Risks (1-2 Years)

• Misinformation and Disinformation – Undermines trust in governance and institutions, complicating global cooperation.
• Extreme Weather Events – Rising costs and frequency due to climate change.
• State-Based Armed Conflict – Geopolitical tensions, including conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war.

Long-Term Risks (10 Years)

• Extreme Weather Events – Ranked as the most significant long-term risk.
• Biodiversity Loss & Ecosystem Collapse – Drastic impact on food security and natural systems.
• Critical Changes to Earth Systems – Irreversible environmental shifts.

Evolving Global Risk Landscape

The risk landscape is shaped by four structural forces:

• Technological Acceleration – Rapid advancements in AI and digital platforms.
• Geostrategic Shifts – Increasing global polarization and armed conflicts.
• Climate Change – Rising environmental hazards.
• Demographic Bifurcation – Aging populations and labor shortages.

Specific Risks and Trends

Environmental Risks

• Pollution: Increasing air, water, and land contamination due to unsustainable production.
• Natural Disasters: Wildfires in the U.S. projected to cause over $200 billion in damages.
• Water Supply Shortages: A major concern for countries like India.

Economic and Trade Risks

• Escalating Trade Protectionism: Increase in tariffs and restrictions (e.g., Make in India, U.S. Inflation Reduction Act).
• Economic Uncertainty: Global inflation projected to decrease to 3.5% by 2025, but trade tensions may reignite financial instability.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Decline: A 10% drop in 2023 due to trade fragmentation.

Technological Risks

• Misinformation & Disinformation: AI-generated content fuels societal polarization.
• Cybersecurity Threats: AI-driven cyberattacks and algorithmic biases in governance.
• Surveillance & Censorship: Increased digital monitoring with inadequate legal safeguards.

Geopolitical and Societal Risks

• Erosion of Human Rights: Increasing authoritarian surveillance and control.
• Migration & Resource Shortages: Climate-induced migration is a rising global concern.
• Pension Crisis: Aging populations in countries like Japan and Germany threaten economic stability.

India-Specific Risks

1. Water Shortages – Critical impact on agriculture and urban development.
2. Misinformation & Disinformation – Threatens democratic institutions and governance.
3. Pollution (Air, Water, Soil) – Major environmental and health hazard.
4. Labor & Talent Shortages – Workforce challenges due to demographic shifts.
5. Erosion of Civic Freedoms – Concerns over digital surveillance and censorship.

Policy Recommendations

Global and Domestic Strategies

• Strengthen Multilateral Cooperation: WTO reforms and global trade dispute resolutions.
• Boost Domestic Resilience: Investment in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
• Combat Pollution: Stricter regulations on air and water pollutants.
• Address Algorithmic Bias: Global standards for AI governance and accountability.
• Ethical Oversight for Biotech: WHO-led regulations for human genome editing.

Long-Term Sustainability Measures

• Flexible Work Policies: Encouraging non-linear career paths.
• Pre-Retirement Health Programs: Improving lifestyle choices to reduce healthcare costs.
• Pension System Reforms: Raising retirement ages and ensuring financial security for retirees.

In News:

The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 report. The report examines cybersecurity trends, key challenges, and necessary strategies to enhance global cyber resilience.

About Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025

Produced in collaboration with Accenture, the report highlights major cybersecurity issues influenced by geopolitical tensions, emerging technologies, supply chain complexities, and cybercrime advancements.

Key Issues Highlighted

• Geopolitical Conflicts:

• Ongoing conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, have increased cyber vulnerabilities in critical sectors like energy, telecommunications, and nuclear power.
• Nearly 60% of organizations state that geopolitical tensions have impacted their cybersecurity strategies.

• Cybersecurity Readiness:

• Two-thirds of organizations foresee AI impacting cybersecurity, yet only one-third have the tools to assess AI-related risks.
• Smaller organizations face significant challenges in adopting AI-driven security measures.

• Cyber Skills Gap:

• As of 2024, there is a shortage of 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals globally.
• Only 14% of organizations have a skilled workforce to manage current cybersecurity threats.
• Public-sector organizations are notably impacted, with 49% reporting a shortage in cybersecurity talent.

• Supply Chain Interdependencies:

• Over 50% of large organizations identify supply chain complexity as a barrier to cyber resilience.
• Vulnerabilities in third-party software, cyberattacks, and enforcement issues in security standards are key concerns.

• Cybercrime Sophistication:

• Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging generative AI tools for automated and personalized attacks, including phishing and social engineering.
• In 2024, 42% of organizations experienced phishing and deepfake attacks.

• Regulatory Challenges: 70% of organizations reported that complex cybersecurity regulations cause compliance issues.

Impacts

• Critical Infrastructure:
  • Cyberattacks on essential infrastructure, such as water utilities, satellites, and power grids, pose severe risks to public safety.
  • Example: A 2024 cyberattack on a U.S. water utility disrupted operations, highlighting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems.
• Biosecurity Risks:
  • Advancements in AI, cyberattacks, and genetic engineering create risks for bio-laboratories and research institutions.
  • Incidents in South Africa and the UK underscore these threats.
• Economic Disparities: Developed regions like Europe and North America demonstrate stronger cyber resilience compared to emerging economies such as Africa and Latin America.
• Transition Issues to Renewable Energy (RE): The shift to renewable energy introduces new cybersecurity risks, making power grids attractive targets for cybercriminals.

Factors Increasing Cybersecurity Complexity

• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Increasingly complex supply chains create risks with limited oversight, enabling cyberattacks to spread across interconnected systems.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Conflicts have driven advanced cyber strategies targeting critical infrastructure.
• AI-Driven Threats: Generative AI enables scalable malware deployment and sophisticated multilingual social engineering attacks.
• Cyber Skills Gap: A growing 8% skills gap leaves two-thirds of organizations unable to meet cybersecurity demands.
• Convergence of Cybercrime and Organized Crime: Rising cyber-enabled fraud has attracted organized crime groups, amplifying social impact.
• Climate-Linked Cyber Risks: Energy grids are increasingly targeted due to their reliance on evolving energy systems.
• Quantum Vulnerabilities: Quantum computing poses risks to public-key encryption, which is essential for securing digital systems.

Way Forward

Strategic Investment:

• Cybersecurity must be viewed as a strategic investment rather than a technical expense.
• Governments are encouraged to modernize legacy systems and upgrade operational technologies to protect critical sectors.

Public-Private Collaboration:

• Collaboration between business and cybersecurity leaders is essential for sharing threat intelligence and enhancing resilience.
• Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may require government incentives to enhance cybersecurity.

Skills Development: Expanding specialized training programs, certifications, and incentives is crucial to addressing the cybersecurity skills gap.

Focus on Resilience Over Prevention: Nations must prioritize resilience by enhancing response mechanisms, crisis management frameworks, and ensuring continuity of services.

International Cooperation:

• Collaborative efforts through forums like the United Nations (UN) and G20 can strengthen global cybersecurity frameworks.
• Developed nations should assist emerging economies in improving cyber resilience.

Current Framework for Cybersecurity in India

• Legislative Measures:
  • Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)
  • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
• Institutional Framework:
  • Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)
  • National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC)
  • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
  • Cyber Swachhta Kendra
• Strategic Initiatives:
  • Bharat National Cybersecurity Exercise 2024
  • National Cyber Security Policy, 2013
• Sector-Specific Regulations:
  • Cybersecurity Framework for SEBI Regulated Entities
  • Telecommunications (Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure) Rules, 2024

In News:

The Indian rupee has recently experienced sharp devaluation against the US dollar after a period of relative stability. This shift is attributed to several factors, including capital outflows, rising import costs, and RBI’s evolving policy stance.

Understanding Exchange Rate Regimes

Exchange rates are classified into:

• Fixed Exchange Rate: The central bank maintains a constant exchange rate by actively managing reserves.
• Floating Exchange Rate: Market-driven rates with minimal intervention.
• Managed-Floating Exchange Rate: A blend of market forces and central bank intervention.

India has largely pursued a managed-floating exchange rate regime. The RBI has historically responded to excess demand by depreciating the rupee while selling forex reserves and, under excess supply conditions, resisted rupee appreciation to maintain export competitiveness.

Post-COVID Exchange Rate Shift

Between 2022 and November 2024, the RBI temporarily adopted a strategy resembling a fixed exchange rate regime to stabilize the rupee. However, amid rising capital outflows and increased import costs, the RBI recently reverted to its managed-float approach, allowing the rupee to depreciate.

Causes of Rupee Depreciation

• Internal Factors:
  • Rising inflation reduced the rupee's real value and increased production costs.
  • A widening trade deficit due to higher crude oil imports heightened demand for foreign currency.
  • Persistent fiscal imbalances further pressured the rupee.
  • Policy ambiguity in the RBI’s stance added market uncertainty.
• External Factors:
  • Capital outflows driven by global uncertainties and rising US interest rates.
  • Geopolitical tensions (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war) increased India’s import bill.
  • The US dollar's strength amid aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes further weakened the rupee.

Implications of Rupee Devaluation

• Positive Effects:
  • Boost to Exports: A weaker rupee makes Indian goods cheaper, enhancing export competitiveness if supported by real exchange rate depreciation.
• Adverse Effects:
  • Inflationary Pressures: Higher import costs increase consumer prices.
  • Reduced Purchasing Power: Increased costs are often passed on to consumers.
  • Foreign Debt Servicing: A depreciated rupee raises debt repayment costs for Indian firms and the government.
  • Investor Sentiment: Currency instability diminishes foreign investor confidence, triggering further capital outflows.

Structural Constraints in the Indian Economy

• Divergence between NEER and REER:
  • Since the mid-2010s, India's Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) depreciated while the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) appreciated. This divergence undermines export competitiveness, as rising domestic prices offset nominal depreciation benefits.
• Rising Markups:
  • Non-financial firms increased their markups on variable costs, contributing to inflation and nullifying the advantages of currency depreciation for exports.

Policy Responses and Recommendations

• RBI Interventions:
  • Forex market interventions to manage demand-supply imbalances.
  • Interest rate adjustments to attract capital inflows and stabilize the rupee.
  • Enhanced forex reserve management to mitigate excessive volatility.
• Fiscal Strategies:
  • Reducing Import Dependency: Boost domestic production of high-demand goods like crude oil substitutes.
  • Export Incentives: Strengthen export sectors through subsidies, incentives, and improved infrastructure.
  • Encouraging Long-Term FDI: Promoting stable investment environments for sustained capital inflows.
• Structural Reforms:
  • Policies that enhance domestic production, reduce reliance on volatile foreign portfolio investments (FPIs), and maximize remittances can stabilize the rupee in the long term.