In News:

The QS World Future Skills Index 2025, released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), evaluates countries' readiness to meet the evolving demands of the global job market. It assesses nations based on skill development, education, and economic transformation, highlighting their preparedness for emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability.

India’s Performance in the Index:

• Overall Ranking: India is ranked 25th globally, categorizing it as a “Future Skills Contender.”
• Future of Work Category: India ranked 2nd, only behind the United States, reflecting its preparedness for AI, digital, and green jobs.
• Economic Transformation: India scored 58.3, the lowest among the top 30 countries, reflecting challenges in innovation and sustainability.
• Skills Fit: India received a score of 59.1, the weakest among the top 30 nations, indicating a gap between workforce skills and industry requirements.
• Academic Readiness: India’s education system is struggling to keep pace with employer demands, necessitating curriculum reforms and stronger academia-industry collaboration.

Key Findings from the Report:

Strengths:

• Digital Readiness: India has demonstrated strong capabilities in integrating digital talent into the workforce.
• Youth Advantage: A large, young population provides a demographic dividend for sustained economic growth.
• Startup Ecosystem: India’s startup culture and government initiatives support technological advancement and innovation.

Weaknesses:

• Higher Education-Industry Gap: Mismatch between education and employer requirements, particularly in AI, green skills, and entrepreneurship.
• Limited R&D Investment: India’s research and development spending is 0.6% of GDP, far below the global average of 2.7%.
• Low Innovation in Sustainability: India scored 15.6 out of 100, ranking poorly in future-oriented innovation for sustainability.

Challenges and Concerns:

• Skilled Workforce Shortage: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) estimates a 29 million skilled workforce gap in critical sectors such as healthcare, semiconductor manufacturing, and AI.
• Low Employability Rates: Only 25% of management professionals, 20% of engineers, and 10% of graduates meet global employability standards.
• Higher Education Accessibility: Many students face difficulties in accessing quality tertiary education, particularly in skill-intensive fields.

Opportunities for Growth:

• Leverage Demographic Dividend: India can capitalize on its young workforce to dominate skill-based industries while other nations struggle with aging populations.
• Policy Support:
  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Focuses on modular education and reskilling initiatives.
  • ULLAS Program: Aims to expand lifelong learning and skill development.
• Technological Integration: Advancements in AI and digital learning can help modernize academic curricula and improve job readiness.

Recommendations for Improvement:

• Enhancing Academia-Industry Collaboration: Universities should prioritize problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and creativity to align education with employer needs.
• Increasing R&D Investment: Raising spending on research and development to promote innovation and sustainability.
• Expanding Access to Education: Bridging regional disparities in tertiary education through flexible and modular learning.
• Strengthening Policy Implementation: Ensuring effective execution of skilling programs to reduce the workforce-employability gap.

In News:

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and the focus on this month underscores the critical importance of preventing cervical cancer, a disease responsible for significant mortality among women in India. At the heart of this prevention is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is recognized as the most effective measure to prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. Despite its potential, the HPV vaccine remains out of reach for many due to its high cost and the need for greater awareness.

HPV and its Impact in India

HPV is responsible for 99.7% of cervical cancers worldwide, making it one of the primary causes of cancer in women. In India, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women, accounting for about 6-29% of all cancers in women. As of GLOBOCAN 2020, India alone has 20% of the global burden of cervical cancer, with over 123,000 cases and a 9.1% mortality rate.

Additionally, HPV can lead to several other cancers, including anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and throat cancers, making its vaccination vital for overall cancer prevention.

The HPV Vaccine: A Game-Changer

The HPV vaccine is the most effective tool to prevent infections caused by the virus and reduce the incidence of associated cancers. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that neutralize the virus before it can cause damage. There are different types of vaccines authorized in India, including:

• Gardasil (protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18)
• Cervarix (a bivalent vaccine targeting HPV 16 and 18)
• Cervavac (India's first HPV vaccine, developed by the Serum Institute of India)

The vaccine is recommended for both males and females between 9 and 26 years, with a special focus on children aged 12 to 13 years, as the vaccine is most effective when administered before exposure to the virus. It’s also suitable for people who are immunocompromised or HIV-infected.

Challenges to HPV Vaccination in India

Despite the obvious benefits, the uptake of the HPV vaccine in India faces several barriers:

• High Costs: The price of the vaccine remains prohibitively high. For example:
  • Gardasil 9 costs ?10,850 per dose.
  • Gardasil 4 is priced between ?2,000 to ?4,000 per dose.
  • Cervavac, the Indian-made vaccine, costs around ?2,000 per dose, which is more affordable but still out of reach for many.
• Awareness and Cultural Perceptions: There is a lack of awareness about HPV and its link to cervical cancer. Cultural factors, particularly around reproductive health, can also create reluctance to vaccinate, especially in rural or conservative areas.
• Limited Access: Currently, the vaccine is available through private practitioners and is not part of the National Immunisation Programme (NIP), limiting access to the broader population.

The Way Forward: National Immunisation and Awareness Campaigns

The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended that the HPV vaccine be included in India’s National Immunisation Programme (NIP). This would enable broader access and affordability, especially for girls aged 9–14 years and ensure that a routine vaccination schedule is implemented at the age of 9 years. Some states like Punjab and Sikkim have already taken steps to introduce the vaccine in their state-level immunization programs.

Additionally, a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign could raise awareness about the vaccine and its benefits, helping to overcome the challenges of cost, safety concerns, and cultural perceptions. Regular cervical cancer screenings (such as Pap smears and HPV tests) should also be encouraged to identify precancerous changes early.

In News:

The Union Cabinet, has approved the establishment of a Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), located at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This project marks a significant step in enhancing India’s space capabilities and will support the Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) for ISRO’s evolving space exploration programs.

Key Features of the Third Launch Pad

The TLP will be built with an adaptable design, capable of supporting NGLV and LVM3 vehicles with semi-cryogenic propulsion. The launch pad will also serve as a standby for the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Sriharikota. This addition will help ISRO meet its growing launch capacity needs, particularly for future human spaceflight missions and space exploration projects. It will facilitate higher launch frequencies, thus boosting the Indian space ecosystem.

Implementation Strategy and Timeline

The Third Launch Pad is planned to be developed within 48 months (4 years), with the total cost pegged at ?3984.86 Crore. The development will involve maximized industry participation and will utilize existing infrastructure at the launch complex. The project will also leverage ISRO’s experience gained from establishing the earlier launch pads.

The Importance of the Third Launch Pad

The TLP is designed to support the Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV), a key part of ISRO’s vision for space exploration. The facility will not only accommodate heavier vehicles but will also ensure standby capacity for the Second Launch Pad (SLP). Its strategic location at Sriharikota ensures several advantages:

• Proximity to the Equator: This offers a substantial increase in payload capacity due to the additional push provided by the Earth's rotation.
• Safety and Accessibility: The site is free from major international maritime or airline routes, ensuring a safe flight path.
• Geographical Advantage: The launch pad is situated on the eastern coast, enabling launches in an easterly direction, maximizing the benefits of Earth’s rotational speed.

Future Plans for Indian Space Exploration

The establishment of the Third Launch Pad is crucial for the expanded vision of India’s space program, particularly in line with the Amrit Kaal period. ISRO aims to achieve ambitious milestones, such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and an Indian Crewed Lunar Landing by 2040. The NGLV will play a pivotal role in these plans, with features like:

• A three-stage vehicle and reusable first stage.
• Semi-cryogenic propulsion, using refined kerosene and liquid oxygen, which will increase payload capacity by three times at 1.5 times the cost of current vehicles.

The Role of Sriharikota in India’s Space Program

Sriharikota, the hub of ISRO’s launch operations, has been integral to India’s space exploration. Currently, the Indian Space Transportation Systems rely on two operational launch pads:

• First Launch Pad (FLP): Established over 30 years ago for PSLV and SSLV missions, FLP continues to support Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) launches.
• Second Launch Pad (SLP): Built primarily for GSLV and LVM3 vehicles, SLP also serves as a standby for PSLV. Over its 20 years of operation, SLP has supported several national missions, including Chandrayaan-3, and is preparing for the Gaganyaan missions.

In News:

Days before demitting office, the Joe Biden administration has released an expansive regulatory framework on the export of artificial intelligence (AI) hardware such as graphics processing units (GPUs), which could have far-reaching consequences for India’s AI ambitions.

Three-Tier Framework for AI Hardware Export Restrictions

• Tier 1: Closest US Allies
  • Countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, South Korea, UK, etc.
  • No restrictions on computing power deployment.
  • Minimal security requirements.
  • Impact: Free access to AI technology for these nations.
• Tier 2: Majority of Countries (Including India)
  • Countries: India, Brazil, South Africa, etc.
  • Restrictions: Limited to importing approximately 50,000 advanced AI chips (around $1 billion) through 2027.
  • Potential to Double Cap: If countries sign agreements to uphold strict security standards.
  • Impact on India:
    • Short-Term: Likely to fulfill current demand for 10,000 GPUs for the IndiaAI Mission.
    • Long-Term: Challenges in scaling AI infrastructure, with possible delays in large AI data centers and difficulty acquiring large-scale GPUs.
• Tier 3: Countries of Concern (Restricted Nations)
  • Countries: Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, etc.
  • No Access to US AI Technology: Nearly total prohibition of AI tech exports.

Special Provisions for India and China

• General Validated End User (GVEU) status for India and China:
  • India: Authorisation for civilian and military use, excluding nuclear applications.
  • China: Only civilian use permitted under similar conditions.

Why the US Imposed These Restrictions?

• National Security: Prevent adversaries (China, Iran, Russia) from acquiring advanced AI technologies.
• US Technological Leadership: To protect US AI leadership and prevent loss of competitive edge.
• Trusted Ecosystem: Build secure and trusted AI environments for allied nations.

Impact on India

• Short-Term:
  • IndiaAI Mission: Current procurement of 10,000 GPUs unlikely to be affected.
  • Subsidized GPUs: Available for startups, academia, and researchers.
• Long-Term Concerns:
  • Licensing Uncertainties: Possible delays in large-scale AI deployments and AI data centers.
  • Impact on Large Firms: Companies like Reliance and Yotta may face challenges scaling up AI compute infrastructure.
  • National AI Mission Challenges: Difficulty in acquiring enough GPUs for large-scale AI projects beyond 2027.
  • Strategic Leverage: US could use AI export restrictions to negotiate trade deals or tariff adjustments.

Nvidia’s Criticism of the AI Diffusion Rules

• Overreach and Bureaucratic: Nvidia criticized the 200+ page regulatory framework as excessive, secretive, and bureaucratic.
• Harming US Competitiveness: Claims that the rules would hinder US innovation and global leadership, weakening the competitiveness of the US semiconductor and software industries.
• Contrast with Trump’s Approach: Praises the earlier Trump administration for fostering AI growth through industry competition without compromising national security.

Enforcement of the Rules

• Regulatory Control: Managed by the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the Department of Commerce.
• Technology Access: Ensures AI chips and models do not reach adversaries or nations posing security risks.

Potential Impact on India’s AI Strategy

• AI Hardware Infrastructure: Challenges in large-scale AI hardware deployment.
• Competitive Disadvantage: Potential delays or downsizing of AI data centers could affect India’s competitiveness in AI technology.
• Strategic Partnerships: India may need to secure General National Validated End User authorizations to ensure uninterrupted access to advanced chips.
• AI Market Growth: India’s AI market projected to grow to $17 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 25%-35%.

In News:

In a major boost to India’s maritime defense capabilities, three frontline warships—INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vaghsheer—were commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. This marks a significant step in India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing and strengthens its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

INS Nilgiri: Project 17A Stealth Frigate

INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of the Project 17A class, an advanced version of the Shivalik-class frigates, designed for multi-mission capabilities in blue-water operations.

Key Features:

• Advanced stealth technology reducing radar and infrared signatures.
• Equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM), upgraded 76 mm guns, and rapid-fire close-in weapon systems.
• Versatile roles in anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
• Constructed using integrated modular design for faster assembly.
• Other ships in this class—Himgiri, Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, and Vindhyagiri—are under construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

INS Surat: Project 15B Stealth Destroyer

INS Surat is the fourth and final guided missile destroyer under Project 15B, following INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, and INS Imphal. It represents an upgraded version of the Kolkata-class destroyers.

Key Features:

• AI-Enabled Operations: First Indian warship integrated with artificial intelligence solutions for enhanced combat efficiency.
• High-Speed Capability: Can exceed speeds of 30 knots (56 km/h).
• Advanced Armament: Equipped with modern surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and sophisticated network-centric warfare sensors.
• Strategic Role: Acts as a high-speed, maneuverable warship with increased strike capability and endurance.

Project 15B was initiated in 2011, with ships named after major Indian cities to symbolize national unity. These destroyers serve as critical assets in naval operations, ensuring dominance in maritime warfare.

INS Vaghsheer: Project 75 Scorpene-Class Submarine

INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final Kalvari-class submarine built under Project 75, designed for stealth and versatile naval operations.

Key Features:

• Scorpene-Class Design: Developed in collaboration with the French Naval Group.
• Diesel-Electric Propulsion: Silent and highly maneuverable, making it one of the world’s most advanced attack submarines.
• Mission Capabilities: Specializes in anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations.
• Weapons Systems: Armed with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and state-of-the-art sonar systems.

The Kalvari-class submarines continue India's legacy of submarine warfare, named after decommissioned Soviet-origin Foxtrot-class submarines post-Independence.

In News:

World’s First Cryo-Born Baby Corals Successfully Settled on the Great Barrier Reef.

Introduction to Cryo-Born Corals

• Cryo-born corals are created using cryopreservation techniques, which involve freezing coral cells and tissues at very low temperatures.
• The process preserves coral cells by preventing the formation of ice crystals that would otherwise damage them.
• Cryopreservation involves adding cryoprotectants to remove water from cells, enabling their survival during freezing and thawing.

Significance of the Breakthrough

• Climate Change Resilience: The initiative aims to create heat-tolerant corals, which are crucial in combating the impact of rising ocean temperatures due to climate change.
• Selective Breeding Advantage: Cryopreservation allows for controlled breeding and bypasses the limitations of natural coral spawning, which occurs only once a year. This enables multiple reproduction cycles without disturbing wild populations.

The Process of Cryo-Born Coral Production

• Sperm Collection: During coral spawning events, sperm from various coral species is collected and frozen at -196°C using liquid nitrogen, halting metabolic processes.
• Coral Egg Fertilization: Cryopreserved sperm is used to fertilize fresh coral eggs, which are grown in a specialized research facility called the National Sea Simulator.
• Coral Cradles: After growth, the cryo-born corals are carefully transported and settled into specially designed "coral cradles" placed in the Great Barrier Reef, where their growth is monitored during their critical first year.

Importance of Cryo-Born Corals in Reef Restoration

• The primary aim is to introduce millions of heat-tolerant corals annually to restore reefs affected by climate change.
• The Taronga CryoDiversity Bank houses the world’s largest frozen coral sperm collection from 32 coral species, collected annually since 2011, providing a resource for future restoration efforts.

Coral Reefs: An Overview

• Corals are marine invertebrates from the class Anthozoa, phylum Cnidaria.
• Reefs are built by colonies of coral polyps that secrete limestone skeletons and rely on symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) for nutrition.
• Coral reefs are typically found in shallow, sunlit waters with a temperature range of 16-32°C and depths less than 50 meters.

Global and Indian Coral Conservation Efforts

• India:
  • The National Committee on Wetlands, Mangroves, and Coral Reefs (1986) advises on conservation measures.
  • The Environment (Protection) Act (1986) prohibits the use of coral and sand in construction.
  • Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) uses Biorock technology for coral restoration.
• Global Efforts:
  • CITES lists coral species in Appendix II, regulating coral trade.
  • The World Heritage Convention designates coral reefs as protected sites.

Global Impact and Future Directions

• The innovative work by Australian scientists opens the door for large-scale restoration efforts by allowing more controlled breeding and genetic diversity, making corals more resilient to climate change.
• This breakthrough could revolutionize coral restoration, scaling up efforts to introduce millions of resilient corals to reefs worldwide, building long-term resilience against climate change.

In News:

As wildfires continue to rage across Southern California, authorities are deploying pink fire retardant from aircraft to help combat the blazes. Despite its widespread use, concerns over its effectiveness and environmental risks have surfaced in recent years.

What is Pink Fire Retardant?

• Fire retardant is a chemical mixture designed to slow down or extinguish wildfires. The most commonly used product in the U.S. is Phos-Chek, a brand of retardant.
• Phos-Chek primarily contains ammonium phosphate-based slurry (salts like ammonium polyphosphate), which helps the retardant stay longer and resist evaporation, unlike water.

Purpose and Visibility

• Fire retardants are sprayed ahead of fires to coat vegetation, reducing oxygen and preventing flames from spreading.
• Color is added to the fire retardant, often bright pink, to improve visibility. This ensures firefighters can track its spread and create effective fire lines, helping protect lives and property.

Manufacturer

• Perimeter Solutions manufactures Phos-Chek, which is used for aerial fire suppression efforts.

Effectiveness of Pink Fire Retardant

Limited Effectiveness

• The use of fire retardants like Phos-Chek is not always effective across different wildfire conditions.
  • Aerial retardants depend on environmental conditions like terrain, slope, and weather for optimal effectiveness.
  • Researchers, including Forest Service scientists, suggest that retardant effectiveness is more limited under changing climate conditions.
  • Climate change is narrowing the window of opportunity for using aerial retardants, reducing their impact.

Uncertainty in Impact

• The effectiveness of fire retardants is hard to quantify. Multiple firefighting methods are used simultaneously, making it difficult to attribute wildfire suppression success solely to the retardant.

Environmental Concerns of Pink Fire Retardant

Toxicity and Pollution

• Phos-Chek contains toxic metals such as chromium and cadmium, both of which are harmful to humans and the environment.
  • Chromium and cadmium are linked to serious health issues, including cancer and liver/kidney diseases.
  • Aquatic life is particularly vulnerable to these toxins, as the chemicals can enter waterways, causing extensive damage to ecosystems.

Impact on Rivers and Streams

• The use of pink fire retardant has raised concerns regarding the contamination of rivers and streams.
  • A study by the University of Southern California (USC) in 2024 estimated that 850,000 pounds of toxic chemicals have been released into the environment since 2009 due to fire retardant use.

Growing Use and Pollution

• From 2009 to 2021, over 440 million gallons of retardant were applied across U.S. lands.
  • During this period, an estimated 400 tons of heavy metals were introduced into the environment, further exacerbating the pollution levels.

Financial and Practical Concerns

High Cost and Inefficiency

• The cost of deploying fire retardant is significant. Aerial firefighting operations require substantial resources, including planes, helicopters, and large quantities of retardant.
• Environmental experts argue that using fire retardant from planes is ineffective and expensive, especially in light of the growing environmental concerns.

In News:

Dr. V. Narayanan has been appointed as the new Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space (DoS), effective from January 14, 2025, succeeding Dr. S. Somanath.

Background and Career of Dr. V. Narayanan:

Dr. Narayanan, currently the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, has been a key figure in ISRO since joining in 1984. With a focus on cryogenic propulsion, he has played an instrumental role in developing critical technologies for ISRO's launch vehicles. Notably, his work has contributed to India becoming the sixth country globally capable of building and operationalizing cryogenic engines.

Dr. Narayanan’s career highlights include:

• Cryogenic Technology: Leading the development of cryogenic engines for LVM3 (India's heaviest launch vehicle) and PSLV, which are central to missions like Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan.
• Chandrayaan-2 & Chandrayaan-3: As part of ISRO’s missions to the moon, his contributions were pivotal in rectifying the propulsion system issues post-Chandrayaan-2's hard landing, leading to the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023.
• Gaganyaan Mission: Overseeing the development of the propulsion systems for crew and service modules, critical for India’s ambitious human spaceflight program.

Dr. S. Somanath's Legacy:

Dr. S. Somanath, who served as ISRO Chairman and DoS Secretary spearheaded multiple landmark missions, including:

• Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and INSAT missions.
• The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), Re-usable Launch Vehicle (RLV-LEX), and Gaganyaan abort missions.
• National Space Policy 2023 and fostering partnerships between ISRO and private ventures.

Dr. Somanath’s tenure significantly elevated India’s space capabilities, with Chandrayaan-3 marking a historic milestone in India’s lunar exploration.

Dr. Narayanan’s Role in Upcoming ISRO Missions:

As ISRO Chairman, Dr. Narayanan will oversee several ambitious space missions, including:

• NVS-02: The launch of India's navigation satellite as part of the IRNSS constellation.
• Unmanned Gaganyaan Mission: Leading the uncrewed G-1 flight, a precursor to India's first human spaceflight.
• Indo-US NISAR Satellite: A significant collaborative launch with NASA for earth observation.

Additionally, high-profile projects such as Chandrayaan-4, India’s own space station, and future missions to Mars and Venus are in the pipeline, although not all may occur during his tenure.

Vision for ISRO Under Dr. Narayanan:

Dr. Narayanan aims to expand India’s presence in space, targeting increased global market share, particularly in the space economy, which currently holds 2% of the global space sector. His leadership will focus on:

• Increasing Satellite Capacity: Expanding India’s satellite fleet, which currently stands at 53, to meet growing demands for communication, navigation, and earth observation.
• Private Sector Involvement: Leveraging space sector reforms and collaborating with private players to drive innovation and meet burgeoning satellite needs.
• Global Collaboration: Strengthening ties with other space agencies, as ISRO continues to build respect on the global stage.

Upcoming Space Missions and ISRO's Agenda for 2025:

Under Dr. Narayanan's leadership, ISRO has a packed agenda for 2025:

• GSLV Mk-II/IRNSS-1K Mission
• Gaganyaan G-1 Mission (uncrewed flight)
• Chandrayaan-4, Bharatiya Antariksha Station, and Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) preparations.

Dr. Narayanan’s vision aligns with India's broader goals of becoming a dominant player in the global space economy, aspiring to increase its space market share from 2% to 10%.

In News:

In January 2025, Indonesia officially joined the BRICS group as its 10th member, signaling the expansion of this influential coalition of emerging economies. The addition of Indonesia, a Southeast Asian powerhouse, strengthens BRICS' global position and highlights the group's evolving dynamics.

BRICS Overview:

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) is an informal intergovernmental group that fosters cooperation among major emerging economies. Initially coined as BRIC by economist Jim O'Neill in 2001, the group became BRICS in 2010 with the inclusion of South Africa. The bloc has grown steadily, with Indonesia now joining as its 10th member.

Recent Expansion:

• In 2023, invitations were extended to Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Argentina.
• By 2024, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and UAE had joined as permanent members.
• Indonesia's membership was finalized in 2025, following its presidential elections and government formation.

Key Objectives of BRICS:

• Economic Growth: Promote trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
• Global Governance Reform: Advocate for equitable representation in global institutions like the UN and IMF.
• Cultural Exchange: Strengthen people-to-people connections and cultural ties.
• South-South Cooperation: Foster collaboration among developing nations.

BRICS Structure and Mechanisms:

• New Development Bank (NDB): Established in 2014, the NDB finances sustainable development projects in BRICS countries.
• Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA): A $100 billion safety net for financial crises.
• BRICS Academic Forum: Encourages academic collaboration across member states.

Global Influence and Economic Impact:

• Global Share: BRICS+ represents over 45% of the world’s population and 35% of global GDP (PPP-based).
• Strategic Position: The group acts as a counterbalance to the G7, challenging Western-dominated global financial systems.
• Financial Independence: BRICS aims to reduce dependence on the US dollar by facilitating local currency transactions and exploring a common currency.
• Technology Collaboration: Member countries, such as India and China, collaborate on digital payments and renewable energy technologies.

Indonesia’s Entry into BRICS:

Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous nation, strengthens BRICS’ representation in Southeast Asia. The country brings a robust economy and extensive trade networks, boosting the group's negotiating power. Indonesia’s membership was approved during the 2023 BRICS Summit and finalized in January 2025.

• Strategic Importance for Indonesia: The membership aligns with Indonesia's goals to enhance global cooperation, particularly with the Global South. It also reflects Indonesia's growing influence in international trade and geopolitics.

BRICS Challenges:

• Diverse Interests: Differences in economic priorities, such as India's ties with the US and Russia-China’s geopolitical rivalry, complicate consensus-building.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Disputes like the China-India border issue and Russia’s sanctions limit BRICS' ability to present a unified stance.
• Economic Sanctions and Internal Challenges: Countries like Russia face Western sanctions, while domestic issues in Brazil and South Africa divert attention from regional collaboration.

Significance of BRICS’ Expansion:

The expansion of BRICS marks a pivotal shift in global power dynamics, with a focus on South-South cooperation and equitable global governance. Indonesia’s membership further solidifies the group’s influence in Southeast Asia and adds to its efforts to challenge the dominance of Western-led financial institutions.

• Local Currency Use: The group promotes the use of local currencies for trade to reduce reliance on the US dollar.
• Global South Advocacy: BRICS champions the cause of developing nations, ensuring that emerging economies have a voice in global governance.

Recent and Upcoming BRICS Summits:

• 16th BRICS Summit (2024): Held in Kazan, Russia, with a focus on strengthening local currencies and promoting non-dollar transactions.
• 17th BRICS Summit (2025): Scheduled for July 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme "Global South," with an emphasis on payment gateways to facilitate intra-BRICS trade.

In News:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the ‘Bharatpol’ portal, which aims to streamline international cooperation for law investigating agencies.

Key Highlights:

Bharatpol is a newly launched portal developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India to facilitate faster and more efficient international cooperation between Indian law enforcement agencies and Interpol. It was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to streamline the process of sharing criminal intelligence and coordinating efforts in transnational crimes like cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, financial fraud, and organized crime.

The portal aims to address the current challenges in international collaboration, which previously relied on slower communication methods such as letters, emails, and faxes, often leading to delays in investigations.

Key Features and Functions of Bharatpol:

• Unified Platform: Bharatpol integrates CBI as the National Central Bureau (NCB-New Delhi) with all Indian law enforcement agencies, from state police forces to higher authorities. This allows better coordination and quicker access to international resources.
• Simplified Request Mechanism: The portal provides a standardized method for frontline police officers to request international assistance from Interpol member countries, using templates for efficiency.
• Rapid Information Dissemination: Bharatpol enables the CBI to quickly share criminal intelligence and other pertinent information with law enforcement agencies across India, helping to tackle international criminal activities in real-time.
• Increase in Utilization of Interpol Notices: The portal makes it easier for Indian law enforcement agencies to issue and manage Red Corner Notices and other Interpol notices, which are essential tools in tracking criminals globally.
• Capacity Building and Training: Bharatpol includes resources for training law enforcement personnel, improving their ability to conduct investigations abroad and seek foreign assistance via Interpol.

How Bharatpol Works:

• Key Modules of Bharatpol:
  • Connect: Facilitates the integration of Indian agencies with the Interpol NCB-New Delhi, creating a seamless communication channel.
  • INTERPOL Notices: Supports the rapid issuance and processing of Interpol Notices like Red Corner Notices to locate criminals globally.
  • References: Enables Indian agencies to seek and offer international assistance for investigations.
  • Broadcast: Ensures quick availability of assistance requests from Interpol member countries, facilitating faster responses.
  • Resources: Manages document exchanges and training materials to support the capacity-building efforts of law enforcement agencies.

Potential Benefits of Bharatpol:

• Enhanced Coordination: Bharatpol facilitates better collaboration between central, state, and Union Territory agencies, allowing for a more structured and efficient approach to international crime investigations.
• Faster Investigation: Real-time sharing of information and the use of Interpol notices will help in tracking criminals and criminal activities both in India and abroad.
• Simplified Extradition Process: By streamlining international communication, Bharatpol will assist in expediting the extradition of criminals to India for prosecution.
• Support for Transnational Crime Prevention: It will help address growing threats such as cybercrime, human trafficking, and organized crime by improving the ability of Indian law enforcement to collaborate globally.

In News:

• Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency, in response to a surge in gang violence, which raised the annual death toll to the highest since 2013.

Trinidad and Tobago:

• Location: An island nation in the southern Caribbean, near Venezuela and Guyana.
• Capital: Port of Spain.
• Population: Approximately 1.5 million.
• Ethnic Composition: African (36.3%), Indian (35.4%), Mixed (22.8%), and others.
• Religions: Christianity (64%), Hinduism (18%), Islam (5%), and others.
• Independence: Gained from the UK on August 31, 1962, and became a republic in 1976.
• Member of: Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.
• Major Rivers: Ortoire and Caroni.
• Geography:
  • Total Land Area: 5,128 sq. km (Trinidad: 4,768 sq. km, Tobago: 300 sq. km).
  • Climate: Tropical, with dry and rainy seasons.
  • Highest Point: Mount Aripo.
  • Natural Resource: Pitch Lake, the world’s largest asphalt reservoir.
  • Mountain Range: Northern Range, part of the Andes extension.

Economic and Cultural Significance

• Exports: Major exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, and petrochemicals.
• Culture: Known for Carnival, Calypso music, Soca, and the Steelpan (the only musical instrument invented in the 20th century).
• Infrastructure:
  • Ports: Port of Spain, Point Lisas, Scarborough.
  • Airports: Piarco International Airport (Trinidad) and A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (Tobago).

Engagement with India

• Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to adopt India’s UPI platform.
• Both countries granted each other Most Favored Nation (MFN) status in 1997.
• Bilateral trade reached USD 368.96 million in FY 2023-24.
• The Indian diaspora constitutes about 42% of the population.

Past Emergency Declarations:

• 2014: State of emergency declared in response to gang violence.
• 2021: Emergency declared for Covid-19 restrictions.
• 2011: Limited state of emergency for drug-related crimes.

In News:

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel at Sonamarg, which has now been renamed the Sonamarg Tunnel.

Key Takeaways:

• A 6.4-km bi-directional tunnel with an approach road of 5.6 km, Z-Morh connects the Sonamarg health resort with Kangan town in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.
• The tunnel has acquired its name for the Z-shaped road stretch that was previously at the place where the tunnel is being constructed.
• The Z-Morh project was initiated by the Border Roads Organisation in 2012. Although the BRO awarded the construction contract to Tunnelway Ltd, the project was subsequently taken over by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

Significance

Strategic Importance

• Connectivity: Provides all-weather connectivity from Srinagar to Ladakh, ensuring year-round access.
• Military Significance:
  • Critical for rapid deployment of Indian Armed Forces to Ladakh’s border areas, particularly in the context of tensions with Pakistan and China.
  • Reduces dependence on air transport, lowering costs and increasing the longevity of the Indian Air Force’s aircraft.
• Adjacent Projects:
  • Zojila Tunnel: An even more crucial project connecting Sonamarg to Drass in Ladakh, with an expected completion by December 2026 (extended to 2030). This will bypass the avalanche-prone Zojila Pass.
  • Srinagar-Leh Highway: The Z-Morh Tunnel supports the key Srinagar-Leh route, which is important for defence logistics and trade.

Economic Significance

• Tourism:
  • Sonamarg, known as the "Meadow of Gold," will benefit from year-round accessibility, boosting tourism.
  • Local businesses that rely on seasonal tourist traffic will have consistent revenue flow.
• Trade and Agriculture:
  • Reduced travel time and improved road safety will benefit farmers and traders, especially for those transporting goods between Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • Facilitates increased investment and economic growth in the region.

Broader Infrastructure Projects in Jammu & Kashmir

Several key infrastructure projects are contributing to regional development:

• Zojila Tunnel
  • Cost: ?6,800 crore
  • Length: 13 km tunnel, bypassing Zojila Pass.
  • Completion: Expected by 2030.
  • Strategic Importance: Provides all-weather connectivity to Ladakh.
• Srinagar Semi-Ring Road
  • Cost: ?2,919 crore
  • Objective: Relieve traffic congestion in five districts, including Srinagar.
  • Delay: New completion date is June 2025.
• Hydroelectric Power Projects:
  • Ratle HE Project: 850 MW, on Chenab River, Kishtwar district.
  • Kwar HE Project: 540 MW, in Kishtwar.
  • Pakal Dul HE Project: 1,000 MW, on the Marusudar River, Kishtwar.
  • Kiru HE Project: 624 MW, on Chenab River, Kishtwar.
  • Strategic Relevance: These projects will enhance energy security and contribute to the region’s power grid.

In News:

In a first, the Chhattisgarh state has introduced an innovative plan that connects the ecosystem services of its forests with the Green Gross Domestic Product (Green GDP).

Key Highlights:

Chhattisgarh's Green GDP Initiative:

• First State in India to link forest ecosystem services with Green GDP.
• Forests cover 44% of Chhattisgarh's land area, playing a vital role in climate change mitigation.
• Key forest products (tendu leaves, lac, honey, medicinal plants) contribute significantly to the rural economy.

Green GDP:

• Definition: An adjustment of traditional GDP that accounts for environmental costs like resource depletion and ecosystem degradation.
• Formula:
  • Green GDP = Net Domestic Product (NDP) − (Cost of Resource Depletion + Ecosystem Degradation)
  • NDP = GDP − Depreciation of Produced Assets.

Importance of Green GDP:

• Traditional GDP overlooks the environmental cost, treating activities like deforestation as economic gains.
• Green GDP adjusts for sustainability, ensuring long-term economic growth aligns with environmental preservation.

Global Context & Initiatives:

• SEEA (System of Environmental-Economic Accounting): Developed by the UN to track economic-environment relationships.
• WAVES: World Bank initiative integrating natural capital into national economic accounts.
• Bhutan’s GNH: Emphasizes ecological sustainability in development.

Benefits of Green GDP for Chhattisgarh:

• Promotes sustainable development by integrating economic and environmental goals.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Forests help absorb CO2, playing a key role in carbon sequestration.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Supports sustainable use of resources, preserving ecosystems.
• Cultural Integration: Acknowledges forests' cultural and spiritual importance to local tribal communities (e.g., sacred groves).

Key Features of the Initiative:

• Valuing Ecosystem Services: Includes clean air (CO? absorption), water conservation, and biodiversity.
• Eco-tourism Promotion: Developing jungle safaris and national parks, boosting local employment.
• Scientific Assessments: Employing experts to quantify forest contributions to the economy.

Challenges of Green GDP Framework:

• Valuation Complexity: Difficult to assign monetary value to non-market environmental benefits like biodiversity.
• Data Gaps: Lack of comprehensive data on environmental degradation and resource usage.
• Implementation: Requires significant changes in accounting systems and policymaking.
• Forest Definition: Plantations like oil palm may be counted as forests, misleading environmental assessments.
• Political Resistance: States may manipulate data to secure funding, prioritizing plantations over natural forests.
• Local Integration: Difficulties in involving local bodies like Panchayats due to literacy and awareness gaps.

Future of Green GDP:

• Sustainable Resource Use: Encourages responsible consumption and production, aligning with SDG 12.
• Climate Action: Contributes to the reduction of fossil fuel reliance and promotes renewable energy, aligning with SDG 13.
• Green Investments: Stimulates green technologies and industries, fostering sustainable economic growth (SDG 8).

In News:

• Tata Group’s Air India launched free Wi-Fi connectivity on select domestic and international flights.
• First Indian airline to offer Internet connectivity on domestic flights.
• The service is free for a limited introductory period on select domestic flights.
• Gradual expansion of Wi-Fi availability to more aircraft in the fleet.

Key Highlights:

Aircraft with Wi-Fi:

• Available on Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select Airbus A321neo aircraft.
• Aircraft equipped with special hardware for Internet connectivity.
• Some aircraft, previously operated by Vistara, now part of Air India after the merger in November.

Technology Partner:

• Vistara’s in-flight Wi-Fi was facilitated by Tata Group’s Nelco, in collaboration with Panasonic Avionics.
• This service is now extended to select Air India domestic flights.

How to Access Wi-Fi:

• Passengers enable Wi-Fi on their devices and connect to the "Air India Wi-Fi" network.
• Redirected to an Air India portal where they enter details (PNR and last name) for access.

Connectivity Technologies:

• Air-to-Ground (ATG) Technology:
  • Uses ground-based cellular towers to provide internet.
  • Antenna on the aircraft’s belly picks up signals from nearby towers.
  • Limited by tower availability, works best over land with dense coverage.
• Satellite-Based Connectivity:
  • Uses satellites to provide internet by transmitting signals from ground stations to the aircraft.
  • Provides wider coverage, particularly effective over oceans and sparsely populated areas.

In-Flight Wi-Fi Operation:

• Multiple in-cabin antennas collect signals from passengers’ devices.
• Signals are sent to an onboard server.
• For satellite-based systems, signals are transmitted via an antenna to satellites and then relayed to ground stations.
• For ATG systems, signals are sent directly to ground towers.
• In-flight Wi-Fi is slower compared to ground-based internet, though newer technologies are improving speed.

Cost Considerations:

• Airlines incur high initial costs for equipping aircraft with Wi-Fi technology (antennas and hardware).
• Air India is investing in a $400 million retrofit program for its fleet, which could include installing internet connectivity.
• Some airlines install Wi-Fi on new planes, while others retro-fit older models.

Revenue Model:

• Airlines often charge for Wi-Fi after offering a small volume of free internet.
• Some airlines provide free Wi-Fi for loyalty program members or premium passengers (business/first class).
• Air India is offering free Wi-Fi for now, but plans to introduce charges at a later date.

Future Outlook:

• In-flight internet is expected to become a significant source of ancillary revenue.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi for economy class passengers is unlikely in the near-to-medium term due to high costs involved in installation and operation.

Global Context:

• In-flight connectivity is becoming standard on major full-service carriers (FSCs) worldwide.
• Air India's move aligns with global trends, as it aims to be among the world’s leading airlines.

In News:

In a monumental achievement, Koneru Humpy from Vijayawada, India, claimed the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship in New York. This victory marks her second World Rapid Chess title, five years after her first win in 2019 in Georgia, making her the first Indian and only the second player after China’s Ju Wenjun to win the title multiple times.

Key Highlights of Humpy’s Victory:

• Final Score: Humpy finished with an impressive 8.5 points from 11 rounds, securing the top spot by defeating Irene Sukandar of Indonesia in the final round.
• Strong Finish: Humpy surged ahead of the other joint leaders to clinch the title, with D. Harika, another Indian chess star, securing 5th place with 8 points.

World Rapid Chess Championship

• The World Rapid Chess Championship is a chess tournament that determines the world's top rapid chess player. The tournament is held annually by FIDE, the International Chess Federation.
• How it works
  • The tournament uses a Swiss system, where players are paired with opponents of similar scores in each round.
  • Players are not eliminated after losses.
  • The player with the highest score at the end of the tournament wins.
• Time controls
  • Players are given a set amount of time per move, plus an increment for each move.
  • In the World Rapid Championship, players have 15 minutes per move, plus a 10-second increment for each move.

A Historic Year for Indian Chess:

• 2024 has been a remarkable year for Indian chess, with D. Gukesh becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion after his victory over Ding Liren (China) at the World Chess Championship in Singapore.
• India also made history by winning both the open and women’s sections at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

In News:

The introduction of smart classrooms as part of the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) has had a significant impact on education, leading to a 22% increase in enrolment across 19 cities, according to a report from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B). The study covers the period from 2015-16 to 2023-24 and highlights several key benefits of this initiative, which aims to improve the overall learning environment in government schools.

Key Findings:

• Increased Enrolment: The introduction of smart classrooms has been linked to a 22% increase in student enrolment across 19 cities, suggesting that the initiative has made education more appealing and accessible.
• Smart Classroom Development: By 2023-24, 71 cities had developed 9,433 smart classrooms in 2,398 government schools. The states with the most smart classrooms are:
  • Karnataka (80 classrooms)
  • Rajasthan (53 classrooms)
  • Tamil Nadu (23 classrooms)
  • Delhi (12 classrooms)
  • West Bengal has a very limited number, with just two classrooms.
• Improved Learning Experience: Teachers have expressed positive feedback, agreeing that the smart classrooms have improved learning experiences and attendance among students. Additionally, the smart classroom setup has contributed to increased comfort for teachers and higher preference for these modern facilities.
• Teacher Training: Special training provided to teachers has enhanced their comfort with using the smart classroom tools, with senior secondary teachers showing the highest comfort levels.
• Digital Libraries: The study also found that 41 cities have developed Digital Libraries with 7,809 seating capacity, offering essential resources for students. Cities like Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Tumakuru (Karnataka) have seen positive outcomes from these libraries, particularly in supporting students preparing for competitive exams.

Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

• Launched in June 2015, the Smart Cities Mission aims to promote cities that offer core infrastructure, a decent quality of life, a sustainable environment, and the application of smart solutions. As of November 2024, 91% of the projects under the mission have been completed.

SAAR Platform and Research

• In 2022, the Smart Cities Mission introduced the SAAR (Smart Cities and Academia towards Action and Research) platform to bridge the gap between academia and the government. Under this platform, 50 impact assessment studies have been initiated by 29 premier institutions, including six Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), eight Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and 12 specialized research institutes.

In News:

The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) received Rs 912 crore in contributions during the financial year 2022-23 as donations continued to pour in even after the Covid pandemic.

Key Highlights:

Contributions Received:

• Total contributions in 2022-23: Rs 912 crore.
  • Voluntary contributions: Rs 909.64 crore.
  • Foreign contributions: Rs 2.57 crore.

Interest Income:

• Total interest income for 2022-23: Rs 170.38 crore.
  • From regular accounts: Rs 154 crore.
  • From foreign contributions account: Rs 16.07 crore.

Refunds and Additional Inflows:

• Rs 225 crore in refunds, including:
  • Rs 202 crore refund from procurement of 50,000 ventilators for government hospitals.

Disbursements:

• Total disbursed in 2022-23: Rs 439 crore:
  • Rs 346 crore for PM CARES for Children.
  • Rs 91.87 crore for procurement of 99,986 oxygen concentrators.
  • Rs 1.51 crore for refunds.
  • Rs 24,000 for legal charges, and Rs 278 for bank and SMS charges.

Cumulative Contributions (2019-23):

• Rs 13,605 crore received from 2019-20 to 2022-23.
  • Voluntary contributions: Rs 13,067 crore.
  • Foreign contributions: Rs 538 crore.
• Interest income over these years: Rs 565 crore.

About PM CARES Fund:

Formation and Purpose:

• Established: March 27, 2020, as a Public Charitable Trust under the Registration Act, 1908.
• Purpose: To address emergencies like COVID-19, natural disasters, and man-made calamities. It also supports healthcare infrastructure and essential facilities.

Governance and Structure:

• Chairperson: The Prime Minister (ex-officio).
• Trustees: Defence, Home, and Finance Ministers (ex-officio).
• Additional Trustees: Appointed by the PM, serving on a non-profit basis (e.g., Justice K T Thomas (retd.) and Kariya Munda).

Tax Exemptions:

• Donations are eligible for 100% tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• Donations qualify as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013.
• The fund is exempt under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), allowing it to receive foreign donations.

In News:

NASA scientists announced that the Parker Solar Probe survived the closest-ever approach to the Sun. The craft was operating normally after it passed just 6.1 million km from the solar surface.

About the Parker Solar Probe:

• Launched: August 12, 2018, as part of NASA’s Living With a Star program.
• Named After: Eugene Newman Parker, a solar astrophysicist, marking the first NASA mission named after a living researcher.
• Mission Objectives:
  • To study the Sun’s corona and the solar wind, investigating why the corona is hotter than the Sun’s surface.
  • To explore the origins of solar winds and high-energy particles that impact space weather.
  • To understand the structure and dynamics of plasma and magnetic fields around the Sun.
  • To examine the mechanisms behind the acceleration and transportation of energetic particles.

Technological Feats:

• Heat Shield: Equipped with a 4.5-inch carbon-composite shield that withstands temperatures up to 1,377°C (2,500°F) while keeping the instruments cool at about 29.4°C (85°F).
• Speed: Travels at a speed of 692,000 km/h (430,000 mph), making it the fastest human-made object.
• Venus Flybys: Uses gravitational assists from Venus to gradually reduce its orbit and get closer to the Sun.

Historic Milestone:

• Closest Approach: On December 24, 2024, Parker Solar Probe reached a historic distance of 6.1 million km from the Sun's surface, the closest any human-made object has ever been.
  • Comparison: If the Earth and Sun were 1 meter apart, Parker Solar Probe would be just 4 cm from the Sun.
  • Temperature: At its closest, it endured temperatures up to 1,377°C.

Significance of the Mission:

• Scientific Contributions:
  • Solar Wind: Helps scientists understand the origins of solar winds, which affect space weather and Earth’s technological systems.
  • Corona Heating: Investigates why the Sun's corona is much hotter than its surface (a long-standing astrophysical mystery).
  • Space Weather: Provides critical data for predicting space weather events that can impact satellites, communication systems, and power grids on Earth.
• Practical Implications:
  • Improves understanding of space weather, potentially aiding in the protection of Earth’s infrastructure from solar storms.
• Technological and Engineering Marvel:
  • Demonstrates advanced spacecraft technology that can withstand extreme conditions close to the Sun.

Recent Developments:

• Data Collection: As the probe passed through the Sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona), it collected valuable data expected to answer fundamental questions about solar behavior.
• Communication: Despite the extreme proximity to the Sun, the probe sent back a signal on December 26, confirming its status.

Key Dates:

• Launch: August 12, 2018.
• Closest Approach: December 24, 2024.
• Data Expected: Detailed telemetry data on January 1, 2025.

In News:

The ‘no-detention’ policy was a significant part of India’s education reforms under the Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009. This policy aimed to prevent the detention or expulsion of students until the completion of elementary education (Classes 1-8), with a focus on reducing dropout rates and ensuring every child receives at least basic education. However, the policy has been contentious, with arguments both for and against its implementation.

What was the ‘No-Detention’ Policy and Why Was It Introduced?

The RTE Act (2009) made education free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 14, under Article 21A of the Constitution. Section 16 of the Act specifically prohibited the detention or expulsion of students in elementary education (Classes 1-8). The rationale was to prevent the demotivation and fear of failure that might cause children to drop out of school, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. By promoting automatic progression through grades, the policy aimed to ensure that no child was left behind due to academic struggles.

Key to this system was Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE), which assessed students on a holistic basis, beyond just formal exams, encouraging learning through regular feedback and assessments.

Amendments to the RTE Act (2017 and 2019)

In 2017, a Bill was introduced to amend the RTE Act, following concerns about the effectiveness of the ‘no-detention’ policy. The amended policy allowed for regular exams in Classes 5 and 8. If students failed, they would be given a re-examination within two months. If they still did not meet promotion criteria, detention could be enforced. This amendment empowered the Centre and states to decide whether to detain students in these grades.

The amendment came after criticism of the original policy for promoting students without sufficient learning progress. States like Madhya Pradesh and Punjab argued that no-detention was leading to poor academic performance, and called for a return to the traditional system of promoting students based on examination results.

Arguments for and Against the No-Detention Policy

Arguments for No-Detention:

• Reduced Dropout Rates: The policy helped ensure students, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, continued in school without the fear of failure, leading to a drop in dropout rates.
• Holistic Development: It encouraged a child-centric learning approach where students were assessed on their overall development rather than just exam performance.
• Social Inclusivity: By promoting students regardless of performance, it was hoped that education would be more inclusive, preventing marginalization of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Arguments Against No-Detention:

• Decline in Learning Outcomes: The policy led to a lack of motivation for students to perform academically. Without the accountability of exams, many students became less serious about their studies.
• Low Teacher Accountability: With automatic promotion, teachers had less incentive to ensure quality learning, leading to an overall dip in teaching standards.
• Impact on Educational Standards: Data indicated a decline in learning levels in government schools, as students were passed through the system without mastering the required skills.

In 2015, the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) conducted a study suggesting that more flexibility was needed in the policy, allowing schools to retain students who were significantly behind. However, there were differing views within the committee. Some members argued that detention had no proven benefits, and that the real issue was the poor quality of the education system itself.

In 2016, the TSR Subramanian Committee on the New Education Policy suggested continuing the no-detention policy until Class 5, citing evidence of reduced dropout rates and increased enrollment. However, other states pushed for scrapping it due to concerns over declining educational standards.

The Shift Toward Scrapping the No-Detention Policy

By 2019, the RTE Act was amended to give states the discretion to hold back students in Classes 5 and 8, if they failed to meet the promotion criteria. This change came after state feedback that the no-detention policy was having adverse effects on learning outcomes and teacher accountability.

In 2024, the Ministry of Education took further steps to formalize this shift by introducing new rules under the RTE Act Amendment. Students failing to meet the promotion criteria in Classes 5 and 8 will be given additional instruction and an opportunity for a re-examination. If they still fail, they can be detained, with specialized guidance provided to help them catch up.

Which States Continue or Scrapped the No-Detention Policy?

The decision to maintain or scrap the policy varies across states and union territories:

• States Retaining No-Detention Policy: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, among others, continue to implement the no-detention policy, citing its role in minimizing dropouts and promoting inclusivity.
• States That Have Scrapped the Policy: Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Gujarat have already discarded the policy, opting for examinations and re-examinations in Classes 5 and 8 to ensure better academic accountability.

Why the Controversy?

The debate over the no-detention policy hinges on balancing academic accountability with social inclusivity. Supporters argue that it ensures children from marginalized communities receive their full elementary education, while opponents point to the decline in learning standards, especially in government schools, as a major issue.

In summary, while the no-detention policy was introduced with the noble aim of reducing school dropouts and ensuring every child completed at least elementary education, its effectiveness has been questioned due to concerns over declining learning outcomes. The recent changes represent a shift towards better accountability and quality in education, while still ensuring that children receive additional support before being detained.

In News:

The IPBES Nexus Report, formally titled The Assessment Report on the Interlinkages Among Biodiversity, Water, Food, and Health, was released to address the interconnected global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, water scarcity, and health risks. The report stresses that these challenges are deeply intertwined and cannot be solved separately; doing so would lead to ineffective or even counterproductive results.

Key Highlights of the Nexus Report

• Interconnections Between Global Challenges: The report emphasizes the strong interlinkages between the five major global challenges:
  • Biodiversity Loss
  • Water Scarcity
  • Food Insecurity
  • Health Risks
  • Climate Change

It argues that efforts to address these challenges independently are ineffective and often exacerbate the problems. For example, scaling up food production to combat hunger can put more pressure on land, water, and biodiversity.

• Economic Cost of Biodiversity Loss:
  • Global GDP Dependency: Over half of the global GDP (approximately $58 trillion annually) depends on nature. Biodiversity degradation significantly undermines productivity and economic output.
  • Unaccounted Costs: The neglect of biodiversity in economic activities contributes to a loss of $10-25 trillion annually.
  • Delayed Action: Delaying action on biodiversity conservation could double the costs within the next decade, potentially incurring $500 billion per year in additional costs.
• Synergistic Approach: The report identifies over 70 response options that promote synergistic outcomes across the five challenges. These include:
  • Restoring Carbon-Rich Ecosystems: Such as forests, soils, and mangroves to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
  • Managing Biodiversity to Prevent Disease Transmission: Effective biodiversity management reduces risks of diseases passing from animals to humans (zoonotic diseases).
  • Sustainable Diets: Promoting diets that are both healthy and environmentally sustainable.
  • Nature-Based Solutions: Implementing solutions that rely on natural processes to mitigate challenges like water scarcity and climate change.
• Inequality and Vulnerability: The report highlights how inequality exacerbates the challenges. Vulnerable populations, especially those living in areas where biodiversity has sharply declined, face increased health risks, malnutrition, and economic instability. 41% of people live in regions where biodiversity loss has been particularly severe, and 9% face high health burdens due to these declines.
• Principles for Transformative Change: The report outlines principles for achieving transformative change:
  • Equity and Justice: Ensuring fair distribution of resources and opportunities for all.
  • Pluralism and Inclusion: Embracing diverse perspectives and voices in policy-making.
  • Respectful Human-Nature Relationships: Recognizing and nurturing reciprocal relationships between humans and nature.
  • Adaptive Learning and Action: Continuously evolving policies and strategies based on feedback and new evidence.
• Urgency for Immediate Action: The report stresses that immediate action is critical. If the world continues to neglect biodiversity, it will face not only environmental collapse but also a missed opportunity for economic growth. Immediate implementation of nature-positive strategies could unlock $10 trillion in business opportunities and create 400 million jobs by 2030.

The IPBES Transformative Change Assessment Report

• This report builds upon the 2019 IPBES Global Assessment Report and advocates for transformative change to halt biodiversity loss and achieve global development goals. It defines transformative change as a system-wide shift in:
  • Views: Changing how we think about nature and its value.
  • Structures: Reforming systems of governance and organization.
  • Practices: Changing behaviors and practices that harm nature.

Key Challenges to Transformative Change:

• Disconnection from Nature: Human societies' disconnection from nature, often rooted in historical domination, is a major cause of biodiversity loss.
• Economic Inequality: The concentration of power and wealth exacerbates environmental degradation.
• Unsustainable Consumption: Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production are significant drivers of environmental harm.

Synergistic Strategies for Transformation:

• Conserve and Regenerate: Restore ecosystems that have both ecological and cultural value.
• Mainstream Biodiversity: Integrate biodiversity considerations into sectors like agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure development.
• Transform Economic Systems: Adopt policies such as true cost accounting and sustainability-based tax principles to internalize the environmental costs of economic activities.
• Inclusive Governance: Promote governance systems that involve all stakeholders, especially local communities, in decision-making.

In News:

SEBI has introduced a new asset class called Specialised Investment Fund (SIF), designed to bridge the gap between Mutual Funds (MFs) and Portfolio Management Services (PMS). This new asset class is targeted at informed investors who are willing to take on higher risks.

SIFs offer a blend of the flexibility seen in PMS and the regulatory framework governing MFs, making them suitable for investors seeking more customized and riskier investment strategies.

Key Features of SIF:

• Minimum Investment: The minimum investment threshold for SIFs is Rs. 10 lakh. However, accredited investors (who meet specific eligibility criteria) can invest with lower amounts.
• Expense Structure: SIFs will follow the same expense structure as mutual funds. For equity schemes up to Rs 500 crore in size, the maximum allowable fee is 2.25% of assets under management (AUM), with the cap decreasing as the fund size grows. This ensures transparency and keeps management fees in line with existing mutual fund norms.
• Investment Strategies: SIFs can offer a mix of open-ended, close-ended, and interval investment strategies. Specific details on permissible strategies will be released by SEBI in the future.
• Investment Restrictions:
  • For debt instruments, a single issuer's exposure is capped at 20% of the total AUM. However, this can be raised to 25% with approval from the Asset Management Company (AMC)’s trustees and board of directors. Government securities are exempt from this limit.
  • For equities, the exposure is capped at 10% of the total AUM, in line with the norms for mutual funds.
  • Ownership in Companies: The maximum permissible ownership in any company is raised to 15%, including the MF exposure.
• REITs and InvITs: SIFs can invest a maximum of 20% of their AUM in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs). However, the exposure to a single issuer in these areas is limited to 10%.
• Branding and Marketing: SEBI mandates AMCs to distinguish SIFs clearly from MFs through distinct branding, advertising, and website presence. This helps in creating a clear differentiation between the two products for investors.
• Risk Management and Compliance: AMCs managing SIFs are required to have robust risk management systems, internal control systems, and expertise to handle the investments effectively. Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the AMC complies with all risk management, investor protection, and disclosure norms.

Regulatory Context:

• The regulations on SIFs are similar to those governing mutual funds, including taxation and other compliance requirements.
• SEBI also introduced the Mutual Fund Lite regulations to encourage the growth of passively managed funds, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds. These regulations are designed to reduce compliance burdens and lower the barriers to entry for new players in the mutual fund industry.

Significance of SIFs:

• Targeted Audience: SIFs cater to investors who are knowledgeable and willing to take on riskier investments, thereby filling a gap between traditional MFs (which are more conservative) and PMS (which offer highly customized solutions).
• Higher Flexibility: While SIFs maintain some regulations of MFs, they offer more flexibility in investment choices, allowing AMCs to explore more dynamic strategies.
• Investor Protection: By maintaining the same expense structure as mutual funds and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks, SEBI aims to protect investor interests while allowing for higher returns that come with riskier investments.

In News:

In mid-2024, India surpassed China as the largest importer of Russian oil. This milestone has been accompanied by the operationalization of a new maritime route, the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), which connects Chennai in India to Vladivostok in Russia. The new sea route is significantly reducing both shipping times and costs, facilitating smoother commodity trade between the two countries, particularly crude oil shipments.

The Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC)

The EMC, covering a distance of about 5,600 nautical miles, has reduced the shipping time between India and Russia’s Far East by up to 16 days. The Chennai-Vladivostok route now takes just 24 days, compared to over 40 days using the traditional St. Petersburg-Mumbai route. This reduction in transit time makes it a highly efficient route for transporting goods such as crude oil, coal, LNG, fertilizers, and other commodities. Additionally, this new corridor supports India’s maritime sector and aligns with the country’s broader vision for maritime growth and regional strategic engagement.

Key Features of the EMC:

• Efficiency and Cost Savings: The route cuts shipping time and distance, reducing costs associated with longer transit periods. For example, a ship traveling between Vladivostok and Chennai now takes only about 12 days at cruising speed, compared to the traditional route's 40+ days.
• Strategic Importance: Vladivostok is Russia’s largest Pacific port, and the corridor strengthens India's strategic presence in the region. This maritime route bypasses traditional chokepoints like the Suez Canal, offering faster, more direct access to key markets.
• Diversification of Trade: Besides crude oil, the EMC facilitates the transportation of coal, LNG, fertilizers, and metals, diversifying India's trade portfolio with Russia. It also helps maintain supply chains for essential goods.
• Boosting India’s Maritime Sector: The corridor supports India’s Maritime Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the efficiency and reach of India's maritime trade, a sector responsible for over 70% of the country’s trade value.

Economic and Strategic Impact:

• The new Eastern Maritime Corridor is particularly significant for India’s energy needs. As the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil, India imports over 85% of its crude oil demand. The growing imports of Russian crude, especially the Urals grade, are crucial for securing India’s energy future. Additionally, Russia’s competitive pricing on crude, coupled with the savings on shipping costs through the EMC, makes Russian oil even more attractive.
• Beyond the economic benefits, the EMC also supports India’s broader strategic goals, including strengthening ties with Russia, a key partner in defense, nuclear cooperation, and regional geopolitics. The closer maritime links also help counterbalance China's growing dominance in the Pacific region, aligning with India's Act Far East Policy and enhancing trade and diplomatic engagement with East Asia and Russia.

Other Key Maritime Corridors Relevant to India:

• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): A 7,200 km multimodal route linking the Indian Ocean with Russia, offering alternative trade routes to Europe and Central Asia.
• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): A recent project announced at the G20 Summit, which connects India, the Middle East, and Europe via rail, road, and maritime links, fostering greater regional integration.
• Northern Sea Route (NSR): A 5,600 km Arctic route offering shorter transit times between the Barents and Kara Seas and the Bering Strait, gaining importance due to growing imports of Russian energy resources.

In conclusion, the Eastern Maritime Corridor is reshaping India-Russia trade dynamics, boosting economic ties and strategic cooperation between the two nations. By facilitating faster and cheaper transportation, the EMC is not only beneficial for trade in crude oil but also for a range of other commodities, positioning India as a key player in the evolving global trade network.

In News:

Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, a highly rare species of molossus bat, has been spotted at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park, marking a unique sighting.

Key Highlights:

• Species Overview: Wroughton’s free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) is a rare species of molossus bat, notable for its powerful flight and ecological importance in controlling insect populations and assisting in pollination.
• Conservation Status:

• IUCN: Listed as "Data Deficient".
• Protection: Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Geographical Distribution:
  • Primarily found in the Western Ghats, with a single known breeding colony.
  • Small colonies in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, and a solitary individual sighted in Cambodia.
• Physical Characteristics:

• Large in size, with huge ears extending beyond the muzzle.
• Bicoloured velvet fur.
• Noted for powerful flying capabilities, enabling long-distance foraging.

• Ecological Role:

• Regulates insect populations.
• Known for assisting in pollination.

• Habitat:

• Roosts in caves, or dark, damp, and slightly warm places, typically in moderate-sized colonies.

• Significance of the Delhi Sighting:

• The sighting at Yamuna Biodiversity Park is significant for Delhi, marking a rare occurrence in the region.
• Delhi's bat species: The city is home to about 14 bat species, with four species, including the Indian false vampire and Egyptian free-tailed bat, considered locally extinct.

• Conservation Efforts:

• Two decades of ecological restoration have created specialized niches in the area, aiding species rewilding and ecological balance.
• The Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram now serves as the only known roosting site for the Blyth’s horseshoe bat in Delhi NCR.

• Additional Notes:

• Wroughton’s free-tailed bat was considered critically endangered until 2000 due to its limited known population. However, the discovery of populations in other regions has led to a reclassification to "Data Deficient".
• Despite being discovered over a century ago, much about the bat's feeding ecology remains unknown.

In News:

The ongoing Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, has burned over 4,000 acres and affected around 22,000 people. Although the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, experts point to two key factors contributing to the intensity of the blaze: Santa Ana winds and climate change.

Santa Ana Winds

• Santa Ana winds are powerful, dry winds that typically occur in Southern California from October to January.
• They are caused when high-pressure systems over the Great Basin (the area between the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada) push air toward low-pressure areas over California’s coast.
• As the air moves downhill through mountain passes, it compresses and heats up, which significantly lowers the humidity—sometimes to levels below 10%—creating dry conditions. This extremely low moisture content dehydrates vegetation, making it highly susceptible to combustion.
• These winds have been a natural feature of California's weather, contributing to wildfires for years. However, when combined with other factors like climate change, their impact has become more severe.

The Role of Climate Change

While Santa Ana winds have long played a role in California's wildfires, climate change has exacerbated the situation in recent years. The state's wildfire season has lengthened due to rising global temperatures, which have led to:

• Warmer springs and summers.
• Earlier snowmelt in spring, which leaves vegetation drier for longer periods.
• Longer and more intense dry seasons, which cause increased moisture stress on vegetation.

As a result, forests and brushlands are now more vulnerable to fires. Climate change has also contributed to more extreme weather events, including heatwaves, which further dry out vegetation and create favorable conditions for wildfires.

Intensification of Wildfire Seasons

Recent studies have shown that California's wildfire season has grown longer over the past two decades. For example, a 2021 study in Nature Scientific Reports found that the state's annual burn season has shifted, with the peak fire season now occurring earlier in the year, from August to July. Additionally, research published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) in 2023 indicated that the largest wildfires in California history have occurred in the past 20 years, with five of the top 10 largest fires taking place in 2020 alone.

Looking Ahead

The situation is expected to worsen as climate change continues. If global temperatures rise by more than 3°C by the end of the century, as predicted by the United Nations, California’s wildfire risk will likely intensify. The combination of Santa Ana winds and increasingly dry conditions will continue to make areas like Malibu, and much of California, more prone to destructive wildfires.

In conclusion, while Santa Ana winds remain a natural contributor to California's wildfires, the influence of climate change has significantly lengthened the wildfire season, making wildfires more frequent, intense, and harder to control. The continued rise in global temperatures only accelerates these trends, posing a growing challenge for fire management and public safety in California.

In News:

Switzerland scraps MFN status to India, dividend income to face higher tax

Key Highlights:

• Reason for Suspension:
  • The suspension follows a 2023 Supreme Court ruling in India, which clarified that the MFN clause in tax treaties is not automatically triggered when a country joins the OECD if the tax treaty with that country was signed before its OECD membership.
  • The Court ruled that the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) cannot be enforced unless it is notified under the Income-Tax Act, 1961.
• Details of the Suspension:
  • Starting January 1, 2025, Switzerland will suspend the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause in its DTAA with India.
  • The MFN clause was part of the India-Switzerland DTAA signed in 1994.

Impact of the Suspension:

• Higher Tax Liabilities for Indian Companies: Withholding tax on dividends from Switzerland will increase from 5% to 10% for Indian companies.
• Effects on Swiss Investments in India: Swiss companies will continue to face a 10% withholding tax on dividends from India, as per the India-Switzerland DTAA.
• Potential Re-evaluation of MFN Clauses by Other Countries: Other countries may reconsider how the MFN clause is applied in their tax treaties with India, following this development.
• No Change for Other Benefits: Other DTAA benefits and investments related to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will remain unaffected.

Most Favoured Nation (MFN) Clause Overview:

• Definition: The MFN principle ensures that favorable trading terms given by one WTO member country to another are extended to all other WTO members, promoting non-discrimination.
• Purpose: To ensure equal treatment among trading nations by preventing discrimination, and to promote fair trade and equitable market access.
• Key Features:
  • Equal treatment in tariffs, quotas, and trade barriers.
  • Members must extend the best terms to all other WTO members.
• Origin: The MFN principle was established after World War II as a cornerstone of the multilateral trading system under the WTO.
• Exceptions:
  • Bilateral or regional trade agreements.
  • Special access granted to developing countries.
  • Non-WTO members (e.g., Iran, North Korea) are not bound by MFN rules.
• Removal of MFN:
  • There is no formal procedure under the WTO to suspend MFN status.
  • Countries are not obligated to notify the WTO when suspending or removing MFN treatment.

Recent Development:

• From January 1, 2025, Indian companies will face higher withholding tax (10%) on income sourced from Switzerland, as a result of the MFN clause suspension.

In News:

The annual ‘Smuggling in India - Report 2023-24’ report, which highlights DRI’s performance and experience over the last financial year as well as trends in the field of anti-smuggling and commercial fraud, will be released during the celebration.

Major Narcotics Hubs and Routes:

• Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan (The Death Crescent):
  • Primary source of heroin trafficked into India.
  • Routes via Africa, the Gulf, and India-Pakistan border.
• Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand (The Death Triangle):
  • Significant source of synthetic drugs and heroin.
  • Drugs often enter India through porous northeastern borders (e.g., Assam, Mizoram).
  • Vulnerable regions: Moreh, Churachandpur, Zokhawthar.
• Maritime Routes:
  • India’s vast coastline provides opportunities for drug trafficking, often through concealed shipping containers and fishing vessels.
• Air Routes:
  • Increased trafficking due to international air traffic.
  • Smuggled drugs often concealed in luggage, courier packages, or ingested by mules.

Major Narcotics Trends and Seizures (FY24):

• Cocaine:
  • Significant increase in trafficking, particularly from South America and Africa.
  • 47 seizures, up from 21 in the previous year.
  • Seized quantity: 107 kg.
• Methamphetamine:
  • Spiked in northeastern states like Assam and Mizoram.
  • Seized quantity in FY24: 136 kg; increased in the first half of FY25 with 123 kg.
• Hydroponic Marijuana:
  • Increasing smuggling from the US, Thailand, and other countries.
• Black Cocaine:
  • New form of cocaine coated with substances like charcoal or iron oxide to evade detection.
• Contraband Cigarettes:
  • Smuggling through sea routes, especially from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
  • Seizures increased by 19% in FY25, reaching 3.95 crore sticks.
• Illicit Gold:
  • Significant destination for gold smuggling from West Asia (UAE, Saudi Arabia).
  • Seized quantity fell slightly (1,319 kg in FY24), with land and air routes being primary methods.
• Wildlife Smuggling:
  • Seizures included 53.5 kg of elephant tusks, leopard skins, live pangolins, and more.

Challenges and Issues:

• Porous Borders:
  • Smuggling across eastern borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal remains a significant challenge.
  • Difficult terrain in these regions aids traffickers.
• Air and Sea Routes:
  • Growing use of air and maritime routes due to faster movement of goods.
• Technology and Detection:
  • Emergence of “black cocaine” challenges traditional detection methods.

Anti-Smuggling and Drug Control Efforts:

• International Cooperation:
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) lead global efforts.
  • Paris Pact Initiative targets Afghan opiate trafficking.
• Indian Initiatives:
  • Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985) provides legal framework.
  • Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) work together for enforcement.
  • National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan focus on awareness and rehabilitation.

ABOUT DRI

• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is the premier intelligence and enforcement agency on anti-smuggling matters under the aegis of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Government of India.
• It came into existence on 4th December 1957.
• With its Headquarters at New Delhi, 12 Zonal Units, 35 Regional Units and 15 Sub-Regional Units, DRI has been carrying out its mandate of preventing and detecting cases of smuggling of narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances, gold, diamonds, precious metals, wildlife products, cigarettes, arms, ammunitions & explosives, counterfeit currency notes, foreign currency, SCOMET Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) items, hazardous & environmentally sensitive materials, antiques etc. and taking punitive action against the organised crime groups engaged therein.
• DRI is also engaged in unearthing commercial frauds and instances of customs duty evasion.

In News:

Human Rights Day 2024 celebrated every year on 10th December is dedicated to promote protection of fundamental rights and freedom of all individuals.

Key Highlights:

• Purpose: Promote and protect human rights and freedoms worldwide.
• Theme (2024): “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” – highlights the importance of immediate action to protect and uphold human rights globally.

Historical Significance:

• Commemorates: The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948.
• UN Resolution: Established by UN Resolution 423 (V) in 1950.
• First Observance: December 10, 1950.
• Father of Human Rights Day: Eleanor Roosevelt, for her pivotal role in drafting the UDHR.

Key Highlights:

• The UDHR:
  • Adopted in 1948, it defines fundamental human rights for all individuals.
  • Comprises 30 articles, addressing rights such as freedom, equality, and access to education, healthcare, and fair employment.
• Role of the UN: UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC): A body under the UN responsible for monitoring and promoting human rights worldwide, comprising 47 member states.
• Human Rights Day Focus in 2024:
  • Emphasizes human rights education, particularly among the youth.
  • Addresses emerging challenges like cybercrimes, AI impacts, and climate change.
  • Reaffirms the importance of safeguarding human dignity globally.

Human Rights Declared by UDHR:

1. Right to freedom and equality
2. Right to life, liberty, and security
3. Freedom from slavery and torture
4. Right to recognition before the law
5. Equal protection under the law
6. Right to a fair trial
7. Right to privacy and protection from attacks
8. Right to work and fair employment
9. Right to rest and leisure
10. Right to education
11. Right to an adequate standard of living
12. Right to participate in government and cultural activities

In News:

Recently, the Indian Navy officially commissioned INS Tushil, a multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, at Kaliningrad, Russia. This marks a significant milestone in India-Russia defense cooperation and strengthens India’s maritime capabilities.

About INS Tushil:

• Class & Design: INS Tushil is the seventh ship in the Krivak III class (Project 1135.6) of frigates. It is part of an upgraded series, following the Talwar-class and Teg-class frigates, and was built at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
• Development & Contract: The construction was initiated under a 2016 contract between the Indian Government, JSC Rosoboronexport (a Russian defense company), and the Indian Navy. The ship incorporates 26% indigenous technology, highlighting growing cooperation between Indian and Russian industries.
• Key Features:
  • Stealth Design: With advanced radar-absorbing features, it is less detectable by enemy radar.
  • Weaponry: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, electronic warfare systems, and more.
  • Versatility: Designed for blue-water operations, the ship can engage in air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic warfare.
  • Helicopter Deck: Supports operations of upgraded Kamov 28 and Kamov 31 helicopters.
  • Speed: Capable of exceeding 30 knots.

Significance:

• Enhanced Naval Capabilities: The commissioning of INS Tushil boosts India’s defense strength in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a vital area for global maritime trade and security.
• Maritime Security: INS Tushil is designed to support India’s vision of maintaining stability in the IOR and to act as a deterrent against piracy and other maritime threats.
• Defense Cooperation: This commissioning exemplifies the growing defense ties between India and Russia, underscored by joint development, technology transfer, and shared expertise. The ship reflects a major step in India's self-reliance in defense, in line with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
• Strategic Role in Global Defense: The ship is a key asset in the Indian Navy's efforts to secure maritime trade routes, enhance regional security, and provide humanitarian assistance in times of need.

Key Events & Facts:

• Construction Timeline: The keel of INS Tushil was laid in 2013, and it launched in 2021. After completing extensive sea and weapon trials in 2024, it was formally commissioned into the Navy.
• Collaborative Effort: The ship is a product of collaborative efforts between Indian and Russian industries, marking a significant achievement in joint defense manufacturing.

In News:

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched almost three years ago, has provided unprecedented insights into the early universe. Astronomers were surprised to find large, fully-developed galaxies when the universe was only 400-650 million years old, a timeframe previously thought to be too early for such structures.

The Challenge to the Standard Model:

• Cosmological Expectations: According to the standard model of cosmology, the first stars formed around 100-200 million years after the Big Bang, and galaxies began to form within the first billion years.
• Unexpected Findings: JWST observations seemed to show that galaxies were already large and well-formed much earlier than expected, raising questions about the timeline of galaxy formation.

New Study's Contribution:

• The Study: A study published in the Astrophysical Journal in August 2024, examined JWST data from the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey. They focused on galaxies from 650 to 1,500 million years after the Big Bang.
• Key Findings: One explanation for the unexpected size and number of early galaxies is that these galaxies formed stars much more efficiently than those in the modern universe. This could account for the larger-than-expected galaxies.

The Role of Black Holes:

• Impact of Black Holes: The study also explored the presence of black holes at the centers of early galaxies. These black holes, which emit significant light, were previously unaccounted for in the star mass estimations of galaxies. When the researchers removed the light from black holes (referred to as "little red dots"), they found that the galaxies were not as massive as initially thought.
• Correction to Previous Estimates: This adjustment in calculations helped align the data with the standard model of cosmology, sparing it from a major revision.

Implications for the Standard Model:

• Star Formation Efficiency: The study suggests that extreme conditions in the early universe, including abundant gas and less disruptive stellar events, could explain the higher efficiency of star formation.
• Cosmology's Stability: Despite earlier challenges to the standard model, the new findings support its predictions, showing that more efficient star formation and the role of black holes could explain the rapid growth of galaxies in the early universe.

Future Research Directions:

• Expanding Data Sets: The team plans to incorporate more data from JWST to study even earlier galaxies, which could help refine our understanding of galaxy formation in the early universe.
• Further Observations: As the team continues to explore galaxies from even earlier periods (around 400 million years after the Big Bang), they aim to strengthen their findings and provide further evidence to either support or challenge the current cosmological models.

In News:

A new study, "Female Moths Incorporate Plant Acoustic Emissions into Their Oviposition Decision-Making Process," published last month, explores how female moths use sounds emitted by plants to choose where to lay their eggs.

Key Highlights:

Significance of Plant Emitted Sounds:

• Background: Last year, it was discovered that plants emit ultrasonic clicks or pops when stressed (e.g., dehydration). These sounds, although inaudible to humans, can be detected by animals, including insects.
• Moths’ Sensitivity: Moths, particularly the Egyptian cotton leafworm, are shown to be sensitive to these plant sounds, which they use as cues for laying eggs on plants.

Methodology:

• Experimental Setup: Researchers placed a hydrated tomato plant in an experimental arena with another hydrated plant that emitted distress sounds. They observed the behavior of female Egyptian cotton leafworms to understand how these sounds influenced their oviposition choices.
• Initial Finding: Moths typically choose healthy, thriving plants to lay eggs, as they provide better food sources for the larvae.

Study Findings:

• Moths’ Response to Sounds: The moths preferred to lay eggs on the “silent” plant rather than the one emitting distress sounds. This indicates that moths can not only detect the presence of a plant but also interpret acoustic signals to inform their egg-laying decisions.
• Implications: This behavior suggests that moths use a complex set of sensory inputs, including plant-emitted sounds, to select the most suitable plant for offspring development.

Broader Ecological Context:

• Moths as Insects: Moths belong to the order Lepidoptera and are found in diverse environments globally, except polar regions. With around 160,000 species, they are highly adapted and often nocturnal, though some species are diurnal.
• Impact on Agriculture: Certain moth species, especially during their caterpillar stage, are major agricultural pests (e.g., corn borers, bollworms), making understanding their behavior crucial for pest management strategies.
• Climate Change Considerations: Moths, like other species, are impacted by climate change, which can alter the timing and growth of plants they depend on, potentially influencing their reproductive strategies.

Conclusion:

• Innovative Findings: The study reveals a previously unknown aspect of moth behavior, showing that they incorporate plant acoustic emissions into their oviposition decisions.
• Future Implications: This discovery opens avenues for further studies on how environmental signals, like sound, affect the behavior of insects, and how these behaviors could be impacted by changing environmental conditions.

In News:

To encourage domestic production of petroleum and other mineral oils, along with private investment in these sectors to reduce import dependence, the Rajya Sabha passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024.

Key Details:

• Objective:
  • Encourage domestic petroleum production.
  • Reduce import dependence by promoting private investment in the oil sector.
• Key Amendments:
  • Delinking petroleum from mining:
    • The Bill separates petroleum and mineral oil production from mining activities.
    • The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, is amended to focus on mineral oils, distinct from the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
  • Expanded Definition of Mineral Oils:
    • Includes hydrocarbons in various forms (natural gas, crude oil, petroleum, coal bed methane, and shale gas/oil).
    • Excludes coal, lignite, and helium from the definition (falling under the Mines and Minerals Act).
  • Petroleum Lease:
    • Replaces the term "mining lease" with "petroleum lease."
    • Covers activities such as exploration, development, production, and transportation of mineral oils.
  • Private Investment:
    • Provisions to attract private investment by clarifying rules for petroleum leases.
    • Current mining leases remain valid without altering terms to the lessee's disadvantage.
  • Decriminalization and Penalties:
    • Replaces criminal punishment with financial penalties.
    • Fines can go up to Rs. 25 Lakh, with additional penalties for ongoing violations.
  • Rule-making Power of Central Government:
    • Expands the Centre's authority over petroleum lease regulations, conservation, royalties, mergers, facility sharing, environmental protection, and dispute resolution.
• Significance of the Bill:
  • Energy Access and Security: Ensures energy security by boosting domestic production.
  • Attracting Investment: Creates a conducive environment for private sector investment.
  • Environmental Safeguards: Provisions to control carbon emissions and promote renewable energy in oilfields.
• Opposition Criticism:
  • State Rights on Mining: Concerns raised by opposition parties, particularly the DMK, about the reduction of state control over resource taxation (taxing mineral rights).
  • Impact on Federal Balance: States traditionally manage mining rights under the Constitution’s State List (Entry 50). The Bill may shift control to the Union List (Entry 53), creating constitutional concerns.
  • Environmental Concerns:
    • Opposition figures like P.P. Suneer (CPI) argue for prioritizing public companies like ONGC, fearing privatization may worsen environmental governance.
• Adjudication of Disputes:
  • Appeals against penalty decisions will be handled by the Appellate Tribunal, as per the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006.
• Broader Significance:
  • Energy Independence: Reduces reliance on fuel imports, fostering energy security and economic stability.
  • Regulation: Strengthens the enforcement mechanism for petroleum operations while encouraging private participation.