In News:

In line with the vision of “Create in India, Create for the World,” the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in partnership with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), is hosting WAVES 2025—India’s largest summit for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector. A major highlight of this summit is the WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga Contest)—India’s first national initiative to promote original Indian IPs in anime, manga, webtoons, and cosplay.

What is WAM!?

• Full Form: WAVES Anime & Manga Contest.
• Nature: India’s first national initiative focused on discovering and nurturing original Indian creative intellectual properties (IPs) in:Anime, Manga, Webtoons&Cosplay
• Organisers: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in collaboration with MEAI.
• Finale: To be held at WAVES 2025, from May 1–4, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
• Participants: Finalists from 11 cities selected through regional contests.

Global Support & Incentives

• Crunchyroll, a global anime platform (a joint venture of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, Japan), is the Title Sponsor of WAM! 2025.
• It has introduced a Creator Development Grant to support Indian talent and foster global-ready original content.

Grant Details

Category       Student (INR)       Professional (INR)

Manga          25,000                    25,000

Webtoon      25,000                    25,000

Anime           50,000                    50,000

• Winners of WAM! 2025 will represent India at Anime Japan 2026 in Tokyo—one of the world's leading anime conventions—marking India’s presence on the global animation stage.

About WAVES 2025

• Full Form: World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit.
• Objective: Showcase India's capabilities in content creation, technological innovation, and media & entertainment IP development.
• Hosted by: Government of India.
• Venue: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai

Key Pillars of WAVES 2025

• AVGC-XR Sector Focus:Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics&Extended Reality (XR) including AR, VR, and Mixed Reality.
• "Create in India" Challenges (CIC):
  • Season 1 witnessed over 1 lakh registrations, including 1,100 international participants.
  • 750+ finalists selected through 32 unique creative challenges.
• Thematic Focus Areas:
  • Broadcasting, Films, Television, Radio
  • Print & Digital Media, Advertising, Social Media Platforms
  • Sound & Music
  • Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Extended Reality (XR)
• Target Audience: Content creators, industry professionals, investors, technology innovators, and global studios.

In News:

With accelerating urbanization and climate change, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon has emerged as a significant public health and environmental concern. Recent studies, including one published in Nature Climate Change, highlight that while UHIs elevate heat-related mortality, they simultaneously reduce cold-related deaths, especially in colder regions. This dual impact has major implications for urban planning and climate adaptation strategies.

What is Urban Heat Island (UHI)?

• Definition: UHI refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions due to human activities and urban infrastructure.
• Cities Affected: Notable examples include New Delhi, Moscow, New York, Paris, and London, where dense infrastructure and limited vegetation intensify urban heat.

Key Causes of UHI

• Impervious Surfaces: Materials like asphalt and concrete absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night due to low albedo.
• Lack of Vegetation: Reduced greenery limits evapotranspiration, curbing natural cooling.
• Anthropogenic Heat: Heat from vehicles, air conditioners, and industries raises ambient temperatures.
• Air Pollution: Black carbon and particulates absorb solar radiation, compounding heat effects.
• Urban Morphology: Dense construction and narrow streets create a canyon effect, trapping heat and reducing airflow.

Dual Impact on Mortality

A 2025 study led by Dr. Wenfeng Zhan analyzed temperature-related mortality across 3,000+ cities globally using remote sensing and socioeconomic data:

• Cold-related Deaths Reduced: In 2018, the decline in cold-related fatalities was 4.4 times higher than the rise in heat-related deaths due to UHI.
• High-Latitude Cities: In cities like Moscow, cold-related deaths decreased 11.5 times more than heat-related deaths increased.
• Key Insight: The UHI effect's net mortality impact can vary significantly by region and season.

Consequences of UHI

• Increased Energy Demand: Higher temperatures raise demand for air conditioning, increasing fossil fuel use and emissions.
• Health Risks: Elevated risks of heat stroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular stress, especially among the elderly and urban poor.
• Deterioration of Air Quality: Heat-induced formation of ground-level ozone exacerbates respiratory ailments.
• Water Stress: Faster evaporation and increased demand for cooling water pressure urban water resources.
• Biodiversity Decline: Excessive heat and lack of green spaces threaten urban flora and fauna.

Mitigation Strategies

• Cool Roofs (Los Angeles):Mandates reflective roofing in new buildings and renovations to reduce heat absorption.
• Smart Cooling Systems (Dubai):Centralized chilled water systems reduce cooling energy by 30–50% compared to individual AC units.
• Cool Streets Initiative (Paris):Converts streets to pedestrian zones, replaces asphalt with vegetation, and expands urban greenery.

In News:

India has once again been placed on the Priority Watch List(PWL) in the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Special 301 Report, alongside countries such as China, Russia, and Venezuela. The report has raised concerns over India's Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime, prompting debates on the implications for India's trade and innovation environment.

What is the USTR Special 301 Report?

• Mandate & Purpose: The Special 301 Report is an annual review mandated under Section 182 of the US Trade Act of 1974, identifying countries that the US believes do not offer "adequate and effective" protection of IPR or deny fair and equitable market access to US IPR holders.
• Designations:
  • Priority Foreign Country (PFC): Most severe classification; can trigger investigations and trade sanctions.
  • Priority Watch List (PWL): Countries with serious IPR concerns requiring close monitoring and bilateral engagement.
  • Watch List: Countries with moderate IPR issues.
• Historical Context: India has been consistently listed under the Priority Watch List in the report, including in the years 2020, 2021, and 2024.

Concerns Raised by the USTR Regarding India

• IP Enforcement Deficiencies:
  • Weak enforcement mechanisms against online piracy.
  • Backlogs in trademark opposition proceedings.
  • Lack of a strong legal framework for protecting trade secrets.
• Pharmaceutical Patents:
  • Alleged lack of transparency and delays in resolving pre-grant patent disputes.
  • Absence of effective mechanisms for early resolution of disputes in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Copyright Issues:The report criticizes India for not fully aligning with WIPO Internet Treaties, especially regarding the protection of content in interactive transmissions like streaming and downloads.
• Market Access Concerns:The US claims that India imposes high tariffs on IP-intensive products and creates procedural barriers for foreign firms seeking patent protection.

India’s Response and Position

• India maintains that its IPR laws fully comply with the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement, which sets minimum standards for IP protection globally.
• India rejects unilateral pressure to conform to IP standards beyond TRIPS, asserting its right to balance IP protection with public health, access to medicines, and developmental needs.
• Progress has been acknowledged in areas like trademark investigation reforms and IP policy transparency through bilateral platforms such as the US-India Trade Policy Forum.

US Measures to Push IPR Standards

• The USTR uses a mix of bilateral negotiations, WTO forums, and technical assistance to persuade countries to adopt stricter IP regimes.
• It also undertakes anti-counterfeiting initiatives, capacity-building programs, and trade diplomacy to influence global IPR enforcement.

In News:

India's growing stature as a global economic powerhouse has led to an upsurge in commercial transactions—both domestic and international. With the traditional litigation system overburdened (nearly 50 lakh cases pending for over 10 years), arbitration is increasingly viewed as a faster and more efficient alternative for dispute resolution. However, despite legislative reforms, the effectiveness of India’s arbitration landscape remains hindered by structural flaws, especially concerning arbitrator quality and institutional credibility.

What is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a quasi-judicial mechanism of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) wherein a neutral third party (arbitrator) delivers a binding decision outside the court system. It is governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, which aligns with the UNCITRAL Model Law. Amendments in 2015, 2019, and the draft Bill of 2024 aim to promote institutional arbitration, reduce delays, and enhance credibility.

Historical and Institutional Evolution

• 1899: Indian Arbitration Act introduced (limited to Presidency towns).
• 1940: Comprehensive domestic arbitration law enacted.
• 1996: Post-liberalization, India adopted UNCITRAL-compliant Arbitration and Conciliation Act.
• 2019: Establishment of India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) to offer cost-effective and globally competitive arbitration services.
• Arbitration Council of India (ACI): Set up under 2019 Amendment to regulate and promote quality arbitration, headed by a retired SC/HC judge or expert.

Why Arbitration is Gaining Importance in India

• Judicial Backlog: With only 21 judges per million people, courts are overwhelmed. Arbitration offers a time-bound alternative (mandated 12-month timeline for award delivery).
• Economic Growth and FDI Surge: India attracted $1 trillion in FDI (2024), heightening cross-border disputes that demand specialized, swift dispute resolution.
• Confidentiality and Expertise: Arbitration provides procedural flexibility and protects sensitive commercial data—key for tech, pharma, and IP-driven sectors.
• Global Recognition: India is a signatory to the New York Convention, making its arbitral awards globally enforceable.
• Policy Push: Civil Procedure Code and National Litigation Policy (2010) encourage ADR to reduce court burden.

Core Challenges in India’s Arbitration Framework

• Judicial Dominance in Arbitrator Appointments:
  • Retired judges dominate arbitration panels.
  • Their court-centric mindset leads to lengthy, costly, and rigid processes, often mimicking litigation.
  • The Ministry of Finance (2024) criticized these arbitrations as lacking efficiency and innovation.
• Narrow Arbitrator Pool:
  • Predominantly comprises legal professionals and ex-judges.
  • Lacks subject-matter experts like engineers, economists, and technologists, crucial for technical or industry-specific disputes.
• Insufficient Training and Accreditation:
  • No mandatory certification or capacity-building for arbitrators.
  • Skills like cross-cultural communication, financial analysis, and evidence handling are often underdeveloped.
• Low Global Representation:
  • Indian arbitrators are rarely appointed in international disputes without an Indian party.
  • As highlighted by former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud (2024), this points to gaps in credibility, visibility, and networking.

Reforms Needed to Build a Robust Arbitration Ecosystem

• Diversify and Professionalize Arbitrator Pool:
  • Move beyond reliance on retired judges.
  • Include professionals from fields like law, finance, engineering, and management.
• Accreditation and Skill Development:
  • Establish a National Accreditation Board for Arbitrators under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
  • Mandate rigorous training via institutions like IIAC or professional bodies.
  • Encourage soft-skills and exposure to global best practices.
• Institutional Strengthening:
  • Boost the functioning of IIAC and ACI for better standards, accountability, and case management.
  • Promote institutional arbitration over ad hoc arbitration.
• Awareness and Capacity Building:
  • Launch a National Arbitration Awareness Mission targeting MSMEs and Tier-2/3 cities.
  • Integrate with existing platforms like Startup India, Skill India, and MSME Sambandh.
• Limit Judicial Interference:
  • Strict adherence to the “minimum judicial intervention” principle (as per the 1996 Act).
  • Establish dedicated commercial courts with arbitration-specialist judges for related matters.
• International Engagement and Visibility:
  • Partner with global arbitral institutions (e.g., SIAC, ICC).
  • Organize International Arbitration Summits to showcase Indian capabilities.
  • Use forums like UN, IBA, and G20 to promote Indian arbitrators globally.

In News:

In a pioneering advancement in neurotechnology and assistive healthcare, scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)have developed a stable Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) system that enables a paralysed individual to control a robotic arm using only brain signals. This innovation holds transformative potential for people with paralysis, significantly enhancing autonomy and quality of life.

What is Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)?

A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a neurotechnological system that establishes direct communication between the brain and external devices, bypassing damaged neural pathways. It decodes neural signals related to intended movements and translates them into actionable commands to control robotic limbs, computers, or speech systems.

Key Technological Achievements

• Long-Term Stability: The developed BCI system allowed continuous and accurate control of a robotic arm for over 7 months with minimal recalibration, overcoming a major limitation of earlier BCI systems.
• Sensor Implantation: Tiny electrodes were implanted in the motor cortex, the region of the brain that governs movement.
• AI-Powered Signal Decoding: The system used machine learning algorithms to decode brain activity and adapt to daily shifts in neural signals, ensuring consistent performance.
• Virtual to Real Transition: The participant underwent virtual training with a robotic arm before controlling a real-world robotic limb, aiding in precision and neural calibration.

Functionality Demonstrated

The paralysed participant, who had lost all movement and speech abilities due to a stroke, could:

• Pick up and rotate blocks
• Open cabinets
• Retrieve and position a cup under a water dispenser

These basic actions, enabled purely by imagined movement, highlight the immense real-world utility of the BCI system.

Scientific Insights

• High-Dimensional Neural Mapping: Although neural signals shifted slightly each day, their overall structure remained consistent. This allowed researchers to create a dynamic AI framework that predicted and compensated for signal changes.
• No Direct Brain Stimulation: The system only read signals and did not send any electrical impulses to the brain.
• End-to-End Signal Processing Pipeline: From capturing brain signals to executing robotic arm movement, a seamless pipeline was established for fluid, real-time motion.

Broader Applications

The implications of this BCI research go beyond limb movement:

• Restoration of Speech: In cases of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and brainstem stroke, BCIs can decode intended speech from neural activity and render it as text, synthesized voice, or avatar speech.
• Faster Communication: A recent trial showed an ALS patient using BCI technology to communicate at 62 words per minute, nearly 3.4 times faster than earlier systems.

Future Prospects & Challenges

• Scalability: More work is needed to generalize this system for diverse forms of paralysis.
• Complex Environments: Future BCIs must function in real-world environments filled with distractions, like grocery stores or public spaces.
• Ethical and Regulatory Oversight: Given the invasive nature of electrode implantation, ethical considerations around consent, privacy, and long-term effects must be addressed.