In News:

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically begins in early childhood, often between the ages of 2 and 15, with an average onset around six years. Affecting approximately 0.3% to 1% of the global population, TS is more prevalent among boys than girls. Despite its neurological basis, it remains poorly understood and frequently misdiagnosed, particularly in school settings where symptoms are mistaken for behavioural issues.

Nature and Classification of Tics

Tourette Syndrome is characterised by tics—sudden, repetitive, and involuntary movements or vocalisations. These are classified as:

• Simple tics, such as eye blinking, facial grimacing, throat clearing, or sniffing, involve a single muscle group or sound.
• Complex tics are more coordinated, involving actions like hopping, touching objects, or uttering phrases. Rarely, individuals may display coprolalia, the involuntary use of obscene language.

Tics often intensify with stress or excitement, diminish during calm periods, and usually disappear in deep sleep. External stimuli such as excessive screen exposure have also been linked to an increase in tics, particularly in children.

Causes and Co-morbidities

While the exact cause of TS remains unknown, researchers point to a combination of genetic predisposition and neurobiological factors, including abnormalities in brain regions such as the basal ganglia and frontal lobes. Environmental triggers—like low birth weight, perinatal complications, and post-infectious conditions (e.g., streptococcal infections)—may also contribute.

Tourette’s often coexists with other conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities. The presence of these co-morbidities complicates diagnosis and management.

Management and Treatment Approaches

Treatment is individualised and not always pharmacological. Many children with mild, non-disruptive tics do not require medication. Instead, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and behavioural interventions have shown significant efficacy. These therapies help children manage their symptoms while also training families to provide supportive environments that reduce stress and tic frequency.

Medications may be considered in severe cases where tics hinder daily functioning. Importantly, suppression or punishment of tics is counterproductive, often exacerbating symptoms due to built-up tension.

Social Stigma and the Need for Awareness

The primary challenge in managing TS lies not in the disorder itself, but in the societal misunderstanding surrounding it. Children with TS are often labelled as attention-seeking or disruptive, leading to social isolation and emotional distress. As seen in the case of a child from Kochi, delayed diagnosis and stigma worsened his condition until it was recognised as Tourette’s.

Educating teachers, parents, and peers is crucial. Early diagnosis, empathetic engagement, and inclusive school environments are essential to ensuring that children with TS are treated with dignity and compassion.

In News:

After being presumed extinct in the Kashmir Valley for nearly three decades, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) has been spotted again in the Lidder River in Srigufwara, South Kashmir. This rare sighting rekindles hope for the revival of the Valley’s aquatic biodiversity.

About Eurasian Otter:

• Common Names: Eurasian otter, European otter, Common otter, Old-World otter
• Local Name in Kashmir: Vuder
• Type: Semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal
• Distribution:
  • Widely spread across Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Asia (from Eastern Russia to China).
  • In India, found in northern, northeastern, and southern regions.
  • In Kashmir, historically abundant in Dal Lake, Dachigam streams, Rambiara stream, and the Lidder River.

Habitat & Features:

• Habitat:
  • Occupies diverse freshwater and coastal ecosystems—lakes, rivers, marshes, swamp forests, and mountain streams.
  • In the Indian subcontinent, prefers cold hill and mountain waters.
• Physical Traits & Adaptations:
  • Sleek brown fur (lighter underneath), long streamlined body, short legs, and thick tail.
  • Aquatic adaptations:
    • Webbed feet
    • Ability to close ears and nostrils underwater
    • Dense fur trapping air for insulation
  • Excellent vision, hearing, and olfactory senses.
• Behavior: Elusive, solitary, and primarily nocturnal.

Conservation Concerns:

• Primary Threats:
  • Water pollution degrading habitats
  • Hunting for fur, historically significant in Kashmir
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule II
  • CITES: Appendix I

In News:

11th June 2025 marked the 648th birth anniversary of Sant Kabirdas, one of India’s most revered 15th-century Bhakti saints.

Place of Birth: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Birth Period: Circa 1440 CE, raised in a Muslim weaver family

Philosophy and Teachings

• Nirguna Bhakti: Kabir rejected idol worship and sectarian divisions, instead preaching devotion to a formless, universal God (Nirguna Brahman).
• Social Reform: He denounced casteism, rituals, and blind faith, stressing ethical conduct, humility, and self-realization.
• Inner Divinity: He believed God resides within and taught seekers to seek truth through introspection (Antar-drishti) rather than temple rituals.
• Language and Style:
  • Composed in Sant Bhasha, a blend of local dialects understood across religions.
  • Created Ulatbansi verses — paradoxical or "upside-down sayings" — challenging conventional wisdom.

Literary Legacy

• Major Works: Bijak, Sakhi Granth, Kabir Granthavali, Anurag Sagar
• Scriptural Inclusion:
  • His verses appear prominently in the Adi Granth Sahib compiled by Guru Arjan Dev.
  • Adopted by various traditions:
    • Kabir Bijak (Kabirpanth, UP)
    • Kabir Granthavali (Dadupanth, Rajasthan)

Impact and Influence

• Kabir Panth: A spiritual sect founded on his teachings, still active in North India.
• Sikhism: Deeply influenced Guru Nanak; Kabir’s dohas are integrated into Guru Granth Sahib.
• Cross-Religious Appeal: Respected by both Hindus and Muslims, he is a symbol of India’s syncretic spiritual culture.
• Other Sects: Influenced Dadu Panthis and Nirguna Bhakti traditions across India.

Contemporary Relevance

• Religious Harmony: In a climate of polarization, Kabir’s teachings offer a path of unity and spiritual inclusivity.
• Social Justice: His resistance to caste hierarchy echoes India’s constitutional values of equality and dignity.
• Sustainable Living: His emphasis on simplicity and contentment aligns with ecological and minimalist principles.
• Spiritual Humanism: He stressed conduct over ritual, making his message resonate across belief systems in today’s pluralistic society.

In News:

According to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report 2025, India’s population has reached 146.39 crore as of April 2025, surpassing China (141.61 crore) to remain the world’s most populous country. Importantly, India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined to 1.9, falling below the replacement level of 2.1.

Key Highlights:

Population Growth and Future Projections

• Current population (2025): 146.39 crore
• Projected peak: 170 crore in the next 40 years, after which population will begin to decline.
• Working-age population (15–64 years): 68%
• Youth population:
  • 0–14 years: 24%
  • 10–19 years: 17%
  • 10–24 years: 26%
• Elderly population (65+ years): 7% (expected to rise steadily)

Fertility Trends and the Real Crisis

What is TFR?

• Total Fertility Rate measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime.
• Replacement level TFR: 2.1 (to maintain population size across generations)
• India’s TFR in 2025: 1.9, marking a demographic shift toward stabilization.

Fertility Divergence Across States:

• High TFR states: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand
• Low TFR states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi – already below replacement level

The Real Fertility Crisis (UNFPA View):

• The true concern is unmet fertility goals, not overpopulation or underpopulation.
• Barriers to achieving desired family size:
  • Financial constraints (40%)
  • Job insecurity (21%) and housing issues (22%)
  • Lack of childcare (18%)
  • Social/family pressures (19%)
  • Modern concerns like climate change and shifting gender norms

Structural & Social Challenges

• Persisting inequalities in access to reproductive health across caste, income, and regional lines
• Youth bulge in LMICs (including India) offers demographic dividend but needs skill-building and employment opportunities
• Ageing population calls for future-proof policies on healthcare, pensions, and social security

Life Expectancy & Data Reliability

• Life expectancy (2025):
  • Men: 71 years
  • Women: 74 years
• Data drawn from: DHS, MICS, World Population Prospects 2024, Family Planning Indicators (2024)
• India’s decennial Census delayed to 2027, limiting official data updates since 2011

UNFPA Recommendations for India:

• Expand SRH (Sexual & Reproductive Health) Services: Universal access to contraception, safe abortion, and infertility care
• Tackle Structural Barriers: Affordable housing, childcare, flexible work policies, and women’s education
• Promote Reproductive Agency: Ensure informed choices on family planning for all, including LGBTQIA+ and unmarried individuals
• Balance Youth & Elderly Policies: Invest in youth employability while preparing for ageing-related challenges

In News:

At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held in Nice, France (June 9–13, 2025), Brazil and France launched the Blue NDC Challenge — a major international initiative to integrate ocean-based climate solutions into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, in the lead-up to UNFCCC COP30, to be held in Belem, Brazil.

What is the Blue NDC Challenge?

The Blue NDC Challenge is a multilateral climate action initiative urging countries to incorporate ocean-centric measures into their updated NDCs. It aims to enhance climate mitigation and adaptation by recognizing the vital role of oceans and coastal ecosystems in addressing the climate crisis.

• Launched by: Brazil and France
• Platform: UNOC3 (June 2025)
• Target: Updated NDCs due for 2035 (deadline: February 10, 2025)

Participating Countries (as of June 2025):

• Founding: Brazil, France
• Joined: Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, Seychelles

Objectives and Key Features:

• Ocean-Integrated NDCs
  • Include marine ecosystems, coastal zones, mangroves, coral reefs, and salt marshes in national climate plans.
  • Integrate Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).
• Sustainable Blue Economy
  • Promote climate-resilient fisheries and carbon-smart aquaculture.
  • Expand clean ocean energy: offshore wind, wave, and tidal power.
• Decarbonization and Adaptation
  • Phase out offshore oil and gas projects.
  • Reduce emissions in shipping, seafood value chains, and coastal infrastructure.
  • Boost resilience in maritime sectors vulnerable to climate risks.
• Restoration and Conservation
  • Focus on the restoration of mangroves, salt marshes, and coral reefs—which are effective carbon sinks and natural buffers against sea-level rise.
• Global Partnerships and Support Mechanisms
  • Supported by:
    • Global Mangrove Alliance
    • UN High-Level Climate Champions
    • World Resources Institute (WRI)
    • Ocean Breakthroughs (Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action)

Significance and Leadership:

• Brazil’s Climate Leadership
  • Brazil’s 2035 NDC (submitted in November 2024) includes, for the first time, a dedicated Ocean and Coastal Zones component.
  • Brazil is also investing in marine conservation, supported by a $6.8 million fund from Bloomberg Philanthropies (June 8, 2025).
• Expert Insights:
  • Mangroves sequester carbon 10 times faster than terrestrial forests.
  • Including oceans in NDCs can unlock greater political and financial support, according to Conservation International and WRI.
• Emission Reduction Potential:
  • According to WRI, ocean-based solutions can contribute up to 35% of the global emissions reduction needed to stay within the 1.5°C limit.

Relevance for India and the World:

• With India’s vast coastline and diverse marine ecosystems, incorporating ocean-based climate actions into its NDCs could enhance climate resilience, especially for coastal communities.
• Global focus on oceans marks a shift towards holistic climate policy, integrating land, sea, and people-centric approaches.