In News:

India’s business reform trajectory has gained renewed focus with its inclusion in the Business Ready 2026 (B-READY) assessment by the World Bank Group. The B-READY framework replaces the discontinued Doing Business Report (DBR), which was halted in 2020.

Under the last DBR (2019), India ranked 63rd, having improved by 79 ranks over five years. The upcoming B-READY 2026 assessment will evaluate over 180 countries across a modernised and more comprehensive framework.

About B-READY (Business Ready Assessment)

Launched in 2024, B-READY is a global benchmarking exercise to assess the business and investment climate.

Key Features:

• Covers 10 topics across the full business lifecycle:
  • Business Entry
  • Business Location
  • Utility Services
  • Labour
  • Financial Services
  • International Trade
  • Taxation
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Market Competition
  • Business Insolvency
• Structured under three pillars:
  1. Regulatory Framework (de jure laws and rules)
  2. Public Services (infrastructure, digital systems, licensing bodies)
  3. Operational Efficiency (de facto implementation via firm-level surveys)
• Integrates cross-cutting themes such as:
  • Digital adoption
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Gender inclusion

Data is collected through expert consultations and World Bank Enterprise Surveys (WBES).

Domestic Reform Measures in India

To improve the business climate, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has implemented multiple initiatives under the Ease of Doing Business framework.

1. Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP)

Launched in 2014, BRAP assesses States/UTs on regulatory reforms.

• Seven editions completed (2015–2024)
• Over 9,700 reforms implemented across States/UTs
• Focus areas: single-window systems, building permissions, inspection reforms, digitisation of approvals

2. Reducing Compliance Burden (RCB) Initiative

Launched in 2020, aimed at rationalising redundant compliances.

• Over 47,000 compliances reduced in five years:
  • 16,109 simplified
  • 22,287 digitised
  • 4,623 decriminalised
  • 4,270 eliminated

Under RCB , 4,846 compliances were reduced across 23 commonly implemented Acts.

3. Jan Vishwas Reforms

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 decriminalised 183 provisions across 42 Acts.

The proposed Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 seeks to:

• Amend 355 provisions
• Decriminalise 288 provisions
• Modify 67 provisions to enhance Ease of Living

4. National Single Window System (NSWS)

The National Single Window System (NSWS) provides integrated clearance mechanisms.

• Integrated with 32 Central Ministries/Departments
• Integrated with 33 States/UTs
• Offers access to:
  • 300 Central approvals
  • 3,000 State-level approvals

Provides real-time tracking via an Investor Dashboard.

Significance

These reforms aim to:

• Reduce regulatory overlaps
• Harmonise compliance frameworks across States
• Digitise approvals and reduce turnaround time
• Attract domestic and foreign investment

The B-READY 2026 assessment will evaluate how effectively India’s regulatory reforms translate into real-world business efficiency.

In News:

• India has been recognised as the ‘Country of the Year’ at BIOFACH 2026, the world’s premier trade fair for organic food and agriculture. The event is held annually at the Nuremberg Messe Exhibition Centre in Germany and is managed by NürnbergMesse GmbH.
• This recognition reflects India’s growing prominence in the global organic sector and its expanding footprint in sustainable agriculture and exports.

About BIOFACH

BIOFACH is widely regarded as the world’s leading international platform for certified organic products.

Key Features:

• Focus on organic food and agriculture
• Promotes global trade in certified organic products
• Facilitates B2B networking among producers, exporters, retailers and policymakers
• Encourages sustainable farming practices and environmentally responsible consumption
• Serves as a hub for innovation in organic farming and processing technologies

Significance for India

1. Strengthening Global Organic Leadership

India’s designation positions it as a major supplier of certified organic produce at a time when global demand for sustainable food systems is rising.

2. Boost to Agricultural Exports

The recognition enhances India’s visibility and market access for organic exports such as:

• Organic rice
• Spices
• Pulses
• Oilseeds
• Cashew
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Mango puree
• Essential oils

3. Promotion of GI-Tagged Products

India is showcasing five GI-tagged rice varieties, reinforcing the branding of its traditional agricultural heritage and geographical diversity.

4. Empowerment of FPOs and Regional Producers

Participation from over 20 States and Union Territories highlights inclusive growth and the integration of grassroots producers, including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), into global value chains.

5. Soft Power and Culinary Diplomacy

Live tastings and demonstrations, including organic biryani and heritage rice varieties, strengthen India’s cultural outreach and organic brand identity internationally.

In News:

Gravity is the fundamental force governing the motion of celestial bodies and sustaining life on Earth. It not only keeps humans, oceans and the atmosphere anchored to the planet, but also ensures the stability of Earth’s orbit around the Sun and the Moon’s orbit around Earth.

Gravity as a Binding Force

Gravity acts as the universal attractive force between masses. On Earth, it:

• Keeps the atmosphere from escaping into space
• Holds oceans and land masses in place
• Enables life by maintaining stable environmental conditions

Without gravity, Earth’s atmosphere and hydrosphere would disperse into space, making life impossible.

Gravity as a Centripetal Force

Beyond pulling objects downward, gravity functions as a centripetal force-a force directed toward the centre of circular motion.

• It keeps the Moon in orbit around Earth.
• It keeps Earth revolving around the Sun.

In circular motion, centripetal force continuously changes the direction of velocity without necessarily altering speed. In planetary systems, gravitational attraction provides this inward pull.

Earth’s Planetary Motion

Due to gravitational attraction between Earth and the Sun:

• Earth completes one revolution every year.
• It travels nearly 1 billion kilometres along its orbital path annually.
• The planet moves at an average speed of approximately 1,07,000 km per hour (about 30 km per second).

These figures highlight the dynamic nature of planetary motion, even though such movement is imperceptible to humans due to uniform velocity and lack of external reference points.

Absence of Friction in Space

Unlike motion on Earth, where friction slows moving objects-planets move through the near-vacuum of outer space.

• Space offers negligible resistance.
• As a result, celestial bodies can continue moving without continuous energy input.

This aligns with Newton’s First Law of Motion, which states that an object in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by an external force.

Rejection of the Aether Hypothesis

In the 19th century, scientists proposed the existence of an invisible medium called “aether” through which light and celestial bodies were thought to move. However, the Michelson–Morley experiment disproved this hypothesis in 1887.

The experiment showed no detectable aether wind, confirming that Earth moves through empty space rather than through a resisting substance.

Scientific Significance

The understanding of gravity:

• Explains orbital mechanics and planetary stability
• Supports space exploration and satellite deployment
• Underpins astrophysics and cosmology

Gravity’s dual role, as a binding force on Earth and as a centripetal force in celestial mechanics—demonstrates its foundational importance in sustaining both terrestrial life and cosmic order.

In News:

Researchers have identified a new dragonfly species named Lyriothemis keralensis in Kerala, extending the known geographical range of the genus beyond northeast India. The discovery underscores the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats and the importance of careful taxonomic studies.

Taxonomic Clarification

Although the species has been present in Kerala since 2013, it was misidentified for over a decade as Lyriothemis acigastra. Detailed morphological examination, including microscopic analysis and comparison with museum specimens, confirmed its distinct identity.

This highlights:

• The importance of systematic taxonomy
• The role of reference collections in biodiversity research
• Potential underestimation of species diversity in India

Key Features

The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism:

• Males: Bright blood-red body with black markings
• Females: Yellow body with black markings

Such colour variation aids in species identification and reproductive behaviour studies.

Habitat and Ecology

Unlike many dragonflies associated with pristine forest ecosystems, Lyriothemis keralensis thrives in human-modified irrigation landscapes, including:

• Pineapple plantations
• Rubber plantations
• Shaded irrigation canals

Most recorded populations occur outside protected areas, indicating that biodiversity conservation must extend beyond national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Seasonality and Life Cycle

The species is:

• Seasonally visible during the Southwest Monsoon (late May to August)
• Present as aquatic larvae in water bodies for the remainder of the year

This seasonal emergence aligns with monsoon-driven ecological cycles in Kerala.

Conservation Concerns

The discovery raises important conservation issues:

• Plantation-dominated landscapes may act as secondary habitats
• Changes in irrigation patterns, pesticide use, and land conversion could threaten populations
• Lack of protection outside designated conservation zones may expose species to habitat loss

The finding reinforces the need for biodiversity-sensitive land-use planning, especially in agriculturally modified ecosystems.

In News:

• India has climbed to the 91st position in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025, improving from 96th rank in the previous year. However, its score of 39 out of 100 remains below the global average of 42, indicating that corruption continues to be perceived as a structural challenge in governance.
• The CPI is released annually by Transparency International and ranks 182 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. Scores range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Global Trends in CPI 2025

• The global average score has declined to 42, reflecting stagnation in anti-corruption efforts worldwide.
• More than two-thirds of countries score below 50, indicating widespread governance challenges.
• Denmark (89) remains the cleanest country, while Somalia and South Sudan (9) rank at the bottom.
• Several established democracies, including the United Kingdom (20th) and the United States (29th), have witnessed declines.
• The report highlights risks faced by journalists investigating corruption, noting that 90% of journalist killings occur in countries scoring below 50-a category that includes India.

Reasons for Persistent Corruption in India

Despite incremental improvements, structural factors continue to affect perceptions:

1. Bureaucratic Red Tape: Complex regulatory processes and approval systems create opportunities for rent-seeking behaviour.

2. Political Funding Opacity: Lack of transparency in electoral financing and the influence of money power remain concerns.

3. Weak Whistleblower Protection: Individuals exposing corruption often face harassment or threats, discouraging reporting.

4. Inconsistent Enforcement: Low conviction rates in high-profile cases and delays in judicial processes reduce deterrence.

5. Informal Economy and Black Money: A large unorganised sector facilitates unaccounted transactions and tax evasion.

Anti-Corruption Measures Undertaken

India has adopted several reforms to improve governance and transparency:

• Digitalisation of Governance: Expansion of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) systems to reduce middlemen.
• Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2024: Strengthened penalties and introduced asset forfeiture provisions.
• Blockchain-based Land Records and E-Tendering: To enhance transparency in public procurement.
• Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Reforms: Adoption of AI-based financial scrutiny tools.
• Strengthened oversight by institutions such as the Central Vigilance Commission.

Key Challenges

• Overburdened judiciary causing delays in corruption trials
• Cross-border asset recovery challenges
• Technological misuse such as digital fraud and deepfake scams
• Weak local-level oversight in municipal and panchayat institutions

Significance for India

India’s CPI ranking has both economic and governance implications. Perceptions of corruption affect:

• Investor confidence
• Ease of doing business
• Regulatory credibility
• Democratic accountability

While the improvement from 96th to 91st rank signals incremental progress, the low score of 39 underscores the need for deeper institutional reforms, enhanced transparency in political finance, judicial efficiency and stronger protection for whistleblowers.