In News:

The 23rd Foundation Day of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was celebrated in New Delhi by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

• Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram released the NCST Handbook detailing the Commission’s mandate and functioning.
• The event highlighted:
  • NCST’s constitutional responsibilities
  • Policy recommendations
  • Grievance redressal initiatives
  • Field visits to Scheduled Areas
• The Commission reiterated focus areas such as education, forest rights, land issues, infrastructure, and livelihood generation for tribal communities.

About National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

Constitutional Status

• Established under Article 338-A of the Constitution.
• Created by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, which bifurcated the earlier National Commission for SCs and STs.
• Aims to provide focused attention to the distinct problems of Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Composition

• Chairperson
• Vice-Chairperson
• Three other Members (at least one woman)
• Appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.

Tenure & Status

• Tenure: 3 years.
• Not eligible for more than two terms.
• Chairperson: Rank of Union Cabinet Minister.
• Vice-Chairperson: Rank of Minister of State.
• Members: Rank of Secretary to Government of India.

Core Functions

• Investigate and monitor safeguards for STs under the Constitution and laws.
• Inquire into complaints regarding deprivation of tribal rights.
• Participate in socio-economic development planning.
• Evaluate development progress of STs.
• Submit annual/periodic reports to the President.
• Recommend measures to Union and State Governments.

Additional Functions (Specified in 2005)

• Ownership rights over Minor Forest Produce (MFP).
• Safeguarding rights over mineral and water resources.
• Preventing land alienation of tribals.
• Monitoring implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996.
• Relief and rehabilitation of displaced tribals.
• Addressing shifting cultivation issues.

Powers of NCST

• Powers of a civil court during investigations:
  • Summon persons
  • Require production of documents
  • Receive affidavits
  • Requisition public records
• Can regulate its own procedure.
• Mandatory consultation: Central and State Governments must consult NCST on major policy matters affecting STs.

Reporting Mechanism

• Submits reports to the President.
• Reports laid before Parliament with Action Taken Memorandum.
• State-specific reports forwarded to Governor for placement before State Legislature.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Scheduled Tribes (STs)

Identification of STs

• Article 366(25): defines Scheduled Tribes (STs) as tribes or tribal communities, or parts thereof, that are deemed under Article 342 to be STs for the purposes of the Constitution.
• Article 342(1) empowers the President to specify tribes as STs in consultation with the Governor for states.

Administrative Provisions

• Fifth Schedule: Applies to Scheduled Areas in states other than Sixth Schedule states.
• Sixth Schedule: Provides Autonomous District Councils in: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram

Key Legislations for ST Protection

• Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
• SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
• PESA Act, 1996
• Forest Rights Act, 2006

In News:

India achieved a significant milestone in its human spaceflight programme as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a qualification-level load test of the Drogue Parachute for the Gaganyaan mission.

• Test conducted at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.
• Utilised the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility to simulate dynamic flight conditions.
• The parachute was tested under loads higher than expected flight loads to validate safety and reliability.

What is the Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute?

• A crucial component of the Crew Module deceleration system.
• Deployed during atmospheric re-entry.
• Functions to:
  • Stabilize the Crew Module.
  • Reduce velocity before main parachutes deploy.
  • Ensure safe splashdown/landing of astronauts.

Developed collaboratively by:

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• DRDO

Gaganyaan Deceleration System

The Crew Module recovery system consists of 10 parachutes (4 types):

• Apex Cover Separation Parachutes (2): Remove protective apex cover.
• Drogue Parachutes (2): Stabilize module at high altitude, Reduce velocity during transition phase.
• Pilot Parachutes (3): Extract main parachutes.
• Main Parachutes (3): Provide final deceleration for safe landing.

The drogue parachutes serve as the critical transition stage, ensuring controlled descent before deployment of main canopies.

Key Technical Features

• High-strength ribbon parachute design
  • Ribbon-type structure allows controlled airflow.
  • Reduces shock loads.
  • Ensures high tensile strength during high-speed descent.
• Qualification-level testing
  • Tested beyond maximum expected flight loads.
  • Enhances mission safety margins.
• Designed for extreme conditions
  • Capable of functioning under:
    • Rapid velocity changes
    • Turbulence
    • Variable atmospheric pressures
• Dynamic validation: High-speed testing using RTRS facility simulates near-real re-entry conditions.

Significance for India’s Human Spaceflight Programme

• Strengthens safety architecture of Gaganyaan.
• Demonstrates indigenous capability in complex recovery systems.
• Enhances collaboration between ISRO and DRDO.
• Critical for safe astronaut recovery after orbital mission.

In News:

• India assumed the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) from Royal Thai Navy.
• The 9th Conclave of Chiefs was held at Visakhapatnam.
• Participation included Chiefs of Navies and Heads of Maritime Security Agencies from 33 countries (Members, Observers, and Indian Ocean littoral states).
• India had earlier held the inaugural Chairmanship (2008–2010).

About Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

• Launched in 2008 by the Indian Navy.
• A voluntary naval forum aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation among Indian Ocean littoral states.
• No permanent headquarters.
• Features a rotating chairmanship.

Membership Structure

• 25 Member States, divided into four sub-regions:
  1. South Asian
  2. West Asian
  3. Southeast Asian & Australian
  4. East African
• 9 Observer countries.
• In 2026:
  • The Philippines was inducted as an Observer.
  • Oman joined the Working Group on HADR.

Core Objectives of IONS

IONS promotes:

• Maritime security cooperation (including anti-piracy efforts).
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
• Maritime information sharing.
• Capacity building among navies.
• Professional exchange through exercises, workshops, and biennial conclaves.

Key Focus Areas (Working Groups)

Under India’s Chairmanship, emphasis will be placed on strengthening:

• Maritime Security
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
• Information Sharing and Interoperability

Initiatives Announced During India’s Tenure

• Conduct of IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX).
• Continued deployment of IOS SAGAR missions to IONS member countries with multinational participation.
• Structured Maritime Information Sharing Workshops.
• Upgrade of the IONS website to enhance:
  • Institutional continuity
  • Secure engagement
  • Usability among member navies

Strategic Significance for India

• Reinforces India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Strengthens maritime diplomacy and defence cooperation.
• Enhances collective response capability against: Piracy, Maritime terrorism, and Natural disasters
• Promotes interoperability among like-minded navies.
• Reflects India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

In News:

The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Krishna, the first of three indigenously built Cadet Training Ships (CTS), marking a significant step in strengthening sea-based training infrastructure for future naval officers.

About INS Krishna

• First of three Cadet Training Ships (CTS) for the Indian Navy.
• Constructed at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipyard, Kattupalli (near Chennai).
• Designated as Yard 18003 during construction.
• Entirely indigenously built, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.

Purpose and Role

1. Training Platform

• Functions as a “floating classroom” and “living laboratory.”
• Used for training:
  • Officer cadets (including women)
  • Cadets from friendly foreign countries
• Training areas include:
  • Navigation
  • Seamanship
  • Watch-keeping
  • Practical maritime operations under real sea conditions

Technical Specifications

• Displacement: ~4,700 tonnes
• Maximum speed: 20 knots
• Endurance: 60 days at sea
• Multi-role capability beyond training

Secondary Operational Roles

Apart from training, INS Krishna is designed for:

• Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
• Search and Rescue (SAR) missions

This enhances operational flexibility and supports India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Strategic Significance

• Strengthens sea-based officer training capacity of the Indian Navy.
• Enhances practical exposure for cadets under real maritime conditions.
• Supports indigenous defence shipbuilding capability.
• Promotes defence diplomacy through training of foreign cadets.
• Augments India’s capability in HADR and evacuation missions.

In News:

• Recently, the Td vaccine was launched by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda.
• Manufactured by the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.
• CRI functions under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• The vaccine will be supplied under India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
• CRI plans to supply 55 lakh doses by April 2026, with progressive scaling in subsequent years.

Why the Shift from TT to Td?

• Extensive childhood immunization using DPT vaccines significantly reduced tetanus and diphtheria.
• However, diphtheria antibody levels decline over time, necessitating booster doses.
• In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended transitioning from Tetanus Toxoid (TT) to Td vaccine.
• Recommendation reaffirmed in:
  • WHO Tetanus Vaccine Position Paper (2017)
  • Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) deliberations (2002 & 2016)
• India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) recommended replacing TT with Td for: All age groups and Pregnant women

Objective: Sustain maternal & neonatal tetanus elimination while expanding protection against diphtheria.

About Td Vaccine

• Full Form: Tetanus and adult Diphtheria Vaccine (Adsorbed, Reduced D-Antigen Content).
• Provides protection against: Tetanus and Diphtheria
• Composition:
  • Purified diphtheria toxoid
  • Purified tetanus toxoid
• Adjuvant: Aluminum phosphate
• Preservative: Thiomersal
• Storage: Freeze- and heat-sensitive vaccine
• Target group: Adolescents, Adults and Pregnant women

About Tetanus

• Caused by: Clostridium tetani (toxigenic strains).
• Nature: Acute infectious disease.
• Transmission: Not spread person-to-person (enters through contaminated wounds).
• Symptoms:
  • Painful muscle stiffness
  • Lockjaw (inability to open mouth)
  • Difficulty swallowing and breathing
• High case-fatality rate, even with intensive care.

About Diphtheria

• Caused by: Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
• Spread: Person-to-person via respiratory droplets.
• Symptoms:
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Heart failure
  • Paralysis
• Can be life-threatening.
• South-East Asia region has been a major contributor to global diphtheria incidence since 2005.

Regulatory and Manufacturing Milestones

The Central Research Institute:

• Completed developmental studies.
• Obtained Test License.
• Secured waivers for:
  • Preclinical studies
  • Phase I, II, and III trials.
• Received:
  • Marketing Authorization
  • License for manufacture and sale
  • Release approval from Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli.