In News:

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched ‘Apna Ghar’, a nationwide initiative to provide resting facilities for truck drivers along highways. The programme, launched in 2025, aims to enhance road safety, driver well-being, and logistics efficiency, addressing the long-standing issue of fatigue and poor hygiene conditions faced by India’s trucking workforce.

Key Features of Apna Ghar

• Coverage: As of July 1, 2025, 368 units with 4,611 beds have been set up at retail fuel outlets along national and state highways by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• Facilities Provided:
  • Dormitories (10–30 beds per unit)
  • Clean toilets and dedicated bathing areas (Houdas)
  • Restaurants/dhabas and self-cooking spaces
  • Purified drinking water access
• Technology Integration: Launch of the ‘Apna Ghar’ mobile app for bookings, user feedback, and engagement.
• Implementation Model: Public sector OMCs build and manage facilities at fuel retail stations, ensuring accessibility to drivers during long-haul journeys.

Objectives and Significance

• Road Safety: Reduces driver fatigue, a major cause of road accidents.
• Worker Welfare: Provides dignified working and resting conditions for truckers, a vital yet often informal part of India’s transport ecosystem.
• Economic Impact: Supports supply chain resilience by improving the productivity and well-being of drivers.
• Social Development: Aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting safe and humane working environments.

In News:

In a landmark development for sustainable logistics in the Northeast, the Kopili River (National Waterway-57) was operationalised with the maiden cargo movement of 300 MT of cement from Chandrapur (Kamrup) to Hatsingimari (South Salmara, Assam).

About the Kopili River

• Origin:Saipong Reserve Forest in the Borail Range, North Cachar Hills, at 1,525 m altitude.
• Length: 256 km (78 km along the Assam–Meghalaya border; 178 km in Assam).
• Basin Coverage: Flows through Meghalaya and Assam, making it an interstate river.
• Significance: Largest south bank tributary of the Brahmaputra in Assam; traverses North Cachar Hill, KarbiAnglong, Nagaon, and Morigaon districts.
• Agricultural Zone: Supports cultivation of rice (winter, summer, autumn), wheat, mustard, and rapeseed in Kamrup and surrounding areas.

Strategic and Policy Significance

• Economic Impact: Reduces road congestion, lowers logistics costs, and provides an efficient alternative for bulk cargo. The trial run replaced the equivalent of 23 truckloads of cement.
• Environmental Gains: Inland water transport curbs emissions and promotes sustainable logistics.
• Regional Development: Enhances connectivity for riverine communities, boosts trade, and unlocks economic opportunities in Assam.
• National Integration: Aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030 and PM Gati Shakti, which seek to create multimodal, integrated transport infrastructure.

In News:

The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) has been significantly expanded by the Government of India and is now operational in all 36 States and Union Territories, covering 751 districts. As of June 30, 2025, a total of 1,704 dialysis centres are functional under the programme.

Background and Objectives

• Launched in 2016, the PMNDP aims to provide free dialysis services to patients suffering from end-stage kidney failure, with special focus on Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries.
• It is implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
• The programme addresses the rising burden of chronic kidney disease and aims to ensure equitable access to life-saving renal care across India.

Key Features

• Dialysis Services: Supports both Haemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis.
• Infrastructure Expansion: Initially recommended at all district hospitals, with flexibility to scale down to Community Health Centres (CHCs), especially in remote and tribal regions.
• PMNDP Portal: Integrates all NHM-supported dialysis centres, facilitates creation of a renal registry, and ensures service portability within states (“One State–One Dialysis”) and eventually nationwide (“One Nation–One Dialysis”).
• Funding Mechanism: The NHM provides financial assistance to States/UTs for setting up and operating dialysis centres.
• Implementation Strategy: Expansion is based on gap assessments carried out by States/UTs as part of their annual Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

Significance

• Health Equity: Extends life-saving kidney care to vulnerable groups, including rural and tribal populations.
• Cost Reduction: Provides free dialysis, reducing the out-of-pocket burden on families.
• Data Integration: The renal registry aids in epidemiological tracking and planning of kidney health interventions.
• Public Health Impact: Strengthens India’s healthcare delivery under Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.

In News:

The Government of India has launched the ‘Matri Van’ initiative in Gurugram under the ‘Ek Ped MaaKe Naam’ programme, symbolizing ecological preservation and community participation. The project was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, and the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, during Van Mahotsav 2025.

About the Initiative

• Location & Scale: Spread over 750 acres in the Aravalli hill area along the Gurugram-Faridabad road.
• Concept: A theme-based urban forest aimed at nurturing generations through mother-nature-inspired green efforts.
• Vision: To enhance biodiversity, public well-being, and urban sustainability, while serving as the “heart and lung of Delhi-NCR.”
• Collaboration: Developed through multi-stakeholder participation, including CSR partners, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), NGOs, MNCs, school children, and government bodies.

Ecological and Social Significance

• Restoration of degraded land by removing invasive Kabuli Kikar (Prosopis juliflora).
• Plantation of native Aravalli species such as Dhak, Amaltash, Neem, Bargad, Peepal, Gullar, Pilkhan, Khair, Semal, and bamboo.
• Development of theme-based groves, including:
  • Bodhi Vatika (sacred fig species like Bargad, Peepal),
  • Bamboosetum (bamboo species),
  • Aravalli Arboretum,
  • PushpVatika (flowering trees),
  • Sugandh Vatika (fragrant species),
  • Medicinal Plants Vatika,
  • Nakshatra and RashiVatika,
  • Cactus Garden,
  • Butterfly Garden.

Facilities and Infrastructure

• Eco-tourism and community spaces: nature trails, cycle tracks, yoga zones, gazebos, and sitting areas.
• Environmental safeguards: treated water irrigation systems, sprinklers, and waterbodies to aid water conservation and urban flood prevention.
• Urban amenities: parking spaces, public facilities, and accessibility features.

Broader Environmental Vision

• Linked to Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) with components like:
  • Saving food, water, and energy,
  • Solid waste and e-waste management,
  • Ban on single-use plastics,
  • Promotion of healthy lifestyles.
• Complements India’s renewable energy transition, with non-fossil fuel power now accounting for over 50% of the national energy mix.
• Supports Prime Minister’s vision of rejuvenating the Aravalli ecosystem through plantation of native species.

Significance for Delhi-NCR

• Acts as a natural carbon sink to counter rising emissions.
• Provides a green lung to improve air quality in a highly polluted urban region.
• Promotes eco-tourism and environmental education through biodiversity parks, wildlife safaris, and thematic groves.
• Offers citizens a serene, stress-free environment, strengthening the image of Gurugram as a model “Millennium City.”

In News:

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), established in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013, functions under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) with the mandate of safeguarding investor interests, refunding unclaimed financial assets, and promoting financial literacy across India.

Mandate and Fund Structure

The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) consists of amounts that remain unclaimed for seven years, including:

• Unpaid dividends,
• Application money due for refund,
• Matured deposits and debentures,
• Accrued interest on investments,
• Grants and donations received from government or other entities.

The fund is utilized to refund unclaimed shares/dividends to rightful investors and to spread financial awareness among citizens.

Recent Developments: Integrated Portal

IEPFA is in the final phase of testing its Integrated Portal, a unified digital platform aimed at:

• Streamlining claim processes for unclaimed shares/dividends,
• Enhancing accessibility for both investors and companies,
• Integrating stakeholders such as depositories and the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

Companies have been urged to upload their IEPF-1/7 SRNs with prescribed templates to enable smooth data verification and claim processing.

Key Features of the New System

• Simplified claims for low-value refunds through reduced documentation.
• Integrated Call Center to strengthen grievance redressal and ensure responsive communication with stakeholders.
• Temporary disruptions may occur during transition, but the reforms promise faster, transparent, and investor-friendly outcomes.

Investor Awareness Initiatives

IEPFA also undertakes extensive financial literacy campaigns through programs like:

• Niveshak Didi,
• Niveshak Panchayat,
• NiveshakShivir.

These initiatives empower citizens, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, to make informed financial decisions and protect themselves from fraud and mismanagement.

Significance

• For Investors: Easier access to unclaimed assets and improved grievance redressal.
• For Companies: Structured compliance framework and digital integration with regulators.
• For Governance: Strengthens India’s financial ecosystem by combining investor protection with financial literacy.

In News:

The Rajasthan Forest Department has recently redrawn the boundaries of the Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary (NWS), located near Jaipur, sparking controversy among conservationists and legal experts. The move, alleged to benefit luxury hotels and commercial establishments within the sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), has raised questions about legality, ecological safeguards, and governance.

About Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: ~20 km from Jaipur, under the Aravalli range.
• Size: Originally ~720 hectares; currently notified as 6,025.74 hectares across 16 villages.
• History: Named after Nahargarh Fort, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century.
• Nahargarh Biological Park: Part of the sanctuary, noted for its lion safari.
• Flora: Dry deciduous forests, scrublands, grasslands.
• Fauna: Leopards, deer, sloth bears, wild boars, lions, tigers, reptiles like pythons and monitor lizards, and diverse birdlife including owls, eagles, and peacocks.

The Controversy

• Procedural Lapses
  • Under Section 26A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, any change in sanctuary boundaries requires approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
  • Experts cite the 2013 Supreme Court judgment (Centre for Environmental Law, WWF-India vs Union of India), which mandated NBWL clearance for altering protected area limits.
  • However, Rajasthan submitted revised maps to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in July 2025 without NBWL’s recommendation.
• Alleged Motivations
  • Activists claim the revised map excludes “Described Areas” (revenue lands held by public and private bodies) while retaining only Reserved Forest patches.
  • This adjustment allegedly protects existing luxury hotels and other constructions in the ESZ, some of which earlier faced demolition orders for violations.
• Government’s Justification
  • Officials argue the 1980 notification used “grossly approximate” boundary descriptions.
  • Over four decades, urbanisation and topographical changes blurred the original limits.
  • A GIS-based remapping exercise using high-resolution satellite imagery and land records was undertaken, and state approval was granted in July 2025.

In News:

Following the successful NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)is preparing for its next major collaboration with the United States: the launch of the BlueBird communications satellite. The mission highlights India’s growing role as a reliable global launch partner and the expanding scope of Indo–U.S. space cooperation.

The BlueBird Satellite

• Developer: U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile
• Type: Advanced communications satellite designed for direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity
• Weight: ~6,000 kg
• Antenna: Innovative 64-square-metre antenna array for high-capacity communication
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Technology:
  • Enables direct calling and broadband access from space without the need for ground-based mobile towers
  • Supports beams up to 40 MHz capacity
  • Offers peak speeds of up to 120 Mbps
• Service Plan: After deployment, BlueBird satellites will provide non-continuous broadband cellular service initially in the U.S. and select global markets.

Launch Details

• Launch Vehicle: LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), ISRO’s heaviest rocket, formerly known as GSLV Mk-III
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
• Timeline: Expected launch in the next 3–4 months (as per ISRO chairman V. Narayanan)

Strategic Significance

• For India–U.S. Cooperation:
  • Follows the joint NISAR Earth observation mission, reinforcing strategic space ties.
  • Strengthens India’s position as a preferred partner for global commercial satellite launches.
• For India’s Space Economy:
  • Enhances ISRO’s reputation in heavy-lift commercial launches, particularly with LVM3.
  • Showcases India’s cost-effective access to space, attracting further foreign collaborations.
• For Global Communication Technology:
  • Marks a breakthrough in direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, reducing dependency on ground infrastructure.
  • Could help expand mobile and broadband coverage to remote and underserved regions worldwide.

In News:

In August 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Oreshnik hypersonic missile—a new-generation intermediate-range ballistic missile—has entered production and military service. Plans are underway to deploy the system in Belarus by the end of 2025, signalling a major escalation in Russia’s standoff with NATO amid the Ukraine conflict.

Key Features

• Type: Intermediate-range, solid-fuel, mobile, hypersonic ballistic missile
• First Operational Use: November 2024, in a strike on Ukraine’s Pivdenmashdefence facility at Dnipro
• Speed: Capable of reaching Mach 10 (10 times the speed of sound)
• Range: Approx. 5,000 km (3,100 miles), bringing the entirety of Europe within its strike zone
• Warhead Capability:
  • Carries conventional or nuclear warheads
  • Equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs), allowing simultaneous strikes on multiple targets
• Strategic Advantage: Hypersonic speed, mid-flight manoeuvrability, and MIRV capability make it virtually immune to interception by current Western missile defence systems

Strategic Context

• Belarus as a Forward Base:
  • Belarus shares a 673-mile border with Ukraine, making it strategically vital.
  • It already hosts Russian troops and tactical nuclear weapons.
  • Deployment of Oreshnik here allows Moscow to project power deeper into Europe.
• Nuclear Security Pact (2023):
  • Russia and Belarus signed an agreement placing Belarus under Russia’s nuclear umbrella.
  • Russia retains the right to use nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus if “aggression” is perceived.
  • Belarus has reportedly hosted “several dozen” Russian nuclear weapons since late 2024.
• Geopolitical Implications:
  • Russia warned NATO against supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons capable of striking inside Russia.
  • Putin cautioned that Russia could retaliate with systems like Oreshnik “even beyond Ukraine.”
  • By suggesting that conventional Oreshnik strikes could be as devastating as nuclear attacks, Moscow is raising deterrence levels against the West.

Implications for Global Security

• Erosion of Arms Control: With the collapse of Cold War-era treaties like the INF Treaty (1987), weapons such as Oreshnik operate in a largely unregulated environment.
• Escalation of NATO–Russia Rivalry: The missile’s deployment in Belarus expands Russia’s strike capability across Europe, heightening NATO security concerns.
• Nuclear Threshold Ambiguity: Oreshnik’s dual capability (conventional and nuclear) blurs the line between conventional warfare and nuclear escalation.
• Arms Race in Hypersonics: The U.S., China, and other powers are also developing hypersonic weapons, intensifying competition in next-generation strategic arms.

In News:

The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 created prolonged disputes between Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana over sharing the waters of the Krishna and Godavari rivers. Issues have resurfaced with Andhra Pradesh’s proposal of the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP), opposed by Telangana on legal and ecological grounds.

In July 2025, the Union Government decided to set up two dedicated river management boards—the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) at Amaravati and the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) at Hyderabad. Both will include Central officials, technical experts, and representatives from the two states.

Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP)

• Objective: Divert 200 TMC of surplus Godavari floodwaters to drought-prone Rayalaseema by linking the Polavaram reservoir to the Banakacherla regulator in Kurnool district.
• Water Transfer Mechanism:
  • Draw water from Polavaram Dam
  • Convey through Prakasam Barrage → lift to Bollapalli reservoir
  • Tunnel through the Nallamala hills → release into Banakacherla reservoir
• Significance: Strengthens irrigation, drinking water supply, and agricultural sustainability; aligns with national schemes such as Jal Jeevan Mission, Blue Revolution, and Make in India.

Telangana’s Concerns

• Violation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 – which requires prior approval of the Apex Council, KRMB, and CWC for new inter-state river projects.
• Disputed “Surplus” Claim – Telangana contests Andhra’s claim of 200 TMC surplus Godavari waters, arguing no adjudicatory body has approved such diversion.
• Environmental and Legal Clearances – Though the Polavaram Project got clearance in 2005, the Expert Appraisal Committee has called for fresh scrutiny, especially due to submergence concerns in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
• Unauthorised Inter-Basin Diversion – Godavari-to-Krishna transfer without mutual consent could undermine Telangana’s own projects.
• Breach of Cooperative Federalism – Telangana sees unilateral action by Andhra as bypassing consensus-driven water governance.

Consensus Achieved in July 2025 Talks

• Telemetry Systems: Both states agreed to install real-time monitoring devices at reservoirs and projects to ensure transparency in water usage.
• Srisailam Project Repairs: Andhra agreed to undertake crucial maintenance at this shared project.
• Board Reorganisation: KRMB’s office to shift to Amaravati/Vijayawada for better oversight.
• Joint Committee: High-level committee of central, state, and technical experts to study outstanding issues and recommend equitable solutions.

Legal and Institutional Mechanisms for Inter-State Water Disputes

• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 262: Parliament may legislate for adjudication of inter-state water disputes; can also bar courts’ jurisdiction.
  • State List (Entry 17): States control water-related issues.
  • Union List (Entry 56): Centre can regulate inter-state rivers in the national interest.
• Statutory Framework:
  • River Boards Act, 1956: Allows River Boards for coordinated development; not implemented in practice.
  • Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956: Provides for tribunals. Amendments in 2002 mandated quicker constitution of tribunals (1 year) and decisions within 3 years.
• Judicial Role: Despite Article 262(2), the Supreme Court has intervened in interpretation and implementation of tribunal awards (e.g., Mahadayi Water Dispute, 2018).

In News:

A team of Indian scientists may have found a way to improve the drainage capacity of lymphatic vessels in the liver and intestine that fails in case of cirrhosis, by using nanocarriers filled with a powerful protein called VEGF-C.

Understanding Liver Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is the advanced stage of chronic liver disease where healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue due to prolonged inflammation. This structural distortion affects both blood and lymphatic vessels in the liver and intestine, impairing circulation and fluid balance.

Causes:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steato-Hepatitis)
• Chronic viral infections such as Hepatitis B and C

Symptoms (often in advanced stages): extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, easy bruising or bleeding, swelling in legs/ankles (edema), and abdominal fluid accumulation (ascites).

The Problem of Lymphatic Dysfunction

In cirrhosis, lymphatic vessels (mesenteric lymphatic vessels or mLVs) become dilated and dysfunctional. Normally, these vessels drain interstitial fluid, proteins, and immune cells back into venous blood.

• In cirrhosis, lymph production increases nearly 30-fold due to portal hypertension and liver congestion.
• Dysfunctional lymph flow leads to ascites (abdominal fluid buildup), one of the most serious complications of decompensated cirrhosis.
• Currently, there is no effective therapy to correct this lymphatic dysfunction.

The VEGF-C Based Breakthrough

A joint team from the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati has developed a novel therapy using Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C (VEGF-C).

• Role of VEGF-C: A key pro-lymphangiogenic factor that binds to VEGFR-3 receptors, stimulating the growth of new lymphatic vessels and enhancing drainage.
• Challenge: VEGF-C has a short half-life, is hydrophilic, and can cause systemic side effects.

The Innovation: Nanocarriers

• Scientists at NIPER designed reverse micelle-based nanocarriers to encapsulate VEGF-C, ensuring targeted delivery to gut lymphatic vessels.
• These nanocarriers specifically bind to VEGFR-3 homodimers, maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects.
• The formulation was delivered orally in animal models, ensuring uptake by intestinal lymphatic vessels.

Findings (Animal Studies)

• Significant increase in mesenteric lymph drainage
• Reduction in ascites and portal hypertension
• Enhanced cytotoxic T-cell immunity in lymph nodes
• Reduction in local and systemic bacterial load

Significance and Future Prospects

• This is the first study to demonstrate that therapeutic lymphangiogenesis using VEGF-C can reconstruct fragmented lymphatic networks and restore function in advanced cirrhosis.
• Funded by the DST Nano Mission and published in JHEP Reports, it marks a major step in translational medicine.
• Next steps: Preclinical studies in larger animals, followed by human clinical trials to establish safety, dosage, and efficacy.

In News:

The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention concluded with a significant side event of the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI), highlighting collaborative efforts for wetland conservation and restoration across Southeast Asia.

About IBRRI

• Origin: Jointly developed by the Ramsar National Focal Points of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, with technical support from the IUCN Asia Regional Office.
• Aim: To coordinate and support the implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Ramsar Convention, particularly in addressing wetland degradation.
• Support: Backed by IUCN’s BRIDGE (Building River Dialogue and Governance) project, which promotes sustainable water management, biodiversity conservation, and cross-border cooperation.

Governance Structure

To ensure oversight, transparency, and inclusivity, IBRRI has developed a multi-tiered governance framework:

• Steering Committee: Comprising Ramsar Administrative Authorities from the five member countries.
• Secretariat: Hosted by the IUCN Asia Regional Office, Bangkok.
• Stakeholder Committee: Provides technical and strategic guidance, ensuring multi-stakeholder participation including governments, NGOs, and civil society.

Strategic Plan 2025–2030

• Launch: Officially unveiled during COP15 as a transboundary framework for wetland management.
• Objective: To halt and reverse wetland loss across member states through restoration, sustainable use, and regional cooperation.
• Approach: Promotes knowledge exchange, policy coordination, and joint action for wetland conservation.

About BRIDGE Project

• Aim: To strengthen transboundary water governance by catalysingsustainable management of shared rivers, ensuring water security, conserving biodiversity, and fostering peaceful cooperation across borders.

Significance

• Provides a regional mechanism for Ramsar Convention implementation.
• Enhances transboundary cooperation in the Indo-Burma region, which hosts critical wetland ecosystems.
• Contributes to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

In News:

The Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project is nearing the completion of its first phase and represents one of the most ambitious scientific efforts to decode the diversity of life on Earth. Focused on sequencing the genomes of all eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland, the project is a cornerstone of the global Earth BioGenome Project (EBP).

About the Project

• Objective: To generate high-quality genome sequences of around 70,000 eukaryotic species including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
• Approach: Careful collection of representative samples, application of advanced DNA sequencing technologies, and use of computational tools to understand how genetic code drives biological diversity.
• Collaboration: A joint initiative involving ten biodiversity, genomics, and data analysis partners.

What are Eukaryotes?

• Definition: Organisms with complex cells that have a well-defined nucleus enclosed by a membrane, along with organelles such as mitochondria and Golgi apparatus.
• Examples: Protists, plants, fungi, and animals.
• Distinctive Features:
  • Possess chromosomes inside the nucleus.
  • Reproduce asexually (mitosis) or sexually (meiosis + gamete fusion).
• Contrast with Prokaryotes: Unlike bacteria and archaea, eukaryotes are structurally advanced due to compartmentalized cell functions.

The Earth BioGenome Project (EBP)

• Vision: A global initiative to sequence, catalogue, and analyse the genomes of all known eukaryotic species on Earth.
• Timeline: 10 years.
• Network: Collaborative effort involving scientists, institutions, and multiple regional projects like DToL.

Significance:

• Scientific Advancement
  • Provides a genomic foundation for understanding biodiversity, evolution, and taxonomy.
  • Helps uncover how genetic variations translate into ecological and physiological adaptations.
• Conservation and Sustainability
  • Offers data vital for protecting endangered species and ecosystems.
  • Assists in addressing biodiversity loss and supporting global conservation strategies.
• Applications in Human Development
  • Medicine: Discovery of new genes for disease resistance or therapeutic innovations.
  • Agriculture: Identification of traits for crop resilience and productivity.
  • Biotechnology:Utilisation of unique biological pathways for industrial and environmental applications.

In News:

• India has taken a decisive step in advancing its space exploration ambitions with the launch of theHuman Outer Planet Exploration (HOPE) analogue station in Ladakh’s Tso Kar region.
• Developed by Bengaluru-based space science company Protoplanet in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the station is designed to simulate extra-terrestrial conditions, closely mimicking the geological and environmental features of the Moon and Mars.

What is HOPE?

• Analogue Station Concept: An analogue research station replicates planetary conditions to test technologies, study human adaptability, and conduct crew training. Globally, there are 33 such facilities, including BIOS-3 (Russia), HERA (USA), SHEE (Europe), and the Mars Desert Research Station (Utah, USA).
• Location & Conditions: Situated at an altitude of over 14,500 feet, Tso Kar offers a cold desert and high-altitude environment, chosen after nine years of study. Its extreme terrain makes it an “exceptional analogue site” for simulating extraterrestrial challenges.
• Mission Objective: HOPE aims to generate insights into human adaptability, resilience, and technology readinessfor sustained human presence beyond Earth.

Research and Operations

From August 1, 2025, selected crew members will undergo 10-day isolation missions inside the station. They will be subject to:

• Physiological studies – monitoring body adaptation in extreme conditions.
• Psychological studies – assessing mental resilience during confinement.
• Epigenetic research – studying biological changes in response to stress and environment.

Significance for India

• Strengthening Human Spaceflight Programme: This initiative provides critical data on crew adaptability for long-duration missions, supporting India’s vision of human exploration.
• Policy Alignment: The mission aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of establishing the BharatiyaAntariksh Station by 2035 and launching a manned Moon mission by 2040.
• Global Context: While NASA is targeting a manned mission to Mars by the 2030s, India is positioning itself as a rising player in deep-space exploration.

Strategic Importance

• Scientific Gains: HOPE will aid in technology validation, geological studies, life-detection research, and habitability assessments.
• International Standing: India joins the select group of countries operating analogue research stations, strengthening its credibility in interplanetary exploration.
• Capacity Building: The project helps build indigenous expertise in crew training, mission simulations, and psychological conditioning, paving the way for sustained space presence.

In News:

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has warned that plastic use and waste in Southeast and East Asia could nearly double by 2050 unless countries adopt urgent and stringent policy measures. The findings are particularly significant as they coincide with the final round of UN negotiations on a global plastics treaty scheduled in August 2025 in Geneva.

Key Findings of the OECD Report

1. Surge in Plastic Use and Waste

• Plastic consumption in the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) region – which includes ASEAN-10 (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) plus China, Japan, and South Korea – is projected to rise from 152 million tonnes (2022) to 280 million tonnes (2050).
• Plastic waste will increase from 113 million tonnes (2022) to 242 million tonnes (2050).
• Packaging waste alone will almost double, from 49 million tonnes to 91 million tonnes.

2. Regional Disparities

• China will see the largest absolute rise, from 76 million tonnes (2022) to 160 million tonnes (2050).
• Lower-middle-income ASEAN nations such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines will see the sharpest relative increase, with plastic waste nearly quadrupling from 7.5 million tonnes to 28 million tonnes.

3. Mismanaged Waste and Leakage

• Share of mismanaged plastic waste may fall (29% → 23% between 2022–2050), but total mismanaged waste will grow from 33 million tonnes to 56 million tonnes.
• The region is already the largest contributor to global plastic leakage – 8.4 million tonnes in 2022 (one-third of global leakage), projected to rise to 14.1 million tonnes by 2050.
• Plastic build-up:
  • Freshwater systems: from 57 million tonnes (2022) → 126 million tonnes (2050).
  • Oceans: from 17 million tonnes (2022) → 55 million tonnes (2050).

4. Climate Implications

• Greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic lifecycle (production + waste management) in the APT region are expected to nearly double from 0.6 GtCO?e (2022) to over 1 GtCO?e (2050).

Global High Stringency Scenario: Pathway to Solutions

OECD outlines a Global High Stringency (GHS) policy scenario that can reverse the trajectory:

• Plastic use: Could drop by 28% by 2050.
• Plastic waste: Could fall by 23%.
• Recycling: Average recycling rate could reach 54%, with secondary plastics meeting all future demand growth.
• Mismanaged waste: Could decline by 97%, drastically reducing environmental leakage.

Key recommended measures:

• Phase out single-use plastics.
• Strengthen waste collection systems and invest in recycling infrastructure.
• Promote circular economy approaches and regional cooperation.

Regional and Global Implications

• Cross-border challenge: Plastics persist for decades and move across boundaries. Poorer ASEAN nations like Indonesia often receive waste leakage from wealthier neighbours and China, with spillover impacts reaching the Indian Ocean and African coasts.
• Climate risks: Rising plastic demand intensifies emissions, undermining climate action goals.
• Global treaty negotiations: The report’s timing strengthens the case for an ambitious legally binding plastics treaty.

In News:

In a landmark advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has clarified that the Kyoto Protocol (1997) remains legally valid and binding, even after the Paris Agreement (2015) came into effect. This ruling has revived the Protocol’s legal relevance and has far-reaching implications for international climate law and global climate governance.

Background: The Kyoto Protocol

• Adopted: 1997; Entered into force: 2005 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Nature: First binding international treaty mandating emission reductions by industrialised nations (Annex-I countries).
• Principle: Based on Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR–RC), recognising that developed nations bear greater responsibility due to their historical emissions.
• Commitment Periods:
  • First: 2008–2012
  • Second: 2012–2020
• Obligations:
  • Quantified emission reduction targets (from 1990 baseline).
  • Provision of finance and technology transfer to developing nations.
  • Market-based mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Why was Kyoto Considered Obsolete?

• US Non-Ratification: The largest historical emitter never joined the Protocol.
• Withdrawals: Countries like Canada and Japan later exited or refused binding targets.
• Rise of New Emitters: China overtook the US as the largest emitter by mid-2000s but, as a “developing country,” had no binding obligations.
• Shift to Paris Agreement (2015):
  • Kyoto: Top-down, binding targets for developed countries.
  • Paris: Bottom-up, voluntary Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for all states.
• With no third commitment period defined after 2020, Kyoto was widely seen as defunct though never formally repealed.

ICJ’s Key Rulings

• Kyoto Still in Force: The absence of a new commitment period does not terminate the Protocol; it remains part of applicable international law.
• Legal Accountability: Non-compliance with emission reduction targets can constitute an “internationally wrongful act.”
• Retroactive Review: Past obligations (e.g., unfulfilled first commitment period targets) remain open for assessment.
• Advisory but Influential: Though not legally binding, the ruling strengthens grounds for climate litigation and accountability mechanisms.

Significance of the Ruling

• Legal Continuity: Confirms coexistence of Kyoto and Paris, rather than substitution.
• Revival of CBDR–RC: Re-emphasises differentiated responsibilities of developed nations, which Paris had diluted.
• Climate Justice: Opens the door for renewed scrutiny of historical emitters and their unfulfilled obligations.
• Litigation Pathways: Strengthens civil society and state efforts to seek compensation or stronger climate actions through international and domestic courts.

Implications for Global Climate Governance

• Developed countries face renewed legal and moral pressure to honour past commitments and extend finance and technology support.
• Developing nations gain a stronger footing to demand accountability for historical emissions.
• The ruling highlights the layered nature of international climate treaties, with Kyoto, UNFCCC, and Paris coexisting rather than replacing each other.
• It may reshape climate negotiations by reviving unfinished obligations under Kyoto while reinforcing Paris as the ongoing framework.

In News:

The recent return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India marks a landmark moment in India’s cultural diplomacy, heritage preservation, and spiritual history. Orchestrated by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with the Godrej Industries Group, this event prevented the relics’ auction in Hong Kong (May 2025) and instead restored them to their rightful home. For India, the land where the Buddha attained enlightenment and preached, this repatriation is more than a matter of archaeology—it reaffirms India’s role as the civilizational custodian of global heritage.

What are the Piprahwa Relics?

• Association: Believed to be the mortal remains of Lord Buddha, enshrined by the Sakya clan (his kinsmen) in the 3rd century BCE.
• Discovery: Excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé, a British civil engineer and estate manager, from a stupa at Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, located just south of Lumbini (Buddha’s birthplace, now in Nepal).
• Contents:
  • Bone fragments of the Buddha
  • Caskets: soapstone, crystal, and sandstone coffer
  • Offerings: gold ornaments, gemstones, and other ritual objects
• Inscription: A Brahmi script engraving on one of the caskets confirmed the relics’ identity, noting they were deposited by the Sakya clan.

Historical Journey of the Relics

• Colonial Appropriation (1898–1899)
  • Following their discovery, the British Crown claimed the artefacts under the Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878.
  • The bone and ash relics were gifted to King Chulalongkorn of Siam (Thailand), reflecting colonial practices of cultural transfer.
  • The majority of the remaining relics were placed in the Indian Museum, Kolkata (1899).
• Legal Protection
  • Classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law, these relics cannot be sold, exported, or removed—underscoring their sacred and national significance.
• Attempted Auction in 2025
  • The relics resurfaced in Hong Kong for an intended auction.
  • Through timely diplomatic and legal intervention, supported by public-private partnership with the Godrej Group, the Ministry of Culture secured their return.

Significance of the Repatriation

1. Spiritual and Cultural Significance

• Buddhism, which spread from India across Asia, regards relics of the Buddha as sacred embodiments of peace, compassion, and enlightenment.
• The return reaffirms India as the spiritual homeland of Buddhism, strengthening cultural linkages with Buddhist-majority nations like Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, and Sri Lanka.

2. Archaeological and Historical Importance

• Piprahwa is one of the earliest archaeologically verified stupa sites.
• The discovery provides rare material evidence of Buddhist practices of relic veneration, confirming textual accounts in Buddhist scriptures.

3. Diplomatic and Soft Power Dimensions

• The move highlights cultural diplomacy as a tool of India’s foreign policy.
• India positions itself as a global guardian of Buddhist heritage, enhancing ties with Southeast Asian nations where Buddhism is deeply rooted.

4. Model of Public–Private Partnership

• The collaboration between the Government of India and the Godrej Industries Group sets a precedent for safeguarding heritage.
• It reflects how corporate social responsibility (CSR) can extend beyond business to civilizational legacy.

In News:

Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Supply and Use Tables (SUTs) for 2020–21 and 2021–22.

What are Supply and Use Tables?

SUTs consist of two interlinked matrices—Supply Tables and Use Tables, organized in a product-by-industry format.

• Supply Table: Captures total supply of goods and services, combining domestic production (at basic prices) and imports.
• Use Table: Reveals how these products are used across the economy—intermediate consumption, final consumption, capital formation, and exports (at purchasers’ prices).

Purpose & Significance of SUT

• Integration of GDP Approaches: SUT unifies production, income, and expenditure methods for GDP calculation, helping reconcile discrepancies between them.
• Robust Analytical Tool: Offers granular insights into product-industry dynamics, facilitating better policymaking and economic analysis.
• Data Reconciliation: Aligns macroeconomic estimates from sources like National Accounts Statistics (NAS), ASI, RBI, EXIM data, and census, improving coherence.

Data Coverage & Compilation Methodology

• Scope: Covers 140 products and 66 industries, at current prices, aligned with UN’s System of National Accounts (SNA).
• Key Steps:
  1. Identify industries (via NIC, NAS compilation categories) and products (via NPCMS for manufacturing, NPCSS for services).
  2. Compile Supply Table at basic prices; translate to purchasers’ prices using tax, margin, and CIF adjustments.
  3. Compile Use Table, detailing intermediate and final uses.
  4. Balance product supply and use to ensure consistency.
• Data Sources: NAS, ASI, EXIM, RBI, CBIC, MCA, Cost of Cultivation, etc.

Key Highlights

GVA-to-GVO Ratios (Efficiency Indicators)

• Top-performing industries (high ratios):
  • 2020–21: Ownership of Dwellings, Fishing & Aquaculture, Forestry & Logging, Agriculture, Education & Research
  • 2021–22: Ownership of Dwellings, Fishing & Aquaculture, Forestry & Logging, Agriculture, Crude Petroleum
• Low-performing industries (low ratios):
  • 2020–21: Meat processing, Dairy, Grain mill & animal feeds, Communication equipment, Other manufacturing
  • 2021–22: Similar, with Coke & Refined Petroleum added

Consumption Patterns

• Intermediate Consumption: Highest share by Construction—13.82% (2020–21), 14.03% (2021–22).
• Consumption Composition:
  • 2020–21: Intermediate: Goods 70%, Services 30%; PFCE: Goods 62%, Services 38%
  • 2021–22: Intermediate: Goods 72%, Services 28%; PFCE: Goods 59%, Services 41%

GDP Discrepancy Reconciliation

• 2020–21: Discrepancy of –?2,46,154 crores; reconciled by reducing PFCE by ?3,05,628 cr; Inventory by ?18,897 cr; Imports by ?78,374 cr.
• 2021–22: Discrepancy of –?2,16,579 crores; PFCE cut by ?3,55,540 cr; Inventory by ?1,884 cr; Imports by ?1,37,081 cr.

Significance

• Macro-Accounting Sophistication:SUT represents India’s advanced approach to reconciling diverse economic indicators—critical for accurate GDP estimation.
• Policy Insights:Understanding sectoral efficiencies (via GVA-to-GVO), product dependencies, and consumption structures can guide targeted reforms.
• Post-Pandemic Recovery Landscape:The sharp increase in total supply (28.4% growth) between 2020–21 and 2021–22 reflects economic resilience and rebound.
• Data-Driven Governance: SUT’s transparency and granularity strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
• Statistical Infrastructure Evolution: Proposals for SME/MNE disaggregation, real-time dashboards, and annual updates align India with OECD’s extended SUT models and global best practices.

In News:

• Recently, a magnitude 8.8 megathrust quake struck off the eastern coast of Kamchatka Peninsula, one of the largest ever recorded globally.
• This quake ranks among the six strongest recorded since modern seismology began—comparable to events in Ecuador (1906) and Chile (2010)—but caused remarkably limited damage.
• It originated in the Kuril–Kamchatka subduction zone, where the denser Pacific Plate thrusts beneath the North American/Okhotsk plates—a region known for frequent tectonic activity. The rupture extended over 200–300 miles underwater.

Tsunami: Warnings, Impact, and Aftermath

• The quake triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific: Japan, the U.S. West Coast, Alaska, Hawai‘i, Chile, Ecuador (Galápagos), and French Polynesia, among others, issued multi-national warnings.
• In Kamchatka, waves between 3 to 5 meters struck, inundating the port and fish-processing plants in Severo-Kurilsk.
• Locally in Severo-Kurilsk, the quake caused serious structural damage to residential and social infrastructure, once again highlighting its vulnerability—especially recalling the catastrophic 1952 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the town.

Volcanic Aftermath: A Volcanic Chain Reaction

• In the quake’s wake, six volcanoes on Kamchatka became active. Most notably, Krasheninnikov erupted for the first time in 600 years, while others like KlyuchevskayaSopka, Shiveluch, Bezymianny, Karymsky, and Avachinsky also showed signs of eruption.
• This surge in volcanic activity—sparked by seismic fracturing of the crust—is considered a rare geological cascade, comparable to events last seen in 1737. Ash plumes reached up to 10 km height, posing aviation hazards.

Historical Perspective: Kamchatka’s Seismic Legacy

• 1952 Severo-Kurilsk Earthquake (Mag 8.8–9.0) caused a massive tsunami up to 18 meters, killing thousands and destroying the original town. It remains a defining tragedy in Russia’s seismic history.
• Earlier, the 1923 Kamchatka quake (Mag ~7–8) generated a tsunami that reached Hawaii and California’s coastlines, showing long-standing Pacific-wide impacts.
• These events underline the repeatable seismic vulnerability of the region and importance of preparedness.

In News:

The Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI), launched in January 2021, serves as a pivotal metric to gauge the country's journey toward a digital payments ecosystem. It uses March 2018 as its base year (index = 100) and is published every six months, offering a holistic and dynamic snapshot of digital transaction adoption.

RBI-DPI Calculation: Five Key Parameters

The DPI aggregates various dimensions of digital payments adoption across five weighted components:

Drivers Behind the Mar 2025 Jump

As of March 2025, RBI-DPI stood at 493.22, up from 465.33 in September 2024—a year-on-year rise of 10.7%. The key drivers include:

• Supply-side Infrastructure Improvements: Wider merchant adoption of PoS, QR codes, and enhanced banking outreach.
• Payment Performance Surge: Rapid uptake of UPI, IMPS, and other platforms.
• Policy & Technology Boosters: Initiatives such as Digital India, increasing smartphone penetration, and fintech innovation have fueled demand.

Significance for Digital India

• Digital Economy Tracking: DPI is a quantitative barometer of India’s shift to a digital-first economy—enabling policymakers to monitor progress and identify gaps in access or infrastructure.
• Financial Inclusion & Transparency: Growth in DPI indicates deeper penetration of digital finance into rural and marginalized areas, helping combat cash reliance and promote inclusion.
• Policy Formulation & Monetary Insights: Metrics under Payment Performance bolster the RBI’s real-time understanding of transactional trends, aiding monetary policy and regulatory interventions.
• Enhancing Global Fintech Standing: A rising DPI strengthens India’s position as a global digital finance hub, enhancing credibility and attracting investment.

Challenges & Recommendations Ahead

• Digital Divide: Rural areas still lack adequate connectivity and awareness to fully utilize digital tools.
• Cybersecurity & Fraud: As transactions rise, so do risks. Issues like fraud, system downtime, and grievance redressal remain priorities.
• Tech Standardization: Ensuring interoperability and unified standards across platforms is essential.

In News:

Since 18 April 2024, the European Commission implemented a preferential “cascade” regime under the revised Schengen Visa Code (2020 reform), offering long-term, multiple-entry Schengen visas to Indian nationals with a clean travel history. Originally effective for India, Turkey, and Indonesia, this regime could expand to other countries based on diplomatic and readmission cooperation.

What Is the Schengen Area & Visa Basics

• The Schengen Area comprises 29 countries, including most EU members and four EFTA nations—allowing passport-free movement.
• A Schengen (short-stay) visa permits up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is purpose-flexible (tourism, business, visiting family, etc.) but does not confer work rights.

The Cascade Regime – A Tiered System

Tier-Based Progression

The regime introduces a pyramid-like progression based on prior visa use:

*Availability of the 5-year visa depends on passport validity.

Underlying Rule

Mexico’s 90/180 rule still applies: holders can stay only up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period.

What's Special for Indian Nationals

• The cascade regime for Indians is more favorable than the general rule (which typically demands three prior visas within 2 years for progression). Indians now qualify for a 2-year visa with just two prior visas within 3 years, thanks to a special provision under Article 24(2c) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009.
• The visa must not exceed passport validity—if the passport expires earlier, the visa has to be correspondingly shorter.
• The policy is discretionary—granting long-term visas (especially 5-year ones) depends on the visa officer’s judgement, even if eligibility criteria are technically met.

Strategic and Policy Significance

• People-to-people diplomacy: The cascade visa fosters cultural, business, and academic exchange, aligning with the EU's emphasis on soft power and deepening ties with India.
• Bilateral alignment: Reflects the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, and dovetails with negotiations around the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• Administrative efficiency: Long-term visas reduce repeat applications—beneficial for both visa applicants and consular resources.
• Reciprocity and expansion: Initially for India, Turkey, and Indonesia; the regime may expand to more countries based on cooperation levels.

In News:

• The 32nd edition of SIMBEX—India’s longest continuously conducted maritime bilateral exercise—was held from 28 July to 1 August 2025, hosted by Singapore. It included a Harbour Phase at Changi Naval Base and a Sea Phase in the southern South China Sea.
• Indian participation: INS Satpura, alongside INS Delhi, INS Kiltan, and the support vessel INS Shakti.
• Singapore Navy elements: RSN Vigilance and RSN Supreme, supported by MV Mentor and aerial units—S-70B Seahawk, Fokker-50 aircraft, and F-15SG fighters.

Objectives & Activities

Harbour Phase

• Featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), professional presentations, and strategic interactions.
• Conducted deck familiarisation visits aboard respective ships to foster doctrinal alignment

Sea Phase

• Encompassed advanced drill sequences, including:
  • Air defence exercises, cross-deck helicopter operations
  • Precision targeting, complex manoeuvres, and VBSS operations (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure)
• Concluded with a ceremonial sail-past, symbolising professionalism and unity.

Geopolitical Landscape

• Strategic Reach: Deployment of Indian vessels to Philippines and Vietnam — alongside participation in SIMBEX—demonstrates India’s extended operational posture in Southeast Asia amidst regional tensions, notably with China’s maritime assertiveness.
• Broader Continuity: The Indian Navy, operating via the Andaman and Nicobar Command, employs SIMBEX as part of a broader matrix of maritime outreach in the region, including CORPAT and MILAN exercises

In News:

In a strategic shift, India has floated international tenders for constructing the long-stalled Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project (1,856 MW) on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir, leveraging the fact that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan is currently in abeyance. This development marks a significant turn in India’s water diplomacy and infrastructure planning.

Background & Project Details

• Location & Nature: Sawalkote is a run-of-river hydropower project near Sidhu village in Ramban district, J&K.
• Conception & Delay: Originally conceived in the 1980s, handed to NHPC in 1985, then returned to JKSPDC in 1997. Despite Rs 430 crore spent on enabling infrastructure, the project remained unstarted until a 2021 MoU revived it under an BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) model.
• Tender Process: In July 2025, NHPC invited international bids (design, planning, engineering) with bid submissions due by September 10, 2025.
• Scale & Costs: Estimated cost stands at Rs 22,704.8 crore, set to be executed in two phases.
• Environmental Clearances: Forest Advisory Committee granted in-principle approval for diversion of 847 hectares of forest land.

Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) & Its Suspension

• Treaty Overview: Signed in 1960 (brokered by the World Bank), IWT allocates the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India, and the western rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum) to Pakistan. India retains limited non-consumptive usage rights for hydro-power on these western rivers.
• First Suspension: On 23 April 2025, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India suspended the IWT, citing national security and the treaty’s exploitation by Pakistan for cross-border terrorism.
• Consequences: India ceased hydrological data sharing, blocked Pakistani access to project visits, and released annual joint-status reporting—effectively halting treaty obligations.
• Strategic Intent: This pause grants India freedom to launch projects like Sawalkote without Pakistan’s prior objections or IWT constraints.

Geopolitical Tensions & Ramifications

• Long-term Impact on Pakistan: The Indus system sustains ~80% of Pakistan’s agriculture and electricity. Disruption could severely undermine food security, hydropower production, and urban water supply.
• Symbolism of a Rift: The treaty had survived wars and conflicts. Its suspension is viewed as an overt break in regional cooperative norms, with potential for conflict escalation.
• Legal & Diplomatic Fallout: Pakistan views reduced water flows as “act of war”; it is exploring legal avenues and appealing for treaty revival.
• India’s Firm Stance: PM Modi has labeled the treaty “unjust,” declared “blood and water cannot flow together,” further hardening India's negotiating posture.

Strategic Evaluation

• Violation or Tactical Move? While the IWT allows limited usage by India, its suspension indicates a focus on infrastructure autonomy over the western river system.
• Regional Domino Effects: With rising global water disputes, actions like this may set precedent in viewing water as geopolitical leverage.
• Environmental & Social Risks: Dam construction and forest diversion raise ecological concerns; plus, local displacement and compensation need careful handling.

In News:

• India is at the cusp of a demographic transition, with a young workforce expected to drive its goal of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
• Yet, only ~4% of India’s workforce is formally skilled, and nearly 30% of trained individuals remain unemployed. Traditional skilling schemes have struggled, especially with job retention.
• Against this backdrop, Skill Impact Bond (SIB), launched in 2021, marks a paradigm shift in India’s skilling ecosystem by linking financing to actual outcomes.

What is the Skill Impact Bond (SIB)?

• Launched: November 2021.
• Implementing Agency: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
• Partners: British Asian Trust, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), HSBC India, JSW Foundation, Dubai Cares.
• Target: Train 50,000 youth (60% women), ensure sustained employment.

It is India’s first development impact bond focused on employment, not just certification.

How Does SIB Work?

1. Risk Investors (Private/Philanthropic): Provide upfront funds to service providers (training institutes).
2. Service Providers: Deliver skill training, placement support, and post-placement mentoring.
3. Outcome Funders (Govt/Donors): Repay investors if measurable outcomes are achieved (job placement + retention).
4. Third-Party Evaluator: Verifies outcomes.

Key Distinction: Funding is tied to placement and retention, not mere enrolment/certification.

Progress So Far

• 23,700 youth trained across 13 sectors & 30 job roles.
• 72% women participation – one of the highest in any skilling programme.
• 75% placed in jobs, and 60% retained beyond 3 months, exceeding national averages (<10% under older schemes).
• Jharkhand, UP, Delhi are leading states in enrolment.

Significance

• Women-led Growth:
  • 72% women trainees; many first-generation formal workers (tribal, rural, conservative households).
  • Skilling gives women not just jobs but also agency, confidence, and identity.
• Outcome-Based Financing:
  • Ensures accountability of training providers.
  • Attracts private/philanthropic capital into public welfare.
• Addresses Retention Challenge:
  • Traditional skilling: 84% complete training, but <10% stay in jobs beyond 3 months.
  • SIB model pushes for long-term impact.
• Replicable Model:
  • Can be scaled to health, education, social welfare.
  • Example: Project AMBER (apprenticeship-based skilling) also uses this financing.

Challenges Ahead

• Scale vs Depth: Training 50,000 is significant, but India needs millions of skilled youth annually.
• Social Barriers: Women face mobility, safety, and cultural challenges in sustaining employment.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Requires robust third-party systems to measure outcomes fairly.
• Private Participation: Sustaining investor confidence demands continuous success stories.

Way Forward

• Expand outcome-based financing to more sectors.
• Strengthen ecosystem for women (hostels, childcare, safe mobility).
• Continuous mentoring & alumni networks to ensure retention.
• Use digital platforms for scalable skilling and tracking.

In News:

The Barbados threadsnake, long considered lost to science, has made a startling comeback. This diminutive reptile—no longer than a coin—was rediscovered in Barbados in March 2025, nearly two decades after its last documented sighting. Its reappearance has reignited global interest in its conservation and the fragile ecosystems it inhabits.

Key Attributes & Taxonomy

• Scientific Classification: Tetracheilostoma carlae, family Leptotyphlopida.
• Size & Weight: Adults reach approximately 9–10 cm (3–4 in) in length and weigh ~0.6 g (~0.02 oz)—making it the world’s smallest known snake
• Physical Traits: Extremely slender—about as thick as a spaghetti noodle. Distinguished by pale orange dorsal stripes and a small scale on the snout
• Vision & Behavior: A blind, fossorial snake that burrows underground, especially hiding under rocks during the day.
• Diet: Feeds on termite and ant larvae—its petite jaws prevent it from consuming larger prey.
• Reproduction: Oviparous, laying only one large egg at a time, with hatchlings already about half the size of adults.

Rediscovery: A Significant Scientific Moment

• Context: The species had not been observed since 2006, and earlier specimens were often misidentified in museum collections.
• 2025 Rediscovery: During a March ecological survey in central Barbados by the Ministry of Environment and Re:wild, the snake was found under a rock near a jack-in-the-box tree. It was confirmed after microscopic and morphological assessment at the University of the West Indies.
• Reactions: This turn of events is hailed as a conservation triumph and a poignant reminder of Barbados’s biodiversity despite its heavily altered landscape.

Conservation Context & Implications

• Habitat Loss: Over 98% of Barbados’s primary forests have been cleared, leaving threadsnake habitats limited to a few square kilometers of secondary forests, particularly in the Scotland District.
• Threats: Loss of habitat and competition from the invasive Brahminy blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus), which reproduces asexually and may outcompete the threadsnake.
• Conservation Action: The rediscovery falls under the broader Conserving Barbados’ Endemic Reptiles (CBER) project. Future plans focus on mapping its range, safeguarding habitats, and preserving biodiversity as part of Barbados's compliance with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

In News:

India and Bhutan share one of the most successful models of hydropower cooperation in South Asia. The launch of the 1125 MW Dorjilung Hydropower Project in Bhutan, with Tata Power’s equity participation alongside Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC), marks a turning point in cross-border energy diplomacy. Unlike earlier projects dominated by Indian government financing, Dorjilung reflects a shift towards Public–Private Partnership (PPP), multilateral funding, and private sector involvement.

Key Features of the Project

• Type: Run-of-the-river scheme on the Kurichhu River (tributary of Drangmechhu, flows into India).
• Location: Mongar and Lhuentse districts, eastern Bhutan.
• Technical Specs:
  • Dam height: ~139.5 m (concrete-gravity).
  • Headrace tunnel: 15 km.
  • Powerhouse: 6 Francis turbines.
  • Annual generation: ~4.5 TWh.
• Cost: USD 1.7 billion (~?150 billion).
• Funding: World Bank.
• Equity Structure: DGPC (60%) + Tata Power (40%).
• Timeline: Commissioning expected by 2032.

India–Bhutan Energy Ties

• Existing Cooperation:
  • Governed by the 2006 Bilateral Agreement on Hydropower Cooperation (protocol revised 2009).
  • 4 operational projects supplying power to India: Chhukha (336 MW), Kurichhu (60 MW), Tala (1020 MW), Mangdechhu (720 MW).
  • Punatsangchhu I (1200 MW) and Punatsangchhu II (1020 MW) under construction.
• Economic Importance for Bhutan:
  • Hydropower exports = 40% of govt revenue and 25% of GDP.
  • India buys surplus electricity, ensuring stable market access.
• India’s Strategic Interest:
  • Ensures clean energy imports.
  • Strengthens regional energy security.
  • Counters Chinese presence in the Himalayan hydropower sector.

What Makes Dorjilung Different?

• PPP & Private Sector Role: First large-scale project with an Indian private company (Tata Power) holding major equity.
• Diversified Financing: World Bank funding reduces Bhutan’s dependence on Indian grants and credit lines.
• B2B Model: Moves from a government-to-government (G2G) model to business-to-business (B2B), granting Bhutan greater autonomy and bargaining parity.
• Integrated Renewable Plan: Tata Power–DGPC partnership envisions 5000 MW clean energy capacity, including:
  • Dorjilung (1125 MW)
  • Gongri (740 MW)
  • Jeri Pumped Storage (1800 MW)
  • Chamkharchhu IV (364 MW)
  • Solar projects (500 MW).

Strategic & Geopolitical Significance

• For Bhutan:
  • Reduces financial vulnerability by avoiding overdependence on Indian government aid.
  • Attracts global institutions (World Bank), raising international credibility.
  • Boosts local development in eastern districts (infrastructure, jobs).
• For India:
  • Enhances energy security via long-term clean energy imports.
  • Strengthens economic diplomacy with a trusted neighbour.
  • Counters China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) push in Himalayan hydropower (e.g., Nepal’s tilt towards Chinese funding).
  • Supports Paris Agreement & renewable targets.
• For the Region:
  • Creates scope for regional energy grids under BIMSTEC and BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal).
  • Encourages private-sector led cross-border energy trade.

Challenges Ahead

• Delayed Timelines: Past Bhutanese projects (e.g., Punatsangchhu I & II) suffered huge delays and cost overruns.
• Debt Burden: Large projects raise Bhutan’s external debt, though hydropower revenue offsets this risk.
• Environmental Concerns: Dam construction in fragile Himalayan ecosystems risks landslides, habitat loss, and displacement.
• Domestic Politics: Growing debate within Bhutan on overdependence on India; balancing autonomy with partnership is key.
• Regional Rivalries: India’s refusal to import power from Chinese-funded projects in Nepal shows how geopolitics can complicate energy trade.

Way Forward

• Diversify Financing: Blend of multilateral, private, and bilateral sources to reduce dependency risks.
• Strengthen Grid Connectivity: Expand India–Bhutan–Bangladesh power corridors.
• Sustainable Practices: Ensure climate-resilient dam design, environmental safeguards, and local community participation.
• Expand Solar–Hydro Synergy: Hybrid models (hydropower + solar) to ensure round-the-clock renewable supply.
• Institutional Mechanisms: Strengthen the India–Bhutan Joint Group on Hydropower Projects for dispute resolution and faster approvals.