In News:

• India, the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, continues to face a structural gap between domestic production and rising demand. Lower productivity levels, yield gaps, and increasing import dependence have highlighted the need for a targeted national strategy.
• To address these concerns, the Government of India has launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025–31)—a six-year initiative aimed at transforming India into a self-reliant pulses-producing nation through scientific, institutional, and market reforms.

Overview of the Mission

Formally launched by the Prime Minister on 11 October 2025, the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses was first announced in the Union Budget 2024–25. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, with collaborative support from NAFED, NCCF, and state governments.

Mission Duration and Financial Outlay

• Implementation period: 2025–26 to 2030–31
• Total outlay: ?11,440 crore
• Targets:
  • Raise production by 45%—from 242 lakh MT (2023–24) to 350 lakh MT (2030–31)
  • Expand cultivated area by 13%—from 275 lakh ha to 310 lakh ha
  • Improve average yield by 28%—from 881 kg/ha to 1,130 kg/ha

Rationale: Current Status and Challenges

India cultivates a wide variety of pulses across agro-climatic zones. Major pulse-growing states include:

• Area (2023–24): Rajasthan (54.67 lakh ha), Madhya Pradesh (51 lakh ha), Maharashtra (44 lakh ha), Uttar Pradesh (30 lakh ha)
• Production (2023–24): Madhya Pradesh (59.74 lakh MT), Maharashtra (40 lakh MT), Rajasthan (33 lakh MT), Uttar Pradesh (31 lakh MT)

Gram dominates both area and output, followed by moong, tur (arhar), urad, and masoor. Over 60% of pulses production occurs during the rabi season.

Despite being the largest pulses producer, India remains dependent on imports from Myanmar, Tanzania, Mozambique, Canada, Australia, among others. Demand is projected to reach 268 lakh MT by 2030 and 293 lakh MT by 2047 (NITI Aayog), far exceeding current production levels. Productivity remains significantly lower than global benchmarks—Canada (2200 kg/ha) and China (1815 kg/ha).

Why Focus on Tur, Urad, and Masoor?

These three pulses account for 34% of total pulses area and contribute significantly to national output. They also exhibit high yield gaps and are crucial for nutritional security. The Mission plans:

• 9 lakh ha expansion in tur—across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand and non-traditional areas like the Northeast.
• Utilisation of rice fallows for expanding urad in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
• Promotion of masoor in rice fallow areas of West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh.

Key Components and Features of the Mission

1. Development of Climate-Resilient Seeds: Focus on high-yielding, drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and protein-enriched varieties.

2. Higher Productivity through Technological Adoption

• Enhanced support of ?10,000/ha for Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) of improved technologies (higher than ?9,000 under NFSM).
• Strengthening post-harvest storage, grading, and processing infrastructure.

3. 100% Assured Procurement

A major innovation in the mission framework:

• NAFED and NCCF will undertake 100% procurement of tur, urad and masoor for four years under PM-AASHA’s Price Support Scheme (PSS).
• Aadhaar-enabled biometric/facial authentication will ensure transparency and eliminate leakages.

4. Cluster-Based Approach

Each cluster will include minimum 10 ha (2 ha in hilly/Northeast region). Cluster selection based on:

• Four-fold district classification: HA-HY, HA-LY, LA-HY, LA-LY
• Rice fallow, rainfed, and watershed areas
• Aspirational districts, border/LWE districts
• Regions under PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, Adarsh Gram Yojana, and Northeast/Himalayan areas

5. Value-Chain Strengthening: Interventions span input supply, extension, mechanisation, processing, market linkages and digital traceability.

Comparative Advantage over Previous Schemes

The Mission subsumes the pulses component of National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) but provides:

• Higher financial support
• Wider geographical coverage
• Expanded interventions (seed hubs, storage, procurement)
• Stronger digital governance
• Guaranteed procurement for three major pulses

National Significance

• Food and Nutritional Security: Pulses are key protein sources in Indian diets.
• Import Substitution: Reduces dependency on global markets and price volatility.
• Farmer Income Stability: Guaranteed procurement and improved yields boost profitability.
• Climate Resilience: Promotes drought-friendly crops, diversifies cropping patterns, and utilises rice fallows.
• Balanced Regional Development: Targets backward, rainfed, aspirational and border districts.

In News:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 22nd India–ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming India’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in maritime security, digital inclusion, resilient supply chains, and economic integration.
• During the address, he announced that 2026 will be celebrated as the “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” reflecting an intensified focus on the Indo-Pacific maritime domain. The remarks aligned with ASEAN’s theme under Malaysia’s chairmanship — “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

Evolution of India–ASEAN Engagement

India’s engagement with ASEAN has evolved over more than three decades:

• 1992: Sectoral Dialogue Partnership initiated.
• 1996: Upgraded to Full Dialogue Partnership.
• 2002: India began regular participation in ASEAN Summits.
• 2009: ASEAN–India FTA in Goods (AITIGA) came into force;
• 2015: Services and Investment Agreements added.
• 2014 onwards: Transition from “Look East” to Act East Policy, increasing political, cultural and strategic connectivity.
• 2022: Partnership elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The partnership is grounded in shared civilisational links, especially through Buddhism, historical maritime routes, and cultural exchanges dating back to the Gupta and Srivijaya eras.

Recent Summit Highlights: Strategic Messaging

Despite PM Modi’s long-standing practice of physical participation in ASEAN summits, his virtual presence this year was noted as an unusual departure. Given the symbolic importance of leader-level diplomacy in ASEAN's consensus-driven ecosystem, some observers considered his absence a missed opportunity, especially amid strengthening bilateral ties with Malaysia after upgrading relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Nevertheless, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s intent to complement ASEAN’s Community Vision 2045 and India’s national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, framing both as convergent long-term goals. He highlighted India’s role as a First Responder in regional crises, a position increasingly recognised across Southeast Asia.

Unlike previous years featuring extensive multi-point proposals, the 2025 address emphasised consolidation over expansion, centred primarily on maritime cooperation — a significant signal as the Philippines assumes ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 amid rising maritime tensions in the South China Sea.

Key Pillars of Cooperation

1. Maritime Security & Indo-Pacific Cooperation

• Joint patrols, coordinated naval exercises, and enhanced maritime domain awareness.
• Blue economy initiatives under the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation (2026).

2. Economic Integration

• Review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to address market access constraints, streamline rules of origin, and reduce non-tariff barriers.
• Policymakers are urged to prioritise long-term regional integration over short-term protectionist anxieties.

3. Digital & Green Economy

• Cooperation in digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI governance, renewable energy, green ports, and climate-resilient supply chains.

4. Connectivity Projects

• Acceleration of India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.
• Progress on the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Corridor, strengthening multimodal and economic connectivity.

5. Cultural Diplomacy & People-to-People Links

• ICCR scholarships, academic exchanges, tourism linkages, and the ASEAN–India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT).
• Emphasis on shared civilisational heritage and cultural exchanges.

Initiatives & Institutional Mechanisms

• ASEAN–India Plan of Action (2026–2030) focusing on trade, innovation, food security, agriculture, health, and education.
• India’s ?500 crore ASEAN–India Fund supporting capacity building, agriculture, and connectivity projects.
• Track 1.5 dialogue platforms reveal growing regional acknowledgement of India’s strategic role in Southeast Asia.

In News:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the establishment of the National Makhana Board as a transformative step and a “revolution” for the makhana sector.
• The initiative aims to unlock the commercial potential of Makhana (foxnut)—the dried edible seed of Euryale ferox, a prickly water lily that grows in freshwater ponds across South and East Asia—and address long-standing structural gaps in India’s leading production region, Bihar.

Makhana: Botanical, Nutritional and Cultural Features

• Makhana is derived from the seeds of the gorgon plant, recognised by its large prickly leaves and violet-white flowers. Traditionally used in ritual offerings, it has gained global traction as a nutrient-dense, low-fat “superfood”, expanding its market appeal among health-conscious consumers.
• The global makhana market, valued at USD 43.56 million in 2023, is projected to surpass USD 100 million by 2033, signalling strong export potential for India.

Production Profile: Bihar’s Dominance

• Bihar accounts for 90% of India’s makhana production, with cultivation concentrated in nine districts of the Mithilanchal region—particularly Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, and Katihar, which together contribute 80% of the state’s output. Roughly 15,000 hectares under cultivation yield around 10,000 tonnes of popped makhana annually.
• Over 10 lakh families, mainly from the Mallah (fishermen) community, are involved in its cultivation, harvesting, and processing—making the crop socio-economically significant for Bihar’s rural economy.

Challenges: Low Productivity, Labour-Intensive Processes and Market Limitations

Despite being the largest producer, Bihar faces multiple structural constraints:

1. Weak Food Processing and Export Infrastructure

• Punjab and Assam dominate makhana exports despite minimal or no production.
• Bihar sells raw foxnuts cheaply to external food processing units (FPUs), which add value through flavouring, packaging, and branding—capturing higher profits.

2. Poor Market Organisation

• A long chain of intermediaries suppresses farmer earnings.
• Limited organised market systems hinder transparent pricing and revenue growth.

3. Labour-Intensive and Low-Productivity Cultivation

• Harvesting requires diving into water bodies and manually collecting seeds.
• Cleaning, sun drying, roasting, and popping are entirely manual processes.
• Adoption of high-yield varieties (HYVs) like Swarna Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1 remains low, keeping output at 1.7–1.9 tonnes/hectare, far below the HYV potential of 3–3.5 tonnes/hectare.
• Mechanisation attempts have been unsuccessful due to technological inefficiencies.

4. Institutional Weakness

• The ICAR National Research Centre for Makhana, established in 2002, has suffered understaffing, lack of administrative support, and underutilisation.

Government Efforts: Policy Push and Institutional Strengthening

The government is working to commercialise makhana through:

• Creation of the National Makhana Board with an initial budget of ?100 crore to address production, processing, value addition, and marketing.
• Promotion of makhana as a commercial crop with improved processing linkages.
• Expansion of industrial infrastructure, including cargo facilities at airports in Patna, Darbhanga, and Purnea, aimed at facilitating exports.
• Training, capacity-building, and linkage of farmers to government schemes.
• Awarding the GI tag to Mithila Makhana in 2022, recognising its unique geographical identity and boosting brand value.

Political Significance: Makhananomics in an Election Year

The push for makhana development carries strong electoral implications:

• With elections approaching, makhana has emerged as a key narrative in Bihar’s economic agenda.
• The sector directly impacts the Mallah community, which constitutes just 2.6% of the state population but commands significant influence in North Bihar owing to their 6% regional vote share.
• Success of “makhananomics” could bolster the ruling coalition’s political appeal by promising employment generation, economic upliftment, and rural prosperity.

In News:

The Central Government has strongly defended the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 before the Supreme Court, asserting that the law plays a transformative role in restoring the dignity, livelihoods, and cultural identity of India’s forest-dependent communities. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), in its affidavit, has rebutted allegations that the FRA or its 2012 Rules conflict with existing wildlife and forest protection laws.

Background

• The Forest Rights Act was enacted in 2006 to correct historical injustices faced by Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs), whose rights over forest lands were never formally recorded.
• The Act’s constitutional validity was challenged in 2008 by the NGO Wildlife First, which sought eviction of people whose claims were rejected under the Act.
• In February 2019, the Supreme Court directed states to evict rejected claimants, triggering widespread protests from tribal groups and civil society.
• The MoTA intervened, pointing to procedural lapses in claim verification, leading the Court to stay the eviction order and call for fresh data and review of rejected claims.

Government’s Stand Before the Supreme Court

• The MoTA has upheld both the legal validity and spirit of the Act, clarifying that FRA is not merely about land ownership but about restoring dignity, livelihoods, and cultural identity.
• The Ministry has rebutted claims that FRA undermines wildlife or forest conservation, arguing that the coexistence model has long been practiced by indigenous groups such as the Baiga and Santhal communities.
• The Centre has emphasized that the absence of a sunset clause in the Act is intentional to ensure equity and prevent arbitrary timelines for claim submissions.
• It also highlighted that the Gram Sabha is the final authority in determining forest rights, as reaffirmed by the 2013 Niyamgiri judgment, which upheld the community and cultural rights of the DongriaKondh tribe in Odisha.

Key Provisions of the FRA, 2006

The Act recognises two broad categories of rights:

• Individual Forest Rights (IFR): Ownership and habitation rights for forest land cultivated or occupied by individuals or families.
• Community Forest Rights (CFR): Rights of communities over forest resources, including grazing, fishing, and collection of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) like bamboo, tendu leaves, honey, lac, and wax.

Empowerment of Gram Sabha:

• To identify, verify, and recommend claims for forest rights.
• To manage and protect community forest resources sustainably.
• To regulate access to and trade of MFP, ensuring benefits reach local communities directly.

Government Initiatives Supporting FRA Implementation

• The Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme for Minor Forest Produce ensures fair value for tribal collectors.
• The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED) and Van DhanKendras assist tribal communities in value addition and marketing of forest products.
• These mechanisms prevent the monopolisation of forest produce by contractors and enhance economic self-reliance among tribal communities.

Key Issues and Challenges

• Implementation Delays: Many claims remain pending due to administrative inefficiencies and lack of trained personnel at local levels.
• Conflict with Conservation Laws: Overlaps with the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and Forest Conservation Act (1980) often lead to confusion and litigation.
• Commercialization Risks: Concerns exist over unsupervised extraction of MFP if monitoring is weak.
• Data and Monitoring Gaps: Lack of digitized and transparent claim records has led to disputes and wrongful rejections.
• Integration with Conservation Goals: Balancing livelihood rights with ecological preservation remains a challenge.

Significance of FRA

• Empowers tribal and forest communities by recognizing their traditional rights and promoting participatory forest governance.
• Strengthens decentralized decision-making through Gram Sabhas.
• Promotes poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods.
• Reinforces constitutional principles, notably:
  • Article 21 – Right to Life with dignity.
  • Article 46 – Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Tribes.
• Advances the philosophy of “Conservation through Coexistence”, integrating ecological and social sustainability.

In News:

OpenAI has unveiled ‘Atlas’, its new AI-powered web browser built around ChatGPT, marking a significant step in the evolving generative AI competition and posing a direct challenge to Google Chrome’s dominance. The move comes soon after Perplexity AI introduced its own AI-integrated browser, Comet, underscoring a major transformation in how users interact with the internet.

About Atlas

• Developer:OpenAI
• Nature: AI-integrated web browser built around ChatGPT
• Availability: Currently in preview mode for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Business users.
• Design: Atlas removes the traditional address bar, replacing it with a conversational AI interface.
• Key Feature – Agent Mode:
  • Enables the browser to autonomously perform searches, analyze sources, and synthesize information into concise summaries.
  • Allows users to ask questions in natural language instead of typing web addresses or search keywords.

The browser seamlessly combines web navigation and AI interaction, positioning itself as the next step in AI-mediated online browsing.

Why AI Companies Are Building Browsers

• Control Over User Interface and Data:Browsers act as the gateway to most online activities—search, shopping, finance, entertainment, and social media. Controlling this entry point enables AI companies to own user intent, data, and engagement patterns.
• Monetization Potential:Like Google’s ad-based model, AI browsers can monetize user activity and queries by integrating AI-generated recommendations and sponsored content.
• Integrated AI Experience:AI browsers embed conversational AI tools directly into familiar interfaces, bridging the gap between chatbots and traditional search engines.
• Strategic Advantage:By embedding AI assistants within browsers, companies like OpenAI and Perplexity can reduce dependence on traditional search engines (notably Google), reshaping the competitive dynamics of the internet ecosystem.

How AI Browsers Are Transforming Search

• Traditional Search Model:Relies on keyword-based queries returning multiple hyperlinks for users to navigate.
• AI-Powered Search Model (Atlas & Comet):
  • Delivers direct, synthesized, and contextually relevant answers instead of a list of links.
  • Suggests related prompts for deeper exploration and learning.
  • Adapts to individual user preferences, creating personalized information journeys.

This shift reduces dependence on link-based navigation, potentially disrupting traditional search traffic and publisher visibility models.

Broader Implications

• For Users:
  • Offers faster, personalized, and conversational search experiences.
  • Transforms passive browsing into interactive discovery.
• For the Digital Ecosystem:
  • Challenges Google’s dominance in search and browser markets.
  • Raises new debates on data privacy, content attribution, and information accuracy.
  • Could reshape digital advertising, as traffic shifts from web pages to AI-generated summaries.
• For the AI Industry:
  • Signals a new phase of competition between leading AI firms like OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity.
  • Marks a trend towards AI-integrated ecosystems where chatbots, browsers, and search engines converge.

In News:

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has successfully completed trial works of the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) across four key railway sections in Assam and West Bengal to prevent elephant fatalities due to train collisions.

About the Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

The Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a cutting-edge initiative of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) under the Ministry of Railways, aimed at protecting wildlife—particularly elephants—while ensuring smooth and efficient railway operations through forested and ecologically sensitive zones.

Objective

• To minimize elephant deaths caused by train collisions along railway lines intersecting elephant corridors.
• To balance operational efficiency with ecological conservation, aligning with India’s broader goals of sustainable infrastructure and biodiversity protection.

Technology and Working

• Technology Used: IDS employsadvanced optical fibre sensing technology installed parallel to railway tracks at a distance of around 10 metres.
• Functioning:
  • The system detects vibrations generated by elephant movement near railway tracks.
  • These vibrations are captured by sensor cables, which relay the data to a central control room.
  • The system then generates real-time alerts for train drivers and control rooms, enabling them to take immediate preventive actions, such as slowing down or halting trains.

This real-time detection mechanism ensures timely intervention and minimizes human-wildlife conflict along railway routes.

Implementation by NFR

The Intrusion Detection System has been successfully implemented in the following pilot sections:

1. Madarihat–Nagrakata section (Alipurduar Division)
2. Habaipur–Lamsakhang–Patharkhola–Lumding section (Lumding Division)
3. Kamakhya–Azara–Mirza section (Rangiya Division)
4. Titabar–Mariani–Nakachari section (Tinsukia Division)

• Coverage:The pilot installations collectively span 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of block sections, marking a significant step in NFR’s ongoing wildlife protection efforts.

Significance

• Wildlife Protection: Helps prevent accidental elephant deaths, promoting coexistence between rail infrastructure and biodiversity.
• Operational Efficiency: Enhances train safety by providing advance alerts, reducing service disruptions.
• Technological Advancement: Demonstrates the integration of AI and fibre-optic sensing in railway operations.
• Environmental Responsibility: Reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly those related to life on land (SDG-15) and industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG-9).

In News:

• Representatives from several Central Asian countries — including India — have endorsed a six-year work programme (2021–2026) under the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) to identify and conserve priority transboundary regions crucial for the survival of 17 iconic mammal species across the region.
• The meeting was hosted by Uzbekistan, under its presidency of the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

About the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI)

• Launched: 2014, during CMS COP11 (Quito, Ecuador).
• Objective: To halt and reverse the population decline of migratory mammals across 14 Central Asian countries, through coordinated conservation action.
• Framework: Provides a regional platform for cooperation among Range States to address shared threats such as habitat loss, poaching, migration barriers, and climate change.

Key Features

• Species Covered (17 total):Argali sheep, Asiatic cheetah, Asiatic wild ass, Bukhara deer, Eurasian lynx, Gobi bear, Goitered gazelle, Kiang, Mongolian gazelle, Pallas’s cat, Persian leopard, Przewalski’s horse, Saiga antelope, Snow leopard, Urial, Wild camel, and Wild yak.
• Range States Involved:Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; with Iran and the Russian Federation participating online.
• Collaborating Organizations: Over 15 conservation institutions, including IUCN, government agencies, and NGOs, are supporting the work programme’s implementation.
• Current Programme of Work: Adopted for 2021–2026, focuses on ecosystem-based conservation, improved connectivity, and data-sharing between range states.

Recent Meeting Outcomes

• Countries reaffirmed commitment to joint action for migratory mammal conservation, emphasizing that species conservation transcends national borders.
• Success stories shared included recovery trends in Saiga antelope, Bukhara deer, and Persian leopard populations.
• Delegates discussed persistent challenges such as fragmented habitats, climate change impacts, illegal hunting, and limited cross-border coordination.
• Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov highlighted the importance of a unified regional approach, stating that “these species know no borders, and neither should our conservation efforts.”

About the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS)

• Also known as: Bonn Convention.
• Established: 1979 in Bonn, Germany.
• Under the Aegis of: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Mandate: To promote the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats worldwide.
• Nature: The only global and UN-based intergovernmental treaty exclusively focused on migratory species conservation.
• Instruments:
  • Legally binding Agreements
  • Non-binding Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
• Decision-making Body:Conference of the Parties (COP).
• Next Milestone:CMS COP15 will be held in Brazil (March 23–29, 2026), where the CAMI resolution will be reviewed and updated.

In News:

In a remarkable development, birdwatchers have reported the first-ever sighting of the Indian Scops-Owl (Otus bakkamoena) near the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Vijayanagara district, Karnataka.

About the Indian Scops-Owl

• Scientific Name:Otus bakkamoena
• Family: Strigidae
• Distribution: Widely found across India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Iran.
• Habitat: Occupies forests, scrublands, and agricultural areas; it is non-migratory, remaining within a localized territory throughout the year.

Distinctive Features

• Size: Measures around 17–25 cm in height, with a wingspan of about 45 cm.
• Appearance: Characterized by ear-like tufts, a stocky body, short tail, and cryptic plumage of browns and greys that blend seamlessly with tree bark.
• Eyes: Large, bright yellow eyes (sometimes dark in appearance) with black pupils, providing enhanced nocturnal vision.
• Feathers: Soft and fluffy, aiding silent flight and insulation against cool night air.
• Behavior: A nocturnal predator, feeding mainly on insects and small invertebrates, playing an important role in natural pest control.
• Conservation Status:IUCN Red List:Least Concern

Ecological and Conservation Significance

• The sighting near Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary—a region primarily known for its sloth bear population and dry deciduous ecosystem—indicates a broader ecological range for the species than previously recorded.
• Experts suggest the observation could either represent an undocumented resident population or a rare dispersal event. Either case underscores the need for detailed ornithological surveys to assess the owl’s breeding and habitat patterns in the region.
• From a conservation perspective, the finding reinforces the importance of protecting lesser-known habitats within Karnataka, which continue to support undiscovered or rarely documented species.

In News:

India has achieved a major milestone in quantum technology and cybersecurity. Researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, have demonstrated and certified the generation of true random numbers using a general-purpose quantum computer.This breakthrough positions India at the forefront of quantum-secure digital infrastructure, marking a key outcome under the National Quantum Mission.

Why Randomness Matters in Digital Security

• Modern encryption — including banking, digital communication, defence networks and authentication systems — relies on random numbers.These numbers form the basis of encryption keys and secure passwords. The more unpredictable the number, the stronger the security.

Current challenge

• Most systems use pseudorandom numbers, produced through algorithms. While highly complex and secure against classical brute-force attacks, they are not fundamentally random. With the advent of quantum computers, which can process data exponentially faster, many of today’s encryption systems may become vulnerable.

The Need for True Quantum Randomness

• Quantum mechanics provides intrinsic unpredictability. In the microscopic world, particles such as photons do not have definite states until measured — creating true randomness, unlike algorithm-based outputs.
• Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) tap this behaviour.However, a persistent problem has been certifying whether the randomness is genuine or manipulated by device flaws or external interference.
• Cybersecurity demands systems that are not just hard to break, but theoretically impossible to break under known physical laws — making device-independent, quantum-certified randomness essential.

India’s Scientific Breakthrough

The RRI team achieved device-independent quantum random number generation and certification, a frontier area globally.

Key Scientific Contributions

• Utilisation of quantum entanglement and temporal correlations to certify randomness
• Demonstration of violation of Leggett-Garg inequality, confirming true quantum randomness
• Execution on a commercial, general-purpose quantum computer — proving real-world applicability beyond controlled lab environments

Earlier global attempts relied on large-scale entanglement experiments requiring hundreds of metres of physical separation.India’s approach achieves equivalent validation using time-separated measurements on a single particle, making it compact and practical.

Significance of the Breakthrough

Technological Impact

• Enables hack-proof encryption and post-quantum security systems
• First globally-relevant breakthrough under India’s National Quantum Mission
• Demonstrates practical, scalable and noise-tolerant quantum technology

Strategic Implications

• Boosts India’s readiness for quantum cyber warfare and digital sovereignty
• Critical for secure defence networks, financial systems, and government communication
• Promotes indigenous capability in a domain dominated by the US, EU and China

In News:

• The Indian Army has initiated induction and fast-track procurement of “SAKSHAM” (Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management), an indigenously developed, AI-enabled Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) grid created with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Designed as a modular Command & Control (C2) backbone, SAKSHAM provides real-time detection, tracking, identification and neutralisation of hostile drones and other low-altitude aerial threats across the specially defined Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS) or Air Littoral — the airspace up to 3,000 metres (≈10,000 ft) above the ground.

What SAKSHAM is — technical outline

• Purpose: A unified C2 grid to secure ground formations by controlling low-altitude airspace, countering drone surveillance, weaponised UAS and swarms.
• Developer & partners: Designed and developed indigenously by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in collaboration with the Indian Army’s Corps of Air Defence.
• Architecture & connectivity: Operates over the encrypted Army Data Network (ADN) and presents a GIS-based, common recognised air picture that fuses data from C-UAS sensors, friendly and hostile UAS feeds, and both soft- and hard-kill effectors.
• AI & fusion capabilities: Uses AI/ML-driven fusion to automate threat classification (friendly / neutral / hostile), prioritise responses, and support automated or semi-automated soft-kill (jamming/spoofing) and hard-kill (kinetic) decisions.
• Interoperability: Integrates inputs from India’s automated air-defence network Akashteer and is designed for plug-and-play addition of sensors, jammers, lasers/EMP and future upgrades.

Why SAKSHAM was conceptualised

The Army’s operational experience during Operation Sindoor (2025) — where hostile drone activity exposed detection and response gaps — accelerated the need for a comprehensive C-UAS framework and a shift from traditional Tactical Battle Area concepts to the more inclusive Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS) that explicitly includes the Air Littoral. SAKSHAM is a direct response to those operational lessons.

Operational and strategic impact

• Enhanced situational awareness: A common, real-time air picture shortens decision loops and reduces fratricide risk while allowing freedom of manoeuvre for friendly aerial assets.
• Force protection & deterrence: Rapid detection and neutralisation of drone threats protects troops, logistics nodes and infrastructure from ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) and weaponised UAS attacks.
• Atmanirbhar capability: Indigenous design and BEL partnership strengthen defence manufacturing and upgradeability—key to the Army’s Decade of Transformation (2023–2032) and wider strategic autonomy.
• Scalability & integration: FTP approval and modular design aim for rapid rollout across field formations, enabling layered C-UAS coverage and future networked integration with other services and civil air-safety systems.

In News:

• The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature has been conferred on László Krasznahorkai, the Hungarian novelist celebrated for his profoundly philosophical and apocalyptic prose.
• The Swedish Academy recognized him for his ability to capture the “tension between ruin and redemption” and for reaffirming the enduring power of art in an age of crisis.

About the Nobel Prize in Literature

• Established under Alfred Nobel’s will (1895), the Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded annually by the Swedish Academy to an author who has produced “the most outstanding work in an ideal direction.”
• The award, accompanied by a cash prize of 11 million Swedish crowns (≈ USD 1.2 million), represents the highest global recognition in the literary world.

Life and Background

• Born in 1954 in Gyula, Hungary, near the Romanian border, Krasznahorkai grew up amid the tensions of post-war socialism.
• Educated in law and literature in Budapest, his early life in a repressive political climate shaped his preoccupation with decay, faith, and endurance. His Jewish and rural background deepened his sensitivity to questions of identity and moral collapse.

Literary Career and Major Works

Krasznahorkai made his literary debut with Sátántangó (1985), a dark, surreal portrayal of a disintegrating collective farm that has since become a modern classic. Its cinematic adaptation by Béla Tarr as a seven-hour film further cemented its cult status.

His subsequent works expanded his thematic range:

• The Melancholy of Resistance (1989): Explores moral and social decay under authoritarianism in a small Hungarian town.
• War and War (1999): A meditation on history, violence, and transcendence through the story of an archivist.
• Seiobo There Below (2008): Reflects his deep engagement with Asian philosophies and aesthetics, particularly from Japan and China.
• Herscht 07769 (2018): A study of German social unrest and the search for order amid chaos.

Themes and Literary Style

• Krasznahorkai’s fiction fuses metaphysical inquiry with social critique. His narratives depict societies on the brink of collapse, where individuals confront spiritual drift, institutional decay, and existential dread.
• Stylistically, his long, recursive sentences and dense, rhythmic prose challenge readers to engage deeply with the text. His influences range from Franz Kafka and Samuel Beckett to Thomas Bernhard, yet his vision remains uniquely his own — a fusion of absurdism, grotesque realism, and mystical introspection.

International Recognition and Legacy

• Over four decades, Krasznahorkai has emerged as one of Europe’s most formidable literary voices. His earlier accolades include the Kossuth Prize (2004), Hungary’s highest cultural honor, and the Man Booker International Prize (2015).
• His global reach reflects a bridge between Central European existentialism and Eastern contemplative traditions, making his work both regionally grounded and universally resonant.

In News:

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India held that the age restrictions prescribed under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 cannot be applied retrospectively to couples who had already initiated the surrogacy process or had frozen embryos prior to the law’s enforcement. The judgment marks a critical reaffirmation of reproductive autonomy, fairness, and the right to privacy under the Constitution.

Background

Several couples who had preserved embryos before the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 came into force approached the Supreme Court after being denied permission to proceed with surrogacy due to the Act’s upper age limit clause.The Act, effective January 25, 2022, mandates that:

• The woman must be between 23 and 50 years, and
• The man must be between 26 and 55 years.

These couples contended that applying such limits retroactively violated their vested reproductive rights and their right to parenthood under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Supreme Court’s Judgment

A Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice K.V. Viswanathan ruled in favour of the petitioners, stating that the rights of intending parents crystallised at the time they froze embryos, when no statutory age bar existed. Therefore, the new restrictions cannot invalidate actions undertaken under the previous legal regime.

Key Observations

• Doctrine of Fairness:The Court held that retrospective laws that impair vested rights or impose new burdens violate the principle of fairness and legal certainty, forming part of India’s constitutional jurisprudence.
• Right to Privacy and Bodily Autonomy:Drawing from K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), the bench affirmed that reproductive decisions — including the choice to conceive through surrogacy — are protected under Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
• Gender and Equality Lens:The Court noted that a restrictive interpretation disproportionately impacts women, who already face biological and societal limitations in reproduction, and cannot be penalised for delays beyond their control.
• Right to Parenthood:Justice Nagarathna emphasised that parenthood is a matter of personal autonomy and that the State cannot judge the parenting capabilities of couples merely based on age.
  She observed:

“Before 2021, there were no binding laws on age restrictions for intending couples. Hence, their right to proceed with surrogacy remains valid.”

• Rebuttal to Government’s Argument:The Centre had argued that age limits were meant to protect the welfare of children born through surrogacy, assuming older parents might not meet long-term responsibilities.
  The Court rejected this view, pointing out that no such limits exist for couples conceiving naturally, making the argument inconsistent.

About the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021

Objective: To regulate surrogacy procedures in India by allowing only altruistic surrogacy and prohibiting commercial surrogacy, with an emphasis on protecting surrogate mothers and children from exploitation.

Key Provisions

Significance of the Judgment

• Upholds Constitutional Morality:Reaffirms that legislative intent must align with constitutional values of fairness, equality, and liberty.
• Protects Reproductive Autonomy:Strengthens the legal recognition of reproductive choices as an intrinsic part of individual dignity and privacy.
• Ensures Legal Certainty:Prevents retrospective penalisation of couples who acted in good faith under the pre-existing legal framework.
• Gender Justice and Inclusivity:Acknowledges women’s agency and safeguards them from arbitrary restrictions that could hinder their reproductive timelines.
• Balances Regulation and Rights:While the State’s intent to regulate surrogacy is legitimate, the ruling ensures such regulation does not override fundamental rights or vested personal decisions.

In News:

In September 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”, proposing an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to manage post-war Gaza. While both Israel and Hamas accepted the ceasefire and hostage-release obligations, deep divergences persist over Gaza’s future governance, Hamas’s fate, and the legitimacy of the ISF.

What Is the ISF?

The International Stabilization Force for Gaza is a proposed multinational security mission aimed at maintaining internal stability, enabling phased Israeli withdrawal, and overseeing Gaza’s demilitarization.

• Nature: A temporary but long-term security component of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian Transitional Committee, which will govern Gaza during the interim period.
• Oversight: The ISF will operate under a “Board of Peace” chaired by the U.S. President, rather than the United Nations (UN).
• Composition: To be formed with “Arab and international partners,” but without a UN Security Council (UNSC) mandate—limiting its neutrality and legal legitimacy.

Objectives and Core Functions

• Demilitarization of Gaza:
  • Confiscate and destroy Hamas weaponry.
  • Prevent smuggling and block the inflow of arms.
• Security and Law Enforcement:
  • Maintain order in “terror-free zones” vacated by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
  • Set milestones and timelines linked to Israel’s phased withdrawal.
• Capacity Building:Train and professionalize Palestinian law enforcement under international supervision.
• Governance Transition:Facilitate the formation of a reformed Palestinian security apparatus aligned with the transitional governance framework.
• Monitoring and Compliance:Track progress on demilitarization and withdrawal to prevent relapse into conflict.

Absence of a UN Mandate and Legitimacy Concerns

Unlike traditional UN peacekeeping or stabilization missions, which derive legitimacy from UNSC authorization under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the ISF is designed to operate outside the UN framework.

• The UN’s role in Trump’s plan is restricted to aid distribution, not peacekeeping.
• Arab states have historically resisted deploying troops in Palestine under non-UN command, citing concerns about political bias and lack of legal accountability.
• Consequently, the ISF’s perceived alignment with American and Israeli objectives could undermine its credibility among Palestinians and regional actors.

Precedents and Lessons from Past Stabilization Missions

Previous stabilization forces outside or alongside the UN framework reveal the complexity and risks of such interventions:

• Afghanistan (ISAF, 2001–2021): Initially authorized by the UN and later led by NATO, the mission expanded into combat operations against the Taliban but failed to establish durable peace.
• Lebanon (MNF, 1982–1983): A U.S.-led multinational force, created outside the UN, withdrew after facing intense violence from militias, highlighting the dangers of intervention without broad legitimacy or consent.

These experiences underscore that stabilization without political resolution often leads to mission failure and regional backlash.

Challenges in the Palestinian Context

• Lack of Political Resolution:
  • The two-state solution remains unrealized; Israeli occupation continues in parts of Gaza and the West Bank.
  • Without a clear political settlement, any international force risks being drawn into hostilities.
• Israeli and Hamas Positions:
  • Israel has refused a full withdrawal from Gaza, citing security concerns.
  • Hamas has not agreed to complete disarmament or exclusion from the Palestinian political framework.
  • These contradictory stances create operational uncertainty for the ISF.
• Arab States’ Reservations:
  • Arab governments have called for aUN-mandated protection force, not a U.S.-led stabilization mission.
  • An eight-nation Arab-Islamic statement (Sept 30, 2025) demanded Israel’s complete withdrawal, diverging sharply from Washington’s version of the plan.
• Risk of Renewed Armed Resistance:Partial Israeli withdrawal and continued occupation zones could fuel militant activity, increasing the risk of direct confrontation with the ISF.
• Limited Accountability:Absence of UN oversight and clear reporting mechanisms raises concerns over the ISF’s command structure, rules of engagement, and human rights compliance.

Geopolitical and Strategic Implications

• For the U.S.: The ISF signifies Washington’s intent to maintain strategic control over Gaza’s post-conflict order, reducing UN influence.
• For Israel: The arrangement allows for partial demilitarization without ceding full security control—aligning with its domestic political compulsions.
• For Arab States: It poses a dilemma between supporting stability and avoiding association with a potentially occupation-legitimizing force.
• For Palestine: The lack of a fully sovereign and representative governance framework risks perpetuating disenfranchisement and renewed cycles of violence.

In News:

In October 2025, NITI Aayog released the first paper under the NITI Tax Policy Working Paper Series–I, titled “Enhancing Tax Certainty in Permanent Establishment and Profit Attribution for Foreign Investors in India.” The paper seeks to enhance transparency, predictability, and fairness in India’s international taxation framework—key to attracting and sustaining foreign investment in the journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.

Background and Rationale

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been a cornerstone of India’s economic growth, rising from USD 6 billion in 2005–06 to nearly USD 50 billion in 2024–25. Despite this growth, foreign investors have long faced tax-related uncertainties—particularly concerning the definitions of Permanent Establishment (PE) and Profit Attribution. Ambiguities in these areas have led to prolonged litigation (often lasting 10–12 years), raising compliance costs and discouraging potential investors.
• To address these challenges, NITI Aayog’s Consultative Group on Tax Policy (CGTP)—comprising representatives from the CBDT, DPIIT, ICAI, industry experts, and major consultancy firms—developed this working paper through extensive stakeholder consultations.

Key Concepts

• Permanent Establishment (PE): Refers to a fixed place of business (like a branch, office, or digital presence) through which a foreign enterprise conducts business in India. If a PE exists, the enterprise is liable to pay tax on its income arising in India.
• Profit Attribution: Determines the portion of a multinational’s profits that can be taxed in India, particularly when business activities are spread across jurisdictions.

Major Recommendations

• Optional Presumptive Taxation Scheme:
  • Allows foreign companies to opt for a fixed tax rate on India-sourced revenue, based on industry norms.
  • Aims to minimize litigation and enhance predictability.
• Legislative Clarity:
  • Codification of PE definitions and profit attribution rules in line with OECD and UN models.
  • Avoidance of retrospective taxation and inclusion of due process safeguards.
• Strengthened Dispute Resolution:
  • Expansion of Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) and Mutual Agreement Procedures (MAPs).
  • Exploration of mandatory arbitration for unresolved international tax disputes.
• Administrative and Institutional Efficiency:
  • Introduction of safe harbour rules to simplify compliance.
  • Adoption of the OECD’s TRACE system to streamline withholding tax relief.
  • Continuous training of tax officials in complex cross-border taxation matters.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Transparency:
  • Mandatory public consultations before major tax law amendments.
  • Enforcement of a Taxpayer Charter to uphold fairness and transparency.

Judicial Context

The Supreme Court has played a pivotal role in interpreting India’s international tax framework:

• Formula One Case (2017): Held that even temporary use of infrastructure (like a race track) could constitute a PE, emphasizing substance over form.
• Hyatt International Case (2025): Clarified that even global losses do not exempt Indian operations from taxation, reinforcing the “separate enterprise” principle.

Alignment with Global Tax Reforms

India’s approach aligns with the OECD–G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative, especially Action 7, which curbs tax avoidance through agency arrangements.

• Pillar One: Ensures digital giants like Google or Amazon pay taxes where consumers are located, even without a physical presence.
• Pillar Two: Introduces a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, deterring profit shifting to tax havens.

Significance:

The working paper provides a comprehensive framework for reforming India’s cross-border tax regime—balancing investor confidence with national revenue interests. By enhancing certainty, reducing litigation, and aligning with international standards, it aims to:

• Strengthen India’s Ease of Doing Business environment.
• Attract high-quality, sustainable FDI and FPI.
• Bolster administrative efficiency and taxpayer trust.

Ultimately, these reforms are expected to create afair, transparent, and globally competitive tax system, reinforcing India’s trajectory toward a future-ready economy and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

In News:

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released the draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025, intended to operationalise the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025. The government has also invited public feedback on the draft rules till the end of this month via email submission.

Objective

The draft rules aim to establish a comprehensive national framework for regulating the online gaming ecosystem in India. They seek to differentiate legitimate e-sports and social gaming from real money gaming (RMG) platforms, thereby ensuring user protection, transparency, and responsible innovation.

Key Provisions

1. Ban on Real Money Gaming: The Act prohibits real money gaming (RMG) — including online poker, rummy, fantasy sports, and betting — where players wager or stake money for potential returns. Only social games and e-sports, meant for recreation, education, or skill development, are permitted.

2. Establishment of the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI): A dedicated regulatory body, the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), will be set up to oversee the sector.

• Composition: A Chairperson and five members representing different ministries.
• Powers: Quasi-judicial authority to summon individuals, examine evidence, and issue binding directions.
• Functions:
  • Determine whether a game qualifies as an “online money game.”
  • Register and certify online social games and e-sports.
  • Impose penalties, suspend or cancel registrations for violations.
  • Ensure compliance with ethical and revenue guidelines.

3. Registration Framework

• Mandatory Registration: All social and e-sports games must register with OGAI.
• Validity: Registration certificates will remain valid for up to five years.
• Disclosure Requirements: Companies must declare revenue sources and user protection measures.
  • Revenue must originate from advertising, subscriptions, or access fees, not wagers or stakes.

4. Penalties and Offences

• Offering or operating an online money gaming service: up to 3 years’ imprisonment and ?1 crore fine.
• Advertising such platforms: up to 2 years’ imprisonment and ?50 lakh fine.
• Offences are non-bailable, and company officials can be held personally liable.
• Penalty quantum will depend on extent of gain, user loss, and frequency of violation.

5. Grievance Redressal Mechanism (Three-Tiered)

1. Internal redressal unit of the gaming company.
2. Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) under the IT Rules, 2021.
3. Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) as the final appellate body.

6. Role of Various Ministries

• Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY): Nodal authority for overall regulation.
• Ministry of Youth Affairs: Oversight of e-sports.
• Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B): Regulation of social games, including issuing codes of practice and classification guidelines.

In News:

The latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) highlights an alarming surge in crimes against Scheduled Tribes (STs) across India. As per the “Crime in India 2023” data, crimes against STs rose by 28.8%, from 10,064 cases in 2022 to 12,960 cases in 2023, reflecting deepening vulnerabilities of tribal communities in several parts of the country.

NCRB: Mandate and Role

Established in 1986, the NCRB functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as India’s central repository for crime and criminal data. Its creation followed recommendations from the Tandon Committee, the National Police Commission (1977–1981), and the MHA Task Force.
Headquartered in New Delhi, the Bureau is responsible for:

• Collection, analysis, and dissemination of crime data to aid law enforcement and policy formulation.
• Implementing and monitoring the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project, enabling interlinkage of police stations and online citizen services such as e-FIR and complaint filing.
• Maintaining the National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO) and managing the Online Cyber-Crime Reporting Portal, through which citizens can report offences like child pornography and cyber sexual violence.
• Hosting CyTrain, a digital training platform for cybercrime investigation and prosecution, and managing the Central Finger Print Bureau, India’s national fingerprint repository.
• Publishing annual statistical reports — Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India, and Prison Statistics India.

Key Findings: NCRB Crime Data 2023

The 2023 data reveals that Manipur witnessed the steepest spike in crimes against STs, registering 3,399 cases — a dramatic increase from just one case in 2022. The rise is closely linked to the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that erupted in May 2023.
Major offences reported in Manipur included 1,051 cases of arson, 260 cases of dacoity, 203 cases of humiliation or intimidation, and 193 cases of unlawful occupation or disposal of tribal land.

At the national level, the leading categories of offences against STs included:

• Simple hurt (21.3%) – 2,757 cases
• Riots (13.2%) – 1,707 cases
• Rape (9.2%) – 1,189 cases

State-wise, Madhya Pradesh (2,858 cases) and Rajasthan (2,453 cases) followed Manipur as the most affected states.

Crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) registered a marginal increase of 0.4% to 57,789 cases, while crimes against women rose 0.7% to 4,48,211 cases in 2023. The report highlighted that most offences against women were related to cruelty by husband or relatives (29.8%), kidnapping (19.8%), and assault to outrage modesty (18.7%).

Crimes against children surged by 9.2%, with 1,77,335 cases registered—predominantly under kidnapping (45%) and the POCSO Act (38.2%). Cases involving juveniles in conflict with law rose by 2.7%, totaling 31,365 cases.

In News:

The Border Security Force (BSF), India’s first line of defence, is collaborating with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop radar-mounted drones aimed at enhancing surveillance along India’s western and eastern borders. This initiative seeks to strengthen border security by providing persistent, high-accuracy monitoring of remote and difficult terrains without crossing international boundaries.

About Radar-Mounted Drones:

• Technology: Unmanned aerial systems equipped with compact radars capable of detecting moving targets, vehicles, or intruders.
• All-Weather Capability: Operates effectively in fog, darkness, rain, or adverse weather, unlike visual-only sensors.
• Real-Time Alerts: Provides immediate notifications, enabling rapid deployment of troops and timely response to border threats.
• Integrated Sensor Fusion: Potential to combine radar with infrared, high-resolution cameras, and ground sensors for enhanced detection.
• High Mobility and Scalability: Drones can be rapidly deployed in inaccessible areas, and multiple units can cover larger regions during crises.

Significance:

• The system is designed to overcome limitations of conventional border guarding, which relies on mobile soldiers or fixed towers and is effective only in limited areas.

• Radar-equipped drones can provide continuous day-and-night surveillance, monitor regions where permanent radars or outposts cannot be installed, and assist in controlling smuggling or infiltration attempts.
• The BSF, drawing experience from operations like ‘Operation Sindoor’, has also established a School of Drone Warfare at its Tekanpur Academy in Madhya Pradesh. In the coming months, the force plans to manufacture these radar-equipped drones in-house, further enhancing India’s technological edge in border security.
• This initiative exemplifies the growing role of technological interventions in modern border management, ensuring vigilance, rapid response, and comprehensive monitoring of India’s frontier regions.

In News:

The District Magistrate of Baramulla has ordered the immediate closure of 14 gypsum mining units operating within the prohibited 1-km radius of the Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary in north Kashmir’s Uri subdivision, following directives from the Supreme Court of India.

Background and Legal Context

• The decision is based on the Supreme Court judgment in State of Uttarakhand & Others vs. Nandan Singh Bora & Others, which mandates that no mining or quarrying activity is permissible within 1 km of any protected forest or wildlife sanctuary.
• Furthermore, if the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of a sanctuary extends beyond 1 km, the restriction applies to the entire notified ESZ area.
• Subsequent surveys conducted by the Wildlife Warden, North Kashmir Division (Sopore), confirmed that several gypsum mining units were functioning within the restricted buffer zone of Lachipora. Acting on this report, the district authorities ordered the immediate suspension of all mining operations to prevent further ecological degradation.
• Officials emphasized that the move aims to preserve the fragile ecology of the region, which forms a vital part of the North Kashmir forest belt and supports diverse wildlife species. The crackdown also aligns with the Geology and Mining Department’s intensified efforts to curb illegal quarrying across Baramulla district.

About Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Situated in Baramulla district, Jammu & Kashmir, near the village of Lachipora, on the northern banks of the Jhelum River.
• Established: 1987
• Area: 141 sq. km
• Altitude Range: 1,630–3,300 metres
• Topography: Comprises a varied landscape of alpine meadows, gentle to steep slopes, and rocky cliffs, supporting rich biodiversity.

Ecological Significance

• Flora:The sanctuary hosts extensive coniferous forests of deodar, Himalayan white pine, and blue pine, along with broadleaf species such as birch, horse chestnut, West Himalayan fir, and Persian walnut.
• Fauna:
  • Habitat for endangered species like the Hangul (Kashmir stag) and Markhor, a wild goat known for its spiral horns.
  • Home to Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, and several small mammals.
  • Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for harboring the vulnerable Western Tragopan and other high-altitude avifauna.

In News:

The System for Pension Administration – Raksha (SPARSH), an initiative of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has emerged as a landmark reform in defence pension management. Recently, SPARSH resolved 87% of legacy discrepancies—addressing 5.60 lakh out of 6.43 lakh cases—and has significantly improved grievance redressal efficiency.

About SPARSH Pension System

• Launched by: Ministry of Defence
• Administered by:Defence Accounts Department (DAD) through the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), Prayagraj
• Coverage: Caters to pensioners from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Civilians
• Scope: Over 31.54 lakh defence pensioners across India and Nepal are onboarded on SPARSH, making it the world’s largest digital pension management system.

Objectives

• To provide a comprehensive, transparent, and paperless system for pension sanction, disbursement, and grievance redressal.
• To ensure direct pension disbursement to beneficiaries without intermediaries.
• To modernize defence pension administration by shifting from a fragmented and manual process to a centralized and integrated digital framework.

Key Features

• Centralized and Web-Based Platform:Handles pension sanction, claim, and disbursement directly into the pensioners’ bank accounts, eliminating third-party intermediaries.
• Self-Service Portal:Enables self-verification, easy data correction, and real-time access to pension details through a personal dashboard.
• Digital Life Certification:Pensioners can complete identification digitally, removing the need for physical visits to pension offices.
• Comprehensive Record Management:Maintains the entire pension lifecycle—from initiation to cessation and transfer to the last eligible beneficiary.
• Grievance Management:Provides an integrated mechanism for service requests and grievance redressal within the same platform.

Significance

SPARSH represents a paradigm shift in defence pension administration—from manual and fragmented systems to a transparent, technology-driven model. It embodies the government’s commitment to “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and dignity for millions of defence pensioners.

By integrating real-time disbursal, grievance monitoring, and self-service accessibility, SPARSH has strengthened financial inclusion, digital governance, and welfare delivery within India’s defence ecosystem.

In News:

The U.S. administration’s decision to impose a steep $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications has reignited debate over whether the L-1 visa could serve as a practical alternative for Indian professionals. While both facilitate skilled migration, they serve distinct purposes and cater to different categories of workers.

About the L-1 Visa

• Nature and Purpose:
  • The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant work visa designed for intra-company transfers within multinational corporations.
  • It enables global firms to relocate executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge from their overseas branches to U.S. offices.
  •  Introduced under the Immigration and Nationality Act (1965), it aims to promote international business operations and internal talent mobility without depending on the external labour market.
• Categories:

• L-1A: For executives and managers; maximum stay of 7 years.
• L-1B: For employees with specialized knowledge; maximum stay of 5 years.

Applicants must have worked at least one continuous year abroad for the same company within the preceding three years.

Key Features and Advantages

• No Cap or Lottery: Unlike the H-1B, the L-1 has no annual quota or lottery system, allowing year-round applications.
• Blanket Petitions: Large multinationals can file blanket petitions for quicker processing.
• Dual Intent: L-1 holders can apply for a green card without jeopardizing their visa status.
• Dependent Work Rights: Spouses on L-2 visas can work freely in the U.S., offering significant flexibility for families.
• Corporate Convenience: Firms can manage global mobility efficiently, especially for leadership or niche technical roles.

Limitations and Challenges

• Narrow Eligibility: Only employees of the same multinational company are eligible. The visa cannot be used to switch to another employer in the U.S.
• High Scrutiny: U.S. consulates, especially in India, closely scrutinize “specialized knowledge” claims, leading to higher rejection rates than H-1B visas.
• Time-Bound Stay: L-1 visas have strict duration limits and cannot be extended while awaiting permanent residency.
• No Portability: The visa binds the employee to the sponsoring company, unlike H-1B holders who can change employers under certain conditions.

L-1 vs H-1B: The Key Differences

In News:

Betla National Park, located in Latehar district, Jharkhand, will soon host India’s first AI-enabled nature experience centre. Part of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), the park is known for its rich biodiversity, including tigers, elephants, and diverse flora and fauna. PTR is one of the first nine tiger reserves established under Project Tiger (1973), covering a total area of 1,129.93 sq. km, and was notified as a National Park in 1986.

About the AI-Enabled Centre

The centre, developed by Palamu Tiger Reserve authorities under Deputy Director Prajesh Kant Jena, aims to provide visitors with an immersive, high-tech wildlife experience. Unlike conventional nature interpretation centres, it will use cutting-edge technologies to recreate the dynamics of the jungle ecosystem, including:

• AI assistants for guided learning.
• 3D holographic projections to display lifelike animal behaviour.
• Augmented Reality (AR) and immersive sound effects to simulate waterfalls, bird calls, predator-prey interactions, and herd movements.
• Ecosystem simulation, portraying animal movement, food-sharing activities, and other natural behaviours in a realistic manner.

Purpose and Significance

The centre, themed “Threads of Nature,” is designed to convey the interconnection between humans and nature. Key objectives include:

• Enhancing eco-tourism by offering a realistic jungle experience, including sightings of tiger hunts, elephant herds, and lions.
• Promoting conservation awareness through interactive learning and observation tools.
• Supporting researchers and nature enthusiasts with virtual wildlife monitoring capabilities.

Unique Features

While nature interpretation centres have existed in Betla since the 1970s, this facility represents the first high-tech effort in India to integrate AI, AR/VR, holograms, and immersive sound for wildlife education. Visitors will not just see static models or photographs but will experience the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of a living jungle, providing a deeper understanding of ecosystem dynamics.

By merging technology with conservation education, the Betla AI-enabled centre is poised to become a pioneering hub for tourism, research, and ecological awareness in Jharkhand and across India.

In News:

Recent paleontological excavations in Megha village, Fatehgarh subdivision, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, have uncovered fossilised remains that may belong to a Phytosaur, a large, extinct semi-aquatic reptile. This discovery has generated significant excitement in the scientific community and reinforces Jaisalmer’s reputation as a paleontological hotspot.

About Phytosaurs

Phytosaurs are extinct reptiles of the order Phytosauria, resembling modern crocodiles, which thrived during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic period. They displayed morphological diversity, including:

• Long-snouted forms (primarily fish-eating)
• Short-snouted forms (adapted for terrestrial prey)
• High-snouted forms (generalist feeders)

Phytosaur fossils have been reported in India, Europe, North America, Brazil, Morocco, Thailand, and Madagascar, highlighting their wide distribution and evolutionary significance.

Significance of the Find

The Megha village fossil adds to Jaisalmer’s growing list of paleontological finds, which includes dinosaur footprints, shark fossils, and marine remains. Experts suggest that the site may contain additional hidden fossils, which could provide crucial insights into:

• The evolution of prehistoric reptiles
• Convergent evolution with modern crocodilians
• Jurassic-era biodiversity and climate in India

If confirmed as a Phytosaur, the fossil will enhance our understanding of prehistoric fauna in the Indian subcontinent and strengthen the region’s global paleontological significance.

In News:

• In a rare observation, a pod of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) was recently sighted off the Visakhapatnam coast in Andhra Pradesh.
• The sighting, captured on video by a local fisherman from Muthyalammapalem, has drawn attention to the rich but under-documented marine biodiversity of India’s eastern coastline.
• The species was identified by the East Coast Conservation Team (ECCT) with assistance from the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Network of India — marking one of the few verified records of striped dolphins in Andhra waters.

About Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba)

Ecological and Conservation Significance

The recent sighting highlights the ecological richness of the Bay of Bengal, especially the Visakhapatnam coast, which supports diverse marine fauna but remains scientifically under-surveyed.

Such sightings are crucial for:

• Enhancing knowledge about the migratory patterns and population structure of marine mammals in Indian waters.
• Assessing ecosystem health, since dolphins are indicator species reflecting the condition of marine food chains.
• Formulating regional conservation policies for marine biodiversity and sustainable fisheries.

The ECCT’s collaboration with fishermen exemplifies a community-based conservation model, where local knowledge complements formal scientific documentation — essential for protecting fragile marine ecosystems.

Recent Discoveries Indicating Biodiversity Potential

During recent coastal surveys, researchers even rediscovered a sea slug species in Visakhapatnam that had not been recorded in nearly 180 years, further proving the hidden biodiversity of India’s east coast and the urgent need for systematic monitoring.

In News:

Scientists at Stanford University and the Arc Institute have created the world’s first artificially designed viral genome using Artificial Intelligence (AI), marking a major milestone in computational biology and synthetic genomics. The breakthrough demonstrates AI’s capability to generate an entirely new and functional virus—one that can infect and kill bacteria.

About the Discovery

The AI-generated virus was designed using a genomic model called Evo, which functions like a “language model” for DNA. Evo was trained on nearly two million viral genomes, learning the patterns and grammar of genetic sequences—akin to how language models learn human syntax and semantics.

The model was guided to mimic the bacteriophage ΦX174 (phi-X-174), a virus that infects E. coli bacteria. This phage was chosen because:

• It has a small yet complex genome (about 5,386 DNA letters and 11 overlapping genes).
• It was the first genome ever sequenced (1977) and the first synthesized from scratch (2003)—now it is the first AI-designed genome.

How It Was Done

• Training the AI: Evo was trained on millions of viral sequences to understand gene order, composition, and regulatory logic.
• Design Phase: Using prompts, Evo generated thousands of potential genome designs.
• Screening & Testing: Researchers filtered these using software checks to ensure each genome contained the necessary genes and functional proteins.
• Lab Validation: Hundreds of genomes were synthesized and inserted into E. coli bacteria. Out of 302 attempts, 16 fully functional viruses emerged.
• Results:
  • These viruses contained over 392 mutations never seen in nature.
  • Some designs achieved functions human scientists had failed to engineer, such as borrowing DNA-packaging proteins from unrelated viruses.
  • Cryo-electron microscopy confirmed the structural integrity of these AI-designed proteins within the viral shell.

What is a Virus?

A virus is a microscopic infectious agent made of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protein coat (capsid).

• It cannot replicate independently and must hijack a host cell’s machinery to reproduce.
• Many viruses cause diseases like COVID-19, AIDS, measles, and smallpox.

What is a Genome?

The genome is the complete set of DNA instructions in an organism.

• In humans, it comprises 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus plus mitochondrial DNA.
• It encodes all genetic information required for growth, development, and functioning.

Significance of the Breakthrough

• Redefining Synthetic Biology:The experiment represents a leap from reading and writing genomes to designing them. AI is now capable of generating entirely new, functional genetic blueprints.
• Advancing Phage Therapy:The AI-designed bacteriophages could revolutionize phage therapy—the use of viruses to target and kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a major global health threat.
• Accelerating Biotechnology:This development showcases how AI can drastically accelerate genetic innovation, enabling rapid design and testing of new biological entities.
• Proof of Concept for AI-Driven Evolution:AI-generated viruses adapted to bacterial defenses faster than natural ones, indicating potential for directed evolution through computational models.
• Ethical and Regulatory Implications:While promising, the creation of new synthetic organisms underscores the need for global biosafety, biosecurity, and ethical frameworks to govern AI-driven genetic design.

In News:

• The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, also known as the UN High Seas Treaty, has crossed the crucial threshold of 60 ratifications, enabling it to enter into force on January 17, 2026. With Morocco and Sierra Leone becoming the 60th and 61st ratifying nations, this milestone marks a historic step in the global conservation of marine biodiversity in international waters.
• So far, 143 countries, including India, have signed the treaty, reflecting strong international consensus on protecting marine ecosystems that lie beyond national boundaries.

About the BBNJ Treaty

• Full Name:Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
• Parent Framework: Builds upon the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), adopted in 1982 and effective since 1994 — often called the “Constitution for the Oceans”.
• Geographical Scope: Applies to areas beyond 200 nautical miles from the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of coastal nations, commonly referred to as the high seas.
• Coverage: These high seas account for nearly two-thirds of the global ocean and cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet currently, only 1.44% are under any form of protection.

Objectives and Key Provisions

The BBNJ Treaty seeks to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction through legally binding measures. Its major provisions include:

• Creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs):
  • Aims to designate and manage MPAs in international waters.
  • Currently, 6.35% of the ocean is protected, with only 1.89% designated as no-take MPAs, where all extractive activities such as fishing, mining, and drilling are prohibited.
  • This aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target of protecting 30% of global land and sea areas by 2030 (30x30 goal).
• Equitable Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs):
  • Establishes mechanisms to ensure fair and equitable distribution of benefits derived from marine genetic resources — biological materials such as microorganisms, plants, and animals with applications in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
• Mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs):Mandates EIAs for high-impact activities like deep-sea mining, carbon sequestration, and bioprospecting in international waters to mitigate potential ecological harm.
• Scientific Cooperation and Technology Transfer:Encourages capacity building, data sharing, and technology transfer to support developing nations in ocean research and sustainable marine resource management.

Process for the Treaty’s Entry into Force

• Condition: The BBNJ Treaty enters into force 120 days after the deposit of the 60th instrument of ratification, approval, or accession.
• Implementation Date: Given the 60th ratification milestone was achieved in September 2025, the treaty will legally come into effect on January 17, 2026.
• Next Steps:
  • Preparatory Commission (PrepCom): Tasked with operationalizing the treaty by establishing scientific and technical bodies, expert qualifications, and procedural frameworks for reviewing MPA proposals.
  • First Conference of Parties (COP1): Will convene post-entry into force to initiate formal implementation. Key agenda items include governance mechanisms, financial arrangements, and the Clearing-House Mechanism for information exchange.

India’s Role and Strategic Interests

• India’s Involvement:
  • The Union Cabinet approved India’s signing of the BBNJ Treaty in July 2024.
  • India is among the 143 signatories, signaling commitment to sustainable ocean governance.
• Strategic Significance for India:
  • Enhanced Oceanic Presence: Expands India’s strategic and scientific footprint beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
  • Scientific Research: Facilitates participation in global marine research, access to marine genetic resources, and technological collaboration.
  • Alignment with SDG-14: Advances India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14 – “Life Below Water”, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use ocean resources.
  • Diplomatic and Environmental Leadership: Positions India as a responsible stakeholder in global commons management and strengthens its environmental diplomacy credentials.

In News:

The Government of India launched GST 2.0, marking a significant revamp of the Goods and Services Tax framework. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the initiative as the “GST Bachat Utsav”, highlighting its focus on savings, simplicity, and growth.

Overview

• GST 2.0 represents the most comprehensive reform since the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax in 2017.
• It focuses on rationalising tax rates, reducing compliance burden, and boosting consumption and investment by lowering tax rates on more than 375 items.

Objectives

• Enhance household savings: By cutting rates on essential goods and services, it seeks to leave more disposable income with consumers, thereby stimulating demand.
• Simplify the tax framework: Aligns similar goods under the same slab to minimise disputes and litigation.
• Promote ease of doing business: Reduces procedural complexities and enhances transparency through digital solutions.

Key Features

• Simplified Tax Structure:Moves towards a broad two-slab system—5% (merit rate) and 18% (standard rate)—with a 40% slab for demerit or luxury goods.
• Consumer-Centric Relief:Tax reductions on essential food items, life and health insurance, and beauty and wellness services.
• Technology-Driven Compliance:Introduces digital registration, pre-filled returns, and automated refund systems, including 90% provisional refunds for Integrated Dispute Settlement (IDS) cases.
• Input-Output Correction:Aligns related goods under the same tax bracket to avoid input-output tax mismatches.
• Support for Key Sectors:Rate cuts to encourage investment and growth in textiles, agriculture, construction, and services industries.

Revised Tax Slabs

Significance: GST 2.0 is expected to spur demand, enhance compliance, and boost industrial growth, positioning India’s indirect tax system among the most simplified globally.

In News:

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has released the draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025 for public consultation.
• The legislation seeks to create a comprehensive legal framework for the operation, promotion, and regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in India, replacing the existing Drone Rules, 2021.

Objective

• The Bill aims to balance innovation with accountability—promoting the growth of India’s drone ecosystem while ensuring public safety, national security, and privacy.
• It aligns with the government’s vision of leveraging drone technology for governance, logistics, agriculture, and surveillance under the Digital Indiaand Make in India initiatives.

Key Provisions

1. Regulatory Authority

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will serve as the principal regulator for drone operations.
• The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) will oversee policy, promotion, and implementation aspects.

2. Scope and Exemptions

• The Bill applies to all civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
• Exempted: UAS operated by the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) and those weighing above 500 kilograms.

3. Registration and Certification

• Mandatory Registration: Every drone must obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN) from DGCA.
• Type Certification: Manufacturing, sale, or operation of drones requires DGCA-approved Type Certificates ensuring safety and airworthiness.
• Remote Pilot Certification: Operators must hold a valid remote pilot license from DGCA or authorized entities.