In News:

India has formally concluded its operations at the Ayni Air Base (Gissar Military Aerodrome) in Tajikistan, ending a two-decade presence that began in 2002. The withdrawal followed the expiry of a bilateral agreement in 2022, after which Tajikistan chose not to renew the lease. Indian personnel and equipment were pulled out by early 2023.

About Ayni Air Base

• Location: Near Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
• Status: India’s first overseas military facility.
• Origins: A Soviet-era base that fell into disrepair after the USSR’s collapse.
• Indian Involvement:
  • India began modernising it in the early 2000s under a strategic arrangement with Tajikistan.
  • Approx. USD 100 million invested in runway extension, hangars, refuelling systems, and repair facilities.
  • Runway extended to 3,200 metres to support fighter aircraft operations.
  • Included temporary deployment of Su-30MKI jets and helicopters.
  • At times, ~200 Indian Army and IAF personnel were stationed at the site.

Withdrawal: Why Now?

• The bilateral agreement for joint operation expired in 2022 and was not renewed.
• Tajikistan reportedly faced pressure from Russia and China to avoid hosting non-regional military forces.
• After India's withdrawal, Russian forces have taken over operational control.
• The base’s strategic value reduced after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan (2021), which changed the regional security landscape.

Strategic Significance for India

1. Afghanistan & Anti-Taliban Engagement

• Initially helped India support the Northern Alliance against the Taliban.
• Geographic proximity enabled humanitarian and logistical access to Afghanistan.
• Used during August 2021 evacuations of Indian nationals following the Taliban’s return to power.

2. Leverage Against Pakistan

• Ayni lies ~20 km from the Wakhan Corridor, which borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• Provided theoretical capability to monitor or target strategic locations such as Peshawar, giving India an indirect pressure point.

3. Presence in Central Asia

• Offered India a rare strategic foothold in a region traditionally influenced by Russia and increasingly by China.
• Served as a platform to expand defence, diplomatic, and economic engagement in Central Asia.

Consequences of India’s Exit

• Reduced Indian military reach in Central Asia.
• Greater Russian and Chinese influence over Tajik defence infrastructure.
• Limits India’s ability to operate in the region at a time of shifting geopolitics around Afghanistan and Eurasia.

In News:

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first-ever air shipment of GI-tagged Indi Lime (Karnataka) and Puliyankudi Lime (Tamil Nadu) to the United Kingdom. The initiative marks a significant step in expanding India's agricultural export basket and enhancing global recognition of region-specific products.
• This milestone aligns with India’s broader efforts to promote GI-tagged agricultural commodities and support farmer incomes through improved market access.

What is a GI Tag?

• A Geographical Indication (GI) is an Intellectual Property Right (IPR) recognising products whose qualities or reputation are linked to a specific geographical origin.
• Legislation: Registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Issuing Authority: GI Registry, Chennai under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Purpose:
  • Protect regional uniqueness
  • Prevent unauthorised use
  • Enhance export potential
  • Provide economic benefits to local communities

Indi Lime (Karnataka)

• Region: Primarily grown in Vijayapura district.
• Characteristics:
  • High juice content
  • Strong aroma
  • Balanced acidity
• Uses: Culinary applications, traditional medicine, and cultural practices; reflects Karnataka’s agrarian heritage.
• Earlier in 2025, APEDA also exported 3 MT of GI-tagged Swadeshi Indi Lime to the UAE, showcasing rising global demand.

Puliyankudi Lime (Tamil Nadu)

• Region: Grown widely in Tenkasi district, known as the “Lemon City of Tamil Nadu.”
• Popular Variety: Kadayam Lime
• Features:
  • Thin peel
  • Strong acidity
  • High juice yield (≈55%)
  • Rich in Vitamin C (≈34.3 mg/100g) and antioxidants
• GI Recognition: Granted in April 2025, acknowledging its superior regional traits.

Export Significance

• Enhances global visibility of India’s GI-tagged agricultural products.
• Opens new markets for limes, traditionally exported in small volumes.
• Strengthens farmer incomes and supports rural economies in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Builds on India’s expanding export footprint, which recently included:
  • Gharwali apples
  • Apricots from Kargil

to Gulf markets such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.

Institutional & Trade Context

• APEDA, under the Department of Commerce, plays a leading role in diversifying India’s agri-exports.
• The announcement coincided with India–EU FTA discussions in Brussels, where Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and EU officials reiterated the need for a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement to strengthen bilateral trade.

In News:

The Axial Seamount, an active underwater volcano located in the northeast Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon (USA), has shown increased seismic activity, prompting scientists to warn of a possible eruption in the near future. Despite the alert, experts emphasize that any eruption would pose no threat to coastal populations due to the volcano’s great depth.

Location & Geological Setting

• Located ~300 miles off the Oregon coast in the Pacific Ocean.
• Situated on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, a divergent boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Juan de Fuca Plate.
• Classified as a shield volcano with a summit caldera.
• Rises to a depth of approx. 1,400 m (≈4,900 ft) below sea level.
• Formed by a hotspot, where mantle plumes rise beneath the oceanic crust.

Scientific Importance

• Considered the most active submarine volcano in the northeast Pacific.
• Documented eruptions: 1998, 2011, 2015.
• The 2015 eruption triggered:
  • ~8,000 earthquakes
  • 400-ft-thick lava flows
  • Seafloor subsidence of nearly 8 ft

Current Activity

• Recent USGS-recorded quakes of M4.8 and M5.4 occurred close to Axial Seamount.
• Over 2,000 micro-earthquakes in a single day were noted this year.
• Scientists expect the next eruption between late 2025 and early 2026, though the timing remains unpredictable.
• Surface uplift has been observed, matching levels seen prior to the 2015 eruption.

Hydrothermal Vent Ecosystem

• Hosts hydrothermal vents, releasing super-heated, mineral-rich fluids.
• Supports unique chemosynthetic ecosystems, including:
  • Microbes using volcanic gases for energy
  • Giant tubeworms
  • Crabs, clams, fish, octopuses
• Provides a natural laboratory for studying extreme environments and deep-sea biodiversity.

Monitoring Infrastructure

• Part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI).
• Hosts the New Millennium Observatory (NeMO) — the world’s first underwater volcanic observatory.
• Real-time monitoring via undersea cables transmitting continuous data on:
  • Seismic activity
  • Gas emissions
  • Vent temperatures
  • Seafloor deformation

Hazards & Human Impact

• Despite increased activity, eruptions do not threaten humans or coastal infrastructure.
• Events occur deep underwater and may pass unnoticed at the surface.
• However, they are crucial for advancing scientific understanding of:
  • Mid-ocean ridge volcanism
  • Crustal formation
  • Seafloor hydrothermal systems

In News:

• The AmazonFACE Project, launched near Manaus, Brazil, is a pioneering climate research experiment designed to study how the Amazon rainforest—the world’s largest tropical forest—responds to future elevated CO? levels. The initiative is significant as Brazil prepares to host COP30 in Belém.
• It is the first experiment of its scale in a natural tropical forest, marking a major advancement in global climate science.

What is AmazonFACE?

• A long-term field experiment exposing mature tropical trees to projected future CO? concentrations.
• Located in an old-growth Amazon forest stand.
• Aims to understand how increased atmospheric carbon affects forest functioning, carbon cycling, water exchange and overall ecosystem resilience.

Technology Used: FACE

FACE (Free-Air CO? Enrichment) technology:

• Releases controlled amounts of CO? into open-air forest environments.
• Allows real-time assessment of how trees respond without disturbing natural forest structure.
• Previously used in temperate biomes, but AmazonFACE is the first large-scale FACE experiment in tropical forests.

Structure & Working

• The site contains six large steel-ring towers, each enclosing 50–70 mature trees.
• Three rings are fumigated with CO? at concentrations matching climate projections for 2050–2060.
• Three rings act as control plots.
• Sensors record data every 10 minutes, including:
  • CO? absorption
  • Oxygen and water vapour release
  • Responses to rainfall, sunlight, and storms
• Later stages will simulate artificial microclimates with higher atmospheric CO?.

Institutional Support

• Led by INPA (National Institute for Amazon Research) and Universidade Estadual de Campinas.
• Supported by the Brazilian federal government and the United Kingdom.

Significance

• Helps model the future behaviour of the Amazon under climate stress.
• Provides insights into:
  • Carbon sequestration capacity
  • Forest growth patterns
  • Water cycle feedbacks
  • Potential ecosystem tipping points
• Critical for global climate policymaking, especially ahead of COP30, where adaptation and mitigation strategies for the Amazon biome will be central.

In News:

• The Government of India has launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS), a first-of-its-kind national initiative aimed at strengthening Janbhagidari (people’s participation) and promoting grassroots democratic engagement among school students.
• The programme is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Education (Department of School Education & Literacy), and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Aim & Significance

• To inculcate democratic values, civic responsibility, and leadership skills among youth.
• To familiarise students with Gram Sabha processes, village-level planning and budgeting.
• To nurture future citizen-leaders aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
• Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises experiential learning and civic participation.

What is Model Youth Gram Sabha?

• A simulated Gram Sabha forum conducted in schools.
• Modelled on the concept of Model United Nations (MUN) but adapted to the Panchayati Raj system.
• Provides hands-on exposure to local self-governance, decision-making and village-level institutions.

Coverage & Implementation

• To be implemented in 1,000+ schools across India, including:
  • Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs)
  • Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs)
  • State Government Schools
• Schools will conduct mock Gram Sabha sessions as guided by the training module.
• Financial support of ?20,000 per school will be provided by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to conduct the sessions.
• Launch event includes participation from 650+ delegates, including students, teachers, PRI representatives and officials.

Key Features

• Student Participation: Students from Classes 9–12 enact roles such as:
  • Sarpanch
  • Ward Members
  • Village Secretary
  • Anganwadi Worker
  • Other village-level functionaries
• Simulation Activities:
  • Conducting mock Gram Sabha meetings
  • Discussions on local issues and development needs
  • Preparation of a village budget and development plan
  • Exposure to decentralized planning, accountability and community engagement
• Digital Support Tools:
  • MYGS Portal for resources, learning materials and reporting
  • Training Module for teachers to facilitate sessions effectively

In News:

The Union Minister of Coal and Mines launched two major digital governance platforms—

1. KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard, and
2. CLAMP Portal (Coal Land Acquisition, Management & Payment) — marking a significant push toward transparency, efficiency, and technology-driven operations in India’s coal sector.

These initiatives align with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.

1. KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard

What is it?

A unified digital platform integrating the entire coal value chain—from mine to market—into a single real-time interface. It acts as the digital backbone of India’s coal ecosystem.

Developed by: Ministry of Coal

Purpose

• Enhance real-time coordination among stakeholders
• Ensure data-driven governance
• Optimize logistics, production, and dispatch
• Improve supply chain reliability for power, steel, and allied industries

Key Features

• Unified Visibility: Integrates data from coal companies, railways, ports, power utilities, state departments, ministries, and private miners.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Tracks coal production, dispatch, rail/road/multimodal movement, port handling, and consumption.
• Decision Support System: Provides predictive analytics, demand forecasting, trend analysis, and KPI monitoring.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduces delays, improves coordination, standardizes reporting, and minimizes manual intervention.
• Transparency & Accountability: Live dashboards ensure visibility across ministries and industry stakeholders.
• Incident Response: Provides alerts and notifications for operational disruptions.
• Scalability: Can integrate future digital systems and expand datasets.

Significance

• Eliminates silos in coal logistics
• Reduces transport bottlenecks
• Supports evidence-based policymaking
• Enhances the reliability of coal supply to power and industrial sectors
• Positions the platform as a Smart Coal Analytics Dashboard (SCAD) enabling long-term sectoral reforms

2. CLAMP Portal (Coal Land Acquisition, Management & Payment)

What is it?

A unified digital portal to streamline:

• Land acquisition
• Compensation
• Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) processes for coal-bearing areas.

Implemented by: Ministry of Coal

Key Functions

• Serves as a centralized land record repository
• Digitizes the entire workflow from land data entry to final payment
• Enables inter-agency coordination among coal PSUs, district authorities, and state agencies

Advantages

• Transparency in land ownership and compensation
• Reduced procedural delays in acquisition
• Accuracy through verified digital records
• Ease of monitoring R&R compliance
• Time-bound compensation for affected landowners
• Supports citizen-centric governance in sensitive land acquisition processes

In News:

The Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot Project, launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through the Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE), is a rural digital empowerment initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide by integrating physical infrastructure with digital service delivery (“phygital model”). It leverages BharatNet — India’s flagship rural broadband programme — to ensure seamless access to essential citizen-centric services.

Pilot Locations & Implementation

The pilot is being implemented in three villages, each hosting a Samriddhi Kendra:

• Ari & Umri (Madhya Pradesh) – Partner: Digital Empowerment Foundation
• Narakoduru (Andhra Pradesh) – Partner: Corpus Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
• Chaurawala (Uttar Pradesh) – Partner: I-Novate Infotech Pvt. Ltd.

These Kendras act as integrated digital service hubs, providing both physical support and digital-enabled services.

Objectives:

• To create a replicable and scalable rural digital service model.
• To deliver last-mile digital access through BharatNet-powered connectivity.
• To enhance education, agriculture, health, governance, and financial inclusion in rural areas.
• To enable digital entrepreneurship and strengthen participation in the digital economy.

Key Features & Services

1. Education & Skilling

• Smart classrooms, digital content
• AR/VR-based learning
• Skill development aligned with national skilling schemes

2. Agriculture

• IoT-based soil testing
• Drone-enabled services (monitoring, spraying)
• Smart irrigation solutions

3. Healthcare

• Teleconsultations
• Health ATMs for diagnostics
• Basic emergency care support

4. e-Governance

• Assisted access to government services
• Document facilitation
• Grievance redress mechanisms

5. E-Commerce & Entrepreneurship

• Integration with ONDC
• Digital marketplace access for local products
• Support for rural microenterprises

6. Financial Inclusion

• Digital banking services
• Payment systems & UPI-assisted transactions

7. Connectivity Backbone

• BharatNet FTTH connectivity
• Village Area Network (VAN)
• Public Wi-Fi hotspots

Significance

• Strengthens Digital India at the grassroots.
• Demonstrates a phygital last-mile service delivery model.
• Enhances socio-economic outcomes in rural areas by integrating technology with governance and service delivery.
• Designed as a sustainable and scalable model for nationwide expansion.

In News:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025, a large-scale verification exercise aimed at ensuring that India’s electoral rolls remain accurate, inclusive, and up-to-date. Covering twelve States and Union Territories, this marks the most comprehensive revision of voter records in nearly two decades.

Purpose and Objectives

The SIR 2025 is designed to:

• Authenticate voter data to eliminate duplication and ineligible entries.
• Verify citizenship and age to ensure that only eligible Indian citizens remain on the rolls.
• Update demographic information such as addresses and photographs.
• Enhance transparency in the voter registration process and strengthen public trust in electoral institutions.

Through this exercise, the ECI seeks to uphold the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which mandates a clean and credible electoral register as the foundation of free and fair elections.

Implementation and Process

The revision process is being carried out by the Election Commission under the supervision of the Chief Election Commissioner and coordinated at the State and district levels through Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), District Magistrates (DMs), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).

Key stages of the exercise include:

• Enumeration and Data Collection: Field officials known as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit households to distribute and collect pre-filled forms containing existing voter details.
  Voters may also submit or verify their information online via the ECI’s voter portal.
• Verification through Historical Records: Citizens are encouraged to confirm their or a family member’s presence in electoral rolls from earlier intensive revisions (2002–2005). This helps maintain continuity in the voter database and authenticate older registrations.
• Document-Based Scrutiny: In cases where a voter cannot trace prior records, documents proving identity, residence, age, and citizenship are reviewed. This ensures compliance with the Citizenship Act, 1955, particularly for voters born after 1987.
• Draft and Final Roll Publication: Following field verification, draft rolls are published for public inspection and correction. After resolving claims and objections, the final electoral rolls are released, forming the official list for upcoming elections.

Significance of the SIR 2025

• Reviving Electoral Accuracy: This is the first full-scale revision of voter rolls in nearly twenty years, addressing issues like outdated entries, migration, and data mismatches.
• Citizenship Assurance: The verification framework ensures that only legitimate Indian citizens exercise voting rights, strengthening electoral credibility.
• Technological Modernisation: Integration with digital platforms such as the ECI voter portal enhances accessibility and reduces manual errors.
• Transparency and Accountability: The participation of political party representatives as Booth Level Agents (BLAs) provides an additional layer of oversight.
• Foundation for Free and Fair Elections: A verified, inclusive, and error-free voter list is critical to maintaining the integrity of democratic processes and protecting voter rights.

In News:

• India is set to launch ‘Bharat Taxi’, the country’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, in November 2025, beginning in Delhi.
• The initiative marks a transformative step in the government’s efforts to democratise the digital economy by ensuring equitable participation and income security for gig workers, particularly cab drivers.
• The project is being implemented jointly by the Union Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

About Bharat Taxi

Bharat Taxi is a government-backed cooperative cab service designed to offer an alternative to private app-based aggregators such as Ola and Uber. It operates on the principle of “cooperative ownership and collective welfare”, where drivers act as both service providers and shareholders.

Implementing Structure

• Promoting Body: Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd., established in June 2025.
• Initial Capital: ?300 crore.
• Supported By: Leading cooperative institutions such as Amul, IFFCO, NAFED, KRIBHCO, NABARD, and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
• Governance:
  • Chairperson: Jayen Mehta (MD, Amul/GCMMF)
  • Vice-Chairman: Rohit Gupta (Deputy MD, NCDC)

Objectives

• Empower Drivers: Convert cab drivers into cooperative members (“Saarthis”) and shareholders.
• Ensure Fair Earnings: Eliminate high commissions (up to 25% under private apps) through a zero-commission model.
• Provide Affordable, Transparent Rides: Introduce fare regulation with no surge pricing or hidden costs.
• Promote Cooperative Entrepreneurship: Strengthen India’s cooperative movement in the digital services economy.
• Enhance Urban Mobility: Offer a reliable, ethical, and citizen-friendly transport option integrated with government e-platforms.

Key Features

In News:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released its flagship Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) 2025, titled “Running on Empty”.

The report warns that the global climate adaptation finance gap for developing countries has widened sharply, threatening progress toward climate resilience and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About the Adaptation Gap Report (AGR)

• Publisher: UNEP–Copenhagen Climate Centre, with global institutional contributions.
• Purpose: Tracks progress in climate adaptation planning, implementation, and finance, assessing global preparedness against climate impacts.
• Relevance: Supports policy negotiations under the UNFCCC and upcoming COP30 (Belém, Brazil).

Key Findings

1. Escalating Finance Needs

• Developing nations will require USD 310–365 billion annually by 2035, potentially rising to USD 440–520 billion when adjusted for inflation.
• The growing need reflects increasing risks from both rapid- and slow-onset climate events—heatwaves, floods, sea-level rise, and glacial melt.

2. Widening Adaptation Finance Gap

• Current adaptation finance (2023): Only USD 26 billion, covering just one-twelfth of total requirements.
• Finance gap: USD 284–339 billion annually.
• Falling trends: Funding fell from USD 28 billion (2022), meaning the Glasgow Climate Pact target of doubling adaptation finance by 2025 will likely be missed.

3. Debt-Heavy and Unequal Finance

• About 58% of adaptation finance is in the form of loans, many non-concessional—deepening debt vulnerabilities among developing nations.
• This creates a growing risk of “adaptation debt traps”, undermining the principle of climate justice.

4. Progress and Planning Gaps

• 172 countries have at least one National Adaptation Plan (NAP); however, 36 of them are outdated.
• 1,600+ adaptation actions have been reported globally, primarily in agriculture, water, biodiversity, and infrastructure, but few measure tangible resilience outcomes.
• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) show the highest integration of adaptation into national policies.

5. Limited Private Sector Role

• The private sector contributes only USD 5 billion annually, despite potential investment capacity up to USD 50 billion with supportive de-risking mechanisms.
• Low engagement is attributed to high risk perceptions and limited blended-finance instruments.

6. Multilateral Fund Support

• Disbursements through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Adaptation Fund reached USD 920 million in 2024—an 86% rise over the previous five-year average, though UNEP warns this may be temporary.

Global Frameworks and Roadmaps

Baku–Belém Roadmap (COP29–COP30)

• Envisions USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035 in total climate finance.
• Stresses the need for grant-based and concessional instruments rather than debt-heavy finance.
• Aims to align finance, transparency, and adaptation under a “global collective effort” (mutirão global) led by Brazil’s COP30 presidency.

New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)

• Proposed USD 300 billion by 2035, but UNEP cautions that it is insufficient and not inflation-adjusted, hence failing to meet real adaptation needs.

India and the Adaptation Gap Report 2025

1. National and Regional Context

• India’s climate strategy now prioritises adaptation-centric policies over mitigation, focusing on resilient agriculture, water systems, and disaster management.
• Frequent heatwaves, floods, and glacial retreats heighten India’s vulnerability, underscoring the need for adaptive investments.

2. Policy and Institutional Response

• India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans align with UNEP’s adaptation priorities.
• Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and LiFE Mission showcase India’s global leadership in climate diplomacy.

3. Financial and Structural Constraints

• India continues to face adaptation investment gaps, relying heavily on concessional and multilateral finance.
• Domestic efforts like the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) are under fiscal strain due to limited international flow.

4. Developmental Balancing

• India maintains that development precedes decarbonisation, in line with the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR–RC).
• The Economic Survey 2024–25 reiterates that achieving developed-nation status by 2047 is essential before aggressive deep decarbonisation.
• India remains committed to Net Zero by 2070, consistent with its Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LT-LEDS).