In News:

• The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Uttarakhand, famed globally for its tigers, has recently emerged as a crucial sanctuary for raptors, with a preliminary survey confirming the presence of 30 species of birds of prey.
• Conducted jointly by the State Forest Department and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the survey has documented several rare and threatened species, including the Pallid Fish Eagle, whose nesting in the region is extremely rare.

Corbett Tiger Reserve: Overview

• Location: Foothills of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand.
• Established: Originally as Hailey National Park in 1936; first national park in India and the first to be included under Project Tiger.
• Terrain: Undulating with valleys; rivers Ramganga, Pallaen, and Sonanadi traverse the reserve.
• Vegetation: North Indian tropical moist and dry deciduous forests, with sal and mixed forests, interspersed with grasslands and riparian vegetation.
• Ecological Significance: A vital ecological corridor supporting both tiger populations and diverse avian species.

Pallid Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus)

• Common Names: Pallas’s Sea Eagle, Band-Tailed Fish Eagle.
• Size & Appearance: Large, brownish sea eagle.
• Habitat: Near lakes, rivers, and marshes, ranging from lowlands to 5,000 metres elevation.
• Diet: Primarily fish, but also opportunistically hunts other prey.
• Breeding: Builds large nests in tall trees, usually near water bodies.
• Distribution: East Palearctic regions — Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
• Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List).
• Threats: Habitat degradation, pollution, overfishing, and human disturbances.
• Significance in CTR: The discovery of a nesting site indicates active breeding, highlighting the reserve as a safe habitat for this threatened raptor.

Raptor Diversity in CTR

• Total Species Documented: 30 species of raptors, including both resident and migratory birds.
• Nesting Species: Evidence of nests from nine raptor species, including:
  • Crested Serpent Eagle
  • Hawk Eagle
  • Red-Headed Vulture
  • Indian Spotted Eagle
  • White-Rumped Vulture
  • Egyptian Vulture
  • Indian Vulture
• Significance: The presence of nests indicates active breeding, confirming CTR as a protected and thriving habitat for raptors.

Conservation and Ecological Implications

• The discovery emphasizes CTR’s dual role as a tiger reserve and a key sanctuary for avian predators.
• Historical declines in vulture populations due to habitat disruption and veterinary drug use underscore the importance of protected habitats like CTR.
• CTR provides a superior ecological corridor, allowing threatened and migratory species to breed and sustain populations.
• Ongoing surveys aim to collect species profiles, population counts, and nesting specifics, forming the basis for targeted conservation strategies.

In News:

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched the Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) initiative, a structured mentorship and collaborative action program under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U).
• This initiative pairs top-performing mentor cities with low-performing mentee cities to facilitate knowledge-sharing, peer learning, and replication of best practices in sanitation and waste management.

Objectives                             

The primary aim of the SSJ initiative is to:

• Support low-performing cities in improving their sanitation outcomes.
• Replicate tested best practices in waste management and urban cleanliness.
• Foster peer learning, experience sharing, and collaborative urban transformation.
• Ensure no city is left behind in the spirit of Antyodaya, promoting inclusive urban development.

Structure of the Initiative

• Mentor Cities: Selected from the Super Swachh League, which comprises cities consistently ranking 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2022, 2023, and 2024 across various population categories. Additional mentors include promising clean cities identified in SS 2024.
• Mentee Cities: Selected from the lowest ranks in their State’s cumulative SS rankings, with preference for geographical proximity to mentor cities.
• Scale: The initiative involves 72 mentor cities paired with around 200 mentee cities. Nearly 300 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed simultaneously to formalize these partnerships.

Implementation Approach

• 100-Day Program: Each mentor–mentee pair develops an action plan with clear milestones, focusing on knowledge transfer and implementation of best practices.
• Capacity Building Funds: Both mentor and mentee cities can utilize funds allocated under SBM-U 2.0, supplemented by state contributions or other sources.
• Policy Support: MoHUA provides strategic guidance and monitoring to ensure effective implementation.
• Evaluation: Progress will be assessed through Swachh Survekshan 2026, measuring improvements in sanitation performance.

Significance

• Represents one of the largest time-bound mentorship frameworks in urban sanitation in India.
• Encourages citizen engagement, resilient governance, and operational excellence.
• Promotes scaling of successful urban waste management practices across diverse cities.
• Aligns with the broader vision of Swachh Bharat Mission by building capacity, capabilities, and collaborative urban governance.

In News:

In a remarkable botanical discovery, researchers have identified a new species of coffee plant, Ophiorrhizaechinata, in the biodiversity-rich shola forests of Devikulam, located in the Idukki district of Kerala. The finding underscores the ecological richness of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity.

About Ophiorrhizaechinata

• Ophiorrhizaechinata is a newly discovered species belonging to the Rubiaceae family, which also includes the well-known coffee plant (Coffea species).
• The discovery was made by botanists from Sacred Heart College, Thevara, St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, and St. Thomas College, Thrissur, and has been published in the Nordic Journal of Botany.
• The plant grows in the ecotone region — the transitional zone between evergreen forests and grasslands — at an altitude of about 1,630 metres above sea level.
• So far, the species has been recorded only from its type locality in Devikulam, with an area of occupancy less than 4 sq. km and a population of around 35 plants, indicating its extremely limited distribution.

Biological Characteristics and Significance

• The species is closely related to Ophiorrhizamungos, commonly known as Indian Snake Root, which has long been used in traditional medicine for its anticancer and anti-venom properties.
• Given this close genetic relationship, researchers believe O. echinata may possess valuable medicinal potential, warranting further phytochemical and pharmacological studies.
• Its presence in the shola ecosystem—a habitat known for high endemism and speciation—highlights the ecological uniqueness and evolutionary importance of such forest environments.

Ecological and Conservation Importance

• The discovery reinforces the Western Ghats’ status as a centre of endemism, particularly for the Rubiaceae family, to which over ten coffee-related species are native in India.
• The limited distribution and small population make O. echinatavulnerable to habitat loss and anthropogenic pressures such as deforestation, tourism, and climate change.
• Scientists emphasize the need for urgent habitat conservation measures and in-situ protection to ensure the species’ survival, along with further research on its chemical composition and ecological interactions.

Coffee Diversity in India

• India produced approximately 3.63 lakh metric tonnes of coffee in 2024–25, mainly of Arabica and Robusta varieties.
• However, the discovery of Ophiorrhizaechinata adds to the botanical richness of native coffee-related plants found in the Western Ghats. According to the Coffee Board of India, over 100 coffee plant species are known globally, of which more than ten occur naturally in the Western Ghats region.

In News:

• The Ayodhya title dispute judgment—a landmark decision of the Supreme Court—was founded on the principle of “preponderance of probabilities”, a key evidentiary standard in civil law. Former
• Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud (part of the 2019 constitutional bench) noted that the verdict was based not on religious sentiment or historical conjecture, but on civil law principles of possession and probability regarding ownership of the inner and outer courtyards of the disputed site.

Understanding the Principle of Preponderance of Probability

• The preponderance of probability is the standard of proof used in civil proceedings to determine whether a fact or claim is more likely to be true than false.
• It represents a balance of likelihoods, where the court weighs the evidence from both sides and accepts the version that appears more probable based on the available proof.
• Unlike the criminal law standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt”, which requires a very high degree of certainty before convicting an accused, the civil standard merely requires showing that a claim is more likely than not.

Key Features

• A fact is considered proved if the court believes it exists on the balance of probabilities, as defined under Section 3 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
• The party bearing the burden of proof (typically the plaintiff) must present evidence that outweighs the opposing party’s version.
• The court does not demand absolute proof but relies on weighing evidence and drawing reasonable inferences.

This principle was elaborated in the case Narayan Ganesh Dastane v. Sucheta Narayan Dastane (1975), where the Supreme Court held that civil cases are determined based on which side’s evidence appears more credible, not necessarily conclusive.

Application in Civil Law

The preponderance of probability is the cornerstone of civil litigation, especially in matters relating to:

• Property and ownership disputes
• Contract enforcement
• Tort claims
• Family law and matrimonial matters

For instance, in a breach of contract case, a plaintiff only needs to establish that it is more likely than not that the contract was violated, rather than proving it beyond all possible doubt.

Ayodhya Judgment: Application of Civil Law Principles

In the Ayodhya title dispute case (2019), the Supreme Court applied the civil law test of possession and preponderance of probabilities to resolve competing claims over the disputed land.
The Court’s approach was rooted in legal reasoning rather than theological or emotive considerations.

Key Legal Reasoning

• The Court examined historical records, revenue documents, and testimonies to determine who had better evidence of possession of the inner and outer courtyards.
• The verdict concluded that while both Hindu and Muslim communities had worshipped at the site, the Hindus had stronger evidence of continued possession of the outer courtyard and belief in the Ram Janmabhoomi.
• The Muslim parties could not sufficiently establish exclusive possession of the inner courtyard before 1857.
• Hence, the balance of probabilities favored the Hindu claimants for ownership and management rights of the site.

Importantly, the judgment relied purely on civil law principles of possession and balance of probabilities, not on any assertion that the mosque’s construction was a desecration—a claim that does not feature in the 2019 verdict, despite later commentary.

Significance of the Principle

• Reinforces the objectivity of civil adjudication, where factual probabilities outweigh moral or religious narratives.
• Demonstrates the distinction between civil and criminal standards of proof in Indian jurisprudence.
• Ensures fairness in property disputes, where ownership is determined by evidence and not sentiment.
• Serves as a model case for the application of the Indian Evidence Act in balancing complex historical and legal claims.

In News:

The Government of India has issued detailed operational guidelines for setting up around 72,300 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country, backed by an allocation of ?2,000 crore under the broader ?10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE Scheme. This initiative marks a major step towards achieving sustainable mobility and reducing India’s dependence on fossil fuels.

About the PM E-DRIVE Scheme

• The PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme was launched in October 2024 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI).
• It is a flagship program designed to accelerate EV adoption, strengthen charging infrastructure, and develop a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
• The scheme is operational from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026.

Objectives

• Promote mass mobility through electrified public transport systems.
• Encourage domestic manufacturing of EVs and components under the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP).
• Support the creation of a comprehensive network of charging stations.
• Reduce vehicular pollution and enhance urban air quality.
• Facilitate the transition to a self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) EV ecosystem.

Key Components of the Scheme

• Demand Incentives
  • Financial support for purchasing e-2 wheelers, e-3 wheelers, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and electric buses.
  • Focus on promoting electric public transport and commercial fleets.
• Grants for Capital Assets
  • Funding for electric buses, public charging infrastructure, and testing facilities under MHI.
  • States are encouraged to extend additional fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, such as road-tax waivers, permit exemptions, and reduced toll or parking fees.
• Administrative Support: Includes costs for Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities and Project Management Agency (PMA) fees to ensure smooth implementation.

Implementation Framework

The scheme will be monitored by the Project Implementation and Sanctioning Committee (PISC), chaired by the Secretary, Heavy Industries.

• PISC will oversee progress, address challenges, revise incentives when necessary, and approve technical guidelines.
• Only vehicles registered under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) and equipped with advanced battery technology are eligible for incentives.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) serves as the Nodal Agency for:

• Demand aggregation for EV charging infrastructure.
• Development of a Unified EV Super App to provide real-time charger availability, slot booking, payments, and deployment tracking — promoting digital accessibility for users.

Guidelines for EV Charging Infrastructure (2025)

The Ministry of Heavy Industries issued a tiered subsidy framework to promote the establishment of EV charging stations nationwide.

Subsidy Structure

• 100% subsidy on upstream infrastructure and charging equipment for:Government offices, residential colonies, hospitals, and educational institutions (if open for public use).
• 80% subsidy on upstream infrastructure and 70% on equipment for:High-traffic public locations such as railway stations, airports, metro stations, bus terminals, toll plazas, and municipal parking lots.
• 80% subsidy on upstream infrastructure for:Shopping malls, markets, highways, expressways, and battery-swapping stations.

Deployment Priority

The scheme prioritizes:

• Cities with over one million population,
• State capitals, smart cities, metro-linked satellite towns, and
• High-density transport corridors.

Eligible government agencies are to designate nodal bodies to identify sites, aggregate demand, and submit proposals via a dedicated online portal.

BHEL will act as the Project Implementation Agency (PIA), with subsidies released in two tranches linked to performance and compliance milestones.

In News:

UNESCO has included India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, located in Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, in its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) during the 37th ICC–MAB session (2025). This recognition makes it India’s first high-altitude cold desert biosphere reserve to join the global network, highlighting the country’s commitment to sustainable mountain ecosystem management.

About the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve

• Established: 2009
• Location: Western Himalayas, Trans-Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh
• Area: 7,770 sq. km
• Altitude: 3,300–6,600 m
• Constituent Areas:Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal Wetland, and adjoining regions.
• Terrain: Windswept plateaus, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and high-altitude deserts.
• Zonation:
  • Core Zone – 2,665 sq. km
  • Buffer Zone – 3,977 sq. km
  • Transition Zone – 1,128 sq. km

Biodiversity and Communities

• Flora: 655 herbs, 41 shrubs, and 17 tree species, including 14 endemic and 47 medicinal plants vital for the Sowa Rigpa (Amchi) traditional healing system.
• Fauna: 17 mammal and 119 bird species, including Snow Leopard, Tibetan Antelope, Himalayan Wolf, and Himalayan Ibex.
• Communities: Around 12,000 residents dependent on pastoralism, yak/goat herding, and high-altitude farming (barley and peas).

In News:

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) recently launched the second edition of the Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0) in New Delhi. The initiative brings together innovators, startups, and research institutions from both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation and build a more resilient and inclusive agri-food ecosystem.

About Maitri 2.0:

• Two-Way Learning Platform: Facilitates co-creation between Indian and Brazilian innovators, enabling mutual exchange of knowledge, best practices, and technology solutions.
• Objectives:
  • Strengthen incubator linkages between India and Brazil.
  • Promote co-incubation models and innovation-driven collaboration.
  • Open opportunities in sustainable agriculture, digital technologies, and agri-value chain development.
  • Foster inclusive ecosystems that directly benefit farmers and support global food security.

Strategic Significance:

Maitri 2.0 reflects the broader India–Brazil strategic partnership, aligning with their shared vision in agriculture, emerging technologies, and food and nutritional security. It builds on historical collaborations and complements global platforms such as BRICS and G20, highlighting both nations’ roles in addressing food security and climate-resilient agriculture.

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:

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have developed an innovative siphon-powered thermal desalination system that can transform seawater into potable water faster, cheaper, and more reliably than existing technologies.
• The breakthrough addresses long-standing challenges in solar desalination, such as salt buildup and limited wicking height, offering a scalable solution for water-stressed regions.

How the Siphon-Powered System Works:

• Composite Siphon: A fabric wick paired with a grooved metal surface continuously draws seawater from a reservoir.
• Gravity Flow: Ensures smooth movement and flushes away salt before crystallization occurs.
• Thin-Film Evaporation: Water spreads as a thin layer on heated metal surfaces and evaporates efficiently.
• Ultra-Narrow Air Gap: Vapor condenses just 2 mm away on a cooler surface, enhancing efficiency.
• Multistage Stacking: Multiple evaporator–condenser pairs recycle heat, maximizing water output.

Key Features and Advantages:

• High Efficiency: Produces more than 6 litres of potable water per square metre per hour under sunlight, significantly higher than conventional solar stills.
• Low-Cost Materials: Uses aluminum and fabric, making it affordable and easy to deploy.
• Energy Flexibility: Operates on solar energy or waste heat, enabling off-grid functionality.
• Durability: Can handle highly saline water (up to 20% salt) without clogging.
• Scalability: Suitable for villages, coastal areas, disaster zones, and island nations.

Significance:

• Water Security: Provides a sustainable solution for drinking water scarcity in remote and off-grid regions.
• Innovation Leap: Overcomes technical limits of traditional solar stills, particularly salt scaling and wicking height.
• Sustainable Development: Eco-friendly, low-cost, and aligned with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and published in Desalination, this technology could make the ocean a reliable source of fresh water for millions, emphasizing simplicity, salt resistance, and scalability as its core strengths.

In News:

China has announced that it will continue to be classified as a developing country within the World Trade Organization (WTO) but will no longer seek Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) in future negotiations.

About Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT):

• S&DT grants developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) flexibilities in implementing WTO obligations, including longer deadlines, preferential market access, safeguard measures, and technical assistance.
• Introduced under GATT in the 1960s and formalized in WTO agreements (1995) and the Doha Development Agenda (2001).
• LDCs receive additional automatic benefits; other countries self-declare their status, subject to challenge by WTO members.

Significance of China’s Decision:

• China, historically a major beneficiary of S&DT, will forego such benefits while retaining its developing country status.
• The move signals support for multilateral trade and contributes to WTO reform, addressing concerns raised by the United States and others over selective access to S&DT.
• It highlights the tension between economic capabilities and self-declared developing status, especially among major economies.

Implications:

• Encourages balanced WTO negotiations and strengthens the global trading system.
• Marks a step towards aligning development considerations with global economic realities without relinquishing China’s role in the Global South.

In News:

India’s first dedicated Space Astronomy Observatory — AstroSat — has successfully completed a decade of operations since its launch on September 28, 2015. Designed for a mission life of five years, AstroSatcontinues to deliver valuable scientific data, marking a major milestone in India’s advancement in space-based astrophysics research.

About AstroSat

• Launched by: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C30 (XL)
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
• Launch Date: September 28, 2015
• Mission Life: Originally 5 years, extended due to sustained functionality and scientific output
• Managed by:Mission Operations Complex (MOX) of ISTRAC, Bengaluru

AstroSat represents India’s first multi-wavelength space observatory, capable of observing celestial bodies in Visible, Ultraviolet (UV), and low and high-energy X-ray bands of the electromagnetic spectrum simultaneously — a capability possessed by only a handful of space observatories globally.

Scientific Objectives

AstroSat was conceived to advance India’s capability in space-based astronomy and to deepen understanding of high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Its key scientific goals include:

• Investigating high-energy processes in binary star systems containing neutron stars and black holes.
• Estimating magnetic field strengths of neutron stars.
• Studying star formation regions and energetic star systems beyond the Milky Way.
• Detecting and monitoring transient X-ray sources (brief, bright cosmic events).
• Conducting a limited deep-field survey of the universe in the ultraviolet region.

Key Instruments (Payloads)

AstroSat carries five scientific payloads, each contributing to multi-spectral observations:

• Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT):Observes celestial objects in near and far ultraviolet as well as visible wavelengths, helping in the study of star formation and evolution.
• Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC):Detects time variability and spectral properties of X-ray sources in the 3–80 keV range.
• Cadmium–Zinc–Telluride Imager (CZTI):Observes hard X-rays (above 20 keV) and helps study gamma-ray bursts and black hole emissions.
• Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT):Provides soft X-ray imaging and spectroscopy to study compact objects like neutron stars and white dwarfs.
• Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM):Continuously scans the sky to detect new transient X-ray sources and track their variability.

In News:

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has mandated that all foreign nationals studying in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must now register on the newly launched Study in India (SII) portal. The move seeks to centralise data, streamline admission and visa processes, and strengthen compliance monitoring for international students studying in India.

Background and Context

Until now, foreign students seeking admission in Indian universities had to apply directly to individual institutions, which also facilitated their visa processes. However, the absence of a centralised database made it difficult for authorities to track foreign student numbers, monitor visa compliance, and address instances of overstaying or misuse of study visas.

To overcome these challenges, the Ministry of Education (MoE), in collaboration with the UGC, has introduced the Study in India portal as a digital one-stop platform integrating admissions, visa processing, and compliance tracking.

About the Study in India (SII) Portal

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India
• Implementing Agency: University Grants Commission (UGC)
• Objective: To promote India as a global education hub and simplify access for international students seeking to study in Indian higher education institutions.

Key Features

• Single-Window Digital Platform:
  • Acts as a unified interface for application submission, admission processing, and student visa facilitation.
  • Enables foreign students to explore regular, short-term, and long-term courses across Indian universities and HEIs.
• Comprehensive Academic Directory:
  • Lists undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes available in participating institutions.
  • Includes courses from the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) — such as Yoga, Ayurveda, classical music, and traditional arts — highlighting India’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
• Unique SII-ID Generation:
  • Upon registration, each student receives a unique SII-ID, which must be quoted while applying for the student visa.
  • The visa process is now directly linked to the SII portal, ensuring authenticity and easier tracking.
• Institutional Accountability:
  • HEIs admitting foreign students must appoint a Compliance Officer to oversee adherence to all SII guidelines and data-reporting requirements.
  • Institutions are required to update foreign student details regularly on the portal for regulatory oversight.
• Information Gateway:Provides details about academic facilities, research opportunities, campus infrastructure, and student support services to guide prospective applicants.

In News:

• The Government of Uttar Pradesh has issued a stern directive to all District Magistrates (DMs), warning of strict action against officials who fail to complete farmer registration under the Agri-Stack scheme within the revised deadline.
• Beginning October 16, 2025, DMs have been allotted one month to ensure 100% registration of farmers, a crucial step in the implementation of this national digital agriculture initiative.

About the Agri-Stack Scheme

• The Agri-Stack is a national digital infrastructure being developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in collaboration with state governments, to digitally transform Indian agriculture.
• It aims to create a unified database of farmers and farmlands, integrating information on land records, crop patterns, and scheme benefits.
• The system is envisioned to serve as a foundational digital layer for data-driven governance, policy formulation, and targeted service delivery to farmers.

Objectives and Key Features

• Empowerment through Data: Enables the creation of a unique digital identity for every farmer through a Farmer ID linked to Aadhaar, ensuring accurate targeting of benefits.
• Efficiency and Transparency: Digitally connects demographic data, landholdings, and scheme eligibility, minimizing leakages and duplication.
• Customized Services: Facilitates localized advisories, early warning systems for disasters and pest attacks, and timely delivery of inputs and credit.
• Ease of Governance: Provides a single, verified data source for policy planning, monitoring, and feedback management.
• Public–Private Collaboration: Enables authorized access for banks, agri-tech startups, and value-chain companies to offer tailored financial and technical services.

Core Components of the Agri-Stack

• Farmer and Farmland Registries:
  • A federated digital registry of all farmers across India, compiled by states and harmonized at the central level.
  • Each farmer receives a unique, verifiable Farmer ID, dynamically linked to farmland plot data for non-legal, advisory, and planning purposes.
• Unified Farmer Service Interface (UFSI):
  • A technical framework that ensures data interoperability between government and authorized private stakeholders.
  • Enables federated data exchange with consent-based access, improving coordination across sectors like finance, insurance, and agri-input supply.
• Crop Sown Registry:
  • Digitally records seasonal crop data for every farm using smartphone, drone, and satellite imagery.
  • Replaces traditional manual crop surveys with real-time, geo-referenced data for better yield estimation and policy response.
• Agri-Stack Sandbox:A testing environment that allows authorized users (such as agri-tech firms and banks) to safely experiment with sample datasets and digital tools before gaining production-level access.
• Consent Manager:
  • Empowers farmers to control the sharing of their personal data.
  • Data access is granted only with explicit consent, which can be revoked at any time, ensuring privacy and accountability.

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 Indian Navy has successfully concluded the biannual joint amphibious exercise ‘Jal Prahar 2025’ along the eastern seaboard, in close coordination with the Indian Army. The exercise aimed to enhance joint operational readiness, inter-service synergy, and maritime security preparedness.

About Jal Prahar 2025

• Nature of Exercise:‘Jal Prahar’ is a biannual joint amphibious exercise conducted by the Indian Navy in collaboration with the Indian Army.
• Objective:To strengthen coordination, interoperability, and integration between the two forces for effective amphibious operations and coastal defence.

Exercise Structure and Key Highlights

The 2025 edition of the exercise was conducted in two phases:

• Harbour Phase (Visakhapatnam):
  • Focused on the induction and integration of Army troops onboard naval platforms such as INS Gharial.
  • Included onboard training sessions, safety briefings, familiarization with naval operations, and interaction activities to foster inter-service camaraderie.
• Sea Phase (Kakinada):
  • Involved the execution of full-scale amphibious operations, including hard beaching, launching of Landing Craft Assaults (LCAs) and infantry combat vehicles (BMPs).
  • Validated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Joint Training Protocols, ensuring seamless coordination during real-world operations.