In News:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced the winners of the 2025 Young Champions of the Earth Award, recognising three outstanding entrepreneurs from India, Kenya, and the United States for their innovative solutions addressing pressing environmental challenges.

About the Award

• Launched: 2017
• Relaunched: 2025, in partnership with Planet A, an environmental awareness initiative co-founded by U.S. cleantech executive Chris Kemper.
• Organised by:United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Objective: To empower and celebrate young innovators (below 30 years of age) offering scalable solutions to the triple planetary crisis — climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution & waste.

Each winner receives USD 20,000 in seed funding, mentorship, and access to a global platform to expand their innovations. They also participate in the Planet A Pitch Competition, with opportunities to win an additional USD 100,000 growth grant and a potential USD 1 million seed investment.

2025 Award Winners

• JinaliMody (India) – Founder, Banofi Leather
  • Innovation: Produces sustainable, leather-like material from banana crop waste.
  • Impact: Reduces water consumption, chemical pollution, and carbon emissions associated with traditional leather production.
  • Significance: A women-led initiative tackling the fast fashion industry’s environmental footprint while promoting circular economy principles.
• Joseph Nguthiru (Kenya) – Founder, HyaPak
  • Innovation: Converts the invasive water hyacinth from Lake Naivasha into biodegradable packaging and seedling wrappers.
  • Impact: Provides a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics while addressing invasive species management.
• Noemi Florea (United States) – Founder, Cycleau
  • Innovation: Developed a compact greywater reuse system that can retrofit household sinks, showers, and laundry units.
  • Impact: Converts wastewater into potable water using low energy, offering a scalable model for water conservation and reuse.

Significance

• The award exemplifies youth-driven environmental innovation, aligning with UNEP’s broader mission to foster sustainable solutions.
• It highlights global South participation, with India and Kenya demonstrating leadership in low-cost, eco-friendly technologies.
• The 2025 relaunch underscores growing private sector and media collaboration in advancing environmental entrepreneurship through platforms like Planet A.

In News:

India has successfully test-fired the Agni-Prime (Agni-P) intermediate-range ballistic missile from a rail-based mobile launcher, marking a first-of-its-kind achievement in the nation’s defence history. The test was conducted from a platform integrated with the national railway network. This milestone represents a significant leap in India’s strategic mobility and deterrence capabilities.

About Agni-Prime Missile

• Type: Next-generation, nuclear-capable, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM)
• Range: Up to 2,000 kilometres
• Developed by:Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
• Part of: India’s Agni missile series, designed to reinforce the country’s credible minimum deterrence posture.

The Agni-Prime is equipped with advanced guidance and communication systems, featuring a canisterised launch mechanism that enhances storage safety, rapid deployment, and longer shelf life.

Rail-Based Mobile Launcher: A Game-Changing Innovation

The recent test marked the first time India used a rail-based canisterised mobile launcher.

• It can move seamlessly across the national rail network, allowing flexible positioning and quick deployment.
• The launcher enables a short reaction time with low visibility, enhancing operational stealth and survivability.
• This mobility reduces predictability of launch locations, complicating adversarial surveillance and targeting efforts.

Strategic Significance

• Enhanced Strategic Deterrence:The test demonstrates India’s ability to deliver a credible and survivable nuclear deterrent, joining the select group of nations with rail-based canisterised launch systems.
• Improved Survivability and Flexibility:Rail mobility adds a new dimension to India’s nuclear command structure by complementing road-based and silo-based systems, ensuring launch readiness even under high-threat scenarios.
• Operational Stealth and Rapid Response:The ability to launch within minutes from concealed rail positions strengthens India’s second-strike capability under its nuclear doctrine.
• Geopolitical Implications:The development aligns with India’s effort to maintain strategic stability in a complex regional environment, particularly amid evolving threats in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

Recent Developments in India’s Missile Programme

• In August 2025, Agni-Prime was successfully tested from Chandipur, Odisha.
• Earlier, in March 2024, under Mission Divyastra, India tested Agni-5 with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) capability — allowing a single missile to carry and deliver multiple nuclear warheads to different targets.
• The Strategic Forces Command, operational since 2003, currently manages India’s nuclear arsenal and deployment systems.

In News:

In a major push to revive India’s maritime and shipbuilding sector, the Union Cabinet approved a ?69,725 crore package (September 2025) anchored on a comprehensive 4-Pillar Approach. The initiative aims to transform India into a global hub for shipbuilding and shipping services, enhance maritime self-reliance, and contribute to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Background

India’s maritime sector supports 95% of the nation’s trade by volume and 70% by value, making it a critical pillar of economic and strategic security. Recognized as the “mother of heavy engineering industries,” shipbuilding plays a pivotal role in employment generation, technological innovation, and defence capability. The new package seeks to address long-standing gaps in financing, infrastructure, and capacity to strengthen domestic shipyards and maritime logistics.

Objectives

• Expand domestic shipbuilding capacity to 4.5 million Gross Tonnage (GT) by 2036.
• Generate nearly 30 lakh employment opportunities.
• Mobilize ?4.5 lakh crore in investments.
• Build resilient maritime supply chains ensuring national, energy, and food security.
• Advance India’s position as a competitive and sustainable maritime economy.

The Four Pillars of the Package

1. Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS)

• Extended till: 31 March 2036
• Corpus: ?24,736 crore
• Purpose: Incentivize shipbuilding within India by providing financial support to Indian shipyards.
• Key Feature: Introduction of a Shipbreaking Credit Note worth ?4,001 crore to encourage sustainable ship recycling and capacity utilization.

2. Maritime Development Fund (MDF)

• Corpus: ?25,000 crore
• Components:
  • Maritime Investment Fund: ?20,000 crore, with 49% Government of India participation.
  • Interest Incentivization Fund: ?5,000 crore to reduce the cost of borrowing and improve project bankability.
• Objective: Provide long-term financing for shipbuilding, port infrastructure, and related logistics services.

3. Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS)

• Outlay: ?19,989 crore
• Aim: Expand India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity and support mega shipbuilding clusters.
• Key Features:
  • Establishment of the India Ship Technology Centre under the Indian Maritime University (IMU).
  • Support for greenfield and brownfield shipyards.
  • Insurance and risk coverage for shipbuilding projects.
  • Focus on skill development and adoption of advanced shipbuilding technologies.

4. National Shipbuilding Mission and Reforms

• A National Shipbuilding Mission will coordinate implementation and monitor outcomes of all initiatives under the package.
• Focus areas include:
  • Taxation, legal, and policy reforms to streamline procedures.
  • Capacity enhancement through modern shipyard development.
  • Human resource and skill training to strengthen India’s maritime workforce.
  • Promotion of green and sustainable shipbuilding practices aligned with global standards.

Expected Impact

• Unlock 4.5 million GT of annual shipbuilding capacity.
• Create nearly 30 lakh direct and indirect jobs across the maritime ecosystem.
• Boost investment inflows of ?4.5 lakh crore into ports, shipyards, and allied industries.
• Enhance strategic autonomy and reduce dependence on foreign shipbuilders.
• Strengthen geopolitical resilience, ensuring continuity of India’s trade, energy, and food supply chains during global disruptions.
• Foster innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in line with “Make in India” and “Blue Economy” objectives.

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:

• Brazil is set to become the first country to invest in the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) — a multilateral fund designed to support long-term tropical forest conservation.
• The announcement is expected to be made at the United Nations headquarters in New York, marking a major step toward reshaping global climate finance ahead of COP30, which Brazil will host in Belém, Amazon region, in November.

About the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF)

• Origin: Proposed by Brazil during COP28 (UAE, 2023), the TFFF aims to create a permanent, self-sustaining financial mechanism to conserve tropical forests across the globe.
• Nature: It is a global, multilateral, and endowment-style fund—the first of its kind—dedicated exclusively to protecting tropical forests and ensuring steady, performance-based payments to countries maintaining their forest cover.
• Goal: To mobilize USD 125 billion through a blended finance structure, combining sovereign and private-sector contributions.

Financial Structure and Mechanism

• Funding Model:The fund will function as a permanent endowment, investing its corpus in diversified financial portfolios that generate sustainable returns.
  • The returns will finance annual stipends to participating tropical forest countries (TFCs), based on the extent of their standing forests.
• Composition of Funds:
  • Sponsors (20%) – High-income countries (as per World Bank classification) and global philanthropies.
  • Market Investors (80%) – Institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and endowments participating via debt instruments (such as green bonds).
  • Fund Management: Likely to be handled by a Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) such as the World Bank, ensuring transparency and credibility.
• Initial Target:To reach the full USD 125 billion goal, Brazil plans to secure an initial USD 25 billion from governments and philanthropies, which would serve as an anchor to attract an additional USD 100 billion from private investors.

Brazil’s Role and Strategic Intent

• Brazil’s upcoming investment will make it the first contributor to the fund — signaling its confidence in the mechanism and encouraging other nations to follow suit.
• According to official sources, the investment amount will be “considerable,” intended to set a benchmark and demonstrate Brazil’s commitment to global forest conservation.
• As home to the world’s largest tropical rainforest, Brazil stands to receive significant future payouts under the TFFF, reinforcing its dual role as a beneficiary and a leader in climate stewardship.

Global Participation and Support

• Several countries have already expressed interest in joining the initiative, including China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Notably, China has conveyed its intention to contribute among the first investors — a move seen as a potential turning point in global climate finance, traditionally dominated by Western donors.

Significance

• Bridging Climate Finance Gaps:The TFFF introduces a results-based, long-term funding model for forest conservation, shifting away from short-term grants toward permanent, scalable financing.
• Shared Global Responsibility:The participation of both developed and developing nations underscores a more equitable climate finance architecture, aligning with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).
• Boost to COP30 and Viksit Bharat 2047 Goals:Brazil’s leadership strengthens its position ahead of COP30 and aligns with India’s own emphasis on sustainable development and green finance under Mission LiFE and Viksit Bharat 2047 frameworks.
• Preserving Global Carbon Sinks:By rewarding countries for maintaining forests, the fund provides a direct economic incentive for protecting vital ecosystems that regulate global climate patterns.

In News:

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), in partnership with the United Nations in India, has launched the Adi Yuva Fellowship and the Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Programme under the umbrella of the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan — a flagship initiative envisioned as the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership movement.
• These initiatives aim to empower tribal youth, strengthen grassroots governance, and promote inclusive development in alignment with the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

About Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

• Coverage: Targets 11 crore citizens across 1 lakh tribal-dominated villages in 550 districts of 30 States and UTs.
• Objective: To transform governance into a people’s movement rooted in responsive, accountable, and citizen-centric administration.
• The ongoing Adi SewaParv (17 September – 2 October 2025) focuses on preparing Tribal Village Vision 2030 Action Plans through community–government collaboration.

1. Adi Yuva Fellowship

Overview

The Adi Yuva Fellowship, supported by UN India, is a first-of-its-kind national programme designed to nurture tribal youth leadership through structured learning, mentorship, and professional development.

Key Features

• Duration: 12-month paid fellowship with a tailored learning plan combining knowledge-building, on-the-job training, and reflective practice.
• Support Package: Monthly allowances, comprehensive health and life insurance, and access to UN and commercial learning platforms.
• Skill Linkages: Fellows will be connected to national employability schemes such as:
  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0
  • National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
  • PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana
• Mentorship and Exposure: Fellows will receive structured mentorship, engage in peer learning, and gain exposure to national and international platforms.
• Deployment: The first batch of 16 Fellows will be selected through a competitive process and placed with UN agencies at national, state, and district levels.

Objective

To build a cadre of empowered tribal youth who can contribute to governance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and community-led development, ensuring that tribal voices shape India’s growth story.

2. Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Programme

Overview

Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Programme is aimed at strengthening last-mile service delivery and promoting community participation in tribal regions.

Key Features

• Deployment:
  • 82 Adi Karmayogi Volunteers (UN Community Volunteers) deployed across 82 blocks in 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  • They will engage in anintensive two-month grassroots programme.
• Role and Activities:
  • Support preparation of Village Vision 2030 Action Plans.
  • Conduct awareness campaigns, outreach drives, and capacity-building sessions.
  • Facilitate improved access to government schemes and services.
• Outcome: Strengthen inclusive governance, local participation, and service delivery at the village level.

Significance of the Initiatives

1. Empowering Tribal Youth

• Provides structured opportunities for skill enhancement, leadership, and employability.
• Bridges the gap between education, governance, and community development.

2. Strengthening Governance

• Promotes citizen-centric and participatory governance in tribal regions.
• Empowers communities to actively contribute to their own development vision.

3. Advancing India–UN Partnership

• Demonstrates India’s collaborative approach towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Highlights the One UN approach for inclusive and sustainable growth.

In News

• In a major step towards expanding India’s defence industrial footprint globally, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart AbdelatifLoudyi jointly inaugurated India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facilityatBerrechid, Morocco.
• Set up by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the facility marks a historic milestone in India’s defence diplomacy and the growing strategic partnership between India and Morocco.

About the Facility

• Location:Berrechid, Morocco
• Established by: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in partnership with DRDO
• Launched in: 2025
• Scale: Spread over 20,000 sq. metres, it is Morocco’s largest defence manufacturing facility and India’s first such overseas plant by a private defence company in Africa.
• Primary Production: The Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) — an indigenously developed 8×8 modular combat vehicle jointly designed by TASL and DRDO.

Key Features

• Product Range: The WhAP will be produced in multiple configurations including:
  • Infantry Fighting Vehicle
  • Armoured Personnel Carrier
  • Reconnaissance Vehicle
  • Command Post
  • Mortar Carrier
  • Armoured Ambulance
• Technical Capabilities:
  • Equipped with advanced mobility, armour protection, remote weapon stations, and anti-tank guided missile systems.
  • Incorporates indigenous technologies and customised modular design for varied combat roles.
• Local Sourcing:
  • Initially, one-third of components will be sourced locally from Morocco.
  • This is expected to increase to 50% in later phases, fostering industrial collaboration and technology transfer.

Strategic Objectives

The facility aims to advance India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision beyond domestic production to global partnerships under the theme “Make with Friends, Make for the World.”

Key Goals:

• Strengthen India–Morocco defence cooperation and bilateral industrial partnerships.
• Promote defence exports and technology sharing with friendly nations.
• Support regional security and stability across Africa and Europe through capacity-building.

Significance

1. Strategic and Diplomatic

• Establishes Morocco as a strategic hub for Indian defence manufacturing in North Africa and Europe.
• Deepens India’s defence diplomacy and enhances its global footprint in high-technology sectors.
• Reinforces India’s credibility as a trusted partner in defence collaboration.

2. Economic and Industrial

• Generates direct and indirect employment in Morocco.
• Develops a local supplier ecosystem and supports critical technology capabilities within the host nation.
• Boosts India’s defence exports while contributing to Morocco’s industrial development.

3. Technological and Strategic Autonomy

• Demonstrates India’s growing capability to design, produce, and export advanced defence systems.
• Showcases India’s transition from import dependence to a global exporter of high-end military technologies.

In News:

The fourth edition of World Food India (WFI) 2025was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).

Overview

World Food India is the flagship global event of MoFPI that brings together key stakeholders from across the food ecosystem — governments, industry leaders, investors, and innovators — to strengthen India’s positioning as the “Food Basket of the World.”

Since its inception in 2017, the event has evolved into a transformative platform for food innovation, investment, and sustainability. The 2025 edition, spread across 1,00,000 sq. metres, is the largest congregation in the history of India’s food processing sector, with participation from:

• 21 countries, 21 States/UTs, 10 Central Ministries, and 5 allied organisations
• Over 1,700 exhibitors, 500 international buyers, and representatives from 100+ nations

Key Highlights of World Food India 2025

Partner and Focus Countries

• Partner Countries: New Zealand and Saudi Arabia
• Focus Countries: Japan, Russia, UAE, and Vietnam

Parallel and Thematic Events

• 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit (FSSAI): To harmonise international food safety standards.
• 24th India International Seafood Show (SEAI): To promote India’s seafood export potential.
• Reverse Buyer–Seller Meet (APEDA): Featuring over 1,000 buyers to boost agri-food exports.
• Knowledge Sessions: 45+ conferences, thematic discussions, and CXO roundtables with 100+ global agri-food leaders.
• Special Pavilions: Dedicated spaces for States, Ministries, Pet Food, Technology, Startups, and International exhibitors.

Core Pillars of WFI 2025

The 2025 edition revolves around five strategic pillars reflecting the government’s holistic vision for the food processing sector:

• Sustainability and Net Zero Food Processing – promoting climate-resilient and energy-efficient processing systems.
• India as a Global Food Processing Hub – showcasing India’s vast agri-resource base and processing potential.
• Frontiers in Food Processing, Products, and Packaging Technologies – highlighting innovation and technology adoption.
• Food for Nutrition, Health, and Wellness – aligning with the goals of nutritional security and public health.
• Livestock and Marine Products Driving the Rural Economy – boosting rural livelihoods and export competitiveness.

Significance of World Food India 2025

Economic Impact

• Attracts global and domestic investment in R&D, startups, logistics, and cold chain infrastructure.
• Enhances farm-to-fork linkages and promotes value addition across the supply chain.

Strategic Importance

• Reinforces India’s commitment to sustainable food systems in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Fosters international collaboration in technology, innovation, and regulatory frameworks.

Global Positioning

• Projects India as a leader in food innovation, safety, and sustainability.
• Strengthens India’s image as a trusted global supplier of high-quality, nutritious, and sustainable food products.

In News:

• India will conduct a major tri-service exercise, ‘Cold Start’, in the first week of October 2025 in Madhya Pradesh.
• The exercise, involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, will focus on testing drones and counter-drone systems to strengthen the country’s integrated air defence capabilities.
• It is being described as the largest such joint drill since Operation Sindoor.

About Exercise Cold Start

• Nature: A tri-service military exercise designed to simulate aerial threats and defence responses using drones, UAVs, and counter-drone systems.
• Objective:
  • To evaluate operational readiness of the armed forces against evolving aerial threats.
  • To identify technological and procedural gaps in India’s air defence systems.
  • To enhance interoperability and coordination between the three defence services.
• Participants:
  • Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as primary participants.
  • Supported by industry partners, research and development (R&D) agencies, and academic institutions, fostering a military–industry–academia partnership.

Key Features

• Live demonstrations of drones and counter-drone systems.
• Integration of GPS jamming, electronic warfare, and surveillance technologies.
• Testing of indigenous technologies developed through collaboration between defence R&D and private industry.
• Conceptual inspiration: The integrated air defence approach draws from the Sudarshan Chakra—symbolising a seamless and multi-layered defensive network against drones, UAVs, and hypersonic weapons.

Significance

• Enhances Jointness: Promotes synergy among the three defence services in technology-driven warfare.
• Technological Edge: Strengthens India’s counter-drone warfare capabilities and electronic warfare resilience.
• Strategic Readiness: Demonstrates India’s preparedness to respond to emerging aerial and cyber threats in the evolving domain of modern warfare.
• Defence Innovation: Encourages indigenous R&D and strengthens public–private collaboration in developing next-generation air defence systems.

In News:

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025, a nationwide school innovation movement aimed at nurturing creativity, entrepreneurship, and technological problem-solving among young students.
• The initiative seeks to transform school campuses into innovation hubs, empowering youth as the architects of a self-reliant and developed India.

About Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025

• Organisers: Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
• Culmination: January 2026, with felicitation of over 1,000 winners.
• Participants: School students across India — the largest school-level hackathon ever conducted.

Objectives

• Promote Grassroots Innovation: Cultivate a problem-solving mindset and creative thinking among school students.
• Foster Self-Reliance: Encourage innovation aligned with the principles of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local.
• Celebrate Swadeshi Innovation: Build indigenous solutions addressing real-world challenges.
• Enable National Development: Channel student ideas into tangible solutions for Samriddhi (prosperity) and Viksit Bharat (developed India).
• Create Global Impact: Project India as a global innovation capital and potential record-holder for the world’s largest synchronized innovation event.

Themes of the Buildathon

The competition revolves around four guiding themes that reflect India’s developmental vision:

• Vocal for Local – Promoting indigenous products and local entrepreneurship.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat – Encouraging technological self-reliance and innovation.
• Swadeshi – Leveraging traditional knowledge and indigenous technologies.
• Samriddhi – Designing solutions for inclusive and sustainable prosperity.

Structure and Timeline

Building on Previous Success

The Buildathon builds upon the momentum of the School Innovation Marathon 2024, which led to:

• The Student Innovator Programme (SIP) and Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP).
• Multiple patents and startup ventures emerging from Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs).

This continuum strengthens India’s school innovation ecosystem, linking student creativity to research, incubation, and entrepreneurship.

Significance

• Grassroots Empowerment: Encourages innovation at the school level, making every student a potential problem-solver.
• Integration with NEP 2020: Supports the National Education Policy’s emphasis on experiential learning, design thinking, and skill development.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision: Aligns student innovation with national priorities of self-reliance and sustainable growth.
• Innovation Pipeline: Provides pathways for students to transition into formal innovation ecosystems — from idea to patent to startup.
• Global Positioning: Aims to showcase India’s youth-driven innovation capacity on international platforms.

In News:

• Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, have unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for India’s fusion energy programme.
• This initiative aims to develop the country’s first fusion electricity generator, Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak–Bharat (SST-Bharat), and ultimately commission a demonstration reactor by 2060.
• The roadmap signifies a major step in India’s pursuit of sustainable, high-yield, and low-waste energy alternatives.

Understanding Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei (like isotopes of hydrogen) merge to form a heavier nucleus, releasing immense energy—similar to the reactions that power the Sun.
It differs from nuclear fission, where heavy atoms split apart to release energy.

Advantages of Fusion over Fission

• Minimal radioactive waste and no long-term storage challenges.
• Abundant fuel sources (deuterium from water, tritium from lithium).
• No greenhouse gas emissions and no meltdown risk.
• High energy density, offering a virtually limitless energy source.

India’s Current Fusion Research Base

• SST-1 Tokamak (IPR, Gandhinagar): India’s first steady-state superconducting tokamak, designed for plasma research. It has achieved plasma duration of ~650 milliseconds, with potential to reach 16 minutes.
• Participation in ITER (France): India contributes technology, components, and funding to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the world’s largest magnetic confinement experiment aimed at demonstrating a Q-value (output/input ratio) of 10.

India’s Fusion Power Roadmap

1. The SST-Bharat Project

• A fusion-fission hybrid reactor proposed as India’s next major milestone.
• Expected output: 130 MW (100 MW from fission, 30 MW from fusion).
• Estimated cost: ?25,000 crore.
• Efficiency target: Five times the input power.
• Acts as a bridge technology toward achieving pure fusion energy.

2. Demonstration Reactor (By 2060)

• Planned 250 MW full-scale reactor.
• Target Q-value: 20 (i.e., producing 20 times more energy than input).
• Will use magnetic confinement, heating plasma to over 100 million°C — much hotter than the Sun’s core (15 million°C).

Technological Innovations Proposed

• Digital Twinning: Creating virtual replicas of tokamak systems to test and optimise operations before physical construction.
• Machine Learning-Assisted Plasma Control: Using AI for real-time monitoring and stability of plasma.
• Radiation-Resistant Materials: Essential for reactor longevity and safety.
• Superconducting Magnet Development: To maintain continuous plasma confinement efficiently.

Global Benchmarks and India’s Position

While global players pursue faster timelines, India’s approach is cautious but strategic, focused on self-reliance and steady technological progress.

Challenges in India’s Fusion Path

Technological

• Sustaining stable plasma for long durations.
• Achieving Q > 1 (self-sustaining fusion).
• Developing durable superconducting magnets and radiation-resistant materials.

Financial

• High costs: SST-Bharat alone costs ?25,000 crore.
• Competing priorities: Solar, wind, and fission projects receive higher funding.
• Limited private-sector participation compared to global trends.

Policy and Governance

• Absence of a dedicated fusion energy regulatory framework.
• Need for integrated policy support under India’s Net Zero 2070 commitments.

Economic Viability

Experts like M.V. Ramana (University of British Columbia) caution that commercial fusion power remains economically unproven, and timelines are often optimistic. High R&D and construction costs could make fusion electricity expensive compared to renewables.

Strategic and Technological Significance

Even if commercial viability takes time, fusion R&D brings collateral benefits:

• Advances in plasma physics, superconducting technology, and high-temperature materials.
• Development of radiation-hardened components for defence, space, and nuclear industries.
• Strengthened technological autonomy and enhanced participation in global research networks.

In News:

• In a significant botanical discovery, researchers from Madura College, Madurai, have identified a new species of flowering plant belonging to the genus Impatiens in the Kudremukh range of the Western Ghats, Karnataka.
• The species has been named Impatiens selvasinghii in honour of Dr. P. Selva Singh Richard, Associate Professor of Botany at Madras Christian College (MCC), for his pioneering contributions to the study of reproductive biology of endemic and endangered plants of the Western Ghats.

Key Details of the Discovery

• Location:Kudremukh Peak, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka
• Altitude: Approximately 1,630 metres above sea level
• Published in:Taiwania, an international peer-reviewed botanical journal
• Unique Features: The species is distinguished by its exceptionally small flowers—the smallest among known balsams of the Western Ghats—and prominently lobed wing petals.
• Ecological Role: Small insects are dependent on this species for survival, underscoring its role in the local micro-ecosystem.

The Genus Impatiens in India

• India hosts over 280 taxa of Impatiens, widely distributed across the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats.
• About 210 taxa are endemic to India, with 130 species unique to the Western Ghats.
• Notably, around 80% of the Impatiens species in the Western Ghats are categorized as endangered, highlighting the region’s ecological vulnerability.

Conservation Concerns

Researchers have cautioned that Impatiens selvasinghii is located along a popular trekking route in Kudremukh, where over-tourism and habitat disturbance could threaten its survival. Given the fragile mountain ecosystem and high endemicity of balsam species, measures for habitat protection and responsible ecotourism are vital.

In News:

• The Clean Plant Programme (CPP), conceptualized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is emerging as a transformative initiative aimed at ensuring healthy, disease-free planting material of key fruit crops.
• Approved by the Union Cabinet, CPP is implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) with technical guidance from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Background and Rationale

India faces growing challenges to plant health from climate change, pests, and systemic pathogens, especially viruses, which significantly reduce crop quantity, quality, and longevity. By the time disease symptoms manifest, management in the field becomes difficult and often ineffective. Providing disease-free planting material has therefore been recognized as the most efficient preventive strategy.

CPP aligns with broader initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the National One Health Mission, promoting sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture and integrated management of human, animal, and environmental health risks.

Key Features of CPP

• For Farmers: Ensures access to virus-free, high-quality planting material to improve yields, income, and resilience against climate-induced pest and disease pressures.
• For Nurseries: Streamlined certification, infrastructure support, and technical guidance help nurseries propagate clean material efficiently.
• For Consumers: Delivers superior-quality fruits free from viruses, enhancing taste, appearance, and nutritional value.
• For Exports: Strengthens India’s global position by promoting high-quality, disease-free fruits.
• Equity and Inclusivity: Facilitates affordable access for all farmers, engages women in training and decision-making, and develops region-specific varieties for India’s diverse agro-climatic zones.

Investment and Implementation

CPP represents an investment of ?1,765.67 crore, including an ADB loan of $98 million. Key developments include:

• Nine Clean Plant Centres across India, including three in Maharashtra for grapes (Pune), oranges (Nagpur), and pomegranates (Solapur).
• Financial support for nurseries: ?3 crore for large nurseries and ?1.5 crore for medium nurseries. Expected annual production of 8 crore disease-free seedlings.
• Establishment of a national-level research laboratory in Pune for original plant species research.
• International collaboration with countries such as Israel and the Netherlands.

On-Ground Actions and Progress

• Hazard Analysis (HA): Virus profiling for grapevine, apple, and citrus crops, forming the foundation for Clean Plant Centers and certification.
• Nursery and Lab Assessments: NHB, ICAR, and ADB teams evaluated nurseries and laboratories across states for readiness, infrastructure, and bioinformatics capability.
• Clean Plant Propagation: Material testing, virus elimination through tissue culture, heat, or cryotherapy, and distribution through accredited nurseries to farmers.
• Digital and Resource Platforms: CPP website serves as a central hub for updates, resources, and technical guidance.

Alignment with Other Initiatives

• Mission LiFE: Encourages sustainable environmental practices and individual/community-level action to conserve natural resources.
• National One Health Mission: Integrates human, animal, and environmental health to manage disease risks and improve productivity.
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): CPP complements MIDH’s goals of providing quality planting material and micro-irrigation to enhance horticultural productivity, which has increased from 12.10 MT/ha (2019–20) to 12.56 MT/ha (2024–25, 2nd advance estimates).

In News:

• Recently, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, launched the Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) 3.0 in New Delhi as part of the decade-long celebrations of the Make in India initiative.
• Developed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), IPRS 3.0 aims to benchmark and enhance the competitiveness of industrial parks across India.

Background and Evolution

The IPRS initiative began in 2018 as a pilot project, followed by IPRS 2.0 in 2021. The third edition builds upon these earlier versions by introducing a more comprehensive framework to assess industrial infrastructure, operational efficiency, and overall competitiveness.

Features of IPRS 3.0

IPRS 3.0 evaluates industrial parks based on multiple parameters, including:

• Sustainability and green infrastructure
• Logistics connectivity
• Digitalization
• Skill linkages
• Tenant feedback

Based on performance across these indicators, industrial parks are categorized into Leaders, Challengers, and Aspirers. This benchmarking enables stakeholders, including investors and policymakers, to access reliable and transparent data, identify best practices, and implement targeted interventions.

Significance for Industrial Development

The launch of IPRS 3.0 aligns with India’s broader strategy to create world-class industrial infrastructure. It provides States and Union Territories with an opportunity to:

• Showcase high-performing industrial parks
• Identify gaps for infrastructure improvement
• Attract domestic and foreign investments
• Generate employment
• Strengthen their industrial ecosystem

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:

• The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) is organising the Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme at the United Service Institution of India, New Delhi.
• The initiative serves as a unique platform for civil-military engagement on national and regional security, bringing together senior officers from the Indian Armed Forces alongside officials from the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, and Home Affairs.

Objectives and Significance

The CORE Programme aims to:

• Strengthen civil-military synergy in addressing multidimensional security threats.
• Enhance strategic awareness among senior officers and develop their capacity for balanced, pragmatic decision-making.
• Foster leadership development and inter-agency coordination in complex national and international security scenarios.

The programme underscores HQ IDS’s commitment to jointness within the Armed Forces and professional development, preparing participants to navigate dynamic security challenges effectively.

Key Themes and Focus Areas

The CORE Programme covers a spectrum of contemporary security issues, including:

• Regional and global security challenges
• Technological transformation of warfare
• Strategic communication
• Inter-agency collaboration and joint problem-solving

The programme employs a combination of lectures, interactive discussions, and sessions with subject-matter experts and professionals from diverse fields. This approach broadens participants’ outlook, encourages collaborative solutions, and strengthens the intellectual foundations of senior leadership.

Participants

The five-day programme brings together senior civil and military officers, facilitating a holistic understanding of national security from multiple perspectives. By promoting dialogue across the defence and civilian sectors, CORE enhances preparedness to address complex, multidimensional threats at both national and international levels.

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:

Following a near-miss incident in 2024 between an Indian satellite and a foreign spacecraft, India has intensified efforts to protect its growing constellation of satellites. Given the critical role of satellites in national security, communication, and economic infrastructure, safeguarding them has become a strategic necessity.

Why Protecting Satellites is Crucial

India’s satellites are vital for a range of civilian and defence functions — from weather forecasting and navigation (NavIC) to internet services, surveillance, and global communications. They underpin sectors such as aviation, shipping, agriculture, and disaster management, while also enabling secure military operations.

However, these assets face increasing threats:

• Space debris and collisions — The expanding number of satellites and fragments in orbit raises the risk of accidental impacts.
• Hostile manoeuvres — Adversarial satellites may shadow or interfere with India’s space assets.
• Cyber threats — Ground stations and networks remain susceptible to hacking, jamming, and spoofing.
• Solar storms and space weather — Events like coronal mass ejections can damage satellite electronics and disrupt signals.

With the high costs of launching and maintaining satellites, ensuring their safety protects India’s technological investment and strategic autonomy.

India’s Ongoing and Planned Initiatives

• IS4OM (ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations and Management): Located in Bengaluru, this centre continuously tracks India’s satellites and provides collision-avoidance alerts, enabling timely orbital manoeuvres to prevent accidents.
• Project NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis): An ambitious space surveillance system comprising radars and telescopes to build indigenous Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities. It will allow India to monitor space debris and detect suspicious satellite movements in real-time.
• Aditya-L1 Mission: India’s first solar observatory mission monitors solar storms and radiation patterns, providing early warnings about solar events that could threaten satellite operations.
• ?27,000-crore Surveillance Satellite Programme (2026–2032): India has approved the launch of 52 surveillance satellites to strengthen real-time observation, border monitoring, and space domain awareness — forming the backbone of future space defence capabilities.
• CERT-In Satellite Cybersecurity Guidelines (2025): New cybersecurity protocols mandate strong encryption, network segmentation, and data protection norms to prevent satellite hacking or signal spoofing.
• IN-SPACe Licensing and Regulation: Private players are now integrated into India’s space ecosystem, but under strict safety and cybersecurity standards to ensure the security of the commercial space sector.
• Debris-Free Space Mission (By 2030): Announced at the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) in 2024, India has pledged to adopt sustainable space practices and avoid debris creation during launches and operations.

Emerging Plan: “Bodyguard Satellites”

India is reportedly considering deploying bodyguard satellites — specialised spacecraft that will act as orbital escorts for high-value satellites.

Functions and Features:

• Proximity monitoring: Detect when debris or foreign satellites come dangerously close.
• Threat identification: Track hostile proximity operations or suspicious manoeuvres.
• Protective action: Reposition themselves or guide the protected satellite to avoid collisions or interference.
• Strategic deterrence: Aligns India with global trends where major space powers (like the US, Russia, and China) are deploying similar defensive technologies.

Challenges:

• Technological: Requires advanced sensors, AI-driven autonomy, and ultra-precise orbital manoeuvring systems.
• Financial: High development and launch costs demand sustained investment.
• Cybersecurity: Satellite-ground communication remains a potential vulnerability.
• Geopolitical: May trigger suspicion or an arms race in outer space.
• Sustainability: Increased orbital activity must not worsen the space debris problem.

Way Forward

• Strengthen indigenous SSA: Invest in LiDAR, radar, and optical satellite networks to monitor all orbital zones.
• Enhance anti-jamming and encryption systems: Build resilient, autonomous communication systems immune to interference.
• Public–Private Collaboration: Encourage startups and private firms to co-develop low-cost, high-tech satellite protection tools.
• Global cooperation: Engage actively with international bodies like COPUOS and IADC to promote transparency and responsible behaviour in space.
• Defensive-first approach: Focus on non-weaponised, sustainable defence mechanisms to maintain peace and prevent escalation in outer space.

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:

• On the occasion of a decade of “Make in India”, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, launched the report on Assessment of Logistics Cost in India in September 2025.
• This marks the first scientifically derived national estimate of logistics costs, aligning with the objectives of the National Logistics Policy (NLP), 2022, to make India’s logistics sector globally competitive, data-driven, and cost-efficient.

About the Report

• Prepared by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Department of Commerce.
• Methodology: Uses a hybrid approach, combining secondary data analysis with nationwide enterprise surveys to ensure scientific estimation.
• Objective: To establish a uniform national framework for measuring logistics costs and benchmarking them with global standards, in line with the NLP (2022).

Key Findings

• Logistics Cost Estimate (2025): Around 7.97% of India’s GDP.
• Previous Estimates: Older, often-cited figures of 13–14% of GDP were based on partial or external datasets, leading to inconsistent policy assessments.
• Trend Analysis: Over the past five years, logistics cost growth has slowed relative to non-services output, indicating improved sectoral efficiency.

Significance

This assessment provides evidence-based guidance for:

• Policy formulation on logistics modernization.
• Competitiveness enhancement of Indian exports.
• Strategic inputs for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations through the mapping of HSN codes to respective ministries.
• Development of logistics data banks and state logistics plans under the SMILE Programme (with ADB support).

Achievements and Improvements in India’s Logistics Sector

• Improved Global Ranking:India ranked 38th out of 139 countries in the 2023 World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI), up by six positions from 2018.
• Infrastructure Expansion:
  • Cargo through Inland Waterways (2024–25):145.5 million tonnes.
  • Operational National Waterways: Increased from 24 to 29.
• Digital Integration:
  • Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP): Consolidates logistics data across ministries, recording over 100 crore API transactions (2025).
  • Facilitates end-to-end visibility and efficiency in multimodal logistics.
• Human Resource Development:Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV): India’s first logistics-focused university, has signed 40 MoUs with industry and academia to develop skilled manpower for transport and supply chain sectors.

Key Government Initiatives Driving Efficiency

1. PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (2021)

• Integrates 57 ministries/departments and all States/UTs on a digital GIS platform.
• Enables coordinated infrastructure planning acrossroads, railways, ports, airports, and inland waterways.

2. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs)

• Two major DFCs under development by Indian Railways to:
  • Ease congestion on passenger routes.
  • Reduce freight cost and transit time.
  • Improve energy efficiency and modal balance.

3. Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs)

• 35 strategic locations approved (e.g., Chennai, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Indore).
• Five parks expected to become operational by 2027, promoting multimodal transport and value-added logistics services.

4. Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

• Long-term blueprint aligned with Blue Economy principles.
• Focuses on shipbuilding, coastal tourism, port-led development, and maritime skill-building to position India as a global maritime hub.

5. Sustainability and Green Initiatives

• Freight GHG Calculator: Estimates and compares transportation emissions to support eco-friendly logistics decisions.
• Rail Green Points: Helps freight customers assess carbon savings when using rail instead of road transport.

Challenges in India’s Logistics Sector

• High Logistics Cost (Legacy Issue): Historically estimated at 13–14% of GDP—higher than global benchmarks (8–9%).
• Infrastructure Gaps: Deficiency in warehousing, cold chain, and last-mile connectivity.
• Overdependence on Road Transport: Causes congestion, higher costs, and carbon emissions.
• Limited Multimodal Integration: Underutilization of railways and inland waterways for freight.
• Environmental Impact: Diesel-based trucking remains a major source of logistics-related emissions.