RBI Annual Report 2024-25

Source: IE 

Why in News?  

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Annual Report 2024-25, providing a comprehensive overview of the country's monetary policy, financial stability, regulatory initiatives, and key economic developments. 

What are the Key Takeaways from RBI Annual Report 2024-25? 

• Global Economic Growth: Global growth slowed to 3.3% in 2024, below the historical average of 3.7% (2000-19). Growth in 2025 expected at 2.8% and 3.0% in 2026 amid geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism, and elevated public debt. 
  • Global inflation moderated to 5.7% in 2024 from 6.6% in 2023, but services inflation remained sticky in major advanced economies. 
• Indian Economy Resilience: India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth moderated to 6.5% in 2024-25, yet it remained the fastest-growing major economy globally. 
  • Agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) grew by 4.6% (up from 2.7% in previous year), driven by record foodgrain production and favourable weather. 
  • Industrial sector growth slowed to 4.3% and the services sector remained strong with a 7.5% growth and accounted for 64.1% of GVA. 
• RBI  Balance Sheet: As of March, 2025, the RBI’s balance sheet grew by 8.2% year-on-year.  
  • Its income rose by 22.77% (driven by a ~33% surge in forex transaction gains and higher returns from investments), while expenditure increased by 7.76%. 
    • This led to a record surplus of Rs 2.68 lakh crore, up 27.37% from Rs 2.11 lakh crore in the previous year. 
  • On the assets side, gold rose by 52.09%, domestic investments by 14.32%, and foreign investments by 1.70%.  
  • Liabilities expanded due to higher notes issued, revaluation accounts, and other liabilities.  
  • As of March, 2025, foreign assets (including gold and loans) made up 74.27% of total assets, with domestic assets at 25.73%. Gold holdings rose by 57.48 metric tonnes to 879.58 metric tonnes. 
• Inflation Trends: Headline inflation moderated to 4.6% in 2024-25 from 5.4% in 2023-24. 
  • Core inflation stood at 3.5%, with food inflation falling to 2.9% by March 2025. 
  • Fuel prices saw deflation of 2.5% due to softer global energy prices. 
• Monetary Policy and Liquidity: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained the repo rate at 6.50% through much of 2024-25 but shifted the stance from “withdrawal of accommodation” to “neutral” in October 2024. 
  • The cash reserve ratio (CRR) was reduced to 4% in December 2024 to ease liquidity pressures. 
• External Sector: Merchandise exports grew marginally by 0.1%, while imports rose by 6.2%, widening the trade deficit to USD 282.8 billion. 
  • Current Account Deficit (CAD) remained manageable at 1.3% of GDP. Foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 668.3 billion, covering 11 months of merchandise imports. 
• Increased Household Savings: Net household savings increased to 5.1% of Gross National Disposable Income (GNDI) (measures the income available to the nation for final consumption and gross saving) in FY24. 
• Financial Sector Health: Bank credit growth outpaced deposit growth, improving credit-to-deposit ratio slightly. 
  • Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPA) ratio and Net NPA ratio declined further. Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) showed improved credit growth and lower GNPA ratios. 
• Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion: Digital payments volume grew by 34.8%, value by 17.9% in 2024-25. 
  • Unified Payments Interface (UPI) accounted for 48.5% of global real-time payments by volume. 
  • The RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index rose from 60.1 in 2023 to 64.2 in 2024, reflecting deeper usage of financial services.  
    • Efforts to boost financial literacy continued through initiatives like Financial Literacy Week 2025, and new campaigns for children featuring mascots “Junior Money” and “Mini Money.”  
    • Consumer grievance redressal was also strengthened with expanded RBI Ombudsman offices and a nationwide financial awareness drive. 
• Regulatory and Technological Initiatives: RBI introduced  ‘bank.in’ domain to enhance digital banking security, and expanded the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot to 17 banks and 60 lakh users. 
  • RBI launched the FinTech Repository and EmTech Repository to track tech adoption by FinTechs and regulated entities. Managed by RBI Innovation Hub,  these platforms capture data on technologies like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, aiding policy and industry insights. 
• Fiscal Situation: Gross Fiscal Deficit (GFD) of the central government reduced to 4.7% of GDP in 2024-25 from 5.5% in 2023-24. 
  • Capital expenditure grew by 5.2%; revenue expenditure grew by 5.8%. States’ consolidated fiscal deficit is likely to remain within 3.2% of GDP. 
• Outlook for 2025-26: India projected to sustain GDP growth at 6.5% with risks balanced. 
  • Inflation expected at 4.0%, with easing supply pressures but upward risks from global uncertainties. 
  • The central government aims to reduce the fiscal deficit to 4.4% of GDP in 2025-26 and target a declining public debt-to-GDP ratio reaching 50% by 2031. 

What are the Challenges Highlighted in RBI Annual Report 2024-25? 

• Counterfeit Notes: Although overall fake note detection has declined, counterfeit Rs 200 and Rs 500 notes rose by 13.9% and 37.3% respectively, requiring continued vigilance. 
• Surge in Bank Fraud Amounts: The RBI highlights a sharp rise in bank fraud amounts, which nearly tripled to Rs 36,014 crore despite fewer cases reported.  
  • This surge is largely due to reclassification and delayed reporting of old frauds.  
  • Public sector banks saw the highest fraud values, mainly in loan portfolios, while private banks reported more cases, mostly digital payment frauds. Card/internet frauds decreased in value but remained common by number. 
• Global Uncertainties: Rising protectionism, and geopolitical tensions (e.g., Russia-Ukraine) risk destabilizing trade and causing market volatility. 
  • Evolving US tariff policies and reciprocal actions by other countries may cause sporadic market volatility. 
• Inflation Management: Inflation management faces challenges as rising input costs and weak global demand threaten India’s industrial growth. While headline inflation eased, volatile food prices continue to slow disinflation. 
• Fiscal Consolidation and Capital Expenditure Balancing: GFD reduced to 4.7% of GDP in 2024-25, but this requires balancing fiscal consolidation with the need for increased capital expenditure to boost growth. 
  • Capital expenditure grew by 5.2% in 2024-25 but still requires further enhancement to sustain growth momentum. 
• Climate Change and Sustainability Risks: Increasing climate shocks threaten agricultural productivity and food price stability. Efforts to expand renewable energy and green technology adoption are ongoing but require scaling to meet long-term sustainability goals. 

What Measures are Needed for India’s Economic Growth and Financial Stability? 

• Controlling Food Inflation: Strengthen agri-logistics infrastructure, including cold chains and warehousing, to reduce post-harvest losses and curb perishables-driven price spikes. 
  • Implement forecast-based Minimum Support Price planning and ensure timely buffer stock releases to stabilize prices during seasonal supply shocks. 
• Enhancing Financial Sector Resilience: Intensify fraud detection and prevention through RBI’s Mulehunter AI and advanced digital forensic tools, especially in public sector banks and digital payment systems, to safeguard trust and stability. 
  • Implementing advanced fraud detection technologies using AI/ML, as facilitated by the RBI Innovation Hub’s EmTech Repository, will be pivotal. 
• Harnessing Digital Innovation: Scaling the CBDC pilot to enhance transaction efficiency, reduce cash dependency, and tighten anti-money laundering controls aligns with the future of digital finance. 
• External Sector Diversification: Active engagement in multilateral trade agreements and bilateral partnerships can reduce vulnerability to protectionist shocks and geopolitical risks . 
  • Maintaining robust forex reserves ensures external buffers against volatility. 
• Quality Capital Expenditure: A paradigm shift towards higher capital expenditure (which grew by 5.2%) focused on infrastructure, green energy, and digital connectivity is critical for long-term productivity gains. 
  • Improving public financial management through outcome-based budgeting and digital governance will enhance expenditure efficiency and transparency. 
• Climate Adaptation and Green Financing: Green finance instruments, including issuance of green bonds by banks and incentivizing ESG-compliant investments, align with India’s COP26 commitments and sustainability goals. 
  • Integrating climate risk assessment into banking supervision and credit appraisal will reduce systemic risks. 

Conclusion 

The RBI Annual Report 2024-25 highlights the need for India to balance robust economic growth with financial stability amid global uncertainties. Strategic focus on inflation control, fostering digital innovation, and prioritizing quality capital expenditure will be crucial. Additionally, addressing climate risks with green financing and adaptive policies will ensure long-term sustainability, helping India tackle challenges while advancing growth and development. 

Drishti Mains Question: Evaluate the role of the Reserve Bank of India in democratizing access to financial services in India.

Technologies Shaping the Pharma Industry

Source: BL 

Why in News? 

The pharmaceutical industry is evolving rapidly with biologics, AI, and automation driving changes in drug development and manufacturing. To stay competitive globally, India must foster specialized skills in these technologies and address key challenges like regulatory compliance, infrastructure, and innovation capacity. 

What are the Major Technologies Shaping the Pharmaceutical Industry?

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML speed up drug discovery by predicting molecular behavior, identifying new uses for existing medicines, and personalizing treatments. 
  • Generative AI, especially Large Language Models LLMs), enhances understanding of biology and helps design more effective clinical trials using data such as genetics.  
  • In India, the Centre for AI and Robotics (CAIR) under DRDO, is actively developing AI applications that can also be beneficial for the pharmaceutical sector. 
  • In India, leading pharmaceutical companies like Sun Pharma and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories are deploying AI to tackle diseases with high national burdens, such as tuberculosis and diabetes. 
• Internet of Medical Things (IoMT): IoMT integrates IoT devices and mobile apps to monitor health parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels in real time.  
  • It enables personalized treatment and supports decentralized clinical trials (DCTs), enhancing patient access, convenience, and trial efficiency. 
  • IoT-enabled packaging monitors storage conditions like temperature and light exposure, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and preventing spoilage. 
• Blockchain for Data Transparency: Blockchain technology ensures privacy, transparency, and traceability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.  
  • It enables secure access to medical records, accredits suppliers, tracks drug prices, and helps detect counterfeit or substandard medicines, improving regulatory compliance and patient safety. 
  • For instance, Indian Institute of Technology Madras researchers have developed 'BlockTrack', a first-of-its-kind blockchain-based secure medical data and information exchange. 
• Biologics and Biosimilars: Biologics are complex medicines derived from living organisms, such as vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and cell therapies.  
  • Biosimilars are cost-effective, clinically equivalent versions of biologics developed after patent expiry.  
  • Organ bioprinting uses 3D printing technology to create living, functional organs from bioinks containing cells and other biomaterials.  
  • Biocon is a leading Indian biotech company working on biosimilars and insulin products. 
• Digital Twin Technology: Digital Twin Technology uses real-time data to create virtual simulations of physical processes.  
  • In pharmaceuticals, it helps simulate drug production lines to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize operations.

What is the State of Pharmaceutical Industry in India?

• About: India ranks as the world’s 3rd-largest producer of pharmaceuticals by volume and stands 14th globally by value.  
  • It supplies over 50% of the global vaccine demand and nearly 40% of generic medicines in the US market. 
• Market Size: For FY 2023-24, India’s pharmaceutical market is valued at approximately USD 50 billion, contributing about 1.72% to the national GDP.  
  • It is projected to grow to USD 130 billion by 2030. India’s biotechnology sector, valued at USD 137 billion in 2022, aims to reach USD 300 billion by 2030. 
• Key Segments: 
  • Generic Medicines: India is the world’s largest supplier, fulfilling 20% of global demand. 
  • Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs): India manufactures over 500 APIs, accounting for 8% of the global API market. 
  • Medical Devices: The sector is expected to expand from USD 11 billion to USD 50 billion by 2030. 
• Growth Drivers: 
  • Affordable Pricing: Indian pharmaceuticals are significantly more cost-effective compared to Western counterparts. 
  • Government Support: Initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme encourage domestic manufacturing. 
  • Robust R&D: India boasts a strong scientific and engineering workforce, ranking 6th globally in patent filings with 64,480 patent applications in 2023. 
• Related Government Initiatives: 

What are the Key Concerns Associated with Recent Technological Breakthroughs in the Pharma Sector? 

• Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Challenges: The use of AI, big data analytics, and cloud systems in pharma has led to a surge in sensitive patient and clinical data. This raises serious concerns about data privacy, cybersecurity risks, and potential breaches, which may compromise patient confidentiality and public trust in healthcare systems. 
• Escalating Costs & Barriers to Access: Technologies like biologics, AI platforms, and automation need heavy investment in infrastructure, equipment, and skilled workforce. This high cost burdens small and medium enterprises (SMEs), widening the gap with larger firms and limiting the affordable and widespread adoption of innovations across the pharma sector. 
• Regulatory Complexities and Delays: Rapid technological progress in pharma often outpaces regulatory reforms, making it challenging to ensure both patient safety and swift approvals. The absence of clear and globally harmonized guidelines leads to confusion and delays in bringing new therapies and innovations to market. 
• Skill Deficits & Workforce Preparedness: The adoption of AI, biotech, and automation in pharma demands interdisciplinary skills. However, India faces a major talent gap in areas like data science, bioinformatics, and robotics, which hampers effective implementation of these technologies. 
• Ethical, Social, & Equity Concerns: Innovations like gene editing, AI diagnostics, and personalized medicine raise ethical issues around consent, data bias, and fair access. These challenges call for strong ethical frameworks to prevent societal harm and ensure inclusive healthcare delivery. 

What Measures can be Adopted to Ensure Responsible Technological Intervention in the Pharma Sector? 

• Robust and Adaptive Regulatory Ecosystems: Regulatory frameworks must be agile and forward-looking, enabling faster approvals while ensuring patient safety. Adaptive regulations can balance innovation with efficacy validation. 
• Strengthening Data Privacy, Security, & Ethics: Pharma firms should adopt end-to-end encryption, blockchain for traceability, and AI-based threat detection as per the Digital Data Protection Act, 2023. Ethical AI frameworks are essential to reduce bias and uphold fairness. 
• Investment in Human Capital & Digital Skills: Collaboration between government, academia, and industry should focus on reskilling programs, digital literacy, innovation labs, and mentorship platforms to build a future-ready workforce. 
• Institutionalizing Ethical and Social Responsibility: Independent ethics committees, transparent clinical trial protocols, and inclusive public engagement are key to managing concerns around consent, equity, and long-term impact of technologies like gene editing and AI diagnostics. 
• Promoting Collaborative &  Open Innovation: Public-private partnerships (PPPs), open-source platforms, and global consortia can pool knowledge, share risks, and accelerate innovation in a cost-effective and inclusive manner. 

Conclusion 

Bridging the skill gap in emerging technologies like AI, biotechnology, and automation is crucial for sustaining India’s leadership in the pharmaceutical sector. Strengthening these capabilities will not only enhance drug discovery and manufacturing but also ensure India’s competitiveness in the global pharma landscape amid rapid technological transformation. 

Click Here to Read More: Pharmaceutical Regulation in India, Challenges Related to the Pharma Industry

 

Drishti Mains Question Discuss the current status and global significance of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. How have recent technological advancements impacted its growth and competitiveness?

Padma Awards

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The President of India presented Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awards for the year 2025 to 139 distinguished persons whose names were announced on the eve of the 76^th Republic day 2025. 

What are Padma Awards? 

• About: Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours, announced annually on Republic Day (26th January).  
  • Their objective is to honour excellence in various fields involving public service. 
• Categories: The Awards are given in 3 categories: 
  • Padma Vibhushan: For exceptional and distinguished service 
  • Padma Bhushan: For distinguished service of high order 
  • Padma Shri: For distinguished service. 
  • The Padma Vibhushan is the highest among the Padma Awards, followed by the Padma Bhushan and then the Padma Shri. 
• Presentation and Recognition: Padma Awards are conferred by the President of India in March/April, with recipients receiving a Sanad, medallion, and a replica for ceremonial use.  
• Disciplines: The awards are presented across diverse fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, and more. 
• Eligibility: All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these Awards. 
  • Since 2014, the government has been recognizing "unsung heroes" with the Padma Awards, transforming them into the "People's Padma". This year, 30 such individuals were honoured. 
• Jury Composition: All Padma Award nominations are reviewed by the Padma Awards Committee, appointed annually by the Prime Minister and chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.  
  • The committee includes the Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and four to six eminent persons as members. 
  • Its recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and President for final approval. 
• Limitations: Padma Awards are generally not given posthumously, and a higher category award is only granted after five years unless the Awards Committee makes an exception.  
  • The award is not a title and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient's name. 
  • It is limited to a maximum of 120 awards per year (excluding posthumous, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), foreigner, and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) recipients). 

50th Anniversary of Sikkim’s Integration with India

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister congratulated Sikkim on the 50th anniversary of its integration into the Indian Union, marking its official recognition as the 22nd state of India on 16th May 1975. 

What are the Key Facts About Sikkim’s Integration with India? 

• Monarchical Background: Sikkim was a hereditary monarchy ruled by the Chogyal dynasty from 1642 to 1975. 
• Sikkim’s Autonomy: It maintained its autonomy during British colonial rule and post Indian independence through: 
  • Treaty of Tumlong (1861): Sikkim became a protectorate state of British India. 
  • Treaty of Titaliya (1817): It gave the British authorities several commercial and political advantages in Sikkim. 
  • Calcutta Convention (1890): It demarcated the Sikkim-Tibet border, signed by Viceroy Lord Lansdowne and Qing China's Imperial Associate Resident in Tibet. 
    • The Convention was affirmed by the Lhasa Convention (1904). 
  • Indo-Sikkim Treaty (1950): It made Sikkim an Indian protectorate, with India controlling defence, external affairs, and communication, while Sikkim retained internal autonomy. 
• Merger with India: In 1975, a referendum saw participation from two-thirds of eligible voters, with 97% voting to abolish the monarchy and join India. 
  • 35^th Amendment Act, 1974: The status of Sikkim as a protectorate state was terminated and Sikkim was given the status of 'Associate State' of India. 
  • 36^th Amendment Act, 1975: It made Sikkim a full-fledged state in India. 

What are Key Facts About Sikkim? 

• About: Sikkim is the smallest state after Goa and is situated in the northeastern part of India in the eastern Himalayas.  
  • It shares borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and northeast, Bhutan to the southeast, the Indian state of West Bengal to the south, and Nepal to the west. 
• New Developments: Soreng district in Sikkim will be developed as India’s first organic fishery cluster. To boost tourism, the Pelling Ropeway was inaugurated as part of efforts to make Sikkim a global tourism hub.  
  • Notably, Sikkim became the world’s first fully organic state in 2016. 

• Geography:  
  • Mountains: Mount Kanchenjunga, India’s highest peak and the world’s third highest mountain lies in Sikkim. 
  • Rivers: Sikkim is drained by the Teesta river and its tributaries such as the Rangit, Lhonak, Talung and Lachung. Teesta river is a tributary of Brahmaputra river. 
    • Teesta river water conflict is one of the most contentious issues between India and Bangladesh. 
  • Glaciers: Zemu glacier, Lhonak glacier, Changsang glacier, Boktok glacier etc. 
  • Lakes: Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake), Menmecho lake, Bidang Cho lake, Gurudongmar lake etc. 
  • Passes: Nathu La, Jelep La, Dongkha La, Chiwabhanjang Pass.  
• Biodiversity: Sikkim covering just 0.2 % of the geographical area of the country has tremendous biodiversity and has been identified as one of the Hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas. 
  • Flora: Oaks, Chestnuts, Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Japanese Cedar, Toona, Castanopsis etc. 
  • Fauna: Himalayan squirrel, Large palm civet, Yellow-throated martens, Flying squirrels, Bar-headed geese, Indian tortoiseshell, Golden sapphire, Red panda, Blue Sheep, Gorals, Tibetan antelope. 
  • Protected Areas: Kanchenjunga National Park (World Heritage Site (2016), Biosphere Reserve (2018)), Fambong Lho Sanctuary, Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Maenam Sanctuary, Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary etc. 

Primates in Peril

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

A recent report titled Primates in Peril highlights the increasing risks faced by 25 primate species from across the globe.  

• Out of 25 primates, 6 species belong to Africa, 4 species from Madagascar, 9 species from Asia, and 6 species from South America (Neotropics) 

What are the Key Primate Species Identified in the Report? 

• Most Endangered Primates: The Cross River Gorilla and Tapanuli Orangutan are highlighted as critically endangered in the report. 
  • Cross River gorillas are scattered in at least 11 groups in Cameroon and Nigeria, while the Tapanuli orangutan, the most endangered great ape, has fewer than 800 individuals. 
  • Both are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 
• Primate Species from India: Phayre’s Langur and the Western Hoolock Gibbon, found in Northeast India and Bangladesh, were evaluated based on risks faced by them, but ultimately excluded from the final list. 
  • Phayre’s Langur: This primate, known for its distinct ‘spectacled’ appearance, is primarily found in eastern Bangladesh and northeastern India, including Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura. 
    • Behaviour: They are arboreal (primarily live in trees), diurnal, and folivorous (primarily leaf-eating), with a preference for young leaves. 
    • Conservation Status: It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is listed as Endangered in IUCN Red list. 
      • It is found in three Protected Areas i.e., Sipahijala, Trishna, and Gumti Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tripura. 
  • Habitat: It prefers evergreen or semi-evergreen forests, mixed moist deciduous forests, as well as bamboo-rich areas, light woodlands, and regions near tea plantations.  
  • Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock): It is a tailless ape found in the tropical forests of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, with black males having a white stripe above their eyes while females are light colored (beige, brown, grey). 
    • They are known for their loud, melodic duet calls, sung by male-female pairs to mark territory. Their vocal patterns are similar in both sexes. 
  • Behaviour: Gibbons are arboreal and navigate the canopy by leaping and swinging, with an omnivorous diet of plants, invertebrates, and bird eggs. 
    • They live in monogamous family groups, giving birth to a single offspring that stays with the mother for about two years. 
  • Habitat: They thrive in moist deciduous, evergreen, subtropical, and lowland forests, with a range spanning Northeast India, Bangladesh, and western/northern Myanmar. 
  • Conservation Status: It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is listed as Endangered in IUCN Red list. 
  • The Western Hoolock Gibbon, India's only ape species, is found in the Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary located in Assam's Jorhat district.

What are the Other Key Primate Species Found in India? 

• Lorises: 
  • Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus): Slim, nocturnal primate with a subtle spinal stripe. 
    • Two subspecies: Mysore (larger, grey) and Malabar (reddish-brown, round eye patches). 
    • Found in Western and Eastern Ghats. 
  • Bengal Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis): Tail-less with prominent large eyes. 
    • Fur varies from ash-gray to buff-yellow. 
    • Inhabits northeastern India, especially south of the Brahmaputra River. 
• Langurs: 
  • Gee’s Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei): Seasonal fur color changes from cream/off-white to golden-orange. 
    • Black face, palms, and soles with golden whiskers. 
    • Found in Assam between Manas and Sankosh rivers. 
  • Nilgiri Langur (Semnopithecus johnii): Shiny black coat with yellowish fur patches. 
    • Lives in Western Ghats from Kodagu to Kanyakumari Hills. 
  • Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus): Distinctive colored “cap” on the head and long tail. 
    • Found across Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura. 
• Macaques: 
  • Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus): Dark, glossy coat with a long gray facial mane and tufted tail. 
    • Native to Western Ghats forests of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. 
  • Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata): Recognizable swirl or “cap” of hair on the head. 
    • Long tail, longer than body, common in southern India. 
  • Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides): Largest Indian macaque, short tail, reddish-pink face with beard-like ruff.

17th Nomadic Elephant Exercise

Source: PIB 

The 17^th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant is scheduled to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.  

• It is a bilateral annual military exercise held alternately in India and Mongolia since 2006. The last edition was held in Umroi, Meghalaya (July 2024).  
• Its aim is to enhance interoperability for semi-conventional operations in semi-urban/mountainous terrain, under the United Nations Mandate – Chapter VII. 
  • UN Chapter VII authorizes military/non-military actions (sanctions, blockades, troop deployment) for international peace enforcement. 
• India also actively takes part in Exercise Khaan Quest, a multinational peacekeeping exercise organized by Mongolia. 

Read More: Multilateral Exercise Khaan Quest 2024

Liberalised Remittance Scheme

Source: IE 

India’s outward remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) fell to USD 29.56 billion in FY2025 (USD 31.74 billion in FY2024), indicating reduced overseas spending by resident Indians due to global uncertainties, sluggish domestic income growth, and high base effect from the previous year. 

• The primary cause is the 16% drop in student remittances, falling from USD 3.48 billion to USD 2.92 billion, due to stricter student visa regulations in countries like the US, UK, and Canada. 

Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS): 

• About: The LRS, introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)  in 2004 with an initial limit of USD 25,000 per financial year, now permits resident individuals to remit up to USD 250,000 annually for approved current or capital account transactions. 
• Eligibility: Only resident individuals are eligible. The scheme excludes corporates, Hindu Undivided Family (HUFs), partnership firms, and trusts. 
• Prohibited Transactions: Purchase of lottery tickets, banned magazines, transactions with FATF non-compliant countries, gifting in foreign currency to another Indian resident's foreign account etc. 
• No foreign currency accounts in India: Residents cannot open foreign currency accounts within India under LRS.

Read More: Liberalised Remittance Scheme

Mosura Fentoni

Source: TH 

Mosura fentoni, a Cambrian-era (541 million to 485.4 million years ago) sea creature from Canada’s Burgess Shale, challenges existing views on arthropod evolution with its advanced swimming and respiratory adaptations, hinting at the rise of modern insects and crustaceans. 

• About: Mosura fentoni is a small but highly specialized radiodont, a primitive relative of modern arthropods (insects, crabs, spiders). 
• Anatomy: It had a segmented body with a short neck, six paddle-shaped flaps for swimming, and a posterotrunk featuring gills for respiration. 
  • The posterotrunk functioned as a specialized respiratory tagma, resembling the oxygen-collecting tails of horseshoe crabs. 
  • It shows early segment specialization, crucial for arthropod diversity. 

 

• Radiodonts: Radiodonts were ancient marine predators from the Cambrian period and are early relatives of arthropods like insects and crabs, though not their direct ancestors. 
• Burgess Shale is a renowned fossil site in Canada dating to the Cambrian period.

Read More: Pliosaur Skull

Birch Glacier

Source: HT 

A catastrophic collapse of Switzerland’s Birch Glacier triggered a massive landslide, burying an Alpine village under ice, rock, and mud. 

• The glacier's instability was due to a cascading disaster i.e., combining heavy debris load, permafrost thawing, and rising temperatures. 
  • The collapse impacted the River Lonza, raising risks of flooding due to debris. 
• About Birch Glacier: The Birch Glacier is situated in the Swiss Alps in the Lotschental Valley. 
  • It lies near the Bietschhorn mountain, a prominent peak in the region.  
  • Swiss glaciers have already lost nearly 40% of their volume since 2000; record temperatures in 2022–2023 caused a 10% loss alone. 
• About Swiss Alps: Swiss Alps lie to the south of the Swiss Plateau. It has historically served as a natural barrier between northern and southern Europe, with mountain passes providing vital trade routes, especially linking Italy to the north. 
• About Alps: The Alps are Europe’s highest and most extensive mountain range (fold mountain), spanning eight countries i.e., France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Monaco. The highest peak is Mont Blanc, on the France-Italy border.

Read More: Changing Landscape of Alps: Europe