Global Report on Internal Displacements 2025

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) released the Global Report on Internal Displacements 2025 highlighting the number of disaster-related internal displacements and climate refugees globally in 2024. 

What are Key Findings of the Global Report on Internal Displacements 2025? 

• Global Displacements: Total global internal displacements reached 45.8 million, the highest since records began in 2008 and more than double the annual average over the past decade. 
• Disasters as Displacement Drivers: Disasters drove most displacements, with 99.5% linked to climate-related extreme weather worsened by climate change. 
• India Related Findings: India saw 5.4 million displacements in 2024, the highest in 12 years, with floods causing two-thirds of them. 
  • Violence caused 1,700 displacements, with Manipur accounting for 1,000, remaining the main hotspot for such movements. 
• Conflict and Climate Relation: 20.1 million were displaced by conflict, mostly in climate-vulnerable countries, with the number of nations facing both disaster and conflict displacement tripling since 2009. 

Who are Climate Refugees? 

• About: Climate refugees (environmentally displaced persons or climate-induced migrants) are individuals or communities who are forced to leave their homes and regions due to the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation.  
  • These impacts make living conditions unviable, driving internal displacement and cross-border movement. 
• Causes: 
  • Rising Sea Levels: Low-lying coasts, small islands, and deltas face rising seas, forcing communities to relocate as land and homes become uninhabitable. 
    • E.g., sea level rise could displace somewhere between 2–110 million people in Bangladesh. 
  • Extreme Weather Events: More frequent and severe disasters like storms, floods, and wildfires are displacing people by destroying homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. 
    • E.g., In 2022, disasters caused 32.6 million displacements, 98% due to weather-related hazards. 
  • Desertification and Land Degradation: Desertification in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East force pastoralists and farmers to migrate in search of fertile land and water. 
    • E.g., From 2015 to 2019, land degradation in India doubled from 4.42% to 9.45%, affecting 30.51 million hectares. 
  • Water Scarcity: Climate changes reduce freshwater and agriculture, driving migration for stability and food security.  
    • Over 1 billion migrants exist, with water shortages driving 10% of global migration. 17 countries, home to 25% of the population, face extreme water stress. 
• Consequences:  
  • Humanitarian Crises: Climate displacement can cause food and water shortages, health crises, and overcrowded camps. 
  • Urban Strain: Climate refugees add pressure to already overburdened cities. 
  • Social Conflicts and Tensions: Resource competition can lead to unrest between displaced persons and host communities. 
  • National Security Concerns: Unmanaged displacement poses security risks, particularly in fragile regions. 

What are Legal and Policy Challenges for Climate Refugees? 

• Lack of Legal Recognition: Under international law, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, climate refugees aren't recognized, as it only covers those fleeing persecution for reasons like race, religion, or political beliefs. 
  • Most countries, including the US, European Union, and Australia, don't recognize climate displacement as grounds for asylum.  
    • In the US, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) offers limited, discretionary relief for disaster-hit countries. 
  • The Principle of Non-Refoulement doesn’t cover climate refugees, allowing states to remove individuals despite risks of serious harm or rights violations. 
  • India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol on refugee protection. 
• Gaps in Migration Plans: The Global Compact on Migration (2018) mentions climate displacement but is non-binding. 
• Statelessness Risks: Climate refugees may become stateless if they can't gain residency or citizenship, facing challenges like lack of asylum rights, poor living conditions, limited access to healthcare and education, and potential detention or deportation. 
• Strict Border Controls: The European Border and Coast Guard Agency often blocks climate migrants, while Australia’s Pacific Solution detains asylum seekers offshore, including those from climate-vulnerable islands. 
• Funding Disputes: The Loss and Damage Fund, agreed at COP27 (2022), became operational in 2025 amid funding disputes. The Green Climate Fund focuses on mitigation, not relocation or asylum. 

What are Current Provisions for Protection of Climate Refugees? 

• Limited Applicability of 1951 Refugee Convention: A drought-related famine can cause conflict and displacement, potentially qualifying affected individuals for refugee protection under the 1951 Convention.    
• Regional Refugee Instruments: Some regional frameworks include more flexible refugee definitions that could cover climate-related displacement. E..g, 
  • Organization of African Unity Convention 1969: It protects those fleeing “events seriously disturbing public order,” which can include climate-induced conflicts, such as floods, droughts, or climate-related displacement, especially when civil unrest follows such events. 
  • Cartagena Declaration 1984 (Latin America): It expands the refugee definition to include those fleeing “massive human rights violations” or events “seriously disturbing public order,” which could encompass climate-related events causing social and political disruption. 

How can the Management of Climate Refugees be Improved? 

• Legal Reforms: Amend the 1951 Refugee Convention to include climate displacement, establish a new UN Convention on Climate Refugees (as advocated by Pacific Island nations), and expand regional protection schemes, such as Latin America's Cartagena Declaration, to cover climate migrants. 
• National-Level Innovations: It can include the introduction of Climate Humanitarian Visas (proposed by New Zealand) and Land Purchase Agreements (e.g., Kiribati buying land in Fiji for relocation). 
• National Adaptation Plans (NAPs): Countries facing severe climate impacts should integrate climate migration and displacement into their NAPs and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies, ensuring preparedness and protections for those displaced. 
• Enhanced Climate Finance: International climate finance mechanisms, like the Green Climate Fund and Loss and Damage Mechanism, should support climate-resilient infrastructure and the relocation of communities displaced by climate impacts. 

Conclusion 

The IDMC 2025 report highlights the intensifying crisis of climate-induced displacement, with disasters driving record displacements globally, including India. Despite growing vulnerabilities, legal protections for climate refugees remain inadequate, demanding urgent reforms, climate-resilient strategies, and financial support to ensure humane, sustainable management of climate displacement and associated humanitarian challenges. 

Drishti Mains Question: Critically evaluate the effectiveness of global and regional mechanisms in addressing the needs of climate refugees.

India’s Battle Against Tuberculosis

Source:TH 

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister chaired a high-level review meeting on the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and emphasized the need for targeted, data-driven interventions and the use of technology to accelerate India’s mission to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025. 

What Progress has India made under the National TB Elimination Programme? 

• Reduction in TB Incidence and Mortality: The World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report 2024 highlighted that TB incidence in India declined by 18% (from 237/lakh in 2015 to 195/lakh in 2023), over double the global decline of 8%. 
  • TB mortality reduced by 21%, from 28 to 22 deaths per lakh population. 
  • In 2023, India alone accounted for over 26% of global TB cases and deaths. 
• Increased Treatment Coverage: TB treatment coverage has risen to 85%, reflecting the success of NTEP strategies and decentralized care through 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. 
• 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: During 100-Day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan campaign, 12.97 crore individuals were screened in high-focus districts, leading to the detection of 7.19 lakh TB cases, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic cases. 
• Nikshay Mitra Initiative: 2.55 lakh Nikshay Mitras (volunteers) have supported TB patients, distributing 29.4 lakh nutrition baskets to patients, demonstrating the role of community participation in the elimination efforts. 
• Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana: The Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana has facilitated Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments to 1.28 crore TB patients since 2018.  
  • The incentive amount for nutritional support has been enhanced to Rs 1,000 in 2024, promoting better health outcomes for patients undergoing TB treatment. 
• Expansion of Diagnostic Infrastructure: India has significantly expanded its TB diagnostic network with NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing) labs (helps in the detection of TB) and drug susceptibility labs, and deployed  AI-enabled X-ray units enhancing accessibility and early detection. 
  • Screening has expanded to high-risk settings like mines, construction sites, tea gardens, and urban slums to identify cases in vulnerable populations. 

What are the Key Facts About Tuberculosis? 

• About:  TB is a bacterial infection (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) affecting the lungs, spreading through the air.  It is preventable and curable with antibiotics.  
  • About 25% of the global population is infected, but only 5–10% develop symptoms.  
• Risk Factors: Weak immune system, diabetes, malnutrition, tobacco, and alcohol use.  
• Diagnosis: WHO recommends rapid molecular diagnostic tests as initial tests for people showing signs and symptoms of TB. Other diagnostic tools can include sputum smear microscopy and chest X-rays. 
• Prevention: The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is given to infants to prevent TB.  
• Transmission: TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits, releasing germs that others can inhale. 
• Treatment: Standard TB treatment lasts 4-6 months. Incomplete treatment leads to drug-resistant TB.  
• Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB): It is resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin (medicines used to treat TB), treatable with costlier alternatives.  
• Extensively Drug-Resistant TB: It is more severe, with limited treatment options.  
• TB and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): HIV patients are 16 times more vulnerable to TB, a leading cause of their deaths.  

What Challenges do Vulnerable Groups face While Battling TB? 

• Inadequate Nutrition: Undernutrition is a critical risk factor that both increases susceptibility to TB infection and worsens treatment outcomes.  
  • Vulnerable groups often lack sufficient nutritional support, which leads to higher mortality rates, increased drug toxicity, and relapse.  
  • Although government schemes exist (such as the Nikshay Poshan Yojana and Ni-kshay Mitras), the reach and effectiveness of nutritional aid remain limited. 
• Delayed and Missed Diagnosis: Symptoms of TB are often mistaken for common ailments among the poor, leading to delayed diagnosis. 
  • Women, particularly homeless women, face longer delays than men in reaching diagnosis due to stigma, lack of awareness, and difficulty accessing health facilities. 
  • Diagnostic procedures like sputum collection are uncomfortable or inaccessible, especially for women who face cultural barriers. 
• Social Stigma and Isolation: TB carries significant stigma, which discourages patients, especially women, from seeking timely treatment. 
  • The NTEP does not specifically recognize homelessness as a vulnerability category, resulting in gaps in data collection and tailored interventions. 
  • Homeless individuals face marginalization and social exclusion and often lack official documents like Aadhar cards and bank accounts, which are essential for accessing government schemes and financial support, further worsening their health and diminishing their motivation or ability to seek care. 
• Childhood TB: It is difficult to diagnose due to low bacterial load, inability of young children to produce sputum, reliance on less sensitive tests like smear microscopy and chest X-rays, and limited drug resistance screening.  
  • Only 12% of molecular tests in children confirmed TB bacteriologically in 2022. 
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Deficits: Mental health challenges related to TB diagnosis and treatment are often neglected, leaving patients without adequate psychological support, which can affect treatment success. 

How can Targeted Interventions Help in TB Elimination? 

• Implement Urban-Rural and Occupational Analysis: Analyzing TB patient data based on urban-rural and occupational distinctions to identify vulnerable groups, particularly workers in high-risk sectors like construction, mining, and textiles.  
  • Tailored interventions will help ensure early testing and effective treatment for these at-risk populations, reducing disease spread in high-risk environments. 
  • Including homeless populations as a vulnerable group in NTEP will ensure they get prioritized screening and treatment, overcoming barriers like lack of ID, stigma, and limited healthcare access. 
• Encourage Public Participation (Jan Bhagidari): Public participation in the fight against TB, highlighted by Nikshay Mitra volunteers, is crucial for reducing stigma, increasing awareness of TB’s curability, and promoting support to eliminate the disease. 
• Reducing Transmission Hotspots: Concentrating efforts in high-incidence areas or congregate settings like tea gardens, construction sites, and mines can break the chain of infection. 
• Early Detection & Diagnosis: Deploying molecular diagnostic tools like NAAT and AI-based X-rays in vulnerable areas leads to faster, more accurate diagnosis, especially in hard-to-detect childhood and drug-resistant TB cases. 

Conclusion 

India’s TB elimination by 2025 remains challenging, but targeted, data-driven interventions, improved diagnostics, and strong community support offer a clear path forward. Early detection and focused efforts in high-risk groups are key to ending TB. 

Drishti Mains Question: India has set an ambitious target of eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2025. Discuss the progress made under the National TB Elimination Programme.

India’s Rising Defence Innovation & Export Capability

Source: BL 

Why in News? 

India’s defence sector is shifting from import dependence to export competence, driven by initiatives like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and a surge in domestic production and exports, aligning with the goal of achieving self-reliance in defence. 

What are the Key Developments in India’s Defence Sector?  

• Surge in Indigenous Defence Production: India's domestic defence production rose from 30–35% in 2014–15 to 65% in 2024-25, reaching an all-time high of Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023–24, with a target of Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029.  
  • The private sector plays a crucial role, contributing 21% to total defence production, fostering innovation and efficiency. In FY 2024–25, over 92% of capital procurement contracts were awarded to domestic firms, witnessing strong policy support through initiatives like Make in India. 
• Defence Exports Expansion: India’s defence exports grew over 34 times between FY 2013–14 and FY 2024–25, reaching Rs 23,622 crore in 2024–25, with the private sector contributing nearly twice as much as the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). 
  • India exports Dornier Do-228 aircraft, Chetak helicopters, bulletproof jackets, lightweight torpedoes, and interceptor boats to over 100 countries, including the US, France, and Armenia. 
  • India aims for Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029 to strengthen global influence. 

• Technological Advancements in Defence R&D: India's defence R&D has advanced through iDEX and Technology Development Fund (TDF).  
  • iDEX offers funding up to Rs 1.5 crore through Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart (SPARK), up to Rs 10 crore through iDEX Prime and up to Rs 25  crore through Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) (2024) scheme 
    • Key outcomes such as the SkyStriker loitering munition and AI-powered surveillance robots, deployed during Operation Sindoor, reflect its impact.  
  • Recognised with the Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation in 2021, iDEX has become central to India’s push for defence self-reliance. 
• Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) Development: India has set up 2 Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to boost indigenous defence production and attract investment.  
  • These corridors offer infrastructure, incentives, and support for MSMEs. 
• Modernisation of Armed Forces: India is rapidly modernising its armed forces through a mix of indigenous and advanced imported systems.  
  • In 2025, contracts were signed for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand, boosting aerial capabilities.  
  • Precision weapons like SCALP missiles, HAMMER bombs, and loitering munitions were effectively used in Operation Sindoor.  
  • Modernisation also focuses on domestically developed platforms such as Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Arjun Mk-1A tanks, Astra air-to-air missiles, and Pinaka rocket systems.  
  • DRDO is advancing in hypersonic tech, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and anti-satellite weapons, while AI, robotics, and space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) tools are shaping India’s preparedness for future warfare. 
• Policy Reforms: India allowed up to 74% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) via automatic route (100% via government approval), attracting Rs 5,516 crore investment since 2000. 
  • The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2012, reformed procurement process  to promote industry participation and streamline processes. 
  • 'Make' projects and the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 focused on indigenisation and promoting ‘Make in India’ in defence manufacturing. 
  • Initiatives like Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN) linked the Armed Forces, DPSUs, private industry, to boost indigenous defence production, and accelerate the development of critical technologies. 
  • Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs) require defence items to be sourced domestically. The fifth PIL included 346 items for DPSUs, resulting in an import substitution value of Rs 1,048 crore and promoting the local industry. 

What are the Key Challenges to India’s Defence Sector? 

• Technological Gaps & Import Dependence:  India faces major gaps in key defence technologies like fighter jet engines, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, semiconductors, and precision electronics. 
• Slow & Complex Procurement Process:  Bureaucratic delays hinder defence acquisitions, impacting readiness.  
  • For instance, the Tejas program took almost 20 years from approval to prototype, and deals like Rafale fighters and Scorpene submarines faced long delays.  
  • Though new Defence Acquisition Council guidelines seek to speed up procurement, effective implementation remains challenging. 
  • Despite plans for 6-8 new centres under Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), delays slow validation and deployment of indigenous projects. 
• Low R&D Budget:  In 2025-26, only Rs 1.8 lakh crore of the Rs 6.81 lakh crore defence budget is for modernisation, with DRDO receiving just 3.94%.  
  • Overall R&D spending in India is about 0.7% of GDP, much below global peers such as China (2.4%), the US (3.5%), and Israel (5.4%). 
• Limited Private Sector Role:  Private firms contribute just 21% to defence production, hindered by procurement risks, low R&D support, and weak collaboration with public units. 
  • Further, uncertain global events like trade tensions further dampen investor confidence and hinder long-term private sector participation in the defence ecosystem. 
• Testing and Certification Challenges:  India lacks sufficient facilities for testing advanced defence tech like UAVs, electronic warfare, and electro-optics.  
• Cybersecurity & Internal Security Challenges:  India’s cybersecurity and electronic warfare capabilities lag behind countries like China, as seen in the 2020 Mumbai power grid cyberattack.  
  • Moreover, despite the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), lack of integrated planning and delayed implementation of Integrated Theatre Commands hamper joint operational effectiveness. 
• Outdated Equipment: Legacy systems like MiG-21s still operate without upgrades, reflecting deeper procurement and planning flaws. 

What Measures Should be Taken to Boost India’s Defence Innovation & Export Capacity? 

• Enhance Defence R&D and Innovation: Boost defence research investment by fostering collaboration between DRDO, private industry, startups, academia, and global tech firms. 
  • Establish Defence Innovation Zones and incubation hubs focused on cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing, hypersonics, autonomous systems, and cyber defence.  
    • Government-backed research must be scaled up through increased R&D grants and private-sector engagement. 
  • For example, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) use of 3D printing in aerospace components has reduced costs and production times significantly. 
• Strengthen Private Sector & MSME Participation:  Reserve procurement quotas for indigenous companies, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, to decentralize manufacturing and expand the supply chain.  
  • Support start-ups with seed funding and streamlined access to defence contracts to harness grassroots innovation. 
• Upgrade Testing & Cybersecurity Infrastructure: Expand and modernise testing and certification facilities for UAVs, AI-driven platforms, electronic warfare, and communications through public-private partnerships.  
  • Establish a National Defence Cyber Command to protect military networks, integrate AI-based defence strategies, and incorporate cyber warfare training. 
• Boost Strategic Global Partnerships & Defence Exports: Pursue joint development and technology transfer agreements with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers in aerospace, shipbuilding, and missile technology.  
  • Collaborations with France (Rafale offsets) and Russia (joint missile projects like BrahMos) provide access to cutting-edge tech and open export avenues. 
  • India can strengthen defence diplomacy and expand markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America by leveraging forums like Quad and I2U2, supported by a dedicated Defence Export Facilitation Cell to manage offsets and tech transfers. 
• Institutionalise Monitoring & Export Promotion: Implement a real-time Defence Indigenisation Dashboard and an Indigenisation Performance Index to track localisation targets and hold ministries accountable under the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP).  
  • Identify new export markets and simplify access to international defence tenders to enhance India’s position as a reliable global defence exporter. 
• Establish Regional Service & Maintenance Hubs: Set up regional hubs in strategic countries (e.g., Vietnam, UAE) to provide after-sales service, maintenance, and upgrades. This builds customer trust, generates revenue, and strengthens long-term defence relationships. 

Conclusion 

India’s transformation into a defence innovator and exporter is steadily progressing. Initiatives such as iDEX, increasing private sector involvement, and supportive policy reforms have created the foundation for a self-reliant and globally competitive defence ecosystem. This evolution not only strengthens national security but also advances India’s vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, with enhanced strategic autonomy and global influence in the defence sector. 

Drishti Mains Question: Discuss the transformation of India’s defence sector from import dependence to a global exporter. What are the key initiatives that have driven this change?

Bharat 6G Vision

Source:PIB  

Why in News?  

India reaffirmed its commitment to lead the global race in 6G technology during the ‘Bharat 6G 2025’ International Conference, highlighting 6G as a civilisation-scale opportunity with transformative potential, aligning with Bharat 6G Vision. 

What is Bharat 6G Vision? 

• About: Launched in 2023, the Bharat 6G Vision is based on the principles of affordability, sustainability, and ubiquity. It aims to position India as a global leader in sixth-generation (6G) telecommunications technology by 2030. 
• Significance: It builds upon India’s strong 5G foundation with over 4.35 lakh 5G base stations deployed by 2024. 
  • It aims to transform not just communication, but the entire digital ecosystem with future-proof, secure, and green networks (energy-efficient networking technologies). 
• Features of the Vision: 
  • Timeline: It is a 9-year phased mission from 2022 to 2031, targeting major milestones such as R&D breakthroughs, field trials, and contributions to international 6G standards. 
  • Infrastructure: Establishment of two advanced testbeds, the 6G Terahertz (THz) Testbed and the Advanced Optical Communication Testbed  to drive research and innovation domestically. 
    • Sanctioned 100 5G labs at academic institutions in FY 2023-24, across India for capacity building & for building a 6G ready academic and start-up ecosystem in the country. 
  • Bharat 6G Alliance: It is a national platform bringing together academia, startups, research institutions, industries, and policymakers to drive the development and deployment of 6G technologies. 
• ITU 2030 Alignment: India's 6G vision is aligned with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) International Mobile Technology (IMT) 2030 framework, contributing to global capabilities like ubiquitous connectivity, interoperability, and sustainability. 

What is 6G Technology? 

• About: 6G refers to the sixth generation of wireless communication technology, the successor to 5G. 
  • It aims to build upon 5G's advancements, offering even faster data speeds (potentially reaching 1 Terabits per second) and lower latency (down to 100 microseconds). 
  • 6G is expected to enable new applications and transform how we live and work by enabling hyper-connectivity, immersive experiences, and intelligent automation. 
• IMT 2030: The 6G Technology has been named ‘IMT 2030’ by ITU, the specialised agency for Information and Communication Technologies of the United Nations.  
  • The ITU 6G Framework has been formulated with collaborative efforts of member countries of UNs in which India has played the front-runner role from the very beginning. 

Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Source: TOI 

The pre-monsoon (summer) estimation of tigers, co-predators, prey, and their habitats has begun in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), Tamil Nadu. 

• About ATR: It was declared as a Tiger reserve in the year 2007 and is located in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. 
  • It is also known as the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, named to honour the former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi.  
• Geographical Surroundings: It is surrounded by Parambikulum Tiger Reserve(PTR) on the East, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulum National Park on the South Western side.  
  • The reserve is also surrounded by Nenmara, Vazhachal, Malayattur and Marayur reserved forests of Kerala.  

 

• UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Kariyan shola, Grass hills and Manjampatti of Anamalai Tiger Reserve has been identified as a world heritage site by UNESCO. 
• Indigenous Communities: It is home to several indigenous tribal communities such as the Kadars, Muduvars, Malasars, Malai malasars, Eravalars and Pulayars. 
• Vegetation: The reserve includes evergreen, deciduous, and shola forests, along with Montane Grasslands, Savannahs, and Marshy Grasslands. 
• Fauna: It is home to key wildlife such as the Tiger, Asiatic elephant, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Jackal, Leopard, and Jungle cat, among others. 

Read More: Pulayar Community and Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX)

Source: IE 

Following the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 and the proposed lunar sample return by ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4 mission, India and Japan have jointly planned the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) mission to study the Moon’s surface and the subsurface for locating lunar water and ice deposits. 

• Chandrayaan-5 also known as LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) is a joint lunar mission by ISRO (India) and JAXA (Japan’s space agency), scheduled for 2027-28 launch on Japan's H3 rocket. 
  • Rover will be developed by JAXA and lander by ISRO. 
  • It will carry 7 scientific instruments, including a mass spectrometer by ESA and neutron spectrometers by NASA.  
• Mission Objectives: 
  • Mapping lunar water presence. 
  • Drilling lunar regolith to analyze water content, quality, and composition. 
  • Performing in-situ scientific observations using spectrometers and sensors. 
• It is a proposed 100 days (3.5 months) with possible extension to a year and an attempt to explore the Moon’s far side. 
• Chandrayaan-4 will be a lunar return sample mission, scheduled before Chandrayaan-5. 
• Chandrayaan-3 made India the first country to soft-land on the Moon's south pole in 2023. 

Read More: Evolution of India's Space Program

Bhutan Launched First Crypto-Tourism Payment

Source: FE 

Bhutan has become the first country to launch a national cryptocurrency tourism payment system in partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank, enabling fully cashless travel using cryptocurrencies. 

• The system supports over 300 cryptocurrencies like Binance Coin (BNB), Bitcoin (BTC), and USD Coin (USDC), facilitating seamless QR code-based real-time payments.  
• This initiative seeks to lower transaction costs, boost tourism, and improve financial inclusion in Bhutan. 

Cryptocurrency: 

• Cryptocurrency is a decentralized digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger using blockchain technology and maintained by a global network of computers.  
  • Eg: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. 
• In India, cryptocurrency is not a legal tender, but not banned either.  

Bhutan: 

• Bhutan (capital Thimphu), also called “Land of the Thunder Dragon” is a landlocked Himalayan country between India and China. 
• The Manas River, over 376 km long, is Bhutan’s longest river and a transboundary river shared with India. 
• Bhutan is the world’s first carbon-neutral country and prioritizes Gross National Happiness (GNH) over GDP. 

Read More: India-Bhutan Ties and Subnational Diplomacy, Need for Balanced Cryptocurrency Regulation

Illegal Killing of Migratory Birds

Source: DTE 

A study highlights that millions of birds across the Mediterranean littoral spanning Europe, North Africa, and West Asia continue to be illegally killed despite commitments to halve such activities by 2030.  

• Key Species at Risk: European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), and European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). 
• Widespread Non-Compliance: 38 out of 46 countries assessed are not on track to meet the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Rome Strategic Plan. 
• CMS Rome Strategic Plan: It aims to eradicate illegal killing, trapping, and trade of birds (IKB) in Europe and the Mediterranean.  
  • It targets a 50% reduction in illegal activities by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. The Plan builds on the previous Bern Convention. 
• Bern Convention (1979): It is the first international treaty to protect both species and habitats, promoting coordinated conservation across Europe and parts of Africa.  

India and Bird Conservation 

• The National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Birds (2018–2023) focuses on protecting migratory species along the Central Asian Flyway (areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans). 
• Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, rare and endangered birds are included in Schedule-I for the highest protection. 
• India has also signed non legally binding MOU with CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016).

Read more: Convention on Migratory Species

 

Parali Protection Force

Source: TOI 

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to establish a Parali Protection Force to curb stubble burning,  a major cause of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. 

• Key Directives by CAQM: 
  • Formation of Parali Protection Force: A dedicated force at district/block levels consisting of police, agriculture officers, and officials for 24/7 to monitor and prevent stubble burning. 
  • Penalties for Burning: Farmers face environmental compensation fines and "Red Entries" in farm records for stubble burning. 
  • Support for Farmers: Assign a nodal officer for every 50 farmers for monitoring and assistance, provide rent-free Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines via Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), and replace outdated machines by August 2025. 
  • Storage and Utilization: Use Govt/Panchayat land for storing paddy straw bales and establish a district-level supply chain for residue collection, storage, and bioenergy use. 
  • Digital Monitoring: Setup real-time online platform to track paddy residue generation and use. 
• CAQM is a statutory body formed under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021 to formulate air pollution control strategies for Delhi-NCR and the adjoining areas.

Read More: Addressing India’s Stubble Burning Issue

MSP for Jute

Source: TH 

The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) has increased the minimum selling price (MSP) of jute for crop year 2025-26 to discourage distress sales (forced sales at low prices) by farmers. 

• About Jute: Jute (golden fibre) is the 2nd most important cash crop in India after cotton in terms of cultivation and usage.  
  • India is the largest producer of jute in the world, with West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar being the major jute-growing states.  
  • Ideal conditions for jute cultivation include a temperature range of 17°C to 41°C, relative humidity between 40% and 90%, and well-distributed rainfall of over 120 cm. 

 

• About JCI:  JCI is a price support agency under the Ministry of Textiles that procure raw jute from farmers at MSP without any quantity limit. 
• About MSP: MSP is the minimum price set by the Government of India at which it promises to purchase crops from farmers, regardless of the market price.  
  • It was announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

Read More: Need for Reforms in the Jute Industry