Global Innovation Index 2025

Source: ET  

Why in News?

India has climbed to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, improving from 48th place in 2020.

What are the Key Highlights of the GII 2025?

• India Related Findings: India rose from 81st (2015) to 38th (2025), ranking 1st among lower-middle-income economies and in Central & Southern Asia. 
  • Its strengths are Knowledge & Technology Outputs (22) and Market Sophistication (38); weaknesses lie in Business Sophistication (64), Infrastructure (61), and Institutions (58).
• Top-Ranked Economies: The top five most innovative economies are Switzerland (1st), Sweden (2nd), USA (3rd), South Korea (4th), and Singapore (5th). China ranked in the top 10 for the first time, securing the 10th position.
• Top Innovation Clusters: The world’s top innovation clusters are Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou (1st) in China and Hong Kong, and Tokyo–Yokohama (2nd) in Japan.
• Positive Socioeconomic Impact: Labor productivity rose 2.5% in 2024, global life expectancy reached 73 years, and extreme poverty fell to 817 million, under half of 2004 levels.
• Rapid Technological Advancement: In 2024, technology advanced with notable gains in supercomputing efficiency and battery prices. However, adoption slowed, progress in wind power and genome sequencing lagged, and novel drug development regressed.

What is the Current Status of India’s Innovation Landscape?

• Funding Mechanism: As per the latest available R&D statistics, India invested 0.65% of GDP in R&D, compared to China (2.43%), Brazil (1.15%), and South Korea (2.5%).
• Patent Filings: India now ranks 6th globally in terms of patent applications. Meanwhile, India's patent-to-GDP ratio—a measure of the economic impact of patent activity—grew significantly, from 144 in 2013 to 381 in 2023.
• Strategic Policy Support: Programs like Startup India, Make in India, and Production Linked Initiative (PLI) scheme offer foundational support. 
  • The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) has a Rs 10,000 crore corpus, and the new one lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) scheme seeks to boost private sector R&D.
  • The Startup India Hub links more than 1,140 incubators and accelerators. In 2023, the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provided Rs 945 crore for seed funding.
• DeepTech Push: Significant investments focus on strategic sectors, with the National Semiconductor Mission backed by Rs 76,000 crore, alongside the IndiaAI Mission and PLI for quantum technologies to enhance self-reliance.
• Rise of Unicorns & Cleantech: India has over 100 unicorns, the 3rd-largest ecosystem globally. The private sector leads in Cleantech, with startups like Ather Energy and Ola Electric.
• Geographical Diversification: Initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) are decentralizing innovation, with over 45% of DPIIT-recognized startups emerging from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

What are the Barriers to India’s Innovation Ecosystem?

• Inadequate Financial Investment: India’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) remains ~0.7% of GDP, far below leading innovative nations like the United States (3.5%), South Korea (4.9%), and Israel (5.6%), highlighting a critical funding gap.
• Dominance of Public Sector in R&D Funding: India’s innovation ecosystem is largely publicly funded, with the private sector contributing only 36.4% (2020–21), unlike advanced economies where industry leads R&D investment. 
  • Additionally, a disconnect between academic research and industry needs limits interdisciplinary collaboration and commercialization of research.
• Skewed Focus Towards Strategic Sectors: Historical R&D focus on defense and space technology (e.g., Agni missile systems, space missions) has led to under-investment in industrial R&D for emerging areas like semiconductors, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals.
• Risk-Averse Industrial Culture: Industries prefer importing proven technologies over high-risk, long-gestation indigenous R&D; startups focus on business model innovations in IT services and e-commerce rather than foundational deep-tech research.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Despite achievements by DRDO, ISRO, BARC laboratories, technology transfer to the market is impeded by procedural delays, intellectual property challenges, and lack of streamlined processes.

What Reforms are Needed to Strengthen India's Innovation Ecosystem?

• Boost R&D Investment: India should boost R&D spending over the next decade, increase private and philanthropic contributions, and fully deploy the Rs 1 lakh crore innovation fund (Union Budget 2025–26) within 3–5 years to accelerate deep-tech research.
• Promote University-Led Research: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can drive upstream research to expand knowledge frontiers and help industry commercialize mature technologies. 
• Establish Public-Private Innovation Hubs: India should establish sector-specific innovation hubs in AI, semiconductors, and clean energy, linking government, academia, and industry, and providing shared resources like testing facilities, prototype labs, and venture funds.
• Facilitate Cross-Sector Collaboration: Sector-specific industry councils can guide policy, pinpoint funding gaps, and channel resources to critical innovation sectors. For instance, a CleanTech Council could prioritize solar, EVs, and energy efficiency.
• Regional Innovation Clusters: Regional innovation clusters in non-metro areas can leverage local government and private resources to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting rural agri-tech and social enterprises with funding, mentorship, and infrastructure. 

Conclusion

India’s innovation ecosystem has advanced significantly, reaching 38th in GII 2025 and topping lower-middle-income economies. While strategic policies have driven this rise, challenges remain in R&D funding, industry-academia collaboration, and private sector investment. Sustaining growth will require increasing GERD, promoting deep-tech, and building synergistic ecosystems to evolve from a startup hub into a global innovation leader.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Critically evaluate the barriers in India’s innovation ecosystem and suggest reforms to enhance deep-tech research and commercialization.

India-US Corn Conundrum

Source: TH

Why in News?

The US has expressed interest in exporting corn to India, but India remains cautious due to GM crop concerns, strong domestic production, and political considerations.

What Prevents India from Importing Corn from the United States?

• Regulatory Ban on GM Imports: India prohibits the import of genetically modified (GM) corn. With 94% of US corn in 2024 being GM and India allowing GM cultivation only for cotton, importing US GM corn is legally barred.
• High Tariff Barriers: India’s tariff structure discourages corn imports: a 0.5 million tonne quota faces 15% duty, while excess imports incur 50% duty, making US corn commercially unviable.
• Protection of Domestic Farmers: Indian officials warn that cheap imports could threaten the maize-for-ethanol ecosystem and new farmers, prompting the government to safeguard farmer incomes amid rising domestic production and acreage.
• Risk of Dumping: The US corn price is just about 70% of Indian maize without taking into account shipping, marketing costs and business margins. This would be equivalent to dumping, harming Indian maize farmers.
• Sovereign Policy on Ethanol Blending: Importing corn for ethanol production undermines India’s goal of import substitution, which aims to use domestic produce and save foreign exchange rather than create dependency on imports.
  • 20% ethanol blending in petrol could save up to USD 10 billion in annual forex outgo through import substitution.

What are Key Facts Regarding Corn(Maize)?

• About: Corn (maize) is a highly versatile crop, known as the queen of cereals for its high genetic yield potential. 
  • Originating in Central America, it is a globally vital cereal for human consumption, animal feed, and forage.
• Climate & Temperature: Sensitive to frost (especially seedlings) requires a frost-free period with mean daily temperatures above 15°C but tolerates heat up to 45°C with sufficient water.
  • It is highly responsive to solar radiation. Adequate light penetration to upper leaves is essential for grain filling.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-aerated, well-drained soils. Performs poorly on heavy clay or sandy soils, and is vulnerable to waterlogging.
• Water Requirements: It is a water efficient crop, needing 500–800 mm of water to achieve maximum grain yield.
• India’s Global Standing: India is the 5th largest maize producer (FAO, 2023)  but only the 14th largest exporter (UN-COMTRADE 2022). With yields under 4 four tonnes per hectare (vs. global 6 t/ha), it remains largely self-sufficient.
  • India has recently started importing maize mainly from Myanmar and Ukraine.
• Major Producers: The top producing countries are the United States, China, and Brazil.
  • The major maize-growing states in India are Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
• Uses: Maize is highly valued globally for its multifarious uses as food, feed, fodder, and raw material for industries. 
  • Apart from food and feed, 14–15% of India’s maize is used for industrial purposes.
  • It is a critical ingredient in starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, films, gum, packaging, and paper industries.
  • Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed India’s first “waxy” maize hybrid, high in amylopectin starch, making it ideal for ethanol production.

What are the Key WTO Provisions Enabling Import Restrictions by Countries?

Measure	Description	Key Condition
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures	Countries can set their own health and safety standards for food, animals, and plants.	Must be science-based, not arbitrarily discriminatory, or a disguised trade restriction.
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)	Covers technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessments (e.g., quality standards, labeling, product specifications).	Must not be more trade-restrictive than necessary to meet objectives like national security, consumer protection, or environmental safety.
Safeguard Measures	Allow temporary import restrictions if domestic industry is threatened by a surge in imports (unforeseen development).	Restrictions are temporary, usually require compensation, and do not require unfair trade.
Anti-Dumping	Extra duties on imports sold below normal value, causing domestic industry injury.	Dumping is proven through pricing analysis. A direct causal link exists between dumped imports and economic harm.
Countervailing Duties	Duties on subsidized imports causing domestic industry injury.	These duties are applied only after a thorough investigation confirms that a foreign export subsidy is causing "material injury" to the domestic industry of the importing country

Conclusion

India’s restrictions on U.S. corn imports stem from GM crop bans, tariff barriers, protection of farmers, and ethanol self-reliance goals. While India is the world’s 5th largest maize producer, low yields and rising demand drive occasional imports. Balancing domestic protection and global trade pressures remains a key policy challenge.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Discuss the factors restricting corn imports from the United States despite India’s growing maize demand.

Child Nutrition Report 2025

Source: TH

Why in News? 

A UNICEF report titled Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children reveals how unhealthy food environments are contributing to the worldwide surge in overweight and obesity in children and adolescents.

What are the Key Findings of Child Nutrition Report 2025?

• High Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity: One in five children and adolescents (5–19 years) are living with overweight.
  • Obesity is rising faster than overall overweight rates. In 2025, for the first time, global obesity prevalence among 5–19-year-olds (9.4%) surpassed underweight (9.2%).
  • Obesity poses greater health risks and is harder to reverse, making this trend particularly concerning.
• Unhealthy Food Environments: Children face increasing exposure to ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages. 
  • School food environments, instead of promoting health, are contributing to poor dietary habits.
    • UNICEF’s U-Report poll (2023) in eight South Asian countries found that unhealthy foods and drinks were more commonly available in schools than fruits or vegetables.
  • Children in poorer areas face greater exposure to unhealthy food displays (sugary cereals, snacks, sweetened drinks) than wealthier peers.
• Weak Legal Protections: Only 18% of 202 countries studied have mandatory nutrition standards for school meals. 
  • Only 19% of countries impose national taxes on unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.
  • Most countries rely on voluntary or fragmented measures, leaving children vulnerable to unhealthy food systems.

What are the Trends in Childhood Nutrition and Obesity in India?

• Rising Overweight and Obesity in India:  Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Under-Five Children rose 127% (from 1.5% in National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 3, 2005-06 to 3.4% in NFHS 5, 2019-21).
  • Adolescent girls' overweight/obesity increased by 125% (from NFHS 3 to NFHS 5), while boys' increased by 288% during the same period.
• Future Burden: By 2030, India may have 27 million children and adolescents (5–19 years) with obesity, accounting for 11% of the global burden.
• Key Drivers of the Epidemic:
  • Dietary Shifts: Ultra-processed foods (UPF) and sugary beverages are replacing traditional diets rich in fruits and vegetables. 
    • UPFs consumption surged from USD 900 million (2006) to USD 37.9 billion (2019), growing at over 33% annually.
  • Marketing Influence: Aggressive and targeted marketing, especially digital ads, creates constant exposure and temptation for children and adolescents.
    • Growth in supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores has increased access to unhealthy foods. These outlets facilitate widespread availability and aggressive promotion of such foods.
  • Early Life Factors: Poor maternal nutrition, inadequate breastfeeding, and childhood dietary practices contribute.
  • Social Norms: Adolescent girls and women often eat least and last, exacerbating nutritional inequities.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Low physical activity, increased screen time, and high consumption of UPF.
• Health and Economic Implications:
  • Health Risks: Childhood obesity increases risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers.
  • Economic Costs: In 2019, obesity cost India nearly USD 29 billion, or 1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By 2060, this could rise to 2.5% of GDP, without urgent action.
  • National Burden: Unhealthy diets contribute to 56% of India’s disease burden.

What are the Challenges in Ensuring Childhood Nutrition in India?

• Lack of Clear Definitions: FSSAI has yet to define HFSS or UPFs, making it difficult to regulate foods that should be restricted or flagged for high sugar, salt, and fat content.
• Ineffective Food Labeling Systems: The Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) system, where half a star represents the least healthy option and 5 stars signifies the healthiest.
  • However, it misleads consumers, as foods high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) still score 2–3 stars despite being unhealthy.
• Industry Lobbying and Influence: Food industry representatives dominated the stakeholder meetings, sidelining scientific input, leading to a system that favors industry interests over public health which further contributes to rising obesity rates.
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) ignored its own 2021 draft regulations recommending 'traffic light' color-coded and mandatory warning labels, instead opting for the star system due to industry lobbying.
• Weak Regulatory Framework for Advertising: India’s laws aimed at curbing misleading or surrogate advertising of HFSS/UPFs, are largely ineffective.
  • The Consumer Protection Act (2019) deems it “misleading” if a product hides important information, but FSSAI does not mandate nutritional disclosure in advertisements.
  • Despite recommendations from the National Multisectoral Action Plan (2017) to amend these laws and restrict HFSS food ads, no regulatory action has been taken.

What are the Key UNICEF Recommendations for Improving Child Nutrition?

• Protect Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding: Implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (aims to stop the aggressive and inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes), restrict digital marketing, and end promotion of unhealthy infant foods.
• Mandatory Legal Measures: Enforce laws on school food standards, food marketing restrictions, clear labelling, taxes on unhealthy foods, and reformulation to cut harmful ingredients.
• Improve Access to Nutritious Foods: Redirect subsidies and incentives towards healthy foods, promote local production, fortify staples, and ensure safe drinking water in schools and communities.
• Safeguard Policymaking: Exclude ultra-processed food industry actors from policy processes, introduce conflict-of-interest safeguards, and mandate transparency on lobbying.
• Promote Behaviour Change: Empower families and communities with awareness campaigns, highlight the harms of ultra-processed diets, and build public support for strong laws.
• Strengthen Social Protection: Expand food, cash, and voucher transfers; support affordable childcare, parental benefits, and labour market programmes to ensure access to healthy diets.

Conclusion

The rapid rise in obesity from unhealthy foods is increasing non-communicable diseases among children. Urgent action like front-of-pack labelling, regulating junk food marketing, health taxes, and nutrition education is needed to protect child health. Governments, civil society, businesses, and communities must ensure every child’s right to good nutrition.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. “Ultra-processed foods are undermining child nutrition in India.”  Discuss.

India’s First Overseas Defence Facility in Morocco

Source: PIB

The Defence Minister of India inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) defence manufacturing facility in Morocco and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation with Morocco, marking a historic milestone in India-Morocco defence ties.

• Significance: It is the first overseas defence facility by an Indian private company; largest defence manufacturing plant in Morocco.
  • The facility supports India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and represents India’s Make in India, Make with Friends, Make for the World strategy.
  • It strengthens India-Morocco strategic partnership, local capacity, and contributes to regional security.
  • Morocco’s strategic location as gateway to Africa and Europe enhances export potential and bilateral defence cooperation.
• Facility Purpose: Production of Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8, jointly designed by TASL and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The WhAP is an indigenously developed modular combat vehicle offering advanced protection, mobility, and versatility.
  • It can be configured as an infantry fighting vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, command post, mortar carrier, or ambulance, with options for remote weapon stations and anti-tank missiles.

Morocco

• It is a mountainous country in western North Africa, located across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. 
• It is bordered by Western Sahara (south) and Algeria (east), with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean (west) and Mediterranean Sea (north), making it the only African country with access to both.
• Geographically, Morocco features the High Atlas Mountains. Its highest point is Mount Toubkal, which is also the tallest peak in the Atlas Mountains. The Draa River is the longest river in the country.

Read more: India-Morocco Defence Industry

Mohenjodaro Dancing Girl

Source: IE

A replica of the famous Mohenjodaro ‘Dancing Girl’ was stolen from the National Museum in Delhi but recovered after the alleged culprit.

• About: The Dancing Girl is a bronze figurine from the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE), discovered in 1926 by archaeologist Ernest Mackay at Mohenjodaro.
• Craftsmanship: The figurine was created using the Lost-Wax Casting Technique, a sophisticated metallurgical process.
  • Lost-wax casting is a process where a wax model is covered with a heat-resistant mold, the wax is melted out, molten metal is poured into the hollow cavity, and once it cools, the mold is removed to reveal the metal object.
• Artistic Significance: The sculpture shows a young girl in a confident pose with tilted head and long arms, combining realism with stylized exaggeration. 
  • Her posture and ornaments convey grace and rhythm, earning her the name “Dancing Girl.”

Read more:Dancing Girl Figurine

Super Typhoon Ragasa

Source: IE

Super Typhoon Ragasa struck Taiwan, bringing torrential rains, causing widespread damage, and leaving dozens missing across East Asia (Philippines, Taiwan, China and Hong Kong).

• It is a powerful tropical cyclone in 2025, classified as a super typhoon, with maximum sustained winds near its eye reaching 260 km/h.

Super Typhoon (Cyclone)

• About: A super typhoon (cyclone) is a very strong storm, like a Category 5 hurricane, with winds of around 253 km/h. These storms usually form in the West Pacific, near China, Japan, and the Philippines.
• Category: The criteria below has been formulated by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), which classifies the low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea based on their capacity to damage, a system adopted by the WMO.

Read More: Landfall of a Cyclone

India’s Approach to Safeguarding Satellites

Source: TH

Why in News? 

India is now planning “bodyguard satellites” along with multiple layers of protection to safeguard its space assets, as satellites have become indispensable for communication, navigation, security, internet services, and climate monitoring. 

• Bodyguard Satellites are dedicated spacecraft designed to escort and protect high-value satellites by monitoring close approaches, detecting threats, and countering hostile manoeuvres in orbit. 

How is India Protecting Its Satellites with Advanced Technologies and Multilayered Defense?

• ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM): India established the ISRO’s IS4OM center in Bengaluru to track satellites and space debris, issuing collision warnings and coordinating maneuvers.
• Project NETRA: India's Project NETRA aims to improve space surveillance capabilities by deploying new radars and telescopes for better tracking of objects in orbit. 
  • The Multi-Object Tracking Radar at Sriharikota is already operational, with more sites planned across the country.
• Navigation Message Authentication (NMA): For its Navigation in Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, India is testing Navigation Message Authentication to prevent spoofing and ensure the authenticity of navigation signals.
• Cybersecurity Measures: India’s CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) has issued guidelines for satellite operators to enhance security, including strong encryption, network segmentation, and regular patching to protect satellite systems from cyberattacks.
• Solar Storm Preparedness: The Aditya-L1 mission provides early solar storm warnings to protect satellites.
• LiDAR Satellites: India is exploring the use of LiDAR satellites to detect potential threats and provide more time for response to hostile satellite maneuvers.
• International Cooperation: India actively participates in global forums like UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the Inter-Agency Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) focusing on debris management and responsible space operations

INS Androth

Source: PIB

The Indian Navy has received 'Androth,' the second of eight indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC).

• Named after Androth Island in Lakshadweep, the ship symbolises India’s commitment to securing its maritime boundaries.
• The name also honours the legacy of the previous INS Androth (P69), which served for over 27 years before decommissioning.
• It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, features over 80% indigenous components, aligning with the government's Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) vision.
• These ships are propelled by a diesel engine-waterjet combination and are equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes and indigenous anti-submarine warfare rockets.

ASW-SWC 

• These vessels are designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and mine-laying missions.
• India’s ASW Capabilities:
  • Integrated ASW Defence Suites (IADS): Developed in collaboration with Mahindra Defence Systems, these systems enable effective underwater detection and threat protection.
  • Kamorta-class Ships: These stealth warships, such as INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt, are equipped with low radiated underwater noise signatures.
  • Maritime Patrol Aircraft: India uses Boeing P-8I (Poseidon) aircraft for anti-submarine reconnaissance.
  • SMART System: DRDO has developed a missile-based, lightweight torpedo delivery system for enhanced underwater defense.
  • ASW Helicopters: The MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters are deployed for anti-submarine warfare.
• Significance of ASW:
  • India’s maritime security is critical due to its vast coastline and strategic location, with nuclear-armed submarines operating in the Indian Ocean region.
  • The growing presence of extra-regional powers and their advanced submarines poses increasing security challenges for India.

Read More: Indian Navy Advances Atma Nirbhar Bharat with ASW SWC Project