• 23 Sep 2025

Fishing Cat Sighting in Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve

Why in News?

The first-ever sighting of a Fishing Cat in Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) marks a significant addition to its small cat population, underscoring the reserve's ecological importance and the health of its wetland habitats.

Key Points

• About: The Fishing Cat was captured on camera during routine tiger monitoring by RVTR's biologist and Dalelpura tracking team in the Ramgarh Range, Bundi, confirming its presence.
• Existing Species: Before this discovery, RVTR was home to four small cat species, namely, Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), Asiatic Wildcat (Felis lybica ornata), and Caracal (Caracal caracal). 
  • The addition of the Fishing Cat brings the total to five small cat species, further enriching the reserve's carnivore population.
• Habitat: Typically found in wetlands and riverine environments, its presence in RVTR highlights the health of the reserve's aquatic ecosystems, essential for the species' survival.
• Diet: The Fishing Cat primarily preys on fish and aquatic invertebrates, making wetlands essential for its survival. 
• Protection Status: 
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable 
  • CITES: Appendix II 
  • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
• Significance: The discovery contributes to the growing recognition of RVTR as a biodiversity hotspot in Rajasthan, home to apex predators such as tigers and leopards, as well as smaller carnivores that play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

19th National Jamboree of Bharat Scouts and Guides

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh will host the 19th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, a major youth event that will bring together thousands of young people from India and abroad. 

Key Points

• About: The week-long event, set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will take place in Lucknow's Vrindavan Scheme from 23rd to 29th November 2025.
  • The Prime Minister has a longstanding connection with scouting, having participated in the 2009 Jamboree in Ahmedabad as Gujarat's Chief Minister during the centenary year of scouting.
• Activities: The Jamboree will feature a variety of adventure sports, science exhibits, and cultural activities, providing an opportunity for youth to engage in leadership-building exercises. 
• Tent City: The state government is building a gated Tent City with world-class facilities to accommodate 35,000 participants, with the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for 29th September 2025.
• History: The first Jamboree in India was held in Hyderabad in 1953, and Uttar Pradesh hosted the fourth edition in Prayagraj in 1964.

Note: The Bharat Scouts and Guides is a voluntary, non-political, educational Movement for young people, open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles and methods conceived by the founder Lord Baden-Powell in 1907.

International Day of Sign Languages 2025

Why in News?

The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, organized a grand celebration for "Sign Language Day – 2025" on 23rd September 2025.

• The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET) and NCERT, also held a Special Five-Day Live Programme on Indian Sign Language from 15th to 19th September 2025.

Key Points

• About: 
  • The United Nations General Assembly declared 23rd September as International Day of Sign Languages to underscore the significance of sign language in realizing the human rights of Deaf people. 
  • The date marks the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951, which advocates for the rights and recognition of deaf individuals globally.
  • The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted by the UN in 2006, recognizes sign languages as equal to spoken languages and obligates states to promote the linguistic identity of the Deaf community.
    • India was one of the first countries to ratify the Convention in 2007.
• Theme: This year’s theme, "No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights," calls for increased recognition of sign language as a tool for ensuring equality and dignity for individuals who are Deaf.
• 8th National Indian Sign Language Competition: As part of the celebration, the winners of the 8th National Indian Sign Language Competition, which saw participants from schools across the country in 13 categories, were honored for showcasing creativity and talent within the Deaf community.

UP to Curb Caste-Based Practices

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a notification to curb caste-based glorification by banning caste-based political rallies, removing caste signboards, and prohibiting caste mention in police records to promote social harmony.

• This decision follows a ruling by the Allahabad High Court in the Praveen Chetri v State of UP case, which criticized caste recording in police records as regressive and against the principles of a modern, secular India.

Key Points

• Ban on Political Rallies: The notification imposes a blanket ban on political rallies based on caste identity, stating they promote social conflict and threaten “public order” and “national unity.”
• Display on Vehicles: Vehicles displaying caste-related stickers, slogans, or identifiers will be subject to penalties under the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• Ban on Signboards: Public signboards that glorify any particular caste or declare geographical areas as caste-based territories or estates must be removed immediately.
• Revised Police Record Procedures: The order mandates the deletion of caste details from police records such as FIRs, arrest memos, and recovery documents.
  • The caste column in police databases (CCTNS portal) will be removed. Instead, the mother’s name will be recorded alongside the father’s name in all related documents.
• Monitoring of Social Media: The government has instructed authorities to monitor social media platforms and take action against individuals spreading caste-based hatred or glorifying any caste group.
• Exemption for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Act, 1989: The only exemption to the caste prohibition will apply to cases related to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, where caste identification remains essential.

Constitutional and Legal Provisions Against Discrimination 

• Constitutional Provisions: 
  • Equality Before Law: According to Article 14, no person shall be denied equal treatment before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. 
  • Prohibition of Discrimination: Article 15 of the Constitution of India states that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them. 
  • Abolition of Untouchability: Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes Untouchability. 
• Legal Provisions:  
  • The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: The act was enacted to enforce Article 17 of the Constitution of India, which abolished the practice of untouchability. 
  • The SCs and the STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: It was enacted to safeguard the members of SCs and STs from caste-based discrimination and violence.

MSME Sector Growth Declines in MP

Why in News?

The growth of the MSME sector in Madhya Pradesh has seen a decline over the past two years, with fewer registrations and increased shutdowns, highlighting challenges for the state's economic development.

Key Points

• Decline in MSME Registrations: According to the Union Government's data, MSME registrations in Madhya Pradesh under the Udyam Registration Portal (URP) decreased in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. 
  • In 2024-25, a total of 231,164 MSMEs were registered in MP, a decline from 249,009 registrations in 2023-24. 
  • This reduction marks a downward trend in the growth of new MSMEs in the state.
• Increased Shutdowns and De-registrations: The number of MSMEs shutting down in MP has also risen sharply. 
  • In 2024-25, 1,961 MSMEs were de-registered due to shutdowns, compared to just 552 in 2023-24. 
• Sector-Wise Decline: The widespread decline across manufacturing, services, and trading indicates systemic challenges impacting various industries in the state, necessitating targeted interventions.
• Reasons: The Union Government has cited reasons for the deregistration of MSMEs, including changes in ownership, business location, and other operational factors.
• Government’s Response and Initiatives:
  • Madhya Pradesh MSME Development Policy 2025: This policy aims to bolster the growth of MSMEs by providing a conducive environment for business operations, with a focus on enhancing productivity and innovation.
  • Chief Minister's Vision for MSMEs: On International MSME Day (27 June), the Chief Minister highlighted MSMEs' vital role in shaping MP's socio-economic future, with a vision to provide self-employment or employment for at least one family member in every household.

Udyam Registration Portal (URP) and Udyam Assist Platform (UAP)

• To address registration challenges, the Ministry of MSME launched the Udyam Registration Portal (URP) on 1st July 2020, aimed at simplifying the process for MSMEs. 
  • Facilitates ease of registration for MSMEs, making them eligible for government benefits, including participation in government procurement and access to schemes and subsidies.
• The Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) was introduced on 11th January 2023 to assist informal micro-enterprises (IMEs) in registering, especially those exempt from GST and lacking a PAN.
  • Supports IMEs by providing a platform for them to register and gain access to similar benefits, thus enhancing the ease of doing business.

Maharashtra Leads in River Pollution

Why in News?

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified a significant issue with polluted river stretches in India, particularly in Maharashtra, which continues to have the highest number of affected rivers. 

• Despite a marginal reduction in polluted river stretches nationwide, Mumbai’s rivers remain some of the most severely polluted, primarily due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and solid waste dumping.

Key Findings

• Maharashtra's Status: The state has 54 polluted river stretches, the highest in the country. The most polluted stretches are concentrated in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including rivers like the Mithi, Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara, and Ulhas.
• Mithi River's Plight: Despite multiple rejuvenation efforts, Mithi continues to be one of Mumbai's most polluted rivers. It carries excessive pollution from untreated sewage and industrial waste, leading to a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) above safe limits.
• Pollution Levels: The CPCB classifies rivers based on BOD levels. In Mumbai, many rivers exceed 20 mg/L, far surpassing the safe limit of 3 mg/L. The CPCB's priority categories, from Priority I (most polluted) to Priority V (least polluted), highlight the critical need for intervention, with several stretches in Maharashtra falling under higher priority levels.
• National Trends: Across India, the number of polluted river stretches decreased from 311 to 296. However, Maharashtra's contribution remains significant, with 54 out of 296 stretches. Other states, including Delhi, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, also have severely polluted stretches, particularly in the Yamuna, Sabarmati, and Chambal rivers.
• Action Plans and Measures:
  • NGT's Intervention: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had intervened in 2018, taking suo motu cognizance of the CPCB's findings. The NGT ordered states to prepare action plans for river rejuvenation, resulting in the formation of committees in Maharashtra and other affected states.
  • CPCB Directives: The CPCB has urged states to enhance sewage treatment, floodplain protection, and river catchment management, emphasizing the urgent need for expanding sewage plants and tightening industrial effluent monitoring.
  • National Water Quality Monitoring Programme: The CPCB monitors 2,155 locations across 645 rivers, with the program aiming to improve water quality and track the effectiveness of pollution control measures.

Central Pollution Control Board

• The CPCB is a statutory organisation that was established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It is the apex body for environmental protection and pollution control in India. It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and coordinates with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and other agencies.
• The CPCB has various divisions that deal with different aspects of pollution control, such as air quality management, water quality management, hazardous waste management, environmental assessment, laboratory services, information technology, public participation, etc.