India’s Crackdown on Child Labour: Telangana, Bihar, and Rajasthan Lead Rescues in 2024-25

India has witnessed a significant surge in efforts to combat child labour in 2024-25, with over 53,000 children rescued nationwide, according to a new report by Just Rights for Children (JRC) in collaboration with the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change (C-LAB).

Titled "Building the Case for Zero: How Prosecution Acts as a Tipping Point to End Child Labour," the report identifies Telangana, Bihar, and Rajasthan as the top-performing states in both rescue operations and arrests related to child labour. Together, they not only accounted for a large share of rescues but also led in legal enforcement, with over 5,800 arrests made nationwide—85% directly tied to child labour violations.

Alarming Exploitation in Worst-Form Sectors

The report presents troubling evidence: nearly 90% of rescued children were found working in sectors defined by ILO Convention 182 as among the “worst forms of child labour.” These include:

• Spas and massage parlours
• Domestic labour
• Orchestra troupes
• Informal entertainment services

Many of these children were also victims of sexual exploitation, pornography, and prostitution, highlighting the urgency for specialised legal and social interventions.

Prosecution as a Deterrent

States such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, despite high rescue numbers, lagged behind in prosecutions. In contrast, Telangana, Bihar, and Rajasthan demonstrated a more robust law enforcement framework, supporting the report’s assertion that effective prosecution reduces impunity and boosts public awareness.

“Justice for children trapped in the worst forms of child labour will only be achieved when the culprits are punished and robust mechanisms for protection and rehabilitation are in place,” the JRC stated.

Recommendations for a National Strategy

The report outlines a strategic roadmap to end child labour in India, urging both policy reform and grassroots enforcement. Key recommendations include:

• Launch of a National Mission to End Child Labour with dedicated financial and human resources
• Creation of district-level Child Labour Task Forces
• Establishment of a national Child Labour Rehabilitation Fund
• Extension of compulsory education up to 18 years
• Zero-tolerance policy for child labour in government procurement
• State-specific policies tailored to local socio-economic conditions
• Expansion of hazardous occupation listings under the Child Labour Act
• Pushing SDG 8.7 target to 2030, to realistically align with ground realities

India’s International Commitments

As a signatory to ILO Convention 182, India has pledged to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. While strides have been made through legislative reform and rescue operations, the report stresses the need for stronger institutional convergence, judicial consistency, and victim rehabilitation frameworks.

India-US Trade Deal Faces Backlash from Sugar and Soybean Industries

As India and the United States approach a July 9 deadline to finalise a long-anticipated bilateral trade deal, significant resistance has emerged from two of India’s most influential agro-industries: sugar and soybean processing. The pushback stems from proposed concessions that could allow imports of genetically modified (GM) maize and soybean, and fuel-grade ethanol—products in which the US dominates global production.

What’s at Stake?

The trade deal, part of a broader US strategy to diversify markets amid global geopolitical shifts, is being seen as a potential breakthrough in India-US economic ties. However, key stakeholders in India warn that any easing of import restrictions could:

·       Displace domestic producers

·       Threaten millions of livelihoods

·       Undermine food security and rural income stability

Sugar Industry: Ethanol Import Threatens Survival

India’s Ethanol Push – A Success Story

• Ethanol blending rose from 1.5% (2013-14) to 18.8% (2024-25).
• India is on track to meet the 20% blending target by 2025-26.
• Ethanol has become a vital alternative revenue stream for sugar mills, compensating for stagnant sugar demand.

Growing Use of Maize for Ethanol

• In 2024-25, 68% of ethanol was grain-based, with maize alone supplying 483.9 crore litres, overtaking sugarcane.
• Sugar millers now see ethanol as a strategic shift from sugar to bio-energy products like ethanol-blended diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

Industry Concerns

• The proposed import of GM maize and ethanol could further marginalize sugarcane as a feedstock.
• Sugarcane-based ethanol is seen as more sustainable in India, as it does not compete directly with livestock or food systems.
• Domestic ethanol producers fear being priced out if cheaper US ethanol enters the market.

Soybean Industry: GM Imports Could Devastate Farmers

NITI Aayog’s GM Proposal

• Recommends importing GM soybeans for oil extraction, with the byproduct (GM meal) exported.
• Claims this approach would meet domestic oil needs without straining feed markets.

Why SOPA Opposes It

• Most Indian processing units are inland, especially in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, far from ports.
• Transporting imported beans to inland units and then exporting the meal is not cost-effective.
• The model risks becoming viable only for large, port-based multinationals, threatening 7 million Indian soybean farmers.

Risk of Foreign Takeover

• A port-centric processing shift could allow global agribusiness giants (ADM, Cargill, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus) to dominate Indian oilseed processing.
• This threatens domestic processors and could reduce India’s agricultural self-reliance.

Duty Cuts Add Pressure

• Recent cuts in import duties on crude soyabean, palm, and sunflower oils from 27.5% to 16.5% have already weakened the position of local processors.
• Cheaper imported oil threatens to force local units to shut down or operate below capacity.

Soybean Prices Below MSP

• Soybean is currently trading at ₹4,300–₹4,350/quintal in major states, well below the government-declared Minimum Support Price of ₹5,328.
• Additional imports could drive prices further down, leading to farmer distress and possible crop shifts.

Strategic Trade-Offs Ahead

The Indian government faces a difficult balancing act: strengthen economic ties with the US while protecting core domestic sectors. While enhancing energy security and meeting edible oil demand are legitimate goals, farmers and processors argue that poorly timed imports could inflict lasting harm on Indian agriculture.

Key issues to watch:

• Can India preserve its MSP system and protect smallholder farmers in the face of global competition?
• Should GM imports be restricted to non-food, industrial uses—or avoided entirely?
• Will greater import liberalisation help meet targets, or erode India’s domestic agro-industry?

Iran Retaliates with Missile Strikes on US Base in Qatar

Doha, June 2025 — In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Iran has launched missile strikes on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a key American military installation, in response to the previous day’s US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Target: Al Udeid Air Base

• Location: Near Doha, Qatar; ~190 km from the Iranian coast
• Significance: Largest US military base in the Middle East
• Host: Approximately 10,000 personnel, including troops from the US, UK, Qatar, and other allies

Strategic Importance

• Forward Headquarters of CENTCOM: Oversees US military operations from Egypt to Kazakhstan
• Key Deployment Hub: Supports rapid force projection due to its long runways and infrastructure
• Historical Role: Crucial to US campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan, and operations such as the 2021 Kabul evacuation

Broader US Military Presence in Qatar

• Nearby Camp As Sayliyah, formerly a logistics hub, has been used to process Afghan evacuees since 2022
• Reflects broader strategic cooperation between the US and Qatar in military and humanitarian domains

Multinational Presence

• Home to units from:
• US Air Force
• Qatar Emiri Air Force
• UK Royal Air Force
• Other allied nations

Geopolitical Implications

This marks a serious escalation in the confrontation between the US and Iran, threatening to draw US Gulf allies into a wider regional conflict. Qatar, while hosting US forces, has traditionally positioned itself as a mediator in Middle Eastern affairs—making the attack on its territory particularly sensitive.

More information is expected as the US assesses damage and potential casualties, and as diplomatic efforts unfold in Washington, Tehran, and Doha.

WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report

According to the State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), sea levels are rising faster along India’s eastern and western coastlines than the global average, posing growing threats to both livelihoods and infrastructure in these regions.

Major Trends Affecting India

• Sea Level Increase: The rate of sea level rise is notably higher in Indian coastal waters. The Arabian Sea is witnessing a rise of 3.9 ± 0.4 mm per year, while the Bay of Bengal is increasing at 4.0 ± 0.4 mm annually. Both these figures exceed the global mean rise of 3.4 mm per year, putting coastal areas at greater risk.
• Coastal Consequences: Regions located within 50 kilometers of the coastline are increasingly vulnerable to being submerged. This trend is creating risks for both rural and urban populations, particularly where infrastructure is concentrated.
• Melting Glaciers: In the Central Himalayas, 23 out of 24 monitored glaciers are experiencing mass loss. This accelerates the likelihood of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which pose serious risks to downstream communities.
• Heatwave Impacts: During 2024, India recorded over 450 deaths as a result of extended and extreme heatwave conditions across several states.
• Lightning Fatalities: Lightning strikes have claimed 1,300 lives this year alone. A particularly deadly event on July 10 caused 72 deaths across five Indian states.

Broader Trends in Asia

• Rapid Warming: The Asian continent is warming at twice the global average, worsening the effects of extreme weather events such as droughts, storms, and floods.
• Record Temperatures: The year 2024 was the second warmest ever recorded in Asia. Prolonged and widespread heatwaves affected multiple countries throughout the region.
• Natural Disasters on the Rise: There has been an observable uptick in the frequency of landslides and floods. For instance, Wayanad in Kerala experienced a deadly landslide resulting in more than 350 deaths after it received 500 mm of rainfall in just 48 hours.
• Glacial Melt and GLOFs: The Himalayan and Tian Shan mountain ranges are seeing accelerated glacial melt, raising the incidence of GLOF events and the risk of flooding downstream.

Contributing Factors to Sea Level Rise

• Thermal Expansion: Rising sea temperatures cause water to expand, contributing directly to sea level increases.
• Melting of Ice Sheets and Glaciers: The retreat of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, along with glaciers worldwide, is a major driver of rising oceans.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Emissions of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels are the primary drivers of global warming and, by extension, sea level rise.
• Ocean Current Changes: Shifts in regional ocean currents redistribute heat unevenly across the oceans, influencing local sea level variations.

Impacts of Climate Change

In India:

• Coastal Erosion: Both the eastern and western coastlines are experiencing erosion, endangering communities and infrastructure located near the sea.
• Livelihood Vulnerabilities: Rising seas are impacting jobs in fishing, agriculture, and tourism, especially in coastal regions.
• Infrastructure at Risk: Urban developments, major ports, industrial zones, and residential areas are increasingly prone to flooding and structural damage.
• Migration Pressures: Populations may be forced to migrate inland due to the uninhabitable nature of submerged or storm-affected areas, leading to climate-induced displacement.

Across Asia:

• Island Nations: Countries such as the Maldives are facing potentially existential threats from continued sea level rise and coastal inundation.
• Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities across Asia are grappling with more frequent and intense heatwaves, putting stress on public health systems and infrastructure.
• Agricultural Disruption: Irregular rainfall and higher temperatures are leading to crop failures, placing regional food security at risk.
• Health Challenges: Climate change is contributing to a surge in heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases, including malaria and dengue fever.

Focus on Nepal

• Glaciers in Nepal’s portion of the Central Himalayas experienced notable mass loss in 2024.
• The resulting increase in GLOF events poses significant threats to hydropower infrastructure, transport networks, and mountain communities, with the potential for widespread and destructive flooding.

Recommendations by the Report

• Managing Coastal Zones: Invest in resilient infrastructure, including seawalls, and restore mangrove forests to act as natural barriers against rising seas.
• Cutting Emissions: Countries must strengthen their climate commitments (NDCs) and accelerate progress toward net-zero emissions to reduce future warming.
• Enhancing Early Warning Systems: Improve monitoring systems, forecasting technology, and early disaster alerts to prepare for extreme events.
• Fostering International Partnerships: Enhance regional cooperation under frameworks like the UNFCCC to share knowledge, funding, and technical expertise for climate adaptation.
• Strengthening Local Resilience: Equip communities with adaptive practices and build local capacities to respond to and recover from climate-related risks.

UNEP Launches NDC Cooling Guidelines 2025

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has unveiled the NDC Cooling Guidelines 2025, aimed at supporting countries in systematically incorporating sustainable cooling strategies into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The initiative responds to growing emissions from cooling technologies and the mounting health and climate vulnerabilities linked to extreme heat.

About the Guidelines

• These guidelines serve as a global framework to assist nations in embedding cooling-related measures into their climate commitments, while balancing mitigation, adaptation, and development priorities.
• The guidelines were formulated by the UNEP Cool Coalition NDC Working Group, in collaboration with partners such as UNDP.

Primary Objectives

• Mainstream sustainable cooling strategies into national climate plans (NDCs).
• Achieve a 60% reduction in emissions from the cooling sector by 2050.
• Expand access to essential, life-saving cooling for 1.1 billion underserved people.
• Enhance Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for effective tracking of cooling-related actions.
• Ensure consistency with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and the Global Cooling Pledge.

Key Findings and Statistics from the Report

• Cooling currently contributes 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with projections indicating this could rise beyond 10% by 2050 without corrective measures.
• 1.1 billion people globally lack adequate access to cooling, posing risks to health, food security, and livelihoods.
• Cooling accounts for 20% of electricity use in buildings worldwide, with figures surpassing 50% in UAE buildings.
• If appliance energy efficiency is doubled, cooling access could be increased six-fold without corresponding growth in emissions.

Major Challenges in the Global Cooling Sector

1. High Emissions: In the absence of immediate intervention, emissions from cooling could double by 2050, placing further strain on climate and energy systems.
2. Access Inequality: Over a billion people are still without access to affordable and sustainable cooling, exposing them to heat stress and associated food and health insecurity.
3. Reinforcing Feedback Loop: Higher temperatures drive increased demand for inefficient cooling technologies, which in turn contribute to greater emissions—forming a self-perpetuating cycle.
4. Policy Deficiencies: As of now, only 27% of updated NDCs incorporate clear energy efficiency objectives for cooling, revealing a critical gap in climate strategy.
5. Gender-Based Disparities: Women, especially in low-income and rural settings, bear disproportionate health and livelihood risks due to insufficient access to cooling.

Summary of the UNEP Cooling Action Framework

The guidelines propose a six-step process for governments to follow:

1. Baseline Assessment: Evaluate current hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions and energy usage in cooling to identify high-impact intervention areas.
2. Target Setting: Define quantifiable, time-bound targets that align with national NDCs and can inform investment and policy decisions.
3. MRV Development: Establish rigorous Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification systems to ensure transparency and accountability in implementation.
4. Policy and Regulation: Implement policies such as Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), Kigali-compliant refrigerant phase-down, passive cooling approaches, and urban greening.
5. Governance Mechanisms: Build cross-sectoral, gender-sensitive governance frameworks to oversee cooling strategies effectively.
6. Finance and Equity: Secure climate finance and create policies to expand equitable access to energy-efficient, climate-resilient cooling technologies.

Examples from Implementing Countries

• Nigeria: Has embedded its National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) into its NDC, with a focus on heat-resilient rural development and infrastructure.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Highlighted district cooling and high-efficiency air conditioning systems as key priorities in its updated NDC 3.0 roadmap.
• Grenada: Pledged to become the first country to fully eliminate HFCs, with a strategy targeting complete phase-down of HFC refrigerants.

UK Parliament Approves Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

The UK Parliament has passed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Commons. This law provides a legal pathway for assisted dying for individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses and expected to live for less than six months, specifically in England and Wales.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• The legislation permits terminally ill adults to end their lives legally under strict medical and legal supervision.
• It applies exclusively to England and Wales.
• Only individuals who have been medically certified to have fewer than six months to live qualify.
• To proceed, the person must obtain approvals from:
• Two licensed medical doctors
• One psychiatrist
• One senior legal professional
• One qualified social worker

Understanding Euthanasia

The term “euthanasia” originates from the Greek language, meaning "good death". It refers to the intentional act of ending a person’s life to alleviate unbearable suffering or irreversible terminal illness, particularly when there is no chance of recovery.

Types of Euthanasia

1. Active Euthanasia
• Involves direct actions taken to end a patient’s life, such as administering a lethal injection.
• Example: A medical professional gives a dose of medication specifically to end suffering.
2. Passive Euthanasia
• Entails withdrawing or withholding life-prolonging treatments, allowing the person to die naturally.
• Example: Turning off a ventilator in the case of a patient in a persistent vegetative state.
3. Voluntary Euthanasia
• Occurs when the patient explicitly consents to end their life to escape intractable suffering.
• Example: A terminally ill individual requests euthanasia through formal legal channels.
4. Involuntary Euthanasia
• The person’s life is ended without their consent, which is typically regarded as illegal and morally wrong, equating it with homicide.

Ethical Debate Around Euthanasia

Arguments in Favour

1. Autonomy and Self-Determination
• Individuals should have the right to decide when and how they wish to die, especially in cases of terminal illness.
2. Compassionate Relief
• Ending life in cases of unrelenting pain reflects a humane and compassionate response to suffering.
3. Dignified Death
• Euthanasia enables patients to avoid prolonged degradation and preserve dignity at the end of life.
4. Support for Families and Caregivers
• Relieves families from the emotional distress and financial burden of witnessing prolonged suffering.
5. Efficient Use of Medical Resources
• Allows medical systems to redirect scarce resources toward patients with a greater chance of recovery.

Arguments Against

1. Sanctity of Life
• Human life is inherently valuable, and actively ending it contradicts moral and spiritual principles.
2. Potential for Coercion
• Vulnerable individuals may feel pressure to choose euthanasia to avoid becoming a burden to others.
3. Alternatives in Palliative Care
• Advances in hospice and palliative medicine can often manage pain and suffering, making euthanasia unnecessary.
4. Slippery Slope Concern
• Legalisation might open the door to abuse, where non-terminal or incapacitated individuals are euthanised without clear consent.
5. Undermining Doctor-Patient Trust
• The role of doctors as healers may be compromised, potentially diminishing trust in the medical profession.

Judicial Interpretation in India

• Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab (1996): The Supreme Court ruled that the Right to Die is not protected under Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution.
• Aruna Shanbaug v. Union of India (2011): The court allowed Passive Euthanasia in India under specific and tightly controlled circumstances.
• Common Cause v. Union of India (2018): Recognised the Right to Die with Dignity as part of Article 21 and permitted Advance Directives, allowing terminally ill patients to refuse life support.

Philosophical Perspectives on Euthanasia

• Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Humanism: Emphasised the importance of meaningful living over merely extending biological existence.
• Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility: Warned that unchecked use of technology in medicine might lead to a disrespect for the natural process of life and death.

Quotes on Life and Death

• “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” — Marcus Aurelius
• “To die will be an awfully big adventure.” — J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Women and Naxalism

Since 2024, there has been a notable increase in the number of female Maoist cadres killed in anti-Naxalite operations in Chhattisgarh, as revealed by recent data. This trend comes amid the Indian government’s heightened push to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by 2026.

Role of Women in the Naxal Movement

• Women occupy a key role in the Maoist insurgency, particularly across conflict-prone regions like Bastar (Chhattisgarh) and parts of Jharkhand.
• Many of these women are forcibly recruited, coerced, or subjected to ideological indoctrination, often hailing from marginalised tribal communities.
• The Maoist leadership frequently deploys them as:
• Foot soldiers
• Frontline combatants
• Human shields during encounters with security forces

Recent Data on Female Casualties in Naxal Operations

• In 2024, security forces neutralized 217 Maoist operatives in Chhattisgarh, out of which 74 were women.
• As of June 20, 2025, a total of 195 Maoists have been killed, with 82 identified as women.

Underlying Factors for Female Involvement in Maoist Ranks

1. Intimidation and Pressure
• Adivasi families are often forced to surrender their daughters to the Maoist cause under threat or coercion.
2. Child Recruitment Practices
• The Maoist practice of forming Bal Dastas (child squads) targets young girls for early indoctrination and grooming into armed roles.
3. Ideological Brainwashing
• Teenage girls are exposed to radical leftist ideology, promoting class struggle and rebellion, often masking their exploitation as empowerment.
4. Patriarchal Abuse Within the Ranks
• Despite publicly advocating for gender equality, the Maoist structure is deeply patriarchal, and female cadres often suffer gender-based violence and control.
5. Socioeconomic Isolation
• Remote tribal areas suffer from chronic underdevelopment, limited education, and poor access to employment—leaving young women with few alternatives outside insurgency.

Recent Conflicts and Their Environmental Impacts

Ongoing global conflicts are posing grave environmental threats, including the looming danger of radioactive contamination from targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. The environmental toll of war is often long-lasting, cutting across ecosystems, public health, and global climate objectives.

Key Environmental Consequences of War and Conflict

1.     Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

• The military sector is a significant emitter, responsible for approximately 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Emissions stem from combat operations, military vehicles, aircraft, and defense infrastructure—yet these often go unreported or unregulated.

2.     Pollution and Contamination

• In eastern Ukraine, where heavy industry dominates, the conflict threatens to release highly toxic substances from damaged power plants, chemical manufacturing units, and abandoned mines.
• The region is also littered with landmines and unexploded ordnance, which not only pose an immediate danger to life but also contaminate soil, water sources, and forests.
• Experts estimate that environmental cleanup in Ukraine could cost approximately US$34.6 billion.

3.     Resource Depletion and Biodiversity Loss

• Wars accelerate deforestation, disrupt local agriculture, and devastate ecosystems, often through military activity, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat destruction.
• A stark historical example is the Vietnam War, during which the US military deployed massive quantities of Agent Orange, a toxic herbicide that led to the mass defoliation of forests, with long-term ecological and human health consequences.

International Legal Frameworks Addressing Environmental Harm from Conflict

Paris Agreement (2015)

• This global climate treaty permits voluntary reporting of military-related emissions.
• Consequently, military emissions often remain underreported, limiting accountability.

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998)

• The Statute classifies widespread, long-term, and severe environmental damage during armed conflict as a war crime under international law.

Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (ENMOD)

• ENMOD explicitly bans the manipulation of natural systems, including weather modification, earthquakes, or tsunami induction for hostile purposes.

Dravidogecko Coonoor

A newly identified species of gecko, thought to be confined to the region around Coonoor, has been discovered in the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu.

• About Dravidogecko Coonoor:
  This gecko species is found specifically in the Coonoor Hills of the Upper Nilgiris, located within the Western Ghats of India.
  It is unique as the sole gecko species endemic to the high-altitude zones of the Western Ghats.
  With this discovery, the total number of Dravidogecko species recorded in the Western Ghats has increased to nine.
• Gecko Families:
  Geckos are categorized into six distinct families: Carphodactylidae, Diplodactylidae, Eublepharidae, Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae, and Sphaerodactylidae.

India’s First Off-Grid Green Hydrogen Pilot Plant

The Adani Group has recently launched India’s inaugural off-grid green hydrogen pilot plant, located in Kutch, Gujarat.

• Location: Kutch, Gujarat
• What is an off-grid green hydrogen plant?
  This type of facility produces hydrogen through electrolysis powered exclusively by renewable energy sources such as solar or wind, operating independently of the main power grid. It relies entirely on its own renewable energy generation capabilities.
• Key Features:
  The ANIL plant is entirely solar-powered and incorporates a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), allowing it to function fully off-grid.
• Alignment with National Goals:
  This initiative supports the Government of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), aimed at reducing dependence on imports, enhancing energy self-reliance, and accelerating the decarbonization of energy-intensive sectors. This effort is part of India’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

NAVYA Initiative

The Government of India is launching a pilot program named NAVYA, focused on skill development for adolescent girls under the broader Viksit Bharat@2047 Vision.

• Full Form:
  NAVYA stands for Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent.
• Collaborating Ministries:
  The program is a joint effort by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• Purpose and Scope:
  It targets adolescent girls aged 16 to 18 years who have completed at least Class 10, providing vocational training primarily in non-traditional occupations.
  The pilot will be rolled out across 27 districts, including Aspirational Districts and those in the North-Eastern states, covering 19 states overall. This reflects the government’s focus on inclusivity and reaching underserved, vulnerable populations.
• Integration with Other Programs:
  NAVYA will leverage existing skill development schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and other flagship initiatives.
• What is Vocational Education and Training (VET)?
  VET refers to training that teaches skills and knowledge related to specific trades or occupations in which students or workers intend to participate.
• Additional Context:
  The Aspirational Districts Programme ranks districts based on indicators like health, nutrition, education, infrastructure, and poverty to prioritize development efforts.
  The PMKVY, launched in 2015, aims to empower Indian youth by providing industry-relevant skills training for better employment opportunities.

Evaporative Demand

The increasing evaporative demand in India highlights notable deficiencies in the nation’s climate data and research capabilities.

• Definition:
  Evaporative demand measures the atmosphere’s “thirst” — essentially, the maximum potential amount of water that could evaporate from a specific land area if water supply were unlimited.
• Key Points:
  It does not always match the actual evaporation rate, as evaporation depends on available water; if water is scarce, evaporation remains low despite high demand.
  This demand is influenced by atmospheric conditions such as temperature, wind speed, humidity, and cloud cover.
  Higher-than-average temperatures, clear skies, strong winds, and low humidity increase evaporative demand, accelerating surface drying.
  This reduces soil moisture, leaving less water for plants, which become stressed and more prone to catching fire.
• Wildfire Risk:
  When long periods of below-average rainfall coincide with prolonged elevated evaporative demand, vegetation dries out critically, creating ideal conditions for fast-spreading wildfires.
• What is a Thirstwave?
  A “thirstwave” is defined as three or more consecutive days with intense evaporative demand. Unlike heatwaves, which are primarily driven by specific temperature and wind conditions, thirstwaves result from the combined effect of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed.
  Researchers have observed that in a warming climate, thirstwaves are becoming stronger, more frequent, and lasting longer.

Sustainable Development Report 2025

India has secured the 99th position on the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, scoring 67, according to the latest report.

• About the Report:

o   The Sustainable Development Report is an annual review tracking global progress on the 17 SDGs, which were adopted by the 193 United Nations member countries in 2015.

o   It is published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

• Key Highlights:

o   For the first time, India has entered the top 100 nations out of 193 ranked for their SDG progress.

o   Globally, advancement towards the SDGs has slowed significantly, with only 17% of the targets expected to be met by 2030.

o   Persistent conflicts, deep-rooted structural weaknesses, and limited financial resources continue to hinder SDG progress worldwide.

o   European countries, especially Nordic nations like Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, hold the top three ranks on the index.

o   Despite leading ranks, many European countries face substantial environmental challenges, including issues related to climate change and biodiversity loss, often driven by unsustainable consumption patterns.

o   Most UN member states have made notable strides in areas such as access to essential services and infrastructure—for example, increased mobile broadband and electricity access, as well as reduced under-five and neonatal mortality rates.

o   However, five SDG targets have seen setbacks since 2015: obesity rates (SDG 2), press freedom (SDG 16), sustainable nitrogen management (SDG 2), biodiversity health measured by the Red List Index (SDG 15), and corruption levels (SDG 16).

Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad, has launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative aimed at bolstering Panchayats’ ability to generate Own Source Revenue (OSR) under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).

• What is the ToT Programme?
  It is a training scheme designed to improve the financial independence of Panchayats by building their capacity to generate sustainable revenue from local sources.
• Objectives:
• Enable Panchayats to become self-sufficient financially.
• Provide trainers with skills and strategies for long-term OSR growth.
• Foster leadership, creativity, and accountability at the grassroots level.
• Key Features:
• Conducted under the RGSA framework.
• Emphasizes behavioural insights, strategic revenue planning, and encouraging local innovation.
• Trains Master Trainers from 16 States and Union Territories, with plans to expand further.
• Sets the stage for creating a Model OSR Rules Framework and a Digital Tax Collection Portal.
• About Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA):
  RGSA is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at empowering and strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) throughout rural India.
  Initially launched in 2018 and revamped for 2022-23 to 2025-26, it seeks to:
• Enhance governance capacity of PRIs to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Equip Panchayat representatives with leadership capabilities.
• Boost Panchayats’ revenue generation and financial management.
• Promote inclusive governance via optimal resource use and scheme convergence.
• Strengthen Gram Sabhas as platforms for citizen participation.
• Additional Features of RGSA:
• Focuses on capacity building for elected representatives.
• Supports decentralization and devolution of powers per the PESA Act 1996.
• Integrates digital solutions for better governance.
• Recognizes and rewards high-performing Panchayats.
• Encourages sharing ideas through partnerships with national and international organizations.

ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA)

A senior official recently stated that the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is currently blocking the review process of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).

• About the Agreement:
  AITIGA is a trade pact between India and the ten ASEAN countries, signed during the 7th ASEAN Economic Ministers-India Consultations held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2009. It came into effect on January 1, 2010.
  The agreement exclusively covers trade in tangible goods and products, excluding services. For trade in services, ASEAN and India entered into a separate agreement in 2014.
  Together with the ASEAN-India Investment Agreement, these form the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area.
• Tariff Elimination:
  Both parties have pledged to gradually remove tariffs on 76.4% of goods and liberalize tariffs on over 90% of products.
  Due to the varying economic development and policies among ASEAN countries, the agreement implements two different tariff categories based on whether a member is part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) or not.
  Some sensitive goods can retain tariffs in the range of 4-5%.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

• What is OIC?
  An intergovernmental organization representing 57 Muslim-majority countries across four continents, established in 1969 in Rabat, Morocco, with headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• Purpose:
  To promote Islamic solidarity, safeguard Muslim interests, foster peace, eliminate discrimination against Muslims, and support conflict resolution among members.
• Key Facts:
• India is not a member.
• Founded after the Al-Aqsa incident in 1969.
• Adopted a modern charter in 2008.
• Holds consultative status with the UN.
• Focuses on issues like Palestine, counter-terrorism, poverty, climate change, and human rights.
• Implements OIC-2025 Action Plan with 18 priority areas and 107 goals.
• Recent Context:
  India rejected OIC’s references on its internal matters during the Istanbul meeting, urging the body not to interfere.

Sree Narayana Guru

• Who was he?
  A Kerala-born (1856–1928) saint, philosopher, poet, and social reformer from the Ezhava community, known for fighting caste discrimination and untouchability.
• Contributions:
• Inspired leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.
• Played a role in the Vaikom Satyagraha linked to civil rights and the independence struggle.
• Advocated non-violence, universal brotherhood (“One Caste, One Religion, One God for humanity”), education, and religious harmony.
• Major Reforms:
• Broke caste monopoly by consecrating a Shiva Lingam in 1888.
• Founded 40+ temples open to all castes.
• Established educational and religious institutions like Sivagiri Mutt and SNDP Yogam.
• Promoted education for marginalized communities.
• Literary Works:
  Authored philosophical and devotional texts including Advaitha Deepika, Atmavilasam, Daiva Dasakam, and Brahmavidya Panchakam.
• Recent Event:
  The Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the centenary of the 1925 conversation between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi.

FATF Report on Complex Proliferation Financing and Sanctions Evasion

• What is Proliferation Financing (PF)?
  PF refers to funding or providing resources to entities for developing or acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), threatening global security and financial systems.
• Key Findings:
• Global Risks: Both state and non-state actors use complex procurement networks to source dual-use goods and technologies.
• Implementation Gap: Only 16% of countries effectively enforce targeted UN sanctions against WMD proliferation.
• Common Evasion Techniques:
• Use of intermediaries, front companies, and third-country routes to hide end-users.
• Concealing beneficial ownership, often via digital methods.
• Using virtual assets (cryptocurrencies) to move funds.
• Exploiting maritime sector complexities, like “dark fleets” and ship mis-declaration (example: Indian authorities found mis-declared dual-use equipment on a Pakistan-bound ship).
• Recommendations:
• Update threat assessments regularly.
• Improve public-private sector information sharing.
• Add WMD PF definition to FATF glossary within 5 years.
• Conduct a global review of PF risk assessments within 3 years.

RBI and Banks to Develop Digital Payment Intelligence Platform (DPIP)

• What is DPIP?
  A Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) project under RBI’s supervision aimed at strengthening fraud detection and intelligence sharing across banks.
• Purpose:
• Improve fraud risk management using advanced technologies.
• Facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and coordination among banks.
• Development:
• RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH) tasked with building a DPIP prototype.
• Consultation with 5–10 banks (both public and private).
• Committee led by Shri A.P. Hota overseeing setup.
• Need for DPIP:
• Banking frauds surged sharply: ₹36,014 crore in FY25 from ₹12,230 crore in FY24.
• Other RBI Initiatives Against Bank Frauds:
• Mandatory multi-factor authentication for all electronic payments.
• Zero liability for customers in cases of bank or third-party negligence.
• Dedicated websites like bank.in and fin.in to help customers identify legitimate banking sites

Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 Report (WHO)

• Background:
  The 10th WHO report tracking global progress in tobacco control since 2008, aligned with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
• WHO FCTC:
  A global treaty aimed at reducing tobacco demand, production, distribution, availability, and supply.
• MPOWER Measures:
  Launched in 2008, these are six proven tobacco control strategies:
• Monitor tobacco use
• Protect people from tobacco smoke
• Offer help to quit tobacco
• Warn about the dangers of tobacco
• Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS)
• Raise taxes on tobacco products
• Key Findings:
• 155 countries have adopted at least one MPOWER policy, benefiting over 6.1 billion people.
• Largest progress seen in large graphic health warnings on cigarette packs.
• India has strong TAPS restrictions across all media, including being the first country to regulate tobacco advertising in digital streaming.
• Tobacco taxation is the least implemented MPOWER measure; cigarettes remain affordable in India.

Establishment of Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution

• Background:
  Created following a UNEA 2022 resolution, convened by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which will also host the panel.
• Purpose:
  To provide independent, science-based policy advice on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention.
• Significance:
  Completes the global scientific advisory trio alongside:
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
• Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
• Need for the Panel:
• Address the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution/waste.
• Respond to the rise in chemical use and unintended negative impacts.
• Manage growing municipal solid waste (expected increase from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050).
• Combat the 66% increase in modern pollution over the last two decades.