Satellite Internet in India: Rising Importance with Starlink’s Entry

With Starlink poised to launch in India, attention is turning to the workings, applications, and regulatory landscape of satellite internet—a technology that could redefine connectivity in the country.

Introduction

Satellite internet is increasingly being recognized as a transformative force in global communication, particularly in areas where traditional infrastructure is difficult or impossible to deploy. With Elon Musk’s Starlink expected to enter the Indian market, the country’s connectivity landscape may soon undergo a substantial transformation. Unlike conventional internet services that rely heavily on terrestrial infrastructure like fiber-optic cables and cellular towers, satellite internet can offer high-speed access in geographically isolated regions, provide continuity during natural disasters, and support both civilian and military operations.

Why Satellite Internet Matters

Terrestrial broadband networks tend to perform well in urban and semi-urban regions, but they fall short in remote, mountainous, or disaster-prone zones due to high costs and susceptibility to damage. Satellite internet circumvents these limitations by offering:

• Consistent coverage across diverse terrains.
• Rapid deployment capabilities during emergencies.
• Connectivity for mobile operations on ships, aircraft, oil rigs, and other remote sites.

Because of these advantages, satellite internet is no longer merely a fallback option—it can serve as the primary means of communication in certain high-demand or high-risk situations.

Key Features and the Civil-Military Dual Use

The deployment of large satellite constellations, such as Starlink’s network of thousands of satellites, represents a new era in connectivity. These systems are designed with diverse applications:

• Civilian uses include rural education, agricultural analytics, healthcare access, transportation coordination, and disaster management.
• Military uses involve secure communication networks, real-time battlefield data sharing, and strategic coordination in inaccessible conflict zones.

Global precedents underscore its value: Viasat facilitated emergency communication during Hurricane Harvey, and Starlink has played a critical role in sustaining Ukrainian military operations in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. In the Indian context, the armed forces have already deployed satellite internet in regions like the Siachen Glacier. However, the technology’s cross-border accessibility also poses risks, as illustrated by instances of its terminals being illicitly used by insurgents.

Understanding the Infrastructure

Satellite internet systems are composed of two major components:

• Space Segment: Satellites in orbit equipped with communication hardware. Their operational lifespan typically ranges from 5 to 20 years.
• Ground Segment: User terminals and antennas that communicate with these satellites.

Satellites function at different altitudes, which impact their performance:

• Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO): Located at 35,786 km, GEO satellites offer wide coverage but suffer from high latency, making them unsuitable for real-time applications. (e.g., Viasat’s Global Xpress)
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): Operating between 2,000 and 35,786 km, MEO systems offer reduced latency but require more satellites to achieve full coverage. (e.g., O3b constellation)
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Positioned under 2,000 km, these satellites offer low latency and smaller form factors. Though they need extensive satellite constellations, they are best suited for modern, high-speed applications. (e.g., Starlink with over 7,000 satellites)

The LEO Revolution and Technical Advancements

LEO satellite constellations address their smaller coverage area by deploying large fleets of satellites, each capable of onboard data processing. Innovations include:

• Optical inter-satellite links: These allow satellites to communicate with one another directly, minimizing dependence on ground infrastructure.
• Steerable antennas: These track satellites across the sky, ensuring users maintain a seamless connection despite the satellites'' constant motion.

Such systems significantly enhance efficiency, scalability, and real-time performance.

Multi-Sectoral Applications

Satellite internet’s versatility allows it to support a wide array of sectors:

• Communications: Ensures internet availability in underserved areas and supports IoT networks.
• Transportation: Aids navigation, autonomous vehicle systems, and supply chain tracking.
• Disaster Response: Provides early warning systems, coordination platforms, and resilient communications during crises.
• Healthcare: Enables telemedicine, diagnostics, and continuous patient monitoring in remote areas.
• Agriculture: Facilitates precision farming, weather forecasting, and crop health analytics.
• Defence: Supports strategic communications, surveillance, and mission-critical operations.
• Environmental and Energy: Assists in monitoring natural resources and managing renewable energy infrastructure.

Emerging technologies, such as direct-to-smartphone satellite connectivity, may further streamline usage by removing the need for dedicated satellite terminals, allowing everyday devices to connect directly.

Strategic and Regulatory Challenges

Although satellite internet services currently involve higher costs—approximately $500 for hardware and $50 per month for subscription—the advantages in resilience and accessibility make them a valuable investment, particularly in strategically sensitive or underserved regions.

Yet, the dual-use nature of satellite internet raises critical questions about:

• Regulation: How to ensure compliance and prevent misuse.
• Security: Mitigating risks from non-state actors and hostile entities exploiting satellite links.
• Sovereignty: Controlling data and operations in a technology that naturally crosses borders.

For India, the strategic implications are vast. Satellite internet holds the potential to:

• Bridge the urban-rural digital divide.
• Strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and recovery infrastructure.
• Enhance national defense communication systems.
• Position India as a key stakeholder in shaping global satellite internet governance frameworks.

India’s Distinctive Genetic Heritage

Context:
A recent study published in Cell has spotlighted India’s extraordinary genetic diversity, shaped by ancient human migrations, interbreeding with archaic hominins like Neanderthals and Denisovans, and centuries of strict endogamy. These complex genetic influences carry significant implications for public health, ancestral studies, and the advancement of personalised medicine.

Understanding India’s Genetic Distinction

India’s genetic profile is the result of a unique combination of evolutionary factors. Early human migration routes, interbreeding with extinct human species, and a long-standing tradition of marriage within defined social or caste-based groups have together created a genetic archive that captures layers of human evolution. This makes the Indian population one of the richest living sources for studying global genetic history.

What distinguishes India further is the presence of over 5,000 distinct ethnic communities, each bearing a unique genetic signature shaped by thousands of years of isolation and adaptation. The high frequency of founder mutations—rare genetic changes that persist within specific groups due to restricted gene flow—illustrates how deeply endogamy has influenced genetic inheritance. The Indian gene pool also contains millions of rare variants, many of which have direct consequences for disease susceptibility, metabolism, and adaptation to varied environmental pressures. This positions India at the forefront of emerging fields like personalised medicine and global genomic research.

Mapping India’s Genetic History

India’s genetic narrative begins with the arrival of the earliest modern humans from Africa around 50,000 years ago. These founding populations were later joined and enriched by various waves of migration and interaction. The intermixing between Ancestral North Indians (ANI) and Ancestral South Indians (ASI) eventually gave rise to the distinct composite Indian genome. Over time, genetic inputs from indigenous hunter-gatherers, early Iranian agriculturalists, and Central Asian Steppe pastoralists added further complexity to this already diverse gene pool.

Despite this genetic richness, India remains vastly underrepresented in global genomic databases. This lack of inclusion limits both the medical applicability of global research to Indian populations and broader insights into ancient human history that India’s genetic data could provide.

Impact of Endogamy on Genetic Health

The tradition of endogamy—marrying within one’s social or caste group—has both preserved ancient genetic traits and amplified intra-group genetic similarities. This has led to founder effects, where small, isolated populations exhibit increased occurrences of identical gene copies. Such genetic patterns are much more pronounced in India than in most other global populations.

The result is a higher prevalence of certain rare and community-specific genetic disorders. One notable example is butyrylcholinesterase deficiency in the Vysya community, which occurs at significantly elevated rates. A nationwide genome mapping effort has already uncovered more than 160,000 unique genetic variants linked to a range of congenital, neurological, and metabolic disorders. These findings underscore the urgent need for medical frameworks that address India’s community-based genetic risks.

India as a Living Genetic Laboratory

Every endogamous community in India acts as a self-contained genetic ecosystem, preserving rare and ancient variants across generations. This makes them invaluable for scientific study, offering researchers a natural environment in which to explore gene function without the need for lab-created mutations.

Such a genetic mosaic offers immense potential for medical innovation. Insights drawn from India’s population can lead to the development of novel therapeutics, more precise disease screening methods, and highly personalised treatment strategies tailored to specific genetic profiles. Beyond healthcare, these advancements also have significant economic potential—strengthening India’s public health infrastructure while enhancing its standing in the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Looking Ahead: The Genomic Roadmap for India

To fully harness the promise of its genetic wealth, India must dramatically expand its genome sequencing initiatives. This involves sequencing the DNA of millions of individuals from diverse geographical, ethnic, and disease backgrounds. Establishing a national biobank, modelled on projects like the UK Biobank, would enable long-term collection and storage of health and genetic data, facilitating both clinical applications and research.

Incorporating genomics into national healthcare strategies would allow for proactive disease detection and targeted therapies, aligning public health policy with personalised medicine. Such steps would also enable India to establish itself as a global hub for genomic innovation, drawing significant investment in biotech and pharmaceutical research.

Conclusion

India’s genetic legacy is not only a remarkable record of human evolution but also a strategic resource for improving public health. Unlocking its full potential requires a large-scale commitment to genome sequencing, supported by ethical regulations and inclusive healthcare planning. With sustained investment and policy focus, India is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of genomics-driven medical and scientific breakthroughs on the global stage.

Behind the US–China Trade Truce: Tariffs, Agriculture, and Rare Earths at the Forefront

US President Donald Trump has chosen to extend the ongoing trade truce with China until November 10, 2025, deferring a planned 145% tariff on Chinese goods and instead maintaining the existing 30% rate established by a prior executive order. This decision comes in the wake of Beijing’s retaliatory actions, which initially included a 125% tariff on US imports—later reduced to **10%—**and export restrictions on rare-earth elements critical to key American industries such as defence, aerospace, semiconductors, and automotive manufacturing. Additionally, China has weaponised its agricultural import strategy by drastically slashing purchases of US farm produce. The reduction is sharp: from $13.1 billion in the first half of 2024 to just $6.4 billion in the same period of 2025, continuing a steady multi-year decline from the 2022 peak of $40.7 billion.

Context Behind the Extension

The latest extension of the US–China trade truce was finalised just hours before a scheduled escalation in mutual tariffs. The agreement preserves the current tariff levels: 30% on Chinese imports into the US and 10% on US exports to China. Earlier this year, both countries had escalated tensions by threatening triple-digit tariff increases, with the US preparing to impose up to 145% and China considering tariffs as high as 125%. These plans were moderated following May negotiations in Geneva, which helped avoid a deeper economic confrontation.

Strategic Intentions Behind the Delay

The White House has framed the 90-day extension as a crucial window to resolve persistent economic issues. These include:

·       Tackling long-standing trade imbalances, notably the $300 billion trade deficit the US registered with China in 2024.

·       Addressing unfair trade practices.

·       Resolving national security concerns, particularly those affecting sensitive technologies.

The extension allows negotiators to focus on expanding market access for US goods, removing export barriers, and stabilising supply chains in critical sectors like semiconductors.

Key Sticking Points in Ongoing Negotiations

Several contentious issues remain central to talks:

·       Rare Earth Access: China’s grip on rare earth exports continues to pose a strategic challenge for the US.

·       Energy Trade: China’s continued imports of Russian oil have drawn scrutiny.

·       Technology Controls: Washington’s export restrictions on advanced chips have complicated bilateral relations.

In a recent and controversial move, the Trump administration permitted firms like Nvidia and AMD to resume selected chip exports to China. However, this permission came with a condition: 15% of revenues from these sales must be handed over to the US Treasury, a move some critics have labelled a “shakedown.” Another point of friction is the US demand for TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent ByteDance, a demand that Beijing has categorically opposed.

China’s Agricultural Import Strategy as Trade Leverage

Beijing has systematically scaled back its agricultural imports from the United States, making agriculture a core pressure point in trade diplomacy. One of the most affected commodities is soyabeans, where imports dropped to just $2.5 billion in the first half of 2025, down from $17.9 billion in 2022. The trend is not limited to soyabeans; other affected US exports include: Corn, Barley, Cotton, Beef, Pork, Poultry, Tree nuts and Forest products.

China, the world''s largest importer of agricultural commodities, now sources much of its supply from Brazil, Argentina, Canada, and other alternative markets. This diversification away from the US has deeply impacted American farmers in the corn belt and livestock producers in key states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and California.

In combination with its near-monopoly on rare-earth production, China’s agricultural buying power has become a formidable diplomatic tool to keep the US at the negotiating table and deter future tariff hikes.

India–US Agricultural Trade Growth Amid China’s Decline

As the US–China agricultural trade relationship weakens, India has emerged as a vibrant new market for American farm exports. Between January and June 2025, while US exports to China fell by 51.3%, shipments to India rose by 49.1%.

Key developments in US–India agri-trade include:

·       US exports to India are projected to exceed $3.5 billion in 2025.

·       Indian exports to the US are expected to reach $7.5 billion.

·       India has surpassed China as the top importer of US tree nuts, with imports valued at over $1.1 billion in 2024, and $759.6 million in the first half of 2025 alone.

·       The United States holds a 35% share in India’s seafood exports, with frozen shrimp and prawn sales reaching $1.9 billion in 2024–25.

Despite this strengthening trade relationship, the Trump administration has opted to double tariffs on Indian imports to 50% starting August 27. This includes a 25% penalty surcharge linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil—a punitive measure that notably has not been applied to China, even though Beijing continues similar transactions. This decision introduces a layer of complexity in US–India trade ties, even as overall agricultural exchange continues to grow robustly.

Toda Tribe: Guardians of India’s Endangered Languages

Context:
The Toda tribe, native to the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, is playing a pivotal role in the conservation of India’s endangered languages. Their efforts are part of the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL), overseen by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) under the Ministry of Education.

Who are the Todas and What Makes Their Language Unique?

The Todas are a pastoral tribal community known for their deep-rooted cultural traditions and distinctive language. The Toda language, part of the proto-South-Dravidian family, has no indigenous script of its own. In collaboration with the SPPEL initiative, the community is working to document, digitise, and promote literacy in the Toda language, now using the Tamil script to ensure its transmission to future generations.

Distinctive Features of the Toda Language Preservation Effort

• Safeguarding Oral Heritage: The project aims not only to record the language but also to embed oral traditions, ceremonial songs, and folklore into the linguistic material, ensuring that cultural and linguistic preservation go hand in hand.
• Technology for Revitalisation: Advanced recording equipment and linguistic software are being utilised to capture language data. The Sanchika online repository makes these materials publicly accessible, aiding both academic research and public awareness.
• Educational Outreach: Special learning tools such as Toda-language primers for children, trilingual dictionaries, and multilingual literacy materials have been developed to promote the language among young speakers and bilingual learners.

Why It Matters

Preserving the Toda language is crucial for several reasons:

• It safeguards the community’s intangible cultural heritage, including traditional ecological knowledge passed down through generations.
• It contributes to India''s linguistic richness, reinforcing the country’s identity as a multilingual nation with over 1,300 documented languages. As languages vanish globally, efforts like these underscore the importance of community-led linguistic preservation for cultural sustainability.

Revised Regulations on Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) Cards

Context:
In a separate but equally significant move, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a new notification under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, amending the eligibility and cancellation criteria for OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) registration.

OCI registration may be cancelled if: The individual is convicted and sentenced to two or more years in prison. A charge sheet is filed for an offence that carries a sentence of seven years or more under Indian law.

Background and Legal Framework

·       The OCI card was introduced in 2005 via amendments to the Citizenship Act, 1955, offering certain benefits to foreign nationals of Indian origin.

·       In 2015, the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme was merged with the OCI scheme, thereby granting all PIO cardholders automatic OCI status.

·       Importantly, OCI does not equate to dual citizenship and confers no political rights.

Grounds for Revoking OCI Registration

Apart from criminal charges or convictions, the registration can be cancelled under several conditions:

·       If the registration was fraudulently obtained.

·       If the cardholder is found to have shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India.

·       If deemed necessary for reasons concerning the sovereignty, security, or public interest of India.

·       If the person is detrimental to India’s foreign relations.

Benefits of Holding an OCI Card

·       Visa-free, multi-entry travel to India for life.

·       Exemption from registration with Foreigners Registration Officers, regardless of the length of stay.

·       Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in economic, financial, and educational matters, with the exception of ownership of agricultural and plantation properties.

Eligibility Criteria for OCI Registration

Any foreign national who:

·       Was an Indian citizen on or after January 26, 1950, or

·       Was eligible for Indian citizenship on that date, or

·       Belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947, or

·       Is a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of such a citizen, or

·       Is a minor child of at least one Indian citizen, or

·       Is a foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder, provided the marriage has been registered and has lasted at least two years.

Exception:
Nationals or former citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or other countries specified by the Central Government through official notification are not eligible for OCI registration.

National Sports Governance Bill Passed: BCCI Remains Outside RTI Purview

The Rajya Sabha has passed the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, following its approval in the Lok Sabha a day earlier. The legislation, while hailed by some as a step toward regulating Indian sports bodies in line with international norms, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. They have accused the bill of enabling “extreme centralisation” in sports administration and providing preferential treatment to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by exempting it from the scope of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The legislation states that only sports organisations receiving direct financial support from the central government will be classified as “public authorities” under the RTI Act. Since the BCCI operates without such funding, it will remain outside the law’s ambit — a position the board has consistently defended over the years despite numerous institutional recommendations to the contrary.

Exclusion of BCCI from RTI Under the Bill

The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 is designed to bring Indian sports governance into alignment with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters and internationally accepted best practices. It aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and global engagement in the management of sports in India.

Initially, Clause 15(2) of the draft defined any recognised national sports body as a “public authority” under the RTI Act, thereby opening up decision-making processes — such as team selection, funding, and contract awards — to public scrutiny. This would have included the BCCI.

However, this definition was later narrowed through an amendment. Under the revised clause, only organisations receiving direct government grants fall within the RTI’s scope — and even then, only in relation to how those funds are utilised. As the BCCI does not draw financial support from the central government, the amendment effectively excludes it from RTI obligations. This comes despite cricket’s expected inclusion in the Olympics and growing calls for greater openness in its administration.

BCCI’s Position and the Broader RTI Dispute

The BCCI continues to assert its autonomy as a private entity registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. It maintains that it is not a “public authority” under the RTI Act because it does not receive direct government funding, nor is it officially recognised as a sports federation by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

This position has been repeatedly contested by legal and quasi-legal bodies, arguing that the BCCI performs functions that are inherently public in nature.

Institutional Recommendations for RTI Inclusion

Several key institutions have argued that the BCCI should be subject to transparency regulations:

·       The Law Commission of India, in its 275th Report (2018), recommended that the BCCI be classified as a public authority.

·       It cited indirect financial benefits received by the board, including tax exemptions exceeding ₹2,100 crore between 1997 and 2007, as well as state-provided land at subsidised rates.

·       The Supreme Court, in a 2015 observation, noted that the BCCI performs “public functions”, including the selection of national cricket teams, use of national symbols, and exclusive control over the sport — activities made possible through implicit government approval.

The Justice R.M. Lodha Committee, appointed by the court, also criticised the BCCI’s decision-making culture as opaque and “a closed-door, back-room affair,” and called for the board’s inclusion under the RTI Act.

CIC’s Directive and BCCI’s Legal Resistance

In 2018, the Central Information Commission (CIC) issued a landmark directive, declaring the BCCI a “public authority” under the RTI Act. The Commission instructed the board to establish a mechanism for handling RTI queries and disclosures.

However, the BCCI challenged this directive in the Madras High Court, which issued a stay on its implementation, leaving the matter unresolved and in legal limbo.

What RTI Inclusion Would Mean for BCCI

If the BCCI were brought under the RTI framework, it would face unprecedented scrutiny. Citizens would be entitled to access a wide range of internal information, including:

·       Criteria for team selection

·       Details of broadcasting rights and media contracts

·       Infrastructure and development project tenders

·       Official appointments and employment practices

·       Minutes of meetings and financial reports

Such transparency would mark a dramatic shift in how the BCCI operates, compelling it to justify decisions not just to its internal stakeholders, but to the public.

Even though the Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that the BCCI is not a “state” body under Article 12 of the Constitution, it also held that the board is still subject to writ jurisdiction under Article 226. This means High Courts can intervene if BCCI’s actions are found to be arbitrary, non-transparent, or against public interest, further reinforcing the call for regulatory oversight.

IBC (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Referred to Parliamentary Select Committee

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been referred to a Select Committee of Parliament for further review. Aimed at improving efficiency, protecting stakeholder interests, and aligning India’s insolvency framework with global standards, the Bill introduces several key changes to streamline the resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

Main Objectives and Provisions of the Amendment

The proposed amendments focus on three primary areas: reducing procedural delays, maximising value for stakeholders, and introducing structural improvements to address complex insolvency scenarios.

Reducing Delays and Expediting Resolution

To address concerns around prolonged timelines in insolvency resolution, the Bill proposes strict procedural deadlines for the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). It mandates the NCLT to admit insolvency petitions within 14 days and to approve resolution plans within 30 days once they are submitted. This aims to minimise uncertainty for creditors and reduce time-sensitive value erosion.

In addition to judicial reforms, the Bill introduces the concept of creditor-initiated out-of-court resolutions. This provision allows insolvency proceedings to be conducted outside the courtroom in a faster, more cost-effective manner. By avoiding litigation, businesses can ensure continuity of operations while easing the caseload burden on the NCLT.

Maximising Value and Protecting Stakeholder Interests

To prevent viable businesses from being prematurely liquidated or stuck in legal limbo, the Bill provides for the restoration of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP). In exceptional situations where a resolution plan is either rejected or not approved, the Committee of Creditors (CoC) can formally request the NCLT to revive the CIRP once. This ensures a second opportunity to rescue the company and maximise returns for stakeholders, especially financial and operational creditors.

Strengthening Governance and Ensuring Better Compliance

The amendment includes forward-looking provisions that reflect the increasing complexity of insolvency cases in a globalised economy. It introduces a voluntary group insolvency framework, allowing stressed corporate entities within a domestic group to undergo joint resolution. Recognising the operational and financial interdependence among group companies, this approach aims to maximise overall recovery and avoid fragmented outcomes.

A significant step toward international alignment is the proposed cross-border insolvency framework, offering a basic legal structure for creditors to access overseas assets of distressed Indian companies. This aligns India’s laws with global insolvency standards and strengthens foreign creditor confidence.

Additionally, the Bill reaffirms the "clean slate principle", which stipulates that once a resolution plan is approved, all past claims and liabilities against the corporate debtor are extinguished, unless otherwise specified in the resolution plan. This offers legal certainty to resolution applicants and facilitates fresh capital infusion without the burden of legacy issues.

Background: Understanding the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016

Enacted in 2016, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) serves as India’s comprehensive legal framework for resolving insolvencies across all categories—corporate entities, partnerships, and individuals. The Code seeks to address market failures and rectify information asymmetries that previously hindered efficient exit options for failing businesses.

The IBC replaced India’s earlier “debtor-in-possession” model with a "creditor-in-control" regime, empowering financial institutions and creditors to drive the resolution process. By institutionalising time-bound insolvency proceedings and ensuring equitable treatment of creditors, the IBC represents a shift toward a modern, rule-based approach to insolvency management in India.

Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) Program

The Trump administration recently proposed discontinuing NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) program, a critical component of Earth’s atmospheric monitoring efforts.

What is the OCO Program?

The OCO program consists of a series of dedicated remote sensing satellites developed by NASA to monitor carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations in Earth''s atmosphere. These satellites play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of climate change and carbon cycles on a global scale.

Chronology of Missions:

The initial OCO satellite launch in February 2009 was unsuccessful due to a launch vehicle failure. NASA quickly developed a replacement, OCO-2, which was successfully launched in July 2014. This satellite closely followed the original design to minimize additional costs and delays.
Later, in 2019, NASA deployed OCO-3 to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission expanded the observational scope and offered new perspectives on carbon sources and sinks across various geographic regions.

Why the OCO Program Matters:

Data from the OCO missions has been instrumental for multiple scientific and practical applications. NASA and partner agencies have used this data to produce detailed global maps of plant growth, which are valuable not only for environmental science but also for agriculture, drought monitoring, rangeland management, and forest mapping. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with private agricultural firms, has utilized the satellite data to forecast crop yields and monitor drought severity, demonstrating the program''s relevance far beyond climate science.

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

The Government of India has approved four additional semiconductor manufacturing projects in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh, furthering its ambition under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

What is ISM?

The India Semiconductor Mission is an autonomous initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It operates as an independent business division of the Digital India Corporation.

Its core objective is to establish a robust semiconductor and display ecosystem in India, positioning the country as a key global player in electronics design and manufacturing.

Key Functions and Structure:

ISM is endowed with complete administrative and financial autonomy to develop the ecosystem, covering manufacturing, packaging, and design domains. It is also responsible for executing the Semicon India Programme and is advised by a board of renowned global semiconductor experts.

Semicon India Programme Overview:

Launched in 2021, the programme has a total outlay of ₹76,000 crore and is part of India’s strategy to build sustainable semiconductor and display capabilities.

The programme provides financial support to companies engaged in semiconductor manufacturing, display production, and the creation of design ecosystems. It actively promotes indigenous intellectual property development and facilitates technology transfers to encourage domestic innovation.

Schemes Under the Programme:

1.     Scheme to establish Semiconductor Fabs in India.

2.     Scheme for setting up Display Fabs.

3.     Scheme for developing facilities for Compound Semiconductors, Silicon Photonics, Sensors Fabs, and Semiconductor ATMP/OSAT units.

4.     Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, promoting chip design startups and IP creation.

ISM continues to act as the nodal agency ensuring coordinated and effective execution of all semiconductor-related initiatives under this programme.

Wallacean Hominids

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered possible artefacts linked to the earliest known Wallacean hominids on Sulawesi island, Indonesia, suggesting these ancient humans arrived much earlier than previously believed.

About Wallacean Hominids:

Previously, early humans such as Homo erectus were thought to have inhabited only Flores Island in Indonesia and Luzon Island in the Philippines, arriving around 1.02 million years ago. These populations were believed to lack the capability for long-distance sea travel, making the Sulawesi findings highly significant for understanding ancient human migration.

New Archaeological Findings:

A collaborative team of Australian and Indonesian archaeologists discovered small, stone tools in Soppeng, South Sulawesi. These artefacts—used to carve stones and butcher small animals—were found beneath layers of soil, pointing to human activity that predates the emergence of Homo sapiens.
This discovery challenges existing assumptions about early hominid mobility and cognitive abilities, indicating they may have navigated across the seas much earlier than previously documented.

About Wallacea:

Wallacea refers to a biogeographical region in Eastern Indonesia, encompassing islands such as Sulawesi, Flores, Timor, Lombok, and Sumbawa, located between Borneo and Java to the west and Australia and New Guinea to the east. The region is named after Alfred Russel Wallace, the naturalist who made significant contributions to evolutionary biology through his study of the area’s unique flora and fauna. Wallacea serves as a key zone for understanding early human dispersal across island Southeast Asia.

Chagas Disease

Despite the significant health and economic burden posed by Chagas disease, global investment in the research and development of new diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines remains alarmingly insufficient.

Overview
Also referred to as American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease is an infectious and inflammatory condition caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The primary mode of transmission is through contact with the triatomine bug, also known as the reduviid bug or more colloquially, the “kissing bug”, due to its tendency to bite people around the face.

The parasite resides in the feces of the triatomine bug, which often enters the human body through mucous membranes or breaks in the skin after the bug’s bite. However, infection can also occur via mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or childbirth, contaminated food and drinks, blood transfusions, organ transplants, and even laboratory accidents.

Chagas disease is endemic to South America, Central America, and Mexico, where triatomine bugs are widespread. In the early phase of infection, symptoms are often absent or mild, which allows the disease to go undetected. Over time, however, the parasites can spread through the bloodstream and invade body tissues, eventually resulting in chronic infections that damage the heart and digestive system.

Treatment
In the acute phase, treatment is aimed at eliminating the parasite entirely. However, once the disease progresses to the chronic stage, treatment is limited to symptom management, as complete eradication of the parasite is no longer feasible. Without timely treatment, Chagas disease can lead to life-threatening cardiac and gastrointestinal complications.

Rabies

The Supreme Court of India recently ordered the permanent confinement of stray dogs in Delhi, responding to a surge in rabies-related deaths. This judicial intervention has renewed attention on rabies, a preventable yet nearly always fatal disease that claims thousands of lives in India annually.

Understanding Rabies

Rabies is a deadly zoonotic viral disease caused by the Rabies virus (RABV). It is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). While several animals can transmit the virus, domestic dogs account for approximately 99% of human rabies cases.

The disease is spread primarily through bites, scratches, or exposure to saliva from infected animals via broken skin or mucous membranes. Although cats, bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and livestock may also act as vectors, dogs remain the dominant carriers in endemic regions.

Once the virus enters the body, it typically undergoes an incubation phase lasting from a few days to several months—commonly between 1 to 3 months. During this time, the virus remains dormant before migrating through peripheral nerves to the central nervous system, ultimately causing irreversible brain damage and death.

Initial symptoms include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site. As the disease progresses, it manifests in two distinct forms:

• Furious rabies, marked by hallucinations, hyperactivity, fear of water (hydrophobia) and air (aerophobia), and excessive salivation.
• Paralytic rabies, which leads to muscle weakness, gradual paralysis, coma, and death.

Rabies is 100% preventable if treated promptly. The key preventive strategy is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), involving a 4-dose vaccine series and Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) for those unvaccinated at the time of exposure. In high-risk groups, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is also recommended.

Immediate wound cleansing with soap and water is a critical first step. WHO-approved vaccines used in India include RABIVAX-S, VaxiRab N, and VERORAB. Children between 5–14 years are particularly vulnerable in areas where rabies is endemic.

18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA)

India is hosting the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) in 2025, drawing participation from over 300 young astronomers representing 64 countries. This global event is a platform for the brightest high-school students to showcase their talents in astronomy and astrophysics.

About the IOAA

The IOAA is one of the most prestigious global academic competitions for high-school students, aimed at testing their theoretical knowledge, data analysis proficiency, and observational astronomy skills. The 2025 edition will take place in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and is being organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Education.

The Olympiad seeks to foster scientific reasoning and critical thinking, while promoting international collaboration and cultural exchange among emerging scientists. It also aims to inspire young minds to pursue careers in astronomy, space research, and astrophysics.

This year’s edition is expected to be the largest ever, with participants engaging in a mix of written exams, data interpretation tasks, and night-sky observation exercises. India is using this opportunity to highlight its contributions to space science, from Aryabhatta’s early astronomical theories to contemporary achievements like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1.

Further, the event will spotlight STEM initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs and One Nation One Subscription, while also emphasizing India’s active role in global science collaborations like the Square Kilometre Array and LIGO-India.

Tato-II Hydroelectric Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a significant investment proposal amounting to ₹8,146.21 crore for constructing the Tato-II Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in the Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Tato-II project is designed as a 700 MW run-of-the-river hydro power facility on the Siyom river in Arunachal Pradesh. It will feature a hydro reservoir capacity of 56 million cubic meters and will be powered by four turbines, each with a capacity of 175 MW, combining to produce an estimated 2,738.06 million units of electricity annually.

This generated power is expected to significantly improve the energy supply not only in Arunachal Pradesh but also contribute to stabilizing the national power grid. The state will benefit directly through a 12% allocation of free power, along with an additional 1% allocated to the Local Area Development Fund (LADF).

The execution of the project will be carried out through a joint venture between the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. With its substantial investment and strategic location, the Tato-II HEP is anticipated to strengthen regional development and energy infrastructure.

Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR)

A recent incident involving a Kerala tourist who narrowly survived an elephant attack at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Karnataka has brought renewed attention to this vital conservation area.

Located across the Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts of southern Karnataka, BTR lies at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It forms an ecological confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats, highlighting its rich biodiversity. Historically, this region served as a hunting ground for the Mysore royal family.

BTR is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) to the northwest, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) to the south, and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) to the southwest. Two key rivers, Kabini to the north and Moyar to the south, help define the terrain.

Climatically, Bandipur experiences a tropical climate with well-defined wet and dry seasons. Its flora ranges from dry deciduous forests to mixed tropical vegetation, including species such as rosewood, sandalwood, Indian laurel, kino trees, and various bamboo varieties.

In terms of fauna, the reserve supports the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia, alongside other notable species like the Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, golden jackal, dhole, and four-horned antelope. This diverse ecosystem makes Bandipur a crucial node in India''s wildlife conservation network.

Mud Waves Beneath the Atlantic

A 2025 study published in Global and Planetary Change has uncovered a striking geological phenomenon: 117-million-year-old mud waves buried beneath the Atlantic Ocean floor near Guinea-Bissau. These structures provide a window into ancient oceanic processes from the Cretaceous period.

These mud waves are massive, rhythmic sedimentary formations sculpted by persistent bottom currents. In this case, they formed due to dense, saline water flows from the then-young North Atlantic Ocean into southern basins via the Equatorial Atlantic Gateway.

Measuring over 1 km in length and several hundred meters in height, these sedimentary waves lie nearly 1 km beneath the seafloor. Composed of layered sediments, they preserve evidence of ancient underwater density flows and ocean current patterns from 117 million years ago.

Their formation involved three main stages. First, saline waters from the northern Atlantic spilled into southern basins through newly formed oceanic passages. These flows collided with older, mud-rich waters, triggering large-scale underwater sediment avalanches. Over time, these dense currents continually reshaped and layered the sediments into giant wave-like structures, which were eventually buried and preserved beneath the seabed.

These findings deepen our understanding of deep-sea sediment transport, paleo-oceanography, and the evolution of the Atlantic Ocean, offering critical insights into Earth’s ancient climatic and oceanographic history.

The Atlantic Ocean, the second-largest ocean after the Pacific, is noted for its distinctive S-shape. It features a broad continental shelf in the northern region, the expansive Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and notable underwater structures such as the Puerto Rico Trench and Romanche Trench. It also includes major island groups and marginal seas like the Azores, Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico, and Baltic Sea.

State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH)

The State Health Regulatory Excellence Index, recently launched virtually by the Union Health Secretary, represents India’s first national initiative to systematically benchmark and enhance the performance of state drug regulatory frameworks. This unique, transparent, and data-driven index is aimed at reinforcing state-level mechanisms that govern drug regulation across the country.

Conceptualized by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), SHRESTH is intended to drive consistent improvements in the capabilities of state drug regulatory authorities. Its overarching goal is to uphold drug safety and maintain quality standards nationwide.

The index uses a differentiated approach for Manufacturing States and Primarily Distribution States, assigning 27 indicators to the former across five thematic categories: Human Resources, Infrastructure, Licensing Activities, Surveillance Activities, and Responsiveness. The latter group is assessed through 23 parameters, tailored to their distribution-centric role.

Each state will be responsible for uploading data based on these predefined metrics by the 25th of every month, after which the data will be scored on the 1st of the following month. These scores will then be shared with all states and Union Territories to encourage transparency and self-assessment.

SHRESTH functions as a virtual gap-assessment tool, empowering states to evaluate their current performance and progress towards maturity certification. Its significance lies in enabling strategic improvements in resource allocation, infrastructure development, and regulatory digitization. Ultimately, this initiative strives to ensure drug safety and equitable health standards for all Indians, regardless of their geographic location.

UNDP Equator Initiative Award

A notable recognition was recently conferred upon a self-help group (SHG) from a remote village in Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district of Karnataka, as it won the prestigious Equator Initiative Award from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The winning group, known as Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha, is a women-led SHG that actively operates across 30 villages in Karnataka, supporting over 5,000 farmers. The group champions millet cultivation through mixed cropping techniques, preservation of indigenous seed varieties, and the use of solar-powered processing machinery. By blending traditional agricultural wisdom with sustainable innovations, the group has been instrumental in promoting biodiversity restoration, improving food security, and generating livelihood opportunities for women and youth.

The Equator Initiative Award, regarded as the Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation, is a biennial recognition under the Equator Initiative of the UNDP. It honors outstanding community efforts that contribute to poverty reduction through the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. The award carries a cash prize of $10,000 and this year, its theme focused on “Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action.”

To qualify, community-led initiatives must demonstrate at least three years of active implementation and must operate in rural areas of UNDP-supported countries, or be Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in any country. Moreover, the project must be nature-based and show contributions towards at least two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

BHU-NEER Portal

The BHU-NEER portal, an innovative digital platform developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, was recently highlighted in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti. Launched in 2024, this platform aims to provide a robust regulatory framework for managing India’s groundwater resources.

Designed to simplify the application process for acquiring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for groundwater abstraction, BHU-NEER offers a streamlined and user-friendly interface. It caters to the needs of industries, infrastructure developers, and mining project proponents, making the process faster, more transparent, and efficient.

One of the key upgrades over its predecessor (NOCAP) includes a centralized database that gives users access to vital information about groundwater policies, compliance norms, and sustainable usage practices. It features a PAN-based single ID system, QR-coded NOCs, and a clearly laid-out application path, making it easier for users to navigate.

The portal is a crucial part of enforcing groundwater extraction guidelines aimed at preventing over-exploitation. It not only improves governance but also significantly contributes to the sustainable development and management of India’s groundwater, aligning with broader environmental conservation and water security goals.

UPSC: Marking 100 Years of Merit and Public Service (1925–2026)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will commemorate its centenary from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026, celebrating a century of transparent, merit-based recruitment to India''s civil services. Over the past 100 years, the UPSC has emerged as the country’s premier institution for fair and competitive selection of top-level government officers, committed to the principles of integrity, competence, and impartiality.

Originally established on 1 October 1926 under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919 and the recommendations of the Lee Commission (1924), the UPSC has consistently ensured meritocracy in public service. Its core mandate includes conducting rigorous examinations and interviews that are designed to select the most suitable candidates for administrative leadership, free from political or social bias.

The evolution of civil services in India dates back to the patronage-based system before 1854, when civil servants of the East India Company were nominated and trained at Haileybury College in London. In 1854, the Macaulay Reforms introduced competitive examinations for the Indian Civil Service (ICS), held in London starting 1855. Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to succeed in 1864.

By 1922, civil service exams began to be conducted in Allahabad and later in Delhi, supplementing those in London. In 1926, the Public Service Commission was formally established with Sir Ross Barker as its first chairman and four other members. It functioned under the Public Service Commission (Functions) Rules, 1926.

Following the Government of India Act, 1935, the Federal Public Service Commission was created in 1937. After India’s independence, the present-day Union Public Service Commission was constituted in 1950 with its powers and responsibilities defined under Articles 315 to 323 of the Constitution.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)

Launched on 15 August 2020, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan marks five years of nationwide anti-drug efforts aimed at reducing substance abuse, particularly in India’s most vulnerable districts. The campaign, led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), integrates prevention, awareness, treatment, and rehabilitation into a coordinated, community-driven approach.

The initiative targets 272 high-risk districts, identified using national surveys and data from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). It follows a three-pronged strategy involving supply reduction (led by NCB), demand reduction (through MoSJE outreach and awareness), and treatment (with support from the Health Department).

The programme empowers communities by involving youth, women, local bodies, and religious organizations in the fight against drug abuse. District- and state-level implementation committees, headed by senior officials, oversee campaign execution. Technological tools such as the NMBA app, website, and social media campaigns amplify outreach.

Notably, partnerships with organizations like Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, and ISKCON have driven mass mobilisation. The campaign has sensitized over 18 crore citizens, trained more than 20,000 Master Volunteers, and contributed to a reduction in drug-related crime, thereby strengthening social cohesion and improving public health outcomes.

Cess: Purpose and Current Challenges

As per the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report for 2023–24, the Central Government failed to transfer approximately ₹3.69 lakh crore collected through various cesses to the funds for which they were originally levied, raising concerns about accountability and fiscal transparency.

A cess is a tax-on-tax, imposed by the government for a specific purpose, such as the Swachh Bharat Cess for funding cleanliness initiatives. Unlike regular taxes like income tax or excise duty, which are general revenue sources, cess collections are meant to be earmarked for the stated objective until adequate funds have been raised.

The key distinction between tax and cess lies in utilization and revenue sharing. While revenues from standard taxes go into the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and are used for various public expenditures, cess collections are also initially credited to the CFI but can only be utilised for their specified purposes after appropriation by Parliament.

Additionally, the proceeds of taxes are mandatorily shared with state governments as per the Finance Commission recommendations, whereas cess revenues may or may not be shared, depending on government discretion. This lack of clarity often raises concerns about fiscal federalism and the efficiency of fund utilisation.

India’s Retail Inflation Falls to an Eight-Year Low

In July 2025, India’s retail inflation dropped to 1.55%, marking the lowest year-on-year inflation rate recorded since June 2017, as measured by the All India Consumer Price Index (CPI). The sharp fall in inflation reflects improving price stability in the economy.

Additionally, the year-on-year food inflation, as measured by the All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), recorded a notable decline, standing at -1.76% in July 2025. This is the lowest level witnessed since January 2019, suggesting a deflationary trend in food prices.

The primary reasons behind this drop include a favourable base effect, which refers to how inflation is calculated against the previous year''s data, making current growth appear lower when the base period saw high inflation. There has also been a significant decline in the inflation of various items, including pulses and related products, transportation and communication services, vegetables, cereals, and educational services.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracks the changes in the general price levels of goods and services commonly purchased by households for consumption. It is one of the most widely used macroeconomic indicators for measuring inflation. Governments and central banks use the CPI for inflation targeting, while it also functions as a deflator in national accounts and serves as a basis for calculating Dearness Allowance (DA) for employees.

The Central Statistical Office (CSO) publishes CPI data on the 12th of every month. At the national level, CPI data is available in four distinct categories:

·       CPI for Industrial Workers (IW)

·       CPI for Agricultural Labourers (AL)

·       CPI for Rural Labourers (RL)

·       CPI for Urban Non-Manual Employees (UNME)

The base year currently used for CPI calculation is 2012.

In contrast, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) measures inflation at the wholesale level and differs from the CPI primarily in its weighting pattern. For instance, food items hold a larger weight in the CPI, while the fuel group has greater significance in the WPI. This distinction means the two indices often reflect different inflation trends in the economy.

Open-Book Assessments (OBE) in CBSE Schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that Open-Book Assessments (OBE) will be introduced in Class 9 from the academic year 2026–27, following successful pilot studies and widespread teacher support. This shift aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for competency-based learning over rote memorization.

OBE allows students to consult pre-approved materials—including textbooks, class notes, and teacher-curated reference sheets—during exams. The emphasis is not on recall but on the application, interpretation, and synthesis of knowledge to solve complex, real-world problems.

The format was pilot-tested in the 2023–24 academic year for subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and Biology. Students reported reduced exam stress, and teachers noted improvements in critical thinking and analytical skills.

OBE requires learners to demonstrate conceptual clarity, quick referencing, and the ability to connect theoretical knowledge with practical scenarios. This marks a pedagogical shift towards deeper learning and aligns Indian school assessments with global best practices found in higher education systems.

Beyond academic benefits, the model also supports inclusive education, accommodating diverse learning styles. Its flexible design makes it suitable for adaptation across subjects and grades in the future.