India’s ‘year of reforms’ in defence

• In a first, the ministry of defence has announced that it will observe 2025 as the “Year of Reforms”. This is in backdrop of Indian defence production increasing by over 50% from FY21 to FY24, and exports increasing 31 times over the last decade, though on a small base. This has been achieved through policy measures like prioritising indigenisation, implementing multiple positive indigenisation lists, and easing the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy.
• Now with Aero India, Union Budget, and a revision of the Defence Acquisition Policy (DAP), 2020, around the corner, there is a lot to look forward to. The dream of a Viksit Bharat in 2047 thus rests on the steps we take. These can be encapsulated in the following
• Innovation: To propel innovation, research and development (R&D) needs to be included within the ambit of indigenous content. Further, while the Make in India programmes and Technology Development Fund (TDF) are promising at fostering innovation, however conditions such as “resident control” restrict their application and thus need reconsideration.
• Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO): India’s MRO market is set to grow to $4 billion by 2031, according to Niti Aayog. With low-cost, English-speaking and diverse engineering talent, we have the potential not only to fill this demand gap but also to become a global MRO hotspot.
• Given the synergy of civil aerospace and defence, this will yield both economic as well as strategic benefits in the coming years. While the government has taken care of the goods and services tax (GST) rate on MRO and reduced it to 5% from 18%, the government could make it exempt in order to make it competitive vis-à-vis other MRO hubs like Singapore.
• Procurement overhaul: It’s no hidden secret that the entire weapons acquisitions process hasn’t kept pace with time, and the Indian government has acknowledged that these procedures need to be made simpler and time-sensitive. The industry thus looks forward to a procurement overhaul, with international best practices being adapted into the new system.
• Appropriate incentives: India’s success with concessional manufacturing tax rates and production-linked incentive (PLI) suggests it’s time to expand the scheme to defence and extend the 15% concessional corporate tax rate to defence manufacturers.
• Capital and capability: Still in its nascent stages, the Indian defence sector requires not only capital infusion but also capability to flow from advanced economies.
• This may be enabled by allowing wholly-owned subsidiaries of foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to be permitted as “Indian vendors” (that is without the restriction of control and ownership) in all acquisition categories under the DAP 2020. This will help facilitate intellectual property rights — restricted for transfer (due to regulatory or strategic reasons) — which remains challenging in the existing 49% to 74% cap under the DAP 2020.
• Tenable budgets: With capital expenditures having a mere 6% increase last year under fiscal pressures and India declaring 2025 as the year of defence reforms, there needs to be a significant increase in capital expenditure to match India’s strategic aspirations.
• Indigenous content: DAP 2020 puts a requirement on OEMs to source 50-60% local content from India.
•  In stark contrast to our ambitious indigenous content thresholds, even major defence exporters such as the United States and China are among the world’s 15 largest importers according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, indicating the practical difficulty in having a locally concentrated supply chain.
•  Thus, with India lacking a large portion of the raw materials required, it may be in the best interest of our strategic aspiration to rationalise the threshold to around 30%, like the offset regime.
• Further, the extant definition of indigenous content in DAP 2020 emphasises manufacturing but does not incentivise OEMs for crucial services such as engineering support, after-sales support, and skill development; lack of incentives deters OEMs from contributing to India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, hindering its growth.
• Additionally, the absence of strategic multipliers for domestic sourcing/investment in defence industrial corridor and micro, small, and medium enterprises with a lack of clarity on computational and procedural aspects causes their own hardships.

India’s road to indigenisation

• A close engagement between the private industry and the government is critical to achieve a robust and innovative defence policy alongside adequate budgetary allocations.
• The good news is that there is a concerted effort by the government to continuously engage with industry to understand their concerns and shape their actions. As we step into the year of defence reforms and with revisions in the DAP 2020 imminent, we hope this continued collaboration helps realise our aatma-nirbharta (self-reliance) dream sooner than expected.

India and Argentina sign MOU’s on LNG  

•  In a significant move to bolster energy relations between South American nation Argentina and India, YPF, Argentina’s state-owned energy company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three major Indian firms—Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (OIL), Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Videsh Limited (OVL).
•  This partnership aims to facilitate the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Argentina to India, with an ambitious target of up to 10 million tons per year (MTPA), which is equivalent to 47 million cubic meters per day, roughly 30% of Argentina’s current natural gas production.

A Game-Changing LNG Agreement

• The 10 MTPA LNG agreement marks a new chapter in energy cooperation between the two countries. YPF and its strategic partner Petronas are spearheading a massive LNG project centered around the Vaca Muerta shale gas reserves, one of the world’s largest unconventional gas formations.
• Located on the east coast of Argentina, around 600 kilometers from the Vaca Muerta formation, this project is set to produce 30 million tons of LNG annually, placing it among the largest LNG initiatives globally. The first exports are expected to begin by 2029, with an onshore terminal to follow by 2031.

 India: A Critical Market for Argentina’s Energy Future

• India’s growing energy needs and efforts to diversify its energy sources make it a crucial partner for Argentina’s LNG exports. “India will be the engine of the world in the next decade… This project is about more than just small buyers; it’s about building a long-term relationship,”.
• YPF views India not only as a buyer but also as a key partner in its broader energy strategy. “We are convinced that the country has an opportunity to become an energy exporter and achieve the industry-wide goal of generating $30 billion in revenue over the next 10 years,” .

The Vaca Muerta Shale Gas and LNG Project

• YPF’s Vaca Muerta shale gas reserves have been at the heart of the company’s energy plans. Marin explained that five years ago, the necessary infrastructure, legal framework, and financial stability were lacking to realize the full potential of Vaca Muerta.
• With the improved economic and political landscape, Argentina is now primed to become a major energy exporter. The involvement of India in the LNG agreement is seen as a turning point, signalling a renewed commitment to growing the energy sector.

Expanding Beyond LNG: Lithium and Critical Minerals Cooperation

• In addition to LNG, the MoU also includes significant cooperation in lithium and other critical minerals—resources that are essential to the transition to renewable energy and the production of electric vehicles.
• Argentina holds 67% of the world’s proven lithium reserves, making it a key player in the global lithium market, a central element in India’s push towards electric mobility and renewable energy.
• As reported previously by FinancialExpress in 2024, Argentina’s Lithium Triangle, spans Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, offers an abundant supply of the precious mineral. This region’s lithium reserves are critical to meeting the growing demand for battery storage solutions for solar power plants and electric vehicles.
• Indian mining companies have already begun exploring lithium in Argentina’s Catamarca province, and with the new MoU, these collaborations are set to expand.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

• This MoU comes amid deepening diplomatic ties between Argentina and India. Argentina’s Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, led a high-profile delegation to India in October 2024, underscoring the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy, agriculture, and minerals.
• During this visit, discussions focused on Argentina’s critical role in India’s energy security and the increasing importance of lithium in trade.
• The signing of the MoU with YPF , which took place in New Delhi, was witnessed by senior officials from both countries, including Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Future Prospects: A Collaborative Approach to Clean Energy

• As Argentina positions itself as a leader in renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure, this MoU with India is a step toward ensuring both nations secure the critical resources needed for their energy transitions.
• The partnership is expected to drive forward technological innovation, particularly in the fields of lithium extraction, battery production, and green hydrogen.

India- France to Strenghten Defence and Technology Co –operation.

•  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much-anticipated visit to Paris next month is expected to solidify India-France defense and technology ties, with two major defense deals likely to be finalized during the trip. In addition to attending the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, Modi’s visit will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in defense, maritime security, and emerging technologies.

Key Defense deals worth over $10 bn

• As part of the ongoing defense cooperation between India and France, two significant deals are expected to be announced during PM Modi’s visit. These include the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets and three additional Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy.
• The combined value of these deals exceeds $10 billion, marking a major milestone in the strategic defense partnership between the two nations.
• According to sources, the deals are currently under review and are expected to be placed before India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval in the coming weeks. The Rafale-M fighters, designed for aircraft carriers, will enhance India’s naval air capabilities, while the additional submarines will strengthen its underwater combat power.

Focus on Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific

• A key element of the India-France strategic partnership is their shared commitment to ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, India and France held their 7th Maritime Cooperation Dialogue on January 14, 2025, in New Delhi.
• The discussions were co-chaired by India’s Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor and France’s Alice Rufo, Director General for International Relations and Strategy at the French Ministry for the Armed Forces.
• Both sides reaffirmed their vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and committed to enhancing cooperation to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime security. This includes tackling threats such as piracy, maritime terrorism, and illegal unreported fishing. They also discussed cybersecurity and marine pollution challenges, with both nations agreeing to strengthen existing mechanisms like the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and Regional Coordination Operations Centre in Seychelles.
• Moreover, India and France have committed to collaborating on biodiversity conservation and sustainable ocean governance in the region, with a focus on preserving marine resources through platforms like the United Nations Ocean Conference.

AI Summit to Highlight Global Technological Cooperation

• In addition to defense and maritime discussions, PM Modi’s visit to Paris will include participation in the AI Action Summit on February 11-12, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a statement on January 10, 2024, confirmed that the summit will bring together leading nations including the US, China, India, and Gulf States to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications on global governance, innovation, and society. The summit will focus on five key themes: public interest AI, the future of work, AI’s role in innovation, trust in AI, and global AI governance.
• India’s role in AI and digital technologies will be underlined during this event, reinforcing the nation’s growing influence in the global technology landscape. India’s interest in collaborating with France on high-end technologies, including AI and aerospace, has been underscored by discussions between the two nations in recent months.

Misri’s Visit to France Strengthens Bilateral Ties

• Ahead of the visit, India and France engaged in a series of foreign office consultations in Paris, co-chaired by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and French Ministry Secretary-General Anne-Marie Descotes. This meeting covered a wide array of topics, including ongoing global crises like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle East tensions, along with discussions on trade, cybersecurity, AI, and space cooperation.
• The talks also highlighted the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, an initiative aimed at expanding bilateral ties across defense, trade, and high-tech sectors. This roadmap, unveiled in July 2023, serves as a guide for India and France to enhance collaboration on emerging technologies and foster people-to-people exchanges.

Looking Ahead: A Stronger India-France Strategic Partnership

• As PM Modi’s visit to Paris draws nearer, the focus will be on the multifaceted aspects of India-France cooperation, from defense and maritime security to technological and environmental cooperation.
• The expected defense deals, along with advancements in AI and cybersecurity collaboration, will ensure that India continues to strengthen its global defense capabilities and technological infrastructure.
•  Meanwhile, the partnership’s commitment to maritime security will bolster stability in the Indian Ocean, a region of growing strategic importance.
• With both nations keen on expanding their bilateral ties, especially in high-end technology sectors, PM Modi’s visit to Paris is set to mark a new chapter in the India-France strategic relationship, with tangible benefits for both countries in the years ahead.

Indian Navy completes hydrographic survey of 25,000 sq. nautical miles of Mauritius

• INS Sarvekshak completed the final phase of the hydrographic survey of Mauritius covering an extensive area of over 25,000 sq. nautical miles.
• The Indian Navy’s INS Sarvekshak completed the final phase of the hydrographic survey of Mauritius covering an extensive area of over 25,000 square nautical miles. The fair sheet of the hydrographic survey, along with newly prepared nautical charts and survey equipment were formally handed over to Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool by High Commissioner of India to Mauritius 
• The creation of new nautical chart will enable Mauritius to develop its maritime infrastructure, resource management and coastal development planning.
• This milestone event reflects enduring partnership between India and Mauritius, reflecting shared commitment to regional development and deeper bilateral cooperation in line with the government''s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).
• Hydrography deals with the measurement and description of the physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes and rivers, as well as with the prediction of their change over time, for the primary purpose of safety of navigation and in support of all other marine activities, including economic development, security and defence, scientific research and environmental protection. In addition to supporting safe and efficient navigation of ships, hydrography underpins almost every other activity associated with the sea, including:
• i) Resource exploitation (fishing, minerals)
• ii) Environmental protection and management
• iii) Maritime boundary delimitation
• iv) National marine spatial data infrastructure
• v) Recreational boating
• vi) Maritime defence and security
• vii) Tsunami flood and inundation modelling
• viii) Coastal zone management
• ix) Tourism
• x) Marine science.

What is the significance of hydrographic survey?

• In the past, many artisanal shelters and fishing ports were built at convenient locations, with no particular attention paid to such environmental factors as wave heights, sudden changes in water depths, uncharted reefs, currents, tidal streams, seaweed and mobile beaches (sand drift).
• Many of the structures were subsequently expanded and, in countless cases around the world, many of the problems that used to be considered minor have now developed into major ones, with some shelters, for example, fouling up with seaweed or silting up (shelter mouth facing the wrong direction) or just being inaccessible in rough weather (reefs too close to entrance channel).
• A hydrographic survey, also known as a bathymetric survey, is therefore essential if the correct design decisions are to be made right from the project inception stage to ensure that the landing is easy to use and free of major maintenance problems under all conditions.
• Hydrographic surveys are required for a wide variety of purposes, ranging from simple reconnaissance (at project formulation, for instance) to payment for work carried out underwater, such as dredging or reclamation.
• The results from a hydrographic survey are normally plotted to produce a bathymetric contour map, which is a plan of the depth of the sea bed arranged in such a manner as to show lines of equal depth from the coastline.

Hydrographic surveys in India

• The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) functions under the chief hydrographer to the government of India. 
• The department, being the nodal agency for hydrographic surveys and nautical charting in India, has a very well-established organisational setup.
• The INHD has indigenously built modern survey ships including one Catamaran Hull Survey Vessel (CHSV) fitted with state-of-the-art surveying equipment. 
• The National Hydrographic Office, situated in Dehradun, is mandated with the responsibility of publication of nautical charts and other publications for navigation at sea.
• The National Institute of Hydrography (NIH), Goa, an integral part of the INHD, has the national responsibility for conduct of hydrographic training and functions under the overall professional supervision of the chief hydrographer.
• Surveys are conducted in strict compliance with the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) standards. The department also pioneered in making official Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for Indian waters. 
• INHD is committed to capacity building in the Southeast Asian region and conducts training to personnel from countries in the region and some of the African nations. 
• The department has also signed MoU with various countries for surveying their waters as part of international cooperation.

India Celebrates Parakram Diwas 2025 to honour the legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the occasion of his 128th Birth anniversary

• On the occasion of Parakram Diwas 2025, a grand celebration is set to unfold from 23^rd January to 25^th January, 2025 at Barabati fort in the historic city of Cuttack, the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The multifaceted celebration will honour the legacy of Netaji on his 128^th birth anniversary. The three day event, scheduled for 23^rd-25^th January, 2025.
• Continuing the tradition, this year the Parakram Diwas celebration is being organised by the Ministry of Culture at Cuttack, Netaji’s birthplace and the city that shaped his early sensibilities
• Parakram Diwas highlights Netaji’s bravery and determination in the face of adversity. It reminds of his leadership in the Indian National Army (INA), where he united Indian soldiers to fight against British rule.
• Born on January 23, 1897, Subhas Chandra Bose was the son of Janakinath Bose, a lawyer who had migrated to Cuttack, Odisha in the 1880s. The city, with its rich history and vibrant intellectual traditions, shaped the formative years of a boy who would grow to challenge the might of the British empire.
• In January 1909, Subhas Chandra Bose joined the Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Cuttack. This monumental stage of his life marked the beginning of an intellectual and moral awakening.
• Bose was deeply influenced by the visionary teachings of his headmaster, Beni Madhab Das, who instilled in him a sense of purpose and integrity.
•  Complementing this foundation were the philosophical teachings of Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand and Sri Aurobindo Ghosh, whose ideals of nationalism and self-realization became guiding principles for Bose throughout his life.
• Odisha’s illustrious history of student activism also intertwines with Netaji’s rise. In 1939, when Bose was elected as President of the Indian National Congress in Tripuri, he was supported by many young leaders, including Harekrushna Mahtab, who later became the Chief Minister of Odisha. Mahtab, as a young student leader, actively participated in the session, reflecting Odisha’s enduring spirit of resistance and reform
• His role in establishing the Azad Hind Government is also significant as it showed his deep commitment to India’s freedom struggle.
• This day acts as a reminder of how far India has come and what values we should continue to uphold for progress and unity.
• Career in Civil Services: In 1921, Bose excelled in the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination in England. However, his passion for India’s freedom made him resign from this prestigious career and return to India to work for independence.
• In 1921 he resigned from the Indian Civil Service and returned to India.
• Netaji worked under the mentorship of prominent Congress leader Chittaranjan Das who, along with Motilal Nehru, left the Congress Party to form the Swaraj Party in 1922.

Subhas Chandra Bose :  A Towering Leader

• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was an embodiment of pristine purity. Like a meteor, he rose up the Indian skies and illuminated the horizons with his luminous personality. The humble beginning of Netaji’s journey as an intrepid leader began in Cuttack; he continues to inspire the youth of Odisha and beyond.
• His life is a testament to the ideals of resilience, innovation, and a fiercely patriotic commitment to the nation. Despite being born into a rich family, Netaji chose a path of self-sacrifice and discipline.
• His resignation from the Indian Civil Services to join the freedom movement exemplifies the courage to prioritize values over personal gain. Netaji’s leadership left a deep impact on our nation building.
• Netaji was a towering leader with an unwavering faith in the greatness of India. He envisioned an India free from the divisions of caste, language, religion and region, united by the thread of a sublime national unity.
• He said, “Though geographically, ethnologically and historically, India presents an endless diversity to any observer, there is nonetheless a fundamental unity underlying this diversity”.
• It was his deep commitment towards promoting the essential unity of India that prompted Mahatma Gandhi to write: “The greatest achievement of the INA under the leadership of Netaji was to gather under one banner men of all religions and races of India and to infuse into them the spirit of solidarity and oneness, to the utter exclusion of all communal and parochial sentiments. It is an example we should emulate.
• In 1923, Bose was elected president of the All India Youth Congress.
• Bose actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and opposed the suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement, criticizing the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931.
• In 1938 and 1939, he was elected President of the Indian National Congress (INC). During this time, he pushed for more radical action against British rule.
• In 1939, he founded the Forward Bloc, a group within the Congress aiming to strengthen resistance against the British. This marked his shift towards more aggressive nationalism
• During World War II, Bose saw an opportunity to use global tensions to his advantage.
• In 1942, he formed the Indian National Army (INA), consisting of Indian soldiers who were prisoners of war under the British.
• The INA fought alongside Axis powers (mainly Japan) against the British in Southeast Asia. His famous slogan, "Give me blood, and I will give you freedom", inspired millions of Indians to join the struggle for independence.
• The INA''s primary objective was to liberate India from British rule by attacking British-occupied territories, including in Burma and India itself.
• Bose’s famous slogans, “Jai Hind” and “Dilli Chalo,” became rallying cries for the INA and the Indian freedom movement.
• On October 21, 1943, Bose declared the formation of the Azad Hind Government in Singapore, with the INA fighting alongside Japanese forces.
•  Netaji exemplifies the ideals of resilience, embedded in a non-dogmatic and non-doctrinaire approach. The INA he set up was a product of his unconventional and alternative approach to secure the country’s freedom.
• Netaji inspired INA with three powerful words, which became their credo: ‘ITTEFAQ, ITEMAD aur QURBANI” — Ekta, Viswas aur Thyag — Unity, Faith and Sacrifice.
• In the Amrit Kaal, if our Amrit Peedi follows these ideals of Netaji, they can help India attain her destined greatness, which Hon’ble Prime Minister has articulated in his vision of a Vikasit Bharat by the centenary of the country’s Independence. This shall be the greatest tribute, we can pay to the memory and sacrifice of Netaji.

Space telescopes stumble on rule-breaking black hole in early universe

LID-568, a black hole that existed just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, was found feeding on a cloud of matter at almost 40-times faster than the upper limit

• An international team of researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Chandra X-ray observatory has discovered a bizarre black hole that may provide insights into the genesis and growth of supermassive black holes.
• Supermassive black holes exist at the center of most galaxies, and modern telescopes continue to observe them at surprisingly early times in the universe’s evolution. It’s difficult to understand how these black holes were able to grow so big so rapidly.
• But with the discovery of a low-mass supermassive black hole feasting on material at an extreme rate so soon after the birth of the universe, astronomers now have valuable new insights into the mechanisms of rapidly growing black holes in the early universe.
• The black hole, called LID-568, was hidden among thousands of objects in the Chandra X-ray Observatory’s COSMOS legacy survey, a catalog resulting from some 4.6 million seconds of Chandra observations.
• This population of galaxies is very bright in the X-ray light, but invisible in optical and previous near-infrared observations.
• By following up with Webb, astronomers could use the observatory’s unique infrared sensitivity to detect these faint counterpart emissions, which led to the discovery of the black hole.
• The speed and size of these outflows led the team to infer that a substantial fraction of the mass growth of LID-568 may have occurred in a single episode of rapid accretion.
• LID-568 appears to be feeding on matter at a rate 40 times its Eddington limit.
• This limit relates to the maximum amount of light that material surrounding a black hole can emit, as well as how fast it can absorb matter, such that its inward gravitational force and outward pressure generated from the heat of the compressed, infalling matter remain in balance.
• These results provide new insights into the formation of supermassive black holes from smaller black hole “seeds,” which current theories suggest arise either from the death of the universe’s first stars (light seeds) or the direct collapse of gas clouds (heavy seeds). Until now, these theories lacked observational confirmation.
• LID-568 is a low-mass supermassive black hole that existed only 5 billion years after the Big Bang (when the universe was around 8 years old in human terms).
• This black hole was found to be feeding (eating matter) at an incredibly fast rate—40 times faster than what scientists thought was the upper limit for black holes.
• It''s a "super-Eddington" black hole, meaning it is pulling in matter at a rate higher than the normal limit.
• Why Is This Important? 
• Normally, black holes can only pull in matter until the energy from the material (as it heats up and radiates) pushes back, preventing the black hole from growing any faster. This is known as the Eddington limit.
• LID-568 is breaking this rule by feeding at a much higher rate, which has puzzled scientists.
• This discovery could change how we think about the growth of supermassive black holes, especially how they became so massive in the early universe when there wasn''t enough time or matter to feed them for long periods.

J&K Officials Turn to Geo-Tagging to Conserve Iconic Chinar Trees Amid Urbanisation Surge

• Authorities in Kashmir are geo-tagging the culturally significant Chinar trees for creating a comprehensive database for their management and better conservation. This is being done under the Jammu and Kashmir government’s "Digital Tree Aadhaar" programme, led by Forest Research Institute (FRI) of the territory’s forest department.
• The campaign involves the use of Geographical Information System (GIS). Under the process, QR-based digital plate is affixed to each surveyed Chinar tree using a specialised spring-enabled metal.
• Each tree is given a unique ID like Aadhaar specifying the year the tree is surveyed, the district it is located and a serial number for easy identification.
• These QR codes record information such as geographical location, heath, age and growing patterns to help forest conservationists in tracking changing patterns and addressing arising risks.
• The initiative aimed at documenting and conserving the majestic trees, whose numbers have dwindled significantly over the last few decades, was launched in 2021. A total of 28,560 trees have been geo-tagged to create a comprehensive database. Official statistics reveal that between 2021 and 2022, 8,000 chinar trees have been geo-tagged and assigned unique Tree Aadhaar numbers. 
• In 2022-23, 10,000 chinar trees got such numbers. An additional 10,000 chinar trees were being geo-tagged during the current fiscal year. 

Dwindling Chinars

• The Chinar tree is a majestic deciduous species from the Platanaceae family, which attains a height of 30 metres. The trees whose leaves turn a vivid shade of golden and red in winters are an inseparable part of the region’s storied cultural heritage. Over the last few decades, the chinar had seen a significant drop in numbers.
• The government imposed a blanket on the felling and lopping of the chinar trees in 2009. In 2019, it further proscribed the nailing of hoardings onto the chinar trees. The digital documentation was an attempt to preserve the trees and they were trying to geo-tag each tree, even those located in restricted zones. 
• We are preserving that data in the heritage registers of each district. Each district will have its own heritage register so that the credible data is readily available and new data can be added when new ones are planted," .
• The Chinar trees are culturally and ecologically significant in the valley. However, hundreds of them have been lost over a decade amid rising urbanisation, road-widening projects and diseases.
• These trees take about 150 years to grow to their full size of 30 metres in height with girth of 10–15 metres at the ground level. The campaign has revealed that the highest number of chinar trees in the valley is found in Srinagar, followed by Ganderbal, Anantnag and Baramulla districts.
• "In terms of girth, we have recorded the biggest chinar tree in Ganderbal district [in central Kashmir] whose girth is 74 feet. That is the world''s third largest chinar tree in terms of girth.

Analyzing the Role of iSNR in Helping Indian Rubber Industry Meet EU Deforestation Requirements

• The iSNR is an initiative by the Rubber Board of India, designed to facilitate compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for the Indian rubber ecosystem.
• It aids exporters, processors, and traders by providing essential compliance tools such as traceability certificates, due diligence declarations, and geolocation data sets (GeoJson) necessary for the EU Import System (EUIS). This platform streamlines the compliance process, making it more efficient for stakeholders involved in the rubber supply chain targeting EU markets
• iSNR is one of the initiatives focused on some of the critical sustainability challenges that exist in the rubber industry.
•  Not causing deforestation through the production of rubber, it also supports EUDR in terms of traceability and sustainable sourcing for commodities that enter the European market.
• It provides a traceability certificate ensuring the origin of rubber products that makes compliance under EU regulations very easy for stakeholders in any part of the supply chain. The certification shall help Indian rubber manufacturers increase their market access abroad, specifically in Europe.
  The government of India has launched some additional steps to improve efficiency in the rubber sector.
• For example, the Rubber Board has also floated INR Konnect, under the programme, an online system that connects the grower with a potential adopter for the upgrading of plantation productivity. It can provide accreditation apart from training of production management and sustainable practices along with maintaining a database of certified tappers.

The Sustainability Challenge

• Natural rubber is basically derived from the Hevea brasiliensis tree and thus holds much importance for many sectors around the world. India happens to be the world''s fifth largest producer and the second largest consumer of natural rubber, according to Times of India reports.
• However, both natural and synthetic rubber have environmental problems in their production. The former is a by-product of petroleum, but the contribution of synthetic rubber to environmental degradation is much higher.
• Farming for natural rubber contributes to deforestation and carbon emission if not carried out in a sustainable way.
• These challenges call for responses from the part of the iSNR initiative, through responsible farming. The program does not increase deforestation and maintains the ecosystem so that the Indian rubber industry will be of less environmental impact.
• International and National Impact
  Introduction of iSNR is in tandem with India''s sustainability agenda and international commitments. With increasing global demand for sustainable practices especially in the like of EU, the initiative positions Indian rubber producers to meet stringent market requirements.
• The emphasis on sustainability is crucially important, as the world grapples with rising global temperatures and intensifying environmental concerns.
• Traceability and certification mechanisms under the aegis of iSNR assist in the fight against climate change even as the rubber industry remains commercially viable.
• Government Support and Industry Participation
  During the event, George Kurian emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the natural rubber sector. He announced plans to gradually increase subsidies for rubber cultivation, signaling a focus on fostering sectoral growth.

India''s National CCUS Mission: Decarbonising Power, Steel And Cement For Net-Zero

• India plans a national Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) mission to decarbonize sectors like thermal power, iron, steel, and cement.
•  India has started working to formalise a national Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) mission to decarbonise high-emission sectors such as thermal power, iron and steel, and cement. The initiative aligns with the nation''s commitment to halving carbon emissions by 2050 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Incentives for Development of Carbon Capture Technology 

• Some proposal under this mission includes ensuring of CCUS technology in India and giving incentives to the manufacturer producing equipment of CCUS from software technological and settings.
•  In her July 2024 budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised transitioning "hard-to-abate" industries from energy efficiency targets to emission reduction goals. She also outlined plans to shift these sectors from the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme to the Indian Carbon Market model.
• High-level deliberations are underway to operationalize carbon trading markets and incentivize industries adopting low-emission technologies.
•  Relief for Coal-Based Power The CCUS mission is likely to take some pressure off coal-based power, as the latter still accounts for 70% of India''s energy needs. Even though renewable capacity is growing, coal will still be the source of power for the country, as an additional 85 GW of thermal capacity are planned by 2032. CCUS could help address global pressures to tax polluting energy sources.
•  Challenges and Industry Support CCUS technology remains expensive due to the lack of scale. The mission follows over a year of discussions among ministries and the NITI Aayog. Experts,advocate for measures like viability gap funding (VGF) and production-linked incentives (PLI) to drive large-scale adoption. "India can adopt a hybrid investment strategy to fund early-stage CCUS projects, reduce risks for private players, and make these projects viable
•  A national CCUS mission could encourage manufacturers and accelerate emissions reduction efforts.
• The International Energy Agency highlights that CCUS involves capturing carbon dioxide from large sources, compressing it, and transporting it for applications or storage in geological formations such as depleted reservoirs or saline aquifers.
• With global momentum building around carbon capture, India’s CCUS mission could serve as a pivotal step toward sustainable industrial growth and climate goals.