I.              Air India Crash Under Investigation as India’s Aviation Safety Ratings Remain Robust

Introduction

• The tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the loss of 241 lives, has reignited concerns about aviation safety in India.
• Nonetheless, international aviation authorities—the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—have reaffirmed India’s solid performance in areas such as airworthiness and operational safety.
• The crash investigation is being conducted in accordance with globally accepted protocols.

India’s Standing in Global Aviation Safety

• As the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, trailing only the U.S. and China, India has made significant strides in civil aviation safety over the past ten years.
• In November 2022, ICAO conducted an audit of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
• India earned an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 85.65%, a substantial improvement from 69.95% in 2018.
• This score placed India above the global average in all eight critical safety areas, including legislation, licensing, operations, airworthiness, investigations, and more.

Performance Across Core Safety Metrics

• Two standout areas in ICAO’s audit—operations and airworthiness—underscored India’s robust safety framework:
• Operations: India scored 94.02%, outperforming the global average of 72.28%, and even surpassing the U.S. (86.51%) and China (90%) in their latest assessments.
• Airworthiness: India achieved an impressive 97.06%, ahead of the U.S. (89.13%) and China (94.83%).

FAA Category 1 Status

• In October 2021, the U.S. FAA audited India’s DGCA, focusing on operational safety, airworthiness, and licensing procedures.
• Following successful evaluation, India retained its Category 1 status under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA).
• By April 2023, the FAA officially confirmed that India remains compliant with ICAO safety oversight standards, enabling Indian airlines to operate and expand services to the U.S. and enter code-sharing agreements with American carriers.

AI-171 Crash and International Investigative Collaboration

• Given that the crashed aircraft was a U.S.-manufactured Boeing, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) joined the investigation.
• The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) also became involved due to the presence of British nationals among the victims.
• Per ICAO norms, Boeing and engine maker GE are also actively contributing to the inquiry.

Why Global Endorsements Matter

• Endorsements from ICAO and FAA serve as operational validations, not just reputational markers. They affirm a nation’s capability to maintain safe, globally compatible aviation systems.
• For India, such endorsements are essential—not only for maintaining international flight operations and partnerships but also for reinforcing public trust during crises.
• Despite the AI-171 tragedy, India’s robust audit outcomes and regulatory compliance illustrate that one-off incidents should not overshadow long-term systemic progress.
• As India continues expanding airports, upgrading fleets, and enhancing regional air connectivity, maintaining global credibility remains crucial.

Way Ahead:

• India’s aviation authority faces the dual responsibility of managing swift industry growth while upholding stringent safety standards.
• The AI-171 crash is a somber reminder of the need for transparency and continuous improvement.
• However, India''s strong compliance with international protocols and high safety ratings place it in a good position to recover and advance.
• Steps such as enhanced personnel training, AI-driven predictive maintenance, and routine compliance audits can further bolster safety.
• Ultimately, the goal must be to align growth with vigilance and to keep aviation safety as a foremost national priority.

II.             Iran-Israel Conflict and its Impact on India:

Just as global shipping was beginning to stabilize with traffic returning to the Red Sea, renewed tensions between Iran and Israel have reignited concerns about rising oil prices and global trade disruptions. These fears recently contributed to a 573-point drop in the Sensex. Analysts warn that Iran might obstruct the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for 20–25% of the world’s oil flow and major LNG exports from Qatar and the UAE, both vital to India''s energy supply.

Economic Implications of the Iran-Israel Tensions for India

1.     Threat to Growth and Price Stability: India’s dependence on oil imports makes it particularly vulnerable. A $10-per-barrel increase in crude oil could reduce India’s GDP growth by 0.3 percentage points and push consumer inflation up by 0.4 percentage points. This could undo recent inflationary relief — retail inflation dropped to a 75-month low of 2.82% in May 2025, prompting the RBI to cut the repo rate by 50 basis points.
Rising oil costs mean Indian refineries need more dollars to pay for crude, weakening the rupee and making imports more expensive — aggravating the current account deficit.

2.     Energy Supply Risks:  While no direct hits have been reported on oil infrastructure, the risk remains. Iran’s refineries (which can process 2.8 million barrels daily) haven’t been damaged, but its crude exports may fall below 1.5 million barrels/day, according to S&P Global, adding uncertainty to global markets.

3.     Broader Energy Price Inflation: The conflict is pushing up not just crude oil prices but also costs for other essential imports such as LPG, natural gas, petrochemicals, and fertilisers — all of which India heavily depends on.

4.     Impact on Rural Areas and Agriculture: Higher prices for fertilisers and LPG could increase living costs in rural regions and reduce farm productivity. This threatens to reverse recent improvements in food inflation.

5.     Cost Pressure on Industries: Sectors like aviation, chemicals, logistics, cement, and tyres — all reliant on oil-based inputs — are facing higher raw material costs, squeezing profit margins. Crisil Ratings notes the extent of the impact will vary by sector, depending on their oil dependence.

6.     Mixed Sectoral Impact: Upstream oil firms may benefit from higher prices, but downstream refiners could suffer margin compression. Industries like packaging, plastics, and specialty chemicals might pass on rising input costs to customers or absorb them, affecting either demand or profits.

7.     MSMEs and Consumers Under Pressure: If tensions escalate, transportation and logistics expenses could spike, affecting grocery supply chains. MSMEs may face shrinking margins as they grapple with costlier inputs and subdued demand.

8.     Gold Prices Surge: With the rupee weakening and uncertainty rising, investors are turning to gold. Futures prices in India surpassed ₹1 lakh per 10 grams. While retail jewellery demand remains low due to high prices, gold as an investment remains attractive.

9.     Brief Relief from Red Sea Recovery: For India, which imports over 80% of its crude, the return of shipping to the Red Sea offered only temporary respite — the geopolitical crisis has reignited economic vulnerabilities.

10.  Shipping and Insurance Costs Rising: With many vessels opting for the longer Cape of Good Hope route, shipping times are increasing by 10–14 days. This reduces vessel availability and pushes up freight and insurance expenses.

11.  LNG Transport Disrupted: LNG shipments through the Suez Canal fell drastically — from 34.94 million tonnes in 2022 to 4.15 million in 2024 — while volumes via the Cape route skyrocketed, indicating growing logistical strain and energy security risks for countries like India.

III.          Delhi HC Issues MTP Guidelines in Rape Cases

Case Background

• A 17-year-old survivor of sexual assault was taken to AIIMS Delhi for a medical exam and medical termination of pregnancy (MTP).
• Despite being accompanied by police and an FIR being filed, hospital staff initially refused to perform an ultrasound due to the absence of identification documents.
• Although the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) authorized the MTP, the hospital insisted on an ossification test to verify the survivor''s age and delayed the procedure.
• After direct involvement by the CWC, an ultrasound was finally done, showing a gestation period of 25 weeks and 4 days—exceeding the legal 24-week limit under the MTP Act, 1971.
• The hospital declined to proceed without court approval.
• Upon court orders, a medical board re-evaluated the case and determined the gestation to be 23 weeks and 4 days, deeming the survivor eligible for MTP.

Court-Identified Lapses

• Hospitals followed standard diagnostic protocols without flexibility, even in cases under the POCSO Act.
• Inconsistencies in ultrasound results raised questions about medical reliability.
• Delays in administrative and medical procedures caused undue mental and physical trauma to the survivor.

Delhi High Court Guidelines

For Hospitals:

• No separate ID checks are needed when a survivor is accompanied by police with FIR and official case documents.
• Immediate and thorough medical evaluations must be conducted for pregnant survivors of sexual assault.
• If the pregnancy appears beyond 24 weeks, hospitals must form a medical board immediately instead of waiting for judicial approval.
• Emergency and gynecology departments must have ready access to SOPs, MTP Act provisions, and POCSO guidelines.
• Medical staff must be trained and sensitized to their legal responsibilities under MTP and POCSO.
• Quarterly training sessions should be organized in collaboration with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) and Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSC).
• Each government hospital must appoint nodal officers to liaise with CWC, investigating officers (IOs), and the judiciary.
• Consent for MTP must be obtained in a language the survivor or guardian understands, typically Hindi or English.

For Delhi Police:

• Mandatory biannual training for IOs handling POCSO cases, focusing on MTP procedures and court coordination.
• Training certifications must be recorded in the IO’s service files.
• IOs must ensure timely medical referrals, ensuring survivors reach the appropriate facilities or medical boards promptly with all necessary documents.

I.              Rudrastra:

·       Rudrastra is a next-generation hybrid drone with Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capabilities, developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited (SDAL).

·       It combines the vertical lift of a helicopter with the cruising ability of a fixed-wing aircraft, making it highly adaptable and difficult to detect.

·       Designed for precision strikes, Rudrastra is armed with smart warheads primarily for anti-personnel missions, allowing it to accurately target enemy troops and installations. It has a strike range exceeding 50 kilometers.

·       During trials at the Pokhran test range, Rudrastra showcased an extended range of 170 km and an impressive 90-minute flight time, while transmitting real-time video feeds and autonomously returning to base.

·       In one test, it deployed an airburst munition — detonating close to the ground and causing widespread damage, ideal for neutralizing enemy encampments or artillery units.

·       Built for deep-penetration missions, Rudrastra is capable of striking targets such as terrorist bases or enemy artillery positions deep within hostile areas. Its stealthy, unmanned operation offers the Indian Army a critical stand-off strike capability, enabling effective engagement from a safe distance without endangering personnel.

II.            Shongtong Karcham Hydroelectric Project

·       This hydropower project is located on the Satluj River in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh and is being developed by Himachal Pradesh Power.

·       It is designed as a run-of-the-river facility, meaning it uses the natural flow of the river without the need for large reservoirs.

·       The project will operate with three Francis turbines, each with a capacity of 150 MW, totaling 450 MW. It is expected to generate approximately 1,594 million units (or 1,593.93 GWh) of electricity annually.

·       The system will utilize a gross head of 128.57 meters and a net head of 126.58 meters to drive the turbines. Water will be delivered to the turbines through three penstocks, each with a length of 5.1 meters.

·       Once operational, this project will contribute significantly to the region''s clean energy production.

III.          Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY):

Increased Petroleum Consumption in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

In recent years, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have seen a significant rise in the use of petroleum products—particularly diesel and LPG (cooking gas). This surge is largely attributed to the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

Launched in May 2016, PMUY is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) aimed at promoting clean cooking energy for rural and economically weaker households, replacing traditional fuels like firewood, coal, and cow dung.

Key Features and Benefits

• Financial Support:
• ₹1,600 subsidy for a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder
• ₹1,150 subsidy for a 5 kg cylinder
• Free Starter Kit: Each beneficiary receives a deposit-free LPG connection, a stove (hot plate), and the first LPG refill at no cost.
• Priority to Low-Coverage States: States and regions with LPG coverage below the national average as of January 1, 2016 are given preference under the scheme.

Eligibility Criteria under Ujjwala 2.0

• The applicant must be an adult woman from a poor household that does not already have an LPG connection.
• She must belong to one of the following categories:
• Households identified in the SECC 2011 database
• SC/ST families
• Beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) or Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
• Forest dwellers
• Most Backward Classes (MBC)
• Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes
• Residents of river islands
• If not in the above groups, she can still qualify by submitting a self-declaration in a 14-point format confirming that her household falls under the poor category.

Exclusions: Male members from a household cannot apply for the scheme.

IV.          Servants of India Society: Background and Current Dispute

Tensions have resurfaced between the Pune-based Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) and its founding body, the Servants of India Society (SIS), over the control of a major bank account, with both sides exchanging accusations.

About the Servants of India Society (SIS)

·       The Servants of India Society was established on June 12, 1905, in Pune, Maharashtra, by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, alongside G.K. Devadhar, A.V. Patwardhan, and N.A. Dravid.

·       Gokhale envisioned the society as an organization dedicated to training individuals committed to serving the nation with a spirit of selflessness and dedication. Its mission focused on promoting political education, encouraging constitutional reform, and working for India’s national interest through peaceful and lawful means.

·       The society’s members were viewed as missionaries of Indian nationalism, and several prominent figures such as V.S. Srinivasa Sastri, Hriday Nath Kunzru, and A.V. Thakkar were among its early members.

·       New recruits underwent a five-year training period and committed to working for very modest remuneration, reflecting the society’s ethos of sacrifice and service.

·       After Gokhale''s death in 1915, Srinivasa Sastri succeeded him as the society''s president. SIS maintains its headquarters in Pune and has branches in Chennai, Mumbai, Allahabad, Nagpur, and other cities.

·       Though membership has declined over the years, the Servants of India Society remains notable for its legacy of public service and its role in nurturing patriotic values during the Indian freedom movement.

V.             PRASHAD Scheme:

·       After years of negotiations between the Karnataka government and the Central government, progress is finally being made on developing Chamundi Hills under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD).

·       Launched in 2014-2015 by the Ministry of Tourism, PRASHAD is a Central Sector Scheme focused on the integrated development of designated pilgrimage sites across India.

·       The scheme’s main goal is to enhance tourism infrastructure at these religious and heritage locations, providing pilgrims and visitors with a richer and more comfortable experience.

·       Under PRASHAD, the Ministry of Tourism offers financial support to state governments and Union Territory administrations to develop necessary infrastructure at these pilgrimage spots. The scheme also encourages funding through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

·       Key infrastructure improvements supported by PRASHAD include:

o   Access points such as roads, rail, and water transport

o   Last-mile connectivity to key sites

o   Basic tourism amenities like information and interpretation centers

o   Facilities such as ATMs, money exchange counters, eco-friendly transport, renewable energy-based lighting, parking areas, drinking water, toilets, cloakrooms, waiting rooms, and first aid stations

o   Commercial and cultural spaces including craft bazaars, souvenir shops, cafeterias, and rain shelters

o   Telecom and internet connectivity

VI.          Spartaeus Karigiri

·       A jumping spider from the Spartaeinae subfamily has been discovered in southern India. This marks the first time that the genera Spartaeus and Sonoita—groups previously known only in Southeast Asia and Africa—have been recorded in India.

·       The spider is named after Karigiri, also called Elephant Hill, located in Devarayanadurga, Karnataka, where it was initially spotted.

·       These spiders are notable for their smart hunting strategies and ability to invade other spiders’ webs. They possess sharp eyesight and use clever tactics such as mimicking prey to deceive their targets.

·       With this discovery, India’s count of Spartaeinae species has increased to 15 species across 10 genera. Additionally, Sonoita cf. lightfooti, a species earlier believed to be limited to Africa, was also identified in Karnataka.

VII.        International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO):

·       The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized intergovernmental agency linked to the United Nations (UN). It was created in 1947 under the Chicago Convention of 1944.

·       Its headquarters are located in Montreal, Canada.

Functions of ICAO:

·       ICAO is focused on promoting safe and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes, ensuring that all member states have fair opportunities to operate international airlines.

·       It develops and enforces standards and regulations related to aviation safety, security, facilitation, operational efficiency, and the economic growth of air transport. It also works to improve the environmental impact of aviation.

·       The organization acts as a platform for cooperation and dialogue on civil aviation matters among its 193 member countries.

·       ICAO encourages the formation of regional and global agreements to liberalize aviation markets and helps establish legal frameworks to maintain safety while supporting the sustainable growth of international aviation law.