Integration of Rare Donor Registry with e-Rakt Kosh: Key Highlights

Policy Initiative and Objective

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is integrating the Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI) with e-Rakt Kosh, a national digital platform for blood bank management.
• The integration aims to:
• Improve access to rare blood types.
• Enhance transfusion safety.
• Strengthen coordination among blood banks, hospitals, and donors.

Digital Infrastructure under NHM

• The unified interface will function under the National Health Mission (NHM).
• It will provide a centralized platform for:
• Tracking and locating rare blood donors.
• Facilitating timely blood transfusions, especially in emergencies.

Importance for Rare and Genetic Blood Disorders

• The initiative will particularly benefit individuals with:
• Thalassemia.
• Sickle cell anemia.
• Rare blood phenotypes such as Bombay blood group, Rh-null, and P-null.

Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI)

• Developed by ICMR–National Institute of Immunohaematology (ICMR-NIIH) and four partner institutes.
• Maintains a database of:
• Over 4,000 rare blood donors.
• Donors tested for more than 300 rare blood group antigens.
• Serves alloimmunised patients by providing precise donor matches.

• A DNA-based multiplex PCR test has been developed:
• Designed specifically for the Indian population.
• Enables rapid and accurate identification of rare blood types.

e-Rakt Kosh Platform

• Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC).
• Offers:
• Real-time tracking of blood stocks.
• Information on donation camps.
• Donor management tools.
• The integration with RDRI will expand its functionality to include rare blood data.

Advances in Diagnostics for Hemoglobinopathies

• ICMR-NIIH has developed:
• Point-of-care (POC) diagnostic kits for thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
• Rapid test kits for Hemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease.
• Cost reduction of sickle cell tests:
• Reduced from ₹350 to under ₹50 per test via Health Technology Assessments (HTA).
• Resulted in potential government savings of ₹1,857 crore.

Commercialization and Global Recognition

• Diagnostic kits transferred to Bhat Biotech and commercialized under the brand “Bio-Scan” in August 2023.
• Kits have gained interest from the World Federation for Hemophilia.
• Enables diagnosis even at primary health care centers.

Broader Implications

• Expected outcomes include:
• Enhanced safety and efficiency of blood transfusion services.
• Improved healthcare access for patients requiring rare blood or genetic disorder management.
• Reinforces India’s position as a leader in:
• Low-cost biotechnology innovation.
• Scalable public health solutions.

Indian Railways and the Expansion of Green Automotive Logistics in India

Strategic Shift Towards Sustainable Transport

• Indian Railways has increased its share in passenger vehicle (PV) logistics to over 20% of national car production in FY 2024–25, a substantial increase from 1.7% in FY 2014–15.
• In FY 2024–25, 10.41 lakh cars were transported via rail, with projections reaching 15 lakh units annually.
• This transition supports India''s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, while providing a new revenue source for Indian Railways.

Infrastructure Development: Gati Shakti MMCT

• The inauguration of India’s largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (MMCT) at Manesar, Haryana, marks a significant milestone.
• Located within the Maruti Suzuki plant, the terminal has a dispatch capacity of up to 4.5 lakh vehicles annually.

Policy Liberalisation: Enhanced AFTO Scheme

• The Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) policy has undergone key reforms to attract greater industry participation:
• Elimination of the ₹5 crore registration fee.
• Reduction of minimum rake requirement from 3 to 1.
• Permitting transport of auto components in both directions.
• Removal of net worth eligibility criteria.
• Simplified wagon maintenance norms (4% of total holdings, instead of per rake).

Industry Collaboration and Policy Feedback

• Continuous engagement with stakeholders such as the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has been central to iterative policy refinement.

Expansion of Automotive Loading Infrastructure

• Multiple new automobile loading terminals have been established across diverse Indian regions, including:
• Eastern: Chitpur
• Southern: Penukonda
• Northern: Nasrala
• North-Eastern: Nautanwa, Salchapra, Furkating, and others
• Central & Western: Loni, Vilad, Champaner, etc.
• This infrastructure growth has directly contributed to a rise in the ‘rail coefficient’—the proportion of cars transported by rail.

Evolution of Automotive Rail Logistics

• Initial use of Parcel Vans (VPs) and Bogie Open Military (BOM) wagons evolved into more sophisticated freight solutions.
• New Modified Goods (NMG) coaches, introduced in 1995–96, remain central to automotive rail transport:
• A 25-coach rake can transport:
• 100–125 cars
• 125–175 tractors
• 1,500–1,675 two-wheelers

Introduction of Double-Decker Auto Wagons

• To address increasing demand for transporting larger vehicles (e.g., SUVs), Indian Railways has introduced three new double-decker auto-wagon types, significantly enhancing freight efficiency and capacity.

Market Leadership and Key Automotive Players

• Maruti Suzuki is the largest user of Indian Railways for vehicle transport, accounting for nearly 50% of rail-based dispatches:
• Operates through 17 railway hubs serving 380 cities.
• Hyundai, Tata Motors, and Mahindra follow as leading users.
• Domestic market demand constitutes approximately 80% of cars transported by rail.

National Rail Infrastructure Supporting Automotive Logistics

• Currently, India has 133 dedicated railway sidings for car loading/unloading, facilitating seamless integration with the automotive supply chain.

Progressive Growth in Car Transport Volumes

• Significant year-on-year increases in car dispatches via rail:
• FY 2024–25: 10.41 lakh
• FY 2023–24: 9.69 lakh
• FY 2022–23: 7.70 lakh
• FY 2021–22: 4.91 lakh
• FY 2020–21: 3.98 lakh
• FY 2019–20: 3.09 lakh
• From 54,219 cars in FY 2014–15 to over 10 lakh today—this represents a 20-fold increase, highlighting the strategic success of rail logistics.

Key Drivers of Growth

• Liberalised freight policy through the AFTO scheme.
• Deployment of specialized and modern freight wagons.
• Expansion of regionally distributed Gati Shakti terminals and dedicated sidings.
• Strengthened industry partnerships and proactive policy response.

Surge in Fossil Fuel Financing by Global Banks: A Setback for Net Zero Goals

Overview of 2025 Fossil Fuel Finance Report

• Published by the Banking on Climate Chaos Coalition, the report indicates a significant increase in fossil fuel financing by the world’s 65 largest banks in 2024.
• Total lending reached $869 billion, marking a 22.8% rise from $707 billion in 2023.
• This trend contradicts global climate commitments, raising alarms in the context of escalating global temperatures and policy backtracking.

Leading Contributors to Fossil Fuel Financing

• JPMorgan Chase emerged as the largest financier, disbursing $53.5 billion in 2024—an increase of $15 billion from the previous year.
• Other major banks, including those previously regarded as climate-conscious, exhibited similar regression.

India’s State Bank of India (SBI): Contradictions Between Targets and Financing

• Declared Commitments:
• Targeting net-zero emissions by 2055.
• Pledged 7.5% green lending by 2030 (as share of domestic gross advances).
• Reported ₹20,558 crore in sustainable finance by March 2025.
• Contradictory Actions:
• SBI ranked 47th globally in fossil fuel financing.
• Lent $2.62 billion to fossil fuel ventures in 2024, a $65 million increase over 2023.

Global Policy Reversals and Weakening Climate Ambitions

• United States:
• Major banks, including Wells Fargo, withdrew from climate pledges, e.g., scrapping net-zero targets.
• Six largest U.S. banks exited the UN Net-Zero Banking Alliance.
• Under the Trump administration’s renewed leadership:
• The U.S. re-exited the Paris Agreement (effective early 2026).
• Withdrew from the Network for Greening the Financial System.
• Introduced legislation to remove clean energy incentives.
• Europe:
• Previously climate-progressive European banks are also weakening their fossil fuel exclusion criteria.

India’s Coal Policy Gaps and Continued Financing

• According to Climate Risk Horizons:
• Most Indian banks lack formal coal exclusion policies.
• Only Federal Bank and RBL Bank (among BSE’s top 1000) have adopted such frameworks.
• Despite renewable energy’s cost advantage, fossil fuel financing persists, undermining decarbonization efforts.

Long-Term Risks of Continued Fossil Fuel Investment

• Infrastructure Lock-in:
• Per IEA 2024, meeting net-zero targets by 2050 requires a 50% reduction in fossil fuel investments by 2030.
• Continued investment risks locking countries into high-carbon infrastructure for decades.
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A):
• Fossil fuel-related M&A financing reached $82.9 billion.
• While not always linked to new projects, M&A support reinforces the dominance of fossil fuel firms, slowing global phase-out efforts.

Cumulative Financing Since Paris Agreement

• From 2016 to 2025, the 65 global banks have provided $7.9 trillion to fossil fuel companies.
• Of this, $3.3 trillion has been disbursed since 2021, demonstrating a persistent misalignment with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and broader climate targets.

Potential Collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC): A Critical Climate Concern

Overview of the Study

• A recent study by Utrecht University (Netherlands) suggests that under moderate greenhouse gas emission scenarios, global warming may not offset the regional cooling effects of an AMOC collapse.
• This poses serious risks to climate stability, particularly in Northern and Western Europe.

The AMOC System: Structure and Function

• Definition: The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a major component of Earth''s global ocean circulation system.
• Mechanism:
• Warm, salty surface water moves northward from the tropics.
• As it cools near the poles, especially during sea ice formation, salinity and density increase, causing the water to sink.
• This dense water flows southward at depth, eventually upwelling in the tropics and completing the circulation loop.
• Role in Climate Regulation:
• AMOC is part of the “global conveyor belt”, redistributing heat, moisture, and nutrients across oceans.
• It moderates temperatures in the North Atlantic region, particularly Europe, and supports marine ecosystems.

Climate Change and AMOC Vulnerability

• Global warming introduces vast quantities of freshwater from melting Arctic ice into the North Atlantic.
• This lowers salinity and density, impairing the sinking of surface waters.
• As this critical mechanism weakens, the entire AMOC system faces the risk of significant slowdown or eventual collapse.

Potential Impacts of AMOC Weakening or Collapse

• Regional Climate Effects:
• Northern Europe: Significant cooling, despite global warming trends.
• Precipitation shifts in Europe, South America, and Africa.
• Disruption of the Indian monsoon system, affecting agriculture and water security.
• Southward shift of the tropical rain belt, leading to droughts in the African Sahel.
• Marine Ecosystem Disruption:
• Reduced nutrient upwelling limits primary productivity in ocean surface waters.
• This threatens marine food chains, impacting biodiversity and fisheries.

Risk Classification and Current Trends

• A full AMOC collapse is currently considered a low-probability, high-impact tipping point.
• However, ongoing observations indicate a measurable weakening, which many scientists view as a precursor to instability.

Broader Implications

• The AMOC collapse scenario illustrates how regional tipping elements can produce non-linear and far-reaching climate effects.
• Policymakers must consider early-warning indicators and strengthen climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to avoid irreversible impacts.

Net Interest Margin (NIM): Concept and Implications

• Net Interest Margin (NIM) is a critical financial indicator that assesses a bank’s profitability from its core lending operations.
• It reflects the difference between the interest income earned on assets (e.g., loans, securities) and the interest paid on liabilities (e.g., deposits, borrowings), expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.
• A positive NIM suggests financial health and operational efficiency, while a negative NIM signals inefficiencies or financial risks.

Formula and Calculation

• NIM = (Interest Income − Interest Expense) / Average Earning Assets
• Interest Income: Revenue from loans, mortgages, and interest-bearing securities.
• Interest Expense: Costs associated with interest paid on deposits and borrowings.
• Average Earning Assets: The average value of interest-generating assets over a given period.

Example

• If a bank earns ₹8,000 crore in interest income, pays ₹6,000 crore in interest expense, and holds ₹64,000 crore in average earning assets:
  NIM = (8,000 – 6,000)/64,000 = 0.03125 or 3.125%

Factors Influencing NIM

• Interest Rate Environment: Changes in central bank rates or market rates affect both income and expense components.
• Asset and Liability Mix: A greater share of high-yield loans versus low-yield securities can elevate NIM.
• Credit Risk: Higher risk loans may increase interest income but come with default risks.
• Operational Efficiency: Effective cost management and interest rate hedging strategies support higher margins.
• Competitive Landscape: High competition can constrain lending rates, pressuring NIM.
• Regulatory Environment: Changes in monetary policy, capital norms, and reserve requirements influence margins.

Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) Context

• IOB has adopted mitigation strategies to cushion the impact of the recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repo rate cut on its NIM performance.

Gross Interest Margin (GIM)

• GIM is a related metric that calculates the absolute difference between a bank’s interest income and interest expense.
• Unlike NIM, GIM does not account for the size of earning assets.
• Formula: GIM = Interest Income − Interest Expense

Lenacapavir (LEN): A Major Advancement in HIV Prevention

• Lenacapavir (LEN) is an innovative injectable antiretroviral drug developed by Gilead Sciences, marketed under the brand name Yeztugo.
• Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection.

Mechanism of Action

• Lenacapavir functions as a capsid inhibitor, a class of drugs that impedes the protein shell essential for the HIV virus to replicate.
• It prevents HIV from establishing infection in healthy, at-risk individuals.

Dosage and Efficacy

• Administered twice a year via injection.
• Clinical trials have demonstrated 99.9% effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission, making it one of the most promising PrEP options available.

Public Health Significance

• Provides a discreet, long-acting alternative to daily oral PrEP regimens.
• Especially beneficial for individuals facing challenges with medication adherence or requiring a stigma-free prevention method.

B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber: Strategic Airpower and Technological Superiority

• Recently used in precision airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, highlighting its role in strategic military escalation and deterrence.
• The B-2 Spirit is a U.S. long-range, strategic stealth bomber, capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons.
• It was first flown in 1989 and entered service in 1993.
• Manufactured and maintained by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
• Currently, 19 units remain in operational service.
• Each B-2 aircraft costs approximately $2.1 billion, making it the most expensive military aircraft ever built.

Key Features

• Stealth Technology:
• Designed for low radar observability using a flying-wing design, radar-absorbent materials, and infrared signature reduction.
• Possesses a radar cross-section of approximately 0.001 m², equivalent to that of a small bird.
• Global Reach:
• Capable of intercontinental missions with aerial refueling, allowing it to strike virtually any target worldwide.
• Armament and Payload:
• Equipped with internal weapons bays to preserve stealth while carrying heavy ordnance.
• Can carry two GBU-57A/B MOPs (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) — a 30,000-pound precision-guided bomb designed to destroy deeply buried bunkers.
• The B-2 is the only aircraft in the U.S. arsenal capable of deploying the MOP.

Ottawa Convention: International Norms on Anti-Personnel Landmines

• Officially known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) or Mine Ban Treaty.
• Adopted on 18 September 1997 in Oslo, Norway; entered into force in 1999.
• Signed by 165 countries (India is not a signatory).
• Finland recently voted to withdraw from the treaty, citing heightened security concerns from Russia.

Core Provisions

• Prohibits the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, or transfer of anti-personnel mines.
• States Parties must:
• Destroy stockpiled mines within four years of accession.
• Clear mined areas within ten years.
• Provide mine risk education and assistance to survivors, their families, and affected communities.
• Offer international assistance in mine clearance and victim support.
• Enact national implementation legislation to uphold treaty obligations.

Significance

• The Ottawa Convention remains a cornerstone of international humanitarian disarmament law aimed at eliminating the civilian harm caused by landmines.
• Finland’s potential exit reflects growing geopolitical tensions in Northern Europe and the recalibration of security policies in response to regional threats.

Subarnarekha River: Geographical and Hydrological Profile

• A flash flood in June 2025 caused by heavy monsoon rains led to water overflow from the Subarnarekha River.
• The disaster affected over 50,000 people in the Balasore district of Odisha, with river water entering multiple villages.

Geographical Origin and Course

• The Subarnarekha River originates near Nagri village in the Ranchi District of Jharkhand, at an elevation of approximately 600 meters.
• The name "Subarnarekha" translates to "Streak of Gold", referring to traces of gold once found in its riverbed.
• It flows eastward through mineral-rich zones, particularly copper-mining regions, and descends from the Chota Nagpur Plateau via the Hundrugbagh waterfall.

Tributaries

• Major tributaries joining from the right bank include:
• Kanchi River
• Karkari River
• Kharkai River

River Basin and Boundaries

• The Subarnarekha basin spans across:
• Jharkhand
• Odisha
• Smaller parts of West Bengal
• The basin is geographically bounded by:
• Chhotanagpur Plateau (north and west)
• Baitarani basin ridges (south)
• Bay of Bengal (southeast)
• Kasai Valley of Kangsabati River (east)

Climatic Influence

• The basin experiences rainfall predominantly from the South-West Monsoon, active between June and October.
• Monsoonal variations significantly affect river discharge and flood potential.

Srisailam Mallikarjunaswamy Temple and Halley’s Comet Epigraphical Reference

• Recently, the earliest known Indian epigraphical mention of Halley’s Comet was discovered on a copper plate inscription housed at the Srisailam Mallikarjunaswamy temple in Andhra Pradesh.
• The inscription dates back to 1456 CE, written in Sanskrit using the Nagari script.
• It documents a land grant made by the Vijayanagar ruler Mallikarjuna to a Vedic scholar.

About the Mallikarjunaswamy Temple:

• Located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, situated on the Nallamalai Hills along the Krishna River.
• The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and holds the dual status of both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha.
• Historically, the temple was patronized initially by the Satavahana dynasty, followed by the Rashtrakuta dynasty and later by the Vijayanagara rulers.

Anti-Dumping Duty Imposition by India

• India has imposed five-year anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese aluminium foil, Pretilachlor, and Acetonitrile originating from China, Russia, and Taiwan.

About Anti-Dumping Duty:

• An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that governments apply to imported goods alleged to be “dumped,” i.e., sold at prices substantially below their normal value in the exporting country’s market.
• The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) permits nations to adopt measures to counteract dumping practices to protect domestic industries.

US Senate’s GENIUS Act and Stablecoins

• The US Senate recently passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, which marks a significant legislative advancement for the stablecoin market.

About Stablecoins:

• Stablecoins are a category of cryptographic assets pegged to stable underlying assets such as the US dollar or gold.
• Unlike more volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, stablecoins are designed to minimize price volatility, making them more viable for everyday transactions, savings, and bridging traditional financial systems with blockchain ecosystems.

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

• From July 2025, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) will prohibit fuel refills for end-of-life vehicles in Delhi as part of efforts to reduce air pollution.

About CAQM:

• Establishment: CAQM was constituted under the CAQM Act, 2021 and serves the National Capital Region (NCR), including adjacent states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Purpose: The commission aims to enhance coordination among various stakeholders, promote research, and devise solutions for air pollution and air quality issues in the region.
• Leadership: The chairperson must possess either a minimum of 15 years’ experience in environmental protection or pollution control, or 25 years in administrative roles.
• Authority: CAQM’s directives take precedence over those issued by state governments, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state pollution control boards, and other authorities when conflicts arise.

Taiwan Strait

• Taiwan recently reported the detection of Chinese military aircraft near its territorial waters, following a passage of a British naval ship through the strategically sensitive Taiwan Strait.
• China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not excluded the use of force to assert control over the self-governed democratic island.

About the Taiwan Strait (also known as the Black Ditch):

• A strait is a narrow waterway connecting two larger bodies of water.
• The strait was named Formosa (meaning "Beautiful") by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century.
• It connects the South China Sea with the East China Sea.
• Two major Chinese rivers, the Jiulong and Min rivers, flow into the strait.
• The strait is critically important for global trade, as over 40% of the world’s container shipping fleet passes through it.

The Median Line, also known as the Davis Line, approximately bisects the strait, serving as a notional maritime boundary

Fifth Edition of National Time Release Study (NTRS) Shows Faster Import Clearance at Ports

• Prepared by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
• Assesses the speed of goods clearance at ports across land, sea, and air.
• Shows significant improvements in cargo clearance times at key import gateways between 2023 and 2025.
• Helps boost India’s logistics efficiency.

Why Logistics Matters for India

• A robust logistics sector supports trade, reduces business costs, and connects Indian industries to global markets.
• Plays a crucial role in the success of initiatives like ‘Make in India.’
• Employs over 22 million people.
• Lower logistics costs enhance the global competitiveness of Indian products.
• India ranked 38th out of 139 countries in the 2023 World Bank Logistics Performance Index, improving from 44th in 2018.
• Goal by 2030:
• Rank among the top 25 nations in logistics.
• Reduce logistics costs to less than 10% of GDP.

Steps Leading to Improvements in India’s Logistics Sector

• Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs):
• Eastern and Western DFCs cut goods transit time by 20–30%.
• 96% (2,741 km) of the routes are operational.
• E-Way Bill System:
• Introduced under GST.
• Simplifies goods tracking and reduces road transport delays.
• National Logistics Policy (2022):
• Aims to reduce logistics costs from 13-14% to around 8-9% of GDP.
• National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 3.0 (2024–27):
• Launched by CBIC.
• Focuses on reducing cargo release times at ports.
• Aligned with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement to promote smoother cross-border trade.