Modi’s MAHASAGAR: India’s big bet on maritime power and the Global South

• India reiterated its commitment to the Global South during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Mauritius, he announced the MAHASAGAR vision. This builds on his 2015 formulation of SAGAR — Security and Growth for All in the (Indian Ocean) Region — which was also announced at Port Louis during his first visit to the island nation 10 years ago.
• Located in the western Indian Ocean, about 2,000 km off the southeastern coast of East Africa, Mauritius is one of the most successful and prosperous democracies in the developing world and has been a steadfast and reliable partner of India.
• With a population of 1.2 million (mainly of Indian origin), a GDP of over $14 billion, expected to increase to $29 billion by 2029, and a per capita income of $11,600, Mauritius has a special locus in the Indian diplomatic and strategic calculus. Since it acquired independence from Britain in 1968, Mauritius has developed a close relationship with India, and Modi acknowledged this when he said: “For us, Mauritius is family!”
• Mauritius is a good example of how the 2015 SAGAR vision has been progressively realised. In recent years, India has provided valuable assistance to the island nation. In April 2020, a massive oil spill near Mauritius threatened local environmental security, and India airlifted technical equipment and personnel as a first responder. During the Covid pandemic, Indian naval ships carried life-saving vaccines and medicines to Mauritius.
•  In December 2024, when Cyclone Chido devastated the region, India was quick to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
• Geography endows nations with distinctive maritime attributes, and island nations acquire a strategic relevance for major powers. In the colonial era, Great Britain consolidated its position through its maritime/naval perspicacity by acquiring and investing in certain islands, as did France, while Germany struggled to bolster its maritime power.
• In the current era, major powers are looking at island states with renewed strategic interest. In the IOR, where France and the US are resident powers due to their presence in Réunion and Diego Garcia respectively, China is knocking on the door through the Belt and Road Initiative. Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Djibouti are illustrative of the growing Chinese footprint, which is a combination of economic, trade, and military initiatives.
• Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision is commendable. Mauritius can be a very effective bridge to the wider Global South. Capacity building with other smaller states in areas such as MDA (maritime domain awareness) and curbing illegal activities at sea are low-hanging fruit, and India can offer niche partnerships regionally with Port Louis in the lead.
•  In the current US-triggered geopolitical churn, medium and smaller powers are looking for proven competence, credibility, and long-term empathy from the major powers. China has been perceived as a substantive donor but rapacious and unrelenting when it comes to repayment, and both Sri Lanka and Pakistan have had less than satisfactory experiences with Beijing.
•  The US, with Donald Trump at the helm, is now becoming a more transactional power, and its severest critics have termed the new Washington an extortionist power
• Within the larger Indo-Pacific region, India, in contrast, is seen as a relatively more benign partner, and the maritime domain offers some opportunities that Delhi can pursue over the long term. Modi’s maritime vision — first SAGAR and now MAHASAGAR — are innovative and welcome policy initiatives, and they will have to be harmonised with the objectives of the Quad, which brings the US, Australia, Japan, and India together.
• However, while Modi’s vision is laudable, the implementation of such policies has been below par without a doctrinal underpinning. Insufficient bench strength and inadequate monitoring have bedevilled many major policies over the last decade. An objective assessment of SAGAR could provide a valuable reality check on how to realise MAHASAGAR.

Highlights of the meeting of leaders:

• During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam had comprehensive and productive discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations between both countries.
•  Ramgoolam underscored India’s role as a time-tested and trusted partner of Mauritius in its socio-economic development since the time of its independence. 
• Acknowledging that the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), India’s first ever trade agreement with a country in African region, marked a major milestone in the economic and trade relations of both countries, both leaders underscored the need for exploiting the full potential of bilateral trade for the shared objective of economic growth and prosperity of Mauritius and India.
•  PM  Modi said a free, open, secure, and safe Indian Ocean is the common priority of India and Mauritius and that he and Ramgoolam agreed that defence cooperation and maritime security are an important part of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
• The two sides also unveiled a ‘Joint Vision for an Enhanced Strategic Partnership’ that outlined the futuristic approach in expanding bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including in defence and maritime security, trade, health and education, and space and climate change.
•  The two sides will enhance maritime cooperation through increasing deployment of ships and aircraft for joint maritime surveillance and hydrographic surveys.
•  The two leaders also resolved to deepen cooperation towards securing  Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius, including through enhanced utilisation of newly built runway and jetty at Agalega.

List of outcomes:

• The agreements inked after Modi-Ramgoolam talks will provide for promoting use of national currencies for cross-border transactions, sharing of maritime data, joint work in combating money laundering and enhancing cooperation in the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector.
• 1) Agreement between Reserve Bank of India and the Bank of Mauritius for establishment of a framework to promote the use of local currencies (INR or MUR) for cross-border transactions.
• 2) Credit facility agreement between government of Mauritius (as borrower) and State Bank of India (as lending bank).
• 3) MoU between the Ministry of Industry, SME and Cooperatives (SME division) of Mauritius and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of India on cooperation in the field of micro, small and medium enterprises.
• 4) MoU between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, Ministry Of External Affairs, India And Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration & International Trade, Mauritius.
• 5) MoU between Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms (MPSAR), Mauritius and National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, India.
• 6) Technical Agreement on sharing of White Shipping Information between Indian Navy and government of Mauritius.
• 7) MoU between Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Ministry of Earth Sciences,  and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), India Department of Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration and Exploration (CSMZAE), Mauritius.
• 8) MoU between Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and Financial Crimes Commission of Mauritius (FCC).

India, Bangladesh navies sharpen combat edge in Bay of Bengal against maritime threats :Bongosagar 2025

•  The navies of India and Bangladesh conducted a joint naval exercise, Bongosagar 2025, and coordinated patrol in the Bay of Bengal, in an attempt to enhance interoperability and facilitate collaborative responses to shared maritime security challenges in the region.
• INS Ranvir from the Indian Navy and BNS Abu Ubaidah from the Bangladesh Navy participated in the high-intensity naval exercise which involved a range of complex operations encompassing surface firing, tactical manoeuvres, underway replenishment, and visit- board-search-seizure (VBSS) cross-boarding.
•  In addition to these, communication drills, quiz for Ops team and junior officers on professional topics and steam past, were also part of the joint exercise.
• The exercise provided the opportunity for both navies to develop closer links in tactical planning, coordination and information sharing for undertaking seamless maritime operations, 
• "The exercise has strengthened coordination and confidence between the two navies thereby improving the ability to undertake coordinated operations and respond swiftly and effectively against emerging threats at sea,

Other bilateral exercise

• Exercise Sampriti is an annual joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

SAGAR Initiative

•  The SAGAR Initiative, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region, is a strategic framework introduced by India to promote maritime cooperation, security, and economic development in the Indian Ocean region. 
•  Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 during his visit to Mauritius, the initiative reflects India’s vision of fostering regional stability, sustainability, and prosperity through collaborative efforts.

Objectives of the initiative:

1) Maritime Security:

•  Enhance regional maritime security by addressing challenges such as piracy, terrorism, illegal trafficking, and other transnational crimes.
• Strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean littoral states to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment.

2) Sustainable Development:

• Promote sustainable use of marine resources, including fisheries and ocean-based energy.
• Support initiatives for marine conservation and environmental protection.

3) Economic Growth:

• Facilitate trade, connectivity, and economic integration among Indian Ocean nations.
•  Develop infrastructure, such as ports and shipping networks, to boost regional trade and commerce.

4) Disaster Management:

• Improve regional preparedness and response mechanisms for natural disasters, such as tsunamis, cyclones, and oil spills.
• Share expertise and resources for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

5) Capacity Building:

• Provide technical assistance, training, and resources to smaller island nations and coastal states to enhance their maritime capabilities.
• Strengthen regional institutions and frameworks for maritime governance.

India’s Role with SAGAR:

• As a key player in the Indian Ocean region, India has taken several steps to operationalise the SAGAR initiative:
•  Naval Diplomacy: India has engaged in joint naval exercises, coordinated patrols, and capacity-building programs with countries in the region.
• Infrastructure Development: India has invested in port development and connectivity projects, such as the Chabahar Port in Iran and the Sagarmala Project for port modernisation in India.
• Humanitarian Assistance: India has been at the forefront of providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid, such as during the 2004 tsunami and the 2020 Mauritius oil spill.
• Institutional Frameworks: India has supported regional organisations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) to promote dialogue and cooperation.

Strategic Importance

• The Bongosagar exercise reflects a shared commitment to countering global security challenges. It promotes regional security and stability. This aligns with India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative, which aims to encourage cooperative maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

Impact on Regional Security

• The exercise strengthens confidence between the Indian and Bangladeshi navies. It prepares both forces to respond swiftly to emerging threats at sea. Enhanced cooperation can deter potential maritime security threats in the region.

Future Prospects

• The successful conduct of Bongosagar 2025 sets a precedent for future exercises. Continued collaboration is expected to evolve, addressing new challenges in maritime security. Both nations are likely to engage in more joint exercises to further enhance their naval capabilities.

Novel cancer therapy works for 73 per cent Indian patients in clinical trials: Why the Lancet report is significant

• The clinical trial results of India’s first CAR T-cell therapy, published in The Lancet, show that it worked for nearly 73 per cent of patients.
• These results come from the Phase I and II trials of the therapy, where researchers assess its safety and effectiveness against a given condition.
• This is the first clinical trial of a CAR T-cell therapy from India to be published in an international journal. “This is really a world class innovation done within the country. The treatment has been found to be comparable to others approved globally and the  cost is 1/20th of those therapies. This will improve access and affordability of such high-end cancer treatments.
• A CAR T-cell therapy, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, trains the body’s own immune cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. This treatment is designed for specific types of blood cancer and is given to patients whose cancer has either relapsed or not responded to first-line treatment.
• Based on unpublished, yet-to-be peer-reviewed results, India’s drug regulator had granted approval for this therapy in 2023. It is now available at several hospitals across India, including Apollo, Fortis, Amrita and Max, among others.
• Given that the treatment is novel and intended for cancer patients with no other options, the regulator allowed the company — a start-up incubated in IIT Bombay called ImmunoAct — to forgo a large Phase III clinical trial to demonstrate its efficacy in a broader population. However, the company must follow up with all patients who receive the therapy for 15 years.
• While the response rate was found to be similar to other therapies approved across the world, there was high incidence of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis — a serious but known complication of CAR T therapies where the immune cells get uncontrollably activated leading to hyper inflammation and organ damage.
• For any CAR T-cell therapy, a patient’s immune T-cells are collected by filtering their blood. These cells are then engineered in a lab to add receptors that can bind with cancer cells.
•  These cells are then multiplied and infused in the patient. Usually, the cancer cells are adept at evading the unmodified T cells
• The treatment developed in India is meant for patients with two types of blood cancers that affect the B cells — acute lymphoblastic leukemia and large B cell lymphomas.
• Access to cutting-edge cancer treatment like CAR T-cell therapy remains restricted to a handful of countries owing to the technological challenges as well as the cost associated with the treatment.
•  T-cells are primarily used in CAR-T cell therapy because of their pivotal role in the immune system’s response to pathogens and malignancies. These cells can be genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which are specifically designed to recognise and bind to antigens on the surface of cancer cells. Once bound, these modified T-cells can efficiently kill cancer cells. 
• Other cells like B cells or natural killer cells also play roles in immunity but don’t have the same adaptability and memory capabilities as T cells, making them less effective for the persistent and targeted action required in CAR-T cell therapy

 UN chief announces new ''UN80 Initiative'' to improve efficiencies amid shrinking

• The United Nations is prioritising reform to ensure it remains effective, cost-efficient and responsive to the people it serves, Secretary-General António Guterres announced Wednesday, as part of a continued push to modernize the Organization.
• Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters, in New York, Mr. Guterres emphasised that the reforms are not just about internal processes but aimed at delivering tangible improvements in peace, development and humanitarian aid – all while ensuring that public funds are used wisely and transparently.
• “These efforts are not ends in themselves. They are about better serving people whose very lives depend on us. They are about hardworking taxpayers around the world who underwrite everything we do,” he said.
• As the UN turns 80 this year, the UN80 Initiative builds on ongoing efforts, including the Pact for the Future and UN 2.0, which aim to update the UN’s structures, priorities, and operations for the 21st century.

UN80 Initiative

• As the UN turns 80 this year, the UN80 Initiative builds on ongoing efforts, including the Pact for the Future and UN 2.0, which aim to update the UN’s structures, priorities, and operations for the 21st century.
• Under the UN80 Initiative, a dedicated internal Task Force led by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder will develop proposals in three key areas.

These include:

• i) Identifying efficiencies and improvements.
• ii) Reviewing the implementation of mandates from Member States.
• iii) A strategic review of deeper, more structural changes and programme realignment.

Urgency and ambition

• Since taking office in 2017, Mr. Guterres has led a comprehensive reform agenda focused on simplifying procedures, decentralising decision-making, enhancing transparency and prioritising data and digital capacity to make the UN more efficient and cost-effective.
• “It is essential that an organizational system as complex and crucial as the United Nations – subjects itself to rigorous and regular scrutiny to assess its fitness for purpose in carrying out its goals efficiently,” he said.
• “And this 80th anniversary year of the United Nations is a prime moment to expand all our efforts, recognising the need for even greater urgency and ambition.”

Not just about numbers

• Under the UN80 Initiative, a dedicated internal Task Force led by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder will develop proposals in three key areas, the UN chief said.
• These include identifying efficiencies and improvements, reviewing the implementation of mandates from Member States, and a strategic review of deeper, more structural changes and programme realignment.
• These efforts go “far beyond the technical,” Mr. Guterres said.
• “Budgets at the United Nations are not just numbers on a balance sheet – they are a matter of life and death for millions around the world.”

Liquidity crisis

• Though the UN remains a “one-of-a-kind” forum for nations to advance peace and security collectively, promote sustainable development and human rights, it has been facing significant fiscal headwinds.
• “Resources are shrinking across the board – and they have been for a long time,” Mr. Guterres said.
• “For at least the past seven years, the United Nations has faced a liquidity crisis because not all Member States pay in full, and many also do not pay on time,” he added.
• As of 11 March, only 75 of the 193 Member States have paid their assessed contributions in full towards the $3.72 billion 2025 budget for the Organization – approved by the General Assembly in December last year.
• Last year, 152 nations paid their share in full by December 31, while in 2023 the number was 142.
• The regular budget funds UN programmes across key areas, including political affairs, international justice and law, regional cooperation for development, human rights and humanitarian affairs. UN peacekeeping operations are funded through a separate account.

Member States’ decisions

• Mr. Guterres also pledged to consult closely and regularly with all Member States on the progress made – under the leadership of the President of the General Assembly – seeking guidance on the way forward and presenting concrete proposals.
• “My objective is to move as soon as possible in areas where I have the authority – and to urge Member States to consider the many decisions that rest with them,” he said.
• He concluded emphasising, “need is great, and the goal is clear:  an even stronger and more effective United Nations that delivers for people and is tuned to the 21st century.”

Genesis of the UN

• As World War II was about to end in 1945, nations were in ruins, and the world wanted peace. 
• Representatives of 50 countries gathered at the United Nations Conference on International Organisation in San Francisco, California from April 25 to June 26, 1945. 
• For the next two months, they proceeded to draft and then sign the UN Charter, which created a new international organisation, the United Nations, which, it was hoped, would prevent another world war like the one they had just lived through.
• The Charter of the United Nations is the founding document of the United Nations. 
• It was signed on June 26, 1945 and came into force on October 24, 1945.
• Since the UN’s founding in 1945, the mission and work of the Organization have been guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter, which has been amended three times in 1963, 1965, and 1973.

Main organs of the UN

• The United Nations (UN) has six main organs. Five of them — the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat — are based at UN Headquarters in New York. The sixth, the International Court of Justice, is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.
• All were established under the UN Charter when the organisation was founded in 1945.
• The United Nations is neither a supra-State nor a government of governments. It does not have an army and it imposes no taxes. It depends on the political will of its Member States to have its decisions put into action and relies on the contributions of its Members to carry out its activities.

1) General Assembly

• The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation.
•  Each year, in September, the full UN membership meets in the General Assembly Hall in New York for the annual General Assembly session, and general debate, which many heads of State attend and address.
• Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. Decisions on other questions are by simple majority. The General Assembly, each year, elects a GA President to serve a one-year term of office.

2) Security Council

• The Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has not changed from its 1945 configuration: 10 non-permanent members from all regions of the world elected for two-year terms without veto power and five countries that were dominant powers at the end of World War II are permanent members with veto power: the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France.
• All members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. While other organs of the United Nations make recommendations to Member States, only the Security Council has the power to make decisions that Member States are then obligated to implement under the Charter.
•  The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. 

3) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

• The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.
• It serves as the central mechanism for activities of the UN system and its specialised agencies in the economic, social and environmental fields, supervising subsidiary and expert bodies.
•  It has 54 Members, elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. It is the United Nations’ central platform for reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on sustainable development.

4) Trusteeship Council

• The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 by the UN Charter to provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed under the administration of seven Member States, and ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-government and independence. By 1994, all Trust Territories had attained self-government or independence.
• The Trusteeship Council suspended its operations on November 1, 1994, a month after the independence of Palau, the last remaining United Nations trust territory. By a resolution adopted on May 25, 1994, the Council amended its rules of procedure to drop the obligation to meet annually and agreed to meet as occasion required — by its decision or the decision of its President, or at the request of a majority of its members or the General Assembly or the Security Council. 

5) International Court of Justice

• The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York.
• The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs and specialised agencies. The International Court of Justice functions in accordance with its Statute.

6) Secretariat

• The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the organisation’s other principal bodies. The Secretary-General is Chief Administrative Officer of the Organization, appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year, renewable term.
• The Secretary-General is also a symbol of the Organisation’s ideals, and an advocate for all the world’s peoples, especially the poor and vulnerable. UN staff members are recruited internationally and locally, and work in duty stations and on peacekeeping missions all around the world.

 ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

• The success rate of Artificial Insemination in the country is ranging from 32%-35% as per data reported by the States on Bharat Pashudhan portal. 
•  The following steps, in the form of technological advancements, scientific interventions and policy initiatives have been undertaken by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying for enhancing efficiency and success rate of Artificial Insemination among bovines including indigenous breeds in the country.
• (i) Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme: The programme aims at enhancing AI coverage and to deliver quality Artificial Insemination Services (AI) at farmer’s doorstep with semen of high genetic merit bulls including indigenous breeds.   
• (ii)Progeny testing and Pedigree selection programme: This programme aims to produce high genetic merit bulls, including bulls of indigenous breeds.
•  Progeny testing is implemented for Gir, Sahiwal breeds of cattle, and Murrah, Mehsana breeds of buffaloes. Under the Pedigree selection programme Rathi, Tharparkar, Hariana, Kankrej breed of cattle and Jaffarabadi, Nili Ravi, Pandharpuri and Banni breed of buffalo are covered.  Disease free high genetic merit bulls produced under the programme are made available to semen stations across the country including Punjab.
• (iii) Strengthening of semen stations: In order to attain qualitative and quantitative improvement in semen production, strengthening of semen stations is covered under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.  The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has formulated Minimum Standard Protocol for semen production and constituted Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) for evaluation and grading of semen stations across the country including Punjab.
• (iv)  Multi Purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRI):  MAITRIs are trained and equipped to deliver quality Artificial Insemination services at farmers’ doorstep. Further, assistance is made available to States and Union Territories for refreshers training of artificial insemination technicians and professionals including for Punjab.
• (v) Sex Sorted Semen: The Department has established sex sorted semen production facilities at 5 government semen stations located in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
• 3 private semen stations are also producing sex sorted semen doses. So far 1.17 crore sex-sorted semen doses from high genetic merit bulls have been produced including bulls of indigenous breeds and made available for Artificial Insemination. 
• (vi) Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using sex sorted semen: This program aims to produce female calves with up to 90% accuracy, thereby enhancing breed improvement and farmers'' income.
•  Programme is implemented in all States including Punjab. Government has launched indigenously developed sex sorted semen technology to deliver sex sorted semen at reasonable rates to farmers.
• (vii)   Implementation of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Technology: To propagate elite animals of indigenous breeds, the Department has established 22 IVF laboratories. The technology has important role in genetic upgradation of bovine population in single generation.
•  Funds have been released to Punjab for establishment of IVF labs  at Patiala and Ludhiana; both the labs are now operational. Further, to deliver technology at reasonable rates to farmers, Government has launched indigenous IVF media.
• (viii) Genomic Selection:  To select High Genetic Merit (HGM) animals and to accelerate genetic improvement of cattle and buffaloes, the Department has developed unified genomic chips—Gau Chip for indigenous cattle and Mahish Chip for buffaloes—specifically designed for initiating genomic selection of high genetic merit animals of indigenous breeds in the country.
• In order to ensure the protection of indigenous breeds from indiscriminate breeding, breed purity test of all imported germplasm is conducted in the country.

Explainer: The Commission on the Status of Women and why it matters

•  The annual UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meets to address the widespread inequalities, violence and discrimination women continue to face around the world.
• This year, the commission will gather at UN Headquarters in New York from 10 to 21 March.
•  This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995).
• The main focus of the sixty-ninth session will be on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. 
•  The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946.
• The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s and girls'' rights, documenting the reality of their lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• In 1996, ECOSOC in resolution 1996/6 expanded the Commission’s mandate and decided that it should take a leading role in monitoring and reviewing progress and problems in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and in mainstreaming a gender perspective in UN activities.
• During the Commission’s annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York.
•  They discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Member States agree on further actions to accelerate progress and promote women’s and girls'' enjoyment of their rights in political, economic, and social fields. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to ECOSOC for follow-up.

UN Official Documents on Women

• Commission on the Status of Women: Sessional Reports (1947-current)
• Review of the implementation on the Commission on the Status of Women (1946-current)
• Summary Records: CSW sessions (1947-current)
• Resolutions and Decisions on Women
• NGO Statements on Gender and Women

 Works of Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

• With a growing UN membership and mounting evidence in the 1960s that women were disproportionately affected by poverty, CSW focused on needs in community and rural development, agricultural work, family planning and scientific and technological advances. 
• It also encouraged the UN system to expand technical assistance to further the advancement of women, especially in developing countries.
• The UN declared 1975 the International Year of Women and convened the First World Conference on Women, held in Mexico. 
• In 1977, the UN formally recognised International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8.
• CSW was pivotal in the adoption of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women of the ground-breaking declaration, which remains a key global policy document on gender equality
• The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s and girls'' rights, documenting the reality of their lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• In 1996, ECOSOC expanded the Commission’s mandate and decided that it should take a leading role in monitoring and reviewing progress and problems in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and in mainstreaming a gender perspective in UN activities.
• During the Commission’s annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organisations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York. 
• They discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
•  Member States agree on further actions to accelerate progress and promote women’s and girls’ enjoyment of their rights in political, economic, and social fields. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to ECOSOC for follow-up.

Member States of CSW

• Forty-five Member States of the United Nations serve as members of the Commission at any one time. 
• The Commission consists of one representative from each of the 45 Member States elected by the Economic and Social Council on the basis of equitable geographical distribution:
• a) 12 members from Africa.
• b) 11 from Asia.
• c) Nine from Latin America and Caribbean.
• d) Eight from Western Europe and other States.
• e) Four from Eastern Europe.
• India is a member of the CSW.
• Members are elected for a period of four years.

Union Minister Annpurna Devi to lead India’s delegation

• Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi will lead India''s delegation at CSW69.
• She will participate in discussions on resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• As part of the high-level engagements, the minister will be the guest of honour at a side event on March 12, organised by the Indian government in collaboration with UN Women. 
• The event will bring together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss financial and digital empowerment strategies for women

Soil Fertility Mapping

• Soil & Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI), under Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare is generating of district/village-wise digital soil fertility maps through geo-spatial techniques using Soil Health Card (SHC) data. Soil Health Cards are generated under Soil Health & Fertility Scheme of Government of India. 
• Soil Health & Fertility Scheme assists states in promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients, in conjunction with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity.
• Soil samples are processed following standard procedures and analyzed for various parameters viz, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur and micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese & Boron). SHC provides information to farmers on soil nutrient status (low, medium & high) and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health.
• Soil fertility maps for 351 villages spread across 34 districts of Maharashtra has been generated. Soil Fertility Maps provide detailed spatial information about the nutrient composition and health of the soil.
• It helps farmers in application of fertilizers and soil amendments judiciously, reducing the risk of overuse or underuse. It enhances economic outcomes for farmers, as they are able to maximize their returns with less input, thus increasing overall profitability.
• Geospatial techniques, including remote sensing & AI based tools, are used in Soil Fertility Mapping. The SHC soil sampling point is geo-coded using GPS, the sample is assigned a unique QR Code, and this QR code is retained during analysis in soil testing labs.
• Soil Fertility data in the form of SHCs is made available to farmers.  Farmers can download SHC from the portal by entering registered mobile number.
• Challenges like logistical, technical, and physical infrastructure barriers are there in remote and hilly areas for soil fertility mapping. Presently use of Village Level Soil Testing labs and mini labs in hilly and remote area are addressing these challenges.
• Soil degradation and nutrient deficiencies have been identified through comprehensive mapping efforts using soil survey and soil health card data. Through SHC farmers are advised for balanced use of fertilizer to overcome the nutrient deficiencies.
• Soil fertility mapping is an essential tool which provides precise, location specific data on the nutrient and soil health status.
•  The soil fertility maps enable farmers to identify areas with nutrient deficiencies or surpluses, allowing for targeted fertilizer application customized to the specific needs. Mapping the availability of nutrients in the soil, farmers can avoid the indiscriminate use of fertilizers, ensuring appropriate usage. The Scheme is available to all States & UTs.

Soil Health Cards

• Soil health is fundamental to the food system in the country. It forms the bedrock of agriculture and serves as the vital medium for the growth of food-producing plants. When soils are healthy, they yield higher productivity of nutritious crops that provide nourishment for both humans and animals. 
• It is important to recognise that the quality and quantity of our food are directly connected to the quality of our soils. Therefore, prioritising soil health is essential for ensuring the availability of high-quality and abundant food for all and reducing dependency on other countries for agricultural produce.
• Soil Health Cards (SHCs) scheme was introduced in 2014-15. It is a programme for soil sampling, testing and generation of SHCs which was launched to assist state governments to issue soil health cards to all farmers in the country.
• The aim of the scheme is to assist states/Union Territories to provide Soil Health Cards for all farm holdings to promote balanced and integrated nutrient management as per the recommendations of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (lCAR) to prevent the deterioration of soil quality.
•  This initiative is a part of the broader government effort to improve agricultural sustainability, optimise resource use, and enhance farmers’  income across the country.
• Under the scheme, Soil Health Cards are issued to farmers that provide information on nutrient status of soil and recommendations on judicious dosage and type of fertilisers for improving soil health and its fertility.
• Once the Soil Health Card is generated, the advisory/guidelines are given to farmers through Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Krishi Sakhi, etc. 
• Soil samples are processed through standard procedures and analysed for parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, and micro-nutrients (zinc, copper, iron, manganese & boron). 
• Soil Health Card scheme has been merged in Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) as its one component under name ‘Soil Health & Fertility’ from the year 2022-23.
• The government made some technological interventions in the New Soil Health Card Scheme. The Soil Health Card portal has been revamped and integrated with a Geographic Information System (GIS) system so that all the test results are captured and seen on a map.
• To make the implementation/monitoring of the scheme smooth and to facilitate farmers an easy access to his soil health card, the mobile application has been made robust with many additional features.
• Under the scheme, there is also provision to set up static Soil Testing Labs (STLs), Mobile Soil Testing Labs, Mini Soil Testing Labs and Village Soil Testing Labs besides strengthening of existing laboratories to undertake soil testing.
• Till date, 8,272 soil testing labs (1,068 static soil testing labs, 163 mobile soil testing labs, 6,376 mini soil testing labs and 665 village level soil testing labs) have been established across the country.

Agricultural Credit Mechanisms

•  The current agricultural credit mechanisms have been increasingly adapted to address the emerging challenges of climate-resilient farming practices, providing financial support to farmers to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• These initiatives and policies have been tailored to support farmers in coping with climate-related challenges by promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, resilience, and sustainability.
• The details of these mechanisms are outlined below:
• i. Interest Subvention for Farmers Affected by Natural Calamities: The Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) - Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) is a centrally funded scheme that provides concessional interest rates on short-term agricultural loans obtained by farmers.
•  Under this scheme, farmers are offered KCC loans at a subsidized interest rate of 7%. An upfront interest subvention (IS) of 1.5% is provided to financial institutions, and farmers who repay their loans promptly receive a 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI), reducing the interest rate to 4% per annum. In the event of natural calamities, the scheme offers interest subvention on restructured loans for the first year, with normal interest rates applying from the second year. Additionally, for severe natural calamities, the scheme extends interest subvention and PRI on restructured crop loans for up to five years, based on the approval of the competent authority.
• ii. Supporting agriculture credit through Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): The current agricultural credit mechanisms, particularly through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), are addressing emerging challenges in Climate Resilient Farming practices. AIF provides medium to long term loans to set up decentralized Infrastructure, such as farm gate storage and logistics, which reduces post-harvest loses and minimizes intermediaries.
• The Scheme offers loans with a capped 9% interest rate, Interest subvention of 3% per annum for loans up to  ₹ 2 crore, and credit guarantee coverage for eligible borrowers. AIF supports climate-resilient initiatives like decentralized solar power plants under PM-KUSUM, precision agriculture tools, and organic input production, all of which help mitigate climate risks, improve productivity and promote sustainable farming practices. Through these measures, AIF is aligning agricultural credit mechanisms with the need for climate-smart investments, making farming more resilient and sustainable.
• iii. Supporting Initiatives for Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Other agricultural credit mechanisms, such as the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) models, are integrated into watershed development projects to promote climate-resilient crop cultivation and livestock rearing. Additionally, Agri Fintech platforms like ITC MAARS enable farmers to use Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and input loans, facilitating the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.
• iv. Customized Climate Financial Products: Public policies have been encouraging the development of climate financial products that support adaptation activities in regions vulnerable to climate change.
•  These products provide incentives for investments in infrastructure and technologies that enhance climate resilience in agriculture. For example, NABARD''s involvement in the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) has directed significant resources toward projects aimed at adapting to and mitigating the impact of climate change in agriculture.
• v. Promotion of Renewable Energy in Agriculture: The government has launched several initiatives to promote renewable energy in agriculture, which is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and ensuring energy stability in rural areas.  
• Such as PM-KUSUM scheme offers financial assistance to farmers for installing solar-powered irrigation systems, solar pumps and grid-connected solar power plants. This reduces the dependency on conventional energy sources, lowers carbon emissions and enhances energy access for farmers. The scheme provides central subsidies of up to 30% to 50% for the installation of standalone solar pumps and for solarizing existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.
• vi. NABARD''s Initiatives for Climate Resilience: NABARD has been implementing the Watershed Development Programme, focusing on rainfed regions vulnerable to water scarcity. This program aims to increase water availability, promote the adoption of diverse and high-value crops, improve production and productivity and enhance farming conditions
• These interventions reduce the risks associated with rainfed farming, resulting in improved credit flow. NABARD also supports tribal families by providing financial assistance for livelihood activities, such as orchard development, animal husbandry and micro-enterprise initiatives. This contributes to sustainable livelihoods and reduces distress migration.
• vii. Voluntary carbon market in Agriculture: 11 projects have been registered under the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) in agriculture on the Veera VCS platform, which focuses on promoting sustainable farming practices.
• The government is developing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in agriculture namely AgriStack for developing evidence based and data driven Decision Support System (DSS).
• By equipping farmers with knowledge and innovations, these efforts aim to improve productivity, reduce risks and enable farmers to adapt to climate variability, ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability. Further, the policy framework mentioned above at point (a) is also being developed to facilitate the transition from input-intensive agriculture to knowledge-based and climate-resilient farming.