SC Affirms Arrest Must Be Communicated in Language Understood by Arrestee

• The SC held that an arrest is illegal if the written grounds of arrest are not furnished to the arrestee in a language he/she understands.

• Earlier, the SC mandated written grounds of arrest in cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
• This ruling extends that requirement to all arrests, including under IPC/Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Key Observations of the Supreme Court

• Article 22(1) guarantees that a person must be informed of the grounds of arrest “as soon as may be”.
• Simply reading out the grounds or supplying them in a language not understood by the accused does not satisfy constitutional requirements.
• This violates Articles 21 (protection of personal liberty) and 22 (right to know the grounds of arrest).
• Court’s Direction: Grounds of arrest must be written in a language the arrestee understands, clear enough to enable the person to consult a lawyer, seek bail, or challenge custody.

Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2025

The Union Health Ministry has amended the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2025, removing the mandatory requirement of clinical specular equipment for corneal transplantation centres.

Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Rules, 2025:

• The amendment to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014, issued under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, seeks to simplify norms for corneal transplantation and strengthen the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP).
• Aim
• To boost cornea donation and transplantation services, streamline the approval process, and remove infrastructural bottlenecks, ensuring equitable access to eye-care facilities across India.
• Key Features:

• Removal of mandatory clinical specular microscope requirement: previously used to assess corneal endothelial cell health, easing compliance for smaller eye centres.
• Promotes equitable access to transplant services in rural and semi-urban regions by reducing cost and equipment barriers.
• Strengthens NOTP by improving coordination among hospitals, tissue banks, and regulatory authorities.
• Based on expert and stakeholder consultations, aligning with the government’s Vision for Equitable Healthcare Access.

• Long-term objective: Strengthen India’s cornea donation ecosystem and reduce the burden of corneal blindness — the second-leading cause of blindness among Indians over 50 years of age.

Cornea

• The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped outer layer at the front of the eye that functions like a window, allowing light to enter and focus on the retina for clear vision.
• Characteristics:
• Acts as a protective barrier against dust, microbes, and injury.
• Comprises six layers: Epithelium, Bowman’s Layer, Stroma, Pre-Descemet’s (Dua’s) Layer, Descemet’s Layer, and Endothelium.
• Highly sensitive: has 300–600 times more pain receptors than skin, ensuring quick reflex protection.
• Maintains eye structure and fluid balance, essential for vision clarity.
• Self-healing: minor injuries repair rapidly, but deeper damage (scarring or clouding) often requires corneal transplant surgery to restore vision.

India-Bhutan Bilateral Relations

Prime Minister of India is in Thimphu to join the seventieth birthday celebrations of former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, widely called K Four, and to underline the strategic depth of India Bhutan ties.

• Historic Foundation: The 1949 Treaty of Friendship institutionalised India-Bhutan relations; the 2007 revision removed guidance clauses, marking a mature, sovereign partnership.
• Shared Values: Rooted in trust, cultural affinity, and Buddhism, both nations see their relationship as moral and civilisational, not merely strategic.
• Geostrategic Relevance: Bhutan acts as a critical Himalayan buffer between India and China, ensuring India’s northern frontier stability.
• Economic Integration: India is Bhutan’s largest trade and investment partner, absorbing over 90% of Bhutan’s exports, mainly hydropower.
• Diplomatic Consistency: Bhutan remains India’s most reliable partner in South Asia, exemplifying the “Neighbourhood First” policy in practice.

Key Areas of Cooperation:

• Hydropower Diplomacy: Projects like Chukha, Tala, and Mangdechhu (totaling over 2,100 MW) power Bhutan’s economy while exporting clean energy to India.
• Security Partnership: Bhutan’s Operation All Clear (2003) removed Indian insurgents, showcasing unwavering strategic trust.
• Connectivity Projects: Ongoing work on Kokrajhar–Gelephu and Banarhat–Samtse rail links enhances border and trade integration.
• Digital Collaboration: RuPay cards, BHIM UPI, and QR interoperability link the nations’ fintech ecosystems for cashless cross-border transactions.
• Space and Technology: Launch of the India-Bhutan Satellite (2022) and shared ground stations mark a leap in scientific cooperation.

Major Initiatives Taken So Far:

• ₹10,000 crore support committed for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, ensuring continuity of developmental aid and community projects.
• Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (1,020 MW) inaugurated in 2025, symbolising energy self-reliance and regional green power trade.
• Gyalsung National Service Program: India extended ₹200 crore grant and ₹1,500 crore concessional loan to skill Bhutanese youth for nation-building.
• India-Bhutan Renewable Energy Roundtable 2024 advanced cooperation in solar, hydrogen, and private hydropower investment.
• Cultural diplomacy: The Piprahwa Buddha relic exhibition and Zhabdrung statue restoration deepen spiritual and heritage ties.

Differences Between India and Bhutan:

• Economic Scale: India’s trillion-dollar economy contrasts Bhutan’s billion GDP, creating asymmetry but also interdependence through trade.
• Energy Dependence: Bhutan relies on hydropower for 30% of revenues, whereas India seeks diversification into renewables.
• Demographic Contrast: India’s population exceeds 1.4 billion; Bhutan’s is less than a million, influencing governance and resource priorities.
• Geopolitical Exposure: India engages global powers, while Bhutan navigates a triangular balance between India, China, and global institutions.
• Climate Position: Bhutan remains carbon-negative, while India is a major emitter balancing growth with sustainability commitments.

Way Ahead:

• Diversify Economic Base: Encourage tech, tourism, organic agriculture, and education partnerships to reduce hydropower dependence.
• Green Corridor Expansion: Develop joint solar and hydrogen projects, integrating Bhutan into India’s carbon market ecosystem.
• Strategic Infrastructure: Fast-track cross-border rail, digital fibre, and power-grid interconnections for deeper physical and virtual integration.
• Youth and Skill Integration: Create dual degree programmes, start-up incubation hubs, and AI research linkages to empower Bhutanese youth.
• Regional Stability: Maintain joint vigilance on the China frontier, ensuring the Doklam sector remains secure for both nations.

India-Bhutan friendship represents trust without tutelage, cooperation without coercion, and proximity with parity. As both embrace a green and digital future, the relationship must evolve from hydropower to knowledge power—anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and regional harmony.

Mandatory ‘Country of Origin’ Filter on E-commerce Platforms

• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued the Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025.

Key Features of the Amendment

• E-commerce platforms will be required to provide a searchable and sortable filter that clearly displays the country of origin for all packaged products listed online.
• The provision will apply especially to imported goods, enabling users to identify origin information before purchase.
• This requirement will be inserted under Rule 6(10) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
• Objective: To enhance consumer empowerment and transparency in online shopping.
• It enables buyers to make informed decisions by easily identifying whether a product is Indian or imported.

India’s Need for Nutritional Transformation

• India’s food policy is evolving from food security to nutritional security, with growing emphasis on functional foods and smart proteins to meet health, economic, and sustainability goals.

Why India Needs Nutritional Transformation?

• Persistent Malnutrition: Around 35.5% of children are stunted and 19% wasted (NFHS-5, 2021), showing that food quantity does not ensure nourishment.
• Protein Deficit: Average protein intake at ~47 g/day is below the FAO-recommended 60 g/day, contributing to poor muscle mass and fatigue.
• Urban-Rural Gap: Urban households consume 25–30% more protein than rural ones (NITI Aayog, 2023).
• Rising Non-Communicable Diseases: India has 77 million diabetics and 25 million obese adults (IDF 2023, WHO 2024), demanding nutrition-dense, low-sugar diets.
• Environmental Pressure: Agriculture contributes 18–20% of India’s GHG emissions (FAO 2022); shifting to smart proteins can lower emissions by up to 90% compared to livestock.
• Economic Opportunity: The global alternative-protein market, projected at $240 billion by 2030, can generate jobs in India’s bio-manufacturing sector.

Challenges in India’s Nutritional Shift

• Regulatory Vacuum: FSSAI has no defined standards for cultivated meat or fermentation-based foods.
• Public Perception: Only 28% of Indians trust lab-made foods, limiting adoption (NCAER 2024).
• Infrastructure Deficit: India has fewer than 15 large-scale fermentation plants (DBT 2024), constraining protein manufacturing capacity. The EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy funds >100 pilot bio-s.
• Cost Accessibility: Functional foods cost 20–30% more than conventional staples (NCAER 2024). E.g. A fortified rice pack costs ₹50/kg versus ₹38/kg for regular rice.
• Skill Gaps: Less than 10% of food-science graduates specialise in nutritional biotechnology (AICTE 2023).

Way Forward

• National Nutrition Innovation Policy: Formulate an inter-ministerial policy integrating DBT, MoHFW, and FSSAI. E.g., Japan’s FOSHU Model ensures pre-market validation and consumer safety.
• FSSAI Regulatory Framework: Establish clear definitions, safety tests, and labelling norms for smart proteins and bio-fortified foods. E.g., Singapore’s Novel Foods Safety Protocol (2020).
• Public–Private Collaboration: Foster partnerships under BIRAC and NITI Aayog for R&D infrastructure. E.g. India’s BioE³ incubators can replicate the EU’s BioManufacturing Valley concept.
• Consumer Awareness Campaigns: Promote acceptance of new food technologies through Eat Right India and school nutrition education.
• Farmer Inclusion: Integrate small farmers into bio-fortified crop value chains with MSP incentives and assured procurement. E.g., ICRISAT’s model of community millet fortification networks in Maharashtra.
• R&D and Skill Development: Introduce nutritional biotechnology courses in agricultural and food institutes to build human capital. E.g., China’s National Innovation Centre for Smart Food.

15^th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue

• The 15^th edition of the India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) was held in Hanoi recently.

• Both countries reviewed progress under the India-Vietnam Joint Vision Statement 2030, which positions defence cooperation as a core pillar of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Both countries signed an MoU to provide mutual support in submarine search-and-rescue operations, enabling coordinated response during emergencies in the Indo-Pacific.
• A Letter of Intent on defence industrial cooperation was also signed, focusing on joint research and production, and transfer of technology.

India–Angola Relations

• President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Angolan Parliament during her state visit, marking 40 years of India–Angola diplomatic relations.

Key Areas of Cooperation

• Energy: Angola is India’s second-largest supplier of crude oil, after China. Petroleum exports account for nearly 90% of the total bilateral trade.
• Trade: India consistently remains one of Angola’s top three trading partners. Currently, it is the second-largest after China, accounting for about 10% of its global trade.
• Defence: India provided a $200 million Line of Credit to modernise Angola’s armed forces, including equipment upgrades, personnel training, and maintenance facilities.
• Agriculture: A MoU signed in May 2025 expanded agricultural cooperation to support Angola’s economic diversification and improve its food security.
• Global Alliances: Angola has joined India-led global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).

Graded Response Action Plan

The Delhi government has implemented Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-III) as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) breached 400, entering the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season.

• The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a dynamic pollution control framework designed to combat deteriorating air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) through stage-wise preventive and corrective actions based on AQI levels.

Organisation Involved: Implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in coordination with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Government, and state pollution control boards of NCR states.

Established in: 2017, following the directions of the Supreme Court of India, based on recommendations by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA).

Aim:

• To reduce air pollution in Delhi-NCR through timely, coordinated, and graded interventions, thereby safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) objectives.

Key Features:

• Four-stage response system linked to air quality levels:

• Stage I: Poor (201–300)
• Stage II: Very Poor (301–400)
• Stage III: Severe (401–450)
• Stage IV: Severe+ (>450)

• Progressive and cumulative restrictions — each stage includes measures from previous stages.
• Actions include: bans on construction, demolition, and BS-III petrol/BS-IV diesel vehicles, closure of schools (up to Class 5), and promotion of work-from-home.
• Essential services like metro, railways, sanitation, defence, and healthcare are exempt but must adhere to dust and emission control norms.
• Real-time monitoring via CPCB and IMD/ IITM forecasts helps invoke stages in advance.

How it Works?

• The CAQM Sub-Committee reviews daily AQI data and forecasts to decide when to activate or relax stages.
• When higher AQI levels are expected to persist for three or more days, the next GRAP stage is invoked proactively.
• Enforcement is carried out jointly by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), NCR state boards, and district administrations, ensuring inter-agency coordination and public compliance.

Watershed Mahotsav

Union Minister of Agriculture will inaugurate the Watershed Mahotsav in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, on November 11, 2025.

• The Watershed Mahotsav is a national festival celebrating community participation in sustainable watershed management. It focuses on integrating citizens, policymakers, and local bodies to promote holistic soil and water conservation in rural India.

It is part of the National Watershed Conference 2025, organised by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development.

Aim: To foster Jan Bhagidari (public participation) in watershed development, restore degraded ecosystems, and strengthen rural livelihoods through efficient water management and soil conservation.

Key Features:

1. Promotes Mission Watershed Revitalisation for repairing and maintaining old watershed structures.
2. Integrates MGNREGA for funding and on-ground implementation of soil and water conservation work.
3. Includes community initiatives like shramdaan, tree plantation drives, and recognition through the Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025.
4. Focuses on rainfed area development, water harvesting, afforestation, and spring-shed rejuvenation.

Nine Years After Demonetisation

• Even nine years after demonetisation, police in Ghaziabad uncovered a fraud racket targeting people still holding old ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes.

• The arrests show that a small underground market for these demonetised notes still exists.

Key Data Facts

• Currency held by the public dropped sharply from ₹17.97 lakh crore in November 2016 to ₹7.8 lakh crore in January 2017, immediately after demonetisation.
• As of 17 October 2025, the amount of currency with the public has climbed to ₹37.29 lakh crore (RBI data), more than double the pre-demonetisation level.
• This shows that, despite the expansion of digital payments, cash remains deeply embedded in the economy and that overall cash usage has not structurally decreased.

Currency-to-GDP Ratio

• As per RBI, India’s Currency-in-Circulation (CIC) to GDP ratio fell to 11.11% in 2025, lower than the pandemic peak of 14.5% (2020-21). Before demonetisation (2016-17), the ratio was 8.7%.
• The fall in the ratio suggests that, although the total amount of cash has increased, the economy has grown faster, reducing cash’s share of GDP.
• India’s Currency-to-GDP ratio stands at 11.1% (2025), higher than major economies like the U.S. (7.96%), Russia (8.3%), and China (9.5%).
• Despite this high ratio, UPI digital payments grew at a 49% CAGR between FY23 and FY25.
• Reasons India’s ratio is on the higher side include a large informal sector that still relies on cash and lower adoption of cards and bank-based digital solutions in many regions.

Soil Organic Carbon

• A recent ICAR study revealed that climate change and unbalanced fertiliser use are speeding up the decline of soil organic carbon (SOC) in India’s farmland.

• Agri-Ecological Mapping: It created an agri-ecological base map to analyse cropping systems and the impacts of fertiliser on soil carbon.

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

• Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the carbon part of soil organic matter (SOM), expressed as a percentage of total soil weight.
• Composition: About 50-60% of soil organic matter is carbon, and healthy soils typically contain between 1% and 6% SOC.
• Forms: SOC exists in various forms, including fresh residues, humus, and living microorganisms.

Determinants of Soil Organic Carbon

• Temperature: Cooler climates maintain higher SOC as low microbial activity slows decomposition, while tropical regions lose carbon quickly due to rapid decay.
• Rainfall: Moderate rainfall promotes vegetation growth and residue return, leading to increased SOC. Arid or flooded soils retain far less carbon.
• Soil Texture: Clay soils preserve more SOC because fine particles chemically bind organic matter, whereas sandy soils lose carbon through leaching and poor aggregation.
• Vegetation Type: Grasslands build greater SOC through deep-root carbon storage. Forests lose carbon faster as surface litter decomposes quickly.
• Topography: Low and flat regions collect SOC from runoff and cooler microclimates, whereas steep slopes face erosion that strips away carbon-rich topsoil.
• Soil Depth: Topsoil contains the most SOC from roots and microbial activity, with carbon levels steadily decreasing with depth.

Benefits of Soil Organic Carbon

• Soil Structure: SOC binds soil particles into stable aggregates, enhances water infiltration, and boosts resistance to erosion.
• Microbial Life: It fuels beneficial microorganisms that manage nutrient recycling, suppress soil-borne diseases, and decompose organic matter.
• Soil Fertility: Higher SOC improves cation exchange capacity and nutrient availability, ensuring balanced and healthy plant growth.
• Water Retention: Carbon-rich soils retain more moisture, improve irrigation efficiency, and support crop stability during prolonged dry periods.
• Nutrient Supply: It acts as a slow-release source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, reducing farmers’ reliance on chemical fertilisers.
• Climate Regulation: SOC captures atmospheric carbon dioxide and strengthens the soil’s capacity as a stable natural carbon sink.

Factors Affecting Soil Organic Carbon

• Tillage: Repeated ploughing exposes buried organic matter to air, breaks carbon bonds and lowers the soil’s organic carbon content.
• Fertiliser Use: Excess nitrogen fertiliser increases microbial decomposition, which accelerates carbon loss and gradually raises soil acidity.
• Residue Management: Burning or removing crop residues depletes the primary source of new organic carbon, weakening the soil’s ability to replenish its fertility.
• Land Conversion: Converting forests or grasslands into agricultural land disrupts natural soil processes and leads to a decline in carbon storage.
• Temperature Rise: Warmer conditions stimulate microbial respiration, release more carbon dioxide and reduce the soil’s long-term carbon reserves.
• Erosion: Runoff and wind erosion strip away carbon-rich topsoil, decreasing both fertility and carbon-holding capacity of the soil.

Integrity Matters Checklist

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has launched the UN-endorsed “Integrity Matters Checklist”, a new tool designed to help companies align their climate disclosures with UN standards for credible net-zero commitment.

Integrity Matters Checklist:

• An UN-endorsed climate disclosure framework that helps companies and investors transparently report on net-zero targets, transition plans, and greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
• Developed by: GRI in partnership with the United Nations, aligning with recommendations of the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Net Zero Commitments.
• Aim: To operationalise the Integrity Matters report of the HLEG by ensuring corporate climate action is credible, science-based, and transparent, supporting both the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda goals.
• Key Features:

• Alignment with UN guidance on verifiable net-zero targets and just transition principles.
• Integrated with GRI 102: Climate Change 2025 Standard, enabling consistent and comparable sustainability reporting.
• Encourages companies to phase out fossil fuel investments and adopt science-based transition pathways.

• Provides a checklist-based reporting tool to track progress from pledges to delivery, enhancing investor and policymaker trust.
• Endorsed by UN officials as a bridge between corporate ambition and climate accountability.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI):

• An international independent standards organisation that provides the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework for businesses, governments, and NGOs.
• Launched in: 1997, by Ceres and the Tellus Institute, with support from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Aim: To promote transparency and accountability by helping organisations measure and communicate their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts in a standardized and comparable way.

WEF Report on Shaping Deep Tech Revolution in Agriculture

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) published a report titled “Shaping the Deep-Tech Revolution in Agriculture” under its Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Initiative (AI4AI).

• Objective: It examines how the convergence of deep-tech domains could revolutionise global agriculture for sustainability and food security.

Convergence of Technologies in Agriculture

• Swarm Robotics: Uses small coordinated robots powered by AI and edge IoT to carry out tasks such as weeding and harvesting.
• Precision Farm Management: Combines data from sensors, satellites, and AI models to determine the best use of water and fertiliser.
• Agentic AI: Works independently to plan and manage crop cycles or supply chains without continuous human input.
• Carbon Reporting: Uses AI and satellite data to measure soil carbon accurately and help farmers access carbon markets.

Case Studies Demonstrating Feasibility of Deep-Tech in Agriculture

• CRISPR Rice: ICAR developed drought- and salinity-resistant rice varieties that produce up to 30% higher yields while emitting less methane.
• Crop Insurance: The PMFBY uses drones and satellite data to assess crop loss, making insurance claims faster and more transparent.
• Digital Infrastructure: The Bhashini platform provides AI farm tools in Indian languages to assist small farmers in accessing technology.

Barriers to Technology Adoption

• High Costs: Advanced tools like drones and IoT systems are expensive, making them out of reach for small farmers.
• Regulatory Delays: Gene-editing methods like CRISPR face slow approval and public concerns, which restrict their wider use.
• Data Gaps: Poor internet networks and limited data sharing reduce the accuracy and reliability of AI systems in rural areas.
• Environmental Risk: Nanotechnology lacks sufficient long-term studies on its environmental impacts.
• Field Variability: Computer vision performs poorly under uneven lighting and varying crop stages.

Emerging Challenges for Agriculture

• Shrinking Workforce: Farm labour is decreasing as rural workers migrate to cities, leaving an ageing farming population behind.
• Climate Pressure: Unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures are decreasing yields and heightening the risk of food insecurity.
• Resource Depletion: The excessive use of water and fertilisers has depleted 71% of groundwater and degraded one-third of the world’s soil.
• Demand-Waste Gap: Food production needs to increase by 70% by 2050, yet a third of the harvest still goes to waste.
• Geopolitical Disruptions: Wars and trade barriers have driven up fertiliser prices, threatening food security in countries that rely on imports.

Five Foundational Pillars for Implementing Deep-Tech in Agriculture

1. Policy and Regulations: Governments should introduce adaptive rules and regulatory sandboxes for AI, data use, and gene editing.
2. Finance and Investments: Blended finance and concessional loans enable small farmers to adopt advanced agricultural tools.
3. Human Capital: Skilled professionals trained in both agronomy and emerging technologies are essential for applying deep-tech solutions effectively.
4. Data and Digital Infrastructure: Reliable rural connectivity and unified data standards ensure accuracy and scalability in AI-driven farm operations.
5. Innovation Support: Collaboration among universities, startups, and international partners drives research, testing, and expansion of deep-tech in agriculture.

Global Peace Prayer Festival

• The Global Peace Prayer Festival is being held in Thimphu, Bhutan, to promote global peace and harmony.
• Host Country: It is organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan to mark the 70^th birth anniversary of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk.
• Objective: The festival gathers Buddhist leaders, monks, and scholars from different traditions to pray for world peace and humanity’s healing amid global conflicts.
• India’s Contribution: Sacred relics of Lord Buddha from India were brought to Bhutan for public display and worship.

David Szalay Wins the Booker Prize 2025

• Hungarian-British author David Szalay has won the Booker Prize in 2025 for the novel ‘Flesh’.
• Szalay is recognised for his minimalist writing and keen insights into modern life; he was previously shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2016.

Booker Prize

• The Booker Prize is a renowned global literary award honouring the best English-language fiction novel published in the UK or Ireland.
• Originally limited to Commonwealth citizens (1969–2013), it now includes writers of any nationality who write in the English language.
• It was formerly called the “Man Booker Prize” until 2019, when it was renamed “The Booker Prize.”
• Prize Money: The winner receives a £50,000 cash prize and gains recognition worldwide.
• Notable Winners: 1st Indian-origin winner – VS Naipaul; 1st Indian citizen winner – Arundhati Roy. Others include Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, and Samantha Harvey (2024).

India Withdraws from Ayni Airbase

• India has withdrawn its military personnel and assets from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan, India’s only fully operational overseas military base.
• Reason for Withdrawal: The bilateral agreement for India’s use of the base ended in 2022; Tajikistan did not renew it.
• • Russia and China exerted pressure on Tajikistan to prevent a continued Indian military presence.

Ayni Airbase

• Located near Dushanbe, Tajikistan, around 20 km from Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, close to China’s Xinjiang and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• Originally a Soviet-era base, India upgraded it under a 2002 agreement with Tajikistan.
• India invested about USD 80 million to extend the runway to 3,200 m.
• Strategic Significance: Gave India a direct foothold in Central Asia, an area dominated by Russian and Chinese influence.
• Provided leverage over Pakistan due to proximity to the Wakhan corridor and PoK.

Exercise Malabar 2025

• Exercise Malabar 2025 is taking place in Guam, in the Northern Pacific, among the member states of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
• Exercise Phases: The Harbour Phase involves planning, coordination, communication drills, and sports exchanges; the Sea Phase includes fleet manoeuvres, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare drills.
• Naval Asset: The indigenously designed guided-missile stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri, is participating.

Exercise Malabar

• It is an annual multilateral naval exercise involving India, the United States, Japan, and Australia.
• Objective: To improve military interoperability, coordination, and communication among Quad members to support a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
• Evolution: The exercise began in 1992 as a bilateral drill between India and the US. It expanded to a trilateral format with Japan in 2015 and became a quadrilateral exercise with Australia in 2020.

Red Fort

A blast occurred near Delhi’s Red Fort, resulting in several injuries and reported deaths. Union Home Minister informed that a comprehensive investigation is underway by the Delhi Police, NIA, NSG, and FSL to determine the exact cause of the explosion.

• The Red Fort is a historic Mughal fort and palace complex located in Old Delhi, serving as the main residence of Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years.
• It represents the zenith of Mughal architecture, blending Persian, Timurid, and Indian styles.
• Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639 and completed in 1648, following his decision to shift the capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad (Delhi).
• The fort’s design was prepared by Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the architect of the Taj Mahal.
• The Red Fort was plundered during Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739) and later used as a British military garrison after the 1857 Revolt.
• It witnessed the decline of Mughal power, British colonial rule, and later became a symbol of India’s freedom.
• Characteristics of the Fort:
• Constructed mainly from red sandstone, symbolizing power and grandeur.
• Enclosed by 2.5 km-long massive defensive walls along the Yamuna River.
• Features architectural marvels like Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Moti Masjid, and the Nahr-i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise) water channel connecting royal pavilions.
• The layout reflects Islamic Garden aesthetics (Charbagh concept) infused with Hindu design motifs.

Important Events in History at Red Fort:

• 1739: Plundered by Nadir Shah, who looted the Peacock Throne and other treasures.
• 1857: Became a key site during the First War of Independence; Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and tried here.
• 1945–46: Venue for the Indian National Army (INA) trials, symbolizing the final phase of India’s freedom struggle.
• 15 August 1947: Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the national flag at the Lahori Gate, marking India’s independence.
• 2007: Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and architectural significance.

Altermagnetism

Physicists have confirmed altermagnetism as a new class of magnetic order, distinct from ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, following recent experimental validations in 2024–25.

• Altermagnetism is a third form of magnetism that combines features of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
• In altermagnetic materials, atomic spins alternate in direction, but are related by rotations or mirror reflections within the crystal structure instead of simple shifts.
• This leads to no overall magnetic field while retaining a unique internal spin polarization, giving rise to a new magnetic phase.

Properties of Altermagnets:

1. Physical Properties:
• Zero net magnetisation: Although spins alternate, their arrangement cancels external magnetic fields, similar to antiferromagnets.
• Spin-split electronic bands: Inside the material, electrons with opposite spins occupy slightly different energy states, a feature typical of ferromagnets.
• Symmetry-based spin arrangement: The opposite spins are related by mirror or rotational symmetry, not by simple spatial translation.
• High-speed spin dynamics: Spin switching occurs on picosecond or sub-picosecond timescales, allowing operation in the terahertz range.

1. Chemical and Material Properties:
• Found in compounds like manganese telluride (MnTe) and ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂).
• Exhibits strong crystalline symmetry that defines spin alternation and electronic structure.
• Can exist in metals, semiconductors, and insulators, making it broadly applicable for material engineering.

Applications:

• Spintronics: Enables next-generation spin-based electronics that are faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient.
• Quantum computing: Reduces magnetic noise, enhancing qubit stability and coherence.
• Data storage: Facilitates high-density storage with minimal signal interference.
• Ultrafast electronics: Allows terahertz-level magnetic switching for advanced processors and logic gates.
• Sensors and detectors: The anomalous Hall effect in altermagnets enables precise electrical detection of magnetic states.

Limitations:

• Complex synthesis: Producing single-domain, defect-free altermagnetic crystals is still difficult.
• Detection difficulty: Conventional magnetometers cannot detect them due to the absence of external fields.
• Scalability concerns: Controlling spin domains and maintaining uniformity across large samples remains a challenge.