Union Cabinet has extended the universal supply of fortified rice in all central government schemes.

 The Union Cabinet has extended the universal supply of fortified rice in all central government schemes under the National Food Security Act, 2021 until December 2028.

Rice Fortification Initiative to Combat Anaemia with 100% Central Funding

• Rice fortification initiative would continue as a central sector initiative with 100% funding
• The initiative aims to address anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies in the population.

Food Fortification?

• Food fortification involves deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients in food to improve its nutritional quality and provide public health benefits with minimal health risks.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) defines this process and oversees its implementation
•  In October 2016, FSSAI operationalised the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2016 for fortifying staples namely wheat flour and rice (with Iron, Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid), milk and edible oil (with Vitamins A and D) and double fortified salt (with Iodine and Iron) to reduce the high burden of micronutrient malnutrition in India. 
•  The ‘+F’ logo has been notified to identify fortified foods.
•  At present, all the major oil producers in the country are voluntarily fortifying at least one brand in their product portfolios.

 Fortification of Rice

• Rice is fortified using various technologies such as coating, dusting, and extrusion.
• The extrusion process produces fortified rice kernels (FRKs) by mixing dry rice flour with a premix of micronutrients, which is then processed through an extruder to create kernels resembling regular rice.
• Fortified rice is blended with regular rice, ensuring 10 grams of FRK is combined with 1 kilogram of regular rice.

Fortified rice is enriched with essential micronutrients, including:

• Iron: 28 mg – 42.5 mg
• Folic Acid: 75 – 125 micrograms
• Vitamin B-12: 0.75 – 1.25 micrograms
• Additional nutrients may include zinc, vitamin A, and various B vitamins.

Progress of the Fortification Initiative

• The rice fortification initiative was announced in 2015, with a goal for implementation across various central government schemes by 2024.
• The initiative has been rolled out in three phases:
• Phase 1: Covered programs like Integrated Child Development Services and PM POSHAN by March 2022.
• Phase 2: Extended to Public Distribution System (PDS) in 112 Aspirational Districts and 291 high stunting burden districts by March 2023.
• Phase 3: Aims for full coverage across remaining districts by March 2024.
• Annual cost: Approximately Rs 2,700 crore, accounting for less than 2% of India’s total food subsidy bill.
• Distribution so far: By March 2024, about 406 lakh metric tonnes of fortified rice are expected to be distributed through the PDS.
• Facility for Fortification: The Centre has invested Rs 11,000 crore to develop the

fortified rice supply chain in India, with 925 manufacturers producing fortified rice.

What is the difference between fortification and biofortification?

     •     Biofortification is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology. Biofortification differs from conventional fortification. Biofortification aims to increase nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than through manual means during processing of the crops.

Benefits of Fortified Rice

• Fortified rice retains the same cooking and eating properties as regular rice, making it easy to integrate into daily diets.
• It is packaged in jute bags labelled with the logo (‘+F’) and the statement “Fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12”.

Cabinet approves development of National Maritime Heritage Complex 

 The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.

This initiative, led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, aims to celebrate and showcase India’s extensive maritime heritage.

Development of NMHC 

•    To showcase India’s rich and diverse maritime heritage, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping       and Waterways (MoPSW) has envisioned the development of NHMC at Lothal near Ahmedabad.

•    The NMHC is envisioned to be one of the largest maritime complexes in the world.

• NMHC will not only curate and present diverse & rich artifacts from ancient to modern times from across India but also inspire the public and make them aware of and learn about our glorious maritime heritage.

•    With its multifaceted phases of development, the NMHC promises to be a world-class facility that not only showcases ancient artifacts and the legacy of maritime trade but also serves as a hub for education and tourism.

•     The development of NMHC will boost growth and immensely help the local communities, tourists and visitors, researchers and scholars, government bodies, educational institutions, cultural organisations, environment and conservation groups, and businesses.

•     The foundation stone of the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2019. 

•     The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has appointed Indian Ports Association as the nodal agency, while Indian Port Rail Corporation Ltd (IPRCL) as executing agency of the project. 

•    The master plan of NMHC has been prepared by renowned architecture firm Architect Hafeez Contractor and the construction of Phase 1A has been entrusted to Tata Projects Ltd.

•     NMHC is planned to be developed in various phases, wherein Phase 1A will have an NMHC museum with six galleries, which also include an Indian Navy & Coast Guard gallery envisaged to be one of the largest in the country.

•     Phase 2 will have coastal states’ pavilions, hospitality zone, recreation of real-time Lothal City, Maritime Institute and hostel and four theme-based parks. 

• Around 22,000 jobs are expected to be created in the development of the NMHC project, with 15,000 direct employment and 7,000 indirect employment.

Historical significance of Lothal

•     Lothal, a name that combines the Gujarati words “Loth” and “thal,” meaning “the mound of the dead,” is rich in historical importance. This ancient city, dating back to 2400 BCE, grew into a bustling trading port within the Indus Valley Civilisation. 

•     The archaeological excavations, carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from February 13, 1955, to May 19, 1960, aimed to uncover the remnants of this once-bustling metropolis.

•      Archaeologists believe Lothal was strategically placed along a major river system that formed part of the old trade route linking Sindh to Saurashtra in Gujarat. The excavations at this site have unearthed an impressive array of artifacts, making it one of the richest archaeological finds in modern India.

•     As a key player in the Indus Valley Civilisation, Lothal showcased features that highlighted its role as a maritime hub. Among the most significant discoveries is the world’s oldest known artificial dock, connected to an ancient course of the Sabarmati River. 

• The site also revealed an acropolis, a lower town, a bead factory, warehouses, and a well-designed drainage system, all of which underscore Lothal’s status as a vital trading city.

Important Sites of IVC

• Harappa in present Pakistan: Granaries with big platforms, Stone symbol of lingam and yoni, Mother goddess figure, Wheat and barley in wooden mortar, Dice, Copper scale and Mirror.
• Dholavira in Gujarat: Giant water reservoir, Unique water harnessing system, Stadium, Dams and embankments, Inscription comprising 10 large sized signs like an advertisement board.
• Ropar in Punjab: Dog buried with human oval pit burials
• Mohenjo–daro in present Pakistan: Bronze dancing girl, the sculpture of a bearded priest, the great bath, the great granary.
• Balathal and Kalibangan in Rajasthan: Bangle factory, toy carts, bones of camel, decorated bricks, citadel and lower town.
• Banawali in Haryana: Toy plough, barley grains, oval-shaped settlement, the only city with radial streets.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 

•  The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 is about proteins, life’s ingenious chemical tools. David Baker has succeeded with the almost impossible feat of building entirely new kinds of proteins.
• Demis Hassabis and John Jumper have developed an AI model to solve a 50-year-old problem: predicting proteins’ complex structures. These discoveries hold enormous potential
• The chemistry prize concerns two areas in the field of protein research: design and structure.

What are proteins and what do they do?

• Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. 
• They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.
• Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chains.
• There are 20 different types of amino acids that can be combined to make a protein. 
• The sequence of amino acids determines each protein’s unique 3-dimensional structure and its specific function. 
• Amino acids are coded by combinations of three DNA building blocks (nucleotides), determined by the sequence of genes.

Why are proteins important?

• All life requires proteins and all proteins are made of amino acids. While there are many types of amino acids in nature, only 20 of them in different combinations make up all the proteins in the human body and in most life-forms.
• Amino acids are found in tissues — like muscles, skin, and hair — that provide structural support; they’re catalysts in biochemical reactions; move molecules like oxygen across membranes; control muscle contraction that lets us move and have our hearts beat; and help cells communicate with each other to perform tasks.

What is the protein-folding problem?

• A protein has many identities and one of them depends on the arrangement of its amino acids in the three dimensions of space — in other words, its 3D structure. And scientists have spent decades trying to understand how proteins attain these structures.
• In 1962, John Kendrew and Max Perutz won the Nobel for elucidating the first 3D models of haemoglobin and myoglobin, both proteins, using X-ray crystallography. (This method reveals a crystal’s structure based on how its constituent atoms scatter X-rays. For this the proteins need to be purified and crystallised first).
• A year earlier, Christian Anfinsen had found that a protein’s 3D structure is governed by the sequence of amino acids in the protein, and won the 1972 chemistry Nobel.
• Notable breakthrough arrived in 1969 when scientists found that a protein doesn’t try to bend into different shapes before settling into its final one. Instead it somehow knows the shape it needs to have and rapidly folds itself to acquire it. The mysterious nature of this ‘knowledge’ of the protein is called the protein-folding problem.
• By the late 2010s, scientists had worked out the structures of around 1.7 lakh proteins — a large number yet still small compared to the roughly 200 million proteins in nature. This situation changed drastically around 2018.

What is AlphaFold?

• Hassabis co-founded DeepMind in 2010 and which Google acquired. Here, Hassabis and his colleagues unveiled AlphaFold in 2018. AlphaFold is a deep-learning model able to predict the structures of almost all proteins after training on the set of known structures.
• DeepMind launched its successor AlphaFold 2 in 2020, when it was able to predict the structure of proteins with an accuracy comparable to that of X-ray crystallography.
• Jumper led the work on AlphaFold 3. This model is able to predict the structures of various proteins as well as how two proteins and/or a protein and another molecule might interact.
• Given enough computing power, these machine-learning models are capable of deducing the 3D shapes of most proteins in a matter of hours. However, these machines have not been able to say why a protein prefers a particular structure.

What is protein design?

• Baker, who received the other half of chemistry Nobel, developed tools that scientists use to design new proteins with specific shapes and functions. His first notable work was in 2003, when he led a team to create a novel protein and determined its structure using a bespoke computer program they had developed in 1999 called ‘Rosetta’.
• The ability to design proteins has far-reaching implications. For example, in 2022, Baker’s team developed an antiviral nasal spray to treat COVID-19. At its heart were proteins the team designed using computational methods in the laboratory to stick to vulnerable sites on the viral surface and target the spike protein.

 Other 2024 Awards

• Physiology or Medicine award: Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun  for their work on the discovery of microRNA
• Physics Prize: John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their contributions to machine learning.
• The official award ceremony is scheduled for December 10, 2024.

Malabar 2024

o   Malabar is a quadrilateral naval exercise between India, the United States, Australia and Japan

o   Host: India is hosting the Malabar Exercise in 2024, with activities centered around Visakhapatnam.

o   Activities: The exercise includes live weapon firing, complex surface operations, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills, and joint maneuvers involving a range of naval assets.

o   It was initiated in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the US, gained further traction as a significant maritime engagement, with Japan (2015) and Australia (2020) joining in subsequently.

o   The exercise focuses on enhancing maritime security, interoperability, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

o   The exercise is aligned with the Indian Government’s vision of Security & Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and reflects India’s growing engagement with like-minded nations.

 Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR):

o   SAGAR is India’s foreign policy doctrine for maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. 

o   The term was first used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 at Port Louis. 

Goals of SAGAR are : 

o   Increase cooperation: Strengthen ties with neighboring countries, especially in the Indian Ocean region 

o   Promote development: Support sustainable development and economic growth 

o   Ensure maritime security: Safeguard national interests and ensure maritime security and safety 

o   Build trust: Create a climate of trust and openness 

o   Resolve issues peacefully: Address regional concerns and resolve maritime issues peacefully 

o   Follow international rules: Ensure all countries in the Indian Ocean Region adhere to international maritime rules and norms 

 Darjeeling’s Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park has been selected for the prestigious  (WAZA) Conservation Award 2024. 

 The Red Panda Program of Darjeeling’s Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Conservation Award 2024. 

• Why Selected?
• Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park has undertaken several habitat restoration initiatives between 2022 and 2024 nine captive-bred red pandas (seven females and two males) were released into Singalila National Park in West Bengal.

 Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

• Location: Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
• Established: Founded in 1958, the zoo is situated at an altitude of 7,000 feet.
• Specialization: Breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions

Notable Breeding Programs: 

• Red Pandas
• Snow Leopards
• Himalayan Wolves
• Global Affiliation: The zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), demonstrating its commitment to global conservation standards.
• Legacy: Named after Padmaja Naidu, the daughter of Sarojini Naidu, the zoo honors her contributions to Indian society.

  Red Panda

• It is a small endangered mammal. 
• Red pandas have dense reddish-brown fur, a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzzle, and a ringed tail
• Scientific name: Ailurus fulgens
• It is also known as the lesser panda.

Conservation status: They are classified as 

• Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
• listed in CITES Appendix I. 
• Listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• It is the state animal of sikkim. 
• It is found  in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and the northern mountains of Myanmar and southern Chin
• In India, it is found in  Sikkim, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh 
• Diet: Herbivores
• In India, two subspecies are found
• Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) ,Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani)

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

• Global Alliance for Conservation: WAZA is a worldwide organization that brings together zoos, aquariums, and wildlife experts to protect animals and their habitats.
• Promoting Cooperation: WAZA encourages collaboration between zoos, aquariums, wildlife experts, universities, and regional associations to support animal care and conservation.
• Focus on Conservation: The organization helps manage species conservation and improve the care of animals in captivity.
• Ensuring High Standards: WAZA promotes the highest care and management standards among its member zoos and aquariums.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Deforestation rules are‘unilateral’ and ‘arbitrary’

•  Finance Minister  called out the European Union’s initiatives such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Deforestation rules as ‘unilateral’ and ‘arbitrary.
• She highlighted that the European Union’s decision to impose a carbon tax on Indian products such as steel and cement is aimed at hurting Indian industries.
• The levy is a pretence to convert the EU’s own “dirty” steel into green at another’s cost.
• India has decided to retaliate against EU steel tariffs, which have led to trade losses of $4.41 billion from 2018 to 2023.

 Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• It is part of the EU’s “Fit for 55 in 2030 package” .
• It aims to achieve the target of a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

 Fit for 55 in 2030 package” .

• The overall goal of the European Union (EU) in its efforts to control climate change is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. 
• To achieve this goal, the Climate Law has been enacted to ensure that all EU policies aim at climate neutrality.
• This law was implemented in July 2021 through the ‘Fit for 55 Package’. The number 55 symbolizes the target of reducing GHG at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
• This package includes legal tools to implement this goal in the fields of climate, energy, land use, traffic and taxes .

Arguments favouring CBAM

• Promotes decarbonisation globally: The CBAM provides an incentive for countries to reduce their carbon emissions. For example, if a country wants to export steel to the EU, the policy imposes an extra cost if the steel is produced using carbon-intensive processes. This encourages manufacturers to adopt cleaner, less carbon-intensive methods of production.  
• Prevents carbon leakage: CBAM prevents “carbon leakage”, the phenomenon where companies transfer their operations to countries with less stringent emissions regulations. For example, if a cement manufacturer moves from the EU to a country with fewer regulations, it might increase emissions. The CBAM discourages this by imposing a border tax on carbon-intensive imported goods.  
• Level playing field for businesses: The CBAM helps create a level playing field between domestic businesses in the EU and foreign companies. For instance, a European aluminium producer that follows strict emission rules would be at a disadvantage if competitors from other countries with less stringent rules could sell their products in the EU without any penalties. CBAM ensures foreign producers are also subject to a carbon cost, ensuring fairness.  
• Revenue generation for climate initiatives: CBAM will generate revenue through border taxes on carbon-intensive goods. This can be used to fund climate initiatives or capacity-building measures in developing countries or Least Developed Countries (LDCs) if the EU decides to allocate it in this manner.  
• Stimulates innovation in clean technologies: CBAM can stimulate innovation in clean technologies. Faced with a potential CBAM charge, industries may be motivated to invest in new technologies to reduce their carbon emissions. For instance, the fertiliser industry might accelerate research into low-carbon or carbon-free production processes to lower their CBAM costs.  
• Encourages other countries to adopt carbon pricing: CBAM may encourage other countries to implement their own carbon pricing mechanisms. The aim is to avoid CBAM charges, as goods from countries with equivalent carbon pricing mechanisms are exempt. This could potentially lead to the broad adoption of carbon pricing, further facilitating global decarbonisation.  

Arguments against CBAM

• Discrimination against developing countries: One key concern about the CBAM is that it could unfairly disadvantage developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs), which might lack the capacity to meet its requirements. For example, a steel producer in a developing country might not have the resources to reduce its carbon emissions to EU standards, which could put it at a disadvantage in the international market.  
• Contradiction with multilateral agreements: CBAM may contradict existing multilateral climate and trade agreements, including the Paris Agreement and World Trade Organization (WTO) principles. For instance, the Paris Agreement calls for ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities’, allowing countries at different stages of development to set their own emissions targets. CBAM doesn’t offer such differentiation, possibly violating this principle.  
• Potential for trade disputes: CBAM could spark trade disputes, as it appears to contravene the WTO’s non-discrimination principles. Countries could challenge the CBAM at the WTO, arguing it discriminates against ‘like’ goods based on their carbon content.  
• Complicated implementation: The implementation of CBAM could be complex and challenging, particularly for countries with less administrative and institutional capability. For example, the need to establish rules of origin to account for carbon content for every part and component at the point of origin would be a formidable task for countries involved in complex global value chains.  
• Possibility of retaliatory measures: There’s a risk that countries affected by the CBAM might respond with retaliatory measures, such as their own carbon border taxes. This could escalate into a trade war, complicating international trade and potentially harming global economic growth.  
• Questionable justification: Some critics question the basic premise of the CBAM, arguing there’s insufficient evidence of significant carbon leakage to justify it. Critics contend that other factors, such as labor costs, regulatory transparency, and stability, often carry more weight in companies’ location decisions than environmental regulations.  

CBAM affect other countries’ carbon pricing mechanisms

• Undermining other carbon pricing mechanisms: The CBAM can undermine other countries’ carbon pricing mechanisms by setting a global price standard. As the CBAM only recognizes the EU Emission Trading System and equivalent mechanisms, countries using different forms of climate regulation may find their efforts devalued.  
• Imposing additional burden on developing countries: Many developing countries lack the institutional capacity to set up a comprehensive accounting and reporting system for carbon emissions, a requirement under the CBAM. This imposes an additional burden on these nations and could potentially hamper their own climate action initiatives.  
• Questioning “Equivalence”: The concept of “equivalence” becomes tricky with the introduction of CBAM. Countries that have opted for different forms of climate regulation under their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) may struggle to ensure “equivalence” in terms of carbon pricing, potentially leading to an uneven playing field. This will in turn create trade inequities.  
• The challenge of “Extraterritorial Effects”: The CBAM raises critical questions regarding extraterritorial effects, given that it implicitly assumes or enforces compliance with EU norms on countries outside its jurisdiction. This could lead to tensions in international climate agreements and trade relations. 

India is worried about the CBAM

• Potential impact on key industries: India, being a major global producer of steel and aluminium, is concerned about the impact of CBAM on these industries. The CBAM might put Indian producers at a disadvantage as they may find it more challenging to meet the EU’s carbon standards.  
• A barrier to free trade: India is currently in the process of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU. There’s a worry that while tariffs are being eliminated under the FTA, the CBAM could act as a non-tariff barrier, impacting the expected benefits of the agreement.  
• Transparency concerns: India also raises concerns over the transparency of the carbon tax calculation under CBAM. The EU’s one-size-fits-all approach may not take into account factors like per capita pollution, forest cover, and sustainable living, which are relevant in the Indian context.  
• Risk of retaliation and trade disputes: Lastly, India, like many other countries, might consider retaliatory measures against the EU’s CBAM. This could lead to trade disputes and potentially harm relations between India and the EU.  
• How is India planning to tackle CBAM?
• Conducting sectoral analysis: The Indian government plans to undertake a sector-by-sector analysis to assess the impact of the CBAM on its industries. This detailed examination will aid in determining targeted action plans for each potentially affected sector.  
• Engaging relevant departments: India is roping in multiple departments, such as the Climate Change Finance Unit of the Department of Economic Affairs and the Steel Ministry, to collaboratively analyze the potential issues and formulate suitable solutions.  
• Incorporating CBAM into FTA Negotiations: India is considering including CBAM discussions in the ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the EU. This approach aims to ensure that while tariffs are being eliminated under the FTA, the CBAM doesn’t pose additional barriers to trade.  
• Demanding transparency: India is keen to ensure that the EU provides transparency in how the carbon tax under the CBAM is calculated for different sectors. It insists that factors like per capita pollution, forest cover, and sustainable living practices should also be considered in the assessment.  
• Building alliances with developing nations: In its strategy to tackle the CBAM, India is also planning to join forces with other developing nations, such as South Africa. This collective approach will help present a united front in discussions and negotiations with the EU, strengthening their stance and addressing common concerns effectively.  

Road ahead

• Adopting uniform carbon pricing: To avoid the complexities related to the CBAM, countries should work towards a global agreement on uniform carbon pricing. This will not only create a level playing field but also avoid potential disputes.  
• Capacity building in developing countries: Given the difficulties in accounting and reporting the carbon emissions of production processes, efforts should be made at a global level to build the institutional capabilities of developing nations and least-developed countries.  
• Balancing trade and climate action: There is a need for better coordination and balance between trade policies and climate action commitments. Policies need to be designed such that they do not contradict but complement each other.  
• Revisiting multilateral agreements: Existing multilateral agreements on trade and climate change may need to be revisited and potentially revised to align them with new climate realities and mechanisms like the CBAM.  
• Establishing clear rules of origin: If carbon border adjustments become widespread, there will be a need for clear, transparent, and fair rules of origin to account for the carbon content of goods, especially in complex global value chains. 

PM Modi attends 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Lao PDR.

    • Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 10-point plan to strengthen India-ASEAN comprehensive partnership and asserted that ties with the regional grouping were critical to guiding Asia''s future.

    • In the meeting, the leaders agreed to create a new ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) that will guide both sides in realizing the full potential of the ASEAN-India partnership.

    • Addressing the 21st India-ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Modi noted that India-ASEAN trade had doubled to over $130 billion in the past decade and announced a review of the trade in goods agreement to harness the greater economic potential of the partnership.

    • He said India was commemorating the 10th anniversary of its Act East Policy, which has given new energy, direction and momentum to the historic relationship between India and the ASEAN nations.

    • The 10-point plan to strengthen the India-ASEAN partnership includes celebrating the year 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and providing new grants for ASEAN students at Agricultural Universities in India

What is ASEAN?

    • The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok by five countries —  Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

    • There are currently 10 member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.

    • In November 2022, ASEAN announced that it has agreed in principle to admit East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, as the group’s 11th member. The half-island nation will also be granted observer status at high-level ASEAN meetings.

    • The ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the heads of State or government of ASEAN member states. As per regular practice, the ASEAN Summit Meetings shall be held twice annually. 

    • The first ASEAN Summit was held in Bali, Indonesia on February 23-24, 1976.

    • ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region. India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia, are its dialogue partners.

  India-ASEAN relations

    • ASEAN centrality has been, and will remain, an important aspect of India’s ‘Act East’ policy which is a central element in the country’s foreign policy.

   • ASEAN-India dialogue relations have grown rapidly from a sectoral dialogue partnership in 1992 to a full dialogue partnership in December 1995. The relationship was further elevated with the convening of the ASEAN-India Summit in 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since then the ASEAN-India Summit has been held annually.

    • At the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held in December 2012 in New Delhi, the leaders adopted the ASEAN-India Vision Statement and declared that the ASEAN-India Partnership stands elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership’. 

    • In 2022, ASEAN-India relations were elevated to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, that is meaningful, substantive and mutually beneficial.

    • India’s bilateral trade with ASEAN economies is expected to reach $300 billion      by 2025, and it is the fifth largest trading partner for India following North America, EU,   North-East Asia and GCC-West Asia.

Living Planet Report of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF).

 The global wildlife populations have declined by 73 per cent in the last 50 years per biennial the Living Planet Report of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF).

This decline, observed between 1970 and 2020, is a clear indication that our planet’s biodiversity is under immense threat, with severe consequences for ecosystems and human survival.The LPI, developed by the Zoological Society of London, monitors nearly 35,000 population trends across 5,495 species, exposing the grim reality: our natural world is in peril, and the systems we depend on are rapidly deteriorating. 

 Key findings of the report

• Vulture Population Crisis: The White-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, and slender-billed vulture in India are facing particularly severe declines, highlighting a critical conservation issue
• Drivers of Decline: The report highlights that wildlife population declines are primarily driven by habitat loss, degradation, climate change impacts, and invasive species.
• Decline in Ecosystems: Freshwater ecosystems experienced the highest decline at 85%, followed by terrestrial ecosystems at 69% and marine ecosystems at 56%.
• Regional Impacts: In the Asia Pacific, pollution exacerbates threats, leading to an average decline of 60% in wildlife populations. The steepest declines are observed in South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, while Europe and North America show lower negative trends.
• Species at Risk in India: Specific species in India, including mammals, birds, bees, amphibians, and freshwater turtles, are experiencing significant declines.

WWF

• Founded: In 1961 with headquarters at Gland, Switzerland.
• Mission: To preserve wilderness and reduce human environmental impact.
• Publications: The Living Planet Report, published biennially since 1998, utilizes the Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculations.
• Key Initiatives of WWF:
• Earth Hour: A global event to encourage energy conservation.
• Debt-for-nature swaps: Forgiving part of a developing nation’s debt in exchange for investments in conservation.
• Healthy Grown Potato: An eco-brand promoting sustainably grown potatoes through integrated pest management.
•  

 New cancer therapy target could help patients overcome resistant to current treatments.

•  Scientists have identified a promising new target for cancer treatment by activating a DNA repair enzyme called TDP1, suggesting a combination therapy which could be a potential precision medicine especially for those resistant to current cancer remedies.
• Existing anticancer drugs like Camptothecin, Topotecan, and Irinotecan target an enzyme crucial for DNA replication and transcription called Topoisomerase 1 (Top1). Cancer cells often develop resistance to such single-agent treatments and hence require alternate therapy methods. 
• In order to explore such alternative routes to treatment, scientists of Department of Science and Technology (DST) probed how cancer cells repair DNA during cell division and respond to chemotherapy that targets the enzyme Top1, often leading to drug resistance.
• The research highlights two key proteins --Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1).
• The study suggests that using CDK1 inhibitors—such as avotaciclib, alvocidib, roniciclib, riviciclib, and dinaciclib—alongside Top1 inhibitors could enhance cancer cell killing. This combination disrupts DNA repair mechanisms and halts the cell cycle, making it more difficult for cancer cells to survive.
•  “Cancer cells often develop resistance to single-agent treatments. By using both CDK1 and Top1 inhibitors,  it can more effectively target and eliminate cancer cells.
• By identifying CDK1 as a key regulator and TDP1 as a repair enzyme, this research highlights both as potential targets for developing cancer therapies that inhibit DNA repair in cancer cells
• This breakthrough points to a promising avenue for precision medicine in treating cancers, especially those resistant to current therapies.

NCBC suggests inclusion of many Maharashtra communities in central OBC list

 •    The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has recommended the inclusion of several communities from Maharashtra into the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)New Communities Added to Central OBC List for Government Benefits and Schemes

• Eligibility for Benefits: Inclusion in the Central OBC list will make these communities eligible for Central government schemes and appointments.
• Communities Cleared: The communities approved include:
• Lodh, Lodha, Lodhi
• Badgujar
• Suryavanshi Gujar
• Leve Gujar, Reve Gujar, Reva Gujar
• Dangari
• Bhoyar, Pawar
• Kapewar, Munnar Kapewar, Munnar Kapu, Telanga, Telangi, Pentarreddy, Bukekari
• State Recognition: These communities are already categorized as OBCs in Maharashtra’s state list and benefit from state schemes and reservations.
• Hearing Process: The NCBC conducted hearings over the past six months, with a two-member bench led by Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.
• Pending Requests: The NCBC chairperson mentioned that three to four more communities might be recommended for inclusion soon, from a total of 21 requests.
• Criteria: Inclusion decisions are based on current socio-economic data, specifically data from 2015 or later, as per a Supreme Court requirement.
• Previous Cases: The NCBC has previously stalled inclusion requests for around 80 communities, mainly Muslim, from West Bengal due to lack of current data on their backwardness.
• Focus on Expediency: Since taking charge in December 2022 the Chairperson has prioritized expediting pending inclusion requests for various communities in the Central OBC list

Other Backward Classes (OBCs)

• Other Backward Class is a Collective term used to classify castes which are educationally or socially disadvantaged. 
• Central List : Article 342A (1) authorized the President (in consultation with the governor of the state) to specify the Central list of the OBCs, in relation to a particular State or Union Territory. 
• Any modification to the central list of the OBCs can be done only by the Parliament.
• State List : Article 342A (3) empowers every State or UT to prepare and maintain for its own purposes, a list of SEBC entries which may be different from the Central List.
• The Constitution’s 127th Amendment (2021) empowered States and Union Territories to create their own lists of socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) and allocate reservations accordingly.Constitutional Provisions OBC

• Article 15(4): State has the power to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward class i.e., the OBC.
• Article 16(4): State is empowered to enact laws for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of OBCs.
• Article 340: President, may by order appoint to investigate the conditions of SEBCs and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties and to improve their condition. 

India’s Forex Reserves Top $700 bn, India becomes 4th country to cross this mark

 India is now the fourth-largest economy globally to have forex reserves exceeding $700 billion, following China, Japan, and Switzerland.

 Factors which led to rise in India’s Forex Reserves

• Investment Boost: Since 2013, India has strengthened its forex reserves through improved macroeconomic conditions, attracting foreign investments.
• Foreign Inflows: In 2024, foreign inflows have reached $30 billion, primarily driven by local debt investments included in a J.P. Morgan index. RBI Interventions: The recent increase was partly due to $4.8 billion in dollar purchases by the RBI and $7.8 billion from valuation gains linked to the U.S. Treasury yields, the dollar’s strength, and rising gold prices.
• Market Stability: Adequate forex reserves help reduce currency volatility, providing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with the capability to intervene if necessary.
• Controlled Volatility: The RBI has managed the rupee’s volatility, keeping it stable among emerging market currencies.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

• Foreign Exchange Reserve are assets denominated in a foreign currency that are held on reserve by a central bank. 
• Reserve Bank of India Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 set the legal provisions for governing the foreign exchange reserves.

Composition of Forex of India (in descending order)

• Foreign Currency Assets
• Gold Reserves
• Special Drawing Rights (SDR)
• Reserve Position in IMF

Foreign Currency assets (FCA): 

• Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) that is the most important component of the RBI’s foreign exchange reserve are the assets like US Treasury Bills bought by the RBI using foreign currencies. 
• The FCA is the largest component of India’s forex reserve.

Special Drawing Rights (SDR):

• An international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969; 
• It is neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF. 
• Rather, it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members.
• Value of the SDR: It is based on a basket of five currencies: Dollar, Euro, Renminbi, Yen and Pound Sterling.

Reserve Tranche: 

• A Reserve Tranche is a portion of the required quota of currency each member country must provide to the IMF.
• It can be utilized by the country for its own purposes without a service fee or economic reform conditions.

Significance of foreign currency reserves

o   Economic Crisis Liquidity: In crises, central banks can exchange foreign currency for local currency, ensuring companies remain competitive in imports and exports.

o   Currency Depreciation: Japan, using a floating exchange rate, purchases US treasuries to keep the yen lower than the dollar, enhancing export competitiveness.

o   International Finance Obligation: Forex reserves help meet international financial commitments, such as paying debts and financing imports.

o   Internal Project Funding: Foreign currency reserves can be utilized to finance domestic infrastructure and industry projects.

o   Reassurance to Investors: Holding forex reserves can instill confidence in foreign investors during times of unrest or uncertainty.

o   Portfolio Diversification: Central banks diversify their reserves by holding various currencies and assets, mitigating risk from declining investments.