Gig Workers in India: Bridging Data Deficits for Inclusive Labour Representation

India’s primary labour survey, the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), has faced criticism for its inability to accurately reflect the rising population of gig and platform-based workers, despite policy acknowledgments and new welfare measures targeting this group.

With a shift in the nature of employment, India''s labour market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Gig and platform jobs — such as ride-hailing, food delivery, online freelancing, and home-based services — are becoming increasingly prevalent, operating largely outside the conventional employer-employee setup. According to a 2022 report by NITI Aayog, the gig workforce is expected to reach 23.5 million by 2029–30.

Recognising this change, the 2025 Union Budget expanded several social protection initiatives to include gig workers. However, the PLFS, which remains the country''s key source of employment data, does not adequately capture this evolving segment of the labour force.

Legal Framework and Policy Foundations

The Code on Social Security, 2020, formally acknowledged gig and platform workers, defining them as individuals engaged in work outside the traditional employment model. Platform work, in particular, involves earning income through digital platforms that connect workers to clients.

While Section 2(35) provides a broad definition, it does not clearly distinguish gig workers from self-employed or casual labourers. Importantly, Clause 141 mandates the establishment of a Social Security Fund for unorganised and gig workers, and the National Social Security Board (as per Section 6) is responsible for overseeing related welfare schemes. However, for these policies to be effective, they depend heavily on accurate, detailed labour data — which remains lacking.

Challenges with the PLFS

1. General Inclusion, Specific Exclusion

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has noted that all income-generating activities are technically captured in the PLFS. However, the survey lacks a specific identifier for gig workers. As a result, they are grouped under generic categories like ‘self-employed’, ‘own-account worker’, or ‘casual labour’.

This broad classification overlooks key features of gig work:

• Simultaneous engagement with multiple apps
• Algorithm-driven job access
• Irregular income
• Lack of formal contracts

This “statistical invisibility” not only masks the true scale of gig work but also obstructs access to targeted welfare and protections.

2. Misclassification of Work Types

Current survey design leads to misrepresentation. For instance, a shop owner and a food delivery agent working via Swiggy or Zomato may both be listed as self-employed — despite having drastically different job structures, income risks, and dependencies.

Gig work is typically marked by:

• Absence of written employment contracts
• No employer-backed benefits or protections
• Platform dependence and performance-based ratings
• Flexible yet unstable job structures

These aspects are currently not reflected in PLFS coding, weakening the quality of labour data that informs policy decisions.

Progress with Limitations: Acknowledgment Without Adequate Representation

Government programs like e-Shram, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY inclusion, and digital worker IDs have attempted to bring gig workers into the formal social protection fold. However, without concurrent reform in labour statistics, it is difficult to assess coverage, monitor implementation, or identify who is being left out.

The 2025 revision of the PLFS brought certain methodological improvements, such as increased sample sizes, monthly reporting, and broader rural data. Yet, it still stops short of establishing a clear statistical identity for gig and platform workers.

The Way Forward: Building Inclusive Labour Data

To align labour statistics with emerging employment realities, India must:

• Amend PLFS classification systems to separately list gig and platform-based workers
• Introduce new survey modules to capture task-based and app-mediated work
• Utilize digital data from platforms like Uber and Urban Company to enrich traditional datasets
• Integrate welfare registration data (e.g., from e-Shram) into national labour databases

Accurate and inclusive data is not merely about better representation — it is essential for designing and delivering fair, responsive welfare systems that reflect today’s diverse labour landscape.

Madras High Court Strikes Down Unlawful Phone Surveillance Order

In a significant ruling with wide-reaching constitutional consequences, the Madras High Court annulled a 2011 phone-tapping directive issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), declaring it unconstitutional. The Court found that the surveillance was conducted without satisfying the legal prerequisites of a “public emergency” or a threat to “public safety,” thereby violating the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Key Takeaways from the Judgment

Violation of Article 21 – Right to Privacy

The Court held that telephone interception is a serious invasion of privacy, permissible only when it strictly complies with procedures established by law.
It clarified that covert surveillance aimed at crime detection does not qualify as an exception unless it meets the thresholds of public emergency or public safety.
Citing the landmark K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) case, the judgment reaffirmed privacy as a fundamental right.

A critical observation by the Court:

“The impugned order does not meet the thresholds of ''public emergency'' or ''public safety''... It is a secretive operation which falls outside the legal framework laid down by the Supreme Court.”

Case Background

• The surveillance in question was conducted in 2011 under Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Rule 419-A of the Telegraph Rules, 1951.
• The interception was based on allegations of a ₹50 lakh bribe to an Income Tax officer.
• The CBI defended the move, claiming it was necessary to detect and prevent corruption.
• A writ petition under Article 226 was filed in 2018 challenging the validity of the interception order.

Legal Context and Judicial Reasoning

Relevant Laws and Rules

• Section 5(2) permits interception only when a public emergency arises or public safety is at risk.
• Rule 419-A requires mandatory oversight by a Review Committee, which was bypassed in this case.

Supreme Court Precedents Cited

• PUCL v. Union of India (1997): Declared phone tapping legal only under stringent conditions.
• K.S. Puttaswamy (2017): Recognised the right to privacy as intrinsic to personal liberty under Article 21.
• Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978): Stressed that any legal process impacting fundamental rights must be just, fair, and reasonable.

Constitutional Significance

The ruling traces the evolution of privacy as a legal right, from its roots in British common law to seminal US cases like Katz v. United States, and finally to its full recognition by the Indian Supreme Court in Puttaswamy.

The Court emphasized that executive action without legal backing endangers constitutional democracy, and any restriction on fundamental rights must uphold due process, aligning with principles of natural justice and civilised governance.

Conclusion

This landmark judgment serves as a strong judicial check against unauthorized surveillance, underlining the boundaries of executive authority in the digital age. It reinforces that individual liberties cannot be compromised without lawful justification and reiterates the judiciary''s pivotal role in upholding democratic values and the right to privacy under Article 21.

US Courts Uphold Fair Use in AI Training: Key Copyright Battles Underway

In two pivotal rulings, US courts have backed tech companies developing generative AI, addressing for the first time whether using copyrighted material for AI training constitutes infringement. The decisions lean in favour of fair use, potentially shaping how courts interpret similar cases going forward.

Generative AI systems—like ChatGPT and Gemini—depend on vast datasets that include books, articles, and online content. While authors and content creators have sued for unauthorized use, tech firms argue that such use is “transformative” and qualifies as fair use under US copyright law.

Although the two court cases followed different legal tracks, both concluded that AI training could fall within fair use, especially when the resulting output is new and serves broader public purposes.

Case 1: Writers vs Anthropic – Fair Use Confirmed

In August 2024, authors Andrea Bartz, Charles Graeber, and Kirk Wallace Johnson filed a class action suit against Anthropic, developer of the Claude AI models. They claimed their books had been used without permission, damaging their livelihoods by enabling low-cost, AI-generated alternatives.

Court’s Ruling: Training Qualifies as Fair Use

The Northern District of California ruled in Anthropic’s favour. The judge found the training process to be transformative, not replicating or substituting the original works. Instead, it was likened to how a person reads and learns from books to create new ideas.

Judge’s Quote: “Like any reader aspiring to be a writer, Anthropic’s LLMs trained upon works… to create something different.”

Under the fair use doctrine, limited use of copyrighted material is permissible for purposes such as education, commentary, research, and news reporting.

Case 2: Writers vs Meta – Court Sides with Tech, Highlights Ethical Gaps

In a separate class action, 13 authors sued Meta, alleging that its LLaMA models were trained on unauthorized copies of their work. The writers argued the AI could reproduce content resembling their copyrighted material.

Court’s Ruling: No Demonstrable Market Harm

The judge ruled in Meta’s favour, stating that the plaintiffs did not show how the AI''s output harmed the commercial market for their original works. The court acknowledged the transformative nature of AI-generated content, while also cautioning that tech firms should consider compensating creators fairly.

Key Note: Though Meta won, the court acknowledged the broader ethical concern—creators deserve recognition and possibly remuneration in an AI-driven economy.

Wider Legal Landscape: Unsettled and Expanding

Legal challenges are far from over:

• Anthropic is also facing a lawsuit from music publishers for unauthorized use of song lyrics.
• Meta, OpenAI, and Microsoft are embroiled in multiple copyright disputes. Twelve lawsuits, including one filed by The New York Times, have been consolidated.
• Ziff Davis has filed a separate suit against OpenAI.
• Visual artists have taken legal action against Stability AI, Runway AI, DeviantArt, and Midjourney over alleged misuse of images. Getty Images is suing Stability AI for copying over 12 million copyrighted photos.

Indian Media Takes Legal Action

In 2024, Asian News International (ANI) filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing it of misusing Indian news content. Other major Indian outlets—such as The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and NDTV—joined the cause through the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), indicating growing legal momentum in India.

Implications: Legal Support, But No Clear Resolution

The US rulings support AI companies by recognising their training practices as fair use, setting early precedent. However, they don’t resolve the bigger questions:

• Should authors and artists be compensated for training use?
• What protections exist for creative livelihoods in the face of AI-generated content?
• How do courts handle training datasets sourced from pirated or gray-market archives like Books3?

Conclusion

These landmark rulings mark a turning point in the legal regulation of generative AI. While they provide short-term clarity for developers, they also highlight enduring ethical and economic tensions. As lawsuits continue across jurisdictions, the future of copyright in the age of AI remains highly contested and evolving.

WHO Report on Social Connection: Addressing the Global Loneliness Crisis

The World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection has released a significant report emphasizing how loneliness and social isolation affect global health, mental well-being, and community life. The report outlines the scale of the problem, its health and socio-economic consequences, and provides a roadmap to strengthen human connections across societies.

Understanding Social Connection and Disconnection

• Social connection refers to the various ways people interact and maintain relationships—with family, friends, colleagues, classmates, and community members.
• Social disconnection happens when a person lacks meaningful relationships or feels unsupported—even if they’re not physically isolated.

This disconnection can take two main forms:

• Loneliness – the gap between the relationships one desires and the ones they actually have.
• Social isolation – having few or infrequent social interactions.

Key Findings from the Report

• Loneliness Is Widespread: Around 1 in 6 people globally experienced loneliness between 2014 and 2023.
• Young people (13–29 years) reported the highest levels of loneliness.
• Among older adults (1990–2022), up to 1 in 3 felt lonely.
• Teenagers (2003–2018): Roughly 25% reported being socially isolated.
• Income-Based Disparities:
• In low-income countries, about 24% of individuals feel lonely.
• In high-income nations, this drops to 11%, suggesting structural and support differences.
• Health and Socioeconomic Impact:
• Physical health: Loneliness contributed to nearly 871,000 global deaths (2014–2019).
• Mental health: Linked to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and dementia.
• Economic impact: Social disconnection leads to reduced academic performance, lower workplace productivity, and broader societal costs.

Underlying Causes of Disconnection

The report identifies several contributing factors:

• Chronic illness or poor physical health
• Marginalization and discrimination
• Living alone or in transitional life phases
• Low income and education levels
• Lack of accessible public spaces or community support
• Excessive or unhealthy digital media use, which can substitute for genuine connection

Global Roadmap for Building Connection

The WHO outlines a multi-level approach to reversing this trend:

1. Policy Action
• Develop national policies prioritizing social connection.
• Countries like Denmark, Finland, and Germany already have such frameworks.
2. Research and Innovation
• Strengthen national and international research into the science of connection.
• Launch a “Grand Challenges” program focused on social connectivity.
3. Targeted Interventions
• Establish an intervention accelerator to support pilot programs.
• Invest in community infrastructure (parks, libraries, support services) that foster belonging.
4. Better Metrics
• Create a Global Social Connection Index to track progress across nations.
5. Public Engagement and Social Prescribing
• Organize mass campaigns and events that encourage in-person interaction.
• Promote “social prescribing”, where healthcare providers refer individuals to community-based activities for mental and emotional well-being.

Conclusion

The WHO’s report underlines that social connection is a public health priority, not just a personal matter. By treating loneliness and isolation as serious threats to global well-being—and taking coordinated policy, research, and community action—we can build healthier, more resilient societies rooted in empathy, inclusion, and belonging.

Model Rules for Tree Felling on Agricultural Land: A Push for Agroforestry Reform

Context:
In 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the Model Rules for Felling Trees in Agricultural Lands to simplify the regulatory landscape and promote agroforestry. The goal is to remove legal obstacles for farmers growing and harvesting trees on non-forest land.

What Are the Model Rules?

These rules outline a standardized, simplified process for registering plantations, felling trees, and transporting timber grown on agricultural land. Aligned with the National Agroforestry Policy 2014, they support India’s commitments to climate action, sustainability, and rural development.

Key Provisions of the Model Rules

1. Integration with NTMS Portal: All plantation registrations and harvest requests must be submitted via the National Timber Management System (NTMS), enabling digital tracking and reducing paperwork.
2. Simplified Felling Approvals
• For up to 10 trees: Farmers can upload photos, and an auto-generated No Objection Certificate (NOC) is issued.
• For more than 10 trees: An online application triggers a field inspection, followed by a felling permit.
3. State-Level Committee (SLC): A multi-disciplinary committee at the state level will oversee implementation, promote agroforestry, and monitor timber movement and compliance.
4. Third-Party Verification System: Accredited agencies with forestry expertise will verify plantations and issue eligibility certificates for felling and transit.
5. Farmer-Friendly Record Management: Farmers must regularly update data such as tree species, height, and geotagged images to ensure transparency and traceability.
6. Technology-Backed Monitoring: The rules incorporate tools like GPS tagging, Google Earth imagery, and remote sensing to validate tree growth and estimate timber yield.
7. Linking Farmers to Wood-Based Industries: The policy promotes direct market linkages to wood and timber-based industries, enhancing farmers'' income potential.
8. Support for Climate Resilience and Soil Health: By integrating trees into farmlands, the rules aim to boost biodiversity, water retention, and carbon sequestration, reducing deforestation pressures.

Challenges and Concerns

• NTMS Portal Not Fully Functional: Delays in portal development could hinder smooth implementation in the initial phase.
• Digital Divide: Farmers lacking internet access or digital literacy may struggle to navigate online processes.
• Varied State-Level Adoption: As these are model rules, implementation depends on individual state governments, leading to non-uniform rollouts.
• Potential for Abuse: Without strong oversight, loopholes could be exploited by commercial logging interests, risking ecological damage.

Why These Rules Matter

• Reduces Timber Import Dependence: India spends nearly $2 billion annually on timber imports. These rules can help build a self-sufficient timber economy.
• Makes Tree Farming Profitable: Farmers can grow and profit from high-value trees like teak, sandalwood, and poplar without bureaucratic red tape.
• Strengthens Climate Action: Enhances India’s carbon sink capacity, contributing to its Paris Agreement commitments and SDG goals.
• Boosts Rural Incomes: Agroforestry can create new jobs and income streams, especially in underdeveloped and climate-vulnerable regions.
• Promotes Sustainable Agriculture: Encourages resilient, mixed farming systems that combine crops with tree cover, benefiting soil and water health.

Conclusion

The Model Rules for Felling Trees in Agricultural Lands represent a forward-looking policy to unlock the full potential of agroforestry in India. To translate this vision into reality, the government must ensure timely digital infrastructure, improve awareness and capacity building, and work closely with states for uniform and fair implementation. Done right, these rules can support both ecological sustainability and rural economic transformation.

Spain and Brazil Call for Global Tax on the Super-Rich to Tackle Inequality

At the UN’s 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Seville, Spain and Brazil jointly proposed a bold initiative to increase tax contributions from High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) globally. The proposal is part of the Seville Platform for Action, which promotes voluntary efforts to fast-track the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Proposals:

1. Effective Global Taxation of the Super-Rich
• Enforce higher and more equitable taxes on billionaires and ultra-wealthy individuals to reduce global inequality.
• This addresses the disparity where the richest 1% continue to amass enormous wealth while contributing very little in taxes.
2. Creation of a Global Wealth Registry
• Establish an international database tracking real ownership of assets and wealth, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
• This aims to prevent tax evasion and illicit financial flows by revealing the beneficial owners behind complex financial structures.

Why This Is Needed:

• Extreme Wealth Inequality: The top 1% own more than the bottom 95% of the global population combined.
• Tax Disparity: Billionaires pay just around 0.3% in effective tax, even though their wealth has ballooned by $33.9 trillion since 2015.
• SDG Financing Gap: The annual cost of achieving SDGs (~$4 trillion) is far less than the $6.5 trillion gained by billionaires in recent years.
• Public vs Private Wealth: Between 1995 and 2023, private global wealth rose by $342 trillion—eight times more than the growth in public wealth.

Related Global and National Initiatives:

Global:

• Seville Platform for Action – Encourages coordinated voluntary action for SDGs.
• G20 2024 Agreement – Pushed for a shared international tax agenda for the wealthy.
• Ongoing UN Tax Convention Negotiations – Aimed at building a fairer global tax system.

India:

• Employment Generation: MGNREGA, DDU-GKY support rural and youth employment.
• Social Security Programs: Schemes like Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana provide financial protection.
• Financial Inclusion: Initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana and MUDRA Yojana ensure access to banking and credit for marginalized groups.

Conclusion:

The Spain-Brazil initiative signals growing international momentum for progressive taxation and global wealth transparency. By ensuring the ultra-rich contribute fairly, such measures aim to reduce inequality, strengthen public finances, and bridge the funding gap for sustainable development. If backed globally, it could reshape the architecture of international tax justice.

Iran Suspends Cooperation with IAEA Amid Escalating Tensions

Context:

Following joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities—triggered by an IAEA board resolution declaring Iran in violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)—Iran has passed legislation suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

About the IAEA’s Role in the NPT Framework:

• The IAEA serves as the global nuclear watchdog under the NPT framework.
• It ensures non-nuclear weapon states comply with non-proliferation obligations by conducting inspections and monitoring nuclear programs.
• It also promotes the peaceful use of nuclear technology in member states.

Implications of Iran''s Move:

Iran’s suspension marks a serious setback to international nuclear diplomacy and reflects the broader decline in the influence of global institutions.

Trends Highlighting Erosion of Global Governance Structures:

• Weakening of International Institutions: Countries increasingly ignore or withdraw from international agreements (e.g., US exit from the Paris Agreement).
• Crisis of Credibility: Bodies like the UN often struggle to act decisively due to lack of consensus or influence from powerful states.
• Institutional Ineffectiveness: Many organizations lack enforcement mechanisms, face funding constraints, and operate under outdated frameworks.
• Loss of Legitimacy: The UN Security Council is criticized for its imbalanced structure and veto privileges held by just five countries.

Quad Launches Critical Minerals Initiative for Supply Chain Security

Context:

The Quad countries—India, the US, Japan, and Australia—launched the Critical Minerals Initiative to strengthen collaboration on securing, diversifying, and recycling critical mineral supply chains, which are essential for clean energy, electronics, and defense sectors.

Why This Matters:

1. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities:

• A handful of countries dominate the extraction and processing of critical minerals:
• DR Congo supplies ~70% of the world’s cobalt.
• China refines the majority of the world’s cobalt (68%), lithium (60%), and nickel (65%).
• This centralization creates risks from geopolitical tensions, export restrictions, and market monopolies.
• Example: In 2024, China restricted exports of gallium and germanium, crucial for semiconductors and defense.

2. Strategic Importance:

• Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths are essential for:
• Electric vehicles, battery storage, solar panels, missiles, and radar systems.

3. Recycling and Sustainability Challenges:

• Many countries lack the infrastructure for e-waste processing and mineral recovery, making supply dependent on mining and imports.

Other Key Initiatives to Secure Critical Mineral Access:

India’s Domestic Measures:

• Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Act, 2023: Allows private exploration of critical minerals.
• National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) and National Mineral Policy (2019) support sustainable sourcing.

International Collaborations:

• Minerals Security Partnership (MSP): India joined this US-led alliance in 2023.
• KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd.): A government JV to acquire mineral assets abroad.
• Example: India’s 2024 agreement with Argentina to jointly explore lithium reserves.

Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP)

• SEBI has mandated issuing a Common Contract Note with a single Volume Weighted Average Price to simplify trading for institutional investors and market participants.
• VWAP represents the average price of a stock weighted by the total trading volume over a specific period.
• It helps investors compare the current stock price to a benchmark to decide when to buy or sell.
• VWAP also aids investors in determining their trading strategy (active or passive) and timing their trades.
• VWAP is calculated daily, from market open to close, using intraday data.
• Formula:
  VWAP = (Typical Price × Volume) / Cumulative Volume
• Typical Price = average of the high, low, and closing prices of the stock for that period.
• The VWAP is plotted as a line on charts and behaves similarly to a moving average.
• When the price is above VWAP, the market is considered to be in an uptrend; below VWAP indicates a downtrend.

Pros:

• Used in algorithmic trading to find the best price aligned with market volume.
• Helps ensure high liquidity, lower transaction costs, and better execution.
• Particularly useful when trading large volumes to avoid artificially inflating stock prices.

Cons:

• VWAP is a cumulative indicator relying on many data points, which can cause lag similar to moving averages.
• Because of lag, most traders use short timeframes like one-minute or five-minute intervals.

Transition Bonds

• Approval:
  The International Financial Services Authority (IFSCA) approved a framework for issuing and listing transition bonds under the IFSCA (Listing) Regulations, 2024.
• What are Transition Bonds?

They are a sub-category of green debt securities as defined by SEBI regulations.

• Green Debt Security: Debt issued to raise funds for projects/assets like clean transportation, sustainable waste management, etc.
• Objective:
• To enable hard-to-abate sectors such as steel and cement to raise capital for gradual decarbonisation.
• To prevent greenwashing through mandatory transparency, disclosures, and third-party validation, thereby ensuring investor confidence.

Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) and Marginal Standing Facility (MSF)

• Reserve Bank of India update: RBI has revised the timings for SDF and MSF operations.

About Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)

• Banks can place their surplus funds with the RBI overnight.
• SDF absorbs liquidity from commercial banks.
• This facility does not require any collateral from banks.

About Marginal Standing Facility (MSF)

• MSF allows banks to borrow from RBI in emergencies when inter-bank liquidity is scarce.
• Borrowing is done by pledging government securities as collateral.

Fourth International Financing for Development Conference (FfD4)

• Context:
  The FfD4 conference is currently taking place in Seville, Spain, focusing on reforming the global financial system.
• What is FfD4?

A United Nations-led global forum aimed at addressing gaps in sustainable development financing and reforming global economic governance.

• Host:
  Held in Seville, Spain, in 2025 under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
• Objective:
  Align development finance with climate goals, restore trust between developed and developing nations, and build fair financial systems.
• Key Features:
• Multi-stakeholder participation including governments, multilateral institutions, civil society, and think tanks.
• Reform agenda focusing on restructuring Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and tackling systemic issues like debt, taxation, and accountability.
• Integration with climate agendas to prepare coordinated actions for COP30.
• Ongoing Seville Commitment & Road to COP30 (Belem):
• Emphasis on scaling climate finance to $1.3 trillion by 2035 via the “Baku to Belem” roadmap.
• Transition from negotiation to implementation with a focus on delivering real-world results.
• Inclusion of civil society groups like indigenous peoples, women, and youth in future COP events.
• Innovative finance proposals such as taxing private jets and financial flows to fund climate action without increasing debt.
• Strong equity focus calling out the richest 1% for 50% of emissions and demanding accountability.
• Significance for India and the Global South:
• Strengthens demands for climate justice and fair financing.
• Encourages South-South cooperation and amplifies voices of emerging economies.
• Supports India’s G20 agenda to reform global financial institutions and promote climate finance beyond loans.

Facciolella Smithi

• Indian scientists recently discovered a new deep-sea eel species named Facciolella smithi (Smith’s witch eel).
• The discovery was made by ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow.
• The specimen was collected between 260 and 460 meters deep off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea.
• It belongs to the Nettastomatidae family.
• The eel likely lives on the seafloor or burrows in soft sediment, relying on sensory adaptations instead of sight due to darkness.
• The species is named to honor ichthyologist Dr. David G. Smith for his work on eel taxonomy.

Kariyachalli Island

• The Tamil Nadu government has recently initiated efforts to save the sinking Kariyachalli Island.
• Kariyachalli is located in the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar region, home to one of India’s four major coral reefs.
• The island is part of the 21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park between Rameshwaram and Thoothukudi.
• Kariyachalli Island features beaches, sand dunes, spits, and sandy plains.
• It has experienced significant sinking over decades due to erosion, rising sea levels, and degradation of coral reefs and seagrass.
• IIT Madras’s 2024 report states the island lost over 70% of its landmass since 1969.
• Coral bleaching around the island has affected about one-third of reefs, increasing vulnerability to erosion.
• At current erosion rates, the island may submerge by 2036.
• To prevent this, the Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources (TNSHORE) project will start in August 2025.
• The project aims to restore reefs with artificial modules, plant seagrass beds, and revive marine life.

RECLAIM Framework

• Context:
  The Ministry of Coal will launch the RECLAIM Framework, a community engagement framework for mine closure and repurposing.
• What is RECLAIM? RECLAIM stands for a structured Community Engagement and Development Framework designed for mine closure and repurposing. It provides a step-by-step guide for social and ecological transitions in mining areas.
• Key Stages of RECLAIM: REACH OUT – ENVISION – CO-DESIGN – LOCALISE – ACT – INTEGRATE – MAINTAIN
• Nodal Ministry: Launched by the Ministry of Coal in collaboration with the Coal Controller Organisation and the Heartfulness Institute.
• Objective:
  To ensure a just, inclusive, and locally relevant transition for communities affected by mining, promoting long-term sustainability and economic recovery after mining ends.
• Key Features:
• Structured Community Participation: Institutionalizes grassroots involvement throughout all phases of mine closure and transition.
• Toolkit and Methodologies: Provides ready-to-use templates, tools, and models adapted to India’s socio-economic context.
• Gender & Vulnerability Focus: Ensures representation of women and marginalized groups, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on equity.
• Linkage with Local Governance: Integrates Panchayati Raj Institutions to strengthen local accountability and planning.
• Ecological Restoration Goals: Emphasizes land reclamation, water table renewal, and afforestation to restore ecological balance.
• Socio-economic Continuity: Promotes alternative livelihoods, capacity building, and skill development to reduce dependency on mining.
• Significance:
• First framework of its kind in India providing a dedicated, people-centric policy for coal mine closure.
• Supports environmental sustainability and India’s climate adaptation and net-zero targets through ecological regeneration.
• Empowers mining communities by turning mine closure from an economic setback into an opportunity for community-led development.

Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve

• Recently, the rare and endangered white-eared night heron was camera-trapped in Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Namdapha is located on the India-Myanmar border in Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The park covers an area of 1985.23 square kilometers.
• It lies at the junction of the Indian subcontinent and Indo-China biogeographic regions.
• The park is situated between the Dapha Bum ridge of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai Ranges.
• It shares a boundary with Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh).
• The Namdapha River, a tributary of the Noa-Dihing River, flows through the park from north to south.
• Vegetation includes Northern Tropical Evergreen Forest, North Indian Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests, East Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests, and Moist Alpine Scrub Forests.
• Unique plant species include Pinus merkusii and Abies delavayi.
• The park houses the rare Blue Vanda orchid and medicinal plants like Mishimi Teeta used by local tribes.
• Fauna includes elephants, Himalayan black bears, Himalayan sun bears, hoolock gibbons (India’s only ape), slow lorises, and others.
• Namdapha is the only park in the world with all four big cats: tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard, alongside smaller cat species.
• The white-eared night heron (Gorsachius magnificus) is medium brown with a streaked breast and white patch on its head.
• This bird is mainly found in southern China and northern Vietnam with fewer than 1,000 individuals globally.
• It is highly secretive, nocturnal, rarely seen in the wild, and listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)

• FAC recommended streamlining forest clearance processes for major industry and infrastructure projects in or near forest areas.

About FAC

• A statutory body under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
• Role:
  Examines and reviews proposals for non-forestry use of forest land (including mining).
  Provides recommendations to the Government of India.
• The committee’s role is recommendatory.

Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development

• Context:
  The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) has been renamed as the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development.
• New Development: A new Regional Centre in Ranchi will be inaugurated to strengthen grassroots implementation of women and child welfare schemes in Eastern India.
• About the Institute:
• It is a premier autonomous body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Serves as the national apex institute for training, research, and capacity-building related to women and child welfare.
• Historical Legacy:
• Renamed to honour Savitribai Phule, one of India’s earliest women educationists and social reformers.
• Reflects a renewed commitment to inclusive, region-specific development for women and children.
• Headquarters and Regional Centres:
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Existing Regional Centres: Bangalore, Guwahati, Lucknow, Indore, Mohali
• New Regional Centre: Ranchi (to serve Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal)
• Objectives:
• Strengthen capacity building for implementation of women and child development schemes.
• Support region-specific interventions aligned with national missions such as Mission Shakti, Vatsalya, Saksham Anganwadi, and Poshan 2.0.
• Functions:
• Training: Conducts in-service and induction training for ICDS, Poshan, and related staff.
• Research & Extension: Develops contextual solutions for gender issues, mental health, and adolescent welfare.
• Policy Support: Provides evidence-based insights to improve women and child development schemes at national and regional levels.
• Documentation & Innovation: Archives best practices, develops training modules, and promotes digital training innovations.
• Frontline Empowerment: Supports over 7 lakh field workers by enhancing local access to training and counselling.
• Academic Programmes: Offers specialized diplomas like Child Guidance and Counselling, especially at the new Ranchi centre.
• Significance:
• Decentralizes capacity building to reduce dependence on distant centres, especially for Eastern India.
• Empowers grassroots by improving last-mile delivery of services and strengthening local governance like Panchayats.
• Adopts a holistic approach integrating mental health, education, and nutrition for overall welfare of women and children.

Gaden Phodrang Trust

• Context:
  The 14th Dalai Lama reaffirmed that the Gaden Phodrang Trust will be the sole authority to recognize his reincarnation, reiterating a stance from 2011.
• Definition & Origin:
• ‘Gaden Phodrang’ was originally the Dalai Lama’s residence at Drepung Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet, evolving into the institutional base for the Dalai Lama lineage.
• The Gaden Phodrang Trust is a registered non-profit based in Dharamshala, India, established in 2011, operating from the Dalai Lama’s office.
• Leadership:
  Chaired by the 14th Dalai Lama and managed by close aides including Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, a senior monk and former Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Central Tibetan Administration.
• Historical Role and Mandate:
• Historically, from the 17th century, Gaden Phodrang was both spiritual and political seat of the Dalai Lama in Tibet until exile in 1959.
• Post-1959, transformed into a spiritual trust supporting Tibetan exile and Buddhist continuity.
• Established formally in 2011 to oversee recognition of future Dalai Lama reincarnations and protect religious traditions from political interference.
• Key Functions:
• Sole authority to recognize and validate the 15th Dalai Lama and successors per Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
• Preservation of Tibetan spiritual heritage, rituals, teachings, and lineage.
• Coordination with Tibetan institutions like Dalai Lama Trust (New Delhi) and Gaden Phodrang Foundation (Zurich) for charitable and outreach work.
• Protects religious sovereignty from external interference, especially from China.
• Process of Selecting the Dalai Lama:
• Spiritual and traditional process involving:
• Signs and visions observed before and after the Dalai Lama’s passing.
• Consultations with senior lamas and oracles.
• Divinations and rituals at sacred sites.
• Final recognition decision rests solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust, ensuring doctrinal authenticity.

PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development)

• Portal: PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan Dissemination Portal was recently launched.
• Purpose:
  Provides open access to national and state-level data on student performance.
  Helps States/UTs design targeted plans to improve learning outcomes.

About PARAKH

• Established in 2023 as a National Assessment Centre under NCERT as an independent body.
• Objectives:
  Set norms, standards, and guidelines related to student assessments.
• Focus Areas: Capacity development, achievement surveys, school board equivalence, and holistic progress cards.

Operation MED MAX

• An operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) targeting illegal pharmaceutical drug trade.
• Achievements:
  Dismantled a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating across four continents.
• The syndicate used:
• Encrypted digital platforms,
• Drop shipping models,
• Cryptocurrency for smuggling controlled medicines.
• Highlights the convergence of digital technology, cryptocurrency, and global logistics in illicit trade.

Nutritional Intake in India Report

• Publisher: National Statistics Office (NSO)
• Basis: Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys of 2022-23 & 2023-24.

Key Findings:

• Average Per Capita Daily Calorie Intake:
• Rural: 2233 Kcal (2022-23), 2212 Kcal (2023-24)
• Urban: 2250 Kcal (2022-23), 2240 Kcal (2023-24)
• Protein Sources:
• Cereals remain the primary protein source.
• However, their share in protein intake has declined by about 14% in rural and 12% in urban areas since 2009-10.
• This decline is compensated by increased consumption of eggs, fish, meat, milk, etc.
• Expenditure and Calorie Intake:
• An increase in Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) corresponds with an increase in average calorie intake.
• Narrowing Gap:
• The calorie intake disparity between the bottom 5% and top 5% of the population (ranked by per capita expenditure) has significantly reduced in 2023-24.