Current Affairs for 03 January 2026

Delhi Declaration

Context

Recently, a new chapter in integrative medicine began with the release of the "Delhi Declaration" at the World Health Organization's (WHO) Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.

Key Points

• The Declaration takes into account emerging evidence in both traditional and modern medicine, emphasizing the integration of traditional medicine as a safe, effective, and evidence-based form into national health systems, especially universal health coverage (UHC) through primary health care.
• Building on the "Gujarat Declaration" that emerged from the first Summit on Traditional Medicine held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in 2022, the "Delhi Declaration" also highlights the breadth of traditional medicine, its growing scientific evidence base, its potential for innovation and new solutions to emerging health challenges.

Resolutions of the Delhi Declaration

The Delhi Declaration focuses on resolutions related to four areas:

1. Strengthening Evidence-Based Knowledge
   • Participating countries pledged to promote rigorous, ethical, and multidisciplinary research on traditional medicine, balancing scientific standards with traditional knowledge.
   • Resources such as the Global Library of Traditional Medicine will provide access to research, data, and policy documents.
2.  Ensuring Safety, Quality, and Public Trust
   • Emphasis is placed on establishing consistent, risk-based regulations for safety and quality so that standards for traditional medicine products, procedures, and trainers are clear and reliable.
3.  Integrating Safe and Effective Traditional Medicine into Health Systems
   • Integrating traditional medicine into national health systems, especially at the primary health care (PHC) level, which lays the foundation for universal health coverage.
   • The goal is to integrate traditional medicine into health services in a safe, effective manner, providing people with greater choice and accessible health care at the local level.
4.  Innovation and Responsible Use of Digital Technology
   • Digital technologies, data science, and innovation, such as AI and genomics, should be used to improve research and data access for traditional medicine. 
   • This will facilitate knowledge sharing globally and increase transparency in health systems.

Trends and Progress of Banking in India, 2024–25 Report

Context

• The Reserve Bank of India's latest 'Trends and Progress of Banking in India, 2024–25' report confirms that the country's banking system has become more resilient and confident than ever before, driven by minimal non-performing assets (NPAs), strengthening capital, and widespread digital and financial inclusion.
• This report not only compiles data but also provides a comprehensive assessment of the performance, risks, regulatory priorities, payment systems, technological adjustments, and consumer protection of banking and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).

Balance Sheet Expansion: A Clear Picture of Growth

• According to the report, the balance sheets of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) have seen significant expansion. Both deposits and loans recorded double-digit growth, although the pace has slowed somewhat in recent months.
• Growth of approximately 14-16% in bank credit reflects strong demand from industry, MSMEs, housing, and services sectors. Deposit growth of 12-13% indicates that public confidence in the formal banking system remains intact despite the availability of alternative investment options.

Asset Quality

• One of the biggest achievements of Indian banking has been the improvement in asset quality. The gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio has declined to approximately 2.1%, the lowest level in several decades. This improvement is a result of improved credit discipline, vigilant underwriting, and effective recovery mechanisms.
• Additionally, banks are adequately capitalized. The capital adequacy ratio (CRAR) remains above 16% on average, well above the Basel III minimum requirement and reflects the ability to withstand potential shocks.

New Heights of Digital and Financial Inclusion

• Digital Payments: Progress has also been significant on the digital payments and financial inclusion front. 514 districts across the country have become fully digitally enabled, with every eligible individual having access to at least one digital payment method.
  • The RBI's Financial Inclusion Index has risen to 67, reflecting deeper and broader access to accounts, credit, insurance, and digital payments. This progress is not limited to numbers but also indicates increased use of financial services.
• PRAVAAH Portal: The PRAVAAH Portal has been launched as a unified digital platform for regulatory applications. Its objective is to simplify, transparently, and timely the process of obtaining various permissions and approvals.
• FREE-AI Framework: To ensure the responsible use of artificial intelligence, the RBI has introduced the FREE-AI Framework. It provides governance guidelines based on principles such as fairness, accountability, security, and transparency, ensuring trust and accountability in AI-based systems.
• Risk-Based Deposit Insurance: Moving beyond a flat premium system, a move has been made towards risk-based deposit insurance. This initiative encourages banks to better manage risk and further strengthens depositors' trust in the entire banking system.
• Unified Lending Interface (ULI): ULI is a technology-based initiative aimed at providing seamless credit to every Indian and furthering the government's comprehensive vision of digital empowerment, financial inclusion, and last-mile service delivery.

Regulatory Reforms: Risk-Based Deposit Insurance

• A key policy recommendation from the report is the move towards risk-based deposit insurance premiums.
• This move away from a uniform premium system will encourage banks to better manage risks and strengthen trust in the overall system.

Emerging Challenges: Risks with Growth

• The expansion of digital banking and UPI has increased the risk of cyber fraud and online fraud. Furthermore, the increase in customer complaints related to loans, cards, and digital channels points to weaknesses in service quality and grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Risks related to transparency, bias, and data privacy are also emerging in AI-based credit and fraud detection systems. At the same time, some unsecured and small-value retail loan segments are showing signs of stress.

The Way Forward: Quality, Security, and Trust

• The report makes it clear that future success will come not just from rapid loan growth, but from quality-led growth. Strict underwriting, strong consumer protection, continued investment in cybersecurity, and targeted financial literacy campaigns will be required.
• Increasing awareness in rural areas, among senior citizens and first-time users of digital services is as important as the expansion of technology.

Conclusion

 This RBI report shows that the Indian banking system stands on a strong footing today, with minimal NPAs, strong capital, and a growing balance sheet. The key to sustainable success in the years ahead lies in trust-based technology adoption, transparent customer protection, and balanced regulation.

Gas Hydrates: Structure, Classification, Distribution on Earth, and Significance

Why in Discussion ?

• Recently, the deepest gas hydrate–associated “cold seep” discovered so far has been recorded on the seafloor off western Greenland.
• At this site, natural gas—mainly methane—was observed escaping as bubbles from ice-like hydrate cages.
• The area was also found to be rich in biodiversity, bringing renewed attention to gas hydrates from the perspectives of energy security, climate change, and deep-sea ecology.

What Are Gas Hydrates ?

• Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline solid compounds that form when low-density gases such as:Methane (CH₄), Ethane (C₂H₆), or Carbon dioxide (CO₂) become physically
• trapped within water molecules under conditions of:Low temperature, and Moderate to high pressure.
• Importantly, no chemical bond is formed between gas and water; the gas is only physically enclosed.

Structure and Classification (Clathrates)

• Gas hydrates belong to a class of compounds known as clathrates.
• Structural features:
  • Water molecules arrange themselves into a three-dimensional cage-like lattice.
  • Gas molecules occupy the cavities inside these cages.
• Key characteristic:
  • Absence of chemical bonding, which makes hydrates relatively unstable if temperature or pressure changes.
• Important fact:-Since most gas hydrates are methane-based, the terms “gas hydrate” and “methane hydrate” are often used interchangeably.

Conditions Required for Formation

Gas hydrates form only when the following conditions coexist:

• Low temperature
• Moderate to high pressure
• Availability of water and gas

Therefore, they are typically found in:

• Deep-sea sediments, and
• Permafrost regions (Arctic and sub-Arctic), both within and beneath frozen ground.

Distribution on Earth

Gas hydrates are mainly distributed in:

• Continental shelves and slopes
• Deep ocean floor sediments
• Arctic permafrost zones

Scientists also hypothesize that under suitable conditions, gas hydrates may exist on other planets or icy moons as well.

Stability and Decomposition

• Gas hydrates remain stable only within a narrow pressure–temperature window.
• When:Temperature increases, or Pressure decreases, the hydrate breaks down as follows:Gas Hydrate → Water + Gas
• This decomposition can release large quantities of methane into the surrounding environment.

Significance of Gas Hydrates

(a) As an Energy Resource

• Estimates suggest that the carbon stored in gas hydrates may be:
  • Nearly twice the combined carbon content of coal + oil + conventional natural gas.
• Hence, gas hydrates are viewed as a potential future energy source, though technological and environmental challenges remain.

(b) Link with Climate Change

• Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, far stronger than CO₂ over short timescales.
• Large-scale destabilization of gas hydrates could:
  • Release massive amounts of methane,
  • Accelerate global warming, and
  • Act as a climate feedback mechanism.

(c) Geophysical Hazards

• Sudden methane release from seafloor hydrates may trigger:
  • Submarine landslides, and
  • Potentially tsunami-generating events in extreme cases.

(d) Biodiversity and Chemosynthesis

• Cold seep ecosystems associated with gas hydrates host:
  • Unique and specialized biological communities.
• These organisms rely on chemosynthesis, not sunlight, to survive:
  • They derive energy and carbon from hydrocarbons or hydrogen sulfide.
• This makes such ecosystems biologically and evolutionarily significant.

Significance of the Greenland Cold Seep Discovery

• Represents the deepest known gas hydrate–related cold seep discovered to date.
• Demonstrates that:
  • Gas hydrates can remain stable even at extreme ocean depths.
  • Rich and complex ecosystems can develop in such environments.
• The discovery provides valuable insights into the interconnected nature of energy resources, climate processes, and deep-sea biodiversity.

EU’s Carbon Border Tax: Climate Regulation or Trade Barrier for India?

Why in News ?

From January 1, the European Union has operationalised the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on selected carbon-intensive imports. The move is expected to significantly impact India’s exports of steel, aluminium, and other energy-intensive products, raising concerns over trade competitiveness and climate equity.

Background & Context

As the European Union intensifies its climate action agenda to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, it has adopted market-based mechanisms to prevent “carbon leakage”—a situation where industries relocate production to countries with weaker emission norms.

CBAM represents the EU’s attempt to align international trade with its domestic carbon pricing regime under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). However, for developing countries like India, which rely on carbon-intensive manufacturing for export-led growth, the measure has sparked concerns over protectionism disguised as climate action.

What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) ?

CBAM is a carbon pricing mechanism that imposes a levy on imports entering the EU based on the embedded carbon emissions generated during their production.

It effectively extends the EU’s domestic carbon costs to foreign producers, requiring importers to purchase CBAM certificates corresponding to the carbon footprint of their goods.

Sectors Covered Under CBAM

CBAM currently applies to imports from the following carbon-intensive sectors:

• Iron and steel
• Aluminium
• Cement
• Fertilisers
• Electricity
• Hydrogen
• Certain downstream products

The EU retains the authority to expand the product scope in the future, increasing long-term uncertainty for exporters from developing economies.

Impact on India and Other Developing Economies

India’s exports to the EU are heavily concentrated in steel, iron, and aluminium, making them particularly vulnerable to CBAM-induced costs.

Key concerns include:

• Increased landed cost of Indian exports in the EU
• Erosion of price competitiveness vis-à-vis EU producers
• Higher trade barriers for developing countries lacking carbon pricing regimes

Additionally, the United Kingdom is expected to introduce a similar carbon border tax, while high US tariffs on metals continue to strain India’s external trade environment.

Global Pushback and Legal Concerns

CBAM has attracted resistance from several countries:

• Russia initiated a formal dispute against CBAM
• Developing nations have raised concerns at WTO platforms
• UNCTAD has warned that CBAM may:
  • Undermine export-led development
  • Reduce market access for poorer countries
  • Worsen global trade inequalities

Critics argue that exempting countries with existing carbon taxes creates an uneven playing field, disadvantaging nations with limited fiscal and technological capacity.

Developed vs Developing World Debate

EU’s Argument

• CBAM prevents carbon leakage
• Ensures fair competition between EU and foreign producers
• Is a climate measure, not a trade barrier

Developing Countries’ Concern

• CBAM violates the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)
• Ignores historical emissions of developed nations
• Imposes uniform obligations regardless of developmental stage

CBDR, recognised under international environmental law and WTO norms, mandates differentiated responsibilities based on capacity and historical contribution.

CBAM and the Shift in Steelmaking Technology

To comply with CBAM, Indian exporters are under pressure to transition towards low-emission steelmaking technologies.

Emission Intensity of Steel Production Routes

• Highest emissions: Blast Furnace–Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF–BOF)
• Moderate emissions: Gas-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)
• Lowest emissions: Scrap-based Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs)

India’s steel sector is predominantly BF–BOF-based, making compliance costly and technologically challenging.

Industry Demands and Trade Negotiations

Indian exporters have urged the government to:

• Provide financial and policy support for green transition
• Facilitate access to low-carbon technologies
• Seek exemptions or transitional relief for MSMEs in the India–EU trade agreement

However, the EU has maintained that CBAM is non-negotiable, as it is framed as a climate instrument rather than a trade measure.

Scrap Availability and Structural Disadvantages

A key constraint for Indian steelmakers is limited access to steel scrap:

• The EU and US, the largest scrap producers, heavily rely on EAFs
• The EU is regulating scrap exports to retain domestic supply
• This structural advantage may allow Western producers to comply with CBAM at lower costs

As a result, Indian manufacturers face a competitive disadvantage unrelated to efficiency or intent.

CBAM Impact: Price Cuts Likely for Indian Exporters

From January 1, 2026, CBAM will impose a direct carbon cost on every shipment of Indian steel and aluminium entering the EU.

According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI):

• Exporters may need to cut prices by 15–22% to remain competitive
• MSMEs will be disproportionately affected due to:
  • High compliance and verification costs
  • Limited bargaining power
  • Risk of exclusion from EU markets

Data Gaps and Compliance Challenges

A major operational challenge lies in emissions data availability:

• MSMEs often lack access to plant-level verified emissions data
• Large producers may not share verified figures with downstream buyers
• In absence of verified data, EU authorities may apply default (highest) emission values, inflating CBAM costs

Experts recommend pursuing Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) so that emissions certified by Indian authorities are accepted by the EU.

CBAM: Climate Action or Trade Protectionism ?

Indian trade experts argue that CBAM reflects commercial and strategic interests of developed economies more than genuine climate mitigation.

A UNCTAD study (2021) estimated that:

• CBAM would reduce global CO₂ emissions by only 0.1%
• Export losses for developing countries would be disproportionately high

UNCTAD has suggested that CBAM revenues should be channelled towards financing green technologies in developing nations to uphold climate justice.

India’s Official Position

India has consistently opposed CBAM, describing it as:

• Unilateral and arbitrary
• A violation of multilateral trade norms
• A barrier to energy transition efforts in developing countries

The Finance Minister has formally conveyed India’s concerns to the EU, emphasising the need for cooperative, not punitive, climate action.

Analysis: Why CBAM Matters for India

• Tests the balance between climate ambition and trade equity
• Raises questions over WTO compatibility of climate-linked trade measures
• Highlights technological and financial constraints in India’s green transition
• Could reshape global manufacturing and supply chains

CBAM represents a critical intersection of climate policy, geopolitics, and economic development.

Way Forward

• Accelerate India’s shift to low-carbon industrial technologies
• Develop robust plant-level emissions measurement and verification systems
• Pursue MRAs and climate finance mechanisms at global forums
• Strengthen South–South cooperation on green manufacturing
• Advocate for CBDR-compliant climate–trade frameworks at WTO and UN platforms

Land Acquisition Bottlenecks: The Hidden Drag on India’s Infrastructure Push

Why in News ?

Land acquisition has emerged as the single largest cause of delays in major infrastructure projects reviewed under the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) mechanism, surpassing issues related to environment, forest clearances, and law-and-order concerns.

Background & Context

India’s infrastructure-led growth strategy—covering highways, railways, industrial corridors, urban transit, and energy projects—depends critically on timely access to land. However, land acquisition has historically been a contentious issue due to competing claims between development objectives and the rights of landowners, farmers, and local communities.

While India has moved away from colonial-era acquisition practices, balancing economic growth, social justice, and federal governance remains a persistent policy challenge. The renewed focus under PRAGATI highlights that administrative and institutional issues, rather than legal absence, are at the heart of current delays.

Understanding Land Acquisition in India

Land acquisition refers to the process by which the government acquires private land for public purposes, including:

• Infrastructure development
• Industrial and manufacturing hubs
• Defence and strategic projects
• Housing and social infrastructure

Given India’s demographic pressures and development ambitions, land acquisition is foundational to economic expansion, yet continues to generate social resistance and political sensitivity.

Legal Framework Governing Land Acquisition

The current legal regime is governed by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act).

This law replaced the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 and sought to make acquisition more humane and participatory.

Key Features of the LARR Act

• Mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
• Consent requirements for private and PPP projects
• Compensation linked to market value
• Higher compensation multipliers for rural areas
• Statutory rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) provisions

The Act reflects a shift from state-centric acquisition to a rights-based framework.

Compensation and Rehabilitation Provisions

Compensation under the LARR Act includes:

• Market value of land
• Multipliers (up to 2× in urban areas and 4× in rural areas)
• Solatium for compulsory acquisition

Rehabilitation measures include:

• Housing or housing allowance
• Employment, annuity, or one-time financial assistance
• Development of basic civic infrastructure

These provisions were introduced to address historical displacement without adequate livelihood protection.

Procedural and Administrative Challenges

Despite its progressive design, land acquisition remains slow due to:

• Time-consuming Social Impact Assessments
• Difficult consent processes in areas with fragmented ownership
• Frequent valuation disputes leading to litigation
• Weak coordination between Centre, States, and district administrations

Since land is a State subject, differences in administrative capacity, political priorities, and implementation efficiency further complicate acquisition timelines.

Impact on Infrastructure Projects

Land-related delays disproportionately affect:

• National highways and expressways
• Railways and dedicated freight corridors
• Power plants and renewable energy parks
• Industrial parks and urban metro projects

Even after financial approvals and technical clearances, unresolved land issues often lead to cost overruns, contractual disputes, and time overruns, undermining India’s infrastructure momentum.

News Summary: PRAGATI Review Findings

Recent PRAGATI reviews have highlighted that:

• Nearly 35% of unresolved issues in major infrastructure projects are linked to land acquisition
• Land delays exceed bottlenecks caused by:
  • Forest and environmental clearances
  • Utility shifting
  • Law-and-order challenges

This establishes land acquisition as a structural bottleneck in India’s development pipeline.

Government’s Current Policy Position

Despite the magnitude of the issue, the government has clarified that:

• There is no proposal to amend or dilute the LARR Act
• The focus is on:
  • Improving administrative coordination
  • Faster dispute resolution
  • Strengthening Centre–State cooperation

PRAGATI enables escalation of unresolved issues to higher institutional levels, ensuring accountability and time-bound decision-making.

Role of Monitoring and Coordination Mechanisms

Since its inception, PRAGATI has:

• Reviewed over 3,300 projects
• Covered investments worth nearly ₹85 lakh crore
• Facilitated completion of projects stalled for decades

Although fiscal savings are not precisely quantified, faster execution has helped unlock stalled capital and reduce economic losses due to delays.

Analysis: Why Land Acquisition Remains Critical

• Reveals the gap between progressive laws and ground-level implementation
• Highlights limits of legal reform without administrative capacity
• Underscores importance of cooperative federalism
• Demonstrates how social consent is as vital as financial clearance

Efficient land acquisition is not merely a legal issue but a governance challenge.

Way Forward

• Strengthen district-level administrative capacity
• Initiate early stakeholder consultations to build trust
• Digitise land records and ownership databases
• Institutionalise faster dispute-resolution mechanisms
• Enhance Centre–State coordination through platforms like PRAGATI

The focus must remain on execution efficiency, not legislative dilution.

Rights of Nature in Action: Amazonian Stingless Bees Gain Legal Protection

Why in News ?

The Satipo Municipality in Peru has adopted the Declaration of Rights for Native Stingless Bees (Tribe Meliponini) through a municipal ordinance, granting legal rights to Amazonian stingless bees. This marks the world’s first legal recognition of insect rights, reinforcing biocultural conservation and rights-of-nature–based governance.

Background & Context

In recent decades, environmental governance has witnessed a paradigm shift from human-centric conservation to rights-of-nature frameworks, where ecosystems and species are recognised as legal entities. Countries like Ecuador and Bolivia have constitutionalised nature’s rights, while courts in New Zealand, Colombia, and India have experimented with legal personhood for rivers and ecosystems.

The recognition of legal rights for Amazonian stingless bees represents a significant evolution of this framework—extending legal protection to insects, which are foundational yet often overlooked components of biodiversity and food systems.

What are Amazonian Stingless Bees ?

• Amazonian stingless bees belong to the Meliponini tribe and are native pollinators of tropical and subtropical ecosystems, particularly the Amazon Rainforest.
• They are among the oldest bee species on Earth and play a critical role in maintaining rainforest ecology by pollinating a vast majority of native plant species.
• Although called “stingless,” they possess a vestigial stinger that cannot be used for defence; instead, they protect their colonies by biting or secreting irritating resins.

Habitat, Behaviour and Cultural Significance

• Habitat: Native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with the highest diversity in the Amazon Basin.
• Behaviour: Highly social (eusocial) insects living in perennial colonies, often nesting in hollow tree trunks or natural cavities.
• Cultural Value: Stingless bees are deeply embedded in the traditions of Indigenous communities such as the Asháninka and Kukama-Kukamiria, who have protected and cultivated them for generations.

Ecological and Economic Importance

Biodiversity Support

• Pollinate over 80% of Amazonian flora
• Maintain ecosystem stability and forest regeneration
• Support global food crops such as coffee, cocoa, avocados, and blueberries

Meliponiculture

• Traditional practice of breeding stingless bees for honey and medicinal use
• Practised widely by Indigenous communities across tropical regions
• Represents a sustainable, low-impact livelihood system

Medicinal Value

• Stingless bee honey, often called the “miracle liquid”, has:
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antibacterial
  • Antiviral properties
• Traditionally used to treat eye ailments such as cataracts
• Distinct characteristics:
  • Higher moisture content
  • Slight acidity
  • Sweet–sour taste
  • Non-gooey texture, unlike commercial honey

Threats Facing Stingless Bees

Stingless bees face escalating threats from:

• Deforestation and illegal logging
• Agricultural expansion and cattle grazing
• Forest fires
• Rising temperatures and climate change
• Habitat fragmentation and forced migration to higher elevations

These pressures threaten not only bee populations but also Indigenous knowledge systems and rainforest resilience.

What is the Declaration of Rights for Native Stingless Bees ?

The Declaration is a Rights of Nature–based legal framework incorporated into municipal law by Satipo, setting a global precedent for insect conservation.

Rights Recognised Include:

• Right to exist and flourish
• Right to maintain healthy populations
• Right to a pollution-free habitat
• Right to ecologically stable climatic conditions
• Right to regenerate natural cycles
• Right to legal representation in cases of harm or threat

Since stingless bees cannot represent themselves, human guardians—such as Indigenous leaders, environmental experts, or community institutions—are authorised to act on their behalf and initiate legal action against polluters.

Significance of the Move

• First formal recognition of insect rights globally
• Strengthens biocultural conservation, linking biodiversity with Indigenous heritage
• Expands the scope of environmental jurisprudence
• Provides a legal tool to address ecological harm at the local governance level

Indian Parallel: Nature as a Rights Holder

India has witnessed similar judicial thinking, though not yet extended to insects:

• Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja (2014): The Supreme Court interpreted Article 21 expansively to include animal life with intrinsic worth, dignity, and freedom from unnecessary suffering.
• Mohd. Salim vs State of Uttarakhand (2017): The Uttarakhand High Court granted legal personhood to the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, inspired by global precedents. However, this ruling was later stayed by the Supreme Court, keeping the issue unresolved.

These cases reflect India’s evolving environmental jurisprudence, though legislative backing remains limited.

Analysis: Why This Development Matters

• Highlights the ecological importance of insects in climate resilience
• Bridges conservation with Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge
• Pushes environmental law beyond charismatic megafauna
• Reinforces decentralised, community-led environmental governance

The move signals a shift from symbolic conservation to enforceable ecological justice.

Way Forward

• Replicate rights-of-nature frameworks in biodiversity hotspots
• Integrate Indigenous knowledge into conservation policy
• Strengthen local governance mechanisms for ecological protection
• Build international consensus on legal protection for pollinators
• Link climate finance with biocultural conservation initiatives

Indian Railways in 2025: New Frontiers, New Challenges

Why in News ?

The year 2025 marked a landmark phase for Indian Railways, as rail connectivity finally reached the Kashmir Valley and Aizawl (Mizoram), integrating India’s last major unconnected regions into the national rail network. Alongside historic infrastructure expansion, the Railways also grappled with safety challenges, crowd management issues, freight constraints, and financial stress, highlighting the dual narrative of achievement and challenge.

Background & Context

Indian Railways is not merely a transport utility but a strategic national asset, playing a vital role in:

• Territorial integration
• Economic logistics
• Disaster response
• Military and strategic mobility
• Green transportation

In recent years, Railways has pursued high-capacity corridors, advanced technology, and regional connectivity, while balancing rising passenger demand, freight competitiveness, and fiscal sustainability. The developments of 2025 encapsulate this transformation.

From Kashmir to Mizoram: Railways Reach India’s Final Frontiers

Kashmir Rail Link: A Century-Old Dream Realised

The idea of a railway connection to the Kashmir Valley dates back to 1898, when Maharaja Pratap Singh first envisioned it. After Partition, the Jammu–Sialkot rail link went to Pakistan, leaving Jammu and Kashmir disconnected from India’s rail grid.

• Jammu was connected by rail in 1972
• The Kashmir Valley remained unlinked for decades due to terrain, security, and engineering challenges

This changed in June 2025, when the Prime Minister inaugurated the final 63-km Katra–Sangaldan section of the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).

Key Engineering Feats

• T-50 Tunnel – India’s longest operational transport tunnel (12.77 km)
• Chenab Bridge – World’s highest railway arch bridge (359 m above riverbed)
• Anji Bridge – Indian Railways’ first cable-stayed bridge

A Vande Bharat train service between Katra and Srinagar marked the operational integration of the Valley.

Significance: Enhances strategic mobility, economic integration, tourism, and all-weather connectivity in a sensitive border region.

Mizoram: Railways Overcome Geography

Mizoram’s late integration into the rail network stemmed from:

• Rugged terrain
• Landlocked geography
• Dependence on road transport

The breakthrough came with the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang line in September 2025, connecting Bairabi to Sairang near Aizawl.

• Aizawl became the fourth northeastern capital linked to Indian Railways (after Dispur, Agartala, and Itanagar)

Significance: Boosts regional development, reduces logistics costs, and strengthens Act East connectivity.

Pamban Bridge: Reconnecting South India’s Maritime Edge

In 2025, Railways inaugurated the new 2.08-km Pamban Bridge, replacing the 110-year-old cantilever bridge.

• India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge
• Connects Rameswaram to the mainland across the Palk Strait

Dedicated Freight and Strategic Connectivity Projects

Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC)

• First rail car ran on the 102-km Vaitarna–JNPT section
• Marks progress in high-capacity, freight-only infrastructure

Strategic Himalayan Connectivity

Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Line

• 125-km line with strategic and pilgrimage importance
• Includes India’s longest transport tunnel (14.57 km – yet to be operational)
• Strengthens Char Dham Yatra and border access

Bhanupalli–Bilaspur–Beri Line

• Connects Punjab with Himachal Pradesh
• Proposed extension up to Ladakh
• Progress slowed due to Centre–State financial disputes

A Year Shadowed by Safety Concerns

The year began with tragedy:

• Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station (15 February 2025)
• 18 deaths and 15 injuries during rush for Prayagraj-bound Mahakumbh trains

Railways’ Response

• Nationwide project to create holding areas at high-footfall platforms
• Renewed focus on crowd management and passenger safety protocols

Challenges in Freight Loading: Revenue Backbone Under Strain

• Freight transport contributes nearly 65% of Indian Railways’ total earnings, making it central to financial sustainability.
• High Dependence on Bulk Commodities
• Coal alone accounts for nearly 50% of freight loading
• Seven commodities together contributed 87.3% of freight traffic (FY25):
  • Coal
  • Iron & steel
  • Iron ore
  • Cement
  • Fertilisers
  • POL
  • Containers

Concerns Raised by the Standing Committee on Railways

• Over-reliance on a narrow freight basket
• Slowing revenue growth from coal and iron ore
• Need to diversify into:
  • Automobiles
  • FMCG
  • E-commerce

Low Modal Share

• Rail’s freight modal share: ~27%, far below road transport
• Raising this share is vital for:
  • Revenue growth
  • Lower logistics costs
  • Environmental benefits

Operational Focus Areas in 2025

Indian Railways prioritised:

• Removal of traffic bottlenecks
• Track expansion and capacity augmentation
• Passenger amenities under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
• Safety upgrades on high-density routes

Ambitious Traffic Targets

By 2030, Railways aims to achieve:

• 3 billion tonnes of freight (from 1.6 billion tonnes in FY25)
• 10 billion passengers annually (up from ~7 billion in FY25)

Technological Advancements

• Commissioning of Kavach 4.0 (Automatic Train Protection system)
  • Deployed on 738 route km across two high-density corridors
• Introduction of:
  • 13 Amrit Bharat trains for migrant workers
  • 2 Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Services
• Trials of Vande Bharat sleeper trains, signalling next-generation long-distance rail travel

Financial Stress vs Green Promise

Persistent Challenges

• High revenue expenditure
• Low earnings per route
• Pressure on long-term financial sustainability

Green Mobility Advantage

Despite constraints, Railways remains one of India’s cleanest transport modes:

• Accounts for only ~1% of transport emissions
• Near-100% electrification of broad-gauge network
• Hydrogen-powered trains under development
• 2,626 solar-powered stations
• 898 MW solar power used nationwide (≈70% for traction)

Analysis: Why Indian Railways in 2025 Matters

• Symbolises territorial integration and strategic connectivity
• Highlights infrastructure’s role in nation-building
• Exposes safety and financial vulnerabilities amid expansion
• Central to India’s logistics, climate, and mobility transition
• Demonstrates the challenge of balancing growth, safety, and sustainability

Way Forward

• Strengthen passenger safety and crowd management systems
• Diversify freight basket and boost modal share
• Improve Centre–State coordination on strategic projects
• Accelerate technology adoption for safety and efficiency
• Align financial reforms with green transport objectives

Bomb Cyclone: Explosive Winter Storms and Their Climatic Significance

Why in News ?

A powerful bomb cyclone recently swept across the northern United States, triggering severe winter weather across the Midwest and the East Coast. The storm led to intense snowfall, blizzards, strong winds, and widespread disruption, once again drawing attention to extreme mid-latitude weather systems.

Background & Context

Mid-latitude regions frequently experience extratropical cyclones, which derive their energy from the interaction between contrasting air masses. While most such systems intensify gradually, some undergo explosive intensification, leading to exceptionally powerful storms known as bomb cyclones.

In recent years, bomb cyclones have gained prominence in climate discussions due to their increasing frequency, intensity, and associated socio-economic impacts, particularly during winter months in the Northern Hemisphere.

What is a Bomb Cyclone ?

A bomb cyclone is a large mid-latitude storm resulting from explosive cyclogenesis (also known as bombogenesis).

Key Characteristics

• Surface atmospheric pressure drops very rapidly within a 24-hour period
• The storm is classified as a bomb cyclone when pressure falls:
  • By at least 24 millibars in 24 hours at mid-latitudes
  • Threshold varies depending on latitude

Structurally, a bomb cyclone is indistinguishable from other intense extratropical cyclones but is defined by its rate of intensification rather than its structure.

Structural Features of a Bomb Cyclone

• Central low-pressure cell (cyclone)
• Surface winds spiral inward toward the low-pressure core
• Strong pressure gradients generate very high wind speeds
• Often associated with:
  • Cold fronts
  • Warm fronts
  • Occluded fronts

The rapid deepening of the low-pressure system is the defining feature.

Formation Mechanism: Explosive Cyclogenesis

Bomb cyclones typically form when:

• Cold polar air collides with warm, moist subtropical air
• Strong temperature contrasts enhance instability
• Upper-level jet streams intensify surface pressure drops
• Atmospheric rivers supply large amounts of moisture

They most commonly occur in winter, when temperature gradients are strongest.

Major Global Regions of Bomb Cyclone Activity

The four most active regions for extratropical explosive cyclogenesis are:

• Northwest Pacific
• North Atlantic
• Southwest Pacific
• South Atlantic

These regions combine strong jet streams, oceanic heat sources, and sharp thermal contrasts.

Weather Impacts of Bomb Cyclones

Bomb cyclones are associated with extreme and rapidly changing weather conditions, including:

• Heavy rainfall and intense downpours
• Severe thunderstorms
• Blizzards and heavy snowfall
• Gale-force to hurricane-force winds
• Coastal flooding and storm surges

Such storms can cause widespread disruption to transport, power supply, agriculture, and public safety.

Link with Climate Variability

While bomb cyclones are not new phenomena, climate scientists suggest that:

• Warming oceans provide more energy and moisture
• Stronger temperature contrasts may enhance storm intensity
• Changing jet stream patterns can influence storm tracks

This raises concerns about more frequent or intense winter storms in mid-latitude regions.

Analysis: Why Bomb Cyclones Matter

• Illustrate the dynamics of mid-latitude atmospheric circulation
• Highlight vulnerabilities to extreme winter weather
• Pose challenges for disaster preparedness and forecasting
• Reflect broader interactions between climate change and weather extremes

For countries in temperate regions, bomb cyclones are a growing concern for resilience planning.

Way Forward

• Strengthen early warning and forecasting systems
• Improve urban and coastal infrastructure resilience
• Integrate extreme winter storms into disaster management frameworks
• Enhance climate modelling to better predict explosive cyclogenesis
• Increase public awareness of winter storm preparedness