Current Affairs for 16 December 2025

National Lok Adalat and the Lok Adalat System

Why in News?

• The 4th National Lok Adalat of 2025 successfully resolved 2.59 crore disputes.
• Between 2022–23 and 2024–25, more than 23.5 crore cases have been disposed of through various Lok Adalats across India.
• This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism and the central role of Lok Adalats in India’s justice delivery system.

What is Lok Adalat?

• Lok Adalat is a forum where:
• Pending court cases, or
• Disputes at the pre-litigation stage
  are settled through mutual consent and compromise.
• Compared to formal courts, Lok Adalats are:
• Less expensive
• Time-efficient
• Simple and informal
• They bring justice closer to the common citizen.

Constitutional and Legal Basis

1. Article 39A of the Constitution

• Directs the State to:
  • Ensure equal justice, and
  • Provide free legal aid
• Objective:
  No person should be denied justice due to economic or social disabilities.

2. Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

• Provides the statutory framework for:
  • Establishment of Lok Adalats
  • Creation of:
    • National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
    • State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA)
    • District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA)
    • Taluka Legal Services Committees

Composition of Lok Adalat

A Lok Adalat generally consists of:

• One Judicial Officer (serving or retired)
• One Advocate
• One Social Worker

This ensures a balance of legal expertise, social sensitivity, and humanitarian approach.

Types of Cases Handled

Lok Adalats deal only with compromise-able cases, such as:

• Civil cases – land disputes, money recovery
• Family disputes – divorce, maintenance
• Labour disputes
• Motor Accident Claim cases
• Cheque bounce cases (Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act)
• Public utility service disputes – electricity, water, telephone bills
• Serious criminal offences (murder, rape, terrorism, etc.) are outside the jurisdiction of Lok Adalats.

Nature of Lok Adalat Awards

• The award of a Lok Adalat:
  • Is final and binding
  • Is not appealable
• It is deemed to be a decree of a civil court.

Key Features of Lok Adalat

• No court fee
• Refund of court fee already paid
• Speedy justice
• Informal and flexible procedure
• Consent of both parties is mandatory

Significance of Lok Adalat

• Reduces the burden of pending cases in courts
• Enhances access to justice for the poor, rural and vulnerable sections
• Promotes amicable and cooperative dispute resolution
• Effectively addresses the problem of delay in justice
• Strengthens social harmony and public trust in the justice system

Types of Lok Adalats

1. National Lok Adalat (NLA)

• Organised multiple times a year
• Conducted simultaneously across the country:
  • From the Supreme Court to Taluka level
• Held on a single day nationwide
• Objective: Mass disposal of cases

2. Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA)

• Deals with disputes related to public utility services, such as:
  • Transport,Postal services,Telegraph,Electricity,Water supply
• Jurisdiction up to ₹1 crore
• Special feature:
  • If settlement fails, PLA has the power to decide the case on merits

3. E-Lok Adalat and Mobile Lok Adalat

• E-Lok Adalat:
  • Conducted through digital platforms
  • Enhances access to justice in remote areas
• Mobile Lok Adalat:
  • Moves from place to place
  • Targets rural and inaccessible regions

Four-Tier Organisational Structure of Lok Adalats

Atomic Energy Bill 2025

Context

Recently, the Government of India has approved the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, which has now been renamed the ‘Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill’. It is also being referred to as the SHANTI Bill.

Key Points: Background

• This bill proposes to amend the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, bringing about radical changes to India's highly closed nuclear energy framework.
• This move aims to enable private and foreign participation in civilian nuclear energy for India's long-term energy security, climate commitments, and grid stability.
• It aims to promote the participation of both Indian and foreign private sectors in nuclear power generation. It will replace India's existing laws, the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND), 2010.

Key Provisions of the SHANTI Bill

• The bill proposes the creation of a nuclear energy regulatory framework that will be accountable to Parliament, ends the monopoly of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India on nuclear plant operations, and limits the circumstances under which nuclear power plant operators can seek compensation from equipment suppliers in the event of an accident.
• It also provides operators with protection by capping their liability for violations of laws under the Act, based on the size of the plant they operate, and limits the maximum penalty to ₹1 crore even in cases of ‘serious violations’.
• This bill proposes a revised and practical civil liability framework for nuclear damage, grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), and strengthens mechanisms related to safety, security, safeguards, quality assurance, and emergency preparedness.
• Under private and foreign participation, private companies are allowed to hold up to 49% stake in nuclear power projects.
• The scope of private participation is not limited to power generation but also includes:
• Exploration of nuclear minerals
• Fuel and equipment manufacturing
• Selection of certain aspects of plant operation
• Research and development (R&D) of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Need for reforms in the nuclear sector

• Energy transition and baseload: The rapid expansion of renewable energy (such as solar and wind) has increased grid instability due to insufficient energy storage. Meanwhile, there are environmental and political constraints on coal and thermal power. Nuclear energy addresses these shortcomings by providing reliable baseload power and a low-carbon emission option.
• Capital requirements: India's nuclear expansion is now driven primarily by capital constraints rather than technological limitations. These reforms are expected to attract foreign sovereign wealth funds (especially from West Asia) and other private investors.
• Leveraging the India-US agreement: Almost two decades after the signing of this agreement, its commercial potential has not been fully utilized, which is now being addressed through these reforms.

India's nuclear capacity ambitions

• India's ambition is to achieve 100 gigawatts (GWe) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, compared to the current capacity of approximately 8 GWe. SMRs are being developed as a new pillar to achieve this target.
• Special emphasis is being placed on R&D in SMRs with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore. The goal is to have at least 5 indigenously developed SMRs (with a capacity of less than 300 MW) operational by 2033.

Private Sector Interest and Operational Model

• Companies Showing Interest: Large companies like Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, Hindalco, JSW Energy, and Jindal Steel & Power have shown interest in SMR projects.
• The government-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will retain ownership and operational control of the SMRs.
• Private companies will manage the entire project lifecycle (including financing) and will receive a guaranteed long-term captive power supply in return.

Major Hurdle in Nuclear Liability Law

• The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA) remains the biggest obstacle to private and foreign investment.
• The CLNDA includes a ‘right of recourse’ which allows operators to seek compensation from suppliers (foreign vendors) in case of an accident. Foreign vendors (e.g., Westinghouse, EDF) consider this a deterrent to investment.
• Proposed solutions include limiting supplier liability beyond a certain threshold or establishing a state-backed insurance/fund to bring Indian law into conformity with global liability agreements.

The Way Forward

• Public Trust: Strengthening independent nuclear safety oversight is crucial to address political and public concerns regarding nuclear safety.
• Commercial Viability: Addressing private sector concerns (particularly commercial viability and risk sharing) is essential.
• Technology Transition: A gradual shift towards globally leading Light Water Reactor (LWR) technologies is necessary while preserving the indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) fleet.

Conclusion

The Nuclear Energy Bill 2025 marks a significant shift in India's energy policy, guiding the country towards a strategic, investment-friendly, and climate-conscious nuclear energy framework.

Kandhamal’s Illicit Cannabis Hub

Why in News?

The Kandhamal district of Odisha has emerged as a major hotspot for illicit cannabis cultivation, with record seizures reported in 2025, bringing national attention to the growing nexus between rural distress, geography, and the illegal narcotics economy.

Background and Context

Kandhamal, a tribal-dominated and forest-rich district in central Odisha, is known for its GI-tagged Kandhamal turmeric, celebrated for its high curcumin content and export potential.
Paradoxically, despite this agricultural recognition, large sections of the population continue to face chronic poverty, weak market access, and limited livelihood diversification.

This development deficit has increasingly pushed vulnerable communities toward illicit cannabis cultivation, which offers:

• Quick returns
• Minimal upfront investment
• Ready demand through organised trafficking networks

The phenomenon reflects a deeper policy and governance paradox—where legally promoted crops coexist with illegal but economically more viable alternatives.

Why Kandhamal Has Become a Cannabis Hotspot

1. Favourable Geography

• Kandhamal’s remote, hilly, and forested terrain makes:
  • Surveillance difficult
  • Road access limited
  • Law enforcement operations logistically challenging
• Dense forests provide natural cover for clandestine cultivation.

2. Climatic Suitability

• Cannabis thrives in:
  • Temperatures of 20–30°C
  • Humidity levels of 40–70%
• Kandhamal’s agro-climatic conditions are ideal, requiring little irrigation or fertiliser.

3. Economic Distress and Livelihood Gaps

• Limited non-farm employment opportunities
• Low and unstable returns from legal crops
• Poor access to markets, credit, and storage facilities
• Weak implementation of value-chain support for GI-tagged turmeric

Together, these factors make illicit cultivation an economic coping strategy rather than merely a criminal choice.

Understanding Cannabis

What is Cannabis?

• Cannabis is a generic term used by the World Health Organization (WHO) for psychoactive preparations derived from Cannabis sativa.
• The principal psychoactive component is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
• Structurally similar compounds are known as cannabinoids.

Cannabis Cultivation in India

• Naturally found in:
  • Indo-Gangetic plains
  • Deccan Plateau
• Grows easily in varied soil types with moderate climatic conditions.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

NDPS Act, 1985

• Governs cannabis regulation in India.
• Criminalises:
  • Cultivation
  • Possession
  • Sale, purchase, transport, and consumption
• Strictly bans ganja (flowering tops) and charas (resin).

Permissible Exceptions

• Central Government may allow cannabis cultivation for:
  • Industrial hemp (fibre, seeds, oils)
  • Horticultural and research purposes
• Seeds and leaves without flowering tops are excluded, allowing states to regulate products like bhang.

State-Level Developments

• Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to legalise industrial hemp cultivation, under strict licensing.

International Context

• In 2020, the UN removed cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, recognising its medical potential.
• However, it remains under Schedule I, requiring strict regulation.

Policy Irony: GI Turmeric vs Illicit Cannabis

• Kandhamal turmeric enjoys:
  • GI status
  • Export demand
  • Policy support in principle
• Yet, lack of:
  • Processing infrastructure
  • Assured procurement
  • Farmer collectives and branding
    has weakened its economic viability.

This gap highlights failures in inclusive rural development, where benefits of legal recognition fail to translate into sustainable livelihoods.

Governance and Security Implications

• Growth of illicit cultivation fuels:
  • Organised crime networks
  • Drug trafficking corridors
  • Local criminalisation of vulnerable communities
• Creates law-and-order challenges in tribal and forest regions.
• Undermines:
  • Public health
  • Rule of law
  • Long-term development prospects

Way Forward

Integrated Development Approach

• Strengthen value chains for GI-tagged turmeric and forest produce.
• Promote agro-processing, MSP-like mechanisms, and cooperative marketing.

Alternative Livelihoods

• Skill development in:
  • Minor forest produce
  • Eco-tourism
  • Horticulture and medicinal plants

Targeted Enforcement

• Intelligence-led operations against trafficking networks rather than criminalising marginal farmers alone.
• Use of satellite imagery and drones for surveillance.

Policy Reforms

• Explore regulated industrial hemp cultivation in suitable regions.
• Align narcotics control with development-centric tribal policies.

Project Suncatcher: Data Centres in Orbit

Why in News?

Google has announced Project Suncatcher, a long-term research initiative aimed at deploying solar-powered data centres in outer space, beginning with experimental satellite launches by 2027, as revealed by CEO Sundar Pichai. The project marks a radical rethinking of digital infrastructure amid rising energy, climate, and scalability constraints on Earth.

Background and Context

The global AI boom has triggered an unprecedented expansion of data centres, which now form the backbone of cloud computing, machine learning, and digital governance. However, terrestrial data centres are increasingly criticised for:

• Massive electricity consumption,
• Heavy water usage for cooling, and
• Growing reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources.

With global data centre power demand projected to rise by up to 165% by 2030, technology companies are exploring unconventional solutions. Against this backdrop, Project Suncatcher reflects a broader shift toward space-based infrastructure as a potential answer to energy, sustainability, and geopolitical constraints.

About Project Suncatcher

• Objective: To deploy solar-powered satellite constellations functioning as space-based data centres.
• Core Technology:
  • Equipped with Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for large-scale machine learning tasks.
  • Laser-based optical interlinks between satellites to enable high-speed, coordinated computation—similar to terrestrial data centre networking.
• Space Readiness:
  • Google claims its chips have undergone radiation tolerance testing to withstand cosmic rays and harsh space environments.
• Roadmap:
  • Phase 1: Launch of two prototype satellites in partnership with Planet Labs by early 2027.
  • Phase 2: Gradual scaling into functional orbital data centre clusters.
• Vision: Within a decade, extraterrestrial data centres could become a routine part of global digital infrastructure.

Why Data Centres in Space?

1. Energy and Climate Advantages

• Terrestrial data centres consume vast electricity, often sourced from fossil fuels.
• Outer space offers near-continuous solar radiation, especially in orbit or on the Moon, enabling cleaner and more predictable energy supply.
• Eliminates dependence on fragile terrestrial grids vulnerable to blackouts.

2. Infrastructure Stability and Security

• Space-based systems are insulated from:
  • Natural disasters (floods, earthquakes),
  • Geopolitical disruptions, and
  • Undersea cable damage.

3. Data Sovereignty and Legal Flexibility

• Data localisation laws restrict where data can be processed.
• The Outer Space Treaty, 1967 prohibits national sovereignty claims in space.
• This could allow multi-country data hosting from a single orbital facility, potentially reshaping global data governance.

4. Falling Launch Costs

• Reusable rockets and private space companies have sharply reduced the cost of space missions.
• This makes experimental payloads like computing racks increasingly feasible.

Key Challenges and Limitations

• Despite its promise, Project Suncatcher faces major constraints:
• High upfront costs of construction, launch, and maintenance.
• Repair and maintenance difficulties, potentially requiring robotic or human intervention in orbit.
• Latency issues due to distance from Earth-based users.
• Cybersecurity risks in an entirely new threat domain.
• Lack of clear regulatory frameworks for space-based commercial computing.

How Other Tech Giants Are Exploring Space-Based Data Centres

The idea of extraterrestrial computing is gaining momentum:

• OpenAI (Sam Altman):
  • Envisions Dyson sphere–like AI data centres harvesting solar energy.
  • Aligned with the $500 billion Stargate project involving Nvidia, SoftBank, and Oracle.
• Nvidia:
  • Recently launched the Starcloud satellite carrying an H100 GPU to test AI computation in space.
• Lonestar Data Holdings:
  • Sent a mini data centre with 8 TB storage to the Moon aboard an Intuitive Machines mission.
• Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos):
  • Advocates relocating polluting industries like data centres off Earth.
• Eric Schmidt (Former Google CEO):
  • Has publicly indicated interest in placing data centres in orbit.
• Together, these initiatives suggest the emergence of space as the next digital frontier.

• FAQs Q1. What is Google’s Project Suncatcher? It is a research initiative to deploy solar-powered data centres in space using satellite constellations equipped with AI chips. Q2. Why are tech companies considering space for data centres? Due to rising energy demand, climate concerns, grid instability, and data sovereignty constraints on Earth. Q3. When will Project Suncatcher begin operations? Prototype satellite launches are planned for 2027, with scaling expected over the following decade. Q4. What treaty governs activities in outer space? The Outer Space Treaty, 1967, which bans national sovereignty claims and promotes peaceful use of space. Q5. What are the main challenges of space-based data centres? High costs, repair difficulties, latency, cybersecurity risks, and regulatory uncertainty.

Mutharaiyar King Honoured with Commemorative Stamp

Why in News?

Recently, the Vice President of India released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, also known as Suvaran Maran, recognising his historical contributions as a prominent ruler and administrator of early medieval South India.

Background and Historical Context

• Early medieval South India (7th–9th century CE) was marked by the dominance of imperial dynasties like the Pallavas, Chalukyas, and later the Cholas, alongside powerful regional chiefs and feudatories.
• Among these, the Mutharaiyars emerged as influential rulers in the Cauvery delta region, playing a crucial role in governance, military affairs, temple construction, and cultural patronage.
• Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II stands out as one of the most illustrious rulers of this lineage, symbolising the transition of feudatories into semi-independent regional powers.

Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II: Life and Reign

Identity and Titles

• Name: Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II
• Period: c. 705 CE – 745 CE
• Other names:
  • Suvaran Maran (indicating prosperity and royal authority)
  • Shatrubhayankar (meaning “one who strikes fear in enemies”)

Political Role

• He belonged to the Mutharaiyar lineage, which initially served as feudatories of the Pallava dynasty.
• During his reign, Pallava power was gradually weakening, allowing chiefs like the Mutharaiyars to assert greater autonomy.
• Though nominally under Pallava overlordship, Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar exercised independent authority over his territories.

Military Contributions

• He fought several battles alongside Pallava king Nandivarman II (Nandivarman Pallavamalla).
• His military support was crucial in stabilising Pallava power against rival claimants and external threats.
• His epithet Shatrubhayankar reflects his reputation as a formidable warrior.

Administration and Governance

• Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar is remembered as a capable administrator, ensuring:
  • Effective local governance
  • Revenue collection from fertile Cauvery regions
  • Maintenance of irrigation systems essential for agrarian prosperity
• His reign contributed to political stability in central Tamil Nadu during a period of dynastic flux.

Religious and Cultural Patronage

Religious Tolerance

• Though he patronised Shaivism, his court reflected religious pluralism.
• The Jain monk Vimalachandra is known to have visited his court, highlighting tolerance toward Jainism.
• This coexistence of Shaiva and Jain traditions was characteristic of early medieval Tamil society.

Temple and Cultural Contributions

• As Pallava feudatories, the Mutharaiyars were active temple builders.
• They were deeply involved in:
  • Rock-cut cave temples
  • Early structural temple architecture
• Their architectural activity continued up to the early 9th century, laying foundations later inherited and expanded by the Cholas.

Who Were the Mutharaiyars?

• A powerful regional clan of early medieval Tamil Nadu.
• Initially served as feudatories of the Pallavas.
• With Pallava decline, they rose as independent or semi-independent rulers.
• Core areas under their control included:
  • Thanjavur
  • Pudukkottai
  • Perambalur
  • Tiruchirappalli
  • Regions along the Cauvery River
• Known for:
  • Military strength
  • Administrative efficiency
  • Temple-building activities
• Their political legacy significantly influenced the rise of the Cholas, who later absorbed these regions.

Significance of the Commemorative Stamp

• Recognises the historical importance of regional dynasties often overshadowed by imperial powers.
• Highlights India’s effort to:
  • Preserve local and regional history
  • Promote awareness of lesser-known rulers
• Reinforces the role of cultural memory in national heritage.

India & TB Report 2025

Why in News?

The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 presents a mixed assessment of India’s TB control efforts—showing the fastest global decline in TB incidence, yet confirming that India continues to bear the largest TB and drug-resistant TB burden worldwide.

Background & Context

Tuberculosis remains one of the most persistent public health challenges globally and in India. While the global target for TB elimination is 2030, India adopted an ambitious national goal of eliminating TB by 2025. The 2025 WHO report evaluates India’s progress as substantial but insufficient to meet this accelerated timeline, underlining the need for renewed policy focus and implementation strength.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Transmission

• Spread through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.

Types

• Pulmonary TB: Affects lungs (most common)
• Extra-pulmonary TB: Affects lymph nodes, bones, brain, kidneys
• MDR-TB: Resistant to first-line drugs
• RR-TB: Resistant to rifampicin

Causes & Risk Factors of TB

• Weak immunity (HIV, diabetes, malnutrition)
• Poor living conditions and overcrowding
• Smoking and alcohol use
• Delayed diagnosis and incomplete treatment

Common Symptoms of TB

• Persistent cough (>2 weeks)
• Fever and night sweats
• Weight loss and loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Chest pain and blood in sputum (advanced cases)

Key Highlights from WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2025

1. TB Incidence and National Burden

• India recorded a 21% decline in TB incidence—from 237 per lakh population (2015) to 187 per lakh (2024), the highest decline globally.
• Despite this, India accounts for 25% of the global TB burden, making it the largest contributor to worldwide TB cases.
• State-wise distribution:
  • Highest absolute cases: Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh
  • Highest prevalence rate: Delhi, despite lower absolute numbers

2. Drug-Resistant TB: A Persistent Weak Spot

• India recorded the highest number of drug-resistant TB cases globally in 2024.
• 32% of global MDR-TB and rifampicin-resistant TB cases originate from India.
• Treatment success rates:
  • New and previously treated TB cases: ~90%
  • MDR/RR-TB cases: ~77% (on second-line treatment)
• This gap highlights the complexity, cost, and long duration of MDR-TB treatment.

3. Mortality Trends

• TB mortality declined from 28 deaths per lakh (2015) to 21 per lakh (2024).
• However, mortality remains more than three times higher than India’s TB elimination target, signalling unfinished public health gaps.

Why India Missed the 2025 Elimination Target

• TB elimination requires sustained reductions over decades, not incremental gains.
• Although millions of lives have been saved, progress has been uneven across regions and populations.
• Structural challenges continue to limit the pace of decline.

Factors Driving India’s TB Progress

• Advanced diagnostics: Molecular tests, AI-based screening, rapid drug-resistance detection
• Improved treatment: Introduction of newer regimens such as BPaLM for drug-resistant TB
• Nutrition support: Targeted schemes to address undernutrition among vulnerable populations
• Focused MDR-TB strategies: Dedicated protocols and drug access under NTEP

Persistent Challenges Identified

• Diagnostic gaps, especially in rural and remote areas
• High MDR/RR-TB burden, with lower treatment success
• Frequent drug shortages and supply chain issues
• Malnutrition, a key driver of TB incidence and poor outcomes
• Socio-economic inequalities, including overcrowding, poverty, and migration

Way Forward

• Strengthen primary healthcare diagnostics, particularly in rural India
• Integrate TB control with nutrition, sanitation, and poverty alleviation programmes
• Ensure uninterrupted drug availability and patient follow-up
• Scale up MDR-TB specific care and shorter regimens
• Address social determinants through community-based interventions

India’s Biosecurity Challenge

Why in News?

India’s biosecurity preparedness has come under renewed focus following expert assessments warning of rising biological threats driven by rapid advances in biotechnology, increasing capabilities of non-state actors, and structural gaps in India’s existing response systems.

Background & Context

Traditionally, biological threats were viewed largely through the lens of state-sponsored bioweapons. However, the contemporary threat landscape has evolved significantly:

• Advances in synthetic biology, gene editing, and molecular engineering
• Reduced costs and easier access to biotechnology tools
• Growing risks from terror groups, lone actors, and accidental misuse

In this context, biosecurity has emerged as a critical component of national security, public health resilience, and economic stability.

Understanding Biosecurity

Biosecurity refers to policies, practices, and systems designed to prevent the intentional misuse of biological agents, toxins, or technologies.

Key Components of Biosecurity

• Securing laboratories handling dangerous pathogens
• Preventing deliberate outbreaks or sabotage
• Protecting human, animal, and plant health
• Regulating dual-use biological research
• Difference between Biosecurity and Biosafety
• Biosafety: Prevents accidental exposure or release of pathogens
• Biosecurity: Prevents deliberate misuse
  Strong biosafety systems are foundational to effective biosecurity.

Evolution of Global Biosecurity Norms

• Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 1975
  • First global treaty banning development, production, and stockpiling of biological weapons
  • Mandated destruction of existing stockpiles
• Post-BWC period saw decline in state-led bioweapons programmes
• However, emerging technologies and geopolitical tensions have renewed biosecurity concerns
• Increasing focus on dual-use research, export controls, and surveillance mechanisms

Why India Needs a Stronger Biosecurity System

1. Geographic and Ecological Vulnerability

Vast land borders and coastline

High population density and biodiversity

Faster spread potential for natural or engineered outbreaks

2. High Dependence on Agriculture

• Agriculture supports rural livelihoods and food security
• Biological attacks on crops or livestock could:
  • Disrupt food supply chains
  • Trigger economic instability

3. Threat from Non-State Actors

• Instances such as alleged preparation of Ricin toxin highlight:
  • Growing interest of terror groups in biological tools
  • Difficulty of detection compared to conventional weapons

4. Rapid Biotechnology Advancements

• Tools like CRISPR, synthetic genomes, and gene drives offer immense benefits
• Simultaneously raise risks of engineered pathogens and misuse

India’s Existing Biosecurity Architecture

Institutional Framework

• Department of Biotechnology (DBT): Governance of biotech research and biosafety
• National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): Disease surveillance and outbreak response
• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying: Livestock disease monitoring
• Plant Quarantine Organisation of India: Crop and agricultural biosecurity

Legal and Policy Framework

• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Regulation of hazardous microorganisms and GMOs
• WMD & Delivery Systems Act, 2005: Criminalises biological weapons
• Biosafety Rules, 1989 and rDNA Guidelines, 2017: Lab containment and genetic research
• NDMA Guidelines: Management of biological disasters

International Engagement

• Member of Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
• Participant in Australia Group (export controls on dual-use technologies)

Gaps in India’s Biosecurity System

Despite multiple institutions, India lacks a unified national biosecurity framework, resulting in fragmented oversight.

Key Weaknesses

• Outdated legal frameworks not aligned with modern biotech risks
• Weak coordination across human, animal, and environmental health sectors
• Limited high-containment laboratory infrastructure
• Insufficient surveillance for engineered or deliberate biological threats
• India ranks 66th on the Global Health Security Index, with declining response capacity

Global Best Practices and Lessons for India

International Models

• United States: National Biodefense Strategy (2022–28) integrating health, defence, and biotech
• US DNA Screening Guidelines (2024): Mandatory screening of gene synthesis orders
• European Union: Health Security Framework emphasising One Health
• China: Biosecurity Law (2021) treating biotech and genetic data as national security assets
• Australia: Biosecurity Act (2015) covering synthetic biology
• United Kingdom: Biological Security Strategy (2023) focusing on surveillance and rapid response

Key Lessons

• Unified oversight mechanisms
• Proactive regulation of emerging technologies
• Integration of security, health, and research governance

Way Forward

1. Establish a National Biosecurity Framework

• Centralised coordination among health, agriculture, environment, defence, and biotech agencies

2. Upgrade Surveillance and Infrastructure

• Expand genomic sequencing networks
• Strengthen high-containment laboratory capacity

3. Modernise Legal and Regulatory Systems

• Update laws to cover synthetic biology, gene editing, and dual-use research

4. Leverage New-Age Technologies

• Microbial forensics
• AI-driven pathogen detection
• Early-warning systems using digital and social data

5. Strengthen International Cooperation

• Participate in global biosecurity simulations
• Enhance data-sharing and crisis coordination mechanisms

Mangroves as Natural Salt Shields

Why in News?

A recent study published in Current Biology has uncovered the cellular and evolutionary mechanisms that enable mangroves to survive extreme salinity. The findings have important implications for developing salt-tolerant crops in the context of climate change, sea-level rise, and increasing soil salinisation.

Background and Context

Climate change is intensifying coastal flooding, sea-water intrusion, and soil salinity—posing serious risks to agriculture and food security, especially in low-lying coastal regions. Mangroves, which thrive in highly saline and waterlogged environments, have long been recognised for their ecological role as coastal buffers. However, the precise biological mechanisms behind their salt tolerance were not fully understood.

The Current Biology study bridges this gap by providing cell-level insights, opening new avenues for climate-resilient agriculture and nature-based solutions.

How Do Mangroves Survive Saltwater?

1. Unique Cellular Adaptations

• Mangroves possess smaller epidermal pavement cells and exceptionally thick cell walls.
• These features provide mechanical strength to withstand low osmotic potential caused by high salt concentrations.

2. Specialised Salt Management Strategies

Mangroves use two broad strategies:

• Salt Exclusion:
  • Some species prevent salt entry through a waxy root barrier, allowing selective uptake of freshwater.
• Salt Secretion:
  • Other species accumulate salt internally and expel it through specialised salt glands on leaves.

3. Evolutionary Plasticity

• Mangroves have independently evolved over 30 times in the last 200 million years, demonstrating remarkable evolutionary adaptability to saline environments.

4. Distinct from Other Drought-Tolerant Plants

• Unlike typical drought-resistant plants, mangroves do not rely on stomatal modifications (such as reduced stomatal size or increased density) to manage water loss.

Implications of the Study

Climate-Resilient Agriculture

• Insights into mangrove cell wall structure and salt regulation can guide the development of salt-tolerant crop varieties.
• Particularly relevant for rice, wheat, pulses, and coastal agriculture affected by salinity ingress.

Policy and Research Alignment

• Supports objectives of the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
• Contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by strengthening food security under climate stress.

Mangroves: Key Facts

What are Mangroves?

• Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs (halophytes) found in intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical regions.

Habitat Conditions

• High rainfall (1,000–3,000 mm)
• Temperature range: 26°C–35°C
• Saline, anaerobic, slow-moving waters with high silt deposition

Key Characteristics

Physiological Adaptations

• Pneumatophores (e.g., Avicennia) for respiration
• Prop roots (e.g., Rhizophora) for stability
• Salt-secreting glands and lenticellated bark

Reproductive Adaptation

• Viviparity: Seeds germinate on the parent tree, enhancing survival in saline environments.

Distribution of Mangroves

Global

• Restricted to tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator.
• Major mangrove regions:
  • South & Southeast Asia
  • South America
  • Africa
  • Oceania

Mangroves in India

• Mangrove cover (ISFR 2023): 4,991.68 sq. km (0.15% of India’s geographical area)
• State-wise share:
  • West Bengal: 42.45%
  • Gujarat: 23.32%
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 12.19%

• Legal and Regulatory Protection in India

• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:
  • Declares mangroves as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs)
  • Restricts activities within a 50-metre buffer
  • Mandates 3:1 compensatory afforestation
• Additional protection under:
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
  • Indian Forest Act, 1927
  • Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Significance of Mangroves

1. Climate Change Mitigation

• Act as blue carbon sinks, storing 7.5–10 times more carbon per acre than tropical forests.

2. Disaster Risk Reduction

• Reduce wave energy by 5–35%
• Lower flood depths by 15–20%, and up to 70% in some regions
• Provide protection against cyclones, storm surges, and tsunamis.

3. Biodiversity Conservation

• Serve as nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans.
• Support birds, reptiles, and endangered species.

4. Livelihood Support

• Sustain coastal livelihoods through fisheries, honey collection, fuelwood, and eco-tourism.

5. Nature-Based Solutions

• Represent a cost-effective ecosystem-based adaptation strategy for sustainable development.

Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty Becomes the First Woman President of the Press Club of India

• The election of senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty as the first woman President of the Press Club of India (PCI) marks a significant and symbolic milestone in the history of Indian media. 
• In the 2025 Press Club elections, the panel led by her secured a clear majority, reflecting the strong confidence of the journalistic community in her experience, vision, and leadership.

Press Club of India (PCI)

The Press Club of India is one of the most prestigious journalist bodies in the country. Over the decades, it has played a crucial role in protecting the professional interests of journalists, upholding freedom of expression, promoting ethical journalism, and strengthening democratic discourse in India.

• Established: 1958
• Location: New Delhi
• Nature: Independent, non-profit organization
• Membership: Journalists from print, electronic, and digital media

Key Objectives

• To safeguard the rights and interests of journalists
• To promote and defend freedom of the press
• To provide a platform for dialogue and debate on media-related issues
• To facilitate networking, training, and social activities for journalists
  

Commemorative Postage Stamp Issued in Honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II

• Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, also known as Suvaran Maran and Shatrubhayankara, was a powerful South Indian ruler of the 8th century (c. 705–745 CE).
• He belonged to the Mutharaiyar dynasty, which initially served as feudatories of the Pallavas but later emerged as an independent and influential power as Pallava authority weakened.
• A commemorative postage stamp was issued in his honour by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan.
• On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a ruler endowed with vision, wisdom, and strategic brilliance, and encouraged the youth to learn about his remarkable life.

Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar: A Powerful Administrator and Warrior

• According to historical records, Suvaran Maran fought bravely in several battles alongside Pallava king Nandivarman.
• Over time, he established control over large parts of Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, and the Cauvery river basin.
• Due to his strong administrative capabilities and military prowess, he earned the title “Shatrubhayankara” (one who inspires fear among enemies).

Religious Tolerance and Intellectual Patronage

• During the Pallava period, Hinduism was witnessing a revival amid strong Jain and Buddhist influences.
• The Mutharaiyar rulers played an important role in this transitional phase.
• Historical accounts mention that Jain acharya Vimalachandra engaged in philosophical debates at Suvaran Maran’s court with Shaiva, Buddhist, Pashupata, and Kapalika scholars.
• This reflects that his reign was open to religious dialogue and intellectual debate.
• Historian D. G. Mahajan notes that Vimalachandra’s debates in the court of Suvaran Maran (Shatrubhayankara) highlight the vibrant intellectual and ideological activity of the time.

Historic Contributions to Temple Architecture

• The Mutharaiyar dynasty occupies a significant place in the development of South Indian temple architecture.
• According to Prof. K. V. Soundara Rajan (Studies in Indian Temple Architecture, 1975), the Mutharaiyars:
  • Constructed early cave temples and structural temples,
  • Whose architectural features later influenced Chola temple architecture.
• Scholars argue that even before the rise of the Cholas, the Mutharaiyars had already initiated the tradition of complex stone temples.
• Later, Vijayalaya Chola captured Thanjavur, defeating the Mutharaiyars.

Commemorative Stamp: Contemporary Context and Significance

Issuing a postage stamp in honour of Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II:

• Represents an effort to provide national recognition to lesser-known or forgotten rulers of Tamil Nadu.
• Highlights Tamil cultural heritage and the administrative and architectural contributions of early South Indian dynasties.
• Serves as an important step toward raising awareness among the youth about regional historical heroes and their legacy.

Parliamentary Standing Committee Report on AMRUT-The Need to Reorganize Urban Water Governance

• Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee presented its report in the Lok Sabha on the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT/AMRUT 2.0).
• The report highlights the ground realities of urban infrastructure in India, particularly in water supply, sewerage, and wastewater management.
• The Committee not only identifies serious implementation challenges but also offers key recommendations to make the mission sustainable, financially viable, and institutionally robust.

AMRUT Mission:

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
• Type of Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Launch:
• AMRUT: 2015
• AMRUT 2.0: 2021 onwards

Objectives:

• Urban water supply
• Sewerage and septage management
• Stormwater drainage
• Green spaces and parks
• Basic infrastructure for Non-Motorised Transport (NMT)

Financing and Financial Capacity

Key Challenges

• Inadequate financing for urban infrastructure, especially in backward and underserved cities.
• Absence of sustainable funding sources for Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of assets.
• Weak revenue-generation capacity of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), leading to rapid deterioration of assets.

Committee’s Recommendations

• Increase central and multilateral financial support (World Bank, ADB, etc.).
• Aggressive promotion of Municipal Bonds and Public–Private Partnership (PPP) models.
• Creation of a Dedicated O&M Fund for AMRUT assets.

Implementation and Institutional Framework: Neglect of Local Governance

Key Challenges

Slow pace of implementation

• Projects worth ~₹1.90 lakh crore approved under AMRUT 2.0
• Only ~₹48,050 crore worth of projects completed
  • Limited role of ULBs; dominance of State Parastatals and SPVs.
  • Lack of integrated water management and long-term urban planning.

Committee’s Recommendations

• A national roadmap for strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of ULBs.
• 100% submission of City Water Action Plans (CWAPs) by all ULBs.
• National-level assessment and forecasting of urban drinking water demand for the next 25–30 years.
• Strict enforcement of convergence among central schemes such as AMRUT, SBM-U, Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban), and Smart Cities Mission.

Technical, Operational, and Monitoring Issues

Key Challenges

Poor reliability of data related to:

• Water supply coverage
• Non-Revenue Water (NRW)
• Water metering
• Wastewater reuse

Severe shortfall in sewage treatment:

• Total urban sewage generation: ~48,004 MLD
• Installed treatment capacity: ~30,001 MLD (2021)

A large share of wastewater continues to be discharged untreated into rivers.

Committee’s Recommendations

• Formulation of a National Urban Wastewater Reuse Policy.
• Rapid expansion of sewage treatment capacity and promotion of Reuse–Recycle models.
• Reduction of Non-Revenue Water through:
• Incentive-based mechanisms
• Accelerated deployment of smart water metering.

Way Forward

• The Parliamentary Committee’s report makes it clear that AMRUT is a necessary but incomplete reform initiative. Its success requires not just financial resources, but also:
  • Empowered Urban Local Bodies
  • Reliable, data-driven planning
  • A long-term Urban Water Vision
  • Financial self-reliance of cities
  • Strong institutional coordination

• If AMRUT is redesigned to be climate-sensitive, financially sustainable, and citizen-centric, it can truly become the foundation of India’s urban future.

Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) and Kopra Reservoir (Chhattisgarh) Declared New Ramsar Sites:-India Now Has a Total of 96 Ramsar Sites

Key Highlights

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has designated Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Reservoir in Chhattisgarh as new Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance.
• With this declaration, the total number of Ramsar sites in India has increased to 96, the highest in Asia.

Kopra Reservoir

• Location: Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh
• River Basin: Upper catchment of the Mahanadi River
• Significance:
  • First Ramsar site of Chhattisgarh
  • 95th Ramsar site of India

Siliserh Lake

• Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan
• Significance:
  • 5th Ramsar site of Rajasthan
  • 96th Ramsar site of India
• Note: Prior to this, Rajasthan had four Ramsar sites.
  

Ramsar Convention: Global Treaty for Wetland Conservation

• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise (sustainable) use of wetlands.
• It was adopted on 2 February 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran.
• The Convention came into force on 21 December 1975.
• Its primary objective is to protect wetlands of international importance and promote their sustainable use worldwide.

Key Facts about the Ramsar Convention

Three Core Objectives of the Ramsar Convention

1. Conservation and wise use of wetlands
2. Promotion of cooperation at local, national, and international levels
3. Monitoring, management, and protection of Ramsar Sites

India and the Ramsar Convention

Important Facts

Ramsar Sites in India (State-wise List)

Andhra Pradesh

1. Kolleru Lake

Assam

1. Deepor Beel

Bihar

1. Kanwar Lake
2. Nagi Bird Sanctuary
3. Nakti Bird Sanctuary
4. Gokul Reservoir (Buxar)
5. Udaipur Lake (West Champaran)
6. Gogabil Lake (Katihar)

Goa

1. Nanda Lake

Gujarat

1. Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
2. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
3. Thol Lake
4. Wadhvana Wetland

Haryana

1. Sultanpur National Park
2. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

Himachal Pradesh

1. Chandertal Lake
2. Pong Dam Lake
3. Renuka Lake

Jammu & Kashmir

1. Hokersar Wetland
2. Hygam Wetland
3. Shallabugh Wetland
4. Surinsar–Mansar Lakes
5. Wular Lake

Karnataka

1. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
2. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
3. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
4. Aghanashini Estuary

Kerala

1. Ashtamudi Wetland
2. Sasthamkotta Lake
3. Vembanad–Kol Wetland

Chhattisgarh

1. Kopra Reservoir

Ladakh

1. Tso Kar Lake

2. Tso Moriri Lake

Madhya Pradesh

1. Bhoj Wetland
2. Sakhya Sagar
3. Sirpur Lake
4. Yashwant Sagar
5. Tawa Reservoir

Maharashtra

1. Lonar Lake
2. Nandur Madhmeshwar
3. Thane Creek

Manipur

1. Loktak Lake

Mizoram

1. Pala Wetland

Odisha

1. Ansupa Lake
2. Bhitarkanika Mangroves
3. Chilika Lake
4. Hirakud Reservoir
5. Satkosia Gorge
6. Tampara Lake

Punjab

1. Beas Conservation Reserve
2. Harike Wetland
3. Kanjli Wetland
4. Keshopur–Miani Community Reserve
5. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Ropar Wetland

Rajasthan

1. Keoladeo National Park
2. Sambhar Lake
3. Menar Wetland
4. Khichan Wetland Site
5. Siliserh Lake

Tamil Nadu

1. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
2. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
3. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
4. Karikili Bird Sanctuary
5. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
6. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest
7. Pichavaram Mangroves
8. Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary
9. Suchindram–Theroor Wetland Complex
10. Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
11. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary
12. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
13. Vellode Bird Sanctuary
14. Vembannur Wetland Complex
15. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary
16. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
17. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
18. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
19. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary
20. Thiruthangal Bird Sanctuary

Tripura

1. Rudrasagar Lake

Uttar Pradesh

1. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Haiderpur Wetland
3. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
4. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
5. Saman Bird Sanctuary
6. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
7. Sandi Bird Sanctuary
8. Sarsai Nawar Lake
9. Sur Sarovar
10. Upper Ganga River

Uttarakhand

1. Asan Barrage

Jharkhand

1. Udhwa Lake

West Bengal

1. East Kolkata Wetlands
2. Sundarban Wetland

Sikkim

1. Khecheopalri Wetland

Key Facts

• Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites (20) in India.
• Uttar Pradesh ranks second with 10 Ramsar sites.

Wetland:-

• A wetland is an area where the soil remains wet all the time or for most of the time, and the water level is close to the ground surface. These areas may be permanently or temporarily covered with water.
• Wetlands are often called the “Kidneys of the Earth” because they filter pollutants, regulate water flow, and maintain ecological balance.

Types of Wetlands under the Ramsar Convention

According to the Ramsar Convention, wetlands are classified into three categories:

1. Marine and Coastal Wetlands
   • Mangroves, coral reefs, coastal lagoons, estuaries.
2. Inland Wetlands (Rivers & Lakes)
   • Lakes, rivers, deltas, reservoirs.
3. Artificial Wetlands.
   • Paddy fields, reservoirs, artificial lakes.

Importance of Ramsar Sites in India

• Biodiversity Conservation: Provide natural habitats for wildlife and migratory birds.
• Water Resource Management: Help in groundwater recharge and flood control.
• Tourism and Economy: Promote eco-tourism and local livelihoods.
• Carbon Sequestration: Absorb greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change.

Importance of Wetlands

• Maintain ecological balance.
• Help in flood control by absorbing excess rainwater
• Act as natural water purifiers.
• Conserve biodiversity (birds, fish, aquatic species).
• Support human livelihoods like fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and water supply.

What Can We Do to Protect Wetlands?

• Avoid dumping plastic and waste into water bodies.
• Prevent encroachment on wetlands.
• Create awareness among local communities. 
• Stop deforestation and promote afforestation. 
• Support government and environmental conservation initiatives.