Current Affairs for 22 December 2025

Erivan Anomalus Blue

Context

Armenia has unveiled its new logo for the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 17). The logo features the Erivan Anomalus Blue butterfly as its main attraction.

About the Erivan Anomalus Blue

• Polyommatus erivanense, commonly known as the Erivan Anomalus Blue, is a blue butterfly species found only in Yerevan and its surrounding areas.
• This butterfly breeds only once a year and is active from mid-June to mid-July, depending on the altitude.

Natural Habitat

• This species is found in the calcareous grasslands of Armenia, but its host plant is not yet known.
• It is found only in the southern Transcaucasian regions and is seen at altitudes of 1200 to 2200 meters.
• Currently, this species is not included in the Global and European Red Lists.

Convention on Biological Diversity

• This Convention is the most comprehensive and binding international agreement in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
• It was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It now has 196 parties.

Organization and Operation

• The supreme governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity is the Conference of the Parties (COP).
• Under the COP, all member countries meet every two years to review progress related to biodiversity, set priorities, and commit to future action plans.
• Its secretariat is located in Montreal, Canada.

Objectives of the Convention

• Conservation of biological diversity
• Sustainable use of biological diversity
• Fair and equitable distribution of benefits arising from genetic resources

Bureau of Port Security

Context

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of State for Cooperation held a review meeting regarding the establishment of a dedicated Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) for the security of ships and ports.

About the Bureau of Port Security

• The BoPS will be established as a statutory body under the provisions of Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
• The Bureau will be headed by a Director General and will function under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
• The Bureau will be responsible for regulatory and inspection functions related to the security of ships and port facilities.
• The BoPS will be headed by a senior officer (Pay Level 15) of the Indian Police Service (IPS).
• During the one-year transition period, the Director General of Shipping (DGS/DGMA) will serve as the Director General of the BoPS.

Functions of the Bureau of Port Security

• The BoPS will ensure timely analysis, collection, and sharing of security-related information, with a special focus on cybersecurity.
• It will also include a dedicated division to protect the IT infrastructure of ports from digital threats.

CISF's role in the security framework

• To strengthen the port security infrastructure, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been designated as the Recognized Security Organization (RSO) for port facilities, responsible for conducting security assessments and preparing security plans for ports.
• CISF has also been tasked with training and capacity building of private security agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security.
• These agencies will be certified, and only licensed private security agencies will operate in this area. Appropriate regulatory measures will be implemented to ensure this.

Dark Eagle: US Hypersonic Strike System

Why in News ?

The United States Army and Navy have recently completed integrated testing of the Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), marking a key milestone in the US effort to deploy operational hypersonic strike capabilities amid intensifying great power competition.

Background & Context

Hypersonic weapons—capable of travelling at speeds greater than Mach 5 while maintaining high manoeuvrability—are emerging as game-changers in modern warfare. Countries such as China and Russia have already operationalised hypersonic systems, prompting the US to accelerate development to:

• Maintain strategic deterrence
• Counter Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) strategies
• Ensure rapid, precision conventional strike options

The Dark Eagle LRHW forms a critical component of the US military’s conventional prompt strike capability, designed to deliver fast, accurate, and hard-to-intercept strikes without using nuclear warheads.

Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW): An Overview

• Dark Eagle LRHW is a ground-launched hypersonic missile system developed for the US Army, with joint testing involving the US Navy.
• It is a non-nuclear, conventional weapon system, intended for high-value strategic targets.
• The missile component is being developed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
• The system is designed to:
  • Penetrate sophisticated air and missile defences
  • Suppress long-range enemy strike capabilities
  • Deliver time-sensitive precision effects across vast distances

Key Features of the Dark Eagle LRHW

1. Long-Range Strike Capability

• Maximum strike range of up to 2,735 km.
• Enables deep-strike operations well beyond conventional missile ranges.

2. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (C-HGB)

• Equipped with a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB).
• An unpowered, highly manoeuvrable glide vehicle capable of reaching speeds of Mach 17.
• Its unpredictable flight path makes interception extremely difficult.

3. Flight Profile

• The missile is powered by a solid-fuel, two-stage rocket booster.
• After launch:
  • It ascends to the edge of space
  • Re-enters the upper atmosphere
  • Glides and manoeuvres toward the target at hypersonic speeds
• This trajectory keeps it outside the engagement envelope of most existing air defence systems.

4. Mobile Ground-Based Deployment

• Operates through a mobile ground-based battery.
• Each battery includes:
  • Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs)
  • Command, control, and support vehicles
• Enhances survivability, flexibility, and rapid deployment.

Strategic Significance

• Penetration of A2/AD Defences: Designed to neutralise heavily defended zones that restrict access to adversary territory.
• Conventional Deterrence: Provides the US with a powerful non-nuclear deterrent, reducing reliance on nuclear escalation.
• Joint Force Integration: Integrated Army–Navy testing highlights interoperability and cross-service operational synergy.
• Arms Race Implications: Hypersonic weapons development raises concerns about strategic instability and challenges existing arms control frameworks.

Implications for Global Security

• Shortened decision-making timelines in conflicts
• Increased risk of miscalculation due to speed and ambiguity
• Weakening of traditional missile defence architectures
• Potential pressure on other powers to accelerate hypersonic programs

Bharat Taxi: Cooperative Ride-Hailing Model

Why in News ?

The Government of India has launched the Bharat Taxi Initiative, a cooperative-driven, citizen-first national ride-hailing platform, aimed at empowering drivers by making them co-owners of the platform and reducing dependence on profit-driven private cab aggregators.

Background & Context

India’s ride-hailing sector has expanded rapidly with the growth of the gig economy, but concerns persist over:

• High platform commissions
• Surge pricing
• Limited social security for drivers
• Asymmetric bargaining power between platforms and workers

In line with the vision of the Ministry of Cooperation—to strengthen cooperatives as engines of inclusive growth—the Bharat Taxi initiative seeks to introduce a platform cooperative model, combining digital public infrastructure with cooperative ownership to ensure fair incomes, transparency, and sustainability for drivers.

Bharat Taxi Initiative: An Overview

• Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative-based national ride-hailing network.
• It is a government-supported initiative developed under:
  • The Union Ministry of Cooperation
  • The National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
• The platform enables drivers to become:
  • Shareholders
  • Co-owners with decision-making rights
• It aims to offer affordable, predictable, and transparent mobility services to citizens while ensuring dignified livelihoods for drivers.

Promoting Institutions

The initiative is jointly promoted by major cooperative and financial institutions, including:

• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
  • IFFCO
  • AMUL
  • KRIBHCO
  • NAFED
  • NABARD
  • NDDB
• National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)

This broad institutional backing strengthens financial viability, governance, and nationwide scalability.

Key Features of the Bharat Taxi Initiative

1. Driver-Owned Cooperative Model

• Drivers can purchase shares and become cooperative members.
• Ensures:
  • Ownership rights
  • Participation in decision-making
  • Greater income transparency

2. Zero Commission Structure

• Unlike private ride-hailing platforms, no commission is deducted.
• 100% of the fare is transferred directly to drivers, improving take-home earnings.

3. Transparent and No-Surge Pricing

• Eliminates surge pricing practices.
• Ensures predictable and citizen-friendly fares, enhancing consumer trust.

4. Deep Digital Integration

• Integration with national digital public platforms, including:
  • DigiLocker – identity and document verification
  • UMANG – unified access to government services
  • API Setu – interoperability across platforms
• Enables seamless onboarding, authentication, and service delivery.

5. Security, Compliance and Infrastructure

• Adherence to:
  • Government of India data protection norms
  • Cybersecurity standards
• Focus on robust, scalable, and secure technical architecture to support nationwide operations.

Significance of the Initiative

• For Drivers:
  • Higher and more stable incomes
  • Ownership-based empowerment instead of contractor dependence
  • Enhanced social and economic security
• For Consumers:
  • Affordable rides
  • Transparent pricing
  • Reduced price volatility
• For the Economy:
  • Promotes platform cooperativism in the gig economy
  • Strengthens digital public infrastructure-led service delivery
  • Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and inclusive growth objectives

Challenges and Way Forward

• Scaling operations to compete with established private platforms
• Ensuring service quality and fleet availability
• Building user trust and app adoption
• Long-term sustainability will depend on:
  • Strong cooperative governance
  • Continuous technology upgrades
  • Integration with urban transport policies and State-level mobility initiatives

Boosting SC–ST Entrepreneurship through NSSH

Why in News ?

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has intensified efforts to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities through the National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme, with a renewed focus on capacity building, access to credit, and participation in public procurement.

Background & Context

Despite constitutional safeguards and affirmative action, SC/ST entrepreneurs remain underrepresented in India’s MSME ecosystem due to structural barriers such as lack of access to capital, markets, networks, and skills.

Recognising entrepreneurship as a key pathway to economic empowerment and social mobility, the government launched the NSSH to mainstream SC/ST enterprises into formal markets, especially government procurement, and align inclusion with India’s broader goals of inclusive growth and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH): An Overview

• The NSSH is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of MSME.
• It is implemented by the National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC).
• The scheme aims at:
  • Capacity enhancement of SC/ST entrepreneurs
  • Promoting an entrepreneurial culture among SC/ST communities
  • Facilitating integration of SC/ST MSMEs into national supply chains

Key Objectives of the NSSH Scheme

• To empower SC/ST entrepreneurs to effectively participate in:
  • Government procurement
  • Public sector supply chains
• To help Ministries, Departments, and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) meet the mandatory 4% procurement target from SC/ST enterprises under the Public Procurement Policy.
• To address gaps in:
  • Finance
  • Skills
  • Market access
  • Technology adoption

Major Components and Interventions

1. Public Procurement Enablement

• Supports SC/ST entrepreneurs in:
  • Vendor registration
  • E-marketplace onboarding (e.g., GeM portal)
  • Tender participation and compliance
• Enhances awareness of procurement norms, quality standards, and certification requirements.

2. Access to Finance and Credit Facilitation

• The scheme facilitates access to affordable and timely credit.
• Collaboration with:
  • Public and private sector banks
  • Financial institutions
  • Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
• Focus on reducing:
  • Information asymmetry
  • Collateral-related constraints
• Complements other credit-linked MSME schemes.

3. Skill Development and Capacity Building

• Organises:
  • Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs)
  • Skill upgradation workshops
  • Sector-specific training programmes
• Focus areas include:
  • Business management
  • Financial literacy
  • Digital tools and e-commerce
  • Quality certification and compliance

4. Handholding and Market Linkages

• Provides mentoring and handholding support.
• Facilitates participation in:
  • Domestic and international exhibitions
  • Buyer–seller meets
  • Trade fairs
• Aims to improve market visibility and competitiveness of SC/ST enterprises.

Significance of the NSSH Scheme

• Promotes inclusive entrepreneurship, shifting welfare from subsidy-based support to enterprise-led empowerment.
• Strengthens social justice outcomes by integrating marginalised communities into formal economic systems.
• Enhances diversity in government procurement and supply chains.
• Supports India’s commitments to:
  • Inclusive growth
  • MSME-led job creation
  • Sustainable livelihoods

Challenges and Way Forward

• Awareness gaps among potential beneficiaries in rural and remote areas.
• Limited scale of enterprises, affecting competitiveness in large tenders.
• Need for:
  • Stronger convergence with State MSME schemes
  • Digital handholding for GeM and e-procurement platforms
  • Outcome-based monitoring of procurement targets
• Expanding mentorship networks and cluster-based approaches can further strengthen impact.

Ending Child Marriage: India’s Uneven Path to 2030

Why in News ?

The Union government has launched a 100-day nationwide awareness drive to mark one year of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminate child marriage by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Despite notable declines over the past decade, progress has slowed and remains uneven across States and socio-economic groups, raising concerns about India’s ability to meet the UN target on time.

Background & Context

Child marriage is a deeply rooted social practice linked to poverty, gender inequality, low educational attainment, and entrenched social norms. While India has made substantial gains through legal reforms and welfare interventions, the persistence of early marriage among marginalised communities underscores the limits of law-centric approaches.

The renewed policy focus reflects recognition that ending child marriage is not only a social justice imperative but also a prerequisite for achieving broader development goals.

Global Push to End Child Marriage: Targets and Slow Progress

• Ending child marriage is central to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), with Target 5.3 aiming to eliminate child, early, and forced marriages.
• Progress is measured by the proportion of women aged 20–24 married before 18.
• UNICEF estimates that in 2023, around 64 crore women globally were married as children, with India accounting for nearly one-third.
• Experts warn that failure to end child marriage will derail at least nine SDGs, including those on health, education, poverty reduction, and economic growth.
• At current rates, global progress must accelerate 20-fold to meet the 2030 deadline.

Child Marriage in India: Progress, Plateaus, and Inequalities

Sharp Decline, Slowing Momentum

• Child marriage declined from 47.4% (NFHS-3, 2005–06) to 26.8% (NFHS-4, 2015–16).
• However, progress slowed thereafter, falling marginally to 23.3% (NFHS-5, 2019–21).

Wide Regional Variations

• Highest prevalence: West Bengal (42%), Bihar (40%), Tripura (39%).
• Lowest prevalence: Lakshadweep, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and Nagaland.

Education and Income Divide

• Nearly 50% of girls with no schooling marry before 18, compared to only 4% among those with higher education.
• 40% of girls from the poorest households marry early, versus 8% from the richest quintile.
• Education emerges as the single most effective protective factor against early marriage.

Tackling Child Marriage in India: Laws, Campaigns, and Social Change

Legal Framework

• The Prevention of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006 significantly reduced prevalence.
• The POCSO Act, 2012 strengthened protection by criminalising sexual activity with minors.
• However, enforcement gaps and social acceptance limit legal deterrence.

Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan

• Over 54,900 Child Marriage Prevention Officers appointed nationwide.
• In one year:
  • 1,520 child marriages prevented through persuasion or administrative action.
  • 198 cases required police or child welfare intervention.
• Community engagement includes:
  • Faith leaders
  • Youth volunteers
  • Grassroots networks to encourage reporting and norm change.

Girls’ Empowerment and Welfare Schemes

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aims to improve child sex ratio and girls’ education, though outcomes vary.
• Supporting measures include:
  • Scholarships and financial incentives
  • Improved school sanitation
  • Free bicycles and transport support to reduce dropout rates.

State-Level Incentives: Mixed Outcomes

• West Bengal’s Kanyashree scheme provides annual support (13–18 years) and a lump sum for delaying marriage and pursuing education.
• Critics point out contradictions with schemes like Rupashree, which provide marriage-linked cash assistance, potentially normalising early marriage once the legal age is reached.

Debate on Raising the Legal Age of Marriage for Women

• The Centre has proposed raising the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21, aligning it with men.
• Objectives include:
  • Higher education and skill development
  • Improved maternal and child health
  • Greater economic independence
• Critics argue that:
  • Without social reform, it could criminalise communities.
  • 61% of women aged 20–24 were married before turning 21, indicating a large compliance gap.
• The debate underscores the need for social change alongside legal reform.

Way Forward

• Shift from punitive approaches to education-led and empowerment-centric strategies.
• Strengthen:
  • Secondary education retention for girls
  • Economic security for families
• Community-based monitoring and reporting
• Ensure policy coherence between welfare incentives and child marriage prevention goals.
• Foster cooperative federalism, tailoring interventions to State-specific realities.

Debate Over Data Exclusivity in India’s Pharma Sector

Why in News ?

The Union government is exploring the possible introduction of data exclusivity in the pharmaceutical sector, triggering concerns over delayed access to affordable medicines and the sustainability of India’s generics-driven drug industry.

Background & Context

India has built its pharmaceutical strength on a robust generic drug manufacturing ecosystem, supplying affordable medicines domestically and to developing countries worldwide. This model rests on a regulatory framework that allows generic producers to enter the market immediately after patent expiry, without duplicating costly clinical trials.

However, amid evolving global trade negotiations and demands for stronger intellectual property (IP) protections, the idea of introducing data exclusivity has resurfaced—raising critical questions about public health, affordability, and India’s constitutional commitment to healthcare access.

What is Data Exclusivity ?

• When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it must submit extensive clinical trial data to regulators to establish safety and efficacy.
• Under normal practice, once a patent expires, generic manufacturers can seek approval using abbreviated procedures based on bioequivalence studies.
• Data exclusivity grants the innovator exclusive rights over this clinical trial data for a fixed period.
• During this period:
  • Drug regulators cannot rely on the innovator’s data to approve generics.
  • Generic manufacturers must either wait or conduct fresh clinical trials, significantly increasing costs.
• Unlike patents, which protect inventions, data exclusivity protects test data, operating independently and sometimes extending market monopoly beyond patent life.

India’s Pharmaceutical Model and the Role of Generics

• Nearly 90% of Indian pharmaceutical companies focus on generic medicines.
• This model has ensured:
  • Affordable drugs for Indian patients
  • A strong export presence in Africa, Latin America, and Asia
  • India’s global identity as the “Pharmacy of the Global South”
• India’s current drug laws do not recognise data exclusivity, allowing swift generic entry after patent expiry and preventing artificial monopolies.

Government’s Current Approach

• Inter-ministerial consultations involving:
  • Ministry of Commerce
  • Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
  • Department of Pharmaceuticals
  • Ministry of Health
• The discussions are reportedly linked to trade negotiations, particularly with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
• The argument: stronger IP protections may attract foreign investment.
• However, the Health Ministry has officially denied proposing data exclusivity, highlighting internal divergence within the government.

Impact on Access to Affordable Medicines

Introducing data exclusivity could:

• Delay generic entry even after patent expiry
• Keep drug prices high for longer periods
• Restrict access to life-saving medicines for low-income populations
• Enable monopoly protection for off-patent drugs, effectively extending exclusivity without new innovation

This raises serious public health concerns, particularly for treatments related to cancer, HIV/AIDS, rare diseases, and chronic conditions.

Implications for India’s Generic Drug Industry

• Higher regulatory costs due to mandatory clinical trials
• Reduced competitiveness of Indian generic manufacturers
• Weakening of:
  • Patent challenges
  • Compulsory licensing mechanisms
• Curtailment of India’s ability to intervene during health emergencies
• Potential erosion of India’s leadership in affordable medicine supply

Experts argue this could fundamentally disrupt India’s generics-led growth model.

Role of the Drug Regulator (CDSCO)

• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has noted an “uneven playing field” between innovators and generic manufacturers.
• Critics argue this narrative indirectly supports data exclusivity without openly endorsing it.
• Public health groups warn that such regulatory framing could lead to:
  • Evergreening of monopolies
  • Duplication of clinical trials
  • Ethical concerns involving unnecessary human trials
  • Delayed access to essential medicines

Way Forward

India currently has no international legal obligation under the TRIPS Agreement to introduce data exclusivity. Any policy shift must carefully balance:

• Incentives for innovation
• Trade and investment objectives
• Public health imperatives
• Constitutional commitment to affordable healthcare (Article 21)

Possible approaches include:

• Maintaining current regulatory flexibility
• Strengthening public-funded drug research
• Negotiating trade agreements without compromising health safeguards
• Reinforcing compulsory licensing and price control mechanisms