Daily Current Affairs - 13th & 15th December 2025
- TPP
- Dec 15, 2025
- 20 min read
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | SHANTI Bill, Census 2027, Lok Adalat, Employment Report, Ramsar Sites, Methane Emissions, Blue Economy, GI Tags and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Sept - Oct 2025, read it here.
Table of Content
SECURITY / DEFENCE
Report on India’s Employment Prospects
The report titled “India’s Employment Prospects: Pathways to Jobs” has been released by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
The report emphasizes skilling and small enterprises as the primary drivers of job creation in India.
Key Employment Trends Identified
The recent increase in employment in India is mainly driven by a rise in self-employment.
The transition toward a skilled labour force, meaning workers with formal training and specialised skills, has been slow.
India’s dominance of self-employment is largely due to economic necessity rather than entrepreneurial dynamism, which refers to innovation-driven business growth.
Most small enterprises in India operate at a subsistence level, meaning they generate just enough income for survival.
These small enterprises typically have low capital investment, which limits scale and expansion.
They also exhibit low productivity, meaning low output per worker.
Limited technology adoption further constrains efficiency and competitiveness.
Medium-skilled jobs account for the majority of employment growth.
This trend is particularly visible in the services sector, which includes trade, transport, finance, and personal services.
The manufacturing sector continues to remain low-skill intensive, indicating limited demand for advanced technical skills.
India’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system, which provides job-oriented technical skills, faces deep structural challenges.
A significant issue is under-utilised training seats, meaning existing capacity is not fully used.
Poor placement rates indicate weak linkage between training and actual employment.
Many institutions suffer from vacant instructor posts, affecting training quality.
Weak industry linkages reduce the relevance of vocational curricula to market needs.
There is a persistent social perception of vocational education as a fall-back option, reducing its attractiveness among students.
Recommendations for Generating Meaningful Employment
Demand-Side Measures
Demand-side reforms focus on increasing job creation by stimulating economic demand.
Reforms should aim to boost domestic consumption, which increases demand for goods and services.
The report recommends redirecting Production Linked Incentives (PLI) toward labour-intensive sectors.
Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and footwear have higher employment potential per unit of output.
Improving access to credit is critical for enterprise expansion and job creation.
Simplifying labour regulations can reduce compliance burdens and encourage formal hiring.
The report highlights that a 1% increase in access to credit can raise the expected number of hired workers by 45%.
Supply-Side Measures
Supply-side reforms focus on improving the quality and availability of skilled workers.
The report recommends integrating Vocational Education and Training (VET) into early schooling.
Aligning training curricula with industry demand ensures job-relevant skills.
Strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs) can improve training quality and placement outcomes.
Increasing public investment in skilling is essential to match global standards.
Increasing the share of the skilled workforce by 12 percentage points through formal skilling investment can have significant impacts.
Such an increase could lead to more than a 13% rise in employment in labour-intensive sectors by 2030.
SHANTI Bill 2025
The Union Cabinet has approved the Sustainable Harnessing of Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025.
The Bill enables regulated private sector participation in nuclear power generation.
Key Features of the SHANTI Bill
The Bill allows private companies to participate across the entire nuclear value chain, ending the exclusive monopoly of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is the central government body responsible for India’s nuclear energy program.
The Bill provides a unified legal framework, consolidating existing laws into a single, comprehensive statute.
A unified framework aims to enhance regulatory clarity and boost investor confidence.
Significance of Private Sector Participation
Private participation helps in resource mobilization by expanding capital availability.
It attracts domestic and global investment, supporting India’s target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
Private sector entry promotes technological innovation, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and modern safety systems.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are compact nuclear reactors with modular designs, allowing faster deployment and lower initial costs.
Private participation strengthens energy security by increasing generation, manufacturing, and supply-chain resilience.
Energy security reduces dependence on fossil fuels and ensures stable electricity supply.
Challenges to Private Sector Participation
Safety and liability issues under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010, deter private suppliers and investors.
CLNDA, 2010 sets strict liability for nuclear accidents, making suppliers legally accountable for damages.
National security risks arise due to the use of sensitive materials and technologies, requiring stronger safeguards and traceability.
Nuclear projects have long gestation periods of 7 to 10 years, reducing investor interest without viability-gap or risk-sharing mechanisms.
Viability-gap funding and risk-sharing mechanisms help attract private investment in capital-intensive, long-term projects.
Census of India 2027
The Cabinet has approved the Census of India 2027.
Census 2027 will mark the 16th census in India and the 8th conducted after independence.
Key Details of Census 2027
The census will be conducted in two phases: House Listing and Housing Census from April to September 2026, and Population Enumeration (PE) in February 2027.
The House Listing and Housing Census collects information on housing conditions and household facilities.
The Population Enumeration phase gathers demographic, social, and economic data.
Census 2027 will be the first digital census using mobile applications for data collection.
It will capture Caste data during the Population Enumeration phase.
A dedicated Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS) portal has been developed for real-time monitoring of the process.
The Census-as-a-Service (CaaS) system will provide data to ministries in a clean, machine-readable, and actionable format.
The public will have the option to self-enumerate, entering their own data digitally.
About Census in India
The first non-synchronous census in India was conducted in 1872.
The census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Its statutory mandate comes from the Census Act, 1948, which provides the legal framework for conducting the census.
The census collects data on demography, housing condition, religion, literacy, and other parameters.
It provides micro-level data down to village or ward levels.
The last completed census was in 2011.
The 2021 census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fourth National Lok Adalat 2025: Key Outcomes
The Fourth National Lok Adalat of 2025 successfully resolved 2.59 crore disputes across India.
From 2022–23 to 2024–25, more than 23.5 crore cases have been resolved through various Lok Adalats nationwide.
Need and Rationale of Lok Adalats
India faces a high judicial backlog with more than 4.7 crore pending cases, as per the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG).
Lok Adalats aim to reduce this pendency through consensual dispute resolution, meaning disputes are settled by mutual agreement.
They strengthen access to justice, which refers to affordable, timely, and inclusive legal remedies for citizens.
Lok Adalat Framework
Lok Adalats were established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
The Act provides a statutory basis for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which means resolving disputes outside traditional courts.
The system focuses on speedy and cost-effective justice, eliminating lengthy trials and court fees.
Authority and Governance
Lok Adalats are organised by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
The Chief Justice of India (CJI) acts as the Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, ensuring judicial leadership and oversight.
Enforcement and Legal Status
Awards passed by Lok Adalats are final and binding on all parties.
These awards are legally equivalent to a civil court decree, meaning they are enforceable by law.
There is no provision for appeal, which ensures finality and speedy resolution.
Jurisdiction and Scope
Lok Adalats handle pre-litigation cases, which are disputes not yet filed in courts.
They also handle pending cases, which are disputes already before courts.
Non-compoundable offences are excluded, as such offences cannot be legally settled by compromise.
Divorce matters are excluded due to their sensitive and personal nature.
Types of Lok Adalats
1. National Lok Adalat (NLA)
National Lok Adalats are held simultaneously across the country on a single designated day.
They operate at all judicial levels, from the Supreme Court to Taluk Courts.
Their primary objective is large-scale disposal of cases in one coordinated effort.
2. Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA)
Permanent Lok Adalats deal with disputes related to Public Utility Services.
Public Utility Services include transport, postal, telegraph, electricity, and water supply.
The monetary jurisdiction of PLAs is up to ₹1 crore.
3. E-Lok Adalats and Mobile Lok Adalats
E-Lok Adalats enable remote participation using digital platforms.
They enhance accessibility by delivering justice through technology-based dispute resolution.
Mobile Lok Adalats travel from one location to another.
They bring justice directly to remote and underserved areas.
Four-Tier Organisational Structure of Legal Services Authorities
1. National Level
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) functions under the Chief Justice of India.
It provides policy direction, frames regulations, and monitors implementation nationwide.
2. State Level
The State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) functions under the Chief Justice of the High Court.
It is headed by an Executive Chairman, usually a senior High Court judge.
SLSAs implement NALSA policies and organise state-level Lok Adalats.
3. District Level
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) is headed by the District and Sessions Judge.
It organises district-level Lok Adalats.
It manages legal aid services and local implementation.
4. Taluk Level
The Taluk Legal Services Committee is headed by the senior-most judicial officer of the taluk or mandal.
It conducts grassroots-level Lok Adalats.
It serves as the first point of access to justice for citizens.
MahaCrimeOS AI
Maharashtra has launched MahaCrimeOS AI to strengthen its response to rising cybercrime.
The initiative leverages artificial intelligence (AI), which refers to computer systems that simulate human intelligence for data analysis and decision-making.
About MahaCrimeOS AI
Platform and Technology
MahaCrimeOS AI functions as an advanced AI co-pilot system.
An AI co-pilot assists human users by providing real-time analytical support rather than replacing them.
The platform has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft.
It utilizes the Azure OpenAI Service, which is a cloud-based AI service provided by Microsoft Azure.
Objective and Purpose
The primary objective of MahaCrimeOS AI is to streamline investigative workflows.
It achieves this by analyzing vast volumes of data, which includes large-scale digital information.
The system processes unstructured data, meaning data without a fixed format.
It also handles multilingual data, which includes information in multiple Indian languages.
Examples of analyzed data include First Information Reports (FIRs).
FIRs are formal police complaints registered under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The system also analyzes bank statements, which are critical for tracing financial fraud.
The platform aims to reduce investigation turnaround time by up to 80%.
Turnaround time refers to the total time taken to complete an investigation cycle.
Functional Capabilities
MahaCrimeOS AI automates data extraction from multiple sources.
Data extraction involves identifying and retrieving relevant information from raw datasets.
The system guides investigators through standard operating protocols.
These protocols ensure procedural compliance and investigative accuracy.
The platform can identify complex crime linkages.
Crime linkages refer to hidden connections between cases, suspects, transactions, or digital footprints.
MAVEN Spacecraft
NASA loses contact with MAVEN spacecraft in Mars orbit.
About Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft
Launched: In 2013 by NASA
Objective: To explore Mars' upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the Sun and solar wind to explore the loss of the Martian atmosphere to space.
India’s first clinical trial of the Supernova Stent
AIIMS, New Delhi, conducted India’s first clinical trial of the Supernova Stent, a new advanced stroke treatment device.
Stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
A stroke can lead to lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or death.
About Supernova Stent
The Supernova Stent works by physically capturing and removing blood clots from blocked cerebral arteries.
Cerebral arteries are blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain.
The process of removing the clot is called reperfusion, which restores blood flow to affected brain tissue.
The safety and high efficacy of the Supernova Stent were proven in the GRASSROOT Trial.
GRASSROOT stands for The Gravity Stent-Retriever System for Reperfusion of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke.
The trial validated the device as effective for treating strokes caused by large vessel blockages.
Lunarcrete
Scientists are exploring the development of Lunarcrete, a type of concrete made on the Moon.
The research aims to support long-term lunar settlements.
Lunar settlements refer to human habitats established on the lunar surface.
About Lunarcrete
Lunarcrete is a hypothetical construction material derived from lunar regolith.
Lunar regolith is the layer of loose soil, dust, and broken rock covering the Moon’s surface.
The material is intended to function similarly to conventional concrete used on Earth.
The primary objective of Lunarcrete is to reduce construction costs on the Moon.
It is designed to be suitable for the Moon’s low gravity and absence of atmosphere.
Low gravity on the Moon is about one-sixth of Earth’s, affecting structural stability.
The lack of atmosphere eliminates protection from radiation and affects material curing.
Composition of Lunarcrete
The basic ingredients of Lunarcrete are similar to regular concrete: aggregate, water, and cement.
Aggregate refers to sand, gravel, or crushed stone that provides volume and stability in concrete.
Cement acts as a binder that hardens and holds the mixture together.
A major challenge is the availability of water on the Moon.
Water is critical for hydration, the chemical process that allows cement to harden and gain strength.
Geminid Meteor Shower
The Geminid meteor shower was observed across the world recently.
Geminids are known to be bright and fast meteors.
They typically appear yellow in color when visible in the night sky.
The meteor shower peaks during mid-December each year.
During the peak, up to 120 Geminid meteors can be seen per hour.
About Meteors
A meteor, commonly called a “shooting star”, is visible when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere.
Meteoroids are space rocks that range in size from dust grains to small asteroids.
A meteor burns up due to friction with the atmosphere, creating a bright streak of light.
Most meteors burn up completely before reaching the ground.
If a meteor survives atmospheric entry and lands on Earth, it is called a meteorite.
National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025
Thalassemia patients have welcomed the introduction of the National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025 in Parliament.
The Bill is a private member bill, meaning it is introduced by a legislator who is not a minister.
Its purpose is to enact a dedicated legal framework for regulating the collection, testing, processing, and storage of human blood and blood components.
Blood components include red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and other fractions used for medical treatment.
About Thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by insufficient production of hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to body tissues.
The disorder results in fewer and short-lived red blood cells (RBCs).
This leads to anemia, a condition marked by low levels of hemoglobin, and reduced oxygen delivery to body tissues.
Most people with thalassemia require regular blood transfusions to manage anemia.
Blood transfusions involve the transfer of donated blood or blood components into a patient’s bloodstream.
India added two more wetland into Ramsar List increasing total number to 96
The newly designated wetlands are Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Reservoir in Chhattisgarh.
Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan)
Siliserh Lake is located at Paitpur in Alwar District of Rajasthan.
The lake lies in a semi-arid climatic zone, which is characterized by low and variable rainfall.
It falls within the buffer region of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which acts as a protective zone around the core area.
Siliserh Lake is a human-made wetland, meaning it was created through deliberate human intervention.
The lake was constructed in 1845 AD.
It was created by Maharaja Vinay Singh.
The wetland was formed by constructing a bund across a tributary of the River Ruparel, which is a small earthen dam.
The lake supports rich biodiversity, indicating high species diversity.
Bird species found include the Egyptian Vulture and the Black Stork.
Mammalian species recorded include the Tiger, Indian Pangolin, Leopard, and Sambar.
Kopra Jalashay (Chhattisgarh)
Kopra Jalashay is located in the Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh.
It is a reservoir, which is an artificial water storage structure.
The reservoir is situated in the upper catchments of the River Mahanadi, referring to the upstream drainage area.
The wetland has an extensive open water area, which supports aquatic ecosystems.
It contains shallow nutrient-rich backwaters, which enhance biological productivity.
The reservoir provides habitat for several migratory and resident bird species.
Recorded species include the Bar-headed Goose, Egyptian Vulture, River Tern, and Greater Spotted Eagle.
Kopra Jalashay faces multiple ecological threats.
Siltation reduces water-holding capacity due to sediment accumulation.
Invasive non-native species threaten native biodiversity.
Intensive agriculture in the surrounding landscape increases nutrient runoff and ecological pressure.
About the Ramsar List
The Ramsar List was established under the Convention on Wetlands.
The Convention was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
It represents the world’s largest network of protected wetland areas.
Nearly 90% of United Nations member states, including India, are Contracting Parties to the Convention.
Contracting Parties are countries that have legally committed to implementing the Convention’s provisions.
Wetlands included in the Ramsar List acquire a special national legal status.
These wetlands gain international recognition for their value to humanity.
To qualify as a “Wetland of International Importance”, a site must meet at least one of nine criteria.
These nine criteria are established by the Ramsar Convention and cover ecological, biological, and hydrological significance.
Methane Management and Waste-Free Cities in India
Effective methane management can play a critical role in achieving waste-free cities in India.
India is the third-largest emitter of methane globally.
India contributes 9% of total global methane emissions.
Around 15% of India’s methane emissions originate from the waste sector.
Major Sources of Methane Emissions in India
The agriculture sector is a major source of methane emissions.
Agricultural methane arises from enteric fermentation in livestock, which is methane produced during digestion in ruminants.
Manure management contributes to methane emissions due to anaerobic decomposition.
Rice cultivation generates methane because of flooded paddy fields creating anaerobic conditions.
The energy sector is another significant source of methane.
Emissions occur from the use of fossil fuels.
Coal mining activities release methane trapped in coal seams.
Leakages from natural gas and oil production systems add to methane emissions.
Why Focus on the Waste Sector
Methane reduction in agriculture and energy sectors requires complex and long-term structural reforms.
In contrast, waste management allows faster methane emission reductions.
These reductions are achievable through targeted and scalable interventions.
Suggested Interventions for Managing Methane from Waste
Monitoring and Identification
Methane monitoring is essential to identify emission sources and trends.
Satellite-based monitoring uses regional-scale data to track broad methane patterns.
High-resolution satellite data helps pinpoint specific emission hotspots.
In 2023, an ISRO satellite study identified major methane-emitting sites.
Key hotspots included Pirana in Gujarat.
Other identified sites included Deonar and Kanjurmarg in Maharashtra.
Ghazipur landfill in Delhi was also identified as a significant emitter.
Strengthening Waste Segregation
Source segregation refers to separating waste at the point of generation.
It involves segregation of wet, dry, and hazardous waste.
Strong source segregation reduces anaerobic decomposition, which cuts methane formation.
Source segregation is promoted under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban and Gramin (SBM–U & G).
Enforcing segregation at source is crucial for methane mitigation.
Promoting Waste-to-Energy and Bio-CNG
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies convert waste into usable energy.
Bio-CNG is compressed biogas purified to natural gas standards.
Bio-CNG is produced by anaerobic digestion of wet organic waste.
The GOBARdhan scheme promotes biogas and Bio-CNG production.
Expanding biogas and Bio-CNG plants helps productively capture methane.
Expanding Scientific Landfills
Open dumps are major sources of uncontrolled methane emissions.
Scientific landfills are engineered facilities designed for safe waste disposal.
The transition to scientific landfills is mandated under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
These landfills include gas collection systems to capture landfill methane.
They also include leachate management systems, which prevent groundwater contamination.
Policy Alignment with Climate Goals
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate commitments submitted under the Paris Agreement.
Aligning waste management policies with India’s NDCs helps integrate climate and urban governance.
Identifying methane mitigation actions within NDCs strengthens climate accountability.
About Methane
Methane (CH₄) is a powerful greenhouse gas.
Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year time horizon.
It is the second-largest contributor to anthropogenic warming, after carbon dioxide.
Rapid and maximum methane emission reductions are essential to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Methane is classified as a Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP).
SLCPs are pollutants with high warming potential but short atmospheric lifetimes.
Methane has an atmospheric lifespan of about 12 years.
Methane is a major precursor to ground-level ozone, which is harmful to human health and crops.
India’s Leadership Role in the Sustainable Indian Ocean Blue Economy
India views the Indian Ocean as a shared, inclusive, and cooperative maritime space.
This approach rejects the idea of the ocean as a theatre of geopolitical competition.
India’s vision is captured in the phrase “From the Indian Ocean, for the World.”
The vision emphasizes collective benefit, sustainability, and global responsibility.
Growing Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region
Climate Change–Related Challenges
Climate change is increasingly affecting the Indian Ocean region.
Ocean warming is occurring due to rising global temperatures.
Ocean acidification is increasing because of higher carbon dioxide absorption.
Sea levels are rising, threatening coastal and island nations.
Ecological Degradation
The Indian Ocean ecosystem is under severe stress.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a major driver of ecological degradation.
IUU fishing refers to fishing activities conducted without authorization or reporting.
Socio-Economic Instability
Climate disruptions are causing erosion of traditional livelihoods, especially in coastal communities.
Intensifying storm surges are increasing disaster risks.
Coral reef degradation is reducing fish stocks and tourism potential.
These impacts collectively undermine social and economic stability in the region.
India’s Blue Ocean Strategy for the Indian Ocean
Cooperative Management of the Ocean
India’s Blue Ocean Strategy should prioritize cooperative management of marine resources.
Biodiversity protection is essential to maintain ocean health.
Sustainable fisheries ensure long-term food security and livelihoods.
Ecosystem restoration helps revive degraded marine habitats.
Common security treats the Indian Ocean as a shared space.
This approach avoids competitive exploitation of marine resources.
India can operationalize this strategy through the MAHASAGAR Doctrine.
MAHASAGAR emphasizes mutual security, growth, and regional cooperation in maritime affairs.
Building Climate Resilience
Climate resilience refers to the ability to prepare for, adapt to, and recover from climate impacts.
India should focus on preparedness and adaptation rather than reactive responses.
India can lead by establishing a Regional Resilience and Ocean Innovation Hub.
Such a hub can enhance early warning systems for storms and extreme events.
It can also strengthen ocean observation networks across the region.
These measures would benefit all Indian Ocean littoral states.
Promoting Inclusive Blue Economy Growth
Inclusive growth ensures that economic benefits are shared across countries and communities.
India should promote green shipping, which reduces emissions from maritime transport.
Offshore renewable energy can support clean energy transitions.
Sustainable aquaculture can reduce pressure on wild fish stocks.
Marine biotechnology can unlock new economic and medical opportunities.
These sectors can drive shared prosperity across the region.
Leveraging Financial Momentum for Ocean Sustainability
Global financial initiatives can accelerate blue economy development.
The Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) 2025 is one such initiative.
The One Ocean Partnership was launched at COP30.
The partnership aims to mobilize $20 billion for ocean action by 2030.
India can propose an Indian Ocean Blue Fund.
Such a fund would channel global financing into regional blue economy priorities.
Significance of the Indian Ocean for India
Economic Importance
The Indian Ocean is critical to India’s trade and economic security.
95% of India’s trade by volume passes through the Indian Ocean.
68% of India’s trade by value is routed through this ocean.
Nearly 80% of India’s crude oil imports are transported by sea.
Resource Dependency
India has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million square kilometers.
An EEZ grants a country exclusive rights to explore and exploit marine resources.
India’s coastline is approximately 11,000 kilometers long.
Captured fisheries production reached 44.95 lakh tonnes in 2023–24.
India holds exclusive exploration rights in the Central Indian Ocean.
The region contains mining sites for manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper.
Security Linkages
The Indian Ocean is vital to India’s maritime security.
The region faces non-traditional security threats.
These include smuggling and illegal fishing.
Human trafficking is another major concern.
The region is vulnerable to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
The 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks highlight the security risks from maritime routes.
Tamil Nadu’s Community-based MRV (CbMRV) System
Tamil Nadu has launched a Community-based Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (CbMRV) system.
The system aims to build a people-led climate intelligence movement.
Climate intelligence refers to data-driven understanding for informed climate action and policy.
About the CbMRV System
Introduction and Background
The CbMRV system was introduced as a pilot project in 2023.
The pilot was implemented under the UK PACT programme.
UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) supports climate action in partner countries.
Concept and Approach
The core concept of CbMRV is community empowerment.
It enables local communities to collect climate and environmental data.
It allows communities to validate data, ensuring local accuracy and credibility.
It supports community-level reporting of climate information.
Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) is a framework used to track emissions and climate actions.
MRV systems are essential for transparency under international climate agreements.
Focus Areas
The CbMRV system primarily focuses on Blue Carbon ecosystems.
Blue Carbon refers to carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems.
Key Blue Carbon resources targeted include mangroves.
The system measures environmental parameters.
These parameters include pH levels, which indicate acidity or alkalinity.
It also measures carbon content, which reflects carbon sequestration capacity.
Significance and Outcomes
The CbMRV system strengthens bottom-up climate planning.
Bottom-up planning involves policy formulation starting from community-level data.
The system enhances climate resilience, which is the ability to withstand climate impacts.
The data supports emission tracking under the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement is a global treaty aimed at limiting global warming.
The CbMRV system improves transparency and accountability in climate action.
Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvaran Maran)
The Vice President of India released a commemorative stamp honouring Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II.
Identity and Titles
Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II was also known by the title Suvaran Maran.
He was also referred to as Shatrubhayankar, meaning “one who instills fear in enemies.”
Dynasty and Political Position
He belonged to the Mutharaiyar dynasty.
The Mutharaiyars functioned as feudatories of the Pallava Empire.
Feudatories were subordinate rulers who governed territories under a larger imperial authority.
Region and Period of Rule
Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II ruled parts of central Tamil Nadu.
His reign extended from 705 AD to 745 AD.
Capital and Administration
He governed his kingdom from Tiruchirappalli.
His rule is remembered for stable administration.
He is noted for territorial consolidation, which refers to strengthening and unifying controlled regions.
Cultural and Religious Patronage
Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II actively supported temple construction.
He provided endowments, which are grants of land or wealth for religious institutions.
He patronized Shaivism, the sect devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva.
He also supported other scholars, encouraging intellectual traditions.
His reign contributed significantly to the promotion of Tamil culture.
Ponduru Khadi
Ponduru Khadi from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
The GI tag formally recognizes the regional uniqueness of Ponduru Khadi.
About Ponduru Khadi
Ponduru Khadi is produced mainly from short staple hill variety cotton.
Short staple cotton refers to cotton with shorter fiber length used traditionally in hand-spinning.
The cotton variety used is pest-resistant, which reduces crop damage.
The production of Ponduru Khadi supports chemical-free farming practices.
Chemical-free farming minimizes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Significance of Ponduru Khadi
The use of pest-resistant cotton helps sustain eco-friendly textile production.
The fabric reflects traditional spinning and weaving practices of the region.
About the GI Tag
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products.
It identifies products as originating from a specific geographical area.
Such products possess distinct qualities or a reputation linked to that origin.
In India, GI protection is granted under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
The GI Act, 1999 provides legal protection to registered products against misuse.
Operation Thunder 2025
Under Operation Thunder 2025, 30,000 live animals were seized.
The operation targeted illegal wildlife and forestry trade globally.
About Operation Thunder
Operation Thunder was coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
INTERPOL is the International Criminal Police Organization, facilitating cross-border police cooperation.
The WCO is an international organization that manages customs and trade regulations worldwide.
The operation also had support from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife and Forestry Crime (ICCWC).
ICCWC is a partnership of organizations working to combat environmental crimes, including illegal wildlife trade and forestry crimes.
Objectives of Operation Thunder
The operation aimed to intercept and seize illegally traded wildlife.
It also targeted forestry commodities involved in unlawful trade.
The operation sought to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal networks engaged in these environmental crimes.
Environmental crimes refer to illegal activities that harm ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources.
Operation Thunder operated across the global supply chain, targeting both domestic and cross-border trafficking.
It combined law enforcement, customs, and intelligence sharing to tackle wildlife and forestry crime effectively.
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