Daily Current Affairs - 18th December 2025
- TPP
- Dec 18, 2025
- 22 min read
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | PM’s Visit to Ethiopia, NITI Aayog R&D Report, IBC (Amendment) Bill 2025, Women’s Reservation in Bar Councils, Fire Safety in India, Multilateralism, MH-60R Seahawk Induction, Cosmic Filaments, Bioenergy Push, IBCA and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Sept - Oct 2025, read it here.
Table of Content
INTERNATIONAL
SECURITY / DEFENCE
MISCELLANY
Prime Minister’s Visit to Ethiopia
The Prime Minister of India visited Ethiopia to strengthen India’s engagement with Africa.
The visit aimed to elevate bilateral relations between India and Ethiopia.
Key Takeaways from the Visit
The Prime Minister was conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, known as the “Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia.”
The honour signifies Ethiopia’s recognition of outstanding contribution to bilateral relations.
India and Ethiopia agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.
A Strategic Partnership indicates deeper cooperation across political, economic, and strategic domains.
Agreements and Cooperation
During the visit, eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed.
One agreement relates to establishing a Data Centre at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Another agreement covers debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework.
The G20 Common Framework is a mechanism to support debt relief for eligible countries through coordinated action by creditors.
Economic Relations
India–Ethiopia total trade stood at US$ 550.19 million in FY 2024–25.
Indian exports to Ethiopia amounted to US$ 476.81 million.
Indian imports from Ethiopia were valued at US$ 73.38 million.
The trade relationship is described as strongly export-driven from India’s perspective.
NITI Aayog Report on Public R&D Institutes in India
NITI Aayog released a report on Public Research and Development (R&D) Institutes in India.
The report maps India’s public R&D ecosystem.
It highlights structural issues affecting R&D performance.
The report also provides policy recommendations to strengthen the ecosystem.
Status of R&D in India
Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) reached approximately ₹2 lakh crore in 2020–21.
This represents an eightfold increase over the last two decades.
India’s GERD remains at 0.6% to 0.7% of GDP.
GERD refers to the total national spending on research and development activities.
The government sector contributes 63.6% of India’s total R&D expenditure.
Sectoral distribution shows that agriculture and allied sectors account for 51% of public R&D spending.
Agriculture is followed by the health sector in R&D allocation.
The IT and telecom sector ranks next in public R&D expenditure.
Geographical concentration of R&D institutes is uneven across regions.
The southern region hosts over 36% of public R&D institutes.
The North-East region remains underrepresented with only 1.8% of public R&D institutes.
At the city level, around 48% of Central R&D institutions are located in the 10 most populous Indian cities.
India’s R&D Challenges
Stagnant R&D Expenditure
India’s R&D expenditure has remained stagnant at 0.6–0.7% of GDP.
This level is well below global R&D leaders.
Low Per-Capita Investment
India has low per-capita R&D investment.
Per-capita R&D spending is far behind other emerging economies.
Low Private Sector Contribution
The private sector funds only about 36% of total R&D expenditure in India.
This share is significantly lower than that of China, the USA, and Germany.
Poor Industry–Academia Synergy
There is weak alignment between top research institutes and industrial hubs.
Poor alignment limits commercialisation and applied research outcomes.
Recommendations of the Report
Future R&D institutes should be located in proximity to industry clusters.
Industry proximity can facilitate stronger collaboration and innovation.
The report recommends the creation of centralised research hubs.
Centralised hubs can enable resource sharing and pooling of expertise.
Such hubs can also foster cross-industry collaboration.
The report emphasises the development of collaborative spaces.
Collaborative spaces promote interaction among researchers, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs.
This approach supports innovation-driven ecosystems.
An example cited is the Industrial Liaison Program of MIT.
The report recommends establishing Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs).
TTOs help transfer research outputs from laboratories to the market.
Additional recommendations include streamlining administrative procedures.
The report also suggests partnerships with private enterprises.
It calls for the establishment of clear Intellectual Property (IP) guidelines.
Intellectual Property refers to legal rights protecting inventions, designs, and innovations.
The report further highlights the need to address infrastructure gaps in R&D institutions.
Parliamentary Select Committee Report on the IBC (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced due to persistent challenges in IBC implementation.
One major challenge identified is protracted delays at the insolvency admission stage.
Delays also impact the finality of resolution plans, reducing certainty for stakeholders.
Such delays lead to erosion of asset value of distressed companies.
The current IBC framework lacks clear mechanisms to handle complex corporate structures.
Cross-border insolvency issues remain inadequately addressed under the existing law.
Key Features of the IBC (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Bill introduces a Creditor Initiated Insolvency Resolution Process (CIIRP).
CIIRP allows creditors to initiate insolvency through an out-of-court mechanism.
This mechanism is specifically targeted at resolving genuine business failures.
The Bill introduces a Group Insolvency Framework.
This framework enables resolution of insolvency involving complex corporate group structures.
The Bill also introduces a Cross-Border Insolvency Framework.
This framework addresses situations where debtors or assets are located in multiple jurisdictions.
Key Recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee
The Committee recommends codifying the Clean Slate Principle.
The Clean Slate Principle ensures extinguishment of all prior claims after resolution.
This principle provides legal protection to successful resolution applicants from past liabilities.
The Committee recommends avoiding conflict of interest in insolvency proceedings.
A Resolution Professional (RP) conducting the insolvency process should not become the Liquidator if the process fails.
This separation strengthens transparency and fairness in insolvency outcomes.
The Committee recommends prescribing a statutory timeline of three months for the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
NCLAT is the appellate body for insolvency-related disputes under IBC.
The Committee seeks clarification of the term “corporate debtor”.
The definition should include entities incorporated outside India with limited liability.
This clarification ensures cross-border insolvency provisions apply to foreign companies.
Such companies must have assets, creditors, or operations connected to India.
Fire Safety in India: Current Status
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 7,054 fire accident cases were reported in India in 2023.
These fire accidents resulted in 6,891 deaths across the country.
More than 50% of fire incidents occurred in residential or dwelling buildings.
Reasons for Fire Incidents in India
Natural Factors
Natural factors such as hot and dry climate increase fire vulnerability.
Prevailing winds often accelerate the spread of fires.
Seismic vulnerability also raises the risk of fire outbreaks.
The Brahmapuram waste plant fire in Kochi (2023) was caused by high ambient heat.
Design and Density Issues
High-rise building density increases the risk of rapid fire spread.
Substandard and illegal construction compromises fire safety norms.
The use of flammable construction materials worsens fire hazards.
The Kumbakonam school fire in Tamil Nadu (2004) occurred due to flammable roofing materials.
Inadequate Compliance
Many buildings lack mandatory fire exits.
Narrow staircases obstruct safe evacuation during fires.
The Mukherjee Nagar coaching centre fire in Delhi (2023) highlighted non-compliance with fire safety norms.
Limited Firefighting Resources
In 2019, India faced a shortage of 5,191 fire stations.
During the same year, there was a shortfall of 5,03,365 firefighting personnel.
Other Contributing Factors
Lack of public awareness contributes to unsafe practices.
India lacks a centrally maintained fire incident database.
Electrical failures remain a frequent cause of fires.
Existing Fire Safety Regulations in India
Constitutional Provisions
Fire services are a State subject under the Indian Constitution.
Fire services are listed in the 12th Schedule under Article 243.
Article 243 assigns fire safety responsibilities to Municipalities.
National Building Code
The National Building Code (NBC) is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The NBC provides mandatory fire safety guidelines for buildings.
Model Building Bye-Laws
The Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 were issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
These bye-laws serve as a guiding framework for States and Union Territories.
Fire Services Modernisation Scheme
The Scheme for Expansion and Modernisation of Fire Services is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The scheme aligns with recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission.
Way Forward for Strengthening Fire Safety
Technological Integration
Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based risk assessment systems can predict fire hazards.
Mobile applications can enable real-time reporting of fire incidents.
Infrastructure Planning
Fire station placement should reflect road networks and traffic congestion.
Financial Measures
Dedicated funding is needed for upgrading fire safety infrastructure.
Introduction of a Fire Tax can support equipment and capacity upgrades.
Regulatory Compliance
Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) must undergo strict scrutiny before approval.
Accountability mechanisms should be enforced for officials issuing licenses.
Adoption of Best Practices
China’s fire safety model demonstrates strict enforcement of regulations.
Community-based fire prevention programmes educate citizens on fire risks and emergency response.
Parliamentary Committee Report on Safety of Women in the Unorganised Sector
The Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women released a report titled “Safety and Protection of Women in the Unorganised Sector.”
The report highlights safety and protection challenges faced by women working in the unorganised sector.
The unorganised sector includes construction workers, beedi workers, domestic workers, and gig workers.
Key Areas, Issues, and Recommendations
Inter-State Migrant Workmen
The contribution of women migrant workers often remains invisible.
Lack of recognition exposes women migrants to exploitation and unsafe conditions.
The Committee recommends strengthening the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979.
It suggests creating a national digital database of migrant workers.
The database should be linked to the e-Shram portal, which is a national database of unorganised workers.
The framework should address women migrants’ needs for safe and dignified working and living conditions.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Scheme
PM-SYM is a pension scheme for unorganised sector workers.
The report highlights regional gaps in women’s enrolment under PM-SYM.
Lakshadweep and Sikkim show very low enrolment of women workers.
The Committee recommends intensifying district-level PM-SYM enrolment drives.
It suggests using women-led networks for outreach.
These networks include Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers.
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 mandates complaint redressal mechanisms.
The report finds that many Local Committees (LCs) are non-functional.
There is also low awareness about Local Committees among women workers.
The Committee recommends ensuring full functionality and adequate funding of LCs.
It suggests community outreach programmes to improve awareness.
The report calls for strengthening One Stop Centres for women in distress.
It also recommends strengthening District Legal Services Authorities.
The Committee supports inclusion of domestic workers under labour protection laws.
Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti
The Palna Scheme operates under Mission Shakti to provide childcare support.
Only 6.24% of allocated funds under the Palna Scheme have been utilised.
As of June 2025, only 2,425 Anganwadi-cum-Creche Centres are operational.
These operational centres are out of 14,599 centres approved.
The Committee recommends improving budget execution under the scheme.
It also recommends faster operationalisation of Anganwadi-cum-Creche Centres.
Supreme Court Directive on Women’s Reservation in State Bar Councils
The Supreme Court of India directed that 30% of seats in State Bar Councils (SBCs) must be reserved for women advocates.
This directive applies to State Bar Councils where elections are yet to be notified.
For the current year, the Court ordered 20% of seats to be filled through direct election of women members.
The Court further directed that the remaining 10% seats be filled through co-option of women advocates.
Co-option refers to the process by which a person is appointed by invitation of existing members rather than through election.
About Bar Councils in India
The Advocates Act, 1961 provides for the establishment of the Bar Council of India (BCI).
The same Act mandates the creation of State Bar Councils (SBCs) in each state.
State Bar Councils are responsible for admitting advocates to the roll of lawyers.
SBCs also safeguard the rights, privileges, and interests of advocates.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) lays down standards of professional conduct.
BCI also exercises supervision and control over State Bar Councils.
Status of Women Representation in the Judiciary
At present, there is no woman member in the 20-member Bar Council of India.
Across all State Bar Councils, women constitute only 9 out of 441 representatives.
Since independence, the Supreme Court of India has had only 11 women judges.
Women currently constitute 13.4% of judges in High Courts.
The State of the Judiciary Report (2023) shows that 36.3% of district judiciary judges are women.
Barriers to Women’s Representation in the Judiciary
Entry-Level Barriers
Judicial Service Rules in states require continuous legal practice for eligibility.
Continuous practice requirements are often difficult due to family and caregiving responsibilities.
Retention Challenges
Rigid transfer policies adversely affect career progression of women judges.
The absence of supportive institutional structures further hampers retention.
Infrastructure Gaps
Many courts lack basic infrastructure such as women’s washrooms.
Courts also lack creche facilities and family-friendly rooms.
Cultural Barriers
Patriarchal social norms restrict women’s entry and advancement in the judiciary
Multilateralism
The External Affairs Minister (EAM) called for stronger multilateralism in an increasingly multipolar world.
A multipolar world refers to a global system where power is distributed among multiple influential states or blocs.
What is Multilateralism?
Multilateralism is the practice of three or more states coordinating national policies to address common challenges.
It differs from unilateralism, where a state acts alone in its national interest.
It also differs from bilateralism, which involves cooperation between only two countries.
Modern multilateralism emerged after World War II.
It developed through institutions such as the United Nations (UN).
Other key multilateral institutions include the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Trade Organization (WTO).
Significance of Multilateralism
Multilateralism creates global standards that enable modern life.
These standards support telecommunications systems worldwide.
Multilateral rules also govern international aviation safety and coordination.
Emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance increasingly rely on multilateral frameworks.
Multilateralism helps maintain international peace and security.
It achieves this through conflict prevention mechanisms.
It also operates through peacekeeping operations.
Arms control agreements are another key multilateral function.
Multilateral institutions are widely credited with preventing a third world war during the Cold War.
Multilateralism provides effective mechanisms for delivering global public goods.
Global public goods include climate change mitigation, pandemic response, and economic stability.
Unregulated AI technologies are also addressed through multilateral cooperation.
Multilateralism underpins globalisation.
It supports poverty reduction through open trade and stable monetary systems.
Crisis in Multilateralism
Great-power rivalry among the United States, China, and Russia has weakened multilateral cooperation.
This rivalry has paralysed decision-making in bodies like the UN Security Council.
The rivalry risks splitting global governance into competing geopolitical blocs.
Many multilateral institutions are structurally outdated.
The UN Security Council over-represents European countries.
The Council under-represents the Global South, which includes developing regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
This imbalance creates a legitimacy deficit in global governance.
Unilateralism and protectionism by the United States have further eroded trust.
Examples include “America First” policies.
Tariff wars have disrupted multilateral trade systems.
Withdrawals from agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord have weakened collective action.
In response, alternative multilateral blocs are emerging.
These include BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
These groupings aim to promote a fairer and more democratic multipolar order.
They also seek to amplify the voice of developing countries.
Way Forward for Multilateralism
The EAM emphasised the need for networked multilateralism.
Networked multilateralism involves closer cooperation between the UN and regional organisations.
Examples of such regional bodies include the European Union (EU).
Another example is the African Union (AU).
Greater coordination is also needed with international financial institutions.
The approach calls for multi-stakeholder participation.
Multi-stakeholder models include civil society organisations.
They also include the private sector.
Transnational humanitarian networks, such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent, are cited as models.
The EAM called for a “new Bretton Woods” moment.
Bretton Woods institutions originally shaped post-war global finance.
A new Bretton Woods approach would involve comprehensive institutional reform.
Such reform should address digital trade governance.
It should also tackle AI safety challenges.
Climate finance must be scaled up through reformed global mechanisms.
The approach should move beyond incremental or piecemeal reforms.
The EAM emphasised postcolonial rebalancing of global governance.
Postcolonial rebalancing seeks to correct historical inequities from colonial-era power structures.
True multipolarity requires deeper multilateralism.
Deeper multilateralism must be rooted in mutual respect and cultural diversity.
This process would complete the unfinished agenda of decolonisation in global institutions.
MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter Induction
The Indian Navy commissioned its second MH-60R Seahawk helicopter squadron.
The new squadron has been commissioned at INS Hansa in Goa.
About MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter
The MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission maritime helicopter.
A maritime helicopter is designed for operations over sea and from naval platforms.
The MH-60R is designed for naval operations from ships.
The helicopter is also capable of operating from shore-based naval air stations.
The MH-60R Seahawk is developed by Lockheed Martin, a defence manufacturer from the United States.
Operational Capabilities of MH-60R
The helicopter is capable of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
ASW involves detecting, tracking, and neutralising enemy submarines.
The MH-60R is also capable of Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW).
ASuW refers to operations against enemy surface vessels.
The helicopter supports Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.
SAR missions involve locating and rescuing personnel in distress.
The MH-60R can conduct medical evacuation operations.
The helicopter provides logistical support to naval forces.
It also performs command and control functions.
The platform supports vertical replenishment, which involves transferring supplies between ships and aircraft at sea.
About INS Hansa
INS Hansa is the Indian Navy’s premier air station.
INS Hansa is located at Dabolim in Goa.
The air station functions as a joint military–civil facility.
It shares infrastructure with the Goa International Airport.
Exercise Desert Cyclone-II
Exercise Desert Cyclone-II is a joint military exercise between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The exercise commenced at Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
About Exercise Desert Cyclone-II
The primary aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between participating forces.
Interoperability refers to the ability of different armed forces to operate together effectively.
The exercise also seeks to foster defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces.
The training focuses on sub-conventional operations.
Sub-conventional operations involve military actions below the level of full-scale conventional war.
These operations are conducted under a United Nations mandate.
A UN mandate provides international legal authorisation for peace and security missions.
The exercise enables both forces to operate together in peacekeeping missions.
It also enhances coordination in counter-terrorism operations.
Cosmic Filaments Discovery
Researchers from the University of Oxford reported the discovery of a cosmic filament approximately 50 million light-years long.
The filament was traced using observations of at least 14 galaxies aligned along its structure.
About Cosmic Filaments
Cosmic filaments, also known as galaxy filaments, are the largest thread-like structures in the universe.
These filaments form a key component of the cosmic web, which is the large-scale structure of the universe.
A single cosmic filament can span hundreds of millions of light-years.
Cosmic filaments form due to gravitational forces acting on matter in the universe.
Gravity pulls gas, dark matter, and galaxies into long and thin strands.
These strands connect massive clusters of galaxies.
Cosmic filaments also surround large empty regions of space.
These empty regions are known as cosmic voids, which are areas with very low matter density.
Importance of Cosmic Filaments in Cosmology
Cosmic filaments help astronomers study galaxy formation processes.
They also help scientists understand the distribution of galaxies in the universe.
Cosmic filaments act as cosmic highways for matter flow.
These structures feed gas and dark matter into dense regions.
This process influences the growth and evolution of galaxy clusters.
WIMP and Dark Matter
New research claims to solve the mystery of dark matter through Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs).
WIMPs are hypothetical particles, proposed as the leading candidates for dark matter.
They are electrically neutral, meaning they do not carry an electric charge.
WIMPs neither absorb nor emit light, making them invisible to conventional telescopes.
These particles interact very weakly with other matter, but when they collide, they can annihilate and produce gamma rays.
WIMPs interact predominantly through gravity and possibly the weak nuclear force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature.
Dark matter is an invisible form of matter that does not emit light but is detectable through its gravitational effects.
These gravitational effects are critical because they hold galaxies together, preventing them from flying apart due to their rotation.
Dark matter makes up approximately 27% of the universe, influencing its structure and evolution.
Annatto
CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR–CFTRI), Mysuru has undertaken projects for the study and development of annatto.
Annatto is a natural carotenoid, which refers to pigmented compounds synthesized by plants.
It is obtained from the Bixa orellana shrub, a tropical plant.
Uses of annatto include food colouring, chemical ink, coating medicines, drugs, dyeing, hair oils, and polishes.
It is commonly used to impart a yellow to red colour to foods, especially dairy products.
Annatto is native to tropical America, including Central and South America.
The plant is moderately drought-tolerant and requires relatively less water for cultivation.
Kessler Syndrome
The CRASH (Collision Realization and Significant Harm) Clock metric warns that Earth’s satellite fleet faces a rising risk of rapid collision cascades.
This risk is characterized by the Kessler Syndrome, a concept in orbital mechanics.
Kessler Syndrome was predicted in 1978 by Don Kessler, a NASA scientist.
He suggested that a single collision in orbit can trigger a chain reaction of debris strikes.
In this scenario, fragments from one destroyed satellite can collide with other satellites, generating additional debris.
Such a cascade can render entire orbital regions hazardous or unusable for future space operations.
Bioenergy in India
In the last 10 years, India added 2,362 MW of biomass and 228 MW of waste-to-energy capacity.
During the same period, 2.88 lakh biogas plants were installed at various locations in the country.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) supports the installation of bioenergy projects under the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP), Phase-I, notified in 2022.
The National Bioenergy Programme Phase-I spans 2021-22 to 2025-26 and aims to utilize surplus biomass from rural areas for power generation while providing additional income for rural households.
The programme consists of three sub-schemes: the Waste to Energy Programme, the Biomass Programme, and the Biogas Programme.
The Waste to Energy Programme focuses on producing energy from urban, industrial, and agricultural wastes/residues.
The Biomass Programme supports manufacturing of briquettes and pellets and promotes biomass-based cogeneration in industries.
The Biogas Programme produces biogas, primarily a mixture of CH₄ (methane) and CO₂ (carbon dioxide) with traces of N₂, H₂, H₂S, and O₂.
Bioenergy is energy derived from organic material (biomass) such as wood, dung, or charcoal.
Modern bioenergy uses processed biomass and advanced technologies to produce cleaner energy, e.g., liquid biofuels and biogas.
India’s total installed bioenergy capacity is 11.6 GW as of November 2025.
Modern bioenergy currently accounts for 13% of India’s total final energy consumption and is expected to grow by up to 45% between 2023 and 2030.
Other initiatives promoting bioenergy include the National Policy on Biofuels (2018, revised 2022), which sets targets such as 5% biodiesel blending by 2030 and 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20) by 2025/26.
The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana provides financial support for advanced biofuels projects.
The SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) Initiative promotes compressed bio-gas (CBG) production for transport fuel.
The GOBAR-Dhan Scheme (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) aims to convert cattle dung and organic waste into energy and compost.
India calls on Big Cat Range Nations to join International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
India has called on Big Cat Range Nations to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
India has also invited all big cat range countries to the Global Big Cats Summit, which will be hosted in New Delhi in 2026.
The IBCA was launched in 2023 by India for the conservation of seven big cat species: tigers, lions, snow leopards, cheetahs, leopards, pumas, and jaguars.
Conservation refers to the protection, preservation, and management of wildlife and natural habitats.
The IBCA is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition that includes 95 big cat range countries, non-range countries, conservation partners, scientific organizations, business groups, and corporates interested in big cat conservation.
The IBCA Secretariat is based in New Delhi, India, serving as its administrative headquarters.
The alliance currently has 18 member countries and three observer countries.
All UN member countries are eligible to become members of the IBCA.
The IBCA Assembly is the apex decision-making body, consisting of representatives from each member country.
Out of the seven big cat species, five species – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Cheetah – are found in India.
Big cats are defined as large wild felines that are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain.
All big cats live solitary lives, except Lions, which live in groups called prides.
Apex predators play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating populations of other species.
Big cats are also keystone species, meaning their presence is essential to maintain the structure and health of their ecosystem.
Keystone species prevent overgrazing, help in seed dispersal, and support forest regeneration.
Healthy habitats of big cats act as carbon sinks, which absorb carbon dioxide and help combat climate change.
Big cats are considered flagship species, meaning their conservation helps protect many other species in the same habitat.
Major threats to big cats include habitat loss due to deforestation, urbanization, and land use changes.
Habitat loss has also led to increased human-wildlife conflicts, creating challenges for both wildlife and human communities.
Biostimulants
Biostimulants provide a green solution, meaning an environmentally sustainable approach, for sustainable Indian agriculture by improving crop performance without harming ecosystems.
Biostimulants are substances or micro-organisms, where micro-organisms refer to beneficial bacteria or fungi, that stimulate natural plant processes such as growth and metabolism.
They function independently of nutrient content, meaning they do not act as fertilizers supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium directly.
The primary objective of biostimulants is to enhance nutrient uptake, which means improving the plant’s ability to absorb available nutrients from soil.
Another key objective is to boost stress tolerance, defined as increasing plant resistance to abiotic stresses like drought, heat, and salinity.
Biostimulants also improve crop quality, which includes better yield, nutritional value, and market traits of agricultural produce.
They further support plant resilience under dynamic climate stressors, where climate stressors refer to unpredictable climate events linked to climate change.
In India, biostimulants are regulated under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985, which is the legal framework governing fertilizers and related inputs.
The significance of biostimulants lies in better nutrient-use efficiency, meaning more crop output per unit of nutrient applied.
They contribute to soil carbon sequestration, which is the long-term storage of carbon in soil to mitigate climate change.
Biostimulants enhance climate resilience in agriculture by helping crops adapt to environmental variability.
They support soil microbial biodiversity, referring to the diversity of beneficial soil microorganisms essential for soil health.
Biostimulants also contribute to a circular bioeconomy, which is an economic system that reuses biological resources to minimize waste and maximize sustainability.
India’s Coal Demand
India’s coal demand, as highlighted in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Coal 2025 report, is projected to grow significantly over the coming decade.
The Coal 2025 report, supported by recent market analysis, provides forward-looking assessments of global and national coal trends.
According to the demand projection, India’s coal demand is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3% over the next four years.
This sustained growth makes India the primary driver of global coal consumption, meaning India contributes the largest incremental increase worldwide.
India’s rising demand is offsetting structural declines in other regions, where structural decline refers to long-term reductions due to energy transition policies.
The power sector remains the central focus of coal usage because of rapidly increasing electricity demand.
Coal continues to act as a base-load source, which means it provides continuous and reliable electricity supply.
This reliance persists despite record expansion of renewable energy, which includes solar and wind power additions.
As a result of energy diversification, coal’s share in India’s electricity mix is projected to decline from over 70% in 2025.
The share is further expected to fall to about 60% by 2030, indicating a gradual transition rather than abrupt replacement.
Beyond power generation, industrial usage of coal remains significant in India.
Heavy industries, particularly steel and cement production, continue to depend heavily on coal due to limited large-scale alternatives.
Great Nicobar Island Development Area
The Andaman and Nicobar administration has recently notified the “Great Nicobar Island Development Area” as a designated planning and development zone.
This notification is part of the Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project, which is a comprehensive infrastructure-led development initiative.
The project includes an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICCT), which is a port facility designed to transfer cargo containers between large international ships.
Another major component of the project is the development of an international airport to improve global and regional connectivity.
The project also includes a proposed power plant, which is intended to meet the electricity requirements of large-scale infrastructure development and future population growth.
In addition, the project proposes a township, defined as an integrated urban settlement for workers and residents.
The strategic value of Great Nicobar Island arises from its location near major international sea lanes, which are key maritime trade routes.
This geographic advantage enhances India’s maritime presence, meaning stronger naval and commercial influence at sea.
It also strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific presence, referring to India’s strategic engagement in the wider Indian and Pacific Ocean regions.
Despite these strategic benefits, social concerns remain significant in the development process.
These concerns include tribal rights, which relate to the legal and cultural protections of indigenous communities.
Land use issues are also important, as large-scale development can alter traditional land ownership and livelihoods.
Additionally, the ecological sensitivity of Great Nicobar Island, meaning its fragile ecosystems and biodiversity, continues to be a critical concern.
Stubble Burning Status Report 2025
The Stubble Burning Status Report 2025 warns that India’s current satellite-based monitoring systems are capturing only a fraction of actual stubble burning fires.
This underestimation occurs due to the limited observation window, which refers to the restricted time period during which satellites can detect fires.
At present, stubble burning surveillance is conducted under the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS).
CREAMS is led by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), which is India’s premier agricultural research body.
The monitoring framework relies primarily on MODIS and VIIRS satellites for detecting active fires.
MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) is a satellite-based sensor used to monitor active fires, vegetation, and environmental changes.
VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) is another satellite-based sensor with similar capabilities for fire and environmental monitoring.
Both MODIS and VIIRS are polar-orbiting satellites, meaning they travel over the Earth’s poles during each orbit.
Due to their orbital pattern, these satellites observe India only at fixed times of the day.
The observation window ranges from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, which limits detection of fires occurring outside this period.
Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system
The Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system is planned for nationwide rollout along with AI-based highway management.
The implementation timeline indicates that the rollout is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The MLFF tolling system allows vehicles to cross toll plazas at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour.
This movement occurs without any physical obstruction, meaning vehicles do not need to stop or slow down at toll plazas.
The system operates using artificial intelligence-based number plate recognition, which automatically identifies vehicles through their registration numbers.
It also uses satellite tracking, defined as the use of satellite signals to monitor vehicle movement and location.
Another core component is FASTag integration, where FASTag is an electronic toll collection system linked to prepaid or bank accounts.
Through these technologies, the system automatically identifies vehicles and collects toll charges in real time.
One major benefit of MLFF is the ability to curb toll revenue leakage, meaning it reduces loss of toll income due to evasion or inefficiencies.
The system helps in curbing pollution by minimizing vehicle idling and congestion at toll plazas.
It leads to fuel savings by enabling uninterrupted vehicle movement.
MLFF also helps smoothen traffic movement, which improves overall highway efficiency.
As a result, it reduces overall travel time, benefiting commuters and freight transport.
The system further lowers logistics costs, which is significant for supply chains and economic efficiency.
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