Daily Current Affairs – 28 June 2025

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Today's edition features key updates including Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors, India’s Rising External Debt, Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), India’s evolving skill ecosystem, India’s start-up ecosystem, SPREE Scheme, Adi Karmyogi Programme, Jellyfish, Goldilocks Situation,Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, PFAS Discovered, Vera C. Rubin Observatory, IBAT Alliance and more…

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Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2011-12 to 2023-24)

1. On 27 June 2025, the National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI published the comprehensive annual “Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture & Allied Sectors (2011–12 to 2023–24)”, available on the MoSPI website.

2. This release adds detail to the broad All‑India aggregates already published in the 28 February 2025 National Accounts Statistics, offering item‑wise GVO data across Crop, Livestock, Forestry & Logging, and Fishing & Aquaculture, at current and constant (base year 2011–12) prices.

Overall Growth & Price Adjustment

1. At current prices, Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture and allied sectors grew ≈ 225%, rising from ₹1,502 thousand crore in 2011‑12 to ₹4,878 thousand crore in 2023‑24.

2. At constant (2011–12) prices, Gross Value of Output (GVO) increased by ~54.6%, from ₹1,908 thousand crore to ₹2,949 thousand crore.

   • Constant prices mean inflation-adjusted values, enabling accurate comparisons over time.

Crop Sector Analysis

1. In 2023–24, crop sector GVO stood at ₹1,595 thousand crore (constant prices), representing 54.1% of the total GVO—a decrease from ~62.4% in 2011–12 and 54.3% in 2022–23.

2. Within crops, cereals + fruits & vegetables contributed 52.5% of crop GVO in 2023–24.

Cereal Crops

1. Paddy & wheat formed ~85% of cereal GVO in 2023–24, underscoring their dominance.

2. Top five cereal-producing states in 2023–24: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana, Haryana—together accounting for ~53% of cereal GVO. Uttar Pradesh, while still highest, saw its share drop from 18.6% to 17.2% between 2011‑12 and 2023‑24.

Fruits & Vegetables

1. In 2022–23, fruits & vegetables overtook cereals, accounting for ~28% of crop value vs. cereals’ 27%—their combined value climbed from ₹2.87 lakh crore in 2011–12 to ₹4.34 lakh crore in 2022–23; this trend continued into 2023–24.

2. In 2023–24, banana (₹47,000 crore) surpassed mango (₹46,100 crore) in fruit GVO; potato, meanwhile, remained top in vegetables, increasing from ₹21,300 crore to ₹37,200 crore

Floriculture & Horticulture Diversification

1. Floriculture GVO nearly doubled from ₹17,400 crore in 2011–12 to ₹28,100 crore in 2023–24—evidence of strong commercial diversification in horticulture.

2. State-level shares in fruits, vegetables, and floriculture shifted substantially over the period, reflecting changing regional agricultural dynamics.

Condiments & Spices

In 2023–24, Madhya Pradesh (19.2%) became the leading contributor of condiments & spices, followed by Karnataka (16.6%) and Gujarat (15.5%).

Livestock Sector Dynamics

1. Livestock GVO surged from ₹488 thousand crore in 2011–12 to ₹919 thousand crore in 2023–24, marking it as one of the fastest‑growing agri sub‑sectors.

2. Within livestock, milk’s share fell from 67.2% to 65.9%, whereas meat’s share rose from 19.7% to 24.1%—reflecting changing consumption patterns .

Forestry & Logging

1. Forestry & logging output grew from ₹149 thousand crore to ₹227 thousand crore between 2011–12 and 2023–24 .

2. Industrial wood share increased significantly—from 49.9% in 2011–12 to 70.2% in 2023–24—indicating rising commercial forestry output .

Fishing & Aquaculture

1. Output increased from ~₹80 thousand crore in 2011–12 to ₹195 thousand crore in 2022–23, climbing from 4.2% to 7.0% of total agricultural GVA by 2023–24 .

2. Inland fish share dropped (57.7%→50.2%), while marine fish share increased (42.3%→49.8%)—signaling a shift in sectoral emphasis .

3. State-level shifts in fisheries GVO were notable in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, with Andhra increasing its share from ~17.7% to ~40.9% by 2022–23 .

Sector’s Economic Role & Challenges

1. The agriculture and allied sectors contributed ~16% to India’s GDP in FY24 and supported ~46.1% of the population .

2. Key challenges persist:

   • Low land productivity

   • Farmer income instability

   • Water overexploitation

   • Climate change effects and weather extremes

Policy Interventions & Programmes

Multiple initiatives are targeting modernization and resilience:

• ₹1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to boost post-harvest infrastructure

• Digital Agriculture Mission to enable data-driven farming

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for formalizing fisheries

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

• Plus schemes like PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and the Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund

India’s Rising External Debt – A Snapshot (March 2025, RBI Report)

1. India’s external debt rose to US$ 736.3 billion as of March 2025, marking a significant increase of US$ 67.5 billion over the previous year, excluding valuation effects (i.e., changes in debt value due to currency exchange rate movements, especially appreciation of the US dollar against the Indian rupee).

2. The External Debt to GDP Ratio also climbed to 19.1% in March 2025, up from 18.5% in March 2024, indicating a faster growth in debt relative to national income.

3. In terms of duration, long-term external debt (i.e., debt with maturity over one year) stood at US$ 601.9 billion, rising marginally, while short-term debt (maturity up to one year) saw a slight fall in its share to 18.3% of the total debt.

4. Looking at the currency composition, the US dollar remained dominant, accounting for 54.2% of the total debt, followed by the Indian rupee (31.1%), Japanese yen, and Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)—an IMF reserve asset based on a basket of major global currencies.

5. Among borrowers, non-financial corporations (excluding the central bank) held the largest share at 35.5%, followed by deposit-taking corporations (like banks) at 27.5%, and the general government (central and state governments) at 22.9%.

6. In terms of debt instruments, loans formed the largest chunk at 34%, followed by currency and deposits, showcasing the predominance of borrowings through international loan agreements.

7. Debt service obligations—which include both principal repayments and interest payments—marginally declined by 0.1%, offering some relief in terms of repayment burden.

Understanding External Debt

External debt refers to borrowings by a country from foreign sources, including international financial institutions (like the IMF, World Bank), foreign commercial banks, and governments of other nations.

Concerns Arising from Rising External Debt

1. The repayment burden increases with higher external debt, especially as most of it is denominated in foreign currencies—so any exchange rate fluctuation (like a weakening rupee) can raise the repayment cost in local currency terms.

2. Rising inflation, if prolonged, tends to push up interest rates, which slows down economic growth and worsens the debt-to-GDP ratio, making debt less sustainable.

3. High external debt also risks crowding out productive investment, since increased debt servicing limits government spending on essential sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

4. Persistently rising debt can create Balance of Payments (BoP) pressures by widening the current account deficit (i.e., the excess of imports and payments over exports and earnings), thereby undermining external sector stability.

India Rejects Supplemental Award by Court of Arbitration on Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)

1. India has formally rejected the supplemental award issued by the Hague-based Court of Arbitration (CoA) regarding disputes under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling the tribunal "illegally constituted" and its proceedings "void".

2. The CoA asserted that India's declaration of the treaty being “in abeyance”—following the 23 April 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir—does not affect its authority to adjudicate disputes related to India’s Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.

3. On its part, India suspended the operation of IWT citing national security, stating it would remain "in abeyance" until Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism—exercising what it terms a "sovereign right under international law".

Understanding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) & Dispute Mechanism

1. The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan and brokered by the World Bank, governs the sharing of the Indus river system, which is critical for agriculture and livelihood in both countries.

2. Under the treaty, India received full rights over the Eastern rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, while Pakistan was granted rights over the Western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

3. A three-tiered dispute resolution mechanism was established:

   • Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): Meets annually to address technical and implementation-related issues.

   • Neutral Expert: Appointed when disagreements on design or technical differences cannot be resolved by PIC.

   • Court of Arbitration (CoA): A seven-member international tribunal for full-fledged legal disputes under the treaty.

Related Stories:

• India will never restore Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan: HM Amit Shah

• Indus Waters Treaty Suspended After Terror Attack

Background of the Dispute: Kishenganga & Ratle Projects

1. Disputes center around India’s Kishenganga project on a tributary of the Jhelum River, and Ratle project on the Chenab River—both Western rivers over which Pakistan has usage rights, though India can construct limited hydroelectric infrastructure under strict treaty conditions.

2. In 2015, Pakistan objected to the design features of these projects and initially requested the World Bank to appoint a Neutral Expert.

3. However, in 2016, Pakistan withdrew this request and instead demanded the matter be referred to the Court of Arbitration, raising concerns of a parallel legal process.

4. India, in response, sought resolution through the Neutral Expert route, maintaining that CoA intervention was premature and inconsistent with the treaty.

5. Eventually in 2022, the World Bank appointed both a Neutral Expert and a Court of Arbitration, attempting to accommodate both parties—a rare move that India strongly opposed.

6. India accepted the Neutral Expert process, but rejected the CoA, alleging it was constituted in "brazen violation" of the treaty’s provisions, thereby making all its awards and procedures null and void.

India’s Position on Rejection

1. India asserts that the CoA lacks legitimacy, and its supplemental award—which favors continued proceedings—is not binding since the tribunal was not legally formed under IWT norms.

2. Citing its sovereign rights under international law, India maintains that it can suspend or hold the treaty in abeyance, especially in the face of persistent terrorism and threats to national security.

“Skills for the Future: Transforming India’s Workforce Landscape” – A Report by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship

1. The report assesses India’s evolving skill ecosystem in the context of a knowledge-driven global economy, highlighting urgent challenges and reform needs in the country's human capital development.

2. As of 2023–24, around 88% of India’s workforce is engaged in low-competency occupations, reflecting the dominance of low-skill jobs and a mismatch with the demands of a modern economy.

3. A growing skill mismatch is observed where workers are employed in roles incongruent with their educational levels, either due to overqualification (too skilled for the job) or underqualification (not skilled enough for the job).

4. This mismatch is rooted in structural issues, where overqualified individuals in low-skill jobs reflect a shortage of high-skill employment opportunities, while underqualified workers in skilled roles point to gaps in access to education and vocational training, particularly among low-income and rural populations.

5. As a result, there is a significant shortage of skilled talent for high-skill jobs, with many individuals lacking the necessary education, training, or certification to fill these roles.

Impacts of Skill Mismatch on the Economy and Society

1. These mismatches undermine economic productivity, as overqualified workers have their potential underutilized, while underqualified workers struggle to meet job performance expectations.

2. It leads to inefficient human resource allocation, where misaligned skills limit labor market efficiency, reduce innovation potential, and weaken India's ability to fully leverage its demographic dividend (i.e., the economic benefit of a large working-age population).

3. The mismatch also constrains social and economic mobility, reinforcing existing inequalities and making it harder for disadvantaged groups to move up the income ladder.

4. Moreover, the gap between aspirations and opportunities contributes to internal migration and brain drain, with skilled individuals seeking better prospects in other states or abroad.

Key Recommendations to Address the Crisis

1. The report recommends a revamp of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems to align curricula with industry needs and technological trends, ensuring job relevance and employability.

2. It calls for the creation of a standardized mechanism to assess both current and future skill needs, enabling evidence-based policymaking and focused interventions.

3. There is a strong push for greater industry engagement and accountability, suggesting that employers should be incentivized to recruit from certified skill pools and take responsibility for providing market-aligned training.

4. Lastly, the report emphasizes the importance of promoting lifelong learning, advocating for a culture of continuous skilling, upskilling, and reskilling to adapt to evolving job demands and technological disruption.

India’s Start-Up Ecosystem Witnesses Exponential Growth – Insights from the Meta Report (2025)

1. According to the Meta report, India’s start-up ecosystem has seen exponential growth over the last decade, driven by rising early-stage funding, deeper digital penetration, and increasing consumer affluence across both metro and non-metro regions.

2. A startup, as defined under Indian law, refers to a private limited company, partnership, or LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) with an annual turnover under ₹100 crore, and is eligible for startup status up to 10 years from its date of incorporation as per the Companies Act, 2013.

Government Initiatives Powering Startup Growth

1. The Startup India initiative, launched by the Government of India, aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by creating a nationwide startup-friendly environment.

2. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) supports entrepreneurs in critical early phases like proof of concept, prototype development, and market entry.

3. The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) boosts access to domestic capital by channeling investments through venture capital funds, strengthening the funding pipeline.

4. The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) provides credit guarantees on loans to DPIIT-recognized startups, improving access to formal credit.

5. The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) promotes grassroots and institutional innovation, with a focus on fostering a culture of entrepreneurship across schools, universities, and research hubs.

6. The MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) helps develop a vibrant technology innovation ecosystem, by connecting startups with key stakeholders in the digital economy.

Key Growth Levers Shaping India’s Startup Success

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption is becoming widespread, with 70% of startups integrating AI into their operations; notably, 87% of AI adopters in marketing reported improved cost per acquisition, showing tangible business gains.

2. Many startups are actively expanding into global markets, with nearly 50% targeting cross-border growth, especially in regions like the USA, UAE, and UK.

3. Over two-thirds of startups follow an omnichannel strategy, blending online discovery (e.g., through digital ads or Instagram Reels) with offline engagement, especially for high-value purchases.

4. The focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities has accelerated, with almost all startups targeting these emerging markets—particularly service-based startups, which enter early through platforms like WhatsApp and via regional influencers.

The Rise of India’s Thriving Startup Ecosystem

1. Fueled by a combination of capital inflow and supportive policy measures, India’s startup landscape saw the number of DPIIT-recognized startups cross 1.5 lakh (150,000) in 2024.

2. Notably, 51% of these recognized startups come from non-metro cities, reflecting the broad-based democratization of entrepreneurship across urban and rural India.

3. The collective valuation of Indian unicorns—i.e., privately held startups valued at over $1 billion—has crossed $380 billion, marking India as a major global startup hub.

4. On the global front, India now ranks third on the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2025, trailing only the USA and China, underscoring its rising global clout in the innovation economy.

Relaunch of SPREE Scheme

1. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), during its 196th Meeting, approved the re-launch of the SPREE Scheme—Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers/Employees—to widen social security coverage.

2. Originally launched in 2016, the SPREE Scheme had enabled the successful registration of over 88,000 employers and 1.02 crore employees under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act, which provides medical and financial benefits to workers in case of sickness, maternity, or workplace injury.

3. The renewed SPREE (2025) now offers a one-time special enrollment window aimed at bringing unregistered employers and left-out workers into the ESI fold, thereby expanding the formal workforce coverage.

4. This scheme emphasizes voluntary compliance—encouraging employers to self-register—instead of imposing penalties, which aligns with the government’s push for a compliance-friendly ecosystem.

5. In parallel, ESIC has also approved the Amnesty Scheme 2025 (2025–2026), which seeks to reduce litigation and enhance the ease of doing business by offering resolution opportunities to defaulters or disputed cases without stringent penalties.

6. Additionally, the Corporation cleared the Revised ESI AYUSH Policy, under which Yoga therapists and Panchakarma attendants (specialists in Ayurvedic detoxification treatments) will be introduced in ESIC hospitals, integrating traditional healthcare systems with mainstream employee health services.

Adi Karmyogi Programme

1. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Adi Karmyogi Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at empowering grassroots governance in tribal areas.

2. The primary aim of the programme is to build a cadre of highly motivated officers and change-makers who are committed to grassroots transformation in tribal regions.

3. At its core, the initiative focuses on capacity-building—developing the knowledge, skills, and motivation—of nearly 20 lakh field-level stakeholders, including government functionaries, through a structured training ecosystem.

4. To achieve this, the programme will create a multi-tier network of trainers and master trainers at the State, district, and block levels, enabling consistent knowledge dissemination and leadership development.

5. It seeks to foster a fundamental shift in the attitude and motivation of field-level officials, by promoting a citizen-centric approach—emphasizing empathy, local needs, and responsive service delivery.

6. The programme is strategically targeted to cover 1 lakh tribal villages and habitations, ensuring inclusive outreach and a wide-scale developmental impact across tribal belts.

Invasions of Jellyfish

1. The Cochin backwaters in Kerala experience seasonal invasions of jellyfish, which indicate cumulative ecosystem stress affecting the aquatic environment.

2. Jellyfish belong to the cnidarian group, a family that also includes corals and sea anemones; these creatures share common features like stinging cells.

3. As pelagic organisms—meaning they live in the open ocean rather than near the bottom or shore—jellyfish inhabit a wide range from tropical seas to Arctic waters, drifting passively with currents due to their limited swimming ability.

4. Their bodies are composed of about 95% water, which helps them blend into their surroundings as camouflage, and they possess specialized stinging cells called nematocysts used both for capturing prey and for defense against predators.

5. Notably, jellyfish can survive in hypoxic environments, which are areas with low oxygen levels, allowing them to tolerate conditions that are challenging for many marine species.

6. Jellyfish blooms refer to the sudden and massive population explosions of jellyfish in marine or brackish water (where fresh and saltwater mix) ecosystems, often disrupting the balance of the habitat.

7. These blooms are primarily triggered by factors such as warmer sea surface temperatures, eutrophication (nutrient enrichment of water leading to excessive algae growth), overfishing, and pollution, all of which contribute to altered marine conditions favoring jellyfish proliferation.

India’s Current Account Balance

1. In Q4 FY25, India’s current account balance recorded a surplus of $13.5 billion, equivalent to 1.3% of GDP, marking a positive inflow from trade and financial activities with the rest of the world.

2. This surplus helped narrow India’s overall current account deficit to $23.3 billion (0.6% of GDP) for FY25, down from a deficit of $26 billion (0.7% of GDP) in FY24, indicating an improvement in external trade and income flows.

3. Typically, on an annual basis, India experiences a trade deficit, meaning it imports more goods and services than it exports, which affects the current account negatively.

4. The current account balance itself measures the net flow of goods, services, income, and current transfers (such as remittances and aid) between a country and the rest of the world during a specific period.

5. It is a crucial part of the Balance of Payments (BoP)—a comprehensive record of all economic transactions between residents of a country and foreign entities.

6. The major components of the current account include goods (physical products traded), services (like IT and tourism), income (earnings from investments and wages), and current transfers (unilateral transfers like remittances).

India in a relative Goldilocks Situation

1. According to the Finance Ministry, the Indian economy is currently experiencing a relative Goldilocks situation, indicating a balanced and stable economic state.

2. The Goldilocks economy concept describes an ideal state where the economy is neither overheating (excessive growth) nor slowing down significantly (contraction), maintaining just the right pace.

3. In this balanced state, several key features are observed:

   • The unemployment rate remains very low, reflecting strong job creation and labor market health.

   • There is steady growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), meaning the total value of goods and services produced is rising consistently, and companies report better earnings, signaling robust corporate performance.

   • Both retail inflation (the rate at which consumer prices increase) and interest rates (the cost of borrowing money) stay relatively low, supporting purchasing power and investment.

4. This Goldilocks scenario is particularly favorable for investors, as companies perform well under these conditions, often leading to a stock market rally and increased investor confidence.

World famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his 2 siblings begins

Jagannath Rath Yatra: A Sacred Festival Celebrating Lord Jagannath in Odisha, India

1. The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is a grand annual Hindu festival celebrated in Puri, Odisha, drawing millions of devotees from across the world.

2. It marks the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath—a revered form of Lord Krishna—alongside his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Shree Gundicha Temple.

3. Among the 148 festivals celebrated yearly at the Jagannath Temple, Rath Yatra stands out as the most renowned and widely attended.

4. The festival begins on the second day of the Asadha month (June–July as per the Hindu lunar calendar), marking the start of the grand chariot procession.

5. The Yatra covers a 3-kilometre route along the Puri Grand Road, with each deity traveling in a unique and elaborately decorated wooden chariot.

6. The Taladhwaja chariot carries Lord Balabhadra, followed by Darpadalana, the chariot of Devi Subhadra, and finally Nandighosha, the largest chariot, carrying Lord Jagannath.

7. The procession is expected to reach Gundicha Temple before sunset, where the deities will reside for a nine-day sojourn, symbolizing their visit to their aunt’s home.

8. After this sacred stay, the return journey—known as Bahuda Yatra or the Return Car Festival—will begin on 5th July, using the same chariots to bring the deities back to Shree Mandir (Jagannath Temple).

9. This entire ritual-rich celebration reflects deep-rooted devotion, tradition, and community participation, and showcases one of India’s most spiritually powerful festivals.

Bacteria That Break Down Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Discovered

Bacteria That Break Down Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Discovered

1. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “Forever Chemicals”, are a large group of over 4,700 synthetic, highly persistent, and toxic chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products.

2. These chemicals are structurally defined by a chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms, where the carbon-fluorine bond, one of the strongest in chemistry, makes PFAS extremely resistant to natural degradation.

3. Since the 1950s, PFAS have been used globally to enhance products by making them resistant to grease, oil, water, and heat, explaining their presence in cookware, food packaging, fabrics, paints, foams, and food processing equipment.

4. Everyday exposure comes from the use of such products—for instance, PFAS are used to prevent food from sticking to packaging or cookware, to make clothes and carpets stain-resistant, and in firefighting foams for more effective suppression.

5. Human exposure to PFAS is now widespread and varies by geography and occupation, especially in sectors like aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics, where PFAS use is extensive.

6. Over time, PFAS can leak into the soil, air, and water, entering ecosystems and making contaminated drinking water or food a primary route of human intake.

7. People are also exposed through inhalation of PFAS-contaminated air or use of PFAS-containing products, leading to accumulation in the bloodstream, as these chemicals break down very slowly, if at all.

8. PFAS are known to bioaccumulate, meaning they build up in organisms over time and pass through the food web, affecting both humans and animals with repeated exposure.

9. Their persistence in the environment and resistance to breakdown pose serious ecological and health threats, contaminating air, water, and soil for extended periods.

10. Recent studies have discovered nearly 20 species of bacteria capable of breaking down PFAS, a promising step toward reducing their environmental burden.

11. Health impacts of PFAS exposure include decreased fertility, developmental effects in children, hormonal interference, elevated cholesterol levels, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

12. On the regulatory front, international efforts such as the Stockholm Convention have listed certain PFAS compounds—like Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) due to their long-lasting and hazardous nature.

Vera C. Rubin Observatory released its first images of the cosmos

In this image of the Trifid and Lagoon nebulas, clouds of hydrogen emit a pink glow while hot stars shine blue. Credit...Vera C. Rubin Observatory

1. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located in Chile, recently released its first images of the cosmos, marking a major milestone in its scientific mission.

2. This observatory is specifically designed to conduct the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), an ambitious 10-year project aimed at creating detailed maps of the southern sky to study cosmic phenomena.

3. Named after Astronomer Vera C. Rubin, the observatory honors her pioneering work that provided strong evidence for dark matter—a mysterious form of matter that does not emit light but exerts gravitational effects on visible matter.

IBAT Alliance: Doubled its investment in biodiversity data from 2023 to 2024

Representational photo from iStock

1. The IBAT (Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool )Alliance has doubled its investment in biodiversity data from 2023 to 2024 to strengthen global conservation efforts.

2. This increased funding will support three critical global biodiversity datasets: the World Database on Protected Areas, the IUCN Red List, and the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas—essential resources for tracking and protecting endangered species and habitats.

3. Headquartered in the UK, the IBAT Alliance was founded in 2008 as a coalition of four of the world’s largest and most influential conservation organisations.

4. These four member organizations are BirdLife International, Conservation International, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).

5. The Alliance’s mission is to provide data, tools, and guidance that empower organisations to identify and manage biodiversity-related risks, aiding global conservation and sustainable development efforts.

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