Current Affairs – July 16, 2025

{GS2 – Polity – IC – FRs} Supreme Court Upholds Dignity Over Free Speech

• Context (HT|LL): In a landmark judicial intervention, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance of a case against five social media influencers for allegedly mocking persons with disabilities.

• The case has reignited the debate on how to balance Article 19 (freedom of speech) with Article 21 (right to life and dignity) in the context of unregulated digital content and influencer-driven media.

Supreme Court Observations

1. Free Speech vs. Dignity: The Court asserted that Article 21 (dignity) takes precedence over Article 19(1)(a) in case of conflict; dignity is central to constitutional morality.
2. Moral Responsibility: Described the comedians’ conduct as “damaging and demoralising,” affirming that free speech cannot justify demeaning others.
3. Need for Guidelines: Directed the Attorney General, R. Venkataramani, to draft regulations for digital content, ensuring a balance between expression and constitutional values.
4. Participatory Approach: Called for broad stakeholder consultation, emphasising that guidelines must be future-ready and respect both freedom and dignity.

Broader Implications

• Regulatory Vacuum in Digital Content: Highlights the urgent need for structured regulation of digital platforms amid rising hate speech, offensive content, and algorithm-driven sensationalism.
• Accountability in the Influencer Ecosystem: The Court’s directive for personal appearance marks a significant step toward greater legal and ethical responsibility for content creators with vast reach.
• Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Mocking PwDs deepens marginalisation and reinforces stigma.
  • The case reaffirms the mandate of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, for inclusive, dignified representation.
• Evolving Digital Jurisprudence: Sets a precedent in shaping ethical standards for online speech, underscoring the judiciary’s proactive role in defending digital dignity and constitutional morality.

Way Forward

• Digital Ethics Literacy: Integrate digital sensitivity and constitutional values into public discourse and educational curricula, especially targeting influencers and youth.
• Third-Party Content Review: Encourage platform accountability through independent redressal systems and stronger community standards.
• Judicial Oversight with Guardrails: The Court must ensure that any regulation does not amount to censorship, but creates checks on hate speech, mockery, and stigma.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – FRs} Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 & Persistence of Untouchability

• Context (TH): Criminal cases related to untouchability under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, have decreased, but court pendency remains above 97%, according to the 2022 Annual Report by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Key Findings of PCR Annual Report 2022 The 2022 Annual Report by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment highlights a sharp decline in PCR Act case registration, along with high pendency & poor implementation across states. Low Case Registration: As per NCRB data, only 13 cases were registered under the PCR Act in 2022, down from 24 in 2021 and 25 in 2020. High Judicial Pendency: 1,242 cases were pending trial in courts under the Act by end-2022. Very Low Conviction Rate: Out of 31 cases disposed, only 1 resulted in a conviction, while 30 ended with acquittals.

About Untouchability

• Untouchability is a historical practice of caste-based discrimination against Scheduled Castes that denies access to public spaces, resources, and social inclusion.

Constitutional & Legal Safeguard

1. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and declares its practice a punishable offence.
2. Article 15(2) prohibits denying access to public spaces and services on the basis of caste.
3. Article 46 mandates that the State promote the educational and economic interests of SCs.
4. The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, penalises untouchability practices.
5. SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, enforces stricter measures against caste-based atrocities.

About the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955

• The PCR Act, 1955, is the central law enacted to enforce Article 17 by criminalising untouchability and related caste-based social disabilities.
• Annual Reports: The act requires states and UTs to submit annual implementation reports.
• State Role: States are required to appoint vigilance officers, survey areas prone to untouchability, and conduct awareness campaigns.

Comparison with SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, is a central law designed to prevent atrocities against SC and ST communities and to ensure protection through special courts and victim relief. Coverage and Scope: Unlike the PCR Act, which targets offences related to untouchability, the SC/ST Act covers a broader range, including violence, social boycotts, and public abuse. Enforcement Strength: It includes exclusive specialised courts, time-limited trials, and nodal officers — provisions mostly absent under the PCR Act. Compensation and Relief: The Act mandates victim compensation, witness protection, and rehabilitation, which the PCR Act does not include. Implementation Priority: The SC/ST Act had 62,501 cases registered in 2022, far exceeding the PCR Act’s 13 cases, reflecting stronger implementation.

Key Limitations of the PCR Act, 1955

• Low Awareness and Enforcement Gaps: The decline in registered cases nationwide suggests limited awareness among citizens and weak enforcement by the police.
• High Acquittal and Delay Rate: Most disposed PCR cases end in acquittal, revealing weaknesses in investigation and prosecution.
• No Victim-Centric Provisions: The Act lacks provisions for compensation, rehabilitation, or witness protection, unlike the SC/ST Act.
• Poor State Compliance: Several states and UTs did not submit mandatory review reports in 2022.
• Inactive Mechanisms: Many states did not appoint vigilance Officers or designate areas prone to untouchability as mandated by the Act.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Women in the STEM Sector

• Context (TH): Persistent barriers continue to restrict women’s access to career opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The STEM Paradox in India

• 43% of India’s STEM graduates are women, the highest proportion among major economies globally. Yet, women represent only 27% of the STEM workforce.
• According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, India’s female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) has increased to 41.7%, with rural women (47.6%) participating at a higher rate than urban women (25.4%). However, in STEM fields, the gender gap remains significant.
• India, despite producing a large number of qualified female graduates, reflects the leaky pipeline problem, where women exit the workforce at every career stage due to workplace hostility, social norms, and caregiving burdens.

Need for Gender Inclusion in STEM

• Economic Growth: According to the McKinsey Global Institute, increasing women’s participation in India’s workforce could boost GDP by up to $700 billion by 2025.
  • World Bank data suggests that achieving a 50% female workforce participation rate could raise GDP growth by 1%.
• Better Problem Solving: Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions in technology and science.
• Social Equity: Empowering women in STEM creates role models for future generations and breaks the cycle of gendered career choices.

Challenges Faced by Women in STEM

• Gender Stereotypes and Societal Norms: Deep-rooted beliefs that STEM is male and societal gender expectations often discourage girls from pursuing careers in science and technology.
• Workplace Barriers: A lack of gender-sensitive policies, limited female mentorship, and concerns around safety & work-life balance hinder women’s ability to thrive and advance in STEM professions.
• Limited Career Awareness: In rural & underserved areas, students, especially girls, often lack exposure to STEM careers or role models, leading to underrepresentation despite capability and interest.
• Skill-Employment Mismatch: While women earn STEM degrees, many lack industry skills or struggle to find relevant jobs due to weak links between academia and industry.

Government Initiatives

1. New Education Policy (NEP) 2020: It promotes STEM, gender inclusion, experiential learning, and integrates early life skills & technical training to enhance career readiness, especially for girls.
2. Gender Budgeting: The share of the gender budget in the total national Budget has increased from 6.8% in 2024-25 to 8.8% in 2025-26, with ₹4.49 lakh crore.
3. ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’: A nationwide campaign aimed at improving the status of girls through education and empowerment, encouraging girls to pursue higher education, including STEM.
4. Skill India Mission: Offers technical and vocational training, with a growing focus on skilling women in non-traditional domains, including electronics, IT, and mechanical trades.
5. Digital India: It promotes digital literacy, e-governance, and entrepreneurship, creating pathways for women to enter the technology and innovation sectors.
6. STEM-Focused Scholarships and Fellowships: Programmes like Vigyan Jyoti and KIRAN support women researchers and encourage them to pursue careers in science.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Industry-Academia Linkages: Foster partnerships between companies and educational institutions to ensure the curriculum aligns with real-world STEM demands.
• Promote Gender-Sensitive Workplaces: Enforce policies that ensure safety, provide flexible work options, and offer support for career transitions, such as maternity leave and caregiving.
• Expand Mentorship and Role Models: Establish mentoring networks and highlight successful women in STEM to inspire and mentor young girls.
• Enhance Career Awareness: Launch outreach campaigns in schools and communities, particularly in rural areas, to expose girls to STEM opportunities at an early age.
• Invest in Re-skilling and Re-entry Programmes: Support women returning to work through targeted training, internships, and hiring incentives.

{GS2 – MoMA – Initiatives} Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM-VIKAS)

• Context (PIB): The PM-VIKAS Training Centre was launched in Tilak Nagar, Delhi, under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM-VIKAS) scheme to skill minority youth and artisans.

About PM-VIKAS

• PM-VIKAS is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs aimed at promoting livelihood generation, social inclusion, and cultural preservation for minority communities.
• It was launched in 2022 and continues through the 15^th Finance Commission cycle (2021–26).
• Coverage: Aims to benefit around 9 lakh individuals among six notified minority communities.
• Components: The scheme includes four components – Skilling, Entrepreneurship, Education, and Infrastructure Development.

• Framework: Implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs in convergence with the Skill India Mission.
• Scheme Delivery: Operates through the Skill India Portal via certified Project Implementing Agencies.
• Financial Linkages: Supported by the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) and the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts for finance and market linkage.

Consolidated Schemes

• PM-VIKAS merges five earlier schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
  1. Seekho aur Kamao: Provides skilling linked to placement in traditional and modern sectors.
  2. USTTAD: Promotes training in the traditional arts and crafts of minorities.
  3. Hamari Dharohar: Supports preservation of minority cultural heritage.
  4. Nai Roshni: Offers leadership and entrepreneurship training for minority women.
  5. Nai Manzil: Enables education and skilling for minority school dropouts.

Other Minority Welfare Schemes Garib Nawaz Employment Scheme: Provides skill training and placement assistance to unemployed youth from minority communities. Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls Scholarship: Provides scholarships to minority girls in classes 9–12 to support secondary education. Hunar Haat: Promotes traditional crafts by minority artisans through nationwide exhibitions and marketing platforms. Nai Udaan: Provides financial support to minority candidates clearing prelims of UPSC, State PSC, and SSC exams. Jiyo Parsi Scheme: Supports population revival among Parsis through counselling, medical assistance, and awareness initiatives. NMDFC Loan Schemes: Offers concessional loans to minorities for self-employment, education, and micro-enterprises. SPEMM (Scheme for Providing Education to Madrasas and Minorities): Supports quality education in madrasas by introducing modern subjects and teacher training. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK): Funds community infrastructure in high-minority districts across sectors like education, health, and skilling.

{GS2 – MoYAS – Initiatives} Youth Spiritual Summit 2025

• Context (PIB): In a transformative initiative aimed at tackling the rising menace of substance abuse among youth, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will host the ‘Youth Spiritual Summit’ in Varanasi from July 18–20, 2025.

• Theme: “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat”

Key Highlights of the Summit

• Objective: To ignite a Jan Andolan for a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ by mobilising 500 youth delegates from 100 spiritual organisations to promote value-based leadership and community-driven action against substance abuse.
• Kashi Declaration: A youth-drafted National Roadmap to be unveiled at the summit, focusing on:
  • Policy-level interventions for drug prevention,
  • Grassroots mobilisation and awareness campaigns,
  • Integration of rehabilitation and spiritual counselling into anti-drug strategies.
• Kargil Vijay Diwas Padyatra (26 July 2025): A commemorative padyatra in Kargil involving MY Bharat volunteers, local youth, and the Indian Army to promote:
  • Fitness under the Fit India Movement,
  • Patriotic spirit and national solidarity.

Significance of the Summit

• Fosters value-based youth leadership in nation-building.
• Leverages India’s spiritual capital to counter modern-day social evils.
• Aligns with the vision of “Sankalp se Siddhi, Viksit Bharat by 2047”.

{GS2 – MoSPI – Initiatives} Statathon 2025

• Context (PIB): Launched by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to mark 75 years of the National Sample Survey (NSS).

• About Statathon: A nationwide innovation challenge launched under MoSPI’s Data Innovation Lab (2023) to modernise India’s official statistics system using emerging technologies.
• Focus Areas: Participants will address five core problem statements covering the data lifecycle—data access (API), smart data collection (AI surveys), automated processing, semantic classification (NCO), and data anonymisation.

The Data Innovation Lab, launched by MoSPI in 2023, promotes the use of emerging technologies like AI in official statistics through collaborative, challenge-based projects.

• Objectives:
  • Statistical Reform: The initiative aims to reshape India’s statistical system by improving data collection, analysis, and dissemination methods.
  • AI Integration: It promotes AI, Natural Language Processing, and Generative AI to enhance government data quality, accessibility, and privacy.

The NSO was established in 2019 by merging CSO and NSSO under MoSPI, and serves as the apex body for statistical coordination, data quality, and socio-economic surveys

{GS3 – Envi – RE} India Reaches 50% Non-Fossil Installed Capacity

• Context (PIB): India reached 50% of its total installed power capacity from non-fossil sources 5 years before its 2030 target under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the Paris Agreement.

Current Installed Capacity Profile (as of June 2025)

Source	Installed Capacity (GW)	Share (%)
Thermal (Coal, Gas)	242.04	49.92
Nuclear	8.78	1.81
Large Hydro	49.38	10.19
Renewable Energy	184.62	38.08
Total Non-Fossil	242.78	50.08
Total Capacity	484.82	100.00

Structural Drivers Behind Early Milestone

• Clear Policy: Time-bound renewable energy targets & long-term policies ensured investor confidence.
• Cost Competitiveness: Reverse bidding mechanisms led to low tariffs and accelerated execution.
• Decentralised Push: Rooftop solar scaled through schemes like PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar.
• Bioenergy Inclusion: Biomass projects added dispatchable capacity & enabled agro-waste utilisation.
• Financial Access: Green bonds and concessional finance reduced costs and improved project viability.

Policy and Scheme-Level Enablers

1. PM-KUSUM: Provides solar pumps and feeder-level solarisation for farmers.
2. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: Offers free rooftop solar for one crore households.
3. Solar Park Scheme: Enables utility-scale solar deployment with grid and land support.
4. National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy: Encourages combined projects for better efficiency.
5. National Green Hydrogen Mission: Targets 5 MTPA green hydrogen production by 2030.
6. PLI Scheme for Solar PV: Incentivises domestic manufacturing of solar modules and cells.

Forward Strategy for Clean Energy Transition

• Quality and Resilience: Prioritise standards, equitable access, and climate-resilient energy systems.
• Consumption Boost: Aim to double clean electricity usage per capita by 2030.
• Grid Modernisation: Develop smart grids to manage two-way flow and RE variability.
• Storage Expansion: Scale battery storage and pumped hydro for firming capacity.
• Circular Economy: Promote recycling and reuse in solar, wind, and battery lifecycles.
• Green Hydrogen: Accelerate investments in electrolysers and end-use sectors.

India’s Panchamrita Commitments The five-point Panchamrita commitment was announced by India at COP26 in Glasgow, as part of its updated NDC under the Paris Agreement. Non-Fossil Capacity: Achieve 500 GW non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030. Energy Share: Meet 50% of total energy requirement from renewables by 2030. Emission Intensity: Reduce GDP emission intensity by 45% from 2005 levels. Carbon Reduction: Cut total projected emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. Net-Zero Goal: Achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

{GS3 – IE – Employment} 10 Years of Skill India Mission

• Context (PIB): On World Youth Skills Day 2025, Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary launched the ‘Kaushal ka Dashak’ campaign, celebrating 10 years of the Skill India Mission.

Skill India Mission Launched in July 2015, the Skill India Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Its objective is to unify India’s fragmented skilling ecosystem and promote industry-aligned training, entrepreneurship, and global workforce mobility. Followed a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to synergise efforts across public institutions, private stakeholders, and civil society. Flagship Schemes Under the Mission Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY: Currently in its fourth phase (PMKVY 4.0), this Central Sector Scheme aims to provide skill training to youth across sectors. Training categories include: Short-Term Training (STT): Aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF); includes classroom sessions and on-the-job training. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Certifies existing informal skills of workers with industry-recognised credentials. Special Projects: Customised skill training for marginalised groups, aspirational districts, and emerging job roles. Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS): Provides incentives to employers to promote apprenticeships and close the skill gap by increasing industry exposure. Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme: Provides vocational training to non-literates, neo-literates, & school dropouts in rural & semi-urban areas, focusing on life skills & income to improve livelihoods.

Key Achievements in the Last 10 Years

• Training Coverage: Over 6 crore Indians trained through skilling, apprenticeships, trades, and mobility programs. PMKVY trained 1.64 crore youth in short-term, industry-linked programs.
• Institutional Strengthening: 14,500+ Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) supported via reforms in governance & affiliation norms. Focus on verifiability, & employability through public-private collaboration.
• Key reforms under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS):
  • 36% stipend hike to boost youth participation.
  • Special ₹1,500/month pilot support for NER candidates to promote regional inclusion.
  • Greater industry incentives and engagement to align apprenticeships with market demand.

• ITI Revamp and Quality Control:
  • Cabinet approval for a ₹60,000 cr. ITI Revamp Scheme, with ₹10,000 crore from CSR contributions.
  • 4.5 lakh vacant seats de-affiliated over six years to rationalise capacity; 99,000 more under review.
  • 11% rise in ITI admissions (2024) shows renewed public confidence.

Challenges in Implementing the Skill India Mission

• Quality of Training: Lack of standardisation across institutes, shortage of qualified trainers, and outdated curricula dilute training effectiveness.
• Infrastructure and Accessibility: Inadequate training facilities, digital tools, and connectivity, especially in rural areas, along with financial and logistical barriers, limit outreach.
• Skill-Industry Mismatch: Training programs often fail to align with evolving industry needs due to limited collaboration, poor forecasting, and insufficient hands-on exposure.
• Retention of Skilled Workforce: Brain drains of skilled workers abroad or to high-paying sectors, low wages discouraging retention, and limited upskilling and career growth opportunities.

Way Forward: Reform–Perform–Transform Approach

• Create a National Skill Grid: For real-time tracking of skilling, employment, and demand-supply gaps across sectors.
• Strengthen Skill India Digital Platform: For integrated access to training, digital certification, AI-based career mapping, and placements.
• Promote 4Ps: Public–Private–People–Panchayat Partnership: To localise skilling delivery through industry, community, and grassroots governance synergy.
• Integrate Skilling under NEP 2020: Embed vocational education in school curriculum with credit-based flexible learning pathways.

{GS3 – Envi – Pollution} End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)

• Context (BS): The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) deferred the NCR-wide fuel ban on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) to 1 November 2025 due to implementation bottlenecks.

About End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)

• An ELV is a vehicle declared unfit for public roads due to age, structural damage, or failure in fitness tests under the regulatory framework of the Motor Vehicles Act.
• CPCB estimates over 2 crore ELVs out of 30 crore vehicles, indicating substantial projected fleet attrition.
• Classification Routes: A vehicle may be declared an ELV through the following methods –
  • Fails automated fitness test.
  • Registration cancelled under CMV Rule 52.
  • Declared unfit by court or statutory authority.
  • Voluntarily surrendered by owner.
  • Irreparable due to fire, flood, or catastrophic structural failure.

Rationale for ELV Regulation

• Emission Burden: Older ELVs emit 12 times more NOx and PM than BS-VI vehicles, worsening pollution.
• Resource Recovery: Recycling recovers 70% vehicle mass, reducing reliance on raw mineral extraction.
• Energy Efficiency: Metal recovery reduces energy use by 75% and CO₂ emissions by 58% (NITI Aayog).
• Pollution: Informal scrappage causes ecotoxic leakage of metals, oils, and plastics into the environment.
• Road Safety: Phasing out ELVs reduces accident risk from mechanical wear and brake failure.

About the Fuel Ban on ELVs

• The CAQM fuel ban prohibits the refuelling of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, based on vehicle age thresholds.
  • The ban aims to cut emissions, enforce fleet renewal, and link fuel access to scrappage.
• Phased Implementation: The fuel ban will take effect from 1 November 2025 in certain NCR districts and will expand to other areas on 1 April 2026.
• Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed at fuel stations to detect ELVs in real-time by scanning number plates.
• The VAHAN database is integrated to verify vehicle age instantly and flag ELVs for enforcement action, including fuel denial, fines, or vehicle seizure under CMV Rules.

ANPR Camera (Automatic Number Plate Recognition): A surveillance system that scans number plates for real-time vehicle identification and automated enforcement. VAHAN Database: A central registry of vehicle data, including age and fitness, maintained by MoRTH.

ELVs Disposal Framework in India

• Over 75% of ELVs in India are dismantled informally, reflecting regulatory vacuum in disposal practices.
• Standards: AIS 129 (2015) sets safe dismantling norms, though adoption by states remains limited.
• Policy Support: The 2021 Scrappage Policy mandates fitness tests &encourages market-led phaseout.
• Infrastructure: RVSFs are licensed for eco-friendly dismantling and segregation under central rules.
• EPR Mandate: The 2025 ELV Rules link producer responsibility to market share through EPR obligations.

AIS 129 (Automotive Industry Standard 129): A MoRTH-issued standard prescribing procedures for safe and eco-friendly dismantling of ELVs. Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF): A licensed unit under MoRTH authorised to dismantle and recover materials from ELVs. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): A rule-based obligation requiring manufacturers to collect and recycle their end-of-life products.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Animal Discoveries: New Species and New Records 2024

• Context (DTE): Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) published the report, Animal Discoveries: New Species and New Records 2024.

• The ZSI publishes Animal Discoveries annually, detailing the latest discoveries of fauna. Similarly, the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) publishes Plant Discoveries annually, detailing discoveries of flora.

Key Findings

Fauna

• Highest Species Discovered: A Total of 683 species were documented in 2024, of which 459 are globally new, while the remaining 224 have been recorded for the first time in India.
  • This surpasses the previous high of 662 species in 2022.
• The hotspot regions, such as the Western Ghats and the North-Eastern areas, have contributed 35% of total discoveries.
• Among the newly discovered species is a snake found in Himachal Pradesh, Anguiculus dicaprioi, named in honour of actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio.
• Most Discoveries: Kerala accounted for the most discoveries, with 101 species, followed by Karnataka and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Lowest Discoveries: The lowest number of species was reported from Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana and Telangana.

Flora

• The highest number of flora was discovered in Kerala (58), followed by Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.
• Significant Discoveries: Include important orchid species such as Bulbophyllum gopalianum, Coelogyne tripurensis, Gastrodia indica and Gastrodia sikkimensis.

About Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Ministry: Established in 1916, it works under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. Headquarters: Kolkata. Objectives: To promote survey, exploration, and research that will advance our knowledge of various aspects of animal life. Focus Areas: Faunal exploration, taxonomic studies, status surveys of endangered species, environmental impact assessment, conservation, and training.

{Prelims – In News} 2^nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave 2025

• Context (PIB): The 2^nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Key Highlights of the Conclave

• Primary Objective: Operationalise the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC) to boost regional maritime trade, logistics, and port connectivity.
• Focus Areas:
  • Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in port infrastructure
  • Development of coastal economic zones and cruise tourism
  • Enhancing skill development and digital integration in port operations
• India’s Leadership:
  • First country to ratify the AMTC
  • Advocated for speedy implementation across member states

Significance of the Conclave

• Aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East Policy.
• Reinforces the Bay of Bengal’s role as a strategic economic and connectivity hub.
• Highlights India’s leadership in promoting a blue economy, resilient supply chains, & regional integration.

Read in depth about BIMSTEC

{Prelims – In News} Kumarasami Kamaraj

• Context (PIB): PM Modi paid tributes to Thiru K Kamaraj on his birth anniversary.

About Kumarasami Kamaraj (1903-1975)

• Born on 15^th July 1903, in Virudhupatti, Madras province. He belonged to a marginalized community called Nadar.

Credit: The Print

Pre-Independence Contributions

• Inspired towards the freedom movement in 1916 from Annie Besant’s Home Rule movement, writings of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and C. Subramania Bharati.
• Later, during Rowlatt Satyagraha, he joined the INC and was greatly influenced by Gandhi’s ideals of Non-violence, liquor prohibition, the use of Khadi and the eradication of untouchability.
• In 1930, during salt satyagraha he participated in the Vedaranyam march along with C. Rajagopalachari.
• He was charged with murder in the 1934 Madras Conspiracy Case, involving an assassination attempt on the Governor of Bengal, John Anderson.
• Kamaraj became an AICC member in 1931 and went on to become an MLA from Madras province in 1937 and the president of the provincial congress committee in 1940.
• Satyamurti was his political guru.
• Actively took part in the Quit India Movement by spreading propaganda.

Post Independence

• Widely acknowledged as “Kingmaker” for elevating Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi.
• As CM of Madras State from 1954-63, he focused on expanding the Mid-day meal, modified the Madras scheme of elementary education, and played a key role in establishing IIT Madras.
  • This earned him the title “Kalvi Thanthai” (Father of Education).
• Became president of INC between 1964-67. Later led the INC(O) separately from Indira Gandhi until his death.

{Prelims – In News} DRDO-AIIMS Launches Indigenous Carbon Fibre

• Context (TH): DRDL-AIIMS unveils Prosthesis made of Carbon fibre as part of ‘Make in India’, which can reduce the cost from import dependence.

Prosthesis: An artificial device used to replace an impaired body part, aiding functionality in the disabled.

About Carbon Fibre

• Carbon fibre is a lightweight, high-strength material made of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon.

Credit: Aerontec

Properties

• Exhibits high stiffness and an excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio.
• Possesses high tensile strength along with a superior strength-to-weight ratio.
• Offers high-temperature resistance, especially when combined with special resins.
• Shows minimal thermal expansion, making it dimensionally stable.
• Provides strong chemical resistance, ensuring durability in harsh environments.

Applications

• Aerospace: Used in aircraft bodies and components for reducing weight and enhancing fuel efficiency.
• Automobile Industry: Applied in high-performance vehicles for lightweight and strength.
• Sports equipment: Used in tennis rackets, bicycles, etc, for durability and ease of handling.
• Defence & Military: Used in body armour, helmets, and missile parts for strength and resistance.
• Construction: Reinforces concrete and structures for seismic resistance.
• Medical Field: Used in prosthetics and surgical instruments for biocompatibility and lightweight.
• Renewable Energy: Found in wind turbine blades due to its strength and flexibility.

India does not produce any carbon fibre and is import-dependent on countries such as the US, France, Japan, and Germany.