Current Affairs – June 21, 2025

{GS1 – MIH – Movements} Nonia Rebellion

• Context (PIB): Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare paid tributes to freedom fighter Buddhu Nonia (who participated in the Salt Satyagraha) at his centenary celebrations & hailed Nonia community for Noni Rebellion.

• The ‘Nonia Rebellion’ in Bihar took place between 1778 and 1800. The most affected districts during the rebellion were Saran, Vaishali, and Purnia.
• The Nonia (also known as Lavanakar or Lavankars), historically a skilled and prosperous community, were known for their expertise in producing salt, saltpeter (shora), and khadi.
  • Shora was made to make gunpowder. The British referred to it as “white gold.”
• They held a monopoly over these products due to their unique knowledge of extracting these materials from saline soil (reh).
• After the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the Battle of Buxar (1764), the British got a monopoly over the salt and saltpetre trade in Bihar.
• Resisting the forced sale of their products at low prices and the loss of trade freedom, they began defying British orders, which resulted in the Nonia Rebellion.
• The British responded with brutal suppression, crushing the uprising and systematically marginalizing the community.

{GS2 – IR – Bilateral Relations} India-France Relations

• Context (IE): India & France agreed to intensify cooperation in defence, space, civilian nuclear energy & counterterrorism amidst regional & global challenges.

India-France Relations

• India and France have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations and share deep & enduring Strategic Partnership covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation which involves a strategic component.
• Launched on 26 January 1998, India’s 1^st ever Strategic Partnership, embodied the core vision of both the countries to enhance their respective strategic independence by drawing upon a strong and enhanced bilateral cooperation.
• The year 2023 marked 25 years of India-France Strategic Partnership. On the occasion, both countries adopted a roadmap ‘Horizon 2047’, setting the course for the next 25 years.

Defence Cooperation

• India & France have a strong defence partnership with an increasing ‘Atmanirbharata’ element in it.
• Major ongoing defence-related projects include purchase of Rafale aircrafts & P-75 Scorpene Project.
• Both countries hold Joint defence exercise such as Varuna (Naval exercise); Shakti (Army exercise); FRINJEX-23 etc.

Economic Cooperation

• Trade Relations: France is India’s 5^th largest trading partner in the EU.
  • Bilateral trade doubled over the past decade, reaching USD 15.11 billion in 2023–24.
• Digital Integration: UPI implemented in France, enhancing financial connectivity.
• Investment: France is the 11^th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of USD 10.94 billion from 2000 to 2024 which represents 1.61% of the total FDI inflows into India.

Space Cooperation

• India’s ISRO and France’s CNES (French space agency) have collaborated on multiple space projects.
  • TRISHNA: Thermal infra-red satellite mission for climate monitoring, developed by ISRO & CNES.
  • Megha-Tropiques (2011): Joint Indo-French satellite mission to study tropical weather & climate.

Climate Change

• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Co-founded by India & France in 2015 to promote the adoption of solar energy worldwide.

Nuclear Energy Collaboration

• Both countries signed the 2008 India-France Civil Nuclear Agreement. The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra, is being developed with French assistance.
• Under Indo-French Strategic Dialogue Plans to co-develop Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) & Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).

People-to-People

• Indian Diaspora: Around 1.19 lakh Indians reside in France, primarily from erstwhile French colonies like Puducherry.

Challenges

• Low Trade: Bilateral trade remains below potential, especially when compared to India’s trade with other EU nations.
• Technology Transfer: Despite major deals like Rafale jets, there are concerns over limited technology sharing.
• Geopolitical Divergences: France’s economic ties with China may reduce its strategic convergence with India in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Divergent positions on West Asia issues, particularly Iran & the Israel–Palestine conflict.
• Nuclear Issues: India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) imposes supplier liability, discouraging French firms from investing in projects like Jaitapur.

The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) assigns liability to suppliers in nuclear accidents, deterring foreign investment & necessitating legal amendments.

Way Forward

• Indo-Pacific Engagement: Deepen India–France role in Indo-Pacific architecture via joint military presence & strategic dialogues.
• Deepen Defence Cooperation: Accelerate joint production and R&D in defence under ‘Make in India’.
• Align Indo-Pacific Vision: Promote coordinated strategies in the Indo-Pacific region for maritime security and resilience.
• Green Collaboration: Expand cooperation in climate change, green hydrogen, and clean energy technologies.
• Multilateral Engagement: Work together in global forums like G20, UNSC reform, and support for Global South development.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Elections} Bihar Becomes 1^st State to Adopt E-Voting System

• Context (Newsonair): The Bihar State Election Commission has decided to launch an Android-based mobile e-voting system, starting with the upcoming municipal and urban local body elections.

• It will be executed through two mobile apps: “e-Voting SECBHR“, developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and another created by the Bihar State Election Commission.
• It will feature a blockchain platform, liveness detection, face matching, live face scanning, and face comparison, making the voting process tamper-proof.
• Similar to the EVM feature of the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), an audit trail has also been implemented in the e-voting process.

Significance

• Inclusive Participation: This will enable migrant labourers, displaced voters, persons with disabilities (Divyang), pregnant women, & senior citizens to vote conveniently without having to visit polling booths.
• Enhanced Accessibility: The e-voting process will reduce physical and logistical barriers, especially for urban voters with time constraints or mobility challenges.
• Improved Turnout: The e-voting process is expected to significantly increase voter turnout by offering a secure and accessible alternative to in-person voting.

Challenges

• Digital Divide: Limited smartphone penetration and internet connectivity in rural and remote areas may exclude specific segments of the population.
• Cybersecurity Risks such as hacking, data breaches, or identity theft necessitate robust safeguards.
• Authentication Issues: Face recognition and biometric verification may pose challenges for older people or individuals with disabilities.
• Trust Deficit: Voters may initially lack confidence in the integrity and secrecy of the e-voting process.

Way Forward

• Capacity Building: Launch awareness campaigns and training programs to educate voters, especially those in digitally underserved regions.
• Strengthen Cyber Infrastructure: Ensure end-to-end encryption, regular security audits, and partnerships with cybersecurity agencies.
• Legal Reform: Frame national legislation and guidelines to regulate & standardize e-voting across states.
• Inclusion Measures: Offer multilingual app interfaces and support for feature phones or assisted digital voting centres.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Education} Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 Report

• Context (TH): The Union Ministry of Education has released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 report for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Key Findings

• Improvement: Overall, 24 States/UTs improved their scores in 2023–24 compared to 2022–23.
• Score Decline: In 12 States/UTs – Bihar, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
• Top Performer: Chandigarh, with an overall score of 703, was placed in the fifth band, ‘prachesta-1′.
• Lowest Performer: Scoring 417.9 points, Meghalaya is the only state in the 10^th and lowest grade in the 2023-24 academic year.
• Other:
  • Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, Odisha, Kerala, the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Haryana, Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan ranked in prachesta-3.
  • No State or UT made it into the top four bands (761-1,000) and in ‘prachesta-2′ (sixth band).

About PGI 2.0

• The PGI provides insights on the status of school education in States and UTs, including key levers that drive their performance and critical areas for improvement.
• It is a tool developed by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
• Initially launched in 2007, the PGI was revamped as PGI 2.0 following the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), with its parameters realigned to reflect NEP’s priorities and goals.

Structure and Indicators

• The PGI structure comprises of total weightage of 1000 points across 73 indicators, which are grouped under 2 Categories –
  1. Outcome
  2. Governance & Management.
• The above two categories are further divided into six domains (Refer to the table).

Categories (2)	Domain (6)	Indicators	Total Weight
Outcomes	Learning Outcomes & Quality	12	240
	Access	7	80
	Infrastructure & Facilities	15	190
	Equity	16	260
Governance Management	Governance Processes	15	130
	Teacher Education & Training	8	100
Total		73	1000

Classification of States

• The PGI evaluation classifies States and UTs into grades/ levels as opposed to ranking. Grading allows several States and UTs to be considered at the same level.

Scores (% of total points)	Score range	Grade
91% to 100%	941-1000	Daksh
81% to 90%	881-940	Utkarsh
71% to 80%	821-880	Atti-Uttam
61% to 70%	761-820	Uttam
51% to 60%	701-760	Prachesta -1
41% to 50%	641-700	Prachesta -2
31% to 40%	581-640	Prachesta -3
21% to 30%	521-580	Akanshi-1
11% to 20%	461-520	Akanshi-2
Up to 10%	401-460	Akanshi-3

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} International Day of Yoga, 2025

• Context (PIB): The 11^th International Day of Yoga, 2025 will be celebrated on June 21^st with the theme of “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”.

• The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 21^st June as the International Day of Yoga in December 2014.
  • India proposed the idea of International Yoga Day at the UN General Assembly in 2014. The resolution was adopted with a record 175 co-sponsoring nations, highest ever for a UNGA resolution.
• Since 2015, 21^st June has been celebrated as International Day of Yoga across the world. It aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.
• The date 21^st June was chosen for both symbolic and spiritual reasons.
  • Symbolic Reason: The date marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. On this day, the Earth’s tilt is at its highest towards the Sun.
  • Spiritual Reason: It is believed that Lord Shiva, the 1^st yogi or Adi Yogi, began teaching Yoga to the seven sages, or Saptarishis, on this day. This marks the beginning of the yogic tradition.
• In 2016, Yoga was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, acknowledging its Indian roots and global relevance.

About Yoga

• Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’, symbolizing the union of body and mind.
• Yoga traces its origins to the Vedic period, where it formed an integral part of Upasana (spiritual practice) and ritualistic traditions.
• Its presence is also evident in the Upanishads, Smritis, Puranas, Buddhist and Jain philosophies, Panini’s grammatical works, and the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.
• A significant milestone in the development of Yoga was the contribution of Maharshi Patanjali, who lived around the 2^nd century BCE. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras systematically codified its diverse practices, meanings, and philosophical foundations.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} WHA’s Landmark Resolution On Skin Diseases

• Context (TH): The 78^th World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a historic and unanimous resolution titled “Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority.”

• The resolution was co-sponsored by countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Togo, and Micronesia, with support from the International League of Dermatologic Societies (ILDS).

Key Highlights of Resolution

• The resolution acknowledges the wide-ranging impact of skin conditions and calls for a comprehensive, integrated response.
• It mandates the development of a Global Action Plan that will focus on prevention, early detection, effective treatment etc., while promoting equitable access to affordable, high-quality services and integrating skin health into broader health systems.
• The resolution urges Member States to strengthen primary healthcare systems and promote research, surveillance, and innovation, including digital tools and tele-dermatology.
• It also calls on the international community including NGOs, academic institutions, and the private sector to collaborate in supporting implementation, reducing stigma, and advancing access to care.

Significance of the Resolution

• For the 1^st time, skin health is being recognized not as a mere cosmetic concern, but as a critical component of global public health, human dignity, and social equity.
• It reflects a growing global recognition that skin health is central to the well-being and dignity of populations across every region.

The Burden of Skin Diseases

• Global: Skin diseases affect 1.9 billion people globally but remain largely overlooked in health policy, especially in low -and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • Skin diseases disproportionately impact underserved communities in LMICs and cause physical, mental and social harm, yet diagnosis is limited and many treatments are outdated or toxic.
• India: Skin conditions are among the top 10 causes of non-fatal disease burden in India as per Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies.

Challenges in Addressing Skin Diseases

• Misunderstanding and Stigma: Many skin diseases, especially those visible on the body, continue to be misunderstood and highly stigmatized, leading to social exclusion and delayed treatment.
• Lack of Insurance Coverage: Dermatologic care is often excluded from public health insurance schemes, making treatments financially inaccessible for many.
• Underfunding of Medicines: There is inadequate funding for essential dermatologic medicines, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), limiting access to effective treatments.
• Weak Public Health Integration: Skin health is not well integrated into national public health programs, despite its impact on physical, psychological, and social well-being.

Way Forward

• Promote the inclusion of skin disease care in primary healthcare frameworks, ensuring accessible treatment at the grassroots level.
• Facilitate greater availability of dermatologic medications and ensure their inclusion under public health insurance schemes.
• Establish comprehensive national registries to track the burden of various skin diseases, enabling evidence-based policymaking.
• Launch initiatives to reduce stigma, particularly for visible skin conditions, and expand support systems for patients.
• Use the momentum of the resolution to transform training & infrastructure in under-resourced regions.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Revised Roadmap for Green India Mission

• Context (IE): The Centre released a revised roadmap for the National Mission for Green India, also known as the Green India Mission (GIM).

• In addition to the core objective of GIM, the revised mission will focus on restoration in the Aravalli ranges, Western Ghats, Himalayas and mangroves.

About Green India Mission (GIM)

• The GIM is a crucial component of India’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. It was rolled out in 2014 as one of the eight missions under India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• Its core aim is to combat climate change by increasing forest and tree cover, as well as the ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems and forests.

Between 2015-16 and 2020-21, the GIM facilitated tree plantation and afforestation activities across 11.22 million hectares (mha) of land, through central and state schemes.

Key Features of Revised Roadmap

• Financial Outlay: The total Mission cost is estimated as Rs 12,190 crores.
• Time Period: 10 years (2021-30).
• Implementation: Joint Forest Management Committees, with further management & coordination vested with Forest Development Agencies, State Forest Development Agencies & Mission Directorate.
• Bottom-up Approach: The Mission would follow a ‘Bottom-up’ model to strengthen the decentralized governance and management of its interventions.

The Mission costs will be met partly from the budget under the ongoing Green India Mission scheme and balance from funds available under the National Fund of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

Objectives

• Improved quality of forest cover and increased forest and tree cover on forest/non-forest lands
• Improved ecosystem services, including biodiversity, hydrological services and carbon sequestration
• Increased forest-based livelihoods and household income of forest dependent communities living in and around the forests.
• Creation of an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.

Mission’s Core Priorities

• Restoration/Reclamation Forestry: This focuses on reclaiming vulnerable habitats and degraded forest and non-forest areas using region-specific eco-restoration models, such as agroforestry & social forestry.
• MicroEcosystem Approach will be adopted to focus on identifying intervention pockets in highly vulnerable landscapes, such as the Aravallis, Western Ghats, and Arid regions of Northwest India, through regionally conducive best practices.
• Livelihood Improvement Training Centres will enhance the traditional and acquired skills of communities for processing, packaging, and marketing forest products.
• Sustainable Livelihood Enhancement Models will be promoted to enable them to diversify the income-generating activities of forest-dependent communities.
• Non-Timber Forest Produce Processing Centres will function as a single-window source to address skill development, procurement, processing, packaging, and marketing for value chain enhancement.
• Reducing the gap between research and field practices by strengthening the State Forest research wings with the support and coordination of research institutions through the ‘Lab to field’ approach.

{GS3 – IE – Trade} India’s Global Integration

• Context (IE): India’s highest economic growth came during 2000–2010, when global trade and investment linkages were rising.

What is Global Integration?

• It is the economic connection with the world through trade, investment, labour, and technology flows.

Its Implications

Positive Impacts	Negative Impacts
Faster economic growth through global trade.	Vulnerability to external shocks and recessions.
Greater export access and market reach.	Unequal regional and sectoral benefits.
Stronger foreign investment inflows.	Exchange rate instability from capital flows.
Technology and innovation transfer.	Pressure on local firms from global competition.
More consumer choices and affordability.	Transmission of global inflation.
Higher productivity due to competition.	Limited policy flexibility under trade agreements.
Deeper capital markets and liquidity.	Dependency on external demand and finance.

India’s Global Integration: SWOT Analysis

• As the fourth-largest global economy and one of the fastest-growing major economies, India stands at the intersection of global trade.

The Strengths

• Geo-strategic location: India sits at the heart of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which is one of the most vital arteries of global commerce and energy supply.
  • Nearly 100,000 ships transit the IOR annually, with 30% of global containerised cargo, while 42% of global crude oil, product and distillate is lifted from and within the region.
• Young Workforce: 68% of the population is of working age (15-64 years) as per 2025 State of World Population.
• Strong Diaspora: With over 35 million Indians abroad, the diaspora contributes significantly to foreign remittances.
• Strong IT & Services Sector: India is a global leader in IT services and outsourcing. Exports from the Indian IT industry stood at US$ 194 billion in FY23.
• Diversifying trade partnerships: India has moved beyond traditional partners like the US and EU to deepen ties with Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

The Weaknesses

• Underdeveloped manufacturing sector: The Manufacturing sector contributes only 13–14% to the GDP (China ~26%). Factors such as red tape, land acquisition challenges, inefficient labour laws & high freight costs (~14% of GDP) hinder global competitiveness.
• Uneven Global Economic Footprint: Although India has more than a sixth of the world’s population, it produces only 7% of the world’s output.
• Low R&D Spending: India spends less than 1% of its GDP on research, below OECD peers.
• Limited GVC Participation: Mid-tech sectors like electronics lack global value chain depth. India is positioned mostly downstream in value chains, often performing assembly or final processing rather than upstream R&D, high-precision manufacturing, or design.

The Opportunities

• China+1 Shift: India is a key beneficiary of “China+1” strategy, with companies like Apple & Foxconn expanding operations in India. Apple now manufactures over 14% of its iPhones in India (<1% in 2020).
  • Initiatives like Make in India & PLI scheme underscore India’s focus on boosting manufacturing.
• FinTech leadership: India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including Aadhaar, UPI, and CoWIN, is now being exported as a service model to other countries. E.g. UPI is operational in 7 countries.
• Free trade engagements like India-UK FTA & trade and economic agreements inked with European Free Trade Association, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Mauritius over the last five years. In addition, negotiations are ongoing with New Zealand, Qatar, and Oman.
• Regional Supply Chain Leadership: India can become economic anchor of South Asia, providing infrastructure, digital services, & trade integration for Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, & Maldives.
  • Initiatives like BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement, SAARC Grid, and RuPay/UPI integration strengthen India’s regional economic clout.
• Strength in frugal technologies: Affordable, practical tech like low-cost EVs and medical devices has export potential to Africa, ASEAN, Latin America, and even Europe. India can position itself as an R&D hub, offering alternatives to Silicon Valley–style innovation.
• US–China Trade War: Led to US buyers seeking Indian suppliers to fill the gap left by Chinese exports.

The Threats

• Widening Trade Deficit: India’s trade deficit widened sharply to $21.54 billion in March 2025, rising from a three-year low of $14.05 billion.
• Supply disruptions due to global uncertainties, such as Ukraine-Russia war, Red Sea disruptions, ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, create volatility in energy prices, shipping costs, and component availability.
  • E.g. Red Sea shipping crisis directly raised the cost of oil imports.
• Talent Flight: Global integration expands migration pathways for India’s top talent. The loss of high-skill professionals can weaken domestic capacity-building and innovation.
• Currency Volatility: Global capital integration exposes India to Foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows, causing rupee volatility & inflation risks. In June 2025, FPIs pulled nearly ₹8,423 Cr from domestic equities.

India’s Gains from Global Integration

• Export Growth: Exports hit a record US$ 825 billion in 2024–25, up ~76% over the previous decade.
• FDI Inflows: Total FDI Inflows in 2025 stood at $81 billion in FY 2024–25 ($36.05 billion in FY 2013–14), a 14% increase from FY 2023–24.
• IT Boom: India became a major software and tech services exporter. Exports from the Indian IT industry stood at US$ 194 billion in FY23.
• Remittances: Large diaspora inflows supported currency and consumption. India is the world’s top recipient of remittances, with USD 118.7 billion received in fiscal year 2023-24.
• Rise in India’s soft power: Bollywood, yoga, cuisine, and literature have enhanced India’s soft power influence globally.
• Widened Consumption: Global integration has given Indian consumers wider access to quality goods, global brands, and advanced technology.

Way Forward

• Sign High-Value FTAs: Replicate Vietnam’s success with EU and Asia-Pacific FTAs.
• Build Trade Corridors: Use China’s GVC-cluster model for coastal industrial zones.
• Deepen GVC: Focus on high-value, high-tech segments (e.g. electronics components, EVs, aerospace, green tech), build strong supplier ecosystems and align industrial policy with global demand patterns.
• Boost MSME Competitiveness: Establish export-oriented industrial clusters with logistics and plug-and-play infrastructure. E.g. use Singapore’s targeted vocational model for trade-oriented jobs.
• Innovation–led integration: Increase R&D investment to at least 1.5% of GDP by 2030 through public-private co-funding models.

Also read > India’s Greater Role at Global & Regional Level.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} In Vivo CAR T-Cell Therapy

• Context (TH): Recent advancements in in-vivo CAR T-Cell Therapy offer potential to simplify and expand access to immunotherapy for cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Key Mechanism

• In Vivo Delivery: Uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA directly into T cells inside the body.

This avoids the need to extract cells from the patient for external modification.

• Targeted Action: CD8-targeted Lipid Nano Particles (LNPs) ensure precise delivery to cytotoxic T cells.

The nanoparticles are designed to attach only to CD8⁺ T cells — the body’s main cancer killers.

• No Lab Processing: Avoids ex vivo T-cell harvesting and genetic engineering.

No need for lab-based, personalised cell modification.

• No Viral Vectors: Uses mRNA to encode CAR, avoiding permanent gene changes.

Reduces risk of insertional mutagenesis and long-term side effects.

• Chemo-Free Protocol: Does not require lymphodepleting chemotherapy.

Minimises risk of infections and reduces hospital stay duration.

• Transient CAR Expression: CAR lasts for a limited period, avoiding permanent immune alteration.

CAR is expressed for days to weeks and fades naturally, avoiding permanent changes.

• Immune Reset: Post-treatment, B cells repopulated as naïve cells.

Newly formed Naïve B cells lack immune memory, reducing risk of autoimmunity.

• Improved Lipid Carrier: Lipid 829 enables lower inflammation and faster liver clearance.

It is a novel ionizable lipid designed for better tolerability and efficient mRNA delivery to T cells.

• Multi-Dose Regimen: Achieved up to 85% CAR expression after 2–3 infusions in monkeys.

  Therapy acts like a drug dose — no personalised preparation needed.

Terms Explained Lipid Nanoparticles: Tiny fat-based particles used for gene delivery. mRNA: Genetic instructions used to make proteins inside cells. T Cells: White blood cells that attack infected or abnormal cells. CD8: Marker found on cytotoxic T cells. Cytotoxic T Cells: T cells that kill cancer or virus-infected cells. Ex Vivo: Process done outside the body in a lab. CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor): Engineered receptor that guides T cells to cancer. Lipid 829: A safer lipid carrier used for delivering CAR instructions.

Comparison: Traditional and In Vivo CAR T Therapies

Feature	Traditional CAR-T	In Vivo CAR-T (LNP)
T-Cell Modification	Ex vivo, personalised engineering	In vivo, direct infusion via LNP
Genetic Tool	Viral vectors (permanent)	mRNA (transient)
Chemotherapy Required	Yes (lymphodepletion)	No
Delivery Method	Cell reinfusion	Drug-like infusion
Infrastructure Need	Specialised setup	Basic setup
Manufacturing	Customised per patient	Standardised, scalable
Disease Scope	B-cell cancers, limited autoimmune	Both cancers and autoimmune

Advantages

• Simplifies Manufacturing: No ex vivo cell processing or personalised lab setup required.
• Faster Treatment: Can be administered like a standard infusion within days.
• Lower Genetic Risk: Non-integrating mRNA reduces chance of mutation or long-term toxicity.
• No Chemotherapy Required: Eliminates pre-treatment immune suppression.
• Standardised Dosing: Enables scalable, off-the-shelf application similar to biologics.
• Improved Safety Profile: Minimises chronic immune complications and side effects.
• Wider Access Potential: Suited for regions with limited infrastructure, like rural India.

Challenges and Risks

• Preclinical Stage: Human trials still required to establish safety and long-term benefit.
• Immune Overreaction: One monkey developed severe inflammation after final dose.
• Reproducibility Issues: Automated mass production may differ from lab-scale results.
• Uncertain Durability: Repeat dosing needs careful study to avoid immune exhaustion.
• Supply Chain Dependency: Standardised LNP formulation may create logistical strain.

{GS3 – S&T – Nuclear Power} Radiological Mines

• Context (IE): Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran’s Natanz, Khondab (formerly Arak), and Esfahan nuclear sites to delay weapons development.

Radiological Mines

• Radiological mines are civilian nuclear sites that, if attacked, can release radiation, functioning as unintended radiological weapons.
• Legal Status: Conceptual term; not defined in international law.
• Geneva Protection: Covered under Article 56, Protocol I (1977) of the Geneva Conventions as “installations containing dangerous forces.”

International Legal Protections for Nuclear Facilities

• Geneva Conventions: Article 56 prohibits attacks on nuclear sites unless they provide direct military support.
• Convention on Nuclear Safety (1994): Sets global reactor safety norms.
• Joint Convention on Nuclear Waste Safety (1997): Governs safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste.
• Rome Statute: War crimes include intentional targeting of civilian objects or attacks causing excessive civilian damage.

India’s Legal and Regulatory Framework for Nuclear Safety

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962: Main law for nuclear governance; restricts disclosures under Section 18.
• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010: Establishes a compensation framework for nuclear accidents.
• Radiation Protection Rules, 2004: Regulate licensing and safety of radiation facilities.
• Atomic Energy (Factories) Rules, 1996: Apply to government nuclear installations.
• Environmental Protection Act, 1986: Mandates environmental safeguards at nuclear sites.

Non-Nuclear Aggression Agreement Signed between India & Pakistan to prohibit attacks on each other’s declared civilian nuclear installations. Signed in December 1988 and came into force on January 1, 1991. Annual Exchange: Lists of declared sites are shared every January 1. Limited Scope: Applies only to declared civilian sites; does not cover undeclared or dual-use facilities.

Also Read> Nuclear Safety

{Prelims – Sci – Bio – Diseases} Valley Fever

• Context (TOI): Dogs may help detect early spread of Valley Fever.

• Valley Fever is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides species; spread through inhaling spores, especially during soil disturbance.
• Endemic to the Southwestern U.S., Pacific Northwest, Mexico & parts of Central & South America.
• Affects both humans & animals, high-risk groups include elderly, pregnant women, diabetics & people of Black or Filipino descent.
• Non-Contagious: Does not spread from person to person.
• Symptoms: Often mild or flu-like but can cause severe lung disease or spread in rare cases.
• Treatment: Mild cases resolve on their own; severe cases require antifungal drugs or sometimes surgery.

{Species – Plants – CR} Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis)

• Context (DTE): Soaring demand for agarwood has endangered wild Aquilaria trees in India.

• Also known as Oud, Gaharu, Agar, agarwood is a medium-sized evergreen tree.
• Wood: Pale to dark brown heartwood, aromatic, dense, and highly valuable.
• Resin Formation: Triggered by fungal infection or injury; only 2–7% of trees naturally produce resin.
• Harvest Techniques: Includes cutting, drilling, fungal inoculation, and chemical stimulation.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered; CITES: Appendix II; WPA, 1972: Schedule IV.

Geographical Conditions Required

• Soil Type: Prefers well-drained loamy, sandy, or rocky soils.
• Rainfall: Requires 150–350 cm annual rainfall.
• Temperature: Grows well in 20–30 °C tropical to subtropical climates.
• Altitude: Commonly found between 0–850 m elevation.
• Sunlight: Thrives in partial shade under humid forest canopies.

Range & Distribution

• Native Range: Eastern India to Papua New Guinea. In India, it is found in the Northeastern states.
  • Tripura’s capital, Agartala, derives its name from Agarwood.
• Global Leaders: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia lead; India is among the top producers.

Credits: IUCN

Uses of Agarwood

• Religious Use: Burned in Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and Christian ceremonies.
• Luxury Perfumes: Core ingredient in attars and Western perfumes.
• Ornamental Beads: Used in crafting prayer beads and malas.
• Skin Care: Used in handmade soaps and ointments in Southeast Asia.
• Aphrodisiac: Prescribed in Unani medicine to enhance libido.