Current Affairs – June 22-23, 2025

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Mineral Resources} India-Canada Collaboration on Critical Minerals

• Context (FE | IE | TOI): India and Canada have resumed negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with renewed focus on strategic collaboration in the critical minerals sector. This comes at a time when India is actively seeking to diversify its mineral supply chains away from China.

Strategic Opportunities with Canada

• Canada holds reserves of over 31 critical minerals and exported over $50 billion worth in 2023.
• It is recognised globally for ESG-compliant mining practices, offering India a reliable and ethical alternative.

Key Developments

• Diplomatic Reset: Both have agreed to deepen cooperation on mineral security.
• FTA Revival: The agreement could open doors for joint mining ventures, technology transfers, and exploration projects.
• Supply Chain Strategy: Canada joins other partners like Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile in India’s push to diversify mineral sourcing.

Why Critical Minerals Matter to India?

• Mineral Dependency: India’s clean energy and tech sectors EVs, solar panels, electronics rely heavily on critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, copper, and rare earths.
• India’s Dependence on China:
  • Lithium: 71% of India’s imports come from China (Canada contributes just 0.13%).
  • Rare Earth Elements: China accounts for 42% of India’s imports (Canada at a negligible 0.02%)
• Strategic Role: These minerals are vital not only for green technologies but also for powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
• Projected Demand for Rare Earths in India
  • By 2025: Domestic demand is projected to reach 4,010 metric tonnes, over 50% of which will be driven by EV and wind turbine manufacturing.
  • By 2030: Demand is expected to double to 8,220 metric tonnes, fuelled by growth in clean energy and high-tech industries.
• Transition to Clean Energy: Technologies like EVs, solar panels, and wind turbines require significantly more minerals. E.g. an EV uses six times more minerals than a conventional vehicle.
• Tech-Driven Growth: Emerging sectors such as AI, data centres, robotics, and digital infrastructure are highly mineral-intensive, especially for conductors like copper.
• Geopolitical Importance: Global powers particularly U.S. and China are competing for control of mineral supply chains. China, which dominates rare earth processing, has weaponised this control during trade disputes.

India’s Domestic Potential

• Despite being geologically rich, India’s critical mineral reserves remain largely untapped due to underinvestment in exploration, outdated mining policies, and regulatory delays. Acting now can serve three national goals:
  • Strategic Autonomy: Reducing import dependency improves India’s negotiation power.
  • Atmanirbhar Bharat: A robust mineral base supports self-reliance in battery, electronics, and green tech manufacturing.
  • Economic Competitiveness: Domestic processing & refining can boost jobs & reduce trade deficits.

India Plans ₹5,000 Crore Scheme for Rare Earth Self-Reliance A scheme worth ₹3,500–₹5,000 crore is being prepared to incentivize domestic production of rare earth minerals and magnets. At least five Indian companies have expressed interest in participating in this initiative. The Ministry of Science and Technology has provided funding to Midwest Advanced Materials Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, to start commercial-scale production of rare earth permanent magnets. The govt plans to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, which will: Facilitate easier exploration and mining of rare earths. Attract private sector investments. Speed up project clearances and regulatory approvals.

Way forward

• Long-Term Supply Agreements: Finalise long-term offtake agreements with Canada for critical minerals to ensure stable and predictable access to essential resources.
• Invest in Upstream Projects: Acquire investment rights in Canadian mining and processing projects to gain strategic control over supply chains and reduce import vulnerabilities.
• Bilateral Strategic Framework: Establish a dedicated India-Canada institutional mechanism for cooperation across the entire value chain- exploration, mining, refining, and recycling.
• Align with Green Goals: Align the mineral partnership with India’s goals in electric mobility, renewable energy, and electronics manufacturing to support the transition to a green economy.
• Reduce China Dependency: Diversify sourcing and reduce over-reliance on China by building resilient and trusted mineral supply chains with like-minded countries.

Read in depth about Critical Minerals.

{GS2 – Governance – Laws} Draft Registration Bill, 2025

• Context (IE): The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) released the draft Registration Bill, 2025 for public consultation.

• The Bill seeks to replace the archaic Registration Act of 1908 with a modern framework to streamline land registration, promote transparency, and digitise records.

Need for the Bill

• Outdated Manual Processes: People had to physically visit Sub-Registrar offices and submit paper documents, leading to delays and inconvenience.
• Increased Volume and Complexity: Property transactions have become more frequent and complex, requiring faster and more transparent systems.
• Partial Digital Adoption: Many states have started using online systems like e-document uploads and digital ID checks, but these are limited under the old law.
• Need for Reliable Records: Both public and private sectors increasingly need accurate and trustworthy property documents.

Salient Features

• Both Online & Offline Registration: The Bill allows full registration either at the Sub-Registrar’s office or entirely online. Identity can be verified via Aadhaar or offline, with safeguards in place to ensure that Aadhaar is not mandatory.
• Expanded List of Compulsory Documents: Section 12 of the Bill broadens the scope of documents requiring compulsory registration. New additions include:
  • Agreement of sale
  • Power of Attorneys (POAs)
  • Sale agreements
  • Mortgage by deposit of the title deed
  • The Bill mandates registration of merger and demerger documents under the Companies Act, 2013 and introduces optional registration for unspecified documents under Section 13, leaving scope for broad interpretation.
• New Posts Introduced: The Bill adds roles of Additional and Assistant Inspector Generals of Registration (IGR), allowing the government to define their powers and duties alongside the existing IGR.
• Refusal and Cancellation Grounds: Registration may be refused for reasons like missing translations, altered content, delayed submission, or applicant ineligibility.
  • The IGR can cancel registrations based on false information or illegal transactions, with written justification and an appeal provision.
• Lesser Penalties: Imprisonment for offenses is reduced from seven years to a maximum of three years, with or without a fine.

Associated Concerns

• Cybersecurity Risks: Digital records and e-signatures raise concerns over data protection and system vulnerabilities.
• Delegation to Common Services Centres (CSCs): Authorising CSCs to handle complex legal functions (like stamp duty valuation and title transfers) may create procedural inconsistencies or legal ambiguities.
• Lack of Clarity in Optional Registration: Section 13 allows for optional document registration but leaves document types undefined, which may lead to legal uncertainty.

Way Forward

• Effective Implementation: Ensure strong implementation mechanisms to avoid procedural delays and loopholes.
• Digital Security: Invest in secure and resilient digital infrastructure to protect sensitive data and e-signature records from cyber threats.
• Policy Alignment: Align the Bill’s rollout with Digital India and property rights reforms, ensuring ease of doing property-related transactions.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} Iran Moves to Block Strait of Hormuz

• Context (IE): In response to U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear sites under Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran’s Parliament has approved a proposal to close the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz

• Located between Oman and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is at the entrance of the Persian Gulf.
• It connects the Persian Gulf in the north to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea in the south.
• It is 21 miles (33 km) wide at its narrowest point, with the shipping lane just two miles (three km) wide in either direction.

Implications of Closing Strait of Hormuz

• Global Oil Supply Disruption: Approx. 20% of the worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas trade passes through the Strait. Closure would disrupt supply, leading to shortages & price increases worldwide.
• Trade Disruptions: Countries around the Persian Gulf, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, depend on the Strait of Hormuz to access the open seas. There is no sea route alternative to them.
• Spike in Energy Prices: Immediate and sharp increases in oil and gas prices would impact global inflation, especially in energy-importing countries like India.
• Economic Instability: Countries dependent on Gulf oil, like India, China, Japan, and many in Europe, would face financial stress due to supply and price shocks.

Impact on India

• Oil Supply Disruption: India imports approximately 40% of its oil and about half of its gas through the narrow Strait.
• Inflation: Disrupted supply and global oil price spikes would increase petrol, diesel, and LPG prices in India, worsening inflation.
• Trade Deficit: Higher energy costs may widen India’s current account deficit, as the country is the world’s third-largest importer of crude oil.
• Economic Impact: Rising import bills resulting from a spike in oil prices may weaken the rupee and slow economic growth.
• Trade Disruptions: The Strait is a key route for Indian exports and imports to the Middle East & beyond.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} USA’s Operation Midnight Hammer on Iran

• Context (IE): Under Operation Midnight Hammer, the United States launched coordinated strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme.

Three Key Nuclear Sites Targeted By the U.S.

• U.S. targeted 3 key sites: Natanz, Isfahan, & Fordow, central to Iran’s controversial nuclear program.

Natanz – Natanz Enrichment Facility

• Location: Situated about 220 km southeast of Tehran.

• Importance: It is Iran’s leading enrichment site that had Uranium enriched up to 60% purity before Israeli strikes destroyed a part of this facility, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Fordow – Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant

• Location: Located about 95 km (60 miles) southwest of Tehran, it is built deep inside a mountain, reportedly up to 80-90 metres (260-300 feet) underground.

• Importance: The IAEA found the site had enriched Uranium to 83.7% – close to the 90% needed for nuclear weapons.

Isfahan – Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center

• Location: It is situated approximately 350 km southeast of Tehran and houses three Chinese research reactors and laboratories linked to Iran’s nuclear program.

• Importance: Plays a critical role in preparing raw materials for enrichment and reactor use.

Weapons Used by the U.S. Military

Weapons	Features
B-2 Stealth Bomber	It is known for its low observability (difficult to detect by conventional radar), all-altitude capability, and ability to penetrate even the most advanced air defence systems. It can travel up to 6,000 nautical miles without refuelling, has a massive arsenal capacity, and can perform operations freely, even at high altitudes.
GBU – 57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) Bombs or Bunker Buster	The MOP is a large, penetrating weapon capable of attacking deeply buried and hardened bunkers. It has been designed to be more advanced than its predecessors, the BLU-109 and GBU-28. The GPS-guided weapon can reach and destroy targets located in well-protected facilities. The U.S. remains the only country known to possess this weapon.
Tomahawk Missile	It is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile that is launched from U.S. Navy ships and submarines. It was first used by the U.S. during the Gulf War in 1991 in Operation Desert Storm against Iraqi targets. Tomahawks can fly at low altitudes, avoiding radar detection, and are guided by advanced GPS, inertial navigation, & terrain contour mapping.

Implications

• Strengthens USA & Israel Relations: Israel is the biggest beneficiary of the U.S. entering the scene since it could not take out the nuclear enrichment facility in Fordow.
• Retaliation Risk: Iran or its proxies (e.g., Hezbollah) may retaliate against USA forces, allies (like Israel), or commercial assets, which may further escalate the ongoing conflict between Iran & Israel and the U.S.
• Regional Escalation: Heightened risk of conflict in the Middle East, particularly affecting Iraq, Syria, and the Persian Gulf.
• Global Security: The strikes may strain U.S. relations with countries such as China and Russia, which have condemned the actions as violations of international norms and threats to global security.
• Impact on Global Energy Security: In response to ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’, Iran’s Parliament has approved a proposal to close the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for ~20% of global oil.
• Price Volatility: Heightened tensions or conflict in the Middle East region can trigger sharp spikes in oil prices, which in turn affect global markets and economies, particularly those of energy-importing nations.

Also Read > Iran-Israel conflict & Impact on India

{GS2 – MNRE – Schemes} City Accelerator Programme

• Context (PIB): The City Accelerator Programme was recently launched to accelerate rooftop solar adoption in Indian cities under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

• Objective: Accelerate rooftop solar adoption in urban homes through city-level action.
• Nodal Ministry: Led by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Umbrella Scheme: Implemented as a part of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY).
• Support: Provides technical assistance to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and DISCOMs.
• Focus Areas: Includes policy design, capacity building, public outreach, and economic modelling at the city level.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY)

• Launched in 2024. Central Sector Scheme.
• Recognised as the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar (RTS) scheme.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Tenure: Implemented from FY 2023–24 to FY 2026–27.
• Objective: Designed to scale up rooftop solar in households and support India’s clean energy goals.
• Target: Rooftop solar installation in 1 crore residential households by 2026–27.
• Free Power: Eligible homes receive up to 300 units of free electricity per month.
• Eligibility: The household:
  • Must be an Indian citizen.
  • Must own a house with a suitable roof.
  • Must have a valid electricity connection.
  • Should not have availed of any prior rooftop solar subsidy.
• Implementation: Managed by National Programme Implementation Agency at the national level.
  • At the State level, executed by DISCOMs or State Power/Energy Departments serving as State Implementation Agencies (SIAs).
  • DISCOMs will ensure the availability of net meters, conduct inspections, register vendors, and integrate with government buildings.

Central Financial Assistance (CFA)

• CFA Rates: 60% subsidy for up to 2 kW; 40% for 2–3 kW; capped at 3 kW.
• Loan Facility: Collateral-free loans of up to ₹2 lakh at approx. 7% interest (for 3 kW systems).

Models under PMSGMBY

• Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA): DISCOMs or state agencies oversee installations using aggregated tenders for multiple homes.
• Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO): A third party owns and maintains the system, while users pay only for the electricity they consume.

Additional Components

• Model Solar Villages: One per district to promote rooftop solar in rural areas.
• ULB & PRI Incentives: Urban and rural local bodies get incentives to promote RTS installations.
• RESCO Support: A payment security mechanism is included for RESCO-based models.
• Innovation Fund: A fund created to support innovative rooftop solar projects.
• Public Awareness: A national campaign was launched to raise awareness and increase registrations.

Significance of PMSGMBY

• Solar Expansion: Increases rooftop solar capacity across India.
• Bill Savings: Reduces electricity bills through household solar generation.
• Income Option: Households can earn by selling surplus power to DISCOMs via net metering.
• Green Impact: Reduces CO₂ emissions and promotes clean energy.
• Job Creation: Estimated 17 lakh jobs in solar manufacturing, installation, and services.
• Power Generation: Adds 30 GW capacity, generating 1,000 BU power over 25 years.

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Rice Yellow Mottle Virus

• Context (DTE): Rice Yellow Mottle Virus has been affecting rice crops across Africa.

• Originated in Eastern Arc Mountains of East Africa in the 19^th century, likely passing from wild grasses to Rice. First identified near Kisumu, Kenya in 1966 during rice intensification.
• The virus is a member of the genus Sobemovirus, exhibiting high genetic variability.
• Transmitted by: Vectors include beetles (Chrysomelidae family), Grasshoppers, animals like cows, rats, donkeys. Also transmitted by contaminated tools, leaf/root contact, and infected stubble in soil.
• Symptoms: Yellow-green streaks and mottling on young leaves; stunted plant growth, poor tillering, incomplete panicle formation, sterility, and plant death in severe cases.
• Impact on Rice production: Yield losses range from 25% to 100%, especially in young plants and unprotected fields.

{GS3 – IE – Banking} Stablecoins

• Context (IE): The US Senate passed the GENIUS (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act) Act Bill in a major boost for stablecoins.

• Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to another asset, such as a fiat currency or gold, to maintain a stable price.
• The primary goal of stablecoins is to provide an alternative to the high volatility of popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which can make these digital assets less suitable for common transactions.

Fiat Currency is a government-issued currency that’s not backed by a physical commodity such as gold or silver. It’s backed by the government that issues it.

Types of Stablecoins

• Fiat-collateralized Stablecoins: These are pegged to a specific asset, such as a fiat currency.
  • The entity behind the stablecoin maintains a reserve of the asset or assets backing the stablecoin, supporting the value of the digital currency.
• Non-collateralized (algorithmic) Stablecoins: They use software algorithms to automatically adjust the supply of the stablecoin based on demand, aiming to maintain a stable price.
• Crypto-Backed Stablecoins: They are collateralized by other cryptocurrencies.

Read More> Cryptocurrency 

{GS3 – IE – Reports} World Investment Report 2025

• Context (TH): The World Investment Report 2025 was released by UNCTAD sheds light on key shifts & emerging patterns in global foreign direct investment (FDI).

• World Investment Report is an annual flagship report analysing global trends in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) & international production.
• Published by: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
• Objective:
  • To monitor global FDI flows & patterns.
  • To guide policymakers & investors on promoting investment.
  • To support progress on SDGs & the Global Digital Compact by tracking investments.

Key Findings

• Decline in FDI: Global FDI fell by 11% in 2024 to $1.5 trillion, with declines in most developing economies.
  • India ranked 16^th, while the US remained the top recipient.
• Uneven Growth: FDI surged 75% in Africa, while Latin America & the Caribbean saw a 12% decline.
• Stagnation in Job-Creation: Investment in vital sectors like infrastructure, energy & employment generating industries remained weak.
• Decline in SDG-Critical Sectors: Sharp fall in renewable energy (-31%), water & sanitation (-30%) threatening SDG progress.
• Investment Gap: Achieving SDGs in developing nations requires $4–5 trillion annually, highlighting the need for sustainable investments.
• Recommendations:
  • Boost digital infrastructure through public-private investment in broadband & data centres.
  • Align digital policies with national industrial & sustainability goals.
  • Data governance to foster innovation & investor confidence.
  • Promote regional integration via trade agreements to counter global fragmentation.

Indian Specific Findings

• India remained South Asia’s largest FDI recipient, accounting for 80% of regional inflows. It moved up from 16^th to 15^th place globally in FDI inflows.
• Greenfield Project: India ranked 4^th globally with manufacturing momentum.
• Project Finance: India featured among top 5 economies in international project finance deals with 97 projects.
• FDI Outflows: India moved up to 18^th rank globally in outward FDI, with $24 billion, up from $14 billion.
• Manufacturing sector: Surge in investments in semiconductors, EV components & digital infrastructure positioned India as a beneficiary of global supply chain shifts.

Also read > FDI vs FPI vs FIII, FDI Inflows in India.

{GS3 – IE – Trade} National Time Release Study (NTRS)

• Context (PIB): Union Finance Minister released the 5^th edition of National Time Release Study (NTRS).

What is NTRS?

• NTRS is a performance measurement tool that provides a quantitative assessment of the time taken for cargo release, helping to evaluate the efficiency of the clearance process.
• Since 2019, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has been conducting NTRS at 15 major locations, including seaports, Air Cargo Complexes (ACCs), Inland Container Depots (ICDs), and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs).

Time Release Study was recommended by the World Customs Organization (WCO) for coordinated border management.

• Significance: It provides an in-depth evaluation of trade efficiency and serves as a key tool for tracking progress, assessing policy impact, and identifying areas for targeted improvement.

Key Findings of 5^th NTRS

Import Segment

• Average Release Time (ART): Between 2023 and 2025, ART declined across seaports (~6 hours), ACCs (~5 hours), and ICPs (~18 hours), while ICDs saw an increase of around 12 hours.
• National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) 3.0 Targets: 93.33% of import cargo at ICPs met the target, followed by air cargo complexes (55.03%), seaports (51.76%), and ICDs (43.70%).
• ‘Path to Promptness’ Framework: The framework featuring advance filing, RMS-based facilitation, AEO accreditation, and Direct Port Delivery (DPD) remains a key contributor to improved timelines.

NTFAP 3.0 sets cargo release targets of less than 48 hours for seaports, ICDs, and ICPs, and less than 24 hours for ACCs.

Exports Segment

• Regulatory clearance was fastest at air cargo complexes (under 4 hours) and ICPs (6.1 hours), while it averaged 29.6 hours at seaports and 30 hours at ICDs.

Also read > Logistics Sector in India.

{Prelims – Awards} Sahitya Akademi Yuva & Bal Puraskar 2025

• Context (TH): Sahitya Akademi announced the winners of Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar.

• Yuva Puraskar encourages young writers (<35 years); Bal Sahitya Puraskar honours contributions to children’s literature.
• Awards given in 23 Indian languages for Yuva Puraskar; in 24 languages for Bal Puraskar.
• Each awardee will receive an engraved copper plaque and cash prize of ₹50,000.

Sahitya Akademi

• Established in 1954, the Sahitya Akademi is India’s apex body for literary dialogue and promotion.
• Mandate: It is the only institution that carries out literary work in 24 Indian languages (22 languages enumerated in the IC + English + Rajasthani), and organizes literary festivals, workshops, and translation projects across the country.
• Legal Status: Registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Head Office: New Delhi.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
• It is India’s National Academy of Letters.

{Prelims – Reports} Global Peace Index 2025

• Context (IE): The Global Peace Index 2025 was released by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

• The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an annual report published since 2007. It is the world’s most comprehensive measure of global peacefulness.
• Developed by: Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
• It covers 163 countries, comprising 99.7% of the global population.
• Uses 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure the state of peace across 3 domains:
  1. Level of Societal Safety and Security;
  2. Extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict;
  3. Degree of Militarisation

Key Findings

• Global peacefulness fell by 0.36%, marking the steepest drop since WWII, with 59 active conflicts & 152,000 deaths in 2024.
• Iceland tops the list followed by Austria, New Zealand & Singapore. Afghanistan ranks last (163).
• India ranks 115^th (116 ^th in 2024) ahead of Pakistan (146), Bangladesh (124) & Afghanistan (163), driven by reduced conflict & terrorism.
• Western & Central Asia is the most peaceful region; Middle East and North Africa (MENA) remains least peaceful region for the 10^th year, however, 74 countries showed peace improvements in 2025.
• Impact of Violence: The economic impact of violence reached $19.97 trillion (11.6% of global GDP), with military spending at $2.7 trillion.
• Peace Inequality: Peace inequality grew 11.7% in two decades, 78 countries were involved in internationalised conflicts.

Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) Independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank. Headquartered: Sydney, Australia. Focuses on peace as a positive, achievable & measurable goal. Partners with international & intergovernmental organisations to measure economic value of peace.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio – Diseases} Lenacapavir

• Context (IE): The US FDA approved Lenacapavir as a twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention.

About Lenacapavir

• Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral for HIV prevention.
• Used as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in high-risk HIV-negative people.

• Mechanism: Blocks HIV replication by targeting the viral capsid.
• Status: US FDA approved; WHO prequalification pending.

Key Terms Explanations Antiretroviral: A drug that blocks retrovirus replication, such as HIV. Retrovirus: Has RNA as its genetic material. It uses reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into DNA and integrate into the host genome (e.g., HIV). Viral Capsid: A protein shell encasing a virus’s genetic material, essential for replication and infection.

About HIV

• It is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a retrovirus.
• HIV weakens the immune system by destroying T-cells and makes the body unable to fight even minor illnesses. HIV can lead to AIDS when it severely weakens the immune system.
• Transmission:
  • Unprotected sexual contact: The most common mode of transmission.
  • Blood-to-blood contact: Using contaminated needles or medical instruments and receiving infected blood or blood products.
  • Mother-to-child transmission: During pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
  • Not transmitted through casual contact.
• Symptoms: Persistent fever, weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, night sweats, recurrent infections (e.g., fungal infections, pneumonia), swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes or lesions.
• Treatment: HIV is incurable, but treatment helps manage the condition. Currently, patients are given antiretroviral therapy (ART), which stops the virus from replicating in the body.
• Prevalence of AIDS in India: Over 2.5 million people in India are living with HIV. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka have the highest HIV burden.
  • India aims to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Global HIV Prevention Strategies

• TasP (Treatment as Prevention): ART suppresses viral load and prevents spread.
• Test and Treat: Initiate ART immediately after diagnosis to prevent the spread of HIV.
• PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): Prevents infection if taken within 72 hours.
• PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): Prevents infection before exposure.
• VMMC (Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision): Lowers heterosexual male HIV risk.
• Condom use: Reduces HIV transmission through safe sex.

India’s AIDS Initiatives

• National AIDS Control Programme (NACP): Launched in 1992, it is India’s main HIV/AIDS programme led by NACO. NACP Phase V (2021–26) aims for an 80% reduction in new cases and deaths.
• 95-95-95 Target: India adopts UNAIDS targets for diagnosis treatment, & viral suppression. (Identify 95% of people with HIV, treat 95% of those diagnosed, and ensure 95% of those on ART achieve viral suppression).
• HIV helpline, accessible at 1097, provides public information and support.
• HIV/AIDS Act, 2017 prohibits discrimination and ensures the rights.
• Free ART: India provides free antiretroviral therapy to all HIV-positive individuals.
• Project Sunrise: Tackles rising HIV in northeast India, especially among injecting drug users.
• Red Ribbon Clubs: Spread awareness and promote testing among students.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} Gwada Negative

• Context (TH): France has identified a completely new blood group system named EMM-negative & colloquially dubbed “Gwada negative”.
• It has been officially registered by International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) as ISBT042.
• As of now, a woman from Guadeloupe is the only known person in the world to possess this blood type.

• It is a negative blood group system defined by the absence of the EMM antigen, which is normally found on red blood cells and is considered a high-incidence antigen.
  • High-incidence antigens are present in nearly all humans.
• It is the 48^th blood group system in the world.