TROPEX-25

Source: PIB 

The Indian Navy's Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2025 is being conducted in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) over a duration of 3 months (Jan - Mar 2025). 

• About TROPEX: It is the Indian Navy's biennial and largest maritime exercise that strengthens joint operations against maritime threats with participation from the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. 
  • Objective: Validate the Indian Navy’s warfighting skills and ensure an integrated response to conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid maritime threats posed by countries like China. 
    • China, the world's largest navy with over 360 warships and submarines, deploys 7-8 naval vessels and spy ships in the IOR at all times. 
  • Phases: It includes Harbour and Sea Phases, featuring combat operations, cyber & electronic warfare, live weapon firings, and Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX). 

Read More: Securing India's Interests in the Indian Ocean Region 

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

Source: PIB 

The Union Cabinet has extended the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years until 31^st March 2028. 

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) 

• Established: 1994 under the NCSK Act, 1993; became a non-statutory body in 2004 under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. 
• Structure: Chairperson (MoS rank), Vice-Chairperson, 5 members (including 1 woman). 
• Mandate: 
  • Recommends policies for welfare and rehabilitation of Safai Karamcharis. 
  • Monitors implementation of schemes and laws like The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act, 2013. 
  • Investigates grievances and policy lapses. 
  • Ensures Rs 30 lakh compensation for sewer deaths, Rs 10-20 lakh for disabilities (SC ruling, 2023). 
• Working: Field visits, grievance redressal, policy reviews, suo-motu actions, meetings, and reports to the ministry. 

Schemes for Sanitation Workers: 

• NAMASTE scheme: Aimed at profiling of Septic Tanks Workers, provide occupational safety training, protective kits, and health insurance (AB-PMJAY),  
• National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC): Offers concessional loans and financial aid for the socio-economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis and their families. 

Read More: National Commission for Safai Karamcharis 

Campaign to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis

Source: PIB 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) elimination. 

• Lymphatic Filariasis:  LF (elephantiasis), is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic filarial worms ( like Wuchereria bancrofti) and transmitted by mosquitoes. 
  • Leads to lifelong disabilities like lymphoedema (swollen limbs) and hydrocele (scrotal swelling). 
  • Morbidity Management & Disability Prevention (MMDP) services (hygiene, skin care, and hydrocele surgeries) help prevent severe disability. 
• MDA Campaign: Covers 111 endemic districts in 13 states, aiming to protect over 17.5 crore people and eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027. 
  • The MDA campaign ensures supervised administration of anti-filarial medicines in LF-endemic areas, using Double (Diethylcarbamazine Citrate and Albendazole) and Triple Drug Regimen (Ivermectin, DEC, and Albendazole) 
  • MDA aims to stop LF transmission by eliminating filarial parasites from the bloodstream, preventing mosquito transmission. 
    • The medication is not for children under 2, pregnant women, or seriously ill individuals. 
• India’s MMDP Services: Integrated into Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM), with hydrocelectomy (remove a hydrocele) covered under National Health Mission and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.  
  • In 2024, nearly 50% of hydrocele surgeries were done in endemic states. 

Read more: Lymphatic Filariasis 

Antibiotics Resistance

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Widespread antibiotic use in healthcare has fueled drug-resistant bacteria, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causing about 1.2 million deaths globally in 2021. 

• Indian hospitals report a 13% mortality rate in infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. 

What is Antibiotics Resistance? 

• About Antibiotics: Antibiotics treat bacterial infections in humans and animals by killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth and multiplication. 
  • They target bacterial structures or processes, ensuring minimal impact on human cells. 
• Working of Antibiotics: Bacterial cells have a protective cell wall made of peptidoglycan. Its two key components are Glycans and Peptides. 
  • Antibiotics like Penicillin weakens bacterial cell walls by disrupting peptide crosslinks, leading to bacterial death.   
• Development of  Antibiotics Resistance: Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria mutate or gain resistance genes, making infections harder to treat. 
  • Bacteria evolve resistance through various mechanisms like: 
    • Producing enzymes like penicillinase against Penicillin, which break down antibiotic molecules. 
    • Modifying their own structures to evade the antibiotic’s effects.  
• New Survival Strategy: A new study found that bacteria can compensate for lost functions, enhancing resilience and making antibiotic resistance harder to combat. 

 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQ) 

Prelims 

Q.Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? (2019) 

1. Genetic predisposition of some people
2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases
3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming
4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

(a) 1 and 2  

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1, 3 and 4  

(d) 2, 3 and 4 

Ans: (b) 

 Q.What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India? (2020) 

1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis.
2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced.
3. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 only  

(b) 1 and 2 only 

(c) 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (b)  

Bills on Parliamentary Sittings and POCSO Act, 2012

For Prelims: Private members’ Bill, Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, Article 85, Article 174, National Crime Records Bureau 

For Mains: Reforms in Parliamentary Functioning, Issues Related to Children, Implementation of POCSO and child welfare laws 

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

Private members’ Bills were introduced in the Rajya Sabha, focusing on mandating a minimum number of parliamentary sittings, and amending the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. 

What is the Bill Regarding Parliamentary Sittings? 

• Objective: Two Two Bills were proposed in Rajya Sabha to mandate a minimum of 100-120 parliamentary sittings per year, with lost hours due to disruptions compensated in extended sessions to enhance productivity, and improve government accountability. 
  • The General Purposes Committee of the Lok Sabha, 1955 explored the idea of a fixed parliamentary calendar, while the 2002 National Commission on Constitutional Review recommended minimum sittings of 100 days for Rajya Sabha and 120 days for Lok Sabha. 
• Current Scenario of Parliamentary Sittings: The first Lok Sabha (1952-1957), under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, had an average of 135 sittings per year, whereas the 17^th Lok Sabha (2019-2024) sat for only 55 days annually, the lowest in history. 
• Constitutional Provisions: The Constitution does not mandate a fixed number of sessions or sitting days. 
  • However, Article 85 (Parliament) the President summons each House as needed, ensuring no more than six months between sessions. The President can also prorogue or dissolve the Lok Sabha. 
  • Article 174 (State Legislatures) the Governor has powers to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the Legislative Assembly, ensuring a maximum six-month gap between sessions. 

What is a Private Member Bill? 

Click Here to Read:  Private Members Bill 

 

What is the Bill Regarding Amending the POCSO Act, 2012? 

• Objective: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced, aims to make the POCSO Act more victim-centric and improve its implementation.  
• Provisions of Bill: POCSO (Amendment) Bill, 2024 mandates a 24-hour reporting rule, requiring police or the special juvenile police unit to present the child before the Child Welfare Committee and report the case to the Special Court (or Sessions Court, if unavailable). 
  • It strengthens victim support by ensuring timely compensation and structured procedures. 
  • It calls for enhanced stakeholder training, including police, educational institutions, and child care personnel, for better implementation. 
• Need for the Amendment:  According to NCRB data, POCSO cases have increased by 94% since 2017, with over 2 lakh registered cases as of May 2024. 
  • Lack of structured compensation procedures leads to long delays for victims. 
    • There is a shortage of Special Public Prosecutors trained for POCSO cases, affecting the sensitivity and efficiency in handling child sexual abuse cases. 
  • Many cases are not reported or delayed due to fear, stigma, or lack of awareness. 
  • A key gap in the POCSO Act, 2012 is the lack of "support persons" for victims, with 96% of cases lacking necessary support.  
    • These support persons, either individuals or organizations, help guide survivors through the legal process and ensure their well-being. 
    • Minors aged 16-18 engaging in consensual sexual activity may be charged under POCSO, leading to legal consequences like prolonged detention and the potential denial of bail. 
  • Additionally, the insufficient designation of POCSO courts further delays justice, as not all districts have these specialized courts. 

POCSO Act, 2012 

• The POCSO Act, 2012 is a law aimed at addressing the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.  
• The POCSO Act recognizes that both boys and girls can be victims of sexual abuse, and the crime is punishable regardless of the gender of the victim. It defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. 
• It mandates that the identity of child victims must be kept confidential, with no media disclosures about the victim’s name, address, or family details. 
• The Act mandates that individuals with knowledge of or reasonable suspicion of child abuse must report it to the relevant authorities. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Q. Evaluate the need for a minimum number of parliamentary sittings in the context of India's legislative accountability.

Q. What challenges are faced in the implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012, suggest measures to address?

 Prelims 

Q. Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation in the Constitution of India?(2017) 

1. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour 
2. Abolition of untouchability 
3. Protection of the interests of minorities 
4. Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines 

Select the correct answer using the code given below:  

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only  

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only  

(c) 1 and 4 only  

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4  

Ans: (c) 

---

Mains 

Q. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (2016)

Restructuring Skill India Programme

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation and restructuring of the Skill India Programme (SIP) by integrating 3 flagship schemes- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme into a composite Central Sector Scheme till March 2026.  

What is the Skill India Programme? 

• About: 
  • The Skill India Programme (SIP) is a skill development initiative launched in 2015 under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. 
  • Over 2.27 crore people have benefited so far from these schemes including rural youth, women, and marginalized communities. 
  • All the courses and certifications under the Skill India Program are aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and integrated with DigiLocker & National Credit Framework (NCrF), ensuring formal recognition and seamless transition into employment and higher education. 
• Objective: 
  • The programme aimed to train 40 crore individuals by 2022 across various skill sectors through key initiatives, including: 
    • National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) 
    • National Policy for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (2015) 
    • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 
    • Skill Loan Scheme 
• Key Components of Restructured SIP: 
  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0): 
    • It provides short-term training, reskilling, and upskilling. 
    • 400+ new courses introduced in emerging technologies like AI, 5G, cybersecurity, green hydrogen, and drone technology. 
    • Focus on international mobility and on-the-job training (OJT) by recognition of prior learning and equipping Indian workers with globally recognized skills. 
    • It aligns with PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, National Green Hydrogen Mission, and NAL JAL Mitra, ensuring cross-sector impact. 
    • Target Beneficiaries: Individuals aged 15-59 years. 
  • Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS): 
    • PM-NAPS aims to enhance apprenticeship training across industries. 
    • Provides 25% of the stipend (up to Rs 1,500 per apprentice per month) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for apprentices. 
    • Expands apprenticeship opportunities in AI, robotics, blockchain, green energy, Industry 4.0. 
    • Special focus on small establishments, MSMEs, aspirational districts, and the North-East Region. 
    • Target Beneficiaries: Individuals aged 14 to 35 years. 
  • Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme: 
    • The JSS scheme is a community-driven vocational training initiative aimed at empowering women, rural youth, and economically weaker sections in the 15-45 age group through low-cost, flexible skilling programs. 
    • It is linked with initiatives like PM JANMAN and Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) for inclusive skilling. 

Government Initiatives Related to Skill Development 

• SANKALP Scheme 
• TEJAS Skilling Project 
• Model Skill Loan Scheme 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims 

Q. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. 
2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, and financial and digital literacy. 
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 and 3 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (c)  

WAVES 2025 and Creative Economy

Source: ET 

The Prime Minister chaired a virtual meeting of WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) to amplify India's creative media and economy. 

WAVES: 

• WAVES is a global summit for the media and entertainment (M&E) industry, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.  
• The summit aims to bring together industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators to address challenges, explore prospects, and promote global trade, thereby influencing the future of the sector.  
• The summit launched the "Create in India Challenge," aimed at fostering innovation and creativity in India's creative and media economy. 

Creative Economy (Orange Economy): 

• The creative economy is a knowledge-based sector involving the creation, production, and distribution of creative goods and services.  
  • It includes industries like advertising, architecture, arts, fashion, film, music, photography, publishing, R&D, and software. 
• India's creative industry is valued at USD 30 billion and employs nearly 8% of the country's working population. In 2023, India had over 100 million content creators. 

India's Media and Entertainment (M&E): 

• India's M&E industry, the world's fifth-largest (1st  is US), is projected to grow to USD 44.2 billion by 2028. 

 

Read More: Create in India Challenge to Boost Creators' Economy