India as the World Largest Plastic Polluter

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

A recent study published in the journal Nature has revealed that India is the highest contributor to global plastic pollution. 

• India accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total plastic waste generated worldwide. 

What are the Key Findings of the Study? 

• Plastic Waste Generation: India generates approximately 9.3 million tonnes of plastic pollution annually. Out of this, 5.8 million tonnes (mt) are incinerated, while 3.5 million tonnes are released into the environment as debris. 
  • This figure is significantly higher than Nigeria (3.5 mt), Indonesia (3.4 mt), and China (2.8 mt). 
  • India’s waste generation rate is approximately 0.12 kilograms per capita per day.  
• Global North-South Divide: Plastic waste emissions are highest across countries in Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and South-eastern Asia. There is a clear divide in plastic pollution sources.  
  • Global South countries, such as India, often rely on open burning for waste management, while the Global North uses controlled systems, leading to less unmanaged waste. 
• Disparity Between High and Low Income Countries: Globally, 69% or 35.7 Mt per year of plastic waste emissions come from 20 countries.  
  • In the Global South, plastic pollution mainly comes from open burning due to poor waste management, while in the Global North, it's mostly from uncontrolled debris.  
  • High-income countries have higher plastic waste generation rates but are not among the top 90 polluters due to 100% collection coverage and controlled disposal. 
• Criticism of Research: 
  • Narrow Focus: The study overemphasised waste management, neglecting the need to reduce plastic production. 
  • Misplaced Priorities: It could divert attention from upstream solutions like phasing out single-use plastics. 
  • Industry Support: Endorsement by plastics industry groups raises concerns about aligning with industry interests rather than broader environmental goals. 
  • Undermining Comprehensive Solutions: The study’s focus on waste management might weaken efforts to address production and recycling issues.

What are the Reasons for High Plastic Pollution in India? 

• Rapid Population Growth and Urbanization: India's rising population and affluence drive higher consumption and waste generation. Urbanisation intensifies the problem by increasing the demand for plastic products and packaging. 
• Inadequate Waste Management Infrastructure: India's waste management infrastructure is insufficient to handle the large volumes of waste, with more uncontrolled dumping sites than sanitary landfills, reflecting poor disposal facilities and practices. 
• Discrepancies in Waste Collection Data: India's official waste collection rate is overstated at 95%, while research suggests the actual rate is around 81%, revealing a significant gap in efficiency. 
• Open Burning of Waste: India burns approximately 5.8 million tons of plastic waste each year, worsening pollution and releasing toxic pollutants that pose health and environmental risks. 
• Informal Sector Recycling: The unregulated informal recycling sector handles much plastic waste not accounted for in official statistics, complicating the understanding of plastic pollution levels. 

What are the Issues Associated With Mismanaged Plastic Waste in India? 

• Environmental Degradation: Plastic waste clogs waterways, leading to flooding and marine pollution. It harms marine life through ingestion, while burning it releases toxic pollutants, worsening air quality. 
• Public Health Concerns: Microplastics in water and food pose potential long-term health risks.  
  • Plastic waste creates breeding grounds for disease vectors, increasing the spread of diseases like dengue and malaria.  
  • Burning plastic also releases harmful substances affecting respiratory health. 
• Economic Challenges:  According to a FICCI report, India could lose over USD 133 billion worth of material value used in plastic packaging by 2030, with uncollected plastic packaging waste accounting for USD 68 billion of this loss. 
• E-commerce and Packaging Waste: Rapid e-commerce growth has led to increased plastic packaging waste, much of which is difficult to recycle and ends up as litter or in landfills. 
• Regulatory and Enforcement Challenges: Inconsistent enforcement of plastic waste regulations and issues with the Extended Producer Responsibility system hamper effective waste management.  
  • India is among the top contributors to global plastic waste. 
• Microplastic Pollution in Agriculture: Plastic use in agriculture and inadequate wastewater treatment lead to microplastics accumulating in soil, impacting soil health and food safety. 
• Technological and Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate waste segregation and processing facilities, along with limited advanced recycling technology, hinder effective plastic waste management. A lack of comprehensive waste tracking further complicates efforts. 

What are the Regulations Related to Plastic Waste Management in India?   

• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016  
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018: Applies phasing out of multi-layered plastic (MLP) to those that are non-recyclable, non-energy recoverable, or have no alternate use.  
  • Establishes a central registration system by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for producers, importers, and brand owners.  
• Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021: Prohibits specific single-use plastic items by 2022 due to low utility and high littering potential.  
  • Enforces collection and environmental management of plastic packaging waste through EPR.  
  • Increases plastic carry bag thickness from 50 microns to 75 microns by September 2021 and to 120 microns by December 2022.  
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022  
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 
• Other Initiatives: 
  • Swachh Bharat Mission 
  • India Plastics Pact 
  • Project REPLAN 
  • Un-Plastic Collective 
  • GoLitter Partnerships Project 

Way Forward

• Circular Economy: Promote RRR i.e. reduce, reuse and recyclability in design, set up recovery facilities, incentivize recycled plastics, and mandate recycled content in products. 
• Smart Waste Management: Integrate smart technology in waste management with IoT-enabled bins, AI for sorting, and mobile apps for reporting illegal dumping and locating recycling centres. 
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Strengthen EPR by introducing graded fees for difficult-to-recycle plastics, a plastic credit trading system, and extending EPR to the informal sector for better waste picker conditions. 
• Awareness Campaigns: Launch national campaigns in multiple languages, integrate plastic waste education in schools, conduct community workshops, and use influencers to promote plastic-free lifestyles. Establish a national innovation challenge for youth involvement. 
• Waste-to-Energy: Invest in advanced waste-to-energy technologies like pyrolysis and gasification for non-recyclable plastics. Ensure strict emissions controls and use generated energy to power waste management facilities. 
• Green Procurement: Apply plastic waste reduction criteria in government procurement and use government buildings as models.

Drishti Mains Question:  What are the issues and challenges associated with plastic waste management? What steps should be taken to tackle plastic waste in India?

5 Years of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

Recently, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), launched on 12th September 2019, has completed five successful years. 

What is the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY)? 

• About: 
  • Eligibility: The scheme has been started to provide social security to all landholding Small and Marginal Farmers (farmers whose land holdings are upto two hectares of land in the country). 
• Current Status: 
  • As of August 2024, 23.38 lakh farmers have enrolled, with Bihar and Jharkhand leading in registrations. 
    • Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha have over 2.5 lakh, 2 lakh, and 1.5 lakh farmer registrations, respectively.  
    • This widespread participation highlights increasing awareness and growing adoption of the scheme among small and marginal farmers, reflecting its importance in ensuring financial stability for this vulnerable segment. 

 

• Key Benefits under PM-KMY: 
  • Monthly Contributions: Contributions range from Rs 55 to Rs 200, based on the subscriber's age at enrollment. 
  • Equal Government Contribution: The Central Government contributes an equal amount to the pension fund as the subscriber. 
  • Minimum Assured Pension: Each subscriber is entitled to a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs 3,000 per month upon reaching 60 years of age. 
  • Family Pension: Upon the subscriber's demise, the spouse will receive a family pension of Rs 1,500 per month, provided they are not already a scheme beneficiary. 
  • PM-KISAN Benefit: Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) may utilise their Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) benefits for voluntary contributions, with necessary authorisation for auto-debit. 
• Leaving the Pension Scheme: 
  • If the subscriber exits before reaching age sixty, they will receive their contribution plus accumulated interest. 
  • If a subscriber passes away while receiving their pension, their spouse will be entitled to a family pension equal to 50% of the amount the subscriber was receiving i.e. Rs.1500 per month as Family Pension.  
  • Upon the subscriber’s and spouse’s death, the remaining corpus shall be returned to the fund. 
• Management of Scheme: 
  • The pension fund is managed by Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) with registration facilitated through Common Service Centres (CSCs) and State Governments. 

What are the Key Initiatives of Government Related to Agriculture?  

• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
• Soil Health Card Scheme
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)  
• e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)  
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)  
• Digital Agriculture Mission  
• Unified Farmer Service Platform (UFSP)  
• National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A)  
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) 

Conclusion

Over five years of its implementation, the PM-KMY has substantially empowered Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) across India. A key achievement of the scheme is its contribution to financial stability for farmers, who often face uncertain futures due to the seasonal and volatile nature of agriculture. By ensuring a pension for their retirement years, PM-KMY has filled a crucial gap in social security for the rural populace, underscoring its vital role in enhancing the quality of life for the nation’s "Annadata."  

Drishti Mains Question:  Discuss the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) on the financial security of Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) in India.

WHO Guidelines on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) published “Guidance on wastewater and solid waste management for manufacturing of antibiotics” to tackle the threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). 

What are the Key Highlights of the Guidance?

• About: The document provides a scientific framework for regulators, industry, and other stakeholders to effectively control antibiotic resistance.
• Objective: The guidance aims to offer a scientific foundation for setting and incorporating targets into policies and regulations to prevent antibiotic resistance.
• Non-binding Nature: The guidance is not legally binding. However, it helps ensure consistency across policies and market instruments, promoting transparency and avoiding fragmented approaches.
• Principles and Best Practices:
  • Risk Management Plans: Includes best practices for developing risk management plans, based on proven methods in other sectors like food and water safety.
  • Audit and Transparency: Emphasises the importance of internal and external audits and public transparency.
  • Progressive Implementation: Encourages a stepwise approach with progressive improvement, recognising the need for global supply protection and equitable access to quality antibiotics.
• Target Audiences:
  • Regulatory Bodies: National or regional authorities responsible for overseeing pharmaceutical manufacturing and waste management.
    • Third-party organisations conducting audits and inspections of antibiotic production and waste management.
  • Generic Substitution and Reimbursement Entities: Bodies responsible for decisions related to generic drugs and their reimbursement.
  • Industrial Actors: Companies involved in any stage of antibiotic production and their collective organisations.
  • Waste Management Services: Entities managing the disposal of antibiotic waste and wastewater.
• Scope of the Guidance:
  • Human Health-Based Targets: Focuses on reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
  • Ecotoxicological Risks: Addresses risks to aquatic life from antibiotic pollution.
  • Coverage: Includes all stages of antibiotic production, from manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to finished products and primary packaging.
  • Waste Focus: Applies to both liquid and solid waste, emphasising liquid effluents, run-offs, and land discharges.
  • Assessment Needs: Requires separate risk assessments for manufacturing sites producing multiple APIs or products, considering both pre- and post-dilution risks in water bodies and the release of resistant bacteria.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?

• About AMR: AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. 
  • As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
• Prevalence of AMR: AMR is one of the top global public health and development threats. 
  • It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.
• Economic Cost of AMR: The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in USD 1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050.
  • It can lead to USD 1 trillion to USD 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030.
• Reasons for Increasing AMR: 
  • Individual Practices: Many people have a tendency to use antibiotics even for viral infections. An antibiotic is of no use for viral infections such as influenza, but consuming it can drive up resistance in the population.
  • Medical Practices: Doctors prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics that work against a wide range of infections.
    • Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics leads to increased resistance as antibiotics may not be required in the body.
  • Diagnostic Challenges: Doctors often prescribe antibiotics based on symptoms alone instead of prescribing diagnostic tests to identify the exact cause of the infection. 
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Pharmaceutical waste from antibiotic manufacturing can facilitate the emergence of new drug-resistant bacteria, which can spread globally and threaten our health.
• Common Resistant Pathogens in India:
  • E. Coli (Gut infections): It demonstrated a decrease in susceptibility to most antibiotics, with susceptibility to carbapenem (antibiotics) reducing from 81.4% in 2017 to 62.7% in 2023.
  • Klebsiella Pneumoniae (Pneumonia and Urinary Tract Infections): Its susceptibility to two different medicines from the carbapenem class reduced from 58.5% to 35.6% and 48% to 37.6% between 2017 and 2023.
  • Acinetobacter Baumannii (Hospital Acquired Infections): While no significant change was found in susceptibility, it is highly resistant to even strong antibiotics.

How can AMR be Tackled?

• Public Awareness Campaign: A well-executed long-term public campaign could significantly reduce antimicrobial prescriptions by addressing patient demands and over-the-counter purchases.
• Improved Sanitation: Enhanced sanitation measures, like regular handwashing, waste management, and clean surroundings, help break the chain of transmission of both common and resistant pathogens. 
• Reduce Unnecessary Use of Antimicrobials: Doctors should ensure appropriate use of antibiotics and reserve the more potent ones for hospital based patients.
• Promote New and Rapid Diagnostics: Develop and use rapid diagnostic tests to avoid unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
• Vaccine Development and Alternative Therapies: Investing in new vaccines and alternatives like phage therapy, probiotics, and antibodies will help reduce antibiotic dependency.
• New Drug Development: Incentivizing pharmaceutical companies to develop new antibiotics is essential, given the uncertainties and current effectiveness of existing treatments.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Critically examine the primary causes of Antimicrobial resistance and discuss the multifaceted strategies needed to combat its rise.

First Legally Binding International AI Treaty

Source: BS

Why in News?

According to the Council of Europe, the first legally binding international treaty on Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be open for signing by the participating nations, including European Union members, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

What are the Key Facts about the AI Convention?

• About:
  • “The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law”, primarily emphasises the protection of human rights for individuals impacted by AI systems and operates independently of the EU AI Act.
    • The EU AI Act establishes comprehensive regulations governing the development, deployment, and use of AI systems within the EU's internal market. 
  • The AI Convention has been under development for several years and was adopted in May 2024 following deliberations among 57 countries.
  • It aims to mitigate the risks associated with artificial intelligence while fostering responsible innovation.
• The Conditions for the Treaty:
  • Human-Centric AI: The treaty mandates that AI systems must be designed and operated in alignment with human rights principles, ensuring they support and uphold democratic values.
  • Transparency and Accountability: The treaty stipulates that AI systems, particularly those interacting with humans, must operate transparently. 
    • It also requires governments to provide legal recourse when AI systems infringe on human rights.
  • Risk Management and Oversight: The treaty establishes frameworks for assessing and managing the risks associated with AI, along with oversight mechanisms to ensure adherence to safety and ethical standards.
  • Protection Against Misuse: The treaty incorporates safeguards to prevent AI from being used to undermine democratic processes, including the preservation of judicial independence and ensuring public access to justice.
• Key Enforcement Mechanisms:
  • Legal Accountability: Signatory nations are required to enact legislative and administrative measures to ensure AI systems adhere to the treaty's principles like human rights and accountability in AI deployment.
  • Monitoring and Oversight: The treaty establishes oversight mechanisms to monitor compliance with AI standards. 
  • International Cooperation: The treaty promotes collaboration among signatories to harmonise AI standards, share best practices, and address transnational AI issues, recognizing the global nature of AI technologies.
  • Adaptability: The framework is designed to be technology-neutral, enabling it to evolve alongside advancements in AI, ensuring that standards remain relevant and enforceable as AI technologies rapidly progress.
• Exception in the Treaty: The treaty applies to all AI systems except those used in national security or defense, though it still requires that these activities respect international laws and democratic principles.

What is the Significance of the AI Convention?

• Comprehensive Drafting: The treaty was meticulously drafted adopting a risk-based approach to the design, development, use, and decommissioning of AI systems.
• Broad Applicability: It applies to AI systems across both the public sector, and the private sector, with enforcement across various geographical regions.
• Global Legal Standard: The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence represents a first-of-its-kind, globally binding treaty designed to respond to the need for an international legal standard endorsed by states across different continents with shared values.
• Balancing Innovation and Risk: The treaty aims to promote the responsible use of AI by harnessing its benefits while effectively mitigating associated risks, ensuring that AI development aligns with human rights, the rule of law, and democratic principles.

What are the Issues and Concerns of the AI Convention?

• Concerns Over Enforcement: Despite being labelled as "legally binding," the treaty has raised concerns due to its lack of provisions for punitive sanctions, such as penalties or fines, which weakens its deterrent effect from an enforcement perspective.
• Reliance on Monitoring: Compliance with the treaty is primarily ensured through "monitoring" mechanisms, which may not be sufficient to effectively enforce the treaty's provisions.
• Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Striking the right balance between stringent regulations and fostering innovation is a critical concern. Excessive regulatory burdens may stifle the development of AI technologies, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, thereby affecting competitiveness in the global AI market.
• National Sovereignty vs. International Standards: The convention's provisions may conflict with national laws, creating tensions between state sovereignty.
• Addressing National Security Concerns: While the convention attempts to balance AI governance with national security interests, the intersection of AI with defense and intelligence activities presents challenges. Ensuring that national security is not compromised while maintaining ethical AI practices requires a delicate balancing act, which the convention may struggle to achieve.

Conclusion

“The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law” marks a pivotal advancement in the global governance of artificial intelligence. By engaging with the critical interplay between AI, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, it addresses a vital deficiency in current regulatory structures. Its comprehensive scope, including provisions for national security considerations, establishes a benchmark for responsible AI governance, fostering international cooperation and setting standards that could resonate both regionally and globally.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Discuss the key issues and concerns associated with Europe's AI Convention in the context of global artificial intelligence governance.

Differential Benefits of Rural Electrification

Source: TH

Why in News? 

Recently, a study based on the 2011 census examined the effects of the 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY)' programme, which aimed to electrify over 400,000 villages across India.

• RGGVY (launch-2005) was renamed as the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) in 2014.

What are the Key Highlights of the Study?

• Disproportionate Benefits to Larger Villages: Larger villages (around 2,000 people) experienced substantial economic benefits from full electrification than smaller villages (300 people). 
  • Smaller villages experienced a "zero return" on electrification even after 20 years. 
  • Larger villages showed a much higher return of 33%, with a 90% chance that the economic benefits would outweigh the electrification costs.
• Impact on Per-Capita Monthly Expenditure: In smaller villages, per-capita monthly expenditure showed minimal change after electrification, indicating limited economic benefits.
  • In contrast, larger villages saw a significant increase in per-capita monthly expenditure, which doubled due to full electrification. This increase amounted to approximately Rs 1,428 (about USD 17) per month.

What is Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)?

• About: It is a rural electrification scheme of the Ministry of Power (MoP) that aims to provide continuous 24x7 electricity supply in rural areas, aligning with the government’s broader vision of energy access for all.
• Components of the DDUGJY: 
  
  • To ensure judicious distribution of electricity to agricultural and non-agricultural consumers.
  • Metering of distribution transformers, feeders, and consumers to reduce electricity losses and improve efficiency.
  • Establishment of microgrid and off-grid to ensure electricity reaches remote and isolated areas. 
• Nodal Agency: The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) serves as the nodal agency responsible for the implementation of DDUGJY under the overall guidance of the Ministry of Power.

What are Other Initiatives for Electrification?

• Saubhagya Scheme
• Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS)
• Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY)
• GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran) App

Read More: Saubhagya Scheme

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Rural electrification is a critical component of socio-economic development in India. Discuss.

Teal Carbon Study at Keoladeo National Park

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, India's first study on 'teal carbon' was undertaken at Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district.

• Research has found elevated methane emissions, leading to a recommendation to use specialized biochar to reduce these levels.
• It highlighted the importance of wetland conservation in addressing climate adaptation and resilience challenges. The pilot project aimed to develop nature-based solutions to address climate change.

Note: 

• Biochar is a carbon-rich material that enhances soil fertility, water retention, and crop productivity. 
• It is made through pyrolysis, which involves heating biomass with little or no oxygen.

What is Teal Carbon?

• About: 
  • Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in freshwater (non-tidal) wetlands, including vegetation, microbial biomass, and dissolved and particulate organic matter.
• Types of Carbon:
  • Teal Carbon is categorised based on its role in ecosystems and its location, distinguishing it from black carbon and brown carbon. 
    • Unlike black and brown carbon, which are formed from the incomplete combustion of organic matter and contribute to climate change, teal carbon focuses on carbon sequestration within wetland ecosystems.
  • Black Carbon: It is a sooty black material emitted from the burning of fossil fuels, comprising a significant portion of particulate matter air pollution.
  • Brown Carbon: Produced from the incomplete combustion of organic materials like biomass. It absorbs UV and visible solar radiation, contributing to global warming.
  • Blue Carbon: Carbon stored in the atmosphere and oceans.
  • Green Carbon: Carbon sequestered in terrestrial plants through the process of photosynthesis.
  • Gray Carbon: Emitted from industrial processes and stored in fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and biogas.
  • Red Carbon: Released by biological particles found on snow and ice.
• Role in Climate Change:
  • Teal carbon ecosystems can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon, raising groundwater levels, reducing urban heat islands, controlling greenhouse gasses and mitigating floods.
• Primary Reservoirs:
  • The primary reservoirs of teal carbon include peatlands, freshwater swamps, and natural freshwater marshes. These ecosystems are major contributors to the global carbon sequestration total.
  • The global storage of teal carbon across ecosystems is estimated at approximately 500.21 petagrams of carbon (PgC).
• Threat:
  • They are highly vulnerable to degradation due to pollution, land use changes, water extraction, and landscape modifications which threaten their ability to store carbon and maintain ecological balance.

Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2024

Source: PIB

Recently, the 20^th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024 began at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan.

• Exercise YUDH ABHYAS has been held annually since 2004, alternating between India and the USA.
• This year's exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in a semi-desert environment. The aim is to enhance joint military capability and cooperation under Chapter VII of the United Nations(UN) Charter.
  • Chapter VII of the UN charter provides the framework for the Security Council to take enforcement action, including determining threats to peace and taking non-military and military measures to maintain or restore international peace and security.
• Major Exercises Between India- USA: Ex VAJRA PRAHAR (Army), SALVEX (Indian Navy), Cope India (Air Force) and Malabar Exercise (Quadrilateral naval exercise of India, USA, Japan and Australia).

Source: Major Military Exercises of India

Glass Ceiling

Source: IE

Recently, Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State stated that Kamala Kamala Harris' confirmation as the Democratic presidential candidate could break the "highest, hardest glass ceiling" for women in politics. 

• Clinton, the first woman to be nominated for president by a major US party in 2016, believes this could lead to Harris becoming the 47th US President.

Glass Ceiling:

• It refers to the invisible barriers that prevent women and other marginalised groups from advancing to senior positions in their careers, despite having the qualifications and capabilities to do so.
• The phrase gained traction during the Second Wave of Feminism in the USA in the 1960s and 1970s, a time when women were increasingly demanding equality in the workplace. 
  • This period saw the introduction of laws in the US aimed at combating discrimination, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Despite advancements, the persistence of the glass ceiling was underscored by the Glass Ceiling Commission (1991) established by the US President, which found that although women made up nearly 46% of the workforce and earned more than half of all master’s degrees, 95% of senior-level managers were men.

Read More: Empowering Women, Elevating India. 

Indigenous Mpox Detection RT-PCR kit Developed

Source: IE

Recently, India has developed an indigenous Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing kit for detecting Mpox (previously known as monkeypox). 

• These kits are developed by Siemens Healthcare, Transasia Diagnostics, and JITM C Genes which are approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
• The new RT-PCR kits provide results in 40 minutes, compared to traditional methods, which take one to two hours.
  • These RT-PCR kits ensure detection across both clade I and clade II variants.
• Mpox: Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus. It has two distinct variants namely clade I and clade II.
  • It was first discovered in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Mpox spreads through close contact like skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, or mouth-to-skin interactions, as well as face-to-face contact (talking).
  • WHO declared Mpox, a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) twice, the first time in May 2022 and the second time in August 2024.
  • The first Mpox cases were reported in India in 2022. 

Read More: Mpox Virus

Indian and Chinese Warships in Colombo Port

Source: TH

Recently, India's guided-missile destroyer, INS Mumbai and three Chinese warships visited Colombo port in Sri Lanka on the same day.

• INS Mumbai is on its first port of call in Sri Lanka.
  • A port of call is an intermediate stop for a ship on its scheduled journey for cargo operation or transporting supplies or fuel.
• Strategic Implications of Chinese warships for India: 
  • Heightened Concerns: The Indian Navy closely monitored the movement of the Chinese warships, Hefei, Qilianshan, and Wuzhishan, from their entry into the  Indian Ocean Region (IOR) until their docking at Colombo.
  • Extended Naval Presence in the IOR: The Chinese Navy has intensified its presence in the IOR with warships extending their stay for a longer period.
  • China's Naval Expansion: The Chinese Navy with over 370 ships, is now the largest navy in the world.
  • Potential Overseas Military Bases: The intelligence report indicates that China is exploring the establishment of military facilities in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
• Port of Colombo is located in southwestern Sri Lanka. It is also the country’s biggest shipping harbour.

Read More: Chinese Dual-Use Facilities Raise Security Concerns in India

Punjab's Strategic Push Against Stubble Burning

Source: TOI

Punjab is intensifying efforts to address stubble burning by deploying subsidised crop residue management (CRM) machines and facilitating the import of Baler Machines.

• Punjab aims to manage 20 million metric tonnes of paddy residue by expanding both in-situ and ex-situ CRM practices. Last year's stubble burning incidents decreased to 35,000, down from pre-Covid levels.
• The state will distribute 22,000 subsidised CRM machines this season, adding to the 130,000 already provided since 2018. Individual farmers receive a 50% subsidy on CRM equipment, while 80% subsidy is available for cooperative societies, Farmer Producer Organizations, and panchayats.
• Post-Supreme Court directives in November 2023, the state government enforced strict measures with disciplinary action against police officers and fines for violations.
  • The Supreme Court strongly urged Delhi's neighbouring states (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan) to immediately act against stubble burning.
  • The Court directed the state governments to stop crop burning immediately, noting that the fight against stubble burning should not be political and should be viewed from the perspectives of public health, ecology and sustainable agriculture.

Read More: Bringing an End to Stubble Burning