UNICEF’s Prospects for Children in 2025 Report

Source: DTE 

Why in News?  

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report "Prospects for Children in 2025: Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures" warns of escalating global crises and their potential impacting children.  

• It highlights the urgent need to strengthen national systems to protect children and provide essential support. 

What are the Key Highlights of the UNICEF Report on Children's Challenges? 

• Impact of Conflict on Children: In 2023, over 473 million children, or more than one in six globally, lived in conflict zones. The proportion of children affected by conflict has nearly doubled from 10% in the 1990s to 19%. 
  • Children face risks such as displacement, starvation, disease, and psychological trauma. 
• Debt Crisis and its Impact on Children: Nearly 400 million children live in countries burdened by debt, limiting investments in education, healthcare, and social services. 
  • The World Bank  estimates that a 5% rise in external debt for  low- and middle-income countries could cut education spending by USD 12.8 billion. In 15 African countries, debt servicing exceeds education spending, while over 40 low-income nations spend more on debt than health.  
    • Debt service now outpaces social protection by 11 times, leaving 1.8 billion children vulnerable to economic shocks and deepening poverty. 
• Climate Change Impact: Only 2.4% of global climate finance is allocated to child-responsive initiatives, weakening social services crucial for children. 
• Digital Inequality: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is transforming how governments deliver essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection to children. 
  • However, a significant digital divide exists, with youth (15-24 years) in high-income countries enjoying internet access, while only 53% of youth in Africa have internet access, especially in low-income countries. 
  • Adolescent girls and children with disabilities are particularly impacted, with 9 out of 10 adolescent girls in low-income countries being offline. 
• Recommendations for Action: The report calls for additional financing for climate recovery efforts, including support for children’s healthcare, education, and psychological well-being during climate disasters. 
  • Create inclusive, fair, and responsible systems that prioritize children’s rights and needs. 
  • Ensure better integration of child rights in digital initiatives to bridge the inequality gap. 

What are the Challenges Faced By Children in Contemporary India? 

• Climate and Environmental Hazards: India ranks 26th out of 163 countries in the Children’s Climate Risk Index, with children facing escalating risks from extreme heat, floods, and air pollution.  
  • Exposure to heatwaves is expected to increase eightfold compared to the 2000s. These climate crises will further strain children's health and education, particularly in rural and low-income areas where access to healthcare and education is already limited. 
• Child Trafficking:  India faces widespread child trafficking, where children are exploited for labor, begging, sexual services, and child pornography. 
• Child Labor: As per Census 2011, 259.6 million children (5-14 years) reside in India, with 10.1 million working, mostly in agriculture, domestic work, and small industries. 
  • Despite laws like the Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (1986), which regulate rather than ban child labor. Recent amendments allow children to work in family enterprises, raising concerns about potential exploitation, especially in rural and informal economies. 
• Juvenile Crimes: In India, a total of 30,555 crimes were committed by minors in 2022. The root causes include factors like poverty and lack of education. 
• Child Marriage: India ranks 4th in South Asia for child marriage, following Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan. 
  • Early marriage not only limits educational and health opportunities for girls but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. 
• Gender Inequality: Girls in India, particularly from low-income or rural backgrounds, face higher risks of dropping out of school, early marriage, and inadequate healthcare. 
• Disadvantaged Children: Children from rural areas, slums, scheduled castes and tribes, and urban poor families face severe deprivation in key areas such as Poverty, malnutrition, poor school attendance, inadequate sanitation, and poor access to clean water. 
• Population Growth: By 2050, India will have 350 million children, making up 15% of the global child population. With urbanization, nearly half of India's population will live in cities, requiring climate-resilient, child-friendly urban planning.

Way Forward 

• Sustainable Future for Children: Ensure access to healthcare and family planning services to address demographic transitions. Develop child-friendly cities with inclusive spaces and infrastructure for marginalized children. 
  • Prioritize children’s needs in climate strategies and integrate resilience into local planning. 
  • Promote digital literacy and implement rights-based governance for emerging technologies. 
• Poverty Alleviation: Strengthen schemes like PM POSHAN and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to address child malnutrition and provide income security for families. 
  • Enhance access to affordable healthcare and sanitation in rural and urban poor communities. 
• Strict Enforcement Against Trafficking: Bolster the implementation of anti-trafficking laws with community-based vigilance systems. 
  • Increase penalties and address systemic corruption to prevent trafficking networks. 
  • Expand NCLP efforts to remove children from hazardous occupations and provide them with education. 
• Education Reform:  Improve infrastructure and quality of government schools, particularly in rural areas, through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the DIKSHA platform.  
  • Regulate and monitor fee structures of private schools, ensuring affordability and preventing exploitation.  
• Juveniles in Conflict with Law: Focus on rehabilitation programs rather than punitive measures. Allocate greater resources for child protection and reintegration services. 
• Eradication of Child Marriage:  Offer vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities to at-risk girls and microloans to families to reduce early marriage pressures. 

Drishti Mains Question:  Discuss the impact of global crises like conflict and climate change on children. How can countries, including India, address these challenges?

2025 as International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation

Source: HT

Why in News?

The United Nations will observe 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, with 21^st March marked annually as World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025. 

What are Glaciers? 

• About: Glaciers are large, slow-moving masses of ice formed from compacted snow over centuries. 
  • They form on land and move due to gravity, slowly moving downward. 
• Historical Context: Most glaciers today are remnants of the massive ice sheets that covered Earth during the Ice Age (around 10,000 years ago).  
  • During Earth’s history, there have been glacial periods (or ice ages) when glaciers formed and interglacial periods when glaciers melted. 
• Global Distribution: Most glaciers are found in polar regions such as Greenland, the Canadian Arctic, and Antarctica because of low solar insolation received in higher latitudes. 
  • Tropical glaciers exist in mountain ranges near the Equator, like the Andes in South America at high altitudes. 
  • Approximately 2% of the Earth's water is stored in glaciers. 

• Glaciers Melting: Rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have increased temperatures, especially at the poles, causing glaciers to melt, calve into the sea, and retreat on land.   
  • Even with major emission cuts, over a third of the world’s glaciers will melt by 2100. 
• Importance:  
  • Water Supply:  Glaciers are a vital source of drinking water for millions of people, especially in arid regions.  
    • Glaciers provide up to 27% of the Amu Darya's river flow in late summer, while La Paz (capital of Bolivia), relies on glacial meltwater during dry periods. 
    • In Ladakh, India, artificial glaciers known as ice stupa store water in winter and release it in spring, providing vital irrigation for crops in the cold desert region. 
  • Nutrient Cycling: Glaciers release nutrients that support phytoplankton growth, which forms the foundation of aquatic food chains, affecting marine biodiversity and fisheries. 
  • Climate Regulation: Glaciers play a role in regulating Earth's climate by reflecting sunlight (albedo effect), helping to cool the planet.  
  • Energy Production: Glacial meltwater is harnessed to generate hydroelectric power in countries like Norway, Canada, and New Zealand.  
  • Tourism: Glaciers attract tourists to mountainous regions, supporting cryo biodiversity and providing opportunities for research and education.  

What is the Current Status of Glaciers? 

• Global Glaciers: The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) which tracks 210,000 glaciers show that between 1976 and 2023 a large-scale deglaciation was observed in recent years. 
  • WGMS monitors and assesses the state of glaciers around the world and works under the auspices of the UN Environment, the UNESCO, and the WMO. 
• Regional Glaciers: The Hindu Kush Himalayan cryosphere is warming at twice the global average rate.  
  • The region is most vulnerable to glacial disasters like Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. 
  • The cryosphere refers to the frozen water part of the Earth’s system, encompassing all the areas where water exists in a solid state. 
• Retreat of Glaciers: Experts predict the disappearance of several significant glaciers by 2030, with many larger glaciers splitting into smaller ones. 
  • E.g., Yala Glacier in Nepal’s Langtang Valley and Peyto Glacier in Western Canada have retreated with significant elevation loss. 
    • Humboldt glacier in Venezuela has shrunk significantly and is now classified as an ice field. 
  • The retreat of glaciers means shrinking and disappearing of glaciers. 
• International Response: In December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution highlighting the urgency of glacier loss and promoting global awareness. 
  • Initiatives like the International Year of Glaciers and World Glacier Day are initiatives in this regard.

What are the Impacts of Melting Glaciers? 

• Negative Impacts: 
  • Sea Level Rise: Melting glaciers, particularly from Greenland and Antarctica, significantly contribute to sea level rise leading to coastal erosion and more intense cyclones.  
    • If all glaciers and ice sheets melted, global sea level would rise by more than 195 feet (60 meters). 
  • Weather Pattern Disruptions: Melting ice exposes water surfaces, absorbing more heat and disrupting normal ocean circulation.  
    • This affects global weather patterns, including altering the polar vortex and jet stream, leading to more extreme weather events. 
  • Impacts on Humans: Warming oceans change fish spawning patterns, negatively affecting industries that depend on healthy fisheries disrupting food security and livelihoods. 
    • Coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to flooding and salt water intrusion. 
  • Wildlife Loss: In the Arctic, melting sea ice is forcing species like walruses and polar bears to move onto land, increasing human-wildlife conflicts.  
    • Arctic sea ice loss could push polar bears to extinction by 2100. 
    • The cryosphere supports specialized ecosystems, such as Arctic tundra (polar bears, Arctic foxes), Antarctic ice sheets (penguins, seals), and Alpine regions (Snow leopards and coniferous trees). 
• Positive Impacts (Short-Term):  
  • New Energy Sources: More geothermal energy sources may be uncovered in regions with volcanic activity e.g., Kamchatka peninsula. 
  • Shorter Shipping Routes: Melting ice has opened up passages like the Northern Sea Route that can significantly shorten the journey between Europe and Asia. 
  • New Water and Land Resources: New water sources may become accessible in areas that previously had limited freshwater supply.  
    • Previously snow-covered areas like Siberia may open up for cultivation. 
  • Potential for Biodiversity: Glacier retreat could create new habitats for pioneering species, leading to more diverse ecosystems over time. 

What are the Proposed Key Activities for Glaciers' Preservation?  

• Global Outreach: A media campaign to educate the public and stakeholders on glaciers' importance and the impact of their loss. 
  • Work with global figures, including youth ambassadors, to enhance outreach efforts. 
  • Coordinate with other global bodies for GHGs reduction, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading melting of glaciers. 
• International Conferences: International conference convened by Tajikistan in 2025 and International Water Conference (IWC11) 2025 by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will focus on innovative approaches for preservation of glaciers. 
• Capacity Building: Provide targeted capacity-building programs for local communities, policymakers, and scientists to improve their understanding of glacier dynamics and best practices for preservation. 
• Research and Monitoring: Address the cross-border impacts of glacier retreat, develop and enhance global cryosphere data systems and incorporate Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) to improve monitoring and decision-making. 
• Policy Integration: Advocate for the inclusion of glacier preservation into national and regional climate strategies, water management policies, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) frameworks. 
• Funding Initiatives: Secure funding from governments, international organizations, private sectors, and philanthropic foundations to support glacier monitoring, research, and preservation projects. 

Conclusion 

The preservation of glaciers is crucial for maintaining global water resources, regulating climate, and supporting biodiversity. Their rapid melt due to climate change poses significant risks to sea levels, ecosystems, and human populations, urging international efforts for conservation and sustainable management. 

Drishti Mains Question:  How do glaciers impact global water supply and climate regulation, and what are the effects of retreating of glaciers?

Centre-State Revenue Dynamics

Source: TH 

Why in News?

In the past decade (Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) to FY25), the share of States' revenue derived from Central transfers and grants has significantly increased, highlighting a growing dependence on the Centre.  

• A significant rise in the Centre’s share of state revenue, coupled with declining efficiency in states' tax collection efforts, has deepened this reliance.  

What are the Key Trends in States’ Revenue Composition? 

• Pandemic Aftermath: States’ revenue expenditures increased by 14% during the Covid pandemic due to welfare measures. 
  • Capital expenditure for infrastructure slowed, affecting long-term economic growth. 
• Debt-to-GDP Ratio Trends: While states' debt-to-GDP ratio (relative measure of debt compared to economic output) is at 28.5% in March 2024. This indicates that states' fiscal health is still under strain. 
  • State debt levels exceed the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management committee's recommended debt-to-GDP ratio of 20% for states, highlighting the unsustainable debt burden faced by states. 
• Increased Central Transfers: States' revenue from Central transfers has increased to 23-30% of their total revenue in the last decade, compared to 20-24% in the 2000s and early 2010s. 
  • Grants from the Centre now account for 65-70% of States' non-tax revenue, up from 55-60% earlier. 
• States' Own Tax Revenue: It has consistently remained below the 50% mark as a share of total revenue over the last decade, whereas it often exceeded 50% in the 2000s. 
  • Despite State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) contribution increasing from 15% to 22% of States' total revenue between FY18 and FY25, the share of own tax revenue (excluding SGST) has fallen from 34% to 28%. 
• Reduced Non-Tax Revenue: The share of non-tax revenue in total revenue is projected to fall below 24% in FY25, the lowest in 25 years. 
  • Key components like interest receipts and dividends from State public sector enterprises remain negligible (under 1%). 
  • Earnings from services rendered, such as public health (social service) and power (economic service), did not cross the 30% mark in the last decade. 
• Inefficiency in Tax Collection: Revenue from avenues like stamp duty, registration fees, and motor vehicle taxes has been insufficient due to sporadic and inefficient collection efforts. 
  • The own tax revenue to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) ratio has declined in major States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, indicating a systemic issue in tax mobilisation. 

 

What are the Implications of Increasing Dependency of States on Centre? 

• Fiscal Autonomy at Risk: States often depend heavily on the Centre for funding due to the uneven distribution of revenue-raising powers.  
  • The Centre controls dynamic taxes like income tax and GST, while states manage slower-growing taxes such as sales tax and land revenue.  
  • This imbalance restricts states' fiscal independence, limiting their capacity to tailor policies to local needs.  
  • Additionally, tax decisions like SGST rates are influenced by the GST Council, where states have limited bargaining power, further constraining their autonomy. 
• Constraints on Developmental Expenditure: Weaker fiscal states often face inadequate resources as central allocations may prioritize performance over need, deepening inter-state inequalities and widening regional disparities.  
  • Inefficient tax mobilization hampers states' ability to meet rising developmental demands.  
  • Heavy dependence on the Centre also limits states' capacity for counter-cyclical fiscal measures, crucial for stimulating aggregate demand. 
• Political Tensions: Centralised decision-making in tax policies led to disagreements between the Centre and Opposition-ruled States. 
• Overburdened Central Government: States' increasing dependence on the Centre could strain the nation's overall fiscal health, limiting the Centre's ability to support states during economic downturns or crises. 

How Can States Improve Revenue Mobilisation? 

• Strengthen Fiscal Federalism: Increase states’ share in revenue through progressive recommendations by the Finance Commissions, as seen in the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions, which raised the tax devolution share to 42% and 41% respectively. 
• Enhancing Tax Collection Efficiency: Implement technology-driven solutions to improve collection from property taxes, motor vehicle taxes, and registration fees. 
  • Modernising tax administration systems to reduce evasion and enhance compliance. 
  • Incentivize states to improve their tax collection mechanisms and fiscal discipline through performance-based grants. 
• Broadening the Tax Base: Explore new revenue sources, such as environmental taxes or congestion charges, tailored to State-specific contexts. Rationalise tax exemptions and subsidies to maximise revenue. 
• Strengthening Non-Tax Revenue Sources: Boost earnings from State public sector enterprises by improving operational efficiency. Monetise underutilised State assets and services. 
• Collaborative Policy Making: Increase engagement with the GST Council to advocate for region-specific needs. Work towards harmonising tax policies across States to reduce disparities. 
  • Foster inter-State knowledge sharing to replicate best practices. 
• Leverage Central Schemes: Utilize programs like Gati Shakti and capital assistance schemes to spur economic activity and support infrastructure development. 
• Reduce Public Debt: Tighten fiscal discipline with data-driven decision-making and prioritize reliance on own-source revenues (SOR). 

Conclusion 

The growing dependence of states on the Centre has led to challenges in fiscal autonomy and development. Strengthening revenue mobilization through improved tax collection and fiscal discipline is essential. Collaborative efforts between states and the Centre can ensure sustainable growth and reduce regional disparities.

Drishti Mains Question: Analyze the implications of increasing dependency of states on central transfers for India's fiscal federalism. How can states improve their revenue mobilization?

Martial Law in South Korea

Source: IE

Why in News? 

On 15^th January 2025, South Korea witnessed the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. His declaration of martial law  in December 2024, further escalated the political turmoil in the country. 

• Although martial law was lifted a day later, public outrage, mass protests, and rapid legislative action led to his impeachment.

What Does Martial Law Entail? 

• About: Martial law (Military Rule) refers to a situation where civil administration is run by the military authorities according to their own rules and regulations framed outside the ordinary law.  
  • It thus implies the suspension of ordinary law and the government by military tribunals.  
  • It is different from the military law that is applicable to the armed forces. 
• Imposition of Martial Law: The law is enforced when a government faces widespread civil unrest, natural disasters or threats of invasion. 
• Scope of Control Under the Law: The military authority takes control of normal civil functions as well as the security of the state when martial law is imposed.  
  • It also involves restrictions on freedoms, curfews, and military involvement in law enforcement and public order. 

How is Martial Law in South Korea Different From Martial Law in India? 

• Martial Law in South Korea: 
  • Conditions for Declaration: As per Article 77 of the Republic of Korea’s constitution, Martial law can be declared by the President of South Korea during war, armed conflict, or similar national emergencies when military forces are required for public safety and order. 
    • This allows the mobilization of military forces to deal with military necessity or to ensure national security. 
  • Scope of Powers: Martial Law allows special measures to be taken concerning rights such as warrants, freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and association. 
    • The Constitution allows for the suspension or alteration of regular judicial and executive powers under martial law. 
• Martial Law in India: 
  • About: Article 34 provides for restrictions on fundamental rights while martial law is in force in any area within the territory of India. 
    • The concept of martial law has been borrowed in India from the English common law. However, the expression ‘martial law’ has not been defined anywhere in the Constitution. 
    • The declaration of martial law under Article 34 is different from the declaration of a national emergency under Article 352.  
  • Indemnity for Actions Taken During Martial Law:  
    • Article 34 empowers the Parliament to indemnify any government servant or any other person for any act done by him in connection with the maintenance or restoration of order in any area where martial law was in force.  
    • The Parliament can also validate any sentence passed, punishment inflicted, forfeiture ordered or other act done under martial law in such an area.  
    • The Act of Indemnity made by the Parliament cannot be challenged in any court on the ground of contravention of any of the fundamental rights. 
  • Conditions for the Imposition: 
    • There is also no specific provision in the Constitution that authorises the executive to declare martial law.  
    • The martial law is imposed under extraordinary circumstances like war, invasion, insurrection, rebellion, riot or any violent resistance to the law.  
  • Scope of Powers: 
    • During the operation of martial law, the military authorities are vested with abnormal powers to take all necessary steps.  
    • The Supreme Court held that the declaration of martial law does not ipso facto (by that very fact) result in the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. 

How have Relations Between India and the Republic of Korea Been? 

• Diplomatic Relations: 
  • India-Republic of Korea (ROK) established diplomatic relations in 1973. Consular relations were established in 1962.  
  • Both countries formed a “Strategic Partnership” in the year 2010, which was elevated to a “Special Strategic Partnership” in the year 2015. 
• Historical Ties: 
  • According to the 13th-century Korean historical text Princess Suriratna (Ayodhya) married King Kim-Suro, forming ancestral ties with Korea. 
  • Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed a short poem titled– 'Lamp of the East', which is fondly remembered by the Koreans and finds mention in Korean school textbooks.  
• India’s Role in the Korean War: India played a significant role in the Korean Peninsula following Korea's independence in 1945.  
  • Former Indian diplomat Shri K.P.S. Menon served as the Chairman of the United Nations (UN) Commission established in 1947 to oversee the elections in Korea. 
  • During the war, India sent an Army medical unit, the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, to provide medical assistance during the conflict.  
  • Additionally, both warring sides accepted a UN resolution sponsored by India, leading to the declaration of a ceasefire in 1953. 
  • India dispatched one Brigade Group designated as Custodian Forces -India (CFI) to Korea, which was instrumental in resolving the Prisoners of War issue.  
• Economic Relations:  
  • Trade and economic relations gathered momentum following the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2010.  
  • Bilateral trade in 2023 was USD 24.4 billion.  
    • India’s import volume was USD 17.9 billion, while the export volume was USD 6.7 billion. 
  • ROK’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to India until June 2023 stands at USD 8.02 billion.  
  • India and ROK launched an initiative ‘Korea Plus’ to promote and facilitate Korean investments in India. 
• Defence: 
  • A Roadmap for Defence Industries Cooperation was signed between the two countries in 2019.  
  • For the first time, an India pavilion was set up at ADEX-2023 (Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2023), showcasing India’s defense manufacturing capabilities. 
• Cultural: 
  • An Indian Cultural Centre (renamed later as Swami Vivekananda Culture Centre (SVCC) was established in 2011 in Korea as a cultural wing of India. 
  • SARANG, the festival of India in Korea is organised every year to showcase India’s diverse art and music in various regions of ROK.  

Drishti Mains Question:  Compare and contrast martial law and national emergency as constitutional mechanisms in India.

Gravity Energy Storage

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

Gravity Energy Storage is emerging as an innovative and cost-effective solution to address a key challenge of renewable energy. It is also acting as a promising alternative to traditional battery energy storage. 

What is Gravity Energy Storage? 

• Definition: It is an innovative technology designed to store energy by leveraging the force of gravity. 
• Principle of Operation:The core principle of Gravity Energy Storage lies in potential energy.   
  • It involves lifting heavy masses during periods of excess energy generation and releasing them to produce electricity when needed. 
• Energy Conversion: A turbine or generator converts the descending motion of a piston into electricity. 
  • A common design involves a fluid-filled cylinder with a heavy piston.  
  • During surplus electricity generation, the piston is lifted, storing energy.  
  • When energy is needed, the piston descends, driving water through a turbine to produce power. 

 

• Environmental Sustainability: Unlike traditional battery storage, gravity energy systems avoid chemical-based energy storage, making them environmentally sustainable and long-lasting. 
• Advantages: 
  • Site Flexibility: Unlike pumped-hydro systems that require specific geographical features, gravity energy systems can be implemented in diverse locations. 
  • Scalability: Systems can be adapted to different energy capacities, making them ideal for grid-scale storage. 
  • Longevity: Minimal mechanical degradation ensures decades of operation with low maintenance. 

How Can Gravity Energy Storage Address the Challenges of Renewable Energy in India? 

• The Intermittency Issue: Solar and wind energy are not constant,  they depend on weather and time of day.  
  • With schemes like the National Solar Mission and expanding wind power capacities, gravity energy storage can help stabilize the grid by addressing intermittency.  
  • Reliable energy storage is essential to balance supply and demand, especially during peak usage or low production periods. 
• High Energy Capacity: Can store large amounts of energy, bridging the gap during low renewable production. 
• Low Environmental Impact: It reduces harmful chemical reactions, minimizing impact and disposal issues, supporting the transition to a greener planet. 
• India’s Renewable Energy Push: India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 under its renewable energy initiatives.  
  • Gravity energy storage can complement these efforts by providing reliable and cost-effective storage for the large-scale solar and wind projects being deployed across the country. 

 

Twigstats

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The new genetic analysis tool, Twigstats, has significantly improved the precision of tracing individual-level ancestry using ancient Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from northern and Central Europe, dating from 500 BC to 1000 AD. 

What is Twigstats? 

• About: Twigstats is an advanced analytical tool developed for genetic studies, particularly focused on ancestry analysis with high precision. 
  • It is designed to enhance the understanding of population dynamics by utilizing genetic data, archaeological findings, and historical context. 
• Working: Twigstats reconstructs genetic family trees by analyzing shared genetic mutations between individuals.  
  • It uses recent mutations to trace ancestry and establish connections between people from different time periods, linking modern DNA with that of ancient populations. 
• Key Features: 
  • Time-Stratified Ancestry Analysis: Twigstats uses a time-stratified approach to analyze genetic data, enhancing accuracy by studying how ancestry and populations evolved across historical periods 
  • Integration of Genetic Techniques: The tool combines haplotypes (shared DNA segments), rare variants, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) to offer a comprehensive understanding of ancestry and population structure which provides deeper insights into demographic transitions across time, enhancing the accuracy of genetic analysis. 
  • Compatibility with R: It utilizes statistical languages R and C++ to assist researchers in analyzing genetic data with greater precision. 

The Kokborok Language

Source: TH 

Members of the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) were detained for protesting at the Tripura Assembly entrance, demanding the inclusion of the Roman script for Kokborok ( a Sino-Tibetan language) in textbooks and official work. 

• Language and Community: Kokborok, is the mother tongue of the Borok people (Tripuris) and tribal communities in Tripura, including Debbarma, Reang, Jamatia, and others. 
• Etymology: "Kok-Borok" combines Kok (language) and Borok (man), meaning "the language of man" or "the language of the Borok people." 
• Script and Writing: Kokborok originally used the Koloma script but now lacks a native script and is written in Bengali script. 
• Historical Roots: Existed since at least the 1st century AD. Rajratnakar, a chronicle of Tripuri kings, was initially written in Kokborok and Koloma script by Durlobendra Chontai. 
• Recognition: Kokborok was recognised as the official language of Tripura in 1979 (spoken by  23.97% of Tripura’s population (2011 Census)), second only to Bengali. 
• Use of Roman Script: Kokborok, favored by tribal groups, has been written in Roman script for decades. Two commissions, led by Shyama Charan Tripura and Pabitra Sarkar, supported Roman, while the government preferred Bengali.  
  • Tribal organizations oppose Bengali or Devanagari scripts, fearing cultural imposition and identity disruption. 

Read more: NRC in Tripura 

UPI Transactions Enabled for PPI Holders

Source: TH 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has amended its regulations to allow full-KYC Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) holders to perform Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions via third-party UPI apps.  

• Objective: To allow PPI holders, such as users of digital wallets and gift cards, to make and receive UPI payments via third-party apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm, which were limited to the issuer’s app only. 
  • It aims to enhance flexibility, customer satisfaction, and ease of use, promoting greater participation in the digital payment ecosystem.  
• PPIs: PPI are digital wallets and payment tools that allow users to purchase goods and services, transfer funds, and access financial services using the value loaded onto them.   
  • There are over 1.14 billion PPIs issued by banks and non-banks in India.  
• UPI: It is an instant real-time payment system developed by NPCI to facilitate inter-bank transactions through mobile phones. 
  • UPI accounts for 70% of India's digital transactions in 2023-24. 
  • In October 2024, UPI processed Rs 23.49 lakh crore across 16.58 billion transactions, marking a 45% increase from 2023.  
  • The Indian government is also promoting UPI and RuPay cards internationally. 

Read More: UPI Payments: Empowering Users, Challenging Banks 

Blood Money and Plea Bargaining

Source: TH 

The death sentence of an Indian nurse in Yemen for allegedly murdering her business partner, along with efforts involving blood money (diya under Sharia law) for her acquittal, has reignited debates over its implications. 

• Blood money refers to money paid as compensation for unintentional murder, culpable homicide, or when victims' families forgo retribution (qisas). 
  • Even after reconciliation, the state retains the right to impose penalties. 
• India’s Position: India does not formally recognize blood money. 
  • The legal system offers 'plea bargaining' as a negotiation tool but it is not available for crimes against women or children aged below 14, heinous crimes such as murder or rape etc. 
    • It outlines a procedure where the accused pleads guilty in exchange for concessions from the prosecutor, potentially including victim compensation. 
    • It was introduced through the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2005 to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (BNSS). 
    • It can be taken up only for offences that are penalised with imprisonment of less than 7 years. 
• Ancient India: Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Manusmriti discussed fines and reparations as part of legal remedies for offenses. 

Read more: Issue of Indians Jailed Abroad 

Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS)

Source: IE 

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully germinated Lobia (black-eyed pea) seeds in space as part of its Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS). 

• CROPS Module: CROPS is an experimental module developed by ISRO to study plant growth in space under microgravity.  
  • It functions as a mini greenhouse with controlled air, temperature, simulated sunlight (LEDs), and an Earth-operated water delivery system. 
• Methods Involved: 
  • Hydroponics: Plants grow using nutrient-rich water instead of soil. 
  • Aeroponics: No soil, plants grow in air with misted nutrients, reducing water and fertilizer usage. 
  • Soil-like Medium: ISRO used porous clay with slow-release fertilizer for controlled nutrient delivery. 
• Ideal Space Plants: Ideal space plants include leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, kale), beans and peas (for protein and nitrogen fixation), and crops like radishes, carrots, wheat, rice, tomatoes, and strawberries. 
• Significance: It provides a sustainable food source for long-term space missions. 
  • Plants recycle carbon dioxide, improve air quality, and help create a closed-loop life support system. 

Read More: India’s Space Power Revolution

Trichophyton Indotineae

Source: TH 

Dermatologists from India and 13 other countries have criticized the region-specific nomenclature of the novel fungus species, Trichophyton (T.) indotineae. 

• Trichophyton (T.) Indotineae: It is a novel fungal species causing difficult-to-treat skin infections, often resistant to most antifungal treatments. 
  • T. indotineae, first identified in 2020 by Japanese dermatologists in patients from India and Nepal, has since been detected in over 40 countries.  
    • Its origin remains unclear, as it was found in Australia, Oman, and Iran before the 2010s epidemic of multi-drug-resistant tinea infections. 
  • The species name, linked to India (and "indotineae"), has faced criticism for being region-specific, which could perpetuate stigma and misinformation. 
    • The naming is prejudicial and contradicts guidelines set by organizations such as the WHO and the American Society of Microbiology. 
• Critics of Nomenclature: The best practices for naming diseases focus on using descriptive terms based on symptoms and specific characteristics like severity or seasonality.  
  • These guidelines were developed by WHO in collaboration with OIE and the FAO, and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).  
  • Naming fungi after specific locations can be misleading and harmful, citing past examples like the "Spanish flu" or "Delhi boil." 

Read More: Fungi- Mushroom.