Current Context : At COP-30 in Belém, Brazil, India and other developing countries pushed to bring Article 9.1 back at the center of negotiations.

About Article 9.1

• Core Principle: Developed countries shall provide financial resources to assist developing countries in mitigation and adaptation.
• Basis: Anchored in the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and historical responsibility.
• Significance: Ensures climate justice by placing the responsibility of financing on developed countries.

Current Context : A recent study revealed that the Gangotri Glacier has lost nearly 10% of its snowmelt flow in the past four decades, raising concerns over water security for the Ganga basin.

About Gangotri Glacier

• Location: Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand.
• Length: About 30 km.
• River System: Feeds the Bhagirathi River, which merges with the Alaknanda River at Devprayag to form the Ganga River.
• Protected Area: Lies within Gangotri National Park.
• Key Fauna: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Blue Sheep (Bharal), Himalayan Monal (state bird of Uttarakhand).

Current Context : The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released a joint report assessing global and national progress on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) between 2000–2024, highlighting persistent inequalities that threaten the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6).

Key Findings

Global Findings

• Open Defecation: In low-income countries, rates remain 4 times higher than the global average.
• Safe Sanitation Access: Improved to 58% worldwide.
• Drinking Water: Safely managed drinking water coverage rose from 68% (2015) to 74% (2024).
• Gendered Burden: Women spend disproportionate time fetching water.
• Menstrual Health: Data from 70 countries reveal widespread access gaps across all income groups.

India-Specific Findings

• Open Defecation: Drastic decline, but challenges persist in rural and marginalised groups.
• Sanitation Coverage: Near universal access; however, slippage in usage and waste management quality remains a concern.
• Drinking Water: Expanded household tap water connections, yet safely managed drinking water coverage is still below universal levels.
• Equity Issues: Tribal and poorest communities lag in access.

WASH Initiatives in India

• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
  • Objective: Elimination of open defecation.
  • Impact: Empowered women, reduced child mortality, improved public health and safety.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
  • Objective: Provide safe and adequate tap water connections to every rural household.
  • Focus: Universal coverage, with special attention to vulnerable groups.

CURRENT CONTEXT : New Development Bank (NDB), set up by BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), appointed Dr Rajiv Ranjan as Vice President and Chief Risk Officer.

ABOUT DR RAJIV RANJAN

• Joined Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1989.
• Over 30 years of central banking experience.
• Served as Executive Director at RBI and member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) since 2022.
• Worked with G20, IMF, World Bank, BIS, FSB, OECD, SAARC.
• Expertise: Monetary policy, liquidity management, financial markets, risk assessment.

INDIA’S ROLE IN NDB

• Second-largest project portfolio: USD 7.5 billion (after China’s USD 8.1 billion).

ABOUT NDB

• The New Development Bank, established by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), plays an important role in financing sustainable development and infrastructure projects.
• Established: July 2015 (formally launched at the 7th BRICS Summit, Ufa, Russia)
• Headquarters: Shanghai, China
• Member Countries: BRICS founding members; later expanded to include new members like Bangladesh, UAE, Egypt, Uruguay.
• Authorized Capital: USD 100 billion
• Initial Subscribed Capital: USD 50 billion (equally shared among BRICS nations)
• Current President: Dilma Rousseff (former President of Brazil)

CURRENT CONTEXT : The USA has imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, affecting almost two-thirds of India’s exports by value to the US.

IMPACT ON INDIA

• Exports: May fall to USD 49.6 billion in 2025-26 from nearly USD 87 billion in 2024-25 (GTRI estimate).
• Most Affected Sectors: Labour-intensive industries like gems & jewellery, textiles, apparel, shrimp, auto components.
• Competitiveness: Indian products to lose edge over exporters from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Mexico.
• Foreign Inflows: Possible decline in FDI and volatility in FPI

WAY FORWARD

• Financial Support: Reinstate Interest Equalisation Scheme for low-cost MSME credit.
• Targeted Credit: Extend special credit lines for shrimp, apparel, jewellery, handicrafts.
• Export Incentives: Enhance RoDTEP and ROSCTL

Policy Support: Simplify regulations, rationalise duties on key raw materials (cotton, leather, gems).

Observed every year on 30 August

Aim : to recognize the contribution of Small-Scale Industries (SSIs) to the country’s economic development.

SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES (SSI) – KEY FACTS

• Definition: Small-scale industries are privately owned small manufacturing units, corporations, or service providers with limited resources and manpower.
• Contribution to Economy:
• Provide large-scale employment at low capital cost.
• Contribute significantly to India’s GDP and exports.
• Encourage entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

Current Context

Onam 2025 celebrations started in Kerala with the traditional Athachamayam procession in Tripunithura, marking the ceremonial curtain-raiser to the 10-day harvest festival.

ABOUT ONAM

• Festival Type: Onam is the official state festival of Kerala—a major 10-day harvest festival celebrated with cultural fervor.
• Timing: Observed in August–September, falling in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It typically begins with the star day Atham and concludes on Thiruvonam, considered the most auspicious day.

ABOUT ATHACHAMAYAM

• Location: Tripunithura, near Kochi, Kerala
• Historic Importance: Former royal capital of the Kochi kingdom; Athachamayam procession symbolized the king’s march to the Thrikkakara temple.
• Cultural Significance:
  • Represents Kerala’s cultural unity and royal traditions.
  • Parade includes folk traditions, classical dance, music, and modern social commentary.

Current Context : Prime Minister inaugurated major Green Mobility Initiatives at Hansalpur, Gujarat, including the launch of Suzuki’s first Made-in-India global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) – “e VITARA” and the local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVES

• e VITARA:
  • Suzuki’s first Made-in-India global BEV.
  • Will be exported to over 100 countries.
• TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Plant:
  • Started local production of hybrid battery electrodes.
  • Ensures over 80% of battery value manufactured in India, reducing import dependence.

ABOUT BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES (BEVs)

• Definition: Vehicles running entirely on battery-powered electric drivetrains.
• Charging: Plugged into the electricity grid.
• Main Components: Electric Motor, Inverter, Battery, Control Module, Drivetrain
• Working Principle:
  • DC battery power → converted to AC → powers the electric motor.

Current Context : Indian Armed Forces personnel will participate in Multilateral Exercise BRIGHT STAR 2025, hosted by Egypt and the US.

ABOUT EXERCISE BRIGHT STAR

• Started: 1980
• Nature: Biennial Tri-Service multilateral exercise
• Host: Egypt (with the US)
• Participants: India and other friendly nations

Last Edition: 2023

Current Context : The water level at Pong Dam (Beas Dam) in Himachal Pradesh has recently breached the danger mark.

ABOUT PONG DAM

• Location: Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh (Shivalik Hills).
• River: Built on the Beas River.
• Type: Earth-fill embankment dam.
• Construction: 1961–1974; tallest of its type in India at the time.
• Reservoir: Created Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake.
• Ecological Significance:
  • Declared a bird sanctuary in 1983.
  • Designated a Ramsar Site in 2002.
  • Habitat for migratory birds such as Bar-headed Geese, Red-necked Grebe, Black Stork, Northern Lapwing, Spot-billed Duck, etc.