Current Context : Thousands of locals in the Canary Islands protested against the negative impacts of mass tourism, demanding sustainable tourism policies.

About

• The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the northwest coast of Africa (approx. 100 km from Morocco).
• Largest and most populated Macaronesian archipelago.
• Major islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura.
• Capital: Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
• Area: 7,447 sq.km.
• Formed from volcanic activity; includes Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak (3,718 m).
• Has a subtropical climate with minimal seasonal variation.

Current Context : Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) demolished 36 illegal bungalows in the River Villa project built within the blue flood line of the Indrayani River, following NGT orders.

About

• Indrayani River: Rain-fed tributary of the Bhima River (which flows into Krishna River), originates from the Western Ghats near Lonavala.
• Flows through Pune district and merges into Bhima River at Tulapur.
• Length: 103.5 km. Known for religious towns like Alandi (samadhi of Dnyaneshwar) and Dehu (birthplace of Sant Tukaram).
• Important for irrigation and local agriculture in Pimpri-Chinchwad area.
• Valvan Dam at Kamshet on Indrayani River is a hydroelectric station.

Current Context : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released revised draft guidelines concerning investments made by Regulated Entities (REs) in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).

About

• Regulated Entities (REs): Financial institutions regulated by authorities like RBI, SEBI, IRDAI (e.g., Banks, NBFCs, Insurance Companies).
• REs ensure financial stability, regulatory compliance, and prevent financial crimes like fraud and money laundering.
• Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs): Privately pooled investment vehicles regulated by SEBI under the 2012 AIF Regulations.
• AIFs collect capital from high-net-worth and institutional investors, investing in various asset classes.
• AIFs can be set up as trusts, LLPs, companies, etc.

Categories of AIFs

• Category I: Invest in start-ups, SMEs, infrastructure, social ventures (e.g., Venture Capital Funds, Angel Funds).
• Category II: PE Funds, Debt Funds, Real Estate Funds; cannot use leverage (except operationally).
• Category III: Hedge Funds, PIPE Funds; can use complex strategies and leverage; can be open or close-ended.

Current Context : Operation Olivia, initiated by the Indian Coast Guard, has successfully protected over 8 lakh Olive Ridley turtles this nesting season along Odisha’s Gahirmatha coast.

About Operation Olivia

• Started in the 1980s by the Indian Coast Guard.
• Conducted annually from November to May to monitor and safeguard the turtles’ mass nesting, known as Arribada.
• Key Locations:
  • Gahirmatha Beach
  • Rushikulya River Mouth
  • Devi River Mouth
• Objective: To protect nesting grounds, prevent poaching, and ensure safe hatching and return of the turtles to sea.

About Olive Ridley Turtles

• Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea.
• Habitat: Circumtropical distribution – across tropical oceans, excluding the Gulf of Mexico.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I (highest protection against international trade)

Current Context : President Droupadi Murmu has referred 14 legal questions to the Supreme Court of India under Article 143, invoking the constitutional provision for seeking the Court’s advisory opinion on important legal matters.

About the Presidential Reference

• It is a constitutional tool under Article 143 of the Indian Constitution that empowers the President to seek the advisory opinion of the Supreme Court.
• Two-fold Provision of Article 143:
  • Article 143(1): Allows the President to refer any question of law or fact of public importance to the Supreme Court.
  • Article 143(2): Pertains to disputes involving pre-Constitutional treaties or agreements, enabling reference for judicial clarification.
• Nature of the Opinion: The Court’s advice is not binding, but holds strong persuasive value and is generally respected by the executive and judiciary.
• Procedure:
  • The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
  • As per Article 145, a minimum 5-judge Bench hears the matter.
• Historical Origin: The concept derives from the Government of India Act, 1935, which authorized the Governor-General to refer questions to the Federal Court.
• International Comparisons:
  • Canada: Allows advisory opinions by the Supreme Court.
  • United States: Does not allow advisory opinions due to a strict separation of powers.

Current Context : The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2025, released in May 2025, indicates a significant rise in acute food insecurity worldwide.

Key Findings

• Acute Hunger: In 2024, 3 million people across 53 countries faced acute food insecurity, marking the highest level since reporting began.
• Famine Conditions: Approximately 9 million people are in catastrophic (IPC/CH Phase 5) conditions, primarily in Gaza, Sudan, and South Sudan.
• Children and Women: Over 37 million children under five in 26 countries suffered from acute malnutrition in 2024, with more than 2 million experiencing severe acute malnutrition.
• Funding Shortfalls: Humanitarian allocations to food sectors could fall by up to 45% in 2025, threatening life-saving nutrition services for at least 14 million children.

Primary Drivers

• Conflict: Ongoing wars and civil unrest, notably in Gaza and Sudan, have exacerbated food crises.
• Climate Shocks: Extreme weather events, including droughts and floods, have disrupted agricultural production.
• Economic Instability: Inflation, currency devaluation, and reduced humanitarian aid have further strained food systems

Current Context : The National Commission for Women (NCW), in collaboration with Yuvamanthan, launched the ‘Campus Calling’ programme at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut.

About the Programme

• Objective: Enhance gender sensitivity, raise awareness on the prevention of sexual harassment, and address cybercrimes impacting students.
• Scope: Aims to reach over 1,000 universities and colleges across India.
• Implementation:
  • Two male and two female campus ambassadors will be appointed in each participating institution.

These ambassadors will lead gender sensitization initiatives and promote a culture of safety and respect.

Current Context : The historic Tanot Mata Temple, located near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, has reopened to visitors as border tensions have subsided.

About the Temple

• A 1,200-year-old temple dedicated to Tanot Rai, a manifestation of the Hindu goddess Hinglaj Mata.
• Gained prominence during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars when it reportedly withstood heavy shelling without damage.
• Post-1971, the temple’s management was entrusted to the Border Security Force (BSF).
• Houses a Vijay Stambh (Victory Pillar) commemorating India’s victory in the 1971 war.
• Unexploded bombs from the wars are displayed in the Tanot Museum within the temple premises.

Observed annually on 22 May.

Aim : to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

Theme : “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”

Significance

• Biodiversity provides essential resources:
  • Fish contribute 20% of animal protein to about 3 billion people.
  • Over 80% of the human diet is plant-based.
  • Approximately 80% of people in rural areas of developing countries rely on traditional plant-based medicines for healthcare.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators have concluded another round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to reach a deal in two phases.

India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations Overview

• Negotiation Resumption: Talks resumed in June 2022 after an 8-year hiatus (stalled in 2013 due to market access disagreements).
• Objective: To finalize a comprehensive trade agreement covering goods, services, investments, and geographical indications.
• Negotiation Structure: The agreement will be concluded in two phases, following India’s phased approach used in previous FTAs (e.g., with Australia).
  • This is partly due to the volatile global trade environment, including US tariff actions.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the European Commission President agreed to seal the deal by the end of this year.

Key Focus Areas

• Market Access: Duty cuts demanded by the EU in automobiles, medical devices, wines, spirits, meat, and poultry.
• Services and Investments: The talks focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, and investment.
• Regulatory Aspects: Stronger Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework.
• Agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs, government procurement, and sustainability.

Potential Benefits

• Increased competitiveness for Indian exports like ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, steel, petroleum products, and electrical machinery.
• Stronger investment protection and clearer dispute settlement mechanisms.
• Enhanced bilateral cooperation in innovation and sustainable development.

India-EU relations

• Political cooperation: India-EU relations date to the early 1960s, and a cooperation agreement signed in 1994 took the bilateral relationship beyond trade and economic cooperation.
  • The first India-EU Summit, in 2000, marked a watershed in the evolution of the relationship.
  • At the 5th India-EU Summit at The Hague in 2004, the relationship was upgraded to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.
• Economic cooperation : India’s bilateral trade in goods with the EU was USD 137.41 billion in 2023-24, making it the largest trading partner of India for goods.
  • EU is India’s largest trading partner for goods, 17% of India’s exports go to the EU and 9% of EU exports come to India.
• Other areas of cooperation:
  • The India-EU Water Partnership (IEWP), established in 2016, aims to enhance technological, scientific, and policy frameworks in water management.
  • In 2020, there was an agreement for research and development cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community and the Government of India.
• India and the EU established the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in 2023. The TTC is a forum for the two parties to collaborate on trade, technology, and security. The TTC’s goals.