Content Defence Atmanirbharta: Record Production and Exports World Fisheries Day 2025: Strengthening Marine Resources & Livelihoods Defence Atmanirbharta: Record Production and Exports Why is this in the News? India recorded highest-ever defence production: ₹1.54 lakh crore (FY 2024–25). Defence exports hit₹23,622 crore, up from less than ₹1,000 crore in 2014. 16,000 MSMEs, 462 companies with 788 industrial licences, expanded role in indigenous manufacturing. Government targets₹3 lakh crore production and₹50,000 crore exports by 2029. DAP 2020 + DPM 2025 reforms → fastest procurement era + highest-ever domestic contracting. Relevance : GS 2 (Governance, Policy, Institutions): – Defence procurement reforms (DAP 2020, DPM 2025). – Institutional strengthening, regulatory liberalisation, FDI norms, export governance (OGEL). – Role of MoD, DPSUs, inter-agency coordination in defence industrialisation. • GS 3 (Security, Economy, S&T): – Indigenous defence production, innovation, R&D ecosystem (iDEX, DRDO TDF, DIA-CoEs). – MSME integration, defence corridors, industrial licensing. – Defence exports, strategic autonomy, technology sovereignty. – Modernisation of armed forces, reduced import-dependence, multi-domain capabilities. Context India was historically 65–70% import-dependent in defence. Policy reforms since 2014 aimed at self-reliance, reducing import bills, boosting exports, strengthening R&D, and widening private participation. Atmanirbharta in defence is now a strategic, economic, technological, and geopolitical priority. Pre-Reform Challenges (Before 2014–15) Slow, multi-layered procurement → capability gaps. High import dependence → FX drain, supply-chain vulnerabilities during crises. Private sector largely excluded; PSU monopoly limited innovation. Defence exports extremely low (₹686 crore in FY 2013–14). R&D weak; academia–industry links minimal. Fragmented policies → no integrated plan for production + technology + exports. Policy Response & Objectives of Reforms Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence aims at a competitive, innovation-led ecosystem. Key objectives: Faster procurement with DAP 2020, DAC clearances. Promote indigenous design via POSITIVE INDIGENISATION LISTS. Liberalised FDI up to 74% automatic / 100% govt route. ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme for deep-tech R&D. Build export capacity via simplified processes, OGEL, digital authorisations. Integrate procurement, innovation, production, and global market access under one framework. Defence Acquisition Reform (DAP 2020) Indian-first acquisition hierarchy: Buy Indian-IDDM at the top. Reduced timelines via digital approvals, simplified contracting. Dedicated provisions for AI, cyber, robotics, space, autonomous systems. Industry-friendly measures via iDEX, start-up ecosystem integration. Empowered acquisition wings → fewer procedural chokepoints. Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 Standardisation across Services + MoD for revenue procurement (~₹1 lakh crore annually). Lower liquidated damages for indigenisation projects (0.1%/week). Guaranteed 5-year orders for indigenous products. No need for NOC from former OFB. Fully digital, transparent system → faster contract execution. Domestic Defence Production: Key Trends a) Record Output ₹1.54 lakh crore in FY 2024–25. From ₹46,429 crore (2014–15) → 174% rise in indigenous production (FY 2023–24). Government target: ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. b) DPSU + Private Sector Dynamics DPSUs: 77% of total production. Private sector: 23%, rising from 21% last year → strong upward trend. c) Defence Industrial Corridors UPDIC + TNDIC: Investment realised: ₹9,145 crore. 289 MoUs, potential: ₹66,423 crore. d) Expansion of Defence Ecosystem DRDO pushes deep-tech with ₹500 crore TDF vertical. 15 DIA-CoEs linking academia, start-ups, R&D labs. OFB corporatisation → 7 DPSUs with better autonomy and efficiency. 16,000 MSMEs integrated into supply chain. e) Industrial Licences & Investment Climate 788 licences issued to 462 companies. Export portal approvals increased 17% YoY (1,762 approvals). Record signing of 193 MoD contracts worth ₹2.09 lakh crore, of which ₹1.69 lakh crore to domestic industry. Defence Acquisitions (2024–25): Rapid Modernisation a) Budget Push Capital allocation (2024–25): ₹1.72 lakh crore (+20% over FY 2022–23). b) Key DAC Approvals March 2025: ₹54,000 crore (T-90 engines, Varunastra torpedoes, AEW&C). July 2025: ₹1.05 lakh crore (EW systems, SAMs, MCM vessels, autonomous vessels). Aug 2025: ₹67,000 crore (BMP night sights, Compact Autonomous craft, BrahMos FCS). Oct 2025: ₹79,000 crore (NAMIS Mk-II, GBMES, LPDs, ALWT torpedoes, CLRTSDS). c) Strategic Impacts 65% of defence equipment now domestically manufactured (reversing earlier import dependency). Multi-domain modernisation with indigenous platforms. Defence Exports: India’s Global Rise a) Export Record FY 2024–25: ₹23,622 crore (+12% YoY). Private sector: ₹15,233 crore. DPSUs: ₹8,389 crore (42.85% growth). India now exports to ~80–100 countries. b) Export Basket Bulletproof jackets, patrol boats, UAVs, radars, torpedoes, sub-systems, components. Dornier aircraft, Chetak helicopters, interceptor boats. Expanding footprint in South-East Asia, Africa, Latin America. c) Export Facilitation OGEL licences, digital portal, rationalised SOPs. Export processes shifted from weeks to days. Defence exports used as defence diplomacy → deeper strategic partnerships. Strategic Significance Enhances national security by reducing critical dependencies. Boosts economy, jobs, MSMEs, tech innovation. Strengthens geopolitical leverage through defence diplomacy. Enhances India’s standing as a reliable global defence supplier. Conclusion India’s defence sector has moved from import-dependent to innovation-driven self-reliance. Production, procurement, R&D, private participation, and exports have all hit record highs. With DAP 2020 + DPM 2025 + Defence Corridors + MSME ecosystem + export reforms, India is transitioning into a global defence manufacturing hub. The trajectory is strongly aligned with the targets of ₹3 lakh crore production and ₹50,000 crore exports by 2029, marking a decisive shift towards strategic autonomy. World Fisheries Day 2025: Strengthening Marine Resources & Livelihoods Why in the News? India observed World Fisheries Day 2025 (21 Nov) with focus on sustainability, blue economy, and value addition in seafood exports. India released the National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries & Aquaculture. GST on key seafood products reduced 12% → 5%, boosting affordability and export competitiveness. Marine product exports (Oct 2024 → Oct 2025) rose 11.08% (US$ 0.81B → US$ 0.90B). India remains 2nd-largest fish producer and top global shrimp producer. Major launches: SOPs for Mariculture, Smart Harbour Guidelines, Reservoir Fisheries Guidelines, Compendium on Coastal Aquaculture, plus traceability standards. Delegations from 27 nations participated, signalling India’s global leadership in the blue economy. Relevance : GS 1 (Society & Livelihoods): – Socio-economic profile of fishing communities; role in coastal livelihoods; women’s participation. – Impact of climate risks on fisher households; migration, vulnerability, resilience. GS 2 (Governance, Welfare Schemes, Digital Delivery): – PMMSY, PM-MKSSY, FIDF, EEZ Rules 2025, Smart Harbour Guidelines. – Digital governance: ReALCRaft, VCSS, NABHMITRA, Marine Fisheries Census 2025. – Traceability framework, SPS standards, regulatory reforms, institutional coordination (DoF, MPEDA). • GS 3 (Economy, Environment, Agriculture & Blue Economy): – Fisheries contribution to GDP, exports, processed seafood value chain. – Blue economy expansion, mariculture, deep-sea fishing regulation, sustainability norms. – Climate-resilient infrastructure, biodiversity conservation, SDG-14 alignment.   Importance of Fisheries Food Security: Key protein source, low carbon footprint. Livelihoods: Supports 30+ million people; crucial for coastal & inland rural economies. Blue Economy: High multiplier sectors (exports, processing, mariculture, deep-sea fishing). Ecosystem Role: Biodiversity management, climate resilience, mitigation of overfishing. India’s Fisheries Growth – Data & Trends Fish production doubled: 96 lakh tonnes (2013–14) → 195 lakh tonnes (2024–25). Inland fisheries grew 140%. Seafood exports (2024–25): ₹62,408 crore. Coastal states: 3,477 villages, Contribute 72% of production, 76% of exports. Infrastructure push: 730 cold storages, 26,348 transport units, 6,410 fish kiosks, 202 retail & 21 wholesale markets. GST Reforms (2025) – Significance Key marine products GST cut: 12% → 5%. Impacts: Strengthens value addition & processed seafood industry. Boosts domestic affordability. Improves export price competitiveness. Encourages processed seafood units in coastal clusters. Key Schemes Driving the Blue Economy 1.Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) Objective: Blue Revolution through sustainable, inclusive growth. Investment: ₹20,312 crore (2020–21 to 2025–26). Achievements: Cold-chain + processing infra (as above). Transformation of 100 Coastal Fishing Villages into Climate-Resilient CFVs. Women beneficiaries: 60% assistance (vs 40% others). Financial inclusion: Kisan Credit Card coverage, SHGs, cooperatives, training. Significance: Reduces post-harvest losses, improves climate resilience, increases incomes. 2.PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) Investment: ₹6,000 crore, duration 2023–24 to 2026–27. Core: Formalisation + insurance + traceability across aquaculture value chain. Key Features: Premium support: 40% (max ₹25,000/ha, cap ₹1 lakh). Farms up to 4 ha WSA eligible. ₹11.84 crore sanctioned (as of Apr 2025). Supported by World Bank–AFD mission for design & implementation. Significance: Brings aquaculture into formal credit & insurance net. Protects small farmers’ incomes from climate shocks/disease. 3. Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) Corpus: ₹7,522.48 crore (extended to 2026). Features: Concessional finance (interest subvention 3%, effective rate ≥ 5%). Nodal agencies: NABARD, NCDC, Scheduled Banks. Digital FIDF portal for project proposals. Status: 178 projects, investment ₹6,369.79 crore, subvention ₹4,261.21 crore (as of July 2025). Significance: Enhances post-harvest, harbour, deep-sea & processing infrastructure nationwide. 4. Sustainable Harnessing Rules for the EEZ (2025) Purpose: Regulate deep-sea fishing, improve governance, boost incomes. Key Provisions: Priority access to cooperatives & FFPOs for deep-sea fishing licences. Digital Access Pass System via ReALCraft for mechanised vessels. Traditional fishers exempt. Integration with MPEDA + EIC for quality, traceability, certification. Ban on destructive fishing methods; promotion of seaweed farming & sea-cage farming. Significance: Unlocks deep-sea potential. Ensures sustainability & global compliance. Strengthens income diversification. 5. ReALCRaft – Digital Governance Platform End-to-end online vessel registration, licensing, payments. Also handles ownership transfer, hypothecation, vessel modifications. Physical visit needed only for biometrics + original document check. Governance Gains: Transparency, reduced delays, better compliance. Improved marine monitoring and safety. 6. Vessel Communication & Support System (VCSS) Over 36,000 transponders distributed (as of Jan 2025). Enhances real-time tracking, safety, search & rescue. 7. NABHMITRA Safety + communication for small vessels (<20m). SOS alerts, location sharing, resource mapping. Strengthens enforcement & reduces maritime accidents. Marine Fisheries Census 2025 (MFC 2025) Timeline: 3 Nov – 18 Dec 2025. Coverage: 1.2 million households, 5,000 villages, 13 coastal States/UTs. Digital Innovations: VyAS–NAV, VyAS–BHARAT, VyAS–SUTRA apps. Real-time geo-referenced enumeration. Integrated with National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP). Outcome: First-ever socio-economic profiling of fisher communities. Direct linkage with PM-MKSSY entitlements. Significance: Evidence-based policymaking for climate resilience. MPEDA’s Role Ensures certification, traceability, quality compliance. Promotes eco-friendly aquaculture & responsible fishing. Expands market access, trains exporters, farmers, processors. Drives research, new technologies, value-added products. Thematic Focus 2025: “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports” Emphasis on: Processing infrastructure, Quality standards, Traceability framework, Low-GST, Deep-sea governance, Smart harbours, Digital platforms. Strategic Significance Enhances: Livelihoods of fishers, Marine biodiversity protection, Export competitiveness, Formalisation & insurance penetration, Blue economy contribution to GDP, Women’s leadership in the sector. Advances India toward SDG 14: Life Below Water. Conclusion India’s fisheries sector is undergoing a structural transformation driven by sustainability, digital governance, deep-sea diversification, value addition, and global compliance. With PMMSY, PM-MKSSY, EEZ Rules, FIDF expansion, and digital systems like ReALCRaft and MFC 2025, India is strengthening livelihoods while responsibly managing marine ecosystems. The trajectory reflects a shift from volume-led growth toward value-led, climate-resilient, export-competitive blue economy development.PIB Summaries 20 November 2025

Content Gen Z Revolts: Mobilisation Power vs Governance Weakness Reaffirming Constitutional Morality in Legislative Assent Gen Z Revolts: Mobilisation Power vs Governance Weakness Why is it in news? Fresh youth-led mass protests in Mexico have drawn global attention due to their scale, generational character, and political impact. These protests are now seen as part of a wider global pattern of Gen Z political mobilisation, also observed in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. The article frames these protests as evidence that a new political generation has emerged—digitally fluent, anti-corruption focused, but lacking formal political pathways to convert agitation into lasting reform. Relevance GS 1 – Society Youth movements, social change, demographic aspirations Changing civic culture, political consciousness GS 2 – Polity & Governance Political participation, legitimacy crisis State response: surveillance, shutdowns, misinformation Civil liberties, freedom of assembly Role of digital platforms in governance Practice Question  “Youth-led digital movements are effective in mobilisation but ineffective in delivering lasting political reform.” Analyse with global examples.(250 Words) What are youth-led protests? Movements where young people (largely Gen Z) dominate mobilisation, communication, slogans, and political framing. Organised through decentralised digital networks rather than traditional leaders or organisations. Triggered by corruption, unemployment, democratic decline, injustice or governance failures. Use of memes, TikTok, Discord groups, hashtags as political vocabulary and protest tools. Context Globally rising youth dissatisfaction with: Corruption and political unresponsiveness Joblessness and inequality Democratic backsliding High cost of living Protests since 2010s: Arab Spring → Hong Kong → Chile → Sri Lanka 2022 → Indonesia 2021–22 → Nepal youth movements → now Mexico 2025. Article Argument A new political generation is emerging that: Understands how to topple governments, but Does not yet know how to rebuild institutions sustainably. Their movements are leaderless, which makes them democratic but also institutionally fragile. Governments increasingly use digital surveillance, shutdowns, misinformation, intimidation to quickly neutralise protests. Movements often gain momentum but fade without organisational depth. Overview Drivers of Youth Mobilisation Economic distress: unemployment, underemployment, precarity. Political cynicism: distrust of parties, institutions, elites. Digital empowerment: cheap smartphones + viral communication. Identity & expression: Gen Z political language shaped by pop culture, internet humour, sarcasm. Global cross-learning: protesters borrow tactics from Chile, Hong Kong, Thailand, Sri Lanka, etc. Tactics of Modern Youth Movements Decentralised, rapid mobilisation Messaging via memes, reels, TikTok, Discord Protest formats: flash mobs, symbolic marches, viral hashtags Live-streaming police actions to resist repression “Borrowed repertoire“: slogans, visuals, formats from global protests Strengths Speed & scale: mobilisation within hours. Collective creativity: meme-based persuasion. Low coordination cost: no central leadership needed. Cross-border solidarity through online networks. Weaknesses Lack of formal leaders → difficult negotiations. Movements dissipate quickly. Vulnerability to: digital crackdowns disinformation infiltration Failure to convert protest energy into: institutional reform political organisation policy outcomes Comparative Examples in Article Bangladesh: Youth celebrated Yunus as caretaker PM but were later sidelined. Nepal: “Hamro Nepal” youth group active earlier but now sidelined. Myanmar: 2021 protests violently suppressed. Indonesia: Protests contained through intimidation and messaging control. Sri Lanka (2022): Youth-driven protest toppled Rajapaksas but couldn’t sustain political change. Conclusion Youth uprisings worldwide—from Mexico to South Asia—reflect a digitally empowered generation that can destabilise political establishments but still lacks robust pathways to achieve durable democratic reform. Reaffirming Constitutional Morality in Legislative Assent Why is it in news ? The Supreme Court has given a unanimous opinion on a Presidential Reference regarding the Governor’s role in granting assent to Bills. The key query: Can courts prescribe time-lines for Governors and the President to act on Bills? This comes amid several States accusing Governors of delaying or withholding assent, causing legislative paralysis. The judgment reasserts constitutional boundaries, clarifies limits of judicial intervention, and stabilises Centre–State dynamics. Relevance GS 2 – Polity & Governance Governor’s discretionary powers Legislative process under Articles 200–201 Separation of powers and constitutional boundaries Federal tensions and gubernatorial conduct Constitutional conventions vs textual interpretation GS 2 – Judiciary Presidential Reference (Article 143) Judicial restraint doctrine Review of mala fide inaction Non-justiciability of merits of executive decisions Practice Question “Discuss how the recent Supreme Court opinion on the Governor’s assent power strengthens constitutional governance and clarifies the limits of judicial intervention.”(250 Words) Governor’s Roles Article 200: Governor may assent, withhold assent, return (non-Money Bills), reserve for President. Article 201: President’s options on reserved Bills. No explicit constitutional time-limit for action. Constitutional Question ? Can courts force the Governor to decide within a fixed time (e.g., 3 months)? Can delay be treated as “deemed assent”? Can judiciary review prolonged delays? Where is the line between judicial review and executive constitutional discretion? Supreme Court Findings 1. Courts cannot impose time-limits Prescribing deadlines amounts to judicial legislation. Constitution deliberately avoids specifying timelines. 2. Yet Governors must follow an “appropriate standard” While no strict deadlines exist, indefinite delay is unconstitutional. Court discourages misuse of inaction as a political tool. 3. “Deemed assent” is unconstitutional Automatic approval due to passage of time cannot be read into Articles 200/201. This would distort the structural design of the Constitution. 4. Judicial review remains limited Courts cannot examine the merits of Governor’s decisions. They can intervene if delay is prolonged, unexplained, arbitrary, or mala fide. 5. President’s advisory jurisdiction reaffirmed President is not obligated to seek Supreme Court’s advisory opinion under Article 143 whenever a Governor reserves a Bill. Protects executive autonomy and avoids converting judicial advice into mandatory control. 6. Reinforces separation of powers Judiciary preserves its limits. Executive retains discretionary judgment. Legislature’s supremacy in law-making remains unharmed. Overview A. Constitutional Architecture The verdict reaffirms two constitutional pillars: Deliberative design of law-making, Autonomy of constitutional authorities. B. Prevents governance paralysis States have complained that Governors block Bills by simply doing nothing. Court’s clarification: inaction cannot be a tool for constitutional subversion. C. Stability in Centre–State relations Avoids judicial overreach but prevents gubernatorial overreach. Maintains balanced federal functioning. D. Clarifies judicial boundaries Courts cannot rewrite Articles 200/201. Courts can only ensure constitutional good faith, not micromanage timelines. E. Protects constitutional morality Governor’s discretion must be exercised with transparency, reason, and constitutional purpose. Substantive executive decisions stay outside judicial domain unless mala fide or procedurally irregular. Conclusion The Supreme Court has ruled that courts cannot impose timelines for Governor’s assent, but Governors cannot indefinitely delay Bills either—ensuring constitutional balance, preventing misuse of office, and preserving federal stability.

Content Judiciary Cannot Impose Timelines on President/Governor for Bill Assent AI-Driven Transformation of Election Data Analysis in India South Asia’s Transboundary Air Pollution Crisis Over 50% Cases Pending in Juvenile Justice Boards: India Justice Report Second-Generation Wild Cheetah Birth in India: Milestone for Project Cheetah India’s Indigenous CRISPR Gene Therapy Breakthrough: Birsa-101 Mount Semeru Eruption: Why Volcanic Eruptions Occur and Why Some Are Explosive Judiciary Cannot Tie President or Governor to Timelines  Why Is It in News? A 5-judge Constitution Bench delivered its opinion on the 16th Presidential Reference. The Court held that: Judiciary cannot impose fixed timelines on the President/Governors for assent to State Bills. Judiciary cannot presume “deemed consent” if they fail to act within a court-mandated deadline. The Court simultaneously criticised “prolonged and evasive inaction” by Governors and the Centre. Relevance   GS-2: Polity, Constitution, Governance Federal relations (Centre–State dynamics). Powers & discretion of Governor/President. Doctrine of separation of powers. Judicial review and limits of judicial activism. Article 200–201 interpretation. GS-2: Executive–Legislature Relations Impact of delayed assent on State legislative functioning. GS-2: Constitutional Bodies Presidential Reference jurisdiction under Art. 143. Constitutional Provisions on Assent to Bills Articles Involved Art. 200: Governor’s options on State Bills— • Assent • Withhold assent • Return for reconsideration • Reserve for President Art. 201: President’s options— • Assent • Withhold assent • Return (if not a Money Bill) No explicit time limit in Constitution for either office to act. Principle of Constitutional Morality Offices must act “within a reasonable time” as part of constitutional trust. What Triggered the Presidential Reference? Growing friction between Opposition-ruled States and Governors. Allegations of: Bills being kept pending for months/years. Governors reserving Bills excessively for the President. High Courts (notably Madras HC) began discussing soft timelines. Union Government sought clarity via Presidential Reference. Supreme Court’s Key Findings A. Judiciary cannot prescribe hard timelines Timelines imposed by courts are “one-size-fits-all” and violate: Separation of Powers (basic structure). Explicit constitutional design of discretionary spaces for constitutional heads. B. No “deemed consent” at expiry of timelines Courts cannot assume assent if deadlines lapse. Such assumption = judiciary usurping constitutional functions. C. But constitutional heads cannot sit indefinitely Court strongly criticised “prolonged and evasive inaction” by Governors/President. Observed: Constitutional heads must record reasons, avoid indefinite delay. Inaction cannot be used as a political veto. D. Presidential Reference is NOT an “appeal in disguise” Some States argued the Centre used this as an appeal against unfavourable HC rulings. SC held: Advisory opinions can correct or clarify the law. Not bound by lower court decisions. Constitutional Overview A. Doctrine of Separation of Powers (cited by Court) Cites Kesavananda Bharati, Indira Gandhi, Puttaswamy. Judiciary cannot intrude into executive discretion of constitutional offices. B. Federal Balance Constitution assigns the Governor a limited discretionary role, not a political one. Indefinite delays threaten: Basic federalism (S.R. Bommai, Nabam Rebia). Legislative autonomy of States. C. Reasonableness Standard Though no timelines prescribed, Court implies: “Reasonable time” must be context-specific. Non-action is reviewable if it becomes arbitrary or mala fide. Related Case Law Nabam Rebia (2016): Governor cannot interfere with legislative process except where Constitution permits. Shamsher Singh (1974): Governor acts on aid & advice, except in limited areas. Rameshwar Prasad (2006): Discretion subject to judicial review if mala fide. Implications for Centre–State Relations Positive Reaffirms judicial restraint. Avoids courts overriding federal constitutional design. Concerns Gives administrative space for Governors to delay Bills. States fear misuse in politically sensitive Bills. Net Effect A balanced but status-quo reinforcing opinion: No mandatory deadlines. Strong moral-constitutional rebuke of delays. Election Data Analysis: From the Dark Ages to the AI Era Why Is It in News? The Article published a reflective analysis on how election-related data journalism evolved from manual scraping in 2017 to full AI-driven code generation during the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Marks a technological inflection point: • Entire election-night mapping, charting, and analysis produced using AI-generated scripts. • Demonstrates how AI reshapes media workflows without replacing journalists. Raises policy questions on data access, algorithmic transparency, media ethics, and election integrity. Relevance   GS-2: Governance Transparency in electoral information. Role of technology in elections. Data access, public accountability. GS-3: Science & Tech AI adoption in public communication. Algorithmic governance & data systems. GS-3: Cybersecurity Risks of automated misinformation. Need for secure election data pipelines. What Is Election Data Analysis? Systematic extraction, cleaning, mapping, and interpretation of election results & political patterns. Core components: • Scraping live results from Election Commission. • Constituency-level mapping. • Vote-share/swing calculations. • Trend/seat projections. • Visualisations for public communication. Pre-2017 “Dark Ages” – Manual & Slow A. Manual Data Scraping Live results had to be copied/scraped manually. Slow scraping due to: • Limited coding skills. • Unstable ECI website structure. Results flowed like “water droplets” into spreadsheets. B. Mapping Challenges Tools used: Google Fusion Tables, Indiemapper.io. Manual KML boundaries, manual colour-coding. Duplication of effort for colour and monochrome print versions. C. Charting Copy-pasting data → Excel → pivot tables → charts. High human dependency & narrow deadlines. 2017–2019: Transition to “Industrial Tools” Key Shifts Tableau adopted for mapping → reduced processing time. Faster scripts due to communities like Stack Exchange. Partial automation in Google Sheets (formulae, scripts). Enabled simultaneous print + web coverage. Limitations Heavy manual interventions required. Tools remained fragmented (separate for maps, charts, tables). 2019–2024: The Industrial Revolution Characteristics Heavy machinery, faster workflows. Automated formula pipelines. More realtime analysis, especially during 2019 and 2023 elections. Still required: • Script debugging • Cross-tool integration • Designer intervention for visuals 2025 Bihar Assembly Election – The AI Era A. AI-Generated Code Google AI Studio generated mapping + scraping + visualization scripts. JupyterLab executed AI-written pipelines. No need for: • Tableau • Excel pivot tables • Mapping software • Manual charting tools B. What AI Automated Live data ingestion Data cleaning & transformation Charting (auto-generated) Geo-mapping Statistical summaries First-draft insights C. Output Gains Faster online analysis. Backend + frontend automation for livestreams. Print edition wrapped up by 10:30 PM (earlier than ever). Why AI Didn’t Replace Journalists Core Functions Still Human Interpretation of trends. Identifying misleading patterns. Contextualising swings, alliances, caste shifts. Writing coherent narratives. Editorial judgement and ethics. The Principle AI accelerates production; journalists give meaning. Deeper Analysis: Impact on Indian Democracy & Media A. Strengthening Public Information Faster dissemination → more informed electorate. Real-time mapping exposes micro-trends (regional, demographic). B. Risks Data quality vulnerability: Errors in source data propagate quickly. Algorithmic opacity: AI-generated code may be non-auditable. Deepfake + misinformation risks if AI visualisations are misused. Over-automation reduces cross-verification, increasing error probability. C. Digital Divide Smaller media houses without AI capability may be disadvantaged. Structural Issues Highlighted A. Election Commission Website Historically inconsistent formats, unstructured HTML. High friction for scraping. Need for open APIs, standardised data formats. B. Dependence on External Tools Shift from proprietary tools (Tableau) → open-source + AI pipelines. Greater technological sovereignty for newsrooms. Implications for Future Elections AI-native election rooms become standard. Hybrid workflows: AI for computation, humans for interpretation. Increasing demand for: • Data journalists • Policy-aware technologists • Election-law literate analysts Sets the stage for predictive analysis, probabilistic modelling like U.S. outlets (538 model equivalents for India). South Asia’s Air Pollution Crisis Why Is It in News? North India and eastern/northern Pakistan experienced an extreme cross-border smog episode in Nov 2024, popularly termed the “2024 India–Pakistan Smog”. Delhi and Lahore recorded among the highest AQI readings globally, with “brown clouds” visible in satellite images. The episode re-opened debates on regional airshed management, cross-border pollution flows, and South Asia’s anthropogenic emissions crisis. Relevance renewed in 2025 as Delhi and Lahore again top global pollution charts. Relevance GS-1: Geography & Society Transboundary environmental phenomena. Urbanisation impacts. GS-2: Governance Inter-governmental coordination, regulatory institutions (CAQM). Cross-border environmental diplomacy. GS-3: Environment Air pollution, climate change, anthropogenic emissions. Reports: Greenpeace 2023, WHO AQG 2021, UNEP 2023. Economic impacts of pollution. What Was the 2024 India–Pakistan Smog? A severe, transboundary pollution event across: • Eastern & northern Pakistan (esp. Lahore) • North India (Delhi NCR, Punjab, Haryana, UP) Visible as brown aerosol clouds in satellite imagery. Triggered by a convergence of: Low wind speeds → pollutant stagnation Post-harvest biomass burning across Punjab–Haryana–Punjab (Pakistan) belt Industrial emissions Vehicular exhaust accumulation Winter inversion layers trapping pollutants Winds shifted from Pakistan towards Delhi, worsening Delhi’s AQI. How Has Air Pollution Become Rampant Across South Asia? A. Shared Meteorology Indo-Gangetic Plain behaves as a single airshed. Winter inversion + low dispersion + high humidity increases PM2.5 concentration. B. High Anthropogenic Emissions Pakistan: crop-burning, brick kilns, industrial clusters near Lahore. India: vehicles, industries, solid fuel, construction, crop burning. Bangladesh: brick kilns, diesel generators, transport. Nepal: valley trapping effect in Kathmandu. C. Rapid Urbanisation + Weak Governance Poor public transport, land-use mismanagement, unregulated construction, and old diesel fleets. D. Climate Change Feedback Loop Heatwaves → increased ozone formation. Erratic winds → stagnant air pockets. E. Political–Administrative Fragmentation No formal regional clean air treaty despite identical airshed. What Does the Greenpeace 2023 World Air Quality Report State? Core Findings for South Asia World’s most polluted region, with PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO standards by 7–10 times. Key drivers: Industrial emissions (steel, cement, brick kilns). Vehicular emissions. Burning of solid fuels (biomass, crop residue, waste). Coal-based power generation. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal dominate list of most polluted countries/cities. Notes lack of coordinated regional action despite shared geography. Economic Impact of Deteriorating AQI Levels in India A. Direct Economic Loss Lancet Journal (2019): India’s GDP fell by 1.36% due to premature morbidity & mortality. Other estimates: 3% of GDP lost due to healthcare costs + lost labour productivity. India loses ~8.5 lakh lives annually from air pollution (IHME data context). B. Labour Productivity Decline Fatigue, respiratory illness → lower work hours. Outdoor workforce (construction, transport) hit hardest. C. Healthcare Burden Escalating treatment of asthma, COPD, cardiovascular diseases. D. Impact on Investment & Tourism Pollution deters FDI inflow in key cities. Reduced tourist footfall during peak winter season. E. Agriculture & Climate Impact Pollution-induced dim sunlight (global dimming) → reduced crop yields. Ozone exposure damages staples: wheat, rice, pulses. Way Ahead A. Regional Airshed Governance (Key Recommendation) Adopt a South Asian cross-border airshed management framework. Model: California’s Bay Area Air Quality Management District or ASEAN Transboundary Haze Agreement. IIT Bhubaneswar’s study supports “airshed-scale” governance. B. Strengthen Domestic Governance Move from episodic GRAP responses → to permanent emission-reduction plans. Mandate 24×7 industrial monitoring, strict action on non-compliant units. C. Sectoral Reforms Agriculture: • MSP-linked crop diversification • In-situ residue management (Happy seeder incentives) Transport: • Electrification • Bus fleet expansion • Non-motorised mobility Urban Planning: • Greening, heat-island mitigation, dust control • Construction regulation Energy: • Phase-down of coal • Scale rooftop solar + clean cooking fuel D. Data, Science, Monitoring Real-time satellite-based emission tracking. Unified Air Quality Data Portal for South Asia. E. Political Will & Social Model A “caring human development model” prioritising health, workers, farmers, and urban poor. Over 50% Cases Pending in Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs): India Justice Report Why Is It in News? India Justice Report (IJR) released a dedicated study on capacity and performance of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs)—first such national-level, empirical assessment. Found 55% pendency, severe vacancies, weak data architecture, and institutional incapacity despite a decade of the JJ Act, 2015. Justice Madan B. Lokur called the findings “deeply worrying”, highlighting systemic neglect. Relevance GS-2: Governance, Vulnerable Sections Systemic failure in delivering justice to minors. GS-2: Judiciary Pendency, quasi-judicial bodies, institutional delays. What Are JJBs? Created under Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015 to handle cases of Children in Conflict with Law (CICL). Mandated composition: 1 Judicial Magistrate (First Class) 2 Social Workers (at least one woman) Philosophy: Child-friendly inquiry Rehabilitation > Punishment Speedy resolution (within 4 months, ideally) Key Data (India Justice Report 2023) Pendency 55% of 1,00,904 cases pending (as of Oct 31, 2023). State variation: Odisha: 83% pendency Karnataka: 35% pendency 154 cases pending per JJB annually on average. Vacancies & Institutional Weakness 24% JJBs not fully constituted → breaks statutory requirement. Staff shortages in Child Care Institutions (CCIs): counsellors, probation officers, house parents. 30% JJBs lack Legal Services Clinics → affects access to representation. Weak Data Governance No NJDG-like centralised data portal for JJBs. From 250+ RTI filings: 11% rejected 24% no response 29% transferred Only 36% valid responses Reveals poor transparency and weak record-handling culture. Inter-agency Coordination Failures Weak linkage among: Police → JJB District Child Protection Units CCIs Child Welfare Committees Delays in Social Investigation Reports and counselling assessments. Why the System is Failing ? Underfunding of juvenile justice mechanisms. Lack of trained personnel → high turnover of social workers. Weak monitoring by State Child Protection Societies. Policing-oriented mindset, not child-centric. Poor infrastructure, digitalisation, reporting. Impact Delays compromise: Child rehabilitation Schooling, social reintegration Rights under Article 21 Prolonged detention increases: Trauma Risk of repeat offending Institutionalisation effects Way Forward Fill vacancies, professionalise cadre of social workers. National data grid for JJBs. Independent performance audits. Adequate funding for CCIs, mental health support. Mandatory training for JJB members. Strengthening convergence with DCPUs, CWCs, and legal aid bodies. Indian-born Cheetah Mukhi Gives Birth to Five Cubs – Milestone for Project Cheetah Why Is It in News? At Kuno National Park (MP), Mukhi, the first India-born female cheetah, has given birth to five cubs. First instance of second-generation wild breeding in India post-reintroduction. Raises total cheetah population to 32, including 21 India-born. Termed a breakthrough by Union Environment Ministry for proving ecological adaptation. Relevance GS-3 (Environment & Biodiversity) Species reintroduction, ecological restoration. GS-3 (Conservation Governance) Role of NTCA, scientific protocols. GS-3 (Science & Tech) Animal telemetry, habitat modelling. Project Cheetah Launched 2022 for reintroduction of cheetahs from Namibia & South Africa. Objective: Establish self-sustaining, genetically diverse cheetah metapopulations. Restore open forest–savannah landscapes. Managed by: NTCA WII State Forest Departments Why Mukhi’s Birth Is Historically Significant A. First India-born cheetah to reproduce Establishes evidence of successful biological integration of reintroduced cheetahs. B. Proof of suitability of Indian habitats Indicates: Sufficient prey base Acceptable predator competition Healthy adaptation cycle C. Wild reproduction despite early adversity Mukhi was: Born to Namibian cheetah Jwala (2023) Abandoned at birth Hand-raised by Kuno staff Later rewilded successfully Demonstrates adaptive success of human-assisted rearing + wild integration. Population Update Total cheetahs: 32 29 in Kuno 3 in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary 21 are India-born → large F1 generation emerging. Scientific and Conservation Significance A. Genetic viability Second-generation births critical for: Genetic mixing Minimising founder-effect bottlenecks Stability of future populations B. Behavioural adaptation Shows: Successful hunting skills Reproductive acceptance Habitat fidelity C. Indicator of ecological restoration Cheetahs returning to Indian landscapes after 70+ years (extinct since 1952). Challenges still present Mortality among translocated cheetahs. Kuno’s limited carrying capacity (approx. 20–21 adults). Need for multiple cheetah landscapes (Gandhi Sagar, Nauradehi, Mukundra Hills). Radio-collar issues. Potential human–wildlife conflict. Way Forward Diversify release sites to prevent overcrowding in Kuno. Strengthen veterinary and monitoring teams. Improve prey base and grassland restoration. Scientific population management (genetic mapping, soft-release protocols). Community engagement to prevent conflict. Indigenous Gene Editing Tool (Birsa-101)  Why Is It in News? CSIR-IGIB (Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology) has developed India’s first fully indigenous CRISPR-Cas9–based gene editing platform. Technology transferred to Serum Institute of India (SII) for Phase II–III clinical trials. Using this platform, IGIB developed a curative gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) named Birsa-101 (after Birsa Munda, as SCD is highly prevalent among tribal communities). Expected to be significantly cheaper than the US-approved gene therapy Casgevy (USD 2.2 million per patient). Phase I trials will be conducted with AIIMS Delhi; manufacturing facility already set up. Relevance GS-2 (Health, Governance) National SCD Elimination Mission. Inclusive tribal health policy. GS-3 (Science & Technology) Biotechnology, genetic engineering, indigenous R&D. CRISPR applications and ethical concerns. GS-1 (Society) Tribal health challenges. Disease burden in vulnerable populations. What Is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)? Inherited blood disorder caused by mutation in the HBB gene → defective haemoglobin (HbS). Results in: Rigid, sickle-shaped RBCs Blocked blood vessels Pain crises, anaemia, organ failure Infections, stroke risk India’s tribal belts in MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat have highest burden. Basics of CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing What is CRISPR-Cas9? A bacterial immune-system protein that acts as “genetic scissors”. Precisely cuts specific DNA segments → allows correction of disease-causing mutations. Awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Indian Improvement IGIB scientists created an indigenous Cas9 variant (2016): Avoids expensive Western IP. Optimised for reduced off-target effects (major global concern). Allows editing exactly at the mutation site (curative edit). What Is Birsa-101 Gene Therapy? Mechanism Directly corrects the defective mutation in HBB gene. One-time infusion of edited stem cells. Once corrected, the body begins producing normal haemoglobin. How it differs from Casgevy (US therapy) Feature Birsa-101 (India) Casgevy (US/UK) Strategy Corrects the original mutation Increases fetal haemoglobin (HbF) to bypass defect Technology Indigenous CRISPR-Cas9 Licensed CRISPR tech (very expensive) Cost Expected to be fraction of $2.2 million $2.2 million per patient Long-term effect Potential cure Functional cure but mechanism bypasses root cause Why Is This a Major Scientific Breakthrough? A. Complete Indigenous Development All patents held by Indian scientists. Avoids global IP licensing → drastically lower cost → scalable for India’s tribal SCD mission. B. Addresses a Major Public Health Challenge SCD affects: ~1 in 86 births in certain tribal districts. 10–11% carrier prevalence in many Adivasi populations. Aligned with National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia (2023–2030). C. Global-Standard Gene Editing Platform India becomes one of very few countries with: Own CRISPR tool Own clinical-grade manufacturing Capability for gene-editing therapy trials D. Reduced “Off-Target” Risk IGIB Cas9 engineered to minimise unintended edits: Off-target mutations can cause cancer, developmental defects, organ damage. Many global Cas9 variants unsuitable for therapy due to unpredictable cuts. What Happens Next? Clinical Pathway Phase I trials (AIIMS Delhi, 2025) → safety, dosing. Phase II–III trials (Serum Institute) → efficacy, scalability. Regulatory review by CDSCO + DBT + ICMR. Integration into national SCD elimination programme after approval. Industrial Pathway IGIB already built GMP-grade manufacturing for clinical batches. SII to scale production for national deployment after Phase I. Wider Scientific Significance Positions India in the global gene therapy market (currently dominated by US/EU). Opens doors for editing therapies for: Thalassemia Gaucher’s disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy Rare genetic disorders (India has 70M affected) Establishes a sovereign biotechnological ecosystem: Indigenous gene-editing IP Indigenous manufacturing Indigenous clinical trial pipeline Challenges Ahead Ensuring long-term safety (off-target monitoring for years). Cost reduction for mass rollout in rural tribal belts. Infrastructure for genetic testing, counselling, and follow-up. Ethical and regulatory oversight for gene editing. Mount Semeru Eruption Why is it in News? Mount Semeru, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted again on Wednesday, releasing ash clouds, pyroclastic flows, and volcanic debris. Located in Java, Semeru is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to frequent eruptions. The eruption renewed concerns over Indonesia’s high volcanic risk, evacuation readiness, and the science behind explosive eruptions. Relevance GS1 (Geography): Physical geography, volcanism, tectonic processes. GS3 (Disaster Management): Hazard assessment, early warning, mitigation. What causes volcanic eruptions? Heat inside Earth melts rocks into magma in the mantle. Magma is lighter than surrounding solid rock → rises through cracks. It accumulates in magma chambers beneath volcanoes. As more magma enters the chamber, pressure builds. When pressure > strength of the overlying rock → magma forces its way out through vents. Once it reaches the surface, it is called lava. Why are some eruptions explosive and others gentle? a) Low-viscosity magma (runny/thin) → Gentle eruptions Basalt-rich, low silica. Gases escape easily → low pressure buildup. Produces lava flows (e.g., Hawai’i volcanoes). b) High-viscosity magma (thick/sticky) → Explosive eruptions Andesitic/rhyolitic, high silica. Traps gases → enormous pressure builds. Sudden release = explosive eruption, throwing ash, pumice, tephra. Produces pyroclastic flows (like Semeru). Why Semeru is so explosive? High-silica magma → very viscous. Closed conduit system traps gases effectively. Located on a subduction zone (Indo-Australian plate under Eurasian plate), which naturally produces gas-rich, sticky magma. Generates deadly pyroclastic flows, ash columns, lahars. Indonesia’s Volcanic Vulnerability Sits on the Ring of Fire with 120+ active volcanoes. Subduction of tectonic plates produces high-pressure volcanic systems. Dense population on volcanic slopes increases risks. Overview A. Causes of volcanic eruptions Mantle convection & heat → melting of rocks. Buoyancy of magma → upward movement. Gas pressure in magma chambers. Weak zones / fractures created by tectonic movements. B. Types of volcanic eruptions Effusive (Hawaii-like) – lava flows, low danger. Explosive (Semeru, Krakatoa) – ash columns, pyroclastic flows. Phreatomagmatic – interaction with water increases explosivity. C. Hazard profile of explosive eruptions Pyroclastic density currents: fastest and deadliest. Ash clouds: aviation risk, respiratory hazards. Lahars: volcanic mudflows; long-term destruction. Climate impacts: large eruptions can inject aerosols → global cooling. D. Why some volcanoes erupt repeatedly Constant magma supply due to subduction tectonics. Structural weakness of volcanic conduits. Recharge of magma chambers over time.