Content :

1. India and Mongolia hold joint military exercise to enhance interoperability
2. Diet is both cause and cure for MASLD, a liver condition: experts at The Hindu-Naruvi event
3. New study makes controversial weather-tweaking idea more realistic
4. Defence production in India receives a fillip
5. What is the significance of the Census?
6. How is India planning to localise EV manufacturing?
7. Bridging health cover, mental healthcare in India

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India and Mongolia hold joint military exercise to enhance interoperability

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Key Highlights

• Exercise Name: Nomadic Elephant – 17th Edition
• Dates: May 31 – June 13, 2025
• Location: Special Forces Training Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• Participants: Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Objectives & Focus Areas

• Enhancing Interoperability:
  Improve coordination and cooperation between Indian and Mongolian forces.
• Operational Focus:
  • Counter-terrorism operations
  • Precision sniping
  • Non-conventional warfare in semi-urban and mountainous terrain
• Under UN Mandate:
  Simulated peacekeeping operations modeled on real-world multinational missions.

Strategic Significance

• Bilateral Defence Ties:
  Strengthens growing India-Mongolia defence cooperation.
• Geopolitical Relevance:
  • Mongolia is strategically located between China and Russia.
  • India’s engagement signals deepening security presence in East and Central Asia under its “Act East” and “Extended Neighbourhood” policy.
• Alternating Venue Format:
  Conducted annually, alternating between India and Mongolia. Last held in Umroi, Meghalaya (July 2024).

Operational and Tactical Gains

• Terrain Familiarization:
  Training in complex terrain enhances high-altitude warfare capabilities.
• Best Practices Exchange:
  Mutual learning on counter-insurgency tactics and sniping techniques.
• UN Peacekeeping Readiness:
  Enhances the ability to operate in multinational settings and high-stakes environments.

People-to-People & Cultural Exchange

• Camaraderie Building:
  Emphasis on cultural understanding and military bonding between troops.
• Confidence Building Measure (CBM):
  Strengthens trust and long-term collaboration beyond military.

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Diet is both cause and cure for MASLD, a liver condition: experts at The Hindu-Naruvi event

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What is MASLD?

• Full form: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (formerly NAFLD).
• Nature: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease linked to metabolic issues and lifestyle.
• Silent condition: Often asymptomatic until liver damage becomes severe.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues,Health )

Prevalence & Risk

• Global incidence: ~30%
• India: ~40% population affected; 53% remain undiagnosed.
• High-risk groups:
  • People with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance
  • Those with hypertension, high cholesterol, elevated liver enzymes
  • Family history of heart/liver disease

Symptoms & Progression

• Early symptoms: Fatigue, mild abdominal pain (often ignored).
• Disease timeline (if untreated):
  • 15% may develop steatohepatitis (inflammation) in ~7 years.
  • 5% may progress to cirrhosis in ~25 years.
  • Small % may develop liver cancer.

Diagnosis & Screening

• Recommended tools:
  • Blood tests, liver enzymes
  • Ultrasound every 6 months
  • FibroScan every 1–3 years (non-invasive liver stiffness test)
• Why screening matters: Early detection helps prevent complications and reduce long-term health burden.

Diet: Cause and Cure

• Contributing factors: Overeating, poor-quality diet, inactivity.
• Reversal strategies:
  • Calorie deficit and portion control
  • Protein-rich, low-carb diet
  • Avoid sugary, ultra-processed foods
  • Adequate hydration and sleep

Lifestyle Modifications

• Exercise: Brisk walking, cycling, jogging, swimming
  • Minimum 12 weeks of consistency needed for visible benefits
• Avoid: Smoking, alcohol
• Fasting: Intermittent fasting can help but should be doctor-supervised, especially with co-morbidities

Expert Advice

• Weight management is key.
• Lifestyle is the best medicine.
• Customisation is critical – No one-size-fits-all approach.

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New study makes controversial weather-tweaking idea more realistic

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Context

• Climate crisis deepens: Global greenhouse gas emissions are rising; mitigation efforts are inconsistent.
• Technological fix: Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) proposed as a geoengineering method to cool the planet.
• Controversial nature: Global side-effects, ethical concerns, and governance challenges make SAI a divisive topic.

Relevance : GS 3(Technology, Disaster Management )

What is Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)?

• Method: Injecting tiny reflective aerosols (e.g., sulphur dioxide) into the stratosphere (~20 km altitude) to reflect sunlight and cool Earth.
• Inspired by volcanoes: Mimics natural aerosol emissions from volcanic eruptions like Mount Pinatubo (1991) which cooled Earth temporarily.
• Objective: Directly reduce solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface to offset global warming.

Key Innovation in the New Study

• New approach: Use of existing aircraft (like modified Boeing 777F) to inject aerosols at lower altitudes (~13 km) in polar and extratropical regions.
• Advantage:
  • Lower technical barriers
  • Cheaper and faster to implement
  • Avoids the need for specially designed high-altitude aircraft

Modeling Results

• Climate simulation tool used: UK Earth System Model 1 (UKESM1)
• Findings:
  • Injecting 12 million tonnes of SO₂/year at 13 km in spring/summer of both hemispheres may cool Earth by 0.6°C.
  • To cool by 1°C, need 21 million tonnes annually at 13 km.
  • More efficient: Only 7.6 million tonnes needed if injected higher in subtropics.

Risks and Challenges

• Scientific risks:
  • Ozone depletion, acid rain
  • Delayed recovery of ozone hole
  • Uneven cooling (polar > tropical regions)

• Social and geopolitical concerns:
  • Potential misuse or unilateral deployment
  • Could divert attention from emissions reductions
  • Global impact: One country’s action affects all

• Governance dilemma:
  • No global framework exists to regulate such interventions
  • 2022: Scholars called for moratorium on solar geoengineering R&D citing fairness and control issues

Is It a Solution?

• Temporary measure only – Cannot reverse root causes of climate change
• Could create “moral hazard” – Mask warming and reduce urgency to cut emissions
• Needs more transparent global dialogue, public accountability, and regulation

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Defence production in India receives a fillip

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Background

• India has long depended on defence imports, but recent years have seen growth in indigenous production and exports.
• Operation Sindoor (India’s cross-border military action) triggered renewed interest and confidence in India’s domestic defence capabilities.

Relevance : GS 3(Defence)

Key Trends & Developments

 Stock Market Performance

• Defence stocks rose 21% in the week of Operation Sindoor (May 2024), compared to 3.1% gain in Nifty50 index.
• Following week: Defence stocks up 5.4%, while Nifty50 declined 0.5%.
• This signals a market perception shift in favour of homegrown defence capacity.

Record Defence Production

• FY24 (2023-24): ₹1.3 lakh crore — a 17% growth YoY.
• Double-digit growth since FY22; only contraction was in FY20 (-2.5%).
• FY25 (till Dec 2024): ₹90,000 crore, with full-year target at ₹1.6 lakh crore.

Soaring Defence Exports

• FY23 & FY24: Exports exceeded ₹20,000 crore — 2x of pre-FY20 figures.
• Export items: small arms, protective gear, artillery.
• FY25 target: ₹30,000 crore.Private Sector & MSME Involvement

Private Sector Growth

• Private players (e.g., Paras Defence, Bharat Forge) had ~20% share in production (FY17–FY24).
• FY25 share rises to ~24%.
• Private firms lead in defence exports, due to higher export authorisations.

MSMEs’ Role

• MSMEs supply crucial components to larger manufacturers.
• FY25 procurement from MSMEs: ₹13,000 crore, over 2x the target.
• FY18–FY20: only ₹3,000 crore worth orders.
• Government mandates ensure MSME inclusion in procurement.

Defence Budgetary Trends

• Despite production and export growth, defence spending’s share in total govt. expenditure is declining.
• However, India’s defence-to-GDP ratio is still higher than many emerging markets, indicating strategic priority.

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What is the significance of the Census?

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Historical Context

• The Census is a decennial exercise — conducted every 10 years since 1881 (first synchronous census under W.C. Plowden).
• It is governed by The Census Act, 1948 and is a Union List subject (Centre’s responsibility).
• Post-Independence, it has been held without a break from 1951 to 2011; 2021 Census was postponed due to COVID-19.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Social Issues)

How the Census is Conducted

• Two Phases since 1971:
  • House-listing Phase (5–6 months): Captures household amenities, structure, fuel, appliances.
  • Population Enumeration Phase (Feb): Captures individual details like age, gender, caste (SC/ST), occupation, education, etc.
• Staff: Central coordination with local-level implementation via teachers & local officials.

Significance of the Upcoming Census (2027 Reference Date)

1. Inclusion of Caste Enumeration:
   1. First time since 1931 (for Hindus).
   1. Will enumerate caste data for all Hindu groups — long-standing demand from civil society and Opposition parties.
   1. Aims to inform affirmative action and welfare targeting.

• Foundation for Delimitation Exercise (Post-2026 Freeze Ends):
  • Delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats based on updated population data.
  • Could change the political representation balance across states.

• Enabler for Women’s Reservation (33% quota):
  • The Women’s Reservation Act (2023) mandates reservation in legislatures after the Census and delimitation.
  • 2027 Census is critical for its implementation by 2029.

Concerns of Southern and Smaller States

• Fear of Political Marginalisation:
  • States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and northeastern states have controlled population growth.
  • Delimitation based purely on population could reduce their Lok Sabha seat share.
  • Demand: Freeze on seat allocation or compensatory mechanisms to protect political voice.

Way Forward

• Caste enumeration must be systematic, credible, and transparent.
• Wide inter-state consensus needed before delimitation to avoid federal friction.
• Women’s reservation must be operationalised through this Census and used for 2029 elections.
• Avoid hasty implementation — consider legal, political, and demographic implications.

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How is India planning to localise EV manufacturing?

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Policy Highlights – Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India

• Customs duty reduced from 70–100% to 15% on completely built electric 4-wheelers priced ≥ $35,000.
• Valid for 5 years, with annual cap of 8,000 units at concessional duty.
• Eligibility tied to:
  • Minimum ₹4,150 crore investment within 3 years.
  • Localisation mandates: 25% domestic manufacturing in 3 years, 50% in 5 years.
  • Total duty foregone capped at ₹6,484 crore.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Technology)

Concerns Over Ecosystem Impact

• Critics fear policy favours foreign capital without guaranteed technology transfer.
• Experts like Shouvik Chakraborty (UMass) argue:
  • India must avoid becoming a mere component assembly hub.
  • EV ecosystem building needs R&D, innovation, and skilling, like China and South Korea.
• Dinesh Abrol (JNU) notes no foreign firm has ever built another country’s ecosystem voluntarily.
  • Success in China/S. Korea came from state-led innovation ecosystems and strategic industrial policy.

Market Structure and Policy Mismatch

• EV sales breakdown in FY25 (FADA data):
  • 7.8% of total vehicle sales were EVs.
  • Electric 3-wheelers: 57% of their segment.
  • Electric 2-wheelers: 6.1% of segment.
  • Passenger 4-wheelers: Only 2.6%.
  • Commercial EVs: 0.9%.
• India is the largest market for electric 3-wheelers globally (IEA 2024).
• Critics warn that policy emphasis on high-end 4-wheelers may overlook mass transport and low-cost EV segments.

Domestic Industry Concerns

• Tata Motors opposed Tesla’s duty cut proposal:
  • Said it would “vitiate” the local investment environment.
  • Asked for more policy support for early-stage Indian EV companies.

• 2024 production data (IEA EV Outlook):
  • Tata & Mahindra made over 80% of India’s EV cars.
  • <15% of EVs imported (mainly Chinese) due to high duties and competitive local models.

Key Takeaways

• The scheme aims to attract foreign EV majors, but must balance domestic industry protection, technology transfer, and ecosystem building.
• Focus should expand beyond premium 4-wheelers to cover two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and public EV infrastructure.
• Local capacity-building, innovation, and mass-market EV adoption must remain central to India’s EV future.

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Bridging health cover, mental healthcare in India

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Mental Health: A Rising Concern

• 1 in 5 adults globally suffer from mental health issues.
• WHO estimates >$1 trillion productivity loss annually due to untreated mental illness.
• Post-pandemic awareness has boosted global and Indian attention to mental well-being.

Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Mental Health)

Policy and Legal Framework in India

• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Recognised mental illness at par with physical illness.
• IRDAI directive: Mandated mental health coverage in all health insurance plans.
• Result: Inclusion of mental health in India’s mainstream health protection framework.

New Trends in Insurance

• OPD benefits in health plans now include therapy, counselling, psychiatric consultations — key for mental health, rarely requiring hospitalisation.
• Mental health-related claims up by 30–50% in past 2–3 years.
• Indicates a positive behavioural shift: More people seeking help earlier and using insurance to pay for it.

Demographic Patterns

• Young adults (25–35) are:
  • Leading in mental health-related searches, policy uptake, and claims.
  • Comfortable with app-based therapy, online consultations.

• Top conditions claimed:
  • Anxiety (30–35%), Depression (25–30%), Workplace stress, Insomnia.
  • Mostly early to moderate cases, suggesting rising comfort with early intervention.

Women & Mental Health Insurance

• Women more likely to buy policies with mental health benefits.
• Driven by life-stage transitions like:
  • Pregnancy
  • Menopause
  • Caregiving roles
• Reflects a cultural shift toward self-care and emotional well-being.

Geographical Spread

• Tier 1 cities dominate with over 50% of mental health policy uptake.
  • Due to better access, digital literacy, corporate wellness policies.
• Tier 2 cities now showing growing interest, indicating broader national awareness.

Workplace Evolution

• Companies now offer:
  • Wellness programs
  • Access to therapists
  • Stress management workshops
• Mental health becoming part of employee benefits and corporate culture.

Challenges & Way Forward

• Despite inclusion, awareness and utilisation remain low.
  • Many unaware their policies include OPD therapy or cashless mental health services.
• Next priorities:
  • Education: Improve awareness on mental health coverage.
  • Accessibility: Ensure services reach beyond urban elites.
  • Empathy: Normalise mental healthcare as everyday healthcare.
• Goal: Make mental healthcare inclusive, accessible, and normalised.