Content

1. SC expresses ‘grave concern’ over rising digital arrest scams
2. Nashik unit open; HAL can roll out 24 Tejas jets a year
3. Rotavirus vaccine effective against gastroenteritis in children: study
4. Curb on use of ‘ORS’ term brings to light a doctor’s 8-year battle
5. WMO: Record rise in global CO2 concentrations
6. Where springs once sang, silence now echoes across the Eastern Himalayas

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SC expresses ‘grave concern’ over rising digital arrest scams

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 Why in News ?

• What happened: Supreme Court (SC) took suo motu cognisance of rising digital arrest scams.
• Trigger: A septuagenarian couple from Ambala, Haryana, lost ₹1.5 crore to conmen impersonating CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and judicial officers.
• SC’s stance: Described it as a matter of “grave concern”; emphasized coordinated national action.
• Entities involved for response: Union Government, Haryana Government, and CBI.

Relevance:

• GS-2: Governance – Cybercrime management, Inter-agency coordination, Supreme Court suo motu interventions.
• GS-3: Science & Technology – Cyber fraud trends, Digital financial crimes, Use of technology in scams.
• GS-4: Ethics – Public awareness, Protection of vulnerable citizens, Responsibility of institutions.

Understanding Digital Arrest Scams

• Definition: Cyber frauds where criminals impersonate law enforcement, judiciary, or government officials.
• Modus Operandi:
  • Sending fake court orders, warrants, or summons digitally (email, WhatsApp, SMS).
  • Threatening immediate arrest or legal action to extort money.
  • Using forged documents from multiple judicial or investigative agencies to increase authenticity.
• Victims targeted: Often elderly or less tech-savvy individuals.
• Financial impact: Losses can range from lakhs to crores of rupees per victim.

Scope and Magnitude

• Nationwide concern: SC noted this is not a solitary instance; reported across multiple states.
• Digital crime trends in India:
  • Cybercrime complaints reported to National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP): ~ 5.5 lakh in 2024 (all categories).
  • Financial frauds and impersonation cases are growing at ~20–25% per year.
  • Elderly and urban professionals are high-risk targets due to perceived wealth.
• Technology exploitation: Fraudsters increasingly use deepfakes, official seals, and realistic document templates.

Legal & Institutional Framework

• Existing laws applicable:
  • IPC Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 – cheating, forgery, and fraud.
  • Information Technology Act 2000 – cyber fraud, identity theft, digital impersonation.
• Investigating agencies:
  • CBI: Handles large-scale interstate scams.
  • State Cyber Cells: Investigate local digital frauds.
  • Enforcement Directorate: Investigates if money laundering or cross-border transfer involved.
• Challenges:
  • Jurisdictional issues across states.
  • Difficulty in tracking digital transactions and fraudsters.
  • Lack of awareness among victims.

Supreme Court’s Observations & Implications

• Key observations:
  • Fabrication of multiple judicial documents to dupe victims.
  • Fraud is a well-organized criminal enterprise, not isolated incidents.
  • Calls for pan-India stern action to uncover and prevent such scams.
• Implications:
  • Likely directives to Union & State Governments to issue public advisories.
  • Possible strengthening of cybercrime cells and coordination between central and state agencies.
  • Courts may consider fast-tracking cybercrime cases.

Preventive & Citizen Measures

• Awareness campaigns: Government advisories on digital impersonation scams.
• Verification: Always verify court notices with official portals or through local police.
• Reporting: Register complaints via NCRP, local police, or CBI helplines.
• Technology safeguards: Use official apps and secure banking channels, avoid sharing OTPs or banking credentials.

Data / Facts to Highlight

• ₹1.5 crore lost by the Ambala couple – SC cited as illustrative case.
• Cybercrime complaints in India: ~5.5 lakh in 2024 (uptrend).
• Financial frauds growing 20–25% per year.
• Elderly victims increasingly targeted.

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Nashik unit open; HAL can roll out 24 Tejas jets a year

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Why in News ?

• Event: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated:
  • Third production line of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1A.
  • Second production line of HTT–40 trainer aircraft at HAL Nashik facility.
• Significance: Flagged off first LCA Mk1A produced at Nashik, symbolizing India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• Context: Part of ongoing defence sector transformation under PM Modi since 2014, emphasizing Make in India and indigenisation.

Relevance:

• GS-2: Governance – Defence policy implementation, Make in India, Public sector reforms.
• GS-3: Economy – Defence manufacturing, Employment generation, Strategic industrial capacity.
• GS-3: Science & Technology – Indigenous aircraft production, Technological self-reliance, Aerospace innovations.

Basics

• LCA Tejas Mk1A:
  • Indigenous lightweight multirole fighter aircraft.
  • Upgraded version of LCA Mk1; includes advanced avionics, radar, EW capabilities.
  • Current Nashik line capacity: 8 aircraft/year, total HAL capacity with three lines: 24 aircraft/year.
• HTT-40:
  • Indigenous basic trainer aircraft for IAF pilot training.
  • Second production line at Nashik complements first line in Bengaluru.
• HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited): Backbone of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, integrating government, industry, and academia.

Defence Manufacturing Transformation (2014–Present)

• Import vs domestic production:
  • 2014: India imported 65–70% of military hardware.
  • Present: ~65% domestically manufactured. Goal: 100% self-reliance.
• Policy reforms:
  • Encouraged private sector participation.
  • Focus on planning, advanced technology, and innovation to reduce strategic vulnerabilities.
• Operational proof:
  • HAL integrated BrahMos missile on Su-30 aircraft during Operation Sindoor, ensuring timely destruction of terrorist hideouts.
  • Demonstrates India’s design, production, and deployment capabilities.

HAL Production & Expansion

• Production lines in India:
  • LCA Mk1A: First two lines in Bengaluru; third in Nashik.
  • HTT-40: First line in Bengaluru; second in Nashik.
• Capacity & expansion:
  • Current Nashik line: 8 aircraft/year; total LCA Mk1A capacity: 24 aircraft/year.
  • Planned expansion in 2 years: up to 10 aircraft/year at Nashik with additional assembly jig line, tooling, and pre-installation check facilities.
• Economic impact:
  • Creation of ~1,000 jobs in Nashik.
  • Development of 40+ industry partners in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Strategic Significance

• Reduces import dependence on fighter jets, missiles, engines, and electronic warfare systems.
• Strengthens national security and operational readiness of Indian Air Force.
• Enhances Make in India initiative credibility in high-tech defence manufacturing.
• Demonstrates synergy among government, HAL, private industry, and academia.

Key Data / Facts

• LCA Mk1A production capacity: 24 aircraft/year (with three lines).
• Nashik line: 8 aircraft/year, expansion to 10/year planned.
• Jobs created: ~1,000; 40+ industry partners developed.
• India’s domestic defence manufacturing: ~65% currently, up from <35% in 2014.
• HAL key achievements: BrahMos integration on Su-30 during Operation Sindoor.

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Rotavirus vaccine effective against gastroenteritis in children: study

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 Why in News ?

• Event: Publication of a multi–centre observational study on the effectiveness of India’s indigenous Rotavac vaccine under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) 2016–2020.
• Source: Study led by Gagandeep Kang, Nayana P. Nair, and Samarasimha N. Reddy; published in Nature Medicine.
• Context: Evaluates real-world impact of Rotavac, India’s first indigenous oral rotavirus vaccine.

Relevance:

• GS-2: Governance – Universal Immunisation Programme, Public health policy, Evidence-based decision-making.
• GS-3: Economy – Domestic vaccine production, Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare, Cost-effective health interventions.
• GS-1: Society – Reduction in child mortality, Strengthening societal health outcomes.

Basics

• Rotavirus: Major cause of severe gastroenteritis and diarrhoealdeaths in children under 5.
  • Global burden: ~128,500 deaths annually in India among under-five children.
• Rotavac vaccine:
  • Oral, indigenous, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with DBT, Indian govt., and international partners.
  • Administration schedule: 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age under UIP.
  • Publicly available and free to all eligible children under UIP.

Study Design & Coverage

• Type: Observational, multi-centre, real-world effectiveness study.
• Timeframe: 2016–2020, covering introduction of Rotavac in UIP.
• Scope:
  • 31 hospitals across 9 Indian states.
  • Compared proportion of paediatric rotavirus hospitalisations before and after vaccine introduction.
• Objective: Assess real-world vaccine effectiveness outside controlled clinical trials.

Key Findings

• Overall effectiveness:54% reduction in rotavirus-based gastroenteritis among vaccinated children.
  • Comparable to phase 3 clinical trial efficacy (54%), confirming effectiveness in routine conditions.
• Age-specific impact:
  • Effectiveness sustained in first two years of life, when disease burden is highest.
• Hospitalisation impact:
  • Significant decline in rotavirus hospitalisations across study sites.
• Broader implication: Confirms indigenous vaccines can be effective in real-world settings, not just clinical trials.

Strategic & Operational Significance

• Indigenous development: Reduces reliance on foreign vaccines; aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare.
• Evidence-based policy:
  • Provides data for scaling up Rotavac coverage and planning future vaccination campaigns.
• Global relevance: Adds India’s experience to rotavirus vaccine effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries.

Key Data / Facts

• Vaccine efficacy: 54% (both in trial and real-world).
• UIP introduction: 2016.
• Hospitals studied: 31 across 9 states.
• Burden: 128,500 under-five deaths annually from rotavirus in India.
• Administration schedule: 6, 10, 14 weeks.

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Curb on use of ‘ORS’ term brings to light a doctor’s 8-year battle

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Why in News ?

• Event: FSSAI issued an order banning all beverages from using the term ‘ORS’ in their trademarked names.
• Background: Earlier, companies were allowed to use the term with disclaimers, which misled consumers.
• Trigger: Misuse of ORS branding led to children becoming critically dehydrated despite caregivers administering “store–bought ORS” products.
• Champion: Hyderabad paediatrician Dr Sivarangini Santhosh led an eight-year advocacy to prevent misuse of the ORS term.

Relevance:

• GS-2: Governance – Regulatory oversight by FSSAI, Consumer protection, Long-term advocacy in health policy.
• GS-3: Economy – Preventing economic burden from hospitalisations, Ensuring safe medical consumption.
• GS-1: Society – Child health protection, Public awareness on correct ORS usage.
• GS-4: Ethics – Ethical responsibility in medical communication and product labelling.

Understanding ORS

• Definition: Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is a medical solution containing precise ratios of glucose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride.
• Purpose: Rehydrates patients by facilitating water absorption in the gut; prevents death from diarrhoea.
• Global significance: ORS is a landmark medical discovery by Dr Dilip Mahalanabis, saving millions of lives worldwide.
• Child mortality context in India:
  • 13% of deaths in children under five are due to diarrhoea.
  • Improper ORS use or substitutes can worsen dehydration and diarrhoea.

Problem with Flavoured/Packaged ‘ORS’ Products

• Entered market over the last decade without adhering to correct sugar-salt ratios.
• Excess sugar can draw water out of the gut, worsening diarrhoea.
• Even with disclaimers, branding misleads caregivers, leading to critical dehydration.
• Case examples:
  • Children in Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh became critically ill after consuming such beverages.

Regulatory Journey

• Initial confusion: ORS products are medical; assumed regulated by CDSCO (drug regulator).
• Correct authority: FSSAI (food regulator).
• Timeline:
  • April 2022: FSSAI restricted ORS use with some limitations.
  • Later reversed to allow ORS in names with disclaimers.
  • October 2025: FSSAI finally bans use of ORS in beverage names.
• Advocacy:
  • Dr Santhosh approached Telangana High Court, Health Minister, Prime Minister, and medical associations.
  • Faced opposition from industry and social isolation.

Health & Scientific Significance

• ORS works by osmosis: glucose and electrolytes pull water into the body, rehydrating effectively.
• Improper substitutes can:
  • Increase severity of diarrhoea.
  • Cause hospitalisations and deaths.
• Highlights the importance of correct labelling and public awareness of medical products.

Key Facts & Data

• ORS prevents 13% of under-five deaths from diarrhoea in India.
• Misbranded ORS-like drinks caused critical dehydration and hospitalisations.
• Advocacy duration: 8 years by Dr Sivarangini Santhosh.
• Regulatory outcome: FSSAI bans the term ‘ORS’ in beverage names.
• Scientific fact: Proper ORS contains fixed glucose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride ratios; deviations can worsen dehydration.

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WMO: Record rise in global CO2 concentrations

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Why in News ?

• Event: World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released data showing a record rise in global CO2 concentrations between 2022 and 2024.
• Key highlights:
  • Global average CO2: 423.1 ppm in 2024, up 2.9 ppm from 2023.
  • Increase since 1990: +51.4 ppm.
  • Global temperature: 2024 was the warmest year on record, 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
  • First time the 1.5°C annual average threshold was crossed, a key climate benchmark.

Relevance:

• GS-3: Environment – Climate change trends, GHG emissions, Global warming, Renewable energy imperatives.
• GS-2: Governance – International climate governance, Policy responses, Multilateral coordination (UNFCCC, WMO).
• GS-1: Society – Impact on livelihoods, Migration, and human security.

Understanding CO2 and Greenhouse Gases ?

• CO2 as a greenhouse gas (GHG):
  • Primary driver of climate change, contributing ~66% of global warming since pre-industrial times.
  • Sources:
    • Natural: respiration, decomposition, wildfires, ocean releases, volcanic eruptions.
    • Anthropogenic: fossil fuel burning, industry, land-use change.
  • Natural sinks (forests, oceans) absorb roughly half of human CO2 emissions.
• Other GHGs:
  • Methane (CH4): 16% of warming; increased to 1,942 ppb in 2024. Lifetime ~12 years.
  • Nitrous oxide (N2O): 6% of warming; increased to 338 ppb in 2024. Lifetime 100–120 years.

Trends and Record Increase

• Long-term trend: CO2 has never declined in last 40 years; annual average increase: 0.8 ppm/year since 1957.
• Acceleration:
  • 1960s: 0.8 ppm/year.
  • 2011–2020: 2.4 ppm/year.
  • 2023–2024: record jump of 3.5 ppm/year, unprecedented.
• Relative to pre-industrial levels (278.3 ppm): Current CO2 152% higher.

Causes Behind Record Rise

• Anthropogenic emissions: Continued fossil fuel burning.
• Natural feedbacks reducing CO2 absorption:
  • Oceans: reduced solubility due to higher temperatures.
  • Forests and land sinks: extreme droughts, wildfires, deforestation reduced CO2 uptake.
• Exceptional events: Large-scale forest fires in 2024 added extra emissions.
• Feedback loops: Higher temperatures → less CO2 absorption → more warming → more emissions.

Global Temperature Context

• 2024: Warmest year recorded, 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
• Significance: Breaching 1.5°C threshold increases risks of:
  • Irreversible climate impacts (sea-level rise, ice melt).
  • Extreme weather events (heatwaves, floods, droughts).
• GHG contribution:
  • CO2: ~75% of warming in last decade.
  • CH4: shorter-term impact but potent GHG.
  • N2O: long-term atmospheric persistence.

Implications and Challenges

• Rapid CO2 accumulation signals failure to slow emissions meaningfully despite global efforts.
• Climate feedbacks exacerbate warming: higher CO2 → reduced absorption → higher temperatures → more CO2 release.
• Urgency for action: Need enhanced mitigation, renewable energy adoption, forest protection, and global cooperation.

Key Data / Facts

Parameter	2024 Value	Trend / Notes
CO2 concentration	423.1 ppm	+2.9 ppm from 2023, +51.4 ppm since 1990
Global temp above pre-industrial	1.55°C	First annual average >1.5°C
Methane (CH4)	1,942 ppb	+8 ppb from 2023; avg 10.6 ppb/year last decade
Nitrous oxide (N2O)	338 ppb	+1 ppb from 2023; avg 1.07 ppb/year last decade
CO2 contribution to warming	~66% since pre-industrial; ~75% in last decade	Primary driver of climate change

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Where springs once sang, silence now echoes across the Eastern Himalayas

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Why in News ?

• Event: Report highlighting the drying of Himalayan springs and its impact on livelihoods, women, and local culture in Darjeeling Hills.
• Source: Field reportage and research by Kabindra Sharma, IUCN India Fellow, supported by NITI Aayog data.
• Context: Nearly 50% of springs in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) are drying up, threatening water security, agriculture, and traditional lifestyles.

Relevance:

• GS-1: Society – Livelihoods, Gendered burden, Cultural impacts of water scarcity.
• GS-2: Governance – Water security policy, Spring revival initiatives, Climate-resilient local governance.
• GS-3: Environment – Hydrology, Deforestation, Ecosystem services, Agriculture dependency.

Understanding Himalayan Springs ?

• Definition: Springs are natural groundwater outlets, providing freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and livestock.
• Significance:
  • Source of water for 200 million people across ecologically fragile mountain systems in India (Himalayas, Western/Eastern Ghats, Aravallis).
  • Sustain agriculture, livestock, and local livelihoods.
  • Cultural and social importance; tied to traditional practices and local knowledge.
• Historical self-reliance: Villages like Kolbong Khasmahal were once self-sufficient in vegetables and milk, relying on local water sources.

Causes of Drying Springs

• Climate shifts: Changing rainfall patterns, unpredictable monsoons, and prolonged dry periods.
• Deforestation & unsustainable land-use: Reduced soil water retention, increased runoff, and diminished aquifer recharge.
• Anthropogenic neglect: Limited recognition in national water governance frameworks prior to 2018; National Water Policies of 1987, 2002, 2012 made no mention of springs.
• Local impacts: Excessive withdrawal, lack of spring recharge practices, and encroachment.

Socio-Economic Impacts

• Water access burden on women:
  • Average of 2 hours/day spent fetching water from distant springs.
  • Physical strain, health risks, and impact on household management.
• Livelihood loss:
  • Decline in local vegetable production and dairy products like churpi.
  • Dependence on imported vegetables and packaged milk from towns like Dhupguri and Maynaguri.
• Migration: Youth move to cities due to declining local economic opportunities.
• Pandemic effect: Returning migrants found parched lands and dry springs, compounding livelihood challenges.

Environmental and Ecological Implications

• Water stress: Springs drying → reduced soil moisture → declining crop productivity.
• Forest degradation: Feedback loop with deforestation and drought further reduces natural recharge of springs.
• Biodiversity: Reduced water availability affects flora, fauna, and livestock dependent on spring-fed ecosystems.
• Ecological crisis: Combined hydrological, agricultural, and biodiversity loss threatens the Himalayan ecosystem.

Policy & Governance Context

• NITI Aayog 2018 Report: First formal acknowledgment of spring degradation; launched Inventory and Revival of Springs for Water Security in the Himalayas.
• Gap in policy: Prior national water policies ignored mountain spring systems, reflecting institutional neglect.
• Regional water governance: Ongoing initiatives by SaciWATERs and IUCN India focus on climate resilience, water management, and revival of springs.

Cultural and Human Security Implications

• Springs are intertwined with traditions, local knowledge, and community identity.
• Drying springs are a non-traditional security threat:
  • Threat to livelihoods and food security.
  • Gendered burden on women’s labor and time.
  • Potential migration and social disruption.

Key Facts / Data

Parameter	Value / Observation
Himalayan springs dried	~50% of total springs in IHR
People dependent on spring water	~200 million across India
Daily water fetching time (women)	~2 hours/day in Darjeeling villages
Economic shift	From locally produced vegetables/milk to imported vegetables and packaged milk
Recognition in policy	NITI Aayog 2018 report on Inventory & Revival of Springs