Content:

1. Vande Bharat trains have weak defences against even cattle, says new safety report
2. U.S. visas issued to Indian students decline by 30%
3. Diving into SC’s verdict on Governors
4. India, EU can collaborate on space policy, says envoy
5. Two cheetahs move to new home in Madhya Pradesh
6. Scientists find green way to recycle toxic perovskite solar cells

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Vande Bharat trains have weak defences against even cattle, says new safety report

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Context : The Vande Bharat Express, India’s flagship semi-high-speed train under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, has been hailed for its speed and comfort. However, a recent safety report has raised concerns about its vulnerability to accidents, especially during cattle run-overs.

Relevance : GS 3 (Infrastructure)

 Key Safety Concerns Highlighted in the Report

• Vulnerability to Collisions:
  • The leading coach of Vande Bharat is significantly lighter than a traditional locomotive.
  • At high speeds (160 kmph), even a minor obstruction or cattle run–over can lead to serious accidents.

• Design Limitations:
  • Unlike conventional trains with heavy locomotives at the front, Vande Bharat has a distributed power configuration (trainset model).
  • This leads to less impact resistance in case of frontal collisions.

• High-Speed Risks:
  • Current track infrastructure and absence of robust fencing expose trains to frequent trespassing and cattle intrusion, especially in rural stretches.

Recommendations by the Safety Report

• Physical Infrastructure:
  • Sturdy fencing must be installed along routes where Vande Bharat operates at high speeds to prevent cattle and human trespass.
  • Level crossings must be eliminated and replaced with overpasses or underpasses (especially on 160 kmph corridors).

• Trespass Management:
  • Railways must identify high-risk zones prone to cattle and human movement.
  • Implement subways, patrolling, and deployment of RPF (Railway Protection Force) at such points.

Counterview by ICF Engineer (Shubhranshu)

• Front-End Design Justification:
  • The nose cone is designed to crumple, absorbing impact energy to minimize damage.
  • A cattle guard/scoop is installed to deflect obstructions on tracks.

• Weight Argument:
  • The lighter design is intentional and standard in EMUs/MEMUs globally, and is not inherently unsafe.
  • Distributed propulsion allows better acceleration and energy efficiency.
• Comparative Design Philosophy:
  • Worldwide, modern trainsets do not rely on heavy locomotives and yet operate safely under strict corridor protection.

Structural & Operational Gaps

• Speed vs. Safety Infrastructure Mismatch:
  • India is running high-speed trains on semi-modernized tracks without adequate fencing or full-grade separation.

• Under-prepared Ecosystem:
  • Rapid rollout of Vande Bharat trains (136 services as of Dec 2024) is not matched with supporting safety upgrades in tracks, crossings, and patrols.

Wider Implications

• Public Safety Risk:
  • Frequent nose damage and accidents due to cattle hit have already been reported — raising questions on readiness for full-speed operations.

• ‘Make in India’ Under Scrutiny:
  • While a major success story, the sustainability and safety of the Vande Bharat model may come under criticism if systemic support is lacking.

Way Forward

• Comprehensive Corridors:
  • Treat Vande Bharat corridors akin to dedicated freight or bullet train tracks with strict access control.

• Upgrade Safety Protocols:
  • Integrate thermal cameras, animal sensors, geo-fencing, and real-time alerts into train operation systems.

• Policy-Level Interventions:
  • Ensure inter-ministerial coordination between Railways, Environment (for cattle protection), and State authorities to manage encroachment and rural interface.

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U.S. visas issued to Indian students decline by 30%

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Context : In February 2025, the U.S. issued 30% fewer student visas to Indians compared to the same month in 2024 — the sharpest decline among top source countries. This comes amid rising visa denials and terminations affecting international students, especially from India.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

• 30% Decline for Indian Students:
  • In February 2025, F-1 visas issued to Indian students fell from 590 (2024) to 411, marking a 30% drop.
  • This is the steepest drop among the top four countries sending students to the U.S.

• Global Context:
  • Overall student visas (F-1) dropped by only 4.75%.
  • Declines for others:
    • China: 5.2%
    • Japan: 9.6%
    • Vietnam: 7.4%

• Visa Wait Times Disparity:
  • Indian students face longest wait times — 58 days in Delhi.
  • Comparatively lower in:
    • Tokyo: 15 days
    • Beijing & Hanoi: 2 days

Concerning Trends

• Unprecedented Visa Terminations:
  • Over 1,100 students, including many Indians, had visas revoked without clear reasons.
  • Reported in 170+ colleges across the U.S.
  • Legal challenges filed, e.g., by Manikanta Pasula and Chinmay Deore.

• Indian Govt’s Shift in Stance:
  • Initially urged students to “follow the law.”
  • Now offering legal support and advising pursuit of legal remedies.

Wider Structural Issues

• High Rejection Rates Post-COVID:
  • Post-pandemic visa surge led to rising denials.
  • 2024 F-1 visa denial rate: 41%
  • All other visa denial rate: 22.1%
  • Sharp divergence in rejection rates compared to pre-COVID years.

• Long-Term Visa Denial Data:
  • From 2013 to 2021: denial rates for F-1 and other visas were comparable.
  • From 2022–24: growing gap; over 500,000 students denied visas in just two years.

India-Specific Implications

• Impact on Global Education Mobility:
  • India is a major source of international students — this trend threatens educational aspirations.
  • Could shift preference toward Canada, Australia, Europe.

• Brain Drain & Soft Power:
  • Reduced access to U.S. education could affect India’s tech workforce pipeline and diaspora diplomacy.

• Economic Consequences:
  • Indian students contribute significantly to U.S. universities’ revenue.
  • A sharp drop could prompt a revaluation of bilateral education policies.

Geopolitical Angle

• Possible Impact of Trump’s Return:
  • The sharp drop coincides with Trump’s second term beginning.
  • Suggests early signs of tighter immigration control or protectionist policy resurgence.

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Diving into SC’s verdict on Governors

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Background of the Case

• The Tamil Nadu Governor delayed action on 10 Bills passed by the State Legislative Assembly.
• He neither assented, returned, nor referred them to the President — effectively exercising a pocket veto (not envisaged in the Constitution).
• Upon the Supreme Court’s push, the Governor returned the Bills, and later referred them to the President after reconsideration.

Relevance : GS 2(Polity, Governance)

Key Issues Before the Supreme Court

• Can a Governor indefinitely delay assent on State Bills?
• Can a Governor return a Bill and then refer it to the President?
• What happens when constitutional silences are misused to delay democratic processes?

Supreme Court’s Core Observations

• Pocket Veto is Unconstitutional: The Constitution doesn’t allow indefinite inaction by a Governor.
• Sequence of Actions Invalid: Returning a Bill and referring it to the President isn’t allowed — it must be either/or, not both.
• Federalism Must Be Respected: The will of the State legislature — as an elected body — must be respected unless there is a constitutional reason to override it.
• President’s Role Limited: Assent can be withheld only for constitutionally valid reasons (e.g., conflict with Union law).

Prescribing Timelines (Controversial Move)

• The court laid down specific timelines for Governors and the President to act on Bills — despite the Constitution being silent on this.
  • This was done to ensure no abuse of power through indefinite delays.
• Critics argue this is judicial overreach — creating new norms that ideally should be the Legislature’s domain.

Use of Article 142 – “Complete Justice”

• Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to deem the Bills as passed and thus enforceable as law.
• Tamil Nadu promptly notified and enforced the Acts the next day.
• Critics argue this bypassed the legislative process; defenders say it was the only recourse to uphold constitutional morality.

The Tension:

• The tension between a nominated Governor and elected State government is structurally embedded and unresolved.

Federalism and Democratic Principles

• The judgment reasserts the importance of:
  • Cooperative Federalism — the Centre-State balance must be preserved.
  • Legislative Sovereignty of States — elected Assemblies must not be undermined by unelected functionaries.
  • Time-bound Governance — Constitutional processes cannot be stalled indefinitely.

Criticism & Concerns

• Judicial Overreach? Prescribing timelines and deeming Bills passed are arguably legislative functions.
• Sustainability Issues: Ad hoc judicial fixes can’t substitute for long-term institutional reforms.
• Potential Precedent: Will courts now routinely intervene in State-Governor stand-offs?

Verdict as a Temporary Fix

• Seen as a “band-aid” solution to deeper systemic flaws in India’s federal structure.
• Reinforces the urgent need for reform:
  • Revisit the role of Governors.
  • Introduce codified procedures and time limits in constitutional processes.
  • Rebalance centralising features of the 1949 Constitution with modern federal realities.

Way Forward

• Legislative Reform: Codify timelines for gubernatorial and presidential assent.
• Rethink Governor’s Role: Time to reassess the utility and powers of the Governor in a matured democracy.
• Strengthen Federal Norms: Institutional mechanisms to resolve Centre-State frictions without judicial dependence.

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India, EU can collaborate on space policy, says envoy

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Strategic Context

• India-EU Space Dialogue: A formal “space dialogue” is being proposed as a first step to deepen bilateral collaboration.
• Broader Strategic Framework: This aligns with the growing India–EU strategic partnership, including tech, trade, and defense.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Key Security Concerns in Outer Space

• ASAT Debris Generation:
  • The envoy emphasized the global concern over debris from destructive Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons tests.
  • India’s 2019 ASAT test was referenced — a direct “hit-to-kill” test at ~300 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
  • EU’s Stand: Supports ban on destructive ASAT testing in the UN context.

• RPO (Rendezvous and Proximity Operations):
  • Defined as one satellite maneuvering near another, potentially for docking or inspection.
  • Concerns: When done without prior notification or by adversarial actors, RPOs pose a threat to satellite safety.
  • EU’s View: RPOs aren’t inherently dangerous, but need internationally agreed norms to prevent misuse.

• Cybersecurity Threats:
  • Jamming and spoofing of satellite signals threaten critical services (navigation, communication, etc.).
  • Emphasis on the need for space cyber-resilience.

Regulatory Collaboration

• Norms for Responsible Behaviour:
  • India and EU can collaborate in shaping global norms, rules, and principles of responsible conduct in outer space.
  • Need for rules-based order in space, akin to maritime/airspace norms.

• Space Situational Awareness (SSA):
  • Shared concern on tracking and managing space debris and unauthorized satellite proximity.

• EU Space Act (Upcoming):
  • Focus: EU internal coordination for competitiveness in the space sector.
  • Objective: Avoid fragmentation across 27 EU nations; does not aim to regulate third countries like India.

Opportunities for India

• Norm Shaping:
  • As a major space power, India can play a leading role in global governance frameworks on space security.
  • Chance to align with democratic and responsible space-faring nations.

• Civil and Dual-Use Tech Cooperation:
  • Joint work on non-military space missions, earth observation, climate change monitoring, satellite-based services.
  • Potential for collaboration on emerging techs like small satellites, launch vehicles, and data analytics.

India’s Strategic Balancing

• Maintaining Strategic Autonomy:
  • India must carefully balance its ASAT capabilities and national security goals while engaging with multilateral efforts.
  • Can push for differentiation between destructive and non-destructive technologies in space diplomacy.

• Engagement Without Compromise:
  • Participation in rule-setting doesn’t mean curtailing sovereign capabilities.
  • Opportunity to prevent regulatory capture by space superpowers.

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Two cheetahs move to new home in Madhya Pradesh

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Event Overview

• Two male cheetahs, Prabhas and Pawak, were relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS), Madhya Pradesh.
• Both are six-year-old males, part of the February 2023 batch from South Africa under Project Cheetah.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

Significance of the Gandhi Sagar Relocation

• GSWS becomes the second cheetah reintroduction site in Madhya Pradesh, after Kuno National Park.
• A 64-sq. km enclosure has been prepared, located between Mandsaur and Neemuch districts.
• The Chambal River bisects the sanctuary, influencing habitat dynamics.

Project Cheetah: Objectives & Milestones

• First translocation: 8 cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022 to Kuno.
• Second translocation: 12 cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023.
• Objective: Reintroduce the extinct Asiatic cheetah in India, improve biodiversity, and develop eco-tourism.

Reintroduction Strategy

• Cheetahs are being moved to additional locations to:
  • Reduce pressure on Kuno National Park.
  • Avoid territorial conflict and overcrowding.
  • Expand the geographic gene pool and increase survival chances.
• Four more cheetahs from Botswana expected in May 2025, and four more later in Phase II.

Success Indicators

• MP Governments claimed that Kuno had the highest number of cheetah births globally post-translocation.
• Encouraging sign that adaptation and breeding are possible in Indian conditions.
• Increased prey base at GSWS over the last year supports sustainability.

Operational Details

• A 20-member team led by Kuno’s CCF Uttam Kumar Sharma managed the relocation by road (~250 km).
• Kuno now houses 24 cheetahs:
  • 14 in the wild,
  • 10 in enclosures.
• Gandhi Sagar staff trained at Kuno will now manage the relocated cheetahs after a 7-day handover phase.

Ecological and Governance Implications

• Project Cheetah is a flagship intercontinental conservation program.
• Promotes habitat development, prey augmentation, and wildlife management.
• Indicates state-level leadership and commitment to long-term wildlife conservation goals.

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Scientists find green way to recycle toxic perovskite solar cells

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Background on Perovskite Solar Cells

• Perovskite PVs are a promising alternative to silicon-based solar panels due to:
  • High efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity.
  • Lower production costs.
• Challenges:
  • Contain toxic lead.
  • Have a shorter lifespan than silicon cells.
  • Previous recycling methods relied on toxic organic solvents (e.g., dimethylformamide), posing environmental risks.

Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)

New Breakthrough: Water-Based Green Recycling Method

• Published in Nature, the study demonstrates:
  • A water-based solution for recycling perovskite layers.
  • Achieves almost same efficiency as fresh materials, even after 5 recycling cycles.
  • ~99% recovery of the solar cell layers after multiple rounds.

Key Components of the New Recycling Process

1. Sodium Acetate:
   1. Binds with lead ions → forms water-soluble lead acetate.
   1. Facilitates efficient dissolution of lead-based perovskite in water.

• Sodium Iodide:
  • Supplies iodide ions to restore degraded perovskite crystals.
  • Supports reformation of high-quality crystals during cooling.

• Hypophosphorous Acid:
  • Acts as a stabiliser to keep the water-based solution viable for multiple reuse cycles.

Recycling of Entire Solar Cell

• Used ethanol and ethyl acetate to dissolve and recover other cell layers.
• Successfully reassembled solar cells layer-by-layer with minimal loss.
• Achieved comparable efficiency to virgin cells, even after 5 reuse cycles.

Significance & Environmental Impact

• Addresses twomajor problems:
  • Toxicity due to lead.
  • Waste generation from short-lived solar cells.
• Promotes circular economy: keeping materials in use longer, reducing waste and emissions.
• Avoids toxic organic solvents, aligning with green chemistry principles.
• Supports low-cost, high-efficiency solar tech with significantly reduced lifecycle environmental burden.

Future Implications

• If scalable, it could:
  • Solve critical barriers to commercialisation of perovskite PVs.
  • Reduce environmental footprint of solar power generation.
• Need for life cycle assessment (LCA):
  • Evaluate overall environmental impact across production, use, and disposal phases.
  • Ensure no unintended ecological consequences.

Expert Commentary

• Researchers laud the breakthrough as a holistic shift from just lead recovery to full cell regeneration.
• It represents a mature approach to sustainability in renewable tech.
• Could pave the way for perovskite PVs to fulfill their promise as a key player in future clean energy systems