Author: instakas

Custodial Deaths in India

Governance

Context

• A trial court in Madurai sentenced 9 Tamil Nadu policemen to death for the brutal 2020 custodial killing of a father and son, P. Jayaraj and J. Benicks.

Custodial Death

• Custodial death refers to the death of an individual while in police or judicial custody.
• This may occur before trial, during police interrogation, or after convictio
• The death may be caused by torture, negligence, denial of medical aid, or even under suspicious circumstances.

It violates the Constitutional Rights

• Article 20(1): No person shall be punished beyond what is prescribed in law.
• Article 20(3): Right against Self-Incrimination, stating that “No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
• Article 21: Ensures protection of life and personal liberty, including in police/judicial custody.
• Issue of Custodial Death in India: According to parliamentary data, 11,656 custodial deaths were recorded between 2016-17 and 2021-22, across India.
• Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 2,630 deaths, while Tamil Nadu (490) reported the highest number among the southern States.

International Legal Frameworks for Protection

• United Nations Charter (1945): It sets out the purposes and principles of the UN, including the promotion of human rights.
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): It prohibits torture and ensures the presumption of innocence.
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966): It protects right to life and prohibits torture.
• The Nelson Mandela Rules, officially known as the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners 2015, establish minimum standards for the humane treatment of all individuals deprived of their liberty.
• European Convention on Human Rights (1950): It recognises individual dignity and access to justice mechanisms.

India Achieves Highest-ever Annual Wind Energy Addition

Environment

Context

• India has achieved the highest-ever annual wind energy capacity addition of 6.05 GW in 2025-26, taking cumulative installed capacity to over 56 GW.

India’s Energy Share

• As of 2025, the country’s total installed electricity capacity has crossed 500 GW, reaching 509.6 GW.
• The total non-fossil power installed capacity has reached 74 GW in 2025 which is 51.5% of the total installed electricity capacity in the country.
• The solar energy installed capacity has reached85 GW in 2025.
• Fossil-fuel-based sources: 80 GW, about 49 % of the total.
• Globally, India stands 3rd in Solar Power installed capacity, 4th in Wind Power capacity and 4th in total Renewable Energy capacity.

India’s Energy Targets

• Emissions Intensity Reduction: India has committed to reducing the emissions intensity (CO₂ per unit of GDP) of its GDP by 47% by 2035 from 2005 levels.
• Expansion of Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity: India has committed to achieving 60% of its installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2035.
• Creation of Carbon Sink: India has committed to creating a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035.

Government Initiatives

• National Solar Mission (NSM): It was launched in 2010, it has set ambitious targets for solar capacity installation, including grid-connected and off-grid solar power projects.
• National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF): It was established to support research and innovation in clean energy technologies and projects that help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• National Wind Energy Mission: Focuses on the development and expansion of wind energy in India. The target for wind energy capacity is set at 140 GW by 2030.

Tar Balls Management Rules

Environment

Context

• The Centre has, for the first time, proposed dedicated rules to manage tar balls that cause on-shore and off-shore marine pollution.

Connect with the basics- Marine Tar balls

• They are sticky, dark-colored lumps of weathered oil that form after oil spills, leaks, or natural seepage in the marine environment.

Formation

• Weathering Process: They form through weathering, where lighter oil components evaporate, leaving behind heavier hydrocarbons that mix with sand and marine debris.
• Size & Texture: Their size varies from pea-sized globules to basketball-sized lumps.
• Composition: They contain toxic contaminants like heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Impact of Tar Ball Pollution

• Marine Life: Marine animals like sea turtles and seabirds may ingest them, leading to death. They also clog the pores of mangroves and coral reefs.
• Human Health: Direct contact can cause skin irritation, and toxic chemicals can enter the human food chain through contaminated seafood.
• Economy: Significant negative impact on tourism (due to oily beaches and odor) and fisheries (fouling of fishing nets).

Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026

• Framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, these rules establish India’s first dedicated regulatory framework for tar balls.

Sundarbans Losing Ability to Recover

Environment

Context

• A recent study shows that around 10–15 percent of the Sundarbans is undergoing a “critical slowing down” process from environmental stress.

Sundarbans in West Bengal

Geographical location  

• It is a vast contiguous mangrove forest ecosystem present in the coastal region of Bay of Bengal
• It spread over India and Bangladesh on the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna delta.

Conservation efforts  

• UNESCO World Heritage site – Sundarbans National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
• Biosphere Reserve – Sunderbans was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2001.
• Wetland of International Importance – Sundarban Wetland, India was recognised as the ‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention in January 2019.
• Flora and Fauna – Sunderban National Park is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species and is home to the Royal Bengal tiger, Gangetic dolphins and Estuarine crocodile

Supreme Court Hearing on Sabarimala Case

Polity and Governance

Context

• A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India has begun hearings on petitions concerning women’s entry into religious places, including the Sabarimala Temple.

Background

• In 2018, a Constitution Bench (4:1 majority) allowed entry of women of menstruating age into the temple, declaring the restriction unconstitutional.
• Due to widespread protests, in 2019, the matter was referred to a larger bench.
• Significance: The issue reflects tension between Fundamental Rights on equality/non-discrimination (Articles 14, 15, 17) and Religious Freedom (Articles 25, 26).
• It also raises questions on Judicial activism vs restraint and Secularism in India (principled distance model).

Additional Information – Sabarimala Temple

• Location and Deity: The Sabarimala Temple is located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala on the banks of the sacred Pamba River (also known as Pampa), within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats.
• It is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, also known as Dharmashasta.
• The temple is situated on a hilltop at an elevation of about 1,260 metres.
• Religious Significance: It is one of the largest annual pilgrimage centres in the world. Devotees undertake a rigorous 41-day ‘Vratham’ (penance) before visiting.
• The temple symbolises celibacy (Naishtika Brahmacharya) of Lord Ayyappa.

Credit Guarantee Scheme

Economy

Context

• The government is considering a ₹2.5 lakh crore credit guarantee scheme to support businesses, especially MSMEs impacted by the West Asia crisis.

About

• The scheme will be an expansion of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECGLS)

Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS)

• It was launched in 2020 as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan
• Objective – to support eligible MSMEs and other eligible business enterprises due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• ECLGS covered almost all the sectors of the economy.

The structure of the scheme permitted

1. Easy access to credit
2. Interest rate was also capped to lowest.
3. Credit and loans were sanctioned without any processing charges.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

International

In News

• Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

• It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations
• Objective – to maintain international peace and security.
• It is the only UN body empowered to issue legally binding resolutions that all UN member states are obligated to comply with under international law.
• Structure and Composition: The Council has 15 members divided into two categories:
• Permanent Members (P5) with Veto Power: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• A single veto from any P5 member is sufficient to block any substantive resolution, regardless of how many other members support it.
• Non-Permanent Members (10 seats): Elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms, distributed geographically.
• Headquarters: New York, USA

Mission MITRA

Science & Technology

In News

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with the IAF-Institute of Aerospace Medicine, has launched Mission MITRA in Leh, Ladakh.

Mission MITRA

• Full Form: Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment.
• Agencies Involved: Designed jointly by ISRO and the Indian Air Force’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM).
• Location: Leh, Ladakh (~3,500 meters altitude).
• Participants: Includes the four designated Gaganyatris (astronauts) for the Gaganyaan mission: Prasanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap, and Shubhanshu Shukla.

Objectives and Significance

• The mission is an “analogue mission,” meaning it uses Earth-based environments that mimic the physical and psychological stressors of space.
• Human Factors Engineering: Studies how hypoxia (low oxygen), extreme cold, and isolation affect crew decision-making and teamwork.
• Interoperability: Evaluates coordination between the crew and Ground Control Teams under operational stress and simulated communication delays.
• Gaganyaan Preparation: The data directly informs training protocols for the upcoming crewed Gaganyaan mission (expected in late 2026 or early 2027) and future long-duration stays at the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS).

India Achieves Milestone in Nuclear Energy Programme

Science and Technology

Context

• India has achieved a major milestone as the indigenously built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has attain ed criticality.

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)

• PFBR is an advanced reactor that generates more fissile fuel than it consumes.
• India’s PFBR is located at Kalpakkam and operated by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited.
• It uses Uranium–Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel.

It is called a fast breeder because;

• It uses high-energy, fast neutrons to sustain the fission reaction, rather than the slowed-down thermal neutrons used in standard reactors.
• It converts fertile material (like Uranium-238) into fissile material (Plutonium-239).
• The criticality refers to the point at which a reactor achieves a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction, where the number of neutrons produced is sufficient to keep the reaction going without external intervention.

Significance of the Achievement

• Advancement of India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme: The PFBR marks progress in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme.
• It enables the conversion of fertile material into fissile fuel.
• It lays the foundation for the third stage, which focuses on thorium utilization.
• Harnessing Thorium Potential: India possesses vast thorium reserves, and the PFBR helps generate the required fissile material (U-233) for thorium-based reactors.
• Thorium-232, is not fissile but can be converted into a fissile material.
• Technological and Strategic Significance: India becomes only the second country after Russia to develop a commercial fast breeder reactor.
• It demonstrates advanced indigenous capability in nuclear technology and engineering.

Namo Drone Didi Scheme

Schemes

Context

• According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation a total of 1,094 SHG members have been trained as drone pilots in the country.

Namo Drone Didi

• Launched in – 2023
• Aim – to empower rural women by making them “Agri-tech” entrepreneurs.
• Objective – It aims to provide 15,000 drones to selected Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India between 2024 and 2026.
• Financing – It is a Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Union)
• Implementation – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Key features

• Women Empowerment: Transforming women in SHGs into skilled drone pilots and service providers.
• Modernizing Agriculture: Promoting precision farming—using drones to spray liquid fertilizers (like Nano Urea) and pesticides accurately, which reduces waste and health risks for farmers.
• Livelihood Generation: Creating an additional annual income of at least ₹1 lakh for each SHG through drone rental services.

Babu Jagjivan Ram

History and Culture

Context

• PM Modi paid tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary.

Babu Jagjivan Ram

• He was a freedom fighter and social reformer born on 5 April 1908 in Chandwa village (present-day Bihar).
• He studied at Banaras Hindu University and later graduated from University of Calcutta.
• Role in Freedom Struggle: He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and actively participated in the national movement.
• He took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement.
• Social Justice Contributions: He founded the Akhil Bharatiya Ravidas Mahasabha and the All India Depressed Classes League to mobilize marginalized communities.
• He was instrumental in the enactment of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
• Political Career: He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.
• As Food & Agriculture Minister, he is credited with the Green Revolution and as Defence Minister he led India to the historic 1971 war, which saw the birth of Bangladesh.
• He served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India in 1979 under Morarji Desai.

Project Chetak celebrates 47th Raising Day

Defence

Context

• Project Chetak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 47th Raising Day.

Project Chetak

• It is one of the largest projects of the BRO in terms of geographical area.
• Raised in 1980, it has played a key role in developing and maintaining road networks across Rajasthan, Punjab and northern parts of Gujarat.
• It supports the Defence Forces by maintaining key feeder roads towards the International Border.

Additional Information – Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

• Established in – It was formed in 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
• Objective – To coordinate the speedy development of an adequate road communication network of roads in the North and the North-Eastern border regions of the country.
• Functions under – It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
• Significance – Support the armed forces meet their strategic needs by committed, dedicated and cost-effective development and sustenance of the infrastructure.
• Recent  and upcoming Projects: This includes the construction of Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh on Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang Road.
  

BioNEST

Science and Technology

ContextProbiotics and postbiotics

• Recently, the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre was inaugurated at CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru.

BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre

• Objective – to support food bioprocessing, biotechnology research, scale-up validation, and regulatory support.
• Its main goal is to convert scientific research into market-ready products.
• Focus Areas: The startups are working in emerging areas such as Nutraceuticals, Precision fermentation, , CRISPR-based technologies and Botanicals.

Bharat Tribes Fest 2026

Polity and Governance

Context

• Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 was concluded recently.

About

• It is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs organised in association with TRIFED.
• Objective – The 19-day festival brought together tribal artisans, entrepreneurs, and self-help groups from across the country, showcasing India’s diverse tribal heritage and products.

Additional Information – Tribes of Karnataka

• Karnataka is home to approximately 50 notified Scheduled Tribes, representing about 95% of the state’s total population.
• These communities are primarily concentrated in the districts of Bellary, Raichur, Mysore , Chitradurga, and Belgaum.

Major Tribal Communities

• Naikda / Nayaka / Bedar: This is the largest tribal group in Karnataka. Historically a warrior and hunter community, they are also known by names like Valmiki and Beda.
• Gond: The second-largest tribal group in the state, primarily settled in northern districts like Bidar and Uttara Kannada.
• Jenu Kuruba: Their name literally translates to “honey people” (Jenu means honey), reflecting their traditional expertise in honey gathering in the Western Ghats.
• Soliga (Sholaga): Primarily inhabiting the Biligiriranga Hills (BR Hills), they have a deep spiritual connection to the forest and are known for practicing shifting cultivation.
• Hakkipikki: Historically semi-nomadic “bird catchers” (Hakki means bird, Pikki means catch), they claim ancestral links to the warrior clans of Rajasthan.
• Siddi: A unique ethnic group of African descent, brought to India centuries ago. They are mostly found in the forests of Uttara Kannada and are known for their distinct culture and “Kawandi” quilting art.
• Koraga: Identified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), they are native to coastal districts like Udupi and Dakshina Kannada and are traditional basket weavers and drum beaters.
• Yerava: Mostly found in Kodagu and Mysore, they are traditionally forest-dwellers who now often work in coffee and tea plantations.

Major Ports in India Surpass Cargo Target

Economy

Context

• The major ports of India handled 915.17 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in FY 2025–26, exceeding the target of 904 MT and recording a 7.06% year-on-year growth.

About

• There are 14 major ports out of which 12 Major Ports are in Operation and 200 non-major ports (minor ports) in the country.
• New ports: Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra and Galathea Bay Port in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have been notified as Major Ports.
• While the Major Ports are under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the non-major ports are under the jurisdiction of respective State Maritime Boards/ State Government.

Operational Major Ports in India

OPEC+

International

Context

• The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries group decided to increase oil production by 206,000 barrels per day amid rising global energy tensions.

OPEC and OPEC+

• The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental Organization, created at the Baghdad Conference in September 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
• OPEC Members (12 Nations): The core organization includes Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.
• Non-OPEC Partners (10 Nations): The extended “Plus” group consists of Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan, and Sudan
• OPEC is headquartered at Vienna, Austria.
• In 2016, OPEC formed an alliance with other oil-producing nations to create OPEC+. The 10 countries now in OPEC+ include Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Oman.
• Member states of OPEC hold more than 80% of the world’s proven oil reserves.
• OPEC produces about 40% of the world’s crude oil and its members’ exports make up around 60% of global petroleum trade.

Stagflation

Economy

In Context

• The ongoing US-Israel vs Iran conflict has triggered a sharp energy supply disruption, reviving fears of stagflation.

Stagflation

• Definition: Simultaneous occurrence of stagnant/negative economic growth + high unemployment + high inflation.
• Term Coined By: British politician Iain Macleod (1960s).
• Why It’s Dangerous: Normal monetary policy tools fail, raising interest rates fights inflation  but worsens unemployment; cutting rates boosts growth but fuels inflation further.