Author: instakas

Bonded Labour Abolition Act 1976: 50 years of abolition law

Governance

Context

• February 9, 1976, marked an important milestone in equality in Indian society with the enactment of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act (BLSA).

Bonded Labour Abolition Act 1976

• Bonded labour (or debt bondage) is defined as a condition where money is lent in such a way that the debtor is forced to pay back through labour instead of money.
• It was enacted to give effect to Article 23 of the Constitution (prohibition of trafficking and forced labour).
• Bonded labour was deeply entrenched due to poverty, caste hierarchies, landlessness, and indebtedness.
• India ratified ILO Convention No. 29 (Forced Labour) in 1954, strengthening the legal obligation.

Objectives:

1. Abolish the bonded labour system.
2. Free bonded labourers and extinguish their debts.
3. Prevent economic and social exploitation.
4. Provide a legal framework for rehabilitation.

Seychelles

International Relations

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $175 million Special Economic Package for Seychelles during the visit of Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie to India.

Seychelles

• It is an archipelago nation of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar, known as Africa’s smallest and least populous country.
• Its capital is Victoria on Mahé island.
• Biodiversity: It is known for rare species like the Coco de Mer, the Aldabra giant tortoise, and the rare black parrot.

Mangrove clam (Geloina erosa)

Environment

In News

• ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute achieved a global first by inducing captive breeding of Geloina erosa (mangrove/mud clam), offering hope for restoring overexploited populations in Indian mangroves.

About

• Geloina erosa (also Polymesoda erosa) is a large bivalve (up to 10 cm shell width) inhabiting organic-rich, muddy intertidal zones of mangroves and estuaries across South and Southeast Asia.
• It is known locally as “Kandal Kakka” in northern Kerala.
• It acts as an efficient filter feeder, improving estuarine water quality through nutrient recycling.
• Its burrowing behaviour stabilises sediments, enhances nutrient cycling, and strengthens mangrove ecosystem resilience.

No questions on PM CARES, relief and defence funds: PMO

Syllabus: GS2/Polity

Context

• The Prime Minister’s Office has informed the Lok Sabha Secretariat that parliamentary questions and discussions related to the PM CARES Fund, Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), and the National Defence Fund (NDF) are not admissible under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.

PM CARES vs. PMNRF: Key Differences

Reticulated Python

Environment

Context

• Guinness World Records has confirmed a 22-metre female reticulated python named Ibu Baron or “The Baroness”, from Sulawesi, Indonesia, as the longest measured snake in the world.

Reticulated Python

• Scientific Name: Malayopython reticulatus
• The species is native to South and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and parts of India.

Physical Characteristics:

• It is the longest snake species in the world.
• It is among the three heaviest snake species, after the green anaconda and Burmese python.
• It has distinctive net-like (reticulated) patterns on its scales.
• Human Predation: Reticulated pythons are among the few snake species known to prey on humans.
• They kill by constriction, suffocating their prey before swallowing it whole.

Bastar Pandum Festival

Syllabus: GS1/Culture

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Chhattisgarh for the special celebration of ‘Bastar Pandum’ festival.

About the Festival

• Celebrated in – It is a cultural festival celebrated in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh showcasing tribal heritage and cultural traditions.
• Significance – It has emerged as a major cultural platform highlighting Bastar’s tribal identity through art, music, dance, handicrafts, and indigenous cuisine.

Indian PM Visit to Malaysia

IR

Context

• India and Malaysia vowed to expand their ties in the high-priority sectors of trade and investment, defence, energy, advanced manufacturing and semiconductors.

Major outcomes of the meet

• A Framework Agreement on the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) was also finalised, reflecting shared commitment to biodiversity and sustainable development.
• Both sides also received the report of the 10th Malaysia-India CEO Forum, highlighting private sector perspectives on trade, investment and future collaboration.

Additional Information – India and Malaysia Relations

• Diplomatic Relations: The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1957, and this was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2024.
• Both countries are members of various international organizations, such as the United Nations, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and the Non-Aligned Movement.
• Trade and Economic Relations: Malaysia is the 13th largest trading partner for India while India stands amongst the 10 largest trading partners globally.
• Defense and Security: Harimau Shakti is the primary bilateral training exercise between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army.
• ASEAN Centrality: Malaysia holds a crucial position in expanding India’s trade with ASEAN, aligning with India’s Act East Policy, advancing maritime connectivity in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea, and supporting ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Perspective (AOIP) and the Indo-Pacific Initiative (IPOI).
• Tourism and diaspora: India is the 5th largest source country for inbound tourism to Malaysia.
• Indian Community: Malaysia has the third largest Indian diaspora in the world (2.9 million).
• Cultural Ties: Indian influence in Malaysia can be seen in various aspects of Malaysian culture, including language, religion (Hinduism and Buddhism), architecture, cuisine, and festivals.

The AYUSH Sector in India

Governance

In News

• India’s new free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union opened the door for Indian doctors and products to enter the European market more easily.

AYUSH Sector in India

• AYUSH encompasses traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.

Key Initiatives

• National AYUSH Mission (NAM): Core policy instrument to integrate AYUSH into public healthcare through:
• Institutes of National Importance: All India Institute of Ayurveda (New Delhi), National Institute of Homoeopathy (Kolkata) & Dedicated national institutes for Siddha, Unani, Yoga, and Naturopathy.
• Regulatory and Research Bodies: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), National Commission for Indian System of Medicine & National Commission for Homoeopathy.
• Medicinal Plant Promotion: National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) working with 32 State Boards to support quality cultivation, value chains, and exports.
• Flagship Schemes: AYURGYAN (Education and capacity building), Ayurswasthya Yojana (Community health and preventive care using AYUSH systems).

Eritrea

Syllabus: GS1/ Places in News

In News

• Recently, Ethiopia demanded that Eritrea immediately withdraw its troops from Ethiopian territory, highlighting renewed tensions in the Horn of Africa.

Eritrea

• Capital: Asmara (Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• Location: Situated in the Horn of Africa (Northeast Africa). Lies along a crucial geostrategic corridor connecting Africa with West Asia.
• Strategic Importance: Controls the western coast of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital global maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
• Geographical Features: Hot desert climate along the Red Sea coast. Temperate / Mediterranean-like climate in the central highlands.
• Membership in International Groupings: African Union (AU) & COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa).

Jiyo Parsi Scheme

Syllabus:GS2/Social Justice

In News

• The Jiyo Parsi Scheme has supported the birth of over 490 Parsi children and provided ₹35.05 crore in financial assistance to Parsi couples

Parsi Community in India

• According to the 2011 Census of India, the Parsi population in the country was 57,264.
• This represented a significant decrease of approximately 22% from the 2001 census figure of 69,601.

Jiyo Parsi Scheme

• Launched in – 2013-14
• Objective – to reverse the declining trend of Parsi population by adopting a scientific protocol and structured interventions.

The scheme has three components:

• Medical Assistance: Provides financial aid for infertility treatments such as IVF, ICSI, surrogacy, and post-conception care.
• Advocacy: Provides for counselling of couples with fertility issues
• Health of the Community: Offers monthly financial support to Parsi couples with children as well as to dependent elderly members.

Global Teacher Prize 2026

Miscellaneous

Context

• Indian teacher Rouble Nagi has won the Global Teacher Prize 2026, receiving the one million dollar award at the World Government Summit in Dubai.

Global Teacher Prize

• It was Launched in 2014 and is often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Teaching”.
• It is Presented by GEMS Education and organised by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO.
• Mandate – It recognises exceptional educators for their outstanding contributions to teaching and social transformation.

Do you know?

• Rouble Nagi, is a pioneering educator from India, dedicated to making learning accessible to the most marginalised communities.
• Over the past two decades, she has established more than 800 learning centres across over 100 underserved communities and villages.

Supreme Court Allows Abortion of 30-week Pregnancy of a Minor

Polity and Governance; Social Justice

Context

• The Supreme Court has permitted the medical termination of a 30-week pregnancy of a minor, emphasising that no woman can be compelled to carry a pregnancy to full term against her will.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021

• The Act permits abortion up to 20 weeks in the opinion of one registered medical practitioner.
• Between 20–24 weeks, termination is allowed for specified categories of women (including minors, rape survivors, and differently-abled women) on the opinion of two doctors.
• Beyond 24 weeks, termination is permitted only in cases of substantial fetal abnormalities as diagnosed by a Medical Board.

Key Observations of the Supreme Court

• The Court reiterated that reproductive autonomy is an integral part of personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• The Court observed that the pregnancy of a minor is “ex facie illegitimate” because she lacks legal capacity to consent to sexual relations.

Hakki-Pikki tribe

Society

In News

• The Embassy of India assisted Hakki-Pikki community members from Davangere, Shivamogga, and Chikkamagaluru districts, who were at risk of imprisonment in Chad.

The Hakki Pikki tribe

• It is a tribe that lives in several states in west and south India, especially near forest areas.
• Hakki Pikkis (Hakki in Kannada means ‘bird’ and Pikki means ‘catchers’) are a semi-nomadic tribe, traditionally of bird catchers and hunters.
• Hakki Pikki people are believed to hail originally from the bordering districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• Hakki Pikkis in Karnataka follow Hindu traditions and celebrate all Hindu festivals.
• They are non-vegetarians. The eldest son in a family is not supposed to cut his hair so that he can be identified easily.
• The tribe prefers cross-cousin marriages. The society is matriarchal, where the groom gives dowry to the bride’s family. Monogamy is the norm.

Greater Flamingos

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

Context

• Nearly 70 Greater Flamingos were recorded for the first time at Hope Island in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Kakinada Bay, Andhra Pradesh.

Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus)

• Description: The greater flamingo is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family, averaging 110–150 cm tall and weighing 2–4 kg.
• Distribution: They are found in Northern (coastal) and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent (south of the Himalayas), the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe.
• Greater flamingos usually migrate to India from Israel, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
• Diet and lifespan: Average lifespan is 30–40 years, and they feed on small fish and other aquatic organisms.
• Threats: The primary threats to flamingo populations are bacteria, toxins, and pollution in water supplies, which is usually run-off from manufacturing companies, and encroachment on their habitat.
• State Bird: The greater flamingo is the State bird of Gujarat.

Types and IUCN status:

1. The greater flamingo    –      Least Concern
2. Chilean flamingo              –     Near Threatened
3. American flamingo          –     Least Concern
4. Lesser flamingo                –     Near Threatened
5. Andean flamingo             –     Vulnerable

James’s flamingo                     –     Near Threatened.

Sickle Cell Disease

GS2/Health

Context

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to treat Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

Orphan Drug Designation

• Orphan drugs are pharmaceutical agents developed specifically to treat rare (orphan) diseases.
• Once designated, orphan drugs receive several incentives to encourage their development, including market exclusivity, tax credits for research and development (R&D) expenses, and fee waivers for regulatory applications.

Sickle cell anaemia

• Disease – It is an inherited group of blood disorders that is genetic in nature.
• Cause – It is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin-β gene found on chromosome 11. This mutation results in defective haemoglobin (Hb).
• Characteristics – After giving up oxygen, these defective Hb molecules cluster together resulting in formation of rod like structures.
• The red blood cells become stiff and assume sickle shape. (Haemoglobin (Hb) is a protein found in the red blood cells that carries oxygen in your body and gives blood its red colour)
• Transmission – It is usually transferred from the parents to the child during birthe. both parents can be carriers of SCDs.
• Symptoms – Babies who are born with sickle cell anaemia might not show symptoms for many months.
• Extreme tiredness, fussiness and painfully swollen hands and feet and jaundice.
• Effects – The misshapen cells lack plasticity and can block small blood vessels, impairing blood flow.
• The sickle cells die prematurely, resulting in a chronic lack of red blood cells (anaemia), often called sickle-cell anaemia.
• Treatment – Medication, blood transfusions and rarely a bone-marrow transplant are done.

Mountain Gorillas

Environment / Species

Context

• Rare twin mountain gorillas were recently born in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)

• They are a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, one of the two gorilla species found globally (eastern and western gorillas).
• In the wild, gorillas can live for over 40 years, and humans share nearly 98% DNA with them.
• Habitat and Distribution: They live at elevations of about 8,000–13,000 feet and have thicker fur than other great apes to adapt to cold mountain climates.
• They are typically found in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa.
• Diet mainly includes leaves, shoots, and stems, along with insects, roots, bark, and decaying wood as a source of minerals.
• Conservation Status and Population: Endangered (IUCN Red List); estimated population is around 1,063 individuals in the wild.

Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority

Governance

In News

• The Government of India, the Government of Nagaland, and representatives of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) have signed a historic agreement for the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).

Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority

• FNTA will cover six districts — Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator inhabited by eight major Naga tribes.
• Objective – The agreement provides for devolution of powers enhancing administrative and developmental autonomy.
• Mini-Secretariat – It is headed by an Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary-level officer.
• Significance – It aims to promote balanced regional development, financial autonomy, and participatory decision-making in a historically underdeveloped region.
• Note – However, the arrangement does not dilute Article 371(A) of the Constitution, which safeguards Naga customary practices, land rights, and social institutions.

Vizhinjam Port

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

News

• Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala has risen to the 83rd position globally in container handling, reflecting the rapid scale-up of India’s newest deep water transshipment hub.

Vizhinjam Port

• Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
• Key Features: One of the deepest ports in India.
  • Capable of handling Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs).
  • Developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
  • Significance: Efficient cargo movement, reduces India’s dependence on foreign ports like Colombo (Sri Lanka), Singapore, and UAE for transshipment, strengthens India’s maritime security

International Space Station (ISS)

(Science and Technology)

Context

• The International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled to be de-orbited in 2030, marking the end of nearly three decades of continuous human presence in space.

International Space Station (ISS)

• It is a modular, habitable, microgravity laboratory in low Earth orbit, orbiting 400 km above Earth.
• It was launched in 1998, and has been continuously inhabited since 2000, making it one of the longest-running human space missions in history.
• It is operated collaboratively by five major space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan) and CSA (Canada).

Key Features:

• It is the largest human-made structure in space, with a mass exceeding 400,000 kg, and a structure nearly 109 meters long.
• Power is supplied by solar arrays generating tens of kilowatts of electricity.
• The ISS plays a crucial role in studying the effects of long-term space radiation and microgravity on the human body, helping scientists understand bone loss, muscle atrophy, and immune system changes.

NDMA’s First-ever Guidelines For Identification of Disaster Victims

Syllabus: GS3/Disaster Management

In News

• Recently, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has released the country’s first-ever Standard Operating Procedure with guidelines for the identification of victims in the event of “mass fatality incidents”.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• Headed by – Prime Minister of India.
• It is the apex body for Disaster Management in India.
• It was established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Objective – It is responsible for formulating policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management and promoting an ethos of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response.

CAR T-cell therapy

(Science and Tech)

In News

• Researchers at IIT Bombay addressed a critical challenge in CAR T-cell and other adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) therapies.

T-cells

• They are white blood cells that act as the body’s frontline defenders, detecting and destroying infections or abnormal cells like cancer, and coordinating other immune cells to respond—making them crucial for immunotherapy.

CAR T-cell therapy

• It is an advanced treatment that modifies a patient’s T-cells to more effectively attack cancer.
• Doctors first collect T-cells from the patient’s blood and then introduce a gene that gives them special receptors called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs).
• These receptors function like GPS, directing the T-cells to locate and target cancer cells.
• After engineering, the T-cells are expanded in the lab and then infused back into the patient’s body.
• NexCAR19 is the world’s first humanised CAR-T therapy developed in India by ImmunoACT.

Benefits

• Targeted Precision: : CAR-T cell therapy Specifically attacks cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, reducing side effects compared to chemotherapy.
• Personalised Treatment: CAR-T cell therapy Uses the patient’s own T-cells, engineered to target their unique cancer, enhancing effectiveness.
• Long-Lasting Effects: Engineered T-cells can persist in the body, providing extended protection against cancer recurrence.
• Reduced Hospitalisation & Costs: Fewer hospital stays and less supportive care needed, leading to potential cost savings.
• Advances in Cancer Treatment: Opens new avenues in immunotherapy, expanding treatment options and research possibilities.
• Technological Evolution: Continuous development of CAR constructs allows targeting of diverse cancers and combination therapies.
• Affordability: Indigenous therapies like NexCAR19 in India make CAR-T treatment more accessible and cost-effective.

Agni-3 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

Syllabus:GS3/Defence

In News

• India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni-3 ballistic missile from Chandipur, Odisha, with a strike range exceeding 3,000 km.

Agni-3 ballistic missile

• Developed by – Defence Research and Development Organisation.
• Strike range– 3,000 km.
• Uniqueness – It is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

Agni

• It is India’s indigenously developed long-range missile system by DRDO
• Agni-I to Agni-IV: Range 700–3,500 km, payload 12–40 kt, developed in 1990s, deployed mid-2000s.
• Agni-V: Three-stage solid-fuel, MIRV-capable, range up to 5,000 km, potentially intercontinental (5,500+ km).
• Agni-P: Two-stage solid-fuel, weight 11,000 kg, range 1,000–2,000 km, incorporates advanced propulsion/navigation, can carry high-explosive, thermobaric, or nuclear warheads.