Blog

National Vaccination Day

Health

Context

• India marked National Vaccination Day (March 16) to highlight achievements in immunisation.
• The day is observed to commemorate the first dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine administered in 1995 under the Pulse Polio Programme.

Government Initiatives

• The Universal Immunisation Programme: Launched in 1985 and implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it aims to provide free vaccines to children and pregnant women against various diseases.
• Mission Indradhanush: It was launched in December 2014 by the Government of India to reach children and pregnant women who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

Recent Initiatives (2026)

• HPV Vaccination Campaign: Targets ~1.15 crore girls (14 years) for cervical cancer prevention.
• Indigenous Td Vaccine: Manufactured at CRI, Kasauli; ~55 lakh doses planned for supply.

Digital Initiatives:

• eVIN: Real-time vaccine stock and temperature tracking;
• U-Win: Digital vaccination registry and tracking platform;
• CoWIN: Enabled administration of 220+ crore COVID vaccine doses.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)

International

Context

• US President Donald Trump has warned of leaving the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) after its allies declined to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• NATO, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Background: It was established by 12 countries from Europe and North America with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as Washington Treaty) in 1949 in Washington, D.C to provide collective security against the Soviet Union attack in the aftermath of World War II.
• Collective Defense: According to Article 5, NATO works on the principle of collective defense, where an attack on any NATO member is considered an attack on all NATO members. So far, Article 5 has been invoked once – in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001.
• Members: It comprises 32 member states. Sweden became the 32nd member.

PM POSHAN Scheme

Schemes

News

• A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended the inclusion of breakfast in the PM POSHAN Scheme & extension of coverage up to Class 12.

PM-POSHAN

• Earlier known as Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) and renamed as PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) in 2021.
• It operates under the Ministry of Education and is approved for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme (jointly funded by Centre and States) providing one hot cooked meal to students in government and aided schools up to Class 8.
• It aims to address hunger (lack of adequate food intake) and educational outcomes (attendance, retention, learning) simultaneously.

Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA)

Schemes

Context

• The Union Cabinet approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA), with an allocation of ₹33,660 crore.

Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA)

• Aim: To create 100 “future ready” industrial parks that will integrate with the PM GatiShakti programme so that they can avail of that programme’s multi-modal connectivity and last-mile access.
• These parks will set new benchmarks in industrial infrastructure, ensuring reliability, reducing inefficiencies, and enhancing productivity across sectors.
• Land Use: Industrial parks ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres will be taken up for the development.
• Funding: While the Central government will provide funding of up to Rs 1 crore per acre, the scheme is meant to include the involvement of the respective State governments as well as the private sector.
• Infrastructure: Core infrastructure like internal roads, underground utilities, drainage, common treatment facilities, ICT and administrative systems.
• The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, will play a key role in implementing the initiative.
• The scheme duration would be for six years starting in 2026-27.

Additional Information –  PM GatiShakti

• It was launched in – 2021
• Objective – to enhance the country’s infrastructure and promote seamless connectivity across various sectors.
• Significance – It is a transformative approach for economic growth and sustainable development which is driven by seven engines – railway, roads, ports, waterways, airports, mass transport and logistics infrastructure.
• Implementation: PM Gati Shakti will incorporate the infrastructure schemes of various Ministries and State Governments like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ports, UDAN etc.

Methane Emission Hotspot

Environment

Context

• Recent satellite-based research by the Stop Methane Project (UCLA) has revealed that a small number of oil and gas sites account for disproportionately high methane emissions.

Connect with the basics – Methane

• Methane (CH₄) is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas, and it is the primary component of natural gas.
• It has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime of about 12 years, compared to carbon dioxide.
• Methane as a Greenhouse Gas: Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas with a strong short-term warming impact.
• It is over 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat over a 20-year period.
• It is responsible for around 30% of the current global warming since the pre-industrial era.
• Major Sources: Human-driven emissions arise mainly from oil and gas production, coal mining, livestock enteric fermentation (burps), and decomposing waste in landfills.
• Natural sources include Wetlands, marine sediments and hydrates and geological Sources like volcanoes.

India’s First National Report (NR1) on Nagoya Protocol

Environment

In News

• India recently submitted its first National Report (NR1) on Nagoya Protocol implementation to the CBD Secretariat, marking a key milestone in biodiversity governance.

Nagoya Protocol

• Adopted on – October 29, 2010, in Nagoya, Japan
• Enforced in – October 12, 2014
• Objective – it ensures fair access to genetic resources
• India ratified it in 2012, aligning with its Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Nominations for Padma Awards-2027 Begins

Miscellaneous

News

• The Centre has opened nominations and recommendations for the Padma Awards 2027, one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

Padma Awards

• The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours instituted in 1954.
• They are presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

1. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service;
2. ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and
3. ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field.

• The awards recognise “work of distinction” and are given for exceptional achievements or service across a wide range of fields, including art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry.
• All individuals are eligible for the awards regardless of race, occupation, position or gender.
• Note – However, government servants, including employees of public sector undertakings, are generally not eligible, except for doctors and scientists.
• The government is committed to transform Padma Awards into “People’s Padma”, encouraging citizens to nominate deserving individuals.
• Self-nominations are also allowed.
• The nominations must include detailed information about the nominee’s distinguished achievements in their respective fields
• nominations will be accepted only through the online Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
• The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
• These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at RashtrapatiBhawan usually around March/ April every year.

Gajapati Inscription in Guntur

History

Context

• A medieval inscription linked to the Gajapati Dynasty has been discovered at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
• The inscription is engraved on a stone pillar in the temple mandapam.
• It mentions Kumaraguru Mahapatra, an officer serving under Purushottama Deva in the 15th century CE.
• The record indicates that the idol of Lord Narasimha and the mandapa pillars were relocated from Kondaveedu Fort following invasions in the region.
• The inscription was originally dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna of Kondaveedu but was later shifted to the Guntur temple.

Gajapati Dynasty

• The Gajapati Dynasty was a powerful medieval kingdom that originated in Odisha and flourished during the 15th–16th centuries.
• It was founded by Kapilendra Deva after the decline of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
• At its peak, the empire extended from parts of present-day West Bengal to Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, with its capital at Kataka (modern-day Cuttack).
• The Gajapati rulers were known for their patronage of art, architecture, and literature, and they maintained continuous rivalry with the Vijayanagara Empire.

Ladakh Magmatic Arc

Geography

News

• Scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology have recently decoded the evolution of the Ladakh Magmatic Arc (LMA) in the North-West Himalaya.

Ladakh Magmatic Arc

• It is a belt of igneous rocks located in the Trans-Himalayan region of India (mainly Ladakh).
• It represents a long-extinct volcanic arc system.
• The present-day Ladakh region once lay above the Neo-Tethys Ocean.
• Beneath this ocean, the oceanic crust of the Indian Plate was moving towards the Eurasian Plate.
• The denser oceanic plate subducted (sank) beneath the Eurasian Plate.
• This process led to melting of mantle material, formation of magma & rise of magma to form volcanic arcs.

Adoptive Mothers Get Equal Maternity Rights

Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court of India held that all female employees adopting children are entitled to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, regardless of the child’s age.

Background

• The legal framework governing maternity benefits in India originates from the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 and through the 2017 Amendment for the first time, adoptive and commissioning mothers were granted 12 weeks of maternity leave.
• However, a restrictive condition was introduced that maternity leave was available only if the adopted child was below 3 months of age.

Supreme court ruling

• Concern: India’s adoption process, governed by Central Adoption Resource Authority guidelines, rarely permits adoption of children below three months.
• As a result, most adoptive mothers were effectively denied maternity benefits, rendering the provision largely illusory.
• The court ruled that age-based classification was discriminatory and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, emphasising that adoption is an equally valid pathway to parenthood and cannot be treated differently from biological childbirth.

India to Begin Mapping Its Manuscript Heritage

Culture

Context

• The Ministry of Culture has launched a first-of-its-kind, three-month nationwide survey to map India’s vast manuscript heritage.
• The initiative is part of the Gyan Bharatam Mission, announced in the Union Budget 2025–26.

Significance of the initiative

• Preservation of Heritage: Digitisation and documentation will protect fragile manuscripts from deterioration and loss.
• Research Accessibility: A centralised repository will enable easier access for scholars and the public.
• Curbing Intellectual Piracy: Proper records and metadata will help establish authenticity and prevent misuse.
• Cultural Revival: Greater visibility will promote India’s literary and knowledge traditions.

Additional information – Gyan Bharatam Mission

• Purpose – The mission aims to preserve and protect manuscripts found across the country.
• Objective: To undertake the “survey, documentation and conservation” of more than one crore manuscript heritage lying with academic institutions, museums, libraries, etc.
• Significance of Mission: Preserving historical value, unveiling ancient Indian knowledge to the world, ensuring longevity and round-the-clock access to Manuscripts, etc.

Manuscripts

• A manuscript is a handwritten composition on paper, bark, palm leaf etc. dating back at least 75 years that has significant scientific, historical or aesthetic value.
• g. Bakhshali manuscript (Third or fourth century A.D.), an ancient Indian mathematical text written on birch bark, is considered to be the earliest recorded example of use of zero.
• India possesses an estimated 10 million manuscripts in 80 ancient scripts like Brahmi, Kushan, Gaudi, Lepcha, and Maithili.

Other initiatives for manuscript conservation in India

• National Manuscripts Mission (NMM): Launched In 2003, by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to locate and preserve manuscripts.
• National Library of India, Kolkata: It has about 3600 rare and historically important manuscripts.
• Asiatic Society of Bengal: Founded on Jan. 15, 1784, by Sir William Jones, undertakes digitization of ancient manuscripts.
• Abhilekh Patal is an initiative of the National Archives of India to provide online access to over a million files, including a significant collection of manuscripts, oriental records, and private papers.
• Gyan-Setu: It was launched as a national challenge to source AI-led solutions for manuscript preservation, decipherment, restoration and access.
• Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972: It seeks to prevent the illegal export and smuggling of India’s cultural heritage, including valuable manuscripts.

Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)

Environment

Context

• The COP30 held in Belém brought global attention that effective forest conservation requires not only financial commitments but also a redistribution of decision-making power.
• Brazil introduced the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as a new model of forest finance aimed at transforming conservation efforts.

Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)

• It is a performance-based financial mechanism that seeks to reward countries for maintaining standing forests rather than merely reducing deforestation rates.
• It is designed to generate financial returns while supporting long-term forest conservation.
• The fund has already secured more than $5.5 billion in initial commitments, including a significant contribution of $3 billion from Norway.

Tribal Arts in Conversation

Culture

Context

• The Tribes Art Fest 2026, held at Travancore Palace in New Delhi, showcased India’s rich tribal artistic heritage.

Major Tribal Art Forms Highlighted

Warli Painting

• It originates from Maharashtra and is practised by the Warli tribe.
• It has roots possibly dating back to the Neolithic period (2500–3000 BC). Key features are;
• Use of white pigment made from rice paste on mud walls.
• Representation through basic geometric shapes (circles, triangles, squares).
• Themes include agriculture, rituals, hunting, and Tarpa dance.
• Rabha and Tamang Masks: Mask-making is central to the Rabha tribe of Assam and North Bengal. Masks are made using wood, bamboo, gourd, or clay, and painted in vibrant colours.
• They depict gods, spirits, animals, and mythological beings, used in ritual dances and folk theatre.

Gond Art

• Gond painting originates from central India, especially Madhya Prades It has received a GI tag, ensuring legal protection and recognition.

Key features are;

• Use of dots and lines to create intricate patterns.
• Themes rooted in folklore, animals, forests, and ecology.

Bhil Painting:

• It is practised by the Bhil tribe, one of India’s largest indigenous groups mainly from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. It is considered among the oldest tribal art traditions.

Key features are:

• Use of thousands of coloured dots, symbolising seeds and nature’s rhythm.
• Themes include deities, animals, forests, and daily life.

NMDC Iron Ore Production

Economy

Context

• NMDC Limited has become India’s first mining company to achieve 50 million tonnes (MT) of iron ore production in a single financial year (FY 2025–26).

Iron Ore

• Iron ore refers to rocks and minerals from which metallic iron is extracted.
• Iron ore is categorized into four main types based on iron content and quality:

1. Magnetite (best quality, >70% iron)
2. Hematite (most important industrial ore, 60-70% iron)
3. Limonite (lower grade, 40-60% iron)
4. Siderite (poor quality, <40% iron).

• India is the 4th largest producer, after Australia, Brazil, and China.
• Odisha leads in production, followed by Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.

About NMDC

• Established in 1958 to develop India’s iron ore resources.
• India’s largest iron ore producer and a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Steel.
• It Supports India’s target of 300 MT steel production capacity by 2030.

Gynandromorphy

Environment

Context

• A rare case of gynandromorphy has been reported in a freshwater crab species Vela carli from Silent Valley National Park in the Western Ghats.

Gynandromorphy

• Gynandromorphy refers to the presence of both male and female characteristics in a single organism.

It occurs due to;

• Errors in cell division (mitosis/meiosis).
• Chromosomal anomalies during early development.

It is different from;

• Hermaphroditism: Organism has functional reproductive organs of both sexes.
• Intersex conditions: Mixed sexual characteristics but not distinct male/female halves.

Additional Information – Silent Valley National Park

• It is located in the Nilgiri hills, Kerala.
• Silent Valley was declared as a National Park in 1984 and formally inaugurated in the year 1985.
• Rivers – The Bhavani River, a tributary of the Kaveri River, and Kunthipuzha River, a tributary of Bharathapuzha river, originate in the vicinity of Silent Valley.
• Tribals – The indigenous tribal groups that live within park boundaries includeIrulas, Kurumbas, Mudugas and Kattunaikkars.

SWAMIH

Syllabus: GS2/Government Initiatives

Context

• The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing Investment Fund (SWAMIH) has emerged as a key policy initiative for India’s Housing Sector.

Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing Investment Fund (SWAMIH)

• Launched in 2019,
• It provides last-mile financing to housing projects affected by financial constraints.
• The fund is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and is managed by SBICAP Ventures Ltd., a State Bank Group company.
• Impact and Outcomes: Over 58,596 homes completed so far under SWAMIH, with more than 1 lakh homes expected, benefiting over 2.38 lakh people.

National Chambal Sanctuary

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

In News

• Recently, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance to protect the National Chambal Sanctuary from rampant illegal sand mining that threatens the habitat of Gharial.

National Chambal Sanctuary

• Location- It is situated in a large arc of the Chambal River, covering nearly 1800 km across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• It is the first and only tri-state riverine protected area in India.
• It is a major habitat of the critically endangered Gharial.
• Species – Besides Gharials, the sanctuary hosts a rich biodiversity of Marsh Crocodile Muggers, several species of freshwater turtles, including the endangered Red Crowned Roof Turtle, Smoothcoated Otters, Gangetic River Dolphins, Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, Sarus Crane and Black-necked Storks.

Additional Information – Gharials

Characteristics:

• They show Sexual Dimorphism means males and females differ significantly in size and appearance.
• Unlike crocodiles, gharials feed exclusively on warm-blooded species and are not man-eaters.

Habitat Distribution:

• Gharials are strictly riverine species, requiring deep, clear, fast-flowing waters with steep, sandy riverbanks.
• Mainly found in Chambal River, Girwa River, Ken River, Yamuna River, Brahmaputra River, Ghaghara River, Bhagirathi-Hooghly River.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
• It is listed under Schedule 1 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Conservation programmes

• Project Crocodile (1975): Initiative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and focused on captive breeding.

International Solar Alliance

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

News

• Recently, the Government highlighted the growing global momentum behind solar energy and ISA’s role in advancing the clean energy transition.

International Solar Alliance

• Started – The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November 2015 in Paris.
• Solar powered countries – It is an initiative with 124 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn.
• Objective – To collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.
• Headquarter – National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus, Gurugram.
• Members: As of March 2026, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) has expanded to include 125 member and signatory countries. Of these, approximately 107 countries have officially ratified the ISA Framework Agreement to become full members.

KC-135 Stratotanker

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• A KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during an ongoing military mission Operation Epic Fury (code name mission against Iran).

KC-135 Stratotanker

• The KC-135 Stratotanker was built by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s.
• It has been a backbone to the US military’s air refuelling fleet, and critical in allowing aircraft to carry out missions without having to land.
• They were used extensively in the first Gulf War to extend the range of fighter jets and bombers.
• It has a speed of 530 miles per hour at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters).

Global Pandemic Agreement

Syllabus: GS2/Health

News

• India is pushing for a fair benefit-sharing framework for developing countries in the upcoming pandemic agreement negotiations in Geneva.

Global Pandemic Agreement

• It was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025.
• It seeks to establish a legally binding international framework to address global gaps and inequalities in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and respons
• Its Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system is being negotiated to regulate how biological samples and genetic data are shared internationally.
• It is expected to be adopted by May 2026, will then be open for countries to sign and ratify, and will enter into force 30 days after 60 ratifications.

Sangita Kalanidhi Award

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• Veena player Jayanthi Kumaresh has been announced the coveted Sangita Kalanidhi at the 100th Conference and Concerts of The Music Academy, Madras.
• Bharatanatyam dancer Narendra G will be conferred the Nritya Kalanidhi award.

Sangita Kalanidhi Award

• Instituted in 1942 by The Music Academy, Madras.
• It is regarded as the highest honour in Carnatic music, often described as the “Nobel Prize of Carnatic music.”
• The award comprises a gold medal and a ‘birudu patra’ (citation).

Additional Information – Music Academy, Madras

• It originated as an offshoot of the All India Congress Session of 1927 held in Chennai (then Madras).
• It was established to promote and standardise Carnatic music traditions.
• The Academy organizes the annual Music and Dance Festival, one of the most prominent cultural events in the Carnatic tradition.
• The Academy also confers several awards, including the Sangita Kala Acharya, TTK Award, and Musicologist Award.

Jnanpith Award

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu has been selected for the Jnanpith Award for the year 2025.

Vairamuthu

• He is the third Tamil litterateur to receive the award after Akilan (1975) and Jayakanthan (2002), and the first to be honoured for Tamil poetry, while the earlier awardees were recognised for prose.
• He has written over 8,000 songs, won seven National Film Awards for lyrics, and earned the honorific “Kaviperarasu” (Emperor of Poets).
• The award, however, has been met with sharp criticism from some writers, artists and activists who point to sexual harassment allegations made against him during the #MeToo movement in India.

About Jnanpith Award (also spelled Gyanpeeth Award)

• Instituted in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith,
• It is India’s highest literary honour, awarded annually to an Indian author for outstanding contribution to literature.
• Bharatiya Jnanpith is a literary and research organization founded by Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain and Rama Jain.
• It is awarded for the work in 22 languages recognized by the Constitution of India and, from 2013, in the English language.
• The award carries a ₹11 lakh cash prize, citation, and a bronze statuette of Vagdevi (Saraswati).
• The first recipient was Malayalam writer G. Sankara Kurup in 1965 for Odakkuzhal.

Western Tragopan: King of Birds

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

Context

• The Western Tragopan, a rare Himalayan pheasant, faces increasing threats due to forest loss and human pressures.

Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus),

• It is also known as Jujurana or “king of birds,” is one of the rarest and most stunning pheasant species in the world.
• Habitat and Distribution: Found in temperate and subalpine forests at 2,400–3,600 m (occasionally down to 2,000 m in winter).
• From Swat Valley (Pakistan) across Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand.
• Diet: They are omnivores, feeding on berries, seeds, buds, shoots, and insects.
• Major Threats: Forest degradation, climate change, and human disturbances.
• Conservation Status: It is listed as Vulnerable by BirdLife International and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Do you know?

• The bird is also the state bird of Himachal Pradesh, highlighting its cultural and ecological value.

Paid Menstrual Leave May Hurt Women’s Careers: SC

Health & Society

Context

• The Supreme Court expressed apprehensions that a law making paid leave during menstrual pain compulsory may damage the careers of young women and deprive them of equal opportunities.

Menstrual Leave

• Menstrual leave refers to paid or unpaid leave granted to women during menstruation when they experience health issues such as:
• Dysmenorrhea: painful menstrual cramps
• Endometriosis: a disorder where tissue similar to uterine lining grows outside the uterus

Highlights of the SC Judgement

• Such a move could create a psychological barrier among women that they are inferior to men as they can’t work when they are menstruating.
• The Court encouraged “voluntary” initiatives in this regard by States like Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala, which gives leave to students in State-run universities and institutions up to 60 days’ leave annually for menstrual pain.

Arguments in Favour of Paid Menstrual Leave

• Promotes Gender-Sensitive Workplaces: Recognises biological realities of women and promotes inclusivity and empathy in the workplace.
• Aligns with Constitutional Principles: Supports Article 42 of the Constitution of India, which directs the state to ensure just and humane conditions of work.
• Improves Productivity and Well-being: Allows women to rest during periods of pain or discomfort, leading to better overall performance and morale.
• Health and Human Rights Perspective: Upholds women’s right to health, dignity, and bodily autonomy.
• De-stigmatising Menstruation: Recognising menstrual health in workplace policy can help break social taboos & promote gender equality.
• Global Alignment: Reflects global best practices, countries like Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Spain have similar policies.

Arguments Against

• Risk of Workplace Discrimination: Employers may become reluctant to hire or promote women, viewing them as less productive or more costly.
• Informal Sector Dominance: Nearly 88% of India’s workforce is in the informal sector, where formal leave policies are largely absent.
• Implementation Challenges in the Private Sector: Ensuring compliance and monitoring across diverse industries could be difficult.

Existing Menstrual Leave Policies in India

• India does not have a national law on menstrual leave, but some states have introduced policies.
• Bihar was the first state to introduce menstrual leave (1992) for government employees.
• Some companies have introduced voluntary menstrual leave policies like Zomato, Swiggy.

 Additional Information – Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025

• Women in the state of Karnataka will be entitled to up to 12 menstrual leaves annually.
• This development marks a significant step in recognising menstrual health at a workplace and rights issue.
• The Dr. Sapna S committee was appointed by the Karnataka government to study and recommend menstrual leave policy
• Significance – It aims to create a more inclusive and stigma-free workplace and is considered a landmark decision in India, as it covers both government and private sectors comprehensively.

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026

News-

• The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.

Major Highlights of the Bill

• The Bill aims to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
• Definition of Transgender Person: It seeks to narrow the definition of “transgender person” and clarifies that persons with different sexual orientations or self perceived sexual identities will not fall within the definition of transgender persons under the Act.
• Changes To Recognition Of Gender Identity: The District Magistrate will issue a certificate of identity after examining the recommendation of a designated medical board headed by a Chief Medical Officer or Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

Additional Information – LGBTQIA+

• LGBTQIA+ is an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual persons, with ‘+’ representing other identities that are not specifically included in these letters.

India’s Position on LGBTQIA+ Rights

• As per census 2011, there were 4.87 lakhs persons in India who opted for “other” in gender category.
• Decriminalisation: Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) decriminalised consensual homosexual acts (Section 377 partially struck down).
• Transgender Rights: NALSA v. Union of India (2014) recognised the right to self-identify gender.
• It recognises transgender as the “third gender” upholding their fundamental rights.
• Constitutional Provisions: Article 14 – Right to equality, Article 15 – No discrimination on grounds of sex and Article 21 – Right to life and personal liberty.
• Legislation: The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 provides legal recognition of transgender identity.

Challenges Faced by the Transgenders

• Societal Issues: Trans persons face deep-rooted societal prejudices, leading to ostracisation from families and communities.
• Lack of Access to Education: High school dropout rates due to bullying, harassment, and gender-based violence.
• Barriers in Employment: Trans persons face widespread discrimination in hiring and the workplace. Often forced into informal, unsafe, and exploitative sectors, like begging or sex work, due to lack of opportunities.
• Healthcare Exclusion: They face lack of gender-affirmative healthcare, discrimination by medical staff, and unavailability of hormonal and surgical services in public hospitals.
• High mental health burden due to social rejection and isolation.
• Violence and Abuse: Prone to verbal, physical, and sexual violence both in public and private spaces.
• Political Underrepresentation: Low political visibility and representation in mainstream parties and institutions.
• Lack of policy-making participation hinders the articulation of their needs.

Government Initiatives

• National Portal for Transgender Persons – launched in 2020, enables online applications for identity certificates and access to benefits.
• SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise)Scheme, introduced in 2022, provides livelihood, skill training, and shelter support through Garima Greh centres and Ayushman Bharat TG Plus health coverage.
• National Council for Transgender Persons: It serves as a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to safeguard and promote the rights of transgender persons in India.

Kharg Island

Syllabus: GS1/Geography

Context

• Recently, U.S. forces struck military targets at Kharg Island in Iran.

Kharg Island

• It is often referred to as the ‘Orphan pearl’.
• It is a small island in the northeastern Persian Gulf, approximately 25 kilometres off the coast of Iran’s Khuzestan Province.
• Despite its modest size, it is the single most important oil export terminal in Iran and one of the most strategically significant energy chokepoints in the world.
• Almost all Iranian crude destined for international markets is loaded here before passing through the Strait of Hormuz into global shipping lanes.

Do you know?

• Iran is the third-largest producer in Organization Of The Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), accounting for roughly 4.5% of global oil supply.