Saraswati Samman 2025
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
Context
- Bengali Novel Hara Parbati Katha by Author Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay has been selected for Saraswati Samman, 2025.
About
- The Saraswati Samman, instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991, is an annual award given to outstanding literary work written in any Indian language by an Indian citizen and published during the last 10 years.
- The awardee will be given 15 lakh rupees, a citation and a plaque.
- Source: AIR
Cabinet Approves India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (2031-2035)
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
- The Union Cabinet approved India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031–2035 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.
What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are country-specific climate action plans submitted under the Paris Agreement.
- They outline targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
- NDCs are revised periodically to enhance ambition.
Guiding Principles of India’s NDC:
- India’s NDC is based on the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). The approach emphasises equity and climate justice.
- India’s NDC balances developmental needs, energy security, and climate commitments.
Key Targets in NDC 3.0 (2031-2035)
- 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.
- India has already reduced its emissions intensity by about 36% between 2005 and 2020.
- 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.
- India has already achieved more than 52% non-fossil fuel capacity by 2026, ahead of its earlier target.
- 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.
Challenges in Achieving India’s NDC Targets
- Technology and Innovation Gaps: Critical technologies such as Green hydrogen, Battery storage, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) are still costly and not commercially scalable.
- India remains dependent on imports for critical minerals and advanced technologies.
- Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Coal continues to dominate India’s energy mix due to affordability and energy security concerns. Non-fossil capacity exceeds 50%, but actual electricity generation share remains much lower (~25%), reflecting structural dependence.
- Infrastructure Pressure: India is undergoing rapid urbanisation, with cities contributing a large share of emissions.
- Infrastructure demand (housing, transport, industry) increases carbon footprint.
- Major Government Initiatives for Achieving NDC Targets
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana aims to promote rooftop solar in households and reduce fossil fuel-based electricity consumption.
- PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) promotes solar pumps and decentralised solar plants, reducing diesel use in agriculture.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and position India as a global green hydrogen hub.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes support domestic manufacturing of solar modules, batteries, and electric vehicles.
- Green Energy Corridor Project strengthens transmission infrastructure for renewable energy integration.
- The National Afforestation Programme enhances forest cover to create carbon sinks.
Way Ahead
- India should enhance climate finance mobilisation through green bonds, blended finance, and increased private sector participation, while actively seeking global climate finance.
- India must invest in research and innovation in emerging technologies such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), hydrogen, and storage solutions.
- India needs to gradually reduce coal dependence through a phased and just transition strategy that protects jobs and regional economies.
- Source: PIB
Paternity Leave
Syllabus: GS2/Governance
Context
- The Supreme Court called on the Union government to examine the need for a formal law recognising paternity leave for all fathers, adoptive or biological.
- The Court observed that the duration of the leave must be determined to suit the needs of both the parents and the child.
About
- Paternity leave is leave granted to a male employee (father) to take care of his newborn or adopted child and support the mother after childbirth.
- India does not have a universal paternity leave law.
- However, under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 male government employees are entitled to 15 days of paternity leave, which they can take within six months of their child’s birth or adoption.
- The Supreme Court of India in 2026 urged the government to:
- Enact a dedicated law on paternity leave.
- Recognize it as a social security benefit.
- Countries like Sweden, Iceland and Germany provide paid parental leaves.
- Significance
- It challenges the stereotype that childcare is solely a mother’s responsibility.
- Encourages shared parenting roles.
- Reduces physical and emotional burden on mothers after childbirth.
- Ensures better newborn care.
- Strengthens parent-child bonding.
- Makes workplaces more inclusive and progressive.
Gold Prices Fall Amid Crisis
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
- Gold prices have declined sharply despite the outbreak of a major conflict in West Asia in February 2026.
Why Gold Traditionally Rises During Crises?
- Safe Haven Demand: Gold is considered a reliable store of value during periods of uncertainty such as wars, financial crises, and inflationary shocks.
- Low Interest Rate Environment: Gold does not generate interest or dividends.
- When interest rates fall, returns on bonds and deposits decline, making gold relatively more attractive.
Key Factors Driving the Current Fall in Gold Prices
- Rising Oil Prices and Inflation Concerns: The West Asian conflict has disrupted oil supply, pushing crude prices above $100 per barrel. Higher oil prices have increased global inflationary pressures.
- Shift in Monetary Policy Expectations: Markets now expect central banks to maintain higher interest rates for a longer period.
- Higher interest rates increase returns on fixed-income instruments such as government bonds.
- Opportunity Cost of Holding Gold: As interest-bearing assets become more attractive, investors shift away from gold, which offers no yield.
Key Facts
- Top Global Producers (2024–25): China, Australia, Russia.
- India’s Position:
- Production: Extremely low, less than 1% of global production.
- Consumption: Second largest consumer of gold globally.
- Gold Reserves in India: Bihar, Rajasthan, and Karnataka.
- Key Mining Areas in India:
- Karnataka is the leading gold-producing state in India. Major mining sites include Hutti Gold Mines and Kolar Gold Fields (closed in 2001).
- Jharkhand: Gold is found in alluvial form in the Subarnarekha River basin.
Nikul Tests 3D-Printed ‘Agnite’ Booster Engine
Syllabus: GS3/ S&T
In News
- Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos recently announced the successful test of its 3D-printed booster engine, named ‘Agnite’.
About
- Agnite is a single-piece 3D-printed booster engine developed for the booster stage of Agnibaan launch vehicles.
- The engine is designed to reduce production complexity and turnaround time for space missions.
- Unlike conventional booster engines made of thousands of parts, Agnite is built as a single-piece architecture.
- It can reportedly be fully printed within a week, making manufacturing significantly faster.
- The engine is made of Inconel, a high-performance alloy commonly used in high-temperature aerospace applications.
- Source: TOI
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
Context
- The 16th annual edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject has been recently published.
About QS World University Rankings by Subject
- QS Quacquarelli Symonds is a London-based higher education analytics firm.
- It ranks universities not overall, but specifically for 55 individual subjects giving a more granular picture of academic excellence.
- The 55 subjects are grouped into five broad areas — Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.
- IIT-ISM Dhanbad (Indian School of Mines) has ranked 21st globally in Mineral and Mining Engineering & IIM Ahmedabad has featured as India’s top-ranked institution in both Business and Management Studies and Marketing.
- Source: TH
IIED Food Security Index
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In News
- A new study by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) has found that India is among the large economies most vulnerable to worsening food insecurity under rising global temperatures.
Key Highlights
- India’s Position:
- India’s baseline score in the new Food Security Index is 5.31, significantly below the global average of 6.74.
- It is behind countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia, indicating structural weaknesses in its food system.
- Impact of Rising Temperatures:
- India’s score is projected to decline further to:
- 4.96 at 1.5°C warming
- 4.52 at 2°C warming.
- This means that climate change (long-term rise in global temperatures and weather instability) could increasingly reduce access to adequate food.
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