Context

India to begin formal negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). The EEU has exchanged trade data with the Indian side ahead of the start of the negotiations.

• The joint feasibility study for the FTA was done way back in 2016 and this has been followed by another study by India’s Exim Bank.

About Eurasian Economic Union

• Membership: It is an economic union comprising five post-Soviet states in Eurasia, namely Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.
• Established: The Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was signed on 29 May 2014  and was formally established on 1 January 2015. 
• Potential:  It is an integrated single market with 183 million people and combined GDP of over $2.4 trillion as of 2023.

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• India and EEU:
  • Trade: 
    • Russia: It is the top most  trading partner of India in the bloc, with bilateral trade worth $49.4 billion in FY23 skewed in favour of Russia.
      • India’s exports: It stood at $4.26 billion in FY 2024, up from $3.15 billion exports previous year with top exports item include pharma & drugs, iron & steel, processed minerals, marine products, telecom instruments and electronic machinery.
      • India’s  imports: It stood at $61.42 billion in FY 2024 up from $46.21 billion imports in FY23, with top imports from Russia include crude oil and petroleum products, coal, fertilizers, vegetable oil, pearl, iron & steel and newsprint
    • Other 4 countries: Kazakhstan follows a close second with bilateral trade of $641.62 million. Followed by Armenia, Belarus,and Kyrgyzstan with  $134.26 million, $111.81 million, and $56.56 million, respectively, in 2022-23.
  • Significance:  
    • For Russia: To circumvent Western sanctions following Ukraine invasion which  have impacted its trade and economy and cut off access to prominent Western-backed financial systems example: The SWIFT ban 
      • The sanctions have led to an increase in local currency usage for settlement of trade between Russia and its trading partners, including India.
    • Greater Market Access: Domestic exporters from sectors like engineering goods, electronics and agriculture can benefit from the agreement. India is also looking for greater investments in the energy sector. 
      • Example: As India is becoming a base for mobile handset manufacturing, Russia has become a significant buyer.
    • Greater Access to Crude: Russia has became the biggest source of cheap crude oil for India due to western sanctions due to Ukraine war. The surge of crude imports has led to a huge trade deficit with the close strategic partner.

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Context

Indian Air Force tests Arogya Maitri Sahayata Cube, world’s first air-lifted portable hospital,in Agra.

Arogya Maitri Sahayata Cube: World’s First Portable Hospital 

• Built under Project BHISHM – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri, Aarogya Maitri Cubes is the world’s first disaster hospital that can be airlifted, packed in 72 cubes.
• Developed by: HLL Life Care,the government’s designated agency for sourcing the kit, and manufactured by multiple sellers collaborating to provide a diverse range of essential medical products, 
  • This project was initiated in 2022 through the Ministry of Defence.
• Purpose: Modular trauma management and support system for humanitarian efforts and emergency response.

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• Features Components: 
  • 72 detachable mini-cubes, each with specialized stations.
  • Equipment Included: Mini-ICU ,Operation theatre ,Cooking station Food and water supplies ,Electricity generator ,Blood testing equipment,X-ray machine
  • Medical Capabilities: Handles gunshots, burns, head, spinal cord, and chest injuries Minor surgeries, fractures, and major bleeding Treats over 200 patients.
    • AI Integration : It integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
  • Deployment: Lightweight and portable, Deployable by airdrop or ground transportation & Operational within 12 minutes of deployment.
    • Transport Methods: Air, land, sea 
  • Cost: Approximately Rs 1.5 crore per unit 
  • Design Structure: 
    • 72 cubes combined into a special cage, 
      • Each cage accommodates 36 mini-cubes which includes three frames, each accommodating 12 mini-cubes. 
      • The cage can fit in 36 mini-cubes.
    • Capacity: The design allows joining two cages master cube one and master cube two, including 72 cubes in total with damage control capabilities for survival for a period of 48 hours for 200 survivors.
    • Each Master Cube holds up to 200 survivors
    • Weight: Each cube weighs less than 20 kg & Each Master Cube’s total weight is under 750 kg 
    • Technology: Tablet-based application to operate all 72 cubes
  • Development and Unveiling
    • Initiation: Directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2020 Task Force led by Air Vice Marshal Tanmoy Roy 
    • Objective: Create a versatile, mobile medical facility for natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and conflicts 
    • First Unveiled: 
      • Med Tech Expo, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, July 2023.
      • It was unveiled on 2nd December 2023 in Gurugram.
      • During the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024 in Ayodhya, two Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHM units were strategically deployed.

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Context

Governments and regulatory bodies are exploring strategies like “AI regulatory sandboxes” to tackle the challenges presented by AI technologies.

AI Regulatory Sandboxes

• The first formal regulatory sandbox is often attributed to the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
• According to data from the World Bank, as of November 2020, there were approximately 73 regulatory sandboxes, both announced and operational, within the financial sector across 57 jurisdictions.

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Regulatory Sandboxes

Regulatory sandboxes are unique initiatives introduced by governments to foster innovation in the financial technology (fintech) sector, all the while upholding consumer protection and financial stability.

• Origin: The idea originated from the Inter-Regulatory Working Group on FinTech and Digital Banking in 2016, leading to the RBI releasing its inaugural framework for a regulatory sandbox in 2019.
  • Subsequently, the RBI has organized four cohorts (segments) of the regulatory sandbox, each concentrating on distinct areas of fintech advancement.
• Expansion of Regulatory Sandboxes: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) introduced a regulatory sandbox in 2021 for the insurance sector, enabling insurers to test new products and services.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is considering the potential implementation of a regulatory sandbox for the agricultural sector to foster innovation in agricultural technology and rural entrepreneurship.
•  Objective of Regulatory Sandboxes(RS): The regulatory sandbox offers a platform for technology-driven entities to conduct limited-scale testing of new products or services, which may include some flexibility in regulatory requirements before a broader launch.

RBI’s Regulatory Sandbox Application Procedure

• Expression of Interest (EOI): Fintech companies interested in joining the sandbox submit their proposals.
• Proper Assessment: The RBI evaluates the suitability of applicants based on their track record, integrity, and competence.
• Selection of Participant: Chosen participants are selected based on the innovativeness of their products or services and their capacity to address market needs.

Criteria for Eligibility

• Company Registration in India: Applicants must be registered companies operating within India.
• Financial Requirement: Companies should possess a minimum net worth of INR 50 lakh to demonstrate financial stability.
• Innovation: The proposed product or service must showcase innovation and address market gaps.
• Comprehensive Testing Plan with Exit Strategy: Applicants need to provide a detailed testing plan delineating their objectives, methodologies, and exit strategy.

Benefits of AI Regulatory Sandboxes

• Balancing AI Innovation and Responsibility: AI regulatory sandboxes aim to foster innovation while ensuring responsible development by facilitating collaboration among stakeholders to meet ethical and regulatory standards.
• Promoting Responsible AI Development: AI regulatory sandboxes encourage responsible practices among developers and organizations by fostering transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.
  •  This builds trust in AI technologies and promotes their responsible deployment.
• Assessing Innovations within Controlled Parameters: Regulatory sandboxes provide a structured framework for evaluating innovations over a monitored period. Innovations undergo regulatory oversight and controlled parameters to gauge their benefits and risks.

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Global Initiatives in AI Regulation

• European Union’s AI Act and Regulatory Sandbox: Article 53 of the European Union’s AI Act incorporates measures for establishing a regulatory sandbox to pilot AI technology before widespread implementation. 
  • The EU leads in AI regulation, striving for responsible and ethical AI advancement.
• Spain: Spain has enacted the statute for the Spanish Agency for Artificial Intelligence Supervision (AESIA), preceding European regulations.
• United States: AI Bill of Rights is a white paper delineating principles for ethical AI development and utilization. Protocols for upholding privacy and civil liberties in AI applications.
• United Kingdom: National AI Strategy emphasizes innovation and the ethical advancement of AI.
• China: Measures to regulate aspects of AI such as generative AI.

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Context

Recently Mumbai (13 May) and Delhi (10 May), separated by 1,500 km, experienced dust storms with extremely high wind speeds.

Billboard Collapse Tragedy, Fatalities in Delhi and Mumbai Amid Powerful Storms

• Casualties: While 2 people were killed in Delhi and 23 were injured, 14 people were killed in Mumbai, when a billboard collapsed.
• Source: Both the events occurred due to powerful storm systems that were fuelled by fierce external winds.
• Annually, around 2 billion tonnes of sand and dust traverse extensive distances across the Earth’s atmosphere, creating a global phenomenon with profound implications.

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About Dust Storms

• Dust storms are meteorological events where extremely high winds lift up dust and soil from the ground, and transport them over long distances. These kinds of dust storms are quite common in arid and semi-arid regions. 
• These events are similar to thunderstorms, except they occur when the base of the cloud is at a higher level from the ground and there’s little moisture in the air.
• Prerequisite factor: Heating of the land is a necessary factor for the formation of any storm. Usually, heating of 4-5 days is needed for convection to form which develops into a storm.
• Driving Factor: Once the storm forms, it is sometimes piloted by cold and dry downdraft winds that are downward facing and energetic, also aided by gravity. These winds can get very strong when they travel over hot surfaces caused by heating during summers.
• Roadblock in achieving SDG targets: Sand and dust storms present a huge and wide-spread challenge to achieving 11 of the 17 sustainable development goals. 

Cause of Dust Storm Formation

• Natural Factors accentuated by Climate Change: 
  • Increased Western Disturbances: Western disturbances, originating from the Mediterranean region, move across Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, impacting India’s weather. These disturbances can lead to intense dust storms.
    • Example: In 2022, unusual dust storms in North India were attributed to increased western disturbances.
  • Heating of Northwestern India: High temperatures in northwestern India create favorable conditions for dust storms by causing the air to become dry and parched. 
    • Delhi’s peak wind gust during a dust storm reached 92.7 km/hr, significantly higher than the normal 40-50 km/hr.
  • Rapid Warming of the Arctic Region: The Arctic region’s rapid warming influences global weather patterns, contributing to the intensity of dust storms in India.
    • The 2018 dust storms in North India were linked to the rapid warming of the Arctic region.
  • Geographical Factors: Proximity to the Arabian Sea and neighboring arid regions, along with local topography, play a crucial role in dust storm formation.
    • Mumbai’s location near the Arabian Sea and its sweltering summer climate make it prone to strong winds laden with sand and dust.
  • Tunneling Effect: Winds flowing through valleys between high built-up areas, such as the Western Ghats surrounding Mumbai, can intensify, creating a tunneling effect.
    • The tunneling effect can increase wind speeds by up to 40% during dust storms.
  • Cyclonic Circulation: Cyclonic circulations, swirls of winds in the lower atmosphere, can induce storm systems and cause dust storms.
    • A cyclonic circulation over south-interior Karnataka and a trough between it and northwest Madhya Pradesh might have influenced dust storms in Mumbai.
  • Presence of an Anticyclone: Anticyclones over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, with their clockwise winds, bring northerly winds that favor dust storm conditions. They bring more moisture or dust, depending on their position, contributing to weather phenomena like dust storms across India.
  • Climate-Related Amplifiers: High temperatures, minimal precipitation, and arid conditions drive the likelihood and intensity of dust storms. 
    • Climate change leads to intensified wind patterns and prolonged droughts, exacerbating the frequency and severity of dust storms.
• Anthropogenic Factors:
  • Unsustainable Agricultural Practices: Agricultural activities such as tillage, land clearing, and abandoned croplands contribute significantly to dust emissions.
    • The Aral Sea’s shrinkage due to water diversion for agriculture has transformed it into the Aralkum Desert, a new source of dust storms.
  • Land Use Changes: Deforestation and urbanization destabilize surfaces, enhancing dust emissions. Urban expansion and deforestation in arid regions contribute to increased dust storm activity.

Impacts of Dust Storms

• Socioeconomic Impacts
  • Health Consequences: Dust storms can negatively impact respiratory health, cardiovascular health, cause allergies, and exacerbate conditions like asthma.
  • Economic Consequences: These storms cause considerable economic damage by harming infrastructure, reducing agricultural productivity, disrupting transportation, and increasing healthcare costs.
    • India, China and Pakistan lost 1,584 gigawatt-hours (gWh), 679 gWh and 555 gHw of energy loss, respectively, due to sand and dust storms in 2019, amounting to over $107 million for India per year.
  • Social Disruption: Dust storms can disrupt daily life, leading to social unrest, migration, and displacement of populations.
• Environmental Impacts:
  • Soil Degradation: Dust storms remove the nutrient-rich topsoil, diminishing soil quality and fertility. This erosion reduces the land’s ability to sustain vegetation, impacting agriculture and contributing to desertification.
  • Ecosystem Disruption: These storms can bury vegetation, disrupt natural habitats, and affect wildlife. Invasive species can also be transported by the storms which may outcompete native species, leading to biodiversity loss and ecological imbalance.

Ways to Mitigate Impacts Dust Storms

• Soil Conservation Practices: Implement techniques such as contour plowing, windbreaks, and cover cropping to reduce soil erosion and maintain soil fertility.
• Afforestation and Reforestation: Plant trees and restore forests to stabilize soil, reduce wind speeds, and create barriers against dust storms.
• Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Adopt no-till farming, crop rotation, and organic farming to improve soil health and reduce dust emissions from agricultural lands.
• Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development: Design urban landscapes with green belts and buffer zones to act as barriers against dust storms. Use dust-resistant materials in construction.
• Early Warning Systems: Enhance forecasting capabilities and establish early warning systems to alert communities about impending dust storms, allowing for timely preparations.
• Health Protection Measures: Promote the use of masks and air purifiers, and establish medical facilities equipped to handle respiratory issues during dust storm events.
• Infrastructure Development: Building infrastructure like windbreaks, barriers, or green belts to reduce the speed and impact of wind carrying dust and sand.

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Context

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has opened up a world of possibilities with respect to fast-tracking drug development.

About the Process of Drug Development

• Target Identification and Validation: The first step in drug development is identifying and validating a biological target, usually a protein, that the drug will interact with. A protein is considered a suitable drug target if it can bind with potential drug molecules at specific sites, making it “druggable.”

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• Discovery Phase: During the discovery phase, computational methods analyze the target protein’s sequence to identify the best drug molecule from a vast digital library. Computer models predict drug binding sites on the protein, reducing the need for time-consuming lab methods.
• Pre-Clinical Testing: Once a potential drug is identified, it enters the pre-clinical phase. Here the drug is tested on cell cultures and animal models to evaluate safety, toxicity, efficacy, and potential adverse effects before human trials.
• Clinical Trials: Clinical trials test the drug on humans in multiple phases. First, a small group receives the drug to evaluate safety and tolerance. Then, a larger group is tested to monitor efficacy and further assess safety.
• Regulatory Approval and Marketing: After successful clinical trials, the drug undergoes a rigorous review by regulatory bodies to ensure safety and effectiveness. Once approved, it is marketed to healthcare providers and the public.

• Post-Market Surveillance: After the drug’s release, ongoing surveillance monitors its real-world effectiveness and any long-term side effects not evident during clinical trials.

Role of AI in Drug Development and Discovery

• Enhanced Target Discovery: AI, particularly through advanced tools like AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold, revolutionizes target discovery by accurately predicting the three-dimensional structures of proteins, DNA, and RNA. This ability allows for a more precise understanding of how drugs can interact with these biological targets.
• Improved Accuracy and Efficiency: AI models drastically reduce the time required for drug-target interaction studies and increase the accuracy of these predictions. 
  • For instance, AlphaFold 3 predicted drug-target interactions with a 76% accuracy rate in tests, a substantial improvement over previous methods.
• Cost Reduction: By leveraging deep neural networks and generative diffusion-based architectures (a kind of AI model), AI minimizes the need for expensive and time-consuming laboratory experiments, thus reducing the drug development cost.
• Versatility in Predictions: The latest advancements in AI tools, such as AlphaFold 3 and RoseTTAFold All-Atom, extend beyond predicting static protein structures. They can now predict interactions involving any combination of protein, DNA, RNA, small molecules, and ions, which broadens the scope of drug development research.

Limitations of Usage of AI in Drug Development

• Limited Prediction Accuracy: AI tools usually achieve up to 80% accuracy in predicting drug-target interactions. However, this accuracy drops significantly for more complex interactions, like protein-RNA, revealing the challenges in modeling intricate biological phenomena.
• Restricted Application in Drug Development Phases: AI tools enhance target discovery and drug-target interactions but don’t affect pre-clinical and clinical trials. Thus, AI-identified drug candidates still need traditional testing and have no guaranteed success in later stages.
• Model Hallucinations: Diffusion-based AI models can experience “model hallucinations,” generating incorrect or non-existent predictions due to insufficient or poor-quality training data, which limits output reliability.
• Restricted Access to Advanced Tools: Unlike earlier versions, advanced tools like AlphaFold 3 are not publicly available. This restricts independent verification and broader use, especially for critical studies like protein-small molecule interactions.

Limited use of AI for Drug Development in India

• Lack of Advanced Computing Infrastructure: India needs extensive computing resources, like high-speed GPUs, for AI-driven drug development. These GPUs are costly and quickly become outdated due to rapid technological advancements.
• Shortage of Skilled AI Professionals: There is a significant gap in the availability of skilled AI scientists in India compared to countries like the U.S. and China. This shortage hinders the capacity to innovate and develop new AI tools within the country.

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Conclusion

India’s position as the “Pharmacy of the World” could be strengthened with increased usage of AI in drug development. With a growing number of pharmaceutical organizations, India can lead the way in applying AI tools in target discovery, identification, and drug testing.

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Context

The Election Commission of India (ECI) in its report on enforcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has stated that it expects star campaigners to lead by example and not vitiate the fabric of society.

About Registered Parties:

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Derecognition and Deregistration of Political Parties

• Legislative Provision: 
  • Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) lays down the requirements for registration of a political party with the ECI. 
  • To qualify for registration, a political party must submit its memorandum /constitution, which affirms its commitment to the Constitution of India and its principles, including socialism, secularism, democracy, and the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
  • Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPP): Such parties are considered as RUPP which are:
    • Newly registered parties,
    • Those parties which have not secured enough percentage of votes in the assembly or general elections to become a state party, 
    • Those parties which have never contested elections since being registered 
• Benefits of Registered Parties: 
  • Tax Exemptions: Donations to registered political parties are tax-exempt under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, reducing tax burden and encouraging legitimate political funding.
  • Common Symbol: Registered parties receive a common symbol for elections nationwide, helping voters easily identify and align with the party’s candidates.
  • Star Campaigners: Registered parties can designate up to twenty ‘star campaigners’ during elections, allowing key figures to enhance campaign impact without counting their expenses toward individual candidates’ expenditure limits.

About Recognized Parties

• Recognized parties are a subset of registered political parties that meet specific criteria set by the ECI under The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. These parties are classified further as either ‘national’ or ‘state’ parties based on their performance in general elections to the Lok Sabha or State Assemblies.
• Criteria for achieving Recognition are: 
  • Conditions for Recognition as a State Party: To achieve state party recognition in India, a political party must meet one of the following criteria during general elections:
  • Vote and Seat Criteria (Assembly): Secures 6% of the valid votes in the state and wins at least 2 seats in the state legislative assembly.
  • Vote and Seat Criteria (Lok Sabha): Secures 6% of the valid votes in the state and wins at least 1 seat in the Lok Sabha from the state.
  • Seat Share in Assembly: Wins at least 3% of the total seats in the state legislative assembly, or a minimum of 3 seats, whichever is greater.
  • Seat Share in Lok Sabha: Wins 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats or any fraction thereof allotted to the state.
  • Vote Percentage (Added in 2011): Secures 8% of the total valid votes polled in the state during a general election to either the Lok Sabha or the state legislative assembly.
• Conditions for Recognition as a National Party: A political party in India can be recognized as a national party if it meets any of the following criteria:
  • Multi-State Vote and Seat Criteria: Secures at least 6% of valid votes in four or more states during a general election to the Lok Sabha or state legislative assemblies and wins a minimum of four Lok Sabha seats from any state or combination of states.
  • Lok Sabha Representation: Wins at least 2% of the total Lok Sabha seats in a general election, with candidates elected from at least three different states.
  • State Party Status: Is recognized as a state party in at least four states.
• Benefits of Being a Recognized Party: Recognized parties enjoy additional privileges beyond those afforded to merely registered parties, including:
  • Reserved Symbol: Recognized parties get an exclusive symbol for their candidates, aiding voter recognition and preventing confusion.
  • Increased Number of Star Campaigners: Recognized parties can have up to forty ‘star campaigners,’ doubling the limit for unrecognized parties, enabling more effective campaigning.
  • Other Electoral Advantages: Recognized parties often benefit from favorable campaign finance regulations and increased media exposure during elections.

Issues with the Registration and Recognition Process of Political Parties

• Lack of Explicit Powers: The RP Act does not explicitly empower the ECI to de-register parties for failing to contest elections, conduct inner-party elections, or file requisite returns.
• Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that the ECI cannot deregister political parties under the RP Act, except in exceptional cases such as fraud, disloyalty to the Constitution, or being declared unlawful by the government.
• Underutilization of Registration: Less than a third of Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) contest elections, raising concerns about their purpose and operations.
• Potential Misuse of Tax Exemptions: RUPPs that do not contest elections might misuse income tax exemptions and donations for money laundering.
• Inadequate Enforcement of MCC: The MCC prohibits using caste or communal feelings to secure votes, bribing, and intimidation of voters. However, recognized parties often violate the MCC with minimal consequences, such as brief bans on campaigning.

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Way Forward

• Empower ECI for Deregistration: Amend the law to grant the ECI authority to deregister political parties, as proposed in the ECI’s 2016 electoral reforms memorandum.
• Criteria for Deregistration: Deregister political parties that do not contest elections for 10 consecutive years, per the Law Commission’s 255th report (2015).
• Enforcement of Compliance: Strengthen Paragraph 16A of the Symbols Order to allow the ECI to suspend or withdraw recognition of parties not adhering to the MCC or ECI’s lawful directions, ensuring better compliance.

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Context

The official documents reveal that almost 60.5% of the total Sariska Tiger Reserve land has not been transferred to the forest department yet.

Land Ownership Issues Plague Sariska Tiger Reserve, Prompting Concerns for Wildlife Habitat

Sariska Tiger Reserve was allotted a total 88,111.2 hectares  in 1978, but the forest department still has not been handed ownership of 53,308.96 hectares due to pending mutation processes by the revenue department.

• Current Status: Of the 53308 hectares awaiting mutation process, required for the transfer of land ownerships, approximately 41,239 hectares is in STR and  2,096 hectares in the Alwar range. 
  • Also, about 10,000 hectares of land are still not surveyed and are in process.
• Impact: 
  • Illegal Allocation: The unclear land Rights encourages illegal allocation of land within the tiger reserve and its surrounding areas.
    • The NGT has also notified the CBI for investigation to check for illegal allocation of forest land
  • Exploited and Encroached: Proliferation of colonies, hotels, encroachments, and industrial areas in this region is seen.
  • Severe Environmental Damage: Illegal mining and hotel constructions are rampant in the region affecting the ecosystem of the park.
  • Non forestry activities: Due to the absence of clear land titles, areas within the park such as the Tehla Gate, have been utilized for non-forestry activities since they are still classified as Revenue Land.
  • Lack of Transparency: The vagueness in titles result in forest department acting in discretion and halting activities outside the boundaries of the park
• Intervention needed: 
  • Delimiting and demarcating boundaries to safeguard habitats of big cats.
  • Expediently transferring forest land titles into official records to afford them legal protection.

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About Sariska Tiger Reserve

• Location: Sariska Tiger Reserve is situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan state in India and is the sole tiger reserve in the National Capital Region.
• Area: The Sariska Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of 1203.33 sq. km (881.11 sq. km core/  322.22 sq. km buffer) of the Aravalli hills.
• Nature of habitat: The Reserve is a blend of scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky hills and is a part of the Aravalli Range and the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
• Present population: Tiger population stands at 34 big cats of which 11 are male adults, 14 are female adults, and 8 cubs and sub adults.
• Flora: Dhok (Anogessus pendula) is the dominant tree species covering over 90% area of the forest. Kathaa (Acacia catechu),  Palas, Ber and Bamboo are common in the Valleys.
  • Other  noteworthy tree species are Arjun,Gugal,Kadaya, Amla, Bahera
• Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Striped hyena, jackal, jungle cat, Desert Cat,rare four-horned antelope or Chousingha, large numbers of Sambar, Chital, Peafowl, (the largest population density in India) Grey partridge, Painted spurfowl etc.

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Context

Fifty years ago, on May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan, as part of the ‘Smiling Buddha’ operation. 

50 Years of Pokhran-I, Background to India Conducting its Nuclear Tests

• Post-World War II Era: Following the end of World War II in 1945, new global alliances and alignments emerged amidst the Cold War between the US and USSR.
• Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT): To maintain a kind of minimal peace, the NPT was signed in 1968. 
  • It defined nuclear-weapon states parties as those that manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive devices before January 1, 1967, effectively meaning the P-5 countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia).
• India’s Discontent: India objected to this treaty on the grounds that it was discriminatory to countries except the P-5.
• Domestic Developments: Indian scientists Homi J Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai had laid the groundwork earlier for nuclear energy to be tested in India. 
• • In 1954, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was founded, with Bhabha as director.

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About Pokhran-I

• Support by Political Leadership: On September 7, 1972, Indira Gandhi authorized the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) to develop and prepare a nuclear device for testing.

• Maintenance of Secrecy: With the treaties that the P-5 had in place, India decided to conduct the nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974 without any prior information being released to the world.
• Location & Codename: Pokhran, an army test range located in the desert of western Rajasthan, was chosen and its code name “Operation Smiling Buddha” came from the test’s date being on the same day as Buddha Jayanti, the birth date of Gautam Buddha. 
  • The Ministry of External affairs designated it as Pokhran -1.
  • A nuclear device was detonated, with a yield of 12-13 kiloton of TNT, on May 18, 1974. 
  • India became the sixth country in the World to conduct a successful Nuclear Test. 

Reactions after Conduction of the Test

• International Criticism: Almost all countries have condemned India’s nuclear test. 
  • Canada imposed heavy sanctions. Even in 1978, the US signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act, following which the US ceased exporting nuclear assistance to India.
• Establishment of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG): NSG was formed in response to this nuclear test. 
  • The US pushed for setting up a club of nuclear equipment and fissile material suppliers. 
  • Its purpose is to control exports of nuclear-related materials and machinery.
• Diplomatic Efforts: India has projected itself as a “responsible” owner of these weapons, allowing acceptance among countries and into groups like the NSG.
  • India has been trying, since 2008, to join the NSG. Many countries that initially opposed its entry, like Australia, have changed stance; Mexico and Switzerland are the latest to voice support. India faces the only resistance from China.
• Strategic Shift: India asserted itself as a nuclear-capable nation, paving the way for future developments like Pokhran-II in 1998.
  • In 1998, under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India conducted a series of nuclear tests in Pokhran once again, code-named Operation Shakti.

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Context

Recently, the RBI had organised a conference for the directors and MD/ CEOs of ARCs in Mumbai that was attended by more than 80 participants representing all 27 ARCs.

• The Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has identified several supervisory concerns in the functioning of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).

About Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC)

• A Type of Financial Institution: An asset reconstruction company is a type of financial institution that specializes in acquiring and managing distressed assets, typically loans or non-performing assets (NPAs) from banks and other financial institutions. 
  • When borrowers are unable to repay their loans, these loans become NPAs, and banks might decide to offload these troubled assets to ARCs.
• Importance: ARCs play a crucial role in the financial system by helping banks clean up their balance sheets and recover some value from the troubled loans. 

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Crucial Insights of the Conference

• To Adopt Regulation Plus Approach: RBI asked asset reconstruction company to adopt a “regulation plus” approach, ensuring compliance with both the letter and the spirit of regulations.
• Due Importance to Functions: Boards should accord due importance to assurance functions, namely, risk management, compliance and internal audit.
  • These functions play a critical role in identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations as well as safeguarding the organisation’s reputation.
• Ethical Conduct & Integrity: Setting the right tone from the top is crucial in fostering a culture of integrity and ethical conduct. 
• Emphasising the Importance of Sound Governance: The sound governance provides a strong foundation for ARCs to build a robust business model.
• Responsibility: The onus to develop sound governance lies largely with the Boards of the ARCs and the top functionaries who will have to develop a strong and institutional culture based on the above mentioned principles.
  • Essence: Need for responsible conduct in the recovery process and emphasised that ARCs should follow transparent and non-discriminatory practices in line with the comprehensive fair practice code (FPC) put in place by the Reserve Bank.

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Context

As per the Spanish government, the number of endangered Iberian lynx in the wild in Spain and Portugal has nearly doubled since 2020.

Iberian Lynx Population in Spain and Portugal Nearly Doubles Since 2020

• As per the Spanish government:
• • 2023 Lynx Birth:  In 2023 a total of 722 lynx were born in Spain.
  • Total Lynx Population: The Combined lynx population in Spain and Portugal has reached 2021.
  • Recent Population Growth: The Lynx Population has doubled from 1,111 just three years earlier.

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About Iberian lynx

• The Iberian lynx is the world’s most endangered feline species. 
• Characteristic Features: Of all lynx, the Iberian has the most heavily spotted coat. 
  • The coat is sparse, short, and coarse. The coat’s base color is bright yellowish red or tawny, overlaid with dark brown or black spots. 
  • The cat has white underparts. This species, like other cat species, is sexually dimorphic, with males being heavier and longer than females. 
    • Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species.
• Habitat: The Iberian lynx lives in Mediterranean forests composed of native oaks and abundant undergrowth and thickets. 
  • It favours a mixture of dense scrub for shelter and open pasture for hunting. 
  • Iberian lynx are found only in two small areas of southwest Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, west of the Pyrenees mountains. 
• Threats: 
  • Habitat destruction and alteration due to agricultural and industrial development
  • Conversion of native Mediterranean forest to plantations with no undergrowth
  • Direct persecution
  • Killed by automobiles
  • Caught illegally or hunted with dogs
  • Killed in traps set for other predators
• Conservation Status: 
  • The Iberian lynx is considered Endangered (EN) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
    • In 2015 the Iberian lynx was officially downgraded from Critically Endangered to Endangered. 
  • The Iberian lynx is protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

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Context

According to a report by The New York Times, there is a high frequency of the interactions between orcas and boats near the Strait of Gibraltar, hence becoming a multinational issue. 

Orca Attacks on Boats Surge Near Strait of Gibraltar, Raising Multinational Concerns

• Two people were rescued on May 12 after a group of orcas sank their 15-meter-long sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, 22.5 kilometers off the coast of Morocco. 
• Data by the research group GT Atlantic Orca (GTOA) show that since 2020 (when the rise in targeting of boats was first observed), there have been more than 700 interactions between orcas and boats near the Strait of Gibraltar. 

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About Orcas

• Also known as: Orcas are also known as killer whales and are the largest of the dolphins.
• Characteristic Features: 
  • Color: They are immediately recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white coloring. 
  • Size: They can measure up to 8 meters in length and weigh up to 6 tonnes as adults.
  • Nature: They are highly intelligent and curious mammals, who are not known to be aggressive against humans in the wild.
  • Powerful Predators: Orcas are one of the world’s most powerful predators. 
  • Echolocation: Smart and social, orcas make a wide variety of communicative sounds, and each pod has distinctive noises that its members will recognize even at a distance. 
    • • Pods refer to groups of maternally related individuals seen together more than half the time.
    • They use echolocation to communicate and hunt, making sounds that travel underwater until they encounter objects, then bounce back, revealing their location, size, and shape.
• Status: Orcas are considered Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species.
  • Orcas are listed under CITES Appendix II (species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction, but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled).

Reason of Attack on Boats by Orcas

• Unusual Behavior: Despite the growing research, scientists said that this behavior by orcas is unusual, but are yet to ascertain why exactly the animals have been targeting the boats. 
• Possible Reasons: Scientists have come up with two possibilities- either the orcas are playing around or they are reacting to negative experiences with the boats. 
  • The Orcas are Playing Around: Some scientists believe that targeting boats could be just a form of play or a fad — a behavior initiated by one or two individuals and temporarily picked up by others before it is abandoned. 
  • The Orcas are Attacking: According to this theory, a traumatic event must have happened with one or two orcas, triggering a change in their behavior, which is being imitated by the rest of the population near the Strait of Gibraltar.
• Arising Concern: Regardless of the reason behind orcas targeting the boats, researchers fear that if such incidents continue to take place it would not only endanger the lives of mariners but also become a conservation issue for orcas.

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Context

Recent media reports suggest that the armed forces are looking at the appointment of a Vice Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS) and a Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (DCDS), highlighting the evolving nature of India’s higher defense management.

• Recently, the Indian Government has notified the Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) (Command, Control, and Discipline) Act, 2023 through a Gazette notification to enhance coordination and efficiency across the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

Reason for Proposal of New Defence Posts

• Enhancement of Jointness: These posts are proposed to enhance jointness (the sharing of domain expertise and assets) among the armed forces, to streamline inter-service cooperation and improve composite combat capability.
• To Support Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): These posts aim to support the CDS in managing his/her extensive responsibilities, which include being a four-star general, government secretary, and principal adviser to the Defence Minister.

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About Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• Refers: The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the first among equals along with the other three service chiefs as a four-star general. The CDS is a high military office that oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services.
• Background & Evolution:  
  • 1999: The first proposal for a CDS made by the K. Subrahmanyam Committee, also known as Kargil Review Committee (KRC) appointed after the Kargil conflict of 1999 to recommend higher military reforms. 
    • However, lack of consensus and apprehensions among services meant it never moved forward.
  • 2001: Based on the Shri K Subrahmanyam Committee Report, a Group of Ministers (GoM) in 2001 recommended creation of the post of the Chief of Defence Staff.
  • 2012: Naresh Chandra Task Force set up by then Prime Minister in 2011, and gave the report in 2012. It recommended that CDS should be designated as the Permanent Chairman Chief of Staff Committee.
  • 2016: The CDS is also one of the 99 recommendations made by the Lt General D.B. Shekatkar (retd) Committee.
  • 2020: General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the first CDS in January 2020.
  • 2022: In October 2022, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (retd) was appointed the second CDS. 
    • In the absence of a CDS, the senior most of the three Chiefs functions as the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC). 
• Global Scenario: Many major countries have created the post of the CDS such as Italy, France, China, UK, USA, etc., to bring more jointness and integration in their Armed Forces.

• Need for Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): 

  • Effectiveness: Appointment of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is required to make the military leaner and more effective. 
  • Single-point Military Advice: It is necessary to have a professional body to render single-point military advice to the government on matters of national security.
  • Bridging the Gap: The CDS was envisioned to be a pivotal role, bridging the gap between military and governmental defence operations, thus necessitating a combination of military expertise, bureaucratic skills, and political advisory capabilities.

• Responsibilities & Mandate of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): 

• • Advisor to the Government: The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is meant to be a single-point military advisor to the government, and to coordinate long-term planning, procurements, training and logistics of the three services. 
  • Enhance Jointness among Armed Forces: The CDS is also seen as being vital to the creation of “theatre commands”, integrating tri-service assets and personnel like in the US military. 
  • Prioritising of Inter-Service Procurement Decisions: The Chief of Defence Staff heads the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence and as the head of DMA, CDS is vested with the authority in prioritising inter-service procurement decisions as Permanent Chairman-COSC.
  • Suggest Directives: The CDS is also vested with the authority to provide directives to the three chiefs. However, does not enjoy any command authority over any of the forces.
    • CDS is first among equals, he enjoys the rank of Secretary within the Department of Defence and powers are confined to only the revenue budget.
    • He also performs an advisory role in the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
  • The CDS’s Many Hats: The Chief of Defence Staff was accorded a daunting and anomalous institutional profile but this was deemed necessary when the post was conceived. 

Significance of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• To Maintain Synergy: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) maintains better cooperation between the Ministry of Defence bureaucracy and the Armed services.
  • Since 1947, there have been three Service Headquarters (SHQ) designated as “Attached Offices” of the Department of Defense (DoD). Due to this, communication between SHQ and DoD takes place largely through the medium of files.
  • With the creation of CDS as Principal Military Adviser (PMA) to Defense Minister, the process of decision-making will be accelerated.
• Jointness: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a high military office that oversees and coordinates the working of the three defence Services in India that lead to enhanced security.
  • As the CDS is “permanent chairman of COSC”, he/she will be able to devote undivided attention to the administration of tri-service organisations.
• Operationalisation of Theatre Command: Creation of DMA will facilitate the operationalisation of joint/theatre command. Theatre commands would need staff with the knowledge and experience to deploy land, maritime and air forces that would be implemented by the CDS.
  • Although a successful template for joint operations was created in the Andaman & Nicobar Command, the lack of political direction and indifference of the COSC has led to inactivity of this joint command.
• Resource Optimisation: Chief of Defence Staff will have to ensure that the “defence rupee” is spent judiciously on warfare-capabilities that are considered vital for national military power.
  • The CDS helps in the tackling of threats in an integrated manner and would help in optimal use of available resources. 
  • Also, policy-making on operations, procurement and joint logistics are improved.
• Holistic Management: The CDS is crucial in holistic management of national security for optimised results and single point military advice on matters of national security including nuclear weapons.
  • CDS administers the Strategic Forces Command and it will enhance the credibility of India’s nuclear deterrent.
    • The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) also initiated an early review of India’s Nuclear Doctrine.

Raising Concerns

• Time-Consuming Process: As the Indian Defence Minister has noted, creating theatre commands is a complex and time-consuming process, requiring consensus among different services.
  • Also, the government took nine months to appoint a new Chief of Defence Staff when the first Indian CDS Bipin Rawat died in a chopper crash.
• Avoidable Overload on CDS: The existing responsibilities of the CDS is a case of avoidable overload. Serving as the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Defence entails significant administrative duties that can detract from the CDS from its primary military functions.
• Operational Challenges: One of the primary challenges is to harmonise the interests and operational philosophies of the three services as each branch of the armed forces has its own traditions, priorities, and strategic doctrines.
• Rank Hierarchy: Rank hierarchy is central to the military and if implemented, could disrupt the rank hierarchy and affect the command structure.
• Location Choice: The proposed location for the Maritime Theatre Command in Coimbatore, instead of the previously considered Karwar, raises questions about the strategic use of existing infrastructure.
• Concern over Theaterisation: All three services also have concerns about how theaterisation might dilute the role of the service chiefs.
  • Also, the arbitrary changes expanded the pool of eligible candidates for appointment as CDS that may have diminished the dignity of the evolving office. 
• Persistence of Security & Sovereignty Challenge: The challenges to national security and sovereignty remain abiding and tenacious.
  • With a two-front operational tasking along the land borders (China and Pakistan) and tangled, there are consistent unresolved territorial disputes.
  • They have been compounded by the rise of state-sponsored terrorism.
  • Examples: Kargil 1999, Mumbai 2008 and Galwan 2020.

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Way Forward

• Clear Demarcation of the Roles: There is a need for clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the CDS, VCDS, and other senior military positions to delineate the boundaries of authority and reduce the risk of overlapping duties that can lead to inefficiencies.
• Strengthening of Inter-Service Cooperation: Initiatives to enhance jointness among the services should be prioritised by conducting regular joint training exercises, integrated planning sessions, and shared resources.
• Focus on Strategic Leadership: By delegating bureaucratic responsibilities to the VCDS, the CDS can focus more on strategic leadership and long-term defence planning.
  • This will enable the CDS to drive initiatives that enhance the military’s operational capabilities and readiness.
• Maintaining Professional Integrity: Upholding the professional independence of the Chief of Defence Staff is crucial. It needs to ensure that the CDS can provide honest and unbiased advice to the government while also advocating effectively for the needs of the armed forces.
  • The military ethos requires that the CDS retains his professional independence and upholds his oath of allegiance to the Constitution.

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