Union Home Minister asks all forces and agencies to make joint efforts towards achieving the goal of completely eliminating Left Wing Extremism by March 2026.

Key Announcements and Developments

• Target to Eliminate Maoists: Union Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to eradicate Maoists from Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. 
  • He highlighted a 73% reduction in deaths of security personnel and a 70% decrease in civilian killings over the past decade.
• Achievements in Chhattisgarh:
  • Neutralized 287 Maoists, arrested 1,000, and facilitated the surrender of 837 Maoists in the last year.
  • Schools and infrastructure destroyed by Maoist violence are being restored.
• Chhattisgarh Police Awarded President’s Colour: Recognized for their courage and service, the state’s police force received this prestigious honor, typically awarded after 25 years of service.

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About Maoism

• Maoism is a form of communism developed by Mao Zedong. 
• It is a doctrine to capture State power through a combination of armed insurgency, mass mobilization and strategic alliances. 

Origin and Evolution

1. Naxalbari Uprising (1967):
   • Named after the Naxalbari village in West Bengal where it originated as a peasant rebellion.
   • Triggered by land disputes between poor farmers and landlords.
   • Led by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, inspired by Maoist ideology.
2. Communist Roots:
   • Maoism in India derives from the ideology of Mao Zedong, advocating the overthrow of the state through armed revolution and establishment of a communist state.
   • The movement split from mainstream communist parties like the CPI (M) due to ideological differences.
3. Formation of CPI (Maoist):
   • In 2004, two main Maoist factions, People’s War Group (PWG) and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC), merged to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist), marking a significant escalation in Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

Phases of Maoism in India

• Initial Stage (1967-1980s):
  • Maoist activity was primarily confined to West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. 
  • However, state repression forced the movement to go underground and adopt guerrilla warfare tactics.
• Expansion Phase (1980s-2000s):
  • Maoist influence spread across the Red Corridor, which includes states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. 
  • The Maoists established parallel governance structures in tribal areas, exploiting socio-economic grievances of the local population.
• Peak of Violence (2000s):
  • By the late 2000s, Maoists posed the “biggest internal security threat”, according to the Indian government.
  • Notable incidents during this period include the Dantewada ambush of 2010, where 76 CRPF personnel were killed.
• Decline Phase (Post-2010):
  • Government initiatives combining security operations and development programs began to show results. 
  • The influence of Maoists significantly reduced, and the areas under their control started contracting.

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Key Features of Maoist Ideology

• Armed Struggle: Maoist ideology follows Mao Zedong’s strategy of “Protracted People’s War”, which emphasizes building a rural base and conducting guerrilla warfare.
• Focus on Marginalized Communities: The Maoists claim to fight for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly tribals and landless farmers, but they also use coercion to recruit and sustain their movement.
• Opposition to Democracy: Maoists reject democratic institutions, viewing them as tools of bourgeois oppression. 
  • They aim to replace the existing system with a communist state based on Maoist principles.

Factors Contributing to Maoism or Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

• Land Alienation and Displacement: The lack of land reforms and displacement of tribals due to development projects are major triggers for Maoist activity.
  • Large-scale displacement caused by mining projects in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh has fueled resentment among tribals.
  • According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, over 40% of those displaced by development projects between 1951 and 1990 were tribals, but only 25% received rehabilitation.
• Poverty and Lack of Development: LWE-affected areas often have higher levels of poverty and lower access to basic facilities like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
  • In the tribal belts of Bastar (Chhattisgarh), development indices such as literacy and healthcare lag far behind the national average.
  • Development Challenges in Extremist Affected Areas: Report of an Expert Group to Planning Commission highlights that poverty, deprivation, and lack of access to basic resources are prevalent in these regions, contributing to the support for Naxalite movements.
• Governance Deficit: Weak state presence and inadequate delivery of public services in remote tribal areas create a governance vacuum that Maoists exploit.
  • The absence of schools and healthcare facilities in remote villages of Odisha has made it easier for Maoists to win local support.
  • In some LWE-affected areas, Panchayati Raj positions remain vacant due to lack of security and infrastructure.
  • D. Bandopadhyay Committee, 2006 concluded that Naxalism spread due to governance failures and widespread discrimination against tribal communities in economic, social, political, and cultural life.
• Exploitation by Landlords and Corporations: Tribals and marginalized communities face exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, and corporations, deepening socio-economic inequalities.
  • In Andhra Pradesh, tribals were coerced into giving up their lands to mining corporations, triggering Maoist uprisings in the 1990s.
• Social and Political Marginalization: Tribals and Dalits, who are the primary supporters of LWE, often feel excluded from the political process and are unable to access justice.
  • The failure to implement the Forest Rights Act, 2006, has left many tribals without ownership of their ancestral lands.
  • Only 19.8% of claims under the Forest Rights Act were approved by 2022, according to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Lack of Connectivity and Infrastructure: Remote areas with poor road and telecom connectivity become isolated from government reach, making them fertile grounds for Maoist activities.

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Government’s Efforts to Counter LWE/Maoism in India

• National Policy and Action Plan (2015): The government adopted a multi-pronged strategy combining security, development, and ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities.
  • Components: Focus on capacity building, strengthening governance, and perception management.
• SAMADHAN Strategy: Introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, SAMADHAN is a comprehensive policy to address LWE. It stands for:
  • S for Smart Leadership, A for Aggressive Strategy, M for Motivation and Training, A for Actionable Intelligence, D for Dashboard-based Key Result Areas and Key Performance Indicators, H for Harnessing Technology, A for Action Plan for Each Theatre and N for No access to Financing.
  • Use of drones and UAVs for actionable intelligence has improved the effectiveness of anti-Maoist operations.
• Rehabilitation and Surrender Policies
  • Comprehensive rehabilitation policies for surrendered Maoists include skill development, education, and financial packages.
  • Chhattisgarh’s policy facilitated the surrender of 837 Maoists in 2023.
  • Rehabilitation schemes under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme cover ex-gratia payments and support for reintegration.
• Empowering Local Governance
  • Focus on strengthening local governance through effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006) and other welfare schemes.
  • Increased engagement with Panchayati Raj institutions to build trust and ensure delivery of public services in affected regions.
• Civic Action Programmes
  • Civic Action Programme (CAP): Conducts welfare activities like medical camps, sports events, and educational drives to bridge the gap between security forces and the local population.
    • CAP funds worth ₹123 crores have been utilized for welfare activities in LWE regions since 2017.
• Awareness and Media Plans
  • Media Plan: Implemented as a sub-scheme of the Umbrella Scheme ‘Modernization of Police Forces’.
    • Countering Maoist propaganda through radio jingles, documentaries, pamphlets, and youth exchange programs.
    • Radio programs in tribal dialects have been effective in countering Maoist narratives in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
• Monitoring and Coordination
  • Regular review meetings involving the Union Home Minister, Chief Ministers of affected states, and top security officials.
  • Frequent visits by Union and State officials to LWE-affected regions have improved coordination and morale of forces.

Challenges to Controlling LWE/Maoism in India

• Geographical and Logistical Challenges: Maoist strongholds are located in remote, hilly, and forested areas, making access difficult for security forces.
  • The dense forests of Dandakaranya (Chhattisgarh) and Saranda (Jharkhand) provide natural cover for Maoist operations.
  • Poor infrastructure, such as inadequate road networks, further hampers counterinsurgency efforts.
• Socio-Economic Grievances: Maoists exploit socio-economic issues such as poverty, land alienation, and lack of basic amenities to gain support among marginalized communities.
  • Tribals displaced by mining projects often receive inadequate compensation, fostering resentment.
  • As per NITI Aayog, Maoist-affected regions rank among the poorest in India, with limited access to healthcare and education.
• Governance Deficit: Weak state presence and lack of effective governance in remote areas create a vacuum filled by Maoist groups.
  • In regions like Bastar, government services are minimal, and Maoists operate parallel governance systems.
  • Panchayati Raj institutions remain underutilized in many Maoist-affected areas due to security concerns and poor capacity-building efforts.
• Inadequate Intelligence and Coordination: Intelligence-sharing between central and state agencies remains inconsistent, leading to operational inefficiencies.
  • The 2013 Darbha Valley ambush, where Maoists killed 27 people, was attributed to poor intelligence coordination.
• Alienation of Tribals: Tribals, who form the backbone of Maoist support, often feel alienated due to the lack of recognition of their rights and cultural identity.
  • Poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006) has left many tribals without legal claims to their ancestral lands.
• Economic Exploitation: Exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, and corporations in tribal areas continues to fuel discontent.
  • In Andhra Pradesh, forcible land acquisitions for mining projects have triggered Maoist resurgence in certain pockets.
• Difficulty in Rehabilitation: Maoist cadres find it challenging to reintegrate into society due to lack of skills, stigma, and distrust of government rehabilitation schemes.
  • Many surrendered Maoists complain about inadequate financial support or job opportunities, undermining the surrender policies.
• External Support and Networking: Maoists maintain ties with other insurgent groups in India and abroad, enhancing their capacity for violence.
  • According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, CPI (Maoist) has established links with North-East insurgent groups like PLA (Manipur) and foreign Maoist organizations in Nepal and the Philippines.
  • Several NGOs have been accused of indirectly supporting Maoist activities by promoting anti-government narratives.
• Balancing Development and Security: Excessive focus on one aspect often undermines the other.
  • Aggressive security operations can alienate local populations, while overemphasis on development without addressing security risks can leave projects vulnerable to Maoist attacks.

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Way Forward to Address LWE/Maoism in India

• Strengthen Governance and Development: Focus on improving governance in remote areas through effective delivery of public services like education, healthcare, and clean drinking water.
  • Implementing the Forest Rights Act (2006) effectively to ensure tribal rights over forest resources.
• Promote Inclusive Development: Enhance socio-economic opportunities in LWE-affected areas through skill development, job creation, and infrastructure projects like roads and telecom connectivity.
  • Expanding the Aspirational Districts Programme to cover more Maoist-affected districts.
• Enhance Security Measures: Use modern technology like drones, UAVs, and advanced surveillance for better intelligence gathering and counterinsurgency operations.
  • Improve coordination between state and central agencies to ensure seamless sharing of intelligence.
• Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Strengthen surrender and rehabilitation policies by providing skill training, job opportunities, and psychosocial support to surrendered cadres.
• Engage Communities: Empower tribal and local leaders to act as peace ambassadors and mediators.
  • Encourage community policing and participation in local governance to rebuild trust between the government and affected populations.
• Counter Propaganda: Address Maoist propaganda through public awareness campaigns, use of regional media, and initiatives like youth exchange programs to connect tribal communities with mainstream society.
• Focus on Education and Youth Engagement: Reopen schools destroyed by Maoists and promote education among tribal youth to provide alternative opportunities and reduce vulnerability to indoctrination.

Conclusion

A holistic approach combining development, governance, and security is essential to tackle Maoism effectively. With sustained efforts, the influence of LWE can be minimized, ensuring peace, stability, and inclusive growth in affected regions.

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Two Bills seeking to ‘implement simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies were introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Law Minister. 

About the Bill

• In September 2023, The Union government constituted a six-member panel led by former President Kovind ‘examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections’.
• The two bills include The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
• The Lok Sabha has referred the Bill on Simultaneous Elections (often called “One Nation, One Election”) to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed examination. 

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Key Features of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Amendment of Three Articles : The Bill proposes changes to three existing articles of the Constitution:
  • Amends Articles 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament), 
  • Article 172 (duration of state legislatures), and 
  • Article 327 (power of Parliament to make provisions with respect to elections to Legislatures).
• Insertion of Article 82A: A new provision (Article 82A, clauses 1-6) is introduced to enable simultaneous elections.
  • Provisions of Article 82A
    • Timeline for Implementation – 82A (1) : President can notify the appointed date for the changes after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following a general election.
    • Curtailed Tenures for State Assemblies – 82A (2) : Assemblies elected after the appointed date but before the Lok Sabha’s term ends will have their terms curtailed to align with the Lok Sabha’s full five-year term.
    • Election Commission’s Role in Conducting Simultaneous Elections – 82A (3) : Election Commission of India (ECI) is tasked with conducting general elections for the Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies simultaneously.
    • Definition of Simultaneous Elections – 82A (4) : Simultaneous elections are defined as “general elections held for constituting the House of the People and all the Legislative Assemblies together.”
    • Exception Clause for Assembly Elections – 82A (5) : ECI may recommend postponing a particular Assembly election if it determines simultaneous elections are not feasible. 
      • The President can then issue an order for those elections to be conducted separately.
    • Alignment of Deferred Elections – 82A (6) : If an Assembly election is deferred, the term of that Assembly will still end with the full term of the Lok Sabha elected in the general election.
• Amendment to Article 83: Defines Unexpired Term, Mid-term and General Elections
  • Article 83 : Prescribes a fixed five-year term for Lok Sabha unless dissolved earlier.
  • New Clauses for Unexpired Terms : If Lok Sabha is dissolved before completing its full term, the next Lok Sabha will only serve the unexpired period of the original term.
  • Example : If Lok Sabha is dissolved after 3 years and 6 months : Subsequent Lok Sabha will serve the remaining 18 months. 
  • The new House (formed after the mid-term election) will not be a continuation of the old one. This means that Bills pending in the House will expire as it happens even when the House has functioned for a full term.
• Amendments to Article 327: Enabling Simultaneous Elections
  • Article 327 gives Parliament the authority to legislate on matters related to elections, including electoral rolls and delimitation of constituencies.
  • The amendment proposes adding “conduct of simultaneous elections” to this list.
  • Ensures Parliament can make provisions to align elections for both Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures.
• Changes to Article 172 (Duration of State Legislatures): Similar to Lok Sabha, state Assemblies’ terms will also align with the “unexpired term” provision.
  • If a state Assembly is dissolved before its full term, elections will be conducted for the remaining term of the dissolved Assembly.

About Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Purpose: Align Union Territories with the framework for simultaneous elections.
• Reason: Union Territories are governed under a separate constitutional scheme that is different from states.
• Proposed Amendments
  • Government of Union Territories Act, 1963: Adjustments to enable synchronized elections in Union Territories.
  • Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991: Similar changes for Delhi.
  • Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: Amendments to include Jammu and Kashmir within the simultaneous election framework.

About “One Nation, One Election”

• Holding elections to Lok Sabha, all the state assemblies, and local bodies – municipalities and panchayats, together.
• Simultaneous Elections in the Past were the  first four general elections of India.
  • 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967
• However, this synchronization was disrupted after 1967 due to premature dissolutions of some state assemblies and the Lok Sabha.
• Countries where simultaneous elections are conducted : South Africa, Sweden , Germany, Britain.

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Significance of ‘One Nation, One Election’

• Cost Efficiency: Simultaneous elections can significantly enhance cost efficiency by reducing election expenses for both the government and political parties. 
• Reduced Voter fatigue: Voter fatigue is a cause of voter abstention which results from the electorates of representative democracies being asked to vote often, on too many issues or without easy access to relevant information. 
• Policy Continuity: Simultaneous elections can enhance policy continuity by minimising the influence of frequent election cycles, enabling governments to prioritise long-term planning and implementation over short-term political strategies.
• Model Code of Conduct (MCC) Impact: By reducing the number of election cycles, the MCC’s impact on governance can be minimised, allowing for more continuous and effective policy implementation.
• Reduced Black Money: Fewer elections can reduce the circulation of unaccounted money used in campaigns.
• Public Services: Prevents disruption in public services due to frequent deployment of government staff for election duties.
• National Unity: Promotes national over regional perspectives in the electoral process.

Challenges of implementing Simultaneous Elections

• Constitutional Amendments: Implementing One Nation One Election requires changes to several constitutional provisions like Article 85, Article 356, and others. 
  • It will lead to alteration of the Basic Structure of the Constitution. Eg. it will affect the Federal character of the Constitution.
• Logistical Challenges: Organizing elections simultaneously across the country presents significant logistical hurdles, such as coordinating security forces, organising Electronic Voting Machines (EVM’s) on a large scale.
• Against Federalism: It could weaken India’s federal structure, as state-specific issues might be overshadowed by national concerns. 
  • Simultaneous Elections have the tendency of moving the country towards a unitary state rather than a federal one that the Constitution envisages. 
• Regional Issues may take backseat: The blending of national and regional issues in simultaneous elections could overshadow local concerns, shift priorities, and create an imbalance, potentially giving national parties an undue advantage over regional ones.
• Voting Behaviour: Evidence shows that voters often tend to vote for the same party for both State and Central governments when voters are required to cast their ballots for both the State and Central governments simultaneously, at the same polling booth, and on the same day.
• Feasibility: Concerns arise over the feasibility of conducting elections across all state governments if a coalition central government collapses.

Way Forward

• Align Election Cycles: It is necessary to schedule legislative assembly elections to coincide with Lok Sabha elections for terms ending within six months to one year before or after, to create a synchronised electoral cycle.
• Increase Political Transparency: Bring political parties under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to enhance transparency, accountability, and democratic processes within parties.
• Ensure Free and Fair Elections: Strengthen the Election Commission’s regulatory role and monitoring capabilities to oversee poll expenditure and ensure the integrity of elections at all levels.
• Implement Electronic Voter ID Cards: Utilise IT-enabled tools like electronic voter ID cards to eliminate bogus entries from electoral rolls, improving the accuracy and integrity of voter registration.
• Consider State Funding of Elections: There is a need to explore the state funding options to reduce the influence of money in politics and create a more level playing field for all candidates.

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Conclusion

While the concept of simultaneous elections offers several benefits like cost savings and governance stability, it also raises significant constitutional, logistical, and political challenges. The referral of the Bill to the JPC is a critical step toward addressing these complexities, ensuring that any decision balances the goals of efficiency and democratic principles.

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Recently the Supreme Court of India directed the government of Rajasthan and the Union government to take comprehensive measures to identify, protect, and manage sacred groves across India.

• The Supreme Court also lauded the Piplantri village in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district.

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About Sacred Groves

• UNESCO Definition: Sacred groves are areas of “natural” vegetation preserved through local taboos and sanctions with spiritual and ecological values (UNESCO, 1996).
• Ecological Significance: These groves support traditional associations with wildlife and landscapes like streams, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
• Cultural Significance: Sacred groves are revered for their connection to the divine and symbolize a deep human-nature relationship rooted in cultural traditions.
• Community Involvement: Local communities maintain sacred groves through strict taboos and customary laws.
• Key Features
• • Represent natural or near-natural ecosystems.
  • Serve as repositories for rare, endangered, and indigenous species of flora and fauna.

Sacred Groves of  India

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Legal Protection of Sacred Groves in India

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Enables the declaration of sacred groves as community reserves, safeguarding them legally.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognizes the rights of tribal and traditional forest-dwelling communities to protect and manage forest resources.
• National Forest Policy, 1988: Encourages community involvement in the preservation and sustainable management of forest ecosystems.
• Supreme Court Judgments: Landmark rulings such as the TN Godavarman case and the recent Rajasthan sacred grove judgment reinforce legal safeguards.

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A recent study by scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, has demonstrated how nanoplastics can facilitate horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antibiotic resistance (AR) genes, especially within the human gut microbiota.

Key Highlights of the Study

• Impact of Nanoplastics: Polyethylene terephthalate bottle-derived nanoplastics (PBNPs) facilitate the transfer of antibiotic resistance (AR) genes among bacteria, including beneficial gut microbiota like Lactobacillus acidophilus through a process called horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
  • HGT: 
• Bacteria Involved: Gene transfer from E. coli to Lactobacillus acidophilus highlights cross-species AR gene propagation.
• Risks to Gut Health: Beneficial gut bacteria may act as AR gene reservoirs, potentially transferring resistance to pathogens.
• Call for Action: Emphasis on stricter plastic usage policies and waste management to mitigate risks to human microbiome health.

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Impact of Nano-Plastics on Cellular Level

• Oxidative Stress: Induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cellular damage which triggers stress-response genes in bacteria.
• Membrane Damage: Causes physical damage to bacterial membranes and facilitates the secretion of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), enhancing gene transfer potential.
• Gene Transfer Facilitation through two pathways:
• • Direct Transformation Pathway: Nanoplastics act as carriers for AR plasmids, promoting direct gene transfer between bacteria.
  • OMV-Induced Pathway: Nanoplastics enhance OMV secretion, which carries AR genes across species.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

• Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms develop mechanisms to survive exposure to antibiotics, rendering treatments ineffective. It is a critical global health threat.
• Drivers of AMR:
  • Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock.
  • Environmental contamination with antibiotics and resistant bacteria.
• Impact on Public Health:
  • Reduced efficacy of antibiotics.
  • Increased prevalence of multidrug-resistant infections.
  • Higher healthcare costs and mortality rates.Findings from INST Study

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Indian oceanographers from National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and  National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) captured a historic image of an active hydrothermal vent in the Indian Ocean. 

About Hydrothermal Vent

• Formation: Hydrothermal vents are underwater hot springs found in tectonically active regions, where cold seawater interacts with magma, becoming superheated (up to 370°C) and emerging as mineral-rich plumes through chimneys or vents.
• Recent Discovery in Indian Ocean: An active hydrothermal vent was discovered at a depth of 4,500 meters along the Central Indian Ridge.

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• Ecosystem and Lifeforms: These vents support unique ecosystems powered by chemosynthesis, where microbes act as primary producers, sustaining diverse organisms in extreme conditions.
• Key Features:
• • Includes chimneys and black smokers emitting superhot mineral-rich plumes.
  • Hosts rich deposits of copper, zinc, gold, silver, platinum, iron, cobalt, and nickel.
  • Supports chemosynthetic organisms thriving in mineral-rich environments.
• This discovery highlights the potential for resource exploration and the study of extreme marine ecosystems.

Significance of Discovery for Deep Ocean Mission

• Mineral Resource Exploration: Deposits around vents contain valuable metals like copper, zinc, gold, silver, cobalt, and nickel, essential for economic growth.
• Biological Insights: Unique microbial life forms offer clues to extremophile ecosystems, with potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.
• Samudrayaan Mission: Enhances India’s capabilities in manned deep-sea exploration for both inactive and active vent systems.

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PM Narendra Modi is set to visit Kuwait on December 21-22, 2024.

• It would be  the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.
• The invitation was extended by the head of state of Kuwait , Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
• • It aims to deepen the bilateral ties between the two nations.

Significance of the Visit

• The visit aims to further enhance trade, energy, and cultural ties, reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and Kuwait.
• It reflects India’s growing global outreach and commitment to strengthening relationships with Gulf nations.

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India-Kuwait Bilateral Relations

India and Kuwait share a strong and friendly relationship rooted in historical and cultural ties. 

• Political Relations
  • India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait in 1961.
  • Celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2021-22.
  • Notable high-level visits include:
    • From India: Vice President Zakir Husain (1965), Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1981), and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2024).
    • From Kuwait: Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed (1980, 1983) and Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak (2013).
• Economic Relations
  • Trade:
    • India has been a natural trading partner of Kuwait.
    • Until 1961, the Indian Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait.
    • Before oil development, Kuwait’s economy was based on shipbuilding, pearl diving, fishing, and maritime trade with India.
    • Bilateral trade in FY 2023-24 was USD 10.47 billion, with a 34.7% growth in Indian exports.
    • Kuwait is India’s 6th largest crude oil supplier, meeting 3% of energy needs.
  • Investments:
    • Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) has invested over USD 10 billion in India.
    • Indian PSUs and private companies, like Air India, L&T, and Wipro, operate in Kuwait.

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• Cultural Relations
  • A ‘Festival of India’ was held in Kuwait in March 2023 under the Ministry of Culture.
  • Hindi Radio and Literary Contributions
    • Kuwait National Radio started a weekly Hindi program, ‘Namaste Kuwait,’ in April 2024. .
    • Kuwaiti nationals translated abridged versions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata into Arabic.
    • Indian movies are broadcast weekly on Kuwait National TV and screened in theaters upon release.
• Educational Relations: Kuwait has 26 schools following the CBSE curriculum, with over 60,000 students, mainly Indian and some other expatriates.

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Ten new dark comets were discovered recently by the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) instrument placed on a large telescope in Chile.

About Dark Comets

• A Dark Comet is a celestial object that looks like an asteroid (devoid of the bright coma characteristic of traditional comet)  but moves through space like a comet(such as sudden accelerations)
• First Discovery: The first dark comet, identified in 2016, was asteroid 2003 RM and was nicknamed “The Asteroid that Wanted to be a Comet.”
  • NASA in 2017 discovered (‘Oumuamua’), the first ever documented celestial object that originated outside the solar system which appeared like an asteroid but behaved like a comet.
• Categories: There are 2 main categories of Dark Comets,
  • Inner Dark Comets: They reside in the inner solar system and travel in nearly circular orbits, and are on the smaller side (tens of meters or less).
  • Outer Dark Comets: They have similar characteristics to Jupiter-family comets ie. They have highly eccentric (or elliptical) orbits and are on the larger side (100m or more).
• Characteristics: 
  • Elusive: Dark comets lacks the characteristic feature of a comet ie. a glowing tails and instead appear as a faint point of light in space resembling an asteroid.
  • Orbit: Dark comets follow elongated, elliptical paths and can go beyond Pluto, some even making it out to the Oort Cloud,
  • Size: Dark comets are often small objects, just a few metres to a few hundred metres wide leaving less surface area for material to escape and form into the beautiful tails as seen on typical comets. 
  • Spin: They often spin quite rapidly and disperse escaping gas and dust in all directions, making them less visible.
  • Composition or Age: Their composition and age may result in weaker or no gas loss, as the materials that go into the tails of bright comets are depleted over time.
• Significance: 
  • Planet Formation: Studying Dark Comets assumes significance as it could hold clues about the formation of Earth, the origins of Earth’s water, and even the beginning of life 
  • Abundance: A 2023 study suggested that between 0.5% and 60% of all NEO might be dark comets originating from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

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Polar Sundial

Context: A Polar sundial has been designed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and is put on for a public display in the ‘Rocket Garden’ of its Space Museum at Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

About the Analemma-Corrected Polar Sundial

• The polar sundial with analemmatic correction designed by the VSSC accurately gives the Indian Standard Time (IST) along with the local solar time, as well as the date.
  • ‘Analemma’ is the figure-eight pattern made by the sun in the sky over the course of a year, generated by a combination of the Earth’s tilt and its elliptical orbit.
• The ‘Style’: The upright section which casts the shadow on the sundial is a 1.6 ft tall, 3D-printed miniature of the Rohini series RH200 sounding rocket.
• Polar Configuration: The  sundial adopts a polar configuration where the sundial plate is affixed to a wedge-shaped structure, whose angle is determined by the latitude of the location.
  • The plate is parallel to the Earth’s polar axis, with the style parallel to the Earth’s equatorial plane.
• Analemmatic Correction: There is a built in ‘analemmatic correction’ whereby the straight hour lines are replaced with inverted analemma curves in the sundial. 
  • It automatically converts local solar time to mean solar time throughout the year. 
• Indian Standard Time: To obtain IST, an additional longitude correction is applied, based on the longitude of Thumba

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About Sundial

• Sundials are a device that uses the position of the sun in the sky to indicate the time of day. 
• Components: 
• • Dial: A sundial has a flat plate (dial) with hour-lines marked on it
  • Gnomon: It may be a rod, wire, or metal casting which casts a shadow onto the dial. 
  • The Style: It is the time-telling edge of the gnomon, though a single point or nodus may be used. 
• Mechanism: As the sun moves across the sky, the shadow of the gnomon moves and aligns with the hour-lines, indicating the time. 
  • The gnomon casts a broad shadow; the shadow of the style shows the time
• History: Sundials can be seen in many cultures all throughout history and date back about 4,000 years. The earliest known sundial is an Egyptian shadow clock made of green schist. 
• Limitations: Sundials only work when there is direct sunlight, so they don’t work at night or on cloudy days

The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum

Context: India and France has recently signed an agreement towards the “adaptive reuse” of the North and South blocks for the ambitious The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum.

• The Ministry of Culture has partnered with France Museums Développement (FMD) to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum as a world-class cultural institution

About The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum

• It is a part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project
• Announcement: The museum was first announced by the Prime Minister at the International Museum Expo in May 2023
• Objective: To ensure the preservation of its  architectural heritage by adaptive reuse of the historic North and South Blocks while also creating a vibrant and efficient cultural space.
• Approach: The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum will be developed through the Adaptive Reuse approach of France.
  • The Adaptive Reuse approach mirrors France’s “Grands Projets” initiative, which saw the transformation of government buildings into iconic cultural spaces, most notable example being ‘The Louvre Museum, Paris”.
• Area: The museum will come up in an area spanning approximately 1.55 lakh square metre across the iconic North and South Blocks in New Delhi 
  • The museum once built will overtake The Louvre in Paris, (presently the world’s biggest).
• Implementation Phases: 
  • First: It comprises the retrofitting of North Block (currently housing the offices of Ministries of Finance and Home Affairs)  into a museum space by June 2026.
  • The South Block, which houses the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of External Affairs offices, will be vacated

First Large Carnivore Pollinator

Context: Recently the Ethiopian Wolf was documented consuming nectar, this is first ever large carnivorous predator documented contributing to pollination.

About Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis)

• The Ethiopian wolf is Africa’s most endangered carnivore, with fewer than 500 individuals.
• Habitation: They are endemic to Ethiopian highlands. They live  in Ethiopia’s high-altitude “sky islands” above tropical forests.
• Unique Pollination Behavior: Observed feeding on nectar from Ethiopian red hot poker flowers (Kniphofia species).
  • Transfers pollen as its muzzle gets dusted while moving between flowers.
• Significance of Nectar Feeding: Typically a rodent hunter, the wolf seeks nectar as an energy supplement.
• Ecological Impact:  It challenges conventional views of plant-pollinator interactions.
  • Highlights potential for apex predators to contribute to pollination.
• Conservation status: Listed as Endangered species under IUCN Red list.
• Conservation Implications: Protecting the Ethiopian wolf helps sustain the fragile Afroalpine ecosystem.
  • Emphasizes the need to preserve unique species interactions critical for biodiversity.

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IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite)

Context: Recently the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with the SpaceRISE consortium developed  IRIS², the European Union’s flagship internet satellite constellation.

About IRIS²

• IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite) is a satellite internet constellation which aims to secure connectivity for Europe.
• Specifications: Comprises 290 satellites: 264 in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 18 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).
• Unlike SpaceX Starlink’s global approach with 7,000+ satellites, IRIS² prioritizes efficient interlinked satellite systems.
• Objectives
  • Enhance European digital sovereignty and secure communications.
  • Support critical infrastructure and defense capabilities.
  • Strengthen connectivity in member states without relying on global competitors.
• Features
  • Offers secure, high-speed broadband in areas with low or no connectivity.
  • Provides connectivity for government, private, and civilian use.
  • Focus on maritime, railway, aviation, and rural connectivity.
  • Enables applications like border surveillance, crisis management, remote healthcare, and smart energy grids.
• Other Examples of internet satellite constellation: OneWeb (UK) and Kuiper (USA)

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