The 19th G20 summit recently concluded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

About Rio G20

• Theme: “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”.
• Host Country: Brazil
• Location: Museum of Modern Art (MAM), Rio de Janeiro
• Participants: 19 member countries and two regional bodies i.e. the European Union, the African Union.
• Key Priorities: The Brazilian G20 Presidency has focused this year’s work on three priorities:
  • Social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty; 
  • Sustainable development, energy transitions and climate action;
  • The reform of global governance institutions.
• Significance: 
  • It was the first G20 summit to be hosted in Brazil.
  • The Rio summit marks the first time the African Union will participate as a full member, as it was inducted only last year during the gathering in New Delhi.

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Key Highlights of the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration

• Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty: It is a global initiative launched by Brazil during its G20 presidency. 
  • Goal: Its primary goal is to eradicate hunger and poverty worldwide by 2030. 
  • Three Pillars: The alliance operates on three pillars:
    • National Coordination: Strengthening national policies and strategies to address hunger and poverty.  
    • Financial Mobilisation: Raising funds to support initiatives and programs aimed at reducing hunger and poverty.  
    • Knowledge Integration: Sharing knowledge and best practices to improve the effectiveness of interventions.  
  • Headquarters: The technical headquarters will be at Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) i.e. Rome, Italy, but with functional autonomy. 
  • India’s Role: India is an active member of the Global Alliance and has committed to supporting its goals.
  • Strategic commitments:
    • Expanding cash transfer programs to reach 500 million people
    • Providing school meals to an additional 150 million children
    • Assisting 200 million children up to age 6 and pregnant women with health programs.
• Lebanon and Gaza Ceasefire: 
  • Affirmation of Palestinian Rights
    • Recognises and affirms the Palestinian right to self-determination (It grants people the ability to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development without external interference).
    • Reiterates commitment to a two-state solution, envisioning Israel and a Palestinian State coexisting peacefully.
  • Support for Comprehensive CeasefiresIn Gaza:  Comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza in line with UN Security Council Resolution n. 2735
    • In Lebanon: Comprehensive ceasefire enabling safe return of citizens on both sides of the Blue Line.
• Status of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Call for speedy implementation of the G20 2023 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on the SDGs. 
  • Timeframe: Only six years remain to achieve the 2030 Agenda for SDGs.
  • On-Track Targets: Progress is on track for just 17% of the targets.
  • Limited Progress: Nearly 50% of targets show minimal or moderate progress.
  • Stalled or Regressed: Over one-third of targets have either stalled or regressed.

• Commitment to Food Security and Nutrition: The G20 reaffirms its commitment to food security, nutrition, and the progressive realisation of the right to adequate food, as outlined in the Deccan High-Level Principles, 2023.
• Inclusion of SDG 18 (Sustainable Development Goal), on ethnic-racial equality : A new SDG, focusing on ethnic-racial equality, was officially included as a key element among the G20 priorities. 
• Ukraine War Impact: The war has worsened human suffering and disrupted global food, energy security, supply chains, and financial stability.
  • G20 supports constructive peace efforts aligned with the UN Charter to promote peaceful relations.
• Efforts against corruption and related illicit financial flows: By making the best use of GlobE Network and other international anti-corruption networks.
• Taxation: Committed to engaging cooperatively to ensure effective taxation of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and advocated for progressive taxation.

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• Climate Change: The summit launched the Global Task Force for Climate Change Mobilization to strengthen climate financing, especially in developing countries.
  • It also reaffirms the G20’s ambition to voluntarily reduce land degradation by 50% by 2040. 
  • The countries also pledge to take steps to prevent, manage, and address the negative impacts of extreme droughts and wildfires.
  • There is a plan to  establish the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) and acknowledge the Facility as an innovative tool for forest conservation.
• Effective Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): G20 endorses a roadmap to enhance MDBs’ effectiveness, financial capacity, and alignment with SDGs.

Challenges Faced By the G20 Grouping

• Diverging Economic Interests: The G20 represents a diverse set of economies, from advanced nations to emerging markets.
  • Balancing these divergent interests to reach a consensus can be a significant challenge.
  • The G20 operates on a consensus model, which can slow down decision-making. 
• Geopolitical Tensions: Geopolitical rivalries, such as the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as issues in the Middle East, have the potential to disrupt G20 deliberations and consensus building.
  • These Geopolitical conflicts exacerbate food fuel and fertiliser shortages, impacting developing nations and hindering efforts to fulfil food security commitments.
• Climate Change Commitments: While climate change is a central theme for the G20, achieving binding agreements on climate finance, fossil fuel subsidies, and emission reductions is challenging.
• No binding enforcement mechanisms: The G20’s lack of a legally binding structure often leads to unfulfilled commitments, as agreements depend on voluntary pledges, lacking accountability for implementation.
• Underrepresentation of the Global South: While some emerging economies are included, smaller and less-developed nations remain underrepresented, limiting the G20’s focus on issues such as debt relief and equitable development.
• National Sovereignty vs. Global Cooperation: The G20, by nature, requires member states to negotiate on global issues that may challenge national sovereignty. 
  • This can be especially contentious when discussing topics like global taxation, climate change, and trade agreements. 

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Way Forward

• Address Hunger, Fuel, and Fertilizer Crisis: Enhance collaboration with international organisations to address shortages, especially in developing regions. 
  • Initiatives like the Global Hunger and Poverty Alliance and the Millet Initiative should be expanded.
• Ensure Accountability: Create mechanisms to monitor and ensure effective implementation of G20 commitments with clear targets and timelines.
• Enhance Representation: Advocate for better representation of developing nations in global decision-making and multilateral institutions.
• Promote Fair Trade: Address protectionism and reform trade rules to foster inclusive global economic growth.
• Foster Diplomatic Dialogue: Encourage peaceful resolutions, dialogue and negotiations for ongoing conflicts, like Ukraine and the Middle East, without hindering global cooperation.

Conclusion

By 2026, with all G20 countries having held the presidency at least once, this milestone marks an opportunity to reinforce the group’s collective commitment to driving global progress and fostering inclusive development.

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India has been ranked 10th in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2025) report.

About Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2025) report

• Publisher: Germanwatch, New Climate Institute, & Climate Action Network International since 2005.
• Purpose: To Track progress of the world’s largest emitters in emissions, renewables, and climate policy.
• Assessment: It Covers 63 countries + European Union, responsible for 90% of global emissions.
• Criteria: The CCPI looks at four categories, with 14 indicators: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (40% of the overall score), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%), and Climate Policy (20%).
• Top Performers: First three ranks vacant (no country met the “very high” performance criteria).
  • Denmark (4th), Netherlands (5th), & U.K (6th)

Global Highlights

• High Performers:
  • Only India and U.K. among G20 countries in this category.
  • U.K. climbed due to coal phase-out and halting new fossil fuel project licenses.
• Major Emitters:
  • China (55th): Heavy dependence on coal; insufficient climate targets.
  • U.S. (57th): Very low performer.
• Lowest-Ranked Countries:
  • Iran (67th), Saudi Arabia (66th), UAE (65th), Russia (64th) (largest oil and gas producers).
• Argentina (59th): Withdrew from COP29; may exit Paris Agreement.

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India’s Performance

• Low Per Capita Emissions: India’s per capita emissions stand at 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), far below the global average of 6.6 tCO2e. 
• India receives a high ranking in the GHG Emissions and Energy Use categories, medium in Climate Policy, and low in Renewable Energy.
• Sectoral  Progress: India has seen considerable progress in renewable energy policy, particularly in large-scale solar power projects and the launch of the Rooftop Solar Scheme.
  • Further, India has made progress in energy efficiency standards & electric vehicle (EV) deployment.
• Heavy Reliance on Coal: Despite the positive developments in renewables, India remains heavily reliant on coal
• Key demands: Revising the country’s NDC to set more ambitious absolute emissions reduction targets across more sectors
• India has pledged to reach net zero emissions (balancing emissions with removals) by 2070 and aims to achieve 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

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The Ministry of Culture is celebrating the  125th birth anniversary of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab. 

More on News

• A commemorative stamp and coin were released by the President.
• Three books were launched:
• • Harekrushna Mahtab: A Monograph in Odia by Baishnaba Charan Samal.
  • Gaon Majlis translations in English (by Tarun Kumar Sahu) and Hindi (by Sujata Shiven).

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Key Contributions of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab

• Freedom Struggle: He  actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, and various other freedom struggles against British colonial rule.
• Political Roles:
• • Served as the Chief Minister of Odisha.
  • Held the position of Union Minister for Commerce and Industry.
  • Elected unopposed to the Lok Sabha in 1962.
  • He was appointed the Governor of Bombay province in 1955.
• Impact on Odisha: He played a pivotal role in the industrialization of Odisha & its integration into the Union of India.
• Literary Achievements: He got awards for works like “History of Orissa” and “Gaon Majlis”.
  • He also published the Weekly English paper The Eastern Times and was its chief editor.
• Philosophical Influences: He was Influenced by great personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, & Mahatma Gandhi.
• He was known as ‘Utkal Keshari’.
• In 1918, Mahatab joined the Utkal Sammilani, a social and cultural organisation founded in 1903 by the social reformer Madhusudan Das

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Recently, the Union ​​Minister of Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh formally launched the first indigenous antibiotic “Nafithromycin” for resistant infections.

Nafithromycin: India’s First Indigenous Antibiotic

• About:  Nafithromycin is the first indigenously developed antibiotic in India, brought to market under the trade name Miqnaf by Wockhardt Pharmaceuticals. 
• Developed by:  Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a division of the Department of Biotechnology, 
• Aim: To address critical health challenges like Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
• Purpose and Application
  • Nafithromycin specifically targets Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP), a severe condition caused by drug-resistant bacteria. 
• Efficacy and Benefits
  • Nafithromycin targets both typical and atypical pathogens, making it highly effective against drug-resistant bacteria.
  • It is ten times more effective than azithromycin, with minimal side effects and no food interaction.
  • The recommended dosage is a three-day regimen, validated by clinical trials for ease of use and effectiveness.
• Regulatory and Approval Status
  • The drug is currently awaiting final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for manufacturing and public use.
• Significance:
  • Nafithromycin is a landmark in India’s pharmaceutical innovation, showcasing the nation’s ability to address global health crises like antimicrobial resistance through indigenous research and development.

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About Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

• CDSCO is India’s National Regulatory Authority (NRA) under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Headed by: Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) 
• Mandates: Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for:
  • Approval of New Drugs
  • Conduct of Clinical Trials
  • Laying down the standards for Drugs
  • Control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country
  • Coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations

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The Karnataka Forest Department has imposed restrictions on the annual jathra of Beladakuppe Sri Mahadeshwaraswamy Temple which is in the core area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. 

About Bandipur Tiger Reserve

• Establishment: Originated as a wildlife sanctuary in the 1930s.
  • Declared a tiger reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger.
• Geographical Location: Located at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• Adjacent Reserves
  • Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) to the northwest.
  • Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) to the south.
  • Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) to the southwest.
• Rivers
  • Kabini River: Marks the northern boundary of the reserve.
  • Moyar River: Flows along the southern boundary.

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• Flora:
  • Diverse vegetation from dry deciduous to tropical mixed deciduous such as rosewood, Indian kino tree, sandalwood, Indian laurel, clumping bamboo, & giant clumping bamboo.
• Fauna:
  • Mammals: Hosts a wide range of species, including Bengal tigers, gaurs, sloth bears, golden jackals, dholes, and four-horned antelopes.
  • Elephants: Supports South Asia’s largest wild Asian elephant population.

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The Union government granted permission for tungsten mining in Arittapatti, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

About Arittapatti

• Biodiversity Heritage Site: Tamil Nadu’s first & India’s 35th Biodiversity Heritage Site.
• Ecological Significance: 
  • Houses 250 bird species, including Laggar Falcon, Shaheen Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle.
  • Home to Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris, and Pythons.
  • Surrounded by seven hillocks (inselbergs) & three check dams.
• Historical Significance:
  • Includes the Anaikondan Lake, constructed during the 16th-century Pandiyan reign.
  • Rich in cultural heritage, featuring megalithic structures, rock-cut temples, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, and Jain beds.

About Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)

• BHS are ecosystems of high biodiversity significance, comprising of any one or more of the following components:
  • Richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories.
  • High endemism.
  • Presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance.
  • Wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties.
  • Past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity, with or without a long history of human association with them.
• Legal Framework:

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• • Governed under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
  • State Governments, in consultation with local bodies, can notify areas of biodiversity importance.
• Community Role:
  • Establishing BHS does not restrict local practices unless voluntarily adopted by the community.
  • The initiative aims to enhance local livelihoods while promoting conservation.

About Tungsten

• Tungsten, also known as Wolfram, is a dense metal that appears greyish-white to steel-grey. It is listed as one of India’s 30 Critical Minerals due to its strategic importance.
• Key Properties: Tungsten has unique physical and chemical attributes:
  • It possesses the highest melting point among metals, at 3,422°C.
  • The metal exhibits high tensile strength, elasticity, and corrosion resistance.
  • Its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, combined with a low expansion coefficient, makes it versatile for industrial applications.

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• Applications: Tungsten is used in various fields, including:
  • Lighting: Manufacturing filaments for light bulbs and vacuum tubes.
  • Heating Systems: As heating elements in electrical furnaces.
  • Steel Alloys: Enhancing hardness and durability in specialized steel products.
• Reserves and Distribution in India: India’s total tungsten ore reserves are estimated at 89.43 million tonnes, containing approximately 1,44,650 tonnes of WO₃.
  • Karnataka holds the largest share of reserves (41%), followed by Rajasthan (27%), Andhra Pradesh (17%), and Maharashtra (11%).
  • Smaller deposits are also found in Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

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Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi) , in its fifth edition of the ‘Global Access to Nutrition Index, highlights disparities in the healthiness of food and beverage (F&B) products sold in different regions. 

Key Findings from ATNi Report

• Based on an analysis of 30 major global F&B manufacturers, representing 23% of the global market, the report evaluates their efforts to enhance access to nutritious foods.

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• • Global Disparities in Product Healthiness: Leading F&B companies sell less healthy products in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries (HICs).
  • Health Star Rating:
    • LMICs’ average: 1.8;
    • HICs’ average: 2.3.
  • Only 30% of companies have strategies to price healthier products affordably for lower-income consumers.
• Data Transparency Issues: Micronutrient data for products in LMICs is less available compared to HICs.
• Baby Food Case Study: Reports from April 2024 highlighted higher sugar content in Nestle’s baby food in India, Africa, and Latin America compared to Europe.

India’s Nutrition and Health Challenges

• Rising Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
  • Diabetes: Over 10 crore Indians affected.
  • Obesity: Prevalence at 24% among women and 23% among men.
  • Diets linked to 56.4% of the disease burden, per ICMR guidelines.
• Persisting Undernutrition and Deficiencies
  • Undernutrition, anaemia, and micronutrient deficiencies coexist with obesity issues.
• Affordability of Healthy Diets
• • Over 50% of Indians cannot afford healthy diets.
  • Expenditure on processed foods as a proportion of total food costs is rising.

Policy and Advocacy for Front-of-Pack Labelling

• International and Domestic Commitments: India is a signatory to WHA resolutions to protect children from junk food marketing.
  • The National Multisectoral Action Plan for NCD Prevention (2017-22) has seen limited progress.
• Proposed Labelling Regulations:  Food Safety and Standards (Labelling & Display) Amendment Regulation 2022 draft has seen little progress.
• Effectiveness of Front-of-Pack Labelling
  • Evidence from Chile and Mexico: Mandatory labelling led to reduced sugary beverage consumption.
  • Studies suggest warning labels are more impactful than star rating systems.
• Advertising and Composition Concerns: Analysis of 43 pre-packaged food advertisements showed high levels of saturated fats, sugar, or sodium.

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Recommendations from Experts

• Mandatory Policies: Voluntary efforts by companies insufficient to improve nutrition-related performance.
  • Strong government intervention needed for widespread implementation.
• Warning Labels and Ad Bans: Advocates push for warning labels and restrictions on junk food advertisements to reduce health risks

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The Supreme Court has allowed telecom companies to claim Central Value Added Tax (CENVAT) credit for the installation of mobile towers and pre-fabricated buildings (PFBs), which are subject to excise duties.

About CENVAT Credit (Central Value Added Tax Credit)

• It is a mechanism that allows manufacturers and service providers to claim tax credits on excise duty or additional duties paid on input services and  input.
  • This process simplifies tax and reduces burden on businesses. 
• It was introduced in 2004 under “The CENVAT Credit Rules”. 
• Its main aim was to modify the Previous system Modified Value Added Tax, or MODVAT.
• Benefits
  • Preventional of double taxation: Removes the cascading effect of taxes by allowing credits for taxes already paid at earlier stages.
  • Promotes Tax compliance:  Business can claim CENVAT credit only if input supplier has paid the applicable taxes to the government. 
  • Encourages business growth: Incentivise investment in modern technology and capital goods to improve productivity.  

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• Applicability of CENVAT Credit
  • Excise Duty on Final Products: For manufacturer and producer of taxable goods. 
  • Service Tax on Output Services: For service providers offering taxable or exempted services. 
  • Inputs and Capital Goods: Applicable for partially processed goods which is used during production. 

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The Guardian newspaper decided to boycott the social media platform X, for its role in influencing the USA Presidential Elections favouring a certain candidate and the role of its owner, Elon Musk to use its influence to shape political discourse.

About Social Media

• Social Media refers to a type of digital technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas and information among its users through text, audio and visuals formats and engagement through virtual networks and communities.
  • Example: Facebook,  Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, whatsapp, linkedIn are some of the notable social media platforms.
• Decentralised Engagement:  Social media Platforms typically runs on user-generated content that lends itself to engagement via likes, shares, comments, and discussion
• Users: There are more than 5 billion active users of social media roughly equal to  62% of the world’s population.
  • In 2024: 94.7% of users accessed chat and messaging apps and websites, followed closely by social platforms, with 94.3% of users
  • 15-20 Years Age Group: As per UN, 79% of the 15 to 24-year age group access social media platforms 2023, with a child entering the online space  for the first time every half second.

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• Role:
  • Personal Connection: Social media mainly started out as a way for people to interact with friends and family and engage in the social world connecting with like minded people.
  • Source of News: As per the Global Web Index, 46% of internet users worldwide get their news through social media with Gen Z and millennials being the most likely to view news on social sites vs. other generations
  • Business Platform: It has become a key marketing tool for business as companies use it to find and engage with customers, drive sales through advertising and promotion, identify fast-moving consumer trends, provide customer service or support, and collect data on users.
    • Example: In 2022, social media and search advertising spending made up roughly 55% of overall ad spending globally making it the fastest-growing category across advertising channels
  • Engagement: Social Media is basically an engagement platform with entertainers using it to engage with fans, politicians with voters, and charities with donors, governments with citizens etc.

Social Media and its Role in Democracy 

Democracy in its essence implies a form of a political system which enables people’s participation and Media being the 4th Pillar of Democracy, facilitates this participation.

• Social Media in particular since its emergence has changed the way in which people now participate in democracy. As compared to traditional media it possesses a larger reach, is easily accessible, enables mass participation and provides instant updates
  • A survey by Pew Research Center between 2022 and 2023 in 27 countries has resulted in people perceiving social media to be more of a good thing than a bad thing for democracy.

Role In Strengthening Democracy

• Election Campaigning: Social media is extensively being used for political campaigning to recruit supporters and volunteers, seek funds, mobilise voters, share political messages etc in a manner which saves time and resources. Also it enables real time viewing of direct responses to their social media campaigning for instant feedback.
  • Example: A contemporary voter-politician relationship was developed by Barack Obama in the 2008 US Presidential Elections as regular voting reminders were sent on Twitter, and Facebook was used as a platform to interact with people.
• Political Discussions: Social media has taken the power of political messaging from the mass media model and firmly placed it into the peer-to-peer, public dialogue whereby anyone can  freely express his political opinions and expectations without any fear.
• Cyber Governance: The Government functionaries and authorities nowadays maintain a formidable social media presence which has resulted in their greater accessibility to people who now raises their concern directly enabling faster governance.
  • Example:  The late Sushma Swaraj, ex-Minister of External Affairs used Twitter  to resolve the issues faced by Indian citizens trapped abroad rescuing 168 Indians trapped in Iraq by acting on a video that was tweeted to her
• Facilitator of Political Change: The use of social media platforms in organizing protest campaigns and spreading awareness among people about an issue has brought about significant political change across the globe.
  • Example: The student led protest in Bangladesh over the reservation issue has led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina Government.
• Instrument for Bringing Behavioural Change: Use of social media for bringing in behavioural change amongst people is evident in the success of pan-India campaigns such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the recently-launched Fit India Movement.
• Broadened Civic Engagement: Social media has fostered civic engagement by providing platforms for volunteering, activism, and community organising using social media to coordinate efforts, raise awareness about social issues, and collaborate on initiatives to effect positive change in their communities.
  • Example: 
• Transparency and Accountability: It has increased transparency in government and politics by enabling real-time reporting, live streaming of events, and direct communication between officials and constituents. Elected representatives are held more accountable for their actions and decisions as they are subject to public scrutiny and feedback on social media platforms.
• Empowerment of Marginalised Groups: As Gandhiji said,  ‘I understand democracy as something which gives the weak equal chance as to the strong’. Social media has become a platform which realises his vision by amplifying their voices by advocating for their rights, and challenging systemic injustices.
  • Example: Social Media facilitated discussion about transgender Rights resulting in passing of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
• Political Education and Awareness: Platforms like YouTube, podcasts, and online forums provide accessible resources for learning about democracy, civic rights, and electoral systems, empowering individuals to make informed choices as voters.
  • Example: Youtube Channels like that of Dhruv Rathee or online news portals has decentralised and freed the monopoly of a few channels and companies giving people a wider perspective on issues. 

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Role In Undermining Democracy

• Micro-Targeting: It can enable dishonest campaigns to spread toxic discourse about a person  without much consequence tearing their reputation. Democracy then suffers because we don’t get the full picture of what our leaders are promising us
  • Example: The 2016, Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton was subject to such malicious targeting accused of operating a child sex ring out of a pizza parlour’s basement. The rumour quickly morphed into a social media trend ie. #pizzagate 
• Filter Bubbles and Echo Chambers: Social media algorithms are often accused of reinforcing users’ existing biases by filtering content based on their preferences, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints, contributing to the polarisation of public opinion and hindering the exchange of ideas necessary for a healthy democratic discourse.
• As a Tool of Manipulation: Social media has also been used to manipulate the political choices of voters which directly go against individual autonomy as well as privacy enjoyed by the individuals. Misleading content can manipulate public opinion, distort facts, and undermine trust in democratic institutions and processes.
• Spreading Radicalisation: Social media has been used to propagate one’s ideas and opinions. However, this platform has also been used by different organisations to propagate communal, racist and sociological tensions
  • Example: ISIS used platforms like Youtube and facebook to spread propaganda videos to glorify its terrorist agenda and recruit foreign fighters.
• Governmental Propaganda and Overreach: Governments had also used social media to propagate its own narratives against the citizens’ demand by either through propaganda messaging or by censoring public access to information violating the freedom of speech and expression.
  • Examples: Indian Government’s ordering Twitter to block certain tweets and accounts pertaining to farmer’s protests, anti-CAA protests as well as those criticising the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the government.
• Widening Social Fault Lines: Social media has enabled a style of populist politics, which has seen a rise in hate speech against a particular community and related crimes to thrive in digital spaces that are unregulated.
  • Example: The mob lynching episodes in the garb of cow vigilantism. 
•  Fake News and Disinformation Campaigns: The lack of regulation on social media messaging because of its decentralised nature has led to the rise of fake news with often polarising and divisive content. Such disinformation campaigns have the effect of shifting attention from the necessary issues. 
• Cyberbullying or Trolling: Another dangerous element is the labelling and trolling of more rational voices or those who disagree with the popular narrative as ‘anti-national’ or ‘urban naxal’ etc.
• Privacy Concerns: Social media companies collect vast amounts of personal data from users, raising concerns about privacy, surveillance, and data security. The misuse of user data for political purposes, such as micro-targeting political ads or manipulating voter behaviour, can infringe on individuals’ privacy rights and undermine the integrity of democratic processes
  • Example: Cambridge Analytica involvement in using user data to micro target political ads for Donald Trump.
• Undermining Trust in Institutions: The proliferation of fake news, conspiracy theories, and misinformation on social media can erode public trust in traditional media outlets, government institutions, and democratic processes fostering  disillusionment with the political system.

Way Forward

• Invest in Content Moderation: It is the process of reviewing and removing user-generated content (UGC) that is inappropriate, illegal, or harmful and is a vital part of online safety which can be performed by a human content moderator, automated moderation tools, or both.
  • Example: Facebook did not have a single moderator in Sri Lanka when riots happened there. 
• Transparency: Social media companies should implement measures to increase transparency about their algorithms, content moderation policies, and data practices.
  • Example: In a recent update, Instagram has brought a feature whereby the users can decide their own content to watch.
• Accountability: They should be held accountable for enforcing the safety  policies consistently and effectively by transparent and independent audits of their risk management system and also putting  mechanisms in place for users to report abusive behavior and appeal content moderation decisions.
• Media Literacy Education: Education programs should teach individuals how to evaluate information critically, identify misinformation, and engage in constructive dialogue with others across diverse viewpoints.
• Electoral Integrity: Maintaining electoral integrity by constantly keeping a check on fake news and disinformation campaigns and taking it down is needed. For this to happen a network of citizens, civil society, government and social media platforms is needed.
  • Example:  Election Commission of India (ECI) has today launched a ‘Myth vs Reality Register’ as part of the ongoing General Elections 2024.

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• Access to Data: Researchers should have open access to data of key platforms, in order to scrutinise how platforms work.
• Protecting Human Rights: Governments and social media platforms should respect and protect these rights like right against discrimination and right to privacy while addressing online harms and promoting responsible online behaviour.
• Technological Solutions: Social media platforms should invest in technology and tools such as fact-checking mechanisms, content moderation algorithms, and user-friendly reporting systems. 
• Independent Agencies: Independent public regulators to be set up in each part of the world with clearly defined roles and working in close coordination as part of a wider network, to prevent digital companies from taking advantage of disparities between national regulations.  

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Human-driven warming of ocean temperatures increased the maximum wind speeds of every Atlantic hurricane in 2024, according to a new analysis released recently.

Key Findings

• Human-Driven Warming & Hurricane Intensification:
• • Ocean Warming: Human-induced climate change is increasing ocean temperatures, intensifying Atlantic hurricanes.
  • Impact on Wind Speeds: All 11 hurricanes in the Atlantic during the 2024 season saw maximum wind speeds increase by 9 to 28 mph due to record ocean temperatures.
  • Global Warming’s Role: CO₂ emissions and other greenhouse gases are raising sea surface temperatures worldwide, fueling stronger storms.

Regional Impact – Gulf of Mexico

• Temperature Rise: Sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico were 1.4°C hotter than in a world without climate change.
  • Result: Warmer waters act as fuel for intensifying hurricanes, leading to more destructive storms.

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Examples of Intensified Hurricanes

• Debby & Oscar: Both intensified from tropical storms to hurricanes due to warmer sea temperatures.
• Milton & Beryl: Escalated from Category 4 to Category 5 (most severe) due to climate change.
• Helene: Increased from Category 3 to Category 4.

Impact on Destructive Potential

• Saffir-Simpson Scale:
• • Each increase in hurricane category correlates with a fourfold increase in destructive power.
  • Category 5 storms are the most powerful and devastating.

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India’s First AI Data Bank

Context: The Ministry of Science and Technology launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) data bank at the 7th Edition of the ASSOCHAM AI Leadership Meet 2024.

About AI Data Bank

• An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Bank is a centralised repository of high-quality, diverse datasets designed to support the development, testing, and deployment of AI systems.

Significance of AI Data Bank

• Resource for Innovation and Development: It serves as a resource for researchers, startups, and developers to create scalable and inclusive AI solutions
• Enhancing National Security
  • Provides real-time analytics of satellite, drone, and IoT data.
  • Strengthens surveillance, threat detection, and decision-making capabilities.
• Predictive Analytics for Critical Areas
  • Supports disaster management by forecasting and mitigating risks.
  • Bolsters cyber security through advanced threat prediction and prevention systems.
• Driving Innovation: It aims at propelling advancements in AI technologies across various sectors.

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ASSOCHAM

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group that represents businesses, chambers, and associations in India.

OTT platform – ‘Waves’

Context: India’s public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, has introduced a new OTT platform called ‘Waves’. 

Highlights at IFFI 2024

• The platform will showcase special content at the festival, including:
  • Roll No. 52 by Nagarjuna and Amala Akkineni.
  • Fauji 2.0 starring Gauhar Khan.
  • Kicking Balls by Guneet Monga Kapoor.
    It will also feature animations, live shows, and exclusive music content.

About ‘Waves’

• It is an OTT platform of Prasar Bharati. 
• It was launched during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024 by Goa Chief Minister.
• Ministry: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 
• Features
  • Easy Access: The app is available for download on Android and iOS.
    • It is promoted with the tagline: “Waves – Family Entertainment Ki Nayi Lehar.”
  • Wide Variety of Content
    • Languages: Offers content in 12+ languages, like Hindi, English, Marathi, Tamil, Assamese, and Konkani.
    • Types of Content: Includes movies, TV shows, infotainment, education, gaming, and online shopping.
    • Live Channels: Features 65 live TV channels.
    • On-Demand Services: Includes popular animations (Chota Bheem), music shows, thrillers, and educational programs.
    • Shopping Feature: Users can shop online with ONDC integration.

“Bhu-Neer” Portal

Context: The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the “Bhu-Neer” portal during the concluding ceremony of India Water Week 2024.

About Bhu-Neer” Portal

• It is a centralised platform.
• Developed by:  The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

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Features of the “Bhu-Neer” Portal

• Centralised Database
  • Provides a one-stop platform for information on groundwater policies, compliance, and regulations.
  • Covers both state and national-level legal frameworks.
• User-Friendly Interface
  • Offers a simplified and informative interface for users.
  • Designed for project proponents seeking permits for groundwater withdrawal.
• Advanced Features
  • PAN-Based Single ID System: Ensures unique identification for users.
  • NOC with QR Code: Improves verification and ease of compliance.
  • Significant upgrade from the earlier NOCAP system.

VISION Portal:  For nurturing skill development in underprivileged children

Context: Union Minister  inaugurated the “Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network” (VISION),  portal.

About VISION Portal

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology
• Aim:  To  nurture education, skill development, and innovation among underprivileged children by democratising access to the startup ecosystem.

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