The Hindu

Contributions of Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan

Context: Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, an eminent space scientist, educationist and the guiding force behind India’s space and education milestones passed away recently.  

Relevance of the Topic:Mains: Contributions of Dr. K Kasturirangan. 

Dr. K Kasturirangan: 

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  • Dr. K Kasturirangan was born in 1940 in Ernakulam, Kerala.
  • He earned his physics degree from Bombay University and his PhD in experimental high-energy astronomy from the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. 
  • He has published more than 200 papers, both in international and national journals in the areas of astronomy, space science and space applications.
  • He has won several awards including:
    • Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering. 
    • Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. 

Notable Contributions of Dr. K Kasturirangan:  

1. Space Scientist: 

  • He was director at ISRO Satellite Centre and was responsible for overseeing development of next-generation satellites including INSAT-2 and IRS-1A & 1B. 
  • He was the project director for BHASKARA-I and II, India’s first experimental Earth observation satellites. He laid the groundwork for the nation’s remote sensing capabilities.
  • He was the chairman of ISRO from 1994-2003. He witnessed several major milestones including:
    • operationalisation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
    • successful flight-test of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). 
  • Under his stewardship, ISRO pursued technological self-reliance and began planning ambitious missions such as Chandrayaan, despite facing international sanctions following India’s 1998 nuclear tests.
  • His research interests included high-energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy. He made significant contributions to studies on cosmic X-ray sources, celestial gamma rays, and their effects on Earth’s atmosphere. 
  • He played a key role in conceptualising India’s first space-based high-energy astronomy observatory.

2. Kasturirangan Committee on Western Ghats:

  • He was the Chairman of the high level working group on the protection of Western Ghats, popularly known as Kasturirangan committee. His report on the ecology of the Western Ghats, is the basis on which human activities in specific areas of the Western Ghats are sought to be regulated. 

3. Chief architect of National Education Policy 2020: 

  • He was the chief architect of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that envisages a new education structure and 100% gross enrolment by 2030. Later, he spearheaded the development of the National Curriculum Framework.

Dr K Kasturirangan is a towering figure in India's scientific and educational journey. His visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will continue to inspire the future generations.  

Raja Ravi Verma

Context: On the occasion of his 177th birth anniversary of the legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma, a musical tribute will be paid at the Kilimanoor Palace, Kerala. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Raja Ravi Verma.  

Raja Ravi Verma (1848-1906)

Raja Ravi Verma
  • Ravi Varma was born into the aristocracy at Kilimanoor in the erstwhile Travancore (present-day Kerala state in India) on April 29, 1848.
  • He is considered to be the pioneer of the modern school of painting. The school was called ‘modern’ because of the heavy influence of western techniques and themes.
  • He successfully combined elements of South Indian painting and Indian iconography with Western techniques and styles.
  • He was patronised by: Ayilyam Thirunal, the next Maharaja of Travancore and began formal training. Later, he was trained in water painting by Rama Swami Naidu, and in oil painting by British portraitist Theodore Jenson. 
  • His religious depictions of Hindu deities and works from Indian epic poetry and Puranas have received profound acclaim.

Titles and Acclaimations:

  • He received widespread acclaim after he won an award for an exhibition of his paintings at Vienna in 1873.
  • His paintings were also sent to the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893.
  • In 1904, Viceroy Lord Curzon, on behalf of the British King Emperor, bestowed upon Varma the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal.
  • He was conferred the title of ‘Raja’ by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India Lord Curzon.

Famous works:

  • Episodes from the story of Dushyanta and Shakuntala
  • Nala and Damayanti from the Mahabharata
  • Paintings from the epic Ramayana, especially the one titled ‘Ravana Kidnapping Sita’.
  • Lady in the Moonlight
  • Galaxy of Musicians
  • Parsi Lady painting. 

India may allow 49% foreign ownership in Nuclear Power Plants

 Context: India is considering allowing foreign firms to hold up to 49% ownership in its Nuclear Power Plants, aiming to boost its nuclear sector and reduce carbon emissions.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about India’s Nuclear Energy Sector; Atomic Energy Act, 1962. 

India’s Nuclear Energy Sector

  • As of 2024, the total Indian nuclear generation is just over 8 GW, which is just 2% of the country’s installed electricity capacity. 
  • India aims to expand nuclear power capacity by 12 times to 100 gigawatts by 2047. 
  • The government is considering changing its nuclear foreign investment framework. It would increase India’s nuclear capacity and replace carbon-intensive coal with cleaner energy.
  • Necessary legal changes are required in the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The amendments to the Act would allow the government to issue licences to private companies to build, own and operate a plant and mine and manufacture atomic fuel.

Atomic Energy Act, 1962

  • The Act provides for the development, control and use of atomic energy for the welfare of the people of India and for other peaceful purposes. 
  • The central government through NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India) holds the authority for activities related to nuclear energy, including its production, development, use, and disposal.
  • The Act restricts private companies from owning and operating nuclear power plants in India.
  • The 2015 amendment to the Atomic Energy Act, allows NPCIL to form joint ventures with other public sector units (PSUs) to secure funding for new projects. However, this does not extend to private or foreign companies. 
  • Currently, private companies can participate in specific areas like supplying components and reactors, but not owning or operating plants. Discussions are ongoing about allowing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). This would require amendment to the Act.

Also Read: Nuclear Energy Sector in Union Budget 2025-26 

However, the foreign nuclear investments would still require prior government approval rather than be allowed automatically. 

SC allows UGC to notify rules on Caste Discrimination

Context: The Supreme Court has allowed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to notify its 2025 Regulations aimed at promoting equity in higher education, while keeping the door open for improvements based on expert recommendations from the Task Force. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to UGC Draft Regulations 2025.

Background:

  • Caste-based discrimination in higher education: Tragic suicides of Rohith Vemula (2016) and Payal Tadvi (2019), both from marginalised communities, highlighted systemic issues of caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions (HEIs). In 2019, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) sought mechanisms to prevent such discrimination. 
  • Justice S. Ravindra Bhat Task Force (2025): In response, the Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force chaired by former Justice S. Ravindra Bhat to examine student suicides and mental health concerns in higher education institutions.
  • The petitioners requested the Court to hold off notifying the new University Grants Commission Regulations of 2025, until the National Task Force gave its full report on mental health, student suicides, and discrimination in colleges and universities.
  • However, the SC has allowed the regulations to be notified while ensuring that the Task Force’s work would continue and its recommendations could still be incorporated into the regulations later.

Caste-based discrimination in India’s Educational institutions: 

  • Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) Youth Survey found that 1 in 4 Dalit students in colleges reported being discriminated against by teachers.
  • Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) Findings reported that over 65% of Dalit students experience caste-based discrimination in classrooms.

According to India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22:

  • Low enrollment rates: SC and ST students still have lower enrolment rates in higher education: (SC - 14.2% of total enrolment and ST - 5.8%).
  • Higher dropout rates: Dropout rates are higher among SC/ST students, often attributed to hostile campus environments and caste-based microaggressions.

University Grants Commission Regulations of 2025

The draft regulations deal with ragging, sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of caste, gender, disability, among other biases in institutions of higher learning.

Key Provisions: 

  • Enhanced authority of UGC: The regulations give the UGC the authority to derecognise (disqualify) any institution that does not follow the anti-discrimination rules or is found guilty of mistreatment.
  • Clear responsibility: Institutions must take responsibility for protecting students from any form of discrimination, including on the basis of caste, religion, or mental health issues.
  • Preventive measures: Colleges and universities are expected to set up mechanisms (like anti-discrimination cells or support groups) to handle complaints and provide a safe environment.
  • Equal Opportunity Centres: Mandatory establishment of EOCs in all higher education institutions to oversee equity initiatives and address grievances.
  • Monitoring and Accountability: Institutions will be required to report cases and submit regular updates to the UGC about the actions taken against discrimination.
  • False complaints: The regulations also address false complaints, potentially leading to fines or disciplinary action for those found to have made such complaints.
  • Counseling: Provision of mental health support and counseling services to students to address psychological well-being.

DRDO conducts Scramjet Engine Ground Test

Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a long-duration ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor for over 1000 seconds. Earlier, DRDO had successfully conducted the ground test of the scramjet engine for 120 seconds. This marks a significant milestone in development of scramjet-powered hypersonic technology.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Hypersonic Missiles; Scramjet Engine. 

What are Hypersonic Missiles?

  • Hypersonic Missiles are a class of advanced weaponry that travel at speeds greater than Mach 5.
  • Key Features: 
    • Speed: Over Mach 5 (five times speed of sound or more than 5,400 km/hr)
    • Manoeuvrability: Hypersonic missiles can change course mid-air, making it very difficult for an interceptor to intercept it.
    • Altitude: Travels at relatively lower altitudes than a conventional missile, thereby, evading detection by radar.
    • Thus, they have the potential to bypass existing Air Defence Systems and deliver rapid and high-impact strikes.
  • Engine: The key to hypersonic vehicles is Scramjets engines which are capable of sustaining combustion at supersonic speeds.
  • Several nations including the USA, Russia, India and China are actively pursuing Hypersonic technology. 

What is a Scramjet Engine?

  • Scramjets are air-breathing engines capable of sustaining combustion at supersonic speeds without the need for any moving parts (functions without turbines or compressors).
  • The Scramjet engine designed by ISRO uses Hydrogen as fuel and the Oxygen from the atmospheric air as the oxidiser.
  • Working:
    • A scramjet engine collects oxygen from the atmosphere (rather than carrying an oxidiser) as it is travelling, and mixes the oxygen with its hydrogen fuel.
    • Combustion occurs at supersonic speed (exceeding Mach 1), needed for hypersonic travel of the missile. 
scramjet

Recent successful ground test by DRDO

The ground test of the scramjet combustor showcased several notable achievements like successful ignition and stable combustion.

  • Stable combustion:
    • Ignition in a scramjet engine is like ‘keeping a candle lit in a hurricane.’
    • Scramjet combustor incorporates an innovative flame stabilisation technique that holds continuous flame inside the combustor with airspeed of over 1.5 km per second.
  • Scramjet fuel: Endothermic scramjet fuel (central to this breakthrough) was developed for the first time in India jointly by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), and industry.
    • The fuel offers dual benefits of significant cooling improvement and ease of ignition.
  • Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation tools were used for their evaluation and performance prediction.
  • Thermal Barrier Coating: Thermal Barrier Coating was designed to withstand extreme temperatures encountered during hypersonic flight. The coating is applied inside the Scramjet engine using special deposition methods that enhance their performance and longevity.

Significance:  The achievement is a crucial milestone in the development of next-generation hypersonic missions. 

What is Human papillomavirus (HPV)?

Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has announced the successful scientific review and validation of India’s first indigenously developed Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test kits for cervical cancer screening. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Human papillomavirus (HPV); HPV Shot in India. 

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

  • Human papillomavirus is a small, double-stranded DNA virus from the papillomavirus family.
  • Threat:
    • The virus is capable of infecting both women and men.
    • HPV can cause genital warts and cancer in the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and throat. 
    • HPV infection is responsible for about 5% of all cancers worldwide. 
  • Primary mode of transmission: 
    • Any intimate skin-to-skin contact and sexually transmitted via vaginal, anal, or oral sex. 
    • The immune system usually clears the virus, but high-risk strains can lead to cancer.  
  • Treatment:
    • There is no treatment for HPV, but in most cases it goes away without treatment. 
    • HPV vaccines do not cure cancer, they are highly effective in preventing certain associated cancers. HPV vaccine stimulates the immune system to recognise the virus and produce antibodies that neutralise the virus, before it can cause cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV Shot in India

  • The Indian government plans to vaccinate girls aged 9-14 against HPV to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
    • Cervical cancer develops in the cervix or the wall of the cervix. 
    • HPV is responsible for 99.7% of cervical cancers worldwide. 
    • Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women. India has 20% of the global burden of cervical cancer. 
  • Cervavac is India's first Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (qHPV) developed by the Serum Institute of India. It prevents the entry of four of the most common types of HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11.
  • Challenges: Uptake of HPV vaccine is low in India, due to:
    • High cost of HPV vaccine.
    • Lack of awareness and cultural perceptions around reproductive health.
  • Way Forward:
    • National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunisation programme. 
    • Rolling out a nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.
    • Regular cervical cancer screening (Pap smear and HPV test) is recommended for women to detect precancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV.

Mission Mausam: Utilising AI in Weather Forecasting

Context: As weather patterns grow more unpredictable due to the climate crisis, India has launched Mission Mausam to improve weather understanding and forecasting through expanded observation networks, better modelling and advanced tools like AI and machine learning.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key facts about Mission Mausam.

Mains: Applications of AI: Weather Forecasting. 

Mission Mausam

  • Launched in 2024 with a budget of Rs 2000 crores over two years.
  • Aim: To improve weather and climate services, and forecast information for multiple sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, and rural development. The long-term goal is to make India weather-ready and climate-smart.
  • Initiative by: Ministry of Earth Sciences 

Objectives of Mission Mausam: 

  • Strengthening observations (in-situ & remote sensing) networks with advanced radars, satellites, and automated weather stations.
  • Improve Model/ Data Assimilation/ HPC for giving accurate information to the Public and stakeholders (Numerical + Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning). 
  • Enhance India's capability in weather forecasting across various scales — short-term, medium-term, extended-range, and seasonal.
  • Provide actionable advisories for agriculture, water resources, energy, health, and disaster management sectors. 

Mission Mausam Implementation Strategy

Mission Mausam adopts a multi-pronged approach to achieve its objectives:

  • Infrastructure Development: Installation of Doppler Weather Radars, Automatic Weather Stations, and rain gauges across the country. 
  • Supercomputing Power: Leveraging high-performance computing systems like Pratyush and Mihir for advanced climate modelling. 
  • Collaborative Research: Partnerships with global organisations like the World Meteorological Organisation to enhance forecasting techniques. 
  • Public Outreach: Dissemination of user-friendly advisories through mobile apps (E.g., Mausam App), SMS services, and Media channels. 

Implementation Phases: 

  • The five-year mission would be implemented in two phases.
    • First phase (until March 2026): Focus on expanding the observation network. This includes adding around 70 Doppler radars, high-performance computers and setting up 10 wind profilers and 10 radiometers.
    • Second phase: Focus on adding satellites and aircraft to further enhance observational capabilities.

Cloud Chamber:

  • Under the mission, a cloud chamber will be established at the Indian Institute of Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, within the next one and a half years.
  • Aim: To study the processes occurring within clouds in the context of rising temperatures.

Working: 

  • Artificial clouds will be created inside a laboratory at the IITM and conduct experiments. This will help the scientists better understand:
    • which types of clouds can be seeded (a process where substances are added to clouds to make them produce rain)
    • what materials should be used for seeding
    • how much seeding is needed to either increase rain or even prevent rain.
  • Rising temperatures lead to clouds becoming taller and more electrically active, while their horizontal spread may shrink. This can result in stronger thunderstorms and more frequent lightning events and impact rainfall dynamics. The insights gained from the cloud chamber will help improve the parameterisation of weather models and help to artificially enhance or suppress rain and hail within the next five years.

Mission Mausam envisages augmenting the entire observational network (surface as well as upper-air), numerical modelling framework, incorporating AI/ML techniques, enhancing the computing power to mitigate the impact of climate change-induced extreme weather events. "Mausam GPT" is being designed to provide quick and reliable weather-related information in both text and audio forms.

Traditional vs AI-based Weather Forecasting

  • Traditional Weather Forecasting: These models simulate atmospheric processes using equations and data from weather stations and satellites (E.g., temperature, wind). These models are computationally intensive, time-consuming, and sometimes limited in capturing localised phenomena due to the chaotic and non-linear nature of weather systems.
  • AI-Based Forecasting: Unlike traditional models, AI/ML techniques adopt a data-first approach. They learn from historical and real-time data, identifying correlations between input variables (E.g., wind, humidity, ocean temperature) and outcomes (E.g., rainfall, cyclones). AI can uncover hidden patterns and non-linear relationships not captured by physics-based models. 

Challenges in AI-based Weather Forecasting: 

  • Data Quality and Availability: AI models need large, consistent, and high-quality datasets. Issues like sensor errors, inconsistent formats, and lack of real-time or historical data complicate training. While data availability has improved tenfold but gaps remain in sensor networks, especially in remote areas. 
  • Human Resource Gap: A critical shortage of experts skilled in both climate science and AI/ML. 
  • Interpretability and Trust: AI models are like black boxes - it is hard to explain why they make a certain prediction. This makes it difficult for non-experts to trust or verify the results.
  • Infrastructure and Computation: AI models, especially for high-resolution forecasting, require GPU-based computing and significant infrastructure investment.

To bridge the gaps, scientists are increasingly turning towards hybrid models that combine the interpretability of physics-based models and adaptability of AI/ML. 

Is the World Trade Organization still relevant?

Context: World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organisation that regulates and facilitates international trade among member countries. Experts argue that over the years, the WTO has gradually lost its compass and is in need of massive reforms.

Relevance of the Topic:Mains:  WTO: Importance and challenges.

About World Trade Organization

  • Origin: WTO came into being in 1995. WTO is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established in the wake of the Second World War.
  • Primary Aim: To facilitate smooth, predictable and free trade among nations. 
  • It has 166 members accounting for 98% of world trade.
  • The WTO Secretariat is based in Geneva (Switzerland).
  • Non-discrimination principles: Most-Favoured Nation and National Treatment
About World Trade Organization

Challenges faced by WTO

The WTO was expected to perform three functions — the negotiating function, the dispute settlement function, and the trade monitoring function — and it is not able to perform any of them. 

  • Stalemate in Negotiations: Doha Development Round (2001) remains unresolved due to disagreements between developed and developing nations on issues like agricultural subsidies, industrial tariffs, and services.
  • Dysfunctional dispute settlement system: The Appellate body or the dispute settlement mechanism of WTO has also been rendered dysfunctional. The U.S. has blocked appointments to the Appellate body, the ultimate court of appeal. This resulted in pending of many trade disputes at WTO.
  • Consensus mechanism: In the WTO, the principle of decision making by consensus has resulted in the slowdown of multilateral agreements, as it requires 100% of the members to go forward.
  • Protectionist polices: WTO has been ineffective in controlling protectionist policies pursued by the member countries. E.g.,
    • The US misused the “National security clause" to increase import duties on steel and aluminium products from China.  
    • The recent imposition of Reciprocal Tariffs by the US is a complete erosion of the MFN (most-favoured-nation) principle. 
  • Misuse of developing country status: Developed economies like Singapore and China have taken unfair advantage of “developing country” status to seek temporary exemptions from commitments under various multilateral trade agreements. 
  • Inequality in Global Trade: Developing countries often criticise the WTO for favouring developed nations due to imbalances in negotiation power.

Also Read: Should India exit the WTO? 

Also Read: WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies 

In the wake of rising protectionism, proliferation of exclusionary trade blocks and rising bilateral free trade agreements, it is imperative to reform the WTO system to ensure rule-based multilateral trade across the countries.

Air Pollution in India: Major Pollutants

Context: Air pollution is a leading cause of premature deaths globally. According to recent studies, millions of people die early every year due to poor air quality. Let’s see a breakdown of the sources of many air pollutants that damage our health and ecosystem.

Relevance of the Topic : Prelims: Major sources of air pollution and their impact.

Air Pollution in India

  • The World Air Quality Report 2024, released by Swiss company IQAir, ranked India as the 5th most polluted country globally. 
  • Delhi remains the most polluted capital globally. Six of the world's 10 most polluted cities, and 13 of the top 20 are in India.
  • In 2021, 1.05 million deaths in India were caused by household air pollution. 

Major Air Pollutants

Six main types of air pollutants contributes to this problem: 

  • Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂): Energy production, especially coal-based thermal power plants releasing sulphur upon combustion, is the biggest contributor to sulphur dioxide emissions. SO2 is the main pollutant that causes acid rain, sulphur reacts with water and oxygen present in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid which is the main component of acid rain. 
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image 73
  • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): The biggest source of Nitrogen oxides is transport: NOx is emitted from the exhaust of cars and trucks. It is followed by the burning of coal and gas for electricity production. NOx can be acutely toxic, inflaming the lungs.
  • Black Carbon: Black carbon is the soot that fills our skies and lungs. It is a big problem in lower-income countries where people rely on burning biomass and charcoal for cooking and openly burning waste. 
  • Methane: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, its global warming potential is greater than that of Carbon dioxide. Methane is produced when organic material, such as food waste, rots in conditions without much oxygen (a landfill). Agriculture is the biggest source of methane. The other sector that contributes a lot is waste. 
  • Ammonia: Studies show ammonia (NH3) could drive up to 3,85,000 premature deaths from particulate matter. Nearly all human emissions of NH3 come from agriculture.
  • Non-methane volatile organic compounds: Non-methane volatile organic compounds can be directly toxic and mix with other gases to form ozone and small particulates. Unlike most other pollutants, solvents such as paints, cleaning products, and chemical plants are also major sources. 

Also Read: Impacts of Air Pollution

 

India puts Indus Waters Treaty on Hold with Pakistan

Context: In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has announced that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key facts about Indus Water Treaty; Dispute Resolution Mechanism in IWT.

Mains: Issues associated with the Indus Water Treaty. 

Indus Water Treaty (IWT)

  • Indus Waters Treaty is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, signed in 1960, facilitated by the World Bank. 
  • Sharing of water as per IWT: It provides India 20% of the water from the Indus River System and the rest 80% to Pakistan.
    • Eastern rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej were allocated to India for unrestricted use.
    • Western rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab were allocated largely to Pakistan. India is permitted certain agricultural uses and can build 'run of the river' hydropower projects with limited storage. 
  • Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): Commissioners are appointed by both countries for cooperation and information exchange regarding their use of the rivers.
image 71

Significance of putting the Treaty on Hold for India:

The decision to suspend the IWT gives various options to India on how to use the waters of the Indus river system.

  • India can immediately stop sharing water flow data with Pakistan. There will be no design or operational restrictions on India for the use of the water of the Indus and its tributaries.
  • India can now create storage on the Western Rivers, Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
  • India can undertake reservoir flushing (a technique used to remove accumulated sediment from reservoirs by releasing water through low-level outlets to scour out the sediment and transport it downstream) on the Kishenganga project, which will increase the life of the dam.
  • India can stop visits by Pakistani officials to the two hydroelectric projects currently under construction in Jammu & Kashmir — the Kishenganga HEP on Kishenganga, a tributary of the Jhelum, and the Ratle HEP on the Chenab.

Limited Options for Pakistan

  • The Indus Waters Treaty lacks an exit clause, meaning neither India nor Pakistan can legally abrogate it unilaterally. The Treaty has no end date, and any modification requires the consent of both parties.
  • While the Treaty cannot be exited, it contains a dispute resolution mechanism that lays out procedures for raising grievances — first before the Permanent Indus Commission, then a neutral expert, and eventually, a forum of arbitrators. However, arbitration may not offer much recourse if India chooses not to follow the Treaty.
  • In case India ‘revokes’ the treaty, the dispute resolution mechanism will be of no use and assistance to Pakistan. It is limited to a dispute under the treaty and not meant to provide for specific performance of the treaty itself.
  • Since there is no provision in the IWT about its duration or suspension, there is no avenue that Pakistan can approach for ‘revival’ of the treaty. Nor can Pakistan approach the International Court of Justice seeking specific performance to implement the Treaty because of the Indian reservation given under the ICJ statute that bars the filing of a case by Pakistan against India. 

Also Read: World Bank Neutral Expert supports India’s stand on IWT 

However, the suspension of IWT will not have an immediate impact on the flow of water to Pakistan for a few years at least. India does not currently have the infrastructure to either stop the flow of water into Pakistan, or to divert it for its own use.  

Exploring India’s Potential in the Arctic Region

Context: Accelerated melting of the Arctic sea ice is redrawing global trade maps, giving rise to a new trade route called the Northern Sea Route (NSR), the shortest route between Europe and Asia. For India, this presents both strategic opportunities and complex geopolitical challenges. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: India’s engagement with the Arctic.

Potential of the Arctic Region

The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average. According to NASA, the September sea ice in the Arctic is shrinking at 12.2% per decade (1981–2010 average). This has opened up a new trade route called the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

  • Northern Sea Route: A navigable sea route between the Atlantic and the Pacific via Russia’s Arctic coast. It is being hailed as the shortest route between Europe and Asia.  The rise in cargo throughput on the NSR from just 41,000 tonnes in 2010 to nearly 37.9 million tonnes in 2024 reflects its strategic importance.
  • Resource potential: Arctic holds an estimated 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of undiscovered natural gas. It also has untapped reserves of coal, rare earth elements, phosphates, and copper as well as lucrative fishing grounds. It further signifies its importance for energy deficit countries worldwide, including for India.
image 70

India’s Arctic Engagement: 

  • India began its engagement with the Arctic in 1920 by signing the Svalbard Treaty. Recognises sovereignty of Norway over Svalbard archipelago. 
  • India has been a permanent observer in the Arctic Council since 2013. Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and Indigenous people of the Arctic.
  • India’s Arctic Policy (2022) focuses on six pillars:
    • Strengthening India's scientific research and cooperation.
    • Climate and environment protection.
    • Economic and human development.
    • Transportation and connectivity.
    • Governance and international cooperation.
    • National capability building for the Arctic region.
  • India's first Arctic research station, Himadri is located at Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway. India is the only developing nation besides China that has an Arctic research base. 
  • India’s $3 billion Maritime Development Fund (Budget 2025-26) promotes Arctic-ready shipbuilding and port infrastructure, critical for NSR navigation.
  • National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, an autonomous institute under Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal institution for India's Polar research program, which includes Arctic studies.

Challenges

  • India faces a critical question on how to pursue Arctic opportunities without accelerating climate catastrophe. Loss of Arctic ice disrupts atmospheric circulation, affecting South Asian monsoon patterns. This has direct consequences on agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods in India. 
  • India faces geopolitical complexity in accessing the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and engaging with the Arctic, where strategic alignments are fraught with rivalries between major powers particularly between Russia, China, and the West.

Way Forward

India must adopt a strategic, balanced, and climate-conscious Arctic approach where India:   

  • Maintain functional ties with Russia for Arctic access without endorsing China's broader polar ambitions. India and Russia have initiated a working group on the Northern Sea Route (NSR), and the Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor links directly to key Arctic ports. 
  • Engage the U.S., EU, Japan, and South Korea for sustainable and rules-based Arctic frameworks.
  • Pursue minilateral partnerships (India–Japan–South Korea) to present a moderate Asian voice on Arctic governance that is independent of both China-Russia and U.S.-EU axes.
  • India must advocate sustainable Arctic exploration, green shipping technology, and inclusive Arctic governance.

Also Read: https://compass.rauias.com/current-affairs/rising-geopolitical-conflicts-arctic-region/ 

India must leverage platforms like the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025 not just for policy articulation, but for forging meaningful partnerships, advancing polar research, and advocating equitable representation of Global South voices in Arctic affairs. 

Quantum Gravity Gradiometer

Context: NASA scientists have proposed that an advanced quantum gravity gradiometer (QGG) could be placed onboard a satellite and launched into low-earth orbit. The instrument could study small changes in the earth’s distribution of water, ice, and rocks to inform studies of climate change. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: key facts about Quantum Gravity Gradiometer and its Application. 

Variation of Gravitational Force:

  • Gravitational force on the Earth’s surface is non-uniform. The amount of gravitational force one experiences on the earth’s surface depends on the amount of mass nearby. 
  • The force is directly proportional to the mass. Force equals to Mass multiplied by its Acceleration (F = m · a).
  • This difference in force between two places is too small and requires the most sensitive instruments for its detection. One such instrument is the gravity gradiometer.

Quantum Gravity Gradiometer

  • Quantum Gravity Gradiometer is a highly-sensitive instrument that can detect minute variations in Earth's gravitational field by harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics. 

Working of QGG

  • QGG uses ulta-cooled rubidium atoms (cooled to near absolute zero) in vacuum. These ultra-cooled atoms behave like waves, and are manipulated by lasers. 
  • The atoms experience a phase shift that is directly proportional to the strength of the gravitational force acting on them. The shift is extremely sensitive. 
  • By using a pair of such setups (say 1 meter apart), a QGG can detect a difference in acceleration as low as 10⁻¹⁵ m/s² across a distance of 1 m on the Earth’s surface. 

Potential Applications of Quantum Gravity Gradiometer

  • Oil and gas exploration: Locating Hydrocarbon deposits and accessing their distribution underground (gravity gradiometer can be used to understand the density of the ground at various depths).
  • Aquifer mapping: Detect seasonal changes in water levels in aquifers, track depletion of water tables. 
  • Climate studies: Detect small changes in the earth’s distribution of water, ice, and rocks to conduct informed studies of climate change, and enhance disaster resilience. 
  • National security: Detects underground construction of bunkers, tunnels etc. by detecting the density anomaly. 

Quantum sensors promise enhanced sensitivity 10 times more than classical sensors for measuring gravity.