GS Paper 3

IMO’s Net Zero Framework for Global Shipping Industry

Context: Recently, at its 83rd session, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MERC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has approved a draft legal text for a Market-Based Measure (MBM) framework aimed at decarbonising the international shipping industry and promoting green shipping.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: MEPC-83, MARPOL Convention, Green fuels, CBDR-RC principle.

Mains: Need for green shipping, steps taken and implementation challenges.

Why does Green Shipping Matter?

Shipping plays an outsized role in global emissions: 

  • The sector emits approximately one billion metric tonnes of GHG each year, representing about 2.8% of total global emissions.
  • If ranked as a country, international shipping would be the sixth-largest emitter in the world, between Germany and Japan. Without intervention, shipping emissions could increase by 50–250% by 2050 due to growing global trade.

Given its international nature, shipping is uniquely positioned for global regulation, making the IMO's action a significant precedent.

International Maritime Organisation: 

  • IMO is the United Nations specialised agency responsible for regulating maritime transport, ensuring the safety and security of shipping, and preventing marine pollution.
  • Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
  • IMO measures cover all aspects of international shipping- including ship design, construction, equipment, manning, operation and disposal. 
  • Established in1948 (under the UN Convention), came into force in 1958.
  • Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
  • Members: 175 Member States including India.

For over ten years, IMO has been working to decarbonise the maritime industry. It undertook various strategies such as: 

  • Initial GHG Strategy (2018) and its Updated GHG Strategy (2023).
  • Technical and operational measures under Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, including: Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), Mandatory fuel oil consumption reporting.

However, without a binding economic mechanism, these efforts had limited impact. This led to a shift in focus toward Market-Based Measures (MBMs) to internalise the environmental cost of emissions.

Key Highlights of MEPC-83

At the 83rd session, IMO adopted Singapore’s Hybrid Model as the IMO Net Zero Framework- making shipping the first global industry with a binding emissions levy. It aims to help the shipping industry reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by or around 2050.

Features of Singapore’s Hybrid Model (IMO Net Zero Framework):

  • GHG Fuel Standard: Sets a greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity benchmark for marine fuels. Encourages the use of Zero or Near-Zero emission fuels- such as green hydrogen, ammonia, or methanol. Ships are required to meet a specified carbon intensity target per megajoule (MJ) of fuel.
  • Tiered Credit and Penalty System: Ships exceeding performance targets (i.e., using cleaner fuels than the standard) receive surplus emission credits. Ships underperforming (i.e., emitting more than the threshold) must purchase remedial credits or units to offset their excess emissions.
  • Progressive Benchmarks: The GHG intensity thresholds become stricter over time, driving innovation and investment in greener technologies. E.g., IMO rewards fuels under 19.0 g CO₂e/MJ until 2034, and under 14.0 g CO₂e/MJ thereafter.
  • Global but Differentiated Incentives: While the framework is universally applicable, it is designed to provide economic flexibility for developing countries.

Challenges to the IMO Net Zero Framework

1. Legal and Procedural Hurdles:

The draft Net Zero Framework was approved with 63 votes in favour, 16 against, and 24 abstentions. To implement the Net Zero Framework, IMO needs to amend Annex VI of the MARPOL convention, which governs air pollution from ships.

  • The amendment will undergo a six-month circulation period among all contracting parties to MARPOL. For final adoption, it requires a two-thirds majority of votes from members present and voting.
  • Even if the amendment is adopted, it can still be blocked if one-third of the parties, representing at least 50% of the global shipping tonnage, submit formal written objections.

2. Geopolitical Resistance: 

  • The US boycotted the IMO deliberations and warned of reciprocal measures, if a global levy (especially one aligned with the EU proposal) was adopted.
  • Major fossil fuel exporters (like Saudi Arabia) and large shipping nations (like China) are resistant to aggressive emission controls. 
  • Shipowners, especially from traditional maritime powers like Greece, are sceptical about the economic feasibility and compliance costs.
  • Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) demanded high levies to fund climate adaptation.
  • Norway and Scandinavian nations pushed for reward mechanisms to acknowledge early investments in green tech.
  • Brazil advocated for methanol as a transitional marine fuel.

3. Erosion of the CBDR-RC principle:

  • CBDR-RC is a core principle enshrined in climate agreements like UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement which acknowledges that all nations must address climate change but recognise historical responsibility and unequal capacities. Developed nations, with their longer industrial histories, are expected to bear greater burdens.
  • However, recent IMO proceedings reflect an effort by wealthier nations to shift responsibility onto developing economies, despite stark differences in income and consumption. 

Impacts on India

While some short-term cost burdens are expected, India stands to benefit significantly in the long run: 

  • Minimal Near-Term Impact: India’s logistics costs are projected to increase by 4.98-7.29% (imports) and 5.92-8.09% (exports) by 2030.
  • Limited Exposure: India currently operates nearly 236 ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, with only 135 involved in international voyages. Since MBMs apply only to international shipping, India’s coastal fleet remains unaffected. 
  • Green Hydrogen Export Potential: Under the National Hydrogen Mission, India is developing a competitive green hydrogen sector. Indian green hydrogen, with a GHG intensity of  about 16.7 gCO₂e/MJ, is well below the IMO’s threshold of 19.0 gCO₂e/MJ (till 2034) and 14.0 gCO₂e/MJ (thereafter), making it a viable export for green fuel bunkering globally.
  • Port Infrastructure: At least three Indian ports are gearing up to offer green hydrogen bunkering, positioning India as a future clean fuel hub.

Despite persistent disagreements, the adoption of a MBM by the IMO represents a milestone in the journey toward decarbonisation. If successful, this framework could make shipping the first truly global sector to operate under binding climate goals, setting a powerful precedent for others to follow. 

Digitalising India’s Seed Value Chain: SATHI Portal

Context: The Government of India is rapidly expanding the implementation of the SATHI portal to enhance transparency, traceability, and quality assurance in India’s agricultural input systems. 

As of mid-2025, 24 States have integrated with the portal, with complete national coverage expected before the Kharif 2026 season.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to SATHI Portal. 

What is SATHI Portal?

  • SATHI stands for Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory.
  • Developed by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in partnership with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
  • Aim: To digitalise the entire Seed Retail Chain- from Seed Producing Agency, distributors, dealers, retailers to farmers to prevent the circulation of spurious or substandard seeds. 
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Key Features:

  • Centralised online portal for seed traceability, authentication and inventory.
  • Seven Integrated verticals of seed chain: Research Organisations, Seed Certification, Seed Licensing, Seed Catalogue, Dealer to Farmer Sales, Farmer Registration and Seed DBT.
  • QR coded seed packets: Each certified seed packet will carry a QR code. Farmers can scan the code to view the entire history of the seed- origin, grower, certifying agency, etc. The seeds would be certified under the supervision of State Seed Certification Agencies (SSCAs).
  • Seed DBT integration: Centrally registered farmers could buy seeds from valid licensed dealers at market prices, and receive the subsidy directly into their bank accounts.

Implementation Challenges: 

  • There is an inherent 3-year lag in the seed certification cycle. So, even if a new seed variety is approved by the government today, it will only reach the farmers after 3 years. That means the data currently visible on the portal will mainly reflect older seed varieties, and the newly approved varieties will appear gradually over time.
  • Currently, uploading data to SATHI is optional for stakeholders. The government is considering amending the Seeds Act, 1966 to make data entry mandatory.

SAATHI aims to make the seed supply chain more efficient, accessible, save time and improve traceability, while guaranteeing the quality and purity of unadulterated seeds. Genuine seeds would ultimately contribute to increased agricultural production and enhanced income for the farmers.  

Indigenous Defence Innovation: Key Technologies used in Operation Sindoor

Context: Operation Sindoor has highlighted India's military might and indigenous weapons. Indigenous development of the defence ecosystem has been made possible by contributions of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and lately by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).  

Relevance of the Topic : Prelims: Key facts about iDEX, Indigenous Defence Technologies (SkyStriker; D-4 Anti-Drone System)

Key Indigenous Technologies used in Operation Sindoor: 

SkyStriker Loitering Munitions: 

  • Suicide drones developed by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with Elbit Systems (Israel).
  • The precision-striking drone can carry a 5-10 kg warhead and has a range of 100 km. 
  • Its electric propulsion system helps reduce noise, making it suitable for covert missions at low altitudes.
  • Cost-effective solution for long-range precision strikes. The drone supports direct aerial fire missions and enhances operational awareness and survivability for ground forces.
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D-4 Anti-Drone System:

  • Anti-drone system developed by DRDO. 
  • Capability to neutralise hostile drones by disrupting GPS signals.
  • Equipped with advanced radar, RF jammers, and laser-based kill mechanisms, the D4 system can disrupt and disable enemy UAVs mid-flight.
  • Can be utilised for other purposes like- real-time battlefield monitoring and surveillance.
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Akashteer

  • Akashteer is an indigenous AI-powered Air Defence System (India’s own Iron Dome). 
  • Designed and manufactured jointly by: DRDO, ISRO and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
  • Part of India's overall C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) system.
  • Akashteer works in coordination with ISRO satellites and Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC) GPS. 
  • Integrates data from radars and sensors, and provides real-time situational awareness and enables swift responses to aerial threats (drones, missiles, UAVs and other loitering munitions).
  • Through automated detection-and-response mechanisms, Akashteer can neutralise hundreds of incoming threats with unmatched precision. 
  • Its vehicle-based, mobile configuration guarantees flexibility in high-risk areas. 
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Akash Missile Defence System

  • Indigenously developed by DRDO. 
  • Medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) designed to neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.
  • Operates on a command-guidance system with datalink for mid-course corrections and switches to active radar homing in the terminal phase.
  • Propulsion: The missile is propelled by an integrated ramjet-rocket engine, allowing it to maintain supersonic speeds (Mach 1.8 to 2.5) throughout its flight.
  • Range: Its range extends up to 25–45 km, with the ability to intercept targets at altitudes up to 20 km. The missile carries a 60 kg high-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead, detonated by a digital proximity fuse for maximum impact.
  • Supported by a sophisticated radar network. Real time multi-sensor data processing enables simultaneous engagement of multiple targets from any direction.
    • Rajendra phased array radar can track up to 64 targets and guide eight missiles simultaneously.
    • 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR) provides long-range surveillance and target acquisition.
  • Akash has evolved over the years, with variants like Akash-1 (25 km range), Akash-NG (up to 30 km with improved guidance), and Akash Prime (up to 35 km, optimised for low-altitude threats).

The Akash’s integration with advanced command-and-control systems like Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) enabled real-time threat neutralisation.

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Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): 

  • Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Defence launched in 2018. 
  • It brings together all the key innovation ecosystem actors, including start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutions, and academia, to foster self-reliance in defence technologies.
  • Funding and Management: iDEX is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), a Section 8 company, whose founding members were Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). 
  • iDEX adopts an open innovation approach. E.g., Through Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC), iDEX launches challenges for start-ups to offer solutions to specific technological needs of the Indian Armed Forces. 
  • iDEX has facilitated domestic-global collaboration. E.g., iDEX partners with the US Department of Defense’s Innovation Unit to facilitate joint co-development of innovation between Indian and US start-ups.

Lately, iDEX has accelerated the defence innovation ecosystem in India. It has signed over 350 agreements with start-ups as of June 2024. This approach ensures an alignment between the operational needs of the defence sector and innovative solutions developed.  

India keeps Data Exclusivity out of UK FTA

Context: India safeguards its $25B generic drug industry by excluding data exclusivity from the India-UK FTA to ensure affordable drug access and faster generic launches. India’s stance upholds the TRIPS norms, protecting pharma exports and local manufacturers' interests. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Concept of Data Exclusivity. 

Data Exclusivity out of UK FTA:

  • Recently, India and the UK have announced the conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) that will substantially liberalise trade between the two countries.
  • The UK was pushing for inclusion of Data Exclusivity provisions in the FTA which would have prevented Indian generic drugs manufacturers from using the clinical trial data generated by the pharma patent holders. 
  • India has protected the interest of its generic pharma industry by keeping out data exclusivity provisions from the FTA with the UK. Earlier, India had also rejected a similar demand from the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in their FTA signed in 2024.

What is Data Exclusivity?

  • Data Exclusivity refers to the fixed period during which the non-clinical and clinical trial data submitted by the innovator pharmaceutical company to the regulatory body cannot be used by the generic manufacturers. 
  • Purpose: Protects data generated in the course of clinical trials of a drug. By gaining exclusive rights over this data, innovator companies can prevent their competitors from obtaining marketing licence for low-cost generic versions during the tenure of this exclusivity.

Lack of Data Exclusivity law in India:

  • The Indian Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and the Drug and Cosmetic Rules, 1945 do not provide for data exclusivity.
  • Lack of Data Exclusivity law risks unfair commercial use of test data submitted to the Indian government during application for market approval of pharma or agro-chemical products.
  • Indian laws allow the use of this data by companies to launch copies of the drugs that go off-patent. This reduces time and costs for generic manufacturers. If generic companies were to generate the same data independently, it would delay their generic launches.

India’s generic drug industry is estimated at about $25 billion and the country exports half of its output. Data exclusivity is beyond the provisions of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement under the World Trade Organisation.

Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 crashes to Earth after 53 years

Context: A piece of a Soviet spacecraft, Kosmos 482, launched more than 50 years ago crashed back to Earth, splashing into the Indian Ocean off Jakarta's western coast, Indonesia.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482. 

Kosmos 482 Mission:

  • Kosmos 482 Mission is one among the series of probes launched to explore Venus by the erstwhile Soviet Union. Under the Venera Program, the Soviet Union sent 28 spacecraft to Venus between 1961 and 1984. 
  • The probe was launched in 1972 with the purpose of landing on Venus. It consisted of various instruments to measure the temperature, pressure, wind speed, visibility, atmospheric gases and rock composition, and radio the results back to Earth.
image 29

What went wrong with Kosmos 482?

  • Soon after the launch, a malfunction took place in the rocket. The upper rocket stage/engine (that was meant to propel the Kosmos 482 out of the Earth orbit) shut off too early due to a timer malfunction.
  • As a result, the spacecraft was left stranded in an orbit around the Earth. The lander module, which was supposed to land on Venus, broke apart from the main spacecraft. It kept orbiting the Earth for over 50 years. The main spacecraft, which was large and heavy, burned up in the (Earth’s) atmosphere.
  • Within the period of over 50 years, the spacecraft's orbit decayed slowly as the atmospheric drag slowly pulled it towards the Earth, leading to its re-entry into the Earth. 

Concerns:

  • Growing space junk: Kosmos 482's reentry into the Earth serves as a reminder of the growing issue of space junk. While most space objects plunge into Earth's atmosphere and burn up; some particularly heavy or dense objects such as Kosmos 482, survive the hot reentry. 
  • Environmental damage: Researchers also warn that satellite and space reentry can discharge harmful pollutants in the atmosphere of Earth and destroy the ozone layer and the environment at large, leading to climate change. 

Also Read: What is Satellite Pollution? 

With the volume of space traffic increasing, space debris management and minimising its environmental impacts will be an increasingly important issue.

Asteroid YR4 may hit Moon in 2032

Context: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that there is a 3.8% chance that Asteroid YR4 could collide with the moon in December 2032.

Earlier, it was thought the asteroid might hit Earth, but the latest trajectory analysis concludes a very little chance of that happening. The asteroid is below the threshold size (140 metres), so it would not be a threat to Earth. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Asteroid 2024 YR4; Double Asteroid Redirection Test spacecraft (DART). 

About Asteroid 2024 YR4

  • The 2024 YR4 was first discovered in December 2024 by a telescope in Chile. 
  • It is a near-Earth asteroid measuring 40 to 100 metres across. 
  • It came closest to Earth in December 2024— passing within roughly 800,000 kilometres of Earth, about twice the distance of the moon.
  • Scientists are using some of the most powerful telescopes to determine 2024 YR4’s path and size before it gets out of sight (becomes too faint to observe). 
  • One AU (Astronomical Unit) is approximately equal to 93 million miles - the distance between the Sun and the Earth. 
  • The closest asteroids which travel within 1.3 AU of the sun are called near-Earth objects (NEO). 

If an NEO's orbit also intersects Earth's orbit, and the object is larger than about 140 metres in diameter, then it is classified as a potentially hazardous object (PHO).

The Challenge

  • Determination of the size of Asteroid: 
    • To determine the size of an asteroid, astronomers examine the brightness of the object — brighter objects are bigger. 
    • However, the brightness depends on how reflective the asteroid’s surface is (asteroids do not emit a light of their own, they only reflect sunlight).
    •  As a result, it is a challenge to distinguish between a large, dark-colored asteroid and a small, highly reflective one.
  • 1% chance of crashing into Earth:
    • The 2024 YR4 is expected to release 8 to 10 megatons of energy in case of a crash. Its impact could be 100 times more powerful than an atomic bomb.
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What are Asteroids?

  • Asteroids are rocky remnants from the early formation of our solar system (about 4.6 billion years ago). 
  • They are rocky, metallic, or icy bodies with no atmosphere.
  • Roughly one million asteroids are known. Majority of them are located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, in a region known as the main asteroid belt.
    • The asteroid belt is a nearly flat ring that contains millions of asteroids, about 1000 kms or less in diameter. 
    • The largest asteroid in our solar system is Ceres (diameter ~940 kms), which is about one-quarter the size of Earth’s moon. 
  • They are generally classified to be of three types: C-type, M-type, and S-type, i.e.,  carbonaceous, metallic, and siliceous compositions, respectively.
  • The first close-up observation of an asteroid was made by the NASA’s Galileo spacecraft (1991).

Asteroids as threats from Space

  • Thousands of Asteroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere every day. Most are very small and burn up in the atmosphere due to friction.  
  • In some cases, unburnt fragments reach the Earth’s surface, although they are not large enough to cause much damage.
    • In 2013, a 20-metre-wide asteroid entered the atmosphere and exploded about 30 km above a Russian town. 
    • Most of the energy released was absorbed by the atmosphere, however, shock waves travelled to the ground, damaged buildings, trees and injured people. 
  • Space agencies are working on planetary defence mechanisms that can prevent celestial bodies from colliding with Earth with potentially catastrophic consequences. 

Planetary Defence Mechanisms: 

1. Double Asteroid Redirection Test spacecraft (DART): 

  • DART was the first planetary defence mission of NASA, launched in 2021, to test a method for defending Earth from potentially hazardous asteroids.
  • Target: 
    • It targeted the binary asteroid system which consists of a larger asteroid called Didymos and a smaller asteroid called Dimorphos.
    • Dimorphos did not pose a threat to Earth, and was circling the Sun some 11 million kilometres away from the planet.
  • Objective: To intentionally crash the DART spacecraft into Dimorphos to slightly alter its orbit around Didymos.
  • Impact: In 2022, DART spacecraft crashed into Dimorphos, and successfully changed both its shape and its trajectory. 
  • Significance: The data gathered from DART will help scientists develop more effective strategies for deflecting asteroids that pose a threat to Earth in the future.
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2. OSIRIS-APophis EXplorer (OSIRIS-APEX): 

  • NASA has redirected its Space-craft OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer) that previously studied the asteroid Bennu, to track Asteroid Apophis. 
  • OSIRIS-APEX is a mission to study the physical changes to asteroid Apophis that will result from its rare close encounter with Earth in April 2029. 
  • Our planet’s gravitational pull is expected to alter the asteroid’s orbit, change how fast it spins on its axis, and possibly cause quakes or landslides that will alter its surface. OSIRIS-APEX will allow scientists on Earth to observe these changes.
  • Additionally, the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will dip toward the surface of Apophis ­and fire its engines to kick up loose rocks and dust. This manoeuvre will give scientists a peek at the composition of material just below the asteroid’s surface.

CAQM issues 19-point Directives to Eliminate Stubble Burning 

Context: Recently, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has released 19-point directives for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to eliminate stubble burning. 

Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the constitution of state-level committees in these states to file monthly reports to CAQM. The committees have been tasked to monitor the implementation of the CAQM directions.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key facts about Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). 

Mains: Stubble Burning: Concerns & government Initiatives to prevent stubble burning. 

Key highlights of the CAQM Action Plan:

  • Technological Interventions:
    • Mapping of each farm in all villages. ⁠
    • Effective use of IT platforms for planning, procurement, machine booking and their utilisation.
    • Set up an online platform for real-time monitoring of crop residue and its utilisation
    • Tagging of special nodal officers to a group of farmers to cover all the districts. 
  • Machinery and Infrastructure:
    • ⁠Comprehensive review of inventories with a fresh gap analysis and procurement plan for different machinery types to be conducted this year.
    • ⁠Timely procurement of new crop-residue-management (CRM) machines.
    • Optimal availability of machines, mainly for small, marginal farmers. Compulsory rent-free CRM machines for such farmers. 
    • Plan machine movement based on harvesting patterns, schedules.
    • ⁠Optimal use of balers, rakers, among other machines for ex-situ management.
  • Ex-situ Crop Residue Management: 
    • Plan for storage facilities. Parcels of government or panchayat lands to be identified for storage of paddy straw bales
    • District-level supply chain management
    • Fix common procurement price for paddy straw in Punjab & UP
    • Promotion of various government schemes for ex-situ management
    • Set up a pilot common paddy straw-based boiler in industrial units
    • Use paddy straw pellets for co-firing in brick kiln on line with TPPs
  • Enforcement Measures: 
    • Set up a dedicated Parali Protection Force (made up of police, agriculture, and civic officers) to closely monitor, oversee and guard against stubble burning incidents.
    • Intensified patrolling to prevent evasion of satellite monitoring of farm fires.
    • Help citizens report complaints on social media platforms.
    • Farmers who still burn straw risk “red entries” in their land records and environmental compensation fines.

Commission For Air Quality Management (CAQM):

  • CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
  • Objective: To coordinate, research and address problems related to air quality  in the national Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas. 
  • Adjoining areas include: areas in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh adjoining the NCR where any source of pollution may cause adverse impact on air quality in the NCR.
  • It dissolved the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority established in the NCR. 

Also Read: Burning of Agricultural Residue 

Indian Grey Wolves heading towards Extinction

Context: Indian grey wolf population in Maharashtra’s Kadbanwadi grassland is declining due to threats from feral dogs, disease, habitat changes, and conservation challenges.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to Kadbanwadi grasslands; Indian grey wolf.

Declining population of Indian grey wolf: 

  • In the Kadbanwadi grasslands of Pune district (Maharashtra), the Indian grey wolf, a crucial top predator, is rapidly disappearing. About 10 years ago, there were around 70 adult wolves, but now only 6 have been spotted. 
  • This sharp decline is alarming because wolves are crucial for maintaining ecological balance by regulating the populations of smaller predators and herbivores, which in turn helps sustain the overall health of the ecosystem.

Kadbanwadi grasslands

  • Location: Indapur tehsil, Pune district, Maharashtra.
  • Area: 2000 hectares 
  • Fauna: In addition to the Indian grey wolf, Kadbanwadi is home to other species such as the Bengal fox, striped hyena, and Brahminy kite.
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Indian Grey Wolves in Kadbanwadi 

  • Indian Grey wolf is the apex predator in Kadbanwadi grasslands.
  • It is brown in colour with black-and-white markings on their backs.
  • It was considered as the grassland’s guardians as they ensure a healthy ecosystem by regulating the numbers of smaller predators and herbivores.
  • Conservation Status:
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
    • IUCN Status: Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I
  • Significant threats: Attacks by feral dogs, the spread of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) from stray dogs, genetic dilution due to crossbreeding with feral dogs, a shrinking prey base caused by the decline in shepherding practices, and habitat disruption from urban waste and encroachment. 

First Pangenome of Asian Rice

Context: An international team of scientists have assembled a first of its kind ‘pangenome’ of Asian rice. It was developed by integrating key parts of genomes from 144 varieties of rice, including wild and cultivated varieties of rice from Asia. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key concepts: Pangenome.

Mains: Achievements of biotechnology to address climate change. 

What is a Pangenome?

  • The pangenome refers to the entire set of genes present in a species, including both the core genome (genes present in all individuals) and the accessory genome (genes present in only some individuals or strains).
  • A pangenome map typically involves the identification and annotation of genes and their genomic locations within a species. It provides insights into the genetic diversity and variability within a species, as well as the presence of specific genes or gene variants in different individuals or populations.

First Pangenome of Asian Rice: 

  • Pangenome is the comprehensive collection of the common genes as well as the unique genes found in the individual rice varieties. It presents a complete understanding of the genetic variation present in rice.
  • ‘PacBio high-fidelity’(HiFi) sequencing technology and computational methods were used to create the pangenome. 
  • The study identified 69,531 genes collectively spanning the pangenome, with 28,907 core genes and 13,728 wild-rice-specific genes. Of the 69,531 genes identified, about 20% were specific to wild rice. 

Significance: 

  • Evolutionary Insights: This study reinforced support for the hypothesis that all Asian cultivated rice has an evolutionary origin from a wild variety called Or-IIIa, the ancestor of japonica.
  • The rice pangenome allows researchers to:
    • Develop new rice cultivars with high yield capacity 
    • Introduce new traits for disease-tolerance. 
    • Provides resilience against climate shocks.
    • Develop region-specific varieties suited to local agroclimate.

These genetic resources can improve understanding of rice environmental adaptation, phenotypic plasticity and regeneration potential.

Rice: Staple Crop in India

  • Rice is a staple crop for nearly two-thirds of the globe. It is the primary crop grown in India over the monsoon months of June-September. In 2024-25, India produced a record 220 million tonnes of rice over 51,000 ha with an average yield of 4.2 tonnes/ha. 
  • Threats impacting production of rice: India’s average temperature has increased by 0.7º C since 1901. 2024 was the hottest year on record, with the average minimum temperature 0.9º C above the long-term average. Studies have warned that rising temperatures due to climate change would not only affect yields but also increase arsenic uptake among several rice varieties. 
  • Gene-edited Rice: Recently, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) announced the development of two varieties of genome-edited rice, Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010, that reportedly promise higher yields and better drought resistance. These, however, are yet to be released into farmer fields.

Also Read: Understanding a human pangenome map 

The ‘pangenome’ is the most comprehensive reference of the rice genome till date. It could potentially provide avenues for developing superior and more productive rice varieties, and enhancing the resilience to rapid environmental changes. 

Scientists find second Natural Source of Gold

Context: Researchers have reported that the universe may have another way to produce the element gold, apart from collision of neutron stars. They have reported the first direct observational evidence of a process called r-process nucleosynthesis in a powerful flare emitted by a magnetar in 2004. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Neutron stars; Magnetars; r-process nucleosynthesis. 

Known Source of Gold- Neutron Star Collisions:

  • Neutron Stars: Incredibly dense remnants of supermassive stars (with masses around 1025 times the mass of the Sun) that have exploded as supernovae. 
  • Gold is predominantly produced in the violent collisions and mergers of ultra-dense neutron stars. Such events are detected using space telescopes and gravitational wave detectors (E.g., LIGO). 

The New Discovery- Magnetar Flares produce Gold

  • Magnetars: Types of neutron stars with much more powerful magnetic fields than normal neutron stars. Most powerful known magnetic objects in the universe with magnetic fields in the range of 1015 gauss.
  • Magnetar Flares: Magnetar occasionally release large bursts of energy in flares (much powerful than solar flares).
  • Observation:
    • A powerful flare emitted by a magnetar in 2004 was recorded by NASA's Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. 
    • Almost a day after the flare, a delayed burst of high-energy gamma rays was released. 
    • The delayed emission was inconsistent with standard flare afterglows and contained evidence of radioactive decay from r-process nucleosynthesis. 
  • r-process nucleosynthesis: The rapid neutron capture process is the major nucleosynthesis process responsible for the synthesis of heavy nuclei, including gold. 
  • The study concludes that some magnetar flares can eject neutron-rich matter into space, where it goes through r-process nucleosynthesis to create heavy elements like gold. 

Significance

  • The early universe only had hydrogen, helium, and trace amounts of lithium. All other elements were created later in stars, cosmic explosions, and laboratory experiments. Mapping the sources tells us how galaxies, stars, and planets took shape over time.
  • Understanding the sources can also reveal how often an element was produced, and how the presence of an element influenced the source’s own evolution. 

Also Read: What are Fast Radio Bursts? 

Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project

Context: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have signed an MoU to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project. It is aimed at enhancing regional water security by using Tapti river water for drinking and irrigation needs in both states.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project.

Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project

  • The project is described as one of the largest water recharge projects globally with no displacement involved.
  • Water from the Tapti river will be diverted to cater to:
    • drinking water needs of north-eastern Maharashtra, including Nagpur.
    • provide irrigation support to southern and south-eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh such as Burhanpur and Khandwa.
  • Total planned utilisation of water under the scheme stands at 31.13 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), with 11.76 TMC allocated to MP and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra.
  • Centre is expected to fund 90% of the project cost and the proposals will be submitted to classify it as a national water project.
  • This is the third major river-linking initiative undertaken by the Madhya Pradesh government in the past year, following the Ken-Betwa link project with Uttar Pradesh and the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project with Rajasthan.
image 27

About Tapti River:

  • Tapti or Tapi river is one of the major west-flowing rivers.
  • Origin: Multai in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • States Covered: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat.
  • Major Tributaries of Tapti are:
    • Right Bank: Vaghur, Bori, Purna
    • Left Bank: Aner, Girna, Panjhra
  • Important cities along the river: Burhanpur (MP), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Surat (Gujarat)
  • Dams and Projects: Ukai Dam (Gujarat), Hathnur Dam (Maharashtra)

India warns of Retaliation if UK imposes Carbon Tax Under CBAM

Context: India has strongly opposed the UK’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), citing that it reserves the right to retaliate if the UK proceeds without granting fair exemptions to Indian exporters.

Relevance of the Topic Prelims : key facts related to carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Mains : Impact of CBAM on Indian exports.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

  • CBAM is a policy tool introduced by the European Union to ensure that imported goods are subject to the same carbon costs as products produced within the EU.
  • It aims to prevent "carbon leakage," where companies shift production to countries with lower carbon standards to avoid carbon costs.
  • The United Kingdom, though no longer part of the EU, is now planning its own version of CBAM, which has sparked fresh trade tensions with India. It is expected to start from January 1, 2027. 

Also Read: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism 

Impact of CBAM on Indian Exports: 

  • Reduce price competitiveness: Carbon tax on carbon intensive goods (steel, aluminium, cement, and fertilisers etc.) imported from India will make Indian goods more expensive than local or other compliant imports reducing price Competitiveness
  • Undermines FTA benefits: While the FTA might reduce or eliminate tariffs, Indian exports could still face hefty carbon taxes, potentially far exceeding the UK’s current average tariff rate of under 2%.
  • Burden on MSMEs: MSMEs often lack the resources to measure and report carbon emissions, making CBAM compliance costly and potentially forcing them out of export markets.

India’s Response

  • India has labelled the CBAM as an unfair measure and a violation of the "common but differentiated responsibilities" (CBDR) principle.
    • CBDR principle is a multilateral climate negotiations which says developed and developing countries should not be treated the same when it comes to climate responsibilities. Developed nations, having polluted more historically, must bear a greater responsibility.
  • India had requested the UK for Special treatment for Indian MSMEs under CBAM and a ‘rebalancing mechanism’ – a clause in the trade deal that would compensate Indian exporters if they suffer losses due to this tax. However the UK remains unwilling to grant any concession under CBAM.
  • India inserted a clause related to rebalancing inside the “General Exceptions” chapter of the trade agreement draft. In global trade rules (like WTO’s GATT agreement), this chapter says a country can take actions that normally break trade rules, if it is doing so to protect the environment or public health.
  • So, this protects India from legal trouble at the WTO, if it takes action against the UK’s carbon tax.

Also Read: India and UK conclude Free Trade Agreement 

India must negotiate with UK firmly to ensure that market access gained through tariff elimination is not undermined by other barriers.  

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