{"id":1676,"date":"2025-09-30T06:37:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T06:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/?p=1676"},"modified":"2025-10-21T13:56:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T13:56:48","slug":"current-affairs-23rd-september-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/2025\/09\/30\/current-affairs-23rd-september-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Affairs 23rd September 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><u>1. The growing relevance of taditional medicine<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GS PAPER II: Health &amp; Education<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Context :<\/strong>Traditional medicine is now recognized globally as an essential part of healthcare, with 88% of WHO member states practicing it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India\u2019s AYUSH sector blends ancient wisdom with modern research, making India a leader in sustainable, preventive, and inclusive health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Why is Traditional Medicine in the <\/strong><strong>News?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre was established in India, anchoring global research efforts.<\/li>\n<li>AYUSH industry grew eight-fold in a decade; exports reached $1.54 billion, covering 150 countries.<\/li>\n<li>Theme for 2025, \u201cAyurveda for People &amp; Planet,\u201d highlights Ayurveda\u2019s role in wellness, conservation, and climate action.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Global Presence and Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>170 of 194 countries use traditional medicine; a vital first-line system in low- and middle-income nations.<\/li>\n<li>Global market set to be $583 billion by 2025, growing at 10\u201320% yearly.<\/li>\n<li>Other country data: China\u2019s TCM ($122.4B), Australia\u2019s herbal market ($3.97B), India\u2019s AYUSH ($43.4B).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Transformation of AYUSH in India<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Over 92,000 MSMEs and startups power the AYUSH sector.<\/li>\n<li>Revenue expanded rapidly; services generated \u20b91.67 lakh crore.<\/li>\n<li>Exports of herbal products and medicines surged; Ayurveda formally recognized in several nations.<\/li>\n<li>NSSO survey: 95% rural, 96% urban awareness; widespread use across population.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Science, Research, and Outreach<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Institutes like AIIMS Ayurveda, National Institute of Ayurveda, and CCRAS driving research and clinical validation.<\/li>\n<li>International ties: 25 bilateral agreements, 52 partnerships, AYUSH cells in 39 countries, and 15 academic chairs abroad.<\/li>\n<li>WHO Centre promotes integration of AI, big data, and digital platforms with traditional practices.<\/li>\n<li>AI and digital tools enhance predictive analysis and scientific validation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Relevance to Global Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ayurveda\u2019s philosophy promotes balance: mind-body, human-nature, consumption-conservation.<\/li>\n<li>Prevents and counters lifestyle diseases, addresses biodiversity loss, and advocates climate-friendly lifestyles.<\/li>\n<li>Extends benefits beyond humans, covering plants and animals.<\/li>\n<li>\u201cAyurveda for People &amp; Planet\u201d (2025 theme) frames it as a planetary health system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Traditional medicine, especially Ayurveda, is now a driving force in modern health and sustainable development.<\/li>\n<li>India\u2019s AYUSH sector, through research, global exports, and international cooperation, is shaping a new global health paradigm.<\/li>\n<li>As lifestyle and environmental challenges rise, Ayurveda offers long-term, integrative solutions for society and the environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>2. Jaishankar meets Rubio to fix ties strained by tariffs ,visa fees<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GS Paper II : International Relations<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Rubio at UNGA to tackle ongoing strains in the relationship caused by tariff hikes and drastic increases in H-1B visa fees.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Talks aimed to repair recent ruptures, maintain sustained engagement, and prioritize progress amid growing bilateral challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Causes of Strain in India\u2013US Ties<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Trade Disputes<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>US imposed up to 50% tariffs on Indian goods, notably as a punitive response to India\u2019s purchase of Russian oil.<\/li>\n<li>Indian exports negatively impacted, triggering India&#8217;s counter-warnings about strategic trust and causing losses in Indian markets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Visa &amp; Immigration Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>H-1B visa fee for new applicants raised from ~$1,700 to $100,000, directly targeting Indian tech professionals (India holds &gt;70% of H-1B visas annually).<\/li>\n<li>Fee hike has sparked panic and potential humanitarian consequences for Indian families working in the US.<\/li>\n<li>US justified these actions to protect American jobs and address &#8220;systemic abuse&#8221;; India views movement of professionals as trade, not mere immigration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Geopolitical Moves<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>US wary of India&#8217;s ties with Russia and China, especially regarding oil imports.<\/li>\n<li>Regional cooperation (Quad, Indo-Pacific) remains a focus, but domestic US moves (Bagram airbase, Middle East alignments) complicate strategic alignment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Highlights of Jaishankar\u2013Rubio Meeting<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Emphasis on continued engagement for progress in priority areas: trade, defense, energy, critical minerals.<\/li>\n<li>Mutual reaffirmation that India\u2013US partnership is &#8220;critical&#8221; despite disputes.<\/li>\n<li>Joint intent to sustain dialogue on Indo-Pacific cooperation and Quad activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>India\u2013US relation &amp; Bilateral Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"690\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><strong>Area<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"265\"><strong>Convergence (Alignment)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"265\"><strong>Divergence (Conflict)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Defense &amp; Security<\/td>\n<td width=\"265\">Indo-Pacific, Quad, counter-China<\/td>\n<td width=\"265\">US Pakistan\u2013Saudi ties, Bagram base<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Trade<\/td>\n<td width=\"265\">Bilateral engagement ongoing<\/td>\n<td width=\"265\">Tariffs, stalled talks, digital tax<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Immigration\/Labor<\/td>\n<td width=\"265\">Mutual benefit of tech workforce<\/td>\n<td width=\"265\">H-1B fee hike, new restrictions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Energy &amp; Minerals<\/td>\n<td width=\"265\">Critical minerals cooperation<\/td>\n<td width=\"265\">US sanctions on Russian oil purchases<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>3. Death of nine bonnet macaques in kerala capital raises poisoning fears<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GS Paper III : Environment, Biodiversity, and Ecology<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Context: <\/strong>Nine bonnet macaques were found dead near Palode, Kerala, on September 22, 2025, with signs of possible poisoning (foam around the mouth).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Preliminary post-mortems were inconclusive; samples sent to NIHSAD Bhopal for tests on toxins and tick-borne viral diseases (e.g., Kyasanur Forest Disease).<\/li>\n<li>Incident highlights an upsurge in similar retaliation cases against &#8220;monkey menace&#8221; across southern India, reflecting human-wildlife tensions in rapidly urbanizing areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Habitat, Ecology, and Behaviour<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Habitat:\u00a0Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) inhabit peninsular India&#8217;s Western Ghats\u2014evergreen forests, deciduous woods, scrublands, and urban-agricultural edges; thrive up to 1,500 meters elevation.<\/li>\n<li>Ecology:\u00a0Omnivorous foragers aiding seed dispersal and insect control; resilient to dry spells but vulnerable to fragmentation and isolated subpopulations.<\/li>\n<li>Behaviour:\u00a0Social troops of 10-60, hierarchically organized, diurnal, and both arboreal-terrestrial. Known for intelligent communication, tool use for food, vigorous grooming, and vocalizations for territory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Diet<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Main Foods:\u00a0Fruits (figs, berries), foliage, seeds\/nuts (60-70%).<\/li>\n<li>Proteins:\u00a0Insects, spiders, small vertebrates, eggs, and soil minerals (20-30%).<\/li>\n<li>Other Sources:\u00a0Cereals, roots, human waste\/crops near settlements; lactating females prioritize protein-rich foods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Human\u2013Wildlife Conflict<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Problem Causes<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Habitat Loss:\u00a0Deforestation and urban\/agri expansion shrink wild foraging zones, pushing macaques towards settlements.<\/li>\n<li>Food Availability:\u00a0Easy access to garbage\/crops intensifies raids; high troop densities near humans due to food subsidies.<\/li>\n<li>Socio-Economic Factors:\u00a0Farmers face up to 30% crop losses, leading to frustration and declining cultural tolerance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Problem Solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Habitat\/ Waste Management<\/strong>:\u00a0Secure waste bins, restore forest corridors, promote covered landfills. Kerala\u2019s draft monkey policy emphasizes these steps.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Population Contro<\/strong>l:\u00a0Mission Bonnet Macaque (Kerala, August 2025)\u2014sterilization, translocation; avoids mass culling to protect ecological balance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Community Engagement &amp; Technology<\/strong>:\u00a0Education drives, bio-fencing, ultrasonic deterrents, improved veterinary oversight for disease outbreaks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Policy &amp; Research<\/strong>:\u00a0Enforce anti-poisoning laws, fund studies on ecology, discourage quick-fix poisoning, and encourage long-term coexistence approaches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Conservation and Protection Status<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>IUCN Red List:\u00a0Listed as \u201cVulnerable\u201d<\/li>\n<li>threatened by 30-50% range decline, conflicts, and hunting; population estimated at 50,000\u2013100,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Legal Status:\u00a0Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Schedule II<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>moderate protection; hunting\/trade prohibited but allows conflict mitigation via regulated control.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Efforts:\u00a0Included under the National Wildlife Action Plan; protected in reserves like Silent Valley, Agasthyamalai; NGOs like Wildlife SOS advocate rescue, policy reforms, and research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><u><strong>4. India and morocco sign defence cooperation MoU to boost strategic alliance<\/strong> <\/u><\/p>\n<p>General Studies Paper II :International Relations<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Context: <\/strong>India and Morocco signed a Defence Cooperation MoU in Rabat on September 22, 2025, alongside opening a new Defence Wing at the Indian Embassy.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The pact enhances military ties during a period of North African instability and Indo-Atlantic security challenges.<\/li>\n<li>Signals a strategic outreach aligned with India&#8217;s Act East\/West policies and G20-driven Global South partnerships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Features of the MoU<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Institutional Framework<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sets up regular high-level defence dialogues and joint working groups.<\/li>\n<li>Institutionalizes annual consultations and formal exchange programs.<\/li>\n<li>Integrates liaison officers, shared intelligence for better coordination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Areas of Cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Targets counter-terrorism, maritime domain awareness, and cyber defence.<\/li>\n<li>Involves joint military exercises, peacekeeping, and HADR drills.<\/li>\n<li>Includes academic-military exchanges on strategic studies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Defence and Industry Cooperation<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1677 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-115850-300x246.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"430\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-115850-300x246.png 300w, https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-115850.png 529w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Supports co-development of unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone tech.<\/li>\n<li>Opens tenders for Indian firms in Morocco\u2019s defence market.<\/li>\n<li>Encourages technology transfer and joint production ventures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Capacity Building<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Provides Moroccan forces training in special operations at Indian institutions.<\/li>\n<li>Scholarships and workshops to upgrade military skills and expertise.<\/li>\n<li>Indian experts advise on Morocco\u2019s institutional reforms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Multilateral Cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aligns with trilateral formats for joint naval patrols in Atlantic-Indian Ocean corridors.<\/li>\n<li>Boosts coordination in forums like UN and GCTF.<\/li>\n<li>Paves way for joint initiatives in African Union peacekeeping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Strategic Importance<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0for India<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Expands India&#8217;s strategic depth in North Africa, balancing China\u2019s influence and securing critical resources.<\/li>\n<li>Strengthens maritime surveillance over chokepoints\u2014supports SAGAR doctrine.<\/li>\n<li>Enables Indian defence exports to new markets, aiding Atmanirbhar Bharat.<\/li>\n<li>Leverages Indian diaspora and soft power through defence outreach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>for Morocco<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gains affordable, modern Indian defence technologies, aiding military modernization.<\/li>\n<li>Diversifies procurement sources beyond traditional western suppliers.<\/li>\n<li>Stimulates economy via joint ventures and tech hubs.<\/li>\n<li>Bolsters maritime and regional stability against extremism and migration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"height: 1622px;\" width=\"1034\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"690\"><strong>Morocco <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1678 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-115957-273x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"426\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-115957-273x300.png 273w, https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-30-115957.png 474w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 426px) 100vw, 426px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Location and Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Northwest Africa; borders Atlantic Ocean (W), Mediterranean Sea (N), Algeria (E), Western Sahara (S).<\/li>\n<li>Area: 446,550 sq km; coordinates 21\u00b0-36\u00b0N, 1\u00b0-13\u00b0W; strategic gateway at Strait of Gibraltar.<\/li>\n<li>Terrain: Northern plains, central plateaus, southern Sahara; 65% desert, 20% mountains.<\/li>\n<li>Key point: Western Sahara border disputed (Polisario Front).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Rivers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sebou (458 km): Longest river, key for irrigation\/hydropower; drains to Atlantic.<\/li>\n<li>Moulouya (580 km): Borders Algeria; prone to seasonal floods.<\/li>\n<li>Oum Er-Rbia (550 km): Main dams, crucial for water sharing.<\/li>\n<li>Most rivers are seasonal; water scarcity a major issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Climate<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>North: Mediterranean; mild wet winters, hot dry summers.<\/li>\n<li>Interior: Semi-arid to arid; Sahara (south) extremely hot, minimal rain.<\/li>\n<li>Annual rainfall: 100\u2013400 mm (north), below 100 mm (south); droughts frequent.<\/li>\n<li>Notable: Desertification rate ~1,000 sq km\/year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Mountains<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Atlas Mountains (central): Barrier to Sahara, rich in minerals.<\/li>\n<li>High Atlas: Includes Mt. Toubkal (4,167 m\u2014highest peak), snow in winter.<\/li>\n<li>Rif (north), Middle\/Low Atlas: Plateaus, biodiversity hotspots.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Political System<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Constitutional monarchy; King is head of state, Prime Minister heads government.<\/li>\n<li>Bicameral parliament: House of Representatives (395 seats), House of Councillors (120 seats), multi-party democracy.<\/li>\n<li>2011 reforms increased PM powers; 12 regions (decentralized governance).<\/li>\n<li>Key issue: Western Sahara autonomy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>GDP $147B (2024 est.); growth 3.5%; upper-middle income nation.<\/li>\n<li>Major sectors: Services (60%), agriculture (12%), industry (26%).<\/li>\n<li>Top phosphate exporter; pushes for renewables (solar, wind).<\/li>\n<li>High youth unemployment; strong remittance inflows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Language and Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Official: Arabic (Darija), Berber (Tamazight); French used in urban\/business sectors.<\/li>\n<li>Multilingual: Spanish in north, growing English usage.<\/li>\n<li>Blend of Arab-Berber heritage; 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites.<\/li>\n<li>Predominantly Sunni Islam; rich music, cuisine, and art traditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>for Global Security<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enhances intelligence sharing to counter terror networks (Al-Qaeda\/ISIS).<\/li>\n<li>Promotes safe sea lanes from Atlantic to Indian Ocean, addressing piracy\/trafficking.<\/li>\n<li>Improves interoperability and peacekeeping effectiveness in conflict zones.<\/li>\n<li>Contributes to multilateral norms for cyber and disaster response.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Conclusion: <\/strong>The MoU is a milestone in India-Morocco defence ties, paving way for strategic partnership growth out to 2030.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>5. 54 Vessels are being built for Navy;10 to join fleet this year<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>General Studies (GS) Paper III: Security and Defence<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context:<\/strong> India is building 54 naval vessels, with 10 set to join the fleet this year\u2014marking the Navy\u2019s largest shipbuilding programme to date.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Major push aligns with expanding overall naval strength to over 200 warships and submarines by 2035.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Key Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Scale of Construction<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>54 vessels in progress across Indian shipyards, with 10 set to join by late 2025.<\/li>\n<li>Includes frigates, ASW corvettes, destroyers, and submarines, scheduled through 2030.<\/li>\n<li>Marks the largest peacetime naval expansion, exceeding the 2010s&#8217; 40-vessel effort.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Strategic Goal<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aims for over 200 warships and submarines by 2035 to counter dual threats in the IOR.<\/li>\n<li>Focuses on integrated surface, subsurface, and aerial operations under SAGAR.<\/li>\n<li>Prioritizes capacity-building and regional cooperation through exercises like Malabar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Transition Point<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shifts from a &#8220;Buyer&#8217;s Navy&#8221; reliant on imports (e.g., Russian Talwars) to a &#8220;Builder&#8217;s Navy&#8221; by 2027.<\/li>\n<li>December 2025 to see peak induction of 10 vessels, including INS Androth ASW series.<\/li>\n<li>INS Tamal (July 2025), last major Russian build, paves way for indigenous ASW-SWC crafts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"height: 786px;\" width=\"1043\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"697\"><strong>INS Androth ASW Series <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Type: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), second in a planned eight-vessel series for the Indian Navy.<\/li>\n<li>Role: Designed for tracking, detecting, and neutralizing submarines in shallow\/coastal waters; can do mine-laying, surveillance, and coastal defense.<\/li>\n<li>Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders &amp; Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.<\/li>\n<li>Specifications:<\/li>\n<li>Length: ~77 meters; displacement: ~900 tonnes.<\/li>\n<li>Propulsion: Diesel engine-waterjet combination for high maneuverability in shallow waters.<\/li>\n<li>Armament &amp; Sensors:<\/li>\n<li>Lightweight torpedoes, indigenous ASW rockets, naval gun (30mm), and close-in weapons.<\/li>\n<li>State-of-the-art shallow water SONAR, electronic warfare suite, and advanced decoy launchers.<\/li>\n<li>Indigenous Content: Over 80% Indian-made components; aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat.<\/li>\n<li>Significance: Strengthens Navy\u2019s ability to secure India&#8217;s coast against submarine threats and supports self-reliant defence manufacturing.<\/li>\n<li>Naming: Named after Androth Island, Lakshadweep, highlighting the strategic importance of island chains to Indian naval strategy.<\/li>\n<li>Crew: ~57 (7 officers, 50 sailors).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>INS Tamal <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Type: Talwar-class (Krivak-III) guided missile stealth frigate, commissioned July 2025.<\/li>\n<li>Origin: Built at Yantar Shipyard, Russia; last major warship procured from abroad before full indigenous transition.<\/li>\n<li>Specifications: Length ~125 m, displacement ~3,900 tonnes, top speed 30+ knots.<\/li>\n<li>Armament: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Shtil-1 surface-to-air missiles, advanced naval guns, anti-submarine torpedoes\/rockets, and network-centric warfare systems.<\/li>\n<li>Aviation: Can operate Kamov ASW\/AEW helicopters from its flight deck.<\/li>\n<li>Features: Incorporates stealth (radar\/acoustic\/infrared suppression), modern sensors, electronic warfare, and helicopter hangar.<\/li>\n<li>Indigenous Content: ~26% Indian systems (BEL, BrahMos, Tata); first of its class to integrate Indian tech in Russian-built hull.<\/li>\n<li>Strategic Role: Enhances blue-water capability, operational flexibility in Indo-Pacific\/Indian Ocean, and marks the transition to \u201cBuilder\u2019s Navy\u201d status for India.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">Legacy: Eighth in Talwar-class, second follow-on Tushil-class, closes India\u2019s dependency on foreign-built capital ships.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Indigenous Momentum<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Achieves over 90% local content in projects like ASW-SWC by GRSE, Kolkata.<\/li>\n<li>Drives self-reliance from design to steel, e.g., Mazagon Dock\u2019s Project 17A frigates.<\/li>\n<li>Reduces foreign dependency from 70% (2010s) to under 30%, building on Nilgiri-class success.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Economic and Industrial Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Creates thousands of jobs in shipyards like GRSE and CSL, plus ancillary MSMEs.<\/li>\n<li>Boosts steel, electronics, and propulsion sectors, saving $20-30B in import costs.<\/li>\n<li>Fosters innovation with private players like L&amp;T, enhancing export potential.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Strengthens strategic autonomy as an IOR security provider, countering China\u2019s string-of-pearls.<\/li>\n<li>Fuels a $100B economic ecosystem by 2035, including green shipbuilding innovations.<\/li>\n<li>Enhances regional stability via QUAD\/QUINT and HADR operations post-Cyclone Chhaya.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Faces delays in stealth tech and AI sensors; struggles with high-end radar imports.<\/li>\n<li>Encounters shipyard capacity limits and a 5M skilled labor shortage.<\/li>\n<li>Grapples with \u20b92.5 lakh crore budget strain and forex risks in hybrid projects.<\/li>\n<li>Risks supply chain disruptions and sabotage amid geopolitical tensions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Conclusion: <\/strong>Signals a robust, home-grown Navy crucial for India\u2019s 2047 developed-nation goal, merging military might with diplomacy. By 2030, a 175+ vessel fleet could reshape IOR dynamics, promoting a cooperative maritime framework.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>6. Why is India not importing corn from the U.S.?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GS Paper 3 (Mains) &#8211; Economy, Agriculture, and Science &amp; Technology<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>Surge in maize demand from 20% ethanol blending target by 2025 has spotlighted India\u2019s maize sector and import strategy.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Imports have risen sharply (0.2 MT in 2022 to 6 MT in 2024), but US corn is excluded, raising policy and trade questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Key Demand Drivers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ethanol Blending Push:\u00a020% target needs ~10 MT maize for fuel; significant shift toward ethanol use.<\/li>\n<li>Domestic Use:\u00a0Maize is essential for food, feed, starch, brewing; ethanol alone could use up ~5 MT annually.<\/li>\n<li>Production Shortfall:\u00a0Output (~37 MT in 2024) lags rising demand due to ethanol diversion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Self-Sufficiency &amp; Yield Gap<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India produces ~37 MT maize yearly, self-reliant for food\/feed but faces a 5 MT deficit when ethanol demand is included.<\/li>\n<li>Yield: India (~3 t\/ha) trails US (~11 t\/ha) due to small farm sizes, less mechanization, and seed limitations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Import Trends<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>2022: 0.2 MT imports, mainly Ukraine\/Myanmar; 2024: 6 MT (Ukraine 60%, Myanmar 20%).<\/li>\n<li>Imports focus remains on non-GM sources as per Indian policy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Why No US Corn Imports?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>GM Crop Issue<\/strong>: Over 90% of US corn is genetically modified; India bans GM maize cultivation\/imports for food\/feed, requiring GEAC approval (pending since 2010).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Worries about contamination and loss of farmer seed rights.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Food Security: <\/strong>US imports could depress Indian maize prices, hurt small farmers, and challenge buffer stock norms and MSP.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Policy aims to avoid dependency amid external shocks.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Farmer Issues<\/strong>: US corn is far cheaper thanks to subsidies, risking price crashes for local growers (many are smallholders).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Government supports yield and infrastructure upgrades to offset need for imports.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mexico Example: <\/strong>Mexico banned US corn in 2023 over GM\/irrigation worries; led to trade friction but improved domestic output and protected farmers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>India draws parallels to safeguard indigenous varieties and rural livelihoods.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Import Substitution Logic<\/strong>: Atmanirbhar Bharat prefers domestic output; uses tariffs\/NTBs on corn, sources imports from Ukraine\/Myanmar, and boosts yields through investment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>US Perspective &amp; Stakes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>US View<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>US exporters see India\u2019s ethanol-led growth as a $2B market opportunity and lobby against Indian restrictions.<\/li>\n<li>Political and trade friction rise as India\u2019s import choices impact US farm exports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Stakes for India<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Saves ~$1B\/year in forex on ~5 MT imports; builds rural jobs via ethanol investment.<\/li>\n<li>Supports environmental and food security goals; faces higher costs and WTO scrutiny for restrictive policy.<\/li>\n<li>If domestic yields improve or GM is okayed, import strategy may shift.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>US vs. Indian Farming\u2014Quick Comparison (2024)<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"690\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"151\"><strong>Factor<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"255\"><strong>US<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"283\"><strong>India<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"151\">Scale\/Yield<\/td>\n<td width=\"255\">Large, 11 t\/ha<\/td>\n<td width=\"283\">Smallhold, 3 t\/ha<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"151\">Focus<\/td>\n<td width=\"255\">Export\/Ethanol<\/td>\n<td width=\"283\">Food\/feed\/Ethanol<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"151\">Policy<\/td>\n<td width=\"255\">Subsidy export<\/td>\n<td width=\"283\">MSP\/protection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Conclusion: <\/strong>India&#8217;s limited US corn imports reflect a conscious policy balance between yield, self-sufficiency, food\/farmer security, and global supply risks;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Additional information<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 1111px;\" width=\"1052\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"697\"><strong>Maize Status in India<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maize is the third most important cereal after rice and wheat.<\/li>\n<li>India produces around 37\u201338 million tonnes\/year (2024-25 estimate).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Season of Cultivation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mainly grown in Kharif (June\u2013September; 83% of area).<\/li>\n<li>Rabi maize (winter): sown October\u2013November, harvested Feb\u2013March (notable in Bihar, AP)<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Climate and Soil Needs<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ideal temperature: 21\u00b0C\u201332\u00b0C.<\/li>\n<li>Rainfall: 45\u201380 cm, prefers moderate distribution.<\/li>\n<li>Grows best in well-drained sandy loam\/alluvial soils; waterlogging harms the crop.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Production and Productivity<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>National yield: ~3 tonnes\/hectare, much below US (11 t\/ha).<\/li>\n<li>Area: ~9 million hectares.<\/li>\n<li>India ranks 7th globally in maize production, 4th in area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Major Producing States<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Karnataka (15%), Madhya Pradesh (15%), Maharashtra (12%), Rajasthan (9%), Uttar Pradesh (8%), Bihar (7%), Telangana (6%), Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, J&amp;K.<\/li>\n<li>Karnataka: &#8220;Maize Bowl of India&#8221;, advanced hybrid farming.<\/li>\n<li>Bihar\/AP: Notable for high Rabi maize acreage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Uses and Economic Importance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Poultry feed (47%), livestock feed (13%), starch (14%), processed foods, brewing, ethanol, and export.<\/li>\n<li>Essential for food security, animal industries, industrial inputs, and rural jobs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Maize Uses<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Staple food, fodder, poultry\/livestock feed.<\/li>\n<li>Starch-based industries, biofuel (ethanol), brewing, snack, bakery, export.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Yield gap vs. global leaders (low mechanization, irrigation, hybrid seeds).<\/li>\n<li>Pests, erratic rainfall, price volatility, and competition with other crops.<\/li>\n<li>Increasing demand for ethanol puts pressure on supply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Government Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Promotion of hybrid seeds, irrigation and farm mechanization.<\/li>\n<li>Price support via MSP (~\u20b92,100\/quintal), crop insurance.<\/li>\n<li>Research &amp; incentives for ethanol production, inter-state trade facilitation.<\/li>\n<li>ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) supports R&amp;D for higher-yield and pest-resistant varieties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>7. Number of polluted river sites shows slight reduction: CPCB<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>GS PAPER III: Environment and Ecology -Conservation, Environmental Pollution &amp; Degradation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Context: <\/strong>The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released its 2022\u201323 assessment of Indian river health, highlighting critical pollution issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>About CPCB<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Statutory body set up in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.<\/li>\n<li>Expanded mandate: Now acts under both Water and Air Acts, plus Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.<\/li>\n<li>Technical arm: Implements MoEFCC policies and standards across India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Principal Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Water pollution control: Cleans streams and wells, implements the National Water Quality Monitoring Program.<\/li>\n<li>Air pollution control: Improves air quality, operates the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP).<\/li>\n<li>Data Management: Collects and disseminates air and water pollution statistics nationwide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Key Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NAMP: Monitors air quality at hundreds of stations.<\/li>\n<li>NAQI: Provides real-time air quality updates.<\/li>\n<li>GRAP: Offers phased pollution responses.<\/li>\n<li>Clean Air Campaign: Pushes awareness and enforcement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>River Pollution Assessment Parameters<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): Measures oxygen needed to decompose organic matter.\n<ul>\n<li>Healthy: BOD &lt;3 mg\/L<\/li>\n<li>Unfit for bathing: BOD &gt;3 mg\/L<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Polluted River Stretch (PRS): Sections where BOD exceeds bathing criteria at multiple consecutive sites.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Priority Classification for BOD<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Priority 1: BOD &gt;30 mg\/L (most polluted)<\/li>\n<li>Priority 2: 20\u201330 mg\/L<\/li>\n<li>Priority 3: 10\u201320 mg\/L<\/li>\n<li>Priority 4: 6\u201310 mg\/L<\/li>\n<li>Priority 5: 3\u20136 mg\/L<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Key Findings (2022\u201323 Report)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unfit bathing locations: 807 (2023) vs 815 (2022); slight improvement.<\/li>\n<li>Polluted River Stretches: 296 stretches in 271 rivers (2023) vs 311 stretches in 279 rivers (2022).<\/li>\n<li>Worst affected states (PRS, 2023): Maharashtra (54), Kerala (31), Madhya Pradesh (18), Manipur (18), Karnataka (14).<\/li>\n<li>Most polluted stretches (Priority 1, 2023): Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand (5 each).<\/li>\n<li>Top Priority 1 states (2022): Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh (6 each).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The CPCB report is a major reference for understanding river pollution priorities, state-wise trends, and the impact of regulatory action in India.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. The growing relevance of taditional medicine GS PAPER II: Health &amp; Education \u00a0Context :Traditional medicine is now<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-current-affairs"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39.jpg",2048,2048,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39-768x768.jpg",640,640,true],"large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39-1024x1024.jpg",640,640,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39-1536x1536.jpg",1536,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39.jpg",2048,2048,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39-825x575.jpg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/generated-image-39-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"ArkReflections","author_link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/author\/arkreflectionsiaspost\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/category\/daily-current-affairs\/\" rel=\"category tag\">DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS<\/a>","tag_info":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1676"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2518,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1676\/revisions\/2518"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}