{"id":1850,"date":"2025-10-07T08:58:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T08:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/?p=1850"},"modified":"2025-10-21T11:56:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T11:56:54","slug":"current-affairs-07th-october-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/2025\/10\/07\/current-affairs-07th-october-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Affairs 07th October 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><u>1. 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GS-III: &#8220;Science and Technology GS-III: &#8220;Health &#8211; Issues Related to Public Health&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>The Nobel Prize was awarded on October 7, 2025, to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Recognizes their groundbreaking discoveries on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the FOXP3 gene.<\/li>\n<li>Their work revealed how the immune system prevents attacks on the body\u2019s own tissues, advancing treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and transplantation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Background: What the Prize Recognizes<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identified regulatory T cells (Tregs) as immune \u201csecurity guards\u201d that suppress harmful immune responses.<\/li>\n<li>Showed peripheral immune tolerance, active suppression outside the thymus, prevents autoimmunity.<\/li>\n<li>Shifted understanding from passive elimination to dynamic immune regulation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Laureates&#8217; Key Contributions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shimon Sakaguchi (1995):\u00a0Discovered CD4+CD25+ Tregs that prevent autoimmune diseases in mice.<\/li>\n<li>Mary Brunkow &amp; Fred Ramsdell (2001):\u00a0Identified FOXP3 gene as master regulator of Treg development.<\/li>\n<li>Linked FOXP3 mutations to severe autoimmune syndrome (IPEX) in mice and humans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Problem Before the Discovery<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Immune tolerance was thought to rely only on thymus-based deletion of self-reactive T cells.<\/li>\n<li>Could not fully explain autoimmunity or develop targeted therapies.<\/li>\n<li>Existing immunosuppressants cause broad effects and infection risk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Sakaguchi\u2019s Breakthrough<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identified special Tregs that actively suppress auto-reactive T cells.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrated that absence of Tregs causes multi-organ autoimmunity.<\/li>\n<li>Conceptualized peripheral immune tolerance beyond central tolerance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Impact on Immunology<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Redesigned view of immune regulation as a balance between attack and suppression.<\/li>\n<li>Revealed molecular mechanisms such as IL-2 signaling in Treg function.<\/li>\n<li>Initiated large-scale research, influencing vaccines, cancer, allergy, and microbiome fields.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>FOXP3 Gene Discovery<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Discovered by Brunkow &amp; Ramsdell in 2001 in scurfy mice with fatal autoimmunity.<\/li>\n<li>Showed FOXP3 is required for Treg formation and function.<\/li>\n<li>Human relevance confirmed via IPEX syndrome linkage.<\/li>\n<li>Sakaguchi confirmed FOXP3\u2019s role as &#8220;master gene&#8221; for Tregs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Medical Applications Today<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Autoimmune diseases:\u00a0Treg therapies reduce inflammation without wide immunosuppression, eg. IL-2 expansion.<\/li>\n<li>Organ Transplantation:\u00a0Tregs promote graft tolerance, reducing immunosuppressant needs.<\/li>\n<li>Cancer:\u00a0Strategies aim to inhibit tumor-protecting Tregs to enhance anti-tumor immunity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Ethical and Policy Considerations<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Need equitable access to expensive Treg therapies to avoid health disparities.<\/li>\n<li>Risks of immune over- or under-suppression require vigilant monitoring.<\/li>\n<li>Gene editing of FOXP3 raises germline ethics debates.<\/li>\n<li>Regulatory harmonization needed for global trials and standards.<\/li>\n<li>Public-private investment critical for translating research to therapies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>2. INS Androth<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>GS-I<\/strong>: Geography (focus on India&#8217;s maritime boundaries, coastal security, and strategic islands like Androth).<\/p>\n<p><strong>GS-III<\/strong>: Security and Defence (focus on naval modernization, indigenous shipbuilding, and maritime security challenges).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>INS Androth\u2019s induction reflects a milestone in naval modernization and Atmanirbhar Bharat.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Second ASW-SWC vessel in a planned series of 16, following INS Arnala\u2019s recent induction.<\/li>\n<li>Reinforces India\u2019s emphasis on coastal defense amid increasing submarine threats from regional adversaries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What the News Says ?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Commissioned on October 6, 2025, at Visakhapatnam, led by Vice Admiral Pendharkar.<\/li>\n<li>Built by GRSE, 77m long, 1,500 tonnes, designed for anti-submarine operations in shallow\/coastal waters.<\/li>\n<li>Features advanced indigenous machinery, 80%+ local content, and modern ASW systems.<\/li>\n<li>Enhances Navy\u2019s capability against underwater threats and supports low-intensity operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Technical Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"705\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Parameter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Specification<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Length<\/td>\n<td>77.6 meters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Beam<\/td>\n<td>10.5 meters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Displacement<\/td>\n<td>1,490\u20131,500 tonnes (full load)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Propulsion<\/td>\n<td>3 diesel engines, water-jet propulsion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Maximum Speed<\/td>\n<td>25 knots<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Range<\/td>\n<td>1,800 nautical miles at 15 knots<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Draft<\/td>\n<td>~3 meters for shallow ops<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Armament<\/td>\n<td>76mm SRGM, twin torpedo tubes, RBU-6000, lightweight torpedoes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sensors<\/td>\n<td>Hull\/VDS sonar, EW suite, advanced comms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Crew<\/td>\n<td>About 57 personnel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Indigenous Content<\/td>\n<td>Over 80%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What are ASW-SWC Ships?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Compact corvettes for anti-submarine operations in near-shore waters.<\/li>\n<li>Part of Arnala-class (GRSE) and Mahe-class (CSL) series for the Navy.<\/li>\n<li>Agile, low-draft, and optimized for restricted, shallow water zones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Why Shallow Water?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Littoral areas allow submarines to hide or lay mines along coasts and EEZ boundaries.<\/li>\n<li>Ships have low draft, quiet water-jet propulsion, and superior maneuverability for chokepoint patrols.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Key Tasks<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Subsurface surveillance with sonar arrays.<\/li>\n<li>Search\/attack hostile subs using torpedoes\/rockets.<\/li>\n<li>Counter and clear mines in shallow waters.<\/li>\n<li>Escort amphibious\/merchant ships in low-risk areas.<\/li>\n<li>Integrate into networked ASW ops alongside larger assets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Significance for India\u2019s Maritime Security<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Counters submarine threats from Pakistan\/China in the Indian Ocean.<\/li>\n<li>Persistent patrols protect islands, harbors, and 2 million sq km EEZ.<\/li>\n<li>Promotes indigenous industry, supporting plans for a 200+ ship Navy.<\/li>\n<li>Enables strategic deterrence, supports QUAD and SAGAR goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>The Arnala Class Series<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>8 vessels by GRSE (\u20b96,000 crore deal, 2019); 8 more by CSL for Navy induction through 2029.<\/li>\n<li>INS Arnala delivered May 2025, commissioned June 2025; INS Androth is the second, with more ships in pipeline.<\/li>\n<li>Indigenous design emphasizes stealth, modularity, and DRDO integration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Naming Pattern<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Named after coastal islands\/heritage sites, strengthening maritime legacy.<\/li>\n<li>INS Arnala (Maharashtra), INS Androth (Lakshadweep); focus is on defending critical island chains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Strategic Pattern<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shifts emphasis toward littoral anti-submarine warfare and away from deep-sea dominance.<\/li>\n<li>Over 80% indigenous content boosts MSME and technology transfer.<\/li>\n<li>Part of India\u2019s Navy expansion for area denial in IOR, interlinked with other assets.<\/li>\n<li>Counters \u201cString of Pearls\u201d strategy, supports SAGAR for regional maritime security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Strategic Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"704\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Aspect<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Explanation<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Project Origin<\/td>\n<td>Started post-26\/11, upgrades Abhay-class for robust near-shore ASW roles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Builder Split<\/td>\n<td>8 ships by GRSE, Kolkata (Arnala-class); 8 by CSL, Kochi (Mahe-class)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Tech Edge<\/td>\n<td>Water-jet propulsion, DRDO sonar for quiet, stealthy sub-hunting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Op. Base<\/td>\n<td>Initially at Visakhapatnam; eventual spread to island commands<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Challenges<\/td>\n<td>Faced certification\/delivery issues, overcame via phased trials<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Future<\/td>\n<td>Scalable for upgrades\/exports; aligns with Navy\u2019s long-term force goals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>3. India prepares a new Nuclear Bill<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GS-III: &#8220;Science and Technology &#8211; Developments in Energy Sector&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>India prepares a new Nuclear Bill to open the sector for private\/foreign investment, boost clean energy, and accelerate Atmanirbhar Bharat.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The reform aims to update laws controlling nuclear power generation, safety, and liability as India targets major expansion of nuclear capacity by 2047.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Current Legal Framework for India&#8217;s Nuclear Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 415px;\" width=\"1030\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Law \/ Aspect<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Status \/ Provision<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Atomic Energy Act, 1962<\/td>\n<td>Centralizes all nuclear activities, only public bodies (NPCIL\/DAE) manage sector, exclusive control<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010<\/td>\n<td>Assigns strict operator liability, Rs 1,500 crore cap; right of recourse against suppliers; government liable up to 300 million SDR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Regulatory Bodies<\/td>\n<td>Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) manages all nuclear activities and policy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Private Investment Provisions<\/td>\n<td>Not permitted for plant operation or R&amp;D; JVs possible only with PSUs, not private sector<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Why a New Nuclear Bill?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Meet rising future energy needs by massively scaling clean baseload capacity.<\/li>\n<li>Accelerate self-reliance in advanced nuclear tech and local manufacturing.<\/li>\n<li>Enable private investment, PPPs, and tech transfer to speed up deployment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Legal &amp; Policy Obstacles (Existing)<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 311px;\" width=\"1035\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Obstacle<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Details<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Atomic Energy Act, 1962<\/td>\n<td>Only public sector can operate, limits private entry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>CLND Act, 2010<\/td>\n<td>Ambiguous supplier liability, strict caps, burdens operators and deters private\/JV participation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Regulatory Monopolies<\/td>\n<td>DAE controls all licensing, tariffs, and management<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Global Context \u2013 Liability Conventions<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 429px;\" width=\"1010\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>CSC (Convention on Suppl. Comp.)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>India Law (CLND Act, 2010)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Operator Liability<\/td>\n<td>Strict, capped, only on operator<\/td>\n<td>Yes, strict, capped, operator<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Supplier Liability<\/td>\n<td>Not enforced by CSC, only for negligence<\/td>\n<td>Broader, can extend to suppliers by Section 17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Claims Mechanism<\/td>\n<td>International pool for claims over national cap<\/td>\n<td>Government covers over operator\u2019s capped liability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>India\u2019s Status<\/td>\n<td>Ratified CSC in 2016, unique dual liability regime<\/td>\n<td>Section 17(b) grants operator recourse, debated constitutionality<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Key Policy Questions Under Debate<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Who manages nuclear waste and safeguards environmental impact\u2014public body, private JV, or both?<\/li>\n<li>Can private firms lead R&amp;D, reactor design, and deployment under new law?<\/li>\n<li>How will liability and compensation be structured between operators and suppliers, for victim protection and global compatibility?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>India&#8217;s Emerging Nuclear Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Public-private partnerships (PPP) for faster, flexible deployments.<\/li>\n<li>Rollout of Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for decentralised clean energy.<\/li>\n<li>Networked deployment across states, islands, and industrial zones for grid resilience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Significance of the Proposed Nuclear Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"713\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Dimension<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Benefit<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Capacity Expansion<\/td>\n<td>Scales nuclear power significantly for net zero targets<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Technology Transfer<\/td>\n<td>Enables faster adoption of latest global reactor designs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Atmanirbhar Bharat<\/td>\n<td>Nurtures local supply chains, manufacturing jobs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Investment Attractiveness<\/td>\n<td>Draws private &amp; foreign funds for infrastructure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Safety &amp; Governance<\/td>\n<td>Modernizes regulatory oversight, aligns with global norms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Challenges &amp; Concerns<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"714\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Concern<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Explanation<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Regulatory Bottlenecks<\/td>\n<td>DAE monopoly, risk of red-tape and slow approvals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Liability Uncertainties<\/td>\n<td>Supplier liability extension may deter investment; global misalignment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Safety and Security<\/td>\n<td>Ensuring robust mechanisms before private entry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Transparency\/Accountability<\/td>\n<td>Need to strengthen checks, public oversight for expanded sector<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Nuclear Waste Handling<\/td>\n<td>Unclear division of responsibilities for long-term waste management<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Constitutional Challenges<\/td>\n<td>CLND Act liability cap challenged in Supreme Court (right to life)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>4. Fisheries sector hopes to beat U.S curbs with sustainability label<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GS-III: &#8220;Economy &#8211; Agriculture and Allied Sectors&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>GS-III: &#8220;Environment &#8211; Conservation and Sustainable Development&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>India is fast-tracking MSC certification for seafood after the US imposed a 59.71% cumulative tariff on frozen shrimp in August 2025, threatening $1 billion in annual exports and sector growth.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The focus is on eco-labels to show sustainable practices, bypass US\/EU curbs, and unlock premium pricing in Europe\/Japan for export-led growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Background \u2013 India&#8217;s Fisheries Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Second-largest fish producer globally, with 8% of world output and 18 MT annual production.<\/li>\n<li>Marine and inland fisheries support 14+ million livelihoods, ~1.1% of GDP, and $8 billion in exports (60% shrimp).<\/li>\n<li>Growth driven by PMMSY investments, export regulations (MPEDA), and infrastructure upgrades.<\/li>\n<li>Addressing challenges of overfishing, antibiotics, and global sustainability norms to protect access to top markets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Fisheries and Sector Details<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 580px;\" width=\"864\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Aspect<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Marine Fisheries<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Inland Fisheries<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Sector Highlights<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Production (2023-24)<\/td>\n<td>4.7 MT (shrimp: 0.8 MT)<\/td>\n<td>13.3 MT (carp, prawns)<\/td>\n<td>18 MT; 8% annual growth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Key Species<\/td>\n<td>Shrimp, squid, octopus, tuna<\/td>\n<td>Rohu, catla, prawns, tilapia<\/td>\n<td>Shrimp=60% exports<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Employment<\/td>\n<td>4 million coastal fishers<\/td>\n<td>10 million in aquaculture<\/td>\n<td>14+ million total; 40% women<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Export Value<\/td>\n<td>$5B (70% total exports)<\/td>\n<td>$3B (processed products)<\/td>\n<td>US: 25%, EU: 20%, Japan: 10%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sustainability Focus<\/td>\n<td>70% stocks overfished<\/td>\n<td>High antibiotic usage<\/td>\n<td>MSC push for 10 eco-labelled types<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Infrastructure<\/td>\n<td>13 major harbors, EEZ: 2M km\u00b2<\/td>\n<td>2.5M ha ponds, 500+ hatch.<\/td>\n<td>200+ seafood units, cold chain gaps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>The Issue \u2013 US Curbs on Indian Seafood<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Since 2004, US applies anti-dumping\/countervailing duties; August 2025 review raised shrimp tariffs to 59.71%.<\/li>\n<li>Indian exporters face 20% revenue loss, reduced US share from 30% to 25% of exports.<\/li>\n<li>Forces diversification and pushes sustainable certification to regain and expand global market share.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification?<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 469px;\" width=\"810\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Aspect<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Description<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Definition<\/td>\n<td>Leading global standard for wild-capture fishery eco-certification<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Principles<\/td>\n<td>1) Sustainable stocks; 2) Minimize ecosystem impact; 3) Effective governance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Process<\/td>\n<td>3-5 year audit (pre-assessment, evaluation, annual\/5-yr recertification)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Scope<\/td>\n<td>Applies to marine capture fisheries (not aquaculture), covers 400+ fisheries globally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Benefits<\/td>\n<td>Eco-labeled products fetch 10-30% premium, key for EU\/Japan access<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Market Assurance<\/td>\n<td>Signals traceability, legal &amp; sustainable catch to buyers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>India&#8217;s Certification Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Varieties Targeted:\u00a0Shrimp (vannamei\/black tiger), squid, cuttlefish, octopus, select finfish.<\/li>\n<li>Process:\u00a0Began in 2020; FIPs\u2192technical audits by SSNI\/MPEDA\u2192full MSC bid by 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Government Support:\u00a0Subsidies under PMMSY; technical help via MPEDA, research by CMFRI.<\/li>\n<li>Key Officials:\u00a0Fisheries Commissioner K. M. Koya; MPEDA Chairman; CMFRI scientists; MSC India head Ranjit Suseelan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Why This Matters \u2013 Benefits &amp; Implications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Economic:\u00a0Premium (10-30%) pricing, offsets US\/EU non-tariff barriers, stabilizes $8B exports.<\/li>\n<li>Environmental:\u00a0Encourages bycatch controls, reduces overfishing in India\u2019s EEZ, aligns with SDG 14.<\/li>\n<li>Social\/Livelihood:\u00a0Helps 4M small fishers adopt sustainable practices, boosts women\u2019s processing jobs (40% of sector).<\/li>\n<li>Trade\/Geopolitics:\u00a0Bypasses US\/EU curbs, strengthens India\u2019s Indo-Pacific export role, rivals Norway\/Chile.<\/li>\n<li>Policy:\u00a0Accelerates Atmanirbhar goals for traceable, high-value seafood, and domestic innovation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Technical:\u00a0Long, costly audits (\u20b95-10 cr\/fishery), patchy data on stocks, certification only for well-tracked fisheries.<\/li>\n<li>Compliance:\u00a050%+ vessels lack monitors; high antibiotic use in aquaculture can bar entry.<\/li>\n<li>Market Risks:\u00a0Tightening EU rules, competing certified suppliers (Thailand, Vietnam).<\/li>\n<li>Environmental:\u00a0Climate change shifts fish stocks, illegal foreign fishing hinders compliance claims.<\/li>\n<li>Implementation:\u00a0Requires coordination across states, tech upgrades, and persistent post-certification efforts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>5. Why MGNREGA norms were tweaked to push spending on water projects<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GS paper -II<strong>: <\/strong>Governance,<strong> Issue<\/strong>: MGNREGA<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context:<\/strong> Recent amendments to Schedule-1 of MGNREGA are designed to address India&#8217;s water crisis by increasing funding for water conservation and harvesting projects.<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 196px;\" width=\"1054\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"716\"><strong>What is MGNREGA?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It is a bottom-up, people-centred, demand-driven, self-selecting and rights-based programme.<\/li>\n<li><strong>MGNREGA:<\/strong> The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment (MGNREG) is the largest public employment program in the world.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Implementation:<\/strong> By Ministry of Rural Development in India.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Legal provision:<\/strong> The scheme is based on MGNREGA Act, 2005 which makes a legislative commitment to provide right to work.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> To enhance the livelihood security of people by guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>The Latest Amendment: Prioritizing Water Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>On September 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development amended Schedule-1 of MGNREGA.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Focus Area<\/strong>: The amendment emphasizes water conservation and harvesting activities.<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1852 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-07-142542-1-300x170.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"374\" height=\"212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-07-142542-1-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-07-142542-1.png 329w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px\" \/><\/li>\n<li><strong>New Provision:<\/strong> A new clause in Paragraph 4 guides the prioritization of works by Gram Panchayats during Gram Sabha meetings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fund Allocation Criteria:<\/strong> Allocation of funds for water-related projects will depend on the groundwater extraction status of each rural block.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Classification System<\/strong>: The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) classifies blocks as \u201cover-exploited,\u201d \u201ccritical,\u201d \u201csemi-critical,\u201d or \u201csafe\u201d, which determines funding priority.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>The new norms:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Over-exploited blocks (groundwater extraction &gt; 100%):<\/strong> minimum 65% of MGNREGA works\u2019 costs to be spent on water conservation, harvesting, and related works.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Critical blocks (groundwater extraction 90\u2013100%):<\/strong> also 65% spending on water projects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Semi-critical blocks (extraction 70\u201390%):<\/strong> 40% minimum.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Safe blocks (extraction \u2264 70%):<\/strong> 30% minimum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>States Expected to Benefit Most<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>According to the CGWB&#8217;s National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2024, a significant number of blocks are categorized as &#8220;over-exploited&#8221; in several states.<\/li>\n<li>Out of the total 6,746 blocks in the country, 751 (11.13%) were assessed as &#8216;over-exploited&#8217;, 206 blocks (3.05%) as &#8216;critical, 711 blocks (10.54%) as &#8216;semi-critical, and 4,951 blocks (73.39%) as &#8216;safe&#8217; in 2024.<\/li>\n<li>The remaining 127 blocks were assessed as having salinity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The MGNREGA amendment prioritizing water conservation and harvesting seeks to combat water scarcity, boost groundwater recharge, enhance farm productivity, and strengthen climate resilience in rural India.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>6. Blizzard<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>What is a Blizzard?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A blizzard is a powerful mid-latitude snowstorm with intense winds (\u226556 km\/h), freezing temperatures, and visibility reduced to near zero by blowing snow.<\/li>\n<li>It forms when cold air masses meet moist air, resulting in heavy snow and violent winds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>How Does a Blizzard Form?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cold Air Source:\u00a0Cold, dense air from polar regions or high mountains allows for snow formation instead of rain.<\/li>\n<li>Moisture Supply:\u00a0Moisture-laden air from oceans or large lakes fuels condensation and snowfall.<\/li>\n<li>Uplift Mechanism:\u00a0Warm, moist air is forced upward\u2014either by fronts or mountain slopes (orographic uplift)\u2014creating thick snow clouds.<\/li>\n<li>Pressure Gradient:\u00a0A steep difference in air pressure drives the strong winds that carry snow horizontally and blunt visibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Main Features of a Blizzard<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wind Speed:\u00a0Typically 80\u2013100 km\/h, sometimes exceeding 120 km\/h.<\/li>\n<li>Temperature:\u00a0Remains below freezing, with wind chill making it feel colder.<img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1853 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-07-142643-300x201.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"442\" height=\"296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-07-142643-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-07-142643.png 343w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Visibility:\u00a0Drops under 0.4 km for at least three hours, leading to dangerous whiteout situations.<\/li>\n<li>Duration:\u00a0Can last from several hours to days, often followed by cold waves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Types of Blizzards<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ground Blizzard:\u00a0Strong winds lift already fallen snow, reducing visibility without new snowfall.<\/li>\n<li>Nor\u2019easter:\u00a0Coastal blizzards common along the North Atlantic, bringing heavy snow and strong winds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Environmental and Human Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Environmental Effects:\n<ul>\n<li>Triggers avalanches, deepens snow cover, and temporarily increases glacier size.<\/li>\n<li>Alters the Earth&#8217;s reflectivity (albedo) and influences regional climate patterns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Human Effects:\n<ul>\n<li>Risks include frostbite, hypothermia, and fatalities for trekkers or locals exposed to extreme cold.<\/li>\n<li>Causes transport bottlenecks, disrupts communication, and damages power lines due to heavy snow and wind.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Blizzards are dangerous weather phenomena, especially in mountainous or polar regions, and require careful preparedness and monitoring.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>7. IUCN World Conservation congress 2025<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: <\/strong>India will launch its first-ever Red List of Endangered Species at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The IUCN Congress is a major global event that shapes nature conservation strategies and policies worldwide.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What is the IUCN World Conservation Congress?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) is a global summit held every four years by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).<\/li>\n<li>It gathers governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, and indigenous groups to define priorities for biodiversity, climate action, and sustainable development.<\/li>\n<li>This congress is considered the world\u2019s most important forum for conservation policy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Congress History and Participation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The first IUCN Congress was held in 1948; India has been a member since 1969.<\/li>\n<li>The last meeting was in Marseille, France, in 2021, with a focus on post-pandemic recovery, biodiversity loss, and climate change.<\/li>\n<li>Over 9,000 delegates are expected, including global leaders, scientists, and multilateral organizations like the CBD, UNFCCC, Ramsar Convention, and UNEP.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Key Themes for 2025 Congress<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Resilient Conservation:\u00a0Scaling up ecosystem restoration and species protection.<\/li>\n<li>Climate Risk Reduction:\u00a0Accelerating climate mitigation to avoid ecological tipping points.<\/li>\n<li>Equity in Conservation:\u00a0Ensuring conservation is inclusive and community-led.<\/li>\n<li>Nature-Positive Economies:\u00a0Advancing sustainable production, circular economies, and green finance.<\/li>\n<li>Disruptive Innovation:\u00a0Using technology, AI, and youth leadership to drive conservation breakthroughs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Main Features and Activities<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Policy Voting:\u00a01,400+ member organizations vote on critical conservation resolutions.<\/li>\n<li>Innovation Exchange:\u00a0Forum for sharing new research, technologies, and nature-based solutions.<\/li>\n<li>Networking:\u00a0Connects diverse groups for coordinated conservation efforts.<\/li>\n<li>Public Engagement:\u00a0Outreach with exhibitions, films, and educational initiatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Expected Outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Approval of a Global Conservation Declaration, setting the direction for achieving 2030 biodiversity goals.<\/li>\n<li>Recognition of India\u2019s national Red List as a step toward global biodiversity monitoring and species protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine GS-III: &#8220;Science and Technology GS-III: &#8220;Health &#8211; Issues Related to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2488,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1850","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\/10\/generated-image-24.jpg",2048,2048,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/generated-image-24-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/generated-image-24-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/generated-image-24-768x768.jpg",640,640,true],"large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/generated-image-24-1024x1024.jpg",640,640,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/generated-image-24-1536x1536.jpg",1536,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/generated-image-24.jpg",2048,2048,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/generated-image-24-825x575.jpg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/generated-image-24-590x410.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\/1850","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=1850"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1850\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2487,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1850\/revisions\/2487"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}