{"id":3715,"date":"2025-12-26T07:06:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T07:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/?p=3715"},"modified":"2025-12-26T09:03:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T09:03:34","slug":"current-affairs-26th-december-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/2025\/12\/26\/current-affairs-26th-december-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Affairs 26th December 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>1. National Intellegence Grid linked\u00a0 to NPR<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS PAPER II-Indian Polity and Governance \/ Internal Security\u2011<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context :<\/strong>NATGRID has been linked to the NPR database covering about 119 crore residents.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Home Ministry informed Lok Sabha about an Organised Crime Network Database on NATGRID.<\/li>\n<li>Union Cabinet approved Census 2027 with no separate budget for updating NPR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What is NATGRID<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Centralised intelligence and data\u2011access platform under Ministry of Home Affairs.<\/li>\n<li>Conceived after 26\/11 to quickly track suspects\u2019 travel, finance and communication trails.<\/li>\n<li>Integrates multiple databases: travel, banking, telecom, passport, vehicle, crime records.<\/li>\n<li>Access given only to authorised security and law\u2011enforcement agencies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What is National Population Register (NPR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Register of \u201cusual residents\u201d of India maintained by Registrar General of India.<\/li>\n<li>Contains demographic and family\u2011wise details collected house\u2011to\u2011house.<\/li>\n<li>First prepared in 2010 with Census 2011 house\u2011listing and updated in 2015.<\/li>\n<li>Considered a foundational database that can support creation of NRC.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Linking of NATGRID and NPR: meaning<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NATGRID can now pull NPR records in real time for approved queries.<\/li>\n<li>Agencies can view family\u2011wise details of any suspect or person of interest.<\/li>\n<li>Tool \u201cGandiva\u201d uses NPR data for facial recognition and entity resolution.<\/li>\n<li>All queries are logged and subject to senior\u2011officer oversight, per government.<\/li>\n<li>Raises surveillance and privacy concerns due to scale and depth of combined data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Organised Crime Network Database: usage and scale<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Being built on NATGRID to map organised\u2011crime and terror networks.<\/li>\n<li>Will store profiles, associates, financial links and movement patterns of criminals.<\/li>\n<li>Enables NIA, ATS and state police to securely share and analyse inputs.<\/li>\n<li>Likely to draw on all integrated NATGRID datasets, making it nationwide in scope.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Census 2027 and NPR<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Census 2027 approved at cost of about \u20b911,718 crore, using largely digital methods.<\/li>\n<li>Government has not sanctioned a separate NPR update alongside Census 2027.<\/li>\n<li>Existing NPR (2010\u201315) will continue to be the main population register for now.<\/li>\n<li>Future NPR decisions may affect how much fresh data NATGRID can eventually access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>2. Kimberley Process (KP)?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS PAPER III-Economy<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context :<\/strong>India selected as Chairperson of Kimberley Process (KP) from January 1, 2026, for the third time, reflecting global trust in its commitment to integrity and transparency in diamond trade.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is Kimberley Process (KP)?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>International certification scheme to prevent trade in conflict diamonds; tripartite initiative involving governments, industry, and civil society.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nature of Kimberley Process<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Voluntary, consensus-based; monitors rough diamond trade; certifies shipments as conflict-free; 85+ participants, covers 99% of global diamond trade.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Origin and Definition of Conflict Diamonds<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Originated in 1990s civil wars in Africa (Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia).<\/li>\n<li>Conflict diamonds: Rough diamonds mined in war zones, used by rebel groups to finance armed conflict against legitimate governments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>India\u2019s Role in Kimberley Process<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Member since inception (2003).<\/li>\n<li>Major diamond cutting\/polishing hub (90% global polished diamonds).<\/li>\n<li>Hosts KP meetings; leads reforms; chairs Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Why India\u2019s Selection Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Demonstrates India\u2019s leadership in ethical trade.<\/li>\n<li>Strengthens position in global diamond industry.<\/li>\n<li>Boosts trust in India\u2019s G&amp;J exports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Challenges Before Kimberley Process<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Weak enforcement in some countries.<\/li>\n<li>Loopholes in certification.<\/li>\n<li>Non-members trading.<\/li>\n<li>Definition limited to \u201cconflict\u201d diamonds (ignores other unethical mining).<\/li>\n<li>Human rights abuses in mining not fully addressed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Strengthen monitoring and audits.<\/li>\n<li>Expand definition to include human rights violations.<\/li>\n<li>Increase civil society involvement.<\/li>\n<li>India to lead reforms during 2026 chairmanship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">3. <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Rabies :the cruel and expnsive disease of India most impoverished<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>GS\u2011II -Health, Government programmes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>GS\u2011III -Public health, poverty, internal security via stray\u2011dog issues<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context :<\/strong>Reports highlight increasing animal\u2011bite cases and preventable rabies deaths in several states.\u200b<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Courts and governments are debating strict measures on stray dogs and dog\u2011bite accountability.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What is rabies?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rabies is a\u00a0<strong>viral<\/strong>\u00a0disease that attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal after symptoms start.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>It is a zoonotic disease, usually transmitted from infected animals (mainly dogs) to humans.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>How the virus spreads<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Virus is present in saliva of a rabid animal and enters through bites, scratches or licks on broken skin.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>It travels along peripheral nerves to the brain, causing encephalitis and then widespread organ failure.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>India\u2019s rabies burden<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India contributes roughly one\u2011third of global human rabies deaths each year.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Millions of animal\u2011bite cases are reported annually, but human deaths are under\u2011reported.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Who is most affected?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Poor, rural and peri\u2011urban communities with high stray\u2011dog density are most affected.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Children under 15 are disproportionately bitten because of close contact and inability to report early.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Post\u2011exposure prophylaxis (PEP): life vs death<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rabies is 100% preventable if full PEP (washing, vaccine, immunoglobulin when needed) is taken correctly and on time.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Once clinical symptoms start, there is virtually no effective treatment and death is almost certain.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What should be done after a bite<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Apply povidone\u2011iodine or similar antiseptic and avoid tight bandaging or harmful home remedies.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Seek medical care urgently for assessment, vaccine schedule and possible rabies immunoglobulin (RIG).\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Accessibility, availability, affordability failures<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Many primary facilities lack continuous stocks of modern anti\u2011rabies vaccines and RIG.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Patients often travel long distances, pay out\u2011of\u2011pocket or buy from private pharmacies at high cost.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Missed doses and incomplete regimens occur because of repeated visits, travel cost and lost wages.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Vaccine and RIG crisis<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Periodic shortages and stock\u2011outs of RIG are reported even in big hospitals.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Some states face quality concerns, interrupted supply chains and reliance on older vaccine types.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Health\u2011system failure and poverty trap<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Weak surveillance means dog\u2011bite and rabies data are fragmented and under\u2011estimated.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Poor households face catastrophic health spending, debt and productivity loss after repeated bites.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Role of quackery and misinformation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unqualified practitioners promote oils, powders or cauterisation instead of evidence\u2011based PEP.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Myths like \u201csmall bites are harmless\u201d or \u201cpuppy bites need no vaccine\u201d delay proper treatment.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Stray dogs: law and ethics<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Animal Birth Control rules emphasise sterilisation and vaccination rather than indiscriminate culling.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Court orders seek humane control, safe shelters and accountability when authorities fail to prevent attacks.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Positive developments<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>National Action Plan for Elimination of Dog\u2011Mediated Rabies aims for zero human deaths by 2030.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Some states and cities show success with mass dog vaccination and systematic ABC programmes.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Way forward<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ensure free, uninterrupted supply of WHO\u2011recommended vaccines and RIG at all public facilities.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Integrate rabies into primary health care, with standard protocols and staff training.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Scale up mass dog vaccination, sterilisation and dog\u2011population management using One Health approach.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Strengthen surveillance, mandatory reporting and data transparency on bites and rabies deaths.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Run sustained public campaigns against quackery, promoting immediate washing and timely PEP.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">4. Did an ancient flood contibute to Keezhadis abandonment ?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS PAPER I-History<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context :<\/strong>Large early historic settlement on Vaigai floodplain in Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu, showing planned brick architecture and drainage.\u200b<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Provides rare\u00a0<strong>urban\u2011like<\/strong>\u00a0cultural remains south of the Vindhyas, filling gap between Indus cities and later South Indian polities.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Helps build material context for Tamil society mentioned in Sangam literature, especially trade and craft activities.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Link with Sangam literature<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sangam poems describe prosperous towns, markets and riverine trade along the Vaigai but lack firm dates.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Keezhadi\u2019s craft debris, script, and brick structures offer archaeological correlates to such urban life, allowing cross\u2011dating with texts.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>The new work refines this by separating \u201ctime people lived\u201d from \u201ctime flood buried\u201d layers, sharpening chronology vis\u2011\u00e0\u2011vis Sangam age.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Core questions of the study<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When were the sand\u2013silt\u2013clay layers that cover Keezhadi\u2019s structures actually deposited?\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Were these layers formed by ordinary overbank silting or by a single high\u2011energy flood event?\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Did such flooding force damage, abandonment or relocation of parts of the settlement?\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Institutions behind the research<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, led the geochronology work.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology provided excavation context and site access.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Results were published in the journal\u00a0<em>Current Science<\/em>\u00a0(Indian Academy of Sciences).\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Scientific technique: OSL basics<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating measures trapped charge in quartz grains released as light when stimulated.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>It gives the time since grains were last exposed to sunlight, i.e., when they were buried by new sediment.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Sampling and laboratory method<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Researchers took four sediment samples from two stratigraphic pits (KDI\u20111 and KDI\u20112) using light\u2011tight metal tubes.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>In lab, outer ends were removed, inner parts kept dark, wet\u2011sieved and quartz grains separated and cleaned.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Standard single\u2011aliquot regenerative\u2011dose (SAR) OSL protocol was used to estimate equivalent dose and burial age.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Annual dose rate was calculated from radionuclides in the sediment; together these gave ages for each layer.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Findings: flood\u2011induced burial<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>OSL ages show upper sandy layer was deposited roughly within last 1,200 years, younger than the cultural occupation beneath.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Grain bleaching patterns and sediment textures indicate rapid deposition by high\u2011energy floodwater, not slow overbank silting.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Variable thickness of flood deposits between pits implies uneven burial and preservation of older cultural layers.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>High\u2011energy flood event<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Study interprets a strong Vaigai river flood that carried coarse sand first, then finer silt and clay as waters receded.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Such an event could damage buildings, clog drains and force residents to abandon or shift parts of the town.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Climate context: late Holocene<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Authors link the flood to late Holocene hydro\u2011climatic variability in peninsular India over last ~2,000 years.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Regional records show alternating wet and dry phases, with rivers shifting course and generating episodic high\u2011magnitude floods.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Present course of Vaigai, now a few kilometres away, supports long\u2011term channel migration across the floodplain.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Archaeological significance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Distinguishes\u00a0<strong>habitation age<\/strong>\u00a0of Keezhadi structures from\u00a0<strong>burial age<\/strong>\u00a0of overlying flood sediments, refining site chronology.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Shows environmental hazards, not only political change, shaped settlement history and possible abandonment.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Helps plan future excavations by predicting where thick flood cover may hide intact older layers.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Provides a model for integrating geoscience tools like OSL into interpretation of other South Indian riverine sites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">5. \u2018Samudra Pratap\u2019<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS paper III-Science and technology<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context: The<\/strong> Indian Coast Guard has commissioned its first indigenously designed and built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), \u2018Samudra Pratap\u2019, to strengthen maritime environmental protection.<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3716 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-26-123325.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"299\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>What is \u2018Samudra Pratap\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A specialised Pollution Control Vessel of the Indian Coast Guard for marine pollution control, oil\u2011spill response and firefighting.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>It is the largest ship in the ICG fleet and the first fully indigenously designed and constructed PCV.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Built by Goa Shipyard Limited under a two\u2011ship PCV programme for the Coast Guard.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Main design and technical features<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dimensions: about 114.5 m long, 16.5 m wide, with 4,170\u2011tonne displacement for long\u2011range operations.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>First ICG vessel with Dynamic Positioning (DP\u20111) for accurate station\u2011keeping during pollution control missions.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Fitted with oil\u2011spill detection, oil fingerprinting, viscous\u2011oil recovery gear and an onboard pollution\u2011control laboratory.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Carries FiFi\u20112\/FFV\u20112 class external firefighting systems for shipboard and offshore installations.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Armed with a 30 mm CRN\u201191 gun and two 12.7 mm remote\u2011controlled guns linked to fire\u2011control systems.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Uses indigenous Integrated Bridge, Platform Management and Automated Power Management Systems.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Environmental and strategic importance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Greatly improves India\u2019s capacity to tackle oil spills, chemical leaks and marine pollution in the EEZ and adjoining seas.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Provides rapid response for offshore industrial accidents and ecological emergencies.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Showcases Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India in high\u2011end maritime environmental protection platforms.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">6. Why manufacturing has lagged in India<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS paper III-Economy<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context :<\/strong>India\u2019s manufacturing lags behind China and South Korea.\u200b<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Central puzzle: why services boomed but manufacturing share, jobs and productivity stayed weak.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Role of manufacturing in development<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Manufacturing absorbs surplus labour at rising wages and builds export strength.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>It historically provides broad\u2011based productivity gains before a shift to advanced services.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Arvind Subramanian\u2019s explanation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>He argues India faces a \u201csubtle Dutch disease\u201d driven by high government wages and booming services.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>These factors raised costs and drew workers away from factories, hurting competitiveness.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What is Dutch disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Classic Dutch disease: resource windfall raises currency and wages, squeezing tradable sectors like manufacturing.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Labour and capital shift to booming non\u2011tradables, causing de\u2011industrialisation despite higher incomes.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Applying Dutch disease to India<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Here, the boom came from public jobs and modern services, not natural resources.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>High public salaries and strong services made manufacturing employment relatively unattractive and costly.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Limits of Dutch disease view<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India\u2019s wage rise was gradual and policy\u2011driven, unlike sudden resource shocks.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Framework underplays firms\u2019 weak technological upgrading and structural policy failures.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Innovation theory<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Induced\u2011innovation theory: high wages can push firms to adopt labour\u2011saving technology.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Historical examples: Britain, Germany, Japan, South Korea turned wage pressure into innovation and automation.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Technology and wage stagnation in India<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In IT and software, real entry wages have stagnated despite rapid sector growth.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Many new\u2011age platforms rely on cheap gig labour instead of deep technological upgrading.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Inequality and lopsided growth<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Profits and billionaire wealth rose faster than median wages and productivity.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Growth is concentrated in skill\u2011intensive services, with limited good jobs for the majority.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Central question for India<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Why did higher wages and growth not trigger broad\u2011based innovation and manufacturing dynamism.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Did easy access to cheap labour and policy choices lock India into a low\u2011tech, unequal path.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India\u2019s manufacturing lag reflects both wage\u2011cost dynamics and failure of technological upgrading.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Strategy must align wages, innovation, and industrial policy to generate inclusive, productivity\u2011led growth.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">7. What is the Bureau of Port Security and its role ?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS Paper II -(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Internal Security)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context :<\/strong>Centre has set up the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) as a statutory body under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.\u200b<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It aims to strengthen coastal and port security amid rapid growth in India\u2019s maritime sector.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What is BoPS?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>BoPS is a national regulator for security oversight of ships, ports and related facilities under the shipping ministry.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>It is modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, with powers to set and enforce security standards.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Why was BoPS created?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Coastal security was fragmented among Coast Guard, CISF, State police, Navy and port authorities.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Lack of coordination and single\u2011point accountability created gaps and delays in response.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Key coastal security challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maritime terrorism, arms and drugs smuggling, and human trafficking by sea routes.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Illegal fishing, poaching, piracy and unauthorised intrusions into Indian waters.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Vulnerability of ports and shipping lanes to cyber\u2011attacks and disruption.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>How BoPS will address challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acts as a single statutory body to monitor, coordinate and deter security threats at ports.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Enforces international codes like the ISPS Code and standardises security plans and drills.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Trains security personnel across major and non\u2011major ports for uniform practices.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cybersecurity: new focus area<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Creates a dedicated division to protect port IT infrastructure and digital systems.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Focuses on detecting cyber intrusions and sharing security\u2011related information with national agencies.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>India\u2019s maritime growth<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cargo traffic and port capacity have surged strongly over the last decade.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Coastal shipping volumes and inland waterway cargo have risen, opening new logistics corridors.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Why security becomes critical<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Higher volumes and connectivity raise the stakes of any terrorist or criminal incident.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Disruption at major ports can quickly impact trade, energy supplies and overall economic stability.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>BoPS and Maritime India Vision 2030<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maritime India Vision 2030 seeks safe, sustainable and secure maritime growth.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>BoPS aligns with this by embedding high security standards into port development and operations.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Modernisation of port laws<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>New port and shipping laws replace the 1908 framework with updated security and business norms.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Laws aim to ease Indian ownership, simplify licensing and integrate conservation and security.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Criticisms and concerns<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>States fear Union overreach and dilution of maritime federalism, especially at non\u2011major ports.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Port officers\u2019 wide entry and inspection powers are criticised for weak procedural safeguards.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>BoPS can plug critical gaps in India\u2019s coastal security architecture if implemented cooperatively.\u200b<\/li>\n<li>Balancing strong security with federal principles and civil\u2011liberty safeguards will be essential.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">8. Archaeologists find 2,000-year-old labyrinth that reveals India\u2019s role in ancient global trade<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>GS\u00a0 paper I-ART &amp;Culture<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context : <\/strong>Archaeologists have identified a nearly 2,000\u2011year\u2011old circular stone labyrinth in Solapur, Maharashtra, throwing new light on Indo\u2011Roman trade routes and Satavahana\u2011era commerce.\u200b<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the discovery?<img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3717 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-26-123520-300x171.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"346\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-26-123520-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-26-123520.png 474w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A large circular stone labyrinth built with precisely arranged concentric stone rings.<\/li>\n<li>Tentatively dated to about 2,000 years ago and associated with the Satavahana period (1st\u20133rd century CE).\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Location and setting<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Situated in the Boramani grasslands of Solapur district, Maharashtra.<\/li>\n<li>Semi\u2011arid grassland conditions limited disturbance, helping the structure survive for centuries.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Physical characteristics<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Measures about 50 feet by 50 feet, making it India\u2019s largest known circular labyrinth.<\/li>\n<li>Consists of 15 concentric stone circuits, the highest number documented in Indian circular labyrinths.<\/li>\n<li>Circular in plan, unlike the larger but square labyrinth at Gedimedu, Tamil Nadu.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Landscape context<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lies in open grassland, not inside a settlement, temple complex or fortification.<\/li>\n<li>Indicates use as a marker or ritual\u2011cum\u2011route feature in a wider cultural landscape.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links within western India<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Comparable smaller labyrinths are reported from Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur districts.<\/li>\n<li>Their spatial pattern suggests an interconnected network across western Maharashtra.<\/li>\n<li>Likely aligned with inland Deccan tracks feeding into western coastal ports.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Trade and Indo\u2011Roman connections<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Layout resembles labyrinth motifs seen on ancient Roman coins, including those found in Indian trading centres.<\/li>\n<li>Archaeologists infer that such structures may have served as navigational or symbolic signposts for caravans.<\/li>\n<li>Maharashtra\u2019s position made it a corridor between interior production zones and Arabian Sea ports engaged in Indo\u2011Roman trade.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Overall significance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Strengthens evidence of sophisticated route\u2011planning and symbolic markers in Satavahana\u2011era trade.<\/li>\n<li>Highlights Maharashtra\u2019s pivotal role in ancient trans\u2011regional commerce and cultural exchange.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Demonstrates how grassland landscapes can preserve crucial archaeological remains over millennia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. National Intellegence Grid linked\u00a0 to NPR GS PAPER II-Indian Polity and Governance \/ Internal Security\u2011 Context :NATGRID<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3722,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3715","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\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc.png",1024,1024,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc-300x300.png",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc-768x768.png",640,640,true],"large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc.png",640,640,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc.png",1024,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc.png",1024,1024,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc-825x575.png",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a_National_Intellegenc-590x410.png",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"Nithin DTPoperator","author_link":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/author\/nithindtp\/"},"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\/3715","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\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3715"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3715\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3718,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3715\/revisions\/3718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3722"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkreflectionsias.com\/studentportal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}