Content
- Uttarakhand Adopts Uniform Civil Code
- India, China to Resume Direct Flights, Issue Visas
- Navigating Growth Challenges in Sri Lanka
- Will the FY26 Budget Reverse the Decline in Social Sector Spending?
- Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome Life-Threatening?
- RBI Moves to Ease Liquidity Crunch
- Odisha: Coal Dust Affecting Plant Growth and Carbon Uptake
- Astronomers Discover Supersonic Winds on Exoplanet WASP-127b
Uttarakhand adopts Uniform Civil Code
Uttarakhand Becomes First State to Implement UCC Post-Independence
- Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami rolled out the UCC for all residents, excluding Scheduled Tribes and natives who have migrated out of the state.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance)
Key Provisions of the UCC
- Bans Harmful Practices: Halala, iddat, and talaq (practices under Muslim Personal Law) are prohibited.
- Women’s Rights: Ensures equal rights for women in property and inheritance matters.
- Online Marriage & Divorce Registration: Marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships must be registered on the government portal (ucc.uk.gov.in).
UCC Portal Features
- Aadhaar-Based Verification: Mandatory for authentication.
- AI-Based Translation: Translates content into 22 languages, including English.
- Integrated Data: Combines data from over 13 government departments (e.g., police, courts, civic bodies).
Marriage Registration Requirements
- Marriages since March 26, 2010, must be registered within 6 months.
- Marriages post-UCC implementation need to be registered within 60 days.
Registration of Divorce/Annulment
- Details required: marriage registration, decree of divorce, court case number, final order, children’s details, and court order copy.
Will Registration Options
- Can register via:Form filling on the portalUploading handwritten/typed willRecording and uploading a 3-minute video.
Potential Impacts
- The UCC rollout is seen as a major policy shift in India’s legal framework, aiming to standardize laws concerning marriage, divorce, and inheritance across all communities, except those specifically exempted.
India, China to resume direct flights, issue visas
Resumption of Key Bilateral Activities
- Direct Flights: Both countries have agreed to resume direct flights between India and China.
- Visa Issuance: Visa processes will restart, facilitating travel between the two nations.
- Mansarovar Pilgrimage: The Mansarovar Yatra for pilgrims will restart in summer 2025.
- People-to-People Exchanges: Measures to promote cultural, media, and think tank interactions have been agreed upon.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations )
Hydrological Data Sharing and Trans-Border Rivers
- India and China will resume dialogue on the trans-border rivers and sharing of hydrological data that China had previously withheld, a significant issue for India.
Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
- Both nations will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of India-China ties with celebratory events.
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need to end “mutual suspicion and estrangement.”
Economic and Trade Discussions
- Both sides discussed trade curbs and economic issues:
- India has concerns about Chinese restrictions on key materials like pharmaceutical ingredients and high-tech exports.
- China raised issues about India’s investment restrictions on Chinese companies and business visas, especially after the 2020 tensions.
- Discussions aim at promoting policy transparency and predictability in the economic sector.
Progress on Bilateral Dialogue
- Vikram Misri (India’s Foreign Secretary) met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong to review and enhance bilateral relations.
- This meeting follows the Modi-Xi meeting in October in Kazan, where both leaders agreed to stabilize relations.
Reactivation of Dialogue Mechanisms
- The FS-Vice FM level bilateral dialogue mechanism has been resumed, marking a return to regular diplomatic talks after a hiatus due to tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- The resumed dialogue includes meetings between top-level officials such as Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping, and discussions involving Foreign Ministers, Defense Ministers, and Special Representatives.
Economic Concerns
- Specific economic issues raised include trade barriers, investment clearance requirements, and the withholding of critical equipment from China, including Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
SCO Summit and Future Bilateral Engagements
- India has offered its support for China’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2025.
- PM Modi is expected to attend the SCO Head of State Summit in June 2025, further solidifying the diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Unclear on Informal Summit
- There is no clear indication yet whether the resumption of dialogues will include an informal summit like those in Wuhan (2018) and Mamallapuram (2020), which were used to ease tensions and foster communication between the two leaders.
Navigating growth challenges in Sri Lanka
Economic Outlook: Cautious Optimism
- Post-Crisis Stabilization: Sri Lanka is recovering from its worst economic crisis (2022-2023) after defaulting on external debt in April 2022.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations )
- Prudent Policies: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s monetary policies, alongside a $3 billion IMF program and $4 billion Indian aid, have helped stabilize the economy.
- Debt Restructuring: A $17.5 billion debt restructuring deal with private bondholders and China has provided breathing space.
- Tourism Recovery: Tourism has surged, with over 2 million visitors in 2024, contributing to foreign exchange reserves.
- Growth Forecast: World Bank predicts growth will slow from 4.4% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025.
Internal Challenges
- Brain Drain: 300,000 people left Sri Lanka in 2024, including skilled professionals (IT, banking, medicine), creating a significant talent gap.
- Inexperienced Parliament: Over 150 first-time MPs in Sri Lanka’s 225-member Parliament, mostly from the National Peoples Power (NPP), posing a challenge to enacting effective economic reforms.
- Solutions: Focus on public sector efficiency, training MPs in legislative processes, and investing in public policy education for civil servants.
Tourism Potential
- Tourism Surge: 38% increase in tourists from 2023 to 2024.
- Sustainability Focus: To ensure sustainable growth, tourism should benefit regions beyond Colombo (north and east) and support small businesses.
- Gang Violence: Tackling gang-related violence is essential for a secure tourism environment.
Fiscal Sustainability
- Revenue Increase, Spending High: While revenue has risen, government spending remains high due to the state’s expansive role in the economy.
- State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): Loss-making SOEs (like SriLankan Airlines and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation) drain public funds. Privatisation or restructuring may be necessary for fiscal stability.
- No Privatisation Plan: The government plans to reform SOEs through better management but avoids privatisation.
External Factors
- Geopolitical Shifts: Changes in the Indo-Pacific post-Trump re-election will impact Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, with India emerging as a critical economic partner.
- India-Sri Lanka Relations: Strengthening economic ties with India is crucial, particularly in areas like cross-border energy projects and the free trade agreement.
- Sri Lanka must also address security concerns, especially halting visits from Chinese spy ships that have caused regional tensions.
External Debt and Repayment Risks
- Upcoming Debt Repayments: Starting mid-2027, Sri Lanka faces the risk of external debt repayments unless it can generate sufficient foreign exchange.
- Partnership with IMF and World Bank: Sri Lanka needs continued support from international organizations and India to avoid another crisis.
Path Forward
- Comprehensive Growth Plan Needed: Sri Lanka must balance debt sustainability with economic growth.
- National Budget 2025: The February National Budget is a key opportunity for the government to implement bold policies and set a clear vision for Sri Lanka’s future.
Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka’s economy is stabilizing but remains fragile.
- The government faces internal challenges like a brain drain, an inexperienced Parliament, and fiscal imbalances.
- Tourism and economic ties with India are critical growth drivers.
- The government must focus on sustainable growth, debt management, and economic reforms to secure long-term prosperity.
Will the FY26 Budget Reverse the Decline in Social Sector Spending?
Declining Share in Union Budget
- Overall Decline: The share of the Union Budget allocated to key social sectors has been decreasing in recent years, affecting crucial areas like health, rural development, education, and social welfare.
Relevance : GS 3(Economy )
- Key Sectors Affected:
- Health: The share dropped from 2.47%-2.22% (FY18-22) to 1.85%-1.75% (FY23-25).
- Rural Development: Allocation stayed below 6% in the last few years, stagnating after a long period of low allocation.
- Higher Education: Reduced from 1.57%-1.37% (FY17-20) to 1.27%-0.88% (FY21-25).
- School Education: Declined from 2.18%-1.96% to 1.61%-1.23%.
- Social Welfare: Dropped from 1.89%-1.61% to 1.17%-0.97% in the same period.
Scheme-Level Allocation Cuts
- MGNREGS: Allocation for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for 2024-25 is only ₹86,000 crore (1.78% of the total budget), marking a 10-year low.
- Shortfall in Funding: The Rural Development Ministry faced a ₹4,315 crore shortfall, causing delays in wage disbursements for MGNREGS workers.
- National Social Assistance Programme: Allocations for schemes like old age pensions, widow pensions, and disability pensions fell drastically from 1.21%-0.36% (FY19-21) to 0.2% in the last four years.
- PM-POSHAN Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) allocations, which fund mid-day meals for children in schools, have declined to 0.26% of the total budget in FY25—the lowest in nine years (except FY24).
Exceptions to the Trend
- Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY): Allocations for the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) have been increasing or stable, supporting healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
- PMAY-Rural: Allocations for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)-Rural have either increased or remained stable.
- PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI): This school education scheme has also seen stable or increasing funding, a positive development for education in rural areas.
The Need for Action in FY26 Budget
- Challenges: With the FY26 Budget set for presentation on February 1, it will be crucial to address the ongoing cuts in social sector funding, particularly in MGNREGS, social assistance programs, and nutritional schemes like PM-POSHAN.
- Budget Examination: Key social welfare sectors to focus on include:
- Health: Funding for flexible pools and autonomous bodies like AIIMS.
- Rural Development: Ensuring adequate funding for MGNREGS and PMAY-Rural.
- Social Welfare: Allocating enough to schemes for old age, widow, and disability pensions.
Key Observations and Recommendations
- Critical Social Schemes at Risk: Continued decline in allocations risks undermining essential services for rural development, healthcare, and education.
- Focus on Inclusivity: The Budget should prioritize the socio-economic inclusion of vulnerable communities, ensuring equitable distribution of resources for essential services.
- Sustainability of Key Schemes: Programs like MGNREGS, PM-POSHAN, and social assistance should be funded adequately to maintain their impact.
Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome Life-Threatening?
Overview of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
- What it is: GBS is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness and potentially paralysis.
- Incidence: Affects about 1-2 per 1,00,000 people, with adults and males being more commonly affected.
Relevance : GS 2(Health )
- Outbreak in Pune: As of January 25, 2025, there have been 73 reported cases in Pune, Maharashtra, with 14 patients on ventilator support. A Rapid Response Team has been deployed by the state to investigate the cause.
Causes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Unknown cause: The exact cause is still not fully understood, but viral or bacterial infections are common triggers.
- Infections linked to GBS:
- Campylobacter jejuni (a bacteria causing gastroenteritis) is one of the most frequent triggers.
- Other viruses like influenza, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Zika virus can also lead to GBS.
Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Initial Symptoms: Typically, tingling and weakness start in the feet and legs, gradually spreading to the upper body, arms, and face.
- Key symptoms:
- Pins and needles sensation in extremities.
- Pain in the back, legs, and limbs.
- Difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
- Facial movement problems and double vision.
- In severe cases, paralysis can occur, particularly affecting arms, legs, or face.
- Respiratory issues if chest muscles are affected, making breathing difficult.
- Life-threatening complications: If GBS affects the autonomic nervous system, it can disrupt blood pressure and heart rate, making the condition potentially life-threatening.
Treatment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- No Cure: There is currently no cure for GBS, but treatment can aid recovery.
- Primary treatments:
- Plasma exchange (Plasmapheresis): This involves removing and treating the plasma (liquid part of the blood) to eliminate harmful antibodies attacking the nerves.
- Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg): Immunoglobulins are injected into the body to reduce the immune system’s attack on the nerves.
- Supportive Care: Intensive care may be needed, especially for patients with severe symptoms. Rehabilitation such as physical therapy and occupational therapy is often required to aid recovery.
Recovery and Prognosis
- Recovery timeline: Most patients can make a nearly full recovery, although it can take several months to years.
- Severity: The degree of recovery depends on how severe the disease was. Some patients recover faster, while others may face long-term effects.
Is GBS Life-Threatening?
- Potentially life-threatening: While most people survive, severe cases of GBS can affect breathing and heart functions, requiring intensive medical care. Quick diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
What’s Happening in Pune?
- Reported Outbreak: As of January 2025, Pune has seen a rise in GBS cases, with 73 affected individuals. This has led to intervention by the Union Health Ministry, which has sent a team to assess the situation, while the Maharashtra government has deployed a Rapid Response Team to investigate the cause.
RBI Moves to Ease Liquidity Crunch
Overview
- RBI’s Response: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a series of measures aimed at injecting liquidity into the banking system to address the liquidity deficit that has recently widened.
- Objective: These steps are designed to ease liquidity pressures in the banking system, ensuring smoother functioning of credit markets and financial stability.
Relevance : GS 3(Banking , Economy)
Key Measures Announced
Government Bond Purchases:
- The RBI will purchase 600 billion rupees ($6.96 billion) worth of government bonds in three tranches.
- This is expected to inject liquidity directly into the financial system, supporting the bond market and helping the government in managing its fiscal needs.
56-Day Variable Rate Repo Auction:
- On February 7, 2025, the RBI will conduct a 56-day variable rate repo auction worth 500 billion rupees.
- Repo auctions allow banks to borrow money from the RBI against government securities, helping to manage short-term liquidity needs.
USD/INR Swap Auction:
- The RBI will conduct a $5 billion USD/INR buy/sell swap auction on January 31, 2025, with a six-month tenor.
- This move is aimed at easing foreign exchange liquidity in the market and stabilizing the rupee-dollar exchange rate.
Context of the Measures
- Liquidity Deficit: The banking system’s liquidity deficit had reached a one-year peak in the previous fortnight, signaling tight liquidity conditions in the financial system.
- Impact of Measures: These actions are designed to ease short-term liquidity pressures, lower borrowing costs for banks, and support overall economic activity.
Expected Outcomes
- Stabilizing Market: By injecting liquidity, the RBI aims to stabilize the banking system, ensure adequate funding, and support market confidence.
- Currency Stability: The foreign exchange swap auction is also expected to help in maintaining stability in the rupee against major currencies, especially the US dollar.
Odisha: Coal Dust Affecting Plant Growth and Carbon Uptake
Overview
- Location: The study focuses on the effects of coal dust from open-cast coal mining in Jharsuguda, Odisha, a key region for coal production in India.
- Findings: Dust from mining operations is clogging plant leaves, reducing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and affecting their water vapour release, which could worsen global warming.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment )
Insights from the Study
Impact on Carbon Absorption:
- Plants covered in mining dust absorbed 2-3 grams less carbon per square meter of leaf area, compared to dust-free leaves.
- Reduced carbon absorption means more carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Effect on Transpiration:
- Dust-clogged stomata (leaf pores) affect transpiration, reducing a plant’s ability to release water vapour.
- Without effective transpiration, plants cannot regulate their temperature properly, leading to stunted growth or even death over time.
Long-Term Ecological Damage:
- The cumulative effect of reduced carbon absorption and poor transpiration could have long-term consequences for local ecosystems, impacting biodiversity and regional climate regulation.
Study Methodology:
- Researchers used satellite data from Landsat-8, Sentinel-2, and PlanetScope to estimate how much dust settled on plant leaves.
- In-situ validation was done by collecting 300 leaf samples in Jharsuguda, confirming the satellite-derived estimates.
Impact on Large Areas:
- Though individual plants lose small amounts of carbon, the cumulative effect on vast forested areas or vegetation near mining sites can be significant over time.
Environmental and Health Implications
- Air Pollution: Open-cast mining produces large amounts of dust, which not only pollutes the air but also affects human health by causing respiratory issues.
- Temperature Regulation: Without effective transpiration, plants may become warmer, affecting their growth and the overall local microclimate.
Potential Solutions
- Monitoring Dust Pollution: The study suggests the use of satellite data as a cost-effective way for governments to monitor dust pollution in mining areas and identify pollution hotspots.
- Mitigation Measures:
- Water sprays on mining sites to reduce dust dispersion.
- Dust barriers around vegetation areas to protect plants from excessive dust deposition.
- Stricter Regulations: Experts stress the need for stringent measures to curb dust emissions from mining operations to protect both human health and ecosystems.
Astronomers Discover Supersonic Winds on Exoplanet WASP-127b
Overview
- Location: WASP-127b is a gas giant exoplanet located about 520 light-years from Earth, orbiting a star similar to our Sun.
- Key Finding: Scientists have detected supersonic winds on WASP-127b, reaching speeds of 33,000 km/h—the fastest winds discovered on any known planet.
Relevance : GS 3(Space )
Key Features of WASP-127b
Size and Structure:
- WASP-127b is a hot Jupiter—a gas giant that orbits extremely close to its star.
- It has a diameter 30% larger than Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet, but its mass is only about 16% of Jupiter’s, making it one of the “puffiest” planets ever observed.
Atmospheric Conditions:
- The planet’s atmosphere is around 2,060°F (1,127°C), scorching due to its proximity to its star.
- One side of the planet always faces the star (the day side), while the other remains in perpetual night, leading to significant temperature differences.
- The atmosphere contains hydrogen, helium, and trace amounts of carbon monoxide and water.
Orbit and Rotation:
- It orbits its host star every 4 days, at a distance that’s only about 5% of the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
- The planet’s day-night cycle is extreme due to its close orbit, with one side always exposed to the intense stellar radiation, while the other remains shielded in darkness.
Discovery of Supersonic Winds
Wind Speed:
- Astronomers found that winds at the equator of WASP-127b reach speeds of up to 33,000 km/h, faster than any wind speed detected on other known planets. For comparison, Neptune’s jet streams reach speeds of around 2,000 km/h, and Earth’s jet stream tops out at 442 km/h.
Research Insights:
- The winds on WASP-127b are driven primarily by stellar irradiation, as the planet is constantly bombarded by high levels of energy from its host star.
- These supersonic jet streams circle the planet, creating a global wind pattern rather than winds confined to specific regions.
Key Scientific Takeaways
Unique Wind Dynamics:
- Previous exoplanet studies have detected strong winds, but usually confined to the day-night cycle (winds flowing from the hot day side to the cooler night side). The winds on WASP-127b are unique in that they circulate the entire planet.
Driving Factors:
- Irradiation from the host star is the primary energy source for these winds, but other factors like temperature differences, planetary rotation, and atmospheric composition also contribute to shaping the wind patterns.
Atmospheric Composition:
- The study identified traces of more complex molecules in WASP-127b’s atmosphere, including carbon monoxide and water, adding to our understanding of the atmospheric conditions on hot Jupiters.
Implications for Exoplanet Studies
- This discovery of supersonic winds on WASP-127b provides valuable insights into the atmospheric dynamics of exoplanets, especially gas giants that orbit very close to their stars.
- Understanding these wind patterns could help scientists model climate systems on other exoplanets and deepen our knowledge of planetary weather and atmospheric behavior in extreme environments.
