SIPRI Yearbook 2025 – Nuclear Arms Race
- India: 180 nuclear warheads, modernizing triad (land, sea, air-based), shifting toward mating warheads with launchers.
- Pakistan: 170 warheads, focus on tactical delivery.
- China: 600 warheads, building ICBM silos; keeps warheads mounted during peacetime.
- Global Context: 12,241 warheads globally; the US and Russia dominate. Expiring arms treaties increase risks.
Inclusive Pension System for India
- Issue: Pension assets are only 17% of GDP; <12% workforce is covered.
- Schemes: NPS, APY, Unified Pension Scheme (2024), NPS Vatsalya.
- Challenges: Fragmentation, low awareness, inadequate coverage.
- Recommendations: Tiered pension model, mandatory base pension, tech-driven outreach.
Bonn Climate Change Conference 2025
- Mid-year UNFCCC event setting technical agenda for COP29.
- Theme: Operationalizing Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
- India-led initiative (since 2024) for big cat conservation.
- Covers 7 species, including the Tiger, Lion, Puma, and Jaguar.
- India is HQ; Bhupender Yadav is President.
India’s Quantum Leap in Communication
- DRDO & IIT Delhi demo: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over 1 km in open air.
- Indigenous tech; secure rate 240 bps, <7% error.
Strait of Hormuz
- Major oil chokepoint: ~20% of global oil passes through.
- India imports ~85% crude oil via this route.
- Operation Sankalp: India’s naval escort mission here.
G7 Summit 2025 (Kananaskis, Canada)
India’s Role: Participated as Outreach Country.
Key Outcomes:
- Kananaskis Wildfire Charter: Reversing deforestation by 2030 (India endorsed).
- G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan: Builds on Japan’s 2023 plan (India endorsed).
- RISE Partnership: World Bank-led supply chain program.
- AI Initiative: “GovAI Grand Challenge” + Rapid Solution Labs.
- Digital Divide: Aligns with UN Global Digital Compact.
- Condemned: Transnational Repression (TNR).
- Smuggling: G7 Coalition + 2024 Action Plan to curb migrant smuggling.
PM’s Visit to Cyprus
- First Indian PM visit in 23 years.
- PM raised terrorism-related concerns at the G7 Outreach Session.
Green India Mission (Revised Mission Document, 2025)
- Launched: 2011, under NAPCC.
- Targets:
- 24 million ha of afforestation.
- 2.5–3.0 billion tonnes CO₂ sink by 2030.
- Sub-Missions: Improve forest quality, increase cover, boost forest-based income.
- Key Strategies:
- Micro-ecosystem approach.
- CSR & carbon markets.
- Green India Force (youth cadre).
- Funding: Mission allocation + CAMPA fund.
Crocodile Conservation Project – 50 Years (Launched: 1 April 1975)
- Species in India:
- Gharial – Critically Endangered
- Mugger – Vulnerable
- Saltwater – Least Concern
- Successes:
- Odisha – All 3 species’ conservation centres.
- Mugger: 8,000–10,000.
- Saltwater: ~2,500 (mainly Bhitarkanika).
- Gharial: 80% of the global population lives in India.
- New Project (2025): Expand gharial to Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, Mahanadi.
- Support: UNDP/FAO + Indian govt.
Ordinary Matter vs. Dark Matter (Astronomy Discovery)
- Ordinary Matter: 15% of the universe, includes gas, dust, and stars.
- Dark Matter: ~85%, invisible, weak interaction.
- New Discovery:
- FRBs (Fast Radio Bursts) are used as cosmic probes.
- Solved “missing baryonic matter” mystery.
- Distribution: 76% IGM, 15% halos, 9% galaxies.
Global Drought Outlook 2025 (OECD)
- 40% of the land area faces frequent, severe drought.
- Economic Impact: 3–7.5% cost rise per drought.
- Ecological Impact: 37% land with lower soil moisture.
- Indian Measures:
- NADAMS, PMKSY-WDC, Atal Bhujal Yojana.
- Global Measures:
- UNCCD Drought Initiative.
- WMO-GWP Drought Management Program.
SCIAP Project
- Under SBM-Urban, EVs are used in waste collection.
- Pilot Cities: Bhopal, Guntur, Mysore, Vijayawada, Jaipur.
- Supported by: GEF, UNIDO, UN-Habitat, MoHUA.
- Goal: Promote sustainable urban management.
Nonia Rebellion (1770s)
- Location: Hajipur, Saran, Purnia (Bihar).
- Led by: Lonia community (linked to salt industry).
- Motivation: Anti-British movement, continued for 30 years.
- Link: Responded to Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha (Buddhu Nonia).
NISAR Mission (NASA-ISRO SAR)
- Technology: Synthetic Aperture Radar (microwave-based).
- Use: 24/7 Earth observation (land & ice surfaces every 12 days).
- Benefit: Works in dark/cloudy conditions.
Shipki La Pass (HP)
- Reopened after 2020 closure.
- Location: Connects India-Tibet via Kinnaur.
- River: The Sutlej enters India through this pass.
Dhansiri River (Nagaland/Assam)
- Origin: Laisang peak (Nagaland).
- Flows between: Karbi Anglong & Nagaland.
- Joins: South bank of the Brahmaputra.
- Ecosystem: Dhansiri Reserve Forest, Intangki National Park.
Exercise Shakti 2025
- Type: Biennial India-France Army exercise.
- Venue: Camp Larzac, France.
- Other India-France drills: Varuna (Navy), Garuda (Air Force).
Fossil Discovery – Nothopegia Genus
- Age: 23–24 million years old.
- Found in: Northeast India.
- Now found in: Western Ghats.
- Reason for migration: Himalayan uplift, climate change.
Barak Magen (Israel Defence System)
- Type: Naval air defence system.
- Targets: UAVs, missiles, drones.
- Other Israeli Systems: Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow, Laser Iron Beam.
Israel–Iran Conflict Escalation
Russia’s Role
- Russia offered mediation between Israel and Iran.
- Statement by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
- Russia claims Israel is reluctant to accept external mediation.
- President Putin: Russia is ready to provide mediation if needed.
France’s View
- French President Emmanuel Macron:
- Russia is not suitable as a mediator due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
China’s Reaction
- China accuses US President Donald Trump of:
- “Pouring oil on the fire” in the Iran-Israel conflict.
- Escalating tension with provocative statements.
- Trump’s Statement: Urged the evacuation of Tehran via Truth Social.
- Chinese MFA Spokesperson Guo Jiakun:
- Warned that threats and pressure would only intensify conflict, not resolve it.
Current Situation Summary
- Israel began launching strikes on Iran, citing nuclear threats.
- Iran retaliated with counter strikes on Israel.
- Nuclear deal talks with Iran have been disrupted due to escalations.
- Global fears rise over potential widening of Middle East conflict.
IPOs in India
Performance Overview
- Only 70% IPOs listed at a premium (lowest since 2017 – 78%).
- CY2024: 85% IPOs listed at a premium (best year post-COVID).
Listing Gains
- CY2024: Average listing gain 45–49%.
- CY2025: Average listing gain ~7%.
- Out of 15 IPOs with data:
- 8 trading below the issue price.
- 6 companies saw >80% fall in share price.
- Some shares are priced < ₹1 per share.
Factors Behind Poor Performance
- Market Volatility due to:
- U.S. tariff actions.
- Israel–Iran conflict.
- Tensions with Pakistan.
- Correction from a 4-year bull run post-COVID.
- Weakened investor sentiment post-listing.