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  • SARAL tool to simplify Scientific Research Papers

    Why in the News?

    The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), India’s newest science funding agency, has launched a digital tool called SARAL (Simplified and Automated Research Amplification and Learning) to make scientific research more accessible.

    What is Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?

    • Establishment: Created under the ANRF Act, 2023, replacing the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
    • Nature: Acts as India’s apex science funding and policy-making body.

    • Mission & Objectives: 

      • Raise India’s R&D spending from 0.7% to 2% of GDP by 2030.
      • Mobilise 70% private sector participation in research funding.
      • Promote interdisciplinary research across sciences, technology, health, agriculture, humanities, and social sciences.
      • Align research with Viksit Bharat 2047 and the National Education Policy (NEP).

    • Structure:

      • Chairperson: Prime Minister of India (ex-officio).
      • Vice Presidents: Union Ministers of Science & Technology and Education.
      • Member Secretary: Principal Scientific Advisor.
      • Guided by a Governing Council and Executive Council for policy and funding.

    About SARAL:

    • Developer: Created by IIIT Hyderabad under the guidance of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
    • Purpose: Designed to make complex research papers accessible to students, professionals, and the general public.
    • AI Use: Generates summaries in multiple formats such as slides, videos, posters, and podcasts.
    • Language Support: Available in 11 Indian languages, ensuring wider inclusivity in science communication.
    • Workflow: Users upload research papers (LaTeX, arXiv links, PDFs); AI divides into sections (Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion); it produces editable slides and video summaries.
    • Significance:
      • Democratises science by converting research into layman-friendly outputs.
      • Enhances science communication and outreach.
      • Builds awareness of cutting-edge research across disciplines.
    [UPSC 2015] Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)?

    1. NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government.

    2. NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 only* (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • More Women join the labour force, but are they really employed?

    Introduction

    The female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) is often viewed as a proxy for gender equality and economic dynamism. India’s FLFPR dropped from 31.2% in 2011-12 to 23.3% in 2017-18 but has dramatically risen to 41.7% in 2023-24. At first glance, this looks like a success story. However, closer scrutiny reveals that most women are being absorbed into agriculture, unpaid household enterprises, and low-paying self-employment, rather than formal or secure wage jobs. The paradox is clear: more women are being “counted” in the labour market, but their earnings and economic independence remain stagnant or declining.

    Why is female labour force participation in the news?

    1. Sharp rise in FLFPR: Jumped from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24.
    2. First-time reversal: After years of decline, the participation rate is rising again.
    3. Underlying concern: Despite more women “working,” earnings have fallen, and secure wage jobs remain elusive.
    4. Contradiction: Participation has grown, but instead of diversifying into services/industry, women are moving back into agriculture.

    What explains the rise in female participation?

    1. Rural women as drivers: Most of the rise is accounted for by women in rural India.
    2. Shift from domestic duties: Share of women reporting “domestic duties” fell from 57.8% (2017-18) to 35.7% (2023-24).
    3. Rise in unpaid helpers: Share of “helpers in household enterprises” rose from 9.1% to 19.6%.
    4. Self-employment increase: “Own account workers and employers” rose from 4.5% to 14.6%.

    Are women moving to better jobs?

    1. Agriculture dominance: Share of rural women in agriculture rose from 71.1% (2018-19) to 76.9% (2023-24).
    2. Decline in other sectors: Women’s share in both secondary (industry) and tertiary (services) sectors has fallen.
    3. Blurring boundaries: Women’s unpaid household work overlaps with helper roles in household enterprises, making it questionable whether this should count as “employment.”

    What about earnings and job quality?

    1. Declining real earnings: Except for casual workers, earnings have declined across categories—self-employed, salaried, and even employers.
    2. Vulnerability of self-employment: More women are reporting self-employment, but this has not translated into higher income.
    3. No wage expansion: Growth in FLFPR has not been accompanied by secure wage-based jobs.

    Why does this matter for India’s economy and gender equality?

    1. False signal of empowerment: Higher FLFPR without earnings security reflects distress-driven participation, not genuine empowerment.
    2. Economic vulnerability: Rising unpaid and low-paid work lowers household resilience and women’s autonomy.
    3. Policy challenge: Employment growth is not keeping pace with women’s entry into the workforce, pointing to structural issues in India’s labour market.

    Conclusion

    The sharp rise in India’s female labour force participation hides more than it reveals. Women are being pushed into unpaid or poorly paid work, especially in agriculture and household enterprises, while real earnings are falling. This suggests that India’s growth story is not translating into dignified employment for women. For true gender equality, the focus must shift from mere participation numbers to quality, security, and remuneration of women’s work. Only then will women’s economic empowerment become a reality.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] Distinguish between ‘care economy’ and ‘monetized economy’. How can the care economy be brought into a monetized economy through women empowerment?

    Linkage: The article highlights women’s shift from domestic duties to unpaid helper roles, directly linking the care economy to the challenge of integrating it into the monetized economy through women’s empowerment.

  • Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme

    Why in the News?

    The Government has extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme until March 31, 2026, providing relief and policy certainty to exporters.

    About the RoDTEP Scheme:

    • Launch & Context: Introduced on 1 January 2021 under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015–20, replacing the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) after India lost a case at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
    • Administration: Managed by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and implemented via the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
    • Objective: Refund hidden domestic taxes/duties on exports to ensure goods leave the country free of embedded levies, enhancing competitiveness and ensuring WTO compliance.
    • Coverage: Applicable to all Indian exporters (manufacturers and merchants) including SEZs, Export Oriented Units (EOUs), Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, and Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) units.
    • Timeline: Initially valid till 5 February 2025, restored in May 2025 for AA, EOU, and SEZ exports after industry lobbying, and now extended till 31 March 2026.

    Key Features:

    • Hidden Taxes Covered: Refunds duties such as electricity duty, mandi tax, fuel charges in transport, and local cesses.
    • Rebate Mechanism: Calculated as a percentage of the Free on Board (FOB) value of exports.
    • Refund Mode: Benefits disbursed as electronic scrips (e-scrips), stored in CBIC’s digital ledger.
    • Use of E-Scrips: Can be utilised to pay basic customs duty or transferred to other importers.
    • Sectoral Priority: Focus on labour-intensive industries like textiles, handicrafts, leather, etc.
    • Exclusion: Re-exported goods are not eligible under RoDTEP.
    • Budgetary Control: Operates strictly within annual budget allocations, as clarified by DGFT.
    • Policy Certainty: Extension till 2026 ensures stability for exporters facing global trade headwinds.
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1.  India’s merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.

    2. India’s imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizers and machinery have decreased in recent years.

    3. India’s exports of services are more than its imports of services.

    4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only  (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only*

     

  • Geoengineering Proposals for Polar Regions found flawed

    Why in the News?

    A University of Exeter study found five major polar geoengineering methods ineffective and risky, failing criteria for responsible climate intervention.

    Geoengineering in Polar Regions: Study Findings

    Method Description Intended Benefit Key Findings & Limitations
    Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) Artificially releasing aerosols (SO₂, sulphur particles, TiO₂, CaCO₃) into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight. Reduce surface temperatures by blocking solar radiation.
    • Ineffective in polar winters (no sunlight) and of limited use in summers (ice already highly reflective).
    • Sudden termination can cause “termination shock” with rapid global warming.
    • Potential to disrupt global weather cycles, harming food and water security.
    • No global governance on costs or liability. Estimated cost: $55M/year per country (if 30 nations share).
    Sea Curtains / Sea Walls Massive buoyant barriers anchored to seafloor to block warm currents from reaching ice sheets. Slow melting of glaciers by insulating them from warm water.
    • Technically near-impossible in remote seas like Amundsen (Antarctica).
    • Extremely high costs — >$1 billion/km.
    • Threatens marine circulation, fish migration, and nutrient cycles.
    • Installation in harsh polar seas only possible for few months a year; requires custom-built ships.
    • Risk of toxic materials leaching into ocean.
    Sea Ice Management (Microbeads) Sprinkling glass microbeads over sea ice to increase albedo (reflectivity) and thicken ice. Preserve summer ice, slow down warming.
    • Requires 360M tonnes of beads annually — equal to world’s plastic production.
    • Major logistical and emissions challenges.
    • Beads dissolve quickly, reducing effectiveness.
    • Some studies show beads absorb sunlight, causing net warming.
    • Costly: $500B/year for Arctic deployment; requires 100M pumps, huge energy draw.
    Basal Water Removal Pumping subglacial meltwater from under Antarctic glaciers. Reduce glacier sliding, thus slowing sea-level rise.
    • Flawed logic: subglacial water is constantly replenished by frictional/geothermal heating.
    • Highly emissions-intensive and energy-consuming.
    • Requires continuous monitoring, maintenance, and heavy infrastructure.
    • Long-term sustainability questioned.
    Ocean Fertilisation Adding nutrients (e.g., iron) to stimulate phytoplankton growth, enhancing CO₂ absorption. Sequester more carbon in oceans.
    • No control over which phytoplankton species dominate, creating food chain imbalances. 
    • Could harm marine biodiversity and alter global nutrient cycles.
    • Needs deployment at massive, impractical scale.
    • Risk of side-effects outweighs uncertain benefits.

     

    [UPSC 2020] Consider the following activities:

    1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock extensively on farmlands

    2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime

    3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters

    How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?

    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three* (d) None

     

  • NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)

    Why in the News?

    NASA has recently launched the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.

    About IMAP Mission:

    • Context: Operates under NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Probes Program, following missions like STEREO and IBEX.
    • Objective: To map the heliosphere boundary, study energetic particle acceleration, and understand how the solar wind interacts with the interstellar medium.
    • Location: Positioned at Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), ~1.5 million km from Earth, ensuring continuous solar observation.

    NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)

    Back2Basics: Heliosphere

    • The heliosphere is a vast bubble-like region around the Sun created by the flow of solar wind (charged particles emitted by the Sun).
    • It extends well beyond Pluto and acts as a shield, protecting the solar system from much of the harmful cosmic radiation from interstellar space.
    • Its outer boundary, called the heliopause, marks where solar wind pressure balances with interstellar medium pressure.

    Key Features:

    • Scientific Payload: 10 instruments including- Energetic Neutral Atom Detectors; Charged Particle Detectors and Magnetic & Dust Sensors.
    • Real-Time Alerts: Equipped with I-ALiRT (Active Link for Real-Time) to broadcast space weather data and provide ~30 minutes’ warning of harmful solar radiation.
    • Spacecraft Design: Spin-stabilized, in a Lissajous orbit around L1, ensuring Sun-facing stability.
    • Enhanced Sensitivity: Higher resolution compared to ACE and IBEX, enabling detection of faint cosmic signals.

    Significance:

    • Scientific: Creates the most detailed maps of the heliosphere boundary, improves understanding of solar wind, cosmic rays, and space weather.
    • Technological: Strengthens space weather forecasting, safeguarding satellites, GPS systems, and power grids.
    • Human Spaceflight: Critical for Artemis and future deep-space missions, informing radiation shielding and safe travel routes.
    • Global Collaboration: Complements missions like NASA–ESA’s Solar Orbiter and the upcoming LISA mission, boosting multi-messenger space science.
    • Habitability Research: Provides insights into how heliospheres shield planets, vital for studying Earth’s resilience and exoplanet habitability.
    [UPSC 2016] What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

    Options: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA *

    (b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

    (c) Space observatory launched by China

    (d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

     

  • An anti-terror role that defies logic

    Introduction

    The global fight against terrorism is rooted in credibility, trust, and collective responsibility. Yet, the United Nations’ recent decision to entrust Pakistan with leadership positions in the Taliban Sanctions Committee and as Vice-Chair of the UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee has sparked disbelief. For a country long accused of sheltering terrorists, from Osama bin Laden to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, this appointment is not just ironic but deeply unsettling. Coupled with financial support such as the IMF’s billion-dollar loan to Pakistan despite concerns of terror financing, these developments expose critical vulnerabilities in the UN system. For India, which continues to suffer from cross-border terrorism, this represents a significant diplomatic and security challenge.

    Why is this in the news?

    Pakistan, accused for decades of harbouring terrorists and backing attacks on Indian soil, has been elevated to leadership in global counter-terrorism mechanisms. The timing is striking: the move came just weeks after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack where terrorists killed Indian tourists, followed by India’s Operation Sindoor against terror launchpads. To add to the irony, Pakistan also assumed the UNSC Presidency in July 2025. This is not the first time the UN has made such questionable appointments (Libya on Human Rights, Saudi Arabia on Women’s Rights), but Pakistan’s case is especially alarming given its record of state-sponsored terror. The decision casts doubt on the UN’s integrity, raises questions about its vetting process, and undermines India’s global campaign to expose Pakistan as a terror sponsor.

    How has Pakistan’s role in terrorism been established?

    1. Osama bin Laden Shelter: Found in Abbottabad, near Pakistan’s military academy.
    2. Cross-border attacks: From the 2008 Mumbai attacks to the 2019 Pulwama bombing and the 2025 Pahalgam attack, evidence points to Pakistan-backed groups.
    3. Terror groups supported: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and networks across Afghanistan and Balochistan.
    4. Public protection of terrorists: Hafiz Saeed, despite being a UN-designated terrorist, continues to appear at PoK launchpads and public events under the watch of Pakistan’s security forces.

    Why is Pakistan’s UN role a paradox?

    1. Contradiction with objectives: Pakistan’s terror links directly undermine the goals of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.
    2. FATF leniency: Removal from the FATF grey list in 2022 despite unresolved financing concerns highlights weak vetting.
    3. Geopolitical trade-offs: Powerful nations enable Pakistan’s elevation to secure their own strategic and economic interests.
    4. Dangerous precedent: It signals that state-sponsored terror can be diplomatically whitewashed.

    What loopholes in the UN system does this expose?

    1. Selection flaws: No stringent vetting for compliance with counter-terrorism standards.
    2. Inconsistent moral compass: Earlier cases include Libya chairing the UNHRC and Saudi Arabia heading UN Women’s Rights Commission.
    3. Financial contradictions: IMF’s $1 billion loan in May 2025, just after the Pahalgam attack, raises ethical red flags.
    4. Rewarding duplicity: Pakistan even announced ₹14 crore compensation to families of terrorists, including kin of JeM chief Masood Azhar.

    How does this affect India’s security and diplomacy?

    1. Narrative war: Pakistan may use its position to shift blame for regional instability onto India.
    2. UNSC power play: As vice-chair, Pakistan can obstruct India’s efforts to sanction Pakistan-based terrorists.
    3. Taliban equation: Pakistan could derail India’s outreach to the Taliban regime.
    4. Increased threats: Likely escalation of infiltration, asymmetric warfare, and cyber-attacks on India.

    What counter-measures can India adopt?

    1. Diplomatic alliances: Leverage partnerships with UNSC members to balance Pakistan’s influence.
    2. Narrative building: Intensify global campaigns via media, academia, and diaspora to expose Pakistan’s duplicity.
    3. Engage Taliban directly: Humanitarian missions in Kabul to weaken Pakistan’s monopoly.
    4. Security strengthening: Bolster intelligence and counter-infiltration mechanisms.
    5. Push for accountability: Advocate for periodic reviews and performance audits of UN counter-terrorism bodies.

    Conclusion

    The UN’s decision to entrust Pakistan with counter-terrorism roles is more than a diplomatic anomaly, it is a strategic failure with global repercussions. For India, it signifies a heightened threat environment, a greater diplomatic challenge, and a call for proactive global engagement. What begins as “a seat at the table” could soon translate into control over the agenda. The real danger is not Pakistan’s presence in UN committees but the global community pretending it does not matter.

    UPSC Relevance

    [UPSC 2015] Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples.

    Linkage: Pakistan’s elevation to UN counter-terrorism roles despite its proven terror links deepens mutual distrust with India, underscoring why soft power avenues like sports and cultural exchanges remain fragile yet essential tools to rebuild limited goodwill.

  • Laser Interferometer Lunar Antenna (LILA) Project

    Why in the News?

    Scientists are planning the Laser Interferometer Lunar Antenna (LILA) Project on the Moon to bypass seismic noise, atmosphere, and frequency limits faced by Earth-based detectors like Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO).

    What are Gravitational Waves?

    • Overview: Gravitational waves are ripples in the spacetime continuum created when massive objects such as black holes or neutron stars collide.
    • Speed & Effect: They travel at the speed of light, subtly stretching and compressing spacetime. On small scales, effects are extremely weak (e.g., Earth–Moon distance altered by less than an atom’s diameter).
    • Prediction: Proposed by Albert Einstein (1916) in his General Theory of Relativity.
    • First Detection: In 2015, LIGO recorded the first gravitational waves from two colliding black holes 1.3 billion light-years away, confirming their existence.

    Detection on Earth and Challenges:

    • Ground Observatories: LIGO (USA), Virgo (Italy), KAGRA (Japan), GEO600 (Germany) use laser interferometers to detect minuscule delays in light caused by waves.
    • Working of LIGO: Two L-shaped detectors (Louisiana, Washington), each with 4 km arms; differences in reflections signal gravitational waves.
    • Detection Range: Sensitive to events up to 7 billion light years away; frequency range ~100–1,000 Hz.
    • Challenges: Seismic noise, atmosphere, and human activity mask weaker signals.
    • Future Space Missions:
      • LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, 2030s): Three satellites in triangular formation, sensitive to 0.1 millihertz–0.1 hertz.
      • SKA (Square Kilometre Array, Australia & South Africa): Monitors pulsars for nanohertz waves.
      • Decihertz Gap: Frequencies 0.1–10 Hz remain unexplored, which LILA aims to study.

    About Laser Interferometer Lunar Antenna (LILA) Project

    • Overview: Proposed by Vanderbilt Lunar Labs, USA, to build a gravitational-wave detector on the Moon.
    • Ideal Conditions: The Moon’s polar shadow zones provide ultra-low seismic activity, natural vacuum, and no atmospheric or radio interference.
    • Focus: Sub-hertz gravitational waves, vital for studying intermediate-mass black holes and the early universe.
    • Phases:
      • LILA Pioneer: Can be deployed within this decade using American lunar landers (Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines) and possibly India’s Chandrayaan programme.
      • LILA Horizon: Advanced phase requiring astronauts for setup.
    • Cosmic Symphony Analogy:
      • SKA: Captures low-frequency “bass notes.”
      • LIGO (and future LIGO-India): Detects high-pitched bursts from stellar collisions.
      • LILA: Covers missing middle frequencies, completing the “cosmic raag.”
    • Historical Note: Since Apollo, retro-reflectors on the Moon track Earth–Moon distance. Some scientists suggest the Earth–Moon system itself acts as a natural detector.

    Significance:

    • Scientific Advancement: Opens the decihertz frontier, inaccessible so far.
    • Global Collaboration: Complements LIGO-India (IndIGO project), operational by 2030.
    • Research Potential: Helps study intermediate-mass black holes, cosmic mergers, and universe origins.
    • Lunar Astronomy: Marks the start of using the Moon as a laboratory for space science.
    • Holistic Coverage: With LISA, SKA, and Earth detectors, LILA would map the entire gravitational-wave spectrum, giving a complete picture of the universe.
    [UPSC 2020] The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.”  The experiment in question refers to

    Options: (a) Voyager-2 (b) New Horizons (c) LISA Pathfinder (d) Evolved LISA*

     

  • [pib] Siphon-Based Thermal Desalination System

    Why in the News?

    Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a siphon-based thermal desalination system that overcomes siltation issues, offering a low-cost and scalable solution.

    About Siphon-Based Thermal Desalination System:

    • Overview: Developed by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers to overcome the inefficiencies of conventional solar stills.
    • Purpose: Designed as a low-cost, scalable, and sustainable freshwater solution for off-grid and water-stressed regions.

    • Working: 

      • Principle: Works on siphonage, where a fabric wick draws salty water and gravity maintains continuous flow.
      • Innovation: A grooved metallic surface flushes away salt deposits before crystallization, preventing clogging.
      • Process: Salty water evaporates as a thin film on a heated surface and condenses just 2 mm away on a cooler surface, ensuring high efficiency.

    Key Features:

    • High Efficiency: Generates >6 liters of freshwater per sq. m per hour under sunlight — several times more than conventional solar stills.
    • Multistage Design: Uses stacked evaporator–condenser pairs to recycle heat and boost output.
    • Salt Resistance: Handles up to 20% salinity without clogging, making it effective even for brine treatment.
    • Affordable Materials: Built from aluminum and fabric, keeping costs low.
    • Energy Flexibility: Operates on solar power or waste heat, adaptable to different settings.
    • Scalable Applications: Useful for villages, disaster zones, and island communities.
    • Sustainability: Offers a clean, low-maintenance desalination method without reliance on complex machinery.
    [UPSC 2008] Where was the first desalination plant in India to produce one lakh liters of freshwater per day based on low-temperature thermal desalination principle commissioned?

    Options: (a) Kavaratti * (b) Port Blair (c) Mangalore (d) Valsad

     

  • Bihar adds 2 more Wetlands to Ramsar List

    Why in the News?

    India has added two new wetlands in Bihar, Gokul Jalashay (Buxar district) and Udaipur Jheel (West Champaran district), to the global Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance.

    Important Facts:

    • With this, India’s Ramsar sites rise to 93, consolidating its top rank in Asia and third in the world, after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).
      • Bolivia has the largest Ramsar wetland area (Llanos de Moxos wetlands – 6.9 million ha).
    • India’s Ramsar sites have expanded from 26 in 2012 to 93 in 2025, covering 13.6 lakh hectares, with 51 sites added since 2020.
    • Globally, there are 2,544 Ramsar sites.

    Facts about the two Wetlands:

    1. Gokul Jalashay (Buxar District):

      • Oxbow lake spread over 448 hectares on the southern edge of the Ganga River.
      • Acts as a flood buffer during high water events.
      • Supports 50+ bird species and provides livelihoods through fishing, farming, and irrigation.

    2. Udaipur Jheel (West Champaran District):

      • Oxbow lake covering 319 hectares, part of the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary ecosystem, formed by the Gandaki River.
      • Enhances ecological connectivity and supports the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.

    About the Ramsar Convention:

    • Establishment: Signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
    • Objective: Provide a framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
    • Functions:
      • Identify and designate wetlands of international importance.
      • Promote effective management of wetlands.
      • Foster international cooperation for conservation.
    • Members: 173 countries (as of 2025).
    • India and Ramsar:
      • India joined in 1982.
      • First Ramsar site: Chilika Lake, Odisha (1981).
      • Current total: 93 sites (Sept 2025), covering 13,60,718 hectares.
      • Growth: From 26 sites in 2012 to 93 in 2025 (51 added since 2020).
      • State-wise: Tamil Nadu has the highest (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
      • About 10% of India’s total wetland area is under Ramsar listing.
    • Montreux Record: List of Ramsar sites under threat of ecological change.
      • 48 sites globally (2025).
      • 2 Indian sites included: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
    • World Wetlands Day: Celebrated on February 2nd every year.
      • 2025 Theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.

    Criteria for Declaration (9 Criteria):

    A wetland can be declared a Ramsar site if it meets at least one of these:

    1. Has unique, rare, or representative wetland types.
    2. Supports vulnerable, endangered, or endemic species.
    3. Provides critical habitat for waterfowl, especially during migration.
    4. Contains significant ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological features.
    5. Supports biodiversity conservation and scientific research.
    6. Provides ecosystem services like flood control, groundwater recharge, and water purification.
    7. Has cultural, spiritual, or recreational importance.
    8. Ensures sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
    9. Faces threats requiring international cooperation for conservation.
    [UPSC 2022] Consider the following pairs:

    Wetland/Lake Location

    1. Hokera Wetland — Punjab 2. Renuka Wetland — Himachal Pradesh

    3. Rudrasagar Lake — Tripura 4. Sasthamkotta Lake — Tamil Nadu

    How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

    Options: (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs* (c) Only three pairs (d) All four pairs

     

  • World’s highest bridge opens to traffic in China 

    Why in the News?

    The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou province, China, is now the world’s tallest bridge, standing 625 m above the Beipan River.

    World's highest bridge opens to traffic in China 

    About Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge:

    • Height: Rises 625 m above the Beipan River, surpassing the previous record-holder, the Beipanjiang Bridge (565 m).
    • Connectivity: Links the Liuzhi Special District and Anlong Special District, reducing travel time from 2 hours to just 2 minutes.
    • Transport Network: Part of the Guizhou S57 Expressway and the 190 km Shantian–Puxi Expressway, boosting transport, economy, and tourism.
    • Engineering Hub: Guizhou, called the “bridge museum of the world”, now has nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges, showcasing China’s leadership in high-altitude civil engineering.

    Key Features of the Bridge:

    • Height Record: Deck-to-water clearance of 625 m, taller than most skyscrapers.
    • Span & Length: Total length 2,890 m, with a 1,420 m suspension span, the longest in any mountainous region globally.
    • Construction: Began January 2022, completed in just over three years; final truss installed January 2025; load-tested with 96 trucks.