theIASHub | 12 Jun, 2025 | 5
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International Telecommunication Union (ITU): Recently, India hosted the third meeting of the International Telecommunication Union’s Focus Group on AI-Native Networks (FG-AINN) in New Delhi.
o Organized by: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
o Purpose: To explore and define fundamental changes in network architecture needed to fully leverage AI
o To identify the requirements, challenges, and opportunities of AI-native networks
o Capable of self-management, self-optimization, and self-repair
o Designed for high levels of automation, agility, precision, and speed
o Explore applications such as smart cities, autonomous systems, and real-time services
o Founded : 1865 as the International Telegraph Union.
o HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.
o Members : 194 member countries
o Key Functions: Allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits
- Sets international technical standards for telecommunications and ICT
- Promotes ICT access in underserved and remote communities
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD): Recently, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) warned that South Asia and the Tibetan Plateau should get ready for a hotter and wetter monsoon in 2025.
o All countries across the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH)—including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and China’s Tibetan Autonomous Region—are likely to see significantly higher temperatures during the summer months.
o Established: 5 December 1983, HQ: Kathmandu, Nepal.
o Aim: To support greener, inclusive, and climate-resilient development in the HKH region through knowledge sharing and regional cooperation.
o Member Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
o Functions: Generates & shares knowledge to find innovative solutions to mountain challenges.
- Connects scientific research with policy-making and field-level practices.
- Provides a regional platform for experts, policymakers, planners, and practitioners to collaborate on sustainable mountain development.
Solar Orbiter Spacecraft: Recently, the Solar Orbiter spacecraft captured the first-ever images of the Sun’s south pole, offering new insights into the complex and dynamic behavior of our star.
o Purpose: To study the Sun, explore the inner heliosphere and to observe the Sun’s polar regions .
o Collaboration: A joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA (Launched on February 10, 2020)
o Scientific Instruments: Six remote-sensing instruments to observe the Sun and corona
- Four in-situ instruments to measure solar wind, electromagnetic fields, and energetic particles
Eurasian Otter : Recently, the rare Eurasian otter was spotted in the Lidder River near Srigufwara in South Kashmir. This sighting is an important development for wildlife conservation, as the species was once thought to be extinct in the region.
o Also known as European otter, common otter, and Old-World otter (Vuder-by locals in Kashmir)
o Physical Features: A long, slender body with a thick tail, short legs, and webbed feet for swimming. It is covered in dense, sleek brown fur—lighter on the underside—that traps air for insulation. Adapted for aquatic life, it can close its ears and nose underwater and has sharp senses of sight, smell, and hearing.
o Habitat: Found in various aquatic habitats such as rivers, lakes, streams, marshes, swamps, and coastal areas
- In the Indian subcontinent, mainly seen in cold hill regions and mountain streams
o Distribution: Widely distributed across the Middle East, Europe, Northern Africa, Eastern Russia, China, and parts of Asia
o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule II
o CITES: Appendix I.
Weathering the Storm: Managing Monsoons in a Warming Climate Report: Recently, the report Weathering the Storm: Managing Monsoons in a Warming Climate warned that Indian cities, could experience a two-fold increase in heatwave days by 2030, posing serious risks to public health, infrastructure, and urban ecosystems.
o Across India, a 2.5-fold increase in heatwave days and a 43% rise in extreme rainfall intensity are projected.
o Extreme heat is spilling over into monsoon months, creating a dual threat of oppressive heat and intense rainfall.
o High-risk states include Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, with over 75% of districts in these states vulnerable to dual climate threats.
o Esri India – a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) solutions provider.
o IPE Global – an international development consultancy firm.
Exercise Khaan Quest : Recently, an Indian Army contingent arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to participate in Exercise Khaan Quest.
o Origin: Started in 2003 as a bilateral exercise between the United States and Mongolian Armed Forces.
- Became a multinational peacekeeping exercise in 2006.
o Aim: To prepare Indian Armed Forces for UN peacekeeping missions in a multinational setting.
- Enhance interoperability, military readiness, and joint operational capability under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
o Focus Areas: High physical fitness and sharing best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for effective joint operations.
Passage Exercise (PASSEX) : Recently, the Indian Navy conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group in the North Arabian Sea, marking a key milestone in enhancing bilateral naval cooperation.
o Participating Naval Assets: India: INS Tabar (Stealth frigate) and P-8I Aircraft (Long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare)
- UK: HMS Prince of Wales (Aircraft carrier) and HMS Richmond (Type 23 frigate)
o Significance : Strengthens joint operational capabilities and naval interoperability.
- Reinforces collective maritime security in the Arabian Sea
- Builds on existing India–UK defense cooperation, including previous deployments of the UK Carrier Strike Group to the Indian Ocean region
Lokpal: Recently, in a symbolic move to reinforce its commitment to transparency and public accountability, the Full Bench of the Lokpal of India officially adopted a new motto: “Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption.”
o It is mandated to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries.
o Organisational Structure: Comprises a Chairperson and eight Members, with four being Judicial Members.
- The Chairperson can be: A former Chief Justice of India / a former Judge of the Supreme Court / an eminent person meeting the eligibility criteria.
- Judicial Members must be:Either a former Supreme Court Judge or a former Chief Justice of a High Court.
- At least 50% of Members must belong to SC/ST/OBC/minorities or be women.
o Appointed: By the President on recommendation of a Selection Committee (Prime Minister (Chairperson), Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a nominee judge, and One eminent jurist)
o Term: 5 years or until the age of 70, whichever is earlier.
o Powers: Authority to supervise and issue directions to the CBI during corruption investigations.
- t must approve any transfer of CBI officers handling cases referred by it.
- It can authorize search and seizure operations related to such investigations.
- The Inquiry Wing of Lokpal holds civil court powers, enabling it to summon individuals, request documents, and take evidence.
- It can order the confiscation of assets acquired through corrupt means.
- Lokpal is empowered to recommend the transfer or suspension of public servants involved in corruption cases.
- It can also issue directions to safeguard records during preliminary inquiries to prevent tampering or destruction.
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