1. World Happiness Report 2025

World Happiness Report 2025: Finland topped the World Happiness Report 2025 for the eighth consecutive year, while India ranked 118th, below Pakistan (109th).

• About World Happiness Report: It is an annual global report that ranks countries based on life satisfaction and happiness levels of their citizens.

o It reflects how people evaluate their quality of life using statistical data and public perception.

• Publisher: The report was published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
• Criteria Used for Ranking: The report uses six key indicators- GDP per capita → Healthy life expectancy → Social support → Freedom → Generosity → Perception of corruption
• Aim of the Report: To measure global well-being and contentment.

o To promote policy focus on mental health → Social trust → Quality of life beyond just economic growth.

• Top 10 Happiest Countries (2025): Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Netherlands, Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg, Mexico.
• Bottom 5 Countries: Zimbabwe (143rd), Malawi (144th), Lebanon (145th), Sierra Leone (146th), and Afghanistan (147th).

o United States recorded its lowest-ever position at 24th.

• Key factors: Rankings are based on self-assessed life evaluations through surveys conducted by Gallup.
• Key insights: Happiness is linked not just to wealth but to trust, connection, and social support. Countries with larger household sizes (4-5 people) and a culture of kindness report higher happiness levels.

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2. Information Technology Act, 2000

Information Technology Act, 2000 : The social media platform X (formerly Twitter) filed a lawsuit against the Central Government challenging the use of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 for content blocking orders.

• About Information Technology Act, 2000: Enacted to regulate cyber activities in India, ensuring safe digital practices and addressing cybercrimes.
• Key Provisions: Under section 69A of IT Act, empowers the government to block online- content to safeguard Sovereignty and integrity of India →Defence of India → Security of the State

• Section 79(3) (b): Allows the government to direct online intermediaries (e.g., X) to block access to unlawful content flagged by appropriate government agencies.

o Failure to comply leads to loss of safe harbour protections — legal immunity from user-generated content.

• About Sahyog Portal: Created by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as an online portal for Central and state agencies and local police officers to issue blocking orders under Section 79(3)(b), bypassing Section 69A safeguards.

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3. Habitual Offender

Habitual Offender: Supreme Court of India recently questioned the validity of "habitual offender" laws, calling them "constitutionally suspect" and used to "target members of denotified tribes.“

• However, the Union Social Justice Ministry revealed that 14 States/UTs continue to operate such laws; some States are considering repealing them.
• About Habitual Offender: A habitual offender is an individual who consistently engages in criminal behavior over a prolonged period.
• Post-Independence: Repealed in 1952 after the Criminal Tribes Enquiry Committee Report (1949-50).

o States later enacted Habitual Offender Acts, ostensibly targeting individual behavior but disproportionately impacting DNTs.

• Key Reports:

o CTA Enquiry Report (1950): Recommended repeal of CTA and suggested legislation targeting habitual offenders without caste/creed distinction.

o Lokur Committee (1965): Continued to stereotype certain communities as having "anti-social heritage."

o Budhan Sabar Case (1998): Custodial death sparked national outrage and led to advocacy against habitual offender laws.

o UN Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (2007): Called for the repeal of these laws.

o B.S. Renke Commission(2008): Highlighted adverse effects of these laws on DNT communities.

o Virginius Xaxa Committee (2014): Stressed the persistent criminality tag attached to DNTs due to habitual offender laws.

• Supreme Court Observations (2024): Criticized the use of habitual offender laws to target DNTs and urged State governments to review the necessity of these laws.
• NCRB Data (2022): 1.9% of India’s 1.29 lakh convict population classified as "habitual offenders.“ Delhi has the highest proportion at 21.5%.

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4. Swadesh Darshan scheme

Swadesh Darshan scheme: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently criticised the Union Tourism Ministry for poor implementation of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

• About Swadesh Darshan Scheme: It was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Tourism.

o Objective: Develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in India.

o Funding: 100% centrally funded scheme.

o Financial Assistance: Provided to State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies for tourism infrastructure development.

o Operation & Maintenance (O&M): Responsibility of the respective State Government/UT Administration.

• Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Introduced to promote sustainable and responsible tourism with a focus on Tourism and allied infrastructure Human capital development → Destination management and promotion → Policy and institutional reforms.

o Objective: Increase private sector investment and promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in tourism, including the operation and maintenance of created assets.

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5. Cultural Property Agreement (CPA)

Cultural Property Agreement (CPA): The Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) has been recently signed with the United States of America (USA) to prevent smuggling of Indian antiquities.

• About Cultural Property Agreement (CPA): It’s objective to prevent illicit trafficking of Indian antiquities and ensure their retrieval to their place of origin.
• Alignment: Aligned with the 1970 UNESCO Convention on Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.
• Key Provisions: Restricts the importation of Archaeological material dating from 1.7 million years ago to 1770 CE.

o Ethnological material like civic, religious, and royal architectural items, religious and ceremonial artifacts, and manuscripts from 2nd century BCE to 1947 CE.

• Facilitates cooperation on technical assistance → illicit trade prevention → pillage of cultural property.
• India’s Global Role: Under India’s G20 Presidency, Protection and Promotion of Cultural Property emerged as a priority, highlighting concerns of the Global South.
• Bilateral Engagement: The CPA is the result of year-long bilateral discussions initiated under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention.
• Global Cooperation: The USA has similar agreements with Algeria, Belize, Bolivia, Cambodia, Egypt, Italy, Peru, Turkey, etc.

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6. Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE): It poses a significant health risk in Uttar Pradesh due to inadequate measles vaccination coverage.

• About SSPE: It is a progressive and fatal brain disorder linked to measles (rubella) infection.

o It can emerge years after the initial infection, even if the person fully recovered from measles.

o The condition primarily affects children and adolescents and is observed more frequently in males than females. Although cases are reported globally, it remains a rare disease in Western countries.

• Causes: Typically, the measles virus does not affect the brain. However, SSPE may develop due to an abnormal immune response or certain viral mutations.

o This leads to persistent inflammation in the brain over several years. The irregular immune reaction can result in severe complications and death.

• Symptoms: In early stage, decline in school performance, forgetfulness, anger issues, distractibility, insomnia, and hallucinations.

o Progression: Onset of sudden muscle jerks in the hands, head, or body, followed by seizures and uncontrolled muscle movements.

o Advanced Stage: Muscles become stiff, swallowing food becomes difficult, and in some cases, vision impairment occurs.

o Final Stage: Abnormalities in body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse.

• About: Measles is caused by a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus from the Morbillivirus genus. It is highly contagious, with an infected person transmitting the virus to over 90% of unprotected close contacts.

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