1. India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks

Context

• Recently, the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were held to review the full spectrum of India-Bhutan development partnership. 

More on the news

• A total of 10 projects, covering sectors such as healthcare, connectivity and urban infrastructure in Bhutan, were approved.
• India has committed support of 10,000 Crore (100 billion) for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan period (2024-2029).
• The two sides agreed to hold the next Development Cooperation Talks in Thimpu.

India-Bhutan Relations

• The basic framework of India- Bhutan relations has been the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949.
• The treaty was revised in 2007 giving Bhutan more autonomy while reaffirming mutual respect for sovereignty and close cooperation.

Trade Relations

• Since 2014, India’s trade with Bhutan has almost tripled from USD 484 million in 2014-15 to USD 1615 million in 2022-23.
• 2016 India-Bhutan Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit, establishes a free trade regime between the two countries and also provides Bhutan duty free transit of goods to/from third countries.

Energy Cooperation

• India has constructed 4 major HEPs in Bhutan: Chukha (336 MW), Kurichhu (60 MW), Tala (1020 MW), Mangdechhu (720 MW).

Diaspora

• About 50,000 Indians are presently working in Bhutan in the sectors such as infrastructure development, hydropower, education, trade and commerce signifying close people to people ties between the two nations.

Bhutan Significance for India

• Bhutan works as buffer against China expansionist policy.
• India sees Bhutan as vital to maintaining a South Asian balance of power and resists Chinese strategic encroachment, especially near the tri-junction.
• Bhutan is central for India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
• Bhutan is crucial for India’s Act east policy as its location is strategic to siliguri corridor, India’s chicken Neck.

Conclusion

• While India and Bhutan share a strong foundation of trust and cooperation, evolving economic aspirations, geopolitical realities in both countries pose challenges.
• Managing these with respect, transparency, and strategic sensitivity is key to sustaining their special relationship.
• India–Bhutan relations are a model of good-neighbourly partnership based on mutual trust and benefit. 

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2. Hul Diwas

Context

• June 30 is celebrated as Hul Diwas, marking the anniversary of the 1855 Santhal rebellion/ Santhal Hul, one of the earliest peasant uprisings against the British.

Santhal Hul

• Santhal Hul of 1855 was a revolt against imperialism led by four brothers, Sidho, Kanho, Chand, and Bhairav Murmu, along with sisters Phulo and Jhano. 
• The Santhals also fought against the upper castes, zamindars, darogas, and moneylenders, described by the umbrella term ‘diku’.
• It was significant as it led to the enactment of Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act of 1876 and the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908, which aimed to safeguard tribal land rights and cultural autonomy.

Origin of the Uprising

• In 1832, the British demarcated a region in present-day Jharkhand, called Damin-i-Koh, as a settlement area for the Santhal tribe. 
• The region eventually experienced exploitation by outsiders (dikus), leading to land alienation among the Santhals.
• The Murmu brothers led around 60,000 Santhals against the East India Company and engaged in guerrilla warfare.
• The British hanged Sidhu in 1855, followed by Kanhu in 1856. 

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3. Central Adoption Resource Authority

• The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) recently clarified that adoptive parents do not need hard copies of adoption orders, as digitally certified versions sent via e-mail are legally valid and sufficient under the current rule.

About Central Resource Adoption Authority

• It is a statutory body of the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India and it was established in 1990 as an autonomous body.
• It functions as the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions.
• CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with intercountry adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, 1993, ratified by the Government of India in 2003.
• The mandatory registration of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and linking to CARA has been provided in the JJ Act 2015.

Functions Of CARA

• Monitor and regulate the procedure for in-country adoption.
• Receive and process applications received from a foreigner or an OCI residing in India for one year or more, and who is interested in adopting a child from India.
• Issue No Objection Certificate in all cases of intercountry adoptions.
• Intimate the immigration authorities of India and the receiving country of the child about the inter-country adoption cases.
• Coordinate with State Governments or the State Adoption Resource Agencies and advise them in adoption related matters.
• It monitors and regulates bodies such as the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA), Authorised Foreign Adoption Agency (AFAA), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), and District Child Protective Units (DPUs).

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4. Employment Linked Incentive (ELI)

• The Union Cabinet recently approved an Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme with an allocation of Rs. 99,446 crore to support employment generation.

India Launched ELI Scheme to Boost Job Creation

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the landmark Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme with a financial outlay of Rs. 99,446 crore. 
• The scheme is part of the government’s larger vision to generate over 3.5 crore jobs over two years, with special emphasis on integrating first-time employees and promoting employment in the manufacturing sector.
• This ambitious scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 as part of a Rs. 2 lakh crore employment and skilling package aimed at supporting 4.1 crore youth through a combination of direct incentives, skilling initiatives, and social security expansion.

Scope and Purpose of Scheme

• The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme aims to tackle key challenges in India’s labour market, namely low formalisation, slow job growth in manufacturing, and limited incentives for youth entering the workforce. 
• The dual focus of the scheme, supporting first-time employees and incentivising employers, is structured to make hiring both appealing and sustainable.
• The scheme is applicable to jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.
• Its two Components are:
• Part A: Incentives for First-Time Employees
  • Part A of the scheme is designed for first-time employees registering with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Under this component:
    Employees with monthly salaries up to Rs. 1 lakh will be eligible.
  • Each eligible employee will receive one month’s EPF wage (up to Rs. 15,000) in two instalments:
  • The first instalment will be disbursed after six months of continuous service.
  • The second instalment will be released after 12 months and the completion of a mandatory financial literacy programme.
  • A portion of the incentive will be held in a savings instrument or deposit account to encourage long-term financial planning.
  • This part of the scheme is expected to benefit 1.92 crore first-time workers, helping them integrate into the formal economy while providing a safety net through social security.
• Part B: Incentives for Employers to Generate Jobs
  • The second component of the scheme targets employers to boost job creation across sectors, with a significant thrust on manufacturing. 
  • Incentives will be disbursed to employers who create additional employment and retain those employees for at least six months.
• Key highlights include:
• Employers will receive monthly incentives for every new employee hired:
• Rs. 1,000 for salaries up to Rs. 10,000
• Rs. 2,000 for salaries between Rs. 10,001 and Rs. 20,000
• Rs. 3,000 for salaries above Rs. 20,000 (up to Rs. 1 lakh)
• To qualify, employers must add:
• At least 2 new employees (if total staff <50)
• At least 5 new employees (if total staff ≥50)
• Incentives will be provided for 2 years across all sectors, and up to 4 years for the manufacturing sector.
• This part is projected to support the creation of around 2.60 crore new jobs.

Implementation and Payment Mechanism

• All disbursements under the ELI Scheme will follow a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model for transparency and accountability.
• Payments to employees (Part A) will be routed through the Aadhaar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).
• Employer incentives (Part B) will be credited directly into PAN-linked accounts.
• The incentive-linked model encourages sustained employment and minimises misuse, as both employer and employee benefits are tied to continuity and compliance.

Implications on broader Labour and Industry Sector

• The scheme is not just a wage-support mechanism but also a labour formalisation and skill-building initiative. 
• By mandating EPFO registration and financial literacy, the ELI scheme aims to bring informal workers into the social security net and empower them for long-term financial inclusion.
• Industry bodies have largely welcomed the initiative. Experts from EY India noted that the ELI scheme represents a “milestone” in fostering an inclusive labour market. 
• However, some trade unions like the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) have criticised the scheme, alleging it diverts public funds to the employer class without sufficient accountability mechanisms.

Conclusion

Despite divergent opinions, the scheme’s design indicates a move toward a more structured, incentive-driven employment landscape, especially in a post-pandemic economy that demands resilience and adaptability in labour markets.

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5. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and flora (CITES) marks 50 years

Context

• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) marks 50 years since it entered into force. 

About the Treaty

• Origin: CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is a pioneering global agreement originally conceived in 1963 at a meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• Aims and Scope: Its goal is to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threat their survival.
• It operates through a licensing system that regulates all import, export, and re-export of listed species and their parts or derivatives.
• Administration and Structure: The CITES Secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva, Switzerland.
• As of 2024, there are 185 Parties (countries or regional organizations) to CITES.
• Though CITES is legally binding on its Parties, it does not replace national laws. Instead, each Party must implement CITES through its own domestic legislation.

Important Initiatives 

• Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme: Adopted at the 10th CoP Harare (1997), this site-based system monitors trends in the illegal killing of elephants across Africa and Asia. 
• International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC): Launched in 2010, ICCWC is a partnership between CITES and other organizations to support national law enforcement agencies in combating wildlife and forest crime.
• Strategic Vision 2021–2030: This framework guides CITES’ efforts to ensure wildlife trade supports global biodiversity goals, sustainable development, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 
• CITES Tree Species Programme: Launched in 2024, focuses on improving the management and sustainable use of tree species listed under CITES.

Conclusion 

• CITES is an legally binding treaty that needs to be implemented by nation-states in word and spirit for halting illegal trade in spices.

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6. Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve

• Recently the elusive and endangered white-eared night heron has been camera-trapped in Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.

Facts about White-eared Night Heron

• It is a medium brown heron with a brown-streaked breast and a white patch on the side of the head with scientific name, Oroanassa magnifica.
• It is primarily found in southern China and northern Vietnam and has an estimated global population of fewer than 1,000 individuals.
• Known for being extremely secretive and nocturnal, the white-eared night heron is rarely observed in the wild.
• It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List

Facts about Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve

• It lies on the international border between India and Myanmar within Changlang District in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is located at the junction of the Indian subcontinent and Indo-China biogeographic zones.
• It is nestled between the Dapha Bum ridge of the Mishmi Hills of the northeastern Himalayas and the Patkai Ranges
• The Namdapha River (a tributary of Noa-Dihing River) flows right across in a north-south direction of this reserve, and hence the name Namdapha has been given.

Flora

• The park's vegetation includes tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, and alpine vegetation.
• Notable tree species include Hollock, Hallong, Mekai, Oak, Magnolia, Pine, Betula, and Rhododendrons. 
• The park is also home to the rare Blue Vanda orchid and various other medicinal plants, including Mishimi Teeta (Coptis teeta). 

Flora

• Namdapha National Park boasts a rich variety of fauna, including four of the world's big cat species (tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard).
• It is also home to the Hoolock gibbon, India's only ape species.

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7. India Energy Stack (IES)

• Recently, Ministry of Power conceives an ‘India Energy Stack’ to build the Digital Backbone for India’s Power Sector.

About India Energy Stack

• It is a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative that will provide a standardized, secure, and open platform to manage, monitor, and innovate across the electricity value chain.
• Aim and Scope: The initiative is aimed at creating a unified, secure, and interoperable digital infrastructure for India’s energy sector.
• Its works under the Ministry of Power.
• Nodal Agency: Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, a central public sector undertaking.
• The IES will offer:
  • Unique IDs for consumers, assets, and transactions
  • Real-time, consent-based data sharing
  • Open APIs for seamless system integration
  • Tools for consumer empowerment, market access, and innovation
• Task Force: The Ministry of Power has constituted a dedicated Task Force comprising experts, which will steer the development of the India Energy Stack.
  • The task force is chaired by Dr. Ram Sewak Sharma, with Nandan Nilekani as Chief Mentor.
• Testing: To test the concept, a 12-month Proof of Concept (PoC) will be conducted.
  • This includes the launch of the Utility Intelligence Platform (UIP), a data-driven application based on the India Energy Stack.
  • Pilot testing for this platform will be carried out with DISCOMs in Mumbai, Gujarat, and Delhi.

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8. Facciolella Smithi

• ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, has announced the discovery of a new species of deep-sea eel.

About Facciolella Smithi

• The specimen was collected at a depth ranging from 260 to 460 meters off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea.
• The species has been named in honour of eminent ichthyologist, Dr. David G. Smith for his significant contributions to eel taxonomy.
• It belongs to the family Nettastomatidae.
• The eel is likely to inhabit the seafloor or burrows into soft sediments, navigating the pitch-black waters with the help of its sensory adaptations rather than sight.

Features of Facciolella Smithi

• Structure of Body: The eel has an elongate, ribbon-like body that reaches just over two feet in length.
• Head and Snout: The eel has a notably large head with a duckbill-like snout, giving it a peculiar, almost prehistoric look.
• Eyes and Vision: Despite its large head, the eyes of Facciolella smithi are relatively small, an adaptation to the low-light environment of the deep sea where visual cues are limited.
• Teeth: The mouth contains cone-shaped teeth, likely used to grasp slippery or soft-bodied prey.
• Gills: The gill openings are crescent-shaped, positioned behind the head, consistent with many species of the eel family.

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9. QUAD Foreign Minister Meeting

• Recently at QUAD foreign minister meet, QUAD members condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.

About QUAD

• It is an informal multilateral grouping of India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan aimed at cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 
• Origin: The Quad began as a loose partnership after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami when the four countries joined together to provide humanitarian and disaster assistance to the affected region.
• It was formalized by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.

Key Initiatives of QUAD

• Quad Cancer Moonshot, a groundbreaking partnership to save lives in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Under this, India will provide $7.5 million worth of HPV sampling kits, detection kits and cervical cancer vaccines to countries in the Indo-Pacific.
• A commitment from the Serum Institute of India, in partnership with Gavi and the Quad, to support orders of up to 40 million HPV vaccine doses for the Indo-Pacific region.
• Coast Guard Cooperation: The First-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission” in 2025 to improve interoperability and advance maritime safety between our Coast Guards across the Indo-Pacific.
• The Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project, in order to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific region.
• The “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership” will harness the Quad’s collective expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.
• The “Semiconductor Supply Chains Contingency Network Memorandum of Cooperation” to enhance Quad resilience in semiconductor supply chains.
• Reform at the UN Security Council: The Leaders recognised the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, and democratic through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership
• Quad Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure were welcomed for the region and beyond.
• The Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific” (MAITRI) to enable regional partners to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behavior.
• India will host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025.

Strategic and Geopolitical significance of QUAD

• Act East policy: India’s participation in the Quad emphasizing deeper engagement with East Asian nations and strengthening maritime security cooperation. 
• Military cooperation: It provides a platform for military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises aimed at maintaining maritime security and ensuring the rule of law.
• Counterbalancing China’s Influence: QUAD is crucial for India’s interests in safeguarding its maritime trade routes and ensuring freedom of navigation in international waters.
• India has supported a rule-based multipolar world and QUAD can help it in achieving its ambition of becoming a regional superpower.

Challenges of QUAD

• Diverse Priorities and Perspectives: Every Quad member has its own agenda of priorities, threats, and interests in the geography it operates in.
• As for example, owing to differences on border issues and power structures, India has a different perception about China.
• China’s Reaction and Deterrence: China pays much attention to the activities of Quad. Any such step seen as containing could elicit a reaction and may eventually heighten tensions.
• Domestic Politics and Commitment Levels: Each member has domestic pressures, providing or competing for different priorities. For Quad cooperation to continue there needs to be firm commitment.
• Avoiding Militarization Perceptions:Many people are concerned that the Quad may gradually transform into a military bloc, which will endanger the stability in the region.

Conclusion

The Quad aims to strengthen cooperation among its member countries and with regional partners to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. 

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10. C Flood Platform

• Recently, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti inaugurated the C-FLOOD platform.

About the platform

• It is collaboratively developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and Central Water Commission (CWC), Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• It is a Unified Inundation Forecasting System, executed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).

Features of C Flood Platform

• It is a web-based platform that provides two-days advance inundation forecasts up to village level in the form of flood inundation maps and water level predictions.
• The C-FLOOD platform uses advanced 2-D hydrodynamic modelling to simulate flood scenarios.
• The platform will act as a unified system integrating flood modelling outputs from national and regional agencies, offering a comprehensive decision-support tool for disaster management authorities.

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