The Ministry of Mines has recently approved 58 companies under the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling, marking an important step towards strengthening India’s domestic critical mineral supply chain. The scheme is designed to reduce import dependence by promoting recycling-based recovery of critical minerals from secondary sources such as e-waste and battery scrap.

About the Scheme

The Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling is a key component of the broader National Critical Mineral Mission, which aims to enhance India’s self-reliance in critical minerals and build a resilient supply chain for strategic sectors such as clean energy, electronics, and defence.

The scheme will operate for a period of six years from FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, reflecting a medium-term policy commitment to developing a domestic recycling ecosystem for critical minerals.

Key Features of the Scheme

The scheme focuses on promoting the recycling of materials such as e-waste, lithium-ion battery scrap, and other mineral-bearing scrap streams. By targeting these secondary sources, it aims to extract valuable critical minerals that are essential for energy transition technologies.

It is designed to benefit both large established recyclers and small or emerging players, including start-ups, with one-third of the total scheme outlay specifically reserved for smaller participants. This inclusive structure is intended to promote broad-based industrial participation and innovation in recycling technologies.

The scheme is applicable not only to new recycling units but also to the expansion, modernization, and diversification of existing facilities, thereby encouraging capacity enhancement across the sector.

Importantly, the incentive framework focuses on the actual extraction of critical minerals, rather than merely supporting intermediate processes such as black mass production, ensuring that value addition remains within India’s domestic ecosystem.

Incentive Structure

The scheme provides a combination of capital and operational support to eligible entities. A 20% capital subsidy on plant and machinery is offered for projects that commence production within the stipulated timeline, thereby reducing upfront investment burdens.

In addition, an operational subsidy linked to incremental sales is provided to ensure sustained performance. This support is released in phases, with 40% disbursed in the second year and 60% in the fifth year, subject to the achievement of defined sales thresholds.

To maintain fiscal discipline and ensure equitable distribution, the incentives are capped at ₹50 crore for large entities and ₹25 crore for small entities, while operational subsidy limits are fixed at ₹10 crore and ₹5 crore respectively.

Significance for India

The scheme is strategically important as it strengthens India’s circular economy framework and reduces dependence on imports of critical raw materials. By promoting recycling, it supports the objectives of the energy transition, especially in sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy storage, and electronics manufacturing.

It also enhances resource efficiency, environmental sustainability, and waste management, while simultaneously fostering domestic industrial growth and employment generation in the recycling sector.

Conclusion

The Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling represents a forward-looking policy intervention aimed at building a self-reliant and sustainable critical mineral ecosystem in India. By integrating financial incentives, private sector participation, and circular economy principles, the scheme is expected to significantly strengthen India’s strategic resource security and green transition goals.

China’s space telescope DAMPE (Dark Matter Particle Explorer), also known as “Wukong”, has recently made significant observations related to the acceleration and energy behaviour of cosmic rays. The satellite has detected that the intensity of high-energy cosmic radiation decreases sharply beyond a specific energy threshold, offering new insights into the behaviour of cosmic-ray spectra in space.

About DAMPE Satellite

The DAMPE (Dark Matter Particle Explorer) is China’s first dedicated astronomical space satellite designed for studying high-energy particles in space. It is a sophisticated space telescope that focuses on detecting gamma rays, electrons, and cosmic rays, which are fundamental to understanding extreme astrophysical processes.

It was launched on 17 December 2015 into a polar sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of around 500 km, allowing it to continuously observe high-energy particles with minimal interference from Earth’s atmosphere.

Scientific Objectives

The primary mission of DAMPE (Dark Matter Particle Explorer) is to measure high-energy electrons and gamma photons with extremely high precision. The satellite aims to achieve better energy resolution and detection range compared to earlier space-based experiments.

A key scientific goal of the mission is to search for possible signatures of dark matter, which remains one of the most mysterious components of the universe. By studying deviations in cosmic-ray energy patterns, scientists hope to find indirect evidence of dark matter particle interactions.

Research Significance

The observations made by DAMPE (Dark Matter Particle Explorer) are crucial for understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation mechanisms of high-energy cosmic rays. These findings also contribute to the broader field of high-energy gamma-ray astronomy, which studies extreme cosmic phenomena such as supernova remnants, pulsars, and black hole environments.

Since its launch, the satellite has recorded approximately 18.5 billion high-energy particle events, making it one of the most data-rich missions in high-energy astrophysics.

Conclusion

The recent findings from DAMPE (Dark Matter Particle Explorer) enhance our understanding of cosmic-ray behaviour and high-energy astrophysical processes, while also strengthening global research efforts in the search for dark matter signatures. The mission represents a significant advancement in space-based particle physics and contributes to expanding humanity’s knowledge of the fundamental structure of the universe

According to the WHO Global Hepatitis Report 2026, India continues to remain among the countries with the highest burden of hepatitis-related deaths, highlighting a persistent public health challenge. The report underlines that despite progress in vaccination and treatment, viral hepatitis remains a major global health threat, especially in low and middle-income countries.

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver that can result from infectious agents, toxins, drugs, or autoimmune reactions. While viral infections are the most common cause, hepatitis can also arise due to alcohol consumption, medication toxicity, or autoimmune disorders, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells.

In autoimmune hepatitis, the immune system produces antibodies against liver tissue, leading to chronic inflammation and progressive liver damage if untreated.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

The disease often develops gradually and may remain undetected in early stages. Common symptoms include fatigue, flu-like illness, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal discomfort, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, patients may develop jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes, along with unexplained weight loss.

Types of Hepatitis

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and usually presents as an acute, short-term infection. It is commonly transmitted through contaminated food and water and does not typically lead to chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and can become a chronic, long-term infection. It is one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide, making it a major public health concern.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is a major bloodborne infection. It often becomes chronic and can silently damage the liver over time, eventually leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer if untreated.

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D is a rare form of hepatitis that occurs only in individuals already infected with Hepatitis B, as it requires the presence of HBV to replicate. It leads to more severe liver disease compared to Hepatitis B alone.

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a waterborne viral infection caused by contaminated drinking water, especially in areas with poor sanitation. It is usually acute but can be dangerous in pregnant women, where it may lead to severe complications.

Treatment and Prevention

Vaccination plays a crucial role in preventing hepatitis. Effective vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, and indirectly for Hepatitis D, since its prevention depends on controlling Hepatitis B infection.

However, there are currently no vaccines for Hepatitis C and Hepatitis E, making prevention through safe blood practices, sanitation, and hygiene extremely important. Treatment options vary, ranging from antiviral drugs for chronic infections to supportive care for acute cases.

India’s Public Health Concern

The WHO report highlights that India continues to face a high burden of undiagnosed and untreated hepatitis cases, particularly Hepatitis B and C. Challenges include:

• Limited screening and early diagnosis

• Low awareness in rural populations

• Gaps in vaccination coverage and healthcare access

• High risk of progression to liver cirrhosis and cancer

Conclusion

Hepatitis remains a major global and national health challenge despite being largely preventable and treatable in many forms. Strengthening vaccination coverage, improving sanitation, expanding screening programmes, and ensuring affordable treatment are essential steps to reduce India’s hepatitis burden and achieve global WHO elimination targets

The Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat has recently been in the news after a committee of monks demanded the scrapping of its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) status, arguing that it restricts religious activities. The sanctuary is ecologically significant as it is home to Asiatic lions and forms an important extension of the Gir forest ecosystem.

About Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, within the rugged terrain of the Girnar hills in the Saurashtra region. The area is not only ecologically important but also holds strong religious and cultural significance, as it hosts several prominent Hindu and Jain temples, making it a major pilgrimage site.

Ecological Characteristics

The sanctuary is primarily covered by dry deciduous forest ecosystems, which include species such as teak, dhak, and acacia, along with several drought-resistant vegetation types. The landscape is a mosaic of dense forest patches, open scrublands, and grasslands, which together support a wide range of wildlife adapted to semi-arid conditions.

Flora and Fauna

The Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary supports rich biodiversity and serves as an important ecological corridor. Its fauna includes Asiatic lions, spotted deer, sambar, chousingha, chinkara, leopards, and Indian golden jackals. It is also home to around 300 species of birds, including both resident and migratory species, making it a significant site for avian diversity.

Importantly, the sanctuary functions as an extension of the Gir National Park ecosystem, helping maintain genetic connectivity and supporting the long-term conservation of the Asiatic lion population.

Conservation Issue: Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Debate

A key issue in the news is the demand to reconsider the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) status around the sanctuary. ESZs are meant to act as buffer zones around protected areas to reduce human pressure and regulate developmental activities.

However, the demand for relaxation stems from concerns over restrictions on religious gatherings and cultural activities within the region. This raises an important policy tension between ecological conservation and cultural-religious practices.

Significance for Conservation

The Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary is ecologically critical because it supports the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) outside its core habitat in Gir National Park. Maintaining this landscape connectivity is essential for:

• Genetic diversity of lion populations

• Habitat expansion and dispersal

• Long-term species survival

Any weakening of ESZ protections could potentially increase human-wildlife conflict and habitat fragmentation.

Conclusion

The debate around the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary highlights the broader challenge of balancing ecological conservation with cultural and religious land use demands. While local sentiments are important, the sanctuary’s role in supporting the Asiatic lion conservation landscape makes it crucial to maintain strong environmental safeguards to ensure long-term ecological stability

The use of fiber optic drones has recently gained attention after reports that Hezbollah has deployed them in operations against Israel, highlighting a new shift in modern electronic and unmanned warfare. These systems represent an advanced category of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to overcome limitations of conventional drone communication.

What are Fiber Optic Drones?

Fiber optic drones are specialized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) that use optical fiber cables instead of radio-frequency communication systems. Unlike traditional drones that depend on wireless signals, these drones remain physically connected to the operator through a fiber optic tether, which allows continuous data transmission and, in some cases, power supply.

This makes them significantly different from conventional drones, as they are less dependent on electromagnetic spectrum-based communication, which is often vulnerable in warfare environments.

Working Mechanism

Fiber optic drones operate through a direct physical cable link between the drone and the ground control station. This fiber optic tether enables real-time transmission of high-volume data, ensuring uninterrupted communication even in complex environments.

Unlike conventional UAVs that rely on radio frequency signals and onboard batteries, fiber optic drones can receive stable, high-speed data connectivity through the cable. This allows for precise control and high-quality video or sensor feed transmission with minimal delay.

Applications

Fiber optic drones have multiple applications across sectors. In the military domain, they are used for surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and electronic warfare operations due to their ability to function in hostile environments.

Beyond warfare, they are also useful in telecommunications infrastructure monitoring, industrial inspection, and emergency response operations, where reliable and high-speed data transmission is essential.

Advantages of Fiber Optic Drones

A major advantage of fiber optic drones is their ability to provide near-zero latency communication, which is crucial for time-sensitive military operations such as surveillance and precision targeting. Their reliance on a physical tether also makes them highly effective in GPS-denied or radio-frequency jammed environments, where conventional drones may fail.

They are also considered more secure because fiber optic cables are less susceptible to signal interception or electronic jamming, ensuring high data security and transmission reliability. Additionally, they can transmit large volumes of data over long distances without significant loss in quality.

Significance in Modern Warfare

The emergence of fiber optic drones reflects a shift towards electromagnetic spectrum resilience in warfare, where controlling communication channels is as important as physical firepower. Their deployment by groups such as Hezbollah indicates the increasing use of low-cost, high-efficiency technologies in asymmetric warfare, posing new challenges for conventional defence systems.

Conclusion

Fiber optic drones represent a significant evolution in unmanned warfare technology, combining high-speed data transmission with resistance to jamming and interception. Their growing use in conflict zones highlights the changing nature of modern military technology, where control over communication systems is becoming as critical as traditional battlefield dominance.