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The United States recently conducted strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military infrastructure to counter perceived threats to American forces and maritime security in the Persian Gulf.

About Qeshm Island

Qeshm Island is the largest island in the Persian Gulf and is located in Hormozgan Province of southern Iran, near the port city of Bandar Abbas.

The island is strategically situated at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, and is separated from the Iranian mainland by the Khuran (Clarence) Strait.

Geographical and Ecological Features

Qeshm UNESCO Global Geopark

Qeshm Geopark is the first UNESCO Global Geopark in the Middle East. It is renowned for its exceptional geological heritage and unique landforms, including the Valley of Stars, Chahkuh Gorge, and the Namakdan Salt Cave.

Hara Mangrove Forest

The Hara Mangrove Forests are among the island’s most important ecological assets and serve as a vital breeding and feeding habitat for migratory birds, while supporting rich coastal biodiversity.

Namakdan Salt Cave

The Namakdan Salt Cave, extending for more than 6 kilometres, is one of the longest salt caves in the world and is noted for its spectacular salt formations and geological significance.

Strategic Significance

• The Qeshm Island occupies a highly strategic position at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, enabling Iran to monitor maritime traffic, strengthen coastal surveillance, and project military power across the Persian Gulf.

• The island hosts major Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military installations, including radar systems, missile batteries, drone facilities, and naval assets, which enhance Iran's capability to monitor shipping routes and respond to regional security developments.

• Its location makes it a critical component of Iran’s maritime defence strategy and its ability to influence navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

About the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

It is one of the world's most significant energy chokepoints, through which around 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade passes, making it crucial for global energy security and international trade.

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India ranked 176th out of 177 countries in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026, with a score of 22.46, making it the second-lowest ranked country globally (above Laos) and 7th among the 8 South Asian countries. Estonia secured the 1st rank with a score of 74.79.

About the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a biennial global index, first launched in 2000, and jointly published by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy (YCELP) and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University.

The EPI 2026 evaluates 177 countries using 47 indicators across 12 environmental issue categories, grouped under three broad policy objectives:

• Environmental Health

• Ecosystem Vitality

• Climate Change

The index serves as a global benchmark for monitoring progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

India’s Performance

India secured the 176th position with a score of 22.46, continuing its poor performance in recent editions of the index.

India's ranking trend has been:

• 2016: 141st

• 2018: 177th

• 2020: 168th

• 2022: 180th

• 2024: 176th

• 2026: 176th

Since 2022, India has consistently remained among the five lowest-ranked countries in the index.

Areas of Concern

The EPI placed India near the bottom globally in several environmental indicators, particularly Environmental Health, Air Quality, and Biodiversity Conservation.

The report also highlighted long-term declines in fishery resources, tree cover, and increasing pesticide pollution, which adversely affected India's overall ranking.

Areas of Relative Progress

Despite its overall low ranking, India performed relatively better in Climate Change Mitigation, reflecting improvements in reducing emissions intensity and expanding clean energy initiatives.

The country also recorded comparatively stronger performance in Waste Management and Sanitation.

Criticism by India

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and several Indian experts have questioned the methodology adopted by the EPI.

They argue that the index does not adequately account for India's stage of economic development, large population, historical emissions, and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). They also contend that the methodology relies heavily on model-based extrapolations and simplified cross-country comparisons, which may not accurately reflect India's environmental realities.

Yale’s Response

Researchers from the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy maintain that the EPI measures the current state of environmental performance rather than future policy commitments.

According to them, the index is designed to provide objective, evidence-based assessments that can help governments make informed environmental policy decisions, rather than assigning responsibility based on historical emissions.

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The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has announced that the Corporate Mitra Scheme will commence with 2,000 participants, including 200 candidates from the North-Eastern Region, to strengthen support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India.

About the Corporate Mitra Scheme

The Corporate Mitra Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026–27 to empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by creating a pool of trained and certified paraprofessionals, known as Corporate Mitras.

The scheme aims to bridge the gap between MSMEs and professional advisory services by providing affordable, accessible, and quality support in areas such as regulatory compliance, Goods and Services Tax (GST), accounting, financial management, cost accounting, and company secretarial services. This enables MSMEs to focus on business expansion, innovation, and productivity while ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

To improve outreach, Corporate Mitras will primarily serve enterprises located in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in collaboration with three professional institutes:

• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

• Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

• Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) (formerly referred to as ICoAI)

Training Structure

The scheme provides a one-year training programme comprising six months of academic learning followed by six months of on-the-job training in professional firms and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).

The academic component includes 144 hours of structured online learning along with 6 hours of webinars or physical classroom sessions, while the practical training provides exposure to real business environments, professional practices, and employment opportunities.

Participants are free to choose any professional firm or LLP recognised as a Member in Practice by ICAI, ICSI, or ICMAI for their on-the-job training.

Eligibility

Candidates must be not more than 30 years of age.

The scheme is open to graduates from any recognised university as well as students in the final year of graduation. However, final-year students will receive the Corporate Mitra Certificate only after successfully completing their graduation.

Implementation

The Corporate Mitra Scheme will be implemented through the SWAYAM Plus Portal, which will function as a centralised digital platform for registration, training, certification, placement, monitoring, and overall implementation of the scheme.

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The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first commercial export of Rewa Sundarja Mangoes from Madhya Pradesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking an important milestone in promoting India's premium mango varieties in international markets.

About Rewa Sundarja Mango

• The Rewa Sundarja Mango is a premium and highly valued mango variety cultivated primarily in the Rewa region of Madhya Pradesh. It is renowned for its exceptional sweetness, rich aroma, fibreless pulp, and distinctive flavour.

• A unique characteristic of this variety is that it ripens only after the arrival of the first monsoon showers, making it one of the few mango varieties with such a distinctive ripening pattern.

• Recognising its unique qualities and geographical identity, the Rewa Sundarja Mango was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2023.

Features

• The Rewa Sundarja Mango possesses vibrant yellow, fibreless flesh with a smooth and creamy texture, making it highly desirable for both fresh consumption and food processing.

• Its distinct vanilla-like aroma enhances its flavour and makes it suitable for desserts, beverages, and various culinary preparations.

• The fruit has a balanced sugar-acid ratio, which provides a unique combination of sweetness and mild acidity, contributing to its premium taste.

• Its thick peel gives it an excellent shelf life and makes it well-suited for long-distance transportation and export.

• Compared to many other mango varieties, it contains relatively lower sugar content, making it a preferred choice for health-conscious consumers and diabetic individuals, while still retaining its natural sweetness.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.

• It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is responsible for the development, promotion, and facilitation of exports of notified agricultural and processed food products.

• APEDA is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government, and its headquarters is located in New Delhi.

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The ASPIRE Scheme is playing a significant role in transforming rural livelihoods by promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment generation through training, incubation, and business development support for aspiring entrepreneurs.

About ASPIRE Scheme

The ASPIRE (A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship) was launched in 2015 to promote entrepreneurship and employment generation, particularly in rural and agro-based sectors.

The scheme supports the establishment and growth of micro and small enterprises by providing financial assistance, technical guidance, incubation facilities, and mentoring support. It aims to create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that fosters innovation, strengthens rural industries, and enhances income opportunities.

The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Objectives

The primary objective of the scheme is to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation in rural India by encouraging the establishment of agro-based industries, supporting technology-driven enterprises, and strengthening the MSME ecosystem through incubation and cluster development.

Key Features

The ASPIRE Scheme promotes rural entrepreneurship and innovation through a network of incubation centres that provide training, mentoring, and business support to entrepreneurs.

It focuses on establishing Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs) in rural and underserved regions to encourage self-employment and the creation of micro-enterprises.

The scheme also supports Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) to promote innovation, research, technology commercialisation, and start-up development.

Financial assistance is provided for establishing incubation centres through capital grants. Government institutions and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are eligible for grants of up to ₹1 crore, while private institutions and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) organisations can receive grants of up to ₹75 lakh.

In addition, the scheme provides one-time financial assistance of up to ₹1 crore towards the operational expenses of incubators.

The scheme also facilitates seed capital and risk funding for early-stage innovators and start-ups, enabling them to convert innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises.

It further strengthens enterprise clusters to improve productivity, competitiveness, technology adoption, and market access for rural industries.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to Government institutions, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), private institutions, and PPP organisations for establishing incubation centres.

It also supports MSMEs possessing a valid Entrepreneurs Memorandum (EM) registration, as well as individual innovators and entrepreneurs through incubation, mentoring, and enterprise development services.

Priority is given to start-ups operating in agro-based, rural, and technology-driven sectors.

Institutions seeking assistance under the scheme must possess adequate infrastructure, technical expertise, and incubation facilities to effectively support entrepreneurs.

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The Foreign Contribution (Restrictions) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was earlier kept in abeyance following protests, has been listed for consideration during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, reviving the debate over the regulation of foreign funding for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other entities.

Background: Evolution of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) was first enacted in 1976 during the Emergency to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions and to prevent external influence on India's democratic institutions, electoral process, national sovereignty, and public interest.

The original legislation was replaced by the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, which established a more stringent regulatory framework for receiving and utilising foreign funds.

The FCRA, 2010 prohibited foreign contributions to political parties, election candidates, legislators, judges, government servants, media personnel, and organisations of a political nature. It also made registration or prior permission mandatory for associations engaged in educational, cultural, religious, social, or economic activities before accepting foreign contributions.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 further tightened the regulatory regime by reducing the ceiling on administrative expenses, prohibiting the transfer (sub-granting) of foreign contributions to other organisations, mandating Aadhaar identification for key office-bearers, and requiring all foreign contributions to be received through a designated State Bank of India (SBI), New Delhi Main Branch account.

Key Provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Restrictions) Amendment Bill, 2026

Vesting of Foreign-Funded Assets

The Bill provides that when an organisation's FCRA registration is cancelled, all foreign contributions and assets created from such contributions shall provisionally vest in a designated authority. If the organisation fails to recover these assets within the prescribed period, the vesting shall become permanent.

Partial Foreign Funding

Where an asset has been partly financed through foreign contributions, the Bill empowers the designated authority under Section 16A(2) to take over the entire asset, irrespective of the proportion of domestic funding involved.

Disposal of Assets

The designated authority may transfer such assets to the Central Government, State Governments, or local authorities, or dispose of them through sale or auction. The sale proceeds and any unutilised foreign contributions shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Surrender of Registration

Even if an organisation voluntarily surrenders its FCRA registration, the remaining foreign contributions and assets created from them may vest in the designated authority.

Government's Power to Grant Exemptions

The Bill authorises the Central Government to exempt any person or organisation from the operation of the Act if it considers such exemption to be necessary in the public interest.

Major Concerns

Broad Executive Discretion

The Bill retains broad powers enabling the Central Government to cancel or refuse renewal of registration on grounds of "public interest". Since the term is not clearly defined, concerns have been raised regarding arbitrary interpretation and excessive executive discretion.

Impact on Civil Society Organisations

The proposed permanent vesting of assets following cancellation or non-renewal of registration could severely affect non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in education, healthcare, environmental protection, disaster relief, social welfare, and charitable activities, many of which depend significantly on foreign funding.

Possibility of Misuse

Critics argue that organisations may face prolonged uncertainty if their registration is suspended or cancelled merely on the basis of criminal prosecution, including allegations relating to forced religious conversion or communal disharmony, even before the completion of judicial proceedings.

Concerns Regarding Voluntary Surrender

The requirement to transfer assets even after voluntary surrender of FCRA registration has been questioned because organisations may lose assets that were legitimately created during the period of valid registration, despite discontinuing foreign funding voluntarily.

Constitutional Concerns

The provision empowering the Government to grant selective exemptions in the public interest, without clearly defined statutory criteria, may raise concerns under Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Equality and prohibits arbitrary state action.

Way Forward

A balanced regulatory framework should provide a clear statutory definition of "public interest" to minimise arbitrary decision-making.

The law should strengthen procedural safeguards, including prior notice, reasoned orders, and independent appellate review before cancellation of registration or forfeiture of assets.

Regulatory action should distinguish between serious violations and minor procedural lapses, ensuring that penalties remain proportionate.

Organisations acting in good faith should be permitted to retain or lawfully transfer legitimately acquired assets, particularly where there is no evidence of misuse of foreign contributions.

Greater transparency through digital reporting, periodic audits, and public disclosure should be encouraged while avoiding unnecessary compliance burdens. At the same time, the regulatory framework should strike an appropriate balance between protecting national security and sovereignty and enabling genuine humanitarian, educational, developmental, and charitable activities.