Asiatic Wild Dog

A new study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has confirmed the return of the dhole (Asiatic wild dog) to Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL) in Assam, after being believed locally extinct in the region.

About Asiatic Wild Dog

Dholes are social animals known to form packs of up to 30 individuals. However, depending on prey availability, they may also hunt alone or in pairs

Distributions

The current distribution of the dhole is restricted to parts of Central and Eastern Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

In India, they are found in three clusters across India, namely the Western and Eastern Ghats, the central Indian landscape and North East India. The Western and Eastern Ghats is a stronghold region for dholes

Habitat of the Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

• Dholes inhabit a wide variety of ecosystems, which indicates their adaptability.

  Dense tropical and subtropical forests
  Montane (mountain) forests
  Scrub forests
  Pine forests
  Steppes (grassland plains without trees)

• They are generally found in areas with good forest cover and abundant prey availability.

Conservation Status of Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL)

Location & Geography

• Situated in Assam, south of the Brahmaputra River.Previously part of the North Bank Landscape, now integrated as part of a larger conservation landscape. It Lies within the globally significant Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.

Ecological Importance

• It Acts as a critical wildlife corridor between Kaziranga National Park and the Karbi Anglong Hills. It Ensures genetic connectivity for large mammals like tigers, elephants, and rhinos.

About Candid

Canids are a family of mammals belonging to the order Carnivora. They are commonly known as the dog family and encompass a wide range of species, including domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals, and several other wild canines

Kolhapuri Chappals

Kolhapuri Chappals are a traditional type of handcrafted leather footwear originating from Kolhapur, a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra

History and Origin

• Origin: Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

• Tradition: Dates back over 800 years. Originally made by the cobblers of Maharashtra, especially from the Chamar community.

• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: They have earned this status for their uniqueness and historical significance tied to the Kolhapur region.

• Made from 100% leather, sourced from cow, buffalo, or goat.

• Tanned using natural vegetable dyes, which make them non-allergenic and eco-friendly.

What is a Geographical Indication?

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that origin.

Key Features:

• Link to Location: The product must originate from a specific place or region.

• Unique Characteristics: The product’s qualities or reputation must be due to that geographic location’s natural or human factors (climate, soil, traditional know-how, etc.).

• Legal Protection: GI status is granted by law, protecting the product name from misuse or imitation by producers outside that region.

• GI tags cover a wide range of products including textiles, handicrafts, food items, and agricultural products.

Current status of GI Tags in India:

The first GI tag was given to Darjeeling tea in 2004-05.

The number of GI tags issued by the department till July 2024 stands at 605.

Uttar Pradesh is the leading state in highest number of GI-tagged products followed by Tamil Nadu.

Important GI-Tagged Goods in 2024 by State/UT

 Initiatives to Strengthen GI Tags in India

• GI Logo & Tagline: Tagline"Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India" represents the spirit of Geographical Indications of India

• Promoting GI Exports. APEDA facilitates GI product exports. Examples: Naga Mircha (Nagaland) and Black Rice (Manipur) to UK, Assam Lemon to Italy.

• One District One Product (ODOP): Promotes one key product per district. Products are identified under Districts as Export Hubs (DEH), and GI-tagged products.

• Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC): Connects GI-tagged products with buyers across India and globally.

Global Framework on Geographical Indications (GI)

International Treaties & Agreements:

1. TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)

   • Administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 1995.

   • Requires member countries to provide minimum standards of protection for Gis.

   • Covers agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine, and spirits specifically, with broader protection encouraged for other goods.

2. Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883)

   • An early international agreement supporting protection of industrial property, including indications of source.

3. Lisbon Agreement (1958)

   • Administered by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).

   • Provides international registration of appellations of origin, which are a special type of GI, offering stronger protection but fewer countries are members.

4. Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement (2015)

   • Modernizes and expands the Lisbon system for GI protection internationally.

Indian Framework on Geographical Indications

Legal Basis:

• Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999

  • Governs GI registration and protection in India.

  • Came into force in 2003.

  • Administered by the Geographical Indications Registry located in Chennai.

     

Registration Process:

• Registration valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely.

Nodal Department :DPIIT , Ministry of commerce and industry

THAAD Missile System

• The United States utilized 15-20% of its THAAD missile inventory during a recent 12-day conflict involving Israeli and U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities.This deployment was aimed at bolstering defense against aerial threats from Iran during the conflict.

What is THAAD?

THAAD stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, an advanced U.S.-developed missile defense system designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles during their terminal phase (final phase of flight). It is Developed after experiences with Iraq’s Scud missile attacks during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. A critical part of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) architecture. It is Unique for intercepting missiles both inside (endoatmospheric) and outside (exoatmospheric) the Earth’s atmosphere.

Features of THAAD Missile System

Radar System

• Equipped with an X-band radar—the world’s largest ground/air-transportable X-band radar.

• Can detect and track missile threats up to 1,000 km away.

Intercept Capability

• Designed to intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

• Can engage targets both inside (endoatmospheric) and outside (exoatmospheric) the Earth’s atmosphere.

Command and Control

• Advanced command and control platform for coordinated defense.

• Allows mid-course updates to the interceptor missile during flight to improve accuracy.

Mobility

• Truck-mounted launchers and radar make the system mobile and rapidly deployable.

A missile is a guided, self-propelled weapon designed to deliver an explosive payload to a target. It uses a variety of guidance systems to track and hit targets, making it distinct from unguided projectiles or bombs.

Key Features of a Missile:

1. Guidance System: Directs the missile to its target with high accuracy.

2. Targeting System: Identifies and locks onto the target.

3. Flight System: Controls the missile's flight path.

4. Engine: Powers the missile, usually through a rocket motor or jet engine.

5. Warhead: Explosive payload that causes damage to the target.

Types of Missiles

1. Based on Speed:

• Subsonic: Slower than the speed of sound (Mach 1). E.g., Prithvi missile.

  Supersonic: Faster than Mach 1, but less than Mach 5. E.g., BrahMos missile.

  Hypersonic: Faster than Mach 5, used for high-speed, evasive maneuvers. E.g., BrahMos II (under development).

2. Based on Trajectory:

• Ballistic Missiles: Follow a parabolic trajectory. E.g., Agni and Prithvi series.

  Cruise Missiles: Fly within the atmosphere at constant speed. E.g., BrahMos.

  Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): Travel at hypersonic speeds, often in space and re-enter the atmosphere to strike targets.

3. Based on Launch Mode:

• Surface-to-Surface: Launched from ground to strike land targets. E.g., Prithvi and Agni.

  Surface-to-Air: Launched from the ground to intercept airborne threats. E.g., Akash missile.

  Air-to-Surface: Fired from aircraft to hit ground targets. E.g., Helina anti-tank missile.

  Submarine-Launched: Fired from submerged submarines for strategic deterrence. E.g., K-15 Sagarika.

India’s Missile Systems

India has developed several advanced missile systems to bolster its defense capabilities, with strategic importance in maintaining national security and regional stability. These include:

1. Prithvi: Short-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

2. Agni: Long-range ballistic missile series, including ICBM (Agni-V).

3. BrahMos: Supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed with Russia.

4. Akash: Surface-to-air missile for air defense.

5. K-series: Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), completing India’s nuclear triad.

India's First Butterfly Sanctuary: Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary

In a significant step towards biodiversity conservation, Kerala has established India’s first butterfly sanctuary, located in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur district, Kerala. This move reflects a focused effort on protecting butterfly species and raising awareness about their conservation.

Background

• Established: The sanctuary was originally established in 1984 as the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary.

  Research & Surveys: Annual butterfly surveys have been conducted for over 20 years, in partnership with the Malabar Natural History Society.

  Butterfly Migration Study: A significant research and tourism activity, held every January or February, focusing on the migration of butterfly species in the sanctuary.

About Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary

• Location: Situated in Kannur district, Kerala, within the Western Ghats.

• Area: Spanning 55 square kilometers of lush tropical and semi-evergreen forests.

• River System: The Cheenkannipuzha River is the main drainage system of the sanctuary

Objectives

• Protection of Habitat: Provide a protected space for butterflies and safeguard their migration corridors.

• Awareness & Education: Raise public awareness about the importance of butterfly conservation.

• Eco-Tourism & Research: Promote eco-tourism and scientific research, benefiting local communities and researchers.

Sanctuary Highlights

Biodiversity and Butterfly Species

• Butterfly Species: The sanctuary is home to over 266 species of butterflies, which accounts for more than 80% of Kerala’s butterfly diversity. Some of these species are unique to the region, while others are endangered.

• Migration Period: From October to February, the sanctuary experiences an incredible migration phenomenon, particularly of the Common Albatross butterfly. During this period, the sanctuary turns into a living rainbow as butterflies fill the air, fluttering amid tall trees, wild orchids, and flowers.

Conservation Significance

• Protection: The sanctuary offers a safe haven for endangered and endemic butterfly species, ensuring their protection from habitat loss and other threats.

• Scientific Discovery: The sanctuary remains a vital site for ongoing research, with new species still being identified.

• Ecological Balance: Butterflies play a crucial role as pollinators, which are vital for maintaining the ecological balance of the region.

• Funding & Policies: The renaming to a butterfly sanctuary strengthens conservation policies and enhances funding opportunities for wildlife protection.

Global Gender Gap Index 2025

India's slippage to 131st out of 148 countries in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index marks a concerning setback in its pursuit of gender equality. While the country has made strides in economic participation, education, and health, the decline in political empowerment has significantly dragged down its overall score.

Reasons Behind the Fall in the Gender Gap Index

India's drop in the 2025 index is primarily due to declining political empowerment indicators:

• Percentage of Women in Parliament: The number of women MPs in Lok Sabha has fallen from 14.4% (78 MPs in 2024) to 13.6% (74 MPs in 2025).

  Share of Women in Ministerial Roles: The percentage of women holding ministerial roles has also declined from 6.45% to 5.56%, further worsening the country’s ranking on political empowerment.

This decline in representation in decision-making roles highlights a structural issue in women’s political participation, despite the growing number of women voters.

Current Representation Levels

Despite these legislative advances, women’s representation remains low:

• Lok Sabha: Women make up only 13.6% of Lok Sabha members, with the 2024 election seeing 74 women MPs out of 543 total.

  State Assemblies: Women hold just 9% of MLA seats across states. Chhattisgarh has the highest share at 18%, while states like Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram have very low or zero female representation.

This reflects the slow pace of progress despite initial optimism surrounding the Women’s Reservation Bill.

What will be the Impact of Women’s Reservation on Political Representation

The Women’s Reservation Bill (2023), which reserves 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, promises to significantly increase women’s political representation once it’s fully implemented. However, the law is not set to take effect until 2029 due to a combination of factors:

• Census and Delimitation: The bill’s implementation depends on the completion of the next Census and delimitation process, making 2029 the earliest possible rollout.

If it goes ahead in 2029, it would raise women’s representation in national politics to at least 33%, potentially shifting India’s rankings in global gender empowerment indices.

Need for Systemic Change

• Higher Winning Percentage: Despite lower nomination rates, women have historically had a higher average winning percentage than men.

  Low Nomination Rates: Women make up only 8-9% of major party candidates, suggesting that structural barriers, internal party dynamics, and outdated assumptions continue to hinder women’s participation in politics.

For long-term change, it’s not enough to reserve seats; parties must rethink their nomination strategies and provide women with better opportunities to contest in winnable constituencies.

Despite the surge in women voters, there has been little correlation with an increase in women candidates. Political parties continue to field women in reserved SC/ST constituencies instead of stronghold constituencies where they are more likely to win, citing lack of "winnability" for women in such areas.

While female voters do not vote based solely on gender, there is a growing disconnect:

• Women’s preferences in elections lean toward performance and policies over identity.

Key Steps in Achieving Gender Parity

1. Women’s Education

• Gross Enrolment Ratio: The female gross enrolment ratio at the elementary level stands at 94.32%, slightly outpacing boys at 89.28%. At the secondary level, 81.32% of girls are enrolled, compared to 78% of boys.

  Literacy Rates: Women's literacy has increased dramatically from just 9% at independence to 77% today, signaling a significant achievement in closing the education gap.

2. Economic Empowerment through Financial Inclusion

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): 56% of accounts under PMJDY are held by women, providing them with greater access to banking, savings, and credit.

  Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): DBT initiatives, like Ladli Behna Yojana, have ensured that welfare funds directly reach women, empowering them financially, especially in rural areas.

3. Legal Reforms for Women’s Rights and Safety

• Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013: Strengthened penalties for sexual assault and harassment, emphasizing zero tolerance for gender-based violence.

• Maternity Leave: The introduction of 26 weeks of paid maternity leave in 2017 has been crucial in promoting work-life balance for women in the workforce.

4. Rising Women in Leadership Roles

• Breaking Barriers: Women like Charu Sinha (first woman to head four sectors of the CRPF) and Justice Nagarathna (first female Chief Justice of India) are breaking barriers in leadership roles across defense, judiciary, and corporate sectors.

• Corporate Representation: Nearly 97% of NSE-listed companies have appointed at least one woman director by March 2025.

5. Health and Wellness

• Maternal Health: Programs like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and Ayushman Bharat have helped reduce maternal mortality rates by over 50% in the last decade, and 49% of health insurance beneficiaries are women.

6. Increased Female Workforce Participation in Rural India

• MGNREGA: Over 57.47% of workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) are women, offering them equal wage provisions and empowering them economically.

7. Promotion of Women’s Entrepreneurship

• Government Schemes: Programs like Stand Up India and MUDRA have significantly increased women’s participation in entrepreneurship, with 68% of Stand Up India loans going to women.

Challenges to Gender Parity in India

1. Political Underrepresentation

• Despite initiatives like the Women’s Reservation Act, political participation remains low, with only 13.8% of seats in Parliament occupied by women, and 5.6% of ministerial roles are held by women.

2. Low Female Labor Force Participation

• Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women in India stands at a low 41.7%, with many women working in informal sectors where social security is minimal.

• Unpaid Work: Women contribute around ₹19 lakh crore worth of unpaid labor annually, and closing the gender employment gap could add $770 billion to India's GDP by 2025.

3. Cultural Barriers and Patriarchal Norms

• Social Expectations: Deeply ingrained societal norms restrict women’s mobility and career progression, particularly in rural India, limiting their opportunities for leadership and economic advancement.

4. Gender Pay Gap

• Women in India earn 30-40% less than their male counterparts in similar roles, particularly in urban and high-skill sectors.

5. Educational Attainment vs. Employment Opportunities

• Although women’s educational attainment has improved, the disconnect between education and employment persists, especially in fields like STEM, where women represent just 27% of the workforce.

India is set to enhance its financial monitoring system with the proposed creation of a Financial Conditions Index (FCI), aimed at providing a daily snapshot of the country's financial stability.

What is the Financial Conditions Index (FCI)?

The FCI is a composite indicator designed to assess the overall financial conditions in India on a daily basis. It aggregates key indicators across five major segments of the financial system:

1. Money markets

2. Government securities (G-Sec)

3. Corporate bonds

4. Equity markets

5. Foreign exchange markets

By tracking these indicators, the FCI provides insights into whether financial conditions are becoming tighter or looser compared to their historical averages, starting from 2012. The goal is to create a dynamic and high-frequency tool for better financial decision-making by policymakers, analysts, and market participants.

How Does the FCI Work?

The FCI relies on 20 market-based indicators that are updated daily. These indicators capture changes in the liquidity, risk premiums, interest rates, and overall market sentiment. The index is standardized, meaning its values are measured in standard deviation units to make comparisons easier.

• Positive values of the FCI indicate tighter financial conditions (i.e., markets are under stress or liquidity is constrained).

• Negative values indicate easier financial conditions (i.e., liquidity is abundant, and markets are less stressed).

For example:

• During the Taper Tantrum of 2013, the FCI peaked at +2.826, indicating extremely tight conditions due to outflows from emerging markets and fears surrounding US monetary policy.

• Conversely, during mid-2021, the FCI dropped to -2.197, reflecting exceptionally easy financial conditions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by policy measures like liquidity injections and rate cuts.

Key Historical Episodes Captured by the FCI

The FCI provides valuable insights into how financial conditions evolve over time. Some key historical episodes tracked by the index include:

1. Taper Tantrum (2013):

   • The FCI peaked at +2.826, signaling financial tightening as markets reacted to the possibility of reduced US bond purchases under quantitative easing (QE).

   • The bond and foreign exchange markets experienced significant stress during this period, causing capital outflows from emerging markets, including India.

2. IL&FS Crisis (2018):

   • The FCI indicated tightening due to the default by IL&FS, which triggered panic in the bond market and raised credit risk premiums.

   • The non-banking financial companies (NBFC) sector was significantly impacted, and there was a sharp rise in risk aversion across financial markets.

3. COVID-19 Pandemic (2020):

   • The FCI dropped sharply as financial markets reacted to the economic shutdown.

   • A sharp sell-off in equities and bonds drove the index into the tightening zone, reflecting heightened market turmoil.

4. Post-Pandemic Recovery (2021-2023):

   • Following the initial tightening in early 2020, the FCI moved into negative territory during 2021, reflecting exceptionally easy financial conditions driven by large liquidity injections and aggressive policy measures by the RBI.

   • Mid-2023 onwards, financial conditions were easy, fueled by buoyant equity markets and ample liquidity in the money market.

5. Recent Tightening (Late 2024-2025):

   • From November 2024, there were signs of slightly tighter conditions, attributed to global financial uncertainty, including US exceptionalism after the presidential election and shifts in central bank policies worldwide.

   • By March 2025, the FCI returned to near-neutral levels, suggesting a stabilization in financial conditions.

Significance of the FCI

1. Real-time Monitoring:

   • The daily frequency of the FCI provides timely insights into market trends, enabling early detection of stress or excess exuberance in the financial system.

2. Policymaking Tool:

   • By tracking changes in financial conditions, the RBI can adjust monetary policies (interest rates, liquidity support) and macroeconomic interventions in a more data-driven manner.

3. Market Guidance:

   • The FCI serves as a leading indicator for financial market participants, offering clear signals about the liquidity environment and risk perceptions.

4. Global Comparisons:

   • The FCI aligns with similar indices used by global central banks, such as the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, making it easier to benchmark India’s financial health against global trends.

Implications for Financial Stability

• Enhanced Financial Stability Monitoring: The FCI will significantly improve India’s ability to assess and mitigate financial risks, especially in volatile or stressful periods like financial crises or geopolitical events.

• Crisis Management: The FCI can help policymakers gauge the severity of market stress, allowing them to implement timely interventions to avoid systemic risks.

• Market Adaptability: For investors, the FCI will help adjust strategies based on real-time liquidity conditions and policy shifts, improving market efficiency and decision-making.

Challenges and Future Directions

• Complexity of Interpretation: While the FCI offers great insights, interpreting its movements in real time may require advanced analytical capabilities. Therefore, effective communication of its results is crucial to ensure proper use by policymakers and the market.

• Evolving Financial Landscape: As India’s financial market becomes more complex, the FCI may need to adapt by including new indicators or incorporating machine learning models for predictive analytics.

• Long-term Monitoring: The FCI is still in its early stages, and its long-term effectiveness will depend on consistent tracking and regular updates to ensure it reflects evolving market dynamics.

Conclusion

The Financial Conditions Index (FCI) is a pioneering tool that will improve real-time monitoring of India’s financial health, offering deep insights into the financial market's stability. By aggregating data across critical sectors and providing daily updates, it empowers policymakers, analysts, and market participants with the necessary intelligence to manage risks and make informed decisions.