India's Public Distribution System (PDS) has long been a cornerstone of food security, ensuring access to subsidised cereals for millions of people. However, a recent Crisil study using the ‘Thali Index’ has exposed a stark reality: food deprivation remains widespread, particularly in rural areas, despite the large-scale support offered by PDS. The study reveals that up to 50% of rural Indians and 20% of urban Indians cannot afford even two balanced meals a day, indicating that food deprivation extends far beyond what is captured by income-based poverty measures.
This finding contrasts with reports from the World Bank's 2024 Poverty and Equity Brief, which states that extreme poverty in India has dramatically decreased from 16.2% in 2011-12 to 2.3% in 2022-23. Yet, even with this reduction in income poverty, food insecurity remains pervasive.
The ‘Thali Index’ offers a new perspective by measuring food deprivation based on whether households can afford a basic, balanced meal (the thali) comprising rice, dal, roti, vegetables, curd, and salad. This approach highlights the nutritional gaps that are often missed in conventional poverty measures, which focus solely on calories or income. The Thali Index underscores that many families, despite seemingly low official poverty levels, cannot afford two balanced meals per day.
While the PDS has made strides in ensuring calorie security, especially for cereals, it has significant limitations when it comes to ensuring nutritional security:
Cereal-Centric Focus:
The PDS primarily distributes rice and wheat, which are calorie-rich but protein-poor, neglecting other key nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Pulses, often the only affordable source of protein for poor households, are not adequately subsidised, leaving a major nutritional gap.
Nutritional Inequity:
The poorest 5% of rural households consume only half the amount of pulses as the wealthiest 5%, indicating a severe nutritional imbalance.
In rural India, top 10% of consumers receive up to 88% of the subsidies allocated to the poorest 5%, showcasing leakage and misallocation within the system.
Fiscal and Operational Inefficiencies:
The extension of free food grain under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to 80 crore people has led to over-allocation, with many of these households already consuming adequate cereals.
This misalignment wastes public funds, increases the cost for procurement, storage, and distribution for the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
While the need to shift to a nutrition-sensitive PDS is clear, several challenges complicate its implementation:
Accurate Targeting of Beneficiaries:
It is difficult to identify households that consume below the "two thalis a day" norm, risking exclusion of the poorest or inclusion of better-off households in the program.
Political Sensitivity:
The PDS system is politically sensitive. Reducing subsidies on cereals, even for wealthier groups, may provoke backlash from middle-class and better-off families who benefit from the system.
Logistical Hurdles:
Pulses are more challenging to procure and distribute than rice or wheat, due to price volatility and smaller production volumes.
Expanding pulse inclusion would require significant investments in procurement, storage, and distribution infrastructure.
Fiscal Sustainability:
Expanding subsidies for pulses while maintaining support for cereals could strain the food subsidy bill, risking unsustainable fiscal burdens.
Corruption and Misallocation:
Subsidised food items are often diverted to open markets, and expanding the basket to include pulses may increase black-marketing and corruption.
Administrative Capacity:
A shift towards a nutrition-sensitive PDS requires better data systems, digital tracking, and strong monitoring to prevent inefficiency and ensure benefits reach the needy.
Define a Minimum Balanced Diet:
Establish a "minimum balanced diet" standard (e.g., two thalis per day) that includes cereals, pulses, vegetables, and dairy.
The basket should be region-specific, accounting for local dietary patterns and costs.
Target Subsidies Based on Need:
Use the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) data to identify households that fall below the nutritional norm.
Provide full PDS benefits to these households and gradually reduce or eliminate subsidies for those who exceed the norm.
Expand Pulse Inclusion:
Increase distribution of pulses (such as tur, moong, and chana) through the PDS, focusing on low-income households.
Link pulse procurement with Minimum Support Price (MSP) and buffer stocking mechanisms to stabilise prices.
Reduce Excess Cereal Allocation:
Trim cereal quotas where consumption has already met desired levels.
Use the savings to expand the food basket to include nutrient-rich foods like pulses and vegetables.
Pilot Programs and Gradual Scaling:
Implement state-wise pilot programs to test the impacts of a nutrition-sensitive PDS before a nationwide rollout.
Monitor the effects on nutrition, fiscal costs, and supply chains.
Leverage Technology for Better Targeting:
Use digital ration cards, Aadhaar linkage, and real-time data to improve transparency and reduce leakages.
Promote nutrition literacy to encourage the uptake of a more diverse diet.
Integrate with Existing Nutrition Schemes:
Align the PDS with other initiatives like Poshan Abhiyaan, Mid-Day Meal schemes, and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to maximise impact.
India has seen a long evolution in defining and calculating poverty. Over the years, various committees and expert groups have proposed methods to quantify poverty based on consumption levels. These approaches have ranged from focusing on caloric intake to a more holistic view of nutritional needs and non-food consumption.
Objective: The Working Group was one of the first attempts to quantify the poverty line in India.
Poverty Line: The group quantified the poverty line based on minimum food and non-food needs.
Amount:
Rural Areas: Rs 20 per capita per month (1960-61 prices).
Urban Areas: Rs 25 per capita per month (1960-61 prices).
Key Feature: It divided the poverty line into rural and urban categories, marking the first time such a distinction was made.
Objective: This committee focused on caloric intake as the basis for poverty estimation.
Poverty Line: It derived the poverty line based on the expenditure required to meet a daily intake of 2,250 kcal per capita.
Key Feature: This was a calorie-based approach that reflected the basic energy requirements for a person to live.
Objective: This committee built upon earlier caloric-based measures but introduced a refined estimation.
Poverty Line: The poverty line was based on per capita consumption required to meet basic calorie needs.
Rural Areas: 2,400 kcal/day.
Urban Areas: 2,100 kcal/day.
The corresponding monetary values at 1973-74 prices were:
Rural: Rs 49.09 per month.
Urban: Rs 56.64 per month.
Key Feature: The committee continued to use caloric needs as a key determinant but adjusted for rural and urban distinctions.
Objective: This group refined the poverty line methodology by recognizing regional price differences.
Poverty Line:
It retained the Alagh Committee's poverty lines at the national level but introduced state-specific poverty lines.
This adjustment took into account regional price variations, ensuring that the poverty line more accurately reflected local living conditions.
Key Feature: The introduction of state-specific poverty lines was a significant step toward recognizing the diversity in cost of living across India.
Objective: This committee aimed to create a more inclusive and nationally consistent poverty line framework.
Poverty Line:
The committee recommended a single all-India urban poverty line basket to derive state-level poverty lines for both rural and urban areas.
It shifted the focus from a purely calorie-based approach to a broader focus on nutritional outcomes and recommended that poverty lines reflect both food and non-food items.
Key Feature: This shift marked a major change in the approach to defining poverty. It moved away from the sole focus on calories and towards a multidimensional approach.
Objective: This committee was set up to revisit the poverty line and refine earlier methodologies, especially in light of changing consumption patterns.
Poverty Line:
The committee reintroduced separate rural and urban poverty lines.
The consumption basket included both food and non-food items, reflecting a more comprehensive understanding of poverty.
Poverty Line (Monthly Per Capita Expenditure):
Urban Areas: Rs 1,407.
Rural Areas: Rs 972.
Key Feature: While the committee recommended more holistic poverty measures, the government did not officially adopt the report.
From Calories to Nutrition: Over time, the focus shifted from calorie-based poverty lines to incorporating broader nutritional outcomes. The Tendulkar Committee (2009) and the Rangarajan Committee (2014) were key proponents of moving beyond simple calorie consumption.
Regional Disparities: The Lakdawala Expert Group and the Rangarajan Committee highlighted the importance of state-specific poverty lines, acknowledging that the cost of living varies significantly across India.
Inclusion of Non-Food Items: The later committees, especially the Rangarajan Committee, incorporated non-food items into the consumption basket, recognizing that poverty is not just about food security but also about access to other essentials like housing, healthcare, and education.
Political and Policy Impact: While the reports provided vital inputs into India’s poverty estimation methodology, the implementation and adoption of the recommendations have often been influenced by political considerations. The Rangarajan Committee's report was notably not adopted, reflecting the challenges of aligning policy with evolving definitions of poverty.
A reformed PDS that focuses on nutritional equity is essential for bridging India's hidden hunger gap. By prioritising targeted subsidies, reducing over-allocation of cereals, and expanding access to nutrient-rich foods, India can move closer to ensuring that all its citizens have access to a balanced and nutritious diet. The success of these reforms will depend on careful targeting, fiscal discipline, and efficient implementation backed by robust data systems. The future of India's food security lies not just in distributing calories but in promoting nutrition that sustains both health and dignity
The recent Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) represents a major shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and South Asia, with significant implications for India’s strategic interests. This pact formalizes decades of informal military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and the key elements—such as collective defense, joint military mechanisms, and intelligence-sharing—have the potential to alter the regional security dynamics.
A Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) is a landmark deal between two nations aimed at deepening their military cooperation and providing a framework for joint deterrence.
Mutual Defence Clause:
The heart of the SMDA is a mutual defence clause which stipulates that an attack on one nation is considered an attack on both. This means that both nations are bound to come to each other’s aid if either is targeted by external aggression, strengthening their collective security.
Scope of the Agreement:
The SMDA extends across all military domains, including:
Conventional forces (ground, air, and naval power).
Advisory support for strategic defense and military operations.
Nuclear deterrence, ensuring both nations can coordinate in terms of strategic deterrence capabilities to safeguard their security interests.
Institutionalisation of Security Ties:
This agreement builds upon the 1982 Bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement and draws on decades of military training, arms trade, and troop deployments between the nations. The SMDA institutionalizes a deeper level of security integration and military coordination.
It signifies the formalization of already extensive defence ties, reinforcing long-term commitment between the two countries in terms of strategic cooperation.
Strategic Context:
The SMDA was signed in the wake of rising tensions between Israel and Qatar, signaling a shift in the regional security landscape. For Saudi Arabia, this agreement may also represent a shift towards regional self-reliance, especially amidst increasing doubts about the reliability of U.S. security guarantees in the region.
The agreement reflects a broader trend of countries in the region seeking independent security arrangements to reduce their dependence on traditional powers like the U.S.
Economic Angle:
Beyond military cooperation, the SMDA provides significant economic leverage for both nations. For Pakistan, this agreement helps secure Saudi financial support to alleviate its struggling economy, ensuring continued arms procurement and vital energy supplies.
Saudi Arabia stands to benefit from enhanced security arrangements and potential access to Pakistan’s military expertise and strategic positioning, helping to reinforce its position as a regional power.
Historical Ties: The defense pact revives long-standing ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Historically, Saudi Arabia has been a key ally for Pakistan, and this formalization strengthens Pakistan’s position in the region.
Anti-India Narratives: This closer alignment could enable Pakistan to more effectively push its anti-India agenda, particularly regarding Kashmir, within multilateral forums like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Saudi Arabia's influence in the Islamic world could be leveraged by Pakistan to further isolate India on global platforms.
Energy Security: India’s reliance on Saudi Arabia for crude oil imports makes the deeper Saudi-Pakistan alliance a potential concern for India’s energy security. A strategic alignment between Riyadh and Islamabad could complicate commercial ties, especially if Saudi Arabia begins to prioritize Pakistan’s security interests over its ties with India.
Diaspora: India has a large 2.6 million-strong diaspora in Saudi Arabia, which is a significant source of remittances. Any geopolitical shifts may affect the well-being and status of the Indian community in the Kingdom, especially if tensions between the two countries escalate.
Diplomatic Setback: India has long relied on international pressure to isolate Pakistan in the context of terrorism. Saudi Arabia's deeper partnership with Pakistan may undermine India’s efforts to gain broader global support for its stance on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: Although India and Saudi Arabia have strengthened counter-terrorism cooperation, the new strategic alignment between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan could dilute Riyadh’s support for India’s diplomatic initiatives on terrorism and militancy.
Arms Race in Advanced Technologies: Saudi Arabia’s financial support to Pakistan could enable Pakistan to accelerate its military modernization. With the backing of countries like Turkey and China, Pakistan could acquire advanced military technologies, including drones, hypersonic missiles, and cyber warfare capabilities. This would pose a direct challenge to India’s military preparedness and likely fuel an arms race in the region, especially in areas like AI, space warfare, and electronic warfare.
Strategic Parity: This could push India to ramp up its own military modernization and defense spending, placing significant pressure on the nation’s defense budget.
Despite the new Saudi-Pakistan defense pact, Saudi Arabia remains an important strategic partner for India, especially in the following areas:
Saudi Arabia is a critical energy partner for India, as it is one of the largest suppliers of crude oil to India. Maintaining stable energy supplies from Saudi Arabia is crucial for India’s economic growth and energy security.
India and Saudi Arabia enjoy a robust economic relationship. Saudi Arabia is India’s second-largest trade partner, and India ranks as Saudi Arabia’s fifth-largest trade partner.
Indian investments in Saudi Arabia are growing, with India investing over USD 3 billion in August 2023. The economic ties, along with joint investments in green energy, technology, and infrastructure, are key drivers for bilateral cooperation.
India and Saudi Arabia have deepened their defense cooperation through joint military exercises like EX-SADA TANSEEQ (land forces) and Al Mohed Al Hindi (naval). This cooperation aims to improve interoperability and strengthen regional security, particularly concerning threats from regional powers like Iran.
Saudi Arabia plays a key role in India’s strategic objectives in the region, especially the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This corridor is critical for countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and enhancing regional connectivity.
India’s diaspora in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the fields of healthcare, construction, and hospitality, serves as a vital bridge between the two nations. The soft power that India wields through its cultural diplomacy, such as Yoga and spiritual exchanges, further strengthens people-to-people ties.
India should focus on strengthening its diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia through economic engagement, especially by emphasizing the energy security partnership, investments, and future projects in renewables and technology.
India must steer its relationship with Saudi Arabia away from the Pakistan prism and promote multilateral cooperation, especially in areas like counter-terrorism, economic collaboration, and regional security.
The new Saudi-Pakistan defense pact underscores the need for India to deepen its relationship with Iran, particularly through initiatives like the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
India should leverage its ties with Iran to secure access to Central Asia and Afghanistan, while also ensuring energy security through Iran’s natural gas and energy supplies.
India must diversify its Gulf strategy by strengthening ties with other Gulf nations, particularly the UAE and Qatar. This can be achieved through trade deals, defense cooperation, and LNG supplies.
A balanced relationship with Iran, even with its geopolitical complexities, will help India maintain regional equilibrium and manage its interests effectively.
Platforms like I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-US) can be used to strengthen India’s role as a non-threatening stabilizing force in the region. This also helps mitigate the effects of the Saudi-Pakistan strategic alignment on India’s influence in the Gulf and broader Middle East.
The Saudi-Pakistan defense pact is a strategic shift that poses several challenges to India’s regional diplomacy. However, India’s robust economic ties with Saudi Arabia, coupled with growing defense cooperation, provide significant leverage. To safeguard its interests, India must maintain strong diplomatic ties with Riyadh, expand its influence in the Gulf by engaging other regional players like UAE and Qatar, and ensure that its relationship with Iran remains pragmatic and mutually beneficial. By doing so, India can mitigate the impact of the Saudi-Pakistan pact while navigating the multipolar and fluid geopolitics of the region
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has recently struck Leyte Island in the Philippines. While the impact details are still emerging, such a significant tremor is likely to cause considerable damage, particularly to infrastructure in populated areas.
Leyte is a large and historically significant island in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines. Geography
Size: Leyte is the eighth-largest island in the Philippines, spanning 7,056 square kilometers.
Coastline: It has a coastline of 969 km, providing significant access to marine resources.
Location: It is located in the central part of the country and is separated from Samar Island by the San Juanico Strait, which narrows down to just 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in some places.
The San Juanico Bridge (2.16 km) is a key structure linking Leyte and Samar.
Tacloban: The capital city on the eastern coast of Leyte, which is also the largest city on the island.
Ormoc: Situated on the western coast, Ormoc is notable for hosting geothermal power plants, contributing to the region's energy production.
In the 16th century, the island was known to Spanish explorers as Tandaya.
Leyte became a pivotal location during World War II. U.S. forces landed on Leyte on October 20, 1944, and after the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Japan was expelled from the island. This marked a significant moment in the Pacific theater during the war.
Agriculture is the backbone of Leyte’s economy, with farmers growing crops such as rice, corn, coconuts, and bananas.
Fishing also plays an important role, particularly along the coastlines.
The island has some valuable minerals, including manganese, and it is home to quarries producing sandstone and limestone.
Much of Leyte is covered in dense forests and mountainous terrain, contributing to its biodiversity and making it a vital part of the country’s ecological systems.
The Leyte Valley in the northeast is a major farming region, often considered the island’s breadbasket.
The recent 6.7 magnitude earthquake has added a new layer of complexity to Leyte's infrastructure, which, while significant, will likely test the island’s resilience. Emergency and recovery teams are expected to focus on Tacloban and other urban areas, which could be at risk due to their proximity to the earthquake's epicenter.
Leyte is an island with a mix of agricultural importance, rich history, and critical infrastructure that ties it to neighboring islands like Samar. The recent earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the seismic risks in the Philippine archipelago, which is part of the Ring of Fire.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released its road accident data for 2023, revealing some alarming statistics. Here's an overview of the key findings:
Total Accidents: A total of 464,029 road accidents occurred across India in 2023, which is an increase of 17,261 accidents from 2022.
Fatalities: 173,000 people were killed in road accidents, marking a significant toll on human life.
Injuries: Over 447,000 people were injured in road accidents during the year.
The highest number of road accidents (20.7% of the total) occurred between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m..
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 12 noon to 3 p.m. also accounted for a significant share of accidents at 17.3% and 15%, respectively.
Two-wheelers were the leading cause of fatal accidents, with 79,533 deaths (45.8% of total fatalities).
Pedestrians were next, accounting for 27,586 deaths (15.9%).
SUVs, cars, and jeeps were responsible for 24,776 fatalities (14.3%).
Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of fatal two-wheeler accidents, with 11,490 deaths in Tamil Nadu and 8,370 in Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh also saw a high number of fatalities due to SUV/car/jeep accidents (19.2% of total deaths) and truck/lorries/mini-trucks (29.9% of total deaths).
Speeding accounted for 58.6% (101,841) of the fatalities.
Dangerous or careless driving or overtaking caused 23.6% (41,035) of fatalities.
Other factors such as poor weather conditions, driving under the influence, and animal crossings contributed to 4,952 deaths.
National Highways accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with 34.6% of the total deaths.
State Highways followed with 23.4% of the fatalities.
Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of fatalities on National Highways.
69,910 traffic accidents were reported in major cities across India.
Delhi had the highest number of 5,715 accidents, making up 8.2% of the total.
Bengaluru and Chennai ranked second and third with 4,980 and 3,653 accidents, respectively.
Delhi also had the highest number of fatalities, with 1,457 deaths in 2023.
Bengaluru followed with 915 fatalities, and Jaipur ranked third with 848 fatalities.
Two-wheelers continue to be the most dangerous mode of transport in terms of fatalities.
The timing of accidents indicates high risk during peak evening hours.
Speeding and careless driving remain the leading causes of road fatalities, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement and road safety measures.
National and State Highways are major hotspots for fatal accidents, suggesting the importance of improving infrastructure and safety measures on these roads.
Urban Areas, particularly Delhi, are seeing high numbers of accidents, which could be due to heavy traffic, poor driving conditions, or a lack of adequate road safety measures.
The NCRB data underscores the persistent road safety challenges in India. It highlights the urgent need for improved traffic management, better infrastructure, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, particularly focusing on speeding and dangerous driving. Further efforts are needed to enhance road safety awareness, especially for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, who continue to bear the brunt of road accidents
The Wassenaar Arrangement is facing significant challenges in adapting its controls to the rapid growth of cloud technology. This issue highlights the need to update its control lists and enforcement mechanisms to keep up with evolving technological developments, particularly in the realm of dual-use goods and cybersecurity.
Establishment: Formed in 1996, the Wassenaar Arrangement succeeded the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM), a body created during the Cold War.
Name Origin: The arrangement is named after Wassenaar, a suburb of The Hague, Netherlands, where the agreement to start such a multilateral cooperation was reached in 1995.
Purpose:
To promote transparency and ensure greater responsibility in the transfer of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.
Its goal is to prevent destabilizing actions by controlling the movement of technologies that could be used in military applications.
Membership: The group has 42 member countries.
India's Membership: India became a member of the Wassenaar Arrangement in 2017. As part of its membership, India incorporated Wassenaar's control lists into its framework for regulating Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies.
Headquarters: The Wassenaar Arrangement is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
Contributing to Regional and International Security and Stability:
The Wassenaar Arrangement works to enhance global security by monitoring and regulating the transfer of arms and sensitive technologies. This helps prevent these goods from falling into the wrong hands, thereby contributing to regional and international peace and stability.
Promoting Transparency and Greater Responsibility in Transfers:
The arrangement encourages transparency among member states regarding the transfer of conventional arms, as well as dual-use goods and technologies (those that can be used for both civilian and military purposes). This responsibility ensures that the transfer of such materials is done with full awareness of their potential impacts on security and stability.
Complementing Export Control Regimes for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD):
The Wassenaar Arrangement aligns with and complements other export control regimes that focus on preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and their delivery systems (such as nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons). It ensures that the export of materials that could be used in the production of WMDs is tightly regulated.
Not Directed Against Any State or Group of States:
The arrangement is non-discriminatory and does not target any specific country or group of countries. Its goal is not to act as a tool of political leverage against specific states but to enhance global security through cooperative efforts among the international community.
Using Export Controls to Combat Terrorism:
One of the essential functions of the Wassenaar Arrangement is to use export controls as a tool to combat terrorism. By ensuring that sensitive materials and technologies do not fall into the hands of terrorist groups, the arrangement seeks to mitigate the risk of such groups acquiring the means to develop weapons or engage in other destabilizing activities.
Exchange of Information: The Wassenaar Arrangement facilitates the regular exchange of information on the technology and materials being transferred between countries. This includes both conventional and nuclear-capable technologies.
Control Lists: The organization maintains and regularly updates detailed lists of chemicals, technologies, processes, and products deemed militarily significant. These lists are vital for controlling the export of technologies that could potentially undermine international security and stability.
Objective: Through these exchanges, the Wassenaar Arrangement aims to control the movement of dual-use goods and critical technologies to ensure that they are not used for destabilizing purposes, particularly by countries or entities that could pose a security threat.
The Wassenaar Arrangement has faced difficulties in adapting to the rise of cloud technology. The main challenges include:
Rapid Technological Advancements: The cloud computing sector is evolving quickly, with cloud infrastructure and cyber tools being increasingly dual-use, meaning they can be utilized for both civilian and military applications. This rapid pace of development presents difficulties in classifying and monitoring such technologies under existing frameworks.
Updating Control Lists: The control lists of the Wassenaar Arrangement, which are meant to track dual-use goods and technologies, need to be frequently updated to reflect advancements in technology, such as cloud-based solutions and cybersecurity tools. This has proven challenging given the fast-paced changes in the tech landscape.
Enforcement Mechanisms: As cloud-based technologies often operate across borders, it is becoming more difficult to enforce traditional export controls that are based on specific geographic locations and physical technologies. This has prompted calls for enhanced international cooperation and new strategies for enforcement in a digital-first world.
Cybersecurity Risks: Cloud technologies, particularly those that deal with sensitive data, have significant cybersecurity implications. The risk of these technologies being used by malicious actors has added urgency to the need for updated frameworks for monitoring and controlling cloud-based services.
India's membership in the Wassenaar Arrangement provides it with increased access to information on international transfers of sensitive technologies. It also aligns India with international norms and standards on arms control and technology regulation. Given India's growing role in the technology and cybersecurity sectors, it is likely to play an active role in pushing for the adaptation of the Wassenaar framework to address emerging challenges like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cyber warfare.
The Wassenaar Arrangement continues to play a crucial role in managing the international transfer of technologies that have both civilian and military applications. However, as technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, particularly in cloud computing and cybersecurity, the arrangement faces significant challenges in updating its control lists and enforcement mechanisms. For India, the challenge lies in balancing global technology cooperation with the need for strategic security and cyber defense.
Recently, Australia has approved the drug Lecanemab for treating early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This approval marks a significant milestone in Alzheimer's treatment, as it targets the underlying causes of the disease rather than merely alleviating its symptoms.
Type: Monoclonal antibody drug
Purpose: Designed to treat the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, Lecanemab works by slowing down disease progression.
Target: It specifically targets amyloid proteins in the brain, which are believed to play a central role in the development of Alzheimer’s.
Goal: Unlike traditional treatments that address symptoms, Lecanemab is aimed at tackling the causes of Alzheimer's disease.
Mechanism: Lecanemab uses antibodies to identify amyloid proteins in the brain, which are toxic to brain cells. The drug works with the brain's immune cells to clear the build-up of amyloid proteins.
Amyloid plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques are thought to disrupt communication between brain cells, eventually causing them to die.
Delivery: Lecanemab is administered intravenously, meaning it is given directly into the vein through a drip.
Recent clinical trials have shown promising results, with a 27% reduction in disease progression among patients receiving the drug. This is a significant step forward, especially considering that Alzheimer’s disease has long been considered incurable.
High Cost: One of the main issues with Lecanemab is its high cost, which could limit its accessibility to many patients, particularly in low-income regions.
Side Effects: There are concerns about the potential side effects of the drug, particularly brain swelling. This could raise safety concerns, especially for long-term use.
Despite these issues, the drug represents a new frontier in the treatment of Alzheimer's, targeting the disease's underlying pathology rather than just managing symptoms.
Alzheimer's Disease is a brain disorder that slowly deteriorates memory, thinking skills, and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
It is the most common cause of dementia, which refers to memory loss and cognitive impairments that interfere with daily life.
Prevalence: Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases.
Impact on the Brain: The disease primarily affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
Age Factor: Typically affects those aged 65 years or older, though 10% of cases occur in those younger than 65.
The approval of Lecanemab in Australia is a major development in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. While the drug’s effectiveness is promising, especially in slowing disease progression by targeting amyloid plaques, challenges such as cost and potential side effects remain. Nevertheless, Lecanemab provides a hopeful new approach for early-stage Alzheimer's treatment, marking a shift from symptom management to targeting the disease's root causes.
The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) has recently achieved a breakthrough by successfully cultivating the Eustoma flower, which is native to Mexico and America, in Odisha. This follows the successful cultivation of the same flower at the NBRI campus in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Constituent Institute: NBRI is part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), one of the most prominent scientific bodies in India.
Focus: The institute is a multi-disciplinary plant research center, internationally recognized for its basic and applied research in various fields of plant sciences.
Origin: NBRI was initially established as the National Botanic Gardens (NBG) by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh. In 1953, it was taken over by CSIR.
Renaming: In 1978, the institute was renamed National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), marking its expanded role in applied and developmental research in plant sciences.
Research Areas: NBRI focuses on several strategically important areas, including plant diversity, biotechnology, plant-environment interaction, and the development of plant-based technologies.
Research on Plant Diversity: Studying both indigenous and exotic plant species, including rare and endangered species.
Technological Development: Creating new plant and microbial sources with commercial value.
Germplasm Repository: Building and maintaining a germplasm repository to preserve valuable plant species.
Identification and Exchange: Providing expertise in plant identification, garden layouts, and landscaping.
Dissemination of Knowledge: Sharing research findings through publications, training, and extension activities.
NBRI conducts its research under seven specialized divisions:
Plant Diversity, Systematics, and Herbarium: Studying plant species diversity and taxonomy.
Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, and Product Development: Focused on developing plant-based pharmaceutical products.
Plant Ecology and Environmental Technologies: Researching the interaction of plants with their environment and developing technologies to address environmental challenges.
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: Exploring the genetic and molecular aspects of plant improvement.
Plant Genetic Resources and Improvement: Developing plant breeding techniques for better productivity and resilience.
Botanical Garden, Plant Conservation, and Agro-Technologies: Focusing on conservation and the development of agricultural technologies.
S&T Management: Managing science and technology initiatives within the institute.
Botanic Garden: NBRI houses a well-maintained botanic garden spread over 25 hectares, with collections of around 5,000 indigenous and exotic plant species.
Herbarium: The institute boasts a herbarium containing 253,103 reference collections of both flowering and non-flowering plants from India.
Field Research Stations: NBRI operates two field research stations at Banthra.
Global Expertise: NBRI has made significant contributions in biotech and microbial technologies, herbal products, and plant databases. It is a key contributor to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Government Recognition: The institute is recognized by various ministries and departments of the Government of India, as well as international bodies like the United Nations for its work in traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights.
National Repository: NBRI has been recognized as one of the National Repositories for Indian flora under the National Biodiversity Authority.
Exotic Flower: Eustoma, a flower native to Mexico and America, is not typically found in India. However, NBRI’s research has made it possible to successfully grow this exotic flower in Odisha, a significant achievement in the field of plant cultivation and research.
The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) continues to be at the forefront of plant research and conservation, not only in India but also globally. Its latest achievement in cultivating Eustoma and its extensive work in plant biotechnology, conservation, and environmental sustainability showcases the institute’s leadership in plant sciences. As it continues to push the boundaries of research, NBRI’s contributions are vital for biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and economic growth through plant-based technologies
We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
Offline/Online Class
