The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) recently came into focus after two years of political and administrative controversy over the structural integrity of the Kaleshwaram project barrages. The Indian government has decided to repair the three barrages of the project based on the suggestions provided by the NDSA, which has been tasked with ensuring the safety of dams across the country.

About the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)

The NDSA is a statutory body established by the Central Government under the Dam Safety Act, 2021. Its primary role is to regulate, oversee, and inspect dams to ensure their safety and structural integrity, thereby preventing catastrophic failures and safeguarding the lives and property of the people residing downstream.

Key Functions of NDSA:

1. Policy Implementation:

   • The NDSA is responsible for implementing the policies formulated by the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS).

2. Dispute Resolution:

   • It resolves issues between State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs) or between a SDSO and a dam owner within the respective state.

3. Regulations and Inspections:

   • The NDSA specifies regulations for the inspection and investigation of dams to ensure they are structurally safe and meet safety standards.

4. Accreditation:

   • The authority provides accreditation to agencies involved in the construction, design, and alteration of dams, ensuring that these agencies follow strict safety protocols.

5. Emergency Response Plans:

   • It ensures that emergency response protocols are in place for unforeseen events, including natural calamities that may impact dam safety.

6. Public Awareness:

   • The NDSA actively engages in awareness programs to educate the public about the importance of dam safety, structural integrity, and the potential risks posed by poorly maintained or outdated dam infrastructure.

Structure of the NDSA:

• Headquarters: New Delhi

• Chairman: Leads the NDSA.

• Five Members: Assist the chairman and lead different wings within the NDSA, including:

  • Policy and Research

  • Technical

  • Regulation

  • Disaster and Resilience

  • Administration and Finance

Recent Developments Regarding Kaleshwaram Barrages

There has been a significant focus on the Kaleshwaram project in Telangana due to concerns over the structural safety of its three barrages. The project, which is one of the largest irrigation schemes in India, faced political and administrative controversy over whether the barrages were structurally sound, especially in light of concerns about rising water levels and the risk of dam failures.

Significance of NDSA’s Role in India’s Dam Safety

1. Ensuring Structural Integrity:

   • The NDSA plays a crucial role in ensuring that India’s dams, many of which were constructed decades ago, are updated to meet modern safety standards. This is especially important as aging infrastructure, increased water pressure, and unpredictable weather patterns can put dams at risk.

2. Mitigating Natural Calamities:

   • The NDSA’s emphasis on disaster resilience ensures that dams are equipped with appropriate emergency response mechanisms to protect communities in case of structural failure, especially in the aftermath of floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters.

3. Public Safety:

   • By educating citizens and ensuring that dams are properly maintained, the NDSA helps reduce the risk of accidents and protects the lives of millions of people who live near dams.

Conclusion

The National Dam Safety Authority is a pivotal body in ensuring the safety of India’s dam infrastructure. With its comprehensive regulations and inspections, it is actively working to address concerns over dam safety, as evidenced by its recent involvement in the Kaleshwaram project. Its role in overseeing structural integrity, disaster response, and public education is critical to mitigating the risks associated with the large number of dams across the country.

The UNICEF report, titled "Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children", highlights the alarming rise in childhood obesity and overweight worldwide, particularly in children aged 5-19 years. The report stresses that unhealthy food environments are a major driver of this global crisis, contributing to long-term health risks and escalating healthcare costs.

Key Findings of the Child Nutrition Report 2025

1. High Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity

• One in five children (5–19 years) globally are living with overweight.

• Obesity rates are rising faster than overall overweight rates.

• By 2025, global obesity prevalence among 5–19-year-olds will surpass underweight for the first time (9.4% vs. 9.2%).

• Obesity poses greater health risks and is more difficult to reverse, leading to increased pressure on public health systems.

2. Unhealthy Food Environments

• Ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks are increasingly available, leading to poor dietary habits.

• School environments are contributing to the problem, with unhealthy food options being more common than healthy ones.

• UNICEF’s U-Report poll (2023) found that in South Asia, unhealthy food and drinks were more commonly available in schools than fruits and vegetables.

• Lower-income areas face greater exposure to unhealthy foods, making nutritious options harder to access.

3. Weak Legal Protections

• Only 18% of countries have mandatory nutrition standards for school meals.

• Only 19% of countries have imposed taxes on unhealthy foods and sugary beverages.

• Most countries rely on voluntary or fragmented policies, leaving children vulnerable to unhealthy food systems.

Trends in Childhood Nutrition and Obesity in India

Rising Overweight and Obesity

• The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Under-Five children in India rose by 127% from 1.5% (NFHS 3, 2005-06) to 3.4% (NFHS 5, 2019-21).

• Adolescent obesity also increased significantly, with girls seeing a 125% rise and boys a 288% rise in obesity rates.

Future Burden

• By 2030, India could have 27 million children and adolescents (5–19 years) with obesity, accounting for 11% of the global burden of obesity in this age group.

Key Drivers of Obesity Epidemic in India

1. Dietary Shifts:

   • Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and sugary beverages are replacing traditional diets rich in fruits and vegetables.

   • UPF consumption surged from USD 900 million (2006) to USD 37.9 billion (2019), growing annually by over 33%.

2. Marketing Influence:

   • Aggressive marketing, especially through digital ads, targets children and adolescents, increasing exposure to unhealthy food options.

   • The growth of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores has made unhealthy foods more accessible and heavily promoted.

3. Early Life Factors:

   • Poor maternal nutrition, inadequate breastfeeding, and childhood dietary practices contribute to obesity.

4. Lifestyle Factors:

   • Low physical activity, increased screen time, and high consumption of ultra-processed foods contribute to rising obesity rates.

Health and Economic Implications

• Health Risks: Childhood obesity leads to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and certain cancers.

• Economic Costs: In 2019, obesity cost India nearly USD 29 billion (1% of GDP). By 2060, this could rise to 2.5% of GDP without urgent intervention.

• National Burden: Unhealthy diets contribute to 56% of India’s overall disease burden.

Initiatives Taken by India to Tackle Overweight and Obesity

1. Government Programs:

   • Fit India Movement

   • Eat Right India Campaign

   • POSHAN Abhiyaan 2.0

   • Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)

2. Public Health Campaigns:

   • The Stop Obesity Campaign encourages reducing cooking oil consumption by 10%, emphasizing small but impactful changes in public health.

3. Policy Actions:

   • Placement of sugar and oil boards in schools and offices to guide healthier consumption choices.

   • India is the first lower-middle-income country to adopt the World Health Organization’s best-practice policy limiting trans-fat.

Global Best Practices in Curbing Obesity

• Chile’s Black ‘High in’ Labels:

  • Warning labels such as "high in saturated fats," "high in sugar," and "high in calories" have reduced unhealthy food consumption by 24%.

  • Replacing star ratings with mandatory high-in warnings could provide clearer information on health risks to consumers.

Challenges in Ensuring Childhood Nutrition in India

1. Lack of Clear Definitions:

   • FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has yet to define HFSS (High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt) or UPFs, making it difficult to regulate unhealthy foods.

2. Ineffective Food Labeling:

   • The Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) system misleads consumers by awarding 2–3 stars to foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS), despite them being unhealthy.

3. Industry Lobbying and Influence:

   • Food industry interests often outweigh public health concerns in policymaking processes, as evidenced by the shift from traffic light labeling to the star system despite evidence of its inadequacy.

4. Weak Regulatory Framework for Advertising:

   • The current regulations for curbing misleading advertising of HFSS foods are largely ineffective.

   • Despite recommendations to restrict advertising of unhealthy foods, no significant regulatory action has been taken.

UNICEF Recommendations for Improving Child Nutrition

1. Protect Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding:

   • Implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes to prevent aggressive marketing of unhealthy substitutes.

   • Restrict digital marketing and ban the promotion of unhealthy infant foods.

2. Mandatory Legal Measures:

   • Enforce laws for school food standards, clear labeling, food marketing restrictions, and taxes on unhealthy foods.

3. Improve Access to Nutritious Foods:

   • Redirect subsidies towards healthy foods, promote local production, and fortify staples to make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible.

4. Safeguard Policymaking:

   • Exclude ultra-processed food industry actors from policy processes to ensure that decisions prioritize public health over industry profits.

5. Promote Behavior Change:

   • Launch awareness campaigns to empower families and communities about the harms of ultra-processed diets and promote healthy eating.

6. Strengthen Social Protection:

   • Expand food, cash, and voucher transfers and support programs like affordable childcare and parental benefits to ensure access to healthy diets.

Conclusion

The rapid rise in childhood obesity driven by unhealthy food environments poses significant health and economic risks globally. UNICEF's report stresses the urgency of regulating food marketing, improving food labeling, implementing health taxes, and nutrition education to protect the health of children. Governments, businesses, and communities must work together to ensure that every child has access to a nutritious and balanced diet, and ultimately, a healthier future.

Recent studies have revealed a troubling environmental concern at Delhi’s Red Fort: the formation of a ‘black crust’ on its walls, a direct result of the high levels of air pollution in the area. This blackened layer is believed to be caused by the accumulation of soot and other pollutants from the surrounding air, which, over time, have begun to degrade the red sandstone structure of the fort.

About the Red Fort

The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, is one of India’s most iconic monuments and a symbol of the Mughal Empire's architectural brilliance. Here's a brief overview:

• Location: Situated along the Yamuna River in Delhi, India, the Red Fort is a sprawling fort complex with a rich history.

• Construction: Built in 1639 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the fort was designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and Ustad Hamid as the royal residence in his newly established capital, Shahjahanabad.

• Significance: It served as the residence of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years until 1857 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.

• Cultural Landmark: Every year on Independence Day (August 15), the Indian Prime Minister hoists the national flag and delivers a speech from the fort's ramparts.

Architectural Features of the Red Fort

• Design: The fort is known for its massive red sandstone walls that stand 75 feet (23 meters) high, enclosing a complex of palaces, gardens, baths, and canals. The design blends Persian, Timurid, and Hindu architectural elements, creating a distinct fusion typical of Mughal architecture.

• Key Structures: Among the fort’s most famous buildings are:

  • Diwan-i-ʿAm (Hall of Public Audience) – Known for its 60 red sandstone pillars supporting a flat roof.

  • Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) – Smaller in size, with a pavilion made of white marble.

  • The fort also features geometrically laid gardens, ornate mosques, and exquisite marble and floral decorations.

Environmental Concerns: The Black Crust Formation

The black crust is a form of degradation caused by air pollution. Over time, pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), which are prevalent in urban areas, combine with particles in the air and adhere to the surfaces of heritage buildings. This causes chemical reactions that lead to the formation of a blackish layer on the stone. The Red Fort, due to its location in highly polluted Delhi, has been particularly vulnerable to this issue.

• Impact on Heritage: The blackened layer not only detracts from the fort's visual appeal but also accelerates the wear and tear of the red sandstone, risking the fort’s structural integrity and cultural significance.

• Conservation Efforts: This revelation calls for urgent conservation efforts to mitigate the effects of pollution and preserve the fort for future generations. Various heritage experts and agencies will need to work together to address this growing environmental threat.

The Fort's Global Importance

The Red Fort remains a symbol of India’s rich history and Mughal heritage. It has stood the test of time, witnessing numerous significant events, including the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which marked the end of the Mughal Empire and the beginning of British colonial rule in India.

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Red Fort attracts millions of tourists from around the world, serving not only as a historical monument but also as a cultural touchstone for the nation.

Conclusion

While the Red Fort continues to be a prominent symbol of India's Mughal heritage, the formation of a ‘black crust’ due to air pollution highlights the need for more stringent measures to protect this and other heritage sites from environmental degradation.

India has been selected to host the 89th General Meeting (GM) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) from 15th to 19th September 2025 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This marks the fourth time India will host the prestigious event, following earlier meetings in 1960, 1997, and 2013.

About the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

The IEC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1906, focused on developing and publishing international standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. Its mission is to promote international cooperation through its member countries, ensuring the harmonization of standards across various sectors of technology.

Key Features of the IEC

• Global Impact: IEC’s standards are adopted in over 150 countries and play a critical role in shaping global trade and innovation in electrical and electronic technologies.

• Consensus Process: IEC standards are developed through a consensus process involving experts from member countries, ensuring broad international support.

• Collaborations: The IEC works closely with other international bodies like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), aligning technical standards across multiple industries.

Importance of IEC Standards

IEC standards provide a unified approach to the design, manufacturing, and use of electrical and electronic technologies, enabling global market access and enhancing safety and efficiency. These standards are widely used for harmonizing technical requirements in both IEC member and non-member countries, which helps streamline trade and technological development.

The IEC General Meeting (GM)

The General Meeting is a significant event where members from across the globe gather to discuss critical issues related to electrotechnical standards, technological advancements, and collaborations within the industry. It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas, discussions on future trends, and the adoption of new international standards.

Significance of India Hosting the IEC GM

India’s role in hosting the 89th General Meeting is crucial as it demonstrates the country's growing influence in global standardization efforts, particularly in the electrotechnical sector. Hosting the meeting reflects India’s commitment to becoming a key player in global technological and industrial development, as well as a hub for innovation in electrical and electronic industries.

NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which completed its historic mission in 2017, has once again provided groundbreaking insights into the potential for life beyond Earth. A reanalysis of Cassini's data has uncovered more evidence that Saturn's moon Enceladus may harbor the conditions necessary to support life.

Key Highlights from Recent Findings

• New Evidence of Habitability: Fresh data from Cassini's mission suggests that Enceladus could indeed possess the right ingredients for life. This discovery is based on findings about the moon’s subsurface ocean, which is rich in mineral compounds and hydrothermal activity, similar to environments on Earth that support microbial life.

• Enceladus' Ocean: Enceladus is known to have a global ocean beneath a thick ice crust that is about 12–19 miles (20–30 km) deep. Cassini’s findings of hot, mineral-rich water being ejected from hydrothermal vents into space reinforce the theory that this moon might have a habitable environment deep below its icy surface.

About Cassini Spacecraft

The Cassini mission was a joint project between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Launched on October 15, 1997, Cassini was a sophisticated spacecraft designed to study Saturn, its rings, and its moons, including Enceladus.

Key components of the mission included:

• The Cassini orbiter, which was the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn.

• The Huygens probe, which successfully landed on Titan, Saturn's largest moon.

The spacecraft carried a suite of instruments, such as:

• Radar to map Titan's surface.

• A magnetometer to study Saturn's magnetic field.

• Spectrometers, imagers, and other instruments for studying Saturn's atmosphere, rings, and magnetosphere.

Cassini's Scientific Objectives

Cassini's mission objectives were broad and ambitious, including the study of:

1. Saturn's atmosphere: Studying cloud properties, winds, temperatures, and the planet's internal structure.

2. Saturn's rings: Observing their structure, dynamics, and interaction with nearby moons.

3. Titan: Investigating the moon's atmosphere, surface composition, and interaction with Saturn's magnetosphere.

4. Saturn’s magnetosphere: Understanding its composition, electric currents, and interactions with solar wind and moons.

Enceladus: The "Ocean Moon"

• Size and Orbit: Enceladus, Saturn's sixth-largest moon, has a diameter of 313 miles (504 km). It orbits Saturn at a distance of approximately 148,000 miles (238,000 km).

• Subsurface Ocean: Beneath its icy crust, Enceladus has a subsurface ocean of liquid water. This ocean is believed to be in contact with the moon's rocky core, creating the possibility of hydrothermal activity.

• Geological Activity: One of the most fascinating features of Enceladus is its geysers, which erupt jets of water vapor and organic compounds into space. These eruptions come from the South Pole and have been studied by Cassini to reveal the composition of Enceladus' ocean.

Implications for Life

The discovery of hydrothermal vents and the chemical ingredients necessary for life in Enceladus' ocean raises the possibility that microbial life could exist beneath its icy surface. The environment on Earth’s ocean floors, where hydrothermal vents support rich ecosystems, serves as an analog to the conditions that might exist on Enceladus.

• Hydrothermal Vents on Earth: Earth’s deep-sea hydrothermal vents host unique microbial life forms, which thrive without sunlight, relying instead on the chemical energy from the vent's minerals.

• Enceladus' Potential: With mineral-rich water, heat from the moon's core, and a stable liquid environment, Enceladus has the potential to support similar microbial life, or at the very least, could serve as a habitable zone in the search for extraterrestrial life.

India has made remarkable strides in the field of innovation, moving up from 48th position in 2020 to 38th in 2025 among 139 global economies, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This marks a significant improvement, reflecting India's growing capabilities and investments in innovation.

Key Highlights of the GII 2025

• India's Rank: India ranks 38th, an impressive jump from 81st in 2015. It is also ranked 1st among lower-middle-income economies and in Central & Southern Asia.

• Strengths: India excels in Knowledge & Technology Outputs (ranked 22nd) and Market Sophistication (ranked 38th).

• Weaknesses: Areas needing improvement include Business Sophistication (64th), Infrastructure (61st), and Institutions (58th).

Top-Ranked Economies:

• 1st: Switzerland

• 2nd: Sweden

• 3rd: United States

• 4th: South Korea

• 5th: Singapore

• 10th: China (for the first time in the top 10)

Top Innovation Clusters:

• 1st: Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou (China)

• 2nd: Tokyo-Yokohama (Japan)

Socioeconomic and Technological Progress:

• Labor Productivity: Increased by 2.5% globally in 2024.

• Life Expectancy: Reached 73 years.

• Extreme Poverty: Reduced to 817 million (half of what it was in 2004).

• Technological Gains: Supercomputing efficiency and battery prices improved, but progress in wind power and genome sequencing has slowed.

India's Innovation Landscape

1. Funding Mechanism and R&D Investment

India’s investment in Research & Development (R&D) is about 0.65% of GDP, which is far below countries like China (2.43%), South Korea (2.5%), and Brazil (1.15%). This gap in funding, particularly in private-sector R&D, remains a significant barrier to India’s innovation ecosystem.

2. Patent Filings and Intellectual Property

• 6th in the World: India is the 6th largest filer of patents globally.

• Patent-to-GDP Ratio: India’s patent-to-GDP ratio grew significantly from 144 in 2013 to 381 in 2023, indicating a rising correlation between patent activity and economic output.

3. Strategic Policy Support

India has implemented several key initiatives:

• Startup India, Make in India, and the Production Linked Initiative (PLI) schemes.

• The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore, and the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) scheme aim to boost private sector R&D.

• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provided Rs 945 crore in 2023 for seed funding.

4. Rise of Unicorns & Cleantech

• India now has over 100 unicorns, making it the 3rd largest unicorn ecosystem in the world.

• The cleantech sector is particularly thriving, with leading startups like Ather Energy and Ola Electric playing a major role in India's transition to clean energy.

5. Geographical Diversification

• Over 45% of DPIIT-recognized startups have emerged from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, thanks to initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), which are decentralizing innovation efforts.

Barriers to India’s Innovation Ecosystem

1. Inadequate Financial Investment

India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) is around 0.7% of GDP, much lower than the United States (3.5%) and South Korea (4.9%). This highlights a critical funding gap, especially in areas like deep-tech research, which require long-term capital.

2. Dominance of Public Sector in R&D

• Private Sector Contribution: The private sector contributes only 36.4% to R&D funding (2020–21), which is much lower than in advanced economies.

• Lack of Industry-Academia Collaboration: There is a gap between academic research and industry needs, limiting interdisciplinary collaboration and the commercialization of research.

3. Skewed Focus on Strategic Sectors

India has historically concentrated R&D efforts on defense and space technology. While these areas have achieved great success (e.g., Agni missile systems, ISRO's space missions), there has been limited investment in emerging sectors like semiconductors and advanced materials.

4. Risk-Averse Industrial Culture

• Many Indian industries prefer importing proven technologies instead of investing in high-risk, long-gestation R&D for indigenous technologies.

• Startups tend to focus on business model innovations in IT services and e-commerce, rather than foundational deep-tech research.

5. Bureaucratic Hurdles

While India has made strides in institutions like DRDO, ISRO, and BARC, technology transfer to the market is hindered by procedural delays, intellectual property challenges, and lack of streamlined processes.

Reforms Needed to Strengthen India’s Innovation Ecosystem

1. Boost R&D Investment

India needs to significantly increase its R&D spending over the next decade, especially by boosting private sector and philanthropic contributions. The Rs 1 lakh crore Innovation Fund must be deployed effectively within the next 3-5 years to accelerate deep-tech research.

2. Promote University-Led Research

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can play a pivotal role in expanding upstream research and driving knowledge frontiers that industry can commercialize. Encouraging collaborative projects between universities and industry will bridge the gap between research and application.

3. Establish Public-Private Innovation Hubs

India should establish sector-specific innovation hubs in emerging fields like AI, semiconductors, and clean energy, linking government, academia, and industry. These hubs can provide shared resources such as testing facilities, prototype labs, and venture funding.

4. Facilitate Cross-Sector Collaboration

Industry councils focused on specific sectors can guide policies, identify funding gaps, and channel resources to critical innovation areas. For example, a CleanTech Council could prioritize areas like solar energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy efficiency.

5. Develop Regional Innovation Clusters

Fostering regional innovation clusters in non-metro areas can create localized ecosystems that promote entrepreneurship and innovation. These clusters can support rural agri-tech, social enterprises, and startups with funding, mentorship, and infrastructure.

Conclusion

India has made substantial progress in innovation, climbing to 38th in the GII 2025, but to maintain this momentum, it must overcome barriers like inadequate R&D investment, a disconnected innovation ecosystem, and a risk-averse industrial culture. By boosting investment, enhancing collaboration, and focusing on emerging technologies, India can transform from a startup hub into a global innovation leader.