July 29, 2025 Current Affairs

Environment Protection Rules for Contaminated Sites (2025)

Context

On July 25, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

This marks India’s first comprehensive legal framework to identify, assess, and clean up chemically contaminated sites—especially those polluted by the historical dumping of hazardous waste.

What Are Contaminated Sites?

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), contaminated sites are areas where hazardous waste and chemicals were dumped before adequate environmental regulations were in place.

Examples include:

• Abandoned industrial landfills
• Former chemical storage or processing sites
• Sites with past chemical leaks or spills

India has so far identified 103 contaminated sites, but only 7 have undergone any form of remediation. In many cases, the responsible parties no longer exist or lack resources, leaving communities exposed to long-term health and environmental hazards.

Key Features of the 2025 Rules

1. Identification and Reporting

• District administrations must prepare half-yearly reports identifying "suspected contaminated sites."
• These are forwarded to the State Pollution Control Board or designated reference bodies.

2. Preliminary Assessment

• Within 90 days, the board or organisation must conduct an initial investigation to evaluate the likelihood of contamination.

3. Detailed Site Survey

• If contamination is likely, a full site survey must be completed within the next 90 days.
• The site is tested for any of the 189 hazardous chemicals listed under the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016.
• Confirmed contaminated sites must be publicly notified, and restricted access is enforced.

4. Remediation Planning

• A scientific reference organisation will develop a site-specific remediation plan.
• The State Board must also identify the polluter(s) within 90 days.

5. Liability and Cost Recovery

• The identified polluter is financially responsible for site clean-up.
• If no polluter is found or able to pay, Centre and State governments will jointly bear the cost.
• In cases where contamination has led to death or serious harm, criminal charges may be invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Scope and Exemptions

The rules do not apply to certain waste categories already governed under other laws:

• Radioactive waste (regulated under the Atomic Energy Act)
• Mining contamination (covered by mining regulations)
• Marine oil pollution
• Municipal solid waste dump sites

This ensures clear jurisdiction without overlapping mandates.

Significance

This is the first time India has enacted a legally binding framework for contaminated site remediation. The rules address the long-standing regulatory gap by:

• Establishing clear responsibilities for local and state authorities
• Imposing strict timelines for action
• Introducing a polluter-pays principle for clean-up cost recovery
• Requiring public disclosure of confirmed sites

Implementation Challenges

While the framework is a step forward, success will depend on:

• Availability of scientific expertise for chemical assessments
• Effective coordination between central, state, and local authorities
• Funding mechanisms for clean-up of orphan sites
• Public awareness and involvement in pollution reporting
• Training and capacity-building for district and state officials

Living Wage Reform Could Boost Women’s Workforce Participation in India

Context

A recent joint report by Quess Corp and the Udaiti Foundation underscores the urgent need for wage reforms to enhance women''s participation in the workforce. It reveals that over 50% of blue- and grey-collar women workers in India are dissatisfied with their wages, with 80% saving less than ₹2,000 per month. Low pay, combined with high opportunity costs, is pushing many women out of formal employment.

What is a Living Wage?

• A living wage refers to the minimum income required to meet basic needs—such as food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, education, and some savings.
• Unlike minimum wages, which are legally set and often outdated, living wages reflect the true cost of living in a particular region.
• They aim to ensure dignity and economic security for workers and their families.

Key Findings from the Report

• Wage Disparity and Economic Strain
• Women in blue- and grey-collar jobs earn only about 70% of what men earn in similar roles.
• These jobs include:
• Blue-collar: Manual labor (e.g., factory work, maintenance)
• Grey-collar: Skilled roles combining manual and intellectual tasks (e.g., technicians)
• Other challenges faced by women include:
• Unpaid caregiving responsibilities
• Long commutes and migration costs
• Inadequate or unsafe housing
• In peri-urban manufacturing hubs, living costs are high, but minimum wages remain low, worsening the economic burden.
• 1 in 5 women earn less than ₹20,000/month—despite it being the standard minimum wage in Tier-1 cities.
• Women earning above ₹20,000/month are 21% less likely to exit the workforce, indicating a strong link between wage levels and retention.

Government''s Proposed Wage Reform

• Broadening the Minimum Wage Definition

• The Labour Ministry is considering redefining minimum wage norms to include essential costs such as:
• Healthcare
• Education
• Childcare
• Currently, minimum wage covers only:
• Nutrition
• Housing
• Clothing
• Including these additional components could lower the opportunity cost of working for women, especially those balancing paid work with caregiving duties.

• Challenges in Implementation

• Implementation will require careful adjustment due to regional variations in living costs across India.
• Experts stress the need for social dialogue involving:
• Government agencies
• Employers
• Worker representatives

Broader Barriers to Women’s Employment

While living wages are essential, other structural and social barriers also limit women’s labour force participation:

• India’s female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is 32%, compared to 77.1% for men (June 2025, PLFS data).
• To achieve developed economy status, India must raise women’s LFPR above 50%.

Key Barriers Include:

• Workplace safety concerns
• Lack of affordable housing near workplaces
• Regulations restricting women’s employment, including:
• Over 50 laws that limit women from working night shifts or in certain sectors
• These are being revised, but employers—especially small businesses—must now ensure safety, increasing their burden

Industry-Led Progress: Manufacturing as a Catalyst

• States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra are leading in female employment due to strong manufacturing bases.
• Sectors such as electronics and automobile manufacturing increasingly employ women for their:
• Finger dexterity
• Hand-eye coordination
• These skills make women highly suitable for precision-based production roles, and employers are actively seeking female talent.

Conclusion

Living wage reform presents a critical opportunity to improve the economic participation of women, especially in India’s vast blue- and grey-collar workforce. While wage enhancement is a necessary first step, it must be supported by structural changes—like better safety norms, affordable housing, and inclusive employment laws—to enable women to thrive in the formal economy.

Five Years of NEP 2020: Achievements, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

Overview

Launched in 2020, the National Education Policy (NEP) aimed to transform India’s school and higher education systems. Five years on, while some foundational reforms have taken root—especially in early education—many of its more ambitious goals are yet to be fully realized. Delays due to institutional inertia, Centre–State disagreements, and funding challenges have slowed its progress.

Achievements So Far

1. Reforming School Structure and Curriculum

• The old 10+2 format has been replaced with a 5+3+3+4 model:
• Foundational (Pre-school to Class 2)
• Preparatory (Classes 3–5)
• Middle (Classes 6–8)
• Secondary (Classes 9–12)
• The 2023 National Curriculum Framework defined learning goals for each stage.
• NCERT has released new textbooks for Classes 1–8 that integrate subjects (e.g., combining history and geography). Textbooks for Classes 9–12 are still pending.

2. Early Childhood Education Initiatives

• NEP targets universal pre-primary education by 2030.
• Initiatives include:
• ECCE curriculum and Jaadui Pitara learning kits from NCERT.
• States like Delhi, Kerala, and Karnataka are enforcing a minimum age of six for Class 1, improving readiness but slightly reducing enrolment numbers.
• Gaps persist in Anganwadi infrastructure and teacher training.

3. Foundational Literacy Through NIPUN Bharat

• Launched in 2021, this mission targets literacy and numeracy by Class 3.
• Recent data:
• Language proficiency: 64%
• Math proficiency: 60%
• Shows progress but short of universal targets.

4. Higher Education Reforms: Flexibility and Access

• Introduction of:
• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)
• National Credit Framework (NCrF)
  Allows students to exit with a certificate, diploma, or degree at different stages (1, 2, or 4 years).
• CBSE is piloting this credit system at the school level.

5. Standardized College Admissions

• CUET (launched in 2022) streamlines admissions for central universities, reducing the burden of multiple entrance exams.

6. Global Expansion of Indian Institutes

• Indian institutions expanding abroad:
• IIT Madras (Zanzibar)
• IIT Delhi (Abu Dhabi)
• IIM Ahmedabad (Dubai)
• Meanwhile, global institutions like the University of Southampton are setting up campuses in India; 12 others await approval.

Reforms Underway

1. Board Exam Redesign

• NEP recommends flexible, low-stakes exams.
• Starting 2026, CBSE will allow Class 10 students to take board exams twice a year.
• Karnataka has already piloted this approach.
• The proposal to offer standard and higher levels in all subjects remains limited—only Mathematics in Class 10 currently follows this model.

2. Holistic Progress Cards

• NCERT’s PARAKH has created report cards with self and peer assessments.
• However, most state boards have yet to adopt this system.

3. Four-Year Undergraduate Degrees

• NEP recommends multi-exit four-year undergraduate programs.
• Central universities and Kerala have implemented it, but progress elsewhere is slow due to:
• Faculty shortages
• Lack of infrastructure

4. Mother Tongue as Medium of Instruction

• NEP suggests using the mother tongue/local language at least until Class 5.
• CBSE has directed schools to implement this from pre-primary to Class 2, with flexibility for Classes 3–5.
• NCERT is working on multilingual textbooks to support this shift.

Unresolved Challenges and Roadblocks

1. Three-Language Formula Opposition

• NEP mandates that students learn three languages, two of which must be Indian.
• Strong opposition from Tamil Nadu, which prefers a Tamil-English model and views this as an attempt to impose Hindi.

2. Stalled Teacher Education Reforms

• The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education is delayed.
• The proposed Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) faces pushback from existing B.El.Ed. colleges, slowing progress.

3. Delay in Higher Education Regulatory Overhaul

• The policy aims to replace UGC with a unified regulator—Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).
• Despite being announced in 2020, the HECI Bill is still under drafting.

4. No Breakfast Scheme Despite NEP Recommendation

• NEP recommended providing breakfast alongside mid-day meals for young learners.
• Finance Ministry rejected the proposal in 2021 due to budget constraints.

5. Centre–State Conflicts

• States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have opted out of NEP-aligned initiatives like PM-SHRI schools.
• In response, the Centre withheld Samagra Shiksha funds, prompting legal challenges (e.g., Tamil Nadu in the Supreme Court).

6. Policy U-Turn in Karnataka

• Karnataka initially implemented the four-year degree model but later reversed its decision.
• The current government is developing a state-specific education policy, fulfilling a 2023 election promise.

Conclusion

Five years into its rollout, NEP 2020 has laid the foundation for a more holistic, inclusive, and flexible education system in India. While key reforms in early education, curriculum, and higher education access have begun, major goals such as teacher training reform, regulatory overhaul, and multilingual learning remain incomplete.

For NEP 2020 to achieve its full potential, it must overcome:

• Centre–State tensions
• Funding limitations
• Institutional bottlenecks

A coordinated effort involving states, educators, and civil society will be essential for realizing its long-term vision.

State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025: A Critical Overview

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
Published by: FAO, WFP, IFAD, WHO, and UNICEF
Focus Year: 2024 (Data Reference)

Introduction

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report provides a comprehensive evaluation of global hunger and malnutrition trends, tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) — ending hunger and achieving food security and improved nutrition by 2030. In 2024, approximately 8.2% of the global population, equating to 720 million individuals, experienced chronic hunger, reflecting a marginal improvement from previous years but still falling short of pre-pandemic levels.

Objectives and Scope of SOFI 2025

• Purpose: To monitor and analyze trends in food security and nutrition, assess progress towards SDG 2, and provide policy guidance.
• Key Themes for 2025:
• Post-pandemic recovery
• Affordability of nutritious food
• Regional disparities
• Projections and trajectories to 2030

Key Global Findings

1. Limited Progress: While global hunger has declined slightly from 8.7% in 2022 to 8.2% in 2024, figures remain above pre-COVID-19 benchmarks, signaling slow recovery and threatening the achievement of SDG 2.
2. Regional Inequalities:
• Africa: Over 20% of the population remains undernourished, despite having a smaller population than Asia.
• Asia: Continues to house nearly half of the world’s food-insecure individuals due to its sheer demographic weight.
• Southeast Asia and South America: Report slight reductions in hunger, largely attributed to social protection measures and agricultural-nutrition reforms.
3. Diet Affordability: More than 3 billion people globally are unable to afford a healthy diet, leading to reliance on high-calorie but nutrient-deficient foods.
4. Impact of Conflict and Climate: Armed conflicts and climate events — such as droughts and floods — remain central drivers of food insecurity.
5. Future Outlook: Only a projected decline of 65 million undernourished individuals by 2030 suggests that the world is significantly off-track in achieving ‘zero hunger.’

Key Stats from SOFI 2025 Report

·       Global Hunger (2024): 720 million affected

·       2030 Projection: 512 million may remain hungry, 60% in Africa

·       Food Insecurity: 2.3 billion moderately/ severely

·       Since 2015: 96 million more chronically hungry, 683 million more food-insecure

·       Regional Burden: Asia - 323 million undernourished; Africa-307 million

·       55.6% of Indians cannot afford a healthy diet

Undernourishment And Obesity in India

·       12% of India''s population was undernourished in 2024, down from 243 million in 2006 to 172 million today.

·       India ranks 48th globally and 7th in Asia in terms of undernourishment prevalence.

·       42.9% of Indians could not afford a healthy diet in 2024 almost half the population.

·       The cost of a healthy diet in India rose from $2,77 PPP/day (2017) to $4.07 PPP/day (2024).

·       Adult obese population in India doubled from 33.6 million (2012) to 71.4 million (2024).

·       18.7% of Indian children under 5 suffered from wasting in 2024 - highest globally, affecting 21 million+ children.

·       37.4 million children under 5 were stunted in India, reflecting chronic undernutrition.

·       Overweight children under 5 increased from 2.7 million (2012) to 4.2 million (2024).

·       53.7% of Indian women (15-49 yrs) were anaemic in 2023 - 203 million women affected.

·       Anaemia among women increased from 50.1% in 2022 to 53.7% in 2023, highest in Asia, 4th globally.

India-Specific Insights

1. Dietary Inaccessibility: Approximately 6% of India’s population cannot afford a nutritious diet, highlighting challenges in equitable food access despite grain surpluses.
2. Urban-Rural Divide: Urban areas have benefited from post-COVID income recovery, while rural regions face persistent issues due to inefficiencies in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and price instability.
3. Child Nutrition: India remains among the worst affected in terms of child stunting and wasting, indicating significant early-life nutritional deficiencies.
4. Micronutrient Deficiency: "Hidden hunger" is widespread due to over-reliance on cereal-based diets with limited consumption of fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
5. Policy Recommendations:
• Integrate nutrient-dense foods such as millets, pulses, and fortified items into public nutrition programs.
• Strengthen local food systems through diversification and targeted subsidies.

Analytical Perspective

Positive Developments:

• Gradual global decline in hunger post-2022.
• Promising interventions in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
• Increased awareness of dietary quality and nutrition.
• Strong multi-agency collaboration fostering integrated responses.
• Technological advances in hunger mapping and data-driven decision-making.

Persistent Challenges:

• COVID-19’s lasting impact, reversing nearly a decade of gains.
• Africa projected to account for 60% of global undernourishment by 2030.
• Inadequate pace of improvement to meet SDG 2 targets.
• Rising food costs disproportionately affecting low-income populations.
• Inequities in food distribution despite sufficient global food production.

Strategic Recommendations

1. Nutrition-Oriented PDS: Reform India’s PDS to prioritize diverse, locally grown, and nutrient-rich foods.
2. Agricultural Diversification: Encourage cultivation beyond staple grains to include climate-resilient crops like millets and pulses.
3. Strengthening Food Systems: Develop regional, climate-adaptive food systems to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.
4. International Cooperation: Enhance support for food-insecure regions, particularly Africa and South Asia, through targeted SDG financing and food aid.
5. Affordability Measures: Align food pricing with income growth via policy tools such as minimum wage adjustments, inflation control, and efficient supply chains.

Conclusion

The SOFI 2025 report underscores a growing disparity between global food security goals and actual progress. Despite slight improvements, chronic hunger remains widespread, particularly in vulnerable regions. For India, the focus must shift from calorie sufficiency to nutritional adequacy. The report calls for transformative, equity-driven, and nutrition-sensitive reforms across food systems — both nationally and globally — to reinvigorate the pursuit of ‘zero hunger’ by 2030.

Judicial Pendency in India: Structural Challenges and Strategic Reforms

Context: India’s judicial system is grappling with a severe pendency crisis, with over 5 crore cases awaiting resolution across the Supreme Court, High Courts, and District Courts. This growing backlog has eroded public trust in the judiciary, a concern previously referred to by the President of India as the “Black Coat Syndrome.”

Current Status of Pendency in Indian Courts

• Total Pending Cases:
• District Courts: ~4.6 crore
• High Courts: ~63.3 lakh
• Supreme Court: ~86,700
• Judicial Personnel Shortage:
• India has only 15 judges per 10 lakh population, falling significantly short of the Law Commission''s 1987 recommendation of 50 judges per 10 lakh.
• Case Disposal Rates:
• Criminal cases fare better, with 70.6% disposed within a year.
• Civil cases are significantly slower—only 38.7% disposed within the same timeframe.
• Judicial Vacancies:
• Out of 26,927 sanctioned judge positions, 5,665 remain vacant, with courts functioning at only 79% capacity.

Key Structural Causes of Judicial Backlog

1. Inadequate Judicial Strength:
• Persistently high vacancy rates at all levels of the judiciary compromise judicial efficiency and delay case resolution.
2. Civil Litigation Delays:
• A significant proportion of civil cases—especially property, contract, and family disputes—drag on for over five years.
3. Absence of Procedural Timelines:
• Lack of statutory deadlines for filings, hearings, and evidence collection allows frequent adjournments and fragmented proceedings.
4. Weak Infrastructure and Administrative Support:
• Shortage of courtrooms, support staff, and digital tools worsens delays, particularly in lower courts.

Government Initiatives to Address Pendency

1. e-Courts Mission Mode Project:
• 18,735 courts digitised, 99.4% WAN coverage, and 3,240 court–jail video links.
• Phase III (₹7,210 crore) aims to create a paperless, integrated digital judiciary.
2. Judicial Infrastructure Enhancement:
• Court halls increased from 15,818 in 2014 to 23,020 in 2024, with over ₹11,000 crore in infrastructure investments.
3. Judicial Appointments:
• Since 2014, 976 High Court judges and 62 Supreme Court judges appointed; district court strength raised to 25,609 judges.
4. Specialized and Fast-Track Courts:
• 866 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) and 755 POCSO courts operational.
• Over 2.5 lakh sensitive cases disposed.
5. Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms:
• Lok Adalats have resolved 27.5 crore cases since 2021.
• Mediation Act, 2023 institutionalizes pre-litigation mediation.
• Arbitration reforms mandate strict timelines for commercial dispute resolution.
6. Legal Aid and Access Expansion:
• 90 lakh citizens assisted via Tele-Law.
• 11,000 pro bono lawyers engaged through Nyaya Bandhu.
• Legal literacy clubs set up in 89 law schools.

The Way Forward: Reform Priorities

1. Judicial Capacity Building:
• Increase sanctioned judicial strength to match caseload demands.
• Streamline appointments, including reform of the collegium system, with transparent, time-bound processes.
2. Digital Justice and AI Integration:
• Expand e-courts, virtual hearings, automated case scheduling, and paperless workflows.
• Deploy the FASTER system for real-time transmission of court orders, particularly for bail and urgent matters.
3. Mandatory Alternate Dispute Resolution:
• Introduce compulsory pre-litigation mediation in civil and commercial cases.
• Develop a certified national pool of trained mediators and arbitrators to expedite resolutions.
4. Specialised Judicial Benches:
• Establish domain-specific courts (e.g., tax, environment, intellectual property, cybercrime) to increase efficiency and domain expertise.
5. Enhancing Legal Access and Awareness:
• Broaden access to legal aid through mobile clinics, regional language judgments, and digitally accessible services.
• Promote legal literacy through school curricula, courtroom livestreams, and public engagement initiatives.

Conclusion

India’s burgeoning judicial pendency is symptomatic of deeper systemic inefficiencies—limited human resources, procedural rigidity, and infrastructural inadequacies. Timely and affordable justice is a constitutional imperative and central to democratic governance. Through institutional reform, digital innovation, ADR expansion, and greater access to legal services, India’s judiciary can shift from being a bottleneck of justice to a cornerstone of citizen trust and accountability.

Operation Mahadev: Strategic Counter-Terror Mission in Kashmir

Context:
Operation Mahadev was a high-stakes counter-terrorism operation conducted near Srinagar, which resulted in the elimination of three high-value terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, the key planner behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

Overview of Operation Mahadev

• Nature of the Operation:
  A targeted counter-terrorist offensive aimed at dismantling a Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked terror module entrenched near Lidwas, Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar.
• Coordinating Forces:
  A joint initiative involving the Indian Army’s Para Special Forces, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Jammu & Kashmir Police, all operating under the strategic leadership of the Chinar Corps.
• Primary Objective:
  To neutralise terrorists responsible for orchestrating high-profile attacks, notably the Pahalgam assault (April 2024) and the Sonamarg Tunnel ambush.

Strategic Significance

• Counter-Terror Impact:
  The operation delivered a decisive blow to cross-border terrorism networks active in the Kashmir Valley.
• Key Elimination:
  Among those neutralised was Suleiman Shah, identified as a Pakistan-trained operative and alleged former Pakistani Army personnel, strengthening intelligence claims about state-backed militancy.
• Morale Booster:
  The success of Operation Mahadev significantly bolstered the morale of Indian security forces, especially amid the ongoing discourse around Operation Sindoor and counter-insurgency strategies in the region.

Conclusion

Operation Mahadev marks a notable success in India’s counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu & Kashmir. Through precise coordination, actionable intelligence, and swift execution, the operation disrupted a key terror cell and reaffirmed India’s commitment to neutralising threats emanating from across the border. It also underscores the growing efficiency of inter-agency collaboration and specialised counter-terror units in high-risk zones.

India’s Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), 2025

Context and Objective

India presented its Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2025, reaffirming its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The VNR is a country-led, voluntary assessment designed to share national experiences and accelerate progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

India’s Implementation Strategy

India adopts a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach to SDG implementation. The strategy is underpinned by data-driven governance and the localization of SDGs through tools such as:

• SDG India Index
• North Eastern Region District SDG Index
• National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

Key Achievements and Highlights

• Overall Progress: Despite global slowdowns, India continues to make consistent strides across multiple SDGs.
• SDG 1 – No Poverty:
  An estimated 248 million individuals moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2013–14 and 2022–23, highlighting progress in inclusive development.
• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger:
  The PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has been instrumental in providing nutritional support to millions, especially during crises.
• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being:
  Out-of-pocket health expenditure dropped from 48.8% (2017–18) to 39.4% (2020–21), reflecting improved public healthcare access.
• Clean Energy Transition:
  Initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM, and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana are promoting clean and renewable energy adoption.
• Digital Public Infrastructure:
  Platforms like Digital India, Aadhaar, and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) have enhanced digital inclusion.
  • Notably, UPI accounts for 49% of all real-time digital payments globally.

About the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)

• Established: Following the Rio+20 Conference (2012) through the outcome document “The Future We Want”.
• Purpose: Serves as the primary UN platform for reviewing progress on the SDGs.
• Structure:
• Meets annually under the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• Meets quadrennially under the General Assembly.

Human-Made Dams and Earth’s Rotational Shift

Scientific Context

A recent study has revealed that large-scale dam construction since 1835 has caused a measurable shift—over one meter—in Earth’s rotational axis, a phenomenon known as True Polar Wander (TPW).

Understanding True Polar Wander (TPW)

• Definition: TPW refers to the reorientation of Earth''s solid crust and mantle around its liquid outer core to maintain rotational stability in response to mass redistribution.
• Natural Drivers:
• Glacial and ice sheet melting
• Tectonic plate movements
• Ocean mass shifts

Role of Human-Made Dams in TPW

• Water Redistribution:
  Large reservoirs trap massive volumes of water, shifting mass from the oceans to inland areas and thereby disturbing the Earth’s rotational equilibrium.
• Variable Impact:
  The study found that this shift is irregular, varying with the size and geographical placement of individual dams over time.
• 4. Implications of Pole Shifts

• Satellite Navigation Disruptions:
  Changes in Earth’s rotation can affect satellite positioning systems and space-based observations.
• Lengthening of Days:
  As a result of mass redistribution, Earth’s rotation is slowing, causing days to become incrementally longer, with the rate of change accelerating.

Conclusion

India’s Third VNR at the HLPF underscores its growing leadership in implementing the SDGs through inclusive policy design, digital innovation, and clean energy adoption. Simultaneously, global scientific insights such as the study on dams and polar shifts remind us of the profound planetary impacts of human activity, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure planning and environmental governance.

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)

Context

In preparation for the upcoming launch of the NASA-ISRO joint NISAR satellite, ISRO announced that the satellite had been successfully integrated with the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and that all systems of the rocket had undergone comprehensive checks.

Overview of GSLV

The GSLV is a space launch vehicle developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), designed to deploy satellites and other payloads into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTOs). Compared to the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the GSLV can carry significantly heavier payloads.

• Dimensions & Structure:
• Height: 49.13 meters (ISRO’s tallest launch vehicle)
• Lift-off mass: 420 tonnes
• Three stages: solid first stage with four liquid strap-on boosters, liquid second stage, and a cryogenic third stage.
• Stage Details:
• First Stage: S139 solid booster with 138 tonnes of propellant, supported by four liquid strap-on motors carrying 40 tonnes of propellant.
• Second Stage: Liquid engine with 40 tonnes of liquid propellant.
• Third Stage: Indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) using 15 tonnes of cryogenic propellant.

The GSLV enhances PSLV’s capability by incorporating liquid strap-on boosters and a cryogenic upper stage. While the solid and liquid stages are adapted from the PSLV, the cryogenic upper stage was initially supplied by Russia until ISRO developed its own indigenous version.

Variants of GSLV

• GSLV Mk I:
• First-generation variant with a payload capacity of 2–2.5 tonnes to GTO.
• Utilized Russian cryogenic upper stage due to early challenges in indigenous cryogenic technology.
• Conducted around five launches (2001–2010), including suborbital tests, with the last flight in 2010.
• GSLV Mk II:
• Improved model with an indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage.
• Payload capacity around 2.5 tonnes to GTO.
• First successful launch in 2014.
• GSLV Mk III (LVM-3):
• Most powerful and advanced variant, currently operational.
• Can carry payloads up to 4 tonnes to GTO.

Performance and Notable Missions

The GSLV has launched numerous important satellites, including communication satellites such as INSAT and GSAT, navigation satellites from the NavIC series, and Earth observation satellites like IDRSS. Some prominent missions are:

• The South Asia Satellite (2017)
• Military communication satellite (2018)
• Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission (2019)

Baitarani River

Recent Flooding Incident

The Baitarani River recently experienced a surge beyond its danger level, causing floods that inundated several low-lying villages in Bhadrak district, Odisha.

About the Baitarani River

• Geographical Importance:
  The Baitarani is a significant east-flowing river in eastern India, primarily flowing through Odisha and partially through Jharkhand. Alongside rivers like Mahanadi and Brahmani, it forms a fertile delta region.
• Course:
• Originates from the Gonasika Hills in Keonjhar district, Odisha, at an elevation of 900 meters.
• Initially flows underground through a small stream called Guptaganga (a site considered sacred) before emerging.
• Flows northwards at the uppermost stretch, then turns eastward.
• Serves as a natural boundary between Odisha and Jharkhand at its initial course.
• Travels approximately 360 km before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
• Basin Area and Boundaries:
• Covers an area of about 12,790 sq km.
• Bordered by the Brahmani River basin to the south and west, Subarnarekha River basin to the north, and Burhabalang River and Bay of Bengal to the east.

• Tributaries

The Baitarani River has 65 tributaries:

• 35 join from the left bank
• 30 join from the right bank

Major tributaries include Salandi, Gahira, Kusei, Deo, Kanjhari, Musal, Arredi, Siri, Kukurkata, Budhi, Ambajhara, and Remal.

Economic and Environmental Significance

The Baitarani basin is rich in minerals and agricultural resources, providing an ideal setting for various industries and contributing to the regional economy.

Gavri Festival

Overview

The Gavri Festival is a vibrant 40-day dance-drama ritual performed annually by the Bhil community of Mewar, Rajasthan.

Significance

• It blends theatrical acting and dance to depict the mythical battle between a goddess and a demon, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
• The narrative originates from the legend of Lord Shiva and the demon Bhasmasur, with a key focus on the fierce fight between Goddess Amba and Demon Bhiamwal.
• The festival reflects the deep spiritual and cultural worldview of the Bhil tribe and dates back to as early as the 3rd or 4th century, including the era of SiddhRaj Jai Singh, a ruler from Gujarat.

Cultural Practices

• Performances are held in villages where the artists’ married sisters or daughters reside, aimed at ensuring the well-being and pride of their loved ones after marriage.
• The dance-drama, known as Gavri or Rai Nach, combines mime and dialogue with energetic music and colorful costumes.
• The story is presented in multiple scenes called Khel, each introduced by a narrator called Kutkadiya, who helps the audience follow the plot.
• All roles are traditionally performed by men.

Brihadisvara Temple

Recent Update

The Prime Minister of India recently visited the Brihadisvara Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu, describing the experience as profoundly spiritual.

About the Temple

• Also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, represented by a massive lingam.
• Constructed around 1010 AD by Rajaraja Chola I, it is one of the three famous Great Living Chola Temples (along with Gangaikondacholeeswaram and Airavatesvara temples) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is celebrated as a landmark in South Indian architecture, with its towering vimana (temple tower) considered an icon of Indian architectural excellence.

Key Features

• The temple follows Dravidian architectural style.
• The pyramidal vimana rises over 200 feet (60 meters), symbolizing Mount Meru, the mythic cosmic mountain in Hindu cosmology.
• The sikhara (dome) is octagonal, carved from a single granite block weighing 80 tons.
• The temple houses an impressive statue of Nandi, the sacred bull of Shiva.
• Inscriptions and frescoes document the historical rise and fall of the region’s fortunes.

Paithani Sarees

Recent Recognition

The Prime Minister of India recently praised the exquisite craftsmanship of Paithani sarees during his monthly radio address.

About Paithani Sarees

• Known as the ‘mahavastra’ of Maharashtra, Paithani sarees are renowned for their vibrant colors, pure silk fabric, and intricate gold zari work.
• Originating from the medieval town of Paithan on the banks of the Godavari River, these sarees are deeply rooted in Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.

Distinctive Features

• Handmade from pure silk and traditionally dyed in rich hues.
• Characteristic designs on the kath (border) and padar (pallu/end-piece) feature motifs such as parrots, lotuses, and peacocks.
• Usually crafted in six- or nine-yard lengths, these sarees have been a preferred choice for Maharashtrian brides for generations.
• Awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2010, confirming their unique regional identity.
• Paithanis are considered among the finest and most valuable sarees in India, symbolizing skilled artistry and Maharashtrian tradition.

Legionnaire’s Disease

Recent Alert

Residents of Central Harlem, New York City, have been advised to remain cautious following recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease, prompting health authorities to initiate a swift investigation.

About Legionnaires’ Disease

• It is a serious form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium.
• The bacteria naturally inhabit freshwater sources like lakes and rivers, as well as soil.

Transmission

• Infection usually occurs when people inhale water droplets or soil particles containing the bacteria.
• Drinking contaminated water generally does not cause infection unless the water is accidentally inhaled into the lungs (aspiration).
• The disease is not contagious and does not spread between people.
• Those at higher risk include older adults, smokers, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms

• Common signs include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches.
• If left untreated, Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal.

Treatment

• Early treatment with antibiotics is typically effective.
• However, some patients may experience lingering health issues even after treatment.

Majuli Island

Recent Development

In Majuli Island, Assam, local villagers have adopted an innovative approach to combat riverbank erosion by planting Kanchan trees along the banks of the Brahmaputra River.

About Majuli Island

• It is the largest river island in the world, located in Assam.
• The island is formed between the Brahmaputra River (south) and its tributary Kherkutia Xuti, with the Subansiri River joining from the north.
• Majuli’s landscape is characterized by dense greenery, water bodies, and extensive paddy fields.

Society and Culture

• The island’s primary livelihood is rice cultivation, including unique varieties such as Komal Saul and Bao Dhan.
• The population mainly consists of three tribal groups: Mishing, Deori, and Sonowal Kachari, alongside non-tribal Assamese residents.
• Majuli is a cultural hub for Assamese neo-Vaishnavism, established in the 16th century by saint-reformers Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva.
• It is famous for its Satras (Vaishnavite monasteries) which preserve art forms like Sattriya dance, bhaona theatre, mask making, and boat-making.
• The island also maintains rich traditions in mask crafting and pottery.

Golden Jackal

Recent Findings

A large citizen science study has estimated that Kerala is home to approximately 20,000 to 30,000 Golden Jackals.

About the Golden Jackal

• Also known as the common jackal, it is a medium-sized, wolf-like canid.
• It is nocturnal in human-populated areas but can be active during the day in less disturbed regions.
• These animals seek shelter in burrows they dig themselves, natural crevices, or abandoned dens of other species.
• Golden Jackals live in monogamous pairs.

Diet and Habitat

• They are omnivorous and opportunistic foragers, eating a varied diet.
• Typically found in valleys, along rivers, canals, lakes, and coastal areas, though less common in foothills and low mountains.

Distribution

• Found across North and East Africa, Southeastern Europe, and South Asia extending to Burma.
• In India, they are widespread from the Himalayan foothills to the Western Ghats.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern
• CITES: Appendix III
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I

e-Shram Portal

Recent Update

As of 22nd July 2025, over 30.95 crore unorganized workers have registered on the e-Shram portal, according to the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

About e-SHRAM Portal

• Launched on 26th August 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• Created to support and empower the unorganized workforce in India.
• Aims to build the National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW)—the first-ever national registry for unorganized workers, including migrant laborers, construction workers, gig and platform workers, etc.
• The portal’s language support has recently been expanded to 22 languages through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Bhashini project. Earlier, it was only available in English, Hindi, Kannada, and Marathi.

Objectives

• Develop a centralized database for effective implementation of labor policies.
• Improve access to social security schemes for workers in sectors like agriculture, construction, domestic work, and street vending.
• Facilitate job matching and skill development.
• Help integrate unorganized workers into the formal economy to strengthen labor market resilience.
• Promote financial inclusion through direct benefit transfers and digital payments.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age between 16 and 59 years.
• Employment in the unorganized sector, including self-employed, daily wage earners, and gig workers.
• Must have an Aadhaar card, a valid mobile number linked to Aadhaar, and a bank account.
• Should not be registered with the Employees'' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) or Employees'' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

Key Features

• Universal Account Number (UAN): Each registered worker receives a UAN linked to Aadhaar for easy access to benefits.
• Simplified Registration: Minimal documentation required, with an option for self-registration.
• Multilingual Access: Portal supports multiple Indian languages to ensure inclusivity.
• Grievance Redressal: A dedicated helpline and support system handle worker queries and complaints.
• Employment & Skill Linkage: Registered workers can access job opportunities, apprenticeships, pension schemes, digital skilling, and state-specific programs.
• Family Data for Migrant Workers: Captures family details to facilitate benefits related to child education and women-centric schemes.
• Data Sharing with Welfare Boards: Construction workers’ data is shared with Building and Other Construction Workers’ (BOCW) Welfare Boards for scheme access.
• Data Sharing Portal (DSP): Enables secure sharing of beneficiary data with state and UT governments for targeted implementation of welfare schemes.

FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025

Overview

• Indian chess player Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, defeating veteran Koneru Humpy in the final in Batumi, Georgia.

About the Tournament

• A prestigious knockout chess event organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) with 107 players.
• The tournament identifies top contenders for the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026.
• Held from 5 July to 29 July 2025 in Batumi, Georgia. This was the third edition of the Women’s Chess World Cup.
• Tournament Format

• The competition followed a 7-round knockout structure, where losing a match leads to elimination.
• The top 21 seeded players received byes into Round 2.

Match Details

• Classical Games (over 2 days):
• Two games per match
• 90 minutes per player for the first 40 moves
• Additional 30 minutes after move 40
• 30-second increment per move from the start
• If tied after classical games:
• Two rapid games (15 min + 10-sec increment)
• If still tied, two more rapid games (10 min + 10-sec increment)
• If still tied, two blitz games (5 min + 3-sec increment)
• If still no winner, an Armageddon game decides:
• White gets 3 minutes, Black gets 2 minutes
• 2-second increment starts from move 61
• Black wins if the game ends in a draw

Results and Significance

• Divya Deshmukh won the final 5–0.5 in rapid tiebreaks, earning a place in the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026.
• She is the first Indian woman to win this title.
• Became India’s 88th Grandmaster and only the 4th Indian woman to earn the GM title.
• Marks a new era and generational shift in Indian chess.

Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) Initiative

Context

Over 4.7 lakh villages have been culturally documented under the MGMD initiative, as reported by the Ministry of Culture in Parliament.

About MGMD

• What is it?
  A nationwide project focused on culturally mapping and documenting the intangible heritage of Indian villages.
• Launch Date: June 2023, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
• Aim: To map, preserve, and digitally archive traditional knowledge, rituals, oral traditions, festivals, and local arts across 6.5 lakh villages.

Key Features

• Implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
• Cultural database covers over 4.7 lakh villages.
• 360° video documentation conducted for 750 villages.
• Development of the MGMD Web Portal, designated as the National Cultural Workplace (NCWP).
• Operates under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM).
• Portal supports user-edited data, artist registrations, unique identification codes (UICs), and links to welfare schemes.

National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)

Overview

• A flagship government mission aimed at digitally mapping India’s cultural ecosystem and empowering artist communities.

Launch & Objective

• Initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• Seeks to identify and promote cultural assets, create a national artist and art form database, and encourage rural development through cultural industries.

Key Features

• Creation of National Digital Inventories.
• Virtual initiatives such as the Virtual Living Museum, digital badges, and village travel passports.
• Supports cultural event uploads, artist branding, and ranking via UICs.
• Integration with government welfare schemes to benefit artists.

Exercise Divya Drishti

Context

The Indian Army conducted Exercise Divya Drishti in East Sikkim to test AI-based battlefield awareness, real-time surveillance, and advanced warfare technologies under high-altitude conditions.

About Exercise Divya Drishti

• A high-altitude technology demonstration by the Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps.
• Designed to validate AI-integrated surveillance, real-time decision-making, and sensor-to-shooter systems in realistic battlefield scenarios.

Objectives

• Test battlefield digitization tools in extreme Himalayan terrain.
• Integrate AI sensors with communication systems for seamless data transmission.
• Validate coordination among UAVs, drones, and ground units in combat.
• Align future warfare doctrines with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the Army’s Decade of Transformation roadmap.

Key Features

• Realistic deployment of ground platforms, drones, and UAVs in East Sikkim.
• AI-enabled sensors provide battlefield intelligence, terrain mapping, and situational awareness in real time.
• Sensor-to-shooter linkage ensures instant transmission of data from surveillance to command and firing units.
• Secured networked communications for smooth tactical data relay.
• Promotes indigenous defence technology development under Make in India.

Significance

• Enhances tactical readiness for hybrid warfare, especially in Himalayan conflict zones.
• Supports self-reliance in defence technology, reducing import dependence.
• Accelerates decision-making with AI-driven situational analysis and instant response.

First-ever Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga National Park

Context

Prime Minister highlighted the first-ever Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga National Park during his Mann ki Baat, commending its innovative use of acoustic technology and importance for biodiversity conservation.

About the Census

• A pioneering survey targeting grassland bird species in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, conducted from March 18 to May 25, 2025.
• Jointly conducted by the Forest Department, researchers (including INSPIRE fellow Chiranjib Bora), conservationists, and park authorities.

Objectives

• Monitor populations of grassland bird species.
• Identify rare, endemic, and globally threatened birds.
• Map breeding patterns and assess ecological health of grassland habitats.

Methodology & Innovations

• Used Passive Acoustic Monitoring: recorders placed on tall trees captured bird calls during the breeding season.
• Applied audio identification tools such as spectrogram analysis and AI-based BirdNET software to identify species by their songs.
• Surveyed 29 locations using six recorders on a three-day cycle.

Key Highlights

• First Indian census focusing solely on grassland birds, a group often overlooked in conventional surveys.
• Documented 43 species, including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species according to the IUCN Red List.
• Recorded over 85 nests of the endangered Finn’s Weaver, endemic to Brahmaputra floodplains.
• Established grassland birds as ecological indicators of habitat health.
• Identified threats such as habitat loss from ecological succession, overgrazing, cultivation, and climate change.

International Tiger Day 2025

Context

India is celebrating International Tiger Day 2025 on July 29, highlighting its distinction of hosting 75% of the world’s wild tigers across 58 tiger reserves.

About International Tiger Day

• What is it?
  An annual global awareness day observed on July 29 to promote tiger conservation and habitat protection.
• Established: In 2010 at the Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, with participation from 13 tiger-range countries including India.

Key Features

• Raises awareness about threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts.
• Tracks progress on the Tx2 Goal: to double the global wild tiger population by 2022.
• Celebrates conservation successes and forest protection efforts worldwide.

India’s Tiger Conservation Journey

• Project Tiger:
• Launched in 1973, initially with 9 reserves, now expanded to 58 tiger reserves.
• Managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Tiger reserves cover about 2% of India’s land area.

Major Achievements

• Tiger population increased from approximately 1,400 in 2006 to 3,682 in 2024—doubling well ahead of the Tx2 deadline.
• Tigers now occupy about 138,200 sq km of forest areas inhabited by around 60 million people.

Ecological Importance

• Tigers regulate herbivore populations, maintaining forest ecosystem balance.
• Healthy tiger habitats promote biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and serve as significant carbon sinks.
• Forests also act as vital water catchments supporting agriculture and nearby communities.

India’s Global Role

• Home to 75% of the world’s tiger population, despite having only 18% of global tiger habitat.
• India’s conservation model—integrating scientific management, legal frameworks, and community involvement—is a benchmark for other tiger-range nations.

Geelong Treaty

Overview

• Australia and the United Kingdom have signed the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty (known as the Geelong Treaty) under AUKUS Pillar I.
• The United States is not a signatory to this treaty.
• The Trump administration previously reviewed the AUKUS submarine pact for alignment with its “America First” policy.

Purpose

• The treaty facilitates 50 years of strategic cooperation to design and build a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines.

AUKUS Context

• A trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US focused on technology sharing in the Indo-Pacific region.

Setubandha Scholar Scheme

Purpose

• Enables students from traditional gurukuls to earn recognized academic degrees and research scholarships at premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

About the Scheme

• Represents institutional recognition of traditional knowledge systems that have operated outside formal academia for decades.
• Integrates traditional learning into mainstream higher education by offering postgraduate and doctoral degrees.
• Supported by the Ministry of Education and implemented by the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) division of Central Sanskrit University (CSU).

Benefits

• Provides fellowships up to ₹65,000 per month to scholars.

Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)

Overview

The government recently reviewed the progress in establishing 7 Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs).

About Zonal Cultural Centres

• Autonomous organizations functioning under the Ministry of Culture.
• Their mission is to preserve and promote folk, tribal, and endangered art forms across India.
• Emphasize engaging youth and celebrating India’s cultural diversity.

Locations of ZCC Headquarters

• Patiala, Punjab
• Nagpur, Maharashtra
• Udaipur, Rajasthan
• Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
• Kolkata, West Bengal
• Dimapur, Nagaland
• Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting

Recent Event

The BRICS Ministers of Culture Meeting was held recently in Brasilia, Brazil.

Key Highlights

• New BRICS Cultural Platform:
• Agreement to create a platform to promote cultural and creative industries within BRICS nations.
• Objectives include developing cultural infrastructure, enhancing content sharing, facilitating artist exchanges, and initiating joint projects.
• Culture in Post-2030 Development Agenda:
• BRICS supports including culture as a distinct goal in the global post-2030 development agenda, aligned with UNESCO’s MONDIACULT conference.
• Also acknowledged the UNFCCC’s Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA).

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)

Context

Following reports of contamination, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has requested checks on NDMA levels in the antacid drug Ranitidine.

About NDMA

• A yellow, odorless liquid at room temperature.
• Forms unintentionally during manufacturing and is naturally found in air, water, soil, and some foods.
• Classified as a possible carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).
• Historically used in rocket fuel but discontinued due to environmental concerns.
• Also used as an additive or softener in cosmetics, lubricants, and plastics.

Acoustic Monitoring Technique

Context

The Prime Minister praised the first-ever grassland bird census in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, which used an Acoustic Monitoring Technique.

About the Census

• Focused on monitoring 10 rare or threatened grassland bird species, including the Bengal Florican and Black-breasted Parrotbill.

Acoustic Monitoring Technique Explained

• Traditional bird surveys are less effective for small, shy, or camouflaged species.
• Acoustic recorders were installed on tall trees near grasslands during the breeding season (March–May) to capture bird songs and calls.
• Bird sounds were analyzed using:
• Spectrograms: Visual graphs representing sound frequencies.
• BirdNET: An AI-powered tool for identifying bird calls.

UN Nelson Mandela Award

Recent Presentation

The UN Secretary-General awarded the Nelson Mandela Prize to Brenda Reynolds (Canada) and Kennedy Odede (Kenya).

About the Prize

• Established by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
• Awarded every 5 years to one male and one female from different regions worldwide.
• Recognizes outstanding individuals dedicated to humanity through reconciliation, social cohesion, and community development.
• Winners receive a plaque with a citation and a quote from Nelson Mandela; there is no monetary prize.
• UN staff are not eligible.
• To date, no Indian recipient of this award.