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Monthly Archives: May 2025

News In Short-31-05-2025

In News

  • As per the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), zoonotic outbreaks significantly increased over the years, particularly post-pandemic.

    • Key Findings of the Study

  • Prevalence of Zoonotic Outbreaks: Over 8% (583 out of 6,948) of the reported outbreaks were zoonotic (spread from animals to humans). 
  • Peak Seasonality: Zoonotic outbreaks consistently peaked during the months of June, July, and August.
  • Leading Zoonotic Diseases: Japanese encephalitis accounted for the largest share (29.5%) then Leptospirosis (18.7%) & scrub typhus (13.9%).
  • Geographical Distribution: The Northeast part of India contributed the highest proportion (35.8%) of zoonotic disease outbreaks followed by the southern region (31.7%) & western region (15.4%).

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    South Asia’s ‘largest’ Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Inaugurated

    In News

  • The Delhi Power Minister  inaugurated a 20-MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kilokari, South Delhi .

    • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are large-scale batteries used to store energy from renewable sources like solar and wind for later use. 
  • They vary in size, design, and technology, and play a crucial role in making green energy more reliable and flexible. 
  • They can also feed excess power back to the main grid. 
  • There are three main types: Pre-packaged battery modules (just batteries), pre-packaged systems (batteries plus components like chargers or inverters), and custom-made battery banks (individual batteries assembled with additional components).

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    India will have 1 Billion Internet Users by this Fiscal Year

    Context

  • The Minister of Communications announced at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 that India’s Internet user base is set to touch 1 billion by the end of FY26.

    • Challenges

  • Last-Mile Connectivity: Difficult terrain, low affordability, and lack of digital skills still limit access in remote areas.
  • Data Privacy and Cybersecurity: India needs stronger laws and greater public awareness to protect user data.
  • Quality of Service: Internet speed and reliability remain uneven despite wide network coverage.
  • Skilling: Increased digital access must be supported by basic digital literacy and training programs.

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    Government Achieves Fiscal Deficit Target of 4.8% for FY25

    Context

  • The Government of India has successfully met its fiscal deficit target of 4.8% of GDP for the financial year 2024-25, as per provisional data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

    • What is the fiscal deficit?

  • Fiscal Deficit is defined as excess of total budget expenditure (revenue and capital) over total budget receipts (revenue and capital) excluding borrowings during a fiscal year.
  • Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure – (Revenue Receipts + Non-Debt Creating Capital Receipts).

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    India and  New Zealand: Strengthening Defence and Security Ties

    Context

  • Recently, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs visited India and emphasized India’s role as a ‘geopolitical giant’ and an ‘indispensable security actor’. 

    • About India-New Zealand Relations

  • India and New Zealand established their diplomatic relations in 1952. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth, sharing democratic values and governance principles.
  • They collaborate on regional and global security issues, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. They emphasize freedom of navigation, maritime security, and counterterrorism efforts.
  • New Zealand identified India as a priority country in its ‘Opening Doors to India’ policy notified in October 2011, which was reiterated in 2015.

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    Push for Russia-India-China Revival

    In News

  • Russia is actively pushing for the revival of the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral format, a strategic dialogue that has been largely dormant for nearly five years.

    • What is the RIC format?

  • Initiated in the late 1990s by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, the RIC format was conceived as a strategic counterweight to Western dominance.
  • It facilitated over 20 ministerial-level meetings, promoting cooperation in foreign policy, economics, and security.
  • The format lost momentum following the 2020 Galwan Valley incident, which significantly strained India-China relations.

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    Bonded Labourer in India

    In Context

  • The recent death of nine-year-old Venkatesh, taken as ‘collateral’ for his mother’s unpaid debt vividly illustrates the harsh realities and enduring challenges of bonded labor in India, despite its legal prohibition.

    • Current Landscape and Statistics

  • Prevalence: As of 2021, an estimated 11 million people in India were living in modern slavery, the highest number globally.
  • Rescue and Rehabilitation Efforts: Between April 2024 and January 2025, approximately 250 bonded labourers were rescued in India. However, in the fiscal year 2023-24, only 468 bonded labourers were rehabilitated against an annual target of 1.3 million, highlighting significant gaps in implementation.
  • Dominant Social Groups Affected: Studies consistently show that over 80% of bonded laborers are from historically marginalized Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities, underscoring the deep-rooted social discrimination.
  • Dominant Social Groups Affected: Studies consistently show that over 80% of bonded laborers are from historically marginalized Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities, underscoring the deep-rooted social discrimination.

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    संक्षिप्त समाचार 31-05-2025

    संदर्भ 

  • एकीकृत रोग निगरानी कार्यक्रम (IDSP) के अनुसार, ज़ूनोटिक (पशुओं से मनुष्यों में फैलने वाले) प्रकोपों में वर्षों के दौरान उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि हुई है, विशेष रूप से महामारी के पश्चात्।

    • अध्ययन के प्रमुख निष्कर्ष

  • ज़ूनोटिक प्रकोपों की व्यापकता: रिपोर्ट किए गए 6,948 प्रकोपों में से 583 (~8%) ज़ूनोटिक थे।
  • उच्चतम मौसमी प्रसार: जून, जुलाई और अगस्त में ज़ूनोटिक प्रकोपों का चरम देखा गया।

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    दक्षिण एशिया की ‘सबसे बड़ी’ बैटरी ऊर्जा भंडारण प्रणाली (BESS) का उद्घाटन

    संदर्भ 

  • दिल्ली के ऊर्जा मंत्री ने दक्षिण दिल्ली के किलोकारी में 20-MW बैटरी ऊर्जा भंडारण प्रणाली (BESS) का उद्घाटन किया।

    • बैटरी ऊर्जा भंडारण प्रणाली (BESS)

  • बैटरी ऊर्जा भंडारण प्रणाली (BESS) बड़े पैमाने पर बैटरियों का समूह है, जो सौर एवं पवन जैसी नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा को संग्रहित करने और बाद में उपयोग करने के लिए डिजाइन किया गया है। 
  • यह आकार, डिज़ाइन और तकनीक में भिन्न होते हैं और हरित ऊर्जा को अधिक विश्वसनीय एवं लचीला बनाने में महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाते हैं। ये अतिरिक्त ऊर्जा को मुख्य ग्रिड में वापस भेज सकते हैं। BESS के तीन प्रमुख प्रकार हैं: पूर्व-पैकेज्ड बैटरी मॉड्यूल (सिर्फ बैटरियाँ)।

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