UNESCO has added the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ — 12 iconic forts of the Maratha Empire — into the World Heritage List.
About
This historic recognition was granted at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.
This marks India’s 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site, ranking the country 6th globally and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region for the highest number of heritage sites.
The Centre unveiled a scheme to provide financial incentives for purchase of electric trucks under the PM E-Drive initiative, where a sum of ₹500 crore has been set aside for 5,600 electric trucks.
About
This is India’s first dedicated scheme for electric trucks, which were not included under the earlier FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme.
Eligibility Conditions: Manufacturers must provide a battery warranty of 5 years or 5 lakh kilometres, whichever is earlier.
The vehicle and motor must carry a warranty of 5 years or 2.5 lakh kilometres.
To receive the incentive, scrapping of old, polluting diesel trucks is mandatory.
On 2025 World Population Day (July 11), the Population Foundation of India emphasized that India’s real challenge lies not in population size, but in justice, gender equity, and investing in human potential.
Key Takeaways
Shift the focus to reproductive rights, gender equality, and inclusive growth.
Empower youth, especially young women, to make informed choices about their lives and families.
View the demographic journey as an opportunity, not a threat—invest in education, healthcare, and skills.
India has reiterated its commitment to maritime safety and gender equality during the 134th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, held in London.
Laws and Conventions
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): It was rolled out by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 1973 and recognised the need for international coherent efforts for curbing oil spill.
India is a signatory to the MARPOL Convention.
The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, Sets minimum working and living standards for seafarers globally. Covers aspects such as equal opportunity, safety, and gender inclusion on board vessels.
Merchant shipping Act, 1958: The Act, describes the power to give a notice to the owner, when the central government is satisfied the ship is not as per the prescribed rules.
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a paradigm shift, powered not by steam or steel, but by smart algorithms and intelligent systems.
AI in Manufacturing
AI is used to create a virtual replica of processes, production lines, factories and supply chains that are used to simulate, analyze and predict performance in real time.
AI is transforming operations from legacy facilities to state-of-the-art plants.
It enables higher output, lower waste, real-time adaptability, and smarter design.
The Union Education Minister inaugurated the two-day Vice-Chancellors’ Conference of Central Universities at Kevadia, Gujarat, to assess the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Progress in Higher Education in India
Total Enrollment Growth: Total student enrollment has reached 4.46 crore, reflecting a 30% increase since 2014–15.
Female Empowerment: Female enrollment has surged by 38%, and the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for women now exceeds that of men.
Ph.D. enrollment has nearly doubled, with the number of female Ph.D. scholars increasing by a remarkable 136%.
The GER for Scheduled Tribes (STs) has risen by 10 percentage points, while for Scheduled Castes (SCs), it has increased by over 8 points.
The Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill, 2024—commonly referred to as the ‘Urban Maoism’ Bill—was passed by the Maharashtra Assembly recently.
Background and Rationale
The Bill was introduced in response to the perceived inadequacy of existing laws (like the UAPA) to deal with the evolving tactics of Maoist organizations, which increasingly use urban fronts—NGOs, intellectual circles, students, and media—to support rural armed struggle and undermine state institutions.
Maharashtra joins states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand in enacting such special public security laws.
The seventh edition, Frontiers 2025: The Weight of Time – Facing a New Age of Challenges for People and Ecosystems, highlights emerging environmental threats and potential solutions.
Recommendations
Transform Cities for Age-Friendly Resilience: Develop pollution-free, resilient, and accessible urban spaces with abundant vegetation.
Improve urban planning to address the needs of an ageing population, especially during extreme weather events.
Invest in Early Warning and Adaptation: Expand weather station networks to monitor and forecast extreme heat.
Adopt the ’15-Minute City’ Approach: Design neighbourhoods where essential services—homes, workplaces, schools, shops, and green spaces—are within a 15-minute walk or cycle.
Despite its emergence as a global economic force and digital innovator, India continues to face serious challenges in gender equality, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report (2025).
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