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Yearly Archives: 2025

Supreme Court Prohibited Tiger Safaris in Core Tiger Habitats

Context

  • The Supreme Court has issued directions to prohibit tiger safaris in the core or critical tiger habitat.

    • Directions By SC

  • Sensitive Zones: SC directed all states to notify the buffer and core areas of the tiger reserve within six months.
  • Notify eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around all tiger reserves, including buffer and fringe areas, no later than one year from the date of judgement. 
  • TCP Plans: The bench noted that from nine tiger reserves in 1973, the expanse of Project Tiger has increased to 58 reserves across India.
  • Directions were given to prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) within three months.

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    Proposed Reforms at Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI)

    Context

  • Recently, the High-Level Committee (HLC) of Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) has proposed a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at reinforcing transparency, ethical governance, and investor confidence.

    • Why Do Recommendations Matters?

  • Restoring Investor Confidence: Retail investors need assurance that market regulation is fair and impartial, with over 170 million demat accounts across India.
  • Preventing Regulatory Capture: SEBI can reduce the risk of officials favoring entities they have ties to, by enforcing disclosures.
  • Institutional Credibility: Amid internal dissent and allegations of toxic work culture, these reforms signal SEBI’s commitment to ethical governance.
  • Aligning With Global Standards: Similar frameworks exist in regulators like the US SEC and UK’s FCA, where asset disclosures and conflict audits are routine.

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    India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)

    In News

  • India and Russia reiterated their resolve to achieve $100 billion bilateral trade by 2030 in Moscow and reviewed steps for the India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) free trade agreement in goods.

    • About Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)

  • The EAEU is an international economic union and free trade zone comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union in 2014 and effective since January 2015.
  • The Union pursues the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour, coordination of economic policies, elimination of non-tariff trade barriers, and harmonization of regulations among members.
  • The EAEU covers a market of nearly 200 million people, with a combined GDP of $6.5 trillion, and is managed by its Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and Eurasian Economic Commission.

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    The Trajectory of Anti-rape Laws in India

    Context

  • Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai highlighted India’s evolving legal reforms aimed at better protecting sexual assault survivors and redefining consent.

    • Evolution of Legal Reforms

  • Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983: Introduced custodial rape as a specific offence under Section 376 IPC.

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    News in Short – 17 November, 2025

    In News

  • The Raulane Festival Himachal Pradesh recently drew attention.

    • About Raulane Festival

  • The Raulane Festival is an ancient, 5,000-year-old traditional festival celebrated in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh that honors mystical celestial fairies known as Saunis.
  • The pair undertake a slow devotional procession and dance to the Nagin Narayan Temple.
  • The dance and procession are seen as a channel between the human and spirit worlds, expressing gratitude, protection, and blessings for the community.

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    India Unveiled Plans to Establish Platform for Climate and Nature Finance

    In News

  • At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, India joined 13 countries and African Islands States Climate Commission (AISCC) to announce the national “Climate & Nature Finance Platforms.”

    • What is the Green Climate Fund (GCF)?

  • The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund, established in 2010 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • It was established to help developing countries respond to climate change by supporting both adaptation and mitigation activities.
  • The GCF is central to the implementation of the Paris Agreement in accordance with Article 9, supporting developing countries in achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate resilience goals.
  • It is funded primarily by voluntary contributions from developed countries, with additional support from private sector and other sources.

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    5th Audit Diwas 

    Context

  • Recently, the Vice-President of India lauded the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) as the ‘guardian of the public purse’ during the 5th Audit Diwas celebration, commemorating the establishment and legacy of CAG.

    • About 

  • Origins of India’s Audit Institution: The Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of India is among India’s oldest governance bodies.
  • Its origins date back to 1858, when a dedicated department led by an Accountant General was created.
  • It was responsible for maintaining accounts and auditing financial transactions of the East India Company.
  • Government of India Act, 1858: It brought a new system of presenting an annual budget of Imperial Income and Expenditure (1860), laying the foundation for Imperial Audit.

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    Precision Biotherapeutics

    Context

  • Precision biotherapeutics bring together genetic science, molecular biology, and data analytics to design therapies that identify and rectify the cause of illness.

    • Need for the Precision Biotherapeutics

  • Rising Burden of Complex Diseases: Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular illness, and cancers account for nearly 65% of deaths in the country. 
  • Precision: For cancer especially, conventional therapies (like chemotherapy) often cause significant collateral damage; targeted biologics or gene/cell therapies can be more precise.
  • The genetic diversity of India: India has a very genetically diverse population, which means “one-size-fits-all” drugs may not work equally across sub-populations.
  • Local Solutions: Pharmaceuticals made and tested in foreign countries might not work effectively in the Indian context. 

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    EAM Visit to QATAR

    Context

  • The External Affairs Minister met Qatar’s top leadership and discussed major aspects of the bilateral relationship, including energy and trade, as well as regional and global issues.

    • Brief on India-Qatar Relations

  • Strategic Partnership: In 2025 India and Qatar have signed an agreement to elevate their ties to the level of a strategic partnership.
  • India currently has strategic partnerships with four other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council – the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait.
  • Economic and Trade Relations: Qatar is the largest provider of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to India, supplying 10.91 million metric tonnes of LNG and 4.92 million metric tonnes of LPG in FY 2023-24.
  • The current annual trade is worth $14.08 billion.

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    National Press Day 

    In Context

  • India celebrated National Press Day honouring the essential role of a free and responsible press in our society.

    • About

  • National Press Day observed on 16 November, marks the establishment of the Press Council of India (PCI) in 1966, later reconstituted in 1979 under new legislation.
  • The idea for the Council was first proposed by the First Press Commission in 1956, which emphasized the need to protect press freedom and promote ethical reporting.
  • This year’s theme focuses on safeguarding press credibility amidst rising misinformation, highlighting the growing importance of accurate and ethical reporting.

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