Why in News?

• A government panel comprising officials from the Commerce and Industry Ministry, NITI Aayog, and exporters is formulating new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) norms to revive manufacturing and support exporters adversely affected by steep US tariffs.
• The move comes amid rising requests for de-notification of SEZ units and demands for a reverse job work policy to enable better domestic market integration.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• SEZs in India
• SEZs and Their Challenges
• Key Policy Demand - Reverse Job Work
• Sectoral Focus - Gems and Jewellery Industry
• Structural Challenges in SEZs
• Institutional and Policy Response
• Way Forward
• Conclusion

SEZs in India:

• Meaning: SEZs in India are geographically delineated, duty-free enclaves that are treated as foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations, duties, and tariffs.
• Objectives: They are industrial areas designed to promote exports, attract domestic and foreign investment, generate employment, and develop robust infrastructure by offering a more stable and business-friendly regulatory environment with a variety of incentives.
• History:
  • 1965 - India’s first Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was set up in Kandla, Gujarat.
  • 2000 - India introduced SEZ policy to increase exports and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
  • 2005 - The SEZ Act was passed, formalising SEZ regulation in India.
  • 2006 - SEZ rules were notified, leading to rapid growth in SEZ approvals.
• Administration: SEZs are managed through a three-tier structure -
  • The Board of Approval (BoA) for approving SEZ establishments,
  • The Unit Approval Committee (UAC) at the zone level for unit approvals, and
  • The Development Commissioner (DC) who oversees daily operations.
• Operations:
  • Operational flexibility is provided through aspects like allowing 100% FDI in most sectors via the automatic route and the requirement for units to be a "Net Foreign Exchange Earner" over a five-year period.
  • India currently has nearly 276 operational SEZs across different states, focusing on a wide array of industries including IT, pharmaceuticals, and engineering.

SEZs and Their Challenges:

• Export performance: India’s SEZ exports in FY25 stood at $172 billion from nearly 276 units, with only 2% of production catering to the domestic market.
• Comparative lag: Indian SEZs have underperformed compared to China’s SEZ model, which transformed its industrial base through large-scale manufacturing, logistics integration, and export-led growth.
• Current crisis: Several SEZ units catering primarily to the US market face reduced competitiveness due to tariff hikes, leading to production losses and job risks.

Key Policy Demand - Reverse Job Work:

• What is reverse job work? A proposed policy allowing SEZ units to perform production or processing work for the domestic tariff area (DTA) instead of exclusively for exports.
• Rationale behind the demand:
  • Optimal utilisation: SEZ units face seasonal export demand, resulting in underused labour and equipment capacity.
  • Efficiency boost: Integration with the domestic market could enhance productivity and resource utilisation.
  • Fair competition: The challenge lies in ensuring parity in duty exemptions between SEZ and domestic units so that domestic producers are not disadvantaged.

Sectoral Focus - Gems and Jewellery Industry:

• Dominant share: Nearly 65% of India’s studded jewellery exports originate from SEZ units.
• Tariff impact: The US, being the largest destination, has severely affected this sector.
• Industry demands:
  • Allow reverse job work and DTA sales.
  • Extend export obligation periods.
  • Grant interest moratorium on packing credit and working capital loans.
  • Keep factories and artisans engaged and safeguard employment.
• Trade imbalance concern: Rising imports of raw materials and marginal growth in exports are leading to a negative trade balance within SEZs.

Structural Challenges in SEZs:

• Declining unit numbers: For example, before 2019 there were 500 gems and jewellery units, which reduced to around 360 units in 2021-22, reflecting policy uncertainty and reduced fiscal incentives.
• Low R&D investment: Only 4 of 14 surveyed SEZ units invested in R&D, revealing minimal innovation focus.
• Skill and technology gaps: Lack of modern training, inadequate funds, and poor quality of upskilling programmes.
• Weak FDI:
  • FDI inflows remain low due to -
    • Absence of investment protection agreements (unlike Vietnam).
    • Negative perception of Indian SEZs.
    • Weak brand promotion and marketing efforts.
  • FDI is crucial for technology transfer, brand building, and global networking.

Institutional and Policy Response:

• Instead of waiting for a comprehensive SEZ Bill, the government is considering faster administrative measures.
• However, the Finance Ministry’s reservations on potential revenue loss have delayed immediate implementation.
• The ICRIER has recommended a review of trade balance mechanisms after the removal of the Net Foreign Exchange (NFE) earnings criteria.

Way Forward:

• Adopt reverse job work policy: Allow limited DTA access under transparent norms ensuring fairness with domestic manufacturers.
• Promote R&D and skill development: Establish dedicated innovation funds and training centres within SEZs.
• Enhance FDI attractiveness: Introduce investment protection agreements and marketing initiatives to improve SEZ image.
• Streamline SEZ governance: Simplify compliance and integrate SEZs within the logistics and industrial corridors.
• Sectoral support measures: Particularly for gems and jewellery, offer credit relief, export extensions, and infrastructure upgrades.

Conclusion:

• India’s SEZ policy is at a crossroads. While global trade disruptions and US tariffs have exposed structural weaknesses, they also present an opportunity to restructure SEZs for long-term competitiveness.
• It is essential to revitalise SEZs as engines of export-led industrial growth, ensuring both resilience and job preservation in key manufacturing sectors.

Why in the News?

• India is set to launch its first-ever Household Income Survey in 2026 to directly measure household incomes.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Income Data (Background, Need, Scope & Design for Survey, Challenges, Significance, etc.)

Background

• India is preparing to launch its first-ever Household Income Survey (HIS) in 2026, an ambitious effort aimed at capturing a detailed picture of household incomes, expenditures, and socio-economic conditions across the country.
• For policymakers, the survey promises to fill a critical data gap that has long hindered accurate assessment of income distribution and inequality.
• However, the sensitive nature of income-related questions and challenges in ensuring data accuracy pose significant hurdles to its successful execution.

The Need for Reliable Income Data

• Until now, India has relied on indirect methods or partial data to estimate household income.
• The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) captures wages and salaries through a labour market lens, focusing mainly on employment patterns rather than total household income.
• The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) infers income based on spending patterns, a proxy that often fails to reflect ground realities.
• Similarly, the RBI’s Consumer Confidence Survey only tracks perceived changes in income rather than actual figures.
• The Household Income Survey 2026 represents a crucial step forward. For the first time, it will measure income directly, linking it to social, occupational, and demographic variables to present a holistic picture of India’s income structure.

Scope and Design of the Household Income Survey 2026

• The survey will collect a comprehensive dataset covering:

• Household characteristics: Social group, religion, occupation, and whether the household is engaged in agriculture or non-agricultural activities.
• Assets and property details: Land ownership, dwelling type, property value, and loans taken.
• Income components:
• Regular salaried workers: Salaries, overtime pay, performance-based bonuses, stock options, leave encashments, and severance payments.
• Casual workers: Number of days worked, daily wages, and tips earned.
• Self-employed individuals: Crop sales (quantity and value), business sector, and gross receipts.

• This detailed approach will allow for direct income measurement and enable cross-comparison with expenditure, debt, and asset data to assess class dynamics and income inequality more precisely.

Linking Income with Expenditure and Welfare Benefits

• The survey also borrows elements from the HCES to ensure a balanced income-expenditure analysis.
• Respondents will report input costs for farming (such as seeds, labour, and transportation) and for non-farm enterprises (such as raw materials and rent).
• Collecting both income and expense data enables accurate profit margin estimations, a critical insight into household financial health.
• In addition, the survey will record pensions, family transfers, and remittances, alongside funds received under State-specific welfare schemes like Tamil Nadu’s Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam and various Union government initiatives.
• This data will help assess how welfare transfers contribute to total household income, particularly for marginalised and low-income groups.

Key Challenges Identified in Pilot Testing

• A pilot survey conducted in August 2025 across randomly selected households revealed major challenges:

• Reluctance to Disclose Income:
• Around 95% of respondents considered income-related questions sensitive. Many refused to answer queries about income tax payments, fearing misuse of information or privacy breaches.
• Recall Errors and Misreporting:
• Respondents often overstated expenses or miscalculated their income, especially in urban and affluent households. Many could not recall details about interest earned on savings or fixed deposits.
• Variation in Comfort Levels:
• Rural respondents showed greater willingness to answer questions than urban respondents, particularly those in gated communities or higher-income brackets, who demanded clarifications and privacy assurances.

• To address this, the government is considering introducing a self-compilation option for affluent households, wherein respondents can submit income details privately after receiving written communication explaining the survey’s objectives.

Institutional Efforts to Build Trust and Improve Accuracy

• Recognising the sensitivity of income-related data, the survey authorities are planning:

• Public awareness campaigns to explain the purpose and confidentiality safeguards of the survey.
• Use of local language enumerators to enhance trust and accuracy during interviews.
• Training programs for field staff to standardise data collection methods and minimise errors.

• These efforts are essential to ensure participation and data reliability, given India’s diverse socio-economic and cultural landscape.

Significance for Policymaking and Economic Planning

• The Household Income Survey 2026 will provide the first authentic, nationally representative income database for Indian households. Its findings will help:

• Accurately map income inequality across regions, social groups, and occupations.
• Assess the impact of welfare schemes and government transfers.
• Enable data-driven policymaking in areas like taxation, employment generation, and poverty alleviation.
• Verify progress on policy goals such as “Doubling Farmers’ Income” and inclusive economic growth.

• Such comprehensive data will also improve the credibility of India’s economic statistics globally, strengthening the foundation for evidence-based policymaking.

Why in news?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the India AI Governance Guidelines, advocating a light-touch, innovation-friendly approach to regulating artificial intelligence.

The document, a revised version of the January 2025 draft, was prepared by a committee led by Balaraman Ravindran, head of the Department of Data Science and AI at IIT Madras, while the earlier framework was overseen by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay K. Sood.

These guidelines are independent of the recently released draft IT Rules amendment (2021), which seeks to mandate labelling of AI-generated content on social media.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Highlights of the India AI Governance Guidelines
• India AI Governance Guidelines: Key Analysis
• Conclusion

Key Highlights of the India AI Governance Guidelines

• The goal is to harness AI’s transformative power for inclusive development and global competitiveness while addressing risks to individuals and society.
• The framework is structured into four parts: Key Principles, Key Recommendations, Action Plan, and Practical Guidelines.
• Part 1 – Key Principles (Seven Sutras)
  • The seven guiding sutras shape India’s AI philosophy across all sectors:
    • Trust is the Foundation: Without public trust, innovation and adoption will stagnate.
    • People First: Human-centric design, oversight, and empowerment.
    • Innovation over Restraint: Prioritise responsible innovation rather than excessive caution.
    • Fairness & Equity: Ensure inclusivity and prevent discrimination.
    • Accountability: Clear allocation of responsibility and enforcement mechanisms.
    • Understandable by Design: Transparent, explainable AI systems for users and regulators.
    • Safety, Resilience & Sustainability: Build robust, secure, and environmentally responsible AI systems.
• Part 2 – Key Recommendations (Six Pillars)
  • Infrastructure:
    • Expand access to data, compute, and digital public infrastructure (DPI).
    • Encourage investments and innovation through national platforms like AI Kosh.
  • Capacity Building:
    • Strengthen education, skilling, and awareness programmes for citizens and regulators.
    • Empower small businesses and government officials to responsibly use AI.
  • Policy & Regulation:
    • Adopt agile, flexible, and balanced frameworks.
    • Review existing laws, identify gaps, and introduce targeted amendments for AI-specific risks.
  • Risk Mitigation:
    • Develop India-specific risk assessment frameworks based on real-world harms.
    • Introduce voluntary, techno-legal, and context-specific safeguards for sensitive AI use.
  • Accountability:
    • Implement a graded liability system based on risk and function.
    • Increase transparency about actors in the AI value chain and their compliance.
  • Institutions:
    • Adopt a whole-of-government approach.
    • Establish an AI Governance Group (AIGG) and Technology & Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) for oversight.
    • Strengthen the AI Safety Institute (AISI) to provide technical expertise on trust and safety.
• Part 3 – Action Plan (Short, Medium & Long-Term Goals)
  • Short-term
    • Key Priorities - Establish AIGG, TPEC, and risk frameworks; suggest legal changes; adopt voluntary commitments; expand infrastructure; launch awareness campaigns.
    • Expected Outcomes - Strong institutions, trust-building, readiness for AI risk management.
  • Medium-term
    • Key Priorities - Publish standards, operationalise AI incident systems, amend laws, pilot regulatory sandboxes, and integrate DPI with AI.
    • Expected Outcomes - Safe experimentation and improved accountability.
  • Long-term
    • Key Priorities - Continuous review, horizon scanning, and new laws for emerging risks.
    • Expected Outcomes - Sustainable, future-ready AI governance ecosystem.
• Part 4 – Practical Guidelines
  • For Industry:
    • Comply with Indian laws and adopt voluntary standards and transparency reports.
    • Create grievance redressal mechanisms and apply techno-legal risk mitigation tools.
  • For Regulators:
    • Support innovation while mitigating real harms.
    • Prefer flexible, periodic, and non-burdensome frameworks over heavy compliance.
    • Use techno-legal approaches (e.g., bias detection, privacy preservation) to implement policies.

India AI Governance Guidelines: Key Analysis

• Shift from Risk Control to Innovation Enablement
  • The new framework marks a departure from earlier drafts that focused heavily on risk mitigation.
  • It now prioritises “innovation with guardrails”, scaling back references to NITI Aayog and OECD principles that influenced the previous approach.
  • The emphasis is on creating an adaptive governance model that balances growth and safety in AI deployment.
• No Immediate Plan for a Dedicated AI Law
  • While acknowledging that future legislation may be needed, the report suggests drafting new laws only when “emerging risks and capabilities” warrant it.
• Linked to Global AI Initiatives
  • The launch aligns with preparations for the Delhi AI Impact Summit (February 2026) — part of a global series of AI governance events following those at Bletchley Park (UK), Seoul, and Paris.
  • The guidelines are designed to position India as a responsible yet innovation-driven global AI player.

Conclusion

India’s AI Governance Guidelines propose a balanced, agile, pro-innovation, and future-ready framework — enabling AI-driven growth, inclusion, and competitiveness, while safeguarding individuals and society through trust, transparency, and accountability.

Why in news?

According to a provisional Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) report, Uttar Pradesh recorded one of the deadliest road safety records in 2024, with one death in every two crashes — among the highest in India.

While India’s total road accidents and fatalities are expected to exceed 2023 levels, nine states, including Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab, reported a decline in both accidents and deaths.

In contrast, Kerala recorded the lowest accident severity, with one death per 13 accidents, highlighting regional disparities in road safety outcomes.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Road Safety Data Shows Rising Trend in Accidents and Fatalities
• States Showing Improvement in Road Safety
• States with Mixed Road Safety Performance in 2024
• India’s Road Safety Crisis: The Bigger Picture

India’s Road Safety Data Shows Rising Trend in Accidents and Fatalities

• The Transport Research Wing (TRW) of the MoRTH recorded 4.73 lakh road accidents and 1.70 lakh deaths across 35 states and Union Territories in 2024, with West Bengal’s data still pending.
• In 2023, India had 4.80 lakh accidents and 1.73 lakh fatalities.
  • Since West Bengal alone reported 13,795 accidents and 6,027 deaths that year, inclusion of its 2024 data will likely push national totals beyond 2023 levels.
  • This continues the upward trend in crashes and fatalities seen since the pandemic lull of 2020–21.
• About the Road Safety Data
  • TRW collects accident data from the state police departments in formats provided by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) under the Asia-Pacific Road Accident Data (APRAD) base project.
  • The TRW uses this data to publish the Road Accidents in India report. The latest issue is for the calendar year 2023, with provisional data for 2024.

States Showing Improvement in Road Safety

• Despite India’s rising national road accident figures, nine states and Union Territories recorded a decline in both accidents and fatalities between 2023 and 2024.
• This indicates encouraging progress in road safety enforcement and awareness.
• Larger States with Declining Numbers
  • Gujarat: Accidents fell from 16,349 (2023) to 15,588 (2024); fatalities dropped slightly from 7,854 to 7,717.
  • Haryana: Accidents declined from 10,463 to 9,806, while fatalities reduced from 4,968 to 4,689.
  • Punjab: Reported 6,063 accidents and 4,759 deaths in 2024, down from 6,269 accidents and 4,829 deaths the previous year.
  • These consistent reductions reflect stronger traffic enforcement and safety initiatives in these states.
• Smaller States and UTs Making Gains
  • Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Nagaland, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir also reported improvements in both key metrics.
  • Notably, Nagaland achieved a dramatic fall in road crashes — from 303 in 2023 to 129 in 2024 — demonstrating the potential impact of localized safety interventions.
• Key Takeaway
  • The trend suggests that focused state-level efforts—such as safer infrastructure, stricter enforcement, and public awareness—can yield tangible results in reducing both accidents and fatalities, even as the national totals continue to rise.

States with Mixed Road Safety Performance in 2024

• Several states and Union Territories displayed mixed outcomes in 2024 — with reductions in accidents but rises in fatalities, or vice versa — highlighting uneven progress in road safety implementation.
• States with Fewer Accidents but More Deaths
  • Andhra Pradesh: Accidents dropped slightly from 19,949 to 19,557, but fatalities rose from 8,137 to 8,346.
  • Karnataka: Accidents decreased from 43,440 to 43,062, yet fatalities edged up from 12,321 to 12,390.
  • Delhi: Recorded fewer crashes (5,834 to 5,657), but more deaths (1,457 to 1,551).
  • Ladakh (UT): Accidents fell from 289 to 264, while fatalities rose marginally from 59 to 61.
  • These cases suggest that severity of crashes, rather than frequency, remains a key concern.
• States with More Accidents but Fewer Deaths
  • Kerala: Accidents rose from 48,091 to 48,789, but fatalities declined from 4,080 to 3,846.
  • Tripura: Accident numbers remained steady (577 to 578), yet deaths dropped from 261 to 226, reflecting improved emergency response and medical care.
• States with Highest Overall Accident Counts
  • In 2024, Tamil Nadu continued to report the most road accidents for the seventh consecutive year, with 67,526 cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
  • The mixed trends reveal that reducing fatalities requires more than lowering accident frequency — it calls for safer road design, better vehicle standards, faster trauma response, and consistent enforcement across states.

India’s Road Safety Crisis: The Bigger Picture

• Despite multiple government campaigns and road safety programs, India continues to witness a steady rise in accidents and fatalities.
• The data reveal that Indian roads are becoming increasingly unsafe, underscoring the need for stronger implementation and accountability.
• India Tops Global Road Fatalities List
  • According to World Road Statistics (International Road Federation), India ranks first globally in the total number of road deaths, followed by China and the United States.
  • While Iran records the highest fatality rate per lakh population, India’s rate remains significantly higher than countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and China, even after adjusting for population size.
• Root Causes: Poor Engineering and Planning
  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has attributed the rise in road accidents to poor civil engineering and substandard Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
  • At the Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS) in March, he said that engineering errors and design flaws in road construction projects are a major cause of preventable deaths.
• Key Takeaway
  • The persistence of high accident rates despite reforms points to systemic flaws in road design, project execution, and enforcement.
  • Improving engineering quality, infrastructure audits, and accountability will be essential for making Indian roads truly safe in the coming decade.

Context

• B.R. Ambedkar’s observation that even the finest Constitution can fail in the hands of those who administer it captures a timeless truth about governance: laws are only as effective as the integrity of those who implement them.
• This insight applies with equal force to India’s Model Code of Conduct (MCC), a moral and procedural framework meant to guide political parties and candidates during elections.
• Though designed to uphold fairness and probity, the MCC’s repeated violations expose deep flaws in both political ethics and institutional enforcement.

The Nature and Purpose of the MCC

• The Model Code of Conduct is a consensus-based set of norms developed by political parties and enforced by the Election Commission of India (EC).
• Operational from the announcement of election dates until the declaration of results, the MCC seeks to maintain a level playing field between ruling and opposition parties.
• It prohibits the use of government machinery or public resources for electoral advantage, disallows new policy announcements, and restricts financial grants that could influence voters.
• Since its strict implementation in the 1990s and revision in 2013, the MCC has been central to India’s electoral ethos.
• Yet, as the text reveals, its moral authority often clashes with the realpolitik of Indian elections.

The Problem of Enforcement and Political Circumvention

• A fundamental limitation of the MCC is that it is not legally enforceable. Its moral binding depends on the goodwill of political actors, an expectation often betrayed in practice.
• Violations related to hate speech or bribery can be pursued under existing criminal laws or the Representation of the People Act (1951), but the timing of welfare schemes or project announcements falls into a grey zone.
• As the author aptly notes, politicians have mastered the art of circumventing the code.
• The Shakespearean phrase more honoured in the breach than in the observance finds a disturbing resonance here: the MCC, intended as a moral compass, has become a ritualistic document honoured largely in rhetoric.

Case Study: Cash Politics and the Bihar Example

• The launch of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MMRY) in Bihar in 2025 exemplifies this subversion.
• Announced barely weeks before the elections, the scheme disburses ₹10,000 to women for self-employment, an initiative that, though beneficial in itself, becomes ethically dubious when rolled out during the election period.
• The ruling party’s justification that it was an ongoing scheme underscores how welfare policies can be weaponised for electoral gain.
• Such practices blur the line between social welfare and electoral inducement, eroding public trust and transforming democracy into a cash-mediated transaction.

Institutional Response and Reform Debates

• While some advocate making the MCC legally binding, the Election Commission has resisted the idea, citing the short duration of election periods and the slow pace of judicial proceedings.
• The text rightly observes that even if the code were made enforceable, political ingenuity and opportunism would likely find new ways around it.
• This raises a deeper question: can ethics be legislated?
• It may be better to scrap unenforceable provisions rather than preserve a façade of morality, reflects both frustration and realism.
• It also strengthens the case for simultaneous elections, reducing the frequency of MCC restrictions that currently paralyse governance.

Conclusion

• The repeated breaches of the Model Code of Conduct underscore a profound moral crisis in Indian politics.
• The MCC, conceived as a guardian of electoral fairness, risks becoming an empty ritual unless political morality itself is revitalised.
• Ultimately, the health of a democracy depends not merely on codes and commissions, but on the ethical conviction of its leaders and the vigilance of its citizens.
• Until that moral awakening occurs, the MCC will remain a noble document trapped in a cynical political reality.

Context

• In November 2025, global attention turns to Belém, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where world leaders gather ahead of COP30 to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• The summit opens with a call for a new kind of climate conference, the COP of Truth; This moment marks a turning point in global environmental politics: a demand that the world move beyond speeches and symbolic commitments toward decisive, collective action.
• The gathering embodies a clear message — that protecting the planet requires not only scientific understanding but also moral courage, political will, and global solidarity.

Historical Context and Purpose

• The return of the international community to Brazil evokes the spirit of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which produced landmark conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification.
• Over three decades later, the world meets once again on Brazilian soil, not in the capital, but in the Amazon itself.
• This symbolic setting represents both the lungs of the planet and the frontline of the climate struggle.
• The purpose of this renewed gathering is to transform the ideals of 1992 into real, measurable progress.
• Brazil’s hosting of COP30 reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental diplomacy and its determination to restore faith in multilateral cooperation as a force for global good.

Brazil’s Leadership and Innovation

• Brazil positions itself as a model of climate leadership rooted in action.
• In just two years, deforestation in the Amazon has been reduced by half, showing that concrete progress is possible.
• The nation’s energy matrix stands among the cleanest in the world, with 88% of its electricity generated from renewable sources such as hydro, wind, solar, and biofuels.
• A cornerstone of this leadership is the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), an innovative investment fund that rewards the preservation of forests rather than depending on charity or donations.
• With an initial $1 billion contribution, Brazil demonstrates its commitment to sustainable finance and expects other nations to join this effort.
• The country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), pledging to cut emissions by 59% to 67%, strengthens its claim to genuine climate responsibility.
• These measures transform Brazil’s environmental vision into tangible, scalable policy.

Justice and Common Responsibility and Climate Action as Social Justice

• Justice and Common Responsibility
  • The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remains the foundation of global climate cooperation.
  • Developing nations of the Global South insist on greater access to resources, not as charity, but as a matter of justice.
  • The world’s wealthiest countries, having benefited the most from a carbon-based economy, now bear a moral obligation to support sustainable transitions elsewhere.
  • This is not merely an economic demand; it is a call to correct historical imbalances and acknowledge shared humanity.
  • Only through equitable participation and financing can global climate efforts achieve legitimacy and effectiveness.
• Climate Action as Social Justice
  • Climate policy cannot be separated from the fight against poverty, hunger, and inequality.
  • The commitment to launch a Declaration on Hunger, Poverty and Climate links environmental responsibility directly to human welfare.
  • Today, two billion people lack access to clean energy for cooking, and 673 million still suffer from hunger.
  • The call for a just, inclusive energy transition recognises that the burdens of climate change fall hardest on the poor and vulnerable.
  • Sustainable development must therefore place people at the centre of decision-making, ensuring that environmental progress also delivers dignity, equality, and opportunity for all.

The Path Forward: Reforming Global Governance

• True progress demands the renewal of global institutions.
• The paralysis of the United Nations Security Council has shown that existing structures are ill-equipped to address today’s most urgent challenges.
• To restore faith in collective action, the creation of a UN Climate Change Council, directly linked to the General Assembly, is essential.
• Such a body would possess both the authority and legitimacy to enforce climate commitments and hold nations accountable for their promises.
• This proposal represents a bold step toward reinvigorating multilateralism and ensuring that the global response to climate change is guided by coherence, fairness, and accountability.

Conclusion

• The vision emerging from Belém is one of truth, justice, and transformation; The world can no longer afford a cycle of summits filled with promises but devoid of progress.
• The COP of Truth calls for integrity over inertia, courage over convenience, and solidarity over self-interest.
• Brazil’s leadership demonstrates that climate action is possible when science, policy, and morality align.
• Through honesty, cooperation, and determination, the world can turn the promise of climate justice into lasting reality.

About Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR):

• It is situated in the Mysore and Chamarajanagar revenue districts of southern Karnataka.
• It is located at the tri-junction area of the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• Geographically, it is an “ecological confluence” of the Western and Eastern Ghats.
• It was once a hunting ground for the rulers of the neighbouring kingdom of Mysore.
• It is part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• BTR is surrounded by:
  • Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the North West (Kabini Reservoir separates the two).
  • Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the South.
  • Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the South West.
• Rivers: It is surrounded by River Kabini in its north and River Moyar in its south.
• Climate: Bandipur has a typical tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
• Flora:
  • It comprises diverse vegetation of dry deciduous to tropical mixed deciduous.
  • It includes rosewood, Indian kino tree, sandalwood, Indian laurel, clumping bamboo, and giant clumping bamboo, etc.
• Fauna:
  • It is a shelter for the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia.
  • It comprises other mammals such as the Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, golden jackal, dhole, and four-horned antelope, etc.

About Indian Mouse Deer:

• The Indian Mouse Deer, or Indian Spotted Chevrotain, is a species of even-toed ungulate belonging to the family Tragulidae.
• Scientific Name: Moschiola indica
• It is the smallest deer species found in India and is known for its elusive and shy nature.
• Distribution:
  • It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent.
  • It is mainly found in peninsular India, with some old records from Nepal.
  • Sri Lanka has a separate species called the spotted chevrotain (Moschiola meminna).
  • Within India, it is commonly encountered in a number of forest areas along the Western Ghats, in the Eastern Ghats up to Orissa, and in the forests of central India.
• Features:
  • It is small, 25-30 cm at shoulder height, and weighs from two to four kg.
  • The fur color is dark brown with white underparts.
  • There are four or five light rows of white spots on the back.
  • Males of this species have tusk-like upper canines.
  • A unique feature of this group is that instead of a four-chambered stomach like in other ruminants, they have a three-chambered stomach.
  • Diet: It forages on the forest floor for fruits, roots, leaves, and herbs. It has occasionally been observed eating insects, crustaceans, and even small mammals.
  • Life Span: 8 to 12 years.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Least Concern

About INS Savitri :

• It is an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy.
• It was built by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, and commissioned on 7 June 1990.
• It is under the Eastern Naval Command based at Visakhapatnam.
• The ship has wide-ranging operational roles, including aerial surveillance and in search & rescue roles.
• With a top speed of 15 knots (30 km/h), the ship boasts impressive features such as the 40×60 Bofors Gun and a helicopter deck capable of operating the Chetak helicopter.
• In the past, INS Savitri has been deployed for various expeditionary missions.
• It has taken part in patrols off the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius.