About Tetrodotoxin (TTX):

• It is an extremely potent marine neurotoxin.
• It naturally occurs in the skin, intestine, and liver of some fish in the family Tetraodontidae.
  • Examples include puffer fish, porcupine fish, ocean sunfish, and some species of newts and salamanders.
• Human poisonings occur when the flesh and/or organs of the fish are improperly prepared and eaten.
• TTX interferes with the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles and causes an increasing paralysis of the muscles of the body.
• Its toxicity is more than 1000 times greater than sodium cyanide.
• TTX poisoning can be fatal.
• It has no known antidote. Treatment is mainly supportive.

About Contarinia icardiflores:

• It is a new species of blossom midge.
  • Blossom midges of the genus Contarinia are small insects known to be serious pests of ornamental and food crops
  • The larvae feed inside flower buds or blossoms, often causing severe yield loss in agricultural and horticultural crops.
• icardiflores has been named in honour of ICAR-DFR, acknowledging the institute’s contributions to floriculture research.
• Although C. icardiflores closely resembles C. maculipennis — the only other midge known to attack jasmine — it is genetically distinct.
• The findings provide essential biological insights and lay the groundwork for developing targeted and eco-friendly pest management strategies for jasmine farmers in the country.

About Fishing Cat:

• It is a medium-sized wild cat species.
• Habitat: It is found in a variety of wetland habitats, mangrove forests, swamps, marshes.
• It is adapted to both fresh and saltwater habitats, and is able to tolerate a wide range of weather conditions, from tropical rain forests to temperate regions.
• Distribution: It is native to South and Southeast Asia.
  • It inhabits the peninsular region of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Java, and Pakistan.
  • In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, on the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys, and in the Western Ghats.
• Fishing Cat Features:
  • The fishing cat is an adept swimmer and enters water frequently to prey on fish, as its name suggests. It is known to even dive to catch fish.
  • They show strong sexual dimorphism. Males are considerably larger. 
  • They are
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: Schedule I

About Cuba:

• Location: It is the largest island country located in the north western Caribbean at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
• Cuba shares its maritime borders with the US, Haiti, Honduras, The Bahamas, Jamaica and Mexico.
• Capital City: Havana
• Geographical Features of Cuba
  • Climate: In Cuba, the climate is tropical
  • Mountain ranges:Sierra Maestra.
  • River: The country’s longest river is the Cauto.
  • Lakes and Reservoirs: Laguna de Leche and man-made Zaza Reservoir
  • Natural Resources: Cuba has plenty of natural resources such as nickel, cobalt, petroleum, arable land, forests.

About PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana:

• It was launched in 2024 with an aim to provide free electricity to households in India.
• Under the scheme, households will be provided with a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs.
• Subsidy: The scheme provides for a subsidy of 60% of the solar unit cost for systems up to 2 kW capacity and 40 percent of additional system cost for systems between 2 to 3 kW capacity. 
• The subsidy has been capped at 3 kW capacity.
• Other component of the scheme is the development of Model Solar Village in each district of the country.
  • Under the component Incentives to Local Bodies, the scheme has provision of providing an incentive at Rs 1,000 per rooftop solar installation in the respective jurisdiction of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) at the Gram Panchayat level.
• Implementing agency: It is implemented by a National programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) at the National level and by the State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) at the state level. 
  • Under this, DISCOMs are designated as State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) responsible for facilitating various measures, including net meter availability, timely inspection, and commissioning of installations. 
  • DISCOMs will receive incentives based on their achievement in the installation of additional grid-connected rooftop solar capacity beyond a baseline level.
• Eligibility Criteria for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
  • The household must be an Indian citizen.
  • The household must own a house with a roof that is suitable for installing solar panels.
  • The household must have a valid electricity connection.
  • The household must not have availed any other subsidy for solar panels.

About Lenacapavir:

• It is the new long-acting injectable HIV-prevention drug.
• It is the first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, offering a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills.
  • PrEP is a medication that can reduce the risk of HIV infection for individuals who are HIV-negative but are at risk of contracting the virus.
• The results of two key studies have shown that it helps prevent 99.9 per cent of all HIV transmission.
• It is developed by Gilead Sciences and marketed under the brand name Yeztugo.
• How does lenacapavir work?
  • Lenacapavir is a capsid inhibitor, a class of drugs that blocks the protein shell (capsid) the HIV virus needs to replicate.
  • Unlike oral PrEP pills that must be taken daily, lenacapavir is administered as an injection once every six months, providing a discreet and highly effective method of prevention.

About Traditional Knowledge Digital Library:

• It is a unique initiative, established in 2001 by the Government of India through collaboration between CSIR and the Ministry of AYUSH.
• Objective: Its primary objective is to prevent the erroneous grant of patents on Indian traditional knowledge and to safeguard the country’s knowledge heritage from misappropriation.
• Features of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
  • It currently contains information on numerous formulations and practices drawn from Indian systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa Rigpa, as well as Yoga, sourced from authoritative traditional texts.
  • Under this initiative, knowledge from multiple languages and disciplines is translated, structured and linked with modern scientific and technical terminology.
  • The database is available in five international languages—English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish.
  • To this platform, access is provided to patent offices through Non-Disclosure Agreements.
  • With the inclusion of INPI, Brazil, the number of patent offices worldwide with access to the TKDL rises to eighteen.
• The TKDL is widely regarded as a global benchmark for the defensive protection of traditional knowledge.

Why in news?

At its recent ministerial meeting in Paris, the International Energy Agency (IEA) acknowledged progress on India’s request for full membership. India is currently an associate member of the Paris-based body, which focuses on energy security, global energy policy, climate change, and energy transitions.

However, India’s bid for full membership is complex because the IEA’s founding legal framework allows only OECD countries to become members. Granting India membership would therefore require amendments to these rules, making the process challenging rather than automatic.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• The International Energy Agency (IEA): Origins and Role
• Expansion of IEA Membership
• Evolving Role of the IEA
• India’s Quest for Full IEA Membership
• IEA’s Support for India

The International Energy Agency (IEA): Origins and Role

• The IEA was established in 1974 in response to the global oil crisis triggered by the Arab oil embargo during the Yom Kippur War.
• The embargo led to soaring oil prices and fuel shortages, exposing the vulnerability of major industrial economies dependent on imported oil.
• In response, member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) decided to collaborate to manage energy security and reduce dependence on imported oil. As a result, 17 OECD nations founded the IEA.
• Core Mandate and Emergency Mechanism
  • The IEA’s primary objective was to safeguard stable oil supplies and anticipate future disruptions through coordinated action.
  • A key feature of its framework is the requirement that each member maintain minimum strategic oil stocks to cushion supply shocks.
  • This emergency mechanism has been activated multiple times, including during the 1991 Gulf War and after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
• Membership Structure
  • Although more countries joined over time, full membership remained restricted to OECD members.
  • The IEA currently has 32 full members. At the recent ministerial meeting, Colombia became the 33rd member after joining the OECD in 2020, thereby qualifying for IEA membership.

Expansion of IEA Membership

• In 2015, the IEA allowed non-OECD countries to join as associate members.
• While they participate in policy discussions and activities, they do not have decision-making powers.
• India became an associate member in 2017, and there are currently 13 associate members.

Evolving Role of the IEA

• With diversification of energy sources, technological advances, and growing climate concerns, the IEA’s mandate has expanded beyond oil security.
• The agency now works extensively on renewable energy, decarbonisation, and energy transition.
• It has also recently launched a critical minerals programme, reflecting the changing energy landscape.
• Changing Global Energy Dynamics
  • Countries like China, India, and Brazil have emerged as major energy producers and consumers, reshaping global energy markets.
  • At its founding, IEA members accounted for over 60% of global energy demand.
  • This share fell to about 40% a decade ago despite more members joining.
  • However, including associate members such as India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt, and Thailand, the broader IEA family now represents about 80% of global energy demand, highlighting its expanded global relevance.

India’s Quest for Full IEA Membership

• India has been pursuing full membership of the International Energy Agency (IEA) for several years and formally submitted its request in October 2023.
• The issue has also featured in India-US bilateral discussions.
• Why India Seeks Full Membership?
  • As an associate member, India participates in discussions but lacks voting rights. Full membership would give India a voice in IEA’s decision-making processes.
  • The IEA plays a crucial role not only in energy security and emergency response but also as a leading knowledge platform on energy transition, climate change, and clean technologies.
  • It maintains one of the world’s most comprehensive energy databases, increasing its global influence.
• Legal and Structural Hurdles
  • IEA membership is currently limited to OECD countries. Since India does not intend to join the OECD, granting it full membership would require:
    • Amending the IEA’s founding charter, or
    • Making a special exception.
  • Discussions indicate that a legal amendment may be considered. Brazil, another non-OECD country, has also sought full membership.

IEA’s Support for India

• The IEA has expressed strong support for India’s bid, highlighting:
  • India’s growing central role in global energy security.
  • Its expected leadership in inclusive energy transitions and climate action.
  • The projection that India will see the largest growth in energy demand over the next three decades.
• At the recent ministerial meeting, delegates welcomed progress in discussions following India’s request.
• Growing India-IEA Engagement
  • Expanded Cooperation - IEA’s engagement with India has deepened significantly, with multiple India-focused reports and data initiatives.
  • LiFE Initiative Collaboration - IEA prepared a special report on India’s LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, estimating that widespread lifestyle changes could avoid up to 2 billion tonnes of global emissions by 2030.

Why in news?

The Centre has launched ‘Prahaar’, India’s first comprehensive counter-terrorism policy. Built on a zero-tolerance approach, it emphasises intelligence-led prevention and coordinated responses to extremist violence.

The framework aims to dismantle terror networks by cutting off access to funding, weapons, and safe havens, both within India and abroad, targeting not just terrorists but also their financiers and supporters.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s First Counter-Terrorism Policy: Prahaar
• Conclusion

India’s First Counter-Terrorism Policy: Prahaar

• The Centre has unveiled India’s first comprehensive counter-terrorism policy, “Prahaar”, aimed at strengthening the country’s fight against extremist violence through a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach.
• 
• Core Objective
  • Prahaar aims to:
    • Criminalise all terrorist acts.
    • Starve terrorists, their financiers and supporters of funding, weapons, safe havens and cyber resources.
    • Strengthen coordinated action among central and state agencies.
• Guiding Principles
  • Zero Tolerance: No justification for terrorism under any circumstances.
  • Victim-Centric Approach: India stands firmly with victims of terror.
  • No Religious Attribution: Terrorism is not associated with any religion, ethnicity, or civilisation.
  • Concern Over State Sponsorship: Notes that some countries in the region have used terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

• Seven Key Pillars of Prahaar: Each letter of the acronym represents a strategic pillar:
  • Prevention
    • Intelligence-led, proactive measures to stop attacks before they occur.
    • Continuous disruption of overground worker networks and cyber activities.
  • Responses
    • Swift, proportionate, and graded counter-terror responses.
    • Uniform anti-terror structures and standard operating procedures across levels of governance.
  • Aggregating Internal Capacities
    • Whole-of-government approach.
    • Modernisation of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) with advanced tools, technology, and weaponry.
    • Enhanced coordination in intelligence collection and investigation.
  • Human Rights and Rule of Law
    • Safeguarding due process with multiple levels of redressal and appeal.
    • Legal reforms in the counter-terror framework as required.
  • Attenuating Enabling Conditions
    • Graded police response to radicalisation.
    • Legal action based on degree of radicalisation.
    • Addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities of youth through education, engagement and de-radicalisation programmes.
  • Aligning International Efforts
    • Strengthening global cooperation.
    • Use of treaties, extradition and deportation under UN norms.
    • Collaboration to counter misuse of ICT by terrorists.
  • Recovery and Resilience
    • Whole-of-society approach to rebuilding and strengthening community resilience after terror incidents.
• Key Threat Perceptions
  • Cross-Border and State-Sponsored Terror
    • India has faced cross-border sponsored terrorism, including jihadist outfits and their frontal organisations.
    • Global terror groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS have attempted to incite violence through sleeper cells.
    • Terror handlers abroad have used drones and advanced technologies to facilitate attacks, especially in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
    • Terror groups increasingly collaborate with criminal networks for logistics and recruitment.
  • Technology-Driven Terrorism
    • Use of drones in Punjab and J&K.
    • Exploitation of encryption, dark web and cryptocurrencies for anonymity.
    • Use of social media and encrypted messaging apps for propaganda, recruitment, and funding.
    • Risks related to CBRNED materials (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive, digital).
    • Threats from misuse of drones, robotics, and cyberattacks by state and non-state actors.
  • Organised Crime Nexus
    • Terror groups leveraging criminal networks for logistics and recruitment.
    • Collaboration between foreign-based and local outfits for transnational attacks.

• Counter-Measures and De-Radicalisation
• Proactive disruption of online terror propaganda and recruitment networks.
• Strengthening intelligence and counter-terror operations.
• Community-based reintegration efforts involving doctors, psychologists, lawyers, NGOs, and religious leaders to prevent radicalisation and rehabilitate affected individuals.
• Strategic Way Forward
  • Greater collaboration among intelligence and security agencies.
  • Continuous capacity-building at the state level.
  • Investment in technology and partnerships with private enterprises.
  • Uniform structures and standard procedures across central, state and district levels.

Conclusion

Prahaar institutionalises India’s counter-terror strategy as a doctrine rooted in proactive intelligence, coordinated governance, technological preparedness, legal safeguards and international cooperation, aimed at comprehensively dismantling terror networks and strengthening national security.