About Doctrine of Clean Hands:

• The Doctrine of Clean Hands emphasises that those seeking justice must not engage in dishonest practices, ensuring that litigants approach the court with full transparency and integrity.
• It is an equitable principle that prevents a party from receiving relief or asserting a defense if they have acted unfairly or in bad faith concerning the very matter before the court.
• Essentially, a party seeking an equitable remedy must themselves have "clean hands" regarding the dispute to be granted relief.
• Simply put, the doctrine requires that “He who seeks equity must do equity.”
• The doctrine has its roots in the English Court of Chancery, which administered equity.
• Clean Hands Doctrine in Indian Jurisprudence:
  • In Indian jurisprudence, the Supreme Court of India has consistently emphasized that litigants must approach the court with “clean hands,” meaning full and honest disclosure of all material facts relevant to the case.
  • It would be trite that suppression of material facts implies disclosure of those facts which are essential to the decision-making process.
  • If such material facts are suppressed, the Courts have held that the same amounts to fraud on the court, misrepresentation, or abuse of process of law.
  • Such conduct disentitles the litigant to any relief, whether interim or final, and may attract exemplary costs, dismissal of proceedings, or even contempt actions.
  • The court has described this as a fundamental requirement for invoking equitable jurisdiction, particularly in writ petitions under Article 226 or special leave petitions under Article 136.

About Enceladus:

• It is the second nearest of the major regular moons of Saturn and the brightest of all its moons.
• It is Saturn's sixth-largest moon.
• It was discovered in 1789 by the English astronomer William Herschel and named for one of the Giants (Gigantes) of Greek mythology.
• It measures about 500 km in diameter.
• It orbits Saturn in a prograde, nearly circular path at a mean distance of 238,020 km.
• Enceladus is tidally locked with Saturn, keeping the same face toward the planet.
• It continually spews out a concoction of water and simple organic chemicals into space.
• Its surface, which reflects essentially all of the light that strikes it (compared with about 7 percent for Earth’s Moon), is basically smooth but includes cratered and grooved plains.
• The surface is almost pure water ice, with trace amounts of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and light hydrocarbons.
• Because Enceladus is coated in clean, highly reflective ice, it has the brightest surface of any object in our solar system.
• Like other icy moons that orbit gas giants, it's thought that Enceladus maintains a liquid subsurface ocean through tidal heating.
• It is one of the most promising potential sites in the solar system for hosting life.
• Scientists believe Enceladus possesses the chemical ingredients needed for life and has hydrothermal vents releasing hot, mineral-rich water into its ocean, the same type of environment that may have spawned Earth’s first living organisms.

Key Facts about Cassini Spacecraft:

• It is a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian space agency (ASI).
• Cassini was a sophisticated robotic spacecraft sent to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in unprecedented detail.
• It was launched on October 15, 1997. It was one of the largest interplanetary spacecraft.
• The mission consisted of NASA’s Cassini orbiter, which was the first space probe to orbit Saturn, and the ESA’s Huygens probe, which landed on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.

About Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary, is located in the Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh.
• It was notified in the year 2001.
• It is part of the larger Maikal range of the Satpura hills, which is known for its unique ecosystem.
• It is part of the Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor, which connects Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh with Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh.
• Named after the famous Bhoramdeo Temple situated nearby, the sanctuary covers an area of approximately 352 sq.km.
  • Bhoramdeo Temple, an ancient temple complex dating back to the 7th to 11th centuries, was built by the Nagvanshi dynasty.
  • The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is often referred to as the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh,”.
• The sanctuary’s terrain is characterized by undulating hills, dense forests, and numerous streams.
• The region surrounding Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary is inhabited by various tribal communities, including the Baiga, Gond, and Kanwar tribes.
• Rivers: This wildlife sanctuary is the origin of the Fen and Sankari rivers.
• Vegetation: The sanctuary’s diverse ecosystem includes tropical moist and dry deciduous forests.
• Flora: Lush forests of Saaj, Sal, Tendu, and Nilgiri trees.
• Fauna: It is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and various species of deer and birds.

Why in news?

India’s agricultural exports have grown significantly faster than its overall merchandise exports. In April–September 2025, farm exports rose by 8.8%, reaching $25.9 billion, compared to $23.8 billion in the same period of 2024. This growth far outstripped the 2.9% increase in total goods exports during the same period.

The trend is consistent with the previous financial year (2024–25), when agricultural exports increased by 6.4% (from $48.8 billion to $52 billion), while overall merchandise exports saw only a marginal 0.1% rise.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Drivers of India’s Export Growth
• Global Food Prices as the Main Driver
• Outlook for 2025–26: Prices and Tariffs to Shape Performance
• Rising Farm Imports Outpace Overall Import Growth

Key Drivers of India’s Export Growth

• Strong Performance by Major Agri-Export Segments - India’s agricultural export growth in 2025-26 has been led by non-basmati rice, buffalo meat, marine products, coffee, and fruits & vegetables — each surpassing or nearing previous record levels.
• Non-Basmati Rice: Growth After Lifting of Export Curbs - Export buoyancy is largely due to the removal of restrictions imposed in 2022–23 to contain food inflation. With good monsoons and high government stocks, non-basmati rice exports are on track to exceed the record $6.5 billion achieved last year.
• Buffalo Meat: Set to Break Decade-Old Record - Buffalo meat exports may surpass the 2014-15 peak of $4.8 billion, supported by rising demand in key markets.
• Marine Products: Rising Despite Trump Tariffs - Marine product exports rose 17.4% in April–September 2025 and could exceed the historic $8.1 billion (2022-23). Despite the 58% U.S. tariff, exports grew from $3.4 billion to $4 billion, as exporters diversified into China, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, EU, and Canada.
• Coffee Exports: Driven by High Global Prices - Coffee exports more than doubled from $739 million (2019-20) to $1.8 billion (2024-25) and may exceed $2 billion this year. The rise is driven mainly by soaring global prices as ending stocks fall to a 25-year low, rather than higher volumes.
• Fruits & Vegetables: Consistent Growth in Fresh and Processed Form - Both fresh and processed fruits & vegetables continue steady export growth.

Global Food Prices as the Main Driver

• The FAO Food Price Index declined from 119.1 (2013-14) to 90 (2015-16), stayed below 100 until 2019-20, then shot up to 102.4, 133.1, and 140.6 in the next three years.
• As global prices softened afterward, India’s farm exports also dipped to $48.8 billion (2023-24) and $52 billion (2024-25).
• Export clampdowns on wheat, rice, sugar, onions, and de-oiled rice bran — imposed to control domestic inflation — further contributed to the fall in shipments.

Outlook for 2025–26: Prices and Tariffs to Shape Performance

• Export performance for the second half of 2025-26 will hinge on:
  • Global Commodity Prices
    • FAO index in October 2025 was 126.4, far below the 2022 post-Ukraine peak of 160.2.
    • Subindices for cereals (103.6) and sugar (94.1) hit multi-year lows.
    • Low global prices usually depress India’s agri-export value.
  • Trump Tariffs
    • US tariffs have begun to hurt: Marine products (26.9%); Spices (45.1%); Basmati rice (17.8%) (September YoY to the US)
• Signs of Improvement: Tariff Rollback and Possible Trade Deal
  • There are positive developments:
    • A potential India–US trade deal may materialise before year-end.
    • The US President has rolled back tariffs on several food products — including spices, coffee, tea, and fresh fruits — directly benefiting Indian exporters.

Rising Farm Imports Outpace Overall Import Growth

• India’s agricultural imports grew 5.9% in April–September 2025 (from $18.4 bn to $19.5 bn), outpacing overall imports, which rose 4.5% during the same period.
• Unlike exports, India’s farm imports are not diversified and remain dominated by just a few commodities, primarily:
  • Vegetable oils
  • Pulses
  • Fresh fruits
  • Raw cotton
• Vegetable Oils: India’s Top Import Item
  • Vegetable oil imports soared 13.5% in April–September 2025.
  • Imports are likely to approach the record $20.8 bn level of 2022–23.
  • This remains India’s single largest agricultural import.
• Pulses: Imports Decline After Previous Surge
  • Pulses imports hit an all-time high of $5.5 bn in 2024–25.
  • In 2025–26, they have fallen sharply due to:
    • A bumper domestic crop
    • Reimposition of import duties lifted earlier during high inflation.
• Fresh Fruit Imports Expand Rapidly
  • Fresh fruit imports crossed $3 bn in 2024–25.
  • April–September 2025 imports were $1.5 bn.
  • The US is now the dominant supplier, accounting for 50.4%, thanks to high demand for:
    • Almonds
    • Pistachios
    • Walnuts
    • Other dry fruits
• Raw Cotton: India Turns Net Importer
  • India has shifted from being a net exporter to a net importer of raw cotton.
  • Imports are expected to exceed $1.5 bn this fiscal.
  • The key reason: domestic yield stagnation due to the absence of new technologies post-Bt cotton.

About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):

• It is a statutory body established under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act (IWAI), 1985.
• It came into existence on 27th October 1986 for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
• The Authority primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of inland water transport (IWT) infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• It also takes up techno-economic feasibility studies and prepares proposals for the declaration of other waterways as National Waterways.
• It also advises the Central Government on matters related to IWT and assists States in the development of the IWT sector.
• Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• The Authority also has its regional offices at Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Kochi and sub-offices at Allahabad, Varanasi, Farakka, Sahibganj, Haldia, Swroopganj, Hemnagar, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Silchar, Kollam, Bhubaneshwar, and Vijayawada.

About Sagar Kavach:

• It is a biannual coastal security drill led by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) that tests and improves coastal security mechanisms against asymmetric threats.
• A wide range of central and state agencies, including the Indian Navy, State Police, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs, , are part of this exercise.
• The exercise aims to assess the preparedness of all participating agencies in handling coastal security emergencies, preventing attacks on vital coastal installations, and further strengthening the multi-layered Coastal Security Network.
• During the exercise, security forces are split into a "Red team" that simulates infiltrators and a "Blue Team" that detects and neutralises them, assessing inter-agency coordination and response times.
• The key activities of the Sagar Kavach drill generally include heightened surveillance, boat patrols, vehicle checks, and simulated attacks on vital installations to strengthen the country's coastal security framework.
• Recognizing the pivotal role of fishermen in coastal security, the exercise emphasizes the need for their active involvement.
• Fishermen are urged to promptly report any unknown vessels operating in proximity to the coast to the ICG.

About Joint Crediting Mechanism:

• It was first proposed by the Government of Japan and was officially launched in 2013.
• Aim: It is a Japanese initiative that aims to facilitate diffusion of leading decarbonizing technologies and infrastructure through investment by Japanese entities and contributes to sustainable development of partner countries.
• It’s a bilateral mechanism which is being implemented in accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
  • The JCM contributes to the achievement of both countries’ NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) by evaluating Japan’s contributions in a quantitative manner and acquiring the part of credit.
• It operates under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• It complements other existing mechanisms, such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI).
• India is one of the 31 partner countries of the Joint Crediting Mechanism.
• Focus Area of Joint Crediting Mechanism:
  • This mechanism focuses on priority sectors which includes renewable energy with storage, sustainable aviation fuel, compressed biogas, green hydrogen and green ammonia, and in hard-to-abate sectors.

About Pharmacogenomics:

• It is the study of how an individual's genetic inheritance affects the body's response to drugs.
• Origin of the Word: The term comes from the words pharmacology and genomics and is thus the intersection of pharmaceuticals and genetics.
• It is part of the growing medical areas of genomic medicine and precision medicine(also called personalized medicine).
• This is a treatment that’s personalized based on your genes, environment and lifestyle.
• Pharmacogenomics is currently used in:
  • Oncology: Tailoring cancer therapies based on tumour genetics and patient DNA.
  • Cardiology: Adjusting blood thinner dosages based on genetic variants.
  • Psychiatry: Selecting the right antidepressant with minimal side effects.
  • Infectious Diseases: Predicting patient response to antiviral treatments.
• Importance of Pharmacogenomics
  • Improving safety: It improves drug safety, enhances therapeutic outcomes, and reduces healthcare costs associated with adverse drug reactions.
  • Targeted drug development: Some conditions are caused by specific changes in a gene. Pharmacogenomics can help researchers discover new medications that directly target the gene change.

About Seychelles:

• Location: It is an archipelagic island country located in the western Indian Ocean.
• It is located to the northeast of Madagascar and east of mainland Africa.
• Other major islands near Seychelles include Comoros and Mauritius to the south, and Maldives to the east.
• It consists of an archipelago of 115 islands (only 8 are permanently inhabited).
• Geographical Features of Seychelles
  • It is composed of two main island groups: the Mahé group which are mountainous granitic islands and a second group are coralline islands.
  • Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are relatively flat coral atolls, or elevated reefs; sits atop the submarine Mascarene Plateau.
  • Highest Point: The highest point in Seychelles is Morne Seychellois.
  • Climate: The climate is tropical oceanic, with little temperature variation during the year.
  • Capital City: Victoria

What is Colombo Security Conclave?

• It is a regional security grouping comprising India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
• Objective: To promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the member states.
• CSC brings together National Security Advisors (NSAs) and Deputy NSAs of the member countries.
• Secretariat: Colombo, Sri Lanka.