PRELIMS
UGC’s New Rules
Why in News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has mandated that all foreign nationals studying in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must register on the Study in India (SII) portal from the academic year 2025-26.
Objective: Centralise data of foreign students, link study visas to the SII portal for effective monitoring, safety, and compliance.
Background:
- Earlier, foreign students applied directly to institutions; no central database existed.
- Led to difficulty in tracking overstays & addressing security concerns.
- Ministry of Education directed UGC to enforce SII registration.
Role of HEIs:
- Must onboard foreign students via SII portal.
- Appointment of a Compliance Officer mandatory to oversee SII guidelines, admission, visa facilitation, accommodation, and safety.
Impact:
- Karnataka & Bengaluru expecting rise in foreign student inflow.
- Imperial College London, Liverpool University, Wolverhampton University planning campuses in India.
Benefits:
- Prevent visa overstays & related illegal activities.
- Better planning for student welfare & accommodation.
- Promotes transparency & accountability in admissions.
Dragonfly Surge
Why in News: Surveys in Delhi biodiversity parks show surge in dragonfly & damselfly (odonates) populations → sign of healthier wetlands.
Odonates as Bioindicators:
- Require clean, oxygen-rich freshwater for larval stages.
- Presence signals good water quality & ecosystem balance.
- Sensitive to habitat changes → used in wetland monitoring.
Ecological Role:
- Both larvae & adults are major predators of mosquitoes & pests, aiding in vector-borne disease control.
- 1 dragonfly can eat 30–100 mosquitoes daily → helps in urban flood-prone areas.
Life Cycle Info:
- Incomplete metamorphosis → egg → aquatic nymph → adult.
- Nymph stage aquatic → reflects freshwater ecosystem health.
Monsoon Link: Temporary waterbodies formed during monsoon support breeding & population recovery.
Urban Biodiversity Parks Role:
- Serve as refuges for wildlife within cities.
- Integrate scientific monitoring + community participation.
- Enhance urban ecological resilience and environmental awareness.
Index of Industrial Production (IIP), Aug 2025
Why in News: MoSPI released IIP data for August 2025.
Definition: IIP measures short-term changes in industrial output across key sectors.
Started: 1950 | Published by: Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), MoSPI | Frequency: Monthly.
Current Base Year: 2011–12.
Sectoral Coverage: Manufacturing (77.6%), Mining (14.4%), Electricity (7.99%).
IIP Growth (Aug 2025): 4.0% (vs 3.5% in July).
Sectoral Growth: Mining +6.0% (strongest, recovery from contraction in Aug 2024), Manufacturing +3.8% (slowed from 6.0% in July), Electricity +4.1%.
Key Manufacturing Drivers: Basic metals (+12.2%), Motor vehicles/trailers (+9.8%).
Use-Based Classification:
- Infrastructure/Construction goods +10.6% (though slower than July).
- Primary goods +5.2%, Capital goods +4.4%, Intermediate goods +5.0%.
- Consumer durables +3.5% (slowed), Consumer non-durables –6.3% (contraction, weak demand).
Importance of IIP:
- Early gauge of industrial health; aids policy & GDP estimation.
- Provides input for monetary & fiscal policy.
Limitations:
- Volume-based only, ignores services.
- Limited coverage of unorganised sector.
- Subject to time lags.
Comparison: IIP (production data), PMI (survey-based, forward-looking), ICI (tracks 8 core industries ~40% of IIP).
Amazon Rainforest
Why in News: A new study (Nature Plants, Sept 25, 2025) shows that average tree size in the Amazon rainforest has been steadily increasing due to rising atmospheric CO₂ levels. Trees are growing bigger by about 3.3% in diameter every decade.
Key Findings:
- Study: “Increasing tree size across Amazonia”
- Conducted by ~100 scientists from 60+ universities.
- Data from 188 permanent forest plots (12,000 sq km area).
- Increased growth due to carbon fertilisation effect → more CO₂ enhances photosynthesis → bigger trees.
- Bigger trees = greater carbon absorption capacity.
Significance:
- Larger trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon.
- But cannot offset deforestation, as natural old-growth forests provide far higher biodiversity & ecosystem services.
Amazon Rainforest:
- World’s largest tropical rainforest.
- Spread across 9 countries: Brazil (60%), Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana.
- Covers ~5.5 million sq km (≈1% of Earth’s surface).
- Known as the “lungs of the planet” – absorbs CO₂, produces ~20% of world’s oxygen.
- Stores 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon.
- Home to 10% of global wildlife species.
Concept – Carbon Fertilisation Effect:
- Elevated CO₂ increases plant growth & biomass by enhancing photosynthesis.
Trailblazers of Modern India: Visvesvaraya, Muthulakshmi Reddy and Mahalanobis
Why in News: A recent feature highlighted the role of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, Muthulakshmi Reddy, and Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in shaping modern India through pioneering contributions in engineering, social reform, and statistical planning.
M. Visvesvaraya (1861–1962):
- Eminent engineer & statesman.
- Known for irrigation, flood control & drinking water projects.
- Advocated scientific research, technical education, modern industries.
- Played a vital role in economic planning.
- Bharat Ratna awardee (1955).
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy (1886–1968):
- First woman legislator in India (Madras Legislative Council).
- Social reformer & medical pioneer.
- Fought against devadasi system, championed women’s education.
- Established Adyar Cancer Institute (1954).
P.C. Mahalanobis (1893–1972):
- Father of Indian Statistics.
- Founded Indian Statistical Institute (1931).
- Architect of Second Five-Year Plan (industry-led growth model).
- Introduced Mahalanobis Distance in statistics.
- Key role in National Sample Survey & data-driven planning.
