Prelims-Pinpointer-for-17-NOV-2025

Prelims Oriented

Zonal Councils

Introduction

• Zonal Councils are statutory bodies created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
• Formed as advisory forums to strengthen Centre–State and inter-State cooperation.
• Concept proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru (1956) during deliberations on the Fazal Ali Commission Report.

Establishment

• Created under Sections 15–22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
• Five Zonal Councils established.
• North Eastern region governed separately under the North Eastern Council Act, 1972.

Zones and Members

• Northern Zonal Council: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh.
• Central Zonal Council: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand.
• Eastern Zonal Council: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim.
• Western Zonal Council: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu.
• Southern Zonal Council: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry.

Composition & Structure

• Chairman: Union Home Minister for all councils.
• Vice-Chairman: Rotating Chief Minister of a member State.
• Members: Chief Ministers, LGs/Administrators, and two Ministers nominated by each Governor.
• Advisors: NITI Aayog nominee, Chief Secretaries, Development Commissioners.
• Permanent Committee: Chief Secretaries of member States for preliminary discussions.

Objectives & Functions

• Promote cooperative federalism through dialogue on inter-State and Centre–State issues.
• Address matters such as:
  • Speedy investigation of sexual offences and FTSC implementation.
  • Financial inclusion, banking access in rural areas.
  • Emergency Response Support System (112).
  • Nutrition, health, education, power, urban planning, cooperative sector reforms.

Significance

• Though advisory in nature, they remain vital coordination mechanisms with 61 meetings in the last 11 years, aiding dispute resolution and regional development.

Sixth Schedule

Context: Leh Apex Body submitted 29-page draft proposal to MHA demanding Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, seeking release of detained residents including Sonam Wangchuk.

Sixth Schedule of Indian Constitution

• Objectives
  • Tribal Administration: Provides framework for administering tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
  • Land Protection: Protects tribal land and resources, prohibiting transfer to non-tribal individuals or communities.
  • Cultural Preservation: Prevents exploitation of tribal communities and promotes their cultural and social identities.
• Key Provisions
  • Autonomous Districts and Regions (Article 244(2))
    • Coverage: Sixth Schedule applies to tribal areas in four northeastern states exclusively.
    • Administrative Units: Tribal areas organized as Autonomous Districts with possible subdivision into Autonomous Regions.
    • Governor’s Powers: Can organize, reorganize districts, alter boundaries, change names of autonomous districts.
  • District and Regional Councils
    • District Council: Each autonomous district has council with maximum 30 members elected through adult suffrage.
    • Nomination: Governor nominates maximum four members; remaining members elected by tribal population.
    • Regional Council: Separate council constituted for each autonomous region within the district.
  • Legislative Powers
    • Law-Making Authority: Councils make laws on lands, forest management (excluding Reserved Forests), and property inheritance.
    • Money-Lending Control: Empowered to regulate money-lending and trading by non-Scheduled Tribe residents.
    • Governor’s Assent: All laws require mandatory approval from State Governor before implementation.
  • Judicial Administration
    • Council Courts: District and Regional Councils establish Village and District Courts for tribal disputes.
    • Jurisdictional Limits: Courts cannot try cases with death penalty or five-plus years imprisonment.
    • High Court Role: Exercises jurisdiction over suits specified by the Governor.
  • Financial and Administrative Powers
    • Revenue Collection: Councils assess land revenue and impose taxes on professions, trades, animals, vehicles.
    • Resource Management: Grant licenses for mineral extraction within their territorial jurisdiction.
    • Development Functions: Establish primary schools, dispensaries, markets, roads, fisheries and manage road transport.
  • Parliamentary and State Laws
    • Limited Application: Central and state laws apply with modifications or exceptions to autonomous areas.
    • Commission Appointment: Governor appoints commission to investigate autonomous district management issues.
• Current Coverage
  • Assam: North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts.
  • Meghalaya: Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills Districts.
  • Tripura: Tripura Tribal Areas District.
  • Mizoram: Chakma, Mara, Lai Districts.

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

Context: Supreme Court told Centre that “perennial GRAP” not solution for Delhi air pollution; need long-term policy not impacting livelihoods of daily wagers and labourers.

More in News:

• CJI B.R. Gavai stated solution requires bringing stakeholders on board, considering measures ensuring air pollution diminishing over years rather than short-term one-two month effectiveness.
• Chief Justice warned “harsh” measures like imposing GRAP year-round till AQI drastically dips would have massive repercussions affecting lakhs of daily labourers and construction workers.
• Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh explained stubble-burning increased after Groundwater Preservation Act 2009 implementation, which shortened time between harvesting paddy and sowing wheat for farmers.

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

• GRAP is a set of emergency measures to prevent the further deterioration of air quality when the AQI reaches a certain threshold.
• It was approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 in the M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India case.
• Implementation Timeline:
  • First notified in 2017 by the MoEFCC, based on a plan submitted by CPCB.
  • Initially implemented by the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), now dissolved, the responsibility for GRAP implementation has since 2021 been taken over by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR & Adjoining Areas.
• Stages of GRAP:
  • Stage I (Poor): AQI 201-300 – Measures include enforcing orders on overaged vehicles.
  • Stage II (Very Poor): AQI 301-400 – Targeted actions at pollution hotspots and regulated use of DG sets.
  • Stage III (Severe): AQI 401-450 – Restrictions on BS-III and BS-IV vehicles, possible school closures for children up to Class V.
  • Stage IV (Severe +): AQI > 450 – Strict vehicle entry restrictions, odd-even system for vehicles, and possible closure of schools and non-essential activities.
• Revised GRAP (2023):
  • Revised GRAP came into effect from October 1, 2023 in NCR.
• The revised plan includes more stringent measures to combat air pollution during the winter months and is aimed at reducing the impacts of smog and pollution

National Gopal Ratna Award

Context: Centre announced National Gopal Ratna Awards; Aravind Yashavant Patil from Kolhapur, Maharashtra won for best dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds.

About the Award

• National Gopal Ratna Award is among the highest national honours in India’s livestock and dairy sector.
• Instituted under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) in 2021 to promote excellence in dairy development.
• Focuses on encouraging stakeholders working with indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds.

Objectives

• To recognise outstanding contributions by dairy farmers, cooperatives, FPOs, MPCs and AI technicians.
• To promote indigenous bovine breeds, known for robustness and significant economic potential.
• To incentivise scientific cattle management and productivity improvement.

Award Categories

• Best Dairy Farmer rearing registered indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds.
• Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS) / Milk Producer Company (MPC) / Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
• Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).

Special Provision

• Includes a Special Award for North Eastern Region and Himalayan States to encourage dairy development in these ecologically sensitive regions.

Award Components (NGRA 2025)

• Winners receive a Certificate of Merit, a memento, and a monetary prize (for first two categories).

Significance

• Strengthens the Rashtriya Gokul Mission’s goals for genetic improvement and sustainable dairy development.
• Encourages adoption of modern breeding practices and boosts indigenous breed conservation.
• Promotes community participation in organised dairy structures like FPOs and MPCs.

Trade Deficit

Meaning

• A trade deficit occurs when a country’s imports exceed its exports during a given period.
• It reflects the balance of merchandise trade (goods) and services trade (IT, finance, tourism).
• The overall trade balance = Merchandise Balance + Services Balance.

India’s Trade Performance – October 2025

• India’s trade deficit surged 141% to $21.8 billion in October 2025.
• Exports: $72.9 billion (slightly lower than $73.4 billion in Oct 2024).
• Imports: Rose sharply to $94.7 billion, compared to $82.4 billion last year.
• The deficit rose mainly due to a festival-driven surge in gold and silver imports.
• Gold imports increased despite very high global prices, reflecting speculative demand.
• Non-oil, non-gold imports grew 12.4%, driven by fertilisers, machinery, electronics, non-ferrous metals, and silver.

Implications of Trade Deficit for India

• Currency Depreciation: Higher foreign currency demand for imports can weaken the rupee.
• Economic Dependence: High deficits in essential goods indicate reliance on external suppliers.
• Financing Needs: Must be funded through capital account surplus, foreign investment, or external borrowing.
• Mixed Indicator: Not always negative—may reflect strong domestic demand, rising investment, or import of capital goods enhancing future productivity.

e-Jagriti Platform

Context

• e-Jagriti crossed 2.75 lakh users, including 1,388 NRIs, achieving record disposal efficiency in 2025.

About e-Jagriti

• What it is?
  • Unified AI-enabled digital grievance-redressal platform of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
  • Integrates all consumer dispute-resolution systems into one seamless portal.

• Organisation Involved
  • Developed and operated by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
• Aim
  • Ensure faster, transparent, accessible and paperless consumer justice across India and abroad.
  • Empower MSMEs, households, and NRIs with real-time, tech-enabled grievance redressal.

Key Features

• Unified Digital Courts
  • Single portal enabling e-filing, digital scrutiny, e-notices, virtual hearings and secure document management.
  • Role-based dashboards for judges, advocates and litigants.
• Global Access for NRIs
  • Allows remote filing, tracking and participation using OTP login, encrypted documents and virtual courts.

• AI & Multilingual Support
  • Includes chatbot, voice-to-text, smart routing, real-time tracking and accessibility tools for elderly and visually impaired.
• High Disposal Efficiency
  • In 2025, disposal exceeded filing in many states; 27,545 cases disposed vs 27,080 filed (July–August).
• Integrated Communication
  • Auto-sent 2 lakh SMS and 12 lakh emails for notices, updates, OTP verification and deadlines.
• Secure Payments
  • Uses PayGov and Bharat Kosh for safe and traceable fee payments.

Significance

• Democratizing Consumer Justice
  • Reduces barriers of distance, paperwork and physical presence; improves access for rural users and NRIs.
• Faster Case Resolution
  • Digital workflows and virtual courts reduce pendency and enhance overall efficiency.
• Inclusive & Accessible
  • Multilingual interface and voice support expand access for elderly, differently abled and low-digital-literacy groups.

AMRIT Pharmacy

Context

• AMRIT Pharmacies marked their 10th anniversary with nationwide expansion and digital upgrades.

About AMRIT Pharmacy

• What it is?
  • Government initiative offering life-saving medicines and implants at 50–90% discounted rates.
• Launched: Started in 2015 under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Organisation Involved: Implemented nationwide by HLL Lifecare Limited, a CPSE under MoHFW.
• Aim: Ensure affordable access to branded and branded-generic medicines, surgical implants and critical care items.
• Key Features
  • Pan-India Network: Over 255 outlets, expanding to 500, covering medical colleges and district hospitals.
  • Deep Discounts: Offers 50–90% reduced prices on essential medicines, oncology drugs, cardiac implants and consumables.
  • Large Patient Savings: Medicines worth ₹17,000 crore (MRP) sold at discounted rates; ₹8,400 crore saved by patients.
  • High Reach: Benefited 85 crore patients in ten years, reducing catastrophic health expenditure.
  • Digital Upgradation: Launch of AMRIT ITes Eco-Green 2.0 for enhanced transparency and eco-friendly operations.
  • Enhanced Services
    • Mobile Pharmacy Van, 24×7 National Contact Centre, My Stamp release and Coffee Table Book.
    • Integration of Ayurvedic medicines in multi-disciplinary institute.
• Significance
  • Affordable Healthcare Access
    • Major reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure, especially for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Supports UHC
    • Strengthens Accessible, Affordable, Equitable healthcare under Ayushman Bharat.
  • Tertiary Care Support
    • Ensures availability of critical drugs in AIIMS and major medical colleges.

Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (Mark-2)

Context

• Army and IAF plan to procure 16 indigenous Mark-2 units to upgrade counter-drone capabilities.

About the System

• What it is? 
  • Advanced indigenous counter-drone platform to detect, track and neutralise hostile UAVs.
• Developed by: DRDO, led by CHESS, with Armed Forces collaboration.
• Aim: Provide rapid-response, precise, high-energy system against surveillance drones, weaponised UAVs and swarm threats.
• Key Features
  • 10 kW Laser Neutralisation
    • Destroys enemy drones up to 2 km, doubling Mark-1 range.
  • Multi-Sensor Detection
    • Uses radar, EO/IR sensors, RF detectors and AI algorithms for classification.
  • Hard-Kill + Soft-Kill
    • Neutralises drones through laser beams, RF jamming and GNSS spoofing.
  • Mobile Deployment
    • Vehicle-mounted, quickly deployable for borders, forward bases, airports and urban zones.
  • Next-Gen Integration
    • Compatible with future 30 kW laser systems with range up to 5 km.
• Significance
  • Enhances preparedness amid rising drone threats from Pakistan and global conflicts.
  • Strengthens India’s directed-energy weapons capability.
  • Protects borders, nuclear sites, ammunition depots, VVIP events and airports.

Neurotechnology

Context

• UNESCO issued the first global normative ethical framework for neurotechnology on November 5, 2025, which came into force on November 12.
• The guidelines aim to balance innovation with human rights, protecting the brain and neural data from misuse.

Understanding Neurotechnology

• Neurotechnology includes devices and procedures that access, assess, or act on neural systems.
• It merges neuroscience, engineering, and computing to enhance brain function.
• Major investments include the U.S. BRAIN Initiative and Neuralink, making neurotech a rapidly growing sector.
• UNESCO’s 2023 study reports public investments over $6 billion and private investments $7.3 billion by 2020.

Key Concerns & Need for Guidelines

• Neurotechnology can decode neurodata creating risks of privacy breaches and manipulation.
• Potential misuse includes political marketing, insurance discrimination, and employment screening.
• Rapid growth raised demand for neurorights like mental privacy, integrity, and liberty.
• Some jurisdictions responded: Chile protected “mental integrity”, and California (2024) protected brain data.
• OECD (2019) released initial standards on responsible neurotech innovation and technology transfer.

UNESCO’s Ethical Framework – Core Principles

• Scope & Approach
  • Framework defines neurotechnology and neurodata clearly.
  • Sets values and principles for governments to integrate, emphasising health, education and vulnerable groups.
• Guiding Principles
  • Beneficence, proportionality, no-harm, autonomy, freedom of thought.
  • Protection of all neural data, non-discrimination, inclusivity, transparency, accountability, trustworthiness, epistemic justice, and future generations’ protection.
• Explicit Prohibitions
  • Bans use of neural/non-neural data for manipulative or deceptive activities in political, medical or commercial contexts.
  • Reinforces importance of informed consent and free will in all neurotech applications.

Implications for Innovation

• Framework promotes Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) requiring anticipation of long-term societal impacts.
• Calls for open science models, ensuring free access to research outputs for public benefit.
• Notes conflict between open science and intellectual property rights, requiring careful implementation.
• Encourages private sector self-regulation through internal ethics frameworks and “ethics-by-design”.

Overall Significance

• UNESCO’s guidelines address the critical gap in ethical governance of neurotechnology.
• Framework aims to build an innovation ecosystem balancing ethics, human rights, and technological progress.

Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade (IFCCT)

Context: COP30 Presidency launched the IFCCT, first permanent platform on climate–trade tensions.

About IFCCT

• It is a politically supported, non-negotiating global platform for structured dialogue on climate–trade issues.
• Launched: At COP30, Belém (Brazil) on 15 November 2025.
• Aim
  • Facilitate inclusive debate on frictions from climate-linked trade measures like CBAM, subsidies and supply-chain disruptions.
• Key Features
  • Non-negotiating structure enabling candid discussions.
  • Open-ended consultations (2025–26) to shape agenda and priorities.
  • Focus on climate–trade coherence and developing-country concerns.
  • Supported by ministers, WTO leadership, experts and industry.
  • Geneva-based consultations within global trade-governance ecosystem.
• Significance
  • Bridges policy gap amid unilateral climate trade measures.
  • Supports developing nations in adapting to evolving trade rules.
  • Reduces global friction by promoting interoperability and predictability.

Siliguri Corridor

Context: Indian Army established three new garrisons at Dhubri (Assam), Kishanganj (Bihar) and Chopra (West Bengal) to strengthen surveillance and operational readiness near the Corridor.

About Siliguri Corridor

What is the Siliguri Corridor?

• Narrow land strip, popularly called “Chicken’s Neck”, linking mainland India with all eight Northeastern States.
• Serves as the sole major terrestrial link between the mainland and the Northeast.
• Location
  • Located near Siliguri city in northern West Bengal.
  • Flanked by Nepal (west), Bangladesh (south) and Bhutan (north); close to the Chumbi Valley tri-junction.
  • Narrowest width of 20–22 km, making it a highly sensitive strategic bottleneck.
• Historical Background
  • Formed after Partition (1947–48) when East Bengal became East Pakistan.
  • Strategic significance increased post Sikkim’s merger (1975), improving India’s hold over Himalayan approaches.
  • Vulnerability exposed during 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 2017 Doklam standoff.
• Key Features
  • Hosts major railway, roadway and air routes connecting the Northeast with mainland India.
  • Contains critical military facilities, supply lines and civilian infrastructure.
  • Includes Bagdogra Airport, a key IAF base and major civilian aviation hub.
  • Acts as a transit corridor linking Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sikkim and the Northeast.
  • Protected by Tri-Shakti Corps, BrahMos regiments and Rafale squadrons at Hasimara.
• Strategic Importance
  • Potential target in crises since any blockade can isolate the entire Northeast.
  • Proximity to Doklam Plateau, where China has expanded border infrastructure.
  • Growing Chinese influence in Bangladesh and Nepal raises security concerns.
  • Functions as India’s eastern military buffer, enabling rapid troop movement towards the LAC in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.