PRELIMS
Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)
Year & Parties: Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank.
River Allocation:
- Eastern Rivers (India’s exclusive use): Ravi, Beas, Sutlej.
- Western Rivers (Pakistan’s use): Indus, Jhelum, Chenab.
- India can use western rivers in non-consumptive ways (irrigation within limits, hydroelectricity, transport).
- Geographical Note: ~80% of water of the Indus system flows into Pakistan; only ~20% flows into India.
India’s Rights under Treaty:
- Non-consumptive use of western rivers.
- Limited storage capacity.
- Run-of-river hydroelectric projects (subject to design restrictions).
Institutions & Mechanisms:
- Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): Regular exchange of data.
- Dispute Resolution: Neutral Expert, Court of Arbitration, with World Bank involvement.
Reason for Survival:
- Treated as a technical treaty, insulated from politics.
- International respect for India’s restraint as upper riparian.
- Seen as a model for cross-border cooperation.
Pakistan’s Concerns:
- Not demand for more water, but control over flows.
- Frequently raises objections to India’s hydro projects in J&K.
Current Context:
- India has recently exercised its upper riparian advantage.
- Debate on review/renegotiation after 65 years, amid terrorism and climate stress.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
Launch: September 10, 2020.
Ministry: Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Period: 2020–21 to 2024–25 → extended up to 2025–26.
Type: Umbrella scheme with Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Components.
Nodal Agency (training, awareness, capacity building): National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
Aims & Objectives
- Harness fisheries potential in sustainable manner.
- Enhance fish production & productivity.
- Modernize & strengthen post-harvest value chain, quality, and management.
- Double incomes of fishers and fish farmers.
- Employment generation.
- Enhance share in Agriculture GVA and exports.
- Provide social, physical, and economic security for fishers.
- Strengthen fisheries management & regulatory framework.
Key Achievements
- India → 2nd largest fish producer in the world; contributes ~8% of global fish production.
- 58 lakh livelihoods created.
- 99,018 women empowered in fisheries sector.
Strategic Initiatives
Women Empowerment: Up to 60% financial assistance for women-oriented projects; supports climate-resilient coastal villages.
Technology Adoption: Scaling of Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) for sustainable productivity.
Formalization & Digitalization:
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (sub-scheme).
- National Fisheries Digital Platform – single-window access.
- Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV): 100 villages to boost resilience of coastal communities.
India–Mauritius Relations
Economic Relations
- India is one of Mauritius’ leading trading partners.
- Key Indian exports: pharmaceuticals, cotton, cereals, motor vehicles, mineral fuels.
- Mauritius is a major source of FDI into India → around 25% of cumulative FDI since 2000.
- Indian companies invested USD 200 million in Mauritius in the last 5 years.
Development Partnership
- India provided a Special Economic Package & Line of Credit for priority projects:
- Metro Express Project
- Supreme Court Building
- Social Housing Units
- India as first responder: support during Covid-19 pandemic & Wakashio oil-spill (2020).
Cultural Ties
- ~70% of Mauritius’ population is of Indian origin.
- Girmitiyas (indentured labourers) first brought from Puducherry in 1729.
Strategic & Geopolitical Significance
- Location: Western Indian Ocean → crucial for India’s maritime security & regional influence.
- Key to India’s MAHASAGAR Vision & Neighbourhood First Policy.
- Acts as a gateway for India’s trade & investment in Africa.
Aspergillus
Why in News: Researchers identified two new species of Black Aspergillus in the Western Ghats.
About Aspergillus
- A group of filamentous fungi.
- Can act as:
- Saprophytes (decomposers),
- Endophytes (live inside plant tissues),
- Opportunistic pathogens (infect humans/animals with weakened immunity).
Biotechnology & Industrial Applications
- Citric acid production – Black Aspergilli are key industrial sources.
- Food fermentation – used for enzymes, organic acids.
- Agriculture – phosphate solubilization, soil fertility enhancement.
Health Concerns
- Some Aspergillus species are deadly fungal pathogens (cause aspergillosis).
- Certain species produce aflatoxins → potent carcinogens.
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
Why in News: ISRO signed an agreement with HAL for transfer of SSLV technology.
About SSLV
- Purpose: Quick-turnaround, on-demand launch vehicle, scalable for industrial production.
Stages:
- Three Solid Propulsion Stages.
- Liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as terminal stage.
- Payload Capacity: Up to 500 kg satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Significance
- Enhances India’s small satellite launch capability.
- Provides low-cost, faster access to space.
- Supports growing demand for nano, micro, and small satellites.
- Encourages private sector participation through tech transfer.
