Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)
Context: India’s Eight Core Industries Index grew 1.8% year-on-year in November 2025, with cement, steel, fertiliser and coal recording positive growth. Crude oil production contracted 3.2% while natural gas output fell 2.5% during the month.
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- Coal production increased 2.1% in November but declined 1.4% cumulatively during April-November 2025-26.
- Crude oil production contracted 3.2% in November; cumulative index declined 1.3% in current financial year.
- Natural gas output fell 2.5% year-on-year; cumulative production declined 3% during April-November 2025-26 period.
- Steel production rose 6.1% in November; cumulative steel index recorded strong 9.7% growth during review period.
- Cement recorded highest year-on-year growth of 14.5%, emerging as the best-performing core sector segment.
About Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)
- ICI is released by the Office of Economic Advisor.
- It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Measures combined and individual production performance of eight core sectors.
- Acts as a lead indicator for overall industrial activity in the economy.
- Weight of Core Industries in ICI
- Refinery Products: 28.04% (highest weight)
- Electricity: 19.85%
- Steel: 17.92%
- Coal: 10.33%
- Crude Oil: 8.98%
- Natural Gas: 6.88%
- Cement: 5.37%
- Fertilisers: 2.63% (lowest weight)
Significance of ICI
- Eight core industries together account for 40.27% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
- IIP measures short-term changes in production volume across major sectors.
- Covers mining, manufacturing, and electricity.
- Published monthly by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).
- Data released six weeks after the reference month.
- Uses 2011–12 as the base year.
- ICI serves as a leading component influencing IIP trends.
- Strongly influences overall industrial growth trends.
- Provides early signals on manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
- Closely tracked by policymakers for macroeconomic assessment.
Dengue
Overview
- Dengue, also known as break-bone fever, is a mosquito-borne viral disease.
- It is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly urban and semi-urban areas.
- Most infections are asymptomatic or mild, though severe illness can occur.
- In rare cases, dengue infection may lead to death.
Transmission
- Dengue spreads through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes.
- The virus exists in four distinct serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4).
- It does not spread directly between humans, except from pregnant mother to fetus.
- Globally, around 400 million infections occur annually, with 96 million symptomatic cases.
- Individuals can be infected multiple times during their lifetime.
Symptoms
- Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and rash.
- Most patients recover within one to two weeks with proper care.
- A small proportion develop severe dengue, also called dengue hemorrhagic fever.
- Severe symptoms usually appear when fever subsides.
- Warning signs include persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, and blood in vomit.
- Second-time infections carry a higher risk of severe disease and complications.
- Severe dengue can become life-threatening if untreated.
Treatment
- There is no specific antiviral treatment available for dengue.
- Management focuses on symptomatic and supportive care.
- Treatment includes pain relief, adequate rest, and fluid replacement.
- Early medical attention helps reduce complications and fatal outcomes.
Protection of Astronauts from Space Debris (MMOD)
Context
- Millions of Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) orbit Earth, threatening spacecraft safety.
- Global concern rose after debris damaged China’s Shenzhou-20 return capsule window.
- Increasing orbital congestion raises risks to satellites, space stations, and human missions.
What is Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD)?
- Micrometeoroids
-
- Extremely small natural particles, ranging from micrometres to about two millimetres.
- Mostly originate from asteroid belt collisions; some come from comets.
- Travel at very high velocities between 11–72 km/s, causing severe impact damage.
- Orbital Debris
-
- Human-made, non-functional objects in Earth’s orbit.
- Generated from exploded rockets, defunct satellites, collisions, and anti-satellite tests.
- Average velocity is about 10 km/s, making even small fragments highly destructive.
- Rising debris density may trigger Kessler Syndrome, causing cascading collisions.
- Distribution of MMOD in Space
- Orbital debris concentrated in Low Earth Orbit (200–2,000 km).
- About 34,000 objects >10 cm are tracked; over 128 million fragments >1 mm exist.
- Micrometeoroids are uncountable and cause billions of impacts annually.
- Debris risk is directional, highest along spacecraft’s flight path.
Designing Space Systems Against MMOD
- Engineers estimate MMOD flux using tracking data and statistical models.
- Vulnerability analysis calculates probability of system failure over mission duration.
- If risks exceed safety thresholds, physical shielding is incorporated.
Global Governance of Space Debris
- Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) develops technical mitigation standards.
- Standards inform UNCOPUOS debris mitigation guidelines.
- Guidelines are non-binding “soft law”, lacking enforcement mechanisms.
Protection Methods for Satellites
- Whipple shields are primary passive protection systems.
- Outer bumper shatters debris; standoff distance spreads impact energy.
- Inner wall absorbs remaining energy without structural failure.
- Larger tracked debris avoided through collision avoidance manoeuvres using thrusters.
MMOD Protection in Gaganyaan Mission
- Gaganyaan is a standalone human mission, without space-station support.
- Short mission duration reduces risk from tracked debris.
- Protection focuses on small, high-velocity untracked fragments.
- Uses Whipple shielding, designed to meet human-rating standards.
- ISRO validates designs using DRDO-TBRL gas gun facility, testing impacts up to 5 km/s.
Conclusion
- Growing human activity in space demands zero-junk practices.
- Collective global action is essential for safe and sustainable orbital operations.
- Effective MMOD mitigation ensures long-term security of human space exploration.
Anjadip Shallow Water Craft
Overview
- Anjadip is an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft inducted for the Indian Navy.
- Designed primarily for coastal and shallow water anti-submarine operations.
- Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- Part of a naval shipbuilding contract signed with the Ministry of Defence in April 2019.
- It is the third vessel among the eight ships covered under this contract.
- Named after Anjadip Island, located near Karwar Port, Karnataka, highlighting maritime strategic relevance.
Operational Roles
- Undertakes anti-submarine warfare operations in shallow and coastal waters.
- Designed for low-intensity maritime operations along the Indian coastline.
- Capable of conducting subsurface surveillance missions.
- Enhances near-shore security and undersea domain awareness for the Indian Navy.
Design and Technical Specifications
- Displacement of approximately 900 tonnes.
- Overall length of 77 metres, suited for littoral operations.
- Powered by water-jet propulsion, enabling enhanced manoeuvrability.
- Achieves a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h).
- Operational endurance of 1,800 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots.
Crew and Onboard Systems
- Crew strength of 57 personnel, including 7 officers and 50 sailors.
- Equipped with an Anti-Submarine Combat Suite, potentially DRDO-developed IAC MOD ‘C’.
- Fitted with a Hull Mounted Sonar and Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar.
- Integrated with Fire Control System (FCS) for weapon coordination.
- Features Integrated Platform Management System for ship operations.
- Includes Atomic Power Management System and Battle Damage Control System for survivability.
Strategic Significance
- Strengthens coastal anti-submarine defence capability.
- Supports indigenisation and self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.
- Enhances Indian Navy’s operational readiness in shallow maritime zones.
Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)
Context
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved USD 206 million emergency assistance to Sri Lanka.
- Support was extended under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) after Cyclone Ditwah–induced devastation.
- Funding aims to address urgent balance-of-payments pressures triggered by the natural disaster.
What is the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)?
- RFI is an IMF emergency lending facility for countries facing immediate BoP crises.
- Designed for shocks like natural disasters, external disruptions, or domestic instability.
- Provides quick, low-access financial assistance without a full-fledged IMF programme.
- Operated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Objectives of RFI
- Provide immediate liquidity to manage sudden external financing gaps.
- Prevent severe macroeconomic disruption during short-term crises.
- Support macroeconomic stability when long-term reform programmes are unnecessary.
Key Features
- Single, rapid disbursement of funds for urgent requirements.
- Designed for temporary and exceptional BoP needs.
- No requirement for comprehensive structural reform programmes.
- Flexible instrument allowing swift IMF response during emergencies.
Windows under RFI
- Regular Window:
- Used for BoP stress from domestic instability or exogenous shocks.
- Access limited to 50% of IMF quota annually and 100% cumulatively.
- Large Natural Disaster Window:
- Activated when disaster damage exceeds 20% of GDP.
- Higher access up to 80% annually and 133.33% cumulatively.
Conditionality Framework
- No ex-post conditionality or formal programme reviews.
- Limited prior actions may be required in specific situations.
- Borrowing country expected to pursue appropriate corrective macroeconomic policies.
Terms of Lending
- Repayment period ranges between 3¼ to 5 years.
- Interest rate aligned with IMF’s standard non-concessional facilities.
- Generally one-off assistance, with repeat use only in exceptional cases.
Monitoring Mechanism
- No structured reviews; IMF monitoring remains light and focused.
- Emphasis on restoring short-term economic stability during crises.
IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC).
Context
- Indian conservationist Vivek Menon elected Chair of SSC for 2025–2029.
- First Asian to head SSC in its 75-year history, marking Global South leadership.
- Leadership change highlights India’s rising role in global biodiversity governance.
What is the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)?
- SSC is the largest scientific network under the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
- Established in 1949, alongside the formation of IUCN.
- Dedicated to preventing species extinctions and reversing biodiversity loss.
- Operates as one of six expert commissions within the IUCN framework.
Organisational Structure
- Comprises thousands of volunteer experts across taxonomic and regional groups.
- Works with IUCN Secretariat, governments, NGOs, and research institutions.
- Provides science-based inputs for global and national conservation decisions.
Core Objectives
- Prevent extinction of threatened plant and animal species.
- Support species recovery and sustainable use of biodiversity.
- Bridge science, policy, and field-level conservation action.
Key Functions
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Global standard for extinction risk assessment.
- Species monitoring: Tracks population trends across regions and ecosystems.
- Policy guidance: Develops conservation standards and best-practice frameworks.
- Recovery planning: Supports reintroduction, habitat restoration, and management plans.
- Partnership building: Catalyses collaboration among states, NGOs, and communities.
Species Conservation Cycle
- Operates through a structured cycle:
- Assessment → Planning → Action → Monitoring and communication.
- Ensures adaptive, evidence-based conservation interventions.
Global Significance
- Forms the scientific backbone of international biodiversity governance.
- Guides implementation of conventions like CBD and CITES.
- Influences national wildlife laws, protected area policies, and funding priorities.
- Recognised as the global gold standard for species risk evaluation.
Conclusion
- SSC plays a central role in halting biodiversity loss worldwide.
- Indian leadership strengthens representation of developing countries’ conservation priorities.
Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
Context
- The Supreme Court strengthened safeguards for the Great Indian Bustard.
- Transmission alignments under the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) revised in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Aim is balancing renewable energy expansion with critical wildlife conservation.
What is the Great Indian Bustard (GIB)?
- The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is among the heaviest flying birds globally.
- It is the state bird of Rajasthan.
- Acts as a flagship species for grassland conservation in India.
- Serves as a key indicator of ecosystem health in arid and semi-arid regions.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
- CITES: Appendix I.
- CMS (Bonn Convention): Listed species.
- Estimated global population is around 200 individuals only.
Habitat and Distribution
- Prefers open, flat grasslands and scrub landscapes with minimal human disturbance.
- Historically distributed across 11 Indian States and parts of Pakistan.
- Presently restricted mainly to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Small remnant populations exist in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
- Core habitats include Desert National Park and surrounding agro-grassland mosaics.
Physical and Biological Characteristics
- Tall bird, reaching nearly 1 metre in height.
- Brownish body with a distinct black crown, more prominent in males.
- Wingspan ranges between 210–250 cm.
- Adult weight varies from 15–18 kg.
- Ground-nesting species; females lay a single egg during monsoon.
Major Threats
- Extremely vulnerable to overhead power transmission lines.
- Habitat fragmentation due to infrastructure and land-use changes.
- Mortality from vehicular collisions and attacks by free-ranging dogs.
- Low reproductive rate increases extinction risk.
Green Energy Corridor (GEC)
- A national programme for transmitting large-scale renewable energy.
- Facilitates evacuation of solar and wind power to national grids.
- Concentrated in renewable-rich states like Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Supreme Court interventions aim to minimise ecological damage to GIB habitats.
