Prelims
India’s Commitment to the UN Pact for the Future
Why in News: India reaffirmed its support for the UN’s Pact for the Future at the 2025 dialogue, urging action-oriented reviews and Security Council reforms to make global governance more effective and inclusive.
Pact for the Future:
- Adopted by the UN General Assembly on 22 Sept 2024 at the Summit of the Future.
- Purpose: To make the UN more effective, inclusive, and capable of tackling 21st-century global issues.
Key Objectives:
- Accelerate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) progress and climate action (Paris Agreement).
- Strengthen human rights and gender equality protections.
- Review peacekeeping and promote conflict resolution.
- Revitalise nuclear and biological disarmament efforts.
- Regulate emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Safeguard well-being of future generations in decision-making.
India’s Commitments:
- Advocate for an action-oriented 2028 review aligned with UN@80 and 2027 SDG Summit.
- Push for text-based Security Council reform negotiations with clear timelines to expand UNSC representation.
- Oppose status quo; demand inclusive, real reform reflecting global realities.
- Promote coherence of the Pact with reforms in G20, WTO, IMF, World Bank, and emphasize fair global financing.
- Support global initiatives on digital cooperation, AI ethics, and inclusive development under the UN framework.
Rare Grandala Bird Spotted in Himachal Pradesh’s Sainj Valley
Why in News: A rare sighting of the electric-blue Grandala bird, known for its unique sexual dimorphism, was reported in Sainj Valley, Himachal Pradesh, highlighting the rich avian biodiversity of the Himalayan region.
Grandala (Grandala coelicolor)
Scientific Classification:
- Genus: Grandala (only species)
- Family: Turdidae
Physical Description:
- Size: Medium, 25-27 cm; weight 38-52 grams
- Male plumage: Deep blue with black wings, black throat patch, white wing patch visible in flight
- Female plumage: Brownish with white stripes and grey-blue rump
- Sexual dichromatism: Clear difference between male and female
Behaviour:
- Social, seen in flocks
- Flight described as “hypnotic,” likened to a tree blooming
Habitat:
- Alpine and subalpine zones, 3,000-5,000 meters elevation
- Rocky areas, scrublands, meadows, and fruit orchards
- Descends to lower elevations in winter
Distribution:
- Himalayan range from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh
- Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tibet, and parts of China
Diet:
- Arboreal insectivore: insects, larvae, caterpillars, moths, seeds
Breeding:
- Nests on cliff faces using sticks, moss, feathers
Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Least Concern
Raji Tribe
Why in News: In Khetar Kanyal village of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, inhabited predominantly by the Raji tribe, the absence of a female candidate for the post of pradhan highlights the tribe’s deep-rooted social challenges.
About Raji Tribe:
- Location: Kumaon region of Uttarakhand (mainly Pithoragarh) and parts of western Nepal.
- Status: Classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
- Also Known As: Banrawats, Ben-Manus, Cave Dwellers.
- Language: Tibeto-Burman language Bat-Kha.
- Livelihood: Traditionally: Forest-based – honey collection, fishing, hunting. Currently: Agriculture (rice, maize, barley) & handicrafts (weaving, basketry).
- Religion: Worship Hindu gods and nature.
- Social Structure: Clan-based system; elders and panchayats resolve disputes.
- Housing: Elevated wooden-stone-mud houses suited to local climate and terrain.
MoSPI to Integrate 8th Economic Census with 16th Population Census
Why in News: MoSPI is set to conduct the 8th Economic Census by integrating it with the 16th Population Census to streamline data collection and reduce costs.
Economic Census Overview:
- Conducted by: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
- Purpose: Captures data on non-agricultural economic establishments including unorganised sector
- Data Collected: Ownership, employment size, type of activity, clustering, and location
- First Census: 1977
- Previous Rounds: 1980, 1990, 1998, 2005, 2013, 2019–21
- 7th Census: Completed in 2021, but results pending
Integration Highlights:
- Earlier integrations: 2nd & 3rd rounds aligned with 1981 & 1991 Population Census
- 8th Census: To be conducted alongside 16th Population Census
Schedule:
- Oct 1, 2026 – Snow-bound/remote areas
- Mar 1, 2027 – Rest of India
Data Use: Household-level economic data for MoSPI analysis
Implementation: CSC network and state/district committees involved
