Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural lands
Prelims: Current events of National and International Importance | General issues on Environmental ecology
Why in news?
Recently, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the ‘Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands’.
Objectives– To establish a streamlined regulatory framework by providing simplified procedures for registering agroforestry lands and managing tree harvesting and transit.
To encourage greater participation and open up opportunities for farmers and other stakeholders to adopt agroforestry practices.
To support ease of doing business for those involved in tree-based farming systems.
Agroforestry is the interaction of agriculture and trees, including the agricultural use of trees.It offers multiple benefits including, enhancing rural livelihoods, improving soil health, conserving biodiversity, increasing tree cover, water conservation, contributing to climate resilience, while reducing pressure on natural forests.
Rules for applicants – They are required to register their plantations on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal, which is being developed.
They can periodically update the plantation information and upload geotagged photos of the plantation to ensure traceability.
Applicants wishing to harvest trees from registered plantations can apply online through the NTMS.
Applicant refers to any individual, institution, organization owning agricultural lands seeking to register under this rule. “Tree” includes palms, stumps, brushwood and canes.
Implementing agency - State Level Committee, was established under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016
It will empanel agencies for verifying applications for felling of trees from agricultural lands.
Role of verifying agencies – They will carry out site inspections and based on their verification reports, tree felling permits will be issued for agricultural lands.
Role of the Divisional Forest Officers – They will oversee the performance of these agencies through periodic supervision and monitoring.
Significance – By promoting domestic timber production through agroforestry, the approach seeks to
Close the demand-supply gap
Support wood-based industries with locally sourced raw materials and to boost exports
Prelims: Economic Development; Current events of national and international importance
Why in news?
Recently, UnionHome Minister and Minister of Cooperation had inaugurated the headquarters of the National Turmeric Board (NTB) in Nizamabad, Telangana.
Established in - 2025.
Headquarters in – Nizamabad, Telangana.
Nizamabad has been known as the turmeric capital for decades, and farmers here have been cultivating turmeric for centuries, yet it has not reached global markets.
Objectives – To establish a complete chain for turmeric packaging, branding, marketing, and export.
To ensure that the maximum value of turmeric reaches its farmers.
To promote the consumption of turmeric in international markets and to publicize the medicinal properties of Indian turmeric in potential markets.
Supporting institutions
National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) – It is to benefit farmers involved in exports
National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) – It is for those engaged in organic farming.
Functions – It will ensure that the quality and safety standards of Indian turmeric meet global benchmarks.
It will arrange appropriate packaging, and provide training and skill development to farmers on how to harvest turmeric to avoid any export-related obstacles.
Further, research and development on the health benefits of turmeric will be conducted to showcase it to the world.
Status of Turmeric in India
Turmeric
It is also called as ‘Golden Spice’
Properties - It is anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory and is known as wonder drug due to its medicinal properties.
Composition - It has various essential vitamins and minerals like beta carotene, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), niacin (Vitamin B3), calcium, flavonoids, fibre, iron, potassium and zinc.
Uses
India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world.
Trade – India has more than 62% share of world trade as of January 2025.
Exports – During 2023-24, 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products valued at 226.5 million USD was exported.
India has set a target of achieving one billion dollars in turmeric exports by 2030.
Farmer’s income – In 2025, turmeric farmers received a price of 18,000 to 19,000 rupees per quintal for turmeric.
Indian Universities in QS World University Rankings
Why in News?
Recently the latest edition of rankings of higher education institutions across the world was released by Quacquarelli Symonds, a higher education analytics firm.
QS rankings – The ranking of universities is published annually and is evaluated based on several parameters including,
Academic reputation – Global perception of teaching and research quality
Research impact – Citations per faculty, International Research Network
Diversity – International students & faculty (introduced in this year’s rankings}
2026 edition – In the 2026 edition the analytics firm evaluated 8467 institutions and ranked top 1500 institutions.
For the first time, over 50 Indian universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2026 Top 1,500 list.
This marks significant progress from just 11 universities in 2015, reflecting growing global competitiveness of Indian higher education.
World university rankings – The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States, secured top position for 14th straight year.
Imperial College London secured 2nd position and
Stanford University secured 3rdposition
Performance of Indian Universities
Total Indian Universities in Top 1500 – 54 Institutions.
New entrants - 8 universities, including,
Ashoka University, Haryana
Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, Greater Noida
Top performers:
IIT Delhi – 123
IIT Bombay – 129
IIT Madras – 180
IIT Kharagpur – 215
IISc Bengaluru – 219
Indian universities are adapting to global benchmarks, improving comparability with international peers.
Student-faculty ratio - Indian Average is 19:1 which is lower that Global Competitiveness Benchmark: (10-15):1
Research output – Historically low focus on original research in Indian universities, unlike global trends.
Positive shift seen in IITs, IISERs, and private universities post National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises research in higher education.
Industry linkages – IITs, IIMs have long prioritised placements.
Now, even large public universities are focusing on student employability, crucial for ranking success.
Indian Scientists Develop New Material for Supercapacitors
Why in news?
Recently, in joint research by the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), have developed an advanced material that significantly improves supercapacitor performance.
Supercapacitor– It is also known as ultra-capacitor, is a capacitor having a capacitance value much greater than that of an ordinary capacitor.
Working principle– Same as ordinary capacitors which store energy by separation electrical charges.
But Supercapacitors use electrodes with larger surface area and ion-permeable membrane (separator) instead of traditional dielectric.
Generally, a supercapacitor has electrodes that are coated with active carbon as electrode material.
The supercapacitor uses a separator between its electrodes instead of a dielectric material (Used in normal capacitor).
The separator is an ion permeable membrane that can provide both insulation and exchange of ions from electrolyte between the electrodes.
Supercapacitors are known for rapid charge/discharge cycles.
Limitation– Limited energy storage capacity compared to batteries due to lower energy density.
Lanthanum-doped silver niobate (AgNbO₃)–Lanthanum-doped Silver Niobate (AgNbO₃) is used as an advanced electrode material for supercapacitors by Indian researchers.
Role of lanthanum doping– By introducing lanthanum (rare-earth element) into silver niobate nanoparticles, scientists improved electrical conductivity and reduced particle size.
Higher energy density – The reduced particle size which increases the surface area available for charge storage and improves the energy density, which means the supercapacitor can store more energy per unit volume or weight.
It also achieved 118% energy retention even after repeated use and,
100% coulombic efficiency, meaning no energy loss during charging or discharging cycles.
Successful real-world demonstration– A prototype asymmetric supercapacitor made with the material was able to power an LCD display, demonstrating its practical potential for consumer electronics and energy systems.
Prelims:Current events of National and International Importance | Science and technology -Defense
Why in News?
Iran's use of cluster munitions in a missile strikes recently injured dozens and marked the first confirmed deployment of the controversial weapon in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Cluster munitions are weapons that are designed to release a container mid-air, scattering explosive submunitions or ‘bomblets’ over a wide area.
Depending on the model, they can disperse anywhere from a few to over 600 bomblets over a large area and are typically delivered via aircraft or missiles.
Working - Cluster bombs are delivered via rockets, missiles, or bombs. Upon deployment, the main bomb opens in the air.
Hundreds of bomblets are released and spread out over the target zone. The affected area can span several football fields.
Impacts - Not all submunitions explode on impact, leaving behind unexploded ordinance (UXO), for years.
The majority of this - are free falling, meaning that they are not individually guided towards a target.
Unexploded ordnance poses a serious threat to civilians. Clearance operations are costly, slow, and often hazardous.
Usage - According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), they were first deployed during World War II.
Their development accelerated during the Cold War era, when they were stockpiled in large numbers.
These weapons were primarily designed to neutralize spread-out military targets such as tanks or troops over wide battlefields.
Regulation - The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of these weapons.
To date, key nations like Iran, Israel, the United States, and Russia — have refused to join the agreement.
In 2023, USA sent clustered munitions to Ukraine to use against Russia. Kyiv has accused Russia of deploying the same weapons in return. Like Iran and Israel right now.
July 3rd marks the anniversary of the Simla Agreement, signed between India and Pakistan in the early hours of July 3, 1972, following the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
Aim- To normalize relations and establish durable peace after India's decisive victory, which led to Bangladesh's creation and the capture of 90,000 Pakistani POWs.
Key Provisions - The agreement emphasized bilateral resolution of disputes, including Kashmir, without third-party involvement.
Line of Control (LOC) - In Jammu and Kashmir was formally recognized as the de facto boundary, to be respected by both sides.
Post-War Actions - India returned most POWs and approximately 13,000 sq km of captured territory.
Significance - Agreement provided a blueprint for future relations, preventing large-scale conflicts, though enduring mistrust and unresolved issues continue to challenge lasting peace.
Sant Namdev
July 3rd, marks the passing of Sant Namdev (c. 1270 – c. 1350 CE), a prominent Bhakti Movement poet-saint.
Varkari Tradition - Associated with Maharashtra's Varkari tradition, Namdev was a devout follower of Lord Vitthoba, passing away in Pandharpur.
Devotional Poetry - His spiritual experiences were expressed through abhangas, simple Marathi hymns that made spiritual teachings accessible to common people.
Social Reformer - Namdev championed inclusivity and equality, rejecting the caste system and advocating for a direct, personal connection with God through Naam Simran.
Sikh Connection - His influence extended to North India, with several of his hymns included in the Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of Sikhism.
Legacy - Sant Namdev's legacy is one of unwavering devotion, social reform, and the power of simple faith, inspiring countless individuals.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
July 3rd, marks the 1908 arrest of Bal Gangadhar Tilak by the British on sedition charges. Though branded a "traitor," this event cemented his status as "Lokmanya" and a national hero.
Advocate for Swaraj (Self rule) - Tilak was a leading figure in the Indian National Congress's extremist faction. He roused public awareness through his newspapers, Kesari and Mahratta.
Arrested – On July 3, 1908, stemmed from articles in Kesari defending revolutionaries. The British, aiming to curb his influence, convicted him, leading to a six-year imprisonment in Mandalay, Burma.
British Repression - The colonial government's actions aimed to suppress growing nationalist sentiment and Tilak's immense influence.
Fueling the Movement - Instead of silencing him, Tilak's imprisonment fueled the nationalist movement, exposing British repression and solidifying his image as a martyr. He even authored "Gita Rahasya" while incarcerated.
Lasting Legacy -Tilak's arrest remains a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by leaders who bravely challenged colonial rule, paving the way for India's freedom.
Social Issues
Google's Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP)
Amid tech giants' workforce restructuring, VEP and new hybrid mandates are sparking debate over "backdoor layoffs."
Definition - Backdoor layoffs are indirect methods companies use to reduce staff without formal termination notices, often to avoid regulatory scrutiny and public backlash.
Process - Methods include Voluntary Exit Programmes (VEP) offering severance for resignations (e.g., Google's VEP), enforcing unfavorable work conditions like hybrid mandates, and strategic team dissolution.
Disguised Downsizing - These methods help companies downsize discreetly, bypassing public backlash and regulations like the U.S. WARN Act.
Legal & Cost Benefits - They are legally safer, as employees technically resign, and reduce the financial burden of large-scale severance associated with involuntary layoffs.
Preceded by Policy Changes - Often, backdoor layoffs follow new policy changes, such as return-to-office mandates, designed to prompt voluntary resignations.
Polity & Governance
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) Renamed
On July 2, 2025, the Ministry of Women and Child Development announced the renaming to honor Savitribai Phule's contributions. A new Regional Centre was also launched in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Aim - The renaming honors Savitribai Phule, India's first female teacher. The Ranchi Centre aims to decentralize training and improve last-mile service delivery for women and child development.
Background -Established on February 28, 1966, NIPCCD (now the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development) is the apex body for training and research in Women and Child Development, headquartered in New Delhi.
New Ranchi Centre Details - Inaugurating on July 4, 2025, the Ranchi Centre will serve Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, supporting schemes like Mission Shakti and Poshan 2.0.
Significance - This move honors a social reform pioneer, promotes gender-sensitive development, and boosts grassroots empowerment, reinforcing the Ministry's inclusive vision.
Virudhunagar, India's Next Global Textile Powerhouse with PM MITRA
Recently, Central Government has approved a Rs.1,900 crore PM MITRA Textile Park in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, bolstering India's global textile standing.
Highlights - The PM MITRA Park received final approval and funding, positioning Tamil Nadu as a key player in value-added textile production and supporting India's textile manufacturing leadership.
Key Features - Located in Virudhunagar, the 1,052-acre park will receive a central investment of Rs. 1,900 crore.
Infrastructure & Impact - It includes ZLD treatment, a 10,000-bed dormitory, and 1.3 million sq. ft. of industrial space.
It's projected to attract Rs. 10,000 crore private investment and create over one lakh jobs by 2026.
Objectives - Aimed at integrated textile value chains and sustainable development, the park will boost export-oriented and value-added textile production.
Background - Part of the Ministry of Textiles' PM MITRA scheme for seven parks, Virudhunagar was chosen for its strong textile ecosystem and infrastructure readiness.
SPREE 2025
Recently, Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) launched SPREE 2025 on July 1, 2025, a new initiative to expand social security coverage.
SPREE 2025 - Simplifies registration for unregistered employers and employees, including contractual and temporary workers, through a digital portal.
Key Features - Employers can digitally register units and employees. Registration is valid from the declared date, with no retrospective contributions or benefits, eliminating fears of past penalties.
Encouraging Compliance - The scheme promotes voluntary compliance by removing barriers like legal action and demands for backdated dues, encouraging employers to regularize their workforce.
Impact on Coverage - It aims to bring more establishments and informal sector workers into the ESI fold, ensuring broader access to essential health and social benefits.
Universal Social Protection - SPREE 2025 reinforces ESIC's commitment to universal social protection, fostering a welfare-centric labor ecosystem in India.
RailOne App
Recently, Union Railway Minister launched the RailOne App during CRIS's 40th Foundation Day, aiming to digitize and streamline Indian Railways' passenger services.
RailOne - An all-in-one mobile application developed by CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) to provide integrated rail services, reducing the need for multiple apps.
Key Features - It combines unreserved ticket booking (UTS with a 3% R-Wallet discount), live train tracking, e-catering, porter services, and last-mile taxi booking.
