INDIA’S POPULATION STATUS – UNFPA REPORT 2025
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
In accordance with the UNFPA’s “State of the World Inhabitants 2025” report, India is the world’s most populous nation. The report highlights a falling fertility price, now at 1.9, beneath the substitute degree, indicating altering inhabitants dynamics.
India’s Inhabitants
- As of April 2025, India’s inhabitants is estimated at 146.39 crore.
- This determine surpasses China’s inhabitants of 141.61 crore, confirming India as the most important nation by inhabitants.
- The report aligns carefully with India’s personal projections revealed in 2019, which estimated the inhabitants to be round 141.10 crore in 2025.
Fertility Fee Developments
- India’s Complete Fertility Fee (TFR) has fallen to 1.9, beneath the substitute degree of 2.1.
- The TFR signifies the common variety of youngsters a girl would have throughout her reproductive years.
- A replacement-level fertility price ensures that every era can substitute itself demographically.
Inhabitants Development Projections
- India’s inhabitants is predicted to succeed in 170 crore earlier than beginning to decline, seemingly within the subsequent 40 years.
- The Pattern Registration System (SRS) 2021 confirmed India’s nationwide TFR at 2.0, suggesting that the nation has achieved substitute degree fertility.
Youth and Working-Age Inhabitants
- Round 24% of the inhabitants is aged 0-14 years, whereas 26% fall throughout the 10-24 years bracket.
- A considerable 68% of the inhabitants is throughout the 15-64 years working age group.
- The aged (65+) presently make up 7%, a quantity anticipated to rise as a consequence of bettering life expectancy.
Life Expectancy
- As of 2025, life expectancy at delivery is projected to be 71 years for males and 74 years for girls.
Complete Fertility Fee (TFR)
- The Complete Fertility Fee (TFR) is the common variety of youngsters a girl is predicted to have throughout her lifetime, assuming she experiences the present age-specific fertility charges all through her reproductive years (often ages 15-49).
Alternative Degree Fertility
- Alternative Degree Fertility is the TFR at which a inhabitants precisely replaces itself from one era to the following, with out migration.
- It’s often thought-about to be round 2.1 youngsters per lady. The additional 0.1 accounts for little one mortality and different elements that forestall some youngsters from reaching reproductive age.
Blaze on Cargo Vessel Sparks Oil Spill Alert off Kerala Coast
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
A fireplace broke out on the Singapore cargo ship M.V. Wan Hai 503 close to Kozhikode, Kerala, elevating considerations a few attainable oil spill and drifting hazardous supplies.
Incident
- The vessel caught fireplace roughly 88 nautical miles off Kozhikode coast on June 9, 2025.
- The hearth was attributable to an explosion in one of many containers whereas en route from Colombo to Mumbai.
- 4 crew members are reported lacking, whereas six others have been hospitalized.
Cargo Particulars
- The ship’s manifest reveals 157 containers carrying harmful items:
- Class 3: Flammable liquids (e.g., resin answer).
- Class 4.1: Flammable solids.
- Class 4.2: Substances that may ignite spontaneously.
- Class 6.1: Poisonous substances dangerous to human well being (e.g., benzophenone, nitrocellulose).
- Moreover, the ship has round 2,000 tonnes of gasoline oil and 240 tonnes of diesel saved close to the fireplace zone, rising the chance of explosions.
Response Measures
- Indian Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Sachet are engaged in firefighting operations.
- The vessel stays unmanned and adrift, drifting southward at about 1 nautical mile/day.
- Indian Nationwide Centre for Ocean Info Providers (INCOIS) has issued advisories about drifting containers and potential oil spill.
- Coast Guard plane have noticed 10–15 containers adrift within the sea, which may attain the Kerala coast by June 12 if not contained.
Environmental Considerations
- Potential oil spill from gasoline tanks threatens marine ecosystems and coastal habitats.
- Kerala State Catastrophe Administration Authority is engaged on drift forecasting and alerting coastal administrations.
MARPOL CONVENTION
The MARPOL Conference (brief for Worldwide Conference for the Prevention of Air pollution from Ships, 1973/78) goals to forestall air pollution of the oceans and seas by ships.
Focus: It covers oil air pollution, chemical compounds, dangerous substances in packaged type, sewage, rubbish, and air air pollution from ships.
Different Conventions to Forestall Ocean Air pollution
- London Conference (1972): Prevents dumping of waste and different matter at sea.
- Basel Conference (1989): Controls transboundary motion of hazardous wastes and their disposal, not directly stopping marine air pollution.
- Stockholm Conference (2001): Goals to get rid of or prohibit persistent natural pollution that may hurt marine life.
- UNCLOS (United Nations Conference on the Legislation of the Sea, 1982): Units authorized frameworks for safeguarding the marine setting and stopping air pollution.
India’s Relationship
- MARPOL Conference: India ratified MARPOL and implements its guidelines by way of the Service provider Transport Act, 1958. The Director Basic of Transport oversees compliance in India.
- Different Conventions: India is a celebration to the London Conference and UNCLOS. India follows the Basel Conference to control hazardous waste exports/imports, which may additionally cut back ocean air pollution.
- Home Measures: India’s Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification and numerous air pollution management boards work to curb marine air pollution in its waters.
Why is Oil Spill a Risk to Oceans, Biodiversity, and People?
- Hurt to Marine Ecosystems: oil stays on the close to floor, evaporates rapidly, however is very deadly to marine organisms. Oil spills injury habitats by way of bodily contact, ingestion, inhalation, and absorption, affecting all ranges of marine life.
- Influence on Meals Chain and Species Well being: Oil threatens plankton, algae, fish eggs, and the larvae of invertebrates, which type the bottom of the ocean meals chain. It clogs blowholes of whales and dolphins, inflicting respiration difficulties and drowning.
- Oil on pores and skin, fur, or feathers results in lack of insulation and Oil ingestion or inhalation could cause sudden demise or inner organ injury, impacting fish, seabirds, and different wildlife.
Conclusion
The scenario requires coordinated motion between the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and catastrophe administration businesses to include the fireplace, forestall oil spill, and handle the drifting containers to guard marine life and coastal communities.
IMMIGRANTS (EXPULSION FROM ASSAM) ACT, 1950
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Assam authorities has determined to implement the 1950 Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act to deport suspected unlawful immigrants, together with using detention centres. This transfer has sparked debates on constitutional rights, procedural equity, and nationwide safety considerations.
Concerning the Act
- The Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 was created to deal with the inflow of individuals throughout partition.
- It grants the federal government energy to expel immigrants thought-about a menace to public order or security.
Authorized and Moral Considerations
- The Act permits expulsion with out strong institutional safeguards.
- It might bypass basic rights underneath:
- Article 14: Proper to equality earlier than the regulation.
- Article 21: Proper to life and private liberty.
- Article 22: Safety towards arbitrary detention.
- The implementation may worsen challenges linked to the NRC (Nationwide Register of Residents) course of.
Constitutional Checks and Judicial Oversight
- The Supreme Court docket, in its 2021 preventive detention judgment, harassed the significance of procedural equity.
- Direct government motion underneath the Act might bypass such procedural checks, impacting rights-based governance.
Administrative Influence
- Deporting about 330 individuals to Bangladesh might trigger geopolitical tensions.
- Inconsistent information and weak processes for figuring out refugees create extra problems.
Means Ahead
- Steadiness nationwide safety with constitutional values.
- Actions ought to adjust to due course of, particularly for weak teams like stateless individuals and ethnic minorities.
THE ENDGAME IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU
Ukraine’s latest drone assaults on Russian targets, referred to as “Operation Spiderweb,” have escalated tensions and are available simply earlier than a spherical of peace talks in Istanbul and a NATO summit. Because the battle continues into its fourth yr, worldwide efforts to succeed in a settlement are gaining momentum amid enormous human and financial losses.
Background
- The Russia-Ukraine battle has now entered its fourth yr, inflicting huge human struggling and financial setbacks.
- The Istanbul peace course of has restarted, providing some hope for a ceasefire and diplomatic decision.
Peace Talks and Challenges
- Talks in Istanbul have seen prisoner exchanges and drafts of ceasefire phrases, however deep disagreements proceed.
- Russia’s “Particular Army Operation” in 2022 may have ended by way of these talks, however Ukraine pulled out, hoping for NATO help.
- Ukraine’s ambition to affix NATO and Western backing within the type of weapons and coaching has extended the battle.
U.S. Involvement
- Former President Trump needs to finish the battle rapidly to deal with different international challenges like China and West Asia.
- Trump’s staff views the battle as a harmful proxy battle between nuclear powers.
- His diplomacy suggests Ukraine would stay impartial, not be a part of NATO, settle for safety ensures, and presumably cede territory.
- In alternate, Russia would see sanctions eased, and frontlines frozen.
Russia’s Place
- Russia calls for that Ukraine stays impartial, avoids NATO, demilitarises, and withdraws troops.
- Moscow needs ensures that Ukraine is not going to regroup or obtain Western weapons.
- Putin has warned that with out an settlement, Russia might impose phrases by way of army motion.
Western Stance
- Europe and the U.S. help Ukraine to weaken Russia strategically.
- Some European nations label Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism,” complicating direct talks.
- Biden refused to undertake such a label to maintain doorways open for negotiations.
Present Scenario
- Ukraine’s drone strikes into Russia danger escalation, presumably triggering Russia’s nuclear doctrine if its sovereignty is threatened.
- Russia has intensified its army operations, creating buffer zones close to Ukraine’s border.
- Putin has hinted that rejecting the present peace proposals would make future negotiations even more durable.
NATO
- NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Group.
- It’s a army alliance fashioned in 1949 to make sure collective safety amongst its member international locations.
- NATO’s headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium.
- Its motto is “an assault on one is an assault on all.”
- The principle goal is to shield members from army threats (initially from the Soviet Union in the course of the Chilly Battle).
How NATO Works
- Article 5 of the NATO treaty says if one member is attacked, the others will assist defend it.
- NATO coordinates army workouts, protection planning, and joint operations.
- Members contribute troops, tools, and cash.
NATO Members (as of 2025)
- NATO has 32 member international locations (after Finland and Sweden joined just lately).
Conclusion
A sturdy peace requires sincere dialogue, trust-building, and addressing each side’ safety considerations. And not using a balanced strategy, peace might stay fragile, and dangers of a much bigger battle may develop.
DUDHWA TIGER RESERVE
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: PIB
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve now hosts 180 butterfly species, reflecting a more healthy ecosystem. It additionally has 135 tigers, highlighting its significance in biodiversity conservation.
About Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
- Location: Located on the Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh.
- Elements: Contains Dudhwa Nationwide Park and two adjoining wildlife sanctuaries: Kishanpur and Katerniaghat.
- Panorama: A part of the Terai-Bhabar area of the Higher Gangetic Plains Biogeographic Zone.
Rivers within the Area
- Kishanpur Sanctuary: Flanked by the Sharda River.
- Katerniaghat Sanctuary: Drained by the Geruwa River.
- Dudhwa Nationwide Park: Crossed by the Suheli and Mohana streams, all of which feed into the Ghagra River.
Vegetation
- Dominated by North Indian Moist Deciduous Forests.
- Notable for high-quality Sal forests (Shorea robusta).
- Different key tree species embody Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), Mitragyna parviflora (Faldu), and others.
Wildlife Range
- Mammals: Tiger, Leopard (Guldar), Fishing cat, Langur, Small Indian Civet, Jackal, and extra.
- Birds: Dabchick, Spot-billed Pelican, Massive and Little Cormorants, Gray Heron, White Stork, Black Stork, White Ibis, and so on.
- Reptiles: Mugger crocodile, Gharial, Python, Sand Boa, Banded Krait, Russell’s Viper, Rat Snake, and so on.
Conclusion:
The presence of a variety of butterflies and tigers underlines the ecological richness and biodiversity significance of the reserve.
INDIA-EUROPE RELATIONS: EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES
TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: INDIAN EXPRESS
Current international developments, together with the post-Trump period and Brexit, have reshaped India’s diplomatic ties with Europe. Amid declining US dominance, Europe is in search of stronger partnerships, providing India an opportunity to construct strategic and financial relations.
Strategic Realignment
- The unpredictable US insurance policies underneath Donald Trump and weakened EU-US relations have created a brand new opening for India.
- International locations like France, Germany, and different EU members now goal to diversify their worldwide companions, and India is seen as a key alternative.
India’s Rising Significance
- The India–EU Commerce and Expertise Council (TTC) strengthens commerce and expertise cooperation, aligning each economies.
- New initiatives just like the India-Center East-Europe Financial Hall (IMEC) and digital collaborations spotlight deepening strategic ties.
Multipolar World Order
- Europe needs to scale back its dependence on any single energy and promote a rules-based worldwide order.
- India’s stability and democratic values place it as a counterweight to China and a dependable accomplice within the Indo-Pacific area.
Alternatives for India
- India ought to deal with rising bilateral commerce, particularly in sectors like inexperienced expertise, digital economic system, and sustainable infrastructure.
- Strengthening protection cooperation by way of joint workouts and expertise sharing can improve mutual safety.
- Selling collaboration in local weather motion and information governance can construct long-term belief.
- Encouraging people-to-people ties, tutorial exchanges, and cultural diplomacy will solidify partnerships.
Conclusion
The shifting geopolitical panorama presents India with an opportunity to turn into a sturdy accomplice to Europe, shaping a extra balanced international order. India ought to use this chance to construct lasting ties based mostly on shared pursuits, democratic values, and mutual profit.
WASTE PICKER ENUMERATION APP
TOPIC: (GS2) SOCIAL JUSTICE: INDIAN EXPRESS
On World Setting Day 2025, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) launched the Waste Picker Enumeration App to help waste pickers underneath the NAMASTE Scheme.This app goals to rely and acknowledge waste pickers, enhancing their social safety and livelihoods.
What’s the Waste Picker Enumeration App?
- It’s an on-line platform that identifies and assists waste pickers, guaranteeing they obtain social safety and help.
- Launched by MoSJE, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and City Affairs (MoHUA).
- Carried out by the Nationwide Safai Karamcharis Finance & Growth Company (NSKFDC).
Aims
- Acknowledge waste pickers as important staff in waste administration.
- Present them with identification, safety, and formal inclusion in city governance methods.
Options
- Enumeration Objective: Targets the itemizing of 2.5 lakh waste pickers and issuing of identification playing cards.
- Well being & Security: Presents medical insurance (by way of Ayushman Bharat), private protecting tools, and seasonal security kits.
- Ability Growth: Supplies coaching and monetary help for waste assortment automobiles to spice up livelihoods.
- Waste Administration: Promotes the creation of waste picker collectives to handle 750 dry waste factors in cities.
- Data Help: Releases guides and stories just like the “Information for Mainstreaming Waste Picker Collectives” and the “Charting Change” report on social and financial information.
NAMASTE SCHEME
- A Central Sector Scheme collectively carried out by MoSJE and MoHUA.
- Initially targeted on sewer and septic tank staff; expanded in 2024 to incorporate waste pickers.
- Goals to make sure dignity, security, and sustainable livelihoods.
- Promotes mechanized sanitation and goals to finish guide scavenging.
- Covers 500 cities aligning with the AMRUT mission and runs from 2022 to 2026.
Conclusion
The Waste Picker Enumeration App is a step in direction of recognizing the essential position of waste pickers in city waste administration, whereas guaranteeing their rights and bettering their lives.
ARSIA MONS
TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE HINDU
NASA’s 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft just lately despatched again a outstanding picture displaying the huge Arsia Mons volcano on Mars rising by way of early morning clouds. This highlights the volcano’s spectacular dimension and presents new insights into Mars’ volcanic historical past.
About Arsia Mons
- Arsia Mons is a large protect volcano positioned within the Tharsis area of Mars.
- It’s among the many largest volcanoes within the photo voltaic system.
Options
- Measurement: Stands over 18 km tall (about 11 miles). Base diameter exceeds 300 km (190 miles). Dwarfs Earth’s largest volcano, Mauna Loa, which rises about 9 km above the ocean flooring.
- Location: A part of the Tharsis Montes, a gaggle of three massive protect volcanoes. Arsia Mons is the southernmost of those three volcanoes.
- Caldera: The summit crater is round 110 km (68 miles) huge.
- Volcanic Exercise: Fashioned by way of repeated eruptions of fluid basaltic lava typical of protect volcanoes. Coated with lava flows, channels, and different volcanic options, displaying a protracted historical past of eruptions. Some eruptions might have occurred as just lately as 2 million years in the past.
Significance
- Helps scientists research the volcanic evolution of Mars.
- Presents clues about Mars’ geological exercise, potential previous climates, and the planet’s skill to help life.
Conclusion
Arsia Mons stands as a testomony to Mars’ dramatic volcanic previous, and new photos from Mars Odyssey improve our understanding of planetary geology and evolution.
The put up Every day Present Affairs 11-June-2025 first appeared on Ekam IAS Academy.
