Current Affairs 09 June 2025

Content :

1. India and Mongolia hold joint military exercise to enhance interoperability
2. Diet is both cause and cure for MASLD, a liver condition: experts at The Hindu-Naruvi event
3. New study makes controversial weather-tweaking idea more realistic
4. Defence production in India receives a fillip
5. What is the significance of the Census?
6. How is India planning to localise EV manufacturing?
7. Bridging health cover, mental healthcare in India

India and Mongolia hold joint military exercise to enhance interoperability

Key Highlights

• Exercise Name: Nomadic Elephant – 17th Edition
• Dates: May 31 – June 13, 2025
• Location: Special Forces Training Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• Participants: Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Objectives & Focus Areas

• Enhancing Interoperability:
  Improve coordination and cooperation between Indian and Mongolian forces.
• Operational Focus:
  • Counter-terrorism operations
  • Precision sniping
  • Non-conventional warfare in semi-urban and mountainous terrain
• Under UN Mandate:
  Simulated peacekeeping operations modeled on real-world multinational missions.

Strategic Significance

• Bilateral Defence Ties:
  Strengthens growing India-Mongolia defence cooperation.
• Geopolitical Relevance:
  • Mongolia is strategically located between China and Russia.
  • India’s engagement signals deepening security presence in East and Central Asia under its “Act East” and “Extended Neighbourhood” policy.
• Alternating Venue Format:
  Conducted annually, alternating between India and Mongolia. Last held in Umroi, Meghalaya (July 2024).

Operational and Tactical Gains

• Terrain Familiarization:
  Training in complex terrain enhances high-altitude warfare capabilities.
• Best Practices Exchange:
  Mutual learning on counter-insurgency tactics and sniping techniques.
• UN Peacekeeping Readiness:
  Enhances the ability to operate in multinational settings and high-stakes environments.

People-to-People & Cultural Exchange

• Camaraderie Building:
  Emphasis on cultural understanding and military bonding between troops.
• Confidence Building Measure (CBM):
  Strengthens trust and long-term collaboration beyond military.

Diet is both cause and cure for MASLD, a liver condition: experts at The Hindu-Naruvi event

What is MASLD?

• Full form: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (formerly NAFLD).
• Nature: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease linked to metabolic issues and lifestyle.
• Silent condition: Often asymptomatic until liver damage becomes severe.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues,Health )

Prevalence & Risk

• Global incidence: ~30%
• India: ~40% population affected; 53% remain undiagnosed.
• High-risk groups:
  • People with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance
  • Those with hypertension, high cholesterol, elevated liver enzymes
  • Family history of heart/liver disease

Symptoms & Progression

• Early symptoms: Fatigue, mild abdominal pain (often ignored).
• Disease timeline (if untreated):
  • 15% may develop steatohepatitis (inflammation) in ~7 years.
  • 5% may progress to cirrhosis in ~25 years.
  • Small % may develop liver cancer.

Diagnosis & Screening

• Recommended tools:
  • Blood tests, liver enzymes
  • Ultrasound every 6 months
  • FibroScan every 1–3 years (non-invasive liver stiffness test)
• Why screening matters: Early detection helps prevent complications and reduce long-term health burden.

Diet: Cause and Cure

• Contributing factors: Overeating, poor-quality diet, inactivity.
• Reversal strategies:
  • Calorie deficit and portion control
  • Protein-rich, low-carb diet
  • Avoid sugary, ultra-processed foods
  • Adequate hydration and sleep

Lifestyle Modifications

• Exercise: Brisk walking, cycling, jogging, swimming
  • Minimum 12 weeks of consistency needed for visible benefits
• Avoid: Smoking, alcohol
• Fasting: Intermittent fasting can help but should be doctor-supervised, especially with co-morbidities

Expert Advice

• Weight management is key.
• Lifestyle is the best medicine.
• Customisation is critical – No one-size-fits-all approach.

New study makes controversial weather-tweaking idea more realistic

Context

• Climate crisis deepens: Global greenhouse gas emissions are rising; mitigation efforts are inconsistent.
• Technological fix: Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) proposed as a geoengineering method to cool the planet.
• Controversial nature: Global side-effects, ethical concerns, and governance challenges make SAI a divisive topic.

Relevance : GS 3(Technology, Disaster Management )

What is Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)?

• Method: Injecting tiny reflective aerosols (e.g., sulphur dioxide) into the stratosphere (~20 km altitude) to reflect sunlight and cool Earth.
• Inspired by volcanoes: Mimics natural aerosol emissions from volcanic eruptions like Mount Pinatubo (1991) which cooled Earth temporarily.
• Objective: Directly reduce solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface to offset global warming.

Key Innovation in the New Study

• New approach: Use of existing aircraft (like modified Boeing 777F) to inject aerosols at lower altitudes (~13 km) in polar and extratropical regions.
• Advantage:
  • Lower technical barriers
  • Cheaper and faster to implement
  • Avoids the need for specially designed high-altitude aircraft

Modeling Results

• Climate simulation tool used: UK Earth System Model 1 (UKESM1)
• Findings:
  • Injecting 12 million tonnes of SO₂/year at 13 km in spring/summer of both hemispheres may cool Earth by 0.6°C.
  • To cool by 1°C, need 21 million tonnes annually at 13 km.
  • More efficient: Only 7.6 million tonnes needed if injected higher in subtropics.

Risks and Challenges

• Scientific risks:
  • Ozone depletion, acid rain
  • Delayed recovery of ozone hole
  • Uneven cooling (polar > tropical regions)

• Social and geopolitical concerns:
  • Potential misuse or unilateral deployment
  • Could divert attention from emissions reductions
  • Global impact: One country’s action affects all

• Governance dilemma:
  • No global framework exists to regulate such interventions
  • 2022: Scholars called for moratorium on solar geoengineering R&D citing fairness and control issues

Is It a Solution?

• Temporary measure only – Cannot reverse root causes of climate change
• Could create “moral hazard” – Mask warming and reduce urgency to cut emissions
• Needs more transparent global dialogue, public accountability, and regulation

Defence production in India receives a fillip

Background

• India has long depended on defence imports, but recent years have seen growth in indigenous production and exports.
• Operation Sindoor (India’s cross-border military action) triggered renewed interest and confidence in India’s domestic defence capabilities.

Relevance : GS 3(Defence)

Key Trends & Developments

 Stock Market Performance

• Defence stocks rose 21% in the week of Operation Sindoor (May 2024), compared to 3.1% gain in Nifty50 index.
• Following week: Defence stocks up 5.4%, while Nifty50 declined 0.5%.
• This signals a market perception shift in favour of homegrown defence capacity.

Record Defence Production

• FY24 (2023-24): ₹1.3 lakh crore — a 17% growth YoY.
• Double-digit growth since FY22; only contraction was in FY20 (-2.5%).
• FY25 (till Dec 2024): ₹90,000 crore, with full-year target at ₹1.6 lakh crore.

Soaring Defence Exports

• FY23 & FY24: Exports exceeded ₹20,000 crore — 2x of pre-FY20 figures.
• Export items: small arms, protective gear, artillery.
• FY25 target: ₹30,000 crore.Private Sector & MSME Involvement

Private Sector Growth

• Private players (e.g., Paras Defence, Bharat Forge) had ~20% share in production (FY17–FY24).
• FY25 share rises to ~24%.
• Private firms lead in defence exports, due to higher export authorisations.

MSMEs’ Role

• MSMEs supply crucial components to larger manufacturers.
• FY25 procurement from MSMEs: ₹13,000 crore, over 2x the target.
• FY18–FY20: only ₹3,000 crore worth orders.
• Government mandates ensure MSME inclusion in procurement.

Defence Budgetary Trends

• Despite production and export growth, defence spending’s share in total govt. expenditure is declining.
• However, India’s defence-to-GDP ratio is still higher than many emerging markets, indicating strategic priority.

What is the significance of the Census?

Historical Context

• The Census is a decennial exercise — conducted every 10 years since 1881 (first synchronous census under W.C. Plowden).
• It is governed by The Census Act, 1948 and is a Union List subject (Centre’s responsibility).
• Post-Independence, it has been held without a break from 1951 to 2011; 2021 Census was postponed due to COVID-19.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Social Issues)

How the Census is Conducted

• Two Phases since 1971:
  • House-listing Phase (5–6 months): Captures household amenities, structure, fuel, appliances.
  • Population Enumeration Phase (Feb): Captures individual details like age, gender, caste (SC/ST), occupation, education, etc.
• Staff: Central coordination with local-level implementation via teachers & local officials.

Significance of the Upcoming Census (2027 Reference Date)

1. Inclusion of Caste Enumeration:
   1. First time since 1931 (for Hindus).
   1. Will enumerate caste data for all Hindu groups — long-standing demand from civil society and Opposition parties.
   1. Aims to inform affirmative action and welfare targeting.

• Foundation for Delimitation Exercise (Post-2026 Freeze Ends):
  • Delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats based on updated population data.
  • Could change the political representation balance across states.

• Enabler for Women’s Reservation (33% quota):
  • The Women’s Reservation Act (2023) mandates reservation in legislatures after the Census and delimitation.
  • 2027 Census is critical for its implementation by 2029.

Concerns of Southern and Smaller States

• Fear of Political Marginalisation:
  • States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and northeastern states have controlled population growth.
  • Delimitation based purely on population could reduce their Lok Sabha seat share.
  • Demand: Freeze on seat allocation or compensatory mechanisms to protect political voice.

Way Forward

• Caste enumeration must be systematic, credible, and transparent.
• Wide inter-state consensus needed before delimitation to avoid federal friction.
• Women’s reservation must be operationalised through this Census and used for 2029 elections.
• Avoid hasty implementation — consider legal, political, and demographic implications.

How is India planning to localise EV manufacturing?

Policy Highlights – Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India

• Customs duty reduced from 70–100% to 15% on completely built electric 4-wheelers priced ≥ $35,000.
• Valid for 5 years, with annual cap of 8,000 units at concessional duty.
• Eligibility tied to:
  • Minimum ₹4,150 crore investment within 3 years.
  • Localisation mandates: 25% domestic manufacturing in 3 years, 50% in 5 years.
  • Total duty foregone capped at ₹6,484 crore.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Technology)

Concerns Over Ecosystem Impact

• Critics fear policy favours foreign capital without guaranteed technology transfer.
• Experts like Shouvik Chakraborty (UMass) argue:
  • India must avoid becoming a mere component assembly hub.
  • EV ecosystem building needs R&D, innovation, and skilling, like China and South Korea.
• Dinesh Abrol (JNU) notes no foreign firm has ever built another country’s ecosystem voluntarily.
  • Success in China/S. Korea came from state-led innovation ecosystems and strategic industrial policy.

Market Structure and Policy Mismatch

• EV sales breakdown in FY25 (FADA data):
  • 7.8% of total vehicle sales were EVs.
  • Electric 3-wheelers: 57% of their segment.
  • Electric 2-wheelers: 6.1% of segment.
  • Passenger 4-wheelers: Only 2.6%.
  • Commercial EVs: 0.9%.
• India is the largest market for electric 3-wheelers globally (IEA 2024).
• Critics warn that policy emphasis on high-end 4-wheelers may overlook mass transport and low-cost EV segments.

Domestic Industry Concerns

• Tata Motors opposed Tesla’s duty cut proposal:
  • Said it would “vitiate” the local investment environment.
  • Asked for more policy support for early-stage Indian EV companies.

• 2024 production data (IEA EV Outlook):
  • Tata & Mahindra made over 80% of India’s EV cars.
  • <15% of EVs imported (mainly Chinese) due to high duties and competitive local models.

Key Takeaways

• The scheme aims to attract foreign EV majors, but must balance domestic industry protection, technology transfer, and ecosystem building.
• Focus should expand beyond premium 4-wheelers to cover two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and public EV infrastructure.
• Local capacity-building, innovation, and mass-market EV adoption must remain central to India’s EV future.

Bridging health cover, mental healthcare in India

Mental Health: A Rising Concern

• 1 in 5 adults globally suffer from mental health issues.
• WHO estimates >$1 trillion productivity loss annually due to untreated mental illness.
• Post-pandemic awareness has boosted global and Indian attention to mental well-being.

Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Mental Health)

Policy and Legal Framework in India

• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Recognised mental illness at par with physical illness.
• IRDAI directive: Mandated mental health coverage in all health insurance plans.
• Result: Inclusion of mental health in India’s mainstream health protection framework.

New Trends in Insurance

• OPD benefits in health plans now include therapy, counselling, psychiatric consultations — key for mental health, rarely requiring hospitalisation.
• Mental health-related claims up by 30–50% in past 2–3 years.
• Indicates a positive behavioural shift: More people seeking help earlier and using insurance to pay for it.

Demographic Patterns

• Young adults (25–35) are:
  • Leading in mental health-related searches, policy uptake, and claims.
  • Comfortable with app-based therapy, online consultations.

• Top conditions claimed:
  • Anxiety (30–35%), Depression (25–30%), Workplace stress, Insomnia.
  • Mostly early to moderate cases, suggesting rising comfort with early intervention.

Women & Mental Health Insurance

• Women more likely to buy policies with mental health benefits.
• Driven by life-stage transitions like:
  • Pregnancy
  • Menopause
  • Caregiving roles
• Reflects a cultural shift toward self-care and emotional well-being.

Geographical Spread

• Tier 1 cities dominate with over 50% of mental health policy uptake.
  • Due to better access, digital literacy, corporate wellness policies.
• Tier 2 cities now showing growing interest, indicating broader national awareness.

Workplace Evolution

• Companies now offer:
  • Wellness programs
  • Access to therapists
  • Stress management workshops
• Mental health becoming part of employee benefits and corporate culture.

Challenges & Way Forward

• Despite inclusion, awareness and utilisation remain low.
  • Many unaware their policies include OPD therapy or cashless mental health services.
• Next priorities:
  • Education: Improve awareness on mental health coverage.
  • Accessibility: Ensure services reach beyond urban elites.
  • Empathy: Normalise mental healthcare as everyday healthcare.
• Goal: Make mental healthcare inclusive, accessible, and normalised.