Content
- High Seas Treaty
- ₹1 Lakh Crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme
- Digital Arrest Scams — Supreme Court’s Concern
- Heavy Metal Contamination in the Cauvery River: Case Study
- Tropical Forests Forever Fund
High Seas Treaty
Why in News ?
- High Seas Treaty (formally Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction – BBNJ Agreement) was ratified by over 60 countries in September 2025, triggering its enforcement in January 2026.
- Marks the first legally binding global agreement to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in international waters — i.e., beyond national Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
Relevance:
- GS-2 (International Relations):
• Global environmental governance under UNCLOS and BBNJ.
• Equity and common heritage principle in marine resource sharing. - GS-3 (Environment & Biodiversity):
• Marine biodiversity conservation and SDG-14 (Life Below Water).
• Role in climate resilience and ocean sustainability.
• Implications for India’s Blue Economy and Deep Ocean Mission.
Background
- 2004: UN General Assembly (UNGA) created an ad-hoc working group to fill the gaps in UNCLOS (1982), which lacked specific mechanisms for conserving biodiversity in the high seas.
- 2011: States agreed on four negotiation pillars —
- Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs)
- Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) incl. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
- Capacity Building & Technology Transfer
- 2018–2023: Four Intergovernmental Conferences negotiated the draft.
- March 2023: Agreement reached.
- June 2023: Treaty adopted by UN.
- September 2025: Crossed ratification threshold → comes into force January 2026.
Key Features of the Treaty
- Scope: Applies to areas beyond national jurisdiction (covering ~60% of world’s oceans).
- Core Objective: Ensure conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit-sharing of marine biodiversity.
Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs)
- Defined as genetic material from marine plants, animals, microbes etc.
- Recognised as “Common Heritage of Humankind” — meaning benefits must be shared equitably.
- Prevents biopiracy by advanced nations exploiting deep-sea organisms for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) & Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
- Facilitate creation of global MPAs in high seas for biodiversity protection.
- Combine scientific data and indigenous knowledge in decision-making.
- Aim to enhance climate resilience and marine ecosystem stability, supporting food security.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
- Mandates EIAs for activities affecting high-sea ecosystems, including cumulative and transboundary effects.
- Ensures transparency, prior notification, and global scrutiny of high-sea projects (mining, geoengineering, etc.).
Capacity Building & Technology Transfer
- Developed nations to support scientific infrastructure and ocean tech access for developing countries.
- Promotes inclusive participation in marine research and resource utilisation.
Significance
- Global Ocean Protection: Covers the half of Earth’s surface that currently lacks strong governance.
- Supports SDG-14 (Life Below Water) — protecting at least 30% of oceans by 2030 (“30×30 target”).
- Climate & Food Security: Preserves fish stocks, coral ecosystems, and carbon sequestration zones.
- Equity in Marine Resource Access: Reduces dominance of Global North in marine biotechnology.
Major Issues & Challenges
Legal Ambiguity
- Conflict between “Freedom of the High Seas” (UNCLOS principle) and “Common Heritage of Humankind” (BBNJ principle).
- Freedom = unrestricted navigation, fishing, and research.
- Common heritage = shared ownership and regulated benefit-sharing.
- Treaty adopts a compromise, not full resolution — causing potential disputes over MGR access.
Governance of MGRs
- Lack of clarity on patent rights, data access, and benefit distribution.
- Risk of biopiracy by corporations collecting genetic samples for commercial use.
- Developing nations fear exclusion from profits due to technological asymmetry.
Implementation Capacity
- Enforcement and monitoring require massive data, funding, and scientific capability.
- No dedicated enforcement body — relies on voluntary compliance and existing UNCLOS institutions.
Financial Mechanisms
- Disagreements over who funds conservation and capacity building.
- Unclear structure for royalties or benefit-sharing from marine genetic discoveries.
India’s Relevance & Stand
- India, a party to UNCLOS, supports equitable benefit-sharing and sustainable use of MGRs.
- Seeks technology access and capacity support for deep-sea biodiversity research.
- Aligns with India’s Deep Ocean Mission (2021–26) and Blue Economy Policy (2021) for sustainable ocean resource use.
Way Forward
- Develop transparent frameworks for data sharing and benefit distribution.
- Strengthen monitoring via satellite and AI-based ocean surveillance.
- Encourage South–South cooperation for marine research.
- Establish global fund under UN auspices for BBNJ implementation.
- Promote regional marine biodiversity networks (e.g., IORA cooperation).
₹1 Lakh Crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme
Why in News ?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme (2025) during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC).
- Objective: To fund high-risk, high-impact research projects, promote deep-tech innovation, and accelerate India’s transition from “ease of doing business” to “ease of doing research.”
Relevance:
- GS-2 (Governance):
• Institutional reform — role of Anusandhan NRF and ESTIC.
• Policy design for science, technology, and innovation governance. - GS-3 (Science & Technology):
• Promotion of deep tech, AI, clean energy, and biotech.
• Bridging R&D–industry gap; fostering innovation ecosystems.
• Ethical technology and AI governance.
Background
- Replaces the Indian Science Congress (last held in 2023) with a modern, outcome-based platform — ESTIC.
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore, provides the institutional backbone for this new R&D push.
- Part of India’s vision of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan.”
Key Announcements
₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme
- Provides capital support for “high-risk, high-impact” scientific projects with commercial and societal potential.
- Focus: Deep tech, clean energy, biotechnology, advanced materials, and AI.
- Aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and market-ready innovation.
Regulatory & Financial Reforms
- Eased procurement and financial rules to facilitate faster R&D execution.
- New incentives and supply-chain support to enable quicker prototype-to-market transitions.
- Encouragement of private sector investment in R&D — public-private innovation model.
Expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs
- 10,000 existing labs benefiting over 1 crore school students.
- Target: 25,000 more labs to be set up nationwide — expanding grassroots innovation and STEM learning.
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Expansion
- 10,000 new fellowships to be awarded in the next five years.
- Goal: Nurture young researchers, especially in frontier sciences and applied research.
India AI Mission
- Over ₹10,000 crore allocated to ensure AI for public good.
- Focus on ethical AI applications in education, healthcare, logistics, and governance.
India’s R&D Progress (Data Points)
- R&D expenditure: Doubled in the last decade.
- Registered patents: Increased 17-fold.
- Startups: World’s 3rd largest startup ecosystem.
- Deep-tech startups: 6,000+ in clean energy, semiconductors, advanced materials, etc.
- Bio-economy growth: $10 billion (2014) → $140 billion (2025).
About ESTIC
- Organizer: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
- Replaces: Indian Science Congress (in decline due to credibility and management issues).
- Focus Areas:
- Quantum science and computing
- Bioengineering and biotechnology
- Clean energy and environment
- Climate technology and resilience
- Objective: Foster inter-ministerial synergy and promote science-policy integration for “Viksit Bharat 2047”.
Context & Significance
- Shift from Output to Impact: From academic conferences to policy-oriented innovation conclaves.
- India’s Global Standing:
- 3rd largest startup ecosystem globally.
- 40th rank in Global Innovation Index (2024).
- Target to reach top 25 by 2030.
- Strategic Alignment:
- National Deep Tech Startup Policy 2024
- National Quantum Mission
- Green Hydrogen Mission
- National Research Foundation (NRF) Act, 2023
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF):
- Funds university-based research and innovation.
- Encourages academia–industry collaboration.
- Integrates R&D priorities with national missions (AI, semiconductors, bioeconomy).
Ethical and Inclusive Innovation
- Emphasis on “Ethical Tech” — ensuring technology aligns with human values and public good.
- Ensures inclusion of rural innovators, women scientists, and regional universities in the innovation network.
Strategic Objectives
- Transition from food security to nutrition security through biofortified crops.
- Develop low-cost, sustainable fertilizers.
- Map India’s genomic biodiversity for personalised medicine.
- Accelerate clean battery storage innovations for energy security.
Significance
- Economic: Strengthens India’s position in the global innovation economy; boosts exports of high-tech goods.
- Social: Democratizes access to scientific opportunities; builds STEM capacity among youth.
- Geopolitical: Positions India as a R&D hub of the Global South and an innovation partner for emerging economies.
- Strategic: Reduces technological dependence on imports; builds indigenous capacities in AI, semiconductors, and biotech.
Challenges Ahead
- Bridging R&D–industry linkages and commercialisation gaps.
- Ensuring ethical AI and data governance.
- Balancing basic research funding with applied/market-oriented research.
- Strengthening institutional coordination across ministries and research councils.
Way Forward
- Create National Deep-Tech Mission linking RDI, NRF, and AI initiatives.
- Foster industry–academia clusters in Tier-II cities.
- Build AI ethics and cybersecurity frameworks.
- Introduce outcome-based funding models tied to innovation impact metrics.
- Enhance international R&D partnerships (e.g., BRICS, QUAD Science Cooperation).
Digital Arrest Scams — Supreme Court’s Concern
Why in News ?
- The Supreme Court (SC) revealed that over ₹3,000 crore was scammed from victims — mostly elderly citizens — through “digital arrests”.
- SC described it as a “very big challenge” and promised stringent judicial action to aid government and investigative agencies.
Relevance:
- GS-2 (Governance & Polity):
• Role of judiciary in cybercrime regulation.
• Legal response to AI-based digital frauds. - GS-3 (Internal Security):
• Cybercrime networks and cross-border digital extortion.
• Deepfakes, AI misuse, and national security threats.
What are “Digital Arrests”?
- Fraudsters impersonate police officers, judges, or probe agencies using AI-morphed videos, fake documents, and forged court orders.
- Victims are threatened with immediate arrest unless they transfer money.
- Common targets: senior citizens, professionals, and NRIs.
Key Developments
- Bench: Led by Justice Surya Kant (CJI-designate).
- Report Findings:
- ₹3,000 crore defrauded in India alone.
- Cases now spreading globally.
- Solicitor-General (Tushar Mehta): Scams originate from “scam compounds” run by organized cybercrime gangs abroad.
- SC Action:
- Considering CBI probe into cross-border syndicates.
- To issue harsh, supportive orders strengthening agencies’ hands.
- Emphasized the human cost — victims manipulated, trafficked, or enslaved under fake employment promises.
Pattern of Crime
- Technology misuse: AI, deepfakes, spoofed calls, and fake video backdrops of courtrooms/police stations.
- Psychological tactics: Fear, urgency, authority mimicry.
- International linkages: Cyber hubs in Southeast Asia targeting Indians.
- Financial trail: Routed through hawala networks and crypto transfers.
Wider Implications
- National security: Cross-border cyber extortion with intelligence risks.
- Digital governance challenge: Rising misuse of AI and identity-morphing tools.
- Judicial credibility: Fake court impersonations threaten public trust in institutions.
- Elderly vulnerability: Lack of cyber awareness and emotional manipulation.
Way Forward
- Centralised Cyber Fraud Response Platform under MHA.
- Enhanced coordination between CBI, ED, CERT-In, and Interpol.
- Public awareness campaigns for senior citizens and banks.
- Mandatory verification protocols for video/call-based government communications.
- Use of AI-counter tools to detect deepfakes and spoofed visuals.
Heavy Metal Contamination in the Cauvery River: Case Study
Why in News ?
- A 2025 study by Bharathidasan University (Tiruchirappalli), published in Environmental Earth Sciences (Aug 2025), found high levels of heavy metals (notably cadmium and lead) in Cauvery River sediments and fish.
- The study warns that regular fish consumption from the river may pose serious non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks.
- Supported by earlier studies (2024, Frontiers in Public Health), confirming bioaccumulation of toxic metals in multiple fish organs.
Relevance:
- GS-3 (Environment & Ecology):
• River pollution, bioaccumulation, and ecological risk analysis.
• Implementation gaps in Water Act and environmental regulation.
• Sustainable river management and public health implications. - GS-2 (Governance):
• Institutional coordination between CPCB, TNPCB, and local bodies.
• Policy enforcement and community awareness mechanisms.
Background: Cauvery River & Its Socio-Ecological Importance
- Lifeline of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; supports drinking water, irrigation, and fisheries.
- Flows through industrial hubs like Erode and Tiruchirappalli, which discharge effluents directly into the river.
- Increasing urbanisation, agriculture runoff, and industrialisation have aggravated pollution.
Study Overview
- Scope:
- Sediment samples: 18 sites along the river.
- Fish samples: 10 sites, multiple species.
- Methods: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; multivariate statistical analysis; EPA-based health risk assessment.
- Indices Used:
- Igeo (Geoaccumulation Index) – metal buildup in sediments.
- Contamination Factor (CF) – element enrichment relative to background.
- Pollution Load Index (PLI) – overall contamination intensity.
- Potential Ecological Risk (PERI) – ecological toxicity measure.
Key Findings
- Metals studied: Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn).
- Major contaminants: Cadmium and Lead – exceeded safety thresholds.
- Variation: Spatially uneven contamination — highest near industrial stretches (Erode belt).
- Bioaccumulation pattern (across organs):
- Liver & gills: Highest metal concentration (filtering organs).
- Muscle tissue: Detected levels unsafe in some species — critical as it is the edible part.
- Target Hazard Quotient (THQ): Exceeded 1 for several metals → potential health concern.
- Primary Sources:
- Industrial effluents (textile dyeing, electroplating).
- Agricultural runoff (fertilisers, pesticides).
- Untreated sewage.
- Minor natural input from mineralised zones (Fe, Mn).
Human Health Implications
- Cadmium (Cd):
- Chronic exposure → kidney dysfunction, bone fragility, cancer risk.
- Lead (Pb):
- Neurological and developmental damage, especially in children.
- Chromium (Cr):
- Carcinogenic (Cr⁶⁺), causes liver/kidney damage.
- Cumulative Risk:
- Regular fish consumption may cause bioaccumulation and biomagnification in humans.
- Safe Limit: 250 g per serving, twice a week (as per Dr. Rajendran).
Ecological Implications
- Food Chain Contamination: Metals move from sediments → plankton → fish → humans.
- Biodiversity Impact:
- Sublethal toxicity → reproductive, growth, and metabolic issues in aquatic life.
- Alters trophic dynamics and benthic organism survival.
- Sediment Pollution: Acts as a long-term pollutant reservoir, continuously leaching toxins.
Distinguishing Human vs Natural Sources
- Using Igeo and Ecological Risk Index (ERI) with multivariate statistics, the study found:
- Cd, Pb, Cr: Largely anthropogenic (industrial origin).
- Fe, Zn: Natural/mineral sources.
- Confirms urban-industrial pollution dominance over natural background levels.
Regional Context
- Similar contamination patterns found in Noyyal River (SRM Institute study, 2024) — linking Tamil Nadu’s industrial belts with systemic water pollution.
- Indicates state-wide challenge of managing industrial effluents and weak enforcement of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) norms.
Policy and Governance Dimensions
- Environmental Regulation Gaps:
- Ineffective enforcement of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- Lack of real-time effluent monitoring for small/medium industries.
- Needed Actions:
- Establish continuous river-monitoring stations.
- Strengthen CPCB–TNPCB coordination.
- Implement Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms strictly in textile hubs.
- Promote bio-remediation and constructed wetlands for effluent filtration.
- Public Health Strategy:
- Issue fish consumption advisories.
- Conduct biomonitoring of local populations (Cd & Pb exposure).
- Enhance community awareness in riparian districts.
Scientific and Policy Significance
- First multi-metal, multi-organ study on fish in the Cauvery Basin.
- Provides quantitative baseline data for future environmental risk models.
- Offers scientific evidence for regulatory design and ecological restoration planning.
- Strengthens argument for integrated river basin management (IRBM) in India.
Broader Environmental Lessons
- Symbol of India’s urban-industrial river crisis (like Yamuna, Sabarmati).
- Highlights disconnect between economic growth and ecological health.
- Calls for science-led, locally adapted pollution control frameworks.
Cauvery River: Physical Geography Basics
Origin
- Source: Talakaveri, Brahmagiri Hills, Western Ghats (Kodagu district, Karnataka)
- Elevation: ~1,341 m above mean sea level
- Mythological significance: Considered sacred; mentioned in Skanda Purana as Dakshina Ganga.
Course
- Total length: ~805 km
- Karnataka: ~320 km
- Tamil Nadu: ~416 km
- Kerala & Puducherry (minor stretches): ~69 km combined
- Flow direction: Initially east-southeast → enters Tamil Nadu near Dharmapuri → forms delta near Thanjavur → drains into Bay of Bengal.
Drainage Basin
- Total Basin Area: ~81,155 sq. km
- Karnataka: ~34,300 sq. km
- Tamil Nadu: ~43,900 sq. km
- Kerala: ~2,800 sq. km
- Puducherry: ~155 sq. km
Major Tributaries
Right Bank Tributaries
- Harangi (Kodagu district)
- Hemavati (origin – Ballala Hills)
- Shimsha (Maddur)
- Arkavathi (joins near Kanakapura)
- Suhavathi (Suvarnavathi)
- Noyyal (joins in Tamil Nadu near Karur)
- Amaravati (major tributary in Tamil Nadu)
Left Bank Tributaries
- Kabini (origin – Wayanad plateau, Kerala)
- Bhavani (joins near Erode, Tamil Nadu)
- Lokapavani
- Palar (minor)
Major Dams & Reservoirs
- Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) – Karnataka (near Mysuru)
- Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir) – Tamil Nadu
- Kabini Dam, Harangi Dam, Hemavathi Reservoir
Tropical Forests Forever Fund
Why in News ?
- COP30 (Nov 2025, Belém, Brazil) marks 10 years since the Paris Agreement (2015) — first COP hosted in the Amazon region.
- Brazil reports its sharpest GHG emissions drop in 16 years (–17% in 2024) due to reduced deforestation, while proposing the “Tropical Forest Forever Fund.”
- India to focus on equity, finance delivery, technology transfer, and adaptation — opposing new emission-cutting obligations on developing nations.
Relevance:
- GS-2 (International Relations):
• India’s climate diplomacy and role in COP30 negotiations.
• North–South divide on climate finance and equity. - GS-3 (Environment):
• Global climate finance mechanisms and forest conservation funds.
• Adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable development balance.
Background: Evolution of COP & Climate Politics
- UNFCCC (1992): Framework to stabilize GHG concentrations.
- Paris Agreement (2015): Shifted focus to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- Post-Paris Phase (COP26–29): From pledges to implementation; gaps in finance and adaptation persist.
- COP30 (2025): Positioned as the “COP of Implementation” — accountability on finance, technology, and adaptation.
Brazil’s Climate Dualism
- Emission Decline (2024):
- Total emissions: 2.145 billion tonnes CO₂e (–17% YoY).
- Land-use emissions: Down 32.5% via deforestation control in Amazon & Cerrado.
- Net emissions: Down 22%, aided by reforestation & law enforcement.
- Contradictions:
- Oil exports: Record 85 million tonnes in 2024 — externalized emissions not counted domestically.
- Forest fires: Doubled unrecorded emissions from land-use change.
- Civil Society Critique: “Climate policy isn’t a buffet — can’t cut forests and expand oil simultaneously.” (Claudio Angelo, Observatório do Clima)
Tropical Forest Forever Fund (Brazil’s Proposal)
- Aim: Permanent, multilateral fund rewarding tropical forest conservation — beyond carbon-offset models.
- Structure: Predictable, long-term financing for forest-rich developing nations.
- Vision: Anchor COP30 as the “COP of Implementation” through tangible funding.
- India’s Support: Conditional — must uphold equity, sovereignty, and access-based financing.
India’s Strategic Priorities at COP30
(a) Adaptation over Mitigation
- Focus on Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) indicators — must be country-specific, not globally imposed.
- India stresses data sovereignty and contextual flexibility in measuring adaptation progress.
(b) Finance Delivery
- Push on New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) — successor to the unfulfilled $100 billion/year promise (post-2025 target).
- India’s stance:
- Finance must be non-debt-creating, transparent, predictable, and additional.
- Developed nations must shift from pledge to performance.
(c) Technology & Capacity Building
- Emphasis on Technology Implementation Programme — beyond transfer to institutional capacity building.
- Calls for affordable access to low-carbon technologies and knowledge sharing.
Equity & Ethics in Climate Action
- India–Brazil Convergence:
- Brazil’s “Global Ethical Stocktake” complements India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
- Focus on behavioral and moral transformation, not just technological compliance.
- Encourages ethical responsibility of developed nations in consumption patterns.
10 Years Since Paris: The Implementation Reckoning
| Indicator | India | Brazil |
| Renewable Capacity | 81 GW (2014) → 236 GW (2025) | Focus on deforestation control |
| Emission Trend | On track with NDCs | Still 9% above 2025 NDC ceiling |
| Finance Access | <20% of required flow realized | Forest fund proposal to bridge gap |
| Approach | Equity & Adaptation | Forest Finance & Ethics |
India’s Red Lines for COP30
- No new mitigation obligations without finance and tech support.
- Adaptation indicators must respect national circumstances.
- NCQG must prioritize grant-based finance.
- Forest fund mechanisms must ensure non-market, non-offset financing.
- Implementation ≠ burden-shifting — fairness is central.
Key Issues at COP30 (At a Glance)
| Agenda Item | Lead/Focus | India’s Position |
| Tropical Forest Forever Fund | Brazil | Support with equity & sovereignty safeguards |
| Adaptation Indicators (GGA) | UAE-led | Country-driven, finance-backed |
| New Climate Finance Goal (NCQG) | Developed nations | Transparent, non-debt, predictable |
| Technology Implementation Programme | Global South | Capacity + tech access |
| Global Ethical Stocktake | Brazil | Aligned with Mission LiFE |
Broader Implications
- Geopolitical Axis: India–Brazil–South Africa shaping South-led climate diplomacy.
- Equity Lens: Reinforces “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC)”.
- Ethical Diplomacy: Moves debate from emission cuts → climate fairness.
- Implementation COP: May define climate politics for the next decade of accountability (2025–2035).
