Current Affairs 24 November 2025

Content

1. Mind your ‘administrative’ language, says SC report
2. Cyber-slavery
3. How can State PSCs be reformed?
4. African grey parrot
5. Moss spores survived 283 days in space 
6. Russia claims 75% control of Pokrovsk 
7. Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) & Mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels

---

Mind your ‘administrative’ language, says SC report

---

Why is it in News?

• A Supreme Court Centre for Research and Planning (CRP) report has recommended removal of 70+ caste-linked, colonial, feudal job titles used in judicial administration.
• Former CJI B.R. Gavai, in his last days in office, endorsed the report and circulated it to all High Courts.
• Objective: eliminate terminology that perpetuates a “grammar of inequality” and replace it with dignity-affirming, constitutional language.

Relevance

• GS2: Polity & Governance – constitutional morality, dignity, equality, administrative reforms, Art. 14/15/17/21.
• GS2: Judiciary – internal judicial reforms, institutional behaviour, workplace dignity.
• GS1: Indian Society – caste hierarchies, social discrimination, linguistic perpetuation of inequality.

What is meant by “grammar of inequality”?

• Unwritten hierarchical codes embedded in administrative language.
• Drawn from colonial vocabulary, caste-based occupational identities, and feudal hierarchies.
• Normalises structural discrimination by “thingifying” individuals (reducing a person to a caste or task).
• Contradicts constitutional values of dignity (Art. 21), equality (Art. 14), and prohibition of untouchability (Art. 17).

Key Problem Identified by the Report

• Persistent use of terms such as halalkhor, dhobi, coolie, scavenger, masalchi, malan, cycle-sawar etc.
• Many titles directly map to caste-bound occupations (e.g., halalkhor, scavenger).
• Reinforces vertical hierarchies in court administration.
• Creates a disconnect between what the judiciary preaches (constitutional morality) and what it practises.

CJI’s Position in the Foreword

• Continued use of such terms normalises outdated hierarchies.
• Undermines a respectful work culture within the judiciary.
• Updating nomenclature is a “small but significant step” toward institutional dignity.
• Language itself is the first act of justice.

Examples of Recommended Nomenclature Reforms

Replace caste/colonial terms with neutral, professional designations:

• Halalkhor → Sanitation Assistant
• Scavenger → Sanitation Assistant
• Dhobi → Laundry Operator
• Coolie → Freight Assistant
• Cycle Sawar → Logistics Assistant
• Basta Bardar → Document Handler
• Bundle Lifter → Material Coordinator
• Masalchi → Kitchen Assistant
• Malan → Horticulture Attendant

 Constitutional Foundations

• Article 14: Equality before law; prohibits arbitrary classification based on caste.
• Article 15(2): Outlaws discrimination in public spaces.
• Article 17: Abolishes untouchability.
• Article 21: Dignity is integral to Right to Life (as held in Puttaswamy, Navtej Johar).
• Article 51A(e): Promotes renouncing derogatory practices.
• Aligns judiciary’s internal functioning with constitutional morality (Dr. Ambedkar, B. R. Gavai).

Sociological and Historical Overview

• Colonial administration deliberately used caste-encoded labour categories for control (Nicholas Dirks, Bernard Cohn).
• Perpetuated “occupational fixity” → caste = job = identity.
• Judiciary inherited this administrative lexicon without reform.
• The report marks a shift from “status-based administration” to “rights-based administration.”

Why Reform is Necessary ?

• Symbolic Justice: Language validates human worth; discriminatory terminology entrenches stigma.
• Operational Impact: Modern workplaces require professional, neutral job titles.
• Workplace Dignity: Improves morale and reduces hierarchy-driven behaviour.
• Public Trust: Judiciary must embody what it expects from society.
• Compliance with Constitutional Mandates: Prevents indirect caste discrimination.

Challenges Ahead

• Uniform adoption across 25 High Courts & 18,000+ subordinate courts.
• Resistance from legacy administrative staff accustomed to traditional terms.
• Need for updated service rules, HR manuals, and recruitment notifications.
• Training and sensitisation required to implement new terminology.

Way Forward

• High Courts to issue circulars and amend service rules.
• Conduct linguistic audits of administrative documents.
• Develop a national glossary of dignified judicial job titles.
• Integrate reforms into eCourts Phase III documentation.
• Periodic monitoring by the Supreme Court CRP.

---

Cyber-slavery

---

Why is it in News?

• Nearly 500 Indian nationals have been rescued from cyber-slavery compounds in Myanmar.
• 4 victims are from Delhi; Delhi Police has made key arrests linked to trafficking networks.
• Highlights a rapidly expanding transnational cybercrime–trafficking nexus emerging as one of Asia’s major security threats.

Relevance

• GS3: Internal Security – cybercrime, trafficking networks, transnational syndicates, digital exploitation.
• GS2: Governance & Law Enforcement – immigration oversight, MEA–MHA coordination, regulatory gaps.

What is Cyber-Slavery?

• Form of human trafficking where victims are lured by fake overseas job offers.
• Once trafficked, victims undergo physical confinement, passport seizure, and psychological coercion.
• Forced to participate in cyber fraud, including:
  • Investment scams
  • Romance scams
  • Online loan extortion
  • Crypto fraud
• Operated by criminal syndicates in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand’s border zones.

Core Features:

• Trafficking + Digital exploitation + Organized cybercrime.
• Victims treated as “forced cyber labour”.

Modus Operandi (India–Southeast Asia Trafficking Route)

• Job offers posted on social media, WhatsApp, Telegram, LinkedIn lookalikes.
• Promises: customer service, gaming industry, IT support, crypto trading.
• Victims trafficked via Kolkata–Bangkok–Mae Sot or India–Dubai–Thailand routes into Myanmar.
• On arrival:
  • Phones confiscated
  • Confined in guarded buildings
  • Compared to “digital sweatshops”
  • Forced to meet daily scam targets
  • Threats, beatings, starvation used as control
• Syndicates demand $4,000 (~₹3.6 lakh) ransom for release.

Specifics in the Delhi Case

• One Delhi victim trafficked in July, three in August.
• Traffickers demanded $4,000 for each release.
• Delhi Police arrested Danish Raja (24) and Harsh (30) for recruiting and facilitating travel.
• DCP (IFSO) Vinit Kumar: only two escape routes:
  • Paying ransom, or
  • Military-style raids by local authorities.

Why Cyber-Slavery is Emerging as a Major Global Threat ?

A. Multi-Billion-Dollar Criminal Industry (Interpol, UNODC)

• Estimated global cyber-slavery victims (2024): 220,000+ in Southeast Asia.
• Annual fraud revenue: $12–15 billion.

B. Perfect Convergence of Two Crimes

• High-volume cyber fraud + cheap trafficked labour.
• Industrial-scale online scams run like BPOs.

C. Tech-Driven Control Mechanisms

• AI-based surveillance inside compounds.
• Continuous digital monitoring.
• Restriction of communication, movement, identity.

D. Weak Border Governance

• Myanmar’s Shan and Karen regions controlled partly by militias, non-state groups.
• Criminal sanctuaries enable trafficking hubs.

India’s Emerging Vulnerability

• High youth unemployment → easy target for overseas job scams.
• Indians have been trafficked to: Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand.
• Repeated MEA advisories (2022, 2023, 2024), yet rackets persist.
• Recruitment networks active in Delhi, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, TN.

Law Enforcement Response

India:

• Delhi Police IFSO cracking recruitment modules.
• CBI working with Interpol channels in earlier cases.
• MEA coordinating with Myanmar, Thailand for rescues.
• Lookout Circulars and immigration alerts on flagged recruiters.

International:

• Crackdowns by Thailand, Myanmar (limited), and Laos.
• UNODC urging states to treat cyber-slavery as “trafficking + cybercrime + organized crime”.

Structural Reasons for the Rise of Cyber-Slavery

• Cheaper to use trafficked labour than hire criminal experts.
• Syndicates can scale cyber fraud to tens of thousands of messages daily.
• Border conflict zones create law enforcement vacuums.
• Crypto transactions make tracing difficult.
• Growing global demand for online scams targeting Europe, US, India.

Impacts on India

• Increased cyber fraud reporting nationwide.
• Damage to India’s cyber reputation abroad due to scams traced to trafficked Indians.
• Families coerced to pay ransom.
• Diplomatic strain with Myanmar and Cambodia over repeated Indian rescues.

Policy and Security Gaps

• Inadequate cyber awareness among jobseekers.
• Weak monitoring of overseas placement agencies.
• No integrated Cyber Slavery Victim Protocol.
• Underuse of Inter-Agency Coordination: MEA–MHA–Cyber Cells–Immigration.
• Lack of structured rehabilitation for rescued victims.

Way Forward

• Make cyber-slavery a distinct category under trafficking laws.
• Mandatory verification of overseas job recruiters.
• Immigration red flags for travel to known trafficking destinations.
• Bilateral task forces with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos.
• Digital literacy campaigns targeting Tier-2 and Tier-3 youth.
• Integration with Interpol’s cyber fraud data exchange.
• Rehabilitation: psychological support + skill training.

---

How can State PSCs be reformed?

---

 Why is it in News?

• The 2025 National Conference of State PSC Chairpersons is being hosted by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) on December 19–20, 2025.
• PSC recruitment cycles across States are repeatedly marked by paper leaks, cancellations, litigation, delays and credibility crises.
• The conference provides an opportunity to address structural and procedural failures common to almost all State PSCs.

Relevance

• GS2: Polity & Governance – constitutional bodies (Art. 315–323), recruitment reforms, federal administration.
• GS2: Civil Services – transparency, meritocracy, institutional credibility, personnel management.

What are Public Service Commissions?

• Constitutional bodies created under Articles 315–323.
• Conduct examinations and advise governments on recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary matters.
• Consist of UPSC (Union PSC) + 28 State PSCs.

Historical Evolution

• Demand for merit-based entry into civil services was central to India’s freedom movement.
• Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms (1919) proposed an independent commission for personnel management.
• First PSC established in 1926.
• GOI Act 1935 mandated PSCs in provinces.
• Constitution retained these provisions → UPSC + State PSCs.

Structural Differences: UPSC vs State PSCs

UPSC

• Functions in a politically insulated environment.
• Members appointed for merit, experience, age (usually 55+), non-partisanship.
• Has a dedicated ministry (DoPT) handling manpower planning.
• Regular vacancies + predictable exam cycles.
• Access to national-level expertise for question-setting, moderation, evaluation.
• Strong systems for inter-se moderation, confidentiality, transparency.
• Rare litigation; processes are trusted.

State PSCs

• Operate in a politically permeable environment; appointments often reflect “spoils system”.
• No standard requirements for minimum age, qualification, or experience.
• States lack systematic manpower planning, leading to irregular recruitment cycles.
• Limited financial resources → superannuation extensions, postponed recruitment.
• No dedicated personnel ministry in most States.
• Academic resources sourced only from within the State, limiting expertise.
• Weak inter-se moderation, leading to subjectivity disputes, valuation errors.
• Burdened by vertical, horizontal, and zonal reservations → frequent litigation.

Why State PSCs Face Repeated Crises ?

• Irregular exams due to irregular vacancy notifications.
• Syllabus outdated, rarely reviewed.
• Translation errors in bilingual papers.
• Poor handling of confidentiality → paper leaks.
• Inconsistent adoption of technology, weak digital forensics.
• Lack of structured evaluation frameworks, leading to judicial intervention.
• Post-exam litigation disrupts recruitment for months/years, creating a trust deficit among aspirants.

How UPSC Handles These Issues (and Why States Fail to Replicate Them) ?

• UPSC periodically forms syllabus committees of academics, civil servants, domain experts.
• Strong benchmark for inter-se moderation → ensures fairness across subjects.
• Proactive systemic corrections → aspirants rarely need to go to court.
• Balanced approach: transparency (e.g., answer keys; cut-offs) + confidentiality (exam security).
• Nationwide pool of experts for paper-setting and evaluation.

State PSCs cannot replicate this because:

• Political interference in member appointments.
• Small pool of experts within the State.
• Complex reservation arithmetic increases errors.
• Patchy digitisation compared to UPSC.

Consequences of Dysfunctional State PSCs

• Erosion of public trust; aspirants prefer UPSC over State PSCs.
• Delays affect governance capacity—vacant posts remain unfilled.
• Litigation overloads High Courts.
• Demoralisation among youth; pushes many toward unsafe recruitment channels or migration.
• Cost overruns due to repeated exams and cancellations.

Recommended Reforms (Structural + Procedural)

A. Structural Reforms

• Create a dedicated State Ministry of Personnel.
• Prepare a 5-year manpower recruitment plan.
• Constitutional amendment to set:
  • Minimum age for PSC members: 55
  • Maximum age: 65
• Define qualification standards:
  • Official members: former State Secretaries/equivalent.
  • Non-official members: 10 years of experience in recognised professions (law, medicine, engineering etc.).
• Introduce mandatory consultation with Leader of Opposition for non-official appointments.
• Maintain a State-wide panel of eminent persons for appointments.

B. Procedural Reforms

• Periodic syllabus revision, aligned with UPSC norms.
• Publish draft syllabus changes for public consultation.
• Objective-type testing for region-specific knowledge where faculty availability is limited.
• Mixed Main pattern: objective + descriptive papers.
• Strengthen translation processes: blend technology + human oversight.
• Regularly update question patterns to counter AI-assisted answer preparation.
• Adopt UPSC-style inter-se moderation for fairness.
• Improve exam branch oversight by appointing Secretaries with experience in school or intermediate boards.
• Balance transparency and confidentiality using UPSC models.

Expected Outcomes of Reform

• Reduced litigation, fewer cancellations.
• Predictable calendar, faster recruitment.
• Higher aspirant trust and reduced psychological stress.
• Better quality of governance due to timely staffing.
• More professional, insulated, merit-driven PSC functioning.
• State PSCs gradually reaching UPSC-level credibility.

---

African grey parrot

---

 Why is it in News?

• An RTI investigation by The Hindu found that no Indian State or Union Territory (except Kerala) has any registered breeder or authorised pet shop for the African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus).
• Despite this, the species is easily available in Indian pet markets, pointing to massive illegal import, unregulated breeding, and black-market trade.
• Highlights a serious disconnect between CITES obligations, Breeder Licence Rules (2023), and India’s domestic enforcement.

Relevance

• GS3: Environment – wildlife trafficking, CITES Appendix I compliance, exotic species regulation.
• GS3: Biodiversity Conservation – endangered species protection, enforcement gaps.

What is the African Grey Parrot?

• Scientific name: Psittacus erithacus.
• Native range: Central and West African rainforests.
• Known globally for exceptional cognitive abilities, advanced mimicry, and emotional intelligence; among the most trafficked parrots in the world.

Conservation Status

• CITES Appendix I
  • International commercial trade is banned.
  • Any movement requires CITES permits, import approvals, and individual registration.
• IUCN Status: Endangered
  • Populations decimated by wild capture, habitat loss, and illegal pet trade.
  • Decline estimated at 99% in some regions of DR Congo and Cameroon.

Why is the African Grey Parrot Easily Available in India Despite Being Appendix I?

• India has no licensed breeders, meaning legal domestic trade is almost impossible.
• Yet, the species is widely sold in:
  • Kerala and Tamil Nadu markets
  • Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata pet circuits
• Indicates illegal imports, underground breeding, and unregulated pet shops.

Key RTI Findings

• RTIs were filed with 19 States/UTs.
• Only Kerala reported receiving 17 applications for breeder licences (not approvals).
• Many States responded with:
  • “No data available”
  • “Species not found in our divisions”
  • “No registered traders/breeders”
• Shows absence of:
  • Monitoring systems
  • Registries
  • Compliance with CITES requirements

Regulatory Framework: What the Law Requires (But Isn’t Followed)

A. Breeders of Species Licence Rules, 2023

To legally breed African grey parrots, applicants must have:

• CITES import permit
• DGFT import licence
• No Objection Certificate from State Chief Wildlife Warden
• Proper enclosures, veterinary records, mortality logs
• Individual registration of each bird

Reality:

• Almost no breeder meets these thresholds.
• Most parrots sold in India never had a CITES entry.

B. Mandatory State Registry

• States must maintain records of all exotic species.
• This requirement is rarely followed; most departments said they do not maintain such registries.

Why States Fail to Regulate the African Grey Parrot ?

• Lack of trained staff to identify exotic species.
• No routine inspections of pet shops, breeders, or households.
• High demand makes enforcement politically unpalatable.
• Disaggregated authority: Forest Dept, Customs, DGFT, AWBI – no integrated system.
• Pet shops operate in unregulated commercial spaces (apartment basements, scrap shops).
• Illegal breeders operate in hidden networks.

The African Grey Parrot: Why It Is a Priority Conservation Concern

A. Global Trafficking History

• Among the top three most smuggled parrots globally.
• Over 1.5–2 million individuals removed from the wild since 1975.

B. Biological Vulnerabilities

• Slow breeder: 1–2 chicks per year.
• Requires complex social structures; captivity stresses them.
• Wild capture leads to:
  • Mortality rates >60% during transport
  • Genetic depletion
  • Collapse of local populations

C. Ecological Importance

• Seed disperser for African forests; ecological role significant.

India’s Role in the Illegal Trade Chain

• India is emerging as a major demand hub for exotic pets.
• Entry routes:
  • Myanmar–Mizoram corridor
  • Bangladesh smuggling networks
  • Dubai/Thailand commercial flights
• Lack of centralised tracking encourages:
  • Fake certificates
  • Mis-declaration as captive-bred birds
  • Use of private courier networks

Biosecurity & Zoonotic Concerns

Experts warn that exotic species trade carries major risks:

• Zoonotic diseases like psittacosis, avian influenza, paramyxovirus.
• Possibility of becoming invasive species if released.
• No quarantine system for most exotic birds entering India.

Why Enforcement Gaps Persist ?

• Pet trade is fragmented and informal.
• Forest Departments are not equipped for household-level enforcement.
• Huge discrepancy between law and ground reality.
• Social acceptance of exotic pets reduces reporting.
• Black-market networks are deep, decentralised, and profitable.

Viewpoints from Key Experts

• Wildlife Justice Commission: States must maintain complete registries of exotic species; this is largely not happening.
• Wildlife Trust of India: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka are hubs for exotic trade; state authorities cannot “go house to house”, so compliance must be system-driven.
• Researchers: Current breeder licensing requires high documentation; most pet shops circumvent it.

Core Reasons for the African Grey Parrot Crisis in India

• High demand + low awareness
• Loopholes in import monitoring
• Poor inter-agency coordination
• Lack of breeder registration
• Absence of a nationwide exotic species database
• Weak inspection and enforcement systems
• Cheap supply from African trafficking routes

 Way Forward

A. Regulatory Strengthening

• Create a National Exotic Species Registry linked to:
  • Customs
  • DGFT
  • CITES database
• Mandatory microchipping and unique ID for every parrot.
• Integrate Forest Dept + Customs + Quarantine stations.

B. Market Reform

• Formal licensing of pet shops under strict norms.
• Ban sale of CITES Appendix I species in open markets.
• Regular audits of breeding facilities.

C. Biosecurity

• Mandatory quarantine for all imported exotic birds.
• Veterinary certification tracking.

D. Social Measures

• Public awareness on:
  • Legal consequences
  • Biohazards
  • Conservation impact
• Encourage adoption of Indian species within WPA norms.

---

Moss spores survived 283 days in space 

---

Why is it in News?

• A new study published in iScience found that moss spores survived 283 days in space outside the International Space Station.
• Over 80% remained viable; ~11% successfully germinated after returning to Earth.
• Highlights the extreme resilience of moss and its potential role in future space life-support systems.

Relevance

• GS3: Science & Technology – space biology, extremophile survival, radiation resilience.
• GS3: Environment & Climate – stress tolerance, resilient biological systems.

Basics

• Moss: Small, non-vascular land plant found in damp, shady areas.
• Among the earliest terrestrial plants and known for high stress tolerance (desiccation, temperature fluctuations, low nutrients).
• Spores: Reproductive units capable of surviving harsh environments.

Experiment: What Exactly Happened?

• In March 2022, scientists placed 20,000 moss spores outside the ISS.
• Exposed to:
  • Vacuum of space
  • Extreme temperature variation
  • Cosmic radiation
  • Microgravity
• After 283 days, they were brought back to Earth in January 2023.
• Lab tests showed:
  • >80% survival
  • 11% germination in controlled conditions

Scientific Significance

Biological resilience

• Moss spores possess multi-layered walls enabling:
  • DNA protection
  • Resistance to vacuum
  • Radiation shielding
• “Passive shielding mechanisms” allow survival in extreme stress.

Early life evolution insight

• Supports theory that ancient land plants may have evolved from organisms capable of surviving extreme environmental conditions.

Implications for Space Exploration

Life-support Systems

• Moss can contribute to:
  • Oxygen generation (photosynthesis)
  • Humidity control
  • CO₂ absorption
  • Air purification
• Useful for:
  • Long-term space habitats
  • Lunar or Martian bases

Sustainable Closed-Loop Biosystems

• Moss can help develop micro-ecosystems that recycle air and water with minimal resources.
• Superior ability to function under low gravity and high radiation compared to many plants.

Space Agriculture Research

• Offers clues for:
  • Soil formation
  • Bioremediation
  • Growth of stress-resistant plants in extraterrestrial environments

Overview

1. Survival Biology & Extremophiles

• Moss spores qualify as extremotolerant organisms.
• Similar findings earlier seen in:
  • Tardigrades
  • Bacterial spores
  • Lichens

2. Planetary Protection Protocols

• If Earth organisms can survive space, they can colonize other celestial bodies unintentionally.
• Raises concerns about forward contamination.

3. Space Missions & Human Presence

• NASA, ESA exploring biological life-support modules.
• Moss research aligns with:
  • Artemis missions
  • Mars long-duration missions
  • Space agriculture programmes

4. Climate & Earth Applications

• Resilience mechanisms can inspire:
  • Bioengineered crops
  • Stress-resistant agriculture
  • Habitat restoration in fragile ecosystems

Key Takeaways

• Moss spores surviving 9 months in space reinforces:
  • Their robust biological architecture
  • Their potential role in future extraterrestrial life-support systems
  • Their relevance in astrobiology and space sustainability research

---

Russia claims 75% control of Pokrovsk 

---

Why is it in News?

• Russia claims control over 75% of Pokrovsk, a major urban and logistics hub in east Donetsk.
• The city’s fall would be Russia’s biggest gain in months and a critical step toward controlling all of Donbas.
• Ukrainian forces are under intensified pressure as Russia attempts to envelop Pokrovsk–Kostiantynivka axis.

Relevance

• GS2: International Relations – Russia–Ukraine conflict, European security architecture.
• GS1: World History/Geopolitics – annexation politics, territorial warfare, Donbas dynamics.

Basics

Where is Pokrovsk?

• A road and rail junction in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine.
• Pre-war population: ~60,000.
• Historically a logistics hub for the Ukrainian military.
• Located near Ukraine’s coking coal mining belt (vital for steel industry).

What is Donbas?

• Industrial region comprising Donetsk + Luhansk.
• One of the main theatres of conflict since 2014.
• Russia currently controls ~90%; Ukraine holds ~10% (∼5,000 sq km).

Strategic Importance

• Controls key supply routes used by Ukraine to support frontline positions.
• Proximity to coal mines important for industrial and economic leverage.
• Gateway to the remaining Ukrainian-held Donetsk region.
• Losing Pokrovsk leaves key central Ukrainian cities more vulnerable:
  • Kramatorsk
  • Sloviansk
• Offers Russia a launch pad to:
  • Push north towards remaining Ukrainian strongholds.
  • Expand influence west into Dnipropetrovsk region.

Why Russia wants POKROVSK ?

Complete Control of Donbas

• Long-term Russian military aim: annex Donetsk + Luhansk fully.
• Capturing Pokrovsk is essential to:
  • Link Russian-controlled territories.
  • Establish secure supply lines.
  • Break Ukraine’s defensive depth.

Rail–Road Connectivity

• Integrates Russian logistical systems into eastern Ukraine.
• Allows forward deployment towards central Ukraine.

Strategic Encirclement

• Helps envelop adjacent Ukrainian defence positions.
• Weakens Ukrainian operational capacity in Donetsk.

Impact on UKRAINE

Loss of Key Defensive Node

• Pokrovsk acted as a staging + supply city for Ukrainian troops.
• Its fall forces a Ukrainian retreat to less fortified positions.

Threat to Major Cities

• Kramatorsk (administrative HQ of Ukrainian-controlled Donbas)
• Sloviansk (symbolically important after 2014 battle)

Both could come under frontal and flanking attack.

Western Donetsk Exposure

• Enhances Russian pressure on Ukrainian lines west of Donbas.
• Russia claims foothold already in the region.

Implication

Russia’s Gradual Territorial Creep

• Consistent with Russia’s attritional warfare strategy.
• High-impact gains despite slow pace.

Ukraine’s Manpower + Ammunition Crisis

• Declining Western supplies.
• Difficulty rotating units on multiple fronts.

Escalation Toward Central Ukraine

• Capture strengthens Russia’s ability to move toward:
  • Dnipropetrovsk
  • Potentially cut deeper into Ukrainian industrial heartland.

Geopolitical Dimensions

Message to the West

• Demonstrates Russia’s capability to make meaningful advances.
• Intended to pressure Western capitals on:
  • Continued military support to Ukraine,
  • Negotiation feasibility.

Donbas as Russia’s Strategic Prize

• Economic: coal, steel, industry.
• Military: depth, defensible terrain, urban corridors.
• Political: symbolic consolidation of annexed oblasts.

---

Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) & Mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels

---

Why is it in News?

• A Lancet Series on Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health highlights India as the fastest-growing market for UPFs, with sales rising 150% in 15 years.
• Study warns that UPFs are driving obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and poor nutrition.
• Lancet authors call for mandatory front-of-pack labels (FoPL) warning about high sugar, salt, fat — similar to Brazil and Chile.
• Debate intensifies as India considers FoPL regulations under FSSAI, amid rising marketing of unhealthy foods.

Relevance

• GS2: Governance – FSSAI regulation, public health policy, nutrition governance.
• GS2: Social Justice – child nutrition, NCD burden, food industry influence.
• GS3: Health – obesity, diabetes, cardio-metabolic diseases, gut microbiome impacts.

Basics

What are Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)?

• Industrial formulations made largely from refined ingredients:
  • industrial starches
  • extracted sugars
  • refined oils
  • protein isolates
• Contain additives: emulsifiers, stabilisers, artificial flavours, colourants.
• Examples: packaged snacks, instant noodles, soft drinks, flavoured yoghurts, frozen meals, ready-to-eat snacks.

Why are UPFs harmful?

• High in HFSS (High Fat, Sugar, Salt) → metabolic diseases.
• Low in fibre & micronutrients → malnutrition despite calorie surplus.
• Additives alter gut microbiome.
• Hyper-palatability → overeating & addiction-like food behaviours.
• Aggressive marketing → especially targets children.

Key Findings

• India: 150% UPF sales growth in 15 years.
• Global UPF market: $1 trillion; India UPF sales doubled since 2019.
• UPFs are replacing traditional, nutrient-dense diets rapidly.
• Consumption linked to rise in
  • obesity
  • type-2 diabetes
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • childhood obesity
  • brain-health issues (behaviour, cognition)
• Need regulatory framework overriding industry influence.

UPFs and Children

• Children’s diet: over 50% UPF consumption in urban areas (survey-based).
• Early exposure →
  • taste preference shifts toward sugar/fat
  • addictive eating patterns
  • impaired gut microbiome
  • lower immunity
  • poor neuro-development
• School canteens and home snacks dominated by UPFs.

Challenges in Elimination

1. Aggressive food industry marketing (influencers, celebrities).
2. Ambiguous nutrition labels that hide HFSS levels.
3. Low awareness among parents about health impacts.
4. Weak regulation of food additives and child-targeted advertising.
5. High affordability & convenience compared to fresh foods.
6. Absence of mandatory front-of-pack warnings.

What India must to do?

Mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FoPL)

• Clear symbols for High in Sugar, High in Salt, High in Saturated Fat.
• Should follow WHO/PAHO guidelines.
• Not branding gimmicks (“high protein”, “low fat”) but warning labels.

Regulate UPF Advertising

• Ban HFSS ads targeting children (Brazil/Chile model).
• Restrict celebrity/influencer endorsements.

Reform School Canteen Regulations

• Replace UPFs with whole foods.
• Mandatory compliance audits.

Public Awareness Campaigns

• Focus on metabolic diseases, obesity, and children’s diet dangers.

Nutrient Profiling System

• Classify foods as: healthy, HFSS, UPF for regulatory decisions.

Promote Traditional Diets

• Millets, legumes, fresh fruits/vegetables under PM POSHAN, ICDS, PDS.

Identifying UPFs?

• More than 5–6 ingredients? Likely UPF.
• Contains emulsifiers, stabilisers, colourants, flavours? UPF.
• Package claims “high protein”, “low fat” while having additives? UPF.
• Shape/texture/flavour not naturally occurring? UPF.

Health Impacts

• Obesity epidemic.
• Insulin resistance & diabetes surge (India = global diabetes capital).
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accelerating.
• Behavioural issues linked to gut dysbiosis.
• Poor academic performance among children.
• Premature mortality due to cardiovascular diseases.

---