DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th December

Category: Science and Technology

Context:

• GlowCas9 protein could help scientists observe the molecular scissors called Cas9 enzyme as it enables gene editing for treating genetic diseases including cancer.

About GlowCas9:

• • Nature: It is a CRISPR protein that lights up while performing gene editing. It is a bioluminescent version of Cas9 that glows inside cells.
  • Creation: It is created by scientists at the Bose Institute in Kolkata.
  • Structure: It is created by fusing Cas9 with a split nano-luciferase enzyme derived from deep-sea shrimp proteins.
  • Properties: The GlowCas9 is very stable and maintains its structure and activity at higher temperatures compared to the conventional enzyme. It glows inside cells, allowing for real-time monitoring of CRISPR operations.
  • Working mechanism: The split nano-luciferase enzyme pieces reconnect when Cas9 folds correctly, producing light. This glowing activity allows scientists to monitor CRISPR operations in living cells, tissues, and even plant leaves, without harming them.

• Advantages:

• • • It provides a way to observe gene editing in real-time without harming cells.
    • The bioluminescence allows tracking of the gene-editing process in living cells, tissues, and even plant leaves.
    • It is more stable than conventional Cas9 and can maintain its structure and activity at higher temperatures. This increased stability is important for gene therapy, ensuring effective delivery of the Cas9 protein for treatment.

• Applications:

• • Gene Therapy Implications: GlowCas9 can aid in gene therapy by improving the precision of homology-directed repair (HDR), which is essential for fixing hereditary mutations linked to diseases like sickle cell anaemia and muscular dystrophy.
  • Theratracking: It also pioneers the emerging field of theratracking (visualizing molecular gene therapy in motion), which could greatly enhance the success rate of treatments for diseases like sickle cell anaemia and muscular dystrophy.
  • Applications in Crop Improvement: The technology is also applicable to plant systems, suggesting potential non-transgenic applications in crop improvement.

Source:

• PIB

Category: Environment and Ecology

Context:

• Recently, the year’s largest wildlife survey began across the Buxa Tiger Reserve, with an extensive four-month monitoring survey.

About Buxa Tiger Reserve:

• • Location: It is located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal. Its northern boundary runs along the international border with Bhutan.
  • Area: Buxa Tiger Reserve and National Park covers about 760 square kilometers.
  • Landscape: The fragile “Terai Eco-System” constitutes a part of this reserve.
  • Important for elephant migration: It serves as an international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan.
  • Connectivity: The reserve has corridor connectivity across the border with the forests of Bhutan in the North, on the East it has linkages with the Kochugaon forests, Manas Tiger Reserve and on the West with the Jaldapara National Park.
  • Rivers: The rivers Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Churnia, Turturi, Phashkhawa, Dima, and Nonani flow through Buxa National Park.
  • Vegetation: The forests of the reserve can be broadly classified as the ‘Moist Tropical Forest’.
  • Flora: Prominent tree species include Sal, Champ, Gamar, Simul, and Chikrasi, contributing to the reserve’s diverse and vibrant ecosystem.
  • Fauna: The primary wildlife species include the Asian Elephant, Tiger, gaur (Indian bison), Wild boar, Sambar, and Wild dog (Dhole). Endangered species in Buxa Tiger Reserve encompass the Leopard cat, Bengal florican, Regal python, Chinese Pangolin, Hispid hare, and Hog deer. 

• Conservation Initiatives:

• • Introduction of chitals (spotted deer) to enhance the tiger’s prey base, fostering favorable conditions for their return, and showcasing successful conservation efforts.
  • Proactive measures have been taken to expand the grassland, creating an ideal habitat for tigers and other wildlife.
  • Tiger Augmentation Project was launched in 2018, this collaborative project involves the state forest department, the Wildlife Institute of India, and the NTCA, focusing on monitoring and enhancing the tiger population.

Source:

• Millennium Post

Category: Government Schemes

Context:

• Recently, National Steering Committee (NSC) for PM Vishwakarma scheme approved several proposals and policy measures to improve loan sanctions and disbursements.

About PM Vishwakarma Scheme:

• • Launch: It was launched in September 2023 to provide holistic, end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople (Vishwakarmas).
  • Nodal ministry: It is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
  • Objective: It aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara, or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools. 
  • Services offered: It offers services like market linkage support, skill training, and incentives for digital transactions to artisans and craftspeople engaged in specified trades.
  • Time period: It is fully funded by the central government with an outlay of ₹13,000 crore for five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28).
  • Coverage: About five lakh families were covered in the first year and about 30 lakh families will be covered over five years.

• Key Features of the Scheme:

• • • Recognition: Recognition of artisans and craftspeople through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card.
    • Skill Upgradation: Basic Training of 5-7 days and Advanced Training of 15 days or more, with a stipend of Rs. 500 per day;
    • Toolkit Incentive: A toolkit incentive of upto Rs. 15,000 in the form of e-vouchers at the beginning of Basic Skill Training.
    • Credit Support: Collateral free ‘Enterprise Development Loans’ of upto Rs. 3 lakhs in two tranches of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh at a concessional rate of interest fixed at 5%.

• Eligibility:

• • It is available for rural and urban artisans and craftsmen across India.
  • It covers 18 traditional crafts such as Boat Maker; Armourer; Blacksmith; Hammer and Tool Kit Maker; etc.
  • Aged 18+, engaged in traditional trade, no similar loans in the past 5 years.
  • Only one member per family is eligible for registration and benefits.

Source:

• PIB

Category: International Organisations

Context:

• India’s election to the UNHRC reflects the global confidence in democratic institutions, a senior official at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said recently.

About United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):

• • Nature: The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
  • Formation: The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2006. It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
  • Headquarters: Its headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Significance: The UNGA takes into account the candidate States’ contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments in this regard.
  • Election: It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) through secret ballot.
  • Term: Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving 2 consecutive terms.
  • Equitable distribution of seats: The Council’s Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. Seats are distributed as follows:
    • African States: 13 seats
    • Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
    • Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
    • Western European and other States: 7 seats
    • Eastern European States: 6 seats

• Working mechanism:

• • Universal Periodic Review: UPR serves to assess the human rights situations in all United Nations Member States.
  • Advisory Committee: It serves as the Council’s “think tank” providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human rights issues.
  • Complaint Procedure: It allows individuals and organizations to bring human rights violations to the attention of the Council.
  • UN Special Procedures: These are made up of special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts and working groups that monitor, examine, advise and publicly report on thematic issues or human rights situations in specific countries.

Source:

• The Week

Category: Environment and Ecology

Context:

• Recently, ACS Ms Supriya Sahu of Tamil Nadu won the UN Environment Programme’s 2025 Champions of the Earth Award.

About Champions of the Earth Award:

• Establishment: It was established in 2005 and awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Objective: The award honours individuals and organizations for their innovative and sustainable efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
• Uniqueness: It is the UN’s highest environmental honour, recognises trailblazers at the forefront of efforts to protect people and the planet.
• Significance: Every year, UNEP honours individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
• Four Categories: Champions of the Earth are Celebrated in 4 categories:
  • Policy leadership: Public sector officials leading global or national action for the environment. They shape dialogue, lead commitments and act for the good of the planet.
  • Inspiration and action: Leaders taking bold steps to inspire positive change to protect our world. They lead by example, challenge behavior and inspire millions.
  • Entrepreneurial vision: Visionaries challenging the status quo to build a cleaner future. They build systems, create new technology and spearhead a groundbreaking vision. 
  • Science and innovation: Trailblazers pushing the boundaries of technology for profound environmental benefit.
• Notable Indian Winners: Notable Indian honourees include Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2018), Madhav Gadgil (2024) and Purnima Devi Barman (2022).

Source:

• • News on AIR

(UPSC GS Paper III – Indian Economy: Ease of Doing Business, Regulatory Reforms, MSMEs, Employment Generation)

Context (Introduction)

India’s regulatory environment remains heavy with compliances, permissions, and criminal penalties inherited from the Licence Raj. The proposed Jan Vishwas Siddhant seeks to transform this landscape by shifting from permission-driven governance to self-registration, rationalised compliances, and transparent regulatory processes—crucial for unlocking entrepreneurial growth and non-farm job creation.

Main Arguments: What Holds Back Indian Entrepreneurs?

• Regulatory Over-Criminalisation: Thousands of business activities—many minor procedural lapses—carry criminal penalties. Jail provisions rarely lead to successful prosecution but are routinely used for harassment, clogging courts (e.g., 43 lakh cheque bouncing cases forming 10% of pendency).
• Instrument Proliferation: Instead of the constitutional hierarchy of Acts + Rules, India has created 12,000+ non-law instruments (notifications, circulars, FAQs, SOPs, orders). Entrepreneurs must comply with this vast, unclear ecosystem, breeding confusion and corruption.
• Compliance Blind Spot:  India began 2025 with 69,000+ compliances. Policymakers focus on legislation but forget cumulative compliance burdens. Regulations micro-specify processes rather than target outcomes, ignoring global best practices in smart regulation.
• Enforcing the Unenforceable: One inspector monitoring 3.3 lakh weighing instruments, or numerous field requirements that cannot be realistically enforced, convert noble intentions into corruption and inefficiency. This weakens rule of law and creates a culture of discretion.
• Process as Punishment: Entrepreneurs face disproportionate penalties, long delays, and microspecification-heavy rules. The combination of low prosecution probability and high harassment potential produces a system where the innocent suffer and risk-taking is discouraged.
• Lack of a Single Source of Truth: Regulatory obligations remain scattered across outdated databases. Entrepreneurs often cannot verify whether a compliance requirement was legally issued, enabling rent-seeking and discretion.

What the Jan Vishwas Siddhant Proposes?

• Perpetual Self-Registration: All licences outside national security, public safety, human health, and environment will be replaced with self-registration. Everything is permitted unless explicitly prohibited.
• Risk-Based, Randomised Inspections: Inspections will shift from inspector raj to third-party, algorithm-based, and risk-weighted checks.
• Decriminalisation of Business Laws: DPIIT’s decriminalisation guidelines will apply across ministries; punishments will be proportionate and non-custodial for economic offences.
• Regulatory Discipline: No new regulatory obligations without consultation; all transitions implemented on a fixed date annually (e.g., January 1). Only Acts and Rules may carry penal provisions—ending proliferation of informal instruments.
• Digital Governance & IndiaCode Modernisation: A live, comprehensive, gazette-integrated digital repository (IndiaCode) will be the single source of truth for all regulations, eliminating ambiguity and corruption.
• Annual Regulatory Impact Assessment: All ministries will assess compliance burdens and publish annual reports on enforcement, making regulation transparent and outcomes-driven.

Why These Reforms Matter for India’s Growth Model?

• Unlocking Entrepreneurship: India has 6.3 crore enterprises, yet only 30,000 companies have paid-up capital above ₹10 crore. Over-regulation creates “dwarfs, not babies”—firms that stay small due to compliance fear, not lack of ambition.
• Boosting Non-Farm Job Creation: Entrepreneurship is key to India’s employment challenge. Freeing MSMEs from the “ijaazat raj” enables innovation, formalisation, and productivity growth—critical for labour absorption.
• Transforming Governance: Moves from permission-based rule to trust-based governance—turning praja into nagrik, and ruling into governing.

Conclusion

The Jan Vishwas Siddhant is a foundational shift in India’s regulatory philosophy—prioritising trust, proportionality, transparency, and ease of compliance. By dismantling regulatory cholesterol and unleashing entrepreneurial energy, India can accelerate non-farm job creation and build a governance model where entrepreneurship is iterative experimentation, not a battle against bureaucracy.

Mains Question 

1. “India’s regulatory environment is a bigger barrier to entrepreneurship than access to finance or markets.” Discuss how reforms such as the Jan Vishwas Siddhant can transform the ease of doing business and support inclusive economic growth. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: Indian Express

(UPSC GS Paper II & III – “International Relations; Blue Economy; Maritime Security; Climate Change; Sustainable Development”)

Context (Introduction)

As climate pressures mount on the Indian Ocean—one of the world’s most vulnerable basins—India is positioned to reshape regional ocean governance. The article argues that India can lead a new Blue Economy model rooted in sustainability, resilience, and equitable growth.

Main Arguments: 

• Historical Maritime Leadership: India has a legacy of advocating global ocean justice, from supporting “common heritage of mankind” during UNCLOS to Nehru’s early recognition of oceans as vital to India’s prosperity. This credibility uniquely positions India to lead again.
• Rising Oceanic Threats: Climate change has intensified ocean warming, acidification, sea-level rise, and IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing. The Indian Ocean basin—home to one-third of humanity—is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
• Blue Economy Opportunity: A modern Blue Economy must integrate stewardship, resilience, and inclusive growth. India can shape sustainable fisheries, ecosystem restoration, green shipping, marine biotechnology, and offshore renewable energy.
• Emerging Global Finance Momentum: New commitments—€25 billion existing pipelines, €8.7 billion new at BEFF 2025; $7.5 billion annually from the Finance in Common Ocean Coalition; Brazil’s $20 billion One Ocean Partnership—signal unprecedented ocean-focused funding.
• Security Through Sustainability: Ecosystem collapse, not naval rivalry alone, is the deeper source of insecurity. India’s SAGAR doctrine aligns security with stewardship, enabling integrated maritime domain awareness, climate preparedness, and disaster response.

Challenges / Criticisms 

• Fragmented Regional Governance: Indian Ocean governance remains scattered across multiple forums; unlike the Pacific, there is no unified ocean strategy guiding littoral cooperation.
• Climate Vulnerability: Sea-level rise, storm surges, coral bleaching, and fisheries depletion threaten economies from East Africa to Southeast Asia—creating regional instability and migration pressures.
• Finance–Implementation Gap: Despite growing global pledges, most Indian Ocean states lack institutional mechanisms to absorb and deploy Blue Economy investments effectively.
• Capacity Deficits in Small States: Small Island Developing States (SIDS) struggle with scientific capacity, monitoring, early warning systems, and access to marine technology—limiting regional collective action.
• Geopolitical Overhang: Indo-Pacific security narratives often overshadow environmental priorities, reducing room for cooperation as military competition intensifies.

Way Forward: 

• Stewardship of the Global Commons: Champion biodiversity protection, sustainable fisheries, deep-sea governance, and ecosystem restoration—mirroring India’s earlier UNCLOS role as a fairness-driven leader.
• Regional Ocean Resilience Hub: Create an Indian Ocean Resilience & Innovation Centre to support SIDS and African states with ocean observation, early warning systems, climate modelling, and technology transfer—similar to IOC-UNESCO frameworks.
• Indian Ocean Blue Fund: Establish a multilateral financing mechanism seeded by India and open to development banks, philanthropy, and private capital—turning global pledges into actionable regional projects.
• Sustainable Blue Growth Sectors: Promote green shipping corridors, offshore wind and wave energy, sustainable aquaculture, marine biotech, and ocean-based carbon removal—aligned with BBNJ and UNOC3 pathways.
• Security–Environment Integration: Through SAGAR, align naval and coast guard cooperation with environmental monitoring, IUU fishing control, and climate-driven disaster management—mirroring Australia’s and Japan’s integrated maritime models.
• BBNJ Ratification & Norm Leadership: Ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty early to signal India’s readiness to shape global norms on deep-sea mining, marine genetic resources, and equitable benefit-sharing.

Conclusion

The Indian Ocean, once central to early global civilisation, can now anchor a new global Blue Economy where prosperity and sustainability are inseparable. India—drawing on historic moral leadership, strategic geography, and scientific capability—can redefine ocean governance through stewardship, regional cooperation, and inclusive development. Leading with the principle “From the Indian Ocean, for the World” would allow India to turn a climate-risked ocean into a model of resilience and shared prosperity.

Mains Question 

1. Why is the Indian Ocean central to India’s Blue Economy strategy, and what key challenges must India overcome to lead a sustainable and cooperative ocean governance framework in the region? (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: The Hindu