Immigration & Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025

What’s the News?

• The Government of India issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, under Section 33 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, replacing several prior exemption orders.
• It introduces targeted exemptions from requirements for valid passports, visas, and travel documents for defined categories of individuals and certain carriers.
• Exemptions apply to military personnel on duty and their families, citizens from Nepal and Bhutan crossing specified borders, select refugees and persecuted minorities, registered Tibetans and Sri Lankan Tamils, diplomats and foreign military visitors, as well as carriers under specific conditions. The order is in force immediately upon its Gazette notification.

Scope of Exemptions

• Military and Families
  • Members of the Indian Navy, Army or Air Force entering or exiting India on duty, and their accompanying family on government transport, are exempt from passport, visa, and travel-document norms.
• Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan
  • Citizens of these countries entering India by land or air across shared borders are exempt from passport and visa requirements, except in contexts involving China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Pakistan.
• Refugees and Religious Minorities
  • Registered Tibetans already in India and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who entered by January 9, 2015, are granted exemptions.
  • Religiously persecuted individuals from specific minorities (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Christian) who entered from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan on or before December 31, 2024—even without valid documents—are exempt.
• Diplomats & Foreign Military
  • Holders of diplomatic or official passports under intergovernmental agreements and foreign military personnel aboard warships or for goodwill, exercise, bunkering, or relief visits are exempted, unless otherwise specified.
• Carrier Exemptions
  • Carriers (rail or road) are not held liable under certain sections of the Act for passengers:
    • Traveling on forged documents undetectable without specialists
    • Who are stowaways and taken back
    • Arriving via diverted aircraft or ships
    • Using Temporary Landing Permits
    • Belonging to exempt categories above

Additional Info

• Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025:
  • This is the parent act under which the new order is notified.
  • It consolidates and repeals four previous laws: the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; the Foreigners Act, 1946; and the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act, 2000.
  • The Act establishes the Bureau of Immigration to regulate the entry, stay, and movement of foreigners.
  • It imposes stricter penalties for immigration offenses, such as using forged documents.
• Registration of Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 1957:
  • This was an older order issued under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
  • It exempted certain classes of foreigners, such as diplomatic couriers and citizens of specific countries, from the requirement to register with authorities.
  • It has been superseded by the new 2025 order.
• Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Order, 2007:
  • This order was issued under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act, 2000.
  • It granted exemptions from penalties to carriers that brought in passengers with forged documents, particularly when the forgery was undetectable without expert assistance.
  • This order has also been superseded by the new 2025 order.

Sources

• ddnews
• devdiscourse
• hindustantimes

National Nutrition Week 2025

What’s the News?

• National Nutrition Week, observed annually in India, runs from September 1 to 7, with this year’s theme: “Eat Right for a Better Life”.
• The campaign highlights the importance of balanced diets, mindful food choices, and prevention of malnutrition and lifestyle diseases.
• It is jointly coordinated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women & Child Development, and aligns with flagship programmes such as POSHAN Abhiyaan.

Theme Overview

“Eat Right for a Better Life” aims to:

• Promote balanced diets rich in fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables
• Discourage consumption of processed and junk foods
• Encourage portion control and mindful eating
• Support long-term health through nutritious cooking habits

Dietary Guidelines:

• ICMR-NIN Recommendations (2024):
  • Sugar: <5 tsp/day (20-25g).
  • Salt: <5g/day.
  • Oil: 6 tsp/day (25-30g).

Additional Info

• History: National Nutrition Week was initiated in India in 1982 by the Food and Nutrition Board under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The main objective was to encourage people to adopt healthy dietary habits to prevent malnutrition.
• Related Government Initiatives: The celebration of National Nutrition Week is closely linked to several flagship government schemes and missions aimed at improving nutritional outcomes in India.
  • POSHAN Abhiyaan: Also known as the National Nutrition Mission, launched in 2018. It is a multi-ministerial convergence mission to make India malnutrition-free by 2022. It uses a targeted approach to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anemia, and low birth weight in children, women, and adolescent girls.
  • Eat Right India Movement: Spearheaded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), this movement aims to promote safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices. Its motto is 'Sahi Bhojan, Behtar Jeevan' (Right Food, Better Life).
  • PM POSHAN Scheme: This scheme, which replaces the former Mid-Day Meal Scheme, provides hot cooked meals to children in government schools, thereby addressing both hunger and malnutrition.
  • Food Fortification: The government is promoting large-scale fortification of staple foods like rice and edible oil with essential micronutrients to combat deficiencies.

Sources

• pacehospital
• indiatvnews

Tata Electronics and Merck Partner to Strengthen India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

What’s the News?

• Tata Electronics Private Limited and Merck, a global science and technology company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance India’s semiconductor and electronics manufacturing capabilities.
• The partnership aims to boost the local semiconductor ecosystem by focusing on advanced materials, manufacturing excellence, and supply chain development for Tata’s upcoming fabrication facility in Dholera, Gujarat.

Partnership Details & Significance

The collaboration is a crucial step towards building a resilient and self-reliant semiconductor industry in India. Under the agreement, Merck will provide a full suite of products and services, including:

• High-purity electronic materials and specialty chemicals.
• Advanced gas and chemical delivery systems.
• Turnkey fabrication (fab) infrastructure services.
• AI-powered Material Intelligence solutions for data analytics.

This strategic move is vital for the timely execution of Tata Electronics' ₹91,000 crore (approximately $11 billion) semiconductor fabrication plant, which will produce chips for sectors like automotive, mobile, and AI.

Additional Info

• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM):
  • Launched in 2021 with a total outlay of ₹76,000 crore.
  • Serves as the nodal agency under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the development of India's semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.
  • It aims to attract significant investments and position India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.
• Government Initiatives for Semiconductors:
  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: The semiconductor mission is a key component of the broader PLI scheme, which provides financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large-scale investments.
  • Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: This scheme supports domestic companies and startups in semiconductor design by providing financial and infrastructure support.
  • Semicon India Program: A series of events and conferences, organized under the ISM, to bring together global industry leaders, policymakers, and academia to foster collaboration and investment.
• Dholera, Gujarat:
  • Designated as India’s first greenfield industrial smart city.
  • The location of the new semiconductor fab is part of a strategic effort to establish dedicated manufacturing clusters and attract high-tech industries.
  • Gujarat was the first state to release a dedicated semiconductor policy, offering attractive incentives and a conducive ecosystem for projects approved under the ISM.

Sources

• ddnews
• ndtvprofit
• thehindubusinessline

Singapore Tops Asia as Safest Country in 2025; India Trails at 115th Globally

What’s the News?

• The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025, now in its 19th edition, identifies Singapore as the safest country in Asia and sixth globally.
• The index, assessing 163 countries on metrics like safety, conflict, and militarisation, highlights Singapore’s high stability, low crime, and strong governance. In contrast, India ranks 115th globally, indicating ongoing challenges in domestic security and peace.

Safest in Asia

• Singapore leads Asia’s safety rankings with a GPI score of 1.357, securing 6th place globally. Its improved score from the previous year underscores effective public safety systems, low crime, and political stability.
• Other top Asian countries in GPI 2025:
  • Japan (2nd in Asia) – score 1.440
  • Malaysia – score 1.469
  • Bhutan – score 1.536
  • Mongolia, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, Timor‑Leste, Laos also feature within the top ten safest in Asia.

Additional Info

• About the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP):
  • An independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank based in Sydney, Australia.
  • It is dedicated to developing metrics to analyze and quantify peace and its economic benefits.
  • The IEP publishes the Global Peace Index annually since 2007, making it a key global benchmark for peace and security.
• Top Global Rankings:
  • Globally, Iceland has once again been ranked as the most peaceful country, a position it has held since 2008.
  • It is followed by Ireland and New Zealand in the second and third positions, respectively.

Sources

• economictimes
• livemint
• y-axis

India Raises ‘Bhairav’ Light Commando Battalions to Strengthen Border Strike Capability

What’s the News?

• The Indian Army has begun raising five new “Bhairav” light commando battalions, each comprising 250 specially trained and equipped soldiers, to enhance rapid strike operations along its borders with Pakistan and China.
• The first batch is expected by October 31, 2025. These units serve as an intermediate force between regular infantry and elite Para‑Special Forces.

Agile Strike Units

• Purpose & Role
  • Fill operational gaps between infantry and Para‑Special Forces.
  • Released to perform swift tactical missions, freeing elite forces for high‑risk clandestine tasks.
• Units & Deployment
  • Total planned: 23 battalions, drawn from existing infantry under a “save and raise” model (no new troop intake).
  • First batch:
    • Three units under Northern Command: Leh (14 Corps), Srinagar (15 Corps), Nagrota (16 Corps)
    • One in the western desert sector
    • One in the eastern hilly sector
• Training & Structure
  • Training phases: 2–3 months at regimental centres, followed by 1 month with Special Forces for advanced training.
  • Each battalion includes 7–8 officers.
• Equipment & Capability
  • Smaller, more mobile, equipped with advanced weapons, surveillance systems, tactical gadgets, drones.

Additional Info

• Other Special Forces of India:
  • Para (Special Forces): The special forces of the Indian Army, known for their airborne and special operations.
  • MARCOS (Marine Commandos): The elite special forces of the Indian Navy, specializing in amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, and reconnaissance.
  • Garud Commando Force: The special forces of the Indian Air Force, responsible for protecting air assets, and conducting counter-terrorism and rescue operations.
  • Ghatak Force: A platoon-level commando force present in every infantry battalion of the Indian Army, trained for advanced assault and shock troop roles.
• Broader Restructuring: The raising of "Bhairav" battalions is part of a series of structural reforms announced by the Army Chief. Other new formations include:
  • 'Rudra' all-arms brigades.
  • 'Shaktibaan' artillery regiments with 'Divyastra' surveillance and loitering munitions batteries.

Sources

• deccanherald
• economictimes
• defencenewsupdates

Tariffs Disrupt Global Trade Norms, WTO Warns

What’s the News?

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) has flagged an "unprecedented" disruption in global trade norms. The share of global trade executed under the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) framework has slipped from roughly 80 % to 72 %, marking the most severe disruption in eight decades. The slowdown may intensify into 2026 as pre-stockpiled inventories deplete.
• The WTO has modestly raised its global trade growth forecast from 0.2 % to 0.9 %, but cautions on future uncertainty. The head of the WTO underlined that predictability—a core principle of the global trade regime—is under threat.

Global Trade Shock

• Disrupted MFN usage: Drop to 72 %, breach in equality of treatment among WTO members.
• Growth forecast revised: From 0.2 % to 0.9 %.
• Delayed tariff impact: Front-loaded demand may mask true effects until 2026.

Additional Info

• World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • The WTO is an intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade.
  • It was officially established on January 1, 1995, under the Marrakesh Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which began in 1948.
  • It has 166 members, representing over 98% of global trade and global GDP.
  • India is a founding member of both GATT and the WTO.
• Key Principles and Functions
  • Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN): A foundational principle that requires WTO members to treat all other members equally, giving them the same trade advantages as their most-favoured trading partner.
  • National Treatment: Imported and locally produced goods should be treated equally after the foreign goods have entered the market.
  • Binding Tariffs: Member countries agree not to raise their tariff rates above a certain "bound" level, which provides stability and predictability in the trading system.
  • Dispute Settlement Body (DSB): A formal mechanism to resolve trade disputes between member countries.
• Major Agreements
  • General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT 1994): Governs trade in goods.
  • General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS): Covers trade in services.
  • Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS): Establishes intellectual property protection standards.

Sources

• ddnews
• indianexpress
• economictimes