India Champions 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' on World Environment Day 2025

On June 5th, 2025, as the world observed World Environment Day, India galvanized its efforts to increase green cover through a unique, emotionally resonant campaign – ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in Mother’s Name). Led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the initiative turned into a nationwide mass movement (Jan Andolan), connecting the act of planting a tree with a tribute to one's mother.

Global Theme and Host for 2025:

• Host Country: The global celebrations for World Environment Day 2025 were hosted by the Republic of Korea.
• Theme: The focus of this year's theme was on tackling plastic pollution, with the powerful slogan #BeatPlasticPollution. This theme highlights the urgent need for global cooperation and innovative solutions to end the menace of plastic pollution.

India’s Flagship Initiative: 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'

While aligning with the global call for environmental action, India's domestic focus was firmly on the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.

• Symbolic Leadership: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the campaign by planting a 'Sindoor' (Bixa orellana) sapling at his residence. This act served as a powerful inspiration for citizens across the country to join the plantation drive.
• Objective: The campaign encourages every citizen to plant a tree in the name of their mother, thereby linking the nurturing nature of mothers with the nurturing aspect of Mother Earth. It aims to foster a personal connection with environmental conservation.
• 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0': To ensure the campaign's continuity and wider reach, Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign.
  • This second phase specifically targets students and educational institutions, aiming to integrate environmental consciousness into the education system.
  • A special module and a dedicated website have been launched to monitor the activities of Eco Clubs under Mission LiFE, turning this into a structured, nationwide student-led movement.

Connecting with India's Broader Environmental Goals:

The plantation drive directly supports India’s key national and international commitments:

• National Mission for a Green India (GIM): This is one of the eight missions under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). GIM aims to protect, restore, and enhance India's forest cover and respond to climate change.
• Bonn Challenge: India has pledged under the Bonn Challenge to bring 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land into restoration by 2030. Mass plantation drives are critical to achieving this target.
• Combating Desertification: Increasing green cover is a primary strategy to combat land degradation and desertification, a significant challenge for India. India is a signatory to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Rajasthan Doubles its Ramsar Sites: Khichan and Menar Get Global Wetland Tag

In a major boost for conservation in Rajasthan, two renowned birding havens – Khichan Bird Sanctuary in Phalodi and Menar Lake in Udaipur – have been officially declared as Wetlands of International Importance, also known as Ramsar Sites. This prestigious international recognition doubles the number of Ramsar sites in Rajasthan from two to four and takes India’s total count to 91 sites.

About the New Ramsar Sites:

1. Khichan Bird Sanctuary, Phalodi:

• A Haven for Demoiselle Cranes: Khichan is globally famous for hosting thousands of migratory Demoiselle Cranes (Kurjan) every winter. These birds travel over 5,000 km from their breeding grounds in Mongolia and China to spend the winter here.
• Community-led Conservation: The story of Khichan is a remarkable example of community-driven conservation. For decades, local villagers, particularly the Jain community, have been feeding and protecting these cranes, turning the area into a safe refuge.
• Formal Recognition: Recognizing its ecological importance, the area was first declared a conservation reserve and later upgraded to a bird sanctuary, paving the way for the Ramsar tag.

2. Menar Lake Wetland Complex, Udaipur:

• Rajasthan's "Bird Village": Menar has earned the title of the "bird village" of Rajasthan due to the rich avian diversity it supports. The wetland complex is a crucial habitat for over 150 species of resident and migratory birds.
• Key Species: It is a vital wintering ground for spectacular species like the Greater Flamingo, White-tailed Lapwing, Dalmatian Pelican, and various ducks, geese, and waders.
• Community Guardians: Similar to Khichan, the conservation efforts in Menar are led by the local community. Villagers have been protecting the lake and its birds for generations, even forming patrolling teams to prevent poaching. The state government had recently notified Menar as a wetland, which was a critical step for its nomination.

Additional Information

• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:
  • An intergovernmental treaty adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971. It provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
  • Mission: "The conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world."
  • Three Pillars of the Convention:
    1. Work towards the wise use of all their wetlands.
    2. Designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the "Ramsar List") and ensure their effective management.
    3. Cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems, and shared species.6
• What is "Wise Use"?
  • The core principle of the convention, defined as "the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable7 development."
• The Montreux Record:
  • A register of Ramsar sites where adverse changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur8 due to human interference.
  • It is a tool to highlight sites in need of priority conservation attention. India's Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake (Manipur) have been on this record.
• Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo):
  • The smallest species of crane.
  • IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern.
  • Migration: Known for its arduous migration, which includes crossing the high Himalayan ranges to reach its wintering grounds in the Indian subcontinent.
• Central Asian Flyway (CAF):
  • A major migratory route for waterbirds, covering a large area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans.
  • India plays a critical role in the CAF, providing crucial stopover and wintering sites for numerous migratory species.

Govt Launches C-CARES 2.0 to Digitize Coal Workers' Welfare

In a significant move towards enhancing the social security and welfare of coal sector workers, the Union Ministry of Coal has launched C-CARES Version 2.0. This upgraded web portal and mobile application, developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), aims to completely digitize the records and work processes of the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO). This initiative is a major step in leveraging technology for efficient and transparent service delivery to lakhs of coal sector employees and pensioners.

What is C-CARES?

• C-CARES stands for CMPFO's Computerised and Responsive Enquiry System.
• It is a unified digital platform that brings together coal workers, coal management (companies), and the CMPFO.
• The primary objective is to streamline the processing and disbursement of Provident Fund (PF) and pension claims for coal sector workers in a transparent and efficient manner.

Features and Upgrades in Version 2.0:

• Complete Digitization: The portal moves away from a paper-based system to a completely digital, paperless workflow. This includes the online submission and processing of claims.
• Real-Time Tracking: Members can track the status of their claims and applications in real-time, from initiation to final settlement.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The portal facilitates the direct transfer of PF and pension amounts into the bank accounts of the workers, ensuring timely and secure payments. This financial module has been developed in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI).
• Integrated Mobile App: A user-friendly mobile application allows members to:
  • View their personal profile and employment history.
  • Check their updated PF balance.
  • Track the status of their claims.
  • Raise grievances through a chatbot-enabled support system.
• Automated Ledger Management: The system facilitates the automatic updating of workers' PF and pension ledgers based on data submitted by the coal companies, ensuring accuracy and reducing manual errors.
• Analytics Dashboard: The portal includes a dashboard for coal companies and CMPFO to analyze trends, generate reports, and use predictive analytics to improve service delivery.

Additional Information

• Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO):
  • It is a statutory body established under the Coal Mines Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1948.
  • It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Coal.
  • Headquarters: Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
  • Mandate: To administer the Provident Fund and Pension schemes for employees working in the coal mining industry across India, providing them with social and financial security.
• Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC):
  • The premier Research and Development (R&D) organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • Engaged in carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics, and associated areas. It is known for developing India's "PARAM" series of supercomputers.
• Social Security in India:
  • The Constitution of India, through its Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), calls for the State to secure the right to work, education, and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
  • Social security schemes in India are broadly divided into promotional (e.g., employment guarantee schemes) and protective (e.g., pensions, insurance) measures.
  • The Code on Social Security, 2020, is a recent legislative reform that aims to amalgamate, simplify, and rationalize the laws relating to social security.

Railways Overhauls Tatkal System with Aadhaar and AI to Curb Fraud

In a major move to address long-standing passenger grievances and combat malpractices, Indian Railways has announced a significant overhaul of the Tatkal ticket booking system. The reforms, centered around mandatory Aadhaar authentication and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), aim to eliminate the influence of touts using illegal software and ensure genuine passengers have a fair chance at booking last-minute tickets.

The Problem with the Existing Tatkal System:

The Tatkal scheme, designed for travellers with urgent needs, has been plagued by several issues:

• Touts and Bots: Unauthorised agents (touts) have been using sophisticated bots and illegal software to book a large number of tickets within seconds of the window opening.
• Fake IDs: Thousands of fake user IDs were being created on the IRCTC platform, often using disposable or temporary email addresses, to corner tickets.
• System Overload: The massive number of login attempts by bots would often overload the IRCTC servers, preventing genuine users from accessing the system.
• Black Market: The tickets cornered through illegal means were then sold to needy passengers at exorbitant prices in the black market.

Reforms Introduced by Indian Railways:

To tackle these issues, Indian Railways, through its ticketing arm IRCTC, has implemented a multi-pronged strategy:

• Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication:
  • It will soon be compulsory to use e-Aadhaar authentication for booking Tatkal tickets, both online and at counters. This will link every Tatkal ticket to a verifiable identity, making it extremely difficult to use fake profiles.
• Priority for Verified Users:
  • During the first 10 minutes of the Tatkal booking window (10:00 AM for AC classes, 11:00 AM for non-AC), only Aadhaar-authenticated individual users will be allowed to book tickets.
  • Crucially, even authorised IRCTC agents will be barred from booking tickets during this initial priority window.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
  • IRCTC has deployed an advanced AI-based system to detect and block suspicious user accounts.
  • This system has already led to the deactivation of approximately 3.5 crore fake user IDs over the last year, drastically reducing system overload.
• Enhanced Website Performance:
  • Railways has partnered with a top Content Delivery Network (CDN) to improve the speed and resilience of the IRCTC website, ensuring a smoother experience for users during peak hours.
  • Specialised anti-bot systems have also been put in place to filter out automated login attempts.

Government Announces Census 2027 with Caste Enumeration; to be Held in Two Phases

The Government of India has announced its plan to conduct the next decennial Population Census in 2027, and notably, it will include caste enumeration. The census, which was originally scheduled for 2021 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be the first-ever digital Census in India's history and the first since 1931 to collect detailed caste data from all citizens.

Census 2027: A Two-Phase Digital Exercise

The Census will be conducted in two distinct phases:

• Phase I: Houselisting and Housing Census:
  • Objective: This phase involves the listing of all buildings and houses across the country. Enumerators will collect data on housing conditions, amenities available (like drinking water, electricity, sanitation), and assets possessed by the households.
  • Significance: This data is crucial for government planning related to housing, infrastructure, and basic services.
• Phase II: Population Enumeration:
  • Objective: This is the main headcount where every individual is enumerated. Data on various socio-economic and demographic parameters like age, sex, marital status, religion, occupation, education, and migration will be collected.
  • Key Feature for 2027: For the first time since independence, this phase will also include the enumeration of caste details for all citizens, beyond the standard count of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The Landmark Inclusion of Caste Enumeration:

The decision to include a caste count in the census is a monumental step with profound implications:

• Historical Context: While every census post-independence has collected data on SCs and STs, a comprehensive caste count of the entire population has not been done since the British-era census of 1931.
• Rationale: The move comes after long-standing demands from various political parties, social groups, and state governments. The primary argument is that up-to-date caste data is essential for:
  • The effective targeting and implementation of welfare schemes.
  • Making evidence-based policies for affirmative action (reservation).
  • Understanding the contemporary socio-economic status of different caste groups.
• Distinction from SECC 2011: This exercise is different from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011. While SECC 2011 collected caste data, it was done by the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. The raw caste data from SECC was never officially released by the central government due to concerns about data quality and inconsistencies. The 2027 Census data, being collected by the official Census machinery, is expected to be more robust.

Methodology: India's First Digital Census

The 2027 Census will mark a complete shift from traditional paper-based methods to a digital-first approach:

• Mobile App for Enumerators: Enumerators will use a dedicated mobile application to capture and submit data in real-time.
• Self-Enumeration Portal: A portal will be made available for the public, allowing citizens to fill in their census details online from the convenience of their homes. This is a significant step towards public participation.
• Benefits: This digital approach is expected to lead to faster data collection, quicker processing and dissemination of results, improved accuracy, and a more cost-effective exercise.

Significance for Governance and Policy:

• Evidence-Based Policy: The census data is the backbone of administration and planning, providing detailed information down to the village level.
• Resource Allocation: The Finance Commission uses census data to determine the allocation of funds to states.
• Delimitation Exercise: The data is vital for the delimitation of parliamentary, assembly, and local body constituencies.
• Socio-Political Impact: The collection and release of caste data are expected to have a significant impact on India's social and political landscape, potentially influencing reservation policies and political discourse.

India Elected to UN ECOSOC, Vows to Champion Global Development

In a significant diplomatic achievement, India has been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the principal organs of the UN, for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2026. India was elected from the Asia-Pacific States category, receiving overwhelming support from member nations in the UN General Assembly. This election reinforces India's growing stature on the global stage and provides a crucial platform to shape international policies on sustainable development.

India's Role and Stated Priorities:

Following the election, India reaffirmed its commitment to championing development issues, with a special focus on the Global South. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized that India will continue to work towards strengthening ECOSOC and advancing a human-centric global development agenda. India's priorities during its 2026-2028 term are expected to include:

• Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Pushing for concrete action and international cooperation to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Climate Action and Finance: Advocating for equitable and just climate action, along with accessible and affordable financing for developing countries.
• Digital Transformation: Promoting inclusive digital transformation that bridges the digital divide and empowers communities.
• Voice of the Global South: Articulating the perspectives and concerns of developing nations and working towards a more equitable international economic and social order.

Significance of India's Election:

• Shaping Global Policy: ECOSOC is the central UN platform for policy debate, dialogue, and recommendations on economic, social, and environmental issues. India's presence will allow it to directly influence these crucial discussions.
• Leadership Role: The election underscores the international community's trust in India's leadership, particularly as a consensus-builder and a leading voice for the developing world.
• Strengthening Multilateralism: In a world facing fragmented challenges, India's role in a key multilateral body like ECOSOC is vital for fostering cooperation and finding collective solutions.
• Monitoring SDG Progress: As the main body for the follow-up and review of the SDGs, India will play a key role in assessing global progress and identifying areas needing urgent attention.

The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):

• Principal Organ: ECOSOC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, established by the UN Charter in 1945. It is at the heart of the UN's work on sustainable development.
• Composition: It has 54 member states, elected by the UN General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms.
• Geographical Representation: Seats are allotted based on equitable geographical distribution:
  • African States: 14 seats
  • Asia-Pacific States: 11 seats
  • Eastern European States: 6 seats
  • Latin American and Caribbean States: 10 seats
  • Western European and other States: 13 seats
• Mandate and Functions:
  • Serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues.
  • Promotes higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social progress.
  • Coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies (like WHO, ILO), ten functional commissions (e.g., Commission on the Status of Women), and five regional commissions.
  • Issues policy recommendations to the UN system and member states.
  • Plays a lead role in the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits.

Indian Scientists Find Molecular Clue to 'Darwin's Abominable Mystery'

Scientists from Hyderabad's Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have made a groundbreaking discovery that offers a molecular explanation for what the naturalist Charles Darwin famously called an "abominable mystery" — the sudden appearance and rapid diversification of flowering plants in the fossil record. The research, published in a leading scientific journal, identifies a key genetic mechanism that likely gave flowering plants a significant evolutionary advantage.

What is Darwin's "Abominable Mystery"?

• In the 19th century, Charles Darwin was perplexed by the fossil record of his time. While his theory of evolution suggested gradual change over long periods, flowering plants (angiosperms) seemed to appear suddenly and diversify explosively around 130 million years ago, without clear ancestral links to earlier plants like ferns and conifers.
• This rapid rise to ecological dominance, seemingly out of nowhere, was a puzzle that Darwin couldn't solve with the evidence available to him, leading him to call it an "abominable mystery."

The CCMB Discovery: The 'SHUKR' Gene

The CCMB team, while studying the common model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, identified a previously unknown gene which they named 'SHUKR' (a Sanskrit word for 'pollen'). This gene provides a powerful clue to solving Darwin's mystery.

• A Master Controller: The SHUKR gene acts as a master controller that is crucial for the development of healthy, viable pollen (the male part of the plant's reproductive system).
• A Paradigm Shift: Previously, it was believed that the development of gametes (like pollen) was controlled independently within the gamete cells themselves. The CCMB study found that SHUKR is expressed in the main plant body (the sporophyte) but controls the development of the pollen (the gametophyte). This shows that the main plant body took control of reproduction, a significant evolutionary shift.
• Rapid Adaptation: The SHUKR gene, along with the F-box genes it regulates, evolves very rapidly. This rapid evolution likely gave flowering plants the molecular tools to adapt their pollen production to changing and harsh environmental conditions like heat, cold, or drought. This adaptability would have been a massive advantage, allowing them to spread and diversify quickly across the globe.
• Origin and Dominance: The study suggests this gene first appeared around 125 million years ago in a group called eudicots, which today constitute about 75% of all flowering plant species. This timeline aligns perfectly with the "abominable mystery" period.

Additional Information

• Angiosperms (Flowering Plants):
  • They are the most diverse group of land plants. Their key innovation is the flower, which houses the reproductive organs.
  • They are characterized by double fertilization, a unique process that leads to the formation of both the embryo (the new plant) and the endosperm (a nutritive tissue that feeds the embryo), which is stored in the seed. This nutritive tissue is the basis for most of the world's staple foods (cereals, pulses, etc.).
• Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB):
  • A premier life science research institute located in Hyderabad, Telangana.
  • It is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
  • CCMB conducts high-quality basic research in frontier areas of modern biology, including genetics, genomics, and disease biology.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):
  • India's largest research and development (R&D) organization.
  • An autonomous body, established in 1942, operating under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio President of CSIR.
  • It has a pan-India presence with a dynamic network of national laboratories.