India Submits 7th National Biodiversity Report to CBD

What's the News?

• India has submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), assessing progress toward 2030 global biodiversity targets .
• This marks India's first full assessment of progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) .
• The report highlights achievements in forest cover expansion and species recovery, while flagging challenges in land degradation and meeting ambitious 2030 targets .
• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) led the preparation through a national validation workshop process .

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Overview

• The KM-GBF is a landmark international agreement adopted to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 .
• It sets 4 long-term goals for 2050 and 23 action-oriented targets for 2030 .

Targets

Significance for India

• India has aligned 23 national targets with the KM-GBF framework .
• The framework guides India's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) .
• Progress reporting enables global accountability and policy course-correction .

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Background

• CBD is an international treaty adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro .
• India is a party to CBD and ratified the convention in 1994.
• Under Article 26 of CBD, parties must submit national reports to the Conference of Parties (COP) .
• 7th National Reports were due by February 2026; 8th Reports due by June 2029 .

India's Reporting History

Institutional Framework

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

• Statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 .
• Functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• Responsible for facilitating CBD reporting and implementing biodiversity policies .

Related Legislation & Policies

• Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended 2023) – Regulates access to biological resources .
• National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) – India's roadmap for biodiversity conservation .
• Forest Conservation Act, 1980 – Protects forest cover and biodiversity habitats.
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Safeguards endangered species.

Sources

• Down To Earth

NITI Aayog-UNICEF Partnership to Strengthen Nutrition in Aspirational Districts

What's the News?

• NITI Aayog and UNICEF India have signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to strengthen nutrition and health outcomes in Aspirational Districts and Blocks .
• The partnership will be implemented through the IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N) platform to institutionalise and expand nutrition efforts .
• Key focus areas include maternal and child nutrition, Anganwadi infrastructure strengthening, and nutrition literacy enhancement .
• The collaboration aims to mobilise corporate support through CSR and improve uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) .

Statement of Intent (SoI)

Overview

• The SoI formalises the partnership between NITI Aayog and UNICEF India for targeted nutrition interventions .
• It focuses on underdeveloped regions identified under the Aspirational Districts Programme .
• The agreement emphasises convergence of schemes and multi-stakeholder collaboration .

Objectives

IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N) Platform

Overview

• IMPAct4Nutrition is a collaborative platform connecting businesses, government, and civil society for nutrition action .
• It enables corporate sector participation in addressing malnutrition through CSR initiatives .
• The platform facilitates resource mobilisation and technical expertise sharing .

Functions

• Mobilising corporate support for nutrition programmes in aspirational areas .
• Strengthening implementation systems for health and nutrition interventions .
• Creating convergence between public schemes and private sector resources .

Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)

Background

• Launched in January 2018 by the Government of India .
• Implemented by NITI Aayog with support from various stakeholders .
• Currently covers 112 underdeveloped districts across India .

Five Core Themes

Features

• Competitive federalism: Districts ranked based on progress indicators .
• Convergence: Integration of multiple government schemes for maximum impact .
• Monitoring: Real-time data tracking through dedicated dashboard .

Related Government Initiatives

Nutrition-Focused Schemes

• Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission): Targets reduction in stunting, undernutrition, and anaemia .
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Provides nutrition, health, and pre-school education .
• Anganwadi Services: Frontline delivery mechanism for nutrition and early childhood care .
• Anaemia Mukt Bharat: Aims to reduce anaemia prevalence across age groups .

Institutional Framework

• NITI Aayog: Premier policy think tank of Government of India .
• Ministry of Women and Child Development: Nodal ministry for nutrition programmes .
• National Health Mission: Supports health system strengthening in aspirational areas .

Additional Info

Constitutional & Legal Provisions

• Article 47 (Directive Principles): State shall raise nutrition levels and improve public health.
• Article 21 (Fundamental Right): Right to life includes right to food and nutrition.
• National Food Security Act, 2013: Legal entitlement to subsidised food grains.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – End malnutrition by 2030 .
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Reduce maternal and child mortality .
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Focus on underdeveloped regions .

Sources

• Free Press Journal
• ET Health World
• NDTV
• News on AIR

President Murmu Appoints New Governors and L-Gs in Major Reshuffle

What’s the News?

• President Droupadi Murmu has approved the appointment and reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors (L-Gs) across nine states and Union Territories.
• The reshuffle involves the transfer of existing Governors and the appointment of new faces, including former diplomats and military veterans.
• Key changes were triggered by the resignation of the West Bengal Governor and the upcoming administrative requirements in several poll-bound regions.

New Appointments and Transfers

• Delhi and Ladakh:
  • Taranjit Singh Sandhu (Former Diplomat): Appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
  • Vinai Kumar Saxena: Transferred from Delhi to serve as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
• West Bengal and Tamil Nadu:
  • R.N. Ravi: Transferred from Tamil Nadu to become the Governor of West Bengal.
  • Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar: Governor of Kerala, assigned additional charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
• Other State Governors:
  • Bihar: Lt. General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain.
  • Maharashtra: Jishnu Dev Varma (transferred from Telangana).
  • Telangana: Shiv Pratap Shukla (transferred from Himachal Pradesh).
  • Himachal Pradesh: Kavinder Gupta (former LG of Ladakh).
  • Nagaland: Nand Kishore Yadav (former Bihar Assembly Speaker).

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 153: Provides for a Governor for each state.
• Article 155: Governor appointed by President by warrant under hand and seal .
• Article 156: Governor holds office during pleasure of President.
• 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956: Allows same person as Governor for two or more states

Eligibility Criteria

• Citizen of India
• Minimum 35 years of age .
• No office of profit under Government of India or State Government.

Role and Powers of Governor

Executive Powers

• Head of State Executive: All executive actions taken in Governor's name.
• Appointment Powers: Appoints Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, Advocate General.
• Administrative Control: Oversees state administration through Council of Ministers.

Legislative Powers

• Summoning Legislature: Can summon, prorogue, or dissolve State Legislative Assembly.
• Bill Assent: Gives assent to bills passed by State Legislature.
• Ordinance Making: Can promulgate ordinances when legislature not in session.

Discretionary Powers

• Reservation of Bills: Can reserve bills for President's consideration.
• Report to President: Can send report for President's Rule under Article 356.
• Information Seeking: Can seek information from Chief Minister on state affairs.

Sources

• News on AIR
• Hindustan Times
• ETV Bharat

Raisina Dialogue 2026: Global Leaders Gather in New Delhi

What's the News?

• 11th Raisina Dialogue commenced in New Delhi with participation from global leaders, policymakers, and strategic thinkers .
• Finland President Alexander Stubb attended as Chief Guest on official visit to India from March 4-7, 2026 .
• The 2026 theme is "Saṁskāra: Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement", focusing on civilisational identity and global progress .
• Key discussion areas include AI governance, global security, trade alliances, and semiconductor supply chains .
• Around 2,700 participants from 110 countries are joining the three-day conference .

Raisina Dialogue 2026: Theme & Pillars

Theme Overview

Six Thematic Pillars (2026)

• Contested Frontiers: Power dynamics, polarity, and periphery issues .
• Repairing the Commons: New groups, guardians, and avenues for global cooperation .
• Global Security: Strategic competition, maritime security, and defense collaborations .
• Technology & AI: Digital governance, semiconductor supply chains, and ethical AI practices .
• Trade & Alliances: Economic partnerships and supply chain resilience .
• Civilisational Identity: Cultural assertion and accommodation in global order .

Focus Areas

Artificial Intelligence & Security

• Global AI Frameworks: Discussions on responsible AI development and deployment .
• Ethical AI Practices: Establishing international standards for AI governance .
• Security Considerations: Ensuring AI systems are built with security in mind .
• Semiconductor Supply Chains: Addressing vulnerabilities in critical technology infrastructure .

Global Security & Geopolitics

• Strategic Competition: Navigating power dynamics among major nations .
• Maritime Security: Indian Ocean Region stability and partnerships .
• Defense Collaborations: Strengthening bilateral and multilateral security ties .
• Polarity Issues: Managing multipolar world order challenges .

Trade & Economic Alliances

• Supply Chain Resilience: Building robust economic partnerships .
• Trade Agreements: Exploring new bilateral and regional trade frameworks .
• Economic Cooperation: Finland-India business opportunities discussed .

About Raisina Dialogue

Background

• Launched: 2016 as India's premier foreign policy conference .
• Organizers: Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) .
• Frequency: Annual conference held in New Delhi .
• Significance: India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics .

Evolution Over Years

Strategic Significance

• Global Public Square: Platform for international policy discourse from India .
• India's Leadership: Showcases India's confidence in evolving world order .
• Indian Ocean Region: Emphasizes India's critical position in regional stability .
• Multi-stakeholder Engagement: Brings together governments, businesses, and think tanks .

India-Finland Relations

Presidential Visit Details

• President Alexander Stubb: Official visit March 4-7, 2026 .
• Invitation: Extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
• Key Discussions: Bilateral cooperation on technology, trade, and security .

Cooperation Areas

• Technology & Innovation: Semiconductor and AI collaboration opportunities .
• Trade & Investment: Enhancing bilateral economic ties .
• Climate Action: Shared commitment to sustainable development .
• Defense: Potential security and defense partnerships .

Sources

• PIB
• CNBC TV18
• Business Standard

US Supreme Court Strikes Down 2025 Universal Tariffs

What’s the News?

• The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has declared the 10–20% universal baseline tariffs imposed by the US administration in 2025 as unconstitutional.
• The ruling asserts that the executive branch overstepped its authority by bypassing Congress, which holds the primary power to regulate international commerce and levy taxes.
• This decision is seen as a significant judicial assertion of the Rule of Law, curbing the use of "national security" justifications for broad economic protectionism.

Why Were the Tariffs Ruled Illegal?

• Separation of Powers: The Court ruled that under Article I of the US Constitution, the power to impose duties and regulate foreign trade belongs to Congress, not the President.
• Executive Overreach: The administration had invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, claiming national security interests. The Court found the "national security" link too tenuous for a universal, across-the-board tariff.
• Administrative Procedure: The ruling highlighted that the administration failed to follow the mandatory consultative processes and economic impact assessments required for such significant policy shifts.

Impact on India and Global Trade?

• Trade Relief for India: The ruling provides immediate relief to Indian exporters, particularly in sectors like Steel, Aluminum, Information Technology (IT), and Pharmaceuticals, which were facing high entry barriers.
• Bilateral Trade Surplus: India, which maintains a trade surplus with the US (over $30 billion annually), was a primary target of these tariffs. The removal of these duties is expected to stabilize Indian export growth.
• Global Market Sentiment: The decision is expected to reduce volatility in global supply chains and prevent a retaliatory "trade war" cycle that threatened to disrupt the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework.

Additional Info

• Legal and Trade Frameworks:
  • Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act (1962):
    • Allows the US President to impose tariffs if an import is deemed a threat to national security.
    • Historically used for specific commodities (e.g., uranium, steel); the 2025 attempt was the first to apply it universally.
  • Article I, Section 8 (US Constitution):
    • Grants Congress the power to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises" and to "regulate Commerce with foreign Nations."
• Indo-US Trade Metrics:
  • The US is India's largest trading partner.
  • Key Indian exports to the US include engineering goods, gems and jewelry, and organic chemicals.