Marine and Space Biotechnology: Meaning and Significance for India

Marine and Space Biotechnology
What it means

• Marine biotechnology
  • Use of marine organisms (algae, microbes, seaweed)
  • Development of bio-compounds, enzymes, biomaterials, food and medicines

• Space biotechnology
  • Study of biological systems in microgravity and radiation
  • Supports human health, food production, and life-support in space

Why it matters for India

• Long coastline of about 11,000 km and large Exclusive Economic Zone
• Rich marine biodiversity but low share in global marine bio-outputs
• Reduces pressure on land, freshwater, and agriculture
• Supports long-duration space missions and human spaceflight

India’s current status

• Marine biomass (seaweed) production around 70,000 tonnes annually
• Imports seaweed-based products like agar, alginates, carrageenan
• Efforts underway under
• Blue Economy
• Deep Ocean Mission
• BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment)
• ISRO’s microgravity experiments on microbes, algae, life-support systems

India Cotton Imports Rise to Record High in Decembe

India Cotton imports

• Imports rose to 3.1 million bales in December
• Surge followed New Delhi allowing duty-free imports
• Higher imports by the world’s second-largest cotton producer
• Expected to support global cotton prices

India China Trade Deficit Reaches Record High in 2025

India China trade deficit
Trade deficit between India and China in 2025

• Trade deficit: $116.12 billion
• India’s exports to China increased by $5.5 billion compared to last year
• Despite export rise, deficit hit a record high
• Data released by Chinese customs

Shaksgam Valley: India China Pakistan Boundary Dispute Explained

Shaksgam Valley

• Area ceded by Pakistan to China
• Controlled by China
• Claimed by India

Background

• Part of the China–Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963
• Pakistan ceded Shaksgam Valley to China
• India rejected the agreement as illegal

Strategic significance

• Close to Siachen Glacier
• Near Aksai Chin
• Strengthens China–Pakistan strategic depth

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Boost to Primary Health Care

Context

Delhi government launched 81 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Total AAMs: 319.
Aim: Strengthen primary healthcare and reduce burden on secondary and tertiary hospitals.

Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) – Prelims Core

Earlier name

• Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)

Scheme

• Ayushman Bharat

Level

• Primary healthcare

Key services

• OPD
• Essential medicines
• Maternal and child health
• Immunisation
• NCD screening (BP, Diabetes)
• Preventive and promotive care

Objective

• Universal Health Coverage
• Lower out-of-pocket expenditure
• Hospital decongestion

Coverage

• Urban and Rural
• Neighbourhood-level access

Kuki-Zo Issue: Demand for Separate Union Territory in Manipur

Kuki-Zo Issue

Who

• Kuki-Zo Council (KZC)

Where

• Manipur

What

• Demand for Separate Union Territory

Why

• Ethnic violence since 3 May 2023

Charge

• State failure or alleged complicity

Impact

• Deaths
• Mass displacement
• Houses and worship places destroyed

Position

• No coexistence with Meiteis

Demand from

• Centre (constitutional intervention)

North-East India: Political Formation

• Assam → 1950: State
• Nagaland → 1963: State (carved out of Assam)
• Meghalaya → 1970: Autonomous State → 1972: State
• Manipur → 1956: UT → 1972: State
• Tripura → 1956: UT → 1972: State
• Arunachal Pradesh → 1972: UT → 1987: State
• Mizoram → 1972: UT → 1987: State
• Sikkim → 1975: State