Context: Tobacco and Poverty in India A study published in BMJ Global Health by researchers from ICMR-NICPR and TISS finds that around 10% of Indian households can move to a higher economic class by quitting tobacco, highlighting tobacco as a major economic burden. Core Idea Tobacco is not just a health issue but a poverty trap — money spent on tobacco reduces spending on essentials like food, education, and healthcare, especially among poorer households. Key Data Key Insights Policy Suggestion
Q20. GS 2 – UPSC Mains PYQ 2025
Tobacco and Poverty in India: 10% Households Can Rise Economically, Study Finds
E85 Fuel Rollout in India: Draft Rules to Boost Ethanol Use
Context: E85 Fuel The government plans to introduce E85 fuel through draft rules to reduce crude oil imports and strengthen energy security amid global supply uncertainties. Core Idea E85 is a high-ethanol blend (85% ethanol, 15% petrol) designed to cut emissions and oil dependence, but it requires flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) and dedicated fuel infrastructure. Difference from E20 E20 (20% ethanol) is already implemented, works in most petrol vehicles, and uses existing infrastructure. In contrast, E85 is a next-stage fuel that needs engine modification, separate pumps, and phased adoption, making it less immediately usable but more impactful in reducing petrol use. Key Developments
Alternative Investment Funds Rules Amended by SEBI to Boost Retail Participation
Context: Alternative Investment Funds Securities and Exchange Board of India has amended rules for Alternative Investment Funds by reducing the minimum investment in social impact funds from ₹2 lakh to ₹1,000 to increase retail participation in the Social Stock Exchange. What is Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) An AIF is a pooled investment vehicle regulated by SEBI that collects money from investors and invests in non-traditional assets such as startups, private equity, infrastructure, or social enterprises, unlike mutual funds. What are Social Impact Funds Social Impact Funds are a category of AIFs that invest in social enterprises and non-profit organisations (NPOs) with the objective of generating measurable social impact (education, health, poverty reduction) along with financial sustainability. Core Change Minimum investment in social impact AIFs reduced to ₹1,000, making them accessible to small/retail investors.
Strait of Hormuz Bypass: Gulf Countries Expand Energy Infrastructure
Context: Strait of Hormuz Amid rising West Asia tensions and the risk of disruption at the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf countries are accelerating efforts to reduce dependence on this critical energy route. Core Idea The Strait of Hormuz carries ~20% of global oil and LNG, making it a major chokepoint; any conflict involving Iran can disrupt global energy supply and spike prices. What is happening Key Insight Even politically divided Gulf states are cooperating economically to de-risk energy flows, showing that geopolitics is driving infrastructure strategy. Implications
Carbon Storage in India’s Forests May Double by 2100: Study
Context: Carbon Storage in India’s Forests A study published in Environmental Research: Climate finds that India’s forests may nearly double their carbon storage by 2100 due to rising CO₂ levels and increased rainfall, but raises concerns about ecosystem stress and instability. Core Reasons CO₂ fertilisation enhances plant growth; increased rainfall improves soil moisture; together they increase biomass and carbon storage. What is happening Carbon stock may rise significantly (~35%–97%), with higher gains in dry regions, while dense forests show limited growth due to saturation. Core Concern Increased carbon does not mean healthier forests; risk of stress, disturbances, and possible carbon release. Conclusion The rise in carbon storage is climate-driven and uncertain, not a reliable long-term environmental gain.
Women Workforce Participation India: Rising Trends but Low Leadership Representation
Context: Women Workforce Participation India Using data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) — Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), World Bank (2023), and Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), the article shows a clear trend: more women are entering the workforce, but very few are reaching positions of power. 1. Participation improving, but still low 2. Growth linkage (Why it matters) 3. Clear leadership deficit 4. Business & ownership gap 5. Academia (elite institutions) 6. Structural constraint 7. Policy bottleneck
CSR Spending India FY25: 23% Rise Driven by Higher Corporate Profits Explained
Context: CSR Spending India FY25 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending by listed companies increased by 23% in Financial Year 2024–25 (FY25) to ₹22,212 crore, mainly because companies earned higher profits. 1. What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 2. What happened in FY25 3. How companies behaved 4. Where money was spent
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Malaria: CRISPR Gene Drive Strategy for Disease Control
Context: Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Malaria Scientists have shown that genetically modified mosquitoes can block malaria parasites in real-world conditions using CRISPR-based gene drives, shifting strategy from killing mosquitoes → making them unable to transmit disease. 1. How this process works? 2. Key mosquitoes & diseases A. Anopheles (female) B. Aedes aegypti / Aedes albopictus C. Culex
