🔆 Code on Wages, 2019 – Key Points


📍 Overview
✅ Merges 4 laws: Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Wages Act, Payment of Bonus Act, Equal Remuneration Act.
✅ Aims: Universal wage coverage, simplification, equity, formalisation.

📍 Core Provisions
✅ Universal Minimum Wages for all employees.
✅ Floor Wage by Centre → States cannot go below it.
✅ Standardised definition of “Wages” (Basic+DA+Retaining allowance).
✅ Simplified compliance → Rules 163→58, Forms 20→6, Registers 24→2.
✅ Working hours: Max 48 hrs/week, 12 hrs/day, OT = 2× wage.
✅ Timely wage payment; mandatory wage slips.
✅ Gender equality → No discrimination + 1/3 women in Advisory Boards.
✅ Inspector-cum-Facilitator → Tech-based, non-adversarial inspections.
✅ Decriminalisation → Monetary penalties for first offences.

📍 Impact
✅ Stronger wage protection
✅ Less exploitation & better equity
✅ Ease of doing business
✅ Boost to women’s participation
✅ Support to formalisation

📍 Mains Question
“Evaluate the significance of the Code on Wages, 2019 in improving labour welfare while promoting ease of doing business in India.”

#LabourReforms

🔆 India’s Stand on Just Transition at CoP30

📍 Core Message
India demanded a global equity–centred, people-centric Just Transition, respecting national circumstances and avoiding one-size-fits-all models.

📍 Key Points from India’s Statement
✅ Just Transition = economy-wide, inclusive, people-centred transformation, not limited to the energy sector.
✅ Must ensure: Resilience, livelihood protection, employment, poverty eradication, food security, social protection.
✅ Every country must retain the ability to chart its own development pathway based on priorities & capacities.
✅ Strong emphasis on nationally determined, demand-driven approaches — not prescriptive frameworks.

📍 Concerns Raised by India
⚠️ Emerging unilateral trade-restrictive climate measures undermine:
• Equity
• Justice
• Fair global transition
➡️ Called them major dis-enablers for developing countries.

📍 India’s Demands
• Creation of a Just Transition Mechanism for Developing Countries (under UAE Work Programme).
• Adequate finance, technology, capacity building — aligned with national conditions.
• Strengthened multilateralism + accessible mechanisms for support.
• Implementation must reflect CBDR–RC (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities).

📍 Bottom Line
India stressed that developing countries need policy space to bridge development gaps and ensure the well-being of people based on their developmental stage.

🔹 UPSC Mains Question:
“Why is India insisting on a people-centric and equity-based Just Transition model in global climate negotiations? Analyse in the context of CoP30 deliberations.”

#GS3 #prelims #environment

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🔆 J&K Launches First-Ever Limestone Block Auction
📍 New Industrial Push under MMDR Act

📍 Key Highlights
✅ Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy launched J&K’s first-ever auction of limestone mineral blocks.
✅ Marks a major step in adopting a transparent, digital, auction-based system for mineral allocation under MMDR Act, 2015.
✅ Seven limestone blocks across Anantnag, Rajouri & Poonch, covering ~314 hectares, opened for auction.
✅ Classified under UNFC G3 & G4 stages—high industrial potential.
✅ Expected to boost cement & construction sectors and drive new economic growth in the Union Territory.

📍 Why It Matters
✅ Positions J&K among progressive States/UTs adopting modern mining reforms.
✅ Supports industrial investment, job creation & mineral-based development.
✅ Reinforces Centre’s aim to make mineral wealth a new growth engine for J&K.

🔹 Mains Question:
“Discuss how transparent mineral auctions under the MMDR Act can contribute to economic development and industrial growth in resource-rich regions like Jammu & Kashmir.”

#Minerals #Economy

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🔆 India’s Stand at UNFCCC CoP30 (Belém, Brazil)

📍 Key Points
✅ India praised CoP Presidency for highlighting Climate Finance, urging fulfilment of 1992 Rio promises.
✅ Stressed that Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) must reflect equity and developing nations’ needs.
✅ Welcomed creation of Just Transition Mechanism for fair & inclusive climate action.
✅ Strongly opposed Unilateral Trade-Restrictive Climate Measures harming developing countries, violating CBDR-RC.
✅ Asserted that climate mitigation burden cannot be shifted to countries with least responsibility.
✅ Reaffirmed commitment to science-based, equitable, sovereignty-respecting climate action.

📍 Core Message
India called for a rules-based, just, inclusive, and equitable global climate order prioritising the Global South.

🔹 Mains Question
“Discuss how India’s stance at CoP30 reflects the principles of equity and CBDR-RC. Why is this significant for developing countries?”

#EnvironmentAndEcology
#GS3 #prelims #environment

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🔆 International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women (India’s Framework)
📅 25 November | Theme 2025: UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women & Girls

📍 Overview
✅ India has built a strong legal + institutional ecosystem to address violence against women, including digital abuse.
✅ Focus on prevention, protection, support services, fast-track justice, and digital safety. 

📍 Key Legal & Policy Measures
✅ Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – tougher penalties for sexual offences; mandatory audio-video victim statements.
✅ PWDVA 2005 – covers physical, sexual, emotional, verbal & economic abuse.
✅ POSH Act 2013 – Internal & Local Committees; centralised SHe-Box portal for complaints.
✅ Mission Shakti – umbrella scheme for women’s safety (Sambal) + empowerment (Samarthya). 

📍 Support Systems for Women
✅ One Stop Centres (OSCs) – Police, medical, legal aid, counselling, shelter under one roof.
✅ Women Helpline 181 – 24×7 national emergency support.
✅ Domestic Violence Helpline 7827170170 – IVR-based support linking police, hospitals, counsellors.
✅ Swadhar Greh – shelter, food, counselling & rehabilitation for women in distress.
✅ Stree Manoraksha – NIMHANS-led training for OSC staff. 

📍 Tech-Enabled Safety Tools
✅ Digital Shakti Campaign – digital safety & cyber-awareness for women.
✅ ERSS-112 – integrated emergency response.
✅ Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) – real-time monitoring of rape case investigations.
✅ National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) – tracking repeat offenders.
✅ Cri-MAC – crime information sharing for rapid response. 

📍 Institutional Mechanisms
✅ Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): 773 courts, 3.34 lakh+ cases disposed of.
✅ Women Help Desks: 14,658 operational across police stations.
✅ SHe-Box: real-time tracking of workplace harassment cases. 

📍 Conclusion
India’s approach integrates laws + technology + survivor-centric services to combat both offline and digital violence, ensuring women can live with dignity, safety, equality and freedom. 

#GS1
#society


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🔆 BIMSTEC Expert Group Meet on Maritime Security Concludes in New Delhi

📌 Key Points
✅ 4th BIMSTEC Expert Group Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation held on 24–25 Nov, New Delhi
✅ Chaired by Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (Retd.)
✅ Participation from all BIMSTEC member nations, law-enforcement & policy agencies
✅ Discussions covered 5 focus areas of maritime security, incl. HADR, info-sharing, capacity building
✅ Adoption of Guidelines on Maritime Security for Bay of Bengal region
✅ Agreement on improving law-enforcement linkages, joint exercises & collective response mechanisms
➡️ Marks a key step in strengthening regional maritime cooperation

📝 UPSC Mains Question
“Evaluate the role of BIMSTEC in strengthening maritime security cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region.”

#GS2 #InternationalRelations

🔆 ₹1,500 cr Incentive Scheme Boosts India’s Critical Mineral Recycling

📌 What’s happening?
India reviewed progress of the ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme to build 3 lakh-ton annual recycling capacity for critical minerals.

📌 Key Points
✅ Scheme aims to extract critical minerals from e-waste, spent Li-ion batteries, scrap
✅ Managed by JNARDDC, Nagpur as Project Management Agency
✅ Strong response — large number of beneficiaries registered
✅ Application window: 02 Oct 2025 – 01 Apr 2026
✅ Workshops held with start-ups, recyclers & tech providers
✅ Guidance given on portal registration, eligibility, documentation & incentives

📌 Why it matters?
➡️ Strengthens India’s critical mineral ecosystem
➡️ Supports the National Critical Mineral Mission
➡️ Reduces import dependence & promotes circular economy

📝 UPSC Mains Question
“Discuss the significance of India’s Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme in advancing the National Critical Mineral Mission and reducing strategic vulnerabilities.”

#GS3 #Economy

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🔆 Cabinet Approves ₹7,280 Cr Scheme for Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM)

📍 Key Highlights
✅ ₹7,280 crore scheme approved to boost domestic REPM manufacturing
✅ Target: 6,000 MTPA production capacity
✅ Duration: 7 years (including 2-year setup + 5-year incentives)

📍 Why It Matters
✅ REPMs are crucial for:
• Electric Vehicles
• Renewable Energy
• Defence
• Electronics
• Aerospace

📍 Current Situation
✅ India currently imports most REPMs
✅ Demand expected to double by 2030

📍 Incentive Structure
• ₹6,450 crore: Sales-linked incentives (5 years)
• ₹750 crore: Capital subsidy for setting up facilities

📍 Implementation Plan
• Capacity will be allocated to maximum 5 beneficiaries
• Each beneficiary: up to 1,200 MTPA

📍 Strategic Importance
✅ Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat
✅ Strengthens supply chain for strategic sectors
✅ Helps meet Net Zero 2070 goals

📝 Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of India’s REPM Scheme in strengthening strategic manufacturing and reducing import dependency.

#goverment_schemes

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🔆 AI Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment

📍 Key Update
✅ India develops the first AI framework (OncoMark) to decode cancer’s molecular behavior, not just tumor size or stage.

📍 Developed By
✅ S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (DST) + Ashoka University

📍 How It Works
✅ Analyzed 3.1 million cells (14 cancer types)
✅ Creates synthetic biopsy models to study hallmarks like:
• Metastasis
• Immune evasion
• Therapy resistance

📍 Accuracy
✅ 99% internal accuracy
✅ 96% real-world validation

📍 Significance
✅ Enables personalized therapy
✅ Helps identify aggressive cancers early
✅ Supports better drug and treatment matching

📝 Mains Question:
How can AI strengthen precision cancer treatment? Discuss with reference to India’s OncoMark initiative

#prelims #GS3
#science_and_technology
#science_technology

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🔆 India’s First Scientific Model for Recycling National Flags & Defence Fibres

📍 Key Update
✅ National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) has launched India’s first scientific model for dignified recycling of National Flags and defence-grade fibres.
✅ The initiative will be showcased in Panipat, Haryana on 28 November 2025.

📍 Major Initiatives
1️⃣ National Flag Recycling Initiative
➡️ Ensures respectful recycling of retired Tricolour flags without compromising dignity or structural integrity.
➡️ Aligns with initiatives like Har Ghar Tiranga.

2️⃣ Aramid Fibre Recycling Programme
➡️ Focused on recycling high-performance fibres used in:
• Defence gear
• Aerospace
• Protective textiles

📍 Institutional Framework
✅ Implementation supported by:
• Ministry of Textiles
• Atal Centre of Textile Recycling & Sustainability (IIT Delhi, Panipat Campus)
• Industry partners
• PHDCCI (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi Chamber of Commerce & Industry)

📍 Significance
✅ First structured process in India for ethical and sustainable recycling of national symbolic material.
✅ Demonstrates how sustainability + national honour can coexist.
✅ Industry already adopting the technology → indicates strong commercial scalability.

📝 UPSC Mains Question:
“Sustainable innovation in India’s textile sector must balance environmental responsibility with cultural sensitivity. Discuss the relevance of initiatives like the National Flag Recycling Model in this context.”

#GS3 #prelims #environment

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🔆 Board of Trade Meet – Boosting India’s Export Growth

📍 Key Highlights
✅ Govt pushing Centre–State partnership to expand exports & jobs
✅ Export Promotion Mission to support landlocked States
✅ Focus on high-quality standards to strengthen India’s export brand
✅ States urged to share best practices (Ease of Doing Business, Single Window)
✅ Aim: Healthy competition + efficient governance

📍 Digital & Policy Updates
✅ Trade Connect e-platform scaled up – 62+ lakh visits, 18 lakh users
✅ Jan Sunwai resolved 96% grievances
✅ RoDTEP extended till March 2026 for predictability
✅ Recent FTAs: India–EFTA (2024), India–UK (2025)

📍 Takeaway
India aims to build a coordinated, competitive, high-quality export ecosystem.

#IndianEconomy
#GS3 #Economy

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🔆Industrial Relations Code, 2020:
📍​Core Objective
To consolidate three existing labor laws (Industrial Disputes Act, Trade Unions Act, Standing Orders Act) into a single framework that balances ease of doing business for employers with social security for workers.
​Top 5 Key Reforms
✅​Fixed Term Employment (FTE): Allows hiring for specific durations; FTE workers get the same benefits (wages, hours, social security) as permanent staff.
✅​Stricter Strike Norms: Defines "mass casual leave" (over 50% of staff) as a strike. A 14-day notice is now mandatory for strikes in all establishments to prevent abrupt disruptions.
✅​Increased Thresholds: Establishments with up to 300 workers (previously 100) can now lay off or retrench staff without prior government permission, boosting flexibility.
✅​Worker Safety Net: Introduces a "Worker Re-Skilling Fund" where employers contribute 15 days' wages for retrenched workers.
✅​Dispute Resolution: Decriminalizes minor offenses (replacing jail with fines) and establishes two-member tribunals (Administrative & Judicial) for faster justice.
📍​Critical Keywords
✅​Negotiating Council: (If no single union has 51%, a council represents workers).
✅​Reskilling Fund: (Social security innovation).
✅​Mass Casual Leave: (New strike definition).
✅​Inspector-cum-Facilitator: (Shift from policing to assisting).

#GS2 #GS3 #Governance
#Economy