Over 160 Killed by Lightning in March-April 2025
Syllabus: GS1/ Geography
Context
- Around 162 people were killed by lightning strikes across 12 Indian states between March 2025 and mid-April 2025.
- Bihar recorded 99 deaths (61% of the national total), followed by Uttar Pradesh.
What is Lightning?
- Lightning is an electrical discharge between charged particles in a cloud and the ground.
- Although air normally acts as an electrical insulator, when the voltage reaches about 3 million volts per meter (V/m), the air’s insulating properties break down, allowing a powerful electric current to pass through.
- This results in a sudden release of energy, creating a bright flash and an associated sound wave (thunder).
Factors Responsible for Increased Incidents of Lightning in India
- Geographic and Climatic Conditions: Regions with high humidity, such as the eastern states and coastal areas, are more prone to thunderstorms and lightning.
- The topography, including the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, also influences the frequency of lightning.
- Monsoon Dynamics: The monsoon season, with its intense rainfall and convective activity, is a major driver of lightning in India.
- The convergence of moist air masses and the rising of warm, moist air during the monsoon season often lead to the formation of thunderstorms and lightning.
- Urbanization and Industrialization: Rapid urbanization and industrialization increase the number of artificial heat sources and aerosols in the atmosphere.
- These enhance convection and contribute to more frequent thunderstorms, thus increasing lightning incidents.
- Climate Change: Changes in global climate patterns are influencing local weather phenomena.
- Increased temperatures and changes in humidity levels alter storm dynamics, potentially leading to more frequent and intense lightning events.
- Agricultural Practices: The burning of agricultural residues and deforestation can contribute to the accumulation of particulates in the atmosphere.
- These particulates affect cloud formation and increase the likelihood of thunderstorms and lightning.
Government Initiatives
- CROPC (Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council) has developed India’s first Lightning Early Warning System, aimed at predicting lightning strikes and issuing alerts.
- The mobile app SACHET was launched to alert the public about imminent lightning hazards.
- In 2020, Damini Lightning apps were developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)-Pune.
Way Ahead
- Strengthening communication systems to ensure warnings reach vulnerable populations effectively.
- Training local authorities to act swiftly upon early warnings.
- Increasing public awareness about lightning safety measures, especially during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons.
- Improving ground-level implementation of NDMA protocols to minimize fatalities.
World Bank: India’s Extreme Poverty Drops to 2.3%
Syllabus :GS 3/Economy
Context
- According to the World Bank’s Poverty and Equity Briefs (PEBs), India’s extreme poverty dropped significantly from 16% in 2011–12 to 2.3% in 2022–23, marking major progress in poverty reduction.
About the Poverty and Equity Briefs (PEBs)
- They are biannual reports by the World Bank and provide a quick overview of poverty, inequality, and shared prosperity trends in over 100 developing countries.
- It is released during the Spring and Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF, they aim to keep poverty reduction central on the global agenda.
Measurement
- Poverty rates and total number of poor as measured by the national poverty line and for the international extreme poverty line ($2.15 in 2017 PPP terms), as well as the lower-middle-income ($3.65) and upper-middle-income ($6.85) poverty lines.
- Comparable poverty and inequality trends for apples-to-apples comparisons over time and across countries.
- Multidimensional poverty measure, including measures of poverty that also reflect non-monetary deprivations that poor people face in areas like education and access to basic services.
- Inequality as measured by the Gini Index.
Recent Findings for India
- India has made significant progress in reducing poverty, with extreme poverty — measured at $2.15 per day in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms — falling from 16 per cent in 2011–12 to 2.3 per cent in 2022–23
- The decline lifted 171 million people above the internationally comparable poverty line.
- Rural extreme poverty declined from 18.4% to 2.8%, and urban from 10.7% to 1.1%, narrowing the rural-urban gap significantly.
- Using the $3.65/day lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) poverty line, poverty dropped from 61.8% to 28.1%, with 378 million people moving above the threshold.
- The World Bank’s multidimensional poverty index (MPI), which includes extreme poverty but excludes nutrition and health deprivation, showed that non-monetary poverty declined from 53.8 per cent in 2005–06 to 16.4 per cent in 2019–21, and further to 15.5 per cent in 2022–23.
- India’s five most populous states — Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh — accounted for 54 per cent of the country’s extreme poor in 2022–23 and 51 per cent of its multidimensionally poor in 2019–21.
- These states had contributed 65 per cent of the extreme poor in 2011–12 and drove two-thirds of the overall decline by 2022–23.
- Despite improvements, wage inequality is high, the top 10% earn 13 times more than the bottom 10%.
- The Gini index based on consumption improved (28.8 to 25.5), but income inequality rose (Gini from 52 to 62).
- Youth unemployment stands at 13.3%, rising to 29% among graduates, with most jobs remaining informal, particularly in agriculture.
- Female employment remains low at 31% with a 234 million gap compared to men, though overall employment has been growing since 2021–22.
| Do you know ? – Gini index is a measure of income inequality within a population, ranging from 0 to 1, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents perfect inequality. |
Overseas Remittances by Indians under LRS were Down 29%
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- Overseas remittances by Indian residents under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fell by 29% to $1,964.21 million in February 2025 from $2,768.89 million in January.
The Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)
- LRS is part of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999 which lays down the guidelines for outward remittance from India.
- Under the Scheme, resident individuals, including minors, can freely remit up to $2,50,000 per financial year for permissible current or capital account transactions.
- These transactions include education, medical treatment abroad, purchase of property, and investments in foreign stocks.
- The Union Budget in February 2025 increased the threshold for collecting Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on LRS transactions from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
- This change was expected to benefit the travel and foreign exchange sectors, providing a boost to outbound tourism, education and the airline sectors.
Reasons for Decline:
- The number of Indian students heading to foreign universities has simultaneously declined across the top three destination countries — Canada, the United States and the UK.
- The data shows a sharp decline of at least 25% Indian students receiving study permits across these key destinations in 2024.
- A good number of people dropped or postponed their travel plans since the global economy and markets faced volatile movements during the period.
Remittances
- Remittances are a way to electronically send funds to people, often family, in another country.
- Usually sent by individuals working in foreign countries, especially those employed in blue-collar or skilled jobs.
- Impact: Remittances are a significant source of income for many countries, contributing to their economic stability, supporting local economies, and sometimes helping to finance national trade deficits.
- Modes of Transfer: Remittances can be sent through banks, money transfer operators, or digital platforms.
Two Types of Remittances
- There are two types of remittances based on the transaction purpose: Inward Remittance and Outward Remittance.
- Inward Remittance: The term inward remittance indicates transfer of funds from one account to another either domestically or internationally.
- Outward Remittance: The transfer of funds out of the country or overseas is termed as outward remittance.
India’s Remittances
- India’s remittances have more than doubled from $55.6 billion in 2010-11 to $118.7 billion in 2023-24.
- U.S. and U.K. Contribution: Remittances from the U.S. and U.K. nearly doubled to 40% of total inward remittances in FY24, up from 26% in FY17.
- U.S. as Leading Contributor: The U.S. became the top source of remittances in FY21, contributing 23.4%. This increased to nearly 28% in FY24.
- UAE’s Role: UAE is still the second-largest remittance source, contributing 19.2%, with Indian migrants in blue-collar jobs like construction, healthcare, hospitality, and tourism.
- Singapore’s Rising Share: Singapore’s share reached 6.6% in FY24, up from 5.5% in FY17, marking its highest share since then.
- State-wise Distribution: Half of the remittances went to Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Other states like Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab had smaller shares (below 5%).
- Size of Remittances: Remittances above ₹5 lakh accounted for 28.6% of total remittances, while 40.6% of the remittances were ₹16,500 or less.
Medical Tourism in India
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- Minister of State for Ayush said that India has now emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations for treatment and medical tourism.
About
- Medical tourism refers to the practice of traveling to another country or region for medical treatment, procedures, or health-related services.
- The medical tourism industry in India is valued at approximately $9 billion, the country attracts patients from across the globe for advanced treatments in cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, and organ transplants.
- Medical tourism in India increased by around 33% year-on-year in 2023 nearly 6.6 lakh.
- Popular destinations for medical tourism in India include cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, which are home to premier healthcare facilities.
Factors Responsible for the Growth of Medical Tourism in India
- Cost-Effective Treatment: India offers medical procedures at a fraction of the cost compared to countries like the US or Europe.
- High-Quality Healthcare: India has a well-established healthcare infrastructure with internationally accredited hospitals and skilled medical professionals.
- Availability of Advanced Medical Technology: Indian hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and cutting-edge treatments, particularly in fields like cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics.
- Shorter Wait Times: Medical tourists can access timely treatment, often avoiding long wait times common in some Western healthcare systems.
- Government Support and Policies: The Indian government has implemented policies that encourage medical tourism, including medical visa facilitation and promoting the sector internationally.
Significance for India
- Economic Growth: It boosts the economy by generating revenue from international patients, contributing to the healthcare sector and related industries (e.g., hospitality, transportation).
- Improved Healthcare Infrastructure: To cater to medical tourists, hospitals invest in state-of-the-art facilities, which also benefits local patients by improving overall healthcare quality.
- Promotion of India’s Global Image: It enhances India’s reputation as a global healthcare destination, attracting more foreign investment and partnerships in the medical field.
- Technological Advancements: The demand for advanced treatments and international standards of care drives innovation and the adoption of new medical technologies in Indian healthcare.
- Skill Development: It fosters the development of a highly skilled workforce, as healthcare professionals gain exposure to international standards and diverse patient needs.
- Diplomatic Ties: As patients from different nations seek treatment in India, they are exposed to rich cultural heritage and hospitality.
- This exchange of experiences can foster greater understanding and goodwill between nations, paving the way for strengthened diplomatic ties.
Challenges
- Strong competition from Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
- Most of the medical care is not covered by insurance and it makes medical value travel (MVT) less attractive.
- The MVT facilitators are not well organized and accredited. Many unprofessional agents exploit the medical value traveller.
- Lack of Regulations: There are no comprehensive regulations to govern the MVT sector, which leaves the sector unorganised and lacks monitoring of the quality of services.
- Promotion of MVT: Individual Hospitals are carrying out their publicity but there is no effective campaign to establish India as a brand for medical value travel.
- Accreditation: Although, India maintains a robust accreditation system through National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). However, there is not much awareness about NABH in foreign countries and international patients still attach much greater value to Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.
Way Ahead
- With a fast paced modern lifestyle, there is greater demand for wellness and alternate cures.
- India has invested heavily in AYUSH and is in a unique position to attract medical value travellers for a cure through AYUSH and also for enhancing wellness.
- There is a need for greater support from the Government towards regulation, facilitation and marketing of India as a Medical Value Travel destination.
Agricultural Land Contaminated by Toxic Heavy Metal Pollution
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
- A new study has revealed that soil pollution from toxic heavy metals and metalloids is significantly reducing crop yields and contaminating food supplies across the globe.
Key highlights
- The research found that between 14 percent and 17 percent of the world’s agricultural soils (About 242 million hectares) exceed safe thresholds for at least one hazardous metal.
- This contamination affects an estimated 900 million to 1.4 billion people living in high-risk regions.
- A heavily contaminated belt has been identified across low-latitude Eurasia, covering regions like southern Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and southern China.
- The widespread contaminants are Cadmium, Arsenic, Cobalt, Nickel and Chromium.
Causes of Heavy Metal Accumulation
- Anthropogenic Causes: Mining, smelting, industrial activities, and intensive agriculture (excessive fertilizer and pesticide use).
- Natural Causes: Metal-rich bedrock and low rainfall in some regions that facilitate pollutant accumulation.
Impact of metal contamination
- Food Chain Contamination: Crops grown in polluted soils absorb heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, lead, and mercury. These metals enter the human body through food consumption.
- Bioaccumulation: Long-term ingestion of low doses can lead to bioaccumulation, resulting in chronic diseases, including neurological and developmental disorders.
- Biodiversity Loss: Toxic metals harm beneficial organisms like earthworms, insects, and microbes, leading to reduced biodiversity both below and above the soil.
- Land Degradation: Continuous pollution makes soils barren, contributing to land degradation and desertification.
Concerns
- Data Gaps: Limited information from sub-Saharan Africa, northern Russia, and parts of central India may mean the issue is even more widespread.
- Food Trade Risks: Global food trade could transfer contamination to low-risk regions, threatening broader food security.
- Rising Demand for Metals: Increasing industrial demand is likely to worsen the contamination crisis without urgent mitigation measures.
Government Initiatives for Soil Conservation
- Soil Health Card Scheme: It provides farmers with soil nutrient status reports to encourage balanced fertilizer use and improve productivity.
- Promotion of Organic Farming: Initiatives like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) encourage organic farming practices to maintain soil health.
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): It focuses on enhancing soil health through integrated farming systems and agroforestry practices.
Global Initiatives
- Global Soil Partnership (GSP): It is an FAO-led initiative to improve global soil governance and promote sustainable soil management.
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): It works to prevent land degradation and promote sustainable land management globally.
- It has a pledge for land degradation neutrality (LDN) by 2030.
- 4 per 1000 Initiative: It aims to increase soil carbon stocks by 0.4% annually to combat climate change and enhance soil health.
Way Ahead
- Establish regional soil health observatories and expand the coverage of soil surveys.
- Phytoremediation: Use of hyperaccumulator plants and microbes to clean contaminated soils.
- Circular Economy: Recycling and management of e-waste, industrial waste to prevent soil contamination.
- Farmer Awareness Programs: Educate farmers on heavy metal risks, safe agricultural practices, and alternative cropping systems.
DRDO’s Breakthrough: India Advances Hypersonic Propulsion
Syllabus: GS3/Science & Technology; Defence
Context
- DRDL, a laboratory under DRDO, successfully conducted ground testing of an Active-Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor for over 1000 seconds.
- It marks a crucial step towards advancing Hypersonic Weapon Technology in India.
About Hypersonic Propulsion Technology
- It is a cutting-edge field focused on enabling vehicles to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
- It is primarily used in hypersonic cruise missiles and advanced aerospace systems.
Key Features of Hypersonic Propulsion Technology
- Air-Breathing Engines: Hypersonic vehicles use Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) Engine, which rely on atmospheric oxygen for combustion instead of carrying onboard oxidizers.
- It makes them more efficient for sustained high-speed flight.
Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) Engine
- A Scramjet is an air-breathing engine that operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds by allowing supersonic combustion of air.
- Key difference from a Ramjet:
- In a Ramjet, air slows down to subsonic speeds before combustion.
- In a Scramjet, air remains supersonic throughout the process, allowing higher speeds.
- Working principle: Uses the vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air without any rotating compressor.
- India became the fourth country after the USA, Russia, and China to demonstrate flight testing of a Scramjet engine.
Significance of the Scramjet Engine Test
- Validation of Long-Duration Supersonic Combustion: The test confirms the design and efficiency of the scramjet combustor, ensuring sustained high-speed flight capabilities.
- It follows an earlier 120-second test conducted in January, demonstrating incremental advancements.
- Strengthening India’s Hypersonic Missile Program: Scramjet engines enable air-breathing propulsion, reducing reliance on onboard oxygen and enhancing missile range.
- The successful test paves the way for full-scale flight testing of hypersonic cruise missiles.
