India – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Why in News?

Recently, India and New Zealand have just concluded negotiations for a forward-looking FTA, marking a historic milestone in bilateral economic relations.

What is India – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

• FTA – A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a pact between two or more countries to lower or eliminate barriers to trade, like tariffs (taxes) and quotas.
• It makes it easier and cheaper to exchange goods, services, investments, and intellectual property across borders, fostering economic ties and opposing protectionism.
• These agreements create a predictable, transparent environment, benefiting businesses by reducing costs and increasing market access globally, with specifics varying but generally covering customs, regulations, and IP.
• India-New Zealand FTA – The Agreement delivers unprecedented duty-free access for Indian exports to New Zealand while:
  • Safeguarding India’s sensitive sectors,
  • Strengthening economic resilience, and
  • Promoting inclusive growth aligned with India’s national priorities.
• Background – India and New Zealand announced negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) In March 2025.
• Following several rounds of negotiations, the India-New Zealand FTA was concluded in December 2025, becoming one of India’s fastest-concluded FTAs.
• This FTA enhances market access and tariff preferences for Indian exports to New Zealand, while serving as a gateway to the wider Oceania and Pacific Island markets.

What are the India – New Zealand bilateral trade ties?

• Merchandise Trade – Grew from USD 873 million in 2023–24 to USD 1.3 billion in 2024–25, registering a 49% growth.
• Merchandise Exports to New Zealand – Rose to USD 711 million in 2024–25, showing a positive trend of 32%.
• In 2024-25, the exports from India to New Zealand was higher than imports from New Zealand, maintaining positive trade balance with the country.
• Services Trade – India’s services exports to New Zealand grew by 13% in 2024, reaching USD 634 million. Major sectors include travel, IT, and business services.

What are the areas of cooperation and Gains to India from FTA?

• Enhanced Market Access for Indian Goods – New Zealand’s market access offer covers immediate elimination of duties (zero duty) on 100% of tariff lines of New Zealand (8,284 tariff lines), from Entry into Force.
• New Zealand maintained tariffs around 10% in around 450 lines of key Indian exports in products including textile/apparel products, leather and headgear, ceramics, carpets, ⁠automobiles and auto components.
• Additionally, the average applied tariff at 2.2% in 2025 will become zero from EIF.
• The offer extends gains to several products and sectors
  • Labour intensive sectors like textiles and clothing, leather and footwear;
  • Emerging and advanced engineering sectors like transport/auto, pharmaceuticals, plastic & rubber, electrical & electronic machinery, mechanical machinery, chemicals and;
  • Agri Products like fruits and vegetables, coffee, spices, cereals, processed foods
• Gains from import to support domestic industries – Wooden logs, coking coal, waste and scrap of ferrous, non-ferrous metals.
• Gains for Agriculture, Technology Cooperation, and Farmer Income Growth – New Zealand have agreed on focused Action Plans for kiwifruit, apples, and honey to improve productivity, quality, and sectoral capabilities of these fruits growers in India
  • The cooperation includes:
  • The establishment of Centres of Excellence,
  • Improved planting material,
  • Capacity building for growers,
  • Technical support for orchard management,
  • Post-harvest practices,
  • Supply chains and food safety.
• Projects for premium apple cultivators and sustainable beekeeping practices will enhance production and quality standards.
• This is paired with Market access for the selected agricultural products (Apples, Kiwifruit, and Manuka Honey) from New Zealand in India.
• This access will be managed through a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) system with Minimum Import Price and seasonal imports, ensuring consumer choice while protecting domestic farmers.
• All TRQs are linked to Agri-technology Action Plans and monitored by a Joint Agriculture Productivity Council, balancing market access with protection of sensitive domestic agricultural sectors.

What are the Enhanced Opportunities beyond Goods?

• Services – Commitment across 118 services sectors, with Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment in 139 sectors.
• Health & Traditional Medicine Annex – For the first time, New Zealand has signed an annex to facilitate trade in Ayurveda, yoga, and other traditional medicine services with India.
• This landmark provision promotes the global recognition of India’s AYUSH systems, supports medical value travel, encourages collaboration in wellness services, and reinforces India’s position as a global hub for health, wellness, and traditional medicine services.
• It gives centre stage to India’s AYUSH disciplines (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Sowa-Rigpa, Siddha, and Homeopathy) alongside Maori Health practices
• Student Mobility – New Zealand signed Annex on Student Mobility and Post Study Work Visa for the first time with any country.
• Indian students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying, even if there are policy changes in future, with extended post-study work visas.
• Professional Pathways – A quota of 5,000 visas for skilled Indians for stay upto 3 years in the sectors of interest to India.
• This include Indian iconic occupations (AYUSH practitioners, Yoga Instructors, Indian Chefs, and Music Teachers) and Other sectors of interest - IT, Engineering, Healthcare, Education, and Construction
• Working Holiday Visa – 1,000 young Indians annually can avail multiple entry in New Zealand for a period of 12 months.
• These provisions create unprecedented opportunities for Indian youth and professionals to gain global exposure.

• Cultural & Traditional Knowledge – Dedicated cooperation in Ayush and Indian traditional knowledge has been agreed.
• Engagement with New Zealand’s indigenous Maori communities to promote cultural exchange and mutual respect.
• This strengthens India’s soft power and global recognition of its heritage.
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices – Annexes for expedited regulatory pathways and recognition of inspections from trusted regulators (US, EU, UK, Canada).
• Intellectual Property Rights – Binding commitment by New Zealand to amend its laws within 18 months to provide EU-level protection for India’s Geographical Indications (GIs).
• Customs & Trade Facilitation – Advance rulings, electronic documentation, and faster clearance times (within 48 hours, 24 hours for perishables).
• Rules of Origin (ROO) – Robust framework to prevent circumvention and ensure integrity of preferential access.
• Sectoral Highlights – The India–New Zealand FTA secures duty free or preferential access across a wide range of sectors.
• These gains are expected to boost India’s exports, create jobs, and strengthen the competitiveness of Indian industries in the Oceania region.

What are India’s global trade networks?

• India’s FTA with other countries – It enhances competitiveness by reducing or eliminating tariffs and by improving market access for goods and services.
  • India -Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), 2025
  • India -UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), 2025
  • India-EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, 2024
  • India- United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), 2022
  • India- Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), 2022
  • India – Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership (CECPA), 2021

What lies ahead?

• The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement reflects a defining moment in India’s trade diplomacy, opening new avenues for comprehensive economic cooperation.
• By securing improved market access for Indian goods, expanding opportunities in services and mobility, and deepening collaboration in agriculture, investment and emerging sectors, the Agreement delivers tangible and wide-ranging benefits across the economy.
• From farmers and MSMEs to students and skilled professionals, the gains from this Agreement are expected to be broad-based, reinforcing India’s position as a trusted, forward-looking global partner and advancing the vision of a globally integrated Viksit Bharat 2047.

Reference

PIB| India – New Zealand FTA

Creating Suicide-Safe Campuses – Lessons from the IITs and the Road Ahead

Why in News?

Recently the instances of suicide in India’s leading IITs have raised the questions on the mental health of students.

What is the issue?

• Suicide of students – Entering the portals of India’s premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) is widely seen as the culmination of years of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
• However, this narrative of success is often disrupted by disturbing reports of student suicides on campuses that are otherwise symbols of academic excellence.
• Data – Between 2005 and 2024, at least 115 IIT students were reported to have died by suicide.
• These incidents point to a deeper structural and cultural problem within higher education.
• Deep issues – While IITs have begun to respond with counselling services, peer support, and wellness initiatives, the challenge lies in making such measures comprehensive, consistent, and embedded into institutional culture.
• The issue is not merely one of individual vulnerability, but of systemic failure that demands coordinated responses from institutions, families, communities, and the State.

What are the major reasons for increasing suicides?

• Academic stress – Competitive academic environments, fear of failure, rigid evaluation systems, and uncertain job prospects create sustained psychological pressure.
• Surveys reveal that more than 60% of students identify academic pressure as the primary source of stress.
• Social alienation – For many students, especially first-generation learners or those from marginalised backgrounds, the transition to elite institutions also brings cultural alienation and loneliness.
• Other issues – untreated mental health conditions, and exposure to peers in distress significantly increase suicide risk.
• Employment insecurity, family expectations, harassment, and social isolation.
• Issues of stigma – Importantly, stigma around mental health continues to deter students from seeking help.
• Thus, the crisis on campuses reflects both unmet mental health needs and an ecosystem that prioritises performance over well-being.

What are the institutional responses?

• Interventions from IIT – Recognising the gravity of the issue, several IITs have initiated proactive mental health interventions.
• These include:
  • Strengthening counselling services with professional psychologists and psychiatrists.
  • Peer support networks, where trained student volunteers act as first points of contact.
• Faculty and staff sensitization – Enabling teachers, wardens, and administrators to recognise early warning signs.
• Structured mental health programmes – Such as wellness weeks, orientation sessions, and stress-management workshops.
• Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) model – Some IITs have also adopted internationally recognised methods like this which trains campus stakeholders to identify and respond to suicidal behaviour.
• These steps signal a shift from reactive to preventive approaches.
• Academic Reforms to Reduce Stress – Academic pressure remains a central trigger for distress.

• Acknowledging this, certain IITs have experimented with reforms to reduce cognitive overload.
  • For instance, IIT Bombay allows first-year students to drop one course per semester, providing flexibility and reducing the fear of irreversible failure.
• Other interventions – Other institutions have revised grading systems, introduced bridge courses, and encouraged collaborative learning over hyper-competition.
• Such reforms highlight an important insight tha,t mental health cannot be addressed solely through counselling, it must be integrated into academic design and evaluation frameworks.

What are the gaps and continuing challenges?

• Low Counselling services – They are often understaffed, with unfavourable counsellor-to-student ratios.
• Lack of mandatory interventions – Many interventions still depend on students voluntarily seeking help, which is unlikely in a culture where stigma remains strong.
• Moreover, peer supporters themselves may face emotional burnout if not adequately supervised.
• Ineffective digital supports – Digital tools such as anonymous check-ins and helplines offer promise, but their effectiveness depends on awareness, trust, and follow-up mechanisms.
• Less frequency of campaigns – Similarly, workshops and awareness campaigns often occur sporadically rather than as part of a sustained strategy.

What can be done?

• The Role of Families – Families play a crucial role in shaping students’ emotional resilience.
• High parental expectations, limited understanding of mental health, and pressure to conform to predefined success paths can exacerbate distress.
• Regular communication between institutions and parents – The discussion about mental health, academic realities, and available support systems is therefore essential.
• Policy measures – At the policy level, government initiatives such as Manodarpan, aimed at providing psychosocial support to students, offer a broader safety net.
• However, their success depends on effective institutional implementation, coordination, and monitoring.
• Towards a Culture Change on Campuses – Creating suicide-safe campuses requires more than isolated programmes, it demands a fundamental shift in institutional culture.
• Mental health must be normalised as an integral part of campus life, not treated as an exception or crisis response.
• This includes:
  • Making mental health services easily accessible and confidential.
  • Embedding well-being into curricula and orientation programmes.
  • Training students, faculty, and staff to act as informed gatekeepers.
  • Encouraging open conversations that challenge stigma.
  • Institutions that prioritise empathy alongside excellence are better equipped to identify distress early and prevent crises from escalating.
• The Importance of Monitoring and Data – Sustainable reform requires evidence-based policymaking.
• Regular monitoring, data collection, and independent research are essential to evaluate whether interventions are effective.
• Transparency in reporting mental health outcomes, while respecting privacy, can help institutions learn from each other and refine best practices.

What lies ahead?

• Student suicides expose deep cultural and systemic flaws within India’s higher-education ecosystem.
• While IITs have demonstrated that change is possible through counselling, peer support, academic reform, and awareness initiatives, the real challenge lies in ensuring consistency, scale, and long-term commitment.
• Suicide prevention is not a one-time intervention but a continuous process that requires collaboration among families, educational institutions, policymakers, and society at large.
• Ultimately, building suicide-safe campuses means redefining success—not merely as academic achievement, but as the holistic development and well-being of students.
• Mental health demands time, resources, and sustained attention, but investing in it is essential for the moral and social credibility of India’s educational institutions.

Reference

The Hindu| IITs and Issues of Suicide

India – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Why in News?

Recently, India and New Zealand have just concluded negotiations for a forward-looking FTA, marking a historic milestone in bilateral economic relations.

What is India – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

• FTA – A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a pact between two or more countries to lower or eliminate barriers to trade, like tariffs (taxes) and quotas.
• It makes it easier and cheaper to exchange goods, services, investments, and intellectual property across borders, fostering economic ties and opposing protectionism.
• These agreements create a predictable, transparent environment, benefiting businesses by reducing costs and increasing market access globally, with specifics varying but generally covering customs, regulations, and IP.
• India-New Zealand FTA – The Agreement delivers unprecedented duty-free access for Indian exports to New Zealand while:
  • Safeguarding India’s sensitive sectors,
  • Strengthening economic resilience, and
  • Promoting inclusive growth aligned with India’s national priorities.
• Background – India and New Zealand announced negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) In March 2025.
• Following several rounds of negotiations, the India-New Zealand FTA was concluded in December 2025, becoming one of India’s fastest-concluded FTAs.
• This FTA enhances market access and tariff preferences for Indian exports to New Zealand, while serving as a gateway to the wider Oceania and Pacific Island markets.

What are the India – New Zealand bilateral trade ties?

• Merchandise Trade – Grew from USD 873 million in 2023–24 to USD 1.3 billion in 2024–25, registering a 49% growth.
• Merchandise Exports to New Zealand – Rose to USD 711 million in 2024–25, showing a positive trend of 32%.
• In 2024-25, the exports from India to New Zealand was higher than imports from New Zealand, maintaining positive trade balance with the country.
• Services Trade – India’s services exports to New Zealand grew by 13% in 2024, reaching USD 634 million. Major sectors include travel, IT, and business services.

What are the areas of cooperation and Gains to India from FTA?

• Enhanced Market Access for Indian Goods – New Zealand’s market access offer covers immediate elimination of duties (zero duty) on 100% of tariff lines of New Zealand (8,284 tariff lines), from Entry into Force.
• New Zealand maintained tariffs around 10% in around 450 lines of key Indian exports in products including textile/apparel products, leather and headgear, ceramics, carpets, ⁠automobiles and auto components.
• Additionally, the average applied tariff at 2.2% in 2025 will become zero from EIF.
• The offer extends gains to several products and sectors
  • Labour intensive sectors like textiles and clothing, leather and footwear;
  • Emerging and advanced engineering sectors like transport/auto, pharmaceuticals, plastic & rubber, electrical & electronic machinery, mechanical machinery, chemicals and;
  • Agri Products like fruits and vegetables, coffee, spices, cereals, processed foods
• Gains from import to support domestic industries – Wooden logs, coking coal, waste and scrap of ferrous, non-ferrous metals.
• Gains for Agriculture, Technology Cooperation, and Farmer Income Growth – New Zealand have agreed on focused Action Plans for kiwifruit, apples, and honey to improve productivity, quality, and sectoral capabilities of these fruits growers in India
  • The cooperation includes:
  • The establishment of Centres of Excellence,
  • Improved planting material,
  • Capacity building for growers,
  • Technical support for orchard management,
  • Post-harvest practices,
  • Supply chains and food safety.
• Projects for premium apple cultivators and sustainable beekeeping practices will enhance production and quality standards.
• This is paired with Market access for the selected agricultural products (Apples, Kiwifruit, and Manuka Honey) from New Zealand in India.
• This access will be managed through a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) system with Minimum Import Price and seasonal imports, ensuring consumer choice while protecting domestic farmers.
• All TRQs are linked to Agri-technology Action Plans and monitored by a Joint Agriculture Productivity Council, balancing market access with protection of sensitive domestic agricultural sectors.

What are the Enhanced Opportunities beyond Goods?

• Services – Commitment across 118 services sectors, with Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment in 139 sectors.
• Health & Traditional Medicine Annex – For the first time, New Zealand has signed an annex to facilitate trade in Ayurveda, yoga, and other traditional medicine services with India.
• This landmark provision promotes the global recognition of India’s AYUSH systems, supports medical value travel, encourages collaboration in wellness services, and reinforces India’s position as a global hub for health, wellness, and traditional medicine services.
• It gives centre stage to India’s AYUSH disciplines (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Sowa-Rigpa, Siddha, and Homeopathy) alongside Maori Health practices
• Student Mobility – New Zealand signed Annex on Student Mobility and Post Study Work Visa for the first time with any country.
• Indian students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying, even if there are policy changes in future, with extended post-study work visas.
• Professional Pathways – A quota of 5,000 visas for skilled Indians for stay upto 3 years in the sectors of interest to India.
• This include Indian iconic occupations (AYUSH practitioners, Yoga Instructors, Indian Chefs, and Music Teachers) and Other sectors of interest - IT, Engineering, Healthcare, Education, and Construction
• Working Holiday Visa – 1,000 young Indians annually can avail multiple entry in New Zealand for a period of 12 months.
• These provisions create unprecedented opportunities for Indian youth and professionals to gain global exposure.

• Cultural & Traditional Knowledge – Dedicated cooperation in Ayush and Indian traditional knowledge has been agreed.
• Engagement with New Zealand’s indigenous Maori communities to promote cultural exchange and mutual respect.
• This strengthens India’s soft power and global recognition of its heritage.
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices – Annexes for expedited regulatory pathways and recognition of inspections from trusted regulators (US, EU, UK, Canada).
• Intellectual Property Rights – Binding commitment by New Zealand to amend its laws within 18 months to provide EU-level protection for India’s Geographical Indications (GIs).
• Customs & Trade Facilitation – Advance rulings, electronic documentation, and faster clearance times (within 48 hours, 24 hours for perishables).
• Rules of Origin (ROO) – Robust framework to prevent circumvention and ensure integrity of preferential access.
• Sectoral Highlights – The India–New Zealand FTA secures duty free or preferential access across a wide range of sectors.
• These gains are expected to boost India’s exports, create jobs, and strengthen the competitiveness of Indian industries in the Oceania region.

What are India’s global trade networks?

• India’s FTA with other countries – It enhances competitiveness by reducing or eliminating tariffs and by improving market access for goods and services.
  • India -Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), 2025
  • India -UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), 2025
  • India-EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, 2024
  • India- United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), 2022
  • India- Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), 2022
  • India – Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership (CECPA), 2021

What lies ahead?

• The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement reflects a defining moment in India’s trade diplomacy, opening new avenues for comprehensive economic cooperation.
• By securing improved market access for Indian goods, expanding opportunities in services and mobility, and deepening collaboration in agriculture, investment and emerging sectors, the Agreement delivers tangible and wide-ranging benefits across the economy.
• From farmers and MSMEs to students and skilled professionals, the gains from this Agreement are expected to be broad-based, reinforcing India’s position as a trusted, forward-looking global partner and advancing the vision of a globally integrated Viksit Bharat 2047.

Reference

PIB| India – New Zealand FTA

Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025

Why in News?

In a major overhaul of the Indian securities market regulations, the Securities Markets Code (SMC), 2025 was tabled in Parliament.

• Aim – To strengthen investor protection, streamline compliance, and enhance the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)’s regulatory powers.

To know about SEBI, click here

Key Provisions of the bill

• Consolidation of Laws – It replaces and merges 3 existing securities laws and creates a unified legal framework for securities regulation –
  • Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (SCRA),
  • SEBI Act, 1992, and
  • Depositories Act, 1996.
• Composition – The Board strength increased from 9 to 15 members for better governance.
• Enhanced Powers for SEBI – SEBI gains stronger oversight over Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) like stock exchanges and depositories.
• Delegation of Functions – SEBI can delegate parts of its registration work to MIIs and Self-Regulatory Organisations (SROs).
• Disclosure of ‘conflict of interest’ – If a SEBI board member (or their family) has any direct or indirect interest in a matter, they must declare it and stay out of the decision-making on that issue.
• Categories of Contraventions –
  • Fraudulent & Unfair Practices - Minor violations (like unfair trade practices). It only attracts civil penalties but not criminal liability.
  • Market Abuse – It is a grave violation that harms market integrity and public interest, attracts civil penalties, and may also be treated as a criminal offence.
• Investor Protection
• SEBI will create an Investor Charter to safeguard investors and encourage participation.
• SEBI will set up an Investor Grievance Redressal Mechanism.
• Securities Markets Service Providers (SMSPs) & issuers must also establish similar grievance mechanisms.
• SEBI can appoint Ombudsperson(s) from its officers to handle investor complaints fairly and within a fixed time frame.
• International practice – It brings in global standards for governance, accountability, and transparency & introduces regulatory impact assessment to measure the effects of new rules.

Comparison between the Old Framework & the New Bill

Reference

Indian Express | Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025

Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN)

Why in News?

NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN spacecraft, and engineers are still trying to re-establish communication.

• MAVEN – It is NASA’s 1^st mission devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere.
• Launch Location – Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
• Launched in – 2013, had a nominal duration of one year but has been operating under extended missions since entering Mars orbit in 2014.
• Goal – To investigate how Mars lost its atmosphere and water over billions of years, transforming from a potentially habitable world into a cold desert.

Features

• Launch Vehicle – Atlas V01.
• Mars Orbit Insertion – Sept. 21, 2014, days before Mangalyaan entered Mars (Sep 24).
• Science Payload – 143 pounds (65 kg) across 8 instruments, including
  • Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) - Detects ultraviolet light to measure gases escaping Mars’ atmosphere.
  • Magnetometer & Mass Spectrometer - Track solar wind penetration and elemental composition of escaping particles.
• Orbit – It typically follows an elliptical path, ranging from 150 km to 6,200 km above the surface, with periodic "deep dips" to sample the atmosphere directly.
• Communications – It is equipped with a high-gain antenna and an Electra Ultra High Frequency (UHF) package to relay data from Mars rovers and landers back to Earth.

Key Discoveries

• Atmospheric Loss – MAVEN observed oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen atoms escaping into space, once part of CO₂ and H₂O molecules.
• Solar Wind Impact – It found that Mars loses atmosphere primarily due to solar wind particles striking its unprotected atmosphere.
• Seasonal Variation – Mars loses 10 times more hydrogen when closer to the Sun compared to farther away.
• Auroras – Unlike Earth’s polar auroras, MAVEN detected planet-wide auroras on Mars caused by solar wind penetrating deeply into the atmosphere.
• Wind Mapping – It has created the 1^st global wind map of Mars’ upper atmosphere.

Quick Fact

References

1. The Hindu | NASA loses contact with MAVEN
2. NASA | MAVEN
3. Planetary Society | MAVEN

Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)

Why in News?

The reports on the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) for November 2025 were released recently.

• ICI – It measures the combined and individual performance of the production of 8 core industries, which serve as a lead indicator for overall industrial growth.

8 Core Industries – Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilisers, Steel, Cement and Electricity.

• Compiled by – Office of the Economic Adviser, it shows monthly performance, with weights varying by sector.
• Base Year – 2011-2012.
• Weight in IIP – These eight industries together account for 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Key Highlights

• Growth Rate – For November 2025, shows a 1.8% growth compared to November 2024, with positive contributions from Cement, Steel, Fertiliser, and Coal. 
• The final growth rate of the Index for October 2025 was observed at (-) 0.1%.
• Cumulative growth rate – During April to November, 2025-26 is 2.4% (provisional) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

High-Performing Indian States & Countries

References

1. Business line | 8 key infrastructure sectors grew at 1.8% in November
2. PIB |  Index of 8 core industries for November, 2025

Holy City status – 3 cities of Punjab

Why in News?

The Punjab government has granted the “Holy City” status to Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo through a recent official notification.

• Holy City status – The sale of liquor, tobacco, cigarettes, and meat will be prohibited within the city limits.
• To promote religious tourism, devotees will be offered additional transport facilities such as mini buses and e-rickshaws.
• 3 Holy Cities – Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo, these are part of the 5 Sikh Takhts.

“Takht” in Persian means an imperial throne.

• 5 Sikh Takhts –
  • Akal Takht (Amritsar),
  • Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib), 
  • Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo)
  • Takht Patna Sahib is in Bihar,
  • Takht Hazur Sahib is in Nanded, Maharashtra.

Significance

• Akal Takht – It is considered the supreme among the five.
  • It was set up in 1606 by Guru Hargobind, who became the 6^th Guru after the execution of his father, Guru Arjan Dev.
  • He built the Akal Takht as a raised platform in front of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
  • It represented the union of two powers - miri (temporal and political authority) and piri (spiritual authority).
  • Takhts issue hukumnamas (edicts) on matters affecting the Sikh community.
  • However, only the Akal Takht can issue orders that apply to the entire community, including disciplinary actions against those who violate Sikh doctrine.
• Other 4 takhts –
  • They are linked to the life of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10^th Guru.
  • Keshgarh Sahib – He raised the Khalsa, the initiated Sikh warriors, in 1699.
  • Patna Sahib – His Birthplace.
  • Damdama Sahib – He spent several months preparing the revised version of the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book of the Sikhs).
  • Hazur Sahib – He spent his final days here, and he was cremated in 1708.
• Concerns – Holy City status has led to discussions on restricting jhatka meat, the impact on shopkeepers who sold liquor, tobacco, and meat, and possible rehabilitation policies.

Jhatka meat is part of Sikh tradition, especially among the Nihangs, warrior Sikhs known for wearing deep blue.

Reference

Indian Express | Punjab’s 3 new ‘Holy Cities’

Macratria durrelli

Why in News?

A new species of beetle named in honour of Gerald Durrell has been found in Madagascar.

• It is a newly described species of ant-like flower beetle.
• Family – Anthicidae
• Honour – It was named in 2025 to honour the renowned British naturalist Gerald Durrell, reflecting his deep connection to Madagascar’s conservation legacy.
• This beetle joins several other species already named after Durrell, including
  • Salanoia durrelli (a carnivoran from Madagascar) and
  • Centrolene durrellorum (a glassfrog from Ecuador).
• Habitat – It is found in Madagascar, a country central to Durrell’s conservation work.
• Ecological Role – Like other Anthicidae, these beetles are small, ant-like, and often found in leaf litter, flowers, or sandy habitats, playing roles in decomposition and pollination.

• Significance – It expands knowledge of Madagascar’s insect fauna, which is highly endemic and honours Gerald Durrell, who championed wildlife conservation and founded the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Key facts about genus Macratria

• Appearance & Movement – These beetles have a constricted neck and narrow posterior end of the pronotum, which, combined with their active, short-legged gait, gives them an appearance and movement similar to ants.
• Diversity & Habitat – The genus Macratria contains over 320 species found on every continent except Antarctica, with a high concentration in tropical regions.
• Diet – Adult and larval antlike flower beetles are typically omnivorous, feeding on small arthropods, pollen, fungi, and vegetative debris.

References

1. Natural History Museum | Macratria durrelli
2. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust | Gerald Durrell