November 13, 2025 | Law Entrance

India-Bhutan Partnership: PM Modi’s visit strengthened economic, energy, and cultural ties; MoUs signed on renewable energy, health, and mental health; hydropower projects inaugurated.
DCGI Directives: Revised Schedule M for pharmaceutical manufacturing to align with WHO-GMP by Jan 2026; addresses quality control and API dependence.
Intergenerational Equity: SC stressed eco-centric conservation approach for Great Indian Bustard & Lesser Florican, noting limitations of human-centered frameworks.
Project Cheetah: India received first cheetahs from Botswana, increasing total population to 27; promotes ecosystem restoration & eco-tourism.
Nyoma Airbase: India inaugurates its highest fighter-capable airbase at Nyoma, Ladakh, enhancing northern frontier defense.
Singapore Green Fuel Levy: SAF levy introduced to cut aviation emissions; India aims to meet SAF blending targets by 2030.
Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025: Sahitya Akademi promotes excellence in children’s literature across 24 languages.
PNGRB Recommendations: Dissent over domestic gas usage policies; regulates petroleum and natural gas markets in India.

Context: PM Modi attended Bhutan’s 4th king’s 70th birthday.
Key Highlights:
- Economic support for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan & Gelephu Mindfulness City.
- MoUs on renewable energy, health, and mental health.
- Inauguration of 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Project; work resumed on 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I.
- Line of Credit of Rs 40 billion for energy projects.
- Improved cross-border connectivity & trade facilitation.
Challenges: Geopolitical balancing with China, economic dependency, environmental concerns, and border management.
Way Forward: Diversify economy & energy portfolio, strengthen tech and strategic cooperation, promote eco-cultural initiatives, and joint water management.

Context: Following child deaths from contaminated cough syrups, DCGI revises Schedule M.
Key Provisions: Aligns GMP with WHO standards; mandatory for all pharma units by Jan 2026.
Challenges: API dependency, fragmented regulation, quality lapses, low R&D focus.
Measures: Centralised drug authority, infrastructure upgrades for MSMEs, strengthen R&D, reduce imports, improve export compliance, green manufacturing.

Context: SC reviewed conservation of Great Indian Bustard & Lesser Florican.
Observations: Principle is anthropocentric; weak protection for critically endangered species.
Recommendations: Eco-centric policies, habitat protection, science-based recovery, captive breeding, and infrastructure mitigation.

Context: India received 8 cheetahs from Botswana under Project Cheetah.
Significance: First intercontinental translocation; 27 cheetahs in India, 16 born locally.
Objectives: Restore savanna ecosystems, promote ecotourism, reduce human-wildlife conflict.

India inaugurates its highest fighter-capable airbase (13,700 ft) in Ladakh.
Strategic location near LAC enhances rapid-response and surveillance capabilities.

Regulatory body for petroleum and natural gas.
Current debate on boosting domestic gas usage; tribunal powers adjudicate disputes and protect consumer interests.

International Relations: India-Bhutan strategic & economic ties, hydropower diplomacy, regional security.
Governance & Policy: DCGI directives, pharmaceutical regulatory reforms, green fuel policies.
Environment & Biodiversity: Intergenerational equity, endangered species conservation, Project Cheetah.
Security & Infrastructure: Nyoma Airbase, border management challenges.
Culture & Society: Promotion of children’s literature, cultural exchange with Bhutan.