Quick Overview
Today’s major developments span health, environment, governance, geopolitics, water management, and space science. WHO’s GLASS 2025 report warns of rising global antimicrobial resistance, with India among the worst affected. The National Water Awards highlight innovation in water conservation, while the Supreme Court calls for a long-term clean-air strategy beyond GRAP. UNESCO launches the first neurotechnology ethics framework, Pakistan passes a controversial military-empowering amendment, and intense solar activity leads to widespread auroras.
1. WHO's GLASS 2025 Report on AMR
Key Highlights
AMR rose in 40% of monitored pathogen–antibiotic combinations (2018–2023).
Highest resistance seen in Southeast Asia & Eastern Mediterranean; lowest in Europe.
India shows 1 in 3 bacterial infections resistant to common antibiotics.
ICU infections from E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus show critical resistance.
Why This Matters
Threatens India’s healthcare burden.
Weakens effectiveness of “Watch” antibiotics (carbapenems, fluoroquinolones).
Requires strengthening Schedule H1, stewardship programmes, and genomic surveillance.
2. National Water Awards 2024
About the Awards
Started in 2018 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources).
Recognise innovation, leadership, and community participation in water conservation.
Promote recycling, reuse, irrigation efficiency, and groundwater sustainability.
2024 Key Results
46 winners across 10 categories.
Maharashtra ranked Best State, followed by Gujarat & Haryana.
Encourages a Whole-of-Government & Whole-of-Society approach to water management.
3. Need for a Long-Term Clean-Air Strategy for NCR
Supreme Court’s Observation
Enforcing GRAP year-round is not practical.
Short-term reactions cannot solve structural pollution issues.
India–China Comparison
China offers to share its successful urban pollution control models.
India needs long-term measures:
Industrial regulation
Transport overhaul
Crop-residue solutions
Better monitoring & urban planning
4. UNESCO’s Neurotechnology Ethics Framework
Why in News
UNESCO released the first-ever global ethics guidelines for neurotechnology.
Why It Matters
Neurotech (BCIs, implants, cognitive enhancement tools) is rapidly expanding.
Risks include:
Privacy breaches
Autonomy loss
Behaviour manipulation
Military misuse
Framework Aim
Integrate ethics with innovation.
Protect neural data as a fundamental human right.
5. Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment
Key Change
Formally reinforces military supremacy over Pakistan’s political system.
Implications for India
A more assertive and militarised Pakistani state.
Higher chances of:
Proxy warfare
Border escalation
Nuclear brinkmanship
India must enhance vigilance, intelligence, and diplomatic preparedness.
6. Auroras, Solar Flares, CMEs & Solar Storms
Why in News
Heightened solar activity produced colourful auroras far beyond the Arctic region.
Key Concepts
Auroras: Caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s magnetosphere.
Solar Flares: Sudden radiation bursts.
CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejections): Massive plasma discharges.
Solar Storms: Combined impact on Earth; can disrupt GPS, satellites, and power grids.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/CLAT)
GS2: Health, Governance, International Relations
GS3: Environment, Science & Tech, Robotics/AI, Geophysical Phenomena
Prelims: WHO, GLASS, AMR, National Water Awards, Jal Shakti, GRAP, UNESCO, Neurotech, Solar Flares, CMEs
Topics relevant for prelims & mains:
AMR trends & WHO monitoring
Water conservation policies & awards
NCR pollution control frameworks
Ethical concerns around neurotechnology
India–Pakistan dynamics
Solar storms & geophysical phenomena