Quick Overview:
Eight key developments for CLAT aspirants: India rises to 38th in Global Innovation Index (from 81st in 2015), US-India corn trade disputes over GM crop regulations, UNICEF reports global childhood obesity now exceeds underweight rates, India opens first overseas defense facility in Morocco, Mohenjodaro Dancing Girl replica theft and recovery, Super Typhoon Ragasa hits East Asia, India develops advanced satellite protection systems, and INS Androth joins naval fleet. Coverage spans economics, international relations, health policy, archaeology, natural disasters, space technology, and defense developments.
1. Global Innovation Index 2025
Key Statistics:
- India climbs to 38th position among 139 economies (improved from 48th in 2020, 81st in 2015)
- Ranks 1st among lower-middle-income economies
- India invests only 0.65% of GDP in R&D vs China (2.43%), South Korea (2.5%)
- India has 100+ unicorns (3rd largest ecosystem globally)
Important Facts:
- Published by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- Top 5 countries: Switzerland, Sweden, USA, South Korea, Singapore
- China enters top 10 for first time (10th position)
- India's strengths: Knowledge & Technology Outputs, Market Sophistication
- Weaknesses: Business Sophistication, Infrastructure, Institutions
Government Initiatives:
- Fund of Funds for Startups: Rs 10,000 crore corpus
- National Semiconductor Mission: Rs 76,000 crore
- New R&D scheme: Rs 1 lakh crore
- Atal Tinkering Labs expanding to tier-2/3 cities
2. India-US Corn Trade Issue
Key Points:
- US wants to export corn to India but faces regulatory barriers
- 94% of US corn is genetically modified (banned in India)
- India's corn tariff structure: 15% duty on 0.5 million tonnes, 50% on excess
Economic Data:
- India is 5th largest maize producer globally but 14th largest exporter
- Indian yields: under 4 tonnes/hectare vs global average 6 tonnes/hectare
- US corn price is 70% of Indian maize price
- 20% ethanol blending could save USD 10 billion annually
WTO Provisions for Import Restrictions:
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures
- Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
- Anti-dumping duties and Countervailing duties
3. Child Nutrition Report 2025 (UNICEF)
Alarming Statistics:
- 1 in 5 children globally (5-19 years) are overweight
- Global obesity (9.4%) surpassed underweight (9.2%) for first time in 2025
- India: Under-5 overweight/obesity rose 127% (NFHS 3 to NFHS 5)
India-specific Data:
- Adolescent girls' overweight increased 125%, boys 288%
- By 2030: India may have 27 million obese children (11% global burden)
- Ultra-processed foods consumption: USD 900 million (2006) to USD 37.9 billion (2019)
- Obesity cost India USD 29 billion in 2019 (1% of GDP)
Key Initiatives:
- Fit India Movement, Eat Right India Campaign
- POSHAN Abhiyaan 2.0
- Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) system by FSSAI
4. India's First Overseas Defence Facility in Morocco
Historic Milestone:
- First overseas defence facility by Indian private company (TASL)
- Largest defence manufacturing plant in Morocco
- Production of Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8
Strategic Importance:
- Part of "Make in India, Make with Friends, Make for the World" strategy
- Morocco's location as gateway to Africa and Europe
- Strengthens India-Morocco strategic partnership
5. Archaeological News: Mohenjodaro Dancing Girl
Historical Significance:
- Bronze figurine from Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE)
- Discovered in 1926 by Ernest Mackay
- Created using Lost-Wax Casting Technique
- Currently housed in National Museum, Delhi
Recent News:
- Replica stolen from National Museum but recovered
- Demonstrates sophisticated metallurgical skills of Harappan civilization
6. Natural Disasters: Super Typhoon Ragasa
Meteorological Data:
- Maximum sustained winds: 260 km/h
- Affected regions: Philippines, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong
- Classification criteria by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
Cyclone Categories:
- Super Cyclonic Storm: >240 km/h
- Extremely Severe: 166-240 km/h
- Very Severe: 118-165 km/h
7. Space Technology: India's Satellite Protection
Key Initiatives:
- Project NETRA for space surveillance
- IS4OM center in Bengaluru for tracking space debris
- Navigation Message Authentication for NavIC system
Technologies:
- Multi-Object Tracking Radar at Sriharikota
- LiDAR satellites for threat detection
- Aditya-L1 mission for solar storm warnings
International Cooperation:
- UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)
- Inter-Agency Debris Coordination Committee (IADC)
8. Naval Development: INS Androth
Technical Specifications:
- Second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts
- Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders (GRSE), Kolkata
- 80%+ indigenous components
Strategic Importance:
- Named after Androth Island in Lakshadweep
- Equipped with lightweight torpedoes and ASW rockets
- Part of India's maritime security enhancement
CLAT Relevance Summary:
Most Important for CLAT:
- Current Affairs: Innovation rankings, trade disputes, health reports
- Government Policies: Startup India, defense manufacturing, nutrition programs
- International Relations: India-US trade, India-Morocco defense cooperation
- Science & Technology: Space programs, defense technology, agricultural biotechnology
- Awards & Rankings: Global Innovation Index, UNICEF reports
- Geography: Typhoon patterns, strategic locations
- History: Archaeological discoveries, Indus Valley Civilization
Key Figures to Remember:
- India's Innovation Rank: 38th globally
- R&D Investment: 0.65% of GDP
- Unicorn count: 100+
- Child obesity projections: 27 million by 2030