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- Why in News?
- Ocean acidification is making headlines in 2025 due to its escalating impact on marine ecosystems and global climate systems.
- Key Provisions:-
- Ocean acidification is a long-term decrease in ocean pH, mainly due to the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). Often referred to as the “evil twin of global warming,”
- it is a major environmental concern and part of the broader “Planetary Boundaries” framework—an illustration that highlights key Earth system limits, including ocean acidification.
- When CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which breaks into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, increasing acidity.
- Roughly 25% of human-made CO₂ emissions are absorbed by oceans, alongside natural sources like volcanic activity and ocean circulation. This heightened acidity dissolves calcium carbonate, threatening marine life such as corals, shellfish, and plankton, and disrupting ecosystems and fisheries.
- It also impairs phytoplankton, reducing ocean productivity and affecting cloud formation by decreasing dimethyl sulfide (DMS) levels. Planetary boundaries mark the thresholds we must not exceed to preserve Earth's balance; crossing them risks destabilizing the systems that support life.
- Why in News?
- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Rules, 2025, introducing key changes to promote semiconductor and electronics manufacturing in India. Notably, the minimum land requirement for SEZs dedicated to semiconductors or electronics has been reduced from 50 to 10 hectares, encouraging more focused and accessible development. Additionally, the value of goods received or exported on a free-of-cost (FOC) basis will now be included in Net Foreign Exchange (NFE) calculations for semiconductor units. NFE measures the net earnings in foreign exchange by subtracting import expenses from export revenues.
- Key Provisions:-
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are designated areas treated as foreign territories for trade and taxation, created to boost exports, employment, and economic growth. Launched in 2000, with the SEZ Act passed in 2005, the policy has evolved with recommendations like the Baba Kalyani Committee's call for a shift toward employment and economic enclaves. Key initiatives include the Semicon India programme and various PLI schemes for electronics.
- Why in News?
- On the occasion of his Martyr's Day, the Prime Minister paid homage to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, honoring his legacy as a fearless tribal leader and freedom fighter.
- Key Provisions:-
- Born in Ulihatu village in the Chotanagpur Plateau of present-day Jharkhand, Birsa Munda belonged to the Munda tribe and was revered as ‘Dharti Aaba’ or the ‘Father of the Earth’.
- Birsa Munda led the Ulgulan, or "The Great Tumult," between 1899 and 1900—a significant tribal revolt against British colonial rule and exploitative land policies. He also established a socio-religious movement known as the Birsait sect, which aimed to reform tribal society.
- He campaigned against social evils like alcoholism, witchcraft, and superstitions, while promoting hygiene and community awareness. Birsa's legacy embodies values such as courage, justice, leadership, and a progressive outlook. His contributions remain a powerful symbol of tribal pride and resistance against oppression.