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- Why in News?
- India’s Defence Minister has released the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, a revised framework replacing the 2009 edition.
- About DPM:
- It lays down rules for procuring goods and services essential for the day-to-day functioning, maintenance, and readiness of Defence Services and Ministry of Defence (MoD) establishments. Unlike the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), which governs capital acquisitions, the DPM focuses on revenue procurements.
- Highlights of DPM 2025:
- The manual seeks to boost self-reliance by supporting defence indigenisation and encouraging greater synergy among the Armed Forces under the revenue segment. It also simplifies and streamlines procurement worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore in the current fiscal year.
- Challenges in Indigenisation:
- These include limited domestic R&D, reliance on foreign technology transfers, supply chain disruptions, low private sector involvement, and higher short-term costs.
- Other Initiatives:
- FDI liberalisation, iDEX for start-ups and MSMEs, Sudarshan Chakra Mission, and the SRIJAN Portal further promote indigenous defence production.
- Why in News?
- India took part in Zapad-2025, a large-scale joint military exercise hosted by Russia and Belarus in Russian territory. The participation underlines India’s continued engagement in multilateral defence collaborations aimed at strengthening interoperability and preparedness.
- About Exercise Zapad:
- First launched in 1999, Zapad has evolved into one of the largest strategic military drills organized by Russia. Since 2009, it has been held once every four years, bringing together multiple nations to participate or observe.
- The central objective of the exercise is to evaluate defensive capabilities against potential external threats, focusing on both conventional and hybrid warfare scenarios. Training modules also extend to advanced systems, including nuclear-capable platforms. Notably, the exercise features demonstrations of Russia’s modern weaponry such as the hypersonic Zircon missile, reflecting the scale and technological sophistication of the drills.
- Through Zapad-2025, India aimed to broaden its operational exposure and strengthen defence cooperation with key partners.
- Why in News?
- The Kerala Cabinet has approved an amendment bill proposing changes to the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, with the objective of addressing the state’s rising human-animal conflict. This marks the first instance of a state initiating amendments to a central law on wildlife management.
- Key Provisions of the Bill:
- The amendment empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) to directly order the killing of wild animals attacking humans in inhabited areas. Currently, the WPA permits the CWW to grant hunting licenses for Schedule I–IV species if deemed dangerous. The bill also allows the state government to classify any animal from Schedule II as vermin, a power presently reserved for the Centre under Section 62. Once designated as vermin, animals may be culled in specific areas for limited periods.
- Rising Conflict Drivers:
- Habitat destruction, resource competition, climate change impacts, and illegal poaching are key factors pushing animals into closer contact with human settlements.
- Why in News?
- The Kerala Cabinet has approved an amendment bill proposing changes to the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, with the objective of addressing the state’s rising human-animal conflict. This marks the first instance of a state initiating amendments to a central law on wildlife management.
- Key Provisions of the Bill:
- The amendment empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) to directly order the killing of wild animals attacking humans in inhabited areas. Currently, the WPA permits the CWW to grant hunting licenses for Schedule I–IV species if deemed dangerous. The bill also allows the state government to classify any animal from Schedule II as vermin, a power presently reserved for the Centre under Section 62. Once designated as vermin, animals may be culled in specific areas for limited periods.
- Rising Conflict Drivers:
- Habitat destruction, resource competition, climate change impacts, and illegal poaching are key factors pushing animals into closer contact with human settlements.