India-European Union Ideathon

Context: Recently, the India-EU Ideathon on “Combating Marine Plastic Litter” was launched under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council.

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• This Ideathon was jointly organised by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and the Delegation of the European Union to India.
• This initiative aims to invite start-ups, researchers, businesses and other stakeholders from India and the EU to co-develop practical and innovative solutions to marine plastic litter.

Key Features of the Ideathon

• This Ideathon introduced three challenge areas, which include identifying and tracking marine plastics, developing technologies for their removal, and raising awareness for prevention.
• This framework of the Ideathon was explained during the event with details of the process, structure, guidelines and timelines.

About the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)

• This Council was first announced in April 2022 and formally established in February 2023.
• This mechanism enables India and the EU to tackle challenges at the intersection of trade, technology, security and sustainability.

• This Council functions through three working groups: 

• Working Group 1 on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity.
• Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.
• Working Group 3 on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.

• This Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies is co-chaired by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.

India Permits Export of Second Generation (2G) Ethanol

Context: Recently, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade has notified that India has allowed the export of second-generation (2G) ethanol for fuel purposes with immediate effect.

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• The exports are permitted for fuel and non-fuel purposes.
• This decision is aimed at promoting cleaner energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• This initiative aligns with India’s commitment towards sustainable energy and biofuels.

Export Conditions and Requirements

• This export requires a valid authorization from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
• This export must be accompanied by certificates related to feedstock origin and quality tests from accredited laboratories.

About 2G Ethanol

• 2G ethanol is produced from cellulosic or lignocellulosic feedstocks such as agricultural residues, woody biomass and algae.
• 2G Ethanol does not compete with food crops and makes use of agricultural waste.
• 2G ethanol meets Bureau of Indian Standards 15464 specifications for export eligibility.
• This technology supports waste-to-energy conversion and promotes circular economy practices. 

Two New Ramsar Sites

Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that two wetlands in Bihar, Gokul Jalashaya in Buxar and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran, have been designated as Ramsar sites.

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• This brings the total to 93 Ramsar Sites, continuing the country's top position in Asia and third in the world after the UK (176) and Mexico (144) in terms of total number of Ramsar sites.
• These new additions bring the total number of such wetlands to five in Bihar.

Gokul Reservoir (Buxar, Bihar)

• This wetland changes from marshland and agricultural fields in summer to an expanded waterbody after the monsoon.
• This reservoir sustains more than 50 bird species.
• This wetland supports local communities through fishing, farming and irrigation, along with cultural practices like the annual cleaning festival.

Udaipur Lake (West Champaran, Bihar)

• This lake is an oxbow lake located within the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• This wetland hosts more than 280 plant species.
• This lake serves as a wintering ground for about 35 migratory bird species, including the endangered Common Pochard.

Ramsar Convention

• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty established in 1971.
• Its aim is the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.
• India ratified the Convention in 1982.

India's First Integrative Oncology Research and Care Centre

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Ayush inaugurated the Integrative Oncology Research and Care Centre (IORCC) at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Dhargal, Goa.

The Integrative Oncology Research and Care Centre (IORCC)

• This state-of-the-art institute is the first-of-its-kind in India, designed to bring together traditional and modern medical systems to offer patient-centric, evidence-informed oncology rehabilitation.
• The centre was inaugurated on the occasion of the 10th National Ayurveda Day.
• The IORCC is among the first multidisciplinary centres in the country to integrate Ayurveda, Yoga, Physiotherapy, Diet Therapy, Panchakarma, and modern oncology under one roof.

Significance of the IORCC 

• This initiative supports holistic, patient-centered care, focusing on comprehensive rehabilitation for cancer patients.
• This model enhances recovery, reduces side effects of conventional treatments, and strengthens patient immunity through evidence-based Ayurvedic therapies.

India-Central American Integration System (SICA) Foreign Minister's Meeting

Context: India has strengthened its diplomatic outreach with the Central American Integration System (SICA) countries during the India-SICA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

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• This meeting was co-hosted by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) and Panama’s Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
• This saw External Affairs Minister emphasising India’s deepening engagement with Central American Integration System (SICA) countries through trade, investment, and digital transformation.
• This included a focus on agriculture, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and information technology as key investment areas for Indian companies in Central America.
• This highlighted the role of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a low-cost and high-efficiency digital payments model that could be adapted to Central American Integration System (SICA) economies.

Central American Integration System (SICA)

• SICA is the institutional framework of regional integration in Central America, created by the States of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Subsequently, Belize and Dominican Republic joined as a full members. 
• SICA’s Secretariat is located in the Republic of El Salvador.
• It was established on December 13, 1991, by the signing the Tegucigalpa Protocol.
• It formally came into operation on February 1, 1993.
• The United Nations General Assembly supported the initiative in 1993, and its registration with the UN allows SICA to be invoked internationally and interact with the UN system.

World Para Athletics Championships 2025

Context: India is hosting the 12th World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi from September 27 to October 5.

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• This championship is being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with more than 2000 athletes from 104 countries competing in 186 medal events. 
• This is the first time India is hosting the World Para Athletics Championships, making it one of the largest para-sport gatherings in the country.
• VIRAAJ is the official mascot for the World Para Athletics Championships 2025.
• This event is second only to the Paralympic Games in scale and is seen as a milestone for inclusion and international recognition for India.
• This edition features a 73-member Indian contingent with 54 men and 19 women para-athletes.
• Asia has hosted the World Championships in four occasions, at Doha 2015 in Qatar, Dubai 2019 in the United Arab Emirates and Kobe 2024 in Japan. 

World Para Athletics Championships 

• The first Para athletics competition was held in 1952 at the Stoke Mandeville Games for injured World War II veterans.
• The event promotes inclusion, accessibility, and global awareness of para-sports.