1st FEBRUARY, 2025 A.) China's Experimental Nuclear Fusion Reactor Why in News? An experimental nuclear fusion reactor in China set a new record by maintaining its operational state for more than 1,000 seconds (over 17 minutes), generating excitement in the scientific community. Background Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun and other stars. Scientists worldwide have been working to replicate this process for electricity generation, as it has the potential to resolve the global energy crisis and mitigate climate change. However, achieving controlled fusion remains a significant challenge. Key Takeaways • Nuclear Fusion Process: Fusion occurs when two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy. • Fusion Fuel: The most common fusion reaction involves hydrogen isotopes—Deuterium (²H) and Tritium (³H). • Fusion Reaction: Under extreme temperature and pressure, Deuterium and Tritium fuse to form Helium (⁴He) and a neutron, releasing enormous energy. Conditions Required for Fusion: 1. High Temperature: Millions of degrees Celsius are required to overcome electrostatic repulsion between nuclei. 2. High Pressure: Plasma must be confined at high density to increase collision rates. 3. Confinement Time: Plasma must be sustained long enough for fusion reactions to occur. Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Reactor • The Chinese EAST reactor successfully maintained plasma in a steady state for an unprecedented duration. • Fusion reactions require extremely high temperatures, at which matter exists in the plasma state. • Plasma cannot be contained by physical materials; instead, strong magnetic fields are used to confine it. • The challenge lies in maintaining these conditions for extended periods, which is necessary for real-world electricity generation. Advantages of Fusion Energy • High Energy Output: One gram of fusion fuel can generate as much energy as burning eight tonnes of coal. • Abundant Fuel Supply: Deuterium and Tritium, the key fuel components, are widely available. • Zero Emissions: Fusion produces no greenhouse gases. • No Long-Lived Nuclear Waste: Unlike fission, fusion does not generate hazardous radioactive waste. International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) • ITER, the world’s largest fusion project, is being developed in France. • Over 30 countries, including India, are participating in its construction and research. • ITER aims to initiate deuterium-tritium fusion reactions by 2039, with a target of generating 500 MW of fusion power. The success of fusion technology, demonstrated by China's EAST reactor and ongoing projects like ITER, represents a crucial step toward achieving clean and unlimited energy.   B.) Social Security Model for Unorganised Workers Why in News The Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, along with state governments, has constituted committees to design a social security model focusing on unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers. Each committee will include five states. Additionally, the ministry is working on a dedicated social security and welfare scheme for gig and platform workers. Background Social security refers to measures that protect employees by ensuring access to healthcare and providing income security in cases of old age, unemployment, sickness, disability, and work-related injuries. A comprehensive plan is needed due to: • High Workforce in the Unorganised Sector: About 94% of India's workforce is in the unorganised sector, often lacking social security coverage. • Changing Family Structure: The traditional joint family system, which acted as a safety net, is diminishing. • Other Factors: Jobless growth, automation, and economic vulnerabilities further highlight the need for a robust social security system. Details Current Social Security Mechanisms in India 1. Code on Social Security, 2020 o Merges nine central labour laws, including:  The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952  The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959  The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 o Establishes a Social Security Fund managed by the central government. 2. Life and Disability Coverage o Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) – Life insurance scheme. o Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) – Accident insurance scheme. 3. Old Age Benefits/Pension Coverage o Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) – Pension scheme for unorganised workers. o National Pension Scheme (NPS) for Traders and Self-Employed Persons – Retirement benefits for small traders. This initiative aims to strengthen India's social security framework, especially for gig and platform workers, ensuring financial stability and welfare.   C.) Women in Agriculture: Challenges and Gender Disparities Why in News Women contribute around 63% of the agricultural labor force in India but continue to lack access to key resources such as land ownership, finance, and modern farming technologies. Background Despite their significant role in agriculture, women’s involvement does not always translate to empowerment. The feminization of agriculture is driven by economic distress, male migration, and a lack of non-farm job opportunities for rural women. Details Key Takeaways on Female Labour Force Participation (FLPR): • India's FLPR peaked at 40.8% in 2004-05 but later declined. However, since 2017, it has been rising. • Rural FLPR: Increased from 41.5% (2022-23) to 47.6% (2023-24). • Urban FLPR: Increased from 25.4% to 28% over the same period. • Economic recovery post-COVID and rising economic distress have pushed more women into employment, especially in agriculture. Feminisation of Agriculture: • First interpretation: More farm-related work is being undertaken by women as smallholder cultivators or wage laborers. • Second interpretation: Women's control, ownership, and decision-making in agricultural resources and social processes, including land rights. • Male migration due to declining farm productivity, rising input costs, and climate risks has left women responsible for agricultural work. Gender Disparity in Land Ownership: • Agriculture Census (2015-16): o 73% of rural women workers are engaged in agriculture. o Only 11.72% of total operated land is held by female operational holders. o Women’s landholdings are mostly small and marginal. • Women can acquire land through inheritance, gifts, purchase, or government transfers, but financial constraints and social biases hinder inheritance rights. Towards Gender Equity in Agriculture: • Women's participation in agriculture does not always lead to economic empowerment due to the double burden of work (paid work + unpaid household duties). • Feminisation of agriculture is linked to feminisation of poverty and agrarian distress due to low farm incomes. • Lack of land ownership restricts women's access to credit, financial support, and modern farming technology. • Way Forward: o Policy Inclusion: Place women at the center of agricultural policies. o Land Rights: Ensure equal land distribution for female farmers. o Mechanization & Finance: Improve access to modern technology and financial resources. o Climate Policies: Implement gender-responsive climate adaptation strategies. Empowering women in agriculture requires systemic reforms to ensure equal land rights, financial inclusion, and policy-driven support.   D.) Resilience and Vulnerability of the Sundarbans Mangroves Why in News? A study by IIT Bombay and other institutions highlights that the Sundarbans mangroves have shown resilience to extreme weather and pollution but have limits to their self-repair abilities. Key Findings on Sundarbans Mangroves 1. Resilience to Weather Extremes Mangroves have demonstrated the ability to recover from cyclones and thunderstorms within 1-2 weeks. 2. Nutrient Stability Despite a decline in nutrient composition due to anthropogenic water pollution, mangroves maintained stable productivity, showing their adaptability under stress. 3. Increased Link Strength and Memory Mangroves stabilize productivity by increasing their link strength and memory with hydrometeorological variables such as precipitation, temperature, and wind speed. Plant Memory: Mangroves “remember” responses to past stress events (e.g., cyclones) and store them for future resilience. About Mangroves Definition Mangroves are woody plants that grow in the intertidal zones of coastal regions, surviving saline water and tidal flooding. Species Characteristics Salt Tolerance: Mangroves are the only trees that thrive in salty coastal waters. Carbon Sequestration: High carbon densities and sequestration rates, making them vital to global carbon budgets. Ecological Engineers: Often called "Blue Forests" or "Wetland Ecosystem Engineers" due to their role in stabilizing coastal ecosystems. Major Mangrove Forests in India Bhitarkanika (Odisha), Pichavaram (Tamil Nadu), Chorao Island (Goa), Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat), Vembanad Kol (Kerala), Andaman & Nicobar Islands. About Sundarbans 1. Location Located in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, spanning India and Bangladesh. 2. Global Significance World's largest contiguous mangrove forest. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. 3. Environmental Threats Classified as "Endangered" under the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (2020). Rising climate change risks, sea-level rise, and human encroachments threaten the ecosystem. 4. Ecosystem Services Coastal Protection: Acts as a natural barrier against cyclones, floods, and storm surges. Livelihoods & Blue Economy: Supports fishing, honey collection, and eco-tourism, benefiting millions of people. Conclusion The Sundarbans' mangroves are highly resilient but have limits to self-repair. Sustainable conservation efforts and climate adaptation measures are essential to preserve their ecological and economic benefits.   E.) West Bengal Government Approves Teesta Bridge Project Why in News? After more than a decade, the West Bengal government has approved the Teesta bridge project, which will connect Sikkim and West Bengal. The new bridge is expected to boost tourism and serve strategic military purposes. Background Currently, only one British-era bridge exists over the Teesta River, linking West Bengal and Sikkim. Key Takeaways 1. Existing Bridge Over the Teesta The Coronation Bridge was constructed between 1937 and 1941 in memory of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. At the time, its construction cost was over ₹1 lakh. Even after 80 years, it remains the only connection between West Bengal and Sikkim. 2. Need for a New Bridge • The 2011 earthquake damaged the Coronation Bridge, prompting the Centre to plan an alternative bridge to enhance connectivity. • The 2017 Doklam standoff between India and China highlighted the strategic importance of an alternative bridge, as the existing bridge serves as the lifeline for transporting military equipment to the China and Bhutan borders. About the Teesta River 1. Overview The Teesta River is a major transboundary river in the Indian subcontinent, flowing through Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bangladesh. 2. Origin and Course • Origin: Teesta originates from the Teesta Khangtse Glacier in the eastern Himalayas, near Pauhunri Mountain. • Flow: The river flows southward through Sikkim and West Bengal, carving deep gorges and rapids. 3. Tributaries • Left-bank tributaries: Rangpo, Lachung, Relli, and Kanaka Rivers. • Right-bank tributary: Rangeet River. 4. Length and Confluence • 305 km of the river flows in India, while 109 km flows in Bangladesh. • In Bangladesh, the Teesta joins the Jamuna River (a distributary of the Brahmaputra River) near Phulchhari Upazila, Gaibandha District. 5. Significance • Largest river of Sikkim. • Second-largest river of West Bengal, after the Ganges. Conclusion The new Teesta bridge project will play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity, boosting tourism, and improving military logistics in the region. Its construction aligns with India’s strategic interests in the face of geopolitical challenges.   F.) Economic Survey 2024-25: Key Insights About the Economic Survey The Economic Survey is a comprehensive analysis of India’s economic performance, government policies, and the outlook for the upcoming financial year. Prepared by The Department of Economic Affairs in the Union Finance Ministry, under the guidance of the Chief Economic Advisor (CEA). Focus of Economic Survey 2024-25 The primary focus is on driving domestic growth and resilience through deregulation. Key Highlights 1. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) • GDP growth for the current financial year (FY25) is projected at 6.4%. • Growth forecast for FY26 is expected to remain strong and stable. 2. Inflation Trends • Headline inflation is moderating due to falling core inflation (inflation excluding food and fuel prices). 3. Export Growth Amid Global Challenges • Total exports (goods + services) crossed $600 billion in the first nine months of FY25, despite global economic uncertainties. Concerns Highlighted by the Survey 1. Unfavorable Global Economic Environment • Rising trade protectionism has slowed global trade and investment. 2. China’s Manufacturing Dominance • China accounts for nearly one-third of global manufacturing output, surpassing the next 10 largest economies combined. 3. India’s Limitations • India faces challenges in producing critical goods at the required scale and quality to meet its infrastructure and investment needs. Survey’s Recommendations 1. Deregulating the Economy • Simplify regulations to boost economic growth, reduce business costs, and increase employment and income generation. 2. Infrastructure Development Focus • Public spending to be prioritized in physical, digital, and social infrastructure. • Private sector participation is essential to scale projects under Viksit Bharat@2047. 3. Reducing Government Interference • The government should focus on creating an enabling environment rather than excessive intervention. • Allowing businesses to focus on their core operations will foster innovation and enhance competitiveness. Conclusion The Economic Survey 2024-25 emphasizes deregulation, infrastructure development, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles to unlock India’s economic potential and achieve its long-term vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.