The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) reveals a significant increase in obesity among adults and C-section deliveries across India, particularly in southern states. Nationwide, 27.3% of men and 30.7% of women aged 15-49 are classified as overweight or obese. C-section deliveries account for 272% of deliveries nationwide, with specific high rates in Andhra Pradesh (62.2%) and Telangana (46.9%). This rise in obesity and C-section births poses increased risks for non-communicable diseases like Type 2 diabetes, highlighting growing public health concerns. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducted the NFHS-6 survey in 2023-24.
The NFHS-6 survey reveals a significant increase in obesity among adults and C-section deliveries across India, particularly in southern states.
Nationwide, 27.3% of men and 30.7% of women aged 15-49 are classified as overweight or obese.
C-section deliveries account for 272% of deliveries nationwide, with specific high rates in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Exam Points
NFHS-6 (2023-24) findings.
27.3% of men and 30.7% of women (15-49 years) are overweight or obese.
C-section deliveries account for 272% of deliveries nationwide.
The NFHS-6 data reveals a concerning trend in child nutrition, with only 15.3% of children aged 6-23 months receiving an adequate diet, though this is an increase from 11% in NFHS-5. This indicates that many Indian toddlers lack diverse and frequent meals essential for healthy growth. The survey also shows a decline in exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months, from 63.7% in NFHS-5 to 55.8% in NFHS-6. However, there's an encouraging rise in the proportion of children aged 6-8 months receiving solid or semi-solid food alongside breast milk, from 45.9% to 59.5%. Experts emphasize the need for diverse and frequent meals to ensure proper growth and brain development in young children.
NFHS-6 data highlights a significant challenge in child nutrition, with only a small percentage of toddlers receiving adequate diets.
The proportion of children aged 6-23 months receiving an adequate diet increased from 11% in NFHS-5 to 15.3% in NFHS-6.
Exclusive breastfeeding rates for children under six months declined from 63.7% in NFHS-5 to 55.8% in NFHS-6, raising concerns among health experts.
Exam Points
NFHS-6 (2023-24) data.
15.3% of children aged 6-23 months receive adequate diet (up from 11% in NFHS-5).
Exclusive breastfeeding for under six months declined from 63.7% (NFHS-5) to 55.8% (NFHS-6).
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that a BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam has been signed, though not publicly announced. A similar pact with Indonesia is in its final stages. He made these remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, responding to questions about potential buyers of the missile system. The Philippines was the first foreign buyer of the BrahMos missile system from India. This development signifies India's growing role as a defense exporter and strengthens its strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia, enhancing regional security cooperation.
India has signed a BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, marking a significant step in defense exports.
A similar BrahMos missile pact with Indonesia is currently in its final stages.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed these developments at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
A team of six scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a new cascade frog species in Nagaland's Kiphire district, bordering Myanmar, in August 2024. Named Amolops kamal after Kamal Choudhury, a former teacher, its common name is Nagaland cascade frog. Phylogenetic studies confirmed it as a distinct evolutionary lineage within the Amolops indoburmanensis species complex. This discovery highlights the rich, understudied faunal diversity of Northeast India and the importance of long-term field surveys for identifying cryptic species in biodiversity hotspots, contributing to our understanding of amphibian taxonomy.
A new species of cascade frog, Amolops kamal, has been discovered in Nagaland's hill-stream habitats.
The discovery was made by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kiphire district.
The new species is named after Kamal Choudhury and is commonly known as the Nagaland cascade frog.
Exam Points
New species: Amolops kamal (Nagaland cascade frog).
Discovery location: Kiphire district, Nagaland.
Discovered by: Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists.
India is actively promoting coal gasification to convert coal into synthetic gas (syngas), which can be used to produce various chemicals like urea, methanol, and hydrogen, reducing reliance on imports. The government aims to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, with a target of 75 million tonnes for lignite. An outlay of ₹8,500 crore has been approved for 2024, with ₹6,233 crore for private and public sector projects. Coal gasification offers a cleaner alternative to direct coal burning, reducing emissions, and supports energy security, but faces challenges related to cost, technology, and environmental concerns, requiring significant investment and policy support.
India is promoting coal gasification to convert coal into syngas, reducing dependence on imports for chemicals and energy.
Syngas produced from coal gasification can be used for manufacturing urea, methanol, and hydrogen.
The government aims to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, including 75 million tonnes of lignite.
Exam Points
Target: 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030.
Financial outlay: ₹8,500 crore package (approved in January 2024).
Syngas applications: urea, methanol, ammonia, synthetic natural gas (SNG), hydrogen.
The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is a critical waterway for global energy trade, with 20% of the world's LNG and 25% of seaborne oil passing through it. Iran views it as a strategic asset, especially given its control over key islands. The article describes how Iran effectively took control of the strait after a hypothetical U.S.-Israeli attack, weaponizing its waters and imposing restrictions on shipping. This led to soaring fuel prices and insurance costs, severely impacting energy-import-dependent economies like India. The situation highlights the strait's geopolitical significance and the ongoing diplomatic logjam over its control and related nuclear issues.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global chokepoint for oil and gas shipments, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
Iran asserts significant control over the strait due to its geographical position and ownership of strategic islands.
A hypothetical scenario describes Iran weaponizing the strait in response to attacks, leading to severe disruptions in global energy markets.
Exam Points
Strait of Hormuz: 50 km wide at entrance/exit, 33 km wide at narrowest point.
Connects Persian Gulf to Gulf of Oman/Arabian Sea.
20% of world's LNG and 25% of seaborne oil passes through it.
India is experiencing increasing heatwave conditions, with a long-term trend of rising heatwave frequency and duration, particularly with night-time temperatures rising faster than daytime. The article clarifies that claims of all 50 hottest cities being in India in April should be viewed with caution, as such rankings often rely on specific datasets and single-day observations. It explains urban heat islands, where concrete surfaces absorb and release heat, making cities hotter than rural areas, exacerbated by air-conditioning. El Niño is expected to heighten the risk of hotter, drier monsoon seasons, potentially leading to more humid heatwaves and affecting agricultural output.
India is facing a long-term trend of increasing heatwave frequency and duration, with night-time temperatures rising faster than daytime.
Claims about India hosting all the world's hottest cities need careful scrutiny, as they often depend on specific data sources and short-term observations.
Urban heat islands are created when natural landscapes are replaced by concrete and asphalt, causing cities to absorb and slowly release heat, making them significantly warmer.
Exam Points
IMD (India Meteorological Department) outlook.
Core Heatwave Zone (CHZ) study (1961–2020) found heatwave frequency rising 0.1 days/decade and duration 0.44 days/decade.
Nights warmed faster than days (0.21°C/decade).
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