1. Supreme Court Sets Up National Task Force to Curb Student Suicides

Context: The Supreme Court of India has constituted a National Task Force to tackle the growing issue of student suicides in higher educational institutions. This move highlights the urgent need to address mental health concerns and create a supportive academic environment.

Alarming Rise in Student Suicides:

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 Report, more than 13,000 students lost their lives to suicide in India. The issue has been escalating at an annual rate of 4%, which is double the national average.

Key Statistics:

• States with Highest Student Suicides: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh account for one-third of student suicides in India.
• Gender Trends: Between 2021-2022, male student suicides saw a 6% decline, whereas female student suicides surged by 7%.

Formation of the Task Force:

Objectives and Responsibilities:

The 10-Member Task Force is assigned to examine the root causes of student suicides, which include:

• Academic Pressure: High competition in institutions and coaching centers like Kota.
• Mental Health Challenges: Rising cases of depression, anxiety, and stress among students.
• Discrimination: Caste, gender, and social biases leading to distress.
• Family and Financial Strain: Excessive parental pressure and economic hardships.
• Lack of Support Systems: Insufficient counseling services and mental health infrastructure.
• Social Media & Peer Pressure: Cyberbullying and unhealthy comparisons affecting students’ self-esteem.

Authority and Reporting:

• Surprise Inspections: The Task Force has the authority to conduct unannounced inspections in educational institutions.
• Evaluation of Existing Policies: Reviewing laws and frameworks in higher education to suggest improvements.
• Reporting Timeline: Submission of an interim report in four months and a final report within eight months.

Existing Government Initiatives:

National-Level Measures:

• Manodarpan Initiative: A program by the Union Education Ministry offering psychological support via a toll-free helpline and website.
• National Mental Health Policy: Aimed at enhancing mental health awareness and infrastructure in institutions.

State-Level Actions:

• Rajasthan Government Initiatives:
  • Introduced mental health guidelines in 2022 and 2023.
  • Appointed 90 psychological counselors for student support.
  • Established a 104 helpline for immediate assistance.
  • 10,000 hostel gatekeepers trained to recognize distress signals.
  • ‘Dinner with DM’ Initiative in Kota, where students can discuss their concerns with district officials.

Way Forward: Prioritizing Student Well-Being

Recommendations for a Healthier Academic Environment:

• Focus on Mental Health: The IC3 Institute emphasizes shifting the academic system from a competition-driven approach to one that nurtures student well-being.
• Integrated Career and Counseling System: The NCRB Report advocates for a strong support system to help students navigate their aspirations and mental health challenges.
• Institutional Reforms:
  • Regular mental health screenings in schools and colleges.
  • Awareness programs to reduce stigma around mental health.
  • Encouraging open conversations on academic stress and mental well-being.

With student suicides surpassing farmer suicides, immediate action is crucial. A collaborative approach between the government, institutions, and families can ensure a healthier, stress-free learning environment for students.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to mental health support services immediately. Help is available.

2. Euclid Space Telescope: Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe

Context: The Euclid Space Telescope has captured breathtaking images of galaxies in various shapes and sizes, offering new insights into the cosmic evolution of the universe.

About the Euclid Space Telescope:

• Named After: Euclid of Alexandria, a legendary Greek mathematician known as the “Father of Geometry.”
• Mission Under: The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Cosmic Vision Programme, designed to explore the fundamental nature of the universe.
• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• Operational Lifespan: Minimum 6 years of scientific exploration.
• Orbit: Positioned 1.5 million km from Earth at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), where gravitational forces create a stable observational environment.
• Telescope Dimensions: 4.7 meters tall and 3.7 meters in diameter.
• Image Quality: Produces images four times sharper than ground-based telescopes.

Scientific Goals: Unlocking Cosmic Mysteries:

• Understanding Dark Energy: Investigating why the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate.
• Mapping Dark Matter: Observing how galaxies and cosmic structures have evolved over billions of years to reveal the distribution of dark matter.
• 3D Mapping of the Universe: Creating a detailed three-dimensional cosmic map to analyze gravity and the effects of cosmic expansion.

Advanced Scientific Instruments:

1. Visible-Wavelength Camera (VIS – VISible Instrument):

• Captures high-resolution images of distant galaxies.
• Detects gravitational lensing—a phenomenon where dark matter bends light from distant objects, helping scientists study its properties.

2. Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP):

• Measures the speed at which galaxies are moving apart, offering insights into the influence of dark energy over time.
• Developed with NASA’s contribution, including sensor-chip electronics and detectors.

Key Observations & Data Release:

• Deep Field South Region: In just one week of observation, Euclid has recorded 26 million galaxies, some as far as 10.5 billion light-years away.
• Mission Goal: To survey an astonishing 1.5 billion galaxies over six years, covering one-third of the sky.
• First Data Release: The initial cosmology findings are expected to be unveiled in October 2026.

With its groundbreaking observations, the Euclid Space Telescope is poised to redefine our understanding of the universe, uncovering the hidden forces shaping cosmic evolution.

3. Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS): Transforming India’s Gold Economy

Context: The Government of India has announced that from March 26, 2025, it will discontinue Medium-Term (MTGD) and Long-Term (LTGD) Gold Deposits under the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS).

What is the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS)?

• Launched: November 2015, as an improved version of the previous Gold Deposit Scheme (GDS) and Gold Metal Loan (GML) Scheme.
• Purpose: Encourages individuals, institutions, and government entities to deposit idle gold in banks instead of storing it in lockers.
• Interest Earning: Depositors earn interest on their gold deposits, which can be redeemed in cash, gold bars, or coins—but not in the same form as deposited (e.g., jewellery).

Objectives of GMS:

• Mobilize Idle Gold: Encourage households and institutions to deposit gold, unlocking its economic value.
• Reduce Gold Imports: Integrate gold into the formal financial system, lowering India’s dependency on gold imports.
• Help Reduce Current Account Deficit (CAD): By reducing gold imports, GMS helps improve India’s trade balance.

Types of Gold Deposits under GMS:

Other Key Gold-Related Schemes:

1. Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme (Now Discontinued):

• Gold bonds issued in denominations of 5g, 10g, 50g, and 100g.
• Aimed to reduce demand for physical gold by offering gold-linked investment returns.

2. Indian Gold Coin Initiative:

• Launched alongside GMS and SGB in 2015.
• First-ever national gold coin featuring the Ashoka Chakra emblem.
• Promoted as a trusted, certified alternative to imported gold coins.

The Gold Monetisation Scheme plays a crucial role in integrating gold into the formal financial system. However, with the discontinuation of MTGD and LTGD, the future of gold deposit schemes may evolve, requiring new investment alternatives. 

4. Place in News: Türkiye

5. The Boilers Bill, 2024: A Modern Approach to Boiler Safety & Regulation

Context: The Lok Sabha has passed The Boilers Bill, 2024, marking a significant shift from the century-old Boilers Act of 1923. This new legislation aims to modernize boiler regulations, enhance ease of doing business (EoDB), and prioritize worker safety while eliminating outdated provisions.

Background: The Need for a New Boilers Law

• The Boilers Act of 1923 was initially enacted to regulate the manufacturing, installation, operation, alteration, and repair of steam boilers to ensure safety.
• The last amendment in 2007 allowed independent third-party inspections, but further reforms were necessary to match modern industry standards.
• The Boilers Bill, 2024, aligns with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which focuses on decriminalization and business-friendly reforms.
• The Bill has been completely redrafted using modern drafting techniques, ensuring better clarity and efficiency.

Key Features of the Boilers Bill, 2024:

1. Repealing the Outdated Boilers Act, 1923:

• The new Bill completely replaces the 100-year-old law to incorporate modern safety and operational standards.

2. Boosting Ease of Doing Business (EoDB):

• Three out of seven criminal offences related to boilers have been decriminalized to reduce legal complications for businesses.
• Certain penalties have been shifted to administrative fines, making compliance smoother.

3. Categorization of Offences for Balanced Regulation:

• Severe offences that endanger life and property: Criminal penalties retained.
• Lesser offences: Converted into fiscal penalties, handled through an executive mechanism instead of courts.

4. Enhanced Safety Provisions:

• The Bill mandates that only qualified and competent personnel can repair and inspect boilers, ensuring maximum safety for workers.
• State-of-the-art inspection mechanisms will be introduced to minimize risks.

5. Removal of Redundant & Outdated Provisions:

• Obsolete sections from the pre-constitutional era have been removed.
• New definitions and updates have been added for better clarity and precision.

6. Alignment with Jan Vishwas Act, 2023:

• The Bill follows the decriminalization agenda of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, making compliance less burdensome for businesses.

7. Clear Division of Powers Between Centre & States:

• Since boilers fall under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, both the Central and State Governments can legislate on them.
• The roles and responsibilities of the Central Government, State Governments, and Central Boilers Board have been clearly defined to avoid conflicts.

Understanding Boilers: A Crucial Industrial Asset:

A boiler is a pressurized vessel where steam is generated, used in various industries for energy production and manufacturing.

As of 2024, India has nearly 40 lakh steam boilers operating across industries such as:

• Power generation
• Chemical processing
• Manufacturing
• Food & beverage industry

Boilers are critical for industrial operations, and ensuring their safety is essential for both economic growth and worker well-being.

Conclusion:

The Boilers Bill, 2024, is a progressive step towards modernizing India’s boiler regulations. By removing archaic laws, enhancing safety standards, and making compliance easier, the Bill ensures a balanced approach between industrial growth and safety. This reform will encourage investment, streamline operations, and protect workers, paving the way for a more efficient and safer boiler industry in India. 

6. South Island: The Jewel of New Zealand

Context: A powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake recently struck off the coast of New Zealand’s South Island, sending tremors across the region. Authorities are assessing the impact, but no major damage has been reported so far.

Exploring South Island: Nature’s Masterpiece:

Geography & Location:

South Island, the larger and southernmost of New Zealand’s two main islands, is a land of breathtaking landscapes. It lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, separated from:

• North Island by Cook Strait (to the north).
• Stewart Island by Foveaux Strait (to the south).

The Majestic Southern Alps:

Covering nearly 75% of the island, the Southern Alps run from southwest to northeast, creating a stunning mountainous backbone. The highest peak, Mount Cook (Aoraki) at 3,754 meters, dominates the skyline and attracts climbers and adventurers worldwide.

This mountain range divides the island into two contrasting landscapes:

• The Westland Plain (narrow, rugged coastal strip).
• The Canterbury Plains (vast, fertile lands in the east).

Fiordland: A World Heritage Wonderland

The Fiordland National Park, located in the southwest, is a natural wonder known for its:

• Dramatic fjords (inlets) such as Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
• High-altitude lakes and pristine forests.

This breathtaking wilderness is part of Te Wāhipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, recognized for its unique ecosystems and untouched beauty.

Lakes of Stunning Beauty:

South Island is home to some of New Zealand’s most mesmerizing lakes, including:

• Lake Tekapo – Famous for its crystal-clear waters and stargazing opportunities.
• Lake Wakatipu – A serpentine-shaped lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
• Lake Pukaki – Known for its vivid turquoise color, fed by glacial meltwater.

Vibrant Cities & Culture:

While known for its landscapes, South Island also boasts thriving urban centers:

• Christchurch – The largest city, known as the “Garden City” due to its beautiful parks.
• Dunedin – Rich in Scottish heritage, home to Otago University and Larnach Castle.
• Invercargill – A gateway to the southern wilderness and a hub for New Zealand’s farming industry.

Did You Know?

South Island is home to the world’s only alpine parrot, the Kea, known for its intelligence and mischievous nature.

• Milford Sound is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.
• The Southern Alps are still rising due to tectonic activity.

South Island is not just a destination—it’s an experience. From towering peaks to serene lakes, from lush forests to thriving cities, it truly is a land of wonders.