1. President Highlights the Role of Mediation in Reducing Judicial Burden

Context: At the first National Mediation Conference organized by the Mediation Association of India (MIA), the President of India strongly emphasized the growing importance of mediation as a tool to resolve disputes, reduce litigation costs, and ease the overburdened court system.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential, and non-adversarial process where a neutral third party (mediator) assists disputing individuals or parties in arriving at a mutually acceptable solution.

It is one of the key pillars of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), alongside:

• Arbitration
• Conciliation
• Negotiation

India’s Judicial Backlog: A Crisis in Numbers

The Indian judiciary is currently struggling under a mountain of pending cases:

• 5.1 crore+ total pending cases (as of 2024)
  • 71,000 in the Supreme Court
  • 60 lakh in High Courts
  • 4.5 crore in District and Subordinate Courts
• Judge Vacancy: Out of ~25,000 sanctioned judges, only ~20,000 are in place (~20% shortfall)
• Judge-to-population ratio: Only 21 judges per million, far short of the Law Commission’s recommendation of 50 per million

Why Mediation Matters:

Mediation offers a practical, humane, and sustainable approach to dispute resolution:

• Reduces Court Pendency: Ideal for minor civil, commercial, and family disputes
• Time-Efficient: Resolutions are often reached within a few sessions
• Cost-Effective: Cuts down on legal fees and court expenses
• Relationship-Friendly: Preserves personal and business ties
• Empowering: Parties retain control over the outcome, rather than having a solution imposed

Legal and Institutional Support:

Mediation in India is supported by several key laws and frameworks:

• Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987: Created Lok Adalats using mediation-like techniques
• Section 89, Civil Procedure Code (1908): Courts mandated to refer cases for ADR
• Mediation Act, 2023 (Landmark legislation)
  • Mandatory pre-litigation mediation in civil & commercial matters
  • Formation of the Mediation Council of India (MCI) for:
    • Standardizing training & accreditation
    • Regulating mediation institutions
    • Monitoring mediator conduct and case outcomes

Mediation in Current Legal & Commercial Disputes:

• Commercial Courts Act, 2015: Fast-tracks commercial cases above ₹3 lakh and promotes pre-litigation mediation
• Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (with 2015, 2019, 2021 amendments): Encourages binding arbitration, both ad hoc and institutional
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Emphasizes mediation as a primary dispute resolution tool
• Singapore Convention on Mediation: India’s participation paves the way for cross-border enforcement of mediated settlements

The Way Forward:

To make mediation a mainstream judicial tool, India must:

1. Strengthen Legal Infrastructure: Ensure uniform and effective implementation of the Mediation Act, 2023
2. Boost Awareness: Launch nationwide mediation literacy campaigns
3. Train Mediators: Scale up capacity building with standardized certification
4. Judicial Backing: Encourage active referrals by judges to mediation centers
5. Go Digital: Promote Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) for convenience and speed
6. Track Progress: Build national databases to assess mediation outcomes and their impact on court backlog

Conclusion:

The President’s address underscores a pivotal shift in India’s legal landscape. Mediation is not merely an alternative—it is an essential path to accessible, timely, and empathetic justice. As India advances, a robust mediation ecosystem can transform how we resolve conflicts, preserve relationships, and uphold the rule of law.

2. Genome-Edited Rice Varieties: India’s Leap Toward a Second Green Revolution

Context: In a landmark announcement, the Union Agriculture Minister introduced two genome-edited rice varieties, signaling a new era in agricultural innovation that could ignite the Second Green Revolution in India.

What is Genome Editing?

Genome editing is a cutting-edge biotechnological method that enables precise alterations in the DNA of living organisms. The most notable tool in this domain is:

• CRISPR-Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats – associated protein 9):
  • Acts like molecular scissors to remove, insert, or modify genetic material with pinpoint accuracy.
  • Unlike Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), it doesn’t require foreign DNA insertion, making it more biologically natural and acceptable under Indian biosafety regulations.

In India, SDN-1 and SDN-2 techniques (which do not introduce foreign genes) are permitted for general crops.

India’s First Genome-Edited Rice Varieties:

Developed by ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), the two new varieties are:

• DRR Rice 100 (Kamla)
• Pusa DST Rice 1

These are outcomes of CRISPR-based research that began in 2018 under the National Agricultural Science Fund, targeting Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010 rice lines.

Benefits of Genome-Edited Rice:

Understanding CRISPR Technology:

• Inspired by natural bacterial immunity, CRISPR identifies and destroys invading viral DNA.
• In agriculture, it helps in:
  • Developing disease-resistant crops

• Improving nutritional quality
• Enhancing climate adaptability

Path to a Second Green Revolution:

Challenges & Concerns:

• Global Regulatory Uncertainty: Not all countries accept genome-edited crops, limiting exports.
• Corporate Monopolies: Risk of private control over patented technologies and seeds, raising costs for farmers.
• Biodiversity Risk: Over-reliance on select varieties could threaten agro-genetic diversity.

Way Forward:

1. Boost R&D Investment: 500 crore allocated in the 2023–24 Union Budget for crop genome editing.
2. Expand Public Sector Role: ICAR is now extending genome-editing research to oilseeds, pulses, and horticultural crops.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage joint ventures for responsible innovation.
4. Farmer & Scientist Training: Build national capacity for safe, inclusive use of genome-editing tools.
5. Streamlined Regulation: Ensure transparent, science-based policies to balance safety and innovation.

Conclusion:

Genome-editing marks a revolutionary stride in India’s agricultural transformation. With a focus on higher yields, sustainability, and climate resilience, these innovations can propel India into a future of food security, farmer welfare, and eco-friendly farming—without repeating the ecological mistakes of the past.

3. Agriphotovoltaics: Powering Farms with the Sun

Context: On World Solar Day (May 3rd), attention turned to the transformative role of solar energy in agriculture, with Agriphotovoltaics (APVs) emerging as a powerful innovation to address climate, food, and energy security.

What are Agriphotovoltaics (APVs)?

Agriphotovoltaics refers to the simultaneous use of land for solar energy production and agriculture by elevating solar panels over crop fields. This integrated model:

• Increases land-use efficiency
• Creates microclimates for better crop resilience
• Enables dual income streams for farmers

Origin: Concept first introduced by German scientists Adolf Goetzberger and Armin Zastrow in 1981.

India’s Solar Growth Milestones:

• 3450% growth in solar capacity in a decade
• 100.33 GW achieved as of January 2025
• 2024 solar boom:
  • 24.5 GW added (2x increase from 2023)
  • 18.5 GW utility-scale installations

Benefits of APVs for Farmers:

APV in Action: India’s Pilot Success:

• Najafgarh, Delhi Project:
  • Farmer leases land for 1 lakh/acre/year
  • Dual income from crop + solar lease or solar power sales

Scaling Up APVs: Policy and Support Needed:

1. Revamp PM-KUSUM Scheme:
   • Integrate APV models into existing solarisation programs
   • Promote grid-connected dual-use solar plants
2. Financial Incentives:
   • Credit support & subsidies for smallholder farmers (<2 ha)
   • Increase feed-in tariffs for APV-generated solar power
3. Farmer Training:
   • Government-led programs on APV installation & management
   • Encourage community-level solar farming cooperatives
4. Research & Customization:
   • Expand pilot programs across different agro-climatic zones
   • Develop crop-specific APV designs

Challenges:

Future Outlook:

• Align APVs with India’s Net Zero and Doubling Farmers’ Income goals
• Integrate APVs into national agricultural and climate strategies
• Promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand infrastructure
• Launch awareness campaigns to popularize APV potential

Conclusion: Agriphotovoltaics offer a win-win model for India: Higher farmer incomes, climate-adaptive agriculture, and  renewable energy expansion—all from the same piece of land.

4. New Rules for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) of Biodiversity – 2025

5. Angola: A Nation of Strategic Importance and Growing Defense Ties with India

Geopolitical Overview of Angola:

• Capital: Luanda
• Location: Southwestern Africa
• Neighboring Countries:
  • Republic of the Congo (North)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo (Northeast)
  • Zambia (Southeast)
  • Namibia (South)
• Maritime Boundary: Atlantic Ocean (West)

Geographical Features & Natural Resources:

Angola is endowed with rich natural resources, which are pivotal to its economy:

• Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, and uranium.
• Major rivers include the Zambezi, Cuango (Kwango), and Cuanza (Kwanza) rivers. The Cuango River forms part of the boundary between Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Climate:

• Tropical Climate with a marked dry season. The climate is influenced by the cold Benguela Current, which flows northwards along the southern African coast, bringing cooler air and affecting precipitation patterns.

Angola-India Defense Relations:

• Recently, India announced a $200 million defense credit line to Angola, marking a significant step in strengthening defense and strategic ties between the two nations.

Extra Insight: Angola’s Strategic Position in Africa

Angola, with its strategic location in southern Africa, plays a critical role in the region’s geopolitics. As one of Africa’s largest oil producers, Angola has become a vital partner for energy, trade, and defense relations, especially with countries like India, China, and Russia. The increasing defense collaboration highlights Angola’s growing importance as a security partner in the African continent.

6. The Satavahana Dynasty: A Glimpse into Ancient Deccan Culture and Politics

Context: Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) uncovered 11 ancient inscriptions in Peddapalli, Telangana, which are attributed to the Satavahana dynasty. These inscriptions, dating from the 1st BCE to the 6th CE, are written in Brahmi script and Prakrit language, offering valuable insights into the political, cultural, and religious practices of the era. These findings also confirm Telangana’s historical ties to Asmaka, one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas (ancient Indian republics).

The Satavahana Dynasty: Key Facts

• Time Period: 1st Century BCE to the Early 3rd Century CE
• Location: Initially centered around North Maharashtra and later expanding to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Significance: The Satavahanas succeeded the Maurya Empire in the Deccan and Central India. Though mentioned as Andhras in the Puranas, the Satavahanas themselves did not use this term in their inscriptions.

Notable Rulers and Their Achievements:

Simuka (60 BCE – 37 BCE):

• Founder of the Satavahana dynasty and recognized as the first ruler in the Naneghat inscription.

Gautamiputra Satakarni (AD 106 – 130):

• Regarded as the greatest ruler of the Satavahanas.
• Defeated the Shakas and obliterated the Kshaharata dynasty.
• Expanded the empire from Malwa to Karnataka.
• Re-struck coins of defeated Kshaharata ruler Nahapana, symbolizing conquest.

Vashishthiputra Pulumayi (AD 130 – 154):

• Shifted the capital to Paithan (modern-day Pratishthan) on the Godavari River.
• Fostered alliances, including a marriage to Rudradaman’s daughter to stop conflicts with the Western Kshatrapas.

Yajna Sri Satakarni (AD 165 – 194):

• Regained lost territories and promoted maritime trade.
• His coins depicted ships, highlighting the peak of his maritime activity.

Cultural and Technological Contributions:

• Material Culture: The Satavahanas are known for their iron tools such as hoes, ploughshares, and arrowheads, which contributed to agricultural advancements, particularly paddy transplantation in the Krishna-Godavari delta.

Trade: Urbanization in cities like Peddabankur (200 BCE – 200 CE) saw the construction of brick structures, underground drainage, and wells, reflecting the increasing complexity of the region’s infrastructure and trade. Roman and Satavahana coins were found in the region, signifying

Social and Religious Life:

• Social Structure: Initially a tribal kingdom, the Satavahanas became Brahmanized, re-establishing the varna system. Their society exhibited a matrilineal influence, with kings often named after their mothers.
• Religious Practices: The Satavahana rulers were staunch Brahmanas, patronizing Vedic rituals and worshiping gods like Krishna and Vasudeva. However, they were also strong patrons of Buddhism, with land grants made to Buddhist monks in places like Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati.

Art and Architecture:

• The Satavahanas are noted for their rock-cut architecture, including significant Chaityas and Viharas like the Karle Chaitya and Nasik Viharas.
• They supported the Amaravati School of Art, famous for its detailed and narrative sculptures of the Buddha’s life.
• Inscriptions from Naneghat and Karle highlight their deep religious patronage, especially towards Buddhism.

Language and Literature:

• The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit, and their inscriptions were written in the Brahmi script.
• The Gathasattasai, a Prakrit text attributed to King Hala, contains 700 verses and is one of the most notable literary works of the time.

Decline and Legacy:

• The Satavahana dynasty started to decline around the 3rd century CE. They were succeeded by the Ikshvakus in the Eastern Deccan, who continued many of the Satavahana traditions, especially in their patronage of Buddhism.
• Following the decline, the Pallavas emerged as prominent rulers in the southern Deccan.

Conclusion:The discovery of these Satavahana inscriptions in Telangana provides a deeper understanding of the dynasty’s political, religious, and cultural impact. Known for their military prowess, support for Buddhism, and contributions to trade and urbanization, the Satavahanas played a pivotal role in shaping the early history of the Deccan region. Their legacy lives on in the Ikshvakus, who carried forward the dynasty’s cultural and administrative practices, particularly in Buddhist patronage.