UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 22 June 2025

India to Integrate Rare Blood Donor Registry with e-Rakt Kosh for Faster, Safer Transfusions

June 22, 2025

India’s Rare Blood Registry Integration Latest News

The Central Health Ministry is looking at integrating the country’s Rare Donor Registry with the national online platform for blood bank management and blood availability information called e-Rakt Kosh.

Improving Blood Availability through Digital Integration

In a critical step toward strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure, the Union Health Ministry is set to integrate the Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI) with the national blood bank information platform, e-Rakt Kosh.
This move aims to significantly improve access to rare blood types for patients across the country, reduce transfusion-related complications, and enhance blood bank coordination.
The integration will provide a single-window digital interface under the National Health Mission (NHM), connecting rare blood group donors with hospitals and blood banks.
This effort is especially vital for patients suffering from complex conditions such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, or requiring rare blood types like Bombay blood group, Rh-null, and P-Null.

The Role of the Rare Donor Registry of India

The Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI) was developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Immunohaematology (ICMR-NIIH) in collaboration with four partner institutes.
It currently maintains a carefully screened database of around 4,000 donors, tested for over 300 rare blood markers.
This registry helps in quickly finding compatible rare blood matches for patients, thereby making blood transfusions safer and more effective.
Particularly for individuals who are alloimmunised (i.e., their bodies reject common blood antigens), the registry provides access to highly specific donor matches.
A key technological advancement in this initiative is a DNA-based multiplex PCR test developed to rapidly identify rare blood types, especially tailored to Indian patients.

e-Rakt Kosh: A Unified Platform for Blood Management

e-Rakt Kosh is a digital blood bank management system developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) and operated under NHM.
It provides real-time information about blood stock availability, blood donation camps, and donor tracking across the country.
The integration with RDRI will enhance its scope by incorporating rare blood group data, enabling patients and hospitals to easily access life-saving information through a centralized national network.
Blood banks will also be better equipped to manage donor lists, track stocks of rare blood types, and coordinate with hospitals for timely delivery.

Addressing Hemoglobinopathies and Genetic Disorders

Alongside the integration, ICMR-NIIH has been working on other innovations in blood-related healthcare.
These include the development of point-of-care (POC) tests to detect genetic blood disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
A significant cost reduction was achieved through Health Technology Assessments (HTA) led by the Department of Health Research (DHR), bringing the price of sickle cell diagnostic kits down from Rs. 350 to under Rs. 50 per test. This has potentially saved the government over Rs. 1,857 crore.
Moreover, India has developed testing kits for Hemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease.
These kits, now of interest to the World Federation for Hemophilia, allow even primary health centres to carry out rapid visual card-based diagnosis.
The testing technology has been transferred to Bengaluru-based Bhat Biotech, which commercialized it under the brand name “Bio-Scan” in August 2023.
India, with around 1.4 lakh hemophilia patients, the second highest in the world, stands to benefit immensely from this affordable and scalable innovation.

Implications and Future Outlook

The integration of RDRI with e-Rakt Kosh is expected to usher in a transformative phase in India’s blood donation and transfusion ecosystem.
By linking rare blood donors with a centralized and accessible national database, the government is addressing a critical gap in emergency and specialized healthcare.
Additionally, the concurrent rollout of affordable diagnostic tools for blood disorders strengthens India’s position as a hub for low-cost, high-impact healthcare innovation.
With ongoing investments in digital health platforms and biotechnology, India is making strides toward universal and equitable access to life-saving blood services.

Source: TH

India’s Rare Blood Registry Integration FAQs

Q1: What is the Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI)?

Ans: The RDRI is a national database of screened donors with rare blood types, developed by ICMR-NIIH to support safer and quicker blood transfusions.

Q2: What is the purpose of integrating RDRI with e-Rakt Kosh?

Ans: The integration aims to create a unified system for accessing and managing rare blood types across hospitals and blood banks.

Q3: What rare blood types are covered by the registry?

Ans: The registry includes ultra-rare blood groups like Bombay blood group, Rh-null, and P-Null.

Q4: What innovations have been introduced for blood-related disorders?

Ans: India has developed affordable POC test kits for hemoglobinopathies and genetic disorders like Hemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease.

Q5: How will this integration benefit patients?

Ans: It will help patients with rare blood needs find matches faster, ensure safer transfusions, and enhance emergency response capabilities.

Indian Railways Transports 20% of Cars in India: A Green Logistics Revolution

June 22, 2025

Car Transportation by Rail Latest News

In a major step towards reducing carbon emissions, Indian Railways increased its share of passenger vehicle (PV) dispatches to over 20% of total car production in 2024–25, a sharp rise from just 1.7% in 2014–15.
In 2024–25, Indian Railways transported 10.41 lakh cars, with total car loading expected to reach 15 lakh annually soon. This shift supports India's net zero emissions target by 2070 and presents a new revenue stream for the Railways.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (MMCT) at the Maruti Suzuki plant in Manesar, Haryana, capable of dispatching up to 4.5 lakh vehicles annually.

How the ‘Rail Coefficient’ for Car Transport Increased

Liberalisation of AFTO Policy
- The Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) scheme has been made more flexible to encourage car manufacturers to use Indian Railways for transporting passenger vehicles:
  - Registration fee of ₹5 crore removed
  - Minimum rake requirement reduced from 3 to 1
  - Auto ancillaries and spares now allowed in both directions
  - Net worth criteria for applicants eliminated
  - Spare wagon maintenance requirement eased from 4% per rake to 4% of total holdings
Industry Engagement and Feedback
- Regular consultations are held with key stakeholders like SIAM (Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers) to continuously improve the policy based on industry needs.
Infrastructure Expansion
- To support increased volumes, Indian Railways has added multiple automobile loading terminals across the country. New terminals include:
  - Eastern Region: Chitpur
  - Southern Region: Penukonda
  - Northern Region: Nasrala
  - North Eastern Region: Nautanwa, Bakshi ka Talab
  - East Central Region: Mesra
  - East Coast Region: Hirakud
  - Western Region: Champaner, Chharodi
  - North East Frontier Region: Baihata, Salchapra, Furkating, New Tinsukia, Jirania, Agthori
  - Central Region: Loni, Khadki, AJNI, Vilad
These reforms and infrastructure additions have significantly contributed to the rise in the ‘rail coefficient’—the share of cars transported by rail.

Wagons Used by Indian Railways to Transport Cars

Evolution of Automobile Transport by Rail
- Initially, Parcel Vans (VPs) were used, attached to passenger or mail/express trains.
- Later, Bogie Open Military (BOM) wagons were introduced but were limited to military equipment.
Introduction of NMG Coaches
- In 1995–96, New Modified Goods (NMG) coaches revolutionized car transport.
- A single rake of 25 NMG coaches can carry:
  - 100–125 cars
  - 125–175 tractors
  - 1,500–1,675 two-wheelers
- Indian Railways is continuously expanding its fleet of NMG rakes.
Modern Wagons for Larger Vehicles
- To meet the growing demand for transporting larger passenger vehicles like SUVs, the Railways introduced three new types of double-decker auto wagons.
- These modern rakes have significantly enhanced the capacity and efficiency of automobile transportation via rail.

India’s Top Car Transporters by Rail

Maruti Suzuki Leads the Pack
- Maruti Suzuki accounts for nearly 50% of all car transport via Indian Railways.
- Maruti uses 17 railway hubs, which serve 380 cities across India.
Other Major Players
- Hyundai ranks second in car transport by rail.
- Tata Motors holds third position.
- Mahindra Group is in fourth place.
Domestic Sales Dominate
- Approximately 80% of cars transported by rail are meant for domestic markets.
Expansive Rail Infrastructure
- India currently has 133 railway sidings where cars are loaded and unloaded, supporting the growing shift to rail logistics in the automobile sector.

Growth in Car Dispatches by Indian Railways

Steady Rise in Car Dispatches
- Indian Railways has witnessed a sharp increase in car dispatches over the past decade:
  - 2024–25 (FY25): 10.41 lakh cars
  - 2023–24 (FY24): 9.69 lakh cars
  - 2022–23 (FY23): 7.70 lakh cars
  - 2021–22 (FY22): 4.91 lakh cars
  - 2020–21 (FY21): 3.98 lakh cars
  - 2019–20 (FY20): 3.09 lakh cars
20-Fold Growth Since 2014–15
- From just 54,219 cars in 2014–15, car loading has grown nearly 20 times—a testament to Indian Railways’ enhanced role in green and efficient logistics.
Contributing Factors
- This growth is attributed to:
  - Policy reforms like liberalising the AFTO scheme
  - Introduction of modern auto-wagons
  - Expansion of dedicated automobile terminals and sidings across the country.

Source: IE

Car Transportation by Rail FAQs

Q1: Which company transports the most cars via rail?

Ans: Maruti Suzuki leads with nearly 50% of cars transported by rail, followed by Hyundai, Tata Motors, and Mahindra.

Q2: What helped increase rail transport of cars?

Ans: Liberalised AFTO policies, modern wagons, and expanded loading terminals boosted Indian Railways' car dispatch capacity significantly.

Q3: How many cars did Indian Railways move in FY25?

Ans: In 2024–25, Indian Railways transported 10.41 lakh cars, up from just 54,219 cars in 2014–15.

Q4: What types of wagons are used for cars?

Ans: NMG, BCACBM, ACT1, and ACT2 wagons are used, capable of carrying SUVs and cars in large numbers efficiently.

Q5: What is the rail coefficient in car logistics?

Ans: It’s the share of cars transported by rail, which grew from 1.7% in 2014–15 to over 20% in FY25.

India’s Quantum Leap: IIT-Delhi Achieve Secure 1 km Free-Space Quantum Communication

June 22, 2025

Quantum Communication Latest News

Recently, the Ministry of Defence announced that IIT-Delhi and DRDO scientists successfully demonstrated quantum communication over a distance of more than 1 km in free space, marking a major breakthrough in quantum cybersecurity.

Understanding Quantum Communication

About Quantum Communication
- Quantum communication uses principles of quantum physics—especially quantum entanglement—to create highly secure communication channels.
- It ensures that any attempt to intercept the communication is immediately detected.
The Role of Quantum Entanglement
- Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two particles become so closely linked that a change in one instantly affects the other, regardless of the distance between them.
- When two photons are entangled, measuring one instantly determines the state of the other, regardless of distance.
- This makes quantum communication highly resistant to eavesdropping.
Applications in Defence
- Due to its leak-proof nature, quantum communication is especially valuable in military and national security settings.
Key Method: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
- QKD is a major technique within quantum communication that enables two parties to share encryption keys securely, with any interception attempts being detectable.

Working of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

Purpose of QKD
- QKD enables two parties to securely share a secret encryption key.
- This key is later used to encrypt and decrypt messages using traditional algorithms (e.g., AES).
QKD Is Not Encryption
- QKD does not encrypt the message itself.
- It only ensures that both parties receive an identical key in a way that cannot be intercepted without detection.
- Just like a letterbox is publicly known but accessible only with a private key, QKD ensures that while the communication channel is known, the key remains private and secure between the sender and receiver.
Types of QKD
- Prepare-and-Measure QKD
  - One person prepares photons in specific quantum states and sends them to another, who measures them to establish a key.
- Entanglement-Based QKD
  - A source produces entangled photon pairs—one sent to the first person, the other to the second person.
  - The correlated measurements help them derive the same key securely.
Security Advantage
- Any attempt to intercept the photons in transit disturbs their quantum state, immediately alerting the parties and ensuring tamper detection.

IIT-Delhi’s Quantum Communication Achievement

Latest Breakthrough: 1 km Free-Space QKD
- The IIT-Delhi team successfully demonstrated entanglement-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over 1 km through open air on the IIT campus.
- This marks progress beyond fibre-based transmission.
  - The photons travel through open air, not through cables or fibres.
  - This is useful for communicating over long distances, even between buildings or from the ground to satellites.
Towards Satellite-Based QKD
- The experiment aims to lay the groundwork for ground-to-satellite QKD, where satellites could beam encryption keys securely to any location across India via atmospheric transmission.
Performance Metrics
- Secure key rate: ~240 bits per second
- Quantum bit error rate (QBER): Less than 7%
- This low error rate is acceptable and shows the system’s viability despite challenges like air turbulence, detector noise, and ambient light.
How It Works
- Entangled photons were sent to two receivers.
- When both receivers measured their respective photons, results matched over 93% of the time—validating entanglement and secure key distribution.
Past Milestones by IIT-Delhi Team
- 2022: Quantum link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj
- 2023: 380 km QKD using telecom fibre (QBER: 1.48%)
- 2024: QKD over 100+ km optical fibre link
- These progressive steps showcase India’s growing capability in quantum-secure communication infrastructure.

What Lies Ahead for Quantum Communication in India

Building a Quantum Communication Network
- The next step is to establish a multi-node quantum network, enabling secure communication across various locations.
- India aims to join global leaders like China, which already has a 4,600 km hybrid quantum network combining satellite and optical links.
Civilian Applications
- Quantum communication also holds promise for banking, telecom, and data security—where ultra-secure channels are vital to protect sensitive information.
Towards a Quantum Internet
- A future quantum internet could revolutionise:
  - Distributed quantum computing
  - Precision sensing
  - Secure time synchronisation
  - Highly encrypted communication networks
- The U.S. is targeting such a network by the mid-2030s.
Government Support: National Quantum Mission
- To accelerate progress, the Indian government launched the National Quantum Mission in 2023, allocating Rs 6,000 crore for the 2023–2031 period to support research and infrastructure development in quantum technologies.

Source: TH | PIB

Quantum Communication FAQs

Q1: What is quantum communication?

Ans: Quantum communication uses entangled particles to ensure ultra-secure data transfer by detecting any eavesdropping attempts instantly.

Q2: How does QKD work?

Ans: Quantum Key Distribution securely shares encryption keys between two parties using photons, ensuring any interception attempt is immediately detected.

Q3: What did IIT-Delhi achieve?

Ans: They demonstrated 1 km entanglement-based QKD in open air with a 93% success rate and minimal quantum bit error.

Q4: Why is quantum communication important?

Ans: It provides leak-proof, tamper-detectable communication vital for defense, banking, telecom, and future quantum internet infrastructure.

Q5: What’s India’s future in quantum tech?

Ans: India launched a ₹6,000 crore National Quantum Mission to build networks, support R&D, and lead in quantum technologies by 2031.

Surge in Fossil Fuel Financing by Global Banks Undermines Net Zero Goals

June 22, 2025

2025 Fossil Fuel Finance Report Latest News

The 2025 Fossil Fuel Finance Report by the Banking on Climate Chaos Coalition reveals that the world’s 65 largest banks collectively committed $869 billion to fossil fuel companies in 2024, up from $707 billion in 2023.
This growth, including the involvement of India's SBI, has sparked global concerns over climate goals, especially amid policy rollbacks and increasing global temperatures.

Key Highlights of the Report

Rising fossil fuel financing:
- Global financing surge: In 2024, global fossil fuel financing increased by 22.8% over 2023.
- Top contributor: JPMorgan Chase topped the list, contributing $53.5 billion, a $15 billion increase from 2023.
SBI’s climate commitments vs actions:
- Commitments:
  - State Bank of India (SBI) aims for net zero by 2055.
  - Target of 7.5% green advances by 2030 of domestic gross advances.
  - As of March 2025, SBI had extended ₹20,558 crore in sustainable finance.
- Actions: The report highlights that SBI's position rose to 47th rank, with a total fossil fuel financing of $2.62 billion, marking a $65 million increase from 2023.

Contradictions and Policy Backtracking

Policy rollbacks in global banks:
- American lender Wells Fargo scrapped plans to become net zero by 2050.
- European banks, earlier seen as climate-progressive, also showed weakening sector policies.
- Six largest US banks exited the UN Net-Zero Banking Alliance.
US policy shift under Trump administration:
- Withdrawal from Paris Agreement (effective early 2026).
- Exit from the Network for Greening the Financial System.
- Proposed legislation to cut clean energy tax incentives.
- This rollback comes despite 2024 being the hottest year ever recorded.

India’s Coal Financing Blind Spot

As per Climate Risk Horizons, Indian banks largely lack coal exclusion policies.
Only Federal Bank and RBL Bank among BSE’s top 1000 banks have such policies.
Despite renewables now being cheaper than coal, banks continue fossil fuel investments.

Long-Term Concerns

Lock-in effect of infrastructure:
- As per IEA 2024, achieving net zero by 2050 demands halving fossil fuel investment by 2030.
- New investments risk locking economies into decades of fossil fuel dependency.
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) financing:
- Acquisition-related fossil fuel financing rose to $82.9 billion.
- Although not directly creating new infrastructure, such financing strengthens fossil fuel companies’ market dominance, delaying the global phase-out essential for climate mitigation.

Cumulative Trends since Paris Agreement

From 2016–2025, the 65 banks have contributed $7.9 trillion in fossil fuel financing.
Since 2021, $3.3 trillion has been lent to fossil fuel businesses — a persistent trend despite global climate urgencies.

Conclusion

The rise in fossil fuel financing by global and Indian banks in 2024 signals a critical policy regression against the backdrop of an escalating climate crisis.
While financial institutions proclaim net-zero targets, the widening gap between climate pledges and actual financing behavior underscores the urgent need for enforceable climate-aligned banking regulations.
This is especially important as time runs out to meet global sustainability commitments.

Source: IE

2025 Fossil Fuel Finance Report FAQs

Q1: What is the significance of the 2025 Fossil Fuel Finance Report in the context of global climate commitments?

Ans: The report highlights a concerning increase in fossil fuel financing by major global banks, undermining the Paris Agreement goals and net-zero targets despite rising climate risks.

Q2: How has the State Bank of India (SBI) contributed to fossil fuel financing in 2024, and what are its green finance targets?

Ans: SBI increased its fossil fuel financing by $65 million in 2024 to reach $2.62 billion, while also aiming for net-zero emissions by 2055 and 7.5% of its domestic advances to be green by 2030.

Q3: What trends have been observed regarding fossil fuel financing policies among Western banks, especially in the US and Europe?

Ans: Western banks, including JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, have shown policy rollbacks, with some abandoning net-zero goals and the US withdrawing from international climate finance coalitions.

Q4: Why is coal financing considered a blind spot for Indian banks?

Ans: Coal remains heavily financed in India despite being economically unviable compared to renewables.

Q5: What is the potential impact of mergers and acquisitions financing in the fossil fuel sector?

Ans: Although not directly creating new infrastructure, such financing strengthens fossil fuel companies’ market dominance, delaying the global phase-out essential for climate mitigation.