What It Is: Objectives: Coverage: India’s Status Why the BBNJ Treaty Is Urgently Needed Challenges to BBNJ Treaty Implementation Way Forward for Effective BBNJ Implementation The BBNJ Treaty represents a crucial opportunity to safeguard the high seas. However, without swift action, inclusive governance, and equitable funding, its promise will remain unfulfilled.Protecting our oceans demands urgency, collaboration, and innovation—because marine ecosystems cannot wait.

Context: India has made significant progress in reducing poverty, with extreme poverty measured at $2.15 per day in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms falling from 16 per cent in 2011–12 to 2.3 per cent in 2022–23, according to the World Bank. The decline lifted 171 million people above the internationally comparable poverty line. Key Findings from the World Bank (2022–23): Urban vs Rural Poverty Trends Methodological Caveats: India’s rapid decline in both monetary and non-monetary poverty is noteworthy, especially at a time when global poverty reduction is slowing. However, experts stress the importance of robust data collection and transparency to ensure accurate policy direction. BS

Context: India and France to formally announce a ₹63,000-crore government-to-government deal for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets. The deal includes 22 single-seat, carrier-operable Rafale-M jets and 4 twin-seat trainer variants (non-carrier compatible). Official signing is being conducted remotely due to French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu deferring his visit for personal reasons. Timeline and Delivery Operational Context Previous Rafale Procurement TH

Context: Instilling entrepreneurial education at the school level is key to shaping the future. Educational institutions have a pivotal role in providing early exposure to creative thinking among students, said experts in a session organised at The Hindu-Tamil Nadu Startup Summit 2025 held in Chennai. Key Themes from the Panel 1. The Case for Inclusive Policy: More Than a Moral Imperative “We must build ecosystems where no innovator is left behind — not by gender, not by ability.”– Prateek Madhav, AssisTech Foundation Tamil Nadu’s start-up landscape has seen exponential growth, but lacks a formal inclusion policyCall to action: Embed inclusion and assistive tech into the state’s start-up policy framework 2. Assistive Technology: A Sector with Impact and Promise India now boasts 500+ assistive technology start-ups, many from Tamil NaduThese ventures are empowering people with disabilities, enhancing access and independenceMadhav noted that persons with disabilities contribute up to 7% of India’s GDP — an economic force not to be overlooked What Tamil Nadu Needs Now To lead the next wave of start-up innovation, Tamil Nadu must think beyond valuation and growth. It must invest in inclusive innovation, policy-backed ecosystems, and diverse leadership. The message from Chennai is clear: Inclusion is not a footnote; it is the future. TH

Context: Instilling entrepreneurial education at the school level is key to shaping the future. Educational institutions have a pivotal role in providing early exposure to creative thinking among students, said experts in a session organised at The Hindu-Tamil Nadu Startup Summit 2025 held in Chennai. Key Themes from the Panel 1. The Case for Inclusive Policy: More Than a Moral Imperative “We must build ecosystems where no innovator is left behind — not by gender, not by ability.”– Prateek Madhav, AssisTech Foundation Tamil Nadu’s start-up landscape has seen exponential growth, but lacks a formal inclusion policyCall to action: Embed inclusion and assistive tech into the state’s start-up policy framework 2. Assistive Technology: A Sector with Impact and Promise India now boasts 500+ assistive technology start-ups, many from Tamil NaduThese ventures are empowering people with disabilities, enhancing access and independenceMadhav noted that persons with disabilities contribute up to 7% of India’s GDP — an economic force not to be overlooked What Tamil Nadu Needs Now To lead the next wave of start-up innovation, Tamil Nadu must think beyond valuation and growth. It must invest in inclusive innovation, policy-backed ecosystems, and diverse leadership. The message from Chennai is clear: Inclusion is not a footnote; it is the future. TH