Kerala Sahitya Akademi 2024 Literary Award Winners Announcement 

Introduction and About

  • The Kerala Sahitya Akademi, the principal literary body of Kerala, has recently announced the winners of its 2024 literary awards. 
  • These awards hail various talents, both young and seasoned, across the broad spectrum of Malayalam literature. 
  • The categories of awards encompass a wide range of genre including novels, poetry, plays, biography and translation, thus demonstrating the Akademi's pledge to nurturing the literary culture of Kerala. 

 

Announcement and Significance of the Awards

  • The 2024 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards were announced formally on 26 June, 2025, in Thrissur, with the aim of recognising the diverse contributions to Malayalam literature. 
  • These awards are greatly revered in the cultural context and are viewed as some of the most prestigious accolades for writers of Malayalam literature. 

 

Details of the Awardees

 

 Lifetime Contribution Awards 

  • Six additional authors were also recognised for their Lifetime Contribution to literature: P K N Panicker, Payyannur Kunhiraman, M M Narayanan, T K Gangadharan, K E N, and Mallika Yunis.
  • Recognitions in Other Categories 
  • Various other pieces and authors were also recognised in categories such as drama, literary criticism, scientific literature, biography/autobiography, travel writing, translation, children's literature, and humour. 

 

Details of the Awards 

  • Regular awards comprise a cash prize of ?25,000, a plaque, and a certificate.
  • Fellowship and major lifetime awards consist of a cash prize of ?50,000, a two-sovereign gold medal, a shawl, a citation, and a plaque.
  • Other lifetime awards include a cash prize of ?30,000, a plaque, a shawl, and a certificate.
  • It is important to note that no winner was chosen for the Vilasini Award this year.

 

National Florence Nightingale Awards 2025 

 Introduction and About

  • The National Florence Nightingale Awards are prestigious recognitions that acknowledge the unparalleled efforts and contributions of nursing professionals in healthcare and public service.
  • The awards for the year 2025 were presented by the President of India to 15 deserving recipients hailing from the field of nursing.
  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare instituted these awards in the year 1973.
  • The awardees are selected from diverse fields, including Central and State Governments, Union Territories, and Voluntary Organisations. 

 

 Award Categories and Eligibility

  • The National Florence Nightingale Awards are presented across three categories: Registered Nurses and Midwives (RN & RM), Registered Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (RANM), and Registered Lady Visitors.
  • Eligible nominees encompass quite a spectrum, including nurses serving in hospitals, community settings, educational institutions, and administrative roles. 

 

Award Recognition

  • Each award entails a Certificate of Merit, a medal, and a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, serving as a tangible acknowledgment of the professionals' exemplary service in the healthcare industry.

 

Florence Nightingale and her Contributions

 Florence Nightingale - The Pioneer of Modern Nursing

  • Florence Nightingale, the eponymous inspiration behind these awards, was an eminent English social reformer, statistician, and is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing.
  • Nightingale's pivotal contributions were witnessed during the Crimean War, where she organised care for wounded soldiers and significantly slashed mortality rates by effecting improvements in hygiene standards.
  • A landmark in her career, she established the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, thereby laying the bedrock for modern nursing education. This marked a pivotal moment in history, revolutionising nursing into a respectable profession for women.

 

World Energy Investment Report 2025 Overview

 Introduction

  • The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released the 10th edition of its World Energy Investment Report.
  • The report provides crucial insights into global energy investment trends. 

 

 Key Highlights of the Report

  • Global energy investment is anticipated to reach a record USD 3.3 trillion. 
  • Of the total, clean energy technologies will receive an investment of USD 2.2 trillion which is double the investment in fossil fuels (USD 1.1 trillion).
  • Clean energy’s investment surge reflects the global effort to cut emissions, improve energy security, and utilise the cost competitiveness of electricity-based solutions. 
  • Investment in low-emissions power generation has nearly doubled in the last five years, spearheaded by solar PV. 
  • Solar investment is projected to reach USD 450 billion in 2025.
  • Nuclear power investment has witnessed 50% growth and is projected to reach USD 75 billion in 2025. 

 

 Indian Energy Investment Scenario 

  • Investment in India's renewable power rose from USD 13 billion in 2015 to USD 37 billion expected in 2025.
  • Fossil fuel investments have also grown from USD 41 billion to a projected USD 49 billion.
  • Investment in grid and storage declined from USD 31 billion to USD 25 billion.

 

 Regional Investment Patterns

  • China dominates global energy investments, accounting for over 25% in 2025.
  • Total energy spending in China equals that of the US and EU combined.
  • Africa, home to 20% of the world’s population, accounts for only 2% of global clean energy investment.

 

 Overview of Fossil Fuel Investments

  • Investment in oil exploration and production is predicted to fall by 6% in 2025.
  • LNG investments are experiencing a surge due to significant projects in the US, Qatar, and Canada.
  • Investment in coal continues to be strong, powered by China’s initiation of 100 GW of new coal power in 2024.

Grid Infrastructure Investment 

  • The generation investment is set to reach USD 1 trillion in 2025, while grid spending trails at just USD 400 billion. 
  • This widening gap is due to soaring demand and the consequent doubling of material costs for grid infrastructure over five years. 

 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) 

  • IEA, founded in 1974, is a Paris-based intergovernmental organisation set up by OECD countries. 
  • It plays the role of a global energy policy advisor, providing data, analysis, and policy recommendations to ensure affordable, sustainable, and secure energy.
  • The IEA has four primary areas of focus: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness, and worldwide engagement.
  • The IEA comprises 32 Member countries and 13 Association countries, including India. Chile, Colombia, Israel, and Costa Rica are currently seeking membership.
  • The applicant country must be a member of the OECD to join IEA.
  • Major Publications of IEA are the World Energy Outlook Report, India Energy Outlook Report, and World Energy Investment Report.

 

UNFPA State of World Population Report 2025 and its Implications for India 

Overview and Key Highlights 

  • The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released its State of World Population (SOWP) 2025 report titled “The Real Fertility Crisis”. 
  • The report confirmed India as the world's most populous country, expected to peak at 170 crores in the early 2060s. 
  • Key shifts in fertility, ageing, and reproductive autonomy were highlighted, urging a focus on meeting people's unmet fertility goals. 
  • As of April 2025, India's population is estimated to be highest globally at 146.39 crore.

 

 Important Statistics and Trends Related to India

  • Life expectancy in India is projected at 71 years for men and 74 years for women. 
  • India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) stands at 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1. 
  • Regional inequality in fertility rates persists, with high-fertility states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand contrasting with low-fertility ones like Kerala, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu.
  • 68% of India's population belongs to the working-age group (15–64 years).
  • Barriers that hinder reproductive choices in India include financial, housing, job, and childcare constraints, among others.

 

 Recommendations and Measures for India 

  • The UNFPA report recommends India prioritise reproductive rights over population control. 
  • Policy suggestions include ensuring universal access to contraceptives, maternal and infertility care, safe abortion, and addressing structural barriers like housing, job insecurity, etc.
  • It also stresses on extending services to marginalized groups, improving data on unmet needs, and promoting gender equality and social changes through community initiatives.

 

Key Demographic Statistics for India

  • The median age of India’s population is 28.2 years, with 68% being of working-age.
  • Literacy and Labour Force Participation Rates among adults are 87.4% and 78.8% for men, 71.5% and 41.7% for women, respectively.
  • The overall literacy rate for individuals aged 15 and above is 77%.
  • The dependency ratio stands at 47%, implying 47 dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
  • Over 80% of India’s population resides in areas vulnerable to climate change.

 

About United Nations Population Fund

  • UNFPA is a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly operating in over 150 countries.
  • The organization was established in 1969 and renamed as United Nations Population Fund in 1987.
  • UNFPA aims to achieve zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence by 2030.
  • Their work aligns with the UN's SDGs, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
  • UNFPA's operations are supported entirely through voluntary contributions from governments, the private sector, and civil society.

 

'Global Gender Gap Report 2025: A Perspective on India'

'About the Global Gender Gap Report'

  • Published by the World Economic Forum since 2006
  • A global index assessing gender equality across 148 countries
  • Measures countries' progress in closing gender gaps across 4 key dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health & Survival, and Political Empowerment
  • Rating mechanism ranges from 0 (complete inequality) to 1 (full gender parity)
  • This index serves as a strategic benchmarking tool to assess and compare gender disparities

 

 'India's Performance in the Report 2025'

  • Ranked 131st out of 148 in 2025, a decline from the 129th spot in 2024
  • Positive gains made in Economic Participation and Educational Attainment
  • Health and Survival improved, though there's reduced women's representation in Political Empowerment
  • In South Asia, Bangladesh ranked as the top performer, while Pakistan lagged at the lowest

 

'Key Strides by India towards Bridging Gender Gap'

  • Progressive policy and legislative reforms like Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
  • Education and Skill Development Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Vigyan Jyoti have enhanced girls' education
  • The increase in female labour force participation and encouragement of women entrepreneurship through schemes like Stand-Up India
  • Positive shifts in social norms alongside health initiatives for better maternal care

 

 'Challenges in Bridging India's Gender Gap'

  • Low Female Labour Force Participation with women occupying informal and undervalued roles
  • Considerable gender disparities in education and literacy rates
  • Economic Participation and Wage Inequality with women performing unpaid domestic work
  • Implementation gaps in government schemes targeting gender equity

 

'Government's Initiatives to Reduce Gender Gap'

  • Incitation of programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Mahila Shakti Kendra, and Mahila Police Volunteers
  • Political reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and legislative assemblies
  • Encouragement of female entrepreneurship via Stand-Up India and Mahila-e-Haat

 

'Proposed Measures to Boost Gender Parity in India'

  • Strengthening enforcement of gender-related protection laws
  • Enhancing economic inclusion of females through workplace reforms
  • Education, digital access support, and skilling through initiatives like Digital India and Skill India
  • Infrastructure revamp for health, nutrition & safety 
  • Inclusive governance and data-driven policy for targeted intervention.

 

GFW 2024 Report on Indian Forests

 Introduction to GFW Report

  • The Global Forest Watch is an open-source forest monitoring platform developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI), a research organization based in the US. 
  • GFW recently released data illustrating the deforestation and forest degradation trends in India from 2001 to 2024.

 

Key Findings of the GFW Report

  • From 2001 to 2024, India has lost 2.31 million hectares of tree cover, marking a decline of 7.1% since the year 2000. This loss created 1.29 gigatonnes of CO? emissions.
  • In 2024 alone, India lost around 150,000 hectares of natural forest, resulting in approximately 68 million tonnes of CO? emissions.
  • Primary forest loss increased from 17,700 hectares in 2023 to 18,200 hectares in 2024, and from 2002 to 2024, 348,000 hectares (5.4%) of humid primary forests were lost.
  • Loss of tree cover due to fires accounted for 36,200 hectares of trees from 2001 to 2024. The largest single year loss to fire was 2,770 hectares in 2008.
  • Despite the losses, 1.78 million hectares of tree cover were gained between 2000 and 2020 in India which contributed to 1.4% of global net gains. The highest tree cover gains were made by Russia, followed by Canada and the US.

 

Primary Causes of Deforestation in India

  • Shifting cultivation, logging, and infrastructure projects were the leading causes of forest loss in the North-Eastern states.
  • Mining activities contributed significantly to deforestation in Central India.
  • In the Western Ghats, forest loss was primarily due to the pressures of road development, tourism, and plantation cultivation.
  • Globally, between 2015 and 2020, India ranked second in deforestation, losing an average of 668,000 hectares of forest per year according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

 

Understanding the Performance Grading Index 2.0 in School Education

 Introduction and Overview

  • The Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 is a data-driven assessment tool designed by the Ministry of Education.
  • The objective is to evaluate the school education system across all States and Union Territories (UTs), using an evidence-based framework.
  • The initiative was first launched in 2017 and was revamped in 2021 as PGI 2.0.

 

Key Elements of Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0

  • The PGI 2.0 aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • The performance is measured using 73 indicators across 2 categories (Outcomes and Governance & Management), divided into 6 domains.
  • It operates on a 1,000-point grading scale, ranked into 10 performance levels, from Daksh (highest) to Akanshi-3 (lowest).
  • The data sources include the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021, UDISE+, and information on the mid-day meal programme (PM-POSHAN).

 

 Key Findings and Trends from PGI 2.0 Reports

  • The report for the years 2022–23 and 2023–24 reveals various trends and findings.
  • Top performers include Chandigarh, Punjab, and Delhi, whereas Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh were bottom-ranking states.
  • No State or UT reached the top grade (761–1,000 points).
  • A consistent improvement trend was observed with 25 out of 36 States/UTs improving their PGI scores in 2023–24 compared to 2022–23.
  • However, a significant inter-state disparity was noted in school education performance, indicated by the wide gap in points between top and bottom-ranking states.
  • The domains of Access to Education and Infrastructure & Facilities notably improved in several states.

 

Government Initiatives Concerning School Education

  • The study acknowledges various government initiatives enhancing School Education such as the National Education Policy 2020, Samagra Shiksha, Mid Day Meal Scheme, among others.
  • Other schemes like the Eklavya Model School, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme, and National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning are also in place.
  • The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, PRAGYATA, and PM SHRI Schools demonstrate the government's commitment to boosting school education across States and UTs.

 

Sahitya Akademi Yuva & Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025

 Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar Overview

  • Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, has announced the winners of their annual awards, Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar, in 24 Indian languages, for 2025. 
  • The Yuva Puraskar was instituted in 2011 to reward young Indian writers, aged 35 or below, for their original literary works across the 24 Indian languages recognised by the Akademi, including English.
  • The prize includes Rs 50,000 cash along with an engraved copper plaque, and a citation. 
  • To be eligible, the work must be an original (either creative or critical), published within the last five years, and of a minimum length of 49 pages. It can only be awarded once per language, per author. 
  • The selection process includes a public call for entries, preliminary assessment by referees, final selection by a three-member language jury, validation by the Executive Board, and eventual announcement of winners at a special function.

 

Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar Overview

  • The Bal Sahitya Puraskar, instituted in 2010, honours outstanding contributions to children's literature meant for readers aged between 9 and 16 years, across the 24 Indian languages recognised by the Akademi.
  • Award components include a cash prize of Rs 50,000, an engraved plaque, a shawl, and a citation for the winner. 
  • For the award to be considered, a minimum of three eligible books in a language must be published within the preceding 5 years. Adaptations from myths and posthumous works (provided the author passed away within the previous 5-year window) are accepted.

 

 About Sahitya Akademi and Its Awards

  • Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous organisation formed in 1952 and officially inaugurated in 1954, aims to promote literature in India's languages. Registered as a society in 1956, it has its head office in Delhi, and regional offices in several major Indian cities. 
  • The Akademi aims to promote inter-lingual literary dialogue and mutual translations between Indian languages, apart from its publishing activities. 
  • The Akademi confers 24 annual literary awards and translation awards in each recognised language, and also recognises contributions to unrecognised languages and classical/medieval literature through the Bhasha Samman.
  • It established the Sahitya Akademi Awards in 1954 to recognise outstanding literary books in 22 languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, as well as in English and Rajasthani. This award is the second-highest literary honour by the Government of India, after the Jnanpith award.

 

10th Sustainable Development Report 2025 and India's Progress in Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction of the Report and India's Ranking

  • The 10th Sustainable Development Report (2025) presented by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network places India in the 99th position in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index. 
  • This is the first time India has made it into the top 100 of 167 nations, with a score of 67.
  • The ranking reflects significant progression in comparison to its prior positions (109th in 2024, 112th in 2023).

 

 Key Highlights of the 10th Sustainable Development Report 

  • The global SDG progress is slacking, with only 17% of SDG targets predicted to be achieved by 2030.
  • The standstill is predominantly driven by conflicts, structural issues, and limited fiscal space.
  • Nordic nations - Finland, Sweden, Denmark lead the SDG rankings, with 19 of the top 20 countries being European.
  • South and East Asia have shown the swiftest regional advancements since 2015.
  • The report identifies certain areas where most countries have made substantial improvements, including mobile broadband and internet use, electricity access, and reduction in under-five and neonatal mortality.
  • Nevertheless, there have been significant deteriorations in objectives related to obesity, press freedom, nitrogen management, Red List Index, and corruption perception.
  • Nations showing the highest commitment to UN multilateralism include Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, while the US has consistently ranked last due to its opposition to the SDGs.

 

 About Sustainable Development Goals    

  • The SDGs comprise 17 interconnected objectives aimed at addressing critical global problems, for instance, poverty, climatic variations, and environmental degradation.
  • They were adopted in 2015 by 193 UN Member States as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • The primary objective is to foster peace, prosperity, and sustainability in the world by 2030 through cooperative efforts.

 

 Historical Background

  • Sustainable development was first defined in 1987 by the Brundtland Commission Report.
  • Subsequently, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted in 2000 to eliminate a range of global woes.
  • The Rio+20 Summit in 2012 laid the groundwork for the currently existing SDGs.

 

Factors Slowing down SDG Progress

  • Ongoing global conflicts, climate finance deficit, the Covid-19 pandemic, environmental pressures, and frequent natural disasters are among the chief factors impeding the achievement of SDGs.

 

Strategies for Achieving SDGs

  • Strengthening global governance, increasing finances for SDGs, endorsing sustainable agriculture, and localizing the SDGs are recommended strategies for successful accomplishment of SDGs.

 

The State of Climate in Asia 2024: WMO Report 

Report Overview

  • The State of Climate in Asia 2024 report was released by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). 
  • Surprisingly, it was found that Asia warmed almost twice as rapidly as the world's average in 2024. 
  • The year broke records as it was Asia's hottest, or at least the second hottest, year recorded.

 

Record Breaking Warming

  • Asia's temperature in 2024 was 1.04°C higher than the average from 1991–2020. 
  • There was a significant increase in warming rates which doubled since the period 1961–1990. 
  • This rate of warming marks an unprecedented trend, which is a significant concern for the continent. 

 

Extreme Weather Events

  • Extended heatwaves in India resulted in temperatures soaring between 45–50°C. 
  • These extreme heatwaves took over 450 lives. 
  • A combination of violent storms and heatwaves led to around 1,300 fatalities due to lightning. 
  • Tropical cyclones also battered Asia, with a total count of 29 in 2024. 
  • Cyclone Yagi was the most devastating, hitting several countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. 
  • The Indian subcontinent was significantly affected by Cyclones Remal, Fengal, Dana, and Asna.

 

Marine Impact and Glacial Retreat

  • Marine heatwaves affected approximately 15 million sq km, especially the northern Indian Ocean, and seas near Japan, China. 
  • The report mentions a concerning continuation of glacial mass loss. 
  • Of the 24 glaciers in High Mountain Asia, 23 displayed a decline. 
  • Urumqi Glacier No. 1 in Tian Shan recorded its highest melt since 1959.

 

WMO Details and History

  • WMO is an intergovernmental body with its headquarters in Geneva and a total of 193 Member States and Territories, including India. 
  • The organisation evolved from the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO), which was established after the 1873 Vienna Congress.