New Rules for Ladakh by the Central Government

The Central Government has notified five new regulations for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
These rules aim to address long-standing demands related to residency rights, employment, cultural identity, and administrative reforms.

• The rules have been implemented under Article 240 of the Constitution,
• which empowers the President to make regulations for Union Territories without a legislative assembly.
• These rules have been specially crafted keeping in mind the socio-cultural context of Ladakh.

What are the new regulations?

1️⃣ Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2025

• Introduces residence-based reservation in government jobs.
• Definition of “Domicile”:
  • Persons residing in Ladakh for 15 years or more.
  • Students who have studied for 7 years in local schools and have passed local examinations.
  • Children of long-term Central Government employees.

2️⃣ Ladakh Civil Services Domicile Certificate Rules, 2025

• Establishes the procedure for obtaining a domicile certificate.
• Application process: Both online and offline.
• The Tehsildar will issue the certificate; Deputy Commissioner will act as the appellate authority.

3️⃣ Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Rules, 2025

• Caste-based reservations in government jobs and professional institutions (like medical, engineering colleges) increased to 85%.
• An additional 10% reservation is set aside for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

4️⃣ Ladakh Official Language Rules, 2025

• Recognised as official languages:
  • English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi.
• Protected tribal dialects:
  • Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi — to be promoted for cultural identity and heritage preservation.

5️⃣ Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Amendment) Rules, 2025

• One-third reservation for women in LAHDC (Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council).
• The reservation will be based on a rotational system.

⚖️ Importance of the New Legal Framework:

• 🧭 Local legal foundation: These are the first laws tailored for Ladakh, replacing the earlier dependence on laws borrowed from Jammu & Kashmir.
• 🛡️ Protection of local interests: Domicile provisions in jobs and language recognition address core local demands.
• 👩‍⚖️ Women empowerment: Legal backing to women’s representation in hill councils.
• 🗣️ Cultural inclusion: Recognition of tribal dialects honours the region's diverse identity and heritage.

Question 1:

Under the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2025, who among the following are included in the definition of “domicile”?

1. Persons residing in Ladakh for 15 years
2. Students who have studied in Ladakh for at least 7 years or passed local examinations
3. Children of long-term Central Government employees

Codes:
A) Only 1 and 2
B) Only 2 and 3
C) Only 1 and 3
D) 1, 2, and 3
✅ Answer: D) 1, 2, and 3

 Question 2:

According to the Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Rules, 2025, what is the total percentage of reservation now provided in government jobs and professional institutions?
A) 75%
B) 85%
C) 90%
D) 95%
✅ Answer: B) 85%

 Question 3:

Under the Ladakh Official Language Rules, 2025, which of the following languages are recognised as official languages?

1. Bhoti
2. Purgi
3. Brokskat
4. Urdu

Codes:
A) Only 1 and 2
B) Only 1, 2, and 4
C) Only 3 and 4
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4
✅ Answer: B) Only 1, 2, and 4

 Question 4:

Which of the following is true regarding the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Amendment) Rules, 2025?
A) 50% reservation has been made mandatory for women
B) Women have been denied voting rights
C) One-third of the seats are reserved for women
D) Only Scheduled Tribes have been given representation
✅ Answer: C) One-third of the seats are reserved for women

 Question 5:

Which Article of the Constitution has been used to implement the new rules in Ladakh?
A) Article 239A
B) Article 240
C) Article 370
D) Article 244
✅ Answer: B) Article 240

What is the Aravalli Green Wall Initiative?

• It is a centrally coordinated afforestation and landscape restoration campaign.
• Launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The initiative will cover the 700 km long Aravalli mountain range.

🎯 Objectives:

• To prevent land degradation and desertification across 29 districts.
• To increase green cover for restoring ecological balance and protecting biodiversity.
• To enhance carbon sequestration as part of India’s climate goals (NDC under UNFCCC).
• To revive water bodies (ponds, lakes) and promote public participation.

🌿 Key Features:

• 29 districts across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi are selected for plantation activities.
• Around 1,000 nurseries of native species will be developed using CAMPA, MGNREGA, and state schemes.
• Focus areas include:
  • Agroforestry
  • Pastureland development
  • Restoration of lakes and ponds
• Integration with existing government initiatives like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.
• Promotion of eco-tourism:
  • Jungle safaris, trekking, and nature parks
  • Local community engagement ensured
• Target:
  • Phase I to be completed by 2027
  • Work plan to be presented at UNCCD COP-16 (Riyadh)

🏞️ About the Aravalli Mountain Range:

📍 States Covered:

• Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat
• Total length: ~670 km

🧭 Geographical & Ecological Significance:

• One of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world (formed during the Proterozoic Era).
• Acts as a natural barrier preventing the Thar Desert from spreading into the National Capital Region (NCR).
• Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar, Mount Abu, Rajasthan (1,722 meters)
• Major rivers originating here:
  • Banas
  • Sahibi (a tributary of Yamuna)
  • Luni (flows towards the Rann of Kutch)
• Rich in minerals like copper, zinc, and marble.

🔹 Two main sub-ranges:

1. Sambhar-Sirohi Range (includes Guru Shikhar)
2. Sambhar-Khetri Range (discontinuous mountain chain)

1. With reference to the Aravalli Green Wall Initiative, consider the following statements: (List Type 1)

1. This campaign is being run by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
2. Its objective is to prevent the Thar Desert from spreading to West Bengal.
   Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
   (a) Only 1
   (b) Only 2
   (c) Both 1 and 2
   (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   ✅ Answer: (a) Only 1

2. The objective of the Aravalli Green Wall Initiative is related to: (Simple Type)

(a) Creating a green belt along the India–Pakistan border
(b) Preventing land degradation and restoring ecological balance in the Aravalli range
(c) Afforestation in the forests of Uttarakhand
(d) Promoting organic farming in the Indus Valley
✅ Answer: (b) Preventing land degradation and restoring ecological balance in the Aravalli range

3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: (List Type 2)

Code:
(a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
(b) A-2; B-1; C-4; D-3
(c) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2
(d) A-4; B-3; C-2; D-1
✅ Answer: (a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4

4. Assertion (A): The Aravalli Green Wall Initiative will contribute to achieving India’s climate goals.

Reason (R): This initiative focuses on establishing 1,000 nurseries in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
(a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.
(d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.
✅ Answer: (c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

5. Which of the following pairs regarding the Aravalli mountain range is correctly matched? (List Type 2)

Code:
(a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
(b) A-2; B-3; C-4; D-1
(c) A-4; B-2; C-1; D-3
(d) A-1; B-4; C-2; D-3
✅ Answer: (a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4

National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN)

Context: The Government of India, in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), plans to gradually phase out the National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN) starting June 2025. The number of surveillance centers will be reduced from 280 to 140 by 2026–27.

🔍 What is NPSN?

The National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN) is India’s premier disease surveillance system aimed at detecting and controlling polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).

📅 When was it established?

• Year: 1997
• Originally launched as: National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP)

🤝 Associated Organizations:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India

🎯 Objectives:

• To support polio eradication, especially through identification and investigation of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases.
• To monitor immunization campaigns and ensure zero transmission of wild poliovirus.

🧪 Key Functions:

🔬 Disease Surveillance:

• Detecting AFP cases and confirming them through laboratory testing.

💉 Vaccination Support:

• Supporting the Pulse Polio Campaign and routine immunization programs.

🏫 Capacity Building:

• Training state and district health officials in surveillance protocols and methodologies.

🔗 Integrated Health Role:

• Currently also contributing to measles-rubella elimination and control of other VPDs.

👩‍⚕️ Workforce Deployment:

• Over 200 field units operational across India, led by Surveillance Medical Officers (SMOs).

🔄 Future Roadmap:

• NPSN will be integrated into the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) to ensure comprehensive public health surveillance.

1. With reference to the National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN), consider the following statements: (List Type – 1)

1. It was established in 1997 through the collaboration of the World Health Organization and the Government of India.
2. Its main function is to manufacture and export polio vaccines.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
✅ Answer: (a) Only 1

2. Into which national program will the NPSN be integrated in the future? (Simple Type)

(a) Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)
(b) National Elimination Program (NEP)
(c) Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)
(d) Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)
✅ Answer: (c) Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)

3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: (List Type – 2)

Codes:
(a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
(b) A-2; B-1; C-4; D-3
(c) A-3; B-1; C-2; D-4
(d) A-1; B-3; C-2; D-4
✅ Answer: (a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4

4. Assertion (A): The Government of India is reducing the number of NPSN centers from 280 to 140.

Reason (R): There has been a significant rise in polio cases in India.

(a) Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.
(d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.
✅ Answer: (c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

5. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched with respect to NPSN? (List Type – 2)

Codes:
(a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
(b) A-2; B-1; C-3; D-4
(c) A-1; B-3; C-2; D-4
(d) A-4; B-2; C-1; D-3
✅ Answer: (a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4

Antibiotic-Producing Thermophilic Bacteria

Source: The Hindu
Context: Scientists from Vellore Institute of Technology have discovered antibiotic-producing thermophilic bacteria in the hot springs of Rajgir, Bihar. This discovery opens new avenues in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

🔬 What are Thermophilic Bacteria?

• Thermophiles are microorganisms that thrive at extremely high temperatures ranging from 45°C to 70°C, where most life forms cannot survive.

🧬 Key Characteristics of Thermophilic Bacteria:

1. Heat Tolerance:
   • These bacteria grow optimally in temperatures between 45°C and 80°C.
   • They survive in conditions that are lethal for regular bacteria.
2. Heat-Stable Enzymes:
   • The enzymes produced by them remain active even at high temperatures.
   • These are used in PCR testing, biofuel production, and various industrial processes.
3. Robust Cell Membrane:
   • Their membranes are composed of special fatty acids that resist melting, providing thermal protection.
4. Unique Metabolism:
   • They can utilize unusual nutrients like sulfur and iron, enabling them to survive in mineral-rich but low-competition environments.
5. Survival Mechanisms:
   • Some thermophilic bacteria form spores or possess strong DNA repair systems, helping them endure harsh conditions.

🧪 Key Examples:

• Thermus aquaticus – Used in PCR testing.
• Actinobacteria – Known for antibiotic production.
• Sulfolobus acidocaldarius – Found in acidic hot springs.

💊 Features of Antibiotic-Producing Thermophilic Bacteria:

• Heat-Tolerant Enzymes: Active even at high temperatures, ideal for industrial applications.
• Antibiotic Production: Produce potent antimicrobial compounds to eliminate rival organisms.
• Unique Biochemical Pathways:
  • Their distinct metabolism leads to the discovery of rare bioactive compounds.

🧩 Uses and Applications:

1. In Medicine:
   • Compounds like Diethyl Phthalate produced by Rajgir thermophiles are capable of combating drug-resistant infections like Listeria monocytogenes.
2. In Agriculture:
   • Mixtures of thermophilic microbes can enhance soil fertility and improve crop resilience.
3. In Industry:
   • Their enzymes are used in PCR testing, biofuel production, and waste decomposition processes.

1. With reference to thermophilic bacteria, consider the following statements: (list_type_1)

1. These bacteria thrive between 10°C and 35°C.
2. They produce heat-tolerant enzymes that remain active at high temperatures.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct?
   (a) Only 1
   (b) Only 2
   (c) Both 1 and 2
   (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   ✅ Answer: (b) Only 2

2. Where were the antibiotic-producing thermophilic bacteria discovered by Vellore Institute of Technology? (simple_type)

(a) Mansarovar Lake, Uttarakhand
(b) Tawang Hot Spring, Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Rajgir Hot Springs, Bihar
(d) Lonar Lake, Maharashtra
✅ Answer: (c) Rajgir Hot Springs, Bihar

3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: (list_type_2)

Code:
(a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
(b) A-2; B-3; C-1; D-4
(c) A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4
(d) A-4; B-1; C-3; D-2
✅ Answer: (a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4

4. Assertion (A) & Reason (R):

Assertion (A): Enzymes derived from thermophilic bacteria function even at high temperatures.
Reason (R): The cell membrane of these bacteria is similar to that of normal bacteria.
(a) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.
(d) A is incorrect, but R is correct.
✅ Answer: (c) A is correct, but R is incorrect.

5. Which of the following compounds produced by thermophilic bacteria exhibit antibiotic properties? (list_type_1)

1. Diethyl Phthalate
2. Amoxicillin
3. Streptomycin
   (a) Only 1
   (b) 1 and 3
   (c) Only 2
   (d) All 1, 2, and 3
   ✅ Answer: (a) Only 1