India-U.S. Defence Deal | FSSAI orders immediate removal of misleading ORS-labelled beverages | Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) | Acanthosis Nigricans | The India International Trade Fair | Global Methane Status Report 2025

India-U.S. Defence Deal

Syllabus: GS2/International Relation

Context

• The US State Department has approved the sale of the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system worth $93 million to India.

FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system

• It is a modern anti-tank guided missile system.
• It is a single man-portable fire-and-forget medium-range anti-tank weapon system designed to defeat all known threat armour.

Additional Information – India – USMilitary Exercises

1. Yudh Abhyas: Land forces.
2. Malabar: Naval quadrilateral with US, India, Japan, Australia.
3.  Cope India: Air exercise.
4. Tiger Triumph: Tri-service HADR exercise.
5. Vajra Prahar: Special forces.

FSSAI orders immediate removal of misleading ORS-labelled beverages

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

In News

• The FSSAI has directed the authorities to immediately remove from sale all fruit-based beverages, ready-to-serve drinks, energy drinks, electrolyte beverages, and similar products that are being marketed using the term ORS.

ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts)

• WHO–UNICEF–recommended sachets that are dissolved in clean water to make an Oral Rehydration Solution.
• Purpose – to prevent and treat dehydration from acute diarrhoea (including cholera) in all age groups,
• ORS formulation contains sodium chloride, anhydrous glucose, potassium chloride and trisodium citrate dihydrate in precise amounts.

Additional Information – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

• Established in – It is an autonomous body established in 2011 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Functions under – Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Objective – It is a statutory body related to food safety and regulation in India.
• Headquarters – New Delhi

Initiatives of FSSAI

• Eat Right Movement campaign: To ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians.
• Clean Street Food: Providing training to street food vendors and spreading awareness among them regarding the violations of the FSS Act.
• Diet4Life: Spreading awareness about the different types of metabolic disorders and how to avoid them.
• Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy: FSSAI promoted and encouraged people to avoid food wastage and promote the donation of food.
• Heart Attack Rewind: It is a mass media campaign of FSSAI to support FSSAI’s target of eliminating trans fat in India by the year 2022.

Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

• India described the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) as a key instrument for expanding equitable and technology-driven climate action at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

• The JCM is a bilateral initiative that allows a partner country, such as India, to cooperate with Japan to implement low-carbon projects and receive carbon credits.
• These credits, generated from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, can be used by both countries to help meet their national climate targets.
• The JCM facilitates technology transfer, mobilizes investment in green technologies, and promotes sustainable development in the partner country.

Acanthosis Nigricans

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• Acanthosis Nigricans can manifest in skin folds and creases on skin closely linked to the insulin resistance.

Acanthosis Nigricans (AN)

• It is a skin condition characterised by dark, velvety patches on skin folds.
• The skin changes do not appear overnight, but develop gradually over the course of several months.
• It is strongly linked to insulin resistance, which makes it an important early warning sign for prediabetes and diabetes.
• Causes – Obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and extremely rarely, in melanomas, stomach or liver malignancies.
• Treatment: In most cases related to obesity or insulin resistance, improving metabolic health can help lighten the skin discoloration.

The India International Trade Fair

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The India International Trade Fair (IITF), held at Bharat Mandapam, stands as one of India’s largest and most culturally immersive exhibitions.

The India International Trade Fair

• Organised by – Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Mandate – This annual event provides a common platform for the manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers.
• It is held every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• It is recognised as one of the largest integrated trade fairs in South Asia.
• It was first held in 1980.
• Theme: ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

Global Methane Status Report 2025

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

• The Global Methane Status Report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 in Belem.

Key Points of the Report

• Methane Emissions Rising: Despite stronger waste regulations and improved monitoring, global trends remain far short of the target to cut methane by 30% by 2030.
• Potency and Impact: Methane is around 80 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 20-year timescale, accounting for approximately one-third of current warming.
• Methane Emissions: India emitted about 31 million tonnes of methane in 2020, accounting for 9% of global emission It contributes 12% of global agricultural methane—the highest share worldwide.
• Agriculture Profile: Livestock (enteric fermentation) is the largest source, followed by rice cultivation, which is projected to increase by 8% in emissions by 2030. Crop residue burning is rising, making India a global hotspot.

Methane

• It is a short-lived climate pollutant (12-year atmospheric lifetime).
• It is 80–84 times more potent than CO₂ over 20 years
• Main Sources Globally: Agriculture (40%), energy (35%), and waste (20%).

Initiatives to Curb Methane Pollution- Global Initiatives:

Global Methane Pledge (GMP), 2021:

• It is a voluntary international framework to reduce methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
• Launched at – COP26 by the US, EU, and Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
• Note – India has not signed the pledge.

India’s Initiatives:

National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):

• Promotes climate-resilient and low-emission agriculture.
• Focus on soil health, water efficiency, and crop diversification, indirectly reducing methane.
• Technologies & Practices to Reduce Methane from Rice Agriculture