Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire agreement on Saturday to end weeks of border fighting.
The ceasefire took effect at noon on the day of the signing.
Key Terms of the Agreement:
Military Movements: Both sides must halt military movements and avoid violating each other’s airspace for military purposes.
Air Strikes: Only Thailand had carried out air strikes, with recent strikes hitting Cambodian sites as late as Saturday morning.
Prisoner Repatriation: After the ceasefire has held for 72 hours, Thailand is required to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers who were captured in earlier fighting (since July).
Dispute over Land Mines:
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry protested that a Thai soldier sustained permanent injuries after stepping on an anti-personnel land mine allegedly laid by Cambodian forces.
Casualties:
Thailand’s Losses: 26 Thai soldiers and one civilian were killed since December 7. Additionally, 44 Thai civilians died due to the conflict.
Cambodia’s Losses: Cambodia has not released an official count of military casualties but reported 30 civilian deaths and 90 injuries.
Diplomatic Response:
The ceasefire agreement was signed by the Defence Ministers of both countries at a border checkpoint:
Cambodia’s Defence Minister: Tea Seiha
Thailand’s Defence Minister: Nattaphon Narkphanit
Key Issues:
The release of Cambodian prisoners held by Thailand was a major demand from Cambodia.
Thailand’s protest regarding the landmine incident adds further tension despite the ceasefire.
Dulhasti Stage 2 hydropower project
Project Approval and Overview
A panel under the Ministry of Environment has approved the 260-MW Dulhasti Stage 2 hydropower project.
The project is located on the Chenab river in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.
Approval was granted by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on Hydel Projects during its 45th meeting.
The clearance enables the government to float construction tenders.
The project is estimated to cost over ₹3,200 crore.
It is a run-of-the-river hydropower project.
Geopolitical Context
The approval comes after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan on April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960):
Pakistan had rights over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.
India had rights over the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers.
With the treaty now in abeyance, India is accelerating hydropower development in the Indus basin.
Strategic Push in the Indus Basin
The Centre is moving ahead with several hydroelectric projects on Indus basin rivers, including:
Sawalkote
Ratle
Bursar
Pakal Dul
Kwar
Kiru
Kirthai I and II
These projects were earlier constrained by treaty-related limitations.
Relationship with Indus Waters Treaty
The EAC noted that the project parameters were originally planned in accordance with the IWT.
However, it formally recorded that the treaty stands suspended, removing earlier restrictions on water usage.
Technical Details of Dulhasti Stage 2
Dulhasti Stage 2 is an extension of the 390-MW Dulhasti Stage I project.
Dulhasti Stage I has been operational since 2007.
Stage I is operated by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
Water will be diverted from the Stage I power station through:
A separate tunnel
Length: 3,685 metres
Diameter: 8.5 metres
The diverted water will form a horseshoe-shaped pondage for Stage 2 power generation.
Land Requirement and Local Impact
Total land required: 60.3 hectares.
Private land acquisition:
8.27 hectares from two villages in Kishtwar district.
Remaining land will likely involve government or forest land (as implied).
Overall Significance
The project reflects a shift in India’s water and energy strategy after suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
It strengthens hydropower capacity in Jammu and Kashmir.
It has strategic, economic, and geopolitical implications, particularly in India–Pakistan relations.
Buccal Mucosa Cancer
Study Overview
A large multicentre study published in BMJ Global Health examines the link between alcohol consumption and buccal mucosa cancer (BMC) in India.
BMC is a common, aggressive form of oral cancer in the Indian population.
Data was collected from six cancer centres across India between 2010 and 2021.
Study Population and Methodology
The study analysed:
1,803 men diagnosed with buccal mucosa cancer
1,903 cancer-free men as controls
Analysis was restricted to men because alcohol consumption among women was too low to generate reliable risk estimates.
Researchers evaluated risks from:
Internationally recognised alcoholic beverages
Locally brewed liquors
Adjustments were made for tobacco use and other confounding factors.
Key Findings on Alcohol and Cancer Risk
Men who had ever consumed alcohol had a 68% higher risk of developing buccal mucosa cancer compared to non-drinkers.
Even low levels of alcohol consumption (below 9 grams per day, less than one standard drink) significantly increased cancer risk.
The findings directly challenge the belief that moderate or low alcohol intake is safe.
Impact of Different Types of Alcohol
Locally brewed liquors were associated with particularly high risks:
Ever-users of country liquor had nearly double the risk of BMC.
Tharra and desi daru showed the highest cancer risk.
Commercial alcohols like beer and whisky were also linked to increased risk, even at low consumption levels.
Alcohol–Tobacco Interaction
A strong interaction was observed between alcohol and tobacco use, especially smokeless tobacco.
Men who both consumed alcohol and chewed tobacco faced much higher risks than those using either alone.
Researchers estimate:
Over 60% of BMC cases in the study were attributable to the combined use of alcohol and chewing tobacco.
Alcohol alone accounted for approximately 11.3% of BMC cases nationally, with significant variation across Indian States.
Public Health Significance
Buccal mucosa cancer is:
The most common oral cancer in India
Associated with a poor five-year survival rate (~43%)
A significant number of cases occurred in men under 45 years, indicating early exposure and long-term health impacts.
Policy and Prevention Implications
The study calls for:
Integrated prevention strategies targeting both alcohol and tobacco together
Stricter regulation of locally brewed liquors, which often escape formal licensing and quality control
The findings support stronger public health messaging against alcohol consumption, even at low levels.
Indian Standard for Bomb Disposal Systems
Event & Context
IS 19445:2025 was released on National Consumer Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
It is an Indian Standard for Bomb Disposal Systems, focused on performance evaluation and safety requirements.
Purpose of IS 19445:2025
To strengthen safety, reliability, and standardisation in bomb disposal operations across India.
To provide a uniform and objective framework for evaluating bomb disposal systems used by security and civilian agencies.
Need for the Standard
Rising deployment of bomb disposal systems by armed forces, police, and civilian authorities.
Absence of a dedicated Indian Standard for evaluating the performance of such systems.
Limited suitability of international standards due to:
Restricted access
Partial mismatch with Indian threat profiles, munitions, and operating conditions
Presence of multiple Indian manufacturers, necessitating standardised testing for safe field deployment.
Systems Covered
Bomb blankets
Bomb baskets
Bomb inhibitors
Other systems designed to mitigate blast loads and splinter effects from explosive threats.
Key Provisions of the Standard
Specifies test equipment requirements and test range conditions.
Defines standardised evaluation procedures for objective performance assessment.
Lays down:
Test methodologies
Test apparatus
Test specimens
Acceptance and performance criteria
Serves as a reference for:
Test sponsors
Manufacturers
Accredited testing and certification agencies.
Development Process
Developed under the Arms and Ammunition for Civilian Use Sectional Committee (PGD 28).
A dedicated Bomb Disposal Systems Panel (PGD 28/P1) was constituted.
Panel convened by Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL), DRDO.
Initiated based on a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and TBRL, DRDO.
Stakeholder Participation
Defence and security agencies: DRDO, NSG, DGQA, MES, CAPFs
Government and infrastructure agencies: State Police, Airports Authority of India (AAI), NCRTC
Research institutions: BPR&D, NRAI, TBRL, NSFU
Public and private sector manufacturers
Testing, certification, and technical experts
Strong involvement of user agencies ensured practical relevance and field-level safety considerations.
Alignment with Global Practices
Incorporates international best practices in performance evaluation.
Adapted to Indian operational environments and threat scenarios.
Supports global competitiveness of Indian manufacturers while maintaining national relevance.
Key Benefits
Addresses threats from:
Unexploded bombs
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
Hand grenades
Enhances safety of:
Bomb disposal personnel
First responders
Civilians and bystanders
Ensures:
Transparent and uniform procurement processes
Reliable and interoperable equipment across agencies
Encourages indigenous development and innovation under Make in India.
Improves confidence in equipment used during critical security operations.
Implementation & Adoption
Intended for voluntary adoption by:
Procurement agencies
Manufacturers
Testing and certification bodies
Aims to bring uniformity in evaluation practices and promote quality-driven manufacturing.
Overall Significance
Reinforces the role of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in supporting:
Public safety
National security
Technological self-reliance
Marks a key step in modernising India’s bomb disposal capabilities through standardisation.
Indian Standards for Electric Agricultural Tractors
Event & Release
IS 19262:2025 – “Electric Agricultural Tractors — Test Code” was released on National Consumer Day 2025.
The release took place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Purpose of the Standard
To ensure safety, reliability, and performance of electric agricultural tractors.
To establish uniform, standardized, and scientific testing protocols applicable across the country.
To create a common understanding among all stakeholders involved in manufacturing, testing, certification, and use of electric tractors.
Scope and Coverage
Applies to electric agricultural tractors powered by electric motor(s) and battery packs, replacing conventional diesel engines.
Specifies:
Uniform terminology
General testing guidelines
Detailed test procedures for:
Power Take-Off (PTO) power
Drawbar power
Performance of belts and pulleys
Vibration measurement
Specification verification
Inspection of critical components and assemblies
Technical Basis
Draws technical inputs from:
IS 5994:2022 – Agricultural tractors — Test code
Relevant Automotive Industry Standards for electric vehicles
These references are adapted specifically for agricultural applications.
Need for the Standard
Electric agricultural tractors are an emerging segment in India’s farm mechanization ecosystem.
Rapid advancements in:
Battery technology
Electric motors
Power electronics
Absence of dedicated and harmonized testing procedures earlier made it difficult to consistently assess:
Performance
Safety
Reliability
Standard formulation was initiated following a request from the Mechanization & Technology Division, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (GoI).
Expected Outcomes
Test data generated under the standard will:
Provide a scientific basis for evaluating performance and safety
Support future development of acceptance criteria and conformity assessment schemes for electric tractors
Facilitates:
Wider adoption of electric agricultural tractors
Innovation in clean and sustainable agricultural technologies
Improved confidence among farmers and consumers
Environmental and Operational Benefits of Electric Tractors
Offer a sustainable alternative to diesel-powered tractors.
Key benefits include:
Zero tailpipe emissions at the farm level
Reduced air pollution and carbon footprint
Lower noise levels and no exposure to exhaust fumes
Healthier working conditions for farmers
Fewer moving parts leading to:
Lower maintenance requirements
Reduced operating costs
Improved energy efficiency
Contribute to reduced diesel consumption and conservation of natural resources.
Stakeholder Participation in Development
Active involvement from:
Electric tractor manufacturers
Testing and certification agencies
Research and academic institutions
Experts in agricultural engineering and electric mobility
Key contributors included:
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
ICAR–Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal
Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Budni
Tractor and Mechanization Association, New Delhi
Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune
All India Farmers Alliance, New Delhi
Implementation and Status
The standard is voluntary in nature.
Implementation through authorized testing institutes.
Aligns India’s domestic standardization efforts with global trends in electric mobility and farm mechanization.
Overall Significance
Strengthens India’s standardization framework for emerging agricultural technologies.
Supports sustainable agriculture, clean energy adoption, and technological self-reliance.
Enhances trust in electric agricultural tractors among manufacturers, regulators, farmers, and consumers.
