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- The Sample Registration System (SRS) is an annual, large-scale demographic survey conducted by the Office of the Registrar General of India across all States and Union Territories.
- The latest report highlights significant improvements in health indicators.
- The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined from 130 (2014–16) to 93 (2019–21), moving closer to the SDG 2030 target of ≤70.
- Child mortality indicators also showed progress: Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) fell to 19, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to 27, and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) to 31.
- The sex ratio at birth improved to 913 girls per 1,000 boys, up from 899 in 2014.
- The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) dropped to 2.0, though Bihar reported the highest at 3.0.
- Life expectancy stood at 69.8 years (2017–21), with males at 68.2 and females at 71.6.
- The working-age population (15–59 years) now accounts for 66.2% of the total. These trends indicate steady demographic progress.
- In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) stepped up efforts to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media.
- Disinformation refers to the intentional creation and dissemination of false or misleading content, while misinformation involves unintentionally spreading such content.
- This has become a core element of psychological warfare (PSYWAR), which employs propaganda, threats, and digital tools to mislead and demoralize adversaries during conflict or geopolitical tension.
- Examples include spreading fake news online or distributing surrender-encouraging leaflets to enemy forces.
- The goal is to undermine unity and morale without direct combat.
- Common PSYWAR tactics include propaganda, intimidation, exploiting social divisions, and cyber-psychological manipulation through digital platforms.
- PSYWAR propaganda falls into three categories: white (truthful but biased), grey (partially true, unverifiable), and black (false and misleading). Its effects can be severe—eroding public trust, encouraging military surrender, and heightening societal divisions, ultimately weakening national resilience and coherence.
- In Maharashtra’s Kadbanwadi grasslands, the endangered Indian grey wolf faces an increasing threat—attacks from feral and domestic dogs. This added pressure compounds existing dangers to the species' survival.
- About the Indian Grey Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes):
- A subspecies of the grey wolf, the Indian grey wolf inhabits arid and semi-arid open plains and grasslands across Southwest Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It plays a crucial role as a top predator in these ecosystems. Unlike other grey wolf subspecies, it tends to move in smaller packs and is less vocal, exhibiting more elusive behavior.
- Conservation Status:
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I, granting it the highest level of legal protection in India.
- Major Threats:
- Habitat loss due to agricultural and industrial expansion
- Decline in natural prey species
- Habitat modification
- Spread of diseases from feral dogs, which now also pose direct physical threats through attacks.