💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Distribution: weekly

  • RBI’s Gold Reserve exceeds $100 billion

    Why in the News?

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that India’s gold reserves surpassed $100 billion for the first time in history, reaching $102.365 billion in the week ending October 10, 2025.

    India’s Gold Reserves and Composition (2025):

    • Total Holdings: As of March 31, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held approximately 879.58 metric tonnes of gold.
    • Valuation Milestone: In October 2025, the value of India’s gold reserves crossed USD 100 billion, reaching about USD 102.36 billion, the highest in history.
    • Forex Share: Gold’s share in India’s total foreign exchange reserves rose to 14.7 %, the highest since 1996–97, driven by valuation gains and steady accumulation.
    • Yearly Rise: Early in 2025, gold comprised 12.5 % of reserves, indicating a sharp increase through the year amid global market volatility.
    • Repatriation Move: During FY 2024–25, the RBI repatriated 100.32 tonnes of gold from overseas vaults to India, expanding domestic holdings.

    Distribution of Gold Holdings (March 2025):

    • Domestic Holdings: About 200 metric tonnes held within India.
    • Overseas Holdings: Around 367 metric tonnes stored abroad.
    • Deposits with Foreign Institutions: Approximately 19 metric tonnes.
    • Trend Evolution: Gold share in reserves rose from 5.9 % (2021) to 11.7 % (2025) due to strategic diversification and valuation gains.

    What are Gold Reserves?

    • A gold reserve is the gold held by a country’s central bank, acting as a backup for financial promises and a store of value.
    • India, like other nations, stores some of its gold reserves in foreign vaults to spread out risk and facilitate international trading.
    • India’s Gold Reserves:
      • As of the end of March 2024, the RBI held 822.10 tonnes of gold, with 408.31 tonnes stored domestically.
      • The share of gold in the total forex of India is around 7-8% as of 2023.

    Where does the RBI store its gold?

    • India’s gold reserves are primarily stored in the Bank of England, which is known for its stringent security protocols.
    • The RBI also stores a portion of its gold reserves at the:
      1. Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland, and the
      2. Federal Reserve Bank of New York in the United States.
    During India’s foreign exchange crisis in 1990-91, the country pledged some of its gold reserves to the Bank of England to secure a $405 million loan, according to reports.

    Even though the loan was paid back by November 1991, India decided to keep the gold in the UK for convenience.

    Why does the RBI store its gold in foreign banks?

    • Convenience: Storing gold overseas makes it easier for India to trade, engage in swaps and earn returns.
    • Averting Risks: There are risks involved, especially during times of geopolitical tensions and war.
      • The recent freezing of Russian assets by Western nations has raised worries about the safety of assets kept abroad and the RBI decision to shift a portion of the gold reserve to India could be prompted by these concerns.
    • Stable Prices: Unlike fiat currencies, which can be subject to inflation or devaluation due to various economic factors, the value of gold tends to be relatively stable over time, which makes it an attractive asset for central banks to hold as a reserve.

    Benefits Offered by Gold Reserves

    • Control domestic gold prices: With its big stash of gold, the RBI can help control local gold prices by using some of it in India. Last financial year, the RBI added about 27.47 tonnes of gold to the total reserve, bringing it to 794.63 tonnes.
    • Security buffer: The increased gold reserve works as a hedge against any financial crisis and to take measures to control inflation as well as currency devaluation.
    [UPSC 2015] The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availability of:

    (a) Goods and services

    (b) Gold and silver

    (c) Dollars and other hard currencies *

    (d) Exportable surplus

     

  • Taftan Volcano, Iran 

    Why in the News?

    New satellite data in Geophysical Research Letters (October 2025) shows Iran’s Taftan volcano, dormant for 710,000 years, is reactivating.

    Taftan Volcano, Iran 

    About Taftan Volcano:

    • Location: Situated in southeastern Iran, about 56 km from the Pakistan border, within the Makran continental volcanic arc.
    • Elevation: Rises to 3,940 metres (12,927 feet), Iran’s only active volcano in the Makran arc.
    • Tectonic Origin: Formed by subduction of the Arabian oceanic plate beneath the Eurasian continental plate.
    • Volcanic Type & Composition: A stratovolcano composed mainly of andesitic and dacitic lava, with pyroclastic flows and volcanic breccias.
    • Structure: Features two summits, Narkuh and Matherkuh, and extensive ignimbrite and lava fans stretching over 30 km.
    • Hydrothermal Activity: Hosts sulfur-emitting fumaroles, visible from up to 100 km, sustained by an active hydrothermal system.
    • Eruptive History: Major activity phases around 8 Ma, 6 Ma, and 0.7 Ma; last lava flow dated to about 6,950 years ago.
    • Recent Observations: 2023–24 satellite data detected 9 cm ground uplift, indicating subsurface pressure buildup and reclassification from extinct to dormant.

    Scientific Interpretation and Outlook:

    • Magma Dynamics: Uplift linked to gas accumulation or shallow magma intrusion at 490–630 m depth, possibly fed by deeper chambers (~3.5 km).
    • Current Status: No imminent eruption expected; likely pressure release via degassing or minor eruptions.
    • Monitoring Gap: Lack of ground-based GPS or seismic sensors; reliance on satellite InSAR data for deformation tracking.
    • Scientific Recommendations: Call for establishing a volcano observatory in southeastern Iran for real-time monitoring and gas analysis.
    • Regional Significance: Highlights Makran arc tectonic activity and underscores the need for international geophysical collaboration.
    • Research Importance: Taftan’s reawakening demonstrates the role of remote sensing in detecting hidden volcanic unrest and stresses continuous monitoring to assess eruption potential and regional hazard mitigation.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following:
    1. Pyroclastic debris 2. Ash and dust 3. Nitrogen compounds 4. Sulphur compoundsHow many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) only four*

     

  • UN Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP)

    Why in the News?

    India has been elected as Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP) for a three-year term till 2028.

    About UN-GGIM-Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP):

    • Objective: Maximises social, economic, and environmental benefits of geospatial data through regional collaboration, innovation, and policy harmonisation.
    • Overview: It is one of the five regional committees under the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).
    • Function: Serves as the highest inter-governmental platform in the region for joint decision-making on geospatial data generation, governance, and utilisation.
    • Mandate: Coordinates geospatial policy, promotes data standardisation, and supports applications in sustainable development, disaster management, and environmental monitoring.
    • Establishment: Formed in 1995 as the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); rebranded in 2012 following UN-GGIM’s global launch in 2011.
    • Membership: Comprises 56 national geospatial agencies from across the Asia-Pacific region.
    • Secretariat: Hosted by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) since 2018, providing institutional and technical support.

    India’s Role and Significance:

    • Leadership Role: India elected Co-Chair (2025–2028), reflecting global recognition of its geospatial governance and digital mapping expertise.
    • Strategic Influence: Strengthens India’s position in regional policy formation, data ethics, and standardisation frameworks.
    • Policy Alignment: Complements India’s National Geospatial Policy 2022, Digital India, and PM GatiShakti National Master Plan initiatives.
    • Regional Contribution: India to lead capacity-building, data interoperability, and open-access frameworks for disaster management and climate resilience.
    • Institutional Integration: Links ISRO’s remote sensing and Survey of India’s ground mapping to regional development goals.
    • Global Impact: Positions India as a knowledge hub in geospatial innovation and ensures its active role in defining global spatial data standards for sustainable growth.
    [UPSC 2023]  Consider the following infrastructure sectors :

    1. Affordable housing 2. Mass rapid transport 3. Health care 4. Renewable energy

    On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments?

    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three* (d) All four

     

  • Blackbuck Re-Introduction in Chhattisgarh

    Why in the News?

    Chhattisgarh launched a five-year Blackbuck Reintroduction Plan (2021–2026) at Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary to revive the species after 50 years of local extinction.

    Blackbucks have vanished from Chhattisgarh by the 1970s, primarily due to poaching, habitat loss, and grassland encroachment.

    About the Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra):

    • Habitat: Native to India and Nepal, commonly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
    • Physical Traits: Medium-sized antelope with males having spiral horns and black coats; known as the fastest land mammal in India.
    • Behaviour: Diurnal grazer that thrives in open plains and grasslands.
    • Ecological Role: Serves as an indicator species for grassland ecosystem health.
    • State Animal: Designated as the State Animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
    • Cultural Symbolism: Represents purity in Hinduism and good fortune in Buddhism.
    • Legal Protection:
      • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
      • IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
      • CITES: Appendix III.
    [UPSC 2017] In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

    Options: (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. *

    (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it is impossible to prevent its extinction.

    (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.

    (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.

     

  • Restoring fiscal space for the states

    Introduction

    India’s fiscal federalism has long been guided by the principle of cooperative balance, where both the Centre and States share resources, responsibilities, and accountability. However, the post-GST era has altered this equilibrium. The recent merger of the GST compensation cess with regular tax marks a watershed moment, ending an era of fiscal cushioning for States and raising pressing questions about States’ financial independence.

    With rising public aspirations, widening service delivery gaps, and increased welfare commitments, States are grappling with constrained fiscal space. The centralisation of taxation powers, growing dependence on Central transfers, and the limited flexibility to raise revenue are redefining India’s fiscal federalism.

    Why in the News?

    The abolition of the GST compensation cess, after five years of implementation, marks a turning point in India’s fiscal framework. For the first time since GST’s rollout in 2017, the compensation mechanism, which assured States 14% annual revenue growth, has ended.

    This is significant because:

    • The cess previously cushioned States from revenue shortfalls during GST transition.
    • Its removal exposes the true fiscal capacity of States, revealing wide disparities in revenue generation.
    • The Centre’s growing use of cesses and surcharges, which are not shareable with States, has further squeezed State finances.
    • The resulting imbalance has rekindled the debate on “fiscal autonomy versus fiscal efficiency.”

    Evolving Fiscal Architecture

    How has GST altered India’s tax landscape?

    1. Shift from origin-based to destination-based taxation: GST replaced multiple State taxes with a unified structure, eroding the States’ control over indirect taxes.
    2. Shared tax base: Both Centre and States levy GST, but decision-making lies with the GST Council, where the Centre has a dominant role.
    3. Erosion of fiscal autonomy: States lost independent authority to adjust tax rates or design fiscal responses tailored to their economies.
    4. Cess and surcharge dominance: These have become a parallel fiscal instrument for the Centre, bypassing the divisible tax pool.

    Changing Centre–State Financial Relations

    How have constitutional mechanisms evolved over time?

    1. Articles 268–293 define the fiscal relationship between Centre and States.
    2. The Finance Commission (Article 280) determines devolution, but several States allege that the criteria penalise progressive, industrial States.
    3. With the abolition of the Planning Commission in 2014, only two main transfer channels remain, Finance Commission grants and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
    4. Article 282 allows discretionary Central grants, often perceived as politically influenced, affecting opposition-ruled States disproportionately.

    Declining Devolution and Fiscal Dependence

    How serious is the resource imbalance between Centre and States?

    1. Despite recommendations of 42% devolution (14th Finance Commission), actual transfers as a share of gross tax revenue have declined.
    2. Cesses and surcharges, which are non-shareable, reached ₹3.86 lakh crore (RE 2024–25) and are projected at ₹4.23 lakh crore (BE 2025–26).
    3. Central transfers still account for 44% of States’ revenue receipts, ranging from 72% for Bihar to 20% for Haryana, highlighting the uneven dependency landscape.
    4. The Centre collects 67% of total tax revenue, while States handle over 52% of total expenditure, particularly in health, education, and agriculture.
    5. This structural mismatch constrains States’ fiscal flexibility and deepens intergovernmental friction.

    Emerging Demands for Fiscal Reforms

    What are States and experts proposing for fiscal autonomy?

    1. Restructuring tax-sharing principles: Revisiting Finance Commission formulas to reflect true expenditure needs and reward performance equitably.
    2. Personal Income Tax sharing: Proposal to share or allow States to “top up” the personal income tax base to reduce fiscal dependence.
    3. Learning from Canada: Canadian provinces collect 54% of taxes and spend 60%, offering a model of greater subnational flexibility.
    4. Transparent devolution: Merging cesses and surcharges into the divisible pool could enhance transparency and equity.
    5. Independent fiscal oversight: Establishing a permanent intergovernmental fiscal council for mediation and coordination.

    The Way Forward: Towards Cooperative Fiscal Federalism

    How can fiscal space be restored to States?

    1. Revisit GST architecture: Grant States limited powers to vary tax rates within a band for specific commodities or services.
    2. Rationalise CSS schemes: Allow greater flexibility for States to design locally suited welfare interventions.
    3. Enhance fiscal responsibility: Encourage States to improve tax compliance, widen base, and adopt technology-driven revenue administration.
    4. Periodic fiscal reviews: Institutionalise data-based monitoring to balance efficiency with equity.
    5. Political cooperation: Encourage a non-partisan GST Council model where fiscal debates remain guided by economic logic, not politics.

    Conclusion

    India’s growth story is fundamentally federal. The vitality of its States determines the resilience of its economy. As the GST compensation era ends and States’ expenditure responsibilities rise, restoring their fiscal autonomy is essential for sustainable growth. True cooperative federalism demands not just consultation but real power-sharing in fiscal decision-making. Empowering States fiscally is not a concession — it is a constitutional necessity for a balanced and vibrant India.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2024] What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.

    Linkage: The phasing out of the GST compensation cess and rising use of non-shareable cesses and surcharges reflect the Centre’s growing fiscal dominance, compelling States to seek reforms in tax devolution to rebuild trust and uphold true cooperative federalism.

  • Carbon Di-oxide Levels in 2024 set new records: WMO

    Why in the News?

    The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations reached a record 423.9 ppm in 2024, marking the highest annual increase (3.5 ppm) since global measurements began in 1957.

    About WMO Report 2025:

    • Publisher: Issued by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN specialised agency for weather, climate, and water systems.
    • Document: The 2025 Greenhouse Gas Bulletin presents global atmospheric data for carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
    • Global Record: Confirms 2024 as the warmest year ever, with average temperatures 1.55 °C above pre-industrial (1850–1900) levels.
    • Context & Timing: Released ahead of COP30 (Belém, Brazil) to guide mitigation policies and national climate commitments.
    • Key Warning: Notes a record surge in CO₂ and the weakening of natural carbon sinks such as oceans and forests.

    Key Highlights about Greenhouse Gases:

    • Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Global mean reached 423.9 ppm in 2024, up 3.5 ppm from 2023, the largest annual rise since 1957. Concentrations are 152 % above pre-industrial (278.3 ppm); land and ocean sinks are declining in efficiency.
    • Methane (CH₄): Climbed to 1,942 ppb, 166 % above pre-industrial levels; ~60 % of emissions stem from livestock, fossil fuels, and rice cultivation.
    • Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): Reached 338 ppb, 25 % higher than pre-industrial; emitted mainly from fertiliser use, biomass burning, and industry; the third major long-lived GHG.
    • Drivers of Increase: Human emissions, El Niño-linked droughts and wildfires, and reduced oceanic absorption, especially from the Amazon and southern Africa in 2024.

    Implications and Risks:

    • Warming Acceleration: CO₂ causes ~66 % of total warming and 79 % over the last decade; persistent buildup locks in long-term temperature rise.
    • Weakening Carbon Sinks: Warmer seas and drought-stricken lands absorb less CO₂, reinforcing a feedback loop of accumulation.
    • Extreme Events: Intensified heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires signal proximity to irreversible tipping points like ice-sheet loss and coral die-off.
    [UPSC 2012] The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs

    Options: (a) the water vapour of the air and retains its heat.

    (b) the UV part of the solar radiation.

    (c) all the solar radiations.

    (d) the infrared part of the solar radiation. *

     

  • Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

    Why in the News?

    The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting was recently held in Kampala, Uganda.

    About the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

    • Overview: A grouping of states not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc, established to uphold sovereignty, independence, and neutrality during the Cold War.
    • Formation: Founded in 1961 at Belgrade, Yugoslavia, emerging from the 1955 Bandung Conference (Indonesia) which laid down the Ten Principles of Bandung as its ideological foundation.
    • Founding Leaders:
      1. Jawaharlal Nehru (India)
      2. Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt)
      3. Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia)
      4. Ahmed Sukarno (Indonesia)
      5. Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)
    • Membership:
      • 120 countries: 53 from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America & the Caribbean, and 2 from Europe.
      • Includes Palestine as a member and 17 observer nations with 10 observer organisations.
      • Represents nearly 60% of UN membership, making it the second-largest intergovernmental bloc after the UN.
    • Structure: NAM functions without a permanent secretariat, charter, or budget, relying on rotational leadership and consensus-driven decision-making.

    Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

    India’s Contemporary Role in NAM:

    • India advocates for reinvigorating NAM as a platform for South-South cooperation in technology, trade, and climate resilience.
    • It seeks to make NAM relevant in a multipolar world, focusing on digital equity, global governance reforms, and sustainable development.
    • India views NAM not as an anti-West bloc but as a forum of balanced autonomy, promoting strategic non-alignment and global partnership in the 21st century.
    [UPSC 2009] Among the following Presidents of India, who was also the Secretary General of Non-Aligned Movement for some period ?

    Options: (a) Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (b) Varahairi Venkatagiri (c) Giani Zail Singh * (d) Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma

     

  • CG HC upholds cancellation of Forest Rights of Villagers

    Why in the News?

    The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the cancellation of Community Forest Rights (CFRs) granted to villagers of Ghatbarra in the Hasdeo Arand forest, an area where Adani Enterprises–linked coal mines operate.

    Background of the Case:

    • Dispute Origin: The District-Level Committee (DLC) revoked CFR titles in 2016, citing that the area had already been diverted for mining in 2012 with MoEF clearance.
    • Petitioners’ Claim: The Hasdeo Arand Bachao Sangharsh Samiti argued that the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 provides no revocation clause and that villagers were not given a fair hearing before cancellation.
    • Court’s View: The High Court upheld the State’s decision, calling the 2013 CFR grant a “mistake” void ab initio, and legally cancellable.

    Key Judicial Findings:

    • Legality of Revocation: FRA lacks explicit revocation provision, but erroneous grants may be rectified; hence cancellation was valid.
    • Prior Approvals Prevail: 2012 MoEFCC mining clearance overrode subsequent CFR grants.
    • State Mineral Ownership: FRA does not affect the State’s control over minerals beneath forest land.
    • Locus Standi: Petitioners lacked standing after the Forest Rights Committee withdrew; no authorised village representation remained.
    • Suppression of Facts: Petitioners had earlier challenged land acquisition (case dismissed in 2022) but failed to disclose it.

    Significance:

    This ruling marks the first judicial interpretation of whether forest rights granted under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) can be revoked or cancelled, despite the Act containing no explicit provision for cancellation.

    About the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006:

    • Overview: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, commonly called the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
    • Purpose: Enacted to correct historical injustices faced by forest-dwelling communities deprived of traditional land and resource rights during colonial rule.
    • Core Objective: Ensures tenurial security, livelihood protection, and ecological stewardship of forest-dependent populations.
    • Beneficiaries: Covers Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) who have lived in and depended on forests for generations.
    • Scope: Recognises both individual and collective rights over forest land and produce, extending to cultivation, habitation, and minor forest produce use.
    • Governance Principle: Empowers Gram Sabhas as the central authority for recognising and managing forest rights, reinforcing local autonomy.
    • Integration Goal: Aligns forest governance with tribal self-rule, complementing the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA).

    Key Features of the FRA:

    • Individual & Community Rights: Legal recognition for occupation, cultivation, residence, and use/sale of minor forest produce.
    • Community Forest Resource (CFR) Rights: Grants Gram Sabhas control to protect, regenerate, and manage community forests.
    • Habitat Rights: Protects Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and pre-agricultural forest communities.
    • Governance Structure: Multi-level verification, Gram Sabha → Sub-Divisional Committee → District-Level Committee, for rights adjudication.
    • Development Provisions: Allows limited diversion of forest land for public utilities with Gram Sabha consent.
    • Eviction Safeguard: No eviction until claims are fully processed and rights recognised.
    • Decentralised Oversight: Empowers Gram Sabha as the final decision-making authority on forest rights and management.
    • Legal Integration: Reinforces PESA’s participatory governance and community-led conservation in Scheduled Areas.
    [UPSC 2021] At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?

    Options: (a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
    (b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
    (c) Ministry of Rural Development
    (d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs*

     

  • Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) Initiative

    Why in the News?

    The SAIME Initiative, developed by the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) in the Sundarbans of West Bengal, has been conferred Global Technical Recognition by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

    What is SAIME Initiative?

    • Concept: A multi-stakeholder partnership model integrating shrimp aquaculture with mangrove restoration in the Sundarbans.
    • Implementing Agencies: Developed by the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) with support from the Global Nature Fund (Germany), Naturland, and Bangladesh Environment & Development Society (BEDS).
    • Purpose: Promotes climate-adaptive, conservation-linked livelihoods balancing ecological health with local economic growth.
    • Implementation: Covers 29.84 hectares with 42 fish farmers, achieving 100% rise in net profits through low-input, eco-friendly methods.
    • Target Group: Focuses on climate-vulnerable coastal communities, encouraging chemical-free shrimp farming to build coastal resilience.

    Core Features and Approach:

    • Ecosystem Integration: Maintains 5–30% mangrove cover within aquaculture ponds, directly linking productivity with ecosystem restoration.
    • Community Participation: Adopts a bottom-up co-management model, involving local farmers in planning, monitoring, and benefit-sharing.
    • Sustainable Practices: Utilises mangrove litter as shrimp feed, cutting chemical dependence and improving natural nutrient cycles.
    • Climate Resilience: Mitigates cyclones, salinity intrusion, and erosion, functioning as a nature-based adaptation system.
    • Economic Efficiency: Promotes low-input, high-yield aquaculture, enhancing smallholder profitability and resource efficiency.
    • Environmental Benefits: Supports carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and blue carbon economy objectives.
    • Global Alignment: Advances SDG-13 (Climate Action), SDG-14 (Life Below Water), and SDG-15 (Life on Land) through integrated coastal sustainability.

    About the Sundarbans:

    Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) Initiative

    • Location: Situated in the South and North 24-Parganas districts of West Bengal, at the southern tip of the Gangetic Delta, where the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers meet the Bay of Bengal.
    • Area: Currently spans 2,585.89 sq km, with an expansion proposal to 3,629.57 sq km, making it the largest mangrove forest in the world.
    • Status: Designated as a Tiger Reserve, National Park, Biosphere Reserve, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1987).
    • Topography: Characterised by a dense network of tidal creeks, estuaries, and 105 mangrove-covered islands, influenced by daily tidal inundation.
    • Flora and Fauna:
      • Flora: Dominated by Avicennia, Rhizophora, Sonneratia, and Heritiera species.
      • Fauna: Includes Royal Bengal Tiger, Fishing Cat, Estuarine Crocodile, Irrawaddy Dolphin, King Cobra, and several endangered bird species.
    • Boundaries:
      • East: Bangladesh border (Raimangal & Harinbhanga rivers)
      • South: Bay of Bengal
      • North/West: Matla, Bidya, and Gomdi rivers
    • Ecological Importance: Acts as a natural shield against cyclones and tsunamis, a carbon-rich ecosystem, and a vital nursery ground for fisheries — forming the ecological heart of India’s blue economy and coastal resilience framework.

     

    [UPSC 2023] Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present-day extensive marshland?

    Options: (a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves

    (b) Marakkanam Salt Pans

    (c) Naupada Swamp

    (d) Rann of Kutch*

     

  • Akash Missile System 

    Why in the News?

    India has pitched for the supply of the Akash missile system to Brazil.

    akash

    About Akash Missile System:

    • Overview: Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
    • Type: A short-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) designed to defend against aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters.
    • Operational Users: Inducted by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, forming part of India’s layered air defence grid.
    • Purpose: Protects vital assets from aerial threats within the short to medium range segment.
    • Deployment Mode: Mounted on mobile launchers for rapid positioning, flexibility, and operational agility.
    • Comparison: Functionally comparable to Israel’s Iron Dome, though Akash focuses on intercepting larger aerial targets rather than small projectiles.

    Key Features:

    • Range & Altitude: Effective range 4.5–25 km; altitude coverage 100 m–20 km.
    • Engagement Capacity: A single firing unit can engage four targets simultaneously in both autonomous and group modes.
    • Speed & Accuracy: Capable of high-speed interceptions with radar-guided precision.
    • Propulsion & Dimensions: Length 5.87 m, diameter 350 mm, weight 710 kg; powered by solid-fuel propulsion.
    • Automation: Fully automated system ensuring rapid reaction time from detection to neutralization.
    • ECCM Capability: Built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) to resist enemy jamming
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.

    2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2*