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GS Paper: GS1

  • Legal mandate for One Nation, One Time 

    Why in the News?

    The Government of India has mandated the use of Indian Standard Time (IST) across all legal, commercial, digital, and administrative sectors.

    About Indian Standard Time (IST):

    • It is the official time zone of India, set at Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) +5:30 and based on the 82.5° E longitude passing through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.
      • Neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka also use the same UTC+5:30 offset.
    • IST meridian passes through 5 Indian states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
    • It was established in 1906, replacing older regional time zones like Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras Time.
    • It is maintained by the National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) using ultra-precise atomic clocks, which lose only one second in millions of years.
    • India does NOT observe daylight saving time; IST remains constant throughout the year.

    Back2Basics:

    Greenwich Mean Time (GMT):

    • GMT is the mean solar time at the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) located at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.
    • It was established in 1884 during the International Meridian Conference as the world’s time standard.
    • It is based on astronomical observations, specifically the mean position of the Sun over time.
    • It does not change with the seasons and does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
    • Although now largely replaced by UTC in scientific and civil contexts, GMT is still used in some regions (e.g., the UK during winter months).

    Coordinated Universal Time (UTC):

    • UTC is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time.
    • It was established in 1960 and is maintained by a network of high-precision atomic clocks worldwide.
    • UTC is adjusted periodically by leap seconds to compensate for the Earth’s irregular rotation speed.
    • It is used in aviation, computing, space science, and by international organisations like the UN and ITU.
    • Unlike GMT, which is purely solar-based, UTC combines atomic time (TAI) with occasional corrections for Earth’s rotation.

    IST in Context:

    • IST = GMT + 5:30
    • IST = UTC + 5:30

     

    Steps to Implement One Nation, One Time:

    [1] Time Dissemination Project:

    • It is a government initiative to ensure accurate, synchronised, and secure timekeeping across India.
    • It is led by the Department of Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with CSIR-NPL and ISRO.
    • Five Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs) are being established in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Faridabad, and Guwahati.
    • These labs use atomic clocks and protocols like Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to maintain accuracy within microseconds.

    [2] Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2025: Key Provisions

    • Mandatory Use of IST: IST, as maintained by CSIR-NPL, becomes the sole legally recognized time standard in India.
    • Prohibition of Foreign Time Sources: Use of foreign systems like GPS time will be banned unless specifically approved by the government.
    • Sync Requirements: All government bodies, financial institutions, power grids, and telecom operators must synchronize their systems with IST.
    • Audit and Compliance: The system will be monitored through periodic audits and penalties will be imposed for violations.
    • Special Exemptions: Activities such as scientific research, astronomy, and national security operations may use alternative time sources after government approval.

     

    [UPSC 2025] Consider the following countries:

    I. United Kingdom II. Denmark III. New Zealand IV. Australia V. Brazil How many of the above countries have more than four time zones?

    (a) All the five (b) Only four * (c) Only three (d) Only two

     

  • [pib] Ancient Assam Fossils Link to Western Ghats Biodiversity 

    Why in the News?

    In Assam’s Makum Coalfield, BSIP scientists found 24–23 million-year-old fossil leaves resembling today’s Nothopegia, now limited to the Western Ghats.

    [pib] Ancient Assam Fossils Link to Western Ghats Biodiversity 

    About the Nothopegia Fossil Discovery

    • Overview: Palaeo-scientists from Lucknow discovered fossil leaves in the Makum Coalfield of Assam. It dates back 24–23 million years to the late Oligocene epoch.
    • Oldest Known Record: These are the oldest known fossils of the Nothopegia genus, a tropical plant now endemic to the Western Ghats, not found in Northeast India today.
    • Identification Methods: Researchers used morphological analysis, herbarium comparisons, and cluster analysis to identify the fossil leaves.
    • Tropical Legacy: Nothopegia belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and reflects ancient tropical ecosystems that once existed in Northeast India.
    • Climate Reconstruction: Using the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP), scientists confirmed that the region once had a warm and humid climate, similar to the present-day Western Ghats.

    Why did Nothopegia disappear from the Northeast?

    • Tectonic Disruption: The collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates led to the rise of the Himalayas, drastically altering climate, rainfall, and wind patterns in Northeast India.
    • Habitat Loss: These shifts caused the region to cool and dry, rendering it unsuitable for tropical flora like Nothopegia.
    • Southward Migration: Over time, the plant spread to the Western Ghats, which offered a climatically stable refuge and allowed its survival.

    Significance of the Study:

    • Climate Lessons: The extinction and migration pattern of Nothopegia illustrates a deep-time example of species response to long-term climate change.
    • Scientific Value: Understanding ancient plant resilience aids in predicting survival pathways under current global warming scenarios.
    • Refuge Significance: The study highlights how climate refuges like the Western Ghats help preserve ancient lineages during major environmental changes.
    [UPSC 2025] Which of the following are the evidence of the phenomenon of continental drift?

    I. The belt of ancient rocks from the Brazil coast matches with those from Western Africa. II. The gold deposits of Ghana are derived from the Brazil plateau when the two continents lay side by side. III. The Gondwana system of sediments from India is known to have its counterparts in six different landmasses of the Southern Hemisphere.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) I and III only (b) I and II only (c) I, II and III *(d) II and III only

     

  • In news: Servants of India Society

    Why in the News?

    Pune’s Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) has recently called for a neutral takeover of its parent body, the Servants of India Society (SIS), following allegations of financial irregularities.

    In news: Servants of India Society

    About Servants of India Society:

    • Founding: It was founded on June 12, 1905, in Pune by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, along with N.A. Dravid, G.K. Devadhar, and A.V. Patwardhan.
    • Mission: The Society aimed to train Indians for selfless national service, promote education, and work for social and political reform through constitutional means.
    • Core Values: Members took vows of simple living, secularism, and equality across caste and religion.
    • Non-political Nature: Though non-political and non-sectarian, many SIS members contributed significantly to the freedom movement.
    • Prominent Members: Influential members included V.S. Srinivasa Sastri, Hriday Nath Kunzru, and A.V. Thakkar.
    • Major Activities: SIS established schools, ran night classes, supported healthcare, and published The Hitavada since 1911.
    • Welfare Work: It actively engaged in disaster relief, women’s and child welfare, and rural development.
    • Secular Legacy: It was India’s first secular social reform organisation, focusing on nation-building through service.
    • Current Status: Headquartered in Pune, it continues to operate today, though with limited membership, preserving its foundational values.

    Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915):

    • Early Life: He was a liberal nationalist, senior Indian National Congress leader, and social reformer.
    • Political Journey: He joined the Indian National Congress in 1889 under Justice M.G. Ranade and became Congress President in 1905.
    • Institution Building: In 1905, Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society to train dedicated public servants.
    • Legislative Work: He served in the Bombay Legislative Council (1899) and the Imperial Legislative Council as a non-official member.
    • Reform Advocacy: Gokhale played a major role in securing the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) and presented India’s economic conditions to the Welby Commission.
    • Mentor to Gandhi: Gokhale was a political mentor to Mahatma Gandhi and supported his early work, including funding the Sabarmati Ashram.
    • Education and Journalism: He established the Ranade Institute of Economics and launched The Hitavada newspaper (published from Nagpur).
    • Philosophy: Gokhale believed in constitutional reform, education, and social justice as the path to Indian self-rule, bridging social reform and political activism.

     

    [UPSC 2009] Who among the following rejected the title of knighthood and refused to accept a position in the Council of the Secretary of State for India?

    Options: (a) Motilal Nehru (b) M.G. Ranade* (c) G.K. Gokhale (d) B.G. Tilak

     

  • Sowa-Rigpa Traditional Medicine

    Why in the News?

    A one-day Samyoga event was organised today at the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR), Leh, with the participation of experts from 10 states of India.

    About Sowa-Rigpa:

    • Overview: Sowa-Rigpa, also known as Traditional Tibetan Medicine or the Amchi system, is among the oldest continuously practised medical systems in the world.
    • Origin: The term comes from the Bhoti language, meaning “knowledge of healing”, and dates back over 2,000 years.
    • Historical Development: It was codified in the 8th century CE during King Trisong Detsen’s reign and further developed in the 12th century.
    • Foundational Text: The Gyud-Zi (4 Tantras) integrates ideas from Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Greek traditions, and Bon and Buddhist philosophy.
    • Global Presence: Sowa-Rigpa is practiced in Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, and parts of Russia and China.
    • Indian Regions: In India, it is common in Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul & Spiti), Jammu & Kashmir, and Darjeeling.
    • Core Beliefs: The system promotes disease prevention, longevity, and holistic mind-body well-being, viewing the body as a microcosm of nature in harmony with the environment.

    Diagnosis and Treatment:

    • Diagnostic Methods: Practitioners use pulse analysis, urine analysis, and detailed observation including case history.
    • Therapies Used: Treatments include diet and lifestyle adjustments, herbal medicines, Kunyé massage, moxibustion, acupuncture, and spiritual healing.
    • Ayurvedic Influence: About 75% of its theoretical base is derived from Ayurveda, especially the Ashtanga Hridaya.
    • Common Herbs: Shared medicinal herbs include Ashwagandha, Triphala, and Guggulu.

    Education and Recognition:

    • Traditional Training: Knowledge was historically passed through oral traditions, via guru-shishya parampara or family lineages.
    • Modern Institutions: The Central Council for Tibetan Medicine oversees education and practice standards.
    • National Institute: The National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) in Leh leads in education, research, and policy implementation.
    • Government Recognition: Sowa-Rigpa has been officially recognised under AYUSH systems in India since 2010 and is promoted in multiple Himalayan states.
    [UPSC 2019] Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of:

    Options: (a) anti-malarial drug* (b) biodiesel (c) pulp for paper industry (d) textile fibre

     

  • Green Arabia Hypothesis in Human Evolution Research

    Why in the News?

    A recent study confirms that Arabia wasn’t always a desert wall but occasionally a green bridge between continents.

    About the Green Arabia Hypothesis:

    • Core Idea: It suggests that the Arabian Peninsula, now one of the driest places on Earth, experienced multiple humid phases over the past 8 million years, turning it into a green corridor for early migrations.
    • Challenge to Old Views: This theory challenges traditional models that excluded Arabia from early human dispersal routes in the ‘Out of Africa’ narrative.
    • Fossil Evidence: The discovery of fossils of crocodiles, hippos, and horses, dating up to 74,000 years ago, supports the claim that Arabia was once lush and habitable.

    Key Discoveries and Methods:

    • Archaeological Sites: Over 10,000 ancient lakebeds and sites over 500,000 years old were found, confirming Arabia’s role as a migration bridge between Africa and Eurasia.
    • Speleothem Analysis: 22 speleothem samples (mineral deposits formed within caves) from seven Saudi caves indicated humid phases between 7.44 million and 60,000 years ago.
    • Dating Techniques: Scientists used uranium-thorium dating to accurately time wet periods, revealing patterns linked to monsoon shifts and glacial cycles.
    • Environmental Impact: These wet intervals, though brief, supported vegetation, biodiversity, and water bodies, enabling human and animal settlements.

    Significance of the Study:

    • Biogeographic Role: Arabia is now viewed as a climate-sensitive migratory bridge, not a barrier, in human evolution and dispersal.
    • Climate Dependency: Human movement was influenced not just by geography, but by shifts in rainfall patterns and monsoonal activity.
    • Key Locations: Sites like Jubbah Oasis provided stone tools and lakebed evidence, validating early human habitation in the region.
    • Conclusion: Arabia’s periodic greening played a decisive role in early human migration, revising our understanding of ancient dispersal pathways out of Africa.
    [UPSC 2014] Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?

    1. Continental drift

    2. Glacial cycles Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

     

  • Shipki La Mountain Pass opened for Tourists

    Why in the News?

    For the first time since India’s independence, the Shipki La pass in Himachal Pradesh has been opened to domestic tourists, marking a historic shift in India’s border tourism strategy.

    About Shipki La Pass:

    • It is a high-altitude mountain pass at 3,930 meters in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, on the India–Tibet (China) border.
    • It is one of only 3 official border trading points between India and Tibet, along with Nathu La (Sikkim) and Lipulekh (Uttarakhand).
    • The Sutlej River (called Langqen Zangbo in Tibet) enters India near Shipki La, adding geographical importance to the area.
    • The pass lies along National Highway 5 (NH5) and is considered one of the highest motorable roads in India.
    • Historically, it served as a major trade route, enabling exchange of salt, wool, spices, yak tails, and tea between India and Tibet.
    • Trade was stopped in 1962 after the India-China war, resumed in 1992, but was halted again during COVID-19.
    • On June 9, 2025, Himachal Pradesh opened the pass to Indian tourists for the first time since Independence.
    • The initiative is part of a “Border Tourism” strategy, which includes the launch of the Sarhad Van Udyan (Border Forest Park).
    • It is also being considered as an alternate route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

    Other Important Himalayan Passes:

    • Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir:
      • Khardung La (5,359 m) – Among the highest motorable passes; connects Leh with Nubra Valley.
      • Zoji La – Links Srinagar with Leh; vital for year-round Ladakh access.
      • Chang La, Baralacha La, Umling La (5,798 m) – Crucial for Leh connectivity and defense.
      • Rezang La – Famous for the 1962 India-China war battle.
      • Karakoram Pass, Aghil Pass, Demchok Pass – Strategic India-China border passes.
    • Himachal Pradesh:
      • Rohtang Pass – Connects Kullu with Lahaul-Spiti; key for tourism and logistics.
      • Parang La – Links Spiti Valley and Parvati Valley; used by trekkers and herders.
      • Shipki La – Now open to tourists; historical Indo-Tibetan trade route.
    • Uttarakhand:
      • Lipulekh Pass (5,632 m) – Used for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
      • Mana Pass – One of the highest vehicle-accessible passes; connects to Tibet.
      • Niti Pass, Milam Pass, Kuthi Pass – Historical trade and pilgrimage routes.
    • Sikkim:
      • Nathu La – Major border trade route; part of the ancient Silk Route.
      • Jelep La – Historical route linking Sikkim with Lhasa via Chumbi Valley.
    • Arunachal Pradesh:
      • Se La, Bum La – Connect to Tawang and Bhutan border.
      • Pangsau Pass, Diphu Pass – Connect Arunachal with Myanmar; important for WWII history and connectivity.
    [UPSC 2007] Which one of the following Himalayan passes was reopened around in the middle of the year 2006 to facilitate trade between India and China?

    Options: (a) Chang La (b) Jara La (c) Nathu La (d) Shipki La

     

  • India slips to 131st position in Global Gender Gap Index, 2025

    Why in the News?

    India has been ranked 131 out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2025, falling two places from last year’s rank of 129.

    India slips to 131st position in Global Gender Gap Index, 2025

    About the Global Gender Gap Index:

    • Overview: It is released annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and has been published since 2006.
    • Scope of Measurement: It evaluates gender parity across 4 key dimensions:
      1. Economic Participation and Opportunity,
      2. Educational Attainment,
      3. Health and Survival, and
      4. Political Empowerment.
    • Scoring Method: The index uses a 0–1 scale, where 1 represents full gender parity.
    • 2025 Edition Coverage: The 19th edition of the index covers 148 countries, making it a global benchmark for tracking gender gaps.

    Key Highlights of the 2025 Report:

    • India’s Performance: It is ranked 131 out of 148 countries, falling two spots from its 2024 rank of 129.
    • Overall Score: India’s overall gender parity score is 64.1%, placing it among the lowest-ranked in South Asia.
    • Economic Participation: India improved in this category, with the score rising to 40.7%, and estimated earned income parity increasing from 28.6% to 29.9%.
    • Labour Force Participation: India’s rate remains at 45.9%, its highest recorded level.
    • Educational Attainment: The country scored 97.1%, with gains in female literacy and tertiary education enrolment.
    • Health and Survival: This category showed marginal improvement due to a better sex ratio at birth and higher healthy life expectancy.
    • Political Empowerment: India declined in this area, with women in Parliament dropping from 14.7% to 13.8%, and women ministers decreasing from 6.5% to 5.6%.

    Global Trends and Significance:

    • Regional Rankings: The highest rank is held by Bangladesh in South Asia at 24, followed by Bhutan (119), Nepal (125), Sri Lanka (130), Maldives (138), and Pakistan (148).
    • Global Parity Score: The overall global gender gap has narrowed to 68.8%, marking the best progress since the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Timeline for Equality: At the current pace, it will take 123 years to achieve full gender parity worldwide.
    • Top Performers: Top-rank is retained by Iceland for the 16th consecutive year, followed by Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
    • Leadership Gap: Although women make up 41.2% of the global workforce, they occupy only 28.8% of leadership roles.

    Back2Basics: World Economic Forum (WEF)

    • The WEF is an international non-profit organization founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab in Geneva, Switzerland.
    • It fosters public-private cooperation to tackle global issues through dialogue, partnerships, and research.
    • WEF is widely known for its annual Davos summit, which brings together world leaders from politics, business, and academia.
    • Major reports published include the Global Competitiveness Report, Global Risks Report, Global Social Mobility Report, Energy Transition Index, and Travel & Tourism Development Index.
    • These reports provide critical data and policy insights on issues like inequality, climate change, innovation, and economic recovery.
    • WEF is largely funded by its partner corporations, offering a platform to shape global agendas across sectors.

     

    [UPSC 2017] Which of the following gives ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world?

    Options: (a) World Economic Forum* (b) UN Human Rights Council (c) UN Women (d) World Health Organization

     

  • Poson Poya festival in Sri Lanka

    Why in the News?

    Sri Lanka is celebrating Poson Poya festival which commemorates the arrival of Buddhism over 2,000 years ago.

    About Poson Poya Festival:

    • Overview: Poson Poya is the second most important Buddhist festival in Sri Lanka, following Vesak in religious significance.
    • Date of Observance: It is celebrated on the full moon day of June, which corresponds to the seventh month of the Sinhalese calendar.
    • Historical Commemoration: The festival marks the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 236 BCE, when Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, met King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale.
    • Key Locations: Celebrations are held across the island, with the most sacred observances taking place at Mihintale and Anuradhapura.
    • Ritual Activities: Devotees engage in temple visits, meditation, offerings, and acts of charity (Dana) as part of spiritual practice.
    • Cultural Expressions: Communities organize free food stalls (Dansalas), decorate homes and streets with lanterns, and display illuminated panels of Buddhist stories.

    How did Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka?

    • Following the Third Buddhist Council (held in 250 BC in Pataliputra) during Ashoka’s reign, it was decided to send missionaries to various regions, including Sri Lanka, to spread Buddhism.
    • The mission to Sri Lanka was led by Mahinda (Mahendra), Ashoka’s son, who converted King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura to Buddhism.
    • After several royal ladies expressed interest in joining the Buddhist monastic order, Mahinda sent for his sister, Sanghamitra, to initiate them.
      • Both siblings lived in Anuradhapura for the rest of their lives.
    • She played a pivotal role in establishing the Order of Nuns (Bhikkhuni Sangha or Meheini Sasna) in Sri Lanka, which later spread to other Theravada Buddhist countries like Burma, China, and Thailand.
    [UPSC 2024] Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:

    Options: (a) Prajnaparamita Sutra (b) Visuddhimagga (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya * (d) Lalitavistra

     

  • PM pays tributes to Sant Kabir

    Why in the News?

    Prime Minister paid tributes to Sant Kabir Das on his birth anniversary.

    PM pays tributes to Sant Kabir

    About Sant Kabir:  

    • Birth: Sant Kabir was likely born between 1398 and 1440 in Kashi (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) and passed away in 1518. According to legend, he was born to a Brahmin widow and later adopted by a Muslim couple, Niru and Nima.
    • Early Life: He was raised in the julaha (weaver) community, Kabir’s upbringing among the socially marginalized deeply shaped his teachings on equality and anti-casteism.
    • Spiritual Awakening: Though raised in a Muslim household, Kabir became a disciple of Swami Ramananda, a Vaishnava Bhakti saint, and was also influenced by Sufi mysticism, particularly through Shaikh Taqqi.
    • Death: Kabir died in Maghar (Uttar Pradesh) in 1518.
    • Legacy Site: Legend says his body miraculously vanished, leaving only flowers, which were divided between Hindus and Muslims. Today, a temple and a dargah stand at his burial site.

    His Teachings, Literary Style, and Cultural Impact:

    • Poetic Style: Kabir wrote in a mix of Hindi, Khari Boli, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Urdu, Persian, and Marwari. His most famous compositions are Dohe (couplets) and Pads (devotional songs), noted for their simplicity, spiritual insight, and bold social critique.
    • Advocacy: He was a strong proponent of Nirguna Bhakti, the worship of a formless, attributeless God. He referred to this divine presence as Ram, Allah, or Shabda, emphasizing that God transcends name and form.
    • Spiritual Themes: Kabir’s work reflects non-dualism (Advaita) from the Upanishads and monotheism (Tawhid) from Islam. He believed that salvation lies in inner realization, not through scriptures, priests, or rituals.
    • Opposition to Ritualism: He condemned idolatry, pilgrimage, fasting, and caste-based discrimination, urging people to seek God within themselves.
    • Social Reform Focus: Kabir stood firmly for social equality, rejecting casteism and religious divisions. His verses challenged orthodoxy and critiqued hollow practices in every community.
    • Influence on Sikhism and Bhakti Movement: His poems are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, highlighting his impact on Sikhism. He also inspired spiritual figures like Guru Nanak, Dadu Dayal, and Jiwan Das.
    • Cultural Legacy: The Kabir Panth, a spiritual tradition based on his teachings, has over 9.6 million adherents today. Kabir is respected in Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism alike.
    [2019] Consider the following statements:

    1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.

    2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

    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*

     

  • India’s Population hits 146.39 Cr: UNFPA

    Why in the News?

    According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report titled “State of the World Population 2025: The Real Fertility Crisis”, India’s population has reached an estimated 146.39 crore, officially making it the world’s most populous nation.

    India’s Population hits 146.39 Cr: UNFPA

    About United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):

    • Origin: The organisation was established in 1969 as the UN Fund for Population Activities and renamed in 1987 as the UN Population Fund.
    • Headquarters: Its global headquarters is located in New York.
    • Mission Statement: UNFPA works to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
    • Mandate: To promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, including family planning, safe motherhood, and gender equality.
    • Governance Structure: UNFPA reports to a 36-member Executive Board, with representation from all regions, and receives guidance from ECOSOC and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
    • Global Presence: UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, in coordination with national governments and UN development partners.
    • Key Functions: It supports population censuses, family planning programs, and thematic health surveys, and engages in interagency frameworks like UN Development Group (UNDG) and UN Chief Executives Board (CEB).
    • Technical Role: UNFPA also provides research funding, technical assistance, and advocacy support to promote reproductive health and demographic planning.

    Key Population Trends from the UNFPA Report (2025):

    • Data Sources: The report draws on Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and projections from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
    • India’s Population: As of 2025, India’s population is estimated at 146.39 crore (1.4639 billion), making it the most populous country in the world.
    • China’s Population: China’s population now stands at 141.61 crore (1.4161 billion), placing it second.
    • Total Fertility Rate: India’s TFR has declined to 1.9, which is below the replacement level of 2.1, indicating a trend toward population stabilisation.
    • Population Forecast: India’s population is expected to peak at around 170 crores in the coming decades and begin to decline within 40 years.
    • Life Expectancy: As of 2025, the average life expectancy is 71 years for men and 74 years for women.
    • Age Distribution: 68% of Indians are in the working-age group (15–64), while 7% are aged 65 and above, with life expectancy at 71 years (men) and 74 years (women).

    Back2Basics: Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

    • TFR measures the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive lifetime.
    • A TFR of 2.1 is considered the replacement level, where each generation replaces itself without growing or shrinking.
    • According to the 2021 Sample Registration System by the Registrar General of India, the TFR had already reached 2.0, indicating that India had attained replacement level fertility nationally.

     

    [UPSC 2009] Consider the following statements:

    1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.

    2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.

    Which of the statements given abova is/are correct ?

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