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GS Paper: GS3

  • Altermagnetism emerges as a new class of Magnetic Order

    Why in the News?

    Scientists discovered a new type of magnetism called altermagnetism, confirmed in 2024, which combines features of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.

    What is Altermagnetism?

    • Overview: A new form of magnetism discovered in 2019 and proven experimentally in 2024; combines traits of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
    • Mechanism: Atoms have opposite (antiparallel) spins like in antiferromagnets, but their alignment follows mirror or rotational symmetry, not simple alternation.
    • Magnetic Effect: Although it has no external magnetic field, the electrons show different energy levels for spin-up and spin-down states.
    • Discovery: First observed in manganese telluride (MnTe) through photoemission and X-ray imaging techniques.
    • Scientific Relevance: Introduces a magnetically neutral but electronically active material class useful for next-generation electronics.

    Distinctive Properties:

    • Zero External Magnetism: Produces no external field but shows strong internal spin asymmetry.
    • Spin-Polarised Currents: Can carry magnetic-like electric currents without stray fields.
    • Ultrafast Response: Works at terahertz (THz) frequencies, about 1000× faster than conventional magnetic devices.
    • Stable Performance: Maintains stable magnetic order even under changing conditions.
    • Crystal-Based Symmetry: Magnetism arises from atomic structure, not external alignment.

    How does it differ from other Magnetisms?

    • Ferromagnetism: All spins align in the same direction, creating a strong external magnetic field.
    • Antiferromagnetism: Spins align in opposite directions, fully cancelling magnetism with equal spin energy.
    • Altermagnetism: Spins align oppositely but mirror-linked, giving energy difference between spins, no net field, yet internal magnetic effects.

    Applications:

    • Spintronics: Enables compact, energy-efficient data storage and logic devices.
    • Quantum Computing: Provides magnetically quiet materials for stable qubit performance.
    • High-Speed Electronics: Supports ultrafast processors operating at terahertz levels.
    • Advanced Sensors: Useful for precise, low-noise magnetic detection.

  • Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) onboard Aditya-L1

    Why in the News?

    Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), in collaboration with NASA, have made the first spectroscopic observations of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) in the visible wavelength range, using the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) aboard Aditya-L1.

    About Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC):

    • Overview: The VELC is the primary scientific payload onboard Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory mission.
    • Developer: Designed and built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at its CREST campus, Hosakote (Karnataka).
    • Function: It is an internally occulted coronagraph capable of imaging, spectroscopy, and spectro-polarimetry of the solar corona, the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
    • Objective: To study coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar wind acceleration, coronal temperature, plasma velocity, and magnetic field dynamics close to the solar limb.
    • Capabilities:
      • Observes the corona as close as 1.05 solar radii from the Sun’s surface.
      • Equipped with a spectrograph, polarimeter, and detectors for high-resolution data.
      • Enables continuous 24-hour solar observation from Lagrange Point L1.
    • Significance: Provides first-ever spectroscopic data of CMEs near the Sun, enhancing understanding of space weather and solar activity.
    • Key Findings:
      • Electron Density: ~370 million electrons per cubic centimetre within the CME, several times higher than the ambient solar corona (10–100 million/cm³).
      • Energy: ~9.4 × 10²¹ joules- nearly 100 trillion times the energy released by the Hiroshima bomb.
      • Mass: ~270 million tonnes- about 180 times the mass of the iceberg that sank the Titanic.

    Back2Basics: Aditya-L1 Mission

    • Overview: India’s first space-based solar mission, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
    • Launch & Position: Launched in 2023; placed at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, providing an uninterrupted view of the Sun.
    • Purpose: To study the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona), solar radiation, magnetic storms, and space weather phenomena.
    • Key Objectives:
      • Understand the dynamics of solar corona and solar wind.
      • Study solar flares, CMEs, and their impact on Earth’s magnetosphere.
      • Monitor space weather to protect satellites and communication systems.
    • Scientific Payloads (7 instruments):
      1. VELC – Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (solar corona imaging).
      2. SUIT – Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope.
      3. SoLEXS – Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer.
      4. HEL1OS – High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer.
      5. ASPEX – Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment.
      6. PAPA – Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya.
      7. Magnetometer – Measures magnetic fields at L1.
    • Significance:
      1. First Indian mission to continuously observe the Sun.
      2. Strengthens India’s position in global heliophysics research.
      3. Provides early warnings for geomagnetic storms affecting satellites and power grids.
    [UPSC 2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ?

    1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.

    2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.

    3. Power grids could be damaged.

    4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.

    5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.

    6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only* (d) 2, 5 and 6 only

     

  • Air quality beyond AQI: The case for measuring indoor pollutants

    Introduction

    Indoor air pollution remains largely unmonitored and unregulated in India despite high exposure levels. Pollutants from construction dust, household fuels, cleaning agents, and aromatic disinfectants accumulate indoors and degrade air quality. Recognising this, researchers from BITS Pilani have developed India’s first IAQ scale (Indoor Air Quality scale), capable of measuring multiple indoor pollutants and providing a health-based score for residential and commercial buildings.

    Their findings published in the Royal Society of Chemistry Journal establish benzene as the most dangerous indoor pollutant and call for inclusion of IAQ standards in building codes and smart city frameworks.

    Why in the News?

    This is the first India-specific scientific model for assessing indoor air pollution beyond the conventional AQI framework.

    1. First-of-its-kind IAQ Scale: Developed by BITS Pilani researchers, enabling precise measurement of multiple indoor pollutants.
    2. Major Data Insight: Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
    3. Policy Gap: There are no formal regulations or monitoring frameworks for indoor air quality in India.
    4. Health Implications: The study links poor IAQ to headaches, fatigue, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular risks, especially in women and infants.
    5. Call to Action: The research advocates IAQ standards in building codes and smart city designs, a potential policy game changer.

    Understanding the New Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Scale

    1. Comprehensive Measurement: Unlike air purifiers, which track only particulate matter and humidity, the IAQ scale captures a wider range of pollutants including PM2.5, PM10, CO, benzene, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
    2. Pan-India Modelling: The model integrates Indian demographic data, age groups, geography, income, and housing patterns, to derive a weighted IAQ score.
    3. Weighted Parameters: Exposure time (25.9%), ventilation efficiency (9.8%), and enclosure size (4.4%) form key components of the health-based index.
    4. Scoring System: IAQ scores range from 22 (severe pollution) to 100 (healthy indoor air).

    Health Implications of Poor Indoor Air Quality

    1. Sick Building Syndrome: Poor IAQ triggers headaches, fatigue, and irritation, often observed in modern buildings with poor ventilation.
    2. Chronic Diseases: Prolonged exposure causes asthma, COPD, bronchial allergies, and cardiovascular disorders.
    3. High-Risk Groups: Women and infants face higher vulnerability due to longer indoor exposure and cooking-related emissions.
    4. Toxic Emissions: Indoor combustion from fuels, incense, and construction residues increases carbon monoxide and benzene concentration.

    Major Pollutants of Concern

    • Benzene:
      1. Most dangerous indoor pollutant identified in the study.
      2. Emitted by aromatic disinfectants, fuels, and solvents.
      3. Long-term exposure is linked to leukaemia, anaemia, and cancer.
      4. Recognised carcinogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
    • Carbon Monoxide (CO):
      1. Generated from gas stoves, oil-burning furnaces, and charcoal grills.
      2. Causes poisoning and oxygen deprivation.
      3. Accumulates in poorly ventilated rooms, leading to long-term toxicity.

    Unexpected Sources and Indoor Traps

    1. Aromatic Disinfectants: Release benzene and toxic VOCs during use.
    2. Incomplete Combustion: Burning incense sticks in closed rooms emits carbon monoxide.
    3. Organic Waste Decay: Produces methane and foul-smelling gases; methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years.
    4. Poor Waste Segregation: Creates landfill-like conditions indoors, compounding toxicity.

    Simple Household Interventions for Cleaner Indoor Air

    1. Enhanced Ventilation: Open windows during low-pollution hours and use exhaust fans while cooking.
    2. Segregation of Waste: Keep dry and wet waste separate to prevent methane buildup.
    3. Regulated Burning: Reduce incense burning and switch to non-toxic cleaning products.
    4. Natural Fresheners: Avoid synthetic air fresheners; use herbal or essential oil-based alternatives.
    5. Lifestyle Measures: Routine cleaning, minimal use of chemical cleaners, and proper ventilation improve long-term air quality.

    Conclusion

    Indoor air pollution, though invisible, represents one of the most persistent and under-addressed public health risks in India. The IAQ scale developed by BITS Pilani researchers provides a data-backed pathway to integrate indoor air monitoring into policy, urban design, and smart city missions. Addressing this silent crisis through ventilation norms, IAQ regulations, and public awareness will mark a major leap toward holistic environmental governance and citizen well-being.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2021] Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards?

    Linkage: The WHO’s revised AQGs (2021) set stricter limits for PM 2.5 and NO2, highlighting the need for India’s NCAP to adopt health-based indoor and outdoor air quality standards, aligning with the emerging Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) scale developed by BITS Pilani.

  • What’s the plan to relocate forest tribes?

    Introduction

    The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has drafted a new policy framework titled “Reconciling Conservation and Community Rights” to ensure that any relocation from tiger reserves aligns with the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) and ensures community consent, accountability, and post-relocation monitoring. This follows increasing complaints from Scheduled Tribes that relocations are being conducted without proper consent, despite the FRA granting them rights to reside within traditional habitats.

    What is the significance of the new policy framework?

    1. Institutional reform: The framework proposes a National Framework for Community-Centric Conservation and Relocation involving both the Environment and Tribal Affairs Ministries.
    2. Integration of agencies: Suggests joint procedural standards, timelines, and accountability mechanisms across ministries.
    3. Centralized database: Recommends creation of a National Database on Conservation-Community Interface (NDCCI) to record data on relocations, compensation, and post-relocation outcomes.
    4. Independent audits: Mandates annual independent audits by empanelled agencies to ensure FRA compliance and voluntary consent in relocation projects.

    Why was this policy needed now?

    1. Implementation gaps: Multiple representations from States and tribal groups highlighted “serious concerns” about non-implementation of FRA in tiger reserves.
    2. Violation of rights: Tribes alleged coercion into relocation despite the FRA allowing habitation within reserves.
    3. Poor monitoring: The Ministry noted lack of data and follow-up on families relocated from reserves since 2007.
    4. Scale of issue: Over 1,566 villages have been relocated from tiger reserves since 2007, affecting 55,000 families; another 94,000 families remain within reserve areas.

    What safeguards does the framework propose?

    1. Voluntary relocation: Relocation only if consent is obtained at both Gram Sabha and household levels.
    2. Right to reside: Reaffirms that forest-dwelling communities cannot be relocated without exercising FRA rights to remain in traditional habitats.
    3. Scientific validation: Any relocation must be justified through demonstrable ecological necessity.
    4. Ethical relocation: Proposes “voluntary, scientifically justified, and dignity-based” resettlement, monitored by the NDCCI and independent auditors.

    How does the framework address inter-ministerial coordination?

    1. Collaborative approach: Establishes a joint mechanism between the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) for approval, execution, and evaluation of relocations.
    2. Defined accountability: Ensures that both ministries share equal responsibility in monitoring and redressal of rights violations.
    3. State participation: State governments to designate nodal officers to ensure compliance with FRA provisions before any relocation.

    What challenges remain on the ground?

    1. Administrative inertia: State agencies often bypass FRA provisions, citing wildlife protection laws.
    2. Inadequate consultation: Many Gram Sabhas report incomplete or manipulated consent processes.
    3. Livelihood uncertainty: Compensation often delayed or inadequate, leading to impoverishment post-relocation.
    4. Social dislocation: Tribes such as the Jenu Kuruba in Karnataka allege forced displacement without restoration of ancestral land rights.

    How does this align with India’s conservation policy?

    1. Balancing dual goals: The framework emphasizes that tiger conservation and tribal rights are not mutually exclusive.
    2. Legal synchronization: Seeks to harmonize FRA (2006) with Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) directives.
    3. Ethical conservation: Shifts focus from coercive protectionism to participatory conservation involving local communities.

    Conclusion

    The proposed framework is a crucial step toward redefining India’s conservation ethics by embedding human rights into environmental protection. Its success will depend on genuine participation of tribal communities, transparent auditing, and strict accountability from both central and state authorities. Only then can India achieve inclusive conservation that respects both its people and its tigers.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2025] Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

    Linkage: It directly aligns with the issue of forest tribe relocation, where development often entails displacement for conservation followed by inadequate rehabilitation efforts. This highlights the need for a rights-based, consent-driven framework ensuring dignity and livelihood security for displaced tribal communities.

  • Centre notifies new Deep-Sea Fishing Rules

    Why in the News?

    The Centre has issued new rules for Deep-Sea Fishing within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to enhance sustainability, digital governance, and fisher empowerment.

    About the New Deep-Sea Fishing Rules:

    • Objective: To enable a shift from near-shore to deep-sea fishing, expand exports, and adopt digitally monitored, eco-friendly fishing practices.
    • Key Features:
      • Domestic Priority: Fishermen Cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) get first rights to operate advanced deep-sea vessels.
      • Mother-and-Child Vessel Model: A large “mother” vessel supported by smaller “child” crafts for mid-sea transhipment– crucial for Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, which together hold ~49% of India’s EEZ.
      • Digital Access and Traceability: Mechanised vessels must secure Access Passes via the ReALCraft portal; linked with MPEDA and EIC for traceability, sanitary certification, and eco-labelling.
      • Foreign Vessel Ban: Absolute prohibition on foreign vessels operating in Indian EEZ to safeguard domestic and small-scale fishers.
      • Ban on Destructive Practices: LED-light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling banned; minimum legal catch sizes and Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) to be developed with states.
      • Origin Status Recognition: Catches from India’s EEZ beyond the contiguous zone to be treated as “Indian origin” for customs, avoiding import treatment.
      • Capacity Building and Credit: Fisher training, processing, and export support integrated with PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
      • Safety and Monitoring: Mandatory transponders, QR-coded Fisher IDs, and Nabhmitra-linked navigation; monitoring by Coast Guard and Navy.

    Back2Basics: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

    • Definition: Under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an EEZ extends 200 nautical miles (~370 km) from a coastal baseline, granting sovereign rights to exploit marine resources.
    • Rights of Coastal States: Include resource exploration, marine research, environmental protection, and installation of artificial structures.
    • Distinction from Territorial Sea: The territorial sea (12 nm) grants full sovereignty; the EEZ confers resource jurisdiction while preserving navigation and overflight rights of other nations.
    • Indian Context:
      • EEZ: Spans ~2.30 million km², one of the world’s largest, supporting fisheries, hydrocarbons, and seabed minerals.
      • Legal Framework: Governed by The Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, providing India’s legal basis for EEZ management.

  • India to join Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as an ‘Observer’

    Why in the News?

    At the Leaders’ Summit in Belem, Brazil, preceding the COP30, India has announced its decision to join the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as an Observer.

    About Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF):

    • What is it: A global blended-finance mechanism rewarding Tropical Forest Countries (TFCs) for conserving intact forests through annual conservation-linked payments.
    • Payment Design: Provides $4 per hectare annually for protected forest area, with deductions for deforestation or ecosystem degradation verified via satellite data.
    • Institutional Setup: Managed by a TFFF Secretariat (policy and oversight) and a Tropical Forest Investment Fund (TFIF) (financial operations and investment management).
    • Investment Model: The TFIF channels sponsor contributions into sovereign, corporate, green, and blue bonds, explicitly excluding fossil fuel industries.
    • Community Allocation: 20% of total payments earmarked for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to support sustainable livelihoods and rights-based forest governance.
    • Monitoring Mechanism: Conservation outcomes tracked via satellite and third-party verification systems ensuring full transparency and performance-based accountability.
    • Financial Sustainability: Operates as a budget-neutral model, where investment returns fund long-term conservation payments rather than temporary grants.
    • Initial Pledges: Founding commitments include Brazil ($1 bn), Indonesia ($1 bn), Norway ($3 bn over 10 years), Colombia ($250 mn), Netherlands ($5 mn), Portugal (€1 mn); France, China, and UAE have expressed political support.

    Relation to REDD+ Framework:

    • REDD+ Genesis: Launched in 2008 under the UNFCCC, REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus, providing result-based payments for verified emission reductions.
    • Core Difference: While REDD+ rewards verified carbon reductions, TFFF offers annual standing forest payments, maintaining steady conservation incentives.
    • Approach: REDD+ focuses on carbon metrics and offset markets, whereas TFFF bypasses carbon dependency, offering investment-backed, non-offset finance.
    • Objectives Alignment: Both aim to promote sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced carbon stock in developing nations.
    • Institutional Partners: REDD+ is jointly administered by FAO, UNDP, UNEP, and implemented in 65+ countries; TFFF aligns with these frameworks through transparency and inclusivity principles.
    • Added Value: TFFF strengthens long-term financial resilience of conservation efforts by combining public and private investments with community-centric benefit-sharing.

    India’s Role and Climate Record:

    • Emission Reduction Record: From 2005–2020, India cut emission intensity by 36%, achieving 50% non-fossil installed power capacity ahead of 2030 goals.
    • Carbon Sink Achievement: Between 2005–2021, India added 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent through expanded forest and tree cover.
    • NDC Commitments: India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (to 2035) targets deeper emission cuts and enhanced carbon sink creation.
    • Strategic Importance: Strengthens South–South cooperation and India’s advocacy for equitable climate responsibility within global negotiations.
    [UPSC 2025] Which one of the following launched the ‘Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific’?

    (a) The Asian Development Bank (ADB)*

    (b) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

    (c) The New Development Bank (NDB)

    (d) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

     

  • Climate change is driven by human need and greed

    Introduction

    Climate change has long been discussed in terms of rising temperatures and carbon emissions, but historian Sunil Amrith reframes it as a moral and historical crisis. His work The Burning Earth explores how human ambition, industrialisation, and inequality have shaped the Anthropocene. The interview highlights that solving the crisis requires not just technology, but a transformation in values, governance, and global justice.

    Central Ideas and Dimensions

    1. Human Ambition and the Roots of the Climate Crisis
      1. Moral Dimension: Amrith draws from Mahatma Gandhi’s dictum, “The world has enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed.” Industrialisation, driven by greed rather than necessity, transformed humanity’s relationship with nature.
      2. Historical Continuity: Post-industrial societies viewed nature as a source of endless exploitation; colonised nations inherited these extractive systems.
      3. Colonial Legacy: European colonial powers intensified extraction in Asia and Africa, embedding global inequalities in resource use and emissions.
    2. Industrialisation and Technological Faith: A Limited Solution
      1. Technological Optimism: Many assume industrial progress can “fix” climate problems through innovation and decarbonisation.
      2. Historical Warning: Industrialisation was never morally neutral; it was driven by moral ambition and economic expansion.
      3. Inequality in Transition: The Global South is now being asked to decarbonise rapidly despite having contributed less to historical emissions.
      4. Example: The ‘Green Transition’ narrative often benefits rich economies while transferring economic burdens to poorer ones.
    3. Climate Change as a Political, not Merely Technical, Problem
      1. Political Process: Climate negotiations are shaped by historical responsibility and inequality in emission shares.
      2. Distribution of Responsibility: Developed countries hold disproportionate responsibility, yet developing countries bear heavier adaptation costs.
      3. Injustice of Geography: Those least responsible like communities in the Global South face the worst climate impacts.
      4. Global Debate: The question of who should pay and who should adapt is as pressing as the question of how to reduce emissions.
    4. Humanities and the Ethics of Climate Discourse
      1. Beyond Science: Amrith calls for humanities’ involvement, history, anthropology, and moral philosophy, to interpret climate change as a human story.
      2. Changing Relationship with Nature: Understanding industrialisation’s moral and emotional roots can help reshape our relationship with the planet.
      3. Broader Lens: Integrating social, cultural, and ethical frameworks prevents oversimplified “technological salvation” narratives.
    5. The Limits of Techno-fixes and the Role of Human Values
      1. Bill Gates’ View: Technology can solve climate change even if temperatures rise by 1.5°C.
      2. Amrith’s Counterpoint: Even if emissions stopped tomorrow, warming would continue due to locked-in carbon cycles.
      3. Moral Reorientation: Sustainable future demands restraint, compassion, and fairness, not mere efficiency or profit.
      4. Systemic Realisation: Human welfare, not human power, should guide policy; prosperity cannot be measured by GDP alone.

    Conclusion

    Amrith’s argument reframes the climate crisis as a mirror to human civilization reflecting not just carbon levels, but our collective morality. The path ahead demands ethical reawakening, equitable governance, and historical responsibility, not just green technology. Climate change is not a scientific failure; it is a civilizational test of whether humanity can outgrow its own greed.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2017] ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change?
    Linkage: Climate change is a recurring UPSC theme in GS 3 and Essays. This article adds depth by linking human greed and moral failure to India’s climate vulnerability, especially in Himalayan and coastal regions.

  • Where states stand on revenue collections, before and after GST

    Introduction

    Introduced in 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) replaced multiple indirect taxes at both Central and State levels, including excise duty, service tax, and VAT, creating a unified national tax framework. The recent data released by the Central Government for October 2025 indicates a 4.6% year-on-year increase in total revenue collection to ₹1,95,936 crore. However, the state-wise analysis has revealed an emerging concern: while some states have achieved strong revenue growth, others are struggling to reach even pre-GST revenue-to-GDP ratios.

    Why in the News

    The latest data on GST revenue collection highlights contrasting fiscal trajectories across Indian states. Despite record-high GST collections nationally, several states’ tax-to-GDP ratios remain lower than before 2017, indicating a possible erosion of state fiscal autonomy. The issue has gained attention because:

    1. Sixteen states and Union Territories now earn a smaller share of revenue from GST than pre-GST taxes.
    2. The aggregate revenue from subsumed taxes has declined from 6.1% of GDP in 2015-16 to 5.5% in 2023-24.
    3. The average GST-to-GDP ratio over the past seven years is 2.6%, below the pre-GST average of 2.8%.
    4. This reversal is significant as it questions the efficacy of India’s largest tax reform and the viability of fiscal federalism under GST.

    How did GST Change the Tax Landscape?

    1. Unified Tax Framework: GST subsumed indirect taxes such as excise duty, VAT, and service tax under a single national structure, simplifying compliance.
    2. Revenue Flow Shift: Revenue previously collected by states under independent taxes now flows through a shared GST mechanism, altering fiscal control.
    3. Increased Central Dependence: States became dependent on GST compensation cess and Centre’s transfers for revenue stability, altering fiscal autonomy.
    4. Short-term Gains: Initially, GST led to better compliance and formalization, resulting in short-term revenue surges.

    How Are States Performing After GST?

    1. Diverse Outcomes: According to PRS Legislative Research, state-level GST revenues continue to trail the pre-GST levels as a share of GSDP.
    2. Declining Tax-to-GDP Ratio: Aggregate revenue from subsumed taxes fell from 6.1% (2015-16) to 5.5% (2023-24).
    3. Below-Average GST Performance: The seven-year average GST-to-GDP ratio (2.6%) is lower than the pre-GST average (2.8%).
    4. Top Performers: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana have shown robust post-GST growth in tax collection.
    5. Lagging States: J&K, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha recorded revenue decline from subsumed taxes as a percentage of GSDP.

    Which States Have Been Worst Affected?

    1. Northeastern States: Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Manipur saw an improvement in tax-to-GSDP ratios.
    2. Northern and Central States: Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha saw a decline in subsumed tax revenues.
    3. Urban-Rural Divide: Industrial and service-oriented states benefited, while agrarian and resource-dependent states witnessed fiscal compression.
    4. GST Compensation End: After 2022, when the GST compensation guarantee ended, fiscal stress intensified for states heavily reliant on the compensation mechanism.

    What Does the Data Reveal About Fiscal Federalism?

    1. Centre-State Revenue Imbalance: 20 out of 36 states/UTs now collect less than 40% of their revenue from GST, deepening fiscal asymmetry.
    2. Medium-term Fiscal Impact: The 15th Finance Commission projected a GST-to-GDP ratio of 7%, but current data reflects underperformance.
    3. Long-term Fiscal Risks: Declining state revenue autonomy may affect social spending and capital expenditure, widening regional disparities.
    4. Compliance Inefficiency: Multiple tax slabs, refund delays, and compliance burdens continue to affect smaller states’ GST efficiency.

    Conclusion

    The GST has achieved its unification objective but has not yet ensured revenue equity across states. While high-compliance, industrial states have benefited, smaller and agrarian states remain fiscally strained. The data underscores the need for recalibrating the GST architecture, simplifying slabs, improving IT infrastructure, and enhancing fiscal transfers, to align with the spirit of cooperative federalism and fiscal balance.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2019] Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017.

    Linkage: It evaluates the impact of GST on Centre-State revenue balance and indirect tax structure post-2017.

  • Panel seeks higher protection for Rhesus Macaque under Wildlife Act

    Why in the News?

    The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) chaired by Union Environment Minister has recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

    rhesus

    Back2Basics: Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

    • Objective: Provides legal protection to species requiring conservation monitoring but not critically endangered.
    • Protection Scope: Hunting, capture, or trade prohibited except under extraordinary conditions such as disease or threat to human life.
    • Legal Provision: Section 11 authorises Chief Wildlife Wardens to grant permissions for justified exceptions.
    • Penalties: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine up to ₹25,000, or both; slightly lower than Schedule I provisions.
    • Species Included: Assamese macaque, Indian fox, Himalayan black bear, Indian cobra, large Indian civet, etc.
    • Distinction from Schedule I: Offers near-equivalent protection but allows limited regulation and control measures.
    • Authority: Central Government empowered under Section 61 to amend species inclusion or exclusion

    About Rhesus Macaque:

    • Scientific Name: Macaca mulatta, a species of Old World monkey native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia.
    • Distribution: Widest-ranging non-human primate, found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and Afghanistan.
    • Physical Traits: Brown or grey fur; body length 47–53 cm, tail 20–23 cm, weight 5–8 kg; strong sexual dimorphism.
    • Habitat: Highly adaptable; lives in forests, grasslands, riverine zones, agricultural lands, and even urban settlements.
    • Behaviour: Diurnal, semi-terrestrial, and social; organised in matrilineal troops (20–200 members) with complex vocal and gestural communication.
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feeds on fruits, seeds, roots, cereals, and occasionally invertebrates; uses cheek pouches for temporary food storage.
    • IUCN Status: Least Concern, due to wide distribution and high adaptability.
    • Legal Reclassification: Previously listed under Schedule II of the WPA, 1972, offering stringent protection against hunting, cruelty, illegal trade, and exploitation. After the 2022 amendments, it was shifted to Schedule IV (mid-level protection category with lesser punishments).
    • Scientific Relevance: Extensively used in biomedical research, instrumental in developing polio, rabies, smallpox vaccines, and in HIV/AIDS and neuroscience studies.
    • Human Conflict: Increasing crop raids, urban aggression, and food theft; declared vermin in Himachal Pradesh (2019) for selective culling in non-forest zones.

    How is the Culling of Vermin allowed in India?

    • Definition: Animals declared harmful or nuisance-causing, legally permitted for hunting to safeguard life, crops, or property.
    • Legal Provision: Section 62 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers the Central Government to declare species (excluding Schedule I) as vermin for specific regions and timeframes.
    • Earlier Classification: Schedule V (pre-2022) listed vermins such as rats, fruit bats, and common crows.
    • 2022 Amendment: Schedule V removed; Centre can now issue direct notifications declaring vermin status.
    • Declaration Process:
      • State government submits request citing local damage or risk.
      • MoEFCC evaluates ecological and administrative justification.
      • Centre issues notification for specified region and duration.
    • Examples:
      • Wild boar (Uttarakhand, Kerala, Goa)
      • Nilgai (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh)
      • Rhesus macaque (Himachal Pradesh, 2019)
      • Fruit bats and crows (select farming regions)
    • Legal Consequence: Once notified, the species loses protection, and hunting incurs no penalty during the declared period.
    • Ecological and Ethical Concerns: Risks of ecosystem imbalance and animal cruelty; experts advocate contraception, relocation, and scientific management instead.
    [UPSC 2022] If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
    Options: (a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant. *
    (b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
    (c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
    (d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.

     

  • Senna spectabilis removed from 1,963 hectares of land in Mudumalai TR

    Why in the News?

    The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has successfully removed Senna spectabilis, a highly invasive tree species, from 1,963 hectares of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).

    Senna spectabilis removed from 1,963 hectares of land in Mudumalai TR

    Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

    • Location: Situated in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
    • Area: Covers 321 sq. km, forming part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India’s first biosphere reserve.
    • Terrain: Undulating landscape ranging from 960–1266 m elevation.
    • Rivers: The Moyar River flows through the reserve, supporting rich biodiversity.
    • Vegetation: Includes evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, teak, bamboo, and grasslands (vayals).
    • Flora: Contains wild relatives of cultivated plants like rice, turmeric, and ginger.
    • Fauna: Home to tigers, elephants, gaurs, sambars, leopards, blackbucks, wild dogs, and 8% of India’s bird species.
    • Boundaries: Shares borders with Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala).
    • Cultural Note: The Oscar-winning documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” was filmed at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp inside MTR.

    About Senna spectabilis:

    • Origin: A fast-growing deciduous tree native to tropical America, introduced in India as an ornamental and shade plant.
    • Issues: Reaches 15–20 metres, produces thousands of seeds annually, spreading rapidly.
    • Invasive Impact: Dense canopy suppresses native trees and grasses, causes food scarcity for herbivores, and reduces biodiversity.
    • IUCN Status: Listed as ‘Least Concern’ but ecologically harmful in Indian forests.

    How was the eradication achieved?

    • Method: Threefold strategy- debarking mature trees, uprooting saplings with weed pullers, and mechanically clearing seedlings.
    • Duration: Large trees dry up in about 18 months after debarking.
    • Post-Removal Use: Felled trees used for paper production.
    • Objective: Restore native flora, improve wildlife forage, and ensure long-term ecosystem recovery.
    [UPSC 2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?

    Options: (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.

    (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. *

    (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.

    (d) None of the above.