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

Civilsdaily

Login

GS Paper: GS3

  • [4th November 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The case for energy efficiency

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain.

    Linkage: The question relates to India’s renewable energy transition and the feasibility of meeting its 2030 targets. The article links by emphasizing that without efficiency and subsidy realignment, rising renewable capacity alone cannot ensure a cleaner grid.

    Mentor’s Comment

    India’s clean energy transition faces a paradox: even as renewable capacity doubles, the electricity flowing into homes is becoming dirtier. The rise in India’s grid emission factor despite record renewable expansion reveals deep systemic challenges, capacity-generation mismatch, demand peaks, and underutilization of renewables. This editorial decodes why energy efficiency, the “first fuel”, must become central to India’s decarbonisation strategy.

    Introduction

    India’s non-fossil fuel sources now account for about 50% of total installed capacity, yet its grid emission factor (GEF) has worsened from 0.703 tCO₂/MWh in 2020-21 to 0.727 tCO₂/MWh in 2023-24 (Central Electricity Authority). This anomaly highlights that while renewable capacity has expanded, fossil-fuel-based generation still dominates. To make India’s grid cleaner and more reliable, scaling up energy efficiency and flexibility is essential.

    Why Is India’s Grid Getting Dirtier Despite More Renewables?

    1. Grid Emission Factor (GEF): This measure of carbon intensity has increased instead of falling, reflecting rising dependence on coal during peak demand hours.
    2. Installed capacity doesn’t always equate to generation: Renewables deliver less electricity annually compared to thermal or nuclear sources.
    3. Coal’s dominance: Fossil fuels continue to meet the marginal demand, making India’s grid more emission-intensive even with rising renewable capacity.

    What Explains the Capacity-Generation Mismatch?

    1. Low capacity utilisation: Solar and wind plants run at only 15-25% utilisation, versus 65-90% for coal and nuclear.
    2. Temporal mismatch: Solar peaks during afternoon hours, while demand peaks at night, requiring fossil backup.
    3. System inflexibility: Lack of energy storage, flexible grids, and responsive pricing structures forces reliance on coal during non-solar hours.
    4. Data point: In 2023-24, renewables (including hydro) supplied only 22% of total electricity; the rest came from fossil fuels.

    How Can Energy Efficiency Bridge the Gap?

    1. First fuel approach: Efficiency reduces demand before generation, lowering peak load, reducing reliance on coal during evening peaks.
    2. Economic benefit: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) reports savings of 200 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) between FY2017-FY2023. This is equivalent to 1.29 GT of CO₂ and savings of ₹76,000 crore.
    3. Enabler of renewables: Efficiency flattens demand peaks, preventing renewable curtailment and enhancing integration of solar and wind.
    4. Preventing lock-in: Replacing old, inefficient technologies avoids long-term carbon lock-ins.

    What Policy and Structural Changes Are Needed?

    1. Battery integration: Enabling homes and offices to connect storage systems for balancing demand.
    2. Appliance efficiency: Transition to 4-star and 5-star appliances with updated standards.
    3. Market mechanisms: Incentives for consumers to shift electricity usage to periods of high renewable availability.
    4. Scrappage policy: Phasing out inefficient fans, motors, and air conditioners through targeted rebates.
    5. RTC renewable procurement: Promote Round-the-Clock (RTC) renewable electricity, currently costing less than ₹5/kWh, to replace coal power.

    Why Energy Efficiency Must Be at the Core of Decarbonisation Strategy

    1. Invisible yet indispensable: Efficiency is distributed and diffuse, but without it, India’s energy transition remains incomplete.
    2. Global comparison: Nations like France, Norway, and Sweden have achieved GEFs of 0.1-0.2 tCO₂/MWh via high efficiency and nuclear-hydro mix.
    3. India’s targets: National Electricity Plan (2023) projects India’s GEF to fall to 0.548 by 2026-27 and 0.430 by 2031-32.
    4. Integrated approach: A balance of renewable expansion, storage, and efficiency measures is key to achieving India’s Net Zero by 2070 target.

    Conclusion

    India’s clean energy paradox underscores that generation capacity alone cannot drive decarbonisation. Efficiency, flexibility, and policy coherence must shape the next phase of transition. Making energy efficiency the “first fuel” and embedding it across homes, industries, and infrastructure will determine how India powers its future while keeping its grid truly green.

  • Madras HC calls Cryptocurrency ‘Property’

    Why in the News?

    In a historic first for India, the Madras High Court has recognized cryptocurrency as “property” under Indian law, providing judicial validation to digital assets long trapped in a regulatory grey zone.

    What is Cryptocurrency?

    • Overview: Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security, making it difficult to counterfeit or double-spend.
    • Nature: It is decentralized, operating on blockchain technology — a distributed ledger maintained across a network of computers.
    • Key Features: Pseudonymity, transparency, global accessibility, and independence from central banks.
    • Examples: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and others.
    • Function: Used as a medium of exchange, store of value, or investment asset, depending on its design and acceptance.

    Case Details:

    • Case Title: Rhutikumari vs Zanmai Labs Pvt. Ltd. (WazirX Operator) — Madras High Court, October 25, 2025.
    • Context: WazirX froze the petitioner’s account after a $230 million crypto hack (July 2024), even though her assets (3,532 XRP) were unrelated to the theft.
    • Petitioner’s Argument: Her cryptocurrency holdings constituted private property wrongfully frozen without due process.
    • Respondent’s Defence: The freeze was a security measure, and disputes should be referred to Singapore arbitration.
    • Court’s Decision: Justice N. Anand Venkatesh ruled that cryptocurrencies, though intangible, qualify as property since they can be owned, possessed, transferred, and enjoyed.
    • Order: WazirX directed to deposit ₹9.56 lakh in escrow until arbitration concludes.
    • Precedents Cited:
      • Ruscoe v. Cryptopia Ltd (New Zealand): Crypto assets recognized as property held in trust.
      • AA v. Persons Unknown (UK): Bitcoin acknowledged as an asset capable of ownership and protection.

    Legal Implications of the Ruling:

    • Recognition of Ownership Rights: Establishes that cryptocurrency holders have property rights enforceable under Indian civil law.
    • Investor Protection: Enables crypto investors to seek injunctions, escrow relief, and proprietary claims in disputes with exchanges.
    • Liability of Exchanges: Exchanges can be held accountable for wrongful freezing or security failures; “force majeure” cannot justify loss of investor assets.
    • Insolvency Proceedings: Cryptocurrencies can now be treated as assets of an estate, strengthening recovery mechanisms in bankruptcy or liquidation.
    • Judicial Precedent: First Indian ruling to recognise crypto as legally protectable property, likely to influence future regulatory and tax interpretation.

    Legal Status of Cryptocurrency in India (as of 2025):

    • Legality: Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender but are legal to hold, trade, and invest within a regulated framework.
    • Taxation:
      • Classified as Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) under the Finance Act, 2022.
      • 30% tax on gains; 1% TDS on trades above threshold limits.
    • Regulatory Oversight:
      • RBI: Monitors systemic risk; does not recognize crypto as currency.
      • SEBI: Supervises investment-related aspects.
      • FIU-IND: Enforces anti–money laundering compliance under PMLA (2023 extension).
    • Judicial Framework: Supreme Court (2020) struck down the 2018 RBI ban, enabling continued operation of exchanges.
    • RBI Policy Direction:
      • Promotes Digital Rupee (CBDC) as a regulated alternative.
      • Allows limited banking access to compliant crypto entities under strict KYC/AML rules.

    Conclusion:

    • Crypto is legal to own and trade, taxable as VDA, non-tender, and subject to compliance norms.
    • The Madras High Court ruling elevates its status from a digital asset to a judicially recognized form of property, filling a key legal gap in India’s crypto regulation.
    [UPSC 2020] Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels?

    [UPSC 2019] What is Cryptocurrency? How does it affect global society? Has it been affecting Indian society also?

     

  • Fully Accessible Route (FAR) of Investment

    Why in the News?

    In 2025, foreign investors have invested only about ₹69,000 crore ($7.8 billion) nearly half than expected, into Indian government bonds, even though the rules were made simpler and more flexible under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR) to attract more investment.

    What is Fully Accessible Route (FAR)?

    • Overview: A special investment framework launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in March 2020 to attract foreign investment in Indian government securities (G-secs).
    • Purpose: Aims to liberalise India’s debt market, enhance foreign participation, and integrate it with global financial systems.
    • Eligible Investors: Open to Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) without investment caps.
    • Key Feature: Permits unlimited foreign investment in designated government bonds with free buy–sell access and no quantitative ceiling.
    • Liquidity & Integration: Designed to improve bond market depth, diversify funding sources, and boost India’s visibility in global debt indices.
    • Repatriation Freedom: Allows investors to repatriate capital and profits freely to their home countries.
    • Global Milestone: In June 2024, JP Morgan included 29 Indian G-secs under FAR in its Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI), marking India’s debut in major global bond benchmarks.

    Comparison with Other Routes:

    1. Medium Term Framework (MTF): Allows foreign investment in G-secs but with limits and conditions on exposure and tenure.
    2. Voluntary Retention Route (VRR): Permits FPIs to invest in G-secs provided they retain investments for a minimum period, ensuring stable long-term inflows.

    Complementary Function: FAR, MTF, and VRR operate together, providing flexibility in investment terms and balancing market stability with foreign access.

    Why were higher inflows expected?

    • Projected Inflows: Index inclusion in 2024–25 was expected to attract $20–25 billion from global institutional and index-tracking investors.
    • Attractiveness Factors: India’s 7% stable yields, macroeconomic strength, and favourable risk–return ratio made it a promising destination for long-term capital.
    • Actual Outcome: Only $10.7 billion flowed in during 2024-25: well below expectations.
    • Key Reasons:
      • Global monetary uncertainty: investors awaited clarity on the US Federal Reserve’s rate policy.
      • Domestic caution: RBI removed 14- and 30-year bonds from FAR in 2024 to reduce volatility.
      • Geopolitical tensions and FPI withdrawals from equities reduced investor appetite.
    • Significance: Despite lower inflows, FAR remains a structural reform strengthening India’s position as a globally accessible and competitive bond market.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:

    1. In India, Non-Banking Financial Companies can access the Liquidity Adjustment Facility window of the Reserve Bank of India.

    2. In India, Foreign Institutional Investors can hold the Government Securities (G-Secs).

    3. In India, Stock Exchanges can offer separate trading platforms for debts.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 2 and 3 only*

     

  • Pampadum Shola National Park

    Why in the News?

    At Pampadum Shola National Park, invasive Australian wattles are being removed and native grasslands restored naturally leading streams to flow again and biodiversity to rejuvenate.

    About Pampadum Shola National Park:

    • Location: Situated in Idukki district, Kerala, near the Tamil Nadu border, about 35 km from Munnar.
    • Area & Status: Smallest NP in Kerala (11.753 sq km); declared in 2003 to protect the shola–grassland ecosystem.
    • Landscape: Lies at 1,600–2,400 m elevation within the Anamalai–High Range landscape, part of the Anamudi Sub-cluster (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
    • Hydrology: Serves as a watershed for the Pambar and Vaigai Rivers, vital to Tamil Nadu’s plains.
    • Flora & Fauna: Features evergreen forests, moist deciduous patches, and montane grasslands; key species include Nilgiri Marten, Kerala Laughing Thrush, Nilgiri Tahr, and Indian Giant Squirrel.
    • Restoration Efforts: Ecological restoration (2020–2024) underway, removal of invasive Australian wattles (Acacia mearnsii) has revived native grasslands and streams.
    • Climate & Tourism: Experiences cool, misty weather (6°C–30°C) with dual monsoons; regulated trekking under Forest Department supervision.

    What are Shola Forests?

    • Overview: Tropical montane evergreen forests found above 1,600 m in the Western Ghats across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
    • Etymology: Derived from Tamil word “solai”, meaning sacred grove or thicket.
    • Structure: Occur as a mosaic of stunted evergreen forests and grasslands, forming the shola–grassland ecosystem.
    • Floral Composition: Dominated by Michelia nilagirica, Rhododendron, Eurya, Schefflera, and Elaeocarpus species with rich epiphyte growth.
    • Ecological Role: Act as natural sponges, absorbing rain, recharging aquifers, and feeding perennial rivers like Cauvery, Bhavani, Vaigai, and Thamirabarani.
    • Biodiversity: Support high endemism, harbouring Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Pipit, and other rare fauna.

     

    [UPSC 2020] Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin?

    1. Nagarhole National Park

    2. Papikonda National Park

    3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

    4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

     

  • Heavy metals found in Cauvery fishes

    Why in the News?

    Researchers from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, reported alarming levels of heavy metal pollution in the Cauvery River and its fish species, warning against excessive consumption.

    Key Findings of the Study:

    • Scope & Period: Conducted August 2023–February 2024, covering 18 sediment and 10 fish-sampling sites, analysing chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn).
    • Contamination Levels: Several rivers stretches showed cadmium and lead concentrations exceeding international safety limits in both sediments and fish tissues.
    • Pollution Hotspots: The Erode stretch emerged as the most polluted, influenced by textile dyeing, electroplating, tannery effluents, urban sewage, and agricultural runoff.
    • Bioaccumulation Pattern: Metal concentration followed the trend, liver > gills > muscle, reflecting tissue-specific accumulation in aquatic species.
    • Toxic Metal Dominance: Cadmium and lead were identified as the most toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative, posing long-term ecological and health hazards.

    Risks Associated:

    • Ecological Impact:
      • Heavy metals disrupt fish reproduction, growth, and survival, destabilising aquatic food webs.
      • Sediment toxicity alters microbial and plankton communities, reducing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
    • Human Health Risks:
      • Consumption of contaminated fish can cause carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects, particularly from cadmium and lead.
      • Cadmium affects kidneys and bones, while lead impairs nervous and cognitive functions, especially in children.
      • Chronic exposure linked to liver dysfunction, hypertension, and cancer.
    • Safe Consumption Limit:
      • Researchers recommend ≤2 fish servings/week (250 g each) to minimise health risk.
      • Continuous intake leads to cumulative toxicity and higher disease risk.

    Back2Basics: Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

    What is Bioaccumulation?

    • Overview: It is the gradual buildup of toxic substances, such as heavy metals or pesticides, in the tissues of living organisms over time.
    • Mechanism: When uptake (from food, water, or sediment) exceeds the rate of excretion, contaminants accumulate within the organism’s body.
    • Example: Fish in the Cauvery absorb cadmium and lead from contaminated sediments and water faster than they can eliminate them, leading to higher internal concentrations than in their environment.

    What is Biomagnification?

    • Overview: It refers to the progressive increase in the concentration of toxins as they move up the food chain.
    • Process: Smaller aquatic organisms ingest pollutants → fish eat these organisms → humans consume contaminated fish, resulting in magnified exposure.
    • Consequence: Top predators, including humans, end up with the highest toxin concentrations, making biomagnification a significant public health hazard in contaminated ecosystems.

     

    [UPSC 2024] With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements:

    1. PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food, and food packaging materials.

    2. PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment.

    3. Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1,2 and 3*

     

  • [pib] National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)

    Why in the News?

    The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (2020–21 to 2025–26) is set to conclude this fiscal year.

    About National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM):

    • Overview: A Central Sector Scheme (2020) under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, promoting scientific beekeeping and driving a “Sweet Revolution” for rural income enhancement.
    • Implementing Agency: Executed by the National Bee Board (NBB) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
    • Financial Outlay: ₹500 crore for FY 2020–21 to 2025–26.
    • Core Aim: Boost honey production, pollination-based crop productivity, and farmers’ income through structured beekeeping and processing infrastructure.
    • Technology & Quality Focus: Promotes traceability, quality assurance, and digital registration via the Madhukranti Portal.
    • Implementation Structure:
      1. Mini Mission–I: Enhances honey and hive product production through scientific beekeeping and pollination.
      2. Mini Mission–II: Focuses on post-harvest management, collection, processing, storage, marketing, and value addition.
      3. Mini Mission–III: Supports research, innovation, and capacity building for technology-driven solutions.
    • Institutional Network: Coordinated by NBB, involving NDDB, NAFED, TRIFED, ICAR, KVIC, SRLM/NRLM, and MSME bodies at national and state levels.

    Achievements & Progress:

    • Production & Exports: India produced 1.4 lakh MT honey (2024); exported 1.07 lakh MT worth USD 177.55 million (FY 2023–24), rising to 2nd globally from 9th in 2020.
    • Infrastructure Development: Established 6 world-class labs, 47 mini labs, 6 diagnostic labs, 8 hiring centres, 26 processing units, 18 branding units, and 10 cold storages.
    • Research Hub: National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping set up at IIT Roorkee for innovation and training.
    • Empowerment Initiatives: 167 SHG projects, 97 FPOs, 424 ha demonstrations, and 288 ha bee-friendly plantations sanctioned for livelihood diversification.
    • Digital Integration: Madhukranti Portal hosts 14,859 beekeepers, 269 societies, 206 companies, with blockchain-based traceability for export-grade quality.
    • Policy Support: Minimum Export Price (MEP) of USD 2,000/MT (till Dec 2024) set to curb dumping of inferior honey and safeguard domestic producers.

  • [3rd November 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Cruising ahead, India’s shipping sector needs help from the government to thrive

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2021] Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth. Discuss in the light of India’s experience.

    Linkage: This question assesses the role of infrastructure investment in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth, a core theme under GS Paper III. It directly links to the article’s discussion on India’s renewed focus on port-led development and maritime self-reliance as catalysts for national growth and strategic autonomy.

    Mentor’s Comment

    The article highlights India’s renewed focus on its maritime and shipping sector, a domain long overshadowed by globalisation-led neglect and privatisation. As the government signals intent to revive indigenous shipping strength, the discussion becomes crucial for UPSC aspirants studying issues of economic infrastructure, logistics, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s maritime strategy under GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure: Transport and Shipping).

    Introduction & Why in the News

    At the India Maritime Week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined that shipping is not merely a business but a strategic national asset. This marks a policy shift, after decades of liberalisation and privatisation which weakened India’s domestic fleet and shipbuilding capacity. With the pandemic exposing India’s dependence on foreign-owned ships, the government has now initiated fresh investments, port reforms, and fleet strengthening measures to make Indian shipping globally competitive once again.

    Reclaiming India’s Maritime Strength

    1. Decline under Liberalisation: Over two decades of globalisation and privatisation led to weakened domestic shipping, with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) losing state backing and market share.
    2. Loss of Strategic Autonomy: Reliance on foreign ships reduced India’s ability to secure trade routes and logistics during crises.
    3. Pandemic Wake-up Call: COVID-19 disruptions exposed this overdependence, renewing calls for self-reliance and fleet revival.

    How Government Policies Shaped the Sector’s Decline

    1. Privatisation and Reduced Support: The ideological shift toward liberalisation led to reduced state ownership and limited investment in domestic capacity.
    2. Withdrawal of Favourable Policies: Earlier advantages like first rights to transport India’s oil were withdrawn, eroding SCI’s competitiveness.
    3. Diluted Strategic Intent: Shipping became treated as a commercial, not strategic, enterprise unlike in major maritime nations such as China or South Korea.

    The Post-Pandemic Realisation: Shipping as Strategic Infrastructure

    1. Strategic Leverage: Post-COVID, the government realised that control over shipping fleets = control over supply chains, a critical factor during disruptions or wars.
    2. National Interests and Protectionism: As Western nations turned protectionist, India reoriented towards building indigenous capacity to ensure secure maritime logistics.
    3. New Investments Announced: Major port-related projects and transshipment hubs like Chennai and Kolkata were revived to strengthen domestic capabilities.

    Reforms and Initiatives: Building Self-Reliant Maritime Power

    1. Port-Led Development: Under the landlord model, India’s ports now share revenue with private players, encouraging efficiency and foreign participation.
    2. Transshipment Hubs: Development of Chennai and Kolkata projects reflects India’s ambition to capture cargo movement currently routed via Colombo or Singapore.
    3. Shipbuilding Incentives: Moves toward strengthening shipbuilding and ship repair capacity ensure domestic employment and reduce outflow of forex.
    4. Indian Seafarer Training: Focus on education and skill development enables Indian crew to compete internationally and serve domestic fleet expansion needs.

    Private Sector Role and Strategic Leverage

    1. Private Shipping Companies: Encouraged to register ships in India and operate via local subsidiaries to enhance fleet size.
    2. Financial Autonomy: SCI’s balance sheet strengthening and port reforms attract new investors.
    3. Insurance and Ancillary Services: Government aims to extend support to marine insurance, finance, and logistics for creating a complete maritime ecosystem.

    Conclusion

    India’s renewed emphasis on shipping marks a strategic reassertion of maritime sovereignty. As the government invests in ports, fleet expansion, and seafarer training, the focus must remain on integrating private capacity with national goals. True maritime power will come not from tonnage alone, but from strategic control over logistics, shipbuilding, and manpower. With sustained policy backing, India can transform from a cargo-dependent nation to a maritime leader.

  • Nuclear power sector likely amendments in winter session

    Introduction

    India’s nuclear sector, long constrained by legal rigidity and liability concerns, is on the verge of transformation. Two yet-to-be-proposed amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010, and the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, mark a potential inflexion point for India’s atomic energy policy. These changes aim to attract private participation, foreign technology, and financing for nuclear power at a time when India is seeking reliable base-load alternatives to coal amid renewable intermittency.

    Why in the News

    The Government of India is preparing two key amendments to the overarching legislation governing the nuclear energy sector. These include:

    1. Easing provisions under the CLNDA, which has so far deterred private and foreign suppliers due to its unique liability clause.
    2. Tweaking the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, to permit private capital participation in nuclear projects, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

    This move is significant because private participation in nuclear power generation would be a first in India’s history, potentially unlocking foreign investments, advanced technology, and new energy security pathways.

    India’s Atomic Sector: The Turning Point

    1. Policy Stagnation: India’s nuclear sector has been constrained by a state monopoly and the restrictive liability regime under CLNDA 2010.
    2. Base-load Pressure: The growing share of renewables has created an urgent need for dependable, round-the-clock power sources to stabilise the grid.
    3. Technology Imperative: Advanced nuclear technologies like Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and SMRs offer scalability, modularity, and carbon-neutral power generation.

    What are the Proposed Legal Amendments?

    Liability Law and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA)

    • Objective: To create a mechanism for compensating victims in the event of a nuclear accident while easing supplier liability.
    • Issue: Section 17(b) allows the operator to seek recourse from suppliers, discouraging foreign firms from supplying equipment.
    • Yet to be proposed Change: Easing or redefining supplier liability to allow greater participation by private and foreign firms such as Westinghouse (US) and Framatome (France).
    • Expected Impact: Unlocks foreign investment, technology transfer, and cost-effective reactor construction for the upcoming fleet of nuclear projects.

    Atomic Energy Act, 1962-Enabling Private Entry

    • Current Restriction: The Act allows only government entities to construct and operate nuclear power plants.
    • Yet to be proposed Amendment: Permitting private entities to invest in and operate select reactor types, especially Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
    • Outcome: Encourages joint ventures between state-owned NPCIL and private players to accelerate capacity addition.
    • Strategic Aim: To create a hybrid public-private nuclear ecosystem focused on innovation, faster project execution, and flexible deployment.

    Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): The Next Frontier

    1. Definition: Compact, factory-assembled nuclear reactors that can be transported and installed modularly.
    2. Government Focus: NPCIL announced domestic SMR design by March 2024; Reliance Industries, Adani Power, and Tata Power have shown interest.
    3. Advantages:
      1. Scalability: Easier to construct and replicate than large nuclear plants.
      2. Flexibility: Ideal for decentralised base-load generation alongside renewables.
      3. Lower Risk: Smaller footprint and enhanced safety features.
    4. Global Trend: Aligns India with global leaders like the US, Russia, France, and China in SMR technology development.

    Why Private and Foreign Participation Matters

    1. Capital Infusion: Nuclear power projects are capital-intensive; private entry reduces fiscal burden on the exchequer.
    2. Technology Access: Enables partnerships with established players like Westinghouse, GE-Hitachi, and Framatome.
    3. Diversification: Strengthens India’s energy mix amid pressure to phase down coal.
    4. Climate Goals: Supports India’s Net Zero 2070 target by ensuring low-carbon, base-load power generation.

    Strategic Significance for India’s Energy Security

    1. Energy Reliability: Addresses intermittency of renewables through stable nuclear base-load.
    2. Geopolitical Leverage: Strengthens India’s bargaining position in global nuclear technology markets.
    3. Make in India Synergy: Promotes domestic manufacturing of nuclear components and reactors.
    4. Export Potential: Long-term goal of turning India into an SMR export hub for developing economies.

    Conclusion

    These likely to be proposed amendments mark a historic liberalisation of India’s nuclear policy, balancing liability protection with private and foreign participation. As India expands its clean energy basket, nuclear power is emerging as the bridge between renewables and reliability, supporting a long-term vision of sustainable, secure, and carbon-neutral growth.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2017] Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?

    Linkage: The PYQ connects past technological indigenization in nuclear science with current policy liberalization through CLNDA and Atomic Energy Act amendments. Both mark India’s shift toward advanced, self-reliant, and globally integrated nuclear energy development.

  • Exercise MILAN, 2026

    Why in the News?

    India will host the International Fleet Review, Exercise MILAN- 2026, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs together in Visakhapatnam from February 15–25, 2026.

    About Exercise MILAN:

    • Overview: Biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy to promote interoperability, maritime cooperation, and goodwill among friendly navies.
    • Origin: First conducted in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command with participation from Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
    • Growth: Expanded over the years to include 40–55 participating nations, reflecting India’s growing maritime diplomacy under Act East Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
    • Participation: The 2026 edition will see participation from over 50 navies, including the U.S., Russia, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN countries.
    • Venue: The 2026 edition will be hosted at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command, marking the largest MILAN to date.
    • Structure: Conducted in two phases, a Harbour Phase (seminars, workshops, cultural exchanges, planning conferences) and a Sea Phase (joint operational exercises).
    • Sea Phase Activities: Includes anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defence, maritime domain awareness (MDA), search and rescue (SAR), and complex fleet manoeuvres.
    • Strategic Significance: Strengthens regional maritime security, demonstrates India’s indigenous naval capabilities, and reinforces its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

    Back2Basics: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

    • Overview: A voluntary, multilateral maritime cooperation initiative launched by the Indian Navy in 2008 to enhance regional maritime security and dialogue among littoral nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
    • Membership: Comprises 25 member states and 9 observer countries, spanning Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
    • Objective: To promote maritime safety, security, capacity building, information sharing, and cooperation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
    • Chairmanship: The chairmanship rotates biennially among member nations; India will assume the chair for 2025–2027.
    • Key Areas of Focus:
      • Enhancing maritime domain awareness (MDA) and information exchange.
      • Combating piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and terrorism at sea.
      • Strengthening maritime connectivity and blue economy cooperation.
      • Coordinating disaster relief and search-and-rescue operations.

     

    [UPSC 2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?

    1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

    2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).

    3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.

    4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4*

     

  • KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

    Why in the News?

    Around 500 Indian nationals who escaped the KK Park cybercrime compound in Myawaddy township, southeastern Myanmar, are being rescued by the Government of India.

    KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

    About KK Park Cyber Scam Hub:

    • Location & Setting: Situated in Myawaddy township, Karen State, Myanmar, near the Thailand border; originally built (2019–2021) as a border trade zone, later transformed into a cybercrime and human trafficking hub.
    • Control & Operations: Managed by the Border Guard Force (BGF) under Saw Chit Thu, a junta-allied militia leader sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
    • Nature of Activities: Functions as a “scam city” employing thousands of trafficked workers for online fraud, crypto scams, and romance-investment schemes.
    • Human Trafficking: Victims are recruited via fake overseas job offers, then imprisoned, tortured, and forced to commit cybercrimes after passport confiscation.
    • Scale: At its peak, housed over 20,000 trafficked workers, generating billions annually through global online fraud networks.
    • Structure: Operated like a self-contained enclave with dormitories, shops, and armed security — preventing worker escape.

    Global Concern and UN Findings:

    • UN Reports:  Identified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) as part of a network of cyber-scam compounds spanning Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos).
    • Economic Scale: The cyber-scam economy earns over USD 10 billion annually, victimising users in 110 countries.
    • Myanmar’s 2025 Raid: Seizure of 30 Starlink terminals was seen as a cosmetic crackdown, as ringleaders escaped beforehand.
    • UN Appeal: Calls for cross-border enforcement, crypto tracking, and victim rehabilitation, viewing scam hubs as a fusion of trafficking and transnational organised crime.

    How does it impact Indians?

    • Victimisation: India serves as both a source and target of such scams; hundreds trafficked to Myanmar and Cambodia under fake IT job offers.
    • Rescue Operations: Since 2022, over 1,600 Indians repatriated, including 500 from KK Park (2025); IAF rescued 283 stranded in Thailand earlier.
    • Cyber Threats: Rising crypto frauds, impersonation scams, and digital extortion targeting Indian citizens.
    • Government Response: EAM S. Jaishankar confirmed coordination for repatriation and stronger cyber-diplomacy engagement.
    • Policy Imperative: Highlights India’s need for international law enforcement cooperation, cybersecurity awareness, and anti-trafficking vigilance across Southeast Asia.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
    Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d’état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
    Options: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I *
    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    (c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
    (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct