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GS Paper: GS3

  • Bioenergy Capacity Addition in India 

     Why in the News?

    The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) reported major additions in biomass, waste-to-energy and biogas capacity over the last 10 years.
     • Data shared in Lok Sabha on 17 December 2025

    Key Achievements in the Last 10 Years

    • Biomass power capacity added: 2,361 MW
     • Waste to Energy capacity added: 227.56 MWe
     • Biogas plants installed: 2.88 lakh plus plants

    National Bioenergy Programme (NBP)

    • Implemented by MNRE
     • Phase I notified on 02 November 2022
     • Time period: 2022 23 to 2025 26
     • Budget outlay: ₹998 crore
     • Supports biogas, biomass, bio CNG and waste to energy projects

    Earlier Bioenergy Schemes

    • National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP)
     • New National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme (NNBOMP)
     • Biomass power and bagasse cogeneration scheme
     • Energy from urban, industrial and agricultural waste programme

    Prelims Pointers

    • Bioenergy falls under renewable energy
    • MNRE is the nodal ministry
    • Bio CNG is part of SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) initiative linkage
    • Waste to energy supports urban waste management
    Consider the following statements about ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’: (2025)

    I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector. 

    II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels. 

    III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building. 

    Which of the statements given above are correct? 

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

  • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) 

    Why in the News?

    • A large multi-city study highlights the high prevalence of early GDM in Indian women
     • Early GDM linked with higher future diabetes risk

    What is GDM?

    • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is glucose intolerance first diagnosed during pregnancy
     • Affects about 14 percent of pregnancies worldwide

    Types of GDM

    • Early GDM (EGDM): Diagnosed before 20 weeks of pregnancy
     • Late GDM (LGDM): Diagnosed between 24 to 28 weeks

    STRiDE Study

    • Conducted at 7 antenatal clinics
     • Sample size: over 3000 pregnant women
     • Locations: Chennai, Hyderabad, Puducherry
     • Published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

    Key Findings

    • Early GDM prevalence: 21.5 percent
     • Late GDM prevalence: 19.5 percent
     • Early GDM affects about 1 in 5 pregnant women

    A company marketing food product advertises that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers? (2011)

    1. The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils. 

    2. The food products are not made out of animal fats/oils. 

    3. The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

  • Kerala’s Butterfly Diversity 

    Why in the News?

    A new monograph published in ENTOMON journal affirms that Kerala hosts the highest butterfly diversity among Indian States along the Western Ghats.

    Source of Study

    • Title: The Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) of Kerala: Status and Distribution
    • Journal: ENTOMON, open access quarterly journal
    • Published by: Association for Advancement of Entomology
    • Lead researcher: Kalesh Sadasivan

    Key Findings

    • Kerala records 328 butterfly species.
    • Includes 41 species endemic to the Western Ghats.
    • Western Ghats as a whole support 337 butterfly species, most of which are found in Kerala.

    Butterfly Families in Kerala

    Nymphalidae: 97 species, Lycaenidae: 96 species, Hesperiidae: 82 species and Other families: Papilionidae, Pieridae, Riodinidae

    Migratory Species

    36 migratory butterfly species documented. Highlights Kerala as a key migratory corridor for seasonal butterfly movement.

    • Conservation Status
    • 22 species from Kerala listed in the IUCN Red List.
    • Most are Least Concern.
    • 2 species classified as Near Threatened.

    Legal Protection in India

    • 70 butterfly species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 
    • 4 species under Schedule I. Majority under Schedule II.

    Larval Host Plant Diversity

    • Over 1,800 larval feeding records documented.
    • Includes 350 plus new field observations.
    • Covers nearly 800 plant species.
    • One of the largest region specific host plant compilations in India.
    Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences? (2017)

    1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. 

    2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants. 

    3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

  • India Post’s DHRUVA Framework

    Why in the News?

    Department of Posts has proposed the Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address (DHRUVA) as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), supported by a draft amendment to the Post Office Act, 2023.

    What is DHRUVA?

    DHRUVA stands for Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address. It aims to standardise and digitally share physical addresses through virtual labels similar to email IDs.

    Nature

    Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) similar to Aadhaar and UPI. Based on consent based address sharing.

    Key Components

    • Digital Label: Proxy address like name@dhruva instead of full physical address.
    • DIGIPIN: 10 digit alphanumeric geo coded location pin developed by India Post.
    • Coverage: Every 12 square metre area in India has a unique DIGIPIN.

    Institutional Ecosystem

    • Address Service Providers: Generate virtual address labels.
    • Address Validation Agencies: Authenticate address information.
    • Address Information Agents: Manage user consent and sharing.
    • Governing Entity: NPCI like body to oversee the framework.

    How It Works

    • User authorises sharing of the virtual address label.
    • Platform receives descriptive address and geo coded DIGIPIN.
    • Ensures controlled access to address data.

    Major Use Cases

    • Logistics and delivery services.
    • E commerce platforms and gig economy platforms.
    • Consent based data sharing of addresses.
    • Seamless address updates during relocation.
    • Service discovery for doorstep services.

    Importance

    • Improves last mile delivery, especially in rural areas.
    • Reduces errors from incomplete or informal addresses.
    • Enhances user control over personal address data.

    Concerns and Criticism

    • Relies on personal data and user consent, unlike structure based address systems used globally.
    • May create incomplete datasets for urban planning if consent is denied.
    • Needs clear legislative backing.

    Associated Initiative

    • DIGIPIN: Open sourced, location coordinate based addressing system by India Post.

    Relevant Law

    • Post Office Act, 2023 and its proposed amendment.

    Prelims Pointers

    • DHRUVA proposed by Department of Posts.
    • DIGIPIN is location based, not a traditional PIN code.
    • DHRUVA links addresses to individuals, not surveyed structures.
    • Consent framework is the core feature.
    Consider the following: (2022)

    1. Aarogya Setu 

    2. CoWIN 

    3. DigiLocker 

    4. DIKSHA 

    Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms? 

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

  • Does India need to upgrade its biosecurity measures

    Introduction

    Biosecurity refers to institutional and regulatory measures designed to prevent the intentional misuse of biological agents, toxins, or technologies. Unlike biosafety, which focuses on preventing accidental release of pathogens, biosecurity addresses deliberate threats to human, animal, and agricultural health. The expansion of biotechnology has increased human control over biological systems, simultaneously raising the risk of malicious exploitation and necessitating upgraded governance mechanisms.

    Understanding Biosecurity in the Indian Context

    1. Conceptual Scope: Ensures prevention, detection, and response to intentional misuse of biological agents across laboratories, agriculture, and public health systems.
    2. Differentiation from Biosafety: Addresses deliberate misuse rather than accidental pathogen release.
    3. Sectoral Coverage: Extends protection beyond human health to livestock, crops, and supply chains.

    Evolution of Global Biosecurity Norms

    1. Biological Weapons Convention (1975): Prohibits development, use, and stockpiling of biological weapons and mandates destruction of existing arsenals.
    2. Normative Significance: Establishes the first global legal framework banning an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.
    3. Implementation Gap: Lacks a verification mechanism, increasing reliance on national biosecurity systems.

    Drivers of Biosecurity Risks in India

    1. Geographical Exposure: Facilitates cross-border transmission of pathogens due to porous borders and ecological diversity.
    2. Agrarian Dependence: Increases vulnerability of food systems to agro-terrorism and livestock disease outbreaks.
    3. Population Density: Amplifies impact of biological incidents on public health infrastructure.
    4. Non-State Actor Threats: Highlights risks from terror groups, illustrated by reported Ricin toxin preparation cases.

    Role of Emerging Biotechnologies

    1. Dual-Use Nature: Enables legitimate research while lowering entry barriers for malicious experimentation.
    2. Technological Diffusion: Expands access to genetic manipulation tools beyond state laboratories.
    3. Risk Amplification: Increases probability of low-cost, high-impact biological incidents.

    India’s Existing Biosecurity Architecture

    1. Department of Biotechnology: Oversees research governance and laboratory safety frameworks.
    2. National Centre for Disease Control: Manages disease surveillance and outbreak response systems.
    3. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying: Monitors livestock biosecurity and transboundary diseases.
    4. Plant Quarantine Organisation of India: Regulates agricultural imports and exports to prevent pest and pathogen entry.
    5. Legal Frameworks:
      1. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Regulates hazardous microorganisms and GMOs.
      2. WMD and Delivery Systems Act, 2005: Criminalises unlawful biological weapons activities.

    Institutional and Legal Gaps Highlighted

    1. Fragmented Governance: Dispersed responsibilities across multiple ministries without unified coordination.
    2. Surveillance Asymmetry: Strong outbreak response but weaker preventive intelligence mechanisms.
    3. Non-State Actor Focus: Limited emphasis on bio-terrorism preparedness compared to conventional security threats.

    Conclusion

    India’s internal security landscape is being reshaped by the convergence of emerging technologies, porous borders, and the growing role of non-state actors. While the country has built sectoral capacities in health, agriculture, and research governance, the absence of an integrated biosecurity framework leaves critical gaps in prevention and early detection. Strengthening biosecurity is therefore not only a public health or scientific necessity but a core internal security imperative, requiring coordinated regulation, intelligence integration, and sustained institutional preparedness.

  • BlueBird 6 Satellite and LVM 3

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO is scheduled to launch the BlueBird 6 satellite, developed by US based AST SpaceMobile, on 21 December 2025 using India’s heavy lift rocket LVM 3.

    About BlueBird 6 Satellite

    • Developer: AST SpaceMobile USA
     • Purpose: Provides direct to device internet connectivity, enabling normal mobile phones to access broadband without dependence on ground based cell towers
     • Weight: Around 6.5 tonnes, making it among the heaviest commercial satellites launched by ISRO
     • Orbit: Low Earth Orbit LEO
     • Technology: Equipped with one of the largest phased array antennas ever deployed in space, covering nearly 2,400 square feet
     • Capable of direct communication with standard smartphones
     • Significance: Enhances global mobile broadband connectivity, particularly in remote and rural regions
     • Strategic importance: Strengthens Indo US space cooperation and expands commercial space launch collaboration
     • Future impact: Helps bridge the digital divide by providing internet access in regions without cellular infrastructure

    About LVM 3

    • Full name: Launch Vehicle Mark 3
     • Also called GSLV Mk III or Bahubali
     • India’s heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO
     • Designed for large satellite launches and human spaceflight missions

    With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, Consider the following statements: (2018)

    1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 

    2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. 

    3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. 

    Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? 

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 only

  • Wildlife Smuggling at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA)

    Why in the News?

    Customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, intercepted a wildlife smuggling attempt involving endangered primates brought from Bangkok.

    Key Details

    • Two red shanked douc monkeys were recovered from a passenger arriving on flight TG 325 from Bangkok.
     • The animals were concealed inside check in baggage.
     • The passenger was arrested under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Customs Act, 1962.
     • The rescued primates were handed over to animal welfare authorities for rehabilitation.
     • Further investigation is ongoing.

    About Red Shanked Douc Monkey

    • Scientific name: Pygathrix nemaeus
     • Habitat: Tropical forests of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia
     • IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
     • Listed under CITES Appendix I
     • Known for distinctive red lower limbs and colourful facial markings

    Legal and International Framework

    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provides legal protection to endangered species in India.
     • CITES regulates international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
     • Appendix I species face the strictest trade restrictions.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Airports are major transit points for wildlife trafficking.
    • Smuggling of CITES listed species is a serious international offence.
    • India is a signatory to CITES and enforces it through domestic laws.
    • Wildlife trafficking is among the top illegal trades globally after drugs and arms.
    In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply? (2017)

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

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

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

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

  • New Insurance Bill: Major reforms it seeks to bring

    Introduction

    The Union Cabinet has approved the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to amend the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and the IRDAI Act, 1999. The Bill seeks to modernise regulation, attract global capital, strengthen insurer solvency, and improve consumer protection. However, dilution or exclusion of critical reforms, such as composite licensing, has limited its transformative potential.

    Why in the News?

    The Bill proposes raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in insurance companies from 74% to 100% for the first time. This represents a decisive shift from partial foreign ownership to full foreign control in a strategically sensitive financial sector. 

    Core Reforms Introduced by the Bill

    Foreign Capital Liberalisation

    1. FDI expansion: Raises foreign ownership limit from 74% to 100%, enabling complete foreign control.
    2. Capital inflow facilitation: Enables insurers to access long-term global capital for solvency strengthening.
    3. Operational impact: Supports advanced underwriting, digital claims processing, and risk analytics.

    Regulatory Powers and Enforcement

    1. Enhanced IRDAI authority: Expands powers to impose penalties, recover illegal gains, and regulate intermediaries.
    2. Punitive alignment: Brings enforcement powers closer to SEBI-style regulatory deterrence.
    3. Market discipline: Ensures compliance through predictable penalty criteria.

    Operational Flexibility for Insurers

    1. LIC expansion: Permits LIC to enter new lines of business without prior government approval.
    2. Administrative efficiency: Reduces approval delays and improves market responsiveness.
    3. Global alignment: Enables LIC to align with regulatory norms of international markets.

    Capital and Solvency Norm Reforms

    1. Reduced capital threshold: Lowers minimum paid-up capital for new insurers.
    2. Risk-based approach: Facilitates entry of niche and region-specific insurers.
    3. Competition enhancement: Encourages diversification in products and pricing.

    Reinsurance and Risk Distribution

    1. Lower retention limits: Reduces compulsory retention of premium within India.
    2. Global reinsurance access: Facilitates risk diversification through international reinsurers.
    3. Market depth: Broadens reinsurance participation in catastrophe and health insurance.

    Key Proposals Missing or Diluted

    Composite Licensing Exclusion

    1. Licensing rigidity: Retains separation between life and general insurance businesses.
    2. Cost inefficiency: Prevents bundled insurance products under a single entity.
    3. Global mismatch: Diverges from international insurance market practices.

    Captive Insurance Silence

    1. Regulatory omission: No provision for captive insurers despite global demand.
    2. Corporate disadvantage: Limits cost optimisation for large firms managing complex risks.
    3. Missed competitiveness: Reduces India’s attractiveness as an insurance domicile.

    Product and Distribution Constraints

    1. Limited cross-selling: Restricts insurers from offering mutual funds, loans, or credit cards.
    2. Revenue limitation: Constrains diversification of income streams.
    3. Consumer integration gap: Prevents one-stop financial service platforms.

    Sectoral Impact Assessment

    Insurance Market Structure

    1. Market expansion: Likely entry of foreign insurers and niche domestic players.
    2. Competitive pressure: Improves product variety and pricing efficiency.

    Policyholder Outcomes

    1. Service quality: Enhances claims efficiency and underwriting sophistication.
    2. Coverage expansion: Supports insurance access for underserved populations.

    Regulatory Architecture

    1. Stronger oversight: Reinforces IRDAI’s supervisory role.
    2. Structural incompleteness: Retains fragmentation in licensing and product design.

    Conclusion

    The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 advances liberalisation through higher FDI limits, enhanced regulatory powers, and greater operational flexibility, strengthening capital availability and market efficiency in the insurance sector. However, the absence of deeper structural reforms, such as composite licensing and integrated regulation, limits its transformative impact, underscoring the need for a coherent, convergence-oriented regulatory framework to support long-term financial sector stability and inclusion.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2013] The product diversification of financial institutions and insurance companies, resulting in overlapping of products and services strengthens the case for the merger of the two regulatory agencies, namely SEBI and IRDA.

    Linkage: The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 expands and diversifies insurance products, increasing overlap with capital market instruments regulated by SEBI. This directly aligns with the UPSC question examining whether such product convergence justifies closer coordination or merger of SEBI and IRDAI to address regulatory fragmentation.

  • Are methane emissions in India being missed?

    Introduction

    Methane is a short-lived but highly potent greenhouse gas, with 84-86 times the warming impact of CO₂ over 20 years. India is among the world’s largest methane emitters, primarily from waste, agriculture, and fossil fuel systems. However, weak monitoring systems, infrequent data updates, and reliance on modelling assumptions have led to substantial underestimation of actual emissions.

    Why in the News?

    Satellite datasets have, for the first time, revealed that methane emissions from Indian landfills, oil and gas infrastructure, and urban waste sites are significantly underreported, sometimes by a factor of ten. This challenges long-standing inventory-based estimates and highlights a systemic gap between ground reporting and atmospheric reality, making methane a missed but high-impact climate mitigation opportunity.

    Why is methane a critical climate concern for India?

    1. High Global Warming Potential: Methane traps significantly more heat than carbon dioxide in the short term, accelerating near-term warming.
    2. Multi-sectoral Sources: Emissions arise from landfills, wastewater, oil and gas leaks, and organic waste decomposition.
    3. Urban Climate Impact: Large cities generate concentrated methane hotspots due to unmanaged solid waste.
    4. Policy Leverage: Rapid methane reduction delivers faster climate benefits than long-term CO₂ mitigation.

    How have satellite observations changed methane assessment?

    1. Independent Measurement: Satellites measure atmospheric methane directly, bypassing assumptions used in inventories.
    2. High Spatial Resolution: New platforms identify emissions down to individual landfills and infrastructure sites.
    3. First-of-its-Kind Evidence: Indian sites show emissions up to 10x higher than reported estimates.
    4. Comparative Accuracy: Satellite data highlights discrepancies between national inventories and real emissions.

    What gaps exist in India’s current methane inventories?

    1. Model-Based Estimates: Inventories rely on default emission factors and outdated waste generation data.
    2. Infrequent Updates: Sector-wise methane data is updated irregularly at national and state levels.
    3. Source Aggregation: Individual hotspots are masked under regional averages.
    4. Limited Ground Validation: Physical measurement is rare due to cost, logistics, and technical complexity.

    What do case studies from Indian cities reveal?

    1. Delhi (Bhalswa Landfill): Satellite data showed emissions nearly 10 times higher than older estimates.
    2. Mumbai: Emissions from urban waste approached ~0.96 million tonnes, far exceeding theoretical calculations.
    3. Ahmedabad: State estimates at 0.73 million tonnes, with Pirana landfill alone emitting ~0.60 million tonnes.
    4. City-Specific Variability: Differences driven by landfill design, waste composition, and management practices.

    Why is landfill methane particularly underestimated?

    1. Waste Heterogeneity: Indian landfills mix organic, plastic, and industrial waste.
    2. Unengineered Dumps: Most sites lack liners, gas capture systems, or leachate control.
    3. Invisible Emissions: Methane leaks remain undetected without advanced monitoring.
    4. Urban Scale: Mega-cities generate continuous methane flows, not episodic spikes.

    What are the limits of satellite-only monitoring?

    1. Attribution Challenges: Satellites detect plumes but not exact causes.
    2. Complex Urban Signals: Dense cities create overlapping emission sources.
    3. Limited Temporal Coverage: Some emissions remain intermittent or weather-dependent.
    4. Need for Integration: Satellite data requires ground verification for enforcement.

    How does integrated monitoring improve governance outcomes?

    1. Targeted Enforcement: Identifies precise leak points for corrective action.
    2. Policy Feedback Loop: Enables rapid response instead of delayed reporting cycles.
    3. Institutional Coordination: Links urban bodies, pollution boards, and climate agencies.
    4. Cost Efficiency: Directs resources toward highest-impact mitigation sites.

    Conclusion

    Methane emissions in India are not merely underestimated but structurally obscured by outdated inventories and weak monitoring frameworks. Satellite detection has exposed a significant mitigation opportunity, particularly in urban waste systems. Integrating satellite data with ground-level governance can transform methane control into one of India’s fastest climate gains.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022]  Discuss global warming and mention its effects on global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gasses which cause global warming in the light of the Kyoto Protocol 1997. 

    Linkage: This PYQ directly links to methane as a high-impact greenhouse gas and tests understanding of non-CO₂ mitigation, where the article highlights systematic underestimation of methane emissions in India and the need for improved monitoring to achieve climate control commitments.

  • INAS 335 (Ospreys) and MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Navy will commission its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335 (Ospreys), on December 17 at INS Hansa, Goa, marking a major step in naval modernisation.

    MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter

    • It is a US made, advanced multi role maritime helicopter.
       • Equipped with state of the art avionics, sensors and advanced weapon systems.
       • Capable of addressing both conventional and asymmetric threats.
       • Fully integrated with Indian Navy fleet operations.
       • Designed for sustained operations in open seas.

    Strategic Significance

    • Significantly enhances the Indian Navy’s operational readiness.
       • Extends the Navy’s operational reach, supporting blue water navy capabilities.
       • Strengthens India’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
       • Acts as a deterrent against potential maritime threats.

    Prelims Pointers

    • INS Hansa is the Indian Navy’s premier naval air station located in Goa.
       • MH-60R helicopters form a key component of India’s maritime aviation modernisation programme.
    Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? (2016)

    (a) Amphibious warfare ship 

    (b) Nuclear-powered submarine 

    (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel 

    (d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier