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GS Paper: GS3

  • Google’s C2S-Scale AI Model

    Why in the News?

    Google DeepMind and Google Research has unveiled Cell2Sentence-Scale 27B (C2S-Scale), an AI model based on the Gemma family, marking a major advance in scientific research.

    About C2S-Scale:

    • Overview: It is a large-language-model (LLM) foundation system created by Google Research, Google DeepMind, and Yale University, designed to interpret the language of cells by converting single-cell transcriptomic data into textual “cell sentences.”
    • Foundation & Architecture: Built on the Gamma family of open models with 27 billion parameters, it is among the world’s largest LLMs for biological data analysis.
    • Purpose: Bridges single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and natural-language reasoning, allowing biologists to query models conversationally and obtain mechanistic hypotheses instead of raw statistics.
    • Experimental Validation: Predicted a CK2-inhibition (silmitasertib + interferon) pathway that increases MHC-I antigen presentation in “cold” tumours, subsequently validated in live-cell assays.

    Key Features:

    • Parameter Scale: ~27 B parameters showing clear scaling-law gains in biological task performance.
    • Data Representation: Converts ranked gene-expression profiles into gene-name sequences, enabling LLMs to treat transcriptomes as text.
    • Multimodal Training: Trained on 50 million + single-cell profiles (human + mouse) plus metadata and scientific literature, aligning molecular data with context.
    • Functional Range: Performs cell-type identification, perturbation-response prediction, dataset summarisation, cluster captioning, and biological Q&A.
    • Reasoning Capability: Generates new, testable hypotheses, extending AI use from pattern detection to biological inference.
    • Open-Source Access: Model weights and code released via Hugging Face and partner labs for community replication and benchmarking.
    [UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements:

    I. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing.

    II. Majorana 1 chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

    III. Deep learning is machine learning.

    How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

     

  • Trouble in ‘Soy State’-The Brewing Crisis in Madhya Pradesh’s Soybean Sector

    Introduction

    Madhya Pradesh contributes nearly 60% of India’s soybean output, earning its title as the Soy State. However, falling yields, poor returns, and uncertain government support are driving young farmers away from cultivation. The state, which once symbolized India’s success in expanding oilseed production, from 300,000 hectares in the 1970s to over 12 million hectares today, is now facing a turning point. Issues surrounding MSP, seed quality, and potential soybean imports have triggered widespread concern among cultivators.

    Declining Interest in Soybean Cultivation

    1. Generational shift: Young farmers are abandoning soybean farming despite their families’ legacy due to poor income and rising costs.
    2. Low profitability: Farmers report earnings of only ₹5,000–₹6,000 per quintal, while production costs remain high due to fertilizers, diesel, and seed expenses.
    3. Falling acreage: MP’s soybean acreage fell from 5.7 million hectares in 2023 to 5.1 million hectares in 2024, marking a 10% decline.
    4. Shift to alternatives: Many farmers are switching to urad, moong, maize, or cash crops that offer higher or more stable returns.

    Why Are Farmers Losing Faith in MSP?

    1. Improper implementation: Though the Centre announced ₹4,600 per quintal as MSP, most farmers sell below it due to lack of procurement infrastructure.
    2. Ceiling price issue: The government fixed a “ceiling price” of ₹4,300 per quintal for private buyers, making market rates unprofitable for producers.
    3. Limited procurement centres: Farmers complain of delayed payments and unavailability of buyers at MSP, forcing distress sales.
    4. Mismatch with cost of cultivation: Even after MSP hikes, real income remains stagnant due to higher input costs.

    The Threat of Soybean Imports

    1. Policy uncertainty: Reports of possible U.S. soybean imports have caused panic among domestic farmers.
    2. Price depression: Imported soybean meal could reduce domestic demand, pushing prices below MSP levels.
    3. Industry divide: Processors argue that imports are needed to stabilize edible oil prices, but cultivators fear it will cripple local production.
    4. Farm unions’ protest: The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) and farmers’ groups have demanded a ban on import proposals, calling it a “death blow” to the domestic industry.

    What Are the Structural Problems Behind the Soybean Crisis?

    1. Seed quality issues: Farmers allege substandard seeds, resulting in poor germination and low yields.
    2. Inadequate extension services: Absence of updated agronomic practices and low use of scientific techniques hinder productivity.
    3. High input costs: Fertilizers, pesticides, and labour costs have nearly doubled over the last five years.
    4. Climate vulnerability: Irregular rainfall and pest infestations (like girdle beetle and stem fly) have further reduced yields.
    5. Weak farmer organizations: Lack of effective cooperatives and marketing federations reduces farmers’ bargaining power.

    How Has Soybean Production Shaped India’s Agricultural Growth?

    1. Historical expansion: From 300,000 ha in the 1970s to 12 million ha today, soybean has been India’s fastest growing crop.
    2. Export potential: Soymeal exports to East Asia once contributed significantly to India’s agri-trade surplus.
    3. Edible oil dependence: Soybean accounts for nearly 35% of India’s oilseed area and plays a key role in reducing import dependency.
    4. Policy linkage: The crop was promoted under Technology Mission on Oilseeds (1986), which revolutionized oilseed cultivation patterns.

    Reviving Faith in Oilseed Farming

    1. Long term MSP assurance: A 3 year guaranteed MSP policy can restore confidence and reduce uncertainty.
    2. Seed innovation: Investment in high-yielding, pest-resistant seed varieties through ICAR and private collaboration.
    3. Market infrastructure: Expansion of procurement centres and digital payment systems to ensure fair realization.
    4. Diversification support: Incentivizing mixed cropping and integrated farming models to mitigate risk.
    5. Value chain strengthening: Promotion of domestic processing units and branding for soybean-based products.

    Conclusion

    The “Soy State” stands at a crossroads. The crisis in Madhya Pradesh reflects the larger policy dilemma of India’s agricultural system, balancing market liberalization with farmer protection. Unless structural issues like MSP implementation, seed quality, and import regulation are addressed, India risks losing self-reliance in a crop that transformed its rural economy. The need of the hour is a farmer-centric reform agenda that enhances profitability, productivity, and predictability in oilseed cultivation.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2018] What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crops in the system?

    Linkage: UPSC’s recurring theme of agriculture and crop diversification finds direct relevance here. The soybean crisis in Madhya Pradesh mirrors the same structural issues of monocropping stress, declining productivity, and need for diversified cropping systems to ensure long-term yield stability and farmer resilience.

  • The mirage of port led development in Great Nicobar

    Introduction

    The proposal for a mega port at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar is being presented as a milestone in India’s maritime rise, intended to transform the country into a regional logistics hub comparable to Colombo or Singapore. Yet, experts argue that this vision rests on flawed economic assumptions, geographical isolation, and logistical weaknesses. The project’s viability is in question, as it lacks the organic trade ecosystem necessary for sustainable growth.

    Why in the News?

    The Great Nicobar port project has been in focus due to its scale, ₹75,000 crore investment aimed at creating a massive transshipment hub with long-term geopolitical and economic significance. It’s projected as India’s entry into the global maritime league. However, this marks a sharp contrast with earlier models of port development that grew around organic trade clusters and industrial hinterlands, not in remote ecological zones. The controversy centers on economic overestimation and environmental underestimation, making it one of the most debated infrastructure projects in recent years.

    Is the economic rationale of the port sound?

    1. Flawed Assumptions: The project assumes India can capture transshipment traffic from Colombo and Singapore, but transshipment thrives on connectivity, carrier loyalty, and trade density, none of which currently exist at Nicobar.
    2. Absence of Hinterland: Unlike Colombo, which is connected to industrial networks, Nicobar lacks any comparable economic base, making port sustenance difficult.
    3. Dependence on Subsidies: Without a strong domestic trade ecosystem, the port would require massive subsidies to remain operational, contradicting long-term economic logic.

    Why geography makes the project inherently difficult?

    1. Remoteness: Great Nicobar is 1,200 km from mainland India, severely limiting cost-effective logistics.
    2. Lack of Connectivity: Poor access to support industries, dry ports, and container parks increases shipping costs and delays.
    3. Comparative Disadvantage: Other regional ports (Colombo, Singapore, Klang) already have integrated logistics and deep-water infrastructure, leaving Nicobar at a permanent disadvantage.

    Does strategic utility justify economic risk?

    1. Strategic Overreach: Supporters link the project to India’s naval presence and eastern maritime security, yet this rationale is weak for a commercial port.
    2. No Clear Defence Objective: India’s navy already operates from INS Baaz, and duplicating facilities under civilian guise increases financial and administrative strain.
    3. Limited Security Value: The port adds little to India’s surveillance or deterrence posture compared to existing assets in the Andaman and Nicobar Command.

    How logistics and trade realities contradict projections

    1. Trade Patterns: Global shipping lines are deeply entrenched in established networks like Colombo and Singapore, where carrier commitments drive decisions.
    2. Operational Constraints: Indian ports, even major ones, struggle with high port-calling and handling costs, illustrated by Krishnapatnam Port (Andhra Pradesh), which still depends on government facilitation.
    3. Organic Hubs vs. Engineered Hubs: Great Nicobar, unlike Vizhinjam (Kerala) or Vadhavan (Maharashtra), lacks a supportive industrial corridor to sustain container flow.

    Is there a precedent for success or failure?

    1. Colombo’s Model: Success based on decades of carrier relationships, industrial integration, and trust-based trade routes.
    2. Indian Experience: Vizhinjam shows progress but is still dominated by a single operator (MSC), revealing dependency rather than competitiveness.
    3. Lesson Learned: Without reciprocal liner relationships or industrial hinterland, a port remains a mirage of connectivity.

    Conclusion

    The Great Nicobar port embodies ambition divorced from ground realities. With limited economic viability, high environmental cost, and questionable strategic logic, it represents a misplaced vision of growth. Port-led development must emerge from organic trade evolution, not state-engineered projects in ecologically fragile zones. The focus should shift toward strengthening existing ports, coastal shipping, and integrated logistics, ensuring India’s maritime rise is both sustainable and strategic.

    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: It directly aligns with The Mirage of Port-Led Development in Great Nicobar article. Both examine how infrastructure-led growth can be unsustainable without economic and logistical foundations. The Nicobar port exemplifies the limits of infrastructure expansion without inclusive or organic economic linkages.

  • [pib] National Blockchain Framework

    Why in the News?

    This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in the PIB Explainers.

    About National Blockchain Framework (NBF):

    • Launched: September 2024 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with a ₹64.76 crore budget.
    • Objective: Establish a unified, secure, and scalable blockchain architecture for governance and public service delivery.
    • Purpose: Promote trust, transparency, and interoperability across digital systems through a permissioned blockchain network deployed at NIC data centres in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad.
    • Impact: Enables ministries, regulators, and state governments to develop Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions for faster, tamper-proof, and verifiable transactions.

    Core Components of the NBF Ecosystem:

    1. Vishvasya Blockchain Stack:
      1. Indigenous modular platform serving as NBF’s backbone.
      2. Offers Blockchain-as-a-Service, distributed infrastructure, and open APIs for seamless e-Governance integration.
      3. Ensures permissioned, secure, and scalable operations across departments.
    2. NBFLite (Blockchain Sandbox):
      1. A testing environment for startups, academia, and innovators to build and validate blockchain prototypes.
      2. Preloaded with smart contract templates for governance and supply chain applications.
    3. Praamaanik:
      1. A blockchain-based mobile app verification system to authenticate legitimate applications and curb fake or malicious software.
      2. Enhances digital trust and cybersecurity in app ecosystems.
    4. National Blockchain Portal:
      1. A unified digital interface for blockchain adoption across government and industry.
      2. Acts as a repository of standards, policies, and interoperability guidelines under MeitY’s blockchain strategy.

    Applications in India’s Governance:

    • Certificate & Document Chain: Digitally secures government-issued documents (e.g., birth, caste, CBSE certificates) to prevent forgery; 34 crore+ verifications completed on blockchain platforms.
    • Property Chain: Records and verifies land and property transactions transparently, enabling instant ownership validation; Aims to reduce litigation and expedite land record updates.
    • Judiciary Chain: Provides immutable records of judicial data, facilitating e-delivery of notices, bail orders, and summons; 665 judiciary documents verified as of October 2025.
    • Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS): Links police, prosecution, and judiciary databases on blockchain for seamless evidence and case management; 39,000+ documents verified on the blockchain.
    • Logistics Chain (Aushada): Tracks pharmaceutical supply chains in Karnataka from production to hospital delivery, ensuring drug authenticity and quality.
    • TRAI’s Blockchain for Telecom: Uses Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for tracking SMS transmissions and combating spam; covers 1.13 lakh registered entities.
    • RBI’s Digital Rupee Pilot: Demonstrates blockchain-based Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for traceable and real-time retail transactions.
    • NSDL’s Blockchain Platform: Introduces Debenture Covenant Monitoring for capital markets, ensuring real-time compliance and investor protection.
    • CoE for Blockchain Technology (NIC): Acts as a consulting and training hub for ministries to pilot and scale blockchain applications using open-source systems like Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum.

    Blockchain Technology

    Blockchain is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger technology that records transactions securely, transparently, and immutably across a network of computers.

    Key Features

    • Decentralization: No single central authority controls the data.
    • Transparency: Transactions are visible to all participants in the network.
    • Immutability: Once recorded, data cannot be altered easily.
    • Security: Uses cryptographic techniques to secure information.
    • Consensus Mechanism: Transactions are validated through mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW) or Proof of Stake (PoS).
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to “Blockchain Technology” consider the following statements:
    1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls.
    2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only.
    3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only*

  • Makhana (Fox Nut) Cultivation in India

    Why in the News?

    The Prime Minister called the National Makhana Board a “revolution” in India’s farm value chain, aiming to formalise and commercialise makhana cultivation.

    National Makhana Board (NMB)

    • Objective: To enhance production, processing, value addition, and export competitiveness of makhana (fox nut) through a structured national framework.
    • Establishment: Constituted in 2025 under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries with an initial outlay of ₹100 crore to institutionalise India’s makhana value chain.
    • Functions: Provides training, technical support, quality regulation, and export facilitation, aligning makhana with schemes such as PM-FME, One District One Product (ODOP), and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
    • Regional Presence: Operates regional centres in Darbhanga, Purnea, and Katihar (Bihar) for farmer outreach and capacity building.
    • Institutional Linkages: Coordinates with ICAR, NABARD, and agricultural universities to promote high-yield varieties (HYVs), mechanised harvesting, and standardised processing.
    • Governance Structure: Comprises Central and State officials, FPO representatives, and industry experts ensuring multi-stakeholder participation.
    • Core Goals: Expand exports, ensure fair farmer pricing, and build sustainable livelihoods for makhana-growing communities.

    About Makhana:

    • Overview: Edible seed of the prickly water lily (Euryale ferox), found in freshwater wetlands across South and East Asia.
    • Nutritional Profile: Protein-rich, low-fat, and mineral-dense, recognised globally as a superfood.
    • Cultural & Medicinal Use: Integral to Ayurveda, Unani, and Chinese medicine; used for blood pressure control, fertility, and immunity.
    • Policy & Branding: Listed under ODOP, backed by branding and export support; granted GI tag “Mithila Makhana” (2022).
    • Global Market: Valued at USD 43.5 million (2023), projected to reach USD 100 million by 2033, positioning India as global leader.
    • Export market: Almost 30% to US, UAE 20%, UK 15% , Canada 10%, Singapore 7-8%.

    Makhana Cultivation in India:

    • Geographic Concentration: Bihar produces ≈ 90 % of India’s makhana from Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa districts.
    • Agro-Climatic Needs: Thrives in stagnant ponds/lakes, 20–35 °C temperature, 100–250 cm rainfall, and loamy soils.
    • Area & Yield: Grown on 15,000 ha producing ≈ 10,000 tonnes annually; HYVs like Swarna Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1 yield 3–3.5 t/ha vs 1.7–1.9 t/ha earlier.
    • Other States: Cultivated marginally in West Bengal, Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, MP, Rajasthan, UP.
    • Challenges: Labour-intensive manual harvesting, limited mechanisation, and high input costs.

  • RBI draft norms on Capital Market Exposure (CME)

    Why in the News?

    The Reserve Bank of India released draft “Capital Market Exposure Directions, 2025” to overhaul rules on banks’ exposure to capital markets.

    What is Capital Market Exposure (CME)?

    It simply means how much a bank is involved in the stock market and related financial activities.

    When banks deal with the capital market, they can do this in two main ways:

    1. Direct Exposure: When the bank itself invests in shares, bonds, or mutual funds, just like an investor would. Example: if a bank buys shares of a company or invests in government bonds, that’s direct exposure.
    2. Indirect Exposure: When the bank gives loans linked to the stock market, for example, lending money to stockbrokers, mutual funds, or investors who want to buy shares.

    Because the stock market goes up and down, these activities are riskier than normal banking (like giving home or business loans). So, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) keeps a close watch and sets limits on how much banks can invest or lend in the capital market.

    About Draft Norms on Capital Market Exposure, 2025:

    • Objective: To modernise, unify, and simplify rules on banks’ capital-market lending and investment exposures.
    • Expanded Scope: Permits acquisition-finance lending for corporates and higher credit limits for individuals participating in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Follow-on Public Offerings (FPOs), and Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs).

    Key Features of the Draft CME Norms:

    • Exposure Limits:
      • Direct exposure (investments + acquisition finance) capped at 20 percent of Tier-1 capital on solo and consolidated bases.
      • Aggregate exposure (direct + indirect) capped at 40 percent of consolidated Tier-1 capital.
    • Acquisition Finance:
      • Banks may finance up to 70 percent of acquisition cost, with borrowers contributing 30 percent equity from own funds.
      • Permitted only for listed companies with sound financials and independent valuations compliant with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) norms.
      • Aggregate acquisition-finance exposure limited to 10 percent of Tier-1 capital; not allowed for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), or related parties.
    • Individual Market-Participation Loans:
      • Maximum loan per individual increased to ₹ 25 lakh; up to 75 percent of subscription value may be financed with a 25 percent margin.
      • Shares allotted under IPOs, FPOs, or ESOPs must be pledged and lien-marked to the lending bank.
    • Loans Against Securities:
      • Capped at ₹ 1 crore per individual for eligible securities (government securities, mutual-fund units, listed shares, or high-rated corporate debt).
      • Banks must maintain prudent LTV ratios and adopt internal risk-control systems for valuation and monitoring.

    Need for Such Norms:

    • Modernisation: Replaces fragmented rules with a unified prudential framework.
    • Corporate Expansion: Enables M&A financing, supporting Indian firms’ global competitiveness.
    • Retail Participation: Encourages individual investment and deepens equity-market access.
    • Risk Containment: Exposure caps and buffers ensure stability and discipline in bank lending.
    • Global Alignment: Harmonises with Basel III and international acquisition-finance standards.
    • Economic Impact: Enhances financial depth, liquidity, and investment-led growth in capital markets.
    [UPSC 2023] Which one of the following activities of the Reserve Bank of India is considered to be part of ‘sterilisation?

    Options: (a) Conducting ‘Open Market Operations’ *

    (b) Oversight of settlement and payment systems

    (c) Debt and cash management for the Central and State Governments

    (d) Regulating the functions of Non-banking Financial Institutions

     

  • Should India take global leadership on climate change?

    Introduction

    Global momentum on climate change is waning. The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the EU’s cautious stance, and Brazil’s focus on implementation have created a leadership vacuum. India, backed by consistent domestic policies and credible renewable achievements, is being viewed as a stabilising force in climate negotiations.

    Current Global Context and India’s Position

    • Leadership Vacuum: Developed economies show declining enthusiasm for climate leadership due to economic pressures and energy insecurity.
    • India’s Steady Role: India maintains policy continuity and cross-party consensus on climate goals, avoiding divisive politics.
    • Emerging ‘Axis of Good’: Expanding partnerships with Europe, Brazil, and developing nations for climate technology and forest cooperation.
    • Implementation Emphasis: COP30 expected to focus on execution of existing commitments rather than new pledges.

    The Financing Challenge and Implementation Gap

    1. Adaptation Finance Deficit: Global climate finance needs estimated at $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, highlighting dependence on private and multilateral funding.
    2. Means of Implementation: Finance, technology transfer, and capacity building remain central to effective execution.
    3. Blended Finance Approach: Encourages combining public, private, and philanthropic resources for adaptation sectors like agriculture and water.
    4. Pipeline Creation: Necessitates project,ready mechanisms at the national and state levels to attract investments.

    India’s Achievements and Strategic Leverage

    1. Emission Stabilisation: Power sector emissions plateaued as renewable integration expands.
    2. Renewable Leadership: Non,fossil fuel sources account for ~50% of installed power capacity.
    3. Decoupling Trend: Energy demand growth no longer proportional to emissions growth, indicating structural change.
    4. Green Industry Shift: Corporate groups (Adani, Reliance) invest heavily in green hydrogen, solar, and renewables driven by market value creation.

    Adaptation,Driven Growth and Dual,Benefit Projects

    1. Integrated Projects: Initiatives like PM,KUSUM use solar energy in agriculture, reducing diesel dependence and improving income security.
    2. Co,benefit Design: Projects combining adaptation (resilience) and mitigation (emission reduction) yield long,term sustainability.
    3. Sectoral Innovation: Solar,powered cold,chain storage and electric buses illustrate scalable, cost,efficient climate solutions.
    4. Aggregation Advantage: National,scale schemes can reduce costs, increase service access, and enhance local resilience.

    Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Adaptation Planning

    1. Current Commitment: 50% of power capacity from non,fossil sources by 2030; aligned with Paris Agreement goals.
    2. Green Hydrogen Linkage: Recognition of renewable energy’s role in hydrogen production can strengthen India’s NDC profile.
    3. Industrial Decarbonisation: Industry identified as a “hard,to,abate” sector; emphasis on electrification, alternative materials, and carbon markets.
    4. Adaptation Priority List: Proposal for a “wish list” of adaptation projects under carbon markets, adaptable by States.
    5. Carbon Market Strategy: Promotes participation in high value areas (solar + storage) rather than single,stream credits.

    Should India Lead Globally?

    1. Moral Credibility: Low per capita emissions and proactive domestic policy lend legitimacy to India’s global stance.
    2. Strategic Interest: Leadership enhances India’s role in shaping financial flows and green technology frameworks.
    3. Implementation Expertise: India’s experience with renewable deployment and welfare,linked schemes adds operational credibility.
    4. Risk and Responsibility: Global leadership must balance ambition with developmental imperatives for energy access and equity.

    Conclusion

    India’s leadership on climate change is neither symbolic nor premature, it is pragmatic, equity,driven, and implementation oriented. With stable governance, scalable models, and growing private participation, India can anchor the next phase of global climate action by ensuring that commitments translate into outcomes.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2021] Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parses (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)? What are the commitments made by India in this conference?

    Linkage: This question assesses understanding of India’s climate diplomacy from COP26 to future summits under the UNFCCC framework. The article extends this trajectory by highlighting India’s shift from pledge to performance, emphasizing implementation, adaptation finance, and renewable energy leadership ahead of COP30.

  • Saranda’s Forests and the case for a ‘Sanctuary’ before Supreme Court

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court of India, led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), directed the Jharkhand government to submit an undertaking to notify a new wildlife sanctuary in the Saranda Forest, West Singhbhum district.

    Judicial Background and Case Chronology:

    • Origin: Stemmed from NGT’s July 2022 order directing Jharkhand to notify Saranda as a Wildlife Sanctuary or Conservation Reserve.
    • Petitioner’s Argument: Claimed Saranda was already a “game sanctuary” (1968, Bihar), deemed protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
    • Non-Compliance: State inaction led the case to the Supreme Court, which between Nov 2024–Sept 2025 repeatedly criticised delay and evasive conduct.
    • SC Intervention: CJI D. Y. Chandrachud-led Bench (Apr 16, Sept 17 hearings) condemned “dilly-dallying tactics” and demanded clarity on committees altering sanctuary boundaries in mining belts.

    Back2Basics: What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?

    • Legal Basis: Under Section 18, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, areas declared by States to protect flora, fauna, and habitats.
    • Objective: Preserve ecological integrity, sustain biodiversity, and enable natural regeneration.
    • Permissible Use: Limited human activities, grazing, fuelwood, traditional use, allowed with Chief Wildlife Warden’s permission.
    • Prohibitions: Hunting, felling, quarrying, mining banned under Sections 27–33.
    • Continuity Clause: Section 66(3) deems all pre-1972 “game sanctuaries” as wildlife sanctuaries.
    • Governance: Managed by State Forest Department; often part of eco-sensitive zones under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
    • Examples: India has 550+ sanctuaries, incl. Chilika, Bhadra, Periyar, many upgraded to national parks or tiger reserves.

    About Saranda Forest:

    • Location: West Singhbhum, Jharkhand; ~856 sq km (816 reserved, rest protected forest).
    • Etymology: “Saranda” in Ho language = “seven hundred hills.”
    • Vegetation: Dense Sal (Shorea robusta) forests with bamboo, mahua, terminalia; among India’s richest Sal ecosystems.
    • Waterbodies: the Karo River and the Koina River.
    • Ecological Role: Identified by WII as a biogeographic bridge between Jharkhand and Odisha within the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot.
    • Fauna: Asian elephant, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, leopard, civet, diverse birds and butterflies.
    • Elephant Corridors: Links to Keonjhar & Sundargarh (OD) and Hasdeo-Arand (CG).
    • Threats: Illegal iron/manganese mining, fragmentation, pollution, flagged by Justice M. B. Shah Commission (2014).
    • Economic Value: Holds ~26 % of India’s iron ore reserves, mined by SAIL and private lessees.

    Significance of Supreme Court’s Ruling (2025):

    • Directive: Ordered Jharkhand to notify 31,468 ha (314.68 sq km) of Saranda as a Wildlife Sanctuary, enforcing NGT 2022 order.
    • Legal Strengthening: Reinforces Wildlife Act 1972, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, and Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
    • Ecological Impact: Grants protection to Sal canopy, corridors, and watersheds, ensuring habitat connectivity with Odisha.
    • Mining Clause: Existing valid leases (e.g., SAIL) remain unaffected, balancing economy and ecology.
    • Tribal Safeguards: Upholds rights of Ho & Munda Adivasis under FRA 2006 and PESA 1996.
    • Outcome: Sanctuary notification to curb deforestation, revive corridors, and enhance carbon sequestration.
    • Precedent Value: Sets national model for reconciling mining, tribal rights, and biodiversity in resource-rich landscapes.
    [UPSC 2018] Consider the following statements:

    1. The definition of “Critical Wildlife Habitat” is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

    2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.

    3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

     

  • Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI)

    Why in the News?

    Central Asian countries have endorsed a new six-year Work Programme (2025–2031) under the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) to conserve 17 migratory mammal species across shared borders.

    What is the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI)?

    • Origin & Launch: Established in 2014 at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) in Quito, Ecuador.
    • Purpose: Aims to halt population decline and ensure long-term survival of migratory mammals across Central Asia’s steppes, deserts, and mountain ecosystems through coordinated conservation.
    • Participating Countries: Involves 14 range states, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
    • Framework: Provides a transboundary conservation platform uniting governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions to address poaching, habitat loss, climate threats, and migration barriers.
    • Species Focus: Covers 17 migratory mammals, including argali sheep, Asiatic cheetah, snow leopard, saiga antelope, wild yak, wild camel, Przewalski’s horse, and Bukhara deer.
    • Work Programme (2025–2031): Adopted at Tashkent (Uzbekistan); prioritises key landscapes, ecological corridors, and community-based conservation partnerships.
    • Approach: Integrates science, cross-border policy harmonisation, and pastoral community engagement, promoting coexistence between wildlife and livelihoods.
    • Key Partners: Supported by IUCN, WWF, CMS Secretariat, and national agencies to strengthen ecosystem connectivity across Central Asia.

    Back2Basics: Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS)

    • Objective: To conserve migratory species and their habitats across borders, sustaining ecological networks throughout their migratory ranges.
    • Establishment: Signed on 23 June 1979 in Bonn, Germany, under UNEP; entered into force in 1983.
    • Unique Mandate: The only global treaty exclusively protecting terrestrial, marine, and avian migratory species.
    • Legal Instruments:
      • Agreements – binding treaties for specific species/regions.
      • MoUs – non-binding cooperation arrangements.
    • Conference of the Parties (COP): The CMS decision-making body adopting strategies like CAMI.
    • Membership: Over 130 Parties worldwide, promoting science-based conservation and international cooperation.
    • Global Significance: Aligns with SDG-15 (Life on Land) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
    • Next COP: CMS COP15, to be held March 23–29, 2026, in Brazil, will review and advance regional frameworks including CAMI.

  • Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) India Scheme 

    Why in the News?

    India’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme was commended by the World Trade Organization (WTO) for significantly enhancing MSME participation in global trade.

    What is AEO India Scheme?

    • Overview: It is a voluntary certification programme launched by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in 2011 to promote secure and efficient cross-border trade.
    • Objective: Identifies and accredits trusted traders demonstrating high customs compliance and supply chain security, offering trade facilitation benefits.
    • Evolution: Began as a pilot in 2011, revised in 2016 to merge with the Accredited Client Programme (ACP), aligning with the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards.
    • Certification Tiers: Consists of AEO-T1, AEO-T2, AEO-T3, and AEO-LO (Logistics Operator) each offering progressively higher benefits based on compliance, solvency, and security.
    • Key Benefits: Provides faster customs clearances, deferred duty payments, direct port delivery, reduced inspections, priority adjudication, and dedicated client managers.

    About WCO AEO Framework:

    • Origin: Established by the World Customs Organization (WCO) under the SAFE Framework of Standards (2005) to enhance trade security and customs modernisation.
    • Core Aim: Ensures secure, legitimate trade through collaboration between Customs authorities and private traders.
    • Three Pillars:
      • Customs-to-Customs cooperation for border coordination.
      • Customs-to-Business partnership via AEO certification.
      • Customs-to-Other Agencies collaboration for integrated control.
    • AEO Concept: Certifies compliant entities as trusted operators, granting simplified and expedited procedures.
    • Benefits: Enables faster clearances, mutual recognition between countries, enhanced risk management, and lower transaction costs.
    • Global Adoption: Over 90 countries have operational AEO programmes with Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) ensuring standardisation.
    • India’s Alignment: India’s AEO model is fully harmonised with the WCO SAFE Framework, ranking among the most comprehensive customs–business partnership systems in the developing world.