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GS Paper: GS3

  • What are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?

    Why in the News?

    Major Indian private sector corporations expressed formal interest in setting up Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based nuclear projects as part of the ‘Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR)’ programme.

    What is the Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR) Programme?

    • Overview: India’s flagship nuclear programme, led by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
    • Reactor Models:
      • BSMR-200 – 200 MWe Pressurized Water Reactor with passive safety.
      • BSR-220 – PHWR-based small reactor.
      • SMR-55 – 55 MWe PWR for captive or remote use.
    • Implementation: NPCIL retains ownership and operational control, while private companies fund and use generated power for captive needs. About 16 potential sites identified across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
    • Policy & Financing: ₹20,000 crore allocated under the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat (2025-26) to operationalise five SMRs by 2033.
    • Private sector interest: Includes Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, JSW Energy, Hindalco, and Jindal Steel & Power.
    • Reforms & Impact: Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) are proposed to facilitate investment and technology sharing.

    About Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):

    • Concept: SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors generating up to 300 Megawatt electric (MWe) each — about one-third the size of conventional reactors. They are “modular”, meaning major components are factory-fabricated, transported, and assembled on-site, cutting cost and construction time.
    • Working Principle: Operate on nuclear fission (splitting Uranium-235 atoms) to produce heat that converts water into steam for turbines. Most use the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) design with passive safety systems that cool the reactor without human intervention.
    • Distinct Features:
      • Compact and Scalable – suitable for remote or repurposed sites.
      • Factory-built – ensures quality and quicker rollout.
      • Safer Design – smaller radioactive inventory, underground containment.
      • Flexible Use – can supply electricity, industrial heat, desalination, or hydrogen.
    • Global Examples:
      • Akademik Lomonosov (Russia) – world’s first floating SMR (70 MWe, 2020).
      • HTR-PM (China) – high-temperature gas-cooled SMR (2023).
      • Key developers: Rolls-Royce (UK), NuScale (US), GE-Hitachi, Westinghouse (AP-300).
    [UPSC 2012] To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?

    1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium. 2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium. 3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

     

  • [pib] Exercise KONKAN-25

    Why in the News?

    Exercise KONKAN-25 has commenced off the western coast of India, marking two decades of India–UK maritime cooperation.

    About Exercise KONKAN:

    • Nature & Objective: Exercise KONKAN is an annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.
    • Objective: To strengthen interoperability, joint maritime operations, and mutual understanding.
    • Origin: Initiated in 2004, the exercise has expanded into a multi-domain naval engagement involving surface, sub-surface, and aerial warfare.
    • Venue Rotation: Conducted alternately in Indian and UK waters, it symbolises the long-standing India–UK strategic defence partnership.
    • Vision: It aligns with the India–UK Vision 2035, promoting free, open, and rules-based seas across the Indo-Pacific.

    Key Features:

    • Two-Phase Format:
      • Harbour Phase – Professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports & cultural events, subject-matter expert exchanges, and working group meetings.
      • Sea Phase – Complex operational drills including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, flying operations, seamanship drills, and live-fire gunnery.
    • Major Participants (2025):
      • India – Carrier Battle Group led by INS Vikrant, supported by destroyers, frigates, submarines, and naval air assets.
      • United Kingdom – Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG-25) led by HMS Prince of Wales, joined by allies Norway (HNoMS Roald Amundsen) and Japan (JS Akebono).
    • Special Highlight: First-ever carrier strike group collaboration between India and the UK, marking a new milestone in joint naval power projection.
    [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:

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

     

  • India’s clean energy rise needs climate finance expansion

    Introduction

    India’s clean energy story has entered a defining phase. With 24.5 GW of solar capacity added in 2024, India now stands as the third-largest solar power contributor in the world, after China and the U.S. This achievement reflects not only technological progress but also the country’s growing global leadership in renewable energy. Yet, behind this success lies a serious constraint, the widening climate finance gap, estimated at over $2.5 trillion by 2030. Without adequate and innovative financing, India’s clean energy momentum risks slowing down, threatening its ability to stay on course for its 1.5°C-aligned climate targets.

    Why in the News

    India added 24.5 GW of solar capacity in 2024, emerging as the third largest contributor globally, after China and the U.S., a historic leap for a developing country. Recognised in the UN Secretary-General’s 2025 Climate Report alongside Brazil and China, India has shown that clean energy growth can power both employment (over 1 million jobs) and GDP (5% contribution). However, the optimism hides a crisis: a climate finance gap exceeding $2.5 trillion by 2030, threatening to stall India’s 1.5°C-aligned pathway. The stakes are massive — India’s global credibility, energy security, and development model now depend on how swiftly it can scale climate finance.

    The Economic Momentum of India’s Clean Energy Transition

    1. 24.5 GW solar addition (2024): Makes India the third-largest solar contributor globally, marking a defining milestone in renewable energy leadership.
    2. Global recognition: The UN 2025 Climate Report identifies India as a leading developing nation in scaling solar and wind energy.
    3. Employment boost: Renewable energy employed over 1 million people in 2023, with off-grid solar alone employing 80,000 (2021).
    4. GDP contribution: Renewables added 5% to India’s GDP growth, underscoring its macroeconomic importance.
    5. International Solar Alliance (ISA): India’s leadership in creating ISA has positioned it as a norm-setter in global clean energy diplomacy.

    Where Lies the Climate Finance Gap?

    Massive funding shortfall:

    1. $1.5 trillion required (IRENA) by 2030 for a 1.5°C pathway.
    2. $2.5 trillion+ estimated by the Ministry of Finance for national targets — double the earlier projections.
    3. Finance distribution gaps: Needed for battery storage, green hydrogen, grid strengthening, sustainable agriculture, and transport transition.

    Green bonds surge:

    1. Cumulative GSS+ debt issuance: $55.9 billion (2024), up 186% since 2021.
    2. Green bonds: Account for 83% of total sustainable issuance.
    3. Private sector dominance: 84% of green bond issuance.
    4. Key concern: MSMEs and agri-tech innovators face barriers in accessing concessional finance and risk-sharing tools.

    How Can India Unlock Climate Finance?

    1. Public finance as catalyst: National and State governments must use budget allocations and fiscal incentives to de-risk green investments.
    2. Blended finance models:
      • Credit enhancement tools (partial guarantees, subordinated debt) to improve risk-return profiles.
      • Performance or loan guarantees to unlock finance for Tier II & III cities.
    3. Domestic institutional capital:
      • Mobilising funds from EPFO, LIC, pension and insurance funds for green portfolios.
      • Requires regulatory reforms, ESG frameworks, and green project pipelines.

    Policy Innovations and Carbon Market Potential

    • Carbon Credit Trading Scheme: Offers a new finance stream, provided it remains transparent, regulated, and equitable.
    • Adaptation and Loss & Damage Financing: Focus must extend beyond mitigation to resilience building.
    • Tech-driven climate finance: 
      • Use of Blockchain for finance tracking.
      • AI-based risk assessment for green portfolios.
      • Tailored blended finance suited to India’s socio-economic landscape.

    Private Sector and Sovereign Initiatives in Climate Finance

    1. Sovereign Green Bonds: Successful issuance has crowded-in private capital for green projects.
    2. SEBI-regulated Social Bonds: Directed funds to education, healthcare, and climate action.
    3. Solar Park Scheme: Competitive auctions have encouraged private investment in large-scale solar infrastructure.

    Conclusion

    India’s clean energy transition stands at a defining crossroad — its success no longer depends on technology or intent, but on finance. The renewable boom has demonstrated economic and employment dividends, but without a parallel rise in climate finance mechanisms, it risks plateauing. To sustain momentum, India must blend innovation, public-private synergy, and institutional capital. The clean energy rise must now be matched by a climate finance revolution.

    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 article complements the 2022 question by highlighting that India’s progress toward meeting 50% renewable energy by 2030 hinges on bridging its $2.5 trillion climate finance gap. It emphasizes that shifting fiscal support and private capital from fossil fuels to renewables is crucial to sustain this transition.

  • A red sunset? Why Maoist movement is on the decline

    Introduction

    For nearly six decades, the Maoist insurgency has tested India’s state capacity, governance, and security architecture. Born from socio-economic inequalities and agrarian distress, it once posed a threat spanning the “Red Corridor” from Andhra Pradesh to Bihar. However, in 2025, India seems to be witnessing what could be a historical inflection point, a near end of the movement. The combination of relentless security operations, developmental outreach, and ideological erosion has pushed the insurgency to its lowest ebb in history, limited now to just 38 districts.

    Why is this in the news?

    For the first time in six decades, the Maoist movement has reached the brink of extinction. This sharp decline is a historic reversal from the early 2000s, when the insurgency had spread across nearly 180 districts, posing an existential challenge to internal peace.

    The Union Home Ministry’s data for 2025 reveals:

    1. 270 Maoists killed, 680 arrested, and 1,225 surrendered.
    2. The insurgency is now confined to 38 districts, a dramatic fall from its 2005 peak.
    3. Top Maoist leaders, including Mallojula Venugopal Rao, have called for the “cessation of armed struggle”, signaling an ideological collapse within.
    4. This represents a turning point in India’s counter-insurgency history, where military, governance, and psychological strategies appear to have converged successfully.

    What led to the decline of the Maoist movement?

    • Relentless Security Operations
      1. Persistent operations by security forces under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and state police coordination have dismantled Maoist strongholds.
      2. Leaders such as Katta Ramachandra Reddy and Kalayari Reddy have been neutralized, causing organizational paralysis.
    • Curtailment of Resources: Maoists face acute shortages of arms, ammunition, and funding, with security blockades choking supply lines across Bastar-Dandakaranya region.
    • Collapse of Ideological Unity: 
      1. Internal ideological fractures deepened after the deaths of key leaders like Kishenji and Charu Majumdar.
      2. Letters by surviving leaders calling for surrender reflect a moral fatigue within the movement.
    • Tribal Alienation: Once rooted in tribal grievances, the Maoist narrative lost resonance as tribal communities began benefiting from welfare schemes, education, and employment programs.

    Has this happened before? Understanding the cyclical pattern

    • Historical Fluctuations: The Maoist movement, born in Naxalbari (West Bengal, 1967), has seen cycles of rise and suppression.
      1. 1970s: Spread into Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
      2. 1990s: Revival through the People’s War Group (PWG).
      3. 2000s: Peak insurgency affecting nearly 180 districts.
    • Distinctiveness of 2025 Phase: Unlike previous lulls, this decline is structural, not temporary—rooted in the erosion of ideology and grassroots support rather than mere state force.

    Is the movement really over?

    1. Residual Threats Persist:
      1. Maoist influence lingers in border areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
      2. Their transition to smaller, mobile guerrilla units may prolong low-intensity violence.
    2. Surrender vs. Rehabilitation:
      1. While many cadres have surrendered, effective reintegration policies—jobs, skill-building, and psychological counseling—remain key to ensuring they don’t relapse into militancy.
    3. Need for Vigilance: Experts warn against complacency. Maoism thrives in governance vacuums—where corruption, displacement, or inequality persist, new movements could emerge.

    What lessons does this offer for internal security and governance?

    1. Integrated Strategy Works: A mix of security action, development, and psychological outreach has proven effective—embodying the “Samadhan Doctrine” (Solution through Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation, and Action).
    2. Development as Deterrence: Expanding roads, schools, and welfare programs in tribal areas helped dismantle Maoist influence.
    3. Institutional Coordination: Joint efforts by the Centre and States, under continuous review of MHA, have created sustained momentum.

    Conclusion

    The “Red Sunset” of the Maoist insurgency is not just a victory of arms but a triumph of governance and persistence. India’s approach, combining security precision with socio-economic inclusion, offers a replicable model for countering internal conflicts.

    However, sustaining peace will depend on addressing root causes, land alienation, forest rights, and local governance deficits, lest another insurgency rises from the same soil.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] Naxalism is a social, economic and development issues manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism.

    Linkage: The 2025 developments highlighted in “A Red Sunset” perfectly exemplify how the government’s multi-dimensional approach, combining security operations, socio-economic welfare, and ideological disengagement, has yielded tangible results. It reinforces the UPSC 2022 theme that Naxalism is not merely a law-and-order issue but a socio-economic one demanding a holistic, multilayered strategy.

  • Sir Creek Border Dispute

    Why in the News?

    Union Defence Minister recently warned Pakistan against misadventure in the Sir Creek region, stressing India’s resolve to defend its territorial integrity.

    Sir Creek Border Dispute

    About Sir Creek:

    • Location & Geography: Sir Creek is a 96-km-long tidal estuary in the Rann of Kutch, forming part of the border between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan).
    • Physical Features: It flows into the Arabian Sea, with marshy, saline mudflats that provide vital habitat for migratory birds.
    • Historical Name: Originally known as Ban Ganga, renamed Sir Creek after a British surveyor, Sir Richard Burton (commonly credited).
    • Economic & Strategic Importance: The area hosts rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas deposits, while being crucial for maritime boundary delimitation and coastal security.

    Historical Background of the Dispute:

    • 1908 Conflict: Disagreement between the Kutch ruler (British India) and Sindh government over fishing rights and territorial limits.
    • 1914 Bombay Government Resolution: Placed the boundary along the eastern bank (favouring Sindh/Pakistan), but also referred to the Thalweg Principle, supporting India’s claim.
      • This principle defines the border along the line of greatest depth of a river’s main navigable channel
    • 1924–25 Developments: Boundary pillars were erected and Survey of India maps marked the mid-channel as the boundary, strengthening India’s case.
    • Post-Partition Period: Dispute intensified; following the 1965 India–Pakistan war, the Rann of Kutch issue went to a UN-sponsored Tribunal.
    • 1968 Tribunal Award: Allocated 90% of the Rann to India but excluded Sir Creek, leaving it unresolved.
    • Post-1982 UNCLOS Impact: With the introduction of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), control over Sir Creek gained renewed importance for maritime claims and resource access.

    India’s Position:

    • Navigability Claim: India asserts that Sir Creek is navigable at high tide, making the Thalweg Principle applicable.
    • Legal & Historical Basis:
      • 1925 Resolution and Survey of India maps.
      • Boundary pillars of 1924 marking mid-channel.
      • 1819 Treaty between East India Company and Kutch rulers, showing continued Indian jurisdiction.
    • Geographical Argument: India maintains the Rann is land, not water, invalidating Pakistan’s demand for median-line division.
    • Strategic Implication: Acceptance of India’s position ensures larger EEZ access, security leverage, and greater control in the Arabian Sea.
    [UPSC 2022] Consider the following countries:

    1. Azerbaijan 2. Kyrgyzstan 3. Tajikistan 4. Turkmenistan 5. Uzbekistan

    Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan ?

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

     

  • Govt identifies 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts (AADs)

    Why in the News?

    The Centre has announced the identification of 100 Aspirational Agriculture Districts under the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) to boost farm productivity, sustainability, and rural incomes.

    What are Aspirational Agriculture Districts (AADs)?

    • Overview: The AADs comprise 100 districts across 29 States and Union Territories with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and limited access to agricultural credit.
    • Selection Basis: Districts were chosen to ensure balanced regional representation, considering each state’s net cropped area and number of operational holdings.
    • Purpose: Designed as focal points for agricultural transformation, akin to the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) model for holistic development.
    • Objective: Accelerate agricultural growth and raise farmers’ income through data-driven governance, technology adoption, and scheme convergence.
    • Leading States: Uttar Pradesh (12), Maharashtra (9), Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan (8 each), and Bihar (7).
    • Implementation Mechanism: Each district formulates a District Agriculture Development Plan (DADP) integrating existing central and state schemes for productivity enhancement, irrigation, crop diversification, and credit inclusion.
    • Monitoring Framework: Employs a performance-based index with measurable outcome indicators for real-time progress tracking.

    About Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY):

    • Overview: Introduced in July 2025 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
    • Aim: Transform 100 low-performing agricultural districts into high-productivity, market-linked, and climate-resilient hubs.
    • Design: Modeled on the Aspirational Districts Programme, emphasizing saturation-based development in agriculture.
    • Key Objectives:
      • Boost productivity through modern technology and best practices.
      • Promote crop diversification and climate-resilient farming.
      • Expand irrigation coverage and credit access.
      • Strengthen post-harvest infrastructure, storage, and value addition at grassroots levels.
      • Build market linkages and sustainable practices for inclusive rural growth.
    • Implementation Structure:
      • Convergence of 36 schemes from 11 Ministries/Departments, with no separate budget allocation.
      • District PMDDKY Committees, headed by Collectors, plan and execute projects.
      • 100 Central Nodal Officers (CNOs), mostly Joint Secretaries, monitor implementation.
      • A digital dashboard tracks 117 indicators across agriculture, irrigation, and markets.
    • Budget & Duration: Convergence-based outlay of ₹24,000 crore annually for six years (FY 2025–31), benefiting 1.7 crore farmers.
    • Expected Outcomes:
      • Improved productivity, resilience, and market efficiency.
      • Enhanced credit systems and localized agri-infrastructure.
      • Contribution toward “Viksit Bharat 2047” through sustainable agricultural transformation.
    [UPSC 2020] Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

    1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
    2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks
    3. Consumption requirements of farm households
    4. Post-harvest expenses
    5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility

    Options:

    (a) 1, 2 and 5 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only *

    (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

     

  • Niti Aayog proposes Presumptive Taxation for Foreign Companies

    Why in the News?

    NITI Aayog has released a working paper recommending the introduction of an optional presumptive taxation scheme for foreign companies operating in India.

    What is Presumptive Taxation?

    • Overview: Presumptive taxation allows taxpayers to declare income at a fixed percentage (presumed rate) of total turnover or receipts without maintaining detailed books of accounts.
    • Purpose: Simplifies taxation for small businesses or specific sectors by reducing compliance and administrative burden.
    • Domestic Example: Under the Income Tax Act, Sections 44AD, 44ADA, and 44AE permit presumptive taxation for small businesses, professionals, and transporters.
    • Key Feature:
      • Tax is levied on deemed profits instead of actual income.
      • Taxpayers opting for this scheme are exempt from detailed audits or complex record-keeping.

    What has NITI Aayog Proposed?

    • Scope: Extend the presumptive taxation concept to foreign companies operating in India.
    • Objective: To reduce litigation related to Permanent Establishment (PE) status and profit attribution in cross-border taxation.
    • Main Features:
      • Optional Scheme: Foreign companies can either choose the presumptive scheme for certainty or file regular returns if actual profits are lower.
      • Sector-Specific Rates: Different deemed profit rates for sectors such as manufacturing, digital services, and logistics.
      • Safe Harbour Clause: Once a company opts in, tax authorities cannot separately litigate the PE existence for that activity.
      • Alignment with Global Norms: Codify PE and attribution principles in domestic law consistent with OECD standards.
      • Administrative Reforms: Training of tax officials to ensure consistent application in digital and cross-border cases.

    Significance:

    • Provides tax certainty and simplicity for foreign investors.
    • Reduces disputes and promotes ease of doing business.
    • Balances India’s sovereign tax rights with the need for a predictable, investor-friendly regime.
    • Positions India as a more attractive FDI destination, aligned with its economic and tax reform agenda.
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to India’s decision to levy an equalization tax of 6% on online advertisement services offered by non-resident entities, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. It is introduced as a part of the Income Tax Act.

    2. Non-resident entities that offer advertisement services in India can claim a tax credit in their home country under the “Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements”.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

     

  • Cost of convenience, health hazards a a side effect of using digital tools

    Introduction

    India’s embrace of the digital revolution has been rapid and transformative. From smartphones to smart homes, electronics have become integral to urban living. However, this transformation carries a dark underbelly: the mounting crisis of e-waste. In 2025, India generated 2.2 million tonnes of e-waste, becoming the third-largest generator globally, after China and the United States. Despite having a formal recycling capacity of over 2.2 million MT, more than half of India’s e-waste is still processed informally, exposing millions to toxic substances. The issue is not just environmental but also a public health catastrophe, disproportionately affecting the poor and marginalised.

    Why is e-waste in the news?

    India’s e-waste problem is no longer a distant warning but an immediate crisis. The country has seen a 150% surge in e-waste since 2017–18 (0.71 MT to 2.2 MT in 2025), with projections of doubling by 2030. Cities like Seelampur (Delhi), Moradabad (UP), and Bhiwandi (Maharashtra) have emerged as hotspots of informal recycling, where toxic fumes and crude dismantling methods poison both workers and residents. Despite 322 formal recycling units, informal handlers dominate the sector, creating one of the sharpest contrasts between policy design and ground reality.

    The Escalating Burden of E-Waste

    1. Third-largest generator: India stands only behind China and the U.S., producing 2.2 MT of e-waste in 2025.
    2. Rapid growth: A 150% surge in seven years, expected to double by 2030.
    3. Urban hotspots: Over 60% of e-waste originates from just 65 cities; major hubs include Seelampur, Mustafabad, Moradabad, and Bhiwandi.

    Why informal recycling is a ticking time bomb

    1. Crude methods: Manual dismantling, open burning, and acid leaching without protective equipment.
    2. Toxic substances: Release of over 1,000 hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium), POPs (dioxins, furans), and fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀).
    3. Alarming air quality: PM₂.₅ levels in Seelampur exceed 300 µg/m³ — over 12 times higher than WHO’s safe limit of 25 µg/m³.

    How does e-waste impact human health?

    1. Respiratory illnesses: Workers show 76–80% prevalence of chronic bronchitis, asthma, persistent coughing (MDPI Applied Sciences, 2025).
    2. Neurological damage: Lead exposure linked to cognitive impairment, reduced IQ, attention deficits. WHO warns millions of children are at risk.
    3. Skin & ocular disorders: Rashes, burns, dermatitis; in Guiyu (China), exposure linked to miscarriages and preterm births.
    4. Genetic and systemic effects: DNA damage, oxidative stress, altered immune functions; children show higher vulnerability.
    5. Syndemic environment: E-waste risks compound poverty, malnutrition, and unsafe housing, worsening outcomes for urban poor.

    Policy response: Progress and gaps

    1. E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022: Strengthened Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), mandatory registration, incentives for formalisation.
    2. Weak enforcement: As of 2023–24, only 43% of e-waste was officially processed.
    3. Legal hurdles: Capping of EPR credit prices led to legal disputes with manufacturers.
    4. Gap: Informal handlers still dominate, undermining scientific recycling capacity.

    The Way Forward

    1. Formalise the informal: Integrate kabadiwalas through skill certification, PPE provision, healthcare, social security.
    2. Strengthen enforcement: Empower Pollution Control Boards, mandate digital tracking & audits.
    3. Expand medical surveillance: Health camps and long-term studies, especially on children in hotspots.
    4. Foster innovation: Promote local recycling technologies, decentralised treatment hubs.
    5. Raise awareness: Mass campaigns and school-level education on e-waste.

    Conclusion

    India’s digital empowerment cannot come at the cost of environmental collapse and human suffering. The e-waste crisis is not only a question of waste management but also of justice and public health. Unless India formalises its informal sector, strengthens enforcement, invests in technology, and raises awareness, the cost of convenience will continue to erode both ecosystems and human dignity.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2018] What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?

    Linkage: The article on e-waste directly links to this PYQ as it highlights impediments like dominance of informal recycling, weak enforcement of E-Waste Rules, and lack of awareness, while also suggesting safe disposal measures such as formalisation, digital tracking, PPE use, decentralised hubs, and scientific recycling methods.

  • [pib] Centre approves National Pulses Mission

    Why in the News?

    The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development has approved the National Pulses Mission (Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses).

    About the National Pulses Mission:

    • Launch (2025): Approved by the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses by 2030–31, improve nutrition, and raise farmer incomes.
    • Targets: Production to rise from 24.2 MT (2024–25) to 35 MT (2030–31); acreage 310 lakh ha, yield 1,130 kg/ha.
    • Coverage: 416 districts, with focus on rice fallows, improved seeds, intercropping, irrigation, and market linkages.
    • MSP Procurement: 100% assured for Tur, Urad, Masoor for four years under PM-AASHA Price Support Scheme, via NAFED/NCCF.
    • Framework: Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM); combines ICAR-led R&D with private sector inputs, processing, and storage.
    • Budget: ₹11,440 crore outlay up to 2030–31 for multi-year implementation.
    • Outcomes: Improved nutrition, soil fertility (nitrogen-fixing), stable prices, climate resilience, and rural employment.

    Key Features:

    • Cluster-Based Approach: Targets high-potential regions, diversifies beyond traditional belts, reduces risks.
    • Market Infrastructure: 1,000 post-harvest units (dal mills, grading, packaging) with subsidies up to ₹25 lakh/unit.
    • Research & Extension: New high-yield, climate-resilient varieties; farmer training on nutrient, pest, and water management.
    • Risk Cover: Subsidies, insurance, and credit to reduce cultivation risks.
    • Market Reforms: Direct sales linkages, transparent logistics, MSP-backed procurement.
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:

    1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.

    2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.

    3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.

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

     

  • [pib] BRO Project Swastik marks 65 years of service

    Why in the News?

    Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Project Swastik celebrated its 65th Raising Day on October 01, 2025.

    About Project Swastik:

    • Origin: Established in 1960 as Project DRAGON, renamed Project Swastik on 1 October 1963.
    • Organisation: A flagship initiative of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under the Ministry of Defence.
    • Mandate: Construction and maintenance of strategic roads, bridges, and tunnels in the high-altitude Himalayan terrain.
    • Area of Responsibility: Covers North and East Sikkim up to forward border areas, also parts of North Bengal. The region is prone to landslides, fragile geology (Phyllites, Schists), and extreme weather conditions.
    • Strategic Role: Provides vital support for Armed Forces mobility, disaster relief operations, and socio-economic connectivity for remote communities.

    Major Accomplishments:

    • Road & Bridge Network: Built and maintained over 1,412 km of roads and 80 major bridges since inception.
    • Recent Achievements: In the last decade, completed 350 km of new roads, 26 bridges, and 1 tunnel, ensuring year-round access to forward areas.
    • Key Road Links: Developed lifelines like the Gangtok–Chungthang and Gangtok–Nathula roads, critical for defence and civilian movement.
    • Disaster Response: Effectively restored connectivity after Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, and Teesta River floods. Widely praised during the 2023 Sikkim flash floods.