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  • How excessive police force turns peaceful marches into medical crises 

    Why in the News

    An analysis examines how crowd control weapons meant to be non lethal cause serious injury during protests. The tension is between the state’s duty to maintain order and its obligation to protect the right to protest safely.

    What are less lethal weapons?

    1. Non lethal intent: Less lethal weapons are meant to disperse crowds without killing, but can cause serious harm.
    2. Common types: They include tear gas, pepper and PAVA spray, lathis, pellet guns, and shock batons.
    3. Chemical agents: Tear gas is a riot control agent that irritates the eyes and respiratory tract.

    Which are the types of less lethal weapons?

    1. Tear Gas: A chemical riot-control agent that causes intense eye irritation, tearing, coughing, breathing difficulty, and temporary disorientation. Its main chemical compounds include CS Gas (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile), CN Gas (Chloroacetophenone), OC Gas (Oleoresin Capsicum), CR Gas (Dibenzoxazepine) and Chloropicrin (PS).
    2. Pepper Spray: An oleoresin capsicum (OC)-based spray that causes severe burning of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, leading to temporary incapacitation.
    3. PAVA Spray: A synthetic pepper spray (Pelargonic Acid Vanillylamide) that causes intense eye irritation and pain with a more controlled and consistent effect than natural pepper spray.
    4. Lathi: A wooden or polycarbonate baton used by police for crowd control through physical force.
    5. Pellet Guns: Firearms that discharge multiple small pellets to disperse crowds; they can cause serious injuries, particularly to the eyes. They are loaded with cartridges containing hundreds of small metal sub-projectiles.
    6. Shock Batons (Stun Batons): Handheld electroshock devices that deliver a brief electric shock to temporarily immobilise a person through pain and muscle disruption.

    Why do these weapons cause medical crises?

    1. Misuse at range: Pellet guns fired at close range or at the head cause blinding injuries.
    2. Enclosed spaces: Tear gas used in confined areas raises the risk of asphyxiation.
    3. Vulnerable groups: Children and people with respiratory illness face higher harm.

    What do international and domestic norms say?

    1. Chemical Weapons Convention: Under the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons rules, the Chemical Weapons Convention bans tear gas in warfare while permitting it for domestic policing.
    2. UN guidance: The United Nations Guidance on Less Lethal Weapons sets limits on their use.
    3. Precedent: The 2016 pellet gun injuries in Jammu and Kashmir left many with permanent vision loss.

    Conclusion

    The weapons are lawful for policing yet routinely cause disproportionate harm in practice. The unresolved gap is enforceable standards on how and when they are deployed.

    Back2Basics

    The United Nations Guidance on Less Lethal Weapons

    The United Nations Human Rights Guidance on the Use of Less-Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement, released by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), provides international standards for the lawful design, testing, training, and deployment of less-lethal equipment to prevent unnecessary harm, abuse, and human rights violations during policing and assemblies.

    Core Principles

    1. Legality: Use must be strictly authorized by domestic and international law.
    2. Necessity: Force is applied only when strictly necessary to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective.
    3. Proportionality: Harm caused must not outweigh the objective; excessive force is prohibited.
    4. Accountability: States and agencies must track, record, and review every deployment of less-lethal systems.

    Scope and Covered Equipment

    1. Chemical Irritants: Regulations on tear gas and pepper spray deployment parameters.
    2. Kinetic Impact Projectiles: Standards for rubber bullets and beanbag rounds to avoid lethal head or torso strikes.
    3. Electric-Shock Weapons: Protocols for Tasers and other projectile stun systems.
    4. Area-Effect Tools: Oversight on water cannons and acoustic disruption gear.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2021] Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty and powerful. Analyzing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures.

    Linkage: The PYQ examines India’s human rights protection framework and institutional accountability. The article highlights excessive use of less-lethal weapons and the need for stronger human rights safeguards and accountability.

  • Government summons Meta as Parliament flags limits of intermediary immunity

    Why in the News

    A parliamentary panel warned a large social media company that its legal immunity could be withdrawn after a content takedown and content safety failures. The tension is between platform safe harbour and the state’s demand for accountability.

    What is intermediary immunity under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000?

    1. Definition of intermediary: An intermediary is any person or entity that receives, stores, or transmits an electronic record on behalf of another person, or provides any service with respect to that record. It includes, Internet and telecom providers, Web-hosting and cloud service providers, Search engines, Online marketplaces and e-commerce websites, Social media and messaging platforms, Online payment and auction sites and Cyber cafes.
    2. Safe harbour: Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 shields an intermediary from liability for third party content it hosts.
    3. Conditions: This protection applies only if their function is limited to providing access to communication, and they do not initiate, select, or modify the content, and they comply with due diligence requirements (such as removing unlawful content upon receiving actual knowledge or a court order).
    4. Intermediary test: The immunity depends on the platform qualifying as an intermediary rather than a content publisher.

    What triggered the summons?

    1. Video takedown: The platform briefly removed a video of the Prime Minister and later apologised.
    2. Harmful content: The government flagged child sexual abuse material and deepfake content on its platforms.
    3. Panel ultimatum: The Standing Committee on Information Technology sought testimony from the platform’s global head.

    Why is the immunity in question?

    1. Compliance failures: Officials argue the platform did not act on directives and grievances.
    2. Definition dispute: Officials contended it may not fall within the intermediary definition.
    3. Withdrawal threat: Loss of Section 79 cover would expose it to liability for user content.

    Conclusion

    The episode tests how far platform immunity survives repeated compliance failures. The next milestone is the platform’s response to the committee’s summons.

    Back2Basics

    Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology

    It is a department-related parliamentary committee in India tasked with overseeing specific ministries, examining legislation, reviewing budget demands, and ensuring executive accountability. It was renamed from the Standing Committee on Information Technology in November 2021.

    Structure and Composition

    1. Total Members: 31 members (21 from Lok Sabha nominated by the Speaker and 10 from Rajya Sabha nominated by the Chairperson).
    2. Leadership: The Chairperson is appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
    3. Tenure: The term of office for members does not exceed one year.
    4. Ministers: Sitting ministers are barred from holding membership on this committee

    Ministries under its Jurisdiction

    1. Ministry of Communications (including the Department of Telecommunications and Department of Posts)
    2. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
    3. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)

    Core Functions

    1. Scrutinizing the annual Demands for Grants of the designated ministries.
    2. Examining Bills referred to it by the Lok Sabha Speaker or Rajya Sabha Chairperson.
    3. Considering national policy documents, performance reports, and long-term trends related to digital infrastructure, telecommunications, media regulations, and cyber security.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2024] Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies to address the problem.

    Linkage: The PYQ examines the regulatory and legal measures to address the security and accountability challenges posed by social media platforms. The article highlights the limits of intermediary immunity under Section 79 and the need for greater platform accountability for harmful content.

  • RBI to resume licensing of Urban Cooperative Banks after two decades

    Why in the News

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will resume issuing licences for new Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) on an on tap basis, ending a pause of more than two decades. The move follows regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening governance and supervision in the cooperative banking sector.

    What is an Urban Cooperative Bank (UCB)?

    • Cooperative bank: A UCB is a cooperative society that provides banking services primarily in urban and semi urban areas.
    • Ownership: Owned and managed by its members on the principle of one member, one vote.
    • Dual regulation:
      • RBI: Banking operations, licensing, prudential norms and supervision.
      • State/Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies: Management, elections and administration.
    • Size: India has around 1,457 Urban Cooperative Banks.

    What is RBI changing?

    • On tap licensing: New UCB licences will be granted throughout the year, instead of one time licensing windows.
    • Review of concentration norms: RBI will revisit concentration risk norms for rural cooperative banks.
    • Interest rate framework: Plans to rationalise the interest rate framework across regulated entities for greater consistency.

    Why was licensing suspended?

    • Governance failures: Several UCBs suffered from weak governance, poor risk management and financial irregularities.
    • Bank failures: High profile failures raised concerns about depositor protection and financial stability.
    • Regulatory limitations: The dual control structure often hampered effective supervision.

    Why has RBI resumed licensing?

    • Stronger regulation: Amendments to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 have enhanced RBI’s supervisory powers over cooperative banks.
    • Improved governance: Regulatory reforms have strengthened oversight and accountability.
    • Financial inclusion: New UCBs can expand access to affordable banking and credit in underserved urban and semi urban areas.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) operate mainly in urban and semi urban areas.
    • They are subject to dual regulation by the RBI and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
    • The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020 strengthened RBI’s supervisory powers over cooperative banks.
    • On tap licensing allows eligible entities to apply for banking licences at any time instead of waiting for a specific licensing window.

    “[2021] With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative banks’ in India, consider the following statements:
    1.They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments.
    2.They can issue equity shares and preference shares.
    3.They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 and 3 only
    (c) 1 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2, and 3

  • Debate over who pays for UPI as the Taxation Bill enables charges on high value merchant transactions

    Why in the News

    The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes to allow the government to impose Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions, reviving the debate over how India’s digital payments infrastructure should be financed.

    What is the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)?

    • Transaction fee: The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is the fee charged to merchants by banks and payment service providers for processing digital payments.
    • Who pays? It is generally borne by the merchant, not the customer.
    • Current position: Since January 2020, UPI and RuPay debit card transactions have zero MDR, making them free for merchants and users.
    • Government support: The government has compensated service providers through incentive schemes to sustain the digital payments ecosystem.

    What does the Bill propose?

    • Enabling provision: The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 relaxes the existing restrictions on MDR.
    • Selective application: It empowers the government to notify specific UPI transactions on which MDR may be levied.
    • Likely scope: Discussions indicate the levy may apply to:
      • Merchants with high annual turnover, and
      • High value transactions above ₹2,000.
    • Objective: Ensure a financially sustainable digital payments ecosystem while protecting small merchants.

    Who should bear the cost of UPI?

    • Government funding: Continue compensating payment providers through budgetary support.
    • RBI surplus: The Reserve Bank of India’s surplus transfer could partly finance UPI infrastructure.
    • Banks and payment providers: Costs may be absorbed by financial institutions.
    • Merchants: Large merchants could bear MDR without affecting small businesses.
    • Policy challenge: Balance financial sustainability, merchant affordability, and continued digital payment adoption.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is the fee paid by merchants for processing digital payment transactions.
    • UPI is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
    • NPCI is an umbrella organisation for retail payment systems in India, established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
    • Zero MDR on UPI and RuPay debit card transactions has been in force since 2020.
    • The RBI periodically transfers its surplus to the Central Government under the provisions of the RBI Act, 1934.

    “[2025] Consider the following countries:
    I. United Arab Emirates
    II. France
    III. Germany
    IV. Singapore
    V. Bangladesh
    How many countries amongst the above are there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI?
    (a) Only two
    (b) Only three
    (c) Only four
    (d) All the five

  • GST must be fuelled by domestic production, not inflation or imports

    Why in the News

    Record monthly Goods and Services Tax collection was driven more by imports and price rise than by domestic output. The tension is between a headline revenue high and a weak production base underneath it.

    What is the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?

    1. Indirect tax: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a destination based tax on the supply of goods and services, in force since July 2017.
    2. Dual structure: It has a Central component and a State component, with an Integrated GST (IGST) on inter state and import transactions.
    3. Council: Rates are set by the GST Council, a federal body of the Union and States.

    What does the latest collection actually show?

    1. Headline figure: July GST touched Rs 2.11 lakh crore, up 15.4% year on year.
    2. Import driven: Integrated GST (IGST) on imports grew 26.9%, against just 4.5% for the domestic component.
    3. Price effect: Rupee depreciation and high Wholesale Price Index manufacturing inflation of 7.18% inflated the nominal figure.

    Why is the revenue base narrow?

    1. Geographic concentration: Collection is heavily skewed toward a handful of industrialized or consumption-heavy regions. Only 16 States and Union Territories were above the national average collection.
    2. Weak domestic demand: Sluggish home production limits the tax base.
    3. Inflation illusion: A rising nominal collection can mask flat real activity. Rising nominal collection numbers can be deceptive, as high wholesale price inflation and currency depreciation artificially inflate transaction values.

    Conclusion

    Strong collection numbers are being read as growth when they partly reflect imports and inflation. A broad based GST 3.0 must widen the domestic production base rather than lean on price rise.

    Back2Basic

    GST 2.0

    Launched in 2025, GST 2.0 is a major overhaul of India’s indirect taxation system. It simplifies the multi-tier structure into core merit (5%) and standard (18%) slabs, eliminates the old 12% and 28% categories for most items, and introduces a 40% demerit rate for luxury and sin goods.

    Key Tax Slab Changes

    1. Nil / 0%: Life and health insurance, basic food staples (UHT milk, paneer, Indian breads), and 33 life-saving medicines.
    2. 5% (Merit Rate): Common household essentials, agricultural machinery (tractors, harvesters), gym/fitness services, and handicrafts.
    3. 18% (Standard Rate): Consumer durables (TVs, ACs), small cars, two-wheelers, and cement.
    4. 40% (Demerit Rate): Luxury cars, aerated drinks, pan masala, and tobacco products

    PYQ Relevance

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

    Linkage: The PYQ examines the revenue implications of GST and its impact on India’s indirect tax system. The article evaluates GST revenue quality, showing that recent collections are driven more by imports and inflation than broad-based domestic economic growth.

  • India may charge gas users to fund planned $42 billion fuel reserves, sources say

    Why in the News

    India proposed to fund an enlarged strategic fuel reserve through a small charge on cooking gas and natural gas. The move exposes the trade off between building energy insurance and raising the household fuel bill.

    What is a Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

    1. Emergency stockpile: A strategic petroleum reserve is a government held store of fuel to cushion supply shocks and price spikes.
    2. Current cover: India’s existing reserves hold crude oil at underground sites managed by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL).
    3. New feature: For the first time the buffer would extend beyond crude to cover LNG and LPG.

    How would the new reserve be funded?

    1. LPG charge: A levy of about Rs 1.29 per kg on cooking gas is proposed.
    2. Gas charge: A levy of about Rs 1.43 per standard cubic metre on natural gas is proposed.
    3. Annual pool: The charges would raise close to $1.5 billion a year.
    4. Cover target: The reserve would hold roughly two months of crude and LNG and six weeks of LPG.

    Why does energy security drive this now?

    1. Import dependence: India imports about 90% of its crude and is the third largest oil importer.
    2. Chokepoint risk: Disruption at the Strait of Hormuz has already forced diversification of LNG sources.
    3. Price volatility: A larger buffer reduces exposure to sudden price surges.

    Conclusion

    The proposal marks a shift from a crude only buffer to a broader fuel insurance system, paid for by consumers. The next milestone is the formal notification of the levy and the reserve’s expansion plan.

    Back2Basics

    Cooking gas and Natural gas

    Cooking gas (Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LPG) and natural gas (Piped Natural Gas or PNG) differ primarily in chemical composition, how they are stored, and how they are delivered to homes.

    Key Differences in Composition and Properties

    1. Chemical Makeup: Cooking gas (LPG) is made of propane and butane (C₃H₈ and C₄H₁₀), while natural gas is primarily methane (CH₄).
    2. Energy Output: LPG has a higher calorific value, meaning it produces more heat per unit and cooks food faster than natural gas.
    3. Behavior in Leaks: LPG is heavier than air and settles near the floor during a leak, whereas natural gas is lighter than air and rises/disperses quickly upward.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2025]“Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?

    Linkage: The PYQ examines the role of energy security in shaping India’s foreign policy and strategic interests. The article highlights India’s plan to expand strategic fuel reserves to reduce import risks and strengthen long-term energy security.

  • RBI Monetary Policy Committee holds the repo rate at 5.25%

    Why in the News

    The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, balancing inflation risks against the need to support economic growth amid global uncertainties.

    What is the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?

    • Statutory body: Constituted under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (amended in 2016).
    • Composition: Six members:
      • Three RBI members: Governor (Chairperson), Deputy Governor in charge of Monetary Policy, and one RBI nominee.
      • Three external members: Appointed by the Central Government.
    • Decision-making: Each member has one vote; in case of a tie, the Governor has a casting vote.
    • Mandate: Maintain Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 4%, with a tolerance band of 2% to 6%.

    What did the MPC decide?

    • Repo rate unchanged: Retained at 5.25%.
    • Policy stance: Continues to remain neutral.
    • Liquidity corridor:
      • Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 5.0%
      • Marginal Standing Facility (MSF): 5.5%
      • Bank Rate: 5.5%
    • Growth outlook: Real GDP growth projected at 6.7%.
    • Inflation outlook: CPI inflation rose to 4.4% in June 2026, crossing the 4% target after remaining below it for 16 months.

    Why did the MPC maintain the status quo?

    • Global uncertainties: Rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions in West Asia pose inflation risks.
    • Monsoon concerns: An El Nino driven deficient monsoon could increase food inflation.
    • Data dependent approach: The MPC prefers to wait for clearer inflation and growth signals before changing policy rates.

    Back2Basics: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

    • Established: 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
    • Functions: Monetary authority of India, Banker to the Government, Banker to banks, Regulator and supervisor of the banking system, and Manager of foreign exchange reserves.
    • Major monetary policy instruments: Repo Rate, Standing Deposit Facility (SDF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF), Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR), Open Market Operations (OMOs)

    “[2017] Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?
    1. It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates.
    2. It is a 12-member body including the Governor of RBI and is reconstituted every year.
    3. It functions under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 1 and 2 only
    (c) 3 only
    (d) 2 and 3 only

  • SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage set to strike the Moon, exposing gaps in space law

    Why in the News

    A spent SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage is expected to impact the Einstein Crater on the Moon on 5 August 2026. The event provides a rare scientific opportunity while highlighting gaps in international laws governing lunar activities and space debris.

    What is the Outer Space Treaty?

    • The Outer Space Treaty (1967) is the foundation of international space law.
    • Governs activities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies.
    • Prohibits national sovereignty claims over outer space (Article II).
    • Requires exploration for the benefit of all countries and peaceful purposes.

    What is a Controlled Source Impact?

    • An impact where the mass, speed, and trajectory of the object are known beforehand.
    • Helps scientists accurately study:
      • Crater formation.
      • Lunar dust (ejecta) behaviour.
      • Surface composition.

    What is ATLAC?

    • Action Team on Lunar Activity Consultation (ATLAC) is a United Nations (UN) working group.
    • Works on developing norms for: Lunar landing coordination, Lunar dust mitigation, and Space debris management.

    Why is the Impact Significant?

    • Rare opportunity to study the Moon through a known artificial impact.
    • Improves understanding of lunar dust, crucial for future lunar missions and habitats.
    • Similar to NASA’s Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) Mission (2009), which confirmed the presence of water ice.

    Challenges

    • No treaty specifically regulates lunar debris or spent rocket stages.
    • No legal protection for lunar heritage sites (e.g., Shiv Shakti Point).
    • Increasing commercial and national missions raise collision risks.
    • Slow consensus-based UN rule-making.

    Chandrayaan-3

    • Launched by: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2023.
    • Achievement: First soft landing near the Moon’s south pole; India became the 4th country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
    • Shiv Shakti Point: Name of the Vikram lander’s landing site.
    • Components: Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover.

    [2009] India has recently landed its Moon Impact Probe (MIP) on the Moon. Among the following countries, which one landed such probe on the Moon earlier?

    (a) Australia

    (b) Canada

    (c) China

    (d) Japan.

  • New study finds global warming is accelerating, with the 1.5 degree Celsius breach projected by 2030

    Why in the News

    A study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters reports evidence that global warming is accelerating, not merely continuing. After removing natural noise from five temperature datasets, the authors find the last decade warmed faster than any previous decade on record, and project the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold being breached by 2030.

    What is the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold?

    1. Paris target: Under the Paris Agreement, 2015, countries agreed to hold warming well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
    2. Why 1.5 matters: Beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, risks of extreme heat, sea level rise, and ecosystem collapse rise sharply, making it the central guardrail of climate policy.

    What are aerosols and the masking effect?

    1. Aerosols: Aerosols are tiny particles from sources such as burning fossil fuels that reflect sunlight and exert a cooling effect on the atmosphere.
    2. How cooling works: Light-colored particles bounce sunlight back into space and help make clouds brighter, which lowers temperatures.
    3. The cooling mask: This pollution has acted like an invisible shield, hiding a portion of the total heat trapped by greenhouse gases
    4. Unmasking: As pollution controls cut aerosols, their cooling effect fades and the full warming from greenhouse gases is felt, an effect the study describes as a disappearing cooling mask.

    Why is measuring acceleration difficult?

    1. Noisy temperatures: Global temperatures fluctuate year to year because of natural factors like volcanic eruptions and changes in solar activity. (Volcano noise includes the seismic vibrations, audible sounds, and infrasound produced by subsurface magma movement, degassing, and eruptions. Solar noise refers to intense bursts of radio waves and energetic emissions naturally broadcast by the Sun.)
    2. Masked trend: These events can temporarily hide the underlying human caused warming, making it hard to prove the rate itself is rising.

    How did the study establish acceleration?

    1. Multiple datasets: The authors analysed five major global temperature datasets to avoid relying on any single record.
    2. Statistical subtraction: They used statistical methods to remove the influence of volcanic and solar noise, isolating the human driven trend.
    3. High confidence: After removing the noise, they were more than 98% certain the jump in warming rate was real rather than a short lived fluctuation, dating the change to around 2015.
    4. Timing: This change or acceleration in the rate of warming was identified to have begun around
      2015 .

    Why does the faster pace matter?

    1. Shrinking timeline: Under the earlier, slower rate, the world expected more time before breaching 1.5 degrees Celsius, and the accelerated pace brings the breach forward to 2030.
    2. Twin drivers: Greenhouse gas emissions remain the primary cause, while falling aerosol pollution adds to the acceleration.

    What are the challenges to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius?

    1. Continued emissions growth: Global carbon dioxide emissions remain near record highs, driven by fossil fuel use in power, industry, and transport.
    2. Aerosol paradox: Cutting air pollution saves lives but removes a cooling effect, accelerating near term warming.
    3. Shrinking carbon budget: The remaining budget consistent with 1.5 degrees Celsius is small and shrinks with every year of high emissions.
    4. Slow energy transition: Renewable growth has not yet displaced fossil fuels fast enough to cut absolute emissions.
    5. Feedback loops: Melting ice, thawing permafrost, and forest loss release additional carbon and reduce reflectivity, reinforcing warming.
    6. Finance and equity gaps: Developing countries lack the finance and technology transfer needed to decarbonise while meeting development needs.

    Conclusion

    The study reframes the problem from steady warming to an accelerating one, advancing the likely 1.5 degree Celsius breach to 2030. The central unresolved issue is that cleaning the air removes a cooling shield, so only deep and sustained cuts in greenhouse gases can slow the pace.

    Back2Basics:

    Paris Agreement

    1. Adopted: 2015 at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21), entering into force in 2016.
    2. Convening body: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
    3. Core goal: Limit warming well below 2 degrees Celsius, pursuing 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels.
    4. Mechanism: Nationally Determined Contributions, updated every five years, with a global stocktake to assess collective progress.

    PYQ Relevance

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

    Linkage: The question examines the causes, impacts and mitigation of global warming through international climate frameworks. The article adds recent evidence that global warming is accelerating, highlighting the need for faster emission cuts to achieve Paris Agreement goals.

  • National Board for Wildlife clears the Panari hydropower project in the Panna Ranipur tiger corridor

    Why in the News

    The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) recommended wildlife clearance for the 1,800 MW Panari Pumped Storage Hydropower Project in the Panna-Ranipur Tiger Corridor, despite concerns that it could fragment a critical wildlife corridor.

    How does a Pumped Storage Hydropower Project (PSH) work?

    • Uses two reservoirs at different elevations.
    • During low electricity demand, water is pumped to the upper reservoir.
    • During peak demand, water is released to generate electricity.
    • Acts as a grid-scale energy storage system for renewable energy.

    What is the Panna-Ranipur Tiger Corridor?

    • Connects Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) with Ranipur Tiger Reserve (Uttar Pradesh).
    • Facilitates movement of tigers, leopards, and sloth bears.
    • Ensures genetic exchange and healthy wildlife populations.
      • A wildlife corridor is a natural passage connecting fragmented habitats, enabling movement, migration, breeding, and genetic exchange among wildlife populations.

    Why was the Project Cleared?

    • NBWL Standing Committee approved it based on recommendations of:
      • National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
      • Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
    • Clearance is subject to mitigation measures.

    Concerns

    • Corridor fragmentation affecting wildlife movement.
    • Increased human-wildlife conflict.
    • Loss of habitat connectivity and genetic diversity.
    • Cumulative impacts of multiple infrastructure projects.

    Mitigation Measures

    • Construction of three 30-metre-wide wildlife overpasses.
    • Relocation of muck dumping and project facilities outside the corridor.
    • Realignment of project infrastructure to reduce habitat disturbance.

    Back2Basics: Panna Tiger Reserve

    1. Designation: Tiger reserve and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in Madhya Pradesh.
    2. Location: Panna and Chhatarpur districts, on the Vindhyan ranges along the Ken River.
    3. Distinction: Site of a successful tiger reintroduction after its tiger population was lost around 2009.
    4. Linked project: Adjoins the Ken Betwa river linking project, India’s first interlinking of rivers.

    “[2020] Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under ‘Critical Tiger Habitat’?
    (a) Corbett
    (b) Ranthambore
    (c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
    (d) Sunderbans