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GS Paper: GS3

  • Barcelona Convention COP24 

    Why in the News?

    At COP24 of the Barcelona Convention held in Cairo, European Union countries and Mediterranean partners adopted strengthened commitments to protect the Mediterranean Sea from pollution and ecological degradation.

    About Barcelona Convention

    • A legally binding regional environmental agreement led by United Nations Environment Programme
    • Focuses on protection of the Mediterranean Sea and sustainable coastal management

    Key Milestones

    • Adopted on 16 February 1976 as Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution
    • Entered into force in 1978
    • Amended and renamed in 1995 as the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean

    About Mediterranean Sea

    • A semi enclosed intercontinental sea between Europe, Asia and Africa
    • Covers about 2.5 million square kilometres
    • Accounts for roughly 0.7 percent of global ocean area
    • Recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot

    Connectivity

    • Atlantic Ocean through Strait of Gibraltar
    • Black Sea through Dardanelles, Sea of Marmara and Bosporus
    • Red Sea through Suez Canal

    Prelims Pointers

    • Barcelona Convention is a regional sea convention under UNEP
    • Mediterranean Sea is semi enclosed making it vulnerable to pollution
    • COP is the supreme decision making body of the Convention
    • Integrated coastal zone management is a key protocol area
    [2017] Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries? 

    1. Jordan 

    2. Iraq 

    3. Lebanon 

    4. Syria 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

  • Is Delhi’s winter pollution breeding superbugs?

    Introduction

    Delhi’s winter pollution is characterised by elevated particulate matter levels due to temperature inversion, biomass burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial activity. The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) study identifies airborne bacteria attaching to fine particulates, enabling their survival, dispersal, and inhalation by humans. The findings indicate that environmental pollution is actively contributing to antimicrobial resistance, transforming air quality from a respiratory hazard into a microbial and genetic risk pathway.

    Why in the News?

    A Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) study, published in Nature, has for the first time in Delhi established the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in ambient air, particularly during winter months. The study records high bacterial loads exceeding WHO exposure thresholds in crowded urban localities, establishing a direct association between particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and airborne transmission of multi-drug resistant Staphylococci. This marks a departure from earlier AMR discourse that focused primarily on hospitals, water bodies, and food chains, by identifying air as a vector for AMR spread.

    How does air pollution facilitate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

    1. Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Facilitates bacterial adhesion, atmospheric transport, and prolonged suspension.
    2. Carrier Function: Enables bacteria to remain viable and reach human respiratory tracts.
    3. Toxic Synergy: Enhances inflammatory response and susceptibility to infection upon inhalation.
    4. Crowded Environments: Increases bacterial exchange through coughing and breathing.

    What did the JNU study reveal about bacterial load in Delhi’s air?

    1. First-of-its-kind Study: Conducted across indoor and outdoor environments in Delhi.
    2. High Bacterial Concentration: Levels exceeded WHO recommended exposure limit of 1000 CFU/m³.
    3. Seasonal Pattern: Winter and monsoon months recorded higher bacterial loads than summer.
    4. Urban Hotspots: Crowded neighbourhoods exhibited the highest concentrations.

    Which antibiotic-resistant bacteria were identified?

    1. Staphylococci Presence: Eight species identified in air samples.
    2. Dominant Species: Staphylococcus arlettae emerged as the most prevalent.
    3. Resistance Profile:
      1. 36% multi-drug resistant strains
      2. 73% resistance to at least one antibiotic
    4. Clinical Significance: Staphylococci cause pneumonia, sepsis, skin infections, and endocarditis.

    Which locations showed the highest bacterial load?

    1. High-Load Areas: Munirka Market Complex, Slum clusters near Vasant Vihar
    2. Low-Load Area: Jawaharlal Nehru University (STP site), attributed to lower population density
    3. Urban Pattern: Crowding directly correlated with bacterial concentration.

    Who is most vulnerable to airborne antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

    1. Elderly Population: Reduced immunity increases infection risk.
    2. Immunocompromised Individuals: Cancer survivors and patients with chronic illnesses.
    3. Urban Poor: Greater exposure due to overcrowding and limited healthcare access.
    4. Hospital Visitors: Risk of exposure to resistant strains circulating between hospital and community.

    How does improper antibiotic disposal worsen the AMR threat?

    1. Disposal Practices: Flushing or discarding antibiotics into municipal waste.
    2. Environmental Impact: Creates low-dose antibiotic environments enabling bacterial mutation.
    3. Resistance Amplification: Promotes survival and genetic evolution of resistant strains.
    4. Ecosystem Spread: Resistance genes transmitted across soil, water, air, and food chains.

    What gaps in AMR governance does the study highlight?

    1. Monitoring Deficit: Absence of systematic surveillance of airborne AMR.
    2. Urban Blind Spot: AMR strategies focused on hospitals and wastewater, not air.
    3. Data Fragmentation: Lack of integration between pollution control and health agencies.

    Conclusion

    The JNU study underscores that Delhi’s winter air pollution is not merely a respiratory hazard but an active enabler of antimicrobial resistance, facilitating the survival and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria through particulate matter. By revealing air as an overlooked transmission pathway for resistant microbes, the findings expose critical gaps in urban pollution control, waste disposal practices, and AMR surveillance frameworks. Addressing this emerging threat requires integrating air quality management with antimicrobial stewardship and environmental monitoring, without which urban public health risks will continue to intensify silently.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2014] Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.

    Linkage: This question directly links to GS Paper III under Public Health, Science & Technology, and Environmental Pollution, particularly the microtheme of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Recent evidence, such as findings on airborne antibiotic-resistant bacteria in polluted urban environments, expands the AMR discourse beyond clinical misuse to environment-driven and community-level transmission.

  • Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme 

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology approved 22 additional projects under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme involving an investment of ₹41,863 crore.

    About Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

    • A flagship incentive scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of electronic components, sub assemblies and capital equipment
    • Implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
    • Aims to reduce import dependence in India’s electronics sector

    Target Segments

    • Printed Circuit Boards, Camera modules, Copper clad laminates, Polypropylene films and Electronics capital equipment.

    Performance Linked Features

    • Incentives linked to incremental production
    • Employment generation based payouts
    • Early movers receive higher benefits

    Strategic Manufacturing Targets

    • 100 percent domestic demand for copper clad laminates
    • 20 percent domestic demand for printed circuit boards
    • 15 percent domestic demand for camera modules

    Ecosystem Linkages

    • Complements Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Electronics
    • Supports India Semiconductor Mission
    • Strengthens the electronics manufacturing ecosystem

    Prelims Pointers

    • ECMS focuses on electronics components rather than finished products
    • Copper clad laminates are critical for PCB manufacturing
    • Scheme uses performance based incentives
    • Electronics manufacturing is a priority sector under Atmanirbhar Bharat
    [2023] Consider the following statements: 

    Statement-I: India accounts for 3.2% of global exports of goods. 

    Statement-II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India’s ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme. 

    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

    (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I 

    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I 

    (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

    (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

  • Drones Used to Detect Virus in Arctic Whales 

    Why in the News?

    Scientists have detected Cetacean morbillivirus in Arctic waters for the first time by collecting breath samples from whales using drones.

    About the Study

    • Title Deep breath out molecular survey of selected pathogens in blow and skin biopsies from North Atlantic cetaceans
    • Published in BMC Veterinary Research
    • Lead researcher Helena Costa from Nord University

    Species and Regions Covered

    • Whale species studied Humpback whale, sperm whale and fin whale
    • Regions Northern Norway, Iceland and Cape Verde
    • Sample collection period 2022 to 2025
    • Over 50 whale blow samples collected

    About Cetacean Morbillivirus

    • Infectious virus affecting whales, dolphins and porpoises
    • First discovered in 1987
    • Impacts respiratory and nervous systems
    • Known to cause mass strandings and deaths
    • Spreads through direct contact and respiratory droplets

    Prelims Pointers

    • Whale blow refers to exhaled breath from blowholes
    • Drones are emerging tools in non invasive wildlife research
    • Cetacean morbillivirus is linked to mass marine mammal mortality events
    • Arctic disease surveillance is critical under climate change
    [2020] At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones? 

    1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 

    2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 

    3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

  • Land Acquisition and Infrastructure Development 

     Why in the News?

    At the 50th meeting of PRAGATI, the Cabinet Secretary highlighted land acquisition as a major bottleneck in infrastructure development. The meeting was chaired by Narendra Modi.

    About PRAGATI (Pro Active Governance and Timely Implementation)

    • A digital and institutional mechanism for monitoring major infrastructure projects
    • Chaired by the Prime Minister
    • Ensures coordination among Central Ministries, State governments and local authorities
    • Focuses on expediting project implementation and resolving bottlenecks

    Key Data from 50th PRAGATI Meeting

    • Total projects reviewed Over 3,300
    • Total project value Approximately ₹85 lakh crore
    • Issues raised 7,735
    • Issues resolved 7,156

    Major Causes of Project Delays

    • Land acquisition 35 percent
    • Forest, wildlife and environment clearances 20 percent
    • Right of use or right of way 18 percent
    • Other causes Law and order issues, construction delays, power utility approvals and financial constraints

    Important Observations

    • Several long pending projects initiated as early as the 1990s were completed after PRAGATI was introduced
    • Government has not quantified financial savings from timely monitoring
    • States across political lines have cooperated in resolving issues
    • Complex issues are escalated from Ministry level to PRAGATI for final resolution

    Prelims Pointers

    • PRAGATI is a Prime Minister chaired project monitoring platform
    • Land acquisition is the single largest cause of infrastructure delays in India
    • Environmental and forest clearances are the second biggest bottleneck
    • PRAGATI promotes inter ministerial and Centre State coordination
    [2019] With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct? 

    (a) The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings. 

    (b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless. 

    (c) It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation. 

    (d) Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.

  • How rice farmers can cut methane and make money off it

    Introduction

    Rice cultivation traditionally relies on continuous flooding, creating anaerobic soil conditions conducive to methane-producing bacteria. Given that over 86% of Indian farmers are small and marginal, scalable, low-cost mitigation practices are essential. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) comes across as a practical solution that reduces emissions without yield loss, supported by empirical data from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.

    Why in the News?

    Paddy cultivation contributes 28% of global methane emissions, with methane having 28 times the global warming potential of CO₂ over 100 years. The article highlights a first-of-its-kind, farmer-level implementation in India where Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) reduced methane emissions while enabling farmers to earn carbon credits. Unlike earlier mitigation efforts focused only on productivity, this approach integrates climate finance, water conservation, and income generation, marking a structural shift in rice farming practices.

    Why Does Traditional Paddy Cultivation Produce High Methane Emissions?

    1. Continuous Flooding: Maintains 4-5 cm water depth for the first 65 days of the crop cycle.
    2. Anaerobic Conditions: Support methanogenic microbes that decompose organic matter.
    3. Emission Intensity: Methane is 28 times more potent than CO₂ in warming potential.
    4. Global Impact: Paddy cultivation accounts for 28% of global methane emissions.

    What Is Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)?

    1. Irrigation Technique: Periodic drying of fields instead of continuous flooding.
    2. Operational Threshold: Irrigation resumes when water level falls to 15 cm below soil surface.
    3. Adoption Window: Implemented after first 20 days of transplantation.
    4. Institutional Support: Promoted by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

    How Does AWD Reduce Methane Emissions Without Yield Loss?

    1. Aeration of Soil: Disrupts methane-producing microbial activity.
    2. Water Savings: Reduces irrigation requirement significantly.
    3. Yield Stability: No statistically significant reduction in grain output.
    4. Ancillary Benefits: Lower weed pressure and improved nutrient efficiency.

    What Evidence Supports the Effectiveness of AWD in India?

    1. Field Study: Conducted across 30 sites in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
    2. Emission Reduction: Methane emissions reduced by 20-40%.
    3. Water Use: Comparable decline in irrigation water requirement.
    4. Scalability: Validated across varied agro-climatic conditions.

    How Are Farmers Monetising Methane Reduction?

    1. Measurement: Acrylic chambers used to quantify methane emissions.
    2. Verification: Samples analysed in accredited laboratories.
    3. Carbon Credits: 1 carbon credit = 1 tonne CO₂ equivalent.
    4. Earnings: ₹1,300-₹7,000 per farmer per season depending on region.
    5. Aggregation Model: Credits pooled and sold to international buyers.

    What Institutional Models Are Enabling This Transition?

    1. Climate Tech Intermediaries: Facilitate monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).
    2. Carbon Markets: Buyers include energy-intensive global corporations.
    3. Corporate Partnerships: Shell Energy India supported AWD adoption.
    4. Scale: Over 12,000 farmers across 13 states integrated.

    Conclusion

    The article demonstrates that methane mitigation in rice farming is technically feasible, economically viable, and scalable. By linking irrigation practices with carbon markets, AWD represents a paradigm shift where climate action strengthens farm incomes rather than constraining them.

    Value Addition

    Scale of Methane Emissions from Agriculture

    1. Global Share: Agriculture contributes ~40% of global anthropogenic methane emissions.
    2. India’s Context: Agriculture is the largest source of methane emissions in India, exceeding energy and waste sectors.
    3. Paddy Cultivation: Responsible for ~28-30% of global agricultural methane emissions.
    4. Livestock: Enteric fermentation from ruminants contributes ~32-35% of agricultural methane.
    5. Climate Impact: Methane has ~28-34 times higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) than CO₂ over 100 years and ~80 times over 20 years.

    Other Proven Models to Cut Methane Emissions in Agriculture

    1. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)
      1. Mechanism: Eliminates continuous flooding by sowing seeds directly.
      2. Outcome: Reduces methane emissions by 20-50%.
      3. Co-benefits: Lower water use, reduced labour costs.
      4. Limitation: Higher weed management requirement.
    2. System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
      1. Mechanism: Wider plant spacing, intermittent irrigation, younger seedlings.
      2. Outcome: Reduces methane emissions due to improved soil aeration.
      3. Productivity: Often increases yield with lower input intensity.
      4. Constraint: High skill and labour precision required.
    3. Mid-Season Drainage
      1. Mechanism: Temporary drainage during tillering stage.
      2. Outcome: Interrupts anaerobic conditions, suppressing methanogenesis.
      3. Adoption: Practiced in parts of East Asia and Southeast Asia.
      4. Risk: Needs precise timing to avoid yield stress.
    4. Straw and Residue Management
      1. Mechanism: Avoids incorporation of fresh organic matter in flooded fields.
      2. Outcome: Reduces methane formation from anaerobic decomposition.
      3. Best Practice: Composting or biochar conversion of rice straw.
    5. Biochar Application
      1. Mechanism: Alters soil microbial activity and improves aeration.
      2. Outcome: Reduces methane emissions while enhancing soil carbon storage.
      3. Co-benefit: Improves soil fertility and water retention.
    6. Feed Additives in Livestock (Complementary Model)
      1. Examples: Seaweed-based additives, 3-NOP compounds.
      2. Outcome: Reduce enteric methane emissions by 20-80%.
      3. Status: Pilot-stage in India; commercial use expanding globally.
    7. Market-Based Methane Mitigation Instruments
      1. Carbon Credits: 1 credit = 1 tonne CO₂ equivalent avoided.
      2. Aggregation Models: Smallholder emissions pooled for viability.
      3. Buyers: Energy, aviation, cement, and data-centre industries.
      4. Trend: Shift from voluntary offsets to high-integrity, agriculture-based credits.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2020] What are the major factors responsible for making the rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success, how has this system become a bane in India?

    Linkage: The article directly addresses the environmental externalities of flooded paddy cultivation, especially methane emissions and water stress, which constitute the “bane” aspect of the rice-based system. 

  • Energy transition will need more than chasing the sun or the wind

    Introduction

    India’s renewable energy transition has reached a critical inflection point. While solar and wind installations have expanded rapidly, the electricity system was originally designed for centralised, predictable, fossil-based generation. Without parallel reforms in distribution companies, tariff structures, demand-side management, and wholesale power markets, the energy transition risks becoming fiscally unsustainable and operationally inefficient.

    Why in the News?

    India has crossed 180 GW of renewable energy capacity, positioning itself as a global leader in clean energy expansion. Yet, despite rapid capacity addition, there remains a systemic bottleneck: electricity distribution and market design remain unreformed. This marks a sharp contrast with earlier phases where generation capacity was the primary constraint. The problem is large in scale, state-owned DISCOMs remain financially stressed, demand response remains underutilised, and wholesale markets are fragmented, threatening grid stability as renewable penetration rises. A key success noted is the installation of nearly 40 million smart meters, but the failure lies in inadequate institutional and pricing reforms to leverage them effectively.

    Why is renewable capacity expansion no longer sufficient?

    1. Structural mismatch: The electricity grid is optimised for stable baseload power, not intermittent solar and wind generation.
    2. System constraints: Distribution networks and market rules have not evolved to manage variability and decentralised generation.
    3. Outcome: Renewable energy risks curtailment and inefficiency despite surplus capacity.

    Why are DISCOMs the central bottleneck in India’s energy transition?

    1. Financial stress: State-owned DISCOMs face persistent losses due to high fixed costs and inadequate tariff recovery.
    2. Cross-subsidisation: Agricultural and household consumers pay low tariffs, shifting the burden to commercial users.
    3. Distorted incentives: High-paying consumers invest in rooftop solar or efficiency measures, eroding DISCOM revenues further.
    4. Outcome: A feedback loop of declining revenues and rising financial risk.

    How do current tariff structures limit system efficiency?

    1. Flat and time-invariant tariffs: Consumers face no price signals to shift usage away from peak demand.
    2. Limited demand response: Consumers lack incentives to reduce or reschedule consumption during stress periods.
    3. Outcome: Peak demand continues to drive costly capacity additions instead of behavioural adjustment.

    What role do smart meters play, and why is their impact limited?

    1. Infrastructure success: Around 40 million smart meters installed, with rapid scaling underway.
    2. Unrealised potential: Absence of complementary tariff reforms limits their effectiveness.
    3. Operational constraint: Manual coordination persists despite availability of real-time data.
    4. Outcome: Smart meters remain underutilised as instruments of system flexibility.

    Why is demand-side management critical for renewable integration?

    1. Cost-effectiveness: Demand response lowers peak demand at lower cost than building new generation.
    2. System flexibility: Enables balancing of short-duration renewable fluctuations.
    3. Equity challenge: Requires protection for low-income consumers from price volatility.
    4. Outcome: Essential but politically and institutionally underdeveloped.

    What weaknesses exist in India’s wholesale power markets?

    1. Fragmentation: Majority of power procured through long-term contracts.
    2. Limited spot markets: Constrains efficient price discovery.
    3. Regulatory gaps: Centralised dispatch and market coupling remain incomplete.
    4. Outcome: Renewable power cannot flow seamlessly across regions.

    How does captive power generation affect market efficiency?

    1. Rising trend: Industries invest in captive plants to bypass high grid tariffs.
    2. Revenue erosion: Reduces DISCOM demand base.
    3. Market distortion: Limits competition in wholesale markets.
    4. Outcome: Weakens grid integration and increases system costs.

    Conclusion

    India’s clean energy transition has outgrown a generation-centric approach. The editorial underscores that distribution reform, cost-reflective pricing, demand responsiveness, and integrated power markets are no longer optional but foundational. Without these, renewable energy risks becoming economically and operationally fragile rather than transformative.

    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?

    Linkage: This question is directly relevant to GS Paper III (Energy Infrastructure and Sustainable Development) as it assesses India’s ability to translate renewable capacity targets into reliable, affordable, and inclusive energy supply.

  • Central Excise Amendment on tobacco products

    Why in the news?

    The Centre has notified the Central Excise Amendment Act 2025 along with related tax changes on tobacco products. The changes will come into force from February 1, 2026. The move ends the GST compensation cess on tobacco and revises excise duties to meet fiscal and public health goals.

    Central Excise Amendment Act 2025

    The Act amends the Central Excise Act 1944 to revise excise duties on tobacco and tobacco related products, which continue to remain outside the complete GST framework.

    Key features

    Revision of excise duties

    The Act revises central excise rates to maintain and increase the overall tax burden after the withdrawal of GST compensation cess.

    Revised excise duty rates

    • Unmanufactured tobacco increased from 64 percent to 70 percent
    • Chewing tobacco increased from 25 percent to 100 percent
    • Hookah and gudaku tobacco increased from 25 percent to 40 percent
    • Smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes increased from 60 percent to 325 percent
    • Cigarettes increased from ₹200 to ₹735 per thousand sticks to ₹2,700 to ₹11,000 per thousand sticks

    Public health objective

    The higher duties aim to raise real tobacco prices faster than income growth, in line with global public health recommendations to discourage consumption.

    GST restructuring on tobacco

    • Beedis placed under 18 percent GST
    • All other tobacco products placed under 40 percent GST
    • New valuation mechanism introduced
       GST value to be calculated on the retail sale price declared on the package for products such as chewing tobacco, gutkha, khaini and jarda

    GST compensation cess

    What it is

    An additional levy imposed on select goods to compensate States for revenue losses due to GST implementation.

    Key points

    • Introduced in July 2017 along with GST
    • Initially meant for five years till June 2022
    • Extended till March 31, 2026 due to pandemic related revenue shortfall
    • Used mainly to repay about ₹2.7 lakh crore borrowed to compensate States
    • Levied over and above GST and central excise on tobacco
    • Being completely phased out from February 1, 2026

    Items covered under the cess

    • Tobacco and tobacco products
    • Pan masala
    • Aerated and caffeinated drinks
    • Luxury cars
    • Motorcycles above 350 cc
    • Specified firearms

    Prelims pointers

    • Tobacco products remain partly outside the GST framework
    • Central excise continues on tobacco even after GST
    • GST compensation cess ends from February 1, 2026
    • Higher tobacco taxation serves both revenue and public health objectives
    [2017] What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’? 

    1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India. 

    2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves. 

    3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

  • Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited launches Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi)

    Why in the news?

    On New Year, BSNL announced the nationwide rollout of Voice over WiFi also called Wi Fi Calling across all telecom circles in India.

    What is VoWiFi

    Voice over WiFi is a telecom service that allows users to make and receive voice calls and SMS over a Wi Fi network instead of a mobile tower.
     It uses IP Multimedia Subsystem and works with the same mobile number and default phone dialer without third party apps.

    How it works

    • Wi Fi connectivity: Phone connects to home, office, or public Wi Fi when cellular signal is weak or unavailable
    • SIM based authentication: User identity is verified through the SIM, ensuring secure communication
    • Internet routing: Voice is converted into data packets and transmitted over the internet
    • Seamless handover: Calls automatically switch between Wi Fi and cellular networks without interruption

    Key features

    • IMS based service with smooth Wi Fi to mobile network transition
    • Uses existing mobile number and handset dialer
    • No additional charges for Wi Fi calls
    • Improved indoor and remote area connectivity
    • Reduces congestion on mobile networks
    • Supported on most modern smartphones via a simple settings toggle

    Significance

    • Reliable calling in homes, offices, basements, and remote locations
    • Useful in rural and underserved areas with broadband access such as Bharat Fiber
    • Better call quality compared to weak cellular signals
    • Enhances BSNL’s network modernization efforts

    Prelims pointers

    • VoWiFi requires a stable Wi Fi connection but no mobile signal
    • Authentication is SIM based, unlike internet calling apps
    • Offered free of cost as normal voice calls
    [2019] With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)? 

    1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G. 

    2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

  • Why does India need climate resilient agriculture

    Introduction

    India’s food system faces mounting stress from climate variability, declining soil health, and environmental degradation. Agriculture must simultaneously ensure food security for a growing population and adapt to rising climate risks. Conventional farming systems, particularly in rainfed regions, are proving inadequate under these pressures. Climate-resilient agriculture offers a pathway to sustain productivity while safeguarding ecological stability.

    Why in the news?

    Climate-resilient agriculture has gained renewed attention as India confronts increasing climate unpredictability, declining soil health, and rising pressure on food security. With nearly 51% of India’s net sown area being rainfed and contributing about 40% of total food production, climate variability poses a systemic risk to agricultural output and farmer livelihoods. 

    Why is Climate-Resilient Agriculture Necessary for India?

    1. Rainfed Agriculture Dependence: Nearly 51% of India’s net sown area remains rainfed, producing about 40% of national food output, increasing vulnerability to rainfall variability.
    2. Climate Variability Exposure: Erratic monsoons, heat stress, droughts, and extreme weather events directly affect crop yields and farm incomes.
    3. Population Pressure: Rapid population growth intensifies demand for reliable and stable agricultural productivity.
    4. Limits of Conventional Farming: Input-intensive methods show declining returns under climate stress and contribute to soil degradation and pollution.

    What is Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA)?

    1. Biotechnology Integration: Uses biofertilisers, biopesticides, and soil-microbiome analysis to reduce chemical dependence while maintaining productivity.
    2. Genomic Interventions: Enables development of genome-edited crops tolerant to drought, heat, salinity, and pests.
    3. Digital and AI-Based Tools: Applies AI-driven analytics to integrate climate and agronomic variables for location-specific advisories.
    4. Sustainability Orientation: Balances productivity enhancement with soil health and environmental protection.

    Where Does India Stand Today on CRA Adoption?

    1. Institutional Leadership: In 2011, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project.
    2. Technology Demonstration: CRA practices demonstrated across 448 climate-resilient villages.
    3. Key Interventions Implemented:
      1. Cropping Techniques: System of Rice Intensification (SRI), aerobic rice cultivation.
      2. Resource Efficiency: Zero-till wheat sowing, direct seeding of rice.
      3. Soil Management: In-situ incorporation of rice residues.
    4. Outcome: Enhanced adaptive capacity and resilience of farmers to climate variability.

    How Does the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture Contribute?

    1. Productivity Enhancement: Focuses on improving yields, especially in rainfed regions.
    2. Integrated Farming Systems: Encourages crop-livestock-resource integration.
    3. Water Use Efficiency: Prioritises efficient irrigation and moisture conservation.
    4. Soil Health Management: Supports balanced nutrient use and organic matter restoration.
    5. Resource Synergy: Aligns conservation with productivity goals.

    What is the Role of Biotechnology and BioE3 Policy in CRA?

    1. Policy Positioning: BioE3 policy identifies CRA as a key thematic area for biotechnology-led solutions.
    2. Commercial Readiness: Several CRA-relevant technologies already commercialised.
    3. Bio-inputs Expansion: Companies supplying bio-inputs that improve soil health and reduce chemical dependency.
    4. Private Sector Participation: Signals transition from pilot-based models to scalable solutions.

    How is Digital Agriculture Strengthening Climate Resilience?

    1. AI-Enabled Advisory Services: Provide real-time, location-specific climate advisories.
    2. Precision Irrigation: Optimises water use under variable climatic conditions.
    3. Crop Health Monitoring: Enables early detection of stress and pest outbreaks.
    4. Yield Prediction Tools: Improve risk assessment and planning for farmers.

    Conclusion

    Climate-resilient agriculture is no longer optional for India’s food system. High dependence on rainfed farming, combined with climate volatility, necessitates a coordinated national strategy integrating biotechnology, digital tools, and institutional support. India’s early investments through NICRA, sustainable agriculture missions, and biotechnology policies provide a foundation, but scaling and coherence remain critical for long-term resilience.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2016] Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). 

    Linkage: This question directly links to GS Paper III themes of agricultural vulnerability, climate risk, and risk-mitigation mechanisms. Climate-resilient agriculture frameworks emphasize crop insurance (PMFBY) as a financial resilience tool to buffer farmers against increasing climate-induced crop losses.