| PYQ Relevance:
[UPSC 2024] In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGO’s and the private sector would be most productive?
Linkage: This question is highly relevant because the article explicitly state that child trafficking in Bihar is a severe socio-economic issue rooted in “poverty” and “complete absence of regulatory oversight and social acceptance for girls being commodified. |
Mentor’s Comment: The trafficking and exploitation of minor girls in Bihar’s orchestra groups has sparked national concern after the rescue of over 270 girls this year alone—many of them subjected to sexual abuse and forced labour. Despite existing laws, trafficking networks thrive due to weak enforcement, poor inter-state coordination, and lack of regulation. The Patna High Court, responding to a plea by child rights groups, has recognized the issue as serious and directed the Bihar government to act urgently. This case highlights the systemic failures in preventing trafficking and calls for a comprehensive, prevention-based strategy to safeguard children from exploitation.
Today’s editorial analyses trafficking and exploitation of minor girls. This topic is important for GS Paper III (Internal Security) in the UPSC mains exam.
_
Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Recently, there has been national concern over the trafficking and abuse of young girls in Bihar’s orchestra groups, after more than 270 girls were rescued this year.
What factors make Bihar a hub for child trafficking ?
- Geographical vulnerabilities: Bihar’s porous border with Nepal and seamless railway connectivity to trafficking-prone states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh facilitate trafficking routes.
- Economic desperation and social acceptance: Deep poverty, especially in rural areas, and a cultural normalisation of girls being commodified contribute to vulnerability.
- Deceptive recruitment practices: Traffickers exploit aspirations for dance, employment, or marriage, luring families with false promises, especially in districts like Saran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, and others in the ‘orchestra belt’.
What are the existing laws to prevent child exploitation?
- Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA): Main law targeting commercial sexual exploitation, penalising brothel-keeping, trafficking for prostitution, and soliciting.
- Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 370 & 370A: Define and criminalise trafficking for exploitation (e.g., slavery, forced labour), with enhanced punishment for trafficking of women and children.
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Provides for protection and rehabilitation of trafficked children as “children in need of care and protection.”
- Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976: Prohibits bonded and forced labour, often linked with trafficking for labour exploitation, and provides for release and rehabilitation of victims.
- Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (amended 2016): Prohibits employment of children below 14 in hazardous occupations, including those linked to trafficking networks.
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Why do existing laws fail to curb trafficking despite being comprehensive?
-
Legal Framework Undermined by Weak Implementation
- Under-enforcement and misclassification: Despite laws like POCSO, JJ Act, and Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, many trafficking cases are filed under generic categories like kidnapping or missing persons, weakening legal accountability.
- Low conviction rates: There’s a sharp disconnect between the number of rescues and successful prosecutions. Convictions remain low due to lack of evidence, procedural delays, and poor legal follow-through.
- Weak Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): Most AHTUs are under-resourced, lack dedicated staff, and suffer from poor inter-state coordination – limiting their effectiveness.
2. Poor Local Vigilance and Community-Level Gaps
- Community silence and normalisation: In many villages and schools, missing children aren’t reported – either due to fear of police or because migration is seen as normal.
Eg: In Saran district, Bihar, girls trafficked to orchestras weren’t reported by villagers who assumed they had migrated for work.
- Delayed or uninformed local response: Panchayats and Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) often lack awareness or training to respond promptly.
Eg: In East Champaran, a CWC failed to stop a trafficker from taking custody of a minor using a false identity.
- Fragmented Inter-Agency Coordination
- Lack of coordination between police forces: Investigations often stall because police from different states don’t share real-time data or work collaboratively.
Eg: A girl trafficked from Gopalganj (Bihar) to Howrah (West Bengal) remained untraced for months due to poor inter-state coordination.
- No unified tracking database: Absence of a centralised system makes it hard to identify trafficking patterns or repeat offenders.
Eg: Multiple cases from Sitamarhi went undetected because FIRs weren’t cross-referenced.
4. Surveillance and Monitoring Gaps at Transit Points
- Neglected transport hubs: Unlike railways (monitored by the RPF), bus stands and private vehicles lack surveillance protocols.
Eg: A trafficking ring used night buses from Muzaffarpur to Odisha, bypassing detection entirely.
What role can technology play in prevention of trafficking?
- Real-time Data Sharing for Border Monitoring: Technology-enabled platforms like PICKET (Prevention, Investigation, and Combating of Human Trafficking for Enforcement Tracking) help law enforcement agencies share real-time intelligence at interstate checkpoints.
- Predictive Analysis and Hotspot Mapping: AI and data analytics can identify trafficking-prone areas, track patterns in missing persons reports, and trigger early alerts.
- Victim Identification and Case Tracking: Digital tools help maintain a centralised database of trafficked persons, FIRs, and case progress, ensuring follow-up and victim rehabilitation. Eg: A rescued child in Odisha was linked to an FIR in West Bengal using PICKET, allowing swift family reunification and prosecution.
Way forward
- Strengthen Local and Border Surveillance: Deploy trained staff at village, block, and border levels with access to real-time data for early detection of trafficking.
- Scale Up Tech Platforms like PICKET: Expand AI-based tracking, digital case monitoring, and inter-state data sharing for coordinated, victim-focused action.
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Why in the News?
India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a 10-month low growth of 1.5% in June, primarily due to a sharp decline in mining (–8.7%) and electricity output (–2.6%).
What caused the IIP slowdown in June?
- Sharp contraction in mining and electricity output: Mining activity declined by –8.7%, and electricity generation fell by –2.6%, significantly dragging overall growth. These two sectors jointly account for 22.3% of the IIP weightage.
- Erratic monsoon and waterlogging in key mining belts: Early and uneven southwest monsoon caused flooding in mining areas of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, disrupting production and logistics.
- Damage to infrastructure and supply chain disruptions: Waterlogging led to damage in power distribution infrastructure and interrupted supply chains, resulting in subdued industrial activity and power demand.
How did climate events contribute?
- Disruption of mining activities: Heavy rainfall and waterlogging in mineral-rich regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal hindered extraction and transportation of key minerals. Eg: Jharkhand received 504.8 mm rainfall (against a normal of 307 mm), affecting coal and iron ore production.
- Damage to power infrastructure: Flooding led to breakdowns in electricity distribution systems, especially in rural and semi-industrial belts. Eg: Widespread inundation disrupted power supply, lowering electricity output by –2.6% in June.
- Supply chain interruptions: Climate irregularities caused logistical delays and increased input costs, hampering industrial flow.
Why is India reluctant to link climate events with economic data like IIP or GDP?
- Institutional hesitation and narrative control: Key agencies like the Ministry of Statistics and RBI prefer attributing economic fluctuations to factors like high base effects, global demand shifts, or input cost variations, avoiding politically sensitive climate linkages.
- Complexity of climate attribution: Linking specific events (like heavy rain or drought) to climate change requires scientific modelling and probabilistic data, which are resource-intensive and not yet integrated into mainstream reporting.
- Fear of politicisation and accountability: Acknowledging climate-linked economic slowdowns could invite policy criticism and demand for corrective action, making policymakers cautious.
How do climate disruptions in mining and power affect industrial output?
- Halted Mining Operations: Extreme rainfall leads to waterlogging and flooding in mining belts, making extraction unsafe and unviable. Eg: In June, mining activity contracted by –8.7% due to excessive rainfall in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
- Damage to Power Infrastructure: Climate events like floods and storms disrupt power transmission lines and generation facilities, leading to reduced electricity output. Eg: Electricity production shrank by –2.6% in June, which lowered industrial productivity across sectors.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Delays in the supply of raw materials (like coal) due to climate-induced transport and logistical breakdowns affect the manufacturing cycle. Eg: Sluggish industrial output growth of 3.9% in June, despite some sectoral growth, was partly due to such disruptions.
What can India learn from global practices in integrating climate risk into economic reporting?
- Mainstream Climate Risk in Macroeconomic Analysis: Institutions like the European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of England incorporate climate risk assessments into their economic forecasts and financial stability reports. Eg: The ECB uses climate stress tests to estimate the impact of extreme weather on GDP and inflation projections, helping shape responsive monetary and fiscal policies.
- Develop Probabilistic Climate Attribution Models: Global agencies invest in scientific and data-driven models to link specific climate events to broader economic outcomes. Eg: The UK Met Office partners with economic bodies to assess how floods or heatwaves influence sectoral output and employment, ensuring better policy alignment and risk preparedness.
Why is climate attribution important for informed economic policymaking?
- Enables Targeted Risk Mitigation and Resource Allocation: Understanding the economic impact of specific climate events helps policymakers design sector-specific interventions, such as improved infrastructure in flood-prone mining regions or energy grid resilience plans.
- Strengthens Long-term Economic Planning and Resilience: Integrating climate attribution allows for accurate forecasting and budgeting, ensuring that climate-linked disruptions (e.g., to power or mining) are factored into growth strategies, insurance frameworks, and industrial policies.
Way forward:
- Integrate Climate Risk Frameworks into Economic Reporting: Agencies like the Ministry of Statistics and RBI should formally include climate-related variables in metrics like IIP and GDP, using probabilistic models and event attribution tools to capture the economic impact of extreme weather events.
- Build Institutional Capacity for Climate-Economic Analysis: Establish a dedicated national climate-economic observatory or task force to monitor, assess, and publish regular reports on how climate disruptions affect different sectors, drawing inspiration from institutions like the European Central Bank.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2021] Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.”Discuss in the light of India’s experience.
Linkage: This question is highly relevant as it directly addresses the crucial role of “investment in infrastructure” for “economic growth.” The article explicitly states that “the robust growth in capital (3.5%), intermediate (5.5%) and infrastructure (7.2%) goods output, indicates that much of industrial growth continues to hinge on the government’s infrastructure spends”.
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Why in the News?
India’s manufacturing sector is facing renewed scrutiny due to the rising contractualisation of labour, which has grown from 20% in 1999-2000 to 40.7% in 2022-23, according to the Annual Survey of Industries.
What drives the rise of contract labour in formal manufacturing?
- Cost Minimization: Employers hire contract workers to reduce wage bills and avoid social security contributions. Eg: In large firms, contract workers often earn up to 31% less than regular employees.
- Bypassing Labour Laws: Contracting allows firms to circumvent regulations under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, such as rules on retrenchment and notice period.
- Operational Flexibility: Firms use contract labour to scale up or down quickly with demand without long-term obligations. Eg: Seasonal industries like textiles use short-term contract workers during peak export periods.
- Third-Party Shielding: Outsourcing through contractors protects the principal employer from legal accountability for employment terms. Eg: Automobile assembly lines often outsource non-core work to manpower agencies.
- Sector-Wide Trend Across Sizes: The rise in contract labour is not limited to small firms; it extends to large and capital-intensive industries. Eg: Between 2000 and 2022, contract labour share doubled from 20% to 40.7% across all industries.
Why does contract labour hurt long-term productivity?
- Low Skill Development: Contract workers are rarely given training or upskilling opportunities, limiting their efficiency and innovation. Eg: In India’s electronics manufacturing sector, companies like Dixon Technologies rely heavily on contract labour, leading to a shortage of skilled technicians for precision assembly.
- High Attrition and Turnover: Contract workers frequently change jobs due to lack of job security, resulting in loss of institutional knowledge. Eg: In food processing units in Punjab, annual turnover among contract workers exceeds 70%, disrupting workflow continuity.
- Reduced Worker Motivation: Absence of benefits like promotion, pension, or medical cover leads to low morale and reduced effort. Eg: In government-run power plants, studies have shown that contract workers contribute less to maintenance efficiency than permanent staff, affecting overall plant performance.
- Weak Industrial Relations: Contract workers are often excluded from grievance redressal mechanisms or unions, increasing workplace tensions and risking disruptions. Eg: Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant witnessed violent unrest in 2012, partly attributed to discontent between permanent and contract workers.
- Quality Compromise and Rework: Contract workers may lack the ownership mindset, resulting in errors and product rework, which lowers productivity. Eg: In garment export hubs like Tiruppur, repeated quality rejections from overseas buyers have been traced to inconsistent output from untrained contract labour.
- Wage and cost gaps act as a disincentive
- Unequal pay for equal work: Contract workers often earn much less than permanent workers for doing the same job, violating fairness.
Eg: In PSUs like ONGC, contract workers earn up to 50% less than permanent employees for the same technical work.
- Avoidance of social security: Employers save costs by not contributing to Provident Fund, gratuity, or health benefits, increasing worker insecurity.
Eg: A CAG audit of private thermal power plants found 30–40% labour cost savings due to evasion of statutory benefits.
What are the existing policy?
- Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970: This law aims to regulate the employment of contract labour in certain establishments and abolish it in specific cases where work is perennial in nature. However, enforcement is weak, and many employers bypass provisions through sub-contracting.
- Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH Code), 2020: Consolidates 13 labour laws, including those related to health, safety, and working conditions of workers (including contract labour). It mandates registration of establishments and welfare facilities, but monitoring and implementation remain inconsistent.
- Fixed Term Employment (FTE) provision under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020: Legalises short-term employment contracts with a provision for equal pay for equal work. But in practice, social security benefits and job security are often denied to such workers.
Way forward:
- Ensure Universal Social Protection: Extend mandatory social security coverage (e.g., ESIC, EPF) to all contract and gig workers, with portable benefits and employer accountability, regardless of tenure or contract type.
- Improve Legal Enforcement and Transparency: Strengthen labour law enforcement through digital compliance portals, randomised inspections, and public disclosure of contract employment data to prevent misuse and promote accountability.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] Discuss the merits and demerits of the four ‘Labour Codes’ in the context of labour market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard?
Linkage: The article talks about the “labour code on industrial relations” introduced in 2020 which is related to the demand of the question. This code, awaiting implementation, aims to provide greater flexibility in hiring and firing by allowing firms to directly hire non-regular workers on fixed-term contracts without third-party contractors. However, it also seeks to curb exploitation by mandating basic statutory employment benefits.
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Why in the News?
Vijai Sharma, a 1974-batch IAS officer and architect of India’s climate diplomacy, who helped shape the Kyoto Protocol for safeguarding the interests of developing countries like India, has passed away.
About Kyoto Protocol:
- Adopted: 11 December 1997 (UNFCCC COP-3, Kyoto, Japan); Came into Force: 16 February 2005
- Legal Status: Legally binding on developed (Annex I) countries
- Parent Treaty: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
- Objective: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change
- Principle: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)
- Parties: 192 ratified; key non-parties include United States and Canada
Key Features:
- Emission Targets:
- Annex B nations to cut emissions by 5% below 1990 levels (2008–2012)
- Doha Amendment (2012): 18% cut for 2013–2020
- Greenhouse Gases Covered:
- Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Hydrofluorocarbons, Perfluorocarbons, Sulfur hexafluoride
- Market Mechanisms:
- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): Carbon credits via projects in developing nations
- Joint Implementation (JI): Emission reduction between Annex I countries
- International Emissions Trading: Trade surplus emission units
- Monitoring and Enforcement:
- Mandatory reporting and independent verification
- Compliance Committee oversight
- Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) included; aviation/shipping excluded
- Equity Element:
- No binding targets for developing nations like India and China
- Developed nations held accountable for historical emissions
Vijai Sharma’s Contributions:
- Climate Negotiations Leader: India’s chief negotiator (1995–2001), led G77+China, defended equity and exemptions for developing nations
- Policy Architect: Helped shape CDM governance, promoted India’s clean-tech access
- Environmental Reformer: As Environment Secretary (2008–2010), improved clearance processes
- Legacy: Called “Sir Humphrey Sharma” for his sharp wit and bureaucratic skill; key figure in India’s Kyoto-era climate diplomacy
| [UPSC 2016] Consider the following pairs:
Terms sometimes seen in the news : Their origin
1. Annex-I Countries : Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions : Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanisms : Kyoto Protocol
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only* (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) has been successfully launched from Sriharikota using GSLV Mk-II.
About NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar):
- Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk-II | Launch Site: Sriharikota, India
- Mission Life: 3 years (planned); 5+ years (design)
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous polar orbit at 747 km with 98.4° inclination
- Objective: High-precision monitoring of Earth’s surface changes—tectonics, agriculture, ecosystems, ice, floods, and landslides
- Data Access: Free and near real-time; disaster maps delivered in under 5 hours
- Hardware Contributions:
- NASA: L-band SAR, 12m antenna, avionics
- ISRO: S-band SAR, satellite bus, launch services
- Development and Collaboration:
- Initial Concept: 2007 (NASA); ISRO joined in 2012
- Formal Agreement: 2014
- Investment: NASA – ~$1.16 billion; ISRO – ~$90 million
Key Features of NISAR:
- What is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)?
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- Operates day/night, all-weather
- Simulates large radar antenna via motion
- Penetrates clouds, vegetation, and soil
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- L-band SAR (1.257 GHz):
- Deeper penetration; ideal for forests, tectonic shifts, permafrost
- S-band SAR (3.2 GHz):
- Surface details; supports agriculture, flood mapping, biomass tracking
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- 12-meter deployable mesh reflector
- Resolution: 3–10 m spatial; cm-level vertical
- Swath Width: 240 km
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- Global land/ice coverage every 12 days
- Less frequent in polar zones
- Data Output: Generates 80 TB/day (3x current Earth observatories):
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- Biomass and cropland maps
- High-resolution flood and infrastructure data
Applications and Impact:
- Disaster Relief: Before-and-after imagery for planning
- Climate Monitoring: Glacier melt, forest degradation
- Agriculture: Crop health, rotation, food security
- Infrastructure: Detects land subsidence (dams, cities)
- Strategic Value:
- Most powerful Earth-observing radar satellite
- First with dual SAR payload
- Strengthens India–US space partnership (Artemis, human spaceflight)
| [UPSC 2010] Question: In the context of space technology, what is Bhuvan, recently in the news ?
Options: (a) A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India (b) The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II (c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India* (d) A space telescope developed by India |
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Why in the News?
It has been five years since the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which replaced the 1986 National Policy on Education.
About the National Education Policy, 2020:
- Origin: Drafted by a committee chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan under the Ministry of Education.
- 5 Core Pillars: Based on Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability.
- Vision: Seeks to build a knowledge society by unlocking every learner’s potential.
- Global Link: Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (Education for All).
Key Provisions:
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- Curriculum Structure: Introduces 5+3+3+4 design (Foundational to Secondary), replacing 10+2.
- ECCE Focus: Early Childhood Care and Education via Jaadui Pitara kits and play-based learning.
- Vocational Training: Begins from Grade 6 with internships.
- Basic Literacy & Numeracy: Achieved through National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy.
- Language Medium: Emphasis on mother tongue/regional language up to Grade 5.
- Assessment Reform: Launch of Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH) as a national evaluation centre.
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- Four-Year Degree: Multidisciplinary courses with multiple exit points.
- Credit Bank: Academic Bank of Credit ensures credit mobility across institutions.
- Research Boost: National Research Foundation supports innovation and research.
- Single Regulator: Higher Education Commission of India proposed (pending law) to replace multiple bodies.
- Language Promotion: Establishment of Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation for Indian languages.
Implementation Initiatives:
- Foundational Mission: NIPUN Bharat aims to achieve basic literacy and numeracy by Class 3.
- Unified Credit System: Rollout of Academic Bank of Credit and National Credit Framework.
- Common Entrance: Common University Entrance Test introduced for fair UG admissions.
- Early Prep: Vidya Pravesh – a 3-month play-based module for Grade 1 entrants.
- Tech Education in Regional Languages: Promoted by the All-India Council for Technical Education.
- Digital Backbone: National Digital Education Architecture launched to support e-learning.
- SAFAL Assessments: Structured competency-based testing in Grades 3, 5, and 8 by Central Board of Secondary Education.
Key Achievements:
- Curriculum and Textbooks: NCERT released new content for Classes 1–8.
- ECCE Adoption: Early childhood curriculum implemented in several states.
- Language Expansion: Regional language instruction expanded at foundational levels.
- Academic Flexibility: Credit-based transfer systems in use via Academic Bank of Credit and National Credit Framework.
- Global Presence: Indian Institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology (Zanzibar) and Indian Institute of Management (Dubai) now abroad.
- International Collaboration: Foreign universities invited to set up campuses under new regulations.
| [UPSC 2016] “SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at
Options:
(a) promoting the Self-Help Groups in rural areas
(b) providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs
(c) promoting the education and health of adolescent girls
(d) providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free* |
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Why in the News?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted two consecutive test flights of the Pralay missile from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha’s coast.
About Pralay Missile:
- Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), led by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) with Indian industry support.
- Purpose: Tactical surface-to-surface missile for precision strikes along sensitive borders like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC).
- Role: Enhances India’s conventional deterrence in short-range battlefield operations.
- Targets: Designed to destroy high-value assets—radars, command centers, airstrips, and military infrastructure.
Key Features:
- Type: Quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile
- Range: 150–500 km
- Payload: 500–1,000 kg (conventional warheads)
- Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket motor
- Launcher: Mobile platform for rapid deployment
- Guidance: Advanced inertial navigation with <10 m Circular Error Probable (CEP)
- Terminal Speed: Up to Mach 6.1
- Maneuverability: Capable of mid-air trajectory changes to evade interception
| [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:
1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2* |
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Why in the News?
The Government of India recently clarified in the Lok Sabha that no final decision has been taken regarding the updation of the National Population Register (NPR) during the upcoming Population Census 2027.
What is the National Population Register (NPR)?
- Overview: NPR is a register of “usual residents” in India—individuals who have lived in an area for 6 months or intend to stay for the next 6 months.
- Conducted by: Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI), Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Legal Basis: Prepared under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Citizenship Rules, 2003.
- Mandatory Nature: Registration in NPR is compulsory for all usual residents.
- Exclusion: Assam is excluded as it has completed the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process.
- Historical Background:
- First Created: In 2010 during the House Listing phase of Census 2011.
- Updated: Again in 2015–16 via door-to-door survey.
- Database Size: Contains data of around 119 crore residents.
- Aadhaar Link: Biometric data collection is linked to Aadhaar; however, ration card data collection was dropped in the 2020 plan.
- Current Status: NPR update plans (2020) are on hold. NPR’s priority has reduced due to Aadhaar’s expanded utility in benefit delivery.
- Scope and Data Collected:
- Coverage Levels: Conducted at local, sub-district, district, state, and national levels.
- Demographic Data: Includes name, age, gender, relationship, marital status, etc.
- Biometric Data: Sourced via Aadhaar enrolment—fingerprints, iris scan, and photo.
NPR vs National Register of Citizens (NRC):
| Feature |
National Population Register (NPR) |
National Register of Citizens (NRC) |
| Purpose |
Record of all usual residents |
Register of Indian citizens |
| Coverage |
Includes citizens and non-citizens |
Only Indian citizens |
| Legal Basis |
Citizenship Act, 1955 & Rules (2003) |
Citizenship Rules (2003) |
| Primary Use |
Welfare schemes, demographic data |
Citizenship verification |
| Mandatory? |
Yes |
Not uniformly across India |
| [UPSC 2009] Consider the following statements:
1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.
2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2* |
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Why in the News?
The proposal to expand the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve by 1,100 sq km has received clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and awaits approval from National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
About Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR):
- Location: Situated in South and North 24-Parganas districts, West Bengal; lies at the southern tip of the Gangetic Delta.
- Area: Presently 2,585.89 sq km; expansion to 3,629.57 sq km under proposal.
- Status: Notified as a Tiger Reserve, National Park, Biosphere Reserve; part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Unique Feature: World’s only mangrove forest with a viable tiger population.
- Tiger Count: Over 100 tigers – 80 in core area, 21 in adjoining forests.
- Landscape: Interconnected estuaries, tidal creeks, and 105 mangrove-covered islands.
- Flora: Dominated by mangrove species like Avicennia, Rhizophora, Heritiera.
- Fauna: Includes Royal Bengal Tigers, Fishing Cats, Estuarine Crocodiles, Irrawaddy Dolphins, King Cobras, and endangered reptiles and birds.
- Boundaries:
- East: Bangladesh border (Raimangal, Harinbhanga rivers)
- South: Bay of Bengal
- North/West: Matla, Bidya, Gomdi Rivers
Back2Basics: Tiger Reserves in India
- Overview: A Tiger Reserve is a legally notified area under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for the conservation of tigers and biodiversity.
- Governing Authority: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Origin: Initiated under Project Tiger, launched in 1973.
- Structure:
- Core Zone: Highly protected; no human activity allowed; declared as National Park or Sanctuary.
- Buffer Zone: Surrounds core; allows regulated human use and supports conservation-compatible livelihoods.
Tiger Reserve Landscape in India (as of 2025):
- Total Reserves: 58 (up from 46 in 2014)
- Largest Reserve: Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh – 3,727.82 sq km
- Oldest Reserve: Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand – established in 1973
- Newest Reserves: Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh), Ranipur (Uttar Pradesh), Ramgarh Vishdhari (Rajasthan)
- Top State: Madhya Pradesh – 7 Tiger Reserves
- Tiger Density: Bandipur TR > Corbett TR > Kaziranga TR (148, 18.6 tigers/sq. km.)
- Global Tiger Day: Celebrated on 29th July every year
|
| [UPSC 2020] Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?”
Options: (a) Corbett (b) Ranthambore (c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam* (d) Sunderbans |
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