UPSC Mains Relevance
[UPSC 2017] Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement.
Linkage: India’s recent success in reducing undernourishment by 30 million people and transforming its PDS shows definite progress in tackling hunger and poverty, aligning with welfare-driven governance. Yet, challenges of affordability, malnutrition, and nutrition security highlight that while gains are visible, deeper reforms in agrifood systems and social protection are still required. |
Mentor’s Comment
The world is finally seeing a decline in hunger after years of setbacks. At the centre of this shift is India, whose food security programmes have reduced undernourishment at an unprecedented scale. For UPSC aspirants, this story reflects governance, technology, and welfare delivery working together.
Introduction
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 report shows undernourishment fell to 673 million people globally in 2024, down from 688 million in 2023. India has been decisive in this progress, reducing hunger for nearly 30 million people in just two years. The Public Distribution System (PDS) alone supports over 800 million beneficiaries with digital efficiency unmatched in scale. This progress stands in sharp contrast with the bleak COVID-era surge in hunger and makes India a global anchor in the journey towards SDG 2 – Zero Hunger.
India’s Pathway to Ending Hunger:
Transformation of the Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Digital shift: Aadhaar-based targeting, real-time tracking, and biometric authentication improved delivery.
- Portability: One Nation One Ration Card enabled migrants and vulnerable households to access entitlements anywhere.
- Rapid Scale of support: Over 800 million people received subsidised food grains during the pandemic.
Shifting of Focus from Calories to Nutrition
- High Cost of Healthy Diets: Over 60% of Indians cannot afford nutrient-rich foods due to inflation, poor cold chains, and weak market linkages.
- Nutrition-Centric Schemes: PM POSHAN (2021) and ICDS are addressing dietary diversity and nutrition sensitivity.
- Dual Challenge: Even as hunger declines, malnutrition, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies are rising.
Need for Agrifood System Structural Reforms
- Boosting Production of Nutrient-Rich Foods: Pulses, fruits, vegetables, and animal products must be scaled for affordability.
- Reducing Post-Harvest Losses: About 13% of food is lost between farm and market due to weak cold storage and logistics.
- Supporting Women-Led Enterprises and Farmer Producer Organization: Promoting climate-resilient crops enhances both nutrition and livelihoods.
Digital governance drives agrifood transformation
- AgriStack & e-NAM: Enhance planning, digital logistics, and market access for farmers.
- Geospatial Tools: Enable better agricultural mapping and nutrition-sensitive targeting.
- Data-Driven Agriculture: Improves service delivery and strengthens supply-demand alignment.
Why is India’s success globally significant?
- Leadership in Global South: India’s digital and governance innovations can be replicated in developing nations.
- Global SDGs: With only five years left for 2030 SDGs, India’s example shows that hunger reduction is possible with political will and smart investments.
- Symbol of Hope: FAO calls India’s progress not just a national achievement but a contribution to global food security.
Conclusion
India’s recent performance marks a historic pivot in the fight against hunger. The country has shown that scale, digital governance, and targeted welfare can turn crisis into opportunity. Yet, the journey forward must emphasise nutrition, resilience, and inclusivity not just calories. If sustained, India will not only feed itself but also light the path for global hunger eradication.
Value Addition
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Reports & Indices
- State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 (SOFI Report) – Global undernourishment fell from 688 million (2023) to 673 million (2024); India reduced undernourishment from 14.3% to 12% (30 million fewer hungry people).
- FAO Food Loss Report – Around 13% of food is lost between farm and market in India, affecting affordability.
SDG Linkage
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) – Ending hunger by 2030.
- SDG 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) – Tackling malnutrition, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies.
- SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production) – Reducing food loss and wastage.
Keywords with UPSC Relevance
- Calorie-to-Nutrition Shift – Moving beyond staple food security to nutrient-rich diets.
- Hunger Paradox – Coexistence of undernourishment and obesity/micronutrient deficiency.
Examples for Enrichment in Answers
- COVID-19 Response – India’s rapid PDS scale-up fed 800+ million people, one of the largest welfare interventions globally.
- Digital Governance – ONORC portability cited as a global best practice by the World Bank and FAO.
- Women-led FPOs – Strengthening climate-resilient crops while improving local nutrition outcomes.
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Microtheme Mapping:
- GS Paper I – Hunger and poverty, demographic vulnerabilities.
- GS Paper II – Governance, digital welfare, social justice, schemes.
- GS Paper III – Agrifood systems, logistics, cold chains, technology in agriculture.
Practice Mains MCQ
“India’s progress in food security has global significance. Discuss how India can move from hunger eradication to nutrition security.”
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Introduction
Plastic pollution represents one of the gravest environmental crises of our times. Despite decades of regulation and bans, plastics remain ubiquitous, cheap, and nearly indestructible. Talks in Geneva involving 180 countries failed to secure an internationally binding legal agreement to limit plastic pollution, reflecting deep divisions over whether the treaty should target waste alone or include production.
Global Plastic Treaty Deadlock: Why It Matters
- Global deadlock: 180 countries failed to agree on a binding treaty on plastic pollution in Geneva, despite a UNEP-backed resolution already in place.
- First-time sharp focus on health: Unlike earlier discussions centred only on waste management, the health impact of plastics is now central.
- Scale of problem: Plastics contain more than 16,000 chemicals, with little knowledge on 10,000+ of them. A Nature study showed 4,000 chemicals of concern are present across major plastic types.
- Striking evidence: Microplastics detected in blood, breast milk, placenta, bone marrow, bringing urgency to the debate.
The Persistence and Ubiquity of Plastics
- Symbol of consumption economy: Cheap and versatile, plastics reflect today’s global consumption.
- Persistence and flexibility: Synthetic, fossil-fuel-derived polymers are non-biodegradable and endure for decades.
- Waste mismanagement: Cheap production, ubiquity, and limited recycling capacity turn plastics into the prime source of litter.
Plastics and Human Health: Emerging Evidence
- Chemicals of concern: Plastics use ethylene, propylene, styrene derivatives, along with bisphenols, phthalates, PCBs, PBDEs, and PFAS.
- Products of exposure: Found in food containers, bottles, teething toys, polyester, IV bags, cosmetics, paints, electronics, adhesives.
- Health links: Studies link plastic chemicals to thyroid dysfunction, hypertension, kidney/testicular cancer, gestational diabetes.
- Evidence base: Around 1,100 studies, involving 1.1 million individuals, compiled by Boston College & Minderoo Foundation dashboard.
- Nature of studies: Mostly associative; longitudinal studies (gold standard) are still underway.
The Microplastic Menace
- Definition: Plastics smaller than 5 mm, found in additives or broken-down products.
- Recent discoveries: Detected in human blood, breast milk, placenta, bone marrow.
- Health uncertainty: Exact impacts still under study, but linked to multiple disorders.
Policy Responses: Global and Indian Perspectives
- Global scene: Negotiations divided on waste vs production; developing countries demand funding support.
- India’s stance:
- Ban on single-use plastics in ~20 States
- Administrative push for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- Views plastics as a waste management issue, not a health issue.
- Prefers health dimension to be dealt with at WHO, not in the plastics treaty.
Conclusion
The Geneva deadlock reflects not just a failure of diplomacy but the widening gap between scientific evidence and policy action. Plastics are no longer an invisible convenience; they are a pervasive health hazard. While India treats plastics as a waste issue, ignoring health risks leaves a blind spot in policy. A robust, binding treaty addressing both production and health impact is indispensable if the world is to prevent plastics from becoming the new tobacco of the 21st century.
PYQ Relavance
| [UPSC 2023] What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?
Linkage: Since UPSC has already asked about oil pollution (2023), it shows the exam’s focus on pollution and ecosystem impacts. Plastic pollution, like oil, originates from fossil fuels and has severe effects on marine life and human health. Hence, a direct question on plastic pollution and its health–environment nexus is highly probable. |
Practice Mains Question
Plastics are no longer merely a waste management problem but a serious health hazard. Critically examine the health risks associated with plastic use and evaluate India’s stance in global plastic treaty negotiations.
Mapping Microthemes
- GS-1: Impact of industrialisation and consumerism on environment.
- GS-2: International negotiations, India’s foreign policy stance in environmental treaties.
- GS-3: Pollution, waste management, health-environment nexus.
- GS-4: Ethics of sustainability, intergenerational justice, corporate responsibility.
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Introduction
In August 2025, Parliament passed the Income Tax Bill, 2025, a shorter and simplified legislation with 23 chapters (down from 47) and 536 sections (down from 819). The Bill aims to reduce discretion with clearer provisions, introduce taxpayer-friendly reforms like longer timelines for return updation, and curb harassment. However, it has also expanded the powers of tax officials, especially over digital information and personal data, raising concerns about privacy and misuse.
Need for Overhauling the 1961 Income Tax Framework
- Obsolete framework: The Income Tax Act, 1961 had become outdated, riddled with amendments, and difficult for laypersons to interpret.
- Harassment potential: Excessive discretion allowed officials to harass taxpayers.
- Structural reform: New law cuts down chapters from 47 to 23 and sections from 819 to 536, simplifying compliance.
- Greater clarity: More tables (57, up from 18) and formulae (46, up from 6), along with examples to aid understanding.
From Draft Bill to Final Law: The Legislative Journey
- Initial draft (Feb 2025): Introduced in Parliament but referred to a Select Committee given the Bill’s significance.
- Committee review: Headed by Baijayant Panda, with MPs across parties; submitted a detailed report in July 2025.
- Withdrawal & replacement: Government withdrew the earlier version on August 8, 2025, to incorporate committee recommendations.
- Final Bill (Aug 11, 2025): Introduced and passed the same day, avoiding confusion through multiple versions.
Key Reforms and Structural Simplifications:
- No slab changes: Finance Minister clarified tax rates and slabs remain unchanged.
- Technical refinements: Clearer provisions for Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT), separated into sub-sections.
- Taxpayer-friendly features: Returns can be updated up to 4 years from the end of the relevant assessment year without penalty; Assessment reopening period reduced to 5 years.
Simplification Gains and Emerging Concerns
- Expanded search powers: Tax officers can now demand passwords of electronic devices, emails, and social media accounts.
- Override access: Officials may bypass access codes to computer systems if passwords are not shared.
- Privacy concerns: Unlike earlier provisions (limited to inspection and lock-breaking), the new law extends to personal digital data, raising red flags.
Government’s Rationale for Expanding Digital Powers
- Rationale: Much of financial data today is exchanged via messaging apps, emails, or stored digitally.
- Committee stance: Though some dissent was recorded, the Select Committee accepted the government’s view that these provisions are essential for effective investigation.
Conclusion
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 is a watershed reform, simplifying one of India’s most complex laws. While the codification of taxpayer-friendly provisions marks a progressive step, the enhanced surveillance powers granted to tax authorities highlight the thin line between efficiency and overreach. The challenge ahead lies in ensuring that simplification does not come at the cost of citizens’ trust and constitutional rights.
Value Addition for UPSC
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- Governance angle (GS-II): Balancing simplification of laws with citizen rights and privacy.
- Economic reforms (GS-III): Tax rationalisation improves compliance and ease of doing business.
- Ethics (GS-IV): Dilemma of state surveillance vs. individual liberty; Kantian duty-based ethics vs. utilitarian approach.
- Comparative context: Similar debates exist globallye.g., U.S. IRS’s digital access powers vs. EU’s stricter GDPR protections.
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PYQ Relevance
| [UPSC 2020] Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017.How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions?
Linkage: The GST Compensation Act, 2017 aimed to build Centre–State trust during the GST transition but COVID-19 strained revenues, sparking federal tensions. Similarly, the Income Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to simplify direct taxes to build citizen trust but raises concerns over state overreach in digital surveillance. Both show that taxation is ultimately about trust and legitimacy in governance. |
Practice Mains Question
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to simplify India’s tax regime but also introduces stronger surveillance powers for officials. Discuss the balance between efficiency, transparency, and taxpayer rights. (250 words)
Mapping Microthemes for GS Papers
- GS-I: Evolution of economic policies post-Independence.
- GS-II: Governance, legislative reforms, fundamental rights (privacy).
- GS-III: Fiscal reforms, tax policy, ease of doing business.
- GS-IV: Ethics of surveillance, transparency, accountability.
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Why in the News?
The Supreme Court for the very first time has recounted EVM votes on its premises and overturned a Haryana sarpanch election result.
Legal Framework for Challenging Election Results:
- Parliamentary, Assembly, State Council elections: Validity can be challenged by filing an election petition in the High Court of the state where the election was held.
- Local government elections: Petitions must be filed at district-level civil courts.
- Eligibility to file: Only a candidate or elector related to the election can file.
- Timeframe: Petition must be filed within 45 days of result declaration.
- Petition requirements:
- Must contain concise statement of material facts.
- Allegations of “corrupt practices” must include names of individuals, dates, and locations.
- Judicial Approach:
- SC considers corrupt practices as quasi-criminal, requiring high standard of proof.
- Vague or ambiguous petitions are dismissed.
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- Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- State Panchayat Raj Acts.
Grounds for Invalidating an Election:
Courts can void an election on:
- Bribery or undue influence, e.g., hiding criminal antecedents or promoting enmity.
- Candidate disqualified/unqualified on the election date.
- Improper rejection of nomination paper.
- Improper acceptance of nomination or improper reception/rejection of votes, if shown to materially affect results.
- Non-compliance with Constitution or election laws/rules, if it materially impacted the outcome.
When can Courts order Recount of Votes?
- A recount is a possible judicial remedy but not granted lightly.
- Seen as affecting vote secrecy, which is vital to free and fair elections.
- Courts order recounts only if:
- Petitioner presents specific material facts.
- Evidence shows a prima facie case of probable counting error.
- Recount is deemed necessary for justice.
- Normally conducted at election location.
- Exception: Panipat case, where SC recounted votes in its own premises.
Can Courts declare a new Winner?
- Rare, but courts can declare a new winner if:
- Evidence shows petitioner (or another candidate) actually had majority of valid votes.
- Or petitioner proves they would have won but for votes gained through corrupt practices.
- Requires concrete, quantifiable evidence of tainted votes.
- Example: In Feb 2024 Chandigarh mayoral election, SC declared a new winner after:
- Presiding officer wrongly invalidated 8 paper ballots.
- All votes had been cast for the losing candidate.
- SC restored them as valid, making the losing candidate the winner.
| [UPSC 2004] Consider the following tasks:
1. Superintendence, direction and conduct of free and fair elections.
2. Preparation of electoral rolls for all elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures and the Office of the President and the Vice-President.
3. Giving recognition to political parties and allotting election symbols to political parties and individuals contesting the election.
4. Proclamation of final verdict in the case of election disputes.
Which of the above are the functions of the Election Commission of India?
Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3* (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 4 |
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Why in the news?
The Government informed Parliament that 23% of the 56.04 crore PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts are inoperative.
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY):
- Launch: Introduced in 2014 as the world’s largest financial inclusion mission.
- Objective: To provide banking to the unbanked, insurance to the unsecured, and credit to the unfunded.
- Accounts: Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts with zero balance, minimal paperwork, and e-KYC facility.
- Benefits: RuPay debit card with accident insurance, overdraft, micro-insurance, and pension coverage.
Key Features:
- Access: Universal banking through branches and Business Correspondents.
- Overdraft: Up to ₹10,000 for eligible account holders.
- Insurance: Accident cover of ₹1 lakh (₹2 lakh for new accounts post-2018); life cover of ₹30,000 for accounts opened between August 2014–January 2015.
- Interoperability: Enabled via RuPay cards and Aadhaar-linked platforms.
- Post-2018 Expansion: Coverage extended to all unbanked adults, overdraft limit enhanced, and eligibility age increased from 60 to 65 years.
- Direct Benefit Transfers: Strengthened subsidy delivery through the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile).
Do you know?
As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines (2009), an account is considered dormant if no transaction occurs for over two years. |
| [UPSC 2015] Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for
Options:
(a) providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates
(b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas
(c) promoting financial inclusion in the country*
(d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities |
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Why in the News?
This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in ‘The Hindu’.
About Soap:
- Composition: Soap is sodium (Na) or potassium (K) salt of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.
- Formula: Solid soaps are RCOONa, liquid soaps are RCOOK.
- Function: Cleansing agent due to dual hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (oil-attracting) nature.
- History: Used since 2800 BC in Mesopotamia and ancient India (soap nuts, bark, flowers). Became mass-produced during the Industrial Revolution, initially a luxury.
Soap-Making Process
- Raw Materials: Oils such as coconut, olive, palm, sunflower provide triglycerides.
- Hydrolysis: Oils hydrolysed with hot water under pressure → fatty acids + glycerin.
- Saponification: Fatty acids react with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) → soap (RCOONa) + water.
- Processing: Soap dried into noodles, blended with perfumes, colours, fillers, additives.
- Shaping: Extruded, cut, and stamped into bars.
- Quality: Total Fatty Matter (TFM) indicates quality; higher TFM = better cleansing.
- Production Scale: Modern automated lines make 600–700 soaps per minute.
Ecological Impact of Soap
- Biodegradability: Traditional soaps are biodegradable and safer for the environment.
- Detergents: Synthetic alternatives developed during World War I oil shortages; more efficient but harmful.
- Pollution: Surfactants and phosphates in detergents cause nutrient pollution and persist in ecosystems.
| [UPSC 2002] Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A) Synthetic detergents can lather well in hard water.
Reason (R): Synthetic detergents form soluble calcium and magnesium salts with hard water.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Options:
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A *
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true |
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Why in the News?
Kerala’s health department has issued an alert in Kozhikode district after three consecutive cases of the rare and highly fatal disease Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) were reported.
About Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM):
- Cause: Rare and usually fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, known as the “brain-eating amoeba.”
- Habitat: Thrives in warm freshwater up to 46°C (115°F).
- Entry: Enters through the nose during swimming or water activities, travels via olfactory nerve to the brain.
- Impact: Destroys brain tissue and causes severe swelling.
- Transmission: Not communicable from person to person.
- Symptoms: Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, coma, and death.
- Progression: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases result in death within 1–18 days of symptom onset.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Diagnosis:
- Treatment:
- No single therapy effectively established.
- Managed per CDC guidelines using drug combinations such as: Medical interventions typically involve a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone.
| [UPSC 2008] Consider the following statements:
1. Femur is the longest bone in the human body.
2. Cholera is a disease caused by bacteria.
3. ‘Athlete’s foot’ is a disease caused by virus. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 * (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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