💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship September Batch
August 2025
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Freedom of Speech – Defamation, Sedition, etc.

Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court has raised a key question—whether the “potentiality of abuse” of Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which punishes acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, could be a ground to declare the provision unconstitutional.

Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

About Section 152 BNS:

  • Deals with: Acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
  • Origin: Introduced in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, effective 1 July 2024, replacing Section 124A IPC (sedition).
  • Scope: Criminalises purposeful or knowing acts that:
    • Excite secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities.
    • Encourage separatist feelings.
    • Endanger sovereignty, unity, or integrity of India.
  • Means Covered: Words (spoken/written), signs, visible representation, electronic communication, financial means, or any other method.
  • Punishment: Life imprisonment or imprisonment up to 7 years + fine.
  • Nature of Offence: Cognizable, non-bailable, triable by Court of Session.
  • Exception Clause: Lawful criticism of government measures to seek change—without inciting rebellion/secession—is not an offence.
  • Key Difference from Section 124A IPC: Focus shifted from “disaffection against Government” to direct threats against the nation’s unity and sovereignty, with explicit recognition of digital-era methods.

Issues with Section 152 BNS:

  • Potential for Misuse: Broad and subjective terms like “endangering sovereignty” can be stretched to target political dissent, journalism, and activism.
  • Vagueness: Undefined concepts (e.g., “sovereignty” in context of speech) create uncertainty, enabling arbitrary interpretation by authorities.
  • Similarity to Sedition Law: Despite rewording, its core effect mirrors Section 124A IPC, which is under constitutional challenge for curbing free speech.
  • Chilling Effect on Free Speech: Risk of self-censorship among journalists, activists, and citizens due to fear of prosecution.
  • High Punishment and Cognizability: Harsh penalties combined with arrest without warrant heighten scope for harassment before judicial scrutiny.
  • Digital Surveillance Concerns: Explicit coverage of electronic communication and financial means may widen investigative reach into personal digital activities.
  • Judicial Burden: Courts will need to repeatedly interpret the law to balance Article 19(1)(a) freedom of speech with state security.
[UPSC 2025] Sedition has become my religion” was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of:

(a) the Champaran Satyagraha (b) publicly violating Salt Law at Dandi* (c) attending the Second Round Table Conference in London (d) the launch of the Quit India Movement

 

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Electronic System Design and Manufacturing Sector – M-SIPS, National Policy on Electronics, etc.

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved four new projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), adding to the country’s push for a robust semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.

About India Semiconductor Mission (ISM):

  • Overview: Launched in 2021; Operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
  • Purpose: Develop a sustainable semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.
  • Scope: Supports the entire value chain — from chip design to fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, and display manufacturing.
  • Administrative Role: Receives and evaluates applications for schemes under the Semicon India Programme and engages with industry stakeholders to attract investment.

Key Components:

  • Semiconductor Fabs Scheme: Fiscal support for setting up semiconductor wafer fabrication plants in India.
  • Display Fabs Scheme: Incentives for manufacturing TFT LCD and AMOLED display panels.
  • Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors Fab & ATMP/OSAT Scheme: Support for advanced semiconductor technologies and packaging facilities.
  • Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: Incentives and infrastructure support for IC, SoC, chipset, and semiconductor-linked design projects; administered by CDAC; includes support for startups.
  • Modernisation of Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali: Upgrading as a brownfield fab.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Includes manufacturing, R&D, packaging, and design support.
[UPSC 2012] Recently there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called rare earth metals. Why?

1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.

2. Other than China, Australia, Canada, Chile, these elements are not found in any country.

3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is growing demand for these elements.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Muon g-2 Experiment

Why in the News?

Scientists at Fermilab in the USA have made an ultra-precise measurement of the muon’s magnetic behaviour, a finding that could hint at new physics beyond current laws.

Muon g-2 Experiment

Understanding Muon and G-2:

  • Overview: A muon is a subatomic particle like an electron but about 200 times heavier.
  • Behaviour: It has spin, making it act like a tiny magnet.
  • g-Factor: The magnet’s strength is measured by the g-factor. In simple theory, g = 2, but quantum effects make it slightly different — this difference is called g-2 (g minus 2).
  • Physics Relevance: Measuring g-2 can reveal unknown forces or particles beyond the Standard Model.

The Fermilab Breakthrough:

  • Precision Record: Fermilab (USA) measured muon’s g-2 to an accuracy of 0.127 parts per million — comparable to detecting a 4-gram change on a 4-tonne elephant.
  • Method: Muons were sent into a large magnetic ring, measuring the gap between spin rate and orbital rate.
  • Results: Matches earlier experiments; disagreement with theory depends on calculation method used.
  • Next Steps: Japan’s upcoming experiment will independently test results.

Significance:

  • Potential New Physics: If the gap is real, it may signal undiscovered forces or particles.
  • Refining Theory: If not, calculations will improve, sharpening known physics.
  • Broader Impact: Advances precision science and deepens global understanding of fundamental physics.
  • Lesson: Ultra-precise measurements can uncover hidden truths about nature.
[UPSC 2013] The efforts to detect the existence of Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance/importances of discovering this particle?

1. It will enable us to under-stand as to why elementary particles have mass.

2. It will enable us in the near future to develop the technology of transferring matter from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them.

3. It will enable us to create better fuels for nuclear fission.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

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

 

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Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

Reviving civic engagement in health governance

[UPSC 2018] Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.

Linkage: Define “Health for All,” stress the role of community-level interventions, give examples, analyse challenges, and suggest improvements. The article illustrates this through doorstep schemes and participatory platforms like VHSNCs, showing both their potential and the need for empowered local engagement to achieve universal health coverage.

Mentor’s Note: As states roll out doorstep healthcare schemes like Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam in Tamil Nadu and Gruha Arogya in Karnataka, the delivery of medical services has never been closer to people’s homes. But are citizens equally close to influencing the policies that shape their health systems? This article examines the role, challenges, and future of civic engagement in India’s health governance, critical for UPSC aspirants studying governance, social justice, and public health policy.

Introduction:

The health sector in India has witnessed significant decentralisation and outreach in recent years, with state-level doorstep healthcare schemes targeting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improving last-mile service delivery. While these programmes mark a leap in proactive care, the real test of a healthy democracy lies in the citizens’ ability to meaningfully engage with health governance. Public participation affirms democratic values, improves accountability, and ensures policies reflect community realities. However, despite institutional mechanisms like Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) and Mahila Arogya Samitis, citizen participation remains sporadic and often symbolic.

The Subject of Citizen Engagement in Health Governance

Historically, health governance was a government-led function. However, it has evolved to include a diverse range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, professional medical bodies, hospital associations, and trade unions. This multi-actor landscape underscores the need for robust civic participation.

The Rationale for Civic Engagement in Health Governance

  1. Democratic Empowerment: Affirms citizens’ rights and dignity in decision-making.
  2. Affirms self-respect and counters epistemic injustice: Ensures that the knowledge and lived experiences of communities are incorporated into policy-making.
  3. Accountability & Anti-Corruption: Inclusive participation challenges elite capture and opaque systems.
  4. Improved Health Outcomes: Fosters collaboration with frontline workers and enhances service uptake.
  5. Fosters collaboration and trust: Encourages mutual understanding between providers and communities.

Institutional Frameworks for Participation

  1. Rural Mechanisms: VHSNCs, Rogi Kalyan Samitis under NRHM (2005), with untied funds for local initiatives.
  2. Urban Platforms: Mahila Arogya Samitis, Ward Committees, NGO-led forums.
  3. Design Intent: Inclusion of women and marginalised groups, local problem-solving.

Committees that are involved in local health services:

  • Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) – Rural-level platforms under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), meant to involve communities in planning and monitoring local health services.
  • Rogi Kalyan Samitis (RKS) – Hospital/health facility–level bodies to manage resources and improve service delivery.
  • Mahila Arogya Samitis (MAS) – Women-led urban community groups under the National Urban Health Mission for health awareness and monitoring.
  • Ward Committees – Urban local body forums for community participation in service delivery, including health.
  • NGO-led Committees – Non-government platforms facilitating civic participation in health planning and monitoring.

Challenges to Effective Engagement

  1. Structural Issues
    1. Committees not formed in some areas; where present, plagued by: Ambiguous roles, Irregular meetings, Poor intersectoral coordination and Social hierarchies limiting participation
  1. Mindset Barriers
    1. Policymakers view communities as beneficiaries rather than rights-holders.
    2. Target-based evaluation such as the number of individuals reached overshadows participatory processes. It results in a system that prioritizes numerical targets over qualitative engagement.
    3. Dominance of medical professionals with little public health training. This leads to hierarchical and medicalized systems that are disconnected from community realities.
    4. Promotions based on seniority, not expertise.
  1. Resistance Factors
    1. Fear of accountability pressure.
    2. Regulatory capture by dominant interests.
    3. Unequal playing field in decision-making.

Consequences of Weak Engagement

  1. Communities resort to protests, legal actions, and media campaigns.
  2. Health inequities persist due to unaddressed structural barriers.
  3. Policy alienation reduces trust in public health systems.

The Way Forward: Two-Pronged Strategy

  1. Empowering Communities
    1. Information dissemination: Disseminate information on health rights & governance platforms.
    2. Fostering civic awareness: Civic awareness programmes and health literacy from school level.
    3. Intentional outreach: Targeted outreach to marginalised groups.
    4. Capacity building: Provide tools, training, and resources for effective participation.
  1. Sensitising Governance Actors
    1. Moving beyond blame: Shift perception from “poor awareness” to recognising structural determinants of health.
    2. Collaborative partnership: View communities as partners, not passive recipients.
    3. Activating platforms: Ensure platforms are functional, inclusive, and outcome-linked.

Conclusion:

Doorstep delivery of healthcare addresses physical accessibility, but without robust civic engagement, it risks becoming a one-way service delivery mechanism devoid of democratic accountability. True transformation requires communities to be seen and to see themselves, as co-creators of health systems, with institutional structures that are inclusive, functional, and empowered.

Value Addition- Extra Mile

Beneficiary model and a rights-holder model in health governance:

  • The beneficiary model perceives citizens as passive recipients of welfare schemes, where success is judged by coverage and numbers rather than the quality or inclusivity of service delivery.
  • In contrast, the rights-holder model positions people as active stakeholders with enforceable rights, capable of influencing health policies, demanding accountability, and shaping programmes to suit community needs.
  • In the Indian context, the predominance of the beneficiary mindset often results in top-down schemes, token participation, and limited empowerment, as seen in the functioning gaps of platforms like VHSNCs.
  • The rights-holder approach, by empowering communities with knowledge, tools, and representation, can foster participatory governance, address structural inequities, and improve health outcomes.
  • Way forward: Moving from a beneficiary to a rights-holder model requires mindset change among governance actors, strengthening community platforms, and embedding accountability mechanisms to ensure people are partners, not passive recipients, in health governance.

Key Concepts: 

  • Participatory Governance: A governance model where citizens actively shape decisions and policies; here, it means communities influencing health planning through platforms like VHSNCs rather than being passive recipients.
  • Epistemic Injustice – When certain voices or local knowledge are undervalued; in health governance, marginalised communities’ lived experiences are often ignored in policy decisions.
  • Elite Capture – When influential groups dominate participatory spaces; in health committees, medical professionals or local elites may overshadow ordinary citizens’ concerns.
  • Regulatory Capture – When regulatory bodies act in favour of dominant interests; in healthcare, policy and oversight may get skewed toward medical-industrial interests instead of community needs.

International Parallel: WHO’s Alma-Ata Declaration (1978) on “Health for All” emphasised community participation.

Quote for Enrichment:Nothing about us without us” – slogan for participatory policy-making.

Mapping Micro-Themes:

Paper Micro Theme Example
GS-II Community participation in health VHSNCs, Mahila Arogya Samitis
GS-II Governance mindset shift/Citizen-Centric Administration Moving from beneficiary model to rights-holder model
GS-II and GS-III Health inequalities Marginalised groups lacking access
GS-II and

GS -IV

Accountability in public health Preventing elite capture
GS-III Science and Technology (Health Tech) Health Information Systems and Data and Governance
GS-IV Ethics in governance Respecting agency and dignity
GS-IV Probity in governance Citizen engagement in reducing corruption and ensuring integrity in the health sector
GS-IV Empathy and Compassion Need for health administrators and to develop empathy for community realities and structural challenges

Practice Mains Question:

“Proactive healthcare delivery without participatory governance risks creating service dependency rather than empowerment.” Discuss with reference to recent state-level health initiatives in India. (250 words)

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Industrial Sector Updates – Industrial Policy, Ease of Doing Business, etc.

What will be the impact of Google antitrust case?

The Google–Competition Commission of India (CCI), anti-trust case is a pivotal moment for India’s digital market regulation. It revolves around allegations that Google abused its dominant position in the Android ecosystem to indulge in anti-competitive practices, especially through mandatory Google Play Billing System (GPBS) usage and bundling of proprietary apps. The matter now rests with the Supreme Court, which will hear appeals from Google, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), and the Alliance Digital India Foundation (ADIF) in November 2025.

Background: The Core Dispute in Brief

CCI’s Key Findings (2022)

  1. Abuse of Dominance under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002.
  2. Mandatory use of Google Play Billing System (GPBS) for in-app purchases (15–30% commission).
  3. Self-preferencing — exempting YouTube from GPBS, giving it a cost advantage.
  4. Bundling of Google apps (Search, Chrome, YouTube) with Android licensing.
  5. Imposed a ₹936.44 crore fine and behavioural remedies (decoupling payment system, transparency in billing data, no use of developer data for competitive advantage).

Google’s Defence

  1. Open-Source Nature: Open-source Android with no obligation to install Google apps if the Play Store is not licensed.
  2. Pre-installation improves user experience and security.
  3. Security and User Experience: GPBS ensures fraud protection and global distribution reach.
  4. Exemptions for in-house services reflect different business models.
  5. Market Competition: Success of major Indian apps (like PhonePe and Paytm) on the Android platform as proof of competitive market

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) Ruling (March 2025)

  1. Upheld parts of CCI’s findings (bundling & GPBS abuse).
  2. Reduced penalty to ₹216.69 crore (proportionality principle).
  3. Struck down some remedies, reinstated two key transparency-related directions in review.

Broader Implications and Stakeholders

  1. Consumers: More choice and possibly lower in-app prices via alternative payment gateways; risk of Android ecosystem fragmentation.
  2. Indian Startups & Developers: Level playing field, competitive payment options, and stronger bargaining power against Big Tech.
  3. Smartphone Manufacturers (OEMs): Greater flexibility to pre-install own services or use alternative Android versions without losing Play Store access.
  4. Google & Global Tech: May need to re-evaluate global Android business model; could trigger similar regulations in other countries.
  5. Regulatory Bodies: Will define CCI’s role in digital market regulation and set precedent for balancing innovation, competition, and consumer rights.

Conclusion

The Google antitrust case is not just about app payments — it is about defining the rules of engagement in India’s platform economy. The Supreme Court’s verdict will influence how innovation, competition, and consumer rights are balanced in the digital age. It could either mark a new era of platform accountability or reinforce the status quo, shaping the way over a billion Indians interact with their smartphones

 

Value Addition:

Antitrust:

  • It refers to a set of laws and regulations designed to prevent monopolies, stop abuse of market dominance, and ensure fair competition in the market.
  • Purpose: Protect consumers, encourage innovation, and maintain a level playing field for businesses.
  • Example in India: The Competition Act, 2002, enforced by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), is India’s primary antitrust law
  • Example globally: The Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) in the U.S.
  • In simple words: Antitrust laws stop big companies from becoming so powerful that no one else can compete with them fairly.

 

Mapping Micro Themes

Subject Topic Name Micro Theme Example
GS Paper -II Regulatory Institutions Role, functions, and challenges of statutory bodies like CCI & quasi-judicial bodies like NCLAT CCI’s penalty on Google for abuse of dominance; NCLAT’s partial reversal
Government Policies Policy needs for digital governance & fair digital ecosystem Draft Digital Competition Bill; TRAI’s consultation on platform regulation
Judicial Intervention Role of judiciary in interpreting digital economy laws Supreme Court hearing Google–CCI appeal
GS Paper-III Competition Law Abuse of dominance, anti-competitive practices, cartelisation in the digital economy Google Play Billing System commission model
Digital Economy Impact of Big Tech on market structure, innovation, startups App developers’ reduced bargaining power due to Google’s policies
Innovation vs Regulation Balancing tech growth and preventing monopolistic behaviour CCI’s remedies vs Google’s claim of user experience efficiency
Digital Public Goods Need for open, fair ecosystems for inclusive growth UPI as an open-access payment system in contrast to GPBS
Platform Neutrality Equal treatment for all apps/services on digital platforms Ban on self-preferencing in EU’s Digital Markets Act

 

PYQ Linkage

[UPSC 2020] How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies?

Linkage: This question demands explaining legal, institutional, and international mechanisms (like TKDL, Patents Act provisions, WIPO engagement) that protect India’s traditional medicinal knowledge from unfair patenting. Similarly, in the Google–CCI case, India is using competition law and regulatory bodies to protect local digital market interests against global corporate dominance, ensuring fair competition and safeguarding the domestic innovation ecosystem.

 

Practice Mains Question:

“In the context of India’s Competition Act, 2002, discuss how the Google–CCI case reflects the challenges of regulating digital platform dominance. Suggest measures to balance innovation and market fairness.”

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Oil and Gas Sector – HELP, Open Acreage Policy, etc.

Assuaging concerns: On India and ethanol-blended fuel

Introduction:

Ethanol blending with petrol, mixing ethyl alcohol derived from biomass with conventional fuel, began globally in response to the oil shocks of the 1970s, with countries like the U.S. and Brazil leading the way. In India, the push is driven by three key factors:

  1. Import substitution to save foreign exchange
  2. Price advantage compared to petrol
  3. Lower carbon footprint

The Government of India has set a target of 20% ethanol blending (E20) by 2025, aiming to save $10 billion annually in import costs. Yet, technical limitations, uneven economic benefits, and food security concerns demand a careful, transparent approach.

Rationale Behind Ethanol Blending in India

  1. Import Substitution: Reducing dependency on crude oil imports.
  2. Economic Benefit: Estimated savings of $10 billion annually.
  3. Environmental Considerations: Ethanol is considered carbon-neutral as the CO₂ emitted during combustion is offset by plant absorption during growth.
  4. Waste Utilisation: Use of C-heavy molasses, broken rice, and maize to avoid wastage and enhance rural income.

Economic and Agricultural Concerns

  1. Uneven Benefits:
    1. Farmers, traders, and distillers benefit differently: sugarcane-growing regions may profit disproportionately.
    2. Maize, being less water-intensive, is promoted for ethanol feedstock, but scaling up acreage and productivity has its limits.
  2. Food Security Risks: Initial use of non-edible or surplus produce avoids conflict, but once ethanol supply chains are entrenched, prioritising food over fuel during shortages may become politically difficult.
  3. Hidden Imports: Fertilizers and other agricultural inputs required for ethanol crops may lead to forex outflow, negating some import savings.

Technical and Engineering Challenges

  • Efficiency Penalty:
    1. Ethanol has lower energy density than petrol, leading to reduced fuel efficiency.
    2. Material durability issues: corrosion of fuel systems and engine parts.
  • Vehicle Compatibility:
    1. BS-II (since 2001) norms allow safe use up to E15.
    2. Vehicles sold since 2023 can handle E20, but older vehicles may face damage.
    3. Lack of consumer choice in fuel type is a concern.
  • International Experience:
    1. U.S. and Brazil’s long history shows ethanol blending is feasible with proper engineering, norms, and market flexibility.

Policy Framework and Transparency Issues

  1. India has two ethanol-specific fuel norms and is moving towards E27 (Brazil model).
  2. Price benefits not visible at fuel stations despite earlier claims.
  3. Absence of clear consumer disclosures on vehicle compatibility.
  4. Need for automakers to publish past model ethanol limits and mitigation measures.
  5. Insurance policies must cover ethanol-related damages.

Conclusion

Ethanol blending offers India a chance to reduce oil imports, utilise agricultural surplus, and move towards greener energy. However, policy success depends on technical readiness, transparency, equitable benefits, and food security safeguards. A balanced roadmap, combining engineering upgrades, farmer diversification, consumer choice, and global best practices, is essential for a sustainable ethanol economy.

 

Value Addition

Ethanol: Definition & Types

  • Ethanol: Ethyl alcohol (C₂H₅OH), a renewable biofuel produced by fermenting sugar/starch-based crops or cellulosic biomass.
  • Blended Fuel: Petrol mixed with ethanol in specific proportions (e.g., E10, E20, E27)

Key Facts for UPSC

  • National Policy on Biofuels 2018 (amended 2022): Advanced target for 20% blending (E20) by 2025–26 from 2030.
  • Sources in India: Sugarcane juice, C-heavy molasses, damaged food grains, maize, surplus rice.
  • Economic Impact: $10 billion/year projected forex savings with E20 blending (MoPNG & NITI Aayog’s joint report “Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020–25”)
  • Environmental Impact: Estimated reduction of 27 million tonnes CO₂/year at E20 (NITI Aayog’s 2021 roadmap document, calculated based on life-cycle emissions studies).

Global Comparisons

Country Current Blending Standard Notable Feature
Brazil E27 Long-standing flex-fuel vehicle ecosystem
USA E10–E15 Voluntary blending with incentives
India Target E20 by 2025–26 Mandatory programme via OMCs

Vehicle Compatibility Norms

  • BS-II (since 2001): Safe up to E15.
  • Since 2023: Vehicles designed for E20 compatibility.
  • Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs): Can run on any ethanol-petrol mix (0–100%).

Related Schemes & Initiatives

  • Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme: Launched 2003, scaled up post-2014.
  • PM–JIVAN Yojana: Supports 2G ethanol projects using lignocellulosic biomass.
  • SATAT Scheme: Promotes compressed bio-gas (CBG) as transport fuel.

 

Micro Theme Mapping

Paper Topic Micro Theme Example
GS Paper III Sustainable Development/Pollution Biofuel production from agricultural residues Ethanol from C-heavy molasses, broken rice under EBP Programme
GS Paper III Food–Fuel Debate Balancing ethanol feedstock with food security Maize promotion for ethanol with lower water footprint
GS Paper I Urbanisation- Urban Challenges Waste generation pressure in cities Indore’s waste segregation success
GS Paper IV Transparency Public disclosure in environmental compliance Automakers’ ethanol compatibility disclosures

 

PYQ Linkage

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

Linkage: India’s solid waste disposal is hampered by poor segregation, inadequate processing plants, and weak enforcement of rules. Toxic waste removal suffers from limited treatment capacity and high costs. Solutions include scientific landfills, incineration, bioremediation, and EPR. Waste-to-energy projects like ethanol from crop residues show sustainable disposal in action.

 

Practice Mains Question

  1. Critically analyse the potential of ethanol blending as a sustainable fuel solution for India. Discuss the associated challenges in terms of technology, agriculture, and policy transparency.

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Roads, Highways, Cargo, Air-Cargo and Logistics infrastructure – Bharatmala, LEEP, SetuBharatam, etc.

[pib] MSS+ Technology in Road Construction

Why in the News?

The CSIR–Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, has developed MSS+ (Modified Mix Seal Surfacing Plus) technology for eco-friendly, durable, and low-cost road surfacing.

About MSS+ Technology:

  • Developer: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – Central Road Research Institute (CSIR–CRRI), New Delhi.
  • Year of Development: 2021 (in collaboration with J.M.V.D. Industries).
  • Pilot Project: First road in Uttar Pradesh built near Lucknow in 2022; Used for 202 km of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in 2025.
  • Composition: Crushed natural aggregate, customised modified bitumen emulsion, mineral admixture.
  • Preparation: Mix made at ambient temperature, eliminating heating of aggregate or bitumen.
  • Laying: 25–30 mm thickness using conventional asphalt pavers.

Benefits Offered:

  • Eco-Friendly: No thermal process → significantly reduces carbon emissions.
  • Durable: Provides strong wearing course, enhanced skid resistance, and prevents water infiltration.
  • Cost-Effective: Reduced energy requirement lowers construction costs.
  • All-Weather Use: Can be laid in varied weather conditions due to ambient temperature application.
[UPSC 2020] In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint?

1. Copper slag 2. Cold mix asphalt technology 3. Geotextiles 4. Hot mix asphalt technology 5. Portland cement

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

 

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Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations

Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3)

Why in the News?

The 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan, adopted the Awaza Declaration to boost investment, address challenges, and promote sustainable growth in 32 landlocked nations.

Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3)

About Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs):

  • Overview: 32 UN-recognized countries with no direct access to the sea, collectively home to over 600 million people.
  • List of LLDCs:
    1. Africa: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
    2. Asia: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
    3. Europe: Armenia, Azerbaijan, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia.
    4. South America: Bolivia, Paraguay.
  • Challenges:
    • Dependence on transit countries for global market access.
    • Higher trade and transport costs (often twice those of coastal countries).
    • Limited connectivity, slower growth, and vulnerability to climate impacts.
  • Past Conferences:
    • 2003 (Almaty) – Almaty Programme of Action.
    • 2014 (Vienna) – Vienna Programme of Action (2014–2024).
    • 2025 (Awaza) – Awaza Programme of Action (2024–2034).

Structure and Functioning:

  • LLDC Conferences: Held every 10 years to review progress and set a new action framework.
  • Awaza Programme of Action (2024–2034) – Priority Areas:
    • Structural transformation, science, technology, and innovation.
    • Trade facilitation and regional integration.
    • Transit, transport, and connectivity.
    • Climate resilience and adaptation.
    • Monitoring and implementation.
  • Stakeholder Participation:
    • UN member states, transit countries, donor agencies, NGOs, private sector, and academia.
  • Mechanisms:
    • UN-wide monitoring framework covering 323 initiatives.
    • Partnerships for infrastructure and digital connectivity.
    • Climate Negotiating Group under UNFCCC for LLDC-specific challenges.
[UPSC 2013] Which one of the following countries is landlocked?

Options:  (a) Bolivia* (b) Peru (c) Suriname (d) Uruguay

 

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Global Geological And Climatic Events

In news: Dardanelles Strait

Why in the News?

The Dardanelles Strait in northwestern Turkey has been temporarily closed to maritime traffic due to forest fires near Canakkale, prompting evacuations and firefighting operations.

About Dardanelles Strait:

  • Location: Northwestern Turkey; separates Gallipoli Peninsula (Europe) from Troad/Biga Peninsula (Asia).
  • Connection: Links Aegean Sea → Sea of Marmara → Bosporus → Black Sea.
  • Dimensions: Length 61 km, width 1.2–6.5 km, average depth 55 m, max depth 103 m.
  • Historical Name: Hellespont, named after mythical princess Helle; current name from ancient city of Dardanus.
  • Currents: Surface current flows from Sea of Marmara to Aegean; saline undercurrent in reverse.
  • Ports: Gallipoli, Eceabat, Çanakkale.

Strategic & Economic Importance:

  • Part of Turkish Straits system with Bosporus; only maritime link between Black Sea and Mediterranean.
  • Critical for Black Sea nations’ trade (Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, etc.).
  • Major route for grain, oil, energy shipments from Black Sea region to global markets.
  • Governed by Montreux Convention (1936) for warship passage.
  • Vital for NATO naval strategy and maritime security.
[UPSC 2008] Through which one of the following Straits does a tunnel connect the United Kingdom and France?

Options: (a) Davis Strait (b) Denmark Strait (c) Strait of Dover* (d) Strait of Gibraltar

 

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The Crisis In The Middle East

Gaza War Impact on IMEC

Why in the News?

India’s National Security Council Secretariat recently hosted envoys from the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, Germany, Israel, Jordan, and the EU to review progress on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Gaza War Impact on IMEC

About IMEC Project:

  • Part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) for developing connectivity in emerging regions.
  • MoU signed on 10 September 2023 at the G20 New Delhi Summit.
  • Members: India, US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, European Union.
  • Aim: Integrate Asia, Middle East, and Europe to boost transport efficiency, reduce costs, create jobs, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen economic unity.
  • Structure:
    • East Corridor: India to Arabian Gulf.
    • Northern Corridor: Gulf region to Europe.
  • Key Ports:
    • India – Mundra, Kandla, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Mumbai).
    • Middle East – Fujairah, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Ras Al Khair.
    • Israel – Haifa.
    • Europe – Piraeus, Messina, Marseille.
  • Infrastructure includes: Railway links, ship-to-rail hubs, roads, electricity cables, hydrogen pipelines, and high-speed data cables.

Impact of Gaza War:

  • Derailed work: Conflict from late 2023 halted stakeholder meetings and derailed western leg (Middle East–Europe) progress.
  • Jordan–Israel relations at historic low; Saudi–Israel normalisation stalled.
  • Regional rivalries (e.g., Saudi–UAE trade competition) hinder unified operational planning.

Significance:

  • Economic: EU is India’s largest trading partner; corridor promises faster, cheaper trade with reduced emissions.
  • Strategic: Strengthens India’s role in West Asia and positions it as a connector between Europe and the Middle East.
  • Energy & Technology: Potential for clean hydrogen pipelines, electricity and data cable links.
  • Resilience: Provides alternative to Red Sea shipping routes vulnerable to disruptions.
[UPSC 2025] India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect:

Options: (a) India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran* (b) India to Central Asia via China (c) India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar (d) India to Europe through Azerbaijan

 

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Tribes in News

In news: Kerala’s Muthuvan Tribe

Why in the News?

The Muthuvan Adivasi Samudaya Sangam organised a convention on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

In news: Kerala’s Muthuvan Tribe

About Muthuvan Tribe:

  • Location: Indigenous tribe recognized as STs of the Anaimalai Hills (Kerala & Tamil Nadu); concentrated in Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur districts.
  • Etymology: Name means “one who carries weight on the back”, linked to migration from Madurai carrying children and the king.
  • Origins: Traced to the Pandya Kingdom; divided into Malayalam Muthuvan and Pandi Muthuvan dialect groups.
  • Settlements: “Kudis” deep in hill forests; houses made from reeds, leaves, mud.
  • Population: Around 15,000–25,000; among Kerala’s least educated tribes.
  • Governance: Kani System (village headman) and Chavadis (dormitory for unmarried youth).

Distinct Features:

  • Language: Tamil-related dialect; endangered; preservation efforts underway.
  • Livelihood: Traditionally shifting cultivation (“Virippukrishi”); now grow cardamom, ginger, pepper, lemongrass.
  • Religion: Animism & spirit worship; reverence for Subramanya, Hindu deities, and Kannagi tradition.
  • Customs: Matrilineal descent, tribe endogamy & clan exogamy; collective eating (“koodithinnuthu”); herbal medicine knowledge kept within tribe.
  • Culture: Distinct attire; strong ecological ethics, harmonious forest–wildlife coexistence.
  • Festivals: Thai Pongal is main religious & harvest festival.
[UPSC 2014] Which one of the following statements is not correct about Scheduled Tribes in India?

(a) There is no definition of the Scheduled Tribe in the Constitution of India. (b) North-East India accounts for a little over half of the country’s tribal population. (c) The people known as Todas live in the Nilgiri area. (d) Lotha is a language spoken in Nagaland

 

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Primary and Secondary Education – RTE, Education Policy, SEQI, RMSA, Committee Reports, etc.

[11th August 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Language Lessons

[UPSC 2020] National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goals-4 (2030). It intended to restructure and re-orient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement.        

Linkage: NEP 2020 broadly supports SDG-4 through its focus on universal access, equity, and quality, but faces implementation challenges due to India’s socio-cultural diversity and federal structure. The NEP 2020’s emphasis on multilingualism aligns with SDG-4 goals of inclusive and equitable quality education, but the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka cases show that its three-language policy faces resistance where it clashes with local linguistic and cultural priorities. This highlights the challenge of balancing national education reforms with state-specific needs while still aiming for SDG-4 targets

 

Mentor’s Note:

India’s language debate tests the balance between national policy goals and state linguistic autonomy, a key aspect of federalism. While NEP 2020’s three-language formula aims at unity through multilingualism, southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka favour a two-language model to protect cultural identity and shape education on their own terms. This is as much about governance and diversity as it is about language. This issue is highly relevant for UPSC GS Paper 2 – Governance, Constitution, Federalism, and Education Policy.

 

Introduction:

India’s education system is shaped not only by pedagogy but also by its multilingual and multicultural character. The NEP 2020 recommends a three-language policy, with at least two being native to India, aiming to promote linguistic diversity and national integration. However, Tamil Nadu’s State Education Policy (SEP) and Karnataka’s proposed SEP prioritize local languages + English over Hindi or any other third compulsory language, reflecting deep-rooted socio-political contexts. This ongoing debate exemplifies the delicate balance between national policy frameworks and state-specific educational priorities.

The Two-Language Policy in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka:

Tamil Nadu’s Approach

  1. Continues the two-language policy: Tamil + English.
  2. Makes Tamil compulsory up to Class 10 across all boards.
  3. Promotes critical thinking, digital literacy, climate education, and social justice.
  4. Focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education and special support for tribal, disabled, and first-generation learners.
  5. Seeks uniform, high-quality public education as a priority.

Karnataka’s Proposed Approach

  1. Kannada (or mother tongue) + English as compulsory languages.
  2. Medium of instruction: Kannada or mother tongue up to Class 5, preferably till Class 12.
  3. Discontinuation of the three-language policy (Hindi as third language removed).
  4. Development of state-specific curriculum, moving away from NCERT textbooks.
  5. Bilingual teaching methods for better learning outcomes.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Three-Language Policy

NEP’s Recommendation:

  1. Three-language formula at school level.
  2. Two local languages (mother tongue/regional language).
  3. One other Indian language (often Hindi, though not mandatory).
  4. Based on the Kothari Commission (1968) suggestion to encourage multilingualism.

Intended objectives:

  1. Promote national unity by encouraging communication across linguistic regions.
  2. Preserve linguistic diversity by ensuring regional languages remain central to education.
  3. Enhance linguistic versatility to prepare students for mobility within India.
  4. Strengthen early learning through mother tongue instruction in primary classes, as supported by UNESCO research.

Criticism and Challenges:

  • Perceived Hindi Imposition:
    • In non-Hindi speaking states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the inclusion of Hindi as the third language is seen as a political and cultural imposition.
    • Historical background: Tamil Nadu’s anti-Hindi agitations (1960s) shape continued resistance.
  • Demand for English as a Medium:
    • Parents and students increasingly prefer English-medium education for global competitiveness.
    • Concerns that a strong emphasis on Hindi may reduce the focus on English proficiency, which is linked to employment and higher education abroad.
  • Federalism Concerns:
    • Education is in the Concurrent List; States argue they should have autonomy to design curricula and decide language policy.
    • Central guidance seen as overreach into state cultural identity.
  • Implementation Gaps:
    • Shortage of qualified teachers for multiple languages.
    • Logistical difficulty in providing quality instruction in three languages, especially in rural schools.

Constitutional & Federal Dimensions:

  1. Education is a subject in the Concurrent List.
  2. Article 345: States can adopt any one or more languages for official use.
  3. Article 351: Directive for development of Hindi.
  4. 8th Schedule: Recognizes 22 languages, protecting linguistic diversity.
  5. Cooperative Federalism: Centre and States must align education policy without overriding local aspirations.

Critical Issues Beyond Language:

  1. Equity in Public Education: Need to strengthen government schools for uniform quality.
  2. Access & Inclusion: Support for marginalized communities.
  3. Curriculum Modernization: Integrating digital skills, climate education, and critical thinking.
  4. Resource Allocation: Pending ₹2,152 crore education funds for Tamil Nadu highlight fiscal federalism concerns.

Conclusion:

Language policies should respect India’s diversity and focus on improving education quality. The Centre must work with states, not over them, to improve schools, modernize curriculum, and ensure equal opportunities.

Value Addition:

Examples for Enrichment

  1. Kothari Commission (1968) – promoted three-language formula but warned against imposition.
  2. Sri Lanka’s language policy conflict – example of risks in linguistic dominance.
  3. World Bank Learning Poverty Index – shows importance of mother tongue teaching.
  4. ASER 2023: Mother tongue learning helps early literacy.
  5. UNESCO 2023 Report: Supports teaching in the local language for better outcomes

Mapping Micro-Themes:

GS-I Cultural diversity, linguistic identity, regionalism

  • Cultural Identity: Language as a marker of state pride
GS-II Federalism, education policy under Concurrent List, Centre–State relations, Constitutional provisions on language

  • Federalism: Illustrates cooperative federalism challenges
  • Equity in Education: Inclusion for marginalized groups
  • Policy Dispute: Example of Centre–State tension on education
GS-III Human capital development, role of education in economic growth
GS-IV Ethics in policy: respect for diversity, fairness, inclusion

Practice Mains Question

“Language in education is both a cultural right and a tool for development. Discuss the recent shift of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka towards a two-language formula in the context of federalism and inclusive education.” (250 words)

 

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

How is AI reshaping India’s infotech sector?

PYQ Relevance:

[UPSC 2023] Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare?

Linkage: Artificial Intelligence (AI) simulates human intelligence to perform tasks like analysis, prediction, and decision-making, and in healthcare, it aids clinical diagnosis through rapid image interpretation, predictive analytics, and early disease detection. Linking to India’s evolving IT sector, AI’s role in data management and compliance can ensure safe healthcare adoption, but risks such as data breaches, misuse of personal health records, and algorithmic bias highlight the need for strong privacy safeguards and ethical standards.

Introduction:

The Indian IT industry, valued at $280 billion and employing over 5.8 million people, has been the backbone of India’s digital economy for decades. However, the rise of AI is reshaping business models, altering talent requirements, and compelling firms to rethink their role in the global technology ecosystem. Far from being a simple “job killer,” AI is redefining the industry’s competitive advantage.

Why is the IT Industry in Restructuring Mode?

  1. Beyond the “AI kills jobs” narrative:
    1. The shake-up is not merely about replacing human workers with AI, but about re-engineering processes for efficiency and scale.
    2. AI is driving transformation across the entire software lifecycle — from coding to testing and maintenance.
  2. The TCS trigger:
    1. TCS’s freeze on experienced hires and planned removal of 12,000 employees has been interpreted as a signal to markets, clients, and employees:
    2. Markets: Cost optimisation and forward-looking adaptation.
    3. Clients: AI-powered efficiency.
    4. Employees: Need for continuous upskilling.

Why is AI Gaining Momentum Now?

  • Cost-optimisation as a driver:
    1. AI-led productivity boosts (30%+) are critical in a cost-sensitive, investor-driven market.
    2. Examples: AI-powered coding assistants, intelligent debuggers, automated testing.
  • Investment surge:
    1. In 2025, $1 trillion+ expected global spending on AI infrastructure, training, and applications.

Impact on Jobs and Skills

  1. Job contraction in some areas:
    1. Automation, low-code platforms, and AI reduce the need for large teams in certain roles.
    2. Example: U.S. firms openly using workforce attrition to streamline operations.
  2. Skills that remain resilient:
    1. Core coding in C++ (OS, gaming, security systems), robotics, embedded systems.
    2. High-value areas: product management, UI/UX, tech architecture.
  3. Traits that will rule: math skills, imagination, problem-solving.

Opportunity for India’s IT Sector

  • Addressing global AI adoption barriers:
    1. Legacy systems, poor data quality, and compliance requirements are major bottlenecks abroad.
    2. Indian firms can: Modernise systems, Organise and clean data and Build compliant AI solutions (aligning with laws like EU’s AI Act).
  • Moving from “back office” to “AI innovation partners”:
    1. Future advantage lies with small, lean AI-native teams solving complex domain-specific problems (healthcare, defence, fintech, sustainability, education).

From Scale to Specialisation:

  1. The traditional “IT park with thousands of coders” model is declining.
  2. A 50-member AI-focused team can outperform a 5,000-member legacy services team.
  3. Requires cultural shift in Indian IT firms from scale efficiency to innovation agility.

Conclusion:

AI is not the end of India’s IT story, but a call for reinvention. By leveraging its talent pool, improving innovation culture, and addressing global AI adoption barriers, India can position itself not just as a participant but as a shaper of the AI era. The challenge lies in embracing the shift from large-scale coding work to lean, high-value, AI-driven problem solving.

Value Addition:

Thinkers & Scholars on AI: 

Andrej Karpathy

  • Background: Former Director of AI at Tesla, known for his work on deep learning and computer vision.
  • View: Describes the shift to Software 2.0 and 3.0, where AI models themselves become the primary source code, reducing the advantage of large coding teams.
  • Relevance: Highlights why India’s IT sector must shift from scale-based operations to innovation-focused, AI-native solutions.

V. Balakrishnan

  • Background: Chairman, Exfinity Ventures; former CFO at Infosys.
  • View: AI is becoming the fabric of enterprise operations, shaping everything from customer service to boardroom decision-making; Indian IT firms can become enablers of global AI adoption.
  • Relevance: Emphasises India’s opportunity in data cleaning, system modernisation, and AI compliance.

Extra Mile:

AI Capitalism – Concept: It refers to an economic and social order where artificial intelligence technologies become a core driver of capital accumulation, market power, and social influence. In this system, AI is not just a tool but a means of consolidating wealth and control in the hands of a few global tech giants, venture capital firms, and AI infrastructure providers.

Scholars and Thinkers

  1. Shoshana Zuboff (The Age of Surveillance Capitalism) – Warns that AI capitalism commodifies human behaviour through constant data extraction.
  2. Nick Srnicek (Platform Capitalism) – Argues AI platforms centralise power and reshape markets in ways that undermine competition.
  3. Kate Crawford (Atlas of AI) – Highlights the environmental, political, and ethical costs of AI capitalism.

 

Mapping Micro-themes:

GS PAPER II Governance in technology adoption, regulation, Tech policy & regulation, India as a global technology partner:

  • Regulatory dimension: Global AI governance (EU AI Act) influencing Indian compliance services.
  • Geopolitical angle: India’s role as a trusted AI partner amid U.S.-China tech tensions.
GS PAPER III Economic growth, employment (AI & automation impact on employment ), AI innovation ecosystem (Innovation-driven economy), Start-up ecosystem in AI

  • Economic implications: Job losses in low-skilled IT roles vs. high-skilled job creation in AI.
GS PAPER IV Ethical AI (fairness, transparency, bias mitigation)

Examples:

  • TCS workforce restructuring as a market signal
  • EU AI Act influencing compliance-driven service demand
  • AI-native teams in healthcare and defence as future growth hubs

 

Practice Mains Question

  1. Discuss how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping India’s information technology sector. In your answer, highlight both the challenges and opportunities this transition presents. (250 words)

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Waste Management – SWM Rules, EWM Rules, etc

What are the new rules on chemically contaminated sites?

[UPSC 2023] Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions of management and handling of hazardous wastes in India?

Linkage: The National Water Policy emphasises pollution prevention, water quality monitoring, and restoration of contaminated water bodies. Strategies for river pollution control, such as those for the Ganga, parallel the approach in the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, which involve identification, assessment, remediation, and polluter accountability. Legal provisions for hazardous waste management include the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, under which contaminated site rules now operate.

Introduction

India has identified 103 contaminated sites across states, caused by historical dumping of hazardous wastes. These sites often lie abandoned, with polluters defunct or unable to pay for clean-up. The newly notified Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment Protection Act provide the first legal, institutional, and procedural framework to identify, assess, and remediate such locations, addressing a long-standing regulatory gap.

What are Contaminated Sites?

  1. Defined by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as areas where past dumping of hazardous wastes has likely contaminated soil, groundwater, and surface water, posing risks to human health and ecosystems.
  2. Examples: Landfills, waste storage/treatment sites, spill-sites, and abandoned chemical handling facilities.
  3. Out of 103 identified sites, only 7 have begun remediation.

Background – Why New Rules Were Needed:

  1. 2010 Capacity Building Program for Industrial Pollution Management Project initiated by the Environment Ministry aimed to:
    1. Create an inventory of probable contaminated sites.
    2. Develop guidance for assessment and remediation.
    3. Establish a legal, institutional, and financial framework — the missing final step until 2025.
  2. Previous absence of legal codification led to delays, inconsistent responses, and lack of accountability.

Key Provisions of the 2025 Rules

Identification & Assessment Process:

  1. District Administration: Submits half-yearly reports on suspected sites.
  2. State Board/Reference Organisation:
    1. Preliminary assessment within 90 days.
    2. Detailed survey within another 90 days to confirm contamination.
    3. Establish levels of hazardous chemicals (189 listed under Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016).

Public Notification & Restrictions

  1. Sites exceeding safe chemical levels are publicly listed.
  2. Access restrictions imposed to safeguard health.

Remediation Planning

  1. Expert body drafts remediation plan.
  2. Polluters identified within 90 days; responsible parties bear clean-up costs.
  3. If polluters cannot pay, State/Centre funds the remediation.

Legal Accountability

  1. Criminal liability under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 if contamination leads to loss of life or damage.

Exemptions

  1. Radioactive waste
  2. mining waste
  3. marine oil pollution
  4. municipal solid waste dumps; governed by separate legislations.

Key Gaps & Challenges

  1. No fixed remediation deadline post-identification.
  2. Capacity limitations in expert bodies.
  3. Financial constraints for large-scale clean-ups.
  4. Coordination issues between Centre, States, and Local Bodies.

Conclusion

The 2025 Rules mark a significant policy milestone in India’s environmental governance. While they close a crucial legal gap, their success will depend on timely implementation, strong enforcement, and adequate funding. Integrating strict timelines, expanding technical expertise, and ensuring polluter accountability will be essential to safeguard public health and restore ecological balance.

 

Value Addition:

Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 are Applicable on: 

  1. ‘Radioactive waste’ as defined under the Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987
  2. ‘Mining operations’ as defined under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
  3.  Pollution of the sea by oil or oily substance as governed by Merchant Shipping Act of 1958 and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil) Rules, 1974
  4. ‘Solid waste dump’ as defined under Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
  5. In case contamination of a site is due to a contaminant mixed with radioactive waste/ mining operations/ oil spill/ solid waste from dump site, and if the contamination of the site due to the contaminant exceeds the limit of response level specified in these rules, then remediation of the site would be covered under these rules.

Extra Mile:

  1. Case Linkage: Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) – absence of strict site remediation frameworks
  2. Environmental Principles:
    1. Polluter Pays Principle
    2. Precautionary Principle
    3. Sustainable Development
  3. Global Context: Comparable frameworks exist in the USA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act – CERCLA), EU’s Environmental Liability Directive.
  4. Policy Linkages: National Environmental Policy 2006, SDG-3 (Health), SDG-6 (Clean Water), SDG-15 (Life on Land).

Mapping Micro-themes

GS PAPER I Environmental degradation and public health impacts
GS PAPER II Centre-State coordination in environmental regulation; constitutional provisions (Art. 21, 48A, 243W)
GS PAPER III Pollution management, hazardous waste rules, environmental governance, technology in remediation
GS PAPER IV Corporate ethics, polluter responsibility, environmental stewardship, intergenerational equity

 

Practice Mains Question

Q: The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, represent a long-awaited legal framework for chemical contamination in India. Discuss their significance, key features, and challenges in the context of sustainable environmental governance. (250 words)

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Nuclear Energy

COCO 4.9 Ocean Circulation Model

Why in the News?

Researchers used the COCO (Center for Climate System Research Ocean Component) 4.9 ocean model to predict how tritium from Fukushima’s 30-year wastewater release will spread across the Pacific under current and future climates.

Tap to read more about the Fukushima Disaster.

About COCO 4.9 Ocean Circulation Model:

  • Purpose: Computer-based ocean simulator to study how seawater moves, mixes, and changes over time.
  • Method: Divides oceans into layers and grids; calculates current flows and mixing patterns.
  • Resolution: Can run in low detail (large grid blocks) or high detail (small swirling eddies).
  • Climate Link: Can model impacts of warming oceans, altered currents, and changing circulation.
  • Fukushima Application: Created a “virtual Pacific Ocean” to track tritium spread over decades.

Utility in Nuclear Waste Disposal:

  • Predicts where, how fast, and how much nuclear contaminants will disperse.
  • Maps dispersion pathways for radioactive materials like tritium.
  • Estimates arrival times to different ocean regions.
  • Models long-term concentrations under various climate scenarios.

Key Findings – Fukushima Study

  • Tritium levels projected well below natural background radiation across the Pacific.
  • Global warming may speed up some currents, but levels remain undetectable.
  • Tritium’s natural 12-year half-life ensures minimal long-term impact.

 

[UPSC 2024] With reference to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), consider the following statements:

1. RTGs are miniature fission reactors. 2. RTGs are used for powering the onboard systems of spacecrafts. 3. RTGs can use Plutonium-238, which is a by-product of weapons development.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

 

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Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

Kauzmann’s Hypothesis on Protein Core Structure

Why in the News?

Walter Kauzmann’s 1959 idea that protein folding relies on water-loving and water-avoiding parts has now been challenged by new research showing protein cores are more flexible than once believed.

Protein and Protein Folding – Overview

  • Proteins: Biological macromolecules made of 20 amino acids in specific sequences.
  • Folding: Sequence dictates 3D shape, essential for function.
  • Water Interaction:
    • Hydrophilic (e.g., lysine) → outer surface.
    • Hydrophobic (e.g., tryptophan) → buried in core.
  • Kauzmann Hypothesis (1959): Proteins have a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic surface, guiding folding.
  • 1960s X-ray Evidence: Confirmed hydrophobic residues inside, hydrophilic outside.
  • Earlier Belief: Core was highly sensitive—small changes could destabilize protein.

Recent Research:

  • Study Design: Tested 78,125 amino acid combos at 7 sites in cores of 3 proteins:
    • Human SH3 domain (FYN tyrosine kinase)
    • Barley CI-2A protein
    • E. coli CspA protein
  • Findings:
    • Many changes harmful, but thousands stable (e.g., SH3-FYN had 12,000+ stable conformations).
    • Machine learning accurately predicted stability even with <25% sequence similarity.

Implications:

  • Protein Engineering: Core modifications may be possible without losing stability—beneficial for therapeutics.
  • Evolutionary Insight: Protein cores may have been more adaptable during evolution than once thought.
[UPSC 2010] Which one of the following processes in the bodies of living organisms is a digestive process?

(a) Breakdown of proteins into amino acids * (b) Breakdown of glucose into CO2 and H2O (c) Conversion of glucose into glycogen (d) Conversion of amino acids into proteins.

 

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Wildlife Conservation Efforts

India’s Lion Population rises to 891

Why in the News?

In 2025, India reported a 32.2% rise in its Asiatic lion population, from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025, as per the 16th Lion Population Estimation.

World Lion Day is observed annually on August 10 to promote awareness and action for the conservation of lions worldwide.

About Asiatic Lion:

  • Scientific Name: Panthera leo leo — subspecies found only in India.
  • Historical Range: Once across West Asia & Middle East; now extinct outside India.
  • Physical Trait: Slightly smaller than African lions; has a unique belly fold.
  • Current Range: Gir National Park & surrounding Saurashtra areas, Gujarat.
  • Past Range in India: Extended to West Bengal and central India (Rewa, Madhya Pradesh).
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN –Vulnerable
    • CITES – Appendix I
    • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I

2025 Census Highlights:

  • Population: 891 lions (+32.2% from 2020).
  • Decadal Growth: +70.36% since 2015 (from 523 lions).
  • Adult Females: 330 (+26.9% from 2020).
  • Satellite Populations: 497 lions in 9 locations — new groups in Barda WLS, Jetpur, Babra-Jasdan.
  • Corridor Records: 22 lions sighted for the first time.
  • Regional Growth: Mitiyala WLS (+100%), Bhavnagar Mainland (+84%), South Eastern Coast (+40%).
  • Declines: Girnar WLS (-4%), Bhavnagar Coast (-12%).
[UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:

1. Asiatic lion is naturally found In India only.

2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

 

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J&K – The issues around the state

Nominations to J&K Assembly

Why in the News?

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the J&K High Court that the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) can nominate five members to the J&K Legislative Assembly without the aid and advice of the elected government.

About Nominations in State Assemblies:

  • Election Mode: Members are mainly directly elected from single-member constituencies.
  • Assembly Size: Ranges from 60–500 members; smaller States/UTs like Sikkim, Goa, Mizoram, and Puducherry have fewer by parliamentary approval.
  • Anglo-Indian Nomination (Abolished): Governors earlier nominated 1 Anglo-Indian member if under-represented; abolished by 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 (effective Jan 2020).
  • Rights of Nominated Members: Same rights/duties as elected members, except in matters needing a direct electoral mandate.
  • Prevalence: Most States have no nominated members; allowed only under special constitutional/legal provisions.
  • Parliamentary Nomination Abolition: Anglo-Indian nomination in Lok Sabha (2) and State Assemblies (1) also removed by the 104th Amendment.
  • Legislative Council Difference: In Vidhan Parishads, Governors nominate 1/6th members from literature, science, art, co-operatives, and social service.

Exceptions for Jammu & Kashmir:

  • Special Provision: Under J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 (amended 2023), the Lieutenant-Governor can nominate:
    • Women: 2 women if under-represented.
    • Migrants: 2 Kashmiri migrants (including 1 woman).
    • PoJK Community: 1 member from Pakistan-occupied J&K community.
  • Seat Structure: Nominated members are in addition to elected members; Assembly = 114 elected + nominated (24 PoJK seats vacant).

Legal Basis in J&K:

  • Statutory Provision: Sections 15, 15A, 15B of J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 (amended 2023) grant L-G nomination powers.
  • MHA Clarification:
    • Nature of Power: Statutory function at L-G’s discretion, without elected government’s aid/advice.
    • Precedent: Similar powers under Union Territories Act, 1963 (e.g., Puducherry).
    • Counting Rule: Nominated members are part of sanctioned Assembly strength.
  • Purpose: To ensure representation for displaced communities, marginalized groups, and women.
[UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India:

1. The members nominated to either House of the Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of States are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College.

2. Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that State.

3. The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala.

4. The value of of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh because the ratio of total population to total number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater as compared to Arunachal Pradesh.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Options: (a) Only one* (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four

 

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Tribes in News

In news: Dard-Shin Tribe

Why in the News?

In recent years, community member few activists have emerged documenting and preserving Dard-Shin heritage.

About the Dard-Shin Tribe:

  • Origin: Ancient Indo-Aryan group from migrations (2000–1500 BCE).
  • Historical Mentions: Herodotus, Pliny, Ptolemy, Kalhana’s Rajatarangini.
  • Homeland: Dardistan – Chitral, Yasin, Gilgit, Chilas, Bunji, Gurez Valley, Ladakh, N. Afghanistan.
  • Political History: Chak dynasty ruled Kashmir for 25+ years in the 16th century before Mughal takeover.
  • Current Location: Gurez (Bandipora, J&K), smaller clusters in Drass, Tulail, Chanderkote.
  • Status & Language: Scheduled Tribe; speak Shina, distinct from Kashmiri.
  • Population: ~48,440 (2011 Census).
  • Livelihood: Farming, pastoralism, forest produce, handicrafts; tourism rising.

Cultural Significance:

  • Heritage: Among the last Indo-Aryan groups in the Himalayas, preserving language and traditions.
  • Historic Role: Gurez Valley – Silk Route link between Kashmir, Central Asia, Tibet.
  • Traditions: Rich marriage customs, wool attire, juniper leaf burning for land purification.
  • Architecture: Mix of ancient wooden style and modern influences; tools suited for mountain climate.
  • Oral History: Migration legends, e.g., families from Gilgit to Ladakh.
  • Religion: Islam, Buddhism, remnants of animism from cultural exchanges.
[UPSC 2014] With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statements:

1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.

2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool.

3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

 

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Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

[9th August 2025] OPED With tariffs, India’s growth rate needs a careful watch

The recent U.S. decision to impose a 25% reciprocal tariff and an additional 25% penal levy on India’s exports marks a sharp turn in bilateral trade relations. While aimed at narrowing the U.S. trade deficit and influencing India’s crude sourcing from Russia, these measures risk slowing India’s GDP growth, widening the Current Account Deficit, and adding pressure on the rupee, making it a key test for India’s economic resilience in an era of rising protectionism.

 

Context:

The United States has imposed two major trade measures against India in August 2025:

  1. 25% Reciprocal Tariff (effective August 7) — in response to U.S. trade imbalance with India.
  2. 25% Penal Levy (effective August 29) — as a consequence of India’s continued oil imports from Russia.

Both actions together could significantly affect India’s exports, GDP growth, and the Current Account Deficit (CAD).

India–U.S.A Trade Snapshot:

  1. Merchandise trade surplus in 2024–25: $41.18 billion in India’s favour.
  2. The U.S. is targeting both exports and imports to narrow this gap.
  3. The penal levy also acts as a non-tariff barrier pushing India to source crude from costlier markets like the U.S. itself.

Potential Economic Implications for India

The combined effect of these tariffs and the penal levy could have severe consequences for India’s economic health.

  • Impact on Trade Balance and Current Account Deficit (CAD):
    1. Export Decline: The immediate and most direct impact will be a sharp decline in India’s exports to the US. Assuming a high import elasticity of -1, the article suggests that exports could fall by 25%.
    2. Widening Trade Deficit: Even with this decline, the overall trade deficit for India is estimated to widen by about 0.56% of GDP.
    3. Current Account Deficit: It is projected to increase from 0.6% to 1.15% of GDP due to the US reciprocal tariffs alone.
  • Effect on GDP Growth Rate:
    1. The decline in exports and the widening of the trade and current account deficits will have a ripple effect on the overall economy.
    2. When both the reciprocal tariffs and the penal levy are taken into account, the total reduction in the growth rate could be even more significant, exceeding 0.6 percentage points.
  • Currency and Inflationary Pressures
    1. Currency Depreciation: This can happen due to the uncertainty and trade deficit. The rupee-dollar exchange rate has already seen pressure, hovering over ₹87.5 since the tariffs were announced.
    2. Inflation: A shift away from Russian oil towards potentially more expensive crude sources, coupled with rising global oil prices, could put significant pressure on domestic inflation.

India’s Strategic Response and Mitigating Factors:

  • Diplomatic and Trade Negotiations:
    1. Negotiating with the US: There is still room for negotiation with the US, especially since a comprehensive trade deal has not been finalized.
    2. Highlighting Unilateralism: India needs to work with other nations to draw global attention to the discriminatory and inequitable nature of the US’s actions, particularly the penal levy imposed over oil imports.
  • Domestic Policy Adjustments:
    1. Diversification of Export Markets: In the long term, reducing dependence on a single large market like the US is crucial.
    2. Review of Import Tariffs: India’s own import tariffs negatively affect its exports. A strategic review and reduction of these tariffs could boost export competitiveness by lowering input costs for Indian producers.
  • Role of Other Factors:
    1. New Trade Agreements: India’s recent Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK and ongoing negotiations with the European Union could help moderate the adverse impact on the CAD by opening up new markets.
    2. Exchange Rate: The depreciation of the rupee, while a sign of pressure, can also act as a natural buffer by making Indian exports cheaper and more competitive in global markets.

To counter the economic impact of US tariffs, India’s path forward must be two-fold: proactive diplomatic engagement to challenge protectionism, and focused domestic policy reforms to boost export competitiveness. By diversifying its trade partners and refining its own tariff policies, India can fortify its economic resilience against external shocks.

 

Value Addition:

Key Economic Terms

  1. Current Account Deficit (CAD) – when a country imports more goods, services, and capital than it exports.
  2. Import elasticity with respect to tariffs – percentage change in imports in response to a percentage change in tariffs.
  3. Non-tariff barriers – policy measures other than tariffs that restrict imports/exports (e.g., quotas, licensing).
  4. Merchandise trade surplus – when export value exceeds import value for goods.
  5. Exchange rate depreciation – decline in the value of a currency relative to others.

Mains Practice Question:

“Unilateral trade measures by major powers pose a significant challenge to the principles of free and fair trade. In light of recent US tariffs on India, discuss the potential economic consequences for India and critically evaluate the policy options available to mitigate these risks.” (Answer in 250 words)

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