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Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

[1st September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: India’s economic churn, the nectar of growth

op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2019] Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments.

Linkage: India’s steady GDP growth of 7.8%, coupled with broad-based sectoral performance, reflects macroeconomic stability, while effective fiscal and monetary discipline underpins low inflation. The sovereign rating upgrade after 18 years validates external confidence in India’s fundamentals. These trends, along with inclusive poverty reduction, highlight that the economy is indeed in good shape.

Mentor’s Comment

India’s economy is once again at the centre of global attention. From being dismissed as a “dead economy” by sceptics, the latest economic data, sovereign rating upgrade, and energy security achievements have painted a powerful picture of resilience and renewal. This article unpacks the recent developments in India’s economic and energy story, their significance, and what they mean for aspirants of Viksit Bharat.

Why is this issue in the news?

India’s Q1 FY 2025-26 GDP figures revealed 7.8% real growth, the fastest among major economies, coupled with a historic sovereign rating upgrade by S&P Global after 18 years. Simultaneously, India has consolidated its position as the world’s third-largest energy consumer and is spearheading a green transition. These milestones are striking because they overturn the “dead economy” narrative, highlight India’s growing share in global growth, and showcase a balance between growth, reform, and welfare, all while maintaining democratic values in contrast to authoritarian models of fast-paced growth.

Introduction

Indian civilisation has always embraced the philosophy that turbulence precedes triumph, like the Samudra Manthan, where chaos yielded nectar. Similarly, India’s economic journey has turned crises into opportunities, from the liberalisation of 1991 to the digital surge during COVID-19. Today, India stands at another inflection point. Despite global headwinds and doubts, the country is demonstrating robust growth, deepening reforms, and a secure energy base, shaping the narrative of resilience and inclusive progress.

Broad-based economic growth

  1. GDP expansion: Real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 FY 2025-26, while GVA rose 7.6%, supported by manufacturing (7.7%), construction (7.6%), and services (9.3%).
  2. Global standing: India is the world’s fourth-largest economy and the fastest-growing major one, projected to overtake Germany by decade’s end.
  3. Global contribution: Independent estimates suggest India contributes 15% of incremental world growth, with ambitions to raise it to 20%.

Why the sovereign rating upgrade matters

  1. S&P recognition: First upgrade in 18 years, citing robust growth, fiscal consolidation, and monetary credibility.
  2. Lower borrowing costs: Improves India’s access to cheaper capital and widens the investor base.
  3. Narrative shift: Counters the label of a “dead economy,” giving credibility to India’s reforms.

Growth with inclusion

  1. Poverty reduction: 24.82 crore Indians moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23.
  2. Last-mile delivery: Success through bank accounts, clean cooking fuel, health cover, tap water, and direct benefit transfers (DBT).
  3. Democratic model: Built on consensus, competitive federalism, and digital rails, contrasting authoritarian growth models.

Energy security as a growth driver

  1. Global role: India is the third-largest energy consumer, fourth-largest refiner, and fourth-largest LNG importer.
  2. Capacity expansion: Refining capacity of 5.2 mb/d with plans to cross 400 MTPA by 2030.
  3. Exploration reforms: Sedimentary basin coverage expanded to 16% in 2025 (from 8% in 2021), with 1 million sq km target by 2030.
  4. Gas reforms: New pricing linked to Indian crude basket; 20% premium for deepwater wells boosting investment.

India’s energy transition

  1. Ethanol blending: Surged from 1.5% (2014) to 20% today, saving ₹1.25 lakh crore forex and paying ₹1 lakh crore to farmers.
  2. Green fuels: 300 compressed biogas plants under SATAT, targeting 5% blending by 2028.
  3. Hydrogen push: Oil PSUs driving the green hydrogen mission.

Responding to global criticism on Russian oil

  1. Compliance: India operates fully within G-7/EU price cap systems; every transaction uses legal, audited channels.
  2. Global stabiliser: Purchases prevented oil shocks and stabilised prices, aligning with Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
  3. Export reality: India has been a top petroleum exporter for decades, not a “laundromat” for Russia.

India’s digital-industrial revolution

  1. Semiconductors: Four new projects cleared under the India Semiconductor Mission; strengthened by Japan collaborations.
  2. Digital economy: India leads in real-time payments; UPI enhances small-business productivity and exports of solutions.
  3. Synergy: Gati Shakti logistics & digital rails reduce costs, formalise the economy, and spur consumption.

Conclusion

India’s recent performance is more than statistics, it is the reaffirmation of resilience, reform, and inclusion. The world’s doubters labelled it a “dead economy,” yet growth, energy security, digital leadership, and poverty reduction tell a different story. As reforms deepen, India is on track not just to become the world’s third-largest economy soon but also to build a model of democratic, inclusive, and sustainable growth. For India, Viksit Bharat is not aspiration, it is delivery in motion.

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J&K – The issues around the state

The importance of India’s federal design

Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Federalism

Introduction

India’s federal design is unique, balancing a strong Union with an inclusive representation of States. The abrogation of Article 370 and the downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in 2019 raised critical constitutional and political debates. The Supreme Court’s December 2023 ruling upheld the abrogation but directed restoration of statehood. While elections were held in October 2024, the absence of progress on restoring statehood highlights a sharp tension between constitutional intent and political practice. The issue has become a litmus test of Indian federalism, bringing into focus the balance between unity, diversity, and democratic representation.

The Demand for Restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir

  1. Supreme Court Intervention: Recently, the Court sought a detailed response from the Centre on the timeline for restoring statehood to J&K.
  2. Sharp Contrast: While elections were held in 2024, statehood has not been restored, despite the Court’s explicit direction.
  3. Federal Implications: Critics argue that prolonged delay undermines federalism, part of the Constitution’s basic structure, and weakens democratic rights of J&K’s citizens.
  4. Striking Point: For the first time, a full-fledged State was downgraded into a Union Territory, setting a precedent that challenges constitutional norms.

Constitutional Processes for the Creation of States

  1. Admission: Admission of new States requires an organised political unit; e.g., J&K’s Instrument of Accession (1947).
  2. Establishment: Territory can be acquired under international law, as in the case of Goa and Sikkim.
  3. Formation: Article 3 empowers Parliament to reorganise existing States by altering boundaries, names, or creating new ones.

India’s Federal Design and Its Unique Character

  1. Union of States: Article 1 describes India as a Union of States, signifying indivisibility while denying the right of secession.
  2. Composite Culture: The dual identity of India and Bharat reflects political unity and cultural plurality.
  3. Unitary Tilt: The word Union ensures a strong Centre, but representation of States through the Rajya Sabha balances federalism.
  4. Basic Structure Doctrine: Federalism is recognised as part of the Basic Structure, making it inviolable.

Constitutional Imperatives for Restoring Statehood

  1. Violation of Federal Features: The Union can reorganise States but cannot permanently strip a State into a Union Territory.
  2. Supreme Court’s Directive: In December 2023, the Court mandated restoration of statehood along with Assembly elections.
  3. Representation at the Centre: Permanent representation of States in the Rajya Sabha is essential to sustain India’s federalism.
  4. Erosion of Trust: Prolonged delay risks alienating citizens and eroding India’s image as a welfare-oriented union.

The Road Ahead for Jammu and Kashmir

  1. Elections Held: A 90-member Assembly election was conducted in October 2024.
  2. Centre’s Silence: No concrete roadmap has been shared for restoring statehood, despite judicial directions.
  3. Critics’ Argument: Restoring statehood would empower the elected government, reducing the powers of the Lieutenant Governor, which the Union may be reluctant to cede.
  4. Constitutional Morality: Failure to restore statehood risks weakening the principle of cooperative federalism.

Conclusion

The demand for restoration of J&K’s statehood is not a mere political debate but a constitutional necessity. India’s federal design hinges upon the delicate balance between a strong Union and empowered States. If the Union delays restoration indefinitely, it risks setting a precedent that erodes the sanctity of federalism and weakens democratic representation. Upholding statehood is thus not only about J&K but about preserving the essence of India’s constitutional federation.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2014] Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.

Linkage: The recent controversy over the restoration of statehood to Jammu & Kashmir directly exemplifies the asymmetry in India’s federal design. While federalism is a part of the Basic Structure, the downgrading of a full-fledged State into a Union Territory shows the unitary tilt of the Constitution. The Supreme Court’s directive to restore statehood reflects the tension between a strong Centre ensuring unity and the need to preserve the spirit of cooperative federalism, echoing the very debate raised in the 2014 question.

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Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

Data shows seas rising faster around Maldives, Lakshadweep than believed

Explained | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Introduction

Sea-level rise is one of the most significant consequences of global warming, threatening ecosystems, economies, and human settlements. In the Indian Ocean, recent findings based on coral microatolls suggest that sea levels began rising rapidly as early as the 1950s, decades before satellite and tide-gauge data had indicated. This challenges existing assumptions in climate change studies and raises critical questions about preparedness for vulnerable island states like Maldives, Lakshadweep, and the Chagos archipelago.

Coral Microatolls as Natural Recorders of Sea-Level History

  • Unique natural recorders: Coral microatolls are disk-shaped colonies that stop growing upwards once constrained by the lowest tide, making their surface a natural reflection of long-term sea-level change.
  • Longevity and accuracy: They can survive for decades or centuries, providing high-resolution, continuous data.
  • Study site: Research conducted on Mahutigalaa reef, Huvadhoo Atoll (Maldives), measured a Porites microatoll covering 1930–2019.

Acceleration and Scale of Sea-Level Rise in the Indian Ocean

  • Accelerated rise: Data showed a 0.3 metre increase over 90 years.
  • Rates of rise:
    • 1930–1959: 1–1.84 mm/year
    • 1960–1992: 2.76–4.12 mm/year
    • 1990–2019: 3.91–4.87 mm/year
  • Striking revelation: Sea-level rise began in the late 1950s, not around 1990 as earlier assumed.
  • Cumulative impact: Maldives, Lakshadweep, and Chagos have witnessed 30–40 cm rise in half a century, worsening flooding and erosion risks.

Climate Variability and Environmental Signals Captured in Corals

  • Climate variability: Slow or interrupted coral growth coincided with El Niño and negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events.
  • Astronomical influence: The 18.6-year lunar nodal cycle was reflected in the growth bands, showing tidal and sea-level oscillations.
  • Tectonic stability: Critical factor ensuring that coral growth data reflects sea-level change rather than land movement.

Regional Significance of Findings for the Indian Ocean Basin

  • Above-average warming: The Indian Ocean is heating faster than the global average, amplifying sea-level fluctuations.
  • Strategic gaps: Despite its ecological and geopolitical importance, the central Indian Ocean is one of the least-monitored basins.
  • Regional variations: Coastal areas saw recent acceleration, but the central basin experienced earlier, stronger rise, influenced by shifts in Southern Hemisphere westerlies, ocean heat uptake, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Imperatives for Island Nations

  • Existential threat: Infrastructure and communities are concentrated just above sea level in Maldives and Lakshadweep.
  • Adaptation strategies: Understanding historic timing and magnitude of sea-level rise is vital for coastal planning, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience.
  • Scientific value: Microatolls cannot replace tide gauges or satellites but offer a vital complementary tool to refine projections in data-sparse regions.

Conclusion

The discovery that sea-level rise in the Maldives and Lakshadweep began decades earlier than thought is a wake-up call for policymakers and communities. Coral microatolls, silent sentinels of the ocean, have revealed the urgency of accelerating adaptation and resilience measures. As the Indian Ocean warms faster than global averages, the survival of low-lying nations will depend on proactive international cooperation and evidence-based planning.

 

Value Addition

Global Reports and Scientific Frameworks

  • IPCC AR6 (2021–22): Predicts global mean sea level rise of 0.28–1.01 m by 2100, depending on emission scenarios.
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO): State of the Global Climate 2023: Confirms Indian Ocean warming faster than the global average, intensifying regional sea-level anomalies.
  • UNFCCC & Paris Agreement: Commitments to limit warming below 2°C directly shape adaptation strategies for vulnerable island nations.

Case Studies for Enrichment

  • Maldives: Declared intent to become a carbon-neutral nation by 2030; adaptation measures include artificial islands and elevated infrastructure.
  • Kiribati (Pacific Island): Purchased land in Fiji to relocate populations – showcases climate migration.
  • Lakshadweep Islands: Reports of shoreline erosion, freshwater lens salinity, and threat to tourism livelihoods.

Scientific Concepts for Enrichment

  • Thermal Expansion: Ocean water expands as it warms, contributing ~50% to global sea-level rise.
  • Cryosphere–Ocean Linkages: Melting of Greenland & Antarctic ice sheets accelerates rise beyond thermal expansion.
  • Lunar Nodal Cycle (18.6 years): Natural oscillation in tides influencing local sea-level variability, as confirmed in microatoll data.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2023] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region?

Linkage: The article’s findings on coral microatolls show that sea-level rise in the Maldives, Lakshadweep, and Chagos began as early as the 1950s, much earlier than assumed. This reinforces IPCC projections of accelerated rise, highlighting existential risks for low-lying islands. For India and the wider Indian Ocean region, the impacts include intensified coastal erosion, loss of habitats, and the need for urgent adaptation strategies.

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Nobel and other Prizes

NGO ‘Educate Girls’ wins Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025

Prelims Only | Trivia | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Why in the News?

The Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025 has been awarded to Educate Girls, an Indian NGO working to promote girls’ education in rural and disadvantaged regions.

Other winners include:

  • Shaahina Ali (Maldives): A noted environmental activist.
  • Fr. Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva (Philippines): A human rights defender, critic of Duterte’s drug war.

About Educate Girls:

  • Founded as: Foundation to Educate Girls Globally; CEO: Gayatri Nair Lobo.
  • Mission: Address gender inequality in education and uplift rural communities through girls’ schooling.
  • Impact:
    • Operates in India’s most rural and remote regions.
    • Employs community workers (preraks, team balikas) to mobilise enrollment and retention.
    • Creates ripple effects: education empowers girls → uplifts families → strengthens communities.
  • Significance: It is the first Indian organisation to win the award since its inception in 1958.

About Ramon Magsaysay Award:

  • “Nobel Prize of Asia”: Awarded annually since 1958.
  • Purpose: Celebrate “greatness of spirit and transformative leadership” in Asia.
  • Recognition: Individuals/organisations showing integrity in governance, service, and idealism in democracy.
  • Origin:
    • Established April 1957 by Rockefeller Brothers Fund trustees with support of the Philippines govt.
    • Named in honour of Ramon Magsaysay, former Philippine President (1953–57), noted for administrative and military leadership.
  • Original Categories (1958–2008): Govt Service, Public Service, Community Leadership, Journalism & Arts, Peace & International Understanding, and later Emergent Leadership (2001).
  • Since 2009: Fixed categories dropped (except Emergent Leadership), award now honours diverse forms of excellence.
  • Notable Indian Recipients:
    • Vinoba Bhave (1958): Bhoodan movement.
    • Mother Teresa (1962): humanitarian service.
    • Satyajit Ray (1967): cinema.
    • M.S. Subbulakshmi (1974): music.
    • Arvind Kejriwal (2006): anti-corruption work.
    • Ravish Kumar (2019): journalism.
    • Sonam Wangchuk (2018): educational innovation.
    • Educate Girls (2025): first Indian organisation to be honoured.
[UPSC 2004] Sandeep Pandey, the winner of Ramon Magsaysay Award, is mainly an activist in:

Options: (a) a campaigner for urban sanitation (b) an anti-child labour activist (c) Environmental protection (d) Education and livelihood projects for Dalits*

 

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Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

Collapse of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

A new study warned that the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is no longer a low-likelihood scenario.

What is AMOC?

  • Overview: It is a large system of ocean currents, part of the thermohaline circulation (THC) or global ocean conveyor belt.
  • Function: Moves warm tropical surface waters northward.
  • Deep Currents: In the North Atlantic, cooled water sinks and flows back south as deep currents.
  • Global Link: Connected to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, making it part of a worldwide circulation system.
  • Key Role: Distributes heat and nutrients across the world’s oceans.

Collapse of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

Why is AMOC slowing down?

  • Melting Ice Sheets: Greenland and Arctic ice melt releases freshwater, lowering seawater density, preventing sinking, and weakening circulation.
  • Indian Ocean Warming (2019 Study): Extra rainfall in the Indian Ocean reduces rainfall in the Atlantic.
  • Temporary Boost: Atlantic water becomes saltier, sinks faster, giving AMOC short-term strengthening.
  • Future Outlook: Effect fades once Pacific and other oceans catch up in warming.
  • Climate Models: Predict a 34–45% weakening of AMOC by 2100 under continued global warming.

What happens if AMOC collapses?

  • Severe Cooling: Europe and the North Atlantic would face strong cooling.
  • Rainfall Reduction: Decline in rainfall over Europe.
  • ENSO Impact: Altered El Niño–Southern Oscillation patterns.
  • Sea Ice Expansion: Increase in Greenland–Iceland–Norwegian seas.
  • Rain-belt Shift: Southward movement over the tropical Atlantic.
  • Long-term Impact: Global climate instability with regional extremes.
[UPSC 2012] Consider the following factors:

1. Rotation of the Earth 2. Air pressure and wind 3. Density of ocean water 4. Revolution of the Earth

Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?

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

 

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

[pib] Adi Vaani App: India’s First Tribal AI Translator

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: S&T - Applications In Everyday Life

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Beta Version of “Adi Vaani”, India’s first AI-based translator for tribal languages.

About Adi Vaani:

  • What is it: India’s first AI-powered translator for tribal languages.
  • Launch: Released in Beta Version (2025) by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • Inception: Developed under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh to empower tribal communities and safeguard endangered tribal languages.
  • Created by: A team led by IIT Delhi with BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Nava Raipur, and Tribal Research Institutes.
  • Impact: Strengthens digital literacy, ensures inclusive governance, preserves cultural identity, and positions India as a global leader in AI for endangered languages.

Key Features:

  • Translation Modes: Text-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Speech-to-Text, and Speech-to-Speech.
  • Languages (Beta): Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi. Kui and Garo to be added next.
  • AI Models: Based on NLLB (No Language Left Behind) and IndicTrans2, adapted for low-resource languages.
  • Community-Driven: Data collected, validated, and iteratively developed by local experts and Tribal Research Institutes.
  • Toolkit Additions: OCR for digitizing manuscripts, bilingual dictionaries, and curated repositories.
[UPSC 2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 2. Create meaningful short stories and songs

3. Disease diagnosis 4. Text-to-Speech Conversion

5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

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

 

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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Sankaradeva’s Vrindavani Vastra to be displayed in Assam

Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Why in the News?

Assam may exhibit the 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra in 2027, on an 18-month lease from the British Museum under sovereign guarantee.

Sankaradeva’s Vrindavani Vastra to be displayed in Assam

About Vrindavani Vastra:

  • Origin: 16th-century silk tapestry woven under the guidance of Srimanta Sankaradeva at Taniguchi (Barpeta), Assam.
  • Commission: Requested by Cilarai, brother of Koch king Naranarayana.
  • Weavers: Led by disciple Gopal (Mathuradas Budha Ata).
  • Design & Content:
    • Depicts Krishna’s childhood and Vrindavan leelas – birth, adventures, defeat of Kamsa.
    • Multicoloured silk with loom-embroidered captions for each scene.
  • Current Status:
    • Original piece lost; fragments preserved in British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum (London), Guimet Museum (Paris).
    • Plans underway to bring it to Assam temporarily in 2027.

Who was Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449–1568)?

  • About: Assamese Vaishnavite saint, scholar, cultural reformer, and polymath.
  • Religious Contribution:
    • Founded Ekasarana Dharma: Monotheistic Bhakti movement centred on Lord Krishna.
    • Rejected idol worship, caste divisions, Brahmanical orthodoxy, and sacrifices.
    • Motto: “Eka Deva, Eka Seva, Eka Biney Nahi Kewa” (One God, One Service, None Else).
    • Influenced Koch and Ahom kingdoms.
  • Cultural Contribution:
    • Borgeet (devotional songs).
    • Ankia Naat & Bhaona (religious theatre).
    • Sattriya dance (recognized as a classical dance of India).
    • Brajavali (literary language).
  • Social Reform:
    • Considered the father of modern Assamese identity.
    • Promoted equality, fraternity, and community cohesion.
    • Ended regressive practices (e.g., human sacrifice).
  • Legacy:
    • Combined art, devotion, and social reform into a unified cultural renaissance.
    • Revered as one of Assam’s greatest spiritual and cultural icons.
[UPSC 2014] With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:

1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.

2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.

3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

 

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Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

Species: Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

The Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) species is under threat as Tamil Nadu allowed the lapse of the Rosewood Conservation Act (1995–2025).

Species: Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)

About Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia):

  • Type: Tall deciduous or semi-evergreen tree reaching up to 40 metres.
  • Native Range: Nilgiris, Anamalai, and Parambikulam ranges of Tamil Nadu; also found in parts of Southeast Asia.
  • Adaptation: Thrives in tropical monsoon climates; considered drought hardy.
  • Wood Characteristics: Heartwood ranges from golden brown to purplish-brown with darker streaks, releasing a rose-like scent when worked.
  • Durability: Fine-grained, resistant to rot and insects; known as the “ivory of the forests.”
  • Uses: Premium furniture, cabinetry, decorative veneers, and musical instruments.
  • Conservation Status:
    • Classified as Vulnerable by IUCN since 2018.
    • Included under Appendix II, regulating international trade through permits.

Legal Protection:

  • Indian Framework: Covered under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, regulating felling, harvest, and transport of timber.
  • Tamil Nadu Law (1995):
    • Prohibited cutting without government permission; extended in 2010 for 15 years.
    • Act lapsed in February 2025, exposing privately owned rosewood trees, especially in Nilgiri tea plantations, to felling.
[UPSC 2007] Dalbergia species is associated with which one of the following?

Options: (a) Cashew nut (b) Coffee (c) Tea (d) Rosewood*

 

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Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Why are Killer Whales offering fresh prey to humans?

Prelims OnlySpecies | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

A new study in the Journal of Comparative Psychology documents rare instances of Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) sharing freshly killed prey with humans.

Why are Killer Whales offering fresh prey to humans?

About Killer Whales (Orcinus orca):

  • Overview: Largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae), often called “wolves of the sea”.
  • Apex predators: At the top of the marine food chain.
  • Physical traits:
    • Black dorsal side, white underside, distinctive eye patch, saddle patch behind dorsal fin.
    • Can grow up to 9 m, weigh over 5,000 kg, and swim up to 54 km/hr.
  • Social structure: Live in pods led by a matriarch; highly coordinated hunters using complex tactics.
  • Distribution: Found in all oceans worldwide, from polar to tropical seas, in both open and coastal waters.
  • IUCN – Data Deficient: But many regional populations face threats from climate change, prey decline, and pollution.

Why do they offer their fresh prey to humans?

  • Study Findings (2004–2024):
    • Killer whales were observed offering whole prey to humans (fish, birds, mammals, etc.) in multiple oceans.
    • In most cases, they waited for a human response before reclaiming or abandoning prey.
  • Possible Reasons:
    • Exploration/Curiosity: Reflects their advanced cognition and social curiosity; a way to learn about humans.
    • Prosocial Behaviour: They are among the few species that share food within and outside their groups.
    • Play Theory Rejected: Behaviour not limited to juveniles; adults also involved, often with whole prey.
    • Scientific Thinking Analogy: Behaviour resembles “asking questions” and testing human reactions — a form of exploratory intelligence.
    • Machiavellian Behaviour: Could sometimes be manipulative, as killer whales are known to steal fish and disrupt vessels.
[UPSC 2023] Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?

Options: (a) Fishing cat (b) Orangutan * (c) Otter (d) Sloth bear

 

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Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

Fireflies emerge as Ecological Indicators

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

A recent study in Tamil Nadu documented multiple firefly species and highlighted their role as ecological indicators of habitat health.

About Fireflies and their behaviour traits:

  • Identity: Bioluminescent beetles (not true flies) of the family Lampyridae.
  • Life Cycle: Larvae live in soil/leaf litter feeding on snails and worms; adults emerge after rains and live briefly to reproduce.
  • Indian Species: Abscondita chinensis, Luciola ovalis, Luciola nicolleri, Asymmetricata humeralis, Pyrocoelia analis.
  • Distribution: Found in tropical and temperate regions; most visible on humid monsoon nights.
  • Bioluminescence: Glow produced in abdominal light organ using luciferin, luciferase, oxygen, and ATP.
  • Light Nature: Cold and efficient, colours vary between green and yellow depending on species.
  • Courtship Function: Flashing used as mating signal; males emit species-specific codes, females respond if correct.

Ecological Role and Conservation Significance:

  • Sensitivity: Strongly affected by pesticides, habitat loss, artificial lights, and polluted water.
  • Habitat Health Indicator: Large synchronised gatherings reflect intact ecosystems; sparse numbers signal disturbance.
  • Light Pollution Impact: Artificial lighting disrupts flashing, forcing males to waste energy and reducing mating success.
  • Local Evidences: Communities like the Malasar and Irula report declines linked to pesticides and polluted streams.
  • Indicator Role: Act as proxy species for nocturnal biodiversity, signalling risks to moths, bats, and amphibians.
[UPSC 2024] Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?

Options: (a) Fig* (b) Mahua (c) Sandalwood (d) Silk cotton

 

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