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Month: September 2025

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Innovation Ecosystem in India

Highlights of the Global Innovation Index, 2025

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Important International Institutions

Why in the News?

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025.

About the Global Innovation Index (GII):

  • Overview: Annual ranking of 139 economies by their innovation capacity and success.
  • Publishers: Jointly by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
  • Origin: First published in 2007.
  • Indicators: Uses 80+ metrics across 7 pillars.
  • Structure:
    • Innovation Input Sub-Index: Institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication, business sophistication.
    • Innovation Output Sub-Index: Knowledge and technology outputs, creative outputs.
  • Purpose: Helps governments evaluate how effectively R&D, education, and infrastructure are translated into innovation outcomes.

Key Highlights of GII 2025:

  • Global R&D growth: Slowed to 2.9% (2024) and 2.3% (2025 projection), down from 4.4% earlier; lowest since the 2010 financial crisis.
  • Top Performers: Switzerland (1st), Sweden (2nd), United States (3rd), followed by Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, and China (10th).
  • China: Surpassed Switzerland in knowledge and technology outputs; 2nd highest in R&D expenditure; world leader in patent filings.
  • Regional Trends: Europe dominates with 15 of top 25 economies; Southeast, East Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region has 6 economies in top 25.
  • India: Ranked 38th globally with a score of ~40.5; top among lower-middle income countries and in Central & Southern Asia.
    • Strengths: Knowledge and technology outputs (22nd), market sophistication, and human capital and research.
    • Weaknesses: Business sophistication, infrastructure, and institutions remain lagging.
[UPSC 2019] The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the:

Options:

(a) International Monetary Fund  (b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  (c) World Economic Forum * (d) World Bank

 

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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival

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

Why in the News?

The 14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival was inaugurated in Manipur.

Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival

About Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival:

  • Overview: An annual agricultural and cultural festival celebrated in Sirarakhong village, Ukhrul district, Manipur.
  • Origin: Began in 2010 to promote the Hathei chilli and its farming traditions.
  • Focus: Highlights the Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Hathei chilli, which received GI status in 2021.
  • Activities: Involves flag hoisting, Tangkhul Naga cultural events, buyer–seller meets, marketing programmes, exhibitions, and awareness drives on government schemes.

Salient Features of Hathei Chilli:

  • Local Identity: Known as Sirarakhong chilli, indigenous to Ukhrul district.
  • Cultivation: Grown on slopes under the traditional jhum system.
  • Distinct Qualities: Recognised for its bright red colour, unique flavour, and medium pungency.
  • ASTA Value: Possesses a high American Spice Trade Association colour value, making it sought after for food colouring.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and calcium, with medicinal value.
  • Uses: Widely used in cooking, pickles, flavouring, food colouring, and processing industries.
  • Uniqueness: Its qualities stem from the soil and climate of Sirarakhong, not reproducible elsewhere.
[UPSC 2018] Consider the following pairs:

Tradition- State

1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram

2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur

3. Thong-To dance — Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

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

 

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Textile Sector – Cotton, Jute, Wool, Silk, Handloom, etc.

What is PM MITRA Park?

Schemes | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

Why in the News?

Prime Minister recently laid the foundation stone for India’s first PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Park in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.

About PM MITRA Scheme:

  • Overview: Introduced by the Ministry of Textiles in 2021, the scheme aims to strengthen India’s textile sector by creating 7 world-class integrated parks.
  • Concept: Designed on the vision “Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign”, each park consolidates the entire textile value chain—spinning, weaving, dyeing, processing, printing, and garment-making—within a single ecosystem.
  • Sites Selected: Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar), Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh (Dhar), and Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow).
  • Timeline: All parks are targeted to be established by 2026–27, with each covering around 1,000+ acres.
  • Implementation Structure:
    • Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): Each park will be developed by an SPV jointly owned by the Centre and State Governments, operating in Public–Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
    • Development Capital Support (DCS): Up to ₹500 crore per park provided by the Centre to SPVs.
    • Competitive Incentive Support (CIS): Up to ₹300 crore per park offered to manufacturing units to encourage rapid implementation.

Key Features and Benefits:

  • Integrated Value Chain: All stages of textile production are located in one hub, reducing transport costs, delays, and inefficiencies.
  • World-Class Infrastructure: Includes incubation centres, design/testing labs, effluent treatment plants, reliable utilities, logistics facilities, and worker hostels.
  • Employment Generation: Each park expected to create ~1 lakh direct and ~2 lakh indirect jobs, especially benefiting women and rural youth.
  • Investment Boost: Scheme aims to attract over ₹70,000 crore in investments in the textile sector.

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Governor vs. State

[18th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: A judicial nudge following stuck legislative business

op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Federalism

PYQ Relevance:

UPSC 2022: Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.

Linkage: The recent Supreme Court directive fixing a timeline for Governors under Article 200 directly relates to the constitutional limits on gubernatorial powers discussed in the 2022 question. Both highlight that the Governor, as a constitutional head, must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers and not misuse discretion to stall legislation. Just as re-promulgation of ordinances undermines legislative supremacy, withholding assent indefinitely violates constitutional morality and federal balance.

Mentor’s Comment:

The recent Supreme Court intervention fixing a time limit for Governors and the President to act on Bills marks a constitutional milestone. This decision is not merely about timelines but about strengthening federalism, ensuring legislative efficacy, and curbing misuse of gubernatorial discretion. For UPSC aspirants, it becomes a vital case study in Centre-State relations, separation of powers, and the evolving role of the judiciary in sustaining democracy.

Introduction

The Supreme Court’s decision to prescribe a three-month time limit for Governors and the President to take a final call on Bills under Article 200/201 has reignited debates on federalism, separation of powers, and the scope of judicial activism. For decades, Governors have been accused of sitting indefinitely on Bills, creating a legislative deadlock and undermining the democratic will of elected legislatures. This judicial nudge aims to resolve what has become a serious constitutional anomaly, ensuring that governance does not remain hostage to political manoeuvring.

Why is this in the news?

The issue is significant because, for the first time, the Supreme Court has imposed a specific timeline—three months—for Governors and the President to act on Bills, despite the Constitution prescribing none. This intervention arose after repeated instances where Governors withheld assent or simply delayed action on Bills for years, undermining legislative functioning. The decision is both a remedy for constitutional paralysis and a reinforcement of federal balance, making it a landmark moment in India’s constitutional journey.

Judicial clarity on Article 200:

  1. Four options under Article 200: Assent to the Bill, withhold assent, return the Bill for reconsideration, or reserve it for the President.
  2. No discretion intended: The omission of the words “in his discretion” (present in Government of India Act, 1935, Section 75) shows the Constituent Assembly wanted Governors to act only on aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
  3. Judicial commissions’ stand: Both Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions reiterated that Governors are constitutional heads, not independent power centres.

Has the Governor misused discretionary powers?

  1. Contradictory judicial stance: While Shamsher Singh (1974) acknowledged discretionary scope, later judgments including Nabam Rebia (2016) and Tamil Nadu Governor case (2025) rejected such independence.
  2. Risk of overreach: Allowing Governors unilateral discretion would convert them into “super constitutional authorities,” stalling state governance.
  3. Expert view: D.D. Basu highlighted that unlike UK sovereigns, Indian Governors have no scope for withholding assent independently.

Why did the Supreme Court fix a timeline?

  1. Legislative paralysis: Governors had sat on Bills for years without decision, blocking governance.
  2. Judicial remedy: By fixing three months, the Court ensured smooth functioning of legislatures, akin to how Article 21’s scope was expanded through judicial interpretation in Maneka Gandhi.
  3. Federal protection: Recent rulings in State of Punjab v. Governor (2023) and State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor (2025) strengthened states’ autonomy, preventing misuse of gubernatorial office.

Could the Union have intervened earlier?

  1. Role under Article 355: The Union is duty-bound to ensure constitutional governance in states. A Governor blocking Bills indefinitely amounts to violation of constitutional provisions.
  2. Non-intervention so far: Successive Union governments avoided directing Governors, leading to judicial stepping in.
  3. Judicial nudge as necessity: The Court’s ruling acts as a constitutional guardrail in absence of executive remedy.

Implications for federalism and democracy

  1. Strengthening federal balance: Prevents Governors from acting as political agents of the Centre.
  2. Judicial activism or necessity?: Critics see it as judicial overreach, but history shows courts often expand constitutional meaning to meet new realities (e.g., Article 21 due process).
  3. Legislative efficiency: Restores faith in elected assemblies’ authority, ensuring people’s mandate is not subverted.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s directive to Governors and the President is a pragmatic response to a constitutional vacuum. It plugs misuse, safeguards federalism, and ensures legislative efficiency. Far from amending the Constitution, it exemplifies how judicial interpretation adapts constitutional principles to emerging challenges. This marks a significant moment where judicial innovation has strengthened democracy by preventing paralysis of governance.

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

The Hard Truth About Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure

Explained | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

Introduction

In India, healthcare financing is still heavily dependent on households directly paying for medical services. This out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) often pushes families into a vicious cycle of poverty and ill-health. The National Health Accounts (NHA) claims that OOPE as a share of total health expenditure has sharply declined, from 64% in 2013-14 to 39% in 2021-22. On the surface, this appears to be a major policy success. However, a closer look suggests that these numbers may be misleading, as they rely heavily on a single survey base (NSS 75th round, 2017-18) and ignore the lived realities of health shocks, especially during COVID-19.

Is OOPE in India Really Declining?

  1. NHA estimates: Show a steep decline in OOPE—from 64% in 2013-14 to 49% in 2017-18, and further to 39% in 2021-22.
  2. Basis of estimation: The 2017-18 NSS (75th round) forms the primary source, with later estimates extrapolated only for inflation.
  3. Question of accuracy: The decline may be linked to lower ailment reporting and reduced hospitalisation, not to falling medical costs.

How Do Other Data Sources Contradict NHA?

  1. Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) 2022-23: OOPE as share of household consumption rose—from 5.5% to 5.9% in rural areas and 6.9% to 7.1% in urban areas (2011-12 to 2022-23).
  2. Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI): Shows higher hospitalisation rates among the elderly, contrary to NSS-based decline.
  3. CPHS-CMIE Data: Reveals a V-shaped trend—steep fall in OOPE during COVID-19 due to under-utilisation, followed by a sharp rise. The NHA completely misses this fluctuation.
  4. National Income Accounts (NIA): Estimates show a steady rise in household health spending as a share of GDP, contradicting the NHA’s declining trend.

Why Are NHA Estimates Considered Flawed?

  1. Single-source dependency: NHA depends mainly on the NSS morbidity survey, which underreports ailments.
  2. Exclusion of COVID-19 impact: No NSS data during the pandemic, leading to an unrealistic secular decline in NHA series.
  3. Ignoring insurance and premiums: Even after including premiums, NHA still shows a steep, unexplained fall in OOPE.
  4. Political convenience: Numbers risk being used for policy propaganda without reflecting ground-level hardship.

What Are the Real Consequences of High OOPE?

  1. Poverty trap: Families borrow, sell assets, or cut consumption, leading to intergenerational poverty.
  2. Social impacts: Children drop out of school, women work longer hours, households skip meals.
  3. Rising health costs: Medicine prices and private care charges continue to rise, eroding household savings.
  4. COVID-19 experience: Families suffered catastrophic costs, which remain invisible in official accounts.

What Is the Way Forward?

  1. Diversified data sources: Use CES, LASI, CMIE, NFHS, and private medical sales databases alongside NSS.
  2. Regular, timely surveys: Health rounds of NSS must be more frequent to capture shocks like pandemics.
  3. Integration with NIA: Align NHA estimates with National Income Accounts for consistency.
  4. Transparent policymaking: Avoid over-reliance on selective data that paints a rosy picture.

Conclusion

The debate over out-of-pocket health expenditure in India highlights the gulf between official statistics and lived realities. While the National Health Accounts show a sharp decline in OOPE, independent surveys and household-level data point towards rising medical costs and deepening financial distress. Over-reliance on a single survey base not only distorts the picture but also risks misleading health policy. For a country aspiring to achieve Universal Health Coverage, credible, diversified, and transparent data must form the backbone of decision-making. Without this, India risks celebrating statistical success while millions continue to be pushed into poverty and ill-health by catastrophic healthcare expenses.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2021] Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development. Analyse.

Linkage: The persistence of high out-of-pocket health expenditure (OOPE) despite claims of decline shows the weakness of India’s primary health structure, as families still bear catastrophic costs. A robust primary health system would reduce dependence on expensive hospitalisation and prevent poverty traps. Thus, strengthening primary health care is not just a welfare obligation, but essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive development.

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Iran’s Nuclear Program & Western Sanctions

Let Griger counters, not guesses, shape Iran Actions

Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Effect Of Policies & Politics Of World On India'S Interests

Introduction

The nuclear question has once again moved to the forefront of global geopolitics. Following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear site at Fordow in June 2025, the E3 (Britain, France, Germany) invoked the “snapback” clause of the 2015 nuclear deal, citing Iranian violations. If diplomacy falters, UN sanctions on enrichment, arms transfers, finance, and shipping will return, escalating global risks. The crisis is magnified by the absence of verified facts after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff withdrew from Iran. In this environment of speculation and heightened risks, verification, not guesswork, must anchor diplomacy.

Why is this news significant?

The crisis is not just another Middle Eastern standoff; it is unprecedented in multiple ways. For the first time since 2015, the snapback clause has been triggered, threatening the revival of stringent UN sanctions. The crisis has exposed the vacuum of verified facts, as IAEA inspectors have been expelled, leaving the world to act on rumors. The stakes are global from oil markets and shipping insurance to regional stability and nuclear proliferation. For India, the challenge is sharper: ensuring uninterrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, stability in its extended neighborhood, and the safety of 8 million Indian citizens in West Asia.

Why does the absence of IAEA verification matter?

  1. Verification as the hinge of diplomacy: IAEA access substitutes speculation with facts and provides baselines for negotiations.
  2. Market stability: Comparable IAEA presence in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant calmed global markets; similar oversight in Iran could reduce volatility.
  3. Iran’s sovereignty concerns: Iran argues that inspectors compromise sovereignty and risk enabling strikes — past Israeli and U.S. strikes followed IAEA disclosures.
  4. Parliamentary resistance: Such episodes have hardened Iranian domestic opposition to IAEA cooperation.

What are the risks if Iran withdraws from the NPT?

  1. Legal vacuum: Withdrawal strips the IAEA of legal authority to inspect Iranian sites.
  2. Escalation to uncharted territory: Harder sanctions, further isolation, and the military option returning to the table.
  3. Global instability: From oil prices to nuclear proliferation, the fallout would be worldwide.

How is India placed in this unfolding crisis?

  1. Bridge-builder role: As a long-standing IAEA Board member with ties across divides, India is well-positioned to facilitate consensus.
  2. SCO and BRICS engagement: India joined others in condemning U.S.-Israel strikes, supporting a multilateral call for technical IAEA access.
  3. Technical contribution: India’s IAEA-certified Tarapur facility could analyze samples under safeguards, providing credible support.
  4. Energy and diaspora stakes: Protecting oil supplies and ensuring the safety of Indians abroad makes stability in West Asia non-negotiable for New Delhi.

What are the choices before the global community?

  1. Diplomatic opening: Iran’s recent agreement with the IAEA in Cairo (Sept 9, 2025) and allowing inspectors at Bushehr offer small openings.
  2. Snapback pause: If Iran extends verification to bombed sites, E3 may pause the snapback, shifting momentum back to diplomacy.
  3. Alternative — escalation: Failure of diplomacy risks sanctions, military standoffs, and cycles of strike and counterstrike.

Conclusion

The Iran nuclear standoff represents a defining moment for global non-proliferation and regional stability. What the world requires today is not speculation, but credible verification, structured dialogue, and sustained diplomacy. For India, the stakes go beyond principles of international order to immediate concerns of energy security, diaspora protection, and regional peace. By using its credibility in multilateral forums and offering technical expertise, India can position itself as a constructive stakeholder. Ultimately, the crisis will test whether global powers can rise above unilateralism and competing interests to uphold collective security and prevent a slide into escalation.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2018] In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?

Linkage: The ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear pact controversy directly impacts India’s energy security, diaspora safety in West Asia, and regional stability. Escalation could disrupt oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and complicate India’s strategic balance between the U.S., Iran, and Gulf states. India must respond with measured diplomacy, supporting verification through the IAEA while safeguarding its vital national interests.

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Renewable Energy – Wind, Tidal, Geothermal, etc.

Govt to push Geothermal Pilots under New Policy

| Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

Why in the News?

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched its first National Policy on Geothermal Energy, aiming to create a regulatory and developmental framework for tapping geothermal resources.

Govt to push Geothermal Pilots under New Policy

India’s Geothermal Policy, 2025: Key Highlights

  • Launch: India’s first National Policy on Geothermal Energy was officially notified in September 2025 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
  • Alignment with Goals: The policy is designed to support Net Zero by 2070, dovetailing with India’s renewable energy targets.
  • Scope: Applies to both power generation and direct-use applications such as district heating, agriculture, aquaculture, spa tourism, and industrial cooling.
  • Implementation Agency: MNRE is the nodal agency; other ministries, state governments, oil & gas firms, and academic institutions will collaborate.
  • Financial & Regulatory Support:
    • Tax incentives, grants, concessional financing, long-term leases (up to 30 years).
    • Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to offset high upfront costs (₹36 crore per MW).
    • Open access waivers, must-run status, and parity with other renewables.
  • Repurposing Wells: A strong focus on repurposing abandoned oil & gas wells for geothermal energy; MNRE already working with ONGC, Vedanta Ltd’s Cairn Oil & Gas, Reliance.
  • Global Collaboration: Partnerships with Iceland, Norway, US, and Indonesia for R&D, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS).
  • Pilot Projects: Five sanctioned projects for resource assessment and demonstration across multiple regions.

Geothermal Energy Scenario in India:

  • Potential: Estimated at 10.6 GW (10,600 MW), as identified by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
  • Mapping: Over 381 hot springs mapped with surface temperatures ranging 35°C – 89°C.
  • Global Context: According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India, US, and China together account for 75% of global potential for next-gen geothermal.
  • Projects & Status:
    • NO grid-connected geothermal plants yet; focus is on pilot, demo, and R&D projects.
    • 20 kW pilot binary-cycle plant commissioned at Manuguru, Telangana.
    • Ongoing pilots: Puga (Ladakh), Chhumathang (Ladakh), Cambay (Gujarat), Barmer (Rajasthan).
    • IIT Madras + Vedanta project: retrofitting abandoned oil wells in Barmer to generate 450 kWh of electricity.
  • Future Roadmap:
    • 10 GW target by 2030, ~100 GW potential by 2045.
    • Vision 2047: Viksit Bharat, hybrid solar-geothermal projects, and heating for cold regions (Ladakh, NE, Andamans).

Govt to push Geothermal Pilots under New Policy

Major Geothermal Sites in India

Region/State Site/Province Key Features & Notes
Ladakh (Himalayan Province) Puga Valley High-temperature hot springs; identified by US ITA (2024) as most promising; pilot projects underway.
Chhumathang Similar potential as Puga; targeted for power generation and direct heating applications.
Himachal Pradesh Manikaran Popular hot spring zone; suitable for pilot geothermal plants and tourism-linked heating.
Satluj, Beas, Spiti Valleys Multiple geothermal spots mapped by GSI; moderate-to-high potential.
Uttarakhand Tapoban & Alaknanda Valley Himalayan geothermal systems; identified for research and pilot use.
Gujarat Cambay Graben Abandoned oil wells available for repurposing (ONGC, Reliance, Vedanta pilots).
Lasundra (Vadodara) Known hot spring site; potential for direct-use applications.
Chhattisgarh Tattapani Field Well-studied geothermal site; suitable for direct heat use and demonstration projects.
Jharkhand / West Bengal Damodar Valley Identified geothermal prospects; part of GSI mapping.
Surajkund (Jharkhand) Among hottest springs in India (85–87°C).
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Volcanic geothermal fields High geothermal promise; strategic as islands rely on costly power (₹30–32/unit → could drop below ₹10–11).
Telangana Manuguru 20 kW pilot binary-cycle geothermal power plant commissioned.
Other States Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Meghalaya Multiple small hot spring clusters mapped by GSI; low-to-moderate potential.

 

[UPSC 2013] Consider the following:

1. Electromagnetic radiation

2. Geothermal energy

3. Gravitational force

4. Plate movements

5. Rotation of the earth

6. Revolution of the earth

Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only (b) 1, 3, 5 and 6 only (c) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 *

 

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Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

[pib] Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA)

Schemes | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

Why in the News?

Prime Minister has launched the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA) alongside the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah.

[pib] Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA)

About Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA):

  • Launch: Introduced on 17 September 2025 by the PM, jointly led by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  • Objective: Strengthen women’s, children’s, and family health services, focusing on rural, tribal, and underserved regions.
  • Scale: Over 10 lakh health camps at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals.
  • Screenings: Anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, TB, breast and cervical cancers, sickle cell disease, reproductive health conditions.
  • Services offered: Maternal, child, adolescent health including antenatal care, immunisation, nutrition counselling, menstrual hygiene, mental health, lifestyle awareness.
  • Digital Monitoring: SASHAKT portal ensures real-time data tracking and transparency.
  • Jan Bhagidaari: Collaboration with private hospitals, SHGs, Anganwadis, Panchayati Raj institutions, volunteers.
  • Tribal Focus: Specialised medical services and tailored counselling for remote and tribal areas.

What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah?

  • Overview: Part of POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission); celebrated annually since 2018.
  • 2025 Edition: 8th Poshan Maah, aligned with SNSPA for synergised impact.
  • Aim: Mobilise communities to improve nutrition of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
  • Activities: Poshan Panchayats, health and nutrition camps, recipe demos, rallies, school-Anganwadi outreach, Jan Andolan approach.
  • Focus Areas (2025):
    • Anaemia Mukt Bharat and micronutrient awareness.
    • Complementary feeding practices for infants and toddlers.
    • Poshan-Vatika (nutri-gardens) for food security.
    • Promotion of traditional and regional diets for sustainable nutrition.
[UPSC 2024] With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:

1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.

2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

 

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Launch of Bima Sugam Portal

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Mobilization Of Resources

Why in the News?

Bima Sugam, envisioned as the world’s largest online marketplace for insurance, was officially launched by the Bima Sugam India Federation (BSIF) at the IRDAI headquarters in Hyderabad.

What is Bima Sugam?

  • Overview: World’s largest unified digital marketplace for insurance products and services, initiated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
  • Coverage: Includes life, health, motor, travel, property, agricultural, and commercial insurance.
  • Function: Works like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for insurance, providing common infrastructure for purchase, renewal, management, and claims.
  • Stakeholders: Brings together insurers, intermediaries, agents, brokers, banks, and customers on a single platform.
  • Governance: Operated by the Bima Sugam India Federation (BSIF) with equity participation from insurance companies.
  • Policy Goal: Forms part of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), aligned with the vision of Insurance for All by 2047.
  • Working:  The simplified way for a user on the platform would be as follows:
    • Registration: A person can register using Aadhaar-based KYC or other valid ID.
    • e-Bima Account Creation: A secure, integrated insurance repository has been created.
    • Policy search and comparison: Products from all registered insurance companies are listed with standardized information for easy comparison.
    • Purchase: Policies can be purchased digitally with instant e-documentation and secure payments.
    • Service: Policyholders can renew, update, port, or cancel policies and receive real-time assistance.
    • Claims: Users can submit claims and track the process; insurance companies and TPAs will use backend access for faster verification and settlement.

Key Features:

  • Phased Rollout: Begins as an information and guidance hub; full transactions enabled gradually.
  • Low-Cost Model: Minimal user charges, unlike private aggregators that rely on high commissions.
  • Centralised Database: Enables policy comparison, customer query resolution, and faster product adoption.
  • Secure Digital Storage: Provides safe policy storage with robust security and compliance standards.
  • Inclusive Ecosystem: All insurers mandated as members, ensuring transparency and fair access.
[UPSC 2014] With reference to “Aam Admi Bima Yojana”. Consider the following statements:

1. The member insured under the scheme must be the head of the family or earning member of the family in a rural landless household.

2. The member insured must be in the age group of 30 to 65 years.

3. There is a provision for free scholarship for up to two children of the insured who are studying between classes 9 and 12.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

 

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WTO and India

WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has entered into force on 15 September 2025, three years after adoption in June 2022.

What is the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?

  • Nature: First WTO treaty centred on environmental sustainability, designed to reduce harmful subsidies that drive illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and overfishing.
  • Core Prohibitions:
    • Subsidies for IUU fishing vessels or operators.
    • Subsidies for fishing in overfished stocks, unless linked to recovery plans.
    • Subsidies for high-seas fishing in areas outside coastal state jurisdiction or Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.
  • Transparency: Members must provide detailed reports on fish stocks, fleets, catch volumes, and subsidies.
  • Transition Period: Two years allowed for developing countries and least developed countries before full implementation.
  • Phased Approach: Called “Fish One”, to be followed by “Fish Two” covering overcapacity and fleet subsidies.
  • Global Significance: Contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 14.6, which seeks elimination of harmful subsidies to protect global fish stocks.

India and this Agreement: 

  • Position: India welcomed the treaty, noting it is one of the lowest fisheries subsidizers despite its large fishing community.
  • Equity Argument: Urged that historic subsidizers and industrial fishing nations take greater obligations, based on polluter pays principle and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).
  • Sector Context: India’s fisheries are dominated by millions of small-scale, traditional fishers dependent on coastal resources, requiring fair treatment.
  • Benefits for India:
    • Curbing IUU fishing by foreign industrial fleets, protecting coastal livelihoods.
    • Allowing space for stock-rebuilding subsidies tied to sustainability.
    • Ensuring fair competition for Indian traditional fishers in global trade.
[UPSC 2015] The terms ‘Agreement on Agriculture’, ‘Agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures’ and ‘Peace Clause’ appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the

Options: (a) Food and Agricultural Organization (b) United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (c) World Trade Organization* (d) United Nations Environment Programme

 

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Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

In news: Almatti Dam

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

Why in the News?

Karnataka govt. has approved Upper Krishna Project Phase-III to raise Almatti dam height, while Maharashtra warned of moving the Supreme Court against it.

Why is Maharashtra opposing it?

  • Fears submergence of villages and agricultural land in its territory if water levels rise further.
  • Worries about reduced water availability downstream, affecting its irrigation and drinking water projects.

About Almatti Dam:

  • Overview: It is a hydroelectric and irrigation project built on the Krishna River in North Karnataka.
  • Completion: July 2005, as part of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project (UKP).
  • Dimensions: Height 52.5 m, length 3.5 km.
  • Power Generation: A 290 MW station using vertical Kaplan turbines (five of 55 MW and one of 15 MW).
  • Two separate powerhouses: Almatti I and II generate power before releasing water into the Narayanpur Reservoir.
  • Functions: Provides irrigation, potable water, hydroelectric power, and helps in flood management.

Back2Basics: Krishna River

In news: Almatti Dam

  • Origin: Near Mahabaleshwar (Satara, Maharashtra), in the Western Ghats.
  • Length: ~1,300 km, second-longest river in peninsular India after Godavari.
  • Course: Flows through Maharashtra (303 km), Karnataka (480 km), Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Major Tributaries:
    • Right-bank: Ghatprabha, Malprabha, Tungabhadra.
    • Left-bank: Bhima, Musi, Munneru.
  • Hydropower & Irrigation Projects: Includes Koyna, Tungabhadra, Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Almatti, Narayanpur, Bhadra.

 

[UPSC 2005] The Almatti Dam is on the river:

Options: (a) Godavari (b) Cauvery (c) Krishna* (d) Mahanadi

 

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Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

In news: Malabar Revolt (1921)

Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

Why in the News?

This newscard is an excerpt from the original articles published in The Hindu.

About the Malabar Revolt:

  • Nature: Also known as the Moplah or Mappila Rebellion, it was a major uprising in the Malabar region of Kerala.
  • Causes:
    • Exploitative land tenure policies and high rents on tenant farmers.
    • Lack of tenure security and arbitrary evictions by Hindu Jenmi landlords.
    • A tradition of smaller Moplah uprisings since the 19th century.
  • Immediate trigger: British attempts to arrest Khilafat leaders in Eranad and Valluvanad during the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements.
  • Character: Combined anti-colonial resistance, agrarian unrest, and communal violence, making it one of the most complex uprisings of the freedom struggle.
  • Beginning: Revolt broke out on 20 August 1921, with attacks on police stations, British offices, and landlord property.
  • British Response: Martial law, mass troop deployment, brutal suppression by early 1922.
  • Leaders:
    • Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji: Set up a parallel Khilafat government in Nilambur.
    • Ali Musaliar: Spiritual guide, revered locally, executed by British.
    • Sayyid Alavi Tangal: religious inspiration for resistance.

Consequences and Atrocities:

  • Parallel Government: Rebels briefly established parallel administration in parts of Malabar.
  • Casualties: 2,337 rebels killed, over 45,000 imprisoned, nearly 10,000 missing.
  • Violence: Widespread communal killings, forced conversions, destruction of temples and homes.
  • Wagon Tragedy (Nov 1921): 67 Moplah prisoners suffocated to death in a railway wagon.
  • Impact: Large-scale displacement, ruined villages, families uprooted.
  • Political Shift: Indian National Congress initially supported the anti-British nature, but withdrew after communal excesses.

Historical Assessment:

  • Bipan Chandra: Saw it primarily as a peasant/agrarian revolt.
  • Sumit Sarkar: Interpreted it as an anti-landlord revolt.
  • Colonial View: Framed as a communal rebellion to weaken anti-British legitimacy.
  • Recent Scholarship: Abbas Panakkal highlights it as part of Khilafat and Non-Cooperation, initially uniting Hindus and Muslims.
  • E.M.S. Namboodiripad, Saumyendranath Tagore: Called it a spontaneous peasant uprising against colonial oppression.
  • Recognition: Many rebels are honoured as freedom fighters by Kerala government, though debates continue whether to classify it as anti-colonial, agrarian, or communal.
[UPSC 2020] With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?

Options:

(a) The Revolt of 1857 (b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921 (c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859 – 60 (d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900*

 

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New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

Ant Queens giving birth to different species

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

Why in the News?

A groundbreaking study published in Nature (2025) has revealed that Messor ibericus, a Mediterranean harvester ant species, can produce male offspring of a completely different species, Messor structor.

Ant Queens giving birth to different species

About the Specie Messor ibericus:

  • Overview: A Mediterranean harvester ant, widely distributed across Southern Europe, known for its grain-harvesting behaviour and large colonies.
  • Hybrid Workers: All workers are hybrids, carrying DNA from both Messor ibericus and Messor structor.
  • Cross-Species Male Production: About 10% of queen’s eggs develop into pure Messor structor males, even without nearby structor colonies.
  • Genetic Signature: These males retain Messor ibericus mitochondrial DNA, proving maternal origin.
  • Reproductive Strategy: As per the Nature study:
    • Ibericus sperm produces new queens.
    • Structor sperm produces hybrid workers and additional structor males.
  • Evolutionary Significance: First documented case of a species naturally producing offspring of another species, challenging classical species concepts.
  • Colony Advantage: By producing both hybrid workers and pure structor males, queens secure compatible mates for future generations, sustaining both lineages.
[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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Indian Army Updates

Upgradation of Army Radars

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

Why in the News?

After Operation Sindoor and Pakistani drone incursions, the Army is upgrading air defence with advanced radars to counter low-RCS (radar cross-section) drones and other aerial threats along northern and western borders.

What are Radars?

  • About: Radar stands for Radio Detection and Ranging; it uses radio waves to locate, track, and measure speed of objects.
  • Components: Transmitter emits radio signals, receiver captures reflections.
  • Functions: Measures direction, distance (via time delay), and velocity (via Doppler shift).
  • Types in air defence:
    • Surveillance radars: Monitor airspace and detect aerial objects, not directly linked to weapons.
    • Fire control radars: Provide targeting data to guide anti-aircraft guns or missiles.

Current Indian Capabilities:

  • Indian Air Force: Operates High-Power Radars and Medium-Power Radars for long-range, high-altitude threats such as jets, AWACS, and large transport aircraft.
    • For fire control, the Air Force employs systems like the 3D Central Acquisition Radar and Rajendra radar.
  • Indian Army: Uses Low-Level Light-Weight Radars, designed to pick up low-flying, small radar cross-section objects like drones.
    • Upgraded Flycatcher and Air Defence Tactical Control Radar systems to aim weapons and manage local defence.

India’s Air Defence Infrastructure:

  • Missile systems: Includes Russian S-400 and the indigenous Akash missile system.
  • Army’s Akashteer system: Integrates radars, sensors, air defence guns, and communications into a real-time operational air picture.
  • IAF’s IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System): Unifies data from multiple assets for coordinated detection and interception.
  • Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Ongoing modernisation programme; DRDO recently tested the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System.
[UPSC 2024] Consider the following activities:

1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft

2. Monitoring of precipitation

3. Tracking the migration of animals

In how many of the above activities can the radars be used?

(a) Only one (b) Only two* (c) All three (d) None

 

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Judicial Reforms

[17th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Judicial Experimentalism versus the Right to Justice

op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2024] Starting from inventing the ‘basic structure’ doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy.

Linkage: The recent “cooling period” ruling in Shivangi Bansal (2025) shows the judiciary’s proactive, sometimes overreaching, role in experimenting with safeguards beyond legislative intent. While judicial activism has often upheld democracy by protecting rights (e.g., Kesavananda Bharati, Arnesh Kumar), such interventions can also compromise access to justice. Thus, the case illustrates both the potential and pitfalls of judicial activism in strengthening democratic ideals.

Mentor’s Comment

The Supreme Court’s recent endorsement of the Allahabad High Court’s guidelines introducing a “cooling period” before action in matrimonial cruelty cases (formerly Section 498A IPC, now Section 85 BNS) has sparked a heated debate. While the move aims to check misuse of law, critics argue it undermines a victim’s right to prompt justice. This article analyses the issue through the lens of judicial experimentalism, statutory intent, and the balance between liberty and justice, an important discussion for UPSC aspirants studying the interface of law, rights, and institutional reforms.

Introduction

Section 498A IPC was enacted to protect women from cruelty in matrimonial settings. However, fears of its misuse led courts and lawmakers to build safeguards against arbitrary arrests and frivolous cases. The recent Supreme Court ruling in Shivangi Bansal vs Sahib Bansal (2025) has endorsed a two-month “cooling period” and referral to Family Welfare Committees (FWCs) before action is taken on complaints. While it echoes earlier judicial experiments, critics highlight that such directions compromise victims’ right to timely justice and extend judicial power beyond legislative intent.

Judicial Experimentalism Versus Right to Justice

Why is this ruling in the news?

The ruling is significant because, for the first time since the rollback of Rajesh Sharma guidelines in 2018, the Supreme Court has revived the idea of FWCs and delayed coercive action through a “cooling period.” This marks a sharp contrast with previous judicial positions that upheld victims’ right to prompt redressal. The problem is big: over 1.4 lakh cases registered under Section 498A in 2022 (NCRB) yet with declining arrests, showing safeguards were already in place. Introducing new hurdles raises questions on judicial overreach and justice delivery.

Why was Section 498A enacted?

  1. Objective: Punish cruelty against women in matrimonial homes.
  2. Protection intent: Safeguard women from physical, mental, and emotional abuse by husband and family.
  3. Concerns of misuse: Courts acknowledged misuse through false FIRs and arrests, which led to checks and procedural safeguards.

What safeguards already existed against misuse?

  1. Lalita Kumari (2013): Classified matrimonial disputes under ‘preliminary inquiry’ before FIR registration.
  2. CrPC amendment (2008): Introduced the ‘principle of necessity’ in arrests.
  3. Arnesh Kumar (2014): Checklist for police; mandatory notice for appearance before arrest.
  4. Satender Kumar Antil (2022): Strengthened protection by ensuring bail if arrest directions were violated.
  5. Impact: NCRB shows while cases increased (1,13,403 in 2015 → 1,40,019 in 2022), arrests fell (1,87,067 → 1,45,095).

How does the “cooling period” affect justice delivery?

  1. Delay in action: Victims must wait two months before any coercive step is taken.
  2. Denial of prompt redressal: Even after FIR, police cannot act, worsening victim’s plight.
  3. Institutional overreach: FWCs lack statutory backing, leading to ambiguity about their jurisdiction and powers.
  4. Historical lesson: Similar FWC directions in Rajesh Sharma (2017) were termed “regressive” and rolled back by Social Action Forum for Manav Adhikar (2018).

What does this mean for judicial experimentalism?

  1. Judicial innovation vs legislative intent: Experimentation may be progressive but must not override statutory design.
  2. Checks already in place: With safeguards from CrPC amendments, Arnesh Kumar and Satender Kumar Antil, additional hurdles appear unnecessary.
  3. Risk of regressive rollback: Echoes earlier failed experiments that compromised women’s access to justice.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s endorsement of the Allahabad High Court’s “cooling period” in Section 498A cases reflects judicial anxiety over misuse of law but risks undermining victim protection, the very intent of the provision. With sufficient safeguards already in place, the ruling revives debates on judicial overreach and calls for revisiting its implications. Justice must balance the liberty of the accused with the victim’s right to immediate redressal, without diluting either.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

Unseen labour, exploitation: the hidden human cost of Artificial Intelligence

Explained | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Introduction

The promise of AI as an automated, error-free technology often masks the unseen human labour that makes it possible. From labelling raw data to moderating harmful content, “ghost workers” form the backbone of AI ecosystems. Yet, their contributions remain invisible, underpaid, and unprotected. The debate on AI is incomplete without recognising the human cost of automation, a matter of global ethics, labour rights, and governance.

The Hidden Human Cost of AI

Why is AI’s invisible labour in the news?

AI companies, especially in Silicon Valley, outsource essential annotation and moderation work to low-paid workers in developing countries. Recent revelations of exploitative conditions, such as Kenyan workers earning less than $2 an hour for traumatic tasks like filtering violent content, have exposed the dark underbelly of AI. This has amplified global concerns about modern-day slavery, violation of labour rights, and the absence of legal safeguards in AI supply chains.

Areas of Human Involvement in AI

  1. Data Annotation: Machines cannot interpret meaning; humans label text, audio, video, and images to train AI models.
  2. Training LLMs: Models like ChatGPT and Gemini depend on supervised learning and reinforcement learning, requiring annotators to correct errors, jailbreaks, and refine responses.
  3. Subject Expertise Gap: Workers without domain knowledge label complex data, e.g., Kenyan annotators labelling medical scans, leading to inaccurate AI outputs.

Are Automated Features Truly Automated?

  1. Content Moderation: Social media “filters” rely on humans reviewing sensitive content (pornography, beheadings, bestiality). This causes severe mental health risks like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
  2. AI-Generated Media: Voice actors, children, and performers record human sounds and actions for training datasets.
  3. Case Study (2024): Kenyan workers wrote to U.S. President Biden describing their labour as “modern-day slavery.”

What Challenges Do Workers Face?

  1. Poor Wages: Less than $2/hour compared to global standards.
  2. Harsh Conditions: Tight deadlines of a few seconds/minutes per task; strict surveillance; risk of instant termination.
  3. Union Busting: Workers raising concerns are dismissed, with collective bargaining actively suppressed.
  4. Fragmented Supply Chains: Work outsourced via intermediary digital platforms; lack of transparency about the actual employer.

Why Is This a Global Governance Issue:

  1. Exploitation in Developing Countries: Kenya, India, Pakistan, Philippines, and China host the bulk of annotators, highlighting global North-South labour inequities.
  2. Digital Labour Standards: Current international labour frameworks inadequately cover digital gig work.
  3. Ethical Responsibility: Big Tech profits from AI breakthroughs while invisibilising the labour behind them.
  4. Need for Regulation: Stricter global and national laws must ensure fair pay, transparency, and dignity at work.

Way Forward

  1. Transparency Mandates: Disclosure of supply chains by tech companies.
  2. Fair Labour Standards: Minimum wages, occupational safety norms, and psychological health safeguards.
  3. Recognition of Workers: From “ghost workers” to “digital labour force.”
  4. Global Collaboration: Similar to climate treaties, AI labour governance requires multilateral regulation.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is not fully autonomous—it rests on millions of invisible workers whose exploitation challenges the ethics of the digital age. For India and the world, the future of AI must balance innovation with human dignity, equity, and justice. Without recognising and regulating this labour, the AI revolution risks deepening global inequalities.

Value Addition

Global Frameworks and Conventions

  1. ILO Convention 190 (2019): Addresses workplace violence and harassment — highly relevant to content moderators exposed to graphic/traumatic data.
  2. ILO Recommendation 204: Transition from informal to formal economy — ghost workers are currently informal, with no rights.
  3. UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011): Corporate duty to respect human rights across supply chains, including digital gig platforms.
  4. EU Artificial Intelligence Act (2025): First comprehensive law regulating AI systems; includes risk categories and human oversight.
  5. Santa Clara Principles (2018): Framework for transparency, accountability, and due process in online content moderation.

Conceptual Tools and Keywords

  1. Digital Colonialism: Global North exploits cheap digital labour in Global South for AI systems.
  2. Surveillance Capitalism (Shoshana Zuboff): Big Tech monetises personal data and labour while eroding privacy and dignity.
  3. Platform Precarity: Gig workers face algorithmic control, constant surveillance, and lack of social protection.
  4. Ghost Work (Mary Gray & Siddharth Suri, 2019): Term for invisible human labour powering AI systems.
  5. Cognitive Labour: Work that relies on human judgment, emotional resilience, and meaning-making (beyond physical labour).
  6. Algorithmic Management: Use of algorithms to allocate, monitor, and discipline workers—stripping them of agency.
  7. Ethics of Invisibility: Recognition gap when workers’ contributions are hidden, making justice claims difficult.

Reports and Studies

  1. Oxford Internet Institute (2019, “Ghost Work”): Estimated millions of hidden workers behind AI, mainly in developing countries.
  2. WEF Future of Jobs Report (2023): Warned of AI-induced job displacements alongside new digital gig work.
  3. ILO Report on Digital Labour Platforms (2021): Documented widespread exploitation, lack of contracts, and cross-border regulatory challenges.

Indian Context

  1. Code on Social Security, 2020: Recognises gig and platform workers, but still weak on implementation.
  2. NITI Aayog Report on “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” (2022): Predicts 23.5 million gig workers by 2030.
  3. Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Regulates data, but silent on labour rights of those who process AI data.
  4. India’s AI Mission (National Strategy for AI, NITI Aayog): Envisions “AI for All” but doesn’t sufficiently cover labour dimensions.

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: AI aids clinical diagnosis by analysing medical scans and predicting outcomes with high accuracy, but it relies on human annotators to label sensitive data. The article shows how even untrained workers in Kenya were tasked with labelling medical scans, raising concerns of reliability. Such outsourcing also heightens the risk of privacy violations in handling patient data across insecure global supply chains.

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

Topography, climate change: Behind heavy rains in Himalayas

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

Introduction

Extreme rainfall in Uttarakhand over the past week has triggered multiple landslides, swelling rivers and leading to the loss of at least 15 lives. While such events have always occurred in the Himalayan belt during the monsoon, the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of these disasters have sharply increased in recent years. This phenomenon is closely linked to climate change, altered monsoon dynamics, and the fragile geology of the region.

Why in the News?

Uttarakhand and parts of Himachal Pradesh have witnessed back-to-back extreme rainfall events over the last month, leading to landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and large-scale disruption. The striking fact is not just the death toll, but the scale of surplus rainfall, 34% above normal in August and 67% above normal in early September. Such heavy rainfall, while common in coastal states like Kerala or Meghalaya, is catastrophic in the Himalayas where steep slopes, loose soil, and fragile ecosystems amplify the risks.

Why is rainfall unusually high in Uttarakhand this season?

  1. Active monsoon systems: Consecutive low-pressure systems from the Bay of Bengal have travelled farther north than usual, dumping large amounts of rain in the Himalayan belt.
  2. Surplus rainfall data: Northwestern India received 34% surplus rainfall in August and over 67% surplus rainfall in early September.
  3. Record-breaking events: Udhampur (J&K) recorded 630 mm in 24 hours, equivalent to a year’s rainfall in Rajkot, Gujarat; Leh recorded 59 mm in 48 hours, highest since 1973.

Why are hilly regions more vulnerable to disasters?

  1. Fragile geology: Extreme rainfall triggers landslides, mudslides, and flash floods as rainwater drags soil, rocks, and debris downhill.
  2. River choke-points: When streams are blocked, water gushes into settlements, destroying roads and bridges.
  3. Comparative impact: While 300 mm of rain in Goa or Kerala drains into the sea, the same amount in Uttarakhand leads to catastrophic slope failure.
  4. Recent examples: Landslides across Mandi, Kullu, Dharali, Tharali, and Jammu in the past two weeks illustrate cascading effects.

How is climate change altering monsoon dynamics?

  1. Southward shift of western disturbances: Once dominant in winters, these systems are increasingly interacting with the summer monsoon, intensifying rainfall events in the Himalayas.
  2. Global warming: Rising temperatures are linked to changing wind patterns and higher atmospheric moisture.
  3. Arctic connection: Melting Arctic sea ice may be influencing jet streams, further complicating rainfall behaviour.
  4. Future risks: Longer dry spells interspersed with intense rainfall events are likely to define Himalayan monsoons.

What does this mean for Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh?

  1. Human cost: Frequent deaths, loss of livelihoods, and displacement.
  2. Economic disruption: Road blockages, tourism losses, and damage to hydro projects.
  3. Policy challenge: Need for climate-resilient infrastructure, stricter land-use regulations, and predictive weather modelling.

Conclusion

The Uttarakhand landslides are a grim reminder that the Himalayas, often called the “third pole”, are at the frontline of climate change. Extreme rainfall patterns, when coupled with unregulated urbanization and fragile geology, amplify disaster risks. Building climate-resilient infrastructure, enhancing early warning systems, and ensuring ecological sensitivity in planning are essential for safeguarding lives and livelihoods in these vulnerable mountain states.

PYQ Relevance:

[UPSC 2017] ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change?

Linkage: The Uttarakhand landslides highlight how Himalayan states are increasingly vulnerable to climate change–induced extreme rainfall, cloudbursts, and landslides due to fragile geology. Similarly, coastal states face rising sea levels, cyclones, and saline intrusion, threatening lives and livelihoods. Thus, climate change amplifies both mountain hazards and coastal vulnerabilities, making India’s geography uniquely exposed.

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Blockchain Technology: Prospects and Challenges

What are Stablecoins?

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Why in the News?

Globally, stablecoins face regulatory scrutiny; the Bank of England has proposed ownership limits (£10k–£20k for individuals, £10m for businesses) to reduce banking system risks.

About Stablecoins:

  • Definition: Cryptocurrencies designed to maintain stable value, usually pegged to fiat currency, commodities, or other crypto.
  • Role: Provide price stability, often used to park profits or enable fast, low-cost cross-border transactions without intermediaries.
  • Use: Rarely for retail payments; mainly act as a bridge asset within crypto markets.
  • Types:
    • Fiat-backed (e.g., Tether/USDT).
    • Commodity-backed (gold, silver, oil).
    • Crypto-backed (collateralised by other cryptos).
    • Algorithmic (peg maintained via programmed supply-demand adjustments).
  • Example: Tether (USDT) backed in theory by cash and US Treasuries.
  • Market Growth: Could rise tenfold to $2 trillion by 2028 (Standard Chartered, Apr 2025).

Risks Associated with Stablecoins:

  • Financial Stability Risk: Vulnerable to bank-run scenarios. Example: TerraUSD collapse (2022) lost 60% peg value.
  • Banking System Impact: Can drain deposits from banks, reducing lending capacity.
  • BIS Concerns:
    • Singleness: Deviations from fiat peg in secondary markets.
    • Elasticity: Limited expansion due to reserve requirements.
    • Integrity: Weak KYC, enabling money laundering, terror financing.
  • Cybersecurity: DeFi-linked stablecoins prone to hacking and theft.
  • Regulatory Gaps: Lack of uniform global standards leads to fraud and accountability issues.

Global Regulatory Approaches:

  • United States, GENIUS Act (2025): Only insured financial institutions may issue; must hold 1:1 low-risk reserves; AML/CFT compliance required.
  • European Union, MiCA (2024): Regulates E-money Tokens (EMTs) and Asset-Referenced Tokens (ARTs); issuers restricted to authorised EU firms; strict reserve and consumer protection.
  • Hong Kong, Stablecoin Ordinance (2025): Licensing by HK Monetary Authority; full high-quality liquid reserves; strict audits and AML/CFT rules.
  • United Kingdom, Bank of England: Proposed ownership limits to prevent rapid deposit outflows and maintain financial stability.
[UPSC 2016] With reference to ‘Bitcoins’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries.

2. Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with a Bitcoin address.

3. Online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

What is Portable Ion Chromatography?

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

Why in the News?

Australian scientists have developed a simpler, portable version of ion chromatography called Aquamonitrix, enabling field-based analysis of nitrate and nitrite ions.

About Ion Chromatography:

  • Overview: A laboratory technique used to separate and measure ions (charged particles) in a sample.
  • Process: A liquid sample is passed through a long column that separates ions based on their properties.
  • Equipment: Requires large, complex, and costly lab machines.
  • Use in Environment: Detects harmful ions like nitrate and nitrite that pollute soil and water.

What is Aquamonitrix?

  • Overview: A portable ion chromatograph designed by the University of Tasmania (Australia).
  • Features: Small, battery-operated, and nearly 10 times cheaper than lab equipment.
  • Testing: Students tested it on soil pore water, measuring nitrate and nitrite levels accurately when compared with lab results.
  • How it Works?
    • Soil water collected with a vacuum pump and filtered.
    • Water injected into the Aquamonitrix unit.
    • Uses a sodium chloride solution to carry the sample.
    • Equipped with a UV light detector, showing nitrate and nitrite as clear peaks.
    • Simpler design avoids messy interference from multiple ions.

Applications:

  • Environment: Monitoring nitrate and nitrite pollution in soil and water.
  • Agriculture: Helps optimise fertiliser use and reduce overuse.
  • Water Safety: Tests drinking water quality on site.
  • Education: Serves as a teaching tool linking classroom to real-world chemistry.
[UPSC 2024] “Membrane Bioreactors” are often discussed in the context of:

Options: (a) Assisted reproductive technologies

(b) Drug delivery nanotechnologies

(c) Vaccine production technologies

(d) Wastewater treatment technologies*

 

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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Nankana Sahib Pilgrimage

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

Why in the News?

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed State governments not to process applications for Sikh pilgrims’ visit to Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, for the November 2025 birth anniversary (Parkash Gurpurab) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

About Nankana Sahib:

  • Location: Punjab province, Pakistan, near Lahore.
  • Historical Significance: Birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469). Earlier called Rai-Bhoi-Di Talwandi; renamed Nankana Sahib in his honour.
  • Major Shrines:
    • Gurdwara Janam Asthan: Built over Guru Nanak’s birthplace by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1818–19).
    • Other sites: Gurdwara Patti Sahib, Bal Leela, Mal Ji Sahib, Kiara Sahib, Tambu Sahib, and shrines linked to Guru Arjan (5th Guru) and Guru Hargobind (6th Guru).
  • Cultural Relevance: Pilgrimage site for millions of Sikhs globally; integral to the annual Parkash Gurpurab commemorations.

About Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539):

  • Birth & Early Life: Born in 1469 at Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib). Enlightened at Sultanpur Lodhi in 1496.
  • Teachings: Rejected rituals, caste hierarchy, and idol worship; emphasised devotion to one formless God (Nirankar).
  • Core Philosophy:
    • Three Pillars: Naam Japna (remembrance of God), Kirat Karna (honest work), Vand Chhakna (sharing with others).
    • Equality & Justice: Advocated gender equality, social service (Seva), and community dining (Langar).
    • Message: “Ek Onkar Satnam”, Oneness of God and humanity.
  • Death: Passed away in 1539 at Kartarpur Sahib (now in Pakistan). Appointed Guru Angad Dev Ji as successor.
[UPSC 2013] Consider the following Bhakti Saints:

1. Dadu Dayal

2. Guru Nanak

3. Tyagaraja

Which among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi Dynasty fell and Babur took over?

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

 

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