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Day: November 21, 2025

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Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

CPCB to monitor Yamuna with Delhi and Haryana

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

Why In The News?

Drain water overflow is contaminating the Yamuna, prompting the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to inform the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) will jointly conduct quarterly monitoring to track pollution and coordinate corrective action.

1) About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

  • Legal Status: The NMCG is a registered society under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to prevent, control, and abate pollution in the Ganga River and ensure adequate ecological flow.
  • Origin: It functioned as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 until the NGRBA was replaced by the National Ganga Council in 2016.
  • Objectives:
    • Ensure pollution abatement and rejuvenation of the Ganga through a river basin approach.
    • Maintain minimum ecological flows for water quality and sustainable development.
  • Structure:
    • Has a two-tier structure: a Governing Council and an Executive Committee, both headed by the Director General (DG).
    • The Executive Committee can approve projects up to ₹1000 crores.
    • State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs) act as implementing arms at the state level.
    • The DG is an Additional Secretary in the Government of India.

2) About National Green Tribunal (NGT):

  • Purpose: The NGT ensures efficient and expert resolution of environmental disputes and aims to resolve cases within six months.
  • Independence: Operates based on principles of natural justice, not the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, enabling faster decisions.
  • Jurisdiction: Began functioning in 2011 with its principal bench in New Delhi and regional benches in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai. It follows a circuit procedure for accessibility.
  • Composition:
    • Chairperson: Retired Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of a High Court, appointed by the Central Government.
    • Judicial Members: 10-20 judges from the Supreme Court or High Courts.
    • Expert Members: 10-20 experts with advanced degrees in Science/Engineering/Technology and environmental experience.
  • Powers & Jurisdiction:
    • Handles civil cases under major environmental laws such as the Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981, Environment Protection Act 1986, Forest Conservation Act 1980, Biological Diversity Act 2002, and Public Liability Insurance Act 1991.
    • Can impose penalties, act as a Civil Court, and follow the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for certain procedures.
    • Has suo motu powers to take up environmental issues on its own.
    • Can award compensation, order remediation, and ensure time-bound disposal of cases.

3) About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):

  • Establishment: The CPCB is a statutory organisation created under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and later empowered under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
  • Role: Acts as a technical arm of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for enforcing the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • Functions:
    • Promote cleanliness of streams and wells and control water pollution.
    • Improve air quality and abate air pollution nationwide.
    • Advise the Central Government on pollution control and coordinate with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
    • Offer guidance, technical support, and help resolve conflicts among SPCBs.
  • Delegated Powers: CPCB delegates its authority under the Water Act, Water Cess Act (1977), and Air Act to regional administrations in Union Territories.
  • Standards & Guidelines:
    • Develops standards for ambient air quality, water quality, and industrial emissions.
    • Prepares manuals, codes, and guidelines for sewage treatment, effluent disposal, and pollution-control devices.
    • Issues Minimal National Standards (MINAS) for various industries regarding effluents, emissions, noise, and waste.
[UPSC 2016] Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)?,

1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.,

2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.,

3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.,

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

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Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

Pharmacogenomics: reading genes to tailor prescriptions for individuals

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

Why In The News?

Pharmacogenomics is transforming healthcare by showing how genetic differences affect individual drug responses. This breakthrough emerging technology is replacing traditional “start low, go slow” trial-and-error prescribing with personalised, precision-based treatment that improves effectiveness and reduces harmful reactions.

1) What is Pharmacogenomics?

  • Definition & Purpose: Studies how genetic variations affect drug response, determining whether a drug will be effective, ineffective, or harmful.
  • Role of Enzymes: Differences in drug-metabolising enzymes, especially the CYP450 family, impact the metabolism of ~75% of common drugs.
  • Metaboliser Phenotypes:
    • Poor Metaboliser: Low enzyme activity → toxic drug buildup at standard doses.
    • Ultrarapid Metaboliser: High enzyme activity → reduced therapeutic benefit.
  • Widespread Variants: About 90% of people carry at least one actionable pharmacogenetic variant.
  • Clinical Impact: Genetic factors significantly contribute to adverse drug reactions (ADRs), a major cause of hospitalisation and death in developed nations.

2) Understanding the Problem in Traditional Prescribing:

  • Traditional Approach – “Start Low, Go Slow”: Reflects the challenge that the same drug and dose can heal one patient but harm another.
  • Population-Based Prescribing: For decades, medications were prescribed based on population averages, leading to trial-and-error treatment.
  • Shift Toward Precision: Pharmacogenomics is transforming this approach by showing how genes influence drug response, moving from guesswork to precision.

3) Real-World Applications:

  • Warfarin Dosing:
    • Variants in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 explain ~50% of dose variation.
    • Genetic-guided dosing reduces bleeding risk and allows faster achievement of therapeutic levels.
  • Clopidogrel Activation:
    • Requires CYP2C19 for activation.
    • CYP2C19*2 variants (25–30%) → poor activation → higher risk of stent thrombosis.
    • CPIC 2022 guidelines recommend alternatives for poor metabolisers.
  • Psychiatry:
    • Many antidepressants/antipsychotics rely on CYP2D6 and CYP2C19.
    • Testing reduces side effects, improves symptom control, and lowers costs.
  • Oncology: Rapid progress in using genetic markers to personalise cancer treatment.

4) Economic Considerations:

  • Cost Reduction: Genetic test prices have dropped from thousands to $200-500 for large panels.
  • Cost–Effectiveness:
    • Testing prevents adverse events and improves outcomes, proving cost-effective, especially in chronic diseases.
  • Evaluation Framework: Value depends on factors such as severity of side-effects, frequency of variants, availability of alternative drugs, and variability in clinical settings.
  • Preventive Value: Avoiding even one serious ADR can offset the cost of testing many patients.

5) Implementation Challenges:

  • Provider Knowledge Gaps: Most clinicians lack training in pharmacogenomics, making interpretation difficult.
  • Infrastructure Limitations: Electronic health records often lack tools to integrate genetic data into prescribing workflows.
  • Reimbursement Issues: Insurance coverage remains inconsistent, creating hesitation.
  • Regulatory Complexity:
    • Over 100 FDA drug labels include pharmacogenomic information.
    • Some provide actionable guidance; others are only informative.
  • Cultural & Institutional Barriers: Requires changes in clinical culture, administrative support, and trained champions to lead adoption.

6) The Path Forward:

  • Pre-emptive Testing: Future lies in obtaining genetic profiles before medications are needed, enabling lifelong personalised prescribing.
  • Fundamental Shift: Moves healthcare from population-based to individualised, from reactive to proactive, and from trial-and-error to precision medication.
  • Genomic Insight: Our genes guide our prescriptions-pharmacogenomics teaches us how to read this biological roadmap.
[UPSC 2023] ‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of the following situations?

Options: (a) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go*

(b) Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat

(c) Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals

(d) Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies

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NSA hosts 7th meeting of Colombo Security Conclave in Delhi

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

Why In The News?

At the 7th NSA-level Colombo Security Conclave meeting, member states prioritised cooperation on five pillars: maritime security, counterterrorism and radicalisation, trafficking and transnational crime, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, aiming to strengthen regional security coordination.

About Colombo Security Conclave (CSC):

  • Regional Grouping: A security platform comprising India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius; Seychelles is an observer.
  • Objective: To enhance regional security and address transnational threats of common concern.
  • Origin: Began in 2011 as the Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation between India, Maldives, Sri Lanka.
  • Hiatus: Became inactive after 2014 due to India-Maldives tensions.
  • Revival: Rebranded as CSC in 2020; Mauritius and later Bangladesh joined.
  • Participation: Involves NSAs and Deputy NSAs of member states.
  • Key Areas of Cooperation:
    • Maritime safety and security
    • Counterterrorism and radicalisation
    • Combating trafficking and transnational organised crime
    • Cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure
    • Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
[UPSC 2017] Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.

2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

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Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries Sector – Pashudhan Sanjivani, E- Pashudhan Haat, etc

[21st November 2025] The Hindu Op-ED: India’s fisheries and aquaculture, its promising course

op-ed snap | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Economics Of Animal-Rearing

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2015] Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.

Linkage: Same as livestock rearing, fisheries are a key allied sector driving rural non-farm jobs, and are in news due to FAO support and Blue Economy reforms. Hence the topic is highly important for both GS I and GS III. 

Mentor’s Comment

India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is undergoing structural transformation under the Blue Revolution, backed by FAO support and national reforms. This article decodes the sector’s growth drivers, emerging challenges, policy transitions, and global relevance. It is formatted to suit UPSC Mains expectations with subheadings, value additions, PYQs, and micro-themes for GS papers.

Introduction

India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector has become one of the fastest-growing food-producing systems, contributing significantly to livelihoods, nutrition, exports, and rural economic diversification. Despite record production levels, challenges such as resource overuse, environmental degradation, weak traceability, and constrained market access continue to limit its full potential. FAO’s renewed commitment during World Fisheries Day 2025 highlights the sector’s strategic importance in India’s transition toward sustainable and climate-resilient aquatic food systems.

Why in the News?

The FAO issued a renewed commitment to India’s Blue Revolution on World Fisheries Day (21 November 2025), highlighting India’s rapid rise as a global fisheries powerhouse. India recorded 93.2 million tonnes of capture fisheries and a historic 130.9 million tonnes in aquaculture output, making it the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer. This comes at a time when the sector faces overfishing, habitat degradation, climate stress, and traceability gaps, creating a striking contrast between high growth and mounting ecological pressures. New initiatives, Kisan Credit Card inclusion, Matsya Sampada, Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages, and private-sector-led compliance, mark a major shift toward science-based, sustainability-linked governance in fisheries.

India’s Rapid Growth Trajectory

  1. Record production: India produced 93.2 million tonnes (capture) and 130.9 million tonnes (aquaculture), valued at $313 billion.
  2. Rising sectoral significance: Livestock and aquaculture contribute 23 million tonnes of aquatic animals, creating major employment.
  3. Expansion of inland aquaculture: Inland fish farming rose from 12.4 million tonnes (2008) to 17.54 million tonnes (2022).
  4. Private sector innovation: Investments in hatcheries, exports, feed, digital compliance, and environmental standards have strengthened value chains.

What Drives Current Reforms?

  1. Blue Revolution initiatives: Schemes like PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) expand climate-resilient freshwater and brackish aquaculture.
  2. Governance improvements: New norms integrate digital licensing, KCC inclusion, and seafood traceability.
  3. Market efficiencies: The government introduced measures for safety, credit, and supply chain upgrades.
  4. Coastal resilience: Projects on Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages strengthen vulnerable fishing communities.

How is FAO Supporting India’s Transition?

  1. Decades-long collaboration: FAO supports small-scale fisheries, sustainability frameworks, and policy strengthening.
  2. BOBP support: FAO’s Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) supports governance in small-scale fisheries.
  3. BOBLME and ecosystem-based management: Helps India adopt science-backed conservation, monitoring, and climate adaptation.
  4. Harbour modernisation: Technical Cooperation Programme improves fishing harbours like Vanakbara and Nawabandar.

What Are the Emerging Challenges?

  1. Overfishing and resource stress: Unsustainable catch levels strain marine ecosystems.
  2. Environmental degradation: Water pollution, habitat decline, and climate-induced variability weaken output.
  3. Traceability deficits: Weak monitoring affects export markets and compliance.
  4. Small-scale fishers’ constraints: Limited technologies, market reach, and safety nets restrict livelihoods.

How Does Sustainability Shape India’s Future Path?

  1. Science-based stock assessment: Enables evidence-driven management.
  2. Co-managed monitoring: Joint monitoring through MCS tools improves compliance.
  3. Digital and climate-ready practices: Enhance safety, transparency, and resilience.
  4. Ecosystem-based aquaculture: Embedded in guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Conclusion

India’s fisheries and aquaculture stand at a decisive inflexion point, high growth backed by technology and institutional reforms but constrained by ecological and market vulnerabilities. The combined push from FAO, national missions like PMMSY, climate-resilient strategies, and private-sector compliance systems can position India as a global leader in sustainable aquatic food systems.

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Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism – NCA, Lok Adalats, etc.

Search on for five declared foreigners by Assam tribunal

Bills/Act/Laws | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Statutory, Regulatory & Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies

Why In The News?

Police in Assam’s Sonitpur district are searching for five people declared non-citizens by a Foreigners’ Tribunal after they repeatedly failed to appear for hearings, prompting the tribunal to issue an ex-parte order.

1) About Foreigners Tribunal (FT):

  • Legal Basis: Quasi-judicial bodies established under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, issued under Section 3 of the Foreigners Act, 1946.
  • Purpose: Allows State authorities to refer cases of individuals suspected to be foreigners for determination.
  • Composition: Headed by members drawn from judges, advocates, or civil servants with judicial experience.
  • Powers: Possesses civil court powers-summoning individuals, examining on oath, and requiring document production.

2) Are Foreigners Tribunals Only for Assam?

  • Nationwide Applicability: The 1964 Order applies across all of India, but FTs currently operate only in Assam.
  • Other States: Suspected illegal immigrants are dealt with by local courts under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
  • 2019 Amendment: Earlier only the Centre could set up FTs; after the amendment, states also have the power to establish them.

3) Foreigners Tribunal – Functioning:

  • Notice Period: Tribunal must issue a notice to the suspected foreigner within 10 days of receiving a reference.
  • Response Time: The individual gets 10 days to reply, and another 10 days to submit supporting evidence.
  • Time for Disposal: Tribunal must dispose of cases within 60 days.
  • Outcome: If unable to prove citizenship, the person may be sent to a detention centre (transit camp) for future deportation.

4) Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025:

  • Replaces: Supersedes the Foreigners (Tribunal) Order, 1964 under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
  • New Powers:
    • FTs can now issue arrest warrants and detain individuals unable to prove citizenship-previously done through executive orders.
    • Warrants may be issued if a suspect fails to appear.
  • Expanded Judicial Authority: FTs now possess powers of:
    • A civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
    • A judicial magistrate (First Class) under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
  • Key Powers Include:
    • Summoning and enforcing attendance.
    • Examining persons on oath.
    • Requiring discovery and production of documents.
    • Issuing commissions for witness examination.
    • Directing personal appearance.
    • Issuing arrest warrants for non-appearance.
Ex-Parte Order:

An ex parte decree is issued when a defendant fails to appear despite receiving summons, allowing the court to hear only the plaintiff’s case and pass a decision in the defendant’s absence.

 

[UPSC 2009] Consider the following statements :

1. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was set up during the Prime Ministership of Lal Bahadur Shastri.

2. The Members for CAT are drawn from both judicial and administrative streams.

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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Governor vs. State

SC clarifies Governor’s powers: How SC answered 14 questions President posed

Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

Introduction

The Supreme Court’s opinion on the President’s 14 queries recalibrates the balance between Raj Bhavan and elected state governments. It ends the uncertainty around “pocket veto”, clarifies that gubernatorial discretion is narrow, and rejects any judicial power to impose timelines on constitutional authorities. The ruling is significant because it formalises procedural discipline without enabling judicial overreach, and reveals continued ambiguity that may trigger future litigation.

Why in the news?

The Supreme Court delivered a rare and highly consequential opinion under Article 143, addressing 14 constitutional doubts raised by the President regarding the Governor’s powers on Bills, aid and advice, delay, and discretion. It is a big development because the Court categorically ruled out the Governor’s “pocket veto”, reaffirmed that discretion is exceptional, not routine, and clarified that the judiciary cannot impose procedural timelines on constitutional posts. This marks a striking departure from previous ambiguities in Centre-State relations and reopens debate on federal accountability.

What constitutional options are available to a Governor when a Bill is presented?

  1. Four Constitutional Options: Return the Bill, reserve it for the President, assent, or withhold assent; these options arise strictly from Article 200.
  2. Bar on Pocket Veto: The ruling prohibits an indefinite delay, emphasising that constitutional silence cannot be exploited to stall legislation.
  3. Return of Bill Allowed Only Once: The Governor cannot repeatedly send the same Bill back once the House re-passes it.
  4. No Withhold After Re-passage: Once the legislature re-adopts a Bill, the Governor must assent, ensuring legislative primacy.

Is the Governor bound by aid and advice of the Council of Ministers?

  1. Binding Advice Rule: Aid and advice are mandatory except in constitutionally specified discretionary functions.
  2. No Unfettered Discretion: The Governor’s disagreement with political outcomes does not justify refusing advice.
  3. Improper Refusal: The Court held that a Governor cannot withhold assent simply because a new government would not prefer the Bill.

Are the Governor’s discretionary powers unlimited?

  1. Narrow Discretion: Discretion is “exceptional”, not a general supervisory authority over the legislature.
  2. Subjective Satisfaction Allowed Only for President’s Reservation: Under Article 200, the Governor may reserve a Bill if doubts on constitutionality exist.
  3. Judicial Review Retained: Reserving a Bill on irrelevant grounds is open to legal challenge.
  4. Discretion Must Meet Constitutional Purpose: Decisions must align with constitutional morality, not political preference.

Can timelines be imposed on Governors or the President?

  1. No Judicially Enforceable Deadlines: The Court cannot prescribe rigid timelines because the Constitution does not contain them.
  2. Institutional Respect Principle: Judiciary recognises the separation of powers and avoids issuing operational directives to constitutional authorities.
  3. Practical Concern Highlighted: While Governors should act “reasonably expeditiously”, this remains non-justiciable.

Are actions under Article 200 justiciable?

  1. Yes, on Limited Grounds: Courts may intervene if the Governor acts on irrelevant considerations or violates constitutional limits.
  2. Reasonableness Standard Applies: Judicial review ensures the Governor does not misuse constitutional silence to stall governance.
  3. Invalid Withholding Possible: A Governor withholding assent after re-passage would be unconstitutional and challengeable.

Can a Governor substitute his decision with the President’s under Article 201?

  1. Permissible Only for Constitutionality Doubts: The Governor may reserve Bills only when genuine constitutional issues arise.
  2. No Arbitrary Referral: Relying on the President for policy disagreements is unconstitutional.

Can courts adjudicate contents of Bills?

  1. Judicial Review Limited: Courts cannot examine legislative content before enactment except for exceptional situations.
  2. No Pre-Enactment Censorship: Validity can be tested only after the Bill becomes law.
  3. Reiterates Separation of Powers: Judiciary cannot intrude into legislative functioning.

Can the President exercise constitutional powers in place of the Governor under Article 142?

  1. Court Rejects the Assumption: No constitutional fiction allows the President to step into the Governor’s role.
  2. Limits to Article 142: It cannot rewrite constitutional architecture.

Conclusion

The opinion reaffirms constitutional restraint, narrows gubernatorial discretion, disallows “pocket vetoes”, strengthens legislative sovereignty, and emphasises judicial non-interference in executive timelines. Yet the Court’s hesitation to set procedural limits leaves space for future litigation, signalling continuing tensions in Indian 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: This PYQ is directly relevant as the latest SC Article 143 opinion clarifies the Governor’s narrow legislative powers and rejects misuse like delay or withholding assent. It links to the issue of constitutional propriety, making re-promulgation without placing ordinances before the legislature clearly unconstitutional.

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Is federalism in retreat under single party hegemony?

Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Federalism

INTRODUCTION

The rationalisation of GST ushered in a new era of indirect taxation but triggered concerns among several States regarding declining revenue autonomy. Disputes around compensation, centrally-sponsored schemes, disaster relief funding, and Finance Commission recommendations have reached the Supreme Court, raising a fundamental question: Is Indian federalism being structurally reshaped under a single-party political hegemony?

The conversation in the article traces how fiscal and political federalism has shifted from cooperative frameworks in the 1990s to competitive and increasingly centralised dynamics post-2014.

WHY IN THE NEWS

The article is significant because it captures the unprecedented stress on fiscal federalism under GST, the decline of traditional accommodation politics, and the growing disconnect between richer southern States and the Union’s redistributive design. For the first time since liberalisation, States across the political spectrum are questioning the vertical imbalance and the shrinking autonomy embedded in taxation, grants, and centrally sponsored schemes. The issue is compelling because these structural tensions coincide with the rise of a dominant national party, altering how bargaining, negotiation, and regional representation historically shaped Indian federalism.

Shifts in Federalism: From Accommodation to Assertion

  1. Federal Coalition Politics: Provided space for regional parties to influence national policy in the 1990s; reforms had federal character, and Centre-State interaction increased.
  2. Decline of Accommodation: Rise of single-party majority reduced negotiation; regional anxieties and political identities feel less represented.
  3. BJP’s Unitary Political Vision: Emphasises uniformity over accommodation, reducing incentives for coalition-based bargaining.

How Has GST Altered the Fiscal Architecture?

  1. Loss of Tax Autonomy: States surrendered sovereign taxation power; they now depend on shared revenues and compensation.
  2. Compensation Tensions: Delays triggered mistrust; design issues, particularly Finance Commission-linked vertical imbalance, create sustained stress.
  3. Redistributive Principle: Southern States argue that redistributive transfers have become structurally rigid without acknowledging their economic efficiency.

What Is Driving Regional Inequality and Fiscal Stress?

  1. Unequal Growth Patterns: Southern States showed high economic growth but lack employment-intensive outcomes; inequality persists.
  2. Structural Vertical Imbalance: Centre retains key taxation powers while States bear expenditure responsibilities; this misalignment fuels fiscal dissatisfaction.
  3. Urbanisation and Labour Migration: Remittances from poorer northern States sustain the growth of southern economies, deepening interdependence yet also friction.

How Has Single-Party Dominance Reshaped Political Federalism?

  1. Reduced Federal Bargains: With weaker regional representation at the Centre, the cooperative ethos has weakened.
  2. Rise of Central Schemes: States perceive centralisation in scheme design, financing patterns, and conditionalities.
  3. Executive Federalism: More meetings, consultations, and vertical controls replacing political negotiation platforms like the Planning Commission.

Why Are Delimitation and Census Triggering Concerns?

  1. Southern States’ Anxiety: Fear losing political weight due to lower population growth relative to northern States.
  2. Economic Contribution vs Representation: High-growth States feel the political architecture does not reward efficient governance.
  3. One Nation, One Election Debate: Seen as another centralising push, weakening federal political competition.

CONCLUSION

The article concludes that the crisis in Indian federalism is not merely episodic but structural, rooted in post-GST fiscal architecture, weakened accommodation politics, regional disparities, and the rise of a dominant national party. The challenge is to redesign mechanisms of trust, negotiation, and fiscal balance so that India’s federal compact remains resilient to political shocks and centred on cooperative problem-solving.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2024] What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.

Linkage: This PYQ directly aligns with the article’s core themes of growing centralisation, GST-driven fiscal stress, and weakening accommodation politics between the Centre and States. It links perfectly with the discussion on fiscal imbalance, GST Council tensions, Finance Commission changes, and the impact of single-party dominance on federal bargaining.

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Air Pollution

Crop-residue burning turning India into global methane hotspot, UN report warns

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

Why In The News?

India has been identified as a major methane-emission hotspot from crop-residue burning, according to a UN report released on November 17, 2025 at COP30 in Belem, Brazil. Stubble burning, already a key air-pollution source, is now flagged as a major climate threat, and reducing it would benefit both public health and the climate.

1) Key Findings of the Report:

  • Global Ranking: India is the world’s third-largest methane emitter after China and the United States, releasing 31 million tonnes annually.
  • G20 Contribution: The G20 countries, including India, account for 65% of global methane emissions, while total global emissions are 360 million tonnes per year.
  • Future Outlook: The report notes that although methane levels are rising, emissions could decline by 2030 with strong mitigation efforts.
  • Climate & Food Benefits: Reducing methane is one of the fastest and most effective climate actions, also lowering crop losses and improving food security, as highlighted by UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.

2) India’s Methane Profile:

  • Major Sources: India’s key methane sources include livestock (enteric fermentation, manure) and rice cultivation, with crop-residue burning becoming a major emerging hotspot.
  • Waste-Management Impact: Waste-burning methane emissions increased from 4.5 million tonnes (1995) to 7.4 million tonnes (2020) – a 64% rise, compared to a 43% global increase.
  • Sector-wise Emissions (2020): India generated 20 million tonnes of methane from agriculture and 4.5 million tonnes from the energy sector in 2020.

3) About Methane:

  • Basic Definition: Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, made of one carbon and four hydrogen atoms (CH₄).
  • Key Properties: It is odourless, colourless, tasteless, lighter than air, and burns with a blue flame during complete combustion, producing CO₂ and H₂O.
  • Role as Natural Gas: Methane is the primary component of natural gas, widely used as a fuel.
  • Greenhouse Gas Importance: Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO₂).
  • Global Warming Potential: It has a 20-year GWP of 84, meaning it traps 84 times more heat than CO₂ over the same period.
  • Atmospheric Lifetime: Although highly potent, methane is short-lived in the atmosphere compared to CO₂.
  • Contribution to Warming: It is responsible for about 30% of global temperature rise since the pre-industrial era.
  • Ozone Formation: Methane also helps form ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant.

4) Global Methane Pledge(GMP):

  • About the Pledge: Launched at COP26 (2021) by the United States and the European Union to catalyse action on methane reduction.
  • Membership: Nearly 130 countries have joined; collectively responsible for 45% of global human-caused methane emissions.
  • Targets: Countries commit to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
  • Climate Impact: A 30% reduction could avoid 0.2°C warming by 2050, supporting the 1.5°C target.
  • India’s Status: India is not a participant, despite being among the top five global methane emitters, mainly from agriculture.

5) Global Methane Initiative (GMI):

  • Nature of Initiative: An international public-private partnership promoting methane recovery and use as a clean energy source.
  • Technical Support: Provides technical assistance to implement methane-to-energy projects worldwide.
  • Country Participation: Helps partner nations deploy methane utilisation projects; India is a partner country.

6) Methane Alert and Response System (MARS):

  • Purpose: A data-to-action system delivering reliable and actionable methane-emission data for mitigation.
  • Launch: Announced at COP27 (2022); pilot phase began in January 2023.
  • Technology: Uses satellite-based detection to identify major methane sources globally.
  • Action Mechanism: Provides notifications to countries and companies, enabling rapid response and emission reduction.
  • Partnerships: Operates with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).
  • Core Components: Detection, notification, response, and progress tracking for emission control.

7) International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO):

  • Establishment: Launched at the G20 Leaders’ Summit (2021).
  • Initial Focus: Concentrated on methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector.
  • Data Integration: Combines information from scientific studies, satellites (via MARS), OGMP 2.0 reporting, and national inventories.
  • OGMP 2.0 Role: UNEP’s flagship programme to enhance accuracy and transparency of methane reporting in the oil and gas industry.

 

[UPSC 2019] Consider the following:

1. Carbon monoxide

2. Methane

3. Ozone

4. Sulphur dioxide

Which of the above are released into atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

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

 

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