Why in the News?
China has unleashed its unmanned aerial “mother ship” drone named ‘Jiu Tian,’ capable of launching and coordinating over 100 drones in a single mission.
About the Jiu Tian Mother Ship Drone:
- Type and Capability: It is a jet-powered, super-high-altitude, long-range drone designed for advanced aerial missions.
- First Appearance: It was first showcased at the Zhuhai Air Show in November 2024.
- Size and Range: The drone is 82 feet wide, has a wingspan of 25 metres, and can fly up to 15,000 metres (50,000 feet) with a maximum range of 7,000 km.
- Weight and Payload: It has a maximum take-off weight of 16 tonnes and can carry up to 6 tonnes of weapons and drones.
- Altitude Advantage: It is designed to fly above medium-range air defence systems, improving survivability in contested zones.
Key Capabilities and Features:
- Drone Deployment: It can release up to 100 small drones or loitering munitions, including kamikaze drones, from both sides of its belly.
- Weapon Compatibility: It features eight external hardpoints that can carry surveillance drones, cruise missiles, and air-to-air missiles like the PL-12E.
- Mission Flexibility: Its modular interior allows for quick reconfiguration to suit different missions such as military strikes, border defence, maritime surveillance, emergency rescue, public security, and high-risk logistics.
| [UPSC 2020] Consider the following activities: (1) Spraying pesticides on a crop field (2) Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes (3) Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis
At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones?
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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PYQ Relevance:
[UPSC 2024] “The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China’s political and economic dominance.’ Explain this statement with examples.
Linkage: India as a strategic “third option” in the technological rivalry between the U.S. and China, driven by tariffs. It notes that India might benefit if companies seek alternatives to China for manufacturing due to tariff-induced supply chain disruptions. |
Mentor’s Comment: After the 2024 U.S. election, the government raised tariffs on AI hardware, increasing costs and making the U.S. expensive for building AI technology. These tariffs disrupt global supply chains and push companies to move data centers abroad. India’s growing tech sector positions it as a key alternative to the U.S. and China in this changing AI rivalry and supply chain realignment.
Today’s editorial explains how the USA raised tariffs on AI hardware and the impact of these tariffs. This information will help with GS Paper II (International Relations) and Paper III (Indian Economy).
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
After the 2024 U.S. presidential election, new high tariffs on AI hardware could significantly change the global supply chains that support artificial intelligence (AI) development.
What is the effect of 2024 U.S. tariffs on AI supply chains and costs?
- Increased Hardware Costs: Tariffs have raised import duties up to 27% on critical AI components, making AI infrastructure significantly more expensive in the U.S. Eg: Imports of data processing machines worth $200 billion from countries like China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Mexico are now tariff-affected.
- Disruption of Global Supply Chains: Tariffs have caused companies to rethink and relocate data center construction abroad due to higher costs in the U.S. Eg: Some firms are shifting operations to China, which was ironically a key target of the tariffs.
- Reduced Innovation and Investment: Tariffs create uncertainty, discourage investment, and slow innovation due to higher costs and fragmented supply chains. Eg: Studies show that a standard deviation increase in tariffs could reduce output growth by 0.4% over five years.
Why is India seen as a potential third option in the U.S.-China tech rivalry?
- Strategic Geopolitical Position: India is being positioned as a neutral and reliable alternative amidst U.S.-China tensions. Eg: India is increasingly chosen for data center locations and AI collaborations as companies seek to reduce dependence on China.
- Growing Tech and AI Sector: India’s AI and digital engineering sectors are among the fastest-growing within its IT industry. Eg: IT exports have grown at 3.3% to 5.1% annually in recent years, with a major focus on AI services.
- Skilled Workforce: India produces about 1.5 million engineering graduates every year, many with strong AI-related skills. Eg: This talent pool supports global R&D needs, especially in software and algorithm development.
- Policy Support and Investment: The Indian government is heavily investing in semiconductor and AI infrastructure. Eg: AMD’s $400 million design campus in Bengaluru and multi-billion-dollar fab proposals are part of this initiative.
- Comparative Cost Advantage: Lower labor costs and an expanding tech ecosystem make India economically attractive. Eg: Companies find operations in India more cost-effective compared to both the U.S. and China.
How do tariffs influence AI innovation and efficiency?
- Disruption of Global Supply Chains: Tariffs increase the cost of critical AI components, slowing innovation and access to cutting-edge technologies. Eg: A 27% tariff on AI chips in 2025 made the U.S. one of the most expensive places to build AI infrastructure.
- Shift Toward Efficiency Over Raw Power: Rising hardware costs push companies to focus on algorithmic efficiency and model compression instead of raw compute. Eg: AI model usage costs are falling rapidly (by ~40x/year) due to optimisation rather than increased hardware.
- Deadweight Loss and Slowed Productivity: Tariffs reduce trade volume and create inefficiencies that neither benefit producers nor consumers, slowing innovation cycles. Eg: Studies show a 1 standard deviation rise in tariffs can cut output growth by 0.4% over 5 years.
Where is India investing to boost its AI and semiconductor sector?
- Semiconductor Manufacturing Facilities: India is setting up large-scale chip fabrication units to reduce dependency on imports. Eg: A ₹2,500 crore semiconductor chip manufacturing facility is being established in Lucknow under the India Semiconductor Mission.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborations with global tech companies are being encouraged to build domestic capacity. Eg: HCL and Foxconn are jointly setting up a semiconductor unit near the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh.
- AI Skilling and R&D Initiatives: Programs are being launched to train talent in AI and expand research. Eg: The ‘AI Pragya’ initiative aims to upskill 1 million individuals in areas like AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
When could over 50% of AI workload accelerators become custom ASICs?
By 2028, over 50% of AI workload accelerators are expected to be custom ASICs: This marks a shift from general-purpose chips to highly specialized hardware tailored for specific AI tasks. Eg: ASICs designed for language model inference (like Google’s TPU) outperform GPUs in efficiency and cost for specific applications.
Note: ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) are specialised chips designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks more efficiently than general-purpose processors like CPUs or GPUs.
What does it imply?
- Shift Toward Decentralised and Specialised AI Development: Indicates a move away from one-size-fits-all hardware to task-specific solutions, enhancing performance and energy efficiency. Eg: Companies may deploy custom ASICs for voice assistants, facial recognition, or autonomous driving systems instead of relying on generic GPUs.
- Cost Optimisation: Encourages innovation in hardware design and reduces long-term operational costs, benefiting firms with large-scale AI deployments. Eg: Startups and emerging economies like India can leapfrog legacy systems by adopting efficient ASIC-based infrastructure tailored to specific AI needs.
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What are the challenges for India?
- Dependence on Imported Hardware: India relies heavily on imported semiconductor components, which makes its AI ambitions vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and tariffs. Eg: Tariffs on AI hardware can increase costs, slowing India’s AI infrastructure development.
- Limited Semiconductor Manufacturing Capacity: India currently has insufficient domestic chip manufacturing facilities, making it difficult to compete with established producers like Taiwan and China. Eg: India has announced semiconductor fab proposals but is still far from meeting demand for advanced chips.
Way forward:
- Boost Domestic Manufacturing: Accelerate investments in semiconductor fabs and public-private partnerships to build self-reliant AI hardware supply chains, reducing dependence on imports and mitigating tariff impacts.
- Enhance R&D and Skilling: Strengthen AI-focused research, innovation, and workforce training programs to develop specialized hardware solutions like custom ASICs, driving cost efficiency and global competitiveness.
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Why in the News?
The Kancha Gachibowli forest in Hyderabad, a rare green space in the city, became the centre of a major legal and environmental fight when the Telangana government planned to turn 400 acres of it into an industrial area.
What is the significance of urban forests like Kancha Gachibowli in Indian cities?
- Improve Air Quality and Public Health: Urban forests absorb pollutants like PM 2.5 and PM 10, helping reduce toxic urban air. Eg: Kancha Gachibowli helps combat air pollution in Hyderabad, which often faces high pollution levels.
- Mitigate Climate Change and Urban Heat: They reduce the urban heat island effect and help control flooding by managing stormwater runoff. Eg: Kancha Gachibowli acts as a natural cooler and flood controller amid Hyderabad’s expanding concrete areas.
- Support Biodiversity and Provide Recreation: Urban forests preserve habitats for endangered birds and animals and offer residents nature-sensitive spaces for relaxation. Eg: Kancha Gachibowli provides green space and supports local wildlife in the middle of the city.
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Why did the Telangana government face criticism for its decision regarding Kancha Gachibowli?
- Threat to Urban Forest Land: The government decided to allocate 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli forest for industrial development, risking the loss of one of Hyderabad’s last urban forests. Eg: This move put 100 acres of trees at risk, which were actually felled before intervention.
- Allegations of Ignoring Public Concerns: The government claimed ownership over the forest and accused protesting students of being misled by real estate interests, downplaying genuine environmental concerns. Eg: Students and activists protested to protect the forest but were dismissed by the state government.
- Judicial Reprimand for Environmental Damage: The Supreme Court took notice of the deforestation and reprimanded the Telangana government, highlighting the environmental insensitivity of the decision. Eg: The court ordered action after 100 acres were cut down, signaling the need to protect urban green spaces.
How do urban forests help in improving the environment and public health in cities?
- Mitigate Pollution and Improve Air Quality: Urban forests sequester carbon and absorb pollutants like PM 2.5 and PM 10, which are major causes of air pollution in cities. Eg: One hectare of trees can remove around one ton of air pollutants annually, helping reduce Delhi’s alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 494.
- Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect: Trees provide shade and cooling, lowering temperatures in concrete-heavy urban areas and combating the urban heat island effect caused by extensive construction and vehicle emissions. Eg: Cities like Bengaluru and Chennai with more green cover experience less extreme heat compared to heavily built-up areas.
- Control Stormwater and Prevent Flooding: Urban forests help manage stormwater runoff, reduce soil erosion, and prevent flooding, thus protecting urban infrastructure and residents. Eg: Urban green spaces reduce flood risks during heavy rains by absorbing excess water, unlike paved surfaces which increase runoff.
What role have judicial interventions played in protecting urban forests in India?
- Broadened Legal Protection: The Supreme Court’s Godavarman case (1996) expanded the definition of forests, mandating all States to identify and map forest areas, including urban forests, thereby bringing them under legal protection. Eg: In 2004, the apex court directed States to conduct a comprehensive forest inventory to enhance conservation efforts.
- Prevented Tree Felling through Stay Orders: Courts have intervened to stop indiscriminate tree felling in urban areas when public protests or petitions were filed, safeguarding ecologically significant areas. Eg: In 2020, the Supreme Court issued a stay on the tree felling in Aarey Forest, Mumbai, after public outcry and legal petitions.
- Ensured Government Accountability: Judicial interventions have held governments accountable for environmentally insensitive development and upheld the Right to a Healthy Environment under Article 21. Eg: In 2024, the Supreme Court reprimanded the Telangana government for felling trees in Kancha Gachibowli, directing restoration efforts.
What is the goal of the Nagar Van Yojana?
The Nagar Van Yojana, launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in 2020, aims to:
- Promote and develop urban forest spaces to enhance green cover and biodiversity in rapidly urbanising areas. Eg: It seeks to create eco-friendly urban ecosystems for better living environments.
- Create 1,000 urban forests by 2027 across Indian cities, contributing to climate resilience, air purification, and recreation. Eg: As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, the scheme has already added 1445.81 km² of tree and forest cover.
- Involve local communities in forest development and maintenance to ensure sustainable urban forestry and public participation. Eg: Civic bodies and citizen groups are encouraged to adopt and care for these green spaces.
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Way forward:
- Legally Safeguard Urban Forests: Enact clear legal protections for urban forests like Kancha Gachibowli by integrating them into city master plans and forest laws to prevent diversion for non-forest use.
- Strengthen Community Participation: Empower local communities and civic bodies to co-manage and monitor urban forests through citizen-led initiatives, ensuring long-term conservation and accountability.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2015] “Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?
Linkage: The Urban forests can serve as a safeguard against toxic urban air by absorbing pollutants. This question focuses on the critical issue of urban air pollution, highlighting the need for mechanisms like urban forests to improve air quality.
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Why in the News?
AMR is rapidly becoming one of the greatest public health threats, contributing to 2.97 lakh deaths in India in 2019 alone, as reported by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
- AMR occurs when microorganisms (like bacteria) evolve to become resistant to antibiotics designed to kill them. This makes infections harder to treat, leading to increased mortality and healthcare complications.
- Globally, AMR contributed to 1.27 million deaths and in India to 2,97,000 deaths in 2019 (IHME report).
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Why is it a growing concern globally?
- Rising Deaths Due to Resistant Infections: AMR causes infections that are harder to treat, leading to increased mortality. Eg, globally AMR contributed to 1.27 million deaths in 2019, and it is projected that by 2050, up to 10 million people could die annually due to resistant infections if no action is taken.
- Limited New Antibiotics Development: There has been a major decline in new antibiotic discovery over the past 30 years, leaving fewer effective treatment options. Eg, India’s development of Nafthromycin was the first new antibiotic in three decades, highlighting the global innovation gap.
- Widespread Misuse and Overuse of Antibiotics: Over-prescription and use of antibiotics in humans, livestock, and agriculture accelerate resistance. Eg, in India, antibiotics are often sold without prescriptions, promoting resistance and reducing drug effectiveness.
What is Nafthromycin?
- Nafthromycin, marketed as ‘Miqnaf’, is a new antibiotic developed in India by Wockhardt, with support from BIRAC.
- It treats Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP). It is a once-a-day, three-day treatment with a 97% success rate.
- India’s first indigenously-developed antibiotic in 30 years and the first globally in this class.
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What is the role of Nafthromycin in fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
- Provides a New Effective Treatment Option: Nafthromycin is India’s first indigenously developed antibiotic in 30 years, offering a powerful new drug to treat infections like Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) with a 97% success rate. Eg: This helps overcome resistance to older antibiotics like azithromycin.
- Supports Antibiotic Stewardship by Reducing Overuse of Existing Drugs: By providing an effective alternative, Nafthromycin can reduce reliance on existing antibiotics that have become less effective due to resistance, helping slow down the spread of AMR.
Why is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics a major cause of AMR in India?
- Over-the-counter sales without prescription: Antibiotics are often sold without a prescription, leading to improper and unnecessary use. Eg: People buying antibiotics directly from pharmacies for viral infections like common cold, where antibiotics are ineffective.
- Use of antibiotics in livestock and agriculture: A large portion of antibiotics is used in animals to promote growth or prevent disease, which contributes to resistant bacteria spreading to humans. Eg: Use of colistin in poultry farming, which was recently banned in India to curb resistance.
- Self-medication and lack of awareness: Many people self-medicate with antibiotics or do not complete prescribed courses, promoting resistance.
What are the healthcare gaps in the treatment of AMR?
- Shortage of Trained Medical Personnel in AMR Management: There is limited awareness and training among healthcare providers on rational antibiotic use and infection control practices. Eg: A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found that in community clinics in tier-2 cities, over 50% of doctors were unaware of the national treatment guidelines for infections.
- Lack of Diagnostic Infrastructure: Many primary and secondary healthcare centers in India lack adequate microbiology labs to accurately identify bacterial infections and their resistance profiles. Eg: In rural districts of Uttar Pradesh, absence of lab support leads doctors to prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics blindly, increasing resistance risks.
What are the steps taken by the Indian Government?
- National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR): A comprehensive plan aligned with WHO’s Global Action Plan to tackle AMR using a One Health approach (human, animal, and environment sectors). Eg: The plan prioritizes awareness, surveillance, infection prevention, and rational antimicrobial use. States like Kerala and Delhi have developed their own State Action Plans on AMR in alignment with NAP-AMR.
- Establishment of Surveillance Networks: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) set up the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance & Research Network (AMRSN) to track resistance patterns across hospitals. Eg: AMRSN collects data on AMR trends in pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli from over 30 hospitals, helping inform national policy.
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Way forward:
- Strengthen Regulation and Stewardship: Enforce strict controls on antibiotic sales and promote antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals and clinics.
- Invest in Surveillance and Public Awareness: Expand AMR surveillance networks and run sustained awareness campaigns to educate public and healthcare providers.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2014] How do you explain the factors responsible for the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.
Linkage: The core issue of “drug-resistant diseases” which is Antibiotic Resistance (AMR). The article talking about the key factors for AMR, such as misuse and overuse of antibiotics across various sectors, including non-prescription sales in countries like India. It also discusses the need for monitoring and control mechanisms like responsible global stewardship, patient education, public awareness, innovation, regulation, and government leadership in stewardship.
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Why in the News?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched a pilot project for the e-Zero FIR (First Information Report) system in Delhi to help police take faster action in high-value cyber financial frauds.
What is Zero FIR?
- Purpose: Zero FIR allows any police station to register an FIR for a cognisable offence without assigning a regular FIR number initially.
- No diary: Whereas FIRs have serial numbers assigned to them, zero FIRs are assigned the number ‘0’. Hence the name.
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About the e-Zero FIR System:
- Launch and Objective: The MHA has launched a pilot e-Zero FIR project in Delhi to speed up action in cyber financial frauds over ₹10 lakh.
- System Developer: It has been developed by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the MHA.
- How It Works: Victims can file complaints via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or by calling the 1930 helpline.
- FIR Process: The e-Crime Police Station in Delhi registers the FIR digitally, which is then transferred electronically to the correct local police station.
- Legal Basis: The project is implemented under Section 173(1) and 173(1)(ii) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
- Jurisdiction-Free Filing: Victims can report crimes without worrying about police station limits.
- Digital Integration: The system connects the I4C’s NCRP, Delhi Police’s e-FIR portal, and NCRB’s CCTNS platform.
Key Features and Victim Support:
- Automatic Registration: FIRs are automatically registered for cyber frauds involving over ₹10 lakh.
- Anywhere Access: Victims can file from any location, ensuring jurisdiction-free access.
- Fast FIR Transfer: FIRs are sent electronically to the appropriate police station for follow-up.
- Mandatory Visit: Victims must visit a cybercrime police station within 3 days to convert the Zero FIR into a regular FIR.
- Improved Recovery: Early registration improves the chances of recovering lost funds in time-sensitive fraud cases.
- Simplified Process: The system makes legal action easier and more accessible for cybercrime victims.
[UPSC 2021] With reference to India, consider the following statements:
- Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such an accused is locked up in a police station, not in jail.
- During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Option: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only * (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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Why in the News?
According to a recent report by the Gujarat Forest Department, the population of Asiatic lions in India has increased by 32% between 2020 and 2025, reaching 891 individuals.
About the Asiatic Lion:
- Scientific Identity: The Asiatic Lion, also known as the Persian or Indian Lion, is found only in India and is one of the 5 big cat species in the country.
- Physical Traits: They are slightly smaller than African lions and have a less developed mane.
- Habitat: Their only wild habitat is the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat.
- Range: Asiatic lions once roamed Western Asia, the Middle East, and parts of eastern and central India. Now, their entire wild population is restricted to Gujarat.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (most sources claimed it Endangered, but VU status is confirmed from IUCN official website).
- CITES: Appendix I (international commercial trade is prohibited; trade is permitted only in exceptional circumstances)
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I (highest level of protection in India, violations attract the harshest penalties)
- Lion Census: First conducted in 1936, and since 1965, done every 5 years by the Gujarat Forest Department.
- Behavioural Aspects:
- Reproduction: Lions are polyoestrous with no fixed breeding season; females come into estrus every 16 days and remain fertile for 4–8 days.
- Territorial Marking: Lions roar and scent mark to declare territory; males often scrape the ground to carry their scent.
Population and Conservation Updates:
- Population Growth: From 2020 to 2025, the lion population rose 32% to 891.
- Female Increase: Adult females grew 27% to 330, indicating positive breeding trends.
- Habitat Expansion: Lions now inhabit nine satellite regions, including Mityala (32 lions) and a new corridor (22 lions).
- Range Growth: Lion territory expanded from 30,000 sq. km in 2020 to 35,000 sq. km in 2025 — a 16.67% increase.
- Project Lion (2020): A ₹2,900 crore mission to enhance habitats and create new protected areas within Gujarat.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: With more lions outside reserves, there’s a rise in livestock attacks, with a 10% annual increase in affected villages and a 15% rise in animals killed.
- Community Support: Despite risks, 61% of surveyed locals showed tolerance towards lions, underlining the need for community-based conservation.
| [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
The Spices Board of India has decided to disburse ₹130 crore to almost 45,000 beneficiaries in 2025-2026 under the SPICED (Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development) Scheme.
Back2Basics: Spices Board of India
- The merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board and Spices Export Promotion Council on 26th February 1987, under the Spices Board Act 1986 led to the formation of the Spice Board of India.
- The Board functions as an international link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad with a nodal Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- It is headed by a Chairman, a rank equivalent to Joint Secretary to the GoI.
- Headquartered in Kochi, it has regional laboratories in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Tuticorin, Kandla and Guntur.
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About SPICED Scheme and its Features:
- Launch: It is launched by the Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Timeline and Budget: The scheme runs till 2025–26 with a total outlay of ₹422.30 crore, aligned with the 15th Finance Commission period.
- Objectives: It aims to boost spice exports, improve cardamom productivity, enhance post-harvest quality, and promote value addition and sustainability.
- Funding Support: In 2025–26, about ₹130 crore will be distributed to 45,000 beneficiaries.
- Focus Areas: Includes Mission Value Addition, Mission Clean and Safe Spices, promotion of GI-tagged spices, and development of Spice Incubation Centres.
- Priority Beneficiaries: Special focus on farmer groups, FPOs, FPCs, SHGs, SC/ST communities, SMEs, and exporters from the North-East.
- Monitoring: All activities are geo-tagged for transparency and tracking.
Key Facts about Spices Production and Trade:
- Global Position: India is one of the largest producers and exporters of spices, cultivating 75 of 109 ISO-listed spices.
- Major Producing States: Include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and others.
- Key Spices: India grows and exports pepper, cardamom, chili, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, celery, nutmeg, and spice oils.
- Top Products by Volume: Chili, cumin, turmeric, ginger, and coriander account for 76% of production.
- Export Leaders: Chili is the top export earner, generating around $1.1 billion annually. Ginger exports are growing at 27% CAGR.
- Export Value: In 2023–24, India exported $4.25 billion worth of spices, capturing 12% of the global spice trade.
- Export Destinations: India exported to 159 countries. Key markets include China, USA, Bangladesh, UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK, and Sri Lanka — together accounting for 70% of exports.
| [UPSC 2019] Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?
(a) Spices
(b) Fresh fruits
(c) Pulses
(d) Vegetable oils |
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Why in the News?
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has asked to resubmit his excavation report on the Keeladi site near Madurai after making necessary corrections.
ASI’s Concerns with the Report:
- The ASI asked for better scientific justification for the period of 8th century BCE to 5th century BCE.
- It said the earliest period could be more accurately dated to pre-300 BCE.
- The ASI said that depth data alone was not enough — each scientific date should also mention the layer number to allow for stratigraphic consistency.
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About Keezhadi Excavations:
- Location: Keezhadi is a village in Sivaganga district, located about 12 km southeast of Madurai, along the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu.
- Excavations: Excavations began in 2014, led by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, to uncover urban signs from the Sangam Age.
- Period Link: The site is associated with the Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE), and findings may push it back to 800 BCE.
- Civilisation Context: Keezhadi is now seen as part of the Vaigai Valley Civilisation, with evidence of urbanisation, trade, and early literacy.
Key Findings from Keezhadi:
- Period: Charcoal samples dated to around 200 BCE; some artefacts range between the 6th century BCE and 1st century BCE using the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating.
- Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions: Over 120 potsherds with early Tamil Brahmi script indicate literacy during the Sangam period.
- Pottery and Craftsmanship: Discovery of pottery, gold ornaments, copper tools, shell bangles, and ivory combs show local industry and artistic skill.
- Trade and Imports: Agate and carnelian beads suggest access to imported materials and long-distance trade.
- Recreational Items: Dice and game pieces were found, indicating leisure activities in the society.
- Industrial Activity: Evidence of dyeing units and bead-making points to a flourishing economy.
- Cultural Continuity: Artefacts show a transition from the Iron Age to the Early Historic Period.
- Possible Indus Link: Some symbols on potsherds resemble Indus Valley signs, hinting at cultural connections, despite a 1,000-year gap.
| [UPSC 2013] Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political history of South India, the Sangam literature portrays the social and economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment.
[UPSC 2023] Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?
Options: (a) Kings employing women bodyguards (b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters (c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals (d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death* |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: INSV Kaundinya
Why in the News?
The Indian Navy has formally inducted a traditional stitched sail ship, named INSV Kaundinya, at a ceremony held at the Naval Base in Karwar.
About INSV Kaundinya:
- Induction: It is a newly inducted, stitched sail ship of the Indian Navy, formally inducted at Karwar Naval Base.
- Design: The ship is based on a 5th-century design shown in a painting from the Ajanta Caves.
- Construction Method: Built using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques, including coconut fibre stitching, wooden joinery, coir ropes, natural resins, and cotton sails.
- No Modern Additions: It has no metal parts, no modern rudder, and is powered by square sails and steering oars.
- Cultural Symbols: Features include the Gandabherunda (two-headed eagle of the Kadamba dynasty), a Simha Yali on the bow, and a Harappan-style stone anchor.
- Sail Plan: The vessel has 3 masts — the main mast, mizzen mast, and bowsprit mast.
- Planned Voyage: A 15-member Indian Navy crew will sail it to Oman by late 2025, retracing ancient maritime trade routes.
- Project Partners: This heritage revival project is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations Pvt. Ltd.
Legend of Kaundinya and Queen Soma:
- Kaundinya is regarded as the first known Indian sailor to cross the seas over 2,000 years ago.
- He is credited with founding the kingdom of Funan (in present-day Cambodia and South Vietnam) through a historic alliance with Queen Soma.
- Their story is recorded in Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Chinese sources, though not in Indian texts.
- Future dynasties like the Khmer and Cham traced their origins to this union.
| [UPSC 2003] Consider the following statements:
1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early medieval times.
2. The Cholas sent an expedition against Sailendra empire of South East Asia and conquered some of the areas.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
Options: (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-inducts-stitched-sail-ship-as-insv-kaundinya/article69601911.ece
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Why in the News?
India has celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2025 in Udaipur.
About International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB):
- Annual Observance: The IDB is celebrated every year on May 22 to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation.
- Significance: The date marks the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992.
- 2025 Theme: ‘Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development’.
- Key Highlights: India showcased its global leadership through:
Back2Basics: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- Adoption: The CBD was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and came into force on December 29, 1993.
- Membership: Its secretariat is located in Montreal, Canada, and the convention has been ratified by 196 countries. The USA has signed but NOT ratified it.
- India and CBD:
- India became a party to the CBD on February 18, 1994, and is recognised as a leader among developing countries in biodiversity conservation and policy implementation
- India hosted the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP-11) to the CBD in Hyderabad in 2012, showcasing its commitment and capacity in biodiversity governance
- Core Objectives:
- Conservation of biodiversity
- Sustainable use of its components
- Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources
- Functioning: The CBD is governed by the Conference of the Parties (COP), which meets every 2 years.
- Latest Development (COP16, 2024): Held in Cali, Colombia, COP16 introduced a benefit-sharing mechanism for Digital Sequence Information (DSI) to ensure rewards for local communities.
- Related Protocols:
- Cartagena Protocol (2000): Regulates cross-border movement of living modified organisms (LMOs); effective from 2003.
- Nagoya Protocol (2010): Ensures fair access and benefit-sharing for genetic resources.
India’s Biodiversity Profile:
- India is one of 17 mega-diverse countries in the world.
- It covers an area of 329 million hectares and is the 9th largest country globally.
- India is home to:
- Over 1,00,000 animal species.
- Around 55,000 plant species.
- Ten bio-geographic regions.
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| [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:
1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.
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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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Raja Ram Mohun Roy
Mains level: His contributions
One of the most influential social and religious reformers of the 19th century, Ram Mohan Roy, born on May 22, 1772 in what was then Bengal Presidency’s Radhanagar in Hooghly district, would have turned 253 years today.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833)
Early life
- Born into a prosperous upper-caste Brahmin family, Roy grew up within the framework of orthodox caste practices of his time.
- Child-marriage, polygamy and dowry were prevalent among the higher castes and he had himself been married more than once in his childhood.
- The family’s affluence had also made the best in education accessible to him.
- The waning of the Mughals and the ascendancy of the East India Company in Bengal towards the end of the 18th century was also the time when Roy was slowly coming into his own.
Academics
- Roy knew Bengali and Persian, but also Arabic, Sanskrit, and later, English.
- His exposure to the literature and culture of each of these languages bred in him a scepticism towards religious dogmas and social strictures.
- He spent considerable time studying the Vedas and the Upanishads, but also religious texts of Islam and Christianity.
Religious belief
- He was particularly intrigued by the Unitarian faction of Christianity and was drawn by the precepts of monotheism that, he believed, lay at the core of all religious texts.
- He wrote extensive tracts on various matters of theology, polity and human rights, and translated and made accessible Sanskrit texts into Bengali.
- Rammohun did not quite make a distinction between the religious and the secular. He believed religion to be the site of all fundamental changes.
- What he fought was not religion but what he believed to be its perversion.
Roy, the first among liberals
- Even though British consolidation of power was still at a nascent stage in India at the time, Roy could sense that change was afoot.
- Confident about the strength of his heritage and open to imbibing from other cultures what he believed were ameliorative practices, Roy was among India’s first liberals.
- He was simultaneously interested in religion, politics, law and jurisprudence, commerce and agrarian enterprise, Constitutions and civic rights, the unjust treatment of women and the appalling condition of the Indian poor.
Establishment of Atmiya Sabha
- In 1814, he started the Atmiya Sabha (Society of Friends), to nurture philosophical discussions on the idea of monotheism in Vedanta.
- It aimed to campaign against idolatry, casteism, child marriage and other social ills.
- The Atmiya Sabha would make way for the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, set up with Debendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore’s father.
Abolition of Sati, educational and religious reforms
- He campaigned for the modernisation of education, in particular the introduction of a Western curriculum, and started several educational institutions in the city.
- In 1817, he collaborated with Scottish philanthropist David Hare to set up the Hindu College (now, Presidency University).
- He followed it up with the Anglo-Hindu School in 1822 and, in 1830, assisted Alexander Duff to set up the General Assembly’s Institution, which later became the Scottish Church College.
- It was his relentless advocacy alongside contemporaries such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar that finally led to the abolition of Sati under the governor generalship of William Bentinck in 1829.
- Roy argued for the property rights of women, and petitioned the British for freedom of the press (in 1829 and 1830).
- His Brahmo Sabha, that later became the Brahmo Samaj, evolved as a reaction against the upper-caste stranglehold on social customs and rituals.
Perils of non-conformism
- Roy, who was given the title of Raja by the Mughal emperor Akbar II, was no exception to the societal enmity.
- Roy was also often attacked by his own countrymen who felt threatened by his reformist agenda, and by British reformers and functionaries, whose views differed from his.
Conclusion
- Roy’s work in the sphere of women’s emancipation, modernising education and seeking changes to religious orthodoxy finds new relevance in this time.
- He was among the first Indians to gain recognition in the UK and in America for his radical thoughts.
- Roy was unquestionably the first person on the subcontinent to seriously engage with the challenges posed by modernity to traditional social structures and ways of being.
- Rabindranath Tagore called him a ‘Bharatpathik’ by which he meant to say that Rammohun combined in his person the underlying spirit of Indic civilisation, its spirit of pluralism, tolerance and a cosmic respect for all forms of life.
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PYQ Relevance:
[UPSC 2022] What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.
Linkage: While it focuses on the influence of ocean currents rather than the threat of overfishing, it establishes the fishing industry as a subject of examination in the context of geography and marine environments. |
Mentor’s Comment: India’s marine fisheries sector produces around three to four million tonnes of catch annually, showing that the country has reached its maximum sustainable yield. However, large mechanised fishing operations dominate the catch, while small-scale fishers—who make up 90% of the fishing population—harvest only about 10% of the total volume. Despite the high output, nearly three-quarters of marine fisher families live below the poverty line. When fishers invest in newer nets and bigger engines to catch ‘just one more kilo,’ they often fail to increase their catch significantly and instead incur higher debts, fuel expenses, and other costs, worsening the economic condition of these vulnerable communities.
Today’s editorial discusses issues in the Indian marine fisheries sector. This content will help you with GS Paper 2 (Policy Making) and GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy and Environment).
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
India’s marine fisheries sector faces an ecological and economic crisis. Although it produces 3–4 million tonnes of fish each year, it hides serious problems of unfairness and unsustainability.
What causes inequity in India’s marine fisheries despite high yields?
- Dominance of Mechanised Fishing: Large mechanised vessels capture the majority of fish, leaving small-scale fishers with a minimal share. For example, though small-scale fishers make up 90% of the population, they catch only 10% of the total marine output.
- Low Incomes Despite High Effort: Marginal increase in catch requires high investment in fuel, engines, and nets, increasing debts for traditional fishers. Eg: Even with larger engines, returns don’t rise proportionally, worsening poverty in fishing communities.
- Bycatch and Wasteful Practices: High-volume trawling discards significant juvenile and non-target species, reducing long-term resource availability. Eg: Shrimp trawlers discard over 10 kg of bycatch for every 1 kg of shrimp caught.
- Regulatory Fragmentation: Varying state laws allow exploitation of legal loopholes, enabling illegal or unsustainable practices. Eg: A fish species banned in one state can be caught and sold by landing in a neighbouring state.
- Lack of Inclusive Governance: Small-scale fishers have limited role in fisheries decision-making and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Eg: Fisheries subsidies and infrastructure mainly support large operators, sidelining traditional communities.
Why is shrimp trawling harmful to marine ecosystems?
- High Bycatch: Shrimp trawling results in excessive capture of non-target species, including juveniles. Eg: For every 1 kg of shrimp, over 10 kg of juvenile fish and other marine life are discarded.
- Juvenile Fishing: Small mesh sizes allow immature fish to be caught, reducing breeding populations. Eg: Sub-legal mesh sizes (<25 mm) trap juvenile sardines and mackerel, threatening their recovery.
- Habitat Destruction: Bottom trawling disturbs seabeds and coral reefs, degrading marine habitats. Eg: Trawl nets drag along the ocean floor, damaging reef ecosystems and invertebrate habitats.
- Ecosystem Imbalance: Removing large quantities of multiple species disrupts food webs and marine biodiversity. Eg: Multi-species shrimp trawling affects dozens of species, weakening ecosystem stability.
- Encourages Unsustainable Practices: The bycatch feeds fish-meal and fish-oil industries, incentivising further exploitation. Eg: Over half of trawl fishery hauls in some states are low-value bycatch ground into meal for export.
How do state-level laws hinder effective fisheries regulation?
- Fragmented Legal Framework: Each coastal State/UT has its own Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (MFRA), leading to inconsistency in rules. Eg: A fish species protected as juvenile in one State may be legally caught in a neighbouring State.
- Easy Circumvention: Fishers exploit legal loopholes by landing catch across State borders to avoid stricter regulations. Eg: Unscrupulous trawlers bypass juvenile fish bans by selling catch in States with weaker enforcement.
- Undermines Conservation: Lack of harmonised standards weakens conservation efforts and encourages overfishing of vulnerable stocks. Eg: Inconsistent mesh size limits and closed season rules reduce the overall effectiveness of protection policies.
Which models show success in sustainable fisheries management?
- Quota Management System (QMS): Aligns science and policy by setting total allowable catches based on stock assessments and allocating tradable quotas. Eg: New Zealand’s QMS, introduced in 1986, helped stabilise and rebuild key fisheries through individual transferable quotas.
- Minimum Legal Size (MLS) Regulation: Enforcing size limits allows fish to mature and reproduce, leading to long-term stock recovery and improved fisher incomes. Eg: After Kerala implemented MLS for threadfin bream, catches rose by 41% in a single season.
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Who should act to ensure marine fisheries sustainability in India?
- Central Government: Should promote an ecosystem-based regulatory approach by reforming vessel licenses, infrastructure grants, and subsidies. Eg: Aligning subsidies with sustainability goals can discourage overfishing by mechanised fleets.
- State Governments: Must strengthen enforcement of fisheries laws with better patrols and real-time reporting tools. Eg: Uniform implementation of gear restrictions and closed seasons across coastal states.
- Fisher Cooperatives and Village Councils: Can act as co-managers of marine protected areas and breeding sanctuaries, ensuring community participation. Eg: Local councils enforcing seasonal bans and gear regulations in Kerala’s coastal villages.
- Consumers (Urban & Rural): Should exercise responsible seafood consumption by choosing legally sized, sustainably sourced fish. Eg: Rejecting undersized fish in markets can reduce demand for juvenile catch and promote biodiversity.
What are the steps taken by the Indian government?
- Infrastructure Development: The government is modernising fisheries-related infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses. Eg: Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), over ₹20,000 crore has been allocated to develop fishing harbours like the Mangalore fishing harbour and Paradeep harbour in Odisha with modern landing and storage facilities.
- Fisheries Subsidies and Financial Support: Financial aid is provided to fishers for deep-sea fishing, insurance, and the adoption of sustainable practices. Eg: The Blue Revolution scheme supported the acquisition of deep-sea tuna longliners by Tamil Nadu fishers, promoting offshore fishing and reducing coastal pressure.
- Policy Reforms and Conservation Measures: The government is implementing biological conservation through legal reforms like fishing bans, gear restrictions, and MLS regulations. Eg: The Kerala government’s implementation of Minimum Legal Size (MLS) for threadfin bream in 2017 resulted in a 41% increase in catch in just one season, showing improved fish stock regeneration.
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Way forward:
- Implement a unified national fisheries law to harmonise regulations across states, closing legal loopholes and strengthening enforcement for sustainable resource management.
- Empower local fishing communities through co-management models, enhancing their participation in decision-making and conservation to ensure equitable benefits and long-term ecosystem health.
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Why in the News?
Most western border districts, except in Gujarat, had little or no growth in exports and saw slow poverty reduction. Now, recent tensions and shelling between India and Pakistan are hurting the economy in these 22 districts.
What causes slower poverty reduction in border districts?
- Geopolitical Tensions and Hostile Neighbours: Constant threats such as cross-border shelling along the LoC disrupt livelihoods, infrastructure, and public services. Eg: In Jammu & Kashmir, border districts face frequent disruptions due to tensions with Pakistan, limiting economic stability and job opportunities.
- Limited Economic and Industrial Activity: Border districts often lack a strong industrial base or service sector, leading to low income-generation and underemployment. Eg: In Rajasthan and Punjab, several border districts showed slower poverty reduction than State averages due to stagnant economic growth.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Poor roads, communication networks, and market access hinder economic integration and development. Eg: Eastern States like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland face challenges due to remote terrain and limited connectivity, contributing to persistent poverty.
- Declining Development Fund: Post-pandemic, central funding under schemes like the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) has declined sharply. Eg: After FY20, both western and eastern border areas experienced reduced support, slowing poverty reduction efforts.
- Landlocked and Isolated Geography: Many border districts, especially in the Northeast, are landlocked and rely on external transport hubs, limiting local trade and economic activity. Eg: In Assam, 75% of border districts had a slower decline in poverty than the State average between 2015–16 and 2019–21.
Why are exports stagnant in most border districts except Gujarat?
- Lack of Industrial and Export Ecosystem: Most border districts lack industrial clusters, export-processing zones, and supply chain infrastructure, which hampers export activity. Eg: Border districts in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir contribute only 0.3% to India’s total exports, showing minimal export potential.
- Geopolitical and Security Constraints: Tensions with neighboring countries and border insecurities restrict cross-border trade and deter investment in export-oriented industries. Eg: Frequent cross-border shelling along the LoC in J&K and Rajasthan affects trade operations and discourages private sector involvement.
- Gujarat’s Strategic Advantage and Policy Support: Gujarat benefits from a coastal location, developed infrastructure, and proactive industrial policies, enabling strong export growth. Eg: Border districts in Gujarat increased their export share from 1.9% in FY22 to 3% in FY24, in contrast to stagnation elsewhere.
Which border districts performed better economically?
- Gujarat is the only western border State where all border districts saw a faster decline in poverty than the State average.
- Eg: export share from border districts rose from 1.9% (FY22) to 3% (FY24) — indicating successful economic activity.
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Why did the government’s support to border areas decline?
- Reallocation of Resources Post-Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic shifted national priorities toward healthcare, urban welfare, and fiscal recovery, resulting in reduced focus on border-specific programmes. Eg: Post FY20, schemes like the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) faced budget cuts as funds were redirected to pandemic-related needs.
- Security-Centric Approach Over Development: In sensitive regions, the government adopted a more security-focused strategy, often at the cost of developmental spending in border districts. Eg: In J&K and Punjab, heightened defence and surveillance measures took precedence, sidelining economic initiatives and local development schemes.
- Administrative and Logistical Challenges: Border areas, especially in the Northeast, face issues like difficult terrain, poor connectivity, and limited administrative reach, deterring consistent support. Eg: In Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, implementation hurdles led to underutilization of allocated funds, reducing the impact of central schemes.
Way forward:
- Targeted Development & Infrastructure Boost: Prioritise region-specific infrastructure (roads, logistics hubs, digital connectivity) and promote border-based industrial clusters to generate employment and improve trade potential.
- Revive and Expand BADP with Integrated Planning: Strengthen the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) with post-pandemic funding revival, and ensure convergence with state schemes for holistic socio-economic upliftment of border districts.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development being undertaken in these areas under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme.
Linkage: The security problems along the border, such as India-Pakistan tensions and cross-border shelling, as seen in the “India’s Border Districts”. It also explores how development programmes address these issues, directly linking security challenges with economic and development concerns in border regions. It clearly connects border tensions with the economic struggles in these areas.
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Why in the News?
A recent study titled ‘Poverty Decline in India after 2011–12: Bigger Picture Evidence’ shows that poverty in India fell from 37% in 2004-05 to 22% in 2011-12. However, poverty declined by only an additional 18% until 2022-23, and officials have not released any poverty estimates after 2011-12.
What are the three methods used to estimate post-2011 poverty in India?
- Alternative NSSO Surveys: Using different socio-economic surveys like the Usual Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (UMPCE) from NSSO rounds after 2011-12, despite comparability issues with earlier surveys. Eg: Estimates based on UMPCE suggest poverty between 26-30% in 2019-20.
- Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) Scaling: Scaling consumption data from the 2011-12 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey using the growth rate of PFCE from National Accounts Statistics (NAS) to estimate consumption trends. Eg: Used by economist Surjit Bhalla and colleagues in 2022.
- Survey-to-Survey Imputation: Filling data gaps by linking related surveys (e.g., consumption surveys with employment surveys) through imputation models, often at the State level for better accuracy. Eg: The recent study titled ‘Poverty Decline in India after 2011–12: Bigger Picture Evidence’ study using NSSO Employment-Unemployment Surveys with Consumer Expenditure Surveys to estimate poverty decline to about 18% in 2022-23.
Note: Surjit Bhalla is an Indian economist, author, and columnist who served as Executive Director for India at the International Monetary Fund. |
How much has poverty declined post-2011–12, and how does it compare with the earlier period?
- Sharp slowdown: Poverty fell from 37% (2004–05) to 22% (2011–12), a 15-point drop, but only to 18% by 2022–23, a mere 4-point reduction in over a decade.
- Absolute poverty numbers: Number of poor declined from 250 million to 225 million in 10 years — a decline of only 10%, compared to a much faster fall earlier.
- GDP correlation: GDP growth slowed from 6.9% (2004–12) to 5.7% (2012–23), consistent with slower poverty reduction.
Why has the poverty reduction slowed since 2011-2012?
- Slower GDP Growth: Average GDP growth declined from 6.9% (2004-05 to 2011-12) to 5.7% (2011-12 to 2022-23), correlating with slower poverty reduction.
- Declining Real Wage Growth: Growth in rural wages slowed down significantly — from 4.13% annually before 2011-12 to 2.3% after 2011-12.
- Rising Agricultural Workforce with Lower Productivity: After a decline in agricultural workers till 2017-18, 68 million workers joined agriculture post-2017-18, leading to lower agricultural productivity and wages, which hampers poverty reduction.
How do the Poverty trends vary across Indian States?
- Significant Poverty Reduction: Some states have shown marked improvement in reducing poverty levels after 2011-12. Eg: Uttar Pradesh has notably decreased its poverty rate during this period.
- Slow Progress: Historically poor states continue to struggle with slow poverty reduction due to persistent socio-economic challenges. Eg: Jharkhand and Bihar have experienced much slower declines in poverty rates.
- Stagnation: Several large and economically important states have seen poverty reduction stagnate, with little change over the years. Eg: Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh show almost no improvement in poverty reduction post-2011-12.
What are the steps taken by the Indian Government?
- Implementation of Social Welfare Schemes: The government has launched various targeted welfare programs to support the poor and vulnerable groups. Eg: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for affordable housing.
- Focus on Employment Generation: Programs aimed at creating jobs, especially in rural areas, to increase income and reduce poverty. Eg: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- Financial Inclusion Initiatives: Efforts to increase access to banking and financial services for the poor. Eg: Jan Dhan Yojana, which promotes opening of bank accounts for the unbanked.
- Agricultural Support and Reforms: Policies to improve farmers’ incomes and agricultural productivity to support rural livelihoods. Eg: PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, providing direct income support to farmers.
- Health and Education Programs: Investments in healthcare and education to improve human capital and break the cycle of poverty. Eg: Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme for poor families.
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Way forward:
- Rural Wage & Productivity Growth: Boost rural wages and agricultural productivity by implementing reforms, improving access to technology, and providing skill development to increase income and reduce poverty sustainably.
- Data Accuracy & Monitoring: Improve data collection and real-time monitoring of poverty indicators to ensure precise measurement, enabling better-targeted policies and effective poverty alleviation programs.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2015] Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators.
Linkage: Estimates consistently show a reduction in poverty over time rather than the underlying surveys or methodologies used to produce them, answering this question effectively would require knowledge that various estimates exist, often derived from different data sources or approaches.
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Why in the News?
A new ETH Zurich study warns that under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 5-8.5 scenario, warming could make cyclones more intense and hit unusual regions with greater damage.
What are Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)?
- Definition: SSPs are 5 global scenarios that show how changes in society, economy, and technology might influence climate adaptation and mitigation.
- Purpose: They complement Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) by adding socioeconomic context to climate models.
- Development: Created in the late 2000s, published in 2016, and used in the IPCC 6th Assessment Report and CMIP6 models.
- Function: SSPs assume no new climate policies, helping scientists explore how global trends affect emissions and climate action.
- The Five Pathways:
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- SSP1: Sustainable and equitable world
- SSP2: Continuation of current trends
- SSP3: Regional rivalry with high population growth
- SSP4: Unequal world with high disparities
- SSP5: Fossil-fuel-based rapid economic growth
- Usage: SSPs are used with RCPs to explore how different futures could affect the 1.5°C or 2°C warming targets.
- Significance: They help policymakers assess how societal choices impact climate risks, emissions, and the feasibility of global goals.
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About SSP5-8.5 and Cyclone Risks:
- Scenario Summary: SSP5 shows rapid economic growth fuelled by fossil fuels.
- Radiative Forcing: SSP5-8.5 implies 8.5 W/m² of energy, compared to about 2.7 W/m² today.
- Climate Target Gap: To limit warming below 2°C, forcing must stay around 2.6 W/m².
- Cyclone Projections: Using the CLIMADA (climate adaptation) AI model, scientists studied past cyclone patterns and projected risks from 2015–2050.
- Ecoregion Types:
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- Resilient: Often affected, but recover quickly
- Dependent: Moderately impacted and adaptive
- Vulnerable: Rarely hit but slow to recover
- Findings:
- Time between severe cyclones in resilient areas may drop from 19 to 12 years.
- East Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean will face stronger, more frequent cyclones.
- Madagascar, Oceania, and the Philippines will face unprecedented cyclone activity.
Impact on Mangroves and Coastal Ecosystems:
- Mangrove Risk: By 2100, up to 56% of global mangroves could be at high to severe risk.
- Most Affected Region: Southeast Asia, with 52–78% of mangroves at risk.
- Other Scenario Impact (SSP3-7.0): Even under less severe warming, 97–98% of protective mangroves in Southeast Asia could still face critical threats.
- Environmental Concern: These losses would severely weaken coastal protection, biodiversity, and carbon storage.
| [UPSC 2020] Consider the following statements:
1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. 2. Only some cyclones develop an eye. 3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C lesser than that of the surroundings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only* (d) 1 and 3 only |
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Why in the News?
At the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a new Pandemic Agreement that aims to make the global response to future pandemics more equitable and effective.
About the WHO Pandemic Agreement:
- Adoption: It was unanimously adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva after 3 years of negotiation since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Legal Basis: It was adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, making it only the second such legally binding agreement after the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2003).
- Primary Goal: To ensure fair and timely access to vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tools during future pandemics.
- Stakeholders: It promotes collaboration among countries, WHO, pharmaceutical firms, civil society, and other stakeholders.
- Next Steps: It will come into force once ratified by at least 60 countries; the final annex is expected by May 2026.
- Irritant: The US has not joined, raising concerns about the agreement’s global effectiveness.
Key Highlights of the Agreement:
- Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS): A new system will ensure quick virus sample sharing with companies, who must give 20% of vaccines and medicines to WHO—10% as donations and 10% at affordable prices.
- Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL): A WHO-managed network will ensure emergency access to critical supplies during pandemics.
- Coordinating Financial Mechanism: A funding system will support countries in pandemic preparedness and response.
- Sustainable Local Production: Countries are encouraged to build vaccine and medicine production capacity to ensure rapid and equal access.
- Technology and Knowledge Transfer: Supports technology sharing with developing nations using licensing, financing, and regulatory tools, coordinated via WHO-managed hubs.
- Pandemic Prevention and Surveillance: Countries must improve early detection, routine vaccinations, and address lab safety, antimicrobial resistance, and zoonotic threats.
- Respect for Sovereignty: The WHO will not enforce national policies like lockdowns, vaccine mandates, or travel bans; countries retain full control over responses.
| [UPSC 2022] In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector-based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
Scientists have discovered that a massive solar storm hit Earth around 12,350 BC, making it the most powerful solar event ever detected.
What are Solar Particle Storms?
- About: A solar storm is a disturbance caused by solar flares or coronal mass ejections that release charged particles into space.
- Solar Particle Storm: It is a type of solar storm where high-energy particles travel toward Earth, producing cosmogenic isotopes like radiocarbon.
- Detection: These isotope spikes are recorded in tree rings and are known as Miyake events, which act as cosmic timestamps.
- Impact: Though rare, solar particle storms can severely affect satellites, communication systems, and power grids.
- Historical Events: Major solar particle storms were identified in AD 994, 663 BC, 5259 BC, and 7176 BC.
- Carrington Event (1859): This was a major solar storm, but not a particle storm—it resulted from a different solar mechanism.
How was the ancient storm detected?
- Methodology: A solar storm from 12,350 BC was discovered using tree-ring data from the French Alps.
- Event Strength: This storm was over 500 times stronger than the 2005 solar storm, the largest in the satellite era.
- What are its implications?
- Significance: This is the first known extreme solar event before the Holocene, predating the last 12,000 years of stable climate.
- Modern Relevance: The discovery highlights the risks of future extreme solar activity on Satellite infrastructure and Space Application.
- Significance: Miyake events improve the precision of archaeological dating, helping better understand ancient human history.
| [UPSC 2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7*
Tap to know more about the answer. |
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Why in the News?
In a major move to fight cyber fraud and financial crime, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) as a part of the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
Back2Basics: Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)
- DIP is developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as a secure, integrated platform for real-time intelligence sharing.
- Stakeholders Involved: It connects Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), banks, financial institutions, social media platforms, and identity document issuers.
- Functionality: The platform contains information on telecom resource misuse and supports case tracking and coordinated action.
- Sanchar Saathi Integration: DIP acts as a backend system for citizen requests submitted through the Sanchar Saathi portal.
- Access Control: DIP is available only to authorized stakeholders via secure connections and is NOT accessible to public.
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What is the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)?
- Purpose: FRI is a risk-based tool that flags mobile numbers as Medium, High, or Very High risk for financial fraud.
- Data Sources: It pulls inputs from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), DoT’s Chakshu Platform, and banking institutions.
- Beneficiaries: Helps banks, NBFCs, and UPI service providers implement added security for high-risk numbers.
- How It Works:
- The Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) shares a Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) with reasons like cybercrime, failed verification, or excess usage.
- The tool performs multi-dimensional analysis and assigns a fraud risk level.
- Risk status is shared in real-time via DIP, enabling early action before fraud occurs.
Case Study: PhonePe’s use of FRI System
- PhonePe was one of the first adopters of the FRI system.
- It uses FRI to:
- Block transactions linked to Very High-risk numbers.
- Display alerts using the PhonePe Protect feature.
- For Medium-risk numbers, PhonePe is working on showing proactive user warnings before transactions.
- The tool has proven highly accurate in identifying numbers involved in cyber fraud.
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| [UPSC 2021] Which one of the following effects of the creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?
Options: (a) Diversion of resources to the purchase of real estate and investment in luxury housing (b) Investment in unproductive activities and purchase of precious stones, jewelry, gold, etc. (c) Large donations to political parties and the growth of regionalism (d) Loss of revenue to the State Exchequer due to tax evasion* |
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PYQ Relevance:
[UPSC 2021] Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India.
Linkage: While the PYQ focuses on empowerment and women within the gig economy, it aligns with the broader theme of identity and status challenges faced by workers in non-traditional/precarious employment structures, a challenge explicitly highlighted for SBWs and then linked to gig workers in the article. |
Mentor’s Comment: The central government employs millions of regular and contract workers, including around 60 million in schemes like ICDS, NRHM, and mid-day meals. These workers—such as Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHAs, and mid-day meal staff—support children, mothers, and nutrition. They connect communities with public health and help improve school enrollment and overall health.
Today’s editorial talks about the problems faced by Scheme-Based Workers (SBWs). This content is useful for GS Paper I (Women’s Issues) and GS Paper II (Social Justice).
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
The recent developments surrounding Scheme-Based Workers (SBWs)—particularly Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and MDM workers—have reignited the debate on labour identity, social security, and worker rights in India.
Who are scheme-based workers (SBWs)?
- Workers employed under various government social welfare schemes but not formally recognized as government employees. Around 60 million workers across government schemes. Eg: Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Mid-Day Meal Workers (MDMWs).
- ICDS (since 1975), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), and Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
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What roles do they perform?
- Childcare and Nutrition Services: SBWs play a vital role in early childhood care by ensuring nutritional support, immunization, and preschool education. Eg: Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) under the ICDS scheme provide nutrition and basic health services to children and lactating mothers.
- Public Health Outreach: They serve as a crucial link between the public health system and rural communities, improving health awareness and access. Eg: ASHAs under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) assist in maternal care, vaccination drives, and promote institutional deliveries.
- Educational and Nutritional Support in Schools: They help enhance school enrollment and retention by providing mid-day meals, which also address child malnutrition. Eg: Mid-Day Meal Workers (MDMWs) prepare and distribute meals in schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
What challenges do SBWs face in gaining formal recognition and benefits?
- Lack of Worker Status: SBWs are often classified as “volunteers” or “honorary workers” rather than formal employees, denying them recognition as government workers. Eg: The Supreme Court in State of Karnataka vs Ameerbi (2006) ruled that Anganwadi workers are not state employees as they don’t hold statutory posts.
- Absence of Minimum Wages: Most SBWs receive honorariums instead of wages, which are far below minimum wage standards. Eg: Anganwadi workers and helpers across states earn as low as ₹4,500–₹9,000 per month, without alignment to state minimum wage norms.
- No Social Security Benefits: SBWs are denied access to pensions, provident fund, maternity benefits, and health insurance. Eg: Despite working in public health, ASHAs are not covered under schemes like EPFO or ESI.
- Policy Delay and Avoidance: Governments often cite financial burden or the need for long-term planning to delay regularisation. Eg: In 2016, the Labour Minister told Parliament that there’s no fixed timeline to implement ILC recommendations for SBWs.
- Suppression of Collective Action: SBWs’ strikes are often met with state repression or legal barriers. Eg: Maharashtra invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in 2017 to curb Anganwadi workers’ right to strike.
Why is the government reluctant to regularise SBWs?
- Financial Burden: Regularising SBWs would significantly increase the government’s salary and welfare expenditure, making it fiscally unsustainable. Eg: The central government employs over 60 lakh SBWs, and converting them to regular employees would involve massive budgetary allocations for wages and benefits.
- Policy Ambiguity: Successive governments delay decisions by citing the need for long-term policy formulation without committing to a timeline. Eg: In 2016, the Labour Minister told the Rajya Sabha that implementing Indian Labour Conference (ILC) recommendations requires indefinite planning.
- Privatisation Push: The government aims to reduce its role in welfare delivery by promoting public-private partnerships, weakening the case for regularisation. Eg: There have been attempts to privatise the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), directly affecting the employment security of Anganwadi workers.
How have trade unions and courts supported SBWs’ demands?
- Union Mobilisation: Major trade unions have organised SBWs to demand minimum wages, worker status, and social security through strikes and negotiations. Eg: In March 2025, Anganwadi workers in Kerala ended a 13-day indefinite strike organised by unions like AITUC, BMS, and CITU demanding regularisation and fair pay.
- Judicial Recognition: Courts have gradually recognised some labour rights of SBWs, even when earlier rulings were unfavourable. Eg: In Maniben Maganbhai Bhariya vs District Development Officer (2022), the Supreme Court ruled that Anganwadi workers are eligible for gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act.
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What are the policy implications of granting SBWs formal employee status?
- Fiscal Burden: Recognising SBWs as formal employees would significantly increase the government’s expenditure on salaries, pensions, and social security. Eg: The central government is concerned about cost implications due to the growing number of SBWs (nearly 6 million), especially as population-linked schemes expand.
- Policy Reorientation: Granting formal status would require new frameworks for recruitment, training, service conditions, and grievance redressal. Eg: The Gujarat High Court in 2024 directed the State and Centre to create a joint policy to regularise Anganwadi workers as Class III and IV employees.
- Precedent for Other Informal Workers: Regularising SBWs could set a precedent for other informal or gig workers demanding similar recognition and protections. Eg: Like SBWs, gig workers (e.g., delivery partners) are also fighting for worker status and social security rights in courts and labour forums.
Way forward:
- Enact Clear Policies: Governments should promptly create and implement policies to grant SBWs formal worker status with fair wages and social security benefits.
- Strengthen Monitoring: Improve enforcement by regional bodies to ensure timely wage revisions, labour rights protection, and prevent exploitation of SBWs.
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Why in the News?
India has taken a sharp turn from its traditionally cooperative trade approach by recently imposing restrictions on Bangladeshi readymade garments and other goods.
Why did India impose trade restrictions on Bangladesh?
- Bangladesh move to China: India imposed trade restrictions to express displeasure with Bangladesh’s interim government led by Mohammed Yunus, which has moved closer to China and Pakistan, straining India-Bangladesh relations. Eg: Yunus inviting Chinese access to India’s northeast during his China visit triggered India’s concerns.
- Political statement against the North East: India blocked access to its Northeast markets for Bangladesh’s key garment exports in response to recent political comments that called Northeast India landlocked and claimed Bangladesh is its gateway to the sea.
- Signaling Disapproval of Political Moves: India seeks to signal its objection to the interim government’s ban on the Awami League and its deviation from democratic norms promised to the international community.
What did Yunus say about India’s northeast during his China visit?
- Described India’s northeast as landlocked: Yunus publicly referred to the northeastern region of India as lacking direct access to the sea, highlighting its geographical constraints. Eg: He emphasized that the region is dependent on access through neighboring countries like Bangladesh.
- Invited China to access the region via Bangladesh: He suggested that China could use Bangladesh as a transit route to reach India’s northeast, implicitly offering strategic passage. Eg: During his March 2025 China visit, he proposed trade and connectivity links that would allow China to reach the northeast.
- Undermined India’s regional security concerns: By involving China in a sensitive area, Yunus ignored India’s strategic sensitivities and long-standing opposition to Chinese presence near its borders. Eg: His comments were seen as aligning with China’s Belt and Road ambitions in South Asia, alarming Indian policymakers.
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How could the trade move affect India’s strategic interests?
- May worsen anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh: The restrictions could be seen as punitive and fuel nationalist or anti-India narratives, especially among radical groups. Eg: Elements opposing India’s influence may use the trade ban to rally public anger and portray India as interfering in domestic affairs.
- Could destabilize India’s northeast region: Heightened tensions and instability in Bangladesh may spill over, leading to cross-border security issues in India’s sensitive northeastern states. Eg: Increased radical activity or refugee influx due to unrest in Bangladesh can strain local governance and security in Assam and Tripura.
- Limits diplomatic space for constructive engagement: Economic restrictions reduce India’s leverage to influence political developments in Bangladesh through dialogue and soft diplomacy. Eg: Trade ties often help maintain dialogue even during political tensions — restricting them weakens India’s long-term strategic hold.
Which key political stakeholders in Bangladesh should India engage?
- Awami League (AL): Despite being currently banned by the interim government, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, has been India’s most trusted ally and played a key role in maintaining bilateral stability and counterterrorism cooperation. Eg: India and the Awami League worked closely on cross-border security and infrastructure projects like the Akhaura-Agartala rail link.
- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): As a major opposition party, the BNP represents a significant voter base. India should maintain open lines of communication to understand its stance on regional issues and democratic reforms.
- Civil society and democratic reform advocates: Engaging with non-party actors such as human rights groups, independent media, and student movements can strengthen India’s image as a supporter of democracy and people-to-people ties.
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Why is the delay in Bangladesh’s elections a significant concern for India?
- Regional stability and security risks: Prolonged political uncertainty in Bangladesh may lead to unrest, radicalisation, and law and order issues, which can spill over into India’s northeast, impacting border security. Eg: A destabilised Bangladesh could lead to increased cross-border infiltration or refugee inflows into Assam and Tripura.
- Strained diplomatic and strategic relations: The delay weakens India’s ability to engage with a legitimate and stable government, affecting long-term strategic cooperation, trade, and connectivity projects. Eg: Uncertainty may halt progress on initiatives like the India-Bangladesh power grid or transit routes through Bangladesh.
Way forward:
- Engage All Political Stakeholders: India should maintain dialogue with all major political actors in Bangladesh — including the Awami League, BNP, and civil society — to encourage democratic transition and ensure long-term regional stability.
- Balance Strategic Interests with Economic Diplomacy: India must ease trade restrictions while using diplomatic channels to address security concerns, preventing alienation and preserving influence in Bangladesh and the Northeast region.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2013] The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India?
Linkage: The current trade-related tensions between India and Bangladesh are a result of deteriorating political relations which have spilled over into economic ties.
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