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  • Human Development Report by UNDP

    A step up: On India and the 2025 Human Development Report

    Explained | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education,Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted For The Vulnerable Sections

    Why in the News?

    India ranks 130th out of 193 countries in the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI), up from 133rd in 2022.

    What is the Human Development Index (HDI)?

    The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    • Composite Measure of Development: The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures a country’s overall development based on three key factors: life expectancy (health), education (mean and expected years of schooling), and standard of living (GNI per capita).
    • Ranking and Insights: HDI ranks countries on a scale from 0 to 1, where a higher value indicates better human development.

    Why has India’s HDI improved?

    • Health (Life Expectancy at Birth): HDI measures the average number of years a person can expect to live, reflecting the overall health conditions in a country. Eg: In 2023, India’s life expectancy increased to 72 years, marking a significant improvement since 1990, when it was just 58.6 years.
    • Education (Mean Years of Schooling and Expected Years of Schooling): HDI considers the average number of years adults aged 25 and older have spent in school (mean years of schooling) and the number of years a child of school-entry age can expect to receive (expected years of schooling). Eg: In 2023, children in India are expected to stay in school for 13 years on average, up from 8.2 years in 1990.
    • Standard of Living (Gross National Income per Capita): HDI includes the per capita income adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), which gives a sense of the country’s economic prosperity and standard of living. Eg: India’s GNI per capita increased from $2,167 in 1990 to $9,046 in 2023, reflecting a growth in economic well-being.
    • Inequality Adjustments: HDI adjusts for inequality in each of its three dimensions—health, education, and standard of living—through the Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI). The more inequality there is in a country, the lower the adjusted HDI score will be. Eg: India’s HDI value of 0.685 in 2023 was influenced by inequalities, including gender and income disparities, which the report highlighted as a key challenge.
    • Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): HDI is indirectly linked to the MPI, which measures poverty beyond income, including deprivations in health, education, and living standards. Eg: India has made significant progress in reducing multidimensional poverty, with 13.5 crore people escaping poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.

    How has the pandemic affected India’s HDI recovery?

    • Health Impact: The pandemic strained India’s healthcare system, leading to higher mortality rates and disruptions in healthcare services, which affected life expectancy. Eg: The pandemic slowed India’s progress towards improving life expectancy, though it rebounded in the subsequent years, reaching 72 years in 2023.
    • Education Disruptions: School closures and lack of access to online education hindered educational outcomes, especially for underprivileged children. Eg: While the expected years of schooling improved, the pandemic delayed educational progress, particularly in rural areas.
    • Economic Setbacks: The lockdowns and economic disruptions due to the pandemic led to a sharp contraction in economic activities, affecting income levels and jobs, particularly in the informal sector. Eg: India’s GNI per capita growth faced a slowdown, though it eventually rebounded, reaching $9,046 in 2023.

    What challenges remain in improving India’s HDI?

    • Income Inequality: Despite progress, income disparity remains a major challenge, with the rich benefiting disproportionately from economic growth, while the poor remain marginalized. Eg: India’s HDI is impacted by a 30.7% loss due to income inequalities, which continues to drag down overall development outcomes.
    • Gender Disparities: The gender gap in labor force participation and political representation limits progress in improving India’s HDI. Women’s workforce participation remains low, and the gender wage gap is significant. Eg: The female labor participation rate stood at 41.7% in 2023-24, but a supportive ecosystem for women’s work retention and political representation is still lacking.

    How can India use AI to address development while avoiding inequality? (Way forward)

    • AI in Public Service Delivery: AI can streamline public services, making them more efficient, transparent, and accessible, especially to marginalized communities. Eg: AI-driven systems can help in targeted welfare distribution, ensuring resources like food and healthcare reach those most in need, reducing administrative inefficiencies.
    • Inclusive Education and Skill Development: Leveraging AI for personalized learning can bridge gaps in educational access and quality, particularly for underserved areas. Eg: AI-based platforms like Byju’s and other ed-tech initiatives provide tailored education, improving learning outcomes for students in rural and remote areas.
    • AI for Job Creation and Economic Inclusion: AI can be used to create new job opportunities and enhance existing ones, especially in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing. Ensuring that AI adoption leads to inclusive economic growth can help reduce inequality. Eg: AI-driven agricultural technologies can optimize crop yields and provide real-time data to farmers, increasing productivity and income, especially for those in rural areas.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2019] Despite Consistent experience of High growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive.

    Linkage: The paradox of economic growth not translating into high human development indicators, which is a central theme when discussing India’s HDI rank and the challenges despite improvements. It also touches upon inclusive development, another concept related to the HDR’s focus on reducing inequalities

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

    The building blocks of an India-U.S. energy future

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

    Why in the News?

    U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance recently mentioned that the U.S. is ready to work more closely with India on energy and defense.

    What are the main areas of India-U.S. cooperation?

    • Energy Security: Strengthening access to sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy resources is central to India-U.S. ties. Eg: In 2024, both countries signed an MoU to diversify supply chains for critical minerals like lithium and rare earths, crucial for clean energy and EV technologies.
    • Defence and Technology Cooperation: Enhancing strategic and technological collaboration helps address common security challenges and promote innovation. Eg: Under the iCET framework, India and the U.S. are collaborating on defence co-production and advanced systems, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for civilian nuclear use.
    • Mobility and Innovation Exchange: Facilitating people-to-people ties and high-tech partnerships boosts economic growth and shared innovation ecosystems. Eg: India and the U.S. are working to ease skilled labor mobility and co-develop innovation corridors in areas like semiconductors and AI.

    Why is a minerals partnership vital for both countries?

    • Strategic Resource Security: Critical minerals are essential for clean energy, electronics, and defence, and current supply chains are overly dependent on China. Eg: China controls nearly 90% of global rare earth processing, creating a strategic vulnerability for both India and the U.S.
    • Economic and Technological Collaboration: Joint exploration and processing of minerals supports cross-sector innovation and economic resilience. Eg: India and the U.S. signed an MoU in 2024 to co-invest in third-country mineral projects in Africa and South America.
    • Supply Chain Diversification: A minerals partnership helps build resilient, transparent, and traceable supply chains to withstand geopolitical shocks. Eg: Proposal for an India-U.S. Mineral Exchange and blockchain-based traceability standards to ensure secure mineral sourcing.

    How can nuclear energy help India meet its energy goals?

    • Low-Carbon Energy Source: Nuclear energy provides a firm, low-emission alternative to fossil fuels, aiding in decarbonisation efforts. Eg: Nuclear power contributes just over 8 GW currently but is crucial for India’s net-zero by 2070 targets.
    • Base Load Power Stability: It ensures continuous electricity supply, complementing the intermittency of solar and wind sources. Eg: Nuclear plants provide uninterrupted power, stabilising the grid as renewable sources fluctuate.
    • High Energy Output with Small Land Use: Nuclear energy offers high output per unit of land, which is vital in land-scarce regions. Eg: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) have lower land requirements and are suitable for water-scarce areas due to air-cooling.
    • Industrial Decarbonisation Support: Nuclear power can drive clean energy transitions in sectors like steel and AI-based data centres. Eg: SMRs can power green steel manufacturing and meet rising energy needs of AI infrastructure.
    • Strategic Energy Independence: Reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports enhances national energy security. Eg: With a 100 GW nuclear target by 2047, India aims to lower its dependence on imported oil and coal.

    Which reforms are key to expanding India’s nuclear capacity?

    • Faster Deployment and Standardisation: Accelerate construction timelines and adopt standardized reactor designs to lower costs and ensure quick scaling of nuclear energy capacity. Eg: Reducing construction time from 9 to 6 years could reduce electricity costs by 8%, helping India meet its 2047 nuclear capacity goal.
    • Private Sector Involvement: Facilitate private investments by providing clear incentives and long-term purchase commitments, especially for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Eg: SMRs, with lower capital expenditure and land requirements, become financially viable when supported by private capital and stable offtake agreements.
    • Legislative and Policy Reforms: Amend existing laws to encourage private investment in nuclear energy and enhance the ease of doing business in this sector. Eg: Amending the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, would allow private companies to participate in nuclear projects, boosting investment and technological growth.

    What are the steps taken by the Indian government? 

    • Expansion of Nuclear Power Infrastructure: The government has set a target to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, and is working on commissioning new plants to achieve this, including collaborations with international partners. Eg: The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and new reactors under construction are key initiatives to expand nuclear capacity.
    • Regulatory and Policy Reforms: India has been reforming nuclear energy laws, including the amendment of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, to attract private sector participation and investment in nuclear projects. Eg: The approval for the transfer of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology by Holtec International to Indian companies.
    • International Collaborations and Technology Transfer: India is fostering strategic partnerships with global nuclear technology leaders to enable technology transfer, co-production, and joint ventures for nuclear power development. Eg: India’s collaboration with the U.S. on advanced nuclear technology and the approval of SMRs to meet energy goals.

    Way forward: 

    • Enhanced Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage greater private sector participation through incentives, policy clarity, and long-term contracts, especially for emerging technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This will drive innovation, investment, and rapid scaling of nuclear energy.
    • Strengthen International Collaboration and Technology Transfer: Expand partnerships with global leaders in nuclear technology to accelerate the adoption of advanced reactors and improve operational efficiency, positioning India as a global leader in clean nuclear energy.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2013] With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world.

    Linkage: Nuclear energy as a “next frontier” for India-U.S. linkages and a reliable source complementing renewables. This question directly addresses the significance and resources for atomic/nuclear energy in India.

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  • Coal and Mining Sector

    [pib] Cabinet approves Revised SHAKTI Policy 

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

    Why in the News?

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a proposal under the Revised SHAKTI (Scheme to Harness and Allocate Koyla Transparently in India) Policy to enhance coal availability for Central/State Sector Thermal Power Plants and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

    About the SHAKTI Policy:

    • The SHAKTI Policy, launched in 2017 by the Ministry of Power, created a transparent mechanism to allocate coal linkages to thermal power plants lacking Fuel Supply Agreements (FSAs).
    • It replaced the earlier nomination-based system with auction-based and tariff-based bidding, enhancing fairness and transparency.
    • While government-owned plants continue receiving coal through nominations, private power producers must obtain coal via competitive bidding.
    • The policy aimed to reduce coal imports, promote the domestic coal industry, and improve energy self-sufficiency.
    • It also intended to revive stressed assets in the power sector, indirectly supporting public sector banks and infrastructure growth.

    Key Features of the Revised SHAKTI Policy (2024):

    • The revised 2024 policy simplifies the system by merging eight criteria into just two windows, enhancing the ease of doing business.
    • Window-I allocates coal at notified prices to central and state government utilities, their joint ventures, and subsidiaries, including those with PPAs under Section 62 of the Electricity Act.
    • Window-II permits coal and imported coal-based producers to acquire coal through premium-based auctions for 12 to 25 years, without requiring a PPA.
    • The policy encourages pithead plants, supports new capacity planning, and allows Imported Coal-Based (ICB) plants to transition to domestic coal, reducing import reliance.
    • Existing FSA holders can now purchase coal beyond 100% of their Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ) during periods of peak demand.
    • Unrequisitioned surplus electricity can be sold on power exchanges, boosting plant utilization.
    • The policy imposes no additional financial burden on coal companies.
    • Beneficiaries include thermal power plants, Coal India, SCCL, railways, state governments, and end consumers.
    [UPSC 2023] With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements:

    1. None of them uses seawater.

    2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district.

    3. None of them is privately owned.

    How many of the above statements are correct?

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

     

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  • Road and Highway Safety – National Road Safety Policy, Good Samaritans, etc.

    Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Victims

    Schemes | Indian Society | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has officially notified the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, which came into force on May 5, 2025.

    In 2023, India reported over 4.80 lakh road accidents and 1.72 lakh fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for such a scheme.

    About the Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Victims, 2025:

    • The scheme provides financial coverage up to ₹1.5 lakh per person, per accident, for a maximum of seven days from the date of the accident.
    • All victims, including those without health insurance, are eligible for treatment under this scheme.
    • This initiative was introduced following a Supreme Court directive, urging action under Section 162(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
    • The scheme aims to deliver critical care during the “golden hour”, defined under Section 2(12A) as the first hour after a traumatic injury, when prompt treatment can save lives.

    Key Features of the Scheme:

    • Treatment must be provided immediately and is fully covered up to ₹1.5 lakh for up to 7 days from the accident.
    • Designated hospitals are required to treat victims without delay or demanding any upfront payment.
    • Non-designated hospitals may only offer initial stabilisation, as defined in the guidelines.
    • The State Road Safety Council serves as the nodal agency for implementation at the state level.
    • The Council will work with the National Health Authority (NHA) to onboard hospitals, monitor care, and ensure timely reimbursements.
    • Additional hospitals may be designated by State Health Agencies, beyond those already listed under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
    • Hospitals must file payment claims via an online portal, attaching all required documentation.
    • The State Health Agency will process claims and may approve, partially approve, or reject them, with reasons provided.
    • A national steering committee, chaired by the MoRTH Secretary and NHA CEO, will oversee the scheme’s implementation and compliance.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following actions:

    1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously

    2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive.

    3. Detection of the tilt of the smart phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode.

    In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?

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

     

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    100 Years of the Art Deco Style in Madras

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

    Why in the News?

    The Art Deco style, first showcased at the Paris Exposition on April 29, 1925, took a decade to arrive in Madras. It spread to India via Bombay, where the country’s first Art Deco structure — the Syndicate Bank building — was completed in 1932.

    About Art Deco Style of Architecture:

    • Art Deco Style is a design style that emerged in the 1920s and 30s, characterized by sleek, geometric shapes, luxurious materials, and a focus on manufactured goods.
    • It signified a break from older styles like Neo-classical, Indo-Saracenic, and Bombay Gothic.
    • The style was embraced by Indian banks, insurance companies, cinemas, studios, and business houses to symbolize modernity and cultural identity.
    • In Madras, Art Deco became visible in cinema theatres like Casino (1941), preview halls of Gemini, AVM, and Vijaya-Vauhini studios, commercial buildings like Dare House (1938), hotels such as Oceanic and Dasaprakash, and residential areas including T. Nagar, Mylapore, Alwarpet, and Adyar.
    • Art Deco influenced furniture design, silverware, and even fonts in print.
    • By the 1950s, it was gradually replaced by Modernist/Brutalist styles, aligned with Socialist ideology.

    Contributions of Laxman Mahadeo Chitale:

    • Chitale (1892–1960) was a prominent architect who introduced Art Deco to Madras.
    • Recognized for his drawing skills by Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III of Baroda.
    • He trained under H.V. Lanchester, a British architect associated with New Delhi‘s early planning.
    • He worked on the Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur, a grand Art Deco residence.
    • After returning from England, Chitale settled in Madras and joined the PWD.
    • In 1932, he started his independent practice, marking the beginning of Art Deco architecture in the city.
    • His major works included the Oriental Insurance Building on Armenian Street, the National Insurance Building (1938) on China Bazaar Road, and the Andhra Insurance Building (1939).
    • His architectural style often included corner entrances and street-facing facades, inspired by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
    [UPSC 2007] Which one of the following was the first fort constructed by the British in India?

    Options: (a) Fort William (b) Fort St. George* (c) Fort St. David (d) Fort St. Angelo

     

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  • Terrorism and Challenges Related To It

    [7th May 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The fragmentation in the global fight against terror

    op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Effect Of Policies & Politics Of World On India’S Interests

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2016] Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and [UPSC 2024] Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security’. Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in addressing and mitigating this threat at the international level.

    Linkage:  Terrorism as a global threat and asks about the effectiveness of an international institution (UNSC’s CTC) in addressing it. This directly relates to the article which discusses the lack of a collective fight against terror and highlights how actions within the UN Security Council (like China blocking proposals against Pakistan-based terrorists) demonstrate the challenges and fragmentation in international cooperation against terrorism.

     

    Mentor’s Comment:  The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 has once again revealed the lack of unity in the global fight against terrorism, as well as Pakistan’s tendency to use terrorism whenever there is a possibility of peace returning to Jammu and Kashmir. Although many countries have condemned the attack, they have also urged both India and Pakistan to show restraint. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked both nations to find a peaceful solution that ensures long-term peace and stability in South Asia. U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance expressed hope that India’s reaction would not lead to a larger conflict in the region. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that any issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved through political and diplomatic talks. Meanwhile, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, didn’t even describe the incident as a terror attack.

    Today’s editorial talks about how the world is not united in fighting terrorism and highlights how Pakistan often uses terrorism as a tool. This topic is useful for GS Paper II (International Relations) and GS Paper III (Internal Security).

    _

    Let’s learn!

    Why in the News?

    In the past, there was a strong global consensus and zero tolerance towards terrorism. However, in the case of India, which continues to be a victim of state-sponsored terrorism, the international response often seems to follow a different set of standards.

    What does the Pahalgam terror attack reveal about the global fight against terrorism?

    • Fragmentation and Hypocrisy in the Global Anti-Terror Stand: The unified global stance post-9/11 has weakened; countries now view terrorism through selective lenses based on their strategic interests. Eg: While the Pahalgam attack was clearly a terrorist act targeting Hindu pilgrims, the EU failed to call it a “terror attack” and instead used vague diplomatic language, showcasing diplomatic double standards.
    • “Your Terrorist vs My Terrorist” Mindset Prevails: Different regions prioritize different types of terrorism, undermining a collective global response. Eg: The U.S. focuses on REMVE (racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism), while Canada ignores pro-Khalistan threats against India, citing freedom of expression.
    • Global Inaction Against State-Sponsored Terrorism: Despite clear evidence of Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism, major powers avoid taking concrete action, fearing geopolitical consequences. Eg: China has blocked UN sanctions against terrorists operating from Pakistani soil, and the West emphasizes “regional stability” over punishing the perpetrator.

    Why are global powers urging restraint between India and Pakistan after the attack?

    • Fear of Nuclear Escalation in South Asia: Global powers are wary of any confrontation between two nuclear-armed nations, especially in a volatile region. Eg: Despite India’s position as the victim, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both India and Pakistan to maintain “long-term peace and regional stability”, placing equal responsibility on both sides.
    • Geopolitical Fatigue Due to Multiple Ongoing Conflicts: With active wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and West Asia, there is a limited appetite among global powers for another escalation in Asia. Eg: U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance expressed hope that India’s response would not trigger a regional conflict, reflecting global fatigue and risk-aversion.
    • Pakistan’s Manipulative Use of the ‘Nuclear Threat’ Narrative: Pakistan has long used the “nuclear war” bogey to deter international support for strong Indian countermeasures. Eg: Even as Western powers support Ukraine in a war against nuclear-armed Russia, they urge Indian restraint to avoid a similar escalation with Pakistan.

    How has Pakistan’s role in terrorism affected its relations with India and the UN?

    • Strained Bilateral Relations with India: Terror attacks traced back to Pakistan-based groups have derailed peace processes and led to diplomatic isolation. Eg: After the Pulwama attack (2019), India withdrew the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status from Pakistan and suspended bilateral talks.
    • Global Censure and Blacklisting Threats by the UN and FATF: Pakistan has been repeatedly flagged by international watchdogs like the UN and FATF for harbouring terror networks. Eg: In 2018, the FATF grey-listed Pakistan due to insufficient action against terror financing, affecting its global financial credibility.
    • Reduced Legitimacy in Global Forums: Its credibility at the UN is undermined by its ambivalence towards terror groups, weakening its case on Kashmir and other issues. Eg: India has consistently blocked Pakistan’s attempts to internationalize the Kashmir issue at the UN by highlighting its support for cross-border terrorism.

    Why is there a double standard in addressing terror attacks on Hindus?

    • Global Narrative Often Selective Based on Identity Politics: Attacks on Hindus are sometimes downplayed in international media and forums due to fears of appearing biased or anti-minority. Eg: The 2023 Pakistan Hindu temple attacks received minimal global coverage compared to similar attacks on other communities.
    • Lack of Institutional Recognition for Hindu Persecution: Unlike other religious groups, Hindus often lack dedicated international forums or recognition as victims of targeted violence. Eg: The Kashmiri Hindu exodus in the 1990s remains largely absent from global human rights discussions, unlike similar ethnic cleansings.
    • Geopolitical Considerations Overshadow Justice: Nations avoid condemning attacks on Hindus in countries like Pakistan or Bangladesh to maintain strategic ties, even at the cost of justice. Eg: Western powers rarely impose sanctions or raise strong objections to sectarian violence against Hindus in South Asia.

    What actions should India take against state-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan? (Way forward)

    • Strengthen Diplomatic Pressure through Global Alliances: India should leverage platforms like the UN, G20, and Quad to diplomatically isolate Pakistan and expose its terror links. Eg: After the Uri and Pulwama attacks, India launched diplomatic campaigns leading to Pakistan’s continued presence on the FATF grey list.
    • Enhance Intelligence and Surgical Response Capabilities: India must invest in real-time intelligence and conduct targeted counter-terror operations across the Line of Control when credible evidence exists. Eg: The 2016 Surgical Strikes and 2019 Balakot air strikes demonstrated India’s shift to proactive defense strategies.
    • Cut Economic and Water Leverage: India can revisit the Indus Waters Treaty and limit trade relations to exert pressure without crossing into full-scale conflict. Eg: Post-Pulwama, India reviewed the Indus treaty and imposed 100% customs duty on Pakistani imports.

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  • Biofuel Policy

    Food vs fuel: Surge in ethanol blending and its impacts

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

    Why in the News?

    India now aims to increase ethanol blending in petrol to 30% to reduce the use of fossil fuels, after reaching its earlier target of 20% for 2025 ahead of time.

    What factors have contributed to the decline in sugarcane production in India since 2022?

    • Red-Rot Disease: A major fungal infection that affects the stalk and reduces crop health and yield. Eg. In Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, outbreaks of red-rot significantly reduced sugarcane productivity post-2022.
    • Deficient Rainfall: Inadequate monsoon rains have led to water stress in sugarcane-growing regions. Eg. In Maharashtra and Karnataka, below-normal rainfall in 2023 led to poor crop growth and lower yields.
    • Flowering Issues: Disruption in the natural flowering cycle affects cane maturity and sugar content. Eg. In southern India, unseasonal weather affected flowering patterns, resulting in underdeveloped canes.
    • Soil Depletion (Soil Fatigue): Continuous sugarcane monocropping depletes soil nutrients, lowering productivity. Eg. In western Uttar Pradesh, repeated sugarcane cultivation without crop rotation has led to reduced soil fertility.
    • Crop Diversion: Farmers are shifting to other crops due to uncertain returns and rising input costs. Eg. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, farmers moved to pulses and cotton, reducing the area under sugarcane.

    Why has the Indian government approved a hike in the Fair Remunerative Price for sugarcane?

    • Support for Farmer Income: The hike in FRP is intended to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their produce, thus supporting their income. Eg: The increased FRP of ₹355 per quintal (up from ₹340) ensures that farmers are adequately compensated, especially as input costs have risen. This makes sugarcane cultivation more attractive to farmers.
    • Addressing Rising Input Costs: The costs of farming inputs, such as fertilizers, labor, and irrigation, have increased, and the FRP hike helps mitigate these expenses for farmers.
      Eg: With the rise in fertilizer prices, the government’s decision to raise the FRP ensures that farmers can continue cultivating sugarcane without facing financial distress due to high input costs.
    • Incentivizing Sugarcane Production: A higher FRP encourages farmers to cultivate more sugarcane, addressing concerns over declining sugarcane production in India.
      Eg: In regions like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, where production has been affected due to reduced farmer interest, the FRP increase motivates farmers to maintain or increase their sugarcane acreage.
    • Ensuring Steady Sugar Supply: Maintaining sugarcane production through higher FRP ensures a stable sugar supply for the domestic market. Eg: With India being one of the world’s largest sugar producers, ensuring adequate sugarcane production is vital to prevent sugar shortages and price hikes, as seen in previous years.
    • Timely Payments to Farmers: The FRP hike ensures that sugar mills can afford to make timely payments to farmers, thus reducing arrears. Eg: In the past, many farmers faced delayed payments from mills. The higher FRP is expected to make it financially feasible for mills to pay farmers on time.

    Which alternatives is the government considering to offset the sugarcane shortfall for ethanol?

    • B-Heavy Molasses: The government has lifted restrictions on B-heavy molasses for ethanol production, increasing supply without extra sugarcane cultivation. Eg: 750,000 metric tons of B-heavy molasses are now available for ethanol production.
    • Cane Juice and Syrup: Sugar mills can now use cane juice and syrup for ethanol, boosting production capacity. Eg: Policy change allows sugar mills to divert more resources into ethanol production from sugarcane juice.
    • Grain-Based Ethanol: The government is encouraging the use of grains like maize and rice for ethanol, diversifying feedstocks. Eg: India has turned to maize for ethanol production, though it has led to increased corn imports.
    • Food vs. Fuel Balance: The government has adjusted policies to prioritize sugar production when needed. Eg: Restrictions were imposed on ethanol production in December 2023 to ensure sufficient sugar supply.
    • Molasses-Based Ethanol Procurement Price: The government has increased the procurement price for molasses-based ethanol to incentivize production. Eg: The procurement price was raised by 3% to ₹58 per liter to boost ethanol supply.

    Way forward: 

    • Promote Crop Diversification and Sustainable Practices: Encourage farmers to adopt crop rotation and diversified farming practices, alongside promoting resilient sugarcane varieties, to reduce dependency on sugarcane monocropping and mitigate soil depletion.
    • Strengthen Ethanol Supply Chain and Support Alternative Feedstocks: Enhance infrastructure for processing alternative feedstocks like maize and rice for ethanol production, while incentivizing the use of B-heavy molasses and cane juice to ensure a steady supply of ethanol without further straining sugarcane resources.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2024] What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation.

    Linkage: The rise in sugar price, partly due to diversion for ethanol blending, is “pinching the pockets of consumers”. This question directly addresses the causes of high food inflation, which is a significant impact of the “food vs fuel” dynamic where increased demand for crops for fuel can drive up food prices.

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  • Judicial Reforms

    How the judiciary maintains accountability

    Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary

    Why in the News?

    The recent remarks made by the Vice-President of India about the role of judges have raised serious concerns and need to be carefully examined.

    What concerns arise from the Vice-President’s comments on judges’ roles in India?

    • Undermines Judicial Authority: Calling judges a “super parliament” questions the legitimacy of judicial review — a core function to uphold the Constitution. Eg: Criticism of court directions to Governors on bill assent.
    • Erosion of Constitutional Balance: His comments disrupt the delicate balance among the legislature, executive, and judiciary by implying judicial overreach without constitutional basis. Eg: In cases like Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court protected constitutional principles through its basic structure doctrine—critical for maintaining checks and balances.
    • Erodes Public Trust: Statements from high offices may weaken public faith in judicial impartiality and independence. Eg: Comments implying judges are unaccountable raise doubts on rule of law.

    Why is the term “super parliament” problematic in India’s parliamentary system?

    • Contradicts the Principle of Popular Sovereignty: Parliament derives its authority from the people; no organ, including the judiciary, can override it. Calling the judiciary a “super parliament” distorts this hierarchy. Eg: In Rojer Mathew v. South Indian Bank Ltd. (2019), the Supreme Court clarified that judicial review strengthens—not replaces—parliamentary supremacy.
    • Misrepresents the Role of Judicial Review: Judicial review is a constitutional mechanism to check the validity of laws—not an attempt to legislate. Calling it a “super parliament” falsely equates judicial scrutiny with lawmaking. Eg: In Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980), the Court struck down amendments violating the Constitution’s basic structure without encroaching on the legislative domain.
    • Undermines Separation of Powers: The term falsely suggests that the judiciary exceeds its mandate, eroding the balance between the three organs of government enshrined in the Constitution. Eg: The L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India (1997) judgment upheld judicial review as part of the basic structure, emphasizing that courts act within their defined constitutional limits.

    How does the Constitution ensure judicial independence and separation of powers?

    • Fixed Tenure and Security of Judges: Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts enjoy security of tenure and can only be removed through a rigorous impeachment process, ensuring they are free from executive or legislative pressure. Eg: The impeachment process under Article 124(4) was invoked in the case of Justice V. Ramaswami (1993), though it did not lead to removal, demonstrating the difficulty of arbitrary dismissal.
    • Financial Independence of the Judiciary: The salaries, allowances, and pensions of judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and are not subject to parliamentary vote, protecting them from financial manipulation. Eg: This provision, under Article 112 and Article 125, ensures that the executive cannot curtail judicial functioning by reducing funds.
    • Constitutional Authority of Judicial Review: The Constitution explicitly empowers courts to review laws and executive actions for constitutional validity, preserving checks and balances between organs of government. Eg: In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court asserted its authority to strike down amendments violating the Constitution’s basic structure.

    What justifies the judiciary setting deadlines for the President to clear Bills in line with popular sovereignty?

    • Fixed Tenure and Security of Judges: Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts enjoy security of tenure and can only be removed through a rigorous impeachment process, ensuring they are free from executive or legislative pressure. Eg: The impeachment process under Article 124(4) was invoked in the case of Justice V. Ramaswami (1993), though it did not lead to removal, demonstrating the difficulty of arbitrary dismissal.
    • Financial Independence of the Judiciary
       The salaries, allowances, and pensions of judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and are not subject to parliamentary vote, protecting them from financial manipulation. Eg: This provision, under Article 112 and Article 125, ensures that the executive cannot curtail judicial functioning by reducing funds.

    Why is the claim that judges are above the law considered irrational?

    • Judges are bound by the Constitution and Rule of Law: Judges operate strictly within the constitutional framework and are accountable to it. Any violation of constitutional provisions by a judge amounts to “proved misbehaviour” and can lead to removal. Eg: Article 124(4) allows Parliament to impeach a Supreme Court judge for proven misbehaviour or incapacity, showing they are not immune from the law.
    • Parliament can override judicial decisions by making new laws: If the judiciary overreaches or issues controversial verdicts, Parliament can counter it through legislative action, reinforcing democratic accountability. Eg: After the Shah Bano case (1985), Parliament passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, effectively reversing the Court’s judgment.

    Way forward: 

    • Respect Constitutional Boundaries: All constitutional authorities should uphold the principle of separation of powers and avoid statements that may undermine public trust in institutions.
    • Promote Constructive Dialogue: Encourage open, respectful discussions between the judiciary and executive to resolve differences while maintaining democratic values.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2020] Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the filing of large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive authorities.

    Linkage:  Judicial action (issuing guidelines to the executive) to the separation of powers doctrine. It discusses judicial legislation, which is when courts effectively create law, blurring the lines between the judiciary and legislature. This raises concerns about accountability – to whom is the judiciary accountable when it is perceived to be legislating?

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

    UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed

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

    Why in the News?

    India and the United Kingdom signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), ending nearly 3 years of negotiations, with an aim to boost trade and investment between the two nations.

    Free Trade Agreement

    What is Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

    • An FTA is an agreement between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate customs tariffs and non-tariff barriers on trade between them.
    • Objective: To promote trade by making it easier and more cost-effective for businesses to import and export goods and services.
    • FTAs can cover goods, services, investment, and intellectual property rights.
    • By reducing trade barriers, FTAs also benefit consumers by offering a wider range of products at lower prices.
    • FTAs play a key role in boosting economic growth and job creation by facilitating trade between countries.
    • India’s FTAs:
      • India has signed FTAs with 16 countries or regional blocs as of May 2025. 
      • These FTAs cover major partners such as Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Australia, UAE, Mauritius, ASEAN (10 countries), and EFTA (4 countries).

    Key terms of the UK-India FTA:

    • Trade Growth: Expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually by 2040.
    • Whisky and Gin Tariffs: Tariffs reduced from 150% to 75%, eventually to 40% over 10 years.
    • Automobile Tariffs: India to reduce automotive tariffs from over 100% to 10%.
    • Other Goods: Tariffs reduced on cosmetics, aerospace, medical devices, chocolate, and more.
    • Services and Work Permits: Increased quotas for Indian workers in IT and healthcare, with 100 new visas annually for professionals.
    • Carbon Tax: Dispute over UK’s proposed carbon tax on metal imports.
    • Supply Chain Resilience: FTA aims to reduce reliance on China and improve supply chain security.
    [UPSC 2017] The term ‘Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and:

    Options: (a) European Union* (b) Gulf Cooperation Council (c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

     

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  • Terrorism and Challenges Related To It

    Civil Defence under the Civil Defence Act, 1968

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: External State & Non-State Actors: Challenges To Internal Security.

    Why in the News?

    The Union Home Ministry directed all states and Union Territories to conduct a Civil Defence Mock Drill, aimed at assessing and enhancing the readiness of India’s civil defence mechanisms.

    About Civil Defence under the Civil Defence Act, 1968

    • The Civil Defence Act, 1968 was enacted to ensure measures for civil defence to protect citizens, properties, and establishments from hostile attacks or natural disasters.
    • It aims to prepare the population to respond to emergencies such as military attacks, terrorist activities, and natural calamities.
    • Civil Defence Corps is formed at both national and state levels. Volunteers from various sectors are enlisted and trained.
    • The corps operates under the Central Government’s rules for civil defence.
    • Key functions include- Evacuation of civilians; Protection from danger and destruction; Salvage of property; Managing hazardous materials.
    • The Central Government has the authority to:
      • Make rules for civil defence across India.
      • Enforce evacuation procedures, control over dangerous substances, and manage disaster relief.
    • Penalties for non-compliance with the civil defence regulations.

    Recent Context: Civil Defence Mock Drill on 7th May 

    • This exercise assesses and enhances the readiness of India’s civil defence systems to respond promptly during emergencies.
    • The drills will occur across nearly 300 civil defence districts, including sensitive locations like Mumbai, Uran (Jawaharlal Nehru Port), and Tarapur (nuclear power plant).
    • The mock drill aims to improve response time for rescue and relief operations, focusing on critical situations in the first few minutes of an emergency.
    [UPSC 2010] With reference to the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007, consider the following statements:

    1. This policy is applicable only to the persons affected by the acquisition of land for projects and not to the involuntary displacement due to any other reason.

    2. This policy has been formulated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

    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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