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  • Sound Waves for Energy-Efficient Next-Generation Computing

    Why in the news?

    Researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) have discovered a new mechanism to generate and control spin currents using sound waves, opening avenues for low-power computing, spintronics, and quantum technologies.

    Key Highlights

    • Researchers developed a method to generate magnon-based spin currents using Surface Acoustic Waves (SAWs).
    • The study was published in Physical Review B.
    • It offers a pathway towards Energy-efficient electronics, Quantum computing, Next-generation communication technologies.

    Why is this Important?

    • Limitations of Conventional Electronics: Traditional electronics use: Movement of electric charge (electrons)
    • Problems: Heat generation, Energy loss, Reduced efficiency at smaller scales

    What is Spintronics?

    Spintronics (Spin Electronics) is a technology that uses the Spin of electrons. Along with their charge to process and store information.

    Advantages

    • Lower power consumption.
    • Faster processing speeds.
    • Reduced heat generation.
    • Higher data storage density.

    What are Magnons?

    Magnons are Quanta of spin waves or collective disturbances in the magnetic ordering of a material.

    What are Surface Acoustic Waves (SAWs)?

    Surface Acoustic Waves are Sound waves that travel along the surface of a material.

    Characteristics

    • Cause tiny mechanical vibrations.
    • Commonly used in: Mobile communication filters, Sensors, Signal processing devices.

    [2022] Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned?

    [A] Cloud Services

    [B] Quantum Computing

    [C] Visible Light Communication Technologies

    [D] Wireless Communication Technologies

  • Infrastructure at the Core of India’s Development (PIB)

    Why in the news?

    The Government highlighted major infrastructure achievements over the past 12 years across transport, logistics, water, housing, energy, and digital sectors, emphasizing their role in achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.

    1. Railways

    • Railway budgetary support increased from ₹32,000 crore (2014-15) to ₹2.78 lakh crore (2026-27).
    • Railway electrification:
      • About 20% before 2014
      • 99.6% by March 2026
      • 69,873 route km electrified.
    • Vande Bharat trains: 162 services operational (April 2026).
    • Vande Bharat Sleeper: launched in January 2026.
    • Amrit Bharat Express: 60 services operational.
    • Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor
      • Length: 508 km
      • Design speed: 320 kmph.
    • Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (2023): 208 stations redeveloped out of 1,338 identified.
    • Kavach:
      • Indigenous Automatic Train Protection System.
      • Operational on 3,103 route km.
      • Installed on 4,277 locomotives.
    • Train accidents declined from 135 (2014-15) to 16 (2025-26).

    Important Railway Projects

    • Chenab Bridge (2025): World’s highest railway arch bridge. Height: 359 m above Chenab River.
    • Anji Khad Bridge: India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
    • Pamban Bridge (2025): India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge.
    • Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line: Connects Mizoram. Length: 51.38 km.

    Roads and Highways

    • India’s road network: 63.73 lakh km and Second largest globally.
    • National Highways:
      • 91,287 km (FY14)
      • 1,46,566 km (March 2026).
    • Four-lane and above highways: 18,371 km to 45,516 km.
    • Access-controlled expressways: 3,644 km operational.

    PMGSY

    • Rural habitations connected: 99.6% eligible habitations.
    • Completed roads: 4.11 lakh km (2014-26).
    • Bridges completed: 10,293.

    Bharatmala Pariyojana

    • Approved: 2017.
    • Roads completed: 22,590 km.

    Landmark Projects

    • Z-Morh (Sonamarg) Tunnel, Sudarshan Setu, Maitri Setu over Feni River, Atal Tunnel, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel, Dhola-Sadiya Bridge.

    2. Civil Aviation

    • Operational airports: 74 (2014) and 165 (2026).
    • Investments: Over ₹1.4 lakh crore.

    UDAN

    • Launched: 2016.
    • Routes operational: 665 routes.
    • Connected: 95 airports/heliports/water aerodromes.
    • Beneficiaries: Over 1.64 crore passengers.
    • Modified UDAN (2026): Outlay: ₹28,840 crore.

    Digi Yatra

    • Facial recognition-based travel.
    • Operational at 38 airports.

    GAGAN

    • Operational since 2015.
    • World’s first equatorial Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS).

    3. Metro and RRTS

    • Metro network: 248 km (2014) to 1,155+ km (2026).
    • India has the third-largest metro network.
    • Metro cities: 5 to 26.

    Notable Developments

    • Kolkata: India’s first underwater metro tunnel.
    • Kochi: India’s first Water Metro.
    • Namo Bharat: Delhi-Meerut RRTS.

    4. Ports and Waterways

    • Major port capacity: 873 MMTPA (2014) to 1,726 MMTPA (2026).
    • Cargo handled: 581 MMT to 915 MMT.
    • Vessel turnaround: 94 hours to 48.8 hours.

    Sagarmala Programme

    • Launched: 2015.
    • Projects completed: 78.

    Inland Waterways

    • National Waterways: 5 (2014) to 111 (2026).
    • Operational waterways: 32.
    • Cargo movement: 29 MMT to 218 MMT.

    Jal Marg Vikas Project

    • On National Waterway-1.
    • Stretch: Varanasi to Haldia.

    Arth Ganga

    • Community jetties: 66 operational.

    5. Industrial Infrastructure

    • Industrial parks mapped: 4,220.
    • Plug-and-play parks: 272 operational.
    • Industrial smart cities approved: 20.

    BHAVYA Scheme

    • Approved: March 2026.
    • Objective: Develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.

    6. Logistics

    PM GatiShakti

    • Launched: 2021.
    • GIS platform integrating: 58 Ministries/Departments.
    • Data layers: 3,202+.

    National Logistics Policy

    • Launched: 2022.
    • India’s Logistics Performance Index rank: 54 (2014) to 38 (2023).

    Digital Logistics Platforms

    • ULIP (2022).
    • Logistics Data Bank (2016).
    • NETC FASTag (2016).

    PRAGATI

    • Launched: 2015.
    • Projects reviewed: 382.
    • Value: ₹85 lakh crore.

    7. Water Infrastructure

    Jal Jeevan Mission

    • Launched: 2019.
    • Rural tap coverage: 17% at launch to 81.94% (June 2026).
    • Households covered: 15.86 crore.

    Other Initiatives

    • PMKSY (2015), Namami Gange (2014), Ken-Betwa Link Project (2021, FloodWatch India App, and Dam Safety Act, 2021.

    8. Housing

    PMAY-U

    • Launched: 2015.
    • Houses sanctioned: 125.31 lakh.
    • Houses completed: 98.10 lakh.
    • PMAY-U 2.0: One crore additional beneficiaries by 2028-29.

    PMAY-G

    • Launched: 2016.
    • Houses completed: 3.06 crore.

    SWAMIH Fund

    • Launched: 2019.
    • Corpus: ₹15,531 crore.

    AMRUT

    • Launched: 2015.
    • Projects sanctioned: ₹2.79 lakh crore.

    9. Energy

    • Installed capacity: 248 GW (2014) to 532.74 GW (2026).
    • Power shortage: 4.2% to 0.03%.

    Renewable Energy

    India is: 3rd largest clean energy capacity holder and 4th largest installed wind energy producer.

    Important Schemes

    • PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (2024).
    • GOBARdhan Scheme (2018).
    • Saubhagya Scheme (2017).

    International Initiatives

    • International Solar Alliance: 125 member countries.
    • Global Biofuels Alliance: 33 countries and 14 organisations.

    10. LPG and Clean Cooking

    • LPG coverage: 55.9% (2014) to 107.2% (2026).
    • LPG consumers: 14.51 crore to 33.39 crore.

    PM Ujjwala Yojana

    • Launched: 2016.
    • Additional 25 lakh connections approved in FY26.

    11. Digital Infrastructure

    • Internet connections: 25.15 crore to 100.29 crore.
    • Broadband:6.1 crore to 99.56 crore.
    • Monthly data usage: 61.66 MB to 24.01 GB.

    PM-WANI

    • Launched: 2020.
    • Wi-Fi hotspots: 4.10 lakh+.

    5G

    • Available in 99.9% districts.
    • 5.08 lakh BTS installed.

    JAM Trinity

    • Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile.

    UPI

    • March 2026: 2,264 crore transactions and ₹29.53 lakh crore value.
    • Operational in UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar.

    Important Digital Platforms

    • DigiLocker, UMANG, Common Service Centres, eHospital, PM e-Vidya, DIKSHA, SWAYAM.

    [2025] Consider the following statements:
    I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028.
    II. Kavach’ is an Automatic Train Protection system, development in collaboration with Germany.
    III. ‘Kavach’ system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section.
    Which of the statements given above are not correct?

    [A] I and II only

    [B] II and III only

    [C] I and III only

    [D] I, II and III

  • [9th June 2026] The Hindu OpED: The Oman CEPA, a new gateway for India’s exports 

    PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2024] Critically analyse India’s evolving diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs) highlighting their increasing significance in regional and global geopolitics.
    Linkage: The PYQ examines how strategic economic partnerships and connectivity initiatives enhance India’s regional influence and economic interests. The India-Oman CEPA similarly demonstrates how India leverages economic agreements with strategically located partners to strengthen trade connectivity, expand market access, and enhance its geopolitical footprint in the Gulf and adjoining regions.

    Mentor’s Comment

    The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into force on June 1, 2026. The agreement provides duty-free access to 99.38% of India’s exports by value, up from just 1.53% under the earlier MFN regime, making it one of India’s most comprehensive trade agreements with a Gulf partner.

    How Does the CEPA Expand India’s Market Access in Oman?

    1. Duty-Free Access: Provides tariff-free access on 98.08% of tariff lines covering 99.38% of India’s export value.
    2. Previous Regime: Only 1.53% of Indian exports to Oman enjoyed duty-free treatment under the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) framework.
    3. Competitiveness: Enhances price competitiveness of Indian products across multiple sectors.
    4. Trade Growth: Bilateral trade expected to increase from $9.84 billion (FY2023-24) to $11.8 billion (FY2025-26).
    5. Economic Complementarity: Reflects growing integration between India’s manufacturing strengths and Oman’s import requirements.

    Why Is the CEPA Significant for India’s Diversification Strategy?

    1. Trade Diversification: Supports India’s objective of reducing excessive dependence on limited export markets.
    2. Regional Integration: Strengthens India’s economic presence in the Gulf region.
    3. Recent Trade Agreements: Builds upon agreements with:
      1. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
      2. Australia
      3. European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
      4. United Kingdom (under negotiation)
      5. New Zealand (under negotiation)
      6. European Union (under negotiation)
    4. Strategic Importance: Deepens engagement in a region critical for energy security, trade flows, and connectivity.

    Which Export Sectors Stand to Gain the Most?

    Textile and Apparel Sector

    1. Market Share: India accounts for 43% of Oman’s apparel imports.
    2. Knitted Apparel: India holds 31% of Oman’s knitted apparel imports.
    3. Tariff Elimination: Removal of Oman’s 5% tariff improves competitiveness.
    4. China Competition: Enhances India’s position against China, the dominant supplier.

    Chemicals Sector

    1. Market Presence: India supplies nearly 39% of Oman’s chemical imports.
    2. Tariff-Free Access: Strengthens India’s leadership position in the market.
    3. Export Expansion: Creates opportunities for higher value-added chemical exports.

    Engineering Goods Sector

    1. Automotive Market: Oman imports over $3.3 billion worth of automobiles annually.
    2. Current Share: India’s market share is approximately 5%.
    3. Expansion Opportunity: Preferential access can significantly improve penetration.
    4. Infrastructure Demand: Supports exports linked to Oman’s construction and industrial sectors.

    Pharmaceuticals Sector

    1. Market Share: India accounts for around 10% of Oman’s pharmaceutical imports.
    2. Regulatory Facilitation: Products approved by major international regulators receive faster approvals.
    3. Compliance Benefits: Reduces regulatory costs and market-entry barriers.
    4. Healthcare Demand: Expands opportunities for Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers.

    Food Processing and Agriculture

    1. Processed Foods: Expands opportunities for Indian processed food exports.
    2. Sensitive Sectors: Dairy, cereals, edible oils, and certain agricultural products remain protected.
    3. Tariff Concessions: Exclusions ensure protection of domestic producers.

    How Does the CEPA Improve Trade Facilitation and Customs Procedures?

    1. Electronic Certification: Mutual acceptance of certificates issued by India’s Export Inspection Council (EIC).
    2. Paperless Trade: Reduces documentation burden.
    3. Organic Product Recognition: Accepts India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards.
    4. SPS Cooperation: Strengthens coordination on sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
    5. TBT Cooperation: Improves transparency regarding technical barriers to trade.
    6. Customs Modernisation: Enhances regulatory cooperation and customs clearance efficiency.
    7. Perishable Goods: Facilitates faster movement of time-sensitive exports.
    8. Cost Reduction: Lowers transaction costs and logistics delays.

    How Does the Agreement Strengthen India’s Services Exports?

    1. Services Trade Value: Bilateral services trade exceeded $1 billion in 2024.
    2. Trade Surplus: India recorded a services trade surplus of nearly $447 million.
    3. Underperformance: India’s share in Oman’s global services imports remains only around 5%.
    4. Professional Services: Expands opportunities in Accounting, Engineering, Information Technology, Healthcare, Education, and Consulting

    Professional Mobility

    1. Intra-Corporate Transfers: Facilitates movement of professionals within companies.
    2. Specialists and Professionals: Improves market access for Indian skilled workers.
    3. Service Sector Integration: Strengthens cross-border business operations.

    Healthcare and AYUSH

    1. Traditional Medicine: Creates opportunities for AYUSH and wellness-related services.
    2. Medical Cooperation: Expands healthcare service exports.

    Why Is Oman’s Strategic Location Central to the CEPA’s Success?

    1. Geographic Position: Located at the crossroads of the Gulf, Indian Ocean, and East Africa.
    2. Key Ports: Hosts major ports at Soha, Duqm, and Salalah
    3. Logistics Hub: Emerging as an important global logistics and industrial centre.
    4. Gateway Function: Provides access to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets.
    5. East Africa Linkages: Facilitates trade with East African economies.
    6. Supply Chain Integration: Strengthens India’s participation in regional value chains.

    How Can Indian States and Industrial Clusters Benefit?

    1. Textiles: Textile hubs in Tamil Nadu are expected to gain.
    2. Jewellery: Jewellery manufacturing clusters in Gujarat benefit.
    3. Engineering: Engineering exporters in Maharashtra and Punjab gain market access.
    4. Pharmaceuticals: Pharmaceutical producers in Telangana receive new opportunities.
    5. Seafood: Seafood exporters in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala benefit from reduced barriers.
    6. Regional Growth: Broadens export participation beyond traditional exporting regions.

    Does the CEPA Represent a Shift in India’s Trade Policy Approach?

    1. Beyond Tariffs: Expands trade policy from goods trade to services, investment, and regulatory cooperation.
    2. Economic Integration: Promotes deeper institutional cooperation.
    3. Investment Facilitation: Improves investor confidence and business predictability.
    4. Comprehensive Framework: Reflects India’s transition toward modern, next-generation trade agreements.
    5. GCC Engagement: Creates a foundation for wider economic integration with Gulf economies.

    Conclusion

    The India-Oman CEPA represents a significant evolution in India’s economic engagement with the Gulf region. By combining tariff liberalisation with services access, investment facilitation, customs cooperation, and professional mobility, the agreement transforms Oman from a bilateral trading partner into a strategic gateway connecting India to GCC and East African markets. Its success will depend on effective utilisation by Indian exporters, deeper supply chain integration, and sustained competitiveness across key sectors.

  • What is lost and gained in NFHS-6 

    Why in the News?

    The preliminary fact sheets of NFHS-6 (2023-24) have been released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, covering nearly 6.8 lakh households across all States and Union Territories except Manipur. For the first time, several critical health and demographic indicators have been omitted from the preliminary release.

    What is the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)?

    It is a large-scale, multi-round household survey conducted across India to collect comprehensive data on population dynamics, health, nutrition, and family welfare. Launched in 1992-93, it acts as a critical health “dashboard” that helps the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and other agencies evaluate existing government schemes, set development benchmarks, and design new public health policies.

    Key Features & Objectives

    1. Nodal Agency: The International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, coordinates and provides technical guidance for the survey. 
    2. Policy Support: It supplies high-quality, reliable, and comparable data to track progress toward the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
    3. Granular Scope: The survey covers national and state levels, and since NFHS-4, it provides highly localized estimates down to the district level.

    How has NFHS evolved as India’s principal health and demographic database?

    1. Coverage: NFHS-6 collected information from nearly 6.8 lakh households across India, excluding Manipur.
    2. Policy Significance: Provides nationally representative data for health, nutrition, fertility, gender and social indicators.
    3. Survey Expansion: NFHS has progressively expanded its scope while retaining previous questions for comparability.
    4. Digital Transformation: NFHS-4 introduced district-level estimates and tablet-based data collection.
    5. Expanded Domains: NFHS-5 added education, disability, access to toilets, health insurance, bank accounts, bathing practices during menstruation, abortion-related indicators and age coverage up to 49 years for women and 54 years for men.
    6. Broader Adult Coverage: NFHS-6 expanded adult measurements to all individuals aged 15 years and above.

    Why has the reduction in indicators in NFHS-6 generated concern?

    1. Indicator Reduction: NFHS-6 preliminary fact sheet contains 101 indicators compared to 131 in NFHS-5, representing a reduction of nearly 23% in reported indicators.
    2. Net Change: 43 indicators were dropped and 13 were added, producing a net reduction of 30 indicators.
    3. Data Continuity Issue: Several long-running indicators are unavailable in the preliminary release.
    4. Policy Monitoring Gap: Removal affects trend analysis across survey rounds.
    5. Comparability Challenge: Limits direct comparison of progress in key health and demographic outcomes.

    Which important indicators have been removed from the preliminary fact sheets?

    Health Indicators

    1. Anaemia: Removed from preliminary fact sheets despite being a major public health concern.
    2. Mortality Indicators: Infant mortality, neonatal mortality and under-five mortality are absent.
    3. Sex Ratio at Birth: No current survey-based estimate available.
    4. Cancer Screening: Indicators covering cervical, breast and oral cancer screening removed.
    5. Comprehensive HIV Knowledge: Certain HIV-related indicators no longer available in the fact sheet.

    Living Conditions Indicators

    1. Sanitation Coverage: Household sanitation data absent.
    2. Clean Cooking Fuel Usage: Indicator removed from preliminary release.
    3. Internet Access: Household-level population living in households with internet access not reported.

    Why was anaemia removed and what does the evidence show?

    1. Worsening Trend: Anaemia has consistently shown deterioration in previous survey rounds.
    2. Children’s Anaemia: Increased from 58.6% (NFHS-4, 2015-16) to 67.1% (NFHS-5, 2019-21).
    3. Women’s Anaemia: Increased from 53.1% to 57% among women aged 15–49 years.
    4. Pregnant Women: Rose from 50.4% to 52.2%.
    5. Geographic Spread: Anaemia increased in 28 States and Union Territories.
    6. Severe Burden States: Assam recorded 35.7% to 68.4%; Mizoram recorded 19.3% to 46.4%.
    7. Policy Importance: Anaemia was a major target of the Anaemia Mukt Bharat campaign launched in 2018.
    8. Measurement Method: Earlier surveys measured haemoglobin using finger-prick blood samples.
    9. Methodological Concerns: Researchers questioned the reliability of portable analysers used for anaemia estimation.
    10. Future Tracking: Anaemia will now be monitored separately through the Diet and Biomarkers Survey under the National Institute of Nutrition.
    11. Alternative Data Collection: NFHS-6 collected venous blood and urine biomarkers instead of finger-prick methods.
    12. Additional Biomarkers: Survey collected information on nutritional deficiencies and obesity.
    13. Pending Release: Detailed biomarker dataset has not yet been released.

    What new themes and indicators have been introduced in NFHS-6?

    Digital Inclusion

    1. Digital Literacy: Introduced new questions assessing digital capabilities.
    2. Internet Use: Expanded assessment of digital access and usage patterns.
    3. Financial Fraud Awareness: Added questions on awareness of digital and financial fraud.

    Social and Economic Inclusion

    1. Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Added questions on DBT access and receipt.
    2. Self-Help Group Membership: Introduced indicators on SHG participation.

    Public Health

    1. Hepatitis-B Testing: Included testing among men and women.
    2. Hepatitis-B Child Testing: Included dried blood spot collection among children aged 4-5 years.
    3. Expanded Biomarkers: Added broader nutritional and obesity-related measurements.

    What methodological and definitional changes have occurred in NFHS-6?

    1. HIV Module Revision: HIV testing component removed from survey implementation.
    2. Knowledge Questions Retained: HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and behaviour questions retained.
    3. Ownership Redefinition: Women’s ownership of house or land shifted to a household-level measure.
    4. Hepatitis-B Classification: Moved from individual measure to birth-dose measure.
    5. Education Indicator Revision: Pre-school attendance reclassified into younger age bands.
    6. Demographic Revisions: Several indicators modified through definitional changes rather than removal.

    What do NFHS-6 findings reveal about maternal and child health outcomes?

    Maternal Healthcare

    1. Antenatal Care: Mothers receiving at least four antenatal check-ups increased by about seven percentage points compared with NFHS-5.
    2. Institutional Deliveries
      1. Institutional Births: Continued improvement in institutional delivery coverage.
    3. Child Nutrition
      1. Stunting Reduction: Number of children under five who are stunted declined.
      2. Exclusive Breastfeeding: Declined among infants under six months.
    4. Contraception
      1. Modern Contraceptive Use: Declined from 56.4% to 52.7%.

    How have gender and social indicators changed between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6?

    1. Women’s Empowerment
      1. Internet Usage: Significant increase in women’s internet use.
      2. Spousal Violence: Women reporting spousal violence declined from 29.3% to 22.3%.
    2. Health Insurance
      1. Coverage Expansion: Increased from 33.7% to 88.2% of households in West Bengal.
      2. Largest State-Level Improvement: Andhra Pradesh increased from 21% to 63.6%.
    3. Nutrition Transition
      1. Overweight and Obesity: Share of women classified as overweight or obese increased in every State.

    What policy gaps emerge from the omission of key indicators?

    1. Mortality Monitoring Gap: Absence of infant and child mortality data weakens health assessment.
    2. Gender Monitoring Gap: Missing sex ratio at birth limits monitoring of gender discrimination.
    3. Nutrition Monitoring Gap: Lack of anaemia data affects evaluation of Anaemia Mukt Bharat.
    4. Environmental Health Gap: Missing sanitation and cooking fuel indicators weaken tracking of Swachh Bharat and clean energy transitions.
    5. Cancer Surveillance Gap: Absence of screening indicators limits preventive healthcare assessment.
    6. Evidence Gap: No alternative survey currently provides many of these indicators at NFHS scale.

    Conclusion

    NFHS-6 presents a mixed picture of India’s health transition. Improvements in maternal healthcare, institutional deliveries, health insurance coverage and digital inclusion indicate progress in human development outcomes. However, the omission of critical indicators such as anaemia, mortality and sex ratio at birth creates significant gaps in public health monitoring and long-term trend analysis. The challenge before policymakers is to balance methodological improvements with a continuity of data. This will ensure that India’s most important health survey remains both scientifically robust and policy relevant.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system, the Indian State should play a vital role to contain the adverse impact of marketisation of the system. Suggest some measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level.

    Linkage: Public healthcare delivery depends on robust health data for identifying gaps, targeting interventions and evaluating outcomes. NFHS-6 is a key instrument for evidence-based public health policymaking; therefore, the omission of indicators such as anaemia, mortality and sex ratio at birth may weaken assessment of healthcare outcomes and grassroots service delivery.

  • The boost centre’s solar power schemes need

    Why in the News?

    India’s flagship decentralised solar schemes, PM Surya Ghar Yojana and PM-KUSUM, have achieved only about 13 GW capacity against a target of 40 GW. This has prompted the Parliamentary Estimates Committee to examine implementation bottlenecks.

    Background

    1. Solar Dominance: Solar power now accounts for nearly 30% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity.
    2. Rapid Capacity Addition: India added more than 50 GW of solar capacity during the last two years.
    3. Global Position: India added more solar power in 2025 than any country except China.

    Why is Decentralised Solar Power Becoming Central to India’s Energy Transition?

    Decentralised solar power (DRE) generates electricity at or near the point of consumption rather than relying on large, centralized power plants. This approach eliminates long-distance transmission losses and empowers local communities by providing affordable, continuous, and reliable energy

    1. Rising Electricity Demand: Increasing temperatures, urbanisation and economic growth are pushing electricity demand upwards.
    2. Land Constraints: Availability of land for large utility-scale solar parks is becoming increasingly limited.
    3. Climate Resilience: Distributed generation strengthens energy security during periods of high demand and climatic stress.
    4. Peak Demand Management: Solar power significantly contributed to meeting daytime peak demand during April-May 2026.
    5. Hydropower Constraints: Hydropower capacity expansion has stagnated, reducing its ability to meet incremental demand.
      1. Stagnating Share: Hydropower’s share in India’s installed power capacity has declined from around 25% in the early 1990s to about 10% today, despite growth in overall electricity demand.
      2. Limited Capacity Addition: India added only about 5 GW of large hydropower capacity between 2014 and 2024, compared to over 100 GW of solar capacity during the same period.
      3. Current Capacity: India’s installed hydropower capacity stands at roughly 48-49 GW, while solar capacity has crossed 100 GW.
      4. Climate Vulnerability: Erratic monsoons, changing river flows, environmental clearances, rehabilitation issues, and long gestation periods have slowed hydropower expansion.
      5. Energy Transition Implication: With hydropower unable to expand rapidly enough to meet rising demand, solar, particularly decentralised solar, is increasingly expected to meet incremental electricity requirements.

    What are the Key Features of PM Surya Ghar Yojana and PM-KUSUM?

    PM Surya Ghar Yojana

    1. Household Coverage: Targets rooftop solar installation in 1 crore households.
    2. Free Electricity: Provides electricity benefits of up to 300 units per month.
    3. Capital Subsidy: Offers direct subsidy support for rooftop solar equipment.
    4. Decentralised Generation: Encourages household-level electricity production and grid integration.

    Progress

    TargetAchievement
    1 crore households connected40.52 lakh households
    30 GW installed capacity12 GW

    PM-KUSUM

    The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) is an initiative by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It provides farmers with heavy subsidies for solar agricultural pumps and solar power plants, designed to generate income, provide daytime irrigation, and replace expensive diesel or grid power

    1. Farmer-Centric Design: Supports farmers in establishing decentralised solar infrastructure.
    2. Solar Plants on Unused Land: Enables installation of small solar plants on unused agricultural land.
    3. Solar Water Pumps: Supports both standalone and grid-connected solar irrigation pumps.
    4. Additional Income: Allows sale of surplus electricity to the grid.
    5. Cost Reduction: Reduces diesel and conventional electricity expenses.

    Progress

    TargetAchievement
    14 lakh solar water pumps10.9 lakh
    2.5 lakh solar irrigation pumps15,000
    30 GW decentralised solar capacity1.2 GW

    How Successful Have These Flagship Programmes Been?

    1. Combined Budget: Approximately ₹95,000 crore.
    2. Combined Capacity Created: About 13 GW as of 31 May 2026.
    3. Target Capacity: 40 GW by the end of the current financial year.
    4. Achievement Gap: Only around one-third of the targeted capacity achieved.
    5. PM-KUSUM Delay: Initially targeted for completion by 2022 but extended until the end of the current financial year due to pandemic-related disruptions.
    6. Best Performing Component: Standalone off-grid solar water pumps under PM-KUSUM.

    How is Performance Highly Uneven Across States?

    PM Surya Ghar Better Performers

    StateInstallationsHouseholds ConnectedSubsidy (₹ crore)
    Gujarat6,81,1809,77,7549,277
    Maharashtra6,04,5229,42,37823,149
    Uttar Pradesh5,62,6565,77,10319,095
    Kerala2,52,8032,58,959382
    Rajasthan2,15,8422,23,06630,597

    PM Surya Ghar Underperformers

    StateInstallationsHouseholds ConnectedSubsidy (₹ crore)
    West Bengal1,6951,7581,868
    Punjab14,47016,64120,693
    Karnataka19,79330,39527,725
    Bihar20,27220,90515,405
    Tamil Nadu72,98885,74315,701

    How Do Power Subsidies Affect Solar Adoption?

    1. Distorted Economic Incentives: Free or highly subsidised electricity reduces the financial attractiveness of investing in rooftop solar systems.
    2. Reduced Payback Benefits: Consumers receiving subsidised electricity perceive limited savings from solar installations, resulting in lower adoption rates.
    3. High Upfront Cost Sensitivity: Households are less willing to incur substantial initial costs for solar systems when electricity is already available at little or no cost.
    4. Subsidy-Driven Consumer Behaviour: Existing subsidy regimes encourage continued dependence on grid electricity rather than self-generation through rooftop solar.
    5. Policy Contradiction: Simultaneous promotion of rooftop solar and provision of free electricity creates conflicting incentives for consumers.
    6. Official Recognition: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy informed the Parliamentary Estimates Committee that free electricity schemes have emerged as a major constraint to PM Surya Ghar implementation.

    Evidence from States

    1. Punjab: Provides 300 free units to households and free electricity for agricultural tubewells; annual power subsidy expenditure exceeds ₹20,000 crore.
    2. Karnataka: Electricity subsidy bill stands at approximately ₹27,000 crore.
    3. Tamil Nadu: Electricity subsidy expenditure is around ₹15,700 crore.

    Why Does the Upfront Cost Remain the Biggest Barrier?

    1. High Initial Investment: Solar installations often require investment of several lakh rupees.
    2. Delayed Returns: Benefits accrue gradually through reduced electricity bills and sale of surplus power.
    3. Affordability Challenge: Many households and farmers struggle to mobilise upfront capital despite long-term savings.
    4. Credit Constraints: Access to affordable financing remains limited.
    5. Committee Recommendation: Parliamentary Estimates Committee recommended mechanisms that reduce upfront payment burdens.

    Why Have Some States Succeeded Despite Offering Subsidised Power?

    1. Additional Incentives: Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh supplemented central support with state-level incentives.
    2. Policy Convergence: State support reduced effective installation costs.
    3. Consumer Confidence: Additional incentives improved economic viability.
    4. Administrative Efficiency: Faster approvals and implementation improved adoption rates.
    5. Evidence of Success: These states account for nearly 70% of the total rooftop solar installations achieved under PM Surya Ghar.

    What are the Long-Term Economic Benefits of Decentralised Solar Power?

    1. Subsidy Rationalisation: Reduces long-term dependence on recurring electricity subsidies.
    2. Fiscal Savings: Full implementation of PM Surya Ghar could save approximately ₹75,000 crore annually in electricity-related expenditure.
    3. Consumer Empowerment: Converts consumers into electricity producers.
    4. Grid Stability: Reduces transmission losses and distribution burden.
    5. Energy Security: Diversifies generation sources and reduces fuel dependence.
    6. Climate Commitments: Supports India’s renewable energy and net-zero objectives.

    What is the Growing Link Between Solar Power and Electricity Demand?

    1. Demand Surge: Rising temperatures are increasing electricity consumption.
    2. Climate Variability: Lower rainfall forecasts may reduce hydropower availability.
    3. Summer Demand Peaks: Solar generation is increasingly meeting daytime peak loads.
    4. Future Energy Mix: Solar is expected to become India’s second-largest source of electricity generation, overtaking hydropower.
    5. Decentralisation Advantage: Distributed generation can cushion local supply-demand imbalances.

    Conclusion

    India’s clean energy transition increasingly depends on decentralised solar generation alongside utility-scale renewable projects. While PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM have demonstrated their transformative potential, persistent barriers such as high upfront costs and distortionary electricity subsidies continue to constrain adoption. Bridging this gap through targeted incentives, affordable financing and subsidy reforms will determine whether decentralised solar power can become a major pillar of India’s energy security and climate strategy.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2020] Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose?

    Linkage: The PYQ focuses on solar energy as a sustainable alternative to conventional power sources and government efforts to promote its adoption. PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM are among India’s flagship initiatives for promoting decentralised solar energy. The article evaluates their achievements, implementation challenges, and significance for India’s energy security and clean energy transition.

  • Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA)

    Why in the news?

    The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA) completed 10 years on 9 June 2026. Since its launch in 2016, over 7.5 crore pregnant women have received antenatal care services under the scheme.

    About PMSMA

    • Launched: 9 June 2016
    • Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    • Objective:
      • Ensure safe pregnancy and childbirth.
      • Provide free and quality antenatal care (ANC).
      • Identify and manage high-risk pregnancies (HRPs).

    Beneficiaries

    • Pregnant women in Second trimester (13-27 weeks) and Third trimester (28 weeks till delivery)
    • Special focus on High-risk pregnancies and Women missing routine ANC services

    Key Features

    Monthly ANC Services

    • Conducted on the 9th of every month.
    • Available at designated government health facilities.

    Service Package

    • Clinical examination, Blood and urine tests, Ultrasonography, Free medicines, Nutrition counselling, Birth preparedness counselling, and Safe pregnancy awareness

    High-Risk Pregnancy (HRP) Identification

    What is a high-risk pregnancy?

    • Pregnancies with conditions that increase the risk of complications for the mother or baby.

    PMSMA Screens for 25 HRP Conditions

    • Important conditions include: Severe anaemia, HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, Gestational diabetes, Pregnancy-induced hypertension, Hypothyroidism, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Hepatitis B, Twin/multiple pregnancy, Previous Caesarean section, History of stillbirth, Teenage pregnancy, Advanced-age pregnancy, Negative blood group

    Follow-up Mechanism

    • HRPs linked to nearest: First Referral Unit (FRU)
    • Individual tracking till safe delivery.

    Extended PMSMA (2022)

    • Launched in January 2022.
    • Purpose: Strengthen follow-up care for high-risk pregnancies.

    Features

    • Additional ANC visits.
    • Continuous monitoring.
    • SMS reminders to: Beneficiary and ASHA worker
    • Financial incentives for pregnant women and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)

    [2024] With reference to the ‘Pradhan Manti Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:
    1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
    2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialties can volunteer to provide service at nearby government health facilities.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 only

    [C] Both 1 and 2

    [D] Neither 1 nor 2

  • Report on Datasets for State Finance Commissions (SFCs)

    Why in the news?

    The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the Report of the Committee on Datasets for State Finance Commissions to strengthen evidence-based fiscal decentralisation and improve financial governance of local bodies.

    Key Highlights

    • Released by V. Anantha Nageswaran.
    • The report aims to strengthen: Fiscal decentralisation, Local public finance, and Data-driven governance
    • Focuses on improving data availability for Panchayats and State Finance Commissions (SFCs)

    Why is the Report Important?

    According to the Chief Economic Adviser:

    • Better data leads to better governance.
    • Sound fiscal decisions require: Reliable data, Timely data, and Granular (local-level) data
    • Effective delivery of services such as: Drinking water, Roads, Street lighting, Anganwadi services depend on empowered local governments.

    Major Recommendations

    • Panchayat-Level Fiscal Database: Creation of comprehensive databases on: Revenue, Expenditure, Assets, Liabilities.
    • Use of Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI): Classification of PAI indicators for SFC analysis and recommendations.
    • State Finance Commission Cells: Dedicated SFC Cells in State Governments, to support: Data collection, Research, Technical analysis
    • Standardised Accounting Framework: Uniform accounting and reporting systems across States.
    • Common Reporting Framework: Standard format for SFC reports. Enables comparison and consistency.
    • Data Handbooks: Publication of comprehensive Panchayat data handbooks.
    • State Finance Commission Manual: Preparation of a standard operational guide for future SFCs.

    State Finance Commission (SFC)

    • Constitutional Basis: Article 243-I: Provides for constitution of a State Finance Commission by the Governor every five years.
    • Functions
      • Review financial position of Panchayats.
      • Recommend distribution of State taxes, Duties, Tolls, Fees between State Government and local bodies.
      • Suggest measures to improve local finances.

    [2025] Consider the following statements :
    I. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States.
    II. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the intermediate level, a person should attain the age of thirty years.
    III. The Chief Minister of a State constitutes a commission to review the financial position of Panchayats at the intermediate levels and to make recommendations regarding the distribution of net proceeds of taxes and duties, leviable by the State, between the State and Panchayats at the intermediate level.
    Which of the statements given above are not correct?

    [A] I and II only

    [B] II and III only

    [C] I and III only

    [D] I, II and III

  • IMI-Resistant Mustard Hybrids

    Why in the news?

    India is set to begin large-scale cultivation of imidazolinone-resistant (IMI-resistant) mustard hybrids during the 2026-27 rabi season to tackle the parasitic weed Orobanche (Phelipanche), which significantly reduces mustard yields.

    Key Highlights

    • Mustard is a major oilseed crop in India.
    • India imported around 16 million tonnes of edible oil and Worth nearly ₹1.6 lakh crore in 2024-25.
    • The new hybrids are resistant to IMI herbicides
    • Main target Orobanche/Phelipanche, a root parasitic weed.

    What is Orobanche?

    https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/Qei5WJuL-Rr_xTIzlCInNirTBQpRVL3O34CGG6B68RBWV0IAE1OJC19nfEHxPF8pd4N3UBIyCrDEXg4K_8VjNBKQchGiadQ9D4C-Nh_wdl2OaRZ_ZT9no0h2Jadoxh9AhOsPBZJHloSRD_kA2CRmo_W98rssDji6_lHfc2ADRkM4lB-50F4ZX-LttuPjq6Wt?purpose=fullsize
    • A parasitic weed that attaches to mustard roots. Draws water and nutrients from the host plant
    • Causes major yield losses in mustard cultivation.
    • Difficult to remove manually because it grows below the soil surface.

    What are IMI-Resistant Mustard Hybrids?

    • These are mustard varieties resistant to imidazolinone herbicides.
    • Developed Through: Mutation Breeding. Not a genetically modified (GM) crop. Scientists select and preserve naturally occurring mutations.

    Scientific Basis

    • The resistance is linked to changes in the Acetolactate Synthase (ALS) enzyme
    • Normally, IMI herbicides inhibit the ALS enzyme. The plant dies.

    In resistant hybrids:

    • A DNA mutation changes ALS structure.
    • Herbicide cannot inhibit the enzyme.
    • Crop survives while weeds die.

    Advantages

    • Effective control of Orobanche.
    • Reduces labour requirement for manual weeding.
    • Helps improve mustard productivity.
    • Supports reduction in edible oil imports.
    • Useful in labour-scarce periods during the rabi season.

    [2018] With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :
    1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
    2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridise.
    3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    [A] 1 and 3 only
    [B] 2 only
    [C] 2 and 3
    [D] 1, 2 and 3

  • Zojila Tunnel

    Why in the news?

    The strategically important Zojila Tunnel achieved its final breakthrough on June 9, 2026, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari overseeing the final blasting from the Kargil side. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.

    Key Highlights

    • Length: 13.14 km
    • Altitude: 11,578 feet
    • Cost: Over ₹6,800 crore
    • Connects: Baltal (Kashmir) and Meenamarg/Drass (Ladakh)
    • Travel time reduced: From 3 hours to 20 minutes
    • Constructed by: Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd
    • Tunnel type: Single-tube, bi-directional, two-lane road tunnel
    • Geological Zone: Seismic Zone IV

    Strategic Importance

    • Ensures all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
    • Critical for the movement of Troops, Defence equipment, and Supplies to the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
    • Reduces dependence on the snow-prone Zojila Pass.
    • Enhances India’s strategic preparedness in border regions.

    Construction Method

    • The tunnel was constructed using the: New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)

    Key features of NATM:

    • Sequential excavation
    • Immediate support using: Shotcrete and Rock bolting
    • Continuous geotechnical monitoring
    • Suitable for fragile Himalayan geology

    Q. With reference to India’s projects on connectivity, consider the following statements::
    1. East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat.
    2. Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar.
    3. Bangladesh- China- India- Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All three

    [D] None

  • [8th June 2026] The Hindu OpED: From borderland to India’s strategic resource frontier

    Mentor’s Comment

    India’s search for critical minerals has brought the Northeast into the national strategic spotlight. Government narratives increasingly portray states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram as resource-rich frontiers capable of supporting India’s clean energy transition and industrial ambitions. This highlights a significant shift in how India views the Northeast. Traditionally it was framed through the lens of borders, security, insurgency, and connectivity.

    Why is the Northeast Emerging as India’s Strategic Resource Frontier?

    1. Critical Mineral Demand: Expanding demand for lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, and rare earth elements is reshaping global industrial and geopolitical competition.
    2. Energy Transition: Batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and energy storage systems depend heavily on critical minerals.
    3. Technological Manufacturing: Semiconductors and advanced manufacturing require secure access to strategic minerals.
    4. Defence Applications: Defence technologies increasingly rely on mineral-intensive supply chains.
    5. Strategic Autonomy: Reduces dependence on external suppliers and strengthens supply-chain resilience.
    6. Resource Potential: Geological surveys indicate significant mineral potential across several Northeastern states.

    How Has Government Discourse on the Northeast Changed?

    1. Borderland Narrative: The Northeast was historically discussed through issues of insurgency, territorial security, border management, and connectivity.
    2. Security-Centric Approach: Infrastructure projects were often justified as instruments of strategic access and territorial integration.
    3. Resource Frontier Narrative: The region is increasingly portrayed as a source of strategic minerals critical for national development.
    4. Expanded Strategic Significance: Discussions now combine security, resource access, industrial policy, and geopolitical competitiveness.
    5. National Economic Integration: Resource development is becoming central to how the region is represented in national policymaking.

    What Is the Scale of Critical Mineral Exploration in the Northeast?

    1. Exploration Expansion: Geological Survey of India undertook 43 critical mineral exploration projects in northeastern states during the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 field seasons.
    2. Minerals Covered: Exploration focused on graphite, vanadium, lithium, rare earth elements, nickel and cobalt.
    3. Geographical Spread: Activities expanded across Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
    4. Manipur Projects: Recent exploration initiatives involve nickel, cobalt and chromium deposits.
    5. Long-Term Potential: Geological surveys have consistently pointed toward significant mineral prospects in the region.

    Why Does the ‘Resource Frontier’ Narrative Oversimplify the Northeast’s Reality?

    1. Frontier Concept: The term suggests empty spaces waiting for discovery, development, and extraction.
    2. Historical Assumption: Frontiers are often portrayed as regions awaiting integration into the national economy.
    3. Social Reality: The Northeast already contains complex social, political, cultural, and economic systems.
    4. Existing Institutions: Local governance structures, customary institutions, and traditional land-management systems are already deeply embedded.
    5. Identity and Memory: Land carries historical, cultural, and political significance beyond its economic value.
    6. Political Meaning: Resource extraction enters territories that already possess established histories and institutions.

    Why Are Land and Ownership Questions Central to Resource Development?

    1. Customary Land Systems: Many communities maintain long-standing customary ownership arrangements.
    2. Authority Structures: Land is closely linked to local political authority and governance.
    3. Identity Linkages: Ownership often forms part of community identity and historical memory.
    4. Representation Concerns: Resource decisions raise questions regarding who participates in decision-making.
    5. Trust Deficit: Development projects are frequently assessed through local perceptions of trust and inclusion.
    6. Beyond Economics: Land debates encompass social legitimacy, rights, and political recognition.

    How Do Existing Regional Conflicts Influence Resource Politics?

    1. Manipur Experience: Years of violence and displacement have intensified debates over land and territorial arrangements.
    2. Ecological Vulnerability: Communities increasingly raise concerns regarding environmental impacts of extraction.
    3. Ownership Disputes: Resource projects often intersect with unresolved questions of land rights.
    4. Political Inclusion: Communities evaluate projects through the lens of representation and participation.
    5. Conflict Sensitivity: Resource development in fragile regions may acquire meanings beyond economic development.

    Can Resource Development Create New Governance Challenges?

    1. Institutional Capacity: Extraction may proceed faster than institutions capable of managing its consequences.
    2. Uneven Development: The Northeast has historically experienced uneven infrastructure and economic growth.
    3. Connectivity Mismatch: Infrastructure projects have sometimes emerged without corresponding economic ecosystems.
    4. Participation Deficit: Strategic priorities have often overshadowed local participation and consultation.
    5. Social Risks: Rapid extraction may reproduce tensions if benefits are unevenly distributed.
    6. Governance Imperative: Resource development requires strong institutions, transparency, and social safeguards.

    Why Is Inclusion as Important as Extraction?

    1. Benefit Sharing: Local communities seek meaningful economic participation.
    2. Employment Opportunities: Resource projects can address long-standing developmental deficits.
    3. Political Legitimacy: Inclusive governance strengthens acceptance of projects.
    4. Community Ownership: Participation improves trust and reduces conflict.
    5. Sustainable Development: Long-term success depends on balancing strategic objectives with local aspirations.

    Conclusion

    The Northeast’s emergence as a critical mineral hub presents India with a strategic opportunity to strengthen resource security, support the energy transition, and reduce external dependence. However, the region cannot be treated merely as a repository of minerals waiting for extraction. Sustainable success will depend on reconciling national developmental priorities with local aspirations, customary land rights, ecological safeguards, and participatory governance. The real challenge is not only to extract resources from the Northeast, but to ensure that its people become equal stakeholders in the region’s transformation from a borderland to a strategic resource frontier.