💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Archives: News

  • Why US Fed cut interest rates, how India could be impacted? 

    Why in the News?

    The United States Federal Reserve, responsible for the country’s monetary policy, announced on Wednesday that it will lower its key interest rate, called the Federal Funds Rate, by 0.5%, or 50 basis points.

    Why did the Fed cut interest rates?

    • The Federal Reserve cut the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to address rising unemployment concerns while inflation was stabilizing.
    • After a series of aggressive rate hikes to counter inflation that surged due to post-COVID recovery and the Russia-Ukraine war, inflation began to moderate, nearing the Fed’s target of 2%.
    • Rising unemployment data signaled that the restrictive monetary policy might harm the labor market, prompting the Fed to act.

    Will the US economy achieve a soft landing?

    • Optimistic Projections: Despite earlier predictions that high inflation would lead to a recession, the Fed’s strategy may succeed in achieving a soft landing, reducing inflation without crashing the economy.
    • GDP Growth: The Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) estimates GDP growth to remain around 2% for the next few years, indicating a stable economy.
    • Unemployment: While the unemployment rate has risen slightly to 4.4%, it remains manageable, with expectations of improvement.
    • Risks: Potential policy shifts, especially related to the upcoming presidential election, could disrupt the economic outlook, particularly if trade tariffs are imposed.

    How will India be affected?

    • Increased Foreign Investments: Lower US interest rates could encourage foreign investors to borrow in the US and invest in India through stocks, bonds, or foreign direct investment (FDI), benefiting capital inflow.
    • Rupee Strengthening: With falling US interest rates, the US dollar may weaken against the Indian rupee, potentially strengthening the rupee. This would negatively affect Indian exporters but benefit importers.
    • RBI’s Interest Rate Decisions: While the Fed’s rate cuts influence global markets, India’s central bank, the RBI, may not directly follow suit due to differing inflation targets and mandates. The RBI prioritizes inflation control and GDP growth over unemployment figures.

    Way forward: 

    • Encourage Capital Inflows: India should take advantage of lower US interest rates by attracting foreign investments through improved ease of doing business, fostering growth in key sectors like infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing.
    • Maintain Monetary Stability: The RBI should carefully assess global trends but prioritize domestic conditions when adjusting interest rates, focusing on inflation control, financial stability, and sustained GDP growth.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments. (UPSC IAS/2016)

  • White Revolution 2.0

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Cooperation unveiled White Revolution 2.0, focusing on empowering women farmers and creating job opportunities in the dairy cooperative sector.

    What is White Revolution 2.0?

    Details
    Objective Transforming India’s dairy sector by empowering women farmers, increasing milk production, and modernizing dairy infrastructure.
    Target  Increase procurement from the current 660 lakh litres per day to 1,000 lakh litres per day.
    Funding • Initial funding of ₹40,000 per Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) by National Dairy Development Board.
    • Total outlay of ₹70,125 crore with full government budgetary support.
    Provisions and Features 1. Women Empowerment: Focus on empowering women in the dairy sector and strengthening women’s cooperatives.
    2. Increase in Milk Procurement: Aims to raise procurement by 50% over the next five years.
    3. Cooperative Infrastructure: 100,000 new and existing cooperative societies (district cooperative societies and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) to be set up or enhanced.
    4. RuPay Kisan Credit Cards: Nationwide rollout for dairy farmers, with micro-ATMs at cooperative societies.
    5. Computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies: 67,930 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies will be computerised for better management.
    Significance 1. Women Empowerment: Creates leadership opportunities for women in dairy, promoting gender equality.
    2. Boost to Rural Economy: Strengthening cooperatives and milk procurement will improve rural livelihoods.
    3. Improved Infrastructure: Modern technology, micro-ATMs, and computerisation will increase efficiency.
    4. Job Creation: Expanding cooperatives and modern practices will generate jobs for 130 million farmers.
    5. Malnutrition Reduction: Enhances dairy quality to combat malnutrition.
    6. Cooperative Modernisation: Focus on Artificial Intelligence and advanced technologies.
    7. Dairy Exports Boost: Improved production and quality to enhance India’s dairy exports.

     

    PYQ:

    [2017] Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?

  • Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

    Why in the News?

      • This year, Kerala faced a sudden surge in Amoebic Meningoencephalitis cases, caused by free-living amoebae (FLA) found in freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers.
    • Kerala also saw a diverse range of amoebic infections, caused by Naegleria fowleri, Vermamoeba vermiforis, and Acanthamoeba.

    What is Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)?

    • PAM is caused by the Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba“. It destroys brain tissue, causing severe swelling and is fatal in most cases.
      • An amoeba is a type of cell or unicellular organism with the ability to alter its shape, primarily by extending and retracting pseudopods.
      • Higher temperatures of up to 115°F (46°C) are conducive to its growth and it can survive for short periods in warm environments.
    • The amoeba enters the body through the nose, typically during activities like swimming, and travels to the brain, causing severe damage.
    • PAM is also non-communicable.
    • Symptoms: Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and coma.
      • According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people with PAM die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin. It usually leads to coma and death after 5 days.

    Diagnosis and Treatment:

    • Currently, there are no established effective treatments for PAM.
    • Diagnosis involves PCR tests of cerebrospinal fluid, though detection can be challenging due to the rarity of PAM.
    • Treatment follows CDC guidelines, including miltefosine, Azithromycin, and Amphotericin B, with miltefosine recently procured by the State Health Department from Germany.
      • Medical interventions typically involve a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone.

  • 100 Years of Harappan Civilization

    Why in the News?

    It has been 100 years since the discovery of the Harappan Civilization, announced by John Marshall on September 20, 1924.

    Harappa: Remains of a Civilization

    • The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, flourished between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE, with earlier settlements dating back to 3200 BCE.
    • The origins of this civilisation are traced back to Mehrgarh in Balochistan, which dates to 7000 BCE.
    • It is considered one of the three earliest civilizations, alongside Egypt and Mesopotamia.
    • The civilization covered over 1.5 million sq. km, stretching across modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
    • Remains of the civilization include:
      • Well-planned cities with a grid layout, intersecting streets, and fortified structures.
      • Advanced drainage systems with underground sewers and covered drains, showing a strong emphasis on hygiene.
      • Granaries, warehouses, and dockyards, indicating the presence of structured trade and food storage mechanisms.
      • The discovery of seals made of steatite, often engraved with animals and an un-deciphered script, suggesting a sophisticated administrative system.
      • Craftsmanship in pottery, bead-making, terracotta figurines, metal artefacts, and weaving.
      • Water management systems such as reservoirs, wells, and baths, indicating an advanced understanding of hydraulic engineering.

    The Discoverers:

    • Two ASI archaeologists were credited with the discovery:
      • Daya Ram Sahni excavated Harappa in 1921-22, discovering seals, pottery, and beads.
      • Rakhal Das Banerji began excavating Mohenjo-daro in 1922, finding similar items such as seals and copper objects.
    • John Marshall noticed the similarity between the objects found at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, despite the sites being 640 km apart.

    About the Mohenjo-daro Site:

    • Mohenjo-daro is one of the largest cities of the Harappan Civilization, located in the Sindh province of Pakistan, discovered in 1922 by Rakhal Das Banerji.
    • The city represents one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning:
      • Great Bath: A large, centrally located structure thought to be used for ritual bathing or religious ceremonies. It is considered one of the earliest public water tanks in history.
      • Granaries: Massive storage facilities near the citadel suggest an organized system of storing food for the community.
      • Citadel and Lower Town: The city was divided into a raised citadel for the ruling elite and a lower town for common people. Both areas had well-planned streets and residential complexes.
      • Drainage Systems: Mohenjo-daro featured covered drainage systems with individual toilets connected to the drainage network, showcasing an impressive public sanitation system.
      • Residential Buildings: Homes were built from uniform mud bricks, with courtyards and bathrooms, and were often multi-storied. The use of standardised brick sizes (ratio 1:2:4) and cubic weights showed their high degree of organisation.
    • Artefacts found at Mohenjo-daro include:
      • Seals with animal motifs and the un-deciphered Harappan script, believed to have been used for administrative or trade purposes.
      • Pottery and tools made of bronze and copper.
      • Terracotta figurines, jewellery, and toys that reflect a highly developed artistic culture.
      • Weights and measures based on a uniform standard, indicating the use of a standardized economic system.
    • The city’s streets were aligned north-south and east-west, cutting at right angles, allowing for efficient transportation, including bullock carts.
    • Mohenjo-daro is believed to have had trade links with Mesopotamia, as suggested by artefacts with Mesopotamian connections.

    PYQ:

    [2013] Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Valley Civilization?

    1. They possessed great palaces and temples.

    2. They worshipped both male and female deities.

    3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.

    Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 1, 2 and 3

    (d) None of the statements given above is correct

  • Why Earth will temporarily get a ‘Mini-Moon’ in September?

    Why in the News?

    In a rare celestial event, Earth’s gravitational field will witness a small asteroid, 2024 PT5, creating a “mini-moon” for two months.

    What is Mini-Moon?

    • A mini-moon is a small asteroid temporarily captured by Earth’s gravitational field, orbiting the planet for a short period before escaping back into space.
    • Unlike Earth’s permanent moon, mini-moons only stay for a few months to a few years before being ejected from orbit.
    • Mini-moons are a rare occurrence because most asteroids either pass by Earth or burn up in the atmosphere rather than being captured by Earth’s gravity.
    • Mini-moons are usually small, often just a few meters in diameter.
      • For example, 2024 PT5 is only about 33 feet (10 meters) in length.
    • They are hard to detect and are usually discovered using advanced telescopic surveys like NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).

    Significance of Mini-Moons

    • Mini-moons offer scientists a unique opportunity to study near-Earth objects, enhancing our understanding of asteroids’ behavior and composition.
    • Mini-moons could contain valuable minerals or water, making them potential targets for future space missions to extract resources.
    • Studying mini-moons helps scientists learn more about Earth’s gravitational influence and how it interacts with space objects.

    PYQ:

    [2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets?

    1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material.
    2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury.
    3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

  • [pib] A poem on ‘National War Memorial’ and a chapter on ‘Veer Abdul Hameed’ included in NCERT

    Why in the News?

    A poem on National War Memorial and a chapter about Veer Abdul Hameed (PVC) introduced by the Ministries of Defence and Education has been included in the NCERT Class VI curriculum.

    About National War Memorial

    • The National War Memorial was unveiled on 25th February 2019 to honor Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in conflicts with Pakistan, China, 1961 Goa war and Operation Pawan.
    • The monument is designed in a C-hexagon layout, with names of the fallen soldiers inscribed on its walls.
    • It was designed by Yogesh Chandrasan of WeBe Design Lab.
    • Key features include the Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality) with the ‘Eternal Flame’ symbolizing the nation’s commitment to remembering the soldiers.
    • The Veerta Chakra showcases six bronze murals depicting acts of bravery.
    • The Rakshak Chakra symbolizes protection with trees representing troops safeguarding the nation.
    • Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice) features concentric granite walls honoring the soldiers who have died since Independence.
    • The memorial also features busts of 21 soldiers who have received the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry award.

    Who was Veer Abdul Hameed?

    • Abdul Hamid was a soldier in the 4th Grenadiers of the Indian Army.
    • He fought in the Battle of Asal Uttar during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, which took place near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab.
    • On 10th September 1965, he destroyed 3 Pakistani tanks and damaged a 4th near Chima village. He was killed during the battle.
    • For his exceptional bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour.
    • A war memorial now stands at the site of his death, featuring a captured Pakistani Patton tank as a tribute to his courage.
  • [19th September 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: In Wilmington, juxtaposing immediacy with legacy

    [19th September 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: In Wilmington, juxtaposing immediacy with legacy

    PYQ Relevance:

    Q Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2020)

    Q The new tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. (UPSC CSE 2021)

    Q What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security. (UPSC CSE 2022)

    Mentor’s Comment: The Quad leaders (Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.) will meet for their fourth summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21, marking a return to where their in-person summits began in 2021. This meeting, held alongside the UNGA and Summit of the Future, is crucial amid global challenges and leadership transitions. U.S. President Joe Biden, not seeking re-election, and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, facing political uncertainty, seek to solidify the Quad’s direction. India, initially set to host, deferred to accommodate Biden’s tight election-year schedule.

    _

    Let’s learn!

    Why in the News?

    • The Quad leaders (Australia, India, Japan, U.S.) will convene their fourth summit in Wilmington on September 21, amidst global challenges and leadership transitions, alongside UNGA events. 
    • At their July 2024 meeting in Tokyo, Quad Foreign Ministers announced the expansion of the “Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness” to the Indian Ocean region.
    The Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing maritime security and cooperation among Quad countries—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—as well as other regional partners.  

    Objectives of IPMDA

    • Enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness: The IPMDA seeks to improve situational awareness at sea, allowing nations to monitor maritime activities effectively. This includes tracking illegal fishing, smuggling, and other illicit activities through advanced technology and data sharing.
    • Integration of Regions: The initiative aims to connect the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean region into a cohesive maritime security framework, promoting a unified approach to regional challenges.
    • Rules-Based Order: Central to the IPMDA is the reinforcement of international maritime norms and laws, particularly under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This supports freedom of navigation and operational capabilities for all nations involved.

    Strategic Initiatives

    • Information Sharing: The IPMDA promotes real-time information sharing among countries in the region through various Information Fusion Centres (IFCs). This facilitates a common operating picture that enhances collective maritime security efforts.
    • Capacity Building: There is a strong emphasis on training and equipping regional partners with the necessary tools and knowledge to improve their maritime security capabilities. This includes collaborative training programs and technology transfers.
    • Operationalisation of IFC-IOR: The Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) plays a crucial role in operationalizing the South Asia program, enhancing India’s role in maritime domain awareness by facilitating real-time data sharing with allies.

    Challenges and Opportunities

    • Geopolitical Dynamics: The IPMDA is positioned against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning China’s assertiveness in maritime claims. The initiative aims to build resilience among smaller nations against such pressures through enhanced cooperation and support.
    • Technological Integration: The use of cutting-edge technologies such as satellite data collection and AI-driven analytics is central to improving MDA. However, there are concerns about technical compatibility among partner nations which need addressing for effective implementation.
    • Collective Security Framework: By fostering a cooperative approach to maritime security, the IPMDA aims to create a networked solution that addresses transnational threats effectively. This includes piracy, illegal fishing, and environmental challenges that require collective action from multiple stakeholders.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Technological Integration: Enhance interoperability among Quad nations by investing in shared technology platforms, ensuring compatibility for real-time data sharing and AI-driven analytics across regions.
    • Expand Capacity Building: Continue collaborative training programs and technology transfers to empower smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific, improving their ability to monitor and secure maritime domains.

  • INCOIS Launches Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas  

    Why in the News?

    INCOIS unveiled an ‘Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas’ for India’s EEZ, highlighting vast marine energy potential from solar, wind, waves, tides, currents, and thermal resources.

    About INCOIS:

    • The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is an autonomous body established in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in India.
    • Its primary mission is to provide ocean data, information, and advisory services to various stakeholders, including society, industry, government, and the scientific community through sustained ocean observations.

    Key Features of the Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas

    • The Atlas encompasses marine meteorological energy sources like solar and wind, and hydrological energy forms such as waves, tides, currents, ocean thermal, and salinity gradients within India’s EEZ.
    • It identifies areas with high potential for energy generation and will serve as a reference for policymakers, industry and researchers for harnessing these rich energy resources.
    • INCOIS prepared the annual, monthly, and daily energy estimates of ocean energy components that can be visualised through a WebGIS interface at 5 km grid resolution.

    Significant potential of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

    • INCOIS has estimated integrated ocean energy of approximately 9.2 lakh TWh per annum within the EEZ of India.
    • The vast coastline of over 7,000 km and the EEZ covering up to 220 km from the coast offers ample scope for generating energy from blue renewable sources like tidal waves, currents, solar and wind.

    What India can learn from this Report? (Way forward)

    • The Atlas provides a blueprint for India to tap into its vast untapped ocean energy resources to meet its growing energy demands in a sustainable manner.
    • It offers estimated values of renewable energy that can be generated from individual or integrated blue renewable sources at potential sites along the coast
    • The detailed mapping of energy potential at a granular 5 km grid level can help industries plan and make informed decisions for developing offshore renewable energy projects.
    • Collaborating with industrial partners and public sector companies to harness energy at high-potential zones identified in the Atlas can accelerate the adoption of marine energy technologies.
    • The Atlas can serve as a model for other countries in the Indian Ocean region to assess their blue energy reserves and promote regional cooperation in harnessing ocean energy resources.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q 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? (UPSC IAS/2020)

  • Simultaneous polls plan gets Union Cabinet nod

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet accepted the Kovind committee’s recommendations for simultaneous Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, with municipal and panchayat polls within 100 days.

    What are the recommendations given by the Kovind Panel?     

    • The panel recommended holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies as a first step, followed by municipal and panchayat polls within 100 days of the general election.
    • The President would issue a notification setting an “Appointed Date” to mark the start of the new electoral cycle. All State Assemblies formed after this date would conclude their terms before the next general election.
    • The panel recommended amendments to Article 83 (duration of Parliament) and Article 172 (duration of State Legislatures) to account for scenarios like a hung assembly or no-confidence motion.
    • A single electoral roll for Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies was proposed to streamline the election process, requiring coordination between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and State Election Commissions (SECs).
    • The panel suggested 18 amendments to synchronize elections, most of which do not require ratification by State Assemblies but will require a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament.

    Significance of Simultaneous Polls:

    • Cost Efficiency: Holding simultaneous elections is expected to reduce the financial burden by cutting down on the repetitive cost of conducting separate elections.
    • Increased Governance Efficiency: Simultaneous polls would allow governments to focus on governance rather than being in continuous election mode.
    • Reduced Electoral Fatigue: Voters and political parties will face fewer disruptions caused by the constant election cycle, leading to more stable and efficient governance.
    • Economic Benefits: By reducing the frequency of elections, resources can be allocated more effectively toward development and economic growth.

    What do the critics say?

    • Impracticality in a Federal Setup: Critics, including the Congress president, argue that simultaneous elections undermine federalism and the autonomy of State legislatures, which may need to dissolve at different times.
    • Constitutional Hurdles: Critics emphasize that the changes required would demand significant amendments to the Constitution and may face legal and political challenges, including garnering the required majority in Parliament.
    • Logistical Concerns: Managing elections for both national and local bodies across a large and diverse country like India would pose logistical difficulties.
    • Impact on Democracy: Some fear that simultaneous polls may result in the overshadowing of local issues by national politics, potentially harming the representation of state-specific concerns.

    Way forward: 

    • Consensus Building and Pilot Implementation: Gradually introduce simultaneous elections by building political consensus through consultations with state governments and stakeholders, and consider a phased implementation, starting with a few states as a pilot.
    • Strengthening Electoral Framework: Enhance coordination between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and State Election Commissions (SECs), and ensure legal reforms such as the creation of a unified electoral roll and addressing potential challenges like a hung assembly through constitutional safeguards.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2017)

  • India to Freeze Negotiations with Pakistan on Indus Treaty  

    Why in the News?

    The Permanent Indus Commission meetings are on hold until India and Pakistan talk about updating the 64-year-old Indus Water Treaty. The last meeting took place in May 2022.

    What is the Indus Treaty?

    • The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed on September 19, 1960, is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, mediated by the World Bank.
    • The treaty allocates the waters of the Indus River system, which includes three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India and three western rivers (Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum) to Pakistan.
    • This framework was established to manage the sharing of water resources in a region where water scarcity is a significant concern due to agricultural demands and population growth.

    Features of Treaty: 

    • Permanent Indus Commission: The treaty established the Permanent Indus Commission, which consists of representatives from both nations tasked with resolving disputes and facilitating communication regarding water management.
    • Dispute Resolution: The treaty includes mechanisms for dispute resolution, allowing for consultation with neutral experts or arbitration through international courts if disagreements arise.

    Why did the Indian government opt to modify and review the Treaty?

    • Changed Demographics: India emphasizes that significant changes in population demographics necessitate a reassessment of water-sharing obligations under the treaty.
    • Environmental Considerations: The need to accelerate clean energy development (Hydro power electricity) to meet emission targets has been highlighted as a reason for modifying the treaty’s provisions, reflecting broader environmental concerns.
    • Security Issues: Persistent cross-border terrorism has been cited as a factor undermining India’s ability to utilize its rights under the treaty fully.
    • Perceived Imbalance: Analysts in India have described the treaty as “one-sided,” arguing that it disproportionately favors Pakistan given India’s larger population and growing water needs.
      • They believe India’s leverage over western rivers should be enhanced, especially during heightened tensions.

    Way forward: 

    • Renegotiation of Terms: India and Pakistan should engage in bilateral talks to update the Indus Waters Treaty, reflecting modern challenges like demographic changes, energy needs, and security concerns, while ensuring fair water distribution.
    • Enhanced Cooperative Framework: Strengthen the role of the Permanent Indus Commission by introducing regular environmental and security assessments, and improving communication to prevent conflicts and ensure sustainable water management.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations. (UPSC IAS/2016)