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Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

Pampadum Shola National Park

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

Why in the News?

At Pampadum Shola National Park, invasive Australian wattles are being removed and native grasslands restored naturally leading streams to flow again and biodiversity to rejuvenate.

About Pampadum Shola National Park:

  • Location: Situated in Idukki district, Kerala, near the Tamil Nadu border, about 35 km from Munnar.
  • Area & Status: Smallest NP in Kerala (11.753 sq km); declared in 2003 to protect the shola–grassland ecosystem.
  • Landscape: Lies at 1,600–2,400 m elevation within the Anamalai–High Range landscape, part of the Anamudi Sub-cluster (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
  • Hydrology: Serves as a watershed for the Pambar and Vaigai Rivers, vital to Tamil Nadu’s plains.
  • Flora & Fauna: Features evergreen forests, moist deciduous patches, and montane grasslands; key species include Nilgiri Marten, Kerala Laughing Thrush, Nilgiri Tahr, and Indian Giant Squirrel.
  • Restoration Efforts: Ecological restoration (2020–2024) underway, removal of invasive Australian wattles (Acacia mearnsii) has revived native grasslands and streams.
  • Climate & Tourism: Experiences cool, misty weather (6°C–30°C) with dual monsoons; regulated trekking under Forest Department supervision.

What are Shola Forests?

  • Overview: Tropical montane evergreen forests found above 1,600 m in the Western Ghats across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
  • Etymology: Derived from Tamil word “solai”, meaning sacred grove or thicket.
  • Structure: Occur as a mosaic of stunted evergreen forests and grasslands, forming the shola–grassland ecosystem.
  • Floral Composition: Dominated by Michelia nilagirica, Rhododendron, Eurya, Schefflera, and Elaeocarpus species with rich epiphyte growth.
  • Ecological Role: Act as natural sponges, absorbing rain, recharging aquifers, and feeding perennial rivers like Cauvery, Bhavani, Vaigai, and Thamirabarani.
  • Biodiversity: Support high endemism, harbouring Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Pipit, and other rare fauna.

 

[UPSC 2020] Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin?

1. Nagarhole National Park

2. Papikonda National Park

3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

 

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Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

Heavy metals found in Cauvery fishes

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

Why in the News?

Researchers from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, reported alarming levels of heavy metal pollution in the Cauvery River and its fish species, warning against excessive consumption.

Key Findings of the Study:

  • Scope & Period: Conducted August 2023–February 2024, covering 18 sediment and 10 fish-sampling sites, analysing chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn).
  • Contamination Levels: Several rivers stretches showed cadmium and lead concentrations exceeding international safety limits in both sediments and fish tissues.
  • Pollution Hotspots: The Erode stretch emerged as the most polluted, influenced by textile dyeing, electroplating, tannery effluents, urban sewage, and agricultural runoff.
  • Bioaccumulation Pattern: Metal concentration followed the trend, liver > gills > muscle, reflecting tissue-specific accumulation in aquatic species.
  • Toxic Metal Dominance: Cadmium and lead were identified as the most toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative, posing long-term ecological and health hazards.

Risks Associated:

  • Ecological Impact:
    • Heavy metals disrupt fish reproduction, growth, and survival, destabilising aquatic food webs.
    • Sediment toxicity alters microbial and plankton communities, reducing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
  • Human Health Risks:
    • Consumption of contaminated fish can cause carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects, particularly from cadmium and lead.
    • Cadmium affects kidneys and bones, while lead impairs nervous and cognitive functions, especially in children.
    • Chronic exposure linked to liver dysfunction, hypertension, and cancer.
  • Safe Consumption Limit:
    • Researchers recommend ≤2 fish servings/week (250 g each) to minimise health risk.
    • Continuous intake leads to cumulative toxicity and higher disease risk.

Back2Basics: Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

What is Bioaccumulation?

  • Overview: It is the gradual buildup of toxic substances, such as heavy metals or pesticides, in the tissues of living organisms over time.
  • Mechanism: When uptake (from food, water, or sediment) exceeds the rate of excretion, contaminants accumulate within the organism’s body.
  • Example: Fish in the Cauvery absorb cadmium and lead from contaminated sediments and water faster than they can eliminate them, leading to higher internal concentrations than in their environment.

What is Biomagnification?

  • Overview: It refers to the progressive increase in the concentration of toxins as they move up the food chain.
  • Process: Smaller aquatic organisms ingest pollutants → fish eat these organisms → humans consume contaminated fish, resulting in magnified exposure.
  • Consequence: Top predators, including humans, end up with the highest toxin concentrations, making biomagnification a significant public health hazard in contaminated ecosystems.

 

[UPSC 2024] With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements:

1. PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food, and food packaging materials.

2. PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment.

3. Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

 

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Horticulture, Floriculture, Commercial crops, Bamboo Production – MIDH, NFSM-CC, etc.

[pib] National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)

Prelims Only | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Economics Of Animal-Rearing

Why in the News?

The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (2020–21 to 2025–26) is set to conclude this fiscal year.

About National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM):

  • Overview: A Central Sector Scheme (2020) under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, promoting scientific beekeeping and driving a “Sweet Revolution” for rural income enhancement.
  • Implementing Agency: Executed by the National Bee Board (NBB) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  • Financial Outlay: ₹500 crore for FY 2020–21 to 2025–26.
  • Core Aim: Boost honey production, pollination-based crop productivity, and farmers’ income through structured beekeeping and processing infrastructure.
  • Technology & Quality Focus: Promotes traceability, quality assurance, and digital registration via the Madhukranti Portal.
  • Implementation Structure:
    1. Mini Mission–I: Enhances honey and hive product production through scientific beekeeping and pollination.
    2. Mini Mission–II: Focuses on post-harvest management, collection, processing, storage, marketing, and value addition.
    3. Mini Mission–III: Supports research, innovation, and capacity building for technology-driven solutions.
  • Institutional Network: Coordinated by NBB, involving NDDB, NAFED, TRIFED, ICAR, KVIC, SRLM/NRLM, and MSME bodies at national and state levels.

Achievements & Progress:

  • Production & Exports: India produced 1.4 lakh MT honey (2024); exported 1.07 lakh MT worth USD 177.55 million (FY 2023–24), rising to 2nd globally from 9th in 2020.
  • Infrastructure Development: Established 6 world-class labs, 47 mini labs, 6 diagnostic labs, 8 hiring centres, 26 processing units, 18 branding units, and 10 cold storages.
  • Research Hub: National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping set up at IIT Roorkee for innovation and training.
  • Empowerment Initiatives: 167 SHG projects, 97 FPOs, 424 ha demonstrations, and 288 ha bee-friendly plantations sanctioned for livelihood diversification.
  • Digital Integration: Madhukranti Portal hosts 14,859 beekeepers, 269 societies, 206 companies, with blockchain-based traceability for export-grade quality.
  • Policy Support: Minimum Export Price (MEP) of USD 2,000/MT (till Dec 2024) set to curb dumping of inferior honey and safeguard domestic producers.

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Port Infrastructure and Shipping Industry – Sagarmala Project, SDC, CEZ, etc.

[3rd November 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Cruising ahead, India’s shipping sector needs help from the government to thrive

op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2021] Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth. Discuss in the light of India’s experience.

Linkage: This question assesses the role of infrastructure investment in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth, a core theme under GS Paper III. It directly links to the article’s discussion on India’s renewed focus on port-led development and maritime self-reliance as catalysts for national growth and strategic autonomy.

Mentor’s Comment

The article highlights India’s renewed focus on its maritime and shipping sector, a domain long overshadowed by globalisation-led neglect and privatisation. As the government signals intent to revive indigenous shipping strength, the discussion becomes crucial for UPSC aspirants studying issues of economic infrastructure, logistics, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s maritime strategy under GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure: Transport and Shipping).

Introduction & Why in the News

At the India Maritime Week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined that shipping is not merely a business but a strategic national asset. This marks a policy shift, after decades of liberalisation and privatisation which weakened India’s domestic fleet and shipbuilding capacity. With the pandemic exposing India’s dependence on foreign-owned ships, the government has now initiated fresh investments, port reforms, and fleet strengthening measures to make Indian shipping globally competitive once again.

Reclaiming India’s Maritime Strength

  1. Decline under Liberalisation: Over two decades of globalisation and privatisation led to weakened domestic shipping, with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) losing state backing and market share.
  2. Loss of Strategic Autonomy: Reliance on foreign ships reduced India’s ability to secure trade routes and logistics during crises.
  3. Pandemic Wake-up Call: COVID-19 disruptions exposed this overdependence, renewing calls for self-reliance and fleet revival.

How Government Policies Shaped the Sector’s Decline

  1. Privatisation and Reduced Support: The ideological shift toward liberalisation led to reduced state ownership and limited investment in domestic capacity.
  2. Withdrawal of Favourable Policies: Earlier advantages like first rights to transport India’s oil were withdrawn, eroding SCI’s competitiveness.
  3. Diluted Strategic Intent: Shipping became treated as a commercial, not strategic, enterprise unlike in major maritime nations such as China or South Korea.

The Post-Pandemic Realisation: Shipping as Strategic Infrastructure

  1. Strategic Leverage: Post-COVID, the government realised that control over shipping fleets = control over supply chains, a critical factor during disruptions or wars.
  2. National Interests and Protectionism: As Western nations turned protectionist, India reoriented towards building indigenous capacity to ensure secure maritime logistics.
  3. New Investments Announced: Major port-related projects and transshipment hubs like Chennai and Kolkata were revived to strengthen domestic capabilities.

Reforms and Initiatives: Building Self-Reliant Maritime Power

  1. Port-Led Development: Under the landlord model, India’s ports now share revenue with private players, encouraging efficiency and foreign participation.
  2. Transshipment Hubs: Development of Chennai and Kolkata projects reflects India’s ambition to capture cargo movement currently routed via Colombo or Singapore.
  3. Shipbuilding Incentives: Moves toward strengthening shipbuilding and ship repair capacity ensure domestic employment and reduce outflow of forex.
  4. Indian Seafarer Training: Focus on education and skill development enables Indian crew to compete internationally and serve domestic fleet expansion needs.

Private Sector Role and Strategic Leverage

  1. Private Shipping Companies: Encouraged to register ships in India and operate via local subsidiaries to enhance fleet size.
  2. Financial Autonomy: SCI’s balance sheet strengthening and port reforms attract new investors.
  3. Insurance and Ancillary Services: Government aims to extend support to marine insurance, finance, and logistics for creating a complete maritime ecosystem.

Conclusion

India’s renewed emphasis on shipping marks a strategic reassertion of maritime sovereignty. As the government invests in ports, fleet expansion, and seafarer training, the focus must remain on integrating private capacity with national goals. True maritime power will come not from tonnage alone, but from strategic control over logistics, shipbuilding, and manpower. With sustained policy backing, India can transform from a cargo-dependent nation to a maritime leader.

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Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power sector likely amendments in winter session

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

Introduction

India’s nuclear sector, long constrained by legal rigidity and liability concerns, is on the verge of transformation. Two yet-to-be-proposed amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010, and the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, mark a potential inflexion point for India’s atomic energy policy. These changes aim to attract private participation, foreign technology, and financing for nuclear power at a time when India is seeking reliable base-load alternatives to coal amid renewable intermittency.

Why in the News

The Government of India is preparing two key amendments to the overarching legislation governing the nuclear energy sector. These include:

  1. Easing provisions under the CLNDA, which has so far deterred private and foreign suppliers due to its unique liability clause.
  2. Tweaking the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, to permit private capital participation in nuclear projects, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

This move is significant because private participation in nuclear power generation would be a first in India’s history, potentially unlocking foreign investments, advanced technology, and new energy security pathways.

India’s Atomic Sector: The Turning Point

  1. Policy Stagnation: India’s nuclear sector has been constrained by a state monopoly and the restrictive liability regime under CLNDA 2010.
  2. Base-load Pressure: The growing share of renewables has created an urgent need for dependable, round-the-clock power sources to stabilise the grid.
  3. Technology Imperative: Advanced nuclear technologies like Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and SMRs offer scalability, modularity, and carbon-neutral power generation.

What are the Proposed Legal Amendments?

Liability Law and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA)

  • Objective: To create a mechanism for compensating victims in the event of a nuclear accident while easing supplier liability.
  • Issue: Section 17(b) allows the operator to seek recourse from suppliers, discouraging foreign firms from supplying equipment.
  • Yet to be proposed Change: Easing or redefining supplier liability to allow greater participation by private and foreign firms such as Westinghouse (US) and Framatome (France).
  • Expected Impact: Unlocks foreign investment, technology transfer, and cost-effective reactor construction for the upcoming fleet of nuclear projects.

Atomic Energy Act, 1962-Enabling Private Entry

  • Current Restriction: The Act allows only government entities to construct and operate nuclear power plants.
  • Yet to be proposed Amendment: Permitting private entities to invest in and operate select reactor types, especially Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
  • Outcome: Encourages joint ventures between state-owned NPCIL and private players to accelerate capacity addition.
  • Strategic Aim: To create a hybrid public-private nuclear ecosystem focused on innovation, faster project execution, and flexible deployment.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): The Next Frontier

  1. Definition: Compact, factory-assembled nuclear reactors that can be transported and installed modularly.
  2. Government Focus: NPCIL announced domestic SMR design by March 2024; Reliance Industries, Adani Power, and Tata Power have shown interest.
  3. Advantages:
    1. Scalability: Easier to construct and replicate than large nuclear plants.
    2. Flexibility: Ideal for decentralised base-load generation alongside renewables.
    3. Lower Risk: Smaller footprint and enhanced safety features.
  4. Global Trend: Aligns India with global leaders like the US, Russia, France, and China in SMR technology development.

Why Private and Foreign Participation Matters

  1. Capital Infusion: Nuclear power projects are capital-intensive; private entry reduces fiscal burden on the exchequer.
  2. Technology Access: Enables partnerships with established players like Westinghouse, GE-Hitachi, and Framatome.
  3. Diversification: Strengthens India’s energy mix amid pressure to phase down coal.
  4. Climate Goals: Supports India’s Net Zero 2070 target by ensuring low-carbon, base-load power generation.

Strategic Significance for India’s Energy Security

  1. Energy Reliability: Addresses intermittency of renewables through stable nuclear base-load.
  2. Geopolitical Leverage: Strengthens India’s bargaining position in global nuclear technology markets.
  3. Make in India Synergy: Promotes domestic manufacturing of nuclear components and reactors.
  4. Export Potential: Long-term goal of turning India into an SMR export hub for developing economies.

Conclusion

These likely to be proposed amendments mark a historic liberalisation of India’s nuclear policy, balancing liability protection with private and foreign participation. As India expands its clean energy basket, nuclear power is emerging as the bridge between renewables and reliability, supporting a long-term vision of sustainable, secure, and carbon-neutral growth.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2017] Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?

Linkage: The PYQ connects past technological indigenization in nuclear science with current policy liberalization through CLNDA and Atomic Energy Act amendments. Both mark India’s shift toward advanced, self-reliant, and globally integrated nuclear energy development.

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Panchayati Raj Institutions: Issues and Challenges

The vision of Model Youth Gram Sabha

Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Panchayats & Local Bodies

Introduction

The Gram Sabha, enshrined in Article 243A of the Constitution (73rd Amendment, 1992), is the cornerstone of India’s Panchayati Raj system. It represents every registered voter in a village and empowers them to deliberate on budgets, plans, and governance priorities. However, despite its revolutionary potential, public participation, especially among youth, has remained minimal.

The Model Youth Gram Sabha seeks to correct this by introducing structured simulations where students, teachers, and professionals engage in decision-making processes. This move shifts civics from a theoretical subject to a lived democratic experience.

Why in the News

For the first time, India is institutionalizing a Model Youth Gram Sabha across 28 States and Union Territories, involving over 600 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and 2200 Kendriya Vidyalayas. This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Aspirational Bharat Collaborative, brings Panchayati Raj simulations into school and college curricula. It aims to turn civic learning into active democratic participation, bridging the gap between youth education and local governance.

This development is significant because it transforms village-level democratic institutions into educational tools, helping young citizens internalize governance, decision-making, and accountability, critical for a vibrant democracy.

The Vision of Model Youth Gram Sabhas

Why is the Model Youth Gram Sabha significant?

  1. Grassroots Democracy in Action: Embeds participatory governance within the Panchayati Raj structure, empowering youth to experience real governance processes like village budgeting and development planning.
  2. Educational Innovation: Moves beyond classroom civics by integrating simulation-based learning that mirrors Gram Sabha debates, resolutions, and deliberations.
  3. Nationwide Outreach: Involves 600+ Jawahar Navodaya and 2200+ Kendriya Vidyalayas, training 1,238 teachers from 24 states, demonstrating large-scale civic inclusion.

What are the key features of the initiative?

  1. Collaborative Governance Model: Jointly implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Education, and the Aspirational Bharat Collaborative.
  2. Curricular Integration: Encourages schools and colleges to embed Gram Sabha simulations into learning modules.
  3. Phased Launch: Phase I covers 28 States/UTs; future expansion includes Zilla Parishads and State-run schools.
  4. Teacher Training: Specialized workshops to train educators in deliberation techniques and Panchayati processes.

How does it differ from earlier civic education models?

  1. Beyond Theoretical Learning: Unlike Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha mock sessions, MYGS is rooted in real Panchayati Raj frameworks, ensuring practical governance exposure.
  2. UN-aligned Civic Pedagogy: Echoes the UN model of participatory learning but contextualized for Indian democracy.
  3. From Classroom to Village: Encourages field-level participation by linking school students with local Panchayats.

What are the expected outcomes?

  1. Civic Empowerment: Fosters democratic citizenship, making youth aware of rights, duties, and public accountability.
  2. Policy Awareness: Helps future citizens understand budgeting, development priorities, and resolution-making.
  3. Inclusive Governance: Promotes bottom-up participation, especially in rural youth, bridging rural-urban civic divides.
  4. Democratic Habituation: Converts democracy from a concept into a daily lived experience.

How does it contribute to democratic transformation?

  1. Institutional Strengthening: Empowers future voters to engage meaningfully in Gram Sabha and Panchayat processes.
  2. Critical Skills Development: Trains youth in debate, negotiation, and consensus-building, essential for leadership.
  3. Bridging Cynicism and Participation: Reconnects citizens with governance by reducing alienation from political processes.
  4. Future-ready Governance: Ensures continuity of democratic culture through successive generations.

Conclusion

The Model Youth Gram Sabha embodies the next phase of India’s democratic evolution, from representation to participation. By making civic engagement experiential, it nurtures a generation that values governance not as an abstract idea but as a lived responsibility. A future where citizens grow up debating budgets, resolving issues, and fostering transparency at the grassroots will ensure that democracy remains vibrant, inclusive, and self-sustaining.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2015] In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, Panchayats and Samitis have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.

Linkage: This question assesses the effectiveness of Panchayati Raj Institutions and the need for civic capacity to make decentralisation meaningful. It links with how the Model Youth Gram Sabha cultivates governance literacy and participatory skills among youth to strengthen grassroots democracy.

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Foreign Policy Watch- India-Central Asia

India’s exit from the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan

World Mapping | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood - Relations

Why in the News?

​India’s complete pullout from the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan (in 2022), its sole foreign military post, drew sharp opposition’s criticism.

India’s exit from the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan

About Ayni Airbase:

  • Location: Situated 10 km west of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, near the Afghanistan border via the Wakhan Corridor, and about 20 km from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
  • Also known as: Known as Gissar Air Base or Gissar Military Aerodrome; originally a Soviet-era base later modernised by India.
  • Development by India: Upgraded by India in the early 2000s under a bilateral agreement with Tajikistan; India invested ~USD 100 million to extend the runway (3,200 m), build hangars, depots, and control systems.
  • Operational Role: Hosted IAF helicopters and Su-30MKI fighters, with ~200 Indian personnel managing repair and training operations; also supported humanitarian and evacuation missions, notably during the 2021 Taliban takeover.
  • Predecessor: Replaced Farkhor Airbase (1998–2008), India’s earlier base used for supporting the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan.

Strategic Significance of the Airbase:

  • Forward Presence: Gave India surveillance and strike reach over Afghanistan and Pakistan’s western front.
  • Regional Leverage: Enhanced India’s defence footprint in Central Asia, countering China’s BRI and Russian influence.
  • Operational Hub: Supported the then anti-Taliban Northern Alliance and India’s broader Connect Central Asia Policy (2012).
  • Evacuation & Logistics Node: Enabled rapid crisis evacuation and regional logistical operations.
  • Geopolitical Symbolism: Marked India’s aspiration for a continental strategic presence; its closure reflects shrinking influence west of the Himalayas amid Russia–China consolidation.

Reasons for India’s Exit:

  • Lease Expiry: The bilateral lease expired in 2022 and was not renewed by Tajikistan.
  • External Pressures: Russia and China discouraged Tajikistan from extending India’s presence.
  • Strategic Shift: Diminished relevance post-Taliban’s return (2021) and collapse of India’s Afghan network.
  • Operational Constraints: High costs, limited autonomy, and dependence on Russian logistics reduced viability.
  • Reorientation: Strategic focus moved toward the Indo-Pacific and maritime partnerships.
[UPSC 2022] Consider the following countries :

1. Azerbaijan 2. Kyrgyzstan 3. Tajikistan 4. Turkmenistan 5. Uzbekistan

Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan?

Options: (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 3, 4 and 5 only* (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

 

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Indian Navy Updates

Exercise MILAN, 2026

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

Why in the News?

India will host the International Fleet Review, Exercise MILAN- 2026, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs together in Visakhapatnam from February 15–25, 2026.

About Exercise MILAN:

  • Overview: Biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy to promote interoperability, maritime cooperation, and goodwill among friendly navies.
  • Origin: First conducted in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command with participation from Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
  • Growth: Expanded over the years to include 40–55 participating nations, reflecting India’s growing maritime diplomacy under Act East Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
  • Participation: The 2026 edition will see participation from over 50 navies, including the U.S., Russia, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN countries.
  • Venue: The 2026 edition will be hosted at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command, marking the largest MILAN to date.
  • Structure: Conducted in two phases, a Harbour Phase (seminars, workshops, cultural exchanges, planning conferences) and a Sea Phase (joint operational exercises).
  • Sea Phase Activities: Includes anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defence, maritime domain awareness (MDA), search and rescue (SAR), and complex fleet manoeuvres.
  • Strategic Significance: Strengthens regional maritime security, demonstrates India’s indigenous naval capabilities, and reinforces its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

Back2Basics: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

  • Overview: A voluntary, multilateral maritime cooperation initiative launched by the Indian Navy in 2008 to enhance regional maritime security and dialogue among littoral nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Membership: Comprises 25 member states and 9 observer countries, spanning Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
  • Objective: To promote maritime safety, security, capacity building, information sharing, and cooperation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
  • Chairmanship: The chairmanship rotates biennially among member nations; India will assume the chair for 2025–2027.
  • Key Areas of Focus:
    • Enhancing maritime domain awareness (MDA) and information exchange.
    • Combating piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and terrorism at sea.
    • Strengthening maritime connectivity and blue economy cooperation.
    • Coordinating disaster relief and search-and-rescue operations.

 

[UPSC 2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).

3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.

4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below:

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

 

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Cyber Security – CERTs, Policy, etc

KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Cyber Security

Why in the News?

Around 500 Indian nationals who escaped the KK Park cybercrime compound in Myawaddy township, southeastern Myanmar, are being rescued by the Government of India.

KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

About KK Park Cyber Scam Hub:

  • Location & Setting: Situated in Myawaddy township, Karen State, Myanmar, near the Thailand border; originally built (2019–2021) as a border trade zone, later transformed into a cybercrime and human trafficking hub.
  • Control & Operations: Managed by the Border Guard Force (BGF) under Saw Chit Thu, a junta-allied militia leader sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
  • Nature of Activities: Functions as a “scam city” employing thousands of trafficked workers for online fraud, crypto scams, and romance-investment schemes.
  • Human Trafficking: Victims are recruited via fake overseas job offers, then imprisoned, tortured, and forced to commit cybercrimes after passport confiscation.
  • Scale: At its peak, housed over 20,000 trafficked workers, generating billions annually through global online fraud networks.
  • Structure: Operated like a self-contained enclave with dormitories, shops, and armed security — preventing worker escape.

Global Concern and UN Findings:

  • UN Reports:  Identified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) as part of a network of cyber-scam compounds spanning Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos).
  • Economic Scale: The cyber-scam economy earns over USD 10 billion annually, victimising users in 110 countries.
  • Myanmar’s 2025 Raid: Seizure of 30 Starlink terminals was seen as a cosmetic crackdown, as ringleaders escaped beforehand.
  • UN Appeal: Calls for cross-border enforcement, crypto tracking, and victim rehabilitation, viewing scam hubs as a fusion of trafficking and transnational organised crime.

How does it impact Indians?

  • Victimisation: India serves as both a source and target of such scams; hundreds trafficked to Myanmar and Cambodia under fake IT job offers.
  • Rescue Operations: Since 2022, over 1,600 Indians repatriated, including 500 from KK Park (2025); IAF rescued 283 stranded in Thailand earlier.
  • Cyber Threats: Rising crypto frauds, impersonation scams, and digital extortion targeting Indian citizens.
  • Government Response: EAM S. Jaishankar confirmed coordination for repatriation and stronger cyber-diplomacy engagement.
  • Policy Imperative: Highlights India’s need for international law enforcement cooperation, cybersecurity awareness, and anti-trafficking vigilance across Southeast Asia.
[UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d’état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Options: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I *
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

 

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Wetland Conservation

Rowmari- Donduwa Wetland Complex

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

Why in the News?

Environmentalists in Assam have proposed the Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex for designation as a Ramsar Site, citing its exceptional biodiversity and ecological services.

Assam’s Wetland Context:

  • Current Scenario: Assam has 3,500+ wetlands (≈1.01 lakh ha), but only Deepor Beel (2002) is a Ramsar Site.
  • Conservation Importance: Designating Rowmari–Donduwa would fill a 20-year conservation gap and enhance Assam’s global wetland profile.
  • Regional Context: North-East India’s Ramsar Sites-  Deepor Beel (Assam), Loktak (Manipur), Rudrasagar (Tripura), Pala (Mizoram).

About Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex:

  • Overview: Situated within the Laokhowa–Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagaon district, Assam, forming part of the Kaziranga–Orang landscape.
  • Ecological Role: An interconnected floodplain–marsh system acting as an ecological corridor between Kaziranga and Orang National Parks, supporting wildlife movement and genetic diversity.
  • Biodiversity Significance: The 6th Kaziranga Wetland Bird Census (2025) recorded 47,000+ birds of 120 species, exceeding counts from Deepor Beel and Loktak Lake.
  • Key Species: Hosts globally threatened birds, Knob-billed Duck, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black-necked Stork, Ferruginous Pochard, and Common Pochard.
  • Ecosystem Services: Provides flood control, groundwater recharge, carbon storage, and supports fisheries and ecotourism-based livelihoods.
  • Ramsar Eligibility: Fulfils 8 of 9 Ramsar criteria, qualifying as a Wetland of International Importance.

Back2Basics: Ramsar Convention

  • Establishment: Signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
  • Objective: Provide a framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
  • Functions:
    • Identify and designate wetlands of international importance.
    • Promote effective management of wetlands.
    • Foster international cooperation for conservation.
  • Members: 173 countries (as of 2025).
  • India and Ramsar:
    • India joined in 1982.
    • First Ramsar site: Chilika Lake, Odisha (1981).
    • Current total: 93 sites (Sept 2025), covering 13,60,718 hectares.
    • Growth: From 26 sites in 2012 to 93 in 2025 (51 added since 2020).
    • State-wise: Tamil Nadu has the highest (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
    • About 10% of India’s total wetland area is under Ramsar listing.
  • Montreux Record: List of Ramsar sites under threat of ecological change.
    • 48 sites globally (2025).
    • 2 Indian sites included: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
  • World Wetlands Day: Celebrated on February 2nd every year.
    • 2025 Theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.

Criteria for Declaration (9 Criteria):

A wetland can be declared a Ramsar site if it meets at least one of these:

  1. Has unique, rare, or representative wetland types.
  2. Supports vulnerable, endangered, or endemic species.
  3. Provides critical habitat for waterfowl, especially during migration.
  4. Contains significant ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological features.
  5. Supports biodiversity conservation and scientific research.
  6. Provides ecosystem services like flood control, groundwater recharge, and water purification.
  7. Has cultural, spiritual, or recreational importance.
  8. Ensures sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
  9. Faces threats requiring international cooperation for conservation.

 

[UPSC 2022] Consider the following pairs:

Wetland/Lake Location

1. Hokera Wetland- Punjab

2. Renuka Wetland- Himachal Pradesh

3. Rudrasagar Lake- Tripura

4. Sasthamkotta Lake- Tamil Nadu

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

Options: (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs* (c) Only three pairs (d) All four pairs

 

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ISRO Missions and Discoveries

ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket launches GSAT-7R

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

Why in the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the GSAT-7R (CMS-03) communication satellite for the Indian Navy from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Back2Basics: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) Rocket  

  • Overview: LVM3 formerly GSLV Mk-III, is ISRO’s heaviest and most powerful launch vehicle, built to lift 4-tonne GTO and 8-tonne LEO payloads.
  • Configuration: A 3-stage system – (1) S200 solid boosters, (2) L110 liquid core (UH25 + N₂O₄), and (2) C25 cryogenic upper stage (LH₂ + LOX) providing high thrust and precision.
  • Payload Capacity: Delivers ~4,000 kg to GTO and ~8,000 kg to LEO; GSAT-7R demonstrated >4,400 kg capability, setting a new record.
  • Mission Legacy: Successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, OneWeb satellites, and Gaganyaan crew module tests.
  • Cryogenic Stage: The C25 engine produces ~20 tonnes thrust; the upgraded C32 stage (22 tonnes thrust) is under development.
  • Future Upgrade: Plans to replace L110 with a semi-cryogenic kerosene–liquid oxygen stage for higher efficiency and lower cost.
  • Reliability & Role: With seven consecutive successes, LVM3 is India’s most dependable heavy launcher and baseline vehicle for Gaganyaan and Bharatiya Antariksh Station missions.
  • Strategic Significance: Establishes India’s complete autonomy in heavy launch capability, strengthening its position in the global space economy.

About GSAT-7R (CMS-03):

  • Overview: An advanced multiband communication satellite developed to strengthen the Indian Navy’s secure communications and maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Developer & Design: Indigenously designed by ISRO under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, advancing self-reliance in defence space infrastructure.
  • Mass & Orbit: Weighs ~4,410 kg, the heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil; inserted into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) before shifting to Geostationary Orbit (~36,000 km).
  • Technical Features: Equipped with secure, high-throughput multiband transponders supporting voice, data, and video links across ships, submarines, and aircraft.
  • Coverage & Capability: Provides pan-Indian Ocean coverage, enabling real-time encrypted communication and Blue Water operational readiness.
  • Strategic Role: Functions as a key node in the Defence Communication Network (DCN), enhancing situational awareness and naval coordination.
  • Predecessor: Succeeds GSAT-7 (Rukmini, 2013) with expanded range, bandwidth, and capacity.
  • Significance: Symbolises India’s move toward indigenous defence satellites, merging space technology and national security.
[UPSC 2018] With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements :

1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.

2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.

3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

 

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Floods force closure of Bhavani Island

India Mapping | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

Why in the News?

Flood discharges at Prakasam Barrage on the Krishna River has led to the closure of Bhavani Island from the mainland.

About Bhavani Island:

  • Location: Situated on the Krishna River, near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Area: Spans ~133 acres, among India’s largest river islands.
  • Management: Operated by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department as a major eco-tourism and recreational hub.
  • Accessibility: Lies upstream of Prakasam Barrage, connected only by ferry services from the mainland.
  • Ecology & Features: Rich in greenery, ponds, and meadows, offering boating, gardens, adventure parks, rural museums, and event spaces.
  • Cultural Link: Named after Goddess Bhavani (Kanaka Durga); her temple atop Indrakeeladri Hill overlooks the river.

Krishna River

Floods force closure of Bhavani Island

  • Overview: One of India’s major peninsular rivers, stretching about 1,400 km.
  • Origin & Course: Rises near Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), flows eastward through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, entering the Bay of Bengal at Hamsaladeevi.
  • Basin Extent: Covers ~2.59 lakh sq km, nearly 8% of India’s area.
  • Boundaries: Flanked by Balaghat Range (north), Eastern Ghats (east), and Western Ghats (west).
  • Tributaries:
    • Right Bank: Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra, and Musi Rivers.
    • Left Bank: Bhima, Koyna, Yerla, Panchganga, and Dudhganga Rivers.
  • Projects & Dams: Major hydropower and irrigation structures including Almatti, Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Narayanpur, and Jurala.
  • Prakasam Barrage: Built near Vijayawada to regulate water flow, support irrigation, navigation, and tourism.
  • Economic Role: Sustains agriculture, fisheries, and power generation, forming the riverine backbone of southern India.

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India’s Bid to a Permanent Seat at United Nations

[1st November 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The case for a board of peace and sustainable security

op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

PYQ Relevance

[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: The BPSS proposal aligns with the recurring UPSC theme of UN reform and institutional effectiveness. It can serve as an additional point in answers evaluating the effectiveness of the UNSC and its bodies like the CTC.

Mentor’s Comment

The United Nations, despite its founding vision to preserve peace, faces a persistent structural crisis, peace agreements fail, transitions stall, and conflicts reignite. In this context, former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao’s proposal for a “Board of Peace and Sustainable Security (BPSS)” marks a profound call for institutional reform. This article dissects the argument, structure, and implications of this proposed board through a UPSC-relevant analytical framework.

Introduction

The UN Security Council (UNSC), envisioned to prevent conflict and sustain global peace, continues to struggle with institutional paralysis and outdated structures. Across continents, peace efforts collapse because international systems abandon political engagement too early.
A new institutional vision, a Board of Peace and Sustainable Security (BPSS), is proposed to infuse continuity, coordination, and political strategy into global peace efforts.

Why in the news?

As the UN marks its 80th anniversary, its credibility is under intense scrutiny. While conflicts proliferate, peace agreements remain fragile and transitional mechanisms fail. The UNSC’s structural limitations, lack of political continuity, and inability to sustain long-term engagement make reform urgent. The proposed Board of Peace and Sustainable Security aims to fill this vacuum by institutionalising sustained political engagement before, during, and after conflict. This is significant because it represents one of the first major reform ideas that seeks to integrate peacekeeping with political strategy and regional cooperation, without challenging UNSC authority.

A clearly defined institutional purpose

  1. Institutional void: The UNSC lacks sustained political engagement capacity. The BPSS would institutionalize political accompaniment beyond peace agreements.
  2. Complementary role: It would not replace or challenge the UNSC or Secretary-General but reinforce implementation and coordination.
  3. Mandate: Ensures continuity in peace efforts by reinforcing national and regional ownership of peace processes and reducing relapse into conflict.
  4. Scope: Works on reinforcing national capacities, coordinating peacekeeping with regional organizations, and ensuring peace agreements translate into durable political outcomes.

Why is reform of the UN system urgent?

  1. Loss of continuity: Peacebuilding institutions within the UN lose momentum due to ad-hoc missions. BPSS seeks to sustain political engagement beyond immediate crises.
  2. Structural inertia: Waiting for comprehensive UNSC reform delays urgent action; thus, pragmatic institutional innovation is required within existing frameworks.
  3. Authority for change: Under Article 22, the UN General Assembly already holds power to create subsidiary bodies like BPSS without requiring Charter amendments.
  4. Reform from within: Instead of replacing the UNSC, BPSS enhances coordination, ensuring peace agreements transition into stable governance systems.

What will make the Board credible and representative

  1. Rotational membership: Around two dozen member states, elected for fixed terms, representing all regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, West Asia).
  2. Avoiding elite capture: The body should represent inclusivity, not hierarchy, ensuring small and middle powers have a say.
  3. Regional linkages: Works with regional hubs (Addis Ababa, Jakarta, Brasilia, New York) to ensure peace processes reflect local ownership.
  4. Consultative participation: Civil society and regional organizations will have a structured role in deliberations, enhancing legitimacy and field coordination.

How will the BPSS function in practice?

  1. Style of functioning: Not another bureaucratic forum, but a continuing engagement body ensuring follow-through once UN missions end.
  2. Operational continuity: Prevents premature withdrawal of peacekeeping efforts; sustains political engagement through periodic review and coordination.
  3. Integration: Works in coordination with the Secretary-General, Peacebuilding Commission, and UNSC to align peacekeeping with political strategies.
  4. Focus on youth and fragile states: Ensures peace presence remains where political institutions are nascent.
  5. Conflict prevention: Reduces relapse risk by merging early-warning with long-term political strategies and governance support.

How will the BPSS strengthen sustainable security?

  1. Beyond short-term peacekeeping: Moves from reactive missions to proactive stability frameworks.
  2. Sustainable security concept: Integrates security, governance, and development rather than treating them in silos.
  3. Inclusive approach: Aligns local, regional, and global stakeholders, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern conflicts.
  4. Institutional learning: Retains experience from past missions to inform future interventions.
  5. Principled reform: Sustains political momentum, not episodic intervention, ensuring peace is treated as an ongoing political project.

Conclusion

The proposed Board of Peace and Sustainable Security reimagines peace not as an event but as a process requiring sustained political accompaniment. It seeks to anchor peacekeeping within a strategy of governance, development, and institutional resilience. This reform is not just administrative, it represents a return to the original ideals of the UN Charter, adapting them for a multipolar and conflict-prone world. Sustainable peace demands political continuity, inclusivity, and long-term commitment, principles the BPSS embodies.

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Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

Decoding India’s projected GDP

Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

Why in the News

Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India will become a $30 trillion economy in 20-25 years, emphasising India’s “strength-to-strength” growth and the vision of matching the US economy in scale. However, an analysis of India’s GDP trajectory and exchange rate trends over the past 25 years suggests that this goal appears overstated unless the rate of economic growth increases substantially. The divergence between nominal GDP growth and exchange rate depreciation is central to understanding why India may fall short of this projection.

How is the Size of an Economy Measured?

  1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Represents the total annual value of goods and services produced within a country.
  2. Nominal GDP: Expressed in current prices and domestic currency (rupees).
  3. Conversion to USD: For global comparison, GDP in rupees is divided by the exchange rate (₹ per $).
  4. Example: India’s nominal GDP in FY 2024 is ₹330 trillion, translating to about $3.9 trillion at an exchange rate of ₹84.6 per USD.
  5. Comparative Context: The US GDP in 2024 is estimated at $41 trillion, nearly 10 times India’s size.

Where Does the Divergence in GDP Projection Arise?

  1. Historical Growth (25 years):
    • India’s nominal GDP grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%.
    • The rupee depreciated by 3.08% per year.
    • This combination would yield a net dollar GDP growth of around 7.2% CAGR, resulting in a $31.9 trillion economy by 2048.
  2. Recent Growth (past 11 years):
    • India’s nominal GDP CAGR dropped to 8.2%.
    • The rupee’s depreciation averaged 3.08%, giving a dollar GDP CAGR of just 5.1%.
    • Under this trend, India’s GDP would reach only $17.4 trillion by 2048.
  3. Key Finding: The long-term projection is highly sensitive to assumptions. Small changes in growth or currency value lead to large differences in dollar GDP outcomes.

Why is the $30 Trillion Target Difficult to Achieve?

  1. Slowing Growth Momentum: India’s nominal GDP growth rate has weakened since 2014, reflecting post-pandemic structural and demand-side constraints.
  2. Exchange Rate Depreciation: The rupee has steadily weakened over time, eroding the USD value of India’s output despite growth in rupee terms.
  3. Inflation Differential: India’s higher inflation compared to advanced economies results in faster currency depreciation, reducing the global GDP value.
  4. Projection Assumptions: To achieve $30 trillion, India must sustain a nominal GDP CAGR of ~11% and limit currency depreciation below 2.5%, a historically rare combination.

Is the $30 Trillion Vision Still Useful?

  1. Aspirational Benchmark: The projection serves as a long-term vision anchor for policy and investment decisions, guiding structural reforms.
  2. Strategic Optimism: Such forecasts reflect confidence in India’s demographics, industrial potential, and service exports.
  3. Policy Implication: Even if unattained, the projection pushes economic governance to focus on productivity, export competitiveness, and rupee stability.

What Needs to Change for Realising the Vision?

  1. Sustained High Growth: Requires double-digit nominal growth through manufacturing diversification, digital economy expansion, and logistics reforms.
  2. Rupee Stability: Demands foreign investment confidence, fiscal discipline, and stronger current account performance.
  3. Inflation Control: Stable inflation curbs depreciation and maintains global competitiveness.
  4. Structural Reforms: Continued focus on labour, land, and capital market reforms to support long-term productivity.

Conclusion

India’s $30 trillion projection embodies the nation’s growth ambition, but economic realism demands higher productivity, policy consistency, and exchange rate stability. Without stronger structural momentum, India may remain well below that figure by mid-century. The aspiration, however, serves as a strategic motivator to deepen reforms and strengthen global competitiveness.

Value Addition

Potential vs. Actual GDP

  • Concept: Potential GDP is the highest level of economic output a country can sustain without triggering inflation. Actual GDP is the output the economy is currently producing.
  • Analytical Insight: India’s $30 trillion projection represents potential GDP, based on the assumption of sustained double-digit nominal growth, efficient use of labour, and strong capital formation. However, actual GDP growth depends on real-world constraints such as productivity levels, policy bottlenecks, and infrastructure capacity.
  • Example: Between 2003-08, India’s actual growth (9%) was close to potential, driven by investment and exports. Post-2014, growth averaged ≈6-6.5%, showing an increasing gap due to slowing manufacturing, skill mismatch, and weak private investment.

Nominal vs. Real Growth Distinction

  • Concept: Nominal GDP measures total output using current prices (includes inflation). Real GDP adjusts for inflation, showing actual growth in production volume.
  • Analytical Insight: A rise in nominal GDP may overstate economic progress if inflation is high or the rupee depreciates. Thus, even with strong nominal growth, India’s dollar GDP may stagnate or fall in global rankings.
  • Example: In FY2023-24, India’s nominal GDP grew by 9.6% in rupee terms, but the rupee’s depreciation from ₹79 to ₹83 per USD meant real GDP in dollar terms grew only 5%. This illustrates how inflation and currency value distort perceptions of “growth.”

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2020] Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP?

Linkage: The PYQ tests conceptual clarity on potential GDP, its determinants, and growth constraint. This is a recurring UPSC theme reflecting India’s long-term economic health and reform needs.

 

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Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

India-US seal 10 year defense partnership framework

Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Effect Of Policies & Politics Of World On India'S Interests

Introduction

India and the United States have signed a 10-year defence partnership framework (2025-2035), signaling a new phase in their strategic collaboration. The pact provides a unified vision and policy direction for deepening cooperation across logistics, supply chains, joint production, and technology sharing. It underscores the commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, amid growing regional tensions and China’s assertive rise.

Why in the News

This is a landmark development in India-US relations, marking the first-ever decade-long institutionalized defence framework between the two nations. It reflects a qualitative shift from transactional defence cooperation to a strategic partnership architecture. By formalizing continuity in defence ties, the framework aims to sustain policy alignment, interoperability, and deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, making it a cornerstone for regional stability.

Deepening Defence Convergence

  1. Framework Vision: Provides unified strategic direction to strengthen defence cooperation and stability across all military domains (land, air, sea, cyber, and space).
  2. Interoperability Focus: Prioritizes joint logistics, training, and maintenance mechanisms between forces, ensuring mission readiness and operational synergy.
  3. Symbolic Continuity: Extends beyond annual dialogues or ad hoc exercises, ensuring defence engagement remains insulated from political transitions.
  4. Technology Integration: Encourages co-production and co-development of high-end defence platforms such as Super Hercules, Globemaster, Chinooks, Apaches, and M777 howitzers.

Evolution of India-US Defence Partnership

  1. Early Frameworks: The 2015 framework initiated by PM Modi and President Obama laid the foundation for institutional defence cooperation.
  2. Key Milestones:
    • LEMOA (2016): Enabled reciprocal logistics access.
    • COMCASA (2018): Facilitated secure communications interoperability.
    • BECA (2020): Enabled real-time geospatial intelligence sharing.
  3. 2025 Framework Significance: Builds upon these foundational agreements, institutionalizing long-term coordination on strategy, logistics, and supply chain resilience.

Strategic Significance for the Indo-Pacific

  1. Regional Stability: Anchors both nations’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, countering coercive or unilateral actions.
  2. Maritime Domain Awareness: Supports enhanced naval cooperation and situational awareness across key maritime chokepoints.
  3. Military Exercises: Expands the scope of Yudh Abhyas and Malabar exercises for joint readiness.
  4. Quad Convergence: Aligns with broader QUAD objectives in maintaining rules-based order and crisis response architecture.
  5. Geoeconomic Angle: Bolsters defence supply chains and manufacturing cooperation amid China-centric dependencies.

Institutional and Industrial Collaboration

  1. Defence Production: Boosts joint manufacturing of key platforms, LCA Tejas engines, MQ-9B drones, and advanced radar systems.
  2. Private Sector Linkages: Encourages collaboration between Indian and US defence industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and General Electric (GE).
  3. R&D Synergy: Promotes innovation under the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) to co-develop futuristic technologies.
  4. Skill Transfer: Enhances training, skill-building, and exchange programs for defence personnel.

Diplomatic and Strategic Implications

  1. Policy Continuity: Reinforces long-term strategic trust and shared security outlook.
  2. Strategic Deterrence: Strengthens collective deterrence against regional instability in the Indo-Pacific.
  3. Bilateral Reliability: Demonstrates resilience of India-US defence ties beyond short-term political cycles.
  4. Global Relevance: Projects both nations as key stakeholders in shaping Indo-Pacific architecture for the 21st century.

Conclusion

The 10-year India-US Defence Partnership represents a strategic deepening and institutional maturity of bilateral defence relations. It embodies both nations’ shared vision of collective security, deterrence, and technological partnership in the Indo-Pacific. By ensuring interoperability and policy continuity, it not only strengthens defence preparedness but also cements India’s emergence as a regional security anchor and a global strategic partner of the United States.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2020] What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Linkage: The question is important as it reflects India’s shifting defence axis from Russia to the US amid Indo-Pacific power realignments. It continues UPSC’s recurring theme of India’s strategic autonomy and evolving role in global security architecture.

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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Lucknow named UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’

Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Why in the News?

At the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Lucknow was officially designated a “Creative City of Gastronomy”, making it only the second Indian city after Hyderabad (2019) to receive this title.

About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):

  • Aim: To promote the integration of cultural industries into economic, social, and environmental policies, strengthening innovation and cultural diversity.
  • Establishment: Created by UNESCO in 2004 to foster global cooperation among cities leveraging culture and creativity for sustainable urban development.
  • Creative Fields: Recognises excellence across 7 categories: Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, Music, and Crafts & Folk Art.
  • Membership Scope: Encompasses over 250 cities worldwide, selected through a rigorous UNESCO evaluation process assessing creativity, sustainability, and community engagement.
  • Core Objectives:
    • Encourage innovation-driven growth and cultural diversity.
    • Facilitate knowledge-sharing, cultural exchange, and urban identity building.
    • Support creative economy development and inclusive city policies.
  • Collaborative Role: Serves as a global platform for member cities to share best practices, co-develop cultural initiatives, and enhance local creative ecosystems.

Creative Cities in India:

  • Jaipur – Crafts & Folk Arts (2015)
  • Varanasi – Music (2015)
  • Chennai – Music (2017)
  • Mumbai – Film (2019)
  • Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019)
  • Srinagar – Crafts & Folk Arts (2022)
  • Gwalior – Music (2025)
  • Kozhikode – Literature (2025)
  • Lucknow – Gastronomy (2025)
[UPSC 2024] Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?

Options: (a) Chhau dance (b) Durga Puja (c) Garba dance* (d) Kumbh Mela

 

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Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

[pib] Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA)

Schemes | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

Why in the News?

The Union Health Ministry has achieved three GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles under the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA)”, highlighting India’s leadership in women’s health and preventive care.

Guinness World Records Achieved

  • Most people registered on a health care platform in one month: 3.21 crore (3,21,49,711).
  • Most people signed up for breast cancer screening in one week: 9.94 lakh (9,94,349).
  • Most people signed up for vital signs screening online in one week (State level): 1.25 lakh (1,25,406).

These records reflect unprecedented participation across India’s digital health platforms under the Ayushman Bharat initiative.

About Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA):

  • Objective: Strengthen women’s, children’s, and family health services, focusing on rural, tribal, and underserved regions.
  • Launch: Introduced on 17 September 2025 by the PM, jointly led by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  • Scale: Over 10 lakh health camps at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals.
  • Screenings: Anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, TB, breast and cervical cancers, sickle cell disease, reproductive health conditions.
  • Services offered: Maternal, child, adolescent health including antenatal care, immunisation, nutrition counselling, menstrual hygiene, mental health, lifestyle awareness.
  • Digital Monitoring: SASHAKT portal ensures real-time data tracking and transparency.
  • Jan Bhagidaari: Collaboration with private hospitals, SHGs, Anganwadis, Panchayati Raj institutions, volunteers.
  • Tribal Focus: Specialised medical services and tailored counselling for remote and tribal areas.

What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah?

  • Overview: Part of POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission); celebrated annually since 2018.
  • 2025 Edition: 8th Poshan Maah, aligned with SNSPA for synergised impact.
  • Aim: Mobilise communities to improve nutrition of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
  • Activities: Poshan Panchayats, health and nutrition camps, recipe demos, rallies, school-Anganwadi outreach, Jan Andolan approach.
  • Focus Areas (2025):
    • Anaemia Mukt Bharat and micronutrient awareness.
    • Complementary feeding practices for infants and toddlers.
    • Poshan-Vatika (nutri-gardens) for food security.
    • Promotion of traditional and regional diets for sustainable nutrition.
[UPSC 2024] With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri 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 specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

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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[pib] Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)

Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

Why in the News?

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has announced major reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in the national rehabilitation system.

About the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI):

  • Overview: It is a statutory body established under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, and came into statutory force on 22 June 1993.
  • Vision: To build a skilled, ethical, and inclusive rehabilitation workforce aligned with India’s disability rights framework and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) commitments.
  • Nodal Agency: Functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
  • Historical Background: Initially set up as a registered society in 1986, later granted statutory powers to regulate rehabilitation education and practice nationwide.
  • Regulatory Role: Acts as the national authority for training, education, and certification of professionals working in rehabilitation and special education.
  • Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR): Maintains and updates the CRR, a national database of all certified rehabilitation professionals in India.
  • Scope of Coverage: Regulates 16 professional categories including special educators, audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and clinical psychologists.

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

[pib] National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025

Prelims Only | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

Why in the News?

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying George Kurian officially launched the National Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 at ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

About National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025:

  • Objective: To collect detailed data on fishermen population, crafts, gear, livelihood patterns, and welfare indicators for evidence-based policy and blue economy planning.
  • Overview: The 5th national enumeration of India’s marine fisheries sector after 1980, 1998, 2005, and 2010 rounds.
  • Implementing Agencies: Conducted by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, coordinated by ICAR–CMFRI with Fishery Survey of India (FSI) as operational partner.
  • Coverage: Encompasses 1.2 million fisher households across 4,000–5,000 marine fishing villages in nine coastal states and four UTs, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
  • Funding & Legal Basis: Financed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an allocation of ₹16.2 crore for digital census operations.

Key Features:

  • Digital Data Collection: First paperless marine census using apps, VyAS Bharat, VyAS Sutra, and VyAS NAV, enabling geo-tagged, real-time data capture and validation.
  • Technological Integration: Uses drone-based craft surveys and live dashboards at CMFRI; establishes a National Marine Fisheries Data Centre for analytics and storage.
  • Expanded Scope: Covers ornamental fisheries, seaweed farming, and post-harvest value chain activities; includes data on credit, insurance, and welfare access.
  • NFDP Linkage: Mandates registration on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) to ensure DBT-based benefit delivery under PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
  • Inclusive Approach: Involves 1,000+ trained enumerators with state departments and fisher cooperatives, promoting community participation for accuracy.
  • Government Initiative: Promotes safety tools like vessel transponders and turtle excluder devices (TEDs); embodies the vision “Smart Census, Smarter Fisheries.”

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

[31st October 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: AI’s rewriting the rule of education

op-ed snap | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2023] Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in the healthcare?

Linkage: The PYQ highlights AI’s role in improving efficiency while raising privacy concerns. This theme directly relates to ethical and responsible use of AI in education.

Mentor’s Comment

India’s education system is witnessing a paradigm shift. The government’s decision to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into school curricula from as early as Class 3 (2026-27) marks a decisive break from conventional learning. It signals not just a content shift, but a pedagogical revolution, from rote learning to personalised, data-driven education. The move holds immense promise but also raises profound questions on inclusivity, teacher readiness, and ethical adaptation.

Introduction

India’s AI-enabled education initiative, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, seeks to embed AI learning across the entire K-12 spectrum. The objective is to build a tech-savvy, future-ready workforce capable of thriving in a knowledge-driven global economy. However, as India gears up for this transformation, the focus extends beyond hardware and software, it includes teacher capacity-building, curriculum redesign, and equitable access to technology.

Why in the News

India will become one of the first major education systems globally to introduce AI at the school level. This move marks a sharp contrast to traditional “one-size-fits-all” models, where uniform pedagogy dominated classrooms.

The Ministry of Education’s pilot programs have already trained over 10,000 teachers since 2019, in collaboration with Intel, IBM, and premier national institutes. Yet, the scale of reform, covering over 9 million educators, poses a massive challenge. AI’s integration represents not only an educational reform but also a socio-economic turning point, redefining teacher roles, learning processes, and workforce readiness.

How is AI Transforming Teaching and Learning?

  1. Personalised Learning: AI-powered platforms analyse student behaviour, learning speed, and comprehension to design custom lessons, ensuring each learner’s unique needs are addressed.
  2. Enhanced Engagement: Adaptive systems use gamified interfaces and feedback loops to sustain learner attention and motivation.
  3. Human-AI Synergy: AI acts as an assistant, not a replacement, to educators, allowing teachers to focus on empathy, creativity, and conceptual depth.
  4. Real-Time Feedback: Automated assessment tools provide instant analytics on student performance, aiding teachers in timely interventions.

How Are Teachers Being Equipped for AI Education?

  1. Teacher Upskilling: Over 10,000 educators trained under pilot projects since 2019 by MoE in collaboration with Intel and IBM.
  2. Curriculum Integration: AI modules embedded within existing NEP frameworks from kindergarten to Class 12.
  3. Pedagogical Shift: Teachers transition from content delivery to concept facilitation, focusing on AI-driven planning, analytics, and adaptive mentoring.
  4. Challenge of Scale: India’s 9 million teachers require reskilling; success depends on effective outreach and digital readiness.

What Are the Opportunities and Disruptions Ahead?

  1. Employment Generation: AI adoption projected to create four million new jobs by 2030, with rising demand for digital adaptability.
  2. Skill Realignment: Emphasis on critical thinking, empathy, and creativity, complementing AI’s automation capabilities.
  3. Workforce Transition: AI-enabled education aims to prepare students for jobs that do not yet exist, requiring continuous learning.
  4. Economic Implication: According to NITI Aayog, AI could add up to two million jobs in India’s tech sector in the next decade

Does AI Ensure Inclusivity and Accessibility

  1. Breaking Barriers: AI tools help overcome language, disability, and learning challenges, enabling wider access.
  2. Customised Content: AI-powered language processing supports non-native speakers and visually impaired learners.
  3. Digital Divide Concern: Equal access to AI resources remains uneven, demanding policy interventions for infrastructure parity.
  4. Diversity Support: In a multilingual India, AI can act as a bridge between learners of different socio-linguistic backgrounds.

Could AI Become the Great Equaliser in Education?

  1. Equitable Opportunities: AI democratises learning by offering universal access to quality resources.
  2. Smart Governance: Data-driven insights help design evidence-based educational policies.
  3. Social Equity Impact: Reduces dependence on geography or school infrastructure, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education).
  4. Ethical Imperatives: Algorithmic fairness, data protection, and bias elimination remain essential for sustainable AI deployment.

Conclusion

AI’s integration into education represents a transformative leap rather than a linear reform. The focus must remain on teacher empowerment, inclusive infrastructure, and ethical governance to ensure the AI revolution benefits all. India’s model, if executed successfully, could emerge as a global benchmark for equitable, adaptive learning in the 21st century.

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