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

    Delhi Parsi Anjuman Centenary  

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

    Why in the News?

    Delhi Parsi Anjuman DPA is celebrating its 100 years of establishment in 2025.

    About Parsis in India

    • Parsis migrated to India around 8th century CE from Persia modern day Iran due to religious persecution.
     • They followed sea trade routes and mainly settled in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
     • Known for contributions in trade industry law healthcare and public life.

    Parsis in Delhi

    • First Parsi settlement in Delhi dates to the 19th century.
     • Legend links early Parsi presence to Meherjirana the first Dastur invited by Mughal emperor Akbar during the 16th century.
     • Major influx occurred after British shifted capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911.
     • First recorded Parsi migrant to Delhi was Naowroji Kapadia from Bharuch Gujarat.

    Delhi Parsi Anjuman DPA

    • Established in 1925 by 40 trustees.
     • Location Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg New Delhi.
     • First President Naowroji Kapadia.
     • Meaning of Anjuman Persian word meaning congregation.
     • Objective Cultural spiritual and social hub for the Parsi community in Delhi.
     • Current Parsi population in Delhi around 500 in 2023-24.

    Key Institutions under DPA

    • Dar-e-Mehr Zoroastrian fire temple established in 1961.
     • Only Zoroastrian fire temple in North India.
     • Dharamshala banquet hall and Katgara Hall newly renovated in 2025.

    Important Facts for Prelims

    • Delhi Parsi Anjuman founded in 1925.
     • Centenary year 2025.
     • Dar-e-Mehr in Delhi is the only fire temple in North India.
     • Parsis played a key role in shaping Delhi’s legal architectural and healthcare institutions.

    Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO? (2024)

    (a) Chhau dance 

    (b) Durga Puja 

    (c) Garba dance 

    (d) Kumbh Mela

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

    [13th December 2025] The Hindu OpED: The Indian Ocean as cradle of a new blue economy

    op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organizational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security.

    Linkage: This question aligns with the article’s argument that maritime security now includes ocean governance, ecosystem degradation, and IUU fishing, beyond naval or territorial concerns.It reflects the article’s “security through sustainability” lens.

    Introduction

    The Indian Ocean has historically shaped global trade, civilizations, and maritime norms. India’s early advocacy during the UNCLOS negotiations to treat areas beyond national jurisdiction as the “common heritage of mankind” laid the normative foundation for today’s ocean governance debates. Half a century later, climate change, biodiversity loss, and unregulated exploitation have intensified pressures on marine ecosystems. The article argues that India now carries both opportunity and responsibility to lead a new Blue Economy paradigm rooted in stewardship, resilience, and inclusive growth.

    Why in the News?

    The article gains significance amid the BBNJ Agreement (2023), renewed focus on Blue Economy financing, and India’s expanding role in Indian Ocean governance following UNCLOS negotiations and recent UN Ocean Conferences. For the first time, the Indian Ocean is being projected not merely as a geopolitical theatre but as a laboratory for sustainability, climate resilience, and equitable growth. This marks a shift from security-centric maritime approaches toward ecosystem-based ocean governance. 

    Reimagining the Indian Ocean Blue Economy

    Normative Foundations of India’s Ocean Vision

    1. Common Heritage Principle: Positions the Indian Ocean as a shared global commons rather than a contested geopolitical space.
    2. Continuity of Leadership: Builds on India’s early UNCLOS advocacy for equity and fairness in ocean governance.
    3. Shift in Maritime Thinking: Reframes oceans from extractive zones to sustainability laboratories.

    What is the Blue Economy?

    1. Sustainable Ocean-Based Economic Model: Integrates economic use of ocean resources with long-term conservation of marine ecosystems.
    2. Human-Ocean Balance: Aligns livelihoods, trade, and development with ecological thresholds and regeneration capacity.
    3. Global Commons Perspective: Treats oceans as shared resources requiring collective governance rather than unilateral exploitation.

    How the Blue Economy Differs from Past Interpretations

    From Extraction to Stewardship

    1. Earlier Approach: Focused on maximum extraction of fisheries, offshore hydrocarbons, and seabed minerals.
    2. Blue Economy Shift: Prioritises ecosystem health, biodiversity protection, and regulated resource use.

    From Sectoral Growth to Integrated Planning

    1. Earlier Approach: Treated shipping, fishing, energy, and tourism as isolated sectors.
    2. Blue Economy Shift: Integrates marine sectors through ecosystem-based and spatial planning frameworks.

    From Security-Centric Oceans to Sustainability-Centric Oceans

    1. Earlier Approach: Viewed oceans primarily as strategic spaces for naval dominance and sea-lane protection.
    2. Blue Economy Shift: Redefines maritime security to include climate resilience, coastal livelihoods, and ocean health.

    From Short-Term Gains to Intergenerational Equity

    1. Earlier Approach: Emphasised immediate economic returns with limited concern for long-term impacts.
    2. Blue Economy Shift: Embeds intergenerational equity and long-term resilience into ocean governance.

    From National Control to Cooperative Governance

    1. Earlier Approach: Prioritised sovereign exploitation within EEZs.
    2. Blue Economy Shift: Strengthens multilateralism through UNCLOS, BBNJ Agreement, and regional cooperation mechanisms.

    Why This Shift Matters for India and the Indian Ocean?

    1. Climate Vulnerability: Indian Ocean region faces disproportionate exposure to sea-level rise and extreme weather.
    2. Livelihood Dependence: Millions depend on marine resources for food security and employment.
    3. Strategic Leadership: Enables India to lead through norms, sustainability, and inclusive regional partnerships rather than power projection.

    Stewardship as the First Pillar

    1. Ecosystem Restoration: Prioritises biodiversity protection, habitat conservation, and sustainable fisheries management.
    2. Regulated Resource Use: Counters illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing undermining livelihoods and food security.
    3. Shared Ocean Ethic: Positions India as a trustee rather than a dominant maritime power.

    Resilience in a Climate-Stressed Ocean Basin

    1. Climate Vulnerability: Indian Ocean houses over one-third of humanity and includes some of the most climate-exposed regions.
    2. Adaptation Imperative: Strengthens preparedness against sea-level rise, extreme weather, and ecosystem collapse.
    3. Regional Cooperation: Supports small island developing states through technology transfer and capacity building.

    Inclusive Growth and the Blue Economy

    1. Equitable Prosperity: Extends economic benefits to all littoral states, not just major powers.
    2. Green Sectors: Advances green shipping, offshore renewable energy, and sustainable marine biotechnology.
    3. Livelihood Protection: Links marine conservation with coastal employment and social stability.

    Financing the Blue Economy Transition

    1. Global Financial Momentum: Finance in Common Ocean Coalition mobilised $8.7 billion in commitments.
    2. Public-Private Synergy: Balances public pledges ($5.7 billion) and private investment ($2.5 billion).
    3. Institutional Architecture: Converts ocean pledges into implementable projects through MDBs and philanthropy.

    Security Through Sustainability

    1. Expanded Security Concept: Redefines maritime security beyond navigation and sea lanes.
    2. Ecosystem-Security Link: Addresses IUU fishing, coral degradation, and coastal erosion as security threats.
    3. SAGAR Doctrine: Anchors India’s maritime strategy in “Security and Growth for All in the Region.”

    Multilateralism and Global Ocean Governance

    1. BBNJ Agreement: Establishes governance for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
    2. UNCLOS Continuity: Reinforces rule-based maritime order.
    3. Equity Focus: Integrates climate finance, technology access, and capacity building for developing states.

    India’s Diplomatic Responsibility in the IOR

    1. Leadership with Restraint: Emphasises stewardship over dominance.
    2. Consultative Approach: Aligns India’s diplomacy with shared prosperity.
    3. Global Messaging: Positions the Indian Ocean as a model for cooperative global commons governance.

    Conclusion

    The Indian Ocean is no longer merely a strategic maritime space but a critical global commons where climate stress, ecological degradation, and development aspirations intersect. India’s approach, grounded in stewardship, sustainability, and inclusive growth, positions the Blue Economy as a pathway to secure oceans through resilient ecosystems and cooperative governance. By aligning UNCLOS principles, the BBNJ framework, and the SAGAR vision, the article underscores that the future stability of the Indian Ocean and its prosperity will depend on security rooted in sustainability rather than dominance.

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  • Air Pollution

    India is focusing on PM10 but PM 2.5 is the real threat

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

    Introduction

    Air pollution in India is no longer episodic or seasonal; it is a structural public health emergency. While global best practices increasingly rely on health-based air quality standards, India’s regulatory architecture continues to emphasise coarser particulate matter (PM10) due to administrative convenience and visible enforcement outcomes. This regulatory bias weakens India’s ability to reduce disease burden, undermines scientific policymaking, and distorts progress assessment under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

    Why in the News?

    A new comparative study by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC) highlights that India’s air pollution control framework remains disproportionately focused on PM10, while PM2.5, responsible for deeper health damage. remains inadequately addressed. The report is significant because it systematically contrasts India’s regulatory pathway with countries such as China, Mexico, Brazil, Poland, South Korea, and Germany, revealing a structural mismatch between India’s monitoring priorities and the actual toxicity of pollutants. 

    The Scientific Hierarchy of Harm in Particulate Matter

    1. PM2.5 Toxicity: Penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
    2. PM10 Characteristics: Larger particles with lower systemic penetration and comparatively lesser health impact.
    3. Policy Mismatch: Regulatory attention remains fixed on PM10 despite PM2.5 being the primary health risk.
    4. Outcome: Misalignment between pollution control metrics and actual disease burden.

    Regulatory Bias Towards PM10 in India

    1. Monitoring Focus: NCAP progress is measured primarily through PM10 reductions.
    2. Administrative Ease: PM10 reductions are easier to demonstrate through visible actions like road sweeping and construction controls.
    3. Institutional Incentives: City authorities prefer pollutants that show quicker compliance outcomes.
    4. Policy Consequence: PM2.5 mitigation receives limited planning, funding, and enforcement priority.

    Geography and Urban Form as Pollution Amplifiers

    1. Delhi’s Topography: Located on a plateau surrounded by mountains, restricting pollutant dispersion.
    2. Atmospheric Stagnation: Winter inversion traps pollutants close to the ground.
    3. Regional Inflows: Pollutants from surrounding regions add to local emissions.
    4. Result: Structural accumulation of PM2.5 beyond city-level control measures.

    International Regulatory Pathways Compared

    1. China: Transitioned from PM10 to PM2.5 standards after public health pressure; implemented national emission standards and fuel quality upgrades.
    2. Mexico: Introduced health-based air quality standards following judicial and civil society intervention.
    3. Poland: Adopted EU emission norms after civil resistance and local political change.
    4. Common Feature: Strong national regulation, judicial pressure, and health-based standards.
    5. Indian Contrast: Fragmented authority, weak enforcement, and delayed regulatory evolution.

    Institutional Capacity Constraints in India

    1. State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs): Resource-poor and understaffed.
    2. Monitoring Load: Engineers responsible for air, water, and waste compliance simultaneously.
    3. Outsourcing Dependence: Compliance monitoring outsourced to private agencies, creating conflicts of interest.
    4. Regulatory Gap: Limited accountability and weak on-ground enforcement.

    Monitoring Deficit and Data Blindness

    1. Ground Monitoring: Insufficient real-time PM2.5 monitoring infrastructure.
    2. Compliance Illusion: Cities meet PM10 reduction targets while PM2.5 levels remain hazardous.
    3. NCAP Limitation: PM2.5 reduction not central to non-attainment city evaluation.
    4. Outcome: Policy success measured through incomplete indicators.

    Policy Instruments and Their Limitations

    1. Smog Guns: Symbolic interventions with minimal impact on PM2.5.
    2. Construction Controls: Effective for PM10, marginal for PM2.5.
    3. Road Dust Management: Visibility-driven policy with limited health outcomes.
    4. Structural Failure: Absence of emission source targeting for fine particulates.

    Conclusion

    India’s air pollution strategy suffers not from lack of intent, but from misaligned priorities and weak institutional design. By privileging PM10 over PM2.5, policymakers risk managing visibility rather than mortality. Without a decisive shift towards health-based air quality standards, strengthened monitoring capacity, and PM2.5-centric regulation, India’s pollution control efforts will continue to underperform despite visible compliance gains.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2021] Describe the key point of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines [AQGs] recently released by the World Health Organisation [WHO].How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards ?

    Linkage: This PYQ directly aligns with the article’s core argument that India’s NCAP remains PM10-centric, whereas WHO AQGs prioritise PM2.5 due to higher health risks. The article provides analytical grounding to argue why India’s air quality framework requires a shift to health-based PM2.5 standards rather than visibility-based PM10 compliance.

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India – EU

    FTAs for a start: On India and trade pacts

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

    Introduction

    India has entered into 20 regional or free trade agreements, excluding the recently concluded pacts with the United Kingdom and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Negotiations are ongoing with major economies including the United States, European Union, Canada, and the Southern African Customs Union. This renewed urgency is driven by U.S. tariffs of up to 50% on key Indian exports, underscoring the strategic importance of trade diversification. However, evidence from earlier FTAs reveals that market access without domestic preparedness has widened trade deficits rather than strengthened exports.

    Why in the News?

    India’s FTA strategy is at a critical inflection point. While the country is rapidly expanding its trade pact network and reconsidering engagement channels even with blocs like RCEP, outcomes from earlier agreements expose structural weaknesses. Trade deficits with ASEAN widened from $10 billion (2017) to nearly $44 billion (2023), and similar trends are visible with Japan and South Korea, despite rising exports. 

    India’s Expanding FTA Landscape

    1. FTA Coverage: Enters 20 FTAs; recent additions include the UK and EFTA agreements.
    2. Negotiation Momentum: Accelerates talks with the U.S., EU, Canada, and SACU.
    3. Strategic Trigger: Responds to steep U.S. tariff escalation on Indian exports.
    4. RCEP Positioning: Maintains non-accession while exploring consultative channels.

    Trade Imbalances from Earlier FTAs

    1. ASEAN Trade Deficit: Expands from ~$10 billion (2017) to ~$44 billion (2023).
    2. Japan and Korea Pattern: Imports of high-value, capital-intensive goods outpace export growth.
    3. Structural Asymmetry: Export basket remains less competitive against partner economies.

    Negotiation and Design Deficiencies

    1. Standards Alignment Gaps: Weak mutual recognition on quality standards and certifications.
    2. Rules of Origin Weakness: Allows import surge without commensurate domestic value addition.
    3. Non-Tariff Barriers: Insufficiently addressed despite tariff liberalisation.
    4. Sectoral Misalignment: FTAs not tailored to India’s comparative sectoral strengths.
    5. Industry Consultation Deficit: Limited engagement with exporters during negotiations.

    Implementation and Domestic Uptake Failures

    1. Low Utilisation Rates: Indian exporters fail to exploit preferential margins.
    2. Domestic Awareness Gaps: Government does not adequately popularise FTAs among industry.
    3. Partner Advantage: Counterpart economies utilise preferences more effectively.

    Course Correction through Recent Agreements

    1. Review Mechanism: Reassessment of ASEAN, Japan, and Korea FTAs initiates correction.
    2. India-UAE CEPA Outcome: Achieves balanced trade expansion; non-oil trade touches ~$100 billion in FY25.
    3. Learning Curve: Demonstrates value of calibrated concessions and sector-specific focus.

    Strategic Priorities in Ongoing Negotiations

    1. United States Engagement: Requires structured consultations with services, seafood, engineering goods, and textile exporters.
    2. European Union Talks: Demands focus on carbon-intensive sectors like iron, steel, and cement.
    3. CBAM Challenge: Trade terms must factor the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

    Beyond Agreements: The Export Support Imperative

    1. Standards Infrastructure: Strengthens quality, certification, and testing ecosystems.
    2. Trade Infrastructure: Improves logistics and supply-chain efficiency.
    3. Technology Upgradation: Enables competitiveness in global value chains.
    4. Market Intelligence: Supports exporters with real-time demand and compliance data.

    Conclusion

    Free trade agreements can only serve as an entry point, not a substitute, for export competitiveness. India’s experience with earlier FTAs shows that tariff liberalisation without adequate attention to standards, rules of origin, sectoral strengths and domestic capacity leads to widening trade deficits rather than sustained gains. The relatively balanced outcomes under recent agreements underline the importance of better-designed negotiations and continuous review. As India advances talks with major economies, the real test will lie beyond signing pacts; in systematically supporting exporters through quality infrastructure, technology upgradation and market intelligence so that market access translates into durable trade outcomes.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2017] Account for the failure of the manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labor-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labor-intensive rather than capital – intensive exports.

    Linkage: This PYQ directly aligns with the article’s core argument that FTAs without domestic productive capacity and sectoral competitiveness lead to import surges rather than export expansion.

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  • Skilling India – Skill India Mission,PMKVY, NSDC, etc.

    PM Vishwakarma Scheme  

    Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Why in the News?

    The National Steering Committee for the PM Vishwakarma scheme has approved several proposals and policy measures to improve loan sanctioning and disbursement under the scheme.

    About PM Vishwakarma Scheme

    • Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
     • Launched to support artisans and craftspeople engaged in traditional, family based occupations
     • Focuses on strengthening the Guru Shishya parampara and preserving traditional skills

    Objectives

    • Nurture traditional artisans working with hands and tools
     • Improve skill levels, access to credit, and market linkage
     • Promote digital transactions among artisans

    Time Period

    • Five years
     • From FY 2023 24 to FY 2027 28

    Eligibility and Coverage

    • Available to both rural and urban artisans across India
     • Minimum age: 18 years
     • Must be engaged in a traditional trade
     • Beneficiary should not have availed similar government loans in the last five years
     • Covers 18 traditional crafts including Boat Maker, Armourer, Blacksmith, Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, and others

    Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for (2015)

    (a) providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates 

    (b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas 

    (c) promoting financial inclusion in the country 

    (d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities

    The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a targeted intervention aimed at marginalized craftspeople, providing them access to credit, digital transaction support, and market linkages. These components are crucial mechanisms of financial inclusion.

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

    Agentic AI  

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

    Why in the News?

    Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella recently noted that India is witnessing strong momentum in the adoption and deployment of artificial intelligence, particularly agentic AI applications.

    About Agentic AI

    Agentic AI is an advanced form of artificial intelligence that emphasises autonomous decision-making and action. It is designed to act independently in a goal driven manner with minimal human intervention.

    Core Concept

    • Based on AI agents that simulate human-like decision making
     • Capable of setting goals, planning steps, and executing tasks on its own
     • Goes beyond traditional AI systems that mainly respond to prompts or analyse data

    Prelims Pointers

    • Agentic AI emphasizes autonomy and goal orientation
    • Uses large language models as its reasoning engine
    • Key stages include perception, reasoning, planning, action, and reflection
    • Represents an evolution beyond prompt based AI systems
    With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)

    (1) Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units

    (2) Create meaningful short stories and songs

    (3) Disease diagnosis

    (4) Text-to-Speech Conversion

    (5) Wireless transmission of electrical energy

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

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  • Defence Sector – DPP, Missions, Schemes, Security Forces, etc.

    Diving Support Craft A20

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

    Why in the news?

    The Indian Navy is set to commission Diving Support Craft (DSC) A20 at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command, marking a key milestone in indigenous naval capability.

    About Diving Support Craft A20

    • First vessel of the indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Craft class
     • Lead ship in a series of five DSCs
     • Built by M s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, Kolkata
     • Designed for a wide range of diving and underwater missions in coastal waters

    Prelims Pointers

    • DSC A20 is an indigenously built naval auxiliary vessel
    • Builder: Titagarh Rail Systems Limited
    • Hull type: Catamaran
    • Command: Southern Naval Command
    • Focus areas include diving operations, underwater missions, and salvage support
    Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? (2016)

    (a) Amphibious warfare ship 

    (b) Nuclear-powered submarine 

    (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel 

    (d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Pallas’s Gull 

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

    Why in the News?

    The rare migratory Pallas’s Gull was recently sighted at Udhwa Bird Sanctuary in Jharkhand, marking its return after nearly a decade.

    About Pallas’s Gull

    • Also known as the Great Black headed Gull
     • One of the largest gull species in the world
     • World’s largest black headed gull and third largest gull overall
     • Family: Laridae
     • Scientific name: Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus

    Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern

    Distribution and Migration

    • Breeds in colonies across marshes and islands of southern Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia
     • Migratory species
     • Winters in the Mediterranean region, Arabian Peninsula, and Indian subcontinent.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Pallas’s Gull is a migratory wetland dependent bird
    • Associated with Central Asian Flyway
    • Udhwa is Jharkhand’s only bird sanctuary and a Ramsar Site
    • Species belongs to the Laridae family
    Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity? (2015)

    (a) Bhitarkanika National Park 

    (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park 

    (c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park 

    (d) Sultanpur National Park

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

    Boreendo

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

    Why in the News?

    Boreendo, an ancient traditional musical instrument from Pakistan, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

    About Boreendo

    • Also known as Bhorindo
     • Traditional wind instrument from the Sindh region of Pakistan
     • Believed to be around 5,000 years old
     • Origins traced to Mohenjo Daro of the Indus Valley Civilisation

    Physical Features

    • Hollow spherical body with sound holes
     • Made of clay that is sun dried and kiln fired
     • Decorated using clay paint

    Cultural Practices

    • Played mainly by men
     • Women traditionally decorate the instrument
     • Used during winter bonfires, weddings, and local festivals

    UNESCO Significance

    • Listed under Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
     • Recognition highlights the risk of decline due to reduced practitioners and changing cultural practices
     • Aims to promote preservation, transmission, and awareness of the art form

    Prelims Pointers

    • Region: Sindh, Pakistan
     • Material: Clay
     • Type: Wind musical instrument
     • Civilisational link: Indus Valley Civilisation
     • UNESCO list focuses on endangered living traditions

    The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of: (2025)

    (a) carnelian 

    (b) clay 

    (c) bronze 

    (d) gold

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  • Primary and Secondary Education – RTE, Education Policy, SEQI, RMSA, Committee Reports, etc.

    [12th December 2025] The Hindu OpED: The stark reality of educational costs in India

    op-ed snap | Education | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2020] National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goals-4 (2030). It intended to restructure and re-orient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement.

    Linkage: The article shows how rising education costs hinder NEP 2020’s and SDG-4’s aims of equitable, inclusive, affordable learning. It lets you critique the gap between policy intent and actual access.

    Mentor’s Comment

    The rising cost of education in India, despite constitutional guarantees of free and compulsory schooling, reveals a widening disconnect between policy intent and lived reality. NSS 80th Round data exposes how private schooling, coaching dependence, and high household education spending are reshaping access, equity, and social mobility. 

    Introduction

    Article 21A mandates free and compulsory education for 6-14 years, and NEP 2020 expands this to cover children aged 3-18. Despite this constitutional promise, NSS 80th Round (April-June 2022) on “Comprehensive Education Household Survey” highlights that schooling is becoming increasingly expensive in both urban and rural India. The financial strain has begun to undermine equitable access and intensify class-based educational inequalities.

    Enrolment Trends Reveal Shifting School Preferences

    1. Rising Private School Dependence: NSS shows 28.5% of students in India enrolled in private unaided schools; in urban areas, the share rises to 44.3%.
    2. Gender Disparity Persisting: Urban male enrolment in private schools stands at 44.2% versus 35.6% in rural areas; for girls, the gap remains substantial (41.5% urban vs 29.3% rural).
    3. Low Government School Enrolment: Government school enrolment lowest in urban areas (54.1%), showing preference for private institutions due to perceived quality gaps.
    4. Higher Enrolment in Private Pre-Primary: Shares rise to 37.6% (pre-primary), signalling early shift toward fee-based education.

    Why Are Educational Expenditures Rising?

    1. Higher Private School Fees: Private schools charge ₹7,589/year in rural areas for pre-primary vs much higher figures of ₹33,567 for urban higher secondary.
    2. Urban-Rural Fee Divide: Urban fees for secondary rise sharply to ₹12,021 vs ₹6,157 in rural areas, intensifying inequity.
    3. Coaching Costs Escalate: Households spend monthly on coaching across all classes; 7% rural and 6% urban took paid coaching.
    4. Middle-Income Burden Evident: Private school pre-primary costs equal expenditure of top 5% of households, showing regressive impact.
    5. Hidden Costs Added: Transportation, books, uniforms, and materials raise total expenditure significantly beyond tuition.

    What Does the Survey Reveal About Private Coaching Dependence?

    1. Widespread Coaching Culture: 7% rural and 6% urban students opt for private coaching, an indicator of weak classroom instruction.
    2. Class-Wise Variation: Coaching uptake peaks in higher secondary: 44.6% urban and 30.7% rural.
    3. Fee Escalations: Annual expenditure on coaching is ₹7,708 (urban) and ₹6,063 (rural), adding substantial pressure.
    4. Income-Linked Access: Higher participation among better-off households reinforces achievement gaps.
    5. Shift From School-Based Learning: Coaching becomes parallel schooling for competitive exams and higher education entry.

    How Does Educational Spending Impact Families?

    1. Monthly Financial Strain: Private schooling expenses rise from ₹1,499 (rural primary) to ₹7,297 (rural higher secondary).
    2. Urban Burden Considerably Higher: Urban households pay ₹12,018 for higher secondary on average.
    3. High Share of Household Budget: Poorer households spend disproportionately more on education relative to income.
    4. Limited Access Due to Costs: Low-income families increasingly withdraw or avoid private schooling for affordability reasons.
    5. Prestige and Social Signalling: Private schooling becomes an aspirational commodity symbolising status and mobility.

    Can Strengthened Public Schools Reduce This Inequality?

    1. Better Teacher Availability: Strengthening public schools reduces coaching dependence through improved teaching.
    2. Affordable High-Quality Option: Offers equitable access without catastrophic household expenditure.
    3. Restores Trust in Government Schools: Quality improvements narrow the private-public gap in learning outcomes.
    4. Reduces Social Stratification: Public systems prevent education from becoming a market commodity.
    5. Supports NEP 2020 Vision: Aligns with goal of universal access and foundational literacy-numeracy.

    Conclusion

    There is growing financial, social, and structural inequalities emerging from India’s rising educational costs. As private schooling and coaching dominate, low- and middle-income families face significant strain, threatening the constitutional promise of universal and equitable schooling. Strengthening public education remains the most sustainable path to reducing disparities, rebuilding trust in government schools, and ensuring the education system remains a vehicle of opportunity rather than exclusion.

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