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  • [18th May 2026] The Hindu OpED: Oslo summit must mark India’s northward turn

    PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2023] The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well in India.” What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.Linkage: The PYQ tests understanding of how changing geopolitical alignments in Europe affect India’s strategic interests. Similar to the PYQ, the article examines how evolving European security architecture creates new strategic opportunities and challenges for India.

    Mentor’s Comment

    The Prime Minister of India visited Oslo, Norway on May 18 and 19 for the 3rd India-Nordic Summit. This visit was important as India’s ties with Nordic countries are entering a strategic phase. Earlier, relations focused on climate, innovation and digitalisation. However, the Ukraine war, NATO expansion, Arctic competition and critical mineral concerns have increased the region’s strategic importance for India. The Arctic is warming over three times faster than the global average, affecting India’s monsoon, Himalayan glaciers and maritime security, making closer Nordic engagement increasingly important.

    How Has the Strategic Context of India-Nordic Relations Changed?

    1. Shift in geopolitical environment
      1. Ukraine War: Reshaped Europe’s security architecture and altered strategic calculations.
      2. Trans-Atlantic Strains: Renewed uncertainty in European security has increased Nordic strategic importance.
      3. NATO Expansion: Finland and Sweden joining NATO has transformed Nordic security architecture.
      4. Russia-China Polar Partnership: Expands geopolitical competition into Arctic spaces through cooperation on shipping and energy.
    2. Transition from functional to strategic cooperation
      1. Earlier Focus: Climate cooperation, digitalisation, innovation and blue economy dominated engagement.
      2. Present Requirement: Strategic depth involving security, maritime logistics, supply chains and critical technologies.
    3. Growing convergence
      1. Technology Cooperation: Shared interests in semiconductors, AI, batteries and advanced manufacturing.
      2. Supply Chain Resilience: Reduces overdependence on concentrated global manufacturing hubs.

    Why Has the Arctic Become Strategically Significant for India?

    1. Climate Security
      1. Rapid Warming: Arctic warming occurs more than three times faster than the global average.
      2. Monsoon Linkages: Loss of ice in the Barents-Kara Sea affects variability in India’s summer monsoon.
      3. Sea-Level Rise: Polar melting threatens India’s coastlines, ports and island territories.
    2. Economic Opportunities
      1. Shipping Routes: Melting Arctic ice enables navigation through the Northern Sea Route along Russia’s Arctic coast.
      2. Trade Connectivity: Arctic maritime routes may reduce shipping time between Asia and Europe.
      3. Energy Access: Facilitates access to hydrocarbons and alternative energy networks.
    3. Security Dimensions
      1. Military Competition: The Arctic increasingly is witnessing strategic competition among major powers.
      2. Critical Infrastructure Risks: Vulnerability of undersea communication cables and digital infrastructure has increased.
    4. Scientific Relevance
      1. Research Presence: India operates Himadri Research Station in Norway.
      2. Institutional Mechanism: India became an observer in the Arctic Council in 2013.
      3. Scientific Diplomacy: Supports climate monitoring and atmospheric research.

    How Do Nordic Countries Enhance India’s Strategic Interests?

    1. Norway
      1. Maritime Expertise: Strengthens shipping technology and sustainable maritime systems.
      2. Deep-Sea Mining: Creates opportunities in seabed resource cooperation.
    2. Sweden
      1. Critical Minerals: Supports diversification in rare earths and iron ore supply chains.
      2. Advanced Manufacturing: Strengthens India’s industrial ecosystem.
    3. Denmark
      1. Greenland Access: Holds strategic significance due to Greenland’s Arctic location.
      2. Shipping Routes: Enhances maritime connectivity prospects.
    4. Finland
      1. Arctic Technologies: Provides expertise in cold-region infrastructure and defence technologies.
    5. Iceland
      1. Geothermal Expertise: Supports renewable energy cooperation.

    Can India Convert Arctic Changes into Economic Opportunities?

    1. Maritime Connectivity
      1. Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor: Extending connectivity to Nordic ports can improve India-Europe trade integration.
      2. Northern Maritime Access: Strengthens alternative logistics routes amid disruptions in traditional chokepoints.
    2. Shipping and Logistics
      1. Ice-Class Fleet Requirement: India requires a fleet of Arctic-capable vessels by 2030.
      2. Shipbuilding Expansion: Strengthens domestic maritime manufacturing capacity.
    3. Industrial Cooperation
      1. Semiconductors: Nordic expertise complements India’s manufacturing ambitions.
      2. Green Hydrogen: Enables clean-energy partnerships.
      3. Battery Technology: Strengthens energy storage ecosystem.
    4. Critical Minerals
      1. Supply Chain Diversification: Reduces excessive dependence on China-dominated processing ecosystems.

    What Institutional Measures Can Strengthen India’s Arctic Strategy?

    1. Special Arctic Envoy
      1. Dedicated Diplomacy: India currently lacks a permanent observer role unlike several European countries.
      2. Strategic Coordination: A Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs can institutionalise engagement.
    2. Arctic-Himalaya Climate Cooperation
      1. Climate Monitoring: Joint mechanisms can track climate impacts affecting monsoons and glacial systems.
      2. Scientific Data Sharing: Strengthens predictive climate resilience.
    3. India-Arctic Economic Forum
      1. Industrial Linkages: Connects Indian industry with opportunities in shipping, infrastructure and energy.
      2. Investment Facilitation: Enhances public-private partnerships.
    4. Maritime Cooperation
      1. Port Modernisation: Nordic expertise supports resilient and sustainable ports.
      2. Shipping Digitisation: Strengthens logistics efficiency.

    What Are the Challenges Before India’s Arctic Turn?

    1. Insufficient Ice-Class Ships: Restricts India’s ability to utilise Arctic routes.
    2. Great Power Rivalries: Russia-West tensions complicate Arctic engagement.
    3. High Infrastructure Costs: Arctic operations require advanced technology and significant investments.
    4. Governance Constraints/ Observer Status: India lacks formal decision-making power in the Arctic Council.

    Conclusion

    The Oslo Summit represents a strategic inflection point in India-Nordic relations. The Arctic’s growing geopolitical and economic relevance means that India can no longer treat Nordic engagement as peripheral or climate-centric. A calibrated “northward turn” through Arctic diplomacy, resilient supply chains, maritime cooperation and clean-energy partnerships can strengthen India’s strategic autonomy, climate resilience and economic competitiveness.

    India’s Arctic Policy (2022): Key Pillars
    Science and Research: Expands polar research and climate studies.
    Climate and Environmental Protection: Supports sustainable Arctic governance.
    Economic and Human Development: Facilitates investment and connectivity.
    Transportation and Connectivity: Examines emerging shipping routes.Governance and International Cooperation: Strengthens multilateral engagement.
    National Capacity Building: Enhances polar expertise.
    Arctic CouncilEstablished: 1996 (Ottawa Declaration)
    Members: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and USA.
    India’s Status: Observer since 2013.
    Function: Facilitates cooperation on environmental protection and sustainable development.
    Northern Sea RouteDefinition: Shipping corridor along Russia’s Arctic coast.
    Importance: Reduces travel distance between Europe and Asia.

  • U.S., China, and the search for stability

    Why in the News?

    Donald Trump visited China during May 13-15 and this visit assumes significance because it occurred amid an unusually volatile global environment. This is marked by the Iran crisis, disruption risks in the Strait of Hormuz, and escalating tensions around Taiwan. The visit came after nearly a decade of worsening U.S.-China relations driven by tariffs, technology restrictions, and strategic mistrust. Despite no formal agreements, the meeting marked a symbolic “thaw” after prolonged confrontation. Both sides acknowledge the need to restore stability in arguably the world’s most consequential bilateral relationship.

    Why did Trump’s China visit acquire strategic significance amid global instability?

    1. Iran Crisis: Escalating Iran-U.S. tensions threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint. Stability between major powers became necessary to prevent wider economic disruption.
    2. Taiwan Tensions: Taiwan’s pro-independence political developments intensified Chinese concerns regarding reunification and sovereignty claims.
    3. Global Economic Stakes: U.S.-China relations affect global trade flows, supply chains, commodity prices, and financial stability.
    4. Strategic Timing: The visit occurred after years of tariff escalation and deteriorating diplomatic relations, making even symbolic engagement politically important.
    5. Domestic Political Context: U.S. mid-term electoral pressures incentivised Trump to seek economic gains and business opportunities.

    How have U.S.-China relations evolved from cooperation to strategic rivalry?

    1. Economic Interdependence: Four decades of trade integration initially produced deep commercial linkages and mutual dependence.
    2. Trade War (2018): Trump initiated tariff measures against Chinese imports to reduce trade imbalances and strategic dependence.
    3. Technology Competition: Restrictions emerged over semiconductors, AI, and advanced technologies, especially high-end graphics processing units (GPUs).
    4. Strategic Distrust: Competition expanded beyond economics into military posturing, Indo-Pacific influence, and ideological rivalry.
    5. Taiwan Factor: Beijing increasingly viewed American engagement with Taiwan as interference in its sovereignty concerns.

    Why did both countries seek a “stability framework” despite persistent rivalry?

    1. Economic Costs: Tariff escalation harmed both economies and disrupted global markets.
    2. Supply Chain Dependence: Complete economic decoupling proved economically costly and practically difficult.
    3. Energy Security Concerns: Strait of Hormuz disruptions created urgency for coordinated responses due to oil dependence.
    4. Conflict Avoidance: Both sides recognised risks of unintended military escalation, especially regarding Taiwan.
    5. Global Responsibility: As leading powers, instability between both states generates worldwide economic spillovers.

    What were the major issues discussed during the Trump-Xi meeting?

    1. Trade Expansion: China explored increased purchases of U.S. soybeans, beef, and energy products.
    2. Technology Restrictions: Beijing sought relaxation of American restrictions on high-end GPU exports.
    3. Civil Aviation Deals: China reportedly offered to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft and 450-500 American aircraft engines, although commercial arrangements remained unconfirmed.
    4. Energy Cooperation: China expressed willingness to import more U.S. oil to reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime routes.
    5. Taiwan Question: Xi Jinping strongly reiterated China’s position that U.S. handling of Taiwan remains the central obstacle in bilateral relations.
    6. Iran Crisis: Discussions included coordination amid instability caused by the Iran-U.S. confrontation.

    Why did the visit remain largely symbolic despite high expectations?

    1. Absence of Agreements: No joint statement, treaty, or major agreement emerged from the meeting.
    2. Unresolved Structural Issues: Tariffs, technology restrictions, military competition, and Taiwan disputes remained unresolved.
    3. Trust Deficit: Strategic mistrust between both leaderships continues to limit institutional cooperation.
    4. Domestic Political Constraints: Both leaders faced domestic constituencies discouraging major concessions.
    5. Continuing Strategic Competition: Economic engagement coexists with long-term geopolitical rivalry.

    Can U.S.-China competition be managed without confrontation?

    1. Strategic Stability: Requires mechanisms to prevent escalation despite persistent rivalry.
    2. Competitive Coexistence: Suggests coexistence through selective cooperation in trade, climate, and crisis management while competing strategically.
    3. Crisis Communication: Diplomatic channels reduce risks of accidental escalation.
    4. Mutual Restraint: Stable management of Taiwan remains critical to avoiding military conflict.
    5. Institutional Engagement: Continued high-level summits preserve diplomatic communication even during disagreement.

    Conclusion

    The Trump-Xi meeting did not transform U.S.-China relations, yet it demonstrated recognition that unmanaged rivalry between major powers carries unacceptable global risks. The future trajectory will likely involve competitive coexistence rather than reconciliation, where limited cooperation coexists with enduring strategic distrust. Stability in this relationship will remain central to global economic and geopolitical order.

    Value Addition
    Thucydides Trap Refers to conflict risk when a rising power challenges an established power.Coined from historical rivalry between Athens and Sparta.Frequently applied to U.S.-China strategic competition.
    G2 Concept Refers to U.S.-China cooperation as joint managers of global order.Suggests coordinated leadership in trade, climate, finance, and security.China informally invoked the idea during the visit.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union. Explain.

    Linkage: The PYQ tests understanding of the U.S.-China strategic rivalry, great power competition, trade-tech conflict, and geopolitical implications. The article directly examines the attempt to stabilise worsening U.S.-China relations despite tensions.

  • The challenge for India’s renewables surge: Storage

    Why in the News?

    India’s renewable energy capacity has expanded rapidly, with renewables contributing more than half of India’s installed power capacity for the first time. However, this growth has exposed a major challenge: energy storage. As renewable energy use increases, inadequate storage systems are creating concerns over grid stability and reliable electricity supply. The issue has become more important as India aims to achieve 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030, but storage infrastructure remains insufficient.

    How does inadequate storage undermine India’s renewable energy transition?

    1. Intermittency Problem: Solar generation ceases after sunset, while wind output fluctuates according to weather conditions. This creates instability in electricity availability.
    2. Demand-Supply Mismatch: Electricity demand often peaks during evening hours, whereas solar generation remains concentrated during daytime, creating temporal imbalance.
    3. Grid Stability Risks: Large-scale renewable integration without storage increases frequency fluctuations and voltage instability, affecting grid reliability.
    4. Renewable Curtailment: Surplus renewable electricity often remains unused during periods of excess generation due to inadequate storage infrastructure.
    5. Thermal Dependence: Limited storage necessitates continued dependence on thermal power plants for balancing electricity demand.

    Why has energy storage become central to India’s power transition?

    1. Renewable Expansion: Renewable energy now accounts for more than half of India’s installed power capacity, indicating a structural shift in the energy mix.
    2. 2030 Energy Target: India aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, making storage essential for effective grid integration.
    3. Peak Demand Management: Storage systems release electricity during high-demand periods, reducing shortages and supply disruptions.
    4. Energy Security: Domestic storage capacity reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthens energy resilience.
    5. Net-Zero Pathway: Reliable storage facilitates deeper renewable penetration and supports long-term decarbonisation commitments.

    What are the major energy storage technologies available to India?

    1. Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS)
      1. Operating Mechanism: Stores electricity by pumping water to an elevated reservoir during surplus generation and releasing it through turbines during peak demand.
      2. Established Technology: Represents the most mature and widely deployed large-scale storage technology globally.
      3. Installed Capacity: India currently possesses nearly 7.2 GW of pumped hydro storage capacity.
      4. Future Expansion: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects nearly 94 GW of PHS capacity by 2035-36.
      5. Key Advantage: Ensures long-duration storage and utility-scale grid balancing.
    2. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
      1. Technology Base: Primarily relies on Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LFP) batteries, recognised for declining costs, higher efficiency and longer life cycles.
      2. Operating Mechanism: Stores electricity during surplus renewable generation and discharges power when output declines.
      3. Current Capacity: India currently possesses nearly 0.27 GW battery storage capacity.
      4. Projected Requirement: Battery storage requirement is projected to reach nearly 80 GW by 2035-36.
      5. Auction Momentum: Around 10,658.94 MW / 28,739.32 MWh of BESS capacity remains under implementation.
      6. Pipeline Expansion: Nearly 22,347.15 MW / 69,836.70 MWh projects remain under tendering.
    3. Emerging Storage Technologies
      1. Concentrated Solar Thermal Storage: Uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight and heat molten salts, enabling electricity generation during non-solar hours.
      2. Compressed-Air Energy Storage: Stores compressed air underground during excess generation and releases it to produce electricity during peak demand.
      3. Flywheel Energy Storage: Stores rotational kinetic energy and supports short-duration grid frequency regulation.
      4. Gravity Energy Storage: Converts gravitational potential energy into electricity by lifting and lowering heavy masses.

    Why is India falling short in energy storage deployment?

    1. Slow Deployment Pace: Storage installation has not kept pace with rapid renewable capacity expansion.
    2. Import Dependence: India imports nearly 75-80% of lithium-ion cells, creating supply-chain vulnerability.
    3. High Cost Structure: Battery systems account for nearly 90% of total storage project costs, affecting affordability.
    4. Policy Gaps: Long-term resource adequacy planning for storage remains insufficient.
    5. Critical Mineral Dependence: Dependence on imported lithium, cobalt and rare earth minerals exposes India to geopolitical risks.

    How prepared is India institutionally for large-scale renewable integration?

    1. CEA Planning: The National Electricity Plan (NEP) projects a requirement of nearly 47 GW / 188 GWh battery storage and 94 GW / 676 GWh pumped hydro capacity by 2035-36.
    2. Transmission Expansion: Grid infrastructure requires substantial expansion for integrating variable renewable energy.
    3. Power System Flexibility: Smart grids, flexible thermal generation and demand-side management remain necessary.
    4. Domestic Manufacturing Push: Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes seek to strengthen indigenous battery manufacturing capacity.

    How does India compare globally in energy storage deployment?

    1. Pumped Hydro Leadership: China leads globally with nearly 360 GW installed PHS capacity, while India remains significantly behind.
    2. Battery Storage Growth: Global battery storage capacity reached nearly 270 GW, with projections of 1,080 GW by 2030.
    3. Chinese Dominance: China accounts for nearly 60% of global battery storage deployment, followed by Europe, Australia and the United States.
    4. Regional Momentum: Rapid deployment increasingly supports renewable-heavy grids worldwide.

    What are the policy alternatives for strengthening India’s storage ecosystem?

    1. Domestic Manufacturing: Strengthens battery ecosystems through PLI incentives and domestic mineral processing.
    2. Critical Mineral Strategy: Ensures secure overseas access to lithium, cobalt and nickel reserves.
    3. Market Mechanisms: Facilitates storage viability through time-of-day pricing and ancillary service markets.
    4. Hybrid Renewable Projects: Integrates solar, wind and storage for round-the-clock electricity supply.
    5. Research and Innovation: Supports emerging technologies such as sodium-ion and solid-state batteries.
    6. Regulatory Reforms: Ensures long-term procurement frameworks and storage deployment certainty.

    Conclusion

    India’s renewable energy transition now depends not only on increasing generation capacity but also on strengthening energy storage systems. Rapid expansion of solar and wind power without adequate storage can undermine grid stability and energy reliability. Expanding battery storage, pumped hydro capacity and domestic manufacturing, along with regulatory support, will be critical to ensuring a stable, secure and sustainable clean energy transition.

    Government Policies and Schemes Supporting Energy Storage in India
    National Framework for Promoting Energy Storage Systems (2023): It provides the overall policy framework for integrating energy storage into generation, transmission and distribution systems. It recognises storage as a key enabler of renewable energy integration.
    PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage (2021): Supports domestic battery manufacturing through a ₹18,100 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programme. Targets establishment of 50 GWh ACC battery manufacturing capacity to reduce import dependence on lithium-ion batteries.
    Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Provides financial support to make battery storage commercially viable and accelerate grid-scale deployment of BESS projects. Operational guidelines were issued in 2024.
    Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) Guidelines for BESS (2022): Enables transparent procurement of storage capacity by power distribution companies and improves investor confidence.
    Energy Storage Obligation (ESO): Mandates power utilities to integrate a minimum share of energy storage alongside renewable procurement to ensure grid reliability and peak balancing.
    Green Energy Corridor Programme: Expands transmission infrastructure to facilitate integration of renewable energy and storage systems into the national grid.
    ISTS Charges Waiver for Renewable + Storage Projects: Waives inter-state transmission charges for co-located renewable energy and storage projects, improving project viability.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain

    Linkage: The PYQ tests understanding of India’s renewable energy transition, structural bottlenecks and policy support required for achieving energy targets. The article expands the debate beyond renewable generation to issues of grid stability, intermittency and reliable power supply.

  • Return of Leiden Copper Plates to India

    Why in the News?

    The Chola-era Anaimangalam copper plates, popularly known as the Leiden copper plates, were returned to India from the Leiden University during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands.

    Key Highlights

    • The copper plates had remained in Leiden University’s possession since 1862.
    • Historians termed the repatriation a major step in returning India’s cultural heritage.
    • Archaeologists also called for the return of the Velvikkudi copper plates from the British Museum.

    About the Leiden Copper Plates

    • Associated with Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I.
    • Record the grant of land at Anaimangalam near Nagapattinam for building a Buddhist vihara.
    • The vihara was built by a Javanese ruler, Sri Mara Vijayotunga Varman.

    Historical Significance

    • Demonstrates religious tolerance during the Chola period.
    • Shows a Shaivite Chola ruler supporting a Buddhist institution.
    • Reflects India’s maritime and cultural links with Southeast Asia.

    Features of the Plates

    • Consist of:
      • 21 large plates
      • 3 small plates
    • Written in:
      • Sanskrit
      • Tamil
    • Plates carry Chola royal insignia:
      • Tiger (Chola emblem)
      • Fish (Pandya symbol)
      • Bow (Chera symbol)
    [2025] Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime state, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands? 
    (a) Amoghvarsha (Rashtrakuta) 
    (b) Prataprudra (Kakatiya) 
    (c) Rajendra 1 (Chola) 
    (d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)

  • Panzath Nag Spring Cleaning and Fishing Festival

    Why in the News?

    Hundreds of people participated in the traditional fishing and spring-cleaning festival at Panzath Nag in Kashmir.

    About Panzath Nag

    • A famous freshwater spring located in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Known for:
      • Crystal-clear water
      • Fish population
      • Religious and ecological importance

    Ecological Importance

    • Supports local irrigation and agriculture.
    • Maintains freshwater biodiversity.
    • Traditional cleaning helps preserve water quality and ecosystem health.
    [2014] Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant samplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes? 
    (a) Bhutia and Lepcha 
    (b) Gond and Korku 
    (c) Irula and Toda 
    (d) Sahariya and Agariya

  • PM Modi’s Norway Visit: Trade, Energy and Global Conflicts in Focus

    Why in the News?

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Norway for the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years.

    Bilateral Talks

    PM Modi held talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre focusing on:

    • Trade
    • Energy cooperation
    • Technology partnerships
    • Global conflicts

    3rd Nordic-India Summit

    The visit included the 3rd Nordic-India Summit with leaders of:

    • Norway
    • Sweden
    • Finland
    • Iceland
    • Denmark

    Major Agenda Areas

    • Trade and investments
    • Energy security
    • Climate and green transition
    • Digital infrastructure
    • Space cooperation
    • Global conflicts:
      • Russia-Ukraine war
      • Gaza conflict
      • Iran crisis

    Energy Cooperation

    • Norway is a major exporter of oil and natural gas.
    • Discussions included LNG supplies to India.
    • Norwegian company Equinor recently supplied LNG to India under a 15-year agreement.

    Economic Relations

    • Over 700 Nordic firms operate in India.
    • Around 150 Indian firms operate in Nordic countries.
    • India’s trade with Nordic countries is about $19 billion.
    [2024] Consider the following countries: 
    1. Finland 
    2. Germany 
    3. Norway 
    4. Russia 
    How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea? 
    [A] Only one [B] Only two [C] Only three [D] All four

  • Ordinance Increases Supreme Court Judges to 37

    Why in the News?

    President Droupadi Murmu promulgated an ordinance increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.

    Key Highlights

    • The ordinance was issued under Article 123 of the Constitution of India.
    • Total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court will rise:
      • From 34 to 38 judges
      • Including the Chief Justice of India

    Purpose of the Move

    • Aims to address rising pendency of cases.
    • Current backlog exceeds: 93,000 cases
    • Backlog is increasing rapidly ahead of the court’s summer recess.

    Amendment Made

    • The ordinance amended Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
    • Replaced “33” with “37” judges excluding the CJI.

    Article 124 of the Constitution of India

    • Originally provided for:
      • Chief Justice of India
      • Not more than seven judges
    • Parliament can increase the number by law.

    Evolution of Supreme Court Strength

    • 1950: 7 judges
    • 1956: 10
    • 1960: 13
    • 1977: 17
    • 1986: 25
    • 2009: 30
    • 2019: 33
    • 2026: 37

    Present Vacancy Situation

    Current vacancies include:

    • Seat of former CJI B. R. Gavai
    • Vacancy after retirement of Rajesh Bindal

    More retirements due in 2026:

    • Justice J.K. Maheshwari
    • Justice Pankaj Mithal
    • Justice Sanjay Karol

    Ordinance Rules

    • Ordinance must be approved by Parliament after reassembly.
    • It ceases to operate after six weeks if not approved by both Houses.
    [2025] With Reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements: 
    I. An Ordinance can amend any central Act. 
    II. An Ordinance can abridge a Fundamental Right. 
    III. An Ordinance can come into effect from a back date. 
    Which of the statements given above are correct? 
    [A] I and II only [B] II and III only [C] I and III only [D] I, II and III
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    You’ll understand why UPSC often demands strategic evolution, not just more effort.

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    Sometimes small strategic corrections create massive score differences.

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    • handle setbacks
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  • [16th May 2026] The Hindu OpED: Productivity, and not just growth, for Viksit Bharat

    PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2023] Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard.Linkage: Tests understanding of manufacturing-led growth, productivity enhancement, MSMEs, industrial policy, and employment generation. India’s growth cannot sustain without productive manufacturing expansion and scalable firms, highlighting the “missing middle” problem.

    Mentor’s Comment

    The debate on India’s growth model has gained significance as the Economic Survey 2025-26 places manufacturing at the centre of India’s next development phase. This signals a shift from growth-led optimism to productivity-led structural reform. This marks a contrast with the post-pandemic period, where India relied heavily on strong domestic demand, macroeconomic stability, and services-led growth. The issue is significant because despite being among the fastest-growing major economies, India continues to face manufacturing inefficiencies, labour concentration in low-productivity agriculture, and rising firm-level distress.

    Why is economic growth alone insufficient for achieving Viksit Bharat?

    1. Macroeconomic Stability: India maintained relatively high growth with subdued inflation, gradual fiscal consolidation, and a stable financial sector, ensuring post-pandemic resilience.
    2. Growth Limitation: Sustained long-term growth requires higher productivity in labour, capital, and production systems, not merely aggregate GDP expansion.
    3. Structural Reform Requirement: Transition to Viksit Bharat demands activation of all growth engines through institutional reforms, efficient resource allocation, and productivity enhancement.
    4. Productivity Imperative: Growth without productivity gains risks declining competitiveness, weak income expansion, and stagnation in employment generation.

    Why has manufacturing failed to become the bridge for structural transformation in India?

    1. Manufacturing Deficit: India’s structural transformation remains skewed as services expanded rapidly without proportional manufacturing deepening, limiting labour absorption.
    2. Employment Challenge: Manufacturing failed to absorb surplus labour from agriculture at scale, unlike successful East Asian industrialisation experiences.
    3. Low Productivity Concern: Manufacturing productivity remains below potential despite infrastructure expansion and policy support.
    4. Economic Survey Observation: The Economic Survey 2025-26 identifies manufacturing as central to sustaining growth and employment generation, particularly for large-scale workforce absorption.
    5. Structural Instability: Overdependence on services weakens long-term resilience because services alone cannot generate broad-based productivity gains across the economy.

    How does India’s firm structure constrain productivity growth?

    1. Fragmented Enterprise Base: India’s manufacturing ecosystem consists of large numbers of small, low-productivity firms and relatively few scalable medium-sized enterprises.
    2. Missing Middle Problem: Weak emergence of medium and large firms contrasts sharply with East Asian economies, where industrial growth was driven by competitive export-oriented firms.
    3. Scaling Constraint: Regulatory complexity, labour rigidities, and financing barriers prevent efficient firms from expanding.
    4. Efficiency Loss: Weak firm dynamism restricts efficient factor allocation and slows productivity improvement.
    5. Labour Misallocation: A substantial workforce remains in low-productivity agriculture, reducing economy-wide productivity growth.

    How do zombie firms undermine economic efficiency and productivity?

    1. Zombie Firms: Economically unviable firms continue operations despite weak fundamentals, preventing efficient reallocation of labour and capital.
    2. Creative Destruction Failure: Productivity growth weakens when newer productive firms fail to replace inefficient firms.
    3. Capital Lock-in: Zombie firms absorb disproportionate shares of debt and assets, reducing credit availability for productive enterprises.
    4. Research Evidence: The paper “Zombie Firms in Emerging Markets: Survival and Funding Mechanisms” (2025) highlights that zombie firms account for a relatively small share of firms but disproportionately hold larger shares of debt and assets.
    5. Financial Distress Persistence: Deterioration begins before firms become classified as zombies, and bank-financed firms remain distressed longer and relapse more often.
    6. Equity Financing Advantage: Equity-financed firms display relatively greater resilience and sustainable recovery.

    Why is inefficient financial intermediation emerging as a structural challenge?

    1. Credit Misallocation: Financial systems often sustain inefficient firms instead of facilitating market exit.
    2. Institutional Weakness: Weak insolvency resolution and delayed restructuring reduce productivity-enhancing capital movement.
    3. Crowding-Out Effect: Lending to distressed firms restricts credit access for innovative and productive firms.
    4. Regulatory Constraint: Slow business exit mechanisms weaken industrial competitiveness and productivity growth.

    What manufacturing-led strategy is required for Viksit Bharat?

    1. Scale Expansion: India requires deeper manufacturing expansion capable of generating employment and productivity simultaneously.
    2. Global Value Chains (GVCs): Stronger integration into global production networks ensures export competitiveness and industrial upgrading.
    3. Trade Barrier Rationalisation: Lower frictions strengthen competitiveness and facilitate participation in global manufacturing systems.
    4. Infrastructure Efficiency: Continued infrastructure investment must focus on efficiency gains, not only physical expansion.
    5. Business Dynamism: Productive firms require easier growth conditions, while inefficient firms require smoother exit mechanisms.
    6. Regulatory Simplification: Reduced compliance burdens facilitate industrial scaling and formalisation.
    7. Credit Access: Better financial allocation strengthens investment in productive sectors.
    8. Research and Development: Innovation capacity improves productivity and technological competitiveness.

    How can productivity become the foundation of India’s long-term development model?

    1. Factor Productivity: Higher efficiency in labour and capital utilisation ensures sustainable growth.
    2. Structural Transformation: Labour movement from low-productivity agriculture to higher-productivity manufacturing and services strengthens income generation.
    3. Competitive Industrialisation: Manufacturing productivity enhances exports, wages, and employment resilience.
    4. Institutional Reform: Efficient insolvency systems, financial reforms, and business facilitation strengthen long-term competitiveness.
    5. Viksit Bharat Goal: Growth provides momentum, but productivity determines whether India can sustain high-income transition by 2047.

    Conclusion

    India’s post-pandemic growth performance provides a strong foundation for Viksit Bharat. However, the next phase of development depends on whether growth translates into higher productivity, competitive manufacturing, efficient resource allocation, and stronger business dynamism. Sustained prosperity will require India to move beyond GDP expansion toward a productivity-led development model rooted in structural reforms and industrial competitiveness.

  • Wind plus heat: The triggers for deadly UP storm

    Why in the News?

    More than 100 deaths in Uttar Pradesh due to pre-monsoon thunderstorms have brought renewed attention to India’s growing vulnerability to compound weather events. In such events, multiple meteorological factors combine to intensify disasters. The event stood out because of its unusual intensity, wider geographic spread, and exceptionally high wind speeds. Several districts recorded winds above 100 kmph and touching 130 kmph, far exceeding normal pre-monsoon conditions.

    Why did the Uttar Pradesh thunderstorm become unusually deadly this year?

    1. Higher Fatality Burden: More than 100 deaths were reported, making it one of the deadliest thunderstorm events in recent years in northern India.
    2. Geographical Spread: The destruction was more widespread than usual, affecting multiple districts rather than isolated pockets.
    3. Extreme Wind Speeds: At least eight districts recorded wind speeds exceeding 100 kmph. Some locations witnessed gusts of nearly 130 kmph, substantially above the normal 40-60 kmph range associated with pre-monsoon storms.
    4. Infrastructure Vulnerability: Walls collapsed, electricity poles were uprooted, hoardings fell, and loose objects became projectiles, increasing casualties and injuries.
    5. Lightning Risk: Lightning strikes contributed to deaths, consistent with India’s recurring vulnerability to thunderstorm-associated lightning fatalities.

    How do pre-monsoon thunderstorms normally develop over northern India?

    1. Seasonality: Pre-monsoon thunderstorms are common during April and May, sometimes extending into July, particularly in northern India.
    2. Surface Heating: Intense land heating raises surface temperatures, creating unstable atmospheric conditions conducive to thunderstorm formation.
    3. Moisture Inflow: Moist southeasterly winds from the Bay of Bengal transport humidity inland, providing the moisture required for cloud formation.
    4. Atmospheric Instability: Warm moist air near the surface rises rapidly, generating cumulonimbus clouds associated with thunder, lightning, rainfall, hail, and gusty winds.
    5. Global Occurrence: Such storms are not unique to India and frequently occur in arid and semi-arid regions globally.

    What meteorological conditions intensified the storm beyond normal levels?

    1. Extreme Heat Conditions: Temperatures crossing 45°C across several regions increased surface heating and strengthened convective activity.
    2. Strong Southeasterly Winds: Persistent moisture transport from the Bay of Bengal extended unusually far inland, reportedly reaching even northwestern Uttar Pradesh.
    3. Western Disturbances: Rain-bearing systems originating beyond Iran introduced cool, dry air in the upper atmosphere, creating a sharp contrast with the warm, moist lower atmosphere.
    4. Thermal Contrast: Cool upper air interacting with hot lower air created severe instability, a classic condition for powerful thunderstorms.
    5. Compound Interaction: The storm emerged not from one factor but from the coincidence of multiple meteorological triggers operating simultaneously.

    Why are strong winds during thunderstorms particularly destructive in northern India?

    1. Wind Intensity: Normal thunderstorm winds range between 40-60 kmph, but speeds above 90 kmph are sufficient to uproot trees and damage structures.
    2. Urban Exposure: Billboards, electricity poles, weak infrastructure, and informal settlements increase disaster exposure.
    3. Flying Debris: Loose construction materials and roadside objects transform into dangerous projectiles during high-speed winds.
    4. Agricultural Losses: Standing crops, orchards, and rural infrastructure remain vulnerable during pre-monsoon storm episodes.
    5. High Population Density: The densely populated Gangetic plain amplifies human and economic losses from weather extreme.

    Why was forecasting unable to fully anticipate the scale of destruction?

    1. Forecast Availability: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued weather bulletins and warnings regarding thunderstorms.
    2. Underestimation of Wind Speed: Initial IMD forecasts predicted winds of up to 60 kmph, later revised to 70 kmph.
    3. Real-Time Escalation: Nowcast systems later indicated potential winds of 80-90 kmph, yet several districts experienced speeds exceeding 100 kmph.
    4. Forecasting Complexity: Thunderstorms are highly localised and dynamic phenomena, making precise prediction of intensity difficult.
    5. Evacuation Constraints: Unlike cyclones, thunderstorms lack a clear directional pathway, limiting targeted evacuation measures.

    How does this event compare with earlier extreme thunderstorm episodes?

    1. Historical Similarity: The meteorological pattern resembled 2018, when a similar thunderstorm event caused over 100 deaths in northern India.
    2. Recurring Hazard: Northern India experiences dozens of deaths annually from thunderstorms of varying intensity.
    3. Changing Risk Profile: Recent events indicate increasing concern regarding high-intensity short-duration weather extremes, potentially linked to broader climate variability.

    What governance and disaster-management lessons emerge from the Uttar Pradesh storm?

    1. Forecast Modernisation: Strengthens the need for high-resolution local forecasting systems and improved nowcasting capacity.
    2. Infrastructure Resilience: Ensures storm-resistant electricity networks, urban signage regulation, and structural safety standards.
    3. Early Warning Dissemination: Facilitates last-mile communication through SMS alerts, local administration, and community networks.
    4. Lightning Preparedness: Supports expansion of lightning detection systems and public advisories, especially in rural regions.
    5. Climate Adaptation: Reinforces the need for district-level climate-risk planning for compound extreme events.

    Conclusion

    The Uttar Pradesh thunderstorm demonstrates how heat stress, moisture transport, and upper-atmospheric disturbances can combine to produce severe local disasters. The event highlights the limits of conventional forecasting and reinforces the need for hyperlocal warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and climate-adaptive disaster planning. This has to be done to manage increasingly volatile pre-monsoon weather.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2024] What is the phenomenon of ‘cloudbursts’? Explain

    Linkage: The PYQ tests conceptual understanding of extreme atmospheric phenomena, weather instability, and disaster geography. Both thunderstorms and cloudbursts involve intense atmospheric instability caused by heat, moisture, and upper-air interactions.

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