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

Civilsdaily

Login

Search results for: “”

  • Explain the factors influencing the decision of the farmers on the selection of high value crops in India.

    In 2022-23, fruits and vegetables accounted for 28.3% of the Gross Value Output, surpassing cereals for the first time, and the horticulture sector contributed about 33% to the agriculture GVA.

    Factors Influencing the Selection of High-Value Crops by Farmers in India

    Policy & Institutional Factors

    Government Incentives – Schemes like MIDH, PMKSY, Operation Greens, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.

    Export Promotion Policies- APEDA support, agri-export zones, GI tagging

    Economic Factors

    Higher Profitability- Fruits, spices, floriculture and plantation crops offer greater income per hectare than cereals.

    Availability of Credit & Insurance – Eg-

    Agro-Climatic Factors

    Agro-Climatic Suitability – Eg- grapes in Maharashtra, apples in Himachal.

    Availability of Irrigation- Eg- Sugarcane in western UP and Maharashtra

    Technological Factors

    Availability of HYV Seeds – Eg- GM Seeds, precision farming, tissue culture

    Extension services – e-NAM price signals, Krishi Vigyan Kendras guide crop selection.

    Storage, Processing, and Value Chains – Eg- Mango pulp processing in Andhra Pradesh

    Social Factors

    Agriculture Startups – Educated rural youth adopt commercial high-value crops. Eg- Agroponics near Urban Centers

    Rising urbanisation and changing diets. Eg- organic food market growing @ CAGR 20%

    Environmental & Sustainability Factors

    Climate Resilience- Shift towards drought-resistant crops like millets, medicinal plants.

    Soil Health Consideration – Crop diversification is adopted to restore nutrient balance and reduce dependency on fertilisers.

    Water Efficiency – Crops with lower water requirement and higher value (Eg-, spices, horticulture) are preferred in water-stressed areas.

    Shift to high-value crops can be a key driver of doubling farmers’ income and sustainable agriculture.

  • Explain how the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) can be used as a tool for assessing the fiscal performance of states in India. In what way would it encourage the states to adopt prudent and sustainable fiscal policies?

    The Fiscal Health Index (FHI) initiative by NITI Aayog evaluates the fiscal health of eighteen major states through a composite index using data from the CAG, covering the Financial Year 2022-23.

    FHI as a tool to assess fiscal performance of states

    FHI uses uniform metrics-Tax Buoyancy, Debt-to-GSDP, Fiscal Deficit, Capex Share-allowing objective comparison across states.

    Multi-dimensional Evaluation – Covers five pillars and reveal structural strengths and weakness

    Measures states’ ability to mobilise resources through Own Tax Revenue (OTR) and Own Non-tax Revenue (ONTR). Eg – Higher OTR-to-GSDP ratio reflects stronger fiscal autonomy.

    Measures Quality of Expenditure – FHI differentiates between capital expenditure and revenue expenditure. Eg – States like Gujarat and Karnataka show higher capex ratios.

    Tracks Debt Sustainability – Assesses Debt-GSDP ratio, interest payment burden, and future liabilities. Eg – FHI flags high-debt states such as Punjab, Kerala, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.

    Monitors Fiscal Deficit and Compliance with FRBM Limits – Shows whether states adhere to 3% fiscal deficit glide path.

    Identifies Risk from Off-Budget Borrowings – Captures liabilities from power sector guarantees, state PSUs, and special purpose vehicles.

    Highlights Best Practices – Eg- Top states-Odisha (67.8 score), Chhattisgarh, Goa-show strong non-tax revenue, low fiscal deficits, and high capital outlays

    Role of FHI in Encouraging prudent and sustainable fiscal policies

    Promotes Fiscal Discipline – Poor rankings push states to reduce deficits and unsustainable borrowing.

    Incentivises Capital Spending – Encourages a shift from populist revenue expenditure towards productive capital outlay.

    Supports Long-Term Planning – Aligns state finances with sustainable development goals and resilience-building.

    Revenue Reforms-Stimulates states to improve tax buoyancy, and non-tax revenue mobilisation

    Drives Structural Reforms like subsidy rationalization, reduction in revenue leakages etc.

    Transparency & Accountability – Public scrutiny builds pressure on governments for fiscal prudence

    Encourages Inter-State Competition – Rankings foster a competitive spirit to achieve stronger fiscal performance.

    Strengthens Cooperative Federalism – Helps in Centre-State dialogue on shared fiscal risks and sustainability.

    Boosts Investor Confidence – Strong fiscal performance signals creditworthiness, attracting investment.

    Promotes Sustainable Borrowing Practices and enhances creditworthiness as better FHI improves a state’s credit rating.

    Challenges

    Data Gaps – CAG data of Financial Year 2022-23 used

    Off-budget borrowings not fully captured in FHI.

    Miss qualitative aspects such as governance quality, efficiency of welfare delivery etc.

    Inter-State Structural Variations are not fully captured – Eg- Resource-rich states (Odisha, Chhattisgarh) naturally perform better in non-tax revenues

    Competitive Populism reduces focus on fiscal discipline. Eg- farm loan waivers

    Weak Enforcement – FHI rankings have no binding effect on policy behaviour.

    By encouraging disciplined, sustainable, and quality spending, FHI can help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047

    Industrial Policy

  • India aims to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub. What are the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry in India? Mention the salient features of the India Semiconductor Mission.

    Semiconductors are the “oil of the 21st century.” With global chip shortages and geopolitical realignments, India aims to position itself as a semiconductor manufacturing hub through India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

    Challenges Faced by India’s Semiconductor Industry

    High Capital Intensity – A state-of-the-art fab requires $8-12 billion.

    Complex Supply Chains – Semiconductors involve 300+ inputs, ultra-pure chemicals, specialised gases, and precision tools.

    Skill Gap – Eg-shortage of semiconductor engineers, chip designers, and clean-room technicians

    Insufficient Ecosystem – Lack of component suppliers, semiconductor-grade wafers, lithography equipment, etc.

    Infrastructure Deficits – Fabs require uninterrupted power, and nearly 10 million litres/day of ultra-pure water.

    Global Competition – Taiwan, South Korea, USA, EU offer 40-70% capital subsidies

    Long Gestation Periods (7-10 years) – deter private investment

    Dependence on Imports – India imports 90-95% of its semiconductor needs.

    Salient Features of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

    to build a complete semiconductor and display ecosystem.

    Key Schemes under ISM:

    Display Fabs Scheme: Up to 50% financial assistance

    Compound Semiconductors & ATMP/OSAT Scheme: Up to 50% support

    Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme – Incentives up to .

    Creation of Semiconductor Research Centres – including advanced R&D, talent development, and industry-academia collaboration.

    Development of semiconductor clusters in Gujarat (Dholera), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

    Single-window facilitation mechanism for all approvals, policy support, and coordination with global leaders.

    Support for compound semiconductors (GaN, SiC), ATMP/OSAT units to build packaging capabilities.

    Focus on trusted supply chains and strategic national security applications.

    Way Forward

    Establish specialised training programs to address projected 350,000 talent shortfall by 2027.

    Boost R&D and Indigenous IP Creation – increase spending to 2.5% of GDP

    Ensure timely incentive disbursal, ease of land acquisition, and high-quality utility infrastructure (power, water, logistics).

    “chip diplomacy”—with partners like the US, Japan, Taiwan, EU, and South Korea.

    Leverage global supply-chain realignments and US-China strategic tensions to attract firms seeking “China+1” diversification.

    India’s ambition to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub is strategically significant for economic resilience, technology sovereignty and future readiness.

    Infrastructure

  • How does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers?

    Nanotechnology refers to the science and application of materials at the nanoscale (1-100 nm), where particles exhibit unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. In agriculture, these nano-sized materials make farming more productive and sustainable.

    Nanotechnology offering significant advancements in agriculture

    Nano-fertilisers improve nutrient-use efficiency to 90-100% – boosts yields. Eg- Nano-urea and nano-DAP introduced by IFFCO.

    Controlled-release nano-pesticides reduce chemical load, minimise residue on crops, and improve efficacy against pests. Eg- nano-Silver

    Bridging micronutrient deficiency – Eg- Nano Zinc and Nano Copper liquids.

    Enables nanoscale gene delivery – quickly and safely transport DNA into plant cells – Improves crop breeding

    Soil health improvement – Nano-clays and nano-zeolites enhance soil moisture retention and restore degraded soils in dry regions.

    Crop Protection – Applying silica nanoparticles to leaves shield plants from high temperatures.

    Precision agriculture – Nanosensors monitor soil moisture, nutrient levels, and plant health.

    Post-harvest protection – Nano-coatings on fruits and vegetables extend shelf life by 2-3 times.

    Irrigation efficiency – Nanomaterials remove contaminants and improve water quality for irrigation.

    Seed quality enhancement – Nanopriming improves seed vigour and early germination.

    Nano-Biosensors can identify plant diseases at an early stage through biomarker detection

    Food Packaging – Eg- use of nanocomposites in making antimicrobial and oxygen-barrier coatings – reduce spoilage and food waste.

    Role of nanotechnology in uplifting the socio-economic status of farmers

    Reduced input costs – Nano-fertilisers cut fertilizer usage by 50%

    Higher yields and productivity due to improved nutrient uptake by crops

    Nano-coatings and nanosensors reduce post-harvest losses (currently 15-20%).

    Improved climate resilience – nano-enabled seed treatments help stabilise production during droughts, heatwaves, and soil degradation

    Access to premium markets – Residue-free nano-pesticides help farmers sell to export markets with strict safety standards.

    Local production of nano-inputs, nano-coatings, and sensor devices can generate rural micro-enterprises and FPO-led businesses.

    Health and environmental benefits – Reduced chemical use lowers health expenditures, improves soil fertility, and supports sustainable long-term income.

    Challenges of Nanotechnology in Agriculture

    High cost and limited awareness of nano-inputs limit large scale adoption.

    Nanophytotoxicity can hinder plant growth, reduce photosynthesis, and affect seed germination.

    Bioaccumulation concerns – Nanoparticles may accumulate in vital organs through food chains, with unclear long-term health effects.

    Groundwater contamination risk due to leaving of Mobile nanoparticles into aquifers.

    Toxicity to pollinators – Continuous exposure to nanoparticles through pollen can harm bees.

    Lack of regulatory standards – India lacks clear biosafety guidelines and permissible limits

    Pollution risks as Non-biodegradable nanoparticles may remain in ecosystems.

    When science meets scale, when innovation becomes inclusive, when technology drives transformation, the foundation for great achievements is laid – PM Modi

    Food Processing

  • What are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade.

    The N-E region comprising eight states and connected to the Indian mainland by a small Silghuri Corridor (Chicken Neck – 23 km width) has been facing the problems of insurgency for over 5 decades.

    Major challenges to internal security and peace process in North-Eastern states

    Cross-Border Dynamics– Porous Indo-Myanmar borders enable arms, insurgent movement, and illegal trade.

    “Tyranny of distance” – Policy attention from New Delhi remains inadequate due to geographic remoteness and low political representation of the region.

    Ethnic divisions – Eg- deepening Meitei-Kuki-Zo divide post-2023 riots in Manipur

    Weak peace processes – Talks with 30+ insurgent groups in Manipur and Nagaland continue without breakthroughs

    Protracted insurgencies and splintering of groups reduce prospects for a single comprehensive settlement. Eg- NSCN splits (IM/NK/R).

    Poor governance and developmental deficit sustain grievance and provide recruitment ground.

    Drug trafficking, illegal timber/mineral extraction and extortion fund insurgents and fuel local conflict. Eg- proximity to Golden Traingle

    Demographic stress – Large-scale illegal Bangladesh-origin immigration create social tensions and political mistrust. Eg- in Assam

    High Violence– In 2024, NE India experienced 266 insurgency-related incidents, causing 258 deaths and displacing 60,000 people.

    External factors

    China – Territorial claims in Arunachal Pradesh and support to insurgent groups

    Bangladesh – Anti-India shift post coup and growing Pakistan-China influence

    Myanmar – destabilised border post ‘Spring Revolution’

    Map of major peace accords

    2015 – Naga Framework Agreement for an “inclusive political solution” within the Indian Union (framework terms still being negotiated).

    2019 – Tripura NLFT (SD) Memorandum of Settlement – surrender of cadres and rehabilitation package to end insurgency.

    2020 – Bru-Reang Agreement (Tripura-Mizoram) – Repatriation and rehabilitation of Bru refugees with security and development assurances.

    2020 – Bodo Peace Accord (Phase-II) – Expansion of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) powers, and development funds.

    2021 – Karbi Anglong Agreement (Assam)

    2022 – Assam-Meghalaya Boundary Agreement – land demarcation to resolve long-standing boundary disputes.

    2022 – Adivasi (Assam) Peace Accord (2022) – Settlement package including rehabilitation and development measures.

    2023 – Dimasa accords – Ceasefire, surrender/rehab and local development commitments.

    2023 – ULFA Accord – bringing a major faction of ULFA into a political process in Assam

    2024 – NLFT and ATTF Agreements (Tripura) – Memoranda of Settlement leading to cadre surrender and integration

    Other supporting measures (2015-2024) –

    Extension of ceasefires with various Naga factions, multiple SoO (Suspension of Operations) agreements, and targeted MoUs with smaller groups

    AFSPA withdrawal from Tripura and MEghalaya

    Peace in the North-East requires a multipronged approach involving negotiated settlements backed by credible security, sustained development, rights protection and wide stakeholder inclusion

    Terrorism

  • Mineral resources are fundamental to the country economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.

    Mineral resources form the backbone of India’s industrial and economic growth, driving sectors such as energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and defence. As Jawaharlal Nehru called them, minerals are the “basic raw materials of modern civilization.”

    Importance of Mineral Resources for the Economy

    Energy Security

    Uranium and thorium reserves critical for India’s nuclear power program.

    Industrial Development

    Iron ore and bauxite support steel and aluminium industries, pillars of infrastructure.

    Limestone feeds cement industry, vital for housing and construction.

    Manufacturing & Strategic Sectors

    Rare Earth Elements (REEs), lithium, cobalt are essential for electronics, EV batteries, semiconductors, defence equipment.

    India’s defence self-reliance depends on availability of titanium, tungsten, chromium.

    Employment & Regional Development – Mining sector provides 2.3 million direct jobs in backward regions like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand.

    Revenue & Fiscal Federalism – Royalty from minerals forms a major part of state revenues.

    Strategic & Geopolitical Value – Critical minerals like lithium and cobalt are central to energy transition and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    Mining as an Environmental Hazard

    Deforestation – Open-cast mining requires clearing of vast forests. Eg- Coal mining in Hasdeo (Chhattisgarh) leading to elephant habitat fragmentation

    Soil Erosion and Land Degradation – Removal of topsoil and overburden dumping degrade agricultural lands.

    Water Pollution – Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) contaminates rivers and groundwater with heavy metals. Eg- Sukinda Chromite Mines (Odisha).

    Air Pollution – Dust, particulate matter, and gases from blasting and transport cause respiratory diseases. Coal mining regions like Singrauli have high PM2.5 levels

    Noise and Vibrations – Blasting operations disturb wildlife and damage human settlements.

    Climate Change Contribution – Coal mining emits methane, a greenhouse gas with high warming potential.

    Loss of Ecosystem Services – Mining destroys wetlands, grazing lands, and forest resources, affecting agriculture, fisheries, and traditional livelihoods.

    Improper disposal of mine tailings releases radioactive and toxic materials, leading to long-term soil and water contamination (Eg- Uranium mining in Jaduguda, Jharkhand).

    Mining-induced displacement of tribal populations. Eg- Niyamgiri Hills bauxite project (Vedanta vs Dongria Kondh tribe).

    Remedial Measures Required

    Legislative & Regulatory – Enforce EPA 1986, MMDR Act 2015, and mandatory EIA with periodic audits.

    Sustainable Practices – Adopt eco-friendly mining technologies like GIS monitoring, remote sensing, and controlled blasting.

    Reclamation & Rehabilitation – Ensure progressive mine closure, land reclamation, backfilling, and afforestation of mined areas.

    Pollution Control – Introduce dust suppression, acid mine drainage treatment, and soil stabilization measures.

    Community-Centric Measures – Utilize District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds for health, education, and livelihoods of affected people.

    Institutional Monitoring – Strengthen Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) oversight and use drones/AI for real-time compliance

    Global Best Practices – Replicate Australia’s mine rehabilitation bonds and Canada’s TSM framework for accountability.

    “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” Thus, development must be in harmony with the environment.

  • How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour?

    Energy independence by 2047 is central to India’s Viksit Bharat vision. Clean, indigenous and sustainable technologies are key for realisation of this vision.

    Energy independence through clean technology by 2047

    Expansion of renewable energy – Scale up solar, wind, hydro and offshore wind to meet 1000+ GW by 2047.

    Green hydrogen as a fuel of the future – Expand National Green Hydrogen Mission for use in steel, fertilisers, transport and power storage.

    Energy storage and grid modernisation

    Strengthen Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and pumped hydro storage.

    Create smart grids, microgrids and AI-based demand management.

    Electric mobility transition

    Electrify public transport, freight. Eg- PM e-Bus Sewa

    Promote EV manufacturing + battery ecosystem under PLI and PM-eDrive.

    Make in India and supply Chain resilience

    Strengthen domestic solar, battery and electrolyser manufacturing.

    Secure supply chains through National Critical Mineral Mission. Eg- lithium supply from Argentina

    Energy efficiency & circular economy

    Expand PAT scheme

    Promote circular economy in energy storage, e-waste and batteries.

    Role of Biotechnology

    Ethanol Blending under the National Bio-Energy Mission can reduce petrol imports and stubble burning.

    Biogas and Compressed Biogas (CBG) under SATAT scheme and Gobardhan Mission can ensure rural energy self-sufficiency.

    Algal biofuel technology – High yield per hectare and non-competitive with food crops.

    Waste-to-Energy using anaerobic digestion, enzymatic conversion and microbial fuel cells. (Swachh Bharat + Energy security)

    Bio-hydrogen and bio-electricity enables low-cost, decentralised green energy.

    Steps Taken

    BioE3 Policy – innovation-driven research & high-performance biomanufacturing.

    Bio-RIDE – To bridge academia–industry gap and ensure lab-to-market transition

    Emerging Frontiers in Biotechnology Programme for cutting-edge biotechnology research

    As PM Modi stated, “India’s energy independence will be the foundation of its economic independence.” Clean technology is core pillar of this vision

    Agriculture

    Cropping Pattern

  • Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India.

    The agricultural supply chain refers to activities involved in moving agricultural produce from farm to consumers.

    Scope of Supply Chain Management of Agricultural Commodities

    Post-Harvest Management- Handling, cleaning, grading, drying to reduce losses.

    Storage & Warehousing – Scientific storage, packhouses, warehouses, silos.

    Cold Chain for Perishables – Pre-cooling, refrigerated transport, cold storages.

    Transportation & Logistics – Efficient transport, aggregation, multimodal connectivity. Eg- Kisan Rail.

    Organised Retail & Export Integration: Connecting farmers with supermarkets, processors, exporters, and e-commerce channels. Eg- e-NAM

    Value Addition & Processing – packaging, branding, food processing.

    Export & Quality Compliance – Eg- SPS standards, AGMARK, FSSAI certification

    Significance of Supply Chain Management

    Reduces Post-Harvest Losses: India loses nearly (FAO).

    Enhances Farmer Income due to reduced intermediaries. Eg- FPOs increase farmer income by 20-25% (SFAC).

    Price Stability: Better logistics reduce volatility and transaction costs.

    Boosts Agri-Exports due to better quality products & cold chain infrastructure. Eg- $53 billion in 2022-23.

    Promotes Crop Diversification: Encourages high-value crops like horticulture, dairy, spices, and fisheries.

    Strengthens Food & Nutritional Security: Efficient supply chains ensure timely availability and safe, hygienic food across regions.

    Supports Rural Employment & Agri-Processing: Creates jobs in storage, logistics, milling, packaging, and retail.

    Challenges to Agricultural Supply Chain Management

    High Post-Harvest Losses: 6-18% losses due to poor handling, storage gaps, and weak cold chain.

    Inadequate Infrastructure: Limited cold storages, packhouses, rural warehouses, and multimodal logistics.

    Fragmented Supply Chains: Small landholdings (0.74 Hectare) and inefficient APMCs

    Low Digital Adoption: Eg- only around 1500 APMCs integrated with APMCs

    Strengthening supply chain management is key to ‘Doubling Farmers Income’. This can be done through

    Expand modern storage

    Promote FPO-led aggregation

    Reform APMC laws

    Promote value addition and FPIs.

    Develop export-oriented supply chains with SPS labs and certification.

    Enhance multimodal logistics

  • Examine the scope of the food processing industries in India. Elaborate the measures taken by the government in the food processing industries for generating employment opportunities.

    India’s food processing sector is projected to grow from $307 billion (2023) to $700 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand, technological change, and strong policy support.

    Scope of the Food Processing Industry in India

    Large agricultural base

    Second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables.

    Wide product spectrum – Includes dairy, fruits & vegetables, meat, fisheries, beverages, ready-to-eat (RTE), and organic foods.

    Lifestyle Shift – 65% of Indians under 35, rising incomes, urbanization & busy lifestyles have boosted demand for ready-to-eat & processed foods.

    Rapid growth in Organised retail and “shopping mall culture”- better supply chain management. Eg- D-mart

    Export potential – India exports processed foods to 200+ countries

    Nearly 70% of food processing units operate in the unorganised MSME sector – generate rural employment and entrepreneurship.

    Challenges of the Food Processing Sector in India

    Low Level of Processing – Only ~10% of total agricultural produce is processed (vs 60-70% in developed countries).

    Post-harvest losses of 15-20% due to shortage of cold-storage, and transport infrastructure.

    Fragmented Supply Chain – 86% of farmers are small/marginal – limits aggregation

    High Logistics Cost of 13-14% of GDP (vs 8-9% in developed countries).

    Delay in project implementation – Eg- only 25 out of 42 approved Mega Food Parks operational

    Regulatory & Compliance Issues – Complex FSSAI norms and licensing delays discourage small processors.

    Low Exports – 16% of India’s agri-exports are processed products, compared to 25% in the US and 49% in China.

    Micro and small units struggle to access formal credit, collateral, and working capital.

    Skill gap – Only 3% of the food processing workforce is formally trained

    Quality & Safety Gaps – Inconsistent adherence to food safety standards, and limited testing infrastructure. Eg- Rejection of Indian exports by EU.

    Negligible R&D (<0.5% of sectoral GVA) – stall innovation in packaging and product design

    Measures taken by government

    The food processing sector has been recognized as a ‘sunrise sector‘ and a key priority industry under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

    PM-Kisan SAMPADA (2016) – Central Sector Scheme to build a modern processing ecosystem from farm-gate to retail.

    Mega Food Parks Scheme – Provides land, utilities, common facilities, effluent plants, R&D labs.

    PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) – Provides 40% credit-linked subsidy, branding support, and training for 2 lakh micro units under the One District One Product (ODOP) approach.

    Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLISFPI) to boost domestic manufacturing.

    Operation Greens (TOP to TOTAL) – Price stabilization fund for tomato, onion, potato, now expanded to all perishable crops

    100% FDI in food processing and 100% FDI under Government route for retail of food produced in India.

    e-NAM Integration – Linking mandis for better price discovery, quality grading, and seamless movement of produce.

    Food processing included under PSL to improve access to affordable credit.

    National Makhana Board to globally position Indian superfoods like makhana.

    Infrastructure Status (HLIS) – Food parks are included in Harmonized List of Infrastructure – enables concessional loans.

    Collaboration with Invest India for FDI facilitation, market access, regulatory assistance.

    As India moves forward under the Make in India vision, the food processing industry will continue to be a key driver of economic growth, ensuring food security, quality, and global competitiveness.

    Land Reforms

  • The fusion energy programme in India has steadily evolved over the past few decades. Mention India’s contributions to the international fusion energy project International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). What will be the implications of the success of this project for the future of global energy?

    Nuclear energy contributes approximately 3.1% to India’s total electricity generation, with an installed capacity of 8,880 MW.

    Evolution of Fusion Energy Programme in India

    The Early Phase (1950s-1980s): India was one of the first countries to announce a national fusion programme at the 1955 Geneva Conference.

    Indigenous Technology (1980s-2000s):

    Establishment of the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) in 1986.

    Built its first indigenous tokamak ADITYA in 1989.

    Followed by the SST-1 (Steady-State Superconducting Tokamak)

    Global Integration (2005-Present): India joined ITER in 2005 as a full partner. Today, ITER-India manages India’s commitments, involving major industrial players like L&T and BHEL.

    India’s Contributions to ITER

    India is responsible for 9.1% of the construction cost (approx. $2.2 billion)

    The Cryostat: high-vacuum pressure chamber (30m*30m), designed to insulate the ultra-hot plasma from the outside world.

    In-Wall Shielding: India supplied 4,500 blocks of borated and ferritic steel to protect the reactor from neutron radiation.

    Cooling Water Systems: Responsible for the complex heat rejection systems required to manage the thermal load.

    Cryolines: Development of specialized pipelines to transport liquid helium at -269°C.

    Implications of Success for Future Global Energy

    Unlimited Fuel Supply: Fusion uses Deuterium (from seawater) and Tritium (from Lithium). One liter of seawater provides energy equivalent to 300 liters of gasoline.

    Unlike solar/wind, fusion provides a constant power supply without $CO_2$ emissions, vital for the Global Net Zero goals.

    Inherent Safety: There is no risk of a “meltdown.” If the plasma is disturbed, the reaction simply ceases instantly.

    Minimal Waste: It produces no long-lived high-level radioactive waste as plant components can be recycled within 100 years.

    High Energy Density: A fusion plant requires significantly less land than a solar farm to produce the same Terawatt-hours of energy.

    Geopolitical Stability: Energy “resource wars” could end, as the fuel (Deuterium/Lithium) is distributed globally, unlike oil or gas.

    Space Exploration: Compact fusion technology could revolutionize deep-space travel by providing high-thrust, long-duration propulsion.

    Technological Spin-offs: Research for ITER has already advanced superconducting magnets (used in MRIs) and high-power microwave technologies.

    Thus, fusion technology can help in transitioning from the Age of Combustion to the Age of Fusion.

More posts