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  • The cost of controls on the fertiliser industry

    Why in the News?

    The Uttar Pradesh government has prohibited urea manufacturers and suppliers from selling “gair-anudaanit” (non-subsidised) fertilisers in the state. The order affects cooperative, public, and private firms.

    The action follows allegations of “tagging,” wherein farmers were allegedly compelled to purchase non-subsidised products along with subsidised fertilisers. However, the non-subsidised segment constitutes only 0.4 million tonnes annually, compared to India’s 67 million tonnes total fertiliser market, making the regulatory response appear disproportionate in scale.

    What is the Structure of the Fertiliser Industry in India

    1. High Regulatory Intensity: One of the most regulated industries in India.
    2. Core Products: Urea, Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), NPK complexes.
    3. Statutory Framework: Governed under Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985.
    4. Administered Pricing: Urea MRP fixed at same level since November 2012.
    5. Subsidy Regime: P&K fertilisers operate under Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) with capped retail pricing.
    6. Decontrol Paradox: Though labelled “decontrolled,” effective price and profit oversight continues through subsidy-linked conditions.

    How has fertiliser consumption and import dependence evolved?

    1. Rising Consumption: Total consumption increased significantly over recent years, reaching 67 million tonnes (2024-25).
    2. Urea Dominance: Urea consumption significantly exceeds P&K usage due to lower administered prices.
    3. Import Dependence: High import reliance for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers increases vulnerability to global price volatility.
    4. Price Differential: DAP priced at ₹27/kg and MOP at ₹19.40/kg under subsidy regime; non-subsidised variants priced substantially higher.
    5. Nutrient Imbalance: Excessive nitrogen usage distorts soil health due to price asymmetry.

    How does the fertiliser price control regime operate under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985?

    1. Statutory Control: Operates under the Fertiliser Control Order, 1985 issued under the Essential Commodities Act framework.
    2. Administered Pricing: Fixes Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of urea at ₹266.5 per 45 kg bag.
    3. Subsidy Mechanism: Compensates manufacturers for cost-production gap through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to companies.
    4. Input Regulation: Controls MRP of urea; phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers operate under Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme.
    5. Movement Control: Allocates fertiliser supply across states based on assessed demand.

    Is the fertiliser sector truly decontrolled, or does effective government control persist?

    The fertilizer sector operates under the Fertiliser Control Order, 1985 issued under the Essential Commodities Act framework.

    1. Profit Oversight: Department of Fertilisers can recover subsidy if “unreasonable profit” is detected.
    2. Conditional Decontrol: Companies cannot freely price products without risking subsidy clawback.
    3. Operational Dependence: Business viability tied to state reimbursement mechanisms.

    How does state control extend beyond pricing into movement and distribution?

    1. Agreed Supply Plan: Department of Fertilisers prepares state-wise, season-wise, month-wise allocation.
    2. Railway Rake Planning: Dispatches governed by official rail and road movement schedules.
    3. District Allocation: Agriculture officers allocate fertiliser dealer-wise upon arrival.
    4. FOR Basis Delivery: Companies must supply on freight-on-road basis.
    5. Limited Commercial Autonomy: Private firms cannot independently determine timing, quantity, or geography of sales.

    Does price control ensure equity or generate inefficiency in fertiliser distribution?

    1. Affordability Objective: Ensures low input costs for farmers, supporting food security.
    2. Fiscal Burden: Expands fertiliser subsidy bill significantly; recurrent pressure on Union Budget.
    3. Inefficient Usage: Encourages overuse of subsidised urea due to artificially low prices.
    4. Leakages and Diversion: Facilitates diversion for industrial use or cross-border smuggling.
    5. Soil Degradation: Skews NPK ratio, affecting long-term soil productivity.

    What economic role do non-subsidised fertilisers play in the industry’s survival model?

    1. Cross-Subsidisation Mechanism: Higher margins from speciality nutrients offset thin margins from urea.
    2. Capital Recovery: Supports working capital cycles in a subsidy-dependent system.
    3. Innovation Incentive: Enables R&D in micronutrients and water-soluble fertilisers.
    4. Market Size Contrast: 0.4 million tonnes speciality vs 67 million tonnes total market.
    5. Profitability Cushion: Provides financial flexibility under price-capped regime.

    What governance concerns arise from restrictions on non-subsidised fertiliser sales?

    1. Market Distortion: Restricting non-subsidised fertiliser sales limits firms’ ability to offset losses from controlled urea pricing.
    2. Investment Sentiment: Reduces profitability of a ₹13,000 crore segment, affecting private sector participation.
    3. Regulatory Overreach: State-level intervention in areas traditionally governed by central FCO raises federal coordination concerns.
    4. Cross-subsidisation Constraint: Prevents companies from leveraging higher-margin non-subsidised products.
    5. Policy Uncertainty: Sudden bans create unpredictability in regulatory environment.

    Does price asymmetry distort nutrient usage and environmental sustainability?

    1. Price Signal Distortion: Urea at ₹5.9/kg incentivises excessive nitrogen application.
    2. Nutrient Imbalance: Skews N:P:K ratio in Indian soils.
    3. Soil Health Impact: Degrades soil productivity over time.
    4. High-Value Crop Use: Speciality fertilisers critical for fruits, vegetables, sugarcane.
    5. Environmental Externalities: Overuse contributes to groundwater contamination and emissions.

    What are the governance and federalism implications of the UP ban?

    1. Concurrent Jurisdiction: Fertilisers fall under Entry 33, Concurrent List.
    2. Centre-State Overlap: FCO issued by Centre; implementation often state-driven.
    3. Regulatory Fragmentation: State-specific bans risk policy inconsistency.
    4. Investor Sentiment Impact: Capital-intensive industry requires regulatory predictability.
    5. Unintended Consequence Risk: May enable unorganised low-quality suppliers to fill supply gap.

    Does heavy subsidy dependence raise fiscal sustainability concerns?

    1. Large Subsidy Outlay: Fertiliser subsidy remains a major budgetary commitment.
    2. Fiscal Trade-offs: Crowds out productive expenditure.
    3. Import Dependence: Raw materials such as phosphate rock and potash largely imported.
    4. Global Price Exposure: Vulnerable to external commodity shocks.
    5. Reform Stagnation: Urea decontrol proposals repeatedly deferred.

    Conclusion

    India’s fertiliser sector demonstrates the limits of excessive state control in a market critical to food security. While administered pricing and subsidies ensure affordability, layered controls over pricing, movement, and profitability risk distorting nutrient use, weakening industry viability, and discouraging investment. A calibrated approach that rationalises subsidies, restores balanced price signals, and ensures regulatory predictability is essential to align farmer welfare with long-term agricultural sustainability.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to farm sector in India? Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to agricultural subsidies.

    Linkage: This question directly links to India’s fertiliser subsidy regime, price controls, and DBT architecture. It also connects to debates on subsidy distortion, fiscal burden, and compliance with the WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), especially concerning input subsidies and trade distortion limits.

  • A seperate classification for denotified tribes

    Why in the News?

    The issue is in the news because the Union Government has assured that Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes will be enumerated in the 2027 Census, raising fresh demands for a separate constitutional classification. Community leaders argue that despite past commissions and welfare schemes, these groups remain undercounted, under-recognised, and excluded from effective benefits.

    What are Denotified Tribes (DNTs)?

    DNTs are communities originally labeled “born criminal” under the British-era Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, repealed in 1952, while Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic tribes (NT/SNT) move frequently for livelihood. Comprising roughly 10% of India’s population (~150 DNTs, 500+ NTs), these marginalized groups face stigma, lack of land rights.

    Key Aspects of DNT and Nomadic Tribes

    1. Definition & History: Denotified tribes (also known as Vimukta Jati) were branded criminals by the British; after 1952, they were “denotified” but often subjected to the Habitual Offenders Act. Nomadic tribes move regularly, while semi-nomadic tribes have less frequent, often seasonal, movement patterns.
    2. Population & Diversity: Approximately 10% of India’s population belongs to these groups. The Renke Commission (2005) estimated their population at 10.74 crore.
    3. Marginalization: Due to historical stigma and lack of permanent settlement, these communities often lack access to education, healthcare, and land ownership.
    4. Current Status & Welfare: The Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) was established in 2019 to provide support and welfare.
    5. Initiatives: There is an ongoing push for inclusion in the 2027 Census for better representation and targeted welfare, following recommendations from the Idate Commission (2018).
    6. Examples: Groups include the Van Gujjars, Lambadis, and Gujjar-Bakarwals. 

    Key Commissions and Boards

    1. National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT)
    2. Idate Commission: Submitted a report in 2018 identifying 1,262 communities.
    3. Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC): Established in 2019 for the welfare of these communities

    How did colonial classification shape present governance challenges?

    1. Criminal Tribes Act, 1871: Legally notified certain communities as “addicted to crime,” enabling surveillance, forced registration, and restricted movement. Institutionalised stigma and collective punishment.
    2. Administrative Control Mechanisms: Enabled police monitoring and habitual offender tagging. Replaced community identity with criminal identity.
    3. Post-Independence Repeal (1952): Repeal of CTA did not remove stigma; many States enacted Habitual Offenders Acts, continuing surveillance under new terminology.
    4. Long-term Consequence: Absence of reparative constitutional recognition despite historical state-imposed criminalisation.

    Why has post-independence classification failed to ensure equitable inclusion?

    1. Fragmented Categorisation: DNTs distributed across SC, ST, OBC, and unreserved lists; prevents uniform access to benefits.
    2. Lack of Separate Enumeration: No exclusive census category; absence of accurate demographic data.
    3. Certification Gaps: Limited issuance of DNT certificates across States; administrative barriers restrict welfare access.
    4. Policy Dilution: Subsumption under broader OBC or SC lists reduces visibility and competition within quota frameworks.

    What did the Idate Commission recommend and how has implementation fared?

    1. National Commission for DNTs (2015-2018): Recommended identification of 1,200+ communities; estimated population above 10 crore.
    2. Separate Category Proposal: Suggested permanent institutional mechanism for DNT welfare.
    3. Institutional Integration: Recommended targeted development schemes and simplified certification.
    4. Implementation Deficit: No constitutional amendment; recommendations remain partially operationalised.

    Does the SEED Scheme address structural exclusion effectively?

    1. Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED): Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for livelihood, education, housing, and health support.
    2. Digital Identification Requirement: Beneficiaries must provide caste certificates; excludes those lacking documentation.
    3. Low Financial Utilisation: Only a fraction of ₹200 crore reportedly spent over five years.
    4. Structural Limitation: Welfare scheme without constitutional backing limits transformative impact.

    Would a separate constitutional classification strengthen governance accountability?

    1. Equity Principle: Aligns with redistributive justice under Articles 14, 15(4), and 16(4).
    2. Administrative Clarity: Enables uniform certification, enumeration, and targeted budgeting.
    3. Political Representation: Could ensure legislative and policy voice similar to SC/ST frameworks.
    4. Institutional Resistance: Government has indicated no proposal for separate classification; concerns over quota expansion and administrative complexity.

    How does the issue test constitutional morality and social justice commitments?

    1. Historical Reparative Justice: Addresses state-imposed criminalisation during colonial rule.
    2. Substantive Equality: Moves beyond formal equality to address structural stigma.
    3. Federal Coordination: Requires Centre-State harmonisation in certification and welfare delivery.
    4. Accountability Deficit: Lack of monitoring mechanisms for SEED utilisation reflects weak institutional oversight.

    Conclusion

    The question of a separate classification for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes ultimately tests India’s commitment to substantive equality and reparative justice. Enumeration in Census 2027 may improve visibility, but without institutional clarity, uniform certification, and stronger accountability in welfare delivery, historical stigma may persist in administrative form. A balanced approach combining accurate data, streamlined recognition, and targeted policy design is essential to translate constitutional promises into lived inclusion.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] “Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

    Linkage: This PYQ links to DNTs as targeted welfare for historically criminalised communities requires differential treatment to achieve substantive equality. It also helps evaluate whether schemes like SEED correct structural exclusion or remain limited in impact due to weak implementation.

  • District Cooling as a Climate and Urban Solution for India

    Why in the News?

    With rising temperatures, prolonged heatwaves and increasing air conditioner use, experts are advocating district cooling systems as an energy efficient solution aligned with India’s climate and urban planning goals.

    What is District Cooling?

    • A centralised cooling system that supplies chilled water from one large plant to multiple buildings through insulated underground pipes.
    • Instead of each building installing separate chillers:
      • A central plant produces chilled water at 6 to 7°C.
      • Water circulates to buildings and absorbs indoor heat.
      • Returns at 12 to 14°C to be cooled again.
    • It works like a public utility similar to piped gas or electricity.
    [2010] What is the principle by which a cooling system (Radiator) in a motor car works? (a) Conduction only 

    (b) Convection 

    (c) Radiation only 

    (d) Both conduction and radiation

  • Japan’s Lake Suwa and the Disappearing “God’s Crossing”

    Why in the News?

    The traditional ice ridge phenomenon called “God’s Crossing” (Miwatari) on Lake Suwa in Japan has failed to appear for the seventh consecutive year, highlighting long term warming trends linked to climate change.

    Where is Lake Suwa?

    • Located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
    • Associated with the Shinto shrine Yatsurugi Shrine
    • One of Japan’s most well documented climatic sites

    What is “God’s Crossing” (Miwatari)?

    • Traditional Belief
      • A raised ice ridge on the frozen lake surface.
      • Believed to mark the path of a deity crossing the lake.
    • Scientific Explanation
      • Occurs when: Lake surface freezes completely and Temperatures remain below minus 10°C for several days.
      • Ice expands and contracts due to temperature variation.
      • Cracks form, refreeze, and push shards upward forming a ridge.

    Climate Record Significance

    • Continuous records date back to 1443.
    • Shrine priests began systematic documentation from 1683.
    • Includes:
      • Date of full lake freeze
      • Appearance of miwatari
      • Ice thickness
      • Temperature readings

    Note: This makes Lake Suwa one of the longest continuous local climate records in the world.

    Climate Change Indicator

    • Phenomenon appeared almost every winter until the 1980s.
    • Increasing winter temperatures have reduced full lake freezing.
    • No appearance since 2018.
    • Shows impact of rising minimum temperatures.
    [2022] Which one of the following lakes of West Africa has become dry and turned into a desert? (a) Lake Victoria 

    (b) Lake Faguibine 

    (c) Lake Oguta 

    (d) Lake Volta

  • Supreme Court to Revisit Ex Post Facto Environmental Clearance Regime

    Why in the News?

    A three judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India has decided to take a fresh look at writ petitions and appeals concerning the ex post facto environmental clearance regime for construction and public projects. The matter has been scheduled for detailed hearing on February 25, 2026.

    What is Ex Post Facto Environmental Clearance?

    • “Ex post facto” means after the event.
    • It refers to granting environmental clearance EC after a project has already commenced or been completed, instead of prior approval.
    • Under Indian environmental law, prior EC is generally mandatory before starting certain categories of projects.

    Background of the Case

    • May 16, 2025 Judgment

      • A Division Bench of the Supreme Court:
      • Struck down the Centre’s ex post facto EC regime.
      • Termed it a “gross illegality”.
      • Held retrospective clearances contrary to environmental jurisprudence.

    • November 2025 Judgment

      • A three judge Bench recalled the May 2025 judgment.
      • Majority held continued operation would cause economic disruption.
      • Cited impact on projects involving thousands of crores of investment.
      • Restored the petitions to file without conclusively deciding validity of Office Memorandums.
      • One judge recorded a dissent, stating that environmental principles were overlooked.

    Legal Issues Involved

    1. Validity of Office Memorandums of 2017 and 2021 allowing post facto regularisation.
    2. Whether retrospective EC violates principles of sustainable development.
    3. Whether such clearances defeat precautionary principle.
    4. Balancing environmental protection with economic development.

    Relevant Legal Framework

    • Environment Protection Act 1986.
    • EIA Notification 2006 requiring prior environmental clearance.
    • Constitutional basis:
      • Article 21 right to life includes right to healthy environment.
      • Article 48A directive principle on environmental protection.
      • Article 51A g fundamental duty to protect environment.
    [2012] The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India? 1. Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life under Article 21. 

    2. Provision of grants for raising the level of administration in the Scheduled Areas for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes under Article 275 (1). 

    3. Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as mentioned under Article 243(A). 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

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

  • R&D Roadmap for CCUS Launched to Achieve Net Zero by 2070

    Why in the News?

    The R&D Roadmap to Enable India’s Net Zero Targets through Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage CCUS was launched on 2 December 2025 by the Department of Science and Technology and unveiled by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

    Context

    • India has committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.
    • Hard to abate sectors such as Power, Cement and Steel require technological solutions beyond renewables.
    • CCUS is identified as a critical pillar for deep decarbonisation.

    What is CCUS?

    Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage is a technology that:

    1. Captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources.
    2. Utilizes captured CO₂ for industrial purposes such as chemicals or fuels.
    3. Stores CO₂ underground in geological formations to prevent atmospheric release.

    Key Features of the Roadmap

    1. Strategic guidance on thematic R&D priorities.
    2. Focus on moving technologies from lab scale to commercial readiness.
    3. Support for breakthrough next generation carbon management technologies.
    4. Emphasis on regulatory standards, safety norms and skilled manpower.
    5. Promotion of early shared infrastructure and public private partnerships.

    Institutional Framework

    • Prepared by DST based on nearly seven years of CCUS research support.
    • Guided by a High Level Task Force.
    • Establishment of three National Centres of Excellence in CCUS.
    • Linked with ₹1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation Scheme to promote private sector led industrial decarbonisation.

    Focus Sectors

    • Thermal power plants, Cement industry, Steel sector and Energy intensive manufacturing. 
    • These sectors contribute significantly to India’s greenhouse gas emissions.
    [2023] Consider the following activities: 

    1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively. 

    2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime. 

    3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters. 

    How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration? 

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

  • DPDP Act vs RTI Act: SC Refers Challenge to Constitution Bench

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court of India has agreed to refer to a Constitution Bench petitions challenging Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, which allegedly restricts disclosure of personal information under the Right to Information Act 2005.

    Core Issue

    • Petitioners argue that:
      • Section 44(3) creates a blanket prohibition on disclosure of personal information.
      • It amends Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.
      • It weakens transparency and accountability.
      • It gives the government “unguided discretion” to deny information.

    Note: The Chief Justice observed that the matter raises complex constitutional questions, especially the meaning of “personal information”.

    What Changed?

    Original Position under RTI Act Section 8(1)(j)

    • Personal information could be denied if:
      • It had no relation to public activity, or
      • Disclosure caused unwarranted invasion of privacy.
    • However, disclosure was mandatory if larger public interest outweighed privacy concerns.
    • Decision taken by Public Information Officer after balancing privacy and transparency.

    After DPDP Act Amendment

    • Petitioners argue that the amendment removes the public interest override.
    • Allegedly creates wider restriction on access to personal information.

    Constitutional Provisions Involved

    1. Article 19(1)(a): Right to freedom of speech and expression, includes right to information.
    2. Article 14: Equality before law. Petition argues privacy of public officials cannot be equated with private citizens.
    3. Right to Privacy: Recognised as fundamental right in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy judgment 2017.

    Relevant Judicial Precedent

    • In Central Public Information Officer vs Supreme Court of India 2019, a Constitution Bench applied the proportionality test to balance RTI and privacy.
    • Verdict: Personal information remains private unless larger public interest justifies disclosure.

    Key Legal Questions Before Constitution Bench

    • What constitutes “personal information”?
    • Whether Section 44(3) violates Article 19(1)(a)?
    • Whether it fails the proportionality test?
    • Whether privacy can be invoked by the State?
    [2021] We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 

    1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited. 

    2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Great Nicobar Mega Project Cleared by NGT

    Why in the News?

    A special bench of the National Green Tribunal has declined to interfere with the environmental clearance granted to the ₹80,000 crore Great Nicobar Mega Infrastructure Project, citing its strategic importance and the presence of adequate safeguards.

    About Great Nicobar Island

    • The southernmost island of the Nicobar group
    • Located in the southeastern Bay of Bengal
    • Area: ~910 sq km
    • Largely covered with tropical rainforest
    • Ecologically sensitive and sparsely populated

    About the Great Nicobar Mega Project

    • Total project area: 166 sq km
    • Forest diversion: 130 sq km
    • Trees to be felled: Nearly 1 million

    Major Components:

    • International transshipment port
    • Integrated township
    • Civil and military airport
    • 450 MVA gas and solar based power plant

    Key Environmental Issues Raised

    • Violation of the Island Coastal Regulation Zone notification 2019
    • Development in prohibited ICRZ areas
    • Insufficient baseline environmental data
    • Threat to endemic biodiversity and coral reefs
      • The NGT relied on findings of a High Powered Committee constituted after its 2023 order.

    NGT’s Key Observations

    1. No part of the project falls in prohibited ICRZ areas as per committee findings
    2. Environmental clearance contains adequate safeguards
    3. Strategic importance of the project cannot be ignored
    4. Balanced approach required between ecology and development

    About Island Coastal Regulation Zone ICRZ

    • Notified under Environment Protection Act 1986
    • Regulates development in coastal areas of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands
    • Categorises areas such as ICRZ IA and IB with varying restrictions
    [2017] Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar? (a) Sumatra 

    (b) Borneo 

    (c) Java 

    (d) Sri Lanka

  • UPI One World Wallet Extended for Foreign Visitors

    Why in the News?

    The National Payments Corporation of India has extended the UPI One World wallet facility to visitors from over 40 countries attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi from 16 to 20 February 2026.

    About UPI One World Wallet

    • A prepaid wallet based on the PPI UPI model designed for inbound international travellers.
    • Launched by: NPCI through authorised Prepaid Payment Instrument issuers.

    Key Features

    1. No Indian bank account or mobile number required: Foreign visitors can make UPI payments without opening an Indian bank account.
    2. Person to Merchant P2M Payments: Payments can be made by scanning UPI QR codes across India.
    3. Multiple Loading Options: Wallet can be loaded using various international payment methods.
    4. Availability Points: Available at New Delhi International Airport and NPCI Pavilion at Bharat Mandapam.
    5. Refund Facility: Unused balance can be transferred back to the original payment source as per forex rules.

    What is PPI?

    Prepaid Payment Instrument: A payment instrument where money is loaded in advance and used for transactions without direct linkage to a bank account for each payment.

    Significance

    • Promotes India’s digital public infrastructure globally
    • Facilitates seamless real time retail payments for foreign tourists
    • Reduces dependence on cash and currency exchange
    • Demonstrates scalability of UPI as a cross border payment solution

    About UPI

    • Unified Payments Interface UPI is a real time payment system developed by NPCI that enables instant fund transfers between bank accounts using mobile platforms. It is currently the world’s largest real time payment ecosystem.
    [2025] Consider the following countries: I. United Arab Emirates 

    II. France 

    III. Germany 

    IV. Singapore 

    V. Bangladesh 

    How many countries amongst the above are there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI? 

    (a) Only two (b) Only three (c) Only four (d) All the five
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