Subject: Climate Change

PYQ Relevance:  Q Discuss the consequences of climate change on food security in tropical countries. (UPSC 2023) Reason: This question directly addresses the impact of climate change on food security.

Mentor’s Comment:  UPSC mains have always focused on the strategy of consequences of climate change on the food security (2023) and the ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem (2017).

Heat waves lead to health crises, crop losses, water shortages, and increased energy demand. In 2023, severe heat in India caused record-breaking temperatures, affecting wheat production in Punjab and Haryana. For example, The Indian state of Bihar had the highest number of heat wave days in 2023, with a total of 18 days. This was followed by the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, both having experienced a total of 15 days of heat waves that year.

Today’s editorial discusses the impact of Extreme heat in India, providing valuable insights for GS Paper 3 in UPSC Mains answer writing.

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Let’s learn!

Why in the News?

This year, India experienced its hottest February in 124 years. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that March will also be hotter than usual, with more days of extreme heat.

What are the major wheat-producing states in India?

• Uttar Pradesh is the largest wheat producer, contributing approximately 31.77% to India’s total wheat output. In the crop year 2023-24, it produced around 35.34 million tonnes of wheat from an area of 9.53 million hectares. Example: Districts like Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, and Agra are significant contributors, utilizing both traditional and modern agricultural practices to achieve high yields.
• Madhya Pradesh ranks second, accounting for about 20.98% of the national production. The state produced approximately 22.58 million tonnes in the same crop year. Example: The Malwa plateau region, particularly districts like Indore and Ujjain, benefits from black soil and moderate temperatures, which are conducive to wheat cultivation.
• Punjab Known as the “Granary of India,” contributes around 13.87% to India’s wheat output, with a production of about 17.74 million tonnes. Example: Major districts such as Amritsar and Ludhiana utilize advanced farming techniques and well-developed irrigation systems to maintain high productivity levels.

Why is wheat primarily grown in these regions?

• Agro-Climatic Conditions – These states have a cool winter and warm summer, which is ideal for wheat cultivation. The Rabi season (sown in November-December, harvested in March-April) aligns perfectly with the climate. Example: The Malwa plateau in Madhya Pradesh benefits from moderate temperatures that support high wheat yields.
• Fertile Soil – These regions have alluvial and black soil, which retain moisture and provide essential nutrients for wheat growth. The soil is well-suited for irrigated farming. Example: The Indo-Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have deep, fertile alluvial soil, which supports extensive wheat cultivation.
• Irrigation Facilities – These states have well-developed canal and groundwater irrigation systems, ensuring a stable water supply for wheat crops, which require controlled irrigation. Example: Punjab’s extensive canal network, supported by the Bhakra Nangal Dam, ensures year-round irrigation, enabling high wheat productivity.

Why is extreme heat during the wheat harvest season a serious concern for India’s food security and economy?

• Reduced Wheat Yield: Extreme heat accelerates wheat ripening, leading to shorter grain-filling periods and lighter grains. This results in lower overall production, affecting food availability. Example: In 2022, a sudden heatwave in March reduced India’s wheat output from the projected 111 million tonnes to ~107 million tonnes.
• Lower Grain Quality: High temperatures increase protein content but reduce starch accumulation, making wheat harder and affecting its milling quality. Example: Farmers in Punjab and Haryana reported lower market prices in 2023 due to poor grain quality caused by excessive heat.
• Impact on Food Security: Wheat is a staple for a significant portion of India’s population. Production shortfalls can lead to food shortages, disproportionately affecting low-income communities. The 2025 heatwave poses a serious threat to wheat and rice production, potentially leading to a 6-10% decline, thereby jeopardizing food security for millions.
• Economic Losses for Farmers: Heat stress forces farmers to spend more on irrigation, fertilizers, and pest control, increasing costs while reducing yields, leading to financial distress. Example: Farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan faced heavy losses in 2023 due to unexpected temperature spikes during the grain-filling stage.
• Disruptions in Procurement & Trade: Lower production impacts government wheat procurement, affecting stock availability for schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and exports. Example: India had to ban wheat exports in 2022 to ensure domestic supply, disrupting global markets and trade agreements.

What steps have been taken by the Indian government? Minimum Support Price (MSP) – The government announces a minimum support price for wheat every year to ensure farmers get a fair price and are encouraged to produce more. Example: In 2023-24, the MSP for wheat was ₹2,275 per quintal, benefiting farmers in states like Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Subsidized Inputs – The government provides subsidies on seeds, fertilizers, and electricity to make wheat farming more affordable and increase productivity. Example: Under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), high-yield variety (HYV) seeds and soil nutrients are distributed to farmers in states like Madhya Pradesh. Irrigation Development – Investment in major irrigation projects has improved water availability, reducing dependence on erratic rainfall. Example: The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has helped expand irrigation in wheat-producing states like Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Research & Development (R&D) – The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and agricultural universities develop climate-resilient, high-yield wheat varieties to enhance productivity. Example: The DBW-187 wheat variety, developed by ICAR, has helped increase yields in states like Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Procurement & Storage Infrastructure – The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies procure large quantities of wheat to ensure food security and stabilize market prices. Example: In 2023, FCI procured over 26 million tonnes of wheat, mainly from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, ensuring buffer stock availability.

What adaptation and mitigation strategies can policymakers implement to protect wheat crops from rising temperatures? (Way forward)

• Development of Heat-Resistant Wheat Varieties: Traditional wheat varieties are vulnerable to heat stress, reducing yield and quality. Example: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed HD 3385, a climate-resilient wheat variety with better heat tolerance, which is expected to perform well in rising temperatures.
• Shifting Sowing Dates and Crop Calendars: Adjusting the sowing period can help wheat plants escape extreme heat during critical growth phases. Example: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has recommended advancing wheat sowing to mid-October instead of November to allow crops to mature before peak heat in March-April.
• Improved Irrigation and Water Management: Heat stress increases water loss from soil and plants, requiring efficient irrigation. Example: The “Per Drop More Crop” scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) promotes micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler systems) to optimize water use in wheat-growing states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
• Promoting Conservation Agriculture Practices: Practices like zero tillage and residue mulching help retain soil moisture and lower soil temperature. Example: Zero tillage wheat in Haryana and Punjab has shown 5-10% higher yields and reduced water usage compared to conventional plowing methods.
• Climate Forecasting and Early Warning Systems: Advanced weather predictions help farmers plan for extreme heat events. Example: The Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva (GKMS) provides real-time agro-advisories, warning farmers about heatwaves and recommending protective measures like additional irrigation and mulching.

PYQ Relevance: Q) Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (UPSC CSE 2018)

 

Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on Climate Change (2017), and COP 26 (2021).

In the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025, India ranks among the top 10 climate performers globally, underscoring its commitment to climate action. India has been recognized for its significant role in South-South climate cooperation, reflecting its leadership in fostering collaboration among developing nations to address climate change. 

 

Today’s editorial highlights how South-South cooperation can help achieve climate goals, promote sustainable development, and empower developing countries to meet their climate targets, drawing attention to India’s strategic opportunities and responsibilities in this area. This content would help in substantiation of answers in Mains GS Paper III (Environment and Biodiversity).

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Let’s learn!

Why in the News?

India’s potential role in fostering climate cooperation between developing nations through South-South cooperation in the context of the Paris Agreement is needed for the  global solutions to tackle climate change.

How does Article 6 of the Paris Agreement benefit India in achieving its climate goals?

• Carbon Markets: Under Article 6.2, countries can trade carbon credits to meet their emissions reduction targets. India can participate in these carbon markets, generating revenue by selling surplus carbon credits earned through emission reductions in sectors like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and afforestation.

• • • By engaging in carbon trading, India can attract foreign investments from companies in developed countries looking to offset their emissions. This can provide funding for clean energy projects, supporting India’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

• Cooperative Approaches: Article 6.4 establishes a global carbon market mechanism, similar to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol, but with improvements. India could utilize this mechanism to undertake joint projects with other countries that help reduce emissions while fostering sustainable development.

• • Through cooperative approaches, India can access advanced technologies, practices, and expertise from other countries, enabling its industries to adopt cleaner technologies and improve energy efficiency, contributing to its climate and development goals.

• Non-Market Approaches:

• • Article 6.8 promotes non-market mechanisms, which focus on facilitating actions like capacity-building, finance, and knowledge sharing to address climate change. This can help India strengthen its national capabilities to implement climate policies and adapt to the impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions.
  • India, being highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, can benefit from non-market approaches to enhance its adaptive capacities and resilience, addressing critical sectors like agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure.

• Flexibility in Meeting Targets:

• • The flexibility provided by Article 6 allows India to find the most cost-effective solutions for emission reductions, especially in sectors where technology deployment is expensive or challenging. It provides an opportunity to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in a way that balances economic growth with environmental sustainability.

What are the potential challenges India faces in utilizing ITMOs and engaging in international climate finance?

• Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Systems: India’s current MRV systems for tracking emissions reductions may not meet the rigorous standards required for ITMOs, which are crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability in carbon markets.
  • Inadequate MRV mechanisms could hinder India’s ability to accurately quantify and report emission reductions, limiting its participation in carbon trading and climate finance.
• Accessing Climate Finance: Despite being a major developing country, India faces challenges in accessing sufficient and predictable climate finance from international sources, as the global financing mechanisms often favor smaller or more vulnerable nations.
  • Limited access to finance can slow down India’s ability to implement large-scale climate projects, especially in sectors like renewable energy, adaptation, and infrastructure development.
• Ensuring Environmental Integrity: While ITMOs enable carbon trading, there’s a risk of “low-quality” credits or “double counting” (where emissions reductions are claimed by multiple parties), which could undermine the credibility and environmental integrity of the system.
  • If India is not careful in ensuring robust methodologies for generating and trading ITMOs, it might face challenges in maintaining the credibility of its climate commitments, affecting its international reputation.
• Domestic Policy and Institutional Coordination: India’s domestic policies on climate change may not be fully aligned with the requirements of international climate finance mechanisms or ITMO systems. There is also a need for better coordination among various ministries and stakeholders to implement and track climate action effectively.
  • Misalignment between international climate goals and domestic policies could result in inefficiencies and missed opportunities to access ITMOs and climate finance.

What are the opportunities for India under South-South cooperation via Article 6.2?

• Carbon Trading with Fellow Developing Countries: India can collaborate with neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and others in the South Asian region to work together to reduce emissions through renewable energy, afforestation, or energy efficiency programs.
  • India could sell any surplus carbon credits generated through its own emission reduction efforts to other developing countries that need help meeting their own NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). This allows India to both achieve its climate goals and potentially generate revenue.
• Technology and Knowledge Transfer: India has already made significant progress in solar energy and can offer valuable lessons and technologies to fellow developing countries.
  • India can also help other countries develop adaptation strategies for climate change impacts, such as water management techniques, disaster preparedness, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
  • In return, India could receive new technologies, methods, and knowledge to enhance its own climate resilience.
• Joint Ventures for Clean Energy Projects: India can partner with other developing countries to co-develop large-scale renewable energy projects, such as solar, wind, or hydropower. Joint initiatives could be supported by carbon markets, with emission reductions which could attract investments, expertise, and improve access to clean energy technologies.
  • By collaborating with other developing countries, India can contribute to the development of affordable, scalable solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of developing nations.
  • These solutions could be implemented locally, reducing emissions and improving energy access.
• Strengthening Capacity and Institutional Frameworks: South-South cooperation can help India and other developing countries to assist in establishing frameworks for monitoring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) emissions reductions, benefiting both India and its partner countries.
  • India can help south countries in refining its strategies and implementing the best practices that suit their own development contexts.
• Leveraging Climate Finance: India, by engaging in South-South cooperation, could also have access to international financial instruments that make climate action more affordable.
  • This would be particularly beneficial in sectors where India faces challenges in scaling up clean technologies, like electric vehicles, or in regions like rural areas that require adaptation interventions.