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Type: Prelims Only

  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Who are the Girmitiyas?

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the News?

    PM Narendra Modi, while speaking in Trinidad and Tobago, paid tribute to the Girmitiyas—19th-century indentured Indian labourers who helped shape Indo-Caribbean culture.

    About Girmitiyas:

    • Overview: The word “Girmitiya” comes from “agreement,” which was pronounced as “girmit” by Indian labourers who signed contracts to work abroad.
    • Origin of the Labourers: Most Girmitiyas were recruited from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, especially from areas suffering poverty or famine.
    • Language and Community: These workers primarily spoke Bhojpuri, Awadhi, or Hindi and came from agricultural castes and communities.
    • Role of Recruitment Agents: Agents known as arkatis enticed labourers with promises of good wages while hiding the reality of harsh plantation conditions.
    • Scale and Scope of Migration: Between 1834 and 1920, over 1.2 million Indians were sent to British colonies like Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, South Africa, and Suriname.
    • Cultural Continuity Abroad: Despite minimal belongings, Girmitiyas preserved Indian languages, religious practices, and cultural expressions like Ramleela in the Caribbean.

    Indentured Labour System: A New Form of Slavery:

    • Post-Abolition Labour Need: After slavery ended in 1834, the British created the Indian Indentured Labour System to meet the demand for plantation workers.
    • Contract Terms and Reality: Although the agreement lasted five years, labourers were often deceived, worked in poor conditions, and could not change employers.
    • Criminalisation of Movement: If a labourer was found outside the plantation without documentation, they could be arrested for vagrancy.
    • Punitive Wage Deductions: Tactics like the “double-cut” system—cutting two days’ pay for one day’s absence—made the system exploitative.
    • Wage Withholding: Employers often withheld wages to delay repatriation and trap labourers in economic dependence.
    • Gender Exploitation: Women were underrepresented, often brought for demographic balance, and suffered wage discrimination and sexual abuse, as documented by scholars like Kamala Kempadoo.
    • Critique by Historians: While colonial rulers called it a “Great Experiment,” historian Hugh Tinker famously termed it “a new system of slavery” in his 1974 book.

    Who are the Girmitiyas?

    Gandhiji’s Campaign Against Indenture:

    • Early Opposition: Mahatma Gandhi opposed the system after witnessing its abuse during his legal work in South Africa.
    • Malaviya’s Blocked Attempt: In 1917, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya tried to introduce a bill for abolition but was denied by the British colonial government.
    • Protest Strategy: Gandhi launched an all-India movement, using the press, public meetings, and moral advocacy to gather support.
    • Engagement with British: Gandhi met with Viceroy Lord Chelmsford and united national leaders in opposition to the practice.
    • Finally, Abolition: The mounting public pressure led to the official abolition of indentured labour on July 31, 1917.
    • Moral Significance: Gandhi later wrote in My Experiments with Truth that the victory represented India’s moral and spiritual awakening under nonviolent protest.

     

    [UPSC 2019] With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:

    1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of ‘indentured labour’.

    2. In Lord Chelmsford’s ‘War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.

    3. Consequent to the breaking of the Salt Law by the Indian people, the INC was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only* (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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  • Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.

    National Sports Policy, 2025

    Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet recently approved the National Sports Policy, 2025.

    About the National Sports Policy, 2025:

    • It is a comprehensive policy approved by the Union Cabinet to transform India into a leading sporting nation.
    • It replaces the earlier 2001 policy and aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
    • The policy envisions India as a global sporting powerhouse and strengthens its bid to host international events, including the 2036 Olympic Games.
    • It was developed through extensive consultations involving central ministries, NITI Aayog, state governments, national sports federations, athletes, and experts.
    • The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 serves as the operational framework for NSP 2025.

    Key Features of the National Sports Policy, 2025:

    1. Excellence on the Global Stage
      • Talent identification and athlete development from grassroots to elite level.
      • Expansion of leagues, rural-urban infrastructure, and high-performance training.
      • Adoption of sports science, medicine, and technology.
      • Reforms in governance and functioning of National Sports Federations.
    1. Sports for Economic Development
      • Promotion of sports tourism and hosting of global events.
      • Support for indigenous manufacturing, startups, and PPP investments.
      • Encouragement of CSR in sports development.
    1. Sports for Social Development
      • Inclusive participation of women, tribals, PwDs, and marginalised groups.
      • Revitalisation of traditional and indigenous games.
      • Dual-career pathways and diaspora engagement.
    1. Sports as a People’s Movement
      • Nationwide campaigns for fitness and community participation.
      • Launch of fitness indices and public access to sports infrastructure.
    1. Integration with Education (NEP 2020)
      • Sports embedded in school curricula.
      • Training for educators and promotion of sports education.

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    170th Anniversary of Santhal Revolt 

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the News?

    Jharkhand on observed ‘Hul’ Diwas to commemorate the rebellion’s 170th anniversary of Santhal Revolt which was held on June 30, 1855.

    santhal

    About the Santhal Revolt:

    • Overview: The Santhal Hul (Revolt) began on June 30, 1855, in present-day Jharkhand, and is observed annually as Hul Diwas.
    • The ‘Hul’: It means revolution, symbolising one of India’s earliest organized uprisings against British colonialism, even before the 1857 Revolt.
    • Leaders Associated: It was led by Sidho, Kanho, Chand, Bhairav Murmu, and sisters Phulo and Jhano, and gathered support from 32 different tribal and non-tribal communities.
    • Nature of the Revolt: The Santhal Hul was marked by tribal unity, guerrilla warfare, and was primarily an agrarian uprising, not driven by religion or elite politics.
    • Causes:
      • Exploitation by Landlords: It opposed the British East India Company, the Zamindari system, and moneylenders who exploited tribal communities.
      • Damin-i-Koh Policy: In 1832, the British created Damin-i-Koh in the Rajmahal Hills to resettle Santhals from Bengal and Jharkhand to clear forests and take up agriculture.
      • Alienation: Santhals were subjected to land alienation, forced labor (like kamioti and harwahi), usurious debt traps, and Zamindari-court-police nexus oppression.
    • Suppression measures: The British imposed Martial Law on November 10, 1855, and crushed the uprising by January 3, 1856, using modern firearms and war elephants; Sidho and Kanho were killed in action.
    • Continued resistance: Even after its suppression, tribal uprisings continued during the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny in areas like Hazaribagh and Manbhum (now Dhanbad and Purulia).

    Key Outcomes of the Revolt:

    • Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (1876): This law banned land transfers to non-Adivasis, allowed inheritance under tribal customs, and protected Santhal self-governance.
    • Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908): Inspired by later tribal movements, it restricted sale of tribal and Dalit land, and required Collector’s approval for land transfer within caste and locality.
    • Impact on Tribal Identity: The revolt helped shape tribal consciousness, legal land safeguards, and anti-colonial resistance legacies.
    • Modern Legacy: The Santhals are now India’s third-largest tribal group, living in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, and they use the ‘Ol Chiki’ script to preserve the Santhali language.
    [UPSC 2018] After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?

    1. The territories called `Santhal Parganas’ were created.
    2. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

     

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  • Child Rights – POSCO, Child Labour Laws, NAPC, etc.

    Child Adoption in India

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Statutory, Regulatory & Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies

    Why in the News?

    In a major step toward digital adoption reform, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has confirmed that digitally certified adoption orders sent by e-mail are now legally valid under current rules.

    Child Adoption in India: Legal Framework and Process

    • Adoption in India is governed by multiple laws, depending on the religion and category of the child:
      1. Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA), 1956: Applies to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists.
      2. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Applies to all religions and governs adoption of orphans, abandoned, and surrendered children.
      3. Guardians and Wards Act, 1890: Applies to Muslims, Christians, Jews, Parsis (allows guardianship, not full adoption).
    • Who can be adopted:
      • Children declared legally free by a Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
      • Children of relatives (uncle, aunt, or grandparent).
      • Stepchildren surrendered by biological parents.
    • Who can adopt:
      • Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, and certain foreign nationals (under strict guidelines).
      • Must be mentally, physically, and financially stable with no life-threatening conditions.
      • Married couples: Stable relationship of at least two years; combined age ≤ 110 years.
      • Single women can adopt any child; single men cannot adopt girls.
      • Minimum age gap of 25 years between the adoptive parent and the child.
      • Couples with three or more children are generally not eligible unless adopting children with special needs.
    • Adoption Process:
      • Online registration on CARA’s CARINGS portal; Submission of documents and Home Study Report.
      • Counseling sessions by licensed agencies.
      • Matching of child and parents; Acceptance and foster care phase.
      • Legal adoption order issued by the District Magistrate (post-2021 amendment).
      • Two-year follow-up by the adoption agency.

    Role of Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA):

    • CARA is India’s statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and functions as the central regulatory authority for all adoptions:
    • Established in 1990, CARA became a statutory body in 2015 under Section 68 of the JJ Act.
    • It is the only legally empowered authority for in-country and inter-country adoption of Indian children.
    • India’s Hague Convention central authority, responsible for overseeing foreign adoptions (India ratified the convention in 2003).

    Key Functions of CARA:

    CARA plays a pivotal role in the adoption ecosystem through the following functions:

    • Regulation and Oversight
      • Monitors all adoptions—domestic and inter-country—through licensed agencies.
      • Ensures adoptions are in compliance with laws and child rights standards.
    • Platform and Technology: It operates the CARINGS portal (Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System) for:
      • Registration of prospective adoptive parents.
      • Tracking adoption progress.
      • Referrals and matching children with parents.
    • Inter-Agency Coordination: It coordinates with:
      • State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs)
      • District Child Protection Units (DCPUs)
      • Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs)
      • Authorized Foreign Adoption Agencies (AFAAs)
    • Legal and Policy Role
      • Issues No Objection Certificates (NOC) and Conformity Certificates for inter-country adoptions.
      • Drafts and revises Adoption Regulations (latest version: 2022).
      • Issues clarifications and advisories, e.g., recognition of digitally certified adoption orders.
    • Promotion of In-country Adoptions
      • Encourages domestic adoption over inter-country adoption, especially for orphans and abandoned children.
      • Launches awareness campaigns to reduce illegal adoptions and child trafficking.
    • Post-Adoption Monitoring
      • Ensures the well-being of adopted children through follow-up reports for two years.
      • Promotes integration of children into adoptive families through counseling and support.
    • Policy Innovation and Reforms
      • Oversees foster-to-adoption transitions (notably in Jammu & Kashmir).
      • Expanding agency networks—245 new agencies added (2024–25).
      • New modules for step-parent and relative adoptions.
    [UPSC 2016] Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.

     

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Species in news: Garcinia kusumae

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

    Why in the News?

    Researchers in Assam have discovered a new tree species, Garcinia kusumae, locally called thoikora, adding to the Garcinia genus in a notable botanical find.

    About Garcinia kusumae:

    • Species Identity: Garcinia kusumae is a newly discovered evergreen tree species that is endemic to Assam, India.
    • Genus and Local Name: It belongs to the Garcinia genus, locally called thoikora in Assamese.
    • Discovery: It was discovered in 2024 by Jatindra Sarma, during a field survey in Bamunbari, Baksa district.
    • Botanical Traits: It is dioecious, grows up to 18 metres, flowers between February and April, and fruits between May and June.
    • Distinct Features: It differs from similar species by having up to 15 staminate flowers per fascicle, fewer stamens, and blackish resinous berries.
    • Ethnobotanical Uses: Its fruit is used in sherbet, fish curries, and for diabetes and dysentery remedies; the seed aril is eaten raw with condiments.

    What is the Garcinia Genus?

    • Taxonomy: Garcinia is the largest genus in the Clusiaceae family, comprising trees and shrubs.
    • Geographical Spread: It is found in tropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australasia, especially in rainforests.
    • Notable Characteristics: The genus is known for floral diversity, medicinal value, and culinary applications.
    • Presence in India: India hosts 33 species and 7 varieties of Garcinia, with Assam having 12 species and 3 varieties.
    • Famous Species: Commonly known species include Garcinia indica (kokum), Garcinia cowa, and Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen).
    • Utility and Significance: It is important for ethnobotanical uses, rural livelihoods, and climate-resilient forestry.
    • Traditional Practices: Several species are used in traditional food, medicine, and rituals.
    [UPSC 2016] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp.

    In which part of India has it been discovered?

    Options: (a) Andaman Islands* (b) Anaimalai Forests (c) Maikala Hills (d) Tropical rain forests of northeast

     

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity, and Transitions (BHARAT)

    Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Why in the News?

    IISc Bengaluru has launched BHARAT (Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity, and Transitions), a pioneering study exploring the biology, lifestyle, and environment behind Aging.

    About the BHARAT Project:

    • Scientific Launch: It is a nationwide research initiative by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
    • Primary Goal: It aims to build India’s first scientific baseline on how Indians age—biologically, environmentally, and socially.
    • Project Leadership: The project is led by Professor DK Saini from IISc’s Department of Development Biology and Genetics.
    • Addressing Global Gaps: It fills a major research void by offering Indian-specific data, unlike most global ageing studies based on Western populations.
    • Redefining Normal: It will challenge international health standards (e.g., for cholesterol, vitamin D) that may misclassify Indian health parameters.
    • Biological Age Focus: Instead of using chronological age, the project will study biomarkers of biological ageing for early disease risk detection.

    Key Features of the Project:

    • India-Centric Baseline: The database will offer reference biomarker cut-offs tailored to Indian genetics, diet, and lifestyle.
    • Wide Biomarker Range: It will include genomic, metabolic, and environmental indicators to detect organ ageing and resilience early.
    • AI-Driven Analysis: Machine learning tools will be used to find ageing patterns, simulate health interventions, and forecast risks.
    • Holistic Ageing Model: The study will include nutrition, pollution, infections, and social factors that influence how Indians age.
    • Equity for Global South: It corrects global biases that misdiagnose Indians as deficient by using locally validated health data.
    • Healthspan Focus: The emphasis is on quality of life—living healthier for longer—rather than just extending life years.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following countries: 1. Italy 2. Japan 3. Nigeria 4. South Korea 5. South Africa

    Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population or declining population?

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

     

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Endocrine Disruptors in Plastic Waste

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

    Why in the News?

    Microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are infiltrating the human body, affecting everything from reproduction to cancer risk, metabolism, and child development.

    About Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals:

    • What They Are: Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals interfere with the body’s hormone system, affecting growth, reproduction, mood, and metabolism.
    • How They Work: They mimic or block natural hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol, leading to disrupted hormonal signals.
    • Why They’re Dangerous: Even low-level exposure during pregnancy or puberty can cause lasting harm.
    • How We’re Exposed: Through eating contaminated food, inhaling polluted air, or skin contact with certain plastics or cosmetics.
    • Where They’re Found: In plastic bottles (Bisphenol A), toys and cosmetics (phthalates like Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), food wrappers (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), and pesticides (dioxins, Polychlorinated Biphenyls).
    • Hidden Harm: They act silently, with long-term effects such as fertility loss, hormonal disruption, or cancer.

    Impact on Human Health:

    • Reproductive Harm: Reduced sperm quality disrupted menstrual cycles, and increased miscarriage risk. Found in semen, placenta, and breast milk.
    • Hormonal Disruption: Chemicals like Bisphenol A trigger early puberty, thyroid issues, and hormonal imbalances.
    • Cancer Risk: Linked to cancers of the breast, uterus, testicles, and prostate. Several are labeled probable carcinogens by global health agencies.
    • Metabolic Effects: Interfere with insulin, promote obesity and type 2 diabetes. PFAS chemicals are linked to liver and heart disease.
    • Brain and Behavior: Associated with ADHD, learning issues, and lower IQ in children, especially when exposure happens early in life.
    • Across Generations: May cause gene expression changes that affect health in future generations—even without direct exposure.
    [UPSC 2020] Why is there a great concern about the ‘microbeads’ that are released into environment?

    Options: (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems * (b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children (c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields. (d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.

     

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

    Dalai Lama and His Reincarnation

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

    Why in the News?

    Turning 90 on July 6, 2025, the 14th Dalai Lama gave his clearest message yet that the Dalai Lama lineage will continue, challenging China’s stance.

    Who is the Dalai Lama?

    • Spiritual Head: The Dalai Lama leads the Gelug (Yellow Hat) school, the most influential tradition in Tibetan Buddhism.
    • Meaning: The title “Dalai Lama” means “Ocean of Wisdom”, first conferred in the 16th century by Mongol ruler Altan Khan.Role: He is considered the reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, in human form.

    Tenzin Gyatso: the 14th Dalai Lama:

    • Early Life: The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in 1935 in Taktser, Tibet, and enthroned in 1940 after recognition in 1939.
    • Exile to India: Following China’s occupation of Tibet, he took asylum in India in 1959 and established the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in Dharamsala.
    • Political Transition: In 2011, he relinquished political authority, handing it over to an elected leader of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) but retained his spiritual role.
    • Global Peace Advocate: He received the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for non-violent advocacy and is a prominent promoter of interfaith harmony and secular ethics.

    Key Notes on Tibetan Buddhism:

    • Theology: Tibetan Buddhism blends Mahayana philosophy, Tantric (Vajrayana) rituals, and Bon traditions.
    • Major Schools: It includes four schools—Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug—with the Gelug school founded by Je Tsongkhapa in the 14th century.
    • Reincarnation System: Leaders like the Panchen Lama and Karmapa are part of the Tulku system, believed to be reincarnated teachers.
    • Textual Foundation: Core texts include the Kangyur (Buddha’s teachings) and Tengyur (commentaries by scholars).
    • Meditation Traditions: Practices like Dzogchen and Mahamudra focus on realizing the true nature of mind.
    • Institutional Legacy: Monasteries such as Drepung, Ganden, and Tashi Lhunpo are vital centers for learning and ritual.
    • Global Influence: Tibetan Buddhism thrives across the Himalayas and is expanding globally, especially in Western countries.
    [UPSC 2018] With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?

    Options: (a) Avalokiteshvara (b) Lokesvara (c) Maitreya* (d) Padmapani

     

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

    New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)

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

    Why in the News?

    With focus shifting to COP30, climate finance is in the spotlight as the Fourth International Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) works to finalise the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) — a more ambitious target to replace the unmet $100 billion annual pledge.

    About New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):

    • Overview: It is a new global climate finance target under negotiation to replace the unmet $100 billion pledge made by developed countries in 2009.
    • Basis: It is being framed through the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA).
    • Minimum Starting Point: The goal will begin at a minimum of $100 billion per year, with future revisions based on real needs of developing nations.
    • Areas to be Covered: NCQG supports mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, with an explicit focus on the needs of developing countries.

    How it differs from earlier Pledge?

    • From Political to Need-Based: The earlier $100 billion was a political promise, while NCQG is a data-driven, needs-based goal.
    • Backed by National Priorities: Funding estimates will use developing countries’ own assessments and climate plans.
    • Greater Transparency and Trust: NCQG seeks to rebuild trust by addressing the trust deficit from past failures and improving accountability.

    True Scale of Climate Finance Needs:

    • Requirement: As per UNFCCC (2021), developing countries may need $6 trillion/year by 2030 to meet their climate goals.
    • Global Energy Transition Costs: A low-carbon global transition could need $4–6 trillion annually until 2050.
    • Renewable Energy Goals: Tripling renewables by 2030, agreed at COP28, may cost $30 trillion (IRENA).
    • India’s Stand: India has proposed an NCQG of $1 trillion/year, with a focus on grants and concessional finance, avoiding debt-heavy solutions.
    [UPSC 2024] Which one of the following launched the ‘Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific’?

    Options: (a) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) (b) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (c) The New Development Bank (NDB) (d) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

     

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Places in News: Kariyachalli Island

    National Parks/WSPrelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The Tamil Nadu government, with World Bank support, has launched a ₹50 crore restoration project for the sinking Kariyachalli Island.

    About Kariyachalli Island:

    • Overview: Kariyachalli Island is one of the 21 uninhabited islands in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.
    • Geographic Location: It lies 4 km south of Sippikulam and 20 km northeast of Thoothukudi, between Rameswaram and Thoothukudi.
    • Made of Reef Sediments: The island is a low-lying landform made of reef debris, sand dunes, spits, and sandy plains.
    • Biodiversity Hotspot: Located in India’s coral reef zone, it supports 4,300+ marine species, including 132 coral types and the endangered dugong.
    • Ecological Importance: It has seagrass beds and coral reefs that provide food and shelter for marine life.
    • Natural Coastal Shield: Kariyachalli acts as a barrier against cyclones and tsunamis, helping protect the Tamil Nadu coast.
    • Historical Significance: It played a role in mitigating the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami impact.

    Why is it sinking?

    • Rapid Land Loss: The island has shrunk by over 70%, from 20.85 ha in 1969 to under 6 ha in 2024.
    • High Tide Erosion: At high tide, only 3.14 ha remains, per an IIT Madras (2025) study.
    • Wave and Sediment Pressure: Wave action, sediment loss, and lack of natural shoreline defense are accelerating erosion.
    • Climate Change Impact: Rising sea levels and coral bleaching have weakened the island’s natural protection.
    • Seagrass Depletion: Loss of seagrass beds has reduced the island’s ability to hold sediments and resist erosion.
    • Extreme Weather Events: Frequent cyclones and storms are making the island more vulnerable.
    • Future Risk: If the current trend continues, Kariyachalli may vanish by 2036.
    [UPSC 2023] Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present-day extensive marshland?

    Options: (a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves (b) Marakkanam Salt Pans (c) Naupada Swamp (d) Rann of Kutch*

     

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