Why in the News?
The Global Carbon Budget 2025 shows India’s fossil fuel emissions barely rising (3.19 to 3.22 billion tonnes) with growth slowing to 1.4 per cent, hinting at early stabilisation.
India’s CO₂ Emission Trends:
- Annual Growth: Fossil fuel CO₂ emissions rose from 3.19 billion tonnes (2024) to 3.22 billion tonnes (2025) a 1.4% increase, significantly slower than the 4% rise seen in 2024.
- Decadal Trend: Average annual growth fell to 3.6% (2015–2024) from 6.4% (2005–2014), indicating efficiency gains and rapid renewable energy deployment.
- Sectoral Profile: Roughly 90% of emissions originate from power generation, transport, industry, and buildings; 10% from land-use factors like deforestation.
- Drivers of 2025 Slowdown: An early monsoon in 2024 reduced electricity demand for cooling; renewable energy growth reduced reliance on coal.
- Electricity Sector Shift: CREA reported that India’s power-sector CO₂ emissions declined in early 2025 for the first time, due to strong solar and wind generation.
- Global Context: India is the third-largest CO₂ emitter, yet its per capita emissions (~2.3 tonnes) remain far below the global average and major emitters like the U.S. (14.4 t) and China (8.7 t).
- Outlook: Global fossil CO₂ emissions expected to rise 1.1% to 38.1 Gt, with total emissions (including land use) stabilising near 42 Gt.
What is the Global Carbon Budget?
- Overview: It is an annual scientific assessment by Global Carbon Project (GCP) that quantifies global CO₂ sources and sinks across fossil fuels, land use, and oceans, forming the most authoritative dataset on global carbon trends.
- GCP Origins: Established in 2001 under Future Earth and the World Climate Research Programme as a global consortium of climate scientists.
- Mandate: To measure, monitor, and explain the global carbon cycle and its influence on the climate system.
- Purpose of the Global Carbon Budget:
- Quantifies CO₂ sources and sinks globally.
- Tracks emission trends, carbon sequestration, and atmospheric CO₂ levels.
- Provides authoritative data for COP negotiations and national climate assessments.
- Scope and Methodology
- Covers CO₂, methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) using global datasets.
- Combines national inventories, satellite data, and earth system models.
- Uses the Global Carbon Atlas to visualise national and sector-wise emissions.
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- Produces transparent, peer-reviewed carbon accounting.
- Helps evaluate national performance under Paris Agreement targets.
- Supports policy design on energy transition, carbon removal, and land use.
- Key Collaborations: Works with major climate bodies including: IPCC, UNFCCC, WMO.
| [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita.
II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and III only (b) II only (c) II and III only * (d) I, II and III |
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Why in the News?
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), through the National Statistics Office (NSO), will conduct the National Migration Survey 2026–27 from July 2026 to June 2027.
About the National Migration Survey (2026–27):
- Overview: A nationwide MoSPI–NSO survey conducted from July 2026 to June 2027 to measure India’s migration rates, patterns, and impacts.
- Scope: Covers rural–urban and inter-state migration, including short-term, long-term, and return migration.
- Coverage: Includes all states and UTs except inaccessible parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Focus Area: Captures individual migration, which forms the bulk of movements in India.
- Data Collected: Records income changes, employment status, health, education, housing, and remittance patterns.
- Technology Use: Relies on digital handheld devices for accurate, real-time data entry.
- Return Migration: Examines pandemic-driven and cyclical return flows as a separate category.
- Policy Use: Enables evidence-based planning for jobs, welfare delivery, and urban development.
- Historical Context:
- Earlier Rounds: Dedicated migration surveys conducted in 1955, 1963–64, and 2007–08.
- Data Gap: After 2007–08, migration information came only partially through PLFS 2020–21.
- Gender Trend: Female migration mainly due to marriage; male migration largely employment-driven.
- Need for Survey: First comprehensive national migration study in 17 years.
Revised Definitions and Methodological Updates:
- Short-Term Migrant: Updated to include stays of 15 days to less than 6 months for work or job search.
- Broader Causes: Includes employment, education, marriage, displacement, climate stress, and economic distress.
- Well-Being Indicators: Adds measures on post-migration stability, access to services, and living conditions.
- Digital Verification: Uses GPS-enabled handheld devices for real-time validation.
- Return Migration Category: Formalised to assess cyclical and post-pandemic movements.
| [UPSC 2024] Which one of the following statements is correct as per the Constitution of India?
(a) Inter-State trade and commerce is a State subject under the State List.
(b) Inter-State migration is a State subject under the State List.
(c) Inter-State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.
(d) Corporation tax is a State subject under the State List. |
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Why in the News?
Indian Railways is deploying an AI system called DRISHTI (AI-Based Freight Wagon Locking Monitoring System) to spot unlocked or tampered freight wagon doors in motion, developed with IIT Guwahati to improve freight safety.
About the DRISHTI System:
- Overview: It is an Artificial Intelligence system developed by the Northeast Frontier Railway with IIT Guwahati TIDF to monitor wagon door-locking integrity.
- Primary Objective: Detects unlocked, tampered, or improperly sealed wagon doors automatically during train movement to improve freight security.
- Technology Framework: Uses AI-enabled cameras, computer vision, and machine-learning algorithms to analyse door-locking mechanisms in real time.
- Operational Value: Ensures cargo safety without halting trains, addressing pilferage, tampering, and human-error-based sealing failures.
- Current Status: Undergoing successful trials for nearly ten months on selected freight rakes, with high anomaly-detection accuracy.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Continuously tracks door position and locking condition using AI-powered imaging units.
- Anomaly Detection: Flags tampering, loose locks, or improper sealing; sends immediate alerts to control rooms.
- Non-Intrusive Operation: Functions during full-speed train movement, avoiding delays or stoppages.
- Automated Alerts: Provides instant notifications for rapid operator response and incident verification.
- Reduced Manual Checks: Minimises reliance on manual sealing inspections, improving safety and resource efficiency.
- Data Integration: Compatible with freight-management platforms for audit trails, analytics, and tracking transparency.
- Scalable Architecture: Designed for phased expansion across national freight routes after successful field validation.
- Indigenous Innovation: Fully developed in India, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat goal in transport and logistics technology.
- Safety and Efficiency Gains: Enhances wagon security, reduces theft, supports predictive maintenance, and improves overall freight reliability.
| [UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements:
I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future-ready railway system by 2028.
II. ‘Kavach’ is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany.
III. ‘Kavach’ system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section.
Which of the statements given above are not correct?
(a) I and II only * (b) II and III only (c) I and III only (d) I, II and III |
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Why in the News?
The World Health Organization’s Global TB Report 2025 says India’s TB incidence dropped 21% from 237 to 187 per lakh between 2015 and 2024, almost twice the global decline rate of 12%.
About Global TB Report 2025:
- Publisher: Released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in November 2025.
- India’s TB Incidence Decline: Fell 21 percent from 237 to 187 cases per lakh (2015–2024), nearly double the global decline of 12 percent.
- Treatment Coverage: Reached 92 percent, with 26 lakh cases diagnosed in 2024.
- Mortality Reduction: Dropped from 28 to 21 deaths per lakh between 2015–2024.
- Key Drivers: Community-based screening, molecular diagnostics (CBNAAT / Truenat), Ni-kshay digital tracking, and TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
About Tuberculosis (TB):
- What is it: Bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis mainly affecting the lungs; spreads through air via coughing/sneezing.
- Types of TB:
- Pulmonary TB: Affects lungs, highly contagious.
- Extrapulmonary TB: Affects organs like spine, kidneys, brain, or lymph nodes.
- Latent TB: Dormant infection, asymptomatic but may reactivate.
- Active TB: Symptomatic and infectious stage.
- Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB): Resistant to standard drugs due to incomplete or improper treatment.
- Medicine Regimens:
- Drug-sensitive TB: 6-month course- 2 months of HRZE (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol) + 4 months of HR.
- MDR-TB: Resistant to Isoniazid and Rifampicin; treated with 18–24-month regimen using Bedaquiline, Linezolid, Levofloxacin, Clofazimine, and Cycloserine.
- Preventive Therapy: Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) for HIV-positive persons and close contacts of TB patients.
Various Government Interventions for TB Prevention:
- National TB Programme (NTP), 1962: India’s first structured TB-control effort; introduced BCG vaccination and district-level treatment services.
- Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), 1993: Adopted the DOTS strategy; achieved nationwide coverage by 2006, improving standardized treatment and cure rates.
- Ni-kshay Portal, 2012: Launched as a national digital platform for TB case notification, tracking, and treatment monitoring across public and private sectors.
- Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, 2018: Introduced nutritional support of ₹500 per month to all notified TB patients through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (2017–2025): Implemented in phased manner; structured around Detect, Treat, Prevent, Build, promoting CBNAAT/Truenat and decentralised care.
- National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), 2020: Renamed and upgraded from RNTCP; targets TB elimination by 2025 with universal free diagnostics, treatment, and surveillance.
- Ni-kshay Sampark Helpline, 2023: Launched as a nationwide toll-free platform for patient counselling, treatment support, and follow-up.
- Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative, 2022: Enabled individuals, NGOs, corporates to adopt TB patients for nutritional and diagnostic support under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan framework.
- TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, 2024: Large-scale screening campaign covering 19 crore individuals; detected 24.5 lakh TB cases, including asymptomatic infections.
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Why in the News?
Recent investigations after the Delhi Bomb Blast revealed a plot to use ricin, a deadly biological toxin, for large-scale terror attacks.
About Ricin:
- Origin: Ricin is a highly toxic protein derived from the mash left after processing castor beans (Ricinus communis) for castor oil.
- Discovery: First isolated in 1888 by German scientist Peter Hermann Stillmark, who documented its lethal, cell-destroying properties.
- Mechanism of Action: Ricin enters human cells and blocks protein synthesis, causing rapid cell death, tissue damage, and multi-organ failure. Even a few micrograms can be fatal.
- Routes of Exposure: Can cause poisoning through inhalation, ingestion, or injection, each producing sudden symptoms like respiratory collapse, gastrointestinal bleeding, seizures, and circulatory failure.
- Treatment: No antidote exists; medical management involves supportive care such as oxygen therapy, IV fluids, activated charcoal (if ingested early), and mechanical ventilation.
- Weaponisation Risk: Due to easy availability from an agricultural by-product and high lethality, ricin is classified globally as a potential bioterrorism agent.
Legal Classification and Security Implications:
- International Status: Listed under Schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and controlled under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
- Indian Legal Framework: Criminalised under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with offences being non-bailable.
- Penalties: Violations involving ricin can result in life imprisonment under Indian law.
- WMD Classification: Covered under the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Delivery Systems Act, 2005, placing it within the legal category of weapons of mass destruction.
- Dual-Use Concern: Castor is an industrial crop, making ricin a dual-use substance requiring strict monitoring of castor by-products.
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Why in the News?
A Karnataka MP has claimed that Rabindranath Tagore composed ‘Jana Gana Mana’ as a welcome song for British officials, reigniting an old debate about its intent.
About the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’:
- Composition: Written by Rabindranath Tagore on December 11, 1911, in Sanskritised Bengali, as part of the five-stanza hymn Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata.
- First Performance: Sung on December 27, 1911, at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress, led by Sarala Devi Chowdhurani and Brahmo Samaj students.
- Controversy: Misinterpreted as a tribute to King George V at the Delhi Durbar (1911).
- Tagore’s Clarification: In a 1937 letter to Pulin Behari Sen, Tagore stated the song praised the “Dispenser of India’s destiny”, not any monarch.
- Freedom Movement Role: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose adopted it as the anthem of the Free India Centre (Berlin, 1941); it was performed with an orchestra in Hamburg (1942).
- Official Adoption: Declared National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, alongside Vande Mataram as National Song.
- Duration & Language: Full version lasts 52 seconds; a 20-second short version is also authorized; the Hindi rendering preserves Tagore’s poetic rhythm.
Legal and Constitutional Framework:
- Constitutional Basis: Protected under Article 51A(a) and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- Penalties: Intentional disrespect punishable with up to 3 years’ imprisonment, fine, or both.
- Protocol: Must be sung unaltered, with standing at attention during performance; use for commercial or satirical purposes is banned.
- Judicial Rulings:
- Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986) – Students refusing to sing for religious reasons but standing respectfully are protected under Article 25.
- Shyam Narayan Chouksey v. Union of India (2016–2018) – Court made anthem in cinemas optional, emphasizing voluntary respect.
- Occasions: Played at official, educational, and diplomatic events, maintaining decorum and unity.
Comparison with the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’:
- Authorship: Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1870, featured in Anandamath (1882).
- First Sung: At the 1896 INC session, also by Rabindranath Tagore.
- Adoption: On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly gave equal honour to Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana.
- Meaning: Vande Mataram glorifies Mother India; Jana Gana Mana praises the divine ruler of destiny, uniting diverse communities.
- Symbolism: Together, they embody India’s patriotic spirit and spiritual harmony, Vande Mataram as the voice of reverence and revolution, Jana Gana Mana as the hymn of collective peace and identity.
- Presidential Declaration: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950) affirmed both songs have equal status and honour, representing India’s composite national soul.
| [UPSC 2003] Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Options: (a) The National Song Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chatterji originally in Bengali *
(b) The National Calendar of India based on Saka era has its 1st Chaitra on 22nd March normally and 21st March in a leap year
(c) The design of the National Flag of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July, 1947
(d) The song ‘Jana-gana-mana’, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly on 24th January, 1950 as the national anthem of India |
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Why in the News?
The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges, a critical environmental issue impacting Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
About the Aravallis:
- Geology: The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, formed during the Proterozoic era.
- Spread: It stretches for about 692 km, from Gujarat to Delhi, passing through Rajasthan and Haryana.
- State-Wise Coverage: Around 80% of the range lies in Rajasthan, with the rest spread across Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat.
- Highest Peak: The tallest point is Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, with an elevation of 1,722 meters.
- Natural Barrier Function: Acts as a green wall, preventing the spread of the Thar Desert into eastern Rajasthan and the Gangetic plains.
- River Origins: Important rivers such as the Banas, Sahibi and Luni originate from the Aravallis.
- Minerals: Rich in minerals like copper, zinc, lead, and marble.
- Biodiversity: Home to 300+ bird species and key wildlife such as leopards, hyenas, jackals, wolves, civets, and Nilgai.
- Prehistoric Significance: Contains cave art and tools from the Lower Palaeolithic period.
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About the Aravalli Case: Quick Backgrounder
- Supreme Court Review: The Court is deciding on a uniform, legally enforceable definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
- Case Origin: Stems from the long-running M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (2008) matter on illegal mining, encroachment, and ecological degradation in the Aravallis.
- Judgment: The Court held Aravalli lands to be forest areas under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, restricting non-forest activities.
- Existing Legal Protection: Notifications under the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 were upheld for safeguarding ecologically sensitive land.
- Expert Committee (2024): SC directed MoEF&CC to set up a panel to develop a scientific definition for consistent protection across states.
Proposed Legal Definitions of Aravalli Hills and Ranges
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Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet approved the rationalisation of royalty rates for graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium to strengthen India’s domestic mineral base and reduce import dependency.
About the New Royalty Rates:
- The Union Cabinet has approved revised ad valorem royalty rates (percentage of average sale price) for four key minerals- graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium, under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
- Graphite:
- 4% of ASP (average sale price) for graphite with <80% fixed carbon content.
- 2% of ASP for graphite with ≥80% fixed carbon content.
- Caesium and Rubidium: 2% of ASP based on metal content in the ore produced.
- Zirconium: 1% of ASP.
- Earlier, graphite alone was taxed on a per-tonne basis; now, all four follow a price-linked structure.
- The new rates aim to reduce import dependency, stimulate exploration, and encourage fair bidding in critical mineral block auctions.
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What is Royalty?
- Definition: It is a payment made by a mining company to the government, the sovereign owner of natural resources, for the right to extract and sell minerals.
- Legal Basis in India: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) is the principal statute regulating mineral development, licensing, and royalty payments in India.
- Types of Royalty Systems:
- Unit-based (per tonne): Fixed payment per quantity extracted.
- Ad valorem: A fixed percentage of the sale value of the mineral (now used for most critical minerals).
- Profit-based: A share of net revenue or profits after deductions.
- Purpose: Ensures the state earns equitable returns from resource extraction while maintaining regulatory control and public ownership of mineral wealth.
Royalty Governance: Legal and Administrative Framework
- Authority:
- The Central Government, through the Ministry of Mines, determines and revises royalty rates.
- The Union Cabinet approves new rates; these are later notified by the Ministry.
- Legal Basis: The Second Schedule of the MMDR Act lists royalty rates for each mineral.
- Collection:
- Royalty is paid by leaseholders or miners to the state government under central law.
- Rates are periodically revised to align with market fluctuations and strategic priorities.
- Calculation Example: Royalty = IBM-published Sale Price × Royalty Rate (%) × Quantity Produced.
Default Royalty Rates in India:
- For minerals not listed separately in the Second Schedule, a default royalty rate of 12% of the average sale price (ASP) applies under the MMDR Act.
- However, for critical and strategic minerals, the government has rationalised rates downward (1–4%) to:
- Attract private investment in exploration.
- Ensure competitive auctions.
- Promote domestic production of minerals vital to EVs, semiconductors, and renewable energy.
- The shift from uniform high rates to graded, mineral-specific rates reflects a move toward a market-responsive and technology-driven resource policy.
[UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements:
I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member.
II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified.
III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only (b) II and III only (c) I and III only * (d) I, II and III |
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Why in the News?
A new German watch report, ‘Climate Risk Index 2026’, reveals worldwide extreme weather claimed over 8lakh lives between 1995-2024.
About the Climate Risk Index (CRI), 2026:
- Publisher: Released annually by Germanwatch to rank countries based on the real, observed human and economic impacts of extreme weather events.
- Focus: Measures actual climate impacts, not projections- making it a grounded vulnerability assessment.
- Data Sources: Uses EM-DAT disaster database along with World Bank and IMF datasets.
- Hazards Covered: Includes hydrological, meteorological, and climatological events.
- 6 Indicators under 3 metrics: Fatalities (absolute and per 100,000 population), number of people affected (absolute and relative), economic losses in US$ (absolute and relative).
- Objective: Highlights climate vulnerability, informs adaptation priorities, and supports global climate finance and policy debates.
India’s Position in CRI 2026:
- Long-term Rank: 9th most affected globally (1995–2024).
- Annual Rank 2024: 15th, showing continued high exposure.
- Event Frequency: Faced ~430 extreme weather events in three decades.
- Impact: Over 80,000 deaths, 1.3 billion people affected, and USD 170 billion in economic losses.
- Risk Profile: Classified as a “continuous threat” country due to repeated floods, cyclones, and heatwaves.
- Global Negotiations: Bolsters India’s demand for Loss & Damage finance under UNFCCC processes.
Global Findings: CRI 2026
- Coverage: Assesses trends for 1995–2024 plus a separate deep-dive for 2024.
- Overall Impact: More than 832,000 deaths and USD 4.5 trillion in losses from over 9,700 extreme events since 1995.
- Event Trends:
- Heatwaves and storms caused the highest deaths.
- Floods affected the most people.
- Storms led to the largest economic losses.
- Worst-affected (1995–2024): Dominica, Myanmar, Honduras.
- Worst-affected in 2024: St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Chad.
- Pattern: Disproportionate burden on Global South, especially SIDS and low-income countries.
- Risk Types Identified:
- States hit by one major catastrophic event.
- States facing multiple recurring shocks without recovery time.
- Takeaway: Underscores urgent need for adaptation, resilience, and Loss & Damage mechanisms.
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Why in the News?
As Bihar Assembly Election 2025 concludes, media houses released the exit poll results after 6:30 pm, following Election Commission of India (ECI) restrictions.
What are Exit Polls?
- Overview: Exit polls are post-voting surveys conducted immediately after voters leave polling stations to find out how they voted and what influenced their choice.
- Objective: To give an early indication of election outcomes and study voter behaviour, issues, and demographics before official results.
- Origin in India: First conducted in 1957 by the Indian Institute of Public Opinion during the 2nd Lok Sabha elections.
- Methodology: Randomly selected voters are interviewed anonymously after casting their vote; responses are aggregated and analysed statistically to predict seat shares and trends.
How are Exit Polls conducted?
- Sampling: Based on random or stratified sampling to reflect gender, caste, religion, and regional representation.
- Questionnaires: Ask voters which party or candidate they chose and gather demographic or opinion data.
- Data Collection: Conducted by trained field agents under strict non-interference rules at polling stations.
- Data Analysis: Responses are weighted and adjusted for turnout and demographics before generating projections.
- Confidentiality: All answers remain anonymous to preserve voting secrecy.
Regulation of Exit Polls:
- Constitutional Basis: Governed by Article 324, empowering the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure free and fair elections.
- Statutory Law: Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 bans conducting or publishing exit polls from start of the first phase till 30 minutes after last phase ends.
- Penalties: Violation may lead to two years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
- Media Rules: Must disclose sample size, method, and margin of error when publishing results.
- Registration: Polling agencies must be registered with the ECI and follow official publication guidelines.
Recent Amendments and Practices:
- Monitoring: The ECI now closely monitors media and digital platforms to prevent early leaks of exit poll data.
- Digital Coverage: Restrictions apply to social media and online news during multi-phase elections.
- Publication Control: No state-wise or partial results can be released until polling ends nationwide.
- Transparency: Media houses must submit methodology and get ECI clearance before publishing exit poll results.
- Purpose: To prevent misinformation and voter influence during ongoing polling.
Back2Basics: Difference Between Exit Polls and Opinion Polls
- Timing: Exit polls are done after voting; opinion polls before voting.
- Purpose: Opinion polls measure intentions; exit polls reflect actual behaviour.
- Respondents: Opinion polls survey likely voters; exit polls survey actual voters.
- Influence: Opinion polls can affect undecided voters; exit polls occur after voting, posing no influence risk.
- Accuracy: Exit polls are generally more accurate as they are based on real votes.
- Regulation: Opinion polls are advisory-guided; exit polls are strictly regulated under Section 126A of the RPA, 1951.
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Why in the News?
A recently launched book claims that the Indian National Army (INA) was not founded by Subhas Chandra Bose or Captain Mohan Singh.
New Claims and the Caveats:
- Author’s Proposition:
- The INA was not originally founded by Subhas Chandra Bose, but by Japanese Army Intelligence in collaboration with Indian nationalists abroad before his arrival.
- A pre-war agreement between Major Fujiwara Iwaichi (Japan) and Giani Pritam Singh (Bangkok, 1941) laid the INA’s groundwork, India’s liberation in exchange for aid to Japan’s campaign.
- Captain Mohan Singh, not Bose, served as first commander, but his role was later overshadowed.
- Bose took over in 1943, providing global visibility, structure, and leadership to the existing army.
- Caution for students:
- INA’s history is already complex and contested; this new interpretation adds another layer but does not necessarily overturn all accepted facts (e.g., Bose’s later leadership as per our standard references, the INA’s role in Indian nationalist memory).
- Some aspects (e.g., precise agreements between Japanese intelligence and Indian nationalists) may remain debated or partially documented.
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About the Indian National Army (INA):
- Origins: Formed during World War II to fight British rule, the INA emerged from collaboration between Japanese intelligence and Indian nationalists before Subhas Chandra Bose took command.
- Initial Formation: Conceived in a 1938 Tokyo meeting between Rash Behari Bose; using Indian POWs in Southeast Asia to aid Japan’s war and India’s liberation.
- Early Leadership: Captain Mohan Singh of the 14 Punjab Regiment became its first commander, recruiting about 40,000 POWs with Japanese support. Internal disputes led to his removal, after which Rash Behari Bose sustained the movement via the Indian Independence League (Tokyo, 1942).
- Rise of Subhas Chandra Bose: Bose escaped British custody in 1941, travelled through Berlin and Japan, and reached Singapore in July 1943, where Rash Behari Bose handed him INA leadership.
- Reorganization Under Netaji: On August 25, 1943, Bose became Supreme Commander and established the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind) on October 21, 1943, recognized by nine countries including Japan and Germany. Under the “Chalo Delhi” campaign, INA forces entered Manipur, raising their flag at Moirang, but progress halted after Japan’s 1945 defeat.
- Collapse and Trials: Following Japan’s surrender (August 15, 1945), the INA disbanded. Bose reportedly died in a plane crash (August 18, 1945). Captured INA officers were tried at the Red Fort (1945–46), the Sehgal–Dhillon–Khan trial became a symbol of unity, with Nehru, Bhulabhai Desai, and Asaf Ali defending them.
Nationalist Uprisings and Impact:
- Symbol of Unity: The INA represented armed nationalism and secular unity, transcending caste, region, and religion; the slogan “Jai Hind” became a national salute.
- Mass Protests: The INA trials sparked nationwide agitation, uniting students, soldiers, and civilians in solidarity.
- Key Confrontations:
- Nov 21, 1945 – Calcutta police firing on INA protestors.
- Feb 11, 1946 – Demonstrations against Rashid Ali’s sentencing.
- Feb 18, 1946 – Royal Indian Navy (RIN) mutiny, with 20,000 sailors revolting in Bombay.
- Impact on British Rule: The INA’s defiance shattered British confidence in Indian troops’ loyalty. Even Clement Attlee (1956) admitted the INA and postwar unrest accelerated British withdrawal.
- Legacy: Unified militant and mass politics; inspired future Indian defense ethos; remains a symbol of courage and secular nationalism under Netaji’s leadership.
| [UPSC 2021] In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as officers of the Indian National Army.
Options: (a) Leaders of the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement
(b) Members of the Interim Government in 1946
(c) Members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly
(d) Officers of the Indian National Army* |
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Why in the News?
This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in The Hindu.
What is the Rare Earth Hypothesis?
- About: Proposed by Peter Ward (palaeontologist) and Donald Brownlee (astronomer) in 2000, it suggests that simple life (like microbes) may be common, but complex life (like plants and animals) is extremely rare in the universe.
- Core Idea: Earth supports advanced life because of a unique mix of conditions such as a stable orbit, a protective magnetic field, active plate tectonics, and giant planets like Jupiter that shield it from asteroids.
- Meaning: The Earth is not an ordinary planet; it is a special case where everything aligned perfectly to allow complex life to evolve.
How does it differ from other Theories?
- Drake Equation / Mediocrity Principle: Say that life should be common since there are billions of stars; the Rare Earth Hypothesis says complex life is rare even if basic life is not.
- Fermi Paradox: Asks “Where is everybody?” The Rare Earth answer is that complex intelligent life is rare, so we don’t see others.
- Copernican Principle: Claims Earth is ordinary; the Rare Earth Hypothesis argues Earth is extraordinary and rare in its conditions.
Evidence supporting the Hypothesis:
- Exoplanet Studies (Kepler Mission): Thousands of Earth-sized planets found, but few have stable climates or protective atmospheres like Earth.
- M-dwarf Planets: Many orbit small stars and lose their atmospheres due to strong radiation.
- No Alien Signals: Breakthrough Listen and other searches found no technosignatures from intelligent civilizations.
- Earth’s Uniqueness: Plate tectonics and a carbon cycle help Earth keep a stable climate for billions of years; such conditions have not yet been found elsewhere.
Scientific Outlook and Future Research:
- Current View: Microbial life might exist on many planets, but stable, complex ecosystems like Earth’s are probably rare.
- Ongoing Studies:
- James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) searches for gases like oxygen, methane, and water on distant planets.
- Planetary models test if other worlds have tectonics or internal heat for climate balance.
- Technosignature surveys continue for traces of intelligent life.
- Future Missions: Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) and Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will study exoplanet atmospheres more closely.
- Significance: The Rare Earth Hypothesis remains plausible but unproven, showing that life may be widespread, but Earth-like complexity could be one of the universe’s rarest achievements.
| [UPSC 2018] Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?
1. Continental drift
2. Glacial cycles
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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Why in the News?
The Union Ministry of Power has inaugurated India’s largest and first MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) of 3 MWh capacity at NETRA, NTPC’s R&D Centre in Greater Noida.
About the Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB):
- Overview: A rechargeable flow battery that stores energy in liquid electrolytes containing vanadium ions in different oxidation states.
- Core Principle: Uses the same element vanadium for both electrolytes, preventing cross-contamination and extending operational life.
- Working Mechanism: Energy is stored through oxidation and reduction reactions of vanadium ions, where electrons are exchanged between two electrolyte tanks.
- Cell Design: Electrolytes circulate through a cell stack separated by an ion-selective membrane that enables ion movement while stopping mixing.
- Scalability: Energy capacity depends on electrolyte volume, while power output depends on cell stack size, allowing flexible scaling.
- Application Focus: Ideal for stationary, grid-scale energy storage, renewable energy integration, and backup power systems.
Benefits over Conventional Batteries:
- Independent Scalability: Energy and power can be scaled separately, perfect for large utility storage and renewable grids.
- Extended Lifespan: Can endure thousands of cycles since vanadium electrolytes don’t degrade or mix.
- Full Discharge Safety: Can be fully discharged (100%) without damaging capacity, unlike lithium-ion batteries.
- High Safety Level: Uses non-flammable, water-based electrolytes, eliminating risk of fire or explosion.
- Eco-Friendly: Recyclable and non-toxic electrolytes reduce environmental impact and support circular use.
- Long-Duration Storage: Provides 6–10+ hours of continuous energy, ideal for stabilizing solar and wind supply.
- Low Maintenance: Fewer mechanical parts and no thermal runaway risk ensure long-term durability.
- Fast Response: Reacts quickly to grid fluctuations, improving power quality and reliability.
Limitations:
- High Initial Cost: Requires expensive vanadium electrolyte and specialized components, leading to higher upfront installation costs than lithium-ion systems.
- Low Energy Density: Stores less energy per unit volume, making it unsuitable for mobile or space-constrained applications like electric vehicles.
- Complex Infrastructure: Needs large storage tanks, pumps, and control systems, which increase operational complexity and land requirements.
| [UPSC 2025] In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements:
I. Cobalt II. Graphite III. Lithium IV. Nickel
How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three* (d) All the four |
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Why in the News?
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), in collaboration with the United Nations, has introduced the Integrity Matters Checklist to help companies and investors align their climate disclosures with the UN’s net-zero integrity standards.
About the Integrity Matters Checklist:
- Overview: Created by the GRI in collaboration with the United Nations.
- Purpose: Helps companies and investors align their climate disclosures with the UN’s integrity standards for net-zero commitments.
- Origin: Based on the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) recommendations outlined in the Integrity Matters Report, first released at COP27 (2022) and updated in 2025.
- Framework Integration: Aligns with the GRI 102: Climate Change 2025 Standard, providing a unified structure for sustainability and climate reporting.
- Key Focus Areas: Guides disclosure of climate targets, transition plans, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction pathways, and just transition principles.
- Operational Aim: Strengthens corporate accountability and ensures commitments are science-based, transparent, and verifiable.
- Endorsements: Supported by the UN Global Compact and the UN Climate Change Secretariat, affirming its role in implementing credible climate governance.
Key Features:
- Science-Based Targets: Encourages reporting consistent with Paris Agreement-aligned decarbonisation pathways.
- Fossil Fuel Phase-Out: Calls for transparent reporting on divestment from fossil fuels and investment in renewables.
- Just Transition Integration: Embeds social inclusion, equity, and worker protection in corporate climate strategies.
- Investor-Ready Information: Produces comparable, decision-useful data for financial institutions and regulators.
- Full GRI Compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with existing GRI standards to avoid duplication in ESG reporting.
- Global Relevance: Applicable to all sectors and geographies, with focus on pre-COP30 adoption and accountability.
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Why in the News?
Scientists discovered a new type of magnetism called altermagnetism, confirmed in 2024, which combines features of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
What is Altermagnetism?
- Overview: A new form of magnetism discovered in 2019 and proven experimentally in 2024; combines traits of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
- Mechanism: Atoms have opposite (antiparallel) spins like in antiferromagnets, but their alignment follows mirror or rotational symmetry, not simple alternation.
- Magnetic Effect: Although it has no external magnetic field, the electrons show different energy levels for spin-up and spin-down states.
- Discovery: First observed in manganese telluride (MnTe) through photoemission and X-ray imaging techniques.
- Scientific Relevance: Introduces a magnetically neutral but electronically active material class useful for next-generation electronics.
Distinctive Properties:
- Zero External Magnetism: Produces no external field but shows strong internal spin asymmetry.
- Spin-Polarised Currents: Can carry magnetic-like electric currents without stray fields.
- Ultrafast Response: Works at terahertz (THz) frequencies, about 1000× faster than conventional magnetic devices.
- Stable Performance: Maintains stable magnetic order even under changing conditions.
- Crystal-Based Symmetry: Magnetism arises from atomic structure, not external alignment.
How does it differ from other Magnetisms?
- Ferromagnetism: All spins align in the same direction, creating a strong external magnetic field.
- Antiferromagnetism: Spins align in opposite directions, fully cancelling magnetism with equal spin energy.
- Altermagnetism: Spins align oppositely but mirror-linked, giving energy difference between spins, no net field, yet internal magnetic effects.
Applications:
- Spintronics: Enables compact, energy-efficient data storage and logic devices.
- Quantum Computing: Provides magnetically quiet materials for stable qubit performance.
- High-Speed Electronics: Supports ultrafast processors operating at terahertz levels.
- Advanced Sensors: Useful for precise, low-noise magnetic detection.
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Why in the News?
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), in collaboration with NASA, have made the first spectroscopic observations of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) in the visible wavelength range, using the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) aboard Aditya-L1.
About Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC):
- Overview: The VELC is the primary scientific payload onboard Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory mission.
- Developer: Designed and built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at its CREST campus, Hosakote (Karnataka).
- Function: It is an internally occulted coronagraph capable of imaging, spectroscopy, and spectro-polarimetry of the solar corona, the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
- Objective: To study coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar wind acceleration, coronal temperature, plasma velocity, and magnetic field dynamics close to the solar limb.
- Capabilities:
- Observes the corona as close as 1.05 solar radii from the Sun’s surface.
- Equipped with a spectrograph, polarimeter, and detectors for high-resolution data.
- Enables continuous 24-hour solar observation from Lagrange Point L1.
- Significance: Provides first-ever spectroscopic data of CMEs near the Sun, enhancing understanding of space weather and solar activity.
- Key Findings:
- Electron Density: ~370 million electrons per cubic centimetre within the CME, several times higher than the ambient solar corona (10–100 million/cm³).
- Energy: ~9.4 × 10²¹ joules- nearly 100 trillion times the energy released by the Hiroshima bomb.
- Mass: ~270 million tonnes- about 180 times the mass of the iceberg that sank the Titanic.
Back2Basics: Aditya-L1 Mission
- Overview: India’s first space-based solar mission, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Launch & Position: Launched in 2023; placed at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, providing an uninterrupted view of the Sun.
- Purpose: To study the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona), solar radiation, magnetic storms, and space weather phenomena.
- Key Objectives:
- Understand the dynamics of solar corona and solar wind.
- Study solar flares, CMEs, and their impact on Earth’s magnetosphere.
- Monitor space weather to protect satellites and communication systems.
- Scientific Payloads (7 instruments):
-
- VELC – Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (solar corona imaging).
- SUIT – Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope.
- SoLEXS – Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer.
- HEL1OS – High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer.
- ASPEX – Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment.
- PAPA – Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya.
- Magnetometer – Measures magnetic fields at L1.
- Significance:
- First Indian mission to continuously observe the Sun.
- Strengthens India’s position in global heliophysics research.
- Provides early warnings for geomagnetic storms affecting satellites and power grids.
| [UPSC 2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ?
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only* (d) 2, 5 and 6 only |
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Why in the News?
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has prohibited tourist entry to the Nata Mandap (Hall of Dance) at the Sun Temple, Konark, citing safety concerns.
About the Konark Sun Temple:
- It is located approximately 64 km from Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- It was built in the 13th century (around 1250 CE) during the reign of King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
- It is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God.
- It is designed as a massive chariot drawn by 7 horses with 24 intricately carved wheels.
- It was constructed from Khondalite stone, known for its durability and intricate carvings.
- The structure originally included a sanctum (deul) and an assembly hall (jagamohan) that have largely collapsed.
Historical Significance:
- The Konark Wheel, featured on Indian currency (old ₹20 and new ₹10 notes), symbolizes Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and national identity.
- It reflects 13th-century advancements in timekeeping and astronomy through its sundial functionality.
- It embodies the cycle of life and serves as a testament to the worship of Surya, the Sun God.
- It is a key example of the Kalinga architectural style, highlighting the Eastern Ganga Dynasty’s achievements.
Architectural Significance:
- Design: Represents a chariot of the Sun God, drawn by 7 horses, with 24 intricately carved wheels.
- Wheel Details:
- Diameter: 9 feet 9 inches.
- Spokes: 8 wide and 8 thin, symbolising prahars (three-hour periods).
- Symbolism:
- 7 horses: 7 days of the week.
- 12 pairs of wheels: 12 months.
- 24 wheels: 24 hours in a day.
- Sundial Functionality: Two wheels act as sundials, showing time from sunrise to sunset using the axel’s shadow.
- Carvings: Features intricate designs of foliage, animals, and human figures, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship.
[UPSC 2021] With reference to the Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements:
1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of the Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 4* (d) 2, 3, and 4 |
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Why in the News?
China has rejected President Trump’s claim of secret nuclear tests, reaffirming its commitment to the CTBT amid renewed U.S. calls for nuclear testing and revived Cold War–style tensions.
About Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO):
- Establishment: Formed in 1996 under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) to build and operate a verification regime ensuring compliance with the global ban on nuclear explosions.
- Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
- Mandate: To monitor adherence to the CTBT through a global verification system capable of detecting any nuclear test anywhere in the world.
- Verification System: Operates the International Monitoring System (IMS) with 337 facilities, including seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide stations to detect underground, underwater, or atmospheric nuclear tests.
- Data Centre: The International Data Centre (IDC) analyses and distributes real-time data to member states, providing early warning of suspicious activities.
- Preparatory Commission: Functions until the CTBT formally enters into force, maintaining operational readiness and supporting states’ verification capabilities.
- Scientific Applications: The IMS also contributes to tsunami warning systems, atmospheric research, and disaster response, reinforcing the CTBTO’s global utility beyond disarmament.
Back2Basics: How are CTBT and NPT related?
- Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) are closely linked pillars of the global nuclear arms control regime:
-
- Shared Goal: Both aim to prevent nuclear proliferation and promote disarmament.
- Scope Difference: The NPT focuses on stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful nuclear use; the CTBT bans all nuclear explosions for any purpose.
- Chronological Link: The NPT (1970) came first, creating the legal framework for non-proliferation; the CTBT (1996) built on it by prohibiting testing, reinforcing the NPT’s disarmament pillar.
- Verification and Compliance: The CTBT adds technical verification through the International Monitoring System, complementing NPT’s safeguards under the IAEA.
- Disarmament Pathway: Ratification of the CTBT is often viewed as a key step toward fulfilling Article VI of the NPT, which obliges nuclear powers to pursue disarmament.
|
Status of the Treaty and Ratification Gap:
- Adoption: It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1996 and opened for signature on September 24, 1996.
- Membership: As of 2025, 187 states have signed and 178 have ratified the treaty.
- Enforcement: It will become legally binding only after 44 specific “Annex 2” states, those with nuclear technology at the time ratify it.
- Pending Ratifications: Eight critical states have not ratified the treaty- China, Egypt, Iran, Israel, and the United States (signatories but unratified), and India, Pakistan, and North Korea (non-signatories).
- Recent Setback: In 2023, Russia revoked its ratification, though it continues to observe a testing moratorium, weakening the treaty’s political momentum.
- Global Compliance: Despite legal limbo, a de facto moratorium on nuclear testing has largely held since the 1990s; only North Korea has violated it with tests since 2006.
- Significance: The CTBT remains a cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime, its verification network providing both deterrence and transparency even without formal legal enforcement.
| [UPSC 2015] Consider the following countries:
1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
(a) 1 and 2 only * (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
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Why in the News?
The Winter Session of Parliament will be held from December 1 to 19, 2025.
About Parliamentary Sessions:
- Parliamentary Sessions are formal periods when the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha meet to legislate, deliberate, and hold the government accountable.
- Each session has several sittings for debates, questions, and lawmaking. Under Article 85(1), the President must summon both Houses so that not more than six months elapse between two sessions.
- Types of Sessions:
-
- Budget Session (Feb–Mar): Begins with the President’s Address; includes Union Budget presentation and debate.
- Monsoon Session (Jul–Aug): Focuses on legislative work and national issues.
- Winter Session (Nov–Dec): Reviews policies, finalises pending legislation.
- Special Session: Called for urgent or commemorative matters (e.g., emergencies or milestones).
Key Terms Related to Sessions:
- Summoning (Art. 85(1)): President summons Parliament on Cabinet Committee advice; at least two sessions yearly, with ≤ six-month gap.
- Adjournment: Temporary suspension of a sitting; business resumes when House reassembles.
- Adjournment Sine Die: Ends a sitting without fixing a date for the next meeting; followed by presidential prorogation.
- Prorogation (Art. 85(2)(a)): Formal end of a session by the President; pending bills do not lapse.
- Dissolution (Art. 85(2)(b)): Ends the Lok Sabha’s tenure; triggers new elections; pending bills in Lok Sabha lapse.
- Recess: Period between the prorogation of one session and the start of the next.
- Lame Duck Session: Last session of an outgoing Lok Sabha before the new one forms.
- Quorum (Art. 100): Minimum attendance for business—55 in Lok Sabha, 25 in Rajya Sabha.
- Voting (Art. 100):
- Voice Vote: Members respond “Aye”/“No.”
- Division Vote: Contested results recorded electronically.
- Casting Vote: Presiding officer’s tie-breaking vote.
| [UPSC 2024] With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:
1. Prorogation of a House by the President of India does not require the advice of the Council of Ministers.
2. Prorogation of a House is generally done after the House is adjourned sine die, but there is no bar to the President of India proroguing the House which is in session.
3. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is done by the President of India who, save in exceptional circumstances, does so on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 2 and 3* (d) 3 only |
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Why in the News?
At the Leaders’ Summit in Belem, Brazil, preceding the COP30, India has announced its decision to join the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as an Observer.
About Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF):
- What is it: A global blended-finance mechanism rewarding Tropical Forest Countries (TFCs) for conserving intact forests through annual conservation-linked payments.
- Payment Design: Provides $4 per hectare annually for protected forest area, with deductions for deforestation or ecosystem degradation verified via satellite data.
- Institutional Setup: Managed by a TFFF Secretariat (policy and oversight) and a Tropical Forest Investment Fund (TFIF) (financial operations and investment management).
- Investment Model: The TFIF channels sponsor contributions into sovereign, corporate, green, and blue bonds, explicitly excluding fossil fuel industries.
- Community Allocation: 20% of total payments earmarked for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to support sustainable livelihoods and rights-based forest governance.
- Monitoring Mechanism: Conservation outcomes tracked via satellite and third-party verification systems ensuring full transparency and performance-based accountability.
- Financial Sustainability: Operates as a budget-neutral model, where investment returns fund long-term conservation payments rather than temporary grants.
- Initial Pledges: Founding commitments include Brazil ($1 bn), Indonesia ($1 bn), Norway ($3 bn over 10 years), Colombia ($250 mn), Netherlands ($5 mn), Portugal (€1 mn); France, China, and UAE have expressed political support.
Relation to REDD+ Framework:
- REDD+ Genesis: Launched in 2008 under the UNFCCC, REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus, providing result-based payments for verified emission reductions.
- Core Difference: While REDD+ rewards verified carbon reductions, TFFF offers annual standing forest payments, maintaining steady conservation incentives.
- Approach: REDD+ focuses on carbon metrics and offset markets, whereas TFFF bypasses carbon dependency, offering investment-backed, non-offset finance.
- Objectives Alignment: Both aim to promote sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced carbon stock in developing nations.
- Institutional Partners: REDD+ is jointly administered by FAO, UNDP, UNEP, and implemented in 65+ countries; TFFF aligns with these frameworks through transparency and inclusivity principles.
- Added Value: TFFF strengthens long-term financial resilience of conservation efforts by combining public and private investments with community-centric benefit-sharing.
India’s Role and Climate Record:
- Emission Reduction Record: From 2005–2020, India cut emission intensity by 36%, achieving 50% non-fossil installed power capacity ahead of 2030 goals.
- Carbon Sink Achievement: Between 2005–2021, India added 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent through expanded forest and tree cover.
- NDC Commitments: India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (to 2035) targets deeper emission cuts and enhanced carbon sink creation.
- Strategic Importance: Strengthens South–South cooperation and India’s advocacy for equitable climate responsibility within global negotiations.
| [UPSC 2025] Which one of the following launched the ‘Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific’?
(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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