Rowmari- Donduwa Wetland Complex

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

Why in the News?

Environmentalists in Assam have proposed the Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex for designation as a Ramsar Site, citing its exceptional biodiversity and ecological services.

Assam’s Wetland Context:

Current Scenario: Assam has 3,500+ wetlands (≈1.01 lakh ha), but only Deepor Beel (2002) is a Ramsar Site.
Conservation Importance: Designating Rowmari–Donduwa would fill a 20-year conservation gap and enhance Assam’s global wetland profile.
Regional Context: North-East India’s Ramsar Sites- Deepor Beel (Assam), Loktak (Manipur), Rudrasagar (Tripura), Pala (Mizoram).

About Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex:

Overview: Situated within the Laokhowa–Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagaon district, Assam, forming part of the Kaziranga–Orang landscape.
Ecological Role: An interconnected floodplain–marsh system acting as an ecological corridor between Kaziranga and Orang National Parks, supporting wildlife movement and genetic diversity.
Biodiversity Significance: The 6th Kaziranga Wetland Bird Census (2025) recorded 47,000+ birds of 120 species, exceeding counts from Deepor Beel and Loktak Lake.
Key Species: Hosts globally threatened birds, Knob-billed Duck, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black-necked Stork, Ferruginous Pochard, and Common Pochard.
Ecosystem Services: Provides flood control, groundwater recharge, carbon storage, and supports fisheries and ecotourism-based livelihoods.
Ramsar Eligibility: Fulfils 8 of 9 Ramsar criteria, qualifying as a Wetland of International Importance.

Back2Basics: Ramsar Convention

Establishment: Signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
Objective: Provide a framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
Functions:
- Identify and designate wetlands of international importance.
- Promote effective management of wetlands.
- Foster international cooperation for conservation.
Members: 173 countries (as of 2025).
India and Ramsar:
- India joined in 1982.
- First Ramsar site: Chilika Lake, Odisha (1981).
- Current total: 93 sites (Sept 2025), covering 13,60,718 hectares.
- Growth: From 26 sites in 2012 to 93 in 2025 (51 added since 2020).
- State-wise: Tamil Nadu has the highest (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
- About 10% of India’s total wetland area is under Ramsar listing.
Montreux Record: List of Ramsar sites under threat of ecological change.
- 48 sites globally (2025).
- 2 Indian sites included: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
World Wetlands Day: Celebrated on February 2nd every year.
- 2025 Theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.

Criteria for Declaration (9 Criteria):

A wetland can be declared a Ramsar site if it meets at least one of these:

Has unique, rare, or representative wetland types.
Supports vulnerable, endangered, or endemic species.
Provides critical habitat for waterfowl, especially during migration.
Contains significant ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological features.
Supports biodiversity conservation and scientific research.
Provides ecosystem services like flood control, groundwater recharge, and water purification.
Has cultural, spiritual, or recreational importance.
Ensures sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Faces threats requiring international cooperation for conservation.

[UPSC 2022] Consider the following pairs:

Wetland/Lake Location

1. Hokera Wetland- Punjab

2. Renuka Wetland- Himachal Pradesh

3. Rudrasagar Lake- Tripura

4. Sasthamkotta Lake- Tamil Nadu

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

Options: (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs* (c) Only three pairs (d) All four pairs

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ISRO Missions and Discoveries

ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket launches GSAT-7R

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

Why in the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the GSAT-7R (CMS-03) communication satellite for the Indian Navy from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Back2Basics: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) Rocket

Overview: LVM3 formerly GSLV Mk-III, is ISRO’s heaviest and most powerful launch vehicle, built to lift 4-tonne GTO and 8-tonne LEO payloads.
Configuration: A 3-stage system – (1) S200 solid boosters, (2) L110 liquid core (UH25 + N₂O₄), and (2) C25 cryogenic upper stage (LH₂ + LOX) providing high thrust and precision.
Payload Capacity: Delivers ~4,000 kg to GTO and ~8,000 kg to LEO; GSAT-7R demonstrated >4,400 kg capability, setting a new record.
Mission Legacy: Successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, OneWeb satellites, and Gaganyaan crew module tests.
Cryogenic Stage: The C25 engine produces ~20 tonnes thrust; the upgraded C32 stage (22 tonnes thrust) is under development.
Future Upgrade: Plans to replace L110 with a semi-cryogenic kerosene–liquid oxygen stage for higher efficiency and lower cost.
Reliability & Role: With seven consecutive successes, LVM3 is India’s most dependable heavy launcher and baseline vehicle for Gaganyaan and Bharatiya Antariksh Station missions.
Strategic Significance: Establishes India’s complete autonomy in heavy launch capability, strengthening its position in the global space economy.

About GSAT-7R (CMS-03):

Overview: An advanced multiband communication satellite developed to strengthen the Indian Navy’s secure communications and maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Developer & Design: Indigenously designed by ISRO under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, advancing self-reliance in defence space infrastructure.
Mass & Orbit: Weighs ~4,410 kg, the heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil; inserted into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) before shifting to Geostationary Orbit (~36,000 km).
Technical Features: Equipped with secure, high-throughput multiband transponders supporting voice, data, and video links across ships, submarines, and aircraft.
Coverage & Capability: Provides pan-Indian Ocean coverage, enabling real-time encrypted communication and Blue Water operational readiness.
Strategic Role: Functions as a key node in the Defence Communication Network (DCN), enhancing situational awareness and naval coordination.
Predecessor: Succeeds GSAT-7 (Rukmini, 2013) with expanded range, bandwidth, and capacity.
Significance: Symbolises India’s move toward indigenous defence satellites, merging space technology and national security.

[UPSC 2018] With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements :

1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.

2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.

3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Lucknow named UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’

Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture
Why in the News?

At the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Lucknow was officially designated a “Creative City of Gastronomy”, making it only the second Indian city after Hyderabad (2019) to receive this title.

About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):
- Aim: To promote the integration of cultural industries into economic, social, and environmental policies, strengthening innovation and cultural diversity.
- Establishment: Created by UNESCO in 2004 to foster global cooperation among cities leveraging culture and creativity for sustainable urban development.
- Creative Fields: Recognises excellence across 7 categories: Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, Music, and Crafts & Folk Art.
- Membership Scope: Encompasses over 250 cities worldwide, selected through a rigorous UNESCO evaluation process assessing creativity, sustainability, and community engagement.
- Core Objectives:
  - Encourage innovation-driven growth and cultural diversity.
  - Facilitate knowledge-sharing, cultural exchange, and urban identity building.
  - Support creative economy development and inclusive city policies.
- Collaborative Role: Serves as a global platform for member cities to share best practices, co-develop cultural initiatives, and enhance local creative ecosystems.
Creative Cities in India:
- Jaipur – Crafts & Folk Arts (2015)
- Varanasi – Music (2015)
- Chennai – Music (2017)
- Mumbai – Film (2019)
- Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019)
- Srinagar – Crafts & Folk Arts (2022)
- Gwalior – Music (2025)
- Kozhikode – Literature (2025)
- Lucknow – Gastronomy (2025)
[UPSC 2024] Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?

Options: (a) Chhau dance (b) Durga Puja (c) Garba dance* (d) Kumbh Mela
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[pib] Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)

Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters
Why in the News?

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has announced major reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in the national rehabilitation system.

About the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI):
- Overview: It is a statutory body established under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, and came into statutory force on 22 June 1993.
- Vision: To build a skilled, ethical, and inclusive rehabilitation workforce aligned with India’s disability rights framework and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) commitments.
- Nodal Agency: Functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
- Historical Background: Initially set up as a registered society in 1986, later granted statutory powers to regulate rehabilitation education and practice nationwide.
- Regulatory Role: Acts as the national authority for training, education, and certification of professionals working in rehabilitation and special education.
- Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR): Maintains and updates the CRR, a national database of all certified rehabilitation professionals in India.
- Scope of Coverage: Regulates 16 professional categories including special educators, audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and clinical psychologists.
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Ocean Governance – UNCLOS, ISA, High Seas Teaty, etc.

[pib] National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025

Prelims Only | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues
Why in the News?

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying George Kurian officially launched the National Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 at ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

About National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025:
- Objective: To collect detailed data on fishermen population, crafts, gear, livelihood patterns, and welfare indicators for evidence-based policy and blue economy planning.
- Overview: The 5th national enumeration of India’s marine fisheries sector after 1980, 1998, 2005, and 2010 rounds.
- Implementing Agencies: Conducted by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, coordinated by ICAR–CMFRI with Fishery Survey of India (FSI) as operational partner.
- Coverage: Encompasses 1.2 million fisher households across 4,000–5,000 marine fishing villages in nine coastal states and four UTs, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
- Funding & Legal Basis: Financed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an allocation of ₹16.2 crore for digital census operations.
Key Features:
- Digital Data Collection: First paperless marine census using apps, VyAS Bharat, VyAS Sutra, and VyAS NAV, enabling geo-tagged, real-time data capture and validation.
- Technological Integration: Uses drone-based craft surveys and live dashboards at CMFRI; establishes a National Marine Fisheries Data Centre for analytics and storage.
- Expanded Scope: Covers ornamental fisheries, seaweed farming, and post-harvest value chain activities; includes data on credit, insurance, and welfare access.
- NFDP Linkage: Mandates registration on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) to ensure DBT-based benefit delivery under PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
- Inclusive Approach: Involves 1,000+ trained enumerators with state departments and fisher cooperatives, promoting community participation for accuracy.
- Government Initiative: Promotes safety tools like vessel transponders and turtle excluder devices (TEDs); embodies the vision “Smart Census, Smarter Fisheries.”
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Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF)

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

Why in the News?

In October 2025, seven countries, Cook Islands, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Uganda, secured $5.8 million in grants from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) to promote nature-friendly agriculture.

What is Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF)?

Objective: To assist developing nations in implementing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), aimed at halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and restoring ecosystems by 2050.
Overview: Established in 2021 during Part 1 of COP-15 at Kunming, China, under China’s presidency of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Initial Contribution: China pledged 1.5 billion yuan (~USD 200 million) as seed funding.
Administration: Managed by China’s Ministry of Ecology & Environment, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the CBD Secretariat; functions as a Multi-Partner Trust Fund with UNDP and others.
Focus Areas:
- Support for National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
- Ecosystem restoration, invasive-species control, and sustainable agriculture.
- Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation.
2025 Allocation: Released USD 5.8 million via FAO to Cook Islands, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and Uganda for biodiversity-linked agriculture and resilience projects.
Alignment: Advances KMGBF Target 19 (mobilising USD 200 billion per year by 2030) and helps bridge the USD 700 billion annual global biodiversity finance gap.
Global Significance: Serves as a cornerstone of biodiversity finance, complementing the GEF, Green Climate Fund, and Cali Fund (2025) to mobilise global conservation resources.

India and the KBF:

Funding Status: As of 2025, India has not yet received direct KBF funding but remains eligible as a biodiversity-rich developing country and active CBD Party.
National Alignment: India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP), National Biodiversity Mission, and Green India Mission align with KBF priorities, especially ecosystem restoration, biodiversity mainstreaming, and community participation.

[UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.

2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining acces and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

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Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

Revisions in the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Inclusive Growth & Issues

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has proposed major revisions in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) methodology, to be implemented in the new retail inflation series from February 2026.

About the Consumer Price Index (CPI):

Overview: The CPI measures the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services typically consumed by households.
Purpose: It tracks retail inflation showing how the purchasing power of money changes due to price variations, and how living costs evolve across different population groups.
Components:
- Food and Beverages: Cereals, pulses, vegetables, milk, meat, fish, sugar, and beverages.
- Housing: Rent paid for rented houses and imputed rent for self-occupied dwellings.
- Clothing and Footwear: Garments, textiles, footwear, and related goods.
- Fuel and Light: LPG, kerosene, electricity, firewood, and other fuels.
- Miscellaneous: Transport, communication, education, health, recreation, personal care, and other services.
Publishing Authority: The CPI is compiled and released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) through the National Statistical Office (NSO) every month.
Current Base Year: 2012, which is being revised to 2024 to reflect more recent household consumption patterns captured in the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24.
Coverage: Separate indices are compiled for Rural, Urban, and Combined (Rural + Urban) sectors to reflect diverse consumption and price patterns.
Types of CPI in India:

1. CPI for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW): Base year 2016; tracks inflation for organized industrial workers; used for Dearness Allowance (DA) revisions.
2. CPI for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL): Base year 1986–87; measures price changes faced by agricultural labourers.
3. CPI for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL): Base year 1986–87; monitors inflation for rural households dependent on wage labour.
4. CPI (Urban), CPI (Rural), and CPI (Combined): Base year 2012; represents national-level retail inflation and is the official measure of inflation in India.

Weightage: The relative importance (weight) of each component reflects its share in total household expenditure, for instance, food and beverages hold over 45%, while housing has 21.67% in urban CPI and 10.07% in all-India CPI.
Use and Importance:
- Inflation Targeting: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) uses CPI as the anchor for its Monetary Policy Framework, aiming for 4% ± 2% inflation.
- Wage & Pension Adjustments: CPI is used to revise wages, pensions, and dearness allowances in both government and industrial sectors.
- Policy Planning: It provides essential inputs for economic policy, poverty analysis, and fiscal decisions.
- Economic Indicator: Serves as the primary indicator of cost of living, influencing interest rate decisions, tax indexation, and social welfare adjustments.

Revisions in the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Revisions in the CPI:

Monthly Rent Data: Collection every month for both rural & urban areas, replacing earlier six-monthly urban series.
Inclusion of Rural Housing: Covers imputed rents for owner-occupied rural dwellings.
Exclusion of Employer Housing: Removes HRA-based distortions from government/PSU quarters.
Expanded Sampling & IMF Alignment: Broader coverage, discontinuation of panel imputation, adoption of IMF-recommended rent index computation.
Weight Revision: Recalibrates housing share (currently 21.67 % urban; 10.07 % all-India) using new expenditure data.
Transparency: MoSPI discussion papers (2024-25) invite feedback on PDS treatment, housing index, and base methodology.

Rationale & Impact:

Captures Post-Pandemic Rent Surge overlooked by the 2012 base.
Addresses Rural Under-coverage for two-thirds of India’s population.
Enhances RBI’s Inflation Targeting through more accurate rent data.
Aligns with Global Standards, strengthening CPI’s credibility as a comprehensive welfare and policy indicator.

[UPSC 2020] Consider the following statements:
1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does.
3. Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

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GI(Geographical Indicator) Tags

[pib] GI Tagged Indi and Puliyankudi Limes

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Intellectual Property Rights

Why in the News?

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has facilitated India’s first air export of GI-tagged Indi Lime and Puliyankudi Lime to the UK.

[pib] GI Tagged Indi and Puliyankudi Limes

About Indi Lime:

Origin: Cultivated predominantly in Vijayapura district, Karnataka.
GI Tag: Granted in 2023, becoming India’s second lime variety to obtain a GI certification after the Assam Lemon.
Characteristics:
- Renowned for its zesty aroma, balanced acidity, high juice yield, and thin rind.
- Possesses a distinctive tangy-sweet flavor and rich oil content that enhances its culinary and medicinal appeal.
Cultivation Conditions:
- Thrives in semi-arid climates and black cotton soils of northern Karnataka.
- Largely cultivated using traditional, organic farming practices.
Economic Importance:
- Vijayapura district contributes around 58% of Karnataka’s total lime production.
- Widely used in food, traditional medicine, and cultural practices, reflecting the region’s agricultural heritage.

About Puliyankudi Lime:

Origin: Cultivated in Puliyankudi (Tenkasi district), Tamil Nadu, often termed the “Lemon City of Tamil Nadu.”
GI Tag: Officially registered in April 2025.
Characteristics:
- The Kadayam variety is noted for its thin peel, strong acidity, high juice content (~55%), and ascorbic acid levels (34.3 mg/100g).
- Exhibits an intense aroma and distinct tanginess, making it highly prized in both domestic and international markets.
Cultivation Conditions:
- Grown in red loamy soils under tropical climatic conditions, maintaining traditional horticultural methods.
Significance: A rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants, supporting immunity, digestion, and metabolic health.

[UPSC 2015] Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status?

1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees 2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma 3. Tirupathi Laddu

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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WTO and India

China’s WTO complaint against India’s PLI Schemes

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

Why in the News?

China has lodged a formal complaint at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) alleging that India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) batteries, Automobile and Auto Components, and Electric Vehicles (EVs) violate WTO subsidy rules.

About the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:

Overview: Launched in 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to strengthen domestic manufacturing and global competitiveness.
Objectives:
- Provides financial incentives based on incremental sales of manufactured goods over a base year.
- Aims to attract global investment, enhance exports, create jobs, and integrate MSMEs into value chains.
Coverage: Covers 14 strategic sectors, including electronics, autos, solar modules, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
Incentive Design: Incentives are non-export linked, based on domestic sales and value addition achieved within India.

PLI Schemes Challenged by China:

PLI for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Batteries: Incentivises giga-scale battery manufacturing with 25% Domestic Value Addition (DVA) requirement.
PLI for Automobiles and Auto Components: Promotes Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products with 50% DVA target.
PLI for Electric Vehicles (EVs): Encourages global EV manufacturers to establish production bases in India.

Issues Raised by China at WTO:

Complaint: In October 2025, China filed a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) claiming that India’s PLI schemes violate global subsidy and trade rules.
Core Allegation – DVA Linkage:
- The Domestic Value Addition (DVA) requirement in the PLI scheme, where incentives depend on how much of a product’s value is created within India, is the main point of dispute.
- China argues that by linking financial incentives to DVA thresholds, India is indirectly forcing firms to use locally made components instead of imported ones.
- This, China claims, acts as a “local content requirement”, which WTO rules prohibit because it discriminates against imported goods, especially Chinese batteries, auto parts, and electronic components.
Why China Objects to DVA:
- According to China, the PLI design discourages import of foreign components, making it harder for Chinese products to compete in the Indian market.
- It considers DVA-based incentives as “import substitution subsidies”, banned under the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM).
- China also claims this approach distorts trade, reduces fair competition, and restricts market access for foreign suppliers.
Summary of the Dispute:
- China’s view: DVA = hidden import restriction → violates WTO rules.
- India’s view: DVA = measure of domestic value creation → fully WTO-compliant.

WTO Rules Cited by China:

Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) Agreement:
- Article 1 – Defines subsidy as a financial benefit given by a government.
- Article 3.1(b) – Bans subsidies that depend on using domestic goods over imports.
GATT 1994 (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade):
- Article III.4 – Ensures equal treatment for imported and domestic goods.
TRIMs (Trade-Related Investment Measures) Agreement:
- Article 2.1 – Forbids policies that violate national treatment.
- Annex – Lists Local Content Requirements (LCRs) as WTO-inconsistent.
China argues that India’s PLI incentives linked to DVA break all three rules and act as local content conditions.

India’s Response:

WTO Compliance: India says PLI is WTO-compliant and does not force local sourcing.
Clarification: DVA only measures economic value created in India, like labour, R&D, and innovation, not just use of local parts.
Open for Global Firms: Foreign companies can join and freely import materials; PLI only rewards domestic value creation.
Legal Justification: India cites GATT Article XX, allowing policies for environmental or developmental goals, especially for green tech like EVs and batteries.
Policy Standpoint: India argues that industrial subsidies are a sovereign tool to fix trade imbalances and promote sustainable growth.
WTO Procedure: India will first hold consultations with China (first step of dispute). If unresolved, a WTO panel may be formed, but no ruling will take effect soon as the Appellate Body is non-functional since 2019.
Practical Impact: India can continue the PLI schemes while the dispute is pending.

[UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:
Statement I: India accounts for 3.2% of global exports of goods.
Statement II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India’s ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct *

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Coal and Mining Sector

[pib] Koyla Shakti Dashboard

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

Why in the News?

The Union Minister of Coal and Mines has launched two major digital governance platforms, the KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard and the Coal Land Acquisition, Management, and Payment (CLAMP) Portal, through video conference in New Delhi.

About Koyla Shakti Dashboard:

Overview: It is developed by the Ministry of Coal as a unified digital platform for coal sector management.
Purpose: Integrates the entire coal value chain, from production and logistics to dispatch and consumption, into a single real-time digital interface.
Key Features:
- Data Integration: Consolidates inputs from coal PSUs, Indian Railways, ports, power utilities, and state mining departments, enabling end-to-end visibility across operations.
- Real-Time Analytics: Employs AI-based predictive tools for demand forecasting, logistics optimisation, and supply chain efficiency.
- Governance Impact: Enhances transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making through live dashboards and standardised performance indicators.
- Utility for Policymakers: Provides a decision-support system for resource allocation, capacity utilisation, and production planning.
Sectoral Benefits: Reduces bottlenecks, improves coordination, and facilitates efficient coal dispatch and monitoring.
Reform Milestone: Marks a major step in India’s transition toward digital governance and operational transparency in the extractive sector.

About CLAMP Portal:

Overview: It is a centralised digital system to manage land acquisition, compensation, and R&R (Rehabilitation & Resettlement) in coal-bearing regions.
Developer: Implemented by the Ministry of Coal to streamline land-related processes for public sector coal companies.
Objective: Integrates land records, ownership details, compensation workflows, and payment tracking into one secure interface.
Key Features:
- Transparency & Accountability: Enables real-time tracking of land acquisition progress and compensation disbursements, reducing disputes and delays.
- Institutional Coordination: Acts as a single-window system linking coal PSUs, state revenue departments, and district administrations.
- Efficiency Gains: Eliminates manual paperwork, ensures timely approvals, and improves compliance with land and rehabilitation laws.
- Public-Centric Governance: Prioritises justice, equity, and procedural clarity for affected communities through digital grievance redressal and payment verification.

[UPSC 2022] In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO) ?
1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection to the Government’s notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3* (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 4

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Type: Prelims Only

Why in the News?

Assam’s Wetland Context:

About Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex:

Back2Basics: Ramsar Convention

Criteria for Declaration (9 Criteria):

Why in the News?

Back2Basics: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) Rocket

About GSAT-7R (CMS-03):

Why in the News?

About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):

Creative Cities in India:

Why in the News?

About the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI):

Why in the News?

About National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025:

Key Features:

Why in the News?

What is Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF)?

India and the KBF:

Why in the News?

About the Consumer Price Index (CPI):

Revisions in the CPI:

Rationale & Impact:

Why in the News?

About Indi Lime:

About Puliyankudi Lime:

Why in the News?

About the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:

PLI Schemes Challenged by China:

Issues Raised by China at WTO:

WTO Rules Cited by China:

India’s Response:

Why in the News?

About Koyla Shakti Dashboard:

About CLAMP Portal: