Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Central Ground Water Board Category: Polity and Governance Context: The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has stated that Andhra Pradesh is one of the States facing widespread contamination of groundwater as per the BIS standards. About Central Ground Water Board: Nature: It is the National Apex Agency entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation, and regulation of groundwater resources of the country. Establishment: It was established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tube wells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It was merged with the Ground Water Wing of the Geological Survey of India during 1972. Nodal ministry: It is a multidisciplinary scientific organization of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. Mandate: It aims to develop and disseminate technologies and monitor and implement national policies for the scientific and sustainable development and management of India’s groundwater resources. Organization Setup: It is headed by the Chairman and has five members. It operates via 18 regional offices and 17 divisional offices across India. Composition: It is a multidisciplinary scientific organization consisting of Hydrogeologists, Geophysicists, Chemists, Hydrologists, Hydrometeorologists, and Engineers. Wings: It has four main wings, namely  Sustainable Management & Liaison (SML) Survey, Assessment & Monitoring (SAM) Exploratory Drilling & Materials Management (ED&MM) Water Quality & Training and Technology Transfer (WQ&TT).  Headquarters: Its headquarters is located in Bhujal Bhawan, Faridabad, Haryana. Regulation: The regulation and control of groundwater development is managed by Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in coordination with State Government Organizations. Focus areas: Groundwater explorations to delineate groundwater-worthy areas and potential aquifers. Geophysical surveys to delineate groundwater bearing zones, etc. Periodic assessment of the country’s groundwater resources. Monitoring of groundwater levels and quality through groundwater observation wells. Dissemination of Ground Water Data and knowledge. Source: The Hindu Hatti Tribe Category: Society Context: “Boda Tyohar”, the biggest annual festival of the Hati tribe in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmour commenced recently with traditional fervour. About Hatti Tribe: Nomenclature: The Hattis are a close-knit community who take their name from their age-old professional practice of selling their homegrown crops at small markets called ‘Haat’ in nearby cities. Location: These tribal people reside in the Himachal-Uttarakhand border in the basin of the Giri and Tons rivers, both tributaries of the Yamuna. Social Structure: The community maintains a rigid caste system, primarily divided into upper castes (Bhat and Khash) and lower castes (Badhois). Clans: There are two main Hatti clans: one in the Trans-Giri area of the Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh and the other in Jaunsar Bawar of Uttarakhand. The two Hatti clans have similar traditions, and intermarriages are common. Marriage: Jodidara is a traditional form of polyandrous marriage practised among the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh, where a woman marries two or more brothers. Polyandry is legally recognised in Himachal Pradesh under revenue laws. Attire: Hatti men traditionally don distinctive white headgear on ceremonial occasions. Governance: Harris is governed by a traditional council called ‘khumbli’ which decides community matters. Economy: The Hatti population relies on agriculture for livelihood and bare subsistence since their climate is ideal for growing “Cash Crops.” Festival: Boda Tyohar, also called Magho ko Tyohar, is the biggest annual festival of the Hatti tribe. Population: According to the 2011 census, members of the community numbered around 2.5 lakh, but at present the population of the Hattis is estimated at around 3 lakhs. ST Status: In 2023, the Indian government granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Hatti community in Himachal Pradesh. Source: Hindustan Times International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Category: International Organisations Context: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy recently delivered India’s national statement at the 16th Assembly of the IRENA in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. About International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): Establishment: It is an intergovernmental organisation that was founded in 2009 to support countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. Objective: It serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy.  Member countries: It has 170 Members and the European Union. India is also one of the founder members of IRENA. Association with UN: It is an official United Nations observer. Secretariat: It comprises the Director-General and his staff, provides administrative and technical support to the Assembly, the Council and their subsidiary bodies. Headquarters: Its headquarters is in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Governance: Assembly is IRENA’s ultimate decision-making authority, made up of one representative from each Member.  Council: It is composed of 21 Member States elected for a two-year term and is accountable to the Assembly. Council members serve on a rotating basis to ensure the effective participation of both developing and developed countries and a fair and equitable geographical distribution. Source: PIB PSLV-C62 Mission Category: Science and Technology Context: ISRO recently said that the PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during end of the PS3 stage and a detailed analysis has been initiated. About PSLV-C62 Mission: Nature: It was the first space mission of 2026 for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  Launch Vehicle: It was launched using PSLV-DL variant (Dual Launch), which utilizes two solid strap-on motors (PSOM-XL) to augment thrust. Payloads: It carried one primary satellite and 18 secondary payloads into space. The primary payload was the earth observation satellite EOS-N1 (codenamed ‘Anvesha’), an hyperspectral imaging satellite developed primarily for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for strategic purposes. Significance of EOS-N1: Unlike conventional imaging satellites, hyperspectral satellites could “see” the Earth in hundreds of wavelengths, allowing them to identify materials and objects with far greater precision. This capability made EOS-N1 a high-value asset for national security, border surveillance and strategic monitoring.  Other Important Payloads: AayulSAT (India): Developed by OrbitAID Aerospace, this was India’s first on-orbit satellite refuelling demonstrator, aimed at extending satellite life. KID (Spain): The Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator, a small-scale prototype for a re-entry vehicle designed to splash down in the South Pacific Ocean. Theos-2A (Thailand): An Earth observation satellite developed in collaboration with international partners. Anomaly: The mission encountered a third-stage malfunction (anomaly) after an initially successful lift-off. This was the second consecutive failure involving the PSLV’s third stage, following the PSLV-C61 mission setback in May 2025. Source: The Times of India Indian Giant Squirrel Category: Environment and Ecology Context: During the ongoing All India Tiger Estimation 2026 survey, the Indian giant squirrel, was sighted in the Atwan region of the Pune forest division. About Indian Giant Squirrel: Scientific Name: The scientific name of Indian Giant Squirrel is Ratufa indica. Nature: The Indian Giant Squirrel is a large rodent species native to India. More specifically, it is a type of tree squirrel. It is one of the largest squirrels in the world. Other names: It is also known as the Malabar Giant Squirrel. Distribution: It is found primarily in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Satpura Range. Their ranges include many states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.  Significance: It is Maharashtra’s state animal and locally known as Shekru. Habitat: It is arboreal, spending most of its time in trees. It makes its shelter within holes in trees. They can propel impressive distances of 20 feet. Structure: Its total body length varies from 254 to 457 mm. The tail is typically longer than the length of its body. These squirrels weigh approximately 1.5 to 2 kg. They have short, round ears, a broadened hand with an expanded inner paw for gripping, and large, powerful claws used for gripping tree bark and branches. Difference between males and females: Females are usually larger in size than their male counterparts by about three centimeters and have mammae for nursing their young. Mating pattern: They are typically solitary animals, being seen only rarely in pairs during the breeding season. Distinguishing features: They are distinguishable by their striking, multi-colored hues. Colour patterns: The colours vary between individual squirrels. There is a common pattern of two to three shades, including white or cream, brown, black, red, maroon, and sometimes dark Fuschia. The deep shades are primarily seen along the body, while the lighter colors occur on the underside and the long, bushy tail. Conservation Status: It is classified as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List. Source: The Indian Express (MAINS Focus) Equality, Inequality and Democratic Governance in India GS-II: Indian Constitution—features, significant provisions and basic structure; Fundamental Rights; Directive Principles of State Policy.   Context (Introduction) Public debates in India often frame equality as hostile to growth and entrepreneurship, portraying it as a call for state overreach or “levelling down”. However, high inequality, not equality, poses deeper risks to growth, governance, and democratic trust. Core Idea Equality is not an obstacle to economic growth; rather, excessive inequality undermines social trust, institutional integrity, and democratic legitimacy. In modern, human-capital-intensive economies, broad-based opportunity and social mobility are prerequisites for sustainable growth. How High Inequality Distorts Polity and Governance Erosion of social trust: High income and wealth concentration weakens faith in democratic institutions and the fairness of outcomes, encouraging political alienation. Capture of the State: Inequality often translates into disproportionate political influence of elites, leading to regulatory capture, selective tax enforcement, and ad-hoc bailouts rather than rule-based governance. Entrepreneurship distortion: Inequality restricts entrepreneurship by limiting access to credit, education, networks, and legal protection, confining risk-taking to inherited elites instead of broad talent pools. Misallocation of resources: Capital and talent are drawn into rent-seeking sectors (finance, lobbying, regulatory arbitrage) rather than productive innovation. Weak public goods provision: Unequal societies systematically underinvest in health, education, sanitation, and social protection, undermining long-term productivity. Why Equality Matters for Democratic Polity  Substantive equality (Article 14) is not about uniform outcomes, but about preventing structural exclusion. Equality of opportunity lowers entry barriers, expanding the base of citizens capable of meaningful economic and political participation. Universal public services reduce bureaucratic discretion, corruption, and political patronage. Social trust—a key democratic asset—is stronger in societies where inequality is moderate and mobility is credible. Way Forward Strengthen universal access to health, education, and nutrition Reduce policy discretion through rule-based regulation and taxation Expand equality of opportunity, not outcome micromanagement Curb elite capture through transparency, competition policy, and electoral integrity Reframe public discourse away from “growth vs equality” binaries Conclusion Equality is not an ideological luxury but a constitutional and governance necessity. Far from constraining growth, moderate inequality sustains entrepreneurship, social trust, and democratic legitimacy. In India’s context, restoring equality to its rightful place in public discourse is essential—not to weaken markets, but to preserve democracy itself. Mains Question In contemporary policy discourse, equality is often portrayed as being in tension with economic growth and entrepreneurship. Critically examine this claim in the light of constitutional guarantees of equality and India’s commitment to a welfare state. How does excessive inequality affect democratic governance and institutional trust? (250 words, 15 marks) The Indian Express Early Investment in Children: The Foundation of India’s Human Capital Future GS-II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.   Context (Introduction) India’s aspiration to become a Viksit Bharat and a $30-trillion economy by 2047 cannot be realised through infrastructure and macroeconomic reforms alone. As highlighted in the article, early childhood care and development (ECCD)—especially during the first 3,000 days of life—remains a critical yet underinvested pillar of India’s development strategy. Core Idea Early investment in children is not a welfare expenditure but a high-return strategic investment in human capital. Scientific evidence shows that nutrition, health, stimulation, and caregiving from conception to early childhood shape lifelong cognitive ability, emotional regulation, productivity, and social mobility. Why Early Childhood Matters  First 1,000 days (conception to age 2): 80–85% of brain development occurs Most neural connections are formed Damage due to malnutrition or stress is often irreversible First 3,000 days (up to ~8 years): Shape brain architecture, learning capacity, emotional health, and social skills Determine adult productivity, health outcomes, and earnings WHO & UNICEF recognise this phase as a “critical window of opportunity” Gaps in India’s ECCD Approach Survival-centric focus: Policies prioritise keeping children alive, not enabling full developmental potential. Fragmentation of services: Nutrition, health, education, and caregiving operate in separate silos. Targeted rather than universal approach: ECCD largely restricted to poorer households, ignoring middle-income developmental risks. Delayed interventions: Formal developmental inputs begin around 30–36 months, missing the most critical period. Limited parental support: Parents lack structured guidance on early stimulation, responsive caregiving, and milestone monitoring. Why It Matters for Governance and Education  Human capital formation: ECCD reduces future expenditure on remedial education, healthcare, and social protection. Equity and social mobility:Early investment breaks intergenerational transmission of poverty and inequality. Economic productivity: Well-nourished and cognitively stimulated children become a healthier, skilled workforce. Institutional efficiency: Universal systems reduce discretion, leakage, and exclusion compared to targeted schemes. Way Forward Shift from fragmented schemes to an integrated national ECCD mission Make pre-conception care and parental counselling central to public health Universalise early childhood interventions beyond safety-net beneficiaries Integrate schools, anganwadis, health centres into child development hubs Train teachers, health workers, and caregivers in child development science Promote a citizen-led movement for early learning and caregiving Conclusion India’s future will be shaped not by what it promises its children, but by what it invests in them during their earliest years. Early childhood care and development is the invisible infrastructure of a developed nation. Ignoring it risks fragile growth; prioritising it lays the foundation for inclusive, durable, and competitive development. Mains Question Early childhood care and development (ECCD) is increasingly recognised as a decisive factor in long-term human capital formation. Critically examine why India’s development strategy must prioritise universal, integrated early childhood interventions over fragmented and survival-centric approaches. (250 words, 15 marks) The Hindu    

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Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication Technology Category: Science and Technology Context: The Government of India is preparing to roll out Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology by end of 2026. About Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication Technology: Definition: It is defined as a direct communication method that allows vehicles to exchange information with one another. Objective: The initiative aims to strengthen road safety and reduce accidents across the country. Significance: It enhances driver awareness of their surroundings through wireless technologies and allows vehicles to communicate directly with each other without the need for a network. Functioning: The system will function through a device similar to a SIM card, which will be installed in vehicles. The technology will provide alerts related to safe vehicle distance and will also warn drivers about nearby roadside or stationary vehicles. Mechanism: Vehicles will receive real-time alerts when another vehicle comes too close from any direction. Each vehicle equipped with V2V technology continuously broadcasts and receives data such as speed, location, direction, acceleration and braking status. Network Independence: It operates on a dedicated radio frequency (the 5.9 GHz band) authorized by the Department of Telecommunications and does not require mobile networks or internet connectivity. 360-Degree Awareness: The system provides signals from the front, rear, and sides, alerting drivers to hazards even when they are beyond the line of sight (e.g., hidden by sharp curves or other vehicles). Low Latency: Communication happens nearly instantly (less than 20 milliseconds), which is critical for preventing high-speed collisions. Advantage: This feature will be extremely useful during foggy conditions when visibility between vehicles drops to almost zero. Source: NDTV Boeing E-4B Nightwatch Category: Defence and Security Context: Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, known as the ‘Doomsday plane’, has been sighted in Washington, days after the US captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife. About Boeing E-4B Nightwatch: Other names: The Boeing E-4B Nightwatch is widely known as the “Doomsday Plane.” Mandate: Its mission is to ensure the US government can continue to function even if “doomsday” arrives. Uniqueness: It is the most secretive aircraft in the US military’s arsenal. It serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and functions as a flying command post. Significance: It is designed to keep the US government operational during extreme scenarios such as nuclear war, catastrophic attacks on US soil, or the destruction of ground-based command centres. Part of NC3: It is a core component of the military’s Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications system, often referred to as NC3, which enables senior leaders to authorize and manage nuclear forces under all conditions. Operational planes: There are currently four E-4Bs in service. At least one aircraft is kept on continuous alert at all times. Previous uses: The E-4B has been activated in a real emergency only once, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when it was used to ensure continuity of government. Modification: It is built on a heavily modified Boeing 747-200 airframe. Carrying capacity: Each E-4B has a maximum takeoff weight of around 360,000 kilograms, an unrefuelled endurance of roughly 12 hours, and an operating ceiling above 30,000 feet (about 9,091 metres). It can carry up to 111 personnel, including senior command staff, intelligence teams, and communications specialists.  Structure: The main deck is divided into six functional areas, including command workspaces, conference and briefing rooms, an operations floor, communications hubs, and rest areas. The aircraft is hardened against electromagnetic pulse effects, shielded against nuclear and thermal radiation, and equipped with multiple layers of secure communications. Source: The Economic Times Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary Category: Environment and Ecology Context: The Kerala government has officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, making it the first butterfly sanctuary in the State. About Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary: Location: Situated in the Kannur district of North Kerala, it is part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Establishment: Originally established as the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in 1984 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, it was officially renamed the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary on June 18, 2025, by the Kerala State Wildlife Board. Boundaries: It shares boundaries with the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, the Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary, and the North Wayanad forest division. Vegetation: It consists of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. Rivers: The Cheenkanni River, originating from the Brahmagiri ranges, flows through the dense forests of Aralam. Significance: The region is known for large-scale butterfly migration and mud-puddling and is also a special habitat of the Schedule 1 Slender loris. Every January or February, the sanctuary holds a Butterfly Migration Study, which celebrates this seasonal movement and deepens our understanding of these pollinators.  Fauna: It is home to over 266 species of butterflies, accounting for more than 80 percent of all butterflies in Kerala. Some of these are unique to this region, while others are endangered. In addition to butterflies, Aralam is home to several animals, including elephants, giant squirrels, leopards, and a variety of birds. Source: The Hindu PANKHUDI Portal Category: Government Schemes Context: The Ministry of Women and Child Development recently launched PANKHUDI portal aimed at strengthening initiatives for women and child development. About PANKHUDI Portal: Nature: It is an integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and partnership facilitation digital portal. Nodal ministry: It is launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Objective: It is aimed at strengthening coordination, transparency, and structured stakeholder participation in initiatives for women and child development. Single-window digital platform: It works as a single-window digital platform, Non–Resident Indians (NRIs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributors, corporate entities, and government agencies. Key Thematic Areas: Nutrition, health, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), child welfare, protection and rehabilitation, and women’s safety and empowerment. Supports Flagship Missions: It supports and strengthens the implementation of flagship missions, such as Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Shakti. Transparency: Contributors register on the portal, identify initiatives, submit proposals, and track the status of their contributions through clearly defined approval workflows. Non- Cash Financial Transactions: All contributions through the portal are accepted only through non-cash modes. Significance: It marks a significant step towards leveraging digital solutions for inclusive, collaborative, and outcome-oriented development of women and children across India. Source: PIB Dal Lake Category: Geography Context: Parts of the Dal Lake in Srinagar froze recently as the city recorded its coldest night of the winter, with temperatures plunging below freezing point across the Kashmir valley. About Dal Lake: Location: It is a mid-altitude urban freshwater lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It is surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains. Other names: It is integral to tourism and recreation in Kashmir and is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. Area: It covers an area of about 18 to 22 sq.km. Uniqueness: It is one of the world’s largest natural lakes and also known as the Lake of Flowers. Formation: Geologists suggest it is either a remnant of a larger Pleistocene Lake or a flood plain lake. Source of water: The lake gets its water mainly from the Telbal stream. This stream flows from the Jhelum River. Division: The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin (although Nagin is also considered an independent lake). Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank, respectively. Floating gardens: The floating gardens, locally known as “Rad,” are a spectacular highlight of the lake. These are patches of land that float on the water. Farmers grow vegetables and flowers on them. Shikaras: Dal Lake is also popular for the floating market, where vendors have their own Shikaras/wooden boats and approach tourists. The shoreline of the lake is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal-era gardens, parks, houseboats, and hotels. Source: The Telegraph (MAINS Focus) The Right to Disconnect in an ‘Always-On’ Economy: A Global Norms Perspective GS-II: Government policies and interventions and issues arising out of their design and implementation.   Context (Introduction) Digital technologies have transformed work into a 24×7 activity, eroding the boundary between professional and personal life. This culture of constant availability has produced a silent crisis of burnout, mental health stress, and declining productivity. The debate on the “right to disconnect” has thus moved from a labour welfare concern to a global governance and international norms issue. Core Idea The right to disconnect recognises an employee’s entitlement to disengage from work-related digital communication beyond prescribed working hours without fear of reprisal. It reframes occupational safety to include mental well-being, aligning labour rights with contemporary realities of platform work, remote employment, and hyper-connectivity. Problem Diagnosis (Indian Context) Excessive Working Hours: ILO data show over half of India’s workforce works more than 49 hours per week. Mental Health Externalities: National surveys link work-related stress to rising anxiety, depression, and lifestyle diseases. Regulatory Gaps: The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 caps hours mainly for “workers”, excluding large sections of contractual, freelance, and gig employees. Power Asymmetry: Fear of disciplinary action for delayed responses skews bargaining power towards employers in digitally monitored workplaces. Why It Matters (Global and Economic Logic) Article 21 – Right to Life with Dignity: Mental well-being and reasonable rest are integral to a dignified life, as recognised in judicial interpretations of Article 21. Directive Principles: Articles 39(e), 39(f), and 42 obligate the State to protect workers’ health and ensure just and humane working conditions. Equality Concerns: Exclusion of gig and contractual workers raises issues under Article 14 due to arbitrary classification. Democratic Governance: A fatigued workforce weakens citizen participation and long-term institutional capacity. International Norm Diffusion: Countries such as France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Australia have legislated limits on after-hours digital communication, recognising downtime as essential to productivity. Competitiveness Argument: Empirical evidence from advanced economies shows that respecting rest improves innovation, reduces errors, and sustains long-term output. Human Capital Protection: In an economy driven by services and knowledge work, mental well-being is a strategic asset. Normative Alignment: Adoption strengthens India’s compliance with evolving global labour standards promoted by the ILO. Way Forward Amend the OSH Code to extend the right to disconnect to all categories of workers, including gig and contractual employees Create grievance redress mechanisms against digital overreach Promote organisational culture change through awareness and compliance audits Integrate mental health support within occupational safety frameworks Conclusion The right to disconnect is not an anti-growth measure but an investment in sustainable productivity. As global labour norms evolve to address the realities of the digital economy, India’s willingness to institutionalise this right will signal whether its growth model values speed alone—or the strength and resilience of its human capital. Mains Question In the context of increasing digitalisation of work, the demand for a “right to disconnect” has acquired constitutional significance. Examine the relevance of this right in light of Article 21 and the Directive Principles of State Policy, and discuss the need for its statutory recognition in India. (250 words, 15 marks) The Hindu Saving the Aravallis: Why India Must ‘Think Like a Mountain’ GS-II: Government policies and interventions and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-III: Environmental pollution and degradation; conservation, environmental impact assessment. Context (Introduction) The Aravalli range, one of the world’s oldest mountain systems, faces sustained ecological degradation due to mining, urbanisation, and fragmented governance across Rajasthan, Haryana, and the National Capital Region. Despite recent Supreme Court interventions—such as pausing height-based reclassification of hills—the crisis persists, highlighting deeper governance and environmental failures. Core Idea The ecological principle of “thinking like a mountain”, coined by Aldo Leopold, which emphasises long-term ecosystem integrity over short-term economic gains. Applied to the Aravallis, this approach demands treating the mountain range as an integrated ecological system rather than as discrete parcels defined by administrative or legal thresholds. Problem Diagnosis: Governance and Environmental Failures Short-termism in policymaking: Prioritisation of construction materials and real estate over ecological stability has led to quarrying, deforestation, and landscape fragmentation. Reductionist legal definitions: Height-based classification of hills ignores ecological functions of low-lying ridges, exposing them to mining and degradation. Fragmented governance: District-wise mining leases and State-level jurisdictions fail to reflect the transboundary nature of the Aravalli ecosystem. Ecological disruption: Mining and urban sprawl disturb natural drainage, accelerate soil erosion, reduce forest cover, and disrupt food webs. Why the Aravallis Matter Environmental security: The Aravallis act as groundwater recharge zones, biodiversity corridors, and a climatic barrier limiting desertification from the Thar. Recognising these functions, the Supreme Court in MC Mehta v. Union of India (Aravalli mining cases) prohibited mining in ecologically sensitive areas, affirming that environmental protection must override commercial exploitation Climate resilience: Forested hills capture carbon, regulate microclimates, and influence the monsoon system in northern India. Constitutional mandate: Article 48A directs the State to protect and improve the environment, while Article 21 (as judicially interpreted) includes the right to a healthy environment. In Vellore Citizens’ Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996), the Court embedded the doctrine of Sustainable Development into Indian law, holding that development cannot be pursued at the cost of irreversible environmental damage Intergenerational equity: Irreversible ecological damage violates the principle that development must not compromise future generations. Way Forward:  Adopt ecosystem-scale governance, treating the Aravallis as a single ecological unit rather than fragmented administrative zones Replace district-wise mining permissions with a comprehensive Aravalli management plan based on ecological carrying capacity Align judicial definitions with scientific understanding of ecological connectivity Strengthen enforcement of environmental laws through coordinated Centre–State mechanisms Embed long-term ecological impact assessments into all land-use and infrastructure decisions Conclusion The Aravalli crisis illustrates the dangers of governance that values immediate economic returns over ecological permanence. “Thinking like a mountain” is not environmental romanticism but policy realism recognising that while forests may regrow in decades, mountain ecosystems formed over millions of years are irreplaceable. For a megadiverse country like India, ecological short-sightedness would be the costliest failure of governance. Mains Question The degradation of the Aravalli range reflects the limitations of fragmented governance and short-term development-centric policymaking. Examine the environmental significance of the Aravallis and discuss how constitutional principles and judicial interventions can guide a sustainable governance framework for their protection. (250 words, 15 marks) The Indian Express