Category: AGRICULTURE

Context:  Impact of USA’s tariff on agriculture exports

India’s Rising Farm Exports

• Export Performance: India exported agricultural goods worth $51.94 billion in 2024–25 (Apr–Jun data annualized), up 5.84% year-on-year.
• Key Export Items: Marine products, rice (basmati & non-basmati), spices, buffalo meat, coffee, fruits & vegetables, sugar, tobacco, processed F&V, castor oil, oilseeds, and oilmeals.
• Top Gainers: Non-basmati rice (+11.54%), tobacco (+19.29%), coffee (+13.87%), and processed F&V (+12.08%).
• Top Decliners: Marine products (-19.45%), oilseeds (-12.58%), oilmeals (-5.24%).
• Trade Surplus: Agriculture exports ($51.9B) exceed imports ($38.5B), but surplus has halved compared to a decade ago.
• Growth Factors: Higher global food prices (FAO index), strong demand for certain commodities, easing of export restrictions, and price rises in onions, coffee, and tobacco.
• Risks: Possible US tariffs under Trump’s policies, global market volatility, and falling prices in some commodities.
• Global Context: Demand boosts from countries like Brazil, Zimbabwe; domestic measures like onion export bans lifted; drought impacts in some countries helped exports.

Learning Corner:

India’s Exports 

Overview

• India is among the top 20 largest exporters globally.
• Merchandise exports crossed USD 450 billion in FY 2023–24, while services exports exceeded USD 340 billion, making India a net exporter in services.
• Major export sectors: Petroleum products, engineering goods, gems & jewellery, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agricultural products.

Key Schemes & Initiatives

• Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023: Shift from incentive-based to remission-based schemes.
• Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP): Refunds taxes not rebated under other schemes.
• Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG): Duty-free import of capital goods for producing export goods.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI): Boosts manufacturing in electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, etc.
• Market Access Initiative (MAI): Financial assistance for market development.

Institutional Framework

• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) – policy implementation.
• Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) – export credit insurance.
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) – agri exports.
• Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) – marine exports.

Important Facts for Prelims

• Top export destinations (FY 2024): USA, UAE, Netherlands, Singapore, China.
• Top exported items (2024): Petroleum products, engineering goods, gems & jewellery, rice, pharmaceuticals.
• India’s global rank in IT services exports – 1st.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZs) contribute over 30% of India’s total exports.
• Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) expected to boost trade routes.

WTO & Trade Agreements Context

• India is a WTO member since 1995.
• Involved in FTAs/CECA with countries like UAE (CEPA), Australia (ECTA), Mauritius (CECPA), ASEAN, and Japan.
• Negotiating India-UK FTA and India-EU FTA.

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Category: INTERNATIONAL

Context : Gaza War Delayed IMEC.

• Background:
  The IMEC was announced during the G20 Summit (2023) to cut shipping time from India to Europe by ~40% compared to the Red Sea route. It involves sea and rail connectivity from India to UAE, across Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Israel, then by ship to Greece and onward via Europe’s rail network. It also includes cables for electricity, internet, and pipelines for clean energy.
• Importance:
  The EU is India’s largest trading partner; in FY 2023–24, bilateral trade was $137.41 billion. IMEC aims to strengthen connectivity, boost trade, and reduce costs.
• Initial Momentum:
  Announced during a rare stable geopolitical moment in the Middle East, with growing normalisation (Israel–Arab rapprochement, Saudi Arabia’s cautious engagement).
• Impact of Gaza War:
  • Jordan–Israel ties have collapsed due to Israeli–American pressure on Jordan over Gaza.
  • Saudi Arabia’s normalisation with Israel stalled; Riyadh is doubling down on Palestinian statehood demands.
  • Red Sea shipping has been disrupted by Houthi attacks.
  • Regional instability has made stakeholder meetings impossible.

Learning Corner:

India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) – UPSC Prelims Specific

• Announcement – Launched at the G20 Summit, New Delhi, September 2023 as part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).
• Members – India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Israel, European Union, USA.
• Structure – Two corridors:
  1. Eastern Corridor – Connects India to the Arabian Gulf.
  2. Northern Corridor – Connects the Arabian Gulf to Europe.
• Mode of Transport – Multimodal: rail, road, and shipping links.
• Key Aim – To boost trade, digital connectivity, clean energy transfer (green hydrogen), and supply chain resilience.
• Significance for India –

• Strategic alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Enhances connectivity with Europe via Middle East bypassing Pakistan.
• Strengthens ties with Gulf nations and EU.

• Challenges – Geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Israel–Palestine conflict, and funding issues.

Source:  THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Category: AGRICULTURE

Context: One-man judicial commission to investigate corruption in KLIP

• What is KLIP?
  • A multi-purpose lift irrigation project on the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Bhupalpally district, Telangana.
  • World’s largest multi-stage irrigation project; utilises a canal network of over 1,800 km.
  • Designed to irrigate 16 lakh hectares, stabilise existing ayacut, and store/distribute 240 TMC ft of Godavari water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use.
  • Built across Godavari at Medigadda, Annaram, Sundilla.
• Controversy:
  • Structural failures: Within 3 years, piers of Sundilla barrage sank; Annaram and Sundilla developed cracks.
  • Allegation: Barrages were built on permeable foundations unable to withstand heavy water inflow.
  • Location shift from Tummidihatti to Medigadda raised cost and invited political criticism.
  • Water availability doubts at Tummidihatti led to change, but opposition alleged ulterior motives.
• Inquiry:
  • Congress promised probe; CM A. Revanth Reddy set up one-man judicial commission headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose.
  • Inquiry spanned 15 months, examined over 110 witnesses, including ex-CM KCR and former ministers.
  • Found negligence in execution and fund release.
  • Report submitted on July 31, 2025; discussion to be held in Assembly.

Learning Corner:

Lift Irrigation Projects in India

Major Operational Lift Irrigation Projects

Major Upcoming / Under-Construction Lift Irrigation Projects

Source: THE HINDU

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Context: On World Lion Day 2025, the Union Environment Minister announced that the Asiatic lion population has risen from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025—a 32% increase in five years and over 70% growth in the past decade.

India has achieved a remarkable success in lion conservation, especially in Gujarat’s Gir and the wider Saurashtra region. 

Key factors behind this achievement include:

• Visionary Leadership: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both as Gujarat’s Chief Minister and later nationally, prioritized Project Lion, driving major policy action, funding, and habitat expansion.
• Community Participation: Local communities, notably the Maldhari pastoralists, have coexisted harmoniously with lions, often forgoing compensation for losses, helping reduce conflict and enable population growth.
• Scientific Conservation & Infrastructure: New habitats, improved veterinary care, and ecotourism facilities—such as the revival of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary—have allowed lions to naturally expand from three to eleven districts.
• Policy and Funding: A 10-year national lion conservation project with a budget over ₹2,900 crore has established new healthcare and monitoring centers.
• Global Significance: The Asiatic lion now survives only in India, showcasing the success of policies, dedicated forest staff, and a culture of coexistence.

This model—blending scientific management, strong policies, and community partnership—is seen as a global benchmark for wildlife conservation.

Learning Corner:

Asiatic Lion vs African Lion

Source: THE HINDU

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Context Tamil Nadu unveils Tamil Nadu School Education Policy 2025 

Key Highlights

Two-Language Formula

• Reaffirms teaching in Tamil and English only, rejecting the NEP’s three-language model and the imposition of Hindi.
• Tamil is upheld as the state’s identity; English as a global skill.

Vision and Focus

• Builds an inclusive, equitable, and future-ready school system rooted in Tamil culture.
• Promotes critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and rational inquiry.
• Special provisions for marginalised groups, first-generation learners, and children with special needs.

Major Features

• Class XI board exam scrapped — only Classes X and XII to have public exams.
• School entry age remains at 5 years; 10+2 structure retained, rejecting NEP’s 5+3+3+4 model.
• No centralised entrance tests for arts and science; admissions based on Class XI & XII marks.
• Competency-based, inquiry-driven curriculum with emphasis on Tamil heritage, environment, social-emotional learning, and digital skills.
• Greater focus on arts, sports, life skills, and experiential learning.

Political and Policy Stand

• SEP positioned as a counter to the NEP, citing threats to social justice and linguistic autonomy.
• State asserts education is a concurrent subject and opposes unilateral central mandates.
• Dispute with Centre over withheld education funds linked to NEP non-adoption.

Implementation Goal

• Developed by a 14-member expert panel after wide consultations.
• Aims for 100% transition from school to higher education (currently 75%).

Learning Corner:

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 – UPSC Prelims Specific

• Launch: Approved by Union Cabinet on 29 July 2020, replacing the National Policy on Education, 1986.
• Vision: Holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary education aligned to SDG 4 (Quality Education).
• Structure: Replaces 10+2 with 5+3+3+4 model (ages 3–18).
  • Foundational Stage (5 years) – pre-primary + Grades 1–2.
  • Preparatory Stage (3 years) – Grades 3–5.
  • Middle Stage (3 years) – Grades 6–8.
  • Secondary Stage (4 years) – Grades 9–12.
• School Education Reforms:
  • Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) universalised by 2030.
  • National Mission to improve foundational literacy & numeracy (NIPUN Bharat).
  • Board exams to be easier, more flexible.
  • Mother tongue/local language as medium of instruction till Grade 5.
• Higher Education Reforms:
  • Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) target: 50% by 2035.
  • Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs).
  • Four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUP) with multiple exit options.
  • Common Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) replacing UGC/AICTE.
• Other Features:
  • Vocational education from Grade 6.
  • Integration of technology (National Educational Technology Forum – NETF).
  • National Assessment Centre – PARAKH.
  • Teacher Education – by 2030, minimum degree requirement will be a 4-year B.Ed.
• Criticism & Challenges:
  • Implementation hurdles at state level due to federal nature of education.
  • Resource constraints & digital divide.

Source: THE HINDU

Introduction (Context)

On July 25, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment Protection Act, providing India’s first legal framework for managing chemically contaminated sites.

What are Contaminated Sites?

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), contaminated sites are places where hazardous or other wastes were historically dumped, leading to contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water, posing risks to human health and the environment.

Examples:

• Landfills, waste dumps, spill sites
• Waste storage and treatment facilities
• Chemical waste handling and storage sites

Current Scenario:

• 103 sites identified across India.
• Remediation started in only 7 sites, which involves cleaning the contaminated soil, groundwater, surface water and sediments by adopting appropriate technologies.
• Many polluters are defunct or unable to bear clean-up costs

Why Were These Rules Needed?

• In 2010, MoEFCC launched the Capacity Building Program for Industrial Pollution Management Project to develop a National Program for Remediation of Polluted Sites.
• Three tasks were identified:

• • Inventory Creation – Identify probable contaminated sites
  • Guidance Development – Prepare manuals for site assessment and remediation
  • Legal, Institutional & Financial Framework – Create binding rules  (pending until 2025)

• The 2025 rules complete the legal codification process, enabling structured action on contamination.

Provisions of the 2025 Rules

• Reporting of Suspected Sites
  • The District Administration must prepare half-yearly reports identifying any sites suspected of chemical contamination.
  • These reports will be forwarded to the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or a designated Reference Organisation for further action.

• Preliminary Assessment

• • Once a site is reported, the SPCB/Reference Organisation has 90 days to conduct a preliminary assessment.
  • This involves:

• • Reviewing historical data about the site
  • Checking for past industrial or hazardous waste activity
  • Collecting limited samples to confirm potential contamination

• • The aim is to determine whether a detailed survey is needed.

• Detailed Site Survey

• • If the preliminary assessment suggests contamination, a comprehensive survey must be completed in the next 90 days.
  • This survey will:

• • • Identify the type and extent of contamination
    • Measure levels of hazardous chemicals (from the list of 189 chemicals in the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016)
    • Assess risks to human health and ecosystems

• • If contamination exceeds safe limits:

• • • The site’s location will be publicly disclosed
    • Access restrictions will be placed to prevent exposure

• Remediation Plan

• • A Reference Organisation (expert body) will design a remediation plan, detailing:

• • • The clean-up technology to be used (e.g., soil washing, bioremediation, incineration)
    • Estimated timelines for each stage of remediation
    • Safety precautions during clean-up

• • The remediation plan will be submitted to the SPCB for approval and implementation.

• Identification of Polluters & Cost Recovery

• • The SPCB has 90 days to identify the person(s) or company responsible for contamination.
  • Polluter Pays Principle applies — polluters must bear the full cost of remediation.
  • If polluters are defunct, missing, or unable to pay, the State and Central Government will jointly finance the clean-up.

• Legal Liability

• • If contamination has caused death or injury, criminal proceedings can be initiated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023).
  • This is in addition to financial liability for clean-up.

Gaps 

• These rules do not apply to contamination from: Radioactive waste, Mining operations, Oil pollution of the sea and Solid waste from municipal dump sites (covered by other laws).
• Further there is lack of a defined timeline whereby once a contaminated site is identified.

Hence proper steps need to be taken to fill such gaps.

Mains Practice Question

Q The newly notified Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 aim to address a long-standing gap in India’s environmental governance. Discuss their significance, limitations, and the way forward. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: What are the new rules on chemically contaminated sites? | Explained – The Hindu

Introduction (Context)

Universal health coverage (UHC), to which India committed in the National Health Policy of 2017 and also as a signatory of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), requires high levels of service coverage and financial protection. However, absence of reliable diagnostic facilities in close-to-home public healthcare facilities reduces levels of both service coverage and financial protection.

Hence, let’s understand the role of diagnostics in UHC, the current gaps in access, recent policy measures (like NLED), and strategies for strengthening diagnostic services at all levels of healthcare.

What are diagnostic services and its significance?

Diagnostic services refer to a range of medical tests and procedures designed to identify diseases and conditions in patients. 

This includes diagnostic examination and evaluation programs, such as medical and dental evaluations, psychological testing, and academic and vocational assessments. 

Significance:

• These services are essential for informed decision-making in patient care.
• Early detection can project disease progression and enable timely intervention.
• Reduces unnecessary or mistimed treatments, saving public and private health costs.

Lack of access to diagnostic tests can result in a delayed or incorrect identification of the disorder, leading to mistimed or misdirected therapeutic approaches.

Diagnostic Access in India

• Private vs Public

• • In India, private hospitals and labs offer many types of medical tests, but for poor people in cities and large sections of rural areas, these services are too expensive or too far away.
  • Rely on public health centres increases. 
  • Solution: For Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to really work, people should be able to get essential tests close to where they live — ideally at the Ayushman Aarogya Mandir (sub-centre level Health and Wellness Centre) or the Primary Health Centre (PHC).

• Coverage of Diagnostics

• • Lifestyle, economic, environmental, and nutritional changes are increasing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease and diabetes.
  • Infectious diseases like TB and malaria still persist.
  • All require early and accurate diagnostic services.
  • Solution: The government needs to think about the changing disease patterns in the country and change pattern of diagnostic services according to that. 

• Cost effectiveness of Diagnostic

• • When using diagnostic tests in the health system, we must think about cost-effectiveness.
  • There should be proper study about the tests to be provided, sequence of tests, cost, etc.
  • Solution: The government should provide evidence-based diagnostic guidelines. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) should take the lead in preparing these guidelines.

Recent changes in National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED)

The National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED) is a list of medical tests that should be available at different levels of healthcare across India. 

It was first prepared in 2019 and has now been updated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to match today’s disease patterns and modern technology.

Key Updates in the New NLED

• Diabetes Testing

• • India has millions of people with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
  • The ICMR now recommends collecting HbA1C blood samples at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to check average blood sugar levels over the last three months.
  • These samples will be sent to bigger centres for analysis.

Tests at Sub-Centre Level (Health and Wellness Centres)

• Rapid tests for sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, Hepatitis B, and syphilis.
• Collecting samples for dengue testing — important because climate change is spreading mosquito-borne diseases to more areas.

Tests at PHC Level

• Blood chemistry tests like blood sugar, liver enzyme, and cholesterol checks can now be done on-site.

Tests at CHC Level (Community Health Centres)

• Dental X-rays introduced, as oral health is now considered a public health priority.

• TB Diagnosis

• • Sputum samples for molecular TB testing will be collected at sub-centres and PHCs and sent to higher centres.
  • At CHCs, sub-district, and district hospitals — these TB tests will be done in-house.
  • This is crucial because India still has a high TB burden, with many undetected or late-detected cases.
• These changes are possible because molecular diagnostic machines have become cheaper and widely available.

Way Forward

• Equip all Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs and PHCs with essential diagnostic tools.
• Expand training programmes for technicians and health workers.
• Expand health insurance to cover outpatient diagnostics.
• Ensure last-mile availability through mobile clinics and community-based testing.
• Use AI and telemedicine to bridge skill and access gaps.

Conclusion

Without reliable, affordable, and decentralised diagnostic services, UHC goals remain unattainable. Strengthening the diagnostic ecosystem through infrastructure, technology, and capacity building is the critical first step towards universal, equitable healthcare in India.

Mains Practice Question

Q “Diagnostics are the backbone of Universal Health Coverage in India.” Discuss the challenges in making diagnostics accessible and affordable, and suggest measures to address these challenges. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: The first step to Universal Healthcare: Make diagnostics accessible and cheap | The Indian Express