Archives
(PRELIMS Focus)
Why in News?
- On April 9, 2026, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the emperor penguin an endangered species
- Emperor penguins are sentinel species for warming in the Antarctic region
- Climate change is projected to halve their population by the 2080s
What are Sentinel Species?
Definition
- A species whose members’ health signals the condition of the ecosystem in which they live
- Scientists monitor them because they are among the first to respond to environmental stressors (pollution, disease)
- Their response tends to be more apparent than most other species
- They provide early warnings of ecosystem decline
Characteristics of Sentinel Species
- Occupy a fixed territory (do not migrate away from threats)
- Live long enough to accumulate toxins
- Have physiologies that amplify the effects of environmental change
- Show problems in their habitat first
Classic Examples of Sentinel Species
Frogs (Most Common Example)
- Skin is permeable and absorbs whatever enters water or soil around them
- Very sensitive to pesticides and pathogens
- Declining frog population is often a sign of wider ecological stress, even before other indicators detect the problem
Canaries in Coal Mines (Historical Example)
- Worked on same principle – bird’s faster metabolism made it succumb to carbon monoxide before human miners could notice anything
- Origin of phrase “canary in the coal mine” meaning early warning signal
Honeybees
- Used by researchers to track agricultural chemical loads (pesticides, herbicides)
Polar Bears
- Monitored to track Arctic contaminant accumulation (persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals)
Certain Fish Species
- Used to detect industrial runoff in water bodies
Emperor Penguins (Current Example – April 2026)
- Declared endangered by IUCN (April 9, 2026)
- Sentinel species for warming in the Antarctic region
- Climate change projected to halve their population by the 2080s
Static-Dynamic Linkage
- Static: IUCN categories and bioindicators (e.g., amphibians) help assess ecosystem health, with climate change posing severe threats, especially in polar regions.
- Dynamic: Emperor penguin listed as endangered (2026), signalling Antarctic warming; sea ice loss may halve populations by the 2080s.
Source/Reference:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/what-are-sentinel-species/article70853746.ece/amp/
Why in News?
A study by 23andMe (published in Nature, April 2026) of nearly 28,000 users found that genetic variations in GLP1R and GIPR genes influence weight-loss efficacy and side effects of GLP-1 drugs (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide).
Separately, a single mutation in non-coding DNA (Enh13) caused complete male development in XX mice embryos, highlighting the role of the 98% non-coding genome in development and disease.
GLP-1 Drug Response Study (23andMe / Nature)
Key Findings on Weight Loss (GLP1R gene mutation):
- People with one copy of the variant lost 0.76 kg (1.7 lbs) more over 8 months
- People with two copies lost 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) more
- Effect size: Modest but statistically significant
Key Findings on Side Effects (GLP1R & GIPR mutations):
- Mutations in GLP1R and GIPR associated with nausea/vomiting
- GIPR variant linked to tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) specifically
- Carriers were 83% more likely to vomit than non-carriers
Significance:
- Provides direct genetic evidence for inter-person variability in drug response
- Lays foundation for precision medicine approaches in obesity treatment
Sex Reversal Study (Bar-Ilan University / Nature Communications)
What Happened?
- Researchers introduced a single mutation into Enh13 (non-coding DNA region) of XX (female) mouse embryos
- Enh13 normally controls the activity of Sox9 gene (essential for testis development)
- For ovaries to develop, Sox9 must be kept OFF
- Mutation caused failure of female repression → Sox9 activated → testes developed → complete male development
Significance of Non-Coding DNA Finding
- Current gap: Over 50% of DSD cases lack a genetic diagnosis even after sequencing protein-coding regions
- Implication: Important disease-causing mutations may lie in the non-coding genome
- Quote (Dr. Nitzan Gonen): “Shows that non-coding DNA can have a profound effect on development and disease”
- Quote (Elisheva Abberbock): “It is not enough to look only at genes”
Static-Dynamic Linkage
- Static: Gene expression and regulation (central dogma, non-coding DNA, CRISPR) underpin advances like pharmacogenomics.
- Dynamic: New genetic studies (e.g., 23andMe, 2026) highlight precision medicine and the growing role of the non-coding genome in drug response and disease.
Source/Reference:
Why in News?
- Keytruda, the world’s best-selling drug ($29.5 billion in 2024), is available in India through a Patient Access Programme (30 free vials on purchase of 5)
- Government exempted it from basic customs duty (Budget 2025) to improve affordability
- Patent expires in 2028, paving way for cheaper generics (up to 70% cost reduction)
What is Keytruda?
Basic Profile
- Generic Name: Pembrolizumab
- Manufacturer: Merck & Co (MSD), USA
- Drug Class: Checkpoint inhibitor (monoclonal antibody)
- First FDA Approval: 2014 (advanced skin cancer)
- Cancers Treated: Lung, cervical, renal cell, aggressive breast, and others
- Patent Expiry: 2028
Mechanism of Action
- Attaches to PD-1 receptors on T-cells
- Prevents T-cells from binding with PD-L1 receptors on cancer cells
- Allows immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells
- Essentially removes the “brakes” on the body’s immune response
How Immunotherapy Differs from Chemotherapy and Radiation
Chemotherapy / Radiation
- Directly kills cancer cells (and some healthy cells)
- Non-specific targeting
- Significant side effects (hair loss, fatigue, nausea)
- Limited effectiveness in late-stage cancers
Immunotherapy (Keytruda)
- Trains immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells
- Highly targeted (spares healthy cells)
- Generally milder side effects (immune-related reactions)
- Tumours have disappeared completely in some late-stage patients
Other Immunotherapy Types
CAR-T Cell Therapy
- Collects patient’s own T-cells
- Engineers them to create chimeric receptors
- Multiplies and returns modified cells to patient
- Engineered T-cells identify, attach to, and destroy cancer cells
mRNA Cancer Vaccines
- Currently under development
- Administered to patients already having cancer (not healthy individuals)
- Trains immune system to identify neoantigens (proteins found only in cancer cells)
- Immune system remembers these markers for years, preventing relapse
Availability in India
Monoclonal Antibodies Available
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab) – available in tertiary care hospitals
- Nivolumab – generic versions available (another PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor)
- Trastuzumab – generic versions available
Indigenous CAR-T Therapy
- NexCar19: India’s first indigenous CAR-T therapy
- Developed by ImmunoAct (IIT-Bombay incubated startup)
- Most readily available CAR-T option in India
Cost & Access in India
Pricing
- Recommended dosage: 200 mg every 3 weeks
- Cost per 100mg vial: Upwards of ₹1.5 lakh
- Monthly cost without assistance: Over ₹3 lakh
Patient Access Programme
- 30 free vials on purchase of 5 initially
- Total cost for initial dose: ~₹10 lakh
- Income eligibility: Sum-insured or income ≤ ₹25 lakh
Government Support
- Basic customs duty exempted (Budget 2025)
- Covered under CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme)
- Specialised cancer care policies available
Patent Expiry (2028)
- Several companies developing generic versions
- Expected cost reduction: up to 70%
India’s Cancer Burden: Why This Matters
Current Statistics
- Cancer incidence rate: 98.5 per 100,000 (GLOBOCAN)
- New cancer cases (2022): 14.13 lakh
- Projected cases (2045): 24.56 lakh (73.8% increase)
Trend (GBD 2023)
- 1990: 84.8 per 100,000
- 2023: 107.2 per 100,000
Comparison with Australia
- Australia incidence: 462.5 per 100,000 (highest globally)
- Australia projected increase (by 2045): only 49.9%
- India’s lower current rate but steeper projected rise
Static-Dynamic Linkage
- Static: Immune mechanisms and monoclonal antibody therapies, alongside India’s drug regulation (CDSCO/DCGI, TRIPS) and public health schemes, shape cancer treatment access.
- Dynamic: Policy support (duty cuts, access programmes), rising cancer burden, and innovations like indigenous CAR-T (NexCar19) and upcoming generics aim to improve affordability.
Source/Reference:
Why in News?
- The Supreme Court is examining an appeal and contempt petition regarding construction of PMAY-G houses on forest land for a Sahariya tribe community (63 families) in Binega village, Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh
- The Ministries of Tribal Affairs and Environment filed a joint affidavit (February 2026) detailing safeguards under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
- The Court is examining how to harmoniously interpret FRA (2006) and Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 (Forest Conservation Act) – advancing social justice and forest conservation simultaneously
Background of the Case
What Happened?
- PMAY-G houses were sanctioned on community forest land for Sahariya tribe families
- Swami Pathranand (Paramhans Ashram) filed a contempt petition alleging non-compliance of NGT orders
- NGT had held the constructions as violative of the Forest Conservation Act
- The ashram itself came under scrutiny for building a large bhawan and double-fencing 9 hectares of Community Forest Resource (CFR) land
Procedural History
- Swami Pathranand moved the Gwalior bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court – disposed of with direction to forest officials to examine the issue
- The community of 63 families appealed against the NGT order
- SC directed two ministries (September 2025) to explain how houses can be built on forest land while respecting forest conservation mandate
Centre’s February 2026 Submission
- Once individual rights are recognised under FRA, prior approval under Van Adhiniyam is not required
- The Court sought clarity on regulatory measures for convergence of these two laws
- Centre stated the question falls under Madhya Pradesh government’s domain (they are the competent authority implementing FRA)
Key Safeguards under FRA (Detailed in Joint Affidavit)
Multi-Tier Verification Process
- Three-tier gram sabha verification process
- Mandatory evidence requirements
- On-site physical verification by forest and revenue officials
- Non-transferability of titles
- Oversight by state-level committee
Gram Sabha and Forest Rights Committee
- Initiate process of calling for and receiving title claims
- Quorum of 50% members required for gram sabha proceedings
- All resolutions passed through deliberation and voting – transparency and collective decision-making
Role of Forest Department (Rule 12A(1))
- Forest and revenue department officials must be present during on-site verification of claims and evidence
- Officials are part of sub-divisional, district, and state-level monitoring committees
- Statutory roles in vetting, approval, rejection of claims, and monitoring
Duties of Rights-Holders and Gram Sabha
- Bound to protect wildlife, forests, and biodiversity
- Must prevent activities adverse to forest ecosystems
Legal Framework: Two Key Laws
Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
- Recognises forest rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers
- Individual rights (cultivation, dwelling) and community rights (Community Forest Resource – CFR)
- Gram Sabha is the competent authority to initiate claims
- Rights-holders have duties to protect forests and biodiversity
Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 (Forest Conservation Act, 1980)
- Requires prior central government approval for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes
- Amended in 2023 to exempt certain categories (strategic projects, security infrastructure) but not housing
The Core Legal Question: Does recognition of individual rights under FRA automatically exempt the need for prior approval under Forest Conservation Act for construction of dwelling houses on forest land?
Static-Dynamic Linkage
- Static: Constitutional and legal framework (Articles 244 & 342, FRA 2006, Forest Conservation Act 1980) governs tribal rights, forest use, and protection of PVTGs.
- Dynamic: Implementation challenges—large-scale FRA claims/rejections, SC scrutiny of FRA–FCA overlap, and conflicts like PMAY-G on forest land—highlight tensions between welfare and conservation.
Source/Reference:
Why in News?
- In early 2026, domains of Anna’s Archive (one of the world’s largest shadow libraries) were seized, disrupting access for millions of students and researchers
- Major publishers filed lawsuits accusing shadow libraries of operating as commercial piracy hubs and supplying content to the AI industry
- A group of authors alleged that Nvidia used shadow library sources to obtain copyrighted works for training AI models
What are Shadow Libraries?
Definition
- Vast, often anonymous online databases offering free access to books and academic papers that are normally paywalled
- Also called pirate libraries or black open access
- Host copyrighted material without consent of copyright holders
Key Platforms
- Sci-Hub – 83 million+ scientific papers; created by Alexandra Elbakyan (Kazakhstan, 2011)
- Library Genesis (LibGen) – millions of books and papers; Russia (2008)
- Z-Library – millions of books; operators arrested by FBI (Nov 2022)
- Anna’s Archive – search engine for shadow libraries; scraped Spotify for hundreds of terabytes of music (late 2025)
Characteristics
- Operate in legal grey zone; based outside Western jurisdiction
- Use mirror domains, BitTorrent, and dark web to evade takedowns
- Infrastructure is decentralised, resilient, and anonymous
- Takedowns disrupt but rarely deliver lasting results
Why Do People Use Shadow Libraries?
The Access Problem
- Books expensive, libraries underfunded, academic journals locked behind steep paywalls
- Shadow libraries fill gaps that formal systems have failed to address
User Voices
- Homemaker in Kenya used Z-Library to build new skills while raising children
- Reader in Lebanon said war made books unaffordable
- Student in India credited Z-Library with making essential course material accessible
The “Serials Crisis”
- Cost of journal subscriptions far outpaced library budgets
- Major publishers (Elsevier, Springer, Wiley) operate with profit margins exceeding 30%
The Shifting Landscape: 2026 Developments
Anna’s Archive Scrapes Spotify (Late 2025)
- Collected hundreds of terabytes of music and metadata
- Pushed shadow libraries beyond books into multimedia aggregation
Legal Response
- January 2026: US court ordered service providers to disable access to Anna’s Archive
- Major publishers filed lawsuit accusing platform of operating as commercial piracy hub
AI Training Controversy
- Authors alleged Nvidia used Anna’s Archive to obtain copyrighted works for training AI models
- Nvidia denied claim
- Shadow libraries are becoming potential data pipelines for AI systems
- Has unsettled even some supporters of the Open Access movement
Internal Conflicts Within Shadow Libraries
No Unified Philosophy
- Anna’s Archive positions itself as preservation-focused; criticised Z-Library for restricting access
- Sci-Hub distanced itself from newer entrants; founder argues no other platform matches its impact
- Anna’s Archive offers high-level data access for large donations – has divided its user base
The Legal Alternative: Open Access in India
Diamond Open Access
- Neither authors nor readers pay
- Supported by publicly funded research organisations
- Sridhar Gutam (Convenor, Open Access India) advocates this model
Key Initiatives
- Preprint repositories and community-led journals (no fees)
- Non-commercial, community-governed publishing models
Open Access India’s View
- Shadow libraries are not a solution, but a symptom
- Point to deeper structural failures in scholarly communication
- Widespread use reflects persistent access barriers in low- and middle-income contexts
- Focusing only on enforcement without addressing access crisis is insufficient
Static-Dynamic Linkage
- Static: Scientific temper and access to knowledge are supported by Article 51A(h), fair dealing under the Copyright Act, and global norms like UDHR Article 27.
- Dynamic: Ongoing disputes over digital piracy and AI training (e.g., Anna’s Archive, Nvidia cases) contrast with policy efforts like ONOS to expand legal access to research.
Source/Reference:
Why in News?
- Scientists at Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar have successfully cultivated Morchella (morel mushrooms) in controlled conditions for the first time
- This is a major breakthrough as morels are among the most expensive and rare edible mushrooms globally
- The breakthrough was achieved independently by three researchers – Prof Tariq Ahmad Sofi, his student Kamran Muneer, and Prof Vikas Gupta
What are Morel Mushrooms (Morchella)?
Basic Profile
- Locally known as Kangaech in Kashmir
- Highly valued gourmet mushroom known for intense and distinct flavour
- Superior nutritional profile and medicinal properties
- Naturally grows in specific high elevation forest ecosystems during a narrow rainy season
Market Value
- Costs between Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 per kilogram
- One of the most expensive edible mushrooms in the world
- High export demand
Traditional Harvesting Challenges
- Laborious and time-consuming process
- Gatherers carefully scour dense forests in harsh weather conditions
- Sometimes return empty-handed even after several days of foraging
The Scientific Breakthrough
Research Process
- Scientists worked for more than five years
- Collected wild Morchella from over 1,000 locations
- Studied soil, microclimate, flora and fauna surrounding each location
- Shortlisted 10 strains and created similar conditions for cultivation
- Fruiting achieved in three strains (expecting more)
Cultivation Methods
- Prof Tariq Ahmad Sofi and team: Cultivated morels in polyhouse conditions
- Prof Vikas Gupta: Successfully cultivated them in open conditions
- Cultivated in multiple microclimatic zones of Kashmir Valley (Baramulla, Anantnag, Srinagar)
- Planning cultivation at different elevations and micro-climatic zones
Patent Status
- Scientists have already applied for patent
Why Was Cultivation So Difficult?
Major Scientific Challenges
- Morchella has a complex life cycle
- Requires symbiotic ecological behaviour (association with specific plants)
- Different strains need association of different specific plants
- Requires specific moisture and temperatures (both soil and weather)
- Highly specific environmental requirements make artificial cultivation extremely difficult
How They Overcame It
- Minutely studied conditions required by each strain
- Created similar conditions in controlled atmosphere
Significance and Impact
Economic Significance
- High export demand for morels
- Technology likely to enable farmers to diversify into premium crop with exceptionally high market value
- Will enhance farm incomes and profitability
Strategic Significance for J&K
- Holds significant promise for agricultural transformation in Jammu and Kashmir
- Opens new frontiers in high value bioeconomy
- Shift from dependence on uncertain wild collection to controlled, scalable production system
Ecological Conservation
- Reduces pressure on wild morel populations from over-harvesting
- Contributes to ecological conservation by reducing forest foraging
Beneficiaries
- Farmers, youth, and entrepreneurs
- Creates new livelihood opportunities
Static-Dynamic Linkage
- Static: Mushroom cultivation and controlled environment agriculture support the bioeconomy, with scope for value addition and GI tagging.
- Dynamic: Breakthrough in morel cultivation (2026), with patent push and export potential, boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat in high-value agriculture.
Source/Reference:
(MAINS Focus)
UPSC Mains Subject: GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology (Climate Change) | GS Paper I – Society (Health)
Sub-topic: Climate-Health Intersection; Urban Heat Islands; Occupational Hazards
Introduction
Climate change is intensifying heat stress by combining high temperatures with humidity, limiting sweat evaporation. New research lowers the safe wet-bulb threshold to ~31°C, exposing vulnerable groups and highlighting gaps in India’s climate adaptation.
Main Body
Understanding Wet-Bulb Temperature
What It Measures:
- Combines heat and humidity to assess human heat stress
- Accounts for the body’s ability to cool itself through sweat evaporation
The Science:
- When air is saturated with moisture, sweat lingers on the skin
- The body’s thermoregulatory system is put under duress
- Humans are resilient to high temperatures only if sweat can evaporate
Traditional Threshold:
- 35°C wet-bulb temperature was considered the theoretical upper limit of human endurance
New Finding (Nature Communications):
- Drawn from recent episodes of intense heat and humidity
- 31°C wet-bulb temperature can be unforgiving for the elderly and people who work outdoors
- The safe limit could be much lower than previously thought
India’s Lived Reality: Heat Indices Pushing Limits
The Navi Mumbai Tragedy (Three Years Ago):
- 13 lives lost due to sun stroke
- Met department recorded temperature at only about 35°C
- Demonstrated that official temperature readings alone are insufficient
Key Insight:
- Several Indian cities routinely report heat indices that push human tolerance to limits
- This happens even when wet-bulb temperatures remain below 35°C
- Redrawing metrics of well-being during summer is urgently needed
Urban Heat Islands: Concrete, Sparse Trees, No Nighttime Relief
What Creates Urban Heat Islands:
- Concrete-dense neighbourhoods absorb and retain heat
- Sparse tree cover reduces natural cooling
- Inadequate ventilation traps hot air
The Consequence:
- Temperatures can be several degrees higher than surrounding rural areas
- Nighttime offers little space to recover from daytime heat stress
- Continuous exposure without relief increases health risks
Social Conditions: Heat as Occupational Hazard
Vulnerable Workers:
- Construction workers
- Farm labourers
- Street vendors
- Gig economy workers
The Problem:
- Heat and humidity are occupational hazards for these groups
- They cannot afford to stop working during peak heat
- Social conditions shape heat thresholds as much as physical ones
Heat Action Plans: Inadequate and Not Attuned
Current Gaps:
- Most plans based on dry-heat thresholds, not the more dangerous combination of heat and humidity
- Not attuned to local idiosyncrasies
- Lack granular knowledge needed for effective protection
What Is Needed:
- Protecting people from heat, humidity, and rainfall requires granular, localised data
- Plans must account for wet-bulb temperatures, not just dry heat
- Must be tailored to specific neighbourhoods and vulnerable populations
Way Forward
For Urban Planning:
- Increase tree cover and green spaces
- Reduce concrete density; promote heat-reflective materials
- Ensure adequate ventilation in neighbourhood design
For Heat Action Plans:
- Shift from dry-heat thresholds to wet-bulb thresholds
- Incorporate 31°C as danger threshold for vulnerable groups
- Develop granular, localised data for each city
For Worker Protection:
- Recognise heat and humidity as occupational hazards
- Adjust work hours during peak heat
- Provide cooling shelters and access to water
For Early Warning Systems:
- Issue wet-bulb based heat alerts, not just temperature-based
- Target vulnerable populations (elderly, outdoor workers)
- Integrate with health systems for timely response
Conclusion
The new study in Nature Communications reframes India’s climate challenge: the safe wet-bulb limit for human endurance may be 31°C, not 35°C—and this lower threshold can be unforgiving for the elderly and outdoor workers. The Navi Mumbai tragedy, where 13 died at just 35°C dry temperature, underlined the need to redraw metrics of well-being during summer. Yet planning remains slow.
Concrete-dense urban heat islands offer no nighttime relief. Heat action plans are based on dry-heat thresholds, not the more dangerous heat-humidity combination. Protecting people requires granular knowledge, localised planning, and recognition that heat is now an occupational hazard for millions of workers. India’s cities do not have time to lose.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
- The revised 31°C wet-bulb limit challenges existing heat norms. Critically assess its implications for urban planning, worker safety, and heat action plans in India. (250 words, 15 marks)
UPSC Mains Subject: GS Paper III – Economy (Globalisation) | GS Paper II – International Relations
Sub-topic: Geopolitical Risks; Energy Security; Demographic Dividend; Supply Chain Resilience
Introduction
The assumption that wars are a near-impossibility in an age of hyper-economic interdependence lies in tatters. The first wave of globalisation (1870s onwards) made the US an economic superpower. The second wave (post-1989) enabled China’s emergence as the “world’s factory.” This decade ought to have been India’s—favourable youth demographics, digitisation (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile), formalisation (GST, demonetisation), and infrastructure investments.
Yet, the demographic dividend has not materialised due to successive disruptions: Covid, wars in Ukraine and Iran, and US unilateral tariffs. Today, war has shrunk India’s political and economic space for easy solutions.
Main Body
India’s Missed Demographic Dividend
What India Had Going for It:
- Favourable youth demographics (like China in 1980s–2010s)
- Digitisation through Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity
- Formalisation via GST and demonetisation
- Investments in physical infrastructure (ports, airports, highways, renewable energy)
What Went Wrong:
- Successive disruptions: Covid lockdowns
- Wars in Ukraine and Iran
- US President Donald Trump’s unilateral tariffs
The Result:
- Labour force “bulge” has not translated into growth
- Two major exoduses of migrant workers from cities to villages:
- First during Covid lockdown
- Second due to cooking gas shortages triggered by Iran war
The Comparison:
- China rode the second wave of globalisation to realise growth potential
- India has been relatively unlucky
Globalisation’s Foundational Assumptions Upended
What Globalisation Was Built On:
- Free movement of goods, services, capital, people, and ideas across borders
What Has Happened:
- Wars are no longer a near-impossibility in an age of hyper-economic interdependence
- The current decade has seen two major disruptions
- Unilateral tariffs by the US have further fractured the trading system
The Consequence:
- Political and economic space for easy solutions has shrunk
- Indian policymakers can no longer assume a stable, predictable global environment
What Indian Policymakers and Firms Must Do
Factor Geopolitical Risks into Growth Strategies:
- Diversify energy supply chains (reduce dependence on volatile regions)
- Diversify raw material supply chains
- Build buffers against unexpected shocks (fiscal and physical)
Stay the Course on Reforms:
- Reforms and macroeconomic stability are the best insurance against market volatility
- They guarantee investors will return once panic subsides
No More Low-Hanging Fruit:
- Energy supply and price shocks are reverberating across sectors
- Policy actions needed beyond easy fixes
Urgent Policy Reforms That Can No Longer Wait
Fertiliser Subsidy Regime:
- Currently promotes imbalanced nutrient use
- Over-application of urea damages soil health and inflates subsidy bill
- Reform can no longer wait
State Discom Losses:
- Losses of state electricity distribution companies remain unaddressed
- Fixing discoms is essential for energy sector stability
- The war has made this reform urgent, not optional
Way Forward
For Energy Security:
- Diversify import sources beyond West Asia
- Build strategic petroleum reserves
- Accelerate renewable energy and storage
For Supply Chain Resilience:
- Diversify raw material sourcing
- Develop domestic alternatives for critical inputs
- Create fiscal buffers for emergency response
For Structural Reforms:
- Reform fertiliser subsidy to promote balanced nutrient use
- Fix state discom losses through operational and financial restructuring
- Continue digitisation and formalisation momentum
For Macroeconomic Stability:
- Maintain fiscal discipline
- Keep inflation under control
- Build investor confidence through policy predictability
Conclusion
India was poised for a growth surge, but Covid, wars, and protectionism have constrained its trajectory. With global interdependence no longer a safeguard, policymakers must embed geopolitical risk, diversify supply chains, accelerate reforms, and address structural issues like fertiliser subsidies and discom losses—there are no easy solutions left.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
- Geopolitical shocks have disrupted India’s growth prospects despite favourable demographics. Critically examine their impact on the demographic dividend and suggest urgent policy responses. (250 words, 15 marks)