Archives
(PRELIMS Focus)
Why in News?
The National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), launched the first ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) in April 2026 (reference year: FY 2024-25). An accompanying user guide titled “Know Your Survey” has also been released for transparency and public awareness.
What is ASISSE?
ASISSE is a nationwide annual survey covering incorporated services sector enterprises (companies registered under Companies Act, 1956/2013 or LLP Act, 2008). It aims to create a comprehensive database of the services sector, which contributes more than half of India’s GDP and generates millions of jobs.
Key Highlights
- Sample size: Approximately 1.21 lakh enterprises across all States and UTs
- Sampling frame: GSTN database
- Legal backing: Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 (amended 2017) and Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023
- Data collection: Secure web-based portal
- Sectors covered: Trade, transport, hospitality, IT, education, health, etc.
Why is ASISSE Significant?
- First dedicated survey for incorporated services enterprises
- Comparable to Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for registered manufacturing
- Complements Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for non-agricultural unincorporated sector
- Together, these three surveys provide a holistic view of India’s non-agricultural economy at state and industry levels
“Know Your Survey” User Guide
- A reader-friendly explainer on survey objectives, coverage, concepts, definitions, and FAQs
- Aligned with global best practices in communicating survey design and processes
- Aims to improve data quality, ease compliance, and build public trust in official statistics
Static-Dynamic Linkage
- Static: Economic survey classifications – organised vs. unorganised sector; incorporated vs. unincorporated enterprises
- Dynamic: Fills a long-standing data gap in India’s services-dominated economy (services = 50%+ of GDP but lacked a dedicated annual survey)
- Governance: Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 (decriminalisation) linked to easing survey compliance
Source/Reference:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2249336®=3&lang=1
Why in News?
The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu has attained criticality – the point at which a nuclear reactor achieves a self-sustaining chain reaction. This marks a major milestone in India’s three-stage nuclear programme, advancing the second stage.
What is PFBR?
- Type: Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) – produces more fuel than it consumes
- Capacity: 500 Megawatt electric (MWe)
- Location: Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
- Operator: Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI)
- Significance: Once fully operational, India will become only the second country after Russia to have a commercial fast breeder reactor
Why is PFBR Important for India’s Nuclear Programme?
India’s three-stage nuclear programme, conceived by Homi J. Bhabha, aims to utilise the country’s vast thorium reserves (about 25% of world’s thorium) to meet long-term energy security.
| Stage | Reactor Type | Fuel Used | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) | Natural Uranium | Produces plutonium |
| Stage 2 | Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) | Plutonium + Uranium-238 | Converts Uranium-238 into plutonium; breeds more fuel than it consumes |
| Stage 3 | Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) | Thorium + Plutonium/Uranium-233 | Utilises India’s thorium reserves for large-scale energy |
PFBR represents the second stage. By breeding more fuel, it will enable India to eventually tap its thorium reserves in the third stage.
Key Facts for Prelims
- Criticality: Self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction – a key milestone before full power generation
- Indigenous content: Built with contributions from over 200 Indian industries, including many MSMEs – aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat
- Fuel: Uses plutonium-uranium oxide fuel
- Coolant: Liquid sodium (fast breeder reactors use no moderator; fast neutrons sustain the chain reaction)
Technological Significance
- Breeder ratio: Produces more fissile material than it consumes (typically 1.05 to 1.2 times)
- Closed fuel cycle: Spent fuel is reprocessed to recover plutonium and other fissile materials, reducing nuclear waste
- Thorium utilisation: The plutonium bred in PFBR will eventually be used to start the third stage reactors using thorium
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Science & Technology / Nuclear Physics):
- Nuclear fission – chain reaction, critical mass, moderator vs. breeder reactors
- Types of reactors: PHWR, FBR, AHWR
- India’s three-stage programme – rationale (abundant thorium, limited uranium)
- Kalpakkam – also home to MAPS (Madras Atomic Power Station)
Dynamic (Current Affairs – April 2026):
- PFBR attains criticality – operational milestone after decades of development (project sanctioned in 2003)
- Aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat (over 200 Indian industries involved, including MSMEs)
- Strengthens India’s clean energy transition (nuclear power as low-carbon baseload)
Source/Reference:
Why in News?
On April 6, 2026, NASA’s Artemis II crew became the humans to travel furthest from Earth, breaking the 54-year-old record set by Apollo 13 (1970) . The four astronauts are currently journeying around the Moon for a monumental flyby.
Key Records Broken
- Maximum distance from Earth: 252,760 miles (406,778 km) – approximately 4,105 miles (6,606 km) beyond Apollo 13’s record
- The crew will spend over six hours analysing and documenting lunar surface features, including areas never before seen by the naked eye
Key Technical Details
- Spacecraft: Orion capsule
- Trajectory: “Free-return trajectory” – zipping around the Moon before U-turning back to Earth (return trip ~4 days)
- Communication blackout: ~40 minutes when passing behind the Moon
- Upcoming event: Astronauts will witness a solar eclipse (Sun behind the Moon) near the end of their flyby
Scientific Significance
- Human eye vs. camera: NASA emphasises that the human eye remains superior to any camera for lunar observation (“the number of receptors in the human eye far outweighs what a camera is able to do”)
- The flyby is key to preparing for future crewed lunar landing missions:
- Artemis III (2027) – crewed lunar landing
- Artemis IV (2028) – lunar landing mission
Message from the Late Jim Lovell
The late Apollo 8 & 13 astronaut recorded a message shortly before his death: “Welcome to my old neighbourhood. I’m proud to pass that torch on to you as you swing around the Moon.”
Static-Dynamic Linkage
- Static (Science): Lunar orbit mechanics, free-return trajectory, Apollo program history
- Dynamic (Current Affairs): Artemis II as a stepping stone to future lunar landings (Artemis III & IV)
- International Cooperation: Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen – non-American participation
Source/Reference:
Why in News?
In a historic first, the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan rejected the opposition’s notices seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on April 6, 2026. This marked the first-ever attempt in Indian parliamentary history to remove a sitting CEC.
Constitutional and Legal Framework
The removal process for a CEC is governed by:
- Article 324(5) of the Constitution: The CEC “shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court”
- The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023: Section 11(2) reiterates the same removal procedure
- Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 (Section 3): Provides the procedural framework. The Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha) has the discretion to either admit or refuse to admit the motion after consulting such persons and considering such materials as deemed fit
Grounds for Removal: “Proven misbehaviour or incapacity” – same as for Supreme Court judges
Procedure for Removal (If Admitted)
- Motion admitted by Speaker/Chairman
- Three-member committee investigates the charges
- If committee finds grounds valid, motion is taken up for consideration in both Houses
- Requires special majority: majority of total membership of the House + two-thirds of members present and voting
Key Facts for Prelims
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 324: Superintendence, direction and control of elections vested in Election Commission
- Article 324(5): CEC removal procedure (same as SC judge)
- Article 124(4): Removal procedure for Supreme Court judges
Legislations Referenced
- Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 – Section 3 (discretion of Speaker/Chairman to admit or refuse removal motion)
- CEC and Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 – Section 11(2) (removal provision)
Historical Context
This was the first time a removal notice was moved against a sitting CEC in India’s parliamentary history. In the past two years, the Opposition had moved impeachment notices against judges, the Vice-President, and the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Polity Syllabus):
- Article 324 – Election Commission (composition, functions, powers)
- Article 324(5) – CEC’s security of tenure (removal only by impeachment like SC judge)
- Article 124(4) – Removal of Supreme Court judges
- Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 – Procedural framework for removal motions
- CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023 – New appointment and service conditions framework
Dynamic (Current Affairs – April 2026):
- First-ever removal attempt against a CEC – tests the robustness of constitutional safeguards for Election Commission’s independence
- Pre-election context: Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala imminent
- Opposition’s allegations centered on SIR (electoral roll revision) – highlights the political sensitivity of voter list management
Source/Reference:
Why in News?
A landmark study tested 294 million domains across six major Indian ISPs and found that website blocking is highly inconsistent – only 1,414 domains (out of 43,083 blocked) were blocked by all six ISPs. This is the largest study of DNS-level website blocking in India to date.
Legal Framework for Internet Censorship in India
The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 provides the primary legal basis:
- Section 69A: Empowers the central government to issue blocking orders to ISPs and intermediaries for reasons of national security, public order, sovereignty, or friendly relations with foreign states.
- Section 79: Provides safe harbour to intermediaries (including ISPs) subject to compliance with due diligence (including blocking orders).
Licensing conditions: ISP licensing agreements explicitly require ISPs to “block Internet sites […] as identified and directed by the Licensor from time to time.” Blocking orders are confidentially binding on ISPs.
How Do ISPs Block Websites? (Technical Methods)
- DNS poisoning (most common): ISP configures its DNS servers to return a false address for a blocked domain – cheap, requires no deep packet inspection.
- SNI filtering: For HTTPS websites, ISPs examine the Server Name Indication (SNI) field and drop connections to blocked domains.
- HTTP interception (outdated): Intercept unencrypted HTTP traffic and return a block page (largely obsolete due to HTTPS adoption).
Key Findings of the Study
- Total blocked domains identified: 43,083 across six ISPs.
- Consensus blocks (all 6 ISPs): Only 1,414 domains – less than 3.3% of all blocked domains.
- High-consensus categories: Terrorism and militancy content – blocks enforced more consistently.
- Low-consensus categories: Piracy, peer-to-peer file sharing, pornography, gambling – blocks vary widely across ISPs.
- Arbitrary blocking: Almost all ISPs engage in some form of arbitrary blocking.
Key Problems with the Current Regime
- Inconsistent implementation: A domain blocked by one ISP may be accessible through another – undermines the stated rationale for blocking while still infringing on users’ rights.
- Opaque system: No central disclosure of blocked domains; users only discover blocks when websites become inaccessible.
- Defiance of unblocking orders: Domains officially ordered unblocked remain blocked by some ISPs – without penalty to ISPs or respite for website operators.
- No standardised framework: ISPs are left to their own devices in implementing blocking orders.
- Procedural safeguards ineffective: The Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India (2015) upheld Section 69A but emphasised procedural safeguards (review committee, right to be heard). In practice, neither can operate meaningfully in a patchwork system.
What Should an Ideal System Look Like?
- Disclosure of blocked domains from the source.
- Exceptions only for sensitive matters (national security, child sexual abuse material).
- Transparency to distinguish legitimate public interest blocking (e.g., malicious domains) from overreach.
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Polity/Science & Technology Syllabus):
- IT Act, 2000: Sections 69A (blocking orders), 79 (intermediary safe harbour), 66A (struck down in Shreya Singhal).
- Article 19(1)(a) and 19(2): Freedom of speech and expression – reasonable restrictions including sovereignty, security, public order.
- Shreya Singhal (2015): SC struck down Section 66A (arbitrary, vague) but upheld Section 69A with safeguards (review committee, hearing rights).
Dynamic (Current Affairs – 2025/2026):
- Inconsistent blocking across ISPs – undermines rule of law and creates uneven access.
- Opaque regime – lack of transparency in blocking orders.
- Recent examples: Supabase blocking (user-driven discovery), 59 Chinese apps including TikTok blocked (2020 – announced).
- The study highlights the need for standardised framework and public disclosure (except sensitive categories).
Source/Reference:
(MAINS Focus)
UPSC Mains Subject: GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology (Climate Change) | GS Paper II – Social Justice (Health)
Sub-topic: Climate-Health Intersection; Disease Patterns; Health System Resilience
Introduction
Climate change is becoming a major public health threat in India, altering disease patterns, overburdening healthcare systems, and putting nearly 40% of districts at high risk from extreme weather.
According to the Dasra report, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, and cyclones now form a continuous cycle of disruption, acting as a “health-risk multiplier” that intensifies disease burden and strains already fragile health infrastructure.
Main Body
Changing Disease Landscape
Immediate Risks from Extreme Weather:
- Floods trigger outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and hepatitis
- Heatwaves lead to dehydration, heatstroke, and increased cardiovascular stress
Vector-Borne Diseases Expanding into New Regions:
- Warmer temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns are expanding the range of dengue and malaria
- Areas previously unaffected—Shimla, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, and the Himalayan foothills—are now reporting cases
Non-Communicable Diseases Linked to Climate Stress:
- Heat exposure associated with higher cardiovascular mortality
- Worsening air pollution contributes to respiratory illnesses and chronic conditions
Key Insight: Climate change is altering how diseases spread, pushing vector-borne illnesses into cooler, higher-altitude regions that were once safe.
Unequal Burden: Vulnerable Communities at Greatest Risk
Who Is Most Affected:
- Rural populations
- Informal workers (outdoor labour)
- Women and children
- Economically disadvantaged communities
Impact on Labour Productivity:
- Extreme heat reduces labour productivity and increases health risks for outdoor workers
- India lost an estimated 160 billion labour hours due to heat exposure in 2021
Impact on Women:
- Exposure to extreme heat linked to 16% increase in odds of preterm birth during heatwaves
- Risks rise further for every 1°C increase in temperature
- Air pollution (PM2.5) associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia
Impact on Children:
- Infants and young children have limited ability to regulate body temperature
- More prone to heat stress, dehydration, and respiratory illnesses
- Air pollution linked to low birth weight, asthma, and reduced lung function
Healthcare System Disruption
Direct Infrastructure Damage:
- Floods and cyclones damage hospitals and medical facilities
- Roads cut off, preventing patient access and emergency response
Supply Chain Interruptions:
- Disruption in supply of medicines and vaccines
- In remote areas, even small disruptions leave communities without basic services
Economic Cascade:
- Rising healthcare costs
- Loss of income and reduced productivity
- Cycle of vulnerability, particularly for those already at risk
Efforts Taken: India’s Response So Far
Policy Initiatives:
- National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health
- State-level action plans shaping local responses
- Heat Action Plans (early warnings, preparedness measures) implemented in several cities and districts
Innovative Solutions by NGOs:
- Solar-powered health facilities
- AI-based disease tracking
- Decentralised healthcare delivery
Positive Shift:
- India has begun moving from broad climate policies to targeted approaches recognising the climate-health connection
Challenges Ahead
Data Gaps:
- Lack of local, disaggregated data linking climate events to health outcomes
- Limits targeted interventions and evidence-based policymaking
Funding Constraints:
- Adaptation funding remains constrained
- Skewed towards mitigation rather than health adaptation
- Grassroots organisations face barriers accessing funds, especially in highly vulnerable but underfunded regions
Awareness and Systems:
- Weak public awareness about climate-health links
- Fragmented data systems hinder effective response
Way Forward
Strengthen Collaboration:
- Stronger partnerships between government, civil society, and private sector
Invest in Local Data Systems:
- Collect disaggregated, local-level data linking climate events to health outcomes
- Enable targeted, evidence-based interventions
Build Climate-Resilient Healthcare Infrastructure:
- Climate-proof hospitals and health facilities
- Ensure supply chain resilience for medicines and vaccines
Place Health at the Centre of Climate Policy:
- Treat health as a primary concern, not a secondary afterthought
- Integrate climate-health planning into National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC)
Scale Up Proven Interventions:
- Expand Heat Action Plans to all vulnerable districts
- Deploy AI-based disease tracking and early warning systems nationally
- Promote decentralised, solar-powered healthcare delivery
Conclusion
Climate change is now a growing public health emergency in India, with nearly 40% of districts at high risk from extreme weather and shifting disease patterns. Vulnerable groups are worst affected, while gaps in data, funding, and coordination persist despite initiatives. The way forward lies in prioritising health in climate policy, strengthening resilient healthcare systems, and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration to reduce risks and inequalities.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
- Critically examine how climate change is impacting public health in India. What are the major challenges in building climate-resilient health systems, and what measures are needed to address them? (250 words, 15 marks)
UPSC Mains Subject: GS Paper II – International Relations (Bilateral Relations)
Sub-topic: India’s Neighbourhood Policy; Bangladesh Relations; Regional Connectivity
Introduction
Bangladesh’s new government seeks to reset ties with India, shifting focus to people-to-people relations and moving away from the India-centric approach of Sheikh Hasina. As Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman prepares for a key visit to India, both sides must navigate sensitive issues like Hasina’s presence, border tensions, water sharing, and energy cooperation.
Main Body
The ‘New’ Framework: People-to-People, Not Individuals
Core Principles Stated by Bangladesh:
- Bilateral relation should be focused on people-to-people ties, not individuals or political parties
- Avoid the “mistakes of the past” (unspecified but implicitly referencing the Hasina era)
- More frequent exchanges at the level of political parties and officials to deal with “difficult issues”
- Create a new space for a new relation because “Hasina-India relation will no longer be possible”
Explicit Break from the Past:
- Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir declared: “Hasina is a spent force in Bangladesh and her influence is non-existent”
- This marks a clear diplomatic signal that India cannot rely on its past equation with Sheikh Hasina as a anchor for bilateral ties
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
High Commissioner’s Call:
- Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on April 6, 2026
- Discussions included energy cooperation through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline
- India had sent 5,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel on March 10
Upcoming Visit:
- Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman scheduled to visit India starting April 7, 2026
- He will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir
- This will be the first Foreign Minister-level visit from Bangladesh since the August 5, 2024 regime change
Tight Lid on Preparations:
- Both sides keeping preparations confidential due to the delicate nature of ties
- Relations yet to fully recover from setbacks during the interim government
Key Issues on the Agenda
Energy Cooperation:
- Growing energy crunch in Bangladesh due to ongoing US-Israel war against Iran
- India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline operational; high-speed diesel supplied
- Further cooperation under discussion
Ganga Water Treaty Renewal:
- Bangladesh expected to raise the need for renewal of the Ganga water sharing treaty
- A long-standing issue requiring urgent resolution
Removal of Restrictive Measures:
- India imposed restrictions on Bangladeshi export items using Indian sea and airports during April-June 2025
- Bangladesh seeks removal of these measures
Border Firing:
- Bangladesh to press India for reducing border firing against Bangladeshi civilians
- India’s position: Actions aimed at criminal gangs and smugglers
- Bangladesh’s position: Gangs should be apprehended and subjected to judicial processes, not fired at
The Sheikh Hasina Factor: An Unresolved Wound
Bangladesh’s Position:
- “Hasina is a spent force in Bangladesh and her influence is non-existent”
- The Hasina-India relation will no longer be possible
- Bangladesh has left the era of Sheikh Hasina behind
India’s Dilemma:
- Hasina has been residing in India since her government fell on August 5, 2024
- Her presence remains a irritant in bilateral ties
- Frequent mob attacks on Indian missions and visa centres in Bangladesh have been linked to this issue
Setbacks During Interim Government:
- Ties suffered due to Hasina’s presence in India
- Attacks on Indian diplomatic missions and visa centres
- The upcoming visit aims to begin repairing this damage
Challenges Ahead
Trust Deficit:
- Explicit declaration that the Hasina-era relation is over creates uncertainty
- India must now build a new equation with a leadership it has less familiarity with
Unresolved Structural Issues:
- Ganga water treaty renewal pending for years
- Border firing incidents continue despite bilateral mechanisms
- Trade restrictions imposed in 2025 need resolution
Domestic Political Sensitivities in Bangladesh:
- The new government must balance ties with India against domestic political expectations
- Anti-India sentiment remains present in sections of Bangladeshi politics
India’s Neighbourhood Policy Test:
- Bangladesh is India’s most important eastern neighbour
- A stable, cooperative Bangladesh is essential for India’s Act East Policy and North-East connectivity
- Failure to reset ties could have regional ramifications
Way Forward
Frequent Political Exchanges:
- As suggested by Bangladesh, more frequent exchanges at political party and official levels
- Regular dialogue to deal with difficult issues before they escalate
People-to-People Focus:
- Shift from individual-centric diplomacy to institutional and people-to-people ties
- Revive cultural, educational, and business exchanges
Address Immediate Irritants:
- Find a mutually acceptable resolution to the Hasina issue
- Resume talks on Ganga water treaty renewal
- Establish clear protocols on border firing incidents
Deepen Energy Cooperation:
- Expand the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline model
- Explore electricity grid connectivity and renewable energy collaboration
Trade Facilitation:
- Remove restrictive measures imposed in 2025
- Simplify use of Indian sea and airports for Bangladeshi exports
Conclusion
Bangladesh’s new government signals a break from Sheikh Hasina’s India-centric approach, proposing a reset based on people-to-people ties and mutual respect. However, challenges like Hasina’s presence in India, water disputes, border tensions, and trust deficit persist. The visit of Khalilur Rahman will be a key test, requiring both sides to show flexibility and commitment to stable ties.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
- Discuss the challenges and opportunities in resetting India–Bangladesh relations under the new government. What principles should guide India’s future engagement? (250 words, 15 marks)