UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS — 1 OCTOBER 2026
A Century of Merit: UPSC Turns 100
(POLITY AND GOVERNANCE) (PIB) The Union Public Service Commission completes 100 years on 1 October 2026. Its journey began on 1 October 1926, when India’s first Public Service Commission was set up — an advisory body whose members were then appointed by the Secretary of State in London.
From a colonial recruiting office to an independent constitutional body under Part XIV (Articles 315–323), the Commission’s century mirrors India’s own transition from patronage to merit, and from an elite service to a far more representative bureaucracy.
The road to 1926
Open ICS exam in London (1855) ➜ GoI Act 1919 ➜ Exam in India (1922) ➜ Lee Commission (1924) ➜ First PSC (1926) ➜ Federal PSC (1937) ➜ UPSC (1950)
- Merit replaces nomination (1855): The Indian Civil Service examination replaced the East India Company’s nomination system. But it was held only in London, in English, and tested Greek and Latin — a built-in disadvantage for Indians.
- First Indian ICS officer: Satyendranath Tagore, elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, cleared the exam in 1863, joined in 1864 and served over 30 years in the Bombay Presidency. Surendranath Banerjee, Behari Lal Gupta and Romesh Chunder Dutt followed six years later.
- Shifting goalposts: The maximum age was cut from 23 to 19; by 1919, only 78 of 1,255 ICS officers were Indian.
- Statutory base: The Government of India Act, 1919, following the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms, provided for a Public Service Commission. In 1922 the ICS exam was held at Allahabad for the first time (shifting to Delhi in 1928).
- Lee Commission (1924): Chaired by Arthur Hamilton Lee, it urged an immediate statutory Commission. It also proposed that of every ten new entrants, four be British, four Indian and two promoted from provincial services — in effect a guaranteed 40% British intake.
- Birth (1926): Constituted under the Public Service Commission (Functions) Rules, 1926 (framed under Sections 96B and 96C of the 1919 Act), with Sir Ross Barker as first Chairman and four Members, housed at Metcalfe House, Delhi.
Constitutional mandate: Articles 315–323
On 22 August 1949, Dr B.R. Ambedkar moved the draft provisions (then Draft Articles 284 and 285) in the Constituent Assembly. Dr Rajendra Prasad later stressed that independent Commissions were essential to guard recruitment against jobbery, nepotism and favouritism — see Making of the Constitution.
| Article | What it provides |
| 315 | Public Service Commissions for the Union and States; Joint State PSC for two or more States |
| 316 | Chairman and Members appointed by the President |
| 317 | Removal or suspension only by Presidential order after an inquiry by the Supreme Court |
| 318 | Regulations on conditions of service of Members and staff |
| 319 | Bar on further government employment; the Chairman is ineligible for any further employment under the Union or a State |
| 320 | Conduct of examinations; advice on recruitment methods, promotions and disciplinary matters |
| 321 | Parliament or a State Legislature may extend the Commission’s functions |
| 322 | Expenses charged on the Consolidated Fund of India |
| 323 | Annual report to the President; cases of non-acceptance of advice, with reasons, laid before Parliament |
Milestones of the century
| Year | Milestone |
| 1935–37 | GoI Act, 1935 provides for a Federal PSC and Provincial PSCs; consultation made mandatory. Renamed Federal PSC on 1 April 1937 |
| 1940 | Indians (625) outnumber Europeans (575) in the ICS for the first time |
| 1947 | H.K. Kripalani becomes first Indian Chairman; ICS gives way to the IAS |
| 1950 | Federal PSC becomes UPSC on 26 January, with R.N. Banerjee as Chairman |
| 1966 | Indian Forest Service constituted as the third All India Service |
| 1976–79 | D.S. Kothari Committee proposes a three-stage exam; Prelims–Mains–Interview introduced in 1979 |
| 1988–93 | Satish Chandra Committee (1988–89) recommends negative marking and a 200-mark essay; OMR introduced in 1989; Essay paper added in 1993 |
| 1992 | Rose Millian Bathew Kharbuli becomes first woman Chairperson |
| 2011–15 | CSAT introduced (2011); four GS papers incl. Ethics (2013); CSAT made qualifying at 33% (2015) |
| 2021 | Women admitted to the NDA & NA Examination for the first time |
Scale and inclusion: then and now
| Indicator | Then | Now |
| Applications (all exams and selections) | 42,727 (1950–51) | 45,10,044 peak (2022–23) |
| Examination centres | 8 (1950) | 86 (2026) |
| Women recommended in CSE | 3 of 83 — 3.6% (1952) | 299 of 958 — 31.2% (2025) |
| SC candidates recommended in CSE | 9 (1955) | 158 (2025) |
| ST candidates recommended in CSE | 2 (1956–57) | 73 (2025) |
| PwBD candidates recommended in CSE | 3 (2002) | 42 (2025) |
In CSE 2025, women also secured 11 of the top 25 ranks. Since 1980–81, candidates may take the Personality Test in an Indian language with an interpreter provided by the Commission.
Technology and integrity reforms (2025–26)
- Universal Registration Number (May 2025): Replaced One-Time Registration with a single persistent identity across all exams.
- AI facial authentication: Piloted at Gurugram on 14 September 2025; used for about 5.50 lakh candidates at CS (Prelims) on 24 May 2026, at 6–8 seconds per candidate via invigilators’ phones.
- Data audit: A scan of 15 years of records rejected 569 applicants who had furnished false information to claim extra attempts.
- Randomised interview boards (2025): Software sets the calling sequence, reducing scope for bias.
- Pratibha Setu (9 June 2025): Connects candidates who narrowly miss the final list with verified employers.
- QPRep portal and Online DPC (2026): Online representations on Prelims questions; a paperless Departmental Promotion Committee platform for about 101 ministries and departments.
Anecdotes worth quoting
- “Steel frame of India” (21 April 1947): Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the first batch of probationers at Metcalfe House; the date is now observed as Civil Services Day.
- Dholpur House: Built in 1920 in Art Deco style by Maharaja Rana Udaybhanu Singh of Dholpur; the Commission’s headquarters since 1952.
- One among eighty (1972): Kiran Bedi became the first woman selected for the IPS — the only woman among 80 vacancies.
- Inclusion by design: Deadline extended for snowbound Kangra aspirants (1984), forms printed in newspapers (1989), age relaxation for those displaced by the 1971 war, and airfare reimbursement during COVID-19.
Why it matters
The Commission’s credibility rests on two pillars: constitutional independence (security of tenure, charged expenditure, post-retirement bar) and procedural fairness (identity-blind evaluation, technology-backed integrity). As civil services reforms continue, its centenary task is to ensure that equal opportunity reaches every eligible citizen.
📖 Read More: Union Public Service Commission • State Public Service Commission • Civil Services Reforms • Role of Civil Services in Democracy
Beyond the Border Line: India’s Turn to Deterrence by Punishment
(INTERNAL SECURITY) (IE) Speaking at DefCon 2026, the Defence Minister warned against the “perimeter fallacy” and said India’s strategic approach has moved from “strategic containment” and “deterrence by denial” to a proactive posture of “deterrence by punishment”.
What is the perimeter fallacy?
It is the belief that national security can be secured simply by guarding physical borders. Borders stay fixed, but threats no longer do: drones, cyberattacks, disinformation, lone-wolf attacks and supply-chain coercion bypass the frontier altogether.
Security is now economic too. With crude imports flowing through chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, a disruption thousands of kilometres away becomes a domestic security problem.
Denial vs punishment
| Aspect | Deterrence by denial | Deterrence by punishment |
| Logic | An attack will fail, so it is not worth trying | An attack will cost more than it gains |
| Tools | Fortified borders, hardened targets, air defence | Credible retaliation, cross-border strikes, economic and diplomatic costs |
| Posture | Reactive and defensive | Proactive; clear red lines and signalling |
| Pre-condition | Strong defensive capacity | Capability, credible signalling and political will |
The underlying idea comes from classical deterrence theory: shape the adversary’s calculation of risk so that hostile action looks irrational.
How the shift has been institutionalised
Surgical strikes (2016) ➜ Balakot air strikes (2019) ➜ Operation Sindoor (2025) ➜ Counter-terror policy (2026)
- Kinetic retaliation: The 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot air strikes and Operation Sindoor (2025) signalled readiness to hit terror infrastructure at source.
- Policy framework: India’s first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy adopts a zero-tolerance, intelligence-led, whole-of-government approach — see Countering Terrorism in India.
- Diplomatic and economic costs: Pressure through the FATF, keeping the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) in abeyance, suspending trade and closing the Attari–Wagah Integrated Check Post.
Challenges to the security architecture
- Borderless threats: State-backed cyber warfare, drone swarms and AI-driven disinformation targeting social cohesion.
- Energy chokepoints: Dependence on imported crude and on the Hormuz and Red Sea routes exposes India to supply and freight shocks.
- Technology dependencies: Semiconductors, APIs and rare earths leave defence supply chains open to coercion.
- Two-front grey-zone pressure: China–Pakistan collusion below the threshold of war — infrastructure build-up, cyber espionage and proxies.
- Grassroots gaps: State police lag in digital forensics, drone interception and evidence handling under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
Way forward
- Jointness: Operationalise integrated theatre commands under the CDS for unified planning and swift tri-service response — see Armed Forces and Internal Security.
- Indigenisation: Expand Positive Indigenisation Lists and iDEX; convert private-sector R&D into sovereign IP in electronic warfare, quantum encryption and counter-drone systems.
- Critical infrastructure: Real-time threat-sharing between utilities, banks, telecom and CERT-In.
- Economic buffers: Larger strategic petroleum reserves; alternative corridors such as the IMEC.
- Convergence: Link NATGRID and intelligence agencies with local police stations to disrupt terror finance and proxy networks early.
📖 Read More: India’s National Security Policy • Doctrine, Strategy and the Way Forward in Internal Security • Countering Terrorism in India • India–Pakistan Relations
Borrowing Against Tomorrow: The Rise of India’s Household Debt
(ECONOMICS) (TH) Indian households are borrowing more and saving less in financial assets than before the pandemic, raising questions about how long credit-fuelled consumption can last and how exposed families are to income shocks.
Key trends
| Indicator | Trend |
| Household debt-to-GDP | 39.2% (March 2021) → 42% (June 2023) → 45.5% (September 2025) |
| Net financial savings (NFS) | Peak of ~15% of GDP (Q1 2020–21) → 5.1% (2022–23) → 5.3% (2023–24) → ~6% (2024–25); historical norm 7–8% |
| Gross financial liabilities | 3.9% of GDP (2020–21) → 6.4% (2023–24) |
| Non-housing retail loans | 54.9% of household debt (March 2025) |
| Mutual funds in financial asset flows | 2.1% (2020–21) → 7% (2023–24) |
The composition matters as much as the size. Earlier, household debt was dominated by housing loans that build assets; today most of it funds consumption — personal loans, credit cards, consumer-durable loans and Buy-Now-Pay-Later.
Why households are borrowing more
- Frictionless credit: Fintech apps and pre-approved loans blur the line between affordability and borrowing capacity.
- Weak real wages: Stagnant incomes in informal and entry-level jobs push families to bridge gaps with credit.
- Debt as a safety net: High out-of-pocket spending on health, education, rent and elder care.
- Aspirational consumption: Post-pandemic optimism has normalised debt-financed lifestyle upgrades.
Macroeconomic implications
Lower household savings ➜ Smaller investible pool ➜ More reliance on foreign capital ➜ Wider CAD & volatility
- Investment squeeze: Households are the economy’s main net savers; lower savings shrink funds for capital formation.
- Debt trap risk: Rising EMIs eat future income; borrowers may take new loans to repay old ones.
- Bank asset quality: Unsecured retail loans to volatile-income borrowers can trigger sudden NPA spikes for banks and NBFCs.
- External vulnerability: Lower domestic savings mean more dependence on foreign capital and FPI flows, which can reverse quickly.
- Faster policy pass-through: Highly leveraged households feel rate changes immediately, strengthening monetary transmission to consumption.
- Collateral illusion: Higher gold prices let families borrow more against jewellery without any rise in repayment capacity.
The RBI has already acted: in November 2023 it raised risk weights on consumer credit to cool unsecured lending — a classic selective credit control. Its Financial Stability Reports track household leverage every six months.
Way forward
- Prudential guard-rails: Debt-to-income caps and closer scrutiny of algorithm-driven, pre-approved unsecured credit.
- Credit for assets: Favour housing, education and MSME loans over short-term consumption credit.
- Income-led growth: Formal jobs and manufacturing expansion to lift real wages.
- Rebuild savings: Financial literacy and low-cost advisory nudging towards long-term instruments — see Financial Inclusion in India.
- Social protection: Better health cover and social security reduce distress borrowing.
📖 Read More: NPA Crisis in India • Transmission of Monetary Policy • Qualitative Methods of Monetary Policy • Balance of Payment
From Yields to Incomes: Rethinking Farmer Welfare in India
(ECONOMICS) (TH) A fresh debate argues that agriculture employs about 46% of India’s workforce but contributes only around 15–18% of GDP — so policy must move from yield-centric targets to a framework built around farmer incomes and risk.
Building blocks already in place
| Area | Key initiative | What it does |
| Income support | PM-KISAN | ₹6,000 a year via DBT to landholding farmer families |
| Risk cover | PMFBY | Low-premium crop insurance against yield loss |
| Credit | Kisan Credit Card | Short-term crop credit; prompt repayers get an effective 4% interest rate |
| Digital rails | Digital Agriculture Mission | AgriStack: farmers’ registry, geo-referenced village maps, crop-sown registry |
| Markets | e-NAM and FPOs | Online mandi trading, collective bargaining and e-NWR-backed storage |
| Energy | PM-KUSUM | Solar pumps and farm solar plants; surplus power sold to DISCOMs |
| Storage | Agriculture Infrastructure Fund | Warehouses and post-harvest infrastructure, including at PACS level |
Structural challenges
- Fragmented holdings: Small and marginal farmers form about 86% of operational holdings (Agriculture Census 2015–16); the average holding is just 1.08 ha, which defeats economies of scale — see farm size and efficiency.
- Water stress: Agriculture dominates groundwater extraction, while flood irrigation wastes most of the water applied.
- Soil imbalance: Urea-heavy subsidies distort the ideal 4:2:1 NPK ratio — see Fertilisers.
- Post-harvest losses: Weak cold chains force distress sales — a theme detailed in food loss and waste.
- Market asymmetry: Farmers often get only 20–35% of the consumer rupee in fruits and vegetables; agricultural pricing remains volatile.
- Indebtedness: About half of agricultural households are indebted (NSS 77th Round, 2019); tenants without titles fall back on moneylenders.
- Climate exposure and gender gaps: Roughly half the net sown area is rainfed; women do much of the farm work but own a small share of holdings.
Committees to remember
| Committee | Focus | Key recommendations |
| M.S. Swaminathan (National Commission on Farmers) | Comprehensive farmer welfare | MSP at least 50% above C2 cost; 4% crop-loan interest; land reforms |
| Ashok Dalwai | Doubling farmers’ income | Market reforms, diversification to high-value crops, cold chains, FPOs |
| Shanta Kumar | FCI restructuring | Decentralised procurement, cash transfers, NFSA coverage cut to 40% |
Way forward
Secure land records ➜ Formal credit & insurance ➜ Climate-smart inputs ➜ Value addition ➜ Direct market access
- Legalise leasing: Model land-leasing laws plus the 14-digit ULPIN (Bhu-Aadhaar) so tenants can access KCC, insurance and relief — see Land Reforms.
- Climate-smart farming: Scale up climate-resilient varieties with drip fertigation; reward practices such as DSR and AWD through carbon markets.
- Farm-gate value addition: Rural processing clusters through PMFME and AIF.
- Direct market links: Onboard FPOs on ONDC to cut intermediary mark-ups.
📖 Read More: Government Policies in Agriculture Sector • Agriculture and Allied Sectors • Sustainable Agriculture • Agricultural Pricing
Wiring the Green Transition: Green Energy Corridor Phase-III
(ECONOMICS) (PIB) The Union Cabinet has approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme to strengthen the Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) for evacuating up to 135 GW of renewable energy, along with 50 GWh of battery storage, by FY 2032–33.
Solar and wind are generated in a few resource-rich pockets and fluctuate through the day. Without adequate lines and storage, clean power gets curtailed. GEC-III addresses this “last-mile” bottleneck inside the States — the key challenge for renewable energy.
GEC-III at a glance
| Feature | Details |
| Total outlay | ₹1,86,405 crore |
| Components | ₹1,36,378 crore for InSTS + ₹50,000 crore for 50 GWh BESS |
| Central Financial Assistance | ₹54,082 crore — offsets intra-state transmission charges, keeping power costs down |
| Execution | Greenfield: Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) on Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM); Brownfield: Cost Plus Basis |
| Implementing agencies | State Transmission Utilities, with Transmission Service Providers bidding under TBCB |
| Target | FY 2032–33; supports 900 GW non-fossil capacity by 2035 |
How the corridor has evolved
| Phase | Coverage | Scale |
| GEC-I (from 2015) | 8 renewable-rich States | ~24 GW; 9,700 ckm lines; 22,600 MVA substations |
| GEC-II (2021–22 to 2025–26) | 7 States | ~20 GW; 10,750 ckm lines; 27,500 MVA substations |
| GEC-III (to 2032–33) | States/UTs nationwide | 135 GW evacuation + 50 GWh BESS |
Significance
- Firm clean power: Storage at generator ends and grid nodes manages intermittency, congestion and non-solar-hour demand.
- Cheaper power for consumers: CFA lowers transmission charges passed on to DISCOMs and end-users.
- Make in India: Demand for battery cells and grid equipment complements the ACC battery PLI.
- Climate goals: Underpins India’s 2035 non-fossil target and the net-zero 2070 pathway.
📖 Read More: Measures to Boost Renewable Energy • Challenges Faced by Renewable Energy • Total Installed Power Capacity in India • Schemes under MNRE
Insuring Our Own Ships: The Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool
(ECONOMICS) (PIB) Around World Maritime Day (24 September), the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) has drawn attention as India’s answer to its dependence on foreign marine insurers — a gap that becomes dangerous whenever conflict flares on key sea lanes.
Why India needed its own pool
- Trade on water: About 95% of India’s trade by value and 70% by volume moves by sea; India has 12 Major and 217 Non-Major ports, which handled about 1,668 million tonnes in 2025–26.
- Growing fleet: The Indian-flag fleet stood at 1,609 ships and 14.33 million GT by mid-2026.
- Foreign dependence: The 13 clubs of the International Group of P&I Clubs insure about 90% of the world’s large ships; India pays USD 45–60 million a year in P&I premiums abroad.
- Geopolitical risk: During Red Sea and Hormuz tensions, foreign insurers raised premiums or withdrew cover.
BMIP at a glance
| Feature | Details |
| Approved / launched | 18 April 2026 / 12 May 2026 |
| Capacity | ₹13,906.50 crore (USD 1.5 billion) |
| Sovereign guarantee | ₹12,980 crore (USD 1.4 billion) |
| Risks covered | Hull & Machinery, Cargo, Protection & Indemnity (P&I), War risks (piracy, terrorism, hostile seizure) |
| Eligibility | Indian-flagged vessels; vessels owned, managed or controlled by Indian entities; cargo vessels to or from India |
| Tenure | 10 years, extendable to 15 |
| Administrator | General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re); Governing Body and Underwriting Committee |
How a claim is paid
Policy by member insurer ➜ Risk reinsured across pool ➜ Claims ≤ USD 100 mn from reserves ➜ Larger claims: sovereign guarantee
Early results
- Lower costs: War-risk premiums have fallen about 35–40% from the West Asia conflict peak.
- Policies issued (as on 7 September 2026): 3,000 Cargo War, 92 Hull War-risk and 3 P&I policies.
- Firsts: First Hull & Machinery War policy on 12 May 2026; first P&I policy to the Shipping Corporation of India on 30 July 2026.
- Beyond shipowners: Cover extended to industrial importers and manufacturers moving goods by sea.
BMIP strengthens India’s maritime strategy by building domestic underwriting expertise, and could position India as a regional insurance anchor in the Indian Ocean Region.
📖 Read More: Water Transport in India • Schemes under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways • Coastal and Maritime Security
The Yellow Squeeze: Surging Sulphur Prices and India’s Fertiliser Bill
(ECONOMICS) (TH) International sulphur prices have jumped from about USD 280 per tonne (July 2025) to about USD 1,050 per tonne (July 2026), driven by the Russia–Ukraine war and conflict in West Asia — raising India’s import bill and fertiliser costs.
Know the commodity
- By-product economy: About 92% of global sulphur comes as a by-product of petroleum refining and gas processing; only about 8% is mined (e.g. from pyrites).
- Main use: Converted into sulphuric acid for phosphatic fertilisers and metal processing.
- New demand driver: Acid leaching of nickel laterite ores (notably in Indonesia) for EV batteries.
- Leading producers: China, the US, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Why prices spiked
War damage to gas plants ➜ Russian export curbs ➜ West Asia disruption ➜ Structural deficit ➜ Price surge
Drone strikes damaged sulphur recovery at Russia’s Astrakhan gas-processing complex, and Russia has restricted industrial sulphur exports until 31 December 2026. The global market slipped into deficit, with 2025 demand (72.8 MT) exceeding supply (70.8 MT).
Impact on India
- Import dependence: Despite producing about 3.7 MT, India imported 2.25 MT in 2025 — about 2.02 MT from West Asia.
- Fertiliser link: Costlier sulphur raises DAP and other phosphatic fertiliser costs, lifting the subsidy bill — see Fertiliser Industry.
- Spill-overs: Pressure on food prices, metal processing and the fiscal deficit.
The episode is a reminder that oil and energy diplomacy and critical minerals policy must also cover overlooked industrial inputs.
📖 Read More: Fertiliser Industry • Schemes under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers • Non-metallic Minerals
Cleaner Fleets by 2032: Decoding the CAFE-III Norms
(ENVIRONMENT) (BS) The Ministry of Power has notified the third phase of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms for passenger vehicles, applicable from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032, seeking more than 16% improvement in fleet fuel efficiency.
CAFE norms do not regulate individual cars. They cap the sales-weighted average fuel consumption (and hence CO₂) of every new passenger vehicle a carmaker sells or imports. A company can sell some heavy SUVs only if efficient cars, hybrids and EVs balance its fleet.
Legal and institutional base
Energy Conservation Act, 2001 ➜ Ministry of Power notifies ➜ BEE administers ➜ MoRTH coordinates testing
Technical administration lies with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, which also runs the trading and buy-out mechanism — see Energy Conservation Measures.
Key features
| Feature | What it means |
| Tighter targets | 3.996 litres/100 km (2027–28) tightening to 3.3273 litres/100 km (2031–32) |
| Flatter weight curve | Reference curb weight raised from 1,082 kg to 1,229 kg — eases lighter cars, burdens heavier SUVs |
| Carbon Neutrality Factor | Credits low-carbon fuels such as ethanol blends, biofuels and compressed biogas |
| Super-credits | Battery EVs, range-extended EVs, plug-in hybrids, strong hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles count more than once |
| Fuel-conservation tech | Recognised technologies expanded from 4 to 12 (e.g. efficient AC, solar-reflective paint) |
| Flexibility | Two- or three-year compliance blocks, credit trading between manufacturers and a statutory buy-out |
| Testing | Reporting under MIDC and WLTP cycles |
| Small-maker relief | Manufacturers selling fewer than 1,000 units a year exempted |
Significance
- Energy security: Cuts crude import dependence.
- Climate and air quality: Lowers transport CO₂ and supports air pollution control.
- Industrial nudge: Rewards EV and hybrid investment, complementing PM E-DRIVE and the automobile industry’s transition.
📖 Read More: Energy Conservation Measures • Biofuels • Climate Mitigation Measures
Guarding the Shoreline: National Coastal Mission 2.0
(ENVIRONMENT) (TP) The Union Environment Minister has launched implementation guidelines for National Coastal Mission 2.0 (NCM 2.0), a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹767 crore for 2025–26 to 2030–31.
NCM 2.0 subsumes NCM 1.0 (2021–22 to 2025–26), which supported mangrove and coral conservation, coastal research and sustainable beach development. The new phase widens this into an integrated framework for coastal resilience and the blue economy.
What NCM 2.0 covers
| Pillar | Focus |
| Blue economy | Eco-friendly beach tourism, green shoreline infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods |
| Coastal risk reduction | National vulnerability assessment; protection against erosion, cyclones, storm surge and salinity |
| Climate adaptation and mitigation | Restoration of coral reefs and mangroves; blue-carbon storage |
| Spatial planning | Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans and Marine Spatial Plans for priority coastline |
| Capacity building and management | Research, monitoring, pollution management and institutional clarity |
The scheme operates alongside the Coastal Regulation Zone framework and is administered by MoEFCC. It also seeks to integrate projects supported by the Green Climate Fund with domestic coastal programmes.
Why it matters
Healthy mangroves & reefs ➜ Natural buffers ➜ Lower disaster losses ➜ Secure coastal livelihoods
- Exposure: India’s long coastline and an EEZ of about 2.4 million sq km host dense populations, ports and fisheries.
- Climate threats: Sea-level rise, intensifying cyclones and coral bleaching make nature-based defences vital.
- Pollution: Links with marine pollution control and wetland protection.
📖 Read More: Coastal Regulation Zone • Introduction to Coral Reefs • Schemes under MoEFCC • NAPCC
Signals That Think: Delhi’s AI-Driven Traffic Management System
(SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) (PIB) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) for Delhi at ₹1,789.52 crore, to be implemented by Delhi Police across 42 traffic corridors.
Delhi has around 71 lakh active registered vehicles, but traffic control still leans on fixed signal timings and manual policing. ITMS uses real-time data and artificial intelligence to manage the existing road network more intelligently rather than only building more roads.
How it works
Sensors & AI cameras ➜ Adaptive signal control ➜ Automated enforcement ➜ Command & Control Centre ➜ Commuter alerts
| Component | Function |
| Adaptive Traffic Control System | Adjusts signal timings to live traffic; coordinates signals along corridors — 1,092 locations |
| Automated enforcement | Detects red-light jumping, speeding, wrong-way driving, helmet/seat-belt violations, phone use — 1,029 locations |
| Emergency priority | Green corridors for ambulances and emergency vehicles |
| Analytics | Flags stolen, hot-listed and blacklisted vehicles, repeat violators and hit-and-run vehicles |
| Commuter information | Variable Message Signs and navigation platforms share congestion and diversion alerts |
| Resilience | Traffic Command and Control Centres backed by data centre and disaster recovery |
Implementation design
- Phasing: Three phases over 24 months, followed by five years of operation and maintenance; each phase starts only after the previous one meets performance benchmarks.
- Institutions: A Master System Integrator chosen through competitive bidding; C-DAC as Project Management Consultant.
- Open standards: Open APIs to allow future integration and scaling.
Significance and concerns
- Gains: Less idling and emissions, faster emergency response and consistent enforcement — a model for Smart Cities Mission towns.
- Concerns: Large-scale camera networks raise questions of data privacy, purpose limitation and algorithmic accountability.
📖 Read More: Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Road Transport in India • E-Governance • Urbanisation
Exit from Mesopotamia: US Ends Its Anti-IS Mission in Iraq
(INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS) (TH) The US military has completed its troop withdrawal from Iraq, concluding Operation Inherent Resolve — the international campaign launched in 2014 against the Islamic State (IS).
Background
US invasion (2003) ➜ Withdrawal (2011) ➜ IS seizes territory (2014) ➜ IS loses territory (2017) ➜ Final exit (2026)
US forces toppled Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime in 2003 and left in 2011. Baghdad invited them back in 2014 after the Islamic State captured nearly a third of Iraq. IS lost its territorial hold in Iraq in 2017, though sleeper cells persist — see the new world order and global terrorism.
Mapping Iraq
- Location: West Asia, in historic Mesopotamia — “land between rivers”.
- Neighbours: Turkey (N), Iran (E), Kuwait and the Persian Gulf (SE), Saudi Arabia (S), Jordan (SW), Syria (W).
- Rivers: The Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al-Arab before entering the Persian Gulf.
- Terrain: Syrian Desert in the west, alluvial plain in the centre, Zagros Mountains in the Kurdish north-east.
Geopolitical implications
- Opening for Iran: Tehran and allied militias call the exit a victory and may deepen influence in Baghdad — see India–Iran Relations.
- IS resurgence risk: Without US airpower and surveillance, extremist cells could regroup.
- Kurdish vulnerability: The Kurdistan Region fears attacks by Iran-backed factions after US defences leave Erbil.
- Stakes for India: Iraq is a major crude supplier and hosts Indian workers; stability matters for energy security and diaspora safety — see India and West Asia Policy.
📖 Read More: India and West Asia Policy • Iran–Iraq War • Oil and Energy Diplomacy
When the Sadanira Rises: Gandak Floods in North Bihar
(GEOGRAPHY) (NOA, TH) Continuous rain in Nepal’s Gandak basin and heavy discharge through the Valmikinagar barrage swelled the Gandak, breaching embankments in West Champaran, East Champaran and Gopalganj and affecting more than 200 villages in north Bihar.
At Bagaha (West Champaran), the river touched a record high of 91.25 metres; four breaches were reported on the Champaran embankment, with further breaches in Areraj (East Champaran) and Gopalganj. The Bagmati and Kosi also rose.
Know the river
| Feature | Details |
| Names | Kali Gandaki (upper Nepal), Narayani (Nepal Terai), Gandak (India); “Sadanira” in the Shatapatha Brahmana |
| Origin | Nhubine Himal Glacier, Mustang, near the Nepal–Tibet border (~6,268 m) |
| Course in India | Enters Bihar near Valmikinagar; flows through Bihar and Uttar Pradesh |
| Confluence | Left-bank tributary of the Ganga, joining near Hajipur–Sonepur, opposite Patna |
| Tributaries (Gandaki system) | Kali Gandaki, Trishuli, Budhi Gandaki, Marsyangdi, Seti |
| Catchment | ~46,300 sq km, mostly in Nepal |
Geographical highlights
- Antecedent river: The Gandaki is older than the Himalayas and cut down as the mountains rose, carving the Kali Gandaki Gorge (Andha Galchi) between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna — see Evolution of the Himalayan River System.
- Megafan: After leaving the Siwaliks, its heavy sediment load builds a vast alluvial fan across north Bihar and eastern UP — part of the Northern Plains.
- Shaligrams: The Kali Gandaki valley is known for shaligram fossils revered in Hinduism.
- Ecology: Links Chitwan National Park (Nepal) and Valmiki Tiger Reserve (Bihar); supports gharials and the Gangetic dolphin.
- Culture: The Sonepur confluence hosts the historic Sonepur Fair.
Why north Bihar floods so often
Intense rain in Nepal ➜ High discharge & silt ➜ Channel aggradation ➜ Embankment breaches ➜ Floods in plains
Flood management needs a basin approach with Nepal — data sharing, early warning, sediment management and room-for-the-river strategies — rather than embankments alone. See Floods: A Natural Hazard.
📖 Read More: Ganga River System • Evolution of the Himalayan River System • Floods: A Natural Hazard • India and Nepal
Sacred Hills, Contested Ore: Niyamgiri Back in Focus
(GEOGRAPHY) (TH) Fresh calls to revive bauxite mining in Odisha’s Niyamgiri Hills have renewed concerns among tribal groups and environmental activists over indigenous rights and ecological protection.
Know the hills
- Location: A forested range of the Eastern Ghats in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts of south-west Odisha.
- People: Home to the Dongria Kondh, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group who worship Niyam Raja, the deity of the hills.
- Rivers: Feeds streams of the Vamsadhara and Nagavali — both east-flowing peninsular rivers.
- Biodiversity: Dense forests sheltering leopards, sloth bears and giant squirrels.
The landmark 2013 verdict
Mining proposal ➜ Supreme Court (2013) ➜ Gram Sabhas consulted ➜ 12 villages say “No” ➜ Project dropped
In 2013, the Supreme Court directed that Gram Sabhas decide whether mining would affect their religious, cultural and community rights. All 12 villages consulted in Rayagada and Kalahandi unanimously rejected the project — a milestone for the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and free, prior and informed consent.
The development–rights debate
| Argument for mining | Argument against mining |
| Bauxite is vital for aluminium and industrial growth | Sacred landscape central to Dongria Kondh identity |
| Revenue and jobs for a backward region | Loss of forests, streams and water security |
| Reduced import dependence | Erodes FRA and PESA safeguards and Gram Sabha consent |
The balance lies in respecting Scheduled Area protections while pursuing mining only with genuine community consent.
📖 Read More: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups • Tribes of Eastern India • Forest Rights and Conservation Strategies • Bauxite
The Sceptre of Righteous Rule: Sengol Enters the NCERT Classroom
(HISTORY) (NIE) NCERT’s new Class 9 Social Science textbook includes the Sengol, presenting it as a symbol associated with the transfer of power to Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of Independence and linking its tradition to the Chola period.
What is the Sengol?
A gold-plated silver sceptre about five feet long, crowned with a figure of Nandi. Its name is linked to the Tamil word “semmai” (righteousness). In Tamil political tradition, a sceptre handed to a new ruler signified that royal power is bound by justice and dharma.
Journey through time
Chola tradition ➜ 14 August 1947: presented to Nehru ➜ Allahabad Museum ➜ May 2023: new Parliament ➜ 2026: NCERT textbook
| Event | Details |
| Chola legacy | Coronation sceptres were part of the statecraft of the Imperial Cholas |
| 1947 | Emissaries of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, a Shaivite monastery of Tamil Nadu, presented it to Nehru on 14 August 1947; it was crafted by Madras jewellers Vummidi Bangaru Chetty |
| Decades in a museum | Kept at the Allahabad Museum, Prayagraj, along with Nehru’s other belongings |
| 2023 | Installed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair at the inauguration of the new Parliament building, in the presence of pontiffs of Tamil Nadu’s Adheenams |
Cultural layers
- Shaiva tradition: The 1947 ceremony drew on hymns from the Tevaram of saint Sambandar — see Bhakti Movement in South India.
- Symbolism: A reminder that authority must serve justice — relevant to the ethics of the Presiding Officers of Parliament.
- Debate: Historians differ on how far the 1947 gift was a formal “transfer of power” ritual; aspirants should note both views.
📖 Read More: Imperial Cholas • Art and Culture under the Cholas • Bhakti Movement in South India
Courage at 35,000 Feet: Duty Above Self
(ETHICS) (NDTV) An altercation inside the cockpit of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv left Indian captain Smit Machchhar seriously injured. Despite his wounds, he helped bring the aircraft with about 180 passengers to a safe landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and has been widely hailed as a hero.
Ethical values on display
| Value | How it was shown |
| Moral courage | Acting decisively while injured, when panic would have been natural |
| Dedication to duty | Placing the safety of passengers above personal pain |
| Presence of mind | Clear judgement under extreme stress — a core emotional intelligence skill |
| Selflessness and responsibility | Leadership that protects others rather than oneself |
| Professional ethics | Following training and protocol when the stakes were highest |
Crisis ➜ Fear & pain ➜ Choice of duty ➜ Disciplined action ➜ Lives saved
The lesson for public servants is direct: courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to put duty first when the cost is greatest. The same spirit underpins the ethics of civil servants facing a disaster, a riot or a pandemic.
Use in answers: GS IV case studies on crisis management and leadership; essays on courage, duty and character.
📖 Read More: Individual Ethics of Civil Servants • Case Studies in Ethics – Part I • The Art & Science of Ethical Decision-Making