GS PAPER 1
Geography & Enviroment
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has ruled out the occurrence of El Niño during the upcoming southwest monsoon season, stating that neutral conditions are likely to prevail.
- However, above-normal summer temperatures are expected across much of India, with eastern parts possibly experiencing up to 10 heatwave days.
Key Points :
- El Niño and Monsoon Dynamics:
- El Niño refers to a warming of the central equatorial Pacific Ocean and is typically associated with weakened monsoon rainfall in India.
- In 2023, an El Niño year, India recorded a 6% monsoon deficit.
- However, neutral conditions (no significant warming or cooling) do not guarantee normal rainfall and have also led to below-average monsoons in the past.
- Rising Temperatures and Heatwaves:
- March 2025 already saw above-normal temperatures in parts of central and southern India.
- IMD forecasts a hotter summer (April to June), with more frequent and intense heatwave days, especially in eastern India.
- A heatwave is defined as a temperature above 45°C or a rise of more than 5°C from the normal for that region.
- Climate Change Implications:
- Increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves are indicators of climate change impacts.
- IMD attributes the abnormal March heat to broader global warming trends.
- Policy and Preparedness:
- The news underscores the need for climate-resilient planning in agriculture, water management, urban infrastructure, and health systems.
- States must update and implement Heat Action Plans, especially for vulnerable regions.
- Reliable climate forecasts are crucial for disaster preparedness and resource allocation.
Conclusion:
- While the absence of El Niño brings cautious optimism, the forecast of rising heat underscores the urgent need to strengthen India’s climate resilience. With climate variability becoming the new normal, proactive governance, data-driven forecasting, and community-level adaptation are the way forward.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Ques : Discuss the impact of El Niño and La Niña on the Indian monsoon. How do neutral ENSO conditions affect rainfall variability in India?
GS PAPER 2
Social Justice : Education
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasized Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) as an urgent and non-negotiable national priority.
- Following this, the NIPUN Bharat Mission was launched to ensure that every child in India attains basic reading and numeracy skills by the end of Grade 2. Recent insights from ASER 2024 and field studies reveal how this ambitious policy is faring at the ground level.
Key Takeaways from the Ground:
- Policy Awareness and Penetration:
- Over 80% of surveyed rural schools had received government directives to implement FLN activities.
- In more than 75% of schools, at least one teacher had received in-person training on FLN.
- Indicates strong policy communication and administrative push.
- Positive Teacher Response:
- Teachers across various states acknowledged the importance of FLN and supported the shift in focus.
- Classrooms reflected changes in attitude and awareness, if not always in methodology.
- Cultural acceptance is evident, laying the foundation for deeper reform.
- Practical Constraints in Implementation:
- Diverse classroom settings — overcrowded rooms, multi-grade teaching, or lack of infrastructure — hinder uniform implementation.
- Teachers often lack structured post-training support to adapt to these contextual challenges.
- Implementation strategies must be localized and responsive to on-ground realities.
- Gaps in Training and Support:
- Support varies drastically across states — from no follow-up to monitoring focused on compliance, not pedagogy.
- Very few teachers received demonstrations or mentoring, which are crucial for practical learning.
- There is a gap between training and sustained teacher development.
- Ineffective Use of Teaching-Learning Materials (TLMs):
- TLMs are mostly used by teachers, not students — limiting hands-on learning.
- Concerns over storage, damage, and usage clarity hinder active classroom engagement.
- Logistical issues are blocking pedagogical intent.
- The Syllabus vs. Skill Paradox:
- A key systemic challenge is the dominance of syllabus completion over skill development.
- Assessments remain content-based, with limited linkage to FLN skill progress.
- The current education system needs to shift from curriculum coverage to competency mastery.
Policy Impact and the Way Forward:
- Achievements So Far:
- Improved foundational learning levels — a first in two decades of ASER surveys.
- FLN has gained national visibility and institutional priority.
- Key Reforms Needed:
- Continuous Teacher Support: Beyond one-time training — regular mentoring, peer learning, and demonstration-based modules.
- Context-sensitive Pedagogy: Flexibility in curriculum delivery based on local classroom conditions.
- Assessment Reform: From rote testing to diagnostic tools that inform classroom strategy.
- Empowering Teachers: Provide autonomy in resource use and schedule planning.
- Administrative Alignment: Shift focus from mere compliance to classroom learning outcomes.
Conclusion:
- While NEP 2020 and NIPUN Bharat have provided a strong policy framework and initial momentum, the true transformation lies in the everyday experiences of teachers and students. Bridging the gap between policy and practice requires a people-first, context-aware, and pedagogically sound approach. The road ahead demands deep systemic support, not just administrative urgency.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Ques : Discuss the implementation challenges of NEP 2020 with reference to foundational literacy and numeracy in primary schools. (250 words)
GS PAPER 3
Indian polity
India faces an upcoming challenge with the expiry of the constitutional freeze on the number of parliamentary seats in 2026. Delimitation, historically based solely on population numbers, has generated significant anxiety, especially among peninsular states.
- This anxiety reflects concerns over reduced political representation due to demographic transitions that have resulted in lower population growth in southern states compared to their northern counterparts.
Significance and Implications for Federalism:
- Federal Tensions:
- A shift in political representation toward more populous northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar may alter the federal balance, causing southern states to feel politically marginalized despite better socio-economic and demographic outcomes.
- Historical Context:
- Between 1951-1971, the number of Lok Sabha seats increased proportionately with population growth. Post-1971, seats have remained frozen at 543. Using projected population trends, if the same method is followed post-2026, India’s Parliament would expand significantly (possibly to 753 seats), leading to disproportionate representation favoring populous states.
Challenges of Population-Based Representation:
- Demographic Divide:
- Northern states, despite larger populations, generally have lower demographic and socio-economic performance (higher fertility, lower literacy). Conversely, southern states have achieved better developmental outcomes, resulting in slower population growth.
- Quality vs. Quantity Debate:
- Using population alone as a criterion overlooks qualitative factors like population density, literacy levels, gender balance, caste composition, and socio-economic progress.
- “Per Capita Hangover”:
- Excessive reliance on per-capita measures (e.g., financial devolution, political representation) ignores disparities and complex population characteristics, leading to inequality disguised as equality.
Possible Solutions and Alternatives:
- Density-Based Representation:
- Rather than solely using absolute population, adopting population density (people per sq. km) as a criterion might balance representation better, as done in Northeast states.
- Demographic Performance Index:
- Introducing a Demographic Performance Index (similar to the 15th Finance Commission’s model) could reward states achieving lower fertility rates, better education, and improved healthcare outcomes.
- Qualitative Factors in Representation:
- Incorporating gender balance, caste representation, and socio-economic indicators in delimitation exercises ensures inclusive and fair political representation beyond mere numerical headcounts.
Way Forward (Conclusion):
- A mere numerical approach to representation risks weakening India’s federal fabric by neglecting states’ developmental efforts. Delimitation and financial devolution must incorporate qualitative demographic factors, thereby ensuring both political equity and developmental justice. Only by acknowledging the complexities of population characteristics can India sustainably manage its democratic and federal structures in the future.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Ques : “Population alone should not dictate political representation.” Critically evaluate this statement in the context of the upcoming delimitation in India.
GS PAPER 4
International Relations
- The Arctic region, historically remote and isolated, is rapidly emerging as a critical geopolitical hotspot due to climate change-induced ice melting. This environmental shift exposes vast untapped natural resources and opens new commercial sea routes, significantly altering global strategic dynamics.
Why is the Arctic Region Gaining Attention?
- Natural Resources:
- The Arctic holds an estimated 13% of undiscovered global oil and 30% of untapped natural gas reserves.
- Rich deposits of rare earth minerals, crucial for modern technology, notably found in Greenland, have also attracted international interest.
- New Maritime Routes:
- Melting ice opens shorter trade routes, particularly the Northeast Passage (Northern Sea Route along Russia’s coast), significantly cutting travel time and costs between Europe and Asia.
- Such routes present both economic opportunities and strategic vulnerabilities.
Who Governs the Arctic? – The Arctic Council:
- Comprising eight countries—Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the USA—the Arctic Council aims to ensure sustainable development, environmental protection, and safeguarding indigenous communities.
- Unlike the Antarctic, governed by a demilitarized international treaty, the Arctic relies heavily on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), allowing states to assert territorial claims extending beyond their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
Key Reasons Behind Escalating Tensions:
- Territorial and Maritime Disputes:
- Overlapping claims exist between Canada, Denmark, and Russia over extended continental shelf territories rich in resources.
- The Northwest Passage dispute: Canada considers this strategic route through its Arctic Archipelago as internal waters, while the USA argues it falls under international navigation laws.
- Military and Strategic Posturing:
- Increased military activities from Arctic states, especially Russia and NATO members, are evident. Russia maintains several military bases and has conducted joint naval exercises with China.
- NATO, strengthened by recent accession of Sweden and Finland, has expanded military drills near Russia’s borders, heightening strategic competition.
- Economic and Trade Interests:
- China’s growing interest, declaring itself a “Near-Arctic State,” intends to leverage the Arctic’s commercial routes (“Polar Silk Road”) for strategic economic benefit.
- The Greenland question, highlighted by past U.S. interests in purchasing Greenland, underscores how economic and security interests intertwine, causing further regional anxiety.
The Russia Factor:
- Russia is the largest Arctic nation and has proactively asserted its influence, demonstrated by planting a flag on the seabed at the North Pole in 2007.
- Moscow operates a significant fleet of icebreakers (including nuclear-powered), enabling it exclusive mobility and advantage in navigating Arctic waters.
- The war in Ukraine intensified Russia-West tensions, spilling over into Arctic geopolitics, complicating cooperation within the Arctic Council.
Potential Risks and Implications:
- Heightened militarization and unclear territorial claims could transform the Arctic into a zone of international conflict rather than cooperation.
- Environmental degradation could accelerate, undermining global climate stability.
- Rising tensions threaten indigenous communities’ traditional livelihoods and cultures.
The Way Forward (Possible Measures & Solutions):
- Strengthen Arctic governance: Establish a dedicated international legal regime akin to Antarctica’s demilitarized treaty, ensuring peaceful cooperation.
- Confidence-building measures (CBMs): Foster military transparency and regular dialogue among Arctic nations to mitigate misunderstandings.
- Sustainable resource management: Emphasize cooperative exploration and sharing of Arctic resources with stringent environmental standards to prevent ecological harm.
Conclusion:
- The Arctic region, once isolated, now stands at the crossroads of cooperation and confrontation. As geopolitical, economic, and environmental interests intersect, the Arctic demands international commitment to peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive governance. Global stability in the future may well depend on how wisely humanity navigates the melting waters of the Arctic today.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Ques : The melting of Arctic ice due to climate change has opened new strategic frontiers.” Discuss the geopolitical implications of this transformation, highlighting how it impacts international peace and security.
Places In News : Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
The Karnataka government’s move to build a tribal village in Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary’s buffer zone has sparked debates on environmental conservation, tribal rights, and human-wildlife conflict.
About Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary:
- The Brahmagiri WLS is located in Kodagu District, Karnataka, within the Western Ghats.
- It serves as a crucial ecological corridor, facilitating wildlife movement between Nagarhole National Park and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Geographical Location and Features
- It is situated approximately 250 km from Bengaluru and derives its name from the Brahmagiri Peak, the highest point in the region.
- The sanctuary was declared a protected area on June 5, 1974, to conserve its unique flora and fauna.
- The terrain consists of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, grasslands, and shola forests, which provide a habitat for various species.
- Flora:
- Bamboo species are widely spread across the region, providing food for herbivores like elephants and deer.
- The diverse vegetation supports a wide range of faunal species by offering food, shelter, and nesting sites.
- Fauna:
- Carnivores: Tigers, jungle cats, leopard cats, wild dogs, and sloth bears.
- Herbivores: Indian elephants, gaurs, sambars, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, and wild pigs.
- Primates: Lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, slender loris, bonnet macaques, and common langurs.
- Small Mammals & Rodents: Malabar giant squirrels, giant flying squirrels, Nilgiri martens, common otters, brown mongooses, civets, porcupines, and pangolins.
- Reptiles: King cobras, Indian cobras, pythons, Malabar pit vipers.
- Birds: Emerald doves, square-tailed bulbuls, and Malabar trogons.
GS PAPER 5
Editorial Analysis
Context :
- Recent controversies surrounding judicial accountability and transparency, including cases involving high-profile judges, have reignited the debate over the existing system of judicial appointments. The Collegium system, widely criticized for its opacity and perceived elitism, is being questioned afresh, highlighting the need for substantial reform, including the establishment of an Indian Judicial Service (IJS).
Why is there a call for Judicial Reforms?
- The judiciary, especially at higher levels, is currently selected through a closed, opaque Collegium system, dominated by senior judges without public scrutiny or transparency. Several recent incidents underline systemic issues:
- Discovery of questionable financial conduct involving a High Court judge.
- Controversial judicial orders reflecting insensitivity towards vulnerable groups.
- Lack of accountability mechanisms, raising public doubts over the impartiality and integrity of some judges.
- These issues emphasize the urgency of transparent, merit-based judicial reforms.
Arguments in Favor of Establishing an Indian Judicial Service (IJS):
- Enhanced Transparency and Meritocracy:
- A UPSC-style competitive examination would establish a transparent and merit-based recruitment process.
- Public access to the selection procedure reduces scope for nepotism, dynastic preferences, and corruption, enhancing the overall quality and public confidence in the judiciary.
- Inclusivity and Representativeness:
- Currently, the higher judiciary has minimal representation of women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other marginalized communities.
- An IJS would open judicial positions to talented individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and enhancing representativeness.
- Professionalism and Comprehensive Training:
- Candidates selected through a structured examination process can undergo standardized, high-quality training.
- This training would equip judges comprehensively, ensuring high standards of competence in various branches of law, enhancing judicial effectiveness.
- Insulation from Executive Influence:
- An independent, institutionalized recruitment through UPSC would strengthen judicial independence by removing discretionary executive involvement and politicized appointments.
- Supreme Court oversight on criteria and processes ensures balance and judicial autonomy.
Challenges and Concerns regarding the IJS:
- Resistance from the Judiciary:
- Judicial authorities may view the establishment of an IJS as infringement on judicial independence, potentially creating institutional tensions.
- Federal Structure Concerns:
- Judiciary being part of the concurrent list, coordination between Centre and States for appointments and service conditions could pose challenges.
- States might object due to perceived centralization of judicial recruitment.
- Practical Implementation Issues:
- Integration of existing lower judicial services and the proposed All-India Judicial Service may be complex, especially regarding promotional avenues and seniority issues.
- Existing judges and bar associations may resist significant structural changes, complicating reforms.
Way Forward: Recommended Measures:
- Wider Consultation and Consensus-building:
- Consultations with states, High Courts, Supreme Court, and Bar Associations to build broad-based support.
- Incremental Implementation:
- Phased introduction of IJS at specific levels (e.g., District Judges first, then gradually at higher levels), enabling smoother transition and institutional acceptance.
- Comprehensive Training and Continuing Education:
- Establish a dedicated judicial academy for rigorous training, regular refresher courses, and evaluation mechanisms to ensure continual professional excellence.
- Legislative Framework:
- Clear constitutional amendment or detailed legislative backing addressing jurisdiction, recruitment criteria, promotional pathways, and grievance redressal mechanisms to mitigate future conflicts.
Conclusion:
- An Indian Judicial Service (IJS) is an idea whose time has indeed come. Its creation will address long-standing issues of transparency, merit, inclusivity, and public accountability in judicial appointments. While the transition would face initial resistance, sustained dialogue and cooperative federalism can overcome challenges. Ultimately, an IJS can significantly enhance judicial integrity, public trust, and strengthen democratic institutions in India.