GS Paper 3

Decarbonising India’s Logistics Sector

Context: The vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 – a developed, resilient, and self-reliant India cannot be truly realised without transforming India's logistics sector to become more efficient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.

Relevance of the Topic : Mains: India’s logistics sector: challenges, govt. Initiatives and way forward.

Present Scenario of Logistics Sector in India:

  • The logistics sector in India is valued at $250 billion and contributes 14% to India’s GDP.
  • India’s logistics cost is 12-14% of GDP, much higher than developed nations (8-10%) indicating both inefficiency and higher fuel usage. Logistics cost has slid 0.8-0.9 percentage points of GDP between FY14-22.
  • India is elevated to the 38th rank (among 139 nations) in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index Report, 2023.
  • The sector’s high carbon footprint poses a significant obstacle to sustainable development and climate goals.

India's Carbon-intensive Logistics Sector

  • India’s Logistic Sector is one of the most carbon-intensive in the world. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
    • The transportation sector contributes about 13.5% of India’s total GHG emissions, with road transport alone making up over 88%.
  • Domestic aviation accounts for around 4%, while coastal and inland shipping adds to the emissions load, but is significantly less than the road freight movement. 
  • The warehousing sector, which supports freight movement, is another major contributor due to high energy consumption. 

As the nation moves towards a net zero carbon emission by 2070, it is imperative to reduce emissions of transportation, warehousing, and supply chain emissions.

Government Efforts to decarbonise Logistics Sector

Recognising the urgency of sustainable logistics, the Government of India has launched some initiatives such as:

  • Plan to significantly expand the use of inland waterways and coastal shipping by 2030. The amount of cargo and passengers moved through rivers and canals (inland waterways) is expected to increase three times and the cargo moved through coastal routes (along the sea) is expected to grow by about 1.2 times. This will make transportation cheaper and more environmentally friendly compared to road or air transport.
  • Introduction of overhead electric wires along highways to power electric trucks. The first pilot project on the Delhi-Jaipur corridor could be a breakthrough in reducing emissions from freight movement while ensuring high efficiency and economic viability.

Also Read: Logistics Sector in India 

How can India make the logistics sector more sustainable?

  • Learning from Global Best Practices: China has significantly expanded its railway freight infrastructure, resulting in railways accounting for approximately 50% of total freight share. India can replicate it by increasing rail’s modal share in freight, given its high electrification levels and near-zero carbon footprint.
  • Decarbonising Road Freight: India's road freight transport requires a comprehensive structural transformation to achieve decarbonisation. The recent deployment of overhead electric catenary systems along key highways represents a significant initial step towards reducing carbon emissions in long-haul road transport.
  • Leveraging Coastal Shipping and Inland Waterways as Green Freight Corridors: In alignment with International Maritime Organisation's target of reducing global shipping emissions by 50% by 2050 (relative to 2008 levels), India can expedite its green transition by deploying LNG-powered vessels, solar-assisted electric boats, and biofuel or electric barges. 
  • Promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs): Air transport remains difficult to decarbonise due to dependence on high-emission refined fuels. India should invest in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and incentivise their adoption through policy support.
  • Sustainable Warehousing: Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal power can drastically cut the carbon footprint of warehouses.

Decarbonising India’s logistics sector is not just about cutting emissions. It is about building a more competitive, resilient and future-ready industry. Decarbonisation of India’s logistics sector is the key to ensuring sustainable economic growth.  

Vehicle-to-Grid Technology

Context: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have initiated a pilot project to explore the implementation of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology across the State. This collaboration aims to assess the feasibility of integrating Electric Vehicles (EVs) into the State’s power grid. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key facts related to V2G Technologies.

Mains: V2G Technology - Status, benefits, global application, challenges.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology 

  • Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows Electric Vehicles (EVs) to not only draw electricity from the grid (for charging) but also send electricity back to the grid when required.
  • When an EV is not in use (e.g., parked at home), and is connected to a bi-directional charger, it can interact with the grid by discharging power back into it.
  • This transforms EVs from mere transportation devices into decentralised energy storage units, which can be instrumental in balancing electricity supply and demand.
  • The ability of EV batteries to transfer power encompasses many possibilities such as V2G, Vehicle to Home (V2H), Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) etc. Among these, V2G is the most popular use case. 
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Benefits of V2G Technology

  • Decentralised storage: EVs are mobile energy storage units that can operate independently of centralised power plants.
  • Facilitates Renewable Energy Integration: EVs can store surplus energy generated during high RE output periods and feed it back during low generation times. Provides backup during peak load conditions.
  • Emergency power source: In scenarios of climate-induced disasters (E.g., floods, storms), EVs can act as emergency power sources for homes, hospitals, or relief centers. 
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Global Application of V2G

EVs have emerged as a cost-effective form of distributed energy storage, with owners incentivised to supply power back to the grid. 

  • V2G Technologies have gained significant attraction in mature EV markets such as Europe and the U.S.
  • In the U.K. and the Netherlands, EV owners are compensated for supplying excess energy back to the grid during peak hours.
  • In places like California, EV users are actively encouraged to participate in the ancillary services segment of the electricity market, helping improve grid stability and reliability. 

Status of V2G Technology in India

In India, V2G integration is currently in a nascent stage, facing regulatory and infrastructure challenges.

  • Most of the current planning around EVs in India is aimed at expanding EV charging networks rather than enabling bidirectional power flow.
  • Some Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) have initiated pilot projects focusing on smart charging and exploring V2G capabilities.
  • The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has constituted a committee to frame guidelines for reverse charging — that is, enabling electricity to flow from EV batteries back to the grid. This committee has highlighted smart charging as a key enabler to ensure EV growth with minimal impact on the grid. 

Challenges

  • India’s electricity market is highly centralised and regulated and the current structure is not suited for decentralised solutions like EVs to send power back to the grid.
  • Variable nature of RE and mismatches between electricity supply and demand.
  • Most EV charging stations in India are unidirectional, and there is limited availability of bi-directional chargers compatible with V2G technology.
  • There is no clear compensation mechanism for EV owners who might supply power back to the grid, making the proposition unattractive for consumers.

To mainstream Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology, supportive regulatory changes are needed. 

Blue Origin's New Shepard Mission

Context: Recently, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin launched its 31st New Shepard Mission featuring an all-women crew.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about New Shepherd mission; Karman line. 

31st New Shepard Mission

  • It was a sub-orbital spaceflight conducted by Blue Origin, a private American aerospace and space exploration company founded by Jeff Bezos. It featured the first all-female crew comprising a six-woman team. 
  • The flight lasted approximately 10 minutes and 21 seconds, reaching 106 km above Earth, crossing the Karman line, internationally recognised boundary of space.
  • This mission was part of Blue Origin's ongoing efforts to expand commercial space tourism and demonstrate the reusability of their New Shepard vehicle.
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New Shepard Mission

  • New Shepard is a sub-orbital launch vehicle developed for space tourism. The vehicle is named after Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut in space.
  • The vehicle is capable of vertical take-off and landings and can carry humans and customer payloads to the edge of space.
  • The rocket consists of a booster rocket and a crew capsule. The capsule can be configured to house up to six passengers, cargo, or a combination of both. 
  • The booster rocket is powered by one BE-3PM engine, which sends the capsule to an apogee (Sub-Orbital) of 100.5 kilometres and flies above the Karman line. 
  • The launch vehicle is designed to be fully reusable, with the capsule returning to Earth via three parachutes and a solid rocket motor. The booster lands vertically on the same launchpad it took off from.
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Karman Line

  • The Karman line is an imaginary line 62 miles (100 kilometers) above mean sea level that is generally accepted as the boundary separating Earth's atmosphere and outer space. 
  • It is conventionally used as the start of outer space in space treaties and for aerospace records keeping. An aircraft which crosses the Karman line is designated as a spaceflight. Anyone who crosses this line qualifies as an astronaut.
    • Below the Karman line, aerodynamic principles dominate flight. Above it, the laws of orbital mechanics become more important. 
    • At the Karman line, the atmosphere becomes incredibly thin. Traditional aircraft that rely on wings to generate lift by pushing against air cannot function effectively at such high altitudes.
    • Over the Karman line, the spacecraft need their own propulsion systems to maintain trajectory and overcome the remaining atmospheric drag, though minimal.

International Big Cat Alliance

Context: International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) signed an agreement with the Government of India, formalising India as the headquarters and secretariat of this treaty-based intergovernmental organisation. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to the International Big Cat Alliance.

International Big Cat Alliance

  • IBCA is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 big cat range countries, and none-range countries.
  • Launched by India in 2023 during the 50th year celebrations of Project Tiger.
  • Focuses on the global conservation of seven big cats and their habits  –  the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.
  • IBCA has become a treaty-based international organisation upon ratification by India, and other founding members.
  • India has committed Rs.150 crore over five years for infrastructure development, administrative functions, and recurring expenses.
  • It symbolises India’s commitment to "One Earth, One Family, One Future”, and showcases India’s role as a responsible ecological power.
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Objectives of IBCA

  • Global Collaboration: Create a platform for knowledge exchange, technical assistance, and joint conservation efforts.
  • Research and Monitoring: Promote data sharing, habitat mapping, and genetic studies for better species management.
  • Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade: Strengthen intelligence-sharing and enforcement cooperation against poaching and trafficking.
  • Sustainable Development: Ensure that big cat conservation aligns with the goals of biodiversity, climate action, and local community livelihoods.

Centre plans to launch National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0

Context: The Central Government is preparing to launch Phase II of the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) with an ambitious asset monetisation target of Rs 10 lakh crore over 5 years (FY26-FY30). 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to NMP 2.0; Asset Monetisation. 

What is Asset Monetisation?

  • Asset Monetisation is defined as transfer of core assets owned by the Government to the private sector for a limited period. 
  • Ownership of the assets would continue to remain with the Government. The assets would be only transferred to the private sector for a limited duration based upon the contract.
  • The government uses the money earned from monetisation to fund new infrastructure projects without taking on more debt. This is called capital recycling – using old assets to fund new ones.
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National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP 1.0)

  • In Phase 1 (FY22 - FY25): government planned to raise Rs 6 lakh crore from Asset Monetisation. The government was able to manage about Rs 5.65 lakh crore, or 94% of the target.
  • NMP includes monetisation of core assets (central to the business objectives of the government). Core infrastructure assets include roads, ports, airports, telecom, railways, warehousing, energy pipelines, power generation, power transmission, hospitality and sports stadiums. 
  • NMP does not include monetisation of non-core assets (such as land, buildings etc).
  • Initiative of: NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance. 

National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP 2.0):

  • Phase 2 (FY26 - FY30): Target of Rs 10 lakh crore in total over 5 years, and in FY26 the target is Rs 1.9 - 2 lakh crore.
  • Asset classes and land parcels to be monetised: Highways, railways, power, petroleum and natural gas, civil aviation, ports, warehousing and storage, urban infrastructure (housing and transport), coal and mines, and telecom.
  • New focus area: Developing vacant public land in partnership with private companies.
  • A consultant will be hired to identify government assets and land suitable for monetisation, estimate how much money or investment these assets can attract and suggest new models of public-private partnerships to speed up infrastructure growth.
  • Monetisation proceeds could be in the forms of upfront revenues for leases, revenue sharing from operations, and capital expenditure by private parties.

India's Retail Inflation hits Six-Year Low

Context: Data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) shows that retail inflation slipped to near six-year low of 3.16% in April 2025, primarily due to moderation in prices of food items including vegetables, pulses, cereals, meat and fish. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Retail Inflation; Consumer Price Index

Retail Inflation

  • Retail inflation reflects the cost of everyday goods and services bought for consumption purposes by households. It is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
  • Retail inflation in India fell to a remarkable 3.34% in March 2025, the lowest since FY19. 
  • Under the inflation-targeting regime (2016), the Reserve Bank of India has an inflation target of 4% (with a leeway of 2% points on either side).
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What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

  • CPI is an economic indicator that measures inflation at retail level (changes in the level of retail prices over time). 
  • It reflects how much households need to spend on a fixed basket of goods and services they typically consume, such as food, clothing, housing, and fuel. 
  • Compiled by: National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
  • Calculated using: base year 2012 
  • CPI is a key benchmark for targeting inflation, monitoring price stability, and guiding monetary policy decisions by the Reserve Bank of India. It also serves as a deflator in the National Accounts to measure real economic growth.
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Key government interventions to help lower Retail Inflation

The government’s strategic interventions have been pivotal in achieving this outcome. Key measures include:

  • Bolstering buffer stocks of essential food items, and releasing them periodically in open markets. 
  • Subsidised retail sales of staples like rice, wheat flour, pulses, and onions. 
  • Simplified import duties on critical food items. 
  • Stricter stock limits to prevent hoarding. 
  • Reduced GST rates on essentials have further eased price pressures. 
  • Targeted subsidies, such as LPG support under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

With inflation now at its lowest since 2018–19, India has reinforced macroeconomic stability and created an enabling environment for sustainable growth. Easing inflation could raise domestic consumption and India’s sluggish industrial production. 

However, the steep fall in food prices can lower farmer incomes and directly impact rural consumption demand. The government must take measures to improve farmers’ income. 

Rising power demand in India and the Hydrogen Factor

Context: India is the third highest energy consumer in the world. As India’s economy is expanding, India faces twin challenges- meeting growing energy demand and production of sustainable energy. In this context, India can rely on two alternatives - Nuclear Energy and Hydrogen as an energy source, to achieve a net-zero economy

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Alternatives to meet the growing Energy demand of India. 

India’s Net-Zero Imperative

  • Presently, the power sector is dominated by fossil fuels (particularly coal) which is used to generate electricity, provide heat and molecules for industrial processes (carbon is used to reduce iron ore to produce steel). 
  • The goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2070 can be realised only by massive electrification of end uses of energy (from transport to industry).
  • Solar and wind electricity cannot provide all the electricity that India needs owing to their intermittency, and thus India has to increase the share of non-polluting alternatives like Nuclear Energy and Green Hydrogen, in its energy mix. 

Crucial Role of Nuclear Energy

  • India has set an aspirational target to reach 100 GW of installed capacity based on nuclear power by 2047. As of January 2025, India’s nuclear capacity is 8.18 GW (8180 MW).
  • Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has announced an ambitious programme to set up several 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). (E.g., 26 units of 700 MW capacity are announced/set to be completed in upcoming years)
  • Many PSUs and departments such as the Indian Railways are looking to deploy nuclear power plants. NPCIL has invited proposals from the industry for setting up 220 MW PHWRs (Bharat Small Reactors) for its captive use. 

Also Read: Nuclear Energy Sector in Union Budget 2025-26 

Green Hydrogen or Low-carbon Hydrogen

  • In the coming years, the share of electricity provided by low-carbon sources (hydro, nuclear, solar and wind) will increase. 
  • Excess/surplus energy can be used to produce green hydrogen or low-carbon hydrogen. It will solve the dual problem of storing excess energy and production of sustainable energy (green hydrogen).
  • Electrolysers are low-cost equipment and can be operated at different power levels. This hydrogen can be used to meet the energy demand of the end-use industry.

As India races towards the net-zero economy by 2070, India needs a robust energy policy that focuses on expanding Nuclear Energy and leverage low-carbon Hydrogen to handle/utilise surplus energy and meet energy needs. 

Also Read: Hydrogen as an alternative fuel: Explained 

How is safety ensured in Gaganyaan Spaceflight Mission?

Context: The recent safe return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS) has brought attention to the critical importance of robust safety protocols in human spaceflight. The mission lasted nine months and highlighted NASA's behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure astronaut safety—physically and mentally.

Relevance of the Topic:  Prelims: Key facts related to Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight safety.

As India advances towards its maiden human space mission, Gaganyaan, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is meticulously putting similar protocols in place, drawing from both historical precedents and modern aerospace research.

Safety Protocols in Gaganyaan (Human Spaceflight Mission)

1. Crew Escape System: 

  • Human-rated LVM3 (launch Vehicle Mark-3) is equipped with a Crew Escape System that acts like an emergency door — allowing the astronauts to rapidly detach and escape safely from the rocket, if anything goes wrong after the rocket has taken off.
  • It uses a tower-like structure on the top of the rocket containing solid fuel engines designed to ignite quickly and produce a tremendous amount of thrust in a short period of time, propelling the space capsule upwards and away from the rocket.
  • The Crew Escape System adjusts its response depending on how high the rocket is. It uses LEM for low altitudes and HEM for high altitudes, ensuring the astronauts can escape safely at any stage during launch.
    • Low-altitude Escape Motor (LEM): Used in the initial seconds after takeoff. Produces enough thrust to quickly pull the crew module away from the rocket when it is still near the ground.
    • High-altitude Escape Motor (HEM): Activates when the rocket is much higher in the sky. Provides enough pulling force to separate the crew module from the rocket safely, even at high speed and altitude.
Gaganyaan mission

2. Pad Abort System: Emergency Escape Right After Ignition: 

  • Pad Abort refers to a life-threatening emergency that happens just moments after the rocket engines ignite, while the rocket is still on or very close to the launchpad.
  • In this scenario, both motors LEM and HEM of ISRO's Crew Escape System are activated. Together, they provide maximum thrust to quickly pull the entire crew module and escape system away from the rocket as fast as possible. After escaping, the crew module will splash down safely in the sea at a pre-decided location.

3. Safety in Orbit:  

  • ISRO’s Gaganyaan crew capsule consists of a pair of interconnected modules:
    • Crew module: serves as the living quarters for the crew and passengers) 
    • Service module: carries the fuel, engines, control systems, etc.
  • By the time the spacecraft reaches near its target orbit, the Crew Escape System is no longer needed and is discarded in space.
  • If an emergency arises before reaching full orbit, the service module’s propulsion system can change the flight path and bring the crew module down safely on a sub-orbital trajectory (meaning it will come back to Earth without completing an orbit).
  • If something goes wrong after the spacecraft is already in orbit, then both the service module’s engines, and the crew module’s small thrusters will work together to slow down the spacecraft and guide it back into Earth’s atmosphere for a safe return.

4. Returning to the Earth: 

  • Once reentry has begun, atmospheric friction will heat the capsule’s outer heat shield to up to 1800º C. The crew in the crew module will be protected by the shield. Once the capsule has descended to a particular altitude, the crew will slow its descent using retrograde thrusters and deploy parachutes.

5. Final Descent Using Parachutes: 

  • Gaganyaan crew capsule will decelerate throughout re-entry using a multi-stage parachute system (10-parachute system) to reduce speed in phases:
    • Apex cover separation parachutes deploy at 15.3 km altitude from the ground and at 276 m/s speed. 
    • After that, drogue parachutes are deployed to stabilise and decelerate the capsule to 70 m/s up to a height of 3 km.
    • Then the three primary canopies will be deployed, reducing the drop speed to 10-12 m/s.
  • Splashdown: Just before or after splashdown in the sea, the parachutes are disconnected using a pyrotechnic mechanism. 

Also Read: Gaganyaan Mission 

What is Digital Arrest?

Context: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched Operation Chakra-V against Transnational Organised Cybercrime and Digital Arrests. Digital arrest is one of the many large-scale organised cybercrimes in India.

Relevance of The Topic: Prelims- Key facts about Digital Arrest. 

Digital Arrest

  • A digital arrest is a type of cyber fraud in which scammers pose as law enforcement or government officials and use intimidation tactics to manipulate victims.
    • They claim that the victim is under investigation for crimes such as money laundering or other legal issues.
    • To make their threats more convincing, scammers may use fake video or phone calls, falsely stating the victim is "digitally arrested" or at risk of severe consequences unless they comply.
  • According to Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Indians are likely to lose over ₹1.2 lakh crore, roughly 0.7% of the GDP, over the next year due to cyber frauds.
Digital Arrest 1
Digital Arrest 2

India’s E-Waste Rules trigger backlash

Context: India’s new e-waste recycling regulations, aimed at formalising the sector and enhancing environmental sustainability, have triggered strong opposition from several global electronics manufacturers including Daikin, Hitachi, and Samsung.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Key facts related to e-waste in India.

Mains: Issues related to e-waste recycling in India. 

Current Status of E-Waste in India: 

  • India is the third-largest e-waste generator globally, after China and the US. In FY24, the country generated 1.7 million tonnes of e-waste, more than double the amount from six years ago.
  • Despite rapid growth in consumer electronics (estimated at $62 billion in 2025), only 43% of the country's e-waste is officially recycled. Comparatively, the US and China have significantly higher recycling rates.
  • At least 80% of the sector comprises informal scrap dealers, whose methods can pose environmental and health risks. 

What is E- Waste?

  • As per the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, e-waste is defined as: electrical and electronic equipment, including solar photovoltaic modules or panels or cells, whole or in part, discarded or rejected from manufacturing, refurbishment and repair processes.
  • Examples: Large household appliances like Refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines ; Consumer electronics like Televisions, computers, laptops, smartphones etc. 
  • E-waste can contain material of economic benefit such as plastics, iron, glass, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium and indium etc. and rare earth elements.
  • E-Waste contains hazardous substances such as Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Polychlorinated Bi-phenyls (PCBs), Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), etc. 
  • Management of E-Waste in India is regulated under E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
India's E-Waste Problem

India’s  E-Waste Regulations

  • Concerned about poor waste processing practices, the Indian government has introduced a minimum floor price for recycling electronic goods to incentivise formal recycling. 
  • The rules mandate: Rs 22/kg for consumer electronics and Rs34/kg for smartphones.
  • The Policy aims to:
    • Discourage environmentally harmful practices in the informal sector, which handles over 80% of India’s e-waste using dangerous techniques like acid leaching and open burning. 
    • Incentivise formal recycles by ensuring a guaranteed revenues for processing e-waste. 
    • Strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and promote circular economy. 

Firms’ Response

  • The firms are urging environment officials to abandon the approach, with four companies suing the Central government over the measures they say will heighten compliance woes and increased costs will cascade into higher consumer prices unsettling businesses 
  • For example, Hitachi stated that its recycling cost has risen nearly fourfold, from Rs 6/kg to Rs22/kg, translating into millions of dollars in additional expenses.

Government’s  Response: 

  • The government has maintained that it was ‘reasonable’ and within its powers to fix prices. Allowing companies and recyclers to set their own prices could lead to cost-cutting and unsafe practices.
  • There are currently 322 authorised recyclers in India. The government believes the floor price will help develop scientific recycling infrastructure and attract more investments in the sector.

The stand-off marks the latest chapter in foreign companies’ battles with India over what some perceive as protectionist policies and shifting regulatory goal posts.

How Governmentality exacerbates the problem of Stubble Burning

Context: Stubble burning is not just a result of farmers' apathy but a systemic outcome of distorted marketing systems and neo-liberal governance.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Factors leading to stubble burning.

Factors contributing to Pollution in Northern India

Every winter, the Indo-Gangetic Plains in India are enveloped in a dense shroud of pollution. Two major factors contributing to this alarming environmental condition are: 

1. Temperature Inversion: 

  • Withdrawal of monsoonal winds and the onset of cooler temperatures creates an Inversion Layer, an atmospheric condition conducive to pollution accumulation.
  • A layer of warm air traps cooler air beneath it, inhibiting vertical dispersion of pollutants such as vehicular emissions, industrial smoke, construction dust, and suspended particulate matter. These pollutants, instead of dispersing into the upper atmosphere, remain concentrated near the surface causing a dense smog.
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2. Stubble Burning: 

  • Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh rely on stubble burning as a cost-effective and time-saving method to clear paddy residue before sowing Rabi wheat.
  • As per a 2023 study by IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, TERI, and Airshed, stubble burning contributed an average of 22% to air pollution levels between mid-October and end-November 2022, with peak contributions reaching 35%. These findings are consistent with previous estimates ranging from 20% to 40%, underscoring the recurring and significant role of agricultural residue burning in deteriorating air quality.

Complex Issue of Stubble Burning

Although often viewed as a law-and-order issue or individual farmer negligence, recent studies indicate that this is a systemic outcome of distorted marketing systems and neo-liberal governance. 

  • Distorted Agricultural Incentives: Preferential procurement of wheat and rice under Minimum Support Price, indirectly promotes monocropping and discourages crop diversification. The narrow crop choices reduce flexibility, compelling farmers to use quick and low-cost methods like stubble burning to prepare for the next sowing cycle.
  • Issues in APMCs and Intermediary dependence: The agricultural marketing system is dominated by middlemen (arhtiyas), who exercise control over pricing, credit access, and market connectivity. Farmers are often forced to sell at low prices, leading to chronic indebtedness and financial stress. Low crop prices →  low income →  less ability to afford clean alternatives → more stubble burning. 
  • Stagnant MSP rates (E.g., wheat prices rose only 5% over a decade) fail to cover rising cultivation costs, including labour and equipment.
  • Neo-liberal Governance and ‘Governmentality’: Drawing from Michel Foucault’s concept of ‘governmentality’, the IIM Amritsar study highlights that the state nudges farmers toward self-regulation without adequate institutional support. On one hand, farmers are penalised for stubble burning, while on the other, the state continues to push for higher grain production to meet food security goals. This contradictory stance fosters sub-optimal behaviours like stubble burning as coping mechanisms within a broken system.

Hence, the state and market forces create a cycle of marginalisation, pushing farmers toward stubble burning as a survival tactic. 

Remedial Measures

  • Market Development for Stubble-Based Products: Focus on developing a market for stubble and stubble-based products, such as fodder, energy products like pellets and packaging materials, aimed to boost farmers’ income, while simultaneously addressing climate change challenges. 
  • Policy and Market intervention: Currently, there is a significant lack of an efficient market mechanism for farm-waste, underscoring the need for policy and market interventions to bridge this gap.
  • Fair prices for Farmers: Ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce by addressing existing inefficiencies within the market system. Digitise procurement platforms to reduce intermediary exploitation. 
  • Addressing Aspirational consumption: Recognise the role of aspirational consumption in exacerbating farm indebtedness. Socio-cultural organisations, including religious groups, could play a role in de-marketing non-essential aspirational consumption. 

Also Read: Burning of Agricultural Residue 

Stubble burning is not merely an act of environmental negligence but a manifestation of deeper agrarian and policy dysfunctions. Addressing the issue requires a farmer-centric, market-sensitive, and ecologically sustainable integrated approach.

What is GPS Spoofing? 

Context: Indian Air Force’s transport aircraft carrying relief materials to earthquake-hit Myanmar faced “GPS spoofing”. India sent relief materials to Myanmar in a C-130J aircraft and its pilots reported that the plane's GPS signal was tampered with, when it was in Myanmar’s airspace.

Relevance of the Topic:  Prelims: Key facts related to GPS Spoofing.

GPS Spoofing

  • GPS (global positioning system) spoofing is a form of cyberattack that includes generating false GPS signals to mislead an aircraft, ships and vehicles. The false signals result in misleading the navigation equipment, posing a significant risk to the aircraft, ships etc. 
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How does GPS Spoofing work?

  • GPS spoofing exploits the inherent vulnerabilities in the GPS infrastructure – the weak signal strength of GPS satellites. GPS systems function by sending signals from satellites to GPS receivers on Earth. These receivers then calculate their position based on the time it takes for these signals to arrive.
  • However, due to the weak signal strength of the GPS satellites, these signals can be easily overwhelmed by fake signals, resulting in inaccurate location data on the receiving device.
  • The act of GPS spoofing typically involves using a signal generator or other sophisticated equipment to transmit counterfeit GPS signals that are stronger than the genuine satellite signals. These false signals, when picked up by a GPS receiver, can cause it to calculate an incorrect position or time.

Some entities that may carry out GPS spoofing : 

  • Governments/military: defence, sensitive facility protection, tactical warfare, espionage etc.
  • Criminals/hackers: illegal activities, transportation or communication systems disruption, cargo theft, victim tracking, stalking.
  • Private organisations: location manipulation, competitive advantage, fraud etc.  

Measures to prevent GPS Spoofing: 

  • As a response to the increasing prevalence of GPS spoofing, various countermeasures are being developed to secure GPS-based systems, including signal strength monitoring, time-of-arrival analysis, and cryptographic authentication.
  • Furthermore, experts suggest the use of multiple satellite navigation systems to cross-verify and validate positioning data, thus minimising the risk of spoofing attacks.

Also Read: How Global Positioning System (GPS) work?

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