GS Paper 3

President’s invitation box includes South Indian Handicrafts

Context: Indian President’s invitation box for “At home” reception during Republic Day will include handicraft items from South India.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: GS-1 (Handicraft based questions)

Mains: GS-3 (Analytical question on scope, issues and suggestions for handicraft sector in India)

Major Highlights:

Every year the President of India hosts an ‘At Home’ reception on the eve of Republic Day at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Unlike traditional invitation card this year invitation includes a bamboo box along with various handicraft items which are GI tagged (Geographical Indicators) from various South Indian states:
- Box decorated by Kalamkari Art of Andhra Pradesh
- Pochampally Ikat from Telangana
- Ganjifa Art from Mysore
- Kanjivaram cloth pouch from Tamil Nadu
- Etikoppaka dolls from Andhra Pradesh.

Facts about mentioned Handicrafts:

1. Kalamkari Art (Andhra Pradesh):

Kalamkari is a traditional Indian art form involving hand-painting or block-printing on fabric, often cotton or silk.
Originating in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, its name combines "kalam" (pen) and "kari" (work). Intricate designs depict mythology, nature, and folk tales, using natural dyes for vibrant, eco-friendly colors.

2. Pochampally Ikat (Telangana):

Pochampally Ikat is a traditional handwoven textile from Telangana, India, known for its geometric patterns and vibrant colors. Artisans use a unique tie-and-dye technique on threads before weaving.
Renowned for its precision and craftsmanship, Pochampally Ikat represents India’s rich heritage and is often crafted into sarees, dupattas, and home décor items.

3. Ganjifa art (Mysore):

Ganjifa art is a traditional Indian craft involving hand-painted playing cards, popular during the Mughal and Deccan eras.
Made from cloth or paper, the cards feature intricate designs depicting mythology, flora, and geometric patterns.
Often circular or rectangular, Ganjifa cards are painted with natural pigments, showcasing India's rich artistic heritage.

4. Kanjivaram (Tamil Nadu):

Kanjivaram, or Kanchipuram silk, is a luxurious handwoven silk fabric from Tamil Nadu, India.
Renowned for its vibrant colors, intricate zari work, and durability, it is often used for traditional sarees.
Crafted with pure mulberry silk and gold or silver threads, Kanjivaram symbolises elegance and is treasured for weddings and festive occasions.

5. Etikoppaka dolls (Andhra Pradesh):

Etikoppaka dolls are traditional wooden toys crafted in Etikoppaka, a village in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Made from softwood called "Ankudu," these eco-friendly toys are hand-carved and coated with natural, lacquer-based dyes.
Known for their vibrant colors and smooth finish, Etikoppaka dolls showcase India's artisanal heritage and sustainable craftsmanship.

Scope for Indian Handicrafts:

High global demands: Indian handicraft items are unique in their build, history and decorations, making them highly demanded in the global markets E.g., Madhubani print paintings and Jaipur’s blue pottery.
Expansion of e-commerce: Online websites like Amazon are providing a marketplace for these handicrafts by facilitating both artisans and customers.
Tourism extension: Indian Tourism industry is seeking expansion with the rise in UNESCO heritage sites. These arts are promoted as tourism extensions.
Government schemes: Schemes like ‘One District One Product’ are promoting local handicrafts in both India and abroad. E.g.; Channapatna toys under ODOP receive government support.
Sustainability demand: The world is focusing on reducing solid waste and promoting biodegradable goods. Indian Handicrafts like Bamboo craft from Assam and Etikoppaka toys.

Challenges to Handicrafts in India:

Limited market integration: Local Artisans often fail to find an adequate marketplace for their goods. E.g., Traditional Bidriware artisans often rely on local markets, reducing profitability.
Competition from machine made clothes: Handicraft items like Kanjivaram and Pochampally Ikat face price competition from bulk made products from machines. Also, cheaper goods made of artificial fiber compete with handicraft goods.
Reducing artisans: Artisans are changing their professions due to low profitability of handicrafts creating a void in training of new artisans in the family. E.g., Gujarati Rogan art families are migrating to other professions.
Dependence on middleman: Artisans depend on the middle man due to the unregulated and fragmented market of goods making profession less attractive. E.g., Channapatna toy makers often receive a fraction of the retail price.
Environmental impact on the raw material of goods impacts the future of arts in a negative manner. E.g., Sandalwood used in many handicraft goods is facing the wrath of climate change.

Suggestions to boost handicrafts:

Fashion integration: The handicrafts need to be integrated with the fashion industry with help of NIFT centers. E.g., Banarasi silk sarees and Phulkari embroidery in designer collections.
Common market place: There should be a free of cost common market place for the traditional goods and handicrafts to facilitate artisans. E.g., Dilli Haat for regular showcasing of crafts such as Pashmina shawls and Madhubani paintings.
Promoting traditional learning with schemes like USTAAD to foster a new generation of artisans.
Branding and certification: Handicraft goods to be provided with branding of Geographical Indications to promote their value and artisans profitability.

Conclusion: Indian handicrafts embody cultural heritage and economic potential. Addressing challenges with financial aid, e-commerce, branding, and awareness can preserve traditions, empower artisans, and expand global recognition.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Defence

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Detailed question on scope, and challenges regarding AI use in the Defence sector.

AI and Defence Integration in India

India is at the nascent stage of integration of AI with military technology. One such example is the Indrajal drone defence system.
Institutional framework: India has launched an institutional framework for inducting AI with the military in 2022.
- Defence Artificial Intelligence council chaired by the Defence Minister of India to to provide necessary guidance and structural support.
- Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) has been created under the Chairmanship of Secretary Department of Defence Production (DDP) for enabling AI based processes in defence Organisations.
Listing priorities: In 2022, the government published a list of 75 priority projects related to using AI for defence; these focused on data processing and analysis, cyber security, simulation and autonomous systems, particularly drones.
AI embedded centers in armed forces: AI-application centres embedded in each of the three armed-service branches – at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow (Army), the INS Valsura (Navy) and Air Force Station Rajokri (Air Force).

Scope of AI in Defence sector

Autonomous systems:
- Defence: AI driven autonomous systems can aid armed forces in difficult operations and prevent casualties. E.g., Indrajaal system on drone defence is based on an autonomous AI system; AI-enabled Robot Sentries.
- Offence: Can be used to conduct precision strikes and support armed forces in offence. E.g., AI-powered killer robots and Armed UAVs; AI-embedded guided missiles (determines target’s range and adjust flight patterns without human intervention).
- Surveillance: AI-embedded radars, satellites, software-identification systems can aid in geospatial analysis, detection of illegal or suspicious activities and alerting authorities. E.g., Indian Army uses facial recognition system ‘Project Seeker’ for monitoring, surveillance, and garrison security.
Cyber-security: AI can be utilised to timely detect and launch a counter attack on cyber attack.
Data Analysis: Defence data is complex like intelligence data, enemy movement, previous trends and strategy analysis can be done effectively with use of AI.
Predictive maintenance: AI can be utilized for predicting the maintenance needs to prevent failure during crucial operations.
Simulations and training: AI can generate multiple and complex hypothetical situations to train soldiers and operatives for unpredictable threats.

Risks and Challenges Associated:

Security risks: AI based defence technologies are susceptible to hacking and cyber attacks leading to catastrophic results.
Ethical questions: AI based decision making in defence can cause collateral damage creating questions of accountability in case of unintended harm.
Interoperability issue: Integrating AI across diverse military platforms (aircraft, naval ships, ground vehicles) is complex. Existing systems might not be compatible, limiting its effectiveness.
Bias and poor data quality: AI systems rely on data for training, and if the data is biased or incomplete, AI models can produce flawed decisions. E.g., biased training data could lead AI inappropriately identifying enemy targets based on incomplete intelligence.
Legal issue: AI based operations lack the global consensus, as AI is not subjected to the Geneva convention, unlike traditional wars and conflicts.

Conclusion: AI in the military offers significant potential for enhancing capabilities, including autonomous systems and cybersecurity. However, it also faces challenges such as security risks, ethical concerns, and technical limitations. A balanced approach involving robust research, international cooperation, and ethical considerations will ensure that AI serves as a strategic asset for defense.

Collective Farming: Empowering Small Farmers

Context: India’s agricultural landscape portrays a stark contrast between large landowners and small and marginal farmers. Holistic Collective Farming practices can bridge this divide.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Collective Farming- Meaning, Features.

Mains: Collective Farming- Benefits, Features, Need.

What is Collective Farming?

Definition: Collective Farming is a system of agricultural production in which a group of farmers collectively owns and operates their farms as a collective farm.
Holistic collective farming aims to pool fragmented landholdings and empower small farmers through collective efforts.
Types: There are generally two types of collective farming:
- Agricultural Cooperatives: Owned by members of the farm.
- State Farms: owned by governments.

Need for Collective Farming in India:

As per the latest agricultural census (2015-16), the average land holding size in India is 1.08 hectares.
- Land inheritance traditions have led to a steady reduction in farm sizes over generations.
- Small plots of land are insufficient to sustain a family.
Without access to reliable water sources, quality seeds, or market knowledge, small and marginal farmers struggle to make ends meet.
Many fall prey to moneylenders who charge exorbitant interest rates, pushing them deeper into debt. The result is a cycle of poverty and despair, which has contributed to India’s agricultural distress.

Features of Collective Farming:

Pooling Land:
- Farmers retain ownership of their land but agree to pool their plots into a collective unit. This creates larger, contiguous areas for farming, which improves efficiency and scalability.
Collaborating with Social Entrepreneurs:
- A non-exploitative social entrepreneur provides initial capital, access to water resources, seeds, and marketing channels.
- They also bring in agricultural experts to train farmers in sustainable practices.
Natural Farming Techniques:
- Farmers are taught to prepare organic fertilizers using cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, lentil flour, and virgin soil. This is done to enhance soil fertility and reduce dependency on expensive chemical inputs.
Revenue Distribution:
- Farmers receive daily wages for their labour, ensuring financial stability.
- After the harvest, revenue from the sale of produce is distributed.
- Operational expenses are deducted, and the remaining profits are shared among farmers based on their land contribution.

Benefits of Collective Farming:

Economic stability: By earning both wages and profit shares, farmers experience immediate and long-term financial benefits.
Sustainability: Natural farming practices improve soil health and reduce environmental harm, creating a sustainable agricultural system.
Social Empowerment: Collective farming fosters community cooperation, reduces dependence on moneylenders, and gives farmers greater bargaining power in markets.
Prevention of Land Fragmentation: Joint ownership through a pooled model halts the physical division of land, ensuring its viability for future generations.

Steps to promote Collective Farming in India

Financial incentives, such as subsidies for natural farming inputs or tax benefits for social entrepreneurs, could accelerate adoption.
Development of Aggregating apps to aggregate agri-mechanised inputs on rental basis. This would enable mechanisation of farms in the collective farming model.
Ease of financing: Like KCC, procedures to avail term loan may be simplified with minimum documentation. Capacity building of bank staff dealing with agriculture term loan products may be ensured.

The holistic collective farming model is not just an economic initiative; it is a vision for social transformation. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern sustainability practices, it offers a way to rejuvenate India’s farming sector.

Decoding India’s Growth Slowdown

Context: The National Statistics Office (NSO) released the first advance estimates of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024-25. It shows a decline in the real GDP growth rate to 6.4% from 8.2% registered in 2023-24. The official diminution of India’s projected GDP growth rate may still be an underestimation of the extent of economic slowdown.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Economic Slowdown- Trend Analysis

Data Discrepancies in GDP Estimates

1. Issues with GDP Deflator:

GDP deflator is a weighted average of wholesale and retail price indices. It is used for the estimation of real or constant price GDP to estimate values of GDP components in constant prices.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI), 2011-12 series has shown high volatility over the past decade. The WPI volatility leads to inexplicably large divergences between the WPI and CPI inflation rates.
This has had serious implications for the accuracy of the GDP deflator and real GDP estimates.
- For instance, nominal GDP growth rate was at 14.2% in 2022-23 and 9.6% in 2023-24, which indicated a sharp decline in growth.
  - However, the real GDP growth rate was estimated to have grown from 7.0% to 8.2%, indicating growth acceleration.
- This implied that the GDP deflator was only 1.4% in 2023-24, even as retail inflation was at 5.4%
  - This is because the WPI inflation rate was estimated to have fallen from a high of 9.4% in 2022-23 to a negative of -0.7% in 2023-24.
- Thus, because of high volatility in the WPI, the nominal GDP estimate showed a growth deceleration in 2023-24 but the real GDP estimate reflected growth acceleration.

IMF Observations:
- IMF has criticised India’s reliance on WPI as a deflator, recommending Producer Price Index (PPI) for better accuracy.
- The absence of seasonally-adjusted GDP data and discrepancies between GDP by activity and expenditure hinder real-time economic analysis.

2. Elusive Private Investment:

Investment Trends:
- The latest GDP estimates have shown a significant decline in the growth of real gross fixed capital formation from 9% in 2023-24 to 6.4% in 2024-25.
Irrational official expectations:
- Economic Survey 2023-24 indicated a vigorous expansion of investment by the private-sector.
- However, the Chief Economic Advisor highlighted the sluggish corporate investments in machinery and equipment and intellectual property products.
- The Union Budget over-relied on private corporate investment for massive job creation through ‘Prime Minister’s Package for Employment and Skilling’.
- A longer view of India’s growth trajectory over the past decade shows the irrationality of official expectations.

3. Sectoral Trends:

Downward trends in manufacturing, mining, construction, and key services sectors.
Only public administration, defence, and other government services show increased growth, emphasizing the role of public expenditure.

4. Fiscal Challenges:

Tax revenue growth has slowed, with only 56% of the annual target achieved by November 2024.
Less than half of the budgeted capital expenditure (₹11.11 trillion) was utilised during the same period.
Balancing fiscal consolidation with growth-enhancing public spending remains a critical challenge.

Way Forward: Balancing Growth with Fiscal Discipline

Economic slowdown has disrupted budgetary plans by slowing down tax revenue growth. Adhering to the fiscal consolidation path would imply a squeeze on public spending, including capital expenditure. This in turn would further aggravate the slowdown. The way out is to rework the revenue mobilisation strategy by enhancing taxation on wealth and profits in order to enhance capex and welfare spending.

Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025

Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has published the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 on January 3, 2025 for public consultation. The Draft Rules have evoked a mixed response, with criticism that the rules might go against the concept of privacy.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Right to Privacy; Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023; Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025.

Right to Privacy in India

Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India Case, 2017: In the landmark case, the Supreme Court held that Right to Privacy is a distinct and independent Fundamental Right under Article 21 of Indian Constitution.
Privacy is essential to the dignity and autonomy of individuals, the Right ensures protection from state overreach.
The SC held that the Right to Privacy was not absolute in nature. It may be restricted, but such restrictions must meet the three-fold requirement, to ensure that the restrictions are not arbitrary or excessive.
- Legality (Restrictions on privacy must be backed by an existing law. A mere Executive order or arbitrary action is insufficient).
- Need (Restrictions must serve a legitimate purpose of the state).
- Proportionality (Restrictions must not be excessive or disproportionate to the objective sought)

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act received Presidential assent in August 2023.
Need: Digitisation using the personal data of individuals has transformed the delivery of services enhancing ease of living, but it is also increasingly at risk of misuse. Therefore, it is imperative that digitised personal data be protected.
The DPDP Act 2023, obligates data fiduciaries to protect personal data and makes them accountable.
- Digital platforms can collect only those data that are required for their functioning and providing services which users have opted for.
- E.g., Users will not have to give a microphone or contact access to use a torch app on their mobile phone.
The Act 2023 has provisions to impose penalties of up to ₹250 crore on data fiduciaries. The Act provides for graded financial penalties in case of violation of the Act and the rules.

Key Terms:

Data Principal: Individual to whom the personal data belongs to.
Data Fiduciary: Entities such as social media platforms, e-commerce companies and online gaming platforms, etc. that collect and process an individual's personal data. They can use such data only after the individual's consent for specified purposes.
Significant data fiduciaries: Digital platforms with a large number of users such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Amazon, Flipkart, Netflix, etc.

Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025:

Aim: To operationalise the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and ensure robust protection and privacy of personal data in the digital realm.

Notable provisions of the Draft Rules are mentioned below

1. Notice for Consent:

To obtain informed consent from a Data Principal, a Data Fiduciary must provide the Data Principal with a clear and standalone notice outlining- what data is to be collected, the purpose for the processing, and how consent can be withdrawn.

2. Consent Managers and Rights of Data Principals:

Defined under the DPDP Act, a Consent Manager is registered with the Data Protection Board and serves as a single point of contact for Data Principals to give, manage, review, and withdraw consent through a transparent and secure platform.
Data Fiduciaries and Consent Managers must clearly publish on their website or app the process for Data Principals to exercise their rights under the Act, including the right to request access to or deletion of their personal data.

3. Security Safeguards:

Data Fiduciaries must implement adequate security measures to protect personal data, such as encryption, access control, monitoring for unauthorised access, and data backups.
Contracts between Data Fiduciaries and Data Processors must also ensure that security measures are in place to prevent data breaches.

4. Data Breach Notification:

In the event of a breach, Data Fiduciaries must promptly notify affected Data Principals, with explanation of the nature, extent, and timing of the breach.
Within 72 hours, Data Fiduciaries must additionally notify the Data Protection Board of the breach.

5. Data Retention:

Certain e-commerce entities, online gaming intermediaries, and social media platforms with a significant number of registered users in India must delete personal data within a specified period of time, unless the user actively maintains their account.
Generally, these entities may only retain personal data for up to three years from the date of a user’s last interaction.

6. Processing Personal Data Of Children:

A Data Fiduciary is required to adopt technical and organisational measures to ensure verifiable consent of parents is obtained for processing the personal data of a child.
Certain Data Fiduciaries, such as healthcare providers or educational institutions, may be exempt from specific obligations, under defined conditions.

7. Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs):

If the Central Government identifies an entity as a Significant Data Fiduciary based on certain enumerated factors (including volume, sensitivity of data) that entity must conduct annual DPIAs to assess risks associated with their data processing activities.

8. Cross-Border Data Transfers:

The rules provide for the transfer of personal data outside India, but only of certain as approved by the government from time to time.
The draft rules envisage a committee that may recommend restrictions on such transfer by a significant data fiduciary with respect to specified personal data.

9. Penalty provisions:

The draft rules do not elaborate on the penalty but spell out a mechanism to set up a Data Protection Board that will levy penalties based on the nature of the breach as listed in the DPDP Act 2023.

Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Athletes

Context: Instances of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes, while rare, remain a significant concern that requires careful attention and preventive measures.

Relevance of the Topic: Key facts about Sudden Cardiac Death & Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

What is Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)?

The most common cause of SCD is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), characterised by an unexpected circulatory arrest (a condition where blood circulation suddenly stops) typically due to cardiac arrhythmia, occurring within an hour of symptom onset.
- Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm.
- Breathing stops, the person becomes unconscious. Without immediate treatment, sudden cardiac arrest can lead to death.
It is concerning as it causes sudden death in a structurally normal heart with no other explanation and a history consistent with cardiac-related death.

- A cardiac arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. It occurs when the electrical signals that tell the heart to beat don't work properly. The heart may beat too fast or too slow. Or the pattern of the heartbeat may be inconsistent.

-A heart arrhythmia may feel like a fluttering, pounding or racing heartbeat. Some heart arrhythmias are harmless. Others may cause life-threatening symptoms.

Risk Factors:

The risk factors for SCA and SCD include:
- Coronary artery disease - Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries (due to plaque/cholesterol buildup in these arteries), which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- A disease in which the heart muscle becomes thickened, also called hypertrophied. The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood.
- Arrhythmias - An irregular heartbeat.
- A genetic predisposition
- Pre-existing heart conditions
- Weight issues
- High-intensity exercise without proper training
- History of smoking
- Increased ambient temperature.

Exercise and Cardiovascular Health:

Exercise is a vital tool for promoting health and well-being. It improves cardiovascular risk factors like lipid levels, hypertension, insulin sensitivity, and weight.
Multiple studies have established a positive correlation between moderate aerobic exercise and reduced risk of coronary artery disease.

Guidelines to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in Athletes:

According to International Olympic Committee recommendations, pre-participation screening and periodic health evaluation are the only ways to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular accidents and other injuries in athletes.
The World Athletics Health and Science Department, based on IOC guidelines, recommends a pre-participation medical evaluation (PPME) at the start of the season for athletes in competitive sports.
A study conducted on the benefits of pre-participation screening and periodic health evaluation demonstrated a drop in the incidence of SCD by 90% in young athletes.

Challenges:

Concerns with Athletes: During vigorous physical activity by athletes, there is a substantial increase in sympathetic nervous system activity. This surge can trigger arrhythmias and potentially lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
Pre-participation screening and periodic health evaluation may not be possible in mass endurance events where the majority of participants are recreational athletes. Despite screening, sudden cardiac arrest may be challenging to predict.

Way Forward

Prompt and appropriate resuscitation - Evidence points to excellent survival rates after arrest when appropriate resuscitation is started promptly (for every minute delay, there is a 7% decreased chance of survival.) Personnel trained in CPR and access to defibrillators on the route and at sports venues are crucial in reducing the incidence of sudden cardiac death.
Periodic health evaluations - As athletes, competitive or recreational, it is important to have periodic health evaluations. The ECG needs to be read by a trained physician who is aware of the physiological and structural adaptations in the heart of an athlete.
Correct medical information should be provided honestly by the athletes during their screening.
Workouts under trained coach - The risk of sudden cardiac death is higher in those with pre-existing conditions, and hence it is important that exercise be carried out under supervision or with the help of a trained coach.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs):

CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including:

Coronary heart disease: It happens when the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
Cerebrovascular disease: It is an umbrella term for conditions that impact the blood vessels in the brain. It may cause a reduction of blood flow to your brain (ischemia) or bleeding (haemorrhage) in a part of your brain.
Peripheral arterial disease: A condition where the arteries that supply blood to the legs or arms narrow or become blocked.
Rheumatic heart disease: Rheumatic heart disease is a condition where the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever.
Congenital heart disease: It is one or more problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth.
Deep vein thrombosis: A condition when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs.
Pulmonary embolism: A condition that arises when a blood clot that blocks and stops blood flow to an artery in the lung.

Farmer ID

Context: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) has made Farmer ID mandatory for new applicants to enrol into the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) and get benefits under the scheme. The farmer ID guarantees that the applicant-farmer owns the land, and thus the PM-KISAN registration process would be vastly simplified.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims- Farmer ID, Digital Agriculture Mission, Agristack, PM-KISAN Scheme.

What is a Farmer ID?

Farmer ID (also known as Kisan Pehchaan Patra) is an Aadhaar-linked Unique Digital Identity of the farmers.
Created and maintained by: State Governments/ Union Territories.
The IDs will be linked to various farmer-related data including:
- Land records
- Livestock ownership
- Crops sown
- Benefits and subsidies availed
- Demographic and family details etc.
The database created through the Farmer ID will be known as Farmer’ registry. It is one of the three registries under Agri Stack component of the Centre’s Digital Agriculture Mission for creation of digital public infrastructure in the farm sector.

Benefits of Farmer ID:

Targeted delivery: Only legitimate and eligible farmers receive subsidies and benefits and eliminates duplication in government schemes.
Precision agriculture: Facilitates data-driven policy-making for better crop planning, insurance, and market linkages.
Empowerment of farmers: Encourages financial inclusion by enabling easy access to credit and crop insurance.

About AgriStack:

AgriStack is designed as a farmer-centric Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to streamline services and scheme delivery to farmers. It comprises three key components:
- Farmers' Registry
- Geo-referenced village maps
- Crop Sown Registry
The AgriStack is a part of the Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–2025) which aims at modernisation of Indian agriculture. The three DPIs to be built under the Mission are Agristack, Krishi Decision Support System, and Soil Profile Mapping.

Key targets of AgriStack include:

Creating digital identities for 11 crore farmers over three years (6 crore in FY 2024-25, 3 crore in FY 2025-26, and 2 crore in FY 2026-27).
Launching the Digital Crop Survey nationwide, within two years, covering 400 districts in FY 2024-25 and all districts in FY 2025-26.

What is the PM KISAN scheme?

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme is a Central Sector Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme, under which, financial assistance of Rs.6000/- per annum is provided to all landholding farmer families across the country, subject to certain exclusion criteria relating to higher income strata.
Objective: To enable them to take care of expenses related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs.
The amount is transferred in three 4-monthly installments of Rs. 2000/- each, directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiary farmers identified by the State/UT Governments.
Eligibility: Extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings. (Originally, landholding farmers having a farming area up to 2 hectares were eligible for the scheme).
Exclusions:
- Farmer families who pay income tax, with government employees and professionals like doctors etc. are excluded.
- Former and current constitutional officeholders.
- Previous and current Ministers/State Ministers, MPs/MLAs/SLCs/ Mayors former and present District Panchayat Chairpersons.
- All serving or former officials and workers of Central/State Government Ministries/Offices/Departments and their field units.
- All superannuated/retired pensioners whose monthly pension is Rs.10,000/- or higher (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff / Class IV/Group D employees).
Recently, a Parliamentary panel has recommended doubling the yearly payouts under the PM-Kisan to Rs 12,000 per annum from the present Rs 6,000.

Right to Food and Struggle with PDS

Context: The 2023 reports from Jharkhand and Odisha highlighted that a substantial number of households have been removed from the rolls of the Public Distribution System (PDS). A substantial number of households have found themselves removed from PDS rolls in parts of north, central and east India.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Challenges in Public Distribution System.

Right to Food

The ‘right to food' was recognised as a fundamental right in the People’s Union of Civil Liberties vs Union of India case, 2001.
- The right to food is not a fundamental right explicitly mentioned in Part III of the Indian Constitution, but it can be derived from Article 21.
The Indian Parliament enacted the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in 2013 to address food security.
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:
- Provides affordable food-grains to roughly two-thirds of the Indian population.
  - 75% of Rural population
  - 50% of urban population
- Entitlements: Provides rice, wheat or coarse grains (5kg/person/month) at Rs 3/kg, Rs 2/kg, and Rs 1/kg, respectively.
Targeted Public Distribution System:
- Antyodaya (most vulnerable) people got free food grains (35 kg of food grains per household month).
- Priority households (above Antyodaya level but below poverty line) had to pay at least half the minimum support price (MSP) being paid to the farmer.
- Above poverty line households had to pay 90% of MSP.

Problems in the Public Distribution System

1. Incomplete Enrolment and Inadequate Access:

Case Study of the Musahar community in Bihar: Musahars are extremely marginalised communities that have been pushed beyond the edge of destitution by the socio-politics of caste.
- A number of Musahar households in Patna district do not have an active ration card.
- Even if they do have one, the card does not have the names of all the family members.
Issue with Biometric Verification:
- Several people lost access to their monthly supply of ration ever since biometric verification was made mandatory at fair price shops (FPS).
- Individuals are forced to get a new ration card as after verification it emerges that their names have been struck off the PDS rolls.

2. Corruption:

There are reports of cases where FPS dealers are releasing only four kilograms of food grain/person.
- A below poverty line (BPL) household which has a Priority Household (PHH) ration card is entitled to five kilograms a person.
The four kilograms of grain being issued is rice, which is the lowest quality of ‘Usna’ rice. No amount of wheat is issued.

3. Documentation with no Legal basis:

Bureaucrats involved in the PDS mechanism are reported to claim unnecessary documents for issuing ration cards. E.g.,
- In Bihar, citizens applying for a ration card using a paper-based application as well as through e-PDS portal are asked to submit:
  - Aadhaar details of the applicant and their family members
  - caste certificate
  - income certificate
  - residence certificate
- Uttar Pradesh makes it mandatory to provide an income certificate.
- Madhya Pradesh requires the submission of proof of residence.
The requirements of these certificates do not have any legal basis.
- Neither the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 nor the PDS control order of 2015 explicate the requirement of such documents.

4. Exploitation by Middlemen:

People from marginalised communities who seek to avail the benefits of PDS, neither have the resources nor the knowledge to interact with online processes.
This situation is aggressively exploited by middlemen who charge a sum of ₹3,000 to have a ration card made.

5. Delays in Issuance of Ration Cards:

There is no guarantee that the applicants will get their ration card. There are cases of people whose applications have been pending for long (between 4-18 months).
- The 2015 order states that ration cards should be issued within 30 days of the application being filled.

Recommendations of Shanta Kumar Committee on PDS Reforms

Need for End to End Computerisation: Given that leakages in PDS range from 40 to 50 percent, Government should defer implementation of NFSA in states that have not done end to end computerisation; have not put the list of beneficiaries online for anyone to verify, and have not set up vigilance committees to check pilferage from PDS.
Reducing the Coverage: Reduce the current coverage of 67% of the population under NFSA to 40% (comfortably cover BPL families and some even above that).
Increased quota of Food grains: The amount of food grains should be increased to 7kg/person from the present 5kg grain per person.
Pricing: Antyodaya households can be given grains at Rs 3/2/1/kg for the time being, but pricing for priority households must be linked to MSP, say 50 percent of MSP
Timely Allocation: Targeted beneficiaries should be given 6 months ration immediately after the procurement season ends. This will save the consumers from various hassles of monthly arrivals at FPS and also save on the storage costs of agencies.
Cash Transfers: Gradual introduction of cash transfers in PDS, starting with large cities with more than 1 million population; extending it to grain surplus states, and then giving option to deficit states to opt for cash or physical grain distribution. This would lead to saving of Rs 30,000 crores.
Storage, movement and Transport of Food Grains: FCI should outsource its stocking operations to various agencies such as Central Warehousing Corporation, State Warehousing Corporation to bring down costs of storage. Covered and plinth (CAP) storage should be gradually phased out. The Movement of grains needs to be gradually containerised to reduce transit losses.
Buffer Stocks: On an average, buffer stocks with FCI have been more than double the buffer stocking norms costing the nation thousands of crores of rupees loss without any worthwhile purpose being served. There has to be a comprehensive liquidation policy which gives sufficient flexibility to FCI to either export or sell the surplus stocks in the market.

Centre’s Share in States’ Revenue has surged

Context: Over the last decade, States have been relying more and more on transfers and grants from the Centre. The falling efficiency of States in collecting more taxes has deepened their dependency on the Centre.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: States’ sources of revenue- Key Facts, Trends Analysis.

What are the sources of Revenue for States?

1. States’ share of Central Taxes:

According to the Constitution, the Union Government is required to share a part of all the tax revenue that it raises with State Governments.
This part of the tax collection that the Central Government shares with State Governments is known as the States’ Share in Central Taxes.

2. States’ Own Tax Revenue (OTR):

There are many taxes that are either levied by State Governments, or where the collection goes directly to State Governments.
- Except Goods and Services Tax (GST), the rates of such taxes are determined by State Governments. Hence, there is a variance across States.
Goods and Services Tax (GST):
- Components of the total GST collection, known as State GST (SGST) and part of integrated GST (IGST) goes directly to State Governments.
State Excise Duty:
- Levied on the production of goods that are not under GST.
- After the introduction of GST, the main item on which State excise duty is applied is alcohol.
Sales tax and VAT:
- There are certain items whose sale is not covered by GST.
- The sale of such items falls under the State sales tax or State value added tax (VAT).
Stamps and Registration Duty:
- This is generally levied on the sale of land and/or immovable properties such as flats/houses/buildings.
Vehicle Registration Tax:
- Applied on the registration of new vehicles or in the case of a change in the ownership of a vehicle.
Entertainment Tax:
- This levy is generally applied on the sale of movie tickets, etc.

3. States’ Non-Tax Revenue:

Lease/sale of natural resources:
- States can either sell or lease out natural resources for the economic purposes for which they receive receipts.
- Lease of minerals is a major source for many states, such as Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, among others.
Economic services:
- There are certain services provided by the government for which it charges the user, such as - irrigation, health, education, forestry and wildlife, etc.
- The user charges are not done with the purpose of profit, and are generally much lower than the charges by the private sector.
- Nonetheless, they do provide some revenue to the government.
Sale of lotteries:
- Some states engage in the activity of selling lotteries
- The net proceeds from these goes to the government funds.
Interest receipts:
- State governments can provide loans to certain entities like public sector undertakings (PSUs), local bodies, etc.
- Interest receipts are the interest received on such loans.

Trends of States’ revenue share among different sources

Increasing share of Transfers from Centre:
- In the last decade (FY16 to FY25), 23-30% of the total revenue of States was collected from the Centre as transfers.
- However, in the 2000s and 2010-15, the share was 20-24%.
Increasing share of Grants from Centre in States’ non-tax revenue:
- 65-70% of the non-tax revenue of States was collected from the Centre as grants in the last decade.
- In the 2000s and 2010-15, the share was lower at 55-65%.
Diminishing share of non-tax revenue:
- Revenue from non-tax revenue, other than Central grants, has been diminishing. This share is likely to go below the 24% mark in FY25 for the first time in the past 25 years.
- Interest receipts have not exceeded 5% of non-tax revenues in the last decade.
  - Compared to the 2000s and first half of 2010, when it formed 5-9% of non-tax revenue.
- The share of dividends and profits garnered from State public sector enterprises has remained under 1%.

Stagnant Own Tax Revenue:
- States have also not done enough to efficiently collect taxes to increase their own tax revenue.
- For over a decade now, States’ own tax revenue as a share of their total revenue has remained considerably below 50%.
- In the 2000s and in the early 2010s, it had crossed the 50% mark for many years or remained close to it.
SGST-driven Own-Tax Revenue:
- While SGST accounted for 15% of the States’ total revenue in FY18, it currently makes up about 22%.
- Consequently, the share of own tax revenue, without the contribution from SGST, has declined from 34% to 28%.
- What it implies: Share of States’ own tax revenue is not only consistently below the 50% mark, but also an increasing share of it is derived from SGST.

A marked decline in ratio of select States’ own tax revenue to its GSDP:
- For Tamil Nadu, the own tax revenue to GSDP ratio has gradually declined from 7.72% in FY13-15 to 6.17% in FY 22-24. This has also been the case in Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh, too.
- While the ratio has risen in Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, and Uttarakhand, it has remained stagnant in other States.

Concerns

The combination of these factors indicates increasing dependency of States on Central funds.
- The Centre is playing a major role in the revenue earned by the States.
- However, it is also true that many States are not efficiently collecting taxes using avenues at their disposal.
While expenditure responsibilities have been rapidly spiralling, the nearly stagnant own tax revenue mobilisation impedes the States’ counter-cyclical expansionary fiscal measures in a sustained manner to boost aggregate demand in the economy.

What is the Polar Vortex?

Context: Large swathes of Canada and the USA were hit by a massive winter storm. At least five people have died in the United States over the weekend and the storm has led to mass school closures, dangerous road conditions and power cuts. The extreme weather has been caused by the expansion of the polar vortex southwards.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Polar Vortex.

What is Polar Vortex?

Polar vortex is a circulation of strong, upper-level winds that normally surround the Northern Pole, moving in a counter-clockwise direction, i.e., a polar low-pressure system.
These winds tend to keep the bitter cold air locked in Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. On occasion, this vortex can become distorted and dip much farther South, allowing the cold air to spill Southwards.
There are two types of Polar Vortex: Tropospheric and Stratospheric:

Tropospheric polar vortex occurs at the lowest layer of the atmosphere — it extends from the surface up to about 10 km to 15 km — where most weather phenomena occur.
Stratospheric polar vortex occurs at around 15 km to 50 km high. Unlike the tropospheric polar vortex, the stratospheric polar vortex disappears during the summer and is the strongest during the autumn.

Formation of Polar Vortex:

Polar Vortex forms every winter because of the temperature difference between Equator and Poles.
In the polar stratosphere, sunlight basically gets cut off during the late fall and early winter—and that makes it cold, while the equator remains quite warm.
A jet forms to balance this temperature difference. This jet is what we call the Polar Vortex or Polar Night Jet.

Distortion of Polar Vortex:

When the pressure difference gets lower, the jet streams get weakened and follow a much wavier path. This change in intensity allows the dense Arctic cold wind to spill down to the lower latitudes and lead to major cold air outbreak in the US, parts of Europe, and Asia.
This oscillation is known as the Arctic Oscillation, and it can switch from a positive phase to negative phase a few times per year. This oscillation -- namely the Negative phase, where the polar winds are weaker, tends to lead to major cold air outbreaks in one or more regions of the planet.

Climate Change and Polar Vortex

Scientists are still researching the precise impact of climate change on the polar vortex. Some researchers believe that as the poles are getting warmer at a faster rate than the rest of the Earth, the polar vortex and jet stream are becoming weaker. Warmer temperatures make it easier for the polar vortex and jet stream to get disrupted.
This can be understood through following:
- Jet streams are propelled forward by temperature differences and the Earth's rotation. Warm air is less dense than cold air and rushes to fill in low-pressure regions. Wider temperature differences create faster moving winds.
- Earth is warming more quickly at the poles than at the mid-latitude regions, meaning the temperature contrast that drives jet streams has decreased.
- Complex sequence of events involving sea ice, which is rapidly diminishing in the Arctic. As ice retreats, summertime heat is absorbed by the dark ocean that lies underneath. This heat is released into the atmosphere during winter, spurring winds that can disrupt the polar vortex.

ISRO’s Satellite Launch Vehicles

Context: The Central Government has appointed Dr V Narayanan as the new chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (SRO), and also as the secretary of the Department of Space. He has played a key role in the development of the indigenous cryogenic engine technology.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV); Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV); Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3); Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV); Cryogenic Engine (CE-20).

About Dr V Narayanan

He has worked in the Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
He has played a key role in India's development of the cryogenic engine, a technology that was denied to the country by Russia following pressure from the US.
Prior to his elevation as the chairman of ISRO, he was serving as the head of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Kerala since 2018.
He is the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, India's planned human spaceflight mission.

Satellite Launch Vehicles of ISRO

1. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):

PSLV is an expendable launch vehicle developed and operated by ISRO since its first successful launch in 1994.
Workhorse of ISRO known for its reliability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness since 1994.
Stages: Four-stages launch vehicle
- First stage is powered by a solid rocket motor (strap-on motors to provide additional thrust to the rocket to overcome air resistance).
- Second stage uses a liquid propulsion system (Vikas Engine)
- Third stage is a solid rocket motor
- Fourth stage is a liquid-fueled engine
PSLV can deliver payloads of up to:
- 3250 kg to Low Earth Orbit
- 1600 kg to Sun Synchronous Orbit
- 1400 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
Successful launches: Chandrayaan-1 Mission (2008), Mars Orbiter Mission/Mangalyaan (2013), 104 satellites at one go (2017).
It has been used for launching a wide range of payloads, including Earth observation satellites, navigation satellites, communication satellites, and scientific payloads for various domestic and international customers.

2. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV):

Stages: Three-stage launch vehicle
- First Stage: Uses four strap-on solid boost motors (HS200).
- Second Stage: Liquid core stage (L110) powered by two Vikas liquid engines.
- Third Stage: Cryogenic Upper Stage with cryogenic engine using liquid Hydrogen and liquid Oxygen for high specific impulse and efficiency.
GSLV can carry more than 2,200 kg to geostationary orbits, and over 6,000 kg to LEO. Ideal for large communication satellites.
Issues: GSLV has a patchy track record, has flown 16 times of which 4 are unsuccessful (high failure rate for any rocket). The problems have mainly been with the cryogenic engine used by GSLV that is reverse-engineered on a Russian design.

3. Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3):

LVM3 (previously referred to as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, GSLV Mk III) is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
Stages: Three-stage launch vehicle
- First stage: Solid fuel S200 stage.
- Second stage: Liquid fuel L110 stage. (Vikas Engine)
- Third stage: Cryogenic fuel C25 stage (uses 25 tonnes of a mixture of liquid Hydrogen and Liquid oxygen). This upper stage (CE-20 cryogenic engine) is developed entirely in India.
Payload capacity (one of the most powerful rockets in ISRO's fleet):
- 4,000 kilograms to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).
- 10,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO).
Primarily designed to launch communication satellites into geostationary orbit.
Successful launches: Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3. Human-rated LVM-3 is due to launch crewed missions under Gaganyaan Mission.

4. Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV):

New small satellite launch vehicle developed by ISRO to launch small satellites to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on ‘launch-on-demand’ basis.
Three-stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages and liquid propulsion based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage.
Can launch Mini, Micro, or Nanosatellites (10 to 500 kg mass) up to 500 km in LEO.
Capable of multiple orbital drop-offs i.e., launch multiple microsatellites in one launch.
SSLVs will cost 1/10th of a PSLV and will need only 72 hours for launch in comparison to 45 days for PSLV.

ISRO’s Cryogenic Engine (CE-20)

ISRO has used three cryogenic engines over the years: KVD-1, CE-7.5, and CE-20.
- KVD-1 was supplied to India in the 1980s by Russia (the Soviet Union).
- CE-7.5, and CE-20 are India-made, although the design of the CE-7.5 is based on the KVD-1.
- The GSLV Mk II launch vehicle uses CE-7.5 engines to power the third stage of its ascent.
CE-20 is an indigenous cryogenic engine ISRO developed to use with the GSLV Mk III (LVM3 launch vehicle). It represents an improvement on the CE-7.5 cryogenic engine.
Fuel: Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellants stored at extremely low temperatures (around -253°C for hydrogen and -183°C for oxygen).
Advantages:
- Cryogenic propellants have a high energy density, high fuel efficiency and high specific impulse (more thrust per kilogram of propellant). This allows rockets to carry less fuel, reduces their overall weight and can carry heavier payloads or travel further.
- Cryogenic engines are throttleable (ability to vary/adjust their thrust levels during flight). This capability is essential for precise control during ascent, orbit insertion, manoeuvring, and controlled re-entry of a rocket.
Challenges:
- They require complex and expensive infrastructure to store and handle extremely cold propellants. E.g., Hydrogen in liquid form needs to be maintained at -253 degrees C (and the liquid oxygen at -184 degrees C) and leaks very easily.
- The initial development process of cryogenic engines and maintenance is expensive.
Note: ISRO accomplished the human rating of its cryogenic engine (CE-20), which will power the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launcher for India’s first human space flight mission (Gaganyaan).

BHARATPOL Portal

Context: The Union Home Minister has recently inaugurated the BHARATPOL portal which aims to provide police and security agencies in India with a seamless connection to INTERPOL, the international police organisation.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about BHARATPOL.

About BHARATPOL

BHARATPOL is a digital platform developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
It integrates CBI (Nodal agency of INTERPOL in India) with State law enforcement agencies and the Centre for sharing information on fugitives and processing requests for INTERPOL notices to enhance international law enforcement cooperation, especially in dealing with transnational crimes.
Primary purpose: To facilitate faster and paperless processing of INTERPOL notices, extradition requests, and other forms of international legal assistance.
- Previously, Indian police had to rely on manual methods and letters to coordinate with INTERPOL and foreign agencies, leading to delays in cases related to fugitives and transnational crimes.
- Bharatpol eliminates these inefficiencies by offering a centralised and real-time digital platform.

Core Objective

Provide a Broadcast Hub for Assistance and Real-Time Action against Transnational Crimes by improving collaboration between Indian law enforcement agencies and their foreign counterparts.
It integrates with INTERPOL and foreign law enforcement agencies to streamline the handling of fugitives, international investigations, and legal requests.

Components of BHARATPOL system

Paperless system: All INTERPOL-related processes, including notices and extradition requests, are handled digitally to reduce time delays.
Real-Time communication: It ensures rapid transmission of alerts, requests, and notices between Indian and international authorities.
Comprehensive support: BHARATPOL provides access to documents, guidelines, templates, and training resources to assist officers in drafting legal requests and conducting international investigations.

Key Features of BHARATPOL

Real-Time Information Sharing: BHARATPOL facilitates quicker and more efficient sharing of information among law enforcement agencies both domestically and internationally.
Centralised Platform: It serves as a unified platform for processing international requests related to criminal investigations, including the issuance of Red Notices and other INTERPOL notices.
Enhanced Collaboration: It improves collaboration between Central, State, and Union Territory Law enforcement agencies, allowing seamless communication among various police bodies.
Streamlined Communication: BHARATPOL replaces outdated communication methods (like letters and faxes) with digital solutions, ensuring faster exchanges between the CBI and INTERPOL liaison officers.
Capacity Building: The portal provides resources for training field-level officers, improving their skills in handling international investigations.

Significance for India

Enhances India's ability to handle transnational crimes efficiently.
Improves the extradition process and legal proceedings by reducing delays caused by bureaucratic hurdles.
Strengthens India's global cooperation in law enforcement agencies, Interpol and other international bodies.