General Studies Paper-1

Context: As per The Central Water Commission’s (CWC) report, Himalayan glacial lakes are rapidly expanding, posing an increasing threat to communities and ecosystems.

Major Findings

• The total inventory area of glacial lakes within India increased from 1,962 hectares in 2011 to 2,623 in 2024 i.e. a 33.7% increase.
• It also identified 67 lakes in India that witnessed an over 40% increase in surface area, placing them in the high-risk category for potential GLOFs.
• Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh showed the most notable expansions, signalling a heightened risk of GLOFs.
• Glacial lakes and other water bodies across the Himalayan region saw an overall area increase of 10.81% in 2024.
• The transboundary risk is posed by expanding glacial lakes in neighbouring countries, including Bhutan, Nepal and China.

What are Glacial Lakes?

• A glacial lake is a body of water that originates from a glacier. It typically forms at the foot of a glacier, but may form on, in, or under it.
• They are divided into two groups:
• Ice-contact lakes which are characterized by the presence of glacier ice terminating in lake water.
• Distal lakes that are somewhat distant, but still influenced by, the presence of glaciers and/or ice sheets.

What are Glacial Lake Outbursts?

• As glacial lakes grow larger in size, they become more dangerous because they are mostly dammed by unstable ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris.
• In case the boundary around them breaks, huge amounts of water rush down the side of the mountains, which cause flooding in the downstream areas called glacial lake outburst floods or GLOF.
• In 2013 Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath witnessed flash floods along with a GLOF caused by the Chorabari Tal glacial lake, killing thousands of people.

Reasons for the Glacial Lake Outbursts

• Rising Temperatures: The warming climate is causing glaciers to melt more rapidly in the Himalayas, contributing to the formation of new glacial lakes and the expansion of existing ones.
• Increased Glacier Instability: The rapid melting and retreat of glaciers lead to the destabilization of the moraines (ridges of rock and debris) that hold back water.
• Monsoon Rains: The Indian monsoon season brings intense rainfall to the Himalayan region, which increases the volume of water flowing into glacial lakes.
• Earthquakes and Landslides: The Himalayan region is seismically active, and earthquakes trigger landslides or rockfalls into glacial lakes.
• Development Projects: In the Himalayan region, there is increasing pressure to develop infrastructure, increasing the risk of landslides.
• Lack of Monitoring and Preparedness: Many of the glacial lakes in India are not regularly monitored, especially those in remote areas.

Consequences of GLOFs in India

• Flooding: A GLOF causes severe downstream flooding, wiping out villages, infrastructure, and farmland in affected areas.
• Erosion and Riverbank Damage: Sudden floods cause significant erosion of riverbanks, destabilizing land and infrastructure.
• Loss of Lives and Livelihoods: Communities living in flood-prone areas are at direct risk, especially those with limited resources to cope with the aftermath of such events.
• Infrastructure Damage: Roads, bridges, hydropower plants, and other critical infrastructure is destroyed by the massive surges of water.

Preventive Measures Taken

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has finalised a list of 189 “high-risk” glacial lakes formitigation measures to reduce the risk.
• Steps include constituting teams to investigate these lakes and attempt lake-lowering measures, which are done to buffer against any overflow.
• The National Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP) aims at detailed technical hazard assessments, installing automated weather and water level monitoring stations (AWWS) and early warning systems (EWS) at the lakes and in downstream areas.
• So far, 15 expeditions have been conducted including six in Sikkim, six in Ladakh, one in Himachal Pradesh and two in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems can help solve some of the main data collection and coordination problems in the sustainable development and management of Indian cities.

About

• As India continues on its trajectory of economic development, it is expected to add about 270 million citizens to its cities over the next 20 years.
• Such rapid urbanization will bring challenges, requiring to identify pathways of sustainable development to ensure that the country can realise the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The vision for a developed nation in the 100th year of independence – for every Indian.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
• Artificial intelligence allows machines to model, or even improve upon, the capabilities of the human mind.
• From the development of self-driving cars to the proliferation of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard, AI is increasingly becoming part of everyday life — and an area every industry are investing in.

Sustainable development

• It refers to the concept of meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• It emphasizes the balance between three critical pillars: economic development, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
• In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global framework consisting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Role of AI in Sustainable Development

• Predictive Analysis for Growth: AI can forecast urban growth patterns, helping planners make data-driven decisions regarding zoning, infrastructure development, and resource allocation.
• Ecosystem Monitoring: AI can help monitor biodiversity, forest cover, and other environmental indicators, supporting conservation efforts and protecting natural ecosystems within cities.
• Pollution Control: AI-based systems can predict air quality and suggest measures for controlling pollution.
• Data-Driven Governance: AI can assist city governments in making informed decisions by analyzing large volumes of data related to urban growth, resource use, pollution, and public services.
• Transportation: For public transport to appear as a viable alternative to car owners, it is vital that last-mile connectivity to bus and Metro rail services be seamlessly and predictably available.
• Electric Vehicles (EV) Integration: AI can help manage the integration of electric vehicles into transportation networks, optimizing charging stations, route planning, and energy consumption.

Government Initiatives

• Make AI in India: The Government announced the formation of three centres for AI in the areas of agriculture, health, and urban sustainability with an overall budget of Rs 990 crore in its Budget Announcement of 2023-24 with the mandate to ‘Make AI in India and Make AI work for India’.
• The Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015, aims to develop 100 cities into smart cities with advanced technology and infrastructure to improve the quality of urban life.
• AI is a crucial component of this mission, helping cities address sustainability issues, optimize resources, and reduce environmental impacts.
• Promotion of Electrical Vehicles: India is promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), and AI plays a key role in optimizing EV operations and infrastructure.

Conclusion

• AI has the potential to be a game-changer in India’s quest for sustainable development, offering innovative solutions to the country’s most pressing challenges.
• As India faces rapid urbanization, resource depletion, climate change, and socio-economic inequalities, AI can play a pivotal role in creating smart, efficient, and inclusive systems.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The varied demographic trends across Indian states raise significant concerns about their broader implications.

Demographic Trends in India

• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Between 2019 and 2021, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh recorded a TFR of 1.5.
• Conversely, Bihar (3), Uttar Pradesh (2.7), and Madhya Pradesh (2.6) had higher fertility rates.
• A TFR of 2.1 is considered the replacement level needed to maintain a stable population.
• Aging Population Concerns: According to India Ageing Report (UNFPA) the elderly population in India is projected to increase from 10.1% in 2021 to 15% by 2036.
• In Kerala the elderly population is 16.5% whereas in Bihar it is 7.7%, in 2021.

Implications of Aging Population

• Economic implications;
• Increased Public Spending on Pensions with growth in elderly population.
• Old Age Dependency Ratio: Indicates the number of older adults for every 100 people of working age (18-59 years). A ratio exceeding 15% signals an aging crisis. Some southern states have already crossed this benchmark.
• Reduced Consumer Demand: An aging population tends to consume less compared to a younger, more active demographic.
• Pressure on Healthcare Infrastructure: In 2017-18, southern states accounted for 32% of India’s total out-of-pocket spending on cardiovascular diseases despite having only one-fifth of the population.
• Political Implications;
• Interstate Resource Tensions: Southern states, despite contributing significantly to tax revenue, receive a diminishing share of central resources due to slower population growth.
• Delimitation and Representation: The expiration of the freeze on parliamentary seats in 2026 will lead to a new delimitation exercise that will alter state representation in the Lok Sabha, influenced by population changes.
• Social implications: The burden of supporting a growing elderly population can create tension between generations.
• Also there will be more requirements for alternative support systems such as community-based care.

Global scenario

• In Japan the median age is over 48 years. This demographic shift has led to prolonged economic stagnation, shrinking workforce, and increased public spending on pensions and healthcare.
• China’s one-child policy, enforced from 1979 to 2015, significantly lowered the birth rate, leading to a rapidly aging population.
• South Korea has one of the world’s lowest fertility rates, at 0.78 as of 2022.

Way Ahead

• Policy Adjustments: Policies should focus on supporting families through paid maternity and paternity leave, and employment practices that mitigate the “motherhood penalty.”
• Gender Equity: States and countries with better gender equity maintain more sustainable fertility rates, as women are more willing to have children if they retain economic independence.
• Strategic Support: Implementing work-family policies that align with modern socio-economic expectations will support fertility rates and ensure balanced demographic and economic growth.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The Supreme Court affirmed that accessibility to environments, services, and opportunities is an essential human and fundamental right for persons with disabilities,  yet this right is largely unfulfilled.

Disability rights in India

• Disability rights in India are undergoing a transformative shift, propelled by the government’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
• This movement is supported by various policies and initiatives aimed at ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability, can access opportunities and participate fully in society.
• Recently, the Supreme Court directed the government to update the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules to enforce mandatory standards within three months.

Key efforts Taken

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD): Replaces the 1995 Act, aligning with the UNCRPD to promote dignity, non-discrimination, and equal opportunities for PwDs.
• National Trust Act, 1999: Establishes a body dedicated to the welfare of individuals with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities.
• Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992: Regulates rehabilitation services, standardizes syllabi, and maintains a Central Rehabilitation Register for qualified professionals.
• Scheme for Implementation of RPwD Act (SIPDA): Aims to provide skill development training to PwDs aged 15-59, particularly for those with hearing and speech impairments.
• ADIP Scheme: Provides aids and assistive devices, including cochlear implants for children with hearing impairments, through funding to agencies.
• SAMARTH Respite Care: Offers temporary housing support for orphans, crisis-affected families, and PwDs from low-income groups.
• Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS): Provides grants to NGOs running special schools, early intervention programs, and community-based rehabilitation projects for PwDs.
• National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC): Offers concessional loans for PwDs’ socio-economic empowerment via Divyangjan Swavalamban Yojana and Vishesh Microfinance Yojana.
• PM-DAKSH-DEPwD Portal: Offers two modules: Skill Training for PwDs and Divyangjan Rozgar Setu, which connects PwDs to employment opportunities.
• Accessible India Campaign: This initiative aims to create a barrier-free environment in education, transportation, and public spaces to enhance accessibility for everyone.
• Divya Kala Mela: This event celebrates the craftsmanship of differently-abled artisans, promoting economic self-reliance and showcasing their talents.

Issues and Concerns

• Ground-Level Disparities: There are inconsistencies in accessible infrastructure across regions, such as Delhi having 3,775 wheelchair-accessible buses versus Tamil Nadu’s 1,917, and highlighted those newer facilities, like Andheri Metro Station, meet standards, while older ones, like the Bombay Art Gallery, lack basic accessibility features.
• Overlooked Right to Relationships: society often neglects the emotional and relational rights of PWDs, including the need for love, privacy, and intimacy, which are often denied due to inadequate private spaces.
• Mandatory Accessibility Standards: There are concerns for the lack of mandatory accessibility standards.
• Social Model of Disability: The “social model of disability,” which shifts the focus from “fixing” individuals to removing physical, organizational, and attitudinal barriers that create disability in society.
• Role of Society: Disability becomes a tragedy only if society fails to provide adequate resources and support to PWDs.

Suggestions and Way Forward

• Built Environment Accessibility: There is a need to ensure accessible indoor and outdoor facilities, such as schools, medical centers, and workplaces.
• Remove physical barriers to create inclusive environments benefiting everyone, including persons with disabilities (PwDs).
• Transportation System Accessibility: Enable accessible transportation options across air travel, buses, taxis, and trains.
• Information and Communication Accessibility: Provide accessible information to enable informed decision-making in daily life (e.g., reading price tags, event participation, healthcare info, train schedules).
• Increasing Sign Language Interpreters: Expand the number of sign language interpreters to support individuals relying on sign language.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: According to National Health Accounts estimates for 2021-22, India has recorded a decline in out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE).

The report suggests that the OOPE declined from 64.2% in 2013-14 to 39.4% in 2021-22.

Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE)

• Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in healthcare refers to the money people pay directly from their own pockets for medical services, such as doctor visits, medicines, and hospital stays.
• OOPE forces low-income families to spend a large portion of their earnings or savings on healthcare.
• This financial burden can push families into poverty, create debt, and make it harder for them to afford other essentials like food and education.

Reasons for the Decline in OOPE

• Government Health Expenditure (GHE): Between 2014-15 and 2021-22, the government’s share of health expenditure grew from 1.13% to 1.84% of GDP.
• Expansion of Social Security Expenditure (SSE): Government-funded health insurance and social health programs, rose from 5.7% of Total Health Expenditure (THE) in 2014-15 to 8.7% in 2021-22.
• Government-Funded Insurance Schemes: Programs like Ayushman Bharat, along with various state-level health insurance schemes, have provided insurance coverage to economically vulnerable populations.
• Targeted Programs for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): With rising cases of NCDs, the government has initiated targeted programs to manage and prevent these long-term health conditions.
• Focus on Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce has increased in rural and underserved regions.

Government Schemes

• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): It provides health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY): It provides quality generic medicines available at affordable prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
• Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY): It offers health insurance for below-poverty-line (BPL) families, with coverage up to ₹30,000 for most diseases requiring hospitalization.
• Telemedicine Services (eSanjeevani): Facilitates remote consultation services, which help in reducing the cost burden associated with traveling and in-person consultations.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): It provides assured, comprehensive, and quality antenatal care, free of cost, on the 9th of every month.

Implications of Reduced OOPE for India’s Healthcare System

• Increased Financial Stability for Households: With less of their income going towards healthcare expenses, families can allocate funds toward other essentials, improving their financial resilience.
• Foundation for Universal Health Coverage: The decline in OOPE and strengthened public healthcare funding align with India’s long-term goal of achieving universal health coverage.
• Encouragement for Workforce Participation in Healthcare: With better government funding, healthcare facilities can hire and train more staff, which improves service delivery, especially in underserved areas.

Concluding remarks

• The reduction in OOPE is a transformative shift, marking India’s commitment to a more inclusive healthcare system.
• As the government continues to invest in healthcare, the future holds the potential for universal health coverage where everyone, irrespective of income, has access to quality medical services.
• This shift does not only signify financial relief but also enhances India’s public health resilience, promoting a healthier, more economically stable population.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: The “Adaptation Gap Report 2024: Come Hell and High Water” was released by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Adaptation Gap Report (AGR)

• It is an annual publication by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Its purpose is to assess global progress on climate change adaptation, i.e. the efforts made by countries to adjust and prepare for current and future climate impacts.
• Adaptation gap refers to the difference between the actual adaptation efforts being implemented and the adaptation needs required to mitigate the risks posed by climate change.

Key Highlights

• Adaptation Finance Gap: Although international public adaptation finance for developing countries increased to $28 billion in 2022, the overall gap remains substantial.
• Even doubling adaptation finance from 2019 levels, as targeted by 2025 under the Glasgow Climate Pact, would only reduce the finance gap by about 5%.
• Adaptation Planning and Implementation: 87% of countries now have at least one national adaptation planning instrument. Of these, 51 per cent have a second, and 20 per cent have a third.
• Aligning National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is crucial for strategic implementation.
• UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (FGCR): Progress towards UAE FGCR targets, agreed at COP 28, is mixed, with thematic areas like poverty reduction and cultural heritage protection needing more focus.
• Many NAPs reference UAE FGCR targets but lack comprehensive data and planning for all sectors.
• Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer: Enhancing capacity and technology transfer in developing countries is vital but currently lacks effectiveness due to uncoordinated, short-term efforts.

Challenges in bridging the Finance Gap

• Complexity of Financing Instruments: The adaptation finance landscape includes resilience bonds, debt-for-adaptation swaps, and performance-based climate grants.
• Implementing these instruments effectively requires strong institutional capacity, which is lacking in developing nations.
• Policy Barriers: An absence of robust enabling policies, such as climate risk disclosure frameworks and adaptation taxonomies, hinders private sector engagement.
• High Dependence on Public Finance: The report highlights the limited involvement of the private sector, which could contribute more, especially in sectors where there are revenue-generating opportunities.

Policy Recommendations

• Adaptation efforts must prioritize fairness and equity to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities, especially concerning gender and disadvantaged communities.
• The principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be reinforced in climate finance discussions.
• Implement holistic approaches that cover adaptation finance, capacity-building, and technology transfer as part of an integrated development strategy.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: The Tamil Nadu government introduced the Tamil Nadu Repowering, Refurbishment, and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects – 2024, aiming to enhance wind energy output by repowering or refurbishing small wind turbines.

However stakeholders have raised objections to the policy, citing concerns about its effectiveness.

Wind Energy Potential in India

• India has wind power potential for 1,163.86 GW at 150 metres above ground level, and is ranked fourth in the world for installed wind energy capacity.
• Only about 6.5% of this wind potential is used at the national level.
• Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh are the leading States for installed wind energy capacity, collectively contributing 93.37% of the country’s wind power capacity installation.
• As of 2024, renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity stands at 201.45 GW, accounting for 46.3 percent of the country’s total installed capacity.
• Solar power contributes towards 90.76 GW, wind power follows closely with 47.36 GW, hydroelectric power generating 46.92 GW and small hydro power adding 5.07 GW, and biopower, including biomass and biogas energy, adds another 11.32 GW.

India’s Targets

• India has a vision to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2070, in addition to attaining the short-term targets which include:
• Increasing renewables capacity to 500 GW by 2030, out of which 140 GW will be coming from wind power.
• Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewables.
• Reducing cumulative emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030, and
• Reducing emissions intensity of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels.

Challenges

• Dependency on Natural Factors: Energy sources like solar and wind are variable as they rely on natural factors like sunlight, wind and water availability.
• Limited Wind Resource Areas: India’s wind resource potential is largely concentrated in specific regions, such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
• As the wind energy sector expands, land in these regions is becoming increasingly scarce.
• Wildlife Impact: Wind turbines pose a threat to bird and bat populations, which can collide with the blades.
• High Cost: The cost of turbines, installation, and grid connection can be prohibitive, though costs have been declining in recent years.
• Turbine Lifecycle: Wind turbines typically have a lifespan of around 20-25 years.
• Decommissioning and recycling turbine blades, which are made of composite materials, has become a significant concern due to their difficulty in recycling.
• Offshore wind farms are more difficult and expensive to build than onshore ones due to the need for specialized vessels, equipment, and installation techniques.
• These projects are often located in deep waters, requiring floating turbines, which are still in the experimental stages.

Government Initiatives

• National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015): This policy was introduced to develop offshore wind energy potential in India, especially along the coastlines of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and other maritime regions.
• National Wind Energy Mission: Focuses on the development and expansion of wind energy in India. The target for wind energy capacity is set at 140 GW by 2030.
• National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018): The main objective of the policy is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources.
• Wind Resource Assessment: The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), conducts wind resource assessments to identify potential sites for wind energy generation across the country.
• Wind Farm Development: The program promotes the development of wind power plants by providing financial incentives, including subsidies for setting up wind energy projects in identified areas.
• Wind Energy Auctions (Competitive Bidding): The government conducts competitive auctions where developers submit bids for setting up wind power projects.
• Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO): This requires power distribution companies and large electricity consumers to procure a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources, encouraging the demand for renewable energy.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The Supreme Court ruled that an institution founded by a minority community retains its minority status even when recognized by statute.

Case Background

• The judgment was in response to petitions seeking minority status for Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
• AMU’s minority status, established in 1875, was restored by the AMU (Amendment) Act in 1981.
• Petitioners challenged the 1967 S. Azeez Basha v. Union of India case, which had held that AMU could not be considered a minority institution.

Supreme Court’s Observations

• Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud held that a minority institution could claim minority status, but the community must prove it was established to preserve its cultural identity.
• Interpretation of Article 30(1): Article 30(1) allows religious and linguistic minorities to establish and manage educational institutions.
• The Chief Justice classified Article 30(1) as anti-discriminatory and a “special rights” provision for minorities.
• Legislation or actions that discriminate against minority institutions are invalid under Article 30(1).
• Minority institutions are guaranteed autonomy in administration under this provision.
• Scope of Minority Status: The protection under Article 30(1) also applies to universities established before the Constitution.
• Institutions need not be exclusively for the minority community, but “predominantly” benefit them.
• State Regulation: State regulation of minority institutions is allowed but must not infringe on their minority character.
• Right to Administer: An institution’s minority character is not lost if management is not directly run by the founding community.
• Minority institutions can appoint others to manage the institution, especially in specialized fields like law or medicine, to ensure educational values are emphasized.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: A workshop on drone technology in fisheries was held at ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi.

About Fisheries and Aquaculture sector

• They are a key source of food, nutrition, employment, income, and foreign exchange.
• Fish, rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, helps combat hunger and malnutrition.
• India’s Position in Fisheries: 2nd largest fish-producing nation, with ~8% of global production.
• Top aquaculture producer, 3rd largest in capture fisheries, and a leading shrimp exporter.
• Record Fish Production: Fish production grew from 7.52 lakh tonnes in 1950-51 to 175.45 lakh tonnes in 2022-23.
• Inland fisheries and aquaculture production doubled since 2013-14, reaching 131.33 lakh tonnes in 2022-23.
• Doubling of Exports: Seafood exports increased from Rs 30,213 crore (2013-14) to Rs 60,523.89 crore (2023-24), with the USA as the largest market.
• The sector contributes 1.069% to National GVA and 6.86% to Agriculture GVA, with steady growth from 2014-15 to 2021-22.
• Government Efforts: The Government of India has invested Rs 38,572 crore over the last decade to drive the Blue Revolution, transforming the fisheries sector.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): PMMSY focuses on sustainable, inclusive growth in fisheries and aquaculture.
• Other initiatives include modern aquaculture practices, satellite monitoring, and the exploration of drone technology for various applications.

Technology in Fisheries

• Efficient application of technology is essential for both fish production and utilization, covering fishing craft, gear, preservation, processing, and distribution.
• Digital technologies like ICT, IoT, AI, machine learning, blockchain, and Cloud-edge computing can support the expansion and sustainability of the aquaculture and fisheries sectors.
• Drone Technology in Fisheries: Drones are used for water sampling, disease detection, feed management, aquaculture farm management, and fish marketing.
• Underwater drones help monitor fish behavior and detect distress.

Importance

• Increased Productivity: Technology enables fishermen to catch more fish with fewer resources and time.
• Enhanced Safety: Real-time updates on weather and sea conditions reduce risks for fishermen.
• Reduced Waste: Better storage and transportation reduce post-harvest losses, ensuring that more of the catch reaches consumers.
• Sustainability: Monitoring tools can help prevent overfishing and encourage responsible practices.
• Economic Upliftment: Improved efficiency and access to market data help fishermen earn better incomes.

Issues and Concerns

• Slow development: Technological advancements in fishing and processing have been slow in India, relying largely on inshore, small-scale fishing methods
• High Initial Cost: Many fishermen cannot afford the latest technologies, leading to inequalities within the sector.
• Training and Adaptation: Many fishers need training to use new technologies effectively, which may be challenging for older generations or those with limited literacy.
• Environmental Concerns: Certain technologies, if misused, can contribute to overfishing and disrupt marine ecosystems.
• Dependency on Technology: Over-reliance on technological tools can make fishers vulnerable if the technology fails or requires maintenance.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• Technology has great potential to revolutionize India’s fisheries sector, making it more productive, sustainable, and resilient.
• However, the adoption of technology must be balanced with considerations of cost, environmental impact, and training to ensure long-term benefits for the sector and its stakeholders.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: According to the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Portal, from 2014 to 2023, ₹1.84 lakh crore of CSR funds were disbursed.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• It involves companies taking responsibility for their impact on environmental and social well-being, working to improve society and reduce negative impacts.
• India’s CSR Mandate: India became the first country to legally mandate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013.
• It requires companies to undertake social welfare projects.
• It aims to advance sustainable development goals and foster public-private partnerships to drive India’s transformation.

Thrust Areas for CSR Initiatives

• Education: Investments in schools, scholarships, educational resources, and infrastructure improvements, especially in underserved communities.
• Health: Improving healthcare access through hospital construction, mobile clinics, and telemedicine for underserved areas.
• Employment: Creating job opportunities, skill training, and inclusive hiring to support marginalized groups.
• Skill Development: Programs for technical and vocational training, apprenticeships, and certifications.
• Sports: Supporting sports events, building facilities, and promoting participation among youth and marginalized groups.
• Livelihood: Enhancing livelihoods with support for income-generating activities, microfinance, and sustainable practices.
• Environmental Sustainability: Reducing ecological impact through conservation, eco-friendly practices, and resource management.

Need in Agriculture sector

• Agriculture employs nearly 47% of India’s workforce and contributes 16.73% to GDP.
• However, challenges include natural resource degradation, stagnant farmer incomes, and climate threats.

CSR Contributions to Agriculture

• Many companies are focusing CSR efforts on climate action and sustainability in agriculture.
• An outlook report showed that 23% of surveyed companies prioritize “environment and sustainability” for CSR.
• CSR funds support agriculture through projects like grain banks, farmer schools, livelihood projects, water conservation, and energy-efficient irrigation.

Main Challenges

• There is no precise way to track CSR funds specifically targeted at agriculture due to a lack of categorization in reporting mechanisms.
• Agricultural sustainability-related CSR activities can fall under 11 sectors listed in Schedule VII of the Companies Act. These categories are broad, making it hard to track agriculture-specific CSR spending.

Future Recommendations

• Developing a sector-specific CSR reporting framework would help address agricultural sustainability needs effectively and support India’s sustainable growth and just transition goals.
• To ensure effective funding and impact, agriculture should be specified as a distinct sector in CSR reporting.

This would enhance targeting, transparency, and assessment of CSR contributions to agriculture.