12 issues picked from 63 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model
How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.
GS3 Disaster ManagementGS1 GeographyPrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti told the Rajya Sabha about FMBAP projects, flood-affected area and central assistance to States (USQ 1051).
What it is
FMBAP is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It gives central assistance to States for flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion works. It also funds river management and anti-erosion works in border areas with Nepal and Bangladesh.
Nature of scheme
FMBAP is a centrally sponsored scheme giving central assistance to States for flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion works.
Role of States
Flood schemes are formulated and implemented by States as per their priority. The Union supplements with technical guidance and promotional financial assistance.
RMBA component
RMBA funds maintenance of Kosi and Gandak flood protection works in the Nepal portion, and anti-erosion works in border areas with Bangladesh and Nepal in India.
Flood-affected area
CWC assessment (2024 report, 1986-2022 satellite data) puts flood-affected area at 21.213 Mha, with 20.538 Mha protected.
Works funded
Works include embankments, sluices, retaining/gabion walls, drainage channels, bank revetment, groynes/spurs and RCC porcupines.
Don’t confuse with FMBAP vs RMBA: RMBA is only one component of FMBAP, for border river works; FMBAP also covers general flood control and anti-erosion works in States.
Don’t confuse with FMBAP vs National Disaster Response Fund: FMBAP funds structural flood control works. Disaster funds mainly pay for relief and response.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
Gives States technical and financial support for structural flood protection in critical areas.
Protects border areas and supports joint river management with Nepal and Bangladesh.
Problems
Flood is a State subject, so Centre only supplements; outcomes depend on State priority and capacity.
Embankments need constant maintenance, and a gap remains between affected and protected area.
Way forward
Combine structural works with non-structural measures such as flood forecasting and floodplain zoning.
Speed up project approval and release of funds, with maintenance and basin-level planning.
1.The Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
2.Under FMBAP, flood management schemes are formulated and executed by the Union Government, with States only providing land.
3.The River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas (RMBA) component of FMBAP funds maintenance of the Kosi and Gandak flood protection works in the Nepal portion.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.FMBAP is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
True. FMBAP is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
2.Under FMBAP, flood management schemes are planned and executed by the Union Government, with States only providing land.
False. States formulate and implement flood schemes as per their priority; the Union gives technical guidance and promotional financial assistance.
3.FMBAP assistance can be used for anti-sea erosion and drainage development works.
True. Scope includes flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion.
4.The RMBA component of FMBAP funds maintenance of Kosi and Gandak flood protection works located in Nepal.
True. RMBA funds Kosi and Gandak works in the Nepal portion and border-area anti-erosion works with Nepal and Bangladesh.
5.The RMBA component covers border river works with Pakistan and China as well as Nepal and Bangladesh.
False. The release mentions only the Nepal and Bangladesh borders.
6.The Central Water Commission's 2024 assessment of flood-affected area uses satellite imagery data from 1986 to 2022.
True. The CWC report is based on satellite imagery from 1986 to 2022.
7.According to the CWC assessment cited, the area protected by flood management measures is greater than the total flood-affected area.
False. Protected area is 20.538 Mha, less than the flood-affected area of 21.213 Mha.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
GS3 Environment and EconomyGS2 International climatePrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026 NITI Aayog released the first three of eleven study reports on scenarios towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero by 2070, at the Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
What it is
NITI Aayog is the Government of India's policy think tank. These reports are its first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated scenario modelling that links Viksit Bharat 2047 with India's net zero pledge for 2070. They are meant to inform long-term policy planning.
Nature of study
India's first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated study of development scenarios that meet Viksit Bharat 2047 and net zero GHG emissions by 2070.
Inputs
The study was informed by ten inter-ministerial working groups covering macroeconomics, sectoral transitions, finance, critical minerals, R&D and social implications.
Power findings
Electricity's share of final energy can rise to as much as 60% in 2070 from 21% in 2025; non-fossil generation share rises from 23% to 80-85%.
Coal
Coal consumption keeps rising till 2047 even as India meets net zero goals.
Transport
Electricity, biofuels and hydrogen can meet nearly 90% of transport energy demand by 2070.
Industry demand
Demand for steel, cement and aluminium is set to rise 4-6 times by 2070.
Scope
Eleven reports will be released on 9 and 10 February 2026. Three came out on the first day.
Publisher
NITI Aayog was set up in 2015 replacing the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister chairs it.
Don’t confuse with Viksit Bharat 2047 vs net zero 2070: Viksit Bharat targets a developed India by 2047; net zero emissions is India's pledge for 2070.
Don’t confuse with Net zero 2070 vs Viksit Bharat 2047: Viksit Bharat 2047 is the development goal for 100 years of independence. Net zero by 2070 is India's climate pledge made at COP26.
Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.
Why it matters
Gives a long-term, integrated roadmap linking growth with climate goals, which India lacked since the 2008 Integrated Energy Policy.
Shows development and green transition can go together, guiding ministries' planning for power, transport, industry and minerals.
Gives India a long-term, integrated plan linking growth with the net zero pledge.
Shows the funding needed and may support India's case for climate finance in global talks.
Problems
Hard-to-abate industry sectors such as steel and cement are the toughest to decarbonise.
Grid integration of renewables, storage and transmission, and the financial health of Discoms need heavy investment.
Critical mineral imports will rise, and the technologies needed must become cheaper.
A $6.5 trillion financing gap depends on external capital, which is uncertain.
Rising coal use till 2047 and carbon-related trade barriers strain the transition.
Way forward
Ministries should take up detailed policy work and implementation on the scenario pathways.
Raise electrification, circularity, material efficiency and recycling, and build domestic and international critical mineral supply chains.
Push electrification, clean power, circularity and Mission LiFE behaviour change.
Reform domestic finance and seek cheaper external climate finance under common but differentiated responsibilities.
Put in your answer
Electricity share of energy: Electricity's share of final energy can rise from 21% in 2025 to as high as 60% in 2070.
Critical minerals recycling: Recycling could meet 20-25% of copper and graphite demand by mid-century.
Final energy demand: Electrification, circularity and efficiency can cut final energy demand by 20% in 2070.
Financing gap: Net Zero needs $22.7 trillion by 2070, with a $6.5 trillion gap.
Strategy for net zero: The CEO listed five steps: electrify energy use, green electricity, control demand via Mission LiFE, circularity and efficiency, and cheaper external finance.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Test yourself
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
With reference to the NITI Aayog study reports on scenarios towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070, released in February 2026, which one of the following statements is correct?
Select the correct answer.
True or false?
1 of 9
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The NITI Aayog study is described as India's first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated scenario study linking Viksit Bharat 2047 with net zero.
True. It is the first such government-led integrated study.
2.The study targets net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2047.
False. The net zero target year is 2070; 2047 is the Viksit Bharat year.
3.The study projects that India's coal consumption will keep rising till 2047 even while meeting net zero goals.
True. Coal use continues to rise till 2047.
4.The study estimates demand for steel, cement and aluminium will fall by 2070 because of circularity.
False. Demand is set to rise 4-6 times by 2070.
5.The study was informed by ten inter-ministerial working groups.
True. Ten inter-ministerial working groups fed the study.
6.The study is the first government-led, multi-sectoral integrated assessment of development scenarios in India aligned with Viksit Bharat and net zero.
True. The release calls it India's first such government-led study.
7.The Net Zero scenario needs capital mobilisation of about $22.7 trillion by 2070, including a financing gap of about $6.5 trillion.
True. $22.7 trillion needed, $6.5 trillion gap.
8.According to the CEO of NITI Aayog, India's coal consumption will peak and decline before 2047.
False. Coal consumption will keep rising till 2047.
9.NITI Aayog, the publisher of the study, is chaired by the Prime Minister.
True. The Prime Minister is the Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
NITI Aayog has released reports on scenarios towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070, covering transport, industry, power and critical minerals. Examine the challenges of reconciling India's development goals with its net zero pledge, and suggest a way forward.
GS3 Environment · BiodiversityGS2 Statutory bodiesPrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disbursed Rs 45.05 lakh in Access and Benefit Sharing payments to over 90 Biodiversity Management Committees in 10 States and 2 UTs, and to 15 Red Sanders farmers.
What it is
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, headquartered in Chennai. It regulates access to India's biological resources and associated knowledge by commercial users and foreign entities. Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) requires users to share benefits with the providers and local communities, in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol.
Amount and recipients
Rs 1.19 crore went to 29 State Biodiversity Boards and one UT Biodiversity Council.
Basis of allocation
Because resources were bought through markets or traders, individual benefit claimers could not be identified. Shares were set in proportion to estimated cultivation areas.
Use of funds
Funds must be used only for activities under Section 32(2) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Legal basis and seat
NBA was set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and is headquartered in Chennai.
COP 17
COP 17 of the CBD is scheduled for 19-30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.
Top sector
The agri-seed sector gave the largest share, Rs 7.16 crore, followed by food and beverages.
Cumulative since 2008
NBA has realised about Rs 278 crore through ABS and disbursed over Rs 200 crore for conservation and benefit claimers.
Disbursal route
Funds go through State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils to support People's Biodiversity Registers and Biodiversity Management Committees.
Legal basis and HQ
NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, headquartered in Chennai.
Amended framework
The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 and the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024 have strengthened the framework under the 2002 Act. States are urged to align their rules with it.
ABS funds shared
The NBA has shared over ₹200 crore of ABS funds with farmers, communities, BMCs, SBBs, UTBCs and research institutions.
Local bodies
The Minister called for making the more than 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees functional.
International reporting
India submitted its 7th National Report to the CBD and its 1st National Report on the Nagoya Protocol.
NBA basis and seat
The NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, headquartered in Chennai.
Amount sanctioned
₹8.23 crore was sanctioned to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 UT Biodiversity Councils, from bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion.
Distribution basis
The resources came from the open market or traders, so no individual providers could be traced. Shares go to States by area under cultivation, as published by the Agriculture Ministry.
Legal basis
The NBA was established in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and is headquartered in Chennai. It is a statutory, autonomous body.
Three-tier structure
The Act sets up the NBA at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards in States, and Biodiversity Management Committees at local body level.
Okra component
The largest part is for okra: Rs. 3.51 crore released to 32 SBBs and UTBCs, from money paid by Nunhems India.
Distribution modality
Since the resources came from markets and traders, the share is split among States and UTs where the resource is cultivated, as recommended by an Expert Committee and approved by the Authority.
Cumulative total
Total ABS disbursed by the NBA has crossed Rs. 191 crore.
Amount and source
Rs. 15.52 crore came from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, which developed ten mustard hybrids using Indian biological resources.
Intermediary rule
Where the resource came through intermediaries, ABS is shared among the SBBs/UTBCs of the areas where it is cultivated.
Unidentified source of access
Where resources were accessed via markets, traders or intermediaries, the source could not be identified, so the NBA used benefit-sharing modalities prepared by an Expert Committee.
Basis of distribution
Money was shared among SBBs/UTBCs of States where the crops are grown, using cultivation-area data of the Agriculture Ministry.
Local structures
State Biodiversity Boards and Biodiversity Management Committees are set up under the Act; the NBA is at the national level.
Payer
The money came from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, an international seed company that used Indian rice varieties to develop hybrids.
State share basis
Rs 5.75 crore went to 33 State Biodiversity Boards and UT Councils, allocated by each State's rice-growing area. Uttar Pradesh got the most.
Global link
The initiative contributes to Target 13 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, on fair and equitable benefit sharing.
Headquarters
The NBA is headquartered in Chennai.
Where the money goes
If the geographical source of a resource can be established, the ABS amount goes to the State Biodiversity Boards. If not, it stays in the National Biodiversity Fund under Section 27 of the Act.
Basis of State shares
State allocation is proportional to each State's area under cotton, using AICRP (ICAR) data.
Total released
Total ABS funds released by the NBA have reached Rs 152.24 crore.
Effect of notification
Notification regulates or prohibits collection of the species and provides for its rehabilitation and conservation. The Centre may delegate the power to States.
Numbers notified
159 plant and 173 animal species notified as threatened, across 17 States and 3 UTs.
Who the SOP helps
It assists State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils, which recommend species to the State Government for notification.
Link to ABS Regulations
The 2025 ABS Regulations treat benefit-sharing differently where the resource belongs to a species notified as threatened under Section 38.
Money realized
NBA has realized over Rs 266 crore through ABS since 2008, including Rs 21.26 crore in FY 2025-26.
Transfer rule
Under the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, NBA transfers 85-90 per cent of the ABS amount to State Biodiversity Boards for disbursal.
Reach
Benefits reached over 10,500 Biodiversity Management Committees across 23 States and 4 Union Territories.
Leadership
Dr P. L. Gautam, a former head of the NBA and PPVFRA, chairs the committee. The PPVFRA Chairperson is Co-Chair.
Age of the committee
It has been an advisory body of the NBA since 2005 and is reconstituted periodically.
Scope of work
It examines seed sector issues, reviews guidelines for international collaborative research, and recommends measures to conserve threatened native crop varieties and livestock breeds.
International link
The committee gives inputs on India's engagement with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
NBA headquarters
The NBA is headquartered in Chennai.
People's Biodiversity Register
A BMC prepares the PBR in consultation with local people. It records resources, habitats, landraces and traditional knowledge.
National Biodiversity Authority Fund
The NBAF is a statutory fund created under section 27 of the Act. It supports benefit sharing and conservation.
Section 39 repositories
The Central Government can designate institutions as repositories for biological resources. Twenty institutions have been designated so far.
Nagoya Protocol
It is a legally binding supplementary agreement to the CBD, adopted in October 2010 at COP-10 in Nagoya, on fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
Prior registration for IPR
Applicants covered under Section 7 must get a Certificate of Registration from the NBA before seeking IPR, including patents, based on Indian biological resources.
2025-26 numbers
The NBA received 1,077 IPR applications and issued 885 CoRs between April 2025 and March 2026.
2024-25 numbers
Around 857 IPR applications were received and 792 CoRs issued from April 2024 to March 2025.
International basis
The Act implements the Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992; the Nagoya Protocol (2010) deals with access and benefit sharing.
Who got the money
Biodiversity Management Committees in 24 districts across nine States and one Union Territory received the current release. One Haryana dairy farmer was also paid for supplying Murrah buffalo.
Cumulative ABS
Total ABS disbursements at the national level have crossed ₹145 crore, about USD 16 million.
Resources behind the funds
The funds came from commercial use of microorganisms, marine microalgae and seaweed, among others, plus plants such as Tulsi, Moringa, neem and ashwagandha.
International commitments
The NBA implements India's obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, and contributes to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Who receives benefits
Benefits go to institutes, local communities, farmers and Biodiversity Management Committees that provided the parental lines of seeds.
Payout
NBA released Rs 45.05 lakh through State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils to benefit claimers.
Resources used
Benefits came from insects, soil and water microorganisms and cultivated Red Sanders.
International links
NBA advances India's obligations under the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol on ABS.
Amount released
The NBA released Rs 17 lakh to the Mumbai civic body's Biodiversity Management Committee, routed through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board.
Source of benefit
The money comes from the commercial use of soil micro-organisms of the Bacillus genus in probiotic products.
National total
Cumulative ABS disbursements have crossed Rs 144.37 crore, about USD 16 million.
Maharashtra's position
Maharashtra is the second major beneficiary State, next to Andhra Pradesh, whose figure is driven by Red Sanders.
Global frameworks
The outcomes are linked to Targets 13 and 19 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Latest payout
The NBA released ₹45 lakh to Andhra Pradesh farmers through the State Biodiversity Board.
Statutory status and seat
The NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, with headquarters in Chennai.
Red Sanders share
Over ₹104 crore of the total has gone to Andhra Pradesh for Red Sanders conservation, protection and benefit claimers.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs SBB vs BMC: NBA is the national body. State Biodiversity Boards work at State level. Biodiversity Management Committees are local bodies under the same Act.
Don’t confuse with CBD vs Nagoya Protocol: The CBD is the parent treaty. The Nagoya Protocol is its supplementary agreement on access and fair benefit sharing.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs State Biodiversity Board: NBA is the national regulator at Chennai. State Biodiversity Boards regulate use by Indians at the state level and channel benefits.
Don’t confuse with Nagoya Protocol vs Cartagena Protocol: Nagoya concerns access and benefit sharing of genetic resources. Cartagena concerns the biosafety of living modified organisms.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs National Green Tribunal: The NBA is a regulator under the Biological Diversity Act. The NGT is a judicial body under the NGT Act, 2010.
Don’t confuse with Nagoya Protocol vs Kunming-Montreal Framework: Nagoya is a legal protocol on ABS under the CBD; the Kunming-Montreal Framework is a 2022 global target set, with Target 13 on benefit sharing.
Don’t confuse with Section 38 vs IUCN Red List: Section 38 notification is a legal act under Indian law that restricts collection. The IUCN Red List is a global assessment with no legal force in India.
Don’t confuse with Section 38 vs Wild Life (Protection) Act Schedules: Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act covers threatened species and regulates collection; the Wild Life (Protection) Act uses Schedules to protect wild animals and plants.
Don’t confuse with Rs 266 crore vs Rs 145 crore: Rs 266 crore is realized from users; Rs 145 crore is what has been disbursed to beneficiaries so far.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs PPVFRA: The NBA works under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and regulates access and benefit sharing. The PPVFRA works under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001 and registers plant varieties and protects farmers' rights.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs State Biodiversity Boards: The NBA is the national body. State Biodiversity Boards regulate certain uses within their states, and Biodiversity Management Committees work at the local level.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs State Biodiversity Boards vs BMCs: The NBA is national, the SBBs work at state level, and BMCs are local bodies that prepare PBRs.
Don’t confuse with Convention on Biological Diversity vs Nagoya Protocol: The CBD is the parent treaty of 1992. The Nagoya Protocol is its supplementary agreement dealing specifically with access and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs SBB: NBA is the national regulator. State Biodiversity Boards regulate at State level, and BMCs work at local body level.
Don’t confuse with NBA vs Biodiversity Management Committees: Biodiversity Management Committees are local-level bodies that document local biodiversity. The NBA and State Boards sit above them.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
Channels commercial gains from biological resources back to conservation and local communities.
Shows agriculture as a new source of ABS funds, supporting agricultural biodiversity.
ABS ties commercial use of biological resources to conservation and local community benefit.
It operationalises India's commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol.
ABS funds can give tangible benefits to communities and link livelihoods to conservation.
Aligned State rules help implement India's CBD and Nagoya Protocol commitments uniformly.
Turns the fair and equitable benefit-sharing principle into money reaching States for conservation and communities.
Supports India's commitments under the CBD, Nagoya Protocol and Kunming-Montreal Framework Target 13.
Channels commercial gains from biological resources back to conservation and communities.
Strengthens State-level institutions for biodiversity documentation and restoration.
Channels commercial gains from genetic resources to conservation and local communities.
Puts the Nagoya Protocol and Target 13 of the Kunming-Montreal Framework into practice.
Links commercial use of genetic resources to community welfare and conservation funding.
Supports India's commitments under the Nagoya Protocol and the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Turns commercial use of genetic resources into funds for conservation and for research institutions.
Shows India applying the Nagoya Protocol's benefit-sharing principle in practice.
Reinvests commercial gains from biological resources into conservation and local livelihoods.
Gives a workable model for benefit sharing when resources come through traders and no claimant can be identified.
Uniform scientific method for States can reduce arbitrary or delayed listing of threatened species.
Supports India's NBSAP 2024-2030 Target 4 and the Kunming-Montreal Framework.
Links conservation to community income, backing the idea that those who protect biodiversity should gain from its use.
Helps India meet Nagoya Protocol and Kunming-Montreal Target 13 commitments.
Links agricultural research and seed exports with biodiversity law and benefit sharing.
Supports conservation of native crop varieties and livestock breeds, which aids climate-resilient farming.
Gives a legal route for local communities to share in profits from their biological resources and knowledge.
Local registers and BMCs bring community participation into conservation.
Prior registration links patents to benefit sharing, checking biopiracy of India's biological resources and traditional knowledge.
Clear approval pathways ease research and industry access while keeping conservation aims.
ABS gives local communities a direct economic reason to conserve biodiversity.
It helps India meet its CBD, Nagoya Protocol and Kunming–Montreal commitments.
ABS payments give money to local communities and farmers who hold biological resources and knowledge, linking livelihoods to conservation.
It shows India implementing its Nagoya Protocol obligations through domestic law.
ABS payments give communities a share of commercial gains, which links livelihoods to conservation.
It supports India's commitments under the CBD, Nagoya Protocol and Kunming-Montreal Framework.
Links conservation with local livelihoods by returning a share of commercial gains to communities.
Shows microbial resources have commercial value, and strengthens India's case under the CBD and Nagoya Protocol.
Links conservation of an endangered, endemic species with direct income for farmers.
Puts into practice the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources.
Problems
When resources are bought through traders, actual providers cannot be identified, so area-based proxies are used.
Amounts are small relative to the commercial value of biological resources.
Receipts are small and concentrated in a few sectors and firms, mainly agri-seed.
Local communities and BMCs may have weak capacity to document knowledge and claim benefits.
Many Biodiversity Management Committees exist on paper but are not functional.
States and UTs need to align rules and build capacity, and People’s Biodiversity Registers need better quality.
When resources are bought on the open market, source communities cannot be identified, so area-based sharing may miss real knowledge holders.
State boards and local committees have uneven capacity to use funds and keep People's Biodiversity Registers updated.
Market-sourced resources cannot be traced to specific farmers or communities, so benefits reach States rather than holders of knowledge.
Capacity of SBBs and local committees to document and use funds well is uneven.
Where sources are traders and intermediaries, individual providers cannot be traced, so benefits reach States, not communities.
Funds may be poorly used by Boards and local committees if registers and Biodiversity Management Committees are weak.
Resources accessed through markets and traders make the original source hard to trace, forcing area-based sharing.
Small local bodies may lack capacity to use funds well or reach the actual custodian communities.
Few users come forward, so compliance depends on detecting unreported use of resources.
Funds may not reach local farmers and knowledge holders who conserved the varieties.
Tracing the source of resources that pass through traders and intermediaries is hard.
Individual conservers and communities may not receive direct benefit when funds go to State boards.
Many States lack taxonomic expertise and data to assess species; only 17 States and 3 UTs have notified species so far.
Notification may restrict local communities' collection of resources, risking livelihood conflicts.
Collections are concentrated: Red Sanders, seeds and pharma/AYUSH give about 91 per cent, so the base is narrow.
Rs 266 crore realized against Rs 145 crore disbursed shows a gap, and funds pass through several layers before reaching communities.
Balancing ABS compliance with the freedom of agricultural research and plant breeding.
The committee is advisory only, and its term is short at one year.
Many BMCs and PBRs may exist on paper only, with uneven quality and updating.
Balancing research and industry access against fair benefit sharing is difficult.
Balancing ease of doing business with strict benefit sharing to local communities.
Weak capacity of Biodiversity Management Committees and uneven documentation of traditional knowledge.
Not all applications get CoRs, so processing time and compliance burden remain concerns.
The amount paid so far is small compared with the scale of commercial use and the number of BMCs.
Many BMCs have weak capacity, thin documentation and poor People's Biodiversity Registers, which delays benefit claims.
Compliance depends on companies applying; the NBA itself urges all sectors to comply.
Benefits must actually reach grassroot providers through BMCs, and procedures must stay simple without weakening safeguards.
Many benefit claimers and BMCs are yet to document resources or receive payments.
Simplified rules for ease of doing business must not dilute community interests.
Payouts are uneven across States and depend on a few high-value resources such as Red Sanders.
Many Biodiversity Management Committees have limited capacity to document resources and use funds well.
Benefit claimers must be identified and reached, and delays in payouts can weaken trust.
Illegal trade in Red Sanders continues to threaten the species.
Way forward
Strengthen Biodiversity Management Committees and People's Biodiversity Registers to identify benefit claimers.
Improve compliance monitoring and transparent tracking of fund use by State Boards.
Strengthen BMCs and People's Biodiversity Registers so communities can claim benefits.
Widen compliance monitoring and tracking of users across sectors, including AYUSH and biotechnology.
Train and fund BMCs, and make People’s Biodiversity Registers dynamic inputs for local planning.
Ensure transparent ABS distribution so benefits reach local communities.
Strengthen Biodiversity Management Committees and PBRs so providers can be traced and paid directly.
Publish State-wise utilisation data and audit how funds are spent.
Ensure funds reach Biodiversity Management Committees and local communities, with public reporting of use.
Complete People's Biodiversity Registers and strengthen monitoring of ABS agreements.
Build capacity of State Boards and Biodiversity Management Committees and track fund use under Section 32.
Strengthen documentation through People's Biodiversity Registers so sources can be traced.
Strengthen People's Biodiversity Registers and BMCs so benefits reach local custodians directly.
Improve traceability and monitoring of how States use ABS funds.
Strengthen Biodiversity Management Committees and People's Biodiversity Registers so local holders can claim benefits.
Track fund use by State Boards and report it publicly.
Strengthen People's Biodiversity Registers and Biodiversity Management Committees so that sources can be documented.
Track how State Biodiversity Boards use the funds.
Build capacity of State Biodiversity Boards with BSI, ZSI and academic institutions, and involve Biodiversity Management Committees.
Follow notification with funded recovery plans, regular monitoring and periodic review.
Widen compliance across more sectors and users, and track unreported use of biological resources.
Speed up and publish disbursal to BMCs, and strengthen their capacity and People's Biodiversity Registers.
Give clear and consistent guidance on seed exports and collaborative research approvals.
Align ABS rules with the ITPGRFA and farmers' rights.
Update, verify and digitise PBRs and link them to the ABS portal.
Build capacity of BMCs so benefits reach communities.
Strengthen BMCs and People's Biodiversity Registers so benefits reach local communities.
Ensure timely, transparent disposal of applications and track benefit-sharing outcomes publicly.
Strengthen BMCs with training, funding and updated People's Biodiversity Registers.
Improve tracking of commercial users so that benefit-sharing is paid on time and transparently.
Strengthen BMCs and people's biodiversity registers so providers can be identified and paid.
Widen compliance across sectors while keeping procedures simple and transparent.
Strengthen BMCs and complete People's Biodiversity Registers with traditional knowledge.
Build awareness and capacity among communities and industry for timely ABS compliance.
Strengthen Biodiversity Management Committees and People's Biodiversity Registers to track resource use.
Improve monitoring of commercial users so that benefit-sharing agreements are enforced, and spread payouts more widely.
Widen benefit sharing to more States and communities, and make payouts timely.
Strengthen documentation of local biodiversity and traceability of lawful Red Sanders trade.
Put in your answer
Section 32(2) activities: Funds go to documentation, conservation, local governance, research, capacity building and livelihoods.
Cumulative ABS: About Rs 278 crore realised since 2008, with over Rs 200 crore disbursed to benefit claimers.
ABS distribution: The NBA has shared over ₹200 crore of ABS funds with communities, local bodies and institutions.
ABS milestone: Cumulative NBA ABS disbursement now exceeds ₹200 crore.
Example of area-based sharing: Maharashtra gets a large share because it holds over 49 per cent of India's onion area.
Global target: Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 13 calls for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
ABS total: NBA has disbursed over Rs. 191 crore of ABS funds so far.
Okra example: Okra: Rs. 3.51 crore released to 32 SBBs and UTBCs, showing the market-sourced distribution modality.
Expert Committee modality: For resources accessed via intermediaries, benefit is shared among States where the resource is cultivated.
Global framework: The release links ABS to Targets 13 and 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Rice ABS payment: Rs 8.22 crore was shared from one seed company's use of Indian rice varieties, split between research institutions and State Boards.
Total ABS disbursed: Total NBA ABS disbursements across all sectors have crossed Rs 162 crore.
Global Biodiversity Framework: The initiative contributes to Kunming-Montreal Target 13 on fair sharing of benefits and Target 4 on conserving genetic diversity.
Species notified so far: 159 plant and 173 animal species notified as threatened across 17 States and 3 UTs.
NBSAP 2024-2030 Target 4: Target 4 aims to halt human-induced extinction, promote species recovery and maintain genetic diversity.
Local use of funds: Funds support medicinal plant parks, community gene banks and updating People's Biodiversity Registers.
Expert committees under Section 13: The NBA uses Section 13(1) to set up expert committees for specialised advice, as with agrobiodiversity.
ABS benefits released: Nearly Rs 145 crore has been released to beneficiaries, reaching about 11,000 BMCs.
ABS disbursement: Cumulative ABS payouts have passed ₹145 crore, showing the mechanism works at a modest scale.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: The Act is India's law implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity and creates the three-tier institutional structure.
ABS payments to date: Cumulative ABS payments have crossed Rs 145 crore, about USD 16 million.
ABS disbursement total: Cumulative ABS disbursements have crossed Rs 144.37 crore, which can be cited as evidence of the Act's working.
Biotechnology contribution: The biotechnology sector has contributed about Rs 10 crore to the accrued ABS fund.
ABS releases to date: India's cumulative ABS releases exceed ₹143.5 crore, with most going to Andhra Pradesh for Red Sanders.
Recent payouts: In three months, ₹5.35 crore went to over 220 Red Sanders farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Test yourself
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
With reference to the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism in India, consider the following statements:
1. The NBA is a statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
2. The headquarters of the NBA is in New Delhi.
3. In the latest disbursal, allocations to States were made in proportion to the estimated cultivation areas of the biological resources.
4. The funds disbursed to State Biodiversity Boards must be used exclusively for activities specified under Section 32(2) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
How many of the above statements are correct?
How many of the above statements are correct?
True or false?
1 of 53
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The National Biodiversity Authority is a statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
True. NBA is created by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
2.The headquarters of the National Biodiversity Authority is in New Delhi.
False. NBA is headquartered in Chennai.
3.In the latest disbursal, allocations to States were made in proportion to the estimated cultivation areas of the biological resources.
True. Allocation followed estimated cultivation area, using official agricultural statistics.
4.The funds disbursed to State Biodiversity Boards must be used exclusively for activities specified under Section 32(2) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
True. Use of funds is restricted to Section 32(2) activities.
5.The Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism of the NBA gives effect to the Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
True. The Nagoya Protocol on ABS is a protocol to the CBD; India's ABS regime implements it.
6.The seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD is scheduled to be held in India.
False. COP 17 is scheduled in Yerevan, Armenia, 19-30 October 2026.
7.The National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered in New Delhi.
False. NBA is headquartered in Chennai.
8.ABS funds are disbursed through State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils.
True. Disbursal goes through State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils.
9.Biodiversity Management Committees are constituted at the local body level under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
True. The Act provides for BMCs at local body level to promote conservation and document biodiversity through People's Biodiversity Registers.
10.The ABS mechanism in India is meant to give effect to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.
True. The Nagoya Protocol, under the CBD, deals with access and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
11.The headquarters of the National Biodiversity Authority is in Bengaluru.
False. The NBA is headquartered in Chennai.
12.In the latest disbursement, the benefit share was distributed among States according to the area under cultivation of the crops.
True. Distribution was based on area under cultivation published by the Agriculture Ministry.
13.The funds received by State Biodiversity Boards must be used for activities listed under Section 32(2) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
True. Section 32(2) lists permitted uses such as PBRs, conservation and livelihoods.
14.The latest ABS proceeds were realised from farmers who had supplied the crops directly to seed companies.
False. The resources were accessed through the open market or traders, so individual farmers could not be traced.
15.The ABS framework under the Biological Diversity Act gives effect to the Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
True. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing is a CBD protocol that India implements through the Act and ABS regulations.
16.Biodiversity Management Committees are constituted by the National Biodiversity Authority at the State level.
False. BMCs are set up by local bodies at village, panchayat or municipal level; State Biodiversity Boards operate at State level.
17.The funds disbursed to State Biodiversity Boards are to be utilised as per Section 32 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
True. Section 32 governs use of the benefit-sharing funds by SBBs and UTBCs.
18.The Access and Benefit-Sharing regime in India gives effect to the Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
True. ABS rules implement the CBD's Nagoya Protocol.
19.The largest ABS component in this disbursement relates to watermelon.
False. The largest component relates to okra (Rs. 3.51 crore).
20.Among the major recipients in this disbursement, Gujarat received the highest amount, followed by West Bengal.
True. Gujarat got Rs. 88.79 lakh and West Bengal Rs. 78.09 lakh.
21.In the mustard case, the ABS share of each State was calculated on the basis of the area under mustard cultivation in it.
True. Shares were based on each State's mustard cultivation area.
22.In the mustard case, the ABS amount was paid directly to the farmers who supplied the parental lines.
False. The parental lines came from the open market and traders, so no farmer or community could be identified; money went to State Boards and UT Councils.
23.Utilisation of ABS money by State Biodiversity Boards is governed by Section 32 of the Biological Diversity Act.
True. Section 32 governs use of the funds.
24.The Nagoya Protocol deals with fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
True. The Nagoya Protocol is the CBD's ABS protocol.
25.The cultivation-area data used to calculate the State shares was sourced from the National Biodiversity Authority's own survey.
False. The figures came from ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur.
26.The National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered in Chennai.
True. NBA headquarters is in Chennai.
27.India's Access and Benefit Sharing framework is aligned with the Nagoya Protocol.
True. The ABS framework follows the Nagoya Protocol.
28.Where the original source of access cannot be identified, the benefit-sharing amount is retained by the NBA and not passed to State Biodiversity Boards.
False. The NBA adopted Expert Committee modalities and disbursed the amount among SBBs/UTBCs of crop-growing States.
29.In the latest release, the amount was shared among States in proportion to cultivation-area data published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
True. Distribution used cultivation-area data of the Agriculture Ministry.
30.The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 gives effect to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
True. The CBD was opened for signature at Rio in 1992 and the Act implements it in India.
31.The recipient boards may use the funds only for cash payments to individual farmers and not for conservation work.
False. Funds go to People's Biodiversity Registers, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, Biodiversity Heritage Sites, BMC capacity building and community development.
32.The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's Target 13 deals with fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
True. Target 13 covers benefit sharing from genetic resources.
33.The National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered in Hyderabad.
False. The NBA is headquartered in Chennai.
34.Where the geographical source of a biological resource cannot be established, the ABS funds are retained in the National Biodiversity Fund.
True. Such funds stay in the National Biodiversity Fund and are used under Section 27 of the Act.
35.The Nagoya Protocol deals with the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilisation of genetic resources.
True. The Nagoya Protocol, under the Convention on Biological Diversity, covers access and benefit sharing.
36.The National Biodiversity Authority functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
False. The NBA functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
37.Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 deals with the notification of threatened species.
True. Section 38 covers notification of threatened species.
38.The Central Government may delegate its power to notify threatened species to State Governments.
True. The Act allows delegation of this power to States.
39.Notification of a species as threatened can regulate or prohibit its collection.
True. Notification regulates or prohibits collection and provides for rehabilitation.
40.The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 provides for State Biodiversity Boards and local Biodiversity Management Committees besides the NBA.
True. The Act has a three-tier structure: NBA, State Biodiversity Boards, Biodiversity Management Committees.
41.The 2025 ABS Regulations apply identical benefit-sharing obligations to all biological resources, including threatened species.
False. They provide differential treatment where resources belong to species notified as threatened under Section 38.
42.The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity dealing with access and benefit sharing.
True. Nagoya Protocol supplements the CBD on ABS.
43.Under the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, NBA transfers 85-90 per cent of the ABS amount to State Biodiversity Boards for onward disbursal.
True. 85-90 per cent goes to State Biodiversity Boards.
44.Seeds accounted for the largest share of ABS realization, ahead of Red Sanders.
False. Red Sanders was largest at Rs 120 crore (45 per cent); seeds were second at 32.3 per cent.
45.The ABS framework contributes to Target 13 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework on fair and equitable benefit sharing.
True. Target 13 of the KMGBF concerns benefit sharing.
46.Benefits under the ABS framework have so far reached Biodiversity Management Committees in all States and Union Territories.
False. They reached over 10,500 BMCs across 23 States and 4 Union Territories.
47.The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 provides for Biodiversity Management Committees at the level of local bodies.
True. BMCs are the local-level tier under the Act.
48.The Nagoya Protocol, which the Biological Diversity Act helps implement, deals with the conservation of wetlands.
False. The Nagoya Protocol deals with access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits; wetlands fall under the Ramsar Convention.
49.Benefit-sharing payments reach Biodiversity Management Committees through State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils.
True. NBA disbursed the amount through State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils.
50.The Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism in India gives effect to the Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
True. NBA advances India's obligations under the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol on ABS.
51.Cumulative ABS payments made through the NBA have crossed Rs 145 crore.
52.Biodiversity Management Committees are constituted by the Central Government at the national level.
False. BMCs are constituted by local bodies under the Act.
53.The latest payout was generated only from wild-collected Red Sanders and did not involve microorganisms.
False. It also came from insects and microorganisms in soil and water, and Red Sanders was cultivated.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The National Biodiversity Authority received Rs 9.68 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing payments in April-September 2026, mostly from the agri-seed sector. Examine the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 on access and benefit sharing and discuss the challenges in ensuring that local communities benefit from the use of India's biological resources.
GS3 Science and TechnologyGS2 IndicesPrelims and Mains
Why in news
The Network Readiness Index 2025, released on 4 February 2026, puts India at 45th rank, up four places. The Ministry of Communications highlighted it on 9 February 2026.
What it is
The Network Readiness Index (NRI) is a yearly report of the Portulans Institute, a non-profit research body in Washington DC. It measures how well economies use information and communication technology to gain economic and social benefit. It ranks economies on four pillars: Technology, People, Governance and Impact.
Publisher
The report is prepared by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit research and educational institute based in Washington DC.
India's first ranks
India is 1st in annual telecom investment, AI scientific publications, ICT services exports and E-commerce legislation.
Income group
India is ranked 2nd among lower-middle-income countries and is more network-ready than its income level would suggest.
Don’t confuse with NRI vs Global Innovation Index: The NRI (Portulans Institute) measures ICT readiness. The Global Innovation Index is published by WIPO and measures innovation.
Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.
Why it matters
A higher rank signals progress in digital infrastructure, AI research and ICT exports.
Problems
Rank gains in some indicators can hide gaps in access, skills and affordability.
Way forward
Improve digital skills and last-mile connectivity while keeping up telecom investment.
GS1 Art and culture, heritage protectionPrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026, the Culture Minister told the Lok Sabha about AMASR Act provisions: the 100 m prohibited and 200 m regulated areas, heritage bye-laws, and the NOAPS online portal.
What it is
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 governs protection of monuments and sites of national importance. It is administered by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ministry of Culture. The Rules of 1959 made under it carry the procedures.
Protected count
3,688 monuments, sites and remains are declared of national importance.
Land ownership
Protecting a monument under the Act does not mandatorily require acquiring or owning the land.
ASI role
ASI's primary objective is conservation and maintenance of protected monuments under the Act and the 1959 Rules.
Boundary fixing
Joint surveys with local revenue officials are used to fix and safeguard monument boundaries.
Digitisation
ASI has geo-referenced and digitised the boundaries and uploaded them on the Bhuvan Portal.
Amendment
The Act was amended in 2010 to create prohibited and regulated areas around protected monuments.
Buffer zones
Sections 20A and 20B set a uniform 100 m prohibited area and 200 m regulated area around protected monuments and areas.
Heritage bye-laws
Section 20E provides for heritage bye-laws for each protected monument and area, with context-specific controls.
Repair permission
Repair or renovation of buildings in the regulated area needs prior permission.
NOAPS
The National Monument Authority Online Application Processing System portal was launched in 2015 for online applications.
Origin of buffer zones
The prohibited and regulated areas and the National Monuments Authority came through the 2010 amendment to the Act.
Don’t confuse with AMASR Act vs Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972: The AMASR Act protects monuments and sites. The 1972 Act regulates trade and export of antiquities and art treasures.
Don’t confuse with Prohibited vs regulated area: Prohibited area (0-100 m) bars new construction; the regulated area (100-200 m beyond it) allows construction or repair with permission.
Don’t confuse with Protected monument vs protected area: A protected monument is a structure; a protected area is a site or remains declared of national importance.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
Legal protection of monuments preserves cultural heritage and supports tourism.
Boundary digitisation gives a clear public record against encroachment.
Buffer zones protect monuments from encroachment and damage.
Bye-laws allow controls fitted to each site's sensitivity.
Problems
Land often remains with others, so encroachment is hard to check.
Coordination with State revenue authorities is needed, and land records may not match ASI boundaries.
Uniform 100 m and 200 m zones strain dense urban areas and residents' livelihoods.
Slow permissions and illegal construction near monuments persist.
Way forward
Integrate geo-referenced boundaries with State land records.
Act promptly against encroachment and involve local communities in upkeep.
Frame site-specific heritage bye-laws quickly.
Expand online single-window integration with more states and local bodies.
Put in your answer
Encroachment data: 414 of 3,688 centrally protected monuments have reported encroachments.
Bhuvan mapping: Digitised boundaries of protected monuments are on the Bhuvan Portal.
NOAPS integration: NOAPS is linked with 14 States and one UT, and 1,407 urban local bodies under the non-single window system.
Balance principle: Heritage controls are meant to balance heritage protection with development and local livelihoods.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Test yourself
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
1.Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, a uniform prohibited area of 100 metres and a regulated area of 200 metres are prescribed around protected monuments.
2.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Tourism through the Archaeological Survey of India.
3.The prohibited and regulated areas were part of the original 1958 Act and were not added later.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Under the AMASR Act, 1958, a uniform prohibited area of 100 metres is prescribed around all protected monuments.
True. Sections 20A and 20B set a 100 m prohibited area.
2.Heritage bye-laws for each protected monument are provided for under Section 20E of the Act.
True. Section 20E provides for heritage bye-laws.
3.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Tourism through the Archaeological Survey of India.
False. The ASI functions under the Ministry of Culture.
4.The NOAPS portal was launched in 2015 for online processing of applications.
True. NOAPS was launched in 2015.
5.The prohibited and regulated areas were part of the original 1958 Act and not added later.
False. They were added by the 2010 amendment.
6.The NOAPS portal is integrated with ISRO's BHUWAN portal and the SMARAC mobile app.
True. The release states this integration.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
GS3 Indian EconomyGS2 Statutory bodiesPrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs told Lok Sabha that CCI registered 54 antitrust matters and received 149 merger filings in 2025, and listed reforms under the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023.
What it is
The Competition Act, 2002 prohibits anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance, and regulates mergers (combinations). It is enforced by the Competition Commission of India, which replaced the MRTP Commission. The 2023 amendment updated the law for digital markets and faster enforcement.
Penalty basis
The 2023 amendment allows penalty to be calculated on global turnover of the person or enterprise.
Merger review time
The time limit for approval of combinations was cut from 210 days to 150 days.
Green Channel
The Green Channel route gives deemed approval of a combination on filing notice with CCI.
Penalty guidelines
CCI notified the Determination of Monetary Penalty Guidelines, 2024 giving a detailed penalty methodology.
Legal basis
CCI is a statutory body set up under the Competition Act, 2002; it replaced the MRTP Commission.
Don’t confuse with MRTP Act vs Competition Act: MRTP Act, 1969 controlled monopolies and restrictive trade practices; the Competition Act, 2002 replaced it with a focus on promoting competition.
Don’t confuse with Antitrust vs combination: Antitrust covers anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance; combinations are mergers, acquisitions and amalgamations above thresholds.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
Global-turnover penalties make fines a stronger deterrent against large multinationals.
Shorter merger timelines and Green Channel approval ease doing business.
Problems
Digital and AI markets raise algorithmic collusion, self-preferencing and lock-in that are hard to detect.
Heavy caseloads and appeals can delay final orders.
Way forward
Build CCI's technical capacity and coordinate with other regulators and countries.
Encourage self-audit of AI systems for competition compliance and greater transparency.
Put in your answer
AI market study concerns: The study flagged algorithmic collusion, self-preferencing and AI-enabled price discrimination.
On 9 February 2026, Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy launched PLI Scheme 1.2 for Specialty Steel at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, and 85 MoUs were signed with 55 companies.
What it is
The PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel gives output-linked incentives to firms that make high-value steel grades in India. It aims to cut import dependence in grades used by automobiles, railways, defence, electrical equipment and aerospace. Rounds 1.0 and 1.1 came earlier; 1.2 is the third round.
Scale of MoUs
85 MoUs signed with 55 companies under PLI 1.2, committing ₹11,887 crore.
Capacity addition
The projects are expected to add 8.7 million tonnes of specialty steel capacity by FY 2031.
Incentive rates
Incentive rates run from 4% to 15% over five years.
Earlier rounds
PLI 1.0 and 1.1 together have committed investments of ₹43,874 crore.
Ministry
The scheme is run by the Ministry of Steel.
Don’t confuse with PLI 1.0/1.1 vs 1.2: ₹43,874 crore is the combined commitment under rounds 1.0 and 1.1, while ₹11,887 crore is for 1.2.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
Cuts import dependence in high-grade steel and saves foreign exchange.
Supports Make in India and links Indian firms to global value chains.
Problems
Timely implementation of projects and meeting incentive thresholds.
Dependence on imported technology and inputs for advanced grades.
Way forward
Time-bound project execution with quick resolution of operational issues.
Greater use of indigenous technology and inputs.
Put in your answer
PLI 1.0 and 1.1 outcome: Committed investments of ₹43,874 crore across the first two rounds.
PLI 1.2 capacity: 8.7 million tonnes of new specialty steel capacity by FY 2031.
GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 Financial inclusionPrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs told the Rajya Sabha about progress under the restructured PM SVANidhi: tranche-wise loans, ISB impact findings and UPI-linked RuPay credit cards.
What it is
PM SVANidhi is a Centrally run scheme giving collateral-free working capital loans to urban street vendors. It began in June 2020 to help vendors restart after the Covid lockdown. Timely repayment earns higher loan tranches, and digital transactions earn cashback.
Target
The restructured scheme aims to cover 1.15 crore street vendors, including 50 lakh new beneficiaries.
Credit card
An UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card with a limit of up to ₹30,000 is offered to eligible vendors.
Street Food Hubs
50 Street Food Hubs will be developed, with up to ₹4 crore per hub, including ₹25 lakh for notifying vending zones.
Reach since inception
78.68 lakh vendors have accessed over 1.18 crore loans worth ₹19,171 crore.
Census Towns
The City Region Approach brings Census Towns into the scheme, beyond Urban Local Bodies.
Launch and aim
Launched on 1 June 2020 to give collateral-free working capital term loans to urban street vendors.
Tranches
Timely repayment lets vendors move to higher loan tranches. By 12 July 2026, 29.71 lakh had taken the 2nd tranche and 8.49 lakh the 3rd.
Digital cashback
Cashback of up to ₹100 a month for 12 months, maximum ₹1200 a year, for each loan tranche.
ISB impact finding
The 2025 ISB study found average annualised business income of borrowers grew by around 20 percent between 2023 and 2025.
Loan tranches
Collateral-free loans of ₹15,000, ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 are given in three progressive tranches, with interest subsidy and credit guarantee support.
SVANidhi se Samriddhi
Beneficiaries and their families are profiled and linked to eight selected Central welfare schemes.
Training with FSSAI
Vendors get training in financial literacy, digital literacy and food safety and hygiene, in collaboration with FSSAI.
Extension
The scheme has been extended until March 2030.
Tranche structure
Loans come in three tranches. Repaying the first and second tranches makes a vendor eligible for the second and third respectively.
UPI-linked RuPay credit card
Vendors who have repaid the second tranche are eligible for a UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card under the restructured scheme.
Extended period and coverage
Lending period extended to March 2030. Benefits extended in a graded manner to census towns, urban agglomerations and peri-urban areas.
Who identifies vendors
States and ULBs identify eligible vendors and mobilise new applications.
Launch
The scheme began in June 2020 after the Covid lockdown.
Impact study
An ISB study found average annualised business income of borrowers grew by about 20 percent between 2023 and 2025.
Don’t confuse with PM SVANidhi vs PM Street Vendors Act: The scheme gives credit. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 is the law protecting vendors' rights and regulating vending.
Don’t confuse with PM SVANidhi vs SVANidhi se Samriddhi: PM SVANidhi is the loan scheme. SVANidhi se Samriddhi is its add-on component linking vendors to eight welfare schemes.
Don’t confuse with PM SVANidhi vs PM Mudra Yojana: SVANidhi is for urban street vendors, run by MoHUA, with tranche loans. Mudra gives loans to non-corporate small businesses under Shishu, Kishore and Tarun categories.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
Extends formal credit and digital payments to informal urban workers who lack collateral.
Links credit with social security through socio-economic profiling and access to welfare schemes.
Gives formal credit to vendors who had little or no access to it, building credit histories and financial inclusion.
Digital cashback pushes vendors into digital payments, and welfare linkages add a safety net.
Gives street vendors access to formal credit, reducing dependence on high-interest informal lenders.
Promotes digital payments and links vendors to social security schemes.
Gives street vendors access to formal credit and builds credit histories; about 30 percent of borrowers report formal loans.
Problems
Many vendors remain outside the formal system, with limited credit card uptake so far (27,077 approved).
Vending zones need notification by cities, and vendors lack secure vending space.
Vendors may remain dependent on small loans, and reaching the higher tranches is far lower than the first loan.
Linking vendors to insurance and pension schemes needs sustained profiling and awareness.
Vendors outside municipal records or without identification can be left out of loan access.
Small loan sizes may not suit vendors who want to expand.
Few vendors reach later stages: 71.57 lakh took the first tranche but only 6.61 lakh the third.
Pendency at bank and ULB levels and low digital literacy slow coverage.
Way forward
Speed up notification of vending zones and development of Street Food Hubs.
Strengthen last-mile outreach through bank-ULB coordination and Lok Kalyan Melas.
Strengthen profiling and convergence so vendors actually receive linked welfare benefits.
Support vendors to graduate to larger formal credit through credit histories built under the scheme.
Widen vendor surveys and identity cards so that all vendors are covered.
Strengthen repayment support and financial literacy for sustained credit use.
Strengthen ULB identification and bank processing to cut pendency.
Expand digital literacy camps and credit card uptake.
Put in your answer
Cumulative reach: 78.68 lakh vendors have accessed over 1.18 crore loans worth ₹19,171 crore since inception.
Digital adoption: 57.09 lakh vendors have made over 908 crore digital transactions.
Scale of coverage: 76.95 lakh vendors had availed over 1.15 crore loans worth ₹18,475 crore by 12 July 2026.
Credit history effect: About 30 percent of borrowers hold other loans, showing the scheme builds credit histories.
Digital transactions: Over 875 crore digital transactions and ₹412 crore cashback were recorded by May 2026.
Formal credit access: Nearly 95% of beneficiaries accessed formal institutional credit for the first time under the scheme.
Tranche uptake: By 20 January 2026: 71.57 lakh first, 27.28 lakh second and 6.61 lakh third tranche beneficiaries.
ISB impact finding: Borrower business income grew about 20 percent between 2023 and 2025.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Test yourself
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
1.Under the restructured PM SVANidhi, lending has been extended up to 31 March 2030.
2.The restructured scheme introduced a UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card with a credit limit of up to ₹1 lakh for eligible vendors.
3.The scheme's City Region Approach extends coverage to Census Towns, beyond Urban Local Bodies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 18
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.PM SVANidhi was launched in 2020 to provide collateral-free working capital loans to urban street vendors.
True. Launched on 1 June 2020 for collateral-free working capital loans.
2.Under the restructured scheme, lending has been extended up to 31 March 2030.
True. Lending is extended up to 31 March 2030.
3.The scheme's City Region Approach extends coverage to Census Towns.
True. Census Towns are now included along with ULBs.
4.The restructured scheme aims to benefit 1.15 crore street vendors, all of them new beneficiaries.
False. The 1.15 crore target includes 50 lakh new beneficiaries.
5.The Vendor Migration Module enables transfer of Letters of Recommendation when vendors move between ULBs and Census Towns.
True. It ensures continuity of benefits on migration.
6.PM SVANidhi provides collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors in three progressive tranches.
True. Loans of ₹15,000, ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 are given in three tranches without collateral.
7.Vendors become eligible for a UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card after repaying the first tranche.
False. Eligibility comes after successfully repaying the second tranche.
8.Under SVANidhi se Samriddhi, beneficiaries and their families are linked to eight selected Central welfare schemes.
True. The component links them to eight Central welfare schemes after socio-economic profiling.
9.The scheme's training component on food safety and hygiene is run in collaboration with the NITI Aayog.
False. It is run in collaboration with FSSAI.
10.PM SVANidhi is implemented by the Ministry of Finance.
False. It is run by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
11.Cashback incentives under the scheme can go up to ₹1,600 for digital transactions.
True. Cashback of up to ₹1,600 is offered for retail and wholesale digital transactions.
12.Under PM SVANidhi, a street vendor becomes eligible for the second tranche loan after successfully repaying the first tranche.
True. Second tranche follows repayment of the first.
13.UPI-linked RuPay Credit Cards under the restructured scheme are available to vendors who have repaid the first tranche.
False. They are for vendors who have repaid the second tranche.
14.The restructured scheme extends the lending period up to March 2030.
True. Lending period runs up to March 2030.
15.Identification of eligible street vendors under the scheme is done directly by the Union Ministry through a central portal, without involvement of States or ULBs.
False. States/ULBs identify eligible vendors and mobilise applications.
16.The scheme was launched in June 2020 and the loans are provided as collateral-free working capital loans.
True. Launched June 2020; collateral-free working capital loans.
17.The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
True. MoHUA runs PM SVANidhi.
18.The scheme benefits have been extended to rural areas of all districts without restriction.
False. Extension is graded and covers census towns, urban agglomerations and peri-urban areas.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
GS3 Economy · Infrastructure financingPrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026, NHAI accepted Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust's Rs 9,500 crore offer to take over five National Highway sections, about 260 km across four States, for monetisation.
What it is
Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust is a public InvIT sponsored by NHAI. It holds operational National Highway assets and sells units to investors, so the government can recycle capital into new projects. An InvIT pools money from investors into income-generating infrastructure and passes on returns.
Sponsor
RIIT is sponsored by NHAI, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Listing
Units list on the Bombay Stock Exchange on 24 March 2026.
Subscription
The IPO was oversubscribed nearly 14 times.
Purpose
It aims at capital recycling: monetising operational assets to fund new infrastructure.
Regulator
InvITs in India are regulated by SEBI under the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
Deal value
NHAI accepted RIIT's offer of Rs 9,500 crore for monetising five highway sections.
Assets and States
The sections are in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; Tamil Nadu has two sections (Chennai Bypass and Chennai–Tada).
Policy link
The monetisation is aligned with the National Monetisation Pipeline, which aims to unlock value from operational infrastructure assets.
Future pipeline
NHAI plans to give RIIT about 1,500 km more of assets over the next 3 to 5 years.
Target investors
RIIT is meant to be a long-term investment instrument mainly for retail and domestic investors.
Don’t confuse with InvIT vs REIT: InvITs hold infrastructure assets such as roads and power lines; REITs hold income-generating real estate. Both are SEBI-regulated trusts.
Don’t confuse with InvIT vs TOT: InvIT sells units in a trust to investors; Toll-Operate-Transfer hands a road to a private concessionaire for a fixed period against an upfront payment.
Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
Recycles capital from operational highways into new projects without raising budget or debt burden.
Lets retail and domestic investors take part in infrastructure returns.
Recycles capital from built highways into new projects, easing pressure on the budget.
Gives retail investors access to stable, infrastructure-linked returns.
Problems
Returns depend on toll collection and traffic, which can vary.
Assets are valued on projected cash flows, raising pricing and transparency concerns.
Returns depend on toll revenue and traffic, which can vary with the economy.
Investors may be wary of valuation, concession terms and regulatory risk.
Way forward
Keep valuation, disclosure and SEBI oversight strict to protect retail investors.
Use proceeds on time for new projects and extend the model to other sectors.
Keep valuation and toll-revenue disclosures transparent to build investor trust.
Use the proceeds quickly for new projects and expand the asset pipeline in stages.
Put in your answer
National Monetisation Pipeline: Asset monetisation, including InvITs, is a key route to fund infrastructure under the NMP (2021).
Regulation: SEBI regulates InvITs under its 2014 InvIT Regulations.
RIIT deal: Rs 9,500 crore for five sections of about 260 km across four States, an example of asset monetisation.
Future pipeline: About 1,500 km more is planned for RIIT over 3 to 5 years.
GS3 Agriculture and allied sectorsPrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026, the Fisheries Ministry described how institutional finance for fisheries is flowing through KCC, FIDF, a credit guarantee fund and the National Fisheries Digital Platform.
What it is
India's fisheries policy runs on the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), launched in 2020 as the successor to the Blue Revolution scheme of 2015. It takes a value-chain approach covering production, cold chain, traceability and fisher welfare. Sub-schemes such as PM-MKSSY and the FIDF handle formalisation, insurance and infrastructure credit.
PMMSY allocation
PMMSY is the central pillar of fisheries development, with Rs 2,500 crore allocated for 2026-27.
PM-MKSSY
A Central Sector sub-scheme under PMMSY, running 2023-24 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs 6,000 crore. It targets formalisation, insurance and institutional finance.
National Fisheries Digital Platform
Launched in September 2024 under PM-MKSSY. It gives work-based digital identities to fishers and is a single-window system for credit, insurance and traceability.
Output growth
Fish production rose from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013-14 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25. India is the second-largest fish producer.
Export value
Marine product exports rose from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024-25, led by shrimp worth ₹43,334 crore.
Top market
The US is the largest destination, with 36.42% of export value in 2024-25.
Value-added share
Value-added products rose from 2.5% to 11% of the export basket, worth USD 742 million.
US compliance
India got a comparability finding under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act in 2025. This keeps exports flowing beyond the December 2025 deadline.
Import permits
The Sanitary Import Permit system is digitised and linked to the National Single Window System. Approval time fell from 30 days to 72 hours.
Fish production
Fish production rose from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
FIDF
Fund of ₹7,522.48 crore for long-term infrastructure finance, with 3% interest subvention. Validity was extended to March 2026.
Credit Guarantee Fund
A ₹750 crore fund managed by NABSanrakshan gives collateral-free cover on loans up to ₹12.5 crore.
NFDP
A single-window digital platform with about 30 lakh stakeholders registered, giving access to credit, insurance, cooperatives, markets and incentives.
Success fee under PM-MKSSY
Component 1A gives borrowers a one-time incentive of up to ₹5,000 to offset documentation and processing costs.
Don’t confuse with PMMSY vs PM-MKSSY: PMMSY (2020) is the umbrella scheme. PM-MKSSY (2023-24 to 2026-27) is a Central Sector sub-scheme under it, focused on formalisation, insurance and credit.
Don’t confuse with Blue Revolution vs PMMSY: The Blue Revolution (2015) was the earlier fisheries push. PMMSY (2020) was launched to build on it, with more focus on post-harvest management and traceability.
Don’t confuse with Turtle Excluder Devices vs Marine Mammal Protection Act: TEDs are nets fitted to shrimp trawlers to release sea turtles and address limits on wild-caught shrimp. The MMPA deals with marine mammal by-catch.
Don’t confuse with FIDF vs KCC for Fisheries: FIDF finances long-term infrastructure with interest subvention; KCC meets short-term working capital needs.
Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
Fisheries has the highest share (about 7.43%) of agricultural GVA among agriculture and allied sectors, and supports food security, jobs and exports.
Seafood exports reached Rs 62,408 crore in FY 2024-25, led by frozen shrimp, which adds to foreign exchange earnings.
Exports earn foreign exchange and support about 30 million fishers and fish farmers at the primary level.
Shifting to value-added products can raise returns per unit and cut dependence on frozen shrimp.
Formal credit through digital channels can reduce reliance on moneylenders and help formalise a fragmented sector.
A bankable fisheries sector supports export earnings, nutrition and livelihoods for nearly 3 crore people.
Problems
Export dependence on frozen shrimp and a few markets such as the US and China exposes earnings to trade shocks.
Informal, small-scale fishers have limited access to credit, insurance and formal markets.
Heavy reliance on shrimp and on the US market exposes exporters to trade and tariff shocks.
Rules on by-catch, traceability and food safety in importing countries raise compliance costs for small fishers.
The sector stays capital-constrained at the grassroots; only 350 NFDP loans had been approved against over 19,000 requests.
Small and informal fishers may lack records, collateral or digital access.
Way forward
Expand formalisation through NFDP registration, FFPOs and insurance coverage.
Strengthen traceability and sustainability compliance to diversify products and export markets.
Expand processing, cold chains and certification to raise value-added exports.
Diversify into the UK, EU, ASEAN and West Asia, and speed up TED deployment.
Widen bank onboarding beyond the 12 nationalised banks and keep building banker capacity.
Link credit with insurance, cold chain and traceability to improve repayment and export quality.
Put in your answer
Production growth: Fish output more than doubled to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25, a 106% rise over FY 2013-14.
Exports: Seafood exports reached Rs 62,408 crore in FY 2024-25, with frozen shrimp dominant.
Sustainable EEZ rules: Rules and guidelines for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the EEZ and High Seas were notified in 2025.
Export growth: Marine exports more than doubled from ₹30,213 crore (2013-14) to ₹62,408 crore (2024-25).
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on file with new production and export figures, but routine data; UPSC rarely sets questions on such figures.
GS2 Social Justice and LabourGS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains
Why in news
On 9 February 2026 the Labour Ministry released a V.V. Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI) perception study on the early implementation of the four Labour Codes, which were notified on 21 November 2025.
What it is
The VVGNLI study, 'The Implementation of Labour Codes: A Perception-based Analysis', records what workers and employers think of the four Labour Codes. It is an opinion survey of the initial phase, not a measure of actual outcomes. VVGNLI, at Noida, is the Labour Ministry's research institute on labour issues.
Study
VVGNLI's perception-based analysis covers the initial phase of implementation of the Labour Codes.
Method
Workers were reached by one-on-one interviews and focus groups. Employers' views came from chambers of commerce, federations and industry associations.
Worker views on social security
68% of workers welcome e-Shram and Welfare Boards for easier access, and 63% see greater portability for contract, migrant and gig workers.
Timeline
The Codes were enacted in 2019-2020 and notified nationwide on 21 November 2025.
Institute
V.V. Giri National Labour Institute is based at Noida and works under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
The four codes
Wages 2019, Industrial Relations 2020, Social Security 2020, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions 2020.
ESIC coverage
Mandatory for establishments with more than 10 employees, voluntary for smaller ones, and covers even one employee in hazardous processes.
EPFO coverage
EPFO provisions apply to all establishments with 20 or more employees.
Social Security Fund
A fund will be set up to frame schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers.
Re-Skilling Fund
A Workers' Re-Skilling Fund is provided for retrenched workers.
Constitutional basis
Labour and trade unions are in the Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule), so Centre and states both legislate.
Don’t confuse with Perception survey vs impact assessment: This study records opinions in the early phase. It does not measure actual changes in wages, coverage or compliance.
Don’t confuse with EPFO vs ESIC: EPFO runs provident fund, pension and insurance; ESIC gives medical, sickness and maternity cover. Their coverage thresholds differ (20 vs 10 employees).
Don’t confuse with Social Security Fund vs Re-Skilling Fund: The first funds schemes for unorganised and gig workers; the second supports retrenched workers.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
Early feedback from both workers and employers supports the case for the reforms in simplifying compliance and widening social security.
Extends social security and minimum wage rights to unorganised, gig and platform workers.
Merges many laws, easing compliance and formalising jobs through appointment letters.
Gives women equal access to all work, including night shifts, with safeguards.
Problems
A perception survey can reflect expectations rather than outcomes, and its sample and design limit how far it can be generalised.
Labour is on the Concurrent List, so uneven state rules may blunt uniform implementation.
Labour is a Concurrent subject, so uneven state rules may delay uniform implementation.
Funding and registering a large informal and gig workforce is hard.
Trade unions fear weaker protection in retrenchment and strike provisions.
Way forward
Undertake phased state-level impact studies, especially in states with earlier similar reforms, for evidence-based review and peer learning.
Strengthen capacity building and awareness campaigns.
Align state rules quickly and build a unified portal for registration and portability of benefits.
Ensure the Social Security Fund is adequately financed, with clear aggregator contributions.
Consult unions and employers regularly and monitor outcomes.
Put in your answer
Social Security Fund: A dedicated fund to design schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers.
Migrant worker provisions: Inter-State Migrant Worker definition widened to include self-migrated workers, with travel allowance and portability of benefits.
Concurrent List: Labour sits in the Concurrent List, which shapes Centre-state implementation.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Test yourself
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
1.The four Labour Codes came into effect on 21 November 2025.
2.Under the Labour Codes, EPFO provisions apply to all establishments employing 20 or more employees.
3.ESIC coverage is mandatory for all establishments irrespective of the number of employees.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 5
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Under the Labour Codes, EPFO provisions apply to establishments employing 20 or more employees.
True. EPFO threshold is 20 or more employees.
2.ESIC coverage is mandatory for all establishments irrespective of the number of employees.
False. Mandatory for establishments with more than 10 employees; voluntary for fewer; one employee if hazardous process.
3.Women may work at night in all establishments only if the employer alone consents.
False. Night work is allowed subject to the woman's consent and safety.
4.The Labour Codes subsume the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 within the Code on Wages.
True. The Code on Wages subsumes these Acts (along with the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976).
5.Labour is a subject in the Union List, so states have no role in making laws on it.
False. Labour is in the Concurrent List, so both Centre and states legislate.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The Labour Ministry has told Parliament that the four Labour Codes, in force since 21 November 2025, extend wage, social security and safety protections to organised and unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers. Discuss the main provisions of the four Labour Codes and examine the challenges in implementing them, given that labour is on the Concurrent List.
On 9 February 2026, the Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply how the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) is used to monitor government schemes.
Coordinating body
The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog coordinates with Ministries and Departments to prepare the annual OOMF for their schemes.
Outcome Budget for large schemes
The OOMF is laid in Parliament with the Union Budget each year as an Outcome Budget for schemes with an annual outlay of Rs 500 crore or more.
Smaller schemes
For schemes with an outlay below Rs 500 crore, the Ministry or Department lays the OOMF before Parliament along with its Detailed Demand for Grants.
Who tracks targets
Ministries and Departments themselves track the output and outcome targets and progress of Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Use of evaluation
Ministries are guided by recommendations from evaluation study reports to strengthen the design and delivery of their schemes.
Don’t confuse with OOMF vs Outcome Budget: The OOMF is the monitoring framework with targets and indicators. The Outcome Budget is the document in which it is placed before Parliament.
Don’t confuse with DMEO vs Ministry role: DMEO under NITI Aayog coordinates preparation of the OOMF. The line Ministries set targets and track progress.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
Shifts focus from money spent to results delivered, making scheme performance easier to judge.
Placing it before Parliament adds legislative scrutiny and accountability.
Problems
Ministries track their own targets, so self-reporting may be weak or biased.
Outcome data may be late or of uneven quality, which limits real corrective action.
Way forward
Use independent third-party evaluation and link findings to funding decisions.
Strengthen data systems and publish indicator progress in the open.
Put in your answer
Outcome Budget threshold: Schemes of Rs 500 crore or more get an Outcome Budget with the Union Budget; smaller ones go with the Detailed Demand for Grants.
Evaluation feeding design: Evaluation study recommendations guide Ministries in improving scheme design and delivery, an example of evidence-based governance.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting governance tool coordinated by DMEO, NITI Aayog; facts are few and UPSC rarely asks about such frameworks.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.
Quick facts
Seychelles President Patrick Herminie made a State Visit to India (5-10 Feb 2026); Seychelles is a pillar of India's Vision MAHASAGAR; both mark 50 years of diplomatic ties.
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission signed MoUs with Goa State Pharmacy Council, QCI and HITES to strengthen drug safety and pharmacovigilance.
Swavalambini, a women entrepreneurship pilot by MSDE with NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform, began in February 2025 in six institutions.
India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on defence industrial cooperation; Greece will post a liaison officer at IFC-IOR, Gurugram.
HTAIn, an attached office of the Department of Health Research, evaluates healthcare technologies in India; DHR hosted a five-day HTA workshop for Sri Lanka.
Source: PIB, 9 Feb
What we left out: 46 of 63 releases
Speeches without a decision (5)
Same issue as another release (12)
Ceremonies and campaigns (7)
Corporate announcements (1)
Routine research findings (1)
Routine parliamentary replies (9)
Routine project approvals (2)
Overview features without a decision (1)
Visits and delegations (2)
Visits and calls (1)
Workshops and study tours (1)
Other releases (4)
Practise the day’s news
In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.
The Minister of State for Jal Shakti recently informed the Rajya Sabha that the Union Government supports States on flood control through the centrally sponsored Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP), while the Central Water Commission assesses about 21.2 million hectares of India as flood-affected. Examine the main features of FMBAP and discuss the challenges in flood management in India, suggesting a way forward.