Legacy IAS · Bengaluru
The Hindu – UPSC News Analysis
Bengaluru Edition | Mains & Prelims Oriented
📅 Thursday, March 12, 2026
7
Articles
7
MCQs
14
Mains Qs
8
FAQs
🌐 West Asia Crisis
⚖️ Right to Die
🛢️ LPG Deficit
🇳🇵 Nepal RSP Win
👩🌾 Women in Agriculture
📚 NCERT Row
🐘 ADS & Elephants
📋 Table of Contents
Click any title to navigate directly to that article.
- 1West Asia Crisis – Iran Attacks Shipping, Global Energy Concerns MountGS-II / GS-III
- 2SC Upholds Right to Die with Dignity – Harish Rana PVS CaseGS-II / GS-IV
- 3India’s LPG Storage Deficit – Why India is Staring at an LPG CrisisGS-III
- 4Nepal RSP Election Landslide – Implications for India’s Neighbourhood PolicyGS-II
- 5Women in Agriculture – Underpaid and UndercountedGS-I / GS-III
- 6NCERT Textbook Row – SC Unhappy with ‘Rewritten’ ChapterGS-II / GS-IV
- 7Anti-Depredation Squads Linked to Elephant DeathsGS-III
- ❓SEO-Optimised FAQs for UPSC AspirantsAll GS
ARTICLE 1GS-II: International RelationsGS-III: Energy Security
West Asia Crisis – Iran Attacks Shipping, Global Energy Concerns Mount
📌 A. Issue in Brief
- Iran attacked commercial ships across the Persian Gulf and targeted Dubai International Airport, escalating the US-Israel-Iran war into a full-scale energy crisis.
- The India-bound Thai cargo ship Mayuree Naree was set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz; three crew members reported missing; MEA deplored attacks on commercial shipping.
- Iran warned of targeting financial institutions; IEA announced the largest-ever oil reserve release of 400 million barrels; Brent crude remained above $90/barrel; Indian rupee at ₹92/$.
📖 B. Static Background
- Strait of Hormuz: Narrow waterway between Iran and Oman; ~20% of global oil trade transits here; closed by Iran since March 1, 2026. Critical for India as 85%+ of LPG imports are routed through it.
- IEA (International Energy Agency): Founded 1974; maintains 90-day strategic reserve mandate for members; India has Association member status (not full member).
- India’s import dependence: ~90% of crude oil imported; 60% of LPG imported; 85%+ of LPG imports routed through Hormuz.
- UNCLOS (1982): Guarantees freedom of navigation; attacks on commercial shipping violate international maritime law.
- Strategic Petroleum Reserves: India has SPR at Vishakhapatnam, Mangaluru, Padur (~9.5 days crude consumption). LPG reserves: only 1.4 lakh MT (less than 2 days).
- IRGC: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — Iran’s elite military force responsible for naval operations in the Gulf; designated Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US.
📊 C. Key Dimensions
| Dimension | India’s Exposure | Immediate Impact (March 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 90% oil import dependent; 85% LPG via Hormuz | LPG shortage; ₹60/cylinder hike; Brent at $90–120 |
| Diaspora & Seafarers | 9M+ Indians in Gulf; 778 seafarers in Hormuz zone | Safety concerns; diplomatic pressure on MEA |
| Trade | UAE = India’s top trade partner (~$85B/year) | Shipping disruption; cargo insurance costs spike |
| Financial Markets | Rupee pressure; current account deficit widens | Rupee at ₹92/$; Nifty fell 1.6%; inflation risk |
| Strategic (Chabahar) | India’s Iran connectivity route now inaccessible | Central Asia connectivity disrupted |
India’s Energy Security – Hormuz Crisis Linkages
🛢️ Immediate Triggers
- Strait closed March 1
- Iran attacks Gulf ships
- US strikes on Bandar Abbas
- 16 Iranian minelayers destroyed
🇮🇳 India’s Vulnerability
- No strategic LPG reserve
- LPG import dependency 60%
- PMUY demand surge, no buffer
- Coal stock: 88 days buffer
🌐 Global Response
- IEA: 400M barrels (record)
- Kuwait downed 8 drones
- Saudi intercepted missiles
- Trump: “war could end soon”
🔧 India’s Response
- MEA deplores attacks
- PM: “No need to panic”
- Supply maintenance order
- Home Secy: State monitoring
🔍 D. Critical Analysis
- Policy contradiction: India cut Russian oil imports under US pressure before the crisis — losing a discounted alternative precisely when it needed one. The Hindu editorial notes India “squandered Moscow’s trust” with no lasting US benefit.
- Infrastructure deficit: India has 9.5 days of crude SPR vs IEA’s recommended 90 days. LPG underground storage = under 2 days. This is a structural long-term failure, not a crisis-response lapse.
- Communication failure: Government communicated through off-record briefings for days; inter-ministerial press conference came late and took no questions — fuelling panic faster than warranted.
- PMUY paradox: The scheme added 10 crore LPG connections without building strategic storage — dramatically increasing demand dependency without supply security.
- Global comparison: EU mandates 90% gas storage fill before winter; US maintains 90-day SPR. India’s comparable metric is 9.5 days for crude, under 2 days for LPG.
🛣️ E. Way Forward
- Build LPG strategic reserve: Target 30-day LPG reserve; invest in salt caverns (Rajasthan’s Bikaner-Barmer belt via EIL-DEEP Germany partnership).
- Diversify energy sources: Accelerate US LPG deal (2.2 MMT/year), African oil, and Russian LNG contracts independent of political pressure.
- True strategic autonomy: India must stop oscillating between US and Russia based on diplomatic weather — long-term sovereign energy policy required.
- Accelerate renewables: Ethanol blending, solar cooking, induction cooktop subsidies — reduce structural LPG dependence over medium term.
- Crisis communication protocol: Establish designated energy crisis spokesperson with 24-hour briefing framework for public communication.
- SDG-7 linkage: Affordable and Clean Energy for All — requires energy security infrastructure, not just demand expansion without supply-side resilience.
🎓 F. Exam Orientation
Prelims Key Terms:
Strait of HormuzIEA (Association member – India)IRGCBrent Crude vs WTIChabahar PortUNCLOS 1982Mayuree NareeOMCs – IOCL, BPCL, HPCLPPAC – Petroleum Planning Cell
Mains Questions:
Q1 (10 Marks): The 2026 West Asia conflict has exposed India’s structural vulnerabilities in energy security. Critically examine India’s LPG import dependency and suggest a comprehensive framework for energy resilience. (GS-III)
Q2 (15 Marks): “India’s strategic autonomy in energy policy has been compromised by short-term diplomatic alignments.” Analyse this statement in the context of the 2026 West Asia crisis and suggest a path to genuine energy independence. (GS-III / Essay)
🟢 Probable UPSC Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR), consider the following statements:
1. India’s SPR facilities are located at Vishakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur.
2. The IEA recommends a minimum of 90 days of import coverage for member countries.
3. India is a full member of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Statement 1 ✅: India has three underground SPR facilities — Vishakhapatnam (~9.75 MMBbl), Mangaluru (~3.0 MMBbl), and Padur (~6.0 MMBbl) — holding ~9.5 days of crude consumption.
Statement 2 ✅: The IEA mandates that member countries hold emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports (under the 1974 International Energy Program).
Statement 3 ❌: India is not a full member of the IEA — it holds Association member status (since 2017). Full membership requires OECD membership. India participates in emergency response exercises but is not bound by the 90-day mandate.
Statement 1 ✅: India has three underground SPR facilities — Vishakhapatnam (~9.75 MMBbl), Mangaluru (~3.0 MMBbl), and Padur (~6.0 MMBbl) — holding ~9.5 days of crude consumption.
Statement 2 ✅: The IEA mandates that member countries hold emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports (under the 1974 International Energy Program).
Statement 3 ❌: India is not a full member of the IEA — it holds Association member status (since 2017). Full membership requires OECD membership. India participates in emergency response exercises but is not bound by the 90-day mandate.
ARTICLE 2GS-II: Polity / JudiciaryGS-IV: Ethics
SC Upholds Right to Die with Dignity – Harish Rana PVS Case & WWMT Framework
📌 A. Issue in Brief
- The Supreme Court upheld the right to die with dignity of Harish Rana, 32, in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) for 13 years, by allowing withdrawal of Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration (CANH) — the first implementation of its own 2018 guidelines.
- SC formally retired “passive euthanasia” and replaced it with “Withdrawing or Withholding of Medical Treatment” (WWMT); active euthanasia remains impermissible.
- AIIMS Delhi directed to provide palliative care; CMOs directed to form Secondary Medical Boards; SC urged Parliament to enact specific legislation.
📖 B. Static Background
- Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty. SC has progressively interpreted it to include right to die with dignity; Gian Kaur (1996) had restricted this earlier.
- Common Cause v. Union of India (2018): Five-judge Constitution Bench recognised right to die with dignity; issued guidelines for advance medical directives (“living wills”); coined “passive euthanasia.”
- Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011): SC permitted passive euthanasia for PVS patients; established two-tier medical board system.
- Active vs. WWMT: Active euthanasia (lethal injection) — impermissible; WWMT (withdrawing life support) — permissible under strict procedural conditions.
- Persistent Vegetative State (PVS): Severely impaired consciousness; brainstem functions intact but no awareness; distinguished from brain death.
🔄 Flowchart: WWMT Process (Post-2026 SC Judgment)
Family / Advance Directive
→
Primary Medical Board
(Hospital-level)
(Hospital-level)
→
Secondary Medical Board
(CMO-constituted)
(CMO-constituted)
→
JMFC Intimation
→
WWMT with Palliative Care
📊 C. Key Dimensions
| Aspect | Active Euthanasia | WWMT (formerly “Passive Euthanasia”) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Positive overt act (e.g., lethal injection) | Withdrawing/withholding life support |
| Source of harm | Doctor introduces new cause of death | Underlying condition takes natural course |
| Legality in India | ❌ Impermissible | ✅ Permissible under strict conditions |
| Global status | Legal in Netherlands, Belgium, Canada | Legal in most democracies (UK, USA, etc.) |
🔍 D. Critical Analysis
- Landmark terminological shift: Retiring “passive euthanasia” removes stigma and aligns India with global medical and legal best practices. The new term WWMT is medically precise.
- Dignity as constitutional value: Justice Pardiwala’s formulation — “when bodily invasion increases and prognosis decreases, state’s interest in preserving life must yield to dignity” — is a significant evolution of Article 21 jurisprudence.
- Palliative care gap: SC’s direction to AIIMS reveals a systemic failure — India has fewer than 5,000 trained palliative care specialists for 1.4 billion people. Right to dignified death remains inaccessible to most.
- Legislative vacuum: SC has now urged Parliament for the third time (after 2011, 2018) to enact specific legislation — this legislative inaction is a constitutional failure.
- GS-IV dimension: The case raises questions about autonomy, surrogate decision-making by families, and the ethical limits of medical technology.
🛣️ E. Way Forward
- Enact specific legislation: Parliament must pass a Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patients Act incorporating WWMT procedures, living wills, and advance medical directive frameworks.
- Strengthen palliative care: Integrate into National Health Mission; train district-level officers; establish hospice care infrastructure.
- Simplify advance directives: Current process too complex for ordinary citizens — implement accessible, patient-friendly procedures.
- SDG-3 linkage: Good Health and Well-Being — end-of-life care is part of universal health coverage.
🎓 F. Exam Orientation
Prelims Key Terms:
Article 21 – Right to DignityCommon Cause Case 2018Aruna Shanbaug Case 2011WWMT (new term)CANHPersistent Vegetative State (PVS)Advance Medical Directive / Living Will
Mains Questions:
Q1 (10 Marks): The Supreme Court’s 2026 judgment in the Harish Rana case marks a watershed in India’s jurisprudence on the right to die with dignity. Critically examine its ethical and constitutional dimensions. (GS-IV / GS-II)
Q2 (15 Marks): “The right to die with dignity is inseparable from the right to live with dignity.” Analyse this statement in light of recent SC judgments and suggest a comprehensive legislative framework for end-of-life care in India. (GS-II / Essay)
🟢 Probable UPSC Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to the right to die with dignity in India, which of the following is/are correct?
1. The Gian Kaur case (1996) first recognised the right to die with dignity under Article 21.
2. The Common Cause judgment (2018) recognised validity of advance medical directives (“living wills”).
3. In 2026, the Supreme Court replaced “passive euthanasia” with “Withdrawing or Withholding of Medical Treatment” (WWMT).
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Statement 1 ❌: In Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab (1996), the SC held that Article 21 does NOT include the right to die. It was the Common Cause (2018) five-judge bench that first recognised the right to die with dignity under Article 21.
Statement 2 ✅: The 2018 Common Cause Constitution Bench held that right to die with dignity is a fundamental right and recognised validity of advance medical directives (living wills) subject to procedural safeguards.
Statement 3 ✅: In the March 2026 Harish Rana judgment, Justice J.B. Pardiwala declared “passive euthanasia” obsolete and replaced it with the medically precise term “Withdrawing or Withholding of Medical Treatment” (WWMT).
Statement 1 ❌: In Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab (1996), the SC held that Article 21 does NOT include the right to die. It was the Common Cause (2018) five-judge bench that first recognised the right to die with dignity under Article 21.
Statement 2 ✅: The 2018 Common Cause Constitution Bench held that right to die with dignity is a fundamental right and recognised validity of advance medical directives (living wills) subject to procedural safeguards.
Statement 3 ✅: In the March 2026 Harish Rana judgment, Justice J.B. Pardiwala declared “passive euthanasia” obsolete and replaced it with the medically precise term “Withdrawing or Withholding of Medical Treatment” (WWMT).
Article 3
Why Is India Staring at an LPG Deficit?
🔵 A. Issue in Brief
- India’s LPG supply chain was severely disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict (March 2026).
- India’s total underground LPG storage (1.4 lakh MT) is less than two days of consumption — a critical gap ignored despite a decade of PMUY-led demand surge.
- With 60% import dependency and no new storage caverns planned, India’s energy security architecture is structurally unprepared for supply shocks.
🔵 B. Static Background
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Key Scheme | PMUY (2016): 10 crore new LPG connections to BPL women; total 33 crore domestic connections |
| LPG Underground Storage | 2 caverns: Vizag (2007) + Mangaluru (2025); Total = 1.4 lakh MT (<2 days supply) |
| LPG Imports (2024-25) | ~18 MMT; tripled from 2011-12; Qatar 34%, UAE 26%, Kuwait 8.3% |
| Import Dependency | 60% of total need; 90% routes via Strait of Hormuz |
| India’s Crude Storage | ISPRL: 3 caverns (Padur, Mangaluru, Vizag) = ~5 MMT crude (~17 days cover) |
| New U.S. LPG Deal | 2.2 MMT/year; but 45-day shipping time vs Gulf cargoes |
| Budget 2026-27 | LPG subsidy cut by 27%: Rs.15,121 cr to Rs.11,085 cr |
🔵 C. Key Dimensions
🧠 Mind Map: India’s LPG Vulnerability
LPG Crisis 2026
Supply Side
- 40% domestic production only
- 60% import dependent
- 90% imports via Hormuz
- No new caverns planned (MoPNG 2025)
Demand Side
- 33 crore domestic connections
- PMUY added 10 crore poor households
- 2nd largest LPG consumer globally
- LNG imports also at record 27 MMT
Infrastructure Gap
- 1.4 lakh MT = less than 2 days supply
- EU stores ~25% of annual gas use
- IEA flagged India’s storage weakness
Possible Solutions
- Salt caverns – Bikaner-Barmer (Rajasthan)
- EIL-DEEP Germany partnership
- Depleted KG, Cambay basin reservoirs
- Peninsular Shield rock caverns (proven)
🔄 Policy Failure Chain: PMUY to LPG Crisis
PMUY launched (2016) — 10 crore new LPG connections to poor households
↓
LPG demand surges 120%+ in a decade; import dependency rises to 60%
↓
No commensurate increase in strategic storage caverns (only 1 new cavern in 15 years)
↓
Budget 2026-27 cuts LPG subsidy by 27%
↓
Strait of Hormuz closes (March 1, 2026) — supply disruption hits instantly
↓
Crisis: Panic buying, MSME shutdowns, restaurant closures — under 2 days reserves
| Country/Region | Gas Storage (% Annual Use) | Strategic Reserve Mandate |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | ~25% | 90% fill before winter (post-2022 mandate) |
| United States | High (shale buffer) | Strategic Petroleum Reserve (crude) |
| India (LPG) | Less than 0.2% | None for LPG; 17 days crude only |
🔵 D. Critical Analysis
- Policy Asymmetry: PMUY expanded demand (welfare goal) without matching supply-security infrastructure — classic welfare vs. resilience trade-off.
- Fiscal Contradiction: Subsidy cut of 27% in Budget 2026-27 came weeks before a supply crisis — poor timing aggravated by geopolitical blindness.
- Geopolitical Concentration Risk: Qatar + UAE = 60% of imports. U.S. LPG is strategically sound but logistically slow (45-day shipping).
- Missing Storage Mandate: Unlike crude oil (IEA mandates 90-day stocks), no equivalent LPG storage mandate exists domestically.
- Crisis Communication Failure: Reliance on anonymous briefings and delayed press conferences triggered panic — governance deficit exposed.
- Induction Cooktop Opportunity: 4x spike in cooktop sales signals organic shift; no pre-existing policy to incentivise this transition.
🔵 E. Way Forward
| Timeframe | Measure |
|---|---|
| Immediate | Activate ISPRL; fast-track U.S. LPG; expand DAC (Delivery Authentication Code) to prevent diversion |
| Short-Term | Build salt cavern storage in Bikaner-Barmer; subsidise induction cooktops |
| Medium-Term | Mandate 15-day LPG strategic buffer; diversify supply (U.S., Australia, Africa) |
| Long-Term | SDG-7: shift to electricity-based cooking; expand domestic gas production; cut import dependency below 40% |
| Governance | Establish Energy Security Council; real-time LPG inventory dashboard; crisis communication SOP |
🔵 F. Exam Orientation
Strait of Hormuz — between Iran and Oman; ~20% of global oil trade
PMUY — 2016; deposit-free LPG to BPL women
ISPRL — manages crude oil strategic reserves; 3 caverns; ~5 MMT
IEA — Paris-based; India full member 2024
India: 2nd largest LPG consumer globally
LPG imports: tripled 2011-25; Qatar = 34% share
Salt caverns — Bikaner-Barmer; EIL-DEEP Germany partnership
DAC (Delivery Authentication Code) — prevents diversion at distributor level
Mains Questions:
Q1 (10 Marks): The West Asia conflict has exposed India’s structural vulnerabilities in LPG supply security. Examine the demand-supply mismatch and suggest a comprehensive storage and diversification strategy. (GS-III)
Q2 (15 Marks): “Welfare programmes without resilience infrastructure create a false sense of security.” Critically analyse in the context of PMUY and India’s LPG crisis of 2026, suggesting a long-term energy security architecture. (GS-III / Essay)
🟢 Probable UPSC Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to India’s LPG sector, consider the following statements:
1. India is the second-largest consumer of LPG in the world.
2. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
3. India’s total underground LPG storage is less than two days of consumption.
4. ISPRL manages India’s LPG underground caverns.
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Statement 1 ✔: India is the second-largest LPG consumer globally (~3 million tonnes/month).
Statement 2 ✘: Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman, not Saudi Arabia.
Statement 3 ✔: Vizag + Mangaluru caverns = 1.4 lakh MT = less than 2 days of India’s ~80,000 MT/day consumption.
Statement 4 ✘: ISPRL manages crude oil strategic reserves. LPG caverns are operated by OMCs (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL).
Statement 1 ✔: India is the second-largest LPG consumer globally (~3 million tonnes/month).
Statement 2 ✘: Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman, not Saudi Arabia.
Statement 3 ✔: Vizag + Mangaluru caverns = 1.4 lakh MT = less than 2 days of India’s ~80,000 MT/day consumption.
Statement 4 ✘: ISPRL manages crude oil strategic reserves. LPG caverns are operated by OMCs (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL).
Article 4
Youth-Backed RSP Win Signals Nepal’s New Political Era
🔵 A. Issue in Brief
- Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won a landslide in the March 5, 2026 general elections — 125 of 165 FPTP seats; 51.57 lakh PR votes (highest of all parties).
- Balen Shah (former rapper, structural engineer, Kathmandu Mayor) named PM candidate; Rabi Lamichhane retains party presidency.
- This is the first single-party majority since Nepal’s 2015 Constitution — ending a decade of coalition instability driven by NC and CPN-UML.
- For India, a pivotal opportunity to reset bilateral ties under the Neighbourhood First Policy.
🔵 B. Static Background
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nepal Parliament | 275-seat House of Representatives: 165 FPTP + 110 PR; Majority = 138 seats |
| 2015 Constitution | Established federal democratic republic; first single-party majority under it: RSP 2026 |
| Gen Z Movement (Sept 2025) | Mass youth protests against corruption and nepotism — led to Interim PM Sushila Karki (former Chief Justice) |
| RSP History | Founded 2022; 20 seats in 2022; 125 FPTP seats in 2026 |
| India-Nepal Key Agreements | Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950); Power Trade Agreement; Transit Treaty |
| Key Bilateral Project | Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (~6,000 MW) — long-pending; India-Nepal joint venture |
| India’s Policy Framework | Neighbourhood First Policy; BIMSTEC; hydropower cooperation |
🔵 C. Key Dimensions
🧠 Mind Map: Nepal RSP Victory — Implications for India
RSP Landslide 2026
Why RSP Won
- Gen Z anti-corruption movement (Sept 2025)
- 52% voters aged 18-40
- “Bacha Patra” manifesto: clean governance, judicial reform
- Frustration with NC + CPN-UML corruption
India’s Opportunity
- Reset without baggage of old parties
- Hydropower: Pancheshwar 6,000 MW
- Infrastructure: roads, rail, transmission lines
- Educational exchange, ICCR scholarships
India’s Risks
- RSP untested in foreign policy
- Anti-India sentiment if India appears overbearing
- China leveraging Nepal’s BRI connectivity
- Unmet youth expectations may cause instability
India’s 3 Principles (Article)
- 1. Respect democratic process
- 2. Partnership through development, not patronage
- 3. Quiet diplomacy over visibility
| Dimension | Old Parties (NC, CPN-UML) | RSP (New Leadership) |
|---|---|---|
| Governance Style | Coalition bargaining, instability | Single-party mandate, reform-focused |
| Voter Base | Traditional cadre-based | Youth-driven, urban, social-media led |
| Foreign Policy | Experienced India-China balancing | Untested; open to fresh engagement |
| India Relationship | Historically complex, periodic tensions | Clean slate — opportunity for India |
🔵 D. Critical Analysis
- India’s Perennial Challenge: India has often been perceived as overbearing in Nepal. RSP’s anti-establishment roots make it doubly important to adopt a non-patronising approach.
- China Factor: Beijing has pushed BRI, Kathmandu-Tibet railway, and trade corridors. India must match China’s infrastructure pitch with timely project delivery — not just commitments.
- RSP’s Inexperience Risk: Since 2015, no single party had formed a majority. Inner-party fissures and unmet expectations could rapidly destabilise the RSP government.
- Water Diplomacy Opportunity: Pancheshwar (6,000 MW) has been stalled for decades — its revival would be the most powerful signal of India’s genuine partnership intent.
- Open Border Dynamics: India-Nepal’s open border is unique globally but remains sensitive. New Delhi must handle migration concerns carefully.
🔵 E. Way Forward
- Development Diplomacy: Prioritise completion of committed projects (Raxaul-Kathmandu rail, cross-border transmission lines) over political signalling.
- Youth Engagement: Expand ICCR scholarships and India-Nepal youth forums targeting RSP’s 18-40 demographic base.
- Quiet Diplomacy: Avoid public endorsement of specific leaders; maintain consistent engagement regardless of political configurations in Kathmandu.
- Economic Integration: Fast-track Pancheshwar Project; explore joint ventures in IT, pharma, tourism; strengthen BIMSTEC multilateral framework.
🔵 F. Exam Orientation
RSP — founded 2022; 125/165 FPTP seats (2026); PM candidate: Balen Shah
Nepal HoR: 275 seats (165 FPTP + 110 PR); Majority = 138
India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship — 1950
Gen Z protests (Sept 2025) — Interim PM: Sushila Karki (former CJ)
Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project — 6,000 MW; India-Nepal joint venture
Neighbourhood First Policy — India’s core foreign policy doctrine
BRI — China’s Belt and Road connectivity push in Nepal
BIMSTEC — Bay of Bengal Initiative; includes India and Nepal
Mains Questions:
Q1 (10 Marks): The RSP’s landslide victory in Nepal’s 2026 elections is both an opportunity and a challenge for India’s neighbourhood policy. Critically examine. (GS-II)
Q2 (15 Marks): “India’s influence in Nepal is strongest when exercised with sensitivity rather than visibility.” Analyse India’s Neighbourhood First Policy towards Nepal with suitable examples and suggest a forward-looking engagement framework. (GS-II)
🟢 Probable UPSC Prelims MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements about Nepal’s political system:
1. Nepal’s House of Representatives has 275 seats, of which 110 are filled through Proportional Representation.
2. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was founded in 2019.
3. No single party won a parliamentary majority in Nepal from 2015 to 2025.
4. The Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project is a joint hydropower initiative between India and Nepal.
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only
Statement 1 ✔: Nepal HoR = 275 seats: 165 FPTP + 110 PR. Correct.
Statement 2 ✘: RSP was founded in 2022, not 2019.
Statement 3 ✔: Since the 2015 Constitution, no single party had won a majority until RSP’s 2026 victory.
Statement 4 ✔: Pancheshwar (~6,000 MW) on the Mahakali River is a long-pending India-Nepal joint hydropower project.
Statement 1 ✔: Nepal HoR = 275 seats: 165 FPTP + 110 PR. Correct.
Statement 2 ✘: RSP was founded in 2022, not 2019.
Statement 3 ✔: Since the 2015 Constitution, no single party had won a majority until RSP’s 2026 victory.
Statement 4 ✔: Pancheshwar (~6,000 MW) on the Mahakali River is a long-pending India-Nepal joint hydropower project.
Article 5
Holding Up Half the Sky: Women in Indian Agriculture — Underpaid and Undercounted
🔵 A. Issue in Brief
- India has 117.6 million women in agriculture — yet only 10% of rural women own land and women’s wages are less than 50% of male wages in many states.
- Rural female LFPR rose from 35% (2011-12) to 46.5% (2023-24) but this growth is driven by distress self-employment, not genuine labour market inclusion.
- Published on the occasion of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (FAO, 2026) — exposes structural inequality in India’s farm economy.
🔵 B. Static Background
| Parameter | Key Data |
|---|---|
| Total Women in Agriculture | 117.6 million (21.7M hired + 95.1M self-employed + 0.8M regular) — PLFS 2023-24 |
| Historic Milestone | Women hired workers (21.7M) now exceed men (19.7M) — first time in post-Independence India |
| LFPR (Rural Women) | 35% (2011-12) to 46.5% (2023-24); global average: 57-63% |
| Self-Employment Share | 60% (2011-12) to 73% (2023-24) — reflects distress, not empowerment |
| Wage Data | Tamil Nadu: Rs.290/day (less than 50% of male wages); National avg: Rs.384/day; Kerala: Rs.646/day |
| Livestock Implicit Wage | ~Rs.100/day — only 2/5th of agricultural wage rate |
| Land Ownership | Only 10% of rural women own land — denies credit, insurance, bargaining power |
| PARI Project | Foundation for Agrarian Studies; 27-village dataset used in this study |
🔵 C. Key Dimensions
🧠 Mind Map: Women in Indian Agriculture
117.6 Million Women Farmers
Sectors of Work
- Crop production: 1/3 to 61% of labour (by region)
- Livestock: primary workforce; 40M rural households with milch animals
- Wage labour: 16%-71% across regions
Earnings
- Tamil Nadu: Rs.290/day (less than 50% of male)
- UP: Rs.242-276/day
- Kerala: Rs.646/day (highest)
- Livestock implicit: ~Rs.100/day
Structural Barriers
- Only 10% own land
- 73% self-employed (no formal labour rights)
- Care work intermingled with farm work
- PLFS undercounts women’s work
Policy Gaps
- No gender-disaggregated family farm data
- No land titling programme for women
- Equal Remuneration Act (1976) poorly enforced
- MGNREGS wage parity: partial progress
| State / Source | Women’s Daily Wage | Wage Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | Rs.646/day | Narrower |
| Tamil Nadu (PARI villages) | Rs.290/day | More than 50% gap vs. men |
| Uttar Pradesh (PARI villages) | Rs.242-276/day | Narrower in absolute terms |
| All-India (Labour Bureau, Nov 2025) | Rs.384/day | Significant gap from male wages |
🔵 D. Critical Analysis
- Statistical Invisibility: PLFS fails to capture seasonal, home-based, unpaid care-integrated work — actual women workers are likely higher than 117.6 million.
- Feminisation Without Empowerment: 73% self-employment rate reflects agrarian distress, not progress. The label “worker” masks poverty.
- Land Rights Paradox: Women form ~50% of farm workforce but own only 10% of farmland — denying credit access, insurance, and bargaining power.
- Wage Stagnation: After inflation adjustment, women’s agricultural wages have barely risen in a decade despite the Equal Remuneration Act (1976).
- Care Economy Burden: Women’s unpaid farm + livestock + domestic work remains economically invisible — India has no satellite account for unpaid care.
- FAO Estimate: Equal access to land, credit, and inputs could raise agricultural output by 2.5-4% and reduce global hunger by 100-150 million.
🔵 E. Way Forward
- Land Titling: Joint titling for married couples; prioritise women in land redistribution; accelerate DILRMP (Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme).
- Wage Enforcement: Gender wage audit in agriculture; link MGNREGS revisions to gender parity benchmarks.
- Data Reform: Redesign PLFS to capture seasonal, home-based, unpaid agricultural work — disaggregated by gender, sector, asset ownership.
- Credit Access: Expand Kisan Credit Cards and PM-KISAN to women as primary beneficiaries; strengthen NABARD SHG-bank linkage.
- Livestock Value Chain: Formalise dairy women’s implicit earnings; link to institutional credit (AMUL model expansion).
- SDG Alignment: SDG-1 (No Poverty), SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), SDG-5 (Gender Equality), SDG-8 (Decent Work).
🔵 F. Exam Orientation
Rural female LFPR: 35% (2011-12) to 46.5% (2023-24) [PLFS]
117.6M women in agriculture; 21.7M hired — now exceeds men for first time
73% rural women self-employed in agriculture (2023-24)
Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 — equal pay for equal work
PARI Project — Foundation for Agrarian Studies; 27-village dataset
Women’s land ownership: only 10% of rural women
FAO: International Year of the Woman Farmer — 2026
MGNREGS — mandates 33% women workers; equal wage provision
Mains Questions:
Q1 (10 Marks): “Women sustain India’s farming economy but remain underpaid and undercounted.” Examine the statistical and structural reasons for this paradox and suggest reforms. (GS-I / GS-III)
Q2 (15 Marks): Discuss the nature and scale of women’s participation in Indian agriculture. What policy interventions are needed to translate their contribution into economic empowerment, asset ownership, and social recognition? (GS-I / GS-III / Essay)
🟢 Probable UPSC Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to women’s participation in Indian agriculture (PLFS 2023-24), which statements are correct?
1. Rural female LFPR increased from 35% (2011-12) to 46.5% (2023-24).
2. Women hired agricultural workers now outnumber male hired workers for the first time in post-Independence India.
3. The increase in rural women workers is mainly in regular wage or salaried employment.
4. The all-India average daily agricultural wage for women was Rs.384 (Labour Bureau, Nov 2025).
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
Statement 1 ✔: Correct as per PLFS data.
Statement 2 ✔: Women hired workers (21.7M) exceed men (19.7M) — first time in post-Independence India.
Statement 3 ✘: The increase is in self-employment (60% to 73%), not regular/salaried employment. Reflects distress, not inclusion.
Statement 4 ✔: Labour Bureau (Nov 2025): All-India women’s agricultural wage = Rs.384/day; Kerala highest at Rs.646/day.
Statement 1 ✔: Correct as per PLFS data.
Statement 2 ✔: Women hired workers (21.7M) exceed men (19.7M) — first time in post-Independence India.
Statement 3 ✘: The increase is in self-employment (60% to 73%), not regular/salaried employment. Reflects distress, not inclusion.
Statement 4 ✔: Labour Bureau (Nov 2025): All-India women’s agricultural wage = Rs.384/day; Kerala highest at Rs.646/day.
Article 6
NCERT Textbook Row: SC Demands Accountability and Expert Oversight
🔵 A. Issue in Brief
- The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over a “laconic” affidavit by the NCERT Director claiming a banned Class 8 Social Science chapter on “corruption in judiciary” had been “duly rewritten” — without specifying who rewrote it, how, or when.
- The Court mandated that any revised chapter must be approved by an expert committee (comprising a former senior judge, an eminent academic, and a renowned legal practitioner) before publication, and directed the government to re-examine the NSTC.
🔵 B. Static Background
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Banned textbook | NCERT Class 8 Social Science — chapter on “corruption in judiciary” |
| Ban order | February 26, 2026 — SC ordered “blanket and complete ban” |
| Copies withdrawn | Over 82,000 copies withdrawn by Centre before ban order |
| Textbook Development Team (TDT) | Michel Danino, Suparna Divakar, Alok Prasanna Kumar |
| NCERT Director | Dinesh Prasad Saklani — filed the affidavit deemed “laconic” |
| Expert committee ordered | Former senior judge + eminent academic + renowned legal practitioner |
| Additional direction | Expert committee to associate with National Judicial Academy (NJA) on legal studies curriculum for all classes |
| NSTC reform | SC directed government to revisit composition of National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee |
- NCERT: National Council of Educational Research and Training — autonomous body under Ministry of Education.
- National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal: Autonomous body under Supreme Court for judicial training and research.
- Right to Education Act, 2009: Article 21A — free and compulsory education for 6-14 years; textbook quality integral to this right.
- Article 19(1)(a): SC clarified it is “not averse to legitimate criticism” of the judiciary — protecting objective criticism while condemning deliberate misrepresentation.
🔵 C. Key Dimensions
🔄 Flowchart: NCERT Textbook Row Timeline
NCERT publishes Class 8 Social Science textbook with chapter on “corruption in judiciary”
▼
Controversy erupts — SC takes cognisance; Centre withdraws 82,000+ copies
▼
February 26, 2026: SC orders “blanket and complete” ban
▼
NCERT Director files affidavit claiming chapter “has been duly rewritten” — no specifics given
▼
March 12, 2026: SC calls affidavit “laconic”; demands accountability — who rewrote, how, when?
▼
SC orders expert committee to approve revised chapter; directs NSTC reform + NJA collaboration
| 📊 Competing Constitutional Values in This Case | |
|---|---|
| Value | Issue Raised |
| Freedom of Expression (Art. 19(1)(a)) | SC clarified: legitimate criticism of judiciary is protected; deliberate misrepresentation is not |
| Right to Education (Art. 21A) | Quality and accuracy of school textbooks is integral to the right to education |
| Judicial Independence | SC’s concern: biased content could undermine public confidence in judiciary over time |
| Accountability in Governance | NCERT Director’s vague affidavit = evasion of accountability; SC rightly demanded specifics |
🔵 D. Critical Analysis
- Governance accountability: The NCERT Director’s vague affidavit is a classic case of bureaucratic evasiveness — claiming action without providing evidence. The SC’s sharp response is a model for demanding specific accountability.
- Judicial balance: The SC explicitly clarified it is “not averse to legitimate criticism” of the judiciary — an important distinction protecting academic freedom while condemning deliberate misrepresentation.
- Expert committee precedent: Mandating expert oversight for textbook content on sensitive institutional topics sets an important precedent for ensuring factual accuracy in curriculum.
- NSTC reform urgency: The case highlights systemic weakness in how India’s national textbook development committees are constituted — without adequate peer review or legal expertise.
- NEP 2020 alignment: NEP 2020 calls for critical thinking and reduced content load — curriculum reform requires careful balancing of critical inquiry with institutional accuracy.
🔵 E. Way Forward
- Reform NSTC composition: Include retired judges, practicing lawyers, legal academics, and civil society in textbook development teams for chapters touching constitutional institutions.
- Transparent peer review: Establish mandatory peer review protocols for NCERT textbooks before publication.
- Judicial literacy curriculum: Collaborate with NJA to develop a comprehensive, factually accurate legal studies curriculum for all school classes.
- Social media accountability: The SC’s direction to identify websites spreading irresponsible content needs a structured framework linked to IT Rules 2021.
- SDG linkage: SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 4 (Quality Education).
🔵 F. Exam Orientation
📌 Prelims Pointers
- NCERT: Autonomous under Ministry of Education; develops school textbooks and curricula
- NSTC: National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee — oversees curriculum development
- National Judicial Academy (NJA): Located in Bhopal; under the Supreme Court for judicial training
- RTE Act, 2009: Article 21A; free and compulsory education for 6-14 years
- NEP 2020: Emphasises critical thinking, multidisciplinary education, reduced content load
- Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech — includes legitimate criticism of public institutions
Mains Questions:
Q1 (10 Marks): The NCERT textbook controversy raises fundamental questions about accountability in curriculum development and the limits of institutional autonomy. Critically examine the Supreme Court’s role in this dispute and its implications for educational governance. (GS-II)
Q2 (15 Marks): “The right to critique institutions and the responsibility to ensure factual accuracy in school textbooks are both essential to a democratic society.” Discuss with reference to the recent NCERT controversy and suggest a framework for accountable curriculum development. (GS-II / GS-IV)
🟢 Probable UPSC Prelims MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements about NCERT and India’s educational governance:
1. NCERT is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education.
2. The National Judicial Academy (NJA) is located in Bhopal and functions under the Supreme Court of India.
3. The Right to Education Act, 2009 provides for free and compulsory education to children between 6 and 14 years of age.
4. The National Education Policy 2020 was the first NEP to be released after the original National Policy on Education, 1986.
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Statement 1: Correct. NCERT is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education.
Statement 2: Correct. The National Judicial Academy is in Bhopal, functioning under the SC of India.
Statement 3: Correct. RTE Act, 2009 under Article 21A provides free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years.
Statement 4: Incorrect. NEP 2020 is NOT the first NEP after 1986. The 1986 policy was revised in 1992. NEP 2020 is the third NEP (after 1968, 1986/1992).
Statement 1: Correct. NCERT is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education.
Statement 2: Correct. The National Judicial Academy is in Bhopal, functioning under the SC of India.
Statement 3: Correct. RTE Act, 2009 under Article 21A provides free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years.
Statement 4: Incorrect. NEP 2020 is NOT the first NEP after 1986. The 1986 policy was revised in 1992. NEP 2020 is the third NEP (after 1968, 1986/1992).
Article 7
Anti-Depredation Squads Linked to Elephant Deaths: A Conservation Paradox
🔵 A. Issue in Brief
- A study in Conservation Biology finds that Anti-Depredation Squads (ADS) in Assam’s Sonitpur district — designed by WWF-India to reduce human-elephant conflict — are actually associated with a 2 to 3 times increase in accidental elephant deaths, while showing no discernible impact on human mortality.
- The study (20 years of data) suggests that searchlights and firecrackers used by ADS create a “landscape of fear” that causes elephants to stray into ditches, electric wires, and rail tracks.
🔵 B. Static Background
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| ADS launched | 2003 in Sonitpur district, Assam (WWF-India + Forest Department) |
| ADS scaled up | 2008 by Assam government; new squads still being formed |
| ADS composition | 10-15 male volunteers; given searchlights and firecrackers |
| Study data period | 20 years of elephant deaths in Sonitpur |
| Key finding | 2-3x increase in accidental elephant deaths in ADS villages |
| “14 additional deaths in as many years” | Attributable to ADS presence statistically |
| Cause of deaths | Ditches, electrocution, train collisions — NOT direct conflict |
| Impact on humans | No discernible impact on human mortality |
| Lead author | Nitin Sekar, Conservation X Labs (formerly WWF-India) |
| Statistical analysis | E. Somanathan, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Delhi |
| Assam’s wild elephants | More than 5,000 — second largest population in India |
| ADS presence beyond Assam | West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh |
| Elephant Task Force 2010 | Identified Sonitpur as priority landscape for elephant conservation |
- Project Elephant: Launched 1992 by MoEFCC; 33 Elephant Reserves across India; provides financial and technical support to range states.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Asian elephants in Schedule I — highest protection; killing is a non-bailable offence.
- CITES: Asian elephants in Appendix I — prohibits international commercial trade.
- IUCN Status: Asian elephant — Endangered (EN).
- Elephant Corridors: WTI mapped 101 corridors in India; Sonitpur-Kaziranga is a priority corridor.
🔵 C. Key Dimensions
🔄 Flowchart: How ADS Creates “Landscape of Fear”
Elephants displaced from forest habitats — range over crop lands and human settlements
▼
WWF-India designs ADS (2003): 10-15 volunteers with searchlights and firecrackers chase elephants
▼
ADS creates “landscape of fear” — elephants become frightened and lose situational awareness
▼
Panicking elephants stray into dangerous situations: ditches, electrified fences, railway tracks
▼
Result: 2-3x increase in accidental deaths; 14 additional deaths over 14 years
▼
No statistically significant reduction in human mortality — core objective unfulfilled
🧠 Mind Map: Human-Elephant Conflict in India
Human-Elephant Conflict
Root Causes
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Encroachment on corridors
Linear infrastructure (railways, roads)
Tea plantations (Sonitpur)
Scale
5,000+ elephants in Assam (2nd largest)
Sonitpur: 1.9 million people + elephants
ADS active in 4 states
101 corridors mapped nationally
ADS Finding
2-3x increase in accidental deaths
“Landscape of fear” mechanism
No human mortality benefit
20-year data; rigorous controls
Alternatives
Beehive fences (proven globally)
GPS collar early warning systems
Corridor restoration
EEWS (Tamil Nadu/Kerala model)
🔵 D. Critical Analysis
- Conservation intervention without evaluation: ADS operated for over 20 years across multiple states as part of national guidelines — without a single rigorous evaluation. This is a systemic failure in conservation governance.
- Association vs. causation: WWF-India rightly cautions the study establishes association, not causation — key data gaps include lack of ground-truthing and the fact that ADS are only active in the cropping season while death data covers the full year.
- Precautionary principle: Even if causation is unproven, a 2-3x statistical association with increased accidental deaths warrants immediate re-evaluation — the precautionary principle in environmental law demands no less.
- Scale of proliferation risk: If the association holds causally, India’s 4-state ADS programme could be inadvertently causing additional elephant deaths across West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
- Disorganised chasing alternative: WWF-India argues that even if ADS has negative effects, the alternative (disorganised individual chasing) may be worse — highlighting the difficulty of replacing existing interventions without better alternatives.
🔵 E. Way Forward
- Immediate evaluation: Conduct a prompt, multi-group rigorous evaluation of ADS across all four states — as recommended by lead author Nitin Sekar.
- Adaptive management: ADS squads should modify practices — reduce aggressive chasing and substitute with less frightening deterrents.
- Technology solutions: GPS collars and mobile early warning systems (Elephant Early Warning System — EEWS used in Tamil Nadu and Kerala) allow communities to avoid elephants rather than chase them.
- Beehive fences: African success with beehive fences as deterrents — non-threatening to elephant behaviour; applicable to Indian context.
- Habitat restoration: Long-term solution lies in restoring elephant corridors; Project Elephant’s corridor protection initiative needs accelerated funding.
- Institutional mandate: Mandate evaluation of all wildlife conflict interventions before scaling — embed this in Project Elephant guidelines and state forest policies.
- SDG linkage: SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities — human-wildlife coexistence), SDG 17 (Partnerships).
🔵 F. Exam Orientation
📌 Prelims Pointers
- Project Elephant: Launched 1992 by MoEFCC; 33 Elephant Reserves; flagship wildlife protection programme
- Asian Elephant IUCN status: Endangered (EN); Schedule I of WPA 1972; CITES Appendix I
- Elephant Task Force (2010): Report “Gajah” — identified 5 priority landscapes including Sonitpur, Assam
- Sonitpur, Assam: North-central Assam; priority elephant conservation landscape
- WWF-India: World Wildlife Fund-India; designed ADS in 2003
- Precautionary Principle: Environmental law principle — when in doubt about harm, take preventive action; part of Rio Declaration (1992)
- WTI: Wildlife Trust of India — mapped 101 elephant corridors in India
Mains Questions:
Q1 (10 Marks): A study linking anti-depredation squads to increased accidental elephant deaths highlights a broader problem in India’s approach to human-wildlife conflict management. Examine the issue and suggest evidence-based alternatives. (GS-III)
Q2 (15 Marks): “Conservation interventions in India are rarely evaluated before they are scaled up, with potentially counter-productive consequences.” Critically examine this statement with reference to human-elephant conflict management and suggest a framework for evidence-based conservation governance. (GS-III / Essay)
🟢 Probable UPSC Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to elephant conservation in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Asian elephant is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which provides it the highest level of protection.
2. Project Elephant was launched in 1973 as India’s first wildlife protection initiative.
3. The Elephant Task Force (2010) report was titled “Gajah” and identified five priority landscapes for elephant conservation.
4. The Asian elephant is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only
Statement 1: Correct. Asian elephant is in Schedule I of WPA 1972 — highest protection category.
Statement 2: Incorrect. Project Elephant was launched in 1992, NOT 1973. Project Tiger was launched in 1973. This is a common Prelims confusion trap.
Statement 3: Correct. The Elephant Task Force (2010), chaired by Mahesh Rangarajan, submitted the report “Gajah” identifying 5 priority elephant conservation landscapes.
Statement 4: Correct. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict.
Statement 1: Correct. Asian elephant is in Schedule I of WPA 1972 — highest protection category.
Statement 2: Incorrect. Project Elephant was launched in 1992, NOT 1973. Project Tiger was launched in 1973. This is a common Prelims confusion trap.
Statement 3: Correct. The Elephant Task Force (2010), chaired by Mahesh Rangarajan, submitted the report “Gajah” identifying 5 priority elephant conservation landscapes.
Statement 4: Correct. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — UPSC Current Affairs March 12, 2026
SEO-optimised FAQs for UPSC aspirants based on The Hindu, March 12, 2026
1. What is the significance of the Harish Rana SC judgment 2026 for UPSC?
The Harish Rana judgment (March 2026) is significant for GS-II and GS-IV. The SC implemented 2018 Constitution Bench guidelines for the first time, allowing Withdrawing/Withholding of Medical Treatment (WWMT) — replacing “passive euthanasia.” Key exam points: (1) Active euthanasia remains impermissible; (2) WWMT is now the legal term; (3) AIIMS Delhi directed to provide palliative care; (4) District CMOs to form Secondary Medical Boards; (5) SC urged Parliament to legislate on the subject. For GS-IV, the case raises profound questions about dignity, compassion, and state interest in preserving life.
2. How does India’s LPG crisis relate to UPSC energy security?
India’s LPG crisis (March 2026) is a live case study for GS-III energy security. Key facts: India’s total underground LPG storage is only 1.4 lakh MT (less than 2 days of consumption). 90% of LPG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. PMUY added 10 crore connections without parallel storage investment — a policy asymmetry. For Prelims: remember PPAC (under MoPNG), OMCs (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL), and that India is an IEA Associate Member (not full member). For Mains: use as a case study on the gap between welfare policy (PMUY) and strategic planning (storage reserves).
3. What are the UPSC implications of Nepal’s RSP election victory?
Nepal’s March 2026 elections are directly relevant to GS-II International Relations. RSP won 125/165 FPTP seats — first single-party majority since Nepal’s 2015 Constitution. PM candidate Balen Shah (rapper-turned-engineer-turned-Mayor) represents a Gen Z political wave. India’s policy framework should rest on: (1) Respect for democratic process; (2) Partnership over patronage; (3) Quiet diplomacy. For Prelims: Nepal’s Parliament has 275 seats (165 FPTP + 110 PR); SSB manages India-Nepal border (not BSF); Nepal signed BRI MoU in 2017.
4. What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it critical for India’s energy security?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, through which approximately 20% of global oil transits. For India: 90% of LPG imports pass through the Strait, making it a critical chokepoint. Iran closed it from March 1, 2026, triggering India’s LPG crisis. The five major global maritime chokepoints are: Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf), Strait of Malacca (Southeast Asia), Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab-el-Mandeb (Yemen/Djibouti), and Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). For Prelims: know its geographic location; for Mains: discuss in context of energy security and India’s West Asia policy.
5. What is the gender wage gap in Indian agriculture and why is it important for UPSC?
Women form nearly 50% of India’s agricultural workforce (117.6 million in 2023-24) but earn less than 50% of male wages. UPSC asks about this because it intersects GS-I (Social Issues), GS-III (Agriculture), and Essay topics on gender inequality. Key data: Women hired agricultural workers (21.7 million) now exceed male hired workers (19.7 million) — first time ever. Rural female LFPR rose from 35% (2011-12) to 46.5% (2023-24) — mostly in unpaid self-employment (73%). Only 10% rural women own land. Average daily wage: Rs.384 nationally; Rs.646 (highest) in Kerala; under Rs.300 in Tamil Nadu and U.P. villages.
6. What are the West Asia conflict’s economic impacts on India?
The US-Israel-Iran conflict (Feb-Mar 2026) has multiple economic impacts on India: (1) LPG shortage — Strait of Hormuz closure; 60% LPG imports disrupted; (2) Crude oil spike — Brent crude above $90-120/barrel; inflation risk; (3) Currency depreciation — Rupee fell to Rs.92/USD; (4) Stock market — Nifty fell 1.6%; Sensex down 1.7%; (5) Trade disruption — 28 Indian-flagged vessels in Strait with 778 Indian seafarers; (6) Fiscal pressure — OMC subsidy losses; LPG subsidy cut 27% in Budget 2026-27 just weeks before crisis. GS-III angle: strategic petroleum reserves, ethanol blending. GS-II angle: India-US relations, India’s West Asia policy, MEA’s response.
7. What is the anti-depredation squad controversy and its conservation significance?
Anti-Depredation Squads (ADS) are village-level groups (10-15 male volunteers) using searchlights and firecrackers to chase crop-raiding elephants. Launched in 2003 by WWF-India in Sonitpur, Assam. A 2026 study in Conservation Biology found 2-3x increase in accidental elephant deaths in ADS villages vs. non-ADS villages. The mechanism: ADS creates a “landscape of fear” causing elephants to stray into ditches, electrified fences, and railway tracks. No impact on human mortality. UPSC relevance: GS-III Environment — Project Elephant (1992), Asian elephant is Endangered (IUCN), Schedule I (WPA 1972). Key governance lesson: interventions must be evaluated before scaling.
8. What is the significance of the NCERT controversy for UPSC governance and ethics?
The NCERT Class 8 textbook controversy has multiple UPSC angles. For GS-II (Governance): (1) Accountability in curriculum development; (2) Judicial oversight of educational content; (3) NSTC reform needs; (4) Transparency in government affidavits. For GS-IV (Ethics): (1) Probity in public institutions — NCERT Director’s vague affidavit; (2) Impartiality in government communication. Key constitutional provision: Article 19(1)(a) — SC clarified that objective criticism of judiciary is protected; deliberate misrepresentation is not. For Prelims: NCERT is autonomous under Ministry of Education; NJA is in Bhopal under SC; NSTC oversees curriculum development; NEP 2020 is the third NEP (after 1968, 1986/1992).
