8th October 2025 – Current Affairs

1.10 Years of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) – Economy

Why in News?

• PKVY marks a decade of implementation (2015–2025).

• Transitioned from a pilot cluster model into a national framework focused on:

  • Training of organic farmers

  • Certification systems

  • Market access and linkages for organic produce

Objectives of PKVY

• To promote organic and traditional chemical-free farming.

• To reduce dependence on synthetic inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.

• To create a sustainable, eco-friendly farming model using traditional Indian knowledge systems.

Key Features of the Scheme

Cluster-Based Model

• Farmers form clusters of at least 20 hectares.

• Enables resource sharing, joint certification, and group marketing.

• Reduces per-farmer cost and enhances efficiency.

Institutional Framework

• Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

• Launched under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

Certification Mechanisms

Digital Integration: Jaivik Kheti Portal

• Centralized online platform connecting:

  • Farmers ↔ Buyers ↔ Input Suppliers

• Enhances:

  • Transparency in trade

  • Ease of access to organic produce

  • Market discovery and fair pricing

Achievements (As of January 2025)

• ₹2,265.86 crore released for promoting organic farming.

• 15 lakh hectares under organic cultivation.

• 52,289 clusters established.

• 25.3 lakh farmers actively involved.

• Sikkim achieved 100% organic status.

• Expansion to challenging geographies like Ladakh and Nicobar Islands.

Challenges and Issues

Important Concept

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

• PGS-India, NPOP, LAC

• Jaivik Kheti Portal

• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

• Cluster-Based Organic Farming

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following certification systems under PKVY is used primarily for domestic organic markets?
   A. NPOP
   B. AGMARK
   C. PGS-India
   D. FSSAI
   Answer: C. PGS-India

2. Which state became the first fully organic state in India under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana?
   A. Arunachal Pradesh
   B. Himachal Pradesh
   C. Sikkim
   D. Uttarakhand
   Answer:C. Sikkim

Mains 

1.”Organic farming holds the key to sustainable agricultural development in India, but faces several systemic challenges.” Examine this statement in the context of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). (250 words)

2. MGNREGA – Mandatory Allocation for Water Conservation – Governance

Why in News?

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has amended Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, mandating minimum fund allocation for water conservation and harvesting works. This step addresses the growing groundwater crisis and strengthens sustainable rural employment and resource management.

Background: MGNREGA in Brief

• Provides 100 days of guaranteed wage employment annually to rural households willing to do unskilled work.

• Focus on rural asset creation, poverty alleviation, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

• Includes works like water conservation, drought proofing, afforestation, etc.

Key Amendment Details

• Schedule-I of MGNREGA (which defines permissible works) amended via government notification (24th amendment since 2005).

• New rule mandates block-level minimum spending on water conservation based on groundwater extraction levels.

Groundwater-Based Fund Allocation

Based on the Central Ground Water Board’s 2024 assessment of 6,746 blocks:

Financial Impact (FY 2025–26):
From ₹86,000 crore MGNREGA budget, ₹35,000 crore is estimated to be spent on water-related works.

Key beneficiary states: Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nadu — due to high number of stressed groundwater blocks.

Significance of the Amendment

For Rural Areas

• Creates climate-resilient assets.

• Enhances employment in rural water infrastructure.

• Promotes community-based water management.

For Governance & Sustainability

• Supports:

  • Jal Shakti Abhiyan

  • Atal Bhujal Yojana

• Promotes integrated planning, natural resource regeneration, and local accountability.

Way Forward

Integrated Planning

• Align with:

  • PM Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY)

  • Watershed Development Programs

Capacity Building

• Train Gram Sabhas, engineers, and PRI functionaries in water budgeting and sustainable works.

Tech-Driven Monitoring

• GIS mapping

• Real-time dashboards

• Geo-tagged asset tracking

Sustainability Focus

• Develop check dams, percolation tanks, plantation drives, and soil moisture conservation structures.

Key Concepts 

• MGNREGA Schedule-I

• Groundwater categorization by CGWB

• Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana

• PMKSY, Watershed Development

• Gram Sabha role in decentralized planning

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims 

1. Which of the following correctly matches the groundwater category and its corresponding minimum fund allocation under MGNREGA’s amended Schedule-I?
A. Over-exploited – 40%
B. Semi-critical – 65%
C. Critical – 65%
D. Safe – 65%
Answer: C. Critical – 65%

2. The 2025 amendment to MGNREGA mandates minimum fund allocation to water conservation projects based on:
A. Average annual rainfall
B. Surface water availability
C. Groundwater extraction levels by CGWB
D. Soil fertility data from ICAR
Answer: C. Groundwater extraction levels by CGWB

Mains

1.”The amendment to MGNREGA linking employment to water conservation marks a strategic shift in India’s rural development policy.” Discuss how this policy convergence can address environmental and socio-economic challenges in rural India. (250 words)

2. Examine the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in implementing water conservation projects under MGNREGA. How can capacity building improve their effectiveness? (150 words)

3. Jal Jeevan Mission – Asset Mapping on PM Gati Shakti Portal – Governance

 Why in News?

The Union Government has announced that all drinking water assets, including pipelines under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), will be mapped on the PM Gati Shakti portal, a GIS-based platform designed to enhance infrastructure planning and inter-ministerial coordination.

About Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

Launch Date:

• August 15, 2019

Nodal Ministry:

• Ministry of Jal Shakti

Mission Objective:

• To provide safe and adequate piped drinking water to every rural household in India by 2024, on a household tap connection basis.

Key Components of JJM

Infrastructure Development

• In-village piped water supply systems to ensure Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs).

Community-Led Planning

• Bottom-up approach involving local communities in:

  • Planning

  • Implementation

  • Operation & Maintenance (O&M)

Empowerment of Women

• Women-led Water Committees (Village Water & Sanitation Committees – VWSCs) participate in:

  • Monitoring water quality

  • Managing water sources

  • Decision-making

Focus on Institutions

• Provision of tap water in:

  • Schools

  • Anganwadi centers

  • Tribal hostels

Capacity Building & Skill Development

• Training of local youth for:

  • Plumbing

  • Pump operation

  • Water quality testing

Sustainability Measures

• Groundwater recharge

• Greywater management (reuse and recycling of wastewater)

• Water conservation techniques

• Ensuring long-term water source security

Funding Pattern of JJM

New Development: GIS Mapping on PM Gati Shakti Portal

• The mission will use Geographic Information System (GIS) to map:

  • Pipelines

  • Tanks

  • Pump houses

  • Water treatment plants

Benefits of GIS Mapping:

• Transparent asset management

• Real-time monitoring of infrastructure

• Avoids duplication across departments

• Enhances infrastructure planning efficiency

Key Concepts

• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

• PM Gati Shakti portal – GIS-based national infrastructure planning platform

• Greywater management

• Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs)

• Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs)

• JJM funding pattern by region

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following features is NOT a component of the Jal Jeevan Mission?
A. Greywater management
B. In-village piped water supply
C. Urban wastewater treatment plants
D. Community-based monitoring
Answer: C. Urban wastewater treatment plants

2. What is the funding ratio between Centre and States for Jal Jeevan Mission in North-Eastern and Himalayan states?
A. 50:50
B. 75:25
C. 90:10
D. 100:0
Answer: C. 90:10

Mains

1.”Jal Jeevan Mission reflects a paradigm shift in India’s approach to rural water governance.”
Discuss how the mission ensures sustainability, community ownership, and equitable access to water. (250 words)

2. Examine the role of digital platforms like PM Gati Shakti in enhancing transparency and efficiency in the implementation of infrastructure schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission. (150 words)

4. Decoding Delhi’s Air Pollution – The Role of the Decision Support System (DSS) – Environment

Why in News?

As Delhi enters its winter air pollution season, the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management has been reactivated.

• Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, DSS:

  • Identifies and quantifies daily source contributions to air pollution (PM2.5 and PM10).

  • Forecasts pollution levels and simulates impact of mitigation measures.

Understanding the Decision Support System (DSS)

What is DSS?

• A numerical modeling platform to monitor, analyze, and predict air quality.

• Designed to assist policymakers in crafting targeted pollution control measures.

How It Works

• Operates on a 10-km resolution grid for the National Capital Region (NCR).

• Provides:

  • 5-day air quality forecasts

  • Sector-wise contributions: vehicles, industry, residential sources, stubble burning, dust, etc.

  • Simulation of emission control scenarios

Current Limitation

• Runs only during winter, despite year-round pollution.

• Uses a 2021 emissions inventory, which may undermine accuracy.

  • IITM is currently updating the inventory.

Key Takeaways from DSS (October 2025)

Transport Emissions – Primary Contributor

• Largest source of PM2.5 and PM10 in Delhi.

• Residential emissions: ~4–5%

• Industrial emissions: ~3–5%

Farm Fires – Minimal Contribution (So Far)

• On October 5: 0.22% contribution to PM2.5

• On October 6: 0% contribution

• Data based on VIIRS satellite monitoring

• However, stubble burning expected to increase in coming weeks.

Temporary Relief from Rains

• Recent rain and wind events lowered pollution levels temporarily.

• Experts caution pollution will worsen with:

  • Falling temperatures

  • Calm wind conditions

  • Increased biomass burning in Punjab and Haryana

Significance of DSS for Delhi’s Air Quality Management

Challenges & Limitations

1. Outdated Emissions Data (2021) – affects model accuracy.

2. Seasonal Operation – DSS is only active in winter months.

3. Limited Real-Time Data Integration – currently relies more on static inventories.

4. Need for Continuous Monitoring – to understand pollution dynamics throughout the year.

Important Concepts

• Decision Support System (DSS)

• PM2.5 vs PM10 – Fine vs coarse particulate matter

• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune

• VIIRS Satellite – Tracks fire and thermal anomalies

• Air Quality Index (AQI)

• Source Apportionment Studies

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. The Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality management in Delhi was developed by:
A. Central Pollution Control Board
B. Indian Meteorological Department
C. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune
D. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)
Answer: C. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune

2. According to the DSS data, which of the following is currently the largest contributor to Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution?
A. Stubble Burning
B. Residential Cooking
C. Transport Emissions
D. Industrial Emissions
Answer: C. Transport Emissions

Mains

1.”Delhi’s air pollution problem is as much about urban emissions as it is about regional coordination.” Discuss how the Decision Support System (DSS) helps policymakers distinguish between local and external pollution sources. (250 words)

2. Discuss the importance of real-time emissions data in urban air quality forecasting. How can tools like the DSS be improved for better policy responses? (150 words)

5. Reforming Passive Euthanasia in India -Governance

Why in News?

The U.K.’s proposed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill seeks to legalize physician-assisted dying for mentally competent adults with less than six months to live, pending approval from the House of Lords.

• This development has reignited debate in India, which currently allows only passive euthanasia and prohibits active euthanasia.

• The Indian government is considering reforms to simplify and digitize the passive euthanasia process.

Understanding Euthanasia in India

Passive Euthanasia (Allowed)

• Involves withdrawing life support or withholding medical treatment to allow a patient to die naturally.

• Legally recognized under the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in:

  • Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011) – Introduced passive euthanasia conditionally

  • Common Cause v. Union of India (2018) – Legalized passive euthanasia with safeguards

• Requires:

  • Advance Directive (Living Will)

  • Verification by two medical boards

  • Judicial oversight

Active Euthanasia (Not Allowed)

• Involves deliberate action to end life, e.g., administering lethal drugs.

• Remains illegal and ethically contested in India.

Challenges in the Current Framework

Proposed Reforms in India

Digital Facilitation

• Create a national portal for managing Advance Directives, linked with Aadhaar.

• Improves accessibility, authentication, and record-keeping.

Hospital-Level Empowerment

• Authorize hospital ethics committees (instead of courts) to oversee withdrawal of life support.

• This would decentralize decision-making while retaining accountability.

Safeguards to Prevent Misuse

• Retain:

  • 7-day cooling-off period

  • Mandatory psychological counselling

  • Evaluation by palliative care experts

Key Concepts

• Passive vs Active Euthanasia

• Advance Directive / Living Will

• Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011)

• Common Cause v. Union of India (2018)

• Hospital Ethics Committees

• Palliative Care

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims 

1. What is the legal status of passive euthanasia in India?
A. It is illegal in all forms
B. Allowed only through court orders in each case
C. Legal under specified guidelines issued by the Supreme Court
D. Legal only for minors and mentally ill patients
Answer: C. Legal under specified guidelines issued by the Supreme Court

2. Which of the following is true about an Advance Directive in India?
A. It is registered in district courts only.
B. It is valid only for minors.
C. It allows a person to express their wish to refuse life support in specific conditions.
D. It is permitted only in foreign jurisdictions.
Answer: C. It allows a person to express their wish to refuse life support in specific conditions.

Mains

1.”The recognition of passive euthanasia in India marked a significant milestone in end-of-life care, but its implementation remains limited.” Critically examine the legal and ethical challenges associated with euthanasia in India. (250 words)

2. Discuss the role of digital governance in enhancing access to end-of-life care through reforms in passive euthanasia policy. (150 words)

6. Criticism of the Indian Judiciary – Misplaced Blame or Structural Challenge? – Polity

Why in News?

Recent public commentary by prominent policymakers has criticized the judiciary for allegedly hindering India’s progress toward becoming a developed nation.

• These remarks, however, oversimplify complex governance failures and misrepresent the judiciary’s role in a constitutional democracy.

• The issue has reignited debates on the institutional health, workload, and funding of the Indian judicial system.

Key Takeaways

Judiciary as Scapegoat

• The blame game often shifts attention from:

  • Inefficient governance mechanisms

  • Poorly drafted legislation

• Critics ignore the constitutional duty of courts to review executive action, not to impede development.

Major Issues with the Current Narrative

Misattribution of Blame

• Example:

  • The failure of pre-suit mediation under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 is a legislative design flaw, not judicial inaction.

Government as the Biggest Litigant

• The government accounts for nearly 50% of pending cases.

• Frivolous litigation, avoidable appeals, and administrative disputes clog the judicial pipeline.

Judicial Workload Misunderstood

• Judges handle 50–100 cases per day.

• Judgment writing, case reading, and research happen beyond courtroom hours.

• Vacations are used for writing judgments, not leisure, as commonly portrayed.

Structural Challenges Facing Judiciary

Understanding the Role of Judiciary in a Democracy

• Guardian of the Constitution – Enforces fundamental rights and checks arbitrary governance.

• Judicial Review – Holds laws and executive actions accountable.

• Balance of Power – Ensures that the executive and legislature do not exceed their constitutional boundaries.

Key Concepts

• Commercial Courts Act, 2015

• Judicial Review vs Judicial Overreach

• Separation of Powers – Article 50

• Judicial Vacancies and Pendency Rates

• Role of Government Litigation

• E-courts and Judicial Digitization Projects

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following is a key contributor to judicial backlog in India, as identified in recent judicial reforms discourse?
A. Judicial vacations
B. Citizens filing too many RTIs
C. Government being the largest litigant
D. Supreme Court handling traffic violation cases
Answer: C. Government being the largest litigant

2. The doctrine of separation of powers in India is:
A. Strictly followed like in the U.S.
B. Not part of the Constitution
C. Mentioned in Article 50 and implied in the basic structure
D. Abolished through constitutional amendment
Answer: C. Mentioned in Article 50 and implied in the basic structure

Mains

1.“The Indian judiciary is often blamed for governance failures, but the real issue lies in systemic inefficiencies.”
Critically analyze this statement in the context of judicial delays and institutional challenges. (250 words)

2.Discuss how underfunding and poor legislative design contribute to the challenges faced by the Indian judiciary. What reforms are needed to strengthen the justice delivery system? (150 words)