In News:

The launch of the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks a transformative chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s infrastructural journey. The long-awaited completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is not merely a technological feat, but a symbol of national integration, economic upliftment, and inclusive development in the Kashmir Valley.

Historical Background

The evolution of rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir dates back to the colonial era when, in 1897, a 40–45 km rail line linked Jammu to Sialkot (now in Pakistan). Subsequent plans to extend railways to Srinagar in the early 20th century were shelved. After the 1947 Partition, Jammu was cut off from the rail grid as Sialkot became part of Pakistan. The region had to wait until 1975 for the inauguration of the Pathankot–Jammu line. The Jammu–Udhampur line, started in 1983, was completed only in 2004.

In 1994, the rail project was further extended to include Srinagar and Baramulla, and the USBRL was declared a national project in 2002, with the initial estimated cost of ?2,500 crore.

USBRL: Engineering Triumph

The fully operational 272 km USBRL has been completed at a revised cost of ?43,780 crore. It includes 36 tunnels, 943 bridges, and several record-setting engineering marvels in the seismically active, snow-covered terrain of the Shivalik and Pir Panjal ranges.

• Chenab Bridge: The world’s tallest railway arch bridge, 359 meters above the riverbed, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower. Designed to withstand wind speeds of 260 km/h and extreme temperatures, it spans 1,315 meters and has a life expectancy of 120 years.
• Anji Khad Bridge: India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in Reasi, towers 331 meters above the river and stretches 725 meters. Its iconic inverted Y-shaped pylon is supported by 96 high-tensile cables.
• Tunnel T-49: At 12.77 km, it is India’s longest transport tunnel, located in Ramban district, designed to ensure seamless all-weather connectivity.

Strategic and Socio-Economic Significance

This rail link is a game-changer for the region. By reducing Katra–Srinagar travel time to just 3 hours, it ensures year-round, all-weather accessibility, even during harsh Himalayan winters. The connectivity is critical not only for civilians but also for the rapid movement of security personnel in this strategically sensitive region.

Economically, the rail link is poised to boost trade and tourism. It will facilitate the quicker and more cost-effective transport of local produce such as apples, walnuts, saffron, pashmina, and handicrafts, thereby integrating the Valley with national markets. Reduced logistics costs will also lower the prices of essential goods imported into Kashmir.

Way Forward

The upcoming extension to Jammu Tawi aims to further enhance nationwide connectivity to Srinagar. This project stands as a testament to India’s commitment to inclusive development, national unity, and strategic infrastructure in border regions. With its blend of engineering excellence and socio-political impact, the USBRL reinforces the vision of a Viksit Bharat that leaves no region behind.

In News:

India, which hosts over 70% of the world’s wild tiger population, holds a dual responsibility of pride and stewardship. The near-collapse of tiger numbers in 2006, with populations falling to around 1,400 and local extinctions in Sariska and Panna, prompted a national awakening. Strengthened interventions such as the formation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Project Tiger rejuvenation efforts helped India register over 3,600 tigers in the 2023 census, reflecting significant progress.

From Crisis to Recovery: Institutional Response

The disappearance of tigers due to poaching, habitat degradation, and poor monitoring led to structural reforms post-2006. The NTCA (established in 2005) ensured stricter protocols, better surveillance, and habitat restoration. India now boasts 53 Tiger Reserves, with central and southern states like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand emerging as conservation success stories.

Emerging Challenge: Prey Base Decline

Despite rising tiger numbers nationally, several reserves in eastern and central India—such as Guru Ghasidas, Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi (Chhattisgarh), Palamau (Jharkhand), and Simlipal and Satkosia (Odisha)—have shown worrying trends of tiger decline. The core issue is not direct poaching but the fall in prey density, especially species like chital, sambar, and gaur. Scientific evidence indicates that tiger viability is closely tied to prey abundance, with a threshold of at least 10–15 prey animals per sq km required for stable populations.

Socioeconomic Roots of Ecological Depletion

Many affected reserves lie in poverty-stricken tribal regions. In the absence of alternative protein sources and sustainable livelihoods, communities turn to bushmeat hunting using traditional snares and traps. This not only reduces herbivore populations but also threatens predator survival. Palamau Reserve is a stark example where both large herbivores and tigers have nearly vanished under such pressures.

Institutional Recommendations and Ecological Restoration

The NTCA-WII 2023 report recommends short-term herbivore breeding enclosures but recognizes their limitations in rewilding success. A sustainable solution lies in habitat quality enhancement and involving communities in conservation. Some reserves still retain dense forests, providing an ecological foundation for revival. The decline of left-wing extremism in many areas also opens avenues for focused conservation interventions.

Towards Inclusive Conservation: Eco-Tourism and Livelihoods

Prosperous reserves like Bandhavgarh and Ranthambore benefit from conservation-linked tourism and community participation. In contrast, remote and underdeveloped areas lack such economic linkages. Promoting inclusive eco-tourism, skill development, and income-generation activities—such as SHGs, poultry farming, and forest produce marketing—can transform local attitudes.

Way Forward: Integrated, People-Centric Approaches

India must adopt multidimensional strategies combining ecological, institutional, and social measures:

• Implement prey recovery plans in Tiger Conservation Plans (TCPs).
• Provide targeted funding and technical support to underperforming states.
• Restore grasslands, ensure wildlife corridors, and adopt technology (drones, AI) for monitoring.
• Recognize community forest rights, promote Gram Sabha governance, and expand MGNREGA to conservation-linked jobs.

Conclusion

India’s tiger conservation success is laudable but remains precarious if prey depletion continues unchecked. The path ahead demands a shift from protectionism to participatory conservation—rooted in equity, ecological integrity, and community empowerment. The survival of the tiger is not merely a wildlife concern, but a test of India’s commitment to sustainable development and inclusive environmental governance.

In News:

India’s next population census is scheduled to be completed by March 1, 2027, marking a historic return to the decennial exercise after a 16-year gap—the longest in independent India’s history. Announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), this census will be India’s first digital census and the first to include caste enumeration since Independence.

The census will be conducted intwo phases:

1. House Listing and Housing Schedule
2. Population Enumeration (including caste data)

The enumeration process will run from April 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027, with March 1, 2027, set as the reference date for most of India. For Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be October 1, 2026.

This exercise will be conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990. A gazette notification, expected on June 16, 2025, will formally announce the schedule. Around 25–30 lakh enumerators, largely schoolteachers, will be retrained to use a custom mobile app—a key component of the digital data collection process.

A major inclusion in this census is caste enumeration, extending beyond the current Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) data. A separate input field will record caste data for all categories, making it a potentially transformative tool for targeted welfare policies and social justice initiatives.

However, the 2027 Census is not just a demographic exercise—it holds critical constitutional and political significance, especially in the context of delimitation and women's political reservation.

Under Articles 81 and 82 of the Constitution, the next delimitation of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies must be based on the first census after 2026. The current 543 Lok Sabha seats are still based on the 1971 Census. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) had frozen seat redistribution, which was extended by the 84th Amendment (2002) until after 2026.

Once census data is finalized (likely by late 2027), Parliament must pass a Delimitation Act, following which a Delimitation Commission—headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and including the Chief Election Commissioner—will be constituted. This commission will determine the new seat allocation formula based on population per constituency.

Importantly, the implementation of 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, as mandated by the Women’s Reservation Act, is contingent upon the completion of this delimitation exercise.

This has triggered concerns, particularly from southern states like Tamil Nadu, which have seen slower population growth due to effective family planning. Redistribution based solely on population may reduce their parliamentary representation, leading to demands—such as by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin—for extending the status quo based on the 1971 census until 2056.

Political opposition has also criticized the delayed timeline, with Congress terming the 23-month postponement from 2021 as administrative inefficiency.

Moreover, there was no mention of updating the National Population Register (NPR), which is the first step towards the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC).

In sum, Census 2027 is not just a statistical necessity but a politically sensitive and constitutionally mandated process, central to the future of electoral representation, gender justice, and federal balance in India.

In News:

India’s transition to a green economy is not only central to achieving its environmental and climate goals but is also emerging as a powerful engine for economic growth and employment generation.

According to a recent report by NLB Services, India’s green sector is expected to generate approximately 7.29 million new jobs by FY2027–28, with the figure projected to rise to 35 million by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term net-zero commitments.

Understanding the Green Economy

A green economy encompasses sectors and activities that contribute to ecological sustainability, low-carbon development, and resource efficiency, while also promoting inclusive employment. It integrates environmental goals with economic planning, thus creating green jobs in areas such as renewable energy, electric mobility, sustainable construction, waste management, and green agriculture.

Sectoral and Regional Dynamics

The most significant employment potential lies in industries such as renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), green infrastructure, sustainable textiles, and waste-to-energy solutions. These sectors have witnessed rising investments and policy focus under national missions such as PM-KUSUM, Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME), and the National Hydrogen Mission.

While metropolitan areas like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi remain hubs for green employment, tier II and III cities are poised to play a crucial role in the decentralisation of the green economy. Cities such as Jaipur, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, and Indore are projected to account for 35–40% of the green job creation by FY28, primarily in logistics, warehousing, sustainable agriculture, and urban waste management.

Evolving Skill Demands

The transition towards green employment is redefining workforce skill requirements. Modern green jobs demand a blend of environmental sustainability expertise and technological proficiency, particularly in AI, IoT, GIS, blockchain, and data analytics. This digital integration is reshaping job profiles and creating pathways for future-ready employment.

In response, industries are shifting hiring strategies to focus more on skill-based recruitment rather than conventional degrees. There is also a growing emphasis on industry-academia collaborations to align curricula with the evolving demands of the green economy, thus fostering climate-literate and digitally equipped professionals.

Gender Inclusion and Equity Challenges

Despite the promising employment potential, women currently constitute only 11–12% of the green workforce in India. Barriers include limited access to STEM education, workplace safety concerns, and socio-cultural constraints. However, progressive employers are increasingly adopting inclusive hiring practices, promoting women-centric skill development programmes, and partnering with training agencies to build a more diverse and equitable green talent pipeline. These efforts are expected to improve female participation by 12–15% in the next 5–6 years.

Economic Significance

India’s green economy is expected to contribute significantly to national GDP. Its valuation is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, and expand to $15 trillion by 2070, supporting India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Thus, it offers a dual dividend—economic prosperity and environmental security.

Conclusion:
India’s green transition presents a transformative opportunity to simultaneously address climate change, unemployment, and regional disparities. With appropriate policy support, capacity building, and inclusivity, the green economy can become the bedrock of sustainable and equitable growth.

Introduction

The global technology sector, while being a driver of economic growth and innovation, is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With the rapid expansion of cloud computing and digital services, data centres—the backbone of the digital economy—consume massive amounts of energy, primarily for cooling.

A recent landmark study by Microsoft and WSP Global, published in Nature, highlights the potential of advanced cooling technologies to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of data centres.

The Problem: Heat and Emissions from Data Centres

• Energy Consumption: In modern data centres, cooling systems consume nearly as much electricity as computing itself.
• Heat Management: As chips become smaller and faster, they generate more heat. Without effective cooling, systems overheat, leading to failure and reduced efficiency.
• Climate Targets: The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector aims to reduce emissions by 42% by 2030 (from 2015 levels) and achieve net-zero by mid-century.

Cooling Innovations: The Game-Changers

1. Cold Plate Cooling (Direct-to-Chip Cooling)

• Coolant flows through microchannels on a plate attached directly to the chip.
• Reduces the need for energy-intensive air conditioning.
• Heat is transferred away efficiently and silently.

2. Immersion Cooling

• Entire hardware systems are submerged in thermally conductive, non-conductive liquid.
• Uses one-phase (liquid remains stable) or two-phase (liquid vaporises and condenses) systems.
• Ensures near-total heat dissipation and longer component life.

Environmental Impact (Study Findings):

Compared to traditional air cooling:

• GHG Emissions ↓ by 15–21%
• Energy Use ↓ by 15–20%
• Water Consumption ↓ by 31–52%

With 100% renewable energy:

• Emissions ↓ by 85–90%
• Water use ↓ by 55–85%

Tech Industry’s Broader Climate Actions

• Carbon Credits: Google, Netflix, and others invest in verified carbon offsets.
• Blockchain for Carbon Markets: Ensures transparency; used by Indian IT firms for ESG compliance.
• Renewable Energy: Tech giants like Apple, Meta, and Amazon power operations with green energy.
• Indian Leadership: Infosys, Reliance, and Tech Mahindra lead in green operations using AI and energy-efficient systems.

Challenges and Limitations

• Lifecycle Trade-offs: Coolant production and disposal can offset benefits.
• Capital Cost: Retrofitting old data centres is expensive.
• Regulatory Issues: Lack of global standards for coolants and fragmented carbon credit policies.
• Dependence on Grid: Benefits are reduced if electricity is still coal-based.
• Slow Deployment: Complex designs and supply chain delays hinder implementation.

Way Forward

• Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs): Evaluate true environmental costs over the product lifecycle.
• Unified Carbon Standards: Develop global frameworks for carbon credit verification and climate disclosures.
• Government Support: Provide tax incentives, green finance, and subsidies for early adopters.
• Strengthen R&D: Focus on low-impact coolants and AI-driven cooling systems.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage innovation through collaboration among tech firms, startups, and governments.

Conclusion

The technology industry stands at a crossroads where sustainable innovation is essential. Cooling technologies like cold plates and immersion cooling, coupled with renewable energy adoption and carbon offset mechanisms, can enable the ICT sector to significantly reduce its environmental footprint. With effective policy support and strategic innovation, the tech sector can become a pillar of global climate action.

In News:

Urban flooding has emerged as a critical challenge in India’s rapidly urbanising landscape. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai face recurrent inundations, leading to loss of life, infrastructure damage, and economic disruptions. This crisis stems from a combination of outdated urban drainage systems, rapid concretisation, encroachment on natural water bodies, and climate change-induced extreme weather events.

The Urban Drainage Crisis

Urban drainage refers to the infrastructure that manages rainwater and prevents flooding. However, over 70% of India’s urban areas lack scientifically designed stormwater systems (MoHUA, 2019). Mumbai’s stormwater drains, originally built in the 1860s, can handle only 25 mm of rainfall per hour, while rainfall events often exceed 100 mm/hour. Delhi's drainage is based on 1976 norms, incapable of handling current rainfall intensities, such as the 185.9 mm received in a single day in May 2025. Bengaluru’s network is outdated, with over 65% of its lakes encroached and connected stormwater drains severely undersized.

Key causes of urban flooding include:

• Natural Factors: Intensifying short-duration rainfalls due to climate change, low-lying topographies.
• Man-made Factors: Unplanned urbanisation, loss of wetlands, illegal constructions, outdated design standards, infiltration of sewage into stormwater lines, and poor maintenance.

Economic and Environmental Impacts

Floods cause the highest economic damage among natural disasters in India. In 2024, Mumbai received 300 mm of rain in six hours, crippling the city’s transport and health systems. Chennai’s monsoon floods in 2024 led to massive waterlogging due to blocked drains and concretised surfaces.

Urbanisation has drastically increased impervious surfaces, reducing natural infiltration and increasing runoff. Nashik, for instance, witnessed rapid impervious expansion, contributing significantly to urban flooding.

Technological Solutions: GIS and Remote Sensing

To tackle urban flooding, advanced tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing are being deployed:

• Satellite Monitoring: ISRO and NRSC use high-resolution imagery to monitor rainfall, land use, and flood-prone zones. LiDAR-generated Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) help map vulnerable areas.
• Hydrological Modelling: Tools like HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS simulate flood scenarios and help plan mitigation strategies.
• Urban Drainage Mapping: GIS assists in identifying drainage bottlenecks and encroachments. For instance, GIS studies in Ahmedabad and West Bengal’s Keleghai Basin have enabled flood risk zoning.

Government Interventions

Several policies and programs support flood mitigation:

• AMRUT 2.0 and Smart Cities Mission: Promote integrated stormwater systems and sustainable urban drainage.
• Model Building Bye Laws (2016): Mandate rainwater harvesting.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and Amrit Sarovar Mission: Encourage water body rejuvenation and groundwater recharge.
• NDMA Guidelines: Recommend real-time flood forecasting and risk mitigation using satellite data.

Future Directions

Moving forward, flood resilience must be built through:

• Green Infrastructure: Restoring wetlands, using bioswales and permeable pavements.
• Smart Drainage Systems: IoT-enabled sensors for real-time monitoring and early warnings.
• AI Integration: Enhancing prediction models using real-time meteorological data.
• Policy Enforcement: Preventing illegal constructions on floodplains and drainage channels.
• Community Engagement: Raising awareness on waste disposal and flood preparedness.

Conclusion

Urban flooding in India reflects the failure to integrate environmental planning into urbanisation. However, with the aid of emerging technologies, inter-agency coordination, and proactive governance, Indian cities can transform from reactive flood responses to resilient urban systems. A holistic approach combining infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and data-driven policies is essential for sustainable urban development.

In News:

In 2025, the United Nations has declared the year as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, underscoring the urgent global need to address the retreat of glaciers. This critical issue was the focus of the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, co-hosted by the Republic of Tajikistan with the support of the UN and attended by leaders and experts from across the globe.

Glaciers, often referred to as the “water towers of the world”, store nearly 70% of Earth’s freshwater. However, accelerating glacier melt—driven by global warming—has become a slow-moving catastrophe. Since 1975, over 9,000 billion tons of glacial ice have been lost. The period from 2022 to 2024 marked the highest recorded glacier mass loss, with many smaller glaciers projected to vanish entirely within this century. This phenomenon threatens not only mountain ecosystems but also global water security, food systems, biodiversity, infrastructure, and human livelihoods.

Developing countries, particularly those in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, face disproportionate vulnerabilities due to glacier retreat. Communities dependent on glacier-fed rivers for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower are witnessing increased poverty, forced migration, and infrastructure damage. Melting glaciers also contribute significantly to sea-level rise, placing coastal cities and low-lying regions at risk of displacement and flooding, as seen in Nigeria’s Niger Delta and Lagos.

The conference served as a clarion call to transition from pledges to concrete action. It recognized that 83% of global emissions that require mitigation lie with just 35 countries, emphasizing the need for collective ambition. The summit also launched the Decade for Cryosphere Science (2025–2034) and advocated for the establishment of a UN Glacier Preservation Fund to ensure sustained, long-term financing for adaptation.

Key recommendations included:

• Integration of glacier preservation into national climate policies, especially Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
• Development of early warning systems and predictive tools for climate-related disasters in mountainous regions.
• Investments in data-driven adaptation, using AI and hydrological models to forecast risks and optimize resilience strategies.
• Promotion of gender-inclusive water governance, especially involving women in glacial and water-related decision-making.
• Establishment of hydro-meteorological services for glacier-dependent regions to safeguard water access and ensure resilience.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the UN stressed that resilience pays — every dollar spent on adaptation strengthens economies, protects livelihoods, and mitigates future losses. The upcoming Fourth UN Conference on Financing for Development in Seville and COP30 in Brazil were identified as critical moments to elevate financing and policy commitments.

In conclusion, glacier loss is not merely an environmental concern but a humanitarian and developmental crisis. The protection of glaciers is central to achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and must be addressed with the urgency, equity, and international solidarity it demands. The world must act now—so that future generations do not inherit a planet where glaciers and the lifelines they sustain have become a relic of the past.