UPSC CSE Mains Answer Writing

Introduction

Agnipath (2022) recruits soldiers for four years; the 2026 extension lets those not retained serve two more years.

Gains from the extension

• Retains trained manpower in technical and combat roles for longer.
• Six years of service improve skills and unit cohesion.
• Higher pay and Seva Nidhi improve morale and recruitment appeal.

Concerns

• Average age rises slightly, diluting the youth-profile objective.
• Uncertainty after exit persists without assured second careers.
• Pension and salary bill may rise over time.

Way forward

• Link the extension to skill certification and lateral entry into CAPFs and State police.
• Review the scheme periodically using feedback from units.

Introduction

Notified under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, the new rules replace the Aircraft Rules, 1937 from 1 January 2027.

Key features

• Consolidated rules on registration, airworthiness, maintenance and operations.
• Clear licensing standards for pilots, engineers and air traffic controllers.
• Provisions on tariffs and airport operations.

Significance

• Aligns Indian rules with ICAO standards and global practice.
• Supports ease of doing business and aircraft leasing.
• Strengthens safety oversight for a fast-growing market.

Challenges

• DGCA faces staff shortages for inspections.
• Transition may create compliance burden for small operators.

Key data and examples

• Aircraft Act, 1934 replaced by Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
• New rules effective 1 January 2027.
• India is among the largest domestic aviation markets.

Way forward

• Build DGCA capacity and digitise approvals.
• Issue clear transition guidance before 1 January 2027.

Introduction

India hosted the first BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram (30 Oct–3 Nov 2026) with all seven members.

Significance

• Builds interoperability and maritime domain awareness among littoral states.
• Tackles piracy, trafficking, IUU fishing and disaster response jointly.
• Gives BIMSTEC a security pillar alongside trade and connectivity.
• Strengthens India's Act East and MAHASAGAR outreach.

Limitations

• Political instability in Myanmar and uneven naval capacities.
• Extra-regional naval presence complicates trust.
• BIMSTEC has a small secretariat and slow follow-up.

Way forward

• Make the exercise annual and add information-sharing through IFC-IOR.
• Fund capacity building for smaller members.

Introduction

The MoD contracted GRSE (five) and Goa Shipyard (three) to build eight Navy-designed Next Generation Corvettes.

Signs of maturity

• In-house design by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau.
• Competitive selection of DPSUs improves cost and timelines.
• Multi-role ships for anti-submarine, anti-surface and coastal tasks.

Gaps

• Dependence on imported engines, sensors and some weapons.
• History of delays in shipbuilding projects.
• Limited private-sector and MSME depth in marine components.

Key data and examples

• GRSE HQ Kolkata; GSL at Vasco da Gama, Goa.
• Positive indigenisation lists of MoD.
• First project with Navy design and competitive DPSU selection.

Way forward

• Push indigenous propulsion and sensors through iDEX and DRDO.
• Use milestone-based contracts to curb delays.

Introduction

The MoPR–CESL MoU allows EV charging and battery swapping on Panchayat land to raise Panchayats' own income.

How it strengthens PRIs

• Lease rent and revenue share add to own source revenue.
• Reduces dependence on tied central and State grants.
• Promotes clean rural mobility and local jobs.

Constraints

• Low EV density in villages limits early income.
• Weak technical capacity and unclear land records.
• Limited devolution of funds, functions and functionaries.

Way forward

• Pair such MoUs with property-tax reforms under Article 243H.
• Train Panchayat staff and use the eGramSwaraj platform for transparency.

Introduction

Soreng district has been notified as India's first Organic Fisheries Cluster under PMMSY, building on Sikkim's organic status.

Potential

• Premium prices for chemical- and antibiotic-free fish.
• Cluster approach links hatcheries, feed, cold chain and markets.
• Protects cold-water ecosystems and supports hill livelihoods.

Challenges

• Lower yields and costly organic feed.
• Certification and traceability systems are weak.
• Small, scattered farms in hilly terrain.

Key data and examples

• PMMSY launched 2020 with ₹20,050 crore.
• Sikkim: first fully organic State (2016).
• Soreng: cold-water trout, Amur carp, Indian major carps.

Way forward

• Create organic fish certification standards and branding.
• Use FPOs and cooperatives for aggregation and credit through KCC.

Introduction

Biosphere reserves under UNESCO's MAB Programme combine a protected core with buffer and transition zones where people live and work.

Achievements

• India has 18 reserves, 13 in UNESCO's world network.
• Landscape-level protection of forests, coasts and deserts.
• Community participation through eco-development.

Shortcomings

• No specific statutory backing; protection relies on other laws.
• Pressure from tourism, mining and infrastructure in transition zones.
• Weak monitoring and funding.

Way forward

• Give biosphere reserves a clear legal framework.
• Link them to KMGBF targets and benefit-sharing under the Biological Diversity Act.

Introduction

India's new extradition treaty with Kazakhstan adds to its network of treaties against fugitives, terrorists and economic offenders.

Why vital

• Gives a legal route to bring back accused and convicts.
• Deters use of foreign havens by criminals.
• Builds trust with partners in Central Asia.

Why insufficient

• Political-offence exceptions and human-rights objections delay cases.
• Lengthy court processes abroad, as seen in high-profile economic fugitive cases.
• No treaty with many countries.

Key data and examples

• Extradition Act, 1962.
• Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.
• Cabinet approved the Kazakhstan treaty on 26 Aug 2026.

Way forward

• Combine extradition with MLATs, Interpol notices and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.
• Improve prison conditions and evidence quality to meet foreign courts' standards.

Introduction

The Himalaya, formed by the Indian–Eurasian plate collision, is among the world's most earthquake-prone belts.

Vulnerability

• Ongoing plate convergence builds strain along major thrusts.
• Steep slopes cause landslides and glacial lake hazards after quakes.
• Fast, unregulated construction raises risk.

Role of monitoring

• Real-time data from 183 observatories helps rapid response.
• Denser networks detect smaller tremors and map faults.
• Data supports microzonation and building codes.

Way forward

• Enforce BIS seismic codes and retrofit schools and hospitals.
• Develop an earthquake early-warning system and community drills.

Introduction

Dr Mahapatra built AIIMS Bhubaneswar and led the 2017 separation of conjoined twins Jaga and Balia, showing service beyond duty.

Values involved

• Professional excellence: mastering complex skills for patients' good.
• Compassion: treating poor patients with dignity.
• Institution building: creating systems that outlive individuals.

Relevance today

• Commercialisation of healthcare tests integrity.
• Teamwork and humility matter in high-risk decisions.

Key data and examples

• Padma Shri 2025; founding Director, AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
• 2017 craniopagus separation at AIIMS Delhi.
• Hippocratic ideal: 'first, do no harm'.

Way forward

• Teach medical ethics and empathy in curricula.
• Recognise and reward public-sector excellence.