INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
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Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Renewable energy its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) , Cyclone Shakhti, India’s carbon emission important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for October 11, 2025 |
- Every cropping season, millions of Indian farmers devote their time and energy to cultivating their fields, yet their livelihoods remain at the mercy of unpredictable weather and fluctuating markets.
- A single spell of unseasonal rainfall, prolonged drought, or flash flood can destroy months of effort within days. Even when crops survive these challenges, price volatility in the market often compels farmers to sell their produce below cost, resulting in financial losses and indebtedness.
- For small and marginal farmers, who depend solely on agriculture, these repeated setbacks can lead to severe debt cycles, reduced incomes, and in extreme cases, abandonment of farming altogether.
- To mitigate such vulnerabilities, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) serves as a crucial safety net. It is a government policy that guarantees farmers a predetermined price for their produce, ensuring protection against distress sales.
- For instance, under the announced MSP, a wheat farmer is assured of earning ₹2,585 per quintal (for 2026–27), and a paddy cultivator receives ₹2,369 per quintal (for 2025–26) for common paddy, irrespective of market fluctuations.
- This price assurance boosts farmer confidence, enabling them to adopt better-quality seeds, modern inputs, and technologies without fearing sudden price crashes.
- Each year, the Government of India declares MSPs for 22 major agricultural commodities, following the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
- The final rates are determined after consulting the concerned State Governments and relevant Central Ministries/Departments. Additionally, MSPs for Toria and de-husked coconut are linked to those of rapeseed & mustard and copra, respectively.
- In determining MSPs, the CACP evaluates several parameters, such as the cost of production, demand and supply trends, domestic and global price levels, price parity among crops, and the terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture sectors.
- It also takes into account the likely impact of price policy on the wider economy and ensures that the MSP provides at least a 50% margin above the average cost of production.
- The computation of production costs by the CACP is comprehensive—it includes paid-out costs like wages for hired labour, machinery or bullock usage, land rent, seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, depreciation of farm assets, interest on working capital, fuel costs, and other miscellaneous expenses.
- Importantly, it also considers the imputed value of family labour, acknowledging the collective effort of farming households. This uniform cost formula is applied across all 22 MSP crops and all states.
- Since 2018–19, the government has ensured that MSPs are fixed at a minimum of 1.5 times the cost of production, in line with the Union Budget 2018–19 announcement. This move guarantees farmers a minimum return of 50% over their average production costs.
- For the Kharif Marketing Season (2025–26), the highest absolute increase in MSP has been proposed for nigerseed (₹820 per quintal), followed by ragi (₹596), cotton (₹589), and sesamum (₹579).
- Farmers cultivating bajra are expected to receive the highest profit margin of 63%, followed by maize (59%), tur (59%), and urad (53%). For the remaining crops, the margin remains around 50%.
- To encourage crop diversification, the government has been offering higher MSPs for pulses, oilseeds, and nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) over traditional cereals.
- In the case of Rabi crops for the 2026–27 marketing season, the most significant rise in MSP has been recorded for safflower (₹600 per quintal), followed by lentil (₹300).
- For rapeseed & mustard, gram, barley, and wheat, the MSPs have been increased by ₹250, ₹225, ₹170, and ₹160 per quintal, respectively.
- The projected margins over the all-India average cost of production are 109% for wheat, 93% for rapeseed & mustard, 89% for lentil, 59% for gram, 58% for barley, and 50% for safflower.
- This rise in MSPs for Rabi crops aims to ensure remunerative returns for farmers while promoting crop diversification. During the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026–27, procurement is estimated at approximately 297 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), for which farmers are expected to earn nearly ₹84,263 crore at the newly declared MSP rates
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Answer (D)
Statement 1: Procurement at MSP is not unlimited for all crops across India.
Statement 2: MSP acts as a floor price — it is the minimum guaranteed rate at which the government will procure from farmers. |
Renewables edge out coal as world’s biggest source of electricity
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment and Ecology
Context:
The first half of this year saw something significant — for the first time ever, renewable energy eclipsed coal as the world’s leading source of electricity, according to new data from the UK-based energy think tank Ember.
Read about:
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Renewable energy
Key takeaways:
- In the first half of this year, a remarkable global energy shift occurred — renewable energy surpassed coal as the primary source of electricity for the first time in history, according to data released by Ember, a UK-based energy research organization.
- A similar pattern is evident in India, where government figures up to June 30, 2025, show that non-fossil fuel sources now contribute 50.1% of the country’s total installed electricity capacity, overtaking thermal power.
- This marks a significant transformation — in 2015, non-fossil sources such as solar, wind, nuclear, and large hydropower made up only 30% of capacity, rising to 38% by 2020 and then accelerating rapidly in the last five years due to major investments in solar and wind energy.
- When India signed the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, it pledged to achieve 40% non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030. This goal was later revised upward to 50% in 2022, a milestone that has now been reached ahead of schedule.
- Ember’s latest analysis of global electricity trends from January to June 2025 reveals that both China and India recorded declines in coal-based generation.
- However, while the fall in India is considered temporary, China’s reduction is seen as more long-term and structural.
- At the global level, electricity consumption continues to rise, but the expansion of solar and wind energy was strong enough to fully meet the additional demand, even contributing to a slight reduction in coal and natural gas usage.
- Ember’s report, which focused on the top four carbon emitters — China, the United States, India, and the European Union — found that these economies together account for 63% of global electricity production and 64% of COâ‚‚ emissions from the power sector.
- A separate study by the International Energy Agency (IEA) projected that renewable energy capacity worldwide could more than double by 2030, with solar energy expected to contribute about 80% of this new capacity.
- The Ember report outlined several key findings. First, solar and wind power grew faster than global electricity demand in the first half of 2025 — demand increased by 2.6%, while solar output jumped 31% and wind generation rose 7.7%.
- Although hydropower generation declined sharply and bioenergy dipped slightly, nuclear output increased modestly, and overall fossil fuel generation fell slightly.
- The surge in solar energy pushed its share in the global electricity mix from 6.9% to 8.8%. China led the way, accounting for 55% of this growth, followed by the U.S. (14%), the EU (12%), India (5.6%), and Brazil (3.2%), with the remaining countries contributing the rest.
- Coal-based power generation decreased in both China and India, though analysts expect India’s drop to be short-term, while China’s appears to reflect a structural shift. Consequently, renewables now account for 34.3% of global electricity, surpassing coal’s 33.1% share — a first in recorded history.
- Despite rising electricity consumption worldwide, global power sector emissions remained steady or slightly declined in early 2025. This was mainly because clean energy growth outpaced demand in China and India, while emissions increased in the EU and the U.S., where fossil fuel generation rose to meet higher demand.
- As of June 2025, India’s total installed power capacity stood at 485 gigawatts (GW). Out of this, renewable sources — including solar, wind, small hydro, and biogas — accounted for 185 GW, while large hydro contributed 49 GW and nuclear energy added 9 GW, bringing the non-fossil fuel share to just over 50%. Thermal energy, primarily coal- and gas-based, comprised the remaining 242 GW, or 49.9%, down significantly from 70% in 2015.
- This transition marks a major stride toward cleaner energy, though it also brings challenges such as grid integration, storage capacity, and ensuring consistent power supply during periods of low renewable generation
Follow Up Question
Mains
1.Critically examine the role of renewable energy in India’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Discuss the achievements so far, the challenges in integrating renewable energy into the grid, and the policy measures needed to enhance its adoption while ensuring energy security
Prelims
1.Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
- The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer (a)
Statement 1: “The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.” — Correct
Statement 2: “The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.” — Incorrect
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- The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) is an important initiative launched by the Government of India in 2023 under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022.
- It represents India’s first step toward building a domestic carbon market, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a market-driven, cost-effective manner while helping the country move toward its net-zero target by 2070.
- At its core, the CCTS operates on the principle that carbon emissions carry an environmental cost, and those who can reduce emissions more efficiently should be rewarded.
- Under this system, industries or entities that emit less than their allotted carbon limit can earn carbon credits—essentially certificates representing one tonne of carbon dioxide (or its equivalent) reduced or removed from the atmosphere.
- These credits can then be sold to other entities that are unable to stay within their emission limits, creating a market for carbon.
- The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power serves as the nodal agency for implementing the CCTS, while the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) acts as the regulator to ensure transparency and fair trading.
- The trading itself will occur on designated power exchanges, where buyers and sellers of carbon credits can transact under clearly defined rules.
- Unlike the older Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme—which focused only on improving energy efficiency in certain industrial sectors—the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme is broader in scope.
- It covers not only industries but also other sectors contributing to emissions, such as transport, waste management, agriculture, and forestry. This shift marks India’s transition from a narrowly focused energy efficiency mechanism to a comprehensive carbon market framework.
- To ensure integrity and reliability, emission reductions will be verified by accredited agencies following international best practices. Each verified reduction will be converted into a tradable carbon credit, ensuring the environmental credibility of the system.
- Over time, the government plans to link the domestic carbon market with international ones, allowing Indian companies to participate in global carbon trading and attract green investments.
- In essence, the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme is both an environmental and economic tool. It encourages industries to innovate and adopt cleaner technologies by providing financial incentives for emission reductions.
- Simultaneously, it helps India align its development trajectory with global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
- By monetizing emission reductions, the CCTS transforms climate responsibility into a tangible economic opportunity—turning carbon savings into a tradable asset that drives sustainable growth
The Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 is a landmark international treaty adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aimed at combating climate change and accelerating actions for a sustainable low-carbon future. It was signed during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP-21) held in Paris, France, in December 2015, and came into force on November 4, 2016.
The agreement’s central goal is to limit the rise in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and preferably to 1.5°C, to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. Unlike the earlier Kyoto Protocol, which imposed legally binding targets only on developed countries, the Paris Agreement calls for voluntary commitments from all nations, recognizing the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities” (CBDR-RC). This means all countries share responsibility to act, but their efforts should reflect their differing capabilities and levels of development.
Implementation and Progress
India ratified the Paris Agreement on October 2, 2016, aligning the step with Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary to symbolize its commitment to sustainable living. Since then, India has launched several national initiatives to fulfill its pledges:
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The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and its State Action Plans guide sectoral efforts in energy, water, agriculture, and urban development.
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The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India and France, promotes solar energy deployment in tropical countries.
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Schemes like the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT), National Electric Mobility Mission, and Ujjwala Yojana support emission reduction and clean energy adoption.
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India has also made significant strides in expanding renewable energy capacity, particularly solar and wind, positioning itself among the top renewable energy producers globall
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Answer (2)
Global warming is primarily caused by the greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere that trap heat.
Not responsible for global warming directly:
Hence, the gases responsible for global warming are Methane, Surface Ozone, and Carbon Dioxide |
- Cyclone Shakhti, which developed in the Arabian Sea on Friday, has further intensified into a ‘severe’ storm on 4th October, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
- As the storm, the first to develop in the North Indian Ocean basin in 2025, has moved significantly away from the Indian coast, there is no direct threat to the west coast.
- Cyclone Shakhti, was located 420 km west of Dwarka, 420 km west-southwest of Naliya, and 290 km south-southwest of Karachi in Pakistan.
- The cyclone has been named Shakhti, a name suggested by Sri Lanka as per the convention followed by the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
- The North Indian Ocean basin, comprising the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, is prone to cyclones during the pre-monsoon (March to May) and the post-monsoon (October to December) periods.
- Cyclones are large-scale air masses that rotate around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure. They are powerful weather systems that can bring intense winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, often leading to widespread destruction.
- The term cyclone is generally used to describe any system where winds rotate inward toward a region of low pressure, but the characteristics, formation, and naming of cyclones differ based on their geographical location and intensity.
- At the most basic level, cyclones form due to the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface. When warm, moist air rises from the surface of the ocean, it creates an area of low pressure below.
- Surrounding cooler air rushes in to replace the rising air, which in turn becomes warm and rises as well. This continuous cycle leads to the development of a large column of rotating air.
- Due to the Earth’s rotation (the Coriolis effect), this system begins to spin — clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
- There are mainly two broad types of cyclones based on where and how they form — tropical cyclones and extratropical cyclones.
- Tropical cyclones develop over warm tropical oceans where sea surface temperatures exceed about 26°C. They draw their energy from the heat of the ocean and the moisture in the air.
- These systems are characterized by a well-defined circular structure, a calm central region called the eye, and spiraling bands of clouds and thunderstorms surrounding it. The wind speed around tropical cyclones can range from mild to extremely destructive.
- Depending on their intensity and the region they occur in, they are known by different names: hurricanes in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans, typhoons in the western Pacific, and simply cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.
- In India, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are the two major regions prone to tropical cyclones, particularly during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.
- On the other hand, extratropical cyclones, also known as temperate cyclones, form in the mid-latitudes — typically between 30° and 60° latitude — where warm and cold air masses meet.
- Unlike tropical cyclones, which derive energy from warm ocean waters, extratropical cyclones are driven by temperature contrasts between different air masses. They usually have a frontal structure — with a warm front and a cold front — and can cover a much larger area than tropical cyclones.
- These systems often bring widespread rain, snow, and strong winds, affecting large parts of continents like North America and Europe.
- There are also polar cyclones, which occur near the poles and are relatively weaker compared to tropical and extratropical systems. They form due to the interaction between cold and slightly warmer air masses in polar regions and can influence weather conditions at high latitudes.
- Additionally, mesocyclones are smaller, localized rotating systems that develop within severe thunderstorms. These are the precursors to tornadoes, which are extremely violent but short-lived phenomena.
- In summary, cyclones are complex atmospheric systems driven by differences in temperature and pressure, with their strength and behavior influenced by the environment in which they form.
- While tropical cyclones are fueled by warm oceans and are known for their devastating winds and rains, extratropical cyclones are products of contrasting air masses in temperate regions and are vital components of global weather circulation.
- Understanding these systems is crucial for predicting extreme weather and minimizing the loss of life and property
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Answer (C)
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- As of June 2025, India’s installed power generation capacity had reached 485 gigawatts (GW). Of this, about 185 GW came from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, small hydro, and biogas, as per data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- In addition, large hydro projects accounted for 49 GW, while nuclear energy contributed 9 GW, pushing the total non-fossil fuel capacity just beyond the 50% mark.
- The remaining 242 GW, or nearly 49.9%, came from thermal power plants—mainly coal and gas-based—marking a significant decline from 2015, when thermal energy made up nearly 70% of India’s electricity mix.
- The sharp rise in renewable capacity has begun to show results: carbon dioxide emissions from India’s power sector registered a slight decline in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year, according to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a UK-based think tank.
- This is the first recorded drop in India’s electricity-related COâ‚‚ emissions, partly due to favorable weather conditions reducing energy demand.
- Since over half of India’s total emissions stem from coal use for electricity and heat, this sector remains the country’s largest source of carbon output.
- However, India’s rapid renewable expansion—without corresponding growth in energy storage capacity—has begun to strain the power grid, creating instability.
- The problem is worsened by a slowdown in thermal power additions, which traditionally provide baseload stability, especially during evening demand peaks when solar generation falls.
- Recognizing this challenge, the Government of India has started taking corrective policy measures. It is now re-emphasizing thermal and nuclear energy, including plans for small modular reactors, while also accelerating efforts to develop energy storage systems.
- In February 2025, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) advised that future solar projects should integrate co-located energy storage to enhance grid reliability.
- Similarly, the Ministry of Power expanded its Viability Gap Funding (VGF) program for battery storage, adding 30 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to the existing 13 GWh, backed by an allocation of ₹5,400 crore.
- According to government data up to June 30, 2025, non-fossil fuel sources—including renewables, nuclear, and large hydro—accounted for 50.1% of India’s installed capacity, overtaking thermal power for the first time.
- This marks a remarkable transition from 30% in 2015 and 38% in 2020, driven largely by the boom in solar and wind power.
- When India signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, it pledged to achieve 40% non-fossil capacity by 2030, a target later raised to 50% in 2022—a goal that the country has now already met.
- The Ember 2025 report on global electricity trends highlighted that while coal use declined in both China and India, the drop in India was viewed as temporary, while in China it was described as structural.
- A separate International Energy Agency (IEA) report predicted that global renewable capacity could more than double by 2030, with solar power accounting for 80% of new additions. It also projected China to remain the largest market for renewables, with India emerging as the second largest.
- Globally, the first half of 2025 saw solar and wind generation surpassing overall demand growth — electricity demand rose by 2.6%, while solar generation grew by 31% and wind by 7.7%. For the first time in history, renewables overtook coal in global electricity generation, with their share reaching 34.3%, compared to 33.1% for coal.
- Despite higher global electricity consumption, power sector emissions plateaued in early 2025. Emission reductions in China and India offset increases in Europe and the United States, signaling a potential turning point in the global transition toward cleaner energy systems
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Answer (A)
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