INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
| Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: Indus Waters Treaty (IWT),
India-China border and What is a Tariff?, India-US relations, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, Goods and Services Tax (GST) for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Illegal migrants and Air Pollution important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 24, 2024
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The mapping of the India-China border
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international things like the India-China border
For Mains Examination: GS II - International relations
Context:
In a three-part series on the India-China border issue that appeared in the columns of The Hindu from September 5-9, 2025, the author, Manoj Joshi, develops a narrative on the assertion that the India-China border was not properly defined. This article presents another view on the same.
Read about:
India-China border
Simla Conference (1913-14)
Key takeaways:
Official Manchu Maps
- During the Manchu dynasty’s 267-year rule (1644–1911), two significant maps of the empire were prepared with the technical assistance of European Jesuits. Both were drawn to scale with coordinate lines.
- The first, commissioned by Emperor Kangxi in 1721, depicted Tibet’s southern boundary as ending at the Himalayan crest. In this view, Tibet was never considered a trans-Himalayan entity, since Tibetans historically did not live south of the range. Thus, the Tawang region, though Buddhist, lay south of the divide and was not classified as Tibetan territory.
- This position was later reinforced by the Chinese representative at the Simla Conference (1913–14), who explicitly stated that Tibet had no claims over the tribal belt on the Assam side of the Himalayas (today’s Arunachal Pradesh), since those communities were neither Tibetan by ethnicity nor under Tibetan authority.
- Moreover, the Republic of China’s (RoC) delegate refrained from asserting sovereignty over this tribal belt, leaving it to the Indian side to incorporate it within Assam, which had long exercised influence there. Consequently, the Indo-Tibetan boundary settlement of March 1914—known as the 1914 alignment—was consistent with the Kangxi map.
- The second imperial map, ordered by Emperor Qianlong in 1761, recorded the Manchu bequest in the eastern Turkestan–Kashmir sector.
- It indicated that eastern Turkestan was not viewed as extending across the Kunlun mountains. Therefore, the barren lands stretching south to the Hindu Kush and Karakoram were not claimed by the Manchus.
- In 1899, a proposal was made to divide this territory according to watershed principles, producing the Kashmir–Sinkiang boundary line, later recognized as the 1899 alignment (linked to the Aksai Chin area).
Emergence of Contradictory Claims
- After the fall of the Manchu dynasty, no further official maps were produced by that regime. However, during World War II in 1943, the weakened RoC began disregarding earlier Manchu cartographic records (the 1721 and 1761 maps) and asserted claims over large portions of Indian territory.
- When questioned, RoC authorities dismissed the new depiction as only a rough draft requiring revision. A similar map was issued again in December 1947, coinciding with India’s preoccupation with the conflict in Kashmir.
- The People’s Republic of China (PRC) inherited this practice. In October 1954, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai openly admitted to Jawaharlal Nehru that many of the maps being circulated were outdated reproductions, and he denied any deliberate attempt to alter boundaries—criticizing the Kuomintang’s (RoC’s) approach as “ridiculous.”
- Yet, during his 1960 discussions with Nehru in New Delhi, Zhou presented a carefully crafted narrative in defense of the Chinese position. He sought to undermine India’s evidence through rhetorical strategies rather than verifiable facts, while avoiding reliance on Chinese-origin documents that might weaken his case.
- Zhou gradually revealed his preferred approach: to set aside historical maps and documents, and instead negotiate on the basis of general principles he formulated. Analysts, including former Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale in The Long Game, interpret this as a strategic trap, since no record suggests Zhou ever proposed a genuine territorial swap (ceding Aksai Chin for recognition of India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh).
- Instead, the talks moved toward the idea of a comprehensive “package deal” that would not only settle the full length of the boundary but also address trade and geopolitical concerns.
- The guiding principle was that any solution must avoid humiliation, remain fair and balanced, and respect the dignity of both nations. Such a settlement, in theory, could involve acceptance of the 1899 and 1914 boundary alignments, possibly accompanied by adjustments to address mutual security considerations
Follow Up Question
1.“Belt and Road Initiative” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of : (UPSC CSE 2016)
(a) African Union
(b) Brazil
(c) European Union
(d) China
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Answer (d)
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China’s global infrastructure and connectivity project launched in 2013, aimed at enhancing trade routes across Asia, Africa, and Europe through land (Silk Road Economic Belt) and maritime (21st Century Maritime Silk Road) networks
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How is the jewellery sector coping with U.S. tariffs?
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Economy
Context:
India’s diamond and jewellery sector has been hit due to the U.S. tariffs. While the U.S. has imposed a 50% import duty on India’s cut and polished diamonds, it has imposed a 50-57% duty on studded and non-studded jewellery, upsetting decades of well-set trade. At such a time, the sector wants government intervention which could absorb the shock caused by U.S. tariffs.
Read about:
What is a reciprocal tariff?
What is a Tariff?
Key takeaways:
Why Government Intervention is Needed?
- The United States is the biggest market for India’s diamond exports. In 2024–25 alone, India shipped out diamonds worth around ₹46,000 crore and studded gold jewellery worth another ₹23,000 crore.
- The country’s diamond cutting and polishing sector employs roughly 8.2 lakh skilled workers, and the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) estimates that recent U.S. tariffs could threaten nearly 1.7 lakh of those jobs.
- The problem is particularly acute for small players: about 85% of India’s exporters are Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), who lack the financial strength to withstand such a sudden loss of market access.
- To cope with this crisis, the industry has asked the government for temporary support in the form of policy relaxations, worker aid, and marketing incentives for a period of three to six months. States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra are expected to face the sharpest impact
Relief Measures Demanded by the Industry
The jewellery exporters have requested a few specific concessions:
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Extension of export timelines: At present, manufacturers importing gold for jewellery exports must ship their finished products within 90 days, failing which a 6% import duty plus 3% GST is levied. With U.S. demand drying up, many exporters cannot meet this deadline. Hence, they seek to extend the obligation period from 90 days to 270 days.
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Permission for SEZs to sell domestically at lower duties: Exporters want Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to be allowed to sell in the domestic market without paying the existing 20% duty on finished goods, as this makes them less competitive than local manufacturers.
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Reverse job work: The sector is also urging the government to let SEZ-based jewellery units manufacture for domestic clients. This would help utilize idle machinery, keep skilled workers employed, and ensure that factories, built over decades, continue running.
The U.S. tariffs are disrupting an industry that has thrived for nearly 50 years. While larger exporters might absorb the shock, MSMEs—the backbone of India’s gem and jewellery trade—are at serious risk. Without immediate relief, many could collapse. According to industry estimates, a government bailout worth about ₹500 crore in incentives and support could stabilize the sector. As GJEPC chairperson Kirit Bhansali emphasizes, with the U.S. accounting for nearly 30% of India’s gem and jewellery exports, urgent intervention is critical for the survival of MSMEs
Follow Up Question
Mains
1.Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (UPC CSE GS III 2019)
Prelims
1.The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of ( UPSC 2016)
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Answer (B)
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H-1B Visa Programme
- The H-1B visa enables U.S. companies to employ foreign professionals in specialized fields that demand advanced expertise and at least a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Introduced in 1990, the scheme was designed to help employers address skill shortages in the domestic labor market by permitting temporary employment of qualified foreign nationals who would not otherwise be authorized to work in the United States.
- The visa is initially valid for up to three years, with the possibility of a one-time extension for another three years, giving most workers a maximum stay of six years.
- Each fiscal year, the program is subject to a cap of 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 slots reserved for applicants holding advanced degrees from U.S. universities
India–U.S. Trade and Diplomatic Engagements
- The United States is currently India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade crossing $120 billion in FY24—slightly surpassing India’s trade volume with China. Unlike the trade imbalance with China, India enjoys a favorable trade balance with the U.S., making it a crucial source of foreign exchange.
- On the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly session, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a “positive” hour-long meeting with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. Both sides discussed issues openly and agreed to maintain engagement on priority areas.
- This was their first direct meeting since July, when they last met in Washington for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ dialogue, and came amid several recent developments in bilateral ties.
- One key topic was the stalled India–U.S. trade agreement, which nearly concluded earlier but collapsed at the final stage. The recent political-level talks are intended to revive momentum, while technical negotiations will continue under Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
- The Jaishankar–Rubio discussions aimed to provide broad political direction, leaving the details to trade negotiators.
- These talks followed a September 16 phone call between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where Trump extended birthday wishes to Modi. The leaders also touched on the Russia–Ukraine conflict in their public statements.
- Earlier that day, Indian officials had engaged in extensive trade talks with a visiting U.S. delegation, which both sides later described as “positive.”
- This was the first direct Modi–Trump interaction since bilateral tensions escalated the previous month, when Trump raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50%. A slight easing of tensions was visible on September 6, when Trump remarked that India and the U.S. shared a “special relationship” and that “there is nothing to worry about.” Modi responded shortly after, expressing his deep appreciation and reciprocating Trump’s positive assessment of the partnership
1.With reference to the H-1B visas, consider the following statements:
1. The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire immigrant workers in specialty occupations.
2. It is non-renewable.
3. There is no capping in H-1B visas.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
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Answer (d)
1. The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire immigrant workers in specialty occupations. 2. It is non-renewable. 3. There is no capping in H-1B visas. 👉 None of the statements are correct. |
Noise Pollution: An Overlooked Public Health Crisis
In Delhi, slum settlements located next to railway tracks are bearing the brunt of railway-induced noise pollution, with levels surpassing the permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) — in some cases, exceeding them by nearly 85%.
A study published in the BMJ Journal (December 2024) has drawn a direct link between environmental exposures such as air pollution and road traffic noise and rising infertility among both men and women. Notably, the research indicated that women aged 35–45 faced a heightened risk of infertility from noise exposure, while no such association was found in younger women aged 30–34.9.
According to Doctors, the connection between noise and reduced fertility, especially in women above 35, underscores how environmental stress can disrupt reproductive health. Prolonged exposure to high decibel levels triggers biological mechanisms such as:
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Chronic Stress: Continuous noise beyond 55 dB elevates cortisol levels, disturbing hormonal balance (oestrogen and progesterone), which may cause irregular cycles, anovulation (no ovulation), or amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).
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Sleep Disturbances: Noise lowers melatonin levels, affecting ovarian functions and fertility. In women above 35, this worsens natural fertility decline.
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Oxidative Stress & Inflammation: Long-term exposure increases oxidative damage and inflammation, potentially reducing egg quality and endometrial receptivity, and aggravating reproductive conditions like endometriosis
Noise Standards vs. Reality
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that daytime noise in residential areas should not exceed 55 dB(A), roughly the sound of a normal conversation. India’s Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 prescribe the same limits: 55 dB during the day (6 a.m.–10 p.m.) and 45 dB at night.
- However, the decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning a 10 dB increase represents a tenfold jump in intensity. In Indian cities, traffic corridors often register above 70 dB(A).
- As with air pollution, the worst effects fall on those with the least protection — street vendors, traffic police, delivery workers, and slum dwellers. For them, the constant noise is not just an annoyance but a daily occupational hazard that chips away at long-term health
Governance Failures
Despite the scale of the problem, noise monitoring remains minimal, enforcement mechanisms are weak, and responsibility is spread thin across multiple agencies. Symbolic measures — like honking bans or festival crackdowns — do little to address structural causes. This neglect reflects three systemic shortcomings:
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Poor monitoring: Unlike air pollution, where satellite data and sensors provide detailed insights, noise data in India is sparse, reactive, and inconsistent.
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Cultural and structural barriers: Noise is not recognized as a health hazard comparable to smog, leading to greater tolerance — and sometimes participation — in noisy practices.
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Fragmented governance: Pollution boards, municipalities, and police share jurisdiction, but none has sufficient resources or incentives to enforce meaningful regulation
The Way Forward
- Noise must be treated on par with air and water pollution in public health agendas. Evidence-based interventions rooted in health research are essential. Urban planning should prioritize noise-buffering mechanisms such as green belts, trees, and zoning that separates residential areas from noisy corridors.
- Pilot experiments with green buffers show promise, but scaling up requires systematic evaluation and community involvement. Governance reforms are equally critical — regulations should be enforceable, data must be transparent, and agencies must coordinate across sectors like transport, urban planning, and pollution control.
- Awareness drives, in partnership with religious leaders and community groups, can also help shift social norms and reduce tolerance for harmful noise levels.
- India’s failure to act decisively on air pollution has already shown the costs of delay — worsening health outcomes and deepening inequalities.
- Noise pollution, already recognized in law as an air pollutant, must not be neglected. By integrating noise control into clean-air policies, embedding it in urban design, and prioritizing it in public health frameworks, India can protect vulnerable communities, safeguard reproductive and overall health, and reclaim the fundamental right to a quieter environment.
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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Answer (B)
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India (developed by CPCB) is calculated based on eight pollutants:
👉 Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and Methane (CH₄) are not included in AQI calculations. So, the relevant gases from the options are:
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- The Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced in 2017, was designed to streamline India’s fragmented tax regime by replacing the multiple levies imposed separately by the Centre and states with a unified system.
- Under Article 279A(1) of the amended Constitution, the GST Council was created as a joint forum of the Union and the states. It consists of the Union Finance Minister as chairperson, the Union Minister of State for Finance, and a nominated minister from each state responsible for finance, taxation, or another relevant portfolio.
- From September 22, the government has revised GST rates in an effort to settle classification disputes by placing similar goods within the same tax brackets. This also aims to address the issue of inverted duty structure, where input taxes were higher than the tax on final products, causing business inefficiencies.
- The adjustments span across key sectors such as agriculture, textiles, fertilisers, construction, transport, health, and renewable energy.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the move as a “GST Bachat Utsav,” underlining its intent to put more disposable income in households’ hands, stimulate consumption, and in turn, attract fresh investment. The government is banking on increased consumer demand to balance the revenue shortfall expected from rate reductions on more than 375 items.
- Since its launch, GST has replaced 17 indirect taxes and 13 cesses. Though several rounds of rate changes have been carried out, the latest reform is significant for reshaping the overall tax structure.
- The previous four-slab system (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) has now largely been consolidated into two main slabs—a concessional rate of 5% and a standard rate of 18%.
- A special “demerit rate” of 40% continues to apply to goods like pan masala, tobacco, and cigarettes. One exception remains: bricks (other than sand bricks) still attract a 12% rate with input tax credit.
- Services too have seen rationalisation. Health and life insurance services for individuals are exempted, while hotels with tariffs up to ₹7,500 now attract a 5% rate (without ITC), down from 12% with ITC. Similarly, salons, spas, and wellness services face a reduced 5% GST instead of 18%.
- For consumers, this is expected to translate into lower household expenses, though the government has no strict legal framework to prevent profiteering. The Finance Ministry has directed officials to track price movements before and after the new rates to ensure companies pass on benefits.
- Earlier, the existence of multiple slabs had complicated GST compliance, raised costs of living—particularly for the poor and middle class—and worsened the problem of inverted duty structure, which trapped working capital as businesses awaited refunds. While IDS cannot be eliminated completely, rationalising rates across similar items should help ease business pressures.
- The reforms also introduce compliance-friendly features under what is being called GST 2.0. Registration, returns, and refunds will be more technology-driven and time-bound, especially benefiting small businesses and startups. Pre-filled returns are also planned to cut down on manual errors and mismatches, reducing administrative burdens
1.What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’? (UPSC CSE 2017)
1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer (a)
👉 So, only Statement 1 is correct |