INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
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Poona Pact and National Makhana Board , Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, UNFCCC’s Conference of Parties (CoP) for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Illegal migrants and Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 26, 2024
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The Poona Pact was a landmark agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar that shaped the future of political representation for the Depressed Classes (later known as Scheduled Castes) in India.
The background to the pact lies in the Communal Award of 1932, announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. The award proposed separate electorates for various communities, including Muslims, Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, and the Depressed Classes. Under this system, members of the Depressed Classes would elect their own representatives through a separate electorate.
While Dr. Ambedkar supported separate electorates as a way to secure independent political voice for the Depressed Classes, Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed it. Gandhi feared that separate electorates would permanently divide Hindu society along caste lines and weaken the unity needed for the freedom struggle. As a mark of protest, Gandhi undertook a fast unto death while imprisoned in the Yerawada Jail in Pune.
This created intense public pressure and led to negotiations between Ambedkar and Gandhi. Eventually, on 24 September 1932, the two leaders reached an agreement known as the Poona Pact.
Under the terms of the Poona Pact:
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The idea of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes was dropped.
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Instead, separate reserved seats were provided for the Depressed Classes within the general Hindu electorate.
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The number of reserved seats for the Depressed Classes in provincial legislatures was significantly increased (from 71 under the Communal Award to 148).
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Members of the Depressed Classes would be elected by a joint electorate but with the benefit of primary elections (panel voting) to ensure their choice of candidates.
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Adequate representation was assured in public services and educational institutions
The Poona Pact thus struck a compromise — it preserved Hindu social unity while enhancing political representation for the Depressed Classes. Although Ambedkar had initially sought separate electorates, he later described the Pact as a significant milestone because it substantially improved representation for his community.
The Pact is historically significant as it highlighted the clash between two visions — Gandhi’s emphasis on social unity and Ambedkar’s insistence on political safeguards for the oppressed — and marked the beginning of a long dialogue on social justice in modern India.
Follow Up Question
Mains
1."The Poona Pact (1932) was not just a compromise between Gandhi and Ambedkar but a turning point in India’s struggle for social justice."
Discuss the background, provisions, and significance of the Poona Pact in the context of political representation for the Depressed Classes and the larger freedom movement. (250 words)
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Answer (C)
The Mahad Satyagraha of 1927 was led by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in Mahad, Maharashtra, to assert the right of untouchables to draw water from public tanks. It was a significant event in the Dalit movement and a fight against caste-based discrimination in access to public resources
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- Makhana, also known as fox nut or gorgon nut, is the dried edible seed of the prickly water lily (Euryale ferox), an aquatic plant commonly found in freshwater ponds across South and East Asia.
- The plant is easily identifiable by its large, prickly circular leaves, which can exceed a meter in diameter, and its violet and white flowers. The edible seeds have a blackish-brown outer coating, earning them the nickname “Black Diamond.”
- After processing, the seeds are roasted or popped to make a light snack called ‘lava,’ which is widely consumed.
- Makhana is valued for its nutritional richness, being a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and minerals, and has wide applications in food, healthcare, and traditional medicine.
- Bihar is the leading producer of Makhana, accounting for nearly 90% of India’s production. Cultivation is concentrated in nine districts of the Mithilanchal region, including Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, and Sitamarhi, with the first four contributing almost 80% of the state’s output.
- In addition to Bihar, Makhana is cultivated in smaller quantities in Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, and Odisha, as well as in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, and Korea.
- Recognizing its unique regional identity, Mithila Makhana was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022, which is valid for ten years and can be renewed.
- Makhana is typically grown in tropical and subtropical climates and thrives in stagnant water bodies such as ponds, wetlands, ditches, and lakes with water depths of about 4–6 feet.
- The ideal temperature range for cultivation is 20–35°C, with relative humidity between 50–90% and annual rainfall ranging from 100 to 250 cm. Despite being the largest producer, Bihar has faced several challenges in leveraging its dominant position in the global Makhana market.
- The state lacks a robust food processing industry and export infrastructure, as none of its airports have cargo facilities. Cultivation remains highly labor-intensive, resulting in high input costs, and farmers have been slow to adopt high-yield varieties such as Swarna Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1 developed by agricultural research institutions.
- To address these challenges and unlock the sector’s potential, the Central Government established the National Makhana Board in 2024, headquartered in Bihar.
- The Board aims to promote production through modern technologies, improve post-harvest management, encourage value addition, and strengthen processing and marketing channels.
- It will also train farmers to become export-oriented, facilitate investment in food processing, and create the necessary infrastructure to enable exports. These efforts are expected to boost production, expand market access, and enhance Bihar’s presence on the global Makhana map
- The National Turmeric Board is a government initiative aimed at promoting the growth and development of the turmeric industry in India. It was formally established in January 2025 to strengthen India’s position as a global leader in turmeric production and exports.
- The Board’s headquarters were inaugurated on 29th June 2025 in Nizamabad, Telangana, by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah.
- The primary objective of the Board is to enhance the production, processing, marketing, and export of turmeric, with special focus on major producing states like Telangana, Maharashtra, and Meghalaya.
- India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric, commanding over 62% of global trade. In the fiscal year 2023–24, India exported 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric-based products worth USD 226.5 million.
- The Board works to provide leadership on turmeric-related issues, coordinate with the Spices Board and other governmental agencies, and develop a sustainable ecosystem for the industry.
- Its initiatives include supporting farmers with training, promoting modern cultivation and processing techniques, improving market access, and facilitating export infrastructure.
- With the government aiming to achieve USD 1 billion in turmeric exports by 2030, the National Turmeric Board is expected to play a critical role in boosting the sector’s growth, increasing farmer incomes, and establishing India’s dominance in the global turmeric market
1.Consider the following statements regarding Makhana (Fox Nut):
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Bihar accounts for nearly 90% of India’s total Makhana production.
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Makhana cultivation requires stagnant water bodies like ponds and wetlands with water depth of 4–6 feet.
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Mithila Makhana has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
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The National Makhana Board has been established to promote production, processing, marketing, and exports of Makhana.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer (D)
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- The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides a framework for the governance of tribal areas in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Inclusion of Ladakh under this Schedule would enable the creation of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs), which are elected bodies with authority over tribal areas.
- These councils would have legislative powers over various subjects such as forestry, agriculture, village and town administration, inheritance, marriage, divorce, and social customs.
- The Schedule also empowers ADCs and ARCs to collect land revenue, impose taxes, regulate money lending and trade, levy royalties from mineral leases or licenses, and develop public infrastructure like schools, markets, and roads.
- In 2019, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes recommended that Ladakh be brought under the Sixth Schedule, citing several reasons: the region has a tribal population exceeding 97%, there are restrictions on land acquisition by outsiders, and Ladakh possesses a distinct cultural heritage that needs protection.
- Following violent incidents linked to these demands, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a 35-day hunger strike, ended his fast. The Leh administration imposed restrictions on gatherings of four or more people as a precaution.
- The unrest occurred ahead of scheduled talks between the Centre and the Leh Apex Body on October 6, after a four-month hiatus. Government sources indicated that Wangchuk was seen as a potential obstacle to the negotiations.
- The roots of the issue go back to 2019, when the repeal of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act led to the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature, and Ladakh without one.
- The political and legal status of Ladakh has remained a matter of debate, with the people advocating for Sixth Schedule inclusion due to the high proportion of Scheduled Tribes (over 90%).
- Under Article 244, the Sixth Schedule allows the establishment of ADCs, which govern tribal-majority areas. These councils, each having up to 30 members serving five-year terms, can legislate on issues related to land, forests, water, agriculture, village councils, health, sanitation, and policing at village and town levels.
- Currently, there are 10 ADCs in the Northeast, distributed as three each in Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, and one in Tripura.
- Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer and innovator of sustainable technologies, is widely recognized for inspiring the character portrayed by Aamir Khan in the 2009 film 3 Idiots.
- In 2018, he was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his systematic, community-driven reforms in education and his efforts to improve opportunities for Ladakhi youth, serving as a model for minority communities worldwide
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Answer (C)
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- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty adopted in 1992, which laid the foundation for global climate negotiations.
- It was opened for signature on 19 June 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), commonly referred to as the Rio Earth Summit.
- Alongside the UNFCCC, two related treaties were introduced: the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification. The UNFCCC came into force on 21 March 1994.
- The Convention established key principles guiding international climate action, including the notion of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” (CBDR-RC).
- This principle acknowledges that while all countries share the responsibility to tackle climate change, the scope of their obligations varies according to their capabilities and circumstances.
- Under the Paris Agreement (2015), countries are required to regularly update their climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Each update must be submitted every five years, with successive NDCs demonstrating progress over previous ones.
- These plans outline specific measures each country is taking to combat climate change. The first set of NDCs was submitted around 2015, with the second round updated in 2020, and the third edition is expected by the end of this year.
- India’s NDCs focus on three main objectives: reducing the emissions intensity of GDP, increasing the share of renewable and clean energy sources, and expanding forest and tree cover to enhance carbon sequestration. In its initial NDC, India pledged to reduce emissions intensity by 33–35% from 2005 levels by 2030 and to ensure that 40% of electricity capacity came from non-fossil fuels.
- In the second NDC (2022), these targets were revised upward to a 45% reduction in emissions intensity and a 50% non-fossil fuel share in electricity. By July this year, India had already surpassed the 50% mark in non-fossil fuel electricity capacity, achieving one of its commitments five years ahead of schedule.
- The third commitment, which remains unchanged, is to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes through afforestation.
- Globally, fewer than 50 countries have submitted their third NDCs so far, though more are expected to coincide with a special climate action meeting called by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the ongoing UN General Assembly.
- The Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as the primary multilateral forum where nearly all countries coordinate policies and implement collective climate action.
- Presently, the UNFCCC has 198 parties (197 countries plus the European Union). The first COP, held in Berlin in 1995, is notable for the Berlin Mandate, which emphasized the need for legally binding climate commitments for developed countries
1.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty drawn at (UPSC 2010)
A. United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 1972
B. UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992
C. World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002
D. UN Climate Change Conference Copenhagen, 2009
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Answer (B)
The UNFCCC was adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It established a global framework for addressing climate change and laid the foundation for subsequent agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
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- A tropical cyclone exhibits a ‘clean’ side and a ‘dirty’ side. In the northern hemisphere, the right-hand side relative to the storm’s motion is considered the ‘dirty’ side, whereas the left-hand side is referred to as the ‘clean’ side.
- The ‘dirty’ side is generally more destructive because the storm’s forward motion combines with its inherent anti-clockwise rotational winds, creating the strongest gusts at the point where these two movements converge.
- For example, if a typhoon is traveling at 48 kmph with sustained winds of 161 kmph, the combined effect can produce winds of 209 kmph on its right-hand side.
- Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones recorded in 2025, caused at least 14 deaths in Taiwan and two in the northern Philippines. At its peak, the storm’s sustained winds reached 280 kmph, approaching the maximum intensity possible for storms on Earth.
- Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean waters near the equator. Warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface, creating a low-pressure area below. Surrounding air with higher pressure moves in, rises, and becomes warm and moist.
- As the air ascends, it cools, forming clouds and thunderstorms. The system gains energy from the heat of the ocean and evaporated water, intensifying the storm.
- According to NOAA, the weakest systems are termed tropical depressions. When winds reach 63 kmph, the system becomes a tropical storm. Winds exceeding 119 kmph classify the storm as a hurricane, typhoon, or tropical cyclone.
- The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale categorizes cyclones from Category 1 to 5, with Category 5 storms having winds above 252 kmph. Storms of Category 3 or higher are considered major tropical cyclones due to their destructive potential. Ragasa qualifies as a Category 5 super typhoon.
- While scientists have not fully determined how climate change affects tropical cyclones—owing to multiple influencing factors—there is agreement that warmer global temperatures are contributing to stronger storms.
- Given its intensity, Ragasa nearly reached the upper theoretical limit for storm intensity, estimated at around 322 kmph.
- Regions like southern China and Hong Kong frequently experience typhoons at this time of year. However, the damage from Ragasa was exacerbated by its impact on the ‘dirty side’ or right-front quadrant of the storm
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Answer (B)
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For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Consumer Protection rules
Context:
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalty of ₹ 3 lakh for misleading advertisement on Sriram’s IAS. The decision was taken to protect & promote the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Read about:
What is Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)?
What is State Consumer Protection Council?
Key takeaways:
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹3 lakh fine on Sriram’s IAS for disseminating misleading advertisements. This action aims to safeguard and advance consumer rights and to ensure that no advertisements for goods or services breach the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The penalty was issued under the leadership of Chief Commissioner Smt. Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Shri Anupam Mishra, following violations related to misleading advertising about the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022.
Many coaching institutes and online edtech platforms use images and names of successful candidates to attract potential students, without disclosing which courses these candidates completed or the duration of their studies.
Sriram’s IAS made claims in its advertisements such as:
- “200 plus selections in UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022”
- “We are India's No.1 Prestigious UPSC/IAS Coaching Institute”
The CCPA found that while Sriram’s IAS advertised various courses, it intentionally withheld information about the courses taken by the successful candidates in the UPSC Civil Service Exam. This omission misled consumers into believing that all the claimed successful candidates had enrolled in the paid courses advertised by the institute.
According to Section 2(28)(iv) of the Consumer Protection Act, misleading advertisements that deliberately hide critical information are prohibited. Knowing the course details chosen by successful candidates is essential for consumers to make informed decisions about which course and coaching institute to select.
In response, Sriram’s IAS provided details for only 171 out of the 200-plus claimed successful candidates. Of these, 102 were from the Free Interview Guidance Programme (IGP), 55 from the Free Test Series, 9 from the GS Classroom course, and 5 from an MoU arrangement with state governments for free coaching. This information was not disclosed in their advertisements, misleading potential consumers.
Successful candidates in the Civil Services Examination must pass all three stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test (PT). Marks from Mains and PT contribute to the final selection, with PT accounting for 13.5% of the total marks. Many candidates had cleared the Preliminary and Mains exams independently, with Sriram’s IAS providing guidance only after these stages. By concealing this fact, the misleading advertisements misinformed UPSC aspirants, violating their right to be accurately informed and protecting themselves from unfair practices
Follow Up Question
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Answer (D)
The Consumer Protection Act 2019 actually includes provisions for mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. The Act aims to simplify and expedite the resolution of consumer disputes and includes mechanisms for mediation, among other methods, to resolve conflicts efficiently
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