Content Two Interventions under NIRYAT PROTSAHAN — MSME Export Finance Support 9th Siddha Day Two Interventions under NIRYAT PROTSAHAN — MSME Export Finance Support Why in News ? The Government launched two finance-focused interventions under the Export Promotion Mission on 2 January 2026 to strengthen MSME exports: Interest Support for Pre- and Post-Shipment Export Credit Collateral Guarantee for Export Credit (via CGTMSE) These form part of the NIRYAT PROTSAHAN sub-scheme with a sharp focus on reducing export credit cost & improving finance access for MSMEs. Relevance GS-III | Indian Economy — Inclusive Growth, MSMEs, External Sector GS-III | Mobilisation of Resources — Credit, Financial Inclusion Core Concepts Pre-shipment credit → Working capital before goods are shipped. Post-shipment credit → Finance between shipment & receipt of export proceeds. Interest subvention → Government bears part of interest to lower borrowing cost. Collateral guarantee → Government-backed guarantee reduces collateral requirement and risk for banks. Intervention 1 — Interest Support for Export Credit Subvention Rate: Base support: 2.75% on pre- & post-shipment rupee export credit. Additional incentive: For under-represented / emerging markets (operationally notified). Coverage Criteria Applies only to positive-list tariff lines (HS-6 level). Coverage: ~75% of India’s tariff lines — sectors with high MSME participation. Annual Cap ₹50 lakh per IEC (FY 2025-26). Review Cycle Rates reviewed bi-annually (March & September) using domestic and global benchmarks. Positive-list Selection — Data-Driven Filters Priority: Labour-intensive & capital-intensive sectors, MSME density, value-addition. Excluded: Restricted/prohibited goods, waste & scrap, overlapping-scheme items. Included: Defence & SCOMET exports (strategic exports). Implementation RBI to issue operational guidelines; pilot rollout first, refinement based on feedback. Intervention 2 — Collateral Guarantee for Export Credit (CGTMSE) Guarantee Coverage Up to 85% — Micro & Small exporters. Up to 65% — Medium exporters. Exposure Limit Max ₹10 crore guaranteed exposure per exporter per FY. Design Logic Addresses collateral constraints & reduces bank risk → encourages export lending. Complements existing credit-guarantee schemes. Rollout CGTMSE to notify guidelines → pilot phase → integration into revised export-promotion framework. Export Promotion Mission — Scheme Architecture  Cabinet Approval: 12 Nov 2025. Outlay: ₹25,060 crore | FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. Lead Ministries: Commerce, MSME, Finance. Focus Groups: MSMEs, first-time exporters, labour-intensive sectors, value-added & diversified exports. Two Sub-Schemes NIRYAT PROTSAHAN → Trade finance access & affordability. NIRYAT DISHA → Non-financial enablers (market access, branding, logistics, compliance, trade intelligence). Data-Backed Rationale MSMEs account for ~40% of India’s exports (est.) but face: High cost of export credit vs peers. Collateral shortages → low credit uptake. Working-capital stress in pre-shipment cycle. Schemes aim to: Lower cost of exporting Improve credit flow & market diversification Integrate MSMEs into global value chains (GVCs). Expected Outcomes  Reduced interest burden → higher margins & competitiveness. Broader market outreach to emerging geographies. Higher formalisation & scale-up among export-oriented MSMEs. Strengthening of India’s export brand + product diversification. Support to export-led growth trajectory. Strengths Targeted (positive-list, HS-6) & evidence-based design. Incentivises strategic sectors & labour-intensive segments. Combines price instrument (interest subvention) + risk instrument (guarantee). Pilot-based iterative refinement → adaptive governance. Implementation Risks & Challenges Possible credit concentration in already-competitive sectors. Administrative capacity for tariff-line monitoring at HS-6 level. Moral hazard risk if bank lending standards dilute. Need for sync with export demand cycles & global trade slowdown risks. Coordination required across RBI, banks, CGTMSE, exporters. Way Forward  Align incentives with productivity & value-addition metrics. Integrate with logistics efficiency, FTAs, export marketing support (under NIRYAT DISHA). Strengthen data monitoring dashboards — credit uptake, sectoral dispersion, NPA trends. Encourage first-time exporters via hand-holding & cluster-level facilitation. 9th Siddha Day Why in News ? The Ministry of Ayush is organising the 9th Siddha Day celebrations on 3 January 2026 in Chennai; National Siddha Day will be observed nationwide on 6 January (birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar). Theme (2026): “Siddha for Global Health” — signalling the system’s role in preventive health, wellness, research, and global outreach. Vice President of India to preside; five eminent personalities to be honoured for outstanding contributions to Siddha medicine. Relevance GS-II | Health — Public Health, Human Resources, Governance of AYUSH GS-II | Welfare & Social Sector — Traditional Medicine in Healthcare Delivery Basics — Siddha System One of India’s oldest classical medical systems, rooted in Tamil tradition; attributed to Sage Agathiyar and other Siddhars. Major focus areas: Disease prevention, lifestyle regulation, dietetics, and rejuvenation (Kayakarpam) Triphase treatment model — body, mind, environment Materia medica — metals, minerals, herbo-mineral and plant formulations Institutional ecosystem National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) Siddha Medical Colleges (TN & Kerala) Theme Significance — “Siddha for Global Health” Positions Siddha within: Global wellness & integrative healthcare Lifestyle-linked NCD prevention (diet, regimen, stress, ageing) Traditional medicine diplomacy & soft power Aligns with WHO Traditional Medicine Global Strategy and India’s efforts to mainstream Ayush in public health frameworks. Policy Context — Ayush & Siddha Mainstreaming Supports national priorities in: AYUSH-based preventive care & wellness tourism Research collaboration and pharmaco-standardisation Curriculum expansion, PG/PhD capacity & clinical training International recognition & cross-border knowledge partnerships Data-Driven Context  Siddha has strong regional footprint in Tamil Nadu & southern India with growing outreach through: Government hospitals & teaching institutions Research programmes under CCRS Integration in primary wellness services & public health campaigns Event strengthens research translation, documentation, and dissemination to widen acceptance. Expected Outcomes Higher public awareness & institutional visibility of Siddha. Stronger research networks, publication pipelines, and clinical validation. Boost to human-resource development & academic excellence. Support for international collaborations, innovation, and global positioning of Indian systems of medicine. Strengths  Deep preventive-care orientation (diet–lifestyle–environment). Strong textual & practitioner knowledge base. High potential in chronic illness management, geriatrics, wellness & rehabilitation. Contributes to health pluralism & patient choice. Challenges  Need for standardised formulations & quality control. Evidence generation, clinical trials & documentation must scale. Integration with modern public-health protocols & safety standards required. Human-resource and infrastructure gaps across non-TN regions. Way Forward Expand multi-centric clinical research with CCRS–ICMR partnerships. Create digital pharmaco-registry & outcome-tracking systems. Strengthen curriculum, faculty development, and international academic chairs. Promote Siddha wellness tourism & global certification pathways. Enhance public-health integration (NCD clinics, lifestyle counselling, primary care support).

Content Energy Transition Casual Racism in India  Energy Transition Why in News ? The editorial analyses why India’s clean-energy transition now depends less on capacity addition and more on power sector reforms, especially distribution utilities (DISCOMs), tariffs, market design and flexibility. Solar-wind capacity is expanding fast, but inefficiencies in pricing, grid management and financial stress in DISCOMs are emerging as the core bottlenecks to renewable-led growth. Relevance   GS-III | Economy — Infrastructure & Energy Power sector reforms, DISCOM viability, tariff design, AT&C losses Renewable integration, grid management, market-based dispatch GS-III | Environment — Climate & Sustainable Development Clean-energy transition, decarbonisation, demand-side flexibility GS-II | Governance / Federal Issues Centre–State coordination in utility regulation, regulatory reforms Practice Question   “India’s renewable-energy challenge today is less about capacity creation and more about market and distribution reform.” Examine this statement with reference to DISCOM economics, tariff design, and wholesale market restructuring. Suggest policy measures to ensure efficient renewable integration.(250 Words) Basics — What the Editorial Emphasises ? Earlier constraint → generation capacity Current constraint → distribution, tariffs, demand-side flexibility, market design Core idea → India must reform how electricity is priced, scheduled, traded and consumed to use cheap renewables efficiently. Key Data & Facts Solar + wind installations: Crossed ~180 GW → among lowest-cost new power sources in India. DISCOM stress persists: Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses ≈ ~16% (despite UDAY & RDSS). Rooftop solar adoption rising, but affects DISCOM revenues when tariffs remain volumetric. India has mandated time-of-day (ToD) tariffs & smart-meter scaling at unprecedented speed. Smart meters installed: ≈ 49 million (under rollout). Outcome risk: If tariffs remain static / volumetric, DISCOMs face falling revenues + fixed costs. Market share of organised power exchanges: only 7–10% of total electricity supplied → bulk remains tied in long-term contracts. Studies cited: Renewables can reduce annual power procurement costs by ~$1.6 billion if scheduling improves. Structural Problems Highlighted Three-level bottleneck Distribution reforms → biggest constraint. Retail tariffs & smart technologies → needed for efficiency. Wholesale market reform → essential for flexible scheduling. DISCOM economics vs renewables Costs are fixed, revenues are volumetric → efficiency gains reduce revenue. High-paying consumer migration to rooftop solar / efficiency weakens DISCOM finances. Network costs remain even if demand shifts to rooftop / efficiency. Lack of flexible procurement limits renewable scheduling & peak-time balancing. Policy Issues Explained  Time-of-Day Tariffs (ToD) Prices vary by time → signals consumers to shift load from peak hours. Smart meters Enable real-time billing, remote monitoring, demand response. Volumetric Tariffs vs Fixed Charges Over-reliance on per-unit pricing undermines DISCOM finances. Cross-subsidisation Industry pays higher tariffs → households/agriculture pay subsidised rates. Market-based Economic Dispatch (MBED) Cheapest power (including renewables) dispatched first nationwide. Distributed energy (rooftop solar, storage, EV charging) Beneficial for sustainability but financially disruptive without tariff reform. Reforms Recommended Two wholesale market reforms Move to nationwide MBED-type system → dispatch cheapest power first. Integrate captive & private plants into wholesale markets to improve liquidity. Consumer-side reforms Pair ToD tariffs with automation, smart appliances, EV chargers, storage. Allow households to respond automatically to price signals. Financial redesign Allow regulators to recover network costs fairly while rewarding flexibility. Operational priorities Reduce reliance on long-term locked-in contracts. Expand short-duration, responsive resources. Opportunities Identified Efficient tariff & market reform → Better renewable integration, lower procurement costs, improved grid reliability. Boosts flexibility, competition, and liquidity in power markets. Risks & Challenges Revenue erosion from rooftop solar & efficiency under current tariff model. Implementation capacity gaps in DISCOMs. Fragmented markets & legacy long-term contracts. Need for automation, consumer awareness, and regulatory coordination. Takeaway — Core Thesis Adding more solar & wind is not enough. India’s transition now hinges on: Distribution reform + tariff redesign Smart-meter enabled demand flexibility Modern wholesale power markets These steps are essential to unlock the full value of cheap renewables and sustain the clean-energy shift. Casual Racism in India  Why in News ? The editorial highlights the normalisation of casual racism faced by people from the Northeast and other marginalised ethnic groups in academic and urban spaces, using a recent incident at the University of Delhi as a case example. It calls for institutional accountability, legal reform, social awareness, and zero-tolerance responses to everyday racial slurs and stereotyping. Relevance GS-I | Indian Society Regional identities, stereotyping, social prejudice, migration-linked discrimination GS-II | Governance / Rights / Policy Implementation Institutional accountability, grievance mechanisms, policing and legal reform Practice Question   “Casual racism reflects deeper structural prejudices and weak institutional deterrence rather than isolated individual behaviour.”Discuss with examples. Evaluate existing policy measures and suggest a framework to prevent and redress such discrimination in educational and urban spaces.(250 Words) What is “Casual Racism”? Everyday forms of verbal, behavioural or attitudinal prejudice that appear trivial but are rooted in racial/ethnic stereotyping. Examples: Mocking accents, features, food, clothing Using slurs such as “chinki,” “momo,” “Nepali,” “Chinese” Exoticising or othering identities (“outsider”, “foreigner”) Often dismissed as jokes → creates psychological harm, exclusion and inequality. Key Themes & Arguments From the Editorial Normalisation in elite spaces Racist behaviour exists even in universities and educated settings, not just streets. Power + Impunity problem Students make racist remarks without fear of punishment when institutions fail to act. Institutional responsibility Need for quick inquiry, grievance systems, penalties, sensitisation. Incident as symptomatic reality Reflects a wider culture of tolerated prejudice against Northeastern citizens and migrant groups. Call to action Racism must be called out every time, not ignored or normalised. Data & Policy Context North-East Indian migration to metros has risen significantly due to education & services employment — also increasing exposure to discrimination. Supreme Court–appointed Bezbaruah Committee (2014) recommended: Criminalising racial slurs through IPC amendments, Special police procedures, fast-tracking complaints, Integration & sensitisation measures in institutions. Government initiatives since then: Dedicated police helplines, Nodal Officers for North-East in major cities, Special Unit for North-East People (SPUNER) in Delhi Police. Despite measures, implementation gaps persist → under-reporting, weak enforcement, social stigma. Structural Causes of Casual Racism Stereotyping + ignorance about cultural diversity Urban “othering” of migrants (appearance, language, lifestyle markers) Lack of sensitisation in schools & universities Weak deterrence & complaint redressal Media and pop-culture caricatures reinforcing bias Impacts Psychological harm, alienation, social insecurity Erodes constitutional values of equality & dignity Weakens national integration & trust in institutions Produces hostile learning / working environments Policy & Institutional Responses Needed Zero-tolerance codes in universities & workplaces; time-bound disciplinary action. Clear legal classification of racial slurs as punishable offences (per Bezbaruah recommendations). Mandatory sensitisation & diversity training for students, staff, police. Anonymous & accessible grievance channels; counselling support. Curriculum inclusion on culture, ethnicity, migration & citizenship. Community outreach to counter stereotypes and misinformation. Best Practices UK / US universities: anti-racism ombuds, bias-incident reporting portals, restorative processes + penalties. OECD evidence: strong institutional signals reduce repeat bias incidents and improve belonging outcomes. Way Forward Recognise → Report → Redress → Reform → Repeat monitoring Treat casual racism as institutional risk, not individual misconduct. Promote a culture of speaking up & allyship — everyday accountability.

Content Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project — Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough Galaxy Frogs in the Western Ghats Financial & Cyber Fraud Losses in India How AWD helps rice farmers cut methane Sacred Piprahwa Relics Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project — Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough Why in News ? The first mountain tunnel breakthrough of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project has been completed in Palghar district, Maharashtra. The breakthrough took place in the 1.5-km MT-5 tunnel between Virar and Boisar stations — the longest among the seven mountain tunnels in Maharashtra. The achievement was announced by the Railway Minister, who also stated that India’s first bullet train is likely to be operational by 15 August 2027. Relevance GS-III | Infrastructure — Transport & Economic Development High-speed rail, engineering milestones, tunnel construction, technology transfer GS-II | Governance — Public Investment & Centre–State Coordination Execution capacity, employment generation, regional connectivity Basics — About the MAHSR (Bullet Train) Project Route length: 508 km (Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor). Technology: Based on Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed rail system. Executing agency: NHSRCL (National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd.). Design speed: 320 kmph. Travel time after completion: ~1 hour 58 minutes (end-to-end). Key Tunnel Facts  Total tunnel length on corridor:27.4 km 21 km underground tunnels 6.4 km surface tunnels Mountain tunnels (total): 8 7 tunnels in Maharashtra → combined length ~6.05 km 1 tunnel in Gujarat → 350 m MT-5 (current breakthrough): Length ~1.5 km — longest mountain tunnel in the State section Location: between Virar & Boisar Constructed from both ends Completed in ~18 months Technique: Drill-and-Blast method (cutting-edge blasting & excavation) Project Significance  Connectivity impact Travel time reduction → ~1 hr 58 min vs 6–7 hrs currently (by train). Integration of Mumbai–Thane–Palghar–Vapi–Surat–Vadodara–Ahmedabad economic clusters. Employment & ancillary effects Construction-led jobs, supply-chain and materials ecosystem growth. Technology & capacity building Transfer of tunnelling, viaduct, and high-speed systems expertise to Indian firms. Construction & Engineering Highlights Twin-end excavation improved speed and stability. Mountain-geology tunnelling requires: Controlled blasting Ventilation & muck disposal systems Rock-support lining & monitoring instrumentation Breakthrough marks sequential completion milestone before lining, track works, systems and safety testing. Galaxy Frogs in the Western Ghats  Why in News ? A recent study reports that 7 of the world’s rarest frogs — the Galaxy Frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus) — are now presumed dead, likely due to disturbance caused by uncontrolled photo-tourism in the Kerala Western Ghats. The findings were published in Herpetology Notes (Dec 2025). Researchers observed that photographers trampled habitat, displaced logs, and stressed the frogs, disrupting breeding and survival. Relevance GS-III | Environment & Biodiversity Endemic amphibians, Western Ghats hotspot, species vulnerability, IUCN status GS-III | Conservation Governance Ecotourism regulation, habitat protection, community monitoring Basics — About the Galaxy Frog Scientific name: Melanobatrachus indicus Family: Micrixalidae Habitat: Exclusively under rotten logs in evergreen & shola forests of the Western Ghats (Kerala) Size: ~2–3.5 cm Appearance: Black skin with blue speckles resembling a galaxy / starfield First described: 1878 Population traits: Rarely sighted Low reproductive visibility Vulnerable to disturbance IUCN Status: Vulnerable (already at high extinction risk) Key Findings of the Study  Study authors: K. P. Rajkumar, Benjamin Tapley, Jyoti Das, Sandeep Das, etc. Habitat monitoring between 2019–2025 in Mathikettan Shola National Park region. Seven individuals earlier identified → no longer found after repeated visits. Logs under which frogs lived were removed or displaced, vegetation trampled. Covid-19 lockdown pause → followed by mass influx of photographers after reopening. Frogs were handled, moved, and exposed to high-powered strobes & macro-lighting. Researchers conclude: behavioural disruption + micro-habitat loss → likely mortality. Drivers of Threat  Photo-tourism disturbance (primary trigger) Habitat trampling Log displacement Flash exposure & handling stress Other long-term pressures Forest conversion → agriculture, fuelwood extraction, land-slides Micro-habitat fragmentation Limited range + low detectability The case illustrates how “enthusiast photography” without regulation can become a biodiversity threat in micro-habitat-dependent species. Ecological Significance Part of Western Ghats endemic amphibian diversity hotspot. Amphibians = key bio-indicators of ecosystem health (moisture, soil, micro-habitats). Loss of such species → signals stress in montane forest ecology. Broader Conservation Concerns Highlighted Rise of unchecked nature-tourism in fragile habitats. Lack of: Visitor regulation & monitoring Ethical wildlife photography protocols Awareness among hobbyist groups “Rare-species chasing” → creates crowd pressure on single micro-sites. Policy & Governance Implications Need for strict micro-habitat protection norms in Protected Areas. Introduce: Permit-controlled access to amphibian sites No-touch / no-flash photography guidelines Training for guides & photographers Habitat-sensitive ecotourism zoning Strengthen community-based reporting & monitoring with forest departments. Way Forward — Conservation Priorities Species Recovery Plan for Melanobatrachus indicus Long-term population surveys & camera-free monitoring Citizen-science ethics code for herpetology & macro-photography Integrate amphibian conservation into Western Ghats biodiversity management plans Financial & Cyber Fraud Losses in India   Why in News ? Data compiled by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), MHA and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) shows that Indians lost ~₹52,976 crore to fraud and cheating cases over the last six years (2019–2025). Losses surged sharply in 2025, reflecting the growing scale of online scams, investment traps, phishing, impersonation frauds, digital lending scams and cyber-cheating. Maharashtra recorded the highest losses in 2025, followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. Relevance GS-III | Economy & Internal Security Cyber-crime trends, financial fraud ecosystems, digital-payment vulnerabilities GS-II | Governance & Policy Implementation Role of I4C, NCRP-1930 helpline, RBI safeguards, inter-agency coordination Basics — What Counts as Fraud & Cheating in the Data Includes offences such as: Investment scams, phishing & OTP frauds Loan app scams, identity theft, mule accounts Dating / job / crypto scams, e-commerce frauds Banking & card frauds, impersonation / spoofing Cases reported through: NCRP portal (1930 helpline) Citizen Financial Fraud Reporting & Management System Key Data & Trends (2019–2025) Total losses (6 years): ~₹52,976 crore to fraud & cheating. 2025 (sharp escalation): Losses: ₹18,819.26 crore Complaints: 21,77,524 cheating-related cases 2024 (comparison): Losses: ₹22,849.49 crore recovered? (article notes ~19,188.52 lakh complaints — indicates high case load but lower loss reporting) State-wise (2025 — top five): Maharashtra — ₹7,432.6 crore loss; 13,10361 complaints Karnataka — ₹2,413 crore; 21,32,828 complaints Tamil Nadu — ₹1,897 crore; 12,39,203 complaints Uttar Pradesh — ₹1,443 crore; 27,52,640 complaints Telangana — ₹1,372 crore; 9,50,000 complaints Other states Gujarat — ₹1,312.6 crore loss Delhi — ₹1,163 crore West Bengal — ₹1,073.89 crore (high vulnerability reported) Cross-border linkages Several rackets traced to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia scam hubs. Digital connectivity + financial inclusion → larger attack surface for cyber-financial crimes. Structural Drivers Behind Rising Losses Low digital-literacy + rapid fintech adoption Social-engineering scams exploiting trust & urgency Use of mule accounts & UPI wallets Weak grievance redress / delayed reporting Cross-border call-centre networks & crypto trails Fragmented coordination across banks, telecom, police Institutional & Policy Context I4C (MHA) — national cyber-crime coordination & analytics NCRP portal + 1930 helpline — real-time blocking of funds Citizen Financial Fraud Reporting System — freezing beneficiary accounts RBI initiatives Digital payment security controls, LEI & KYC tightening, account-freezing protocols CERT-In advisories; state cyber cells expansion Despite progress → enforcement & recovery gaps remain significant. Way Forward — Priority Reforms Prevention & Early Warning Real-time AI-based scam pattern alerts, telecom SIM & device fingerprinting Default transaction-cooling period for suspicious transfers Financial-sector controls Stronger mule-account detection, shared blacklists across banks & UPI apps Mandatory risk-score warnings on high-risk links / investment ads Law enforcement Cross-border cooperation, extradition pipelines, crypto-forensics capacity Fast-track courts for large-value cyber-fraud Citizen protection Mass digital-safety campaigns in regional languages Victim-centric recovery & counselling mechanisms How AWD helps rice farmers cut methane  Why in News ? Field trials across Telangana, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (2024–25) show that Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in paddy fields can: reduce methane emissions, save irrigation water, and generate income via carbon credits — without lowering crop yields. Relevance GS-III | Agriculture & Environment Methane mitigation, water-use efficiency, climate-smart practices GS-III | Economy — Carbon Markets & Farmer Income Diversification MRV systems, voluntary carbon credits, private climate-finance partnerships Key Facts from the Report Methane source in paddy Continuous flooding creates anaerobic soil conditions → methane-producing microbes thrive. AWD practice Fields are periodically drained and re-flooded instead of being kept submerged. Trial details Conducted in Warangal district (Telangana) across 30 farmers’ fields in kharif & rabi. Emissions measured using acrylic chambers + laboratory gas analysis. Results Lower methane emissions Water savings Grain yields comparable to conventional flooding Carbon Credit Mechanism   Verified methane reduction converted to CO₂-equivalent credits. Current price: $15–25 per tonne CO₂-eq. AWD reduction approx. 2.5 tonnes CO₂-eq / ha → ~$37.5 / ha (~₹3,300 / ha) potential income. Buyers: airlines, energy firms, and large corporates pursuing net-zero targets. Scale-Up & Institutional Context MITTI Labs — emission monitoring & verification. Good Rice Alliance (Bayer, Shell Energy India, GenZero/Temasek): 12,000+ farmers enrolled across 13 States Target mitigation: ~1.2 lakh tonnes CO₂-eq. Links with climate-smart agriculture and private-sector climate finance. Policy Relevance Supports: National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) India’s methane-reduction and climate commitments Water-use efficiency in rice ecosystems Challenges Highlighted Measurement & verification costs (MRV credibility is essential). Farmer adoption risk where irrigation control is weak. Price uncertainty in voluntary carbon markets. Need for extension support & training on AWD scheduling. Way Forward Integrate AWD into state crop programmes & water-management advisories. KVKs / FPO clusters for training and field demonstrations. Develop low-cost field-level MRV tools and transparent credit registries. Combine AWD with direct-seeded rice, residue & nutrient management for higher gains. Sacred Piprahwa Relics  Why in News ? The Ministry of Culture is organising a major international exposition titled “The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi. The exhibition will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 3 January 2026. It marks the reunion of the Sacred Piprahwa Gem Relics of Lord Buddha, repatriated to India in July 2025 after 127 years, with relics and reliquaries excavated in 1898 and 1971-75 at Piprahwa (Kapilavastu region). Relevance GS-I | Indian Culture & Heritage Buddhist relic traditions, Piprahwa–Kapilavastu site, cultural restitution GS-II | International Relations — Cultural Diplomacy / Soft Power Repatriation of antiquities, global Buddhist linkages Basics — What are the Piprahwa Relics? Site: Piprahwa, near Siddharthnagar (Uttar Pradesh) — associated with ancient Kapilavastu, the Shakya capital. Discovery (1898): Excavated by William Claxton Peppé; relic casket found in a monolithic stone coffer inside a stupa. Contents included: Sacred relics believed to belong to Lord Buddha Gem relics & jewelled offerings Reliquaries and ritual objects After discovery, the relics were divided and dispersed globally: A portion gifted to the King of Siam (Thailand) A portion taken to England by the Peppé family A portion preserved at the Indian Museum, Kolkata What Makes the 2026 Exposition Significant? Largest-ever assemblage of Buddha relics & antiquities linked to Piprahwa brought together since 1898. Exhibition includes 80+ cultural objects (6th century BCE → present): Sculptures, manuscripts, thangkas, reliquaries, ritual artefacts. Key Components Displayed Relics from 1898 Kapilavastu excavation Treasures from 1972 excavations Reliquaries & jewelled treasures from Indian Museum, Kolkata Recently repatriated Peppé family relics (2025) The original monolithic stone coffer Repatriation Timeline — Data & Context 127 years after dispersal, the Peppé family relics were repatriated in July 2025. Return achieved through: A public–private partnership effort Intervention to halt a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction Global support from Buddhist communities Under recent heritage diplomacy: 642 antiquities have been repatriated to India in recent years Piprahwa relics are considered a landmark cultural restitution success