Content
Is the End of Progress Against Extreme Poverty Approaching?
Pan Masala Cess and Higher Duties on Tobacco Products
Why India Needs Bioremediation
Can India Become Self-Reliant in Rare Earth Elements (REEs)?
Sanchar Saathi App Mandate by DoT
Rising GPS Spoofing Incidents Near Indian Airports
Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs).
Why Pollution Affects North Indian Cities More Than South & West
Is it the end of progress against extreme poverty?
What Is Extreme Poverty?
Defined by the World Bank as living on less than $2.15/day (2017 PPP).
Core indicators: lack of food security, no access to sanitation, healthcare, electricity, education.
Used globally to measure SDG-1 implementation.
Relevance
GS 1 – Society
Global poverty trends, demographic transitions.
Regional disparities (Asia vs Africa).
Social indicators: education, health, inequality.
GS 2 – International Relations / Social Justice
SDG-1, SDG-10 performance.
Role of institutions (World Bank, IMF, UN).
Governance gaps in fragile states.
GS 3 – Economy
Growth–poverty elasticity.
Structural transformation, employment, productivity.
Climate vulnerability and conflict economics.
Global poverty projections and economic stagnation in Africa.
What Has Happened Since 1990? (Global Background)
1990: 2.3 billion people in extreme poverty.
2024: Decline by 1.5 billion, one of the largest improvements in human history.
Drivers:
Rapid Asian growth (China, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh).
Structural transformation (manufacturing, urbanisation).
Trade integration.
Why Rapid Decline Is Slowing Now
In the 1990s, most poor people lived in fast-growing Asian economies.
Today, most extremely poor live in stagnating African economies (Madagascar, DR Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Burundi, CAR).
GDP per capita in these countries has not grown for decades.
Projections (World Bank + IMF)
A. Up to 2030
Extreme poor decline from 831 million (2025) to 793 million (2030).
Decline modest; nowhere close to earlier pace.
B. After 2030
Reversal begins: number starts rising due to:
Stagnant African economies
High fertility
Climate vulnerability
Weak state capacity
C. Geographic shift
1990: Most poor in Asia.
2024–2040: Majority in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Why Progress Is Stalling ?
Economic stagnation in core African states (per capita income same as 1950 in Madagascar).
Mean incomes below poverty line → redistribution alone cannot eliminate poverty.
Population growth outpacing economic growth.
Climate shocks and conflicts.
Weak human capital: low productivity, poor education, poor health.
How Latin American Countries Fit Into This Picture (Panama, Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil)
A. Mexico
Middle-income country with moderate poverty reduction.
Extreme poverty dropped significantly 1990–2015; stagnated thereafter.
Drivers:
Manufacturing-based growth (NAFTA)
Social transfer programmes (Oportunidades)
Challenges:
Regional disparity (South vs North)
Crime, informality
Slow post-2015 GDP growth
B. Brazil
Major decline in extreme poverty 2003–2014 (Bolsa Família, commodity boom).
Recent stagnation due to:
Political instability
Low productivity
Commodity cycle downturn
Still far ahead of Africa; baseline poverty much lower.
C. Panama
One of Latin America’s fastest-growing economies; extreme poverty declined sharply (Canal services, logistics).
Challenges:
High inequality
Indigenous-region poverty pockets remain.
D. Bolivia
Poverty reduction since 2005 due to:
Hydrocarbon boom
Cash transfer schemes
But growth slowdown post-2014 → stagnation.
Still better trajectory than African stagnators but not Asian-style high growth.
Overall Latin America Trend
No stagnation as deep as Africa, but insufficient growth to replicate Asian-style poverty elimination.
Inequality a persistent drag across region.
Chart Logic Explained (Charts 1A–1D & Chart 2)
Charts 1A & 1B (High-growth Asian countries)
China, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh → large initial poverty shares (>60%)
Rapid GDP/capita rise → large decline (<10%).
Charts 1C (Latin America – e.g., Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Panama)
Lower initial extreme poverty.
Reduction is slower because:
Growth moderate, not explosive.
Inequality high.
Poverty is more structural, less mass-extreme.
Charts 1D (African stagnators)
DR Congo, Malawi, Burundi, CAR, Mozambique
GDP/capita stagnant for decades.
Extreme poverty remains >50%.
Chart 2 (Projections to 2040)
Shows a break from past trend:
Decline until 2030
Rise afterward
Latin America stays low-extreme-poverty but not driving global reduction.
Asia essentially exits extreme poverty.
Africa drives global numbers upward.
Key Insight: Redistribution vs Growth
Countries like Madagascar, DR Congo:
Mean income < poverty line
Even perfect redistribution keeps everyone poor
Only sustained GDP growth can eliminate extreme poverty.
Why Future Looks Different From Past
Earlier gains came from countries that were poor but grew rapidly.
Now most extremely poor live in countries with:
Very low state capacity
Fragile institutions
Climate vulnerability
Conflict
Weak human capital
Without structural transformation, the poverty trap deepens.
Implications for SDGs
SDG-1 (End Poverty by 2030) will not be met.
SDG-10 (Inequality) becoming more central.
Africa becomes global development priority.
Policy Lessons
Growth-first strategy essential in low-income countries.
Need strong investment in:
Education
Health
Agricultural productivity
Climate resilience
Governance reforms
Redistribution works only after basic growth begins.
PAN MASALA CESS & HIGHER DUTIES ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Why Is This in News?
The Union Government introduced two new Bills in Parliament:
Health Security Cess Bill, 2025
Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Objective: Replace the soon-ending GST Compensation Cess on tobacco with new revenue streams and bring pan masala manufacture under tighter fiscal regulation.
Context: GST compensation cess on tobacco to discontinue after repayment of COVID-era borrowings.
Relevance
GS 2 – Governance / Polity
Fiscal federalism: Centre–State financial relations.
Legislative process (Bills introduced in Parliament).
Public health as a State subject; non-shareable cess debate.
GS 3 – Economy / Public Health
Pigouvian taxes.
Sin goods taxation and behavioural economics.
Revenue mobilisation post-GST cess sunset.
Illicit trade, compliance, machine-based excise monitoring.
Basics
GST Compensation Cess (2017–present)
Levied on sin goods: tobacco, aerated drinks, coal, pan masala, etc.
Purpose: Compensate States for revenue loss due to GST rollout.
Compensation tenure: 5 years (2017–2022), extended to repay loans taken during COVID years due to shortfall.
Tobacco & pan masala: High-elasticity sin goods used for revenue + public health control.
Key Features of the New Bills
A. Health Security Cess Bill, 2025
Introduces a new cess on tobacco products.
Purpose:
Replace GST compensation cess as it sunsets.
Generate earmarked funds for health and national security.
Target of levy:
Machines installed or processes undertaken in pan masala and similar harmful product manufacturing.
B. Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Enhances excise duty on tobacco products.
Reconfigures the tax framework to ensure:
Continuous revenue after GST compensation cess ends.
Stabilisation of the tax base for sin goods.
Rationale Behind the Move
Fiscal Rationale
GST compensation cess on tobacco is ending, but:
COVID-era borrowings still being repaid.
Tobacco is a high-yield, low-compliance-elasticity sector:
Ensures steady revenue.
Pan masala sector has high evasion risk:
Machine-based cess improves traceability and compliance.
Public Health Rationale
Tobacco-related deaths in India: ~1.3 million annually.
Pan masala very high in carcinogens (areca nut).
Higher taxes = reduced affordability, especially among youth.
Governance Rationale
Machine-based cess on pan masala aligns with:
FMCG excise surveillance model (packaging line tracking).
Anti-evasion efforts used earlier (pre-GST) under the Pan Masala Packing Machines Rules.
Economic & Policy Implications
For Centre–State Fiscal Dynamics
Signals the final drawdown of GST compensation.
States lose a predictable revenue stream; Centre creates a new central cess (non-shareable with States).
For Industry
Higher duties raise production costs for:
Cigarettes
Chewing tobacco
Pan masala
Likely impacts:
Increased MRP
Reduced consumption
Pushback from industry lobbies
For Public Health
WHO recommends a minimum 75% tax share in retail price of tobacco.
India’s effective burden still < 60% for many tobacco forms.
New cess + increased excise brings India closer to global health norms.
For GST Architecture
Marks a shift from compensation cess to purpose-specific cesses.
Raises debate on:
Fragmenting GST into multiple cesses.
Compliance burden on industries.
Fiscal federalism concerns.
Political & Parliamentary Context
Bills introduced amid Opposition sloganeering on unrelated political issues.
Winter Session traditionally used for major tax reforms.
Lok Sabha simultaneously passed the Manipur GST Amendment Bill, reflecting a focussed GST reform push.
Challenges & Criticisms
States may resent loss of compensation-related certainty.
Health cess not shared with States despite health being a State subject.
Risk of increasing illegal/unregulated tobacco trade.
Pan masala manufacturers may shift to unregistered, small units to evade machine-based cess.
Value Addition (Data + Concepts)
India is second-largest tobacco consumer globally.
Economic cost of tobacco use: 1% of GDP (ICMR estimate).
Sin taxes follow Pigouvian taxation principles.
Why does India need bioremediation?
Why Is It in News?
Rising concern over pollution load from human waste, untreated sewage, industrial effluents, oil spills, and heavy metals.
Rivers such as Ganga and Yamuna continue to receive untreated discharges despite improvements.
Government and scientific bodies pushing bioremediation as a scalable, low-cost, sustainable alternative to traditional clean-up technologies.
India evaluating national standards, biosafety norms, and GM microbe regulation to support bioremediation expansion.
Growing interest as part of Swachh Bharat, Namami Gange, Clean Technology Programme, and global green technology trends.
Relevance
GS 1 – Geography / Environment
Soil degradation, river pollution, land contamination.
Environmental hotspots (Ganga, Yamuna, mining belts).
GS 2 – Governance
Regulatory gaps: biosafety norms, GM microbe rules.
Centre–State urban waste management responsibilities.
What Is Bioremediation?
Use of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae), plants, or microbial enzymes to degrade, detoxify, or immobilise pollutants.
Converts toxic substances (oil, pesticides, plastics, heavy metals) into harmless by-products like CO₂, water, organic acids.
Works through microbial metabolism where pollutants become energy or nutrient sources.
Types of Bioremediation
In situ: Treatment at the contaminated site
Oil-eating bacteria sprayed on ocean spills
Bioventing, biosparging for soil
Ex situ: Contaminated material removed and treated elsewhere
Bioreactors, biopiles, land farming
Modern versions:
GM microbes designed to tackle plastics, hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants
Nanobioremediation combining nanomaterials with microbes
Why Does India Need Bioremediation?
Severe pollution burden
Ganga and Yamuna receive large volumes of untreated sewage
Industrial hotspots contaminated with heavy metals, hydrocarbons, solvents
Traditional methods costly
Physico-chemical methods generate secondary waste, require high energy
Bioremediation advantages
Cheaper, scalable, energy-efficient
Utilises India’s microbial biodiversity
Ideal for diffuse, large-area contamination
Environment–health concerns
Oil leaks, pesticide residues, endocrine disruptors
Contaminated soil reducing agricultural productivity
Rural–urban waste surge
Landfills (e.g., Mittanaganahalli, Bengaluru) facing persistent organic loads
Where India Stands ?
Research ecosystem increasing
DBT’s Clean Technology Programme
NEERI’s mandate for bioremediation solutions
IITs developing novel materials (cotton nanocomposite for oil spills)
Indigenous bacteria identified to break down pesticides, dyes, hydrocarbons
Growing industry participation
BCIL, Econirmal Biotech offering microbial formulations
Gaps
Fragmented standards
Limited site-specific microbial data
Pollutants often mixed and complex
Regulatory ambiguity on GM organisms
Limited trained personnel
International Experience
Japan
Integrates plant-microbe systems into municipal waste treatment
Bioremediation used to restore urban brownfields
European Union
Cross-country collaborations for oil spill clean-up
Microbial mining waste restoration under Horizon programmes
China
Bioremediation embedded in soil pollution control laws
Genetically improved bacteria used to restore industrial wastelands
Global Trend
Shift towards biotechnology-driven environmental restoration
Increased use of GM microbes with strict biosafety layers
Opportunities for India
River restoration: Yamuna, Ganga, Damodar, Musi
Land reclamation: mining-affected areas, landfill remediation
Industrial clean-up: petrochemical zones, tanneries, textile clusters
Job creation: biotechnology, environmental engineering, monitoring
Integration with national missions: Swachh Bharat, Namami Gange, waste-to-wealth
Key Risks
GM organisms in open environments
Potential for unintended ecological shifts
Risk of horizontal gene transfer
Inadequate testing/oversight
New problems can emerge if microbes behave unpredictably
Public distrust
Misconceptions around GM microbes
Regulatory gaps
Need new biosafety guidelines
Certification and monitoring systems insufficient
What India Should Do Next ?
Develop national standards
Protocols for microbial applications
Testing, certification, and monitoring frameworks
Establish regional bioremediation hubs
Universities–industry–local govt partnerships
Region-specific microbial libraries
Public engagement
Awareness campaigns to build trust
Community participation in river and soil clean-up
Expand R&D
Indigenous GM strains adapted to Indian conditions
Nanobioremediation for persistent pollutants
Strengthen biosafety regulation
Clear rules for environmental release of GM microbes
Can India become self-reliant in REE production?
Why is it in News?
Union Cabinet approved a ₹7,280-crore scheme to establish integrated REPM manufacturing facilities in India.
Aim: Convert rare earth oxides → metals → alloys → permanent magnets, reducing import dependence.
Announcement comes as China tightens export controls on rare earth elements (REEs) and magnets, disrupting global supply chains.
Relevance
GS 1 – Geography
Mineral distribution in India (monazite sands: TN, Kerala, Odisha).
Resource geography and strategic minerals.
GS 2 – International Relations
Strategic minerals in geopolitics (US–China tech war).
Global supply chain dependencies.
Critical minerals alliances with Japan, US, EU.
GS 3 – Science & Tech
Metallurgy, magnet technology, refining and separation tech.
REPM (NdFeB) magnet ecosystem.
What are Rare Earth Elements (REEs)?
Group of 17 elements: 15 lanthanides + Scandium + Yttrium.
Properties: High magnetic strength, heat resistance, conductivity.
Applications:
EV motors
Wind turbine generators
Electronics and semiconductors
Defence systems (missiles, radars, avionics)
Smartphones, hard drives
REEs are relatively abundant, but extraction is costly, energy-intensive, and polluting.
China’s Dominance: Extent and Strategy
70% of global production, 90% of global processing, but only 30% of known reserves.
Controls entire value chain: mining → processing → magnet manufacturing.
Tools of dominance:
2009: Export quotas → struck down by WTO in 2015.
2020: Restricted graphite exports.
2021: Export licensing to control downstream industries.
2024-25: Export restrictions on 7 rare earths and finished magnets.
Impact on industries:
EV makers worst affected, followed by electronics & defence.
Part of broader US–China trade and tech war.
Why India is Prioritising REEs?
REEs are critical for:
Electric mobility (EV motors = NdFeB magnets)
Renewables (wind turbines)
Electronics manufacturing
Defence and space systems
India’s situation:
Imports 53,000+ MT of REE magnets (FY 2024-25).
Holds ~8% of global REE reserves, mainly monazite sands (TN, Kerala, Odisha, Andhra).
Produces less than 1% of global REEs.
Government Moves Toward Self-Reliance
New ₹7,280-crore REPM scheme
Supports end-to-end magnet manufacturing.
Aim: Create India’s first complete rare-earth magnet supply chain.
National Critical Mineral Mission (2024–2031)
Total outlay: ₹34,300 crore (₹16,300 crore approved Jan 2024).
Focus areas:
Exploration
Processing
Refining
Recycling (end-of-life electronics)
Mining reforms
Private sector allowed entry since August 2023.
Auctions of REE-rich blocks in progress.
Structural Challenges for India
Refining and separation infrastructure absent (core of China’s strength).
Skill gaps in metallurgy, material sciences, precision magnet making.
Regulatory hurdles: environmental approvals, slow exploration licensing.
Long gestation period: 5–8 years for full supply chain maturation.
Opportunities India Can Leverage
Large monazite deposits rich in Neodymium (Nd) → essential for permanent magnets.
Growing ecosystem of magnet recycling from e-waste.
Global diversification push away from China → aligns with India’s manufacturing ambitions.
Strategic potential:
Reduce dependence in EVs, defence, electronics.
Build partnerships with Japan, US, EU (who are all seeking non-China REE suppliers).
Strategic Significance
Economic dimension
Reduces import bill for magnets & REEs.
Boosts Make in India for EVs, electronics, renewables.
High-value segment: REPMs (NdFeB magnets) are 10x more valuable than raw REE oxides.
Geopolitical dimension
Counters China’s resource weaponisation tactics.
Strengthens India’s role in global critical minerals alliances (Indo-Pacific partnerships).
Security dimension
Defence systems—from missile guidance to electronic warfare—depend on REPMs.
Reducing vulnerability enhances strategic autonomy.
Environmental dimension
Domestic production necessitates safe mining + environmentally sound refining.
Recycling can reduce pollution and import dependence simultaneously.
Conclusion
REEs are indispensable for modern technology; China dominates supply chains.
India has reserves but lacks extraction–processing–magnet manufacturing capacities.
The ₹7,280-cr scheme + National Critical Minerals Mission aim to build self-reliance.
Success depends on deregulation, infrastructure, skilled workforce, and global collaboration.
Sanchar Saathi app must be pre-installed on phones: DoT
Why is it in News?
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on devices sold from March 2026.
Manufacturers must ensure the app cannot be disabled or restricted.
Move follows rising concerns about IMEI tampering, SIM misuse, cross-border digital frauds, and second-hand phone black markets.
Relevance
GS 2 – Governance
Regulatory power of DoT.
Device-level regulation, digital governance.
Privacy vs security debate.
Mandatory pre-installation and consumer rights.
GS 3 – Internal Security / Cybersecurity
IMEI tampering, SIM fraud, digital impersonation scams.
CEIR integration for stolen device tracking.
Telecom security architecture strengthening.
What is Sanchar Saathi?
Launched in 2023 as a portal; later developed into a mobile app.
Provides services via CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register).
Core functions:
Check mobile connections issued in your name.
Report scam calls, financial fraud attempts.
Identify and report IMEI tampering.
Block, track, and remotely disable stolen/lost devices.
Prevent re-activation of stolen phones using new SIMs.
What Has the Government Ordered Now?
Mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi on all phones sold after March 2026.
Manufacturers must ensure no disabling, no removal, and no restriction of functions.
Objective:
Verify authenticity of IMEIs.
Prevent second-hand market fraud, resale of stolen/blacklisted phones.
Curb scam calls, cross-border digital fraud operations.
Why This Mandate? Rising Telecom Security Threats
IMEI tampering
Single IMEI used simultaneously on multiple devices.
Makes legal action, tracing, and blacklisting difficult.
Cross-border digital fraud
Fraudsters use Indian numbers abroad even after the original SIM is removed.
Enables government impersonation scams, “digital arrest” frauds, UPI extortion attempts.
Second-hand smartphone black market
India has one of the world’s biggest used-phone markets.
Stolen/blacklisted phones resold → buyers unknowingly become legal abettors.
Cybercrime explosion
Over 2.48 lakh complaints on Sanchar Saathi.
Over 2.9 crore requests to check mobile connections linked to users.
In October alone, 50,000 lost/stolen devices recovered via the app.
Technical Layer: IMEI Authentication Push
Device IMEI must match the one registered on the telecom network.
Sanchar Saathi + CEIR enables:
Real-time detection of tampered/spoofed IMEI.
Auto-blocking of cloned devices.
Permanent blacklisting of stolen phones.
What About Privacy Concerns?
DoT claims:
The app collects no user data (as per Google Play declaration).
Only helps verify IMEI and SIM-linkage.
However:
Pre-installation without option to disable → risk of perceived surveillance.
Unclear whether the app will auto-access IMEI or require manual input.
Past concerns:
Apple earlier resisted mandatory pre-installed TRAI DND app due to permissions (access to SMS/call logs).
Industry Reaction & Global Context
Smartphone makers typically resist government-mandated apps.
Apple has protested similar mandates in India before.
Internationally, tech firms resist “bloatware” and privacy-sensitive pre-loads.
The 2026 mandate may cause:
Industrial pushback
Negotiations on permissions
Possible technical challenges for foreign OEMs
Governance & Regulatory Perspective
DoT’s rationale
SIM-binding + IMEI-verification essential to:
Eliminate anonymous numbers.
Reduce cross-border scam ecosystems.
Improve national telecom security architecture.
Target outcome
Unified system connecting device (IMEI), SIM, user identity, and operator’s network.
A core element of India’s cyber-fraud prevention strategy.
Benefits Expected
Reduced resale of stolen phones.
Faster recovery of lost devices.
Curbing large-scale OTP, UPI, and impersonation scams.
Greater transparency in second-hand sales.
Strengthened digital public infrastructure security.
Challenges Ahead
Manufacturer resistance (Android & iOS).
Potential privacy debates.
Usability issues if app requires repeated verification.
Risk of government overreach perception.
Ensuring app does not become a surveillance pipeline.
Overall Significance
Strengthens India’s telecom cybersecurity ecosystem.
Part of the trend toward device-level and SIM-level regulation.
Linked to larger frameworks:
CEIR
Digital India
National Cyber Security Strategy (pending)
Shows government’s increasing focus on fraud prevention and digital trust
Rising GPS Spoofing Incidents Near Indian Airports
Why is is in News?
Multiple instances of GPS spoofing and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) interference have been reported near major Indian airports.
Delhi airport saw repeated spoofing incidents, with similar reports from Kolkata, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai.
Ministry of Civil Aviation informed Parliament that the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) has been directed to identify the source of interference/spoofing.
These incidents pose a serious aviation safety risk, prompting DGCA and AAI to mandate reporting of any such events.
Relevance
GS 1 – Geography
GNSS systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou).
Satellite signal vulnerabilities in dense airspace.
GS 2 – Governance / IR
Civil aviation regulation by DGCA, AAI.
Cross-border interference and geopolitical angle.
GS 3 – Internal Security / Cybersecurity
Electronic warfare, jamming, spoofing.
Aviation cyber risks and national security.
Protection of critical infrastructure.
What is GPS Spoofing?
GPS spoofing = broadcasting fake GPS signals stronger than the real satellite signals.
Aircraft navigation systems may lock onto counterfeit coordinates, causing incorrect:
Position
Altitude
Speed
Flight path
Creates dangerous navigation deviations, especially during approach and landing.
What is GNSS Interference?
GNSS = GPS + other satellite systems (GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou).
Interference includes:
Jamming: blocking signal reception.
Spoofing: altering positional data.
Both severely impact aviation safety, particularly in low-visibility or conflict zones.
What’s Happening in India?
Delhi airport reported multiple GPS spoofing events, especially near Runway 10.
Fake signals appear during approach and landing, when precision is critical.
Other airports (Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Amritsar) also reported similar patterns.
November saw unusually high number of events around IGI Airport.
Why is This Dangerous?
Direct risks
Incorrect aircraft position → flight deviations.
Confusion between runways/flight paths.
Possible near-miss or runway excursions.
Overreliance on GNSS makes aircraft vulnerable.
Indirect risks
Increased pilot workload.
Potential exploitation by cyber actors during geopolitical tensions.
Compromised ATC situational awareness.
Government & Regulatory Response
DGCA
Made reporting of spoofing mandatory since 2023.
Working with AAI to enhance detection networks.
AAI
Monitoring interference near Delhi and other airports.
Engaging with WMO to trace source.
DoT/WMO
Mobilised resources to locate approximate spoofing location.
Investigating signal strength, direction, timestamps.
Airlines & Pilots
Instructed to report incidents immediately.
Asked to maintain heightened situational vigilance.
Possible Sources of Spoofing (Experts’ View)
Rogue personal or commercial jammers.
Cross-border interference drift.
Criminal networks using spoofers for evasion.
Malicious cyber actors (ransomware/malware targeting aviation infrastructure).
Faulty or misconfigured commercial GNSS repeaters.
No official source has been identified yet.
Global Context
GPS spoofing has risen worldwide:
Middle East conflict zones
Russia–Ukraine war
China and South-East Asia maritime regions
Civil aviation globally is increasingly vulnerable.
ICAO has warned of “GNSS-denied environments” becoming common in geopolitically sensitive areas.
Why India is More Vulnerable ?
High-density aviation routes.
Heavily GNSS-dependent landing procedures (RNP/GLS).
Growing electronic warfare capabilities in neighbourhood.
Widespread availability of cheap spoofers online.
Technical & Security Measures Needed
Deploy GNSS interference monitoring stations around airports.
Integrate RAIM, SBAS, and inertial navigation fallback systems.
Combine radar + ADS-B + multilateration for redundancy.
Strict DoT controls on illegal RF devices.
Cybersecurity upgrades across airports and ATC.
Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs).
Why is it in News?
The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹7,280-crore scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs).
The scheme aims to set up integrated facilities that convert rare earth oxides → metals → alloys → finished magnets, reducing India’s overwhelming dependence on Chinese imports.
This comes amid China’s continued control over global REE supply chains, periodic export restrictions, and rising global demand from EVs, wind energy, electronics, robotics, defence.
Relevance
GS-3: Economy & Infrastructure
Critical minerals
Strategic industries
Import substitution
GS-3: Science & Technology
Advanced materials
Metallurgy
Magnetic technologies
GS-2: International Relations
Supply-chain resilience
India–China trade dependencies
Quad critical mineral collaboration
What are Rare Earth Elements (REEs)?
A group of 17 elements including lanthanides + scandium + yttrium.
Known for:
High magnetic strength
High melting point
Excellent conductivity
REPMs (e.g., Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB)) are critical to:
EV motors
Wind turbines
Electronics
Defence systems (missiles, radars)
Robotics and drones
Why Does India Need REPM Manufacturing Now?
Massive Import Dependence
India imports nearly all REPMs, especially from China, despite having 8% of global REE reserves.
In 2024–25 India imported ~53,000 tonnes of REPMs, over 90% from China.
Domestic REE output is <1% of global production.
Rising Domestic Demand
Demand projected to rise sharply due to:
Renewable energy expansion
EV ecosystem growth
Defence manufacturing
Electronics PLI schemes
Expected consumption to double by 2030.
Strategic Vulnerability
China controls:
70% of REE production
90% of global processing and magnet manufacturing
Has repeatedly restricted exports (2009, 2020, 2023, 2024), hurting global supply chains.
What Does the New ₹7,280-crore REPM Scheme Do?
Key Features
Supports 6,000 MT annual REPM production capacity (MT/PA).
Five beneficiaries to be chosen through competitive bidding.
Will offer:
Capex support up to ₹6,450 crore
75% subsidy for setting up integrated REPM facilities
Focus on integrated operations, i.e., processing from oxides → metals → alloys → magnets within India.
Outcome Sought
Reduce Chinese import dependence.
Build domestic supply chains for EVs, defence, renewable energy.
Upgrade India’s metallurgical and materials-science ecosystem.
India’s Current Position
Strengths
Strong monazite reserves (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala).
Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) produces some oxides (Nd, Pr, Dy).
Growing private sector interest in magnet recycling.
Weaknesses
No large-scale REPM manufacturing capacity.
Refining, metallisation and alloying infrastructure is minimal.
High entry-barriers:
Cost of plant
Technical know-how
Skilled manpower
Tight global intellectual property ecosystem
China’s aggressive pricing makes competition very difficult.
The China Factor
How China Built Dominance
State-supported mining, refining, and manufacturing.
Integrated supply chains linking mining → oxides → metals → alloys → magnets.
Low-cost production + subsidies.
Heavy rare-earth technologies tightly controlled.
China’s Leverage
REEs used as a geopolitical tool—export controls imposed during trade tensions with:
U.S.
Japan
Taiwan
Europe
Magnets are central to China’s grip on EVs, electronics, and defence manufacturing.
How India Plans to Bridge the Gap ?
Domestic Initiatives
National Critical Mineral Mission (2024).
Funding for exploration and mineral mapping.
Mining block auctions (lithium, REEs).
Magnet recycling initiatives (urban mining).
Collaboration with Japan, Australia, U.S. on critical minerals.
Required Steps for Self-Reliance
Build refining and metallisation capacity.
Incentivise private players and joint ventures.
Increase IREL capacity + technology partnerships.
Create a full supply chain reducing foreign dependence.
Challenges Ahead
High cost vs China’s subsidised pricing.
Environmental concerns in mining/refining.
Technological complexity in magnet production.
Long gestation periods for mines (7–10 years).
Need for advanced materials-science R&D and IP development.
Why Pollution Affects North Indian Cities More Than South & West
Why is it in News?
A new analysis by Climate Trends (2025) covering 15 major Indian cities (2015–2025) finds:
No city recorded safe air quality (AQI < 50).
Delhi remains the most polluted city across 10 years.
Pollution shows a regional pattern: north India worst, south-west relatively better.
Persistent high PM levels in north; annual best AQI in Chennai & Mumbai.
Relevance
GS 1: Urbanisation
Urban heat island effect
Population density and air quality impact
GS 2: Governance
Air quality governance gaps
NCR states’ coordination failures
GS 3: Environment
AQI trends
Climate–pollution interactions
Geographic determinants of pollution
Winter inversion, Indo-Gangetic Plain dynamics
What is AQI & Why It Matters?
Air Quality Index (AQI) categorises air quality from 0–500:
0–50: Good
51–100: Satisfactory
101–200: Moderate
201–300: Poor
301–400: Very Poor
401–500: Severe
The study uses annual mean AQI—a more reliable long-term pollution indicator than daily spikes.
Overall Air Quality Performance
Delhi’s annual mean AQI:
Highest in 2016 (over 250)
Slight improvement after 2019
Still remains in poor–very poor category
In 2025 (so far):
Delhi AQI ~180–190
Lucknow, Varanasi, Ahmedabad, Pune: also experienced prolonged poor AQ levels
North Indian Cities Perform the Worst
Six cities—Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Noida, Ghaziabad—consistently show high PM2.5 & AQI deterioration, especially winter.
Annual best AQI never enters “good” or even “satisfactory” range.
South & West Indian Cities Perform Better
Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam show:
Better mean AQI levels (120–140 range)
More stable improvement post-2019
But they still fall short of clean air standards.
City-Level Variations
Chennai & Mumbai: best annual quality among all 15 cities
Bengaluru: did not record safe annual AQI even once but still far cleaner than north
Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai saw AQI improvements from 800 → 140 days of good-moderate air.
Why North Is More Polluted: Geographic & Climatic Factors
1. Indo-Gangetic Plain Topography
North India is landlocked, unlike coastal south/west.
Bordered by the Himalayas in the north, preventing dispersion of pollutants.
Creates a “pollution bowl” where PM2.5 gets trapped.
2. Winter Inversion + Cold, Dry Air
Winter causes thermal (temperature) inversion:
The layer of warm air sits above cold air near the surface
Acts as a lid, trapping pollutants
Result: Smog, stagnation, prolonged pollution episodes.
3. Dust Load + Biomass Burning
Indo-Gangetic belt has heavy soil dust, crop residue burning, brick kilns, industrial clusters.
4. Weak Wind Speeds
North experiences slow winds in winter; lack of sea breezes.
This reduces pollutant flushing.
Why South & West Perform Better ?
Coastal cities (Chennai, Mumbai):
Sea breeze circulation disperses pollutants
Higher humidity and cleaner marine air reduce dust
Less temperature inversion
Fewer winter smog events
Lesser biomass burning and lower dust aerosol load
Structural Factors Adding to North’s Problem
Dense urban structure → “surface roughness” that slows wind dispersion
High vehicle density
More industrial clusters
High secondary aerosol formation in winter