Content

1. Cabinet approves four more judges for Supreme Court
2. Amendment to Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (Vande Mataram)
3. 30 banks integrated with UDGAM portal to help legal heirs trace funds
4. Ecocide’: Where international law stands in tackling war toll on environment
5. Why UP stepped back from mandatory prepaid smart meters
6. Microplastics in Bhitarkanika Mangrove Ecosystem
7. Duty-Free Pulse Imports Extension (Yellow Peas & Urad)

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Cabinet approves four more judges for Supreme Court

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Why in News ?

• Union Cabinet approved increase in sanctioned strength of Supreme Court of India judges from 34 to 38, aiming to address mounting pendency of cases and improve judicial efficiency.

Issue in Brief

• Rising backlog of 92,385 cases and increasing inflow due to e-filing post-pandemic has necessitated expansion of judicial capacity, highlighting structural constraints in India’s apex judicial system.

Relevance

• GS Paper II (Polity / Judiciary)
  • Judicial reforms; pendency of cases; access to justice
  • Constitutional provision → Article 124; role of Parliament in determining strength

Practice Question

Q. “Increasing the sanctioned strength of judges is necessary but not sufficient to address judicial pendency in India.” Critically examine. (250 words)

Static Background & Basics

• Under Article 124(1) of the Constitution, Parliament has the authority to determine the number of Supreme Court judges, operationalised through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1956.
• The sanctioned strength was last increased in 2019 from 31 to 33 judges (excluding CJI), reflecting periodic legislative intervention to address judicial workload.

Overview

• Expansion of judicial strength is a supply-side reform to tackle pendency, which has crossed 92,000 cases, reflecting systemic pressure on the apex court and risk of further backlog escalation.
• Increased strength may improve disposal rates, bench formation flexibility, and specialisation, enabling faster adjudication of constitutional, civil, and criminal matters.
• However, pendency is also driven by procedural delays, frequent adjournments, and limited lower judiciary capacity, indicating that merely increasing judges may not fully resolve systemic inefficiencies.
• The move reflects growing reliance on institutional capacity expansion, rather than structural reforms like case management systems, alternative dispute resolution, and judicial process simplification.
• Vacancies and upcoming retirements (multiple in 2026) further highlight need for timely appointments through Collegium process, ensuring that sanctioned strength translates into actual working capacity.

Challenges

• Increase in judges may not address root causes of pendency, such as procedural inefficiencies and excessive litigation.
• Persistent delays in appointments and vacancies reduce effective judicial strength.
• Limited integration of technology and case management reforms hampers efficiency gains.
• Over-centralisation of cases in Supreme Court due to appeal-heavy system increases burden.

Way Forward

• Combine judge strength expansion with process reforms like strict case timelines and reduced adjournments.
• Strengthen lower judiciary and High Courts to reduce burden on Supreme Court.
• Enhance digital infrastructure (AI-based case management, e-courts) for faster disposal.
• Promote alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms to reduce litigation load.
• Ensure timely appointments and vacancy filling through streamlined Collegium-government coordination.

Prelims Pointers

• Article 124 → Parliament determines SC judge strength.
• Current sanctioned strength: 34 (including CJI), proposed 38.
• Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act governs strength.

Mains Enrichment

Intro Options

• “Judicial pendency remains one of the most pressing governance challenges in India’s justice delivery system.”
• “Expansion of judicial capacity reflects the State’s response to rising litigation and access to justice demands.”

Conclusion Frameworks

• “Judicial reform must move beyond numbers to systemic efficiency and accessibility.”
• “A balanced approach combining capacity expansion with procedural reform is essential for timely justice delivery.”

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Amendment to Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (Vande Mataram)

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Why in News ?

• Union Cabinet approved amendment to Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 to criminalise insult or obstruction to National Song “Vande Mataram”, expanding existing legal protection beyond National Anthem, Flag, and Constitution.

Issue in Brief

• The move seeks to grant statutory backing to guidelines on “Vande Mataram”, making disrespect punishable, but raises debates on fundamental rights, enforceability, and symbolic nationalism.

Relevance

• GS Paper II (Polity / Governance)
  • Fundamental Rights vs statutory restrictions (Article 19, freedom of expression)
  • Legal framework → Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
• GS Paper IV (Ethics)
  • Constitutional patriotism vs coercive nationalism

Practice Question  

Q. “Legal enforcement of symbolic nationalism may conflict with constitutional freedoms.” Examine in the context of extending legal protection to national symbols. (250 words)

Static Background & Basics

• The 1971 Act penalises insult to National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana), National Flag, and Constitution, with punishment up to 3 years imprisonment or fine or both, aiming to preserve national symbols’ dignity.
• “Vande Mataram”, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, holds status of National Song, with only first two stanzas officially adopted, though not explicitly protected under the Act so far.

Overview

• Legal expansion reflects symbolic nationalism, elevating the National Song’s status closer to the National Anthem, but raises constitutional questions regarding compelled expression under Article 19(1)(a) and individual autonomy.
• Supreme Court jurisprudence (e.g., Bijoe Emmanuel case) protects freedom of conscience, indicating that mandatory participation in patriotic expressions may conflict with fundamental rights if coercively enforced.
• Unlike the Anthem, the National Song lacks explicit constitutional mention, making its legal enforcement more contested, especially given historical debates over religious and cultural interpretations.
• The amendment may strengthen national identity and civic symbolism, but risks over-criminalisation of symbolic acts, potentially leading to misuse or selective enforcement in politically sensitive contexts.
• Advisory guidelines by the government lacked enforceability; converting them into law reflects shift from moral persuasion to legal compulsion, raising governance and rights-based concerns.

Challenges

• Potential conflict with freedom of speech and expression (Article 19) and freedom of conscience.
• Ambiguity in defining “insult” or “obstruction”, leading to subjective interpretation and misuse.
• Lack of constitutional status for National Song compared to Anthem may weaken legal robustness.
• Risk of politicisation and selective enforcement in charged socio-political environments.

Way Forward

• Clearly define scope of “insult” to prevent arbitrary enforcement and protect civil liberties.
• Ensure safeguards aligning with Supreme Court jurisprudence on fundamental rights and dignity.
• Prefer awareness-based promotion of national symbols over coercive legal enforcement.
• Maintain balance between constitutional patriotism and individual freedoms, avoiding excessive criminalisation.

Prelims Pointers

• 1971 Act currently protects National Anthem, Flag, and Constitution only.
• National Song ≠ National Anthem (no explicit constitutional provision).
• Punishment under Act: up to 3 years imprisonment or fine or both.

Mains Enrichment

Intro Options

• “The expansion of legal protection to national symbols reflects evolving notions of nationalism in India.”
• “Balancing symbolic nationalism with constitutional freedoms remains a key governance challenge.”

Conclusion Frameworks

• “Patriotism thrives through consent, not coercion, aligning with constitutional morality.”
• “A democratic state must harmonise national identity with fundamental rights to sustain legitimacy.”

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30 banks integrated with UDGAM portal to help legal heirs trace funds

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Why in News ?

• The Reserve Bank of India informed the Supreme Court that 30 banks are integrated with the UDGAM portal, covering nearly 90% of unclaimed deposits, enabling legal heirs to trace funds of deceased account holders more efficiently.

Relevance

• GS Paper II (Governance)
  • Digital governance; citizen-centric financial services
  • Role of Reserve Bank of India
• GS Paper III (Economy)
  • Financial inclusion; banking transparency

Practice Question  

Q. “Digital platforms can enhance transparency and financial inclusion but require institutional convergence.” Discuss in the context of unclaimed deposits management in India. (250 words)

Issue in Brief

• Rising volume of dormant accounts and unclaimed deposits led to concerns over funds accumulating in government-managed pools, prompting demand for a centralised, transparent platform to help legal heirs identify and recover financial assets.

Static Background & Basics

• The UDGAM portal (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access Information) is a centralised digital platform that allows users to search unclaimed deposits across multiple banks, improving transparency and accessibility in financial asset tracing.
• The Depositors’ Education and Awareness Fund (DEAF), established in 2014, holds deposits inactive for over 10 years, while ensuring that claimants retain the right to recover funds from respective banks.

Overview

• Integration of 30 banks with ~20 lakh users and 44 lakh searches demonstrates growing adoption, reducing information asymmetry and enabling easier identification of scattered financial assets across institutions by depositors and legal heirs.
• The portal strengthens digital governance and financial inclusion, ensuring that unclaimed deposits are traceable, thereby protecting citizen wealth and improving trust in the banking system.
• However, UDGAM acts only as a search interface, not a settlement system, requiring users to approach banks separately, which may involve documentation hurdles and procedural delays.
• Exclusion of post office savings, provident funds, and insurance assets reflects fragmentation in financial systems, limiting the portal’s effectiveness as a comprehensive national asset-tracking mechanism.
• Judicial oversight indicates increasing concern over accumulation of idle funds, highlighting the need for improved accountability, transparency, and streamlined claim processes in financial governance.

Challenges

• Limited integration beyond banking sector excludes EPFO, insurance, and postal savings, reducing comprehensiveness of asset tracking.
• Absence of end-to-end claim settlement system leads to delays and procedural complexities for legal heirs.
• Low awareness and digital literacy, especially among rural and elderly populations, restrict effective utilisation of the portal.
• Fragmented regulatory framework across RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and Department of Posts hampers coordination and seamless service delivery.

Way Forward

• Develop a unified financial asset registry integrating banks, EPFO, insurance, and postal systems to ensure holistic asset visibility.
• Introduce end-to-end digital claim settlement mechanisms with simplified KYC and succession procedures to reduce delays.
• Strengthen public awareness campaigns and financial literacy initiatives to improve accessibility and usage of the portal.
• Enhance coordination among regulators like RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and government departments for seamless integration.
• Implement time-bound grievance redressal and accountability standards to ensure faster and transparent settlement of claims.

Prelims Pointers

• DEAF holds deposits inactive for 10+ years but ownership rights remain intact.
• UDGAM portal is a search platform, not a claim settlement system.
• RBI regulates banking deposits; other assets fall under SEBI and IRDAI jurisdiction.

Mains Enrichment

Intro Options

• “Unclaimed deposits highlight systemic gaps in financial accessibility and inter-generational wealth transfer.”
• “Digital governance platforms like UDGAM represent India’s shift towards transparent and citizen-centric financial systems.”

Conclusion Frameworks

• “Integrated financial architecture is essential for safeguarding citizens’ assets and strengthening trust in institutions.”
• “Bridging institutional silos is key to achieving efficient, inclusive, and accountable financial governance.”

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‘Ecocide’: Where international law stands in tackling war toll on environment

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Why in News ?

• Allegations of “ecocide” in recent conflicts (Lebanon, Gaza) have revived global debates on recognising large-scale environmental destruction as an independent crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, highlighting gaps in current international legal frameworks.

Relevance

• GS Paper II (International Relations)
  • Global governance; evolution of international law
  • Legal framework → Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
• GS Paper III (Environment)
  • Environmental justice; climate governance

Practice Question

Q. “Recognition of ecocide as an international crime reflects a shift from anthropocentric to ecocentric legal frameworks.” Critically examine. (250 words)

Issue in Brief

• Existing international law addresses environmental damage only when linked to human harm or wartime conduct, whereas the concept of ecocide seeks recognition of environmental destruction as a standalone crime, reflecting growing concerns over ecological justice and sustainability.

Static Background & Basics

• Ecocide, coined by Arthur W Galston in 1970, refers to large-scale, long-term environmental destruction, often irreversible and affecting ecosystems beyond human-centric harm, especially highlighted during the Vietnam War’s use of Agent Orange.
• The International Criminal Court under the Rome Statute recognises only four crimes—genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, aggression, with environmental damage addressed narrowly under war crimes if it meets strict thresholds.
• Existing frameworks such as the Geneva Conventions and ENMOD Convention prohibit environmental damage during war but remain limited in scope, enforcement, and focus on human consequences.

Overview

• Ecocide introduces an ecocentric legal paradigm, shifting focus from human-centric harm to recognising nature as an independent entity deserving protection, thereby addressing gaps in current international law that treat environmental damage as secondary.
• Present legal thresholds require proof of “widespread, long-term, severe damage” along with human impact, making prosecution difficult and allowing many cases of ecological destruction to escape accountability under existing international humanitarian law.
• Jurisdictional constraints persist as many conflict-affected countries are not parties to the ICC, limiting prosecution unless UN Security Council referrals or ad hoc acceptance occur, reflecting structural limitations of global legal institutions.
• Despite multiple treaties, there has been no successful prosecution for wartime environmental destruction, highlighting enforcement deficits and the reactive nature of international law in addressing evolving forms of conflict and ecological harm.
• Emerging developments include domestic recognition of ecocide in countries like France and Belgium, and endorsement by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, signalling gradual normative shift towards environmental accountability.
• The Council of Europe 2025 Convention introduces criminal liability for severe environmental damage with potential universal jurisdiction, marking a significant step toward enforceability beyond traditional international mechanisms.
• However, inclusion of ecocide in the Rome Statute faces political resistance, as major powers may perceive it as constraining military and industrial activities, requiring a two-thirds majority of State Parties, making consensus difficult.

Challenges

• High evidentiary threshold combining intent, scale, and human impact limits effective prosecution under existing frameworks.
• Lack of global consensus and political will hampers inclusion of ecocide as an international crime.
• Weak enforcement mechanisms and reliance on State consent or UNSC politics restrict jurisdictional reach.
• Absence of clear scientific standards and legal definitions for assessing ecological damage complicates implementation.

Way Forward

• Amend the Rome Statute to recognise ecocide as the fifth international crime, ensuring independent accountability for environmental destruction beyond wartime contexts.
• Develop standardised scientific metrics for measuring ecological harm, including biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, to support legal enforcement.
• Strengthen universal jurisdiction frameworks and domestic criminal laws to enable prosecution irrespective of location of offence.
• Integrate environmental safeguards into international humanitarian law reforms, ensuring protection of ecosystems during conflicts.
• Promote leadership by developing countries in advancing climate justice and ecological governance norms in multilateral forums.

Prelims Pointers

• Rome Statute currently recognises four core crimes; ecocide is not included.
• ENMOD Convention prohibits environmental modification for hostile purposes.
• Ecocide concept originated during the Vietnam War context linked to Agent Orange usage.

Mains Enrichment

Intro Options

• “Modern conflicts increasingly inflict ecological damage that outlasts human casualties, necessitating legal recognition of ecocide.”
• “International law’s anthropocentric orientation limits accountability for environmental destruction in warfare.”

Conclusion Frameworks

• “Recognising ecocide bridges the gap between environmental ethics and global legal accountability.”
• “A sustainable international order must evolve to protect ecosystems alongside human security.”

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Why UP stepped back from mandatory prepaid smart meters ?

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 Why in News ?

• The Government of Uttar Pradesh rolled back mandatory prepaid smart meters after protests, regulatory intervention, and revised central guidelines, signalling tensions between technology-led reforms and consumer rights in the power sector.

Issue in Brief

• The State shifted from mandatory prepaid smart metering to a non-compulsory approach, following consumer protests, regulatory objections, and clarification by Centre that prepaid mode is not mandatory under current regulations.

Relevance

• GS Paper II (Governance)
  • Consumer rights; regulatory institutions; Centre–State relations
• GS Paper III (Economy / Infrastructure)
  • Power sector reforms; DISCOM viability

Practice Question

Q. “Technology-driven reforms in public utilities often face resistance when they overlook consumer rights and trust.” Analyse in the context of smart metering in India. (250 words)

Static Background & Basics

• Smart meters are part of power sector reforms (UDAY, RDSS) aimed at reducing AT&C losses, improving billing efficiency, and enabling real-time monitoring of electricity consumption.
• Under the Electricity Act 2003, consumers generally have choice between prepaid and postpaid systems, and utilities must ensure service quality standards.
• Central Electricity Authority (CEA) regulations (2022) initially encouraged smart metering, but 2026 amendment removed mandatory prepayment clause, allowing flexibility.

Overview

• Policy rationale: prepaid smart meters were intended to reduce distribution losses, improve cash flow of DISCOMs, and curb electricity theft, aligning with national reforms for financially stressed utilities.
• Implementation gap: rollout of ~85 lakh meters exposed issues like inaccurate billing, automatic disconnections, and lack of transparency, eroding consumer trust and triggering protests across districts.
• Regulatory friction: Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission flagged non-compliance with service standards, including only 77% reconnections within 2 hours vs 95% benchmark, raising concerns of penalties.
• Legal dimension: Mandatory imposition violated consumer choice principle under Electricity Act, strengthening opposition and highlighting tension between efficiency reforms and rights-based governance.
• Centre–State dynamic: Statement by Union Power Minister clarified prepaid meters are not mandatory, and CEA’s 2026 amendment diluted earlier interpretation, forcing policy recalibration at State level.
• Political economy: With Assembly elections approaching, consumer backlash transformed a technical reform into a politically sensitive issue, influencing the rollback decision.
• Governance lesson: Digital reforms without adequate grievance redressal, transparency, and stakeholder buy-in risk failure despite strong policy intent.

Challenges

• Lack of consumer awareness and digital literacy for prepaid systems.
• Weak grievance redressal and billing transparency mechanisms.
• Inadequate infrastructure reliability (communication networks, system errors).
• Balancing financial viability of DISCOMs vs consumer protection.

Way Forward

• Shift from mandatory to choice-based smart metering, ensuring informed consent.
• Strengthen billing transparency (real-time dashboards, SMS alerts) and grievance systems.
• Improve technical reliability and service standards compliance before scaling.
• Integrate smart metering with broader reforms under RDSS (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme).
• Build consumer trust through pilot-based phased implementation and independent audits.

Prelims Pointers

• Smart meters enable two-way communication between utility and consumer.
• DISCOM losses measured as AT&C losses (Aggregate Technical & Commercial losses).
• CEA issues technical standards, while SERCs regulate tariffs and service quality.

Mains Enrichment

Intro Options

• “Digital reforms in public utilities must balance efficiency with citizen rights and trust.”
• “Smart metering reflects the intersection of technology, governance, and political economy in India’s power sector.”

Conclusion Frameworks

• “Sustainable reforms require participatory governance, not coercive implementation.”
• “Power sector transformation must be citizen-centric to ensure both financial viability and social legitimacy.”

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Microplastics in Bhitarkanika Mangrove Ecosystem

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Why in News ?

• A recent scientific study reported microplastics in all 20 sampled sites in Bhitarkanika National Park, with concentrations up to 50.4 items/kg sediment, signalling pollution ingress even into protected mangrove ecosystems.

Issue in Brief

• India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem is emerging as a sink for microplastics, with 89% fibre-based particles, raising concerns of toxic accumulation, biodiversity loss, and food-chain contamination.

Relevance

• GS Paper III (Environment)
  • Pollution; microplastics; coastal ecosystem degradation
  • Importance of wetlands → Bhitarkanika National Park

Practice Question

Q. “Microplastic pollution represents an emerging threat to marine and coastal ecosystems.” Examine its sources, impacts, and policy responses in India. (250 words)

Static Background & Basics

Bhitarkanika Ecosystem (River–Mangrove System)

• Located in Kendrapara district, Odisha, Bhitarkanika is formed by a deltaic network of rivers—Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and their distributaries, draining into the Bay of Bengal, creating a rich estuarine-mangrove interface.
• It hosts India’s second-largest mangrove forest, after Sundarbans, and is a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), supporting saltwater crocodiles, migratory birds, and Olive Ridley turtles.
• Mangrove roots act as natural sediment traps and bio-shields, protecting coasts from cyclones, but also function as pollution sinks, accumulating contaminants carried by upstream rivers.

Microplastics: Conceptual Basics

• Microplastics (<5 mm) originate from degradation of plastic waste or synthetic fibres (textiles, fishing nets), entering water systems via runoff, sewage, and riverine transport.
• They are non-biodegradable, persist for decades, and can adsorb heavy metals and toxins, making them more hazardous than bulk plastics.

Overview

• Detection across 100% sampling sites indicates basin-wide pollution, confirming that protected areas like Bhitarkanika are ecologically linked to upstream activities in the Brahmani river basin.
• Dominance of polyamide fibres (89%) points to sources such as synthetic textiles and fishing gear, highlighting urban wastewater and coastal livelihood activities as key drivers.
• Presence of heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, zinc) attached to microplastics converts them into toxic carriers, significantly increasing ecological and human health risks.
• Mangroves’ filtering function creates a paradox: while they trap pollutants and protect coastlines, they become long-term accumulation zones, intensifying exposure for benthic organisms.
• Bioaccumulation pathway: microplastics ingested by plankton and small marine organisms move up the food chain, affecting fish, birds, and ultimately human consumers.
• Despite moderate particle density compared to urban coasts, risk indices show “high–extreme” ecological risk, indicating that chemical composition (polyamide hazard) matters more than quantity.
• Highlights a classic externality problem, where upstream industrial, agricultural, and urban activities impose environmental costs on downstream ecosystems.

Challenges

• Absence of explicit microplastic standards under environmental laws (EPA, Water Act).
• Weak sewage treatment systems, especially lacking filtration for microfibres.
• Fragmented river basin governance, limiting coordinated pollution control.
• Lack of periodic national monitoring framework for microplastics.

Way Forward

• Adopt river-basin management approach for Brahmani–Baitarani system to control upstream pollution sources.
• Upgrade wastewater treatment plants with microfibre filtration technologies.
• Include microplastics in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms.
• Promote plastic circular economy: recycling fishing gear, textile innovation, waste reduction.
• Institutionalise regular monitoring (every 1–2 years) through CPCB, SPCBs, and research bodies.

Prelims Pointers

• Bhitarkanika is a Ramsar wetland with mangrove ecosystem.
• Microplastics act as vectors for heavy metals and persistent pollutants.
• Mangroves provide coastal protection, carbon sequestration (blue carbon).

Mains Enrichment

Intro Options

• “The spread of microplastics into protected ecosystems underscores the interconnected nature of environmental degradation.”
• “Mangrove ecosystems, though resilient, are increasingly becoming sinks of anthropogenic pollution.”

Conclusion Frameworks

• “Sustainable conservation requires shifting from site-based protection to basin-level governance.”
• “Preventing pollution at source is more effective than restoring degraded ecosystems, aligning with the precautionary principle.”

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Duty-Free Pulse Imports Extension (Yellow Peas & Urad)

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Why in News ?

• The Centre extended duty-free imports of yellow peas and urad till March 31, 2027, removing minimum import price (MIP) and port restrictions, to curb rising food inflation and stabilise pulse availability amid global supply disruptions.

Issue in Brief

• India faces a structural demand–supply gap in pulses, leading to price volatility; while imports help control inflation, repeated reliance risks undermining domestic production incentives and long-term self-reliance goals.

Relevance

• GS Paper III (Agriculture / Economy)
  • Food security; price stabilisation; trade policy
  • Role of schemes → National Food Security Mission

Practice Question

Q. “Frequent reliance on imports to manage food inflation may undermine agricultural self-reliance.” Critically analyse India’s pulse import policy. (250 words)

Static Background & Basics

• Pulses are a key protein source in India, with high consumption demand, especially among low- and middle-income households, making them critical for food security and nutritional security.
• India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses globally, yet imports remain necessary due to yield gaps, climatic variability, and limited acreage expansion.

Overview

• Duty-free imports increase domestic supply and moderate retail prices, directly benefiting consumers and helping contain food inflation, a major component of CPI, thereby supporting macroeconomic stability and monetary policy objectives.
• Removal of minimum import price and port restrictions allows cheaper global sourcing, improving supply chain efficiency but exposing domestic markets to price competition from low-cost international producers.
• Policy reflects a classic consumer–producer trade-off, where short-term affordability is prioritised over long-term farm profitability, potentially discouraging farmers from cultivating pulses due to lower price realisation.
• Continued reliance on imports contradicts the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in agriculture, as it may reduce incentives for productivity improvements, crop diversification, and domestic value chain strengthening.
• Price suppression from imports may lead to crop switching by farmers, reducing pulse acreage, thereby worsening future supply deficits and increasing structural import dependence.
• Global uncertainties (West Asia tensions, supply disruptions) justify temporary intervention, but frequent policy changes create uncertainty for farmers, traders, and investors, affecting long-term planning in the agricultural sector.
• Pulses play a critical role in nutrition security (protein intake); hence, stable supply is essential, but over-reliance on imports exposes India to external price shocks and geopolitical risks.

Challenges

• Persistent low productivity of pulses compared to global standards due to rain-fed cultivation and limited technological adoption.
• Lack of effective price support mechanisms (MSP procurement gaps) for pulses reduces farmer incentives.
• Policy inconsistency between import liberalisation and domestic production promotion creates structural distortions.
• Weak post-harvest infrastructure and storage systems leading to supply inefficiencies.

Way Forward

• Strengthen domestic pulse production through improved seeds, irrigation support, and expansion under schemes like NFSM (National Food Security Mission).
• Ensure effective MSP procurement and price stabilisation mechanisms to protect farmer incomes.
• Adopt a calibrated import policy with trigger-based interventions rather than blanket duty-free windows.
• Promote crop diversification and pulse-based farming systems to enhance sustainability and reduce import dependence.

Prelims Pointers

• Pulses are nitrogen-fixing crops, improving soil fertility.
• India imports pulses mainly from Canada, Myanmar, Australia, and Russia.
• MSP exists for pulses but procurement is limited compared to cereals.

Mains Enrichment

Intro Options

• “India’s pulse economy reflects a delicate balance between ensuring food affordability and sustaining farmer incomes.”
• “Frequent reliance on imports to control food inflation raises concerns about long-term agricultural self-reliance.”

Conclusion Frameworks

• “A calibrated policy balancing consumer welfare with farmer incentives is essential for achieving sustainable pulse self-sufficiency.”
• “Strengthening domestic production while using imports as a buffer, not a substitute, is key to resilient food security.”