Content

1. India’s Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
2. Transforming India with AI

India’s Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

Why in News

• Launched by PM Narendra Modi on October 11, 2025, at IARI, New Delhi.
• Outlay: ₹11,440 crore (2025–26 to 2030–31).
• Goal: Achieve complete self-reliance in pulses by 2030–31 and eliminate import dependence by December 2027.

Relevance : GS 3 – Agriculture, Inclusive Growth, Food Security, Nutritional Security, MSP Reforms, Sustainable Farming

Background and Context

• India is theWorld’s largest producer (≈25%), consumer (≈27%), and importer (≈14%) of global pulses.
• Current production (2024–25): 252.38 lakh tonnes (↑31% since 2013–14).
• Imports (2023–24): 47.38 lakh tonnes; exports: 5.94 lakh tonnes.
• Despite progress, domestic production lags behind demand, necessitating a self-reliance mission.
• Aligned with Vision 2047 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

Significance of Pulses

• Contribute 20–25% of total protein intake in Indian diets (NIN data).
• Crucial for nutritional security, soil nitrogen fixation, and farm income diversification.
• Per capita consumption below recommended 85 g/day — linked to protein deficiency.
• Environmental benefits: low water footprint, improves soil fertility and sustainability.

Mission Objectives

• Achieve Aatmanirbharta (self-sufficiency) in pulses by 2030–31.
• Expand pulses area to 310 lakh ha (↑35 lakh ha from 2024–25 baseline).
• Increase production to 350 lakh tonnes; improve yield to 1,130 kg/ha.
• Reduce imports to zero and ensure 100% MSP procurement for Tur, Urad, and Masoor for four years.
• Empower 2 crore farmers via quality seeds, procurement assurance, and market linkage.

Key Components and Interventions

• Seed Revolution:
  • 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds distributed.
  • 88 lakh free seed kits to farmers.
  • Use of SATHI (seedtrace.gov.in) for seed authentication and traceability.
  • Development of high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient varieties.
• Procurement Security:
  • 100% MSP procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor under PM-AASHA.
  • NAFED and NCCF to manage procurement.
• Value Chain & Infrastructure:
  • Establish 1,000 processing and packaging units, with subsidies up to ₹25 lakh/unit.
  • Focus on cluster-based approach (as per NITI Aayog recommendations).
• Soil & Climate Sustainability:
  • Promotion of balanced fertilizer use, intercropping, crop diversification, and mechanization.
  • Integration with ICAR and KVKs for field demonstrations and technology dissemination.

Technological & Institutional Innovations

• SATHI Portal (Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory):
  • Tracks the full seed life cycle — from breeder seed to sale.
  • Ensures quality assurance, transparency, and accountability in seed supply.
• Digital Monitoring:
  • Data-driven decision-making via SAATHI and ICAR monitoring systems.
• Breeder & Foundation Seed Plans:
  • State-wise rolling five-year seed production plans supervised by ICAR.

PM-AASHA Integration

• Launched: 2018, continued in 2024.
• Components: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
• Objective: Protect farmers from distress sales, ensure price stability, and promote pulses and oilseeds cultivation.

NITI Aayog’s Recommendations (Sept 2025 Report)

• Based on survey of 885 farmers from Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
• Key Suggestions:
  • Expand pulses into rice fallows and diversify cropping patterns.
  • Develop “One Block–One Seed Village” model for seed self-sufficiency.
  • Strengthen FPO-based seed hubs for localized production.
  • Promote mechanization, efficient irrigation, and bio-fertilizers.
  • Introduce climate-resilient and short-duration varieties.
  • Establish local procurement centers and processing units to minimize middlemen.
  • Integrate pulses into PDS, Mid-Day Meal, and Poshan Abhiyan to boost demand and nutrition.

Implementation Framework

• Nodal Agency: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Collaborating Institutions: ICAR, KVKs, NAFED, NCCF, State Agri Departments, and FPOs.
• Timeline: 2025–26 to 2030–31 (six years).
• Cluster-Based Implementation: Regional specialization for Tur (Deccan plateau), Urad (Central India), and Masoor (Northern plains).

Expected Outcomes

• Self-sufficiency by 2027 for key pulses (Tur, Urad, Masoor).
• Zero import dependence by 2030–31.
• Increase in farmers’ income through assured MSP and value addition.
• Strengthened seed and processing infrastructure across India.
• Foreign exchange savings by cutting import bills.
• Improved soil fertility, climate resilience, and employment generation in rural areas.

Challenges Ahead

• Yield gaps due to climatic variability and pest resistance.
• Low mechanization and poor irrigation coverage in pulse-growing belts.
• Ensuring timely MSP procurement and payments.
• Balancing expansion with ecological sustainability and water management.
• Need for strong coordination among central, state, and cooperative agencies.

Conclusion

• The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is a landmark step toward nutritional security, import substitution, and farmer empowerment.
• Integrates science, policy, and market reforms to transform India’s pulses sector.
• By 2030–31, India aims not only to be self-reliant but also a global leader in sustainable pulse production, contributing to Viksit Bharat 2047 through resilient agriculture, healthy citizens, and prosperous farmers.

Value Addition

Major Pulses Grown in India

Area and Production (2024–25: 3rd Advance Estimates)

State-Wise Contribution (Share in Total Production, 2024–25 est.)

Agro-Climatic Suitability

• Pulses can be grown in rainfed, marginal, and arid conditions.
• Optimal conditions:
  • Temperature: 18–35°C (varies by crop).
  • Rainfall: 400–1000 mm.
  • Soils: Loamy, sandy loam, or black cotton soils with good drainage.
• Pulses are short-duration crops (60–120 days) ideal for intercropping and crop rotation.

Pulses and Soil Health

• Nitrogen fixation: Pulses host Rhizobium bacteria in root nodules, fixing atmospheric N₂ into soil — reduces fertilizer use.
• Improves soil structure and organic matter, promoting sustainable agriculture.
• Ideal for inclusion in crop rotation systems (e.g., Tur–Wheat, Gram–Maize).

Transforming India with AI

Why in News

• IndiaAI Mission (₹10,371.92 crore) has achieved 38,000 GPUs, marking a major step in AI infrastructure.
• India is positioning itself as a global AI hub, combining inclusive innovation with economic transformation.

Relevance : GS 3 – Science & Technology, IT & Computers, Inclusive Growth, E-Governance, Innovation & Employment Generation

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

• Definition: AI enables machines to perform tasks that require human-like intelligence — learning, reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving.
• Core Components:
  • Machine Learning (ML) – Algorithms that learn from data.
  • Deep Learning (DL) – Neural networks mimicking human brain patterns.
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) – Understanding human language.
  • Computer Vision – Image and pattern recognition.
  • Generative AI – Produces new content (text, image, audio).
• India’s approach: “AI for All” — open, affordable, and accessible.

AI Landscape in India (2025 Snapshot)

• Tech Revenue: Projected to cross $280 billion (2025).
• Employment: 6 million people in tech & AI ecosystem.
• Startups: 1.8 lakh total, with 89% using AI.
• Global Capability Centres (GCCs): 1,800+, with 500+ AI-focused.
• AI Adoption: 87% enterprises use AI; NASSCOM Index score 2.45/4.
• Sectors leading adoption: BFSI, Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing, and Automotive (≈60% of AI value).
• Global Recognition:
  • Top 4 in AI skills and policy ecosystem (Stanford AI Index 2025).
  • 2nd largest contributor to AI projects on GitHub.

Economic Impact

• Projected contribution: $1.7 trillion to India’s GDP by 2035 (NITI Aayog estimate).
• Boosts productivity, governance efficiency, and innovation across public and private sectors.
• Aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047 — technology-driven inclusive development.

IndiaAI Mission (Launched 2024)

• Budget: ₹10,371.92 crore (5 years).
• Vision: “Make AI in India and Make AI Work for India.”
• Implementing Agency: IndiaAI Division under MeitY.
• GPU Capacity: Target of 10,000 → achieved 38,000 GPUs (affordable compute at ₹65/hour).

Seven Pillars of the IndiaAI Mission

Supporting Initiatives

A. Centres of Excellence (CoEs)

• Focus sectors: Healthcare, Agriculture, Sustainable Cities, Education.
• Linked with 5 National Centres for AI Skilling.

B. AI Competency Framework

• Structured AI training for government officials to enhance policy and service design.

C. IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Programme

• Collaboration with Station F and HEC Paris to globalize Indian AI innovation.

Key Indian AI Projects

AI in Key Sectors

(a) Healthcare

• Early diagnosis, telemedicine, image recognition.
• ICMR–IndiaAI–U.K.–Singapore collaborations ensure ethical standards.
• AI models in radiology, pathology, drug discovery.

(b) Agriculture

• AI in crop forecasting, pest detection, irrigation scheduling.
• Kisan e-Mitra: AI chatbot linking farmers to schemes.
• National Pest Surveillance System integrates weather & satellite data.

(c) Education & Skilling

• NEP 2020: AI introduced from Class VI–XII.
• YUVAi Programme: Students build AI solutions for local challenges.
• DIKSHA Platform: AI for accessibility (text-to-speech, keyword search).

(d) Governance & Justice

• e-Courts Project Phase III: AI in translation, scheduling, and filing.
• AI Translation Committees translating judgments into regional languages.
• e-HCR, e-ILR: Digital legal access platforms.

(e) Climate & Weather Forecasting

• IMD uses AI models for rainfall, fog, cyclone intensity.
• MausamGPT (upcoming) to provide real-time weather advice.

Employment & Skilling Impact

• AI Talent Pool: Expected to double from 6.5 lakh (2025) → 12.5 lakh (2027).
• FutureSkills PRIME Programme:
  • 18.56 lakh enrolled; 3.37 lakh certified.
  • Focus on 10 frontier technologies including AI, Big Data, and IoT.
• AI creating new job categories in data science, robotics, analytics, and governance.

NITI Aayog Report 2025 – AI for Inclusive Societal Development

• Vision: Empower 490 million informal workers through AI, IoT, Blockchain, and Robotics.
• Digital ShramSetu Mission: Frontier technologies for informal sector.
• Phased Implementation (2025–2035):
  • Mission Orientation (2025–26) – Define goals and framework.
  • Institutional Setup (2026–27) – Governance, regulation, partnerships.
  • Pilot Programs (2027–29) – Sectoral implementation, M&E.
  • Nationwide Rollout (2029–35) – Full-scale adoption and integration.
• Outcome: Inclusive, voice-first, multilingual, skill-amplifying digital ecosystem.

Ethical and Governance Dimensions

• Safe & Trusted AI Framework:
  • Focus on bias mitigation, explainability, privacy, and accountability.
• IndiaAI Safety Institute: Developing national AI governance standards.
• Global Cooperation: Participation in GPAI (Global Partnership on AI) and UNESCO AI Ethics Framework.

Challenges

• Limited domestic chip manufacturing and AI compute capacity.
• Data fragmentation and lack of standardized datasets.
• Shortage of AI researchers and PhDs relative to the U.S./China.
• Need for AI ethics, regulatory clarity, and public trust.
• Risk of digital divide if access and affordability gaps persist.

Way Forward

• Invest in indigenous GPUs and semiconductor fabs.
• Accelerate AI skilling in Tier-2/3 cities.
• Expand AI use in social sectors (health, agri, education).
• Create a National AI Regulatory Authority for ethical oversight.
• Integrate AI into Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) frameworks — UPI, ONDC, and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
• Encourage global South cooperation on ethical, multilingual AI.

Conclusion

• India’s AI transformation blends computational power, inclusive design, and innovation to build a globally competitive yet socially equitable tech ecosystem.
• With initiatives like IndiaAI Mission, BharatGen, and Digital ShramSetu, India aims to achieve AI sovereignty and inclusive digital empowerment by Viksit Bharat 2047.