The article analyzes India's recent Union Budgets, highlighting a shift toward climate-conscious allocations since 2021. Key initiatives include a ₹20,000 crore outlay for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and the expansion of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana for rooftop solar. However, the author notes a cautious approach to industrial-scale deployment. The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) makes decarbonization a matter of export competitiveness for Indian steel and aluminum. Despite progress in solar and nuclear energy, gaps remain in mobilizing private capital and executing green hydrogen policies.
The budget allocates ₹20,000 crore for CCUS technology, signaling a move toward pilot-phase industrial decarbonization.
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana received a significant boost to ₹22,000 crore for 2026-27 to promote decentralized energy.
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) imposes carbon costs on high-emission imports, pressuring Indian industries to decarbonize.
Exam Points
₹20,000 crore outlay for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS).
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana allocation increased to ₹22,000 crore in 2026-27.
Customs duty on nuclear plant equipment imports extended until 2035.
This article critiques the weakening of India's environmental laws and judicial oversight. It highlights recent Supreme Court judgments, such as Vanashakti vs Union of India (2025), which allegedly diluted retrospective environmental clearances. The author discusses the ecological significance of the Aravalli hills and the impact of infrastructure projects like the Char Dham highway on the Himalayas. The piece argues that the 'balancing act' between development and conservation often favors corporate interests, undermining Article 48A and Article 51A(g) of the Constitution, which mandate environmental protection.
Recent judicial trends show a shift toward diluting ecological protection in favor of industrial and infrastructure development.
The Aravalli hills serve as a vital ecological backbone for north-western India, aiding groundwater recharge and preventing desertification.
The 'precautionary principle' and 'public trust doctrine' are being sidelined by lenient interpretations of environmental impact assessments.
Exam Points
Article 48A (Directive Principles) and Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duties) relate to environmental protection.
M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (2004) and Common Cause vs Union of India (2017) are landmark environmental cases.
Approximately 34,000 mangrove trees were authorized for felling for infrastructure projects.
The health-care allocation for 2026 shows a 10% increase to over ₹1.05 lakh crore, yet experts note it remains only 1.9% of total expenditure and 0.26% of GDP. A major highlight is the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma SHAKTI scheme aimed at making India a manufacturing hub for biologics. The budget also plans for three new NIPERs and a second NIMHANS campus. While the government has reduced duties on cancer medicines, critics argue the funding falls short of the 2.5% of GDP target set by the National Health Policy 2017.
The Biopharma SHAKTI scheme is a ₹10,000 crore initiative to boost manufacturing of biologics and biosimilars.
The government aims to train 1 lakh allied health professionals and 1.5 lakh care workers for the elderly.
Customs and import duties have been exempted for 17 cancer medicines and several rare disease treatments.
Exam Points
Biopharma SHAKTI scheme: ₹10,000 crore over five years.
Health budget 2026: ~1.9% of total government expenditure and 0.26% of GDP.
National Health Policy 2017 target: Health spending at 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
This article explores the controversy surrounding the Governor's address, following instances where Governors in states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu skipped portions of their prepared speeches. Legal experts discuss Article 176, which mandates the Governor to address the legislature at the start of the first session each year. The address reflects the government's policies, and the Governor is constitutionally bound to read it as prepared by the State Cabinet. The debate touches upon whether this ceremonial formality should be scrapped or if the President should intervene under Article 160.
Article 176 of the Constitution mandates the Governor to address the state legislature at the commencement of the first session annually.
The Governor acts on the 'aid and advice' of the Council of Ministers; the address is a statement of the government's policy.
Article 175 provides an alternative mechanism for the Governor to send messages to the House regarding pending legislation.
Exam Points
Article 176: Mandatory address by the Governor.
Article 160: President's power to discharge Governor's functions in certain contingencies.
Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2016): SC clarified the Governor's limited discretion.
A survey by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Forest Department has recorded 270 dugongs along the Tamil Nadu coast, with 158 in Palk Bay and 112 in the Gulf of Mannar. This represents the largest viable dugong population in India. The increase is attributed to the Dugong Recovery Programme and the notification of the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, covering 448 sq. km. The presence of mother-calf pairs indicates active breeding, though researchers note that some individuals may move into deeper waters, affecting count estimates.
The dugong population in Tamil Nadu has reached 270, making it the largest viable population in the country.
The Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay covers 448 sq. km of core habitat.
Conservation is supported through the Dugong Recovery Programme and CAMPA funds.
Exam Points
Total Dugong count in TN: 270 (158 in Palk Bay, 112 in Gulf of Mannar).
Dugong Conservation Reserve area: 448 sq. km.
Implementing agency: Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the last remaining bilateral nuclear arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, officially expired on February 5. Originally signed in 2010, it limited deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550. Following the conflict in Ukraine, Russia suspended its participation in 2023. The treaty's end leaves no legally binding limits on the world's two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time since 1972. This creates a vacuum in transparency and predictability, potentially triggering a new arms race involving other nuclear powers like China.
New START was the final bilateral agreement constraining the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia.
The treaty established verifiable limits, including 1,550 deployed warheads and 18 on-site inspections per year.
Russia's suspension of the treaty in 2023 was a response to escalating tensions over the Ukraine conflict.
Exam Points
New START expiration date: February 5.
Warhead limit under the treaty: 1,550 deployed warheads.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched 'Bharat Taxi', India's first cooperative-led ride-hailing service. Initially rolled out in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, the platform aims for nationwide expansion within three years. Unlike private aggregators, Bharat Taxi is designed to share profits directly with the associated drivers. The service includes cars, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers. This initiative reflects the government's push for the cooperative model in the service sector to ensure better earnings for gig workers and competitive pricing for consumers.
Bharat Taxi is the first ride-hailing platform in India operated on a cooperative model.
The platform aims to provide a more equitable profit-sharing mechanism for drivers compared to private competitors.
The service is planned to expand from Kashmir to Kanniyakumari and Dwarka to Kamakhya within three years.
India's new defence budget sees a significant jump, hitting 2% of GDP. While capital expenditure has outpaced revenue budget, concerns remain regarding the slow pace of modernization and the 'guns vs butter' debate. The Indian Air Force and Army received substantial hikes for equipment, but the Navy's share remains modest at 3%. A critical issue is the low investment in R&D (0.66% of GDP) compared to nations like Japan. The article calls for systemic changes, including a Non-Lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund, to fix bureaucratic delays in procurement.
The defence budget has reached 2% of India's GDP, marking a strategic shift in spending.
75% of the capital acquisition budget is earmarked for domestic industries to promote 'Aatmanirbharta'.
India's R&D spending stands at 0.66% of GDP, significantly lower than other major global powers.
Exam Points
Defence budget as % of GDP: 2%.
R&D budget as % of GDP: 0.66%.
Domestic procurement earmark: 75% of capital acquisition budget.
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