3 February 2025

• Budget follow-through: PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana details published. ELS cotton mission formally clarified.
• Defence: Indigenous VSHORADS (MANPAD system) in the news; Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher contract signed.
• International: South Sudan geography in focus. World's largest iceberg A-23-A drifting toward South Georgia.
• Species: Two new cardamom species discovered in Kerala. Invasive fish species alert for freshwater bodies.

GS area: Economy (agriculture)

The Union Budget 2025-26 announced a five-year mission to boost Extra-Long Staple cotton farming in India. ELS cotton is defined by a fibre length of 30 millimetres and above. It is prized for softness and durability in premium textiles. Key facts:

• India's import dependence: 90 per cent of ELS cotton requirements (20 to 25 lakh bales annually) are imported.
• Domestic yield: Only 7 to 8 quintals per acre against 10 to 12 quintals for medium-staple varieties.
• Growing regions: Atpadi taluka in Maharashtra and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu are the primary domestic belts.
• Mission goal: Reduce import dependence and integrate ELS supply into India's 9-lakh-crore-rupee textile export target by 2030.

India currently holds 8.21 per cent of global textile trade. The PM MITRA scheme supports 7 mega textile parks with an expected 10 billion US dollar investment.

Static linkage: Indian economy (agriculture, textiles).

GS area: Economy, Social Justice

The gender budget for 2025-26 stands at 4.49 lakh crore rupees. Key numbers:

• Share of Union Budget: 8.86 per cent.
• Increase over 2024-25: 1.22 lakh crore rupees (a 37.25 per cent rise over the previous year's 3.27 lakh crore rupees).

The gender budget is a statement of allocations across ministries that directly benefit women. It is not a separate budget but an accounting exercise that makes gender-targeted spending visible. It covers schemes from Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to PM Awas Yojana and Mission Shakti.

Static linkage: Social justice, women's welfare (GS Paper 1 and 2).

GS area: Economy (energy), Environment

India's ethanol blending programme has hit 15 per cent in 2024 against a target of 20 per cent by 2025. Facts for prelims:

• Production capacity added: 1,600 crore litres.
• Sugar-based ethanol: 400 crore litres.
• Grain-based ethanol: 700 crore litres.
• Maize contribution: Approximately 400 crore litres, driven by a 10 per cent expansion in maize farming.
• Crude dependence: India imports over 80 per cent of its crude oil. Ethanol blending reduces the petrol import bill and cuts vehicular emissions.

The programme began under the National Biofuel Policy. E20 is the target blend (20 per cent ethanol with 80 per cent petrol). Engine compatibility is the current constraint for higher blends.

Static linkage: Energy security (Indian economy, environment).

GS area: Environment (biodiversity)

The IBCA was launched on 9 April 2023 with a budget allocation of 150 crore rupees for 2023-28. It covers seven big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma. India hosts five of the seven. Current ratification stands at five countries: India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia and Liberia. The alliance is India's initiative to lead international conservation of charismatic megafauna. The National Tiger Conservation Authority coordinates India's engagement.

Static linkage: Biodiversity and conservation (environment and ecology).

GS area: Science and Technology (ecology)

Researchers discovered two new cardamom species belonging to the genus Elettaria:

• Elettaria facifera: Found in Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki district, Kerala.
• Elettaria tulipifera: Discovered in the Agasthyamalai hills, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala.

Cardamom cultivation in India requires 1,500 to 4,000 millimetres of annual rainfall, elevation between 600 and 1,500 metres and soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Kerala accounts for 58 per cent of national production followed by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Static linkage: Biodiversity (environment and ecology).

GS area: Environment (ecology)

Two invasive freshwater fish species were in focus:

• Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis): Males grow to 4 centimetres and females to 7 centimetres. Listed among the 100 worst invasive species globally by the IUCN. Originally introduced to control mosquito larvae; now outcompetes native species.
• Guppy (Poecilia reticulata): Native to northeastern South America. Established feral populations in Indian water bodies.

Both species disrupt native aquatic biodiversity. The National Green Tribunal has heard cases on their uncontrolled spread in Indian wetlands.

Static linkage: Invasive species, biodiversity (environment and ecology).

• Plastic degradation: The Carbios enzyme breaks down 90 per cent of PET plastic in 10 hours. The bacteria Ideonella sakaiensis also degrades PET. These are in the news as biodegradation alternatives to incineration.
• South Georgia Island: British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic. Highest point is Mount Paget at 2,935 metres. Iceberg A-23-A, estimated at over 3,700 square kilometres, is drifting toward it and poses a risk to wildlife foraging routes.
• Anti-opium initiative: Jharkhand Police launched the Chocolate War initiative in Maoist-affected districts. Police distribute chocolates with wrappers carrying anti-opium messages citing penalties under the NDPS Act (up to life imprisonment and property confiscation). Active in Khunti, Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Latehar, Palamu and Chatra.