25 February 2025

• Fertilizers: India's fertilizer import dependence highlighted. DAP and MOP are 100 per cent imported. Subsidy burden in 2023-24: 1.75 lakh crore rupees.
• Governance: Internet shutdowns in India reached 84 in 2024. Manipur had the highest (21 shutdowns). Governed by the Indian Telegraph Act 1885.
• Education: NAAC removed 900 peer reviewers for corruption in 2025. NAAC grading uses an 8-point CGPA scale.
• Data: Tea Horse Road (Chamadao) being promoted for UNESCO heritage status. Ancient trade route connecting China, Tibet and India.

GS area: Economy (agriculture)

India's fertilizer sector data for prelims:

• Urea: Production 31.4 million tonnes (2023-24). Imports fell to 7 million tonnes.
• DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate): Import cost 636 US dollars per tonne. India is 100 per cent dependent on imports for DAP.
• MOP (Muriate of Potash): 100 per cent imported from Canada, Russia and Jordan.
• Subsidy burden (2023-24): 1.75 lakh crore rupees. One of the largest expenditure items outside salaries and interest.
• PM-PRANAM scheme: Promotes alternative fertilizers (nano urea, nano DAP, APS) and rewards states that reduce fertilizer subsidy dependency.

Alternatives promoted to reduce dependence:

• Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate (APS): Sales grew 32.4 per cent.
• Nano Urea and Nano DAP: 15 to 20 per cent yield improvement reported in trials.
• SSP (Single Super Phosphate): Sulphur-rich domestic alternative to DAP.
• NPKS Complex Fertilizers: Sales grew to 14 million tonnes (2024-25) from 7.3 million tonnes in 2013-14.

The Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme (2010) provides fixed subsidies per kilogram of nutrient content rather than per bag, aiming to incentivise efficient fertilizer use.

Static linkage: Agriculture (Indian economy, government schemes).

GS area: Polity (civil liberties, governance)

India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024:

• Global ranking: Second globally after Myanmar (85 shutdowns in 2024).
• State with highest shutdowns: Manipur (21), reflecting the ongoing ethnic conflict.
• Followed by: Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir (12 each).
• Top causes: Protests (41), communal violence (23), examination integrity (5).
• Legal basis: Indian Telegraph Act 1885 (Section 5(2) allows suspension of communication in public emergency or for public safety). The Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017 specify procedural safeguards including review by a committee within five working days.

Internet shutdowns raise Article 19 (freedom of speech and expression) concerns. The Supreme Court in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020) held that internet access is part of the right to freedom of speech and expression and that indefinite shutdowns are unconstitutional.

Static linkage: Polity (fundamental rights, governance, civil liberties).

GS area: Governance (education)

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council removed 900 peer reviewers for corruption in 2025:

• Established: 1994.
• Headquarters: Bengaluru.
• Parent body: University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Grading system: 8-point CGPA scale ranging from A++ (3.51-4.00) to D (below 1.5).
• Significance: Accreditation is required for NAIF (National Institutional Framework) ranking and for institutions to offer specific programmes. Loss of accreditation has funding and recognition consequences.

NAAC accredits over 9,000 higher education institutions in India. The removal of 900 peer reviewers signals an attempt to address the market for purchased accreditation scores.

Static linkage: Governance (higher education).

GS area: History, Geography (trade routes)

The ancient Tea Horse Road is being promoted as a UNESCO heritage route:

• Length: Approximately 2,000 kilometres.
• Route: Connects Yunnan and Sichuan (China) through Tibet and into India (connecting to Kolkata via the Silk Road continuation).
• Key goods: Tea (from China southward) exchanged for horses, saffron and gold (from Tibet).
• Operating dynasties: Tang, Song, Ming and Qing.
• Historical significance: One of the world's highest-altitude trade routes. Ran parallel to the Silk Road at higher elevations.

India's Northeastern states and Assam were terminal points of this route. The Chamadao connected the tea gardens of Yunnan to the Himalayan foothills.

Static linkage: History (ancient trade routes, art and culture).

GS area: International Relations (multilateral organisations)

AARDO was in the news for its annual meeting:

• Established: 31 March 1962.
• Headquarters: New Delhi (since 1966).
• Members: 33 countries from Asia and Africa.
• International partners: FAO, IFAD, UNESCO, UNDP and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
• Focus: Rural development, poverty alleviation, technical cooperation between Asian and African nations.

India hosts AARDO's headquarters, reflecting its historical leadership in South-South cooperation.

Static linkage: International relations (multilateral organisations).

GS area: Environment (biodiversity)

Similipal was in the news over TrailGuard AI results (covered February 19) and a new species discovery:

• Location: Mayurbhanj district, Odisha.
• Tiger Reserve declared: 1973 (under Project Tiger, among the original nine).
• UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: 2009.
• Notable features: Joranda and Barehipani waterfalls (among India's highest). Khairiburu peak (1,515 metres).
• Unique feature: Home to melanistic (black) tigers. The Similipal forest has an unusually high proportion of melanistic tigers, documented through camera traps.

Static linkage: Biodiversity (environment and ecology, geography).

GS area: Science and Technology (agriculture)

Microsoft Research's Project Farm Vibes in partnership with the Agricultural Development Trust in Baramati, Maharashtra:

• Results in Baramati: 40 per cent yield increase; 25 per cent reduction in fertilizer use; 50 per cent reduction in water consumption.
• Expansion: From 1,000 to 50,000 farmers across Maharashtra.
• Technologies deployed: Satellite data, IoT sensors in fields, drone imaging and AI algorithms for crop management advice.
• Relevance: Demonstrates how precision agriculture can improve productivity while reducing input costs for smallholder farmers.

Static linkage: Science and Technology (agriculture, digital technology).

• Kota Cares Initiative: Targets 1.25 lakh coaching students in Kota, Rajasthan. Measures include housing reforms, CCTV surveillance, mental health support and 24/7 emergency services. Background: student mental health crisis linked to intense coaching culture and competitive exam pressure.
• Surveillance capitalism: Concept coined by Shoshana Zuboff (2018). Describes an economic model that extracts human experience and behaviour data for profit through predictive analytics. Relevant to the DPDP Act 2023 debate.