Climate action plan (NDC)
Why in news?
India is preparing to release its updated climate action plan Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) ahead of COP30 in Brazil, which will mark the third iteration of its climate strategy under the Paris Agreement framework and extend targets to 2035.
Latest News Highlights
- India announced in July 2025 that over 50% of its installed electricity generation capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving this milestone five years ahead of its 2030 target.
- The country’s emissions intensity reduction target is also on track, with data indicating a 36% decline compared to 2005 levels by 2020, already surpassing earlier commitments and approaching the revised goal of a 45% reduction by 2030.
- For its forest carbon sink target (2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO? equivalent by 2030), recent data suggests India may have already achieved this or is on the verge of doing so, with continued annual growth in forest carbon stock.
- The new plan is expected to emphasize “LIFE” (Lifestyle for Environment) as a mass movement for sustainable living, greater climate justice for vulnerable populations, and further alignment with the net-zero by 2070 pathway.
Key Elements of a Climate Action Plan
- Climate action plans provide a roadmap for assessing current greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, setting reduction targets, and outlining specific actions for both mitigation and adaptation.
- In India, the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) has eight core missions covering solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water resources, Himalayan ecosystem, forestry (Green India), sustainable agriculture, and strategic climate knowledge.
- Each Indian state also prepares its own State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC), tailored to local vulnerabilities and needs across sectors such as agriculture, water, transport, energy, industries, and urban development.
Key Changes in India’s New NDC
- Extended timeline and targets: India’s revised NDC sets goals for 2035, moving beyond the earlier 2030 horizon to provide a longer-term framework for climate action.
- Accelerated achievements: The targets for non-fossil fuel generation (50% of installed capacity by 2030) have already been achieved in 2025, five years ahead of schedule.
- Higher emissions reduction ambition: India maintains its commitment to lowering emissions intensity of GDP, with current reductions exceeding early goals and on track for the 45% target by 2030.
- Forest carbon sink progress: The country is close to reaching its goal to create an additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO? equivalent sink through forest expansion, and further efforts are emphasized in the new plan.
- Lifestyle for Environment (LIFE) initiative: A major emphasis is placed on promoting sustainable consumption and behavioral change at the population level, positioning LIFE as a central theme.
- Climate justice focus: The NDC update stresses the need to protect vulnerable groups and promote equity and climate resilience.
- Affirmation of net-zero goal: The net-zero by 2070 target remains unchanged and is reaffirmed.
- Alignment with global climate negotiations: India’s updated submission is released on time, contrasting with delays by other major emitters.
India's approach increasingly highlights sustainable development, mass behavioral change, and climate justice for the most vulnerable populations. The update reinforces a steady policy orientation while showcasing accelerated progress on key indicators, setting the stage for India's leadership at COP30.
Central tissue bank
Why in news?
Delhi Health Minister inaugurated the central tissue bank on September 23, 2025, at MAIDS, along with a new cashless, digital office for the Delhi Dental Council.
Key Highlights
- Purpose and Scope: The bank is established to collect, process, and store human tissues—primarily bones and membranes—for dental procedures, especially bone grafting for implants and reconstructive surgeries. It will also benefit departments like dermatology and ophthalmology.
- Patient Impact: The facility will lower treatment costs by 25–30%, making advanced grafting, implants, and tissue regeneration more accessible. Previously, patients had to rely on external or imported grafts at much higher costs.
- Processing and Technology: Tissues are screened, sterilized, freeze-dried, and stored using advanced methods, ensuring international-level safety standards. Staff have received specialized training, including international expertise.
- Regulation and Expansion: All activities follow the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994, and the bank is designed to serve as a model for expanding such facilities to other government hospitals across India.
Unique Aspects and Ongoing Developments
- Difference from Other Banks: While some hospitals (like GTB Hospital) have bone banks, those are largely for orthopedic use. The new central tissue bank processes, preserves, and provides grafts that are suitable for broader dental and surgical applications.
- Future Scope: The bank is currently focused on in-house needs and research, but with regulatory clearances, it aims to extend graft supplies to more hospitals and departments in the future.
The central tissue bank at MAIDS as a pioneering step for dental and reconstructive healthcare in India, offering accessible bone and tissue grafts with advanced safety, at significantly lower costs, and with plans for future nationwide expansion.
National Initiative on Water Security
Why in news?
The National Initiative on Water Security launched focuses on boosting groundwater levels, rejuvenating rivers, and ensuring sustainable water management primarily in rural areas.
Key Highlights
- Launched jointly by Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Amendments in MGNREGA schedule making water conservation a national priority.
- Over 1.25 crore water conservation assets like farm ponds, check dams, and tanks have been created so far.
- The initiative prioritizes water-stressed areas using Central Ground Water Board assessments.
- Funds allocation for water conservation varies by groundwater block status: 65% for critical, 40% for semi-critical, and 30% for safe blocks.
- It supports climate resilience, agricultural productivity, and rural livelihoods.
Significance
- Addresses urgent water stress affecting over 600 million Indians.
- Integrates employment with water sustainability via MGNREGA.
- Promotes long-term decentralized and systematic water management instead of isolated efforts.
- Helps in groundwater recharge, enhances water availability, and reduces water scarcity in rural India.
This initiative is a major step by the Government of India to embed water security as a fundamental part of rural development policy. It ensures sustainable use of water resources critical for agriculture, environment, and livelihoods.
Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (CoCSSO)
Why in news?
The 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (CoCSSO) was held on September 25-26, 2025, in Chandigarh.
Theme
- The conference theme was "Strengthening Local Level Governance," emphasizing the importance of robust statistical systems for evidence-based policy and decentralized planning toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
Key Addresses and Focus:
- Inaugural speeches highlighted the crucial role of statistical data in governance, planning, inclusive growth, and the need for regular, granular, and harmonized data at local levels.
- The Chief Secretary of Punjab and other dignitaries praised state-level data initiatives like employment surveys and stressed data accuracy for policy implementation.
Digital Innovations Launched:
- MoSPI launched several key digital initiatives, including
- A revamped MoSPI website with intuitive navigation, AI-based multilingual chatbot, and cloud-first architecture.
- The GoI Stats mobile app’s iOS version, building on the earlier Android release.
- PAIMANA portal for enhanced monitoring of Central Sector Infrastructure Projects.
- NMDS 2.0 metadata portal to provide a centralized, standardized metadata repository with advanced features.
- These initiatives support a transparent, standardized, and AI-ready statistical ecosystem for improved public access and data governance.
Publications Released:
- MoSPI released flagship reports "Children in India 2025" and "Environmental Accounting on Forest - 2025" to aid evidence-based policymaking.
Overall, the 29th COCSSO reinforced the importance of data-driven governance, improved statistical infrastructure, and digital transformation to support local and national development goals.
Cloud seeding
Why in news?
Delhi is set to conduct it’s first-ever cloud seeding trials from October 1 to November 30 to combat severe air pollution, especially during the peak winter months when smog levels are critically high.
The cloud seeding trials will be carried out by IIT Kanpur using Cessna aircraft, targeting freshwater clouds to trigger artificial rain to wash away air pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10.
Types of cloud seeding
- Static cloud seeding: Adding ice nuclei to cold clouds to induce precipitation.
- Dynamic cloud seeding: Enhancing cloud development by altering airflow, useful for rainfall stimulation in suitable conditions.
- Hygroscopic cloud seeding: Spraying salt particles to increase droplet size and induce rainfall in warm climates.
- Glaciogenic cloud seeding: Inducing ice crystal formation in supercooled clouds to trigger precipitation.
Application of cloud seeding to reduce air pollution
- Cloud seeding involves dispersing chemicals like silver iodide, dry ice, or salt particles into moisture-laden clouds using aircraft or ground-based generators, triggering rain.
- Artificial rain assists in settling airborne dust, PM2.5, PM10, and other hazardous particles, thus providing temporary relief from poor air quality during acute pollution episodes.
- The process requires suitable weather conditions—presence of suitable, moisture-rich clouds is essential for success; it cannot produce rain in clear skies or dry weather.
- Cloud seeding can typically improve air quality for a short period, but it does not address the sources of pollution such as industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, construction dust, stubble burning, and waste burning.
- There are concerns regarding the environmental and health impacts of seeding agents; while studies suggest minimal risks at low concentrations, possible contamination and chemical accumulation call for precautionary measures.
Cloud seeding for air pollution control offers temporary relief by removing airborne pollutants through artificial rainfall, but should be used only as a part of a holistic air quality management strategy.
Ladakh protests
Why in news?
Ladakh has witnessed significant protests demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Key Features of the Sixth Schedule
- The Schedule applies specifically to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- Tribal areas are administered as Autonomous Districts; districts can be subdivided into Autonomous Regions if multiple tribes exist.
- Each Autonomous District has a District Council of up to 30 members, mostly elected by adult suffrage, with some members nominated by the Governor.
- The councils have powers to make laws on matters such as land, forests, water, shifting cultivation, village administration, inheritance, marriage, social customs, and more, but such laws require the Governor's assent.
- Councils can establish village courts, manage local infrastructure, assess and collect land revenue, and impose certain taxes.
- This Schedule aims to protect tribal land and resources, prevent exploitation by non-tribal communities, and preserve tribal identity and culture.
- The Governor has significant powers to alter the boundaries and names of autonomous districts.
Arguments in support of Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule
- Political Autonomy and Democratic Representation: Ladakh, currently a Union Territory without a legislative assembly since 2019, seeks to restore full political representation. The Sixth Schedule would empower local autonomous councils, ensuring decentralised governance and protecting local interests.
- Ladakh currently has two Hill Councils (Leh and Kargil) with limited powers, and activists seek greater legislative and autonomous powers through the Sixth Schedule.
- Protection of Tribal Identity and Culture: Over 97% of Ladakh’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule would provide constitutional safeguards for tribal customs, land rights, and cultural identity, especially after the abrogation of Article 370.
- Preservation of Land and Natural Resources: Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem, characterized by glaciers and alpine meadows, requires careful management. Sixth Schedule councils would have powers over land and resource use, helping to prevent ecological degradation caused by industries and developmental activities.
- Economic Development Focused on Local Needs: Statehood coupled with Sixth Schedule status would facilitate targeted development projects, improve infrastructure, employment, and healthcare suited to Ladakhi priorities.
- Cultural and Environmental Safeguards: The Sixth Schedule could safeguard Ladakh’s unique cultural heritage and environmental resources against demographic dilution and over-exploitation, especially given the region's strategic importance and environmental sensitivity.
Arguments against Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule
- Legal and Constitutional Challenges: The Sixth Schedule is explicitly meant for tribal areas in the Northeast, and extending it to Ladakh would require a constitutional amendment. This legal hurdle makes immediate inclusion difficult.
- Potential Administrative Challenges: Inclusion could add bureaucratic layers, complicating decision-making and possibly slowing down effective governance in a strategically sensitive and remote region.
- Existing Development Progress: The Indian argues that Ladakh’s socio-economic development is already being addressed through targeted funds and administrative measures. The inclusion might hinder ongoing economic growth by imposing additional restrictions on land and resource use.
- Security and Strategic Concerns: Ladakh’s geographically sensitive location bordering China and Pakistan necessitates a clear command structure. Statehood and increased autonomy could complicate security coordination and India’s strategic posture in the region.
- Increased Reservations and Administrative Focus: The Ladakh administration has recently increased reservation for Scheduled Tribes, and the region’s development is currently focused on infrastructure investment. Further decentralization might hinder these efforts.
Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)
Why in news?
The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) was formally launched in September 2025 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. The tribunal is set to begin accepting appeals from September 2025 and commence hearings by December 2025.
Recent key developments
- GSTAT as the second level of appeal under GST.
- Jurisdiction divided between a Principal Bench and State Benches based on the dispute type.
- Limitation for filing backlog appeals set until June 30, 2026.
- Expected to improve tax certainty, ease of doing business, and transparency in the GST regime.
Composition and Structure of GSTAT
- GSTAT has a principal bench in New Delhi and 31 state benches across 45 locations in India, ensuring nationwide accessibility.
- Each bench comprises a President (or a judicial member with high judicial experience), a judicial member, and two technical members—one from the Centre and one from the state.
Functions and Objectives of GSTAT
- The tribunal aims to ensure timely resolution of disputes, improve cash flow, reduce ambiguity, and promote uniformity in GST dispute resolutions across India.
- It handles appeals primarily against orders from appellate authorities, revises decisions, and can pass its own orders, impose penalties, or revoke GST registrations.
- The process involves electronic filing, case tracking, virtual hearings, and simplified procedures to enhance transparency and efficiency.
Jurisdiction and Appeal Process
- The GSTAT hears disputes concerning GST-related issues, with jurisdiction split between the principal and state benches depending on the nature of the dispute.
- Appeals can be filed within 30 days of receiving the order, and the tribunal aims to decide cases within approximately one year.
- The appellate body also provides an avenue for departmental review appeals within six months.
Significance
- GSTAT enhances taxpayer confidence, ensures quicker justice, and promotes investment by providing a clear, consistent, and accessible dispute resolution mechanism.
- The tribunal's decisions are generally binding on the parties and are aimed at maintaining the integrity and credibility of India's GST system.
This development addresses a significant gap in India's GST dispute resolution framework, which has been pending due to legal and administrative challenges around appointments and tribunal independence since GST's launch in 2017.
