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Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Retail Inflation and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Tariff war , World Trade Organization (WTO) , National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for April 17, 2025 |
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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on April 17, 2025
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Why are ASHA workers protesting in Kerala?
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Governance
Context:
For over two months now, a section of Kerala’s 26,125-strong community of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) have been on a day-night agitation on the streets demanding better remuneration and retirement benefits. While the agitation gained much attention and was also raised in Parliament, the issues raised by the ASHAs remain unresolved.
Read about:
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)
National Rural Health Mission
Key takeaways:
Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)
An Accredited Social Health Activist, or ASHA, is a trained female health worker from the local community who serves as a key link between the rural population and the public healthcare system.- The initiative was launched under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) by the Government of India, aiming to raise health awareness in rural areas and improve the reach and accountability of government health services.
- ASHAs are selected from within the communities they serve and are responsible to those very communities. They are trained to bridge the gap between people and the healthcare infrastructure, guiding them to utilize available health services effectively. The ASHA program has been implemented across all Indian States and Union Territories, except Goa.
- States are expected to appoint at least one ASHA per 1,000 individuals. These workers receive foundational training in public health and are provided with a basic drug kit, enabling them to offer primary healthcare at the grassroots level.
- Their selection is conducted through a comprehensive process involving community groups, self-help groups, Anganwadi centers, block and district health officials, the village health committee, and the Gram Sabha.
ASHAs serve as frontline caregivers in their communities. They facilitate access to health services, medicines, and sanitation facilities, especially for marginalized groups. Their responsibilities also include raising health awareness, promoting hygienic practices, advocating for women's health, and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices and disease prevention behaviors.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
In rural settings, an ASHA must be a woman residing in the same village, preferably married, widowed, or divorced, and ideally between 25 to 45 years old. She should have at least a basic level of literacy, preferably up to the 10th standard, though completion of 8th grade is generally acceptable.
In urban areas, ASHAs are chosen from within slum communities or other identified vulnerable areas. They must belong to these communities and demonstrate strong communication and leadership skills. States are permitted to relax educational or population-based eligibility norms depending on local needs and challenges during recruitment
Compensation and Incentives
Although ASHAs are technically considered voluntary workers, they are compensated for specific activities such as attending training sessions, participating in regular review meetings, and performing other assigned tasks.- Their average monthly earnings range from ₹2,000 to ₹7,000, varying by state. Additionally, they are entitled to performance-based incentives under various national health schemes.
- ASHAs can also earn supplementary income through the social marketing of health-related products such as contraceptives and sanitary napkins. The structure of their work is intended to be flexible so that it doesn’t interfere with their primary livelihood, while still ensuring fair compensation for the time and effort they dedicate to healthcare responsibilities
1.With reference to the National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of ‘ASHA’, a trained community health worker? (2012)
- Accompanying women to the health facility for antenatal care checkup
- Using pregnancy test kits for early detection of pregnancy
- Providing information on nutrition and immunisation.
- Conducting the delivery of baby
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer (a)
Under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) is trained to perform the following tasks:
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- Retail inflation in India dropped to a five-and-a-half-year low of 3.34% in March, falling from 3.61% in February, largely due to a decline in food prices, as per figures released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- Items such as vegetables, eggs, and pulses became significantly more affordable, although inflation remained high for edible oils and fruits.
- Rural inflation eased further, coming down to 3.25% in March from 3.79% in February, while urban inflation saw a slight rise, inching up from 3.32% to 3.43% during the same period.
Notable Drop in Food Inflation
- Inflation in the fuel and light category experienced a modest increase, reaching 1.48%, marking the first upward movement in prices since September 2023.
- According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), consumer food price inflation (CFPI) fell to 2.7% in March, the lowest in nearly three years, compared to 3.75% in February.
- This trend of slowing inflation follows two consecutive repo rate cuts of 25 basis points each by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), reflecting the central bank’s current emphasis on supporting economic growth over curbing inflation.
- Economists predict that inflation will remain below the 4% mark in the near term, which could lead to another rate cut of around 50 basis points. Upasna Bharadwaj, Chief Economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank, noted that the softer CPI numbers would allow the RBI to stay focused on growth, maintaining an accommodative policy stance. She projected the terminal repo rate to settle between 5% and 5.25%.
- Among states, Kerala recorded the highest inflation at 6.6%, followed by Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam, and Haryana, all reporting inflation above 3.3%. On the other end of the spectrum, Delhi and Telangana had the lowest inflation rates, at 1.5% and 1.1%, respectively.
- When it comes to essential food commodities, tomato prices plunged nearly 35% in March, a steeper drop than the 29% fall in February. Potato prices increased by just 2.3%, marking the smallest rise in over a year, compared to a 26% spike in the previous month.
- Onion prices rose by 19%, a decline from the 30% increase recorded in February. Overall, vegetable prices dropped by 7% for the second month in a row. Prices of pulses decreased by 2.7%, and egg prices declined by over 3%.
- Meanwhile, rice and wheat prices rose by 4.9% and 9%, slightly lower than the respective increases of 5.3% and 9% seen the month before.
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) trend closely matched the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data released by the Ministry of Commerce. WPI inflation slowed to 2.05% in March, from 2.38% in February. Prices of primary articles rose modestly by 0.76%, compared to 2.8% the previous month.
- Fuel and power prices saw a slight increase of 0.2%, reversing February's 0.7% deflation. Prices of manufactured goods also went up by 3.07%, up from 2.86% in February. The WPI food index saw slower growth at 4.66% in March 2025, compared to 5.9% the month before
- Bank rate
- Open Market Operations
- Public debt
- Public revenue
Which of the above is/are component(s) of Monetary Policy?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1, 3 and 4
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Answer (c)
Monetary Policy refers to the policy adopted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to control the money supply, interest rates, and credit availability in the economy to achieve macroeconomic objectives like controlling inflation, ensuring growth, and maintaining financial stability. Components of Monetary Policy include:
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A Trade Dispute Escalates
- From the outset, China made it clear that it would contest the United States' aggressive trade measures, particularly the imposition of “reciprocal tariffs.” As predicted, Beijing responded with equivalent tariffs matching the U.S.’s 34% rate.
- In retaliation, President Trump raised the tariff burden by an additional 50%, pushing the total to 104%. China escalated further, levying a 125% tariff on all U.S. imports, to which the U.S. reacted by increasing its own tariffs to 145%.
- Amid this tariff spiral, the U.S. quietly acknowledged the possible economic consequences by exempting key electronic goods—such as laptops, smartphones, and semiconductor devices—from tariff hikes, revealing its heavy reliance on these imports.
- Internal inconsistency within the Trump administration became apparent when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that electronics tariffs would be included with semiconductors in the coming months, only to be contradicted by the President, who insisted they would be applied sooner. This discord highlights the confusion surrounding the “America First” trade agenda and its unpredictable outcomes.
U.S. Trade Negotiation Tactics
- Although pausing tariff implementation to push for bilateral trade agreements made headlines, this move was part of a broader strategy shaped even before Trump’s presidency.
- Stephen Marin, then-chair of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers, wrote post-election that tariffs could be used as leverage to negotiate better trade and security terms globally. Similarly, Peter Navarro, a senior White House adviser, characterized the pause as a tactical element of Trump’s negotiating style.
- While these explanations may align with Trump's image as a dealmaker, the likelihood of striking new deals appears slim. Under Trump, the role of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) was diminished, with the President himself taking direct control of negotiations. Navarro openly stated that Trump personally oversees all deals—potentially complicating the negotiation process due to micromanagement.
- Moreover, the U.S. has set an overwhelming agenda for negotiations. A recent USTR report on foreign trade barriers named India and 56 other countries as having significant obstacles to U.S. exports, foreign investment, and digital commerce.
- The report asserts that these “unfair practices” hurt American competitiveness and sometimes prevent entry into foreign markets entirely. According to this outlook, unless these barriers are dismantled, Trump's goal of “Making America Great Again” may remain unattained.
- In India’s case, achieving a deal with the U.S. would require opening up the agricultural sector, scaling down subsidies, amending its Patents Act (which supports affordable generic medicines), and changing policies on data localisation, GM crops, and dairy imports—demands that are politically and economically sensitive.
China’s Counter-Strategy
- China’s strong response was unexpected, especially given that during Trump’s first term, Beijing had agreed to an enforceable trade agreement in 2020, yielding to several U.S. demands. However, the U.S.-China trade landscape has shifted significantly since then.
- While the U.S. was once China’s largest export market (19.2% share in 2018), this figure dropped to 13.5% by early 2025. Simultaneously, China expanded its trade partnerships, with ASEAN now emerging as a primary destination for its exports. Economies like India, Vietnam, and Russia have also seen a growing Chinese economic presence, allowing Beijing to buffer the fallout from reduced trade with the U.S.
- This diversification has strengthened China’s ability to retaliate strategically. First, it dominates the rare earth minerals market, supplying 92% of global output. In recent days, China has limited exports of seven rare earth categories, signalling its willingness to leverage this control.
- Second, China remains a major holder of U.S. Treasury bonds, although it has been offloading them steadily. From a peak of $1.2 trillion in 2018 (22% of total holdings), China’s stake fell to $761 billion by January 2025 (under 9%). While a massive sell-off of these bonds currently seems unlikely, it remains a powerful tool should trade tensions intensify further
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Answer (C)
The South China Sea Dispute involves territorial and maritime claims by several countries over parts of the South China Sea. The major countries involved include:
Indonesia is not directly involved in the sovereignty disputes over islands, although it has had maritime boundary tensions with China near the Natuna Islands, which are within Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), but outside the disputed Spratly/Paracel islands. Hence, Option C (1, 2 and 3) is the correct answer |
- According to the Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, global merchandise trade volume is projected to fall by 0.2% under current circumstances — almost three percentage points below the growth expected under a scenario with minimal tariffs.
- The report further warns that trade could contract by as much as 1.5% in 2025 if conditions worsen. This would mark a sharp reversal from the 2.9% growth seen in 2024.
- The WTO highlighted ongoing risks to its trade forecast, stating that if the U.S. implements reciprocal tariffs, it could lower global merchandise trade growth by 0.6 percentage points.
- Furthermore, increasing uncertainty around global trade policies could contribute to an additional 0.8 percentage point drop. Combined, these factors could result in a 1.5% decline in global merchandise trade by 2025
🟠Amber Box
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What it means: This includes all domestic support measures considered to distort production and trade (except those in Blue and Green boxes).
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Examples:
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Price support schemes
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Input subsidies linked to production levels
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WTO Rule:
-
These are subject to reduction commitments.
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Developed countries have limits (measured by the AMS – Aggregate Measurement of Support).
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For developing countries, support should not exceed 10% of the value of agricultural production (product- or non-product-specific support).
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🟦 Blue Box
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What it means: This is support that would normally be in the Amber Box, but is allowed because it includes conditions that limit production (e.g., set-aside requirements).
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Examples:
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Payments under schemes that restrict production (like paying farmers not to produce on part of their land)
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-
WTO Rule:
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Not subject to reduction commitments, but allowed as long as the support is linked to fixed areas or yields, or number of livestock
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🟢 Green Box
-
What it means: These are subsidies that cause minimal or no trade distortion.
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Examples:
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Research and development
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Environmental protection
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Rural development programs
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Food security and public stockholding (under strict conditions)
-
-
WTO Rule:
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No limits on spending.
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Must not have the effect of providing price support to producers
-
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Answer (A)
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What to look for in Telangana’s implementation of Scheduled Castes sub-categorisation?
For Preliminary Examination: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance
Context:
This week, Telangana became the first state in the country to implement the Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation, popularly called reservation within reservation. According to the notification, Scheduled Castes in the state will be divided into three categories – Group I, II, and III; and the prevailing SC reservation of 15 per cent will be distributed among these groups. While Group I, consisting of 15 castes, will get 1 per cent of the share, Group II, comprising 18 castes, and Group III, consisting of 26 castes, will get 9 and 5 per cent share, respectively.
Read about:
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
Eighty-Ninth Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003
Key takeaways:
Sub-classification of SCs and STs: Recent Developments
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The Supreme Court, in its August 2024 ruling in Davinder Singh v. State of Punjab, delivered by a seven-judge Constitution Bench, allowed the further sub-categorization within the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). This decision was aimed at enabling more marginalized communities within these groups to receive focused benefits under the reservation policy. The practice of sub-categorizing SCs and STs has existed since the Constitution introduced reservations in 1950.
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Headed by then Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud, the bench ruled (6:1) that states can implement internal quotas for the most backward communities within the SC/ST groups, expanding the reach of constitutional protections.
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This judgment overruled the Supreme Court’s 2004 verdict in E.V. Chinnaiah v. State of Andhra Pradesh, which had held the SC and ST categories as indivisible homogeneous groups, disallowing sub-classification on grounds of micro-differentiation.
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Historically, Punjab had issued a 1975 notification prioritizing Balmiki and Mazhabi Sikh communities within SC reservations. This was overturned by the Punjab & Haryana High Court in 2006, in the case Dr. Kishan Pal v. State of Punjab. Nevertheless, the same year, the state enacted the Punjab SC and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006, reintroducing the preferential policy.
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The Act was later challenged by Davinder Singh, a member of another SC community, leading to its annulment by the High Court in 2010. The matter reached the Supreme Court, and in 2014, a five-judge bench was formed to review the validity of E.V. Chinnaiah. In 2020, a Constitution Bench led by Justice Arun Mishra emphasized the need to reconsider the 2004 judgment, highlighting the importance of addressing intra-group inequalities. This resulted in the formation of a seven-judge bench in 2024, which delivered the final verdict.
Key Constitutional Provisions Discussed
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Article 341(1) enables the President to notify certain castes as Scheduled Castes. Article 341(2) grants Parliament the authority to modify this list. While the SCs are collectively entitled to a 15% reservation in public employment and education, this listing has been viewed as a legal construct rather than a rigid classification.
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The 2004 E.V. Chinnaiah judgment had argued against differentiating among SCs, asserting that all listed castes must be treated alike. Chief Justice Chandrachud, however, in the Davinder Singh ruling, rejected this logic, noting that the Presidential list is a legal fiction and cannot deny the real social and economic disparities within the group.
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Article 15 empowers the state to make special provisions for SCs, while Article 16 specifically allows reservations in public appointments for underrepresented backward classes. The earlier position in Chinnaiah barred states from segmenting an already constitutionally recognized group, but the recent ruling affirms the state's authority to differentiate within SCs based on varying levels of disadvantage.
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The 2024 verdict clarifies that under Articles 15 and 16, states are entitled to recognize different degrees of deprivation and formulate specific policies like sub-quotas to address them effectively
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
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Established under Article 338, the NCSC is a constitutional body dedicated to safeguarding the interests and rights of SCs in social, educational, economic, and cultural spheres.
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The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, split the original combined commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies: the NCSC and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
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The NCSC includes a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and three other members. Their appointment and service conditions are determined by the President of India. The Commission began functioning independently in 2004, with Shri Kishor Makwana currently serving as Chairperson
1. In 2001, RGI stated that Dalits who converted to Islam or Christianity are not a single ethnic group as they belong to different caste groups. Therefore, they cannot be included in the list of Scheduled Castes (SC) as per Clause (2) of Article 341, which requires a single ethnic group for inclusion. (UPSC CSE Mains GS2 2014)
2. Whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (UPSC CSE Mains GS2 2018)
Biodiversity under threat, what we need to do
For Preliminary Examination: Biodiversity and History, Biodiversity Act
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology
Context:
The protest against the government’s decision to auction off 400 acres of forested land in the heart of Hyderabad underlined the urgent need to balance development with environmental preservation and ensure that air quality, climate, and biodiversity are not compromised.
Read about:
Critical need for biodiversity conservation
Strategic approaches to biodiversity conservation
Key takeaways:
Importance of Biodiversity and Its Ecological Role
Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological equilibrium and promoting both environmental and human well-being. It contributes essential ecological functions like nutrient cycling, water filtration, waste breakdown, and sustaining food chains. Moreover, it serves as a key resource base for agriculture, industry, and medicine. Beyond these tangible advantages, biodiversity enhances resilience against environmental stresses such as floods and wildfires. Genetic variation within species also equips them to adapt to evolving environmental conditions.
Threats to Biodiversity
However, various human-induced factors are severely impacting biodiversity. These include destruction of natural habitats, agricultural expansion, slash-and-burn practices, wetland encroachments, introduction of invasive species, pollution, urbanization of ecologically sensitive zones, illegal hunting and trade, coastal ecosystem degradation, resource overuse, climate change, and desertification.
Urgency of Conservation
Given these threats, preserving biodiversity is a pressing necessity. Conservation is the responsible use and management of natural resources so they meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Biodiversity parks, as elements of green infrastructure, are increasingly seen as nature-based solutions for biodiversity restoration. These parks safeguard regional biodiversity by recreating ecosystems with native species, thus enhancing urban ecological health.
Biodiversity and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Integrating biodiversity into urban green infrastructure aligns with specific Sustainable Development Goals:
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SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): through conserving genetic diversity in plants and animals,
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SDG 6 (Clean Water): by restoring water-dependent ecosystems,
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SDG 14: promoting sustainable use of marine resources,
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SDG 15: advocating for sustainable land use and halting ecosystem degradation.
Strategic Conservation Approaches
Conservation efforts can be broadly categorized into in situ and ex situ methods:
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In situ Conservation: This strategy involves protecting species in their natural habitats. It includes national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and sacred sites. Legal backing is provided by the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. India adheres to IUCN’s guidelines for establishing national parks, which are protected areas where natural ecosystems are preserved by restricting human activity and grazing. These spaces support education, research, and cultural engagement.
Sanctuaries focus on protecting wildlife but allow limited resource use if it doesn’t disturb animals. Biosphere reserves, introduced under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 1975, feature three zones: core (strictly protected), buffer (for research), and transition (for sustainable practices), involving local communities in conservation. Sacred forests and lakes, such as those in Karnataka and Sikkim, also help preserve rare biodiversity through traditional belief systems. Additionally, conservation and community reserves—added by the 2002 amendment to the Wildlife Act—play vital roles.
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Ex situ Conservation: This approach conserves biological components outside their natural settings. It includes gene banks, zoos, botanical gardens, seed vaults (like the one in Ladakh), tissue culture labs, and cryopreservation units. Ex situ methods occupy smaller spaces than in situ measures. For instance, the Miyawaki afforestation method used in Uttar Pradesh during Maha Kumbh 2025 helped plant dense clusters of native vegetation in limited spaces.
Legal and Constitutional Support for Conservation
India upholds biodiversity protection through constitutional mandates and legal enactments:
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Article 48-A of the Directive Principles instructs the state to conserve the environment, forests, and wildlife.
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Article 51-A(g) as a Fundamental Duty urges citizens to protect nature and show compassion to living beings
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Answer (C)
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| Subject | Topic | Description |
| Polity | Centre and State relations | Centre State and interstate relations |
| Environment & Ecology | Marine Ecosystem | Marine Ecosystem |
| Economy | Consumer Rights | Consumer Rights |
| Ancient History | Buddhism | Buddhism |
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