ENVIRONMENT

GS-3: Environment and Biodiversity Key Highlights A 4.2-metre-long inflorescence (cluster of flowers) was discovered in a wild banana species (Musa indandamanensis) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This is the longest banana inflorescence ever recorded worldwide. The species is endemic to the Andaman region and was first recorded in 2012 …

GS-3: Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Key Highlights The Kadbanwadi grassland in Maharashtra’s Pune district, home to the Indian grey wolf, is witnessing an alarming decline in the wolf population. From 70 wolves (2016) to just 6 (2024), the fall is attributed largely to threats from feral dogs, which hunt in …

GS-3: Environment and Climate Change Key Highlights Climate-driven food shortages and nutrient losses impact gut microbiota, increasing disease risks. Elevated CO₂ levels reduce micronutrients (e.g., phosphorus, zinc, iron) in crops like wheat and maize. Malnutrition and reduced microbial diversity are linked to diseases like eczema, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. …

GS-3: Environment, Energy, Infrastructure Key Points: PM2.5 pollution caused ~30,000 annual deaths in Indian cities (2008-2019). Global EV adoption is rising, led by Europe and China. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are 20-30% costlier than battery EVs, but costs may align by 2030. Per km costs: HFC buses ($0.84/km) vs. …

GS-3: Science and Technology Key Points: The article addresses the environmental impact of AI, particularly generative AI like ChatGPT, due to its high energy consumption. Growing computational demands for AI training and operations raise sustainability concerns. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are proposed as a cleaner energy solution for AI infrastructure. …

GS3 – Environment Context: A recent study has linked daily exposure to phthalates, particularly di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), to approximately 350,000 deaths worldwide due to heart disease in 2018. India accounted for the highest number of these deaths (103,587), followed by China and Indonesia. What Are Phthalates? Phthalates are chemicals commonly …

GS3 – Environment Context: UNESCO has included 16 new sites from 11 countries in its Global Geoparks Network. Notably, North Korea has joined for the first time, and Saudi Arabia introduced two new geoparks. In 2025, UNESCO celebrated the 10th anniversary of its International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, a key …

GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI): GEI measures the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted per unit of product, such as per tonne of cement or …

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Environment (biodiversity conservation, species protection) GS-2: Governance (wildlife conservation policies) Key Points Twenty red-crowned roofed turtles were reintroduced into the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh to bolster conservation efforts. Detailed Insights Native to India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the turtle is found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins. …

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Environment (biodiversity restoration, global frameworks) GS-2: International Relations (FAO initiatives) Key Points Launched by the FAO on Earth Day 2025, AIM4NatuRe aims to enhance monitoring of ecosystem restoration using advanced technology and standardized data frameworks. Detailed Insights Supports the Global Biodiversity Framework’s Target 2 to restore 30% …

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Environment (biodiversity conservation, protected areas) GS-2: Governance (Wildlife Protection Act, state policies) Key Points Odisha designated 845.70 sq km of the 2,750 sq km Similipal Tiger Reserve as a National Park, making it the state’s largest, surpassing Bhitarkanika. It is India’s 107th National Park and Odisha’s second, …

GS3 – Environment Context: The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), along with the International Coral Reef Initiative, has officially confirmed that the world is experiencing its fourth global coral bleaching event. Currently, around 84% of the world’s coral reefs have been impacted, with mass bleaching observed across at …

GS3 – Environment Context: A recent study, as reported in The Hindu, has introduced an environmentally friendly, water-based recycling method for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), offering a sustainable alternative to conventional toxic processes. Understanding Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs): Structure: Thin-film solar cells comprising a perovskite crystal layer sandwiched between conductive …

GS3 – Environment Context: The United Nations’ Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment highlights a concerning spike in nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, calling for immediate global action to mitigate this potent greenhouse gas. Nitrogen: Its Ecological and Biological Relevance Atmospheric Abundance: Nitrogen forms nearly 78% of Earth’s atmosphere, playing a crucial role …

GS3 – Environment Context: The 2024 European State of the Climate Report, jointly released by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization, warns that Europe is heating nearly twice as fast as the global average, with notable regional differences. Key Findings from the Report Record-Breaking Temperatures: …

GS 3 The Supreme Court has recently directed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to assess the impact of nearby glass industries on the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. About the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) is a research body …

GS 3 The Surat Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has been recognized as the world’s first market-driven system specifically designed to address particulate air pollution. What is an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)? An Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a regulatory mechanism that uses economic incentives to reduce air pollution. The system …

GS3 – Environment Context: The Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) launched in Surat, Gujarat, has shown how market-based tools can successfully curb particulate matter (PM) pollution, based on results observed from 2019 to 2021. Overview of Surat ETS Launched in 2019, the Surat ETS is the first emissions trading market globally …

GS3 – Environment Context: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released its first-ever Green Status Assessment, categorizing the Asiatic Lion as ‘Largely Depleted’. This evaluation complements the IUCN Red List by focusing on the recovery and ecological functionality of species. About Lions Lions are the second-largest big …

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity Monitoring GS-3: Science & Tech – AI in Ecological Research GS-2: Governance – Science in Conservation Policy Key Highlights System Overview Name: BatEchoMon (Bat Echolocation Monitoring) Developers: Kadambari Deshpande and Vedant Barje Institution: Long-Term Urban Ecological Observatory, IIHS, Bengaluru Tech: Raspberry Pi, …