02 May 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Planning for a Hotter World

(Source – Page 10, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS3 – GS Paper 3:  Environment & Disaster Management

Context

India is experiencing increasing climate extremes, including heatwaves, erratic monsoons, and cyclones, necessitating a comprehensive national adaptation strategy.

Key Climate Challenges:

• Heatwaves: In 2024, India reported over 44,000 heatstroke cases and more than 300 heat-related deaths. Delhi’s power demand peaked at 8,647 MW during a 10-day heatwave, a 16% increase from the previous year.
• Erratic Monsoons: Between 2012-2022, districts in the Indo-Gangetic plains saw up to a 20% decline in southwest monsoon rainfall, impacting agriculture.
• Cyclones: The Arabian Sea experienced a 52% increase in tropical storm cyclones over two decades. While cyclone early warning systems cover 100% of the cyclone-prone population, flood early warning systems cover only one-third of the flood-prone population.

Vulnerable Sectors and Populations:

• Public Health: Heat stress disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including those with chronic health conditions, the elderly, and children under six.
• Agriculture: Nearly half of India’s agriculture is rainfed. Changes in rainfall patterns necessitate revamping crop calendars and adopting flood- and drought-resistant crop varieties.
• Livestock: Heat stress has led to up to a 20% decline in milk productivity in the dairy sector, which contributes 5% to India’s GDP.

Recommendations:

• Risk Assessment: Conduct detailed, sector-specific risk assessments to identify and protect vulnerable populations.
• Agricultural Adaptation: Revise cropping calendars and promote resilient crop varieties developed by institutions like ICAR.
• Livelihood Solutions: Implement low-cost, decentralized renewable energy solutions, such as solar chillers, to mitigate heat stress impacts on livelihoods.
• Urban Planning: Utilize initiatives like Mission Mausam to enhance urban flood preparedness through granular-scale data collection.

Practice Question: Discuss the multifaceted impacts of climate extremes on India’s public health, agriculture, and infrastructure. Suggest adaptive strategies to mitigate these challenges. (250 Words /15 marks)

2. Despite Tariffs

(Source – Page 12, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS3 – GS Paper 3: Indian Economy – Trade and Economic Reforms

Context

Despite global protectionist trends and tariffs, India’s merchandise exports have shown resilience, highlighting the need for strategic economic reforms.

Export Performance:

• Growth Amidst Tariffs: India’s merchandise exports have continued to grow despite facing tariffs and protectionist measures in key markets.
• Diversification: Export growth is attributed to diversification into new markets and sectors, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and engineering goods.

Challenges:

• Global Slowdown: A declining global market poses challenges for sustaining export growth.
• Trade Barriers: Non-tariff barriers and regulatory hurdles in destination countries affect export competitiveness.

Policy Recommendations:

• Trade Agreements: Pursue comprehensive trade agreements to secure market access and reduce trade barriers.
• Infrastructure Development: Invest in logistics and infrastructure to reduce transaction costs and improve supply chain efficiency.
• Ease of Doing Business: Simplify export procedures and provide support to small and medium enterprises to enhance their participation in global trade.

Practice Question: Analyze the factors contributing to the resilience of India’s merchandise exports amidst global protectionist trends. What policy measures can further strengthen India’s export performance? (250 Words /15 marks)

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