The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) recently celebrated its 125th Foundation Day at its headquarters in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, marking over a century of regulatory oversight in mine safety in India.

About Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)

The DGMS is the regulatory authority under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, responsible for matters relating to occupational safety, health, and welfare of persons employed in mines.

It is headquartered in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, and is headed by the Director-General of Mines Safety.

Historical Evolution

The origin of the DGMS can be traced back to 7 January 1902, when the Government of India established the Bureau of Mines Inspection at Calcutta to administer the provisions of the Indian Mines Act, 1901.

In 1904, the organisation was renamed the Department of Mines, and in 1908, its headquarters were shifted to Dhanbad.

On 1 January 1960, it was redesignated as the Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines. Subsequently, on 1 May 1967, the organisation acquired its present name, the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the DGMS is to continuously improve safety, health standards, and welfare practices in the mining industry and the upstream petroleum sector.

This is achieved through:

• Proactive safety and health strategies

• Continuous improvement of regulatory processes

• Effective utilisation of resources

• Professional conduct and commitment of personnel

Constitutional and Legal Framework

Under the Constitution of India, the safety, health, and welfare of workers employed in mines fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Government, as per Entry 55 of the Union List (Article 246).

The regulatory framework governing mine safety is provided by the Mines Act, 1952, along with the Rules and Regulations framed under it, all of which are administered and enforced by the DGMS.

Scientists analyzing the first images released by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have discovered the fastest-spinning asteroid ever observed in its size category. The newly identified asteroid has been named 2025 MN45.

Location and Background of the Observatory

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is located atop Cerro Pachón in the Chilean Andes at an altitude of 8,684 feet above sea level. The site was chosen because of its dry atmosphere and exceptionally dark skies, which make it one of the best astronomical observing locations in the world.

The observatory is named after Vera C. Rubin, an American astronomer who provided the first convincing observational evidence for the existence of dark matter in the 1970s.

Funding and Management

The observatory is jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, reflecting its importance in advancing fundamental scientific research.

Scientific Objectives of the Observatory

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has four primary scientific goals.
First, it aims to improve understanding of the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
Second, it seeks to create a comprehensive inventory of asteroids, comets, and other solar system objects.
Third, it aims to map the Milky Way galaxy and reconstruct its evolutionary history.
Finally, it focuses on studying transient and variable objects, such as exploding stars and black holes, which change position or brightness over time.

Simonyi Survey Telescope

The central instrument of the observatory is the Simonyi Survey Telescope, which has a primary mirror of 8.4 meters. It is equipped with the world’s largest digital camera, weighing approximately 2,800 kilograms and having an unprecedented resolution of 3,200 megapixels.

The camera is capable of capturing about 45 times the area of the full Moon in the sky with a single exposure.

Technological Features

The telescope is the fastest-slewing telescope in the world, taking only about five seconds to move and stabilize between different targets. This rapid movement is made possible by its compact three-mirror optical design and a unique mounting system that allows the telescope to float on a thin film of oil.

Data Collection and Sky Survey

The observatory will continuously scan the southern hemisphere sky for ten years, creating an ultra-wide and ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe. It is expected to generate approximately 20 terabytes of data every night. The volume of data collected in its first year alone will exceed that gathered by all other optical observatories combined.

Release of First Images

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory released its first images on June 23, 2025, marking the beginning of a new era in time-domain and wide-field astronomy.

A series of mild eruptions at Mayon Volcano, the most active volcano in the Philippines, has recently forced nearly 3,000 villagers to evacuate from areas near its foothills.

Location and Geological Setting of Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano is an active stratovolcano located in Albay province on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to tectonic plate interactions.

Physical Characteristics of Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano is often referred to as the world’s most perfect volcanic cone because of the remarkable symmetry of its shape. It has a base circumference of about 130 kilometres and rises to a height of 2,462 metres from the shores of the Albay Gulf. The volcano has steep upper slopes and is capped by a small summit crater.

Ecological and Economic Significance

The volcano is a major attraction for climbers and campers and forms the central feature of the Mayon Volcano National Park. The lower slopes of the volcano support large abaca plantations, which are economically important to the local population.

Eruptive History of Mayon Volcano

Historical records show that Mayon Volcano has been erupting since 1616 CE. Its eruptions have typically included Strombolian activity, lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and mudflows (lahars).

The most violent eruption occurred in 1814, resulting in the death of more than 1,200 people and the destruction of several towns. Another major eruption in 1993 caused 79 deaths. Subsequent eruptions in 2000, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2018, and 2022 led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents from nearby villages.

What is a Stratovolcano?

A stratovolcano is a tall, steep, cone-shaped volcano with a high peak, unlike flat shield volcanoes. These volcanoes are typically found above subduction zones and are commonly associated with large volcanically active regions such as the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Stratovolcanoes constitute approximately 60% of the Earth’s individual volcanoes. They are usually composed of andesite and dacite lava, which are cooler and more viscous than basaltic lava. Due to this high viscosity, gases become trapped easily, leading to explosive eruptions.

Structure of Stratovolcanoes

Stratovolcanoes are also known as composite volcanoes because they are formed by alternating layers of lava flows and pyroclastic material. This layered structure gives them steep sides, and they usually have a small summit crater at the peak.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an arm of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has recently launched a new initiative to support agri-food and agri-tech startups. The initiative aims to promote innovation, encourage young entrepreneurs, and create new opportunities in agricultural exports.

About APEDA

APEDA is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, which was passed by Parliament in December 1985. It replaced the earlier Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).

APEDA functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Objective of APEDA

The primary objective of APEDA is to develop and promote the export of scheduled agricultural and processed food products. Products notified under the APEDA Act are known as scheduled products, and exporters dealing in these products are required to register with APEDA.

Scheduled Products under APEDA

Scheduled products include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry products, dairy products, confectionery, biscuits, bakery products, honey, jaggery, and several other agricultural and processed food items.

Roles and Responsibilities of APEDA

APEDA provides financial assistance, information, and guidelines for the development and export promotion of scheduled products. It is also entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the import of sugar into India.

In addition, APEDA functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for the accreditation of certification bodies under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), which facilitates organic exports from India.

Functions of APEDA

APEDA is responsible for setting standards and specifications for scheduled products and for the registration of exporters upon payment of prescribed fees. It works to improve the packaging and marketing of scheduled products and conducts quality inspections to ensure product standards.

The authority also provides training in various aspects of industries related to scheduled products, undertakes surveys and feasibility studies, and promotes the development of industries connected with agricultural exports. Additionally, APEDA collects and publishes statistical data from factories and establishments dealing with scheduled products.

Organisational Structure of APEDA

APEDA is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. The authority has established 15 regional offices across the country, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Telangana, Kolkata, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Chennai, Kochi, Tripura, Srinagar, Jammu, and Ladakh.

BHARATI Startup Challenge

BHARATI, which stands for Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement, and Incubation for Export Enablement, is a startup challenge launched by APEDA to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural and processed food export sector.

The initiative aims to support export-ready startups by providing mentorship, access to global markets, and policy facilitation.

Global Exposure under BHARATI Initiative

Under the BHARATI Startup Challenge, the top 10 selected startups will receive international exposure by participating in major global exhibitions such as Gulfood in Dubai and BIOFACH in Germany. This initiative is expected to strengthen India’s agri-export ecosystem and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian startups.

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has projected that India’s economy is expected to grow by 7.4 per cent in the current financial year. According to the report, this growth will be driven mainly by strong domestic consumption and increased public investment.

About United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs is a key department of the United Nations that upholds the development pillar of the UN. It is rooted in the United Nations Charter and guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UN DESA is headquartered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.

Mandate and Focus Areas of UN DESA

UN DESA works to promote the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Its divisions and offices collaborate to address cross-cutting development challenges that directly affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

The department’s work spans a wide range of issues, including poverty reduction, governance, public finance, and environmental sustainability, with a particular focus on the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Core Areas of UN DESA’s Work Programme

The work programme of UN DESA is broadly categorized into three major areas:

1. Norm-setting, which involves developing global standards and frameworks.

2. Analysis, which includes research, data collection, and policy assessment.

3. Capacity-building, aimed at strengthening institutional and human capabilities in member states.

Key Functions of UN DESA

UN DESA facilitates negotiations among Member States in various intergovernmental bodies to address emerging and ongoing global challenges. It provides substantive support to development-related discussions in the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The department advises governments on translating international policy frameworks adopted at UN conferences and summits into national-level programmes and policies. It also collaborates closely with regional and country-level partners to help nations formulate and implement sustainable development strategies.

In addition, UN DESA compiles, generates, and analyses a wide range of economic, social, and environmental data, which is extensively used by UN Member States for policy formulation.

Important Reports Published by UN DESA

UN DESA publishes several key global reports, including:

• World Economic Situation and Prospects Report

• World Social Report

• Sustainable Development Goals Report

The agriculture sector in India holds significant untapped potential to drive the country’s green energy revolution. With more than half of India’s population dependent on farming and rural livelihoods, integrating clean energy into agriculture can simultaneously address challenges of energy access, food security, employment generation, and climate change.

India’s Agriculture and Energy Transition

The agriculture sector contributes nearly 18 per cent to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs over 42 per cent of the workforce. According to Energy Statistics India 2025, agriculture accounts for approximately 17 per cent of total electricity consumption, primarily for irrigation purposes. In several states, agricultural electricity use exceeds 20 per cent of total power consumption.

Despite this high energy demand, the sector remains both energy-intensive and energy-deficient. It continues to rely heavily on diesel-powered irrigation pumps, while inadequate cold storage and processing infrastructure lead to high post-harvest losses. Additionally, many states provide free or heavily subsidized electricity to farmers, resulting in inefficient usage, groundwater depletion, and financial stress on power utilities.

Employment Potential and Green Jobs in Agriculture

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), India’s renewable energy transition could generate 3.7 million green jobs, many of which are linked to agricultural systems. For example, a single solar-powered cold storage unit functions as a local enterprise requiring technicians, operators, logistics workers, and community managers. Thus, clean energy adoption in agriculture can support inclusive rural employment.

Key Issues in India’s Agriculture Sector

Hidden Cost of Food Loss

India loses nearly 30–40 per cent of fruits and vegetables after harvest due to inefficiencies in transportation, storage, and processing. These systems depend heavily on reliable power. Cold storage units and food processing facilities become ineffective when electricity supply is erratic or when operations depend on costly diesel generators.

Policy Fragmentation

Agriculture and energy policies in India are often designed in isolation, limiting cross-sectoral innovation. While schemes such as PM-KUSUM, the National Solar Mission, and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana have expanded solar access in rural areas, their impact remains limited due to fragmented policy design and weak coordination.

Awareness, Training, and Financing Gaps

Many farmers are either unaware of decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions or lack the skills to operate and maintain them. Small and marginal farmers also face limited access to affordable credit, making it difficult to adopt renewable technologies. High upfront costs, maintenance challenges in remote areas, and the risk of water overuse through solar irrigation further constrain adoption.

Utilising Clean Energy in Agriculture

Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) Solutions

DRE solutions such as solar mini-grids, rooftop solar systems, and hybrid energy units reduce dependence on unreliable grid power and diesel fuel. These systems lower operating costs, promote community ownership of energy assets, and localize power generation. By enabling reliable energy access, DRE solutions strengthen rural food systems, resilience, and sustainability, while also generating employment across the agricultural value chain.

Energy Transition and Digital Innovation

India’s rural transformation is increasingly shaped by digital platforms such as ITC MAARS, which provide AI-driven crop advisory services and market intelligence. However, digital tools alone are insufficient without supporting energy infrastructure. When renewable energy powers cold storage units, dryers, and processing facilities, farmers can convert digital insights into tangible economic outcomes. Together, smart energy systems and digital advisory platforms form a powerful engine for rural resilience.

Local Innovation and Context-Specific Solutions

Across India, farmers and rural communities are developing innovative, low-cost energy solutions suited to local conditions. These include solar dryers made from locally available materials, converted refrigerated trucks used as mobile cold storages, and community-managed solar-powered processing units. Such innovations demonstrate the importance of grassroots-led energy transitions.

Bridging Policy Silos Between Agriculture and Energy

Agriculture and energy are managed by separate ministries and financing mechanisms, leading to missed opportunities. Linking renewable energy initiatives with agricultural value chains can reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen rural infrastructure, and promote climate-smart agriculture. Effective inter-ministerial coordination is essential to achieve these outcomes.

Case Study: Odisha’s Solar Cold Storage Initiative

The Markoma Women Farmer Producer Company (FPO) in Odisha established a 5-metric-tonne solar-powered cold storage unit developed by Ecozen, with support from the Harsha Trust. Since its pilot in 2018, the initiative has reduced post-harvest losses, stabilized prices through organized market linkages, and increased awareness of solar energy in surrounding communities. This case demonstrates that reducing food loss requires not just infrastructure, but smarter and cleaner energy systems.

Government Policies and Institutional Framework

PM-KUSUM Scheme (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)

The PM-KUSUM scheme aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on diesel and grid electricity, lower carbon emissions, and provide additional income through surplus power generation.

• Component A: Installation of 10,000 MW of decentralized grid-connected renewable power plants on barren or fallow land.

• Component B: Installation of 2 million standalone solar agricultural pumps.

• Component C: Solarization of 1.5 million existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.

Voluntary Carbon Market Framework

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Voluntary Carbon Market Framework promotes climate-smart agriculture by enabling farmers to register greenhouse gas mitigation projects, earn carbon credit certificates, and monetize eco-friendly practices under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme. This framework is especially beneficial for small and marginal farmers.

Energy Data Management in Agriculture (NITI Aayog)

NITI Aayog has emphasized the need for accurate energy consumption data in agriculture to design effective clean energy interventions. It recommends inter-ministerial coordination, data-driven policymaking, and systematic monitoring of DRE deployment in rural areas.

Other Policy Initiatives

Additional initiatives include the Clean Plant Programme, which promotes climate-resilient horticulture through disease-free planting material, along with incentives for renewable energy adoption in rural infrastructure and agri-processing under various centrally sponsored schemes.

Way Forward: Towards a Resilient and Net-Zero Future

The NITI Aayog ‘Energy and Agriculture Nexus Report 2025’ highlights several transformative opportunities. Bioenergy derived from crop residues could generate up to 20 GW of power, helping reduce stubble burning. Agro-voltaic systems, which combine farming with solar panels, can enhance land productivity by nearly 60 per cent, as demonstrated in pilots in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. Emerging technologies such as green hydrogen from biomass and waste-to-energy plants represent the next frontier of agri-linked clean energy.

As India moves toward its 2070 net-zero target, integrating renewable energy with food systems must become a national priority. Key actions include expanding solar use beyond irrigation to post-harvest systems, providing targeted credit to farmer collectives, promoting public–private partnerships, and investing in green skills training for rural youth.

In November 2025, the Supreme Court of India adopted a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills, defining them as landforms rising 100 metres or more above the surrounding local terrain. While the Court stated that the objective was to bring clarity and scientific objectivity to mining regulation, the decision sparked public protests, political reactions, and the #SaveAravalli campaign, amid fears that large parts of the Aravalli landscape could become vulnerable to mining and construction.

Summary of the Supreme Court’s Decision

In 2025, the Supreme Court accepted a new scientific definition of the Aravalli Hills, imposed a temporary freeze on new mining leases, and directed the preparation of a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM).

The government maintains that the framework strengthens protection by banning mining in ecologically sensitive core areas and focusing on curbing illegal mining. However, critics argue that the 100-metre threshold may exclude substantial portions of the Aravalli system, threatening groundwater security, biodiversity conservation, and desertification control, thereby highlighting the need for landscape-level ecological restoration.

Supreme Court’s Ruling on the New Definition of Aravalli Hills

Background and Rationale

The Supreme Court accepted a uniform and scientific definition proposed by a committee constituted under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The intent was to remove ambiguity in regulating mining and development activities across the Aravalli landscape.

New Definitions Adopted by the Supreme Court

Definition of Aravalli Hills

Aravalli Hills are defined as any landform that rises 100 metres or more above the surrounding local ground level. Local relief is determined using the lowest contour line encircling the landform.

The definition also extends protection to the entire hill system, including supporting slopes and associated landforms, irrespective of their height.

Definition of Aravalli Ranges

Aravalli Ranges are defined as clusters of two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other. The entire intervening area between these hills, including slopes and smaller hillocks, is treated as part of the range.

The stated objective of these definitions is to ensure clarity and consistency in regulating activities such as mining.

Supreme Court’s Directions on Mining

The Supreme Court imposed a ban on mining in core or inviolate areas, including protected areas, eco-sensitive zones, tiger reserves, and wetlands. Exceptions were permitted only for:

• Atomic minerals listed under Part B of the First Schedule,

• Critical and strategic minerals under Part D, and

• Minerals listed in the Seventh Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957.

The Court also directed a temporary halt on new mining leases in areas falling under the new definition until the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM)

The MPSM is required to:

• Identify no-mining zones and strictly regulated mining areas,

• Map sensitive habitats and wildlife corridors,

• Assess cumulative ecological impacts and carrying capacity, and

• Prescribe restoration and rehabilitation measures.

The Court observed that blanket bans often encourage illegal mining and therefore adopted a calibrated approach, allowing existing legal mining under strict regulation while ensuring permanent protection of ecologically sensitive zones.

Government’s Stance on the Aravalli Issue

The Union Government clarified that the Supreme Court–approved framework does not dilute protection of the Aravallis or permit large-scale mining. It emphasized that no new mining leases will be granted until the MPSM is finalised.

The government identified illegal mining as the principal threat and supported enhanced monitoring and enforcement using drones, satellite imagery, and surveillance technologies.

Earlier Judicial and Policy Interventions for Aravalli Protection

MoEF Restrictions (1990s)

The Environment Ministry imposed restrictions limiting mining in the Aravalli range to sanctioned projects. However, weak enforcement by States resulted in large-scale non-compliance.

Earlier Definition of Aravalli Hills

Before the Supreme Court ruling, only Rajasthan had a formally notified definition, based on the 2002 State Committee Report, which used the Richard Murphy landform classification and prohibited mining on hills and their supporting slopes.

Supreme Court Ban on Mining (2009)

In 2009, the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on mining in the districts of Faridabad, Gurugram, and Mewat in Haryana.

Developments in 2024

In 2024, the Court prohibited fresh mining leases and renewals across the Aravalli range and directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to examine the issue. The CEC recommended scientific mapping, a macro-level Environmental Impact Assessment, and continuation of the mining freeze until assessments were completed.

Aravalli Green Wall Initiative

Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall, the Aravalli Green Wall Initiative is a landscape-level ecological restoration programme led by the MoEF&CC. It proposes a 1,400 km long and 5 km wide green belt across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.

The initiative aims to restore over 1.1 million hectares of degraded land by 2027, reduce sand and dust storms, improve air quality, and mitigate micro-climatic stress, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region.

Criticisms of the New Definition of Aravalli Hills

Exclusion of Large Landscape Areas

An internal Forest Survey of India (FSI) assessment suggests that the 100-metre threshold could exclude over 90 per cent of the Aravalli system, raising serious ecological and governance concerns.

Threat of Expanded Mining and Urbanisation

Areas excluded from the definition may become vulnerable to mining, construction, and urban expansion, potentially reversing decades of conservation efforts.

Ignoring Ecological Continuity

Critics argue that the Aravallis function as a continuous ecological system, but the definition is peak-centric and neglects the role of foothills, valleys, and connecting ridges.

Risks to Groundwater and Desertification Control

Lower hills and slopes play a critical role in rainwater percolation and aquifer recharge. Their degradation could accelerate groundwater depletion and allow the Thar Desert to advance eastward, intensifying dust storms and land degradation.

Key Facts about the Aravalli Range

Geological and Physical Features

The Aravalli Range is among the oldest mountain systems in the world, dating back nearly 2,000 million years to the Precambrian era. Guru Shikhar on Mount Abu is its highest peak at 1,722 metres, and the range stretches over 800 km from Gujarat to Delhi.

Ecological and Climatic Importance

The Aravallis act as a natural barrier preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. They also function as a major watershed, dividing drainage between the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal systems.

Biodiversity and Livelihoods

The region supports dry deciduous forests, grasslands, wetlands, and 22 wildlife sanctuaries and three tiger reserves. Agriculture here is largely rainfed and subsistence-based, making ecosystem health vital for rural livelihoods.

Measures Required to Strengthen Aravalli Protection

Scientific Mapping and Regulation

Comprehensive mapping of hills, slopes, valleys, recharge zones, and wildlife corridors is essential, along with graded, risk-based mining controls.

Prevention of Illegal Mining

Stronger enforcement through technology-based surveillance, institutional coordination, and district-level task forces is required.

Ecosystem Restoration

Restoration of degraded forests, grasslands, and mined areas should follow ecological principles. Indigenous water-harvesting systems such as taankas, jhalaras, and talab-bandis can strengthen watershed management.

Alignment with Global Commitments

Restoring the Aravallis is crucial to meet India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, UNCCD, Bonn Challenge, and Land Degradation Neutrality goals.

Conclusion

The Aravalli Range is not merely a geological structure but a life-support system for north-western India. Its degradation threatens water security, biodiversity, climate stability, and livelihoods. Protecting and restoring the Aravallis therefore requires landscape-level planning, strong legal safeguards, scientific governance, and community-based restoration, making it both an ecological and civilisational imperative.