The Union Government has taken significant steps to support the cotton sector in India, addressing key challenges related to rising imports, farmer welfare, and low domestic production. These measures include:
Extension of 11% Import Duty Waiver on cotton to curb rising imports.
Increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton for the 2025-26 season.
Expansion of procurement efforts to provide better support to farmers dealing with price pressures.
This move is crucial in stabilizing both farmer welfare and the textile industry, especially at a time when domestic cotton production has dropped to a 15-year low.
Cotton, often referred to as "White Gold", is one of India’s most important commercial crops, contributing about 24% of the global cotton output. Despite this, India faces several challenges in cotton production, which are compounded by weather variability, low productivity, and high input costs.
Cotton is a subtropical crop that thrives in warm, sunny, and frost-free climates. It requires adequate humidity and grows well in diverse soil types, including alluvial, black clayey, and red-black mixed soils across different regions of India. Cotton cultivation primarily depends on monsoon rains, with nearly 67% of cotton farms being rain-fed.
Hybrid Cotton: Produced by crossing two parent varieties with different traits, often to enhance yield and pest resistance.
Bt Cotton: A genetically modified variety that provides resistance to common pests like bollworms. However, the effectiveness of Bt Cotton is now in question due to pests evolving resistance.
India is the second-largest producer and consumer of cotton after China.
Despite having the largest cotton-growing area in the world, India ranks only 36th in terms of productivity, with an average yield of 480 kg/ha (compared to the world average of 800 kg/ha).
Weather Variability & Climate Risks:
Cotton cultivation is highly sensitive to climate change, with erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, and floods causing significant disruptions in yields.
Low Yield & Outdated Farming Practices:
Many Indian farmers still rely on traditional, low-tech farming methods, leading to low productivity and poor-quality cotton. There’s also a lack of access to modern farming techniques and certified seeds.
Pest & Disease Infestations:
The Pink Bollworm and other pests, combined with fungal infections, have severely affected cotton yields. These infestations have contributed to a 15-year low in cotton production, which is further exacerbated by the reduced effectiveness of Bt Cotton.
High Cost of Cultivation:
The rising cost of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides has made cotton farming economically unsustainable, especially for small and marginal farmers. Additionally, the influx of cheaper imports further pressures the market.
Market Challenges:
Farmers often face restricted market access and are forced to sell cotton at prices below MSP. Global factors, like tariffs and duties, also affect their export competitiveness.
The Indian government has introduced several measures to address the challenges in the cotton sector:
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI): Works to ensure fair prices for farmers and stabilize market fluctuations.
Technology Mission on Cotton (2000): Focuses on improving productivity, quality, and competitiveness in cotton farming through modern technologies and better seeds.
Bt Cotton (2002): India became the first country in Asia to approve Bt Cotton for commercial cultivation.
National Cotton Mission (2014–15): Launched to increase productivity in major cotton-growing states.
Mega Investment Textile Parks (MITRA): Establishing textile parks to boost investment and infrastructure in cotton-linked industries.
Cott-Ally Mobile App: A tool to provide farmers with real-time information on MSP, procurement centers, and best farming practices.
To sustain and enhance the cotton sector, several strategies could be adopted:
Integrated Pest & Crop Management (IPM):
Encourage IPM to reduce pesticide dependency and promote sustainable pest management practices.
Approve pest-resistant GM hybrids, such as those resistant to whiteflies and pink bollworms.
Bridging the Yield Gap:
Adopt practices like High-Density Planting Systems (HDPS) and focus on developing extra-long staple varieties to improve yield and reduce dependence on imports.
Expand initiatives like the Mission for Cotton Productivity, aimed at higher yields and sustainability.
Modernization & Infrastructure Development:
Invest in modernizing ginning, spinning, and weaving units through the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) and MITRA.
Encourage the establishment of cotton-linked clusters to boost global competitiveness.
Extension & Farmer-Centric Services:
Improve agricultural extension services through initiatives like Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and CCI.
Scale platforms like the Cott-Ally App to provide real-time updates on market prices, weather, and procurement logistics.
Branding & Global Competitiveness:
Promote Kasturi Cotton, a quality certification with QR-code traceability, to build a distinct identity and attract premium prices in global markets.
Cotton is a key driver of India’s agriculture, industry, and trade. However, it faces persistent challenges like low yields, climate risks, pests, and market pressures. Strengthening MSP operations, adopting modern farming practices, and improving infrastructure will be critical for boosting production, ensuring farmer welfare, and enhancing India’s global cotton competitiveness.
In light of the ongoing global aircraft shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, airlines have increasingly turned to wet and dry leases as solutions. These leasing options have become essential in meeting the demands for new aircraft while overcoming the challenges of limited availability in the global market.
Definition: In a wet lease, airlines lease not just the aircraft, but a fully operational setup, including:
Aircraft
Crew (pilots and cabin crew)
Maintenance personnel
Insurance (aircraft, crew, maintenance)
The lessee retains control over commercial operations, like schedules and routes, but the lessor handles operational management.
Ideal Use: Wet leases are typically used for short-term needs, such as:
Seasonal spikes in demand
Route testing (e.g., testing new routes without committing to long-term aircraft ownership)
Covering for grounded aircraft due to maintenance or other operational issues.
Definition: A dry lease involves leasing the aircraft alone, with no crew, maintenance, or insurance.
The lessee takes full responsibility for the operational components, including:
Employing their own crew (pilots, cabin crew)
Arranging maintenance per regulatory standards set by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)
Obtaining appropriate insurance coverage.
Ideal Use: Dry leases are typically used for long-term fleet expansion or modernization. Airlines prefer dry leases when looking to grow or replace existing aircraft.
A damp lease is a variant of the wet lease, offering a more limited setup.
Features:
It includes aircraft, flight crew, and maintenance services, but no cabin crew.
The lessee is responsible for providing their own cabin crew.
Damp leases can be referred to as partial wet leases, making them a flexible option for airlines with different operational requirements.
In India, aircraft leasing is regulated under a robust framework, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) playing a key role. The DGCA has specific guidelines for leasing, particularly with respect to the wet lease model, where operational crew may not always meet Indian regulatory approval. As such, operations of wet leases are not actively encouraged in India, as the crew is typically not approved by Indian authorities.
Post-Pandemic Aircraft Shortage:
The pandemic caused significant disruptions in aircraft manufacturing and delivery schedules, exacerbating the global aircraft shortage.
Airlines turned to leasing, particularly wet leasing, to meet operational demands without waiting for new aircraft deliveries.
Cost-Efficiency:
Leasing allows airlines to avoid the large upfront capital costs associated with buying new aircraft. This is particularly important during times of economic uncertainty or when airlines want to maintain flexibility in their fleet.
Flexibility:
Wet and dry leases offer flexibility in fleet management, allowing airlines to scale operations up or down based on demand.
For example, wet leasing provides immediate access to operational aircraft with crew during peak seasons, while dry leasing offers a longer-term solution for fleet expansion or replacement.
Fleet Modernization:
For airlines looking to modernize or expand their fleet, dry leases are ideal, as they can secure newer aircraft without committing to the long-term financial burden of purchasing outright.
Crew Approval:
In India, the DGCA restricts wet leases due to crew approval issues. The crew from the lessor may not meet Indian regulatory standards, which could limit the operational feasibility of a wet lease arrangement.
Cost:
Wet leases are more expensive than dry leases, due to the additional services (crew, maintenance, etc.) provided by the lessor.
For airlines on a tight budget, the high costs associated with wet leasing can be a barrier, despite the short-term benefits.
Regulatory Challenges:
Ensuring compliance with local aviation regulations, including those related to safety, crew qualifications, and aircraft maintenance, can be a challenge when leasing aircraft across borders.
Market Demand:
The demand for wet and dry leasing options has fluctuated based on global economic conditions, airline recovery post-pandemic, and regional aviation market dynamics.
As airlines continue to recover from the global pandemic and face aircraft shortages, wet and dry leasing models are providing critical flexibility to maintain and expand operations. Wet leases, in particular, are an important tool to meet short-term needs, while dry leases enable long-term fleet expansion. However, challenges remain, including regulatory hurdles, cost considerations, and crew management, which will require careful strategic planning by airlines to ensure optimal use of these leasing models
India and Israel have recently signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), marking a significant development in their bilateral relationship. This agreement, which replaces the older BIT signed in 1996 and terminated in 2017, aims to bolster economic ties, with Israel becoming the first OECD country to adopt India’s new investment treaty model.
A Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) is a legal framework between two countries that protects and promotes investments made by investors from one country in the other country’s territory.
Investor Protection: Provides legal protections to investors, ensuring that investments are not expropriated by the host government without compensation.
Dispute Resolution: Allows investors to seek remedies through mechanisms like Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) or state-to-state disputes.
International Recognition: Recognized under Article 38(1)(a) of the International Court of Justice Statute as a primary source of international obligations.
India’s BIT framework has evolved over time, transitioning from the Old Model BIT (1993) to the New Model BIT (2015), with new agreements signed with countries such as Uzbekistan (2024), UAE (2024), and Kyrgyzstan (2025).
Investment Boost:
The BIT aims to increase bilateral investments between India and Israel, which currently stand at around USD 800 million.
Balanced Investor Protection:
The agreement ensures protection against expropriation or nationalization, requiring the host country to offer fair and prompt compensation in case of such actions.
Dispute Resolution:
The arbitration-based mechanism for dispute resolution aims to foster a stable investment environment, offering a transparent and predictable system for addressing disputes.
Transparency and Predictability:
The BIT requires both countries to maintain clear and predictable investment policies and regulations, thereby reducing uncertainty and strengthening investor confidence.
India’s New Model BIT (2015) introduces several key reforms to enhance investment protection while ensuring the host country retains the right to regulate. Some of the important features include:
Definition & Protection: An investment is defined as an enterprise that is constituted and operated in good faith by an investor under the laws of the host country.
Full Protection and Security: Both parties are mandated to provide full protection and security to investments and investors.
National Treatment: Foreign investors must be treated on par with domestic investors.
Exclusions Clause: Certain sectors like government procurement, taxation, and national security are excluded from BIT obligations.
ISDS Mechanism: Investors must first exhaust local remedies for 5 years before resorting to Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).
The bilateral relationship between India and Israel has grown significantly since the two countries established full diplomatic ties in 1992. Some key milestones in the relationship include:
Economic Ties: Bilateral trade reached USD 6.53 billion (excluding defense) in FY 2023-24, with India enjoying a trade surplus.
Innovation & Technology: Initiatives like the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Innovation Fund (I4F) (2023-2027) are aimed at fostering joint research and technological advancements.
Defense Cooperation: India is one of Israel’s largest defense customers, importing around 40% of its annual arms exports. Jointly developed projects include the Barak-8 missile system.
Regional Cooperation: The I2U2 Partnership, comprising India, Israel, the UAE, and the US, was launched to strengthen regional collaboration.
Cultural Exchange: Both countries have also worked on cultural exchanges and collaborated on sectors like health, agriculture, and water resource management.
Despite the positive strides in the BIT framework, India faces several challenges that could affect its attractiveness as an investment destination. Here are some of the key challenges and potential solutions:
Challenge: Ambiguities in terms like "investment" and customary international law (CIL) can lead to legal disputes.
Solution: India can work towards defining these terms precisely to reduce legal uncertainties.
Challenge: The requirement to exhaust local remedies before seeking international arbitration can cause delays.
Solution: Allow investors to choose between local courts or international arbitration at the outset of a dispute, ensuring faster resolution.
Challenge: Excluding Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) and Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) provisions reduces investor confidence, as they may feel they are not receiving treatment equal to that of investors from other countries.
Solution: India should consider incorporating MFN and FET provisions into BITs with safeguards to avoid treaty shopping and ensure non-discrimination.
Challenge: Not being a signatory to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Convention limits enforcement options for investors seeking redress.
Solution: India could become a signatory to the ICSID Convention, enhancing the credibility of its dispute resolution process and bolstering investor confidence.
The new Bilateral Investment Treaty with Israel represents a significant step in India’s evolving foreign investment strategy. The treaty is designed to boost trade and investment while ensuring that India retains the right to regulate sensitive sectors. By striking a balance between investor protection and sovereignty, this agreement lays a foundation for continued collaboration between India and Israel, fostering growth in key sectors like technology, defense, and innovation.
Punjab, often called the "Land of Five Rivers," is facing one of its most devastating floods in over 40 years, affecting all 23 districts, with 3.8 lakh people impacted and over 11.7 lakh hectares of farmland submerged. This catastrophic event has sparked debates on the underlying causes and systemic issues leading to recurring floods in the state.
Heavy Monsoon Rains:
Intense rainfall in the catchment areas (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab) has led to the swelling of rivers, especially when combined with cloudbursts.
This causes sudden flooding, overwhelming the riverbanks and drainage systems.
Geographical Vulnerability:
Punjab is drained by three perennial rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, as well as seasonal rivers like Ghaggar.
While these rivers contribute to Punjab’s agricultural fertility, they also make the state vulnerable to floods, particularly when water levels rise drastically during the monsoon.
Climate Change:
Erratic rainfall patterns caused by climate change are intensifying floods. The IPCC AR6 report highlights how increasingly unpredictable weather is exacerbating seasonal challenges, with more intense monsoons and extreme rainfall events.
Dam Management Issues:
Major dams like Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar release water during heavy rains, often without proper coordination. In 2025, unprecedented inflows led to sudden water releases, worsening the flooding in downstream areas.
Inadequate flood cushion in these dams is a significant issue. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has been criticized for not maintaining enough buffer during peak rainfall months, leaving limited capacity to absorb excess water.
Barrage Failures:
In August 2025, the Madhopur Barrage on the Ravi failed, releasing uncontrolled water and contributing to the flooding downstream.
Weak Embankments:
Dhussi bundhs (earthen embankments) have been poorly maintained, and illegal mining has further weakened flood protection structures.
Unregulated development in floodplains and deforestation has reduced natural buffers, making the region more vulnerable to floods.
Governance Gaps:
The lack of coordination between the Centre-controlled BBMB, state irrigation authorities, and local disaster management agencies has exacerbated flood responses.
Poor drainage systems, especially in the Malwa region, have worsened the flooding, causing waterlogging in fields and urban areas.
Centralized Control:
The major dams are centrally controlled, and Punjab has limited influence over flood management operations. This has led to issues with timely decision-making and coordination during flood events.
Reactive Approach:
The government often responds to flooding after it occurs, rather than taking preventive measures like strengthening embankments, desilting rivers, or improving drainage systems.
Weak Infrastructure:
The weak embankments and inadequate drainage systems make it difficult to manage and control floodwaters efficiently.
Underinvestment:
The lack of funding for flood control measures, such as desilting rivers and strengthening embankments, means that the necessary infrastructure upgrades remain unaddressed. An estimated Rs 4,000-5,000 crore is required to address these issues.
Climate Variability:
Increasingly erratic monsoons and extreme rainfall events, driven by climate change, are challenging the existing flood management strategies in Punjab.
Agricultural Devastation:
Over 4 lakh acres of farmland have been submerged, affecting key crops like paddy and basmati rice.
Farmers are likely to face economic hardship, as crops may be damaged, and land erosion and silt deposition further hinder recovery. This threatens Punjab's status as the food bowl of India.
Economic Fallout:
Farmers, already burdened with agricultural debt, are facing financial ruin. The economic impact will also affect agriculture-related industries and local economies.
Public Health Crisis:
Polluted floodwaters, particularly from rivers like Buddha Dariya, have led to “black floods” that carry industrial pollutants and untreated waste.
Health risks are high, including outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, dengue, and malaria.
Groundwater contamination and soil degradation are also long-term environmental concerns.
Social and Humanitarian Impact:
The flood has displaced thousands, with people needing food, shelter, and medical aid.
Vulnerable populations, especially women and children, are at heightened risk in these circumstances.
Scientific Dam Management:
Revise BBMB’s rule curves to incorporate climate forecasts and ensure a sufficient flood cushion during peak rainfall months. This would allow dams to store more water in the early months and release it gradually as per flood predictions.
Strengthening Embankments:
Invest in the maintenance and strengthening of dhussi bundhs and other flood barriers.
Satellite monitoring should be used to prevent illegal sand mining, which weakens embankments and flood defenses.
Integrated Flood Management:
Foster better coordination between the Centre and the state regarding dam releases and flood forecasting.
Introduce transparent communication channels to share flood information in real-time with local authorities and citizens.
Community-Centric Preparedness:
Enhance flood forecasting, digital alerts, and village-level preparedness plans using the C-FLOOD system. This system can integrate meteorological and hydrological data to provide early warnings and actionable insights to communities.
Climate-Resilient Infrastructure:
Build urban drainage systems capable of handling extreme rainfall events.
Restore wetlands and undertake river desilting to increase water absorption capacity, reducing the risk of flooding.
Promote the adoption of flood-resistant crops and diversify agriculture to reduce dependence on flood-prone Kharif crops.
Zero Casualty Approach:
Adopt a zero casualty approach through local monitoring, early warning systems, and mock drills to ensure quicker evacuation and preparedness.
Punjab’s flood crisis highlights how a combination of natural factors, human-induced issues, and inadequate infrastructure has transformed floods from a seasonal event to a major disaster. With improved governance, scientific water management, and climate-resilient infrastructure, Punjab can better manage these recurrent floods and protect its agricultural and economic future. The key lies in adopting a proactive, community-driven approach that integrates modern technology with traditional flood management practices
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has recently launched the BHARATI initiative, aimed at revolutionizing India's agricultural exports by empowering startups with innovative technologies and solutions.
BHARATI stands for Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement. It is a cutting-edge initiative designed to empower 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups by accelerating their journey, fostering innovation, and creating new export opportunities. Through this initiative, APEDA seeks to enhance India's global competitiveness in the agricultural and processed food sectors.
Empowering Agri-Tech Startups:
BHARATI aims to support 100 startups in the agri-food and agri-tech sectors.
Focus areas include innovation in high-value agri-products, such as GI-tagged products, organic foods, superfoods, livestock products, and AYUSH products.
Driving Innovation:
The initiative will promote technologies such as:
AI-based quality control
Blockchain-enabled traceability
IoT-enabled cold chains
Agri-fintech solutions
Sustainability and innovative packaging are also central to the program, addressing critical issues like product perishability, wastage, and logistics.
Achieving $50 Billion Agri-Food Export Target by 2030:
BHARATI is part of APEDA’s vision to achieve $50 billion in exports of agri-food products by 2030. This ambitious target will be supported by empowering young entrepreneurs and creating a collaborative ecosystem that strengthens India’s export potential.
Export Challenges and Solutions:
The initiative aims to tackle challenges related to product development, value addition, quality assurance, logistics, and perishability.
By focusing on scalable, cost-effective solutions, BHARATI will help startups overcome these barriers, thus enhancing India's competitive edge in the global market.
Collaborative Ecosystem:
The initiative will bring together key stakeholders from various sectors, including:
State agricultural boards
Agricultural universities
Premier institutions (e.g., IITs, NITs)
Industry bodies and accelerators
This collaboration aims to create an innovative export ecosystem that connects agri-food innovators, tech providers, and solution-driven startups.
Awareness and Engagement:
The initiative will launch a nationwide awareness campaign to attract startups across India. The campaign will raise awareness about the program and invite solution-oriented startups to apply.
Application and Selection Process:
Startups will undergo an application and selection process through the APEDA website. A total of 100 startups will be shortlisted for participation in the export enablement program.
Three-Month Acceleration Program:
Selected startups will undergo a three-month acceleration program, which will focus on:
Product development
Export readiness
Regulatory compliance
Market access and export challenges
This program will help startups fine-tune their offerings and become ready for international markets.
Annual Model for Export Enablement:
The first cohort will serve as a pilot model, with the intention of scaling it into an annual incubation program that drives continuous innovation and ensures long-term export growth for India.
Boosting Exports: The initiative is a significant step toward achieving India’s $50 billion agri-food export target by 2030. By fostering innovation and providing export-ready solutions, BHARATI will help Indian startups become competitive on the global stage.
Supporting Startups: By focusing on young agri-food and agri-tech entrepreneurs, the initiative provides them with the tools, resources, and network necessary to expand their businesses internationally. This could lead to new export opportunities, job creation, and economic growth.
Promoting Sustainability: The initiative will address sustainability challenges in agriculture, such as reducing food waste and improving the supply chain. It will also encourage the use of blockchain, AI, and other advanced technologies, enhancing product quality, traceability, and transparency.
Driving Innovation in High-Value Products: BHARATI's focus on GI-tagged products, organic foods, and superfoods will help India tap into premium global markets, positioning itself as a leader in these high-demand segments.
Collaborative Approach: By bringing together stakeholders from academia, industry, and government, BHARATI will create a robust ecosystem that encourages collaboration and the exchange of ideas, leading to sustainable growth and global recognition for India’s agri-food sector.
Infrastructure Development:
One of the critical challenges will be developing the infrastructure required to support large-scale agri-food exports. This includes cold storage chains, logistics networks, and quality control systems.
Global Market Penetration:
While the initiative will help startups become export-ready, penetrating global markets will require sustained efforts in terms of branding, marketing, and distribution networks.
Adapting to Global Standards:
To compete in international markets, startups must align with global quality standards and regulations. The acceleration program will focus on regulatory compliance, but continuous training and support will be necessary to keep pace with evolving global standards.
Sustaining Growth:
For long-term success, the BHARATI initiative must focus on ensuring that startups do not just enter the export market but are able to sustain and scale their operations. This will require continued access to capital, research, and market insights.
The BHARATI initiative is a game-changer for India's agri-food and agri-tech sectors. By focusing on innovation, export readiness, and collaboration, it offers a comprehensive solution to help Indian startups thrive in the global market. With its focus on sustainability, advanced technologies, and high-value products, BHARATI has the potential to drive significant growth in India’s agricultural exports, helping the country meet its ambitious targets for 2030
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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