Context:

In his recent visit to Tamil Nadu, Indian Prime Minister presented a vision for making India a hub of Natural Farming.

UPSC Relevance:

Agriculture.

PYQ:

Q.) How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? (2021)

1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.

2. Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.

3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.

4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 
(b) 1, 2 and 4 
(c) 4 only 
(d) 2 and 3

What is Natural Farming?

• Natural Farming is a chemical-free traditional farming method that relies on minimal external inputs and emphasizes sustainability. It is considered as an agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity. It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; maintaining soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.
• It is gaining popularity in India due to its reduced cost, improved soil health, and eco-friendly practices. It has many indigenous forms in India, the most popular one is practiced in Andhra Pradesh called Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).

Four Pillars of Natural Farming?

What are the similarities and Differences between Organic and Natural Farming?

• Similarities between Organic and Natural Farming:
  • Organic and Natural farming are both non-chemical systems of farming. These are based on diversity, on-farm biomass management and biological nutrient recycling. Diversity, rotation multiple cropping and resource recycling are the key similarities between Organic and Natural Farming.

Differences between Organic and Natural Farming?

About National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):

• Scheme Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Aim: To strengthen sustainable agriculture, enhance soil health, restore ecosystems, reduce farmers’ input costs, and build climate resilience and safe food systems.
• Coverage: 7.5 lakh hectares across 15,000 natural farming clusters.

Objectives of NMNF:

• Livestock Integration: Popularize livestock-based models (preferably local cow breeds) integrating agriculture and animal husbandry.
• Sustainable Farming: Promote nature-based systems using on-farm bio-inputs to reduce dependency on purchased inputs and lower input costs.
• Soil & Sustainability: Improve soil health and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
• Research & Extension: Strengthen agro-ecological research and extension services through ICAR, KVKs, and Agricultural Universities.
• Knowledge Integration: Combine farmer experience with scientific expertise to develop location-specific NF practices.
• Standards & Certification: Establish scientifically supported standards and farmer-friendly certification for chemical-free produce.
• National Branding: Create and promote a single national brand for naturally grown chemical-free produce.

Components of NMNF:

• Natural Farming Clusters: MNF targets 7.5 lakh hectares across 15,000 natural farming clusters, each covering  50 ha and 125 farmers.
• Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs): 10,000 need-based centres to be set-up for easy availability of ready-to-use inputs for farmers.
• Community Support: Deployment of two Krishi Sakhis/Community Resource Persons (CRPs) per cluster to guide farmers and raise community awareness.

Implementation:

• Training Programs: Extensive training through KVKs, Agricultural Universities, local NF institutions, and model demonstration farms.
• Incentives: Output-based incentive of ₹4,000 per acre per year for up to 1 acre per farmer over two years.
• Certification: Simple farmer-friendly certification system managed by National Centre for Organic & Natural Farming (NCONF) under Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) – India.
• Monitoring: Real-time geo-tagged monitoring through the NMNF Portal.

Convergence & Policy Integration:

• Student Engagement:  Students will be engaged in NMNF through the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) program and dedicated Undergraduate, Postgraduate & Diploma courses on NF.
• Coordination with Central and State Government schemes: Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, Food Processing, Panchayati Raj, AYUSH, Cooperation, and Animal Husbandry.
• Market Linkages: Engagement with National and International organisations for livestock enhancement, NF demonstration farms, and local market linkages via APMCs, Haats, and depots.

What are other government initiatives to promote natural Farming in India?

What is the significance of Natural Farming for India?

1. Reduction of India’s fertilizer subsidy bill- India’s fertilizer subsidy bill, driven by a spike in natural gas and other raw material prices, was around ₹1.3 trillion in 2021-22. Promoting natural farming can reduce these costs to the exchequer.

2. Improving small and marginal farmers’ income– It is estimated that natural farming will reduce cost of cultivation by 60-70%. A study undertaken by Andhra University (which surveyed over 3500 natural and conventional farms) revealed that average net returns from natural farming were 50% higher than conventional farming.

3. Reduced dependence on credit- A panel survey of 260 farm households which were surveyed in 2018-19 and 2019-20, found that natural farming reduced the dependence on credit, freeing many farmers from exploitative and interlinked input and credit markets.

4. More flexible than organic farming- Organic farming is more about certification, while natural farming is a gradual process. But, there is relative flexibility in natural farming for adoption. This makes it easier for small farmers to transition.

5. Benefit to end consumers- At present, consumers are forced to purchase food with chemical residues in it. Certified organic food is more expensive, but the sheer cost savings in natural farming can ensure safe food at affordable prices.

6. Environmental and Health Benefits- Improved soil health, fertility, and biodiversity due to natural farming will increase resilience to climate risks like waterlogging, floods, and droughts.

7. Reduction of Ocean acidification- Since natural farming eliminates chemical fertilisers and pesticides, it reduces ocean acidification and marine pollution from land-based activities.

8. Health Benefits– Reduced exposure to harmful chemicals improves the health of farmers and prevents carcinogenic disease.

What are the challenges in adopting natural farming?

1. Lack of Awareness and Knowledge- Limited access to training and capacity-building programs hampers their ability to effectively adopt natural farming.

2. Lack of adequate budgetary support- There is limited support from the Central Government with India’s National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture receiving only 0.8% of the agricultural budget.

3. Economic threats to India’s crop protection industry- India’s crop protection industry is valued at ₹18,000 crores. Promoting natural methods will threaten the very existence of their entire business ecosystem.

4. Lack of dedicated supply chains- Natural farming produce often lacks dedicated supply chains and certifications, making it hard to differentiate in the market.

5. Perceived Lower Yields- There are concerns about the perceived lower yields with the adoption of natural farming.

What should be done to promote natural farming?

1. Adoption of balanced approach while promoting natural farming- The experience of Sri Lanka must be kept in mind where the Government at once prohibited the use and import of chemical fertilizers leading to massive drop in production and shortage of food.

2. Adequate time and awareness campaigns- The government should provide adequate time, promote awareness campaigns. Civil Society Organizations can be engaged to promote farmer-to-farmer capacity building for sustainable agriculture. The Andhra model of widespread adoption of natural farming can be emulated.

3. Validation by scientific research- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research should design a curriculum on natural farming.

4. Shifting the National policy focus from food to nutrition security- Government should support the transition and bear short-term losses. Instead of input-based subsidies for fertilizer and power, the focus should be to incentivize outcomes like nutrition output, water conservation and desertification reversal.

Why in News?

The Supreme Court has permitted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take any proactive measure – even beyond the prescribed GRAP stages – to control severe pollution in Delhi-NCR.

This is significant because:

• CAQM normally acts stage-wise under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
• Now it has a free hand to impose higher restrictions earlier
• The Supreme Court has emphasised regular monitoring, showing judicial seriousness
• The Court is prioritising health, especially of children

What Triggered the Supreme Court’s Intervention?

• Delhi-NCR pollution remains extremely high every winter
• CAQM submitted a note recommending extra restrictions
• These measures fall under higher GRAP stages, but CAQM wanted to apply them earlier

The Supreme Court responded by saying “Any proactive measure of CAQM to reduce air pollution is welcome”.

Thus, CAQM can now advance measures instead of waiting for pollution to worsen.

PYQ:

GS-III – 2021

Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards?

Practice Question

Q. Describe the major sources of air pollution in India. How can air quality be improved in urban areas?

What is GRAP?

• GRAP = Graded Response Action Plan
• Implemented by CAQM
• Provides stage-wise pollution control measures
• Triggered when AQI crosses certain levels

GRAP Stages

1. Stage I – AQI 201–300 (Poor)
2. Stage II – AQI 301–400 (Very Poor)
3. Stage III – AQI 401–450 (Severe)
4. Stage IV – AQI > 450 (Severe+)

Normally, measures cannot be taken out of turn, but now the SC has allowed flexibility.

What Did CAQM Propose?

Short-term Measures (Immediate Winter Measures)

• Advance Work-From-Home (WFH) and 50% attendance (GRAP-IV) → apply in GRAP-III
•  Staggered office timings → apply in GRAP-II
•  Improve public transport frequency (buses + metro)
•  Intelligent traffic management + synchronised signals
•  Fast notification of vehicle aggregator policy
•  Better monitoring of cab aggregators (Uber/Ola)
•  Restrict BS-III vehicles from exemptions (The Supreme Court gave an order in August protecting many older vehicles, including BS-III vehicles, from immediate penalties.)

CAQM also highlighted concerns about sports events in schools during peak pollution.

Supreme Court’s Directions

1) CAQM can take any proactive measure, but must consult stakeholders

2) Direct state governments to:

• Stop children’s outdoor sports during November–December
• Fill vacancies in Pollution Control Boards
• Provide subsistence allowance to daily-wage workers affected by GRAP restrictions
• Expedite aggregator policy implementation

3) SC will regularly monitor air pollution cases

Long-term Measures Proposed by CAQM

(1) Review of Electric Vehicle Policies

• Push for faster EV adoption.

(2) Higher Environmental Cess

• On luxury diesel SUVs (>2000 cc).
• Current cess = only 1% → too low.
• Funds to be used for air pollution abatement.

(3) No New Coal Power Plants Within 300 km of Delhi

• A crucial step because coal plants are major contributors to PM2.5.

(4) Waste Management Reforms

• Road redevelopment with green shoulders by Planting vegetation along roadsides to reduce dust and heat.
• Liquidation of legacy waste (old garbage dumped in landfills for 10–30+ years, example: Ghazipur, Bhalswa, Okhla).
• Strict processing of construction & demolition (C&D) waste (Collecting → Transporting → Sending it to C&D processing plants → Recycling into tiles, bricks, aggregates)

Context:

India’s Eight Core Industries Index recorded 0% growth in October 2025, marking the worst performance in 14 months (since August 2024). Despite growth in steel, cement, fertilizers, and refinery products, these gains were neutralized by contractions in coal, electricity, natural gas, and crude oil.

UPSC Relevance:

Economy

UPSC PYQ:

Q. In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight? (2015)

(a) Coal production
(b) Electricity generation
(c) Fertilizer production
(d) Steel production

About Eight Core Industries:

• The Index of Eight Core Industries evaluates the collective and individual performance of selected key industries in terms of production.
• The index is compiled and published by the Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• The eight core industries, in descending order of their weight: Refinery Products (28.04%) > Electricity (19.85%) > Steel (17.92%) > Coal (10.33%) > Crude Oil (8.98%) > Natural Gas (6.88%) > Cement (5.37%) > Fertilizers (2.63%)
• These eight major industries account for 40.27% of the items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Practice Question:

Which of the following have the highest and lowest weight among the eight core industries?

a) Coal, Electricity
b) Cement, Steel
c) Refinery Products, Fertilizers
d) Crude Oil, Natural Gas

Context:

For the first time since the launch of India’s Cheetah Reintroduction Project, an Indian-born female cheetah named Mukhi has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. This marks a major breakthrough because until now, only imported African cheetahs had reproduced.

UPSC PYQ:

Q. Consider the following: (2012)

1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

About Cheetah:

• As keystone species, cheetahs play a vital role in sustaining productive ecosystems by regulating the food chain and maintaining healthy herbivore populations.
• The gestation period is between 90 to 95 days.
• Cheetahs are big cats known for being the world’s fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of up to 60-70 miles per hour. 
• They can be differentiated from other big cats by their narrow shoulder blades and long limbs, which they use to reach their top speeds.
• Interestingly, cheetahs are one of the only big cats that cannot roar; instead, they chirp, purr, and make other vocalizations.
• Females live independently or with their cubs, who stay with their mother until about 18 months of age. 
• Once found throughout Africa and Asia, cheetahs now inhabit around 10% of their historic range. They are found in southern and eastern Africa, with a small critically endangered population of Asiatic cheetahs in Iran. 

 Project Cheetah?

• India launched Project Cheetah in 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs, extinct in the country for over 70 years.
• Implementation and Governance: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, implements Project Cheetah in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa were relocated to Kuno National Park, where they exhibited natural behaviors.