Why in news:

World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22 every year! This special day provides the opportunity for cause-related organizations, NGOs, zoos, and members of the public to celebrate rhinos in their own unique ways.

UPSC Relevance:

UPSC CSE in prelims examination has focused on Species in news. Every year UPSC had asked at least one question related to species. A case in point is a following PYQ.

UPSC PYQ:

Q. Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to (2012)

(a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species

(b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle

(c) scarcity of food available to them

(d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them.

About Rhinos:

• The Indian rhino is the largest of the three Asian species and shares its single horn characteristic with the Javan rhino. The Sumatran rhino, in contrast, has two horns, a trait linking Asian and African rhinos.
• Rhino Ecology: Rhinos play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems. As mega-herbivores, they shape grasslands by grazing, creating open spaces that benefit other wildlife. Their wallowing behavior also creates waterholes, supporting various species.
• Biology: Indian rhinos are known for their single horn and thick, armor-like skin. Adults can weigh up to 2,800 kg and live for 45-50 years, feeding primarily on grass, leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants.
• Habitat: Rhinos thrive in floodplain grasslands, swamps, and riverine forests, particularly in the Terai region of India and Nepal.
• Distribution: Indian rhinos are primarily found in protected areas in Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.

Rhino Species:

1. Black Rhino
2. White Rhino
3. One-Horned Rhino
4. Javan: Javan rhinos are the most threatened of the five rhino species, with only around 76 individuals that live only in Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia.
5. Sumatran Rhino: Critically Endangered. It has gone extinct in Malaysia.

The Greater One-Horned Rhino:

• The greater one-horned rhino, found primarily in the Indian subcontinent.
• With over 70% of its population residing in Assam’s Kaziranga.

One-Horned Rhino: Vulnerable

• Assam is collectively home to 80% of the global population of greater one-horned rhinos. Rhino population growth in Assam from the 1960s (600 rhinos) to 2024 (over 4,000 rhinos).
• An expansion of over 200 sq km in Orang National Park and the reclaiming of 12.82 sq km in Laokhowa–Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, emphasizes habitat growth for rhinos.
• Newly declared protected areas, such as Siknajhar National Park and Poba Wildlife
  Sanctuary.

Conservation Efforts?

• National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019): Launched in 2019, this strategy aims to ensure the long-term survival and protection of the greater one-horned rhinoceros in India through coordinated conservation efforts.
• Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (2005): Initiated in 2005, this ambitious program set the target of increasing the wild population of greater one-horned rhinos to at least 3,000 individuals by 2020. The vision also sought to distribute this population across seven protected areas in Assam, thereby reducing risks of concentrated threats and ensuring genetic diversity.

Why in news:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will officially retire its legendary MiG-21 fighter jets . A ceremonial flypast and decommissioning event will be held at Chandigarh Air Base, attended by senior military leaders and veterans.

UPSC Relevance:

Defense Sector

UPSC PYQ:

Q. Consider the following aircraft:
1. Rafael
2. MiG-29
3. Tejas MK-1
How many of above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft?

[A] Only one

[B] Only two

[C] All three

[D] None

• It was first inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1963, making it India’s first-ever supersonic jet.
• The MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft.
• It was designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (OKB) of the former Soviet Union.
• India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) built 657 MiG-21s under a license granted by Russia.
• It is the second most produced jet aircraft in the world.
• The MiG-21 is considered a third-generation fighter jet.

India had used the MiG 21 aircraft in almost all military operations since its induction in 1963 except the Operation Meghdoot. These operations include the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, the 1999 Kargil War, the Balakot airstrikes in 2019 and also the Operation Sindoor in 2025. 

Context:

The recent changes made by USA with regards to H-1B visa, specially the hike in visa fees might have economic and political repercussions for India.

Recent changes in U.S. H-1B visa policy?

• Wage-Based Selection System: Replacing the lottery with a wage-based selection system, ranking and selecting registrations based on the highest wage level.
• Increased Fees: H-1B visa fee increased to $100,000.

UPSC Relevance: International relations.

What is the H-1B Visa?

• It is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialized fields, require at least a bachelor’s degree or higher in related specific field.
• H1B visa requires a U.S. employer to act as a sponsor. A foreign national cannot apply for an H1B visa on their own.
• Duration: Valid for an initial period of three years, can be extended for another three years, for a total maximum stay of six years.
• Dual Intent: Temporary visa which provide visa holders the option to apply for permanent residency (a Green Card).
• Annual Cap: 85,000 H-1B visas; 65,000 visas under the general cap and an additional 20,000 reserved for individuals who have earned a U.S. master’s degree.
• Lottery System: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses a lottery system to select eligible candidates.

Why the H-1B visa is crucial for the U.S. economy?

• Addresses Skill Gaps: Launched in 1990 to help employers acquire business skills and abilities unavailable in the domestic workforce – filling talent gap in the U.S. labour market.
• Drives Innovation: Skilled immigrants boost innovation and productivity within the U.S. economy, maintaining the U.S.’s competitive edge in global markets.  Aravind Srinivas, an IIT Madras graduate and CEO of the AI search firm Perplexity, is a prime example. Leading tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have relied heavily on H-1B workers to fuel growth and innovation.
• Supports Industries: Companies in technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, and research, have benefited. In FY 2025, Amazon led H-1B visa approvals with 10,044, followed by TCS (5,505), Microsoft Corp (5,189), Meta (5,123), Apple (4,202), and Google (4,181). (Source: USCIS)
• Strengthens International Partnerships: Promote a strong “people-to-people link” between the U.S. and countries like India, enhancing soft power of US.

Why H-1B visa program is important for India?

• Dominance in the Program: Indians are the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program, accounting for more than 70% of all H-1B petitions approved each year since 2015. China comes 2nd with 12-13% since 2018.
• Economic Contributions: Indian H-1B workers contribute to the Indian economy via remittances. Share of the US in India’s total inwards remittances is the largest; 27.7% in 2023-24 (about $32 billion), as per RBI’s data.
• IT Sector Growth and Outsourcing: American companies find difficult to substitute Indians with equally skilled American people, reason for Indian dominance.  
• Bilateral Relations: Serves as a strong “people-to-people link” between the U.S. and India, supporting their strategic partnership in technology, healthcare, defence, and economic initiatives.

Controversies related to H-1B visa program

• U.S. Criticism: Aligns with anti-immigration rhetoric and accusations that the program undercuts American workers.
• Political Polarization: Immigration remains one of the most divisive issues in U.S. politics, with the discourse shifting from illegal immigration to programs like H-1B.
• Wage Disparities: Critics allege that American corporations use H-1B visas to hire overseas talent at cheaper costs than what it would take to hire native-born U.S. citizens.

Way Forward for India

• Diversify Job Opportunities Domestically: Strengthen domestic R&D and start-up ecosystem to diversify job opportunities, provide options to talented India, however, it could impact remittances but in the long run develop Indian IT and start-up ecosystem as a global hub.
• Cooperating with US: India supports legislative efforts, such as the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act to eliminate the per-country cap on employment-based green cards.  Such reforms would reduce backlog for Indian nationals and ensure fairer access to permanent residency.
• Promoting Bilateral Mobility: Promote bilateral skilled mobility agreements and remote work frameworks with other countries, to expand opportunities for Indians.
• Bilateral Negotiations: Strengthen bilateral engagement with the U.S. on immigration issues to recognize the mutual benefits of skilled migration. Tightening the H-1B program could strain bilateral ties, while policies supporting mobility could strengthen U.S.-India tech and defence partnerships and reinforce mutual economic benefits.
• Diversification of Markets: Indian IT sector should reduce its dependence on the U.S. market. Current H-1B restrictions could push professionals towards opportunities in other regions like Canada or the EU, or encourage remote work models.
• Promoting Reverse Migration: Create opportunities to attract skilled professionals back to India, encouraging tech innovation, could lead American firms to engage more directly in the Indian market rather than bringing Indian talent to the U.S.

The H-1B program remains a focal point in U.S. immigration policy. While it is vital for maintaining the country’s competitive edge, debates over its economic and social impact continue. Future reforms will likely aim to balance the interests of businesses, foreign workers, and the domestic workforce, ensuring the program aligns with national priorities.