- FROM PLOUGHS TO PANELS CULTIVATING A SOLAR POWERED FUTURE FOR FARMERS
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
- Agrivoltaics (APV): Co-locates solar PV panels with crops; enables dual land use (energy + farming); proposed in 1981 by German scientists.
- Benefits: Reduces evapotranspiration;
- Improves crop microclimate;
- Protects crops;
- Enables energy sales;
- Suits smallholder farmers.
- Challenges in India: High capital costs; no policy clarity; land use ambiguity; ground-mounted PVs dominate.
- Global Examples: Germany mandates 66% crop coverage; Japan, South Korea offer subsidies, FiTs.
- Policy Recommendations: Integrate APV into PM-KUSUM; offer subsidized loans, FiTs; reform land categorization
2. GENOME EDITED SEEDS TO MARK BEGINNING OF SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Two genome-edited rice varieties developed by ICAR; announced by Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as “Second Green Revolution.
- Genome editing is a biotechnology method where specific genes are altered or deleted using tools likeCRISPR-Cas9, without introducing foreign DNA.
- Unlike GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), genome-edited crops may not involve transgenes, and face fewer regulatory hurdles in many countries
- Policy Vision and Farmer Involvement
- The announcement aligns with the government’s push for”Amrit Kaal Agriculture”focused on: Sustainable intensification
- Scientific breakthroughs via ICAR ○ Farmer-centric research and feedback integration
- ICAR Director General M.L. Jat emphasized demand-driven research to ensure alignment with real-world needs of farmers.
3. CAN CHATGPT’S SHOPIFY DEAL HURT GOOGLE’S SEARCH BUSINESS
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- OpenAI integrates ChatGPT with Shopify for in-chat product discovery, recommendation, purchase; bypasses traditional search engines
- Threatens ad-driven model; reduces Click-Through Rates as users shop within ChatGPT; AI offers personalized, frictionless experience.
- Brands shift ad budgets to AI platforms; enhances visibility for small/niche sellers
- Builds user intent models; aims to rival Amazon, Google, Flipkart in e-commerce ecosystems.
- Signals shift to AI-native consumer platforms; redefines e commerce, digital advertising; raises concerns over platform dominance, data ownership
4. DEMISE OF FOREIGN AID IN INDIA
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- India’s declining foreign aid reliance; shift to FDI, trade partnerships over grants; FCRA restrictions curb NGO aid.
- Historical Context: Significant aid (1955-65); reduced post-1990s liberalization; focus on private capital.
- FCRA Impact:Amendments (2010, 2020, 2023) tightened NGO funding; many lost registration, especially advocacy-focused groups.
- Reasons: Economic nationalism; distrust of foreign influence; NGOs’ dissent on land, environment, rights.
- Consequences: Unemployment in voluntary sector; disrupted grassroots projects (health, education, tribal areas); weakened democratic oversight.
5. INDIA GROWTH STRATEGY MUST FOCUS ON BOOSTING DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- April 2025 GST collection at ₹2.37 lakh crore (₹2.09 lakh crore net), up 12.6% YoY; driven by year-end filings, 87% fintech adoption, MSME compliance.
- Trade Dynamics: Exporter refunds up 86%; GST from imports rose 20.8%; PMI (manufacturing) at 58.2, fueled by 14-year high in US export orders (pre-tariff rush).
- Fiscal and Taxation Context
- Since its launch in 2017, theGST regimehas consistently boosted indirect tax revenue.
- The current surge is also reflective of fintech-led transparency and better regulatory tracking of MSMEs.
- Refund speed has improved, benefiting small businesses struggling with working capital issues.
- Global Trade Shift – A significant realignment of global supply chains is underway.
- India is emerging as an alternative to China, especially for U.S. markets due to tariff uncertainties under ongoing U.S.-China tensions.
- Firms like Apple plan to source most iPhones for the U.S. from India in the upcoming fiscal.
