Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. Climate phenomena such as Western Disturbances, El Niño and heatwaves are increasingly influencing India’s weather patterns. Discuss their impact on agriculture, public health and disaster management.
- Q. Increasing the number of judges alone cannot solve the problem of judicial pendency in India. Discuss in the context of the recent proposal to expand the strength of the Supreme Court. (15 M)
Q. Climate phenomena such as Western Disturbances, El Niño and heatwaves are increasingly influencing India’s weather patterns. Discuss their impact on agriculture, public health and disaster management.
(GS Paper I: Geography – Physical Geography – Climate phenomena – Western Disturbances, El Niño and heatwaves)
Introduction:
India’s weather is influenced by several climate phenomena such as Western Disturbances, ENSO, El Niño, La Niña, and heatwaves. These phenomena affect rainfall, temperature, monsoon behaviour and extreme weather events. Their impact is especially important for a country like India, where agriculture, water resources and livelihoods are closely linked with climate.
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Impact on Agriculture
- El Niño may weaken the southwest monsoon and create dry spells in major agricultural regions.
- Poor rainfall can reduce soil moisture and affect crops such as paddy, pulses, cotton and oilseeds.
- Western Disturbances bring winter rainfall to North India, which is useful for rabi crops like wheat.
- However, strong or unseasonal Western Disturbances may cause hailstorms and crop damage.
- Heatwaves can reduce crop productivity by increasing evaporation and heat stress on plants.
Impact on Public Health
- Heatwaves increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
- High humidity raises wet bulb temperature, making it difficult for the human body to cool itself through sweating.
- Outdoor workers, elderly people, children and people with diseases are more vulnerable.
- Urban areas may face greater heat stress due to the urban heat island effect.
- Higher temperatures also increase demand for drinking water and electricity.
Impact on Disaster Management
- Extreme weather events require strong early warning systems and local preparedness.
- Heatwaves need district-level Heat Action Plans.
- Unseasonal rainfall due to Western Disturbances can cause local flooding, crop loss and disruption of transport.
- Weak monsoon conditions during El Niño years may increase drought risk.
- Disaster management agencies must coordinate with IMD, health departments and local bodies.
Way Forward
- Strengthen IMD-based local weather forecasting and early warnings.
- Prepare and update Heat Action Plans for vulnerable districts.
- Promote climate-resilient crops and efficient irrigation.
- Provide shade, drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers.
- Increase urban green cover and cool-roof practices.
- Improve coordination between disaster management authorities, agriculture departments and local governments.
Conclusion:
Climate phenomena such as Western Disturbances, El Niño and heatwaves are no longer only scientific terms; they directly affect India’s agriculture, health, economy and disaster preparedness. A climate-resilient approach based on forecasting, awareness, adaptation and local planning is essential for reducing risks and protecting vulnerable communities.
Q. The Mission for Cotton Productivity can play a crucial role in improving farmer income and strengthening India’s textile value chain. Discuss. (GS Paper III: Agriculture, Cropping Patterns, Inclusive Growth, Industrial Growth)
(GS Paper III – Internal Security | Defence Technology | Cyber Warfare | Nuclear Deterrence)
Introduction:
Cotton is one of India’s most important commercial crops and the backbone of the textile industry. India has the largest area under cotton cultivation, but its productivity remains low compared to global leaders. To address this issue, the Government launched the Mission for Cotton Productivity as a five-year initiative under the Union Budget 2025–26.
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Importance of the Mission
1. Improving Cotton Productivity
India accounts for nearly 40% of the world’s cotton area, but ranks low in productivity. The mission aims to improve yield through high-yielding, pest-resistant and climate-smart cotton varieties.
2. Supporting Farmer Income
Higher productivity and better fibre quality can increase farmers’ returns. It will also reduce crop losses caused by pests such as pink bollworm.
3. Strengthening Textile Value Chain
The mission follows the 5F Vision:
Farm → Fibre → Factory → Fashion → Foreign
This will ensure better linkage between cotton farmers, textile industries and export markets.
4. Reducing Import Dependence
India’s cotton imports have increased in recent years. Better domestic production can reduce import dependence and support self-reliance.
5. Promoting Export Competitiveness
Focus on Extra Long Staple cotton, quality testing and branding through Kasturi Cotton India can improve India’s position in global textile markets.
Challenges
- Low productivity compared to USA, China and Brazil
- Pink bollworm infestation and resistance to Bt cotton
- No new GM cotton approval since 2006
- Low adoption of Extra Long Staple cotton
- Climate stress, water shortage and poor market linkages
Way Forward
- Promote advanced breeding and biotechnology with proper biosafety checks
- Scale up Integrated Pest Management
- Encourage micro-irrigation and climate-smart farming
- Provide premium MSP and contract farming support for ELS cotton
- Use AI-based pest alerts, remote sensing and digital traceability
- Link cotton clusters with PM MITRA textile parks
Conclusion:
The Mission for Cotton Productivity can transform India’s cotton sector by improving productivity, farmer income, textile quality and export competitiveness. If implemented with scientific planning and farmer participation, it can strengthen India’s goal of becoming a global textile manufacturing hub by 2030.
