Daily Current Affairs - 4th November 2025
Source: The Indian Express
Relevance: GS Paper–III: Science and Technology ,Environment and Ecology
Important Keywords:
For Prelims:
Cloud Seeding, Silver Iodide, Salt Mixture, CAIPEEX
For Mains:
Effectiveness of cloud seeding, India’s scientific experiments, CAIPEEX findings, limitations in post-monsoon atmosphere, and implications for air pollution control.
Why in News?
In November 2025, the Delhi government, with IIT Kanpur and IITM Pune, attempted cloud seeding to curb pollution. Experts warned of low success in winter due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Background
Every winter, Delhi’s air quality plunges to hazardous levels due to a mix of factors — crop residue burning, vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and unfavourable weather conditions. In search of quick fixes, authorities often turn to experimental technologies like cloud seeding or smog towers, despite limited scientific evidence supporting their long-term effectiveness.
What is Cloud Seeding?
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique aimed at inducing artificial rainfall by dispersing certain substances into clouds, such as:
- Silver Iodide (AgI)
- Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
- Potassium Iodide (KI)
These substances act as condensation nuclei, around which water vapour condenses or ice crystals form, potentially resulting in rain.
However, the technique works only on specific types of clouds—particularly hygroscopic clouds (warm-rain clouds) that already contain adequate moisture.
History of Cloud Seeding
Global Developments:
- 1940s (U.S.): scientists William Schaefer and Bernard Vonnegut discovered that dry ice could induce ice crystal formation, causing snowfall over Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This led to Project Cirrus, an early but failed attempt to modify hurricanes.
- 1950s–60s: Cloud seeding spread globally — the Soviets used it to clear skies over Leningrad, the U.S. launched Project Skywater using silver iodide, and China used it to ensure clear skies during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
India’s Experience:
- 1952 (Kolkata): First experiment by S.K. Banerji (IMD DG) using salt and silver iodide through hydrogen balloons.
- 1962 (Delhi): Attempted cloud seeding again, but it failed.
- 1970s onward: Moved to aircraft-based seeding using salt sprays, with research focusing on cloud microphysics, condensation, and rain-bearing cloud formation.
Delhi Trials 2025
- Conducted by: IIT Kanpur
- Objective: Induce rainfall to reduce smog and particulate matter.
Outcome:
- Two flights conducted; flares released into clouds.
- Only light drizzle reported in parts of Delhi.
- No significant rainfall recorded.
- Minor improvement in air quality observed.
Challenges:
- Poor cloud quality with low moisture content below 15%.
- Post-monsoon atmosphere not suitable for droplet formation.
- CAIPEEX had earlier shown only monsoon clouds yield measurable rain.
Next Steps:
- Despite limited success, IIT Kanpur plans to continue trials during the season.
Scientific Limitations of Cloud Seeding
Lack of Suitable Clouds in Winter:
- Hygroscopic clouds, necessary for seeding, mainly form during pre-monsoon and monsoon
- Between November and January, their occurrence over Delhi falls to 5–10%, compared to around 50% during monsoon months.
- Thus, winter conditions rarely support effective seeding.
Temperature and Aerosol Interactions:
- Light drizzles in cool weather can worsen pollution instead of reducing it.
- PM2.5 particles attach to micro-droplets, forming secondary aerosols, which lead to a rebound in pollution levels.
Short-Lived Benefits:
- Even when successful, rainfall effects are temporary.
- Pollutants quickly re-accumulate as emissions from vehicles, industries, and biomass continue.
The CAIPEEX Project
- Full Name: Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment
- Initiated by: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune in 2009.
- Objective: Scientific assessment of cloud seeding’s impact on rainfall.
- Study Period: 2017–2019 over Solapur, Maharashtra, a drought-prone region.
- Method:
- Aircraft fired calcium chloride flares (no silver iodide) into selected clouds.
- Compared seeded and unseeded clouds using radar and ground data.
- Findings:
- 46% more rainfall in seeded clouds.
- 18% more rainfall downwind across a 100 sq. km area.
- Total enhancement: 867 million litres of extra water.
- Significance:
Provided quantifiable evidence that seeding can enhance rainfall under favourable monsoon conditions.
Policy Implications and the Way Forward
Strengthen Long-Term Mitigation:
- Transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and electric mobility.
- Promote public transport and traffic decongestion strategies.
Year-Round Monitoring:
- Implement continuous source apportionment studies.
- Establish airshed-level emission inventories for better forecasting.
Scientific Validation:
- Any experimental technology like cloud seeding must undergo rigorous evaluation before large-scale deployment.
- Focus should shift from quick fixes to sustainable solutions.
Conclusion
Delhi’s cloud seeding trials reflect scientific curiosity but not sustainable problem-solving. Artificial rain offers short-term psychological relief rather than measurable environmental gains. Air pollution in Delhi is a systemic and regional issue, demanding coordinated action across states, backed by credible science, clean energy transition, and strong public awareness.Until emissions are controlled at the source, no amount of artificial rain can wash away Delhi’s toxic air.
UPSC PYQ
Artificial rainfall for pollution reduction uses: (IAS/2025)
(a) Silver nitrate and potassium iodide
(b) Silver iodide and potassium iodide
(c) Silver iodide and potassium nitrate
(d) Silver nitrate and potassium chloride
CARE MCQ
With reference to Cloud Seeding in India, consider the following statements:
- The first cloud seeding experiment in India was conducted by IMD in 1952.
- The CAIPEEX project recorded about 46% more rainfall in seeded clouds.
- The Delhi 2025 trials successfully induced widespread rainfall.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: Conducted by IMD under S.K. Banerji in 1952.
- Statement 2 – Correct: CAIPEEX observed 46% more rainfall in seeded clouds.
- Statement 3 – Incorrect: Delhi trials produced only light drizzle, not widespread rainfall.
Source: The Indian Express, The Hindu
Relevance: GS Paper III – Fiscal Policy and Public Expenditure
Important Keywords for Prelims & Mains:
For Prelims:
8th Pay Commission, Fitment Factor, Dr. Aykroyd’s Formula, Pay matrix system
Why in News?
- The Union Cabinet (Oct 28, 2025) approved the Terms of Reference for the 8th Central Pay Commission, enabling revision of pay, pension, and allowances for ~1.2 crore employees and pensioners.
- Recommendations will be effective from January 1, 2026, with announcements expected by April 2027.
- The Fitment Factor is the key multiplier determining the increase in basic pay and pension.
- It’s a number used to multiply your current basic salary to get your new basic pay after a Pay Commission revision.
- It is decided by a Pay Commission (CPC) appointed by the government, based on an in-depth analysis of various economic and social factors.
- It helps fix the new salary and pension for government employees.
Example (7th Pay Commission)
- The fitment factor was 2.57.
- So, if your old basic pay was ₹10,000 → new pay = ₹10,000 × 2.57 = ₹25,700.
Why It Matters
The fitment factor affects:
- Minimum and maximum pay levels.
- Overall salary and pension hike.
- Dearness Allowance (DA) reset to zero after revision.
A higher factor means a bigger salary hike but also more government spending.
Final number will depend on inflation, cost of living, and Dr. Aykroyd’s formula.
Dr. Aykroyd’s Formula (How Minimum Pay Is Calculated)
- Created by Dr. Wallace Aykroyd, a British nutrition expert.
- Decides minimum wages based on:
- Prices of food, clothes, rent, and fuel.
- Family needs and cost of living.
Updated by the Labour Bureau (Shimla) to match inflation.
8th Pay Commission:
Possible salary hikes:
| Fitment Factor | New Minimum Pay (₹) | Increase (%) |
| 1.8 | 32,400 | +80% |
| 2.0 | 36,000 | +100% |
| 2.46 | 44,280 | +146% |
| 2.57 | 46,260 | +157% |
Composition of the 8th Pay Commission:
- Chairperson: Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, Former Supreme Court Judge and Chairperson of the Press Council of India.
- Member (Part-time): Professor Pulak Ghosh, IIM Bangalore.
- Member-Secretary: Pankaj Jain, Petroleum Secretary.
Mandate and Terms of Reference (ToR):
The Eighth Pay Commission will:
- Review and recommend the structure of pay, allowances, and pensions for Central Government employees.
- Consider fiscal prudence and availability of resources for developmental and welfare expenditure.
- Assess impact on State finances, since most States adopt the recommendations with modifications.
- Compare pay structure with that of Public Sector Undertakings and the private sector.
- New addition: Examine the unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes, i.e., Old Pension Scheme (OPS) — reflecting ongoing debate over OPS vs NPS.
Pay Commission’s Role in India:
- Constituted every decade since Independence to revise salaries, pensions, and allowances of Central Government employees.
- Seven Commissions have been set up so far — the Seventh CPC (2016) being the latest implemented.
- These reviews significantly affect the Government’s fiscal position and consumption patterns across the economy.
Pay Commission
- A Pay Commission is a body set up by the Central Government to review and recommend changes in the salary, allowances, and pensions of government employees.
- Nodal Department: Functions under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
- Constituted roughly every 10 years.
- History: The first Pay Commission was established in 1946; since Independence, seven commissions have been formed.
- Latest Commission: The 7th Pay Commission, set up in 2014, implemented in 2016, currently governs pay and pension structures.
- Nature of Recommendations: Advisory, not binding — the government may accept or modify recommendations.
Timeline:
Pay Commission | Effective Date | Implementation Lag |
Fifth CPC | January 1996 | 19 months |
Sixth CPC | January 2006 | 32 months |
Seventh CPC | January 2016 | 6 months |
Eighth CPC | January 2026 (effective) | Expected implementation April 2027 |
Fiscal Impact:
- Government outgo on pay, pension, and allowances: ₹7 lakh crore (2025–26) — around 18% of revenue expenditure.
- The Seventh CPC had recommended a 23.55% increase, leading to an additional ₹1.02 lakh crore annual burden.
- Similar or higher increases under the Eighth CPC could impact fiscal deficit targets and constrain developmental spending.
Pay Structure Reforms under the 7th CPC (Background):
- Pay bands and grade pay replaced by a Pay Matrix System (separate matrices for civilians, defence, and nursing staff).
What is Pay Matrix System
A pay matrix is a simplified table used by governments to structure salaries for employees, with the Indian government’s 7th Pay Commission’s matrix being a prime example
- Minimum pay for entry-level employees raised from ₹7,000 → ₹18,000 per month.
- Class I officer pay: ₹56,100 per month (entry-level).
- If similar trends continue, minimum pay under 8th CPC may rise above ₹46,000 per month.
Old Pension Scheme (OPS) vs National Pension System (NPS):
Feature | Old Pension Scheme (OPS) | National Pension System (NPS) |
Type | Defined Benefit | Defined Contribution |
Employee Contribution | None | 10% of basic pay + DA |
Government Contribution | Entire pension liability | 14% of basic pay + DA |
Pension Amount | 50% of last drawn salary | Market-linked returns |
Fiscal Nature | Unfunded | Partially funded |
Applicability | Employees joined before Jan 1, 2004 | Employees joined after Jan 1, 2004 |
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) – 2024:
- Introduced as a revamped pension system bridging NPS and OPS.
- Assured pension: ₹10,000/month after 10 years of qualifying service.
- Full pension benefits: after 25 years of service.
- Includes family pension and minimum pension guarantee.
New Term in ToR:
The 8th CPC will specifically consider the “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes”, i.e., the fiscal burden of OPS — a first for any Pay Commission.
Economic Implications:
- Short-term: Higher government expenditure and consumption boost.
- Long-term: Fiscal strain due to higher committed liabilities (pay + pension).
- Potential inflationary pressures if implemented without revenue balancing.
- Likely demand for State Pay Commissions following Central revision.
Significance
- Reflects the government’s commitment to employee welfare while maintaining fiscal prudence.
- Key to balancing public sector motivation with economic stability.
- The inclusion of pension cost analysis signals greater focus on long-term fiscal sustainability.
CARE MCQ
Q. Which of the following statements about the Eighth Central Pay Commission (8th CPC) is correct?
- It will be effective from January 1, 2026.
- The Fitment Factor decides how much the basic pay will increase.
- Aykroyd’s formula is used to determine minimum wages.
- 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2, and 3
- The 8th CPC will be effective retrospectively from January 1, 2026.
- The Fitment Factor multiplies the current basic pay to fix the revised salary.
- Dr. Aykroyd’s formula, updated by the Labour Bureau (Shimla), helps calculate minimum wages based on food and living costs.
