UPSC CARE Mains Practice 13th February 2026
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- AgriStack has been described as the “next UPI” for agriculture in India. Examine its potential benefits and associated challenges. (GS Paper III – Agriculture)
- Nuclear power is considered a crucial option for meeting India’s rising energy demand in a low-carbon transition. Critically examine. (GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology / Energy)
AgriStack has been described as the “next UPI” for agriculture in India. Examine its potential benefits and associated challenges. (GS Paper III – Agriculture)
Introduction:
AgriStack is a Digital Public Infrastructure launched in 2024 to create a unified digital ecosystem for Indian agriculture. By assigning farmers a unique digital identity and integrating agricultural datasets, it seeks to enable data-driven policymaking, targeted welfare delivery, and improved farm productivity.
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Significance and Potential Benefits
1. Targeted Service Delivery:
Integration with Direct Benefit Transfer and MSP procurement can reduce leakages and ensure subsidies reach genuine beneficiaries.
2. Data-driven Agriculture:
Real-time access to crop, land, and weather data enables customised advisories, improving productivity and resilience.
3. Financial Inclusion:
Verified farmer databases can enhance access to institutional credit and crop insurance, reducing dependence on informal lending.
4. Governance Efficiency:
Digitisation minimizes paperwork, speeds approvals, and improves transparency in scheme implementation.
5. Technological Transformation:
Platforms such as Bharat-VISTAAR demonstrate the growing role of AI in agriculture, potentially bridging knowledge gaps for small farmers.
Challenges
- Data Privacy Risks: Large-scale aggregation of farmer data raises concerns about misuse and surveillance.
- Digital Divide: Small and marginal farmers may lack digital literacy or internet access.
- Federal Coordination: Since land is a State subject, effective implementation requires strong Centre–State cooperation.
- Exclusion Errors: Faulty data could lead to denial of benefits.
Way Forward
India must establish a robust data protection framework, adopt consent-based data sharing, invest in rural digital infrastructure, and strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms.
Conclusion:
If implemented with adequate safeguards, AgriStack can replicate the transformational impact of UPI by making Indian agriculture more efficient, transparent, and farmer-centric, thereby supporting sustainable rural growth.
Nuclear power is considered a crucial option for meeting India’s rising energy demand in a low-carbon transition. Critically examine. (GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology / Energy)
Introduction:
India’s rapid economic growth, urbanisation, and industrial expansion have sharply increased electricity demand. Simultaneously, commitments to decarbonisation and energy security necessitate reliable and low-carbon energy sources. In this backdrop, nuclear power is often projected as a viable alternative in India’s energy transition.
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Arguments in Favour of Nuclear Power
1. Low Carbon Emissions:
Nuclear energy generates electricity without emitting greenhouse gases during operation, supporting India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.
2. Reliable Baseload Power:
Unlike intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind, nuclear power provides continuous and stable electricity supply, ensuring grid stability.
3. Energy Security:
By reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, nuclear energy enhances strategic autonomy. India’s three-stage nuclear programme, leveraging domestic thorium reserves, strengthens long-term sustainability.
4. High Energy Density & Low Land Requirement:
Nuclear plants produce large quantities of electricity using comparatively smaller land areas than renewable installations.
Challenges and Concerns
1. High Capital Costs & Delays:
Nuclear projects involve long gestation periods, cost overruns, and heavy initial investments.
2. Safety Concerns:
Events like the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster intensified global apprehensions about reactor safety and disaster resilience.
3. Public Opposition & Land Issues:
Projects such as Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant have faced protests and delays due to environmental and livelihood concerns.
4. Limited Current Contribution:
Despite policy focus, nuclear energy contributes only about 3% of India’s electricity generation, raising questions about scalability.
Conclusion:
Nuclear power can play an important supplementary role in India’s clean energy mix. However, high costs, safety risks, and socio-political challenges limit its rapid expansion. A balanced energy strategy integrating renewables, nuclear power, storage technologies, and grid reforms is essential to sustainably meet India’s growing energy needs.