Topic 1: 410th Report on Demands for Grants (2026-27) – Department of Space
Budgetary Overview & Financial Management
The Standing Committee analyzed the financial health and spending patterns of the Department of Space (DoS) for the upcoming fiscal year.
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- Allocation Gap: The DoS projected a requirement of ₹15,604.80 crore, but the Ministry of Finance approved ₹13,705.63 crore (approx. 87.82%).
- Utilization Concerns: The Committee flagged a “slow pace of expenditure.” In 2025-26, the budget was revised downward, and by Jan 31, 2026, only ₹9,739.72 crore was spent.
- Critical Infrastructure Risk: Lower allocations for INSAT satellite systems and IN-SPACe were noted. The Committee warned that a shortage of funds could hurt disaster management, meteorology, and communication services.
- Institutional Laggards: Specific centers like the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) and IN-SPACe failed to utilize even 75% of their allocated funds, prompting a call for quarterly reviews.
Strategic Missions & Space Vision 2047
The report reviewed high-profile missions that define India’s future as a global space power.
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- Gaganyaan & BAS: The Committee urged DoS to overcome obstacles in the Gaganyaan (Human Spaceflight) mission and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) without compromising crew safety.
- Lunar & Venus Missions: * Chandrayaan-4 & 5: Deep concern was expressed over the “slow pace of expenditure” for these moon missions.
- Venus Orbiter Mission: Despite budget revisions, zero expenditure was incurred in 2024-25, and only ₹5.12 crore was spent by Jan 2026.
- NavIC (Navigation): Out of 12 satellites, only 8 are functional. The Committee recommended a total switchover to indigenous atomic clocks to replace malfunctioning foreign ones.
Infrastructure & Technology Development
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- Launch Pads: India currently relies on two aging launch pads at Sriharikota (20-30 years old). The Committee urged timely completion of the Third Launch Pad and the SSLV Launch Complex at Kulasekarapattinam to avoid operational risks.
- Semi-Cryogenic Propulsion: This technology is vital for heavy-lift launch vehicles. The Committee accorded “high priority” to its development to enhance payload capacity.
Regulatory & Commercial Reforms
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- Space Law: The Committee welcomed the drafting of a Space Activities Bill. However, it recommended that ISRO be exempted from obtaining authorizations from IN-SPACe to avoid “procedural duplication”.
- Technology Transfer: Concern was raised over transferring public-funded technology to private players at “undervalued rates.” The report suggested a market-aligned pricing framework and periodic third-party audits.
- Start-ups: The DoS was advised to leverage start-ups to fill gaps in the domestic supply chain, specifically for critical components currently imported.
Human Resources & Applications
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- Vacancies: A significant shortage exists due to accumulated vacancies since 2020. The DoS committed to filling 2,383 vacant posts by December 2026.
- Forest Monitoring: The Committee suggested moving from biennial to quarterly (or even real-time) forest monitoring, similar to Brazil’s DETER system, to prevent illegal deforestation.
- IIST Status: Recommended granting Institute of National Importance (INI) status to the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology to boost global collaboration.
UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check
| Feature | Details |
| NavIC | India’s regional navigation system (8 functional satellites). |
| IN-SPACe | Regulator and facilitator for non-governmental entities in space. |
| NSIL | New Space India Limited (Commercial arm of DoS). |
| NGLV | Next Generation Launch Vehicle (Part of Space Vision 2047). |
| Semi-Cryogenic | Uses refined kerosene (Isrosene) and liquid oxygen. |
Conclusion:
The 410th Report emphasizes that while India has grand ambitions for BAS and Venus, “fiscal discipline” and “utilization rates” remain the Achilles’ heel.
Topic 2: India’s New Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031-2035
GS Paper 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031-2035. This submission to the UNFCCC enhances India’s climate ambition in line with the Paris Agreement and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The 2035 Quantitative Targets
India has set three major measurable goals for the year 2035, building on the progress of previous NDCs:
1. Emissions Intensity: Reduce the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 47% by 2035 from the 2005 level.
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- Current Status: Reduced by 36% between 2005 and 2020.
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2. Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity: Achieve 60% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035.
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- Current Status: Already reached 52.57% as of February 2026, meeting the previous 50% target five years early.
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3. Carbon Sink: Create an additional carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of $CO_2$ eq. through forest and tree cover by 2035 from the 2005 level.
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- Current Status: Created 2.29 billion tonnes by 2021; India ranks 3rd globally in net gain in forest area (FAO).
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Strategic Implementation & Green Growth
The NDC is supported by a “whole-of-government” approach through existing and emerging missions:
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- Energy Transition: Accelerated through the Green Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar (Rooftop Solar), and the PM-KUSUM scheme for farmers.
- Industrial Innovation: Push for Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and a significant increase in Nuclear Energy.
- Global Leadership: Partnerships through the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Global Bio-fuel Alliance (GBA), and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Climate Adaptation & Resilience
Recognizing that impacts are already present, India has scaled up adaptation measures:
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- Coastal Protection: Focused on MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative) and coastal regulation.
- Himalayan Ecology: Glacier monitoring and GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) risk mitigation.
- Urban Resilience: Implementation of Heat Action Plans across states and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Guiding Principles: LiFE & GST
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- Mission LiFE: Promoting “Lifestyle for Environment” as a mass movement for sustainable living.
- Global Alignment: The 2031-35 NDC considers the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST) and adheres to the principle of CBDR-RC (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities).
- Scientific Basis: Formulated based on studies by 10 NITI Aayog working groups comprising domain experts and civil society.
UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check
| Feature | Target 2030 (Earlier) | Target 2035 (Current) |
| Emissions Intensity | 45% (from 2005) | 47% (from 2005) |
| Non-Fossil Capacity | 50% | 60% |
| Carbon Sink | 2.5 – 3.0 Billion Tonnes | 3.5 – 4.0 Billion Tonnes |
| Net Zero Target | — | By 2070 |
Conclusion:
India’s updated NDC demonstrates that “Economy and Ecology” can grow simultaneously.
Topic 3: Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN (2026-2036)
GS Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.; Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. This revamped version extends the mission for another ten years (FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36) with a significant budgetary boost.
Financial and Operational Outlay
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- Total Outlay: ₹28,840 crore.
- Duration: 10 years (up to 2036).
- Vision: Aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, aiming to transform India into a globally competitive aviation ecosystem.
Five Key Components of Modified UDAN
The scheme moves beyond just subsidizing tickets to building a sustainable “end-to-end” aviation infrastructure:
1. Development of Aerodromes (CAPEX):
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- Target: Develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips.
- Budget: ₹12,159 crore over the next eight years.
2. Viability Gap Funding (VGF):
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- Budget: ₹10,043 crore.
- Purpose: Financial support to airline operators for operating awarded regional routes to ensure long-term market development.
3. Modern Helipads:
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- Target: 200 modern helipads (at ₹15 crore each).
- Focus: Hilly, remote, island, and Aspirational Districts for emergency response and last-mile connectivity.
4. Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Support:
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- Budget: ₹2,577 crore for ~441 aerodromes.
- Support: Capped at ₹3.06 crore/year per airport and ₹0.90 crore/year per heliport/water aerodrome for three years.
5. Atmanirbhar Bharat Aircraft Acquisition:
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- Procurement: Two HAL Dhruv helicopters (for Pawan Hans) and two HAL Dornier aircraft (for Alliance Air) to boost indigenous aerospace manufacturing.
Evolution from UDAN (2016-2026)
The background of the original scheme highlights the foundation for this modification:
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- Operational Reach: 663 routes operationalized across 95 airports/heliports (as of Feb 2026).
- Passenger Footfall: 162.47 lakh passengers carried over 3.41 lakh flights.
- Socio-Economic Impact: Established vital links in Tier-2/3 cities, boosting tourism and healthcare access in remote regions like the Northeast and Island territories.
Expected Impact
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- Economic Multiplier: Boost to trade and tourism in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- Healthcare & Emergency: Improved “Golden Hour” response in remote and hilly terrains.
- Sustainability: VGF and O&M support aim to make regional aerodromes and small airline operators financially viable over time.
UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check
| Feature | Details |
| Launch Year (Original) | October 2016. |
| VGF Funding Source | Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF) – funded through a small levy on major routes. |
| Modified UDAN Span | 2026-2027 to 2035-2036. |
| Atmanirbhar Aircraft | HAL Dhruv (Helicopter) and HAL Dornier (Fixed-wing). |
| Heliport CAPEX | ₹15 Crore per modern helipad. |
Conclusion:
Modified UDAN signifies a shift from “connectivity” to “capacity building.” by funding both the acquisition of indigenous aircraft and the long-term O&M of small airports.
Topic 4: Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) under PMMSY
GS Paper 3: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; Economics of animal-rearing; Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country.
Context: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying provided an update in the Rajya Sabha on the formation and impact of Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
FFPOs: Strategic Empowerment of Fishers
FFPOs are designed to cluster small-scale fishers and fish farmers into formal business entities.
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- Objective: To enhance the bargaining power of farmers, reduce input costs, and provide better market linkages through collective action.
- Financial Outlay: Projects worth ₹544.86 crore were approved between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25 for the formation of 2,195 FFPOs.
- Current Status: A total of 1,990 FFPOs have been successfully formed across the country so far.
Implementing Agencies
The formation and handholding of FFPOs are managed through four key central agencies:
1. NFDB: National Fisheries Development Board.
2. SFAC: Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium.
3. NAFED: National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India.
4. NCDC: National Cooperative Development Corporation.
Focus on Karnataka: A Case Study
The Ministry detailed significant investments in Karnataka’s fisheries infrastructure:
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- Total Approvals: Projects worth ₹1,078.12 crore (Central share: ₹375.04 crore) approved over the last six years.
- FFPO Count: 64 FFPOs have been formed in the state.
- Entrepreneurship Models: Two major high-value projects approved:
- Fish Trade Centre: Costing ₹805 lakh.
- Fishmeal & Fish Oil Unit: Expansion of manufacturing facilities costing ₹500 lakh.
- Major Activities: Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), cage culture, seaweed culture, and cold storage facilities.
State-wise Distribution (Top 5 States)
Based on the Annexure-I data, the states leading in FFPO formation are:
| State | Number of FFPOs Formed |
| Telangana | 245 |
| Maharashtra | 196 |
| Assam | 176 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 176 |
| Manipur | 148 |
UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check
| Feature | Details |
| PMMSY | Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (Launched in May 2020). |
| RAS | Recirculatory Aquaculture System (High-density fish farming with water reuse). |
| FFPO Goal | To turn fishers into entrepreneurs via collective bargaining. |
| Blue Revolution | The overarching umbrella under which PMMSY operates. |
| Cage Culture | Farming fish in existing water bodies using enclosed nets. |
Conclusion:
FFPOs represent the “Cooperative” shift in the fisheries sector, similar to the success of Amul in the dairy sector.
Topic 5: PRISM-SG Portal – Digitizing Rail-Road Infrastructure
GS Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.; Science and Technology—developments and their applications; e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential.
Context: Union Ministers Shri Nitin Gadkari and Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the PRISM-SG (Portal for Rail-Road Inspection & Stages Management – Steel Girders) in New Delhi to digitize and accelerate approval processes for Road Over Bridges (ROBs).
Understanding PRISM-SG
PRISM-SG is an integrated digital platform designed to bring together all stakeholders involved in the construction of ROBs, including Road Owning Departments (NHAI/MoRTH), Indian Railways, contractors, fabricators, and inspection agencies.
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- Core Function: It digitizes key approval and inspection processes that were previously handled offline or physically.
- Technical Scope: Specifically covers:
- Quality Assurance Plan (QAP).
- Welding Procedure Specification Sheet (WPSS).
- Fabrication Stage Inspection of steel girders.
Problem vs. Solution: The Shift to Digital
Before this launch, infrastructure projects faced significant “regulatory cholesterol” due to fragmented approval systems.
| Feature | Legacy System (RRCAS + Offline) | New System (PRISM-SG Integration) |
| Approval Mode | GAD/Structural Drawings were on RRCAS; QAP/WPSS were Offline. | End-to-End Online submission for all stages. |
| Inspection | Physical scheduling and manual reports; limited tracking. | Digital Scheduling, real-time monitoring, and audit trails. |
| Timeline | Approximately 12 months. | Reduced to 3 to 4 months. |
Key Features of the Portal
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- Inter-Agency Coordination: Facilitates seamless communication between the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and the Ministry of Railways.
- Transparency: Includes a complete audit trail and real-time monitoring capabilities to ensure accountability.
- Data Integration: Supports the uploading of inspection reports, photographs, and test results directly onto the platform.
- Query Resolution: Provides a centralized dashboard for raising and resolving queries between contractors and government scrutiny teams.
Strategic Impact
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- Project Efficiency: By cutting the approval timeline by nearly 70%, it ensures timely completion of critical connectivity projects.
- GatiShakti Alignment: The portal aligns with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan for integrated and synchronized infrastructure planning.
- Cost Savings: Reducing delays prevents cost escalations and helps in the faster movement of logistics across the country.
UPSC Prelims Fodder: Fact-Check
| Feature | Details |
| PRISM-SG | Portal for Rail-Road Inspection & Stages Management – Steel Girders. |
| RRCAS | Railway Research and Consultation Approval System (Legacy portal for drawings). |
| ROB | Road Over Bridge (Carries road over a railway line). |
| RUB | Road Under Bridge (Carries road under a railway line). |
| Steel Girders | Horizontal main beams used in construction to support the bridge deck. |
Conclusion:
The PRISM-SG portal is a classic example of e-Governance solving real-world infrastructure bottlenecks.
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