Source: TH Context: The Government of India has decided to phase out the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) over the next five years and gradually replace it with a more comprehensive Producer Price Index (PPI). From 15 June 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will release: (a) a revised WPI series with the new base year 2022-23 (replacing the current 2011-12 base year); and (b) a new PPI series with three sub-indices: Output PPI, Trial Input PPI, and Services PPI. The Services PPI will, in its first phase, cover seven service sectors: banking, securities transactions, insurance, management of pension funds, railways, air passenger transport, and telecom. Existing price indices in India: Index Released by Measures Wholesale Price Index (WPI) DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) Wholesale-level goods prices Consumer Price Index (CPI), Combined National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI Retail prices for households; used by RBI MPC as the target inflation index CPI – Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment Used for DA calculations for government employees Producer Price Index (PPI) (new) DPIIT Output, input, and services prices at the producer’s gate Wholesale Price Index (WPI) The WPI measures the average change in prices of goods bought and sold in bulk at the wholesale level, before they reach the retail consumer. It is the oldest price index in India. Indicator Detail Released by Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Current base year 2011-12 (to be revised to 2022-23) Frequency Monthly, released around the 14th of every month Coverage Goods only, no services Total items 697 items in the existing series Three major groups of WPI: Group Weight (existing 2011-12 series) Primary Articles 22.62 per cent (food articles, non-food articles, minerals, crude petroleum) Fuel and Power 13.15 per cent Manufactured Products 64.23 per cent (the largest group) Limitations of WPI: (a) No services coverage, even though services contribute over 50 per cent of GDP. (b) Reflects bulk wholesale prices, not producer-level prices. (c) Does not directly capture consumer-experienced inflation. (d) Cannot fully analyse input-output price pass-through. Producer Price Index (PPI) The PPI measures the average change in prices received by domestic producers for their goods and services, at the producer’s gate, before any trade margins, transport costs, or taxes are added. India’s new PPI (effective 15 June 2026) will have three sub-indices: Sub-Index Measures Output PPI Prices of goods produced and sold by producers Trial Input PPI Prices of inputs used by producers Services PPI Prices of services, starting with 7 sectors in Phase 1 The 7 services in the first phase of Services PPI: (a) Banking. (b) Securities Transaction. (c) Insurance. (d) Management of Pension Funds. (e) Railways. (f) Air (Passenger) Transport. (g) Telecom. Why the World Uses PPI: (a) Captures producer-level price pressures, more accurate than wholesale. (b) Includes services, reflecting modern economies. (c) Allows clear input-output pass-through analysis. (d) Aligned with IMF Price Statistics Manuals. (e) Used by US, UK, EU, Japan, China, and most major economies. WPI vs PPI, Head-to-Head Comparison Parameter Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Producer Price Index (PPI) Stage of measurement Wholesale (bulk trading) level Producer’s gate, before distribution margins Coverage Goods only Goods + Services Released by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Frequency Monthly Monthly for Output PPI, plus periodic Services and Input PPI Number of items 697 (current series) Wider, with services added Use in monetary policy Not the RBI’s inflation target Not the RBI’s inflation target Use in contracts Widely used in price escalation clauses Expected to gradually replace WPI Reflects services? No Yes Input-output analysis Limited Clear and structured Aligned with global practice Outdated; only a few countries use WPI Standard global indicator Where Each Fits in India’s Price-Index Ecosystem Index Released by What It Measures Used For WPI DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Wholesale-level goods prices Price escalation clauses, industrial inflation analysis PPI (new) DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Producer-level goods and services prices To replace WPI over five years CPI (Combined, Rural, Urban) National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI Retail prices of household consumption basket RBI MPC’s inflation target (4 per cent +/- 2 per cent) CPI-IW (Industrial Workers) Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment Retail prices for industrial workers DA computation for government employees CPI-AL/RL Labour Bureau Retail prices for agricultural and rural labourers Wage and welfare indexation Key Differences Between PPI and Consumer Price Index (CPI) Parameter PPI CPI Stage Producer’s gate Household / retail point of purchase Measures Prices received by producers Prices paid by consumers Coverage Goods + services (producer side) Goods + services in household basket Use Industrial inflation, contract pricing, GDP deflators Inflation targeting, cost of living, DA, welfare indexation Includes taxes? Generally excludes indirect taxes on output Includes indirect taxes in final consumer price Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI) in India, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; WPI and PPI are released by the DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, NOT the NSO. The NSO releases CPI (Combined, Rural, Urban).) Q2. Consider the following statements about the new PPI series being launched in India: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q3. With reference to the architecture of price indices in India, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; the RBI’s official inflation target is the CPI (Combined), NOT the WPI.) Q4. Consider the following statements about WPI and
RBI Reportedly Sold About USD 12 Billion in Gold to Shield Foreign-Currency Assets
Context: According to an analysis by Bloomberg Economics, based on publicly available data, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may have sold gold reserves worth roughly USD 12 billion in the two weeks through 22 May, while simultaneously buying about USD 7.5 billion of foreign-currency assets. The move is being read as a deliberate rebalancing of India’s forex reserves, where the central bank is prioritising liquid foreign currency (mainly the US dollar) over gold holdings, at a time when India is facing multiple external pressures, including the Iran-related Middle East war, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, sustained capital outflows, higher oil prices, and a widening current account deficit (CAD) that is pressuring the rupee. Why this is significant? (a) Gold prices were stable to firm, so the fall in reported gold value points to actual sales, not just valuation effects. (b) Import duty on gold had been hiked, which would have increased the rupee value of gold reserves. (c) The direction of change in the data is opposite to what these factors would normally suggest, supporting the interpretation of active selling. Why the RBI may be doing this? (a) Pressure on the rupee from capital outflows and higher oil prices. (b) Widening current account deficit due to costlier energy imports and softer remittance and FDI/FPI inflows. (c) Need for liquid foreign currency, mainly US dollars, to intervene in the FX market without moving the spot rate too sharply. (d) Gold, while a strategic reserve, is less immediately liquid than dollar assets in stress periods. Why hold gold partly overseas? (a) Operational flexibility during international transactions. (b) Easier use as collateral for swaps and liquidity operations. (c) Diversification of custody risk between domestic and global custodians. Background Concepts (Q&A) What are India’s “Foreign Exchange Reserves”, and What are They Composed Of? Foreign Exchange Reserves (often shortened to forex reserves) are external assets held by the central bank of a country to support its currency, balance of payments, monetary policy, and financial stability. India’s forex reserves are managed by the Reserve Bank of India under the RBI Act, 1934 and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, in consultation with the Government of India. They are composed of four main parts: (a) Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), by far the largest component, mostly in US dollars, euros, British pounds, Japanese yen, and Chinese yuan, held in the form of deposits with foreign central banks, deposits with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), and investments in highly rated foreign government securities (like US Treasuries, German bunds, etc.). (b) Gold, held both in India (in RBI vaults) and overseas (with the Bank of England and the BIS). (c) Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), an international reserve asset created by the IMF, with its value linked to a basket of currencies. (d) Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) with the IMF, the quota-related amount that India can access from the IMF without conditionality. Forex reserves are used to: (i) defend the rupee in times of stress; (ii) finance the trade deficit; (iii) service external debt; (iv) build international confidence in the economy; and (v) provide a cushion against sudden capital outflows. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to recent reports about the RBI’s foreign reserves strategy, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the composition of India’s foreign exchange reserves: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 4 is wrong; SDRs are created by the IMF, NOT the World Bank.) Q3. With reference to the Strait of Hormuz and its importance for India, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. Consider the following statements about the RBI’s policy options for defending the rupee: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four (Statement 3 is wrong; the RBI is actively involved in the management of India’s gold reserves, as part of its forex reserve management framework.) Answer Key
DFS Launches “Common Landing Portal” for Unclaimed Financial Assets
Context of the News The Department of Financial Services (DFS), under the Ministry of Finance, has launched a Common Landing Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets to help citizens easily search for and reclaim money they may have forgotten or lost track of across various parts of the financial system. The portal was launched by M. Nagaraju, Secretary, DFS, during a high-level review meeting of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in New Delhi, and was developed in collaboration with the PSB Alliance, a joint initiative of public sector banks. The portal is a single, unified search platform where users can look for unclaimed assets across multiple categories, including bank deposits, insurance claims, shares and dividends, and mutual fund investments, instead of going to each regulator or bank separately. Key Highlights What the portal does: Feature Detail Single entry point One landing portal instead of multiple regulator-wise portals Searchable categories Bank deposits, insurance claims, shares and dividends, mutual fund investments Aim Easier access, transparency, citizen convenience Alignment Viksit Bharat 2047, financial inclusion, public awareness Linked initiatives: Initiative Detail “आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार” (“Your Money, Your Right”) Nationwide DFS-led campaign for awareness and reclaim of unclaimed assets PSB Alliance Joint platform of public sector banks for shared services (also runs Doorstep Banking, EASE reforms, etc.) Existing channels for specific asset categories (still in operation): Category Channel Unclaimed bank deposits UDGAM portal of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Unpaid dividends, matured deposits, debentures, shares Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) Authority under Ministry of Corporate Affairs Unclaimed insurance amounts IRDAI rules and the insurer’s own portals Dormant EPF accounts EPFO website / UMANG app Mutual fund folios Each AMC and MFCentral by AMFI Background Concepts (Q&A) What is the “RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund”, and What Happens to Unclaimed Bank Deposits? The Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund is a fund maintained by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under Section 26A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, where banks are required to transfer the credit balance of any deposit account that has remained inoperative for 10 years or more. Once a deposit is transferred to the DEA Fund, the bank continues to owe the depositor the amount, but the money is parked with the RBI, which uses the interest earned for promoting depositor education and awareness, research on banking and financial sector issues, and other depositor-protection activities. If the rightful depositor or legal heir comes forward at any time, the bank is obligated to pay the amount (with applicable interest), and the bank then claims a refund from the DEA Fund. The RBI also runs the UDGAM portal (launched August 2023), a centralised web portal where citizens can search across multiple banks for unclaimed deposits using their name and a few identifying details, instead of going to each bank separately. The Common Landing Portal launched by DFS now sits on top of these systems, providing a single front door for unclaimed assets across multiple sectors, not just banking.
Ministry of Agriculture to Run “Khet Bachao Abhiyan”
Source: News on Air Context: The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will conduct a month-long, nationwide “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” from 1 to 30 June 2026, designed as an agricultural awareness and outreach campaign that combines sustainable farming practices, soil health improvement, and stronger farm-level decision-making. The campaign’s main objectives are: (a) to promote the balanced and judicious use of fertilizers based on soil health and scientific recommendations, and (b) to provide weather-based, region-specific farm advisories, while linking farmers to the wider basket of government schemes and agricultural support. Key Highlights Aim of the Abhiyan: (a) Balanced and judicious fertilizer use based on soil health. (b) Region-specific, weather-based advisories for farmers. (c) Scheme convergence for farmer support. (d) Stronger farm-level decision-making. Five core features: Feature Detail Balanced fertilizer use Soil-test based, INM-oriented; promote organic, bio-, and green manures Climate-smart advisories Guidance on crops, diversification, water, weather risks Institutional participation Panchayats, KVKs, ICAR, State Governments, Agriculture Departments Panchayat-centric Village-level implementation with community leaders Scheme convergence PM-KISAN, KCC, Pulses-Oilseeds Mission, Oil Palm Mission, Cotton Mission, mechanisation, water conservation Schemes that the Abhiyan will help link farmers to: Scheme Purpose PM-KISAN ₹6,000 per year direct income support in three instalments Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Short-term subsidised crop loans, also for allied activities National Mission on Edible Oils (Oilseeds) Reducing edible-oil imports, raising oilseed production National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm Boosting oil palm cultivation under NMEO-OP Cotton Mission Improving cotton productivity and value-chain Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) Subsidies for tractors, drones, harvesters, etc. PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana) Water conservation and per-drop-more-crop approach
Taiwan Overtakes India to Become World’s 5th Largest Stock Market in May 2026
Source: ET Context: In May 2026, the Taiwan Stock Exchange has overtaken India to become the world’s fifth largest stock market. Taiwan’s total market capitalisation has reached USD 4.95 trillion, while India’s stands at USD 4.92 trillion, a small but symbolically important gap. The shift has happened even though India has a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) than Taiwan, and is driven by two main forces. First, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-led semiconductor boom has lifted Taiwan’s market, particularly Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), whose shares have surged about 45 to 50 per cent in 2026 alone and which now makes up nearly 42 per cent of Taiwan’s Taiex index. Market capitalisation: Market Capitalisation Taiwan Stock Exchange USD 4.95 trillion Indian Stock Market USD 4.92 trillion New Global Top 7 Stock Markets: Rank Country 1 United States 2 China 3 Japan 4 Hong Kong 5 Taiwan 6 India 7 South Korea Background Concepts What is “Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI), and How Does It Affect Markets? Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) refers to investment by foreign investors in financial assets of another country, including listed stocks, bonds, and derivatives, without seeking management control of the underlying companies. FPI flows are typically short-term and volatile, often driven by interest rate differentials, currency expectations, global risk sentiment, and index weights. In India, FPIs are registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the SEBI (Foreign Portfolio Investors) Regulations, 2019, and are categorised into Category I and Category II. When FPIs invest, stock prices and the rupee tend to rise; when FPIs withdraw money (called outflows), stock indices fall, the rupee weakens, and bond yields can rise. The 2026 FPI outflows from India are one of the key reasons behind the country’s slip in the global stock market ranking, even as domestic mutual funds and SIP investors continue to provide a strong domestic buffer. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the recent ranking of global stock markets, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the factors behind India’s relative slip in the global stock market ranking: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Answers
Ministry of Panchayati Raj Holds National Training of Trainers for “Nirbhay Raho” Initiative
Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has held a three-day National Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in New Delhi, focused on the legal provisions for women’s security, as the first big step under its newly launched “Nirbhay Raho” Initiative. The initiative is a national gender-responsive governance and grassroots capacity-building programme funded through the non-lapsable Nirbhaya Fund of the Union Government. Key Highlights Aim of the initiative: (a) Eliminate grassroots gender-based discrimination and violence. (b) Build inclusive, women-friendly Panchayats. (c) Give local rural leaders deep legal awareness and the ability to act as first responders for women’s safety. Three-pronged framework: Pillar Target Group Focus Nirbhay Netri About 14.5 lakh Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) Legal literacy, leadership, capacity to handle local safety issues Nirbhay Chetna About 17.5 lakh Male Elected Representatives Sensitisation, breaking patriarchal biases, joining gender-equality and safety campaigns Nirbhay Drishti Village infrastructure CCTV and surveillance infrastructure in strategic rural locations About the News What is the Nirbhay Raho Initiative? A national gender-responsive governance and grassroots capacity-building programme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, funded through the Nirbhaya Fund, to make Panchayats women-friendly and turn them into first-responder institutions for women’s safety. What does the initiative cover? A three-pronged framework: (a) Nirbhay Netri: training 14.5 lakh Elected Women Representatives. (b) Nirbhay Chetna: sensitising 17.5 lakh Male Elected Representatives. (c) Nirbhay Drishti: installing CCTV and surveillance infrastructure in rural areas. Background Concepts What is the Constitutional Backing for Women’s Representation in Panchayats? The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and made them the third tier of government in India. Among its key provisions, the amendment reserves at least one-third of seats for women in all three tiers of Panchayats (Gram, Block, and Zilla), as well as in the office of the Chairperson at each tier. Many states have since raised the women’s reservation to 50 per cent through state laws, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. As a result, today around 46 per cent of all elected PRI members in India are women, which is one of the highest shares of elected women representatives in any country. This deep representation makes Panchayats a natural foundation for any village-level women’s safety and empowerment initiative, including Nirbhay Raho. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the Nirbhay Raho Initiative, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the three pillars of the Nirbhay Raho Initiative: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. With reference to the Nirbhaya Fund, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. Consider the following statements about women’s representation in Panchayati Raj Institutions in India: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Answer Key
SRS Statistical Report 2024
Context: The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has released the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024, India’s most authoritative source for annual fertility, birth, and mortality estimates. The report confirms a historic demographic shift: India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1, meaning the average Indian woman now has fewer children than needed to replace the parent generation over time. Key Highlights of India’s 2024 Population and Vital Statistics Report Quick recap of the headline numbers: Indicator Value TFR (national) 1.9 (below 2.1 replacement level) CBR 18.3 (from 21.0 in 2014) CDR 6.4 IMR (national) 24 per 1,000 live births U5MR 28 per 1,000 live births Institutional deliveries 95.4 per cent Sex Ratio at Birth (2022-24 avg) 918 Mean age at marriage (women) 23.1 years (rural 22.6, urban 24.4) Median age 29.2 years Population 0-14 24.0 per cent Population 15-59 66.4 per cent Population 60+ 9.7 per cent Deaths without formal medical attention 45.5 per cent State-level extremes (very testable): Indicator High Performer Low Performer IMR Kerala: 8 Chhattisgarh: 36 TFR (lowest pockets) Delhi: 1.2, Kerala: 1.3 Among the lowest in India Rural IMR (national) About 27 per 1,000 Far higher than urban Background Concepts (Q&A) What is “Total Fertility Rate” (TFR), and Why is the 2.1 Replacement Level Important? The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is the average number of children that a woman would have over her lifetime if she experienced the current age-specific fertility rates throughout her reproductive years (roughly 15-49 years). The replacement level of TFR is around 2.1, meaning that each woman, on average, needs to have about 2.1 children for the population to remain stable over the long run (a little above 2 because some children do not reach reproductive age). When TFR is above 2.1, the population is growing through natural increase; when it is below 2.1, the population will eventually stabilise and then start declining, even if it continues to grow for some years due to demographic momentum (a large young population already in childbearing age). India’s TFR falling to 1.9 is therefore a structural milestone, signalling that India is now on the same demographic path as most middle-income and high-income countries, with major long-term implications for the labour force, pension systems, healthcare needs, urbanisation, and family structures. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about findings of the SRS 2024 Report on women’s health and demographic structure: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. Consider the following statements about Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and the demographic dividend: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. With reference to regional and end-of-life findings in the SRS 2024 Report, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Answer Key
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 1 June, 2026
Daily Current Affairs Quiz1 June, 2026 National Affairs 1. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) Source: PIB Context: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released the sixth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), conducted in 2023-24 with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai as the nodal agency. The survey covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts and now provides district-level evidence on population, health, nutrition, and family welfare indicators. Two major shifts stand out. First, obesity and diabetes have risen sharply across India in just five years: obesity in women aged 15-49 has gone up from 24 per cent in NFHS-5 to 30.7 per cent in NFHS-6, while obesity in men in the same age group has risen from 22.9 per cent to 27.3 per cent. Key Highlights Major Findings Key Challenges Identified Background Concepts What is the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), and How is It Conducted? The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a large-scale, nationally representative, household-level sample survey that provides reliable data on population, health, nutrition, and family welfare in India. It is conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, as the nodal agency. Field work is carried out by a network of field agencies, with technical support from international partners like ICF (USA) for DHS-style surveys and WHO. The NFHS provides state-, district-, and national-level estimates on fertility, family planning, infant and child mortality, immunisation, nutrition, anaemia, women’s empowerment, gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, and non-communicable disease risk factors. The first NFHS (NFHS-1) was conducted in 1992-93, and the rounds have grown progressively larger: NFHS-5 (2019-21) and now NFHS-6 (2023-24) with 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts. NFHS data is used for planning Ayushman Bharat, ICDS, POSHAN Abhiyaan, RBSK, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, NP-NCD, and many other welfare programmes. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the key findings of NFHS-6: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. With reference to Caesarean (C-section) births in India, as per NFHS-6, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. Consider the following statements about obesity and Type 2 diabetes: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Answer Key 2. India’s First SkyCast System at IGI Airport, New Delhi Source: TOI Context: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has inaugurated India’s first “SkyCast” System at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi. SkyCast is a next-generation, integrated atmospheric remote sensing system designed for aviation weather monitoring. It brings together multiple real-time measurements of fog, aerosols, turbulence, moisture, and visibility into a single, comprehensive aviation weather intelligence framework. The system has been developed under Mission Mausam, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aimed at making India weather-ready and climate-smart through upgraded observation networks, modelling, and forecasting. Aim: (a) Usher India into fog-free, weather-smart aviation. (b) Reduce flight delays, cancellations, and diversions caused by adverse weather. (c) Maximise safety during take-off and landing, the most weather-sensitive phases of flight. Multi-sensor integration: Instrument What it does Radar Wind Profiler Measures wind speed, direction, and vertical motion in the lower atmosphere SODAR (Sound Detection and Ranging) Uses sound waves to study wind, turbulence, and boundary-layer behaviour Microwave Radiometer Measures temperature and humidity profiles vertically through the atmosphere Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) Studies fog droplet sizes and aerosol-fog interactions CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer Uses laser pulses to map the vertical structure and density of fog and clouds About the News What is SkyCast? SkyCast is India’s first integrated aviation weather intelligence system, designed to provide real-time atmospheric data on fog, aerosols, turbulence, moisture, and visibility, helping airports and pilots make safer take-off and landing decisions. Where has it been launched and by whom? Launched at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi, by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, under Mission Mausam of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. What instruments does it use? (a) Radar Wind Profiler. (b) SODAR (Sound Detection and Ranging). (c) Microwave Radiometer. (d) Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS). (e) CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer. Up to what altitude does it monitor the atmosphere? Up to about 3 kilometres, mapping the boundary layer, wind, turbulence, temperature, and humidity in real time. Why is GFAS especially important for Delhi? Because Delhi’s winter fog is mixed with high levels of pollution and aerosols. The Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer can track droplet sizes and aerosol-fog interactions, which helps in understanding and forecasting the unique pollution-fog mix that affects flights. What is the nowcasting window? SkyCast provides precise nowcasts and real-time alerts within a 3-hour window, which is the most critical period for aviation flight planning. Background Concepts (Q&A) What is “Mission Mausam”, and What Does it Aim to Do? Mission Mausam is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) approved in September 2024, to make India weather-ready and climate-smart by upgrading its weather observation, modelling, and forecasting capabilities. The mission aims to build a world-class observation network of radars, wind profilers, balloons, ocean buoys, and satellites, deploy advanced numerical weather prediction models, and develop AI and Machine Learning-based forecasting tools to deliver hyperlocal, sector-specific weather forecasts for agriculture, aviation, disaster management, urban planning, water resources, and public health. The mission also focuses on specific weather phenomena like fog, thunderstorms, heatwaves, cold waves, and extreme rainfall, which cause major disruption and
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6)
Source: PIB Context: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released the sixth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), conducted in 2023-24 with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai as the nodal agency. The survey covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts and now provides district-level evidence on population, health, nutrition, and family welfare indicators. Two major shifts stand out. First, obesity and diabetes have risen sharply across India in just five years: obesity in women aged 15-49 has gone up from 24 per cent in NFHS-5 to 30.7 per cent in NFHS-6, while obesity in men in the same age group has risen from 22.9 per cent to 27.3 per cent. Key Highlights Major Findings Key Challenges Identified Background Concepts What is the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), and How is It Conducted? The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a large-scale, nationally representative, household-level sample survey that provides reliable data on population, health, nutrition, and family welfare in India. It is conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, as the nodal agency. Field work is carried out by a network of field agencies, with technical support from international partners like ICF (USA) for DHS-style surveys and WHO. The NFHS provides state-, district-, and national-level estimates on fertility, family planning, infant and child mortality, immunisation, nutrition, anaemia, women’s empowerment, gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, and non-communicable disease risk factors. The first NFHS (NFHS-1) was conducted in 1992-93, and the rounds have grown progressively larger: NFHS-5 (2019-21) and now NFHS-6 (2023-24) with 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts. NFHS data is used for planning Ayushman Bharat, ICDS, POSHAN Abhiyaan, RBSK, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, NP-NCD, and many other welfare programmes. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the key findings of NFHS-6: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. With reference to Caesarean (C-section) births in India, as per NFHS-6, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. Consider the following statements about obesity and Type 2 diabetes: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Answer Key
India’s First SkyCast System at IGI Airport, New Delhi
Source: TOI Context: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has inaugurated India’s first “SkyCast” System at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi. SkyCast is a next-generation, integrated atmospheric remote sensing system designed for aviation weather monitoring. It brings together multiple real-time measurements of fog, aerosols, turbulence, moisture, and visibility into a single, comprehensive aviation weather intelligence framework. The system has been developed under Mission Mausam, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aimed at making India weather-ready and climate-smart through upgraded observation networks, modelling, and forecasting. Aim: (a) Usher India into fog-free, weather-smart aviation. (b) Reduce flight delays, cancellations, and diversions caused by adverse weather. (c) Maximise safety during take-off and landing, the most weather-sensitive phases of flight. Multi-sensor integration: Instrument What it does Radar Wind Profiler Measures wind speed, direction, and vertical motion in the lower atmosphere SODAR (Sound Detection and Ranging) Uses sound waves to study wind, turbulence, and boundary-layer behaviour Microwave Radiometer Measures temperature and humidity profiles vertically through the atmosphere Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) Studies fog droplet sizes and aerosol-fog interactions CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer Uses laser pulses to map the vertical structure and density of fog and clouds About the News What is SkyCast? SkyCast is India’s first integrated aviation weather intelligence system, designed to provide real-time atmospheric data on fog, aerosols, turbulence, moisture, and visibility, helping airports and pilots make safer take-off and landing decisions. Where has it been launched and by whom? Launched at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi, by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, under Mission Mausam of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. What instruments does it use? (a) Radar Wind Profiler. (b) SODAR (Sound Detection and Ranging). (c) Microwave Radiometer. (d) Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS). (e) CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer. Up to what altitude does it monitor the atmosphere? Up to about 3 kilometres, mapping the boundary layer, wind, turbulence, temperature, and humidity in real time. Why is GFAS especially important for Delhi? Because Delhi’s winter fog is mixed with high levels of pollution and aerosols. The Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer can track droplet sizes and aerosol-fog interactions, which helps in understanding and forecasting the unique pollution-fog mix that affects flights. What is the nowcasting window? SkyCast provides precise nowcasts and real-time alerts within a 3-hour window, which is the most critical period for aviation flight planning. Background Concepts (Q&A) What is “Mission Mausam”, and What Does it Aim to Do? Mission Mausam is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) approved in September 2024, to make India weather-ready and climate-smart by upgrading its weather observation, modelling, and forecasting capabilities. The mission aims to build a world-class observation network of radars, wind profilers, balloons, ocean buoys, and satellites, deploy advanced numerical weather prediction models, and develop AI and Machine Learning-based forecasting tools to deliver hyperlocal, sector-specific weather forecasts for agriculture, aviation, disaster management, urban planning, water resources, and public health. The mission also focuses on specific weather phenomena like fog, thunderstorms, heatwaves, cold waves, and extreme rainfall, which cause major disruption and damage in India. Its implementing agencies include the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM, Pune), the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and other MoES institutions. SkyCast is one of the first major operational deliverables under Mission Mausam, focused on aviation weather. What is the “Atmospheric Boundary Layer”, and Why Does It Matter for Aviation and Pollution? The Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL), also called the Planetary Boundary Layer, is the lowest part of the Earth’s atmosphere, typically extending from the surface up to about 1-3 kilometres, depending on time of day, weather, and location. Above the ABL lies the free atmosphere, where conditions are less influenced by surface friction, heating, and moisture. The ABL is critical for several reasons: (a) It is the layer where most weather phenomena affecting daily life happen, including fog, low clouds, wind shear, turbulence, and pollution mixing. (b) Aircraft take-off and landing happen entirely within this layer, making boundary-layer dynamics central to aviation safety. (c) Pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and SO2 mix and disperse within the ABL. In winter, the ABL becomes shallow (cold ground compresses it), trapping pollution near the surface, which is why Delhi’s winter pollution is so severe. (d) Fog formation depends on temperature and humidity profiles within the ABL. SkyCast’s 3-km vertical monitoring is specifically designed to map the boundary layer in detail, which is why its data is useful for both aviation safety and urban pollution management. Practice MCQs Q1. With reference to India’s first SkyCast System, consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None Q2. Consider the following statements about the instruments integrated into the SkyCast System: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q3. With reference to Mission Mausam, consider the following statements: Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Q4. Consider the following statements about the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL): Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four Answer Key
