Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on Women-led MSMEs and green energy (Week 109)
🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨
How has India's energy production evolved between 2013 and 2023? Identify the primary causes of the improvement and discuss why green energy productivity growth may be decreasing.
Examine the problems that women entrepreneurs confront in India's MSME sector. How might policies be tailored to provide comprehensive support rather than piecemeal assistance?
Introduction
— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.
— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.
Body
— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.
— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.
— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.
— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.
— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.
Way forward/ conclusion
— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.
— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.
Self Evaluation
— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.
QUESTION 1: How has India's energy production evolved between 2013 and 2023? Identify the primary causes of the improvement and discuss why green energy productivity growth may be decreasing.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— As India seeks to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2025, it is critical to maintain strong economic growth while reducing carbon emissions.
— By 2030, India hopes to have non-fossil energy sources account for 50% of its installed power capacity. Wind and solar energy capability India ranks fourth and fifth internationally in wind and solar power capacity, respectively. In 2022-23, renewables will account for more than 20% of the energy mix, up from 17% in 2013-14.
— India's rapid economic expansion is energy-intensive, with energy consumption rising by more than 40% over the past decade, from 379 exajoules (EJ) in 2013 to 531 EJ in 2023. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions increased by 5.3% in 2024, three times the global rise of 0.8% in the same year (IEA Global Energy Review, 2025). India's electricity sector alone is responsible for half of all energy-related emissions.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
Decrease in green energy productivity
— According to the MOSPI (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation) National Accounts Statistics and MOSPI Energy Balance, between 2013 and 2023, India's gross output increased by 79%, final energy use increased by 40%, electricity consumption increased by 70%, and green electricity from wind, solar, biomass, and cogeneration bagasse (excluding hydro and nuclear) increased by 267%. This highlights three trends: energy usage remains linked to growth, electricity demand may soon outstrip GDP, and green electricity, while slowing, will continue to expand faster than overall energy use, helping to reduce emissions that would otherwise increase.
— India's energy productivity increased by 28% between 2013 and 2023, which might be attributed to one or more of three factors: higher economic activity, changes in the structure of the economy, and improved energy efficiency.
— Steel, cement, and chemicals industries improved because to plans like Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT), but transportation and agriculture declined. Because of this unequal development, green energy growth has yet to convert into higher overall energy productivity as green energy expands fast.
Conclusion:
— Sustainable economic growth necessitates cleaner energy consumption while simultaneously posing the problem of efficiently using energy to grow. India's energy sector is still developing, with efficiency gains inconsistent and lacking a clear trend.
— The results have policy implications for India's energy and economic policymakers. One, growing non-fossil energy sources is not enough; they must be used efficiently. Increasing green capacity is not sufficient. Policy must prioritise increasing the productivity of green energy through better grid integration, technology updates, and targeted incentives.
— Energy productivity must be adopted as a crucial indicator: rather than focussing merely on capacity expansion or total consumption, energy productivity provides a more accurate lens for aligning energy policy with economic goals. Although India has achieved great progress in energy efficiency, diminishing green energy productivity presents a new problem.
(Source: Sustainable economic growth demands cleaner energy use but also poses a challenge of efficiently using energy to grow)
Points to Ponder
Read more about renewable energy
Read about fossil energy sources
Related Previous Year Questions
What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements. (2023)
Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain. (2022)
QUESTION 2: Examine the problems that women entrepreneurs confront in India's MSME sector. How might policies be tailored to provide comprehensive support rather than piecemeal assistance?
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— Women-led MSMEs (WMSMEs) are about more than just female empowerment and mainstreaming. It is also important for families, communities, and the local economy.
— According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, women own only 22% of India's MSMEs. A considerable proportion of these businesses are micro-enterprises, which are primarily single-person operations with a high concentration in low-margin, informal, and traditional industries such as tailoring, food processing, and handcrafts. Despite accounting for over half of the population, India has an alarmingly low proportion of women-led businesses.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— There is a lot of excitement in India about capitalising on the demographic dividend, which might drive economic growth and promote the country's transition to a high-income status. This primarily relates to realising the potential of India's young. However, there is another untapped Indian group that has the potential to significantly boost India's GDP: women.
— According to studies, women reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families, compared to 30-40% for males. This translates into improved nutrition, education, and health outcomes for children, as well as a stronger society and more resilient economy.
— Women MSMEs are more likely to recruit other women, so reducing gender imbalances in the labour market and fostering innovation in underserved industries such as bio-economy, eco-tourism, arts and crafts, food processing, and so on. Many of these WMSMEs operate in rural and neglected areas, meeting critical local needs and bridging the urban-rural gap. Thus, unleashing the potential of women-led MSMEs is more than just an inclusion issue; it is a national economic imperative.
— The MSME sector is the backbone of the Indian economy, accounting for 30% of GDP and employing more than 20 crore people. It is also one of the few sectors of the economy where women's participation is relatively high. However, women-led businesses struggle to obtain official finance, market connections, or even basic recognition. Less than 10% of female entrepreneurs use formal loan facilities, while the rest continue to rely on personal savings or informal channels to keep their firms running. This is despite evidence showing that women-led enterprises have high repayment rates, low default rates, and significant job creation potential.
— In rural India, where women already lead collective action through self-help groups (SHGs), the potential is much greater. However, financing models, policies, and corporate support systems have not kept pace with their ambitions. Most women do not have collateral, official business records, or credit scores, which are the basic requirements for formal lending.
— While various entrepreneurship programs exist (RSETI, SVEP, PM Vishwakarma, and PMEGP), these efforts are frequently gender-blind and operate in silos, focussing solely on inputs such as training or one-time investment.
— However, over the last decade, various new programmes and models have arisen that try to establish entire support ecosystems around women entrepreneurs rather than just addressing one aspect of the problem. SHGs and community enterprise models continue to drive a quiet revolution in rural India.
Conclusion:
— Digital innovation is also altering the rules. Platforms such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) enable women to contact clients beyond the usual limits of retail infrastructure. Mann Deshi and Rang De are pioneers in women-friendly banking models, providing tech platforms that not only lend but also train, coach, and connect women-led businesses to the market.
— Women-led businesses have high social and economic benefits, and CSR may help de-risk early-stage investments and create a supportive entrepreneurship ecosystem for female entrepreneurs.
(Source: Women-led MSMEs are the key to 'Viksit Bharat')
Points to Ponder
Read about MSME classification
Read Economic Survey 2024-25
Related Previous Year Questions
Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard (2023)
'Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product (GDP) in the post-reform period' Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (2017)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 108)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 107)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 108)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 107)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 108)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 107)
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'We are deeply concerned about the abrupt constriction and future reliability of key supply chains, specifically for critical minerals.' • The Quad foreign ministers also condemned 'North Korea's destabilising launches using ballistic missile technology and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs)'. • The Quad said it continues to coordinate rapid responses to regional disasters and collectively contributed 'over USD $30 million in humanitarian assistance to support communities affected by the earthquake that struck central Myanmar in March 2025'. • It concluded by saying that as the 'Quad continues to evolve, our four democracies remain committed to deepening our cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and ensuring our cooperation has an enduring impact on the region's top challenges and opportunities in the 21st century.' 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It was formalised in 2007 by the efforts of the then-Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. • The United States is hosting the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting, and India will host the 2025 Quad Leaders Summit. • According to a report published by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) in 2024, India's demand for critical minerals is expected to more than double by 2030, while domestic mining operations may take over a decade to start producing. • The report said India depends heavily on China for synthetic graphite and natural graphite, and it should explore cooperation initiatives with countries like Mozambique, Madagascar, Brazil, and Tanzania, which are some of the highest graphite-producing countries. 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On these, India imposes both tariff and non-tariff restrictions, and the US is pushing for greater market access. • Corn: The US is the world's biggest maize producer and exporter, with an estimated 377.6 million tonnes (mt) output, as against India's 42.3 mt, in 2024-25. As much as 94% of the total area planted to corn in the US last year was under genetically modified (GM) varieties. • India charges 15% duty on maize imports of up to 0.5 mt annually, with quantities beyond that attracting a higher 50% rate. Moreover, it neither grows nor allows import of GM maize. • One proposal mooted is to permit import of GM maize exclusively for use as a feedstock to manufacture fuel ethanol. Over 46% of the ethanol being made available by Indian distilleries for blending with petrol is, in fact, currently coming from maize. That's more than the share of other feedstocks: Sugarcane juice/molasses (32%) and surplus/broken rice (22%). • Ethanol: The US is the world's biggest producer and exporter of ethanol too. In 2024, it exported $4.3 billion worth of ethanol, with India being the third largest market (at $441.3 million) after Canada ($1.5 billion) and United Kingdom ($535.1 million). • India now allows ethanol imports only against 'actual user' licence for non-fuel industrial purposes. Imports can be for manufacturing alcohol-based chemicals, medicines or beverages, but not for blending in petrol and diesel. • Given India's total projected ethanol consumption of 11,350 million litres in 2025, with fuel's share at 9,650 million and industrial use at just 1,700 million litres, the US would want an opening up of the market. • Soybean: US is the second biggest producer and exporter of soyabean after Brazil. 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Cotton production increased remarkably from a mere 13.6 million bales (1 bale = 170 kg) in 2002-03 to 39.8 million bales in 2013-14, registering an increase of 192 per cent in just 12 years, ushering the famous 'gene revolution' • The success of Bt cotton holds many lessons for policymakers but it is not free from controversy and debate. Several concerns have been expressed by NGOs, civil society groups and farmers' groups from time to time to emphasise the risks associated with GM crops. • Some of these include — enhanced sucking pest damage in Bt cotton; increase in secondary pests such as mired bugs and Spodoptera; emergence of pest resistance; environmental and health implications in terms of toxicity and allergenicity that can cause hematotoxin reactions in the human body and, of course, farmers' exposure to a greater risk of monopoly in the seed business. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Why India cannot afford to ignore the GM crop revolution 📍Why the Supreme Court couldn't agree on environmental release of GM mustard UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? (2012) 1. To enable them to withstand drought 2. To increase the nutritive value of the produce 3. To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations 4. To increase their shelf life Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (3). Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of (UPSC CSE 2021) (a) clonal propagation of crop plants (b) developing genetically modified crop plants (c) production of plant growth substances (d) production of biofertilizers UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers? (UPSC CSE 2019) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. What's the ongoing story: Since the 1990s, Kerala has been known as India's most literate state. Under the Centre's 2022 literacy programme, Mizoram has pipped the southern state to emerge as India's 'first fully literate state'. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the ULLAS programme? • What is the National Literacy Mission (NLM)? • What is the New Education Policy? • What is the objective of the ULLAS programme? • What are the government policies for the promotion of education in India? • What is the status of literacy in India? Key Takeaways: • Mizoram has now become India's 'first fully literate state' under the Centre's ULLAS programme, officially called the Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram or the New India Literacy Programme. The literacy rate in Mizoram now stands at 98.2%. According to the Ministry of Education's 2024 definition, a state can be called 'fully literate' if it achieves 95% literacy. • The ULLAS programme, which has a five-year timeline aimed at non-literate people aged 15 years and above, was first implemented across the country in 2022. • There are competing claims on which state became 'fully literate' first based on different datasets. Kerala achieved 'total literacy' in 1991 as per the National Literacy Mission (NLM) norms, which required 90% of a state's population aged between 15 and 35 years to be literate. Kerala had claimed that 90% of its population aged between 15 and 60 years was literate back then. • According to the 2011 Census, literacy in Kerala was 93.91% and 91.58% in Mizoram. Under the 'Household Social Consumption: Education' survey, a part of the National Sample Survey from July 2017 to June 2018, literacy among those aged 7 years and above in Kerala was 96.2%. This survey did not have data on Mizoram. • However, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey's annual report from July 2023 to June 2024, Mizoram's literacy rate for those aged 7 years and above was 98.2%, while Kerala's stood at 95.3%. Do You Know: • The Ministry of Education wrote to the states in August last year, defining 'literacy' and '100% literacy' for ULLAS. Literacy was defined as 'the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, i.e., to identify, understand, interpret and create, along with critical life skills such as digital literacy, financial literacy, etc.' • It added that achieving 95% literacy in a state/UT may be considered equivalent to being fully literate. The communication also referred to the National Education Policy 2020, which calls for government initiatives for adult education to 'expedite the all-important aim of achieving 100% literacy'. • ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027. It aims to equip 5 crore 'non-literate individuals' over the age of 15 across the country with foundational literacy and numeracy skills, which means basic reading and writing and simple arithmetic learnt in primary classes. The teaching material is also meant to impart 'critical life skills' like financial and digital literacy. • The scheme aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It is based on the spirit of Kartvya Bodh and is being implemented on volunteerism. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | India's literacy drive and its fully literate states— All you need to know for UPSC Prelims and Mains Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (4) Which of the following provisions of the Constitution does India have a bearing on Education? (UPSC CSE 2012) 1. Directive Principles of State Policy 2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies 3. Fifth Schedule 4. Sixth Schedule 5. Seventh Schedule Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 1, 2 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-iI: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a five-nation tour, arrived in Ghana Wednesday on a two-day State visit, during which he will hold talks with the West African country's top leadership and review the strong bilateral partnership. Key Points to Ponder: • Where is Ghana located? • Trace the history of the relationship between India and Ghana • What do you understand by the Global South? • What is the significance of Ghana in cooperation among the Global South? • What are the potential areas of cooperation between both two countries? Key Takeaways: • This is the first visit by an Indian PM to Ghana in the last three decades. • Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, Modi said in his departure statement. • Modi said he looked forward to talks aimed at deepening the two countries' historical ties and opening up new windows of cooperation, including in the areas of investment, energy, health, security, capacity building and development partnership. 'As fellow democracies, it will be an honour to speak at the Parliament of Ghana,' he said • According to the MEA, PM Modi will hold talks with the President of Ghana to review the strong bilateral partnership and discuss ways to enhance it through economic, energy, and defence collaboration. • From Ghana, Modi will travel to Trinidad and Tobago on a two-day visit from July 3 to 4. The PM will then visit Argentina from July 4 to 5. In the fourth leg, Modi will travel to Brazil for the BRICS summit. On his way back, he will stop over in Namibia. Do You Know: • Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with 'The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana', the country's national honour, for his 'distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership'. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍PM Modi conferred Ghana's national honour Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (5) Consider the following statements about Ghana: 1. Located in East Africa 2. Touches the boundary with Ethiopia and Kenya 3. Surrounded by Indian Ocean Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. What's the ongoing story: In two key copyright cases last week, US courts ruled in favour of tech companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) models. While the two judgments arrived at their conclusions differently, they are the first to address a central question around generative AI models: are these built on stolen creative work? Key Points to Ponder: • What do you understand by copyright? • What are the laws governing copyrights in India? • What are the issues of copyright and AI? • What are the Large Language Models (LLMs)? • What are the international bodies governing the copyright issues? • 'Transformative' AI models fall within the ambit of 'fair use' – what does this mean? Key Takeaways: • At a very basic level, AI models such as ChatGPT and Gemini identify patterns from massive amounts of data. Their ability to generate passages, scenes, videos, and songs in response to prompts depends on the quality of the data they have been trained on. This training data has thus far come from a wide range of sources, from books and articles to images and sounds, and other material available on the Internet. • There are at the moment at least 21 ongoing lawsuits in the US, filed by writers, music labels, and news agencies, among others, against tech companies for training AI models on copyrighted work. This, the petitioners have argued, amounts to 'theft'. • In their defence, tech companies say they are using the data to create 'transformative' AI models, which falls within the ambit of 'fair use' — a concept in law that permits use of copyrighted material in limited capacities for larger public interests (for instance, quoting a paragraph from a book for a review). • As leading publishers in the US and UK clamp down on artificial intelligence (AI) companies scraping news content without consent, Indian digital media houses are ramping up pressure on the government to step in and protect journalistic work from being 'exploited' by commercial AI models. Do You Know: • Under the Copyright Act, 1957, the 'author' of a work has a bundle of legal rights including the right to reproduce, issue copies, perform, adapt, or translate the work in question. Upon the death of the author, the ownership of the copyright falls to her legal heirs. Under Section 18 however, the author can 'assign' the copyright 'wholly or partially' to anyone she pleases, in return for compensation. The Act aims to safeguard creative works considered to be a creator's intellectual property. • A copyrighted work will be considered 'infringed' only if a substantial part is made use of without authorisation. In cases of infringement, the copyright owner can take legal action against any person who infringes on or violates their copyright and is entitled to remedies such as injunctions, damages, and accounts. An injunction is 'an official order given by a law court, usually to stop someone from doing something.' • Section 52 lists acts that don't constitute infringement, even in cases where one has a copyright over the work. Section 52(1)(a) exempts 'a fair dealing with any work' from being termed 'infringement' if it's for private or personal use, like research, criticism or review, or reporting of current events and affairs. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge nugget of the day: Copyright Act — the focus of Dhanush-Nayanthara dispute 📍'Urge govt to act against AI's unauthorised and rampant data scrapping': News publishers body Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: In a globalized world, Intellectual Property Rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms—Copyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets. (UPSC CSE 2014) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Mains Examination: General Studies-I: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. General Studies-III: India and its neighbourhood- relations What's the ongoing story: The 14th Dalai Lama announced on Wednesday (July 2) 'that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue' and that the Gaden Phodrang Trust shall be the 'sole authority to recognize the future reincarnation'. Key Points to Ponder: • What do you understand by reincarnation? • Who is the Dalai Lama? • What is the angle of China in recognizing future reincarnation? • Why did the 14th Dalai Lama have to escape from Lhasa? • What are the established conventions in choosing the new Dalai Lama? • What is India's stand? • What is the role of Dalai Lama? • The Dalai Lama is associated with which school of Buddhism? • Who are Bodhisattvas? Key Takeaways: • The 'Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama' came four days before the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists turns 90. • The term Gaden Phodrang refers to the residential quarters of the Dalai Lama lineage from the second Dalai Lama onward at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa. • After the Potala Palace was built (by a decree of the fifth Dalai Lama), the Dalai Lamas moved away from these quarters, and stayed at Potala Palace in winter and Norbulingka (built by the seventh Dalai Lama about 100 years after Potala) in summer. This tradition was followed until the 14th Dalai Lama's escape from Lhasa to India in March 1959. • The Gaden Phodrang Trust is one of three institutions associated with the Dalai Lama. 'There are three registered institutions that are related to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. There is Gaden Phodrang Trust, which is a registered body in India and operates from the office of His Holiness, there is another Dalai Lama Trust, which [too] is a non-profit organisation, and the third is Gaden Phodrang Foundation, which is registered in Zurich.' • The Gaden Phodrang Trust was registered in 2011 in Dharamshala with the aim of recognising the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. It is based in the office of the Dalai Lama, and is managed by the former Kalon Tripa (head of the CTA) Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, a senior monk and a close confidant of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama heads the trust, whose members include some other aides of the spiritual leader. • The foundation is a tax-exempt Swiss nonprofit with its registered office in Zurich, and is supervised by the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs. It is funded by charitable contributions made by the founder and the public. • The Dalai Lama is the founder and president of the foundation, and Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa (India), Kelsang Gyaltsen (Switzerland), and Jamphel Lhundup (India), are its co-vice presidents. • The foundation says on its website that its aim is to maintain and support the tradition and institution of the Dalai Lama, and to promote basic human values, mutual understanding among religions, peace and non-violence, and protection of the environment. • The Dalai Lama Trust is a non-profit charitable organisation founded by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2009. It is headquartered in New Delhi but works with a range of partners internationally, too. • The purpose of the trust is to support the welfare of the Tibetan people and to promote human values, interfaith harmony, and world peace, which have been key elements of the Dalai Lama's lifelong mission. Do You Know: • India Thursday asserted that the successor to the 14th Dalai Lama has to be decided by established practices and that no one but the present Dalai Lama 'has the right to decide'. • The statement comes after China, which describes the Dalai Lama as a separatist, stated that the spiritual leader's reincarnation must be approved by the Chinese Central government. • The Dalai Lama, literally 'Ocean of Wisdom, is believed to be the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of compassion, and the patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are persons who are on the path to becoming a Buddha, but who put the liberation of other sentient beings ahead of entering nirvana themselves. • The institution of the Dalai Lama is part of the tulku concept in Tibetan Buddhism, in which spiritual masters are reincarnated upon their death, so that their teachings can be preserved and carried forward. • The first Dalai Lama, Gedun Drupa, was born in 1391. Beginning with Lobsang Gyatso (1617-82), the fifth of the line, the Dalai Lama became both the spiritual and political leader of Tibetan Buddhists. • The present Dalai Lama was found by a search party in 1939, six years after the 13th Dalai Lama Thupten Gyatso passed away in 1933. The reincarnation was recognised by several signs, including a vision revealed to a senior monk. In 1940, the little boy was taken to Potala Palace in Lhasa and officially enthroned. • China denounces the 14th Dalai Lama as a 'splittist', 'traitor', and an exile with 'no right to represent the Tibetan people', and prohibits any public show of devotion towards him. • In his 2011 statement, the Dalai Lama had said that his reincarnation should be found in a 'free country, not under Chinese control'. He also said that 'no recognition should be given to a reincarnation selected for political purposes by the Chinese government'. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍The Dalai Lama, his successor, and China Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (6) With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2016) 1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. 2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment. 3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it What's the ongoing story: The difference in daily per capita calorie intake between India's top and bottom 5 per cent of consumers narrowed in 2023-24, with the former eating fewer calories and the latter increasing their intake. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the impact lesser calorie intake on the human body? • What is the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES)? • Who conducts the HCES? • How poverty level measured using the calorie intake in India? • What are the criticisms related to poverty estimation? Key Takeaways: • In 2023-24, the top 5 per cent of Indians urban areas, as measured by their Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE), consumed 3,092 kilocalories (Kcal) per day, 82.3 per cent more than the 1,696 Kcal of the bottom 5 per cent, according to nutritional intake data based on the statistics ministry's latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES). In 2022-23, the difference was 114.3 per cent. • In rural India, the daily calorie intake of the top 5 per cent was 2,941 Kcal, 74.2 per cent higher than that of the bottom 5 per cent's 1,688 Kcal. In 2022-23, the difference was 93.9 per cent. • Overall, the daily per capita calorie intake in rural India in 2023-24 was down 0.9 per cent from 2022-23 at 2,212 Kcal, while that in urban areas was 0.4 per cent lower at 2,240 Kcal. Compared to 2011-12, the daily per capita calorie consumption in urban areas was 1.5 per cent higher in 2023-24, although it was down 0.9 per cent in rural areas. • The narrowing of the gap in daily per capita calorie intake between the top and bottom 5 per cent in both rural and urban areas was primarily a result of lower consumption by the top 5 per cent and an increase in intake by the bottom 5 per cent. • According to the MoSPI data, the calorie intake of the top 5 per cent of Indians in urban regions fell by as much as 11.1 per cent in 2023-24 from 2022-23. The reduction in calorie intake of the top 5 per cent in rural areas was 5.6 per cent. • Interestingly, Indians in urban areas reduced their daily consumption of fat in 2023-24 to 69.8 grams (gm) from 70.5 gm in 2022-23, while those in rural areas increased it to 60.4 gm from 59.7 gm. • Protein intake, meanwhile, was largely steady. In rural areas, the daily per capita protein intake in 2023-24 was 61.8 gm as against 61.9 gm in 2022-23. The intake was higher in urban areas at 63.4 gm, marginally up from 63.2 gm in 2022-23. • This marks a departure from the situation in 2011-12, when daily per capita protein intake was slightly higher in rural India than urban. In 2011-12, the average daily protein intake was 60.3 gm in urban areas and 60.7 gm in rural areas. Do You Know: • Officially approved poverty measurement in India has involved estimating the level of consumption expenditure sufficient to enable the minimum calorie intake necessary for living and working. As calories measure the energy ingested through food and drink, the methodology represents a physiological approach. • The poverty line is the level of income used as a cut-off point for deciding who is poor in any economy. It represents the minimum income level necessary to meet basic needs, and varies across countries depending on their overall economic conditions. It is important to note here that the context (both time period and location) is critical to arriving at a meaningful poverty line. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Measuring poverty shouldn't be about calories. India needs a thali index 📍Knowledge Nugget: World Bank's revised poverty line and India — A must-know for UPSC Exam Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (7) In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because (2019) (a) poverty rates vary from State to State (b) price levels vary from State to State (c) Gross State Product varies from State to State (d) quality of public distribution varies from State to State The Land Pooling Policy, 2025 is a flagship initiative of the Punjab government with the stated aim of promoting 'planned urban development'. Unlike in traditional land acquisition, where the state simply acquires land for compensation, the pooling initiative is meant to be voluntary. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
ITR filing: Why are ITR-2 and ITR-3 forms still not available on Income Tax e-filing portal? Top reasons explained
Taxpayers have little reason to worry since this year the Income Tax Department has extended the deadline to file IT. (AI image) ITR filing FY 2024-25: It's the month of July and every year this time, taxpayers are usually scrambling to get together documents to file their income tax return or ITR. However, those who file ITR-2 or ITR-3 have not yet been able to start the process of ITR filing since the utilities have not yet been released online ( or offline by the tax department. However, taxpayers have little reason to worry since this year the Income Tax Department has extended the deadline to file ITR from July 31 to September 15, 2025. ITR: Why Are ITR-2 & ITR-3 Not Available For Filing? Experts are of the view that the extensive changes in the Income Tax Return forms and the complexity of ITR-2 and ITR-3 has possibly caused the delay in release from the Income Tax Department's end. Sonu Iyer, Partner and National Leader People Advisory Services - Tax, EY India explains, 'The ITR-2 / ITR-3 return forms are applicable for individuals with complex financial profiles such as income from multiple house properties, capital gains, foreign assets and foreign income, business or professional income (in the case of ITR-3), directorships, unlisted equity shares, total income exceeding INR 5 million, brought forward and carry forward of losses, etc. ' Also Read | Income Tax Return e-filing: Can you keep switching between new and old tax regime every year? What taxpayers should know 'These forms are significantly more detailed than the simpler ITR-1/ ITR-4 forms. The delay in releasing the e-filing utility (online and offline) for ITR-2 / ITR-3 can be attributed to the substantive changes introduced in the return forms such as separate reporting of capital gains earned before and after 23 July 2024, detailed reporting of deductions / exemptions, reporting of TDS section codes, etc,' Sonu Iyer tells TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo According to the EY tax expert, such changes require comprehensive technical modifications to align the utility with the enhanced reporting requirements and provisions of the Finance Act, 2024. The Income Tax Department has extended the deadline for filing returns to 15 September 2025 recognizing the time required to update the utilities and the time required for system readiness,' she adds. Who Has To File ITR-2/ITR-3 for FY 2024-25? ITR-2 is for individual and HUF Taxpayers. This form is suitable for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families who receive: * Salary/pension earnings * Revenue from multiple residential properties * Any amount of capital gains * Overseas income or assets * Agricultural proceeds exceeding Rs.5,000 * Those with RNOR/NRI status * Company directors or holders of unlisted equity * Cases involving combined spousal income Exclusion criteria: Persons earning from business or professional activities Latest update: Excel-based utility now accommodates revised return submissions under Section 139(8A). Also Read | ITR e-filing AY 2025-25: What is Annual Information Statement (AIS) and how is it different from Form 26AS? Top points for taxpayers ITR 3 is applicable for self-employed individuals, independent contractors and firm partners Mandatory filing requirements - For individuals or HUF having: * Revenue from proprietorship ventures or professional activities. * Partnership income (excluding Limited Liability Partnerships). * Any amount of capital gains income or related loss carry-forward. * Ownership of non-listed equity shares. * Profits or losses from derivatives trading. * Additional earnings from employment, property rental or miscellaneous sources alongside business revenue. This form is suitable when your income composition makes you ineligible for ITR 1, ITR 2, or ITR 4. Submission of Form 10-IEA acknowledgement is necessary when choosing to opt out of the new taxation structure. ITR Deadline Extension: What I-T Department Has Said On May 27, 2025, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) announced the extension of the due date to file ITR. 'In view of the extensive changes introduced in the notified Income Tax Returns (ITRs) and considering the time required for system readiness and rollout of ITR utilities for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26, CBDT has decided to extend the due date for filing returns.' The reasons CBDT gave were: ITRs for Assessment Year 2025-26 feature significant modifications in structure and content, designed to streamline the compliance process, improve transparency and ensure precise reporting. Due to these alterations, additional duration is required for developing systems, integrating components and evaluating the associated utilities. Additionally, credits originating from Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) statements, which must be submitted by May 31, 2025, are anticipated to appear in early June, thus restricting the available timeframe for return submission without such an extension. Also Read | Income Tax Return: Are capital gains from MFs taxed differently under new & old regime? What taxpayers should know about new LTCG, STCG rules Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
