Brief Context
Context Recently, the Government of India has notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets for additional carbon-intensive sectors under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS). About India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) It forms the operational backbone of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) that was notified in 2023 under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022. It seeks to enable India’s transition toward a low-carbon economy, aligning with its net-zero commitment by 2070
Source Content
Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Targets
Syllabus: GS3/Environment
Context
- Recently, the Government of India has notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets for additional carbon-intensive sectors under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
About India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)
- It forms the operational backbone of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) that was notified in 2023 under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022.
- It seeks to enable India’s transition toward a low-carbon economy, aligning with its net-zero commitment by 2070 and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
- Key objectives include reducing GHG emissions, facilitating carbon pricing, promoting sustainable growth, and enhancing global competitiveness.
Framework and Structure
- Compliance Mechanism: Obligated industries need to meet the notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets. Entities that reduce emissions beyond their targets can earn Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs).
- Offset Mechanism: These credits can be traded with other entities that are unable to meet their emission obligations, thereby ensuring flexibility and economic efficiency in compliance.
Institutional Structure
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE): Central implementing agency; develops rules, methodologies, and MRV systems.
- Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC): Regulates the carbon credit trading platform and market transactions.
- National Steering Committee (NSC): Policy-level oversight and coordination among ministries.
- Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) & Power Exchange India Limited (PXIL): Facilitate electronic trading of Carbon Credit Certificates.
Coverage of Sectors
- The CCTS initially covered four sectors like aluminium, cement, chlor-alkali, and pulp & paper.
- Recently, in January 2026, the government expanded coverage to include petroleum refineries, petrochemicals, textiles, and secondary aluminium.
Land Acquisition related issues for the Great Nicobar mega project
Syllabus:GS2/Governance
In News
- Tribal Council members in Little and Great Nicobar allege that district officials are pressuring them to surrender ancestral lands for the ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar mega project.
- They say they were asked to sign a vague “surrender certificate” without details, despite the land being traditionally inhabited by the Nicobarese before the 2004 tsunami.
Land Acquisition Policy of India
- The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 replaced the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act of 1894 to create a fair and transparent framework for land acquisition in India.
- It is being Implemented from January 1, 2014 and ensures higher compensation, mandatory consent, and comprehensive rehabilitation for affected families, though farmers allege gaps in its proper implementation.
Features
- It provides compensation of up to twice the market value in urban areas and four times in rural areas, and requires consent from 70% of affected families for PPP projects and 80% for private projects.
- It mandates Social Impact Assessments to evaluate social, economic, and environmental impacts.
- It restricts acquisition of irrigated multi-cropped land, ensures rehabilitation benefits such as housing, livelihood support, employment or annuity, and infrastructure in resettlement areas, and defines “public purpose” to prevent arbitrary acquisitions.
- It also stipulates that unused land be returned within five years, offers grievance redressal through the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (LARR) Authority
- It ensures transparency through public consultations, and provides additional safeguards for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, while exempting certain strategic sectors like defence and railways from select provisions.
Challenges in Implementation
- The Act faces several challenges in its implementation that make full implementation of the Act difficult.
- Some of the challenges are
- Procedural requirements often delay land acquisition for development projects
- Compensation costs can put a strain on both public and private project budgets
- Balancing development needs with social justice remains a contentious issue.
Source :IE
“Secondary particulate” top cause of Delhi winter pollution : CAQM report
Syllabus:GS3/Environment
In News
- A CAQM-commissioned analysis found that Delhi’s winter air pollution is mainly driven by secondary particulate matter (27%), followed by transport emissions (23%), biomass burning including waste and crop residue (20%), dust (15%), and industrial sources (9%).
Key Highlights of report
- It is prepared after a Supreme Court directive and compiles existing studies rather than identifying new sources and notes inconsistencies in past methodologies.
- It highlights the key role of ammonia—mainly from fertilisers and livestock—in forming secondary particulates such as sulphates and nitrates, which make up 25–60% of PM2.5 and pose serious health risks.
- The CAQM also announced plans for new emissions inventory and source apportionment studies for 2026 to improve forecasting and policy support.
Particulate matter (PM)
- It refers to tiny solid particles and liquid droplets in the air, some visible and others microscopic.
- It mainly includes PM10 (particles 10 micrometers or smaller) and PM2.5 (fine particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller), which are about 30 times thinner than a human hair.
- Sources : PM comes either directly from sources like construction, roads, fires, and smokestacks, or forms in the atmosphere through chemical reactions involving pollutants from vehicles, industries, and power plants.
- Types : Primary pollutants come directly from sources like road dust, construction, open burning, vehicle exhaust, and industries.
- Nitrous oxides, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds, constitute primary particulate matter.
- Secondary particulate matter forms when released gases, called precursor pollutants, react in the air—affected by humidity, temperature, and sunlight—creating fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Source :TH
Theyyam
Syllabus:GS1/Culture
In News
- In Kannur, a centuries-old Theyyam shrine, banned photography after the family faced a negative experience during last year’s Theyyam season.
Theyyam
- Theyyam, an ancient ritualistic performance art, is unique to north Kerala, where divine energy is believed to descend among the people, transcending caste hierarchies.
- It is predominantly performed by the Malayan and Vannan communities.
- It honors family, village, and regional deities, including Hindu gods, goddesses, forest and warrior spirits, as well as select Muslim figures, reflecting intercultural acceptance.
- Grand temple or family festivals, known as Kaliyattam, or larger Perumkaliyattam held once in 12 or more years, showcase the art form.
- Theyyam blends dance, music, painting, sculpture, and literature, serving as both a spiritual practice and an enduring cultural heritage of North Malabar.
Source :TH
Kerala Literature Festival
Syllabus: GS1/ Culture
Context
- The ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) commenced at Kozhikode Beach on January 22, 2026.
About the Festival
- The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) is the largest literary event in India, attracting over half a million attendees across four vibrant days.
- Founded in 2016, the festival is organised by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and co-promoted by DC Books.
- KLF is held annually on the beaches of Kozhikode (Calicut), India’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
- Significance: KLF features a diverse line-up of speakers, including Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, Oscar winners, celebrities, acclaimed authors and thought leaders.
- It also hosts performances of music, dance, theatre and other performative and participatory arts.
Significance of Kozhikode
- Kozhikode Known as the “City of Spices”, has historically been a major centre of trade, cultural exchange, and intellectual activity.
- Renowned Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama touched down the Indian subcontinent on the shores of Calicut in 1498.
Source: TH
Hirakud Wetland Emerges as a Major Migratory Bird Haven
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
- The Hirakud wetland in Sambalpur district of Odisha has recorded the arrival of 4.21 lakh birds during the current migratory season.
About Hirakud Wetland
- Location: The wetland is part of the Hirakud Reservoir, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in India, built across the Mahanadi River with a total length of almost 26 kilometres.
- The reservoir also produces around 350 megawatts of hydropower and irrigates 436,000 hectares of land.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: It is a critical stopover for birds along the Central Asian Flyway, hosting 128 species of birds. Species include Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Bar-headed Goose, and rare Eurasian species like Ruffs.
- Ramsar Site: It was designated a Ramsar site of global ecological importance in 2021.
- The Wetland provides a mosaic of habitats such as open water, mudflats, marshes, and shallow wetlands, which are ideal for migratory birds.
Source: AIR
India welcomes Spain joining Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
Syllabus: GS2/IR
Context
- India has welcomed Spain joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
- It was launched by Ind