08 July 2026

UPSC GS 2

UDISE+ 2025–26

· News: The Ministry of Education has released two key reports—UDISE+ 2025–26 and Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 for 2025–26—which indicate a decline in school dropout rates, improved teacher strength, and better infrastructure, while highlighting the need to improve student retention at higher levels.

·  About UDISE+:

o UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) is the Government of India's official digital database for school education.

o It is maintained by the Ministry of Education.

o Schools upload data voluntarily using their active UDISE+ codes.

o It provides real-time information on:

§ School infrastructure.

§ Student enrolment.

§ Teacher-related indicators.

§ Facilities and amenities.

§ Learning environment.

· About Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0:

o Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 is a performance assessment framework for States and Union Territories in school education.

o It evaluates performance across six domains:

§ Learning Outcomes.

§ Access.

§ Infrastructure and Facilities.

§ Equity.

§ Governance Process.

§ Teacher Education and Training.

§ States and UTs are graded using a 10-tier ranking system.

· Key Findings of UDISE+ 2025–26:

· 1. Decline in Dropout Rates

o Preparatory level: Declined from 2.3% (2024–25) to 1.8% (2025–26).

o Secondary level: Declined from 8.2% to 7.0%.

o Highest secondary-level dropout rates were reported in:

§ Ladakh 

§ Gujarat 

§ Chhattisgarh 

§ Karnataka 

· Reasons for improvement:

o Expansion of secondary schools.

o Better accessibility.

o Targeted government interventions.

o More supportive school environments.

· 2. Improvement in Student Retention

o Middle level: Increased from 82.8% to 83.7%.

o Secondary level: Improved significantly from 47.2% to 51.9%.

o However, retention declined marginally at the foundational and preparatory stages.

o Concern: Only about half of Class I students reach Class XII, indicating persistent attrition at higher stages.

· 3. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)

o Secondary-level GER increased from 68.5% to 71.7%, reflecting improved access and continued enrolment.

· 4. Teacher Strength

o The number of school teachers crossed 1.02 crore for the first time.

o Teacher strength increased by 8.3% compared to 2022–23.

o Women teachers constitute 54.9% of the workforce.

· 5. Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR)

· PTRs remain well below the National Education Policy (NEP) target of 30:1:

· Stage

· PTR

· Foundational

· 10:1

· Preparatory

· 12:1

· Middle

· 17:1

· Secondary

· 21:1

· 6. School Rationalisation

o Zero-enrolment schools: Reduced by 29% to 5,663.

o Single-teacher schools: Declined by 3% to 100,843.

· 7. Girls' Enrolment

o Girls accounted for 48.4% of total enrolment, slightly higher than 48.3% in the previous year.

· 8. Digital Access and Infrastructure

· Improved Digital Infrastructure:

o Computer availability increased from 64.7% to 69.9%.

o Internet connectivity increased from 63.5% to 67.4%.

· Basic Amenities:

o Safe drinking water: 99.5% 

o Girls' toilets: 98.5% 

o Boys' toilets: 97.2% 

o Grid electricity: 95% 

o Concern: Playground availability declined from 83% to 81.9%.

· 9. Inclusion:

o Schools with disability-friendly ramps and handrails increased from 54.9% to 58.2%.

· 10. Enrolment Composition:

· Minority Students:

o Account for over 20% of total enrolment.

o Composition:

§ Muslims – 79.4% 

§ Christians – 10.1% 

§ Sikhs – 7.1% 

§ Buddhists – 2.0% 

§ Jains – 1.3% 

§ Parsis – 0.1% 

o Social Category

§ OBC – 44.9% 

§ General – 27.5% 

§ SC – 17.7% 

§ ST – 10.0% 

· Key Findings of PGI 2.0 (2025–26):

· Overall Performance:

o No State or Union Territory achieved any of the top three grades (71%–100%).

· Top Performers:

o Chandigarh was the only UT to achieve the 'Uttam-3' grade.

o 'Prachesta-1' (51%–60%):

§ Delhi

§ Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

§ Kerala

§ Punjab

o Middle Performers:

§ 'Prachesta-2' (41%–50%)

§ Himachal Pradesh

§ Goa

§ Maharashtra

§ Odisha

§ Lakshadweep

o Most remaining states fall under 'Prachesta-3' and 'Akanshi-1'.

· Aspirational States: The 'Akanshi' category includes:

§ Uttar Pradesh

§ Bihar

§ West Bengal

§ Madhya Pradesh

§ Jharkhand

§ Jammu and Kashmir

§ Nagaland

§ Arunachal Pradesh

§ Manipur

§ Mizoram

§ Meghalaya

· Domain-wise Leaders:

· Domain

· Leader

· Learning Outcomes

· Punjab

· Access

· Kerala & Puducherry

· Teacher Education & Training

· Kerala & Lakshadweep

· Equity

· Tamil Nadu

· States Showing Decline:

§ Madhya Pradesh

§ Manipur

§ Odisha

§ Uttarakhand

· Inter-State Gap:

o Highest PGI Score: Chandigarh – 766.0

o Lowest PGI Score: Meghalaya – 525.7

o Gap between the highest and lowest performers: 31.4%, reduced from 51% in 2017–18, indicating a narrowing of regional disparities.  

India–Costa Rica Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO)

· News:  India and Costa Rica recently held the first Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting virtually to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations.

·  Key Highlights:

o Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Costa Rica reached USD 391 million in 2025–26.

o Both countries reviewed:

§ Trade and investment relations.

§ Regulatory frameworks.

§ Measures to enhance economic cooperation.

o The meeting identified cooperation in the following areas:

§ Standards and certification.

§ Food safety.

§ Pharmaceutical regulation.

§ Export certification.

o India highlighted opportunities for collaboration in:

§ Pharmaceuticals.

§ Digital technologies.

§ Manufacturing.

§ Innovation.

o Costa Rica shared its experience in Central American regional trade integration.

· What is JETCO?

o JETCO (Joint Economic and Trade Committee) is a bilateral institutional mechanism established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Economic Cooperation.

o It serves as a platform for enhancing economic and commercial engagement between two countries.

· Objectives:

o Review bilateral trade and investment relations.

o Identify new areas for economic cooperation.

o Resolve trade-related issues and bottlenecks.

o Promote business, regulatory, and institutional cooperation.

o Facilitate greater market access and investment opportunities.

· Significance:

o Strengthens India's economic engagement with Latin America.

o Helps reduce non-tariff barriers to trade through regulatory cooperation.

o Promotes investment and business collaboration in high-value sectors such as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, digital technologies, and innovation.

o Enhances institutional dialogue for long-term economic partnership.

Modified UDAN Scheme

· News:  The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport and launched the Modified UDAN Scheme to strengthen regional air connectivity.

·  About Modified UDAN Scheme:

o The Modified UDAN Scheme has been launched with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore for the next 10 years to accelerate the next phase of aviation-led development in the country.

o A major focus of the scheme is the development of 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips, supported by an allocation of over ₹12,000 crore, to improve regional aviation infrastructure.

o More than ₹2,500 crore has been earmarked for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support to ensure the financial viability of newly operational regional airports during their initial years.

o The scheme also provides ₹3,661 crore for the construction of 200 modern helipads and allocates ₹10,043 crore as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to support airlines operating on regional routes.

o It promotes the induction of indigenously developed aircraft and helicopters, including the HAL Dhruv and HAL Dornier Do-228, particularly for connectivity in remote and underserved areas.

· About UDAN Scheme: UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) is the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) launched by the Government of India in October 2016 to improve air connectivity to unserved and underserved airports.

· Objectives:

o Improve regional connectivity, particularly across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

o Make air travel affordable for the common citizen.

o Promote balanced regional development.

o Enhance the utilisation of underused and unused airport infrastructure.

o The scheme is based on two key objectives:

o Making short-distance air travel affordable where train journeys typically take 10–18 hours.

o Reviving airports with existing runways but without scheduled commercial flights.

o The first UDAN flight was launched on 27 April 2017, connecting Shimla and Delhi.

· Key Features:

o Airlines are selected through a competitive bidding process.

o Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided to airlines operating on commercially less viable regional routes.

o The Airports Authority of India waives airport charges for UDAN flights.

o State Governments provide essential services such as security, electricity, and firefighting facilities free of cost.

o Around 50% of seats on UDAN flights are offered at a capped fare of approximately ₹2,500 per hour of flight.

o Special emphasis is placed on connecting remote, hilly, island, and difficult-to-access regions.

· Funding Mechanism:

o The scheme was initially financed through a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) levy imposed on flights operating on major routes.

o The proceeds from this levy were used to provide subsidies to airlines serving regional routes.

o The Ministry of Civil Aviation implements the scheme through the Airports Authority of India, which is responsible for bidding, monitoring, and disbursing Viability Gap Funding.

· Phase-wise Evolution of UDAN:

o UDAN 1.0 (2017): Awarded 128 regional routes, with the first commercial flight operating between Delhi and Shimla.

o UDAN 2.0 (2018): Expanded coverage to the North-East, hill states, and islands, while also introducing helicopter services.

o UDAN 3.0 (2018–19): Focused on tourism routes, seaplane operations, and select international connectivity.

o UDAN 4.0 (2020): Extended connectivity to more remote regions and water aerodromes, while permitting longer stage lengths.

o UDAN 5.0 onwards: Increased permissible stage length, relaxed viability norms, and introduced specialised initiatives such as Krishi UDAN and Sagarmala Seaplane Services. 

UPSC GS 3

Giant African Snail (Lissachatina Fulica)

· News:  The invasive Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) is spreading rapidly across Tirunavaya, including school campuses, raising concerns over agriculture and public health.

· About Giant African Snail:

o The Giant African Snail is the common name for several large African land snails, the most destructive being Lissachatina fulica.

o It is recognized as one of the world's worst invasive alien species.

· Distribution:

· Native Region: East Africa.

· Habitat: Thrives in warm tropical climates with:

o High humidity.

o Mild temperatures throughout the year.

o Found in:

§ Agricultural fields.

§ Coastal areas.

§ Wetlands.

§ Natural and plantation forests.

§ Riparian zones.

§ Scrublands.

§ Urban areas.

· Food Habits: Feeds on more than 500 species of:

o Agricultural crops.

o Ornamental plants.

o Adult snails mainly consume:

o Decaying organic matter.

o Garbage.

o Fallen fruits.

o Animal manure.

· Key Features:

o It is a hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.

o Adults have a large, elongated, cone-shaped shell.

o Shell length is generally 50–100 mm, but may reach 200 mm.

o The shell is typically light brown with dark brown vertical stripes.

· Health Impact:

o It can carry the Rat lungworm parasite.

o This parasite can cause Eosinophilic meningitis in humans.

o Infection may occur through accidental ingestion of contaminated snails, slime, or improperly washed vegetables.

· Ecological and Agricultural Impact:

o Damages crops and horticultural plants.

o Threatens native biodiversity by competing with indigenous snail species.

o Causes significant agricultural losses.

o Acts as a carrier of plant pathogens and parasites.

Canscora Agni

· News:  Researchers have recently discovered a new plant species, Canscora agni, in the fire-prone savannas of western India.

·  About Canscora Agni:

o Canscora agni is a newly discovered flowering plant species.

o It was discovered on Sus Hill.

o The discovery highlights the ecological importance of fire-maintained savanna ecosystems in western India.

o The specific name "agni" means "fire" in several Indian languages, including Marathi, reflecting its adaptation to fire-prone habitats.

· Habitat:

o Found in the fire-prone savannas of western India.

o These ancient savannas depend on periodic natural fires, which:

o Remove excessive woody vegetation.

o Maintain open grassland ecosystems.

o Promote the growth of native grasses and specialized dwarf plants such as Canscora agni.

· Key Features:

o It is a small dwarf herb with white flowers.

o It has distinctive winged stems.

o Maximum height is about 10 cm.

· Distinguishing Characteristics: Compared with its closest relative, Canscora alata:

· Canscora agni :

o Grows only up to 10 cm.

o Has fewer and shorter leaves (up to 11 mm long).

o Possesses uneven wing-like stem structures, broader below the flowers and narrower lower down.

o Has minute glandular hairs on its leaves.

o Possesses a shorter ovary.

o Exhibits reticulate (web-like) veins on the broad wings of the calyx.

· Canscora alata:

o Can grow up to 60 cm.

o Lacks the above distinguishing features.

· Conservation Status:

o Although not yet officially assessed, researchers have proposed that Canscora agni be classified as Critically Endangered because:

o It is known from only one very small location.

o Its habitat is highly restricted.

Micromonospora Shyamaprasadii

· News:  Scientists at Raiganj University have recently discovered a new bacterial species, Micromonospora shyamaprasadii.

·  About Micromonospora Shyamaprasadii:

o Micromonospora shyamaprasadii is a newly identified bacterial species.

o It was discovered in West Bengal.

o The bacterium was isolated from the mulberry rhizosphere, the biologically active soil region surrounding mulberry roots.

o It has been named in honour of Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary.

o Preliminary studies indicate that it produces bioactive compounds capable of inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria, suggesting promising antibiotic potential.

· About the Genus Micromonospora: Micromonospora is a genus of bacteria belonging to the Micromonosporaceae family. Members of this genus are:

o Gram-positive.

o Spore-forming.

o Aerobic (generally require oxygen for growth).

· Distribution: They are widely distributed in diverse environments, including:

o Coastal and marine sediments.

o Peat swamp forests.

o Plant rhizospheres.

o Soil microbial communities.

o They frequently establish beneficial associations with the roots of crops such as:

§ Rice.

§ Wheat.

§ Legumes.

§ Mulberry.

· Importance: Micromonospora species are well known for producing:

§ Antibiotics.

§ Industrially important enzymes.

§ Other bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical and agricultural applications.

o They also contribute to:

§ Plant growth promotion.

§ Soil nutrient cycling.

§ Sustainable agriculture through beneficial root–microbe interactions.

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides)

· News: Spiti's Seabuckthorn has recently been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

·  About Seabuckthorn: Seabuckthorn is popularly known as the:

o Wonder Plant.

o Ladakh Gold.

o Golden Bush.

o Gold Mine of the Cold Desert.

o It is an important plant of the Trans-Himalayan region.

· Family: Elaeagnaceae.

· Distribution:

o Seabuckthorn is naturally distributed across Europe and Asia.

o In India, it grows above the tree line in the Himalayan region, particularly in the cold desert areas of:

§ Ladakh.

§ Spiti Valley.

o It is commonly found in dry, high-altitude regions.

· Features:

o Produces small orange or yellow berries.

o The berries are sour in taste but exceptionally rich in:

§ Vitamin C.

§ Antioxidants.

§ Essential nutrients.

o A distinctive feature is that the berries remain attached to the shrub throughout winter, even under sub-zero temperatures.

· Climatic and Soil Requirements:

o It is a temperate crop suited to cold climatic conditions.

o Can tolerate temperatures ranging from –43°C to 40°C.

o Shrubs generally grow 0.5–6 metres tall (occasionally up to 10 metres).

o Commonly found in:

§ Dry sandy soils.

§ Hillsides.

§ Valleys.

§ Riverbeds.

o It is:

§ Salt tolerant.

§ Requires full sunlight for optimal growth.

· Ecological Importance:

o Possesses an extensive root system capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

o Helps in:

§ Soil erosion control.

§ Land reclamation.

§ Stabilising fragile mountain slopes.

§ Enhancing wildlife habitats.

§ Providing shelterbelts and windbreaks in temperate regions.

· Economic Importance: The berries are widely used in:

o Nutraceuticals.

o Pharmaceuticals.

o Cosmetics.

o Health beverages.

o It is an important source of livelihood for communities living in the Himalayan cold deserts. 

Sirsa Kinnow

· News: Sirsa Kinnow has recently been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, with the GI Registry, Chennai, issuing the certificate of registration.

·  About Sirsa Kinnow:

o Sirsa Kinnow is a variety of Kinnow cultivated in Sirsa district.

o It has become Haryana's first fruit to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

o The GI recognition acknowledges the unique quality and reputation of Kinnow produced in the Sirsa region.

· What is Kinnow?

o Kinnow is a hybrid citrus fruit.

o It is a cross between:

§ King (Citrus nobilis).

§ Willow Leaf Mandarin (Citrus deliciosa).

o The hybrid was developed in 1915 by Howard B. Frost at the University of California Citrus Experiment Station.

· Features:

o It is round, large, and has golden-orange coloured skin similar to an orange.

o It possesses a sweet-tangy (sweet and sour) flavour.

o It has a high juice content, making it ideal for juice extraction and pulp processing.

o It is rich in:

§ Vitamin C.

§ Calcium.

§ Potassium.

o It contains about 0.2–0.3% pectin, which:

o Helps lower cholesterol.

o Has potential anti-cancer properties.

o The peel contains essential oil used in the cosmetics industry.

· Distribution:

o Kinnow is widely cultivated in North India.

o Punjab accounts for the largest share of Kinnow cultivation in the country.

o Other major producing states include:

§ Haryana.

§ Rajasthan.

§ Madhya Pradesh.

§ Himachal Pradesh.

§ Jammu and Kashmir.

o In Punjab, Kinnow is popularly referred to as the "King of Fruits."

· Climatic Adaptation:

o Kinnow is well adapted to subtropical climates.

o It can tolerate temperatures ranging from:

§ 0°C during winter.

§ 40°C during summer. 

Facts for Prelims

Bintang Adipurna

· News: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was recently conferred Indonesia's highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna.

·  About Bintang Adipurna:

o Bintang Adipurna (First Class of the Star of the Republic of Indonesia) is the highest civilian honour of Indonesia.

o It is conferred by the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

o The award recognises individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the unity, continuity, and prosperity of Indonesia.

· Eligibility: It is awarded to:

o Indonesian citizens for outstanding national service.

o Foreign dignitaries who have made significant contributions to strengthening friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect between Indonesia and other nations.

· Features of the Insignia: The decoration consists of a radiant gold star with multiple rays symbolising:

o Excellence.

o Honour.

o Distinguished service.

o At its centre is the Garuda Pancasila, the national emblem of Indonesia, representing:

§ National sovereignty.

§ The Five Principles (Pancasila) of the Indonesian state.

o The medal is worn with a ceremonial sash in red and white, the national colours of Indonesia.

o A star badge is also worn during official state ceremonies.