Introduction

The following guide is a simplified roadmap for UPSC aspirants to understand the big changes happening in India and the world between 2024 and 2026. As India works toward becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, the government is moving away from general plans and focusing on very specific, data-driven actions—from helping farmers grow disease-free fruits to making sure medicines are affordable for everyone.

By looking at India’s own programs alongside global “report cards” from organizations like the World Bank and WHO, we can see a clearer picture of where the country stands. For an aspirant, these topics are the “bridge” between what is in your textbooks and what is actually happening on the ground. Understanding these points is the key to scoring well in the Preliminary facts and writing thoughtful, high-quality answers in the Mains exam.

1.Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

The CPP was first announced in the Union Interim Budget 2023 and officially approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024 with an outlay of ₹1,765.67 crore. It is implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Why was it in the news?

1. Cabinet Approval: The formal green light in late 2024 triggered the setup of 9 Clean Plant Centres (CPCs).
2. Agri Hackathon 2025: The government recently showcased the program’s progress in Pune, emphasizing its role in the “Lab to Land” initiative.
3. Import Substitution: India has seen a massive surge in the import of apple, avocado, and blueberry plants. Currently, imported plants must undergo a 2-year quarantine; the CPP will reduce this to just 6 months.

Key Components of CPP

• Clean Plant Centres (CPCs): 9 world-class centers will be established for disease diagnosis and “therapeutics” (cleaning the plants of viruses).
• Infrastructure Support: Financial assistance of ₹3 crore for large nurseries and ₹1.5 crore for medium nurseries to multiply clean material.
• Certification & Traceability: A legal framework under the Seeds Act, 1966, to ensure every plant sold to a farmer is certified disease-free.

Major Centres and Focus Crops

Latest Data (Budget 2026 Updates)

• Total Outlay: ₹1,765.67 crore (partially funded by a $98 million Asian Development Bank loan).
• Annual Target: Production of 8 crore disease-free seedlings per year.
• Economic Impact: Horticulture contributes ~33% of India’s Agriculture GVA. The CPP aims to boost exports, which already exceed ₹50,000 crore.
• Budget 2026-27: The Ministry of Agriculture was allocated ₹1.32 lakh crore, with specific emphasis on research-driven schemes like CPP and the “Viksit Bharat” goals.

2.Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

PM-AASHA was designed to fill the gaps in the existing procurement system, which was historically robust for wheat and rice but weak for other crops. It operates through three distinct but complementary sub-schemes:

1. Price Support Scheme (PSS): Physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra is done by central nodal agencies (like NAFED and FCI) with the help of state governments. The center bears the procurement expenditure and losses.
2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): Based on Madhya Pradesh’s Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana, this involves no physical procurement. Instead, the government pays the farmer the difference between the MSP and the actual market price directly into their bank account. This is specifically for oilseeds.
3. Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS): On a pilot basis, private players are allowed to procure oilseeds at MSP in selected districts. They are then compensated through a service charge.

Why in the News? (2024-2026 Updates)

The scheme has seen significant evolution and policy shifts recently:

• Convergence and Extension (Sept 2024): The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of PM-AASHA through the 15th Finance Commission cycle (up to 2025-26) with a total financial outlay of ₹35,000 crore.
• Integrated Framework: To increase efficiency, the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) have now been converged under the PM-AASHA umbrella.
• 100% Procurement Commitment: In a major push for self-sufficiency (Atmanirbharata) in pulses, the government committed to 100% procurement of Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masur from farmers for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.
• Enhanced Financial Guarantee: The government increased the credit guarantee for procurement agencies from ₹16,000 crore to ₹45,000 crore to ensure they have enough liquidity to buy from farmers immediately.

Latest Data & Performance (As of March 2026)

• Budget Allocation (2026-27): The Interim Budget 2026-27 allocated approximately ₹7,200 crore specifically for PM-AASHA operations (PSS and PDPS).
• Reach: As per the latest Lok Sabha reply (Dec 2025), over 1.27 crore farmers have benefited from the scheme since its inception.
• Digital Integration: The launch of the e-Samriddhi (NAFED) and e-Samyukti (NCCF) portals has digitized farmer registration, ensuring “Direct Benefit Transfer” (DBT) within 48–72 hours of sale.

3. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PM-BJP)

The scheme follows the mantra of “Jan Aushadhi – Seva Bhi, Rozgaar Bhi” (Service as well as Employment). It aims to reduce the “Out-of-Pocket Expenditure” (OOPE) on healthcare, which is one of the biggest reasons for poverty in India.

• Nodal Agency (Implementing Agency) : Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), formerly BPPI.
• Ministry: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Note: Not the Ministry of Health).
• Quality Assurance: Medicines are procured only from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers and each batch is tested at NABL-accredited labs.
• Pricing: Medicines are priced 50% to 90% lower than branded market alternatives.

Evolution Timeline

1. 2008: Launched as “Jan Aushadhi Campaign.”
2. 2015: Re-launched as “Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana” (PMJAY).
3. 2016: Renamed to current “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” (PM-BJP).

Why in the News? (Latest Updates 2024-2026)

1. Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2026: Celebrated on March 7, 2026, with the theme “Janaushadhi Sasti Bhi, Bharosemand Bhi” (Janaushadhi: Affordable as well as Reliable).
2. Expansion Target: The government has set a target to increase the number of Kendras to 25,000 by March 2027.
3. Railway Station Integration: As of early 2026, 116 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established at railway stations to provide essential medicines to travelers and migrant workers.
4. PACS Synergy: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are now being empowered to open these Kendras, significantly boosting rural penetration.
5. Economic Impact: The scheme has saved Indian citizens over ₹40,000 crore in healthcare costs since its inception.

Latest Data (As of March 2026)

• Operational Kendras: 18,646 across the country (as of February 28, 2026).
• Product Basket: 2,110+ medicines and 315+ surgical items covering 29 therapeutic groups (Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, etc.).
• Suvidha Napkins: Over 100 crore oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins sold at ₹1 per pad.
• Sales Figure: PMBI registered record sales of over ₹2,022 crore in FY 2024-25.

4. Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED) scheme

1. The SPICED Scheme (Ministry of Commerce & Industry)

The SPICED scheme is a comprehensive initiative by the Spices Board of India designed to transform India’s spice sector from traditional farming to a sustainable, high-value export powerhouse. It focuses on the entire value chain—from improving the productivity of cardamom to certifying spices as organic and GI-tagged for the global market.

2. Why was it in the news?

• Funding Surge (2025-26): In early 2026, the Spices Board announced the disbursement of ₹130 crore to nearly 45,000 beneficiaries under this scheme.
• Export Standards: It was highlighted due to India’s push to meet stringent Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and pesticide residue limits set by the EU and USA.
• Mission Clean and Safe Spices: The launch of this sub-component under SPICED aimed at ensuring 100% food safety compliance for exports.

3. Key Features & Data (Updated 2026)

• Nodal Agency: Spices Board (Ministry of Commerce and Industry).
• Year of Launch: 2024
• Type of Scheme: Central Sector Scheme
• Total Outlay: ₹422.30 crore (aligned with the 15th Finance Commission cycle).
• Focus Crops: Primarily Cardamom (Small and Large), but extends to all 52 scheduled spices.
  • Major States producing Cardamom: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
  • India is the 2nd largest producer of Cardamom.
• Digital Governance: All project activities, including farm-level interventions, are now geo-tagged for transparency.
• Financial Aid: Provides up to 50% assistance for post-harvesting machines like spice polishers, dehydrators, and vacuum packing units.
• India’s Global Position in Spices: India is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices, accounting for over 40% of global production.

5.Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme

The PLI scheme provides financial incentives to companies based on their incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.

• Logic: If a company increases its production and sales compared to a “base year,” the government pays them an incentive (typically 4% to 6% of the incremental value).
• Goal: To encourage economies of scale, attract foreign investment (FDI), and reduce India’s massive import bill (especially in electronics and APIs).
• Launched in 2020
• Under Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Central Sector Scheme
• The Schemes benefits have been extended to foreign companies undertaking manufacturing in India.

Why in the News? (Latest 2024–2026 Updates)

The PLI scheme has evolved significantly in the last two years:

1. Budget 2026 Upscaling: The Union Budget 2025–26 and 2026–27 significantly increased allocations for high-performing sectors. For instance, Electronics & IT Hardware saw its allocation jump from ₹5,777 crore to ₹9,000 crore.
2. Solar & Green Tech Momentum: As of March 2026, the High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules PLI is targeting a massive 48 GW of integrated domestic capacity to meet India’s Net Zero goals.
3. New Components Scheme: In 2025, the government launched the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with an outlay of ₹40,000 crore to move from mere “assembly” of phones to making actual motherboards and sensors.
4. 100% Mobile Demand: By early 2026, PIB data confirmed that 99% of India’s domestic mobile phone demand is now met through local production, a direct result of the PLI for Large Scale Electronics.

Latest Performance Data (As of March 2026)

The 14 Key Sectors

1. Mobile Manufacturing & Electronics
2. Pharmaceuticals (APIs/Bulk Drugs)
3. Medical Devices
4. Telecom & Networking Products
5. Food Processing
6. White Goods (ACs & LED)
7. High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules
8. Automobiles & Auto Components
9. Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery
10. Textile Products (MMF & Technical Textiles)
11. Specialty Steel
12. Drones & Drone Components
13. IT Hardware (Laptops, Servers)
14. Specialty Chemicals

6. Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

The MPI recognizes that poverty is not just about a lack of money; it’s about a lack of essential services and living conditions. It is based on the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology.

1. Global MPI (By UNDP & OPHI)

Calculated annually, it covers over 100 developing countries. A person is “multidimensionally poor” if they are deprived in at least one-third (33.3%) of the weighted indicators.

• Dimensions & Indicators (10 total):
  • Health (1/3 weight): Nutrition, Child Mortality.
  • Education (1/3 weight): Years of Schooling, School Attendance.
  • Standard of Living (1/3 weight): Cooking Fuel, Sanitation, Drinking Water, Electricity, Housing, Assets.
• Note: But the indicators have different weightages.
• Developed in 2010.

2. National MPI (NITI Aayog)

The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI) is a specialized public policy tool developed by NITI Aayog to track and reduce poverty in India across multiple deprivations. It moves beyond traditional “income-only” measures to see how families are actually living.

The NMPI uses the Alkire-Foster methodology, identifying a household as “multidimensionally poor” if it is deprived in 33.3% or more of the weighted indicators.

• India’s index is “indigenized,” meaning it uses 12 indicators compared to the 10 used in the Global MPI. It adds Maternal Health and Bank Accounts to reflect national priorities.
• Data is sourced from National Family Health Surveys.
• India’s MPI is aligned with SDG Target 1.2: reducing poverty in all its forms by atleast half by 2030.

The 12 Indicators

Why in the News? (2025-26 Updates)

1. Climate-Poverty Nexus (2025 Global Report): The 2025 Global MPI report, titled “Overlapping Hardships: Poverty and Climate Hazards,” revealed for the first time that 887 million poor people (8 out of 10) are exposed to at least one climate hazard (heat, drought, floods, or air pollution).
2. Kerala’s Milestone (Nov 2025): On November 1, 2025, Kerala became the first Indian state officially declared free from extreme poverty through its “Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme.”
3. National Workshop (Sept 2025): NITI Aayog and UNDP held a national workshop to strengthen the outreach of MPI data for targeted district-level policy interventions.
4. Viksit Bharat Goals: By early 2026, NITI Aayog data suggested that India is on track to reduce multidimensional poverty to below 1% well ahead of the 2030 SDG deadline.

Latest Data & Performance (As of March 2026)

• National Poverty Headcount: Dropped from 29.17% (2013-14) to approximately 11.28% (2022-23), with projections for 2026 showing further decline.
• Total Upliftment: Over 24.8 crore people escaped multidimensional poverty in the last decade.
• Global Rank (India): India’s MPI value stands at 0.069 (2025 report), reflecting a headcount ratio of 16.4% based on 2019-21 data.
• Fastest Reducers: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh recorded the largest decline in the number of MPI-poor individuals.

7. WHO Reports for UPSC (2025-26 Edition)

WHO reports act as “global report cards” for health. For the 2026 exam cycle, the following four reports are critical:

1. World Health Statistics 2025

• Concept: An annual compilation of health-related data for 194 Member States, monitoring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Key Findings (Latest): * Triple Billion Targets: While progress in “healthier lives” (tobacco reduction, air quality) has been good, the world is lagging in Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
  • Longevity: COVID-19 caused a significant drop in global life expectancy, which is only now recovering.
  • Health Workforce: A projected shortfall of 11.1 million health workers by 2030, mostly in Africa and SE Asia.

2. Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report 2025

• Concept: Tracks the status of the global TB epidemic and the progress in prevention/care.
• India Context: * India accounts for 25% of global TB cases (the highest burden).
  • The Win: India saw a 21% reduction in TB incidence from 2015 to 2024, nearly double the global decline rate.
  • The Target: India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global SDG target of 2030.

3. World Malaria Report 2025

• Concept: Comprehensive update on global and regional malaria data and trends.
• Latest Update: * India’s Achievement: In 2024, India officially exited the WHO’s “High Burden to High Impact” (HBHI) group, marking a massive public health milestone.
  • Global Status: 47 countries are now certified malaria-free.

4. Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) 2025

• Concept: Focuses on 20 diseases (like Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala-azar) that affect the world’s poorest populations.
• Current News: WHO recently validated India for eliminating Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) as a public health problem in 2024-25.

Why it was in the News?

1. Post-Pandemic Recovery: Reports in 2025-26 have focused on how global health systems are rebuilding after the “COVID-19 shock.”
2. India’s Leadership: India’s aggressive targets (TB-Mukt Bharat) and its exit from the Malaria HBHI group have been highlighted in global forums like the World Health Assembly.
3. Climate-Health Link: Recent reports emphasize how climate change is shifting the geography of diseases like Malaria and Dengue.

8.UNESCO Reports & Lists for UPSC (2025-26)

UNESCO produces several flagship reports that track global and national progress in education and science.

1. Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2025

• Theme: “Leadership in Education: Lead for Learning.”
• Concept: An annual report tracking progress toward SDG 4 (Quality Education).
• 2025 Highlights: Focuses on the role of school leaders. It warns that international aid to education could fall by 25% by 2027. It also highlights a global out-of-school population of 251 million children.
• India Context: India has nearly universal enrollment, but the report emphasizes a need for better training of head teachers and school autonomy.

2. State of the Education Report (SOER) for India 2025

• Theme: “Bhasha Matters: Mother Tongue and Multilingual Education.”
• Why in News: Released in late 2025, this report aligns with India’s NEP 2020. It advocates for MTB-MLE (Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education) to reduce dropout rates among tribal and rural communities.
• Key Data: Children learning in their home language show significantly higher foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) scores.

3. UN World Water Development Report 2025

• Theme: “Mountains and Glaciers: Water Towers.”
• Concept: Coordinated by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water.
• Latest Findings: Mountains provide 60% of the world’s freshwater. The report highlights that glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate, threatening the water security of 2 billion people globally.

4. UNESCO Science Report (Published every 5 years)

• Theme: “The Race Against Time for Smarter Development.”
• Key Data: India’s R&D investment remains below 0.7% of GDP, whereas the global average is much higher. It also highlights that only 33% of researchers globally are women.

UNESCO Heritage: The “Evergreen” UPSC Topic

UNESCO’s lists are more frequently asked in Prelims than their technical reports.

• World Heritage Sites (WHS): India now has 44 sites. Latest additions include the Maratha Military Landscapes (2025) and the Moidams of the Ahom Dynasty (2024).
• Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH): In late 2025, Deepavali was officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of ICH. India now has 16 elements on this list.

9. UNODC Reports for UPSC (2025-26 Edition)

1. World Drug Report 2025

• Concept: The flagship annual publication providing a comprehensive overview of the global illicit drug market.
• Latest Data (2025-26 Highlights): * The “Synthetic” Shift: A massive surge in synthetic drugs like Methamphetamine and Nitazenes (potent synthetic opioids) as traditional heroin supplies face shortages.
  • Cocaine Boom: Global cocaine manufacture hit a record high of 3,708 tons (34% increase).
  • The Treatment Gap: Only 1 in 11 people with drug use disorders receive treatment globally; for women, it is even worse at 1 in 18.
• Why in News? India has seen a spike in high-purity cocaine seizures and the use of drones for drug delivery across the Punjab border, directly linked to the trends mentioned in this report.

2. Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2025

• Concept: Tracks global patterns of human trafficking, focusing on victims, traffickers, and state responses.
• Latest Findings: * Climate & Conflict Link: Conflict zones (like Ukraine and parts of Africa) and climate-displaced populations are the primary “feeding grounds” for traffickers.
  • Cyber-Trafficking: A 40% increase in cases where victims were recruited or exploited via digital platforms (Online sexual exploitation and forced labor in “scam centers”).

3. World Wildlife Crime Report

• Concept: Examines the trafficking of protected species.
• India Context: Often highlights the illegal trade of Star Tortoises, Red Sanders, and Pangolins.

10. World Bank Reports (2025-26 Edition)

The World Bank publishes several flagship reports that serve as “global benchmarks” for economic health and development.

1. World Development Report (WDR)

• Concept: The Bank’s most influential annual publication, exploring a specific theme of global development each year.
• 2025 Theme: “Standards for Development”: Focuses on how global standards in trade, technology, and climate can accelerate economic growth for developing nations.
• 2024 Theme: “The Middle-Income Trap”: This was a major headline for India. It identified that countries like India, China, and Brazil must move from “investment-driven” to “innovation-driven” growth to avoid being stuck in middle-income status.
  • The 3i Strategy: Recommended for India—Investment, Infusion (of tech), and Innovation.

2. Global Economic Prospects (GEP)

• Concept: Published twice a year (January and June), it provides a “weather forecast” for the global economy and regional growth rates.
• Latest Data (Jan 2026):
  • Global Growth: Projected at 2.6% for 2026.
  • India’s Growth: Estimated at 7.5%–7.6% for FY 2025-26, making it the fastest-growing major economy.
  • Headwinds: Higher oil prices ($70+ per barrel) and geopolitical tensions are cited as risks to India’s inflation targets.

3. Logistics Performance Index (LPI)

• Concept: Benchmarks countries on their trade logistics efficiency (customs, infrastructure, timeliness).
• India’s Rank (2025-26): India is currently ranked 38th (an improvement from 44th in 2018), attributed to the PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy.

4. “Business Ready” (B-READY) — The New Index

• Concept: This is the official replacement for the now-discontinued “Ease of Doing Business” (EoDB) report.
• Why in news? After the EoDB was scrapped in 2021 due to data irregularities, B-READY was launched in 2024. India is part of the second/third wave of assessment in 2025-26.
• Focus: It evaluates the business environment across 10 topics, including Business Entry, Labor, and Dispute Resolution, with a new focus on digital technology and environmental sustainability.

World Bank Group: The 5 Arms

UPSC often asks about the specific functions of these constituent bodies:

1. IBRD: Lends to middle-income/creditworthy poor countries.
2. IDA: Provides “soft loans” (interest-free) to the poorest countries.
3. IFC: Focuses on the private sector in developing nations.
4. MIGA: Provides political risk insurance to investors.
5. ICSID: Settles investment disputes. (Note: India is not a member of ICSID).

Conclusion

For the UPSC Civil Services Examination, these topics represent the intersection of Governance, Economy, and International Relations. The common thread across these updates is “Targeted Intervention”—whether it is through DBT in PM-AASHA, specific Clean Plant Centres in CPP, or multidimensional tracking in MPI.

Aspirants should focus on the nodal ministries, financial outlays, and the strategic “why” behind these developments. As India navigates global headwinds like climate change and synthetic drug surges, these domestic schemes and international benchmarks will remain the primary reference points for both Prelims and Mains 2026.