Prelims Pinpointer 30-12-2025

Prelims Pinpointer

Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

Context: Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth reached a 25-month high of 6.7% in November 2025, driven by broad-based gains in manufacturing and capital goods sectors. Manufacturing output growth accelerated to a 25-month high of 8%, significantly faster than 1.8% recorded in October 2025.

More in News

• November IIP growth last surpassed by 11.9% in October 2023; upswing reflects festive calendar shift and restocking.
• Infrastructure and construction sectors grew at 12.1% in November, fastest since October 2023, on strong base.
• Capital goods sector recorded 11-month-high growth of 10.4%, buoyed by strong manufacturing and construction sector performances.
• Mining output growth accelerated to three-month high of 5.4%; electricity sector contracted by 1.5% in November.
• Consumer durables and non-durables rebounded, growing 10.3% and 7.3% respectively, marking 12-month and 25-month highs.

What is IIP?

• Index of Industrial Production (IIP) measures short-term changes in industrial output volume.
• Acts as a key indicator of industrial growth or contraction in the economy.
• Reflects performance trends across core productive sectors.
• Publishing Authority
  • Compiled and released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
  • CSO functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

• Base Year of IIP
  • Current base year is 2011–12, ensuring relevance to modern industrial structure.
  • Base year revised periodically to capture structural economic changes.
  • Earlier base years included 1937, 1946, 1951, 1956, and subsequent revisions.

• Sectoral Composition of IIP (Weight-wise)

• • Manufacturing: 77.63% weight, covering 809 industrial items.
  • Mining: 14.37% weight, represented by 29 items.
  • Electricity: 7.99% weight, represented by 1 composite item.

• Eight Core Industries

• • Constitute 40.27% weight within the overall IIP index.
  • Represent foundational infrastructure and industrial inputs.

• Core Industries (Descending Weight Order)

• • Refinery Products
  • Electricity
  • Steel
  • Coal
  • Crude Oil
  • Natural Gas
  • Cement
  • Fertilisers

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Context: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth ₹79,000 crore on Monday. The approval covers procurement proposals from Army, Navy, and Air Force aimed at boosting operational capabilities.

More in News

• Army: DAC approved Loiter Munition Systems, Low Level Light Weight Radars, Long Range Guided Rocket Ammunition for Pinaka MRLS.
• Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDD&IS) Mk-II with enhanced range approved to protect vital tactical assets.
• Navy: AoN accorded for Bollard Pull Tugs, High Frequency Software Defined Radio Manpack, and leasing of HALE RPAS.
• Air Force: Approval for Automatic Take-off and Landing Recording System, Astra Mk-II missiles, Full Mission Simulators, SPICE-1000 kits.
• Astra Mk-II beyond-visual-range missiles with enhanced range will enable IAF fighters to engage adversary targets from extended distances.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

• Overview

• • Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest decision-making body on defence procurement.
  • It functions under the Ministry of Defence, guiding major acquisition decisions.
  • DAC ensures timely capability development of the armed forces within budgetary limits.

• Objectives

• • Ensure expeditious procurement of approved defence requirements.
  • Align acquisitions with capability needs and prescribed timelines.
  • Optimally utilise allocated budgetary resources.
  • Strengthen operational preparedness of the armed forces.

• Formation and Background

• • DAC was established in 2001 following the Kargil War (1999).
  • Created based on Group of Ministers’ recommendations on National Security reforms.
  • Aimed at correcting delays and inefficiencies in defence procurement.

• Composition of DAC

• • • Chairman: Defence Minister.
    • Members include:
      • Minister of State for Defence.
      • Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
      • Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force.
      • Defence Secretary.
      • Secretary, Defence Production and Supplies.
      • Secretary, Defence Research and Development.
      • Secretary, Defence Finance.
      • Vice Chief of Defence Staff / CISC.
      • Special Secretary (Acquisition).
    • Member Secretary: Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (PP & FD).

• Key Functions

• • Grant in-principle approval to the 15-year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP).
  • Accord Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to acquisition proposals.
  • Categorise proposals under ‘Buy’, ‘Buy & Make’, and ‘Make’ categories.
  • Examine and decide on single-vendor cases.
  • Decide offset provisions for acquisitions above ₹300 crore.
  • Approve Transfer of Technology (ToT) under ‘Buy & Make’ cases.
  • Oversee and review field trial evaluations.

Cruise Missiles and Ballistic Missiles

Introduction

• Cruise missiles and ballistic missiles are advanced weapon systems with distinct designs and operational roles.
• They differ significantly in flight profile, speed, payload, detection, and battlefield application.

Cruise Missiles

• Basic Characteristics

• • A cruise missile is a guided missile operating at low altitude within Earth’s atmosphere.
  • It uses a jet engine for sustained propulsion throughout most of its flight.
  • The missile follows a pre-programmed route toward the target.

• Flight Path

• • Operates at low altitudes, often terrain-hugging to avoid radar detection.
  • Highly manoeuvrable, capable of changing trajectory during flight.

• Speed

• • • Can be subsonic (~0.8 Mach), supersonic (2–3 Mach), or hypersonic (>5 Mach).

• Payload

• • • Carries smaller, single warheads, either conventional or nuclear.

• Detection and Interception

• • Difficult to detect due to low radar cross-section and altitude.
  • Once detected, interception is relatively easier than ballistic missiles.

• Examples

• • BrahMos: Supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia.
  • Tomahawk: Subsonic long-range cruise missile used by the U.S. Navy.

• Advantages

• • Offers high precision targeting and flexibility in mission execution.
  • Can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms.

• Disadvantages

• • Has lower speed and range compared to ballistic missiles.
  • Vulnerable to interception once detected.

Ballistic Missiles

• Basic Characteristics

• • A ballistic missile follows a ballistic trajectory after initial rocket-powered launch.
  • Powered only during the boost phase, then travels unpowered.

• Flight Path

• • Ascends to high altitude, often outside the atmosphere.
  • Re-enters the atmosphere to strike the target along a parabolic path.

• Speed

• • • Travels at extremely high speeds, generally hypersonic (>5 Mach).

• Payload

• • Capable of carrying large payloads, including MIRVs.
  • Warheads may be conventional or nuclear.

• Detection and Interception

• • Easier to detect due to high-altitude trajectory.
  • Interception is technically difficult because of high speed and re-entry dynamics.

• Examples

• • Prithvi and Agni series: India’s short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
  • ICBMs: Missiles exceeding 5,500 km range, capable of nuclear delivery.

• Advantages

• • Provides long-range strike capability with heavy payloads.
  • Very hard to intercept once in flight.

• Disadvantages

• • Launch phase is easily detectable by early-warning systems.
  • Less manoeuvrable and less precise compared to cruise missiles.

Industrial Hemp

Context: Himachal Pradesh has legalised regulated cultivation of industrial hemp under the ‘Green to Gold’ initiative. The initiative aims to promote bio-economy–led growth and sustainable rural livelihoods.

What is Industrial Hemp

• Industrial hemp is a non-intoxicating variety of Cannabis sativa grown for fibre, seed, and biomass.
• It contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) below 0.3%, making it unsuitable for narcotic use.
• Cultivation is permitted only under strict regulatory frameworks to prevent misuse.

Origin and Global Use

• Native to Central and South Asia, with historical use spanning several millennia.
• Traditionally used in textiles, ropes, paper, and medicinal preparations.
• Currently cultivated legally in Europe, North America, and Asia under THC-regulated regimes.

Key Characteristics

• Low THC content and high fibre and seed productivity distinguish industrial hemp.
• Requires nearly 50% less water than cotton, enhancing water-use efficiency.
• Grows well on marginal and degraded soils, supporting sustainable agriculture.
• Fast-growing crop, completing harvest cycles within 70–140 days.
• Deep root systems improve soil structure and naturally suppress weeds.
• Produces high biomass yields, enabling fibre, seed, and dual-purpose utilisation.

Major Applications

• Construction: Hempcrete provides lightweight insulation and acts as a carbon-negative material.
• Paper and packaging: Hemp pulp reduces chemical usage and supports biodegradable packaging.
• Pharmaceuticals and wellness: Hemp extracts are used for anti-inflammatory and pain-relief applications.
• Cosmetics and personal care: Hemp seed oil supplies essential fatty acids for skin and hair products.
• Bio-energy and bioplastics: Biomass conversion supports renewable fuels and circular economy models.

Significance

• Promotes climate-resilient agriculture, rural income diversification, and sustainable industrial value chains.

Kanger Valley National Park

Context: Kanger Valley National Park has gained attention for a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition. The Chhattisgarh government, supported by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), has initiated biodiversity surveys.

What is Kanger Valley National Park

• A biodiversity-rich protected area known for forests, caves, waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems.
• Considered among the most ecologically significant national parks of Central India.

Location and Biogeography

• Located in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh.
• About 24 km southeast of Jagdalpur, along the Jagdalpur–Darbha Road.
• Falls within the Deccan biogeographical zone.
• Named after the Kanger River, which flows through the park.

Physical Characteristics

• Covers an area of approximately 200 sq km.
• Terrain is highly heterogeneous, including plains, plateaus, valleys, slopes, and stream channels.
• Features a dense hydrological network of seasonal and perennial streams.
• All streams ultimately converge into the Kanger River.

Geomorphological Significance

• Renowned for subterranean limestone cave systems.
• Major caves include Kotumsar Cave and Kailash Cave.
• These caves rank among the most biologically diverse cave ecosystems in India and South Asia.

Flora and Fauna

• Dominated by dense sal and mixed deciduous forests.
• Provides habitat for the Bastar Hill Myna, the State bird of Chhattisgarh.
• Supports rich mammalian, avian, reptilian, and insect biodiversity.

Scenic and Ecological Features

• Home to the iconic Tirathgarh Waterfalls.
• Characterised by undulating forested landscapes and deep valleys.
• Combines geological, hydrological, and biological diversity within a compact landscape.

Administrative and Conservation Status

• Declared a National Park in 1982 through the then Madhya Pradesh Gazette.
• Currently managed under the Jagdalpur Wildlife Circle.
• Administrative ranges include Kotumsar and Koleng.
• Listed in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, highlighting global conservation value.