Prelims pinpointer 06-01-2026

Prelims pinpointer

Rice Production in India

In News

• India became the world’s largest rice producer in 2024–25.
• India’s rice output stood at 150.18 million tonnes.
• China recorded 145.28 million tonnes, ranking second globally.

State-wise Production (2023–24)

• Telangana produced 16.63 MT of rice.
• Uttar Pradesh produced 15.72 MT of rice.
• West Bengal produced 15.12 MT of rice.
• Other Major Rice-Producing States
  • Major contributors include Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Assam.

Conditions for Rice Cultivation

• Climate and Season
  • Rice is a tropical Kharif crop requiring heat and moisture.
  • It grows best under hot and humid climatic conditions.
  • In eastern and southern India, 2–3 rice crops are grown annually.
  • In northern and hilly regions, only one summer crop is possible.

• Water Requirement
  • Rice needs semi-aquatic conditions throughout its growth period.
  • Fields are flooded with 10–12 cm standing water during sowing.
  • Soil should not dry during the growing season.

• Rainfall Conditions
  • Annual rainfall over 100 cmannually, with ideal zones receiving 150 cm to 300 cm.
  • Rice is grown in low-rainfall areas using intensive irrigation.
  • Irrigation enables rice cultivation in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.

• Relief and Terrain
  • Rice is mainly cultivated in plains and lowlands.
  • Rice grown in flooded plains is called wet or lowland rice.
  • Cultivation occurs below sea level in Kuttanad, Kerala.
  • In hilly regions, rice is grown on terraced slopes.
  • Rice grown in hills with limited water is termed dry or upland rice.

• Soil Conditions for Rice
  • Loamy soils need frequent irrigation due to low water retention.
    • Loamy soil regions include Punjab, Haryana and northern plains.
  • Clayey soils have high water-holding capacity.
    • Clayey soil regions include southern coastal plains, Karnataka and Telangana.
  • Rice can grow in both acidic and alkaline soils.

Initial Public Offering (IPO)

Core Concepts

• Public issue refers to raising funds by issuing equity shares to the public.
• IPO is the first public issue by an unlisted company.
• IPO may involve a fresh issue, an offer for sale, or both.
• An unlisted company has shares not traded on stock exchanges.
• A listed company has securities listed on a recognised stock exchange.
• Public Sector Undertakings with listed securities are treated as listed companies.

Related Terms

• Follow-on Public Offer (FPO) is raised by an already listed company.
• FPO may involve fresh issue or offer for sale.
• Offer for Sale (OFS) allows promoters to sell stake via intermediaries.

IPO Regulation

• IPOs are regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• Company must have net tangible assets ≥ ₹3 crore.
• Net worth requirement: ₹1 crore in each of last three years.
• Average pre-tax profit ≥ ₹15 crore in three of last five years.

Eligible Investors

• Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) include FPIs, mutual funds and insurers.
• Retail investors invest up to ₹2 lakh.
• High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) invest above ₹2 lakh.

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Basic Profile

• NGT is a specialised judicial body for environmental protection matters.
• It deals with cases concerning forests and natural resources.

Legal Basis and Timeline

• Concept traced to UNCED Rio Summit, 1992.
• Law Commission 186th Report (2003) recommended environmental courts.
• Established under National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
• Tribunal became operational in 2011.

Composition

• Headed by a Chairperson.
• Includes 10–20 Judicial Members.
• Includes 10–20 Expert Members.

Qualifications

• Chairperson: Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of High Court.
• Judicial Members: SC Judge / HC Judge / former HC Judge.
• Expert Members: Technical degree with 15 years experience, including environment-related work.

Appointment and Tenure

• Chairperson appointed by Central Government in consultation with CJI.
• Members appointed by a Selection Committee.
• Tenure is five years or age 65, whichever is earlier.
• No reappointment permitted.

Benches

• Principal Bench located in New Delhi.
• Four Regional Benches at Bhopal, Pune, Chennai and Kolkata.
• Circuit Benches may be constituted as required.

Jurisdiction

• NGT hears civil cases under laws listed in Schedule I of NGT Act, 2010.
• Covers Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981, Environment Protection Act 1986, among others.
• Does not cover Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Guiding Principles

• Guided by principles of natural justice.
• Applies sustainable development principle.
• Applies precautionary principle.
• Applies polluter pays principle.

Appeal Provision

• NGT orders are appealable before the Supreme Court.
• Appeal must be filed within 90 days.

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Species Profile

• It is one of the smallest sea turtle species.
• Named after its olive-green, heart-shaped carapace.
• It is known for mass nesting behaviour called arribada.

Habitat and Distribution

• Found in tropical Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
• In India, major nesting occurs along Odisha coast.
  • Key Odisha sites include Gahirmatha, Rushikulya and Devi river mouth.
• Solitary nesting reported along Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman coasts.
• Spends most time in open ocean, migrates to sandy beaches for nesting.

Physical Characteristics

• Carapace has 5–9 pairs of lateral scutes.
• Each flipper bears one or two claws.

Reproductive Traits

• Females attain maturity at 12–15 years.
• Lay around 100 eggs per clutch.
• Nest 1–3 times per season.
• Sand temperature determines hatchling sex.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology

In News

• Tripura government identified 10 river sites for 185 MW power generation.
• Power generation proposed using hydrokinetic turbine technology.

Technology Profile

• Hydrokinetic turbines generate electricity from moving water currents.
• They are installed directly within river channels.
• Technology functions without constructing dams or barrages.
• Uses kinetic energy of flowing water, not potential head.

Energy Characteristics

• Operates with near-zero hydraulic head.
• Classified as a renewable energy technology.

Environmental Aspect

• Causes minimal alteration of river flow.
• Has a smaller ecological footprint than conventional hydropower.

Operational Features

• Suitable for single units or multi-turbine arrays.
• Requires lower maintenance due to fewer mechanical components.

Suryastra Rocket System

In News

• Indian Army signed a ₹293-crore emergency procurement contract for Suryastra.
• Contract executed with NIBE Limited, in collaboration with Elbit Systems.

System Profile

• Suryastra is India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre long-range rocket launcher.
• Designed for surface-to-surface precision strikes.
• Supports 150 km and 300 km strike ranges.

Technology Base

• Based on Israeli PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System).
• Adapted for Indian needs under a Technology Collaboration Agreement (July 2025).

Key Capabilities

• Universal launcher compatible with multiple calibres.
• Supports 122 mm, 160 mm and 306 mm munitions.
• Achieved Circular Error Probable (CEP) below 5 metres during trials.
• Capable of simultaneous multi-range engagements.
• Platform adaptable to 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled chassis.