UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 29 July 2025

Government Notifies Environment Protection Rules to Address Chemically Contaminated Sites

July 29, 2025

Environment Protection Rules Latest News

The Environment Ministry has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025.

Introduction

India has taken a major step toward formalising its response to chemically contaminated sites.
On July 25, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment Protection Act.
For the first time, India has codified the procedures to identify, assess, and remediate sites where historical dumping of hazardous chemicals has polluted soil, groundwater, or surface water, posing long-term risks to public health and ecosystems.

Understanding Contaminated Sites

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), contaminated sites are locations where hazardous and other wastes have been historically dumped, often prior to the enforcement of proper regulatory mechanisms. Such sites typically include:
- Defunct industrial landfills
- Waste storage and chemical spill sites
- Abandoned chemical handling facilities
India has identified 103 such sites, but remedial operations have been initiated in only seven. Many polluters have ceased operations or lack the resources for clean-up, leaving local communities and environments exposed to toxic hazards.

Key Features of the Environment Protection Rules

The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 provide a legally binding, time-bound framework for the entire remediation process:
Step 1: Identification and Reporting
- District administrations must prepare half-yearly reports listing “suspected contaminated sites.”
- These reports are sent to the State Pollution Control Board or a designated reference organisation.
Step 2: Preliminary Assessment
- The Board or organisation must carry out a preliminary assessment within 90 days to ascertain the likelihood of contamination.
Step 3: Detailed Site Survey
- If contamination is likely, a detailed survey must be completed within the next 90 days, checking for any of the 189 hazardous chemicals listed under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
- Sites found to be contaminated will be publicly notified and access restricted.
Step 4: Remediation Planning
- A reference organisation comprising scientific experts will propose a remediation plan.
- The State Board must also identify the person(s) responsible for the contamination within 90 days.
Step 5: Cost Recovery and Liability
- Those responsible must bear the cost of remediation.
- If the polluter is unavailable or unable to pay, the Centre and State will split the cost under a prescribed arrangement.
- Criminal liability, if proven to involve loss of life or severe damage, will be addressed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023).

Scope and Exemptions

While comprehensive, the rules exclude certain categories already covered by other legislation:
- Radioactive waste (under the Atomic Energy Act)
- Mining-related contamination (governed separately)
- Marine oil pollution
- Municipal solid waste dump sites
This ensures that regulatory overlap is avoided, and specialised agencies continue to govern complex waste streams.

Significance of the Rules

The notification marks a paradigm shift from fragmented enforcement to structured environmental remediation.
Previously, there was no legally codified framework for addressing contaminated sites, leading to regulatory inaction and long delays in clean-up. By defining:
- Responsibilities of district officials and pollution boards
- Timelines for assessment and response
- Polluter-pays mechanism for cost recovery

Challenges in Implementation

While the rules provide a legal foundation, successful implementation will hinge on:
- Scientific capacity for hazardous chemical assessment
- Institutional coordination between the State Boards, CPCB, and district administrations
- Funding support, especially where no liable party is available
- Public awareness and community participation in reporting pollution
Capacity-building at the district and state levels will be critical to make the framework actionable.

Source : TH

Environment Protection Rules FAQs

Q1: What are chemically contaminated sites?

Ans: These are areas polluted by historical dumping of hazardous waste, leading to soil and water contamination.

Q2: What new legal rules govern contaminated sites in India?

Ans: The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 provide the legal framework.

Q3: Who is responsible for remediation under the new rules?

Ans: The polluter is responsible; if not traceable or solvent, the Centre and State share the cost.

Q4: How are contaminated sites identified and assessed?

Ans: District authorities list suspected sites, which are then surveyed and confirmed by State Boards and expert bodies.

Q5: Are there penalties for polluters under these rules?

Ans: Yes, polluters must pay for clean-up, and criminal liability may arise under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita if harm is proven.

Living Wage Reform Could Boost Women’s Workforce Participation in India

July 29, 2025

Living Wage Latest News

A new report by Quess Corp and the Udaiti Foundation reveals that over half of blue- and grey-collar women workers in India are dissatisfied with their low wages, with 80% saving less than ₹2,000 per month.
These inadequate earnings are a key reason why many women leave formal employment, especially when weighed against the high opportunity costs of working.
The report highlights a significant gap between the minimum wage and the actual “living wage” needed to cover essential expenses like health and education.
Recognising this, the Labour Ministry is now considering the inclusion of these costs in wage standards to make formal work more viable for women.

Living Wages

A living wage is the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare, education, and some level of financial security.
Unlike minimum wages, which are set by law and often do not account for actual living costs, living wages are calculated based on the cost of living in a specific region.
Living wages ensure that workers and their families can live with dignity without falling into poverty.

Low Pay and High Costs Forcing Women Out of Workforce

A recent survey by Quess Corp reveals that blue- and grey-collar women workers earn only 70% of what their male counterparts make.
- Blue- and grey-collar women workers are women employed in roles traditionally considered manual labor or technical/skilled trades, respectively.
- Blue-collar work often involves physical labor, while grey-collar jobs require specialized skills and may involve a combination of physical and intellectual tasks.
Coupled with high opportunity costs such as unpaid caregiving, long commutes, and migration expenses, many women struggle to remain in formal employment.
The study highlights that women in peri-urban manufacturing zones often face lower minimum wages despite higher living costs.
Notably, one in five women earn less than ₹20,000 per month, the typical minimum wage in Tier 1 cities.
The data also shows that women earning above ₹20,000 are 21% less likely to exit the workforce soon, indicating that better pay significantly improves retention.

Government Explores Expanding Minimum Wage Definition to Support Women

The government is considering broadening the definition of minimum wage to include expenses on health and education—currently excluded from wage calculations.
Presently, the minimum wage is based only on nutrition, housing, and clothing.
From a women’s perspective, including childcare and healthcare costs would help reduce the opportunity cost of working.
Experts acknowledged the challenge of implementing this in a diverse country like India, where conditions vary by state, and stressed the importance of initiating a social dialogue with both employers and employees.
While the move is still in early stages, she welcomed the fact that discussions have begun.

Beyond Wages: Structural Barriers Hindering Women’s Workforce Participation

While implementing living wage standards would benefit all workers, the impact on women could be especially transformative due to their higher opportunity costs.
India’s female labour force participation rate (LFPR) remains low at 32%, compared to 77.1% for men, as per the June PLFS data.
Economists argue that raising women’s LFPR above 50% is essential for India to reach developed nation status.
However, women face multiple challenges beyond wages, including unsafe or unaffordable housing, poor work culture, limited mobility, and regulatory restrictions.
Experts noted that 54 existing laws restrict women's employment, such as those banning night shifts.
While these are being gradually repealed, they highlighted that responsibility for women’s safety—especially during night shifts—then falls on employers, a burden more easily borne by large firms than small businesses.
Addressing these layered barriers is critical to enabling more women to join and remain in the workforce.

Manufacturing Hubs Boost Women’s Employment Opportunities

States with strong industrial and manufacturing bases, such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, are leading in female workforce participation.
Modern electronics and auto manufacturing units in these states are increasingly employing women due to their skills in finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination—qualities that are tested and found more often in women.
As a result, sectors like electronics and automotive manufacturing are actively seeking female workers.

Source: IE | IB

Living Wage FAQs

Q1: What is a living wage?

Ans: It’s the income required to meet basic needs like housing, food, health, and education with dignity.

Q2: Why are women exiting the workforce?

Ans: Low pay, caregiving burdens, and migration costs make formal work unsustainable for many women.

Q3: How is the government responding?

Ans: It’s exploring expanding minimum wage to include health and education costs to support women’s employment.

Q4: What are the opportunity costs for women?

Ans: Costs include childcare, unpaid work, commuting, and limited housing, which deter sustained employment.

Q5: Which states lead in employing women?

Ans: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra lead due to robust manufacturing sectors favoring women’s skills.

Five Years of NEP 2020: Achievements, Challenges & Ongoing Reforms in Indian Education

July 29, 2025

NEP 2020 Latest News

Five years after its launch, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has led to notable changes in classrooms, especially in early schooling.
However, much of its ambitious vision for overhauling school and higher education remains unfulfilled.
Delays caused by Centre-state disagreements and institutional bottlenecks have slowed implementation across the country.

Five Years of NEP 2020: Key Gains and Early Implementation

The NEP 2020 aimed to transform India’s education system. While complete implementation is ongoing, key reforms have begun to take root.

Shift in School Structure and Curriculum

The traditional 10+2 structure has been replaced by a 5+3+3+4 system: foundational (pre-primary to class 2); preparatory (classes 3–5); middle (6–8), and secondary (9–12).
The 2023 National Curriculum Framework laid out outcomes for each stage.
NCERT released new textbooks (classes 1–8), merging subjects like history and geography into single volumes. Books for classes 9–12 are awaited.

Early Childhood Education Gets a Boost

NEP aims for universal pre-primary education by 2030. NCERT’s Jaadui Pitara kits and a national ECCE curriculum are now in use.
Delhi, Karnataka, and Kerala are enforcing a minimum age of six for class 1, improving readiness but reducing enrolments.
However, better Anganwadi training and infrastructure are still needed.

Foundational Learning Under NIPUN Bharat

Launched in 2021, NIPUN Bharat targets literacy and numeracy by class 3.
A recent survey shows 64% average language proficiency and 60% in math—progress, but still below universal goals.

Credit-Based Flexibility Introduced

To allow flexibility in higher education, the NEP introduced the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
Learners can exit after one, two, or four years with a certificate, diploma, or degree. CBSE is piloting this credit model in schools as well.

CUET for Uniform College Admissions

The CUET, launched in 2022, standardizes college admissions nationwide, reducing the need for multiple entrance exams, in line with NEP's goals.

Expanding Global Footprint of Indian Campuses

Institutes like IIT Madras (Zanzibar), IIT Delhi (Abu Dhabi), and IIM Ahmedabad (Dubai) have set up global campuses.
Meanwhile, international universities, including the University of Southampton, are entering India, with 12 more awaiting approval.

NEP 2020: Key Reforms Still in Progress

While several aspects of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 have seen implementation, others are still evolving.
These reforms aim to reduce academic pressure, promote flexibility, and encourage inclusive, student-centric learning environments.

Reimagining Board Exams

To lower the pressure of high-stakes assessments, the NEP proposes flexible board exams.
Starting 2026, CBSE will allow class 10 students to appear for board exams twice a year.
Karnataka has already piloted this idea. Other education boards are cautiously observing these changes before implementing them.
Additionally, the NEP encourages offering all subjects at two levels (standard and higher), but this has only been implemented for mathematics in class 10 by CBSE since 2019-20.

Progress Cards with a Holistic Approach

NCERT’s PARAKH unit developed new-style report cards including peer and self-assessments. However, most boards have not adopted this approach yet.

Slow Rollout of Four-Year Undergraduate Degrees

The NEP promotes four-year undergraduate programs with flexible exit options after each year.
While central universities and the state of Kerala have begun implementation, progress is slow in other regions due to faculty shortages and inadequate infrastructure in many colleges.

Emphasis on Mother Tongue as Medium of Instruction

NEP recommends teaching students in their mother tongue at least until class 5 to enhance comprehension and cognitive growth.
CBSE has directed affiliated schools to implement this from pre-primary to class 2, with flexibility for classes 3–5.
Meanwhile, NCERT is developing textbooks in more Indian languages to support this multilingual shift.

NEP 2020: Key Sticking Points and Roadblocks

Despite several successes, critical components of the NEP 2020 remain stalled due to political resistance, institutional inertia, and lack of consensus.
These bottlenecks reflect deep structural and federal challenges in India’s education landscape.

Resistance to the Three-Language Formula

NEP's proposal for students to learn three languages, at least two of which must be Indian, has been met with strong opposition.
Tamil Nadu, which follows a Tamil-English model, views the move as a covert attempt to impose Hindi and has rejected the proposal outright.

Delays in Teacher Education Reforms

The overhaul of teacher training is yet to materialize. The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, expected in 2021, has not been released.
Although a four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) has been proposed, existing teacher education colleges offering B.El.Ed. have resisted the changes, stalling reform.

Delay in Higher Education Regulatory Reform

The NEP envisages replacing the University Grants Commission (UGC) with the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), a single regulator for funding, accreditation, standards, and regulation.
Despite being formalized in the policy, the Education Ministry is still working on drafting the HECI bill, leaving the proposed transformation in limbo.

No Breakfast Scheme in Schools

NEP recommends providing breakfast in addition to midday meals for students in pre-primary and elementary classes.
However, the Finance Ministry rejected this proposal in 2021, citing budgetary constraints, stalling its rollout despite the potential nutritional benefits.

Centre–State Frictions Over NEP Implementation

States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have declined to adopt NEP-linked PM-SHRI schools.
The Centre withheld Samagra Shiksha funds in response. Tamil Nadu challenged the move in the Supreme Court.

Karnataka's Changing Position

Karnataka initially adopted the four-year undergraduate degree model proposed under NEP but later scrapped it.
The current government is working on a state-specific education policy as per its 2023 election promise.

Source: IE | IE

NEP 2020 FAQs

Q1: What structural change did NEP 2020 bring to school education?

Ans: It replaced the 10+2 structure with a new 5+3+3+4 curriculum framework.

Q2: What is NIPUN Bharat?

Ans: A program launched in 2021 to ensure all children achieve basic literacy and numeracy by Class 3.

Q3: What is CUET's role in NEP 2020?

Ans: CUET standardizes undergraduate college admissions, replacing multiple entrance exams with a single test.

Q4: What’s delaying full NEP implementation?

Ans: Centre-state disagreements, lack of funds, and delayed teacher education reforms are slowing implementation.

Q5: Why is the HECI not yet functional?

Ans: The Education Ministry is still drafting the HECI bill to replace UGC for regulating higher education.