Why in news?

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a two-year Clean Mobility Scheme for Delhi-NCR. The scheme will incentivise owners of older, more polluting trucks and buses to replace them with BS-VI or stricter emission-compliant vehicles.

It is expected to benefit owners of around 2.07 lakh vehicles — 1.91 lakh trucks and 16,329 buses. Government vehicles are excluded.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms
• Why Old Trucks and Buses Are the Problem?
• Why Old Vehicles Are So Much Worse?
• What the Scheme Proposes?
• The Broader Pollution Context

Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms

• Bharat Stage (BS) standards are emission regulations set by the government to limit the amount of pollutants a vehicle's engine can release.
• 
• BS-VI is the current and strictest standard. It introduced tighter limits on pollutants, mandated cleaner fuels, and required advanced onboard diagnostic systems.
• India jumped directly from BS-IV to BS-VI in 2020, skipping BS-V entirely — a significant leap in emission control.

Why Old Trucks and Buses Are the Problem?

• Delhi-NCR has 2.98 crore registered vehicles, growing at 7% per year. The transport sector is one of the dominant sources of pollution — alongside dust, industrial emissions, and biomass burning.
• But not all vehicles pollute equally. Old trucks and buses are disproportionately responsible for a large share of the damage.
• The Numbers Tell the Story
  • Trucks and buses together account for 36% of PM2.5 emissions from the transport sector in Delhi-NCR.
    • PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter — particles so tiny they penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing serious respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
  • A 2018 study by TERI found that the transport sector accounts for 40% of carbon monoxide and 63% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in Delhi-NCR.

Why Old Vehicles Are So Much Worse?

• A vehicle that is mechanically "fit" can still be dangerously polluting if it runs on an old BS standard.
• As engines age, parts wear out, combustion becomes incomplete, and emission controls degrade.
• Old vehicles also lack modern systems like diesel particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction that BS-VI vehicles use to clean exhaust.
• The pollution gap between old and new vehicles is staggering:
  • A pre-BS norm heavy-duty vehicle pollutes 14 times more than a BS-VI vehicle.
  • A BS-IV vehicle emits 2.7 times more than a BS-VI vehicle.
  • A 15-year-old legacy commercial vehicle emits 11 times more PM and 6 times more NOx than a modern BS-VI vehicle.
  • An old BS-I heavy-duty truck emits up to 35 times more PM than a new BS-VI vehicle.

What the Scheme Proposes?

• The scheme incentivises vehicle owners to voluntarily phase out their older trucks and buses and replace them with cleaner alternatives.
• The treatment differs by how old the vehicle is:
  • BS-III and older vehicles — Scrapping is mandatory.
  • BS-IV vehicles — Owners may either scrap them or sell them outside NCR, but only to areas not covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
• This ensures that older polluting vehicles are not simply relocated from Delhi to other vulnerable cities.
• How This Fits Into India's Larger Clean Air Agenda?
  • This scheme does not stand alone. Several earlier initiatives have worked towards cleaner transport in Delhi-NCR — the PM-eBus Sewa scheme for electric buses being a prominent example.
  • The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, targets a 40% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2026 in 131 non-attainment cities — cities that consistently fail to meet air quality standards.
  • The Clean Mobility Scheme complements these by specifically addressing the legacy vehicle problem.

The Broader Pollution Context

• Delhi-NCR's air pollution is driven by multiple sources — transport, construction dust, industries, and seasonal factors like crop stubble burning and winter weather conditions.
• Meteorology matters too. Cold, still winter air traps pollutants near the ground, which is why Delhi's pollution peaks in November and December.
• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) — a statutory body set up specifically for Delhi-NCR air quality — has been monitoring these sources and directing action.
• In data submitted to the Supreme Court in December 2025, CAQM confirmed that of the 1.61 lakh buses in Delhi-NCR, only 34,449 are BS-VI compliant — the rest, over 1.26 lakh buses, fall in the pre-BS to BS-IV category. This is a massive backlog of dirty vehicles.

Why in news?

The executive council of Barkatullah University in Bhopal has passed a proposal to rename it Vagdevi Bhojpal University. The university was named after Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali in 1988 — before that, it was simply called Bhopal University.

The rename proposal has sparked debate about who Barkatullah was and whether erasing his name amounts to erasing an important chapter of India's freedom struggle.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Who Was Maulana Barkatullah?
• Core Beliefs of Barkatullah
• The Kabul Government: India's First Government in Exile
• Meeting Lenin
• Why His Legacy Was Forgotten?

Who Was Maulana Barkatullah?

• Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali was born on July 7, 1854, in Bhopal. He was a scholar, freedom fighter, and revolutionary who spent virtually his entire adult life outside India — working to end British rule from abroad.
• He studied in Bombay and then London. He began teaching in Liverpool, where he came into contact with Indian revolutionaries.
• His writings and speeches drew the attention of British authorities, forcing him to leave for the United States in 1899.
• From that point, he never stopped moving — Japan, England, the US, Germany, Russia, Afghanistan, Brussels, Switzerland, France.
  • In US, he corresponded with the freedom fighter Maulana Hasrat Mohani (who coined the slogan Inquilab Zindabad).
• Wherever he went, he built networks, wrote, spoke, and organised against British colonialism.
• He died in September 1927 in Sacramento, California, while attending a Ghadar Party event, with his lifelong associate Raja Mahendra Pratap by his side. He is buried there.

Core Beliefs of Barkatullah

• Barkatullah was a committed anti-colonial thinker who held one conviction above all others: India could only be free if Hindus and Muslims fought together.
• He saw the British policy of divide-and-rule as the primary obstacle to independence.
• He wrote about the suffering of ordinary Indians — both Hindu and Muslim — under colonial economic exploitation, noting that millions had died of starvation.
• His entire political career was built on the idea of composite nationalism — the belief that India's freedom was a shared cause that transcended religion.

The Kabul Government: India's First Government in Exile

• The most significant chapter of Barkatullah's life came during World War I.
• In December 1915, Barkatullah, along with Raja Mahendra Pratap (a Hindu prince) and Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi (an Islamic scholar), established the Provisional Government of India in Kabul, Afghanistan.
• This was India's first government in exile — set up entirely outside British control.
• Raja Mahendra Pratap became President. Maulana Barkatullah became Prime Minister — which is why he is sometimes called the "first Prime Minister of independent India".
• This was not merely symbolic. It was a bold political act — Indians of different faiths forming a government and asserting sovereign authority at a time when India was still firmly under British rule.
• The Kabul government sought support from Afghanistan, Germany, and later Soviet Russia to challenge British power.

Meeting Lenin

• Four years after the Kabul government was formed, its leaders travelled to Moscow to meet Vladimir Lenin, then head of Soviet Russia.
• Barkatullah's statement in Russia captures his worldview clearly. He described himself as neither a communist nor a socialist, but said his goal was the expulsion of the British from Asia.
• He saw European colonialism — led by Britain — as the enemy, and found in the Soviets a natural ally against it.
• After the British victory in WWI dealt a severe blow to the revolutionaries' plans, Barkatullah continued his work — travelling across Europe and keeping his cause alive until his death.

Why His Legacy Was Forgotten?

• Barkatullah spent most of his life abroad and died in the US in 1927 — twenty years before Independence.
• He was never part of the mainstream nationalist movement led by the Congress inside India.
• His revolutionary activities were conducted across multiple countries, leaving little visible trace on the Indian public consciousness.
• He was formally recognised in 1988 when Bhopal University was renamed after him — a long-overdue acknowledgment of a son of the city who had given his life to its freedom.
• Historians argue that the proposal to rename the university now would undo even that belated recognition.
• Historians said that instead of changing the university's name, more should be done to popularise the legacy of Barkatullah.
• They note the irony that the central government has been actively working to popularise Raja Mahendra Pratap — Barkatullah's closest associate — while his name faces erasure.

Context

• India has traditionally viewed extreme heat and uncertain monsoons as recurring natural phenomena, however, the anticipated return of El Niño in 2026 signals a much deeper challenge.
• A weaker monsoon and rising temperatures threaten not only environmental stability but also economic growth and social well-being.
• In a country where a large proportion of employment remains dependent on climate-sensitive sectors, climate risk has become a significant development challenge.
• The impacts of El Niño extend through labour markets, agriculture, food prices, and urban living conditions, exposing the vulnerabilities of the informal economy and widening existing inequalities.

Climate Change as an Economic Challenge

• Climate-related shocks no longer remain confined to the environment. They directly influence employment, production, consumption, and household welfare.
• A below-normal monsoon can weaken rural incomes, reduce agricultural output, and trigger inflationary pressures.
• Consequently, climate disturbances function as an economic transmission mechanism, affecting multiple sectors of the economy simultaneously.

Impact on Labour and Employment

• Heat Stress and Worker Productivity
  • One of the most immediate consequences of El Niño is increasing heat stress.
  • Outdoor workers such as construction labourers, street vendors, delivery personnel, and agricultural workers face prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
  • Higher temperatures reduce physical efficiency, shorten working hours, and lower overall productivity.
• Income Insecurity in the Informal Economy
  • Since many workers depend on daily wages, any reduction in work opportunities directly affects household income.
  • Limited access to social protection and healthcare further increases their vulnerability.
  • As a result, rising temperatures make earning a livelihood increasingly difficult for millions of workers.

Impact on Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods

• Dependence on Monsoon Rainfall
  • Indian agriculture relies heavily on monsoon rainfall for crop cultivation, reservoir replenishment, and groundwater recharge.
  • A weaker monsoon creates uncertainty regarding sowing decisions and agricultural planning.
• Rising Costs and Rural Instability
  • Reduced rainfall often increases dependence on irrigation and groundwater extraction, raising production costs for farmers.
  • For small and marginal farmers, already burdened by volatile market prices and rising input expenses, climatic uncertainty can significantly weaken income and productivity.
  • Consequently, agricultural disruption becomes a major obstacle to rural development.

Inflation and Household Welfare

• Rising Food Prices
  • Climate-related disruptions frequently translate into food inflation. Lower agricultural output can increase the prices of vegetables, pulses, and other essential commodities.
  • Since food constitutes a large share of household expenditure, rising prices place considerable pressure on consumers.
• Policy Challenges
  • El Niño creates a complex policy dilemma. While economic growth may slow because of reduced agricultural production and lower labour productivity, inflation may simultaneously increase.
  • Managing these competing pressures becomes a significant challenge for policymakers.

Urban Inequality and Climate Vulnerability

• Cities as Heat Traps
  • Rapid urbanisation, extensive concretisation, and shrinking green cover have transformed many Indian cities into heat traps.
  • Rising temperatures intensify discomfort and health risks, particularly during prolonged heat waves.
• Unequal Capacity to Adapt
  • The burden of climate change is distributed unevenly. Wealthier households can access better housing, cooling technologies, and reliable water supplies.
  • In contrast, poorer communities often experience overcrowding, water scarcity, and prolonged heat exposure.
  • As a result, climate change reinforces existing social and economic inequalities.

Need for Climate Adaptation

• Building Resilient Systems
  • Addressing the challenges posed by El Niño requires comprehensive climate adaptation
  • Investments in heat-resilient cities, improved worker protection, sustainable water management, and climate-resilient agriculture are essential for reducing vulnerability.
• Protecting the Most Vulnerable
  • Special attention must be directed toward protecting low-income households, informal workers, and small farmers who bear the greatest burden of climate-related shocks.
  • Strengthening resilience at the local level can help mitigate long-term economic and social consequences.

Conclusion

• The return of El Niño should not be viewed merely as a weather event but as a broader test of India's developmental resilience.
• Its effects on employment, agriculture, inflation, and urban living conditions demonstrate the close relationship between climate and economic stability.
• As climate shocks become more frequent and intense, effective adaptation strategies will be essential for ensuring sustainable growth and protecting vulnerable populations.
• Ultimately, recognising that climate risk is economic risk is crucial for securing India's future development.

Context

• More than a century after the introduction of the BCG vaccine, tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.
• Despite significant medical advances, TB continues to impose a heavy burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India.
• Recent findings from the PreVenTB trial provide evidence that moderately effective vaccines can play a meaningful role in this effort.

Understanding the Complexity of Tuberculosis

• Multiple Disease Pathways
  • TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but its progression varies widely among individuals.
  • Following exposure, some people develop latent infection and remain symptom-free for years. Others may develop subclinical disease before progressing to active TB.
• Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis
  • Active TB manifests in two major forms:
    • Pulmonary TB (PTB), which affects the lungs and drives disease transmission.
    • Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB), which affects organs outside the lungs and is often difficult to diagnose.
  • The existence of multiple disease pathways makes it unrealistic to expect a single vaccine to prevent every form of TB.
  • Effective disease control therefore requires multiple interventions working together.

Significance of the PreVenTB Trial and Key Findings

• Real-World Evidence
  • The PreVenTB trial, conducted across 18 sites in India, involved more than 12,700 participants who were household contacts of TB patients.
  • The study evaluated two vaccine candidates: VPM1002 and Immuvac.
• Key Findings
  • The trial reported:
    • Around 50% efficacy of VPM1002 against EPTB.
    • More than 60% efficacy among certain groups of children and adolescents.
    • Evidence of protection against progression from infection to disease.
  • These findings are significant because they demonstrate effectiveness under real-world conditions and address forms of TB that have often received less attention in vaccine research.

Addressing the Hidden Burden of Extrapulmonary TB

• Why EPTB Matters?
  • Extrapulmonary TB is frequently underdiagnosed and associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.
  • Its diagnosis is often delayed due to the absence of typical respiratory symptoms.
• Public Health Benefits
  • Reducing EPTB cases can lower healthcare costs, decrease patient suffering, and improve quality of life.
  • The strong efficacy signals observed among children and adolescents also support the possibility of a future booster-dose strategy for TB prevention.

The Role of Nutrition in TB Prevention

• Impact of Nutritional Status
  • The trial demonstrated lower vaccine effectiveness among individuals with low Body Mass Index (BMI).
  • This finding highlights the close relationship between nutrition and immune function.
• Integrating Nutrition with TB Control
  • Addressing undernutrition should be considered an essential component of TB control strategies.
  • Vaccination programs are likely to achieve better outcomes when combined with nutritional support initiatives.

Policy Implications and Operational Advantages

• Benefits of VPM1002
  • It is a single-dose vaccine. It is based on a modified BCG platform.
  • It can be produced through large-scale manufacturing.
  • It is suitable for cost-effective deployment in resource-constrained settings.
• Lessons from Previous Public Health Decisions
  • India has previously adopted innovative health technologies before international endorsement was fully established.
  • Examples include:
    • TrueNat for TB diagnosis.
    • Covaxin during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Indigenous rotavirus vaccines.
  • These experiences demonstrate the value of acting on strong evidence rather than waiting indefinitely for perfect solutions.

Steps Required in Achieving TB Elimination

• Strengthening Diagnostic Systems
  • Improved diagnostics can identify infections at earlier stages, including latent and subclinical cases, enabling timely intervention and reducing transmission.
• Expanding Preventive Therapy
  • Preventive treatment can stop latent infections from progressing into active disease, thereby reducing the overall burden of TB.
• The Importance of Vaccination
  • Vaccination remains a critical component of TB control, especially in regions where access to healthcare services is uneven.
  • Even vaccines with moderate effectiveness can contribute significantly when deployed strategically.
• Towards a Smarter TB Strategy
  • TB elimination requires an integrated approach that combines:
    • Diagnostics
    • Preventive therapy
    • Targeted vaccination
    • Case management
    • Nutritional supplementation
    • Sustained public health investment
  • No single intervention can eliminate TB on its own. A combination of complementary strategies is essential for long-term success.

Conclusion

• The complexity of the disease demands a multi-layered strategy that addresses prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and broader social determinants of health.
• The PreVenTB trial provides encouraging evidence that vaccines such as VPM1002 and Immuvac can reduce both PTB and EPTB, particularly among high-risk populations.
• Rather than waiting indefinitely for an ideal vaccine, policymakers should prioritise evidence-based interventions capable of delivering immediate public health benefits.
• A pragmatic and integrated approach offers the most realistic pathway toward controlling one of humanity's oldest and most persistent diseases.

About Similipal Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is situated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
• The park is named after the Simul (silk cotton) tree, which grows in abundance here.
• It is situated in the Deccan Peninsular Bio-geographic Zone, it harbours a unique blend of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and eastern Himalayan biodiversity.
• It has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani.
• Terrain: It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515 m above mean sea level).
• Tribes: It is also home to various tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
• Vegetation: The forest is predominantly moist mixed deciduous forest with tropical semi-evergreen forest in areas with suitable microclimatic conditions and sporadic patches of dry deciduous forests and grasslands.
• Flora: Sal is the dominant tree species here. 
  • It houses 7% of the flowering plants and 8% of India’s orchids. The park also has extensive grasslands that are grazing grounds for many of the herbivores. 
• Fauna: It is known for the tiger, elephant, and hill mynah, leopard, sambar etc.

About World Environment Day:

• It is observed every year on June 5.
• It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• It is an international day dedicated to raising global awareness about environmental issues and encouraging individuals, organisations, and others to take a step towards protecting the planet.
• Historical Background:
  • World Environment Day was established in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. 
  • The UNEP was established in the same year.
  • The UN General Assembly officially designated June 5 as World Environment Day.
  • It was first celebrated in 1973 with the theme “Only One Earth,”
  • Each year, a host nation spearheads the campaign, which raises awareness of a certain issue.
• World Environment Day 2026
  • Theme: "Only One Earth"
  • Host Country 2026: This year, Azerbaijan highlights the planetary crises of climate change and ecosystem degradation and their interconnected impacts on people and nature.

About Screw Pine:

• The Screw Pine or kewra  or kewda plant (pandanus odorifer) is a small branched tree or shrub.
• It is a common species of the family Pandanaceae.
• It is a monocot, more closely related to grasses and palms than to conifers.
• It grows naturally in tropical coastal environments.
• Appearance:
  • It is a small, slender, branching tree with a flexuous trunk supported by brace roots.
  • With rosettes of long-pointed, stiffly leathery, spiny, bluish-green, fragrant leaves.
  • It is known for its distinctive prop roots and long, narrow leaves.
• Distribution: It is found wild in southern India, Burma and the Andamans.
• It grows abundantly in the coastal regions of Orissa, especially along the Ganjam coast between Rushikulya river to the north and Bahuda river to the south.
• Required Climatic Conditions:
  • Climate: It requires bright, direct sunlight and thrives in warm, humid conditions.
  • Soil: It prefers loamy soil that is rich in organic matter and retains moisture well.
  • Rain: Moderate rainfall (1,500–2,000 mm annually)
• Applications:
  • It is widely used to flavour food, in the aromatic, perfumery and cosmetics industry as well as in Ayurvedic medicines.
  • The flowers (only male) are used to extract fragrance/oil.
  • The leaves of the plant are used to make mats, baskets and bags.
• Ecological Significance: It plays a vital role in stabilising shorelines and supporting biodiversity — making it a keystone species in Indian coastal ecosystems.

About Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana:

• It is a skill development programme launched by the government of India in 2015.
• It aims to empower the youth of India to engage in industry relevant skill training and secure a better livelihood.
• Implementing Agency: It is being implemented by the National Skill Development Corporations in partnership with multiple stakeholders.
• Eligibility Criteria of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana:
  • Age Limit: Candidates aged 14 to 35 years are generally eligible for PMKVY training programs.
  • Nationality: Applicants must be Indian citizens to qualify for the scheme.
  • Educational Qualifications: PMKVY caters to individuals from diverse educational backgrounds, including those without formal education.
  • Employment Status: Priority is given to unemployed or underemployed individuals to enhance their employability.
  • Aadhar Card: An Aadhar card is often a mandatory requirement for applying to PMKVY programs.
• Features of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana:
  • Updated Skill Training: Industry experts are consulted regularly in order to ensure that updated skill training is provided according to industry demands. 
  • Short Term Courses: Short term training courses make it easy for people to acquire new skills within a short period of time. 
  • Recognition to Prior Learning: It is also acknowledged through certification without undergoing the same training. 
  • Placement Assistance: The scheme also aims to provide placement assistance for all the candidates trained in a certain skill.

About MY Bharat Platform:

• It is an autonomous body that has been set up by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport.
• It has been set up by the Government of India and registered as society under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
• MY Bharat’s digital platform provides equitable access to opportunities for youth to actualize their aspirations and build Viksit Bharat.
• Features:
  • It is meticulously designed to cater to the needs of the dynamic youth demographic, aged between 15 and 29 years.
  • It provides an over-arching institutional mechanism powered by technology for youth development and youth-led development.
  • The platform connects youth with programs and learning opportunities in Businesses, Government Departments and Non-Profit Organisations. 
  • To supplement theoretical learning in the classroom, youth need experiential learning programs that allow them exposure to work in practical situations in local businesses, in local self-government and in Government bodies.
  • MY Bharat platform will create such an eco-system and empower young individuals to become catalysts for community transformation. 
  • The platform allows youth to generate their individual profiles listing their skill-sets and activities.
  • The platform would allow youth to network with each other and also potential mentors.
  • This platform offers a wealth of resources, mentorship programs, experiential learning opportunities, networks, and invaluable industry connections.