Daily Current Affairs 24 July 2026 – IAS Current Affairs
Current Affairs 24 July 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :
Revised Index Of Core Industries (ICI) – Explained
Source: The Hindu
GS III: Indian Economy- Changes in industrial policy
Overview
- News in Brief
- Index of Core Industries (ICI)
- Key Changes
- Significance of the Revised ICI
- Challenges
Why in the News?
The Government has released the revised Index of Core Industries (ICI) with a new base year and updated methodology.
News in Brief
- The revised index expands the coverage from eight to nine core industries by including iron ore.
- The revision aligns the ICI with
- other indicators such as the national accounts, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI), and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) were updated earlier this year.
- The overhaul aims to make industrial data more representative of the current structure of the Indian economy.
Index of Core Industries (ICI)
- It is a monthly index measuring the production performance of India’s core infrastructure sectors.
- Compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- It serves as a leading indicator of industrial production.
Key Changes
- New Base Year– The baseline has shifted from 2011–12 to 2022–23. This removes decade-old distortions, ensuring that shrunk or newly expanded sectors are represented accurately.
- Nine core sectors– Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilisers, Steel, Cement, Electricity, and Iron Ore.
- Iron Ore has been included for the first time, expanding the index from eight to nine core industries and reflecting its growing importance as a key raw material for the steel and infrastructure sectors.
- These nine core sectors comprise 32.88% of the total weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) under the updated series.
- Revised Sectoral Weights – The overall weight of core industries in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has been reduced from 40.27% to 32.88% (based on recent economic output).
- Among individual sectors, the weight of Electricity has increased significantly, while Coal has declined.
- No Double Counting – Only raw coal is now counted in the index. Processed coal products such as washed coal and coal middlings have been removed to avoid duplication.
- Updated Steel Measurement – Steel production is now measured using gross output instead of net output, making it consistent with the IIP methodology.
- Linking Factor Introduced – A linking factor of 1.47 has been introduced to ensure a smooth transition and maintain comparability between the old and revised ICI series.
Significance of the Revised ICI
- Captures structural changes in India’s industrial economy.
- Enables timely fiscal and industrial policy decisions.
- Offers more reliable signals of manufacturing and infrastructure activity.
- Helps businesses and investors assess industrial trends.
- Harmonises ICI with other revised macroeconomic indicators, improving data comparability.
Challenges
- Multiple revisions make long-term comparisons difficult.
- Reliable and timely reporting from industries remains essential.
- Services and emerging sectors remain outside the scope of the index.
- Renewable energy, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing are not fully represented.
Way Forward & Conclusion
Going forward, the government should Revise economic indicators periodically to reflect structural changes in the economy, ensure regular updates to the base year, strengthen real-time data collection, maintain transparent methodology, and periodically review the inclusion of emerging sectors such as renewable energy.
The revised Index of Core Industries (ICI) is a significant step towards improving the accuracy and relevance of India’s industrial statistics. A robust and representative ICI will support better policymaking, informed investment decisions, and sustainable industrial growth.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
With reference to the revised Index of Core Industries (ICI), consider the following statements:
- The revised ICI has changed the base year from 2011–12 to 2022–23.
- Iron Ore has been included as a new core industry in the revised index.
- The Index of Core Industries is compiled by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
- The ICI serves as an important input for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Mains Practice Question
Q. The revision of the Index of Core Industries (ICI) reflects the changing structure of India’s industrial economy. Discuss the significance of the revised ICI, the key changes introduced, and the challenges associated with measuring industrial performance in India. (15 Marks)
Fast-Track Courts (FTCs)
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Governance, Judiciary
Overview
- News in Brief
- Fast-Track Courts (FTCs)
- Structure and Purpose
- Outcomes and Challenges
Why in the News?
The Prime Minister has announced the establishment of Fast-Track Courts (FTCs) to ensure speedy disposal of examination paper leak cases, reviving debate on their legal basis, effectiveness, and limitations.
News in Brief
- The announcement has renewed focus on the constitutional validity, legal framework, and performance of Fast-Track Courts.
- Particularly their role in delivering timely justice while adhering to the principles of equality before law.
- Experts have emphasized that while FTCs can expedite trials in priority cases, judicial vacancies, inadequate infrastructure, weak investigations, and rising case pendency continue to limit their overall effectiveness.
Fast-Track Courts (FTCs)
- Fast track courts are dedicated judicial mechanisms designed to expedite legal trials, reduce massive case backlogs, and ensure speedy justice for specific heinous or sensitive offenses.
- They operate with simplified scheduling and continuous hearings.
- There is no single central legislation governing the establishment and functioning of Fast-Track Courts.
- FTCs are established by State Governments in consultation with the respective High Courts, based on administrative and judicial requirements.
- The 14th Finance Commission (2015–2020) recommended the establishment of FTCs to dispose of long-pending heinous criminal cases.
- In 2019, the Government of India launched the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme to ensure the speedy trial of rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Structure and Purpose
- No Central Law- They are not established under a single central legislation; rather, they are set up by state governments in consultation with respective High Courts or via centrally sponsored schemes.
- Target Categories- Focus heavily on crimes against women and children (such as rape and POCSO Act cases), corruption, offenses by lawmakers (MP/MLA courts), and newly designated areas like competitive examination paper leaks.
- Funding– Specialized units like Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for sexual offenses are funded nationally through mechanisms like the Nirbhaya Fund.
Constitutional and Legal Basis
- Article 14 – Equality before law; selection of cases must be based on objective criteria.
- State of West Bengal v. Anwar Ali Sarkar (1952) – Supreme Court held that arbitrary selection of cases for special courts violates equality.
- Special courts may also be created through legislation or judicial directions for specific purposes.
Outcomes and Challenges
- Higher Disposal Rate– Fast-Track Courts case disposal is much faster than regular trial courts, averaging around 9.5 cases per month compared to about 3.3 cases in ordinary courts.
- Persistent Backlog– Despite high monthly clearance rates, overall pendency remains severe due to a high volume of incoming cases, infrastructure gaps, and a shortage of functional courts.
Way Forward and Conclusion
Fast-Track Courts should be strengthened by filling judicial vacancies, improving court infrastructure and digital systems, and ensuring better coordination among all stakeholders.
Expanding FTCs with adequate financial and administrative support, while upholding fairness and due process, will make them more effective. Backed by comprehensive judicial reforms, Fast-Track Courts can play a vital role in delivering timely, efficient, and accessible justice in India.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
With reference to Fast-Track Courts, consider the following statements:
- They are governed by a single central legislation.
- Fast Track Special Courts primarily deal with rape and POCSO cases.
- States establish Fast-Track Courts in consultation with their respective High Courts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Mains Practice Question
Q. “Fast-Track Courts have emerged as an important mechanism for ensuring timely justice in India. However, their effectiveness depends on broader judicial reforms rather than speed alone.” Discuss. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Kutki Medicinal Herb: Conservation and Sustainable Farming Herb
Source: The Hindu
GS III: Environment & Conservation, Agriculture
Overview
- News in Brief
- Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa)
- Sustainable Cultivation and Harvesting
- Conservation and Economic Impact
- Government Initiatives
Why in the News?
Farmers in Himachal Pradesh have pioneered the sustainable cultivation of Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), reducing pressure on wild populations while generating sustainable livelihoods.
News in Brief
- Kutki is a high-value Himalayan medicinal herb traditionally collected from the wild for Ayurvedic medicines.
- Sustainable cultivation is helping conserve the endangered species while improving farmers’ incomes.
- The initiative demonstrates how community participation and scientific cultivation can balance biodiversity conservation with rural development.
Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa)
- Perennial medicinal herb native to the Western Himalayas.
- Grows at high altitudes (around 2,700–4,500 metres).
- Rhizomes are widely used in Ayurveda, especially for liver and digestive disorders.
- Kutki is currently categorised as an Endangered species on the IUCN Red List.
- Overharvesting and habitat degradation have made the species threatened.
- Recognising the threat posed by international trade, it was included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
- This listing permits international trade only under regulated conditions and requires export permits to ensure that trade does not adversely affect wild populations.
Sustainable Cultivation and Harvesting
- Climate
- Kutki plant grows well in a cool and moist climate
- High moisture during the rainy season is required.
- No need for watering if the cultivation is started during the rainy season.
- Soil and Surroundings
- Sandy loam soil is suited for Kutki Medicinal Herb cultivation.
- High in organic carbon and porous humus texture with covering of litter to maintain the desired moisture level.
- A canopy shade helps to maintain the moisture requirements
- This encourages maximum growth and thickness of stolons.
- Stolon-Based Harvesting
- Started normally in the third year after the plantation.
- This can be cut through a knife or scissors.
- Each harvested stolon can serve two purposes:
- It provides medicinal raw material
- Can also be used to grow a new plant in the following season.
- Nursery Programs
- Planting stock and seedlings are raised by specialised regional groups—such as the Himalayan Forest Research Institute—to supply local mountain farmers.
Conservation and Economic Impact
- Ecological Protection
- Reduces commercial pressure and extinction risks caused by historical overharvesting in the wild.
- Livelihood Support
- Generates stable alternative cash-crop income for rural growers in regions like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- Ayurvedic Demand
- Supplies active medicinal compounds like picrosides used for liver and digestive health treatments without depleting natural habitats.
Government Initiatives
- National AYUSH Mission (NAM) Cultivation Subsidies
- Administered through the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), this scheme provides direct financial assistance for cultivating highly prioritised high-altitude species like Kutki, Atees, and Jatamansi.
- NMPB Central Sector Scheme for Conservation
- This scheme finances the backward integration of supply chains, group clusters, and natural habitat upgrades.
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
- Operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, this centrally sponsored scheme supports the area expansion of non-perennial alpine and medicinal crops.
- It integrates local farmers into regional development clusters, offering technology and high-quality seeds.
- Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
- Offers specialised credit support for setting up post-harvest management projects like building primary processing assets, solar-drying units, and tissue culture labs.
Key Takeaways
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding the sustainable cultivation of Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa):
- Sustainable cultivation of Kutki uses a stolon-based harvesting method instead of uprooting the entire plant.
- Community nursery programmes are being promoted to support its conservation and cultivation.
- Wild populations of Kutki are under threat and are included in the IUCN Red List.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (D)
Mains Practice Question
Q. “Conservation of medicinal plants requires balancing biodiversity protection with sustainable livelihoods.” Discuss. (150 words)
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