UPSC Key: Turkman Gate, Census house-listing, and Surge in Silver price

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the historical significance of the city of Shahjahanabad?

— Who was the first and only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate?

— How many dynasties ruled the Delhi Sultanate?

— What is the history of Delhi Sultanate?

— What are the major historical monuments of the Delhi Sultanate?

— What were the major findings of the Shah Commission?

Key Takeaways:

— Turkman Gate was constructed in the 17th century during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, when he founded his new capital at Shahjahanabad. Yet the site’s historical significance predates the Mughal city and is rooted in a period when Delhi was a thriving centre of Sufism.

— As historian Swapna Liddle notes in Chandni Chowk: The Mughal City of Delhi (2017), Shahjahanabad was not built on empty land. Instead, it incorporated older settlements, shrines, and road alignments into its urban fabric.

— In an interview with The Indian Express, Liddle explained that the road running from Fatepuri Masjid in the northwest to Turkman Gate was an important pre-existing thoroughfare, lined with older structures when Shah Jahan established his capital.

— “It was beside this road that a Sufi saint called Shah Turkman Bayabani lived and was buried,” Liddle said. His dargah lies on the road leading to Hauz Qazi. Adjacent to the shrine is the grave traditionally identified as that of Razia Sultan, the first and only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century.

— The gate survived the upheavals of rebellion, colonial rule and Partition. After the uprising of 1857, British authorities demolished sections of the city walls on either side of the gate to prevent the walled city from sealing itself off.

— Much of what is known about the events at Turkman Gate during the Emergency comes from memoirs, inquiry records, journalistic investigations and later oral histories.

— In the mid-1970s, Turkman Gate acquired sudden political prominence when Sanjay Gandhi spearheaded a controversial “beautification” drive in Delhi. The campaign aimed to clear slums and unauthorised settlements as part of an urban renewal effort, and followed an aggressive family-planning programme that disproportionately affected the urban poor.

— According to contemporaneous accounts and later testimonies, a decision was taken soon after to demolish the slums and structures surrounding Turkman Gate.

— The first bulldozer arrived on April 13, 1976. Initial demolitions of outlying hutments met with little resistance. Soon after, however, a family-planning clinic was opened less than two kilometres away at Dujana House near Jama Masjid.

— Demolitions continued for nearly ten more days. Journalists John Dayal and Ajoy Bose, in For Reasons of State: Delhi under Emergency (2018), wrote: “The bulldozers worked round the clock till April 22, till they had obliterated all signs of life as well as death at Turkman Gate.” Subsequent research and survivor accounts have estimated the death toll at around 400, with more than 1,000 people injured.

— The events at Turkman Gate were examined by the Shah Commission, established in 1977 to investigate abuses committed during the Emergency. Despite its findings, no prosecution followed and no senior official was punished for one of the darkest episodes in Delhi’s modern history.

Do You Know:

—The Delhi Sultanate was a series of dynasties, including the Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and finally, the Lodi dynasty. The development of what we call “Indo-Islamic” architecture began here, with the construction of iconic structures like the Qutub Minar and the Siri Fort.

— The construction of  the Qutub Minar began under Aibak and was completed under Iltutmish, while the Siri Fort was built by Alauddin Khilji to give refuge to people escaping the onslaught of the Mongols who were sweeping through Afghanistan. Moreover, the Tughlaqs aso built many cities such as Tughlaqabad, Jahapanah and Firozabad.

— Then came the Lodi Gardens, with Lodi tombs, built in the 15th Century, which even today is a centre of cultural activity. In 1398, Timur, the Central Asian conqueror, invaded Delhi, infamously known as the “Sack of Delhi”, because of the widespread destruction and mass slaughter. After this, Delhi lost its splendour until the arrival of the Mughals, who claimed descent from both Mongols and Timur.

— The Mughals who arrived in the 16th century initially favoured Agra over Delhi, unlike the Delhi Sultans.  However, in the mid-16th century Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun — temporarily interrupting Mughal rule — and built the old fort known as Purana Qila.

— In 1638, Shah Jahan moved the Mughal capital from Agra back to Delhi, establishing what we today call “Old Delhi” or Shahjahanabad, marked by iconic structures like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik | A walk through Delhi’s historical tapestry

📍A riverside citadel, symbol of a king’s ambitions: Feroz Shah Kotla, where ruins tell a story

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2022)

1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.

2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.

3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

Why silver prices surfed a 160% wave in 2025

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of National & International importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources.

What’s the ongoing story: After a 160%-plus rise in 2025, the price of silver has continued to surge this year, with the first week of 2026 seeing an increase of more than 7%. The year 2025 also witnessed record highs for gold prices. This was largely driven by dented investor confidence due to global trade tensions and continued easing of interest rates by the US Federal Reserve. The reasons behind silver’s rise are similar, but also different.

Key Points to Ponder:

— Why is silver described as both a precious metal and an industrial metal?

— What are the factors behind the surge in silver price in recent years?

— What are ‘critical minerals’?

— What are the top 3 silver producing countries?

— What is the significance of the United States designating silver as a ‘critical mineral’?

— What are Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)?

— What is meant by the debasement trade?

Key Takeaways:

— Unlike gold, which is primarily purchased by households and central banks as a store of value and investment, silver actually has inherent physical properties that make it a key component in the manufacture of items, such as batteries and solar panels. These sectors are not only in vogue now but will be crucial to the future of humanity.

— The “bedrock of demand” for silver also includes artificial intelligence. Silver is also used to make jewellery and coins. That is why buyers and their reasons to purchase silver are more varied than those of gold.

— The supply of silver is also markedly different from gold. Primarily a byproduct when other minerals are mined, silver’s supply has not moved to match the increase in demand from various quarters, including industry, for several years.

— More proximate supply-side reasons for the jump in price of silver include the metal’s inclusion in certain ‘lists’. In November, the US added silver to its list of critical minerals.

— Revised every three years by the US Geological Survey (USGS), the list is key to deciding government financing for projects as well as the minerals that may become a part of the Donald Trump administration’s Section 232 tariff review. In addition to silver, nine others were added to the list in November, taking the total number to 60.

— Even before the addition of silver to the critical minerals list, stockpiles of the metal in the US were spiralling to unprecedented levels on tariff fears. As per the CME Group’s Commodity Exchange, the inventory of silver had shot up to 531 million ounces in late September, up 74 per cent from a year ago. Even now, the stockpile is at 449 million ounces, triple the usual levels. (One ounce is equal to 28 grams).

— Then there is China’s new rare metals export restrictions covering the next two years that come into force on Thursday. Silver being part of the list has caused concern among its users, with Tesla chief Elon Musk commenting on X on December 27 that “This is not good. Silver is needed in many industrial processes.”

— The stockpiling in the US also created supply mismatches in key markets such as London, where the global price of the metal is decided. Shortage of actual, physical silver in London by October — around Diwali — led to prices skyrocketing.

— When it comes to gold, India is usually the reason for big price movements. However, in 2025, silver was dragged into the craze too. As Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements, an organisation of central banks from around the world, noted in early December, “trend-chasing investors – notably retail – might have sought to capitalise on gold’s momentum by engaging in speculative behaviour.”

— Indians’ investments in gold and silver exchange traded funds (ETFs) — mutual funds that invest in these commodities — have indeed been on the rise.

— When new ETF units are created by mutual fund houses, they must buy physical silver. What ensues is a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts: shortage of silver — in London as well as in India — led prices to rise, which made people want to buy more of the metal as they feared missing out on the opportunity, which made prices rise further. Some mutual funds decided the price risk was not worth it and stopped accepting fresh investments.

— Gold and silver are not the only metals to have risen in 2025. Copper, too, surged and crossed the $12,000-a-tonne mark for the first time last week due to the same concerns as those faced by silver: US tariffs and shortages. The weakening of the US dollar — set to end 10 per cent lower in 2025 — has also led to the adoption of the so-called ‘debasement trade’, which involves buying assets such as gold, silver, bitcoin, and industrial metals in the expectation that they will become dearer and provide insulation from falling currencies.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Gold, silver prices surge as US-Venezuela conflict boosts safe-haven appeal

 

FRONT 

GDP growth in FY26 expected at 7.4% despite US tariff troubles

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment, Government Budgeting.

What’s the ongoing story: India’s real GDP growth is expected to rise sharply to 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal, according to the government’s first advance estimate of the number, on the back of a sharp rebound in manufacturing sector growth to 7 per cent from 4.5 per cent last year despite problems caused by the 50 per cent US tariffs on Indian goods.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is GDP? How is GDP calculated?

— What is Real GDP and Nominal GDP?

— What are the challenges of GDP calculation?

— What is the contribution of various sectors in the GDP?

— What is the Budget?

— What is the significance of the First Advance Estimate of GDP released by MoSPI?

— How does the First Advance Estimate of GDP influence fiscal planning and macroeconomic targets?

—- Why is rebasing of GDP necessary, and what are the challenges associated with it?

Key Takeaways:

— According to data released Wednesday by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), while the real GDP growth is projected to rise from 6.5 per cent in 2024-25, nominal growth — or growth without adjusting for price increases — is set to fall to a five-year low of just 8 per cent.

— The nominal GDP number will be a key input in calculations for the upcoming Budget for 2026-27, especially for tabulating the growth in tax collections. While broadly in line with expectations, MoSPI’s first advance estimate confirms the view among economists that growth is set to slow down in the second half of the fiscal year.

— The last time India’s nominal GDP growth was lower was in the pandemic year of 2020-21, when the economy had contracted by 1.2 per cent. In rupee terms, the nominal GDP in 2025-26 is seen at Rs 357 lakh crore. Using the exchange rate of 89.89 per US dollar that the rupee closed Wednesday, the GDP amounts to $3.97 trillion, just short of the $4-trillion mark.

— The first advance estimate of GDP for the year is used by the Ministry of Finance for its Budget calculations. The Union Budget, usually presented in Parliament on February 1, assumes a nominal GDP growth rate for the next fiscal year on top of the current year’s first advance estimate. This assumed nominal GDP growth rate guides the Ministry’s expectations of key metrics such as growth in tax collections.

— Further, the assumed nominal GDP for 2026-27 will also be used to set the fiscal deficit and debt-to-GDP targets in percentage terms.

— The first advance estimate of GDP for 2025-26 will have an unusually short shelf life as all subsequent GDP data released by MoSPI, starting February 27, will be as per a new series. This upcoming series will have a new base year of 2022-23 compared to 2011-12 for the present one and will also incorporate several methodological changes, including new sources of data. Updating the base year and improving data coverage and methodologies are crucial to presenting the correct picture of the economy which changed over the years.

— On February 27, MoSPI will release GDP data for October-December 2025 as per the new series, as well as the second advance estimate for 2025-26. It will also publish GDP data as per the new series for the last three years. As per the current series with 2011-12 as the base year, GDP growth stands at 7.6 per cent in 2022-23, 9.2 per cent in 2023-24, and 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

—- The GDP growth figure for 2025-26 will continue to undergo revisions after the second advance estimate is published on February 27, with the final number available only in February 2028.

— As per the first advance estimate released Wednesday, while manufacturing sector growth is set to rebound strongly this year, agricultural growth is seen cooling to 3.1 per cent from 4.6 per cent in 2024-25. The construction sector is seen expanding robustly again, with growth seen at 7 per cent compared to 9.4 per cent last year.

— The services sector, meanwhile, is projected to expand by 9.1 per cent, with the impact of new-age services, boost from Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts that came into effect in September, and robust services exports being key factors, according to Paras Jasrai, Associate Director and Economist at India Ratings & Research.

Do You Know:

— The GDP is calculated by adding net indirect taxes — indirect taxes such as GST minus subsidies — to GVA.

— Only final goods and services are included in GDP. Intermediate goods — those goods which are used as inputs in the production of other goods — are excluded to avoid double counting.

— There are two main measures of GDP: Nominal GDP and Real GDP.

— Nominal GDP: It refers to the value of goods and services evaluated at current market prices without factoring in inflation or deflation.

— Real GDP: An inflation-adjusted measure that reflects both the value and quantity of goods and services produced by an economy in a given year.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | From largest economies to understanding GDP: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains

📍Economy grows faster than expected, but there are points of concern

📍GDP is growing rapidly. Why is private investment still limited?

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) Consider the following statements : (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. Tax revenue as a percent of GDP of India has steadily increased in the last decade.

2. Fiscal deficit as a percent of GDP of India has steadily increased in the last decade.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. (UPSC CSE 2021)

 

POLITICS

Census house-listing from April 1 with option for self-enumeration

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Mains Examination: General Studies-I, II: Population and associated issues, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

What’s the ongoing story: The Ministry of Home Affairs Wednesday notified the commencement of house-listing operations for the Census of India 2027, to be conducted between April 1 and September 30, 2026, across all States/UTs, kick-starting preparations for the 16th Census, the first in 16 years.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the census and its significance?

— What is the history of census in India?

— Read about the Census Act, 1948.

— What is the difference between Census, caste census and SECC?

— How is the census conducted in India?

— What’s new in Census 2027?

— Read about the history of caste census.

— Read about the Office of Registrar General of India.

— What are the powers and functions of RGI?

Key Takeaways:

— Each state and UT will carry out the exercise during a 30-day window within this period, according to the notification by the Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI).

— In a significant departure from previous censuses, the notification also formally provides for self-enumeration, available for a 15-day period immediately preceding the house-to-house house-listing, allowing households to submit details digitally before an enumerator visits them.

— The notification, issued under Sections 3 and 17A of the Census Act, 1948, supersedes an earlier January 2020 notification that had set the stage for the 2021 Census, which was deferred due to the pandemic.

— As previously outlined by the government, the Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases — the House-listing and Housing Census in 2026, followed by Population Enumeration in early 2027. The reference date for population enumeration will be on March 1, 2027, for most of the country, and October 1, 2026, for snow-bound and remote regions such as Ladakh, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

— The census assumes added political and administrative significance as it will be the first nationwide caste enumeration since 1931, apart from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and will form the basis for future delimitation of electoral constituencies once the constitutional freeze is lifted.

— The house-listing phase involves a door-to-door survey of every structure in the country to collect data on housing conditions and household amenities. Enumerators will record details such as the use of the building, construction material, number of rooms, ownership status, access to water, electricity and toilets, cooking fuel, and ownership of assets like phones, vehicles and televisions.

—- For Census 2027, the house-listing schedule will include 34 columns, with new questions reflecting changes in living standards and tech use. These include availability of internet, ownership of mobile phones and smartphones, access to drinking water within the dwelling, type of gas connection, vehicle ownership by category, and a mobile number for census follow-ups. A new question on the type of cereal consumed by the household has also been added.

The notification also formally provides for self-enumeration, available for a 15-day period immediately preceding the house-to-house house-listing. (File photo)

— Census 2027 will be India’s first digital census, with enumerators using mobile apps. While paper schedules are being kept as a backup, officials expect near-universal digital enumeration, aided by higher remuneration for digital data collection.

— The self-enumeration option notified on Wednesday is a key part of this shift. Households that complete self-enumeration online will receive a unique ID, which can be shown to the enumerator during verification, reducing the time spent during house visits.

— The RGI has already put in place the digital backbone for this transition, including mobile apps with built-in validation checks, GPS tagging of households, offline data capture for low-connectivity areas, and cloud-based uploads. A Census Management and Monitoring System will allow near-real-time supervision and error correction.

— Following the house-listing phase in 2026, population enumeration — covering individual-level data such as age, education, occupation, religion, caste, migration and disability — is expected to be completed in 20-21 days in February 2027. Provisional population totals are expected within about 10 days of completion, with final data to follow in stages over the next six months.

Do You Know:

— The first non-synchronous, nationwide census was in 1872. This census involved counting individuals across most parts of the country; however, it did not include all territories under British control.

— The first synchronous census of India was conducted in 1881. It was conducted by W.C. Plowden.

— The Census 2027 will be the 16th decadal Census overall and the eighth since Independence.

— As per the 2011 Census, the country’s population was 1.21 billion as of March 1, 2011. It is projected to climb to 1.41 billion this year. With a projected population of 143.6 crore in 2027, the cost of Census will be approximately Rs 101.8 per person.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge Nugget | Census 2027 and Registrar General of India: A must-know for UPSC Exam 

📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | Census : 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains

📍 Explained: How India conducts its Census — and what is new in 2027

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2009)

1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.

2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

SC: Where’s the bar on LS to set up panel against Justice Varma

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies

What’s the ongoing story: The Supreme Court Wed­nes­day said it did not prima facie agree with Alla­habad HC judge Justice Yash­want Varma’s con­ten­tion that the Lok Sabha Speaker could not have con­sti­tuted an inquiry com­mit­tee to probe into the recov­ery of burnt cash last year from his offi­cial res­id­ence in Delhi, when the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chair­man had rejec­ted the motion to impeach him.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the process of impeachment of a judge of the High Court?

— How is it different from the impeachment process of the Supreme Court judge?

— What is Justice Verma Cash at home row?

— Know about the constitutional provisions related to the impeachment of the judge

— What is the role of parliament in the impeachment process?

— What are the concerns related to the Judiciary?

— What are the steps taken in recent times to address it?

— What is the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968?

Key Takeaways:

— While hear­ing Justice Varma’s writ peti­tion chal­len­ging the leg­al­ity of the Par­lia­ment­ary Com­mit­tee con­sti­tuted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to hold an inquiry, a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and S C Sharma, however, said it will exam­ine if the issue is so pre­ju­di­cial to his interests as to war­rant the court’s inter­ven­tion.

— “If one House has rejec­ted (the motion)… where is the bar under the pro­viso for the Lok Sabha to appoint (an inquiry panel)?…” the top court said.

— Appear­ing for Justice Varma, Senior Advoc­ate Mukul Rohatgi cited Sec­tion 3(2) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to argue that the com­mit­tee could have been set up only once both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha accep­ted the motion for impeach­ment.

— Rohatgi said if one House admits it and the other rejects it, no com­mit­tee can be set up. He also raised the ques­tion whether the Deputy Chair­man could have rejec­ted the motion in the absence of the RS Chair­man after Jag­deep Dhankhar had resigned.

— However, Justice Datta stressed the need to inter­pret it “pur­pos­ively” and said while the con­sequence of both Houses accept­ing the motion would have been the set­ting up of a joint com­mit­tee, there is noth­ing to say the LS Speaker could not set up a com­mit­tee if the RS rejec­ted the motion.

— The mat­ter was pos­ted for hear­ing Thursday.

Do You Know:

— The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India. Article 218 says the same provisions shall apply in relation to a judge of the High Court as well. Article 124(4) states that a judge can be removed by Parliament through a laid-down procedure on only two grounds: “proved misbehaviour” and “incapacity”.

— A Judge of the SC or HC is removed from office when at least two-thirds of those “present and voting” in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha vote in favour of removing the judge. The number of votes in favour must be more than 50% of the “total membership” of each House. If Parliament passes such a vote, the President will pass an order for the removal of the judge.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Knowledge Nugget: Amid Justice Verma cash at home row, why should UPSC aspirants revisit ‘Three Judges Cases’?

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(4) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2019)

1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

2. The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what constitutes incapacity and proved misbehaviour’ of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India.

3. The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

4. If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (UPSC CSE 2021)

THE IDEAS PAGE

To clean Delhi’s air, change the way it moves

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story: Rashmi Sadana writes: Each winter, as the skies turn white and we reach for our shawls and mufflers, Delhi’s dismal air quality is framed as an emergency requiring short-term fixes: Odd-even schemes, school closures, construction bans.

Key Points to Ponder:

— How are the causes of Delhi’s pollution different from those in other states in India?

— How does Delhi’s geography add to this?

— How far are vehicular emissions responsible for Delhi’s air pollution?

— What are the steps taken by the Delhi government to curb pollution?

— Why India needs a long-term strategy to tackle the air pollution issue?

— How is the air pollution measured in India?

— What is the impact of PM 2.5 on human health?

— What are the important bodies related to controlling air pollution in India?

Key Takeaways:

— But the air we breathe is shaped less by these stop-gap measures and more by our year-round, everyday habits of movement, and the infrastructures that support them.

— Transport is one of the main causes of Delhi’s air pollution, and it is also one of the few areas where policy can create real change. The current government proposals, which include electric buses and improved coordination with the Metro, are not just technical fixes. They are social interventions that shape who moves easily through the city, who bears the burden of pollution, and whose lives are constrained by distance and time.

— Over 12 years of riding and researching the Delhi Metro, documented in my book Metronama: Scenes from the Delhi Metro (Roli, 2022), I came to see public transport not only as infrastructure but as a transformative social space that led to a new culture of commuting in the city.

— Yet the Metro alone cannot bear the weight of urban mobility needs or pollution burdens. Buses still move far more people across shorter and more irregular routes. And when buses fail, due to overcrowding, lack of a predictable schedule, or by their very absence, people are pushed toward two-wheelers, autos, and ride-hailing cabs, intensifying congestion and emissions.

— This is why a renewed emphasis on and investment in DTC buses matters. Electric buses are often lauded because of carbon reduction, but their social implications are just as important.

— Clean buses running frequently and on predictable schedules make public transport desirable rather than a chore. A state-of-the-art bus system signals that public transit is not a residual service for those who cannot afford private vehicles, but a civic good worthy of investment.

— The key is integration, which, if the government is serious about its investment, will create a new structure where transport options work in concert with one another. Metro stations often sit amid chaotic streetscapes, disconnected from bus stops, pedestrian infrastructure, and last-mile services.

— This interface or “seam” between systems is where many commuters give up and turn to private cars, motorbikes, or Ola cabs. Once the word gets out about how good or bad a system is, people plan accordingly, routines are made, habits hardened

— There is also a larger political question. Delhi’s urban development has long privileged roads, flyovers, and car-oriented visions of progress. Road infrastructures benefit a minority while spewing pollution onto the majority, especially those who live near arterial roads or work outdoors.

— If Delhi is serious about addressing air pollution, it must treat public transport not as a supplementary option but as the backbone of urban life. This means sustained funding, not pilot projects; fare policies that prioritise affordability; and a cultural shift away from equating mobility with private ownership.

— The air pollution crisis demands multi-pronged structural rather than magical thinking. Cleaner air will not come from asking people to stay home for a week, but from making it easier and more desirable for millions to move together every day.

Do You Know:

— According to the Decision Support System of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), transport is the biggest contributor to PM2.5 emissions in Delhi, its share going up to 20% or more in winter.

— According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), as many as 93% of the 2.88 crore vehicles on the road in Delhi-NCR are light motor vehicles (LMVs; essentially cars) and two-wheelers.

— More than a third – around 37% – of this fleet comprises Bharat Stage (BS) III or even older vehicles, which have a significantly higher emissions potential.

— BS-III and older diesel vehicles emit between 2.5 and 31 times more particulate matter, 6.25 to 12 times more nitrogen oxides, and 1.28 to 5.4 times more carbon monoxide compared to newer vehicles, according to CAQM estimates.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Experts call for changes in NCAP 2.0: Focus on finer pollutants, rural areas, and accountability

📍Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(5) In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2022)

1. The 24-hour mean of should not exceed and annual mean of  should not exceed

2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.

3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.

4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 2 only

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (UPSC CSE 2021)

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PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

1. (b)  2. (d)  3. (d)   4. (c)  5. (b)

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