MPLADS Controversy 

1️⃣ What is MPLADS?

🔹 Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

• Launched in 1993

• Administered by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation

• Objective: Enable MPs to recommend development works in their constituencies

Key Features:

• ₹5 crore per MP per year (currently)

• Works must create durable community assets

• Implemented by district authorities

• MP only recommends — executive executes

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📊 2️⃣ What the Report Found

• 21 MPs recommended works outside their usual State/constituency

• ₹18 crore spent in such cases

• 84% of this amount went to Uttar Pradesh

• The majority of MPs involved were Rajya Sabha MPs

📌 Out of 20,858 completed works (2023–26):

• 26% located in Uttar Pradesh

• ~20% of the total MPLADS utilised funds went to UP

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⚖️ 3️⃣ Rules on Out-of-Area Spending

Lok Sabha MPs:

• Recommend works within their constituency districts

Rajya Sabha MPs:

• Recommend works only within the State they represent

Nominated MPs:

• Can recommend works anywhere in India

Exceptions:

• Up to ₹50 lakh per year outside the usual area

• ₹1 crore for severe natural calamity areas

👉 Most MPs follow the “established norm” of spending in their home region.

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🧩 4️⃣ Key Governance Issues

A. Federalism & Regional Equity

When MPs from:

• Rajasthan

• Jharkhand

• Maharashtra

• J&K

Sending funds disproportionately to Uttar Pradesh, it raises:

• Questions of regional imbalance

• Political alignment concerns

• Potential distortion of scheme intent

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B. Accountability & Transparency

Example:

• One MP reportedly did not remember where funds were recommended.

• Said decisions are handled by the private secretary.

📌 Raises issue of:

• Delegation without oversight

• Weak institutional responsibility

• Lack of monitoring

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C. Political Economy Dimension

Why Uttar Pradesh?

• Largest number of MPs

• Major political battleground

• High symbolic significance

But:

• States like J&K received only 0.6% of MPLADS utilised funds.

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📚 5️⃣ Constitutional & Governance Themes

🔹 Separation of Powers

MPLADS blurs lines:

• Legislature recommends

• Executive implements

Supreme Court has upheld MPLADS constitutionality, but concerns remain.

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🔹 Fiscal Federalism

Funds are:

• Central funds

• But meant for local development

Issue:

Does cross-state spending undermine decentralisation?

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🔹 Ethical Issues (GS IV)

Value	Concern
Integrity	Political bias in allocation
Accountability	MPs are unaware of allocations
Transparency	Dashboard vs actual intent
Equity	Uneven regional flow

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🧠 6️⃣ Analytical Dimensions for Mains

Argument Supporting MPs:

• Rules permit limited out-of-area spending

• National integration logic

• Political constituency may extend beyond geography

Argument Against:

• Undermines the local representation principle

• Weakens federal spirit

• May reflect partisan bias

• Opportunity cost for poorer home States

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🎯 7️⃣ 5 Practice PYQs (UPSC Pattern)

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Q1. MPLADS funds are:

A) State funds allocated to MPs

B) Central sector scheme funds

C) Funds from the Finance Commission

D) Corporate CSR funds

✅ Answer: B

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Q2. Which authority implements the MPLADS works?

A) Member of Parliament

B) Panchayati Raj Institutions

C) District Administration

D) NITI Aayog

✅ Answer: C

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Q3. The main criticism of MPLADS relates to:

A) Excessive decentralisation

B) Violation of the separation of powers

C) Private sector participation

D) Judicial activism

✅ Answer: B

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Q4. Which of the following principles is most directly affected if MPs allocate funds disproportionately to politically significant States?

A) Parliamentary sovereignty

B) Cooperative federalism

C) Collective responsibility

D) Judicial review

✅ Answer: B

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Q5. Ethical governance in public expenditure primarily requires:

1. Transparency

2. Accountability

3. Political loyalty

Which of the above are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: B

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🖋️ Possible GS Mains Questions

1. “MPLADS reflects both the strengths and weaknesses of India’s decentralised development model.” Discuss.

2. Examine whether cross-State allocation of MPLADS funds strengthens national integration or weakens federal principles.

3. Critically analyse MPLADS in the context of separation of powers.

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🔍 Conclusion for Essay Use

The MPLADS controversy is not merely about ₹18 crore.

It highlights deeper questions:

• Who owns public money?

• Should representation be territorial or political?

• Can discretion operate without accountability?

Strengthening transparency, stricter audit norms, and clearer guidelines for out-of-area spending would help preserve both federal balance and democratic trust.

 

NCERT Textbook Controversy & Supreme Court Reaction 

🏛️ Key Institutions Involved

🔹 Supreme Court of India

• Guardian of the Constitution

• Ensures rule of law

• Power of judicial review

🔹 National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

• Develops national curriculum

• Publishes textbooks

• Advisory body under the Ministry of Education

🔹 Dharmendra Pradhan

• Current Union Education Minister

• Announced action against officials responsible

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🧭 Core Constitutional Themes

1️⃣ Separation of Powers

India follows a functional separation between:

• Legislature

• Executive

• Judiciary

Controversy raises questions about:

• Judicial overreach?

• Executive arbitrariness?

• Institutional insecurity?

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2️⃣ Judicial Independence

Judicial independence includes:

• Protection from political interference

• Institutional integrity

• Public confidence

However:

• Accountability and transparency are also essential

• Instances of judicial corruption exist

📌 Debate:

Can criticism = an attack on the judiciary?

Or is it part of democratic discourse?

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3️⃣ Freedom of Speech & Academic Freedom

🔹 Article 19(1)(a)

Guarantees freedom of speech & expression.

Textbooks:

• Official state publications

• Expected to maintain balance

• But must allow critical thinking

Issue:

Is censoring references to corruption a violation of academic freedom?

📌 UPSC Link:

• Secularism

• Constitutional morality

• Educational neutrality

• Pluralism

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⚖️ 5️⃣ Judicial Overreach vs Judicial Sensitivity

Possible Judicial Perspective:

• Textbooks = authoritative source

• Broad statements may damage institutional credibility

• Fear of intimidation

Criticism of Court:

• Overreaction to criticism

• Selective sensitivity

• Chilling effect on academic debate

---

🧩 6️⃣ Ethical Dimensions (GS Paper IV)

Value	Conflict
Integrity of the judiciary	Transparency about corruption
Institutional dignity	Democratic criticism
Accountability	Independence
Executive responsibility	Political signalling

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🧠 7️⃣ Larger Federal & Democratic Implications

• Textbooks shape civic culture

• State control over curriculum

• Rise of narrative politics

• Social media assertions entering formal education

---

🎯 5 Practice PYQs (UPSC Pattern)

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Q1. Which of the following best describes “judicial overreach”?

A) Judiciary interpreting laws

B) Judiciary reviewing constitutional amendments

C) Judiciary entering domains reserved for the executive/legislature

D) Judiciary protecting fundamental rights

✅ Answer: C

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Q2. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees:

A) Right to equality

B) Freedom of speech and expression

C) Right to education

D) Freedom of religion

✅ Answer: B

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Q3. Which doctrine ensures that no organ of government exceeds its constitutional limits?

A) Basic Structure Doctrine

B) Separation of Powers

C) Collective Responsibility

D) Parliamentary Sovereignty

✅ Answer: B

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Q4. Which of the following best balances judicial independence with accountability?

A) Complete insulation from criticism

B) Executive control over judges

C) Transparent mechanisms for complaints and removal

D) Media trials

✅ Answer: C

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Q5. Academic freedom in India is primarily protected under:

A) Article 14

B) Article 21

C) Article 19

D) Article 32

✅ Answer: C

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🖋️ Possible GS Mains Questions

1. “Judicial independence does not imply immunity from criticism.” Discuss in the context of recent textbook controversies.

2. Examine the tension between academic freedom and institutional dignity in a constitutional democracy.

3. “Rewriting textbooks reflects deeper ideological contestations in Indian democracy.” Critically analyse.

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🔍 Analytical Conclusion (For Essay Use)

This controversy reflects a deeper tension:

• Between authority and accountability

• Between institutional respect and democratic scrutiny

• Between ideological rewriting and constitutional pluralism

A mature democracy must:

• Protect judicial independence

• Allow critical engagement

• Avoid executive arbitrariness

• Ensure textbooks promote analytical thinking rather than ideological messaging

 

Sixteenth Finance Commission 

Constitutional Basis

🔹 Constitution of India

• Article 280 → Establishes Finance Commission

• Article 270 → Distribution of taxes between Union and States

• Article 275 → Grants-in-aid to States

🔹 What is the Finance Commission?

A constitutional body appointed every 5 years to recommend:

• Vertical tax devolution (Centre vs States)

• Horizontal distribution (among States)

• Grants-in-aid

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1️⃣ Vertical Devolution (Centre vs States)

Background Trend

Finance Commission	States’ Share in Divisible Pool
11th–13th FC	~27–28% effective transfer
14th FC	42% (major jump)
15th FC	41%
16th FC	41% (retained)

Key Issue:

The 14th FC increased States’ share from 32% to 42%.

The Centre responded by:

1. Increasing cesses & surcharges (non-shareable)

2. Reducing share in Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)

3. Not fully accepting sector/state-specific grants

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⚖️ Sixteenth FC Approach

• Retained 41% share → gives semi-permanence

• Did NOT recommend curbing cesses & surcharges

• Proposed a “grand bargain”:

  • Merge cesses into divisible pool

  • States accept slightly lower share of a larger pool

🔎 Criticism:

• Did not strongly uphold constitutional spirit

• Dropped revenue deficit grants

• No sector/state-specific grants

• Effective transfers reduced to ~32.7% (2026–27 BE)

📌 Core Issue: Shrinking fiscal space of States

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2️⃣ Cesses and Surcharges – Federal Tension

Why controversial?

• Not shareable with States

• Increasing proportion of Union revenue

• Often not time-bound

📌 UPSC Link:

• Cooperative vs Competitive Federalism

• Off-budget fiscal practices

• Transparency in taxation

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3️⃣ Horizontal Devolution (Among States)

New “Contribution” Criterion

Earlier:

• Income distance (poorer States get more)

Now:

• Share of State’s GSDP in all-State GSDP

• Used square root of GSDP to moderate impact

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⚖️ Conceptual Problem

Two opposing logics used:

1. Lower per capita GSDP → More share (equity)

2. Higher GSDP → More share (contribution)

This creates tension between:

• Equalisation principle

• Efficiency principle

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Dropped Criterion

❌ Tax effort / Fiscal discipline criterion removed

👉 Weakens incentive for fiscal responsibility

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4️⃣ States That Lost

Major losers:

• Uttar Pradesh

• Bihar

• Madhya Pradesh

• West Bengal

• Odisha

• Rajasthan

• Chhattisgarh

Other affected:

• North-East States

• Small States like Goa

Gains:

• Some richer States (uneven)

📌 Political Economy Implication:

Redistributive tension between:

• High population, low-income States

• High-income, high-contribution States

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5️⃣ Article 275 – Missed Opportunity

🔹 Article 275

Allows:

• State-specific grants

• Equalisation transfers

• Addressing cost disabilities

The 16th FC discontinued revenue gap grants.

👉 Criticism:

Devolution alone cannot capture:

• Cost differentials

• Service delivery gaps

• Special needs

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6️⃣ Major Themes for Mains

A. Fiscal Federalism

• Vertical imbalance (tax powers with Centre)

• Horizontal imbalance (uneven development)

B. Equalisation vs Incentivisation

• Should richer States be rewarded?

• Or poorer States be equalised?

C. Constitutional Morality

• Spirit of Articles 270 & 280

• Rise of non-shareable revenue

D. GST Impact

Major GST reforms (Sept 2025) not factored in

Nominal GDP assumption optimistic (11%)

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📚 UPSC Syllabus Mapping

GS Paper II

• Centre-State relations

• Constitutional bodies

• Federalism

GS Paper III

• Government budgeting

• Public finance

• Fiscal consolidation

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🎯 5 Practice PYQs (UPSC Pattern) with Explanation

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Q1. Consider the following statements regarding cesses and surcharges:

1. They form part of the divisible pool of central taxes.

2. They are not required to be shared with States.

3. They are meant to be levied permanently.

Which of the above is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: B

Explanation:

• Not shareable

• Ideally time-bound, not permanent

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Q2. Article 280 of the Constitution relates to:

A) GST Council

B) Inter-State Council

C) Finance Commission

D) NITI Aayog

✅ Answer: C

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Q3. The concept of “income distance” in Finance Commission formula is primarily aimed at:

A) Encouraging rich States

B) Equalisation across States

C) Increasing Central revenue

D) Promoting exports

✅ Answer: B

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Q4. Which of the following best explains vertical fiscal imbalance?

A) Unequal development among States

B) Higher revenue powers with Centre compared to expenditure responsibilities of States

C) Revenue deficit in Union Budget

D) GST compensation

✅ Answer: B

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Q5. Which principle justifies grants under Article 275?

A) Market competition

B) Equalisation of public services

C) Defence expenditure

D) Corporate taxation

✅ Answer: B

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🖋️ Possible Mains Question

“The Sixteenth Finance Commission reflects the evolving tensions between equity and efficiency in India’s fiscal federalism.” Critically examine.

OR

“Increasing reliance on cesses and surcharges undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism.” Discuss.

 

Coconut Promotion Scheme (2026–27 Union Budget)

1️⃣ Institutional Background

🔹 Coconut Development Board (CDB)

• Under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare

• Promotes coconut cultivation, processing, and marketing

• Provides capital subsidy for value addition (25%)

🔹 Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI)

• Under ICAR

• Research on coconut, arecanut, and cocoa

• Climate projections & disease research

🔹 National Horticulture Board (NHB)

• Implements Cluster Development Programme (CDP)

• Focus: Production + Value Addition + Marketing

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🌍 2️⃣ India’s Coconut Sector – Key Facts

• India = World’s largest producer & consumer

• Major States:

  • Kerala

  • Tamil Nadu

  • Karnataka

  • Andhra Pradesh

• Expansion into:

  • Gujarat

  • Assam

  • Non-peninsular regions

📌 Interesting point:

Productivity per palm is higher than in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Indonesia, yet domestic prices are higher.

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🌡️ 3️⃣ Climate Change & Suitability Shift

CPCRI Projections:

• +1.6–2.1°C rise by 2050

• Up to +3.2°C by 2070

• Increased Vapour Pressure Deficit

• Intensified drought stress

Regions Becoming Less Suitable:

• Interior Karnataka

• Andhra Pradesh

• South interior Tamil Nadu

• East coast belt

Regions Still Suitable:

• Western Ghats belt

• Coastal Karnataka

• Western Tamil Nadu

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🦠 4️⃣ Major Disease Concern: Root Wilt

• Severe in:

  • Alappuzha (Kerala)

  • Pollachi (Tamil Nadu)

• Devastating impact on livelihoods

• Climate stress aggravates vulnerability

📌 UPSC Link:

• Plant pathology

• Impact of climate change on plantation crops

• Farmer distress

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🏗️ 5️⃣ Key Issues in the Scheme (Critical Analysis)

A. Productivity vs Resilience

Government focus:

• High-yield varieties

• New plantations

But real challenge:

• Heat tolerance

• Drought resilience

• Wilt resistance

👉 Shift needed from Yield-centric to Resilience-centric policy

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B. Input Subsidy vs Direct Benefit Transfer

Problem:

• Substandard biological inputs

• Poor storage → reduced microbial viability

Suggestion:

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

• Farmer autonomy

• Efficient resource allocation

📌 GS III Link:

• Agricultural reforms

• DBT vs subsidy debate

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C. Failure of Cluster Development Programme

Issues:

• ₹150 crore outlay

• High investment barriers

• Excessive compliance

• Private sector disinterest

• Idle equipment

Example:

• Banana cluster (Southern TN) remains mostly on paper

📌 Governance Lesson:

• Top-down model failure

• Need for cooperative-driven pilot models

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🏭 6️⃣ Value Addition Challenges

Current Reality:

• Domestic demand high

• Production barely sufficient

• The price tripled since 2024

Risk:

• Encouraging FPOs to invest in processing during lean supply = financial risk

Better Approach:

• Marketing partnerships (e.g., FMCG players)

• Smaller pilot clusters

• Assured market linkage

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📝 7️⃣ UPSC Syllabus Mapping

🔹 GS Paper III

• Agriculture & cropping patterns

• Food processing industry

• Climate change impact

• FPOs & cooperatives

• DBT

• Agricultural research

🔹 GS Paper II

• Role of statutory bodies (CDB, NHB)

• Cooperative federalism

🔹 Essay Themes

• Climate Resilient Agriculture

• Policy vs Ground Reality

• Trusting Farmers

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📊 8️⃣ SWOT Analysis

Strength	Weakness
Strong domestic demand	Climate vulnerability
High productivity	Disease spread
Existing institutional support	Scheme duplication

Opportunity	Threat
Climate-resilient breeding	Rising temperature
Expansion to new regions	Policy design failure
DBT reforms	Farmer distress

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🎯 9️⃣Practice PYQs (UPSC Pattern) with Explanation

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Q1. With reference to vapour pressure deficit (VPD), consider the following statements:

1. It increases with rising temperature if rainfall remains unchanged.

2. Higher VPD intensifies drought stress in crops.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither

✅ Answer: C

Explanation:

Higher temperature → higher evaporation → increased VPD → drought stress.

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Q2. Which of the following institutions is specifically mandated for coconut development in India?

A) National Horticulture Board

B) Coconut Development Board

C) ICAR

D) APEDA

✅ Answer: B

Explanation:

CDB is the statutory body dedicated to coconut sector development.

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Q3. Root wilt disease primarily affects:

A) Fruit size

B) Root system and nutrient uptake

C) Soil microorganisms

D) Only tender coconut stage

✅ Answer: B

Explanation:

It damages root functioning, leading to yellowing and reduced yield.

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Q4. Consider the following regarding Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in agriculture:

1. It reduces leakages.

2. It increases farmer autonomy.

3. It eliminates climate risk.

Which are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: A

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Q5. Which of the following best explains why high productivity does not ensure farmer prosperity?

A) Export bans

B) Demand-supply mismatch

C) Climate and disease vulnerability

D) High rainfall

✅ Answer: C

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🖋️ 10️⃣ Possible GS Mains Question (250 words)

“Enhancing productivity alone cannot secure the future of plantation crops in the era of climate change.” Discuss with reference to coconut cultivation in India.