What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

They may ask which schedule of the Wildlife Act protects the Olive Ridley, but provide options like Schedule IV or V as distractors. They might also swap the roles of institutions, e.g., asking which body 'allocated' the funds (PMMSY is a scheme, but the 'Centre' or 'MoEFCC' approves it). Another trap is confusing the nesting season months for different states.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: ₹57.72 crore (PMMSY allocation for TEDs) and Schedule I of WPA, 1972. 2. Target this Nodal Body: National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). 3. Target this Legal Point: Supreme Court case - Arnav Sinha v. State of West Bengal & Ors (Civil Appeal No. 288 of 2021).

EnvironmentGovernance

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 6 of 24

NGT Directs Strict SC Mandate for Olive Ridley Protection, ₹57.72 Cr for Turtle Excluder Devices Under PMMSY

Q: Under which Schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is the Olive Ridley turtle listed, granting it the highest degree of protection?

Schedule I, The Olive Ridley turtle is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Species under this schedule are accorded the highest level of protection, with stringent penalties for offenses. This is a fundamental static GK fact for environment and biodiversity sections.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) recent order on Olive Ridley turtle conservation: 1. The NGT took suo motu cognizance based on a news report about turtle deaths along the Chennai coast. 2. It directed strict implementation of conservation measures mandated earlier by the Delhi High Court. 3. The order emphasized the installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), funded under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The NGT registered the case suo motu following a January 2025 news report. Statement 2 is incorrect: The NGT directed implementation of measures mandated by the Supreme Court of India (in the Arnav Sinha case), not the Delhi High Court. This is a classic examiner trap swapping judicial bodies. Statement 3 is correct: The order stressed TED installation, supported by a ₹57.72 crore allocation under PMMSY.

Q: What is the total budget allocation approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for the nationwide distribution of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), as mentioned in the article?

₹57.72 crore, The article specifically states that the Centre approved a budget allocation of ₹57.72 crore under PMMSY for supporting the nationwide distribution of TEDs, with the Centre's share being ₹34.64 crore. Option A is a close distractor representing only the central share.

Q: What is the primary purpose of the Supreme Court's direction to install Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing vessels, as reinforced by the NGT?

To prevent the accidental capture and drowning of marine turtles in fishing nets, Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) are specialized grids fitted into trawl nets that allow captured turtles to escape, thereby reducing bycatch mortality. This is their core conservation objective. While other options might be incidental benefits or functions of other devices, the primary and stated purpose in the context of the news is turtle protection.

Environment PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

20 Feb 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:₹57.72 crore₹34.64 croreSchedule I, WPA 1972January to April50% vessels in 12 months

Bodies:National Green Tribunal (NGT)Supreme Court of India (SC)Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)Tamil Nadu Fisheries DepartmentTamil Nadu Pollution Control BoardCoastal Security Group

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.The NGT has ordered state governments to strictly comply with Supreme Court directives from the Arnav Sinha case to prevent Olive Ridley turtle deaths.

2.A key measure is the mandatory installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing nets, supported by a ₹57.72 crore allocation under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

3.The case exemplifies judicial intervention (suo motu) for environmental protection, linking coastal pollution, fishing regulations, and the legal status of a Schedule I species.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The National Green Tribunal has directed strict implementation of Supreme Court-ordered conservation measures to arrest the alarming surge in Olive Ridley turtle deaths along India's eastern coast. This news is critical for exams as it highlights the interplay between judicial activism, environmental governance, and the enforcement of Schedule I species protection under the Wildlife Act, with significant budgetary allocations for technological solutions.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Case ReferenceArnav Sinha v. State of West Bengal & Ors (Civil Appeal No. 288 of 2021)

PMMSY Allocation for TEDs₹57.72 crore (Centre's share: ₹34.64 crore)

SC TED Installation Target50% vessels in 12 months, 100% thereafter (from Oct 5, 2025 notification)

Olive Ridley Legal StatusSchedule I, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Tamil Nadu Nesting SeasonJanuary to April

NGT BenchJustice Pushpa Sathyanarayana & Dr Prashant Gargava

1-Minute Revision

›Case Reference: Arnav Sinha v. State of West Bengal & Ors (Civil Appeal No. 288 of 2021)
›PMMSY Allocation for TEDs: ₹57.72 crore (Centre's share: ₹34.64 crore)
›Target this Data: ₹57.72 crore (PMMSY allocation for TEDs) and Schedule I of WPA, 1972.
›Target this Nodal Body: National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
›Target this Legal Point: Supreme Court case - Arnav Sinha v. State of West Bengal & Ors (Civil Appeal No. 288 of 2021).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

⚖️

Judiciary's Environmental Mandate

The NGT has reinforced Supreme Court orders, directing strict compliance to protect the endangered Olive Ridley turtle, showcasing judicial oversight in environmental governance.

🐢

Tech Solution: Turtle Excluder Devices

A ₹57.72 crore budget under PMMSY is allocated for nationwide distribution of TEDs, a critical technological fix to prevent turtle bycatch in fishing nets.

🌊

Multi-Pronged Threat & Action

Beyond fishing nets, the NGT addressed light/noise pollution during nesting season and highlighted state actions like patrolling, GPS monitoring, and the first Sea Turtle Conservation Centre in Chennai.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Olive Ridley turtle, a Schedule I species, faces severe mortality primarily due to bycatch in fishing nets along India's eastern coast. The issue gained judicial traction after a 2025 news report of 350+ deaths in Chennai. The Supreme Court, in the Arnav Sinha case (2021), had already laid a framework involving nodal officers, SOPs, and TEDs. The NGT's recent order is a suo motu intervention to enforce these existing mandates, highlighting a failure in ground-level implementation despite established legal protocols.

Core Analysis & Implications

This case is a classic study of India's environmental governance challenges. It reveals the gap between policy formulation (SC directives, SOPs, GOs) and execution, as turtle deaths continued to rise despite state action reports. The ₹57.72 crore PMMSY allocation for TEDs links marine conservation with a flagship fisheries scheme, indicating an integrated approach. The NGT's focus on non-fishing threats like artificial lighting (which disorients hatchlings) expands the conservation paradigm. It also tests federal cooperation, with Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh reporting different measures (enforcement vs. awareness/hatcheries).

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The immediate mandate is for states to submit bi-annual action reports and achieve the SC's TED installation targets. The establishment of Chennai's first Sea Turtle Conservation Centre could become a model for research and capacity building. Long-term success depends on sustained inter-agency coordination (Forest, Fisheries, Coast Guard, Marine Police), effective sensitization of fishing communities, and rigorous monitoring of no-fishing zones. This case may set a precedent for judicial monitoring of specific conservation outcomes for other endangered species.

Key Facts at a Glance

Case ReferenceArnav Sinha v. State of West Bengal & Ors (Civil Appeal No. 288 of 2021)

PMMSY Allocation for TEDs₹57.72 crore (Centre's share: ₹34.64 crore)

SC TED Installation Target50% vessels in 12 months, 100% thereafter (from Oct 5, 2025 notification)

Olive Ridley Legal StatusSchedule I, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Tamil Nadu Nesting SeasonJanuary to April

NGT BenchJustice Pushpa Sathyanarayana & Dr Prashant Gargava

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Under which Schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is the Olive Ridley turtle listed, granting it the highest degree of protection?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, MPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) recent order on Olive Ridley turtle conservation:

1. The NGT took suo motu cognizance based on a news report about turtle deaths along the Chennai coast.

2. It directed strict implementation of conservation measures mandated earlier by the Delhi High Court.

3. The order emphasized the installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), funded under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What is the total budget allocation approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for the nationwide distribution of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), as mentioned in the article?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary purpose of the Supreme Court's direction to install Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing vessels, as reinforced by the NGT?

All 25 MCQs ▸

Read original article from Indian Express

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news Next Article

Explore Related Topics

EnvironmentView Topic MCQs →PolityView Topic MCQs →

PreviousMeta Social Media Addiction Trial: Landmark US Case Challenges Section 230, India's Economic Survey 2025-26 Suggests Age Limits Next Strait of Hormuz Blockade Risk Pushes Brent Crude Over $71/Barrel, Threatens 40% of India's Oil Imports

Related Current Affairs

Environment Current Affairs

SC Directs Environment Ministry to Create Guidelines for Environmental Compensation Under SWM Rules 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the Union government to create comprehensive guidelines for imposing and collecting environmental compensation for violations of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026. The new rules, effective April 1, 2026, replace the 2016 rules and aim to improve segregation, curb landfill dependency, and promote a circular economy, but implementation remains a major challenge due to poor data integrity and lack of verification.

Environment Current Affairs

Parliamentary Panel Flags Forest Fire Gaps, Recommends Geostationary Satellite and NDRF Centres for Himalayas

A parliamentary committee has flagged serious gaps in forest fire monitoring and management, especially in the Himalayan region which accounts for 57% of India's forest fire incidents from just 17% of its landmass. It has recommended a geostationary satellite, dedicated NDRF regional response centres, and a National Pine-Needle Utilisation Policy. For exams, the article is rich in static concepts, data, and disaster-management facts.

Environment Current Affairs

AP Assembly Adopts Water Amendment Act 2024: Penalties of ₹10K-₹15L for Minor Violations

Andhra Pradesh has adopted the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, decriminalising minor technical violations by replacing criminal penalties with financial fines (₹10,000–₹15 lakh). This is a key shift toward trust-based governance and ease of doing business, and a potential Prelims/Mains topic on environmental law reforms.

Environment Current Affairs

SC Directs Eviction in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve; FRA Implementation Under Scrutiny

The Supreme Court has ordered time-bound eviction of encroachments in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve based on CEC reports, while the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 — meant to protect forest-dweller rights — continues to be bypassed by authorities. This clash between conservation and tribal rights is a high-probability topic for UPSC GS2 (governance) and GS3 (environment).

Environment Current Affairs

7th ESA Draft Notification: 9,993.7 sq km in 131 Kerala Villages Under Western Ghats Regulation

The 7th draft ESA notification for Kerala's Western Ghats has triggered protests from settlers and farmers who fear displacement and land-use restrictions. The notification covers 9,993.7 sq km across 131 villages, but the state government wants it reduced to 8,590.69 sq km excluding human habitations. This is a decade-old conflict between ecological conservation and livelihood rights, with implications for UPSC GS3 (Environment) and GS2 (Federalism, Governance).

Environment Current Affairs

SC-NBWL Recommends Pygmy Hog for Critically Endangered List Under IDWH Scheme

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended adding the pygmy hog, the world's smallest and rarest wild pig, to the list of critically endangered species under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme. This move signals a renewed focus on grassland conservation and species recovery, with potential expansion to West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

Polity Current Affairs

Ken-Betwa Link: Centre Defers Displacement Grievances to MP Govt; 7,000 Families at Risk Under FRA

The Ken-Betwa River Link Project, a flagship interlinking river project, faces protests over displacement of over 7,000 families. The Centre has shifted responsibility to the Madhya Pradesh government for implementing the Forest Rights Act and compensation, raising questions about federal accountability and tribal rights. This is crucial for UPSC Polity (Centre-State relations), Environment (river linking), and Social Justice (tribal rights).

Environment Current Affairs

CAG Audit Flags 91.87% Shortfall in Forest Cover Improvement Under Green India Mission

The CAG audit reveals the Green India Mission (GIM) – a key component of India's NDC commitments – has failed to meet its forest cover quality improvement target by 91.87% and forest cover increase target by 97.57%. This exposes severe implementation gaps, weak convergence with other schemes, and poor monitoring, directly threatening India's climate pledge under the Paris Agreement.

Start Today's Quiz(25 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

25 Qs • 5-7 Mins

NGT Directs Strict SC Mandate for Olive Ridley Protection, ₹57.72 Cr for Turtle Excluder Devices Under PMMSY

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Judiciary's Environmental Mandate

Tech Solution: Turtle Excluder Devices

Multi-Pronged Threat & Action

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance