Prelims Focus 16th September 2025

16/09/2025

164 3 minutes read

Opium Poppy Cultivation

In News: The Union Government of India announced the annual licensing policy for opium poppy cultivation for the crop year 2025-26, effective from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. The policy applies to the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, where opium poppy cultivation is legally permitted under government regulation.

Key highlights of the 2025-26 policy include:

Around 1.21 lakh farmers are eligible for licenses, marking a 23.5% increase and including approximately 15,000 additional farmers compared to the previous crop year.
Farmers with high yields (4.2 kg per hectare or more) of opium gum cultivation will continue with the traditional opium gum method.
Those with medium yields (3.0 to 4.2 kg per hectare) can cultivate unlanced poppy straw (Concentrate of Poppy Straw – CPS) under five-year licenses.
CPS farmers producing 900 kg per hectare or more are encouraged to switch to opium gum cultivation to increase yield.
Farmers with CPS yields below 800 kg per hectare may have their licenses suspended for the 2025-26 crop year.
The policy incentivizes yield improvement and regulates cultivation to prevent diversion.
The Government Alkaloid Factory in Neemuch has received WHO GMP certification, facilitating safer and higher-quality production of medicines from opium alkaloids.
The policy aligns with goals of supporting farmers, meeting medical and pharmaceutical needs, and promoting self-reliance in alkaloid production.

INS Trikand

In News: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, completed its port call at Alexandria, Egypt on September 11, 2025, during its ongoing deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.

The ship was representing India in the multilateral Exercise Bright Star 2025 hosted by Egypt, which included participation from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force alongside forces from the USA, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Greece, and Italy.
During the port call, INS Trikand engaged in various activities to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation, such as discussions with senior military officials, cross-deck visits, and cultural exchanges to promote people-to-people connections.
The sea phase of the exercise tested the operational capabilities of participating naval forces in realistic maritime combat scenarios, and INS Trikand was commended for its accurate firing and professional conduct.

Opium Poppy Cultivation

Key highlights of the 2025-26 policy include:

Around 1.21 lakh farmers are eligible for licenses, marking a 23.5% increase and including approximately 15,000 additional farmers compared to the previous crop year.
Farmers with high yields (4.2 kg per hectare or more) of opium gum cultivation will continue with the traditional opium gum method.
Those with medium yields (3.0 to 4.2 kg per hectare) can cultivate unlanced poppy straw (Concentrate of Poppy Straw – CPS) under five-year licenses.
CPS farmers producing 900 kg per hectare or more are encouraged to switch to opium gum cultivation to increase yield.
Farmers with CPS yields below 800 kg per hectare may have their licenses suspended for the 2025-26 crop year.
The policy incentivizes yield improvement and regulates cultivation to prevent diversion.
The Government Alkaloid Factory in Neemuch has received WHO GMP certification, facilitating safer and higher-quality production of medicines from opium alkaloids.
The policy aligns with goals of supporting farmers, meeting medical and pharmaceutical needs, and promoting self-reliance in alkaloid production.

INS Trikand

The ship was representing India in the multilateral Exercise Bright Star 2025 hosted by Egypt, which included participation from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force alongside forces from the USA, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Greece, and Italy.
During the port call, INS Trikand engaged in various activities to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation, such as discussions with senior military officials, cross-deck visits, and cultural exchanges to promote people-to-people connections.
The sea phase of the exercise tested the operational capabilities of participating naval forces in realistic maritime combat scenarios, and INS Trikand was commended for its accurate firing and professional conduct.