<p><strong>Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science &amp; Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh</strong> highlighted the growing threat of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Global warming – long‑term rise in Earth’s average temperature, causing climate‑related risks; a core topic in GS3: Environment and Climate Change.">global warming</span> on health, environment and the economy, and outlined India’s response through the <span class="key-term" data-definition="India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) – a government initiative to promote sustainable cooling, improve climate resilience and reduce energy demand; relevant to GS3: Environment and GS2: Polity.">India Cooling Action Plan</span> (ICAP), now active in over <strong>250 cities</strong>.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>ICAP implementation across 250+ cities, focusing on region‑specific cooling solutions.</li> <li>Minister emphasized the link between rising temperatures and both communicable (e.g., dengue) and non‑communicable diseases (e.g., cardiovascular ailments).</li> <li>Call for responsible use of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Air conditioning – mechanical cooling systems that consume electricity; excessive use raises energy demand and emissions, a concern for GS3: Energy and Environment.">air conditioning</span> to curb the energy burden.</li> <li>Collaboration announced among <span class="key-term" data-definition="Department of Science &amp; Technology (DST) – the nodal agency for scientific research and technology development in India; falls under GS3: Science &amp; Technology.">DST</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) – the apex body for disaster preparedness and response; relevant to GS2: Governance and GS3: Disaster Management.">NDMA</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) – an international partnership promoting climate‑resilient infrastructure; linked to GS3: Infrastructure and Climate.">CDRI</span>, and the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) – a US‑based environmental NGO that works on climate and sustainability issues; its involvement underscores global cooperation (GS3: International Relations).">NRDC</span>.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>India’s climatic diversity means simultaneous exposure to extreme heat in the north‑central plains and severe cold in the Himalayan region, necessitating <em>customised</em> cooling strategies rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all model. The Minister noted that heat stress exacerbates disease patterns, increasing vulnerability among people with heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions.</p> <p>Excessive reliance on modern cooling devices has reduced natural heat tolerance, creating a feedback loop where higher temperatures drive greater energy consumption, further aggravating climate change.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>The discourse touches upon several GS syllabi: <strong>GS3 – Environment &amp; Climate Change</strong> (global warming, heat stress, sustainable cooling), <strong>GS2 – Polity</strong> (policy formulation, inter‑agency coordination), and <strong>GS4 – Ethics</strong> (equitable access to cooling and responsible consumption). Understanding ICAP helps answer questions on India’s climate‑resilience roadmap and energy‑efficiency measures.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>Minister Singh urged immediate, practical steps: set optimal temperature standards for public buildings, promote energy‑efficient cooling technologies, and ensure equitable access to cooling in underserved regions. He called for integrated research linking climate science with public health, and for scaling up collaborative platforms like the Global Heat and Cooling Forum to generate scalable, inclusive solutions.</p>