Mercator Projection Map

Recently, the African Union (AU) supported a global campaign calling for the replacement of the traditional Mercator Projection Map with one that more accurately depicts Africa’s true size. This is significant because in the Mercator map, Africa and other developing continents appear much smaller than reality, while Europe and North America look disproportionately larger.

What is the Mercator Projection Map?

• A cylindrical map projection, introduced in 1569.
• Its main purpose was to simplify navigation, allowing sailors to follow straight compass directions (Rhumb Lines).
• Creator: Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594), Flemish mathematician and cartographer.

Key Features

1. Type:
   • Represents the spherical Earth on a flat surface in cylindrical form.
2. Straight-line Navigation (Rhumb Lines):
   • Every straight line represents a constant compass direction (loxodrome).
   • Made maritime route planning much easier.
3. Grid Structure:
   • Meridians (longitudes): Equidistant, straight vertical lines.
   • Parallels (latitudes): Horizontal lines, with spacing increasing as one moves away from the Equator.
   • All grid intersections form right angles (90°).
4. Scale:
   • Accurate only along the Equator.
   • Distortion increases towards the poles.
5. Conformality:
   • Shapes and angles are preserved.
   • But area is highly distorted.

Issues and Distortions

• Africa and South America appear much smaller than they are.
• Europe, North America, and Greenland appear much larger than reality.
• As a result, the geographical and political importance of Global South countries is undervalued, while developed countries appear more dominant.

Relevance for UPSC

• Prelims: Questions may be asked on the features, usage, and distortions of the Mercator Projection.
• Mains (GS-I – Geography): Questions may focus on the limitations of map projections, the AU’s campaign, and the “Global South vs. Global North” debate.
• International Relations (GS-II): The issue is relevant for Africa’s geographical significance and its global recognition.

✅ Conclusion

The Mercator Projection Map was useful during the Age of Navigation and Exploration, but in the modern global context, it distorts the true size of Africa and other continents. Today, there is a pressing need for maps that represent correct proportions and provide a fair global perspective.

130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025

The 130th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha and referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

About the Bill

What is it?

• Proposes amendments to Article 75 (Union Ministers), Article 164 (State Ministers), and Article 239AA (NCT of Delhi).
• Also seeks amendments in the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 and the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

Objectives:

• To ensure impartiality and credibility of Ministers holding high constitutional offices.
• To safeguard constitutional morality, good governance, and public trust.
• To prevent misuse of office by Ministers under custody for serious criminal charges.

Key Provisions

• Automatic Removal:
  If a Minister (including PM/CM) remains in custody for 30 consecutive days for an offence punishable with five years or more, their office will automatically fall vacant.
• Role of President/Governor/LG:
  Removal to be effected by the President (at the Centre), Governor (in States), or Lieutenant Governor (in UTs).
• Prime Minister’s Advice:
  The Prime Minister must advise the President to remove such a Minister by the 31st day. Otherwise, the Minister automatically ceases to hold office from the following day.
• Reappointment Clause:
  No bar on reappointment of the Minister after release from custody.
• Extension to States & UTs:
  Similar provisions to apply to State Cabinets and Union Territories.

Justification

• Ministers facing serious charges weaken constitutional morality and erode public trust.
• The objective is to keep the Executive free from any “shadow of suspicion.”

India’s Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy

Source: TH

Context: In May 2025, the Ministry of Finance released the draft Climate Finance Taxonomy for public consultation.

Climate Finance Taxonomy (Draft)

India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy is a preliminary framework that classifies economic activities as sustainable or transitional, in order to guide financial institutions towards investing in green projects.

The main objectives are:

• To achieve the Net Zero target by 2070,
• To prevent greenwashing, and
• To provide investors with a transparent framework for investing in clean technologies.

This draft was issued by the Ministry of Finance in June 2025 and opened for public feedback.

Key Points of the Draft

• Objective:
  To promote and direct investments into climate-friendly technologies and activities.
• Prevention of Greenwashing:
  Helps curb misleading practices where products or activities are wrongly labeled as environmentally friendly.
• Net Zero Target:
  Acts as a strategic tool for achieving India’s 2070 Net Zero commitment.
• Classification of Economic Activities:
  Proposes a two-stage approach to categorize activities as sustainable or transitional.
• Sectors Covered:
  Includes key sectors such as energy, buildings, and agriculture.
• Stakeholder Feedback:
  The draft was opened for public responses to gather suggestions from various stakeholders.

Why is it Important?

• Provides investors with a reliable and transparent framework for green projects, thereby boosting investment flows.
• Helps India direct global capital towards clean and green technologies.
• Establishes a rule-based and science-based approach to green finance, crucial for meeting India’s climate goals.

✅ Conclusion:
India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy is a significant step towards creating a transparent and sustainable financial ecosystem, aligning domestic priorities with global climate commitments.