Why it is in the news
On 23 September 2026, touring the drought-prone districts of Latur, Dharashiv and Solapur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the State is heading for a severe drought “likely to be worse than that of 1972”, attributed it to a “Super El Niño”, and said a notification would follow shortly. Yet a formal kharif drought declaration cannot be made immediately: the assessment under the Central norms can begin only once the monsoon starts withdrawing, which the State expects after 5 October 2026.
The exam angle
Issue: India's drought framework trades speed for objectivity: a science-based, multi-indicator declaration prevents arbitrary declarations but delays relief for a slow-onset disaster whose damage is visible weeks earlier. How should the balance be struck?