In News:

India is undergoing a demographic transition, with its senior citizen population (aged 60+) currently at 15 crore, projected to rise to 32 crore by 2050. This unprecedented ageing poses socio-economic challenges, especially in urban areas like Bengaluru, where shrinking family structures leave many elderly citizens isolated and purposeless. To address these concerns, a new sector—age-tech—is emerging, leveraging technology to support the physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being of the elderly.

Understanding Age-Tech and its Role

Age-tech refers to technology-driven solutions tailored to the elderly’s needs. Bengaluru has emerged as a hub of innovation in this domain. Platforms like Sukoon Unlimited, founded in 2024, create communities where seniors engage in emotional counselling, volunteering, group therapies, and concierge services. Notably, both service providers and receivers are senior citizens, fostering peer support and a sense of purpose. Sukoon’s community has grown from 200 to 6,000 members across 400 towns in a year.

Technology is also being used to combat loneliness. WHO in 2022 highlighted that one in four older adults suffers from social isolation, increasing mortality risk. AI-powered conversational tools are being employed by platforms like Sukoon to provide companionship in over 100 languages.

Employment and Purpose in Silver Years

Age-tech also facilitates post-retirement employment. Wisdom Circle, for instance, connects retired professionals with employers seeking experienced talent. With 95,000 users and 1,500 companies onboard, it promotes hybrid and part-time roles. Beyond financial gain, seniors are driven by the need for relevance and contribution to society—many even apply for lower-paid or non-profit roles.

Addressing Cognitive and Physical Health

The cognitive health of seniors is another pressing concern. Over 80 lakh Indians currently suffer from dementia. Ivory, a cognitive health start-up, offers neuroscience-backed assessments to detect risks early and recommends personalized brain training. It has over 30,000 users, predominantly women from urban areas.

Orthopaedic health is also crucial. Around 50% of seniors need assistance with basic mobility. TransleadMedtech, an IISc-incubated start-up, has developed assistive chairs and commodes to aid mobility without power sources. With rising knee replacements, such innovations are critical for safety and dignity in ageing.

Challenges and the Digital Divide

Despite potential, age-tech faces hurdles. Experts warn that over-engineering tech can alienate elderly users. Solutions must be designed with the user’s needs, not just tech potential, in mind. The urban-rural divide is stark—most services target urban, financially independent seniors, excluding rural and low-income populations.

Additionally, rapid digitisation has excluded many elderly from essential services like transport and e-commerce. Digital illiteracy also exposes them to scams. Startups like Elderra work to bridge this gap by training seniors in basic digital tools.

Way Forward

For age-tech to become inclusive, the government must play an enabling role. Public-private partnerships can make these services affordable and accessible. Ageing with dignity should be a national priority, combining technology, policy, and empathy to ensure India’s elderly are not left behind in the digital era.

Introduction:

Jyotiba Phule (1827–1890) stands out as one of the foremost social reformers of 19th-century India, whose contributions to education, caste reform, women's rights, and rationalist thought continue to influence contemporary debates on social justice.

Born into the Mali casteinMaharashtra, Phule’s awakening began in 1848 after facing caste-based humiliation at a Brahmin wedding. That same year, inspired by Cynthia Farrar (a Christian missionary) and rationalist Thomas Paine, he and his wife Savitribai Phule established India’s first school for girls. By 1851, they had opened 18 schools, and later, night schools for workers and women—challenging both gender and caste hierarchies in education.

Phule’s activism extended beyond education. In 1873, he founded the SatyashodhakSamaj (Society of Truth Seekers), an organization aimed at eradicating caste-based oppression and challenging Brahminical dominance. His work Gulamgiri (Slavery) (published in 1873) likened the condition of Dalits and Shudras to that of African-American slaves, emphasizing systemic subjugation through religious orthodoxy.

Phule argued for compulsory primary education, particularly for the rural poor. In his Statement to the Education Commission, he recommended scholarships, annual prizes, and mandatory schooling up to age 12, noting that agricultural poverty kept children away from education.

In his agrarian treatise ShetkaryancheAsud (Farmer’s Whip), Phule proposed:

• Employing army personnel in public works like dams and bunds.
• Returning village pasture lands from the Forest Department.
• Importing cattle for meat to preserve draught animals crucial to agriculture.

These proposals reflected his commitment to economic upliftment of farmers and sustainable agricultural practices.

Phule’s spiritual views evolved toward rational humanism. Though he respected the equality-based ethics in Islam and Christianity, his final philosophical work, Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak, rejected all sectarian religious texts and called for a universal spiritual order. He questioned caste sanctity, ridiculed the notion of sacred superiority, and criticized the irrationalities in scriptural justifications.

He strongly supported women’s rights, defended PanditaRamabai’s conversion, and denounced polygamy, arguing for gender parity in both religious and social spheres. He wrote, “How would men feel if women married more than one man?”

Despite opposition from Bal Gangadhar Tilak and orthodox Hindu nationalists, Phule remained focused on uplifting the oppressed, even bailing Tilak out of jail at one point—illustrating his commitment to justice over personal differences.

Phule’s legacy remains crucial in modern India’s quest for social equity. His efforts to democratize education, dismantle caste, and promote inclusive governance laid the groundwork for India's later constitutional and social reforms.

Introduction

The global technology sector, while being a driver of economic growth and innovation, is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With the rapid expansion of cloud computing and digital services, data centres—the backbone of the digital economy—consume massive amounts of energy, primarily for cooling.

A recent landmark study by Microsoft and WSP Global, published in Nature, highlights the potential of advanced cooling technologies to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of data centres.

The Problem: Heat and Emissions from Data Centres

• Energy Consumption: In modern data centres, cooling systems consume nearly as much electricity as computing itself.
• Heat Management: As chips become smaller and faster, they generate more heat. Without effective cooling, systems overheat, leading to failure and reduced efficiency.
• Climate Targets: The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector aims to reduce emissions by 42% by 2030 (from 2015 levels) and achieve net-zero by mid-century.

Cooling Innovations: The Game-Changers

1. Cold Plate Cooling (Direct-to-Chip Cooling)

• Coolant flows through microchannels on a plate attached directly to the chip.
• Reduces the need for energy-intensive air conditioning.
• Heat is transferred away efficiently and silently.

2. Immersion Cooling

• Entire hardware systems are submerged in thermally conductive, non-conductive liquid.
• Uses one-phase (liquid remains stable) or two-phase (liquid vaporises and condenses) systems.
• Ensures near-total heat dissipation and longer component life.

Environmental Impact (Study Findings):

Compared to traditional air cooling:

• GHG Emissions ↓ by 15–21%
• Energy Use ↓ by 15–20%
• Water Consumption ↓ by 31–52%

With 100% renewable energy:

• Emissions ↓ by 85–90%
• Water use ↓ by 55–85%

Tech Industry’s Broader Climate Actions

• Carbon Credits: Google, Netflix, and others invest in verified carbon offsets.
• Blockchain for Carbon Markets: Ensures transparency; used by Indian IT firms for ESG compliance.
• Renewable Energy: Tech giants like Apple, Meta, and Amazon power operations with green energy.
• Indian Leadership: Infosys, Reliance, and Tech Mahindra lead in green operations using AI and energy-efficient systems.

Challenges and Limitations

• Lifecycle Trade-offs: Coolant production and disposal can offset benefits.
• Capital Cost: Retrofitting old data centres is expensive.
• Regulatory Issues: Lack of global standards for coolants and fragmented carbon credit policies.
• Dependence on Grid: Benefits are reduced if electricity is still coal-based.
• Slow Deployment: Complex designs and supply chain delays hinder implementation.

Way Forward

• Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs): Evaluate true environmental costs over the product lifecycle.
• Unified Carbon Standards: Develop global frameworks for carbon credit verification and climate disclosures.
• Government Support: Provide tax incentives, green finance, and subsidies for early adopters.
• Strengthen R&D: Focus on low-impact coolants and AI-driven cooling systems.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage innovation through collaboration among tech firms, startups, and governments.

Conclusion

The technology industry stands at a crossroads where sustainable innovation is essential. Cooling technologies like cold plates and immersion cooling, coupled with renewable energy adoption and carbon offset mechanisms, can enable the ICT sector to significantly reduce its environmental footprint. With effective policy support and strategic innovation, the tech sector can become a pillar of global climate action.

In News:

The office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, though not explicitly bound by rigid timelines, holds constitutional and democratic significance in India's parliamentary democracy. Under Article 93 of the Constitution, the Lok Sabha must elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among its members "as soon as may be." Despite this mandate, the Deputy Speaker’s post has remained vacant since June 2019, reflecting a deepening divergence from constitutional propriety and democratic convention.

Constitutional Framework and Election Process

The Deputy Speaker is elected by Lok Sabha members, with the election date fixed by the Speaker and communicated through a parliamentary bulletin. As per Article 94, the Deputy Speaker remains in office until resignation, disqualification, or removal by a resolution supported by a majority. If the seat falls vacant, the House must elect a replacement. Constitutionally, under Article 95, the Deputy Speaker exercises all powers of the Speaker in their absence, including presiding over sessions, maintaining order, and ensuring legislative discipline.

While the Constitution does not mandate a time frame for this election, the phrase “as soon as may be” is intended to ensure prompt appointment to avoid any constitutional vacuum. However, the absence of legal compulsion has been misinterpreted, leading to prolonged delays.

Functions and Powers

The Deputy Speaker assists the Speaker in running the House and steps in as presiding officer when the Speaker is absent. In legislative committees, if nominated, the Deputy Speaker automatically assumes chairmanship. Distinctively, unlike the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker may participate in debates and vote on all matters when not presiding. When chairing, however, the Deputy Speaker can only vote in case of a tie. The salary of the Deputy Speaker is charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, ensuring financial independence from executive discretion.

Parliamentary Convention and Historical Practice

India's parliamentary practice, inspired by the Westminster model, has traditionally ensured balance by allocating the Deputy Speaker’s post to the Opposition, especially since the post-Emergency era. Notable examples include G.G. Swell (1969–77) and Godey Murahari (1977–79), both from Opposition parties. The intent has been to uphold a power-sharing mechanism and offer space for dissent within the House's functioning.

Democratic Concerns Arising from Prolonged Vacancy

The continued absence of a Deputy Speaker through the 17th and now 18th Lok Sabha raises serious concerns. It undermines Articles 93–95, and violates Rule 8 of the Lok Sabha Rules (1952), which mandates timely election post a formal motion. The delay centralizes authority in the Speaker—typically from the ruling party—and distorts the democratic balance between treasury and Opposition benches.

Moreover, the non-appointment sidelines the principles of consensus-based governance and institutional checks and balances, weakening parliamentary accountability. It also poses risks during any potential Speaker vacancy, potentially triggering a constitutional crisis.

Conclusion

The Deputy Speaker's post is not a ceremonial redundancy but a constitutional necessity for balanced legislative functioning. Upholding this institution is critical for the health of India’s democracy. The ongoing vacancy reflects not just administrative inaction but a gradual erosion of parliamentary conventions, warranting urgent political consensus and constitutional fidelity.

In News:

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, tabled in the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2025, seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, which governs the administration of waqf properties in India. The revised Bill incorporates the recommendations of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and has sparked significant political and community debate due to its proposed structural and procedural reforms.

1. Retention and Restriction of ‘Waqf by User’ Doctrine

• Background: The doctrine allows property to be treated as waqf based on uninterrupted communal usage, even without formal documentation.
• Revised Provision: Retains ‘waqf by user’ for properties registered before the enactment of the law but prohibits its use for future claims.
• Criticism: The introduction of a clause requiring individuals to prove Islamic practice for five years to establish waqf status is seen as exclusionary and arbitrary.

2. Inclusion of Non-Muslims in Waqf Institutions

• Provisions:
  • Mandates the inclusion of at least two non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards.
  • Removes the requirement that the CEO of a Waqf Board be Muslim.
  • Redefines Waqf Tribunals to include a district judge, a Joint Secretary-level officer, and a Muslim law expert.
• Criticism: Raises questions about community autonomy in religious affairs under Article 26 of the Constitution.
• Government's Justification: Aims to enhance expertise, transparency, and administrative efficiency.

3. Enhanced Government Oversight in Waqf Property Surveys

• New Mechanism:
  • Surveys to be conducted by senior officials above the rank of District Collector.
  • Such officers will serve as the final authority in determining whether land is waqf or government-owned.
  • Tribunal jurisdiction curtailed in such disputes.
• Implications:
  • Centralizes decision-making within the state bureaucracy.
  • Raises concerns about executive overreach and weakening of judicial oversight in waqf matters.

4. Centralised Registration and Digital Governance

• Digital Portal:
  • Mandatory online registration of all waqf properties within six months.
  • Extensions can be granted by waqf tribunals upon demonstration of "sufficient cause."
• Objective: To curb encroachment, enhance transparency, and create a uniform digital record of waqf assets.

5. Application of the Limitation Act, 1963

• Change Introduced: Repeals Section 107 of the Waqf Act, 1995, which exempted waqf properties from the statutory limitation period.
• Implication: Allows claims of adverse possession after 12 years; may legitimize longstanding illegal occupations of waqf land.
• Opposition View: Seen as a move that undermines waqf rights and aids encroachers.

6. Judicial Review and Appeals

• Revised Provision:
  • Waqf tribunal decisions are no longer final.
  • Appeals can be made to the High Court within 90 days.
  • Courts can dismiss suits if properties are not registered within the stipulated time unless “sufficient cause” is shown.
• Impact: Enhances judicial scrutiny but also limits access to justice in certain cases through procedural conditions.

Critical Analysis

• Pros:
  • Encourages transparency and formalisation of waqf governance.
  • Introduces checks against misuse and encroachments.
  • Provides a digital framework for property management.
• Cons:
  • Risks state interference in religious institutions, impacting minority rights under Articles 25–28.
  • Exclusion of oral traditions may erase significant community practices and histories.
  • Implementation challenges due to administrative overburden and community mistrust.

Conclusion

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, represents a significant shift in the governance of waqf properties by increasing state oversight, standardising processes, and promoting digital reforms. However, it raises serious questions about religious autonomy, federal balance, and minority rights. A careful balance between administrative efficiency and constitutional guarantees is essential to ensure inclusive and equitable governance.

Context:

India’s air pollution crisis has evolved from a seasonal concern into a persistent public health emergency. Urban skylines disappearing under layers of smog, overflowing hospitals with respiratory cases, and frequent school closures point to the alarming scale of the issue. Indian cities consistently rank among the most polluted globally, and without a coordinated, inclusive, and locally-driven strategy, the situation may deteriorate further.

Institutional and Structural Complexities

Air pollution in India is not merely a technical issue; it is deeply embedded in structural and governance-related challenges. It reflects a mix of socio-economic disparities, weak municipal capacity, behavioral norms, and fragmented institutional mandates. Municipal bodies — key actors in controlling local pollution sources — often lack adequate funding, data access, and administrative autonomy. Their responsibilities are rarely aligned with national clean air targets.

India aims to reduce PM2.5 levels by 40% (from 2017 levels) by 2026 under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), but progress remains slow. This is due in part to a reliance on ambient air quality data, which can fluctuate based on meteorological factors and may not accurately reflect ground-level interventions. A shift toward activity-based metrics — such as the number of biomass stoves replaced or diesel vehicles retired — is needed to measure real impact.

Key Interventions and Their Gaps

India has introduced several programs to combat air pollution:

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Targets 20–30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 by 2026 in 132 cities.
• Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI): Introduced in 2020 to enforce strict vehicular emission norms.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): Promotes LPG usage to reduce dependence on biomass.
• FAME II: Incentivizes electric vehicles.
• Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): Addresses urban waste, a significant pollution source.

However, between 2019 and 2023, only about 60% of NCAP funds were utilized — not due to lack of intent, but due to institutional misalignment and poor coordination. Additionally, India’s clean air budget is dwarfed by global comparisons; China invested ?22 lakh crore over five years, while India’s NCAP allocation is less than 1% of that. Even when related programs (PMUY: ?18,128 crore; FAME II: ?10,795 crore; SBM-U: ?1.4 lakh crore) are included, the challenge lies in integrating these efforts meaningfully.

The Need for a Phased, Data-Driven Approach

A transformative clean air strategy should include:

• Phase I: Build high-resolution, local emissions inventories.
• Phase II: Link funding to data-driven, actionable plans.
• Phase III: Track reductions in emissions, not just pollution concentrations.

Governance reforms must empower local authorities, integrate air quality goals into urban planning, and ensure open access to real-time emissions data.

Guarding Against Technological Overdependence

India must avoid over-reliance on AI dashboards, smog towers, and other high-tech tools that may benefit elite urban areas while neglecting rural and informal sectors — major contributors to emissions. Instead of focusing on optics, efforts must prioritize structural reforms and equitable interventions.

Global Lessons, Local Adaptation

India can learn from other countries:

• China: Closed coal plants aggressively.
• Brazil: Enabled community-led waste management.
• California: Reinvested pollution revenue in vulnerable populations.
• London: Implemented bans before adopting high-tech monitoring.

India’s path must be rooted in federalism, tailored to its informal economy, and driven by behavioral and structural change. Clean air must be recognized as a universal right, not a privilege — and achieving it demands people-centric governance, consistent funding, and courageous implementation.

In News:

Urban forests are increasingly emerging as critical ecological buffers amidst India’s rapidly expanding cities. The recent controversy over the Kancha Gachibowli forest in Hyderabad—where 400 acres of urban forest land were earmarked for industrial development—has reignited debates on sustainable urbanisation and environmental governance. The Supreme Court’s intervention to halt further deforestation underscores the urgent need to prioritise ecological assets in urban planning.

Importance of Urban Forests

Urban forests such as Kancha Gachibowli (Hyderabad), Aarey (Mumbai), Turahalli (Bengaluru), Neela Hauz and the Ridge (Delhi), and Dol Ka Baadh (Jaipur) play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance within metropolitan environments. Their multifaceted contributions include:

• Air Pollution Mitigation: Urban forests absorb pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10, which are major contributors to urban air pollution from vehicular emissions and construction activity.
  • A 2006 study by the USDA Forest Service found that one hectare of forest can remove approximately one ton of air pollutants annually.
  • In November 2024, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded a hazardous AQI of 494 in Delhi, highlighting the urgent need for natural air purifiers.
• Climate Regulation: These forests help reduce the urban heat island effect, control stormwater runoff, and mitigate urban flooding and erosion.
• Carbon Sequestration: Trees in urban forests trap atmospheric carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
• Biodiversity Preservation: They serve as urban habitats for endangered birds, insects, and other fauna, supporting biodiversity within city limits.
• Socio-Cultural Benefits: Urban forests offer green spaces for recreation, promote mental well-being, and enhance the overall livability of urban areas.

Threats and Challenges

Despite their importance, urban forests in India face increasing threats due to:

• Unregulated Urban Expansion: Urban planning often disregards ecological sustainability, prioritising infrastructure and industrial development over green spaces.
• Lack of Legal Clarity: State governments sometimes contest the status of forest lands, as seen in Telangana’s claim over Kancha Gachibowli, undermining forest protections.
• Real Estate Pressures: Encroachments and land-use changes for commercial gain are frequent, with environmental concerns often sidelined.

Judicial Interventions and Constitutional Provisions

Indian courts have played a pivotal role in safeguarding urban forests:

• T.N. GodavarmanThirumulpad Case (1996): Expanded the definition of "forest" to include areas recorded as forest in government records, irrespective of ownership or classification.
• Delhi High Court (2015): Directed the protection and notification of the Delhi Ridge forest.
• Supreme Court Stay on Aarey Tree Felling (2020): Responded to civil society petitions to preserve Mumbai’s Aarey forest.
• Rajasthan High Court Suo Motu Action (2024): Intervened against deforestation in biodiversity-rich Baran district.

Constitutional Backing:

• Article 21: Guarantees the Right to Life, interpreted by courts to include the right to a clean and healthy environment.
• Article 48A: Directs the State to protect and improve the environment.
• Article 51A(g): Makes it a fundamental duty of citizens to protect the natural environment.

Policy Interventions: Nagar Van Yojana

In response to growing ecological concerns, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the Nagar Van Yojana in 2020 with the goal of developing 1,000 urban forests by 2027.

• As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, the initiative has already led to an increase of 1,445.81 sq km in tree and forest cover in urban areas.
• The scheme aligns with other policy frameworks such as the National Forest Policy (1988) and the National Mission for Green India (2014), which promote afforestation and ecological restoration.

Way Forward

To ensure sustainable urbanisation, India must:

• Integrate ecological planning into urban masterplans, with mandatory forest inventories and zoning protections.
• Strengthen legal protections for notified and unnotified forests within urban areas.
• Foster community participation and civil society engagement in urban environmental stewardship.
• Promote green infrastructure through Smart Cities and AMRUT missions.

Conclusion

Urban forests are not peripheral luxuries but ecological necessities. Their conservation is essential for ensuring environmental resilience, public health, and urban quality of life. As India continues its urbanisation journey, a harmonious balance between development and ecological preservation is indispensable.

Context:

India, the second-largest fish-producing nation globally, contributes around 8% to world fish production. With an estimated marine fisheries potential of 5.31 million tonnes, India’s sector has reached its maximum sustainable yield, currently stabilizing at 3–4 million tonnes annually. However, this apparent success masks deep ecological and socio-economic distress, primarily due to overfishing.

Inequity and Overexploitation

Despite their 90% share in the fishing population, small-scale fishers harvest merely 10% of the total catch, while mechanised trawlers dominate volumes. This has left three-fourths of marine fisher families below the poverty line. Escalating the problem is the race to increase yields using more powerful engines and finer mesh nets—leading to marginal gains at steep ecological and financial costs.

Trawling operations, especially shrimp trawlers, demonstrate the magnitude of bycatch—where for every kilogram of shrimp, over 10 kg of juvenile and non-target species are discarded. Such practices degrade marine biodiversity, deplete spawning stocks, and destabilise food webs. Examples from Canada’s cod fishery (1992) and California’s sardine fishery collapse (1960s–80s) show the irreversible impacts of mismanaged stocks.

Policy Fragmentation and Regulatory Loopholes

Each coastal state in India governs its marine fisheries through its own Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (MFRA), resulting in a regulatory patchwork. Fishers exploit these inconsistencies—for example, landing juvenile fish legally in one state that are protected in another. This undermines conservation and facilitates laundering of protected species.

Moreover, the fish-meal and fish-oil (FMFO) industry fuels ecological damage by incentivising bycatch. Much of this low-value catch is processed into meal, mostly for export, depriving domestic consumers and aquaculture of vital nutritional inputs.

Government Initiatives

The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated a record ?2,703.67 crore to the fisheries sector, focusing on the sustainable harnessing of resources from the EEZ and high seas, especially around Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Key schemes include:

• Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana (PMMSY): Focuses on inland fisheries and aquaculture for food security.
• Blue Revolution Scheme: Enhances productivity in marine and inland fisheries.
• Technological Interventions: Satellite-based vessel tracking, Oceansat for forecasting Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ), and GIS mapping are being deployed.

Path to Sustainability

India’s National Policy on Marine Fisheries (2017) embeds sustainability at its core, promoting measures like:

• 61-day uniform fishing bans during monsoons;
• Prohibitions on harmful methods like pair and bull trawling, and LED light usage;
• Promotion of mariculture, artificial reefs, and sea ranching.

Successful models abroad offer direction. New Zealand’s Quota Management System (QMS) aligns catch limits with stock assessments and uses transferable quotas to regulate fishing. India could pilot such a model for its mechanised fleet.

Domestically, Kerala’s enforcement of a Minimum Legal Size (MLS) for threadfin bream boosted catches by 41% in one season. Scaling such practices nationally can ensure ecological recovery and economic benefits.

Way Forward

India must urgently move towards a unified, science-based regulatory framework, including:

• National MLS norms,
• Gear restrictions to reduce juvenile catch,
• Scientific catch limits,
• Closed seasons aligned with spawning cycles.

Simultaneously, fisher cooperatives must be empowered, FMFO quotas capped, and consumer awareness campaigns launched to encourage demand for legally sized, sustainable seafood.

In conclusion, India stands at a critical juncture. Ignoring overfishing risks deepening poverty and ecological collapse. The solutions—rooted in science, equity, and sustainability—are within reach and must be swiftly implemented to safeguard marine wealth and livelihoods for future generations.

Context:

India is at a critical juncture in its mobility transformation. With over 6.3 million km of road network, the second-largest globally, the nation faces a paradox: rapid urbanisation and vehicle growth have brought both economic momentum and a rising toll of road fatalities. In 2022, India recorded 1.68 lakh road deaths, translating to 12.2 deaths per 1 lakh population—substantially higher than countries like Japan (2.5) and the UK (2.6). These crashes cost India 3% of its GDP annually, eroding human capital and stalling development.

Road Safety as a Fundamental Right

The right to safe mobility stems from Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life. This makes road safety not merely a technical issue but a public good and a human right. With India’s urban population expected to reach 50% by 2047, ensuring the safety of all road users—particularly pedestrians, cyclists, elderly, and children—is essential for inclusive development.

Key Challenges in India’s Road Safety Landscape

• Human Error: About 78% of crashes are due to driver fault—overspeeding, drunk driving, and poor lane discipline.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Over 5,000 black spots, inadequate pedestrian zones, and unscientific road designs persist across urban and rural areas.
• Weak Enforcement: Despite the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, enforcement is inconsistent, and deterrence is weak.
• Emergency Care Deficits: Rural areas suffer from delayed trauma response, poor ambulance coverage, and lack of cashless care.
• Fragmented Governance: Overlapping responsibilities between Centre and States lead to diluted accountability and suboptimal implementation.

Government Response: The Four Es Framework

• Engineering: Mandatory safety audits, black spot rectification, e-DAR digital accident recording, and vehicle safety mandates (airbags, ABS, Bharat NCAP ratings).
• Enforcement: e-Challans, CCTV-based monitoring, automated vehicle fitness testing, and stricter penalties under the MV Act.
• Education: Road Safety Advocacy Scheme, National Road Safety Month, driver training centres in every district.
• Emergency Care: Good Samaritan protections, ambulances with paramedics at toll plazas, and pilot cashless treatment schemes.

Strategic Roadmap:

• Safe System Approach: Design roads that are forgiving of human error—wider footpaths, dedicated cycling lanes, pedestrian islands, and speed calming measures.
• National Road Safety Authority: A unified central body to integrate policy, funding, and enforcement between Centre and States.
• Innovative Financing: Mandate auto manufacturers to channel CSR funds into road safety initiatives for 20–25 years, supporting infrastructure, trauma care, and R&D.
• Data-Driven Policies: Strengthen digital accident databases to enable evidence-based decision-making and real-time response.
• Capital Investment: Adopt the World Bank’s recommendation of $109 billion investment over a decade to halve road deaths by 2030.

Conclusion

Road safety is not an adjunct concern—it is integral to India’s Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Reducing road fatalities is essential for economic productivity, public health, and constitutional morality. A coordinated, inclusive, and adequately financed national strategy can transform India’s roads from death traps into pathways of safe, equitable mobility.

Context:

India is currently facing an escalating waste management crisis, exacerbated by rising urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and weak enforcement. According to a 2024 study published in Nature, India is the world’s largest plastic polluter, emitting 9.3 million tonnes (Mt) of plastic annually—nearly 20% of global plastic emissions. This is largely due to widespread mismanaged waste, including open dumping and burning.

Despite claims of 95% national waste collection coverage, the situation on the ground reveals stark contrasts. Dumpsites outnumber sanitary landfills by a ratio of 10:1, and rural areas along with the informal sector remain excluded from official data. The actual per capita plastic waste generation in India may be as high as 0.54 kg/day, much higher than the reported 0.12 kg/day.

The problem is particularly acute in ecologically sensitive areas like the Indian Himalayan Region, where data gaps, poor infrastructure, and lack of state capacity have led to severe plastic accumulation, threatening biodiversity and public health.

According to TheEnergy and Resources Institute (TERI), India generates 62 Mt of waste annually, including 5.6 Mt of plastic waste, 7.9 Mt of hazardous waste, and 1.5 Mt of e-waste. However, only 43 Mt is collected, with 12 Mt treated, and 31 Mt remains untreated in waste yards.

Institutional and Legal Framework

India has implemented several regulatory frameworks under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, such as the Solid Waste Management Rules (2016), Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016), and the E-Waste Management Rules (2022). The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism mandates producers to manage the entire lifecycle of products. As of 2022, EPR has been extended to plastic packaging, battery waste, and used oil.

Initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Waste to Wealth have promoted community engagement and technology use. SBM Urban 2.0 aims to create "Garbage Free Cities" by enhancing material recovery and waste-to-energy infrastructure. By 2024, 4.75 lakh villages had solid waste systems, and 5.14 lakh had liquid waste management systems.

Challenges

However, implementation gaps persist. Waste audits are inconsistent, especially in rural areas governed by Panchayati Raj institutions. Infrastructure for segregation, recycling, and recovery is insufficient. Establishing kiosks and MRFs in remote areas remains a logistical and financial challenge.

Way Forward: Judicial and Systemic Interventions

A promising approach is the use of continuing mandamus by the judiciary. In the 2025 Vellore District Environment Monitoring Committee vs. District Collector case, the Supreme Court emphasized remediation under the “polluter pays” principle. Judicial mandates for compliance, third-party audits, and public data transparency can significantly enhance accountability.

Technological tools like geotagging waste infrastructure on EPR portals can improve tracking and efficiency. Local bodies must be integrated with MRFs, recyclers, and EPR kiosks for seamless waste flow.

Additionally, product redesign for circularity, international cooperation through platforms like GACERE, and citizen engagement are critical to building a sustainable waste management ecosystem.

Context:

Despite constitutional safeguards and decades-old abolition laws, bonded labour continues to haunt India’s informal economy. Marked by coercion, caste oppression, and systemic apathy, this form of modern slavery traps millions in exploitative work conditions under the guise of debt repayment or social obligation.

Ground Reality and Human Cost

The harrowing experiences of survivors like Mukesh Adivasi from Madhya Pradesh and K. Thenmozhi from Andhra Pradesh underscore the brutality of bonded labour. Lured by paltry advances (?500–?2,000), these individuals were trafficked across states, subjected to 14–16 hours of daily toil, and endured beatings, confinement, and psychological trauma. Their stories reflect the plight of an estimated 1.84 crore bonded labourers, as acknowledged by the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) in 2016.

However, between 2016 and 2021, only 12,760 individuals were officially rescued and rehabilitated — less than 1% of the total. Achieving the 2030 rehabilitation target would require rescuing over 11 lakh individuals annually, a goal far from the current trajectory.

Structural and Social Triggers

Bonded labour is not merely an economic issue but a complex interplay of poverty, caste discrimination, and weak governance. Immediate triggers include emergencies like illness, job loss, or dowries, pushing families to seek advances from exploitative employers. However, deeper systemic factors — such as caste-based exclusion (over 80% of bonded labourers belong to SC/ST/OBCs), illiteracy, and employer monopolies in rural credit and labour markets — perpetuate this cycle.

The Global Slavery Index lists India among the countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery. Studies from states like Punjab reveal that 84% of bonded workers belong to backward castes, reinforcing the role of social stratification in this injustice.

Policy Gaps and Legal Shortcomings

Though bonded labour was abolished under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, enforcement remains weak. Many states deny its existence or fail to report cases, delaying rehabilitation. The Trafficking of Persons Bill, 2018, criticised for excluding bonded labour, further highlights legislative gaps.

Labour law reforms have exacerbated vulnerabilities. The Labour Codes (2019–2020) undermined unionisation and collective bargaining — vital tools once advocated by B.R. Ambedkar for worker empowerment.

Additionally, 90% of India’s workforce is in the informal sector (NSSO, 2023), lacking formal contracts, social security, or grievance redressal. This unregulated landscape fosters exploitation, especially among migrants fleeing climate distress and rural unemployment.

Way Forward

• Enforcement Reforms: Empower District Vigilance Committees with legal powers; digitise complaint tracking and link it with Aadhaar-based databases.
• Legal Overhaul: Amend labour codes to restore union rights and introduce caste-sensitive protections.
• Social Empowerment: Launch targeted rehabilitation schemes for SC/ST communities, offer skill training and land rights, and use vernacular media for rights education.
• Transparency and Data: Establish a national registry of rescued bonded labourers to monitor their reintegration and prevent re-trafficking.

Conclusion

Bonded labour in India represents a fundamental failure of justice, governance, and social equity. Real transformation requires a multi-pronged approach — strengthening laws, empowering vulnerable communities, and confronting the caste-class nexus of exploitation. Until then, India’s economic growth will remain morally compromised by the invisible chains of forced labour.

In News:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to transform India’s economy and governance landscape. A Google report estimates that AI adoption could add ?33.8 lakh crore to India’s economy by 2030, contributing 20% to GDP and supporting the USD 1 trillion digital economy target by 2028. However, this growth is accompanied by significant environmental costs, particularly from the energy-intensive AI infrastructure and data centres.

Environmental Costs of AI Expansion

Data centres—the backbone of AI—consume massive electricity, primarily from fossil fuels. In 2024, global data centres consumed 415 TWh, projected to reach 945 TWh by 2030, surpassing Japan’s electricity usage. A single AI query uses 10x the energy of a Google search. According to the IMF, AI expansion could raise electricity prices by up to 9% in the U.S.

In addition, training large AI models can consume up to 700,000 litres of water (equivalent to producing 320 Tesla cars). AI infrastructure may soon consume six times Denmark’s water needs. The mining of rare earths for AI hardware also contributes to deforestation and soil degradation, while increasing e-waste with hazardous components like lead and mercury.

Economic and Social Gains from AI

Despite these costs, AI offers transformative benefits. In agriculture, tools like Microsoft’s Project FarmVibes boost productivity by 40%, reduce water use by 50%, and lower fertilizer costs by 25%. In manufacturing, firms like Tata Steel employ AI for predictive maintenance and quality control under the ‘Make in India’ drive. Financial inclusion is advancing through AI platforms like OnFinanceAI, aiding the unbanked using mobile data. Public services are being enhanced via initiatives like Bhashini and AI-driven Digital Public Infrastructure.

AI also supports environmental monitoring. Tools like IBM’s Green Horizon track pollution, while Google’s GenCast improves extreme weather forecasting. AI-driven satellite imagery aids forest and ocean conservation, with initiatives like Fishial.AI monitoring marine biodiversity.

India’s Policy Response and Renewable Integration

Recognizing the challenges, India’s IndiaAI Mission and NITI Aayog’s AI strategy emphasize sustainable AI development. At the AI Action Summit in Paris, India reiterated the importance of aligning AI growth with renewable energy use. The country is exploring small modular reactors (SMRs) and promoting solar and wind to reduce the carbon footprint of data centres.

Currently, only 44.72% of India’s installed capacity is from non-fossil sources. Intermittent renewable supply, weak grid infrastructure, high upfront costs, and lack of integrated policies remain challenges.

Way Forward: Sustainable AI Growth

• Expand Renewable Energy: Scale solar and wind under National Solar Mission and Green Energy Corridors.
• Green Backup Power: Replace diesel generators in data centres with hydrogen fuel cells and batteries under the Green Hydrogen Mission.
• AI for Energy Optimization: Develop AI-powered smart grids and promote energy-efficient chips and cooling systems.
• Policy and Incentives: Establish unified AI–clean energy policy frameworks and incentivize 100% green data centres.
• Support Innovation: Fund pilot projects and promote green tech in over 1,000 AI and clean energy startups.

Conclusion

India’s journey to becoming a global AI powerhouse must be anchored in sustainability. Balancing technological ambitions with the 2070 net-zero goal is not just an environmental necessity but also a strategic imperative for resilient, inclusive growth.

In News:

India’s vast coastline, stretching over 7,500 kilometres across nine states and four Union Territories, is a crucial ecological and economic asset. It supports diverse marine ecosystems, sustains the livelihoods of approximately 16 million fishers, and contributes around 4% to the national GDP through fisheries, tourism, and shipping activities. However, India’s coastal regions face a growing crisis from two interconnected challenges: rampant illegal light fishing and accelerating coastal erosion.

Illegal Light Fishing: Ecological and Socioeconomic Impacts

Light fishing, a method that employs high-powered artificial lights to attract fish and squid to the surface at night, is officially banned in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) since 2017. Despite this, enforcement remains weak and patchy, particularly within territorial waters of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. Mechanized boats equipped with powerful LED lights continue this practice, causing severe ecological disruption and threatening traditional fishing communities.

High-intensity lights lure not only adult fish but also juveniles and non-target species (bycatch), resulting in overfishing and depletion of juvenile stocks. This has been linked to coral reef degradation and altered marine food webs, especially impacting slow-moving species like squid, which are vital to the coastal ecosystem. Studies by institutions like the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute have highlighted how light fishing disrupts spawning cycles and jeopardizes fish recruitment during critical periods.

Socially, light fishing disadvantages artisanal fishers who rely on traditional methods and smaller boats. The National Fishworkers Forum has documented declining catches and conflicts between small-scale fishers and mechanized operators. Moreover, the economic incentives for illegal light fishing are high, as single trips can yield profits exceeding ?1 lakh, whereas penalties, such as fines of ?16,000, are insufficient deterrents.

Coastal Erosion: Increasing Vulnerability and Habitat Loss

Alongside overfishing, India’s coastline is increasingly vulnerable to erosion, exacerbated by rising sea levels (currently about 3.2 mm per year), frequent cyclones, and human activities such as sand mining and unregulated coastal development. Recent government data indicates that 33.6% of India’s coastline is affected by erosion, with places like Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka losing nearly half of their shoreline over three decades.

Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs serve as natural buffers against wave action, reduce erosion, and play a critical role in carbon sequestration. For instance, the Bhitarkanika mangroves in Odisha absorb four times more carbon than terrestrial forests, helping mitigate climate change. However, urban expansion and infrastructure projects have led to significant mangrove loss—Mumbai has lost 40% since 1987—reducing the coastline’s resilience against natural disasters.

Pollution from plastic waste and industrial effluents further degrades marine habitats, while weak enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms allows illegal constructions that exacerbate ecological damage.

Way Forward: Policy, Enforcement, and Community Engagement

Addressing India’s coastal crisis requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Strengthening Enforcement: There is an urgent need for uniform nationwide enforcement of the light fishing ban, enhanced patrolling using technologies like AI-enabled drones, and more stringent penalties to deter violations.
• Ecological Restoration: Initiatives such as artificial reefs, mangrove afforestation, and sand replenishment can restore natural coastal buffers. Programs like those in Puducherry and Odisha demonstrate the effectiveness of such measures.
• Community Participation: Empowering fisherfolk through capacity-building and involving local communities in surveillance and sustainable fishing practices is critical. Tamil Nadu’s fisher unions serve as a successful model of local stewardship.
• Climate Adaptation and Research: Relocating vulnerable settlements, investing in cyclone-resistant infrastructure, and expanding scientific research, such as satellite monitoring of erosion hotspots, are essential for long-term resilience.

Conclusion

India’s coastal regions are at a crossroads, balancing economic development, ecological sustainability, and social equity. Illegal light fishing and coastal erosion threaten marine biodiversity and the traditional livelihoods of millions. Effective governance, backed by technological innovation and community collaboration, is indispensable to safeguard India’s maritime heritage and ensure sustainable use of coastal resources in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 14.

In News:

India has made significant strides in tuberculosis (TB) care, exemplified by a 17.7% reduction in TB incidence from 237 to 195 per lakh population between 2015 and 2023. This progress reflects a comprehensive approach incorporating rapid molecular testing, new drug regimens, enhanced nutritional support, and community engagement. However, to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) and eliminate TB by 2025, as targeted by the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), further integration and decentralization of services are crucial.

Key Developments in TB Care

India’s efforts to combat TB have included the roll-out of the BPaLM regimen (a combination of four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin), which shortens the treatment period for drug-resistant TB.

Additionally, the Ni-kshayPoshan Yojana (NPY), which provides nutritional support of ?1,000 per month to TB patients, addresses the need for holistic care. Community participation has also been enhanced through the inclusion of TB survivors as “TB champions,” promoting awareness and treatment adherence at the grassroots level.

Furthermore, TB care has been integrated into the Ayushman Bharat scheme, ensuring that TB services are available through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), which offer comprehensive primary health care across India. These efforts aim to decentralize TB care, ensuring that treatment is accessible at the community level, reducing delays in diagnosis, and minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

Challenges to Achieving Equitable TB Care

Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Over 50% of TB patients seek treatment in the private sector, where standards are inconsistent, leading to delays and higher costs. The private sector’s underreporting further complicates the efforts to ensure complete coverage and comprehensive care. Additionally, barriers such as gender, caste, disability, and socio-economic status often affect TB diagnosis and treatment outcomes. These social determinants necessitate a targeted approach to ensure equitable access to care.

TB services in India have largely remained vertical, with distinct TB care pathways separate from general healthcare services. Integrating TB care into the broader public health system is critical for the country’s goal of achieving UHC. Another challenge is the lack of integrated care that combines TB treatment with screening for other diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and mental health conditions.

Recommendations

India must focus on five key strategies to enhance TB care and achieve UHC:

• Person-Centered Care: Model programs like Tamil Nadu’s KasanoiErappilaThittam, which identifies vulnerable populations and provides tailored care, should be scaled up nationwide.
• Intersectionality: Address the intersection of gender, caste, disability, and socio-economic status to ensure that marginalized groups are not left behind.
• Integrated Care: TB care should be integrated with the broader healthcare system, including screenings for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health issues, using tools like AI-enabled diagnostics.
• Financial Protection: Expanding social protection measures such as wage-loss schemes, livelihood support, and extended nutritional assistance will reduce financial barriers for TB patients.
• Awareness and Communication: A multi-platform public education campaign similar to the one used during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to dispel myths, reduce stigma, and promote early detection and treatment.

Conclusion

India’s ambitious goal to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the global target, is a crucial step toward achieving UHC. By strengthening integrated, person-centered, and equitable care, addressing the social determinants of health, and promoting community-driven initiatives, India can lead the global fight against TB and set a benchmark for future health interventions.

Context:
India is undergoing a digital transformation powered by rapid expansion in mobile broadband. According to Nokia’s Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) Report 2024, India’s average monthly data usage per user reached an all-time high of 27.5 GB. The exponential growth in 5G adoption, traffic, and device readiness reflects a critical shift in the country’s telecom and digital infrastructure landscape.

Key Trends in Data Consumption and 5G Expansion

The report highlights several key trends that underline India's accelerating digital momentum:

• Average Data Consumption: The average mobile user in India consumed 27.5 GB/month in 2024, underlining the growing demand for video streaming, social media, and real-time applications.
• Surge in 5G Traffic: 5G data traffic tripled over the past year, with projections indicating it will overtake 4G by Q1 2026. The shift is especially noticeable in urban areas.
• Metro-Centric 5G Usage: In India’s metro circles, 5G now accounts for 43% of total mobile broadband usage, up from 20% in 2023, suggesting early saturation and readiness in Tier 1 cities.
• Rural Uptake Rising: While metros lead the way, Category B and C circles are witnessing strong growth in 5G uptake, aided by affordable smartphones and increased network coverage.
• Device Readiness: There were 271 million active 5G devices in India in 2024, doubling year-on-year. By 2025, 90% of replaced smartphones are expected to be 5G-enabled, indicating widespread device transition.
• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): Users with 5G FWA consume 12 times more data than typical mobile users, showing the potential of 5G in delivering high-speed home internet in underserved areas.

Implications for India’s Digital Future

• Economic Growth and Innovation: The 5G revolution is expected to unlock new avenues in fintech, ed-tech, health-tech, and smart manufacturing. Higher data speeds and lower latency will enhance productivity and efficiency across sectors.
• Bridging the Digital Divide: Increasing rural adoption of 5G, aided by government and private investments, can significantly reduce the urban-rural connectivity gap and foster inclusive development.
• Employment and Start-up Ecosystem: The emergence of a robust 5G ecosystem will create demand for new skills, boosting employment in AI, IoT, cloud computing, and edge technologies.
• Network Transformation: The transition from 4G to 5G marks a fundamental change in telecom infrastructure, requiring upgradation in backhaul capacity, spectrum efficiency, and fibre penetration.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite rapid adoption, challenges remain. Ensuring affordable access in rural areas, addressing cybersecurity risks, and enhancing digital literacy are vital. Policy coherence, right-of-way (RoW) reforms, and spectrum management will determine the pace and inclusivity of 5G deployment.

Conclusion

India’s 5G journey marks a pivotal step toward becoming a digitally empowered society. With supportive policy frameworks, private sector innovation, and public investment in digital infrastructure, the country is well-positioned to leverage 5G as a tool for economic transformation, digital inclusion, and technological leadership.

In News:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated discussions with political parties to address growing concerns over the integrity of India’s electoral process. Allegations regarding the manipulation of electoral rolls, duplicate voter IDs, and issues with the conduct of elections have prompted the need for reforms to ensure transparency and fairness.

Legal Framework Governing Elections

The Constitution of India and several key legislative acts outline the processes and authority for conducting elections:

• Article 324 of the Constitution gives the Election Commission the authority to supervise electoral rolls and conduct elections.
• Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951 establish the legal framework for elections and the preparation of electoral rolls.
• Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 govern the procedures for the inclusion, correction, and deletion of names in the electoral rolls.
• Delimitation Act, 2002 ensures the redrawing of constituency boundaries based on the latest census data.

The evolution of voting methods in India has progressed from paper ballots to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) since 2004, enhancing the credibility of the process.

Challenges in the Electoral Process

Several concerns have emerged over the years:

• EVM and VVPAT Concerns: Opposition parties have raised fears of EVM tampering, demanding a return to paper ballots. The Supreme Court has dismissed such demands, requiring a sample check of VVPAT-EVM matching in a limited number of machines per constituency.
• Electoral Roll Manipulation: Allegations of fake voters and duplicate voter IDs were raised, particularly in Maharashtra and Delhi. The EC has attributed these discrepancies to the earlier decentralized system of issuing voter IDs, which has now been streamlined through the ERONET platform.
• Campaign Issues: Star campaigners have often violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by making inflammatory and divisive remarks. Moreover, political parties overspend on campaigns, exceeding legal limits, which undermines electoral integrity. The criminalization of politics is another critical issue, with 46% of elected MPs in 2024 facing criminal charges, including serious offenses.

Proposed Reforms

To address these challenges, several reforms are needed:

• Voting and Counting Reforms:
  • VVPAT Verification: A scientific approach to VVPAT-EVM matching should be implemented. Full manual verification should be triggered if discrepancies are found in any region.
  • Totaliser Machines: The EC’s proposal to use totaliser machines to aggregate votes from multiple EVMs before results are disclosed should be adopted to protect voter anonymity.
  • Addressing Duplicate EPICs: Linking Aadhaar with EPIC IDs could help eliminate duplicate voter IDs, provided privacy concerns are addressed.
• Campaign and Electoral Reforms:
  • Stronger Enforcement of the MCC: The EC should be empowered to revoke a party's “Star Campaigner” status for serious violations, depriving them of expenditure relief.
  • Election Expenditure Regulation: The law should be amended to set limits on political party expenditure, which currently remains unrestricted.
  • Criminalization of Politics: The Supreme Court’s directive for candidates to disclose their criminal records should be strictly enforced, requiring such declarations in widely circulated media.

Committee Recommendations

• Vohra Committee (1993): Recommended tracking criminal-politician links and addressing the role of black money in elections.
• Law Commission (2014): Suggested disqualifying politicians charged with serious offenses and increasing penalties for false affidavits.
• 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission: Advocated for state funding of elections to reduce the influence of illicit money.

Way Forward

To strengthen the electoral process, the Election Commission should be granted greater powers to verify criminal records and financial disclosures of candidates. Fast-track courts should be established to expedite cases involving elected officials facing serious charges. Transparency should be increased by mandating real-time disclosure of political funding and expenditures. Furthermore, voter awareness and civil society engagement should be promoted to enhance accountability in the electoral process.

In News:

India’s public health education sector stands at a critical juncture. Despite rapid academic expansion—with over 100 institutions now offering Master of Public Health (MPH) and related programs—the sector faces mounting challenges related to employment, quality, and funding. While international aid has declined, domestic investment remains limited, exacerbating systemic issues in workforce development.

Public Health: Constitutional and Strategic Significance

Article 47 of the Indian Constitution mandates the State to improve public health. A well-trained public health workforce is essential to achieve health equity, manage non-communicable diseases, address pandemics like COVID-19, and ensure effective delivery of health services at all levels.

Evolution and Growth of Public Health Education

Public health education in India has roots in colonial institutions, notably the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata (1932). Post-independence, community medicine was integrated into medical curricula. However, it was the launch of the National Rural Health Mission (2005) that marked a turning point, creating space for non-medical professionals in public health. Since then, MPH programs have proliferated—from just one institution in 2000 to over 100 today.

Government Initiatives

Key government efforts to strengthen public health education and training include:

• National Health Mission (NHM): Enhances public health systems and skill development.
• PM Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): Expands infrastructure and education through AIIMS-like institutions.
• Fellowship in Public Health Management (FPHM): Builds leadership capacities.
• National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP): Promote epidemiology and disease control training.

Persistent Challenges

• Employment Mismatch: A surge in MPH graduates has not been matched by job creation. Entry-level roles receive thousands of applications, and dedicated public health cadres in states remain underdeveloped.
• Lack of Regulation and Standardization: No central regulatory body ensures consistent curricula or quality standards. MPH programs are not under the purview of the NMC or UGC.
• Faculty Shortages and Weak Practical Training: Institutions often lack experienced faculty and real-world training integration, leaving graduates underprepared.
• Uneven Institutional Spread: States like Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand have few or no public health colleges, deepening regional disparities.
• Funding Deficits: India's public health education receives minimal investment. For instance, the Data Protection Board was allocated just ?2 crore—reflecting systemic underfunding. International aid cuts, such as those from USAID, further strain the sector.
• Low Private Sector Absorption: Private hospitals prefer management professionals over MPH graduates. Development sector roles, heavily reliant on foreign grants, offer limited stability.

Way Forward

• Establish Public Health Cadres: States must create dedicated employment frameworks at all administrative levels.
• Regulate Education Quality: A Public Health Education Council under UGC/NMC should standardize curricula, faculty norms, and institutional benchmarks.
• Expand Institutional Capacity: Encourage public-private partnerships to open MPH colleges in underserved regions.
• Promote Experiential Learning: Mandate field training through internships in NHM, IDSP, and WHO-linked programs.
• Encourage Private Sector Hiring: Offer incentives for hiring MPH graduates in corporate and hospital settings.
• Increase Domestic Investment: Boost government funding for public health education and research, reducing reliance on foreign donors.

Conclusion

India’s public health education must transition from fragmented expansion to structured, quality-driven growth. Strengthening regulation, employment pathways, and training infrastructure is crucial for building a resilient health system and fulfilling the constitutional promise of health for all.

In News:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its report titled India Financial System Stability Assessment, has flagged significant vulnerabilities in India’s financial architecture, particularly arising from the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) sector. Despite overall resilience post-pandemic, the increasing interconnectedness and exposure of NBFCs pose emerging systemic risks.

A major concern highlighted is the concentration of NBFC lending to the power sector. In FY 2024, 63% of power sector loans were provided by just three large Infrastructure Financing NBFCs—an increase from 55% in FY 2020. This overexposure, particularly by state-owned NBFCs such as IREDA, raises red flags given the inherent risks in infrastructure financing, including delays, cost overruns, and revenue shortfalls. The report notes that 56% of NBFC lending was financed by market instruments like corporate bonds and mutual funds, heightening the risk of contagion in case of financial distress.

NBFCs differ structurally from banks. They cannot accept demand deposits, lack deposit insurance coverage, and have no direct access to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) liquidity windows. Consequently, any shock in their repayment capacity can lead to asset-liability mismatches, potentially spilling over into banks, mutual funds, and bond markets, amplifying systemic risks.

The IMF also examined stress scenarios such as stagflation—a situation characterized by slow economic growth and high inflation. In such cases, public sector banks (PSBs) are particularly vulnerable. The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of PSBs could fall to the regulatory minimum of 9% under stress, threatening their ability to absorb losses. This is concerning, as the RBI mandates a minimum CAR of 12% for PSBs. The IMF recommends that PSBs retain earnings instead of paying dividends to strengthen their capital buffers and support credit flow during downturns.

While banks and NBFCs have shown broad resilience, ‘weak tails’ exist—non-systemic NBFCs and urban cooperative banks with below-minimum or even negative capital. This underscores the need for strengthened regulatory oversight, especially over state-owned NBFCs, which currently enjoy relaxed prudential norms. The IMF calls for uniform regulation across public and private NBFCs to ensure a level playing field and greater financial stability.

The report also emphasizes the need for improved data sharing and systemic risk monitoring, especially related to NBFC exposures, household credit, and climate-linked financial risks. Physical and transition risks remain moderate but are notable in monsoon-dependent agriculture and carbon-intensive industries like thermal power.

Recommendations include:

• Extending the cybersecurity risk framework to major NBFCs.
• Implementing IFRS-9 based credit risk assessments and countercyclical capital buffers.
• Improving insolvency and bankruptcy resolution mechanisms to reduce recovery time and enhance credit discipline.

India’s financial system is becoming more diverse and inclusive, with rising digital financial access and market participation. However, to sustain growth and resilience, proactive reforms in NBFC regulation, capital adequacy, and systemic risk management are essential.

Context:

The growing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational spaces has sparked a global debate on its impact on students' critical thinking. With AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot becoming ubiquitous, concerns have emerged about their potential to replace the intellectual rigor traditionally expected of learners.

AI in Classrooms: An Inevitable Shift

AI is no longer a futuristic concept but an entrenched part of everyday life, including education. In India, over 61% of educators reportedly use AI tools, and globally, a majority of students now rely on generative AI for academic work. This shift raises the fundamental question: Is AI eroding students’ ability to think independently?

Experts argue that banning AI from classrooms is neither feasible nor productive. AI’s integration into platforms like Microsoft Word and Adobe Reader means its use is often passive and unavoidable. Instead, the focus should be on responsible and ethical integration aligned with course objectives.

Impact on Critical Thinking

While some educators worry that AI might lead to intellectual passivity, others assert that it depends on the pedagogy. Courses aiming to cultivate analytical thinking—like humanities—should limit AI use, whereas technical subjects such as coding might benefit from it. The evolving skillset now values the ability to validate and critique AI-generated outputs over traditional rote learning.

Yet, over-dependence is a valid concern. Students may begin accepting AI responses without questioning their validity. To address this, a shift in educational design is necessary—moving from information recall to critical engagement with AI-generated content.

AI as Infrastructure in Education

AI is increasingly being seen as critical infrastructure in academic institutions. Reports like the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report (2025) emphasize the importance of analytical thinking, adaptability, and AI-related competencies. However, there is a need for robust digital literacy training to inform users about the risks—especially data privacy and algorithmic biases.

The adoption of AI in schools and universities must be accompanied by risk audits, including assessments of embedded biases, training data integrity, and transparency in design.

Need for Regulation and Institutional Policies

India currently lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI in education. In the interim, individual institutions must step in to develop internal policies guiding ethical AI use. This includes declaring course-specific AI policies and fostering dialogues among students and faculty. Global universities offer useful templates, with general guidelines complemented by course-specific rules.

Conclusion: Regulate, Don't Resist

AI’s presence in education is irreversible. Rather than resisting its use, educational institutions must adapt by promoting informed, critical engagement with AI. While AI can assist in learning, it should not substitute the cognitive processes that education aims to cultivate. The future lies in developing a balanced model, where AI complements human intelligence rather than undermining it.

In News:

The Union Budget 2025 has seen a significant increase in the allocation for gender-responsive fiscal policies, with a record ?4,49,028.68 crore allocated to the Gender Budget (GB). This represents a 37.3% increase from the previous year, marking 8.86% of the total Budget. However, this increase is largely attributed to the inclusion of PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which constitutes 24% of the GB, rather than substantial investments in care infrastructure or gender-responsive schemes. This highlights the persistent underestimation of unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW) in India’s economic planning.

The Care Work Crisis: An Overlooked Economic Reality

Globally, women bear the brunt of unpaid care work (UCDW), spending an average of 17.8% of their time on such tasks. In India, this burden is particularly severe. Indian women spend 40% more time on UCDW compared to women in South Africa and China. As per the International LabourOrganisation (ILO), 53% of Indian women remain outside the labour force due to caregiving responsibilities, while only 1.1% of men face similar barriers. This deep-rooted gender inequality reinforces women’s economic disempowerment.

For marginalized women in low-income households, the burden is exacerbated. Many women juggle 17–19 hours of daily labour, balancing paid work with domestic duties, resulting in severe time poverty and poor health. Feminist economists from the Global South emphasize that in India, unpaid work extends beyond household care to include tasks such as family farming, water collection, and fuel gathering. Women often spend up to 73% of their time on these tasks due to limited infrastructure in basic services such as water, sanitation, and clean energy.

Missed Opportunities in the 2025 Budget

Despite the record increase in the Gender Budget, the 2025 Union Budgetmisses critical opportunities to address the care work crisis. The Economic Survey 2023-24 recognized care infrastructure as pivotal for women’s empowerment, yet the budget failed to translate this into significant fiscal commitments. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which aims to provide 100% potable water coverage by 2028, is a positive step but suffers from funding delays and implementation gaps. While the JJM budget increased by 195% over Revised Estimates, it saw a decline of 4.51% from last year’s Budget Estimates, underscoring allocation and spending mismatches.

Policy Recommendations: The Three R Framework

To address these systemic issues, the Economic Survey 2023-24 suggests that public investment of 2% of GDP in care infrastructure could generate 11 million jobs and reduce the care burden on women. The Three R framework — Recognise, Reduce, Redistribute, and Represent — provides a holistic approach to creating a more inclusive economy:

• Recognise: The first step is acknowledging the full extent of UCDW. India’s 2019 Time Use Survey revealed that women spend an average of seven hours daily on unpaid care tasks. Regular surveys, integrated into existing household surveys, can inform more effective policy-making.
• Reduce: The second step involves reducing the care burden by investing in time-saving technologies and affordable care infrastructure. Expanding childcare centres, eldercare support, and assistive technologies can facilitate women’s workforce participation. The Urban Challenge Fund announced in the 2025 Budget, with ?10,000 crore allocated for FY 2025-26, can finance urban redevelopment projects that integrate care infrastructure, inspired by successful models like Bogotá’s Care Blocks.
• Redistribute: Care responsibilities must be shifted from the household to the State and society. The Smart Cities Mission and the Urban Challenge Fund present opportunities to scale up care infrastructure in urban areas. This redistribution of care work can significantly ease the burden on women and encourage more equitable labor force participation.
• Represent: Women’s representation in decision-making is crucial for creating gender-transformative policies. Policies designed with women’s input are shown to be six to seven times more effective in achieving gender-equitable outcomes. Therefore, promoting female leadership in governance is essential for the success of gender-responsive policies.

Conclusion:

The Union Budget 2025 has made strides in gender-responsive fiscal policies but falls short in addressing the care economy. India has a significant opportunity to set a global example by recognizing unpaid care work, investing in care infrastructure, and redistributing caregiving responsibilities. A gender-sensitive economy, with women’s participation in decision-making, will not only uplift women but also ensure more inclusive growth for the country. The current budget highlights the need for a more deliberate, well-funded strategy to treat care work as a central pillar of India’s economic development.

Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI), encompassing technologies that simulate human thinking and decision-making, has become integral to contemporary life, influencing how we work, live, and conduct business. While AI’s foundational concepts date back to the 1950s, recent advances in computing power and data availability have fueled rapid growth. The global AI market, currently valued at $200 billion, is projected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030. Major developments, such as the U.S.’s $500 billion Stargate Project and India's plans to build the world’s largest data centre in Jamnagar with Nvidia, highlight AI’s economic potential. However, this transformative technology also poses significant environmental challenges across its value chain.

Environmental Impact Across the AI Value Chain

The environmental footprint of AI emerges at multiple stages — from hardware production and model development to deployment and maintenance:

• Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions:Data centres, the backbone of AI infrastructure, consume vast amounts of electricity, accounting for approximately 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure expected to double by 2026 (IEA). Advanced models like GPT-3 emit up to 552 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent during training, comparable to the annual emissions of dozens of cars. A single ChatGPT request consumes roughly ten times the energy of a standard Google search.
• E-Waste Generation and Resource Depletion:The rapid expansion of AI data centres exacerbates the e-waste crisis, with obsolete hardware often discarded irresponsibly. Manufacturing essential components like microchips demands rare earth minerals, mined through environmentally destructive processes.
• Water Usage:Data centres require millions of litres of water for cooling operations. Alarmingly, AI-related data centres are projected to consume six times more water than Denmark’s total usage, straining water resources, especially in regions already facing scarcity.

Global Awareness and Regulatory Efforts

Recognising the growing environmental burden, international organisations and governments have initiated efforts toward greener AI practices:

• At COP29, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) underscored the urgent need for sustainable AI development.
• Regions like the European Union and the United States have introduced laws to mitigate AI’s environmental impact.
• However, despite over 190 countries adopting non-binding ethical AI guidelines, sustainability concerns remain largely absent from most national AI strategies.

Way Forward

To harmonise AI innovation with environmental responsibility, a multi-pronged approach is necessary:

• Clean Energy Adoption:Shifting to renewable energy sources for powering data centres and purchasing carbon credits are critical steps. Locating centres in regions rich in renewables can further lower carbon footprints.
• Efficiency in Hardware and Algorithms:Developing energy-efficient hardware and maintaining it regularly can substantially reduce emissions. Smaller, domain-specific models should be promoted to lessen computational demands.
• Optimisation of AI Systems:Studies by Google and the University of California, Berkeley, suggest that through optimised algorithms, specialised hardware, and efficient cloud data centres, the carbon footprint of large language models (LLMs) can be reduced by a factor of 100 to 1,000.
• Reusing Pre-trained Models:Businesses should prioritise fine-tuning existing models for new tasks over training fresh models from scratch, significantly saving energy.
• Measurement, Disclosure, and Accountability:Establishing global standards for tracking, measuring, and publicly disclosing the environmental impacts of AI systems is essential for fostering transparency and industry-wide accountability.
• Leveraging AI for Sustainability:AI itself can aid sustainability efforts, such as through projects like Google's DeepMind, which improves wind power forecasting, enabling better integration of renewable energy sources into national grids.

Conclusion
While AI holds immense promise for economic growth and societal advancement, it simultaneously presents critical environmental challenges. Integrating sustainability into the very design of the AI ecosystem is imperative. By embedding environmental responsibility at every stage—from model development to deployment—governments, businesses, and researchers can ensure that AI’s transformative potential is realised without compromising the planet’s future.

Context:

The recurring arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy in the Palk Bay region underscore a complex and unresolved bilateral issue, rooted in historical practices, ecological concerns, and geopolitical sensitivities. The most recent incidents in early 2025 have intensified the diplomatic and political discourse between the two neighbours.

Background and Origin of the Dispute

The core of the India–Sri Lanka fishing dispute lies in the contested fishing rights in the Palk Bay, a narrow strip of sea separating Tamil Nadu from northern Sri Lanka. The 1974 and 1976 maritime boundary agreements, particularly the ceding of Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka, formalized the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). While Indian fishermen were permitted traditional access to the island for specific purposes, the agreements curtailed their fishing activities across the newly delineated boundary.

However, Tamil Nadu fishermen have historically fished in these waters, and the IMBL has not fully erased traditional patterns. The situation is worsened by ecological pressures on Indian fishing grounds, pushing fishermen into Sri Lankan waters.

Key Issues Involved

• Violation of IMBL and Traditional Rights:Indian fishermen often assert customary fishing rights across the IMBL, which clashes with Sri Lanka’s assertion of sovereignty over its territorial waters. Many crossings occur unintentionally due to poor navigation, engine failures, or inclement weather.
• Bottom Trawling and Environmental Concerns:The use of bottom trawlers by Indian fishermen is a major point of contention. This method, which scrapes the seabed, damages marine ecosystems and depletes resources, affecting both nations' long-term fisheries sustainability. Sri Lanka has banned bottom trawling and views it as ecological exploitation and illegal fishing.
• Security and Sovereignty Sensitivities:Sri Lanka perceives these incursions not only as violations of maritime boundaries but also as potential national security threats, recalling past concerns over Tamil militant movements operating from the sea.
• Recurrent Arrests and Humanitarian Concerns:The frequent arrests, imprisonment, and imposition of heavy fines on Indian fishermen have humanitarian and political implications. Often, fishing boats are not returned even after the release of the crew, causing further livelihood losses.

Efforts at Resolution

• Diplomatic Engagement:The issue has prompted high-level political intervention, with the Tamil Nadu government urging the Union Government for effective measures and the convening of a Joint Working Group (JWG) to address the issue diplomatically.
• Livelihood-Based Approaches:Both countries have discussed alternatives to resolve the crisis humanely, including exploring sustainable fishing practices, alternate employment, and deep-sea fishing training.
• Technological Interventions:Use of GPS-based tracking systems and awareness programs aim to prevent inadvertent border crossings and encourage responsible fishing.
• People-to-People Dialogues:Calls for direct interaction between fishermen communities from both nations have been made, suggesting that grassroots engagement may ease tensions and promote mutual understanding.

International Legal Framework

• UNCLOS (1982):Provides legal clarity on maritime boundaries and responsibilities, but emphasizes mutual respect for sovereign rights and sustainable resource use.
• UN Fish Stocks Agreement (1995):Encourages cooperation in conserving transboundary fish stocks, suggesting the role of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) in managing shared marine resources.

Conclusion

The India–Sri Lanka fishing dispute in the Palk Bay is not merely a bilateral maritime boundary issue; it is a convergence of historical rights, ecological degradation, livelihood dependence, and strategic concerns. While both countries have taken steps towards conflict management, a long-term solution lies in cooperative marine resource governance, joint monitoring, and community-centric diplomacy. Resolving this issue through dialogue, sustainable practices, and mutual sensitivity is essential to safeguard both bilateral relations and the rights and livelihoods of coastal communities.

In News:

India’s horticulture sector is crucial to its agricultural economy, encompassing the cultivation, production, processing, and marketing of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The sector includes sub-sectors like pomology (fruit cultivation), olericulture (vegetable cultivation), floriculture (flower cultivation), and arboriculture (cultivation of trees). India stands as the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, trailing only China.

In 2023-24, India’s horticultural production was estimated at 355 million tonnes, surpassing food grain production. The sector contributes 33% to the agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA), growing at an annual rate of 4-5%, outpacing cereal production.

Despite its size and importance, India’s horticulture sector faces several challenges. Post-harvest losses are significant, with about 8.1% for fruits and 7.3% for vegetables, translating into a loss of ?1.53 trillion annually. These losses are primarily due to inadequate cold storage and processing infrastructure, as well as fragmented value chains, where middlemen dominate, resulting in low farmer incomes. Farmers typically receive only 30% of the final consumer price for their produce.

Challenges in India’s Horticulture Sector

• Infrastructure Deficit: The absence of efficient logistics, cold storage, and warehousing facilities contributes to delays and wastage of perishable horticultural crops. The cold storage capacity is concentrated in just a few states, limiting access for farmers across the country.
• Small Operational Landholdings: Many farmers operate on small plots, limiting their ability to adopt sustainable practices and crop rotation, leading to reduced yields and soil degradation.
• Limited Value Addition: Only 10% of India’s fruits and vegetables are processed, compared to 60-70% in developed countries, leading to distress sales and low earnings for farmers.
• Market Linkages and Export Challenges: Indian farmers have limited access to direct markets, and the country’s export share in horticultural produce is low. Non-tariff barriers such as Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards also hinder India's export growth.

Government Initiatives for Horticulture

Several initiatives have been launched to address these challenges:

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (2014) aims to foster holistic growth through cluster approaches and better linkages.
• Operation Greens, initially focused on specific crops like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes, has been extended to all horticultural crops to address price volatility.
• The Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) model is being promoted to help farmers collectively bargain for better prices. As of August 2024, 8,875 FPOs have been established with a target of 10,000 by 2027.
• The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) provides financial support for cold chains, warehouses, and processing units.

Case Study: Sahyadri FPO

A notable example of FPO success is the Sahyadri Farmer Producer Company Ltd (SFPCL) in Maharashtra, which started with 10 farmers in 2004 and has grown to include 26,500 farmers across 252 villages. With an annual turnover of ?1,549 crore (2023-24), SFPCL has become the largest grape exporter, with 90% of exports going to the EU and UAE. Farmers involved in the FPO receive 55% of the final export price, significantly higher than the typical 30% in traditional markets. This model demonstrates the potential of cooperative farming in enhancing farmers' incomes.

Way Forward: Scaling Up the Amul Model

To replicate the success of AMUL in the dairy sector, India’s horticulture sector must focus on:

• Strengthening FPOs: Support should be provided for working capital, infrastructure, and digital integration. Leveraging platforms like the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) can enhance market access for FPOs.
• Expanding Processing and Storage Infrastructure: Financial allocation for cold storage, processing facilities, and logistics must be increased under schemes like Operation Greens.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encourage collaborations between the government and private sectors to enhance food processing, distribution, and retail linkages.
• Technology Integration: Adoption of technologies like blockchain for traceability and AI-driven price prediction models can improve market transparency and reduce distress sales.

By expanding successful models like Sahyadri FPO, India can transform its horticulture sector, enhance farmer incomes, ensure food security, and increase agri-export earnings. This approach could play a pivotal role in rural development and poverty alleviation, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

Context:
On January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump, upon beginning his second term, issued an executive order imposing a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance. The directive aimed to reassess the efficiency and alignment of U.S. foreign development programs with its foreign policy priorities. This decision led to an immediate halt in operations of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with the majority of its 10,000 personnel placed on administrative leave and project funding suspended worldwide.

What is USAID?

• Established in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy through an Act of Congress, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) functions as an independent agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.
• Its core mission is to promote democratic values, global peace, and prosperity while advancing American national security and economic interests.
• USAID operates in over 100 countries, partnering with governments, NGOs, private firms, and international organizations.
• It offers financial support, technical assistance, and capacity-building across key sectors such as health, education, food security, economic development, humanitarian relief, environmental sustainability, and governance.
• Prominent initiatives include:
  • PEPFAR: A flagship HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment program.
  • Feed the Future: Focused on combating hunger and improving food security.
  • Power Africa: Aimed at expanding electricity access across Africa.
  • Water for the World Act: Enhancing water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure.
• In 2024, USAID disbursed $44.2 billion globally, which accounted for approximately 0.4% of the U.S. federal budget. Notably, the agency contributed to around 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations that year.

Rationale and Political Overtones

The Trump administration justified the freeze as a review for improving programmatic efficiency and ensuring alignment with U.S. strategic interests. However, critics argue the move is politically motivated, targeting Biden-era programs. Elon Musk, heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), labeled USAID a "criminal organization," while Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated a broader plan for restructuring.

Global Impact of the Freeze

The abrupt suspension of USAID operations threatens development and humanitarian efforts across numerous vulnerable regions. Top recipients like Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen face the sudden withdrawal of critical support in health, food security, disaster relief, and infrastructure.

The United Nations has warned that halting support for HIV/AIDS programs alone could result in over six million deaths within four years. In several African and Middle Eastern nations, the absence of aid could derail long-term projects aimed at poverty alleviation, maternal and child health, vaccination drives, and crisis response mechanisms.

Moreover, the withdrawal risks diminishing the U.S.’s diplomatic influence in the Global South, potentially creating a vacuum for geopolitical competitors such as China, which may expand its presence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Impact on India

USAID's involvement in India dates back to 1951, when President Truman signed the India Emergency Food Aid Act. Over the decades, it evolved from providing food aid to supporting economic reforms, infrastructure, and public health initiatives. However, India’s dependency on USAID has significantly declined in recent years.

In 2024, USAID allocated approximately $79.3 million to India, primarily focused on healthcare, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and immunization programs. This constituted only about 0.2% to 0.4% of USAID’s global disbursement.

While the immediate impact on India may be limited due to reduced reliance and growing self-sufficiency, some ongoing health and sanitation projects could face temporary disruptions. The Indian government and implementing agencies have been directed to suspend USAID-funded operations, raising concerns about the continuity of services for vulnerable populations.

Conclusion and the Way Forward

The freeze on USAID funding reflects a shift in U.S. foreign aid philosophy and signals potential isolationist tendencies. While India may be resilient, many developing nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia could witness significant humanitarian and developmental setbacks.

To mitigate the impact, affected countries must:

• Enhance domestic resource mobilization to sustain critical development programs.
• Deepen partnerships with multilateral institutions like the UN, World Bank, and WHO.
• Encourage private sector participation through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
• Foster South-South cooperation to promote shared growth models.

The episode underscores the urgent need for the Global South to diversify funding sources and build internal capacities to safeguard developmental progress from geopolitical uncertainties.

In News:

A recent scientific study has revealed that the eastern Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh have lost 110 glaciers between 1988 and 2020, highlighting a critical impact of climate change in the region.

Key Findings of the Study

• Glacier Loss: The number of glaciers declined from 756 to 646 over 32 years.
• Glacial Area Reduction: Total glacial cover reduced from 585.23 sq. km to 309.85 sq. km, indicating a loss of over 47%.
• Retreat Rate: Glaciers retreated at a rate of 16.94 sq. km per year.
• Elevation: Most glaciers were located at 4,500–4,800 metres above mean sea level on north-facing slopes of 15°–35°.
• Remote Sensing & GIS: The study used advanced tools along with the Randolph Glacier Inventory to track and analyze glacier boundaries.
• Glacial Lakes: Retreat has led to the formation of numerous glacial lakes, increasing the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), as seen during the 2023 Sikkim disaster which killed at least 55 people and damaged a 1,200 MW Teesta hydropower project.

Causes of Glacial Retreat

• Climate Change:
  • The eastern Himalayas are warming faster than the global average.
  • Temperature rise: Between 0.1°C and 0.8°C per decade.
  • Over the last century, the region has experienced an increase of ~1.6°C.
  • By 2100, projections indicate a 5–6°C temperature rise and 20–30% increase in precipitation.
• Black Carbon Deposition: Emissions from human activities (e.g., vehicles, biomass burning) deposit soot on ice, reducing reflectivity (albedo) and increasing heat absorption.
• Erratic Snowfall Patterns: Changes in precipitation reduce snow accumulation, weakening glacier sustenance.
• Geological Factors: Local topography, altitude, and rock composition also influence glacier stability and response to warming.

Implications of Glacial Retreat

• Water Security
  • The Himalayas are known as the ‘Third Pole’, storing the largest volume of ice outside the polar regions.
  • They are vital for sustaining over 1.3 billion people in South Asia by feeding major rivers (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra).
  • Glacial retreat threatens long-term freshwater availability, agriculture, and urban water supplies.
• Hydropower and Infrastructure
  • Changing river flow patterns due to glacial melt affect hydropower generation and irrigation systems.
  • Risk of infrastructure damage from GLOFs is rising.
• Biodiversity and Agriculture: Altered ecosystems and climatic stress impact Himalayan biodiversity and disrupt traditional farming practices.

Himalayan Glaciers and River Systems

• Indus Basin: Originates from Lake Mansarovar; flows through Ladakh and Pakistan.
• Ganga Basin: Emerges from Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand; forms the Ganga after merging with Alaknanda.
• Brahmaputra Basin: Rises near Kailash range in Tibet; flows through Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh.

Major Glaciers in India

Glacier                  Region              Importance

Siachen                Ladakh               Longest glacier in India (76 km)

Gangotri             Uttarakhand        Source of the Ganga

Yamunotri          Uttarakhand        Origin of the Yamuna

Zemu                  Sikkim                 Largest glacier in Eastern Himalayas

Rathong             Sikkim                 Feeds Teesta River

Milam                Uttarakhand         Source of Goriganga River

Pindari               Uttarakhand         Glacial trekking route

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)

• GLOFs are sudden discharges of water from glacial lakes, often caused by moraine dam failures.
• These can trigger catastrophic downstream floods, threatening lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

• Climate Action: Drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions at national and global levels.
• Sustainable Water Management: Enhance glacier-fed river basin planning.
• Disaster Risk Reduction: GLOF early-warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and relocation policies.
• Community Participation: Local awareness, traditional knowledge integration, and eco-restoration efforts.
• International Cooperation: Transboundary initiatives under frameworks like the HKH (Hindu Kush Himalaya) Monitoring Network and UNFCCC.

In News:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a historic milestone by successfully executing a satellite docking experiment, making India the fourth country after the United States, Russia, and China to accomplish this feat. This advancement represents a significant leap in India's space capabilities, positioning the nation at the forefront of space exploration and in-orbit servicing.

Key Highlights:

• The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) is a critical technological demonstration by ISRO aimed at developing autonomous docking and undocking capabilities in space.
• The mission involves two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), which were launched aboard PSLV C60 on December 30, 2024.
• The docking maneuver was overseen by the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) and was successfully completed in the early hours of January 18, 2025.

Key Steps in the Docking Process:

• Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point.
• Precision docking initiation, leading to spacecraft capture.
• Retraction and rigidization for stability.
• Successful control of the docked satellites as a single object.

Significance of the Mission

• Technological Advancement: The docking of two spacecraft in orbit is a crucial capability that paves the way for:

• Autonomous spacecraft operations
• Refueling and maintenance of satellites
• Space station development
• Lunar and interplanetary missions

Future Applications

• Manned Missions: Enables India to develop technology for manned lunar missions and future space station operations.
• Satellite Servicing: Allows repair, maintenance, and extension of satellite lifespan, reducing costs and space debris.
• Sample Return Missions: Essential for lunar and planetary sample retrieval, crucial for deep-space exploration.

Challenges and Overcoming Setbacks

The SpaDeX docking was initially scheduled for January 7, 2025, but was postponed due to the need for further ground validation and an unexpected drift between the satellites. The issue was later resolved, and the docking was executed with precision.

The Road Ahead

Undocking and Power Transfer Demonstration

• ISRO will follow up with power transfer checks between the docked satellites.
• The satellites will later undock and operate separately for the remaining mission duration of up to two years.

Expanding Space Capabilities

• The successful execution of SpaDeX aligns with India’s plans for an independent space station by the 2030s.
• Strengthens India’s position in international space collaborations and commercial space services.

Conclusion

The SpaDeX mission represents a landmark achievement for India’s space program, placing it among the elite nations capable of satellite docking. This breakthrough will serve as a foundation for India’s ambitious future missions, including deep-space exploration, human spaceflight, and interplanetary research. As ISRO continues to develop advanced space technologies, India is set to play a crucial role in the future of global space exploration.

In News:

The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report for 2023-24 reveals a significant decline in school enrolment across India, highlighting critical challenges in the education sector. The total enrolment in grades 1-12 fell by over 1.55 crore students, from 26.36 crore (2018-2022 average) to 24.8 crore in 2023-24. This represents a 6% drop, with the biggest declines occurring in government schools.

Key Findings:

• Enrolment Decline:
  • In 2023-24, enrolment decreased from 25.17 crore in 2022-23 to 24.8 crore.
  • The drop was not only in government schools (5.59%) but also in private schools (3.67%).
  • States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra saw the largest decreases.
  • The decline in enrolment is despite an increase in the number of schools, from 14.66 lakh in 2022 to 14.72 lakh in 2023.
• Methodology Change:
  • A significant change in the data collection methodology occurred in 2022-23, including linking enrolment to Aadhaar numbers, aimed at reducing data duplication.
  • While this has improved data accuracy, it has also led to the removal of inflated figures, explaining part of the enrolment drop.
  • Despite these changes, there has been a notable decline of 37 lakh students from 2022-23 to 2023-24, which remains unexplained in the report.
• Gender and Age Trends:
  • Boys’ enrolment declined by 6.04%, and girls’ by 5.76%, reflecting a uniform drop across gender groups.
  • The dropout rates increase as students progress through school, with the highest dropout at the secondary level.
• Infrastructure and Facilities:
  • While most schools have basic facilities like electricity and gender-specific toilets, advanced infrastructure like functional computers (57%) and internet access (53%) is lacking in nearly half of schools.
  • This technological gap exacerbates regional disparities and affects educational quality, particularly in rural areas.
• State-Specific Impact:
  • Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh saw the highest reductions in the number of schools.
  • Many school closures or mergers have led to increased distances for students, causing further dropouts during re-admission processes.

Socio-Economic Barriers:

• Economic hardships, migration, and inadequate facilities contribute to the enrolment decline.
• Low-income families and backward regions struggle to prioritize education, further affecting enrolment and retention.

Government Initiatives:

• Initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and Right to Education Act (RTE) have made strides in primary education but face challenges in secondary education.
• Education spending has hovered around 4-4.6% of GDP, which is insufficient to meet the needs of the education system.

Moving Forward:

• Targeted Interventions: Focus on expanding vocational training, incentivizing school attendance, and improving digital infrastructure in schools.
• Address Regional Disparities: Conduct audits to address school shortages in densely populated areas and consolidate underutilized urban schools.
• Enhancing Teacher Quality: Invest in teacher training and encourage innovative teaching methods.
• Community Engagement: Promote local participation in school management to address specific educational needs.

Conclusion:

The UDISE+ 2023-24 report underscores the need for urgent reforms in India's education system, focusing on increasing enrolment, reducing dropout rates, and ensuring equitable access to quality education. By addressing these challenges with targeted policies, India can move closer to achieving its educational goals.

In News:

The recent controversy surrounding remarks made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court has prompted calls for his impeachment. During an event organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Justice Yadav made statements that were perceived as communal, leading to concerns over judicial impartiality. This incident has reignited discussions about the impeachment process for judges in India, highlighting the delicate balance between judicial independence and accountability.

Impeachment Process for Judges in India

In India, the impeachment process for judges, although not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, serves as a mechanism to ensure judicial accountability while safeguarding judicial independence. The process is outlined under Articles 124 and 218 of the Indian Constitution, which govern the removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges, respectively.

Grounds for Impeachment

Judges in India can be removed on two grounds:

• Proved Misbehavior: Conduct that breaches the ethical standards of the judiciary.
• Incapacity: A judge’s inability to perform judicial duties due to physical or mental infirmity.

These grounds are clearly specified to prevent arbitrary removal, ensuring that the process remains fair and just.

Steps in the Impeachment Process

• Initiation of Motion: The process begins when a motion for impeachment is introduced in Parliament, either in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. The motion must be supported by at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of the Rajya Sabha. This ensures significant parliamentary backing before the motion proceeds.
• Formation of an Inquiry Committee: If the motion is admitted, a three-member inquiry committee is constituted. This includes a Supreme Court judge, the Chief Justice of a High Court, and a distinguished jurist. The committee conducts a thorough investigation into the allegations.
• Committee Report and Parliamentary Debate: Following the investigation, the committee submits its findings. If the judge is found guilty, the report is debated in Parliament. Both Houses must approve the motion by a special majority, which requires a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, as well as a majority of the total membership.
• Final Removal by the President: Once the motion is passed in both Houses, it is presented to the President, who issues the removal order.

Safeguards Against Misuse

The impeachment process includes several safeguards to prevent misuse:

• High Threshold for Initiation: The requirement for significant support from Parliament ensures that the process cannot be initiated frivolously.
• Objective Inquiry: The inquiry committee, comprising legal experts, guarantees an impartial investigation.
• Parliamentary Scrutiny: Both Houses of Parliament are involved, ensuring that the process undergoes democratic scrutiny.

Challenges and Precedents

Despite the rigorous process, no Supreme Court judge has been successfully impeached to date. Past attempts, such as those against Justice V. Ramaswami (1993) and Chief Justice Dipak Misra (2018), were unsuccessful. These instances demonstrate the complexities involved in the impeachment process.

Guidelines for Judges’ Public Statements

Judges in India are entitled to freedom of speech, but they are expected to exercise caution in public statements to maintain the dignity of their office. The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct (2002) and the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life (1997) outline key principles for judicial conduct, including:

• Non-Interference in Political Matters: Judges should refrain from commenting on political issues to avoid any perception of bias.
• Impartiality: Judges must avoid statements that could prejudice ongoing cases or align them with specific ideologies.

Upholding Judicial Impartiality in a Diverse Society

To maintain impartiality, judges must interpret laws based on constitutional values of justice, equality, and secularism. Furthermore, the judiciary must ensure representation from diverse backgrounds to foster inclusivity and reduce systemic biases. Training programs focused on cultural competence and social diversity are essential to ensure that judges are sensitive to the needs of marginalized communities.

Conclusion

The impeachment process, while stringent, plays a critical role in maintaining judicial accountability in India. As seen in the case of Justice Yadav, judicial conduct, particularly public statements, must be carefully scrutinized to preserve the integrity of the judiciary. Upholding impartiality and adhering to constitutional values are paramount in ensuring that the judiciary continues to function as a neutral arbiter in India’s democracy.

In News:

India’s manufacturing sector has shown remarkable signs of recovery and growth, thanks to strategic policy initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. To fully capitalize on this momentum and become a global manufacturing hub, however, deeper reforms are needed.

The Success of the PLI Scheme: A Catalyst for Growth

The government’s PLI scheme has been instrumental in revitalizing key sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and textiles. It has not only boosted production but also increased exports and job creation. According to the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) 2022-23, manufacturing output grew by an impressive 21.5%, while gross value added (GVA) increased by 7.3%. Sectors such as basic metals, refined petroleum products, food products, and motor vehicles, which are beneficiaries of the PLI scheme, contributed 58% of total manufacturing output, registering growth of 24.5%.

This success underlines the potential of India’s manufacturing sector, with the PLI scheme acting as a key enabler. However, while the recovery is promising, there are significant challenges to overcome to sustain long-term growth.

Expanding PLI Incentives to New Sectors

The PLI scheme has largely benefitted traditional industries like electronics and automotive manufacturing. To further accelerate growth, the scope of the scheme must be extended to labour-intensive sectors such as apparel, footwear, and furniture, which hold immense potential for job creation. Additionally, emerging sectors like aerospace, space technology, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services offer new avenues for growth. By diversifying the incentive structure to these sectors, India could establish a more robust and resilient manufacturing ecosystem.

In sectors like capital goods, where India is heavily import-dependent, the potential for reducing supply chain vulnerabilities is significant. Moreover, promoting green manufacturing and advanced technologies could further bolster India’s competitiveness in global markets.

Addressing the Divergence Between Output and Value Addition

Despite a surge in production, India’s gross value added (GVA) has not kept pace with output growth. The ASI data shows that input prices soared by 24.4% in 2022-23, indicating that while production volumes are up, industries are grappling with high input costs. A more streamlined import regime could mitigate these costs. Simplifying tariffs into a three-tier system (for raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods) would reduce input costs, enhance competitiveness, and improve integration into global value chains.

Regional Imbalance: A Barrier to Inclusive Growth

The manufacturing sector’s growth is heavily concentrated in a few states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, which account for over 54% of manufacturing GVA. This concentration not only restricts equitable development but also hampers the overall growth potential of the sector. To address this, it is crucial that states actively participate in India's manufacturing growth story by implementing market reforms in land, labour, and power. Additionally, infrastructure development and investment promotion in less industrialized regions could help balance growth and ensure that the benefits of manufacturing reach all corners of the country.

Fostering MSME Growth and Enhancing Female Workforce Participation

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contribute about 45% of India’s manufacturing GDP and employ around 60 million people. To scale these businesses and integrate them into global value chains, PLIs should be tailored to accommodate their needs, such as lowering capital investment thresholds and reducing production targets.

Equally important is the enhancement of female workforce participation. Studies suggest that India’s manufacturing output could increase by 9% if more women enter the workforce. The development of supportive infrastructure, such as hostels and childcare facilities, can play a pivotal role in enabling women’s participation, thus driving inclusive growth.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

To transform into a developed economy by 2047, India must continue to focus on strengthening its manufacturing sector. According to industry estimates, manufacturing’s share in Gross Value Added (GVA) can rise from 17% to 25% by 2030 and further to 27% by 2047. Achieving this will require sustained efforts to enhance competitiveness through business reforms, cost reduction, and policy support. India is well-positioned to harness its manufacturing potential, but timely and focused interventions are necessary to turn this vision into reality.

In News:

The recently concluded COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, has brought the spotlight back to climate finance, particularly in relation to the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). As the global community grapples with the escalating climate crisis, the discussions and outcomes from the COP29 summit are pivotal in shaping future climate action. However, the agreed-upon financial targets, which were expected to be a step towards transformative climate justice, have sparked significant concern, particularly among developing nations.

The Need for Climate Finance: A Global Responsibility

Climate finance is essential for supporting developing countries, which bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stressed the need to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, yet current policies could lead to a rise of up to 3.1°C. To counter this, developing nations require financial assistance to transition to green energy, adapt to climate impacts, and implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The upfront costs of green technologies, such as renewable energy, are high, and while they offer long-term savings, their initial investments remain a significant barrier. Additionally, many developing countries face fiscal constraints, making it even more difficult to adopt climate-friendly technologies without external financial support.

The Role of NCQG in Addressing Climate Finance Gaps

The NCQG, an evolution of the 2010 $100 billion annual commitment, aims to provide clarity and accountability in climate financing. Established as a framework to ensure financial resources for climate action, the NCQG should ideally focus on the evolving needs of the Global South. However, at COP29, the target agreed upon was a mere $300 billion annually by 2035, far from the $1.3 trillion that developing countries had requested. This amount falls drastically short of what is necessary to meet the ambitious climate goals and fails to represent a transformative shift in financial flows.

Key Challenges and Discontent with the Outcome

Several challenges have been raised regarding the COP29 outcome:

• Equity and Responsibility: Developed nations are expected to bear a larger share of the financial burden, in line with the principle of 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities' (CBDR). However, the NCQG outcome bypasses this principle, offering insufficient funds for climate action in developing countries.
• Types of Finance: There is debate over whether private finance should count towards the goal. Developing countries have stressed the importance of public finance over loans, which add to their debt burdens.
• Insufficient Commitment: While the $300 billion annual pledge is a step forward, it is far from adequate. The global climate finance needs, estimated at $5 trillion to $7 trillion by 2030, require bolder commitments from developed nations.

India's Position and Domestic Efforts

At COP29, India emphasized the need for developed countries to fulfill their financial commitments, advocating for at least $1.3 trillion annually until 2030. India, despite being a developing country, has also made significant strides in climate action through domestic policies. The 2024-25 Union Budget allocated substantial funds to renewable energy projects, including ?19,100 crore for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. These efforts demonstrate India’s commitment to climate goals, though the financial flow remains insufficient.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The NCQG outcome at COP29 highlights the ongoing disparities in global climate finance commitments. While the $300 billion annual target is a step forward, it does not align with the urgency or scale required to tackle the climate crisis. To achieve a just and equitable transition to a sustainable future, future climate finance discussions must prioritize transparency, accountability, and fairness, ensuring that developed nations shoulder their fair share of the responsibility. The path forward requires unwavering international cooperation to ensure that developing countries receive the necessary support to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

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The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) of India, comprising forces like CRPF, BSF, CISF, and others, play a crucial role in maintaining internal security. Women’s participation in these forces has been historically limited, but recent efforts have focused on increasing their representation. As of 2024, women constitute only 4.4% of the total personnel in CAPFs, highlighting the slow progress despite various initiatives.

Current Representation and Changes Over Time

• Overall Representation: Women make up 4.4% of the 9.48 lakh-strong CAPFs. Within this, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has the highest representation at 7.02%, followed by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at 4.43%, Border Security Force (BSF) at 4.41%, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at 4.05%, Assam Rifles at 4.01%, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at 3.38%.
• Growth of Women Personnel: From 15,499 women in 2014, the number has tripled to 42,190 in 2024, reflecting a steady increase in recruitment. However, the percentage remains low despite these gains.
• Recruitment Trends: In 2024, 835 women were recruited, with 5,469 more in the process. In 2025, 4,138 women are expected to be recruited.

Government Efforts and Parliamentary Committee Recommendations

• Policy Measures: The government has introduced several steps to encourage women’s participation in CAPFs, such as reservations in constable-level positions: one-third for CRPF and CISF, and 14-15% for border forces like BSF, SSB, and ITBP.
• Challenges in Recruitment: Despite these policies, recruitment has not kept pace with the targets. The 2022 Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs expressed disappointment over the “abysmally low” number of women in CAPFs, noting that women made up only 3.68% of the forces at that time.
• Recommendations by Parliamentary Committees:
  • The Home Affairs Committee recommended fast-tracking phase-wise recruitment of women, particularly in CISF and CRPF.
  • The Standing Committee on Personnel (2023) suggested “soft postings” for women to avoid difficult working conditions, especially in remote or strenuous terrains. It also called for reservations for transgender individuals.
  • In 2024, further steps like fee waivers, relaxed physical standards, and provisions for maternity and child care leave were introduced to make the work environment more inclusive.

Reasons Behind Low Representation

• Cultural Barriers: Traditional gender roles and societal expectations deter many women from pursuing careers in security forces.
• Work Environment: The demanding nature of the job, which includes postings in remote areas and high-risk operations, makes it less appealing, especially for women with family responsibilities.
• Infrastructure Issues: Lack of adequate accommodation, sanitation facilities, and safety measures for women are deterrents to joining and retaining female personnel.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Although the representation of women in CAPFs has seen improvement, it remains below expectations due to persistent challenges. The government’s continuous focus on recruitment reforms, better working conditions, and policy incentives will be crucial to achieve gender parity in these forces. As societal attitudes evolve and the infrastructure improves, more women may be encouraged to serve in these vital security roles. Future efforts must include targeted recruitment drives and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment to enhance women’s participation in CAPFs.

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In 2024, India has witnessed an alarming rise in cybercrime, particularly a new scam called "digital arrests." This type of fraud involves criminals impersonating law enforcement officials to extort money from victims. With more than 92,000 people targeted and ?2,141 crore defrauded from victims, these scams are rapidly becoming a significant concern for the public and law enforcement.

Nature of ‘Digital Arrests’

The modus operandi of digital arrest scams is sophisticated and emotionally manipulative. Cybercriminals contact victims through video calls, often using fake police officers' profiles and official documents to build credibility. They accuse victims of serious crimes such as money laundering or drug trafficking, claiming urgent action is needed to avoid arrest. The scammers create a false atmosphere of fear and urgency, convincing the victim to transfer large sums of money under the pretext of settling legal dues.

A notable example involves Ruchi Garg, who was targeted by scammers posing as police officers, falsely claiming her son was involved in a major scam. She was coerced into transferring ?80,000 before realizing it was a scam. Similar cases have affected hundreds, with perpetrators using AI-generated voices and fake visuals to amplify the deception.

The Growth of Cybercrime in India

Digital arrest scams are part of a broader increase in cybercrime in India. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has reported a rise in cyber fraud, with financial losses exceeding ?27,900 crore between 2021 and 2024. The most significant sources of these losses include stock trading scams, Ponzi schemes, and digital arrest frauds. As criminals adapt to emerging technologies and use social engineering tactics, the scale and complexity of scams are growing.

The surge in cybercrimes is fueled by vulnerabilities in India's digital landscape. With over 95 crore Internet users, many people, particularly the elderly or less tech-savvy, remain susceptible to such fraud. Cybercriminals often exploit this lack of awareness, combining fear and confusion to manipulate victims.

International Scope and Challenges

One of the challenges in combating digital arrests is the transnational nature of cybercrime. Scams often originate from countries like China, Cambodia, and Myanmar, where "scam compounds" run operations to train individuals in fraudulent techniques. These groups use virtual private networks (VPNs) and encrypted apps to conceal their identities and locations, making it difficult for Indian authorities to trace them.

Moreover, the involvement of mule bank accounts to launder defrauded money complicates investigations. Thousands of such accounts are identified and blocked regularly, but the flow of money continues through multiple channels, including cryptocurrencies.

Government Efforts and Preventive Measures

To address the growing menace of digital frauds, the Indian government has initiated several measures. The I4C, launched in 2020, aims to strengthen the response to cybercrimes by coordinating with various law enforcement agencies. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal allows citizens to report cyber fraud, while real-time alerts are sent to banks to prevent financial losses.

Additionally, the Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and other initiatives like Cyber Surakshit Bharat and CERT-In are working to enhance cybersecurity awareness and support victims. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, also aims to regulate data security, which can reduce the sale of personal data on the dark web, a key enabler of these scams.

Conclusion

‘Digital arrests’ exemplify the evolving nature of cybercrimes in India. As digital threats become more complex and widespread, it is essential for citizens to remain vigilant and informed. Effective law enforcement, technological innovations, and public awareness are critical to reducing the impact of these scams and safeguarding the digital economy.

The Emergence of HIV and Global Panic

In 1983, scientists Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo independently identified the virus responsible for AIDS. By the mid-1980s, HIV/AIDS was perceived as a biological death sentence, with the virus primarily attacking immune cells, making medical intervention difficult. The epidemic quickly became associated with fear, ignorance, and stigma, as it was often linked to marginalized groups.

The "Syringe Tide" Incident and Public Outrage

In August 1987, the U.S. faced a public health crisis when discarded medical waste, including syringes and blood vials, washed up on beaches along the Atlantic coast. Known as the "Syringe Tide," this incident shocked the public and fueled anxiety, especially when children were seen playing with syringes. Traced to improper waste disposal in New York City, the event highlighted the hazardous nature of medical waste, which had been previously underestimated. Combined with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, this incident amplified public fear and economic losses of up to $7.7 billion due to the decline in tourism.

U.S. Response: Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988

The widespread outrage led to the U.S. government passing the Medical Waste Tracking Act in 1988. This was the first law to formally categorize hospital waste as hazardous. The Act introduced stringent guidelines for the handling, transportation, and disposal of medical waste, establishing systemic regulation and oversight. It marked a significant turning point in both public health and environmental safety, changing how medical waste was managed in the healthcare sector.

India’s Journey in Biomedical Waste Management

Initial Steps and Delays

While the U.S. responded swiftly to the crisis, India’s approach to managing biomedical waste was slower. In 1986, India enacted the Environmental Protection Act, which marked the country’s first significant step towards environmental conservation. That same year, India identified its first HIV case. However, biomedical waste was not yet recognized as hazardous, and the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules of 1989 failed to address the issue. As a result, local bodies were left to manage waste disposal, leading to inefficiencies.

Judicial Intervention and Legislative Action

In the 1990s, as pollution levels rose, particularly in urban areas like Delhi, the inadequacies of the system became apparent. In the landmark case Dr. B.L. Wadehra vs. Union of India (1996), the Supreme Court criticized Delhi’s waste management system, calling the city an "open garbage dump." This judgment led to a nationwide conversation on waste management and resulted in the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules of 1998, marking the formal recognition of hospital waste as hazardous. The rules empowered the Central and State Pollution Control Boards to regulate waste disposal, ensuring accountability.

The Link Between HIV and Biomedical Waste Regulations

The HIV crisis highlighted the need for safe disposal practices to protect the environment and healthcare workers. While India charted its own course, the global response to HIV, particularly the U.S. model, influenced India’s approach to biomedical waste management. Over the years, India has made significant progress, with amendments to the rules in 2016 and 2020 to improve waste management technology and ensure safe disposal.

Current Challenges and Progress

• Ongoing Issues in Biomedical Waste Management: Despite significant progress, challenges remain, especially in rural and resource-limited areas. Mishandling of biomedical waste continues to pose risks, and healthcare professionals still face occupational hazards. Gaps in compliance and awareness persist, but the system’s progress is undeniable.

Conclusion

The HIV/AIDS epidemic, while tragic, indirectly led to significant improvements in healthcare waste management. As the crisis highlighted the dangers of improper waste disposal, it spurred legislative and systemic changes that have contributed to safer healthcare environments. The progress in biomedical waste management demonstrates that crises can often lead to long-term improvements.

Introduction

India’s urban population is projected to double from 400 million to 800 million by 2050. This demographic shift presents both challenges and opportunities for transforming the country’s urban infrastructure. To meet the growing needs of urban areas, India will require an investment of approximately ?70 lakh crore by 2036, a figure significantly higher than current spending levels.

Financial Challenges in Urban Infrastructure

• Investment Gap
  • The current annual investment in urban infrastructure stands at ?1.3 lakh crore, which is only 28% of the ?4.6 lakh crore needed annually.
  • A large portion of the existing investment, around 50%, is directed towards basic urban services, with the remainder allocated to urban transport.
• Municipal Finances
  • Municipal finances have remained stagnant at 1% of GDP since 2002.
  • Despite increased transfers from the central and state governments, municipal bodies face financial strain.
  • The contribution of municipal own-revenue has decreased from 51% to 43%, indicating a reduced financial independence.
• Revenue Collection Inefficiencies
  • Urban local bodies (ULBs) are collecting only a small fraction of their potential revenues, with property tax collections representing just 0.15% of GDP.
  • Cost recovery for essential services like water supply and waste management ranges between 20% and 50%, pointing to a significant funding gap.
• Underutilization of Resources
  • Cities like Hyderabad and Chennai utilized only 50% of their capital expenditure budgets in 2018-19.
  • Central schemes such as AMRUT and the Smart Cities Mission also showed suboptimal fund utilization, with utilization rates of 80% and 70%, respectively.
• Decline in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
  • Investments through PPPs in urban infrastructure have seen a sharp decline, from ?8,353 crore in 2012 to ?467 crore in 2018.
  • This drop is attributed to limited project-specific revenues and inadequate funding mechanisms.

Structural and Administrative Challenges

• Weak Governance and Fragmented Management
  • Fragmented governance and limited administrative autonomy hinder effective urban planning and resource allocation.
  • Municipal bodies often lack the ability to undertake long-term planning and project execution due to these governance challenges.
• Climate Vulnerability and Sustainability: Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to climate risks like floods and heatwaves. However, many urban infrastructure projects fail to incorporate climate resilience in their planning, exacerbating the long-term vulnerability of investments.
• Inadequate Land Management
  • There is poor coordination between land use planning and infrastructure development, resulting in urban sprawl and inefficient transportation systems.
  • Opportunities to capitalize on the land value generated by metro and rail projects remain underutilized.

Measures for Transforming Urban Infrastructure

• Streamline Revenue Collection: Leverage technology to improve property tax collection systems and enhance cost recovery in essential services.
• Enhance Fund Utilization: Strengthen municipal capacities for effective project planning and incentivize the timely use of allocated grants.
• Scale Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Investments: Develop a pipeline of bankable projects and create risk-sharing mechanisms to attract private sector investments.
• Decouple Project Preparation from Funding: Ensure that infrastructure projects are thoroughly prepared for financial, social, and environmental sustainability before seeking funding.
• Promote Urban Innovation: Establish urban innovation labs and encourage public-private-academic collaborations to foster the adoption of advanced technologies.
• Empower Municipalities: Grant municipalities greater financial autonomy, enabling them to raise capital through municipal bonds and other debt mechanisms.
• Integrated Urban Planning: Align infrastructure development with land use, transport, and housing requirements, while integrating climate resilience into planning.
• Capacity Building: Invest in the training of municipal staff to improve governance and financial management capabilities.

Conclusion

India’s expanding urban population presents a major opportunity for economic growth. However, addressing the financial and structural challenges in urban infrastructure is crucial for harnessing this potential. By adopting a combination of short-term actions, medium-term strategies, and long-term reforms, India can create sustainable, resilient urban infrastructure that meets the growing needs of its cities, fostering inclusive development and long-term prosperity.

Introduction

Prisons in India face numerous systemic issues, with overcrowding, abuse, and neglect being prevalent. For prisoners with disabilities, these challenges are magnified, as they struggle with basic needs and lack necessary accommodations. This issue is not only a human rights violation but also a failure in the implementation of legal protections.

Prison Conditions and Accessibility Issues for Disabled Inmates

• Challenges Faced by Disabled Prisoners: Disabled prisoners, such as Professor G.N. Saibaba, who spent a decade in prison before being exonerated, face severe challenges in performing everyday tasks like using toilets or taking baths. His experience of being physically lifted by fellow inmates due to the lack of wheelchair accessibility highlights the systemic neglect.
• Exclusion and Abuse: Prisoners with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse, as their specific needs are ignored. The government does not track the number or conditions of disabled prisoners, which leads to neglect and mistreatment. Notably, Father Stan Swamy, who had Parkinson's disease, was denied essential items like a straw, affecting his ability to eat and drink.

Legal Framework and International Obligations

• Constitutional Protections: The Indian Constitution guarantees rights to prisoners, including protection from torture (Article 21) and the right to fair legal processes (Article 22). The Supreme Court has reinforced the need for humane treatment in prisons through various judgments.
• International Commitments: India has committed to international conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Nelson Mandela Rules, which require reasonable accommodations for disabled prisoners. Despite these commitments, the practical enforcement of such rights remains minimal.
• Domestic Legislation: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates the protection of disabled individuals from abuse and exploitation. However, violations like the denial of basic assistive devices to prisoners show a gap in enforcement. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines for prison accessibility, but they have yet to be widely implemented.

Systemic Failures and Lack of Political Will

• Overcrowding and Inadequate Infrastructure: Indian prisons house over 5.73 lakh prisoners, far exceeding their capacity. This overcrowding exacerbates the challenges faced by disabled prisoners, as the infrastructure is inadequate to meet their needs. A 2018 audit of Delhi’s prisons revealed significant accessibility gaps, such as inaccessible cells and toilets, making daily life for disabled prisoners even more difficult.
• Political Apathy and Public Indifference: Many believe that prisoners deserve their suffering, fueling a lack of urgency in addressing prison reforms. However, the state is responsible for ensuring the rights and dignity of all prisoners, including those with disabilities. There is a need for a shift in societal attitudes to ensure that these rights are upheld.

Reforms and the Way Forward

• Infrastructure and Accessibility: Prisons must implement universal design principles, ensuring that infrastructures are accessible to all, especially prisoners with disabilities. This includes accessible cells, toilets, and common areas, as well as functional wheelchairs.
• Judicial and Legal Reforms: The judicial system must expedite trials, especially for undertrials, and ensure that all prisoners have access to legal representation. This would help alleviate the overcrowding crisis and improve the overall functioning of the prison system.
• Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Welfare Programs: Prison systems need to focus on rehabilitation rather than mere punishment. Programs for skill development, education, and mental health support should be integrated into prison routines, providing prisoners with opportunities for personal growth and reintegration into society.
• Strengthening Oversight Mechanisms: There must be greater transparency in prison management through independent oversight bodies and regular audits. A whistleblower mechanism can help report violations of prisoner rights, ensuring greater accountability.

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India’s agricultural sector, which employs 42.3% of the population, is crucial to the nation’s economy. However, it faces a range of challenges that need to be addressed to ensure long-term stability, food security, and sustainable growth.

Current Performance of India’s Agricultural Sector

• Key Agricultural Metrics and Growth
  • Foodgrain Production: India produced 330.5 million metric tonnes (MT) of foodgrains in 2022-23, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest producer.
  • Horticulture Production: A record high of 351.92 million tonnes in horticultural production was achieved, marking a 1.37% increase from the previous year.
• Market Outlook
  • India’s agricultural market is projected to reach USD 24 billion by 2025.
  • The food and grocery retail sector is ranked as the sixth-largest globally, with 70% of its sales generated from retail.
• Investment and Export Trends
  • FDI in Agriculture: From April 2000 to March 2024, the agricultural services sector attracted USD 3.08 billion in foreign direct investment, while the food processing industry garnered USD 12.58 billion.
  • Agricultural Exports: India’s agricultural and processed food exports reached USD 4.34 billion in 2024-25, including products like marine products, rice, and spices.

Key Challenges Confronting India’s Agriculture

• Climate Change and Environmental Impact:Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and erratic rainfall, continue to impact agricultural productivity. In 2023, India experienced its second-warmest year on record, contributing to crop damage and rising food prices.

• Water Stress and Irrigation Inefficiency: Agriculture consumes the majority of India’s water resources, but irrigation efficiency is still low. The country relies heavily on flood irrigation, which leads to significant water wastage. Only 11% of agricultural land is under micro-irrigation, far below global standards.
• Land Fragmentation and Declining Farm Sizes: The average size of agricultural farms has decreased from 1.08 hectares in 2016-17 to 0.74 hectares in 2021-22, hindering the adoption of modern farming practices and mechanization.
• Market Access and Price Realization: Farmers continue to face challenges in accessing fair market prices due to the dominance of intermediaries and inadequate market infrastructure. Despite reforms like e-NAM, price gaps between farm-gate and retail prices persist, leaving farmers with a smaller share of the final price.
• Technology Adoption and Digital Divide: Although agritech is growing in India, only 30% of farmers use digital tools in agriculture, and rural digital literacy is just 25%, which limits the widespread adoption of modern farming solutions.

Addressing Structural Issues in Indian Agriculture

• Soil Health and Sustainability:The excessive use of chemical fertilizers and mono-cropping practices has led to soil degradation. Approximately 30% of agricultural land in India is experiencing degradation, impacting productivity and sustainability. Stubble burning further exacerbates this issue, worsening air quality and soil health.
• Crop Diversification Challenges:Many farmers are locked into the wheat-rice cycle due to Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees, limiting the cultivation of other crops like pulses and oilseeds. Although India is the largest producer of pulses, the domestic production is insufficient to meet the growing demand.
• Feminisation of Agriculture:Women make up 63% of agricultural workers but own only 11-13% of the operational land, limiting their access to resources and decision-making power. This gender disparity hampers their economic security and limits their participation in agricultural development.

Conclusion

India’s agricultural sector holds immense potential but is facing significant structural challenges that must be addressed to ensure its long-term growth and sustainability. Urgent reforms are needed to address issues like climate vulnerability, inefficient irrigation, land fragmentation, and limited market access. Additionally, fostering technology adoption, improving infrastructure, and addressing gender disparities will be crucial for improving the sector's performance and securing India’s food security needs.

In News:

46% of councillors in urban local bodies are women, says a report by Janaagraha, a not-for-profit organisation working to strengthen systems of governance in India’s cities.

Overview: Gender Representation in Urban Local Bodies

• Women Councillors in India: Around 46% of councillors in urban local bodies (ULBs) are women, according to a recent report by Janaagraha, a non-profit organization focused on strengthening urban governance systems.
• Capital Cities: In 19 out of 21 capital cities with active ULBs (such as Patna, Shimla, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar), women councillors exceed 60% of the total councillor count.

Top States for Women Councillors

• Tamil Nadu stands out with the highest number of women councillors in the country, according to the "Roadmap for India’s City Systems Reforms" report by Janaagraha.
• Other States in the Top 10:
  • Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

Women’s Reservation and Empowerment

• 50% Reservation: 17 states have legislated 50% women’s reservation in urban local bodies, surpassing the constitutional minimum of 33%.