In News:

India is home to over 10.45 crore Scheduled Tribe (ST) individuals, comprising 8.6% of the population. Concentrated largely in remote and underdeveloped regions, ST communities face persistent challenges such as land alienation, limited access to quality education, healthcare deficits, and socio-economic exclusion. The Union Budget 2025–26 signals a paradigm shift in tribal welfare, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Budgetary Commitment

The total allocation for tribal welfare has risen to ?14,925.81 crore in 2025–26—a 45.79% jump from the previous year and a staggering 231.83% increase from 2014–15 levels. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has witnessed a consistent rise in budget: from ?7,511.64 crore (2023–24) to ?10,237.33 crore (2024–25), and now ?14,925.81 crore.

Flagship Schemes and Initiatives

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) received ?7,088.60 crore, up from ?4,748 crore, to provide quality residential education to ST students. EMDBS, a pilot initiative in high-density tribal areas, enhances outreach.
• Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) saw a sharp rise to ?380.40 crore. It promotes tribal entrepreneurship, sustainable Minor Forest Produce (MFP) use, and value chain development.
• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) was allocated ?335.97 crore (163% increase). It aims to convert tribal-majority villages into model habitations by ensuring convergence of development schemes.
• PM-JANMAN Multi-Purpose Centers (MPCs) received ?300 crore, targeting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) with essential services and institutional support.
• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), launched in 2024, envisions the holistic development of 63,843 tribal villages. With an outlay of ?79,156 crore over five years, it integrates 17 ministries and 25 interventions. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has allocated ?2,000 crore for 2025–26 alone.

Persistent Challenges

Despite constitutional safeguards (Articles 15(4), 46, 244, 275(1), etc.), tribal communities face significant hurdles:

• Land and Resource Rights: Only 50% of 42.76 lakh Forest Rights Act (FRA) claims have been approved (MoTA, 2022). Displacement from mining and infrastructure projects persists.
• Education: ST literacy stands at 59% (Census 2011) with high dropout rates due to poverty and language gaps.
• Health: Malnutrition, maternal mortality, and diseases like Sickle Cell remain endemic.
• Marginalization: Tribals face economic deprivation, exploitation (bonded labor, trafficking), and erosion of cultural identity.
• Underrepresentation: Despite reserved seats, policy influence remains limited.

The Way Forward

• Land Rights: Effective implementation of FRA and safeguards against forced displacement.
• Education: Expand EMRS/EMDBS and promote bilingual, culturally relevant curricula.
• Health: Improve rural health infrastructure and target tribal-specific diseases.
• Women’s Empowerment: Support SHGs and skill-based livelihood through schemes like Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana.
• Cultural Continuity: Support tribal art, festivals, and language preservation through digital and educational platforms.
• Inclusive Governance: Strengthen Gram Sabhas and tribal representation in policymaking.

In News:

Recently, a US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals landed at Amritsar Airport. These deportees had entered the United States through the illegal “Dunki” route, paying between ?30 lakh and ?1 crore to agents and human traffickers.

Since 2009, over 15,000 Indians have been deported from the US for illegal entry, with India now figuring among the top non-Latin American countries in deportation rankings.

What is the ‘Dunki Route’?

• The “Dunki” or “Donkey” route refers to an unauthorised, arduous journey that migrants undertake through multiple countries to reach destinations like the United States, bypassing legal immigration processes.
• Routes often begin in countries with visa-on-arrival access or easy tourist visa policies for Indians:
  • Latin America: Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela
  • Europe/Central Asia: Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan
  • Southeast Asia: Malaysia (via Bangkok)
• Migrants often transit through Mexico, Guatemala, or Costa Rica before crossing into the US through illegal land borders.

How the Network Operates:

• Human trafficking syndicates use fake or manipulated visas (e.g., Schengen visas) to move migrants across Europe, Central Asia, and Latin America.
• Indian passport holders are sent to countries with lenient visa regimes, followed by overland or sea routes to US borders.
• Delhi Police (IGI unit) revealed that many migrants travel to Turkey or Kazakhstan and then cross to Russia or Latin America before attempting US entry.

Reasons Behind Illegal Migration:

• Economic Opportunities: Low wages in India drive migration to higher-paying economies.
• Limited Legal Avenues: Long, uncertain visa approval processes discourage legal pathways.
• Cultural Pressures: In communities like the Patels of Gujarat, migration to the US is tied to social prestige, often compelling families to sell land or take loans.
• Success Stories: Stories of successful illegal migrants inspire others to follow suit.
• Thriving Smuggling Rackets: Demand for migration has led to lucrative smuggling networks.

Consequences and Risks:

• Human Cost: Migrants risk robbery, assault, rape, and death, with bodies often unrecovered.
• Economic Loss: Families face financial ruin due to heavy agent fees.
• Legal Repercussions: Deportation, detention, and blacklisting from future visas.
• Geopolitical Sensitivity: Damages bilateral ties with countries like the US and strains consular systems.

Government Response and Policy Measures:

Proposed Legislation:

• India is considering the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024 to:
  • Promote safe, orderly, and regular migration
  • Replace the outdated Emigration Act, 1983
  • Establish comprehensive mechanisms for migrant protection and regulation

Awareness Campaigns:

• Indian embassies and consulates regularly issue:
  • Advisories on fraudulent agents
  • Guidance on safe migration
  • Lists of registered recruiting agencies

Migration Trends and Global Standing:

• World Migration Report 2024 (IOM):
  • India received $111 billion in remittances in 2022 – highest globally
  • India is the largest country of origin for international migrants, with large diasporas in the UAE, US, and Saudi Arabia

H-1B Visa: The Legal Face of Indian Migration to the US

• H-1B Program: Allows US employers to hire foreign workers in high-skill occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree.
• Duration: Maximum of six years, renewable under certain conditions, or convertible into a Green Card.
• Indian Dominance:
  • Indians have accounted for over 70% of all H-1B visa approvals since 2015
  • Chinese applicants make up the second-largest group (~12–13%)

Political Challenges:

• Immigration, including H-1B, is a polarising issue in US politics.
• Rising anti-immigration sentiment, especially under administrations like Trump 2.0, affects policy and visa quotas.

Hotspot States and Migration Routes in India:

• Major source states of illegal migrants: Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana
• These regions are hubs for agents who facilitate illegal migration using Dunki routes and exploit aspirational youth.

In News:

Recent outbreaks of suspected Ranikhet disease (Newcastle Disease) have caused the death of approximately 1.5 lakh chickens in poultry farms across Andhra Pradesh (Eluru, Guntur, Prakasam, and the Godavari districts) and Haryana (Barwala and Raipur Rani in Panchkula). These outbreaks have raised alarms about biosecurity measures, especially in regions that are major poultry producers.

About Ranikhet Disease:

• Also known as: Newcastle Disease (ND)
• Causative Agent: Avian avulavirus 1 (also called Avian Paramyxovirus-1 or APMV-1)
• Affected Species: Primarily chickens, but also turkeys, ducks, pigeons, crows, geese, guinea fowls, partridges, doves, and even hedgehogs (suspected reservoirs).
• Nature of Disease: Highly contagious and fatal viral disease.
• Transmission:
  • Direct contact with infected bird secretions (especially feces)
  • Contaminated feed, water, equipment, clothing, and environment
  • ND virus can survive for weeks in cool environments, increasing risk in winter.

Symptoms and Impact:

• In Birds:
  • Respiratory issues: Sneezing, gasping
  • Nervous symptoms: Droopiness, loss of coordination
  • Digestive symptoms: Diarrhea
  • Mortality rate: Ranges from 50% to 100%
  • Production impact: Drop in egg production and fertility
• In Humans:
  • Mild zoonotic effect, primarily conjunctivitis in people handling infected birds or lab samples.
  • Usually self-limiting and non-fatal.

Recent Outbreaks and Investigations:

Andhra Pradesh:

• Approximately 1.5 lakh birds have died across multiple districts.
• Suspected cause: Highly virulent strain of Ranikhet Disease.

Haryana (Barwala–Raipur Rani belt):

• This belt houses around 115 poultry farms and is the second-largest poultry producer in Asia.
• Previously affected by bird flu outbreaks in 2006 and 2014.
• Northern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NRDDL), Jalandhar collected 40 new samples from affected farms after being unsatisfied with earlier ones.
• Preliminary suspicion points toward Ranikhet Disease; however, cold wave conditions and the presence of older birds (not replaced due to COVID-19 restrictions) may have also contributed.
• The region falls in the path of migratory birds, whose droppings can spread avian flu viruses, complicating disease identification.

Current Challenges:

• Lack of effective treatment: No curative treatment exists. Management relies on preventive vaccination, biosecurity measures, and good poultry housing practices.
• Diagnostic delays: Require reliable sampling and laboratory testing to confirm the cause.
• Climate sensitivity: Poultry are vulnerable to extreme cold, especially if housing and care are inadequate.
• Pandemic aftershocks: COVID-19 disruptions prevented the routine replacement of older birds, increasing vulnerability.

In News:

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has raised concerns over delays in the completion of projects under the Spiritual Tourism Circuits and the PRASHAD Scheme.

It has recommended the establishment of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and emphasized obtaining prior clearances to ensure timely execution of future projects.

About PRASHAD Scheme

• Full Form: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive.
• Launched: 2014–15 by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
• Objective: To promote, develop, and enhance spiritual tourism infrastructure at important pilgrimage sites across India.

Aims and Objectives:

• Improve infrastructure (roads, water supply, sanitation, waste management).
• Enhance connectivity (road, rail, and air) to pilgrimage destinations.
• Preserve and conserve religious and cultural heritage sites.
• Promote eco-friendly and sustainable tourism practices.
• Increase domestic and international tourist footfall through spiritual tourism.
• Generate local employment through skill development and livelihood programmes.

Funding Model:

• 100% centrally funded for eligible components.
• Also includes voluntary contributions through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

Implementation Challenges and Parliamentary Findings

Spiritual Tourism Circuits under Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

• Launched to promote thematic tourism circuits, including 23 Spiritual Circuits across India.
• Of these, five circuits remain incomplete, with two key circuits in Kerala—
  1. Sabarimala–Erumeli–Pampa–Sannidhanam Circuit
  2. Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram Circuit
• Progress Status (as of September 2023):
  • Sabarimala Circuit: 76% complete
  • Sivagiri Circuit: 51% complete
• Original target completion dates: June 2023 and October 2023, respectively.

Reasons for Delay:

• Lack of timely clearances from Temple Authorities.
• Administrative and coordination issues across agencies.

Committee Recommendations:

• Formulate a clear-cut SOP for the execution of spiritual tourism projects.
• Ensure pre-approval and coordination with all concerned stakeholders before initiating construction.
• Strengthen planning at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage to anticipate implementation challenges and avoid delays and cost overruns.

PRASHAD Scheme Performance:

• Out of 45 sanctioned projects, only 21 have been completed as of the latest report.
• The committee noted this performance as unsatisfactory, even accounting for disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In News:

India-U.S. defence cooperation is advancing with the proposed co-production of the Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV). This deal represents a significant leap in bilateral defence industrial collaboration and aligns with India's strategic goal of military modernization and indigenisation under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

About Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV):

• Origin: Jointly developed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Canada and U.S., it is the first new military vehicle inducted into U.S. Army service since the 1980s.
• Type: Eight-wheeled armoured infantry combat vehicle designed for rapid deployment and battlefield mobility.
• Variants: Includes Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), Mobile Gun System (MGS), reconnaissance vehicle, medical evacuation vehicle, fire support vehicle, and Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) carrier.

Key Features:

• Mobility: Top speed of ~100 km/h and an operational range of 483 km. Can be airlifted using C-17 and C-130 aircraft (both in IAF’s fleet) or Chinook helicopters, enhancing deployment in remote terrains.
• Firepower: Equipped with a 30 mm cannon and a 105 mm mobile gun.
• Protection: V-hull structure for blast protection; composite armour reinforced with ceramic tiles offers increased survivability against IEDs and small arms.
• Capacity: Operated by a 2-member crew and can transport a 9-member infantry squad.

Operational Evaluation in India:

• High-Altitude Trials: Conducted in Ladakh (13,000–18,000 feet) during September–October 2024. Evaluation reports were shared with Army Headquarters for further review.
• Javelin ATGM Demonstration: Conducted alongside Stryker trials; however, the performance was sub-optimal due to the vintage system used. Repeat trials have been requested by India.

Strategic Importance for India:

• Tactical Advantage: Enhanced mobility and survivability in high-altitude warfare make it suitable for regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Border Security: Bolsters India's defence posture along sensitive frontiers with China and Pakistan.
• Force Modernization: Meets the Indian Army’s requirement for ICVs with integrated ATGM capabilities.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat Push: The proposed model includes initial direct imports followed by large-scale license production in India, potentially by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).

Defence Diplomacy and Industrial Cooperation:

• The deal is being advanced under the India-U.S. Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, focusing on co-development and co-production.
• In November 2023, Indian Defence Secretary confirmed discussions under this framework.
• The U.S. has reiterated the importance of India enhancing procurement of U.S.-made defence equipment, aiming at a balanced trade partnership.
• The Stryker deal is expected to feature in high-level bilateral dialogues, including the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington DC and during engagements at Aero India.

Challenges and Reservations:

• Some Indian defence officials have flagged concerns, noting that similar ICVs have been developed by Indian private companies.
• Delays in previous U.S. defence exports (e.g., F-404 jet engines for LCA-Mk1A) have also raised caution regarding timelines and reliability.