In News:

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Imphal, Manipur, inaugurating and laying the foundation for multiple development projects aimed at improving infrastructure, governance, and socio-economic opportunities in the state.

The visit comes in the backdrop of ethnic tensions that erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei community in the Imphal valley and the Kuki-Zo tribes in the surrounding hills, which claimed over 250 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people.

Key Development Initiatives

• Infrastructure and Connectivity:
  • Manipur Urban Roads Project: Investment of over ?3,600 crore to enhance urban road connectivity in Imphal.
  • Jiribam–Imphal Railway Line: A ?22,000 crore project to connect Imphal to India’s national rail network.
  • Imphal Airport Expansion: ?400 crore investment and inauguration of helicopter services to boost air connectivity.
  • Civil Secretariat (?538 crore) and Police Headquarters (?101 crore) inaugurated to improve governance and law enforcement.
• Digital and IT Initiatives:Manipur Infotech Development Project aims to strengthen the state’s IT and startup ecosystem, creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Women Empowerment:
  • Four new Ima Markets (women-only markets) inaugurated, reinforcing the state’s tradition of women-led commerce.
  • Construction of working women’s hostels at nine locations to support education and employment for women.
• Sports and Culture:
  • Support for the National Sports University and Khelo India initiatives.
  • Promotion of polo via the Marjing Polo Complex, featuring the world’s tallest polo statue.

Ethnic Conflict and Unresolved Issues

The conflict stems from the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, opposed by Kuki-Zo groups. ST recognition would grant Meiteisconstitutional safeguards, including reservations in jobs, education, and political representation, and land rights in hill areas. Key unresolved issues include:

• Rehabilitation of Displaced Families: Over 280 relief camps sheltering around 57,000 people, some displaced for more than two years.
• Restrictions on Movement: Militarized buffer zones between valley and hill districts continue to limit free movement and access to services.
• Border Concerns: Porous border with Myanmar raises issues of cross-border migration, leading to the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime.
• Political Vacuum: The resignation of the Chief Minister and imposition of President’s Rule have created governance challenges.
• Dialogue Deficit: Despite reduced violence since late 2024, there is no sustained dialogue between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

Demand for Separate Administration

The Kuki-Zo Council seeks administrative separation of hill areas as a Union Territory under Article 239A of the Constitution, while Meitei organizations like COCOMI oppose this, citing threats to territorial integrity.

Way Ahead

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to strengthen dialogue between the hill and valley districts to foster social harmony. Sustainable peace in Manipur requires:

• Inclusive dialogue and neutral mediation between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
• Rehabilitation of displaced families with dignity and livelihood support.
• Balanced border management to address cross-border migration while respecting tribal ties.
• Strengthening local governance and administrative institutions to restore trust.

Strategic Significance

Infrastructure, IT, and women-centric initiatives are not only essential for socio-economic development but also align with the Act East Policy, facilitating regional integration and economic collaboration with Southeast Asia. Ensuring peace and development in Manipur is critical for maintaining national unity, regional stability, and long-term social cohesion.

In News:

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently announced partial relaxations for schools regarding the submission of Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) IDs linked to the List of Candidates (LOC) for Classes 10 and 12 board examinations. The move comes in response to multiple representations from schools highlighting technical and administrative challenges.

About APAAR

APAAR, launched under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aligned with the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCrF), aims to assign every student in India a unique 12-digit lifelong academic identity. Key objectives include:

• Consolidation of all academic achievements, such as marksheets, certificates, and co-curricular accomplishments, in a single digital record.
• Facilitating credit transfers, mobility between institutions, and recognition of prior learning.
• Enhancing flexibility in education and supporting seamless integration with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).

Integration with Academic Bank of Credits

The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), conceptualized under NEP 2020, serves as a digital repository of students’ academic records, enabling storage, transfer, and redemption of credits across recognized institutions. Integrated with APAAR, it allows students to move between schools and higher education institutions without repeatedly submitting physical certificates, thus promoting educational mobility and continuity.

Challenges in APAAR Implementation

Since its rollout, schools have reported several hurdles in generating APAAR IDs:

• Technical integration issues between school portals and the APAAR system.
• Mismatches between school records and Aadhaar-linked student data.
• Time delays due to correction or updating processes.
• Lack of parental consent, often arising from privacy concerns.

CBSE’s Guidelines and Partial Relaxations

To address these challenges, CBSE has provided the following instructions for schools while submitting LOCs:

• Parental Consent Denial: If APAAR IDs cannot be generated due to refusal of parental consent, schools must retain a copy of the consent refusal and mark the entry in the LOC as “REFUSED”.
• Technical or Other Issues: For IDs that cannot be generated due to technical or administrative reasons, schools should mark the LOC entry as “NOGEN”.
• All Other Cases: Wherever feasible, APAAR IDs should be indicated in the LOC.

CBSE has also activated an online module for Children With Special Needs (CWSN), enabling schools to apply for various examination-related exemptions. Examination forms for private candidates of Classes 10 and 12 have been consolidated along with the LOC submission schedule to ensure clarity and timely compliance.

Support Measures

CBSE has emphasized that these relaxations are intended to ensure smooth and error-free LOC submission within the stipulated timelines. Schools facing further difficulties are advised to reach out to their respective regional CBSE offices for assistance.

Significance

The APAAR initiative represents a key step toward a digital, lifelong academic identity for Indian students, enhancing transparency, mobility, and integration with the Academic Bank of Credits. CBSE’s temporary relaxations reflect a pragmatic approach to smooth implementation while addressing operational challenges faced by schools.

In News:

• India has reaffirmed its principled support for the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by voting in favour of the United Nations General Assembly resolution endorsing the ‘New York Declaration’.
• The resolution, introduced by France, was adopted with 142 votes in favour, 10 against, and 12 abstentions. Countries opposing the resolution included the United States, Israel, Argentina, and Hungary.
• The declaration seeks collective international action to end hostilities in Gaza and to establish a just, lasting settlement through the effective implementation of the two-state solution. It explicitly calls on Israeli leadership to publicly commit to a sovereign and viable Palestinian state.

India’s Historical Stand on Palestine

India has consistently maintained a supportive stance toward Palestine. It was the first non-Arab country to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1974 and formally recognized the State of Palestine in 1988. Over the years, India has voted in favour of multiple Palestinian resolutions at the UN, underlining its long-standing commitment to Palestinian statehood and sovereignty.

India’s support encompasses:

• Two-State Solution: Advocating peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine within secure, internationally recognized borders.
• East Jerusalem: Supporting its recognition as the capital of Palestine in line with UN resolutions.
• International Engagement: Supporting Palestine’s participation in global forums, including UNESCO and the UNGA observer state status (2012).
• Development Cooperation: Providing assistance worth approximately US$ 141 million for Palestinian projects, including contributions through the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Fund, which financed projects worth US$ 5 million.

India–Israel Relations and Strategic Balance

While maintaining historical support for Palestine, India has also nurtured a robust strategic partnership with Israel in defence, agriculture, innovation, and technology over the past three decades. This dual approach reflects India’s commitment to principled support for Palestine alongside a pragmatic partnership with Israel, balancing regional interests and global diplomacy.

India’s Advocacy at the UN

At multilateral forums, India has consistently emphasized:

• Rejection of violence and terrorism from both parties.
• Humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza.
• Diplomatic, peaceful resolution through dialogue and international cooperation.

High-level visits further reinforce India’s engagement: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Palestine in 2018, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister, while former President Pranab Mukherjee visited in 2015.

Conclusion

India’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict exemplifies a realist yet principled foreign policy. It underscores:

• Commitment to international law and the two-state solution.
• Balancing historical support for Palestine with deepening strategic relations with Israel.
• Advocating humanitarian aid, dialogue, and peaceful settlement as the cornerstone for regional stability.

India’s vote in favour of the UN resolution reaffirms its role as a responsible global actor promoting peace, justice, and sustainable development in West Asia.

In News:

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) recently repelled both a Chinese coast guard ship and a Chinese fishing boat near the Dongsha Islands (Pratas Islands), highlighting escalating tensions in the South China Sea and the strategic significance of the region.

Key Highlights:

These confrontations coincided with China’s announcement of a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, a territory also claimed by Taiwan and the Philippines. While Beijing described it as a conservation initiative, analysts view it as part of China’s broader strategy to assert control over disputed areas.

Taiwan condemned the repeated incursions, labeling them “grey zone tactics”—persistent, low-intensity actions aimed at exerting pressure without provoking direct military conflict. The CGA reaffirmed its commitment to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty, pledging ongoing patrols and surveillance in the Dongsha region.

About the Dongsha Islands:

• Located in the northern South China Sea, ~445 km southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and 320 km southeast of Hong Kong.
• Governed by Taiwan and staffed by marines, with no permanent civilian residents.
• Comprised of three formations: Dongsha Island (above sea level) and Northern and Southern Vereker atolls (below sea level).
• Circular coral atoll structure: reef flats span 24 km in diameter, enclosing a 16 km lagoon; Dongsha Island itself is ~1.6 km long and 0.8 km wide.

The incidents underscore the fragile security balance in the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims, strategic maritime routes, and China’s assertive posture pose ongoing regional challenges. Taiwan’s proactive coastal defense measures reflect its determination to safeguard administered territories.

In News:

The Indian Army's Exercise SiyomPrahar, represents a significant step in modernizing the Army’s operational capabilities. This field training exercise focused on validating the integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into tactical operations, with a strong emphasis on surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strikes. Below are the key highlights and insights from the exercise:

Key Objectives:

• Integration of Drone Technology: The core goal was to test how drone systems can be employed for persistent surveillance, battlefield reconnaissance, and precision strikes, thus enhancing overall combat effectiveness.
• Development of New TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures): A key focus was on refining how drone-derived intelligence could be fused with conventional firepower, ensuring rapid decision-making in dynamic and evolving combat scenarios.
• Joint Targeting and Decision-making: The exercise aimed at refining joint targeting processes, highlighting the importance of real-time intelligence to improve targeting accuracy and decision-making speed in the heat of battle.

Key Features of the Exercise:

1. Realistic Battlefield Conditions: The exercise was conducted under simulated real-world combat conditions, providing a comprehensive test of UAS capabilities in diverse operational environments.
2. Synergy Between Traditional Combat and Emerging Technologies:Exercise SiyomPrahar underscored the importance of blending traditional combat arms with cutting-edge technologies, such as drones, to create a more adaptive and efficient military force.
3. Operational Preparedness: The exercise was a significant step toward enhancing the Indian Army’s operational preparedness for future combat scenarios, integrating modern technology to ensure readiness for future battlefields.

Strategic Importance and Key Insights:

• Adaptability and Synergy: The exercise highlighted how the Army is integrating modern warfare tactics with traditional methods to create a more effective, adaptable force that can operate in dynamic and complex environments.
• Real-Time Data Utilization: By using drones to gather real-time intelligence, the Indian Army is significantly improving targeting accuracy, enabling faster, more informed decisions in combat situations.
• Reduced Soldier Risk: The deployment of drones for reconnaissance and strikes minimizes the exposure of ground troops to potential dangers, enhancing both tactical effectiveness and safety on the battlefield.
• Joint Operational Capabilities: Exercise SiyomPrahar demonstrated how drones can be integrated into joint operational structures, improving communication and coordination between various arms of the military.

Broader Implications for Future Warfare:

• Technological Innovation in Combat: The successful integration of drone technology in this exercise indicates a shift towards technology-driven warfare, where drones play a critical role in intelligence gathering, battlefield awareness, and precision targeting.
• India’s Commitment to Modernization: The exercise is a testament to India’s proactive approach to adapting to the changing nature of warfare, ensuring that its forces remain future-ready and capable of responding effectively to emerging security challenges.