3rd to 22nd March 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

 1. The student and the three language debate

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

• Context: The recent Tamil Nadu-Centre tussle revolves around NEP’s three-language formula, with Tamil Nadu opposing mandatory Hindi education in state schools.

Students at the Center of the Debate

• The most affected group in the three-language policy debate is public school students, who make up about 55% of total school enrollment in Tamil Nadu.
• Unlike students in private schools who can afford coaching classes, public school students rely only on school education.
• The key question is whether learning three languages instead of two will help them compete better in the job market.

Challenges in Implementing the Three-Language Formula

• The National Education Policy (NEP) has many positive aspects but does not fully consider ground realities in public education.
• The three-language requirement is problematic because it assumes that learning an additional language improves cognitive skills and job opportunities.
• Technology, including Artificial Intelligence, is making language proficiency less critical for acquiring knowledge.
• While language skills are linked to cognitive development, research suggests that a strong foundation in the mother tongue is more beneficial before learning additional languages.

Reality of Language Learning

• A third language can help in communication, but most adults learn new languages based on professional needs.
• People from Tamil Nadu working in different states easily learn Hindi, Marathi, or other languages without formal schooling.
• The 2024 ASER survey shows that 88% of third-grade students in Tamil Nadu lack basic literacy skills.
• Even high-scoring students from English-medium public schools struggle in college because their English instruction at school is weak.

Focus on Quality Education Instead of Additional Languages

• The priority should be improving teaching quality and learning outcomes instead of adding another language.
• Schools have limited time to teach subjects, and education should focus more on curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.
• A third language may take time away from deeper learning in essential subjects.
• Finding qualified teachers for a third language is another challenge, especially if students choose different languages.

Culture, National Unity, and Employment Opportunities

• Language plays a role in cultural values, but national unity can be promoted through respect for different cultures rather than enforcing a common language.
• Students from Tamil Nadu have successfully competed at the national level for decades, as long as English remains an official language in government services and higher education.
• Strengthening English language skills would help students access better global opportunities.

A Practical Approach

• Instead of making a third language mandatory, Hindi could be offered as an optional subject from middle school onwards.
• This could start in district headquarters and expand based on demand.
• A rigid political stance may limit students’ opportunities in the future, so a balanced approach is necessary.
• The issue should be addressed through discussions rather than conflicts that could negatively affect students’ futures. 

Practice Question: Critically analyze the impact of the three-language formula on public education in India. Discuss its implications for cognitive development, employment, and national integration. (250 Words /15 marks)

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2. Centring care in India’s economic policy

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable sections

• Context: The Union Budget 2025 allocated a record amount to the Gender Budget, but this increase was driven by welfare schemes rather than investments in care infrastructure.
• Despite the Economic Survey highlighting the importance of care work, the Budget fails to adequately address unpaid care burdens, limiting women’s workforce participation.

Increased Gender Budget Allocation

• The Union Budget 2025 allocated ₹4,49,028.68 crore to the Gender Budget (GB), marking a 37.3% increase from FY24.
• It accounts for 8.86% of the total Budget.
• However, this increase is largely due to the inclusion of PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (24% of GB), not because of substantial investments in care infrastructure.
• Despite recognition in Economic Surveys 2023-24 and 2024-25, the Budget lacks investments in strengthening India’s care economy.
• The Burden of Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) on WomenGlobally, women spend 17.8% of their time on unpaid care work, with higher burdens in the Global South.
• In India, women shoulder 40% more UCDW compared to South African and Chinese women.
• Due to care responsibilities, 53% of Indian women remain outside the labour force, compared to just 1.1% of men.
• Poor women face extreme time poverty, working 17–19 hours daily, balancing paid work and domestic duties.

Additional Burdens in the Global South

• Unpaid work in the Global South includes water collection, fuel gathering, farm work, and household chores.
• Due to poor infrastructure, women spend up to 73% of their time on these activities.
• Women spend five hours daily collecting water, compared to 1.5 hours for men.
• Climate change worsens this burden, with water-related unpaid labour in India projected to reach $1.4 billion by 2050.

Proposed Solutions for Reducing the Care Burden

1. Recognising Unpaid Work

• The 2019 Time Use Survey showed women spend seven hours daily on unpaid work.
• Time-use modules can be added to existing household surveys to improve policy-making.

1. Reducing the Burden

• Investment in time-saving technologies and affordable care infrastructure is essential.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), extended until 2028, aims for 100% potable water coverage.
• However, funding delays and underutilisation slow its progress.
• Expanding childcare centres, eldercare services, and assistive technologies would help women participate in the workforce.

1. Redistributing Care Work

• Shifting responsibilities from homes to the State and within households is crucial.
• The ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund can finance urban redevelopment, water, and sanitation projects.
• India can scale up care infrastructure models through initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission.
• Inspired by Bogotá’s Care Blocks, care services can be centralised to reduce women’s unpaid work.

1. Representation in Decision-Making

• Women’s participation in policy-making leads to better and more effective outcomes.
• Exclusion from decision-making results in policies that ignore their real-life struggles.

Conclusion

• Nari Shakti is a key driver of economic growth, but the Budget fails to prioritise care work.
• A well-funded, targeted strategy is necessary to make care work a core part of inclusive development. 

PYQ: Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata. Substantiate your view. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2018)

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of public investment in care infrastructure for gender equity and economic growth in India. (150 Words /10 marks)

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3. Entrenched patriarchal biases must be erased from society, government

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice

• Context: The Supreme Court’s recent judgment highlights the need for gender-sensitive workplace policies, especially regarding maternity rights and workplace discrimination.
• Ensuring women’s representation in decision-making roles is crucial for addressing systemic biases and promoting workplace equality.

Need for a Supportive Work Environment

• Institutions must go beyond celebrating increased participation of women in the workforce and create an inclusive and supportive environment.
• The judiciary, like other institutions, must recognize and address the challenges women face in the workplace.

Supreme Court’s Recent Judgment

• The Supreme Court reinstated two women judicial officers who were dismissed for inefficiency, despite one suffering a miscarriage.
• The Court termed the dismissals as arbitrary and illegal, emphasizing the need for sensitive workplace policies.
• The judgment highlights the existing gender bias and the need for reforms to ensure fair treatment of women professionals.

Importance of Women’s Representation

• More women in the judiciary and government sectors can lead to better policies that address gender-specific concerns.
• Ensuring equal protection of laws during pregnancy and maternity is a fundamental right for working women.
• The psychological and physical impact of pregnancy and miscarriage must be acknowledged in workplace policies.

Addressing Deep-Rooted Patriarchy

• The intervention of the judiciary in basic issues like maternal rights shows the need for a mindset shift.
• Patriarchal systems must be reformed to create an equal and fair society.
• Women must have greater roles in decision-making to ensure their concerns are addressed in policymaking.

Steps for a Gender-Inclusive Future

• Equal access to education for girls is crucial for long-term gender equality.
• Women must be assured of a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental right. 

PYQ: Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. Comment. (200 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2013)

Practice Question: What are the key challenges faced by women in the workplace, and how can legal and institutional reforms address these issues? (150 Words /10 marks)

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4. Australia, the partner for India’s growth trajectory 

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations

• ContextAustralia is strengthening economic ties with India through a new roadmap.
• The roadmap focuses on trade, investment, energy, education, and diaspora collaboration.

Australia’s Strong Belief in India’s Growth

• Australia sees India as a rising economic power and expects it to become the third-largest economy by 2030.
• It supports India’s demand for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
• Australia believes it is a natural partner for India’s growth due to complementary economies and strong strategic ties.

The New Roadmap for Economic Engagement

• A new plan has been launched to strengthen economic ties between India and Australia.
• The roadmap outlines how Australia can contribute to and benefit from India’s economic expansion.
• It builds on the success of the 2018 economic strategy and reflects significant changes in global trade.

Impact of the Free Trade Agreement

• The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has helped trade between India and Australia grow significantly.
• India’s exports to the world increased by 35% in five years, while exports to Australia grew by 66%, showing a strong trade relationship.

Australia’s Contribution to India’s Growth

• Australia supplies India with energy, critical minerals, and resources necessary for its economic and industrial growth.
• It also supports India’s skill development initiatives to train millions of professionals every year.

Key Sectors for Future Collaboration

• The roadmap focuses on four major sectors called “Superhighways of Growth”:
• Clean energy to support India’s transition to sustainable power.
• Education and skills to enhance workforce capabilities.
• Agribusiness to improve food security and trade.
• Tourism to boost people-to-people ties.
• Seven other major economic areas for cooperation include:
• Investment, technology, sports, culture, resources, defense, space, and health.

Support for India’s Manufacturing and Skills Development

• Australia provides essential minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt to support India’s electric vehicle industry.
• Australian universities are opening campuses in India to provide high-quality education and training.

The Role of the Indian Diaspora

• Over one million people of Indian origin live in Australia, playing a key role in business and community development.
• The diaspora strengthens India-Australia ties by fostering mutual understanding and trade opportunities.
• Additional investments are being made in programs to enhance cultural and business exchanges.

Strengthening the Economic Partnership

• The roadmap encourages Australian businesses to explore new opportunities in India.
• The next step is to finalize the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to deepen trade and investment.
• With the roadmap in place, the future of India-Australia economic relations looks promising. 

PYQ: ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)’ is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2020)

Practice Question: How does the India-Australia Economic Roadmap enhance bilateral trade and strategic cooperation? Examine its role in supporting India’s growth ambitions.(150 Words /10 marks)

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5. India’s burden of rising obesity, the hefty cost to pay

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

• ContextOverweight and obesity have become a significant public health challenge in India, with rising prevalence across all demographics.
• The issue requires urgent policy interventions to address lifestyle changes, unhealthy diets, and inadequate public awareness.

Growing Burden of Obesity

• Over the last two decades, India has seen a major shift in health trends, with obesity emerging as a serious challenge.
• According to NFHS-5 (2019-21), one in four men and women in India is obese.
• The prevalence of overweight and obesity varies from 8% to 50% across different states and regions.
• India has one of the highest annual increases in childhood obesity, as per the World Obesity Federation.
• A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (2023) estimates that:
• 35 crore adults have abdominal obesity.
• 25 crore adults suffer from general obesity.
• 21 crore adults have high blood cholesterol.
• Why This Issue Needs Urgent AttentionObesity is often seen as a personal issue, and society tends to normalize it.India has transitioned from being calorie-deficient to calorie-sufficient, yet 78 crore people cannot afford a healthy diet.Around 40% of the population lacks adequate nutrients in their diet.
• Increased consumption of high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods and ultra-processed foods (UPF) has worsened the situation.Rapid urbanization has led to a sedentary lifestyle, with 50% of Indians failing to meet recommended physical activity levels, according to WHO.The “thin fat Indian” hypothesis states that even people with normal BMI may have excess body fat, increasing health risks.
• Obesity is a major cause of diabetes, hypertension, and liver disorders, affecting millions in India.
• The global economic cost of obesity for India in 2019 was $28.95 billion, or 1.02% of GDP, and is expected to rise to 1.57% of GDP by 2030.
• The Economic Survey 2024-25 recognizes obesity as an emerging health crisis and suggests higher taxes on UPF.

Policy and Programmatic Solutions

1. Public Awareness and Dialogue

• Obesity should be recognized as a disease that requires prevention and management.
• Public campaigns should educate people on its health risks.

1. Promoting Physical Activity

• Better urban planning with bicycle lanes, open gyms, and public parks is necessary.

1. Regulating Unhealthy Food Consumption

• HFSS and UPF products should be taxed higher, while healthy foods like fruits and vegetables should receive subsidies.
• Ethical food marketing practices should be encouraged.

1. Routine Health Monitoring

• Weight, height, and waist measurements should be a part of all medical check-ups.
• Ideal weight guidelines should be widely shared with the public.

1. Use of Anti-Obesity Medicines

• Clinical guidelines should be established to ensure proper use of weight-management medicines.

1. Workplace Initiatives

• Offices should provide weighing scales and conduct awareness programs on maintaining a healthy weight.

1. Healthy Eating in Schools and Colleges

• Schools should include education on nutrition and provide healthy meals in canteens.
• Best practices from countries with successful school nutrition programs should be studied and implemented.

1. Coordinated Government Action

• Multiple ministries, including health, finance, education, and urban development, should work together to combat obesity.
• A restructured nutrition program, “Suposhan Abhiyan,” should focus on mindful eating and proper nutrition.

1. Research and Data Collection

• More epidemiological studies are needed to understand obesity trends in India.
• Medical professionals should be trained to address obesity as a health issue.

1. Making Healthy Food Affordable

• Healthy food should be made more affordable than junk food.
• Online food delivery platforms should promote healthier meal options.
• Corporate social responsibility funds should be used to promote good eating habits.

Conclusion

• Obesity is a major public health crisis that requires urgent and coordinated action.
• A comprehensive, multi-pronged approach is necessary to promote a healthier India.
• Addressing obesity will not only improve public health but also support economic growth and national development. 

Practice Question: Discuss the rising burden of overweight and obesity in India and suggest a multipronged approach to tackle this growing public health challenge. (250 Words /15 marks)

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6. The way to protect orans

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable Sections

• Context: In December 2024, the Supreme Court acknowledged the socio-ecological and cultural significance of orans (sacred forests) for local communities in Rajasthan.

Supreme Court’s Recognition of Orans

• It issued protectionist orders to conserve orans by formalizing their governance under biodiversity-related laws.
• The aim is to involve local communities in the protection of orans while ensuring their conservation through legal frameworks.
• Orans and Their ImportanceOrans are sacred groves that have been preserved by communities since ancient times.Each oran is associated with a local deity, and it is a common belief that cutting trees using an axe can result in divine retribution.
• Orans enhance local biodiversity and support traditional water sources.
• By trapping surface runoff, orans help in recharging groundwater levels, improving water availability in villages.
• In some Rajasthan villages, informal community institutions manage orans as part of watershed management practices.

Challenges with Formalization

Declaration as Forests Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

• The Court declared orans as ‘forests’ under the Act, granting them legal protection.
• However, the Act contains exemptions that allow the diversion of forest land for purposes like zoos, safaris, and ecotourism.
• Such exemptions may open orans to commercial use, contradicting conservation efforts and community traditions.
• Many local communities have expressed concerns that this formalization could limit their access to orans.

Designation as Community Reserves Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• The Court suggested designating orans as ‘community reserves,’ which would create a management committee with local and state representation.
• However, this committee is primarily responsible for administrative tasks and does not have decision-making power.
• The ultimate control over the reserves would remain with the state, reducing the authority of informal community institutions.

Common Forest Land Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006

• Another suggestion was to classify orans as ‘common forest land’ under this Act.
• Rights under this Act can only be granted if communities or individuals meet specific eligibility criteria.
• Some informal community institutions that manage orans may not qualify, potentially excluding them from legal protections.

A More Effective Approach

• The Supreme Court recommended that the Environment Ministry develop a comprehensive policy for oran governance.
• Different states currently manage orans through various formal and informal methods, highlighting the need for a unified approach.
• Instead of imposing legal formalization, successful community-led governance models should be identified, supported, and replicated.
• Policies should empower local communities to lead oran conservation efforts, with assistance from the state and civil society.
• Any governance framework must be developed in consultation with local communities to preserve traditional practices while ensuring ecological protection. 

Practice Question: How can the formalization of orans under existing forest and wildlife laws impact traditional community-led conservation efforts? Suggest a balanced approach to their governance. (150 Words /10 marks)

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7. Over-centralisation threatens federal health policy

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS2 – Social Justice – Health

• ContextThe Supreme Court has ruled that domicile-based reservations in post-graduate medical admissions violate the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.
• What is the supreme court ruling?The Supreme Court, in the Dr. Tanvi Behl vs Shrey Goyal (2025) case, ruled that domicile-based reservations in post-graduate medical admissions violate Article 14 of the Constitution, emphasizing meritocracy over State-specific quotas.
• The decision removes States’ ability to reserve seats for local candidates, impacting their efforts to retain specialists in public healthcare.
• This ruling strengthens central control over medical admissions but may discourage State investment in government medical colleges, potentially widening regional healthcare disparities.

Role of Domicile Quotas in State Healthcare Planning

• Domicile-based reservations help States retain doctors who are familiar with the local healthcare system, ensuring a steady supply of specialists.
• States spend a large amount of money on medical education with the expectation that these graduates will serve the local population.
• Unlike undergraduate courses that provide basic medical training, post-graduate programs are essential for creating specialists in various medical fields.
• The Court’s reliance on past legal cases does not recognize the difference between undergraduate and post-graduate medical education.
• Without domicile quotas, States will have to rely on hiring doctors from outside, which is often unpredictable and inefficient.

Effect on State Investment in Medical Education

• If States cannot ensure that their trained doctors will stay and serve locally, they may reduce their investment in medical colleges.
• Competitive federalism encourages States to improve their medical institutions, but this decision might weaken that motivation.
• Without domicile reservations, funding for medical colleges could decrease, leading to poor infrastructure and widening healthcare gaps.

Medical Education and Public Health Connection

• The right to life under Article 21 includes access to quality healthcare, which is closely linked to medical education.
• State medical colleges play a major role in public health, not just in education but also in providing healthcare services.
• States need the power to decide admission policies to ensure that healthcare needs are met.
• Too much central control over medical education can prevent States from effectively planning their healthcare systems.

Problems with a Strict Merit-Based System

• The ruling assumes a rigid merit-based system but does not address flaws in medical entrance exams.
• NEET-PG has structural issues, including cases where candidates with negative marks qualify due to percentile-based cutoffs.
• In 2023, qualifying percentiles for NEET-PG were reduced to zero to fill vacant seats, showing inconsistencies in assessing merit.
• Previous legal decisions have recognized that merit should consider social and regional factors, not just exam scores.
• Domicile-based reservations help provide healthcare to underserved areas by ensuring specialists remain in their home States.

Need for a More Balanced Approach

• The Court’s decision is based on older legal cases that do not reflect today’s urgent need for specialists, especially with rising diseases and past health crises.
• Instead of removing domicile quotas completely, a better approach would be to link these reservations with service obligations.
• Some States have already implemented policies where medical graduates must serve in public hospitals in exchange for reserved seats.
• This ruling increases central control over medical admissions, which may lead to reduced State investment and wider regional disparities.
• Over-centralization of medical education policies may harm the federal structure of healthcare.
• A strong and sustainable healthcare system needs policies that balance merit, State autonomy, and public health needs. 

Practice Question: How does the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dr. Tanvi Behl vs Shrey Goyal (2025) on domicile-based reservations in post-graduate medical admissions affect State healthcare planning? Discuss its impact on medical education and competitive federalism. (250 Words /15 marks)

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8. Who will apologise to the ‘Himalayans’?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation

• ContextNorway formally apologized for its past assimilation policies targeting indigenous groups, acknowledging cultural suppression and proposing corrective measures.
• Similar challenges persist in the Himalayan region, where indigenous communities face resource exploitation and cultural erosion.

Norway’s Apology for Indigenous Assimilation Policies

• Norway’s Parliament has issued a formal apology for past policies that aimed to assimilate indigenous groups such as the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn peoples.
• These policies, called Norwegianisation, were implemented between the 1850s and 1960s to suppress native languages and cultures.
• The government has proposed measures to address ongoing discrimination, including protecting indigenous languages and monitoring inclusion efforts from 2027.
• Despite these efforts, challenges remain, such as endangered Sami languages and inequalities in healthcare, education, and land rights.

Parallels Between Nordic and Himalayan Communities

• Similar to Nordic regions, the Himalayan region also faces environmental challenges and historical exploitation of resources.
• The Himalayan region spans 2,500 km from Afghanistan to northeast India, containing the world’s largest ice reserves after the poles.
• This region is home to 52 million people from various ethnic groups, including those in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• Many of these communities have experienced assimilation pressures through colonial rule, post-independence policies, and modern economic changes.

Impact of Colonial Rule on Himalayan Communities

• British colonial policies disrupted Himalayan trade and local economies.
• In the northeast, trade blockades and forced agreements affected goods like tea, gold, silk, and opium.
• In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, forests were exploited for timber to build railway tracks, leading to large-scale deforestation.
• Between 1853 and 1910, over 80,000 km of railway tracks were laid, destroying vast forested areas in Garhwal and Kumaon.

Post-Independence Policies and Economic Changes

• In the early years after independence, policies aimed to respect tribal ways of life.
• However, by the 5th and 6th Five-Year Plans, resource exploitation intensified, disrupting local ecosystems and cultures.
• In the 1990s, economic changes forced Himalayan states to generate revenue, leading to reliance on tourism and hydropower.

Challenges of Hydropower Projects

• Hydropower projects were promoted as a way to generate state revenue and reduce financial dependence.
• Arunachal Pradesh was expected to meet 40% of India’s power demand after completing major hydropower projects.
• However, these projects often ignored local laws and customary land ownership, leading to displacement and cultural erosion.
• The involvement of bureaucrats, politicians, and corporations in large-scale land acquisitions led to environmental damage and loss of traditional practices.

Need for Recognition and Justice

• Norway’s apology for past injustices highlights the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs and committing to reconciliation.
• The Himalayan region has also faced resource exploitation and cultural erosion, but there has been no formal recognition of these issues.
• Sustainable and inclusive development is necessary to protect the cultural identity and environment of Himalayan communities.
• The question remains whether similar accountability and justice will be extended to the affected communities in the Himalayas. 

Practice Question: How have assimilation policies impacted indigenous communities globally? Compare Norway’s approach to reconciliation with the challenges faced by indigenous groups in the Himalayan region. (150 Words /10 marks)

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9. Beyond ‘Beijing’, unlocking a feminist future in India

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice

• ContextThe Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995, is a global framework for advancing women’s rights.
• India has improved gender equality through policies, economic growth, and legal reforms while tackling gender violence.

Background of the Beijing Declaration

• The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995, is a global blueprint for advancing women’s rights.
• The conference brought together leaders and delegates from 189 countries, including over 200 representatives from India.
• Over the past three decades, India has made significant progress in many of these areas.
• Beijing Declaration and Platform for ActionAdopted: At the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China (1995).
• Purpose: Aimed at achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide.
• Key Focus Areas: Identifies 12 critical areas, including poverty, education, health, violence against women, economic rights, decision-making, human rights, and media representation.
• Global Commitments: Calls for policy reforms, legal changes, and increased resource allocation for women’s rights.
• Impact: Influenced global gender policies, including SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
• Follow-up Mechanism: Reviewed at Beijing+5 (2000), Beijing+10 (2005), Beijing+25 (2020) to assess progress.
• Legacy: Considered a blueprint for gender equality, shaping national policies and international frameworks for women’s rights.

Improvements in Maternal Health and Education

• Initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana have increased institutional deliveries to 95%.
• Maternal mortality has decreased from 130 to 97 deaths per 1,00,000 births between 2014 and 2020.
• More than 56.5% of married women now use modern contraceptives, giving them greater control over their reproductive health.
• The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has provided millions of women with free access to critical healthcare.
• The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative has improved the child sex ratio and increased school enrollments for girls.
• The National Education Policy 2020 has helped retain more girls in school, particularly in STEM fields.
• Improved sanitation has reduced menstruation-related school absences.

Economic Empowerment and Digital Inclusion

• The National Rural and Urban Livelihood Missions have connected nearly 100 million women to financial networks via self-help groups.
• The use of digital platforms, particularly through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has increased financial independence for women.
• The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission has provided access to credit, financial literacy, and livelihood opportunities to over 100 million rural women.
• The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan has trained over 35 million rural women in digital literacy.
• Gender-responsive budgeting has increased its share in the national budget from 6.8% in 2024-25 to 8.8% in 2025-26, with $55.2 billion allocated to gender-specific programs.

Challenges of Gender-Based Violence

• Gender-based violence remains a serious concern.
• To address this, 770 One Stop Centres provide essential support such as medical, legal, and psychological aid.
• The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, implemented in July 2024, strengthens legal protections for women.
• A blockchain-based system in Odisha ensures swift, confidential, and coordinated support for survivors.
• Partnerships with institutions like the Rajasthan Police Academy have enhanced gender-responsive policing and improved access to justice.

Women’s Leadership and Policy Changes

• Young women are leading change in areas such as climate action and digital entrepreneurship.
• Initiatives like the Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) project promote women’s participation in STEM.
• The G20 TechEquity platform has trained thousands of young women in emerging technologies.
• The Women’s Reservation Bill ensures 33% legislative representation for women, building on the success of local governance, where close to 1.5 million women hold leadership positions.

Conclusion

• The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration highlights that gender equality is a global responsibility.
• India’s progress has been driven by strong government policies and support from local and international partners.
• Continued investments in young women’s leadership and addressing systemic challenges will be crucial for further progress.

PYQ: “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu? (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2021)

Practice Question: India’s progress on gender equality reflects strong policy efforts, yet challenges remain. Discuss the key achievements and persisting issues in women’s empowerment in India. (250 Words /15 marks)

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10. Is Artificial Intelligence affecting critical thinking skills?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology

• ContextArtificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in education, raising concerns about its impact on critical thinking.

AI in College Classrooms

• AI tools are widely used in education globally, including by students and teachers.
• British universities have been advised to assess their evaluation methods as most students use AI tools.
• In India, over 61% of educators already integrate AI into their teaching.
• Despite concerns, AI cannot be completely banned as it is present in daily life and learning environments.
• The extent of AI usage should depend on the course type. For technical and coding courses, AI can assist students in evaluating and validating codes.

Need for Responsible AI Usage

• AI should be used ethically and responsibly in classrooms.
• Since government regulations are not yet in place, institutions should set their own AI policies.
• Policies should be clearly communicated to students at the beginning of the course.
• Teaching AI usage should focus on maintaining ethical standards and preventing misuse.

AI as a Critical Educational Infrastructure

• AI is expected to become a core part of educational institutions, businesses, and organizations.
• The Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights analytical thinking, AI-related skills, and adaptability as top future skills.
• Programming skills are now considered less critical than AI evaluation and analytical abilities.
• AI integration requires proper security measures to protect personal and institutional data.

Concerns About AI Integration

• Some governments are promoting AI in schools without proper audits of AI tools.
• AI tools may have built-in biases and issues with training data.
• There should be clear disclosure requirements and safety assessments before AI adoption in education.

Regulated AI Adoption Over Prohibition

• AI’s growing role makes regulation necessary instead of outright banning.
• Some countries hesitate to regulate AI to avoid slowing its development.
• Discussions on AI regulation should evolve alongside technological advancements.
• The European Union has taken significant steps toward AI regulation, while India is still developing policies.

Impact of AI on Critical Thinking

• There is concern that AI dependence may reduce students’ ability to think critically.
• While AI can assist in learning, educational institutions should balance practical skills with critical thinking development.
• Over-dependence on AI-generated responses can be an issue for students and educators.
• Responsible AI usage should be taught, emphasizing both its benefits and limitations. 

PYQ: Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2023)

Practice Question: Discuss the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in education. How can AI be regulated to balance technological advancement with critical thinking development? (250 Words /15 marks)

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11. Inclusion in public spaces — from fear to freedom

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable Sections

• ContextIndia ranks 128 out of 177 countries in the Women, Peace and Security Index 2023.
• Deep-rooted patriarchal norms contribute to violence against women, but change is possible.

Gendered Spatial Control

• Public spaces are essential for socio-economic and political engagement.
• Women’s presence in public spaces is an indicator of safety.
• Many women remain confined to private spaces due to societal norms.
• NFHS-4 data (2015–16):
• 54% of women could visit markets alone.
• 50% could access healthcare facilities independently.
• 48% could travel outside their community unaccompanied.
• PLFS (2023-24):
• Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is 35.6%.
• More than half of the female population remains outside the workforce.

Women’s Limited Engagement with Public Spaces

• Public spaces for working women are primarily transitional zones (used for commuting).
• Women rarely use public spaces for leisure or recreation.
• Their presence in public spaces is often purpose-driven and time-bound.
• True inclusivity means women can move freely without fear or urgency.

Safety Concerns in Public Spaces

• Violence against women occurs in both public and private spaces.
• Public spaces expose women to gender-based violence from multiple strangers.
• Women often prefer curated spaces like malls and cafes, where they feel safer.
• Everyday public spaces, such as footpaths, bus stations, and streets, remain unwelcoming.
• Street amusement for women is not normalized, unlike for men.

Challenges in Public Space Design

• Public spaces lack design elements that make women feel safe.
• Women avoid certain places due to discomfort and safety concerns.
• Society must recognize that public spaces offer freedom and should be equally accessible.
• Avoiding public spaces is not a solution; instead, women must reclaim them.

Policy-Level Changes for Safer Spaces

• Governments should redesign public spaces by:
• Improving street lighting.
• Ensuring safe and accessible public toilets.
• Installing street furniture (benches, seating areas).
• Creating recreational spaces for women.
• Strengthening laws and ensuring effective enforcement is crucial.
• Low conviction rates for gender-based violence allow offenders to repeat crimes.
• Women are often blamed for violence, shifting responsibility away from perpetrators.

Steps Towards an Inclusive Society

• Women must normalize their presence in public spaces beyond just necessity.
• Conversations about women’s right to access public spaces should be encouraged.
• Societal attitudes need to change to make public spaces welcoming for women.
• Small, everyday changes can lead to a safer and more inclusive environment.

Practice Question: Discuss the role of public spaces in promoting gender equality in India. What policy measures can be taken to make public spaces safer for women? (150 Words /10 marks)

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12. An equitable future for women in science, in India

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable Sections

• ContextWomen in STEM face systemic challenges, including societal biases, workplace discrimination, and limited opportunities.
• Addressing these issues through policy reforms and institutional support is crucial for gender equity and scientific progress.

Early Barriers in Education

• Many girls face challenges in accessing quality education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
• Societal norms often discourage them from pursuing careers in STEM fields.

Workplace and Cultural Challenges

• Even after overcoming educational hurdles, women in STEM face societal expectations to prioritize family over careers.
• Gender stereotypes impact hiring, promotions, and funding opportunities.
• Harassment and discrimination in academic and professional settings make it harder for women to continue in STEM careers.

Global and Indian Trends in STEM

• A study across 38 countries shows that women in STEM have higher attrition rates due to workplace discrimination, work-life balance struggles, and lack of access to high-impact research.
• Women face slower career growth, fewer opportunities for leadership roles, and weak professional networks.
• The transition from postdoctoral research to faculty positions is especially difficult due to family responsibilities, low confidence, and lack of female role models.

Importance of Retaining Women in STEM

• Diverse teams improve creativity and innovation in scientific research.
• Women role models in STEM inspire future generations to pursue scientific careers.
• Achieving gender equity in STEM strengthens scientific progress and societal development.

Historical Gender Bias in Science

• Gender inequity in science has existed for centuries, where women’s contributions have often been overshadowed.
• The issue persists today, with women dropping out of STEM careers due to biased teaching methods, lack of role models, and hostile work environments.
• A more recent analysis highlights how mentorship gaps, career disruptions, and hidden barriers in academia further impact women and marginalized groups.

Situation in India

• A survey across 98 Indian institutions (2020-21) found that women faculty members made up only 17% of the total.
• The proportion of women faculty was 23% in biology but only 8% in engineering.
• Women were even less represented in prestigious institutions and senior faculty positions.
• Women scientists were often underrepresented at conferences and overlooked in career-enhancing activities.

Proposed Solutions for Women’s Retention in STEM

1. Institutional Support
2. Flexible work options, affordable childcare, and work-family integration policies.
3. Public Recognition
4. Celebrating successful women in science to challenge stereotypes and encourage young girls.
5. Identifying and addressing gender biases in academia.
6. Career Stage-Specific Interventions
7. Removing age restrictions on research grants.
8. Strengthening mentorship programs.
9. Supporting career re-entry after family or personal breaks.
10. Increasing women’s representation in leadership and decision-making roles.

Government Initiatives in India

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched initiatives like Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) in 2020 to create an inclusive STEM environment.
• The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE-KIRAN) and Women Scientists Scheme (WOS) support women in STEM research.
• The Department of Biotechnology introduced the Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe) program to help women return to scientific research after career breaks.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research runs programs focused on women’s health and training for women scientists.

Conclusion

• Existing programs must be expanded to bring systemic changes that empower women scientists.
• Recognizing and valuing women’s contributions in STEM will drive India’s scientific progress.
• Full inclusion of women in STEM will strengthen innovation and set an example for gender equality in science worldwide.

Practice Question: What are the major barriers hindering women’s participation in STEM careers in India? Suggest policy interventions to promote gender inclusivity in scientific research. (250 Words /15 marks)

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13. The empowerment of India’s women with bold policies

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable Sections

• ContextIndia is advancing women’s empowerment through initiatives in sanitation, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and governance.
• These policies enhance women’s participation in economic and social development, fostering gender equity and national progress.

Sanitation and Clean Water Initiatives

• The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has transformed sanitation by constructing toilets, especially in rural areas, improving women’s dignity, safety, and well-being.
• Over 116 million households have benefited, reducing open defecation and ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment.
• A self-help group in Rourkela built community toilets for marginalized leprosy patients, enhancing menstrual hygiene and generating income through composting.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was launched to provide tap water connections to every household.
• Before JJM, only 17% of rural households had tap water, forcing women to spend hours fetching water.
• Now, over 150 million households have tap water, reducing this burden and increasing women’s participation in agriculture and allied sectors by 7.4%.
• Rural women’s workforce participation rose from 24.6% in 2017 to 41.5% in 2023, with JJM playing a crucial role.

Women-Led Businesses and Financial Inclusion

• Women entrepreneurs are becoming key drivers of India’s economy, supported by government initiatives.
• Over 73,000 startups with at least one female director have been recognized under Startup India.
• Financial support programs like Stand-Up India and Mudra Yojana have provided:
• ₹53,609 crore in loans to 236,000 entrepreneurs under Stand-Up India.
• ₹32.36 lakh crore in loans under Mudra Yojana, with 68% of loans going to women.
• Digital expansion through BharatNet and PM-WANI has brought high-speed internet to 199,000 villages and 2,14,000 gram panchayats, supporting women’s access to banking and e-commerce.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has enabled over 300 million women to open bank accounts, fostering financial independence.
• Women entrepreneurs are growing in government procurement, with 8% of sellers on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and ₹46,615 crore in contracts secured by over 100,000 Udyam-verified micro and small enterprises (MSEs).
• Digital platforms are helping small-scale women entrepreneurs expand their businesses beyond local markets.

Women in Governance

• 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies is transforming political representation.
• Women now make up 46% of elected representatives in panchayati raj institutions (PRIs), with 1.4 million women serving in rural governance.
• Women leaders are driving policies that improve healthcare, education, and public safety, making governance more inclusive.

Women in Various Sectors

• Women now make up 43% of STEM graduates, strengthening India’s technical workforce.
• Government policies are fostering progress in entrepreneurship, education, and financial inclusion, creating opportunities for sustainable development.
• Ensuring continued support for these initiatives will lead to lasting economic and social transformation.

Conclusion

• India’s commitment to women’s empowerment is reshaping economic and social landscapes.
• By sustaining these initiatives, women will continue to play a transformative role in governance, business, and community leadership, ensuring long-term national progress. 

Practice Question: Discuss the impact of government initiatives on women’s empowerment in India, focusing on sanitation, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship. How can these efforts be further strengthened? (250 Words /15 marks)

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14. Closing the gender gap in the higher judiciary

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity – Judiciary

• ContextWomen in India have made progress in the legal profession over the last century, yet they remain underrepresented in higher judiciary positions.
• Systemic barriers, lack of transparency in appointments, and deep-rooted gender biases continue to hinder gender diversity in High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Progress Over the Last Century

• Women in law have made significant advancements in India over the past 100 years.
• The first woman lawyer was entitled to practice in 1924.
• Since then, the number of women lawyers has increased, with several being designated as Senior Advocates.
• Women judges are present in the lower judiciary, marking progress in legal representation.

Inequality in Higher Judiciary

• Despite progress, women still face a glass ceiling in the higher judiciary.
• Women make up only 14.27% of judges in High Courts (109 out of 764).
• Some High Courts have only one woman judge, while three High Courts have none.
• The largest High Court has only three women judges, which is just 2% of the total strength.
• Women are also appointed later than men, reducing their chances of reaching senior positions.
• Only one High Court currently has a woman Chief Justice.

Representation in the Supreme Court

• Women’s representation in the Supreme Court is even lower.
• Only two women judges serve at present, and one will retire in June 2025, leaving just one.
• Since 2021, 28 judges have been appointed to the Supreme Court, but none were women.
• In the past 75 years, only one woman has been elevated directly from the Bar, compared to nine men.

Barriers to Women’s Appointments

• Various justifications are given for the low number of women judges, such as:
• Lack of eligible women candidates.
• Fewer senior women lawyers.
• Assumption that women do not want to become judges.
• However, the root cause is systemic gender inequality in the legal profession.
• Women judges face higher scrutiny and must prove their merit more than men.

Issues with the Appointment Process

• The collegium system, which is responsible for appointing judges, is opaque and non-transparent.
• There are no clearly stated criteria for eligibility or merit.
• Collegiums are mostly composed of men, leading to bias in selections.
• Even when women’s names are recommended, they are often not confirmed by the government.
• Since 2020, nine women’s names were recommended for High Court appointments, but five were rejected.

Need for Gender Equality in Judiciary

• Increasing women’s representation will make courts more inclusive and representative.
• More women on the Bench will enhance the legitimacy of the judiciary and ensure fair judgments.

Steps to Improve Gender Diversity

1. Transparent Appointment Process

• The collegium must establish clear criteria for judicial appointments.
• Lawyers should have the option to express interest in being considered.
• The selection process should follow fixed timelines and high standards of integrity.

1. Focus on Gender Diversity

• Ensuring at least one-third of judges in High Courts and the Supreme Court are women.
• Gender diversity should be considered alongside state, caste, and religion-based representation.

1. Merit-Based Selections

• Appointments should be solely based on merit while ensuring diversity.
• A gender-balanced judiciary will enhance public trust in the institution.

Conclusion

• Women’s appointments should become commonplace, rather than seen as extraordinary events.
• Achieving gender balance in courts will ensure a judiciary that upholds constitutional values and represents all citizens equally. 

PYQ: Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.(150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2021) 

Practice Question: Examine the factors responsible for the underrepresentation of women in India’s higher judiciary. Suggest measures to ensure gender diversity in judicial appointments. (150 Words /10 marks)

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15. An India-U.S. trade agreement and the test of WTO laws

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations

• ContextIndia and the U.S. have agreed to negotiate a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025.
• This agreement must align with WTO regulations, particularly the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle and exceptions under GATT.

Free Trade Agreements and WTO Regulations

• WTO follows the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle, which means that countries cannot discriminate between trading partners.
• FTAs create exceptions to the MFN principle, but they must cover “substantially all trade” between the involved countries, as required by Article XXIV.8(b) of GATT.
• The proposed BTA between India and the U.S. must eliminate tariffs and trade barriers on a large portion of trade to be legally valid.
• If the BTA reduces tariffs only on select products without extending similar benefits to other WTO members, it will violate WTO regulations.

Interim Agreements as a Legal Pathway

• WTO allows countries to sign an ‘interim agreement’ before finalizing an FTA.
• Under Article XXIV.5 of GATT, an interim agreement must:
• Be necessary for the formation of an FTA.
• Have a clear plan and timeline to establish a full FTA, typically within 10 years.
• If India and the U.S. notify the BTA as an interim agreement, it must lead to a full FTA in the future.
• Using an interim agreement to bypass WTO rules without a real intention to form an FTA is legally unacceptable.

The ‘Enabling Clause’ Exception

• WTO allows deviations from MFN rules under the ‘enabling clause’, which grants better market access to developing countries.
• However, the proposed India-U.S. BTA does not fall under this exception because:
• It involves lowering tariffs for U.S. products rather than supporting developing nations.
• The Joint Statement confirms that India is reducing tariffs specifically to benefit U.S. interests.

WTO Compliance and Challenges

• The U.S. has previously pursued ‘reciprocal tariffs’, which violate WTO rules by imposing tariffs that match those imposed by other nations.
• WTO principles, such as special and differential treatment (S&DT), allow developing countries to have more flexibility in trade policies.
• Bound tariff rates at WTO limit how high tariffs can be set, and reciprocal tariffs would breach these commitments.
• India must uphold WTO rules and resist any trade policies that go against global trade laws.

Conclusion

• The proposed India-U.S. BTA negotiations present an opportunity for economic cooperation, but they must comply with WTO regulations.
• If structured improperly, the agreement could face legal challenges at the WTO.
• India must ensure that the BTA does not undermine multilateral trade principles and maintains a rules-based trading system. 

Practice Question: Why must the proposed India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement follow WTO rules? How can India ensure the agreement remains legally valid? (250 Words /15 marks)

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16. Flawed food regulations fuel the obesity crisis

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health 

• ContextPrime Minister Narendra Modi has called for action to tackle obesity in India.
• The 2025 Economic Survey recommends a ‘health tax’ on ultra-processed foods to reduce their consumption.

Introduction

• A recent economic survey recommends imposing a ‘health tax’ on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to reduce their consumption.
• The urgency of the problem is evident as one in four adults in India is obese, and a similar proportion is diabetic or pre-diabetic.
• However, weak food marketing regulations and lack of proper labeling may undermine efforts to combat obesity.

Challenges in Implementing Food Regulations

• Since 2017, multiple ministries and the food safety authority have failed to implement planned labeling and advertising regulations.
• Regulations remain unclear, leading to excessive marketing of unhealthy UPFs.
• Despite past commitments, India still does not have front-of-pack warning labels on unhealthy food products.

Problems with the Indian Nutrition Rating System

• The food safety authority proposed a ‘health star’ rating system in 2022, modeled after an unsuccessful international framework.
• This system rates food from half a star (least healthy) to five stars (healthiest), but it has flaws:
• It allows unhealthy foods to appear healthier than they are.
• High-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods receive misleading ratings.
• A sugary soft drink or a highly processed breakfast cereal may get two or three stars, creating a false sense of healthiness.
• The system was designed under strong industry influence, sidelining scientific input.
• In contrast, effective global models, such as Chile’s warning labels, have successfully reduced UPF consumption.

Inadequate Advertising Regulations

• India has four laws to curb misleading food advertisements, but they remain ineffective.
• Regulations lack clear definitions and thresholds for HFSS or UPFs.
• The Consumer Protection Act classifies misleading advertisements as those hiding important product information.
• However, current food regulations do not require advertisements to disclose sugar, salt, or fat content.
• As a result, advertisements continue to target children and youth without warning about the health risks.

Steps Needed to Strengthen Regulations

• The economic survey suggests stricter labeling and advertising controls.
• Key actions to improve regulations include:

1. Scrapping the flawed health star rating system and adopting clear warning labels.
2. Defining sugar, salt, and fat limits for HFSS foods based on established health guidelines.
3. Closing advertising loopholes by amending or creating a new unified law to regulate UPF promotions.
4. Launching public awareness campaigns in multiple languages about the risks of UPFs.

Conclusion

• The rising obesity crisis in India is not due to individual failure but weak policies.
• Without strict food regulations, the goal of controlling obesity by 2025 may not be achieved.
• A strong regulatory framework is essential to protect public health, especially for children, over corporate profits.
• Urgent action is needed to ensure the vision of a healthier nation becomes a reality. 

Practice Question: How can stricter food labeling and advertising regulations help address India’s rising obesity crisis? Suggest policy measures to improve public health. (150 Words /10 marks)

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17. More signs of overhauling the compliance framework

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Governance

• ContextCorruption and complex compliance regulations hinder business growth in India, deterring foreign investment.
• Despite reforms, frequent regulatory changes and bureaucratic inefficiencies continue to fuel red-tapism and bribery.

Prevalence of Corruption in Business Operations

• Despite efforts to curb corruption, red-tapism and bribery continue to hinder business growth in India.
• A 2024 survey found that 66% of businesses admitted to paying bribes, with 54% stating they were coerced to obtain permits, expedite government processes, or ensure compliance.
• Sectors like labour, GST, income tax, pollution control, provident funds, property registration, drug regulation, and health departments are the most affected.

Impact on Foreign Investment

• Corruption acts as a major deterrent to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with four out of five businesses in a separate survey expressing concerns.
• The urgent need for a transparent and predictable regulatory framework is critical for attracting global investments.

Slow Progress in Compliance Reforms

• The government initiated compliance reforms two years ago, but progress remains slow.
• The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 decriminalised 180 provisions to reduce business burdens.
• In the 2025 Budget, Jan Vishwas 2.0 was announced to further decriminalise around 100 provisions, but over 20,000 provisions with imprisonment clauses remain unchanged.

Complex and Unstable Compliance Regulations

• Businesses struggle with complex compliance requirements, which are often misused by regulatory officials to extract bribes.
• Even after fulfilling all compliance requirements, businesses often need to make unofficial payments to receive approvals.
• Inspectors have excessive discretionary power, allowing them to threaten imprisonment or shutdowns without accountability.

Frequent Changes in Compliance Rules

• Compliance rules are updated frequently, making it difficult for businesses to stay compliant.
• In the last year, there were 9,420 compliance updates, averaging 36 changes per day.
• This rapid change indicates regulatory inefficiency or deliberate attempts to create corruption pathways.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a system where food label regulations will change only once a year, providing a model for other regulatory bodies.

Delays in Labour Law Implementation

• India replaced 29 colonial-era labour laws with four new labour codes, but these remain unimplemented.
• Since labour laws fall under the Concurrent List, state governments must act quickly to implement these long-overdue reforms.

The Need for a Digital-First Compliance System

• Setting up a factory in India requires hundreds of documents across 40+ government departments, increasing inefficiencies and corruption.
• A digital-first approach can simplify compliance through a unified business identifier linked to a tamper-proof digital repository.
• This could reduce approval times from months to days, similar to how digital initiatives have streamlined airport security.

Fragmented Business Identity Systems

• Currently, businesses require at least 23 different identity numbers, such as PAN, GSTIN, CIN, and factory licences.
• Each identifier needs periodic renewals, increasing inefficiencies and corruption.
• A ‘One Nation, One Business’ identity system could simplify regulatory interactions, reducing bureaucratic friction and corruption.

Global Competition for Investments

• Other countries are implementing governance reforms to attract businesses.
• If large economies improve ease of doing business while India struggles with corruption and red tape, investors may choose other destinations over India.
• India must act urgently to stay competitive and attract investments.

Conclusion

• India must eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and create a predictable regulatory environment to sustain economic momentum.
• The High-Level Committee for Regulatory Reforms must act boldly to modernise compliance and reduce corruption.
• Without decisive action, India risks losing global investment and talent, impacting its economic growth. 

Practice Question: Discuss the impact of corruption and regulatory inefficiencies on ease of doing business in India. Suggest measures to streamline compliance and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. (150 Words /10 marks)

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18. The dangerous illusion cast by development rankings

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS3 – Economy, GS3 – Env

ironment

• ContextThe development models of affluent nations, despite their high HDI rankings, are ecologically unsustainable.
• This raises concerns about redefining progress to balance human well-being with environmental limits.

The Cost of Development and Environmental Degradation

• Recent wildfires in California caused massive destruction, with estimated economic losses of around $250 billion, comparable to Greece’s GDP in 2023.
• These disasters highlight the hidden costs of the development models pursued by the richest nations.

Unsustainable Resource Consumption

• If every country consumed resources like the United States or the European Union, multiple Earths would be needed to sustain such lifestyles.
• Despite this, global benchmarks like the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI) portray these nations as ideal models of development.
• This contradiction between celebrated development metrics and ecological realities is both misleading and dangerous.

Flaws in the HDI Model

• The HDI ranks countries based on life expectancy, education, and income but ignores environmental impact.
• Nations with high HDI rankings are also among the world’s largest resource consumers and carbon emitters.
• If the entire world followed their development model, the planet would suffer severe ecological collapse.
• Wealthy nations have already exceeded multiple planetary boundaries, including excessive greenhouse gas emissions and ecological destruction.
• The HDI, by not considering these factors, promotes an unsustainable model of progress that benefits a few while harming the planet.

Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI (PHDI) and Its Limitations

• In response to criticism, the UN introduced the Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI (PHDI) in 2020, which lowers HDI scores for countries with high environmental impacts.
• However, the PHDI still ranks countries relative to each other rather than against absolute ecological limits.
• High-income nations continue to score well, not because they are sustainable, but because other nations have even worse environmental records.
• This approach creates an illusion of progress while maintaining the status quo of environmental degradation.

The Need to Focus on Middle-Income Countries

• Some middle-income countries have achieved decent living standards while maintaining a lower ecological footprint.
• Costa Rica has managed high life expectancy, universal health care, and widespread literacy through investments in renewable energy and forest conservation.
• Sri Lanka has achieved an HDI of 0.78, with high literacy and life expectancy due to early investments in health care and education.
• However, Sri Lanka has also faced challenges, including an economic crisis in 2022, inflation, political instability, and ethnic tensions.
• These examples show that sustainability requires balancing economic development with environmental responsibility and social justice.

India’s Path Forward

• The development models of affluent nations cannot be applied to a country with 1.4 billion people without severe ecological consequences.
• Instead, India should explore alternative models that ensure both human well-being and environmental sustainability.
• While no country offers a perfect solution, some middle-income nations provide valuable lessons in aligning development with ecological limits.
• Progress should not be defined solely by GDP growth or HDI rankings but by ensuring that all citizens live with dignity within the planet’s ecological boundaries.
• This is not just a moral responsibility but a necessary strategy for long-term survival in the 21st century. 

Practice Question: Critically analyze the limitations of the Human Development Index (HDI) in assessing sustainable development. Suggest alternative approaches to measure progress while considering ecological constraints. (150 Words /10 marks)

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19. Resolving the vexatious fishing dispute

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

• Context: A key leader in the Sri Lankan government recently urged India and Tamil Nadu to take decisive action against illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

Long-standing Fisheries Dispute in Palk Bay

• The Palk Bay fisheries dispute has been unresolved for years despite strong statements from Sri Lanka’s leaders.
• In 2015, a former Sri Lankan leader justified actions taken by the Sri Lankan Navy against Indian fishermen trespassing into their waters.

Concerns Over Bottom Trawling

• Many Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in search of better fishing grounds.
• The primary concern of Sri Lankan fishermen is bottom trawling, which destroys marine ecosystems and disrupts fish breeding cycles.
• Bottom trawling is responsible for nearly half of all discarded fish and marine life globally.
• The economic imbalance between Indian fishermen, who have more resources, and Sri Lankan fishermen, who are still recovering from the civil war, adds to the tension.

Challenges Faced by Indian Fishermen

• Indian fishermen have limited fishing areas due to rocky seabeds and coral reefs in their waters.
• The Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, further restricts fishing activities.
• Deep-sea fishing, an alternative to fishing in Palk Bay, requires longer voyages of around three weeks and involves high operational costs.
• The joint scheme introduced in 2017 by the Indian and Tamil Nadu governments to promote deep-sea fishing has not been successful due to the difficulties in transitioning from traditional fishing practices.

Suggested Solutions

• Governments should promote alternative livelihoods like seaweed cultivation, open sea cage farming, and sea/ocean ranching.
• The Indian government could merge the ₹1,600-crore Palk Bay deep-sea fishing scheme with the ₹20,050-crore Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to provide higher financial support for deep-sea fishing vessels.

Need for Talks Between Fishermen

• Given the complexities involved, a sudden transition away from bottom trawling is difficult.
• The Sri Lankan government has not addressed the need for discussions between fishermen from both countries.
• India and Tamil Nadu have supported the resumption of these talks, with the last meeting held in 2016.
• During a meeting in Colombo last year, India requested the resumption of talks, but there has been no progress.
• Sri Lankan fishermen from the Northern Province have also shown interest in dialogue.

Conclusion

• The annual two-month fishing ban in eastern India, starting in mid-April, provides a suitable period for holding talks.
• A high-level visit from India in April presents an opportunity for Sri Lanka to push for a resolution to the dispute through direct discussions.

PYQ: India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka. Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in light of the preceding statement. (150 Words /10 marks) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2022)

Practice Question: Discuss the Palk Bay fisheries dispute between India and Sri Lanka, highlighting the impact of bottom trawling on marine ecosystems and the livelihood concerns of Sri Lankan fishermen. Suggest sustainable solutions to address the issue. (250 Words /15 marks)

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20. Modern day summitry, its perils and its prospects

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

• The article explores how strong leaders like Trump and Modi use summit diplomacy to influence global politics, trade, and conflict resolution.

Definition of Strong Leaders

• A strong leader is generally someone who holds a lot of power and influences both public policy and their political party.
• Examples of strong leaders today include U.S. President Donald Trump and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has identified Trump and Modi as key figures in shaping a “New Conservative Movement.”
• Such leaders often use summit diplomacy to make high-level decisions on global issues like war and peace.

History and Importance of Summit Diplomacy

• Summit diplomacy dates back to the Congress of Vienna (1814-15), which reshaped Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
• Modern examples include the Camp David Accords (1978), which led to peace between Egypt and Israel.
• U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev used summit diplomacy to ease Cold War tensions.
• However, many summits result in superficial agreements due to leaders’ desire for success and strong image.
• A major failure of summit diplomacy was the West’s misjudgment of Saddam Hussein’s nuclear weapons capabilities in Iraq.

The Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting and Its Impact

• On February 28, 2025, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a heated public exchange.
• Unlike typical private summits, this one played out on television, leading to public grandstanding rather than conflict resolution.
• Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Zelenskyy to accept a deal or risk losing U.S. support in the Ukraine-Russia war.
• Zelenskyy proposed offering mineral rights worth billions of dollars to the U.S. in exchange for past military aid.
• The disagreement forced European nations to reconsider their approach, leading to a hurried meeting in London.
• The UK Prime Minister stated that Europe must take more responsibility for Ukraine’s defense, even suggesting sending troops and planes.
• However, this European response lacked clear substance and strategy.

India-U.S. Summit Diplomacy Under Modi and Trump

• On February 13, 2025, Modi and Trump met during the Indian PM’s short visit to the U.S.
• Despite past disagreements on India’s tariff barriers, their exchanges remained civil and diplomatic.
• PM Modi did offer some concessions, but analysts believe Trump did not overpower him in negotiations.
• The main U.S. agenda was increasing defense sales to India, including a possible deal for F-35 fighter jets.
• The joint statement from the meeting was vague, offering general commitments to collaboration but pushing defense sales.
• Modi strategically prepared for the meeting by consulting key U.S. officials and business leaders, including Elon Musk.

Challenges and Future of Summit Diplomacy

• Traditional summit diplomacy aims at conflict resolution, peace-building, and relationship-building.
• However, today’s leaders often enter summits without proper preparation, leading to mere public relations exercises.
• Despite its flaws, summit diplomacy remains an essential tool in modern international relations.
• Given rising global challenges, leaders will likely rely more on summits to address critical issues requiring cooperation.

Conclusion

• Summit diplomacy remains crucial in global politics, offering opportunities for conflict resolution and cooperation.
• However, without proper preparation, it often turns into a public relations exercise with limited substantive outcomes.

Practice Question: Critically analyze the role of summit diplomacy in modern international relations, with examples of its successes and failures. (150 Words /10 marks)

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21. The challenges of public health education in India

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

• Context The reduction of U.S. funding for WHO and USAID has impacted global public health.
• Strengthening domestic public health education and employment is crucial for sustainable healthcare development.

Effect on Global Health and India

• The U.S. withdrawal from WHO and reduction in USAID funding have disrupted healthcare services in many low- and middle-income countries.
• India remains largely unaffected as international aid accounts for only 1% of its total health expenditure.
• However, this reduction in funding may shrink the public health development sector, which depends on international support.
• The decision impacts the job market for those pursuing Master of Public Health (MPH) and similar postgraduate courses.

Importance of Public Health in India

• Public health plays a crucial role in shaping healthcare delivery and improving people’s well-being.
• The Indian Constitution, through Article 47, mandates the government to improve public health.
• A trained workforce is essential for government, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and research bodies.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for skilled public health professionals.

Growth of Public Health Education in India

• Public health education in India has roots in the colonial era, with early training embedded in medical education.
• The first specialized institution was established in 1932, but public health remained a part of community medicine.
• Many students pursued MPH courses abroad due to limited local training opportunities.
• The demand for MPH courses grew after the launch of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005.
• Today, over 100 institutions in India offer MPH courses, compared to just one in 2000.
• Despite this growth, government recruitment has not kept pace, making job opportunities scarce.

Challenges in Public Health Education and Employment

• A major issue is the mismatch between the number of MPH graduates and available jobs.
• Entry-level positions attract high competition, with few vacancies.
• The shrinking number of public health roles in government has worsened job scarcity.
• The private sector prioritizes hospital and business management over public health specialists.
• Research and development opportunities depend on foreign grants, which are decreasing as India is no longer a priority country.
• National funding for public health research is still in its early stages and remains inadequate.

Quality Concerns in MPH Education

• The rapid expansion of MPH institutions has led to quality concerns.
• Many students enroll without a clear understanding of the field, affecting their career prospects.
• Faculty members often lack practical experience in public health.
• The absence of a standard curriculum and regulatory oversight impacts training quality.
• MPH courses are not regulated by any national body like the National Medical Commission (NMC) or University Grants Commission (UGC).

Approaches to Strengthen Public Health Education and Employment

• Governments should create more public health jobs at all levels to strengthen healthcare systems.
• Establishing a dedicated public health cadre in State governments would improve employment opportunities and system efficiency.
• A specialized regulatory body should set curriculum standards and training requirements.
• Public health education should integrate practical learning within health systems.
• More institutions should be developed in States with limited or no public health training facilities.
• National efforts should focus on building strong local public health ecosystems to ensure sustainability. 

Practice Question: Discuss the challenges faced by public health education and employment in India. Suggest measures to strengthen the public health workforce for a sustainable healthcare system. (150 Words /10 marks)

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22. From insurance-driven private health care to equity

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

• ContextIndia’s insurance-based healthcare model prioritizes hospital care over primary healthcare, increasing private sector reliance and raising concerns about affordability.

Commitment to Universal Health Coverage

• India has always been committed to ensuring healthcare for all under the World Health Organization’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.
• The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was introduced to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) by providing insurance for hospitalization, surgeries, and tertiary care.
• However, the scheme mainly focuses on hospital-based care and neglects primary healthcare (PHC), which is essential for preventive and community-based health services.

Neglect of Primary Health Care (PHC)

• A strong PHC system reduces the burden on hospitals and provides affordable healthcare to citizens.
• The AB-PMJAY model encourages hospitalization rather than preventive care, increasing long-term healthcare costs.
• This approach contradicts the Bhore Committee’s vision, which emphasized a pyramid-shaped system with primary healthcare as the foundation.
• Since 2018, over 36 crore Ayushman cards have been issued, and 31,000+ hospitals have been empaneled. However, funds are increasingly being diverted to private insurance companies, reducing state control over healthcare spending.
• The ₹9,406 crore allocation for AB-PMJAY in the 2025 Budget is ₹2,000 crore higher than the previous year, further promoting privatization.

Privatization and Changes in the Insurance Sector

• The health budget for 2025 provides ₹95,957.87 crore to the Department of Health and Family Welfare and ₹3,900.69 crore to the Department of Health Research.
• More focus is being placed on medical education and digital infrastructure, while funding for the National Health Mission—which supports rural healthcare—is decreasing.
• This shift signals a gradual reduction in the government’s role in healthcare, increasing reliance on private players.
• The insurance sector is being liberalized by increasing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to 100%, aiming to expand insurance coverage, particularly in rural areas.

Challenges for Informal and Marginalized Workers

• India’s informal workforce and marginalized urban populations remain without health security.
• Many people lack awareness about health insurance, forcing them to depend on middlemen, which increases their expenses.
• Private sector regulations remain weak, leading to higher medical costs and uncovered expenses.
• Essential healthcare workers, such as Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, have uncertain coverage under health insurance schemes.
• The lack of updated data (last Census in 2011 and the last Periodic Labour Force Survey in 2020-21) makes it difficult to plan and allocate resources effectively.

Lessons from Global Models

• Over-reliance on private insurance can lead to higher healthcare costs and widening inequalities, as seen in some countries.
• Nations like Thailand and Costa Rica have successfully implemented public health insurance models, relying on general tax revenue and regulated private insurance to prioritize primary and community-based healthcare.

The Need for Policy Reassessment

• India must rethink its healthcare priorities to ensure that preventive and primary healthcare receive adequate funding and support.
• Instead of favoring tertiary private healthcare, the government should invest in community-based health services to make healthcare affordable and accessible.
• Policies must address the needs of informal workers, migrants, and vulnerable groups, especially considering climate-related health risks.
• The government must implement safeguards to control rising healthcare costs and reduce OOPE, ensuring that India’s commitment to “Health for All” is truly effective. 

Practice Question: Examine how India’s shift towards an insurance-driven healthcare system affects primary healthcare accessibility and financial protection for marginalized communities. (250 Words /15 marks)

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23. Tackling the problem of nutrition

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

• ContextIndia’s nutrition challenge extends beyond food insecurity to include cultural and lifestyle factors.
• The focus should shift from targeted malnutrition programs to a comprehensive, inclusive public health-driven nutrition agenda.

Nutrition Challenges in India

• Nutrition is not just about food insecurity but is influenced by culture, caste, and gender relations.
• Current policies mainly focus on malnutrition among women and children, neglecting other groups like men, senior citizens, and women outside the reproductive age.
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension, which stem from poor nutrition, are often overlooked.
• There are two types of nutrition deficiencies:
• Some people do not have enough food.
• Others consume food lacking essential nutrients.

Alarming Nutrition Statistics

• India has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition and anemia in women.
• According to NFHS-5 data:
• 36% of children under five are stunted.
• Only 11% of breastfed children (aged 6-23 months) receive an adequate diet.
• 57% of women (aged 15-49 years) are anaemic.
• 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese.
• 14% of people take medicines for diabetes.

Current Approach & Its Limitations

• Existing schemes provide take-home rations, supplementary foods, and iron-folic acid tablets.
• Poshan 2.0 focuses on aspirational districts and the North-East, reinforcing the belief that malnutrition is limited to specific areas and groups.
• A comprehensive approach is needed to address nutrition for all social strata, recognizing it as a public health issue.

Need for a Comprehensive Nutrition Strategy

A broad nutrition policy must include:

1. Identification of diverse nutrition needs beyond maternal and child health.
2. Locally sourced solutions to improve diets with nutrient-dense, affordable foods.
3. Institutional mechanisms to ensure effective nutrition delivery at the community level.

Role of Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)

• HWCs can be key institutions for implementing a universal nutrition agenda.
• Currently, they primarily provide nutrition support to pregnant and lactating mothers and children.
• Expansion is needed to include all segments of the population, including the middle class.
• HWCs must ensure:
• Wider coverage across urban and rural areas.
• Dedicated staff for nutrition services.
• Systematic implementation of nutrition advice.

Key Factors for Success

• Involvement of local elites to create a sense of ownership.
• Integration of nutrition with local cuisines to encourage better dietary habits.
• Lessons from past public health campaigns show that community engagement and alignment with local practices improve success rates.

Conclusion

• Nutrition must be seen as part of overall health and well-being, not just a deficiency issue.
• A locally owned and well-integrated nutrition plan through HWCs can ensure better health outcomes for all social groups. 

Practice Question: How can Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) play a crucial role in addressing India’s nutrition crisis? Suggest measures for their effective implementation. (150 Words /10 marks)

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24. Should cancer be a notifiable disease?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

• ContextThere is an ongoing debate on whether cancer should be designated as a notifiable disease in India.

Debate on Making Cancer a Notifiable Disease

• While some believe this would improve surveillance and early detection, the Union government argues that notification applies mainly to infectious diseases.
• Recent shifts in disease notification policies, such as the inclusion of snakebites in 2024, question the traditional reasoning.

Purpose of Disease Notification

• Disease notification ensures that infectious diseases are reported, allowing authorities to take immediate action to prevent outbreaks.
• Doctors are legally required to report notifiable diseases, and failure to do so could lead to legal consequences.
• Unlike infectious diseases, cancer is not contagious and does not require emergency containment measures.

Concerns with Making Cancer Notifiable

• Cancer is complex and includes various types ranging from benign to malignant.
• Notifiability requires immediate action, whereas cancer needs long-term treatment and management.
• Making cancer notifiable could increase the burden on doctors without significantly improving patient care.

Existing Cancer Surveillance Mechanism

• India’s National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) has been collecting cancer data since 1982.
• It consists of hospital-based registries (269) and population-based registries (38) as of 2022.
• The coverage is insufficient, and registries should be expanded to include all cancer-treating hospitals and district headquarters hospitals.

Privacy and Stigma Concerns

• Notifiable diseases often do not prioritize patient privacy, as public health takes precedence.
• Cancer carries social stigma, which may deter patients from seeking timely treatment if notification becomes mandatory.
• Legal provisions in public health acts could lead to misuse of power, further discouraging patients from getting diagnosed.

Alternative Approach to Strengthen Cancer Surveillance

• Expanding NCRP coverage to all tertiary and district hospitals can improve data collection.
• Strengthening cancer screening programs will help in early detection.
• Encouraging voluntary reporting by oncologists and healthcare providers can ensure accurate data collection without legal enforcement.
• A structured registry system with private hospital participation and better follow-up mechanisms is a better alternative than mandatory notification. 

Practice Question: Discuss the pros and cons of designating cancer as a notifiable disease in India. Suggest alternative measures to improve cancer surveillance and early detection. (150 Words /10 marks)

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25. New Delhi’s perilous recalibration with the Taliban

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

• India is considering allowing the Taliban to appoint a new envoy for its embassy in New Delhi.

Allowing a New Taliban Envoy in India

• This follows a high-level meeting between India’s representatives and Taliban officials in January.
• The engagement marks a shift in India’s stance, which started when New Delhi reopened its embassy in Kabul in June 2022.
• Accepting a Taliban diplomat would be a major policy change, effectively recognizing the regime.

Concerns Over Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

• Many countries have refused to recognize the Taliban due to its treatment of women.
• Around 1.4 million school-age girls have been denied education.
• Women are banned from most jobs, beauty parlours, and national parks, leading to what the United Nations has called “gender apartheid.”
• Despite these concerns, India sees an opportunity to strengthen its influence in Afghanistan.

China’s Strategic Moves in Afghanistan

• China has already accepted a Taliban envoy and invested in infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.
• It is also considering including the Taliban in its Belt and Road Initiative.
• This would bring Afghanistan further under China’s economic influence.
• India aims to gain strategic ground, especially as relations between Afghanistan and a neighboring country have soured.

Strained Relations Between Afghanistan and a Neighboring Country

• A country that once supported the Taliban now has a deteriorating relationship with the regime.
• The Taliban has sought independence from its former allies and is strengthening ties with China, Russia, and Central Asian nations.
• The breakdown in relations is due to the Taliban’s failure to control terrorist activities within its borders.
• Afghanistan has become a hub for terrorism under the Taliban’s rule.
• A major terrorist group is actively carrying out deadly attacks in the country.

Threats Against India

• A terrorist group previously attacked an Indian consulate in Afghanistan, killing one person and injuring two others.
• A United Nations report stated that the group is trying to recruit individuals for large-scale attacks in India.
• This raises security concerns for India as it engages with Afghanistan.

India’s Need for Caution

• India has always emphasized that Afghanistan should be free of terrorism.
• Any further engagement should depend on Afghanistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism.
• The Taliban must take action against terrorist organizations within its borders.
• Other countries have faced challenges after engaging with Afghanistan, and India must consider the risks carefully.
• Given its history of terrorism threats, India must evaluate whether involvement in Afghanistan is a safe and beneficial decision. 

PYQ: The proposed withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests. (200 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2013)

Practice Question: Discuss the strategic and security implications of India’s increasing engagement with the Taliban, considering regional geopolitics, terrorism concerns, and humanitarian issues. (250 Words /15 marks)

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26. The barriers faced by construction workers

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice, GS3 – Indian Economy 

Context

• India’s construction sector faces labour shortages due to welfare access challenges, job insecurity, and poor documentation.

Growing Importance of the Construction Sector

• The construction sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in India, contributing about 9% to the national GDP.
• It is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025 and employ around 3 crore workers by 2030.
• However, concerns about labour shortages have been raised, with claims that workers are reluctant to relocate due to welfare schemes that provide financial security.
• This explanation overlooks the deeper structural challenges that construction workers face.

Challenges Faced by Construction Workers

Frequent Relocation and Job Insecurity

• Migrant construction workers frequently move from one site to another, leading to high job insecurity and unstable incomes.
• Their employment is often temporary, making it difficult to access consistent welfare benefits.

Difficulties in Accessing Welfare Schemes

• The Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996 was created to protect workers, but many struggle to access benefits.
• Around 5.65 crore workers are registered under State construction boards, which have collected nearly ₹70,000 crore in cesses for worker welfare.
• However, 75% of this amount remains unutilised due to bureaucratic issues.

Documentation Barriers

• To access welfare schemes, workers need documents like identity proof, birth certificates, and residence proof.
• Because of their migratory nature, many workers lack permanent addresses and struggle to provide the required documents.
• A key requirement is an employment certificate proving 90 days of work in a year, which many contractors refuse to provide.

State-Specific Issues

• Each State has different rules for verification, creating inconsistencies in welfare access.
• Migrant workers who move from one State to another lose access to welfare schemes, as there is no system for portability.
• For example, a worker registered in Haryana cannot access benefits in Delhi, leading to disruptions in their welfare support.

Seasonal Employment and Emergency Support Issues

• Construction workers face seasonal employment challenges, such as job losses during heat waves.
• When construction bans are imposed due to air pollution, workers lose income but struggle to receive timely financial relief due to slow administrative processes.
• Lack of digital infrastructure further delays welfare disbursement, worsening their financial difficulties.

Proposed Solutions

Creating a Unified Labour Identification System

• A nationwide system for worker identification, similar to the One Nation One Ration Card scheme, is needed.
• Linking BOCW registrations with UAN on e-Shram would allow workers to access welfare benefits regardless of location.

Improving Digital Infrastructure

• State governments should adopt digital platforms to streamline welfare schemes and reduce delays.
• A centralised portal can enable real-time tracking of benefits and use Aadhaar-based verification for efficiency.

Simplifying Documentation Requirements

• Accepting alternative forms of proof can help workers access benefits more easily.
• States should organise on-site registration camps to ensure workers are enrolled in welfare schemes.

Investing in Skill Development

• Strengthening skill development programs can help address long-term labour shortages and improve worker efficiency.
• Construction firms should focus on training initiatives and ensuring safe working conditions to retain skilled workers.

Conclusion

• The construction sector’s labour shortage is not just due to welfare schemes but also systemic barriers to employment and welfare access.
• Addressing these issues through better documentation processes, digital infrastructure, and skilling programs is crucial for building a stable and secure workforce. 

Practice Question: What are the major challenges faced by construction workers in India, and how can welfare accessibility be improved? (150 Words /10 marks)

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27. The dystopian side of Insta-commerce

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice, GS3 – Indian Economy

Context

• The gig economy creates insecure low-wage jobs where digital platforms control work while workers lack rights, social security and fair wages.

Daily Struggles of Urban Labourers

• In many urban centers, workers gather in the morning, waiting for employers or contractors (thekedaars) to offer them jobs.
• These workers, desperate for employment, often accept low wages as they are part of a vast unemployed workforce.
• Labourers in these markets experience a daily auction where the lowest wage wins, forcing them into financial insecurity.

Gig Economy: A Virtual Labour Market

• Digital platforms have replicated the role of middlemen by offering jobs through apps, eliminating direct human interaction.
• Gig work operates on a piece-rate model, where workers take up tasks without job security or fair wages.
• These platforms disguise their exploitation as “freedom of choice,” but in reality, workers have little bargaining power.
• Instead of physically gathering at a labour market, workers now check their phones for job opportunities, often settling for poor wages.

What is a Gig Worker?

• A gig worker is someone who takes up short-term or freelance jobs instead of a permanent job.
• They work on a task-by-task basis, often through digital platforms like ride-sharing, food delivery, or home services.
• Gig workers lack job security, fixed wages, and benefits like health insurance or paid leave.
• Their income depends on demand, and they often face uncertain working conditions without legal or social protection.

Exploitation Through Ratings and Low Wages

• The digital system isolates workers, preventing collective bargaining for better wages and conditions.
• Workers must accept tasks under the app’s terms, with no negotiation or protection against arbitrary job loss.
• Customers see gig workers only briefly but fail to recognize their struggles, long hours, and harsh working conditions.
• Ratings have replaced fair wages, as workers must seek high ratings to maintain employment rather than demanding rights.

New Forms of Gig Exploitation: Insta Maids

• A recent service offers domestic workers for as low as ₹49 an hour, further devaluing their labour.
• This model continues to exploit desperate workers who need immediate employment but are not given dignity or fair pay.
• Workers have started protesting against this exploitation, demanding rights instead of ratings and recognition of their humanity.

Challenges in Passing Protective Laws

• In some states, workers successfully pushed for legislation to ensure:
• A social security framework.
• Access to their work data.
• A grievance redress system.
• A tripartite board for discussion.
• However, political decisions have delayed these laws, leaving workers unprotected.
• Industry groups and business associations have opposed these protections, arguing that gig workers are “partners” rather than employees.

Corporate Hypocrisy and the Need for Change

• Business leaders publicly promote worker welfare but privately oppose legal protections.
• The promise of “financial security and dignity” is contradicted by their lobbying efforts to prevent fair wages and job security.
• Without legal protections, gig workers continue to face a modern form of exploitation.
• Bringing an end to unfair platform-based gig work is essential for ensuring justice for millions of workers. 

Conclusion 

• The gig economy must evolve beyond digital convenience to ensure fair wages and dignity.
• Ethical algorithms, worker protections, and legal safeguards can transform platform-based jobs into sustainable livelihoods rather than modern exploitation.

PYQ: Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (150 words) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2021)

Practice Question: Discuss the challenges faced by gig workers in India and evaluate the need for legislative reforms to ensure fair wages, job security, and social protection. (150 Words /10 marks)

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28. Torture shadows India’s justice system

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

• A recent ruling by a London high court rejected India’s extradition request for Sanjay Bhandari, accused of tax evasion and money laundering.
• The court denied the extradition plea on the grounds that Bhandari faced a real risk of custodial torture in Indian jails.

Other Judicial Rulings on Extradition

• In another case in the United States, an individual accused of involvement in a major terrorist attack in India has appealed against extradition, citing similar concerns about torture.
• These rulings highlight a significant legal issue that has affected multiple extradition cases involving individuals wanted in India.

India’s Position on Anti-Torture Laws

• Despite advocating against torture internationally, India has not ratified the UNCAT.
• The Indian Constitution includes provisions mandating respect for international treaties, yet the country has not enacted a comprehensive anti-torture law.
• India remains one of the few democratic countries that have not ratified the convention, alongside nations with poor human rights records.

United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

• Full Name: United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
• Adopted: December 10, 1984, by the United Nations General Assembly.
• Entered into Force: June 26, 1987.
• Objective: To prevent torture and inhuman treatment worldwide.
• Signatories: 83 countries.
• Ratifications: 173 countries (as of 2024).
• Key Provisions:
• Prohibits torture under any circumstances.
• Requires states to criminalize torture.
• Obliges states to investigate and prosecute acts of torture.
• Prohibits extradition to countries where torture is likely.
• India’s Status: Signed in 1997 but not ratified.

Parliamentary and Legal Recommendations

• In 2010, a parliamentary committee recommended enacting a law against torture, but no action was taken.
• The Law Commission of India, in its 273rd Report (2017), proposed a draft law to criminalize torture.
• The National Human Rights Commission has also supported the need for a standalone law on the issue.

Judicial Stance on Torture and Legislative Inaction

• The Supreme Court of India has declared torture as a violation of human dignity and privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Various judgments have reinforced the need for strong legal protections against torture.
• However, in 2019, the court declined to push the government to enact a specific anti-torture law.
• This reluctance has weakened India’s legal framework in ensuring human rights protections.

Implications for India’s International Reputation

• The failure to ratify the UNCAT has been used as a defense by fugitives facing extradition, weakening India’s ability to prosecute offenders.
• Countries refusing extradition to India highlight the risk of custodial torture as a reason for denial.
• A lack of comprehensive anti-torture legislation undermines India’s democratic values and its role as a defender of human rights.

Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Reform

• India must enact a strong anti-torture law to uphold its constitutional and international obligations.
• The country risks harming its democratic reputation and legal credibility if it does not address this issue.
• Ensuring human rights protections will strengthen India’s position as a global leader and reinforce its commitment to justice. 

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and analyze the implications of India’s non-ratification, particularly in the context of recent extradition cases. (150 Words /10 marks)

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29. A delimitation red flag — the lessons from J&K, Assam

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity

Context

• The discussion around fresh delimitation of legislative constituencies has raised several concerns.
• These concerns include regional imbalance, communal demarcation, and potential political polarization in India. 

Need for a Balanced Delimitation Approach

• A practical approach suggests freezing the number of parliamentary seats while increasing the number of Assembly seats in States with high population growth.
• This would be a more democratic solution, as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) directly serve the people at the local level, while Members of Parliament (MPs) focus on national policies.

Addressing the Power Imbalance

• There are concerns that delimitation may increase the imbalance of power between different regions of the country.
• One suggestion is to redistribute Rajya Sabha seats equally across the northern, central, eastern, western, and southern States.
• These regions already have zonal councils, which were created to address inter-state disputes but have been largely inactive.

Reviving the Inter-State Council

• Critics argue that zonal councils were designed for state-level issues, while the Inter-State Council (which last met in 2016) was meant for resolving disputes between the Centre and States.
• However, zonal councils have been discussing various governance issues, such as Aadhaar and administrative efficiency.
• Strengthening the Inter-State Council could help coordinate regional concerns with the central government more effectively.

Challenges from Recent Delimitation Exercises

• Two recent State-level delimitation exercises—in Jammu and Kashmir (2022) and Assam (2023)—have highlighted potential risks for the 2026 exercise.

Issues in Jammu and Kashmir

• The Jammu and Kashmir delimitation added six seats to Jammu and one to the Kashmir valley.
• This created an imbalance, as a vote in Jammu carried more weight than a vote in the valley.
• Several new constituencies were formed without considering administrative or geographic logic.
• The restructured constituencies raised concerns of communal bias, as most newly created seats had a majority from one religious community.
• Some constituencies were redrawn to alter their demographic composition, leading to disparities in population sizes across constituencies.

Concerns from Assam’s Delimitation

• In Assam, the number of Assembly seats remained unchanged, but four districts were merged back into their parent districts, reducing the total from 35 to 31.
• This reorganization led to the elimination of 10 constituencies with significant minority populations.
• At the same time, the number of constituencies dominated by other communities increased.
• The exercise also resulted in constituencies with widely varying population sizes.

Threats of Communal and Regional Polarisation

• The 2026 delimitation exercise must address not only the issue of power imbalance between different regions but also the risk of religious-based constituency demarcation.
• Historically, regional identity has been stronger than religious identity in voting patterns, with voters supporting regional parties over religious considerations.
• However, communal-based constituency restructuring may disrupt this pattern, potentially influencing elections in southern States as well.
• Past examples show that such restructuring has benefited specific political groups in border States.

Dangers of a Flawed Delimitation Process

• A population-based delimitation could significantly shift political power towards the larger northern States at the expense of others.
• Additionally, a constituency restructuring process based on religious demographics could create long-term communal divisions.
• Both factors pose a serious threat to national unity, as they could divide the country along regional and religious lines.
• The combined impact of these factors could weaken federalism and disrupt the pluralistic nature of the country’s democracy.
• It is crucial to address these concerns before implementing the 2026 delimitation exercise to maintain electoral fairness and national stability. 

Practice Question: What are the potential challenges of the 2026 delimitation exercise, and how can they be addressed to ensure fair representation and federal balance in India? (250 Words /15 marks)

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30. Torture shadows India’s justice system

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

• A recent ruling by a London high court rejected India’s extradition request for Sanjay Bhandari, accused of tax evasion and money laundering.
• The court denied the extradition plea on the grounds that Bhandari faced a real risk of custodial torture in Indian jails.

Other Judicial Rulings on Extradition

• In another case in the United States, an individual accused of involvement in a major terrorist attack in India has appealed against extradition, citing similar concerns about torture.
• These rulings highlight a significant legal issue that has affected multiple extradition cases involving individuals wanted in India.

India’s Position on Anti-Torture Laws

• Despite advocating against torture internationally, India has not ratified the UNCAT.
• The Indian Constitution includes provisions mandating respect for international treaties, yet the country has not enacted a comprehensive anti-torture law.
• India remains one of the few democratic countries that have not ratified the convention, alongside nations with poor human rights records.

United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

• Full Name: United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
• Adopted: December 10, 1984, by the United Nations General Assembly.
• Entered into Force: June 26, 1987.
• Objective: To prevent torture and inhuman treatment worldwide.
• Signatories: 83 countries.
• Ratifications: 173 countries (as of 2024).
• Key Provisions:
• Prohibits torture under any circumstances.
• Requires states to criminalize torture.
• Obliges states to investigate and prosecute acts of torture.
• Prohibits extradition to countries where torture is likely.
• India’s Status: Signed in 1997 but not ratified.

Parliamentary and Legal Recommendations

• In 2010, a parliamentary committee recommended enacting a law against torture, but no action was taken.
• The Law Commission of India, in its 273rd Report (2017), proposed a draft law to criminalize torture.
• The National Human Rights Commission has also supported the need for a standalone law on the issue.

Judicial Stance on Torture and Legislative Inaction

• The Supreme Court of India has declared torture as a violation of human dignity and privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Various judgments have reinforced the need for strong legal protections against torture.
• However, in 2019, the court declined to push the government to enact a specific anti-torture law.
• This reluctance has weakened India’s legal framework in ensuring human rights protections.

Implications for India’s International Reputation

• The failure to ratify the UNCAT has been used as a defense by fugitives facing extradition, weakening India’s ability to prosecute offenders.
• Countries refusing extradition to India highlight the risk of custodial torture as a reason for denial.
• A lack of comprehensive anti-torture legislation undermines India’s democratic values and its role as a defender of human rights.

Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Reform

• India must enact a strong anti-torture law to uphold its constitutional and international obligations.
• The country risks harming its democratic reputation and legal credibility if it does not address this issue.
• Ensuring human rights protections will strengthen India’s position as a global leader and reinforce its commitment to justice. 

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and analyze the implications of India’s non-ratification, particularly in the context of recent extradition cases. (150 Words /10 marks)

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31. A delimitation red flag — the lessons from J&K, Assam

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity

Context

• The discussion around fresh delimitation of legislative constituencies has raised several concerns.
• These concerns include regional imbalance, communal demarcation, and potential political polarization in India. 

Need for a Balanced Delimitation Approach

• A practical approach suggests freezing the number of parliamentary seats while increasing the number of Assembly seats in States with high population growth.
• This would be a more democratic solution, as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) directly serve the people at the local level, while Members of Parliament (MPs) focus on national policies.

Addressing the Power Imbalance

• There are concerns that delimitation may increase the imbalance of power between different regions of the country.
• One suggestion is to redistribute Rajya Sabha seats equally across the northern, central, eastern, western, and southern States.
• These regions already have zonal councils, which were created to address inter-state disputes but have been largely inactive.

Reviving the Inter-State Council

• Critics argue that zonal councils were designed for state-level issues, while the Inter-State Council (which last met in 2016) was meant for resolving disputes between the Centre and States.
• However, zonal councils have been discussing various governance issues, such as Aadhaar and administrative efficiency.
• Strengthening the Inter-State Council could help coordinate regional concerns with the central government more effectively.

Challenges from Recent Delimitation Exercises

• Two recent State-level delimitation exercises—in Jammu and Kashmir (2022) and Assam (2023)—have highlighted potential risks for the 2026 exercise.

Issues in Jammu and Kashmir

• The Jammu and Kashmir delimitation added six seats to Jammu and one to the Kashmir valley.
• This created an imbalance, as a vote in Jammu carried more weight than a vote in the valley.
• Several new constituencies were formed without considering administrative or geographic logic.
• The restructured constituencies raised concerns of communal bias, as most newly created seats had a majority from one religious community.
• Some constituencies were redrawn to alter their demographic composition, leading to disparities in population sizes across constituencies.

Concerns from Assam’s Delimitation

• In Assam, the number of Assembly seats remained unchanged, but four districts were merged back into their parent districts, reducing the total from 35 to 31.
• This reorganization led to the elimination of 10 constituencies with significant minority populations.
• At the same time, the number of constituencies dominated by other communities increased.
• The exercise also resulted in constituencies with widely varying population sizes.

Threats of Communal and Regional Polarisation

• The 2026 delimitation exercise must address not only the issue of power imbalance between different regions but also the risk of religious-based constituency demarcation.
• Historically, regional identity has been stronger than religious identity in voting patterns, with voters supporting regional parties over religious considerations.
• However, communal-based constituency restructuring may disrupt this pattern, potentially influencing elections in southern States as well.
• Past examples show that such restructuring has benefited specific political groups in border States.

Dangers of a Flawed Delimitation Process

• A population-based delimitation could significantly shift political power towards the larger northern States at the expense of others.
• Additionally, a constituency restructuring process based on religious demographics could create long-term communal divisions.
• Both factors pose a serious threat to national unity, as they could divide the country along regional and religious lines.
• The combined impact of these factors could weaken federalism and disrupt the pluralistic nature of the country’s democracy.
• It is crucial to address these concerns before implementing the 2026 delimitation exercise to maintain electoral fairness and national stability. 

Practice Question: What are the potential challenges of the 2026 delimitation exercise, and how can they be addressed to ensure fair representation and federal balance in India? (250 Words /15 marks)

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32. India’s marginalised Parliament in budgetary affairs

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity

• ContextThe Budget reflects a nation’s economic vision, but in India, parliamentary influence is minimal.
• Strengthening legislative oversight through pre-Budget discussions and a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) is crucial for transparency and accountability in financial governance.

Budget: More Than a Financial Statement

• The Budget is not just about numbers; it reflects a country’s priorities, economic vision, and governance style.
• In most democracies, parliaments control national budgets, ensuring discipline and transparency.
• In India, parliamentary influence is minimal, as the executive solely controls budget-making, giving legislators little power to shape financial policies.

Role of the Budget in Democracy

• Budgeting is a key function of democracy, defining how public resources are allocated for social and economic growth.
• Historically, parliaments worldwide have fought to oversee public finance to prevent executive overreach.
• Across countries, parliamentary engagement in budget discussions improves transparency and leads to better economic stability.

Limited Parliamentary Role in India

• In India, the Finance Ministry drafts the Budget alone, often keeping even Cabinet Ministers uninformed.
• The Lok Sabha debates but cannot significantly amend Budget proposals.
• The Rajya Sabha has no voting power over the Budget, unlike some bicameral legislatures worldwide.

Decline in Parliamentary Scrutiny

• Budget debates are often short and lack in-depth discussion.
• Parliamentary committees have limited power, reducing their ability to influence policies.
• As a result, the legislature mostly approves the Budget without real scrutiny, weakening accountability.

Need for Pre-Budget Discussions

• Introducing structured pre-Budget discussions during the monsoon session can strengthen legislative oversight.
• A five-to-seven-day discussion period would help assess fiscal health and shape economic priorities.
• Greater involvement of subject committees would improve resource allocation and decision-making.
• These discussions would ensure public concerns are considered before finalizing the Budget.

Concerns Over Legislative Power in Budgeting

• Some argue that more legislative control might lead to populist spending.
• However, relying solely on the executive for fiscal discipline is risky.
• A balanced approach—where the executive retains control but is accountable—ensures better governance.

Establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO)

• India lacks an independent institution that provides non-partisan Budget analysis for legislators.
• A PBO would offer data-driven insights, similar to those in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the UK.
• The PBO would analyze government spending, revenue projections, and fiscal policies, making policymaking more informed.
• It would support parliamentarians with research-based policy briefs to improve decision-making.

Restoring Parliamentary Authority Over the Budget

• The current process limits legislative influence, reducing democratic accountability.
• Implementing pre-Budget discussions and a PBO would shift Parliament from a passive role to an active one.
• These reforms would ensure financial decisions are made through collective deliberation, not just executive control.
• A stronger parliamentary role would lead to fairer economic policies, better transparency, and improved public trust in financial governance. 

Practice Question: Critically analyze the limited role of the Indian Parliament in Budget formulation. Suggest institutional reforms to enhance legislative oversight over financial governance. (250 Words /15 marks)

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33. Charting a route for IORA under India’s chairship

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

• ContextThe Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is crucial for regional cooperation in trade, security, and sustainability.
• As India prepares to assume IORA’s chairmanship in 2025, it aims to strengthen governance, increase funding, and integrate technology for enhanced maritime collaboration.

Introduction to IORA

• The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a regional organization that fosters cooperation among countries in Asia, Africa, and Australia, connected via the Indian Ocean.
• It promotes economic growth, regional security, and environmental sustainability.
• India is currently the Vice-Chair and will assume Chairmanship in November 2025 for two years.
• India aims to strengthen IORA’s governance by increasing funding, integrating technology, and developing maritime courses through collaborations.
• Significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is an integral part of the Indo-Pacific but has distinct characteristics.
• It is home to two-thirds of the world’s population and supports diverse marine life.
• The region plays a crucial role in global trade, handling 75% of global shipments and 50% of daily oil consumption.
• It contributes $1 trillion in goods and services, and intra-IORA trade reached $800 billion in 2023.Despite its economic significance, the region faces poverty, political instability, climate change threats, environmental issues, and security concerns such as piracy, terrorism, and trafficking.

Challenges Faced by IORA

1. Limited Budget

• IORA’s funding is dependent on its members, most of whom are developing economies.
• The annual budget is very small, while other regional organizations, such as the Indian Ocean Commission, have much larger budgets ($1.3 billion for 2020-25).
• Sectors like maritime security, fisheries, disaster risk management, and blue economy require significant financial investment.

1. Lack of Private Sector Participation

• IORA lacks contributions from private industries, despite their major role in shipping, oil and gas, and marine tourism.
• Engaging private companies in policy-making and funding could enhance IORA’s financial resources and strategic direction.

1. Technological Limitations

• The IORA Secretariat, based in Mauritius, has limited staff and resources.
• Manual data processing leads to inefficiencies and errors.
• Digital transformation is essential for better policy analysis and governance.

India’s Role and Recommendations

• India’s Security and Growth for All (SAGAR) vision aligns with IORA’s goals, offering an opportunity to drive impactful initiatives.
• India can use its strong ties with member countries to develop solutions for regional challenges.

1. Leveraging Expertise from IORA Members

• Some member states have advanced marine science and technology capabilities.
• Countries with strengths in marine industries, investment potential, and traditional knowledge can contribute to IORA’s development.

1. Promoting Sustainable Marine Governance

• Traditional coastal knowledge from small island nations should be integrated into marine resource management.
• Encouraging cooperation and knowledge-sharing will lead to more effective and sustainable marine governance.

1. Enhancing Maritime Education and Research

• IORA should focus on collaborating with research institutions and industries to create maritime-focused academic courses.
• Specialized courses like marine accounting can build expertise in managing the blue economy.

Conclusion

• IORA has the potential to drive economic and strategic cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
• India’s leadership must overcome funding gaps, strengthen institutional frameworks, and encourage private sector participation.
• Through these efforts, IORA can become a stronger and more effective organization for regional prosperity. 

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in regional cooperation. How can India’s leadership enhance IORA’s role in maritime governance and economic development? (150 Words /10 marks)

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