Why in News?

In October 2022, to commemorate India’s 75th year of Independence, 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) were launched across remote districts to extend banking access to the last mile.

Despite the initial enthusiasm, little progress has been made in expanding DBUs nationwide.

As defined by the RBI, DBUs are specialized hubs equipped with digital infrastructure to offer banking services in both self-service and assisted modes. 

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Digital Banking Units (DBUs)
• Digital Banking Units (DBUs) in India

Digital Banking Units (DBUs)

• DBUs, as defined by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), are specialized fixed-location hubs equipped with essential digital infrastructure to deliver and service banking products digitally.
• These units offer a range of digital banking services in both self-service and assisted modes.
• DBUs aim to provide customers with cost-effective, secure, paperless, and year-round access to banking services, enhancing their overall digital banking experience.
• Who Can Set Up DBUs
  • Commercial banks with prior experience in digital banking (excluding regional rural banks, payment banks, and local area banks) are permitted to set up DBUs across tier 1 to tier 6 centres.
  • These banks do not need prior RBI approval for each DBU, unless specifically restricted.
• Services Offered by DBUs
  • As mandated by the RBI, DBUs must offer a minimum set of digital banking products and services, covering both asset and liability segments.
  • Liability Products
    • Savings accounts (under various schemes)
    • Current accounts
    • Fixed and recurring deposits
  • Customer Services
    • Digital kits for Internet and mobile banking
    • Debit cards, credit cards, mass transit system cards
    • Merchant Services:
    • Digital kits including UPI QR codes, BHIM Aadhaar, and PoS devices
  • Loan Services
    • Application and onboarding for retail, MSME, and schematic loans
    • End-to-end digital processing from application to disbursal
    • Access to government-sponsored schemes via the national portal
• Benefits of DBUs for Customers
  • Convenience: Offers paperless, cost-effective, and secure banking.
  • Accessibility: Self-service available with manual help for rural and less tech-savvy users.
  • Financial Inclusion: Expands digital banking awareness and services to underserved regions.
  • Efficiency: Reduces the need for physical branches, lowering operational costs while improving service reach in remote areas.

Digital Banking Units (DBUs) in India

• Inauguration of DBUs
  • In October 2022, to commemorate India’s 75th year of Independence, PM Modi launched 75 DBUs across 75 remote districts.
  • The initiative aimed to bring banking services to the last mile, moving away from the old expectation that the poor should visit banks.
• Limited Expansion Post-Launch
  • Despite the initial enthusiasm, over two years later, there has been little to no expansion of DBUs.
• Challenges in Implementation
  • Banks were given only 45 days to set up DBUs and instructed on specific locations.
  • However, bankers pointed out that such top-down directives don’t work uniformly across different banks and regions.
  • Setting up a digital branch doesn’t guarantee business, especially in areas where physical presence and fieldwork remain crucial.
  • Experts highlighted that in tier-III cities and smaller towns, just installing a digital-looking branch does not ensure increased deposits. Building trust and visibility remains essential in such areas.
• Strict RBI Guidelines for DBUs
  • RBI mandates that DBUs must:
    • Be housed separately from existing branches.
    • Have distinct entry and exit points.
    • Be designed appropriately for digital users.
    • Use smart equipment like Interactive Teller Machines, Service Terminals, and Cash Recyclers.
    • Each DBU must be integrated into the bank’s overall digital strategy and led by a senior, experienced executive.
• Operational and Logistical Hurdles
  • While DBUs can enhance financial inclusion in remote areas, high setup and operational costs remain a significant deterrent for banks, making expansion difficult.

Why in News?

A 500 kg fragment of the Soviet Kosmos 482 spacecraft, launched on March 31, 1972, is expected to crashed in Indian Ocean, west of Jakarta.

Originally intended to land on Venus, the mission failed, and while most parts re-entered Earth within a decade, this particular piece remained in orbit. Till the very end, experts could not determine the exact time or location of its re-entry.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Kosmos 482 Mission
• Kosmos 482: Mission Failure Explained
• Kosmos 482's Uncontrolled Re-entry
• Frequency of Space Debris Re-entry

Kosmos 482 Mission

• Kosmos 482 was part of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era effort to explore Venus and showcase scientific dominance.
• The mission aimed to study Venus’s surface and atmosphere.
• Background
  • Launched under the Venera Program (1961–1984), the Soviet Union sent 28 spacecraft to Venus.
  • Of these, 13 entered the atmosphere and 10 landed successfully, but extreme conditions limited their survival to 23 minutes–2 hours.
• Mission Details
  • Kosmos 482 lifted off on March 31, 1972, just days after its twin mission, Venera 8, which landed on Venus 117 days later.
  • Kosmos 482 carried instruments to measure temperature, pressure, wind speed, visibility, atmospheric gases, and rock composition, and was designed to transmit data back to Earth.
• Outcome
  • The mission failed to leave Earth orbit due to a malfunction, preventing it from reaching Venus.

Kosmos 482: Mission Failure Explained

• Cause of Malfunction
  • A critical error occurred shortly after launch when the upper rocket stage shut off prematurely due to an incorrectly set timer.
  • This stage was responsible for propelling the spacecraft out of Earth’s orbit.
• Immediate Consequence
  • The spacecraft failed to escape Earth’s orbit and became stranded. The lander module separated from the main body of the spacecraft as a result.
  • The main spacecraft, being large and heavy, eventually burned up upon re-entering Earth's atmosphere.
  • The smaller lander module remained in orbit for decades.
• Current Status
  • The lander module is now gradually being pulled toward Earth by atmospheric drag.

Kosmos 482's Uncontrolled Re-entry

• The lander module's return to Earth was uncontrolled.
• After 53 years in space, it lacked systems like aerobraking, parachutes, or internal cooling, making it reliant solely on atmospheric friction to slow down.
• Material and Speed Concerns
  • The module was made of titanium, which melts at around 1,700°C—hotter than typical re-entry temperatures (~1,600°C).
  • Therefore, it was unlikely to burn up completely and may survive re-entry.
  • It was traveling at over 17,000 miles per hour.
• Potential Impact Zone
  • Its orbit covers a wide area between 52°N and 52°S latitudes, including regions in Africa, Australia, the Americas, and large parts of Europe and Asia.

Frequency of Space Debris Re-entry

• The crash of Kosmos 482 is not unusual.
• According to the European Space Agency, over 2,400 man-made objects re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in 2022 alone—a record high.
• Most of these objects either burned up or landed in the ocean.
• Why Scientists Are Not Alarmed
  • Because such re-entries are common and typically harmless, scientists were not particularly concerned about Kosmos 482’s lander module crashing.
• Human Risk Remains Extremely Low
  • There has been no recorded human fatality due to space debris.
  • ESA states that the annual risk of an individual being injured by falling space debris is less than 1 in 100 billion.
  • In contrast, a person is 65,000 times more likely to be struck by lightning.

Why in the News?

According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) report for 2021 released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in the country has remained constant at 2.0 in 2021.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• TFR (Introduction, Trend in 2021, Key State-level Trends, Demographic Shifts, Policy Responses, Future Outlook)

Introduction

• India’s demographic profile is undergoing significant changes, as highlighted in the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) report for 2021, released by the Registrar General of India (RGI).
• The report confirms that the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) remains constant at 2.0, the same as in 2020.
• This reflects a continued trend towards population stabilization, with critical implications for social, economic, and healthcare policies.

Total Fertility Rate Trends in 2021

• The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) represents the average number of children a woman is expected to bear during her reproductive years.
• The replacement level TFR, required to sustain a stable population, is 2.1. India reaching a TFR of 2.0 suggests that it is on the path toward population stabilization, a major demographic milestone.
• Key State-Level Trends:
  • Bihar reported the highest TFR at 3.0, indicating continuing high fertility trends in the state.
  • Delhi and West Bengal recorded the lowest TFR at 1.4, well below replacement level.
  • Other states achieving or falling below replacement level include Tamil Nadu (1.5), Andhra Pradesh (1.5), Kerala (1.5), Maharashtra (1.5), and Punjab (1.5).
  • Gujarat and Haryana reported a TFR of 2.0, while Assam stood at 2.1, exactly at replacement level.

Demographic Shifts: Age Distribution and Elderly Population

• India’s age structure has experienced significant shifts over the past five decades. The proportion of the population aged 0-14 years has declined from 41.2% in 1971 to 24.8% in 2021.
• In contrast, the working-age population (15-59 years) has risen from 53.4% to 66.2%, positioning India advantageously for a demographic dividend.
• Growth in Elderly Population:
  • The share of people aged 60 and above has increased from 6% in 1971 to 9% in 2021.
  • Kerala has the highest elderly population at 14.4%, followed by Tamil Nadu (12.9%) and Himachal Pradesh (12.3%).
  • States with the lowest elderly population include Bihar (6.9%), Assam (7.0%), and Delhi (7.1%).

Changing Marriage Patterns and Their Impact

• One of the critical factors influencing fertility rates is the rising age at marriage.
• The mean age at effective marriage for females has increased from 19.3 years in 1990 to 22.5 years in 2021.
• This trend reflects improved female education levels, increased workforce participation, and greater awareness of reproductive health, directly contributing to lower fertility rates.

Policy Responses and the Need for Updated Data

• During the 2024 Interim Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans for a high-power committee to address challenges posed by fast population growth and demographic changes.
• However, despite such announcements, India’s Census, originally scheduled for 2021, remains delayed, limiting comprehensive demographic analysis.
• The SRS data highlights that India’s population growth is no longer as “fast” as perceived.
• In fact, many states have reached or gone below the replacement level fertility rate, indicating a natural slowing of population growth.

Future Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges

• While the stabilization of TFR is a positive indicator for controlling population growth, it also brings new challenges.
• The rising elderly population will increase demand for healthcare services, pensions, and social welfare schemes.
• Simultaneously, India must capitalize on its demographic dividend by creating employment opportunities and strengthening social infrastructure to accommodate a growing working-age population.
• India’s demographic transition presents a critical window to implement forward-looking policies in healthcare, education, employment, and social welfare to ensure balanced and inclusive growth.

Context:

• By showcasing India's accomplishments in space technology, the Moon Mission, COVID-19 vaccines, and Vande Bharat trains, the Made in India campaign raised both national morale and technological prowess.
• Despite these advancements, India lags in combating air pollution - a critical environmental and public health challenge, showcasing the dual face of India’s progress.

Air Pollution - A Persistent and Complex Challenge:

• Global rankings and foreign influence:
  • Indian cities frequently rank among the world’s most polluted, according to various studies.
  • It raises the issues of data dependence, climate justice, and unequal climate sanctions on developing nations.
• Underutilisation of domestic resources:
  • Pollution Control Boards often return unspent funds.
  • Disproportionate allocation of resources to elite institutions and foreign-aligned collaborations.

Domestic Research and Institutional Gaps:

• Innovation and missed opportunities:
  • Positive steps: Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which signals the government’s commitment to strengthening research and innovation with industrial contribution.
  • However, the question is: Why are developed countries, with no direct stake in India’s air quality, so keen on studying it? Why are Indian institutes not leading such research?
• Dependence on foreign data:
  • Shutdown of climate research in the US under the Trump administration highlighted risks of relying on foreign datasets.
  • India’s need: Indigenous polar-orbiting satellites for global data to support local modelling.

India’s Legacy in Air Quality Monitoring:

• Notable initiatives:
  • 1984: National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAAQMP).
  • 2010: India developed its first indigenous air quality forecasting system - SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), despite foreign resistance.
  • Delhi’s CNG transition: A landmark policy decision for cleaner urban transport.
  • EV transition: Some Indian states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) are now taking commendable steps towards rapid EV transition.
• Present limitations:
  • SAFAR remains limited to only four cities.
  • Fragmented air quality efforts and lack of coordination among key agencies.

The Way Forward - Building an Integrated Framework:

• Institutional collaboration and scientific strategy:
  • For example, India's world-class agencies like the - Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) - Could collaborate with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for setting a global benchmark in air quality management and forecasting.
• NARFI - Encouraging collaborative governance: A new model under study - National Air Quality Resource Framework of India (NARFI), must be designed to act as a catalyst for
  • Inter-organisational collaboration,
  • Interdisciplinary research and
  • Evidence-based decision-making.
• Promoting airshed-level pollution management:
  • Airshed management enables region-specific pollution control by considering cross-boundary air flow patterns, enhancing the effectiveness of policy interventions.
  • According to the National Institute of Advanced Studies, rethinking air quality strategies by scientifically integrating broader airshed factors (rather than adopting city-centric approaches) is the need of the hour. 
• Health-centric and food security approach: Future air quality strategies must align with net-zero goals, public health, and agricultural resilience.

Conclusion - Toward Real Atmanirbharta in Air Quality:

• True self-reliance requires leveraging India’s scientific talent, decentralising research and funding, developing indigenous data infrastructure, and creating a unified, science-based knowledge hub.
• India's air quality mission must reflect the same ambition as Make in India - with climate resilience, public health, and national innovation at its core.

Context

• In the context of a rapidly evolving global economy, manufacturing and trade are shifting towards innovation-driven, medium-high- and high-tech products.
• This transformation is fuelled by advancements in research and development (R&D), the growth of complex supply chains, and the need for a highly skilled workforce.
• With major global players such as the United States introducing high tariffs and redefining their manufacturing strategies, countries like India face an urgent need to adapt by setting the right fundamentals.
• Therefore, it is important to explore the challenges and strategic approaches India must adopt to revitalize its manufacturing sector, focusing on productivity, technical education, core engineering, and the creation of a robust innovation ecosystem.

India’s Manufacturing Challenge: A Global Comparison

• Despite consistent policy efforts since the economic liberalization of 1991 and more recent initiatives like the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) and Make in India, India continues to lag in key manufacturing indicators.
• In 2023, the per capita value added in Indian manufacturing stood at a mere $0.32K, compared to the global average of $2K.
• Similarly, productivity was $8.9K in India, far below the world average of $32K. While India's total value added in manufacturing is $461 billion, China and the United States lead with $4,658 billion and $2,497 billion respectively.
• Moreover, R&D-linked productivity highlights the gap between India and both developed and emerging economies.
• The U.S. boasts a figure of $159K, Germany $103K, Taiwan $79K, and even Malaysia and China report significantly higher figures than India.
• These statistics underscore the pressing need for India to increase per capita value addition and enhance productivity to remain competitive in the global manufacturing landscape.

Approaches India Must adopt to Revive Its Manufacturing Sector

• Reimagining Technical Education for Industrial Transformation
  • One of the foundational pillars of industrial competitiveness is education, specifically, technical education.
  • While engineering institutions in India have contributed significantly to human capital development, they now require a paradigm shift to meet the demands of a rapidly innovating manufacturing sector.
  • A fundamental rethink is needed, starting with entrance examinations.
  • Instead of testing mere endurance and rote memorisation, entrance exams should be designed to assess creativity, problem-solving abilities, and interest in fundamental knowledge.
  • The current academic culture, heavily focused on grades, theoretical inputs, and lecture notes, often sidelines the development of innovative and critical thinking.
  • Graduates, while adept at solving predefined problems, lack the ability to visualize complex, real-world engineering challenges.
  • To bridge this gap, technical education must prioritise hands-on experience and practical application.
  • At least 50% of the engineering curriculum should be dedicated to laboratory work, workshops, and live projects, complemented by the development of state-of-the-art facilities such as tool rooms, R&D assembly lines, and product design studios.
• Emphasising Core Engineering Disciplines
  • While emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology (IT) have garnered significant attention, the essence of a strong manufacturing sector lies in the robustness of core engineering.
  • India needs to refocus on strengthening fundamental branches such as civil, mechanical, electrical, automobile, chemical, textiles, and biotechnology.
  • These disciplines form the backbone of machinery, infrastructure, and systems development.
  • Developing robust engineering units will not only support large-scale equipment production but also facilitate rapid infrastructure creation across varied geographical terrains.
  • This calls for substantial investment in engineering R&D and the creation of a sophisticated, responsive supply chain that can support diverse manufacturing needs.
  • The integration of AI and IT should be seen as an enabler, not a replacement, for core engineering competencies.
• Building an Innovation Ecosystem for Manufacturing
  • Global success stories like Silicon Valley in the United States or the industrial rise of East Asian economies are anchored in the development of comprehensive innovation ecosystems.
  • In India, while the services sector has thrived due to an enabling startup ecosystem, manufacturing lacks similar institutional support.
  • This imbalance can be addressed by developing state-specific manufacturing parks equipped with plug-and-play capabilities, R&D facilities, and in-house prototype development labs.
  • Such industrial parks should offer facilities for design, product certification, performance testing, and access to advanced software and instrumentation.
  • Engineering colleges should play a crucial role by aligning their curriculum with the needs of industry, focusing on skill development and innovation-driven education.
  • Manufacturing startups must be incentivised to cluster around these facilities, fostering collaborative development.

The Way Forward: Strategic Investments and Policy Framework

• Transforming India’s manufacturing sector demands not just isolated reforms but a systemic transformation supported by strategic investment.
• First, R&D expenditure must be increased from the current 0.65% of GDP to at least 2% to build advanced research capabilities.
• Second, an additional 1% of GDP should be allocated to develop world-class industrial infrastructure.
• Lastly, a dynamic and flexible policy framework is essential, one that continuously evolves in response to global trends and encourages innovation across all levels of the manufacturing ecosystem.

Conclusion

• India stands at a critical juncture in its industrial journey. While the country has made commendable progress in several areas, a fundamental shift is needed to harness the full potential of manufacturing.
• This requires a multidimensional approach, strengthening technical education, reinvesting in core engineering disciplines, building a conducive innovation ecosystem, and making bold investments in infrastructure and R&D.
• Only through a concerted effort across these domains can India hope to close the productivity gap, increase global competitiveness, and secure its place in the high-tech, innovation-driven manufacturing future.

Context

• The Narendra Modi government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming Census marks a transformative moment in Indian policymaking.
• Far from being a concession to identity politics, caste enumeration is an act of acknowledgment, a mirror reflecting the socio-economic realities of India.
• It is a foundational step towards evidence-based policymaking in pursuit of a more equitable and inclusive society.

Historical Context and Policy Contradictions

• Post-Independence India adopted a dual strategy: abolishing caste-based discrimination while pursuing social justice through reservations.
• This contradiction, often described as policy schizophrenia, stemmed from a refusal to officially acknowledge caste.
• The exclusion of caste enumeration, except for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), reinforced a flawed ideal of caste-blind governance, which neglected the lived realities of millions.
• While the Constitution mandates social justice through affirmative action, including reservations in education, employment, and politics, implementing these policies effectively requires precise, disaggregated caste data.
• The Supreme Court has consistently affirmed that caste is a legitimate proxy for identifying social and educational backwardness.
• In this context, the failure to count caste systematically contradicts constitutional goals.

The Case for Caste Data: Legal, Administrative, and Moral Grounds

• Caste enumeration is not merely a political gesture; it is a legal and administrative necessity.
• The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which mandated OBC reservations in local governance, require granular, area-specific caste data.
• Furthermore, the inclusion of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) among upper castes in reservation policies in 2019 further underlines the need for comprehensive data covering all caste groups.
• The current reservation system operates in an evidence vacuum, making it susceptible to manipulation by dominant groups.
• Limited existing data shows stark disparities: a small number of OBC castes dominate reservation benefits, while many receive little or nothing.
• For example, just 10 OBC castes receive 25% of all reserved benefits, while 38% of OBC castes receive only 3%, and 37% are entirely excluded.
• Such inequities underscore the need for accurate data to prevent elite capture, enable rational sub-categorisation, and refine the definition of the “creamy layer.”

Learning from Past Mistakes and Successes

• The failed Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 is a cautionary tale.
• Conducted without legal authority and technical expertise, the SECC produced an unusable dataset listing 46 lakh castes due to methodological flaws.
• Open-ended questions, untrained enumerators, and the absence of standardised caste classifications led to chaos.
• In contrast, Bihar’s 2022 caste survey offers a successful model.
• By using a vetted list of 214 State-specific castes and structured enumeration methods, the survey achieved clarity and credibility.
• This proves that a well-planned and legally-backed caste census is feasible.

Blueprint for a Credible Caste Census

• Legal Framework: Amend the Census Act, 1948, to explicitly authorise caste enumeration and protect it from political interference.
• Institutional Expertise: Assign responsibility to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, not to non-specialist ministries.
• Standardised Questionnaire: Employ closed-ended, dropdown-based forms with coded caste identifiers to avoid ambiguity.
• State-Specific Lists: Collaborate with State governments, sociologists, and communities to prepare caste lists, followed by public feedback.
• Enumerator Training: Ensure region-specific training with practical guidance on caste identification.
• Digital Tools: Use handheld devices preloaded with validated options to minimise manual errors.
• Representative Staffing: Deploy diverse enumerator teams in neutral areas to maintain objectivity.
• Oversight Mechanisms: Establish local monitoring bodies to ensure transparency and data integrity.
• Pilot Testing: Conduct pilot studies in diverse States to fine-tune methodologies before a national rollout.

Conclusion

• India has enumerated nearly 2,000 SC and ST castes since 1951 with consistency and accuracy.
• Extending this enumeration to the remaining OBC and upper-caste groups, estimated to be around 4,000 and mostly State-specific, is not only manageable but also essential.
• The delayed 2021 Census offers a unique opportunity to close this long-standing data gap and without caste data, the promise of social justice remains unfulfilled and policy continues to drift in darkness.
• The moment for delay has passed. The time for a credible, comprehensive caste census is now.

Why in News?

Eighteen days after a terror attack in Pahalgam, J&K, triggered an Indian military strike and four days of intense conflict with Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations agreed to cease hostilities and halt military action from 5 pm on May 10.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India and Pakistan Agree to Cease Military Action
• End of the Most Intense India-Pakistan Conflict in Decades

India and Pakistan Agree to Cease Military Action

• After three days of intense hostilities, India and Pakistan reached an "understanding" to stop all military action and firing.
• The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on May 10, 2025.
• Ceasefire Bilaterally Agreed, Punitive Measures Unaffected
  • Official sources emphasized that the decision was a bilateral agreement, not mediated by any third party.
  • India clarified that the ceasefire would not impact the punitive actions taken in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
• Role of the United States
  • US President Donald Trump claimed credit for brokering the ceasefire after overnight negotiations.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani leaders.
  • Rubio said both nations agreed to begin broader talks at a neutral venue, a claim India later refuted.
    • Despite US claims, Indian officials emphasized that the ceasefire was a bilateral understanding with no foreign mediation, consistent with the 1972 Simla Agreement.

End of the Most Intense India-Pakistan Conflict in Decades

• The recent India-Pakistan military confrontation, the most intense in 20 years, has concluded.
• However, the nature of engagement between the two countries has shifted significantly.
• India Redefines Terms of Engagement
  • Since 2014, India has moved to dismantle the framework that allowed Pakistan to exploit nuclear deterrence and cross-border terrorism.
  • Key steps include:
    • Crossing the LoC post-Uri (2016)
    • Striking deep into Pakistan during Balakot (2019)
    • Revoking J&K’s special status
    • Attacking terror camps in West Punjab (2025)
    • Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty
• Delhi Signals No More Restraint
• The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and deep strikes inside Pakistan mark a new posture: India is prepared to hit core areas if provoked by terror.
• Talks, if they occur, will likely include demands to renegotiate the Indus treaty and revise the engagement framework set during India’s weaker 1990s phase.
• Third-Party Mediation Diminished but Still Present
  • Although U.S. initially adopted a hands-off approach, it re-engaged as hostilities escalated.
  • U.S. National Security Adviser Marco Rubio facilitated calls between Delhi and Rawalpindi.
  • Still, India and Pakistan demonstrated the ability to manage escalation directly — a shift from the heavily mediated past.
• History of Missed Diplomatic Opportunities
  • Past ceasefires and backchannel negotiations (e.g., 2004–2007, 2021) have failed due to political instability in Pakistan and internal military-civilian rifts.
  • The rise of Gen. Asim Munir in 2022 hardened Pakistan’s stance and derailed earlier initiatives.
• Need for Defence Reform and Strategic Military Edge
  • India’s broader national power has increased, but military superiority over Pakistan remains limited.
  • Achieving operational dominance is crucial for treating terrorism as an "act of war" and deterring future provocations.
• Engagement Beyond the Pakistan Army
  • India may need to build links with Pakistani civil society and political elements to reduce military dominance and promote peace.
  • Large conflicts often cause internal shifts in Pakistan — whether this latest one weakens or strengthens Gen. Munir’s grip is still unclear.
• A Wake-Up Call for Both Nations
  • For the first time in years, Indian cities experienced the consequences of modern warfare, including drone strikes and long-range attacks.
  • The trauma of urban warfare could prompt reflection on the long-troubled state of India-Pakistan relations, even after 75+ years of independence.

Why in the News?

India and Pakistan on 10^th May agreed to halt “all firing and military action” after several days of heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Operation Sindoor (Legal Basis, Right to Self Defence, Necessity, Proportionality, Way Ahead)

Introduction

• In response to the Pahalgam massacre that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, India conducted precision military strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) under “Operation Sindoor” .
• While India described its actions as “measured and non-escalatory,” Pakistan condemned them as a “blatant act of war.”
• The incident raises questions about the legality of India’s actions under international law and the evolving global doctrines governing state responses to cross-border terrorism.

Legal Basis for Use of Force

• The Role of Article 51 of the UN Charter
  • Article 2(4) of the UN Charter generally prohibits the use of force against any state’s territorial integrity or political independence.
  • However, Article 51 creates an exception, allowing states to exercise the right to self-defence following an “armed attack”.
• Role of ICJ
  • Though the UN Charter doesn’t clearly define what constitutes an “armed attack,” the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Nicaragua v. United States (1986) case interpreted it as “the most grave form of the use of force.”
• India’s stand
  • India’s Foreign Secretary did not explicitly invoke Article 51, but his description of the strikes as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack implicitly aligns with the right of self-defence.
  • Additionally, India informed 13 out of 15 members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) about its actions, adhering to procedural requirements.

Use of Right of Self-Defence Against Non-State Actors

• The UN Charter traditionally governs state conduct, complicating the application of self-defence against non-state actors like terrorist organizations.
• However, since the 9/11 attacks, several countries, led by the United States, have argued that Article 51 extends to military action against non-state actors operating from foreign territories.
• The ICJ, however, maintains a conservative view, asserting that such actions require clear state attribution.
• In this context, India attributed the Pahalgam massacre directly to “Pakistan-trained terrorists,” reinforcing its position under the state attribution requirement.

The “Unwilling or Unable” Doctrine

• An emerging legal concept, the “unwilling or unable” doctrine, allows states to use force against non-state actors operating from another state’s territory if that state cannot or will not neutralize the threat.
• The United States notably invoked this doctrine during its 2011 operation to kill Osama bin Laden in Pakistan and airstrikes against ISIS in Syria.
• While controversial, this doctrine is gaining traction. India, although cautious, has previously indicated support for this principle, particularly when host states fail to act against terror threats.
• During his briefing, India’s Foreign Secretary emphasized that Pakistan had taken “no demonstrable step” against terror infrastructure following the Pahalgam attack, indirectly invoking this doctrine to justify India’s actions.

Necessity and Proportionality in Military Strikes

• Customary international law requires that military responses meet the standards of necessity and proportionality.
  • Necessity: India justified the strikes as necessary to prevent further terrorist activities.
  • Proportionality: India’s strikes targeted only terrorist infrastructure, avoiding Pakistani military assets and civilian areas. This restraint aligns with the broader interpretation of proportionality that allows states to prevent future attacks.
• Legal experts have noted that India’s adherence to these principles strengthens the legitimacy of its actions under international law.

Way Ahead:

While a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan has been reached, its long-term viability remains uncertain. If tensions escalate, the UNSC may intervene, but the geopolitical interests and veto powers of permanent members could complicate any consensus.

For now, India’s military actions under “Operation Sindoor” set a significant precedent in the evolving landscape of international law concerning self-defence against terrorism.

Why in News?

The government of India is reconsidering the concept of safe harbour for social media platforms, citing growing concerns about fake news online, cyber fraud, and AI-generated deepfakes.

This has been indicated by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in its submissions to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communication and Information Technology.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Understanding Safe Harbour
• Regulatory Framework in India
• Government’s Concerns and Motivation
• Global Context and Future Legislative Steps
• Conclusion

Understanding Safe Harbour:

• Definition and origin:
  • Safe harbour is a legal concept that protects online intermediaries (websites/platforms hosting user-generated content) from criminal liability for third-party content.
  • It forms a key safeguard in promoting innovation and shielding platforms from being punished for content they did not create.
  • In the U.S., this is covered under Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, introduced in 1996.
  • In India, Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, provides similar protection to intermediaries.
• Limitations of safe harbour in India:
  • Protection is conditional: If intermediaries receive “actual knowledge” of illegal content (via court order or government notification), they must act swiftly to remove it, else lose protection under Section 79.
  • Notable case: In 2004, the head of eBay India was arrested over a child sexual abuse material listing.

Regulatory Framework in India:

• IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:
  • Platforms must appoint:
    • A Nodal Officer,
    • A Grievance Officer (resident in India),
    • Periodically submit reports of complaints they receive on content, and action taken against them for this.
  • These are mandatory to retain safe harbour protections.
  • Different parts of the IT Rules have been challenged in courts in the last few years.
• IT Amendment Rules, 2023:
  • Fact Check Unit: Empowered Press Information Bureau's Fact Check Unit to label content as "fake news", leading to possible removal of safe harbour.
  • Legal challenge: Comedian Kunal Kamra and others challenged the amendment in the Bombay High Court, for exceeding its authority and not following due process.
  • The Bombay HC ruled in his favour, and the case is being appealed by the government. 

Government’s Concerns and Motivation:

• Non-compliance by platforms:
  • Allegations that platforms (e.g., Twitter/X) are:
    • Flouting Indian laws,
    • Delaying takedowns,
    • Ignoring government orders without prior user notice.
  • This includes ongoing litigation involving X (Twitter) in the Karnataka High Court.
• Need for amending the safe harbour concept: For ensuring that social media companies proactively address not just misinformation/ fake news, but also AI-generated deepfakes, cyber frauds, etc.

Global Context and Future Legislative Steps:

• U.S. debate on safe harbour:
  • President Joe Biden: Advocated revising Section 230 to increase platform accountability for extremist content.
  • President Donald Trump: Criticised Section 230 for enabling censorship of conservative voices.
• Digital India Act (DIA):
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) plans to introduce a Digital India Act, potentially revising safe harbour protections.
  • However, the draft of the DIA is yet to be released, and details remain unclear.

Conclusion:

The reconsideration of safe harbour reflects the Indian government’s evolving strategy to balance freedom of expression, digital innovation, and national security in the face of rising online misinformation and platform unaccountability.

It is a significant development in the cybersecurity and governance domain, and closely tied to debates on intermediary liability, free speech, and digital regulation.

Why in News?

India and the U.K. have agreed to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after three-and-a-half years of negotiations. While details are yet to be disclosed, the deal has been welcomed by domestic industry, despite concerns about its potential effects on agriculture and MSMEs.

The agreement is expected to be signed in three months and may take over a year to come into effect.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Significance of the India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement
• Expectations from the India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement
• Domestic Industry Response to the India-U.K. FTA
• Concerns Surrounding the India-U.K. FTA

Significance of the India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement

• Strong Trade Relationship
  • The U.K. is India’s 16th largest trading partner.
  • India is the U.K.’s 11th largest trading partner.
  • Current bilateral trade stands at around $60 billion, with India maintaining a trade surplus.
• Growth Potential
  • India projects the trade volume to double by 2030.
  • The British government estimates the new FTA could boost bilateral trade by an additional $34 billion.
• Global Context
  • The deal gains importance amid global trade uncertainty, especially following tariff disruptions under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

Expectations from the India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement

• Tariff Reductions and Market Access
  • India to reduce tariffs on 90% of U.K. product categories; 85% of them to become tariff-free within 10 years.
  • U.K. to eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian export categories.
  • Estimated tariff savings of $534 million based on 2022 prices.
• Key Beneficiary Sectors (India)
  • Increased export opportunities for textiles, leather, footwear, auto parts, engineering goods, gems and jewellery.
• Key Beneficiary Sectors (U.K.)
  • Tariffs on whisky and gin reduced from 150% to 75%, and to 40% over a decade.
  • Automotive tariffs cut from over 100% to 10%, with quotas for conventional and electric vehicles.
• Services and Labour Mobility
  • Indian workers and their employers exempt from social security contributions in the U.K. for three years under the Double Contribution Convention.
  • Commitments to keep visa procedures transparent and free from unnecessary hurdles.
• Resolution of Past Trade Barriers
  • Addresses sectors affected by earlier U.S. tariff policies under President Trump, such as automobiles and alcoholic beverages.

Domestic Industry Response to the India-U.K. FTA

• Positive Outlook Across Sectors
  • Indian industry has welcomed the FTA, anticipating a sharp rise in exports, especially in key sectors.
• Apparel and Textiles
  • Textiles, a major Indian export to the U.K., are expected to see exponential growth.
  • Experts highlighted India’s new duty-free access to U.K. markets, similar to Bangladesh and Vietnam.
  • Competition from U.K. imports in this sector is minimal.
• Automobile Industry
  • The FADA expects mutual benefits:
    • U.K. to access India’s premium car segment.
    • Indian manufacturers to target the U.K.’s mass-market segment.
  • Indian cars are expected to remain competitive due to lower production and labour costs.
• Gems and Jewellery
  • Analysts projected a $2.5 billion export increase within two years.
  • The sector aims to double bilateral trade to $7 billion.

Concerns Surrounding the India-U.K. FTA

• Agriculture Sector Worries
  • Farmers' groups fear price crashes in key products such as spices and tea—similar to past experiences with FTAs involving Sri Lanka and ASEAN.
    • Rubber prices have declined significantly post-ASEAN FTA (₹230/kg in 2011 to ₹170/kg in 2025).
  • Concerns include unequal competition, small land holdings, and WTO’s outdated base price for subsidy calculations that disadvantage Indian farmers.
• Impact on MSMEs
  • MSMEs fear being undermined by foreign competition in public procurement and key sectors.
  • Experts warn that foreign firms could weaken India's policy tools for building local capacity in sectors like defence, health, and renewables.
  • U.K. companies may gain better access to Indian government contracts, potentially displacing small domestic suppliers.
• Import Dependency Risks
  • Analysts fear that FTA could foster greater import dependency, especially in sensitive and strategic sectors.
• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
  • U.K.’s CBAM may impose carbon pricing on imports, impacting India’s aluminium and steel exports.
  • Although CBAM is a European initiative, India has signalled possible retaliatory carbon taxes, adding to trade uncertainties.

Context

• The global food system is undergoing immense strain from the twin pressures of resource depletion and climate change, even as it strives to ensure universal food accessibility and affordability.
• Nowhere is this tension more pronounced than in India, a nation that is simultaneously one of the world’s largest producers of milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and livestock, yet still grapples with widespread malnutrition.
• From undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies to rising rates of obesity, India faces a complex nutritional crisis that threatens its demographic advantage and economic resilience.

The Paradox of India’s Nutritional Landscape

• Despite its agricultural prowess, India ranks 105th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2024, reflecting deep-rooted food insecurity.
• The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted between 2019 and 2021, presents a stark picture: nearly 194 million Indians are undernourished.
• Among children under five, 35.5% are stunted, 32.1% underweight, and 19.3% suffer from wasting.
• In contrast, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising alarmingly, affecting 24% of women and 22.9% of men.
• Hidden hunger, nutrient deficiencies without obvious signs, remains widespread, as evidenced by the 57% anaemia rate among women of reproductive age.
• These dual burdens of malnutrition necessitate a holistic and urgent response.

A Global and National Crisis

• Globally, food system failures impose a staggering annual cost of nearly $12 trillion in terms of poor health, malnutrition, and environmental damage.
• For India, a country contending with a rapidly expanding population and heightened climate vulnerability, maintaining the status quo is no longer a viable option.
• Yet, amid this crisis lies an opportunity: transforming food systems to prioritise nutrition, environmental sustainability, and equity can not only improve national well-being but also accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Understanding the Perfect Storm of Malnutrition

• Modern food insecurity is no longer limited to hunger; it includes the entire spectrum of malnutrition, including diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
• Millions of Indians, including those who produce food, cannot afford a healthy diet.
• According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 55.6% of Indians could not afford nutritious food in 2022, with costs rising from $2.86 per person per day in 2017 to $3.36 in 2022 (in purchasing power parity terms).
• Structural inefficiencies within the food system, such as poor crop diversity, post-harvest losses, and weak market linkages, exacerbate the problem, while climate change continues to undermine agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods.
• Left unaddressed, this malnutrition crisis will hinder human capital development, inflate healthcare costs, and reduce economic productivity.

Pathways to Transformation

• India must adopt a multi-sectoral, coordinated strategy to build nutrition-sensitive, climate-resilient food systems.
• This transformation demands concerted efforts from government, private sector, civil society, and local communities.
• Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture: Agricultural policies should integrate nutrition goals by promoting the cultivation of climate-resilient, biofortified crops, enhancing crop diversity, and improving post-harvest systems to safeguard food quality and reduce losses.
• Community-Based Interventions, such as the Nutrition-Sensitive Community Planning (NSCP) model, empower local communities to address underlying determinants of malnutrition through bottom-up planning that encompasses water and soil conservation, sanitation, and healthcare access.
• Initiatives like Nutri-Pathshala combat child malnutrition by incorporating nutrient-rich grains in school meals and sourcing food from nearby farms, thus strengthening local economies.
• Strengthening Social Safety Nets is equally vital. Enhancing the Public Distribution System (PDS) and mid-day meal schemes with nutrient-rich indigenous foods, coupled with behavioural change campaigns promoting healthy diets, can ensure vulnerable populations gain better access to nutrition.
• Private Sector Participation is indispensable in this transformation.
  • Businesses must go beyond profit motives and prioritize health through clear food labelling, digital tools such as QR codes for nutritional information, and innovation in plant-based and fortified food products. Regulatory support and incentives can accelerate this shift.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture and Gender-Inclusive Policies are essential to bolster resilience.
  • Promoting sustainable farming practices, supporting rural economic diversification, and empowering women in agriculture can reduce nutritional vulnerability and support long-term adaptation to climate risks.
• Public Awareness and Education Campaigns must underpin all efforts. Grassroots tools such as interactive games (e.g., ‘MyPlate Blast Off’) and local radio can deliver crucial nutritional knowledge, especially in regions with limited digital infrastructure.

Place-Based Innovation: A Strategic Lever

• To achieve SDGs 2, 3, and 12, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, and Responsible Consumption and Production, place-specific innovation is key.
• Research by TERI and the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) in the Himalayas has underscored the effectiveness of socio-technical innovation bundles.
• These include promoting region-specific, micronutrient-rich crops, decentralised food processing units, and local networks linking farmers, processors, and consumers.
• Such community-based ecosystems not only strengthen food security but also enhance regional self-reliance.

Conclusion

• The transformation of India’s food systems cannot succeed without leadership from the nutrition and public health sectors.
• Experts and policymakers must work together to embed nutrition into broader agricultural, economic, and social development planning.
• Initiatives like NSCP and Nutri-Pathshala exemplify how cross-sector collaboration can generate systemic, lasting change.
• Incremental adjustments will no longer suffice. A bold, structural overhaul of food systems is necessary.

Why in News?

India and Pakistan have shared a history of conflict since partition, with Pakistan adopting a strategy of proxy warfare to challenge India’s territorial integrity, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.

The evolution of Pakistan’s 'Thousand Cuts' doctrine and India’s calibrated responses have shaped a volatile and high-stakes security environment in South Asia.

However, a doctrinal shift in India's security strategy (after 2016) has established a new normal, one where it directly targets terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan in response to attacks.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background - Genesis of the ‘Thousand Cuts’ Doctrine
• Implementation of the Doctrine
• Recent Flashpoint - Pahalgam Massacre (2025)
• India’s Strategic Posture Before 2016
• Operation Sindoor (2025), Pakistan’s Response and Escalation Risks
• Strategic Implications and the ‘New Normal’
• Key Challenges and Outlook
• Conclusion

Background - Genesis of the ‘Thousand Cuts’ Doctrine:

• Bhutto’s 1965 UN speech and legacy:
  • Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s declaration at the UN Security Council in 1965: "Will wage war for 1,000 years".
  • This sentiment laid the ideological foundation for Pakistan’s long-term hostile posture toward India.
• Zia-ul-Haq and the strategic shift:
  • General Zia-ul-Haq institutionalized Bhutto’s rhetoric into the ‘Bleed India Through a Thousand Cuts’ doctrine.
  • Focus shifted to sub-conventional and proxy warfare, especially through militancy and infiltration.

Implementation of the Doctrine:

• Lessons from Afghanistan:
  • Post-Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan (1989) inspired Pakistan.
  • US and Saudi-backed mujahideen became a template for low-cost insurgency warfare.
• Escalation in Kashmir and beyond:
  • 1989: Surge in Kashmir militancy.
  • Expansion to other Indian cities: 2001 Parliament attack, 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• Institutional support: Rise of terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), with alleged support from Pakistan’s security establishment.

Recent Flashpoint - Pahalgam Massacre (2025):

• April 22, 2025: 26 civilians brutally gunned down by terrorists in Pahalgam (J&K).
• This was the latest sign that the ‘Thousand Cuts’ doctrine remains alive in Rawalpindi’s strategic thinking.
• The attack came days after Pakistan’s military chief Gen. Asim Munir said “Kashmir is our jugular vein”.
• The Resistance Front (a front of LeT), initially claimed responsibility for the attack, but later denied any role.

India’s Strategic Posture Before 2016:

• Traditional Indian response:
  • Diplomatic isolation of Pakistan.
  • Economic pressure (e.g., Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey-listing).
  • Reluctance for military retaliation due to:
    • Nuclear deterrence
    • International pressure
• Limited impact: Pakistan continued proxy war with low cost and high strategic gain.

Doctrinal Shift - Post-Uri and Beyond:

• Surgical strikes (2016):
  • Following the JeM attack at the Indian Army Brigade headquarters in Uri (J&K), which killed 19 soldiers, India conducted a cross-border operation targeting terror launchpads and safe houses in PoK.
  • This was India’s first direct cross-border operation in PoK targeting terror infrastructure across the Line of Control in response to attacks.
• Balakot airstrike (2019):
  • Retaliation for the deadly suicide bombing in Pulwama.
  • Strikes extended into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (not limited to PoK).
• Impact:
  • This strategic shift did not immediately establish a strong deterrent.
  • For example, the Uri response did not prevent the deadly suicide bombing in Pulwama.
  • Similarly, the Balakot airstrike that followed Pulwama did not deter the attack on civilians in Pahalgam.

Operation Sindoor (2025), Pakistan’s Response and Escalation Risks:

• Operation Sindoor (2025): In a response to the Pahalgam massacre, India struck 9 locations, including Pakistan’s heartland Bahawalpur and Muridke in Punjab, marking its largest aerial operation on Pakistani soil since 1971.
• Escalation post-Balakot:
  • Pakistan responded with aerial dogfight.
  • An Indian pilot was captured and later returned.
• Operation Sindoor fallout:
  • Pakistan chose to escalate by targeting military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur with drones and missiles, which were “swiftly neutralised”.
  • India launched its counterattacks in the same domain and same intensity as Pakistan.
  • In essence, the killing of 26 Indians in Pahalgam by terrorists has brought India and Pakistan dangerously close to the brink of an all-out war.

Strategic Implications and the ‘New Normal’:

• India’s new posture:
  • Emphasis on military retaliation alongside diplomatic and economic tools.
  • Sends a clear signal that sub-conventional war under nuclear cover is no longer tolerable.
• Changing rules of engagement:
  • India’s doctrine now includes cross-border operations.
  • Raised costs for Pakistan’s continued proxy war.

Key Challenges and Outlook:

• Risks of escalation:
  • Every terror attack may now demand a military response from India, raising stakes.
  • Future governments may face domestic pressure to retaliate forcefully.
• Pakistan’s strategic dilemma:
  • Domestic instability:
    • Islamist militancy,
    • Baloch insurgency,
    • Political crisis,
    • Economic dependence on the IMF.
  • Raises doubts about Pakistan's capacity to sustain long-term hostility.

Conclusion:

India’s post-2016 doctrinal shift signals its resolve to respond militarily to terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil, redefining the terms of engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

While this strategic assertiveness aims to deter proxy war, it also increases the risks of escalation, demanding careful long-term calibration and diplomatic balancing.

Why in the News?

Indian media “has been shackled and subjected to a systemic strategy to cripple it”, according to the 23rd Annual South Asia Press Freedom Report 2024-25.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Declining Press Freedom (Introduction, Key Highlights of Report, Press Freedom in Neighbouring Countries, Challenges, Reforms, etc.)

Introduction

• The state of press freedom in South Asia has witnessed a significant erosion over the past year.
• The Annual South Asia Press Freedom Report 2024-25, titled “Frontline Democracy: Media and Political Churn,” paints a troubling picture of increasing restrictions, state-sponsored suppression, and growing dangers faced by journalists.
• India, once hailed for its vibrant democracy, is now grappling with unprecedented challenges that threaten the independence of its media landscape.

India’s Declining Press Freedom

• The report devotes a specific section to India, titled “India: Propaganda and the Press,” highlighting the systematic efforts to control media narratives. Key factors include:
• Legal Suppression of Media Freedom:
  • Increasing use of sedition laws, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against media organizations and journalists.
  • Frequent defamation lawsuits and state-sponsored raids on media houses using the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate.
• Rise in Self-Censorship:
  • A “chilling effect” has led many media outlets to avoid reporting critically on the government.
  • Government advertisements are routinely withheld from critical media outlets as a method of financial coercion.
• Manipulation of Information:
  • Political IT cells actively spread misinformation and hate speech, making it difficult for independent journalism to thrive.
  • According to the Global Risks Report 2024, India is identified as the country with the highest global risk of misinformation and disinformation.

Press Freedom in Neighbouring Countries

• Pakistan:
  • Marked as “the most violent year for journalists in two decades,” with eight journalists killed.
  • The government continues to operate under an authoritarian framework, severely curbing media rights.
• Bangladesh:
  • Transitioned from the ICT Act to the Cyber Security Act, but concerns remain over its transparency and misuse.
  • The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists reported nearly 300 attacks on journalists during political protests.
• Afghanistan:
  • At least 172 media rights violations were recorded, highlighting the continued assault on press freedom under Taliban rule.
• Bhutan and Maldives:
  • Bhutan fell from the 33rd position in press freedom rankings in 2021 to 152nd in 2025.
  • Maldives faces regulatory challenges with its Information Commissioner’s Office, undermining press freedom.

Economic and Structural Challenges for Media

• Shrinking Job Market and Rising Precarity:
  • Across South Asia, media organizations are grappling with layoffs, job insecurity, and a decline in advertisement revenue.
  • Gig and freelance journalists face worsening working conditions and limited legal protections.
• Impact of AI and Digital Media:
  • Increased reliance on AI for content creation has led to a decline in professional journalism standards.
  • Digital platforms such as YouTube and podcasts are rising but lack adequate regulation to maintain journalistic ethics.

Reform Efforts and The Road Ahead

• Despite the bleak scenario, some efforts toward reform have begun:
  • India’s Proposed Media Transparency Bill 2024 aims to regulate media monopolies and promote fair editorial practices.
  • Bangladesh’s Interim Government has committed to improving access to public information.
  • Nepal’s Media Consolidation Efforts under the National Broadcasting Corporation are seen as steps toward accountable public media.
• However, the report cautions that without stronger institutional protections and reduced government interference, the downward spiral in press freedom will likely continue.

Context

• In early April 2025, Delhi crossed a critical environmental threshold with temperatures soaring above 41°C.
• Nights offered little respite, signalling an emerging reality: extreme heat is no longer an anomaly but a fixture of life in Indian cities.
• As climate change accelerates, urban areas in India have become the epicentres of this increasing crisis.
• Among the most vulnerable to this shift are India’s millions of urban informal workers, individuals whose livelihoods are intimately tied to the outdoors and are thus most exposed to the lethal consequences of rising temperatures.

Informal Workers: The Invisible Backbone of Urban Economies

• Informal workers, construction labourers, street vendors, waste pickers, gig workers, and rickshaw pullers, play indispensable roles in the daily functioning of India’s urban economy.
• Yet, despite their essential services, these workers remain largely invisible in policy responses to climate-related heat stress.
• In 2024, the Reserve Bank of India acknowledged the growing economic threat posed by extreme heat, projecting a 4.5% loss to India’s GDP due to its effects on occupational health and productivity.
• However, this recognition has not translated into tangible protections or support mechanisms for informal workers.

Existing HAPs (Heat Action Plans)

• To address rising temperatures, many Indian cities have implemented Heat Action Plans (HAPs), inspired by early initiatives such as Ahmedabad’s.
• These plans are developed under the guidance of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and are intended to mitigate the effects of heatwaves.
• However, a review of HAPs across the country reveals significant gaps. Most plans remain superficial, underfunded, and lack effective coordination.

Shortcomings in India’s Heat Action Plans

• Exclusion of Informal Workers
  • Informal workers are either vaguely mentioned or entirely absent from these strategies.
  • Crucially, most HAPs fail to recognise heatwaves as manifestations of a chronic climate crisis, treating them instead as temporary disasters.
  • The NDMA’s 2019 guidelines provide only broad categories such as outdoor workers or vulnerable groups, failing to define protocols tailored to specific occupational risks.
• Fragmented Governance
  • Further compounding these issues is the fragmented nature of institutional governance.
  • The absence of inter-ministerial coordination, across Labour, Environment, Urban Affairs, and Health, means that protections for workers are inconsistent and poorly enforced.
  • Existing heat response plans are typically limited to summer months and fail to embed long-term strategies such as heat-resilient infrastructure, flexible work norms, or worker-oriented social protections.

The Way Forward to Fix These Shortcomings

• Learning from Global and Domestic Good Practices
  • Internationally, cities have adopted more robust and inclusive approaches to managing occupational heat stress.
  • For instance, California and Oregon in the U.S. mandate access to water, shade, and rest for outdoor workers.
  • France’s Plan Canicule requires adjustments to working conditions during heat alerts.
  • Qatar and Australia have restricted outdoor work during peak hours.
  • Even within India, promising models exist: Ahmedabad has introduced shaded rest areas and staggered work hours, while Odisha enforces a halt to outdoor labour during peak heat.
  • These examples highlight the feasibility and urgency of integrating worker-focused strategies into urban climate adaptation efforts.
  • They offer replicable models that could guide Indian cities toward more humane and sustainable responses.
• Towards a Worker-Centric Urban Heat Response
  • A reimagined approach to urban heat resilience must begin with the formal recognition of informal workers within national heat guidelines.
  • The NDMA’s framework needs to be revised to explicitly include diverse categories of informal labour, accompanied by practical, occupation-specific safety protocols.
  • These should include clear guidelines for work-hour limitations, rest breaks, access to water and shade, and emergency medical support.
  • Moreover, the development of HAPs must transition from a top-down approach to one grounded in participation.
  • Municipal bodies should actively engage worker collectives, unions, and civil society organisations in the design and implementation of heat response plans.
  • Community coordination groups can ensure that policies reflect lived realities and enjoy grassroots legitimacy.
• Infrastructure: Shahed Rest Zones
  • Cities must also guarantee the right to cool for informal workers.
  • This includes setting up shaded rest zones, hydration stations, and community cooling centres at markets, transport hubs, construction sites, and other work locations.
  • Such spaces must be accessible, inclusive, and co-managed by local communities.
  • To sustain these interventions, dedicated public budgets and innovative financing, through corporate social responsibility or city development funds, must be allocated.
  • Health insurance schemes need to expand to include heat-related illnesses, particularly for workers traditionally excluded from formal social protection.
  • Physical infrastructure must also evolve: cool roofs, shaded walkways, and passive ventilation should become the norm, not exceptions.
• Embedding Resilience into Urban Planning and Governance
  • True resilience lies in integrating climate adaptation into the DNA of city planning.
  • Heat resilience must be written into master plans, building byelaws, and infrastructure codes.
  • Cities should prioritise the development of urban forests, blue networks (e.g., water bodies), and shaded pedestrian corridors. Informal workspaces such as labour chowks, vendor markets, and recycling yards should be retrofitted using heat-resistant designs that promote thermal comfort.
• Inter-Ministerial Task Force
  • At the national level, an inter-ministerial task force should be created, bringing together key stakeholders across labour, urban development, climate, and disaster management sectors.
  • This body should produce a national road map that links worker protection with climate resilience and monitors its execution.
  • Additionally, each city and district should appoint a ‘heat officer’ with the authority and resources to coordinate cross-sectoral heat response strategies. 

Conclusion

• For India’s informal workers, the climate crisis is neither abstract nor future-bound, it is a daily, existential struggle.
• Rising temperatures translate into real human costs: illness, income loss, and even death. Addressing this crisis requires not just technical fixes, but a profound shift in how we govern, design, and finance our cities.
• A truly inclusive urban heat strategy must put workers at the centre, recognising their contributions and safeguarding their rights.
• The cost of continued inaction is measured not only in degrees but in human suffering, lost productivity, and an increasingly unliveable urban future.

Why in News?

India thwarted a large-scale drone attack by Pakistan, targeting 36 sites along the western border. Over 300 drones, likely Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models, were used.

The attack raises concerns about Turkey’s growing military support for Pakistan, evidenced by recent Turkish military activity in Karachi. While Turkey denies sending arms, it remains Pakistan’s staunchest ally in West Asia and the only country to condemn India’s Operation Sindoor.

In contrast, India has developed strong relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who have shown neutrality and greater alignment with India on regional issues, including Kashmir.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Turkey’s interests in Pakistan
• Pakistan’s interests in Turkey
• Turkey–Pakistan relationship and India

Turkey’s interests in Pakistan

• Historical and Ideological Bond
  • Shared Islamic identity has historically underpinned the Turkey–Pakistan relationship.
  • During the Cold War, both were part of Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) and the Regional Cooperation Development (RCD).
  • Pakistan supported Turkey in the Cyprus conflicts (1964, 1971) and pledged early recognition of Turkish Cyprus in 1983.
  • The rise of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his political Islamism deepened the ideological alignment with Pakistan post-2000.
• High-Level Political Engagement
  • Erdoğan has visited Pakistan at least 10 times since 2003.
  • He co-chaired the 7th Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in February 2025, reflecting close bilateral ties.
• Strategic Balancing Against Gulf Powers
  • Turkey, alongside Qatar, competes with Saudi Arabia and the UAE for influence in the Muslim world.
  • It seeks alternative alliances with non-Gulf states like Pakistan and Malaysia.
  • The 2019 Kuala Lumpur Summit, supported by Pakistan and Turkey, was viewed as an attempt to challenge Saudi leadership.
• Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Engagement
  • Turkey is expanding its presence in the IOR:
    • Established its largest overseas military base in Somalia (2017).
    • Sold Baykar TB2 drones to Maldives (2024).
  • Turkey has held numerous naval exercises with Pakistan’s Navy, the second-largest in the IOR, while avoiding similar engagement with India.

Pakistan’s interests in Turkey

• Diplomatic Support on Kashmir
  • Turkey has consistently supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.
  • In February 2025, President Erdoğan reiterated solidarity with “Kashmiri brothers,” prompting a diplomatic protest from India.
  • Pakistan acknowledges Turkey, along with China and Azerbaijan, as its key international supporters during crises.
• Deepening Defence Cooperation
  • Turkey has become Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier (after China) as of 2020.
  • Defence ties trace back to 1988 via the Military Consultative Group framework.
  • Recent acquisitions from Turkey include:
    • Bayraktar drones
    • Kemankes cruise missiles
    • Asisguard Songar drones
• Naval Modernisation and Strategic Collaboration
  • Turkey plays a critical role in modernizing Pakistan’s naval capabilities, in line with Ankara’s Indian Ocean strategy.
    • $1 billion deal in 2018 for four advanced corvettes by STM Defence Technologies.
    • Mid-life upgrades of Agosta 90B submarines by Turkey’s STM — replacing French firm DCNS.

Turkey–Pakistan relationship and India

• Turkey’s Consistent Support to Pakistan on Kashmir
  • Turkey’s repeated support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue has long strained India-Turkey ties.
  • In 2013, the then Indian Foreign Minister criticized Turkey’s actions, urging it not to forge friendships “at India’s expense.”
  • Turkey’s pro-Pakistan stance continues despite India’s gestures, such as humanitarian aid after the 2023 earthquake.
• India’s Strategic Counters to the Turkey-Pakistan Nexus
  • Eastern Europe: Support to Cyprus and Greece
    • India backs the Greece-supported Republic of Cyprus, in opposition to Turkey and Pakistan’s support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
    • Greece reciprocates by supporting India’s stance on Kashmir.
• South Caucasus: Military Alliance with Armenia
• India has become Armenia’s top arms supplier, surpassing even Russia by 2024.
• This aligns India against Azerbaijan, which is militarily backed by Turkey and Pakistan.
• In 2024, Pakistan signed a $1.6 billion arms deal with Azerbaijan, and held a trilateral summit with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
• Divergence in Global Strategic Alignments
  • Pakistan is increasingly isolated in US foreign policy, with no mention in the 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy, while India featured prominently.
  • India's growing ties with the US reflect its rise as a strategic Indo-Pacific partner, further distancing Islamabad.
• Competing Infrastructure Visions
  • India’s IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) bypasses Turkey, weakening Ankara’s historical role as a bridge between Asia and Europe.
  • Turkey has criticized IMEC and is now pushing its own “Iraq Development Road” project as a rival.

Why in News?

India raised concerns at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the effectiveness of its financial support to Pakistan, citing the latter’s poor track record.

India abstained from voting on the IMF’s decision to disburse $1 billion under a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility and an additional $1.3 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, emphasizing that the IMF must adhere to procedural and technical norms.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Extended Fund Facility (EFF)
• Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF)
• India’s Abstention at IMF Executive Board
• India’s Key Objections to IMF Assistance for Pakistan

Extended Fund Facility (EFF)

• EEF provides financial assistance to countries facing serious medium-term balance of payments problems because of structural impediments or slow growth.
• It helps countries implement medium-term structural reforms and offers longer program engagement and a longer repayment period.
• Eligibility
  • Available to all IMF member countries facing actual or potential external financing needs.
  • Typically used by advanced and emerging economies; low-income countries may use EFF alongside the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
    • ECF is a loan program offered by the IMF to low-income countries facing persistent balance of payments difficulties.
• Conditionality
• Countries must commit to structural reforms and policies that maintain macroeconomic stability.
• Disbursements depend on meeting quantitative performance criteria and structural benchmarks assessed holistically.
• Disbursement Process
  • Timing
    • Disbursement can begin immediately after IMF Executive Board approval.
  • Phasing
    • Funds are not disbursed in full at once; released in phases (tranches).

Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF)

• RSF provides affordable, longer-term financing to low-income and vulnerable middle-income countries.
• It aims to strengthen macroeconomic resilience and sustainability by:
  • Supporting reforms that address balance of payments (BoP) risks from climate change and pandemic preparedness.
  • Enhancing policy space and building financial buffers against long-term structural challenges.
• Eligibility
  • Eligible countries include:
    • PRGT-eligible low-income countries (PRGT-eligible low-income countries (LICs) are those that qualify for concessional financing from the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT)).
    • Small states (population < 1.5 million) with GNI per capita < 25x 2021 IDA cutoff.
    • Middle-income countries with GNI per capita < 10x 2021 IDA cutoff.
• Conditionality
  • Each disbursement is tied to a specific reform measure.
  • A measure may include one or more closely related policy actions.
  • All parts of a reform must be completed to trigger disbursement.

India’s Abstention at IMF Executive Board

• India abstained from voting on the IMF loan package for Pakistan during a recent Executive Board meeting.
  • The abstention was not due to lack of opposition but because the IMF does not allow formal “no” votes—only “yes” or abstention are permitted.
• Abstaining allowed India to register strong dissent within IMF rules.
• IMF Voting System Explained
  • The IMF Executive Board has 25 directors, representing countries or groups of countries.
  • Voting power is based on economic size, not one country–one vote as in the UN.
  • The IMF typically makes decisions by consensus.
  • In rare formal votes, members can only vote in favor or abstain—no vote against is allowed.

India’s Key Objections to IMF Assistance for Pakistan

• Prolonged Dependency and Poor Track Record
  • Pakistan has been a frequent IMF borrower, with assistance provided in 28 of the past 35 years, including four programs in the last five years.
  • India noted Pakistan’s poor implementation of IMF conditions and lack of lasting reform.
• Debt Sustainability Concerns
  • Continued bailouts have led to unsustainable debt, making Pakistan a "too big to fail" debtor and creating long-term risks for the IMF.
• Military Dominance and Economic Mismanagement
  • India criticized the Pakistani military’s role in economic affairs, citing lack of transparency and accountability that undermines reforms.
• Use of Funds and Terrorism
  • India strongly objected to funding a country that sponsors cross-border terrorism, warning it poses reputational risks to global institutions and violates international norms.

Why in News?

The Finance Ministry has released a draft document titled ‘Framework of India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy’ aimed at guiding investments towards clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The taxonomy is intended to provide clear definitions and criteria for identifying environmentally sustainable projects.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy Framework
• India’s Climate Adaptation and Energy Investment Targets

India’s Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy Framework

• The Finance Ministry has released a draft ‘Framework of India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy’ to guide investments into clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• It aims to:
  • Classify economic activities as sustainable or transitional.
  • Encourage climate-friendly technologies.
  • Prevent greenwashing.
    • Greenwashing refers to the deceptive practice of making unverified or exaggerated claims about environmental or climate-friendly actions.
    • It misrepresents actual progress on climate change, encouraging irresponsible actions while falsely rewarding entities for their "environmental efforts."
• Align with India’s twin goals: Net Zero by 2070 and Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• Principles of the Climate Finance Taxonomy
  • 
• Purpose and Global Relevance
  • It acts as a tool for investors and banks to identify credible green investments.
  • Supports India’s stance in global climate negotiations by setting a national standard for defining ‘climate finance.’
  • Responds to international disputes where developed countries often overstate contributions to developing nations.
• Categories of Climate Activities
  • Climate Supportive: Activities that directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions or improve climate resilience.
  • Climate Transition: Activities that help reduce emissions intensity in hard-to-abate sectors like iron, steel, and cement.
• Key Sectors Covered
  • Power generation
  • Buildings and infrastructure
  • Mobility/transport
  • Agriculture and food systems
  • Water security and resource management

India’s Climate Adaptation and Energy Investment Targets

• Massive Scale-Up in Power Generation Capacity
  • Target Capacity: Increase installed power capacity from 470.4 GW (Feb 2025) to 777.14 GW by 2029–2049.
  • Technology Focus: Prioritize investment in Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal power plants.
    • AUSC plants offer 46% efficiency, compared to:
      • Subcritical: ~38%
      • Supercritical: ~41–42%
    • Goal: Achieve higher efficiency and lower emissions in thermal energy generation.
• Climate Adaptation Investment Requirement
  • Total Investment Needed: Based on India’s Initial Adaptation Communication to the UN (December 2023), India needs ₹56.68 trillion (≈ USD 648.5 billion) by 2030 (based on 2023–24 prices).
  • Sectors Covered:
    • Agriculture
    • Forestry
    • Fisheries
    • Infrastructure
    • Water resources
    • Ecosystems
  • Purpose: Fund adaptation actions to minimize adverse impacts of climate change.

Why in News?

India thwarted Pakistani attacks, targeted multiple Pakistani air defence systems, reportedly neutralising one in Lahore. The Indian Army stated that its response matched Pakistan's in domain and intensity.

Air defence systems are crucial in modern warfare for protecting against enemy air strikes, and disabling them exposes a nation to aerial attacks, as seen in Pakistan’s inability to inflict damage on India.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Air Defence System Operations
• Methods of Interception in Air Defence Systems
• India's Air Defence Response to Pakistani Attacks
• Use of HAROP Loitering Munition in Operation Sindoor

Air Defence System Operations

• The main goal of an air defence system is to eliminate aerial threats such as enemy fighter aircraft, drones, and missiles.
• Components of an Air Defence System
  • An effective system integrates radars, control centres, defensive fighter aircraft, ground-based missile and artillery units, and electronic warfare tools.
• Key Operations of Air Defence
  • Detection
    • Radars (and sometimes satellites) identify incoming threats by emitting electromagnetic waves, which bounce off objects like aircraft and return to receivers, helping determine their distance, speed, and type.
  • Tracking
    • After detection, threats are continuously tracked using radar and other sensors (infrared cameras, laser rangefinders). This process helps manage multiple threats in real-time and avoids friendly fire.
  • Interception
    • Based on the threat’s nature (type, range, speed), air defence systems launch appropriate countermeasures to neutralise it.
• Role of C3 (Command, Control, Communication)
  • For all three operations to function seamlessly, a strong C3 system is essential.
  • It ensures quick and accurate decision-making, coordination, and execution during engagements.

Methods of Interception in Air Defence Systems

• Fighter Aircraft (Interceptors)
  • Purpose: Engage and neutralise enemy aircraft, especially bombers, before they can strike.
  • Features: Equipped with cannons, rockets, visual- and beyond-visual-range missiles, and electronic warfare (EW) systems.
  • Capabilities: Fast scramble, rapid climb, agile combat.
  • Indian Examples: MiG-21 Bison, MiG-29, Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas, Dassault Rafale.
• Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs)
  • Role: Primary weapon in most modern air defence systems, safer and more versatile than aircraft.
  • Types (Unofficial Classification):
    • Heavy Long-Range SAMs: Fixed/semi-mobile; e.g., S-400 (targets hundreds of km away).
    • Medium-Range SAMs: Mobile, quick-launch; e.g., Akash, Barak.
    • Short-Range (MANPADS): Man-portable; effective against drones, helicopters, low-flying jets.
  • Guidance Systems: Radar, infrared, or laser-guided.
  • Deployment: Land-based or ship-launched.
• Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)
  • Role: Once dominant, now a secondary but still valuable defence against low-altitude threats.
  • Capabilities: Fires over 1,000 rounds per minute; shells explode at preset altitudes, creating shrapnel fields.
  • Use Cases: Last-ditch defence, anti-drone roles, and in environments where SAMs are less practical.
• Electronic Warfare (EW)
  • Purpose: Neutralise threats without physical destruction by manipulating the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Methods:
    • Jamming enemy radars and targeting systems.
    • Disrupting guidance of missiles and drones.
  • Platforms: Land-based units and specialised aircraft like the Boeing EA-18G Growler.
  • Effects: Confuses and misguides incoming threats, reducing their effectiveness.

India's Air Defence Response to Pakistani Attacks

• On May 8, Pakistan launched a coordinated attack with drones and missiles targeting 15 Indian military bases and cities.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) swiftly activated its Integrated Counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and air defence systems, successfully intercepting and neutralizing the threats.
• Key Air Defence Systems Deployed
  • S-400 Triumf: Deployed on the northern border; three squadrons received from Russia.
  • Barak 8 MRSAM: Medium-range system developed jointly with Israel.
  • Akash: Indigenous Indian missile system.
  • S-125 Pechora: Legacy Russian system still in active use.
  • Guns, Radars, and Electronic Warfare Systems: Used to track and destroy UAVs and spoof enemy drones.
• Integrated Counter-UAS Grid in Action
  • The IAF used jamming and spoofing techniques to mislead and neutralize UAVs.
  • The counter-UAS system forms a key part of India’s layered air defence strategy.
  • Debris from intercepted drones and missiles is currently being collected.

Use of HAROP Loitering Munition in Operation Sindoor

• On May 8, India thwarted Pakistani retaliation and simultaneously targeted multiple Pakistani air defence systems, including one in Lahore.
• HAROP loitering munitions, made by Israel, were reportedly used in the operation.
• HAROP: A Modern Loitering Munition
  • Definition: Loiters near the target area before crashing into it with an explosive payload.
  • Nickname: Known as “suicide drones” or “kamikaze drones.”
• Capabilities:
  • Equipped with nose-mounted cameras for target selection.
  • Some variants are recoverable if not used.
  • Capable of both autonomous and operator-assisted precision strikes.
  • Also used for target surveillance.
• Israeli Origin and Battlefield Capabilities
  • Developer: Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI).
  • Features:
    • Combines features of UAV and missile.
    • Effective against high-value targets like tanks, command posts, and air defence systems.
    • Endurance of up to 9 hours with 360° attack capability.
    • Immune to GNSS jamming, enhancing operability in hostile environments.
    • Launched from land or naval platforms, suitable for diverse terrains.

Why in the News?

The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India declined to 93 per lakh live births in 2019-21 from 97 in 2018-20, and 103 in 2017-2019, according to the latest data released by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About MMR (Introduction, Current Trends, Regional Disparities, Major Causes, Challenges, etc.)

Introduction

• India has made notable progress in improving maternal health, as reflected in the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) statistics.
• According to data released by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, the MMR has declined to 93 per 1 lakh live births during 2019-21, down from 97 in 2018-20 and 103 in 2017-19.
• This sustained reduction highlights the combined efforts of government policies, healthcare infrastructure improvements, and increased awareness of maternal health services.

Understanding the Maternal Mortality Ratio

• The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is a critical indicator of the reproductive health of women in a country.
• It is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births during a specific time period.
• Maternal death is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of the termination of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management.
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations aim to reduce the global MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. India’s declining trend is a positive step toward achieving this target.

Current Trends and Regional Disparities

• Despite the overall decline in India’s MMR, certain states continue to report alarmingly high maternal death rates. The highest MMR figures were recorded in:
  • Madhya Pradesh: 175
  • Assam: 167
  • Uttar Pradesh: 151
  • Odisha: 135
  • Chhattisgarh: 132
  • West Bengal: 109
  • Haryana: 106
• The data also reveal that the highest number of maternal deaths occur in the 20-29 years age group, followed by the 30-34 years age group.
• These statistics underline the importance of focusing on women’s health during their peak reproductive years.

Major Causes of Maternal Death

• According to the WHO, more than 700 women globally die every day due to preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
• In 2023 alone, maternal deaths occurred almost every two minutes worldwide.
• Key factors contributing to maternal deaths in India include:
  • Complications during pregnancy and childbirth
  • Unsafe abortions
  • Lack of timely medical intervention
  • Inadequate access to skilled healthcare professionals
• Low- and lower-middle-income countries, including parts of India, account for over 90% of maternal deaths globally.

Government Initiatives Driving Improvement

• India’s progress in reducing MMR can be attributed to various flagship programs and healthcare initiatives, including:
  • Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Providing quality antenatal care to pregnant women on a fixed day every month.
  • Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Promoting institutional deliveries to ensure safe childbirth.
  • Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres: Providing comprehensive primary healthcare services, including maternal and child health services.
  • POSHAN Abhiyaan: Focused on improving nutritional outcomes for pregnant women and children.
• These schemes have enhanced institutional deliveries, expanded access to skilled birth attendants, and improved antenatal and postnatal care.

Challenges That Still Need Attention

• While the declining MMR trend is promising, several challenges remain:
  • High MMR persists in economically weaker states due to poor healthcare infrastructure.
  • Rural and remote areas still lack adequate access to emergency obstetric care.
  • Awareness about government schemes and maternal health services remains low among marginalized communities.
  • Addressing these issues is essential to sustain the momentum and achieve the SDG targets by 2030.

Context:

• Recurring strikes, protests and terminations, for example, Urban Company terminating workers (2023), Blinkit workers strike in Varanasi for better pay and uniforms (April 2025), significant driver protests after BluSmart closure (April 2025), highlights the growing crisis in India’s Platform economy.
• The dispersed/ localised nature of these protests across cities has prevented them from becoming a national conversation (limiting a broader policy response) and highlights the need for safeguards in the platform-based sector. 

The BluSmart Case - A Tipping Point:

• Nature of the protest: Sudden job loss with no severance pay or alternative employment, workers demand state intervention in the absence of platform accountability.
• Irony of the “Better Platform”: BluSmart provided company-owned cars, women driver training, and guaranteed income, yet failed to protect workers during closure.

Platform Economy and the State - A Misaligned Relationship:

• The platform economy in India:
  • It is a rapidly growing sector, offering numerous job opportunities (in sectors like ridesharing, delivery, logistics, and professional services) and economic benefits, but also raising concerns about worker welfare and regulations.
  • NITI Aayog estimates the gig workforce (platform workers are a subset of gig workers, who specifically utilize online platforms to connect with clients and complete tasks) will expand from 7.7 million in 2020-21 to 23.5 million by 2029-30.
  • This growth is fueled by increasing urbanization, internet access, and the proliferation of digital technologies.
• Construct of self-reliance and entrepreneurship:
  • State and platforms promote gig work as entrepreneurial.
  • Workers are termed as "partners", not employees - avoiding legal employer obligations.
• Practical contradictions:
  • Worker responsibilities: Cost of equipment, uniforms, phones, data, and commission burdens fall on workers.
  • Employer-like control:
    • Platforms impose strict schedules, uniforms, rating-based job allocation.
    • Restrictions on cancellations, even under health or family emergencies.

Structural Vulnerabilities of Platform Workers:

• Misclassification of labour:
  • Workers labelled as independent partners, but platforms act like employers via app-based control.
  • Lack of protection from caste, gender, or religious discrimination.
  • Women’s safety, sanitation, and equitable access are largely ignored.
• Harsh working conditions:
  • Long hours: Often 12+ hour workdays.
  • High performance benchmarks: Many platforms have impossibly high standards that they expect workers to maintain (a rating of 4.7 out of 5); retraining at personal cost if failed.
  • Physical and mental toll: Weather exposure, stress, financial insecurity.
  • Low wages and job insecurity persist: Despite platform claims that workers are well paid, with the freedom to decide when to work and for how long.

Legal and Cooperative Alternatives - Emerging Policy Responses:

• Legal frameworks for social security:
  • Rajasthan and Karnataka: Passed laws recognising platform workers’ rights.
  • Telangana: Prepared draft bill on gig worker protections.
• An alternative cooperative platform model: Earnings passed directly to workers in entirety (with no commission cuts), promoting economic democracy.

Need for Fundamental Reform:

• What remains missing: Everyday working conditions are still neglected by both legal and alternative models.
• Best practice: Chennai corporation to construct air-conditioned rest areas along important roads for gig workers.
• Platform model needs overhauling:
  • Recognition of workers as employees.
  • Enforcement of existing labour laws.
  • Greater accountability and transparency from platforms.

Conclusion:

• The crisis at BluSmart is a wake-up call. Without structural reform, platform capitalism will continue to exploit a vulnerable labour force.
• The state must intervene, uphold labour laws, and stop enabling the misclassification of workers as entrepreneurs.

Context

• Eighty years after World War 2 in Europe, marking the end of the most devastating conflict in human history, the continent finds itself once again confronting the spectre of war.
• While Europe commemorates the surrender of Nazi Germany and reflects on the hard-won peace that followed, this anniversary occurs under the long shadow of renewed geopolitical unrest in Eastern Europe, West Asia, North Africa, and beyond.
• The memory of World War II, once a rallying cry for unity and peace, is now a source of division and selective remembrance.
• The evolving narratives around VE Day, coupled with shifting global power dynamics and rising insecurity, underscore a troubling truth: the lessons of the past are at risk of being forgotten or manipulated.

Diverging Memories of the VE Day

• Ceremony in Europe (8 May)
  • Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), celebrated on May 8 in most of Europe and May 9 in Russia, symbolises more than just the defeat of Nazi Germany.
  • It marks a turning point in how nations remember the war, and in how they choose to narrate their roles within it.
  • The discrepancies in commemoration dates between Russia and the West reflect deep-rooted tensions that date back to the war itself.
  • Stalin’s refusal to acknowledge the initial German surrender on May 7, 1945, and his insistence on a second signing in Berlin, illustrate the fragile nature of the wartime alliance and the immediate onset of the Cold War.
• Russia’s Celebration (9 May)
  • More profoundly, memory itself has become contested terrain. In Russia, Victory Day has morphed into a militaristic spectacle, emphasising national pride and military prowess.
  • The USSR’s role in defeating fascism is central to its national identity, with heavy emphasis on the enormous sacrifices made, an estimated 26 million Soviet dead, including 11 million soldiers.
  • However, such narratives often overlook the darker elements of Soviet wartime conduct, such as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which facilitated the brutal partition of Poland and set the stage for the war.

Post-War Reconstruction and the American Shield

• In contrast to Russia’s post-war trajectory, Western Europe rebuilt itself under American guidance.
• The Marshall Plan and NATO provided the economic and military framework for stability, enabling unprecedented peace and cooperation.
• U.S. President Truman’s metaphor of the ‘two halves of the same walnut’ aptly described the mutually reinforcing roles of economic reconstruction and collective security.
• Over time, Western Europe not only recovered but also embarked on a project of deeper integration, laying the groundwork for the European Union.
• This success, however, now stands on uncertain ground. American ambivalence, particularly under leaders like Donald Trump, who questioned core NATO commitments, has unnerved European capitals.
• With the U.S. appearing less reliable, European powers are confronting the reality of increased self-reliance.

Resurgent Insecurity and Strategic Realignment

• Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is seen not merely as an act of aggression but as an existential challenge to European security and the post-war order.
• Emmanuel Macron has characterised Putin as an imperialist intent on rewriting history. This has prompted a seismic shift in European defence thinking.
• Countries such as Germany, France, and Britain are rearming, relaxing decades-old spending restrictions, and developing new defence strategies.
• NATO members bordering Russia, including Poland and the Baltic states, are withdrawing from disarmament treaties and advising citizens to prepare for emergencies.
• A European Defence Fund and the EU’s first-ever defence strategy are signals of a continental pivot towards strategic autonomy.

The Narrow Lens of European Commemorations

• Ironically, as Europe reckons with its military past and future, its commemorative practices remain introspective and Eurocentric.
• The ceremonies marking VE Day often overlook the global nature of World War II. The war was not confined to Europe; it involved soldiers and civilians from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas.
• These regions suffered deeply and contributed significantly, yet are frequently marginalized in Western narratives of the war.
• This insularity not only distorts historical truth but also risks alienating nations whose peoples shed blood on European soil.
• A fuller, more inclusive remembrance would acknowledge the war as a truly global conflict, one that reshaped empires and nations alike.

Conclusion

• The 80th anniversary of VE Day should serve not merely as a commemoration of past triumphs but as a solemn reminder of the fragility of peace.
• The divisions in memory, the rise in militarisation, and the return of war to Europe’s doorstep expose the unfinished work of reconciliation and security.
• As conflicts rage anew and alliances are tested, the world must recall not just the victories of the past but also the human cost and complexity that came with them.
• Never again must be more than a slogan; it must be a commitment, one that transcends borders, ideologies, and selective histories.

Context

• Eighty years ago, on May 8, 1945, the guns of war finally fell silent across Europe with Nazi Germany’s surrender, a day commemorated as Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
• While it is celebrated with great reverence in the West, VE Day passes with little notice in India.
• In Indian collective memory, the years of the Second World War (1939–1945) are more closely associated with the nation’s struggle for independence.
• Yet, India’s role in this global conflict was far from passive or peripheral. Two extraordinary but largely forgotten Indian lives, those of Kolachala Sitaramaiah and Idris Hasan Latif, offer profound testimony to India’s significant contributions to the world, both in battle and in the laboratory.

The Scientist from Uyyuru: Kolachala Sitaramaiah

• Early Life
  • Kolachala Sitaramaiah was born in 1899 in the small town of Uyyuru, Andhra Pradesh, into a modest family.
  • His journey from rural India to international scientific acclaim is one of perseverance and brilliance.
  • After traveling to the United States by working as a coal stoker on a steamship, he earned Master’s degrees in chemistry from both the University of Chicago and Yale, an extraordinary feat for any Indian at the time.
  • He went on to secure three patents, establishing his credentials as a serious scientist.
  • However, the Great Depression of 1929 profoundly shaped Sitaramaiah’s worldview.
  • Disillusioned with the inequalities of capitalist societies, he moved to the Soviet Union in the 1930s. There, he transitioned from academic research to a life of applied science deeply intertwined with geopolitical urgency.
• Research and Role in World War 2
  • When Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa and invaded the USSR, Sitaramaiah volunteered to fight.
  • Recognised for his intellect, he was instead tasked with a critical mission: to enhance Soviet tank performance in freezing conditions.
  • His pioneering work in tribochemistry, particularly the development of kerosene-based fuels and lubricants, was instrumental in the success of Soviet T-34 tanks during the pivotal Battle of Kursk in 1943, the largest tank battle in history.
  • Sitaramaiah’s legacy extended beyond wartime. His later research into plasma physics laid the groundwork for advancements in controlled nuclear fusion, underscoring how his contributions transcended both national and temporal boundaries.
  • When he passed away in 1977, India’s Ambassador to the USSR, I.K. Gujral, hailed him as a “great scientist, a son of India, and a son of mankind.

The Pilot from Hyderabad: Idris Hasan Latif

• Early Life
  • While Sitaramaiah defended liberty in the laboratory, Idris Hasan Latif did so in the skies.
  • Born into an aristocratic Hyderabadi family of Yemeni descent, Latif chose not comfort but courage.
  • He joined the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) in 1941 and initially flew outdated biplanes on the volatile North West Frontier.
  • But as the Allied air forces suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Britain, Indian pilots like Latif were deployed to Europe in preparation for the D-Day landings in Normandy.
• Role in World War 2
  • By 1944, with German air superiority diminished, Latif was transferred to Burma where he flew Hawker Hurricanes in treacherous tropical conditions.
  • Despite falling seriously ill, he refused to leave his squadron. His dedication, professionalism, and quiet courage were later recognised in London during the 1946 VE Day celebrations.
• Life After Partition
  • When Partition came, Latif’s brother moved to Pakistan and invited him to follow. Latif refused, declaring that religion had no bearing on nationality.
  • ‘I will always stay in the land where my forefathers are buried,’ he said, affirming a patriotism rooted not in ideology, but in deep cultural and emotional belonging.
  • Latif went on to become the 10th Chief of the Indian Air Force in 1978.
  • Later, as India’s Ambassador to France (1985–88), he played a key role in nurturing the India-France defence relationship, a legacy that endures in platforms like the Rafale fighter jet.

Remembering the Forgotten

• VE Day is not merely a European milestone; it is a global remembrance.
• Millions across continents, including countless Indians, endured economic hardship, colonial exploitation, and even famine to support the Allied war effort.
• The stories of Kolachala Sitaramaiah and Idris Hasan Latif underscore India’s integral role in securing that victory.
• These were men who, despite disparate backgrounds, one from poverty and another from privilege, chose a path of duty over comfort, and sacrifice over recognition.
• Their lives are a poignant reminder that history is not only shaped by those who command headlines, but also by individuals whose quiet determination and courage change the course of nations.
• As the poet SriSri once wrote, ‘I too lent an insolent voice, to the roar that shook the heavens!’ Sitaramaiah and Latif, through science and service, did exactly that.

Conclusion

• As we reflect on the eight decades since the end of World War II in Europe, it is essential to look beyond the familiar narratives and honour the many unsung heroes of the global south.
• The lives of Kolachala Sitaramaiah and Idris Hasan Latif illuminate the Indian contribution to a global cause, a contribution built not just on numbers, but on intellect, courage, and conviction.
• Their legacy is a call to remember that even the most humble individuals can alter the trajectory of history, and that nations, even while under colonial rule, can still choose to stand on the right side of humanity.

Why in News?

India carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting 21 terror camps across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

The Indian Armed Forces used precision strikes with niche-technology weapons and carefully chosen warheads to minimize collateral damage.

Although specific weapons were not disclosed, the military's arsenal now includes advanced precision-guided long-range weapons and drones, such as loitering munitions.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs)
• Cutting-Edge Precision Weapons in India’s Military Arsenal

Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs)

• PGMs, also called smart weapons or smart bombs, are missiles or bombs designed to accurately strike specific targets while minimizing collateral damage.
• Key Features of PGMs
  • Advanced Guidance Systems: PGMs use GPS, laser guidance, infrared sensors, or radar to track and hit targets precisely.
  • Mid-Flight Course Corrections: They can adjust their trajectory mid-air to account for weather, wind, or targeting errors.
  • Reduced Collateral Damage: By targeting with precision, PGMs limit harm to civilians and nearby infrastructure.
  • Increased Accuracy: They offer greater accuracy than unguided munitions, with a much smaller margin of error.
  • Versatile Deployment: PGMs can be launched from aircraft, ships, ground platforms, or UAVs, enhancing their operational flexibility.

Cutting-Edge Precision Weapons in India’s Military Arsenal

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Rafale jets, which used SCALP missiles for deep strikes and HAMMER missiles for medium-range precision targets.
• HAMMER
  • The HAMMER (Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) is an air-to-ground precision-guided weapon system developed by Safran, a French aerospace and defence company.
  • Capabilities and Range
    • It has a range of up to 70 km and can be mounted on Rafale jets, as well as fitted to bombs and other guided systems, making it highly versatile for medium-range tactical operations.
  • Advanced Features
    • The system is autonomous, resistant to jamming, and capable of being launched from low altitudes over rough terrain, allowing precision strikes against a wide range of targets.
  • India’s Procurement
    • India has procured several HAMMER systems in recent years to strengthen its aerial strike capabilities.
• SCALP
  • SCALP-EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée — Emploi Général), also known as Storm Shadow in the UK, is an air-launched cruise missile designed for long-range deep strike missions with stealth features.
  • Manufacturer and Range
    • Developed by MBDA, a European multinational defence company, SCALP has a range of around 450 km and is capable of low-altitude flight, making it hard to detect.
  • Operational Versatility
    • It can be deployed at night and in all weather conditions, providing the Indian Air Force with high operational flexibility.
  • Advanced Navigation and Targeting
    • SCALP uses a combination of INS, GPS, and terrain referencing for navigation, allowing it to penetrate heavily fortified targets like bunkers and ammunition depots with high precision.
• METEOR: Next-Gen Air-to-Air Superiority
• The Meteor is a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed by MBDA, effective even in dense electronic warfare environments.
• It uses a solid-fuel ‘ramjet’ motor, providing continuous thrust and enabling the largest 'No Escape Zone' among air-to-air missile systems.
• BRAHMOS: India’s Supersonic Cruise Power
  • The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, and is operational in all three Indian defence services.
  • It operates at speeds close to Mach 3, ensuring faster target engagement, low dispersion, and minimal interception risk.
  • The missile follows a ‘Fire and Forget’ mode, with a cruising altitude of up to 15 km and terminal altitude as low as 10 metres, carrying a 200–300 kg conventional warhead.
• Loitering Munitions
  • Loitering munitions are aerial weapons that combine surveillance and strike capabilities, allowing them to identify and engage targets with precision.
  • These systems can be operated autonomously or manually, offering real-time intelligence and the ability to strike at the right moment.
  • In recent years, the Indian Armed Forces have been actively procuring various types of drones, including loitering munitions, to enhance situational awareness and precision strike capabilities.

Why in the News?

Recently, PM Modi said that India was marching ahead with renewed confidence in the field of space exploration and its astronauts' footprints will be on the Moon.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Space Program (Introduction, Catalyst for Empowerment, Achievements, Road Ahead, Private Participation, etc.)

Introduction

• PM Modi has outlined an ambitious future for India’s space programme, reaffirming the country's rising role in both global scientific exploration and domestic empowerment.
• In his address to the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025, PM Modi emphasized that India’s space efforts are not about competition, but about “reaching higher together”, driven by the spirit of collective growth, technological advancement, and service to humanity.

Space as a Catalyst for Empowerment

• PM Modi asserted that space exploration in India has a dual purpose, scientific progress and citizen empowerment.
• From providing alerts to fishermen to enabling the Gati Shakti logistics platform and enhancing railway safety and weather forecasting, Indian satellites have been actively improving governance and the everyday lives of citizens.
• He added that India’s space infrastructure supports socio-economic transformation, showcasing space not merely as a frontier of science, but as a driver of inclusive development.
• Highlighting this, PM Modi said India’s rockets don’t just carry payloads but “the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians.”

A Legacy of Achievements

• India’s space journey began modestly with a small rocket launch in 1963. Since then, the country has reached several significant milestones:
  • India became the first country to land near the lunar South Pole with Chandrayaan-3 in 2023.
  • Chandrayaan-1 helped discover water on the Moon.
  • Chandrayaan-2 produced the highest resolution images of the Moon.
  • In 2014, India became the first country to reach Mars in its maiden attempt with the Mangalyaan mission.
• India has also demonstrated engineering excellence by:
  • Building cryogenic engines in record time.
  • Launching 100 satellites in a single mission.
  • Sending more than 400 satellites for 34 countries.
  • Achieving satellite docking in space, a step forward for human spaceflight capability.

The Road Ahead: Moon, Mars, Venus

• Looking toward the future, PM Modi announced a clear and ambitious roadmap:
  • By 2025: India will send astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on a 14-day joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station under the Axiom-4 mission.
  • By 2035: India will establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, opening new frontiers in research and international collaboration.
  • By 2040: Indian astronauts will set foot on the Moon. Mars and Venus are also part of ISRO’s future planetary exploration agenda.
• These goals reaffirm India’s commitment to bold, long-term space ambitions, rooted in both national pride and global cooperation.

Boosting Private Participation and Innovation

• PM Modi highlighted the emergence of over 250 space startups in India, which are contributing to breakthroughs in satellite tech, propulsion systems, and imaging technologies.
• He noted that many of these initiatives are led by women scientists, reflecting the inclusive character of India’s scientific community.
• These private players are not only generating employment (over 22,000 jobs in the past decade) but are also driving economic value and global relevance for India’s space sector.

Strategic Diplomacy Through Space

• India's commitment to using space for diplomacy and regional cooperation was also emphasized.
• After launching satellites for South Asian countries, the upcoming G20 Satellite Mission, announced during India’s G20 presidency, will be a symbolic and practical gift to the Global South.
• This aligns with India’s broader vision of sharing scientific progress to address shared global challenges and strengthen multilateralism.

Context:

• India and the United Kingdom signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on May 6, 2025, marking the culmination of negotiations that began in January 2022.
• The FTA has proceeded relatively quickly by the standards of negotiation timelines. For example, the one with the EU has been dragging on for nearly twenty years, but it appears to have gained momentum recently.

Strategic Timing and Geopolitical Context of the India-UK FTA:

• Post-Brexit UK strategy:
  • Post-Brexit (2020), the UK has actively sought new trade partners, signing deals with Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam, and joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) - a mega trade bloc of 12 countries.
  • The FTA with India is the UK’s most significant trade deal post-EU exit, given India’s fast-growing economy and rising middle class.
• India’s trade strategy:
  • In line with the goal of becoming a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, India is increasingly integrating with global trade systems.
  • The FTA is India’s first major FTA outside Asia, signalling a shift towards deeper global engagement and is a manifestation of comparative advantage (Ricardian theory).

Key Provisions of the India-UK FTA and Economic Gains:

• For India:
  • Improved market access: Indian exports to the UK to benefit from reduced or zero tariffs - especially in: mineral fuels, pharmaceuticals, apparel, chemicals, machinery, iron and steel
  • Ease of mobility: Eases entry for Indian professionals and students, addressing the UK’s ageing workforce.
• For the UK - Access to India’s market:
  • High-value exports like automobiles, Scotch whisky, legal and financial services.
  • India offers a young and digitally savvy consumer base with opportunities for British technology, education, and professional services.
  • The attention towards diversification away from China, coupled with India’s strong economic trajectory, presents the UK with a rare opportunity.

Safeguards and Strategic Provisions:

• Phased tariff reductions: On sensitive goods (e.g. whisky, automobiles, agri-products) to prevent market shocks.
• Quotas: Introduced to prevent flooding of markets.
• Reciprocal benefits: UK to eliminate tariffs on Indian textiles, boosting Make in India and manufacturing.

Economic Impact and Investment Landscape:

• Bilateral trade: £42 billion by mid-2024; India maintains a trade surplus of £8 billion.
• Investment flows:
  • UK: 6th-largest investor in India, over £38 billion in the past 3 years, in sectors like financial services and manufacturing.
  • India: 2nd-largest source of FDI in the UK in 2023.
• Goal: Double bilateral trade by 2030.

Progressive Elements and Challenges:

• Trade rules and modernization:
  • Need for harmonisation of standards, regulations, and norms.
  • Focus on e-commerce, digital trade, and climate-related trade rules.
  • India has opted for non-binding labour and environmental provisions (“best endeavour” clauses).
• Education and services:
  • Promotion of UKIERI (UK-India Education and Research Initiative).
  • Emphasis on Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for:
    • Academic qualifications
    • Professional licenses

Significance of the India-UK FTA in India's Trade Diplomacy:

• Paradigm shift: From protectionism to proactive trade engagement.
• Foundation for future FTAs: Encouraging signals for upcoming deals with the EU and the US.
• Instrument of domestic reform: FTAs can catalyse reforms in labour laws, logistics, scale inefficiencies, and bureaucratic hurdles.
• Bilateralism vs multilateralism: With multilateralism in a permanent coma, well-negotiated FTAs for India can play a role similar to that played by the WTO in the upscaling of the Chinese economy.

Conclusion:

• The India-UK FTA is not just a trade pact, but a strategic and economic realignment.
• It underscores India's readiness to become a global economic player and leverages FTAs as tools for growth, reform, and integration.
• The FTA’s success will depend on effective implementation, ongoing dialogue, and domestic readiness to meet global standards.

Context

• India stands out among emerging economies for an unusual characteristic: its economic growth has been led not by manufacturing, as is typically the case, but by the services
• Since 1980, the share of manufacturing in India’s gross value added has barely risen, from 16% to 17.5%, while services have surged from 33% to 55%.
• This distinct trajectory reflects not only the dynamism of India's services sector but also deep-rooted structural and regulatory challenges within its industrial base.

Reason Behind India’s Manufacturing Stagnation: The Regulatory Burden on Manufacturing

• Unlike services, which have historically flown under the radar, manufacturing has been tightly bound by outdated and often arbitrary regulations.
• The factory continues to be treated as the archetype of industrial activity, attracting more scrutiny and compliance requirements than service-sector firms such as call centres or software companies.
• This regulatory bias has created an imbalanced ecosystem. As services grow, they are increasingly coming under regulatory attention, revealing how excessive and illogical many of these rules are.
• The anecdote of an inspector demanding to see a snake-pit in a modern office, an archaic and irrelevant requirement, is a glaring example of how outdated regulations can become tools for extortion.
• Similarly, coordinated schemes between consultants and enforcement authorities expose the corrupt underbelly of the system, posing real threats to business growth and entrepreneurial initiative.

Initiative Towards De-Regulation

• Recognising these challenges, the announcement of a high-level committee for regulatory reform in the 2025 Budget is a promising step.
• The committee aims to address what the authors term regulatory cholesterol, the bloated and tangled web of inspections, permits, and no-objection certificates (NOCs) that strangle business activity, especially in low-risk domains.
• A more effective model would be to shift from inspector-led approvals to self-certification for low-risk sectors.
• Lessons can be drawn from best practices within India and Southeast Asia, where third-party certifications and digital processes streamline business compliance.
• For instance, automated systems could be used to grant construction NOCs based on geotagged data, especially for buildings not obstructing flight paths or critical infrastructure.

Further Reforms Required for Sustainable Economic Growth

• Reforming Factor Markets: Land and Labour Reforms
  • Sustainable economic growth also requires reforms in factor markets, particularly land and labour.
  • Land acquisition processes remain complex, with overlapping restrictions and zoning regulations.
  • Simplifying land-use conversion and building byelaws can make industrial land more accessible.
  • Labour laws present a similar challenge. India’s rigid and outdated labour framework is misaligned with the evolving nature of work.
  • In particular, the rise of gig work, a flexible, technology-driven employment model, needs to be acknowledged in law.
  • Current efforts in some states to treat gig workers as full-time employees risk imposing unsustainable compliance burdens on platforms and employers.
  • Instead, a flexible legal framework that protects workers' rights without stifling the economic model is needed.
• Transparency and Procedural Clarity
  • Transparency and procedural clarity are equally critical.
  • All required approvals, documentation, and checklists should be available publicly and online, ensuring that businesses are not caught in discretionary or opaque processes.
  • Regular inspections, where necessary, should be harmonised across departments, notified in advance, and conducted jointly with a single checklist to eliminate redundancy and corruption.
• Cultural Change in Bureaucracy and Performance Metrics
  • Reforms must not be confined to procedures; they must extend to mindset.
  • The prevailing attitude among regulators is one of distrust towards entrepreneurs, treating business growth as something to control rather than enable. Changing this approach requires a cultural shift.
  • One transformative proposal is to include metrics such as investment facilitation and economic development in the performance evaluation of government departments.
  • Such institutional alignment could create a bureaucracy that supports, rather than hinders, business development.

The Way Forward to Repeat 1991 Moment: Microeconomic Reforms for Macro Growth

• Today, while India continues to benefit from stable monetary and fiscal policies, achieving the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 requires it to replicate that success through microeconomic reform.
• A sustained growth rate of 8% annually is essential, especially given global headwinds such as trade wars and supply chain disruptions.
• While India cannot control global forces, it can, through domestic deregulation and institutional reform, unlock internal growth engines.
• Removing regulatory bottlenecks and building a business-friendly ecosystem are crucial levers in this regard.

Conclusion

• India's service-led growth model is a testament to its entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability.
• However, realising its long-term economic ambitions will require balanced growth driven by both services and manufacturing.
• That, in turn, necessitates a bold and sustained push to deregulate, digitise, and democratise the business environment.
• India must rise to this 1991-like moment, not out of crisis, but out of opportunity, to shape a truly developed economy by 2047.

Context

• The contemporary global energy and geopolitical landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by shifting power dynamics, technological innovation, and the pressing need for climate action.
• Against this backdrop, recent diplomatic overtures between the United States and India signal a pivotal opportunity to solidify a forward-looking strategic partnership.
• Highlighted by U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s emphasis on deeper collaboration in energy and defence, and mirrored by India's articulations, this renewed engagement is not simply about short-term alignment but the construction of a robust framework for long-term cooperation.
• Though these areas of convergence are not new, the urgency and complexity of today’s challenges demand a deeper, more strategic investment in bilateral ties.

Energy Security: A Strategic Imperative for India

• India's pursuit of energy security is grounded in three critical imperatives: ensuring the availability of resources at predictable costs, safeguarding supply chain integrity, and promoting sustainability.
• These objectives are not merely operational but foundational to India’s broader development and climate strategies.
• The nexus between nuclear energy and critical minerals presents a fertile ground for collaboration with the United States, combining India’s growing demand and policy innovation with American capital and technological prowess.

The Building Blocks of India-US Energy Future

• Critical Minerals: Building the Architecture of Resilience
  • The transition to clean energy is as much about electrons as it is about elements.
  • Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements underpin technologies ranging from electric vehicles to defence systems and renewable energy infrastructure.
  • China’s near-monopoly over rare earth processing, controlling close to 90% of global capacity, has exposed the fragility of existing supply chains and underscored the strategic vulnerability of nations dependent on these resources.
  • In response, India and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding in 2024 aimed at diversifying global critical mineral supply chains.
• Nuclear Energy: A Catalyst for Decarbonisation and Industrial Growth
  • India’s surging electricity demand, coupled with its net-zero ambitions, necessitates a diversified, low-carbon energy portfolio.
  • Nuclear power emerges as a critical pillar in this matrix, offering reliable baseload power that complements intermittent sources like solar and wind.
  • Despite its ambitious goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, India currently operates with just over 8 GW, necessitating a dramatic acceleration in deployment.

Guiding Principles for An Effective Partnership on Critical Minerals

• A Holistic Perspective
  • Critical minerals should be viewed as enablers across multiple strategic sectors, not merely within the confines of mining.
  • This broader lens will facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration and long-term innovation between Indian and American institutions.
• Bilateral and Plurilateral Synergies
  • The establishment of supply guarantees and collaborative frameworks must drive the partnership.
  • The creation of an India-U.S. Critical Minerals Consortium could facilitate joint exploration and processing initiatives.
  • Moreover, leveraging plurilateral platforms like the Quad, including Japan and Australia, could exponentially increase technological capabilities and resource access.
• Long-Term Commitment
  • Unlike solar farms or battery plants, which can be operational within a few years, mining and processing infrastructure take decades to develop.
  • A 20-year roadmap with interim milestones is essential. In this context, the proposed India-U.S. Mineral Exchange, a blockchain-enabled platform for transparent trade and traceability, could set global benchmarks for ethical and resilient supply chains.
  • Additionally, establishing joint strategic stockpiles and co-investing in third-country projects across resource-rich regions such as Africa and Latin America can shield both nations from geopolitical shocks.

Necessary Reforms for an Effective Nuclear Collaboration

• Streamlined Deployment
  • Reducing the construction timeline of nuclear projects from nine to six years can significantly reduce costs and improve investor confidence.
  • This requires standardized reactor designs, expedited approvals, and skilled project execution.
• Private Sector Integration
  • Unlocking private capital is key. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with lower upfront costs and siting flexibility, offer a viable path forward.
  • However, their bankability depends on clear offtake mechanisms, risk mitigation instruments, and long-term purchase agreements.
  • India must reorient its financial systems, given that the projected investment requirement for 100 GW of nuclear power could reach $180 billion.
• Legislative and Regulatory Reform
  • The amendment of India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 is vital to enabling private investment and international collaboration.
  • The recent approval for U.S.-based Holtec International to transfer SMR technology to Indian firms exemplifies the promise of Indo-U.S. technological synergy.
  • However, safety must remain paramount. As India positions itself to lead in SMR manufacturing, robust protocols for waste management and decommissioning must be integral to the strategy.

The Way Forward: Strategic Vision in a Volatile World

• The April 2025 edition of the IMF’s World Economic Outlook points to an increasingly uncertain global environment marked by trade tensions and economic fragmentation.
• In this context, a resilient, long-term India-U.S. energy partnership offers mutual strategic assurance.
• India’s growth trajectory and the U.S.’s technological ecosystem are inherently
• Together, they can build not just a bilateral relationship, but a global coalition for energy resilience and sustainability.
• Such a partnership must move beyond symbolic agreements and embrace the plumbing of cooperation, investment tracking systems, workforce training, data-sharing frameworks, and innovation platforms like the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
• These institutional frameworks are essential to translating high-level intent into tangible outcomes.

Conclusion

• The foundation for a robust India-U.S. partnership on energy and critical minerals has already been laid.
• What remains is the commitment to operationalise this vision with long-term strategic clarity and pragmatic action.
• As India hosts the upcoming Quad summit and assumes greater leadership in global energy governance, this moment is ripe for embedding cooperation into durable institutions and cross-border frameworks.
• A resilient future demands foresight, investment, and trust, and the India-U.S. partnership is uniquely positioned to deliver on all three.

Why in News?

India successfully conducted Operation Sindoor, a joint military operation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, targeting terrorist camps at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The strikes were a response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, attributed to ISI-backed militant groups. Precision munitions were used to hit four targets in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Sarjal) and five in PoK, with the objective of dismantling terrorist infrastructure operating with impunity.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Purpose Behind Target Selection
• Key Signals from Operation Sindoor
• What Makes Operation Sindoor Different

Purpose Behind Target Selection

• The targets were chosen to dismantle anti-India terrorist infrastructure linked to groups actively engaged in cross-border terrorism.
• Involvement of Proscribed Terror Groups
  • The sites were connected to banned outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), which are known to receive direct support from Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies.
• Nature of Terrorist Facilities
  • These groups operate from training camps (Markaz) and launch pads, often concealed within government-run buildings.
    • Launch pads: Used for infiltration staging and arms training.
    • Larger camps: Serve purposes like religious indoctrination, propaganda, logistics, and recruitment.

Key Signals from Operation Sindoor

• Redefining the Causal Link Between Pakistan and Terrorism
  • India framed Operation Sindoor as a response not just to the recent Pahalgam attack, but to a two-decade-long pattern of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism since the 2001 Parliament attack.
  • It highlighted the role of groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), both UN-designated terrorist groups.
  • Cited examples like Sajid Mir and the FATF’s role in forcing Pakistan to take symbolic actions without dismantling terror networks.
  • Targeting key sites like Markaz Subhan Allah, Markaz Taiba, and Mehmoona Joya undermines Pakistan’s narrative that newer proxy groups (like TRF) are disconnected from Islamabad.
• Targeting Terror, Not the Pakistani Military
  • India continues its doctrine of hitting terrorist infrastructure without targeting Pakistan’s conventional military.
  • The strikes were labeled as “non-military” and “preemptive”, similar to the approach in the 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrike.
  • However, Sindoor marks an escalation in depth and scale, striking targets deep within Pakistan, not just in PoK.
• Calibrated Action with Strategic Restraint
  • India emphasized Sindoor was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory”, showing it does not seek full-scale war.
  • However, it sent a clear message that Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence posture no longer shields its terror infrastructure.
  • Future escalations by Pakistan could trigger Indian retaliation on military assets, pushing the threshold higher.

What Makes Operation Sindoor Different

• Unprecedented Scale and Reach
  • 24 missile strikes launched in a single day — India’s largest single-day strike so far.
  • Unlike Balakot (2019) and Uri (2016), which targeted one or few sites, Sindoor reflects a massive, coordinated offensive.
• Wider Target Spectrum and Deep Strikes
  • India signaled that no part of Pakistan is off-limits, targeting deep inside the Pakistani heartland.
  • Shows a clear shift in policy — from reactive to pre-emptive and assertive.
  • Military analysts noted this operation crossed previous thresholds in terms of both geography and intensity.
• Tri-Services Coordination and Advanced Weaponry
  • Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force all took part, demonstrating joint operational strength.
  • Strikes were highly coordinated, time-bound, and used real-time UAV confirmation to verify destruction — marking a new benchmark in precision warfare.
• Strategic Red Line Shift
  • India refrained from hitting Pakistani military installations to avoid conventional escalation, but the depth and scale of the strikes clearly altered the red line.
  • The operation has redefined the costs Pakistan may have to bear for continuing cross-border terrorism.
• Symbolic Naming, Human-Centric Messaging
  • Named “Sindoor” to honour the victims of the Pahalgam attack, particularly widows of the 26 slain.
  • Reflects a shift from military glorification to moral justification.