Why in News?

On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a major strike on Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites in Tehran, killing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard chief and two top nuclear scientists.

The attack marks a dramatic escalation in the Israel-Iran shadow war, raising fears of a broader regional conflict amid growing tensions over Iran’s advancing nuclear programme.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Iran's Nuclear Programme
• Israel’s Long-Planned Strike Comes to Fruition
• Rising Tensions and Immediate Fallout

Iran's Nuclear Programme

• 
• Iran claims its nuclear programme is dedicated solely to civilian and peaceful purposes, such as energy production and medical research.
• It operates multiple nuclear facilities across the country, some of which were recently hit in Israeli strikes.
• Global Skepticism Persists
  • Despite Iran’s assertions, many countries and the IAEA remain unconvinced, suspecting military dimensions to the programme.
  • Concerns centre on Iran’s lack of transparency and its refusal to fully explain the presence of undeclared nuclear material.
• IAEA Declares Non-Compliance
  • For the first time in two decades, the IAEA Board of Governors formally declared Iran in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
  • The resolution cited multiple failures, including the lack of credible answers regarding nuclear activities and stockpiles.
• Near-Weapons-Grade Enrichment
  • Earlier IAEA reports revealed that Iran has enriched uranium up to 60% purity, dangerously close to the 90% threshold needed for weapons.
  • This stockpile could, in theory, be used to produce up to nine nuclear bombs, raising alarm across the international community.

Israel’s Long-Planned Strike Comes to Fruition

• Israel’s attack on Iran marks the culmination of years of planning. Long opposed to the 2015 nuclear deal, Israel had already carried out clandestine operations.
• This includes the 2020 assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and the 2014 bombing of Iran’s embassy in Damascus.
• The latest assault targeted Iran’s nuclear sites, missile facilities, residences of top generals, and over two dozen scientists—making it the most severe blow to Iran since the 1979 revolution.
• The Fall of Assad and the Collapse of Iran’s Regional Axis
  • The regional power dynamic shifted dramatically after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
  • Israel’s response included strikes on Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Syrian forces.
  • The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024—who had served as a strategic bridge between Tehran and Hezbollah—severely weakened Iran’s deterrence network, known as the “axis of resistance.”
  • With this axis dismantled and Iranian defences exposed, Israel saw a narrow window to strike.
• Trump's Return and the Strategic Shift
  • President Donald Trump’s re-election introduced a new but aggressive diplomatic posture.
  • Though he initially delayed Israel's planned May attack to explore negotiations, his administration aimed to force Iran into a new deal that eliminates its nuclear program entirely.
  • With talks stalling, Trump backed the June Israeli strike, using it as leverage.

Rising Tensions and Immediate Fallout

• The escalation triggered an 8% surge in global oil prices, raising fears of prolonged instability and global supply chain disruptions.
• India’s Energy Vulnerability
  • India, which imports over 80% of its crude oil, faces serious risks even though direct imports from Iran are limited.
  • Global price hikes and potential supply chain disruptions could significantly increase import costs, impacting inflation and energy security.
• Strait of Hormuz: A Strategic Chokepoint
  • About 20% of global oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Conflict in this area could disrupt oil supplies from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—India’s key energy partners.
• Export Routes and Shipping Costs Affected
  • Rising conflict could close access to the Suez Canal and Red Sea, forcing Indian exporters to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, adding 15–20 days of travel time and raising container costs by 40–50%.
• Oil Prices May Stabilise, But Gold Surges
  • Experts predict the oil market will stabilise, citing ample global reserves and diversified supply.
  • However, gold prices soared above ₹1 lakh per 10g, as investors moved towards safe-haven assets amid geopolitical uncertainty and broader inflationary fears.

Why in News?

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a resolution declaring Iran in breach of its 1974 Safeguards Agreement, citing concerns over unexplained uranium traces at multiple sites. The vote saw opposition from China, Russia, and Venezuela, with 11 abstentions.

A day later, Israel launched "preliminary strikes" on Iranian nuclear facilities and declared a domestic state of emergency.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• IAEA Safeguards agreements
• IAEA Resolution Marks a Turning Point
• Israel Responds with Strikes and Warnings

IAEA Safeguards agreements

• IAEA Safeguards are embedded in legally binding agreements.
• In line with the IAEA’s Statute, States accept these Safeguards through the conclusion of such agreements with the Agency.
• As of May 2023, the IAEA has concluded comprehensive safeguards agreements with 182 countries, primarily non-nuclear-weapon states under the NPT.
• These agreements are the most common type and are designed to ensure the peaceful use of nuclear material.
• 1974 Safeguards Agreement
  • The 1974 Safeguards Agreement refers to a legally binding accord between Iran and the IAEA, concluded under the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
  • Inventory and Reporting Obligations
    • Iran is required to:
      • Declare and maintain a detailed inventory of all nuclear materials.
      • Provide design information of any nuclear facility handling such materials.
      • Notify the IAEA before constructing or modifying any nuclear facility.
  • Inspections
  • The IAEA is authorized to conduct routine, ad hoc, and special inspections.
  • Iran must allow access to facilities, materials, and relevant documents to verify compliance.
  • Surveillance equipment like cameras and seals may be installed at key locations.
  • Verification Mandate
    • The IAEA must be able to verify that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material to weapons-related programs.
  • Non-Compliance Consequences
    • If Iran fails to meet its obligations, the IAEA can:
      • Report the breach to its Board of Governors.
      • Notify all IAEA member states.
      • Refer the matter to the U.N. Security Council, which can impose sanctions or take other measures.

IAEA Resolution Marks a Turning Point

• For the first time, the IAEA Board of Governors formally declared Iran non-compliant with its 1974 Safeguards Agreement, paving the way for potential escalation to the U.N. Security Council.
• The resolution follows years of urging Iran to cooperate and was welcomed by several Gulf states.
• IAEA Invokes Rare Article XII.C Powers
  • The IAEA Board of Governors, empowered by Article XII C of its 1957 statute, has formally cited Iran for non-compliance.
    • Thus far, this Article has been invoked only six times: against Iraq (1991), Romania (1992), North Korea (1993), Iran (2006), Libya (2004), and Syria (2011).
  • This provision enables the Board to demand corrective measures, suspend technical aid, and escalate the issue to the U.N. Security Council if Iran fails to respond satisfactorily.
• Iran Under Scrutiny, Technical Projects at Risk
  • The IAEA currently operates around $1.5 million worth of peaceful nuclear projects in Iran, including in medicine and water desalination.
  • These could now be curtailed if Iran does not cooperate.
• Verification Challenges and Safeguard Breaches
  • Under its 1974 Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, Iran must provide nuclear material inventories, notify about new facilities, and allow inspections.
  • The IAEA, however, has stated it is unable to verify the absence of nuclear material diversion for weapon use—a key safeguard failure.
• Next Steps: Security Council in Sight
  • Iran has a limited window to respond to IAEA queries. If it fails to comply, the Board may escalate the matter to the U.N. Security Council, which could respond with statements, binding resolutions, or renewed sanctions.
  • A follow-up IAEA vote is likely in September 2025.

Israel Responds with Strikes and Warnings

• In response, Israel launched early morning strikes against Iranian nuclear sites and reiterated its position that it will not permit Iran to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels (90%).
• Iran Denounces Resolution, Plans Retaliatory Steps
  • Tehran condemned the resolution as politically motivated and announced plans to build a new underground enrichment facility, upgrade centrifuges at Fordow, and implement “proportional measures”.
  • Following Israeli attacks, Iran placed its air defence system on high alert, while Israel reported Iranian drone mobilisations.

Why in the News?

The Union government has started funding structural mechanisms to “facilitate” the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Forest Rights Act (Introduction, Framework, etc.)
• About FRA Cells (Role, Structure, Broader Vision, etc.)

Introduction

• For the first time since the enactment of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in 2006, the Union government has initiated direct structural support to streamline its implementation.
• Under the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA), the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has approved the establishment of over 300 district and State-level FRA cells across India.
• This strategic push is aimed at assisting Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers in exercising their legal rights over forest land and resources.

The Forest Rights Act and its Decentralised Framework

• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 was enacted to correct historical injustices faced by tribal communities and forest dwellers.
• It decentralised the recognition of rights to the Gram Sabha, which in turn sets up Forest Rights Committees (FRCs).
  • These committees work with Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLCs) and District Level Committees (DLCs) to process claims.
• Until now, the onus of implementing FRA was entirely on State governments and Union Territories, with the Centre offering only advisory support.
• However, limited coordination, delayed committee meetings, and lack of field-level assistance have led to 14.45% of total claims still pending, as of March 2025.

Role and Structure of FRA Cells

• The new FRA cells, sanctioned under the DAJGUA scheme launched in October 2024, aim to provide technical and administrative support without intervening in statutory decision-making.
• These cells are tasked with:

• Assisting claimants and Gram Sabhas in preparing claim documents.
• Aiding in collection of necessary evidence and resolutions.
• Helping in digitisation of land records and tracking claim status.
• Facilitating conversion of forest habitations into revenue villages.

• To date, 324 district-level FRA cells have been approved across 18 States and Union Territories, along with State-level FRA cells in 17 regions.
• The Centre funds these cells through the Grants-in-Aid General route, while operational control lies with State Tribal Welfare departments.
• Each district-level cell receives a budget of Rs. 8.67 lakh, while State-level cells are allocated Rs. 25.85 lakh.
• States like Madhya Pradesh (55 cells), Chhattisgarh (30), and Telangana (29) lead the count in terms of sanctioned FRA cells.

Divergence from FRA’s Statutory Process

• Despite the declared facilitative nature, forest rights activists have raised concerns about these cells creating a parallel implementation mechanism that exists outside the statutory framework of the FRA.
• The original law clearly delineates roles for Gram Sabhas and statutory committees, which cannot be superseded by an administrative scheme.
• Critics argue that many responsibilities assigned to the FRA cells, like assisting with documentation and verifying evidence, already fall under the remit of statutory bodies.
• The risk, they note, is the creation of confusion at the grassroots level over who is responsible for which task.
• Moreover, structural gaps such as infrequent DLC/SDLC meetings and inaction by Forest Departments on approved claims continue to hinder progress, issues that mere creation of new units may not solve.

DAJGUA’s Broader Vision

• The DAJGUA scheme integrates 25 tribal welfare interventions across 17 ministries to uplift over 68,000 tribal-majority villages.
• FRA implementation is just one pillar of this initiative. The overarching goal is to expedite delivery of rights, improve governance, and ensure development reaches the most marginalised.
• The operational guidelines state that FRA cells must function under the directives of State governments, aligning with existing legal and administrative frameworks.
• Their scope is supportive, not supervisory, ensuring that statutory powers remain unaffected.

Balancing Institutional Innovation with Legal Integrity

• While the Centre’s direct involvement marks a major policy shift in supporting FRA implementation, success will depend on the clarity of roles and cooperation between central and State authorities.
• If implemented carefully, these FRA cells can bridge capacity gaps, reduce pendency, and empower Gram Sabhas.
• However, the approach must be inclusive and transparent, ensuring that the legal sanctity of the Forest Rights Act is preserved.
• Any deviation from the statutory process could dilute the law’s purpose and undermine the trust of forest-dwelling communities.

Context:

• The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in its State of the World Population Report 2025, challenges alarmist narratives surrounding declining fertility and demographic transitions.
• The report emphasizes reproductive agency - the ability of individuals and couples to realize their fertility aspirations - as the real issue, rather than mere population numbers.
• It holds vital significance for policymakers, especially in a country like India, where socio-economic and cultural factors shape fertility behavior and population policy.
• In this context, we will try to analyse the key highlights/findings of the report.

The Changing Global Demographic Landscape:

• Declining fertility rates worldwide:
  • Global fertility rate has declined from 5 (1960) to 2.2 (2024).
  • More than 50% of countries now have fertility rates below 2.1, the replacement level.
  • By 2054, all countries are projected to have fertility rates below 4.
  • Demographic anxiety is rising due to ageing populations and shrinking workforce.
• India's demographic shift:
  • India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) fell from 2.9 (2005) to 2.0 (2020) (SRS 2020).
  • Large inter-state variations persist.
  • Population under age 5 peaked in 2004; under 15 peaked in 2009.
  • India’s population is projected to peak mid-century, driven by young cohorts and increased life expectancy.
    • "Peak population" refers to the point in time when a population reaches its maximum size, after which it is expected to decline. 

Reproductive Aspirations and Realities:

• Unmet fertility desires - A dual challenge: UNFPA–YouGov survey of 14 countries, including India -
  • 36% of Indian respondents had unintended pregnancies.
  • 30% couldn't conceive when they wanted.
  • Indicates both overachieved fertility (more children than desired) and underachieved fertility (fewer children than desired).
• Economic and social constraints:
  • Major barriers: Financial insecurity, unemployment, housing, lack of childcare.
  • Marriage and domestic burden on Indian women restrict reproductive choices.
  • Lack of supportive workplace policies like paid parental leave and flexible hours.
  • Discrimination and career disruption due to pregnancy, especially in the informal sector.

Barriers to Reproductive Health and Autonomy:

• Stigma and structural gaps in infertility care:
  • Infertility remains stigmatized, especially where marriage equals childbearing.
  • Treatments are expensive, unregulated, and dominated by the private sector.
  • High costs and lack of insurance deter access.
• Over-reliance on sterilisation:
  • Widespread reliance on female sterilisation in India.
  • The need to promote reversible, modern contraception methods, not just for birth control but also to preserve choice, is essential to ensure people can plan families on their own terms.
• Delayed and spaced childbearing:
  • Educated, urban couples are delaying childbirth, but spacing for second child is often neglected.
  • NFHS-5: 4% of married women aged 15 to 49 who are currently married report that their needs for spacing are not being satisfied.
  • Son preference and norms against contraceptive use inhibit planning.

 Toward Reproductive Justice and Demographic Resilience:

• Countering demographic anxiety:
  • Public discourse focused on ageing, overpopulation, and low fertility often blames women.
  • The real issue is policy failure, not demographic change itself.
• Reproductive agency as central to policy:
  • Shift from population control to reproductive empowerment.
  • Policies must be people-centric, enabling choices, not imposing targets.

Conclusion - A Rights-Based Demographic Vision:

• To secure a demographically resilient future, nations must prioritize reproductive autonomy, dismantle socio-cultural barriers, and design inclusive policies that reflect the real fertility aspirations of individuals.
• India, standing at the crossroads of a demographic transition, has the opportunity to reshape its population policy through a framework of dignity, equity, and choice.

Context

• On June 13, 2025, the geopolitical theatre of West Asia witnessed a dramatic escalation: Israel’s Rising Lion operation targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.
• In a rare convergence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, arch-enemies bound by ideological hostility, both acknowledged the historical gravity of the moment.
• While Netanyahu proclaimed it a decisive moment in Israel’s history, Khamenei responded with apocalyptic certainty, declaring that the Zionist regime sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny.
• This event, steeped in ancient enmity and modern strategy, may redefine regional power equations and trigger repercussions with global dimensions.

Historical Continuity, Strategic Calculus and the Shadow of U.S. Involvement

• Historical Continuity and Strategic Calculus
  • This confrontation is not an isolated episode but rather the latest iteration in a 26-century-old Jewish, Persian conflict, stretching back to the destruction of the First Jewish Temple by Babylon in 586 BCE.
  • The current iteration, however, is shaped by 21st-century strategic technologies, proxy wars, and asymmetric power dynamics.
  • Israel’s attack appears meticulously planned, leveraging two years of confrontation with Iranian proxies, the weakening of Iran’s first line of defence in Syria, and the technological sophistication of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).
  • Israel’s blitzkrieg began with coordinated airstrikes, reportedly involving over 200 jets and hitting more than 100 targets.
  • Key Iranian military and scientific figures were assassinated, including the Iranian Armed Forces’ Chief of Staff and senior nuclear scientists.
  • The operation was not a spontaneous act of aggression but a culmination of geopolitical manoeuvres, assassinations, and softening-up tactics across Iran’s strategic frontiers.
• The Shadow of U.S. Involvement
  • Although the United States and its allies have officially disavowed direct involvement, circumstantial evidence points to covert support.
  • The withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under Trump’s first term and the reinstatement of sanctions significantly weakened Iran.
  • In Trump’s second term, renewed economic pressure, including efforts to collapse oil prices by influencing Saudi Arabia’s OPEC+ decisions, was clearly aimed at strangling Iran’s oil-based revenue streams.
  • Simultaneously, heavy U.S. bombardment of the Houthis, an Iranian ally, suggested a coordinated effort to reduce Iranian strategic depth.
  • Notably, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s resolution on June 12 condemning Iran’s nuclear non-compliance, passed for the first time in two decades, may have served as diplomatic cover for Israel’s military action.
  • Even the unexplained overtures toward Pakistan, sharing a long border with Iran, hint at a broader encirclement strategy orchestrated by Israel’s Western allies.

Arab Reactions and the Risk of Regional Conflagration

• Reactions from the Sunni Arab world are marked by ambivalence.
• While they harbour deep-seated suspicion of Iran’s Shia leadership, they are equally wary of Israeli militarism and fear regional blowback.
• Threats such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, covert retaliatory attacks, and possible Shia uprisings in Sunni-majority states loom large.
• These conditions could also create fertile ground for the resurgence of extremist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda, exploiting regional instability for recruitment and operations.
• Though Israeli officials have portrayed the operation as a limited and precise attempt to defang Iran’s strategic capabilities, regional observers warn that wars rarely follow intended scripts.
• If the conflict spirals, Iran may retaliate not only against Israel but also against perceived Western accomplices, possibly dragging the U.S. into a direct confrontation and catalysing a fundamental reshaping of Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Implications for the Global Economy and U.S. Policy

• The global economy stands exposed to the vagaries of the Israel–Iran conflict.
• Prolonged hostilities could disrupt oil supplies, fuel inflation, and send shockwaves through financial markets already stressed by regional conflicts and protectionist trade measures.
• Far from confirming former President Trump’s claims of ending ‘endless wars,’ a drawn-out confrontation could instead stain his administration with another costly entanglement.
• Moreover, if Iran survives the initial assault and mounts an effective response, it could galvanise domestic support and undermine Israel’s doctrine of short, surgical pre-emption.
• Rather than neutralising Iran, the operation could embolden hardliners and solidify anti-Western sentiment throughout the Global South.

India’s Strategic Stakes

• India, with over nine million citizens in the Gulf region, derives nearly half of its remittances and oil imports from West Asia.
• The country’s exports, energy security, and investments are deeply intertwined with regional stability.
• Any escalation poses a direct threat to India’s economic and human interests.
• Thus, New Delhi is likely to hope for a swift de-escalation, though it may have little influence over the course of events.

Conclusion

• In hindsight, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, rooted in a quest for regime survival and strategic deterrence, may have yielded the opposite result; having spent upwards of $100 billion in pursuit of nuclear capability, Iran now faces unprecedented isolation and destruction.
• Its pursuit of a deterrent has instead made it a target, illustrating the paradox of security through armament.
• The conflict between Israel and Iran marks not only a flashpoint in Middle Eastern affairs but also a turning point in global geopolitics.
• Its consequences, intended or otherwise, will reverberate far beyond the region, influencing global security, diplomacy, and economic stability for years to come.

Context

• There is a cynical wisdom in Murphy’s Law: If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong.
• The tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, moments after its departure from Ahmedabad for London Gatwick, illustrates this law with devastating clarity.
• This catastrophe, claiming over 300 lives, including passengers and residents on the ground is not an isolated misfortune but the latest link in a long chain of systemic failures plaguing India’s aviation ecosystem.
• From institutional complacency and lack of accountability to technical oversights and regulatory violations, the AI171 disaster underscores the urgent need for a radical overhaul in aviation governance, safety, and professionalism.

The Root of the Problem

• Institutional Decay and Lack of Accountability
  • India’s aviation safety record has been marked by repeated tragedies, followed by bursts of outrage and investigations that rarely lead to meaningful reform.
  • The crash of AI171 comes after several high-profile accidents, Indian Airlines IC605 (1990), Alliance Air CD7412 (2000), Air India Express IX812 (2010), and IX1344 (2020), each of which prompted promises of change but delivered little.
  • The same officials and bureaucrats remain in their posts, despite a consistent downward slide in safety standards and pilot training protocols.
  • What is particularly damning is the entrenched culture of unaccountability.
• The Blame-Game
  • With each crash, blame is often narrowly focused on the flight crew, conveniently absolving senior officials in the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
  • This scapegoating shield systemic failures from scrutiny and reform and even judicial responses have been lacklustre.
  • In the wake of the Mangaluru crash in 2010, a public interest litigation citing compelling evidence of regulatory violations was dismissed by the Supreme Court, which inexplicably returned the case to the very Ministry implicated in the allegations.
• Misplaced Priorities and Regulatory Complicity
  • India’s regulatory bodies often appear more concerned with optics than outcomes.
  • The DGCA’s post-crash statement on AI171, for example, named the pilots, a violation of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, which prohibit such disclosures even in final reports.
  • This act not only breached protocol but also revealed a deep-seated institutional tendency to deflect responsibility rather than introspect or reform.
  • The leadership of these agencies, often filled with bureaucrats or publicity seekers rather than aviation professionals, reflects misplaced priorities that compromise public safety.
  • Moreover, India's judicial and regulatory inertia starkly contrasts with the accountability seen in other countries.
  • The Pakistan Supreme Court, for instance, has shown greater resolve in holding aviation regulators to account.
  • This disparity further highlights the failure of India’s institutions to protect its citizens from preventable aviation disasters.

Technical Speculations and Missed Red Flags

• Technical Speculations
  • In the absence of a final investigation report, preliminary analyses including video evidence and survivor accounts, offer insight into possible causes of the AI171 crash.
  • Speculation ranges from flap misconfiguration to foreign object damage (FOD), with particular focus on bird strikes.
  • The Ahmedabad airport, known for bird hazards, showed visible signs of untrimmed grass, a key attractant during monsoon months.
  • This apparent negligence likely increased the risk of bird ingestion into the engines, potentially leading to compressor stalls and a catastrophic loss of thrust.
• Missed Red Flags
  • Additionally, observers noted that the aircraft’s landing gear remained extended throughout the ill-fated climb, a condition that would significantly increase drag and reduce lift, especially under compromised thrust conditions.
  • The crew may have been overwhelmed by a combination of engine malfunction and training dynamics, particularly if the co-pilot was undergoing line training.
  • In such high-stress scenarios, even basic flight configurations, such as gear retraction, can be overlooked with fatal consequences.
  • The situation is reminiscent of the Air France Concorde crash (AF4590) in 2000, where a seemingly minor object on the runway triggered a chain of failures.
  • The AI171 crash similarly raises the question of runway integrity and potential foreign object damage, which should be a primary focus of the ongoing investigation.

Questions on Urban Planning, Airport Safety, and Obstacle Management

• A broader issue raised by this tragedy is the unchecked urban development around airports.
• The AI171 crash involved a collision with a multi-storied building near the airport’s take-off funnel.
• The presence of such a tall structure so close to a critical flight path raises questions about the issuance of construction clearances and the influence of political pressures on regulatory decisions.
• As aviation continues to grow in India, managing urban encroachment near airports must become a central focus of safety protocols.

Will We Learn from This?

• Despite decades of crashes and investigations, the Indian aviation system has failed to institutionalise lessons learned.
• International bodies such as the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have joined the AI171 probe.
• Their presence may lend the investigation much-needed independence and technical rigor, but their findings must be met with a willingness, and capacity, for reform in India.
• Ultimately, the question is not whether aviation authorities will investigate this crash thoroughly, but whether they will act on the findings with the seriousness they demand.
• Without fundamental changes in training standards, safety culture, regulatory integrity, and public accountability, the crash of AI171 will fade into history like the ones before it, mourned, analysed, but not heeded.

Conclusion

• The Air India AI171 crash is more than a tragic accident; it is a manifestation of systemic dysfunction.
• It calls into question not just what went wrong in one cockpit, but what has been going wrong for decades at the highest levels of aviation governance.
• Unless this disaster prompts sweeping reforms, in personnel appointments, regulatory rigor, airport maintenance, and judicial accountability, Murphy’s Law will continue to write the future of Indian aviation, one preventable tragedy at a time.

Why in News?

An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff, with 242 people on board. The crash occurred in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area near Ahmedabad airport, sending thick black smoke into the sky.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Most aviation accidents typically happen during takeoff or landing phases.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Boeing 787 Dreamliner
• Why Most Plane Crashes Occur During Takeoff and Landing

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

• Boeing introduced the 787 in 2007 as a next-generation, long-haul jet, building on the success of its 777 predecessor to offer a more fuel-efficient variant.
• The first commercial Boeing 787 took flight in 2012. The aircraft involved in recent crash entered Air India’s fleet in 2014.
• The crash intensifies scrutiny on Boeing, which has faced global criticism since the two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.
• Features of Boeing 787
  • 
  • Structure: Made from carbon fibre composite, lighter than traditional aluminium bodies.
  • Fuel Efficiency: Consumes 25% less fuel than older models.
  • Comfort: Spacious cabins, large windows, improved cabin pressure and humidity.
  • Variants: 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10.
• Safety Concerns and Investigations
  • US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Scrutiny: Multiple investigations into Boeing 787 production practices.
  • Whistleblower Allegations
    • Sam Salehpour (2024): Claimed fuselage sections were improperly fastened, posing long-term safety risks.
    • John Barnett (2019): Accused Boeing of using substandard parts; found dead in 2024 under suspicious circumstances.
  • Incidents:
    • 2013: Global grounding due to lithium-ion battery fires.
    • 2024: Latam Airlines 787 plunged mid-flight due to human error.

Why Most Plane Crashes Occur During Takeoff and Landing

• Data has shown that most crashes take place during landing, takeoff, or the phases immediately before/after these two events.
• Statistics
  • As per the IATA Data (2005–2023):
    • Landing phase: 53% of all accidents
    • Takeoff phase: 8.5%
    • Approach (before landing): 8.5%
    • Initial climb (after takeoff): 6.1%
    • Rejected takeoffs: 1.8%
  • Boeing Data (2015–2024):
    • Takeoff + initial climb: 20% of fatal accidents & fatalities, despite only 2% exposure
    • Climb phase: 10% of fatal accidents, 35% of fatalities
    • Final approach + landing: 47% of accidents, 37% of fatalities
    • Cruise phase: Only 10% of fatal accidents, <0.5% of fatalities, despite 57% exposure
• Takeoff and Landing Are the Riskiest Phases
  • Low and Slow Factor
    • Aircraft fly at low altitude and speed during these phases, leaving little time for corrective action.
    • At cruising altitude, even with engine failure, planes can glide for minutes. On the ground or just after takeoff, pilots have seconds.
  • Increased Stress on Engines
    • Engines work hardest during takeoff, increasing the likelihood of failure.
  • Pilot Workload
    • Landings are technically demanding, involving complex real-time decisions based on aircraft weight, wind, and speed.
  • Stall Risk
    • Wing stalls are more likely during takeoff due to excessive nose-up angles, leading to lift loss.
      • A wing stall occurs when an aircraft's wing suddenly loses lift, which is the force that keeps it flying.
      • This happens when the angle of attack — the angle between the wing and the oncoming air — becomes too steep.
      • When a pilot pulls the aircraft's nose up too sharply (like during a steep takeoff), the angle of attack increases.
      • If this angle becomes too large (usually more than 15–20 degrees), the airflow over the wing becomes turbulent and detaches.
      • As a result, lift drops suddenly, and the plane can lose altitude or even fall.
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Bird strikes, turbulence, and adverse weather are more common at low altitudes.
• Flying Is Still the Safest Mode of Transport
  • ICAO Data: Accidents per million departures dropped from 4.9 (2005) to 1.9 (2023).
  • Fatalities Declining: Fatal accident numbers fluctuate annually but trend downward due to safer aircraft, better-trained pilots, and advanced simulators.
  • Improved Safety Protocols: Modern aviation benefits from better materials, engineering, weather forecasting, and strict safety regulations.

Why in News?

A CBS report states that Israel is fully prepared to launch an operation against Iran, prompting the U.S. to issue travel advisories for its personnel in Iraq, Israel, and the region due to rising tensions.

This follows reports of U.S. President Donald Trump urging Israeli PM Netanyahu to end the Gaza war and avoid provoking Iran. The situation has reignited fears of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• The Trigger: Israel's Opposition and IAEA's Resolution
• Status of Iran–US Nuclear Talks
• What Now for the Iran–US Nuclear Talks and Middle East Stability

The Trigger: Israel's Opposition and IAEA's Resolution

• Israel has long opposed Iran-US nuclear talks and believes Iran’s nuclear vulnerability should be addressed through military action.
• This time, concerns are heightened following an IAEA Board of Governors resolution declaring Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations — the first such move in 20 years.
• IAEA's Findings and Potential UN Involvement
  • The resolution follows an IAEA report accusing Iran of conducting “secret nuclear activities” at three sites.
  • Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, especially at 60% purity, continues to grow.
  • The Board may escalate the issue by reporting Iran’s non-compliance to the UN Security Council.
• Impact on the Nuclear Deal and Snapback Sanctions
  • The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), despite the U.S. withdrawal in 2018, is technically still in effect.
    • JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, is an agreement signed in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (the UK, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the US).
    • The JCPOA aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
  • The IAEA’s findings may push European nations (UK, France, Germany) to trigger snapback sanctions, a clause in the JCPOA.
  • The deal is set to expire in October, increasing urgency and tensions.
• Iran’s Defiant Response
  • Iran has threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
  • It announced plans to open a new uranium enrichment facility at a secure site, aiming to greatly increase enriched uranium stockpiles.
  • Iran denounced the IAEA’s resolution as “politically motivated and biased”.
• Broader Implications
  • European sanctions, combined with existing U.S. sanctions, may severely strain Iran’s economy.
  • Tehran’s threats and nuclear escalation risk further destabilizing the region and derailing any diplomatic progress.

Status of Iran–US Nuclear Talks

• Since April, five rounds of formal talks between the US and Iran have been held to reach a nuclear agreement. The latest round took place in Rome on May 23.
• Goal: prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief.
• Key Point of Contention: Uranium Enrichment
  • The main dispute is not over Iran’s right to nuclear energy (which the US accepts), but over uranium enrichment.
  • The US fears that allowing Iran to enrich uranium — even for civilian use — could be a path to producing weapons-grade (90%) uranium.
• The US Proposal and Iran’s Rejection
  • The US offered to let Iran temporarily enrich uranium, after which a consortium (including Arab states and the US) would supply Iran with nuclear fuel.
  • Iran rejected the plan; Supreme Leader Khamenei and Foreign Minister Araghchi insist on sovereign enrichment rights.
  • As pet the leaders of Iran, the country is ready for transparency and confidence-building measures but not at the cost of its territorial sovereignty.
• Red Lines and Diplomatic Deadlock
  • Iran's insistence on enriching uranium within its borders is a non-negotiable red line.
  • The US, under President Trump, has called Iran’s demand “unacceptable”.
• Regional Reactions: Arab Support, Israeli Opposition
  • Arab states support the ongoing negotiations.
  • Israel strongly opposes the talks. PM Netanyahu insists on a deal allowing the US to militarily dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
    • Tel Aviv sees any agreement short of this as a security threat.

What Now for the Iran–US Nuclear Talks and Middle East Stability?

• Israel’s Limited Role, Outsized Impact
  • Israel is not a party to the Iran-US nuclear negotiations and has no official say in the terms.
  • However, its covert and occasional overt actions against Iran have destabilized the negotiation environment.
• Consequences of an Iranian NPT Withdrawal
  • If Iran withdraws from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), nuclear negotiations will likely collapse.
  • Under the US Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act (1978), Washington would then be legally barred from offering Iran concessions.
  • This would be a point of no return in the diplomatic process.
• The Ticking Clock: A Fragile Balance
  • The current situation is extremely volatile, with multiple triggers for escalation:
    • An Israeli strike on Iranian sites
    • European snap-back sanctions
    • Iran’s NPT withdrawal
    • A US pullout from negotiations

Why in the News?

• The World Economic Forum has recently published the Global Gender Gap Report 2025.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Global Gender Gap Index (Introduction, Key Dimensions, India’s Performance, Regional Comparison, Implications, etc.)

Introduction

• India has slipped to the 131^st position out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2025, a fall of two places compared to its 129th rank in 2024.
• Released recently, the index places India among the lowest-ranked countries in South Asia in terms of gender parity.
• With a parity score of 64.1%, the report highlights both marginal improvements in certain sectors and a persistent lag in political empowerment.

Understanding the Global Gender Gap Index

• The Global Gender Gap Index assesses countries based on four key dimensions:

• Economic Participation and Opportunity
• Educational Attainment
• Health and Survival
• Political Empowerment

• The index measures the extent of gender-based disparities and tracks progress in closing these gaps over time.

India’s Performance Across Key Dimensions

• Economic Participation and Opportunity
  • India’s most notable improvement came in this domain, with a 0.9 percentage point rise in its subindex score to reach 40.7%.
  • Although the labour force participation rate remained stagnant at 45.9%, parity in estimated earned income rose from 28.6% to 29.9%.
  • This indicates gradual progress, though the gender gap in actual income levels continues to be significant.
• Educational Attainment
  • In the education domain, India achieved near parity, scoring 97.1%. The improvement stems from increased female literacy rates and better enrolment in tertiary education.
  • This shows that while access to education has widened, translating this into workforce representation remains a challenge.
• Health and Survival
  • India’s score in this area also improved due to better parity in sex ratio at birth and healthy life expectancy.
  • However, the gains must be viewed in light of an overall decline in life expectancy for both men and women, making the parity somewhat nominal in nature.
• Political Empowerment
  • The most worrying decline was observed in political empowerment. Female representation in Parliament fell from 14.7% in 2024 to 13.8% in 2025.
  • The share of women in ministerial roles also declined from 6.5% to 5.6%.
  • This marks the second consecutive year of decline and pulls India further from its peak of 30% in 2019.

Regional Comparison and Global Leaders

• India’s position stands out starkly in the South Asian context. Bangladesh made remarkable gains, rising 75 positions to reach 24th globally.
• Nepal (125), Bhutan (119), and Sri Lanka (130) also ranked above India. Only Maldives (138) and Pakistan (148) scored lower.
• Globally, Iceland retained its top position for the 16th consecutive year, followed by Finland, Norway, the UK, and New Zealand.

Global Gender Parity Trends

• The 2025 report marks the strongest annual improvement in gender parity since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the global gap closing to 68.8%.
• Despite this, the report estimates that at the current rate, full global parity is still 123 years away.
• Women comprise 41.2% of the global workforce but hold only 28.8% of leadership positions, underscoring a critical gap in decision-making roles.

Implications for India’s Growth and Policy

• The Global Gender Gap Index is not merely a social yardstick, it has strong economic implications.
• World Economic Forum emphasized that countries making strides toward gender parity are better positioned for resilient and inclusive economic growth.
• India's stagnant or regressive performance in key areas, particularly political representation, signals a need for stronger institutional efforts and gender-sensitive policymaking.

Context:

• There is the need to discuss the constitutional, legal, and ethical dimensions of judicial accountability in India in light of recent allegations against sitting High Court judges, especially the case of Justice Yashwant Varma.
• The procedures, legal precedents, and tensions between judicial independence and accountability, is a subject of increasing relevance to governance, polity, ethics, and law.

The Larger Debate - Between Independence and Accountability:

• Contrasting ideals:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru: Emphasized Parliamentary supremacy, arguing judiciary must advise, not obstruct governance.
  • Justice Y. K. Sabharwal: Advocated judiciary's proactive role in ensuring good governance, including interventions in electoral reform, environment, and constitutional interpretation.
• The central question: Recent controversies prompt the question: “Who judges the judges?”

Constitutional Safeguards Ensuring Judicial Independence:

• Supreme Court judgments establishing supremacy of the Constitution:
  • Keshav Singh vs Speaker (1965)
  • PUCL vs Union of India (2005)
• Key safeguards:
  • Articles 124, 217: Provisions for the -
    • Removal of high court (Article 217) and SC judges (Article 124) by Parliament on grounds of “proven misbehaviour” or “incapacity”.
    • Fixed tenure and salaries.
    • Immunity from legislative discussion.
  • Protection under Judges (Protection) Act, 1985: Enacted (by the Parliament) under Article 124(5), it provides the procedures to investigate judicial misconduct.
• In-House procedure:
  • In the C. Ravichandran Iyer vs Justice A.M. Bhattacharjee (1995) case, the SC validated peer-review model.
  • In 1997, SC adopted the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” for internal inquiry, authorizing the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to constitute an in-house committee to investigate allegations against judges of the higher judiciary.

The Case of Justice Yashwant Varma - A Legal and Ethical Flashpoint

• The case: Burnt currency discovered at Justice Varma's residence triggered an in-house probe by CJI. A report submitted to the President recommended impeachment of the judge.
• Procedural lapses:
  • The inquiry under the 1968 Act is not relevant for assigning criminal liability if the proven misbehaviour falls within the definition of a crime.
  • For example, no FIR has been registered so far in the Justice Varma case, and nothing can be seized in the absence of an FIR.
  • This is despite the fact that the discovery of the burnt money from the house of a sitting judge potentially constitutes several offences under various laws, including the -
    • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
    • Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
    • Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
    • Income Tax Act, RBI Act
• Legal position (Veeraswami Case, 1991):
  • Judges can be prosecuted only with CJI’s consent.
  • Ensures balance between accountability and protection from harassment.
  • But does not bar FIRs or seizure of evidence without naming judges. 

Frameworks for Judicial Accountability - Indian and Global:

• Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968:
  • Motion to remove the judges must originate in Parliament, and be submitted to the Speaker or Chairman.
  • If accepted, a three-member judicial committee would investigate the charges.
  • Only if the committee finds the judge guilty may Parliament initiate a debate. Otherwise, the motion is dropped.
• Global references:
  • This framework was upheld in the Sub-Committee on Judicial Accountability vs Union of India (1991), wherein the Court highlighted practices from countries like the US, Canada, and Australia.
    • In these countries also initial investigations are conducted by a judicial body, with legislative involvement occurring later.
• The Law Commission of India (in its 195th Report) recommended the Judicial (Inquiry) Bill 2005, establishing the National Judicial Council, which was to consist of five judges, with the CJI as chairman.
  • The Commission noted that this practice of inquiry finds its roots in various international principles like
    • The Siracusa Principles (1981) and
    • The Latimer guidelines for the Commonwealth (1998).

Ethical Perspective and the Path Forward:

• Justice must be done and seen to be done:
  • Transparency and rule of law must prevail.
  • Accountability mechanisms should follow constitutional and procedural safeguards.
• Harry T Edwards (Chief Justice of Appeals for the District of Columbia): Peer review enhances, not diminishes, judicial independence.

Conclusion:

• The judiciary’s strength lies in both its independence from political interference and its responsiveness to constitutional accountability.
• Recent incidents have exposed procedural gaps that must be addressed through legislative reform, administrative clarity, and ethical resolve, all while safeguarding the sanctity of India's justice system.

Context

• As India envisions becoming a developed nation, Viksit Bharat, by 2047, urbanisation is poised to play a pivotal role.
• With over 60% of the population expected to shift from rural to urban areas by the 2060s, India stands at a crossroads.
• Urban India is anticipated to become the engine of economic growth, innovation, and development.
• However, this transformation hinges critically on how the nation addresses the growing challenges of urban mobility and public transportation.

Urbanisation and Its Mobility Challenge

• The massive rural-to-urban migration projected over the next few decades will inevitably test the capabilities of urban planners and policymakers.
• In theory, the development of smart cities was meant to ease this transition by integrating residential and workspaces, reducing the need for extensive daily commutes.
• However, the reality is less optimistic. Unlike China’s fast-developing smart cities, India’s efforts in this direction have been slow and uneven.
• As a result, existing metro and tier-1 cities are expanding rapidly, placing enormous pressure on infrastructure, particularly urban transportation.

Government Interventions and Gaps

• In response, the Indian government has introduced several initiatives to strengthen the public transport system.
• The 2024–25 Union Budget emphasized urban mobility, launching schemes such as the PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism and the PM e-Drive
• These aim to deploy 14,000 e-buses and over one lakh electric vehicles, including rickshaws and ambulances.
• While these efforts mark important progress, the gap remains vast, India needs an estimated 2,00,000 urban buses but currently operates only around 35,000, including e-buses.
• Metro rail projects have also received increased financial attention, particularly in high-density urban centres.
• However, only 37% of urban dwellers in India currently have convenient access to public transit, far below countries like Brazil and China, where the figure exceeds 50%.
• Metros, though promising in the long run, have struggled with cost recovery due to fare sensitivity, limited ridership, and expensive last-mile connectivity.
• Unlike in developed countries where metros are heavily subsidized, India’s financial constraints limit the extent of such support, making the model unsustainable in many cities.

The Need for Alternative Transit Solutions

• To make urban mobility more accessible and efficient, India must look beyond just metros and e-buses.
• Road-based public transportation, with better last-mile connectivity, offers a cost-effective solution.
• The government’s recent shift in focus, from CNG buses to electric buses, shows a willingness to innovate.
• However, this transition also brings higher costs, which may be counterproductive unless backed by sound financial planning.
• One major oversight in the current policy framework is the neglect of trams and trolleybuses, both proven modes of transport with long-term economic and environmental benefits.
• Trams, for example, offer a 45% long-term profitability over their seven-decade lifecycle, outperforming e-buses, which show a net loss of 82% over the same period.
• Trolleybuses, while not as profitable as trams, still perform better than many current options in terms of sustainability and cost.

Kochi’s Tram Initiative: A Model for the Future?

• The planned reintroduction of trams in Kochi could serve as a significant turning point in India's urban mobility strategy.
• Far from being a nostalgic nod to Kolkata's past, trams represent a smart, scalable, and climate-aligned solution.
• Their low operational costs, long life, and lower dependency on subsidies make them attractive for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. 

Conclusion: Rethinking the Transit Vision for Viksit Bharat

• As India moves toward 2047, a re-evaluation of its urban mobility policies is critical.
• While metro networks and e-buses are important, they must be complemented by more sustainable, financially viable, and inclusive modes such as trams and trolleybuses.
• The current trajectory, heavily reliant on subsidy-driven, cost-intensive systems, may not support the long-term goals of urban resilience and equitable growth.
• A diversified, bottom-up transit model, blending modern innovations with time-tested solutions, could hold the key to achieving Viksit Bharat in its truest sense.

Context

• The global trade landscape is often shaped by the clash between national economic strategies and international legal commitments.
• This tension was nowhere more evident than in U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping imposition of tariffs, an unprecedented use of executive authority that challenged both the rules of international trade and the internal checks and balances of American constitutional governance.
• While such actions had far-reaching implications globally, including for India, they also triggered significant domestic resistance, notably from small U.S. businesses.
• The resulting legal and geopolitical contestations offer a case study in the fragility of global trade norms and the enduring importance of multilateral institutions. 

The Tariff Regime: A Breakdown of Trade Norms

• Trump’s administration enacted tariffs ranging from 10% to 135% on imports from over 100 countries, ostensibly to address the U.S.'s global trade deficit.
• These sweeping measures represented a sharp deviation from the norm of negotiated tariff commitments under multilateral and bilateral trade agreements.
• Tariffs, by nature, are carefully formulated instruments of economic policy derived from extensive negotiations, often embedded in World Trade Organization (WTO) schedules of commitments.
• Their arbitrary revision undermines predictability and stability in international commerce, two cornerstones of successful cross-border business operations.
• What made the Trump tariffs particularly controversial was their scope and rationale.
• The justification, a generalised national emergency due to trade deficits, was both overly broad and legally tenuous.
• It ignored the nuanced nature of trade imbalances, particularly the United States' substantial surplus in services trade.
• For instance, while the U.S. claimed a $44.4 billion trade deficit with India, it did not account for earnings from services such as education, digital platforms, and defence exports, which, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative, actually placed the U.S. in a $35–40 billion trade surplus position with India.

Executive Overreach and Legal Pushback

• Executive Overreach
  • Perhaps even more concerning than the economic implications was the constitutional dimension.
  • The tariff orders reflected a dangerous overreach by the executive branch, sidestepping the legislative and judicial oversight enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
  • This disruption of the separation of powers drew sharp criticism from within the U.S. itself.
• The Legal Pushback
  • In a landmark case, five small- and medium-sized American businesses, from sectors as diverse as wine, bicycles, and musical circuits, challenged the tariffs at the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT).
  • They argued that the executive action violated established trade commitments and harmed their economic viability.
  • The CIT’s decision on May 28, 2025, marked a significant legal rebuke.
  • The court ruled that the tariffs far exceeded the President’s lawful authority and warned that invoking national emergency could not be used as a carte blanche to override constitutional limits or rewrite international obligations.
  • Nonetheless, the ruling was quickly stayed by an appeals court, rendering the decision temporarily ineffective.
  • Meanwhile, the Trump administration continued to defend the tariffs as strategic leverage in ongoing trade negotiations, even proposing the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB).
  • This bill would grant the executive sweeping immunity from judicial scrutiny, raising new alarms about erosion of democratic checks and balances.

India’s Predicament in a Shifting Trade Environment

• India found itself at a precarious juncture in this reconfigured trade environment.
• While the U.S.-India trade dialogue continued, India remained under punitive U.S. tariffs, 50% on steel and aluminium, despite reaching a "mutually agreed solution" with Washington in 2023 that had initially halted WTO litigation on the matter.
• India's restraint contrasted with other nations like Switzerland, Norway, China, and Türkiye, which had successfully challenged the tariffs through the WTO dispute mechanism.
• Moreover, India’s potential strategic advantage arising from the U.S.-China trade standoff was neutralised by two developments: a pause in retaliatory tariffs between Washington and Beijing, and Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Apple products manufactured in India.
• Such erratic policies underscored a larger truth, the transactional nature of Trump-era diplomacy meant that no long-term strategic alignment could be taken for granted, even with partners like India.

The Road Ahead: Balancing Interests and Upholding Multilateralism

• Given these complexities, India's approach to any future trade deal with the U.S. must be guided by cautious pragmatism.
• Key concerns include:
  • Tariff Elimination: Removal of all additional U.S. tariffs on Indian exports must be non-negotiable.
  • Digital and Service Trade: The agreement must safeguard India’s digital services sector from U.S. retaliation and address broader issues such as cross-border data flows.
  • Remittance and Investment Protection: The OBBB’s proposed 3.5% tax on remittances must exclude Indian citizens, and U.S. investments in India, like Apple, should not face retaliatory tariffs.
  • Visas and Services Access: Long-standing issues with H-1B visa restrictions need resolution as they are central to India's global services trade.
• Need for a Firm and Strategic Approach
  • Most critically, any agreement must align with India’s WTO commitments.
  • Despite the U.S.'s increasing disregard for multilateral forums, WTO rules remain the only reliable framework for ensuring fair and rules-based trade, especially for developing economies like India.
  • As affirmed during its G20 presidency, India has a responsibility to help uphold this global order.
  • Finally, India must reserve the right to walk away from any suboptimal trade agreement. Trump’s tariffs, although damaging, are not immutable.
  • The internal legal and constitutional challenges within the U.S. itself suggest that these policies may not endure.
  • India must, therefore, adopt a firm and strategic approach, prepared for both negotiation and resistance.

Conclusion

• The Trump-era tariff policy was a seismic shift in U.S. trade strategy, characterised by unilateralism, constitutional overreach, and disregard for multilateral norms.
• While the immediate economic impact was global, including on countries like India, the more enduring consequences may be legal and institutional.
• The resistance mounted by small U.S. businesses and the critical stance of American courts hint at the resilience of constitutional checks and the importance of judicial oversight.
• For India, the episode offers important lessons: the value of multilateral institutions, the risks of transactional diplomacy, and the importance of safeguarding national interests in trade negotiations.

Why in News?

The Government of India will conduct the next Census in two phases during 2026 and 2027, with March 1, 2027, as the reference date.

This breaks the country’s uninterrupted decadal Census tradition since 1881, as the 2021 Census was delayed due to the Covid pandemic. The six-year delay is notably longer than in neighbouring countries (such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka).

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the postponement was due to the pandemic’s impact on education, as about 30 lakh Census enumerators—mostly primary school teachers—could not be spared without disrupting schooling.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Census: A Cornerstone for Economy and Policymaking
• Role of Census in Inflation Control and Interest Rate Policy
• Migration, Urbanisation, and the Role of Census in Governance
• Why There Is No Substitute for the Census

Census: A Cornerstone for Economy and Policymaking

• The Census remains vital for India's economic planning and governance, far beyond the immediate political debates.
• Foundation for All Data Collection
  • The national Census serves as the statistical bedrock for all other surveys and analyses in India, enabling accurate sampling and representation.
• Comprehensive Snapshot of the Nation
  • Beyond counting individuals, the Census captures detailed data on demographics, economic status, education, migration, disability, language, and more—creating a holistic picture of India.
• Reality Check and Historical Record
  • It acts as a mirror for the country, showing how India has evolved over time—in this case, over 16 years—and offering insights into likely future trends.
• Critical for Informed Policymaking
  • Census data directly influences policies, welfare schemes, and developmental planning across sectors, ensuring that decisions are grounded in actual population needs.

Role of Census in Inflation Control and Interest Rate Policy

• Guiding Monetary Policy Decisions
  • The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee relies on the retail inflation rate, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to decide interest rates.
  • CPI reflects how prices of goods and services change, with weights assigned based on consumption patterns—like food items comprising 46% of the index.
  • These consumption patterns are derived from surveys, which in turn rely on Census data to ensure accuracy.
  • The Census offers a baseline of “reality” about income, location, family structure, and migration.
• Impact on Inflation Measurement
  • Outdated Census data can skew inflation calculations.
  • For instance, if food expenditure has fallen but CPI still uses older weights, it may overstate inflation, leading to unnecessarily high interest rates and slower economic growth.
• Essential for Broader Economic Indicators
  • Beyond food inflation, accurate Census data is vital for understanding migration, urbanisation, and demand trends, informing both public policy and private sector decisions.

Migration, Urbanisation, and the Role of Census in Governance

• Internal Migration: A Key but Overlooked Factor
  • Migration significantly affects population dynamics, yet is often ignored in projections which mainly rely on birth and death rates.
  • Internal migration—mostly local—is a crucial third variable.
• Nature of Internal Migration in India
  • Contrary to popular belief, only 12% of internal migration is inter-state.
  • Most migration is intra-district (62%) or inter-district (26%). Rural-to-rural migration is the largest category (48%), while urban-to-urban is the fastest growing.
• Data Gaps and Changing Realities
  • Current migration data is outdated, based on the 2011 Census. The actual patterns may have shifted significantly, requiring fresh Census data to reveal present realities.
• Policy Implications of Migration Trends
  • Accurate migration data informs Budget allocations, social welfare, employment, education planning, and helps address emerging issues like language-based social divides.
• Urbanisation: Unclear and Under mapped
  • India’s urbanisation rate is uncertain—estimates range from 30% to 70%, depending on definitions. This lack of clarity hampers targeted urban planning.
  • As cities contribute 60% of India’s GDP while covering only 3% of land, understanding urban population trends is critical for reforming taxation, service delivery, and infrastructure development in urban areas.

Why There Is No Substitute for the Census?

• Surveys Depend on Census as a Base
  • Public and private surveys require accurate, updated Census data for modelling.
  • Without it, even the best-designed surveys risk becoming disconnected from reality.
• Rising Cost of Accuracy
  • With time, the absence of updated Census data makes it increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain a reliable picture of India’s ground realities.
• Limitations of Administrative Data
  • Although administrative data is growing in volume, it is often inconsistent, incomplete, and not comparable across departments or states due to differing definitions and collection methods.
• Reliability Concerns and Bias
  • Data gathered by government departments may be biased to avoid showing poor performance.
  • For example, NFHS 2020–21 contradicted official claims of India being Open Defecation Free, showing 30% of surveyed households lacked toilets.
• Census as the Gold Standard
  • Only the Census offers a consistent, objective, and comprehensive snapshot of the country, forming the foundation for all credible data-based policymaking and governance.

Why in News?

• Former Army Chief General M M Naravane’s 2021 warning about the dangers of low-tech warfare remains highly relevant today.
• Two recent incidents highlight this:
  • Recently, Ukraine used cheap First Person View (FPV) drones to bomb five Russian airbases, showcasing how low-cost drones can bypass traditional air defences.
  • In May, during the post-Operation Sindoor hostilities, Pakistan launched relentless drone swarm attacks across India’s western front.
• These events underscore the urgent need to rethink air defence strategies in an era of asymmetric and low-cost drone warfare.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• The Rise of Drone Warfare: A Strategic Shift
• The Growing Threat of Drone Swarms
• Countering Drone Threats: Multi-Layered Defence Strategies
• India’s Capabilities Against Drone Threats
• Looking Ahead: The Future of Drone Warfare and India’s Preparedness

The Rise of Drone Warfare: A Strategic Shift

• Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), trace back to World War II and the Korean War, mainly used for training and limited offensives.
• Drone Swarms: The Future of Combat
  • Swarms are groups of drones that operate together, adapt in real time, and continue missions despite losses.
  • Their advantages include saturation attacks, real-time intel gathering, and coordinated strikes on high-value targets.
  • Future drone swarms, powered by artificial intelligence, will make autonomous decisions, adapt tactics, and integrate with ground and cyber warfare units.
• Market Outlook
  • The global military drone market is booming — from $14.14 billion in 2023 to a projected $47.16 billion by 2032 — reflecting their growing role in modern warfare.

The Growing Threat of Drone Swarms

• Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan warned about the increasing use of small, swarm-capable drones that are nearly undetectable and untargetable, posing a serious security challenge.
• Asymmetric Advantage and Strategic Challenge
  • Swarm drones are cheap but deadly — capable of inflicting massive damage on high-value targets.
  • For example, a $1,000 drone can potentially destroy a $200 million aircraft.
  • Launching them from mobile platforms near sensitive sites makes defence difficult.
• India’s Unique Vulnerabilities
  • With porous borders and diverse populations, India faces a high risk of such surprise attacks.
  • The ability to move drones covertly, as Ukraine did across Russian territory, illustrates the scale of the threat.
• Need for Comprehensive Security Integration
  • Defending against swarm drones requires coordination across military, intelligence, and civil policing — even a local traffic constable could play a role in early detection.

Countering Drone Threats: Multi-Layered Defence Strategies

• Detection is the First Line of Defence
  • Modern anti-drone systems begin with detection using: AESA radars; Electro-optical & infrared sensors; Acoustic detectors; AI-powered sensor fusion systems.
• Kinetic Neutralisation: Traditional but Costly
  • Drones can be destroyed by missiles or anti-aircraft guns, but this method is expensive and inefficient against swarms.
  • Automated systems like - C-RAM; Phalanx gun systems - are more effective for rapid engagement.
• Emerging Cost-Effective Technologies
  • To reduce defence costs, militaries are shifting toward:
    • Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs): Lasers & microwaves disable drones electronically.
    • Electronic Warfare (EW): Jams GPS/communication signals.
    • Spoofing: Misdirects drone navigation and commands.
    • Cyber Attacks: Hacks drones and crashes them remotely.
    • Interceptor Drones & Nets: Physically capture or disable hostile drones at close range.
• The Challenge of Cost Asymmetry
• A drone swarm costing $100,000 may require millions to neutralise with missiles — making low-cost defensive options a priority.
• The Layered Defence Model
  • Optimal protection combines multiple technologies in layers for redundancy and cost-efficiency.
  • Examples: Israel’s Iron Dome; US’s DE M-SHORAD
  • India is also developing such integrated systems.

India’s Capabilities Against Drone Threats

• Akashteer Air Defence Control System
  • Developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd, it links with the Indian Air Force’s integrated command network for real-time airspace tracking and threat response.
• Bhargavastra
  • Created by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd, this system launches 64 micro-rockets in rapid salvos to destroy incoming drone swarms.
• DRDO’s Anti-Drone System: Offers 360-degree radar coverage and dual-action neutralisation:
  • Soft kill: Jamming communication and GPS signals
  • Hard kill: Laser targeting
  • Detects drones up to 4 km away and neutralises threats within a 1 km radius.
• Indrajaal
  • Developed by a Hyderabad-based startup, this AI-powered defensive grid uses a combination of jammers, spoofers, and real-time intelligence to secure up to 4,000 sq km.
  • It is operational at Indian naval installations in Gujarat and Karnataka.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Drone Warfare and India’s Preparedness

• Global Drone Arms Race
  • There is an ongoing global race to enhance both drone and anti-drone technologies. For example:
    • Iran is producing 20+ Shahed drones daily, showcasing rapid scalability.
    • India has established a growing drone ecosystem, supported by 550+ startups, combining indigenous development and acquired technologies.
• The New Face of War
  • Future conflicts are expected to be:
    • Unmanned: With drones taking over many battlefield roles
    • AI-Driven: Enabling autonomous decision-making
    • Asymmetric: Where low-cost tech can target high-value assets
  • CDS General Anil Chauhan emphasizes a paradigm shift:
    • “We are at a cusp where war may be between humans and machines — and tomorrow, between machines themselves.”
  • This underscores the urgent need for resilient, AI-integrated defence systems to counter increasingly sophisticated threats.

Why in the News?

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is set to introduce a validated UPI handle for the investor-facing intermediaries to ensure secure payments and combat fraud.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• UPI Verification Framework (Background, About the Framework, SEBI Check, Rationale, Awareness, Future Outlook, etc.)

Introduction

• In a major move to enhance investor safety and build trust in digital financial transactions, the SEBI has announced the mandatory use of verified UPI handles by all registered intermediaries in the securities market.
• Effective from October 1, 2025, this new framework seeks to counter rising concerns over impersonation and payment fraud, particularly in online investment platforms.
• This step, alongside the introduction of a digital verification tool named “SEBI Check,” marks a significant regulatory intervention to strengthen the integrity and transparency of India’s market payment systems.

The New UPI Verification Framework

• As per SEBI’s guidelines, all market-facing intermediaries, including brokers, investment advisors, merchant bankers, and syndicate banks, must use a newly designated UPI handle format, ending in “@valid”, for collecting investor payments.
  • For example, a broker's UPI might look like abc.bkr@validhdfc.
• The new UPI addresses will be verified and allocated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), ensuring a secure and uniform identity structure for payment recipients.
• According to SEBI, around 8,000 to 9,000 intermediaries are expected to transition to the new system by the rollout date.
• Key Features of the New Framework:

• Mandatory Use: Only verified handles ending in “@valid” will be permitted for investor-facing transactions.
• Transitional Period: Existing UPI IDs can continue until December 11, 2026, after which they will be deactivated.
• Visual Confirmation: A green triangle with a thumbs-up icon will appear during transactions with verified handles, ensuring clarity for users, including those less fluent in English.

Introducing SEBI Check: A Digital Verification Tool

• Complementing the new UPI system is the SEBI Check tool, a mobile application that allows investors to verify the legitimacy of UPI IDs used by market intermediaries.
• By either scanning a QR code or manually entering the UPI ID, users can confirm critical account details such as:

• Account holder name
• Linked bank account number
• IFSC code

• This initiative aims to empower investors to independently verify transaction endpoints before initiating payments, especially in an increasingly digital-first financial environment.
• The SEBI Check app is expected to be made available on trusted platforms like Google Play, with SEBI collaborating to ensure that only authentic versions are hosted to avoid confusion or duplication by fraudulent developers.

Rationale Behind the Reform

• The decision follows a January 2025 consultation paper and growing concerns about digital fraud in financial services.
• With impersonation scams targeting retail investors via phishing UPI IDs or fake advisory firms, SEBI’s step seeks to:

• Eliminate ambiguity in digital payment systems.
• Reduce chances of investors transferring funds to unauthorized parties.
• Strengthen the digital infrastructure for market transactions.

• By implementing an easily recognizable and standardized UPI format, SEBI aims to reduce the dependence on name-based verification, a method vulnerable to impersonation.

Awareness, Enforcement, and Oversight

• The success of this initiative hinges on strong compliance and investor awareness.
• SEBI Chairperson confirmed that intermediaries would be required to display the verified UPI details prominently on their platforms and communications. In addition:

• Awareness campaigns will run over the next two years.
• Intermediaries are required to educate users on secure payment practices.
• Investors must take individual responsibility to verify recipient credentials using SEBI’s tools.

• Importantly, existing Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) and standing instructions will not be affected immediately.
• They will continue to function with current UPI details until the final cut-off in December 2026.

Future Outlook for Secure Digital Transactions

• SEBI’s new mechanism could set a benchmark for secure digital financial transactions not only within capital markets but potentially across the broader fintech and mutual fund ecosystem.
• By introducing structured payment identifiers and equipping retail users with real-time verification tools, the regulator seeks to future-proof India’s capital markets from fraud risks.
• As digital adoption in investments accelerates, this reform aligns with global best practices of "Know Your Payee" and real-time account verification systems used by regulators in advanced economies.

Context:

• India aims to become a developed (Viksit) nation by 2047 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
• This dual goal demands a massive rise in per capita energy consumption through clean energy, with a projected need of 28,000 TWh annually.
• Among clean sources, nuclear energy must contribute nearly 20,000 TWh, highlighting the critical role of nuclear power in ensuring energy security, sustainability, and human development.

The Energy Imperative for Viksit Bharat:

• Aspirational targets:
  • Net Zero by 2070 with significant economic growth and high Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.95.
  • Estimated clean energy need: 28,000 TWh annually.
• Present energy status:
  • Current energy consumption: 9,800 TWh (96% from fossil fuels).
  • Clean energy needs to increase 70 times and around 70% of it needs to come from nuclear in 45 years.

Revisiting India's Three-Stage Nuclear Programme:

• Historical vision: Homi Bhabha had advocated a three-stage nuclear power programme aimed at long term energy security and autonomy for the country.
• Current challenges:
  • First-stage (pressurised heavy water reactors [PHWRs]) grown due to foreign uranium.
  • Second-stage (Fast Breeder Reactors) yet to take off.
  • The third-stage (Thorium-based molten salt reactors [MSRs]) remains underdeveloped.
    • Thorium-based Molten Salt Reactors are a type of nuclear reactor that utilizes thorium as fuel and molten salts as a coolant.  

Strengthening Domestic Nuclear Capabilities:

• PHWRs - India’s primary workhorse:
  • PHWRs [supplemented by proven large light water reactors (LWRs)] are a proven, indigenous technology that meets global benchmarks.
  • It forms the foundation for scalable, domestically-driven nuclear capacity expansion under the 100 GWe mission (by 2047).
  • However, there is the need to bring in multiple deployment agencies, beyond NPCIL and now NTPC.
• Fast Breeder and Thorium utilisation:
  • FBRs enable 60-70 times more energy from the same quantity of mined fuel.
  • Thorium can be irradiated in PHWRs to advance the third stage. MSRs can recycle thorium-based spent fuel.

Fuel Supply and Energy Security:

• Uranium dependency:
  • 100 GWe capacity needs about 20,000 tons of uranium/year, which is approximately 15% of global production.
  • Given the potential for geopolitical disruptions in uranium imports, there is the need for domestic uranium development and fuel recycling.
• Role of HALEU and ANEEL fuel:
  • High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) needed for PHWR thorium use.
  • ANEEL fuel under development with economic and safety advantages.
    • ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) fuel is a thorium-uranium mixture developed by Clean Core Thorium Energy. 

Strategic Technology Directions:

• Beyond Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):
  • SMRs, which would take at least two decades to mature before deployment, are unlikely to meet 2047 deadlines.
  • Redirect R&D to thorium MSR-based SMRs and fast reactors.
• International collaboration:
  • HALEU and advanced reactor fuel cooperation can benefit India and developing nations.
  • Thorium-based tech offers economic, environmental, and strategic benefits.

Way Forward:

• The 100 GWe mission should be seen as a stepping stone, not a limit.
• Accelerated, multi-agency nuclear deployment is vital.
• Strong focus needed on R&D in thorium and fast reactor technologies.
• Nuclear energy is not optional, but central to India's net zero and development goals.

Conclusion:

• By strategically accelerating its indigenous nuclear programme - anchored in PHWRs, fast breeder reactors, and thorium-based technologies - India can not only meet its clean energy targets but also emerge as a global leader in sustainable nuclear innovation.
• A "Viksit Bharat" by 2047 powered by secure, scalable, and self-reliant nuclear energy will be a testament to visionary planning and technological sovereignty.

Context

• The tragic stampede on June 4, 2025, in Bengaluru that claimed 11 lives during the celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first Indian Premier League (IPL) title has shaken the conscience of the nation.
• While the incident was rooted in the euphoria surrounding a cricketing milestone, it exposed deeper systemic issues, our collective obsession with celebrity culture, the commercialisation of sports, the apathy toward public safety, and the chronic lack of accountability in governance.
• Now it becomes imperative to examine the multifaceted causes of this tragedy and underline the urgent need for structural reforms to prevent similar disasters in the future.

Multifaceted Causes of the Tragedy

• Disproportionate Enthusiasm and Media-Driven Hype
  • One of the primary issues highlighted by the tragedy is India’s disproportionate emotional investment in sporting victories, especially cricket.
  • Celebrations turn into frenzies, with people abandoning caution and rationality.
  • The role of social media and 24x7 television channels in fanning mass hysteria cannot be overstated.
  • They glorify such events as life-defining moments, leading thousands to congregate without adequate thought to personal safety or logistical feasibility.
  • This cultural phenomenon, where entertainment is elevated to a near-religious experience, has dangerous implications.
  • It creates a climate where people feel compelled to physically participate in mass celebrations as if their absence signifies a missed opportunity of a lifetime.
  • The result is a volatile, unpredictable crowd dynamic that becomes difficult, if not impossible, to control.
• Profit Motives and Regulatory Lapses
  • Cricket in India has long transitioned from a sport to a lucrative industry, with massive financial stakes involved for teams, sponsors, broadcasters, and local businesses.
  • The desire to maximise profits often trumps the need for public safety.
  • Event organisers intentionally or negligently exceed venue capacities to boost earnings, despite knowing the risks involved.
  • Licenses and permissions, rather than being strictly regulated, are frequently acquired through political patronage or under-the-table arrangements.
  • The incident at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is emblematic of these failures.
  • Even before the stampede, the chaotic altercation between the families of senior government officials over VIP seating illustrated how entitlement and privilege undermine basic organisational discipline.
  • The contrast between overcrowded public enclosures and sparsely occupied VIP sections further reveals the inequity and casual disregard for ordinary citizens.
• Irresponsible and Inadequate Response
  • Even in the aftermath of such tragedies, the response is often perfunctory.
  • Token compensations are offered that cannot possibly offset the loss of human life.
  • There is little introspection or structural change, and the powerful stakeholders who benefit from these mega-events remain untouched. 

Public Safety: A Neglected Priority

• The tragedy also points to a broader national disregard for public safety, not just in stadiums but in everyday life.
• Regulations that apply to small venues, regarding fire exits, medical facilities, crowd flow, and sanitation, are conveniently ignored when it comes to larger venues with more complex logistics.
• The lack of enforcement mechanisms results in a systemic culture of impunity.
• This negligence is not confined to sports arenas.
• Public spaces like food fairs and amusement parks regularly flout safety norms. Open electrical wiring, unsafe cooking conditions, and inadequate emergency response systems are rampant.
• One example cited was that of an amusement park ride malfunction in Chennai that left visitors stranded for hours, a reminder of how fragile and unreliable our public safety infrastructure really is.
• Furthermore, urban infrastructure often fails to accommodate even basic human needs.
• Most roads lack sidewalks for pedestrians, and the absence of traffic segregation leads to chaotic, dangerous situations.
• Vulnerable populations are left exposed to high-speed vehicles, broken pavements, and stray animals, all of which contribute to the thousands of preventable deaths each year.

Accountability, the Culture of Indifference and the Way Forward

• Accountability and the Culture of Indifference
  • Tragedies like the Bengaluru stampede are often treated as unfortunate but unavoidable accidents.
  • There is no culture of accountability, only temporary administrative actions such as suspensions or transfers, most of which are quietly reversed over time.
  • The absence of criminal or financial liability for negligence emboldens both public and private actors to continue their operations without fear of repercussions.
  • Our tendency to blame fate or karma for such avoidable disasters reflects a deep societal malaise.
  • As long as public memory remains short and the media cycle moves on quickly, there is little motivation for meaningful reform.
  • The result is a cycle of tragedy, temporary outrage, and eventual apathy.
• The Way Forward: Institutionalising Safety and Reform
  • The time has come to institutionalise crowd management as a scientific discipline in India.
  • A comprehensive audit system should be established, involving independent experts to assess the safety measures of venues before any public gathering is approved.
  • Events driven by economic interests must be required to deposit a mandatory safety bond, which can be used for emergency preparedness and crowd control infrastructure.
  • Moreover, safety regulations must be strictly enforced, and violations must result in severe penalties, including prosecution of those responsible.
  • Public education campaigns can also help shift the culture toward prioritising safety over spectacle.
  • India, with a population nearing 1.5 billion, cannot afford to treat human life as disposable.
  • A civilised and forward-looking society must place the safety and dignity of its citizens above all else, even the thrill of a cricket match.

Conclusion

• The stampede in Bengaluru is not merely a tragic footnote in the annals of sporting history; it is a wake-up call.
• It urges us to reconsider our national priorities, to move beyond celebrity worship and profit-driven events, and to build a system that values every life.
• Without structural reforms, accountability, and a fundamental shift in societal values, such tragedies will continue to occur.
• Let this not be another incident that fades into oblivion. Let it be the beginning of a safer, more responsible India.

Context

• Recognised internationally, June 12 marks the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL), established by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
• The purpose is to draw attention to the pervasive issue of child labour and to galvanise collective action from governments, employers, civil society, and international institutions.
• Despite global commitments, especially through Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7, which aims to eradicate child labour in all forms by 2025, significant challenges persist.
• Amid these developments, it is crucial to explore the current scenario of child labour globally and in India, with a special focus on the Velpur model, a notable community-led initiative that successfully eliminated child labour in a region once notorious for it.

The Global Burden of Child Labour and Child Labour in India

• The Global Burden of Child Labour
  • Child labour affects an estimated 160 million children worldwide, roughly one in ten children, many of whom are deprived of their basic rights to education, dignity, and a safe childhood.
  • The majority of these children are found in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, where socio-economic challenges are often more acute.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened the situation, as economic instability forced many children out of school and into the workforce to support their families.
  • These regressions demonstrate the fragility of past progress and underscore the need for sustained, focused interventions.
• Child Labour in India: Laws and Reality
  • India is no stranger to the blight of child labour.
  • According to the 2011 Census, approximately 43.5 lakh (4.35 million) children aged between 5 to 14 were engaged in various forms of labour, including in the beedi, carpet-weaving, and firework industries.
  • Despite the existence of legislative measures such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986, and its 2016 amendment, enforcement has been inconsistent.
  • The Right to Education (RTE) Act mandates free and compulsory education for children between six and 14 years, but a combination of poverty, lack of access to schools, and illiteracy continue to push children into work.
  • Though initiatives like the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) exist, success has often been short-lived, with children frequently returning to labour due to systemic issues. 

The Velpur Model: A Story of Hope and Transformation

• A beacon of success amidst the prevailing gloom is the Velpur Mandal in Telangana, formerly Andhra Pradesh.
• Once infamous for child labour, Velpur underwent a dramatic transformation beginning in June 2001, when a local campaign was launched to ensure universal school enrolment for children aged 5 to 15.
• The movement, initially met with resistance and suspicion, gained momentum through persistent community engagement, awareness campaigns, and a strong sense of ownership.
• The strategy involved:
  • Identifying and enrolling every out-of-school child.
  • Establishing bridge schools under NCLP for working children.
  • Conducting public meetings to promote education.
  • Persuading employers and moneylenders to forgive debts and release children from bonded labour.
  • Encouraging village leaders to sign an MoU with the government, committing to the elimination of child labour.
• By October 2, 2001, Velpur was officially declared a child labour-free mandal.
• Notably, community pride helped sustain this achievement, as villagers erected boards proclaiming their child labour-free status and vigilantly ensured continued school attendance.
• Even twenty-four years later, the mandal boasts 100% school retention.

Institutional Recognition and Lasting Impact

• Velpur’s success did not go unnoticed. On October 8, 2021, the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI) celebrated the 20th anniversary of this intervention.
• Stakeholders from across the community were honoured for their roles, and media outlets confirmed the absence of child labour.
• The ILO, former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and the National Human Rights Commission acknowledged the achievement.
• In 2022, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour invited the campaign’s architect, then Collector of Nizamabad, to present the model, which is now a core part of child labour training programs.

Conclusion

• The story of Velpur underscores a vital truth: sustainable solutions to complex social problems like child labour require grassroots ownership and active community participation.
• Legislative frameworks and government schemes, while essential, cannot succeed without local engagement.
• The Velpur model proves that transformation is possible, even in the most difficult settings, when people come together with commitment, courage, and collective will.
• As the 2025 deadline for SDG Target 8.7 looms, the global community must draw inspiration from such success stories and reorient efforts to turn the fight against child labour into a people’s movement, one child, one village at a time.

Why in News?

A study highlights the need for targeted and well-defined policy interventions to promote the adoption of alternative fuel Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) in India’s mining sector. The report emphasizes cleaner vehicle adoption as key to sustainable mining practices.

The study was undertaken by the Sustainable Mining Initiative (SMI), a division of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) in association with Deloitte which has prepared the detailed report.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Expanding Mining Sector
• Cleaner Fuel in Mining: Key Findings from the SMI-FIMI-Deloitte Study
• Case Study: Surjagarh Iron Ore Mine

India’s Expanding Mining Sector

• India mines 95 minerals and holds significant reserves. Its mining equipment market, worth USD 6.4 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to USD 11.34 billion by 2033.
• Surface mining dominates, but underground mining is gaining traction.
• Green Mining: A Step Toward Sustainability
  • Green mining involves eco-friendly technologies and practices to reduce the environmental impact of mining.
  • It includes using renewable energy, recycling waste, conserving water, and adopting sustainable extraction methods.
  • The aim is to lower the industry’s carbon footprint and encourage responsible mining.
• OEMs Responding to the Shift
  • Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are developing electric, LNG-powered, hydrogen-based, and biofuel-compatible HEMMs.
  • While electric and LNG tech are in use, hydrogen models are still under trial.

Case Study: Surjagarh Iron Ore Mine

• Pioneering Green Mining in India
  • Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd (LMEL) is transforming the Surjagarh Iron Ore Mine (SIOM) in Maharashtra into India's first green mine.
  • It is doing so by adopting sustainable technologies and practices across all mining operations.
• Significant CO₂ Emission Reductions
  • SIOM has already reduced carbon emissions by 32,000 tonnes annually.
  • With a planned transition to renewable energy, this reduction is expected to reach 50,000 tonnes per year.
• End-to-End Decarbonisation Efforts
  • LMEL’s green initiatives span the entire mining process—drilling, loading, hauling, and logistics—guided by a philosophy of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, aiming for green steel production aligned with India’s Net Zero goals.
• Rapid Electrification of Mining Fleet
  • The mine’s fleet of Bharat Electric Vehicles has grown from 34 to 56, cutting air pollution and reducing dependence on fuel imports.
  • LMEL aims to deploy over 100 electric vehicles by 2025–26.

Cleaner Fuel in Mining: Key Findings from the SMI-FIMI-Deloitte Study

• India must adopt a coherent and targeted policy framework to promote the use of alternative fuel-based Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) in the mining sector.
• This includes incentives, regulatory enablers, infrastructure support, and demand-side measures.
• High Upfront Costs a Major Barrier
  • Despite lower lifecycle costs for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and hybrids, high initial capital remains a deterrent.
  • The report suggests capital subsidies, premium rebates, and relaxed payment terms to encourage early adoption.
• Infrastructure & Financing Support Critical
  • Recommendations include power subsidies for charging stations, reduced financing costs, and operational incentives to boost early deployment of green HEMMs.
• Policy Roadmap: Short, Medium & Long Term
  • Short-Term (0–2 years): Pilot BEV-based HEMMs, upfront subsidies, operational cost cuts, and safety standards.
  • Medium-Term (2–5 years): Mandate zero-emission HEMMs in new fields, introduce tax benefits, PLI schemes, and skill development programs.
  • Long-Term (Beyond 5 years): Structural shift through mandates, green bonds, R&D investment, battery recycling, and innovation ecosystems.
• Environmental Imperative
  • With rising deployment of HEMMs expected by 2035, associated fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions will increase.
  • Transitioning to electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered machines is vital to align mining growth with India’s net-zero goals.
• Challenges in Adoption
  • Adoption is hindered by high costs, lack of charging/refueling infrastructure, limited availability of technology models, and policy gaps.
  • Cleaner fuel solutions must be supported by robust infrastructure and financial mechanisms.

Why in News?

Kerala has requested the Centre to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, seeking permission to kill wild animals that enter human habitats and threaten lives or property.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• The Wildlife Conflict Crisis in Kerala
• Causes of Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict in Kerala
• Why Kerala Seeks Amendment to the Wildlife Act
• Kerala Government’s Stand on Culling Wild Animals
• Changing the Legal Status of Problematic Wildlife

The Wildlife Conflict Crisis in Kerala

• Kerala is facing a surge in wildlife attacks, with 273 out of 941 village local bodies identified as conflict hotspots.
• Problematic Species
  • Key animals involved include tiger, leopard, elephant, bison, wild boar, bonnet macaque, and peafowl.
  • While bonnet macaques and peafowls are not dangerous to humans, their crop raids have forced farmers to abandon large areas of farmland.
• Human Casualties
  • Between 2016-17 and January 2025, wildlife attacks have claimed 919 lives and injured 8,967 people, highlighting the urgency of the issue.

Causes of Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict in Kerala

• Habitat Degradation and Displacement
  • Declining quality of forest habitats is forcing wild animals to move into human settlements in search of food and space.
• Population Imbalance
  • A surge in populations of wild pigs and monkey species has significantly increased incidents of crop raiding and property damage.
• Human Activities Near Forests
  • Grazing of domestic cattle in forest areas and changes in cropping patterns near forest fringes are contributing to increased encounters.
• Ecological Imbalance
  • Regional fluctuations in wildlife populations have disturbed the natural balance, intensifying conflicts between humans and animals.

Why Kerala Seeks Amendment to the Wildlife Act

• Legal Hurdles in Emergency Response
  • Current laws require the state to exhaust all options—capture, tranquilisation, or relocation—before considering the killing of Schedule I protected animals, delaying timely action in emergencies.
  • Even when animals are captured, they cannot be kept in confinement, limiting the effectiveness of interventions.
• Multiple Regulatory Layers
  • Apart from the Wildlife Act, Kerala must adhere to guidelines from the Tiger Conservation Authority and Project Elephant Scheme, further complicating decision-making during conflicts.
• Limited Powers of Local Authorities
  • Although district collectors can order removal of public nuisances, court rulings restrict the use of these powers for dealing with wild animals, reducing the state’s ability to act swiftly.

Kerala Government’s Stand on Culling Wild Animals

• The state government has urged the Centre to amend the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to permit the killing of all man-eating wild animals.
• Not Indiscriminate, But Controlled Culling
  • The state is seeking limited, regulated culling—restricted by region, season, and threat level—to protect lives and agriculture, not blanket permissions.
• Failure of Preventive Measures
  • Fencing and other preventive efforts have failed to deter wild animal intrusions into human habitats.
• Ineffective Wild Boar Control
  • The current wild boar control system involving licensed shooters is bogged down by impractical rules, such as checking for pregnancy before shooting, rendering it ineffective.
• Need for Wildlife Population Control
  • The govt emphasized that unchecked growth of certain wildlife populations is escalating threats to both human life and livelihoods.

Changing the Legal Status of Problematic Wildlife

• Wild Boars as Vermin
  • Kerala seeks to classify wild boars as vermin under Section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act for a specific period to allow controlled culling.
    • This section empowers the Central Government to declare any wild animal specified in Schedule II to be vermin for a specific area and period.
    • Once declared vermin, the animal is deemed not to be included in Schedule II for that area and period, effectively removing its protection from hunting.
      • Schedule II of the act - Trade is generally prohibited, but they can be hunted under certain circumstances, such as a threat to human life. 
• Revisiting Bonnet Macaque’s Protection Status
  • The state wants the bonnet macaque removed from Schedule I of the Act.
    • Schedule I of the Act lists species that receive the highest level of protection, with severe penalties for any violation. 
    • These are generally endangered species, and hunting them is prohibited except in cases of direct threat to human life. 
  • Its inclusion in 2022 restricts the chief wildlife warden from taking immediate action against the species despite growing conflicts.
  • Before 2022, wardens could capture and relocate nuisance monkeys.
  • The revised protection status now hampers timely intervention in human-wildlife conflict cases involving bonnet macaques.

Why in the News?

India’s population is estimated to have reached 146.39 crore by April, says a new UN demographic report.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Fertility Rate (Background, Demographic Transition, Financial Constraints, Social & Family Dynamics, India’s Demographic Dividend, Policy Recommendations)

India’s Fertility Rate Falls Below Replacement Level

• India’s fertility rate has declined to 1.9, falling below the replacement level of 2.1, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report State of World Population 2025.
• This demographic transition, while not unique to India, signals a long-term shift in population trends driven by a complex mix of economic, social, and health-related factors.
• Despite this decline, India remains the world’s most populous country, with an estimated population of 146.39 crore as of April 2025.
• The population is projected to peak around 170 crore over the next four decades before beginning to shrink.

From High Fertility to Demographic Transition

• In 1960, Indian women had an average of six children. Since then, India has achieved a dramatic reduction in fertility rates, largely through enhanced access to reproductive healthcare, greater educational outreach, and sustained efforts at women’s empowerment.
• The UNFPA attributes this demographic shift not to coercive policies but to an organic transition supported by awareness campaigns and policy interventions.
• The decline aligns with India’s own projections, such as those published in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), which pegged the 2022 fertility rate at 2.0 nationally, with urban fertility at 1.6 and rural fertility at 2.1.
• Some states, however, still have above-average fertility rates, including Bihar (2.98), Meghalaya (2.9), Uttar Pradesh (2.35), Jharkhand (2.26), and Manipur (2.2).

Financial Constraints and Changing Aspirations

• The report reveals that financial strain is a leading factor in decisions to have fewer children.
• Around 38% of Indian respondents cited economic challenges, while 21% pointed to job insecurity or unemployment.
• Globally, similar concerns are evident, with an average of 39% across 14 countries expressing financial limitations as the primary reason for having fewer children than desired.
• There is also a growing disconnect between the ideal number of children and the number couples expect to have.
• While 41% of women surveyed in India considered two children as ideal, 7% of respondents below 50 stated they expected fewer than the ideal due to economic and social pressures.

Social and Familial Dynamics

• Family dynamics play a pivotal role in fertility decisions. Around 19% of respondents said their partner preferred fewer children, and 15% said lack of support in household responsibilities affected their reproductive choices.
• Additionally, healthcare professionals were also cited as influencing decisions, 14% of Indian respondents said pressure from doctors or health workers led them to have fewer children than they desired. This highlights a concerning gap between reproductive rights and institutional practices.

India’s Demographic Dividend and Ageing Population

• With 68% of India’s population in the working-age group (15-64 years), the country still enjoys a significant demographic dividend.
• However, this window is not infinite. As life expectancy increases, projected at 71 years for men and 74 for women, India’s elderly population (currently 7%) is expected to rise steadily in the coming decades.
• This shift necessitates strategic investments in health, social security, and workforce policies to sustain economic growth even as fertility declines.

Beyond Population Numbers: The Real Fertility Crisis

• The UNFPA report emphasizes that the real crisis is not overpopulation or underpopulation but rather the inability of individuals to realize their fertility intentions.
• It calls for safeguarding reproductive agency, the right to make informed choices about sex, contraception, and family planning, especially in rapidly changing socio-economic contexts.
• This shift in framing from a numbers-based discourse to a rights-based approach underscores the need to go beyond demographic targets and prioritize empowerment, choice, and health access.

Policy Considerations and Future Outlook

• India must adapt its health and welfare policies to reflect this demographic reality. Key focus areas should include:

• Enhancing women’s participation in the workforce.
• Expanding social support for childcare and elderly care.
• Reforming workplace norms to reduce the economic burden of parenting.
• Investing in universal access to contraception and fertility counselling.

• The upcoming 2027 Census, delayed from 2021, will offer updated insights critical to informing policy.
• In the meantime, India’s demographic strategy must pivot from population control to inclusive, rights-based population governance.

Context:

• India’s transformative journey over the past decade highlights inclusive growth, infrastructure expansion, digital empowerment, and governance reforms.
• Structural changes and targeted welfare schemes have uplifted millions, reflecting a shift from mere economic growth to dignity, opportunity, and belief in a better future.

A New Bharat in the Making:

• Key idea: Progress in India is now measured by dignity, opportunity, and inclusion, not just GDP.
• Examples:
  • Annam Lakshmi Bhavani (from Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh): Secures the Mudra loan to start a successful jute bag manufacturing unit.
  • Jagdev Singh (from Haryana): Makes decisions related to his crops using an AI app.
  • Meera Manjhi: Gets an LPG connection under Ujjwala, ensuring a smokeless kitchen and more quality time with her children.

Foundational Philosophy:

• Antyodaya: Uplifting the last person in the queue.
• Four pillars:
  • Building infrastructure that connects,
  • Growth that is inclusive,
  • Manufacturing that creates jobs, and
  • Simplifying systems that empower.

Infrastructure Boom - Physical, Digital, and Social:

• Capital investment surge: Capex increased to ₹11.2 lakh crore in 2025–26.
• Transport infrastructure:
  • 59,000 km highways and 37,500 km railway tracks built in the last 11 years.
  • Landmark projects: Chenab and Anji bridges; Vande Bharat in Kashmir.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI):
  • UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker has become a global benchmark.
  • Over 141 crore Aadhaar registrations and 60 crore UPI transactions every day signify their reach and acceptance.
  • The idea behind this is simple: Democratise technology through digital highways.
• IndiaAI Mission:
  • Over 34,000 high-speed computer chips, known as GPUs, are now available to all at just one-third the global cost.
  • The AIKosha platform offers over 370 datasets and 200 ready-to-use AI models for learning and innovation.

Social Inclusion and Basic Services Expansion:

• Healthcare and education: Over the past 11 years, the number of medical colleges has grown from 387 to 780, and AIIMS institutions from 7 to 23. MBBS and PG seats have also more than doubled.
• Welfare delivery at scale:
  • 530 million Jan Dhan accounts (more than Europe’s population).
  • 40 million homes built (under PMAY), 120 million toilets under SBM.
  • 140 million households connected via Har Ghar Jal.
  • Ayushman Bharat: 350 million covered.
  • PM-KISAN: 110 million farmers receive direct support.
  • Ujjwala Yojana: 100 million families now use LPG.

Manufacturing and Industrial Growth:

• Make in India:
  • Launched in 2015 to create jobs and revive industrial growth.
  • Today, electronics manufacturing has increased six times to cross Rs 12 lakh crore.
  • Electronics exports have increased eight times to cross Rs 3 lakh crore to become among the top exported goods.
  • India is now the 2nd largest mobile phone producer
• Semiconductor Mission:
  • The country’s first commercial lab is under construction; five OSAT units are underway; over 20 chipsets with indigenous IP have been designed by students and engineers in India.
  • 270 universities onboarded for chip design training.

Governance Reforms and Simplification:

• A silent revolution: Over 1,500 old laws were repealed and 40,000-plus compliances removed.
• New-age laws: Like the Telecom Act and DPDP Act are built on trust and simplicity, treating citizens with dignity, not suspicion.
• Impact: This has encouraged investment, innovation, and formalisation, creating a virtuous growth cycle.

Security and Strategic Clarity:

• Shift in approach: From reactive to proactive counter-terror operations: Surgical strikes, Air strikes, Operation Sindoor.
• New (Modi) doctrine:
  • Retaliate decisively on India's terms.
  • Zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail.
  • No distinction between terrorists and sponsors.
  • Emphasis on indigenous defence technologies (Atmanirbharta in security). 

Economic Trajectory:

• 2004: India 11th largest economy; status unchanged till 2014.
• Post-2014: Regained momentum.
• Now 5th largest: Poised to become 3rd largest economy.

Conclusion - A Belief in the Future: The decade under the current govt gave citizens dignity, empowerment, and belief. Viksit Bharat is no longer a dream — it’s a destination being built with inclusion and resolve.

Context

• In May 2024, the Bar Council of India (BCI) implemented the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India.
• These rules were a landmark in India's evolving legal framework, aimed at facilitating foreign legal participation while maintaining professional and ethical standards.
• While many stakeholders within India’s legal community welcomed the move, several U.S.-based law firms criticised the rules, labelling them as non-tariff trade barriers designed to exclude American legal professionals from India’s legal landscape.
• However, such criticisms reveal a limited understanding of both the BCI’s constitutional mandate and the nuanced legal context governing the regulation of professional legal services in India.

The Nature of the Criticism

• Critics have raised a range of objections.
• They argue that the rules impose procedural constraints that act as trade barriers and disproportionately burden U.S. legal practitioners.
• Specifically, detractors cite six key concerns:
  • Procedural requirements restrict U.S. firms, freezing them out of Indian legal practice.
  • Alleged exclusion of U.S. interests during global consultations on the rules.
  • Disclosure mandates on the ‘nature of legal work’ and ‘client identity’ allegedly breach the American Bar Association (ABA) rules on client confidentiality.
  • Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) regulations are said to contradict reciprocity principles.
  • The absence of a transition period has reportedly disadvantaged U.S. firms.
  • A potential chilling effect on U.S.-India legal and trade relations due to a lack of legal professionals trained in U.S. law.
• Each of these criticisms, however, fails to recognize the broader constitutional and institutional context in which these rules operate, as well as the measured nature of the reforms.

Understanding the BCI’s Mandate and Legal Context

• The Bar Council of India is not a trade or commercial entity. It is a statutory body constitutionally mandated to regulate the legal profession and maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct.
• Contrary to trade services regulated under Entries related to commerce in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, legal services fall under Entries 77 and 78 of the Union List, which deal with the legal profession and administration of justice.
• In Bar of Indian Lawyers v. D.K. Gandhi (2024), the Indian judiciary emphasised that legal practice is a form of personal service and thus lies outside the domain of conventional trade and business.
• India’s decision to exclude legal services from the United Kingdom-India Free Trade Agreement further reinforces its consistent approach to regulate legal services separately from general trade liberalisation.
• Therefore, the BCI’s new rules cannot be dismissed as arbitrary protectionism; rather, they reflect deliberate and constitutionally grounded regulatory choices.

Key Features of BCI’s Rules

• Liberalisation With Safeguards
  • A close reading of the rules reveals that far from restricting foreign participation, the framework facilitates it, albeit in a controlled and ethical manner.
  • Rules 3 and 4 allow foreign firms to operate in India, provided they register and adhere to ethical guidelines.
  • The FIFO provision under Rule 3(1) permits short-term visits up to 60 days annually, ensuring flexibility while maintaining oversight.
  • The call for reciprocity, particularly contested by U.S. critics, is another central pillar of the rules.
  • It is important to note that U.S. states maintain their own bar admissions, requiring Indian lawyers to pass state-specific exams, a high barrier to entry. India’s imposition of similar requirements on foreign lawyers simply establishes parity, not protectionism.
  • Even the controversial certificate of good standing requirement, while complex under the U.S.'s decentralised bar system, is not insurmountable.
  • Rule 6 of Chapter III grants the BCI discretion to verify credentials holistically, allowing for a flexible, case-by-case evaluation.
  • Thus, the framework accommodates diverse regulatory systems while upholding integrity.
• Confidentiality and Client Information
  • Another objection concerns the rules' requirement for disclosure about legal work and clients.
  • Critics suggest this violates client confidentiality norms under the ABA Model Rules.
  • However, the Indian rules only seek general information to monitor the scope of permissible practice.
  • Specific client details or privileged information are not mandated, and the intention is regulatory transparency, not surveillance or infringement on confidentiality.
• Consultative History and Transition Claims
  • Finally, claims that the rules were introduced without due notice or consultation are unfounded.
  • Discussions on liberalising legal services in India have spanned two decades.
  • Key judicial decisions such as Lawyers Collective v. BCI (2009) and BCI v. A.K. Balaji (2018), along with expert committee recommendations and international consultations, have shaped the current framework.
  • The process has been deliberate, transparent, and consultative, dispelling notions of a sudden imposition.

Conclusion

• India’s new rules on foreign legal practitioners mark a pivotal step in aligning its legal profession with global trends while preserving core values of ethics, reciprocity, and professional competence.
• Far from being a trade barrier, the rules represent a measured liberalisation designed to balance openness with regulatory oversight.
• They offer foreign firms a structured pathway into India’s legal market, provided they respect its constitutional, legal, and professional norms.
• The future of international legal cooperation lies not in bypassing domestic regulatory integrity, but in building systems that harmonise global access with local accountability.

Context

• The enduring conflict between India and Pakistan, particularly over Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), has once again come to the forefront following Operation Sindoor.
• This development not only underlines the continuing hostility between the two nations but also reveals the deep structural inadequacies of both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy in addressing such entrenched disputes.
• Over the decades, a dense web of historical, geopolitical, and ideological factors has complicated the issue to the point where traditional diplomatic mechanisms, be it through the United Nations or bilateral negotiations, have largely failed to yield any substantive resolution.

Historical Entanglements and Diplomatic Gridlock between India and Pakistan

• The India-Pakistan conflict has been shaped heavily by the geopolitical dynamics following the Second World War and the Cold War.
• These global developments developed the formation of rigid ideological positions and institutional frameworks that now limit diplomatic manoeuvrability.
• For instance, the UN’s cartographic representations and documentation, while appearing neutral, often blur the realities on the ground.
• UN maps label the Line of Control with caveats such as, the final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon, thereby preventing any definitive international recognition of India's sovereignty over the region.
• Consequently, when Indian envoys assert that J&K is an integral part of India, they often encounter diplomatic reluctance or non-committal responses from countries relying on these ambiguous UN representations.
• Furthermore, the Simla Agreement, while envisioning bilateral solutions, has not translated into actionable outcomes due to Pakistan’s persistent internationalisation of the Kashmir issue.
• Moreover, its unwavering position that Kashmir remains the core issue. These conflicting interpretations have left bilateral diplomacy effectively stalled.

The Terrorism Conundrum

• India’s efforts to foreground terrorism as a central concern in its international engagements have also encountered significant roadblocks.
• Although India introduced a draft for a Comprehensive Convention against Terrorism over three decades ago in the United Nations General Assembly, it was widely dismissed, viewed by many as an anti-Pakistan initiative.
• One of the core impediments has been the lack of a universally accepted definition of terrorism, compounded by the controversial adage that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.
• India’s historical support for armed liberation movements in Africa and Sri Lanka has been cited as evidence of this ambiguity, thereby weakening its position in seeking international legal consensus.
• Despite the global outrage following the 9/11 attacks, which temporarily shifted global attention toward the menace of terrorism, especially in West and South Asia, the eventual drift of the U.S. focus toward military solutions, particularly in Afghanistan diluted the momentum for a comprehensive legal framework.
• The fall of the Taliban was followed by a long-drawn conflict ending in U.S. withdrawal and the group's return to power, demonstrating the limited success of even large-scale military interventions.

The UN Security Council’s Inconclusive Role and the Problem of Hyphenation and Historical Missteps

• The UN Security Council’s Inconclusive Role
  • The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted multiple resolutions aimed at combating terrorism, creating obligations for member-states to implement preventative measures.
  • However, these efforts have lacked clarity and enforcement.
  • The Counter-Terrorism Committee, though active, remains ambiguous on contentious matters such as the legitimacy of a state treating a terrorist attack as an act of war, a doctrine India has pushed to justify surgical strikes across the Line of Control.
  • India’s military restraint, despite provocations, and adherence to ceasefire norms along the LoC add another layer of complexity.
  • While these actions underscore India’s commitment to responsible conduct, they paradoxically weaken its justification for pre-emptive strikes under international humanitarian law.
  • As such, India's attempts to secure global endorsement for its counter-terrorism operations remain largely unfulfilled.
• The Problem of Hyphenation and Historical Missteps
  • India’s initial recourse to the UN in 1947, in response to Pakistan’s invasion of Kashmir, ironically laid the foundation for the diplomatic quagmire that followed.
  • The issue was taken up under Article VI of the UN Charter, dealing with pacific settlement of disputes, rather than under Article VII, which deals with acts of aggression.
  • This misstep led to the introduction of extraneous elements such as self-determination, complicating what India had viewed as a straightforward case of territorial violation.
  • This laid the groundwork for the persistent hyphenation of India and Pakistan in international discourse, including in the nuclear context.
  • While India has maintained a No First Use nuclear doctrine, Pakistan has continually threatened to escalate its conventional capabilities, thereby increasing regional instability.
  • Any discussions on Kashmir are inevitably coloured by this backdrop, and the international community often opts for a cautious neutrality.

The Way Ahead: Strategic Autonomy as the Only Viable Path

• Given these circumstances, India has adopted a firm stance: any future bilateral engagement with Pakistan will focus solely on terrorism and the status of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• This position reflects a broader recognition that international mediation is no longer a viable avenue.
• Pakistan's relentless pursuit of internationalising the Kashmir issue, combined with the institutional inertia within the UN, renders multilateral diplomacy ineffective.
• India’s special envoy missions post-Operation Sindoor have likely reinforced this assessment.
• The structural limitations of international forums, combined with entrenched global narratives, have made it virtually impossible for India to untangle its position from decades-old UN resolutions and diplomatic double standards.
• Therefore, India’s path forward lies in pursuing strategic autonomy through measured military preparedness and defensive action.
• As long as Pakistan continues its strategy of a thousand cuts, a euphemism for low-intensity, proxy conflict, India must prioritise national security over international validation.

Conclusion

• The case of India and Pakistan, particularly regarding Kashmir, serves as a sobering example of the limitations of diplomacy when historical, ideological, and geopolitical interests converge.
• The role of international institutions like the UN, while ostensibly neutral, is often shaped by power politics and outdated paradigms.
• In such a context, India must focus on safeguarding its sovereignty through pragmatic self-reliance rather than placing hope in an international system that has repeatedly failed to deliver justice or clarity.

Why in News?

India is projected to add 75 GW of renewable energy in FY26 and FY27—a 53% rise from the 49 GW added in FY24–25, according to Crisil Ratings.

Investments are expected to grow by 52%, from ₹2.5 lakh crore to ₹3.8 lakh crore, driven by a rising share of capital-intensive hybrid projects. However, Crisil warns that delays in transmission infrastructure could hinder future capacity expansion.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Renewable Energy in India
• Massive Renewable Energy Expansion Planned
• Capacity Addition Planned in FY26

Renewable Energy in India

• As of October 10, 2024, India’s total renewable energy capacity has reached 201.45 GW, marking a major milestone in its clean energy journey.
• This achievement highlights India's commitment to reducing fossil fuel dependence and building a sustainable energy future.
• Non-Fossil Fuel Sources Powering Nearly Half of India
  • Including the 8,180 MW of nuclear capacity, India's total non-fossil fuel-based power now makes up nearly 50% of its installed electricity generation capacity, positioning the country as a global leader in clean energy.
• Renewables Dominate India's Energy Mix
  • India’s total electricity generation capacity stands at 452.69 GW, with renewables contributing 46.3% of this.
  • The renewable segment is supported by a diverse mix of sources:
    • Solar Power: 90.76 GW
    • Wind Power: 47.36 GW
    • Large Hydroelectric Power: 46.92 GW
    • Small Hydro Power: 5.07 GW
    • Biopower (biomass and biogas): 11.32 GW
• India’s 2030 Renewable Energy Target
• The Government of India has set an ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of installed non-fossil fuel electric capacity by 2030, aiming to bolster energy security and address climate change.
• Flagship Renewable Energy Schemes
  • National Green Hydrogen Mission: Promotes production and use of green hydrogen.
  • PM-KUSUM: Supports solar power for agriculture.
  • PM Surya Ghar: Encourages rooftop solar adoption for households.
  • PLI Scheme for Solar PV Modules: Boosts domestic manufacturing of solar equipment.
• Investment Facilitation
  • 100% FDI allowed under the automatic route for renewable energy.
  • Project Development Cell established to ease investment processes.
• Infrastructure Development
  • Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission.
  • Transmission plan till 2030 in place for grid readiness.
  • Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022 to ease access for renewable power buyers.
• Offshore and Wind Energy Initiatives
  • Offshore Wind Strategy: Targets 37 GW bidding by 2030.
  • Offshore Wind Lease Rules, 2023: Regulates leasing for project development.
  • National Repowering Policy 2023: Modernizes old wind turbines.

Massive Renewable Energy Expansion Planned

• India is expected to add 75 GW of renewable energy capacity in FY26 and FY27, a 53% increase from 49 GW added in FY24–25, according to Crisil Ratings.
• This will raise the country’s total renewable capacity to 233 GW by March 2027.
• Investment to Surge by 52%
  • Investments in the renewables sector are projected to grow from ₹2.5 lakh crore in FY24–25 to ₹3.8 lakh crore in FY26–27—a 52% jump.
  • This surge is driven by the increasing share of capital-intensive hybrid and storage-linked projects.
• Rise of Hybrid and Storage-Linked Projects
  • Around 37% of the upcoming 75 GW capacity will come from hybrid and storage-linked projects—up from 17% in FY24–25.
  • Hybrid projects combine solar and wind to ensure more consistent power generation, while storage-linked projects use batteries or pumped hydro to store excess energy.
  • As renewable power is intermittent—solar during the day and wind being seasonal—increasing its share can disrupt grid stability.
  • Hybrid and storage solutions help maintain round-the-clock power supply and grid balance.
• Transmission Infrastructure a Key Bottleneck
  • Transmission remains a major challenge.
  • Though capex in this sector rose to ₹36,000 crore in FY25 (up from ₹15,000 crore in FY24), the Crisil report warns of delays due to equipment supply constraints and execution bottlenecks.
    • FY26–27 transmission capex is projected to reach ₹0.9–1 lakh crore.
• Slow Progress in Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
  • Only 50% of PPAs for projects awarded in the last 1–2 years have been finalized, due to limited interest from state discoms.
  • However, this is expected to improve as power demand and renewable purchase obligations grow.

Capacity Addition Planned in FY26

• As per a recent Grid-India resource adequacy report, the country will add 45 GW in the ongoing FY26, led by:
  • Solar: 26.5 GW
  • Wind: 6.3 GW
  • Coal: 4.4 GW
  • Battery Storage: 3.3 GW
  • Hydro: 1.6 GW
  • Pumped Storage: 1.5 GW
  • Nuclear: 1.4 GW

Why in News?

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s trip to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Axiom-4 mission will be a big step forward for India’s space journey.

In recent years, ISRO has done many important missions, like the Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing, which made India one of the few countries with advanced space technology.

Shukla’s spaceflight is not India’s own human space mission yet, but it is closely linked to our plans. It will give useful information for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and future space projects. This shows that India is getting ready for bigger achievements in space.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• From Rakesh Sharma to Shubhanshu Shukla: A Journey of Progress
• Gaganyaan: A Complex and Critical Mission
• ISRO’s First Customised Space Experiments
• A New Chapter in India’s Space Journey

From Rakesh Sharma to Shubhanshu Shukla: A Journey of Progress

• Rakesh Sharma’s journey to space in 1984 was a proud moment for India and sparked public imagination.
• However, at that time, India’s space program was still very young, with limited infrastructure and no clear long-term human spaceflight plans.
• As a result, his achievement remained more symbolic than practical.
• Shubhanshu Shukla’s Mission: A Step Towards the Future
  • Shukla’s flight on the Axiom-4 mission is different. It comes at a time when ISRO is a globally respected space agency, capable of handling complex missions.
  • His mission is not just inspirational, but will also provide valuable experience and data for future projects, especially the Gaganyaan mission.
    • India’s first human space mission, Gaganyaan, was initially planned for 2022. Though delayed, the Axiom-4 mission helps bridge the gap.

Gaganyaan: A Complex and Critical Mission

• India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, is far more complex than uncrewed missions due to the safety protocols and human factors involved.
• This adds layers of difficulty for ISRO as it prepares to send astronauts into space for the first time.
• Why Shubhanshu Shukla’s Experience Matters
  • Shubhanshu Shukla, as the pilot of the Axiom-4 mission, will gain real-time experience that is invaluable for Gaganyaan.
  • His hands-on learning in decision-making, orbital navigation, and spacecraft operations will bring real-world insights that cannot be replicated in simulations.
  • Currently, only Rakesh Sharma has such experience, but that was with older technologies. Shukla’s updated exposure will help guide future Indian astronauts.
• India’s First Astronaut on the ISS
  • Shukla will also become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
  • His time aboard the ISS will provide him with key observations about how space stations function, which will be crucial for ISRO’s long-term plan to build its own space station.
• Building Institutional Knowledge for the Future
  • Countries with successful space programs benefit when astronauts transfer their learning to future missions.
  • Shukla’s two-week space mission will lay the groundwork for developing India’s future space capabilities, both for Gaganyaan and the proposed Indian space station.

ISRO’s First Customised Space Experiments

• The Axiom-4 mission marks ISRO’s first chance to conduct specially designed experiments in space, laying the foundation for future space research tied to India’s needs.
• Zero-Gravity and Muscle Behaviour Study
  • One key biology experiment focuses on understanding muscle degradation in zero-gravity.
  • Unlike Earth, where gravity affects muscle function, space allows researchers to isolate and study natural muscle changes, potentially offering insights into human health and aging.
• Indian-Specific Biological Experiments
  • ISRO is also conducting experiments on moong dal sprouts and micro-algae, designed to explore space agriculture and food sustainability.
  • These are especially important for long-duration space missions and for India’s own future space station plans.

A New Chapter in India’s Space Journey

• Shubhanshu Shukla’s spaceflight marks the beginning of a roadmap that aims for an Indian human Moon mission by 2040, reflecting ISRO’s long-term vision.
• Building a Strong Space Ecosystem
  • To achieve such ambitious goals, India needs a robust space ecosystem with active private sector participation.
  • This will lower costs, drive innovation, speed up technology development, and attract talent.
• Unlocking the Space Economy’s Potential
  • The global space market is valued at $500 billion, expected to double by 2030.
  • Despite ISRO’s global standing, India currently holds only a 2% share.
  • The goal is to raise this to at least 10%, boosting national economic growth.
• Inspiring the Next Generation
  • Events like Shukla’s mission can ignite young minds, especially school children, encouraging them to pursue careers in space.
  • Unlike 40 years ago, today’s youth have real opportunities to be part of this growing sector.

Why in the News?

India’s Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, marks a significant shift in the country’s use of drones in combat.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Drone Warfare (Background, Global Evolution, India’s Strategic Shift, Enhancing Drone Resilience, Operational & Industrial Implications)

Introduction

• India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, marks a turning point in the country’s adoption of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in active combat.
• This represents a broader strategic shift toward using drones not just for surveillance but also for standoff offensive missions, aligning with global military innovations in modern warfare.
• From the battlefields of Nagorno-Karabakh to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, drones have emerged as force multipliers, redefining the nature of aerial combat and offering lessons for India’s evolving military posture.

The Global Evolution of Drone Warfare

• The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict of 2020 showcased the use of loitering munitions or “kamikaze drones”, such as Israel’s Harop, to systematically destroy enemy air defences.
• Ukraine has since become a live testbed for drone warfare innovation, producing a diverse array of UAVs to achieve tactical superiority.
• Notably, Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web demonstrated how low-cost drones, paired with innovative strategies, can cause significant damage to high-value targets like Russia’s long-range bomber fleet.
• Even in Myanmar, rebel groups are now using 3D-printed drones to challenge a superior conventional force.

India’s Strategic Shift: Learning from Conflict Zones

• In this global context, India is reforming its military doctrines to integrate drone warfare more fully.
• Operation Sindoor’s use of UAVs along with standoff weaponry adds a layer of ambiguity and asymmetry to India's military toolkit, particularly vis-à-vis Pakistan.
• However, India’s preparedness must also account for the growing drone capabilities of adversaries.
• China’s advanced systems, such as the Soaring Dragon, BZK-005, and Wing Loong II, combined with swarm-capable kamikaze drones like CH-901, present a complex challenge along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Pakistan, too, is enhancing its drone arsenal with Chinese and Turkish support, complicating India’s threat matrix. These developments call for a more agile and robust defence infrastructure on India's part.

Enhancing Drone Resilience and Survivability

• Drones, while transformative, remain vulnerable to electronic warfare, radar jamming, and air defence systems.
• To address this, India is deploying multi-layered counter-UAV technologies, including both soft-kill (electronic jamming) and hard-kill (physical interception)
• These systems played a pivotal role in countering Pakistani drone incursions during recent border hostilities.
• However, survivability in contested environments demands further innovation. Techniques such as frequency hopping, low-altitude navigation, AI-based machine vision, and fibre-optic tethering (as used in Ukraine) enhance drone resilience.
• Mass deployment of drones, including decoys, can also overwhelm enemy radar systems, as seen in Russia’s use of Shahed drones against Ukraine.

The Blurring Line Between Military and Commercial Drones

• The distinction between military-grade and commercial drones is rapidly eroding.
• Commercial UAVs, equipped with open-source software and modular payloads, offer cost-effective and scalable options for militaries worldwide.
• These systems are easier to acquire, modify, and deploy, opening up a new chapter in asymmetric warfare.
• India, like others, is exploring indigenous manufacturing and 3D-printing technologies to rapidly scale drone production.
• The accessibility of commercial drones, however, also increases risks of their misuse by non-state actors and terrorist outfits. Hence, internal security agencies must be equipped with counter-drone capabilities alongside the military.

Operational and Industrial Implications for India

• India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) has demonstrated effectiveness in coordinating air defence responses.
• However, the need for “magazine depth”, a sufficient stockpile of munitions like MR-SAMs, Akash, and loitering munitions, remains critical in the event of prolonged conflict.
• A significant takeaway from Ukraine is the value of a robust, responsive defence industrial base.
• For India to sustain its drone ambitions, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) must streamline procurement processes, address demand uncertainties, and incentivise domestic manufacturers to scale up.
• Without structural reform in defence procurement, India risks falling short of operational needs in a fast-paced modern conflict.

Context

• In a landmark resolution supported by over 100 countries, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, placing global focus on the indispensable role of women in agriculture.
• While this recognition is a step forward, it also draws attention to the deeply entrenched challenges women face in the agricultural sector.
• Therefore, it is important to explore those challenges and the innovative responses being developed, particularly in India, through the lens of recent collaborative projects and policy initiatives. 

The Centrality of Women in Agriculture

• Women are the backbone of food production globally.
• They contribute to 60% to 80% of food production in developing countries and constitute 39% of the agricultural workforce in South Asia.
• In India, a staggering 80% of economically active women are employed in agriculture. Yet, their contributions remain under-recognised and under-rewarded.
• One stark indicator of this disparity is land ownership. Despite their large presence in agricultural work, only 14% of landowners in India are women, and the National Family Health Survey reports an even lower rate of 8.3%.
• This lack of land ownership not only restricts their access to institutional credit but also hampers investments in modern tools and technology, limiting their productivity and economic independence.

Institutional Support and Policy Initiatives

• Recognising these barriers, the Government of India has initiated several programs aimed at supporting women in agriculture.
• The Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana focuses on skill development and enhancing access to resources, while the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation provides significant subsidies on farm machinery.
• Additionally, 30% of the National Food Security Mission’s budget is earmarked for women farmers across various States and Union Territories.
• These initiatives aim to narrow the gender gap in agriculture by promoting sustainable farming practices and facilitating women’s access to credit, inputs, and technologies.
• However, the impact of such programs depends on their reach, quality of implementation, and the creation of enabling ecosystems.

Climate Change and the Gendered Vulnerability

• Climate change is compounding existing gender disparities.
• Women, already burdened with domestic responsibilities, face heightened risks due to erratic weather patterns and agricultural uncertainties.
• Projects like ENACT (Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities), implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and supported by the Government of Assam and the Norwegian government, are addressing these concerns.
• In the flood-prone regions of Assam, ENACT introduces climate-resilient crop varieties and promotes livelihood diversification.
• By equipping over 300 women farmers with weekly advisories on weather and agriculture through mobile phones, the project exemplifies the use of technology and information dissemination to strengthen resilience.
• The Climate Adaptation Information Centres further this mission by enabling video conferencing and community meetings for knowledge exchange. 

The Way Forward

• Partnerships and Scalable Solutions
  • ENACT demonstrates the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration.
  • By engaging state departments, meteorological institutions, agricultural universities, and rural livelihood missions, it creates an integrated approach to address the vulnerabilities of women farmers.
  • This project also promotes smart seed production systems, market linkages, and the cultivation of nutrient-rich local varieties, enhancing both food security and sustainability.
  • Such interventions show that when women are empowered with knowledge, tools, and networks, they can lead climate adaptation at the grassroots level.
• Need for Gender Equality in Agriculture
  • While initiatives like ENACT are promising, much more is needed to realise gender equity in agriculture.
  • Policy frameworks must be gender-sensitive, informed by granular, sex-disaggregated data, and responsive to the diverse needs of women. This includes:
  • Designing tools and technologies suited to women’s use and scale of operation
  • Expanding access to credit, savings, and insurance mechanisms
  • Supporting women-led agri-value chains and self-help groups
  • Building collective agency and leadership among women farmers

Conclusion

• The declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer presents a historic opportunity to mainstream gender equality in agriculture.
• Women farmers are not just food producers; they are agents of change, resilience, and sustainability.
• By recognising their contributions and addressing systemic inequalities, we can promote a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous future for all.

Context

• The transition from a population to a people is not merely a demographic process, but a deeply political transformation.
• In India, this transformation is mediated by tools such as the decadal census, which, while appearing to be a technical exercise in enumeration, in reality plays a profound role in shaping political identities, resource allocation, and representational structures.
• The upcoming 2027 Census promises to be a watershed moment in this regard, comparable in its long-term consequences to the COVID-19 pandemic that delayed the 2021 census, as it is poised to redraw the contours of Indian democracy through delimitation, caste enumeration, and political redistribution.

The Census: More Than a Count

• A census is conventionally understood as a comprehensive enumeration of the population, accounting for various demographic markers, including urban/rural residence, caste and tribe status, literacy, fertility, economic activity, and migration.
• However, the census does more than passively record reality; it actively shapes it.
• By categorising individuals into fixed groups, the census institutionalises identities and priorities, and in doing so, it helps constitute the political community, the people.
• Thus, the census is not a neutral exercise. As population trends shift, so too does the political landscape.
• For instance, increasing Hindi speakers in metropolitan cities or migration flows to southern India indicate changing demographic dynamics with potent political implications.

Political Demography and Parliamentary Representation

• At the heart of the 2027 Census lies the question of parliamentary representation.
• Article 81 of the Constitution mandates that parliamentary seats be redistributed after the first census following 2026.
• Due to the delay of the 2021 census, this redistribution, or delimitation, could take place earlier than expected, potentially in time for the 2029 general elections.
• With all data being captured digitally, the pace of this exercise is likely to be unprecedented.
• This raises a crucial question: What happens when population size becomes the sole criterion for representation?
• States with higher birth rates but slower economic growth, predominantly in northern and central India, stand to gain seats, while southern and western States, which have invested in population control and economic development, could lose influence.
• This paradox threatens to penalise states that have pursued responsible demographic policies and rewarded those that have not, thereby igniting regional tensions. The Centre has acknowledged the need for discussions, but clarity remains elusive.

Caste Enumeration, Social Politics and The Federal Compact and Revenue Sharing

• Caste Enumeration and Social Politics
  • One of the most transformative elements of Census 2027 is the proposed comprehensive caste census, the first since 1931.
  • The counting of all castes, beyond Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), is expected to dramatically alter the political discourse.
  • Caste identities, long embedded in India's social fabric, are poised to become even more central to resource claims and political mobilisation.
  • This development is likely to rekindle debates over the 50% reservation ceiling, a landmark constraint that many political groups seek to overturn.
  • Moreover, this census aligns with the constitutional push for one-third reservation for women in legislative bodies, further adding complexity to the social reorganisation of political power.
  • Combined with the possibility of simultaneous elections to Parliament and State Assemblies, these changes suggest a far-reaching restructuring of democratic representation.
• The Federal Compact and Revenue Sharing
  • Alongside these demographic and electoral transformations, the Sixteenth Finance Commission, due to submit its recommendations by October 2025, is expected to revisit the formula for revenue sharing between the Centre and the States.
  • Many States have expressed dissatisfaction with the criteria used by previous Commissions, especially when these have appeared to favour population size over developmental performance.
  • As with parliamentary representation, the question is whether population-heavy but economically weaker states should receive a disproportionately higher share of national revenues.
  • The overlapping timelines of the census, delimitation, and the Finance Commission’s recommendations underscore a moment of pivotal renegotiation in India’s federal compact.

Political Strategies and National Identity

• These demographic transitions are not occurring in a political vacuum.
• The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), with its centralising and majoritarian vision, sees in these changes both a challenge and an opportunity.
• A population-based delimitation could consolidate its power in regions where it is strongest, primarily in the north and central belt.
• At the same time, by bringing gender and caste into the delimitation debate, the BJP may seek to transcend narrow regional rivalries and construct a broader national coalition based on identity categories that cut across states.
• The Congress and Left parties, traditionally national in outlook but now weakened in the heartland, are also seeking to reclaim space by aligning with demands for caste-based justice.
• Yet, whether they can compete with the BJP’s organisational strength and ideological clarity in navigating this demographic moment remains uncertain.
• The political use of census categories, from caste to language to migration status, is now central to all parties’ electoral strategies.

Conclusion

• Census 2027 is more than a decadal statistical exercise; it is a political event of generational importance. It will reconfigure how Indians are counted, represented, governed, and resourced.
• From delimitation to caste enumeration, from revenue sharing to identity formation, this census sits at the intersection of administration and politics, demography and democracy.
• It will shape not only the size and shape of constituencies but also the meaning of citizenship and the nature of national identity in 21st-century India.
• As the nation prepares for this defining moment, it must confront the tensions inherent in balancing demographic realities, federal equity, and democratic fairness.

Context:

• India, currently the fifth-largest economy with a $4.2 trillion GDP, is poised to surpass Japan and Germany to become the third-largest economy in the coming years.
• Under the current govt, the last 11 years (2014–2025) have seen significant transformations in infrastructure, governance, digital infrastructure, and social development.

Economic Resilience and Macroeconomic Stability:

• Consistent growth:
  • Average GDP growth since 2014: 6.4%
  • Latest quarterly growth (2025): 7.4%
• Inflation management: Inflation declined from 9.4% (2013-14) to 4.6% (2025), resulting in macroeconomic stability for both businesses and households.

Infrastructure Expansion - Laying the Foundation of Growth:

• Highways and rural roads:
  • National highways increased from 91,287 km (2014) to 1,46,204 km (2024).
  • Construction speed rose from 12 km/day to 34 km/day.
  • 4 lakh km of rural roads built under PM Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), connecting 99% of rural India.
• Railways - Backbone of mass and freight transport:
  • 25,871 route kilometres (RKM) of new tracks laid, which is significantly higher than 14,985 RKM in the previous decade.
  • Locomotive production (2024–25): 1,681 units (world leader).
  • Freight movement: 1,617 million tonnes/year (2nd largest globally).
  • Rail connectivity extended to Northeast
  • 30 million passengers served daily.
  • Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC): Transformative logistics reform.
• Airports and aviation:
  • Airports increased from 74 (2014) to 160 (2025).
  • UDAN scheme brought connectivity to remote towns.
  • Vision: 300 operational airports by 2047.

Urban Transformation and Sustainable Growth:

• Smart Cities Mission: Over 8,000 projects implemented, with investments of worth ₹1.64 lakh crore.
• Urban Mass Transit:
  • Delhi Metro: Among the largest globally.
  • Metro rail expanded to 15 Indian cities (like Bengaluru, Lucknow, Indore).
• Clean Energy Leadership:
  • Total clean energy capacity:228. 28 GW.
  • Solar energy capacity grew from 2.82 GW (2014) to 105.65 GW.
  • India ranks: 3rd in solar and 4th in wind energy production globally.

Digital Public Infrastructure - A Model for the World:

• Platforms driving growth:
  • UPI, Aadhaar, Jan Dhan Yojana central to governance reforms.
  • This public-first approach has enabled real-time payments and direct benefit transfers (DBTs).
  • Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) contribution to GDP: About 1%, projected to reach 3–4% by 2030.
• Global recognition and adoption: As the World Bank has recognised, DPI has accomplished in six years what would typically take decades. India’s DPI has now been adopted in over 12 countries.

Social Development and Poverty Alleviation:

• Poverty reduction:
  • 17.1 crore people lifted out of poverty (2014–2023).
  • Poverty rate declined from 29.17% (2013-14) to 11.28% (2022-23).
• Inclusion and empowerment: DPI and infrastructure have enabled greater rural inclusion, with emphasis on last-mile connectivity and universal access.

The Road Ahead - India @2047 Vision:

• Strategic priorities:
  • Deepen global supply chain integration.
  • Strengthen manufacturing and skilling.
  • Improve ease of doing business.
  • Reduce compliance burdens and legal redundancies.
• Governance and reform continuity:
  • Continued focus on agile policymaking.
  • Emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and competitiveness.
  • Building on reforms like GST and regulatory simplification.

Conclusion - India’s Developmental Trajectory:

• India’s journey over the past decade reflects a composite transformation - from infrastructure to digital innovation and poverty alleviation.
• With bold governance reforms and a global development agenda, India is positioning itself not just as a fast-growing economy, but as a resilient and inclusive global power by 2047.