Context:

• India’s economy and society have transformed over the last 12 years under the leadership of the current Prime Minister (PM) of India.
• Over these years, employment generation, youth empowerment, social security expansion, and the launch of the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) acted as key pillars of India's journey towards Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

India’s Transformation - From Fragile Economy to Growth Engine:

• Over the past decade, India has evolved from being grouped among the “Fragile Five” economies in 2013 to becoming the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
• The country has emerged as a global leader in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), startup ecosystem development, innovation and technology adoption, and global economic and diplomatic influence.
• This transformation has been supported by a governance model centred on empowerment, inclusion, and economic opportunity.

Youth as the Driver of Growth:

• Recognising the importance of its demographic dividend, the government launched several flagship initiatives aimed at enhancing employability and entrepreneurship.
• Key initiatives are Make in India, Digital India, Startup India, Skill India, PM Mudra Yojana, and National Career Service (NCS) Portal.
• These programmes, coupled with investments in infrastructure and technology, have expanded opportunities for:
  • Employment generation
  • Skill development
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Formalisation of the economy

Employment Growth - Key Trends:

• Rising employment elasticity:
  • Employment elasticity measures the responsiveness of employment to economic growth.
  • For example, in the period of 2011-12 to 2017-18, it was 0.008, while for 2017-18 to 2023-24, it was 1.11.
  • This implies that a 1% increase in Gross Value Added (GVA) generated a 1.11% rise in employment, indicating stronger job creation alongside economic growth.
• Employment indicators:
  • According to RBI KLEMS data,
    • Over 17 crore jobs were created between 2014 and 2024. In comparison, around 2.9 crore jobs were created between 2004 and 2014.
    • The employment rate increased from 46.8% (2017-18) to 57.4% (2025).
    • The unemployment rate declined to around 3.1%, below the global average of 4.8%.
    • EPFO payroll data indicate addition of over 8 crore formal-sector jobs between 2017 and 2025.
  • These trends are presented as evidence of expanding labour-market opportunities and increasing formalisation.

Expansion of Social Security Coverage:

• A major dimension of India's development journey has been the expansion of social protection.
• Growth in social security coverage:
  • 2015: 25 crore people covered (19% of population).
  • 2025: More than 94 crore people covered (64.3% of population).
  • This substantial increase reflects efforts to extend welfare benefits and social-security protection to larger sections of society.
• Global recognition: India received the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security (2025), recognising progress in expanding social-security coverage.

Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY):

• About: Introduced (1 August 2025) in the first Budget of the present government's third term with a financial outlay of nearly ₹1 lakh crore, PMVBRY is projected as one of India's largest employment-generation initiatives.
• Employment target: Creation of more than 3.5 crore employment opportunities over two years.
• Key features:
  • Part A (Support for first-time employees): Financial assistance of up to ₹15,000 disbursed in two instalments.
  • Part B (Incentives for employers):
    • Up to ₹3,000 per employee per month applicable for each additional worker hired.
    • Incentives available: Up to 4 years for manufacturing sector employers. Up to 2 years for employers in other sectors.
• Expected benefits:
• Encourages workforce participation, reduces hiring costs for employers, and supports industrial growth through employment-linked incentives.
• Enhances income security for workers and families, and strengthens the virtuous cycle of production, employment, and consumption.
• Implementation and outreach:
  • To mark the implementation of PMVBRY, incentives worth ₹2,400 crore are being disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to approximately 15 lakh beneficiaries.
  • Events, distributing appointment letters to beneficiaries, recognising employers generating employment opportunities, are being organised across 200 major industrial clusters.

Towards Viksit Bharat 2047:

• As India approaches the centenary of Independence in 2047, the country’s greatest asset is its young population.
• The government views both employees and employers as equal partners in nation-building, seeking to balance worker welfare with enterprise growth.
• The broader vision of Viksit Bharat rests on:
  • Employment-led growth
  • Skill development
  • Entrepreneurship promotion
  • Social-security expansion
  • Formalisation of the workforce
  • Inclusive economic development

Conclusion:

• India's development trajectory is a combination of economic reforms, youth empowerment, employment generation, and social protection.
• Schemes such as PMVBRY seek to strengthen the relationship between labour and industry, positioning employees and employers as the twin engines driving India’s journey towards a prosperous, inclusive, and developed nation by 2047.

Context

• International trade negotiations have traditionally been judged by reductions in tariff rates and customs duties, however, the structure of global trade has evolved significantly.
• While tariffs remain politically visible, the most important determinants of market access today are Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) such as technical regulations, quality standards, licensing requirements, and testing procedures.
• As economies become increasingly interconnected, addressing NTBs has become more critical than merely reducing tariffs.

Understanding NTBs

• What are NTBs?
  • They refers to regulations and procedures that goods must satisfy before entering a foreign market.
  • These include:
    • Technical standards
    • Health and safety regulations
    • Environmental requirements
    • Product certification
    • Packaging and labeling norms
    • Licensing and approval procedures
  • Unlike tariffs, which are transparent and measurable, NTBs operate through regulatory systems and often increase compliance costs for exporters.
• Growing Importance of NTBs
  • Since the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, global tariff rates have fallen considerably.
  • However, governments have increasingly relied on NTBs to regulate trade. Today, NTBs affect nearly 90% of global trade, while thousands of new regulatory measures are introduced every year.
  • As a result, exporters face a complex web of compliance requirements that often restrict market access more effectively than tariffs.

NTBs as Instruments of Economic Power

• The European Union's Regulatory Framework
  • The European Union (EU) has developed one of the world's most extensive regulatory systems. Its trade policies rely heavily on:
    • Environmental regulations
    • Chemical safety standards
    • Product conformity requirements
    • Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
    • EU Deforestation Regulation
  • Although designed to promote sustainability and consumer protection, these measures also function as powerful filters for imports.
• The United States' Strategic Approach
  • The United States increasingly employs NTBs to advance strategic and security interests. Key instruments include:
    • Export controls
    • Technology restrictions
    • Semiconductor regulations
    • Advanced computing and AI controls
  • These measures influence global supply chains and restrict access to critical technologies.
• India's Evolving Trade Strategy
  • India has traditionally relied on tariffs for trade protection. However, recent industrial policies indicate a shift toward:
    • Quality Control Orders (QCOs)
    • Product standards
    • Import regulations
    • Domestic manufacturing support measures
  • This reflects India's growing recognition of the importance of regulatory tools in international trade.

India's Experience with Free Trade Agreements

• Challenges in Existing FTAs
  • India's experience demonstrates that tariff reductions alone do not guarantee increased trade.
  • Despite Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea, exporters continue to face significant regulatory barriers. Examples include:
    • Lengthy pharmaceutical approval processes in Japan.
    • Complex registration requirements in ASEAN countries.
    • Restrictive customs procedures affecting Indian exports.
  • Consequently, India's FTA utilisation rate remains significantly lower than that of many developed economies.
• Impact on Trade Competitiveness
  • These barriers increase transaction costs, delay market entry, and reduce the practical benefits of tariff concessions.
  • As a result, agreements that appear successful on paper often fail to generate their full economic potential.

Emerging Solutions: The New Generation of Trade Agreements

• India-UAE CEPA
  • The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE incorporates measures such as:
    • Mutual recognition of standards
    • Acceptance of international testing and certification
    • Reduced duplication of compliance procedures
  • These provisions lower costs and improve market access for businesses.
• India-EFTA TEPA
  • The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) goes further by including:
    • Mutual recognition agreements
    • Streamlined conformity assessments
    • Institutional mechanisms to address NTBs
    • Legally binding commitments on regulatory cooperation
  • Such provisions represent a significant shift toward addressing the real barriers to trade.

Key Themes and Significance

• Transformation of Global Trade
  • The focus of international trade has shifted from tariff reduction to regulatory governance.
  • Compliance with standards and regulations now determines competitiveness in global markets.
• Hidden Protectionism
  • While many NTBs serve legitimate purposes such as consumer protection, public health, and environmental sustainability, they can also function as indirect forms of protectionism by limiting foreign competition.
• Regulatory Power and Influence
  • Modern trade relationships are increasingly shaped by those who establish global standards.
  • Regulatory frameworks have become instruments of economic influence and strategic leverage.

Conclusion

• While tariffs continue to dominate political discussions, Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) have become the primary determinants of market access and competitiveness.
• For India and other emerging economies, future trade success depends not merely on securing lower tariffs but on achieving greater regulatory cooperation, transparency, mutual recognition of standards, and reduction of unnecessary compliance burdens.
• In the twenty-first century, overcoming regulatory barriers is the key to unlocking the full potential of international trade.

About Mombasa Declaration:

• It was adopted by 15 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to step up efforts to combat illegal fishing.
• It calls on governments to improve access to information on fishing vessels, ownership, and licensing, and to strengthen data sharing to better track fishing activities and enforce regulations.
• It is named after the Kenyan city hosting the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC).
• Out of the more than 30 countries represented in the summit, Belgium, Cameroon, Chile, the Dominican Republic, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and South Korea signed the agreement.
• It is intended to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, also known as IUU fishing, which threatens marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on fisheries.
• The declaration builds support for the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, a set of 10 policy principles aimed at improving governance through low-cost reforms, including modernizing vessel registries and publishing fishing authorizations.

Key Facts about Our Ocean Conference (OOC):

• Launched in 2014 by the U.S. Department of State and former Secretary of State John Kerry, the OOC is a major international platform that unites governments, businesses, NGOs, and academic institutions to drive ocean-related action and ambition.
• The conference focuses on six critical areas:
  • Marine protected areas.
  • Sustainable blue economy
  • Climate change
  • Maritime security
  • Sustainable fisheries
  • Marine pollution.
• 2026 OCC: Mombasa (Kenya) - Marking the first time the global summit was held on African soil, themed "Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future"

About World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought:

• It is observed annually on June 17 to spread awareness about international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought.
• History:
  • Desertification was identified as one of the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
  • In 1994, the UN General Assembly established the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
  • This legally binding international agreement linked the environment and development to sustainable land management.
  • In addition to the UNCCD, the UN proclaimed June 17 as World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
• In 2026, the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” highlights the importance of rangelands—ecosystems that have long been undervalued despite their critical role.
• This year’s observance also aligns with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.

What are Rangelands?

• Rangelands are expansive natural areas primarily characterized by native vegetation like grasses, shrubs, and forbs.
• Covering about 50% of the Earth's land surface, they play a vital role in supporting livestock, wildlife, and diverse ecosystems.
• These lands are not typically suitable for intensive agriculture due to limitations such as low precipitation and poor soil quality.
• Rangelands provide essential resources, including recreational opportunities and habitats for various animal species, while also serving as watersheds and mining locations.
• The dynamic nature of rangelands is influenced by numerous factors, including climate changes, grazing practices, and human encroachment.
• Rangelands store vast amounts of carbon and either originate or serve as freshwater catchment areas for most of the world’s largest rivers and wetlands.
• They support the lives of around two billion people worldwide, including many pastoralists and Indigenous Peoples whose knowledge and stewardship have sustained these landscapes for generations.
• Rangelands provide almost 70 per cent of livestock feed globally, making them critical to food systems.
• Indian rangelands occupy about 121 million hectares, from the Thar Desert to the alpine meadows in the Himalayas.
• According to the UNCCD ‘Global Land Outlook Thematic Report’, the area used for grazing is estimated at around 40 per cent of the total land surface of India, including grasslands (17 per cent), and forests (23 per cent).
• Around 70 per cent of rangelands are in the temperate region, however, a large share is considered underutilised, including degraded forest lands, land unsuitable for crop production, ravines, and wastelands.

International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists:

• The United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
• Led by Mongolia and supported by a broad coalition of organisations, this initiative aims to raise awareness, encourage responsible investments and shape policies that safeguard rangelands and pastoralist livelihoods.
• Present in more than 75 percent of countries and managing at least one quarter of the world’s land, pastoralists herd about one billion animals worldwide.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD):

• It is the only legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
• It was set up to address desertification and the effects of drought.
• Adopted on June 17, 1994, it entered into force on December 26, 1996 after the 50th ratification was received.
• The UNCCD is one of the three Rio Conventions—along with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)—and was called for in Agenda 21, the programme of action adopted at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, or Earth Summit).
• There are 197 Parties to the Convention, including 196 country Parties and the European Union.
• It works together to improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought.
• Parties to the Convention meet in Conferences of the Parties (COP) every two years, as well as in technical meetings throughout the year.
• The UNCCD permanent secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany.

National reporting:

• The UNCCD’s success relies on reliable, up-to-date information on drought, desertification and land degradation.
• Every 4 years, parties must report on the actions they have undertaken to implement the convention.

About India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM):

• It was established in 2011 by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to serve as a premier global centre for electoral training, research, and capacity building.
• It functions under the direct supervision of the ECI and operates from its independent campus in Dwarka, New Delhi.
• In pursuance of its vision and mission, the key functions of IIIDEM are:
  • To promote and lay down standards for professional competence in election management
  • To innovate electoral processes to promote electoral integrity and ease of voting
  • To encourage and promote research and knowledge development
  • To develop training, academic, and capacity-building programs
  • To enrich democratic systems, values, and practices
  • To promote international cooperation and global engagements
• IIIDEM aims to achieve its vision and mission by following a strategy based on four key strategic pillars:
  • Strengthen National Programs
  • Expand Global Programs and Engagements
  • Encourage Research and Knowledge Development
  • Promote Sustainable Democracy and Election Management
• It holds domestic and international courses and training programmes that are residential and non-residential.
• IIIDEM collaborates and partners with various national and international organizations like the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on various aspects of democracy and election management.
• Through MoUs, bilateral engagements, international conferences, exposure visits, and customized capacity-building programs, IIIDEM fosters global cooperation.
• Flagship initiatives include the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) and the Master’s Programme in International Electoral Management and Practices (MIEMP) in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

About Kishau Dam Project:

• It is a multipurpose dam project proposed to be built on the Tons river (a major tributary of river Yamuna) along the Uttarakhand-Himachal Pradesh border.
• Beneficiary States: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• The project envisages construction of a concrete dam, thus creating an installed capacity of 4 x 165 MW (660 MW) of hydroelectric power, create an irrigation potential of 97,000 hectares, and supply 517 million cubic metres (MCM) water annually to Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana.
• It will play a crucial role in enhancing the flow of fresh water into the Yamuna, particularly during lean seasons.
• For the construction of this project, a joint venture of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Government, Kishau Corporation Limited has been formed in the year 2017.
• Recent Consensus:
  • As part of the project, 90 percent of the water component will be funded by the Centre as central assistance and the remaining 10 percent will be borne by the six beneficiary states.
  • Himachal Pradesh’s share of water will be allocated to Delhi and Rajasthan in return for sharing the cost of Himachal Pradesh’s portion of the power component.

About Mishmi Takin:

• It is a species of goat-antelope belonging to the family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla).
• It is one of 4 subspecies of Takin, which vary in coat color.
• Scientific Name: Budorcas taxicolor
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • It is a native of the eastern Himalayas, including the mountainous regions of northeastern India, northern Myanmar, southeastern Tibet and parts of China.
  • The Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh is the region that gave the Mishmi Takin its name.
  • They inhabit a wide range of environments, from forested valleys to rocky alpine zones.
  • They can live at altitudes of up to 4,500 m and are well-equipped for mountain life.
• Features:
  • Horns are present in both sexes and run parallel to the skull before turning upwards to a short point.
  • It has a golden-yellow to dark brown coat. The coat is long and shaggy.
  • They also have oily skin secretions that coat their fur and protect them from the cold, damp climate.
  • They live in small family groups of around 20 individuals.
  • They are herbivorous (folivorous) animals.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable 

About REWARD Program:

• REWARD (Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development) program is a watershed development program which is being implemented in the States of Karnataka and Odisha.
• Time Period: 2021 to 2026
• Aim: The program aims to introduce modern watershed practices in the Department of Land Resources and in the States of Karnataka and Odisha.
• It is assisted by the World Bank.
• The REWARD program works on a financial instrument called “PforR” (Program for Results) which means World Bank will reimburse the loan amount against the achievement of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs).
• Objective of REWARD: To strengthen capacities of national and state institutions to adopt improved watershed management for increasing farmers resilience and support value chains in selected watersheds of participating States”.
• The program focuses on two important result areas:
  • Strengthened institutions and supportive policy for watershed development:
  • Science based watershed development for climate resilience and enhanced livelihoods: