Why in News?

• Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at preventing potential legal confusion regarding the repeal of older labour laws replaced by the Industrial Relations Code, 2020.
• The amendment seeks to reinforce legal certainty around the repeal and continuity provisions embedded in the Code.
• The debate once again brought the larger issue of labour reforms labour rights to the forefront — a recurring theme in contemporary Indian polity and governance.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background
• Why the Amendment?
• Government’s Position
• Opposition’s Criticism
• Challenges and Way Forward
• Conclusion

Background:

• The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 is one of the four Labour Codes enacted to consolidate and rationalise India’s labour laws.
• It subsumed three major legislations:
  • The Trade Unions Act, 1926 (dealt with trade union recognition)
  • The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 (conditions of employment)
  • The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (industrial dispute resolution)
• The objective was to streamline labour regulations under a unified framework and promote ease of doing business (EoDB) while protecting worker rights.

Why the Amendment?

• Issue of repeal and legal clarity:
  • Section 104 of the 2020 Code already provides for repeal of the above Acts. However, concerns emerged that there could be future legal challenges claiming that repeal power was improperly delegated to the executive.
  • Confusion may arise over whether repeal occurred automatically or via government notification.
• The 2026 amendment:
  • It clarifies that repeal occurred by operation of Section 104 itself.
  • Reinforces savings provisions ensuring continuity of actions taken under old laws.
  • Prevents “future unwarranted complications.”
• In essence: This is a legal housekeeping exercise, but one with constitutional implications relating to delegated legislation and legislative competence.

Government’s Position:

• The Union Labour Minister defended the amendment and the broader labour codes as reforms for labour welfare.
• Key claims: These
  • Guarantee of minimum wages
  • Mandatory issuance of appointment letters
  • Uniform wages irrespective of gender (equal pay for equal work)
  • Greater transparency and formalisation of labour relations
  • Commitment to balancing worker welfare and industrial growth
• The government framed the reform as a historic structural change aimed at protecting labourers while enhancing economic efficiency.

Opposition’s Criticism:

• Opposition parties raised sharp concerns calling reforms as anti-labour.
• Major objections:
  • The Code allegedly enables “ease of firing” without “ease of hiring.”
  • This results in weakening of job security, potential increase in working hours, favouring corporates over workers.
  • Retrospective amendment reflects complete failure of government, as this repealing of the old Act should have been done before the new law was passed.
• The Opposition also linked labour unrest and strike calls to dissatisfaction with the government’s approach.

Challenges and Way Forward:

• Trust deficit: Persistent suspicion among trade unions and opposition parties. Structured dialogue with trade unions.
• Implementation gap: Ensuring uniform enforcement across states. Transparent rule-making at state level.
• Balancing act: Promoting investment while protecting labour rights. Clear communication on safeguards against arbitrary termination. Strengthening labour inspection and compliance systems.
• Judicial scrutiny: Possibility of constitutional challenges. Judiciary must balance labour rights and EoDB.
• Industrial unrest: Strikes and labour mobilisation. Periodic review mechanisms to assess impact on employment and industrial relations. A reform of this scale must be both economically rational and socially sensitive.

Conclusion:

• The Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 may appear technical, but it underscores a larger debate: How should India modernise its labour regime in a fast-changing economy?
• The amendment primarily seeks to eliminate legal ambiguity regarding repeal of older labour laws.
• However, the political contestation around it reveals deeper anxieties about worker protections, job security, and the balance between capital and labour.
• For a country aspiring to become a global manufacturing hub, labour reform is inevitable.
• The real test lies not in legislative consolidation alone, but in ensuring that reform translates into industrial harmony, social justice, and inclusive growth.

Context

• The proposed India–United States Bilateral Trade Agreement has sparked intense political and public
• Although the agreement itself has not yet been finalised, discussions surrounding it have already revealed important questions about India’s economic policy and foreign relations.
• The Indian government’s primary objective is understandable: to ease the burden of high U.S. tariffs and to strengthen economic growth through expanded trade access.
• The emerging framework suggests that the agreement may extend beyond commercial cooperation and enter the realm of foreign policy alignment.

The Nature of the Negotiation Process

• Unilateral Announcements
  • A striking feature of the negotiations is the imbalance in communication. Nearly all major details about the agreement have been revealed by the United States rather than India.
  • The first indication of progress came from a public statement by the U.S. President, followed by executive orders and official documents released in Washington.
  • India’s responses, in contrast, were limited and delayed.
  • This sequence creates the perception that India is reacting to developments rather than shaping them.
  • When a joint statement appears first from one party, it raises a fundamental question: Is the agreement being negotiated between equals, or is one side dictating the terms?
• Implications of Asymmetry
  • The communication pattern suggests a power imbalance. Instead of a mutual negotiation, the process resembles a situation in which India must adjust its policies to obtain tariff relief.
  • Such a precedent is significant because it may influence the nature of future agreements between the two countries, not only in trade but also in strategic and defence cooperation.

The Energy Security Question

• Importance of Russian Oil
  • India has relied significantly on discounted Russian oil to ensure affordable energy for its population and industry.
  • At one point, Russia accounted for approximately 40% of India’s oil imports.
• Recent Changes
  • Recent data indicate a decline in Russian oil purchases despite increasing discounts.
  • The reduction appears inconsistent with earlier policy statements prioritising affordable energy for Indian consumers.
  • The change suggests that political pressure, rather than economic logic, may be shaping energy policy.
• Economic vs Political Choice
  • If India abandons cheaper energy sources due to external pressure, it may compromise domestic economic interests.
  • This situation raises a critical question: Should trade benefits justify altering independent energy decisions?

Diplomatic Consequences

• Relations with Russia and Iran
  • Reducing engagement with Russia and Iran risks damaging India’s credibility as a reliable economic partner.
  • Countries that once considered India a stable and independent collaborator may reassess their trust.
• Impact on the Global South
  • India has historically positioned itself as a leader among developing nations, often resisting unilateral sanctions not authorised by international institutions.
  • Compliance with external demands may weaken this image and reduce India’s diplomatic influence.
• Relations with Other Trade Partners
  • Preferential treatment toward the United States could also cause friction with other economic partners, including the European Union and recently negotiated trade partners.
  • This may complicate India’s broader trade strategy.

Strategic and Geopolitical Implications

• Regional Balance of Power
  • Curtailing projects such as the Chabahar port and reducing engagement with Iran could unintentionally strengthen China’s regional influence.
  • The agreement, therefore, has implications beyond economics and affects regional geopolitics.
• Future Agreements
  • If tariff relief requires political alignment, future cooperation in defence, security partnerships, counter-terrorism, and Indo-Pacific strategies may also involve similar conditions.
  • The precedent could fundamentally reshape the India-U.S. partnership.

Strategic Autonomy and Historical Context

• India’s Foreign Policy Tradition
  • Since independence, India has followed a policy of strategic autonomy, maintaining relations with multiple powers without formally aligning with any single bloc.
  • This approach allows flexibility in diplomacy and protects sovereign decision-making.
• Comparison with RCEP Withdrawal
  • In 2019, India withdrew from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership due to concerns about economic dependence and policy constraints.
  • Accepting stronger conditions in the present agreement would appear inconsistent with that earlier decision.
• Risk to Multi-Alignment
  • The proposed trade agreement may narrow India’s foreign policy options rather than expand them.
  • Instead of multi-alignment in a multipolar world, India could appear increasingly tied to one major power.

Conclusion

• The India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement offers clear economic benefits, particularly relief from punitive tariffs and greater market access.
• The manner of negotiation, the linkage of trade with foreign policy, and the potential impact on energy security and diplomatic relationships suggest that the agreement is far more than a commercial arrangement.
• If economic gains come at the expense of independent decision-making, India risks compromising its long-standing principles of strategic autonomy and diplomatic balance.

About Bhakra Dam:

• It is a concrete gravity dam across the Sutlej River, in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.
• It is near the border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
• It is the highest straight gravity dam in the world.
• It is Asia’s second tallest dam, next to the Tehri Dam.
• Operation and maintenance of the Bhakra dam is done by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
• The dam created the massive Gobind Sagar reservoir and plays a crucial role in irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation for Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.
  • In terms of storage of water, it is the second largest reservoir in India, the first being Indira Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh.
• Nangal Dam is another dam downstream of Bhakra Dam.
  • Nangal Dam is an earthen dam.
  • It serves as an auxiliary dam to channel the water released from Bhakra Dam to two powerhouses. 

About Tangkhul Hui:

• Tangkhul Hui, also known as Haofa, is a breed of dog raised by the Tangkhul people in the Ukhrul district of Manipur.
• It is also considered by some as a guard dog due to its strong will and protective instinct.
• The population of purebred Haofa is steadily declining, making it increasingly rare to find dogs of original lineage.

 About Kombai:

• It is an Indian dog breed that originated in the Kombai region of Tamil Nadu.
  • Also known as the Indian Bore Hound or Combai.
  • Known for its bravery and loyalty, the Kombai was historically prized by South Indian royalty and warriors for protection and combat.

About Air-Ships Based High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS):

• HAPS are solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles designed to operate in the stratosphere nearly double the cruising altitude of commercial aircraft.
• Unlike conventional satellites that orbit at least 200 km above Earth and require expensive rocket launches, HAPS platforms can remain airborne for months or even years using solar power during the day and high-density batteries at night.
• This gives them satellite-like capabilities at a fraction of the cost, hence the term "pseudo satellite."
• HAPS hovers persistently over specific locations, providing real-time monitoring of border areas to detect changes or movements.
• Equipped with high-definition optical and infrared cameras, state-of-the-art sensors, these aerial platforms are suitable for round-the-clock missions, border patrolling, target tracking, maritime surveillance and navigation, and even missile detection.
• India and HAPS:
  • India has been developing indigenous HAPS capability through the National Aerospace Laboratories in Bengaluru.

Why in news?

India’s AI success will hinge less on large GPU clusters and more on how AI applications improve everyday life. From enabling ASHA workers to detect high-risk pregnancies, helping farmers reduce pesticide use, to enhancing learning outcomes in government schools, AI’s real value lies in social impact.

The Economic Survey 2026 emphasises Human Primacy and Economic Purpose as core principles, calling for AI adoption to remain aligned with welfare and inclusion. A national AI strategy must reflect domestic realities and ensure benefits reach all sectors and citizens.

Encouragingly, Indian innovators are already building AI solutions in health, agriculture, education, urban governance, and disaster management. With sustained policy and ecosystem support, these solutions could scale nationwide and evolve into a cohesive India AI Applications Stack, with potential for global export.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• AI in Healthcare: Expanding Access and Early Detection
• AI in Agriculture: Smarter Farming, Lower Costs
• AI in Education: Personalised and Inclusive Learning
• Government as Ecosystem Orchestrator for India’s AI Applications Stack

AI in Healthcare: Expanding Access and Early Detection

• Niramai: Early Breast Cancer Screening
  • Niramai has developed a non-invasive, AI-based thermal imaging tool for breast cancer screening.
  • Unlike traditional mammography, it works effectively for women of all ages, including those with dense breast tissue.
  • Portable and affordable, it enables large-scale screening in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Qure. ai: Rapid Medical Imaging Analysis
  • Qure.ai uses AI to analyse X-rays and CT scans within seconds, detecting over 35 conditions such as tuberculosis, lung cancer, and heart failure.
  • It is especially valuable in districts with limited radiologist availability, enabling faster triage and treatment.
• AISteth: Remote Cardiac and Respiratory Diagnosis
  • AISteth is an AI-powered stethoscope that converts heart and lung sounds into visual waveforms.
  • With around 93% accuracy, it supports frontline health workers in identifying cardiac and respiratory problems early, strengthening primary healthcare delivery.

AI in Agriculture: Smarter Farming, Lower Costs

• Neoperk: Instant Soil Health Analysis
  • Neoperk uses near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning to deliver lab-accurate soil health results in under five minutes.
  • By analysing 12 key parameters without chemicals, it enables farmers to optimise fertiliser use, improve soil quality, and cut input costs.
• CottonAce: Pest Management Through AI
  • Developed by the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence, CottonAce allows farmers to upload pest images via a mobile app and receive instant, localised pesticide advice.
  • It has helped thousands of cotton farmers manage threats like pink bollworm, boosting crop quality and profitability.
• Niqo Robotics: Precision Spraying
  • Niqo Robotics deploys AI-powered robots with computer vision to detect pests and weeds in real time.
  • This enables selective spraying, reducing pesticide use by up to 60–90%, lowering costs and minimising environmental damage.
• Cropin: Digital Farming Ecosystem
  • Cropin offers an AI-enabled platform for farm monitoring, credit analytics, and farmer engagement.
  • It supports climate-smart and predictive farming practices, transforming fragmented agricultural operations into scalable, data-driven systems.

AI in Education: Personalised and Inclusive Learning

• PadhaiWithAI: Improving Math Outcomes
  • PadhaiWithAI offers an AI-powered personalised learning platform aimed at improving mathematics performance in government schools.
  • Within six weeks, it significantly raised pass rates and boosted high-achiever performance, demonstrating scalable potential for rural education reform.
• Rocket Learning’s Appu: Early Childhood Support
  • Rocket Learning’s AI companion, Appu, interacts with parents and children via WhatsApp.
  • Through short, play-based activities, it strengthens foundational literacy and numeracy among children under six, making early learning accessible at scale.
• Belagavi Smart City: Adaptive eBooks
  • Belagavi Smart City has introduced AI-enabled deep learning eBooks in public libraries.
  • These books adapt storylines and difficulty levels in real time, leading to improved engagement and a 12% increase in reading speed within two weeks.

Government as Ecosystem Orchestrator for India’s AI Applications Stack

• The government can play a catalytic role by acting as an ecosystem orchestrator for grassroots AI innovations.
• By enabling procurement of empanelled domestic AI solutions across departments, hospitals, and schools, it can create reliable demand and accelerate nationwide adoption.
• By establishing clear benchmarks for AI use in health, agriculture, and education, the government can foster a trusted environment for citizens and institutions.
• Standard-setting would reduce uncertainty and encourage responsible deployment at scale.
• Building the India AI Applications Stack
  • Once proven domestically, high-impact solutions can be integrated into an India AI Applications Stack—a unified suite of scalable, India-tested AI applications ready for global markets.
  • Platforms such as the Global Partnership on AI can support international collaboration and outreach.
  • A robust national governance framework, harmonised with international standards like the European GDPR, can position the India AI Applications Stack as a plug-and-play solution for other countries, enhancing India’s global AI leadership.

About Quorum Sensing:

• It is a mechanism by which bacteria regulate gene expression in accordance with population density through the use of signal molecules.
• Quorum sensing allows bacteria populations to communicate and coordinate group behaviour and commonly is used by pathogens (disease-causing organisms) in disease and infection processes.
• Standard quorum-sensing pathways consist of bacteria populations, signal molecules, and behavioral genes.
• The signal molecules, known as autoinducers, are secreted into the environment by bacteria and gradually increase in concentration as the bacteria population grows.
• After reaching a certain concentration threshold, the molecules become detectable to bacteria populations, which then activate corresponding response genes that regulate various behaviours, such as virulence, horizontal gene transfer, biofilm formation, and competence (the ability to take up DNA).
• Since many of these processes are effective only at certain population sizes, quorum sensing is a key behaviour-coordination mechanism in many microbes.
• Although quorum sensing is common among bacteria, the precise sensing system and class of quorum-sensing compounds used may differ.
• In addition, the manner in which different types of bacteria apply quorum sensing varies
  • For example, the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause pneumonia and blood infections, uses quorum sensing to regulate disease mechanisms.
  • In other organisms, quorum sensing is used for symbiotic processes and cell growth; an example is the nitrogen-fixation mechanism of the bacterium Rhizobium leguminosarum.

About Himalayan Tahr:

• It is a large hoofed mammal that lives in the Himalayas.
• Scientific Name: Hemitragus jemlahicus
• Habitat and Distribution: It is found in southern Tibet, northern India, western Bhutan, and Nepal.
• Features:
  • Their horns are different between males and females.
  • Their bodies are perfect for the cold Himalayan weather. They have thick, reddish wool coats and thick undercoats.
  • As an ungulate, the Himalayan tahr has an even number of toes. They can grip both smooth and rough surfaces.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Near Threatened.

About National Medicinal Plants Board:

• It is working as a section of Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy).
• Mandate: To develop an appropriate mechanism for coordination between various ministries/ departments/ organizations in India and implements support policies/programs for overall growth of medicinal plants sector both at the Central /State and International level.
• Objective: Main objective is the development of medicinal plants sector through developing a strong coordination between various ministries/ departments/ organizations for implementation of policies / programs on medicinal plants.
• Functions of National Medicinal Plants Board:
  • It focuses on in-situ & ex-situ conservation and augmenting local medicinal plants and aromatic species of medical significance.
  • It also promotes research & development, capacity building through trainings, raising awareness through promotional activities like creation of Home/School herbal gardens.
  • It encourages the protection of patent rights and IPR.
  • Identification, Inventorisation and Quantification of medicinal plants.