Context

• The 2025 World Happiness Report again ranks Finland as the world’s happiest nation, while India sits at 118 and Pakistan, despite severe crises, places higher at 109.
• These contrasts raise a deeper question: What does global happiness really measure? And why do economic realities tell a different story? India, a rapidly expanding economy of $3.7 trillion, trails far behind Pakistan, which survives on IMF
• Understanding this gap requires examining how happiness is defined, reported and perceived.

Beyond GDP: The Mirage of Measurement

• The World Happiness Report relies on the Cantril Ladder, a self-reported scale supported by variables such as GDP, life expectancy, social support, freedom, generosity and corruption perception.
• While these markers seem comprehensive, they overlook a critical truth: happiness is profoundly shaped by expectations and cultural context.
• Countries with lower expectations often report higher well-being because citizens adapt to hardship.
• In contrast, societies with rising aspirations, like India, experience dissatisfaction not because lives worsen but because expectations rise faster than outcomes.
• This form of restlessness signals ambition rather than despair. The United States illustrates this paradox: despite immense wealth, it ranks only 24 due to declining trust and rising social anxiety.
• Even the report acknowledges that social trust and belief in community kindness are stronger predictors of happiness than income.
• India’s challenge, therefore, is not limited to economic development but to relational well-being.

The Politics of Perception: When Data Becomes Distortion

• A 2022 paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister showed that indices like Freedom House rely on small pools of Western experts, embedding subjective and sometimes ideological
• The World Happiness Report shares this vulnerability.
• Authoritarian states may score better simply because citizens cannot freely express dissatisfaction.
• Democracies, by contrast, are penalised because open debate, criticism and media scrutiny make problems visible.
• India’s scores often fall during noisy political cycles or intense public scrutiny — reflecting transparency, not unhappiness.
• India’s ranking has fluctuated widely across the decade, from 94 to 144.
• Yet these swings rarely align with economic performance. What they track instead is public sentiment shaped by scandals, political turbulence or social debate.
• Thus, global rankings can mistake democratic cacophony for societal unhappiness.

Trust, Fairness, and the Invisible Architecture of Well-Being

• True well-being depends less on income than on trust (in institutions, communities and neighbours).
• Finland’s high-ranking stems from extraordinary institutional trust.
• A lost wallet is likely to be returned, reflecting a belief in fairness.
• India’s trust ecosystem is more uneven. Institutional trust varies, but social and familial trust remain strong, forming informal safety nets that global indices rarely measure.
• The COVID-19 crisis demonstrated this clearly: millions returned to villages because community bonds offered security unavailable in cities.
• Western frameworks often carry a WEIRD bias, shaped by Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic norms.
• They privilege individualistic trust systems and overlook collective ones. India, with its familial and community-based networks, rarely fits neatly into these paradigms.
• However, India is changing. Initiatives such as Tele-MANAS, workplace well-being programmes and public campaigns around mental health show a growing recognition that emotional health is not a luxury but a public policy priority.

Toward a More Holistic Path: Pairing Aspiration with Empathy

• Rebuilding Social Capital
  • India needs stronger community fabric, shared public spaces, inter-generational engagement and collective activities.
  • Research shows that larger households and belief in community kindness greatly enhance happiness.
• Restoring Institutional Trust
  • Simplified, transparent public services build trust. When everyday interactions, from ration cards to transport systems, work reliably, citizens feel respected and secure.
• Integrating Mental Health into Economic Strategy
  • Mental health is directly tied to productivity. WHO estimates that every dollar spent on psychological well-being yields four dollars in returns, highlighting mental health as an economic imperative.

Conclusion

• Happiness rankings do not simply measure joy, they capture expectations, values and cultural dynamics.
• India’s ranking is less a verdict on misery than a reflection of its ambition, its desire for cleaner air, better governance and fuller lives. Its dissatisfaction speaks not of despair but of aspiration.
• As The Pursuit of Happyness suggests, happiness is not a possession but a pursuit.
• India’s journey is ongoing. A country that debates, questions and dreams is not unhappy, it is unfinished, still shaping its true idea of happiness.

Why in News?

• The Supreme Court, by a 2–1 majority, recalled its (May 16, 2025) judgment that had declared retrospective (ex post facto) Environmental Clearances (ECs) as illegal and anathema to environmental law.
• The majority—CJI B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran—held that the earlier ruling would cause massive economic losses and hinder critical public infrastructure.
• Justice Ujjal Bhuyan dissented strongly, calling the recall a “retrogression” and a violation of the precautionary principle.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background
• Grounds for Recall (Majority Opinion)
• Minority Opinion - Justice Ujjal Bhuyan’s Strong Dissent
• Challenges Highlighted in the Judgment
• Way Forward
• Conclusion

Background:

• A bench led by Justice A.S. Oka (now retired) and Justice Bhuyan held that ex post facto ECs are illegal.
• The court had struck down a 2017 notification and 2021 office memorandum (OM) of the Union government, which in effect recognised the grant of ex post facto ECs.
• The government was accused of “crafty drafting” to regularise illegal constructions.

Grounds for Recall (Majority Opinion):

• Public interest and economic costs:
  • CJI Gavai emphasized devastating consequences if the earlier verdict continued.
  • For example, 24 Central projects worth ₹8,293 crore and 29 State projects worth ₹11,168 crore were stuck.
  • Major projects impacted - AIIMS Odisha (962-bed), Vijayanagar greenfield airport, SAIL investments, common effluent treatment plants.
  • Demolition of such projects would mean wastage of nearly ₹20,000 crore and cause livelihood loss.
• Legal precedents ignored earlier:
  • The earlier ruling overlooked co-equal bench decisions that allowed post facto ECs in exceptional circumstances. For example, Electrosteel Steels Ltd (2021), Pahwa Plastics (2022), D. Swamy (2022).
  • As per judicial discipline:
    • A coordinate bench must refer to a larger bench if it disagrees.
    • The earlier verdict was therefore per incuriam (judicial error).
• Penalties as deterrence:
• 2017 and 2021 rules imposed heavy penalties, ensuring - polluter pays principle, deterrence against illegal constructions.
• The majority held that retrospective ECs plus penalties can achieve compliance without demolition.
• Pollution paradox:
  • Demolishing large structures may cause more pollution - debris, reconstruction emissions
  • Hence, recall is seen as protecting environmental interest indirectly.

Minority Opinion - Justice Ujjal Bhuyan’s Strong Dissent:

• Violation of environmental jurisprudence:
  • Ex post facto ECs violate - precautionary principle (core of environmental jurisprudence), sustainable development.
  • He termed retrospective ECs “anathema”, i.e., a thing devoted to evil.
• Per Incuriam logic reversed:
  • Earlier cases Common Cause (2017) and Alembic Pharma (2020) held that ex post facto ECs are impermissible and contrary to law.
  • Therefore, Electrosteel, Pahwa, and D. Swamy was per incuriam, not the earlier judgment.
• Critique of ‘false environment vs development’ narrative: He rejected the idea that environment and development are adversaries. Warned the Court is “backtracking on sound environmental jurisprudence”.
• Rule of law and accountability:
  • Builders who violated EC norms should not be rewarded.
  • Review petitions lacked details such as dates of construction, whether EC was originally required.
  • Therefore, the review should have been dismissed.
• Delhi smog reminder: Highlighted Delhi air pollution as an example of environmental degradation, and the court has constitutional duty to protect the environment.
• Precautionary vs polluter pays principles: The precautionary principle cannot be diluted by relying on polluter-pays, which is only compensatory.

Challenges Highlighted in the Judgment:

• Conflict between infrastructure development and environmental protection.
• Weak compliance culture among developers.
• Inconsistency in judicial precedents.
• Administrative lapses: Delayed EC processes.
• Environmental degradation: Air pollution and unsustainable practices.
• Risk of setting a lenient precedent encouraging violations.

Way Forward:

• Establish clear, time-bound EC procedures: Avoid delays that prompt developers to proceed without ECs.
• Strengthen monitoring & penalties: Ensure real-time compliance, heavy penalties discouraging violations.
• Harmonise judicial precedents through a larger bench: To resolve contradictions on ex post facto EC validity, environmental principles.
• Promote sustainable infrastructure development: In line with precautionary principle, public interest, constitutional environmental duties.
• Strengthen EIA quality and transparency: Independent audits and public participation should be enhanced.
• Balance public interest with environmental safeguards: Critical public projects must comply with law while protecting ecology.

Conclusion:

• The SC’s recall decision reflects a critical judicial balancing act between environmental protection and developmental imperatives.
• It underscores the need for robust EC processes, clear judicial guidance, and sustainable development that respects both environment and economic goals.
• The matter now being placed before the CJI may pave the way for a larger bench to finally settle the legal position on ex post facto environmental clearances.

Why in the News?

• The Government of India has proposed an outlay of Rs. 30,000 crore for a revamped version of the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) regional air connectivity scheme, aiming to extend the initiative beyond April 2027 and expand air access to underserved and remote regions.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• UDAN Scheme (Background, Evolution of the Scheme, Objectives of Modified Scheme, Need, Funding, Benefits, etc.)

Overview of the Modified UDAN Scheme

• The refreshed and expanded UDAN framework focuses on strengthening regional aviation infrastructure, making air travel affordable, and supporting airlines to operate in difficult terrains. Out of the 30,000 crore proposed:

• Rs. 18,000 crore is allocated for new airport development, including greenfield airports, refurbishment of existing airstrips, and construction of heliports in hilly areas.
• Rs. 12,000 crore is earmarked for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to encourage airlines to operate flights on regional routes despite low initial demand.

• The scheme will particularly target:

• Hilly and remote regions,
• Aspirational districts,
• North-Eastern states,
• Small towns with limited or no air connectivity.

Evolution of the UDAN Scheme

• The UDAN scheme was launched in October 2016 as part of the National Civil Aviation Policy, with the objective of democratizing air travel by making flights accessible to the “common citizen.”
• PM Modi inaugurated the first UDAN flight from Shimla to Delhi in April 2017. The initial support for the scheme was Rs. 8,000 crore. Since then, 649 out of 915 valid routes have been operationalised.

• These routes have connected 92 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, facilitating over 1.56 crore passengers across 3.23 lakh UDAN flights.

• Despite progress, several identified airports remain non-operational due to land, technical, or regulatory hurdles, necessitating a redesigned approach.

Objectives of the Modified UDAN Framework

• Connecting 120 Additional Destinations
  • The revamped scheme aims to add 120 new destinations over the next decade, expanding the national aviation map extensively.
• Enabling Four Crore Additional Passengers
  • The government plans to enable four crore passengers to benefit from regional flights over the next 10 years, significantly boosting domestic aviation.
• Supporting New Infrastructure
  • The modified version will support:

• Small airports and airstrips,
• Helipads in hilly terrains,
• Water aerodromes, ensuring holistic coverage across diverse geographies.

• Enhanced Private Sector Participation
  • The new guidelines seek to overcome earlier constraints and bring in more private players by simplifying processes related to aircraft leasing, operator permits, and route bidding.

Need for the Modified Scheme

• Several challenges have hampered UDAN’s full-scale implementation:

• Land unavailability and delays in state government clearances,
• Operational constraints at small airports lacking navigational or terminal facilities,
• Shortage of suitable aircraft, particularly 20-70 seater turboprops,
• Maintenance and leasing issues for regional carriers,
• Low passenger demand in remote locations requires long-term subsidy support.

• The modified UDAN scheme has been structured to address these gaps through a more flexible funding model and better coordination between the Centre, states, airport operators, and airlines.

Incentives

• Airport operators and state governments will provide:
• Reduced fuel taxes,
• Lower airport charges,
• Priority parking bays,
• Faster regulatory clearances.
• New airports will receive dedicated capital support to fast-track construction and make them UDAN-ready.

• This blended financial support aims to make operations commercially viable and sustainable for regional carriers.

Expected Benefits

• Boost to Regional Connectivity
  • Connecting remote and underdeveloped regions will enhance mobility, promote tourism, and integrate local economies.
• Economic Growth and Employment
  • Airport development and increased flight operations will generate direct and indirect jobs, supporting hospitality, transport, and logistics sectors.
• Improved Emergency and Medical Access
  • Better connectivity will enable faster medical evacuation and smoother delivery of essential supplies to remote districts.
• Strengthening the North-East and Hilly Areas
  • Special focus on the North-East, Himalayan states, and Aspirational districts will help reduce regional disparities.

About Lycodon irwini:

• It is a new species of snake.
• It was discovered on the remote Great Nicobar Island at the southern tip of the Nicobar Islands.
• The snake, which is a member of the Lycodon subcinctus group, was named in honour of the late Australian conservationist and television personality, Stephen Robert Irwin.
• It is a striking glossy-black wolf snake that had remained unidentified for years because it closely resembles another widespread species.
• The new research finally confirms that the Great Nicobar population represents a distinct species currently known only from the island.
• One of the most notable features of Lycodon irwini is its uniform glossy black colour, unlike close relatives that typically have white bands or patches.
• The snake is slender, nocturnal, and can grow close to 1.2 metres in length.
• The researchers also documented a higher number of belly and tail scales compared to similar species.

About Vitamin K:

• It is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in two forms.
  • The main type is called phylloquinone (Vitamin K1), found in green leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale, and spinach.
  • The other type, menaquinones (Vitamin K2), are found in some animal foods and fermented foods.
  • Menaquinones can also be produced by bacteria in the human body.
• Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones.
  • Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent protein directly involved with blood clotting.
  • Osteocalcin is another protein that requires vitamin K to produce healthy bone tissue.
• Vitamin K is found throughout the body, including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bone.
• It is broken down very quickly and excreted in urine or stool.
• Because of this, it rarely reaches toxic levels in the body even with high intakes, as may sometimes occur with other fat-soluble vitamins.
• Why Do Modern Diets Often Cause Vitamin K Deficiency?
  • Many people fall short of Vitamin K not because food is scarce but because daily diets lack greens and fermented foods.
  • Over-frying or overcooking vegetables also destroys much of the vitamin.
  • Long-term antibiotic use, liver disease, or fat-absorption disorders can further lower Vitamin K levels since it is fat-soluble and requires dietary fat for absorption.
  • Vitamin K deficiency can contribute to significant bleeding, poor bone development, osteoporosis, and increased cardiovascular disease.

About Dariya Bahadur Island:

• It is located in the Udupi district, Karnataka.
• It is among the four islands near Malpe Beach.
• It is also known as Bhadragada Island, or Lighthouse Island.
• The island’s breadth is just approximately 1.6 square kilometres, and its area is estimated to be less than 250 yards.
• It is well renowned for being a rocky island and esteemed for the elegance of its buildings.
• This island is where the famous Daira Bahadurgarh fort is located.
  • It was constructed by Basavappa Naik of Bidanur.
  • There is also a mystery associated with the island fort, as the treasure of the king was buried somewhere to escape from the invasion of Haider Ali during the mid-18th century.
  • Surrounding the fort premises, there is an old tile factory and also a few temples.

About Kwar Hydroelectric Project:

• It is a 540 MW run-of-river hydropower project.
• It is located on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Ltd (CVPPL).
  • CVPPL is a joint venture company between NHPC Ltd and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) with equity contributions of 51 percent and 49 percent, respectively.
• The project shall generate 1,975.54 million units in a 90 percent dependable year.
• The Government of India is extending a grant of Rs. 69.80 crore towards the cost of enabling Infrastructure and also supporting the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir by providing a grant of Rs. 655.08 crore for the equity contribution of JKSPDC (49%) in M/s. CVPPPL.