Why in the News?

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has rolled out a large-scale outreach campaign for the implementation of its welfare schemes in over 500 districts of the country, aiming to cover 1 lakh tribal dominated villages and habitations.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• PM JANMAN (Objective, Components, etc.)
• Dharti Aaba (Objective, Components, etc.)
• News Summary

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)

• Launched in 2023, the PM JANMAN is a focused initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India.
• These groups represent the most marginalised sections within tribal communities and often face barriers to accessing mainstream welfare benefits due to geographic isolation, lack of documentation, and limited institutional outreach.
• Key Components of PM JANMAN include:

• Delivery of basic entitlements like Aadhaar cards and health insurance under Ayushman Bharat.
• Access to banking facilities such as Jan Dhan accounts and pension enrolment.
• Legal empowerment through granting land and forest rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
• Supportive infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms tailored for PVTGs.

• The scheme represents a paradigm shift in tribal policy, from passive provisioning to proactive inclusion, by addressing critical documentation, health, and financial gaps through direct, last-mile service delivery.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

• Launched in 2024 and named after the legendary tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda (revered as Dharti Aaba or “Father of the Earth”), the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan is a comprehensive umbrella scheme.
• It is designed to integrate the efforts of 17 different Union Ministries for the upliftment of tribal communities through convergence-driven development.
• With a total allocation of Rs. 79,156 crore over five years, including Rs. 56,333 crore as the central share and Rs. 22,823 crore from states, the scheme focuses on multi-dimensional development through:

• Construction of tribal hostels and rural homes under PM Awas Yojana.
• Rural electrification and water access improvements.
• Livelihood enhancement through livestock and fisheries support.

• Each participating ministry is assigned a budget and a set of deliverables under the scheme.
• By leveraging convergence, Dharti Aaba Abhiyan seeks to break silos in welfare delivery and ensure holistic development of tribal habitations.

News Summary

• Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs officially launched a large-scale fortnight-long outreach campaign across 500 districts of India.
• The initiative targets over 1 lakh tribal-dominated villages and habitations, focusing on benefit saturation camps to deliver key services at the doorstep of tribal citizens.
• The primary goal is to ensure widespread awareness and uptake of two flagship schemes: PM JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
• These schemes are central to the Union government’s efforts under the year-long Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh celebrations, which began on November 15, 2024, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
• The outreach focuses on:

• Enrolment and delivery of Aadhaar and Ayushman Bharat cards.
• Opening of Jan Dhan and pension accounts.
• Processing land and forest rights claims under the FRA.

• The campaign is designed to push last-mile awareness, especially among remote tribal populations who often remain excluded from formal welfare mechanisms.
• The campaign also seeks to create institutional familiarity with the recently launched Dharti Aaba scheme, whose budgetary provisions came into effect in the 2025 Union Budget.
• The outreach aligns with the government’s broader strategy of saturation-based delivery models, where welfare entitlements are delivered to all eligible individuals within a defined geography, thus minimising exclusions.
• The model has been successfully adopted in previous schemes like PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, and is now being replicated in tribal welfare initiatives.
• By embedding this effort within a symbolic and cultural framework (through Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh), the government also aims to honour tribal legacy and deepen community trust in public institutions.

Why in News?

A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), titled ‘How Extreme Heat is Impacting India’, reveals that 57% of Indian districts, home to 76% of the population, face high or very high risk from extreme heat.

States facing the highest risk include Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

CEEW, based in New Delhi, is one of the world’s leading and best-managed independent climate think tanks.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Understanding Heat Risk: Not the Same as Heatwaves or Heat Stress
• Key Factors Driving Heat Risk in India
• Key Findings of The Study

Understanding Heat Risk: Not the Same as Heatwaves or Heat Stress

• Heatwaves
  • While they do not have a universal definition, heatwaves are essentially prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures in a specific region.
• Heat Stress
  • Occurs when the body temperature exceeds 37°C.
  • Body struggles to release excess heat, causing discomfort, cramps, and exhaustion.
  • If body temperature exceeds 40°C, it may lead to heat stroke.
• Heat Risk
  • According to the CEEW study, heat risk refers to the probability of heat-related illness or death due to extreme temperatures.
  • It is determined by three key factors:
    • Intensity of heat and compounding effects (e.g., humidity),
    • Degree of exposure, and
    • Vulnerability of affected communities (e.g., age, health conditions).

Key Factors Driving Heat Risk in India

• Rise in Very Warm Nights
  • Between 2012 and 2022, over 70% of Indian districts experienced five or more additional very warm nights each summer.
  • Warm nights prevent the body from cooling down after hot days, increasing the risk of heat strokes and worsening non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
• Increase in Relative Humidity in North India
  • Relative humidity in the Indo-Gangetic Plain rose from 30–40% (1982–2011) to 40–50% (2012–2022).
  • High humidity hampers cooling through sweat, intensifying heat stress, especially when body temperature exceeds 37°C.
• Urbanisation and Population Density
  • Cities like Mumbai and Delhi face higher exposure due to dense populations.
  • Rapid urbanisation in tier II and III cities has led to increased night-time heat due to heat-absorbing concrete infrastructure.
• Socio-Economic and Health Vulnerabilities
  • Districts in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh are particularly vulnerable.
  • Factors include a high share of elderly populations and prevalence of chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension).

Key Findings of The Study

• 2024: Warmest Year on Record
  • 2024 marked the hottest year globally, including in India.
  • Global average temperature was 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900).
  • India’s temperature was 1.2°C higher than the 1901–1910 average.
• India’s Climate Impact: Already Evident
  • India experienced its longest recorded heatwave since 2010 & over 44,000 cases of heatstroke were reported in 2024 alone.
• Inadequate Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
  • India’s HAPs (early warning and preparedness plans) are often:
    • Lacking long-term strategies, or
    • Poorly implemented, even when they exist.
  • According to the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), this weakens India’s response to growing heat threats.
• Future Risks
  • Without stronger planning and execution, heat-related deaths may rise.
  • The country faces increasing threats from more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves.

Why in News?

When Air India flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing all 241 onboard, emergency services and media responded swiftly. Later, international agencies including the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) joined the investigation.

This raises an important question: Why are foreign agencies, particularly from the US and the U.K., involved in investigating the crash of an Indian airline on Indian soil?

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why Foreign Agencies Investigate Air Crashes on Indian Soil
• Who Can Participate in an Aircraft Accident Investigation
• A Practical Necessity, Not Overreach

Why Foreign Agencies Investigate Air Crashes on Indian Soil

• The Role of the Chicago Convention
  • The involvement of international investigators in air crashes is guided by the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, signed in 1944.
  • It was created to establish a unified global aviation framework to ensure safety and cooperation across nations.
• Global Commitment to Aviation Safety
  • The Convention is upheld by 193 member countries, including India, the US, and the UK.
  • Its technical standards are managed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN body headquartered in Montreal.
• Annex 13: The Investigation Protocol
  • A key component of the Convention, Annex 13, sets the international rules for investigating aircraft accidents.
  • It ensures that investigations focus not on blame or legal responsibility, but on uncovering root causes to enhance future safety.
• Shared Responsibility
  • Under Chapter 5 of Annex 13, countries involved in building the aircraft or its engines (like the US for Boeing aircraft) have a right and responsibility to participate in the investigation, even if the crash occurs outside their borders.

Who Can Participate in an Aircraft Accident Investigation

• Primary Responsibility: State of Occurrence
  • Under Chapter 5 of ICAO Annex 13, the country where the accident occurs—called the State of Occurrence—leads the investigation.
  • In the case of the AI 171 crash, this is India, and the probe is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Other Entitled States
  • Several other countries have a formal right to participate in the investigation based on their connection to the aircraft:
    • State of Registry: India (as the aircraft is registered with an Indian tail number starting with VT).
    • State of the Operator: India (since Air India operated the flight).
    • State of Design: United States (Boeing designed the aircraft).
    • State of Manufacture: United States (Boeing and General Electric manufactured the plane and engines).
  • Thus, US agencies like the NTSB and FAA are entitled to join the investigation. Boeing and GE may also send experts as part of the accredited team.
• Involvement of the UK
  • Although not automatically entitled under Annex 13, the United Kingdom is participating because 53 British nationals were on board and perished in the crash.
  • Such involvement is allowed as per ICAO provisions when nationals of a state are significantly affected.
• Scope of Participation
  • All accredited participants are allowed to:
    • Visit the crash site
    • Examine wreckage and evidence
    • Make technical submissions
    • Receive and comment on the final report

A Practical Necessity, Not Overreach

• Global Collaboration for Aviation Safety
  • The involvement of foreign agencies in crash investigations is not interference—it is a practical and essential step to ensure a thorough, technically accurate inquiry.
  • In today’s globalised aviation industry, where aircraft are designed, built, and operated across multiple countries, safety is a shared international responsibility.
• Learning from Global Accidents
  • A crash in one part of the world can reveal design flaws or operational issues relevant elsewhere.
  • For instance, a lesson from a crash in India may prevent future accidents in Indonesia or the US, making cross-border participation vital.
• Established Precedent
  • India has previously followed this protocol.
  • In 2010, when Air India Express Flight 812 crashed in Mangalore, the US NTSB assisted in the investigation at the request of Indian authorities—illustrating that such cooperation is both routine and valuable.

Context:

• The article analyses India's evolving relationship with the global economy, arguing that periods of greater global integration have coincided with higher economic growth.
• It emphasizes the need for balanced trade and financial integration, and presents sectoral insights to guide future reform strategies, especially in the context of emerging global supply chain opportunities.

India's Global Integration Journey - A Timeline:

• The golden decade (2000–2010):
  • Marked by lower import tariffs and deeper trade integration.
  • India’s share in global exports and GDP growth saw significant improvement.
  • Indicative of a high correlation between India’s and global growth trends.
• Protectionist shift (2010–2020):
  • India raised import duties, leading to reduced export share and slower growth.
  • Trade decoupling weakened India’s role in global value chains.
• Post-pandemic trends:
  • Shift towards financial integration (e.g., equities), but trade integration remains weak.
  • Integration is presently one-sided, favouring capital markets over goods/services trade.

Global Integration and Economic Volatility:

• Argument: Greater global integration increases exposure to external shocks.
• Counter-argument: However, evidence shows positive long-term gains of integration outweigh short-term volatility.

Sector-wise Integration Analysis:

• Consumption:
  • Highest correlation/ integration (95%) with world growth.
  • Driven by discretionary spending linked to financial market integration.
  • Reflects income disparity - top-tier earners (with financial assets) vs. low-income groups focused on essentials.
• Investment:
  • Moderate correlation (70%) with global growth.
  • Corporate capex: Highly integrated due to influence of FDI and global sentiment.
  • Household investment: Less integrated; focused on real estate and small business assets.
• Exports:
  • Low correlation (35%) with global growth. Decline in integration during tariff hikes.
  • Mid-tech exports (labour-intensive) underperforming, while high-tech exports show promise.

The Trade–Finance Dichotomy - Emergence of Two Distinct Sectors:

• Financially integrated: Large firms, high-income earners, professional services.
• Weak trade integration: Mid-tech industries like textiles, furniture, toys — low-income groups. 

Policy Recommendations and Global Opportunity:

• Reviving mid-tech exports:
  • Critical to enhance mass consumption, employment, GDP growth, etc.
  • Sectors like electronics, textiles, footwear, and furniture hold high potential.
• Global supply chain shifts:
  • Potential second Trump presidency may accelerate supply chain realignment.
  • India has a chance to replicate Vietnam’s export surge, capitalizing on low labour costs and existing manufacturing capacity.
• Reforms as enablers:
  • External reforms: Lowering import tariffs, accelerating free trade agreements (FTAs).
  • Domestic reforms: Regulatory deregulation at Centre and State levels.
  • Need for deep structural reforms to convert potential into performance.

Conclusion:

• India stands at a pivotal moment where deepening global integration, especially in labour-intensive exports, can be a powerful lever for inclusive growth.
• Timely policy action — both external (trade openness) and internal (regulatory reform) — will be crucial to leverage emerging global shifts and position India as a leading participant in future global value chains.

Context

• The crash of Air India flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad has sent shockwaves across the aviation community and the general public.
• While investigators await definitive data from flight recorders, speculative media coverage and widespread misinformation have begun shaping public perception, leading to heightened fear and mistrust.
• Amid these developments, it is important to analyse the circumstances surrounding the crash, explore plausible technical causes based on available data, draw parallels to a historical incident, highlighting media responses, and transparency and patience as investigations unfold.

The Rise of Misinformation in the Wake of Tragedy

• In the immediate aftermath of the AI171 crash, mainstream and social media platforms were flooded with conjecture.
• Self-proclaimed experts on YouTube and fear-mongering television segments amplified public anxiety.
• Incidents involving other Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft were also sensationally reported, despite lacking any direct connection to AI171’s crash.
• These reactions, aimed more at capturing viewer attention than delivering facts, risk distorting public understanding of air safety.
• Amid this climate of speculation, it is crucial to await findings from official sources.
• The recovery of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) provides the foundation for an authoritative analysis.
• Furthermore, the involvement of respected international bodies such as the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the United Kingdom’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) assures a level of impartiality and technical rigor.

Plausible Technical Causes Based on Available Data

• Technical Clues
  • One of the most compelling eyewitness accounts comes from the sole survivor, who reported a loud thud shortly after take-off, accompanied by flickering lights.
  • Supplementary evidence from amateur footage and CCTV recordings shows that the aircraft used the full length of the runway before lifting off.
  • These elements suggest an abnormality in take-off performance, potentially linked to engine malfunction or external interference.
  • Several technical details support this hypothesis. Ahmedabad’s Runway 23 is 3,505 meters long, sufficient under standard temperature conditions.
• Early Indicators from the Crash
  • The temperature on the day of the crash was 37°C, reducing effective runway length significantly due to decreased air density and engine performance, a factor explicitly addressed in ICAO’s Doc. 9157.
  • This reduction to an effective 2,764 meters may have compromised take-off performance, especially if the aircraft was overloaded, as suspected.
  • The landing gear was reportedly not retracted post lift-off, increasing aerodynamic drag.
  • Furthermore, visual cues from the video suggest a swing to the right during rotation, a potential sign of left engine failure.
  • A dust cloud visible behind the aircraft, followed by the cessation of exhaust emission from the left engine, supports the theory of debris or bird ingestion causing sequential engine failure.
  • The presence of birds in the vicinity and possible ingestion beyond the runway, where no remains could be recovered, are consistent with this line of reasoning.
• The Weight Factor and Procedural Concerns
  • Another important angle is the aircraft’s potential overloading.
  • While official data is yet to confirm this, reports suggest passengers were carrying excess cabin baggage, which, combined with duty-free purchases, may have added over two tonnes of unaccounted weight.
  • On a hot day with limited runway and degraded engine performance, this excess could delay acceleration, elongate the take-off roll, and reduce the margin for error in the event of engine failure.
  • Moreover, questions remain regarding cockpit response. Why was slow acceleration not detected in time to abort take-off?
  • Why was the landing gear not retracted after liftoff, increasing drag and compromising climb rate?
  • The answers lie in the forthcoming DFDR and CVR analyses, which will illuminate whether cockpit workload, technical malfunctions, or decision-making breakdowns contributed to the crash.

Historical Parallels: Learning from Past Incidents

• The 1986 crash of Indian Airlines flight IC571 bears similarities worth noting.
• That incident involved a bird strike and the subsequent rejection of take-off after rotation, a manoeuvre typically discouraged but ultimately life-saving in that instance.
• While the pilots faced criticism, the action preserved all lives on board, highlighting the complex, high-stakes decisions pilots must make under extreme pressure.
• AI171’s captain faced an equally unforgiving scenario. Nearing the runway’s end at lift-off and possibly dealing with partial thrust loss, he had to make a critical decision with limited options.
• Unlike IC571, the situation did not allow room for an effective recovery, underscoring the limitations even experienced pilots face when multiple variables, heat, weight, engine issues, and time, converge.

Media Responsibility and Public Trust

• The role of the media in shaping narratives around air disasters is critical. In the case of AI171, many outlets abandoned journalistic caution in favour of sensationalism.
• Not only does this erode public trust, but it also undermines confidence in one of the safest modes of transport.
• Air travel, including on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has a stellar safety record.
• The aircraft has served reliably for over a decade, and while Boeing has been under scrutiny for past failures, notably with the 737 MAX, the Dreamliner’s performance has remained commendable.
• The aviation community, regulators, and manufacturers now face a dual responsibility: to transparently investigate and report on the AI171 tragedy and to actively counteract misinformation that can destabilise public confidence.

The Way Forward: Navigating Tragedy with Patience and Precision

• As speculation swirls, the need for accurate, data-driven analysis becomes paramount.
• While the full picture will only emerge after detailed examination of flight data, early indicators, engine failure, possible overloading, heat-induced performance degradation, and delayed gear retraction, suggest a chain of failures rather than a single catastrophic event.
• In the meantime, stakeholders must focus on rebuilding trust.

Conclusion

• The crash of Air India flight AI171 is a sobering reminder of the complex interplay between human decisions, mechanical systems, and environmental variables in aviation.
• The Boeing 787 remains a highly safe aircraft, and air travel continues to be far safer than most other forms of transportation.
• This tragedy, while devastating, should prompt reflection, not panic, and ultimately lead to a stronger, safer aviation ecosystem.

Context

• Pensions are a cornerstone of financial security and human dignity in old age and for retirees, reduced earning capacity, rising healthcare costs, and inflation create serious financial vulnerabilities, making pensions not just a benefit but a necessity.
• Despite being one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India’s pension assets account for only 17% of GDP, far below the 70–80% coverage typical in advanced economies.
• This gap is particularly acute in the informal sector, which represents the majority of the workforce.
• As India aspires to become a developed economy by 2047, building a sustainable, inclusive pension system must be a policy imperative.

India’s Pension Landscape: Fragmented and Inadequate

• According to the Economic Survey 2025–26, only 12% of India’s workforce is enrolled in formal pension schemes.
• The current system disproportionately favours public sector and organized private sector workers through multiple overlapping schemes.
• In contrast, informal sector workers, who make up approximately 85% of the labour force and contribute over half of the GDP, are largely excluded.
• Their only access to retirement benefits comes through voluntary programs like the National Pension System (NPS) and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), which together cover just 5.3% of the population.
• This fragmented architecture makes the system inefficient, opaque, and difficult to scale.
• Moreover, it fails to reflect the evolving realities of the labour market, particularly the rise of the gig economy and non-traditional employment arrangements.
• Without a comprehensive reform, India faces the risk of a retirement poverty crisis, especially as the old-age dependency ratio is projected to reach 30% by 2050.

Challenges to Expansion: Scalability, Sensitisation, and Sustainability

• Scalability
  • India’s existing pension schemes are fragmented and lack interoperability.
  • The proliferation of narrowly targeted schemes has made it difficult to scale the system
  • For example, while aggregators in the gig economy are mandated to contribute toward social security for their workers, this has added another parallel scheme instead of integrating into a unified structure.
  • In contrast, countries like Japan and New Zealand employ universal, flat-rate pension models that encompass a broad base of workers regardless of employment status.
• Sensitisation and Accessibility
  • Pension literacy remains low, especially among informal sector workers and rural populations.
  • The voluntary nature of most informal-sector schemes means that without targeted awareness campaigns and behavioural nudges, participation remains low.
  • International models provide valuable lessons:
    • Australia embeds retirement planning into its school curriculum.
    • The Netherlands ensures transparency through annual disclosures of pension entitlements.
    • The UK operates an opt-out pension scheme, encouraging automatic enrolment.
    • Nigeria has leveraged digital platforms to increase reach and simplify enrolment.
• Sustainability
  • Maintaining the financial health of pension funds is vital for long-term viability.
  • The Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2024 gave India’s pension system an overall rating of just 44%, with a particularly low adequacy score.
  • Even countries like China, despite their more expansive systems, are grappling with pension sustainability due to over-reliance on public funding.
  • In contrast, nations such as the United States, Denmark, and Australia integrate private sector pension funds into their overall retirement ecosystem, using diversified investment strategies including debt instruments for stable returns.

The Path Forward: A Three-Tiered Pension Framework

• Tier I: Universal Basic Pension: A flat-rate, mandatory pension for all citizens, regardless of employment type, funded through modest contributions and government support.
• Tier II: Occupational or Employer-Based Schemes: These would be either mandatory or have auto-enrolment features for employees in both the formal and informal sectors, with a shared contribution model.
• Tier III: Voluntary Pension Savings:
  • Individuals could opt into flexible, tax-incentivised schemes offering market-linked returns, to supplement their basic retirement income.
  • Complementary measures should include:
    • Nationwide financial literacy campaigns integrated into school and college curricula.
    • Transparent, digital pension portals with user-friendly interfaces for enrolment and tracking.
    • Annual pension disclosures for all participants.
    • Regulatory reforms to ensure prudent pension fund investments and long-term liquidity.

Conclusion

• India stands at a critical juncture and the demographic shift toward an aging population demands a swift overhaul of the country’s pension ecosystem.
• A reimagined, inclusive pension framework, especially one that integrates the informal sector, is essential to ensuring economic security in old age and achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.
• A system based on universal access, financial sustainability, and public trust will not only protect retirees but also fortify the nation's socio-economic foundation for generations to come.

Why in the News?

Influencers and generative AI are “supercharging a fragmented alternative media environment” for news, says the 2025 Reuters Digital News Report.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• AI and Influencers (Digital Media, Generative AI, Social Media Influencers, Traditional Media, Misinformation, etc.)

Digital Media Landscape in Transition

• India’s news consumption patterns are undergoing a radical transformation, driven by the convergence of generative AI tools and the growing influence of social media personalities.
• According to the 2025 Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, video-led content, AI-powered summarisation tools, and non-traditional news voices are redefining how Indians, particularly the youth, access and engage with news.
• The report, based on an annual survey across 48 countries, including India, highlights a rising preference for personalised, bite-sized, and video-driven news formats, often delivered by influencers or through AI interfaces.
• This evolution signals a significant shift away from traditional platforms like print, TV, and news websites.

Generative AI Becomes a Popular News Tool

• Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Perplexity AI have emerged as prominent tools for news consumption in India.
• These tools are increasingly being used to simplify complex topics and generate personalised summaries for users.
• The report found that India leads in adopting generative AI for news access, with 44% of Indian respondents expressing comfort with AI tools.
• Nearly one-fifth of them use chatbots weekly for news, making it the most popular option among the surveyed countries.
• AI-driven news consumption offers several advantages: it condenses lengthy reports, avoids ideological bias (to an extent), and allows users to seek specific clarifications interactively.
• However, this also raises concerns about the authenticity and editorial integrity of AI-generated content, especially when used as a primary source.

Social Media Influencers as Emerging News Voices

• Parallel to AI adoption is the rise of news influencers, personalities who use platforms like YouTube and Instagram to deliver commentary, satire, and educational content.
• These influencers often command follower counts in the millions and wield considerable sway over public opinion.
• These creators blur the lines between journalism, commentary, and entertainment, often connecting with audiences more deeply than traditional media can.

Video Emerges as the Preferred Medium

• Across countries like India, Thailand, the Philippines, and Kenya, more people now prefer watching the news rather than reading it.
• This has further pushed both influencers and news organisations to adopt video-first strategies.
• In India, YouTube has become a dominant hub for political talk shows, explainer content, and ideological debates.
• This shift toward video content reflects broader generational changes, particularly among Indians aged 18-34, who overwhelmingly turn to social media and platforms like YouTube over news websites for daily information.

Traditional Media Faces Sharp Decline

• The report confirms that legacy formats such as television broadcasts, newspapers, and even standalone news websites are witnessing waning user engagement.
• Only 24% of respondents aged 18-34 consider news websites as their main news source, compared to 41% who prefer social media and video platforms.
• This trend has profound implications for journalistic sustainability, credibility, and the economics of news production in India.
• Legacy organisations are now being forced to diversify digitally and engage audiences through short-form video, social media interactions, and even AI-generated news formats.

Misinformation and the Challenge of Trust

• Trust in news globally remains stagnant at 40%, as per the 2025 survey. In India, while platforms like WhatsApp are not broadly seen as high-risk vectors of misinformation due to their closed-group nature, they remain an exception.
• India, being WhatsApp’s largest market, has faced several incidents where fake news videos circulating in large groups have incited mob violence and even fatalities.
• Interestingly, 11% of Indian respondents believe that their own friends and family also contribute to spreading misinformation, pointing to a trust deficit even within personal networks.

The Future of News Consumption in India

• The blending of AI tools and influencer-led journalism reflects an ongoing democratisation of news access, personalised, on-demand, and vernacular in spirit.
• However, it also necessitates critical thinking, digital literacy, and regulatory oversight to ensure that the public discourse remains constructive and accurate.
• Traditional media outlets, while still relevant, are being challenged to adapt faster than ever.
• The onus now lies on institutions to harness these new technologies responsibly and find synergies with emerging voices without compromising journalistic ethics.

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to Cyprus. During this visit, he held talks with President Nikos Christodoulides.

PM Modi’s visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades. It underscores the strategic depth and enduring friendship between the two democracies.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Highlights of the Visit
• India’s Supports to Cyprus’s Sovereignty: A Strong Message To Turkey

Key Highlights of the Visit

• PM Modi Conferred Cyprus's Highest Honour
  • Cyprus President awarded PM Modi the "Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III", the country’s highest civilian honour.
• Focus on implementing the 2024 Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration
  • The leaders committed to enhancing coordination within international bodies like the UN and the Commonwealth, with a focus on implementing the 2024 Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration.
    • This Declaration emphasizes sustainable ocean governance, climate resilience, marine biodiversity protection, and capacity-building among member states
    • The inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting was held in Cyprus in April 2024.
    • This led to the creation of the Blue Charter Centre of Excellence to promote sustainable ocean practices and build capacity among Commonwealth nations.
• Strengthening Political Dialogue
• The two countries agreed to hold regular high-level political dialogue and activate institutional mechanisms through their foreign ministries to monitor and implement an upcoming bilateral Action Plan.
• Support for Cyprus Sovereignty and UN-Led Peace
  • India reiterated support for Cyprus’ sovereignty and UN-backed efforts for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
    • Bizonal: The territory is divided into two zones, reflecting the geographical separation of the two communities.
    • Bicommunal: The federation is structured to accommodate and represent the interests of both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
  • Both opposed unilateral actions that hinder negotiations.
• Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation
  • Cyprus and India condemned terrorism, including recent attacks in Kashmir.
  • They pledged joint action on counter-terrorism, cyber security, defence production, maritime security, and crisis response coordination.
• Connectivity and Regional Integration
  • Both sides endorsed the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a game-changer for connectivity.
  • Cyprus offered to serve as a logistics hub and gateway for Indian trade into Europe.
• EU–India Strategic Engagement
  • Cyprus pledged to support India-EU ties during its 2026 EU Council Presidency.
    • Cyprus will assume Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026.
  • Both nations welcomed progress in key areas like trade, defence, energy, and space, and committed to concluding the EU–India Free Trade Agreement by year-end.
  • Both sides also supported continued collaboration through the EU–India Trade and Technology Council and extending the 2025 Strategic Roadmap.
• Trade, Innovation, and Economic Partnerships
  • India and Cyprus agreed to expand trade and investment.
  • A Cyprus–India Business Forum and potential MoU on innovation and technology (AI, digital infrastructure, research) are planned.
• Mobility, Tourism, and Cultural Ties
  • A Mobility Pilot Program will be finalized by end-2025.
  • Both leaders called for boosting tourism, cultural ties, and exploring direct air connectivity between the two nations.
• Action Plan 2025–2029
  • A detailed five-year Action Plan will guide bilateral cooperation, monitored jointly by the respective foreign ministries, to ensure sustained progress in strategic areas.

India’s Supports to Cyprus’s Sovereignty: A Strong Message To Turkey

• During this visit, India reiterated its support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Republic of Cyprus.
• This strong diplomatic message comes at a time when India–Turkey relations are tense, particularly due to Turkey’s vocal criticism of India on Kashmir and its support for Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
• PM Modi’s symbolic visit to the Historic Centre of Nicosia, overlooking Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus, further highlighted India’s solidarity with Cyprus.
• Turkey–Cyprus conflict
  • The Turkey–Cyprus conflict stems from the island’s division between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
  • After gaining independence from Britain in 1960, tensions rose due to Greek Cypriot demands for union with Greece and Turkish Cypriot fears.
  • A 1974 Greek-backed coup triggered a Turkish invasion, resulting in the north being controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey.
  • The island remains divided, with the UN maintaining a buffer zone.
  • Repeated UN-led negotiations have failed to resolve issues like territorial return and political equality.
  • Recent disputes over natural gas exploration have further deepened tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Why in news?

The government has officially announced that India’s 16th Census will be conducted in two phases, with reference dates of October 1, 2026, for snow-bound areas and March 1, 2027, for the rest of the country. This will be the first nationwide caste-based enumeration since 1931.

A Gazette notification under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948, was issued, initiating house-listing and housing surveys ahead of the population count.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• How the Census is Conducted: Process and Timeline
• How the 2027 Census Will Be Conducted: A Digital Leap
• How Census 2027 Will Differ from the 2011 Census
• Challenges in the 2027 Census and How They’re Being Addressed

How the Census is Conducted: Process and Timeline

• Two-Phase Structure
  • The Census is conducted in two main phases:
    • House-listing and Housing Census: Records details about buildings and households.
    • Population Enumeration: Captures individual-level demographic and socio-economic data.
• Preparatory Steps
• Before enumeration, states freeze administrative boundaries, conduct mapping exercises, and train enumerators.
• House-listing Phase (Expected in 2026)
  • Enumerators collect data on: Household composition and building usage; Construction material, rooms, ownership; Access to water, electricity, sanitation; Cooking fuel and ownership of assets (TV, phone, vehicle, etc.).
  • This phase offers insight into housing quality and amenities across India.
• Population Enumeration (February 2027)
  • Covers individual details such as:
    • Name, age, sex, relationship to household head
    • Marital status, education, occupation, religion
    • Caste/tribe status, disability, and migration history
    • Even homeless individuals are included.

How the 2027 Census Will Be Conducted: A Digital Leap

• First Digital Census in India
  • The 2027 Census marks India’s transition to a digital framework, using mobile apps, cloud systems, and real-time monitoring tools to conduct and manage the enumeration process.
• Introduction of Self-Enumeration
  • For the first time, households will have the option to self-enumerate via a government portal or mobile app.
  • After submitting their data, they receive a unique ID to show the enumerator during verification.
• Digital Tools for Enumerators
  • Enumerators will use smartphones or handheld devices with a preloaded Census app.
  • Though paper-based forms are still allowed, most are expected to adopt the digital mode due to better remuneration and widespread smartphone access.
• Advanced Monitoring and Supervision
  • The Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) will enable:
    • Real-time dashboards
    • Field issue resolution
    • Progress tracking and data quality control
• Historic Inclusion of Caste Data
  • This Census will be the first since 1931 to collect caste data for all communities, adding a significant new dimension to the dataset.

How Census 2027 Will Differ from the 2011 Census

• Digital First Approach
  • Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital Census, unlike the paper-based 2011 Census.
  • It allows self-enumeration, mobile-based data entry, and real-time supervision.
• GPS and Geofencing Integration
  • While 2011 relied on physical maps, the 2027 Census will feature GPS tagging of households and geofencing to ensure complete and accurate coverage.
• Real-Time Error Detection
  • Enumerators will receive mobile alerts for data inconsistencies, such as unrealistic household sizes or age errors—features absent in 2011.
• Standardised Digital Coding System
  • Unlike 2011, where descriptive handwritten entries often led to inconsistencies and delays, the 2027 Census introduces:
    • Pre-loaded drop-down menus (code directories) for caste, language, occupation, etc.
    • Uniform coding across the country to ensure fast, computerised processing.
• Enhanced Data Quality and Timeliness
  • With tech-enabled checks and uniform input methods, Census 2027 aims for higher accuracy and quicker data dissemination compared to the lengthy timelines of 2011.

Challenges in the 2027 Census and How They’re Being Addressed

• Digital Literacy Among Enumerators
  • Challenge: Many enumerators may lack experience with digital tools.
  • Solution: Extensive training modules, simulations, and multilingual interfaces have been introduced.
• Connectivity Issues in Remote Areas
  • Challenge: Poor internet access in rural or remote locations.
  • Solution: The app works offline and auto-syncs data once connectivity returns, ensuring uninterrupted data collection.
• Technical Glitches and App Updates
  • Challenge: Software bugs or technical failures during fieldwork.
  • Solution: Enumerators will be equipped with field support tools and real-time diagnostics to troubleshoot problems quickly.
• GPS Drift and Location Errors
  • Challenge: Inaccurate GPS tagging of households.
  • Solution: Supervisors will verify and manually adjust coordinates when needed to ensure accuracy.
• Respondent Reluctance or Fear
  • Challenge: Some individuals may resist or fear sharing personal information.
  • Solution: Enumerators are trained in soft skills and legal protocols. The system includes mobile alerts to log refusals or delays for supervisory review.
• Quality Control and Error Detection
  • Challenge: Risk of incorrect or duplicate data entries.
  • Solution: Supervisors will review flagged forms; automated checks identify errors like unrealistic ages or duplicate entries before final submission. Periodic audits ensure data reliability.

Context:

• The article provides a detailed analysis of the Government of India's (GoI’s) fiscal performance for the financial year 2024–25 (FY25), based on provisional data, and evaluates its implications for FY26.
• It highlights key trends in deficit containment, capex growth, revenue collection, and looming policy changes, which are crucial from the perspective of macroeconomic management and fiscal federalism in India.

 Fiscal Performance in FY25 - A Mixed Bag:

• Fiscal deficit trends:
  • FY25 fiscal deficit stood at Rs 15.77 trillion, slightly above the Revised Estimate (RE) of Rs 15.7 trillion.
  • As a percentage of GDP, the fiscal deficit was contained at 4.8%, aligning with the target due to higher-than-estimated nominal GDP.
• Revenue deficit milestone:
  • Revenue deficit was curtailed to Rs 5.7 trillion, lower than RE of Rs 6.1 trillion.
  • This amounted to 1.7% of GDP, a 17-year low, and an improvement from the 1.9% target.
• Capital expenditure (Capex) surge:
  • Capex exceeded expectations, reflecting stronger infrastructure push.
  • April 2025 alone saw 61% year-on-year increase in capex, reaching Rs 1.6 trillion.

Receipts and Revenue Challenges:

• Shortfall in tax revenues:
  • Gross tax revenues missed FY25 RE by Rs 0.6 trillion.
  • To meet FY26 targets, tax revenue must grow at 12.5%, up from earlier 10.8% projection.
• Compensatory dividends: A Rs 0.4 trillion higher-than-budgeted RBI dividend transfer, offering partial cushion for FY26.
• Miscellaneous capital receipts: In April 2025, such receipts were 46% of FY26 BE, versus nil in April 2024, indicating positive early momentum. 

FY26 Outlook - Optimism with Caveats:

• Nominal GDP revision as a fiscal cushion:
  • FY25 nominal GDP was 2% higher than First Advance Estimate.
  • Despite a lower FY26 nominal growth projection of 9% (ICRA), the fiscal deficit can be contained at 4.4%, aided by a larger base effect.
• Capital expenditure momentum: Capex can potentially exceed BE by Rs 0.8 trillion, pushing the total to Rs 12.0 trillion, ensuring higher public investment momentum.
• Expenditure composition and timing: FY26 requires higher revenue expenditure growth than earlier estimated, but lower capex growth, due to front-loading in April.

 Emerging Fiscal Policy Considerations:

• Finance Commission recommendations: The 16th Finance Commission's upcoming report will redefine Centre-State fiscal relations for the next five years.
• Geopolitical and defence implications: Potential increase in defence spending due to global tensions may crowd out developmental expenditure.
• Pay Commission (8th) impact: The timing of the Pay Commission award could strain central finances and influence state-level fiscal decisions.
• Future of GST compensation cess: The imminent cessation of GST compensation cess in its current form raises questions on Centre-State revenue sharing.

Conclusion - A Cautiously Optimistic Fiscal Trajectory:

• India’s fiscal consolidation trajectory appears largely on track, with encouraging signs from higher capex and lower revenue deficit.
• However, medium-term sustainability will depend on structural reforms in revenue mobilization, expenditure efficiency, and Centre-State fiscal coordination in light of upcoming institutional and geopolitical developments.

Context

• The Indian judiciary, often hailed as the guardian of constitutional morality and a bulwark against executive excesses, has long been viewed as one of the most trusted public institutions in the country.
• Yet, recent revelations and controversies have cast a long shadow over the credibility of this institution.
• The case of Justice Yashwant Varma, involving sacks of cash found amidst a fire at his official residence, followed by opaque proceedings and an impeachment recommendation, exemplifies a broader malaise.
• The problem lies not just in the specific allegations of corruption, but in the lack of transparency that characterises the judiciary’s own internal accountability mechanisms, particularly the so-called ‘in-house procedure’.

The Justice Varma Controversy: A Symptom of a Deeper Problem

• On March 14, a fire broke out at Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence, leading to the discovery of half-burnt sacks allegedly filled with cash.
• Within days, Justice Varma was relieved of his duties and transferred from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court.
• Eventually, an impeachment recommendation followed, reportedly based on a judicial inquiry.
• The swift and secretive nature of these developments is unusual and troubling.
• Though the Supreme Court made some material public, such as video footage and redacted correspondence, crucial documents, including reports by the Commissioner of Police and the judicial committee's final findings, were withheld.
• Most concerning is the disappearance of the alleged sacks of cash, reportedly removed by Justice Varma’s staff, raising serious questions about the integrity of the investigative process.
• Why was such critical evidence not preserved? Why were law enforcement agencies seemingly unable or unwilling to secure the scene?
• These questions remain unanswered, as they are enveloped in the secrecy of the judiciary’s internal disciplinary system.

The ‘In-House Procedure’: Institutionalised Opacity

• The Justice Varma episode illustrates the inherent opacity of the judiciary’s ‘in-house procedure’, an informal mechanism designed by the higher judiciary to deal with allegations of judicial misconduct.
• Under this system, inquiries are conducted exclusively by fellow judges, and nearly all aspects of the process, from the complaint’s existence to the findings of the inquiry, are shrouded in secrecy.
• The problems with this system are numerous:
  • Lack of transparency: The public is not entitled to know whether an inquiry was conducted or what its outcome was.
  • Absence of procedural safeguards: Unlike regular inquiries, these proceedings are not bound by legal norms or due process requirements.
  • No public accountability: There is no external oversight or appeal, and even findings of guilt are not published.
• The judiciary, while demanding accountability from other institutions, exempts itself from the same standards, thus undermining its own legitimacy. 

Precedents of Concern: A Pattern of Secrecy and Impunity

• Justice Ramana and the Andhra Pradesh Allegations (2020)
  • Grave accusations made by the Chief Minister against Justice Ramana and other judges were summarily dismissed without explanation.
  • There was no public record of any inquiry into Justice J.K. Maheshwari, another named judge, who was soon elevated to the Supreme Court.
• Sexual Harassment Allegations Against CJI Ranjan Gogoi (2019)
  • A former employee accused then CJI Gogoi of sexual harassment and victimisation.
  • The inquiry, conducted by his peers, exonerated him, without allowing the complainant legal representation or access to the final report.
  • Meanwhile, the Court launched a separate inquiry into an alleged conspiracy against the judiciary, a claim that lacked evidentiary backing.
  • After Justice Gogoi’s retirement, the complainant was reinstated with full back wages, a tacit admission of procedural and moral inconsistency.
• Allegations Against Justice Surya Kant
  • Slated to become the CJI in 2025, Justice Surya Kant has faced serious allegations ranging from corruption to abuse of power.
  • Although some judges expressed concern and called for inquiry, there is no public record of any investigation into the charges.
  • Yet, his career trajectory has remained unaffected, underscoring the in-house system’s tendency to brush controversies under the carpet.

The Case for Reform: Transparency as a Democratic Imperative

• The opacity of the judicial accountability process stands in sharp contrast to the principles the judiciary has itself laid down.
• The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that the right to information is intrinsic to the freedom of speech and expression, and a cornerstone of participatory democracy. Yet, the judiciary’s internal practices betray these ideals.
• Public disclosure of in-house inquiry findings is essential:
  • It would develop institutional trust by showing that misconduct is taken seriously.
  • It would deter future impropriety by signalling that judicial office is not immune from scrutiny.
  • It would affirm the judiciary’s own moral and legal authority by holding itself to the same standards it imposes on others.
• Secrecy does not protect the judiciary’s independence; it erodes it.
• Independence does not mean insulation from accountability, rather, it should coexist with mechanisms that ensure public confidence.

Conclusion

• The Justice Varma case, and others like it, should serve as a wake-up call and the judiciary cannot continue to operate in a parallel universe, where norms of due process and transparency do not apply.
• While it rightly demands autonomy and respect, it must also embrace scrutiny and openness.
• A reformed, transparent mechanism for dealing with judicial misconduct, possibly involving a mix of judicial and independent oversight, is not just desirable; it is essential for the continued legitimacy of the Indian judiciary.
• Until then, the in-house procedure will continue to resemble a papal conclave, leaving the public to interpret shadows and smoke instead of facts and findings.

Context

• India’s economic engagement in the Bay of Bengal region appears to be entering a dynamic and consequential phase.
• On the surface, there are several encouraging indicators: trade volumes are increasing, major eastern ports such as Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Haldia are witnessing steady growth in cargo throughput, and the recent signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement augurs well for improved regional integration.
• However, this optimism is tempered by emerging geopolitical tensions, particularly in India’s relationship with Bangladesh.
• These tensions have cast a shadow on India’s broader regional ambitions and exposed the fragility of its leadership claims in the Bay of Bengal.

The Withdrawal of the Transshipment Facility: Strategic Signal or Logistical Necessity?

• A critical turning point came in April when India abruptly withdrew a transshipment facility that allowed Bangladesh to route exports through Indian ports to third-country destinations.
• While New Delhi justified this move on logistical grounds, citing congestion and resultant delays at Indian terminals, the decision coincided with a diplomatic misstep in Dhaka.
• Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser, speaking in Beijing, referred to India’s northeastern states as landlocked and suggested that Bangladesh served as their maritime gateway.
• This statement clashed with New Delhi’s strategic narrative, which positions the Northeast as a linchpin of regional connectivity, not a dependent outpost.
• Although India’s concerns about logistics may be valid, the timing of the decision appeared retaliatory, especially in light of Bangladesh’s growing engagement with China and its broader hedging strategy.
• In Dhaka, the move was interpreted not as a pragmatic trade adjustment but as a calculated message, India was asserting displeasure through economic means.

The Larger Context: India’s Maritime Push

• This controversy unfolded just as India was redoubling its efforts to strengthen regional integration through maritime initiatives.
• Under the Sagarmala programme, India has invested substantially in improving port infrastructure and coastal logistics.
• Trade along the eastern seaboard has more than doubled over the past decade, thanks in part to policy incentives such as GST cuts on bunker fuel and support for coastal shipping.
• The BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement represents another layer of this effort, aiming to harmonise customs procedures and create multimodal linkages that would benefit not only India but also smaller landlocked or less-connected countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar.
• However, India’s unilateral withdrawal of the transshipment facility appears at odds with the cooperative ethos these regional efforts promote.
• For Bangladesh’s export-reliant economy, particularly its ready-made garment sector, the loss of access to Indian transshipment ports introduces significant uncertainty and cost, especially when alternatives via Sri Lanka or Southeast Asia are less viable.

Potential Implications of India’s Move

• Escalating Trade Frictions
  • The situation worsened in mid-May when India imposed new restrictions on the import of several Bangladeshi goods, mandating that they enter only through select seaports, rather than via the more accessible northeastern land ports.
  • Indian officials framed this as a reciprocal measure following Bangladesh’s earlier restrictions on Indian yarn imports.
  • However, given that India’s transshipment rollback preceded Bangladesh’s actions, many in Dhaka perceived the Indian response as excessive and punitive.
  • These tit-for-tat measures risk undermining years of progress in regional cooperation. Some in New Delhi argue that Dhaka is being warned of the perils of strategic hedging, given its closer ties with China and Pakistan.
  • Yet, Bangladesh, as a sovereign nation, is within its rights to diversify its foreign policy.
  • If India begins to weaponize trade access in response to perceived diplomatic slights, it risks transforming economic cooperation into a geopolitical contest, precisely what BIMSTEC and other multilateral efforts were designed to avoid.
• The Risk of Undermining Regional Trust
  • The implications extend beyond bilateral relations. Other regional capitals, Naypyidaw, Bangkok, Colombo are observing these developments closely.
  • The concern is not merely that India is using its leverage; great powers often do.
  • Rather, the concern is that India is doing so in a domain traditionally kept separate from geopolitics: regional trade infrastructure.
  • Once considered neutral and collective, these maritime corridors are beginning to feel conditional and transactional.
  • India does retain considerable strategic advantages. Its port infrastructure is the most advanced in the region, and its capacity for multimodal transport is unmatched among BIMSTEC countries.
  • However, material capacity alone is insufficient for regional leadership.
  • In a region historically marred by mistrust and fragmentation, India’s credibility, its consistency, fairness, and reliability, will ultimately determine the success of its regional ambitions.

The Way Ahead: Rebuilding Credibility and Drawing Clearer Lines

• The Bay of Bengal stands at an inflection On one hand, it offers tremendous potential as a connective corridor between South and Southeast Asia.
• A well-executed BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement could reshape trade patterns and deepen economic ties.
• On the other hand, the region remains vulnerable to strategic anxieties and national rivalries.
• The recent blurring of economic policy and geopolitical positioning threatens to derail India’s carefully constructed narrative of regional cooperation.
• There is still time for course correction. India could reframe its withdrawal of the transshipment facility as a temporary measure and set clear, rule-based criteria for its reinstatement.
• Better yet, it could establish a depoliticised mechanism for trade facilitation, one that ensures predictability and fairness irrespective of diplomatic currents.
• Such a move would not only reassure Bangladesh but also reinforce India’s image as a responsible regional leader.

Conclusion

• The central question facing India is whether it can balance the assertion of its strategic interests with the cultivation of regional trust.
• Its recent actions have sent mixed signals, combining infrastructural ambition with political reactivity.
• For India to truly lead in the Bay of Bengal, it must ensure that its economic policies serve as bridges, not battlegrounds.
• The success of its regional vision hinges not merely on ports and corridors, but on the credibility, it commands among its neighbours.

Why in the News?

The Central government has relaxed key rules related to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to further encourage the domestic manufacture of semiconductors and electronics.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Semiconductor & Electronics Manufacturing (Introduction, Significance, etc.)
• SEZ Rules (Key Changes, Impact, Industry Response, Challenges, Future Outlook, etc.)

Introduction

• In a strategic push to localise high-tech manufacturing, India has amended key provisions of its Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Rules, 2006.
• These reforms primarily target the semiconductor and electronics component manufacturing sectors, which are crucial for India’s ambitions of technological self-reliance and reduced import dependence.
• Notified by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in June 2025, the new rules mark a significant shift in India’s industrial policy approach, particularly given post-pandemic supply chain disruptions and rising global digital demand.

Significance of Semiconductors and Electronics Manufacturing

• Semiconductors are the foundational technology powering modern electronics, from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and smart appliances.
• With increasing digitisation and the rise of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), semiconductors have become central to economic and national security.
• India, like many other countries, became acutely aware of its import vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic when semiconductor shortages disrupted key industries.
• Given that China accounted for around 35% of global semiconductor manufacturing in 2021, countries including India have sought to de-risk their supply chains through domestic production.

Key Changes in SEZ Rules

• The recent amendments in the SEZ framework aim to reduce regulatory burdens and attract capital-intensive, technology-oriented investments.
• Reduction in Land Requirement (Rule 5 Amendment):

• The minimum land requirement for SEZs focused on semiconductors or electronic components has been slashed from 50 hectares to just 10 hectares.
• This reform facilitates smaller yet high-value investments by allowing firms to avail SEZ benefits such as duty-free imports and tax exemptions without the need for large land parcels.

• Easing of Encumbrance Norms (Rule 7 Amendment):

• SEZs no longer need to have “encumbrance-free” land if the land is mortgaged or leased to Central/State governments or their agencies.
• This is especially significant in India, where legal land records and title clearances often delay industrial development.

• Domestic Sales Permitted (Rule 18 Amendment):

• Units in semiconductor and electronics SEZs are now allowed to sell in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) after paying applicable duties.
• Earlier, SEZs were exclusively export-oriented. The new rule provides flexibility amid global trade uncertainties and boosts domestic supply chains.

• Revised Net Foreign Exchange (NFE) Calculations (Rule 53 Amendment):

• Goods received and supplied on a free-of-cost basis can now be included in NFE calculations and assessed using customs valuation rules.
• This is particularly helpful for industries like semiconductor manufacturing that often involve high-cost prototypes and design iterations.

Early Impact and Industry Response

• The reforms have already started to bear fruit. The Board of Approval for SEZs has cleared two major proposals:

• Micron Semiconductor Technology India Pvt. Ltd. will establish a semiconductor manufacturing SEZ over 37.64 hectares in Sanand, Gujarat, with an investment of Rs. 13,000 crore.
• Hubballi Durable Goods Cluster Pvt. Ltd. (Aequs Group) will set up an electronics component SEZ in Dharwad, Karnataka, spanning 11.55 hectares, with an investment of Rs. 100 crore.

• These investments signal a shift in India’s manufacturing landscape and align with larger initiatives like the Semicon India Programme (Rs. 76,000 crore outlay), aimed at building a complete semiconductor ecosystem.

Challenges in Execution

• Skilled Workforce: Semiconductor manufacturing requires highly trained professionals, which India is still developing at scale.
• Infrastructure Readiness: High-tech units need stable power, clean rooms, and water-intensive facilities, logistics that require substantial state support.
• Global Competition: Other countries, including the U.S., Taiwan, and South Korea, are also rolling out incentives. India must ensure competitiveness in its policy offerings.

Strategic Importance and Future Outlook

• India’s SEZ reforms are not isolated but part of a broader national effort to position the country as a trusted global hub for electronics manufacturing.
• The flexibility offered through SEZs, coupled with Production Linked Incentives (PLI), reflects a strategic understanding that manufacturing capability in semiconductors and electronics is essential for both economic growth and national resilience.
• By reducing regulatory friction, allowing domestic sales, and facilitating faster approvals, India is making itself a more attractive destination for global investors looking to diversify from traditional supply chains.

Context:

• The European Commission’s Joint White Paper (WP) on European Defence Readiness 2030 outlines a comprehensive plan to enhance the EU’s collective defence posture amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and changing dynamics within the trans-Atlantic security architecture.
• While reaffirming its commitments to NATO and the US, the EU emphasizes strategic autonomy, industrial cooperation, and technological leadership—opening new avenues for India-EU defence collaboration.
• The recent visit of the Indian PM to Cyprus and Croatia and earlier visits by the External Affairs Minister to France, Belgium, Germany, etc., highlights rapidly evolving bilateral relations anchored in the India-EU strategic partnership.

Key Highlights of the White Paper:

• Strategic objectives and defence spending:
  • The EU aims to achieve full defence readiness by 2030.
  • Proposes 1.5% of GDP as additional defence spending; which is projected to touch €800 billion over four years.
  • Reinforces trans-Atlantic ties with the US and NATO while retaining the UK as a key ally.
• Seven priority areas for investment:
  • Air and missile defence
  • Artillery systems
  • Ammunition and missile stockpiles
  • Drones and counter-drone systems
  • Military mobility
  • Advanced technologies: AI, quantum, cyber, and electronic warfare
  • Strategic enablers and critical infrastructure protection

Global Outreach and Strategic Partnerships:

• Indo-Pacific partnerships:
  • The WP calls for defence-industrial cooperation with countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • Proposes exploring a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) with India—marking a significant strategic outreach.
• Challenges addressed in the WP:
  • Terrorism, hybrid warfare, cybercrime, organised crime.
  • Disruptions in critical raw material supply chains.
  • Transnational issues like migration, technological disruption, and climate change.
  • China is identified as an authoritarian actor exerting influence in Europe’s economy and society.

Opportunities for India:

• Export of defence equipment:
  • India’s defence exports in FY 2024-25 hit ₹23,622 crore (~$2.76 billion).
  • Short-term WP focus on replenishing ammunition and weapons creates scope for Made-in-India defence exports like:
    • ATAGs (Advanced Towed Artillery Guns)
    • Pinaka Rocket Launcher
    • Air defence systems, radars conforming to NATO standards
  • A key consideration: India maintains neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, hence doesn’t export to Ukraine.
• Collaborative R&D and innovation:
  • India can participate in joint R&D on AI, quantum, hypersonic and biotech, identified as dual-use technologies.
  • Opportunities for acquisition and integration of startups and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in the European defence ecosystem.
  • Potential to join EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) based on experience from INDUS-X with the US.
• Strategic and regulatory engagement:
  • India's entry into the evolving EU ecosystem requires early integration with regulatory frameworks.
  • The EU's move towards defence procurement harmonisation may affect India’s supply chains and export norms.
  • India must explore cross-certification of defence products to tap into a future EU common defence market.

Broader Engagement Prospects:

• Space and cybersecurity: The EU's growing focus on military use of space and cyber technologies presents collaboration opportunities for Indian industries.
• Multimodal infrastructure & mobility: Indian EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) firms could secure contracts in EU infrastructure expansion, especially in ports and military mobility corridors.
• Migration, mobility & skilling:
  • Potential increase in job opportunities for Indian professionals.
  • India should engage the EU in migration and mobility frameworks, especially within the context of FTA

Strategic Significance for India:

• The emerging EU Defence Union will significantly enhance European strategic autonomy and reinforce the trans-Atlantic alliance.
• For India, this is an opportunity to:
  • Strengthen defence exports
  • Build strategic partnerships
  • Advance atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing
  • Align with global innovation standards in aerospace and military tech
• India should proactively position itself as a key security partner and strategically autonomous actor in the emerging Euro-Atlantic security landscape.

Conclusion:

• The EU's Defence Readiness 2030 represents both a shift towards strategic autonomy and a reaffirmation of collective defence in a turbulent world order.
• For India, it offers a historic opportunity to deepen defence, technological, and industrial engagement with the EU, thereby enhancing its own strategic footprint and achieving greater self-reliance in defence.

Why in News?

The Union Finance Ministry has, for the first time, capped MGNREGS spending at 60% of its annual budget for the first half of FY 2025-26.

Previously exempt due to its demand-driven nature, the scheme has now been brought under the Monthly/Quarterly Expenditure Plan (MEP/QEP), a spending control mechanism introduced in 2017.

       MEP/QEP is a financial tool used by government ministries and departments to track and manage their spending against allocated budgets. It helps in forecasting cash flow, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring that spending aligns with budgetary provisions.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Finance Ministry’s Rationale Behind MGNREGS Spending Cap
• Key Issues with MGNREGS Spending Cap
• Lack of Clarity and Legal Risks in MGNREGS Spending Cap

Finance Ministry’s Rationale Behind MGNREGS Spending Cap

• Chronic Budget Overruns
  • Historically, over 70% of the MGNREGS budget gets exhausted by September, prompting supplementary allocations in December, which are usually depleted by January.
• Mounting Pending Dues
  • In the past five years, year-end pending dues have ranged between ₹15,000 crore and ₹25,000 crore.
  • On average, 20% of the next year’s budget goes toward clearing these dues.
• Objective of the Spending Cap
  • The Finance Ministry aims to regulate cash flow through the MEP/QEP mechanism to prevent early exhaustion of funds and avoid mid-year supplementary allocations.
• Current Financial Snapshot (FY 2025-26)
  • Budget: ₹86,000 crore
  • Released so far: 28%
  • Pending dues from FY 25: ₹19,200 crore
  • Pending dues from FY 26 (as on June 12): ₹3,262 crore

Key Issues with MGNREGS Spending Cap

• Fluctuating Rural Work Demand Ignored
  • MGNREGS demand varies due to agricultural cycles and weather. Work peaks in April–June and post-Kharif in September.
  • However, climate anomalies—like delayed rains or droughts—can increase demand unpredictably.
  • Example: In 2023, low rainfall caused a 20% spike in demand in July–August.
    • Karnataka spent over 70% of its budget within six months due to severe drought.
  • The fixed expenditure cap fails to account for such contingencies, undermining the scheme’s role as a rural safety net.
• Legal Concerns over Statutory Rights
  • MGNREGS is not a discretionary welfare scheme; it is backed by law (MGNREG Act, 2005) and guarantees employment as a legal right.
  • Unlike schemes such as PM-KISAN, which can be altered by governments, rights-based programmes limit executive discretion.
  • Capping expenditure limits the state's ability to honour a legal guarantee of work on demand, violating the core mandate of the Act.
• Constitutional and Judicial Safeguards
  • Courts have consistently held that financial constraints cannot be used to justify non-fulfilment of statutory or constitutional obligations.
  • Key judgments:
    • Swaraj Abhiyan v Union of India (2016)
    • Municipal Council, Ratlam v Vardhichand (1980)
    • Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v State of W.B. (1996)
  • These rulings reinforce the principle that the government cannot evade its duties—especially in welfare laws—on the grounds of budgetary limitations.

Lack of Clarity and Legal Risks in MGNREGS Spending Cap

• No Clarity Post-Spending Cap
  • The government has not specified what will happen once the 60% ceiling is reached. This creates two problematic possibilities:
    • States may deny employment despite genuine demand.
    • Workers may continue working but face indefinite wage delays.
    • Both scenarios risk violating statutory provisions of the MGNREG Act.
• Violation of Legal Entitlements
  • The cap risks breaching key rights under the law:
    • Section 3: Right to employment within 15 days of demand.
    • Schedule II, Para 29: Right to receive wages within 15 days of work completion.
• Ongoing Issues Already Exist
• Wage delays, non-payment of unemployment allowance, and inadequate compensation for delays are already common in MGNREGS.
• The Supreme Court has noted these systemic failures.
• The spending cap may worsen these problems rather than resolve them.
• Undermining the Act’s Purpose
  • While aiming to manage fiscal pressure, the Finance Ministry’s move weakens the core intent of the MGNREG Act — to provide timely, legally guaranteed employment and payment during rural distress.

Why in News?

Following the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad, authorities are using DNA analysis to identify victims’ remains. Family members' DNA samples have been collected, and some matches have been made.

Since each person’s DNA is unique (except in identical twins), it serves as the most reliable method for identifying bodies, especially in mass fatality incidents where visual or physical identification is difficult.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• DNA and Its Role in Identifying Crash/Disaster Victims
• Role of DNA in Identifying Crash/Disaster Victims
• DNA Collection and Storage After a Plane Crash
• DNA Analysis Methods in Identifying Human Remains

DNA

• Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is the hereditary material in almost all living organisms.
• It carries the genetic instructions used in growth, development, functioning, and reproduction.
• Structure
  • DNA is composed of two long strands forming a double helix, made up of repeating units called nucleotides.
  • Each nucleotide contains a sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases — Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), or Guanine (G). The specific sequence of these bases encodes genetic information.
• Location
  • DNA is primarily located in the nucleus of cells (nuclear DNA), while a small amount is also found in mitochondria (mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).
  • Nuclear DNA is unique to each individual (except identical twins), whereas mtDNA is inherited maternally and found in multiple copies per cell.
• Function
  • DNA controls cellular functions by coding for proteins, and it passes genetic traits from one generation to the next.

Role of DNA in Identifying Crash/Disaster Victims

• In mass fatality events like plane crashes or natural disasters, physical features may be unrecognizable.
• DNA becomes the most reliable method of identification in such cases.
• Challenges
  • Decomposition and Damage: Disasters can severely damage or decompose remains, making DNA extraction and profiling challenging.
  • Contamination: Contamination of samples from other sources can complicate the process.
  • Time and Resources: The process can be time-consuming and require significant resources, especially for large-scale disasters.

DNA Collection and Storage After a Plane Crash

• Ideal Storage Conditions
  • DNA survives best in cold, dry environments.
  • Samples should be frozen at -20°C or stored in 95% ethanol (for soft tissues).
  • Soft tissues degrade faster than hard tissues like bones and teeth, which are more resistant to decomposition.
  • Forensic teams prefer bones and teeth as DNA sources due to their protection from environmental damage and decomposition.
• Timeline for Sample Collection
  • Post-crash recovery and collection can take weeks.
  • Example: It took 10 months to collect DNA from victims of the 9/11 attacks due to the scale of destruction.
• Importance of Reference Samples
  • To match unidentified remains, DNA from biological relatives—especially parents or children—is collected, as they share 50% of their DNA with the victim.

DNA Analysis Methods in Identifying Human Remains

• Once samples are collected, DNA is extracted. The quality and condition of the DNA determine which analysis method is used.
• Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis
  • STR analysis examines repeating DNA sequences that vary between individuals.
  • It is highly accurate for identification and family matching when at least 15 STR regions are analyzed.
  • Since STRs are found in nuclear DNA, this method requires non-degraded nuclear DNA for effective results.
• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Analysis
  • Used when nuclear DNA is degraded, mtDNA is easier to recover as it exists in many copies per cell.
  • Since it’s passed unchanged from mother to all children, identification is done by matching remains with maternal relatives like the mother, siblings, maternal grandmother, or maternal uncles/aunts.
• Y Chromosome Analysis
  • This method examines STRs on the Y chromosome, which is passed from father to son.
  • It helps identify male victims by matching their DNA with male relatives in the paternal line—such as brothers, paternal uncles, or male cousins.
  • It is especially useful when close relatives are unavailable for comparison.
• Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) Analysis
  • SNP analysis is used when DNA is highly degraded. It identifies variations at single base points (A, C, G, or T) in the DNA sequence.
  • Though less accurate than STR analysis, it can still aid identification using reference samples from personal items like toothbrushes or hairbrushes.

Context

• In a country where every life lost in an aircraft accident should lead to truth, justice, and reform, India’s aviation safety apparatus has repeatedly failed its citizens.
• Despite the veneer of institutional structure, the system is plagued by opacity, conflicts of interest, and a deeply ingrained reluctance to confront inconvenient truths.
• Therefore, it is important to examine the flaws in India’s aircraft accident investigation framework and proposes concrete reforms to restore integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The Flaws in India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Framework

• An Illusion of Autonomy
  • India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), on paper, appears to be an autonomous body.
  • In reality, it operates under the control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the very authority that oversees airlines, regulates the aviation sector via the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and appoints top officials in both regulatory and investigative arms.
  • This setup presents a glaring conflict of interest, where the regulator and the investigator are ultimately accountable to the same entity.
  • Unlike the functional independence afforded to railway safety investigations, aviation investigations in India remain institutionally compromised.
• A System in Reactive Mode
  • The June 2025 aircraft accident in Ahmedabad should serve as a wake-up call.
  • It is only the latest in a series of troubling incidents, ranging from helicopter crashes and flying school mishaps to ground handling failures and weather-related emergencies.
  • These events expose the system’s reactive tendencies. India continues to firefight rather than anticipate and prevent risks.
  • The country’s increasing aviation sector has far outgrown the current National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), and the regulatory apparatus has not kept pace.

Lessons Ignored: The Seth Committee Report

• India has ignored valuable lessons from its past.
• The 1997 Air Marshal J.K. Seth Committee Report was a bold attempt to highlight the aviation sector’s structural deficiencies, fragmented oversight, lack of independence, poor training, and regulatory capture.
• But because it spoke uncomfortable truths, it was effectively buried.
• The issues it flagged remain unresolved, perpetuating a cycle of superficial reviews and ineffective reforms.

Some Other Flaws in India’s Accident Investigation Framework

• The Culture of Contradictions
  • Too many accident reports suffer from contradictions and omissions.
  • In one case from 2001 involving the death of a former Union Minister, the official cause cited cloud entry, though meteorological data confirmed clear skies.
  • Overloading in the 1993 Aurangabad crash was evident but diluted in the final report.
  • Requests for data in the 2018 Air India Express incident have been stonewalled.
  • These lapses suggest more than administrative error, they point to a systemic impulse to obscure uncomfortable facts.
• Distortion of Investigative Purpose
  • Under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, investigations aim to enhance safety, not assign legal blame.
  • Yet, law enforcement and courts routinely misuse AAIB findings for prosecutions, distorting their original purpose.
  • Police, lacking aviation expertise, treat these findings as conclusive verdicts. Judges, constrained by legal protocols, often fail to appreciate the technical nuances of aviation investigations.
  • This results in a disproportionate focus on pilot error, a convenient scapegoat that simplifies insurance payouts and shields larger institutional failures from scrutiny.
• Institutional Evasion and Public Betrayal
  • Too often, investigations are shaped not to uncover the truth, but to protect powerful institutions.
  • The MoCA retains overwhelming control, over policy, regulation, appointments, and investigations.
  • This concentration of power eliminates meaningful accountability. Victims’ families receive contradictory reports and no real answers.
  • The public trust is broken, as the system appears designed more to manage optics than to deliver justice.
  • Despite the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) State Safety Briefing claiming zero fatal accidents in recent years, India witnessed the tragic Kozhikode crash in 2020 that killed 21 people.
  • Recommendations from the investigation remain unimplemented. The silence around systemic change is deafening.

Reform Agenda: From Silence to Integrity

• Institutional Independence: Move the AAIB and DGCA out of the MoCA and make them report directly to Parliament.
• No Parallel Committees: Stop appointing ad hoc committees that dilute or bypass existing investigative mechanisms.
• Legal Safeguards: Prevent the misuse of AAIB findings in criminal trials unless independently validated by aviation experts.
• Rule Reform: Amend Rule 19(3) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, to uphold a no-blame culture and protect pilots from punitive action unless gross negligence is proven.
• Oversight Mechanism: Appoint an independent ombudsman to examine past reports and ensure future accountability. 

Conclusion

• India has the expertise, the tools, and the institutional framework to become a global leader in aviation safety.
• What it lacks is the political and bureaucratic will to tell the truth.
• Aircraft accident investigation should be about more than paperwork and posturing, it should be a solemn act of honouring the lives lost.
• By choosing truth over image, India can begin to rebuild faith in its skies, and in its institutions.

Context

• Despite being home to 1.4 billion people, a vibrant democracy, and a critical player in global geopolitics, India remains underrepresented in the intellectual and philanthropic imagination of elite American institutions.
• The conspicuous absence of an India-focused equivalent to the prestigious Schwarzman Scholars programme reveals not only a policy gap but a deeper malaise, a psychological and narrative void that has long shaped Western engagement with Asia.
• Therefore, it is important to explore the roots of this imbalance, its enduring consequences, and the case for a transformative India-centred academic initiative.

The Schwarzman Paradigm and India’s Exclusion

• The Schwarzman Scholars programme, launched in 2016 at Tsinghua University in Beijing, was modelled on the century-old Rhodes Scholarship.
• Its mission is to cultivate future global leaders familiar with China’s political systems, strategic culture, and worldview.
• Its very existence is emblematic of the West’s intellectual and emotional investment in China.
• That no such high-profile fellowship exists for India is not incidental, it reflects decades of uneven academic and narrative investments, where China has consistently been seen as essential, while India has remained peripheral.
• This asymmetry is not new. Harold R. Isaacs’s 1958 work, Scratches on Our Minds, documented the psychological patterns that influenced American perceptions of Asia.
• China, in American imagination, emerged as complex, revolutionary, dangerous, and fascinating.
• India, by contrast, was filtered through colonial British lenses, chaotic, spiritual, passive.
• These scratches have never been fully erased and India remains either misrepresented or simply invisible in Western frameworks that determine academic attention, philanthropic focus, and strategic partnerships.

The West’s Readiness to Believe in China and A Stark Contrast in Academia

• The West’s Readiness to Believe in China
  • China’s narrative of ascension was not only aggressive, it was emotionally calibrated for Western audiences.
  • From economic transformation to global integration, China told a seductive story.
  • Western sinologists like Stephen FitzGerald have noted how the West wanted China to succeed.
  • The state played its role with finesse: building Confucius Institutes, nurturing think tanks, and engaging universities to generate soft power.
  • India, in contrast, never cultivated such seduction. Emerging from colonial rule with a doctrine of sovereignty, self-reliance, and non-alignment, India avoided ideological entanglements.
  • Its pluralistic democracy, thriving diaspora, and cultural richness, while impressive, lacked narrative cohesion.
  • Worse, its bureaucratic approach to cultural diplomacy has been sporadic and often uninspiring, missing the emotional and strategic depth that China has mastered.
• A Stark Contrast in Academia
  • The disparity is particularly stark in American academia.
  • China Studies enjoys robust institutional support at top-tier universities, with generous funding, clear strategic relevance, and interdisciplinary scholarship.
  • India, by contrast, is often relegated to narrow regional or anthropological frames, under South Asian or Postcolonial studies.
  • These scholarly approaches, while important, fail to capture India’s contemporary dynamism in technology, space, innovation, climate policy, and strategic affairs.
  • This academic marginalisation has real consequences. Future American leaders are not being trained to understand India, its ambitions, or its complexities.
  • Misguided strategic assumptions, such as the persistent hyphenation of India-Pakistan in U.S. foreign policy, are symptomatic of this intellectual vacuum.
  • Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated offers to mediate in the Kashmir issue are not mere personal eccentricities but signal deeper institutional gaps in understanding India’s geopolitical reality.

The Case for a Flagship India Fellowship

• A Schwarzman-style fellowship for India is not merely symbolic. It would serve three critical purposes:
  • Institutionalize India’s growing importance in the global imagination.
  • Train global leaders with a nuanced understanding of India’s systems, challenges, and aspirations.
  • Correct the existing narrative asymmetry that has kept India at the margins of elite intellectual and policy platforms.
• But for this to succeed, India must first invest in its own institutional infrastructure.
• While institutions like the IITs, IIMs, and emerging liberal arts universities such as Ashoka and Krea show promise, none yet possess the global prestige, philanthropic capital, and policy connectivity required to anchor such an ambitious programme.
• Building this ecosystem will require a partnership between the state, private sector, and academic leadership, underpinned by long-term vision and global ambition. 

The Importance of Narrative: Narrative is Strategy

• At the heart of this issue lies the challenge of narrative. China’s rise was accompanied by a story that was both strategic and seductive.
• India’s silence, or strategic restraint, has too often been misread as absence or ambivalence.
• In a world where power is as much about perception as it is about capacity, India needs to rethink how it tells its story.
• This requires more than just economic data and soft-power clichés like International Yoga Day.
• While India’s presence in American cities through yoga studios and Indian cuisine is visible, it has not translated into strategic or intellectual power.
• What is missing is a coherent, confident narrative, one that frames India as a leader, not just a counterweight to China.

Conclusion

• The absence of an India-focused fellowship like Schwarzman is both a consequence and a cause of India’s underrepresentation in elite global discourse.
• If India wishes to be seen and understood on its own terms, it must build platforms that train, attract, and empower the next generation of global thinkers and leaders.
• The battle for influence is not fought only in parliaments or boardrooms, but in classrooms, research centres, and campus conversations.
• To shape the world’s future, India must first shape how the world imagines it and this means not only healing the scratches on Western minds but ensuring that India becomes a presence in the places where ideas are born and leadership is cultivated.

Why in News?

The Delhi High Court has stepped in to address procedural lapses and miscommunication that led to delays in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) for a minor rape survivor.

The case exposed systemic flaws in how hospitals and authorities handle MTP in sexual assault cases, particularly those involving minors. It prompted the court to frame detailed guidelines aimed at ensuring timely, sensitive, and legally compliant medical care.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background of the Case
• Lapses Identified by the Court
• Guidelines Issued by the Delhi High Court
• Conclusion

Background of the Case:

• A 17-year-old rape survivor was taken to AIIMS, Delhi, for medical examination and MTP.
• Hospital authorities initially refused to conduct an ultrasound due to lack of ID documents, despite the survivor being accompanied by police and an FIR being registered.
• The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) directed termination, but the hospital demanded age verification via ossification test and continued to delay.
• After CWC’s personal intervention, the ultrasound revealed a gestation of 25 weeks and 4 days—beyond the legal limit of 24 weeks under the MTP Act, 1971.
• The hospital refused further action without court orders.
• Following court direction, a medical board assessed the gestation to be 23 weeks and 4 days, finding the survivor fit for MTP.

Lapses Identified by the Court:

• Hospitals applied routine diagnostic protocols rigidly, even in POCSO cases.
• Discrepancy in ultrasound findings raised concerns about medical accuracy.
• Administrative delays resulted in psychological and physical hardship to the survivor.

Guidelines Issued by the Delhi High Court:

• Directions to hospitals:
  • Identity verification: No separate ID verification required if the survivor is accompanied by police with FIR and case files.
  • Immediate medical attention:
    • Mandatory comprehensive examination upon presentation of a pregnant sexual assault survivor.
    • In cases where gestation appears over 24 weeks, hospitals must constitute a medical board immediately without waiting for court orders.
  • Legal and procedural awareness:
    • SOPs, MTP Act, and POCSO guidelines must be accessible in Emergency and Gynaecology departments.
    • Doctors to be sensitized and trained in legal obligations under MTP and POCSO Acts.
  • Training and accountability:
    • Quarterly training for medical staff in coordination with Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) and Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSC).
    • Appointment of nodal officers in each government hospital to coordinate with CWC, Investigating officers (IOs), and courts.
  • Informed consent: MTP consent must be taken in a language understood by the survivor or guardian (Hindi/English).
• Directions to Delhi Police:
  • Biannual training: IOs in POCSO cases must undergo mandatory six-monthly training on MTP protocols and court coordination.
  • Documentation: Training completion certificates to be filed in service records.
  • Prompt medical action: IOs to ensure survivors are brought to hospitals or boards at the earliest opportunity with relevant documentation.
• Earlier guidelines by the Court:
  • April 2025 guidelines:
    • CWCs must immediately notify DHCLSC when referring to minor survivors with gestational age over 24 weeks for MTP.
    • DHCLSC to promptly decide on approaching courts for necessary permissions to avoid delay.
  • January 2023 guidelines:
    • Mandatory Urine Pregnancy Tests during medical examination of sexual assault survivors.
    • Adult survivors found pregnant must be presented to the medical board the same day.
    • State governments directed to ensure medical boards are available in hospitals.

Conclusion:

The Delhi High Court's proactive judicial intervention underscores the need for sensitive, efficient, and legally sound procedures in cases involving the MTP of sexual assault survivors.

These guidelines aim to bridge institutional gaps and uphold the fundamental rights of survivors, particularly minors, under the ambit of constitutional and statutory protections.

Why in the News?

India was rated well above the global average in terms of its operations and airworthiness by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) when the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was last audited in November 2022.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Aviation Safety Ranking (Introduction, Key Parameters, etc.)
• Air India AI-171 (Crash & Response, Global Validation, Way Ahead)

Introduction

• In the wake of the tragic Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives, India’s aviation safety record has come under renewed scrutiny.
• However, global aviation watchdogs, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have reiterated India’s strong performance in airworthiness and operations.
• The ongoing investigation into the accident is being handled in line with international protocols, even as India’s civil aviation safety oversight continues to receive global recognition.

India’s Global Aviation Safety Ranking

• India, currently the third-largest domestic aviation market after the US and China, has shown remarkable progress in civil aviation safety over the last decade.
• The ICAO, a specialised UN agency responsible for global civil aviation standards, audited India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in November 2022 under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
• India received an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 85.65%, significantly up from 69.95% in 2018.
• This placed India well above the global average across all eight audited areas, including legislation, organisation, licensing, operations, airworthiness, accident investigation, air navigation services, and aerodromes.

Performance in Key Parameters

• Two of the most crucial categories under ICAO’s audit, operations and airworthiness, highlighted India’s strong credentials:

• Operations: India scored 94.02%, higher than the global average of 72.28%, and surpassing the US (86.51%) and China (90%) in their respective 2024 audits.
• Airworthiness: India secured 97.06%, well ahead of the US (89.13%) and China (94.83%).

• Such rankings underscore India’s robust regulatory infrastructure in civil aviation, even though the country faces the unique challenges of rapid growth and infrastructure expansion.

FAA’s Category 1 Safety Assessment

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States, regarded as the foremost global aviation regulator, conducted an audit of the DGCA in October 2021.
• It focused on aircraft operations, airworthiness, and personnel licensing. Following successful compliance, India retained the Category 1 status under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program.
• In April 2023, the FAA formally informed the DGCA that India continues to meet ICAO’s international safety oversight standards, allowing Indian carriers to operate and expand services to the US and codeshare with American Airlines.
• This recognition was crucial for India’s aviation ambitions and international credibility.

Air India AI-171 Crash and Investigative Response

• On June 13, 2025, Air India flight AI-171 tragically crashed in Ahmedabad, killing all 241 people onboard and causing additional casualties on the ground when it struck a nearby medical college building.
• It was the deadliest Indian aviation accident in more than a decade, bringing global attention to India’s aviation safety mechanisms.
• In response, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India initiated a probe aligned with ICAO protocols.
• Due to the involvement of a US-made Boeing aircraft, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) joined the investigation.
• The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB-UK) is also contributing, given the presence of British citizens among the victims. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing and engine producer GE are also participating, per ICAO guidelines.

Importance of Global Validation

• The ICAO and FAA assessments are more than symbolic recognitions; they are functional validations that determine whether countries can run safe, globally interoperable aviation systems.
• For India, these validations are critical not just for foreign operations and code-sharing, but also for public confidence amidst domestic tragedies.
• Despite the AI-171 crash, India’s comprehensive audit scores, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with global bodies show that isolated incidents must not overshadow overall systemic progress.
• As India expands airport infrastructure, introduces newer aircraft fleets, and scales its regional connectivity schemes, international trust remains a vital currency.

Way Ahead

• India’s aviation regulator faces a dual challenge: managing rapid sectoral growth while ensuring uncompromised safety standards.
• The AI-171 crash is a grave moment that demands full transparency and systemic learning. At the same time, India’s demonstrated adherence to international norms and its high safety ratings position it well for proactive recovery.
• Enhanced training for personnel, adoption of predictive maintenance using AI, and periodic compliance checks could further reinforce India’s aviation ecosystem.
• The key lies in balancing growth with vigilance, and ensuring that air safety remains a top national priority.

Why in News?

Recently, the Singapore-flagged vessel MV Wan Hai 503 caught fire 88 nautical miles off Kerala’s Beypore coast while carrying over 2,000 tonnes of fuel and hundreds of containers, raising concerns about ecological damage. Search operations for hazardous containers continue.

Earlier, on May 25, the Liberian container ship MSC ELSA 3 sank off the Kochi coast.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Regulating Framework for Global Shipping
• Decoding Liability: Cargo Loss and Environmental Damage at Sea
• Salvaging a Sunken Ship: Owner’s Responsibility
• Why Ships Still Sink Despite Modern Technology

Regulating Framework for Global Shipping

• Global Oversight: Role of the IMO
  • The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency, is the primary global regulator of merchant shipping.
  • It sets standards on pollution control, safety, accidents, liabilities, and responsibilities.
  • Member countries, including India, adopt these conventions by passing domestic laws aligned with IMO norms.
• India’s Maritime Regulation Framework
  • In India, the Directorate General (DG) of Shipping implements IMO conventions through official notices and regulations.
  • In certain cases, parliamentary approval is required.
  • While India has ratified many IMO conventions, it has yet to adopt key ones like:
    • The 2004 Ballast Water Convention
    • The 2010 Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Convention, which governs liability for accidents involving harmful cargo.
• Case Study: MSC ELSA 3 and the HNS Gap
• In the case of MSC ELSA 3, which sank off Kochi carrying hazardous substances like calcium carbide, India will seek legal remedies under its own maritime laws, as it hasn’t ratified the HNS Convention.
• The incident underscores the need for India to adopt this treaty amid rising coastal shipping incidents.
• Flags of Convenience: Regulatory Loopholes
  • Though ships are owned by companies in countries like Greece and China, many are registered under “Flags of Convenience” (FOC) nations such as Liberia or the Marshall Islands.
  • These countries offer minimal regulatory oversight despite being IMO members, enabling shipowners to reduce costs and bypass stricter national laws.

Decoding Liability: Cargo Loss and Environmental Damage at Sea

• Cargo Liability Lies with Ship Owner
  • The ship owner is legally responsible for the loss or damage of cargo.
  • This is governed by a contract known as the bill of lading, issued during cargo loading.
  • It serves as both a receipt and a contract of carriage between the ship owner and the exporter.
  • Eventually, the bill is transferred to the importer via bank channels using letters of credit.
• Protection Through P&I Clubs
  • Ship owners are protected by Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, a consortium of insurance companies that cover:
    • Loss of cargo
    • Environmental damage
    • Loss of life
    • Legal claims arising from shipping accidents
  • These clubs provide insurance against liabilities, while hull and machinery insurance covers damage to the vessel itself.
• Environmental Damage and Unlimited Liability
  • Under international conventions, liability for cargo loss is capped.
  • However, claims for environmental damage (such as oil spills or toxic chemical leaks) are not capped.
  • This includes:
    • Fishery losses
    • Tourism impacts
    • Coastal business disruptions
    • Transportation issues
  • Such claims are governed by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, which upholds the “polluter pays” principle.
• Legal Safeguards and National Laws
  • Although ship owners may face extensive environmental claims, national laws sometimes place limits on liabilities to avoid open-ended legal and financial consequences.

Salvaging a Sunken Ship: Owner’s Responsibility

• The ship owner is responsible for salvaging a sunken vessel. If refloating is not feasible, especially in deep waters, the owner remains liable for any resulting damage.
• Legal Framework: Nairobi Convention, 2007
  • This obligation is governed by the Nairobi Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007, to which India is a signatory.
  • The convention applies to wrecks located within India’s sovereign waters, extending up to 200 nautical miles from the coastline.

Why Ships Still Sink Despite Modern Technology

• Modern ships are built with advanced materials and expertise, but they remain vulnerable to the unpredictable forces of the sea.
• For example, ELSA 3 began listing due to falling containers in rough waters, eventually leading to its sinking.
• Small Errors, Big Consequences
  • Often, a chain of minor human or technical errors can escalate into a major maritime disaster.
  • Many such incidents are man-made and preventable, such as poor navigation or ignoring weather warnings.
• Risky Behaviour at Sea
  • In search of mobile phone signals, some merchant ships sail too close to the coast, increasing the risk of grounding.
  • The Wakashio oil spill off Mauritius in 2020 occurred due to such behaviour, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when seafarers were under emotional stress.
• Legacy of the Titanic: SOLAS Convention
  • The sinking of the Titanic due to human error led to the creation of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.
  • A key rule now requires lifeboats on one side of a ship to hold all passengers, ensuring safety even if one side becomes inaccessible.

Why in News?

Just as global trade was stabilizing with shipping returning to the Red Sea, the Iran-Israel conflict has reignited fears of oil price surges and trade disruptions.

The Sensex dropped 573 points amid global market jitters. Experts caution that Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz — a vital route for 20–25% of global oil and key LNG exports from Qatar and the UAE, both crucial to India's energy needs.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Impact of Iran-Israel Crisis on Indian Economy
• Red Sea Relief Short-Lived as Conflict Escalates

Impact of Iran-Israel Crisis on Indian Economy

• The escalating Israel-Iran conflict adds another layer of uncertainty, potentially affecting India's economic outlook in the coming months.
• Growth and Inflation at Risk
  • The escalating Iran-Israel conflict may create macroeconomic challenges for India, particularly due to its heavy reliance on oil imports.
  • A $10/bbl increase could lower India’s real GDP growth by 0.3 percentage points and raise consumer inflation by 0.4 points.
  • This threatens to reverse India’s recent inflation relief — retail inflation had eased to a 75-month low of 2.82% in May 2025, prompting a 50 basis point repo rate cut by the RBI.
  • As oil prices climb, Indian refiners require more dollars to purchase crude, increasing dollar demand, weakening the rupee, and inflating import costs — creating a feedback loop that worsens India’s current account deficit.
• Energy Supply Disruption Concerns Grow
  • Although energy infrastructure has not yet been directly targeted, risks remain high.
    • Iran reported no immediate damage to its refineries, which have a capacity of 2.8 million b/d (barrels/day).
  • Still, its crude exports may drop below 1.5 million b/d this month, as per S&P Global, adding further uncertainty to global energy markets.
• Broader Energy Price Spike Beyond Crude Oil
  • The ongoing Middle East conflict has triggered a surge not only in crude oil prices but also in other critical energy imports for India — including LPG, natural gas, petrochemicals, and fertilisers.
  • Any disruption could significantly impact India's rural economy and food inflation due to increased fertiliser costs.
• Rural and Agricultural Impact
  • Higher fertiliser and LPG prices threaten to burden rural households and reduce farm productivity.
  • This could reverse recent gains in food price stability and drive overall inflation upward.
• Manufacturing and Industrial Sectors Face Margin Pressures
  • Key sectors like aviation, chemicals, paints, tyres, cement, and logistics — all heavily reliant on petroleum-based inputs — are likely to see reduced profit margins due to rising raw material costs.
  • Crisil Ratings warns that the impact may differ across sectors depending on their oil dependency.
• Sectoral Divide: Winners and Losers
  • While upstream oil companies may benefit from higher crude prices, downstream refiners could see their margins squeezed.
  • Industries indirectly linked to crude oil — including packaging, plastic products, paints, and specialty chemicals — may pass on the cost to consumers or absorb it, affecting demand or profits respectively.
• Rising Costs for MSMEs and Consumers
  • If tensions escalate, transport fares and logistics costs may rise, hitting grocery supply chains and increasing costs for MSMEs.
  • These businesses may struggle with higher input costs and stagnant demand, leading to tighter margins.
• Gold Prices Soar Amid Uncertainty
  • Gold futures in India crossed ₹1 lakh per 10 grams, driven by a weak rupee and investor flight to safe assets.
  • Retail jewellery demand remains subdued due to high prices, though investment demand is expected to stay strong.

Red Sea Relief Short-Lived as Conflict Escalates

• In May, exporters were optimistic as conditions in the Red Sea improved and normal shipping resumed.
• However, with that confrontation now a reality, traders’ fears have materialised.
• For India — which imports over 80% of its crude — this poses significant macroeconomic risks.
• Freight Rates and Insurance Costs Set to Surge
  • With vessels likely reverting to the longer Cape of Good Hope route, shipping costs are expected to stay high.
  • The detour adds 10–14 days per voyage, straining vessel availability and driving up freight rates and insurance premiums.
• LNG Shipping Severely Impacted
  • LNG flows through the Suez Canal plummeted from 34.94 million tonnes in 2022 to just 4.15 million tonnes in 2024.
  • Meanwhile, LNG volumes via the Cape route surged over five-fold — from 11.76 million tonnes in 2022 to 59.37 million tonnes in 2024.
  • This shift underscores the growing logistical burden and potential energy supply risks for countries like India.

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.