Why in news?

India’s push to secure relief for its small and medium enterprises from the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has failed to find space in the final text of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) released recently.

Despite India’s efforts, no resolution or concession on the contentious carbon tax issue was included in the deal — raising concerns about potential cost burdens and trade disadvantages for Indian exporters in the future.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• UK’s Expanding Carbon Tax Regime
• India-UK FTA Ignores Carbon Tax Relief: Concerns for Indian Exporters
• India May Challenge UK’s Carbon Tax at WTO

UK’s Expanding Carbon Tax Regime

• The UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to begin in January 2027, will initially apply to high-emission sectors such as aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron & steel.
  • CBAM will levy carbon taxes on imported carbon-intensive goods.
• However, the UK government has stated that the scope of CBAM could expand beyond 2027 based on evolving data, carbon leakage risks, and technological developments.
• This poses a growing challenge for India, as future exports across a wider range of sectors may face carbon-based tariffs.
• Despite a 12.6% rise in India’s exports to the UK in 2024–25—reaching $14.5 billion—and total bilateral goods trade rising to $21.34 billion, the expanding CBAM regime could threaten India’s competitiveness in the UK market.

India-UK FTA Ignores Carbon Tax Relief: Concerns for Indian Exporters

• India’s attempt to secure exemptions for its small and medium enterprises under the UK’s upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has failed, as the final text of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) does not address the issue.
• This omission is significant, as it undermines the broader benefits of the FTA, which promises zero-duty access for 99% of Indian exports.
• Indian exporters of carbon-intensive goods, valued at around $775 million annually, now face the risk of additional duties based on the UK’s carbon emission calculations.
• The situation is further complicated by similar measures planned by the EU, which also refuses to treat CBAM as a trade issue.
• The absence of legal safeguards in the FTA could weaken India’s negotiating position in future trade deals and affect its industrial competitiveness in Western markets.

India May Challenge UK’s Carbon Tax at WTO

• With no concession secured on the UK’s CBAM in the recent FTA, India may consider challenging the measure at the WTO, citing violations of Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) norms meant to protect developing nations.
  • SDT norms in trade agreements allow developed countries to give preferential treatment to developing nations.
  • These provisions recognize the developmental challenges faced by poorer countries and aim to help them better integrate into and benefit from the global trading system.
• However, trade law experts caution that delays due to the WTO’s dysfunctional Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) could render such a challenge ineffective by the time CBAM is fully enforced.
• Moreover, given the EU and UK’s strong influence at the WTO, experts say a ruling against CBAM is unlikely.
• At best, India may push for regulatory adjustments rather than full withdrawal of the carbon tax.

Why in news?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit the Maldives, at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

This marks his third visit to the Maldives and the first by any Head of State or Government during President Muizzu’s tenure.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Highlights of PM Modi’s Visit to Maldives
• Analysis - From ‘India Out’ to Independence Day Invitation
• Conclusion

Key Highlights of PM Modi’s Visit to Maldives

• 60th Independence Day of Maldives
  • PM Modi congratulated Maldives on its 60th Independence Day
  • He is participating in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives, as the Guest of Honour.
• Stamp to mark 60 years of India-Maldives friendship released
  • PM Modi and President Mohamed Muizzu issued a stamp to mark 60 years of India-Maldives relations.
    • India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Maldives following its independence in 1965.
  • The stamps feature India’s Uru boat and Maldives’ Vadhu Dhoni, symbolizing shared maritime heritage and centuries-old Indian Ocean trade.
    • Uru boat - A large wooden dhow handcrafted in the historic boatyards of Beypore, Kerala.
    • The traditional Maldivian fishing boat - Vadhu Dhoni - is used for reef and coastal fishing.
• India gifts BHISHM health cube sets to Maldives
• As part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, India gifted handed over two units of Aarogya Maitri Health Cube [BHISHM] sets to the Government of Maldives.
  • BHISM is a state-of-the-art portable Cube containing medical essentials, designed for rapid deployment in emergencies and disaster zones.
• With state-of-the-art medical equipment as part of the cube, it can provide medical aid to 200 casualties with in-built support to sustain a crew of six medical personnel for up to 72 hours.
• Inauguration of the Building of Ministry of Defence in Male
  • PM Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu inaugurate the building of the Ministry of Defence in Malé.
  • This building has been constructed with India’s financial assistance.
• Other Inaugurations / Handing-over
  • Handing-over of 3,300 social housing units in Hulhumale under India's Buyers' Credit facilities
  • Inauguration of Roads and Drainage system project in Addu city
  • Inauguration of 6 High Impact Community Development Projects in Maldives
  • Handing-over of 72 vehicles and other equipment
• Agreement/MoU Signed
  • Extension of Line of Credit (LoC) of INR 4,850 crores to Maldives
    • LoC has been extended to support the island as it faces an enduring twin deficit problem.
    • This is the first time that such credit is being extended to the Maldives in Indian Rupee.
  • Reduction of annual debt repayment obligations of Maldives on GoI-funded LoCs
    • This agreement gives major relief to Maldives by reducing its yearly debt payments to India.
    • Earlier, Maldives had to pay $51 million every year for an $800 million loan. Now, after a 40% cut, it will only have to pay $29 million annually.
  • Launch of India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (IMFTA) negotiations
• Climate Cooperation and Green Commitments
  • Joint tree-planting under India’s "Ek Pedh Maa Ke Naam” and Maldives’s “Pledge of 5 Million Tree Plantation” campaigns.

Analysis - From ‘India Out’ to Independence Day Invitation

• Maldives' shift from the anti-India ‘India Out’ campaign to extending a ceremonial invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its Independence Day celebrations in 2025 marks a significant diplomatic turnaround.
• Initially, President Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure, beginning in September 2023, reflected a pro-China tilt.
• His party's campaign had strongly criticised India's military presence in the Maldives, and his early diplomatic visits to Turkey and China, bypassing India, sent a clear message of divergence.
• Pragmatic Diplomacy Paid off
  • Despite derogatory remarks from some Maldivian ministers and demands for troop withdrawal, India maintained composure, choosing engagement over escalation.
  • Modi met Muizzu at COP28 in UAE, and India replaced its 76 military personnel with HAL technicians in May 2024, addressing Male's concerns without severing strategic ties.
  • This pragmatic diplomacy coincided with Maldives facing internal economic stress, limited Chinese support, and the ruling PNC gaining a supermajority in Parliament.
  • Seeking stability and economic aid, Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer visited India in May 2024, followed by President Muizzu’s five-day visit in October.
    • The visit concluded with the adoption of a joint vision on economic and maritime security partnership.
  • India’s assistance played a crucial role in this reset—raising aid by ₹120 crore, rolling over Treasury Bills worth $150 million, extending currency swaps of $750 million, and offering the highest-ever quotas for essential goods exports.
  • Trade surged to $548 million in 2023, backed by visa-free access for Indian business travellers and LoC projects.

Conclusion

President Muizzu’s public statement affirming that “Maldives will not do anything that would harm India’s security interests” marked a clear departure from the earlier rhetoric. The Maldives’ gesture to invite PM Modi as Guest of Honour on its 60th Independence Day underlines the maturing of bilateral ties, driven by realism, mutual interest, and regional necessity.

In sum, India’s patient diplomacy and sustained economic engagement turned a strained relationship into one of renewed trust and cooperation, exemplifying a successful recalibration in the Indian Ocean neighbourhood.

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court has issued guidelines to educational institutions across the country.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Suicides on Campuses (Introduction, Statistics, Supreme Court’s Directives, Significance & Implications, etc.)

Introduction

• Rising cases of student suicides in India have prompted urgent judicial intervention.
• Recently, the Supreme Court issued sweeping guidelines to educational institutions across the country, terming the growing mental health crisis a “systemic failure”.
• The judgment, issued by a two-judge bench, comes amidst increasing reports of suicides among students, particularly in high-pressure environments such as coaching centres and premier academic institutions.
• The Court directed a uniform, enforceable mental health policy applicable to all schools, colleges, universities, hostels, and coaching centres, irrespective of their affiliation or ownership.

Increasing Suicides on Campuses

• According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 13,044 student suicides were recorded in 2022, comprising 7.6% of all suicides in the country.
• The number has increased sharply from 5,425 in 2001, underscoring a disturbing trend. At least 2,248 deaths in 2022 were directly attributed to exam failure.
• The Supreme Court observed that students are being driven into a “rat race” where the joy of learning has been eclipsed by anxiety, performance metrics, and parental pressure.
  • This competitive grind often isolates students, especially those in residential coaching environments far from their homes.
• The Court stated, “Education is meant to liberate, not burden the learner… its true success lies not in grades or rankings, but in the holistic growth of a human being capable of living with dignity, confidence, and purpose.”
• The bench also described the institutional silence around mental health as a key factor exacerbating student vulnerability, warning that suicide cases cannot be viewed as isolated tragedies but rather as a collective social failure.

Key Supreme Court Directives

• In an unprecedented step, the Court issued 15 binding guidelines to be followed until a central regulatory framework is enacted.
• These apply to all educational institutions, public and private schools, colleges, universities, residential academies, hostels, and coaching centres.
• Mandatory Counsellors and Support Systems

• All institutions with 100 or more students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist, or social worker trained in child and adolescent mental health.
• Smaller institutions must establish referral linkages with external mental health professionals.
• Staff must be trained twice a year by certified mental health experts.

• Infrastructure and Physical Safety Measures

• Residential institutions must install tamper-proof ceiling fans and restrict access to rooftops and high-risk areas to deter impulsive acts of self-harm.

• Ending Discriminatory Academic Practices

• Institutions were asked to end batch segregation based on academic performance, avoid public shaming, and refrain from setting unrealistic academic targets.
• Such practices were deemed detrimental to the mental health of vulnerable students.

• Institutional Accountability and Protection

• Institutions must create robust, confidential redressal mechanisms for complaints involving harassment, bullying, caste- or gender-based discrimination, and sexual assault.
• Retaliation against whistle-blowers or complainants will attract institutional liability.
• Failure to act promptly will be treated as administrative culpability with legal consequences.

• Policy Framework and National Coordination

• All institutions must adopt and publish an annual mental health policy, taking reference from government initiatives such as:
• Ummeed guidelines (Understand, Motivate, Manage, Empathise, Empower, Develop)
• Manodarpan, launched by the Ministry of Education during the COVID-19 pandemic
• National Suicide Prevention Strategy (India’s first nationwide strategy, released in 2022)

• The Court also called for the formation of a National Task Force to institutionalise student mental health initiatives and suicide prevention mechanisms across the higher education landscape.

Background of the Verdict

• The judgment was delivered in a case involving the suicide of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Visakhapatnam, whose parents sought a CBI investigation after alleged lapses in the state police inquiry.
• While addressing the individual case, the Court widened its scope to frame a national response to student suicides, recognising the broader institutional apathy and lack of psychological safeguards across educational spaces.

Significance and Future Implications

• This landmark ruling by the Supreme Court marks a shift in recognising mental health as integral to the right to life and education.
• By mandating psychological support systems, regulatory oversight, and institutional accountability, the Court has provided a blueprint for a safer, more empathetic education system.
• However, the success of these measures will depend on:

• Timely notification and enforcement by states and Union Territories
• Adequate budgetary allocations for hiring professionals
• Sensitisation of staff and students toward emotional well-being

• It also underscores the need for collective societal change, moving from a culture of academic pressure to one that prioritises the well-being, dignity, and individuality of each student.

Context:

• On a landmark afternoon at Chequers, Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi signed the long-awaited Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) — the largest UK trade deal since Brexit and India’s first with a G7 economy in over a decade.
• Initiated in 2022, the pact signals a geopolitical and commercial realignment amidst global supply chain diversification and rising protectionism.

Background and Strategic Context:

• Timeline and political backdrop:
  • Negotiations started in 2007, stalled for years due to EU demands, and resumed after India’s Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) withdrawal in 2019.
  • The agreement materialised under UK PM Keir Starmer’s Labour government, post-Brexit, after missed deadlines under Boris Johnson and political volatility in the UK.
• Historic importance:
  • Post-Brexit milestone for UK: Largest deal since UK’s exit from the EU, showcasing Labour government’s proactive trade agenda.
  • Western market entry for India: First big Western trade agreement for India since the 2024 European Free Trade Association (EFTA) deal, expanding access in food processing, textiles, and automotive components.
• Aligns with the wider India–UK Roadmap 2030: CETA complements cooperation on climate change, critical minerals, maritime security, and a rules-based order to counter China-dependent supply chains.

Economic Impacts and Sectoral Gains:

• Tariff reductions:
  • India’s tariff cuts:
    • Average Indian duties on British goods drop from around 15% to just 3% on 90% of tariff lines.
    • For example, from 150% to 75% immediately on Scotch whisky and 40% over ten years.
    • From over 100% to 10% (within a quota of 25,000 units) on high-end cars arriving from the UK, and British salmon, chocolates, and cheese will enter on near-zero tariffs.
  • In return, the UK eliminates duties on almost every Indian export, from labour-intensive textiles and leather to gems, generic pharmaceuticals and marine produce.
    • With tariffs coming down from 9% to zero, India – the 4th-largest textile supplier to the UK – could expand its market share of little over 6% at the expense of the three countries – China (25% share), Bangladesh (20%), and Turkey (8%).
• Bilateral trade growth: Even though India-UK trade currently makes up a very small portion of each nation's overall external sector—roughly 2.4% of all trade in the UK and 1.8% of all trade in goods and services in India as of 2024—the two countries' relationship has shown steady growth.
  • Projections:
    • The UK Treasury anticipates an annual GDP increase of approximately £4.8 billion by 2040, alongside investment and export gains valued at £6 billion.
    • Concurrently, India’s Ministry of Commerce projects a potential expansion of up to US$34 billion in bilateral trade over five years.
• Key beneficiaries:
  • UK: Scottish distilleries, Midlands carmakers.
  • India: Tirupur textile exporters, processed food, marine producers.

A Model for Future Deals (EU and US):

• Negotiation template: UK deal likely to influence India’s stance in -
  • EU trade talks — still under negotiation.
  • US interim deal — currently under rushed talks with a deadline of August 1, 2025 to avoid retaliatory tariffs up to 26%.
• Agriculture as a red line: India excluded sensitive items like dairy, apples, whey, and seeds — similar pushback expected in US talks, especially against GM crop access (soy, corn).

Challenges and Unresolved Issues:

• Mobility and Mode 4 access: India’s demand for liberalised IT professional movement is not met due to UK’s domestic immigration constraints.
• Regulatory disappointments:
  • UK financial/legal sectors: No preferential access like the UK-Australia deal.
  • Indian agri-exporters: Still face sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) hurdles.
• Investment treaty pending: Investor–state dispute settlement (ISDS) framework still under negotiation.
• Ratification hurdles: Requires UK Parliament and Indian Cabinet approval — possible delays due to domestic lobby pressures.
• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): India failed to secure exemption; risks for carbon-intensive Indian exports (e.g., steel, cement).
• Intellectual property rights (IPR) - A concession too far?
  • Voluntary licensing preference: India allowed voluntary licences over compulsory licensing, a shift from its earlier pro-public health stance.
  • Patent working clause removed: Patent holders no longer need to disclose whether a patent is being actively used (“working”) for three years — potentially curtailing India’s ability to invoke public interest-based provisions.

The Road Ahead:

• Subnational and sectoral optimisation: State governments (e.g., Gujarat, Maharashtra) may create targeted incentives to access UK procurement.
• Trade deficit politics: India's trade deficit with the UK may trigger political backlash if luxury imports surge.
• Digital trade prospects: Potential collaboration between UK fintech and India Stack if India revisits data localisation norms.

Conclusion:

• The India–UK CETA, though modest in macroeconomic terms, marks a pivotal shift in bilateral strategic alignment.
• Its real success hinges on regulatory execution, ratification timelines, and the ability of both nations to sidestep rising domestic protectionist currents.

Context

• Mangroves, once primarily valued by local communities for their vital role in providing fishery resources and supporting livelihoods, have steadily ascended to the forefront of global environmental discourse.
• Today, their significance spans disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, carbon sequestration, fisheries enhancement, and the safeguarding of biodiverse shoreline habitats.
• This transformation in perception is the result of a series of scientific recognitions, policy interventions, and the tireless advocacy of pioneers such as M.S. Swaminathan.

Shifting Perspectives: From Margins to Mainstream

• Historically, communities living alongside mangroves understood their importance intimately, relying on these ecosystems for sustenance and income.
• However, broader recognition came only in the late 1980s.
• Landmark initiatives, including the United Nations Development Programme and UNESCO’s 1988 regional mangrove research project, set the stage for an explosion in research and policy focus.
• Crucially, at the 1989 Climate Change and Human Responses conference, M.S. Swaminathan articulated the potential of mangroves to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on coastal societies.
• He highlighted the threats of rising sea levels and cyclones, advocating for immediate, sustainable mangrove management rooted in ecology, economics, and equity.
• His pioneering vision included genetic research aimed at transferring mangrove salinity tolerance traits to crops such as rice.

Key Contributions of Dr Swaminathan

• Institutional Leadership
  • Founding the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME)in 1990, with Swaminathan as Founding President, provided a vital institutional anchor for global mangrove conservation.
  • He co-authored the Charter for Mangroves, integrated into the World Charter for Nature at the 1992 United Nations Conference, which continues to underpin global mangrove conservation standards.
  • The ISME’s initiatives, such as economic and environmental evaluations, international workshops, restoration manuals, and the influential World Mangrove Atlas, redefined mangroves from marshy wastelands to irreplaceable multi-use ecosystems.
  • The creation of the Global Mangrove database and Information System (GLOMIS), and the establishment of genetic resource centres across Asia and Oceania, have institutionalised mangrove research, conservation, and restoration.
• A Transformative Impact on Indian Policy and Practice
  • India’s mangrove management journey began as early as 1783, but throughout the colonial and early post-independence era, the emphasis was on clear-felling for agriculture and settlement.
  • Restoration attempts by government agencies often failed, and local communities were unfairly blamed for degradation.
  • Under Swaminathan’s guidance, participatory research in the 1990s, particularly with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, revealed that destructive management practices, not community resource use, were to blame for mangrove losses.
  • This led to the development and pilot-testing of the hydro-ecological “fishbone canal” method for restoration in several Indian states.
  • Over time, this approach blossomed into the Joint Mangrove Management programme, which was officially recommended for adoption nationwide in 2000.

Mangroves as Coastal Shields

• The demonstrated ability of mangroves to reduce devastation during major natural disasters, such as the 1999 Odisha super cyclone and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, solidified their value in disaster mitigation.
• These events catalysed large-scale restoration efforts by both central and state governments, affirming mangroves as essential coastal infrastructure.

Measuring Progress: India’s Growing Mangrove Cover

• According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, the nation’s mangrove cover is now 4,991.68km², 0.15% of its land area, up by 16.68km² since 2019.
• This tangible growth reflects the success of sustained, science-based policies and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Conclusion

• World Mangrove Day (July 26^th) serves as a timely occasion to assess progress.
• The evolution of mangrove conservation from local stewardship to an urgent global mandate underscores the value of visionary leadership, robust science, and participatory management.
• Thanks to champions like M.S. Swaminathan and the dedicated efforts of researchers, policymakers, and local communities, mangroves are now recognized not only as natural resources, but as vital assets in the quest for environmental security and climate resilience.

Context

• As India marks the 26th anniversary of the Kargil War, one of the subcontinent’s most defining military engagements, the memories remain vivid, both for their strategic significance and their lasting impact on national consciousness.
• Fought in the icy heights of Kashmir between May and July 1999, Kargil was the first conflict in India to be ‘live televised’, drawing millions into the immediacy of war’s uncertainty and sacrifice.
• Yet, as recent events in Pahalgam in 2025 demonstrate, the lessons of Kargil continue to shape India's response to terrorism and cross-border aggression, signalling a decisive shift in doctrine and preparedness.

Kargil: A Watershed Moment

• In the wake of India’s declaration as a nuclear power in May 1998, and Pakistan’s rapid reciprocation, South Asia became home to two nuclear-armed adversaries.
• India, at the time, was geopolitically isolated, threatened by economic sanctions and struggling with a weak, coalition government.
• Strategic vulnerabilities were compounded by strained economic conditions and neglected military modernisation, as resources and focus were divided by persistent insurgencies in Kashmir and the North-East.
• Despite attempts at diplomatic rapprochement, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s historic bus trip to Lahore in February 1999, Pakistan’s incursion in Kargil shattered any illusions of peace.
• The war demonstrated that limited, conventional conflicts could occur under the nuclear shadow, provided escalation was tightly controlled.
• The conflict exposed severe intelligence lapses, inadequate preparedness for high-altitude operations, outdated equipment, and a lack of coordinated command structures within India’s security apparatus.

Structural and Strategic Reforms Post-Kargil

• Sweeping Reforms in Security and Intelligence
  • Kargil spurred the Indian government to undertake The Kargil Review Committee’s recommendations.
  • It led to the establishment of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2002 and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) in 2004.
  • These structural upgrades were complemented by efforts to improve synergy among intelligence agencies, revamping the National Security Council Secretariat and the Joint Intelligence Committee.
  • The role of a National Security Adviser (NSA) became institutionalised, centralising strategic decision-making.
• Realisation of Necessity of Military Modernisation and Self-Reliance
  • Realising the absence of reliable allies, India initiated ambitious plans to update its arsenal, enhance joint command structures, and develop doctrines tailored to regional realities.
  • Most notable was the Cold Start Doctrine, designed for rapid mobilisation and targeted conventional strikes.
  • The focus on home-grown military platforms, evident in projects like indigenous artillery, BrahMos missiles, Rafale jets, Apache and Chinook helicopters, and S-400 air defence systems, marked a turning point towards strategic autonomy.

The Evolving Fight Against Terrorism and Pahalgam Aftermath

• The Evolving Fight Against Terrorism
  • While Kargil catalysed reforms in conventional warfare, India’s counter-terrorism posture evolved more gradually.
  • For years, Pakistan-based terrorism inflicted grievous wounds on India with limited repercussions for the perpetrators.
  • The hijacking of IC-814 in December 1999, the Parliament attack in 2001, and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008 illustrated India’s restraint, as punitive measures remained largely absent.
  • It was only after the 2016 Uri attack that surgical strikes became a tool of calibrated retaliation, followed by the Balakot airstrike in 2019, a bold demonstration of cross-border resolve.
• Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor: Setting a New Threshold
  • India’s response, code-named Operation Sindoor, was unprecedented in scope and impact.
  • Over four days, the Indian military struck nine terror bases and eleven military airbases deep within Pakistan, reportedly crippling a key nuclear storage facility.
  • Pakistan, confronted with the scale and precision of India’s retaliation, requested an immediate ceasefire.
  • This operation established new deterrence: India demonstrated a willingness to impose devastating costs on the perpetrators and their patrons, making clear that the era of strategic restraint was over.

Lessons and the Road Ahead

• From the heights of Kargil to the valleys of Pahalgam, India’s security doctrine has undergone a profound transformation.
• The country has built robust intelligence and military capabilities, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and embraced indigenous technological development.
• Crucially, the political and military leadership have signalled an unambiguous shift from passive deterrence to proactive defence, where terror attacks will be met with overwhelming and direct retaliation.
• Yet, the fundamental lesson from these decades of conflict is that vigilance and adaptability are indispensable.
• While India’s capabilities have grown, the need for continual modernisation, jointness among armed forces, and unyielding political resolve remains paramount.
• India cannot afford another surprise on the scale of Kargil or Pahalgam; the imperative is to stay ahead of emerging threats in an ever-volatile region.

Conclusion

• The legacy of Kargil and the aftermath of Pahalgam encapsulate India’s journey from hesitant responder to confident, self-reliant regional power.
• As the nation commemorates the sacrifices of its soldiers, it must also reaffirm its commitment to vigilance, unity, and relentless pursuit of peace and security.
• The message is clear: never again will India countenance another Kargil or Pahalgam.

Why in the News?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has unveiled a new national cooperative policy, replacing one in place for the past 23 years.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• National Cooperative Policy (Introduction, Need, Key Features, Model Cooperative Villages, Impact, etc.)

National Cooperative Policy 2025

• Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the National Cooperative Policy 2025 in New Delhi, replacing the earlier framework introduced in 2002.
• The policy aims to strengthen the cooperative sector's institutional capacity, expand its reach into new areas, and align its role with India's broader development goals.
• Anchored in the vision of Sahkar se Samriddhi (Prosperity through Cooperation), the policy outlines a roadmap for the sector’s growth over the next 20 years, focusing on inclusivity, transparency, technological adoption, and village-level economic empowerment.

Political and Historical Context

• The National Cooperative Policy 2025 comes after a 23-year gap since the last policy was announced in 2002.
• The Union government’s decision to create a separate Ministry of Cooperation in 2021 signalled a renewed commitment to revitalising this sector.
• With over 8.4 lakh cooperative societies (and a target to increase this by 30%), the sector reaches over 31 crore people, especially in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• The policy also seeks to expand this network into other states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, thereby decentralising political and economic benefits.

Key Features of the Policy

• The new policy is structured around six pillars:

• Strengthening foundational systems
• Promoting vibrancy in existing cooperatives
• Preparing for future challenges through digitalisation and innovation
• Enhancing inclusivity and outreach
• Expanding into emerging sectors
• Engaging youth and building capacity for future generations

• It aims to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP threefold by 2034, establish at least one cooperative society in every village, and bring 50 crore citizens into active cooperative participation.

Expanding into New Sectors

• Under the new policy, cooperatives will now be supported in non-traditional sectors, including:
  • Green energy
  • Tourism
  • Taxi services (Sahkar Taxi)
  • Insurance

• PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) are being enabled to undertake diversified activities like managing fuel outlets, LPG distribution, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, CSCs, and even implementing schemes such as Har Ghar Jal and PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
• A dedicated roadmap has been prepared for sector-specific cooperative development, particularly in rural India.

Model Cooperative Villages and Rural Integration

• A major highlight is the Model Cooperative Village Every tehsil will host five such villages, implemented in coordination with state cooperative banks and NABARD.
• These villages will be centres of excellence in cooperative-led development, integrating:

• Dairy
• Fishery
• Floriculture
• Agri-services
• Women and tribal participation (via White Revolution 2.0)

• The goal is to localise economic activity while fostering inclusive growth and community ownership.

Institutional Strengthening and Reforms

• To ensure efficiency and transparency, the policy mandates:

• Full computerisation of PACS operations
• Technology-driven governance for all types of cooperatives
• Cluster monitoring systems for institutional tracking
• Legal reviews every 10 years to keep policy aligned with evolving needs

• As of 2025, over 83 intervention points have been identified for reform, 58 implemented, three completed, and others underway.
• Additionally, a nationwide cooperative university (Tribhuvan Sahkari University) has been established for professional training and capacity building.

Economic Impact and Inclusive Vision

• The cooperative sector currently contributes significantly to India’s rural economy:

• 20% of the total agricultural credit
• 35% of fertiliser distribution
• Over 30% of sugar and 10% of milk production
• Over 21% of the fishing sector
• 13% of wheat and 20% of paddy procurement

• With these foundations, the policy envisions a member-centric model where even the smallest cooperative units become self-reliant and future-ready, contributing to employment generation, income stability, and social dignity.

Why in News?

The Government of India, through the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has released the draft National Telecom Policy 2025 for public comment, seven years after the 2018 National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP).

The draft outlines a strategic vision to transform India into a telecom product nation, focusing on connectivity, cybersecurity, indigenous manufacturing, sustainability, and employment generation.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Vision Statement of the 2025 Policy
• Key Focus Areas and Policy Highlights of the 2025 Policy
• Comparison Between 2018 NDCP and Draft 2025 Telecom Policy
• Conclusion

Vision Statement of the 2025 Policy: To create a "telecom product nation" driven by innovation and ensure universal, meaningful, secure, and sustainable connectivity for all citizens.

Key Focus Areas and Policy Highlights of the 2025 Policy:

• Universal and meaningful connectivity:
  • 5G coverage: Target to cover 90% of population with 5G by 2030.
  • 4G coverage: Achieve 100% 4G coverage nationwide.
  • Fiber-connected towers: Increase from 46% to 80% to improve reliability and speed.
  • Wi-Fi hotspots: 1 million new hotspots to be established (revised target from 10 million in 2018).
  • Satellite internet: Promoting satellite-based connectivity in remote areas.
• Telecom sector employment and skilling:
  • Job creation: Create 10 lakh new jobs in the telecom sector.
  • Upskilling: Reskill another 10 lakh existing workers.
• Strengthening domestic telecom ecosystem:
  • Domestic manufacturing: Aim for 150% increase in domestic telecom manufacturing by 2030.
  • Telecom manufacturing zone (TMZ): Establish dedicated zones with integrated infrastructure.
  • R&D promotion: Support local R&D and incentivize global standardization participation, including in 6G technologies.
  • CSR recognition: Telecom R&D and standardization efforts may be included under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
• Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI):
  • AI for cybersecurity:
    • Defensive use: AI-enabled systems to detect and prevent cyberattacks.
    • Offensive threats: Address risks from generative AI-based attacks.
  • AI in governance: Use AI chatbots for consumer complaint resolution via a unified grievance portal.
  • Cross-border security: Enhance monitoring of border telecom signals and foreign satellites to reduce interference.
• Green telecom and circular economy:
  • Carbon footprint: Reduce telecom sector’s emissions by 30%.
  • Material recycling: Promote circular economy by recycling telecom hardware and equipment.
• Technological advancements:
  • Quantum-secure communications: Focus on quantum encryption technologies for secure communication.
  • Lawful interception: Removed from current policy draft, indicating a shift towards privacy-centric security mechanisms.
  • Mobile number validation: Support for services enabling mobile identity verification; draft regulations already released.

Comparison Between 2018 NDCP and Draft 2025 Telecom Policy:

• Terminology:
  • 2018 NDCP: Named as National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP).
  • 2025 Draft Policy: Termed as National Telecom Policy with a more sector-specific focus.
• Employment target:
  • 2018 NDCP: Aimed to create 40 lakh jobs in the broader digital communications sector.
  • 2025 Draft Policy: Targets 10 lakh new jobs specifically in the telecom sector.
• Wi-Fi Hotspot target:
  • 2018 NDCP: Targeted 10 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the country.
  • 2025 Draft Policy: Scaled down to 1 million hotspots, with a more realistic and focused approach.
• Focus on domestic manufacturing:
  • 2018 NDCP: Had a moderate emphasis on promoting domestic manufacturing.
  • 2025 Draft Policy: Aims for a 150% increase in domestic manufacturing by 2030, including establishment of Telecom Manufacturing Zones (TMZs).
• Use of AI and cybersecurity:
  • 2018 NDCP: Limited mention of AI in telecom operations.
  • 2025 Draft Policy: Provides a comprehensive strategy for using AI in cybersecurity, complaint redressal, and network security.
• Environmental sustainability:
  • 2018 NDCP: Sustainability measures were not clearly quantified.
  • 2025 Draft Policy: Aims for a 30% reduction in the sector's carbon footprint and promotes circular economy practices.

Conclusion:

With its forward-looking emphasis on indigenous innovation, secure communication, and sustainable growth, the draft National Telecom Policy 2025 positions India to become a global leader in next-generation telecom technologies like 6G and quantum communications.

If implemented effectively, it could serve as the backbone of India’s digital sovereignty and inclusive economic transformation in the decades to come.

Context

• As the Election Commission of India (ECI) closes the first phase of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar by August 1, 2025, the state finds itself embroiled in familiar controversy.
• Allegations of disenfranchisement, especially of the poor, minorities, and migrants, have taken centre stage in political debate.
• Critics claim the ECI’s methods are partisan and exclusionary, while supporters argue for the necessity of maintaining the integrity of election rolls.
• Both arguments, however, fall short by failing to address the deeper, structural misfit between India’s election laws and its increasingly mobile society.

Flawed Foundations: Historical and Legal Context

• The Representation of the People Act, 1950, was drafted for a post-colonial India characterised by predominantly rural and sedentary populations.
• Over 82% of Indians lived in villages, and less than 8% were migrants at the time.
• The electoral laws, therefore, presumed that citizens would vote where they were born.
• Unfortunately, this assumption has persisted, surviving profound demographic and economic shifts.
• Today, India is among the world’s most migrant-heavy societies, over 450 million internal migrants constitute 37% of its population.
• Bihar exemplifies this: 36% of its households have at least one migrant, and more than 20% of the working-age population lives outside the state at any given moment.
• The 2011 census indicated nearly 13.9 million Biharis resided outside Bihar; current estimates suggest that number is now between 17 and 18 million.
• The legal fixation on geographic ordinary residence thus inevitably produces material exclusions.
• In 2025 alone, over 1.2 million names, primarily those absent during verification, were deleted in Bihar.
• Some districts with high migration rates saw roll deletions between 5%-7%, systematically disenfranchising citizens compelled by economic need to move.

Citizenship vs Residency and ECI’s Dilemma

• Citizenship vs. Residency: The Conceptual Collapse
  • The current public debate often conflates citizenship, a juridical status guaranteed by the Constitution and Citizenship Act, with residency, which is a contingent and administrative basis for enrolling a voter in a specific constituency.
  • The Representation of the People Act, by prioritising residency, locks out millions of internal migrants.
  • For such voters, disenfranchisement is not merely a bureaucratic hurdle, but an existential erasure: they are left in a liminal space, neither fully here nor there, with little prospect for political inclusion.
• The ECI’s Dilemma: Administrative Minimalism
  • The ECI’s approach, administrative minimalism, centres on procedural compliance rather than substantive justice.
  • By strictly enforcing procedural rules without questioning the underlying legal assumptions, the ECI often preserves the appearance of neutrality at the cost of perpetuating systemic exclusion.
  • Cleansing the rolls of non-residents may meet formal requirements, but it cannot be regarded as just when the rules themselves are unfit for a mobile society.

Perspectives from Abroad

• Democracies facing similar challenges have innovated to balance roll integrity and inclusiveness:
  • United States: Absentee and mail-in ballots permit tens of millions of voters to remain registered in their home states while voting from wherever they reside.
  • Philippines: Facilitates absentee voting for its 1.8 million overseas workers, regularly achieving turnout rates above 60%.
  • Australia: Mobile polling stations in remote and transient communities have driven voter participation above 90%.
• These solutions demonstrate that designing for inclusiveness is possible when supported by institutional will and creative reform.

Political Instrumentalization and Public Awareness

• Political parties often exploit voter disenfranchisement as a means for electoral mobilisation, rather than educate or assist affected citizens.
• Practical safeguards, such as the ability to scrutinise draft rolls and submit claims or objections, remain largely inaccessible due to illiteracy, poor communication, and the hardships of migratory labour.
• Surveys indicate that more than 60% of Bihar’s voters, and less than one-quarter of migrants, were aware they could challenge roll changes, leaving the majority voiceless and vulnerable.

Conclusion

• Defending the ECI against scapegoating is important, but insufficient. True electoral justice requires demanding more from both the institution and ourselves.
• The integrity-inclusiveness trade-off is not inevitable; it is a matter of legislative and institutional design.
• The ECI must not only conscientiously enforce the law but actively advocate for reforms that align India’s electoral practices with the realities of a migratory society.
• Meanwhile, political actors and civil society must work to educate, empower, and include the marginalised, ensuring that no citizen is left voiceless by administrative oversight or legislative inertia.

Context

• The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, commonly known as the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), on July 24, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between India and the United Kingdom.
• While the deal is lauded for its economic potential, it has prompted serious public health concerns in India, particularly regarding the surge of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) food
• Therefore, it is important to analyse the multifaceted impacts of the FTA, drawing comparisons from international experiences and highlighting the urgent policy interventions needed to safeguard public health.

Economic Prospects of the India-UK FTA

• Trade agreements such as the India-UK FTA stimulate economic growth by:
  • Eliminating tariffs, thereby lowering consumer prices.
  • Encouraging cross-border investment and generating employment.
  • Deepening trade ties and diversifying import-export portfolios.
• For India, cheaper imports of U.K.-made products, expanded market access for goods and services, and closer strategic cooperation are anticipated benefits.

Public Health Challenges: Lessons from Mexico

• The optimism surrounding FTAs is not without caveat.
• The case of Mexico post-NAFTA (1992) serves as a cautionary tale.
• The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed between Mexico, the United States and Canada, Mexico made the mistake of not implementing robust public health safeguards.
• Lax regulation and lack of public health safeguards resulted in:
  • A dramatic rise in the import and consumption of sugary drinks and processed foods.
  • Escalating rates of obesity, diabetes, and related chronic illnesses.
  • The need for reactive policies, such as the imposition of a Soda Tax and the adoption of mandatory warning labels in 2014, well after the negative health impact had materialized.
• This experience underscores the risks for India, where regulatory frameworks are even less robust.

Regulatory Gaps in India vs. the UK

• The UK Approach
  • HFSS Advertising Ban: The UK enforces strict bans on advertising HFSS foods to children on television before 9 p.m. and will introduce a total ban on online paid advertisements for such products from October 1, 2025.
  • Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL):A color-coded traffic light system helps consumers identify levels of fat, sugar, and salt immediately, empowering healthier choices.
• The Indian Scenario
  • Weak Advertisement Controls
  • India lacks binding restrictions on junk food advertising, particularly towards children.
  • Self-regulation by industry bodies like the Advertising Standards Council of India is unreliable and often ineffective.
• Misleading Marketing: Celebrity endorsements and cartoon mascots influence children and normalise unhealthy behaviours, with minimal accountability.
• FOPNL Issues
  • India’s move toward mandatory nutrition labelling remains stalled.
  • While warning labels are globally recognised as effective, Indian authorities have delayed implementation, focusing instead on a potentially ambiguous star rating system influenced by industry lobbying.

Rising Tide of Lifestyle Diseases and Commercial Determinants of Health

• Rising Tide of Lifestyle Diseases
  • From 2011-21, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of Ultra Processed Food (UPF) and HFSS food sales in India was 13.3%.
  • As a result, non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes are on the rise, especially among children and adolescents.
  • The lack of robust food labelling and advertising controls exacerbates these trends.
• Commercial Determinants of Health
  • Trade deals, while crucial to economic ambitions, also serve as commercial determinants of health, that is, practices and policies by commercial actors that influence public health at a large scale.
  • Without sufficient restrictions and awareness, FTAs risk becoming Trojan horses for the spread of diet-related diseases.

Path Forward: Opportunities for Policy Action

• Implement Strong Advertising Regulations: Enforce comprehensive, binding controls on the marketing of HFSS foods, especially toward children, as recommended by recent government surveys and dietary guidelines.
• Adopt Mandatory Warning Labels: Prioritise clear, effective warning labels on HFSS and UPF products, in line with international best practices, rather than the less effective “star rating” system.
• Promote Healthy School Environments: Institutionalise bans on the sale of unhealthy food and beverages in school and college canteens, and introduce holistic HFSS Boards in schools as part of a health-promoting educational framework.
• Engage Health Policymakers: Encourage active involvement of public health practitioners in trade negotiations to ensure health considerations are not subsumed by economic interests.

Conclusion

• Striking a balance between economic gains and public health imperatives is vital as India forges ahead with present and future FTAs.
• Immediate implementation of effective labelling, marketing restrictions, and public health safeguards can avert a health crisis like that experienced in Mexico.
• This is a pivotal moment for India to take decisive action, ensuring that the promise of economic prosperity does not come at the cost of its citizens' health.

Why in news?

India and the United Kingdom signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.K.

Alongside the agreement, both countries unveiled a new strategic cooperation plan — the India-U.K. Vision 2035, replacing the earlier Roadmap 2030. The Vision document outlines a comprehensive roadmap to deepen strategic ties across trade, technology, defence, education, climate, and innovation. It aims to boost jobs, investments, clean energy, and people-to-people links, anchored in shared democratic values and high-level political engagement to ensure mutual growth and global leadership.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Highlights of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement
• Impact of India-UK Trade Deal
• Conclusion

Key Highlights of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement

• The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on July 24, 2025, offers comprehensive economic gains for India across goods, services, and labour mobility.
• Here’s a sector-wise summary:
• 
• Market Access: 99% Duty-Free Trade
  • India’s Gains: 99% of Indian exports to the UK will now be duty-free, benefitting nearly all trade value.
  • UK’s Gains: 90% of tariff lines will be reduced, with 85% becoming zero-duty within 10 years.
  • Sectors Impacted: Labour-intensive industries like marine, textiles, chemicals, base metals, and processed foods.
    • Tariffs on processed foods drop from 70% to zero; tea, coffee, spices, rubber, and plastics gain free access.
• Agriculture: Boost to Rural Economy
• Duty-Free Access: 95%+ tariff lines now zero-duty.
• Products Covered: Fruits, vegetables, pulses, spices, pickles, jackfruit, millets, organic herbs.
• Export Potential: Agri-exports could rise 20% in 3 years, aiding India’s $100B agri-export target by 2030.
• Sensitive Items Protected: Dairy, oats, apples, edible oils.
• Marine Products: A $5.4 Billion Opportunity
  • Tariff Elimination: Zero tariffs on shrimp, tuna, fishmeal, etc.
  • Current Share: India has only 2.25% share in UK marine imports.
  • Growth Potential: Major boost expected for India’s coastal economy.
• Textiles & Apparel: Enhanced Competitiveness
  • Coverage: 1,143 product categories, all duty-free.
  • Market Impact: India may gain 5% more UK market share.
  • Key Products: Ready-made garments, carpets, handicrafts, home textiles.
  • Advantage: Levels playing field with Bangladesh and Cambodia.
• Engineering Goods: Export Surge Expected
  • Current Status: $4.28B exports to UK; UK imports $193.5B globally.
  • Tariff Cuts: Up to 18% duties scrapped.
  • Projection: Engineering exports may double to $7.5B by 2030.
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
  • Tariff Elimination: On generic medicines and medical devices.
  • Market Potential: UK imports $30B pharma; India exports just $1B.
  • Products Covered: ECG machines, X-ray systems, surgical equipment.
• Chemicals & Plastics
  • Chemical Sector: Exports to rise 30–40% to $650–750M in FY26.
  • Plastic Sector: Focus on films, sheets, kitchenware; 15% export growth targeted.
  • Advantage: More competitive pricing versus global suppliers.
• Toys, Sports Goods, Gems & Jewellery
  • Toys & Sports Goods: Export edge over China and Vietnam.
  • Jewellery: Exports may double in 2–3 years to capture UK’s $3B market.
• Leather & Footwear
  • Tariff Removal: 16% duties scrapped.
  • Export Target: To exceed $900M.
  • Beneficiaries: MSME hubs in Agra, Kanpur, Kolhapur, Chennai.
• Services & Professionals: A Global Edge
  • Worker Benefits: 75,000 Indians exempt from UK social security for 3 years.
  • Sectors Opened: 36 services sectors without Economic Needs Test.
  • Professional Access: Indian professionals can work in 35 UK sectors for 2 years.
  • Cultural Exchange: 1,800 chefs, yoga trainers, and artists to be welcomed annually.

Impact of India-UK Trade Deal

• Gains for Indian Sectors - India’s key export sectors — including agriculture, processed food, textiles, footwear, seafood, gems and jewellery, and engineering goods — will enjoy expanded market access in the U.K. thanks to reduced tariffs.
• Benefits for British Exports - British exporters will also benefit significantly. The deal is set to ease the sale of whisky, cars, and other British goods in India, helping diversify and broaden the trade portfolio.
• Boost to Bilateral Trade - UK exports to India are projected to grow by nearly 60%, contributing an additional £15.7 billion by 2040. Overall bilateral trade is expected to surge by 39%, adding £25.5 billion annually compared to trade levels in the absence of the agreement.
• Services and Mobility Provisions - The FTA includes chapters on services, innovation, and intellectual property, offering enhanced mobility for Indian professionals.
  • Additionally, a Double Contribution Convention Agreement will prevent Indian workers in the UK from paying into both Indian and British social security systems.
• Strategic Shift after RCEP Exit - India's decision to exit the RCEP in 2019 due to fears of Chinese import surges shifted focus to Western economies. The India-UK deal is part of India’s strategy to forge stronger ties with high-income nations like the UK and EU.

Conclusion

The India–UK FTA marks a pivotal shift in India’s global trade posture. It not only strengthens bilateral relations but also signals India's readiness to engage in complex, high-standard economic agreements aligned with its broader goals of export growth, services integration, and global competitiveness.

Why in news?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a landmark advisory opinion declaring that countries have a legal obligation under international law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While not legally enforceable, the ruling can strengthen climate litigation globally and hold nations accountable for failing to act, including possible compensation.

Prompted by a 2023 UN General Assembly resolution, the opinion underscores that climate action is not just policy but a binding duty—bolstering the demands of developing countries and climate advocates seeking stronger commitments from industrialised nations.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Case Background: Vanuatu's Climate Justice Initiative at the ICJ
• ICJ Declares Climate Action a Legal Obligation
• Significance of ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Climate Change
• Conclusion

Case Background: Vanuatu's Climate Justice Initiative at the ICJ

• Origin of the Initiative
  • In September 2021, the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu launched a campaign to seek an advisory opinion from the ICJ on climate change.
  • The move highlighted the urgency for stronger legal action, especially for vulnerable small island nations threatened by rising sea levels.
• UN General Assembly Resolution
  • Following extensive lobbying by Vanuatu, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in March 2023, requesting the ICJ to provide legal clarity on two questions:
    • What are the obligations of States under international law to protect the environment?
    • What legal consequences do States face when they fail to meet these obligations and cause environmental harm?
• Legal Framework and Importance
  • Under the UN Charter, both the General Assembly and the Security Council have the authority to request advisory opinions from the ICJ.
  • Although these opinions are not legally binding, they carry significant legal and moral weight, serving to clarify and advance the development of international law.

ICJ Declares Climate Action a Legal Obligation

• In a landmark advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that climate action is not optional but a binding legal duty under international law.
• Drawing on key climate treaties such as the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, along with environmental agreements like UNCLOS and the Montreal Protocol, the court stated that all countries are legally obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• It emphasised that industrialised nations (Annex I countries) must lead in emission cuts and support developing countries through technology and financial aid.
• The court also warned that failing to meet these obligations constitutes an "internationally wrongful act," making countries liable for compensation to those affected by climate-related disasters.
• Furthermore, nations may be held accountable for harmful actions by private businesses if they fail to regulate or prevent such behaviour through appropriate laws and oversight.

Significance of ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Climate Change

• A Moral and Legal Turning Point
  • Although not legally binding, the ICJ’s advisory opinion is the most authoritative interpretation of international law on climate obligations.
  • It is expected to influence courts globally and could shape future litigation against countries and corporations for inadequate climate action.
• Reinforcing Global Climate Responsibility
  • The ruling comes at a time when progress on climate change is faltering.
  • Many countries, particularly in the developed world, are falling short of their 2030 emission targets.
  • The ICJ’s opinion reaffirms that countries have legal obligations—not just voluntary commitments—to take meaningful climate action.
  • This strengthens the voice of vulnerable nations demanding accountability.
• Loss and Damage: A New Legal Avenue
  • In a significant shift, the court recognised the right of climate-impacted nations—termed “injured states”—to not just compensation but full reparations.
  • This legal validation of the “loss and damage” principle could pave the way for lawsuits against rich countries and corporate polluters, especially those historically responsible for emissions.
• Challenges and Future Implications
  • While groundbreaking, the opinion also raises questions.
  • For instance, the ICJ stated that merely initiating climate action isn’t enough—its adequacy can be challenged.
  • However, under the Paris Agreement, countries define their own targets, with no provision to judge whether their actions are sufficient.
  • These contradictions could lead to legal disputes and pushback, even from developing countries.

Conclusion

The ICJ’s ruling does not impose penalties or obligations immediately, but it sets a powerful precedent. Its real impact will emerge as national courts begin referencing it in climate-related disputes and as countries respond politically and legally to its interpretation of their duties under international law.

Context

• The ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan, hailed as the world’s largest cleanliness survey, marks a significant milestone in India’s urban sanitation landscape.
• Spearheaded by the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)-Urban, this annual survey has evolved from a modest competition among fewer than 100 cities in 2016 to an extensive evaluation involving over 4,500 urban centres in 2024-25.
• While public attention often fixates on rankings and awards, the deeper value of the survey lies in the critical insights it offers into urban waste management, city-level governance, and the evolving behavioural patterns of citizens and policymakers alike.

A Comprehensive Urban Sanitation Assessment

• The survey serves as a crucial reality check for city managers and policymakers, offering an evidence-based assessment on ten comprehensive parameters, ranging from waste segregation, collection, and disposal to sanitation worker welfare and grievance redressal.
• Its robust methodology, incorporating third-party verification and feedback from 140 million residents, lends credibility to its findings and amplifies its utility as a planning and monitoring tool.
• In essence, Swachh Survekshan has transformed into a powerful lever for competition and performance enhancement, nudging cities across India toward cleaner futures.

 Significance and Key Features of the Survey

• Encouraging Equitable Participation: Population Categories and the Super Swachh League
  • A significant reform in this edition was the creation of the Super Swachh League, designed to break the monotony of a few cities repeatedly dominating the top ranks.
  • Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai, historically top performers, were placed in a new league, opening the door for cities like Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow to rise in the rankings within their population categories.
  • The segmentation of cities into five population brackets, from those with fewer than 20,000 people to over one million, helped level the playing field and encouraged more diverse participation.
  • This democratisation has proved fruitful.
  • Odisha’s success exemplifies this shift: Bhubaneswar’s ascent from 34th to 9th place, and the rise of smaller cities like Aska and Chikiti, highlight how inclusive frameworks can foster widespread improvement.
• A Growing Ecosystem of Best Practices and Innovation
  • Beyond rankings, the Swachh Survekshan serves as a repository of best practices that can be scaled and replicated.
  • The transformation of cities such as Indore and Surat reveals the possibilities of municipal innovation.
  • Indore's pioneering six-way waste segregation model, Surat’s monetisation of treated sewage, Pune’s ragpicker-run cooperatives, and Lucknow’s waste wonder park underscore how creativity, policy support, and community engagement can turn urban waste into an asset.
  • Similarly, Agra’s conversion of the toxic Kuberpur dumpsite into green space showcases the potential of modern remediation technologies like bioremediation and biomining.
• Cleanliness as an Economic and Cultural Imperative
  • Tourist hubs and high-footfall areas received special attention in the latest survey, with Prayagraj being recognised for sanitation management during the Maha Kumbh.
  • As India accounts for a meagre 1.5% of global tourist arrivals, sustained cleanliness is essential not only for public health and aesthetics but also for enhancing the tourist experience and economic growth.
  • The thematic focus of Swachh Survekshan 2025, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR), underscores this broader ambition.
  • While the previous year's theme, waste to wealth, signalled an economic opportunity, India has yet to fully capitalise on the value embedded in its waste streams.

Challenges Ahead and The Way Forward

• Despite visible progress, the survey reveals persistent challenges in developing behavioural change.
• While SBM has successfully instilled societal rejection of open defecation, nurturing a similar mindset around waste minimisation, consumerism, and recycling has been elusive.
• This behavioural inertia remains one of the most significant roadblocks to lasting impact.
• Moreover, the daily generation of 1.5 lakh tonnes of solid waste poses a formidable challenge. Effective management will depend largely on the capacity and performance of ULBs.
• Their ability to enforce waste segregation, ensure efficient collection, and handle plastic and e-waste will shape the next chapter in India’s urban cleanliness story.
• Going forward, the focus must shift from celebrating momentary rankings to institutionalising cleanliness as a civic virtue and economic opportunity.
• With policy support, community ownership, and technological innovation, Indian cities can transition from managing waste to creating wealth, dignity, and health for all.

Conclusion

• India’s urban cleanliness journey, as illuminated by Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, is both inspiring and instructive.
• It demonstrates that with the right mix of competition, data, public engagement, and political will, even the most chaotic waste systems can be reformed.
• The remarkable turnaround of Surat from a garbage-laden city in the 1990s to a sanitation model today proves that change is not only possible, it is replicable.

Context

• Niccolò Machiavelli’s view that politics is governed by power struggles and survival remains relevant today.
• The traditional international order, shaped by events like the Peace of Westphalia and the Congress of Vienna, is crumbling.
• As older norms fade, new tools of dominance, rooted in technological innovation, are rising.
• The focus has shifted from diplomacy to digital warfare, reshaping both global politics and military strategy.

The Illusion of Post-War Peace

• The end of World War II in 1945, followed by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, led many to believe in the arrival of a long-lasting peace enforced by American military might.
• Concepts like a rules-based international order emerged. Yet, this peace proved to be an illusion.
• From Korea to Vietnam and North Africa, conflicts persisted, revealing that global tensions had not subsided but transformed.
• The Cold War’s end in 1989 did not usher in a peaceful era. Instead, new conflicts emerged, challenging earlier assumptions.
• A major turning point was Operation Desert Storm in 1991, which marked the start of modern high-tech warfare.
• Precision-guided missiles, satellite intelligence, and three-dimensional strikes redefined battle doctrine.
• This conflict began shifting war from manpower-heavy strategies to ones emphasising technology and speed.

9/11, the Era of Pretextual Warfare and The Rise of Digitised and Autonomous Warfare

• 9/11 and The Era of Pretextual Warfare
  • September 11, 2001, was another defining moment. While some mark 1989 as the start of a new world order, others see 9/11 as the true catalyst.
  • The attacks allowed the U.S. and its allies to launch military interventions under the banner of combating terrorism.
  • However, this did not clarify whether the fundamentals of warfare were changing.
  • It took time to realise that the traditional rules of conflict were eroding. Military invasions began to rely more on perception and less on legality, and the justifications for war became increasingly ideological.
  • The seeds of algorithmic warfare had been planted, though their consequences were not yet visible.
• The Rise of Digitised and Autonomous Warfare
  • Recent conflicts, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war since 2022 and the India-Pakistan clash in May 2025, have brought these changes into sharp focus.
  • Warfare today is driven by automation, AI, and network-centric strategies.
  • Drones, equipped with image recognition and loitering munitions, now play a central role in combat operations.
  • The 2025 India-Pakistan conflict showcased this shift. Both sides used fixed-wing drones, loitering munitions, and precision-guided bombs.
  • Fighter jets and missiles, like India’s BrahMos and Pakistan’s PL-15s, were deployed in tandem with advanced Turkish drones.
  • These engagements revealed a battlefield dominated by AI and autonomous systems, where speed, coordination, and digital integration matter more than physical presence.
  • The modern battlefield is now multi-domain, air, land, cyber, and space.
  • Cyberattacks, AI-driven targeting, and hypersonic weapons are shaping a new generation of warfare.
  • Traditional combat strategies, based on physical superiority, are fast becoming obsolete.

India’s Strategic Imperative

• India must reassess its defence posture in this changing landscape.
• Despite investments in platforms like the BrahMos and Rafale jets, the pace of indigenous technological development lags behind.
• China, by contrast, has developed fifth-generation and is preparing sixth-generation fighter aircraft. It also leads in drone warfare and cyber capabilities.
• India’s continued reliance on legacy systems and external procurements may limit its agility.
• The May 2025 conflict underscores the need for rapid modernisation, particularly in autonomous systems, drones, AI, and cyber defence.
• The advent of high-altitude, long-endurance UAVs has redefined surveillance and targeting, making them essential assets in any modern military engagement.
• Furthermore, India must diversify its military hardware to be better prepared for a two-front conflict with Pakistan and China.

Conclusion

• The evolution of conflict from conventional warfare to technologically driven, digital battlespaces signals the return of Machiavellian realism in new form, where power is defined not by land or numbers, but by information and innovation.
• The post-WWII illusion of peace has been shattered, and the nature of war has fundamentally changed.
• The future of warfare will be determined by those who master digital ecosystems, AI, and autonomous combat capabilities.

Context:

• Critical minerals are becoming the geoeconomic backbone of the 21st century, powering clean energy transitions, digital technologies, and national security systems.
• For India, dependence on imports and limited domestic capacity threaten future industrial, technological, and strategic autonomy.

Critical Minerals - A New Geostrategic Axis:

• Why critical minerals matter:
  • Critical minerals are metallic or non-metallic elements that are essential for clean energy systems, EVs, semiconductors, and strategic technologies, and whose supply chains are at risk of disruption.
  • Their demand is driven by energy transition, digitalisation, and supply chain resilience.
  • Examples include minerals of high importance like lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements (REEs).
• Geopolitical concerns:
  • High geographical concentration and opaque supply chains.
  • For example, China controls 90% of REE refining, 70% of cobalt processing, and 60% of lithium conversion.
  • China’s lead stems from decades of policy coherence and industrial planning.

India’s Critical Mineral Strategy:

• National Policy initiatives:
  • 2022: Identification of 30 critical minerals by the Ministry of Mines.
  • 2025: Launch of National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to secure supply chains.
• Current challenges:
  • 100% import dependence on key minerals like lithium, cobalt, and REEs.
  • Domestic exploration is growing, for example, 195 exploration projects in the past year, and 227 approved for the upcoming year.

Auctions and Exploration - Progress and Bottlenecks:

• Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act:
  • Inclusion of critical minerals enabled four rounds of auctions, fifth concluded in Jan 2025.
  • However, low bidder turnout due to high capital costs, inadequate processing capacity, and technical expertise gaps needs to be addressed.
• Midstream vulnerability:
  • India lacks refining and processing capacity for battery-grade materials.
  • Continued foreign dependence, especially on China, looms large.

Building Industrial Capability - Proposed Solutions:

• Establish mineral processing zones.
• Offer Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) for refining, separation, and conversion industries.
• Catalyse private investment in midstream processing.

Ensuring Mineral Security Amid Geopolitical Risks:

• External disruptions: China’s export curbs on REEs impact India's automotive sector, including EV production.
• Strategic recommendations:
  • Accelerate independent supply chain development.
  • Deepen bilateral partnerships, for example, ongoing collaboration with Australia, Argentina, shows a path forward.
  • Engage through Quad, G20, and Minerals Security Partnership (MSP).

Sustainability, Recycling, and ESG Compliance:

• Circular economy approach:
  • Recycling of batteries and electronics to reduce import dependency.
  • Challenges: Informal recycling sector, lack of formal infrastructure, need for high-efficiency recovery systems, etc.
• Sustainable mining and environmental, social and governance (ESG):
  • Many reserves are in tribal/ecologically sensitive zones.
  • Delays due to protests, legal hurdles, and ESG concerns.
  • Must adopt ESG frameworks, community participation, and local benefit-sharing models.

Way Forward - Policy and Strategic Alignment:

• Conduct regular assessments of critical mineral demand and supply.
• Update mineral lists as per evolving industrial and strategic priorities.
• Develop critical mineral stockpiles to buffer against supply shocks.
• Align mineral policy with foreign policy, energy policy, and industrial strategy.

Conclusion - India’s Strategic Imperative:

• India must act decisively to reduce dependency, foster self-reliance, and build resilient and sustainable supply chains.
• With the right policy execution, institutional backing, and international collaboration, India can emerge as a major global player in the critical mineral economy.

Why in the News?

• The plastic industry has come under renewed scrutiny for allegedly deploying tactics to influence environmental policy in its favour, particularly during global treaty negotiations on plastic pollution.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Plastic Industry (Introduction, Copying Tactics of Tobacco Industry, Global South Expansion, India’s Plastic Policy, Industry Lobbying, etc.)

Introduction

• In recent years, environmental experts have grown increasingly concerned over the plastic industry’s influence on green policy-making.
• Reports and investigations indicate that the industry, backed by powerful fossil fuel interests, has employed tactics strikingly similar to those once used by the tobacco industry:
  • sowing public doubt,
  • delaying regulation, and
  • manipulating narratives to shift responsibility from corporations to consumers.
• These strategies are gaining prominence as governments globally attempt to tighten controls on plastic production and waste, particularly through the formulation of a potential UN treaty on plastic pollution.

Echoes of the Tobacco Industry Playbook

• The plastic industry’s approach to avoiding regulatory pressure mirrors several historical tactics of the tobacco industry:
• Shifting Responsibility to Consumers
  • While tobacco ads famously carried disclaimers like “Smoking is injurious to health”, even as they promoted smoking, the plastic industry blames consumers for not recycling effectively, thereby sidestepping the industry's responsibility in creating unsustainable plastic systems.
• Funding Misleading Science and PR
  • Just as tobacco companies funded studies to deny smoking-related health risks, internal records from major plastic producers show they promoted plastic recycling from the 1980s onward despite privately acknowledging its technical and economic limitations.
  • Public campaigns highlighting recyclability served to stall bans and stricter regulations.
• Greenwashing and Mislabelling
  • Much like “light” cigarettes falsely marketed as healthier, today’s biodegradable and compostable plastics often fail to break down as claimed, especially in India’s underdeveloped waste management systems.
  • Corporate greenwashing further distorts consumer understanding and weakens public demand for accountability.
  • One prominent example was Coca-Cola, which, despite promoting its sustainability image, quietly dropped its target of 25% reusable packaging by 2030 and backtracked on key recycling goals.

Targeting the Global South for Expansion

• With regulatory pressure mounting in the Global North, the plastic industry has increasingly turned toward low- and middle-income nations to maintain market growth.
• According to the OECD’s Global Plastic Outlook (2022):

• Plastic consumption is expected to more than double in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2060.
• In Asia, it could triple during the same period.
• In contrast, growth is expected to be just 15% in Europe and 34% in North America.

• Weaker environmental regulations, limited public awareness, and ineffective waste management infrastructure in these regions make them more vulnerable to plastic pollution and industry manipulation.

India’s Plastic Policy Landscape

• India has taken several steps to curb plastic pollution, but faces implementation challenges.
• Informal Sector: Backbone of India’s Plastic Recycling
  • An estimated 70% of India’s recycled plastic is collected and processed by the informal sector, ragpickers, sorters, and grassroots recyclers, who work in hazardous conditions with little legal protection or social security.
  • Recognising their contribution, the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme launched in 2024 aims to:
    • Integrate waste workers into formal systems
    • Provide them with Ayushman Bharat health insurance, safety gear, and social security

• As of May 2025:
  • Over 80,000 workers had been profiled
  • 45,700+ received personal protective equipment
  • 26,400+ were issued Ayushman Bharat cards

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
  • India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016, amended 2022) mandate manufacturers to take financial and operational responsibility for the plastic they generate.
  • However, enforcement remains weak:

• Only 11% of single-use plastic waste is covered by India’s current ban
• Fewer than 50% of producers are reportedly complying with EPR guidelines

• This undermines progress and allows the industry to continue unchecked in many areas.

Industry Lobbying in Global Negotiations

• Recent rounds of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for a global plastics treaty have been notably influenced by industry lobbying.
• At INC-3, fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists outnumbered their previous participation by 36%
• Civil society groups raised concerns about industry-backed delegates slowing down progress on binding commitments
• Internal documents and reports from the Centre for Climate Integrity and Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL) have exposed how the plastic industry has long known the inadequacy of recycling as a solution but continued to promote it to avoid scrutiny.

Why in news?

Recently, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and all States on a Presidential Reference seeking its opinion on whether courts can compel the President and Governors to act within specified timelines on Bills passed by State legislatures.

A Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, will begin detailed hearings by mid-August.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background of the Case: SC’s April Verdict Under Scrutiny
• Scope and Significance of the Supreme Court’s Advisory Jurisdiction
• Supreme Court’s Discretion to Decline Presidential References
• Nature of Supreme Court’s Advisory Opinions
• Scope of Supreme Court’s Power to Modify April 2025 Verdict via Presidential Reference

Background of the Case: SC’s April Verdict Under Scrutiny

• The Reference was made under Article 143 of the Constitution after President Droupadi Murmu submitted 14 questions following the Court’s April 2025 judgment.
• That ruling, delivered in a case brought by the Tamil Nadu government, held that Governor R.N. Ravi’s delay in assenting to ten re-passed State Bills was illegal.
• In this judgment, the apex court, for the first time, imposed judicially enforceable timelines on both Governors and the President.
• The current Reference seeks clarity on whether courts can direct constitutional authorities on how and when to act.

Scope and Significance of the Supreme Court’s Advisory Jurisdiction

• Article 143(1) of the Indian Constitution allows the President to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on legal or factual matters of significant public importance, even if no case is pending in court.
• This advisory power, inspired by the Government of India Act, 1935, has been used at least 14 times since Independence.
• The Court’s role in such cases is limited strictly to the questions raised in the Presidential Reference and cannot go beyond them.
• Although debated in the Constituent Assembly over concerns of political misuse, the provision was retained to help resolve constitutional deadlocks.
• To safeguard its use, Article 145(3) mandates that such References must be heard by a Constitution Bench of at least five judges.

Supreme Court’s Discretion to Decline Presidential References

• While Article 143(1) empowers the President to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion, the Court is not bound to respond in every case.
• It holds discretionary authority to decline a Reference, as clarified in the Special Courts Bill case (1978), which interpreted the term “may” in Article 143 as conferring such discretion.
• However, if the Court chooses not to give an opinion, it must record its reasons.
• This was reaffirmed in Dr.  M. Ismail Faruqui v. Union of India (1994), where the Court held that References involving expert evidence or political questions may be declined.
• Notably, in 1993, the Court refused to answer a Reference on the Ayodhya-Babri Masjid dispute due to the ongoing civil case and concerns of constitutional impropriety.
• Similarly, in 1982, the Court did not respond to a Reference on a proposed law related to resettlement of migrants in Jammu and Kashmir, as the law was enacted before the Court could intervene.
• These cases underscore the Court’s cautious approach in maintaining its judicial integrity and avoiding political entanglement.

Nature of Supreme Court’s Advisory Opinions

• The binding nature of the Supreme Court’s advisory opinions remains debated.
• Article 141 makes only the “law declared” by the Court binding on all courts, and in St. Xavier’s College v. State of Gujarat (1974), the Court clarified that advisory opinions are not binding precedents but hold persuasive value.
• Still, some rulings, like R.K. Garg v. Union of India (1981), treated the reasoning in advisory opinions as binding, despite earlier caveats.
• The ambiguity continued in the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal case (1991), where the Court acknowledged advisory opinions as deserving “due weight and respect” but stopped short of declaring them binding.
• As of now, any opinion from the current Presidential Reference will not override the binding April 2025 ruling delivered under the Court’s adjudicatory powers.
• However, such an opinion will likely influence ongoing and future related cases, including those involving Kerala and Punjab.

Scope of Supreme Court’s Power to Modify April 2025 Verdict via Presidential Reference

• The Supreme Court has clearly stated in past rulings, such as in the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal case, that Article 143 cannot be used by the executive to overturn or review a settled judicial decision.
• Once the Court has authoritatively ruled on a matter under its adjudicatory jurisdiction, there is no room for doubt that would justify a Presidential Reference.
• The only valid method to challenge such a decision is through review or curative petitions.
• However, the Court has also held, notably in the Natural Resources Allocation case (2012), that under Article 143(1), it may clarify or restate legal principles without disturbing the core decision or affecting parties’ rights.
• Similarly, in 1998, a Presidential Reference led to modifications in the collegium system without invalidating the original 1993 judgment.
• Hence, while the April 2025 ruling remains final and binding, the current Reference may be used to clarify or elaborate on its legal reasoning.
• With 14 questions raised—some going beyond the April ruling—the Constitution Bench may provide broader constitutional interpretations without undoing the earlier judgment.

Why in news?

Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has strongly objected to the exclusion of the 1817 Paika Rebellion from NCERT’s new Class VIII history textbook, terming it a “huge dishonour” to the valiant Paikas.

The NCERT clarified that the rebellion would be included in the second volume of the textbook, to be released later this year.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• The Paikas: Odisha’s Warrior Farmers
• British Betrayal and the Fall of Khurda
• Growing Resentment and the Road to Revolt
• The Paika Rebellion of 1817
• Paika Rebellion and Contemporary Political Narratives in Odisha

The Paikas: Odisha’s Warrior Farmers

• In 19th-century rural India, widespread discontent often erupted into armed resistance due to longstanding injustices and the disruptive policies of the expanding British East India Company.
• Among those who rose in rebellion were the Paikas of Odisha — a class of traditional foot soldiers.
• Since the 16th century, Odisha’s Gajapati kings had recruited Paikas from various social groups to serve as military retainers.
• In return for their martial services, they were granted hereditary rent-free lands known as nish-kar jagirs, which they cultivated during times of peace.
• The erosion of their privileges under British rule sowed deep resentment, setting the stage for uprisings like the Paika Rebellion of 1817.

British Betrayal and the Fall of Khurda

• In 1803, Colonel Harcourt’s British forces marched from Madras to Puri with little resistance and moved on to capture Cuttack.
• Harcourt struck a deal with Mukunda Deva II of Khurda, promising him compensation of ₹1 lakh and four parganas in exchange for safe passage through his territory. However, the British failed to fully honour the agreement.
• In response, Jayee Rajguru, the king’s custodian, led 2,000 armed Paikas to Cuttack to pressure the British.
• While Harcourt paid ₹40,000, he withheld the promised parganas. Rajguru's subsequent conspiracy against British rule was thwarted, leading to his arrest and execution on December 6, 1806.
• The British then dethroned the king, destroyed Barunei Fort, seized royal lands, and exiled Mukunda Deva II to Puri.

Growing Resentment and the Road to Revolt

• The fall of native rule in Odisha led to a sharp decline in the status and livelihood of the Paikas.
• Stripped of royal patronage and hereditary rent-free land, they were further burdened by the British East India Company’s new land revenue policies.
• These reforms forced many Odia landowners to sell their land cheaply to absentee Bengali landlords.
• Additionally, the switch to a rupee-based taxation system increased economic pressure, especially on tribals, who now had to meet rising demands from landlords paying taxes in silver.
• The British also tightened control over salt trade, extending it to coastal Odisha in 1814, further straining hill communities.
• These combined economic hardships and the loss of traditional privileges ultimately sparked a full-scale rebellion against British rule.

The Paika Rebellion of 1817

• In March 1817, a group of around 400 Kondhs from Ghumusar, armed with traditional weapons, marched towards Khurda.
• They were soon joined by the Paikas, led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, the former commander-in-chief of the Khurda kingdom and ex-holder of the Rodanga estate.
• Together, they launched a fierce revolt against British authority—attacking the Banpur police station, burning government buildings, looting the treasury, and killing officials.
• The uprising spread across several regions with bloody confrontations, but the British eventually suppressed the rebellion.
• Jagabandhu evaded capture for years, hiding in the forests, and finally surrendered in 1825 under negotiated terms.

Paika Rebellion and Contemporary Political Narratives in Odisha

• The legacy of the Paika Rebellion has become a strong symbol of Odia pride and sub-nationalism.
• In 2017, marking 200 years of the uprising, the then State government demanded that it be recognised as India’s “first war of independence,” citing its occurrence decades before the 1857 Revolt.
• Although the Centre did not accept this status, the then Union Culture Minister stated in 2021 that the rebellion would be acknowledged in Class VIII textbooks as one of the early popular uprisings against British rule.
• Prime Minister Modi honoured Paika descendants in 2017, and the then President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation of the Paika Memorial in 2019.

Context

• In recent years, universities, once celebrated as bastions of free thought and intellectual exploration, have increasingly come under political and economic siege.
• The attack on Harvard University’s federal funding in July 2024 by the U.S. administration exemplifies a broader international trend in which right-wing governments seek to impose ideological control over higher education.
• This global pattern manifests through weaponised budgets, state interference, and market-driven pressures, all of which undermine academic autonomy and curtail open debate.

The Cases of Weaponising University Funding and Policy

• United States of America
  • In the United States, elite institutions like Harvard and Columbia have been cast as ideological battlegrounds, accused of fostering anti-Americanism by right-wing leaders.
  • Under the Trump administration, visa restrictions for foreign students and threats to defund universities became tools of political coercion.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to end affirmative action in admissions further emboldened conservative activists, leading to intensified scrutiny of diversity and inclusion policies.
  • The forced resignation of Harvard’s president, Claudine Gay, and the withdrawal of millions in donor funding underscore the fragility of academic independence when financial levers are wielded as instruments of control.
  • Faculty and students now operate under the shadow of reprisals for discussing contentious issues such as race, gender, and foreign policy.
• Australia
  • This phenomenon is not confined to the U.S. In Australia, the government has invoked national interest to veto peer-reviewed humanities research, while universities face pressure to conduct anti-foreign interference audits to safeguard lucrative international enrolments.
  • Critical topics such as China’s political influence, Indigenous rights, and climate activism are increasingly suppressed through self-censorship, reflecting how financial and political imperatives intertwine to silence dissent.

Populist Narratives and State Control Across the Globe

• In India, populist nationalism has transformed public universities into contested sites of cultural politics.
• Once renowned for open debate, Jawaharlal Nehru University now faces routine accusations of being anti-national.
• The South Asian University’s expulsion of a scholar for referencing Noam Chomsky’s critique of the Modi government illustrates the precariousness of academic freedom in the face of political orthodoxy.
• Beyond India, the crackdown is widespread.
• Hungary’s Viktor Orbán expelled Central European University, Turkey dismissed thousands of academics for supporting peace petitions, and Brazil and the Philippines have slashed social sciences funding to mute research on inequality.
• Across the Gulf states, topics such as gender, religion, and labour rights remain tightly controlled.
• These examples demonstrate a disturbing pattern: independent research is increasingly framed as a threat to national security, eroding the intellectual autonomy of universities worldwide.

The Neoliberal Transformation of Academia

• While direct political attacks are concerning, a subtler yet equally corrosive threat lies in the neoliberal restructuring of higher education.
• Universities have been recast as corporate entities prioritising global rankings, patent production, and job-market metrics over critical inquiry.
• Humanities and social sciences, fields that interrogate power structures and foster civic consciousness, are dismissed as irrelevant or unprofitable.
• Students are reduced to customers, faculty to precarious service providers, and trustees to brand managers.
• The far right exploits this market logic, depicting universities as taxpayer-funded incubators of sedition while simultaneously cutting the public funding necessary for intellectual diversity and critical scholarship.

The Way Forward: Defending Academic Freedom as a Democratic Imperative

• According to the Academic Freedom Index (2014–2024), academic freedom has deteriorated in 34 countries, not just in authoritarian states but also in established democracies.
• Institutional autonomy, research freedom, and campus integrity are at their lowest levels since the 1980s.
• This decline imperils society’s ability to address pressing global challenges, climate change, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and the preservation of democracy itself.
• Universities must reclaim their public mission by protecting hiring, promotions, and funding decisions from political interference.
• Donors should fund difficult but necessary conversations rather than dictate them, while alumni can support independent academic chairs and legal defences.
• Faculty must participate actively in governance, and students should view campuses as democratic commons rather than transactional spaces for career advancement.

Conclusion

• The global assault on universities is both ideological and economic, driven by political populism and neoliberal market logic.
• If fear, profit, or majoritarianism dictate what can be taught or researched, universities risk losing their role as incubators of independent thought.
• In doing so, societies risk not only the erosion of intellectual freedom but the weakening of democracy itself.
• Defending academic freedom, therefore, is not merely about protecting institutions of higher learning; it is about safeguarding the very foundation of open, democratic societies.

Context

• As headlines focus on Chinese naval expansion in the Indo-Pacific and India’s strategic countermeasures, a quieter but equally significant contest is unfolding at the roof of the world, the Himalayas.
• Here, the battleground is neither oil nor trade, but faith. At the heart of the geopolitical tension between India and China lies a struggle over the spiritual and cultural influence of Himalayan Buddhism.
• What appears to be a tradition of peace and non-violence has, in the 21st century, transformed into a stage for geopolitical strategy.

Buddhism as a Tool of Statecraft

• China’s Use of Buddhism
  • China has been particularly aggressive in using Buddhism as a tool of statecraft.
  • Since the 1950s, Beijing has systematically sought to dominate Tibetan religious life by marginalising independent lamas, controlling religious institutions, and asserting its authority over the process of reincarnation.
  • In 2007, China officially declared that all Living Buddhas must receive state approval, effectively placing spiritual legitimacy under political control.
  • Today, Beijing maintains a database of approved lamas, closely monitors monastic activities, and invests heavily in Buddhist infrastructure as part of its broader soft power strategy.
• India’s Buddhist Diplomacy
  • India, by contrast, has been slower to respond.
  • Hosting the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile since 1959 gave New Delhi a moral advantage but little strategic leverage.
  • Only in the past decade has India begun to actively promote its Buddhist heritage, positioning itself as the birthplace of the Buddha and investing in pilgrimage circuits to attract regional influence.
  • However, these initiatives remain fragmented compared to China’s well-coordinated efforts. As one scholar aptly notes, while India practices Buddhist diplomacy, China pursues Buddhist statecraft.

The Dalai Lama Succession Crisis

• The Dalai Lama, who turned 90 in July, has expressed his intention to reincarnate outside Chinese, controlled territory, most likely in India.
• Beijing, however, plans to select its own Dalai Lama using the historical Golden Urn method.
• This will almost certainly result in two competing Dalai Lamas: one recognised by the Tibetan exile community and much of the Buddhist diaspora, and another installed under Chinese control in Lhasa.
• Such a schism would not only divide Tibetan Buddhism but also force Himalayan Buddhist communities, in Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, to choose sides.
• Spiritual allegiance, in this case, could translate directly into geopolitical loyalty.
• If the Dalai Lama’s successor is recognised in India, it would strengthen New Delhi’s influence. If China’s candidate gains traction, it could tilt loyalties toward Beijing.

China’s Expanding Cultural Influence

• China is already using cultural and religious narratives to assert territorial claims.
• In Arunachal Pradesh, particularly Tawang, birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, China combines military posturing with claims of historical and spiritual legitimacy, arguing that the region is inherently Tibetan and therefore Chinese.
• In Nepal, Beijing has heavily invested in Buddhist infrastructure, notably around Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.
• In Bhutan, China subtly engages with monastic communities, testing the kingdom’s careful balance between tradition and foreign influence.

The Himalayas as the True Frontline and Soft Power as Hard Power

• The Himalayas as the True Frontline
  • While global attention remains fixed on maritime disputes in the Indo-Pacific, the real strategic frontier between India and China may lie among the high peaks of the Himalayas.
  • The monasteries, prayer wheels, and chanting monks of this region are not merely remnants of a spiritual past but instruments of modern power.
  • The battle for influence is increasingly fought not with missiles and submarines but with prayer beads, reincarnations, and the politics of faith.
• Soft Power as Hard Power
  • In the rugged Himalayan terrain, where roads and infrastructure are sparse, soft power often functions as hard power.
  • A monastery shifting its allegiance can alter the balance of influence in an entire region.
  • India’s challenge is to prevent its border populations from being swayed by Chinese-controlled spiritual figures, particularly in sensitive areas like Ladakh.
  • The stakes will only rise after the Dalai Lama’s passing. His succession will not remain a bilateral issue but will reverberate across Buddhist-majority countries such as Mongolia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

Conclusion

• The unfolding struggle over Himalayan Buddhism highlights a deeper truth: geopolitics is not confined to territory, trade, or military might.
• India and China continue their contest for regional dominance; the future of Asia may be shaped as much by spiritual succession as by strategic deterrence.
• The Himalayas, far from being a remote periphery, have emerged as the stage where religion and realpolitik converge, where the next great Asian rivalry will be waged not only on land or sea but in the realm of the sacred.

Why in News?

• India’s urban landscape is rapidly expanding, posing significant challenges in adapting to climate change.
• A World Bank report (“Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India”), in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), highlights the urgent need for urban climate resilience.
• It advocates for greater autonomy for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and suggests a $2.4 trillion investment requirement by 2050.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Highlights from the Report
• Financial and Population Projections
• Best Practices Cited in India
• Recommendations of the Report
• Conclusion

Key Highlights from the Report:

• Need for urban autonomy in climate governance:
  • World Bank India emphasized that cities with decision-making autonomy perform better in climate resilience.
  • Advocated for the implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, based on local conditions.
  • Decentralization leads to better resource mobilization, asset monetization, revenue generation, and accountability.
• Urban climate risks and economic costs:
  • Urban India will experience two major shocks -
    • Pluvial flooding (urban flooding due to poor drainage and excessive concretization).
    • Extreme heat stress, worsened by the urban heat island effect.
  • Estimated annual flood-related losses are $5 billion by 2030 and $30 billion by 2070.
  • Heat-related fatalities could double to over 3 lakh per year by 2050.

Financial and Population Projections:

• Investment needs:
  • $2.4 trillion required by 2050 for building resilient infrastructure and services.
  • At least $150 billion needed to build flood resilience in 60% of high-risk cities over the next 15 years.
• Urban growth trajectory:
  • Urban population to nearly double to 951 million by 2050.
  • By 2030, cities will generate 70% of new employment in India.

Best Practices Cited in India:

• Ahmedabad has developed a Heat Action Plan model which aims to strengthen early warning systems, improve healthcare readiness, increase green cover and shift work schedules for outdoor laborers.
• Kolkata has adopted a city-level flood forecasting and warning system.
• Indore has invested in a modern solid waste management system, improving cleanliness and supporting green jobs.
• Chennai has adopted a climate action plan based on thorough risk assessment and targeting both adaptation and low-carbon growth.

Recommendations of the Report:

• For national and state governments:
  • Create a financing roadmap.
  • Set standards and frameworks to boost municipal capacity.
  • Engage the private sector in climate-resilient infrastructure.
• For cities and ULBs:
  • Evaluate climate risks at the local level.
  • Mobilise capital (including private investments) for adaptation and mitigation.
  • Adopt strategies such as -
    • Cool roofs, early warning systems, urban greening, and shifted working hours to mitigate heat stress.
    • Urban planning that reduces impervious surfaces and improves stormwater management.

Conclusion: The World Bank–MoHUA report highlights that empowering cities through greater autonomy, targeted investments, and institutional reforms is crucial for making India's urban future climate-resilient, economically productive, and socially inclusive.

Why in the News?

• The Government is all set to introduce the National Sports Governance Bill in Parliament in the monsoon session.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• National Sports Governance Bill (Introduction, Key Provisions, Inclusion of BCCI, Rationale, etc.)

Introduction

• The Union Government is set to introduce the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 in Parliament, marking a significant move towards reforming the governance of sports bodies in India.
• The Bill seeks to streamline regulatory oversight, promote athlete-centric policies, ensure fair and timely dispute resolution, and bring transparency to the functioning of all National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• In a major shift from a perceived “controller” role to that of a “facilitator,” the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aims to empower Indian sports to achieve global competitiveness while reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and legal disputes.

Key Provisions of the National Sports Governance Bill

• Establishment of National Sports Board
  • A National Sports Board will be constituted to oversee:

• Recognition and suspension of NSFs
• Monitoring compliance with governance and athlete welfare standards
• Ensuring timely and fair conduct of elections
• The Board will consist of members, including a chairperson, appointed by the central government.
• It will act as a watchdog for ethical functioning and provide administrative direction to the NSFs.

• Formation of National Sports Tribunal
  • To address the legal logjam in the sporting ecosystem, the Bill proposes the creation of a National Sports Tribunal (NST).
  • Headed by a Supreme Court judge
  • Will resolve disputes related to elections, selection, and internal administration of NSFs
  • Appeals from the NST’s decisions will lie only with the Supreme Court

• However, the NST will not cover:

• Disputes arising during Olympic, Asian, or Commonwealth Games
• Matters governed by international federations
• Anti-doping cases, which remain under the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

Inclusion of BCCI under the Sports Governance Framework

• A notable feature of the Bill is the inclusion of the BCCI, which until now has operated as an autonomous entity under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, and is not officially recognised as an NSF.
• Once the Bill becomes law, the BCCI will need recognition from the proposed National Sports Board.
• BCCI’s disputes will be referred to the National Sports Tribunal.
• It will also come under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, ensuring public accountability.
• While the BCCI has adopted the Lodha Committee reforms (mandated by the Supreme Court), including tenure and age limits for office-bearers, it has resisted being classified under NSFs due to its financial independence from the Sports Ministry.

Empowering Athletes and Ensuring Good Governance

• The Bill is explicitly athlete-centric, focusing on:

• Representation of athletes in administrative roles
• Safeguarding athlete rights
• Ensuring timely and transparent selections
• Curbing doping and unethical practices

• By aligning age and tenure norms with international bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Bill allows for experienced administrators to continue if permitted by global standards.
• It also proposes raising the upper age cap from 70 to 75 years.

Rationale Behind the Bill

• The Sports Ministry is currently facing over 300 legal cases from various federations, hampering sports development.
• Many NSFs are mired in protracted legal disputes over governance and elections, harming athletes and administrators alike.
• With India bidding for the 2036 Olympics and T20 cricket included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the government is keen to ensure global credibility and institutional accountability in Indian sports governance.

Why in news?

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked state Chief Ministers to stop the forced sale of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants with subsidised fertilisers like urea and DAP.

Many farmers complained that shopkeepers were not giving them subsidised fertilisers unless they also bought biostimulants. Farmers also said these biostimulants were not working well.

The Minister said a full review is needed. If biostimulants do not help farmers, their sale will not be allowed.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Biostimulants
• Key Differences Between Biostimulants and Fertilizers
• India’s Growing Biostimulant Market
• Why the Government Began Regulating Biostimulants?
• FCO Guidelines on Biostimulants
• Government Tightens Regulations on Biostimulants

About Biostimulants

• These are substances or microorganisms that help improve plant growth and productivity.
• They work by stimulating natural processes in plants, such as nutrient absorption, stress tolerance, and overall yield.
• These substances are sometimes made from plant waste or seaweed
• According to the Fertiliser Control Order of 1985, biostimulants are used on plants, seeds, or soil (rhizosphere) to support growth and do not include pesticides or plant growth regulators, which are governed by separate laws.
• Benefits of Biostimulants
  • Stress Tolerance Enhancement - Improve plant response to environmental stress (drought, heat); Boost germination, root growth, and nutrient uptake.
  • Better Grain & Fruit Quality - Enhance grain fill in crops like corn; Support fruit coloring and postharvest quality; Improve drought resilience during critical growth phases.
  • Growth Promotion - Contain growth-promoting microbes; Increase leaf area, seedling height, and overall crop yield.

Key Differences Between Biostimulants and Fertilizers

• Function
  • Fertilizers: Supply essential nutrients (NPK) directly.
  • Biostimulants: Enhance nutrient uptake and internal plant processes.
• Plant Health Approach
  • Fertilizers: Focus on basic growth through nutrition.
  • Biostimulants: Improve stress tolerance and overall resilience.
• Soil Impact
  • Fertilizers: May degrade soil and harm microbes with overuse.
  • Biostimulants: Boost soil microbes and improve long-term fertility.
• Regulation
  • Fertilizers: Tightly regulated based on nutrient content.
  • Biostimulants: Less regulated; defined by function, not content.
• Environmental Effect
  • Fertilizers: Risk of runoff and pollution.
  • Biostimulants: Eco-friendly; reduce need for excess fertilizer.

India’s Growing Biostimulant Market

• India’s biostimulant market was valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 1,135.96 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 15.64%.
• However, the market has faced issues with unregulated products.
• Union Agriculture Minister stated that nearly 30,000 biostimulant products were sold without checks for years.
• Even in the past four years, around 8,000 such products remained in use.
  • Due to stricter regulations now enforced, the number has dropped to about 650 as of July 15.
    • In May 2025, the Agriculture Ministry issued new specifications for biostimulants for various crops, signalling a more stringent and standardised regulatory approach going forward.

Why the Government Began Regulating Biostimulants?

• Biostimulants were long sold without government approval because they did not fall under the categories of fertilisers or pesticides regulated by the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985, or the Insecticides Act, 1968.
• In 2011, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that any product claiming to act like a fertiliser or insecticide but not covered under existing laws must be examined by state authorities before being sold.
• As biostimulant use grew, the Centre took notice. By 2017, NITI Aayog and the Agriculture Ministry began drafting a regulatory framework.
• This led to an amendment of the FCO in February 2021, officially bringing biostimulants under regulation for production, sale, and import.

FCO Guidelines on Biostimulants

• The inclusion of biostimulants under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) empowers the Central government to set specifications.
• The FCO classifies biostimulants into eight categories such as botanical extracts, seaweed extracts, bio-chemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
• Manufacturers or importers must apply to the Controller of Fertilisers, submitting details about the product’s chemistry, source, shelf-life, bio-efficacy trial results, and toxicity data.
  • Toxicity testing involves five acute toxicity tests on rats and rabbits, and four eco-toxicity tests assessing impact on birds, fish, honeybees, and earthworms.
• Biostimulants must not contain pesticide residues beyond 0.01 ppm.
• Efficacy trials must be conducted at three doses across three agro-ecological zones for one season through recognised agricultural institutions.
• Additionally, a Central Biostimulant Committee was formed in April 2021, chaired by the Agriculture Commissioner.
• This committee advises the government on new biostimulant inclusion, setting standards, testing protocols, lab requirements, and other regulatory matters.

Why in news?

The Union Budget 2025–26 signals a major shift in India’s energy strategy by setting an ambitious target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, a sharp rise from the current 8.18 GW. This aligns with the dual national goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

To advance this vision, the Nuclear Energy Mission has earmarked ₹20,000 crore to develop at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033.

Achieving these goals will require private sector participation, which in turn demands reforms in the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. Beyond legal reforms, a broader mindset shift is essential to transition nuclear energy from a government-led domain to a public-private growth engine.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Nuclear Power Journey: A Tale of Early Promise, Isolation, and Gradual Progress
• Nuclear Power Key to India’s Green Development Goals
• Global Support for Nuclear Power
• Unlocking India’s Nuclear Future: Creating an Enabling Environment
• Conclusion

India’s Nuclear Power Journey: A Tale of Early Promise, Isolation, and Gradual Progress

• India’s nuclear programme began early, with the Apsara reactor established in 1956 and nuclear power development initiated at Tarapore in 1963.
• Homi Bhabha had envisioned 8 GW of nuclear power by 1980.
• However, geopolitical events such as the 1962 war with China, India’s refusal to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968, and its 1974 Peaceful Nuclear Explosion led to international isolation and export restrictions.
• India focused on indigenising nuclear technology, eventually developing 220 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which used natural uranium.
• Post-1998 nuclear tests and subsequent diplomatic engagement led to India being recognised as a responsible nuclear power.
• It culminated in a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), allowing renewed international cooperation.
• Despite this, India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) discouraged foreign participation in building new nuclear plants, leaving Russia as the only active partner under a pre-CLNDA agreement, constructing six VVER-1000 reactors at Kudankulam.

Nuclear Power Key to India’s Green Development Goals

• To achieve developed nation status by 2047, India must grow its per capita income from $2,800 to $22,000 and its GDP from $4 trillion to over $35 trillion.
• Since economic growth is closely linked with energy consumption, India’s electricity generation capacity — currently ~480 GW, split equally between fossil fuels and renewables — must grow fivefold.
• However, renewable energy sources like solar and wind are intermittent and currently contribute only a fraction of total electricity generation.
  • In 2024, despite comprising half the generation capacity, renewables generated just 240 TWh, while coal plants provided 75% of the total power.
• India’s climate commitments — including net zero emissions by 2070, 500 GW of non-fossil energy by 2030, and 50% energy demand met through renewables — restrict future dependence on fossil fuels.
• With renewables expected to meet only 20-25% of demand even with advanced storage solutions, nuclear energy emerges as a crucial alternative.

Unlocking India’s Nuclear Future: Creating an Enabling Environment

• To meet its ambitious target of 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, India is focusing on multiple strategic and structural reforms.
• The government has outlined a three-pronged approach to scale nuclear capacity, attract private participation, and modernize its legal and regulatory framework.
• Three-Pronged Expansion Strategy
  • Standardising Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
    • India plans to standardise the 220 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) design for Bharat Small Modular Reactors, which can replace over 100 GW of aging captive thermal plants in the next 20 years.
    • This standardisation will cut costs and commissioning timelines.
  • Scaling 700 MW PHWR Projects
    • The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) will expedite its 700 MW reactor projects by simplifying land acquisition, fast-tracking clearances, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
  • Reinvigorating Global Partnerships
    • Talks with France and the U.S. — long delayed — are set to be accelerated to bring in foreign expertise and advanced reactor technologies.
• Reforming Nuclear Legislation
  • Atomic Energy Act Overhaul
    • The 1962 Act, which reserves nuclear power exclusively for the government, must be amended to allow private sector participation.
    • Questions over ownership structure, operator responsibilities, and fuel supply assurance need to be addressed in consultation with key industry players.
  • CLNDA Amendments
    • The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, must be revised — especially the contentious liability clause — to reduce legal risks for suppliers and attract foreign investment.
  • Tariff Disputes and Regulation
    • Disputes like NPCIL vs Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam raise questions about whether nuclear tariffs should follow the Electricity Act framework.
    • With private players entering, clear and predictable tariff-setting mechanisms are essential.
• Independent Nuclear Regulator Needed
• Although India has a strong safety record, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), currently under the Department of Atomic Energy, lacks full independence.
• The 2011 draft Bill to establish AERB as an autonomous statutory body must be revived, especially with private participation on the horizon.
• Incentivising Nuclear Investments
  • Reclassify as Renewable: Though low-carbon, nuclear is not officially labelled “renewable.” Reclassifying it would unlock tax benefits and access to green financing instruments.
  • Viability Gap Funding & PPAs: Long-term power purchase agreements and targeted funding support will make nuclear investments more attractive.
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): The sector should be opened up to FDI — possibly up to 49% — to maintain Indian control while bringing in global capital.
• Public Sector JVs and the Road Ahead
  • Past attempts at reform have been slow. For example, a 2011 NPCIL-NTPC joint venture languished for years before being revived recently.
  • This JV will now construct four 700 MW units at Mahi Banswara, Rajasthan.
  • A similar venture with Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is also under consideration. However, these remain government-led.

Conclusion

To achieve 100 GW by 2047, India must go beyond these efforts and aggressively pursue private and foreign collaboration. The time for half-measures is over — a comprehensive, forward-looking reform push is essential.

Why in news?

In an unexpected development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on July 21, the opening day of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Citing health concerns and following medical advice, Dhankhar submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, invoking Article 67(a) of the Constitution.

Jagdeep Dhankhar is the third Vice President in India’s history to resign mid-term, after V. V. Giri and R. Venkataraman, who resigned to contest presidential elections.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Vice President’s Resignation Procedure
• Succession After Vice President’s Resignation
• Eligibility Criteria for Vice-President of India
• Election Process for the Vice-President of India
• Role and Importance of the Vice President of India

Vice President’s Resignation Procedure

• As per Article 67 of the Constitution, the Vice President can resign anytime by submitting a written resignation to the President.
• Once accepted, the resignation takes immediate effect, requiring only formal communication and acknowledgment—no approval process is needed.
• Article 67(a)
  • Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution allows the Vice President to resign before completing the five-year term by submitting a written resignation to the President.
  • Jagdeep Dhankhar, who became Vice President in August 2022, invoked this article to step down two years early, well before his term was due to end in 2027.

Succession After Vice President’s Resignation

• When the Vice President of India resigns, an election must be held to fill the vacancy, as per constitutional provisions.
• The Constitution does not provide for an acting Vice-President.
• However, since the Vice-President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Chairman, currently Harivansh Narayan Singh, will preside over the House in his absence.
• This seamless succession mechanism ensures that the functioning of the Rajya Sabha continues without disruption.
• Timeline for Vice-Presidential Election
  • Unlike the President’s post, the Constitution does not set a fixed deadline for filling a Vice-Presidential vacancy.
  • The only stipulation is that the election be conducted “as soon as possible” after the office falls vacant.
  • The Election Commission is responsible for announcing the schedule.
  • The election is held under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
  • Traditionally, the Secretary General of either House of Parliament is appointed as the Returning Officer on a rotational basis.
• Tenure of the new Vice President
  • A newly elected Vice President, in the event of a mid-term vacancy, will serve a full five-year term from the date of assuming office, not merely the remaining period of the predecessor's term.
  • This is a crucial distinction from some other constitutional offices where successors may serve only the unexpired term.

Eligibility Criteria for Vice-President of India

• As per Article 66 of the Indian Constitution, a person is eligible to contest for the office of Vice-President if:
  • He is an Indian citizen,
  • at least 35 years old, and
  • qualified to be elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
• Additionally, the candidate must not hold any office of profit under the Central or State Government or any local or public authority.

Election Process for the Vice-President of India

• The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members.
• State legislatures do not participate in this process.
• Voting takes place in the Parliament House through a secret ballot, using the proportional representation system with a single transferable vote.
• Each Member of Parliament ranks candidates in order of preference, with all votes carrying equal weight.
• A candidate must secure a quota of votes — calculated by dividing the total valid votes by two and adding one — to win.
• If no candidate reaches the quota initially, the one with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to second preferences.
• This elimination and transfer process continues until a candidate meets the required quota.

Role and Importance of the Vice President of India

• The Vice President is the second-highest constitutional authority in India and acts as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
• Though not a member of any House or state legislature, the Vice President ensures smooth conduct of proceedings in the Upper House.
• In the event of the President’s death, resignation, removal, or inability to perform duties, the Vice President temporarily assumes presidential responsibilities until a new President is elected.

Why in news?

Recent U.S. court rulings — Thomson Reuters vs Ross Intelligence, Bartz vs Anthropic, and Kadrey vs Meta — have clarified that using legitimately acquired texts for training AI models may qualify as "fair use" under copyright law, especially when the output is transformative.

However, the legality of using pirated data or the full impact on creative markets remains unresolved, leaving significant legal uncertainty around AI-generated content.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Copyright Challenges in AI-Generated Content
• Legal Uncertainty Around Databases and Generative AI
• US Courts Back Fair Use in AI Training but Warn Against Piracy
• Implications of AI Copyright Disputes for India

Copyright Challenges in AI-Generated Content

• Generative AI models sometimes replicate or closely resemble original copyrighted works, leading to legal and ethical concerns.
• The key legal question is whether training AI on such data and producing new content harms the original creator’s market or qualifies as “transformative use.”
• While some jurisdictions like the U.S. may consider it fair use, others like the EU and U.K. allow it under text and data mining exceptions.
• However, with AI often trained on large datasets scraped from the internet—including both copyrighted and public domain materials—the global legal consensus on copyright infringement remains unsettled.

Legal Uncertainty Around Databases and Generative AI

• The use of databases and published works for training generative AI models raises complex questions rooted in intellectual property law, contracts, and privacy norms.
• There is widespread legal ambiguity about whether training AI on IP-protected data and generating outputs from it constitutes infringement.
• Some countries allow exceptions for fair use, text and data mining, or temporary copying, but these exceptions vary and haven’t been universally tested in court.
• A major concern is the lack of harmonised global rules, which deepens the uncertainty around who owns IP rights in AI-generated content.
• This is particularly challenging in copyright law, which traditionally demands human authorship—a standard generative AI does not meet.

US Courts Back Fair Use in AI Training but Warn Against Piracy

• Two significant U.S. court rulings—one favoring Anthropic and the other Meta—affirmed that using copyrighted material to train AI models may qualify as fair use.
• In Anthropic’s case, Judge ruled that training AI using copyrighted texts is transformative, likening it to how writers learn from existing literature.
• However, he allowed the trial to proceed on the issue of using pirated data.
• In Meta’s case, Judge held that the plaintiffs failed to prove that AI outputs diluted the market for original works, thus ruling in Meta’s favor under the fair use doctrine.
• Both rulings offer legal protection to tech firms for AI training but underscore that piracy remains a legal risk and that mechanisms for compensating copyright holders are necessary.

Implications of AI Copyright Disputes for India

• The ANI vs OpenAI lawsuit is shaping how India’s intellectual property laws apply to generative AI.
• Under the Copyright Act, 1957, copyright holders have exclusive rights—such as reproduction and adaptation—which require permission unless exempt under Section 52’s fair dealing clause.
• Although India’s IP laws don’t explicitly mention AI, the prevailing view is that the existing legal framework is adequate to handle AI-related challenges.
• As a signatory to major global IP treaties, India recognises works by legal entities and provides civil and criminal enforcement, including safeguards against digital rights violations.

Why in the News?

• The Supreme Court is hearing cases filed against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Rights in Indian Legal Framework (Natural, Fundamental, Constitutional, Statutory)
• Voting (Constitutional & Legal Provisions, Judicial Interpretation, Implications, etc.)

Introduction

• The Supreme Court of India is presently examining petitions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
• This has reignited an important legal question: What is the true legal status of the right to vote in India?
• Although the right to vote is fundamental to the functioning of a democracy, Indian jurisprudence has oscillated between categorising it as a constitutional right and a statutory one.
• The debate has implications not just for electoral integrity but also for how citizen rights are interpreted and enforced.

Classifying Rights in the Indian Legal Framework

• India recognises different classes of rights under its constitutional and legal regime:

• Natural Rights: Inherent and inalienable, such as the right to life and liberty. While not directly enforceable, courts may interpret these through fundamental rights.
• Fundamental Rights: Enshrined in Part III of the Constitution, they include rights such as freedom of speech, equality before the law, and protection from discrimination. These are enforceable under Article 32.
• Constitutional Rights: Located outside Part III but within the Constitution, such as the right to property and trade. These are enforceable through Article 226 or relevant legal processes.
• Statutory Rights: Derived from ordinary laws passed by Parliament or State legislatures, such as the right to work under MGNREGA or the right to food under the National Food Security Act.

• The status of the right to vote, though derived from the Constitution, has largely been interpreted as a statutory right, setting the stage for the ongoing debate.

Constitutional and Legal Provisions on Voting

• The Constitution of India, under Article 326, guarantees universal adult franchise, stating that every citizen aged 18 or above is entitled to vote, provided they are not disqualified under law. This mandate is operationalised through two key legislations:

• Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RP Act, 1950):
• Section 16 disqualifies non-citizens from being enrolled in electoral rolls.
• Section 19 requires voters to be ordinarily resident and aged 18 or more on the qualifying date.
• Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act, 1951):
• Section 62 allows voting for all enrolled individuals unless disqualified by law or imprisoned.

• These laws form the statutory framework for voting, leading to the view that the right to vote is not absolute but subject to legislative qualifications.

Judicial Interpretation Over the Years

• The status of the right to vote has been clarified, and contested, across several landmark judgments:

• N.P. Ponnuswami (1952): The Supreme Court held that the right to vote is purely statutory.
• Jyoti Basu (1982): Reaffirmed that voting is neither a fundamental nor a common law right, but a statutory one.
• PUCL Case (2003): Justice P.V. Reddy observed that even if not fundamental, the right to vote could be considered a constitutional right.
• Kuldip Nayar (2006): The Supreme Court reverted to viewing voting as a statutory right.
• Raj Bala (2015): Recognised it as a constitutional right based on earlier PUCL interpretation.
• Anoop Baranwal (2023): Majority opinion once again concluded that the right to vote is statutory.

• These oscillations reflect the court’s balancing act between textual interpretation and evolving democratic principles.

The Dissenting View and Future Possibility

• In the Anoop Baranwal case, one of the judges, in his dissent, presented a nuanced position. He argued that:

• Voting is an expression of choice protected under Article 19(1)(a), freedom of speech and expression.
• Free and fair elections are intrinsic to the basic structure of the Constitution.
• Although shaped by statutory law, the origin of this right lies in Article 326 of the Constitution.

• His reasoning could lay the foundation for a future judicial reconsideration that may elevate voting to the status of a constitutional right, particularly as jurisprudence around electoral rights and democratic accountability deepens.

Implications of the Current Legal Status

• Statutory Nature: Being a statutory right means Parliament can impose reasonable restrictions, such as disqualifications or procedural changes.
• Limited Enforcement: The right cannot be enforced through Article 32 like fundamental rights; redressal is through regular legal channels.
• Need for Clarity: In an era of increasing voter suppression concerns, digital disenfranchisement, and electoral roll errors, the legal status of voting may impact how robustly the right is protected.

Context:

• The article critically examines the National Sports Policy 2025, highlighting how it marks a transformational shift in India’s approach to athlete development by integrating sports science, medicine, and technology.
• This development is crucial for sustained elite performance on the global stage.

 From Passion to Precision - India’s Sporting Evolution:

• India’s rise in global sports:
  • India has made commendable progress in international sports, with growing medal counts and participation.
  • However, success remains inconsistent due to gaps in support systems, athlete care, and scientific integration.
• The 2025 policy:
  • Core message: “Performance must be supported, not just expected.”
  • Objective: The 2025 policy integrates science, technology, and medicine as foundational to sports development.

Key Pillars of the National Sports Policy 2025:

• Sports science and medicine integration:
  • Injury surveillance and early intervention: Focus on athlete longevity.
  • Biomechanics and performance analytics: Scientific refinement of training and techniques.
  • Nutrition and recovery science: Targeting marginal gains that decide podium finishes.
  • Mental health and cognitive conditioning: Addressing psychological pressure in high-stakes competition.
• Infrastructure and institutional development:
  • The Sports Authority of India (SAI) regional centres and National Centres of Excellence are being upgraded, in partnership with the National Centre for Sports Science & Research.
  • Examples include:
    • Bengaluru Centre: Advanced sports science hub under Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
    • Indira Gandhi Stadium, Delhi: Home to new Return to Sports division.
• Medical team support at global events: For the first time, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had constituted a 10-member Indian medical team in association with the Indian Olympic Association last year, to be stationed in Paris during the Olympic Games.

Technology - Backbone of the New Sports Ecosystem:

• Governance and monitoring: Use of AI-driven platforms, real-time dashboards, and digital tools for:
  • Tracking performance and recovery.
  • Predicting injury risks and facilitating early intervention.
  • Enhancing transparency and efficiency in sports schemes.
• Innovation and research ecosystem:
  • Formation of a Sports Innovation Task Force.
  • Research grants for academic institutions to develop India-specific, interdisciplinary technologies.
  • These will help in creating a self-reliant pipeline of ideas and tools for athlete development.

Strategic Vision for the Future:

• The policy emphasizes systemic support over sporadic talent success.
• It marks a shift from reactive care to proactive performance support.
• Embeds a data-driven, medically sound, and technologically equipped sporting ecosystem.

Conclusion:

• The National Sports Policy 2025 is a visionary shift in India's sporting philosophy — from mere passion to performance driven by precision, planning, and preventive care.
• It is a vital case study in policy innovation, evidence-based governance, and the intersection of sports, science, and technology.

Context

• The recent controversy in Tamil Nadu over the diversion of temple funds for the construction of colleges has sparked intense political debates.
• Beyond the immediate political implications, the issue highlights a unique social justice model surrounding the regulation of secular practices linked to religion.
• This model, with roots in the erstwhile Madras Presidency, is grounded in a 200-year-old legislative tradition that continues to shape governance in South India.

Historical Background of Religious Endowments

• Regulation of Religious Endowments in India
  • The Religious Endowment and Escheats Regulation of 1817, enacted by the East India Company, laid the foundation for legislative oversight of temple affairs.
  • By the mid-19th century, when the British Crown assumed control over India, Queen Victoria’s proclamation of 1858 emphasised the need to avoid interference in religious practices.
  • This move was prompted by concerns over the religiously charged 1857 Sepoy Mutiny.
  • Despite this stated non-interference, the colonial state continued to regulate temple endowments for revenue and administrative control.
• History of South Indian Temples’ Endowments
  • Temples in South India have a long history of being more than mere places of worship.
  • Dating back to the Chola empire (970 AD), rulers lavished donations, both land and wealth, upon temples.
  • Historian Anirudh Kanisetti notes how queens like Sembiyan Mahadevi strategically endowed temples with resources, turning them into socio-cultural hubs.
  • During the Vijayanagara period, temples served as centers for education, culture, and welfare.
  • Architectural features such as spacious mandapams (pillared halls) bear testimony to their role in hosting educational and cultural events.
  • This historical precedent strengthens the argument that the use of temple funds for modern educational purposes aligns with the original intent of temple endowments.

The Legal Framework

• The legislative structure governing temple funds in Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India evolved through various statutes, culminating in the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Act of 1959.
• Section 36 of this Act explicitly permits trustees of religious institutions to utilise surplus funds, those remaining after temple maintenance and the training of its staff, for purposes sanctioned by law, with prior approval from the Commissioner.
• Furthermore, Section 66 allows surplus funds to be used for the establishment and maintenance of universities or colleges, provided that these institutions include studies on Hindu religion or temple architecture.
• The legality of this arrangement has been repeatedly upheld by constitutional courts, reinforcing the state’s right to manage temple resources in a manner that promotes public welfare.
• Within this legal framework, the diversion of temple funds for building colleges is not only lawful but also a continuation of the traditional practice of using temple resources for education and societal development.

The Debate Over Government Control of Temples, Social Justice and Reform

• The Debate Over Government Control of Temples
  • The debate over government control of temples cannot be reduced to mere legalities; it is deeply intertwined with the legacy of social justice in South India.
  • In the pre-colonial era, temple endowments were a means for rulers to fund welfare initiatives.
  • During colonial rule, state involvement in temple administration ensured the maintenance of these institutions and the allocation of resources for public good.
• Social Justice and Reform
  • The Self-Respect Movement of the early 20th century viewed temple regulation as essential to dismantling caste hierarchies and ensuring social equity.
  • Landmark reforms, such as the Temple Entry legislations of 1936 and 1947, were enabled by the government’s oversight of temple resources.
  • In modern times, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have become pioneers in appointing priests from backward classes, a milestone achieved after years of legal battles and social struggle.
  • Opposition to state management of temple affairs, therefore, risks undermining the hard-won gains of social reform.
  • Government oversight ensures not only lawful allocation of surplus funds but also the continuation of a broader egalitarian legacy.
  • A rollback of such measures would amount to undoing decades of progress toward caste equality and social justice.

Conclusion

• The controversy surrounding the diversion of temple funds for educational purposes is not merely a question of legality but also of historical continuity and social justice.
• The temples of South India have historically functioned as cultural, educational, and welfare institutions, a tradition preserved under the HR&CE Act of 1959.
• The use of surplus temple funds to build colleges is both legally sanctioned and aligned with the temples’ original role in community development.
• More importantly, it is part of a larger social justice model that has defined South Indian politics and society for over a century.

Context

• The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom and India is poised to be a landmark development in international trade, not only for its economic significance but also for its transformative potential in the services sector.
• Among the various areas of collaboration, the rise of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) stands out as a strategic frontier where India’s proven leadership meets the U.K.’s post-Brexit ambition to reinforce its global footprint.
• Therefore, it is important to understand how the FTA can serve as a catalyst for advancing the GCC ecosystem by harmonising trade policies, developing innovation, and driving cross-border collaboration.

India’s GCC Leadership and the U.K.’s Strategic Opportunity

• India’s GCC Leadership
  • India has firmly established itself as the global hub for GCCs, housing over 1,500 centres that employ nearly two million professionals.
  • These centres have evolved from serving as cost-effective back offices to becoming innovation engines for multinational corporations, offering services in research and development, analytics, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
  • British firms, recognising India’s expertise, are increasingly leveraging these capabilities to enhance their competitiveness in global markets.
• U.K.’s Strategic Opportunity
  • For the U.K., the FTA represents a timely opportunity to secure access to India’s fast-growing digital economy and tap into its world-class talent pool.
  • Post-Brexit, the U.K. seeks to strengthen its global services and innovation footprint, and India’s GCC landscape offers an ideal platform for this expansion.
  • By easing market entry and enabling smoother professional mobility, the FTA can pave the way for British companies to not only outsource operations but also collaborate on high-value services and cutting-edge technological solutions.

The Role of Policy and Regulation

• The FTA could address existing challenges such as double taxation, data localisation mandates, and misaligned digital governance standards barriers that often hinder the scaling of GCC operations.
• A well-crafted agreement can create a more seamless environment for intellectual property protection, data sharing, and cross-border digital trade, which are essential for high-tech service delivery.
• India, despite lacking a formal national GCC policy, has cultivated a highly conducive ecosystem through proactive initiatives from both central and state governments.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has collaborated with industry players like NASSCOM and KPMG to outline a national GCC framework in Budget 2025.
• Additionally, states like Uttar Pradesh are making concerted efforts to attract GCC investments, as evidenced by the GCC Conclave under Invest UP.
• This multi-layered approach aligns well with U.K. interests, as the FTA could further incentivise British investment by aligning policy frameworks and enhancing investor confidence.

Economic Diplomacy and the Knowledge Corridor

• The broader diplomatic context adds weight to this economic engagement.
• The high-level visits of U.K. leaders, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, signal a renewed commitment to deepening bilateral trade ties.
• The meeting between Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi at the 2024 G20 Summit further reinforces this vision.
• Both nations share a strategic interest in building a knowledge corridor, wherein services, digital trade, and talent mobility take centre stage.
• The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) emphasises that future trade will increasingly revolve around services, skills, and technology, precisely the domains where GCCs excel.
• By facilitating the cross-border movement of professionals and fostering collaboration in emerging technologies, the FTA can transform the U.K.-India partnership from one of traditional trade to a dynamic and future-ready alliance.

Challenges and the Way Forward

• While the outlook is promising, certain challenges remain.
• The debate over the necessity of a dedicated national GCC policy highlights the complexities of balancing organic growth with structured regulation.
• Additionally, competition between state-level policies, if not coordinated, may dilute national-level progress.
• Talent diversity and professional mobility also require careful management to ensure that the GCC ecosystem remains globally competitive and inclusive.
• Industry leaders have a vital role in shaping the trajectory of this partnership.
• Closed-door consultations by the UKIBC have already begun exploring best practices, legal hurdles, and market outlooks.
• These industry-driven insights, combined with governmental efforts, could ensure that the FTA delivers tangible benefits for both nations.

Conclusion

• The forthcoming U.K.-India Free Trade Agreement offers a historic opportunity to reimagine bilateral trade by prioritising services, innovation, and human capital, areas where Global Capability Centres play a central role.
• For India, the FTA can drive foreign investment, talent development, and digital transformation. For the U.K., it provides a strategic gateway to one of the world’s most dynamic digital economies.
• Together, these nations have the potential to create a resilient, knowledge-driven corridor that sets new benchmarks for international cooperation in the 21st-century services economy.