Why in news?

India's Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs), with a total storage capacity of 5.33 million tonnes, are currently holding 3.37 million tonnes of crude oil — just 64% of total capacity, as revealed by Minister of State for Petroleum in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The SPRs are spread across three underground cavern facilities in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, managed by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL). At full capacity, they can cover approximately 9.5 days of India's crude oil requirements.

With one-third of storage capacity lying vacant, India's buffer against short-term supply shocks is not at its strongest at a time when it is needed most. The government noted that the reserve figure is dynamic, not static — it fluctuates depending on market conditions, incoming stocks, and actual consumption. So the 64% figure represents a snapshot, not a fixed position.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs)
• India's Oil Stockpiles: Where We Stand and Why It Matters

About Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs)

• These are dedicated stockpiles of crude oil maintained by countries as a buffer against sudden supply disruptions and price shocks.
• They are distinct from the routine operational reserves held by oil companies.
• Historical Background
  • The concept of SPRs was first proposed after the Oil Crisis of 1973, when Arab nations imposed an oil embargo on Western countries.
  • Since then, SPRs have been tapped during major global emergencies.
  • Countries like the US, China, and Japan maintain massive SPRs, reflecting the strategic importance of energy stockpiling for large oil-importing economies.
• India's SPR Infrastructure: Current Status
  • In India, SPRs are managed by ISPRL (Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited) — a special purpose vehicle and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB).
  • India currently has three underground cavern facilities:
    • Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) – 1.33 million tonnes
    • Mangaluru (Karnataka) -1.50 million tonnes
    • Padur (Karnataka) - 2.50 million tonnes
    • Total - 5.33 million tonnes
  • At full capacity, these reserves cover approximately 9.5 days of India's crude oil needs.
• Planned Expansion: Future SPR Sites
  • In July 2021, the government approved two additional commercial-cum-strategic petroleum reserves with a combined capacity of 6.5 million tonnes:
    • Chandikhol, Odisha — 4 million tonnes
    • Padur, Karnataka (expansion) — 2.5 million tonnes
  • Further proposals exist for reserves at Bikaner (Rajasthan) and Rajkot (Gujarat), which would add another 6 million tonnes to India's total SPR capacity.
  • However, decisions on these are yet to be taken.
• Key Gaps and Concerns
  • Current reserves cover only ~9.5 days of crude needs — far below the 90-day benchmark recommended for IEA members.
  • Reserves are presently at only 64% capacity (3.37 million tonnes out of 5.33 million tonnes).
  • Planned expansion projects remain incomplete or undecided, leaving India exposed during prolonged supply disruptions like the current West Asia conflict.

India's Oil Stockpiles: Where We Stand and Why It Matters?

• India is the world's third-largest consumer of crude oil.
• Over 88% of its crude oil requirement is met through imports.
• This high import dependency makes India acutely vulnerable to global supply disruptions.
• The IEA Benchmark: How Does India Compare
  • The IEA (International Energy Agency) recommends that countries maintain oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net oil imports.
  • This includes both strategic reserves and commercial inventories held by refiners.
  • India is an Associate Member of the IEA (not a full member), so it is not legally obligated to meet this benchmark.
  • India's current total national storage capacity — including commercial stocks with refiners — stands at 74 days, still short of the 90-day IEA standard.
• Why India Urgently Needs to Expand Its SPRs?
  • The ongoing West Asia conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint.
  • Experts argue that expanding dedicated strategic reserves is long overdue, given:
    • India's massive and growing consumption levels.
    • Its over 88% import dependency.
    • The risk of extended supply disruptions from geopolitical conflicts like the current West Asia war.
  • The current SPR covers only ~9.5 days of crude needs — a dangerously thin buffer.
• The Commercial Case for Expanding SPRs
  • Beyond energy security, there is a strong commercial rationale for building more storage capacity:
    • Market leverage — Even limited additional storage would allow ISPRL to release inventory when prices surge and recharge reserves when prices are low, making it a serious player in international oil markets.
    • Leasing to foreign refiners — Storage can be leased to West Asian refiners, who benefit from reduced freight costs when supplying to Southeast Asian markets.
• The ADNOC Example
  • In July 2021, the government approved the commercialisation of Phase-I SPRs.
  • Under this, an agreement was signed between ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, UAE) and ISPRL.
  • It allows ADNOC to use 7,50,000 tonnes of capacity at the Mangaluru SPR — a model that can be replicated to generate revenue while keeping reserves available for emergencies.

Why in news?

PM Modi addressed the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament, outlining India's position on the escalating West Asia conflict, now in its fourth week.

His statement carried five key diplomatic signals and touched upon energy security, the Indian diaspora, and India's foreign policy approach.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Takeaways From PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech on West Asia Conflict

Key Takeaways From PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech on West Asia Conflict

• Acknowledging the Crisis: Why Parliament Was Chosen
  • PM Modi described the situation in West Asia as "concerning" and noted that the conflict has been ongoing for "more than three weeks".
  • Choosing Parliament as the platform to address the crisis is itself significant — it reflects the gravity of the situation and its direct impact on ordinary citizens' lives, including supply chain disruptions affecting everyday goods.
• Economic Impact on India
  • PM highlighted that India has extensive trade relations with countries both directly at war and those affected by the war in West Asia and the Gulf region.
  • The Strait of Hormuz: A Critical Chokepoint
    • The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but strategically vital waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world's energy supply passes.
    • PM Modi described any closure of the strait as "unacceptable", underlining its importance to India's trade and energy needs.
    • Several Indian commercial ships and seafarers are directly affected in this region.
  • Energy Security and LPG
    • India imports 60% of its LPG requirements, and uncertain supply due to the conflict has prompted the government to prioritise domestic LPG production.
    • Government is ensuring smooth supply of petrol and diesel across the country.
    • Active monitoring of Gulf shipping routes to ensure safe passage; several stuck ships have since arrived in India.
    • India currently holds a Strategic Petroleum Reserve of 53+ lakh metric tonnes.
    • Work underway to expand this to 65+ lakh metric tonnes, in addition to reserves held by oil companies.
    • Over the past 11 years, India has expanded its energy import sources from 27 to 41 countries, reducing dependence on any single region — a strategy that has proven its value in the current crisis.
• Indians Affected by the Conflict
  • The Indian Diaspora in the Gulf
    • Approximately one crore (10 million) Indians live and work in Gulf countries.
    • They are primarily breadwinners from states like Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
    • Any prolonged conflict threatens their livelihoods, remittances, and safety — making this a deeply personal issue for millions of Indian families.
  • Stranded Indian Seafarers
    • Around 700 Indian seafarers aboard approximately 22 ships are currently stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.
    • Indians make up a significant portion of crew members on commercial ships sailing these waters, amplifying India's stakes in the crisis.
  • Evacuation
    • More than 3,75,000 Indians have safely returned to India since the war began.
    • Approximately 1,000 Indians evacuated from Iran, including over 700 young medical students.
    • CBSE has cancelled Class 10 and 12 board exams in Gulf countries and is working to ensure educational continuity.
  • Consular Mechanisms Activated
    • All Indian missions in affected countries are providing continuous help and issuing regular advisories.
    • 24/7 control rooms and emergency helplines established both in India and in affected countries.
• India's Diplomatic Position: Dialogue Over Conflict
• PM Modi stated that he has personally spoken twice to all major leaders in the region — including those from Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
• He reiterated that "dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions", echoing a position India had also taken during the Russia-Ukraine war.
• India has consistently positioned itself as a voice for peace in the interest of humanity, urging all parties to pursue a swift and peaceful resolution.
• India's Strategic Silence: Reading the Diplomatic Signals
  • One of the most notable aspects of PM Modi's statement was what he did not say:
    • He made no condemnation of US or Israeli actions in the conflict.
    • He also expressed no condolences for the Iranian supreme leader — a silence that has been noted in Tehran.
  • This deliberate ambiguity reflects India's pragmatic foreign policy — a careful balancing act to protect its national interests without alienating any of the major players.
  • This approach is often described as "strategic autonomy" — India avoids taking sides while actively engaging all parties diplomatically

Why in the News?

• The government is considering implementing the Women’s Reservation Act through delimitation based on the 2011 Census to fast-track its rollout.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Women’s Reservation Act (Key Features, Significance, Delimitation & Its Role, Issues in Current Framework, etc.)
• News Summary (Delinking Women’s Reservation Act from Census, Implications, etc.)

Women’s Reservation Act

• The Women’s Reservation Act, officially known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, aims to provide 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
• Key Features

• Reserves one-third of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
• Includes reservation within the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) quotas.
• Reservation is expected to be implemented after delimitation based on Census data.

• Significance
  • The Act is a major step toward enhancing women’s political participation and representation in governance.
  • It aims to address historical underrepresentation and promote inclusive policymaking.

Delimitation and Its Role

• Delimitation refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies based on population data.
• It is conducted under Article 82 (for Parliament) and Article 170 (for State Assemblies).
• The objective is to ensure equal representation by adjusting seats according to population changes.
• Under the existing framework, delimitation is to be carried out after the first Census conducted post-2026.
• This requirement has delayed the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act.

Issues with Current Framework

• The linkage between the Census and delimitation has created delays.

• The 2021 Census has been delayed, pushing the timeline further.
• As a result, the implementation of women’s reservation could be postponed beyond 2030.

• This has led to policy discussions on alternative mechanisms to expedite implementation.

News Summary

• The government is exploring a proposal to delink the Women’s Reservation Act from the ongoing Census and delimitation process and implement it earlier.
• Increase in Lok Sabha Seats

• The number of Lok Sabha seats may increase from 543 to 816.
• Out of these, 273 seats could be reserved for women.
• This expansion may involve a 50% increase in seats across states, while maintaining the current proportion of representation.

• Maintaining Federal Balance
  • To address concerns of southern states, the proposal suggests:
    • Keeping the proportion of seats across states unchanged.
    • Avoiding the penalisation of states that have controlled population growth.
  • This ensures political balance and reduces regional opposition.

• Legislative and Constitutional Changes
  • Implementation would require amendments to key provisions, i.e. Article 81 (Lok Sabha composition) and Article 170 (State Assemblies composition).
  • These constitutional caps currently limit the number of seats, necessitating amendments.
• Possible Implementation Mechanism

• A lottery system may be used to determine reserved constituencies.
• Every third seat is likely to be reserved for women.
• However, clarity is still awaited on whether the reservation will be rotational.

Implications of the Proposal

• Faster Implementation
  • Using 2011 Census data can enable implementation before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
• Political Impact
  • An increase in seats may alter electoral dynamics.
  • Larger states like Uttar Pradesh could see significant seat increases.

• Federal Concerns
  • Balancing representation without disadvantaging certain states is a critical challenge.
• Administrative Challenges
  • Delimitation and seat expansion require extensive administrative and legal processes.

Why in News?

• The Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026, introduced by the Union Finance Minister in the Lok Sabha, seeks to amend the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 and the Companies Act, 2013.
• The Bill has been referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny, reflecting both its significance and the concerns raised by the Opposition.
• The 31 members JPC [21 from Lok Sabha (nominated by Om Birla), and 10 from Rajya Sabha (selected by C. P. Radhakrishnan)], will submit its report by the first week of the Monsoon Session.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Objectives of the Bill
• Key Provisions of the Bill
• Concerns and Criticisms
• Significance for the Economy
• Challenges and Way Ahead
• Conclusion

Objectives of the Bill:

• Ease of Doing Business: Simplify compliance requirements and reduce regulatory burden.
• Decriminalisation: Shift minor corporate offences from criminal penalties to monetary fines.
• Modernisation: Align India’s corporate regulatory framework with global best practices.
• Governance reforms: Strengthen institutions like National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and Regional Directors (RDs).

Key Provisions of the Bill:

• Decriminalisation of corporate offences: It seeks to convert minor offences into civil violations with monetary penalties, to reduce litigation and improve business sentiment.
• Changes in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):
  • It increases CSR applicability threshold from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore profits.
  • However, mandatory CSR spending remains at 2% of average net profits (last 3 years).
  • Relaxations: Exemption for small companies. Extension of deadline for transferring unspent CSR funds (from 30 to 90 days).
• Corporate governance and compliance reforms:
  • Reduced compliance burden for small companies.
  • For example, relaxed auditor appointment norms, lower additional fees for filings, and enhanced role of NFRA and RDs.
• Hybrid meetings and digital governance:
  • Companies are allowed to hold Annual General Meetings (AGMs)/Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) via videoconferencing.
  • However, at least one physical AGM is mandatory every three years.
  • This reflects post-pandemic digital governance trends.
• Capital structure flexibility: Rationalisation of provisions related to share buybacks. Increased flexibility in capital structuring while retaining safeguards.
• New framework for trust conversion: It enables conversion of specified trusts (registered under SEBI/IFSC) into LLPs. Expands flexibility for financial entities and investment structures.

Concerns and Criticisms:

• Delegation of legislative powers: Critics argue excessive delegation to executive bodies like NFRA. In Hamdard Dawakhana vs Union of India, the apex court held that Parliament should not enact “skeletal legislation”.
• Dilution of parliamentary oversight: Opposition fears reduced role of legislature in rule-making. Concerns over arbitrariness and accountability.
• Weakening of CSR framework: Raising the CSR threshold may exclude many companies, and could dilute social responsibility obligations.
• Governance vs deregulation debate: Decriminalisation may reduce fear of non-compliance. Risk of weakening corporate accountability mechanisms.

Significance for the Economy:

• Positive signals for investors: Reduced compliance burden improves business climate.
• Alignment with global practices: Enhances India’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
• Digital corporate ecosystem: Promotes efficiency through virtual meetings and governance.

Challenges and Way Ahead:

• Striking a balance: Between ease of doing business and corporate accountability.
  • Stakeholder consultation - Incorporate industry, civil society, and expert inputs.
  • Balanced decriminalisation - Retain strict penalties for serious corporate misconduct.
• Ensuring effective oversight: Despite increased delegation.
  • Strengthen parliamentary scrutiny - Ensure JPC thoroughly evaluates delegation clauses.
• Maintaining CSR effectiveness: Amid relaxed norms.
  • CSR reforms with safeguards - Monitor impact of increased thresholds on social spending.
• Preventing misuse: Of decriminalisation provisions.
  • Robust regulatory framework - Empower NFRA with accountability safeguards.

Conclusion:

• The Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026 represents a significant step toward modernising India’s corporate regulatory landscape.
• The success of the reform will ultimately depend on maintaining a fine balance between liberalisation and accountability, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the cost of governance standards.

Context

• Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major public health challenge in India, not only due to its widespread prevalence but also because of the stigma and social isolation associated with it.
• The experience shared by TB survivor Cedric Fernandes at a 2017 workshop in New Delhi highlights the emotional burden of the disease, particularly the loneliness faced by patients.
• Over time, the emergence of the TB Champion movement has transformed the approach to TB care, shifting it from a purely biomedical model to a more inclusive and community-driven framework.

The Burden of TB and Social Stigma

• India diagnoses and treats millions of TB cases annually, yet the journey from diagnosis to recovery is often fraught with social challenges.
• Stigma and discrimination remain deeply embedded in both urban and rural settings, affecting individuals across gender, age, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Vulnerable groups, including women, transgender individuals, children, and the elderly, experience compounded disadvantages.
• This stigma discourages people from seeking timely diagnosis and adhering to treatment, thereby worsening health outcomes.
• The persistence of misconceptions about TB further reinforces fear and social exclusion, making it essential to address not only the medical but also the social dimensions of the disease.

Limitations of the Biomedical Approach

• Historically, global TB responses have focused predominantly on clinical interventions such as diagnosis, treatment, and disease control.
• While these measures are indispensable, they often overlook the lived experiences of patients.
• This biomedical approach has been criticised for excluding community participation and undervaluing the emotional and social needs of individuals affected by TB.
• Although India’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) has introduced significant advancements, including AI-enabled screening, active case finding, and improved treatment regimens, these innovations alone are insufficient to achieve complete disease elimination.
• A more holistic approach is required, one that integrates community involvement and patient perspectives.

Emergence of the TB Champion Movement

• The TB Champion movement challenges earlier assumptions that TB survivors would prefer to disengage after completing treatment.
• Contrary to such beliefs, many survivors have stepped forward as advocates, peer supporters, and community leaders.
• TB Champions are individuals who use their lived experiences to support others, raise awareness, and advocate for change.
• Their involvement demonstrates that survivors can play a vital role in strengthening the public health response.
• By sharing their personal stories, they humanise the disease and help reduce fear and stigma within communities.

Role of TB Champions

• Emotional and Psychological Support
  • One of the most significant contributions of TB Champions is the emotional support they provide to patients.
  • TB treatment can be long and challenging, often leading to anxiety, isolation, and self-stigma.
  • Through peer counselling and support groups, TB Champions offer reassurance, motivation, and guidance, helping patients navigate the treatment process.
• Improving Treatment Literacy
  • TB Champions also enhance patients’ understanding of the disease and its treatment.
  • By explaining symptoms, side effects, and the importance of adherence, they empower individuals to take control of their health.
  • This personalised engagement develops confidence and improves treatment outcomes.
• Combating Myths and Promoting Awareness
  • TB Champions play a crucial role in dispelling these myths through community outreach and education.
  • By conducting meetings and sharing their own recovery stories, they encourage people to seek timely diagnosis and treatment.
  • Their grassroots presence enables them to reach the last mile, ensuring that even remote and marginalised communities receive accurate information.
• Expanding Community Impact
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, they emerged as reliable sources of information, promoting appropriate health behaviours within their communities.
  • This highlights their broader potential as community health advocates.
  • Additionally, the formation of survivor-led networks has strengthened collective action.
  • These networks provide a platform for advocacy, mutual support, and engagement with healthcare systems, particularly for socially vulnerable groups.

Challenges and Sustainability

• Despite their success, TB Champion networks face challenges related to sustainability.
• Many of these initiatives depend on external funding, raising concerns about their long-term viability.
• To ensure continued impact, there is a need to develop self-sustaining socio-economic models that can support survivor-led efforts.
• Addressing these challenges is crucial for maintaining the momentum of community-driven TB responses and ensuring that the benefits of these initiatives are not lost.

Conclusion

• The fight against tuberculosis in India requires more than medical interventions; it demands a comprehensive approach that addresses the social and emotional realities of patients.
• The TB Champion movement exemplifies the power of community engagement, demonstrating that survivors can be instrumental in driving change.
• By providing emotional support, improving awareness, and challenging stigma, TB Champions have redefined the role of patients in public health.
• Their contributions highlight the importance of empathy, empowerment, and collective action in achieving the goal of a TB-free India.

Context

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge, particularly in India. Recent advancements endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have significantly transformed TB diagnostics.
• The emergence of near point-of-care tests, molecular diagnostics, and AI-enabled tools has improved detection, efficiency, and accessibility.
• However, persistent gaps in implementation, access, and research must be addressed to achieve elimination goals.

Technological Advancements and Their Impact

• The introduction of near point-of-care (NPOC) tests, tongue swabs, and sputum pooling has made TB testing faster and more scalable.
• A major breakthrough is the use of portable chest X-rays (CXR) combined with artificial intelligence (AI) for screening.
• Under the National TB Elimination Programme, mobile vans equipped with these technologies have expanded community-based screening.
• AI enables rapid identification of suspicious lesions, allowing opportunistic screening in both public and private healthcare settings.
• This reduces diagnostic delays and improves early detection; however, effective implementation requires on-the-spot sputum collection, proper referral systems, and strong microplanning to target vulnerable populations, including those in urban slums and tribal areas.

Evolution of Molecular Testing in India

• India’s diagnostic approach has shifted from sputum smear microscopy to advanced nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT).
• The introduction of CBNAAT and Truenat has enabled rapid detection of TB and drug resistance.
• This shift has strengthened the overall diagnostic accuracy and reduced reliance on less sensitive methods.
• Despite progress, uneven access to molecular testing remains a concern. Strengthening sample collection, transport systems, and laboratory capacity is essential, especially for the elderly, disabled, and populations in remote areas.
• Reducing turnaround time is critical to ensure timely treatment, particularly for drug-resistant TB cases.
• The expansion of decentralised testing through NPOC-NAAT allows testing at primary healthcare levels.
• Additionally, non-sputum samples such as tongue swabs improve access for individuals who cannot produce sputum, including children.

The Need for a Comprehensive Diagnostic Strategy

• No single diagnostic tool can address all challenges. A comprehensive diagnostic toolbox is required, combining AI-enabled imaging and molecular tests.
• Diagnostic network optimisation helps determine the best combination of tools for different settings, ensuring accessibility, affordability, and efficiency.
• Implementation must be guided by evidence-based research. Institutions like the Indian Council of Medical Research play a crucial role in evaluation, validation, and health technology assessment.
• Streamlined procurement systems ensure that only effective and safe tools are scaled up across public and private sectors.

Persistent Gaps and Research Priorities

• First, there is a need for cost-effective biomarkers to identify individuals at high risk of disease progression, improving TB preventive therapy (TPT) uptake.
• Second, asymptomatic TB requires broader screening beyond symptoms, using CXR access and non-invasive diagnostics such as saliva-based tests.
• Third, paediatric TB diagnosis remains difficult due to low bacterial load and inability to produce sputum.
  • Alternative approaches like stool-based testing require further research.
• Fourth, extra-pulmonary TB (EP-TB) diagnosis is often delayed, expensive, and inaccessible, leading to misdiagnosis and poor outcomes.
  • Emerging solutions like AI-enabled ultrasound combined with molecular tools show promise but need further validation.
• Finally, community engagement is essential. Addressing screening hesitancy and improving awareness through community-led programmes can increase uptake of diagnostics and preventive therapy.

Conclusion

• Strengthening TB diagnostics offers one of the highest returns in public health. Early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes, reduces transmission, and minimises long-term complications.
• It also lowers out-of-pocket expenditure for affected families.
• India’s expanding diagnostic ecosystem, driven by innovation, research, and policy support, provides a strong foundation for TB elimination.
• Achieving this goal requires ensuring equitable access, improving implementation efficiency, advancing research, and fostering community participation.
• A robust, evidence-based diagnostic strategy can accelerate progress toward eliminating TB and improving overall public health.