Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a given period. GDP in India is calculated by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
The post-2015 GDP methodology aims to provide a more accurate, data-rich, and globally comparable picture of India’s economy. To improve reliability, there is a need for greater transparency.
The World Bank defines infrastructure as “the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society, enterprise, or system.” It is prerequisite for rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth.
A 1% increase in infrastructure investment can raise output by 0.4% in the same year and by 1.5% in 4 years. (IMF)
Modern transport, logistics and energy infrastructure reduce time and transaction costs and increase competitiveness.
Boosts Manufacturing & Exports – Eg- Port led development under Sagarmala project
Crowds in domestic private investment and FDI –
Facilitates Urbanisation and industrialization- Eg- industrial corridors, and smart cities support agglomeration economies and higher output.
Energy Security through investments in renewables (48 % of the total installed capacity).
Bridges Rural-Urban Divide- Rural roads, irrigation networks and decentralised energy systems enhance market access and livelihoods. Eg- PMGSY
Access to Basic Services – Water supply, sanitation, healthcare facilities, and DPI ensure equitable access for vulnerable groups. Eg- Jal Jeevan Mission
Balanced Regional Growth- Connectivity in tribal, hilly, and northeastern regions improves mobility, education access, and economic opportunity.
Employment Generation for low-skilled and semi-skilled workers. Eg- The PM Gati Shakti initiative is expected to create 1 crore+ jobs by 2030.
Improves standard of living – Eg- over 4Cr houses constructed under PMAY
Women Empowerment – Eg- SBM improving access to sanitation
India has the second largest road network in the world (1.5 lakh km National Highway)
Ports & Logistics: Sagarmala increased port capacity beyond 2,600 MTPA.
Digital Infrastructure: Aadhaar, UPI, BharatNet deepened digital inclusion.
Energy: Renewable capacity crossed 240+ GW, improving energy security.
Lack Of Integrated Policy- India has the second largest infrastructure deficit in the world (after Brazil)
Financing Constraints: NIP requires Rs 111 lakh crore.
Delays in Land Acquisition & Clearances slowing project execution. Eg- Mumbai Metro
Urban Infrastructure Deficits: Eg- 17% population living in slums
Logistics Inefficiencies: 13-14% logistics cost compared to 8-10% global average
Poor concession agreements and litigation in PPP projects
Neglect of social infrastructure – Eg- health and education spending at 1.9% and 4% of GDP only
Inadequate R&D expenditure (0.7% of GDP) hinder the adoption of innovative solutions.
Strengthen PPP Models with better risk-sharing and transparent concession agreements. (Kelkar Committee recommendations)
Accelerate Gati Shakti Platform for integrated planning and faster clearances.
Increase Sustainable Financing via green bonds, NIIF, and development finance institutions.
Focus on Climate-Resilient Infrastructure in coastal, drought-prone and flood-prone regions.
Sustainable and high-quality infrastructure is a essential for realisation of a $40 Trillion economy by 2047.
As per UNODC, organized crime is a continuing criminal enterprise that rationally works to profit from illicit activities that are often in great public demand.
Types of Organised Crime
Drug Trafficking (Narco-Trade)- Eg- Recent high-volume seizures of “Meth” in the Arabian Sea via the Makran Coast route.
Illicit Arms Smuggling- Eg- The use of “Payload Drones” in Punjab to transport pistols and grenades from across the border.
Human Trafficking- Forced labor and sexual exploitation. Eg- syndicates trafficking Indians to Southeast Asian “Cyber-Slavery” hubs.
Money Laundering- The process of “cleansing” criminal proceeds. Eg- Use of Layering techniques via Shell companies and Virtual Digital Assets (Crypto).
Cybercrime (Crime-as-a-Service)- Eg- The 2024 surge in “Digital Arrest” scams operated by transnational gangs.
FICN (Counterfeiting)- Smuggling Fake Indian Currency Notes to trigger monetary instability.
Contract Killings & Extortion- Use of violence to “tax” businesses. Eg- Bishnoi gang
Environmental Crime- Eg- Illegal Red Sandalwood trade in the Seshachalam forests.
Infrastructure Sharing- Terrorists use established criminal “rat-lines” for the clandestine movement of personnel. Eg- use of drug networks for terrorist infiltration in J&K
Logistics support – Eg- D-Company’s role in 1993 Bombay Blasts
Resource Appropriation- Terror groups adopt criminal tactics like “Tiger Kidnapping” (kidnapping for ransom) to create immediate liquidity.
Corruption of Local Governance- Both groups collaborate to “buy” local administrative silence, creating pockets of lawlessness.
Narco-Terrorism- Terrorist groups taxing or controlling drug trade routes to finance global jihad. Eg- The Taliban using opium revenue from Afghanistan to fund operations.
Global Hawala Networks- Terror funding is moved across borders using the same illegal financial networks established by crime syndicates.
The “Black Hole” Effect- In “gray zones,” criminal and terror groups merge into a single entity. Eg- ISIS-K using illegal mining of talc to fund global operations.
Specialized Alliances- Terrorists outsource technical needs to professional transnational syndicates. Eg- use Dark Net markets by LeT to receive “anonymous” donations.
Transnational crime acts as a tool of “Grey Zone Warfare” by hostile neighbors to destabilize the economy via drug-pushing.
Diversion of humanitarian aid in conflict zones (Sahel, Middle East) into the hands of organized terror groups via criminal intermediaries. (FATF report)
The Crime-Terror nexus creates Black Hole of instability. Addressing this requires Whole-of-Government approach.
11,098 km coastline, an Exclusive Economic Zone of over 2 million sq km, and over 95% of its trade by volume via sea, highlights the need for robust maritime security architecture
The Indian ocean region is ‘New Hotbed’ of security threats – Fareed Zakaria
Maritime Terrorism- Eg- the 26/11 Mumbai attacks
Geopolitical Competition from China challenging India’s role as a “Net Security Provider.”
“dual-use” ports like Hambantota (Sri Lanka) and Gwadar (Pakistan)
Chinese spy ships in Indian Ocean (Tianwen I)
Piracy and Armed Robbery-
Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea
Houthi disruptions in the Red Sea
Transnational Organized Crime- The “Golden Crescent” and “Golden Triangle” routes converge in the IOR. (MHA)
Human Trafficking- Illegal migration routes across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing- Eg- Large foreign deep-sea trawlers encroaching on India’s.
Offshore Asset Vulnerability- Eg- Mumbai High oil rigs and the Great Nicobar Project from state and non-state sabotage.
Nuclearization of IOR due to AUKUS
Rising sea levels and the increasing frequency of “Super Cyclones” threaten critical coastal infrastructure. Eg- naval bases and nuclear plants.
IOR emerging as theater of great-power rivalry – Eg- US-UK base in Diego Garcia
Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) for unified regulatory oversight for port and ship security
National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) to improve coordination between the Navy, Coast Guard, and various ministries.
Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) as a global hub for real-time information sharing on “White Shipping.”
Three-Tiered Security Architecture- *
Indian Navy- Deep-sea and International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Indian Coast Guard (ICG)- Intermediate waters and EEZ (up to 200 nm).
Marine Police- Coastal waters (up to 12 nm).
Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) Phase-II- Completion of a chain of 46 static radar stations and AIS (Automatic Identification System).
Mandatory installation of NavIC-enabled Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) on all fishing vessels.
Induction of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for surveillance of sensitive chokepoints.
Utilization of ISRO’s GSAT-7 series (Rukmini) for “dark vessel” tracking.
Project 75I – for more indigenous scorpian class submarine
Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025- formally recognizes “No-War, No-Peace” as a distinct operational category, emphasizing readiness for grey-zone conflicts.
MAHASAGAR (2025)- fostering security partnerships with IOR littoral states.
Exercise Sea Vigil- to test the “SOPs” of over 15 different agencies.
Issuance of biometric ID cards to over 300,000 fishermen.
A proactive Maritime Domain Awareness is needed for resilient “Blue Economy” and “maritime surakshit Bharat”.
As per IT Act, 2000, “cyber security” means protecting information, equipment, communication device and information stored therein from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction.
Elements of cyber security
Core Principles (The CIA Triad)
Confidentiality– Keeping sensitive data private from unauthorized access. Eg- encryption
Integrity– Ensuring data is accurate, trustworthy, and hasn’t been altered. Eg- digital signatures.
Availability– Ensuring systems are accessible to authorized users when needed. Eg- backups.
Key Security Domains & Functions
Network Security– Protecting network infrastructure (firewalls).
Endpoint Security– Securing devices like laptops, phones (antivirus).
Application Security– Securing software and apps.
Data Security- Implementing encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools.
Identity & Access Management (IAM)– Eg- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Incident Response– Planning for and managing security breaches.
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity– Planning for system restoration.
Security Operations Center- A centralized unit that monitors, detects, and responds in real-time
DPDP Act, 2023 – imposing penalties up to on Data Fiduciaries for security lapses.
Centralized Command – designated the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) as the nodal agency.
Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre – provide a real-time platform for banks, and police to freeze fraudulent funds.
Dedicated CERT-In have been established for critical sectors like Power and Finance.
CERT-In guidelines mandating annual cybersecurity audits for all critical sector entities by empanelled auditors.
Zero-Trust Integration- mandatory “Never Trust, Always Verify” architecture for all G2G and G2C digital services.
Sovereign Technology- deployment of Maya OS across defense and critical ministries.
The National Quantum Mission (2025) – piloting Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) for high-security government communications.
Cyber Jagrit Bharat- A nationwide awareness campaign, including a “Cyber Pledge” and webinars for citizens.
Quad Senior Cyber Group to counter state-sponsored APTs in the Indo-Pacific.
Signing of UN Convention on Cybercrime (Hanoi convention) to streamline cross-border digital evidence sharing and extradition.
Workforce Shortage- 30% talent gap in high-end cybersecurity roles (forensics, malware analysis).
Legacy Infrastructure- Nearly 57% of Indian organizations still lack basic cyber hygiene (India Cyber Threat Report 2025)
AI-driven “double extortion” ransomware and Deepfake-as-a-Service are evolving faster than defensive protocols.
Federal Coordination issues- many State-level cyber cells lack the funding and technical expertise to handle transnational crimes.
Cross-Border Anonymity- use of proxy servers in non-extradition jurisdictions makes prosecution nearly impossible.
Import dependency – India imports over 70% of its telecom and IT hardware from China.
Low Digital literacy – Eg- limited awareness about using MFA, identifying phishing links.
Compliance Burden – The stringent requirements of the DPDP Act impose a heavy financial burden on small businesses.
Data Colonization – India generates 20% of global data, yet most of it is processed in offshore data centers
Addressing these challenges requires viewing cybersecurity not as a technical IT issue but as a National Security Priority that demands a “Whole-of-Society” response.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a collaboration between NASA, ESA, and CSA. It is the most powerful orbital observatory ever built.
Positioned at the Second Lagrange Point (L2), 1.5 million km from Earth, it acts as a “time machine,” allowing humanity to peer back over 13.5 billion years to the dawn of the universe.
Unique Features vs. Predecessors (Hubble & Spitzer)
First Light: Observe the first stars and galaxies formed after the Big Bang.
Galaxy Evolution: Study how galaxies formed and changed over time.
Star & Planet Formation: Examine the birth of stars and planetary systems through cosmic dust.
Exoplanets & Life: Analyzes exoplanet atmospheres to detect gases like water vapour, methane, and carbon dioxide that may support life.
Solar System Studies: Investigate planets, moons, and other solar system bodies.
Infrared Astronomy: Use infrared technology to observe distant and hidden cosmic objects.
Solving Cosmic Origins: It helps us understand how the carbon and oxygen in our bodies were first synthesized in the first stars.
Exoplanet Discovery: identifying Earth-like planets (e.g., in the TRAPPIST-1 system).
Medical Advancements: The technology used to scan JWST’s mirrors has been adapted for LASIK eye surgery, improving precision for human vision correction.
Cryogenic Engineering: Breakthroughs in JWST’s cooling systems have benefitted industries requiring ultra-cold storage, such as supercomputing.
The massive data from JWST has accelerated the development of AI and Machine Learning algorithms used in earthly data analysis.
Informing Climate Models: By studying the atmospheres of other planets, scientists gain a better perspective on the chemical processes driving Earth’s climate change.
International Cooperation: It serves as a model for peaceful diplomacy, involving over 14 countries and 300 universities working toward a shared human goal.
Scientific Literacy: The breathtaking images (like the “Pillars of Creation”) inspire millions of students to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
Refining Physics: By observing the expansion of the universe, it helps resolve the “Hubble Tension,” leading to a more accurate understanding of dark matter and dark energy.
Thus, The James Webb Space Telescope represents the pinnacle of human ingenuity.
Vaccines are biological preparations that provide immunity against infectious diseases by training the immune system to fight pathogens. India has emerged as a global vaccine hub, supplying over 60% of global vaccine demand through indigenous vaccine development.
Mimicking natural infection: Vaccines imitate infections to safely activate the body’s immune defenses.
Antigen as the key component: Vaccines contain antigens that trigger antibody production. These may include:
Weakened or killed pathogens
Pathogen fragments or genetic material
Inactivated bacterial toxins (toxoids)
Types of vaccine platform:
Live-attenuated vaccines: Use weakened living pathogens, providing strong immunity but posing risks to immunocompromised individuals. Eg- MMR and Chickenpox vaccines.
Non-live vaccines: Use killed pathogens or subunits, making them safer but requiring booster doses due to shorter immunity. Eg- DTaP vaccine.
Addressing viral mutations: Vaccines for rapidly mutating viruses are periodically updated to maintain protection. Eg- Seasonal flu vaccines and COVID-19 boosters.
How Vaccines Work?
Immune system activation: Vaccine antigens are recognized as foreign threats, activating white blood cells to multiply and respond.
Antibody production: White blood cells produce antibodies that specifically identify and neutralize the pathogen.
Immunological memory: After the antigen is removed, memory cells remain in the body, providing long-term immunity.
Protection against disease: On future exposure, memory cells rapidly produce antibodies, preventing severe illness or death.
Inactivated whole-virion platform (Covaxin): Bharat Biotech and Indian Council of Medical Research developed a vaccine using chemically inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus to safely trigger immunity.
Viral vector platform (Covishield): Serum Institute of India(SII) used a harmless chimpanzee adenovirus carrying spike protein genetic code to stimulate immune response.
Recombinant protein subunit platform (Covovax & Corbevax): SII and Biological E developed vaccines using purified spike proteins with adjuvants to induce antibodies.
DNA plasmid platform (ZyCoV-D): Zydus Cadila developed the world’s first human DNA vaccine using plasmid DNA delivered through a needle-free injector.
mRNA platform (GEMCOVAC-19): Gennova Biopharmaceuticals developed an mRNA vaccine using lipid nanoparticles to deliver spike-protein instructions safely into cells.
India’s diverse COVID-19 vaccine response-from inactivated vaccines to DNA and mRNA platforms-has strengthened its role as the Pharmacy of the World. Expanding indigenous R&D and ensuring timely immunization remain vital for achieving United Nations SDG 3(Good Health and Well-being)
LWE refers to violent insurgency driven by Maoist or Naxalite ideologies, with an objective of overthrowing the government and establishing a communist society.
Naxalism issue
Jal, Jungle, Jameen – Forced labour, expropriation of resources by outsiders, evasion of land ceiling laws, denial of land claims
Maoist ideology of armed class struggle, anti-state revolution, and redistribution of resources appeals to sections alienated by inequality and exclusion. Eg- narrative of a “people’s war.”
Land Displacement – Eg- Mining-induced displacement in Jharkhand’s coal belt (Ramgarh, Hazaribagh).
Historical Socio-Economic Deprivation– Eg- LWE districts like Malkangiri, Sukma have some of the lowest HDI indicators.
Unemployment & Lack of Livelihood Options- Eg- Jharkhand’s rural districts have among the highest youth unemployment in Eastern India.
Resource Extraction without benefit sharing- Mining projects with low local hiring.
Absence of Market Linkages – Eg- Bamboo and lac sold at low prices.
Governance Vacuum – poor service delivery and law enforcement.
Poor Infrastructure – Lack of roads, telecom, electricity, and markets leaves communities isolated.
Low Human Development Indicators – High malnutrition, low literacy, and inadequate health facilities.
Poor implementation of welfare schemes – Leakages, corruption, and absence of monitoring. Eg- Nearly 15% of forest and community land claims under the FRA are pending.
Emerging issues
Urban Front Strategy – Urban Naxals aim to gain legal and logistical support from cities-referred to as the “.”
Tactical Asymmetry and “Contactless” Warfare – Eg- use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and drones
Dandakaranya region along Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra-Odisha remains a key guerrilla base due to its difficult terrain.
Recruitment of Minors and Vulnerable Youth – Eg- Reports of child soldiers in southern Bastar.
Inter-State Coordination Challenges in intelligence sharing and joint operations.
Over 78,000 hectares of forest land was approved for diversion across India for non-forest usage in the last four years.
Multilayered strategy
Implement the “National Policy and Action Plan (2015)” in timely manner
Accelerate Development – Road Requirement Plan (RRP-I), mobile towers, banking, health centres, PDS reforms in LWE belts.
Strengthening PESA –
real-time digital dashboards for fund utilization to Gram Sabhas
“Bottom-Up” planning model – from “state imposition” to “participatory development”
Economic development
“Forest-to-Market” Value Chain development through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs)
Promotion of Tribal-Start-up Ecosystem in food processing – Eg- export of products like Mahua and wild honey
“The only way to end insurgency is to win the hearts and minds of people through inclusive governance.” – Rajnath Singh
Transparent and Participatory Mining & Resource Management- Eg- share of mineral royalties to local communities through the DMF Funds
Technology for Governance – Use GIS mapping, drones, and e-governance platforms for service delivery and monitoring.
Transparency and accountability in project implementation to address Politician-bureaucrat-corporate nexus (vohra committee)
Strengthen Intelligence & Tech-Enabled Policing – Use of drones, satellite mapping, GPS-based tracking, communication intercept tools.
Capacity building – Eg- fortified police stations, all-terrain vehicles for deep forest movement.
Inter-State Coordination – Coordination between Chhattisgarh-Odisha-Jharkhand-Maharashtra in tri-junction zones.
Community Policing – Initiatives like Jan Maitri, sports outreach, and anti-propaganda programmes.
India’s life expectancy has increased to 72.4 years (2025) due to better healthcare and nutrition. However, an ageing population brings new epidemiological, economic and social health challenges.
Rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) – Higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, dementia cause over 65% of total deaths in India.
Geriatric Health Issues
Increase in frailty, vision/hearing loss, arthritis.
Growing burden of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Multi-morbidity – Elderly increasingly suffer from multiple chronic conditions, requiring continuous care.
Mental Health Challenges
Rising cases of depression, loneliness, anxiety.
Lack of community-based mental health services.
Treatment of chronic and age-related conditions increases out-of-pocket expenditure.
Weak Elderly Care Infrastructure – Limited geriatric wards, rehabilitation centres, home-care services and trained geriatric nurses.
Feminization of aging – women face greater economic insecurity, inadequate pensions, elder abuse, and social isolation.
Strengthen Geriatric Healthcare – Establish geriatric wards in district hospitals and train geriatric specialists
Community-Based Care
Promote home healthcare and caregiver support services.
Incentivise care economy (eldercare workers, physiotherapists).
National NCD Prevention Strategy
Screen population for hypertension, diabetes, cancers through HWCs.
Promote lifestyle interventions: yoga, diet counselling, tobacco control.
Strengthen Mental Health Services
Expand Tele-MANAS, district mental health programmes.
Senior citizen counselling and social engagement platforms.
Social Protection – Expand pension coverage by strengthening PM-SYM.
Promote Active and Healthy Ageing through Fit India Movement.
Data and Technology Integration – Use telemedicine, remote monitoring, and AI-based early diagnosis.
A forward-looking strategy that integrates healthcare, community support, and the silver economy will ensure that longer lives translate into healthier, dignified, and economically meaningful lives.
Global warming refers to the long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature due to increased concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from human activities.
Effects of Global Warming on Global Climate
Melting Glaciers & Polar Ice – Eg – Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets losing mass at record rates.
Sea-Level Rise – IPCC projects 1.3-1.6 m SLR by 2100 under high-emission scenarios – Submergence of low-lying coasts, salinity intrusion and displacement.
Extreme Weather Events – Eg – Increasing frequency of Category 4-5 cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
Disruption of Monsoons – Erratic and unpredictable rainfall.
Ocean Acidification – Elevated CO₂ lowers pH, affecting coral reefs and fisheries. Eg – Mass bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef.
Biodiversity Decline – Species migration and extinction risks rise.
Intensification of feedback loops – Eg- Permafrost thaw releases methane, warming oceans release less CO₂, and forest dieback reduces carbon sinks
Expansion of arid zones – Higher temperatures increase evapotranspiration and reduce soil moisture. Eg – Prolonged droughts in Horn of Africa
Disruption of Global Thermohaline Circulation – Eg- weakening of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)
Hotter, drier conditions raise wildfire risks – Eg – Australian bushfires (2019-20) and California wildfires
The Kyoto Protocol was the first legally binding global framework mandating GHG reduction by industrialised nations.
Binding Emission Reduction Targets – Annex-I countries committed to reducing emissions by 5% below 1990 levels during 2008-2012.
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) – Allows developed countries to invest in emission-reduction projects in developing nations and earn carbon credits.
Joint Implementation (JI) – Developed nations can meet their Kyoto targets via emission-reduction projects in other Annex-I countries.
International Emissions Trading (IET) – countries with surplus emission units trade them with those exceeding their limits.
Other Measures
Enhancing Carbon Sinks through afforestation, reforestation and improved land management. Eg- Miyawaki method of Urban Forestry
Low-Carbon Technologies to reduce fossil-fuel use. Eg- EVs
Energy Efficiency – Efficiency standards, industrial retrofits, transport reforms and building codes reduce GHG intensity.
Policy Support for Green Finance – Eg- tax breaks, green bonds, climate insurance etc
Implementing these through enhanced national commitments, equitable climate finance and rapid decarbonization remains essential for achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action)