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  • Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technologies that empowers computers to learn, reason, and perform a variety of advanced tasks in ways that used to require human intelligence, such as understanding language, analyzing data, and even providing helpful suggestions.

    AI in clinical diagnosis

    Early diagnosis: AI detects cancers, arrhythmias, and stroke risks early, enabling timely treatment. Eg- IBM Watson for Oncology

    Pattern recognition: AI analyzes patient records to predict diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases across populations. Eg- MadhuNetrAI Program

    Robotic process automation: AI automates billing, authorizations, and record updates, reducing workload and operational costs.

    AI-guided treatment: AI personalizes treatments using genetics, lifestyle, and medical history analysis. Eg- Genetika+ using stem cell technology and AI software to match antidepressants to patients and minimise side effects.

    Enhanced accuracy: AI interprets X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ECGs with high precision, reducing diagnostic errors.

    Medical image analysis: AI detects tumours, fractures, and eye diseases from scans with remarkable accuracy. Eg- Google DeepMind Health

    Health monitoring: Wearables track heart rate and activity, supporting preventive healthcare through continuous monitoring. Eg- Fitbit devices.

    Threats to Individual Privacy from AI in Healthcare

    Permanent Risk of Re-identification: Expert states that no anonymized dataset is permanently secure; mathematical advancements constantly improve de-anonymization science.

    Cyber Vulnerabilities: Eg- The 2022 AIIMS attack compromised data of 30 million individuals.

    Predictive Discrimination Harms AI predicts future health risks, potentially leading to workplace or insurance bias.

    Algorithmic Bias and Marginalization AI trained on affluent data may recommend suboptimal care for marginalized groups. Eg- : Amazon’s AI recruitment tool mirrored historical gender bias.

    Secondary use of patient data: Health data collected for treatment may later train AI algorithms without meaningful patient consent.

    Corporate surveillance: AI wearables monitoring vitals and behavior may enable profiling and commercial manipulation.

    While AI offers unprecedented breakthroughs in diagnostic accuracy, its clinical deployment must be balanced with absolute data protection.

  • Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.

    Causes of Dam Failures

    Natural Factors

    Extreme Rainfall – Flooding causes 44% of dam failures in India (CWC). Eg- Tiware Dam breach in 2019

    Chungthang Dam in Sikkim was washed away in 2023 due to glacial lake outburst of South Lhonak Lake.

    Earthquakes cause cracks, foundation instability, or slope failure. Eg- liquefaction in the foundation of Chang Dam after Bhuj EQ (2001)

    Geological Weaknesses – Fault zones, weak rock strata, or unconsolidated foundations beneath dams.

    Climate Change – Increased frequency of high-intensity rainfall events beyond historical norms.

    Human Factors

    Faulty Design and Planning – Eg- Underestimation of Probable Maximum Flood (PMF).

    Aging – 1,065 large dams 50-100 years old, 224 are over a century old. Eg- safety concerns over ​​Mullaperiyar Dam (130 year old)

    Weak Regulatory Oversight – Eg- poor dam safety audits (CAG report).

    Poor maintenance and sedimentation – Eg- Around 3700 dams in India will lose 26% of the total storage by 2050 due to sedimentation (UN).

    Examples of dam failures

    Machhu dam disaster, 1979, in Morbi, Gujarat – 2,000 people died and 12,000 houses were destroyed.

    Banqiao Dam Failure, China (1975)

    Extreme rainfall from Typhoon Nina

    Cascade failure of multiple dams due to poor design

    Estimated 1,70,000 deaths (direct and indirect)

    Initiatives Taken for Dam Safety in India

    Dam Safety Act, 2021 – Statutory framework for surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of dams.

    National Register of Large Dams (NRLD) complied and maintained by CWC.

    Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) for rehabilitation of 736 dams across 19 States.

    Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA)- application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in dam safety.

    Rigorous dam safety audits, climate-resilient design and real-time monitoring is essential to protect the ‘temples of modern India’

  • State the objectives and measures of land reforms in India. Discuss how land ceiling policy on landholding can be considered as an effective reform under economic criteria

    Land reform refers to the systematic alteration of laws, regulations, and practices governing land ownership, distribution, and use to achieve social and economic justice.

    Objective of land reforms in India

    Reduction in Land Inequality through redistributive justice

    Social Justice under Article 38 and 39: Providing land to the landless

    Elimination of Feudal Land Ownership – transfer land ownership to actual cultivators.

    Enhancing Agricultural Efficiency by restructuring landholding patterns.

    Encouraging Cooperative Farming for better resource utilization and economies of scale.

    Preventing Exploitation of Tenants – To ensure fair rent, security of tenure, and land rights

    To consolidate land holdings and mitigate Land Fragmentation

    Prevention of Land Alienation – Eg- Forest Rights Act, 2006.

    Poverty Alleviation and improving rural standard of living.

    Promote investment in agriculture by removing absentee landlordism.

    Measures of land reforms in India

    Abolition of Intermediaries through Zamindari Abolition Acts

    Total land transferred: 173 lakh hectares

    2 crore tenants benefitted.

    Tenancy Reforms

    It led to fixation of fair rent (usually one-fourth to one-sixth of the produce).

    Total tenants who got land rights: 12.5 million (Agricultural Census 1981).

    Eg- West Bengal’s Operation Barga (1978)

    Ceiling on Land Holdings

    Total surplus land declared: 75 lakh hectares

    Total land actually distributed: 56 lakh hectares

    Land Consolidation measures – Punjab and Haryana enforced compulsory consolidation, while other states allowed voluntary consolidation if the majority of landowners agreed.

    Bhoodan-Gramdan Movements – “non-violent revolution” in India’s land reform programme.

    16 lakh hectares of land donated under Gramdan

    More than 160,000 villages pledged Gramdan by 1970.

    Phase 5: Land Records Modernization & Land Leasing Reforms (2000s-Present)

    Digitize land records to prevent disputes and ensure transparency.

    Land records fully digitized in 92% of villages (as of 2023).

    States leading in digitization are Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh.

    Modernisation of Land Records

    Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme – 96% digitization

    SVAMITVA Scheme for geo-tagging and property cards in rural India.

    Model Land Leasing Act, 2016 (NITI Aayog)

    Land Ceiling Policy as an Effective Reform under Economic Criteria

    Land redistributed to actual tillers– higher incentives to cultivate efficiently. Smallholder farmers in India achieve higher cropping intensity than large farms.

    Multiplier effect – Distribution of land to the poor increases purchasing power, strengthening the rural economy .

    Encourages Investment & Sustainable Use – Secure ownership motivates farmers to invest in irrigation, soil health, and technology.

    Employment – Smaller farms use labour-intensive methods, creating rural employment.

    Ceilings prevent re-concentration of land, supporting long-term agrarian stability.

    Increases women land ownership – women hold only 11-13% of operational holdings due to inheritance barriers.

    Land reform 2.0 based on modernisation of records (DILRMP), redistribution of land and land leasing reforms is essential to realise the objective of ‘Doubling Farmers Income’.

  • What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?

    Oil pollution refers to the release of crude oil, oily waste or hydrocarbons into marine and coastal environments due to tanker spills, offshore drilling leaks, pipeline ruptures and port activities.

    Impacts of Oil Pollution on the Marine Ecosystem

    On Marine Life – Oil coats fish, seabirds, turtles and marine mammals, blocking respiration and movement.

    Damage to Coastal Habitats – Hydrocarbons hinder photosynthesis, coral polyp function and seagrass growth – Coral bleaching and mortality.

    Bioaccumulation – PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) accumulate in fish, disrupting reproduction.

    Reduction in Primary Productivity – Oil blocks sunlight and inhibits phytoplankton growth, weakening food chains.

    Disruption of Ecosystem Services – Eg- Mangroves absorb oil and suffer irreversible mortality.

    Why Oil Pollution is Particularly Harmful for India

    Extensive Coastline and High Biodiversity – India’s 7,500 km coastline hosts mangroves, coral reefs and estuaries that are highly sensitive to oil. Eg- Gulf of Mannar and Sundarbans.

    Heavy Maritime Traffic – India’s 95% trade by volume and 70-74% trade by value passes through sea routes.

    Around 170-180 million people live in coastal districts, and nearly 30% of the total population relies on coastal resources for livelihood – Fishery bans post-spills hurt incomes.

    Vulnerability of Ecologically Fragile Zones to even minor spills. Eg- Lakshadweep corals, Chilika lagoon, estuarine wetlands

    Capacity gaps in early detection, containment and coastal clean-up, especially for regional ports

    Food Security Risks – Decline in marine fish impacts protein supply for coastal populations

    Way Forward

    Bioremediation – Eg- use of Bacteria like Oilzapper

    Use of Sorbents to absorb or adsorb oil

    Natural sorbents – Straw, Volcanic ash

    Synthetic – Polyester-derived plastic shavings.

    International cooperation under Marpol convention

    India must adopt advanced monitoring, green shipping practices and ecosystem-based restoration to build resilient, spill-proof marine systems for the future.

  • What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.

    India’s internal security landscape has become increasingly complex, characterized by the convergence of traditional threats and high-tech “Grey Zone” challenges.

    Traditional Internal Security Challenges

    Cross-Border Terrorism- Eg- The 2025 Pahalgam attack by the TRF (a proxy of LeT).

    Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)- The “Red Corridor” remains a threat in core districts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

    Insurgency in the North-East- Ethnic militancy and secessionist movements like NSCN (IM).

    Communal and Sectarian Violence- Eg- Delhi Riots, 2020

    Illegal Migration & Infiltration along Bangladesh and Myanmar borders. Eg- Rohingya

    Organized Crime Syndicates-

    Extortion and smuggling networks. Eg- D-Company

    Drug Trafficking from Golden Crescent and Golden Traingle

    Hawala & Fake Currency (FICN)- Illegal financial channels used to destabilize the economy.

    Coastal Security Vulnerabilities

    Piracy

    Illegal deep sea fishing

    Emerging Internal Security Challenges

    Drone-Enabled Smuggling- Use of UAVs for drug and weapon drops.

    Cyber-Warfare-

    Rise in “Digital arrest” cases

    13.7% of global incidents target India (Cyfirma report)

    Deepfakes & AI-Disinformation- Eg- Manipulated videos during the 2025 state elections.

    Online Radicalization and “white-collar” terrorism. Eg- 2025 “Doctor Module” of Red Fort Blast.

    Cryptocurrency for Terror Funding- Use of “Privacy Coins” to bypass banking regulators.

    Role of agencies

    Intelligence Agencies

    Intelligence Bureau (IB)-

    India’s premier internal intelligence agency

    Manages the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) to coordinate real-time terror alerts

    Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW)- External intelligence agency. Monitors cross-border launch pads, foreign political developments, and global terror financing.

    National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO)-

    The apex body for technical intelligence

    Manages spy satellites, UAVs, and “Cyber-Surveillance”.

    Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)- Integrates intelligence from the Army, Navy, and Air Force

    Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND)- receive and analyze reports on suspicious financial transactions to track money laundering and terror funding.

    Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)- India’s premier anti-smuggling agency. Monitors trafficking of gold, firearms, and counterfeit currency (FICN). Eg- Operation Molten Metal to bust gold smuggling racket

    Investigative Agencies

    National Investigation Agency (NIA)-

    The federal counter-terrorism agency

    Has Suo Motu powers to investigate terror cases without state consent.

    Eg- “Operation Octopus” Against PFI

    Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-

    Probes high-profile corruption, economic offenses, and serious inter-state crimes

    Acts as the nodal agency for Interpol in India.

    Enforcement Directorate (ED)- enforce the PMLA

    Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)- Apex coordinating body for the drug trade

    Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)- investigate complex white-collar crimes and large-scale corporate frauds.

    Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)- curbing organized wildlife crime and illegal trade in endangered species.

    Advanced intelligence, investigative precision, and grassroots socio-economic development need to work in tandem to safeguard the nation’s democratic fabric.

  • Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage.

    Microorganisms are microscopic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, archaea, and microalgae that can break down organic matter and produce useful energy compounds. Due to these capabilities, they are becoming important for sustainable energy production and the global clean energy transition.

    Ways Microorganisms Help in Meeting Fuel Shortage

    Bioethanol: Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis ferment sugars and agricultural waste into ethanol. India achieved 10% ethanol blending in 2022 and targets 20% (E20) by 2025-26.

    Biodiesel: Microalgae such as Chlorella and Dunaliella produce lipid-rich biomass, which is converted into biodiesel through transesterification.

    Biogas through Anaerobic Digestion: Methanogens decompose sewage, food waste, and cow dung to produce methane-rich biogas. Eg- India’s GOBAR-dhan scheme.

    Biohydrogen Production: Certain photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobacteria can split water or organic compounds to release Hydrogen gas, the cleanest burning fuel.

    Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs): Bacteria break down organic waste in wastewater and release electrons, generating electricity while simultaneously treating the wastewater.

    Biobutanol Production: Species like Clostridium acetobutylicum produce butanol through ABE (Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol) fermentation. Biobutanol is considered superior to ethanol.

    Syngas Fermentation: Acetogenic bacteria can convert synthesis gas (CO and H2 from industrial emissions or biomass gasification) into liquid fuels like ethanol and acetic acid.

    Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR): Microbes are injected into depleted oil wells where they produce surfactants and gases that decrease oil viscosity.

    For a country like India, which imports over 80% of its crude oil, scaling up microbial fuel technologies is essential for achieving Urja Atmanirbharta (Energy Self-reliance) and meeting the Panchamrit targets for net-zero emissions.

  • Winning of ‘Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The “Hearts and Minds” approach in counter-terrorism is a strategic doctrine that emphasizes building trust, and popular support within local populations to defeat terrorist movements.

    Importance of Hearts and Minds

    Prevention of Radicalization by deligitimising terrorism

    Community Intelligence Gathering

    Reducing Support for Terrorist Activities

    Enhanced Legitimacy of the State – state as ‘development partner’ rather than ‘occupying force’

    Long-Term Stability and Peace as ‘residual anger’ is addressed

    Measures adopted by the Government

    National integration through abrogation of Article 370

    Operation Sadbhavana – Army-led goodwill initiatives focusing on education, healthcare and youth engagement.

    Civic Action Programme (CAP) – Police and CAPFs hold public meetings, sports events and grievance redress camps. Eg- Jan Sampark melas

    Skill development, entrepreneurship push – Eg- Mission Youth and Himayat

    Social infrastructure development – Eg- IIT and AIIMS in jammu

    Connectivity initiatives for tourism promotion. Eg- Chenab Bridge, and running Vande Bharat trains

    De-radicalisation Centres – Counselling sessions for first-time offenders.

    Surrender and Rehabilitation policy for former militants through financial assistance, education and job support.

    Targeted Security Approach – Eg- Focus on OGWs and hybrid militants without mass crackdowns.

    Community Policing – Eg- Village Defence Groups in Rajouri-Poonch.

    For long-term peace and stability in the region 4-pronged stategy is needed

    Strengthening HUMINT (Human Intelligence) and TECHINT (Technological Intelligence).

    SMART Boders (Madhukar Gupta Committee)

    Raising cost of terrorism for Pakistan. Eg- Operation Sindoor

    Human-centric Counterinsurgency

  • Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the ‘No Money for Terror (NMFT)’ Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022.

    Funding is the lifeblood of terrorism. The “No Money for Terror” conference was started in 2018 by the French government, to enhance cooperation between countries to choke terror funding.

    As per FATF Report‘Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks’, the major sources of terror funding include

    Traditional Methods

    Hawala Networks – Informal money transfers bypassing banks.

    State-Sponsored Funding – Eg- Pakistan’s ISI financing LeT and JeM operations in India.

    Narco-Terrorism – Eg- Heroin smuggling via Punjab linked to terror networks.

    Counterfeit Indian Currency (FICN) – Fake currency to fund operations and destabilise economy.

    Extortion and Illegal Levies – Eg- Maoist levies on mining contractors in Chhattisgarh.

    Charities and NGO Fronts – Eg- PFI-linked organisations routing funds for radicalisation.

    Organised Crime Nexus – Eg- Arms and timber smuggling in Northeast India.

    Emerging Methods

    Social media – used to promote donation campaigns and share payment instructions, including wallet addresses.

    Cryptocurrencies and Virtual Assets – Eg- Bitcoin wallets.

    Encrypted Payment Apps and E-Wallets – Eg- PayPal

    Dark Web Transactions – Anonymous marketplaces for funds, weapons and logistics.

    Gaming Platforms – Eg- EoRMT organisations, Hezbollah, creating and selling their own video games

    Microfinancing models utilized by lone actors – through small, legitimate sources of income.

    Efforts made to curtail these sources

    India has declared zero tolerance towards terror financing and money laundering

    Legal measures – Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) are used to designate individuals and seize funds linked to terrorism.

    Institutional measures – National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigate terror funding, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) pursues money-laundering cases.

    The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) tracks and analyses suspicious financial transactions and shares data with law-enforcement.

    Specialised units such as the Terror Funding and Fake Currency (TFFC) Cell focus on disrupting terror finance links.

    India collaborates with bodies like Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Egmont Group to share intelligence and align standards against terror financing.

    Monitoring of NGOs for FCRA compliance. Eg- Ban on NGOs linked to Zakir Naik

    Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) 2025 – bans all real-money online gaming (RMG), including games of skill

    National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), has been created as an IT platform to assist the intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

    Aim and Objective of the ‘No Money for Terror (NMFT)’ Conference

    Global Cooperation on Terror Financing

    Focus on Trends in Terror Funding – Deliberations focused on formal and informal channels, and the evolving methods of terror finance.

    Regulating and countering use of Emerging Technologies like cryptocurrencies and digital platforms for terror financing

    Mobilise resources to enable LDCs and developing countries to counter terror financing

    Enhance information sharing, harmonise legal measures, and bolster mutual assistance between countries to intercept and prosecute terror financing.

    India stressed a uniform and zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and its financing, rejecting distinctions between “good” and “bad” terrorism.

    NMFT 2022 built on earlier conferences (Paris 2018, Melbourne 2019) to maintain continuity and momentum in international action against terror finance.

    “Money is the oxygen of terrorism. Cut the oxygen, and you suffocate the threat.” – Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General

  • The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this adequacy.

    Human Resource Development refers to the strategic investment in education, health, and skills to empower individuals, foster productivity, and ensure sustainable national growth.

    Inadequate Attention to HRD in India

    Stagnant Public Spending: Education spending is ~2.9% of GDP (2024-25), far below the 6% target set by NEP 2020. (Economic Survey 2025-26)

    Learning Poverty Paradox: ASER 2024 reports that only ~43% of Class V students can read a Class II-level text.

    Acute Skill Mismatch: Only 56.35% of Indian graduates were found employable by industry standards in 2026. (India Skills Report 2026)

    Chronic Nutrition Crisis: 35.5% of children under five are stunted, affecting long-term human capital. (NFHS-5)

    Gender Participation Gap: Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) stands at 32.7% compared to over 75% for males. (PLFS 2024-25)

    The Persistence of Digital Divide: Unequal access to tech-enabled learning alienates rural and economically vulnerable students.

    Vocational Stigma: Less than 5% of the workforce has formal vocational training. (NSDC 2024)

    Healthcare Infrastructure Gaps: Public health spending remains around 2.1% of GDP. (NHP recommended 2.5%)

    Mental Health Neglect: Rising student anxiety and workplace burnout are modern HRD barriers.

    Brain Drain: Failure to provide high-end research infrastructure leads to the flight of top-tier talent.

    Measures to Address HRD Inadequacy

    Capability Approach – increase spending on Health (2.5%of GDP) and Education (6% of GDP)

    Foundational Literacy Focus: Prioritize the NIPUN Bharat Mission to ensure every child achieves grade-level competency

    Vocational-Academic Integration: Mandate vocational training in secondary schools to bridge the gap between schooling and work. (NEP, 2020)

    Strengthening Primary Health: Expand the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres to ensure preventative care is a “right.”

    Bridging the Digital Gap: Use BharatNet Phase-III to provide high-speed fiber connectivity to every rural school.

    Empowering Women Workers: Provide safe transport, childcare, and flexible work to boost female participation. Eg: Karnataka’s Shakti Yojan and free higher education for girls.

    Institutionalizing Mental Wellness: Make Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) a core part of the school and office curriculum.

    R&D and Innovation Hubs: Establish the National Research Foundation (NRF) to fund deep-tech innovation and retain high-end talent.

    By integrating health, education, and skills into a holistic HRD framework, India can achieve inclusive growth and the vision of a developed nation by 2047.

  • ‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO(International Maritime Organisation) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security.

    The oceans cover nearly 71% of the Earth’s surface and are the foundation of planetary life. The IMO, a UN specialized agency established in 1959, plays a critical role in promoting safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable use of the seas.

    Sea as an Important Component of the Cosmos

    It regulates climate, supports biodiversity, and drives global trade (over 80% of international trade by volume)

    Oceans absorb about 30% of global CO₂ emissions, produce half of the world’s oxygen, and absorb 90% of excess heat generated.

    Biodiversity and Life: Marine ecosystems host nearly 80% of all life forms

    Moral Value as part of the “common heritage of mankind”

    Engine of the Blue Economy: fisheries, renewable ocean energy, tourism, and seabed resources

    Role of IMO in Environmental Protection

    Net-Zero Framework – a global mechanism to price carbon emissions from ships and use the proceeds to help developing countries transition to green shipping.

    Pollution Prevention through MARPOL convention:

    Regulates oil, chemical, sewage, garbage, and air pollution.

    Enforce low-sulphur fuel standards and Energy Efficiency Design for new ships

    IMO’s Initial GHG Strategy targets 50% reduction in ship emissions by 2050 (from 2008 levels).

    Promotes green shipping and alternative fuels (LNG, methanol, hydrogen), and carbon intensity.

    Prevents transfer of invasive aquatic species through Ballast Water Management Convention

    IMO’s Polar Code addresses safety and environmental protection in polar waters

    Role in Maritime Safety and Security

    IMO provides a legal and technical framework for cleaner and safer shipping.

    SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea, 1974) is IMO’s flagship convention, setting global ship design and emergency standards.

    STCW Convention (1978): Mandates uniform global training and certification for seafarers.

    ISPS Code (2002): Strengthens ship-port security against terrorism and piracy.

    IMO assists regional frameworks like Djibouti Code of Conduct (Somalia Basin) and ReCAAP (Asia) to combat piracy.

    Introduced e-navigation and Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) to improve real-time communication.

    Challenges

    Weak Enforcement: IMO relies on flag states’ compliance.

    Developing countries face technological and financial limitations for meeting emission targets.

    Emerging Threats: Cybersecurity and illegal fishing.

    Slow Decision-Making due to consensus-based model.

    Climate-Trade Dilemma: Balancing decarbonization with global trade competitiveness remains difficult.

    Recently, negotiations on the net zero framework have been adjourned for a year after opposition from the US and Saudi Arabia.

    Way Forward

    Stronger Monitoring Mechanisms through real-time tracking.

    Capacity Building of developing nations under a “Common but Differentiated Responsibility” framework.

    Strengthening R&D : green shipping corridors, hydrogen fuel, and maritime innovation hubs

    Global Cooperation among IMO, UNEP, UNDP, and regional maritime bodies like IORA

    As seas sustain both life and livelihood, global cooperation under IMO’s leadership is essential to achieve a safe, secure, and sustainable ocean future.