The technocratic calculus of India’s welfare state: The promise to deliver social welfare at scale, using data-driven algorithms, may be at the cost of ‘democratic norms’ and ‘political accountability’
India has long envisioned itself as a welfare-oriented state, constitutionally committed to socio-economic justice under Article 38. Article 38 of the Indian Constitution enjoins upon the State to strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order in which justice, social, economic and political shall inform all the institutions of national life Over the last decade, the welfare state has undergone a profound shift — from rights-based entitlements to data-driven delivery systems, marking what scholars describe as a “technocratic calculus”. While this shift enhances efficiency, it raises concerns about democratic participation, political accountability, and citizen agency.
The Digital Transformation of Welfare
Key Developments:
- Aadhaar Penetration: Over 1 billion enrollments enabling biometric-based authentication. Aadhaar is the world’s largest digital identity programme that provides biometric and demographic-based unique digital identity; which can be authenticated anytime, from anywhere and also eliminates duplicate and fake identities. Aadhaar facilitates direct benefit transfers (DBT) for welfare schemes, ensuring subsidies and financial assistance reach beneficiaries directly.
- Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Integration of 1,206 schemes across Ministries and States. India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has helped the country achieve cumulative savings of ₹3.48 lakh crore by plugging leakages in welfare delivery. The sectoral savings, particularly in high-leakage programs like food subsidies, MGNREGS, and PM-KISAN, illustrate how the system’s integration of Aadhaar and mobile-based transfers has addressed inefficiencies and curbed misuse.
- Digital Grievance Redressal: 36 online portals across States/UTs. Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) is an online platform available to the citizens 24×7 to lodge their grievances to the public authorities on any subject related to service delivery.
- Schemes like: PM-KISAN, E-Shram, and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) embody this digital-first approach
This represents a movement from deliberative welfare (based on needs and rights) to calculative welfare (based on leakages, coverage, and efficiency).
The Technocratic Calculus: Efficiency at a Cost
Conceptual Anchors:
- Habermas’s Technocratic Consciousness: Rational, expert-led governance that sidelines political deliberation
- Foucault’s Governmentality: Surveillance-based management of populations
- Agamben’s Homo Sacer: Individuals stripped of political agency and reduced to data
- Rancière’s Politics of Visibility: Only those made visible by the system can participate
In this logic, a rights-bearing citizen becomes an “auditable beneficiary” — measurable but detached from context and agency.
Issues with data-driven delivery systems:
- Declining Social Sector Spending:
- Despite the promises of inclusion, there has been a steady decline in actual social investment:
- Social Sector Expenditure: Declined from an average of 21% (2014–2024) to 17% in 2024–25.
- Targeted Schemes Hit: Welfare for minorities, labour, employment, nutrition, and social security fell from 11% (pre-COVID) to 3% (post-COVID)
- The contradiction is stark: increased digital efficiency is accompanied by reduced substantive commitment.
- Crisis of Institutions and Accountability:
- RTI Under Strain: Over 4 lakh pending RTI cases as of June 30, 2024
- 8 CIC posts vacant, leading to a slowdown in access to information
- This raises serious questions on transparency and democratic oversight
- This hinders the timely disposal of cases and potentially undermining the very purpose of the RTI Act
- Grievance Redressals or Algorithmic Insulation:
- The Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) acts more like a ticket-resolution mechanism, not a platform for democratic grievance. It centralises visibility, but not responsibility.
Beyond institutional weaknesses, inherent challenges in India’s data infrastructure and implementation further complicate the efficacy of data-driven systems:
- Data Quality and Reliability: Issues with data recording, validation, and aggregation at various administrative levels, including the village and district levels, hinder the generation of reliable data for informed decision-making and policy implementation.
- Skewed Incentives: Frontline workers responsible for data reporting may face incentives that encourage misrepresentation of data to achieve targets or avoid penalties, compromising data accuracy.
- Data Gaps and Lack of Standards: The absence of clear data protocols and standards makes it challenging to hold the government accountable for claims, such as the reported “savings” from schemes like Direct Benefit Transfer, without sufficient explanation of the methodology used.
Way Forward: Towards Democratic Antifragility:
The future of welfare governance must balance digital innovation with democratic robustness. Suggestions include:
- Democratic and Context-Sensitive Innovations:
- Community-Driven Audits: Institutionalise impact audits at the panchayat level. Kerala’s Kudumbashree model, a network of women’s self-help groups, demonstrates the potential of such initiatives in improving social welfare schemes like the Mid-Day Meal program and the National Social Assistance Programme.
- Strengthening Federalism: India’s diverse needs necessitate granting states greater autonomy in designing and implementing welfare programs tailored to local contexts. States face varying issues, ranging from education and health to inter-state cooperation and national policy matters. Integrating state-level schemes with Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) and empowering local self-governance through the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan can foster more inclusive development
- Codified Offline Safeguards:
- Implement bias audits, right to explanation and appeal, and human fallback mechanisms. As the use of AI in welfare decisions increases, it’s essential to implement mechanisms for auditing algorithms for bias and providing individuals with clear explanations for automated decisions impacting their welfare. This empowers citizens to challenge potential errors or discriminatory outcomes.
- Human Fallback Mechanisms: In critical areas like legal aid access for vulnerable groups, digital solutions shouldn’t replace human interaction entirely. Instead, they should act as complementary tools, with human fallback mechanisms providing alternative support when technology fails or is inaccessible.
- Draw from the UN Human Rights Council recommendations on digital governance
- Reviving Civil Society: Invest in grassroots legal aid, political education, and community participation.
- Investing in Grassroots Initiatives: Strengthening civil society organizations, particularly at the grassroots level, is vital. Organizations involved in legal aid, political education, and community participation can play a critical role in holding governments accountable and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.
- Promoting Citizen Participation: A strong civil society can empower citizens to actively participate in welfare governance, moving beyond a passive role as beneficiaries. It encourages them to voice their needs, monitor program implementation, and demand greater transparency and accountability from the government
Conclusion:
India’s welfare architecture is at a critical juncture. While digitisation holds immense potential for reducing corruption and enhancing outreach, over-reliance on technocratic tools risks stripping citizens of their agency. The true measure of a welfare state is not just how efficiently it works, but whose voices it listens to, whose complaints it addresses, and whose lives it transforms — not just in algorithms, but in reality.
Value Addition
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Important Terms & Concepts for UPSC:
- Technocratic Consciousness (Habermas): Governance dominated by technical rationality, reducing space for democratic debate.
- Governmentality (Foucault): Ways in which the state exercises control over the population through data and institutions
- Homo Sacer (Agamben): A figure excluded from political life, symbolic of citizens reduced to non-political entities
- Right to Explanation: The legal principle that citizens should know why an algorithm took a decision about them
- Democratic Antifragility: The ability of democratic institutions to grow stronger from stress and uncertainty, not collapse
Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS):
It is an online platform available to the citizens 24×7 to lodge their grievances to the public authorities on any subject related to service delivery. It is a single portal connected to all the Ministries/Departments of Government of India and States. Every Ministry and States have role-based access to this system.
The status of the grievance filed in CPGRAMS can be tracked with the unique registration ID provided at the time of registration of the complainant. CPGRAMS also provides an appeal facility to the citizens if they are not satisfied with the resolution by the Grievance Officer. After closure of grievance if the complainant is not satisfied with the resolution, he/she can provide feedback. If the rating is ‘Poor’ the option to file an appeal is enabled. The status of the Appeal can also be tracked by the petitioner with the grievance registration number.
Issues which are not taken up for redress :
- RTI Matters
- Court related / Subjudice matters
- Religious matters
- Grievances of Government employees concerning their service matters including disciplinary proceedings
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):
With the aim of reforming the Government delivery system by re-engineering the existing process in welfare schemes for simpler and faster flow of information/funds and to ensure accurate targeting of the beneficiaries, de-duplication and reduction of fraud Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) was started on 1st January, 2013. The DBT Mission was created by the Planning Commission to act as the nodal point for the implementation of the DBT programmes. The Mission was transferred to the Department of Expenditure in 2013 and later placed in Cabinet Secretariat under Secretary (Co-ordination & PG) in 2015.
JAM i.e. Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile are DBT enablers. |
Practice UPSC GS Paper II Mains Question
- “India’s digital welfare architecture promises scale and efficiency but risks eroding democratic accountability.” Critically examine this statement in light of recent welfare governance trends and suggest reforms for balancing technology and democratic participation.
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The J&K Reorganisation Act was passed in Parliament on August 6, 2019. It gave the Centre, through the Lieutenant Governor, a heightened legislative role in J&K, and put the bureaucratic apparatus in the UT under the Union Home Minister.
Importance of the topic:
The demand for restoring J&K’s statehood is central to ongoing political discourse, federalism, and Centre–State relations. It involves constitutional questions about autonomy, democratic representation, and legislative authority. Understanding this issue is essential for both Indian Polity and Governance sections of GS Paper II and current affairs-based Mains questions. Six years after the abrogation of Article 370 and the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the question of restoring full statehood to J&K is back in political and judicial discourse. While the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation in December 2023, it also urged the Union Government to restore statehood at the earliest, ideally before the next Assembly elections.
Understanding the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019
The J&K Reorganisation Act, passed in August 2019, radically altered the political geography of India by:
- Bifurcating the former state into two Union Territories (UTs): Jammu & Kashmir (with a legislative assembly) and Ladakh (without a legislative assembly)
- Repealing Article 370, which had conferred special status to J&K.
- Ending the state’s Constitution, flag, and autonomy in various matters.
How Was the Act Passed?
It was passed under Article 3 of the Constitution, which empowers Parliament to change the boundaries or status of any state. The Constitution (Application to J&K) Order, 2019 extended all provisions of the Indian Constitution to J&K. A Presidential Order, followed by resolutions in Parliament, enabled the effective nullification of Article 370.
This method has been legally contentious, with debates about: Whether Article 370 could be abrogated without the consent of the erstwhile State Assembly and Whether a UT can be created out of a full-fledged state without a constitutional amendment.
Why Restoration of Statehood is Important:
- Democratic Legitimacy: A Union Territory is governed by the Centre, with limited powers to the local legislature (like Delhi). Statehood would return full legislative powers and autonomy to the elected J&K government.
- Political Participation and Stability: Full statehood may encourage wider participation in elections and a return to mainstream politics in the Valley.
- Judicial Recommendation: The Supreme Court (2023) noted that UT status must be temporary and urged a time-bound plan for restoration.
- Rebuilding Trust: Statehood is seen as a step to win back the confidence of the local population, especially after internet shutdowns, detentions, and security clampdowns.
Challenges in Restoring Statehood
- Security Concerns: Terror threats and infiltration risks persist. The government may delay full devolution until there is a more stable security environment.
- Geopolitical Tensions: China and Pakistan continue to contest India’s sovereignty over J&K and Ladakh. Strategic concerns may shape decisions.
- Administrative Realignment: The reorganisation involved restructuring administrative units, services, and legal frameworks. Reversing some of those may create bureaucratic hurdles.
- Political Control by the Centre: The current arrangement allows the Centre direct control. Restoring statehood might reduce this control, especially if opposition parties dominate the future assembly.
- Need for Election Readiness
Value Addition:
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Article 3 of the Constitution of India:
- Article 3 of the Indian Constitution grants the Parliament significant powers related to the internal reorganization of the states and union territories within the Union of India.
- Under Article 3, Parliament can:
- Form new states by combining or separating territory from existing states or union territories.
- Increase or decrease the area of any state.
- Alter the boundaries or change the name of any state
- For Parliament to exercise these powers, a Bill must be introduced with the President’s prior recommendation. If the Bill impacts a state’s area, boundaries, or name, the President must seek the state legislature’s views within a specified timeframe. However, these views are not binding on Parliament. Bills under Article 3 are passed by a simple majority and are not considered constitutional amendments under Article 368.
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With such a levy on high-end goods, spending on luxury will become a visible public act of support for the armed forces. In an era of evolving warfare, from stealth jets to AI-driven drones, India’s defence preparedness is no longer optional, it is existential. This article proposes a ‘Defence Cess’ on luxury goods and services, offering a creative, emotionally resonant, and fiscally sustainable mechanism to ring-fence funds for military modernisation. This issue links directly to GS Paper II (Governance), GS Paper III (Security and Economy), and GS IV (Ethics, especially public accountability and duty).
The Strategic Urgency: Why Modernisation Can’t Wait
- India is increasingly surrounded by hostile neighbours with fast-upgrading military capacities:
- Pakistan may soon induct stealth fighters like J-20 or J-35 from China.
- China is testing sixth-generation aircraft and has strong cyber and drone warfare capabilities.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF), by contrast, operates only 32 squadrons vs the sanctioned strength of 42 — leaving India strategically exposed in contested airspace.
Key Quote: “Capability alone is not enough. The country cannot afford to be vulnerable.”
Modernisation is Existential, Not Aspirational
India’s military modernisation roadmap is ambitious but underfunded. It includes:
- Fifth-generation fighter aircraft development (AMCA)
- Indigenous jet engine programmes
- Strategic unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Electronic warfare (EW) and cyber-capacity enhancement
But while intent exists, execution suffers from fragmented schemes, budgetary limitations, and lack of dedicated long-term funding.
The Defence Cess Proposal: Key Features
- A 5–10% surcharge on ultra-luxury goods and services like High-end cars, Private jets, Imported luxury watches, Premium liquor, etc.
- Clearly itemised on invoices as “Raksha Cess”
- Funds are non-lapsable, targeted, and traceable
- Exclusively for capital expenditure in Procurement, R&D, Infrastructure for defence
Global Parallels and Precedents
| |
Defence/Strategic Taxation Model |
| Italy |
Luxury tax on yachts and helicopters during Eurozone crisis |
| Sweden |
Long-standing luxury taxation for social balance |
| China |
Anti-extravagance drive redirected elite consumption toward strategic sectors |
These countries have used fiscal mechanisms not just to fund strategy but to shape public narratives, blending consumption with national responsibility.
Why a Defence Cess Works for India
- Psychological and Symbolic Impact: The idea of contributing directly to the betterment of Indian defence through luxury spending has strong emotional appeal. It creates a moral linkage between indulgence and national duty converting private consumption into public solidarity. Naming it “Raksha Cess” makes it resonate with patriotism and responsibility.
- Fiscal Innovation Without Burdening the Masses: India’s direct tax base is relatively narrow, and increasing defence funding through general taxation could hurt the middle class or poor. This cess targets only high-end consumers, ensuring that additional fiscal pressure is placed on those most capable of bearing it. Luxury spending has grown significantly with India’s rising affluent class, this captures a booming sector for national good.
- Transparency and Traceability: Since the cess is itemised separately on invoices, it allows greater transparency. It increases trust in government utilisation and may lead to greater tax compliance if people know exactly where their money goes. With digitised billing and GST-era infrastructure, monitoring and reporting mechanisms already exist to track such surcharges.
- Dedicated, Ring-Fenced Defence Fund: Current defence allocations are diluted across revenue expenses and pensions. It helps bypass routine bureaucratic delays and ensures directed capital spending. A defence cess would be non-lapsable and strictly for capital expenditure — such as: Acquiring new aircraft, R&D in defence tech and Indigenous manufacturing. This enables long-term strategic planning free from annual budget cycles.
- Aligns India With Global Practices: Many countries (Italy, Sweden, China) have used luxury taxation or targeted levies to support strategic sectors or correct fiscal imbalances. India can draw from these models to introduce a fiscally sound and globally validated mechanism.
- Boosts the Narrative of Nation-Building: In an era where narratives matter, this proposal encourages voluntary nation-building and elite participation in national security. It sends a message that “those who benefit most from India’s rise should contribute most to its protection.”
Challenges in Implementing a Defence Cess:
- Legal and Fiscal Complexity: Introducing a cess outside the GST framework may face legal and administrative hurdles, requiring amendments or coordination with the GST Council. There may be opposition from States citing federal fiscal concerns
- Risk of Misuse or Leakage: Any fund not managed with full transparency and oversight can fall prey to inefficiency or corruption. Strong audit systems and public reporting mechanisms must be built into the cess architecture from the outset.
- Need for a Clear Governance Structure: A dedicated body or fund management unit should be created under the Ministry of Defence or PMO, preferably with civil society representation for accountability. Without such a structure, funds may be diverted or underutilised.
- Revenue Predictability and Scale: Luxury consumption is inelastic but cyclical, it may dip during economic downturns. The fund should not be over-relied upon for core defence needs; rather, it must act as a complementary booster.
- Perception Management and Political Pushback: Some may view this as a populist or performative move, or even as a “sin tax on success”. There must be consistent and transparent communication that this is about contribution, not punishment.
- Moral Optics and Class Tensions: Care must be taken to avoid triggering class resentment or elite backlash, especially if the tax seems punitive. Framing it as “a privilege with purpose” is crucial — the messaging has to be inclusive, not divisive.
Conclusion: From Passive Consumers to Active Nation-Builders
India’s national security demands not just better weapons, but a sustainable model of public contribution and political imagination. A well-designed defence cess could convert elite indulgence into national insurance, creating a visible alignment between privilege and responsibility.
Value Addition
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India’s Defence Modernisation:
| What Has Been Done: |
What is being planned |
- Tejas Mk-1A production initiated (HAL)
- Strategic partnerships under DPP-2020 for indigenous manufacturing
- Agni Prime, INS Vikrant, and SAM systems development
- Defence exports crossed ₹21,000 crore in 2023-24
- Emergency procurement powers given to armed forces post-Galwan
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- AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) — 5th Gen fighter
- Twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF) for Navy
- India-US Jet Engine Deal (GE-HAL) under iCET
- India-France agreement for submarine co-development
- Cyber and AI warfare units under Theatre Command model
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Important Agreements and Collaborations:
| Country |
Collaboration |
| USA |
iCET, Jet Engine tech transfer (GE -F414) |
| France |
Rafale aircraft, scorpene submarine |
| Israel |
Missile defence (Barak-8) |
| Russia |
S-400 Missile systems, AK-203 Rifles |
Important Defence Policies:
- Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: Goal: To streamline the procurement process for the Indian Armed Forces, promoting indigenization and efficiency. Prioritizes “Buy Indian” categories, Enhanced Indigenous Content (IC), Simplification of Trial and Testing Procedures and has Emphasis on Make and Innovation.
- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): Goal: To foster an ecosystem for innovation and technology development in the defence and aerospace sectors, leveraging the potential of startups, MSMEs, academia, and individual innovators. It is managed by Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), a not-for-profit company founded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) & Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
- DRDO’s 5-Year Roadmap (Vision 2025): Goal: To lead India towards self-reliance in defence technologies and become a global leader in defence research and development.
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Why in the News?
India met its 20% ethanol blending (E20) target in petrol by March 2025 — five years early. Talks are now on to raise the blending ratio further in the immediate future.
About Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme:
- Launched in 2003 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- Objective: Promote use of renewable, domestically produced ethanol in petrol.
- Nationwide rollout (except A&N and Lakshadweep) since April 2019.
- Feedstock:
- 1G Ethanol: From sugarcane molasses, maize, rice.
- 2G Ethanol: From agricultural residues like rice straw, bamboo, bagasse.
- Blending Progress:
- 1.6% in 2013–14
- 11.8% in 2022–23
- 20% achieved in March 2025 (E20)
- Future Plans:
- Discussions on E27 blending target by 2030.
- Government exploring flex-fuel vehicles (e.g., E85-capable (dual-fuel) cars).
India’s Achievements:
- Environmental Gains: 19.2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided (2014–2021).
- Economic Impact: ₹26,000 crore saved in foreign exchange via reduced oil imports.
- Industrial Growth:
- Distillery capacity scaled up with interest subvention support.
- Flex-fuel vehicles showcased by major automakers in 2025.
- Farmer Benefit: Creates demand for sugarcane and grains, increasing farm income.
Limitations:
-
- Lower mileage with E20 due to reduced energy content.
- Older vehicles may face engine compatibility issues.
- Flex-fuel technology adoption still limited.
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- No drop in fuel prices despite ethanol savings.
- Consumer hesitation due to lack of visible benefits.
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- High land and water use for ethanol crops (especially sugarcane).
- Food security risks from diverting food crops for fuel.
-
- Majority of ethanol still from sugarcane; limited 2G ethanol usage.
- Need to promote biomass-based ethanol (wood chips, crop residue).
| [UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.
Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct * |
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Why in the News?
In a move to combat rhino poaching, the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has launched the Rhisotope Project.
What is Rhisotope Project?
- Launched By: University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- Initiation: Concept began in 2021; formally launched in July 2024.
- Objective: Prevent rhino poaching by making horns traceable and unsuitable for illegal trade.
- Pilot Site: Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa.
- Pilot Implementation: 20 rhinos injected with radioisotopes (exact isotope remains undisclosed) for testing.
How the Isotope Tagging Works?
- Isotope Basics: Uses radioactive isotopes that emit detectable radiation as they decay.
- Injection Method: A small hole is drilled into the horn; a low dose of isotope is inserted safely.
- Detection Mechanism: Radiation Portal Monitors at ports can detect tagged horns—even inside 40-foot containers, as proven using 3D-printed horn simulations.
Significance:
- Safety Assurance: No damage to rhinos observed; cytological tests showed no cellular or physiological harm.
- Impact on Illegal Trade: Horn becomes detectable, unusable, and toxic for illegal human consumption.
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic lion is naturally found In India only. 2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only. 3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?”
Options: (a) 1 only * (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
A joint population census conducted by Kerala and Tamil Nadu has revealed the presence of 2,668 Nilgiri tahrs in the Western Ghats.
About Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius):
- Endemism: Found only in the Nilgiri Hills and southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India.
- Ecological Role: Key grazer in the montane grassland ecosystem, influencing plant growth and grassland regeneration.
- Habitat:
- Open montane grasslands interspersed with shola forests (South Western Ghats montane rain forests eco-region).
- Occurs at elevations between 1,200 to 2,600 metres (3,900 to 8,500 feet).
- Prefers steep rocky slopes, cliff edges, and grassy plateaus — areas with clear visibility to detect predators.
- Population: Estimated 3,122 individuals in the wild; Locally extinct in about 14% of its historical habitat.
- In Kerala (1,365): Eravikulam National Park (ENP) – largest single population (~841 individuals); Anamalai Hills landscape.
- In Tamil Nadu (1303): Mukurthi National Park; Grass Hills National Park; Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (lesser presence)
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- Cultural Significance:
- Official state animal of Tamil Nadu.
- Mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature (~2,000 years ago).
- Seen in Mesolithic rock art (10,000–4,000 BC), indicating its deep historical importance.
| [UPSC 2018] Consider the following fauna of India:
1. Gharial 2. Leatherback turtle 3. Swamp deer
Which of the above is/are endangered?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 * (d) None |
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Why in the News?
To align ancient Indian diets with modern nutrition, FSSAI and the Ministry of Ayush have released an official list of food items under the Ayurveda Aahara category.
About Ayurveda Aahara:
- Definition: Refers to food products based on Ayurvedic dietary principles—focused on balance, seasonality, and natural, therapeutic ingredients.
- Objective: Ensures standardisation, safety, and consumer trust in Ayurvedic dietary practices.
- Legal Framework: Regulated under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s Ayurveda Aahara Regulations (2022).
- Textual Basis: Product list notified under Note (1) of Schedule B, grounded in classical Ayurvedic texts listed in Schedule A.
- Standards: Foods must follow authentic Ayurvedic recipes, ingredients, and preparation methods.
- New Product Inclusion: Food Business Operators (FBOs) can propose additions by citing authoritative Ayurvedic sources.
- Institutional Support: Endorsed by the National Institute of Ayurveda and the Ministry of Ayush; the Ayush Aahara Compendium offers scientifically validated formulations for industry use.
Significance:
- Health Benefits: Supports preventive health, digestion, and immunity through time-tested dietary wisdom.
- Cultural Revival: Reconnects with India’s ancient food traditions, including those from the Sangam era; recognised globally alongside Yoga and Millets.
- Regulatory Clarity: Provides structured guidelines to manufacturers, enabling ease of business and consumer confidence in authenticity.
| [UPSC 2017] Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’?
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 1, 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 3 and 4 only |
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Why in the News?
India’s Mutual Fund (MF) industry has witnessed exponential growth, with Assets Under Management (AUM) reaching ₹74.40 lakh crore as of June 2025, a sevenfold increase over the past decade.
What are Assets Under Management (AUM)?
- Definition: AUM refers to the total market value of financial assets (stocks, bonds, etc.) managed by an investment firm on behalf of clients.
- Growth Drivers:
- Net investor inflows and redemptions
- Market performance
- Dividend reinvestments
- Importance:
- Indicates fund size, investor confidence, and fund stability
- Reflects fund manager performance and popularity
- Higher AUM allows better liquidity and portfolio diversification
- Impacts management fees and minimum investment limits
What is a Mutual Fund?
- Definition: A mutual fund pools money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio.
- Management: Handled by professional fund managers to balance risk and return.
- Unit-Based Investment: Investors purchase fund units; each unit’s value is called the Net Asset Value (NAV), which changes with market movement.
Classification of Mutual Funds
a. Based on Asset Class:
- Equity Funds: Invest in stocks; includes large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.
- Debt Funds: Invest in bonds and other fixed-income instruments.
- Hybrid Funds: Mix of equity and debt for balanced risk-return.
b. Based on Investment Objective:
- Growth Funds: Focus on capital appreciation; suitable for long-term investors.
- Income Funds: Aim for regular income via bonds/dividends.
- Liquid Funds: Invest in short-term debt; low risk and high liquidity.
- Tax-saving Funds (Equity Linked Savings Scheme): Offer Section 80C tax benefits; equity-focused.
- Pension Funds: Meant for retirement; long-term return-focused.
c. Based on Structure:
- Open-ended Funds: Investors can enter or exit anytime; highly liquid.
- Closed-ended Funds: Fixed maturity; investments only during the initial offer period.
- Interval Funds: Allow purchase/redemption only at specific intervals.
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| [UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements:
I. India accounts for a very large portion of all equity option contracts traded globally, thus exhibiting a great boom. II. India’s stock market has grown rapidly in the recent past, even overtaking Hong Kong’s at some point in time. III. There is no regulatory body either to warn small investors about the risks of options trading or to act on unregistered financial advisors in this regard.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Options: (a) I and II only * (b) II and III only (c) I and III only (d) I, II and III |
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