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Freedom of Speech – Defamation, Sedition, etc.

[24th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Criminal Defamation is incompatible with democratic debate

op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2014] What do you understand by the concept ‘freedom of speech and expression’? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.

Linkage: The 2014 PYQ on freedom of speech, hate speech, and films directly links with criminal defamation as both test the limits of Article 19(1)(a) under Article 19(2). Just as films and hate speech face special restrictions, criminal defamation raises the question of whether jail for reputational harm is a proportionate curb on free expression.

Mentor’s Comment

The debate around criminal defamation in India has resurfaced with the Supreme Court itself acknowledging the growing misuse of the law. What began as a safeguard for reputation has increasingly turned into a tool of intimidation, propaganda, and political retribution. This article examines why criminal defamation is incompatible with democratic debate, the disproportionate nature of its penalties, and how its misuse has shaped India’s political and media landscape. We will also provide value additions, practice questions, and related UPSC linkages.

Introduction

In 2016, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of criminal defamation in the Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India case, equating reputation with the right to life. However, recent developments show that this reasoning has produced more problems than it has solved. On September 22, Justice M.M. Sundresh expressed concern over the growing use of criminal defamation by political actors and private individuals as a shield against criticism and as a weapon of retribution. With imprisonment prescribed as a penalty, the law now threatens democratic debate, fosters self-censorship, and risks turning the judiciary into a tool for silencing dissent.

Criminal Defamation in the News

The issue has returned to the spotlight because of rising judicial unease over its misuse. Justice M.M. Sundresh’s recent remarks highlight how criminal defamation cases are no longer rare or exceptional but routine weapons used by politicians, business interests, and individuals to stifle criticism. From Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor to journalists and opposition leaders, many face disproportionate litigation that results in prolonged trials, loss of political time, and harassment. This represents not just isolated misuse but a systemic problem that undermines free speech and democratic accountability.

Defamation (criminal) — statutory text & essentials

  1. Statutory definition: Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code defines defamation as making or publishing an imputation concerning any person intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, that person’s reputation.
  2. Punishment: Section 500 prescribes simple imprisonment up to two years, or fine, or both.
  3. Exceptions: Section 499 contains ten exceptions (e.g., truth for public good, fair comment on public conduct, parliamentary proceedings, etc.) — these are crucial in practice and often determinative in defamation disputes.

  • Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:

    • Section 354(2) – punishment up to 2 years simple imprisonment, or fine, or both, or community service.
    • Section 356 – covers words, signs, or visible representations harming reputation.
  • Scope: Applies to individuals, companies, and deceased persons if family reputation is harmed.
  • Essential Elements: False statement, harm to reputation, communication to third party, and intent/knowledge of likely harm.
  • Nature of Offence: Non-cognizable and bailable – requires a warrant for arrest; bail available.
  • Digital Extension: Covers defamatory posts on social media, websites, and messaging platforms.
  • Defences/Exceptions: Truth in public interest, fair comment on public servants, judicial proceedings, public performances, and cautionary statements made in good faith.

Supreme Court timeline (select landmark decisions on defamation) 

  1. S. Rangarajan v. P. Jagjivan Ram (1989): refined the reasonable-restriction test under Article 19(2); held that state action to restrain expression must demonstrate proximate danger (not remote/conjectural). Important when courts assess whether alleged speech is dangerously likely to cause harm.
  2. R. Rajagopal v. State of Tamil Nadu (Auto-Shankar case) (1994): balanced freedom of press with right to privacy; held privacy has constitutional status but public interest/public record may limit privacy claims. Relevant to defamation where publication concerns public servants/official acts.
  3. Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India (2016): Supreme Court upheld constitutionality of Sections 499 and 500, treating reputation as part of human dignity under Article 21 and holding criminal defamation a reasonable restriction on Article 19(1)(a). This remains the leading authority sustaining criminal defamation in India

Why is criminal defamation disproportionate?

  1. Imprisonment for speech: Criminal defamation proposes jail time for reputational injury, which is disproportionate compared to civil remedies like damages or injunctions.
  2. Nature of harm: Unlike physical injury, reputational harm can be addressed through compensation and retractions, not imprisonment.
  3. Global comparison: Many countries such as the U.K. have abolished criminal defamation laws as incompatible with democratic debate.

How has the law been misused in politics and media?

  1. Weaponisation of complaints: Political actors distort or take statements out of context, using the threat of jail to suppress opponents. Examples:
    • Editors of The Hindu faced cases under Jayalalithaa’s government.
    • Rahul Gandhi faced criminal defamation for remarks against political leaders.
    • Nitin Gadkari and Arun Jaitley’s cases against Arvind Kejriwal and AAP tied up governance in litigation.
  2. Judicial burden: Lower courts often issue summons without assessing whether the speech crosses the threshold of defamation.

What is the impact on journalism and public debate?

  1. Intimidation of journalists: Local reporters face harassment from politicians and business groups, including threats of arrest and travel to distant courts.
  2. Self-censorship: The chilling effect forces media houses and individuals to avoid criticism of powerful actors.
  3. Distortion of democratic debate: Criminal defamation converts political disagreements into legal battles, weakening accountability and transparency.

Are civil remedies a better alternative?

  1. Civil courts as recourse: Aggrieved individuals can seek damages, injunctions, or retractions through civil suits.
  2. Balanced protection: Civil remedies protect reputation without curbing free expression.
  3. Reduced misuse: Without the threat of imprisonment, civil proceedings reduce the scope of intimidation.

Comparative perspective and lessons for India

  1. U.K. model: Abolished criminal defamation, relying instead on civil law to handle reputational disputes.
  2. Global democratic practice: Democracies increasingly view criminal defamation as incompatible with free speech.
  3. India’s opportunity: Reforms are needed to align India’s legal framework with global standards and democratic values.

Conclusion

Criminal defamation in India has shifted from being a safeguard for dignity to a political weapon that curtails free expression and democratic accountability. Justice Sundresh’s remarks signal a broader judicial recognition that the law’s misuse has become systemic. Moving toward civil remedies while abolishing criminal defamation is necessary for strengthening free speech, protecting journalists, and ensuring political debates remain democratic rather than litigative. India must now act to strike the right balance between dignity and liberty.

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Global Geological And Climatic Events

India’s only active volcano in Andaman’s Barren Island erupts

Places in newsPrelims Only | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

Why in the News?

Barren Island, which is not only India’s but South Asia’s only active volcano, has erupted twice in a span of eight days.

barren island

About Barren Island:

  • Location: In the Andaman Sea, about 138–140 km northeast of Port Blair, within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India).
  • Unique Status: The only confirmed active volcano in the Indian subcontinent and South Asia, lying on the volcanic arc between Sumatra (Indonesia) and Myanmar.
  • Geophysical Features: Roughly circular island (~3 km diameter); volcanic crater located 0.5 km from shore, rising to 354 m above sea level and classified as a stratovolcano made of lava, volcanic ash, and rock fragments.
  • Volcanic Activity
    • First Recorded Eruption: 1787.
    • Notable Eruptions: 1789, 1795, 1803–04, 1852, 1991, 2017, and minor eruptions in 2025.
    • 1991 Eruption: Lasted ~6 months, destructive to local fauna.
    • Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): Generally low, around 2.
  • Geological Significance:
    • Age of Flows: Oldest subaerial lava flows dated to 1.6 million years ago.
    • Crust: Built on 106 million-year-old oceanic crust.
    • Tectonics: Part of the subduction zone where the Indian Plate meets the Burmese Plate.
    • Research Value: Critical for geological and volcanic studies as India’s only active volcano.

Note:

Although there are no active volcanoes in mainland India, there are some extinct and dormant volcanoes in the country. These are: Narcondam Island (dormant, A&N Islands); Deccan Plateau (18.51°N 73.43°E; extinct, Maharashtra); Baratang Island (mud volcanoes; active, A&N Islands); Dhinodhar Hills (extinct, Gujarat); Dhosi Hill (extinct, Haryana–Rajasthan border); Tosham Hills (extinct, Haryana); and Loktak Lake (Supervolcanic caldera, Manipur).

[UPSC 2018] Consider the following statements:

  1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
  2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
  3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only*

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 only

(d) 1 and 3

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The Left we need: The Legacy of Indian Socialism

Explained | History | Mains Paper 1: Post-Independence

Introduction

Once a vibrant stream of India’s political life, socialism today survives only on the margins, overshadowed by dominant political narratives. The Samajwadi Ekjutata Sammelan attempted to revive this forgotten legacy by recalling socialist icons, showcasing their contributions, and highlighting the ideological resources they left behind. Unlike European social democracy or Marxism, Indian socialism, particularly articulated by Ram Manohar Lohia, offered a distinct doctrine—integrating caste, gender, and cultural politics with economic equality and Gandhian satyagraha. At a time when the world grapples with inequality, climate change, and rising authoritarianism, revisiting Indian socialism is not just about remembering the past, but about reclaiming tools for the future.

Why in the News?

The 90th anniversary of the socialist movement was commemorated through a large convention in Pune, bringing together activists, veterans of the Emergency resistance, and younger voices. This event is significant because it highlights the amnesia and disjunction surrounding socialism in India today, where even icons like JP, Usha Mehta, and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay are remembered for roles outside the socialist tradition. The Sammelan underscored a major problem: the ideological vacuum created by the neglect of Indian socialism, just when its core ideas, on inequality, sustainable development, cultural politics, and resistance to authoritarianism, are urgently needed. The striking aspect is not just nostalgia, but the contrast between socialism’s past centrality and its near invisibility in today’s discourse.

The Legacy of Indian Socialism

  1. Founding of Congress Socialist Party (1934): Socialist stream within Congress connected political freedom with social and economic equality.
  2. Quit India Movement: JP, Lohia, Usha Mehta and others led underground resistance, marking socialism’s high point in the freedom struggle.
  3. Post-Independence Role: Departure from Congress to form an independent opposition, mobilising backward castes and the poor, especially in the Hindi belt.
  4. Emergency Resistance: Socialist leaders like Rajkumar Jain, Vijay Pratap, and Anand Kumar stood against authoritarianism, spending months in jail.

Why is Socialism Fading from Public Memory?

  1. Amnesia: Young people today conflate socialists with communists or Maoists, erasing the distinctiveness of the socialist tradition.
  2. Disjunction in Memory: JP Narayan is remembered as Gandhian, Kamaladevi for handicrafts, Usha Mehta as freedom fighter—none as socialists.
  3. Neglect of Ideas: Unlike communists, socialists lacked a robust academic subculture and access to English-speaking opinion-makers.
  4. Absence of Popular Recall: Figures like Yusuf Meherally, Achyut Patwardhan, Madhu Limaye, and S.M. Joshi remain unknown to today’s youth.

Distinctive Ideas of Indian Socialism

  1. Expanded Equality: Beyond economics, it included caste, gender, race, nationality, relevant to debates on women’s reservation, caste census, and subquotas.
  2. Alternative Development Model: Critiqued technocratic-industrial path; emphasised sustainable well-being, now crucial amid climate change.
  3. Satyagraha as Politics: Advocated Gandhian non-violent resistance as an alternative to violence or electoralism.
  4. Cultural Politics: Rooted in Indian languages and traditions, countering hegemonic cultural nationalism with inclusive symbols.

Why Does Indian Socialism Matter Today?

  1. Counter to Inequality: Rising global inequality makes Lohia’s expanded framework urgent.
  2. Democratic Deepening: Socialists played key role in mobilisation of backward castes and poor, essential for inclusive democracy.
  3. Resistance to Authoritarianism: With a consistent history of fighting Emergency and excesses, socialism offers principled tools to resist authoritarian regimes.
  4. Global Relevance: By abjuring Eurocentric roots, Indian socialism contributed a new doctrine to world thought.

Conclusion

The decline of Indian socialism is not just the fading of a political ideology but the loss of a moral and intellectual compass that once challenged inequality and authoritarianism. The Sammelan in Pune reminded us that socialism is more than an electoral project; it is a resource for reimagining democracy and justice in the 21st century. Whether or not the label survives, its ideas remain indispensable. The real challenge lies in recalling, renewing, and repurposing socialism to confront contemporary crises.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2020] Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.

Linkage: Since the 1920s, the national movement diversified ideologically with strands like socialism, which linked political freedom with social and economic equality. Socialists such as JP and Lohia expanded the movement’s base by mobilising peasants, backward castes, women, and workers, while also shaping resistance during Quit India and the Emergency. This ideological pluralism deepened democracy and widened the social foundations of Indian politics.

Value Addition

History of Socialism in Pre-Independent India

Early Currents (1920s–1930s)

  1. Global Influence: The Russian Revolution (1917) electrified Indian youth. Marxist ideas about class struggle and collective ownership inspired a generation disillusioned with colonial exploitation.
  2. Indian Context: The non-cooperation movement (1920–22) radicalised many students and workers. Young leaders like S.A. Dange, M.N. Roy, Nalini Gupta, Muzaffar Ahmad started bringing socialist ideas into India.
  3. Labour & Peasant Movements: The formation of AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress, 1920) and Kisan Sabhas gave socialism a practical ground.

Formation of the Congress Socialist Party (1934)

  1. Background: Many young nationalists within the Congress felt that Congress under Gandhi was too focused on political freedom without a social revolution.
  2. Founding: The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was founded in Patna, 1934 by Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Deva, Ram Manohar Lohia, Yusuf Meherally, and others.

Objectives:

  1. Radicalise the Congress by linking freedom with social & economic equality.
  2. Advocate land reforms, redistribution of wealth, end of caste discrimination.
  3. Maintain distance from the Communists but work inside the Congress unlike them.

Impact: CSP became the ideological left-wing of the Congress, drawing in students, workers, peasants, and socially progressive leaders.

Role in the Quit India Movement (1942)

  • Context: With the launch of Quit India (August 1942), much of the mainstream Congress leadership was arrested.

Socialist Contribution:

  1. Socialists like JP, Lohia, Usha Mehta, Aruna Asaf Ali kept the movement alive underground.
  2. Usha Mehta ran the Secret Congress Radio, broadcasting messages against British rule.
  3. JP and Lohia organised clandestine networks, strikes, and sabotage against colonial infrastructure.

Significance: This gave socialism a heroic image of sacrifice and resistance, showing it could sustain the national struggle when the mainstream was paralysed.

Peasant & Worker Mobilisation

  1. Kisan Sabhas: Led by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati in Bihar and N.G. Ranga in Andhra, peasants were mobilised against landlordism, high rents, and colonial agrarian policies.
  2. Labour Strikes: Socialist leaders engaged with trade unions and AITUC, mobilising railway workers, mill workers, and dockyard labourers.
  3. Linkage with Socialism: These movements translated the abstract ideals of socialism into mass struggles, rooting the ideology in agrarian and working-class realities.

Other Key Developments

  1. Students’ Movement: Socialist ideas found strong resonance in the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and later the Socialist Youth movements.
  2. Princely States Movements: Socialists often took leadership in agitations in princely states (like Travancore, Hyderabad), linking freedom with social justice.
  3. Intellectual Contribution: Leaders like Acharya Narendra Deva (theorist), JP (activist organiser), Lohia (thinker & mass mobiliser) gave socialism in India both intellectual depth and activist energy.

Summary

  1. By the 1940s, socialism in India was not merely an imported ideology—it had become a home-grown political stream, deeply connected to the freedom struggle. Its distinctiveness lay in:
  2. Rooting Marxist equality in Indian realities of caste, agrarian hierarchy, and colonial exploitation.
  3. Combining Gandhian satyagraha with socialist radicalism.
  4. Mobilising peasants, workers, students, women, and backward castes, thereby expanding the social base of the national movement.

Socialist Principles in the Indian Constitution

Explicit Reference:

  • Preamble (42nd Amendment, 1976): India declared to be a “Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.”

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):

  1. Article 38: Promote welfare of people through a just social order.
  2. Article 39: Equitable distribution of resources, prevention of wealth concentration, protection of workers’ rights.
  3. Article 41: Right to work, education, and public assistance.
  4. Article 43: Living wage, decent working conditions, and participation of workers in management.
  5. Article 47: Duty of state to improve public health, nutrition, and prohibition of intoxicants.

Comparative Analysis: Indian vs. Western Socialism

Aspect Western Socialism Indian Socialism
Origins Industrial Revolution (Europe, 19th c.), Marxist critique of capitalism. Freedom struggle (20th c.), influenced by Gandhi + Lohia + JP + Marxism.
Focus Class-based equality (workers vs capitalists). Multi-dimensional equality (caste, class, gender, nationality).
Method Revolution (Marxist), or reform (social democracy). Democratic, non-violent satyagraha + electoral politics.
State Role Welfare state ensuring redistribution, public ownership of key industries. Mixed economy with state-led planning (Nehruvian model) + constitutional guarantees.
Culture & Identity Largely secular, materialistic basis. Rooted in Indian culture, language, symbols (Lohia’s “cultural politics”).
Developmental Model Industrialisation as progress. Critique of technocratic-industrial model, stress on sustainability & decentralisation.

 

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Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

Lessons from India’s Vaccination Drive

Explained | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

Introduction

Vaccination is among the most effective and cost-efficient public health measures, credited with saving millions of lives globally. India, with its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), runs the world’s largest vaccination campaign annually, covering over 2.6 crore infants and 2.9 crore pregnant women. From eliminating polio and maternal/neonatal tetanus to spearheading COVID-19 vaccine development, India has emerged as a global leader in immunisation. Yet, challenges remain in ensuring last-mile delivery, tackling vaccine hesitancy, and integrating disease surveillance with vaccination systems.

Expanding Reach through Mission Indradhanush

  1. Mission Indradhanush (MI): Launched in 2014 to achieve 90% full immunisation coverage, up from 62% in 2014 (NFHS-4).
  2. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI): Began in 2017, targeting low-coverage and missed populations.
  3. Impact: By 2023, 12 phases of MI/IMI had vaccinated 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women.
  4. Integration: Linked with Gram Swaraj Abhiyan and Extended Gram Swaraj Abhiyan for greater outreach.

What Has India Achieved through UIP?

  1. Decline in Mortality: Under-5 mortality dropped from 45 to 31 per 1,000 live births (2014–2021, SRS 2021).
  2. Expanded Vaccination Basket: 6 new vaccines added in the last decade (e.g., Rotavirus, Pneumococcal Conjugate, Measles-Rubella).

Disease Elimination Milestones:

  1. Polio-free since 2011.
  2. Maternal and neonatal tetanus eliminated in 2015.
  3. Yaws eradicated in 2016.
  4. Recognition: Measles and Rubella Champion Award (2024).

What Challenges Continue to Plague India’s Vaccination Efforts?

  1. Remote Populations: Hard-to-reach and migratory groups remain under-covered.
  2. Vaccine Hesitancy: Clusters with low awareness and misinformation hinder uptake.
  3. Pandemic Disruption: COVID-19 disrupted routine services, leading to measles outbreaks (2022–2024).
  4. Immunity Gaps: Outbreaks showed clustering of unimmunised children.

How Has Technology Transformed Vaccine Delivery?

Digital Platforms:

  1. U-WIN: End-to-end vaccination record tracking, modeled on Co-WIN.
  2. eVIN & Cold Chain MIS: Real-time vaccine stock and logistics monitoring.
  3. SAFE-VAC: Vaccine safety reporting.

Pandemic Success:

  1. COVID-19 vaccination began Jan 16, 2021.
  2. By Jan 2023: 220 crore doses, 97% with one dose, 90% with both.
  3. Equity & Outreach: Enabled “anytime-anywhere” access for migratory groups.

What Lessons Has India Shared with the World?

  1. Vaccine Maitri: Supported low- and middle-income countries, reflecting Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
  2. Domestic Manufacturing: Self-reliance through Make in India strategy.
  3. Global Leadership: World’s largest vaccine manufacturing hub, shaping global vaccine futures.

Conclusion

India’s vaccination drive demonstrates the transformative power of political will, technological innovation, and community participation. While achievements like polio eradication, COVID-19 vaccine success, and award-winning Measles-Rubella campaigns inspire global emulation, challenges of equity, hesitancy, and surveillance integration demand continued attention. The future lies in adopting a One-Health approach and strengthening linkages between disease surveillance and immunisation to ensure pandemic preparedness and universal vaccine coverage.

PYQ Relevance:

[UPSC 2022] What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines?

Linkage: This question is important for UPSC as it tests both the scientific principle of vaccine development and India’s capacity to innovate during crises like COVID-19. The article links by showing how vaccines, once developed, were scaled through UIP, Mission Indradhanush, and digital tools like U-WIN, reflecting the bridge between science and governance. It also highlights India’s global role via Vaccine Maitri and WHO recognition, making it a holistic case study for GS 3: Science & Technology and Public Health.

Value Addition

Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)

  1. Definition: World’s largest immunisation programme, launched in 1985, providing free vaccines against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases.
  2. Coverage: Annually vaccinates 2.6 crore infants and 2.9 crore pregnant women.
  3. Relevance: Illustrates inclusive public health coverage, state capacity, and preventive healthcare.

Mission Indradhanush (MI) / Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI)

  1. MI (2014): Launched to increase full immunisation coverage from 62% (NFHS-4, 2015–16) to 90%.
  2. IMI (2017): Focused on low-coverage areas and “left-out” children/women.
  3. Outcome: By 2023, 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women vaccinated under 12 phases.
  4. Relevance: Example of targeted governance and convergence with Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.

Zero-dose Outreach

  1. Definition: Identifying and reaching children who have received no vaccines at all (first contact point for immunisation).
  2. Importance: Critical for equity in healthcare since such children often belong to marginalised, remote, or migratory populations.
  3. Relevance: Reflects SDG-3 (Good Health and Well-being) and commitment to leaving no one behind.

U-WIN / eVIN / SAFE-VAC

  1. U-WIN: Successor to Co-WIN, a digital platform for real-time tracking of vaccination for pregnant women and children up to 16 years; enables portability for migrants.
  2. eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network): Ensures real-time monitoring of vaccine stocks.
  3. SAFE-VAC: Module for adverse events reporting and ensuring vaccine safety.
  4. Relevance: Showcases digital governance in health → transparent, accountable, efficient delivery.

One-Health Approach

  1. Concept: Integrates surveillance of human, animal, and environmental health systems.
  2. Need: 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic (e.g., COVID-19).
  3. Application: Strengthens pandemic preparedness and ties immunisation with wider health surveillance.
  4. Relevance: A forward-looking framework for epidemic resilience and sustainable public health.

Vaccine Maitri

  1. Definition: India’s global vaccine diplomacy initiative during COVID-19, supplying vaccines to 100+ countries.
  2. Impact: Cemented India’s role as “Pharmacy of the World”; strengthened ties with developing countries.
  3. Relevance: Example of health diplomacy, South-South cooperation, and global public good.

Reports & Data

NFHS-4 (2015–16)

  1. Report Name: National Family Health Survey – Round 4.
  2. Finding: India’s full immunisation coverage was 62% in 2014.
  3. Significance: Provided the baseline for Mission Indradhanush.
  4. Relevance: Evidence-based policymaking; highlights gaps in equity and access.

Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021

  1. Significance: Clear evidence of immunisation’s role in improving child survival.
  2. Relevance: Shows how preventive healthcare directly impacts SDG-3 (Health & Well-being).

Measles-Rubella (MR) Campaign (2017–19)

  1. Coverage: 34.8 crore children aged 9 months–15 years vaccinated.
  2. Significance: Largest catch-up campaign globally.
  3. Relevance: Example of mass public mobilisation and vaccine diplomacy readiness.

Key Concepts:

Zero-dose Outreach

  1. Definition: Identifying and immunising children who have not received a single vaccine.
  2. Importance: They represent the most vulnerable clusters (remote, migratory, socio-economically deprived).
  3. UPSC Link: Equity in health, SDG-3, “Leaving no one behind”.

One-Health Lens

  1. Definition: Integrated surveillance of human, animal, and environmental health.
  2. Why: 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic (e.g., COVID-19, Nipah).
  3. Application: Prevents epidemics by connecting immunisation with disease surveillance across ecosystems.
  4. UPSC Link: Pandemic preparedness, sustainable health governance.

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Nuclear Energy

Roadmap for India’s Fusion Power Plan

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Why in the News?

Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar have released a roadmap for India’s fusion programme, envisioning the Steady-State Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat) as the country’s first fusion electricity generator.

Back2Basics: ITER and India’s Contribution in ITER

  • ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor): It is the world’s largest nuclear fusion project, based in France, involving 35 nations.
    • What is Nuclear Fusion: It is the process where light atomic nuclei, like hydrogen, combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy, as seen in the Sun and stars.
  • Aim: Demonstrate safe, carbon-free fusion energy by achieving Q = 10 (500 MW output from 50 MW input).
  • Uses Tokamak design, heating plasma to 150 million °C with superconducting magnets.
  • India joined as a full partner in 2005, contributing 9% of ITER hardware (~₹17,500 crore).
  • Major Indian contributions:
    • Partnership: Member since 2005, contributes 9% of hardware (~₹17,500 crore) with full IP rights.
    • Cryostat (3,800 tonnes, world’s largest vacuum vessel) – fabricated by L&T in Gujarat.
    • Superconducting magnets, cryogenic systems, RF heating systems, diagnostics, and shielding modules.
    • R&D on lithium-lead breeder blankets for tritium self-sufficiency in fusion reactors.
  • ITER serves as a training ground for Indian scientists, engineers, and industry, strengthening the country’s precision engineering and high-tech capabilities.

Roadmap for India’s Fusion Power Plan:

  • Vision: Outlined by the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, aligned with India’s Net Zero 2070 goal.
  • Strategy: Transition from fusion–fission hybrids (SST-Bharat) to a full fusion demonstration reactor (INDRA) by 2060.
  • Phased Targets:
    • 2025–2035: ITER participation, validation of deuterium-tritium (D–T) fueling, superconducting magnets, and plasma control.
    • 2035–2060: Build INDRA (500 MWe, Q > 20), continuous operation >6 months, tritium breeding ratio >1.1.
    • Post-2060: Commercial-scale fusion plants, target 50 GW fusion capacity by 2100, offsetting ~750 MT CO₂ annually.
  • Hybrid Approach: Fusion neutrons to drive thorium-based subcritical assemblies until pure fusion matures.
  • Innovations: Digital twins of tokamaks, AI-assisted plasma confinement, and radiation-resistant materials.
  • Global Context: UK STEP targets 2040, US startups 2030s, China’s EAST plasma records; India aims for 2060 cautiously.

About Steady-State Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat):

  • Design: Planned as India’s first fusion electricity generator, a fusion–fission hybrid.
  • Output: 130 MW total; 100 MW from fission, 30 MW from fusion.
  • Target: Q-Value = 5 (fusion output/input ratio), vs ITER’s goal of Q = 10.
  • Cost: Estimated at ₹25,000 crore.
  • Features: Superconducting magnets, advanced plasma control, hybrid breeding design to generate fuel and reduce waste.
  • Legacy: Builds on SST-1 tokamak, which achieved 650 ms confinement (designed for up to 16 min).
  • Goal: Pave way for INDRA (250 MW, Q = 20) by 2060.
[UPSC 2016] India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

Options: (a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation

(b) It attain a global role in satellite-navigation

(c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation

(d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation*

[UPSC 2025] The fusion energy programme in India has steadily evolved over the past few decades. Mention India’s contributions to the international fusion energy project International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). What will be the implications of the success of this project for the future of global energy?

 

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Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

Commissioning of Oju Hydel Project

Prelims Only | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

Why in the News?

The Union Environment Ministry has cleared the 2,220 MW Oju Hydroelectric Project on the Subansiri River in Taksing, Upper Subansiri district, near the China border.

About the Oju Hydroelectric Project:

  • Capacity & Location: A 2,220 MW run-of-river hydro project on the Subansiri River at Taksing, Upper Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh, near the China border.
  • Infrastructure:
    • Dam: 93 m high, 355 m long concrete gravity dam.
    • Tunnels: Two diversion tunnels, 14.17 km headrace tunnel.
    • Powerhouse: Underground, with 8 turbines of 231.25 MW each.
  • Hydrology: Catchment area 9,827 sq. km; average annual yield 11,339 million cubic meters.

Significance of the Project:

  • Hydro Cascade: Largest in Subansiri basin, upstream of projects like Niare, Naba, Nalo, Dengser, Upper & Lower Subansiri, making it vital for basin-wide energy planning.
  • Border Security: Strengthens India’s strategic presence near China border through infrastructure development.
  • Energy Security: Provides clean power at ~₹5.65/kWh, supporting renewable targets and reducing fossil dependence.

Back2Basics: Subansiri River

Commissioning of Oju Hydel Project

  • Also called the Gold River, it is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra, about 518 km long with a 32,640 sq. km basin.
  • It originates in Lhuntse County, Tibet, flows through Upper Subansiri district (Arunachal Pradesh), and enters India via the Miri Hills.
  • The Upper Subansiri refers to its Himalayan origin stretch, while the Lower Subansiri marks its descent into the Assam Valley through Lower Subansiri district.
  • It joins the Brahmaputra at Jamurighat/Majuli Island in Assam; key tributaries are Rangandi, Dikrong, Kamle, Char Chu, and Tsari Chu.
  • Known for floods, rapids, and hydropower projects like the Lower Subansiri, the river also carries cultural importance in Tibet’s Tsari region.

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Roads, Highways, Cargo, Air-Cargo and Logistics infrastructure – Bharatmala, LEEP, SetuBharatam, etc.

[pib] Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS), 2025

DOMRPrelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

Why in the News?

The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry has released Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS), 2025 Report.

What is Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS)? 

  • Overview: It is a national index benchmarking logistics performance across States and Union Territories of India.
  • Origin: Conceived in 2018, modelled on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI).
  • Authority: Prepared by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Methodology: Combines objective indicators (infrastructure, regulatory support, enablers) with perception-based feedback from stakeholders on cost, efficiency, and services.
  • Purpose: Promotes healthy competition, identifies best practices, and guides policy interventions to improve logistics efficiency.

About LEADS 2025:

  • Launch: Released by the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.
  • Framework: Built on 4 pillars – Infrastructure, Services, Operating & Regulatory Environment, and Sustainable Logistics.
  • New Features:
    • Corridor-level assessment of major national and regional corridors (journey time, truck speed, waiting periods).
    • API-enabled evaluation of section-wise truck speeds using real-time data.
  • Classification: States/UTs ranked as Leaders, Achievers, and Aspirers.
  • Alignment: Supports Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Key Highlights of LEADS 2025:

  • Top States: Gujarat (1st), Karnataka (2nd), Maharashtra (3rd), Tamil Nadu (4th), Rajasthan (5th).
  • Parameters: Journey time, logistics costs, infrastructure quality, service reliability, waiting times, and sustainability practices.
  • Strategic Outcomes: Identifies bottlenecks, promotes evidence-based policymaking, reduces logistics costs, and enhances supply chain competitiveness.

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Horticulture, Floriculture, Commercial crops, Bamboo Production – MIDH, NFSM-CC, etc.

[pib] Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

Schemes | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

Why in the News?

The government has announced the establishment of 9 Clean Plant Centres across the country as part of the recently approved Rs 1,765.67 crore Clean Plant Programme (CPP).

What is Clean Plant Programme (CPP)?

  • Launch: Cleared by the Union Cabinet in August 2024 with an outlay of ₹1,765.67 crore, supported by a $98 million Asian Development Bank loan.
  • Implementation: Led by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board (NHB), with technical support from ICAR.
  • Objective: Supply virus-free, high-quality planting material to improve crop yield, quality, and farmer incomes in horticulture.
  • Scope: Focus on fruit crops such as grapes, oranges, pomegranates, apples, and citrus.

Key Features:

  • Centres: Establishment of 9 Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) across India; three in Maharashtra – Pune (grapes), Nagpur (oranges), Solapur (pomegranates).
  • Research Hub: National-level laboratory in Pune for original plant species research.
  • Financial Aid: ₹3 crore for large nurseries, ₹1.5 crore for medium nurseries; target of 8 crore disease-free seedlings annually.
  • Certification & Traceability: Strong framework to ensure disease-free mother plants and regulated propagation.
  • Global Cooperation: Collaboration with Israel and the Netherlands for clean plant technologies.
  • Policy Alignment: Supports Mission LiFE, One Health, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

On-Ground Progress:

  • Dedicated Website: Launched as central hub – cpp-beta.nhb.gov.in.
  • Hazard Analysis:
    • Grapevine: 578 samples tested from multiple states.
    • Apple: 535 samples under testing from Himalayan and northern states.
    • Citrus:  Hazard profiling preparations underway.
  • Assessments: ICAR, NHB, and ADB conducted lab and nursery visits (2024–25) to strengthen diagnostics and bioinformatics using High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS).
  • Propagation Protocol: Negative samples re-tested; positive ones treated with tissue culture, heat, or cryotherapy before propagation.
  • Infrastructure: First Clean Plant Centre underway; design bidding initiated.
[UPSC 2011] With what purpose is the GoI promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”?

1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.

2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.

3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only* (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

 

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Defence Sector – DPP, Missions, Schemes, Security Forces, etc.

India’s first overseas Defence Facility in Morocco

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Indigenization Of Technology

Why in the News?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems’ plant at Berrechid, Morocco—India’s first overseas and Morocco’s largest defence manufacturing facility.

About India’s Morocco Defence Facility:

  • Developer: Established by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) – India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility and Morocco’s largest defence plant.
  • Scale & Capacity: Spread over 20,000 sq. m. with capacity to produce ~100 armoured vehicles annually.
  • Product: Focused on the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8, jointly developed by TASL and DRDO.
  • Variants: Modular designs include Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Armoured Personnel Carrier, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Command Post, Mortar Carrier, and Ambulance.
  • Operations: First deliveries to the Royal Moroccan Army scheduled for October 2025.

Significance:

  • Strategic Expansion: Extends India’s defence vision from Make in India to Make for the World.
  • Diplomatic Milestone: Symbolises stronger India–Morocco defence ties, marked by the first visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Morocco.
  • Economic & Employment Boost: Creates jobs in Morocco; 33% local sourcing of components (to increase to 50%).
  • Export Hub: Morocco’s location makes it a gateway to Africa and Europe, enhancing India’s defence export footprint.
  • Security Role: Enhances regional defence capacity and establishes India as a credible global supplier of armoured vehicles.
[UPSC 2017] What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

Options: (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.

(b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.

(c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. *

(d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.

 

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