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India’s Bid to a Permanent Seat at United Nations

[1st November 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The case for a board of peace and sustainable security

op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2024] Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security. Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in addressing and mitigating this threat at the international level.

Linkage: The BPSS proposal aligns with the recurring UPSC theme of UN reform and institutional effectiveness. It can serve as an additional point in answers evaluating the effectiveness of the UNSC and its bodies like the CTC.

Mentor’s Comment

The United Nations, despite its founding vision to preserve peace, faces a persistent structural crisis, peace agreements fail, transitions stall, and conflicts reignite. In this context, former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao’s proposal for a “Board of Peace and Sustainable Security (BPSS)” marks a profound call for institutional reform. This article dissects the argument, structure, and implications of this proposed board through a UPSC-relevant analytical framework.

Introduction

The UN Security Council (UNSC), envisioned to prevent conflict and sustain global peace, continues to struggle with institutional paralysis and outdated structures. Across continents, peace efforts collapse because international systems abandon political engagement too early.
A new institutional vision, a Board of Peace and Sustainable Security (BPSS), is proposed to infuse continuity, coordination, and political strategy into global peace efforts.

Why in the news?

As the UN marks its 80th anniversary, its credibility is under intense scrutiny. While conflicts proliferate, peace agreements remain fragile and transitional mechanisms fail. The UNSC’s structural limitations, lack of political continuity, and inability to sustain long-term engagement make reform urgent. The proposed Board of Peace and Sustainable Security aims to fill this vacuum by institutionalising sustained political engagement before, during, and after conflict. This is significant because it represents one of the first major reform ideas that seeks to integrate peacekeeping with political strategy and regional cooperation, without challenging UNSC authority.

A clearly defined institutional purpose

  1. Institutional void: The UNSC lacks sustained political engagement capacity. The BPSS would institutionalize political accompaniment beyond peace agreements.
  2. Complementary role: It would not replace or challenge the UNSC or Secretary-General but reinforce implementation and coordination.
  3. Mandate: Ensures continuity in peace efforts by reinforcing national and regional ownership of peace processes and reducing relapse into conflict.
  4. Scope: Works on reinforcing national capacities, coordinating peacekeeping with regional organizations, and ensuring peace agreements translate into durable political outcomes.

Why is reform of the UN system urgent?

  1. Loss of continuity: Peacebuilding institutions within the UN lose momentum due to ad-hoc missions. BPSS seeks to sustain political engagement beyond immediate crises.
  2. Structural inertia: Waiting for comprehensive UNSC reform delays urgent action; thus, pragmatic institutional innovation is required within existing frameworks.
  3. Authority for change: Under Article 22, the UN General Assembly already holds power to create subsidiary bodies like BPSS without requiring Charter amendments.
  4. Reform from within: Instead of replacing the UNSC, BPSS enhances coordination, ensuring peace agreements transition into stable governance systems.

What will make the Board credible and representative

  1. Rotational membership: Around two dozen member states, elected for fixed terms, representing all regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, West Asia).
  2. Avoiding elite capture: The body should represent inclusivity, not hierarchy, ensuring small and middle powers have a say.
  3. Regional linkages: Works with regional hubs (Addis Ababa, Jakarta, Brasilia, New York) to ensure peace processes reflect local ownership.
  4. Consultative participation: Civil society and regional organizations will have a structured role in deliberations, enhancing legitimacy and field coordination.

How will the BPSS function in practice?

  1. Style of functioning: Not another bureaucratic forum, but a continuing engagement body ensuring follow-through once UN missions end.
  2. Operational continuity: Prevents premature withdrawal of peacekeeping efforts; sustains political engagement through periodic review and coordination.
  3. Integration: Works in coordination with the Secretary-General, Peacebuilding Commission, and UNSC to align peacekeeping with political strategies.
  4. Focus on youth and fragile states: Ensures peace presence remains where political institutions are nascent.
  5. Conflict prevention: Reduces relapse risk by merging early-warning with long-term political strategies and governance support.

How will the BPSS strengthen sustainable security?

  1. Beyond short-term peacekeeping: Moves from reactive missions to proactive stability frameworks.
  2. Sustainable security concept: Integrates security, governance, and development rather than treating them in silos.
  3. Inclusive approach: Aligns local, regional, and global stakeholders, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern conflicts.
  4. Institutional learning: Retains experience from past missions to inform future interventions.
  5. Principled reform: Sustains political momentum, not episodic intervention, ensuring peace is treated as an ongoing political project.

Conclusion

The proposed Board of Peace and Sustainable Security reimagines peace not as an event but as a process requiring sustained political accompaniment. It seeks to anchor peacekeeping within a strategy of governance, development, and institutional resilience. This reform is not just administrative, it represents a return to the original ideals of the UN Charter, adapting them for a multipolar and conflict-prone world. Sustainable peace demands political continuity, inclusivity, and long-term commitment, principles the BPSS embodies.

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Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

Decoding India’s projected GDP

Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

Why in the News

Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India will become a $30 trillion economy in 20-25 years, emphasising India’s “strength-to-strength” growth and the vision of matching the US economy in scale. However, an analysis of India’s GDP trajectory and exchange rate trends over the past 25 years suggests that this goal appears overstated unless the rate of economic growth increases substantially. The divergence between nominal GDP growth and exchange rate depreciation is central to understanding why India may fall short of this projection.

How is the Size of an Economy Measured?

  1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Represents the total annual value of goods and services produced within a country.
  2. Nominal GDP: Expressed in current prices and domestic currency (rupees).
  3. Conversion to USD: For global comparison, GDP in rupees is divided by the exchange rate (₹ per $).
  4. Example: India’s nominal GDP in FY 2024 is ₹330 trillion, translating to about $3.9 trillion at an exchange rate of ₹84.6 per USD.
  5. Comparative Context: The US GDP in 2024 is estimated at $41 trillion, nearly 10 times India’s size.

Where Does the Divergence in GDP Projection Arise?

  1. Historical Growth (25 years):
    • India’s nominal GDP grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%.
    • The rupee depreciated by 3.08% per year.
    • This combination would yield a net dollar GDP growth of around 7.2% CAGR, resulting in a $31.9 trillion economy by 2048.
  2. Recent Growth (past 11 years):
    • India’s nominal GDP CAGR dropped to 8.2%.
    • The rupee’s depreciation averaged 3.08%, giving a dollar GDP CAGR of just 5.1%.
    • Under this trend, India’s GDP would reach only $17.4 trillion by 2048.
  3. Key Finding: The long-term projection is highly sensitive to assumptions. Small changes in growth or currency value lead to large differences in dollar GDP outcomes.

Why is the $30 Trillion Target Difficult to Achieve?

  1. Slowing Growth Momentum: India’s nominal GDP growth rate has weakened since 2014, reflecting post-pandemic structural and demand-side constraints.
  2. Exchange Rate Depreciation: The rupee has steadily weakened over time, eroding the USD value of India’s output despite growth in rupee terms.
  3. Inflation Differential: India’s higher inflation compared to advanced economies results in faster currency depreciation, reducing the global GDP value.
  4. Projection Assumptions: To achieve $30 trillion, India must sustain a nominal GDP CAGR of ~11% and limit currency depreciation below 2.5%, a historically rare combination.

Is the $30 Trillion Vision Still Useful?

  1. Aspirational Benchmark: The projection serves as a long-term vision anchor for policy and investment decisions, guiding structural reforms.
  2. Strategic Optimism: Such forecasts reflect confidence in India’s demographics, industrial potential, and service exports.
  3. Policy Implication: Even if unattained, the projection pushes economic governance to focus on productivity, export competitiveness, and rupee stability.

What Needs to Change for Realising the Vision?

  1. Sustained High Growth: Requires double-digit nominal growth through manufacturing diversification, digital economy expansion, and logistics reforms.
  2. Rupee Stability: Demands foreign investment confidence, fiscal discipline, and stronger current account performance.
  3. Inflation Control: Stable inflation curbs depreciation and maintains global competitiveness.
  4. Structural Reforms: Continued focus on labour, land, and capital market reforms to support long-term productivity.

Conclusion

India’s $30 trillion projection embodies the nation’s growth ambition, but economic realism demands higher productivity, policy consistency, and exchange rate stability. Without stronger structural momentum, India may remain well below that figure by mid-century. The aspiration, however, serves as a strategic motivator to deepen reforms and strengthen global competitiveness.

Value Addition

Potential vs. Actual GDP

  • Concept: Potential GDP is the highest level of economic output a country can sustain without triggering inflation. Actual GDP is the output the economy is currently producing.
  • Analytical Insight: India’s $30 trillion projection represents potential GDP, based on the assumption of sustained double-digit nominal growth, efficient use of labour, and strong capital formation. However, actual GDP growth depends on real-world constraints such as productivity levels, policy bottlenecks, and infrastructure capacity.
  • Example: Between 2003-08, India’s actual growth (9%) was close to potential, driven by investment and exports. Post-2014, growth averaged ≈6-6.5%, showing an increasing gap due to slowing manufacturing, skill mismatch, and weak private investment.

Nominal vs. Real Growth Distinction

  • Concept: Nominal GDP measures total output using current prices (includes inflation). Real GDP adjusts for inflation, showing actual growth in production volume.
  • Analytical Insight: A rise in nominal GDP may overstate economic progress if inflation is high or the rupee depreciates. Thus, even with strong nominal growth, India’s dollar GDP may stagnate or fall in global rankings.
  • Example: In FY2023-24, India’s nominal GDP grew by 9.6% in rupee terms, but the rupee’s depreciation from ₹79 to ₹83 per USD meant real GDP in dollar terms grew only 5%. This illustrates how inflation and currency value distort perceptions of “growth.”

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2020] Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP?

Linkage: The PYQ tests conceptual clarity on potential GDP, its determinants, and growth constraint. This is a recurring UPSC theme reflecting India’s long-term economic health and reform needs.

 

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Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

India-US seal 10 year defense partnership framework

Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Effect Of Policies & Politics Of World On India'S Interests

Introduction

India and the United States have signed a 10-year defence partnership framework (2025-2035), signaling a new phase in their strategic collaboration. The pact provides a unified vision and policy direction for deepening cooperation across logistics, supply chains, joint production, and technology sharing. It underscores the commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, amid growing regional tensions and China’s assertive rise.

Why in the News

This is a landmark development in India-US relations, marking the first-ever decade-long institutionalized defence framework between the two nations. It reflects a qualitative shift from transactional defence cooperation to a strategic partnership architecture. By formalizing continuity in defence ties, the framework aims to sustain policy alignment, interoperability, and deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, making it a cornerstone for regional stability.

Deepening Defence Convergence

  1. Framework Vision: Provides unified strategic direction to strengthen defence cooperation and stability across all military domains (land, air, sea, cyber, and space).
  2. Interoperability Focus: Prioritizes joint logistics, training, and maintenance mechanisms between forces, ensuring mission readiness and operational synergy.
  3. Symbolic Continuity: Extends beyond annual dialogues or ad hoc exercises, ensuring defence engagement remains insulated from political transitions.
  4. Technology Integration: Encourages co-production and co-development of high-end defence platforms such as Super Hercules, Globemaster, Chinooks, Apaches, and M777 howitzers.

Evolution of India-US Defence Partnership

  1. Early Frameworks: The 2015 framework initiated by PM Modi and President Obama laid the foundation for institutional defence cooperation.
  2. Key Milestones:
    • LEMOA (2016): Enabled reciprocal logistics access.
    • COMCASA (2018): Facilitated secure communications interoperability.
    • BECA (2020): Enabled real-time geospatial intelligence sharing.
  3. 2025 Framework Significance: Builds upon these foundational agreements, institutionalizing long-term coordination on strategy, logistics, and supply chain resilience.

Strategic Significance for the Indo-Pacific

  1. Regional Stability: Anchors both nations’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, countering coercive or unilateral actions.
  2. Maritime Domain Awareness: Supports enhanced naval cooperation and situational awareness across key maritime chokepoints.
  3. Military Exercises: Expands the scope of Yudh Abhyas and Malabar exercises for joint readiness.
  4. Quad Convergence: Aligns with broader QUAD objectives in maintaining rules-based order and crisis response architecture.
  5. Geoeconomic Angle: Bolsters defence supply chains and manufacturing cooperation amid China-centric dependencies.

Institutional and Industrial Collaboration

  1. Defence Production: Boosts joint manufacturing of key platforms, LCA Tejas engines, MQ-9B drones, and advanced radar systems.
  2. Private Sector Linkages: Encourages collaboration between Indian and US defence industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and General Electric (GE).
  3. R&D Synergy: Promotes innovation under the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) to co-develop futuristic technologies.
  4. Skill Transfer: Enhances training, skill-building, and exchange programs for defence personnel.

Diplomatic and Strategic Implications

  1. Policy Continuity: Reinforces long-term strategic trust and shared security outlook.
  2. Strategic Deterrence: Strengthens collective deterrence against regional instability in the Indo-Pacific.
  3. Bilateral Reliability: Demonstrates resilience of India-US defence ties beyond short-term political cycles.
  4. Global Relevance: Projects both nations as key stakeholders in shaping Indo-Pacific architecture for the 21st century.

Conclusion

The 10-year India-US Defence Partnership represents a strategic deepening and institutional maturity of bilateral defence relations. It embodies both nations’ shared vision of collective security, deterrence, and technological partnership in the Indo-Pacific. By ensuring interoperability and policy continuity, it not only strengthens defence preparedness but also cements India’s emergence as a regional security anchor and a global strategic partner of the United States.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2020] What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Linkage: The question is important as it reflects India’s shifting defence axis from Russia to the US amid Indo-Pacific power realignments. It continues UPSC’s recurring theme of India’s strategic autonomy and evolving role in global security architecture.

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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Lucknow named UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’

Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Why in the News?

At the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Lucknow was officially designated a “Creative City of Gastronomy”, making it only the second Indian city after Hyderabad (2019) to receive this title.

About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):

  • Aim: To promote the integration of cultural industries into economic, social, and environmental policies, strengthening innovation and cultural diversity.
  • Establishment: Created by UNESCO in 2004 to foster global cooperation among cities leveraging culture and creativity for sustainable urban development.
  • Creative Fields: Recognises excellence across 7 categories: Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, Music, and Crafts & Folk Art.
  • Membership Scope: Encompasses over 250 cities worldwide, selected through a rigorous UNESCO evaluation process assessing creativity, sustainability, and community engagement.
  • Core Objectives:
    • Encourage innovation-driven growth and cultural diversity.
    • Facilitate knowledge-sharing, cultural exchange, and urban identity building.
    • Support creative economy development and inclusive city policies.
  • Collaborative Role: Serves as a global platform for member cities to share best practices, co-develop cultural initiatives, and enhance local creative ecosystems.

Creative Cities in India:

  • Jaipur – Crafts & Folk Arts (2015)
  • Varanasi – Music (2015)
  • Chennai – Music (2017)
  • Mumbai – Film (2019)
  • Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019)
  • Srinagar – Crafts & Folk Arts (2022)
  • Gwalior – Music (2025)
  • Kozhikode – Literature (2025)
  • Lucknow – Gastronomy (2025)
[UPSC 2024] Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?

Options: (a) Chhau dance (b) Durga Puja (c) Garba dance* (d) Kumbh Mela

 

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Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

[pib] Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA)

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

Why in the News?

The Union Health Ministry has achieved three GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles under the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA)”, highlighting India’s leadership in women’s health and preventive care.

Guinness World Records Achieved

  • Most people registered on a health care platform in one month: 3.21 crore (3,21,49,711).
  • Most people signed up for breast cancer screening in one week: 9.94 lakh (9,94,349).
  • Most people signed up for vital signs screening online in one week (State level): 1.25 lakh (1,25,406).

These records reflect unprecedented participation across India’s digital health platforms under the Ayushman Bharat initiative.

About Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA):

  • Objective: Strengthen women’s, children’s, and family health services, focusing on rural, tribal, and underserved regions.
  • Launch: Introduced on 17 September 2025 by the PM, jointly led by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  • Scale: Over 10 lakh health camps at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals.
  • Screenings: Anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, TB, breast and cervical cancers, sickle cell disease, reproductive health conditions.
  • Services offered: Maternal, child, adolescent health including antenatal care, immunisation, nutrition counselling, menstrual hygiene, mental health, lifestyle awareness.
  • Digital Monitoring: SASHAKT portal ensures real-time data tracking and transparency.
  • Jan Bhagidaari: Collaboration with private hospitals, SHGs, Anganwadis, Panchayati Raj institutions, volunteers.
  • Tribal Focus: Specialised medical services and tailored counselling for remote and tribal areas.

What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah?

  • Overview: Part of POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission); celebrated annually since 2018.
  • 2025 Edition: 8th Poshan Maah, aligned with SNSPA for synergised impact.
  • Aim: Mobilise communities to improve nutrition of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
  • Activities: Poshan Panchayats, health and nutrition camps, recipe demos, rallies, school-Anganwadi outreach, Jan Andolan approach.
  • Focus Areas (2025):
    • Anaemia Mukt Bharat and micronutrient awareness.
    • Complementary feeding practices for infants and toddlers.
    • Poshan-Vatika (nutri-gardens) for food security.
    • Promotion of traditional and regional diets for sustainable nutrition.
[UPSC 2024] With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:

1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.

2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

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[pib] Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)

Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

Why in the News?

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has announced major reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in the national rehabilitation system.

About the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI):

  • Overview: It is a statutory body established under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, and came into statutory force on 22 June 1993.
  • Vision: To build a skilled, ethical, and inclusive rehabilitation workforce aligned with India’s disability rights framework and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) commitments.
  • Nodal Agency: Functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
  • Historical Background: Initially set up as a registered society in 1986, later granted statutory powers to regulate rehabilitation education and practice nationwide.
  • Regulatory Role: Acts as the national authority for training, education, and certification of professionals working in rehabilitation and special education.
  • Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR): Maintains and updates the CRR, a national database of all certified rehabilitation professionals in India.
  • Scope of Coverage: Regulates 16 professional categories including special educators, audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and clinical psychologists.

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Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries Sector – Pashudhan Sanjivani, E- Pashudhan Haat, etc

[pib] National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025

Prelims Only | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

Why in the News?

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying George Kurian officially launched the National Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 at ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

About National Marine Fisheries Census, 2025:

  • Objective: To collect detailed data on fishermen population, crafts, gear, livelihood patterns, and welfare indicators for evidence-based policy and blue economy planning.
  • Overview: The 5th national enumeration of India’s marine fisheries sector after 1980, 1998, 2005, and 2010 rounds.
  • Implementing Agencies: Conducted by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, coordinated by ICAR–CMFRI with Fishery Survey of India (FSI) as operational partner.
  • Coverage: Encompasses 1.2 million fisher households across 4,000–5,000 marine fishing villages in nine coastal states and four UTs, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
  • Funding & Legal Basis: Financed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an allocation of ₹16.2 crore for digital census operations.

Key Features:

  • Digital Data Collection: First paperless marine census using apps, VyAS Bharat, VyAS Sutra, and VyAS NAV, enabling geo-tagged, real-time data capture and validation.
  • Technological Integration: Uses drone-based craft surveys and live dashboards at CMFRI; establishes a National Marine Fisheries Data Centre for analytics and storage.
  • Expanded Scope: Covers ornamental fisheries, seaweed farming, and post-harvest value chain activities; includes data on credit, insurance, and welfare access.
  • NFDP Linkage: Mandates registration on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) to ensure DBT-based benefit delivery under PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
  • Inclusive Approach: Involves 1,000+ trained enumerators with state departments and fisher cooperatives, promoting community participation for accuracy.
  • Government Initiative: Promotes safety tools like vessel transponders and turtle excluder devices (TEDs); embodies the vision “Smart Census, Smarter Fisheries.”

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