Why in the News?
The 25% tariff plus penalty imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Indian imports has brought renewed attention to the strain in India-U.S. trade relations.
Why did the U.S. impose a 25% tariff on Indian imports?
- High Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers by India: The U.S. accused India of maintaining high import duties and regulatory restrictions that limited American market access. Eg: Trump repeatedly criticized India’s high tariffs on U.S. goods like motorcycles and dairy products.
- Geopolitical Frustration Over India-Russia Ties: India’s continued energy and defense cooperation with Russia, despite U.S. pressure, triggered punitive action. Eg: Trump expressed displeasure at India’s oil imports from Russia, linking them to trade penalties.
- Failure to Reach a Mini-Trade Deal: Repeated delays and stalemates in talks over a limited trade agreement led to frustration in the U.S.
What stalled the India-U.S. mini-trade deal?
- India’s Reluctance to Lower Tariffs: India resisted U.S. demands to reduce import duties, especially in agriculture and dairy, to protect domestic interests. Eg: India declined to open its dairy sector to U.S. exporters, citing religious and cultural concerns over feed practices involving animal blood, which conflict with Indian dietary norms.
- Unclear Negotiation Timelines: The deal lacked a defined timeline, and momentum stalled due to shifting priorities on both sides. Eg: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated the deal needed “some more negotiations,” while India stopped referencing the mini-deal, signaling disengagement.
How do India’s farm and dairy policies hinder trade talks?
- Protection of Domestic Farmers: India maintains high tariffs and import restrictions to shield small and marginal farmers from foreign competition. Eg: India imposes import duties of up to 100% on dairy products, making it difficult for U.S. exporters to access the Indian market.
- Cultural and Religious Sensitivities: Indian regulations emphasise vegetarian feed practices, which clash with Western livestock farming methods. Eg: India rejected U.S. dairy imports because American cows are often fed blood meal, violating Hindu dietary norms.
- Subsidy and MSP System: India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) and subsidy policies create a non-level playing field, raising concerns about fairness among trade partners. Eg: The U.S. has objected to India’s public stockholding of food grains, which they claim distorts global agricultural trade.
How do India-Russia ties affect India-U.S. trade relations?
- Strategic Autonomy in Foreign Policy: India maintains a non-aligned stance, continuing strong ties with Russia, especially in defence and energy sectors, despite Western pressure. Eg: India’s purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia triggered U.S. concerns under the CAATSA sanctions regime.
- Energy Trade with Russia: India increased crude oil imports from Russia due to discounted prices amid the Ukraine conflict, which contradicts U.S.-led sanctions. Eg: In 2023, Russia became one of India’s top oil suppliers, raising questions in Washington about India’s commitment to Western-led efforts.
How can India balance sovereignty with export interests? (Way forward)
- Assert Strategic Autonomy while Building Economic Alliances: India must uphold its sovereign right to choose partners (e.g., Russia) while diversifying export markets and enhancing trade ties with nations like the U.S., EU, ASEAN, to reduce dependency and mitigate tariff risks.
- Pursue Issue-Based Bilateral Negotiations: India can engage in sector-specific negotiations that safeguard sensitive areas (like agriculture) while offering market access in others (like pharmaceuticals or services), thereby balancing domestic priorities with global trade expectations.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2018] How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India?
Linkage: The article is directly related to impact of “protectionism” on India’s macroeconomic stability. The “25% tariff ‘plus penalty’ on imports of Indian goods” by the U.S. is a clear example of protectionist measures in world trade. The article explicitly states that these tariffs place India at a “relative disadvantage”, directly relating to the “soured relations” and potential impact on India’s economic stability.
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Why in the News?
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to the Maldives (July 2025) marked a significant reset in bilateral ties after months of strain following the election of President Mohamed Muizzu, who had earlier run on an ‘India Out’ platform.
What caused the India-Maldives ties reset under Muizzu?
- Troop Withdrawal & Civilian Substitution: President Muizzu demanded the removal of Indian military personnel, citing sovereignty. India responded by replacing them with civilian technical staff.
- High-Level Diplomatic Engagements: Muizzu visited New Delhi in October 2024, signaling openness to dialogue.Indian PM reciprocated with a state visit to Male in July 2025, the first by a foreign Head of State under Muizzu.
- Economic Support & Debt Relief: India extended budgetary support and credit lines, easing Maldives’ financial burden. Eg: A ₹4,850 crore Line of Credit and 40% debt repayment reduction in 2025.
- Softening of Rhetoric & Public Signals: President Muizzu acknowledged historical ties, calling the Indian Ocean a testament to shared heritage. This marked a shift from his earlier India-Out campaign tone.
- Launch of Institutional Mechanisms: Announcement of India-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group and FTA discussions in 2025.
How has India ensured the Maldives’ security?
- Military Intervention in Crisis: In 1988, India launched Operation Cactus to foil a coup attempt, securing the capital and leadership.
- Bilateral Defence Cooperation: The DOSTI maritime exercise, started in 1991, strengthens Coast Guard coordination.
- Strategic Presence and Infrastructure Support: India maintained a defensive presence (now civilian) and supported surveillance capabilities like helped set up coastal radar systems.
- Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operations: India has provided quick assistance during natural disasters, showcasing readiness and goodwill. India provided critical aid to Maldives after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
- Regional Security Engagements: Maldives is a key member of the Colombo Security Conclave, focusing on counter-terrorism and maritime security.
Why is the Maldives vital for India amid China’s presence?
- Strategic Location in the Indian Ocean: The Maldives lies along key international shipping lanes, making it critical for India’s maritime security and energy supply routes. Eg: Over 80% of India’s energy imports pass close to the Maldives archipelago, near the Eight Degree Channel.
- Countering China’s Expanding Influence: China’s increasing investments and debt diplomacy in Maldives threaten to shift the regional balance. Eg: The Sinamale Bridge, built with Chinese funding, raised concerns over strategic dependence.
- Ensuring Regional Stability and Security Cooperation: Maldives’ support is essential for coordinated patrols, anti-terrorism, and anti-piracy efforts.
Way forward:
- Strengthen People-to-People Ties and Institutional Dialogue: Promote educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges while deepening parliamentary and civil service cooperationto build long-term goodwill and trust.
- Enhance Transparent and Sustainable Development Partnerships: Focus on jointly planned, community-driven projects with clear benefits to Maldivian citizens, countering external influence through mutual respect and shared values.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further also discuss how this relationship affects India’s maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition?
Linkage: The article talk about the Maldives’ geographical location in the northern Indian Ocean and its historical and ongoing ties with India. It also highlights India’s concerns about “growing Chinese influence in the region”, which directly relates to “international competition” and its impact on “regional stability.” The question also touches upon “global trade and energy flows” and “maritime security,” which are intrinsic to the strategic importance of an island nation like Maldives.
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Why in the News?
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released the July 2025 update to its World Economic Outlook (WEO).
About World Economic Outlook (WEO):
- Published By: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Frequency: Biannual (April, October) + updates in January and July
- Purpose: Provides global forecasts on GDP, inflation, trade, and policy trends
- Data Sources: IMF consultations with member nations and internal models
- Audience: Governments, institutions, investors, researchers
- July 2025 Update Title: “Global Economy: Tenuous Resilience amid Persistent Uncertainty”
Key Highlights – July 2025 Update:
- Global Growth Projections:
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- 2025: 3.0% (↑ from 2.8% in April)
- 2026: 3.1% (↑ from 3.0%)
- Despite multiple shocks—COVID-19, the Ukraine war, tariff increases—global growth continues.
However, resilience remains fragile due to:
- US–China tariff tensions and rising protectionism
- Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East
- High public debt in advanced economies is raising interest rates
- Country Forecasts for 2025: United States: 1.9%, China: 4.8% (↑ from 4.0%), Euro Area: 1.0%, Germany: 0.1%, United Kingdom: 1.2%, Japan: 0.7%, Russia: 0.9%, Pakistan: 2.7%.
India – The Bright Spot:
- Growth Rate: 2023: 9.2%; 2024: 6.5%; 2025: 6.4% (strongest among major economies).
- Drivers of Growth:
- Robust domestic demand
- Strong services and manufacturing output
- Effective inflation and monetary policy management
- Strategic Position:
- Set to overtake several advanced economies in GDP size
- Viewed globally as a “bright spot” amid persistent uncertainties
| [UPSC 2014] Which of the following organisations brings out the publication known as ‘World Economic Outlook?
Options: (a) The International Monetary Fund * (b)The United Nations Development Programme (c) The World Economic Forum (d) The World Bank |
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Why in the News?
Skill Impact Bonds (SIB) were recently highlighted by the Skill Development Ministry.
About the Skill Impact Bond:
- Launched: November 2021
- Nature: India’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB) focused on employment-linked skill development
- Lead Agency: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
- Collaborators: British Asian Trust, HSBC India, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
- Target: Train and place 50,000 youth over 4 years, with 62% women participation
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- Risk Investors: Provide upfront capital to training providers
- Training Providers: Deliver skill training and ensure job placements
- Outcome Funders: Repay investors only if job outcomes are achieved
- Evaluators: Independently assess outcomes via CATI surveys and document verification
Key Features:
- Outcome-Focused Approach: Measures success by certification, placement, and 3-month retention, not just enrolment
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: 18–40 years; Education: Undergraduate or below
- Status: Unemployed or earning below ₹15,000/month, or household income below ₹25,000/month
- Sectoral Coverage: Retail, Healthcare, Apparel, Logistics, Information Technology & IT-enabled Services, Banking, Financial Services & Insurance.
- Women-Focused Design: Ensures 62% female participation to bridge the gender employment gap
| [UPSC 2018] With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements:
1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only* (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), digital payments registered a 12.6% year-on-year rise as of March 31, 2024, as measured by the RBI’s Digital Payments Index (DPI).
About RBI’s Digital Payments Index (DPI):
- Launched by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in January 2021
- Purpose: Measures the extent of digital payment adoption across India
- Base Period: March 2018 (Index value = 100)
- Release Frequency: Semi-annually (with a 4-month lag)
- Objective: Track usage, infrastructure, and growth in digital payments
- Key Parameters (with Weightage): These evaluate infrastructure readiness, transaction volume, user adoption, and innovation.
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- Payment Enablers – 25%
- Payment Infrastructure – Demand Side – 10%
- Payment Infrastructure – Supply Side – 15%
- Payment Performance – 45%
- Consumer Centricity – 5%
Growth Highlight:
- Growth Trends in RBI-DPI: DPI grew nearly 5 times from 100 in March 2018 to 493.22 in March 2025, reflecting India’s rapid digital payment adoption.
- Nearly 5× increase from the base value in 7 years
- Driven by rapid expansion of Unified Payments Interface (UPI), mobile wallets, and QR code infrastructure
| [UPSC 2024] Consider the following countries:
I. United Arab Emirates II. France III. Germany IV. Singapore V. Bangladesh
How many countries amongst the above are there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI?”
Options: (a) Only two (b) Only three* (c) Only four (d) All the five
Answer: (b) Only three (UAE, France, Singapore) |
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Why in the News?
The National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025 recently unveiled by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has drawn criticisms from SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha).
Also in news:
- The Union Cabinet has also approved a ₹2,000 crore Central Sector Scheme to aid National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) from 2025–26 to 2028–29.
- NCDC was established in 1963 as a statutory Corporation under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (now functions under the Ministry of Cooperation since 2021).
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About Cooperatives in India:
- What is it: A cooperative is a voluntary, autonomous association of individuals who unite to meet common economic, social, or cultural needs through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.
- Key Principles:
- One member, one vote: Equal say in governance, regardless of financial contribution.
- Based on collective benefit, democratic control, and mutual aid.
- Historical Evolution:
- 1904 & 1912: Cooperative Acts laid the foundation for the cooperative movement in India.
- Post-independence: Emphasis on rural credit, dairy, and agriculture cooperatives (e.g., Amul).
- Key Institutions: NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation).
- Constitutional & Legal Backing:
- 97th Constitutional Amendment (2011):
- Article 19(1)(c): Right to form cooperative societies.
- Article 43B: Directive Principle promoting cooperative societies.
- Part IXB (Articles 243ZH to 243ZT): Provides governance framework.
- MSCS Act, 2002: Governs multi-state cooperatives (under Central Registrar).
- State List (Entry 32): State legislatures regulate intra-state cooperatives.
- Scale:
- India has over 8.42 lakh cooperatives with 29 crore members (~27% of global total).
- Leading states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, MP, Karnataka.
- Notable cooperatives: IFFCO, Amul — ranked among top 300 cooperatives globally.
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National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025:
- Launch: Introduced by Union Minister Amit Shah on July 24, 2025.
- Vision: “Sahakar se Samriddhi” — promoting prosperity through cooperatives.
- Objective:
- Establish a comprehensive national framework for cooperative growth (2025–2045).
- Replace the 2002 policy and drive inclusive development through grassroots cooperatives.
- Key Features:
- 2 lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in 5 years
- Scheme convergence: e.g., PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, NPDD
- Inclusive focus: Women, Dalits, Adivasis, youth
- Sector expansion: Into 25+ areas—dairy, fisheries, exports, technology
- Education: First cooperative university—Tribhuvan Sahkari University
- Export support: Through National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)
- Digital thrust: Emphasis on digitisation and platform integration
Issues with NCP, 2025:
- Federalism Undermined
- Entry 32: Cooperatives are a State Subject
- SC Verdict (2021): Centre cannot regulate intra-state cooperatives
- Criticism: Policy lacks ratification by half the states (Article 368(2))
- Corporate Entry Fears
- Emphasis on digital platforms may enable indirect corporatisation
- Potential marginalisation of small farmers and FPOs
- Weak Social Inclusion
- Lacks focus on Minimum Support Price (MSP), surplus sharing
- No robust support for producer cooperatives or fair wages
- Inclusion of tribals, Dalits, women remains rhetorical
| [UPSC 2021] With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative banks’ in India, consider the following statements:
1. They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments.
2. They can issue equity shares and preference shares.
3. They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?”
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3 |
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PYQ Relevance:
[UPSC 2019] Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology.
Linkage: The article explicitly details the importance of mangroves, stating they are “critical in India’s pursuit of climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and the empowerment of coastal communities”. It explains their role as “natural barriers, protecting coastal communities from cyclones, tidal surges, and erosion”, and their significance in “biodiversity conservation”. The article also discusses the threats leading to their “depletion,” such as “urban expansion, aquaculture, pollution, and changing climate patterns”. |
Mentor’s Comment: India’s mangrove forests have come into focus due to growing efforts to restore and protect them amid increasing threats from urban expansion, climate change, and pollution. Recent successful restoration projects in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai, along with support from government missions and private partners, highlight India’s growing role in mangrove conservation. These forests are vital for climate resilience, coastal protection, and biodiversity, making their preservation a national priority.
Today’s editorial analyses India’s growing efforts to restore mangrove forests. This topic is important for GS Paper III (Environment) in the UPSC mains exam.
_
Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Recently, mangrove restoration efforts in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai have been successful.
What is the extent of Mangroves in India?
- India’s total mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km, accounting for 0.15% of the country’s geographical area (as per ISFR 2021).
- West Bengal, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands hold the largest mangrove areas, with West Bengal (Sundarbans) alone covering over 42% of the total.
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Why are mangroves vital for climate and coastal resilience in India?
- Natural Coastal Shield: Mangroves act as buffers against cyclones, storm surges, and coastal erosion. Eg: During the 2004 tsunami, villages protected by mangroves in Tamil Nadu suffered less damage compared to those without them.
- Climate Change Mitigation: They store “blue carbon” in biomass and deep soil, helping to absorb excess CO₂. Eg: India’s mangroves contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, aiding in climate targets under the Paris Agreement.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: Provide breeding grounds for fish, crabs, birds, and other marine life. Eg: Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary in Mumbai supports over 180 bird species due to nearby mangroves.
- Livelihood Support for Communities: Sustain traditional occupations like fishing, honey gathering, and crab farming. Eg: Sunderbans communities rely on mangroves for fishing and honey collection.
- Disaster Risk Reduction: Reduce the impact of natural disasters by slowing floodwaters and stabilising shorelines. Eg: In Odisha, mangroves helped minimise damage during Cyclone Phailin (2013).
What threatens India’s mangroves?
- Urbanisation and Industrial Expansion: Mangrove areas are cleared for ports, housing, and industrial zones. Eg: Mangrove loss in Mumbai due to Navi Mumbai airport construction.
- Aquaculture and Agriculture Encroachment: Conversion of mangrove land into shrimp farms or paddy fields disrupts ecosystems. Eg: Andhra Pradesh lost mangroves to extensive aquaculture projects.
- Pollution: Discharge of industrial effluents, plastic, and sewage harms mangrove health. Eg: Thane Creek, Mumbai, faces heavy pollution impacting biodiversity.
- Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Changes in salinity, temperature, and rising sea levels affect mangrove regeneration. Eg: Sundarbans face submergence and loss due to rising sea levels.
- Overexploitation of Resources: Excessive collection of wood, honey, and fodder leads to degradation. Eg: In West Bengal, unsustainable practices by local communities reduce forest cover.
How has community involvement aided mangrove restoration in Tamil Nadu?
- Collaborative Restoration Projects: Community members partnered with institutions like the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department for restoring degraded mangroves. Eg: In Muthupettai’s Pattuvanachi estuary, locals helped implement a 115-hectare restoration plan.
- Tidal Canal Digging for Hydrology Restoration: Villagers participated in digging 19 major canals to restore natural tidal flow, crucial for mangrove survival. Eg: This intervention successfully revived water movement in Muthupettai, enabling mangrove regrowth.
- Seed Collection and Plantation: Locals actively collected and planted seeds of native mangrove species like Avicennia and Rhizophora. Eg: Over 4.3 lakh Avicennia seeds and 6,000 Rhizophora propagules were planted by community members.
- Removal of Invasive Species: Community groups helped clear invasive weeds like Prosopis juliflora, which compete with mangroves for space and nutrients. Eg: In Kazhipattur near Buckingham Canal, Chennai, invasive plants were removed before mangrove restoration began.
- Support for Green Missions and Monitoring: Local residents supported and maintained mangrove cover under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, ensuring long-term success. Eg: Community participation helped double Tamil Nadu’s mangrove area from 4,500 ha to 9,000 ha (2021–2024).
What is the role of corporate partnerships in mangrove revival in Mumbai?
- Financial and Technical Support: Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund invested $1.2 million (₹10.3 crore) in a restoration project along Thane Creek, enabling large-scale ecological rehabilitation.
- Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration: Partnered with Hasten Regeneration and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to install trash booms that intercept plastic waste, aiming to collect 150 tonnes over 3 years while planting 3.75 lakh mangrove saplings.
- Community Empowerment and Livelihood Generation: Created paid employment opportunities for local women in planting and maintenance, linking ecological recovery with socio-economic upliftment.
Why is Gujarat leading in mangrove restoration?
- Ambitious Scale under MISHTI Scheme: Under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), launched in 2023, Gujarat planted over 19,000 hectares of mangroves within two years—far exceeding the national five-year target of 54,000 hectares.
- Strategic Coastal Coverage & Biodiversity Focus: Gujarat holds about 23.6% of India’s total mangrove cover, with major plantations in Kutch, Bhavnagar, Surat, and Dumas-Ubhrat. These areas support critical ecological balance, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
- Strong Governance, Planning & Local Institutional Support: Efficient coordination between the Gujarat Forest Department, state environment agencies, and local communities has ensured success. Structured coastal mapping, restoration planning, and promotion of ecotourism-linked livelihoods have further strengthened outcomes.
What are the steps taken by the Indian government?
- Green India Mission & State Missions: Through the National Green India Mission and state-level initiatives like the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, the government supports afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and community-based conservation efforts.
- Inclusion in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules: Mangrove areas are designated as Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) under the CRZ Notification, restricting construction and promoting their protection through legal safeguards and regulatory oversight.
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Way forward:
- Strengthen Community-Based Conservation: Empower local communities through training, incentives, and formal roles in monitoring and maintaining mangroves to ensure sustainable, long-term protection.
- Integrate Mangroves into Climate and Development Planning: Recognise mangroves as vital climate infrastructure by integrating them into coastal zone management, disaster resilience strategies, and carbon credit frameworks.
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Why in the News?
Recently, the custodial death of Ajith Kumar in Tamil Nadu has reignited concerns about police torture and custodial violence in India, drawing attention to the ongoing abuse of power, lack of accountability, and systemic failures in law enforcement.
Note: “Dirty Harry’s shadow” is the ethical grey zone that officers may enter when they justify unethical or illegal behavior (e.g., excessive force, illegal search, or planting evidence) on the grounds that it’s necessary to serve a greater good (like convicting a dangerous criminal).
What is the status of custodial torture in India?
- Between 2010 and 2020, NHRC data reports 17,146 custodial deaths (judicial/police), averaging nearly five deaths per day.
- From 2001 to 2020, only 26 police personnel were convicted out of 1,888 recorded custodial deaths, reflecting a severe lack of accountability in the system.
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Why does custodial torture persist in India despite legal safeguards?
- Weak Enforcement of Legal Safeguards: Supreme Court guidelines (e.g., D.K. Basu guidelines) are often ignored, especially by lower-level police.
| The D.K. Basu guidelines are a set of procedural safeguards laid down by the Supreme Court of India in 1996 in the landmark case D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal to prevent custodial torture, deaths, and abuse of police power.
Key Guidelines (To be followed during arrest and detention):
- Arrest memo must be prepared, signed by the arrestee and a witness, with time and date.
- Inform a relative/friend: The person arrested must be allowed to inform someone about the arrest.
- Right to legal counsel: The arrestee has the right to meet their lawyer during interrogation.
- Medical examination: Arrestees must be medically examined every 48 hours by a government doctor.
- Copy of arrest memo: Sent to the local magistrate for records.
- Daily diary entry: Time, place of arrest, and custody details must be recorded in the police diary.
- Police identification: Arresting officers must have name tags and their details must be recorded.
- Notice board in police station: Display of rights of arrested persons.
- Timely production before magistrate: Within 24 hours of arrest, as per Article 22 of the Constitution.
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- Lack of Accountability: Very few police personnel are punished, creating a culture of impunity.
3. Societal Indifference and Pressure: Public tolerance for “tough policing” and pressure to solve cases fast encourages use of force to extract confessions.
- Legal Gaps That Enable Torture:
- No Standalone Law: There’s no specific law criminalising custodial torture. The 2010 Prevention of Torture Bill was never passed.
- Non-Ratification of UNCAT: India signed but hasn’t ratified the UN Convention Against Torture, so it lacks binding obligations to reform.
- Poor Protection for Victims/Witnesses: Those who report torture often face threats, with little legal protection – delaying or discouraging justice. Eg: The Jayaraj-Bennicks case (2020)
Should India ratify the UN Convention Against Torture?
- Enhances Legal Accountability and Human Rights Protections: Ratifying UNCAT would require India to enact a dedicated anti-torture law, ensuring clear definitions, accountability, and punishment for custodial abuse. Eg: In the Jayaraj and Bennicks case (2020), the absence of a strong torture law delayed justice and highlighted the need for international legal standards.
- Strengthens India’s Global Human Rights Image: As a democracy and UN member, ratification would align India with global norms, reinforcing its commitment to human dignity and justice. India often faces criticism at UN Human Rights Council reviews for non-ratification, which weakens its diplomatic stance on rights issues.
What reforms are needed? (Way forward)
- Enact a Dedicated Anti-Torture Law: Clearly define torture, prescribe strict punishment, and ensure victim compensation and rehabilitation.
- Set Up Independent Oversight Bodies: Create state and district-level police complaints authorities for unbiased investigation.
- Ensure Custodial Surveillance: Install CCTVs in all custody areas and mandate regular monitoring and audits.
- Train Police on Human Rights: Conduct regular training programs focused on rights-based policing and legal safeguards.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2023] The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society”. Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty.
Linkage: The article explicitly links the Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of “dignity and bodily autonomy as fundamental rights” in the K.S. Puttaswamy case (2017) to the ongoing issue of rampant torture in custody. This question allows for a discussion on how judicial interpretations have broadened the scope of fundamental rights, which are directly challenged by the “Dirty Harry” policing methods that the source criticises.
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Why in the News?
Recently the arrest of two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion has sparked widespread political and religious backlash.
Why are anti-conversion laws controversial in tribal regions?
- Misuse Against Voluntary Conversions: These laws, intended to curb conversions through force or fraud, are often misused to harass tribal Christians and missionaries involved in voluntary and lawful religious activities. Eg: In Chhattisgarh, two Catholic nuns were arrested for alleged forced conversion, despite the tribal girls and their families confirming it was voluntary.
- Targeting of Minority Rights: Anti-conversion laws disproportionately affect Christian and Muslim minorities, leading to surveillance, fear, and restricted religious freedom, especially among tribal converts. Eg: Several tribal states like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Odisha have used these laws to criminalise conversions, even when done without coercion.
- Threat of Delisting ST Converts: There is a growing debate on removing Scheduled Tribe status from tribals who convert to Christianity, threatening their constitutional safeguards and entitlements. Eg: In Chhattisgarh, such debates have intensified, questioning the identity and rights of Christian Adivasis.
What is the Sarna Religious Code?
The Sarna religious code is a demand by tribal (Adivasi) communities in India to recognize Sarnaism as a distinct religion in official government records, especially in the Census.
Key Features:
- Nature Worship Tradition: Sarna followers worship nature — like sacred groves (called Sarnas), hills, rivers, and the Earth. They follow traditional Adivasi customs, not Hindu, Christian, or Muslim practices.
- Cultural Assertion and Legal Recognition: Recognizing the Sarna code would safeguard tribal culture, language, and identity, and protect their constitutional and land rights from religious assimilation.
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What constitutional rights to religious freedom are being undermined?
- Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25): Citizens have the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate any religion. This is undermined when voluntary conversions are falsely labelled as forced or illegal, especially among tribals and minorities.
- Right to Personal Liberty (Article 21): The right to make autonomous choices—including choosing one’s religion—is a part of personal liberty. Anti-conversion laws infringe on this by criminalizing voluntary decisions, often without evidence of coercion.
- Equality Before Law (Article 14): These laws are selectively enforced against Christians and Muslims, leading to discriminatory treatment. This violates the principle of equality and non-discrimination, a core part of India’s secular constitutional framework.
What are the actual conversions happened in India?
- Mass Dalit Conversions to Buddhism (1956 and after): Led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, over 5 lakh Dalits converted to Buddhism in 1956 to escape caste-based oppression and reclaim dignity. Eg: Ambedkar’s historic mass conversion in Nagpur triggered a broader movement of religious shift rooted in social reform.
- Christian Conversions in Tribal Regions: In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, many tribal communities have converted to Christianity, often due to access to education, healthcare, and social support from missionaries. Eg: The Kandhamal district in Odisha has seen a significant rise in Christian population over decades, leading to communal tensions.
- ‘Ghar Wapsi’ or Reconversion to Hinduism: Organised by Hindu groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), ‘Ghar Wapsi’ aims to reconvert people who earlier embraced other faiths back to Hinduism. Eg: In Uttar Pradesh (2014), VHP claimed hundreds of Muslims and Christians were brought back to Hinduism through Ghar Wapsi drives, raising ethical and legal concerns.
Do Conversions Impact Indian Society Negatively?
- Social Polarisation and Communal Tensions: Conversions whether into or out of a religion often become flashpoints for communal conflict, especially when framed as threats to majority identity. This can disrupt social harmony and lead to violence, as seen in Kandhamal (Odisha, 2008) and other conflict-prone areas.
- Political Exploitation and Fear-Mongering: Conversion is frequently politicised, used to mobilise vote banks or target minority communities, which undermines democratic values and diverts focus from genuine socio-economic development.
- Distrust and Fragmentation in Local Communities: Conversions may sometimes lead to social alienation or loss of community ties, especially in tightly-knit rural or tribal areas, where religious identity is deeply linked with cultural belonging.
Way forward:
- Strengthen Constitutional Safeguards: Ensure that anti-conversion laws align with Articles 25-28 of the Constitution by protecting voluntary religious choicewhile penalizing only coercive or fraudulent practices.
- Promote Interfaith Dialogue and Tribal Autonomy: Encourage community-level engagement and interfaith dialogue, and recognize tribal cultural rights including support for demands like the Sarna religious code to prevent polarization and protect indigenous identities.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss.
Linkage: The arrest of the nuns and the subsequent clarification by the girls’ kin that there was “no forceful conversion” directly touches upon the sensitive issue of interreligious interactions and alleged conversions, which anti-conversion laws are often used to criminalize, especially in the context of interfaith marriages.
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Why in the News?
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering 16-foot tsunamis that reached Hawaii and northern California in the US.
About Earthquakes:
- Overview: Sudden ground shaking caused by release of stored energy in Earth’s crust due to tectonic stress.
- Cause: Occurs when tectonic plates slip at fault lines where stress had built up due to friction.
- Seismic Waves: Energy travels as:
- Primary Waves (P-waves): Fastest, compressional.
- Secondary Waves (S-waves): Slower, shear motion.
- Key Terms:
- Focus (Hypocenter): Underground origin point.
- Epicenter: Surface point directly above the focus.
- Measurement:
- Magnitude: Energy released (Richter Scale, logarithmic).
- Intensity: Observed ground shaking (varies by location).
- Seismograph: Records seismic wave activity.
How Earthquakes Trigger Tsunamis?
- Underwater Epicenter: Must occur beneath oceans to displace water.
- Shallow Depth: Quakes at <70 km transfer energy more efficiently to water surface.
- Reverse Faulting: One tectonic plate pushes over another, vertically shifting the seafloor.
- Rapid Displacement: Sudden seafloor uplift/downthrust generates massive water waves.
- High Magnitude: Quakes >7.0 (especially >8.0) likely to trigger tsunamis.
About the Kamchatka Region:
- Overview: Russian Far East; borders the North Pacific Ocean.
- Tectonic Zone: Sits on the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench—Pacific Plate subducting under Okhotsk Plate at ~86 mm/year.
- Seismic Hotspot: Historical major quakes in 1841, 1923, 1952, 2006, and 2020.
- Ring of Fire: Part of the 40,000 km Pacific Ring of Fire , known for quakes and volcanoes.
- 2025 Earthquake:
- Depth:3 km (shallow)
- Impact: Triggered tsunami waves up to 16 ft—one of the strongest earthquakes since 1900.
| [UPSC 2004] Consider the following geological phenomena:
1. Development of a fault 2. Movement along a fault 3. Impact produced by a volcanic eruption 4. Folding of rocks
Which of the above cause earthquakes?
Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4* |
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Why in the News?
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division at Central Sanskrit University, has launched the Setubandha Scholarship Scheme.
About the Setubandha Scholarship Scheme:
- Objective: Acts as a bridge between traditional Gurukul learning and modern research, enabling the mainstreaming of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into higher education.
- Target Group: Students trained under Gurus or in Gurukul systems for a minimum of 5 years.
- Focus: Encourages postgraduate and doctoral research across disciplines rooted in IKS.
- Institutions Involved: Provides access to mentorship and research facilities at top institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Key Features:
- Financial Support:
- Postgraduate Scholars: Up to ₹1 lakh.
- PhD Candidates: Up to ₹2 lakh.
- Monthly Scholarships: Starting from ₹40,000.
- Eligibility:
- Age limit: Below 32 years.
- Minimum 5 years of Gurukul-based learning.
- No formal degree required—classical knowledge proficiency is the key criterion.
- Scope of Research:
- Supports 18 disciplines rooted in IKS, including:
- Vedic philosophy, Jyotisha, Ayurveda, Rasa Shastra
- Vastu Shastra, Dandaniti (political science), Indian arts and education
- Traditional law, linguistics, agriculture, and astronomy
- Broader Impact:
- Fosters integration of ancient wisdom with modern scientific inquiry.
- Recognizes and rewards excellence in traditional systems of knowledge.
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Why in the News?
The Union Environment Ministry has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
About the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025:
- Nodal Agency: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Legal Basis: Framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Purpose: India’s first dedicated legal framework to identify, clean up, and monitor contaminated sites.
- Goal: Prevent environmental degradation, enforce clean-up, and ensure polluter accountability.
- Funding Pattern:
- Himalayan & Northeast states: 90% Centre – 10% State
- Other states: 60% Centre – 40% State
- Union Territories: 100% Centre
Key Features:
- Site Classification: Sites categorized as suspected, potentially contaminated, or confirmed, based on scientific evidence.
- Exclusions: Sites involving radioactive waste, mining, marine oil spills, or municipal solid waste (regulated separately).
- Transparency & Tracking: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to maintain a real-time online portal with public access.
- Public Participation:
- 60-day window for stakeholder feedback post-listing.
- Final site lists must be published in regional newspapers.
- Polluter Pays Principle:
- Identified polluters must bear full remediation cost and repay within 3 months.
- Land use changes or ownership transfers restricted during/post clean-up.
- Orphan Sites (No Known Polluter): Clean-up funded through:
- Environment Relief Fund
- Environmental violation penalties
- Government budgetary support
- Voluntary Remediation: Private entities with technical capacity may remediate sites with landowner consent.
- Monitoring Committees: State and Central-level bodies to oversee implementation and submit annual compliance reports.
Back2Basics: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Enactment: In response to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy; derives authority from Article 253 of the Constitution.
- Objective: To protect and improve the environment and prevent hazards to life and property.
- Significance: Acts as India’s umbrella environmental legislation, coordinating with the Water Act (1974) and Air Act (1981).
- Key Provisions:
- Pollution standards via Environment (Protection) Rules.
- Hazardous Waste Rules, 1989 – manage toxic waste.
- Chemical Safety Rules – control handling of hazardous chemicals.
- Cells Rules, 1989 – govern gene tech and genetically modified organisms.
- Power: Empowers the Central Government to act directly for environmental protection.
|
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to:
1. State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought.
2. Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources.
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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Why in the News?
The Prime Minister recently highlighted a first-of-its-kind grassland bird census in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.
About the Bird Census:
- Significance: India’s first-ever dedicated census of grassland birds
- Led by: Chiranjib Bora (PhD scholar), supported by INSPIRE Fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology
- Organised by: Park authorities, scientists, and conservationists
- Objective:
- Document rare, endemic, and threatened grassland bird species
- Focused on 10 priority species endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains
Methodology Used:
- Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM):
- Recording devices placed in tall trees during breeding season
- Recordings captured across 29 locations over 3 days
- Ideal for detecting small, shy, camouflaged birds not easily visible
- Sound Identification Tools:
- BirdNet: Machine learning tool used to identify bird calls
- Spectrograms: Visual analysis of sound patterns; Final identifications verified by ornithologists
Key Findings:
- Total Species Recorded: 43 grassland bird species
- Priority Species Identified: Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn’s Weaver, Jerdon’s Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, among others
- Major Discovery: A breeding colony of over 85 Finn’s Weaver nests—first-ever documentation
| [UPSC 2014] If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?
1. Painted Stork 2. Common Myna 3. Black-necked Crane
Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only* (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only |
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Why in the News?
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has mandated annual third-party cybersecurity audits for both private and public-sector organisations operating digital infrastructure.
Cybersecurity Directive: Key Highlights:
- Annual third-party cyber audits are mandatory for all digital infrastructure.
- Sectoral regulators may require more frequent checks based on risk.
- Audits must be risk-based, domain-specific, and aligned with business context.
About the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In):
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Established: January 2004
- Constituency: All entities operating in Indian cyberspace
- Core Responsibilities:
- Collect, analyse, and disseminate cybersecurity incident data
- Forecast and alert about emerging cyber threats
- Provide emergency response support to affected entities
- Issue security guidelines, advisories, and best practices
- International Role: Signs MoUs with other countries to:
- Share real-time cyber threat intelligence
- Collaborate on incident response and recovery
- Exchange knowledge on global cybersecurity practices
India’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem:
- Institutional Framework:
- National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC): Protects key sectors like telecom, banking, and power
- National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC): Monitors real-time cyber threats across public and private domains
- National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC): Ensures coordination across ministries and departments
- Sector-Specific Response Teams (CSIRTs): For domains like finance (CSIRT-Fin), power (CSIRT-Power)
- Legal and Policy Measures:
- Information Technology Act, 2000: Core law for cybercrime and electronic governance
- National Cyber Security Policy, 2013: Strategic vision for securing cyberspace
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Ensures privacy, mandates breach reporting
- Cyber Crisis Management Plan: Framework for cyber incident response in government agencies
- Capacity Building Programs:
- Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): Promotes digital literacy in rural areas
- Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative: Trains Chief Information Security Officers of public sector organisations
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Multi-agency platform to handle cybercrimes
| [UPSC 2017] In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data Centres 3. Body corporate Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3* |
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Why in the News?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched oil exploration over 124 million hectares of the Cuvette Centrale peatlands raising global ecological risk.
About the Cuvette Centrale Peatland Complex:
- Location: Central Congo Basin, spanning the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo.
- Size: Covers approximately 145,000–167,600 sq. km—larger than England and about 10% of the Congo Basin.
- Peat Coverage: Around 40% of the region is underlain by peat—formed over 10,000 years due to flat terrain, rainforest climate, and slow-moving water.
- Landscape: Features a mosaic of seasonal lakes, floating prairies, swamp forests, rivers, and grasslands.
- Global Status: The world’s largest near-contiguous tropical peatland complex.
Ecological Significance:
- Carbon Storage: Holds about 30–30.6 gigatonnes of carbon—
- Equal to 3 years of global fossil fuel emissions.
- Nearly 15 years of U.S. emissions.
- About 28% of global tropical peat carbon stock.
- Climate Impact: Acts as a major carbon sink, critical for regulating global temperatures and mitigating climate change.
- Biodiversity: Habitat for forest elephants, lowland gorillas, and rare plant species.
- Local Importance: Sustains indigenous livelihoods and maintains regional water cycles.
- Conservation Status: Recognized as a transnational Ramsar wetland site, highlighting its international ecological value.
| [UPSC 2024] One of the following regions has the world’s largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years’ worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels, and the possible destruction of which can exert a detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region?
Options: (a) Amazon Basin (b) Congo Basin* (c) Kikori basin (d) Rio De La Plata Basin |
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| PYQ Relevance:
[UPSC 2024] In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGO’s and the private sector would be most productive?
Linkage: This question is highly relevant because the article explicitly state that child trafficking in Bihar is a severe socio-economic issue rooted in “poverty” and “complete absence of regulatory oversight and social acceptance for girls being commodified. |
Mentor’s Comment: The trafficking and exploitation of minor girls in Bihar’s orchestra groups has sparked national concern after the rescue of over 270 girls this year alone—many of them subjected to sexual abuse and forced labour. Despite existing laws, trafficking networks thrive due to weak enforcement, poor inter-state coordination, and lack of regulation. The Patna High Court, responding to a plea by child rights groups, has recognized the issue as serious and directed the Bihar government to act urgently. This case highlights the systemic failures in preventing trafficking and calls for a comprehensive, prevention-based strategy to safeguard children from exploitation.
Today’s editorial analyses trafficking and exploitation of minor girls. This topic is important for GS Paper III (Internal Security) in the UPSC mains exam.
_
Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Recently, there has been national concern over the trafficking and abuse of young girls in Bihar’s orchestra groups, after more than 270 girls were rescued this year.
What factors make Bihar a hub for child trafficking ?
- Geographical vulnerabilities: Bihar’s porous border with Nepal and seamless railway connectivity to trafficking-prone states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh facilitate trafficking routes.
- Economic desperation and social acceptance: Deep poverty, especially in rural areas, and a cultural normalisation of girls being commodified contribute to vulnerability.
- Deceptive recruitment practices: Traffickers exploit aspirations for dance, employment, or marriage, luring families with false promises, especially in districts like Saran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, and others in the ‘orchestra belt’.
What are the existing laws to prevent child exploitation?
- Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA): Main law targeting commercial sexual exploitation, penalising brothel-keeping, trafficking for prostitution, and soliciting.
- Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 370 & 370A: Define and criminalise trafficking for exploitation (e.g., slavery, forced labour), with enhanced punishment for trafficking of women and children.
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Provides for protection and rehabilitation of trafficked children as “children in need of care and protection.”
- Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976: Prohibits bonded and forced labour, often linked with trafficking for labour exploitation, and provides for release and rehabilitation of victims.
- Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (amended 2016): Prohibits employment of children below 14 in hazardous occupations, including those linked to trafficking networks.
|
Why do existing laws fail to curb trafficking despite being comprehensive?
-
Legal Framework Undermined by Weak Implementation
- Under-enforcement and misclassification: Despite laws like POCSO, JJ Act, and Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, many trafficking cases are filed under generic categories like kidnapping or missing persons, weakening legal accountability.
- Low conviction rates: There’s a sharp disconnect between the number of rescues and successful prosecutions. Convictions remain low due to lack of evidence, procedural delays, and poor legal follow-through.
- Weak Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): Most AHTUs are under-resourced, lack dedicated staff, and suffer from poor inter-state coordination – limiting their effectiveness.
2. Poor Local Vigilance and Community-Level Gaps
- Community silence and normalisation: In many villages and schools, missing children aren’t reported – either due to fear of police or because migration is seen as normal.
Eg: In Saran district, Bihar, girls trafficked to orchestras weren’t reported by villagers who assumed they had migrated for work.
- Delayed or uninformed local response: Panchayats and Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) often lack awareness or training to respond promptly.
Eg: In East Champaran, a CWC failed to stop a trafficker from taking custody of a minor using a false identity.
- Fragmented Inter-Agency Coordination
- Lack of coordination between police forces: Investigations often stall because police from different states don’t share real-time data or work collaboratively.
Eg: A girl trafficked from Gopalganj (Bihar) to Howrah (West Bengal) remained untraced for months due to poor inter-state coordination.
- No unified tracking database: Absence of a centralised system makes it hard to identify trafficking patterns or repeat offenders.
Eg: Multiple cases from Sitamarhi went undetected because FIRs weren’t cross-referenced.
4. Surveillance and Monitoring Gaps at Transit Points
- Neglected transport hubs: Unlike railways (monitored by the RPF), bus stands and private vehicles lack surveillance protocols.
Eg: A trafficking ring used night buses from Muzaffarpur to Odisha, bypassing detection entirely.
What role can technology play in prevention of trafficking?
- Real-time Data Sharing for Border Monitoring: Technology-enabled platforms like PICKET (Prevention, Investigation, and Combating of Human Trafficking for Enforcement Tracking) help law enforcement agencies share real-time intelligence at interstate checkpoints.
- Predictive Analysis and Hotspot Mapping: AI and data analytics can identify trafficking-prone areas, track patterns in missing persons reports, and trigger early alerts.
- Victim Identification and Case Tracking: Digital tools help maintain a centralised database of trafficked persons, FIRs, and case progress, ensuring follow-up and victim rehabilitation. Eg: A rescued child in Odisha was linked to an FIR in West Bengal using PICKET, allowing swift family reunification and prosecution.
Way forward
- Strengthen Local and Border Surveillance: Deploy trained staff at village, block, and border levels with access to real-time data for early detection of trafficking.
- Scale Up Tech Platforms like PICKET: Expand AI-based tracking, digital case monitoring, and inter-state data sharing for coordinated, victim-focused action.
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Why in the News?
India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a 10-month low growth of 1.5% in June, primarily due to a sharp decline in mining (–8.7%) and electricity output (–2.6%).
What caused the IIP slowdown in June?
- Sharp contraction in mining and electricity output: Mining activity declined by –8.7%, and electricity generation fell by –2.6%, significantly dragging overall growth. These two sectors jointly account for 22.3% of the IIP weightage.
- Erratic monsoon and waterlogging in key mining belts: Early and uneven southwest monsoon caused flooding in mining areas of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, disrupting production and logistics.
- Damage to infrastructure and supply chain disruptions: Waterlogging led to damage in power distribution infrastructure and interrupted supply chains, resulting in subdued industrial activity and power demand.
How did climate events contribute?
- Disruption of mining activities: Heavy rainfall and waterlogging in mineral-rich regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal hindered extraction and transportation of key minerals. Eg: Jharkhand received 504.8 mm rainfall (against a normal of 307 mm), affecting coal and iron ore production.
- Damage to power infrastructure: Flooding led to breakdowns in electricity distribution systems, especially in rural and semi-industrial belts. Eg: Widespread inundation disrupted power supply, lowering electricity output by –2.6% in June.
- Supply chain interruptions: Climate irregularities caused logistical delays and increased input costs, hampering industrial flow.
Why is India reluctant to link climate events with economic data like IIP or GDP?
- Institutional hesitation and narrative control: Key agencies like the Ministry of Statistics and RBI prefer attributing economic fluctuations to factors like high base effects, global demand shifts, or input cost variations, avoiding politically sensitive climate linkages.
- Complexity of climate attribution: Linking specific events (like heavy rain or drought) to climate change requires scientific modelling and probabilistic data, which are resource-intensive and not yet integrated into mainstream reporting.
- Fear of politicisation and accountability: Acknowledging climate-linked economic slowdowns could invite policy criticism and demand for corrective action, making policymakers cautious.
How do climate disruptions in mining and power affect industrial output?
- Halted Mining Operations: Extreme rainfall leads to waterlogging and flooding in mining belts, making extraction unsafe and unviable. Eg: In June, mining activity contracted by –8.7% due to excessive rainfall in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
- Damage to Power Infrastructure: Climate events like floods and storms disrupt power transmission lines and generation facilities, leading to reduced electricity output. Eg: Electricity production shrank by –2.6% in June, which lowered industrial productivity across sectors.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Delays in the supply of raw materials (like coal) due to climate-induced transport and logistical breakdowns affect the manufacturing cycle. Eg: Sluggish industrial output growth of 3.9% in June, despite some sectoral growth, was partly due to such disruptions.
What can India learn from global practices in integrating climate risk into economic reporting?
- Mainstream Climate Risk in Macroeconomic Analysis: Institutions like the European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of England incorporate climate risk assessments into their economic forecasts and financial stability reports. Eg: The ECB uses climate stress tests to estimate the impact of extreme weather on GDP and inflation projections, helping shape responsive monetary and fiscal policies.
- Develop Probabilistic Climate Attribution Models: Global agencies invest in scientific and data-driven models to link specific climate events to broader economic outcomes. Eg: The UK Met Office partners with economic bodies to assess how floods or heatwaves influence sectoral output and employment, ensuring better policy alignment and risk preparedness.
Why is climate attribution important for informed economic policymaking?
- Enables Targeted Risk Mitigation and Resource Allocation: Understanding the economic impact of specific climate events helps policymakers design sector-specific interventions, such as improved infrastructure in flood-prone mining regions or energy grid resilience plans.
- Strengthens Long-term Economic Planning and Resilience: Integrating climate attribution allows for accurate forecasting and budgeting, ensuring that climate-linked disruptions (e.g., to power or mining) are factored into growth strategies, insurance frameworks, and industrial policies.
Way forward:
- Integrate Climate Risk Frameworks into Economic Reporting: Agencies like the Ministry of Statistics and RBI should formally include climate-related variables in metrics like IIP and GDP, using probabilistic models and event attribution tools to capture the economic impact of extreme weather events.
- Build Institutional Capacity for Climate-Economic Analysis: Establish a dedicated national climate-economic observatory or task force to monitor, assess, and publish regular reports on how climate disruptions affect different sectors, drawing inspiration from institutions like the European Central Bank.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2021] Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.”Discuss in the light of India’s experience.
Linkage: This question is highly relevant as it directly addresses the crucial role of “investment in infrastructure” for “economic growth.” The article explicitly states that “the robust growth in capital (3.5%), intermediate (5.5%) and infrastructure (7.2%) goods output, indicates that much of industrial growth continues to hinge on the government’s infrastructure spends”.
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Why in the News?
India’s manufacturing sector is facing renewed scrutiny due to the rising contractualisation of labour, which has grown from 20% in 1999-2000 to 40.7% in 2022-23, according to the Annual Survey of Industries.
What drives the rise of contract labour in formal manufacturing?
- Cost Minimization: Employers hire contract workers to reduce wage bills and avoid social security contributions. Eg: In large firms, contract workers often earn up to 31% less than regular employees.
- Bypassing Labour Laws: Contracting allows firms to circumvent regulations under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, such as rules on retrenchment and notice period.
- Operational Flexibility: Firms use contract labour to scale up or down quickly with demand without long-term obligations. Eg: Seasonal industries like textiles use short-term contract workers during peak export periods.
- Third-Party Shielding: Outsourcing through contractors protects the principal employer from legal accountability for employment terms. Eg: Automobile assembly lines often outsource non-core work to manpower agencies.
- Sector-Wide Trend Across Sizes: The rise in contract labour is not limited to small firms; it extends to large and capital-intensive industries. Eg: Between 2000 and 2022, contract labour share doubled from 20% to 40.7% across all industries.
Why does contract labour hurt long-term productivity?
- Low Skill Development: Contract workers are rarely given training or upskilling opportunities, limiting their efficiency and innovation. Eg: In India’s electronics manufacturing sector, companies like Dixon Technologies rely heavily on contract labour, leading to a shortage of skilled technicians for precision assembly.
- High Attrition and Turnover: Contract workers frequently change jobs due to lack of job security, resulting in loss of institutional knowledge. Eg: In food processing units in Punjab, annual turnover among contract workers exceeds 70%, disrupting workflow continuity.
- Reduced Worker Motivation: Absence of benefits like promotion, pension, or medical cover leads to low morale and reduced effort. Eg: In government-run power plants, studies have shown that contract workers contribute less to maintenance efficiency than permanent staff, affecting overall plant performance.
- Weak Industrial Relations: Contract workers are often excluded from grievance redressal mechanisms or unions, increasing workplace tensions and risking disruptions. Eg: Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant witnessed violent unrest in 2012, partly attributed to discontent between permanent and contract workers.
- Quality Compromise and Rework: Contract workers may lack the ownership mindset, resulting in errors and product rework, which lowers productivity. Eg: In garment export hubs like Tiruppur, repeated quality rejections from overseas buyers have been traced to inconsistent output from untrained contract labour.
- Wage and cost gaps act as a disincentive
- Unequal pay for equal work: Contract workers often earn much less than permanent workers for doing the same job, violating fairness.
Eg: In PSUs like ONGC, contract workers earn up to 50% less than permanent employees for the same technical work.
- Avoidance of social security: Employers save costs by not contributing to Provident Fund, gratuity, or health benefits, increasing worker insecurity.
Eg: A CAG audit of private thermal power plants found 30–40% labour cost savings due to evasion of statutory benefits.
What are the existing policy?
- Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970: This law aims to regulate the employment of contract labour in certain establishments and abolish it in specific cases where work is perennial in nature. However, enforcement is weak, and many employers bypass provisions through sub-contracting.
- Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH Code), 2020: Consolidates 13 labour laws, including those related to health, safety, and working conditions of workers (including contract labour). It mandates registration of establishments and welfare facilities, but monitoring and implementation remain inconsistent.
- Fixed Term Employment (FTE) provision under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020: Legalises short-term employment contracts with a provision for equal pay for equal work. But in practice, social security benefits and job security are often denied to such workers.
Way forward:
- Ensure Universal Social Protection: Extend mandatory social security coverage (e.g., ESIC, EPF) to all contract and gig workers, with portable benefits and employer accountability, regardless of tenure or contract type.
- Improve Legal Enforcement and Transparency: Strengthen labour law enforcement through digital compliance portals, randomised inspections, and public disclosure of contract employment data to prevent misuse and promote accountability.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] Discuss the merits and demerits of the four ‘Labour Codes’ in the context of labour market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard?
Linkage: The article talks about the “labour code on industrial relations” introduced in 2020 which is related to the demand of the question. This code, awaiting implementation, aims to provide greater flexibility in hiring and firing by allowing firms to directly hire non-regular workers on fixed-term contracts without third-party contractors. However, it also seeks to curb exploitation by mandating basic statutory employment benefits.
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Why in the News?
Vijai Sharma, a 1974-batch IAS officer and architect of India’s climate diplomacy, who helped shape the Kyoto Protocol for safeguarding the interests of developing countries like India, has passed away.
About Kyoto Protocol:
- Adopted: 11 December 1997 (UNFCCC COP-3, Kyoto, Japan); Came into Force: 16 February 2005
- Legal Status: Legally binding on developed (Annex I) countries
- Parent Treaty: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
- Objective: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change
- Principle: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)
- Parties: 192 ratified; key non-parties include United States and Canada
Key Features:
- Emission Targets:
- Annex B nations to cut emissions by 5% below 1990 levels (2008–2012)
- Doha Amendment (2012): 18% cut for 2013–2020
- Greenhouse Gases Covered:
- Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Hydrofluorocarbons, Perfluorocarbons, Sulfur hexafluoride
- Market Mechanisms:
- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): Carbon credits via projects in developing nations
- Joint Implementation (JI): Emission reduction between Annex I countries
- International Emissions Trading: Trade surplus emission units
- Monitoring and Enforcement:
- Mandatory reporting and independent verification
- Compliance Committee oversight
- Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) included; aviation/shipping excluded
- Equity Element:
- No binding targets for developing nations like India and China
- Developed nations held accountable for historical emissions
Vijai Sharma’s Contributions:
- Climate Negotiations Leader: India’s chief negotiator (1995–2001), led G77+China, defended equity and exemptions for developing nations
- Policy Architect: Helped shape CDM governance, promoted India’s clean-tech access
- Environmental Reformer: As Environment Secretary (2008–2010), improved clearance processes
- Legacy: Called “Sir Humphrey Sharma” for his sharp wit and bureaucratic skill; key figure in India’s Kyoto-era climate diplomacy
| [UPSC 2016] Consider the following pairs:
Terms sometimes seen in the news : Their origin
1. Annex-I Countries : Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions : Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanisms : Kyoto Protocol
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only* (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) has been successfully launched from Sriharikota using GSLV Mk-II.
About NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar):
- Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk-II | Launch Site: Sriharikota, India
- Mission Life: 3 years (planned); 5+ years (design)
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous polar orbit at 747 km with 98.4° inclination
- Objective: High-precision monitoring of Earth’s surface changes—tectonics, agriculture, ecosystems, ice, floods, and landslides
- Data Access: Free and near real-time; disaster maps delivered in under 5 hours
- Hardware Contributions:
- NASA: L-band SAR, 12m antenna, avionics
- ISRO: S-band SAR, satellite bus, launch services
- Development and Collaboration:
- Initial Concept: 2007 (NASA); ISRO joined in 2012
- Formal Agreement: 2014
- Investment: NASA – ~$1.16 billion; ISRO – ~$90 million
Key Features of NISAR:
- What is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)?
-
- Operates day/night, all-weather
- Simulates large radar antenna via motion
- Penetrates clouds, vegetation, and soil
-
- L-band SAR (1.257 GHz):
- Deeper penetration; ideal for forests, tectonic shifts, permafrost
- S-band SAR (3.2 GHz):
- Surface details; supports agriculture, flood mapping, biomass tracking
-
- 12-meter deployable mesh reflector
- Resolution: 3–10 m spatial; cm-level vertical
- Swath Width: 240 km
-
- Global land/ice coverage every 12 days
- Less frequent in polar zones
- Data Output: Generates 80 TB/day (3x current Earth observatories):
-
- Biomass and cropland maps
- High-resolution flood and infrastructure data
Applications and Impact:
- Disaster Relief: Before-and-after imagery for planning
- Climate Monitoring: Glacier melt, forest degradation
- Agriculture: Crop health, rotation, food security
- Infrastructure: Detects land subsidence (dams, cities)
- Strategic Value:
- Most powerful Earth-observing radar satellite
- First with dual SAR payload
- Strengthens India–US space partnership (Artemis, human spaceflight)
| [UPSC 2010] Question: In the context of space technology, what is Bhuvan, recently in the news ?
Options: (a) A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India (b) The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II (c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India* (d) A space telescope developed by India |
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