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Subject: CareXMonetized Economy

  • World Tourism Day 2026: Digital Transformation of Tourism

    World Tourism Day 2026: Digital Transformation of Tourism

    Why in the News?

    • World Tourism Day 2026 will be observed on 27 September under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.
    • India is expanding its tourism ecosystem through AI, digital platforms, destination development, connectivity and skill development.

    Key Highlights

    • India’s tourism contribution: 5.22% of GDP.
    • Tourism employment: 8.46 crore jobs in 2023-24.
    • Domestic Tourist Visits: 428.55 crore in 2025.
    • Foreign Tourist Visits: 2.53 crore in 2025.
    • Foreign Exchange Earnings: ₹2,76,831 crore in 2025.
    • Global tourism contributed US$10.9 trillion, or 10% of global GDP, in 2024.
    • Global tourism supported 357 million jobs in 2024.
    • World Tourism Day 2026: Observed in El Salvador.
    • First celebrated: 1980.
    • Linked to adoption of UNWTO statutes in 1970.

    Digital Transformation of Tourism

    • e-Visa
      • Introduced in 2014 with Electronic Travel Authorisation for 43 countries.
      • Now available to nationals of 172 countries.
      • Entry through 88 international ports:
        • 37 airports
        • 38 seaports
        • 13 land ports
      • Around 78% of visas are issued electronically.
      • Around 95% of e-Visa applications are processed within 72 hours.
    • Incredible India Digital Platform
      • Provides virtual experiences covering cultural, heritage, adventure, gastronomical, wellness, art and craft, and rural tourism.
      • Uses AI-powered tools for personalised experiences.
      • Provides weather updates, city exploration and travel services.
      • Connects travellers with Online Travel Agents and tourism stakeholders.
    • NIDHI+
      • National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry.
      • Digital platform for registration, recognition and classification of tourism service providers.
      • As of 23 September 2026:
        • 63,740 accommodation units
        • 54 convention centres
        • 215 food business operators
        • 1,450 online travel aggregators
        • 15,531 tourism service providers

    Major Tourism Schemes

    • Swadesh Darshan
      • Launched in 2014-15.
      • 76 projects sanctioned with over ₹5,295.24 crore.
      • Covers 15 thematic tourist circuits.
      • 75 projects physically completed.
    • Swadesh Darshan 2.0
      • Destination-centric and focused on sustainable and experience-based tourism.
      • 53 projects worth ₹2,207.08 crore sanctioned.
    • Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD)
      • Sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
      • Focuses on holistic destination development and sustainable tourism.
      • 37 projects worth ₹687.99 crore sanctioned.
    • PRASHAD
      • Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive.
      • Launched in 2014-15.
      • 54 projects worth ₹1,726.18 crore sanctioned.
      • Focuses on infrastructure and visitor facilities at pilgrimage and heritage destinations.

    Tourism Infrastructure and New Segments

    • Cruise tourism
      • Sea cruise passenger traffic increased from 1.08 lakh in 2014-15 to 4.62 lakh in 2025-26.
      • International cruise terminals upgraded at Visakhapatnam, Mumbai and Chennai.
      • Puducherry added to the East Coast Cruise Circuit.
    • Lighthouse tourism
      • Promoted under Section 23 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021.
      • Tourism facilities developed at 75 lighthouses.
    • MICE tourism
      • MICE = Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.
      • Major infrastructure includes Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi and Jio World Centre.
      • Government aims to develop at least 10 Indian cities as global MICE destinations.

    International Tourism Cooperation

    • BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting: Held in Jaipur, August 2026.
    • Adopted the Jaipur Declaration.
    • Four priorities:
      • AI and tourism
      • Sustainable and responsible tourism
      • Tourism skilling and capacity building
      • Tourism exchanges and seamless travel facilitation

    Tourism Skill Development

    • Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) provides skilling, upskilling and reskilling.
    • Hunar Se Rozgar Tak implemented under CBSP.
    • CBSP trained over 1.68 lakh people and placed more than 36,000 between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25.
    • Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi, launched in 2024, has trained around 4,382 candidates.

    Prelims Quick Revision

    • World Tourism Day: 27 September.
    • 2026 theme: “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.
    • First World Tourism Day: 1980.
    • UNWTO statutes: adopted in 1970.
    • India’s tourism contribution: 5.22% of GDP.
    • Domestic Tourist Visits in 2025: 428.55 crore.
    • NIDHI+: Digital database/platform for hospitality and tourism service providers.
    • Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Destination-centric approach focused on sustainable and experience-based tourism.

    UPSC Prelims Trap

    • World Tourism Day is not first celebrated in 1970: 1970 marks adoption of the UNWTO statutes; World Tourism Day was first celebrated in 1980.
    • NIDHI+ is not a visa platform: It concerns registration, recognition and classification of tourism service providers.
    • Swadesh Darshan vs Swadesh Darshan 2.0: The original scheme focuses on thematic tourism circuits, while Swadesh Darshan 2.0 adopts a destination-centric approach.
    • PRASHAD is not a general tourism infrastructure scheme: It specifically focuses on pilgrimage and heritage destinations.

  • Insurers seek first third party premium hike in four years

    Why in News?

    Non life insurers are pressing for their first motor third party premium hike in four years, citing a Supreme Court judgment recognising the economic value of homemakers’ unpaid domestic work.

    Key Highlights

    • In its 11 June 2026 judgment, the Supreme Court held that unpaid domestic work performed by homemakers has measurable economic value and must be fairly considered while awarding compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
    • Insurers argue that the ruling is likely to increase compensation payouts, adding to existing underwriting losses.
    • They have requested an upward revision in motor third party insurance premiums, the first such increase in four years.
    • The Central Government, in consultation with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), notifies third party premium rates.

    Motor Third Party (TP) Insurance

    • Mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 for all motor vehicles operating in India.
    • Covers death, bodily injury, or property damage caused to a third party due to the insured vehicle.
    • Does not cover damage to the insured vehicle; that requires comprehensive motor insurance.
    • Premium rates are regulated by the Central Government, based on recommendations from IRDAI.

    Value Addition

    • IRDAI: Statutory regulator established under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.
    • Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT): Adjudicates compensation claims arising from road accidents under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
    • Significance of the Supreme Court ruling: Strengthens recognition of the economic contribution of unpaid care work, advancing substantive gender equality and ensuring more equitable compensation in accident claims.

    [2026] With reference to different Committees in India, consider the following details :

    Sl. No.CommitteeObjectiveOrganization under which it was formed
    1R.N. Malhotra CommitteeComprehensive reforms of Insurance sector in IndiaInsurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
    2L.C. Gupta CommitteePreparing a roadmap for the introduction of derivatives trading in IndiaSecurities and Exchange Board of India
    3Urjit R. Patel CommitteePreparing a roadmap for reforming bank lending to the Housing sectorReserve Bank of India
    4Y.H. Malegam CommitteePreparing a roadmap for reforms in Microfinance sector in IndiaReserve Bank of India


    In which of the above rows are all the details correctly matched ?

    [A] 2 only

    [B] 2 and 3

    [C] 1, 3 and 4

    [D] 2 and 4

  • Distinguish between ‘care economy’ and ‘monetized economy’. How can care economy be brought into monetized economy through women empowerment?

    Care economy refers to the unpaid or underpaid activities performed within households and communities such as childcare, elderly care, household maintenance, and emotional labour. In contrast, the monetized economy includes all paid economic activities that generate income

    Key Features of the Care Economy:

    Human-Centered

    Labour-Intensive

    Majorly Informal Sector

    Bringing Care Economy into Monetized Economy through Women Empowerment

    Raising investment in the care economy to 2% (>1% current) can generate 11 million jobs for women.

    Draw lessons from Japan’s womenomics for boosting female labour participation.

    Encourage PPP models and CSR initiatives to expand affordable care infrastructure.

    Skill Development and Certification in childcare, geriatric care, nursing, early education, nutrition.

    Formalisation of Care Services by expanding creches, Anganwadis, elderly care centres, community caregiving services.

    Promotion of Women-led Care Entrepreneurship such as day-care centres, tiffin services by providing credit, digital platforms, SHG support, and market linkages.

    Social Protection- Recognising care work under minimum wage laws and social security frameworks.

    Digital platforms like online caregiving services, home-nursing apps, domestic work registries help women monetise care skills.

    Investments in time-saving infrastructure such as clean cooking fuel, piped water, and public transport can increase FLFPR in the formal economy.

    Adopting the 3R Framework (Recognize, Reduce and Redistribute) can help realise SDG 5.4.

    Economic Growth and Macroeconomic Stability