Author: Access Account

Buffer stocks are reserves of essential commodities, aimed at stabilizing agricultural prices and ensuring food security. India currently maintains over 80 million tonnes of buffer stock, well above the norm set by the Buffer Stocking Policy (around 30-40 million tonnes), managed primarily by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). 

Importance of buffer stocks for stabilizing agricultural prices:

1. Mitigating Price Volatility: According to the RBI Report, despite adverse climatic conditions and international disruptions, buffer stocks helped contain food inflation at average of 5.9%.
2. Mitigating Global Supply Disruption (2022-23): Even during the Russia-Ukraine war, buffer stocks helped stabilize the market by releasing 18 lakh tonnes of wheat in early 2023.
3. Stabilizing Farmers’ Incomes: In 2021-22, FCI procured 43 million tonnes of wheat and 58 million tonnes of rice, stabilizing farmer incomes during surplus production.
4. Public Distribution System (PDS): Buffer stocks support the National Food Security Act (NFSA), ensuring food supply to 67% of India’s population at subsidized rates, and controlling inflation for essential goods.
5. Export Management: In times of surplus, the government can release surplus grains for export. Conversely, during shortages, restricting exports ensures price stabilization.
6. Meeting Emergency Needs – Buffer stocks help meet food requirements during natural calamities or crises. Eg- Garib Kalyan Yojana during COVID

Challenges Associated with Storage of Buffer Stocks:

1. Wastage and Quality Degradation: As per Ministry of Consumer Affairs, more than 25000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of food grains were wasted in the last five years in FCI godowns.
2. Excess Procurement:  In 2020-2021, India held about 90 million metric tons of food grains particularly due to the open procurement policy, far exceeding the buffer norms.
3. Management and Leakages:  Shanta Kumar Committee highlighted that 46% of PDS grains do not reach the intended beneficiaries due to inefficiencies and corruption.
4. Mismatch Between Procurement and Regional Needs:  Procurement is concentrated in states like Punjab, Haryana, and UP, whereas Bihar and West Bengal often face shortages.
5. Inadequate Storage Infrastructure and obsolete technology: Using temporary facilities like Covered and Plinth (CAP), lacking modern technology for temperature control, pest management, and moisture regulation.    
6. Financial burden on the government due to high costs of procurement, storage, and management, especially during years of large-scale purchases, straining the budget.

Recommendations to revamp storage of buffer stocks:

1. Ashok Gulati Committee (2011): revision of buffer stock norms based on actual requirements for the PDS and emergency situations.
2. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report on FCI (2013): use of Technology to digitize inventory management systems, allowing real-time tracking of food stocks at FCI warehouses.
3. Shanta Kumar Committee (2015): It suggested decentralizing the procurement process by encouraging states to take up procurement based on their regional capabilities. 

India’s “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan” aims to create 70 million tons of modern storage through cooperatives, enhancing rural capacity, improving grain handling, and reducing post-harvest losses by building silos and warehouses in underserved areas.

Irrigation is critical to Indian agriculture, which accounts for 80% of the country’s freshwater consumption. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, about 52% of India’s net sown area is irrigated, but inefficiencies in the system have hampered agricultural productivity. 

Major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times:

• Groundwater exploitation: According to CGWA, India extracts nearly 25% of global groundwater annually. Punjab and Haryana groundwater tables deplete by 33% in the last two decades.
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• Inefficient Water Use: Due to electricity subsidies and Traditional methods like flood irrigation, still used in 85% of irrigated areas.
• Poor Infrastructure: Canal systems, which cover around 40% of irrigated land, suffer from leakages and evaporation losses, leading to about 30-40% wastage (Central Water Commission).
• Unequal Distribution: Punjab, with 98% irrigation coverage, contrasts with underdeveloped infrastructure in eastern and southern states. (NITI Aayog).
• Low Adoption of Modern Techniques: As per ICAR, only 6% of India’s irrigated land uses drip or sprinkler systems, mainly due to high initial costs and lack of awareness.

Measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management:

1. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): to promote sustainable agriculture practices, enhance water use efficiency, and encourage adoption of new irrigation technologies.
2. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): aims to improve irrigation coverage, enhance water efficiency, and promote modern irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems.
3. Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM): Improves irrigation efficiency by repairing and upgrading canal systems  across 17 million hectares (CWC).
4. Atal Bhujal Yojana: With a budget of ₹6,000 crores, this scheme focuses on sustainable groundwater management in stressed regions, aiming to reduce over-extraction in 78 districts.
5. Jal Shakti Abhiyan: A water conservation campaign targeting 256 water-stressed districts, focusing on rainwater harvesting and recharging groundwater (NITI Aayog).

State Led initiatives:

1. Mission Kakatiya(Telangana)-for rejuvenation of tanks and micro-irrigation sources.
2. Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan(Maharashtra)-promotes water conservation and management by constructing farm ponds, percolation tanks, and check dams.
3. Krishi Bhagya(Karnataka)-promotes the adoption of micro-irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, etc.

Therefore, as recommended by the Ashok Dalwai Panel, a substantial investment in modern irrigation infrastructure, including drip and sprinkler systems, and the need to revisit water pricing policies to increase water-use efficiency and agricultural productivity.

India’s vast geography and diverse regions make efficient air connectivity a critical element in driving economic growth, enhancing national integration, and ensuring equitable development across the country. The UDAN Scheme was launched with the objective of connecting small and medium cities with big cities through air service.

Need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India:

1. Decongesting Overloaded Metros: Major urban airports like those in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are experiencing severe congestion due to increased passenger traffic.
2. Economic and Trade Development: Improved air connectivity can further boost initiatives like “Making Districts as export hubs” thereby facilitating local economies.
3. Promoting Tourism: Unlocking Tourism Potential, especially in states like Northeast India, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.
4. Enhancing National Security: Improved connectivity, particularly in border and strategic areas such as Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is critical for national security.
5. Disaster Management and Relief: Regions prone to natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides, benefit from rapid response and evacuation efforts when accessible by air.

The Government’s UDAN Scheme

Key features:

1. Subsidized Airfare: airfares for a 500 km flight are capped at ₹2,500 for a one-hour journey.
2. Viability Gap Funding (VGF): To incentivize non-commercially viable regional routes.
3. Development of Airports: Particularly in unserved and underserved areas by improving infrastructure, including runways, terminals, and navigational aids.
4. Public-Private Partnership (PPP): Encourages private sector participation in developing regional airport infrastructure.

Achievements of UDAN Scheme:

1. As per Ministry of Civil Aviation, UDAN scheme is operating over 2.8 lakh flights and serving 1.43 crore passengers as of August 31, 2024. 
2. Increased Regional Connectivity: The scheme has launched operations on 583 routes, linking 86 airports, including 13 heliports and 2 water aerodromes. 
3. Affordable Air Travel: India has emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market, with the total number of air passengers handled at Indian airports reaching 37.6 crore in FY24—a year-on-year increase of 15%. 
4. Growth in Regional Aviation: Airlines such as Star Air, Trujet, and Air India Regional have expanded their operations under the scheme. Eg- Akasa Air ordering 200 aircraft within 17 months
5. Development of Infrastructure: Airports, such as those in Jharsuguda (Odisha), Kishangarh (Rajasthan), and Pakyong (Sikkim), have been operationalized.
6. Boost to Regional Economies and Tourism: To promote tourism, 46 important tourist spots have been selected under UDAN Scheme.

Issues	Way Forward
Out of the 479 airport routes that were revived by the Union Government, 225 have ceased operations.	Enhancing Financial Viability: Implementing revenue-sharing models to incentivize the operationalization of less profitable routes.
As per CAG Report, there is excessive collection of Regional Air Connectivity Fund (RCF) and delay on the part of RACFT in raising RCF levy claims on the airline operators.	Streamlining Regulatory Processes: Expediting the process of obtaining regulatory clearances from agencies like the DGCA , state governments, and airport authorities.
AAI’s Viability Gap Fund’s claims approved through self-certification led to non-compliance to several scheme provisions. (CAG Report)	Focus on Sustainable Practices and leveraging technology: Adopting fuel-efficient technologies to reduce carbon footprints and Data Analytics for Route Optimization

India can draw inspiration from the “Regional Connectivity Scheme” (RCS) in the United Kingdom whose emphasis on PPP and operational efficiency, can help realising the vision of ‘New India’.

As per recommendations of 2nd National Commission on Labour, 29 labor laws in India have been consolidated into Four comprehensive labor codes which aim at boosting the ease of doing business, while also extending social security to millions of workers, particularly in the informal and gig economy.

1. Code on Wages: Standardized wage and bonus payments.
2. Industrial Relations Code: Streamlines dispute resolution and labour relations.
3. Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code: Ensures safe and healthy working conditions.
4. Code on Social Security: Expands social security benefits.

Merits of Labour Codes:

1. Simplification and Rationalization of Laws: The consolidation of 29 laws into 4 codes reduces the complexity of compliance Uniform definitions E.g. simplifying payroll calculations.
2. Promoting Formalization and Social Security: Code on Social Security brings gig and platform workers (e.g., delivery workers, app-based drivers) under the social security net 
3. Minimum floor wage: to be determined by the Central government based on the minimum living standards and level of skills of workers based on which state governments shall identify a minimum wage rate, to be revised every 5 years or earlier. 
4. Minimise exploitative practices – Provisions for overtime wages twice the normal wages on an hourly or part-of-hour basis as well as coverage of Employees’ State Insurance (ESI). 
5. Flexibility in Hiring and Firing: The Industrial Relations Code allows firms with up to 300 workers (previously 100) to hire and fire employees without requiring government permission.
6. Improved Worker Safety and Health Standards: The Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code mandates stricter safety norms, such as proper ventilation, cleanliness, and adequate lighting at workplaces.
7. Easier Resolution of Industrial Disputes: The Industrial Relations Code mandates the formation of Grievance Redressal Committees for companies with 20 or more workers and allows faster resolution through tribunals.
8. Changes in EPF & gratuity: the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and gratuity contributions are now applicable to both organised and unorganised sectors. Further, the codes permit a 1-year service for employees to collect gratuities from earlier 5 years.
9. Gender Equality – The Code of Wages prohibits discrimination in remuneration and recruitment of employees for work of similar nature.
10. Maternity benefits: the SS Code continues to ensure 26 weeks of paid maternity leave along with creche facilities funded by the employer.

Demerits of Labour Codes:

1. Lack of Uniformity Across States: Labour is a concurrent subject in India, this could lead to lack of uniformity in implementation across different regions.
2. Delegated Legislation – Standing Committee on Labour has noted that the Acts delegates various aspects for rule-making by the government. Eg-  defining the entitlements 
3. Concerns about Gig and Informal Workers’ Security: the Code on Social Security does not provide clear mechanisms for ensuring comprehensive coverage and enforcement.
4. Impact on Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining: A requirement that 75% of workers in a company must vote for a strike before it is legally recognized can dilute the role of trade unions        
5. Weakening of Workers’ Rights and Protections: The increased threshold for government permission for layoffs is criticized for potentially weakening job security.
6. Power to government to modify or reject tribunal awards – it raises the question of conflict of interest, as government may modify an award made by the Tribunal in a disputes it is a party.  
7. Provisions on fixed term employment – unequal bargaining powers between the worker and employer could affect the rights of workers as the power to renew contracts lies with employer.

Progress so far in this regard:

1. Publication of draft rules: over 20 states have published draft rules, but final notifications are still awaited in most cases.
2. Implementation: Implementation has been delayed due to state-level preparations and ongoing consultations with stakeholders. 
3. Centre has already enforced few provisions like Central Advisory Board and establishment of an employee’s and his family members’ identities through respective Aadhaar numbers.

Reasons For Delay 

1. Some states are yet to publish rules to set the codes in motion 
2. Talks between the Union labour ministry and unions have stalled  
3. Centre is inclined to take all stakeholders on board for which there needs agreement on key provisions.

Way Forward

1. Labour Market Information System (LMIS): to pinpoint skill shortages, training needs, and disseminate new job opportunities.
2. Comprehensive Economic Reforms: upgrading infrastructure, skilling the workforce, and maintaining a consistent export-import policy to bolster investment and job creation.

India can draw on Denmark’s “flexicurity” system which combines labor market flexibility with comprehensive social security, to ensure ensure ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and realise target of VIKSIT BHARAT 2047.

Data has emerged as ‘New Oil.’ As  technology has become the defining paradigm of the 21st century, the DPDP Act, India’s first data protection act, establishes a framework for the processing of personal data in India.

Context of the DPDP Act, 2023:

1. Rise in Digital Data Usage: as per Nokia’s Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT), Indian users on average consumed 24.1 gigabytes (GB) of data per capita per month in 2023 
2. Judicial Interpretation: Recognition of the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution emphasizes the need for a data protection law to protect personal information in the digital age.
3. Global Trends: India’s DPDP Act mirrors global efforts to regulate data processing, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 
4. Previous Data Protection Drafts:  The DPDP Act, 2023, builds on earlier drafts of data protection bills (such as the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019), which faced multiple revisions due to concerns over government exemptions, data localization, and compliance costs for businesses.
5. Rise in cyber crime – As per NCRB, in May 2024, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) recorded an average of 7,000 cybercrime complaints per day. This is a 60.9% increase from 2022 to 2023 and an 113.7% increase from 2021 to 2023.
6. Use of Data in government schemes like Aadhar, DBT etc. 

Salient Features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023:

1. Applicability: The DPDP Act applies to the processing of digital personal data in India, whether collected online or offline and later digitized. It also applies to data processing outside India if the data pertains to providing goods or services to data principals (individuals) within India.
2. Key Stakeholders: Data Principal (DP), Data Fiduciary, Data Processor
3. Penalty for Infringement: The Act imposes financial penalties for non-compliance, ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 250 crores, but does not impose criminal penalties.
4. Conflict with Existing Laws: The DPDP Act’s provisions are additional to existing laws. In case of conflict, the DPDP Act will take precedence to the extent of the conflict.
5. Data Protection Board of India (DPBI):

1. An independent body responsible for resolving disputes related to privacy and data protection.
2. It has the authority to impose penalties for non-compliance and breaches of the Act.
3. Appeals against DPBI orders can be made to the High Court, which can also take up breaches suo moto
4. Citizen’s Rights:

1. Right to Information: The DP has the right to know how their data is being used.
2. Right to Correction and Erasure: The DP can request corrections or erasure of their personal data.
3. Grievance Redressal: The DP has the right to approach authorities for grievances related to data breaches or misuse.
4. Right to Nominate: In case of death or incapacity, the DP can nominate someone to exercise their rights

Issues	Way Forward
Lack of Standardization: Inconsistent data formats and standards across different departments.	Establishing a clear implementation framework to ensure effective coordination.
Fragmented Systems results in data silos, making it difficult to share and access data across departments.	Developing decentralized, reliable databases to ensure that governance decisions are rooted in accurate and comprehensive data.
Inaccurate or outdated data Eg- Issues with the accuracy of data in land records	Opening of data “silos” to capture the potential wealth of data sharing between governmental offices, corporations and citizens.

By carefully choreographing a dance between data localization, infrastructure development, and technological innovation, India can pave the way for a data-driven future that is both innovative and accountable.

‘Narcoterrorism’ refers to the use of drug trafficking networks—routes, funding mechanisms, and

incomes—by terrorist organizations. According to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), more than 100 instances of drone incursions reported in the India-Pakistan border alone in 2023, with most carrying heroin and weapons meant for terrorists operating in India.

Narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat:

1. Strategic location:  Proximity to the Golden Crescent to the west and the Golden Triangle to the east 
2. As per International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Annual Report 2023, nearly 40% of the world’s opiate users reside in South Asia. 
3. Use of Technology – Cyber-enabled drug markets, operating on the dark web and crypto-markets, are making illicit drugs more accessible than ever before.
4. Linkage with terrorist groups: 20-30% of drug smuggling operations in Jammu and Kashmir are estimated to be linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) (IB Report).
5. Increased Smuggling through Coastal Routes: Eg-  seizure of 2,826 kg of drugs, comprising mostly heroin and cocaine, across India’s ports and coastal waters in 2023, the highest in 5 years.
6. Narcotics and Maoist Insurgency:  Maoist-linked drug operations are used to generate revenue for purchasing arms.
7. Use of Northeast India as a Transit Point: The porous borders of Northeast India, are used by insurgent groups like the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) for drug smuggling. 
8. Use of Advanced Smuggling Methods: use of drones and maritime routes to smuggle drugs into India, especially across the Punjab and Gujarat borders.
9. Collaboration with State Actors: Pakistani state agencies are reportedly involved in facilitating narcoterrorism by supporting cross-border drug trafficking that funds terrorism in India.

Measures to counter narco-terrorism:

1. Strengthening Border Security:Enhance surveillance and monitoring along borders using advanced technologies such as drones, sensors, and AI to detect and prevent narcoterrorism activities, particularly along the India-Pakistan and India-Myanmar borders.
2. Strengthening Law Enforcement and Intelligence: 

1. Ensure the strict enforcement of laws like the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. 
2. Ensure seamless sharing of real-time intelligence between agencies like the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and NCB

3. International Cooperation: Collaborate with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Afghanistan through bilateral and multilateral platforms like SAARC and BIMSTEC.
4. Community-Level Interventions: Establish comprehensive drug rehabilitation and de-addiction centers, particularly in regions with high drug abuse rates like Punjab.
5. Targeting the Nexus between Crime and Terrorism: Strengthening UAPA and financial regulations such as PMLA to target financial linkages between drug traffickers and terrorist groups.

A failed state in the neighbourhood combined with narco-terrorism can have serious consequences for India’s security. A comprehensive risk-mitigation approach is imperative to safeguard India’s national security and secure a better and healthier future for its citizens.

“World today is economically richer & environmentally poorer the ever” 

The UN Department of Public Information (DPI) defines the NGO as “a not-for-profit, voluntary citizen’s group that is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good.” 

Role of environmental NGO’s:

• Raising Public Awareness and Participation- Eg- In projects like the Vedanta bauxite mining project in Odisha, activists and NGOs mobilized local tribal communities to participate in public consultations, eventually leading to the project being halted.
• Advocacy and Legal Interventions – Eg- Activist groups like Kalpavriksh and Vanashakti have filed PILs against infrastructure developments in ecologically sensitive areas like the Western Ghats.
• .
• Independent Review and Monitoring of EIAs – Eg- Greenpeace India highlighted deficiencies in the EIA process in Mundra Port and SEZ project.
• Pressure for Policy Reforms- Their efforts have led to amendments in EIA regulations, such as improvements in the public hearing process and better safeguards for sensitive ecosystems.
• Exposing Environmental Violations – Eg-  In the Sterlite copper plant case in Tamil Nadu, NGO activism exposed how the plant was operating without proper environmental clearances, leading to closure of the plant.
• Engaging with International Advocacy Networks including development finance institutions to ensure stricter compliance with international environmental standards.

Examples

1. Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), led by social activist Medha Patkar. It raised concerns about the incomplete and flawed EIA, which did not fully assess the displacement of people or the ecological damage to the Narmada River ecosystem. While the dam was eventually built, NBA’s efforts ensured a greater focus on rehabilitation and resettlement policies.
2. Goa Foundation and Mining in Goa NGO/Activist Involved: filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the approval of mining leases based on inadequate and outdated EIAs. The NGO provided scientific data showing how large-scale illegal mining was leading to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, water pollution, and siltation of rivers, which affected agriculture and fisheries. In 2012, the Supreme Court imposed a ban on mining activities in Goa. 
3. Kalpavriksh and the POSCO Steel Plant Project in Odisha –  worked closely with local communities to highlight that the EIA did not address the full extent of forest clearance, water consumption, and pollution. The NGO submitted expert critiques to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), pointing out deficiencies in the EIA process, including the lack of public consultations and ignoring of critical environmental impacts.  The MoEF revoked the forest clearance for the project in 2010. 
4. Himdhara and Hydropower Projects in Himachal PradeshNGO/Activist Involved: Himdhara conducted independent environmental impact assessments and highlighted issues such as improper evaluation of seismic risks, water flow changes, and the cumulative impacts of multiple hydropower projects on the river systems. As a result of their sustained efforts, the original design of the Luhri Hydroelectric Project was altered, reducing its capacity and minimizing environmental damage. 

Issues:

1. Organizational Issues – A survey by Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) found that around 67% of small and medium-sized NGOs.
2. As per report by the Harvard Kennedy School the majority of NGOs in India don’t have Board for governance.
3. Regulatory Issues – Out of 3 million NGOs in the country, only about 175,000 of are registered on Niti Aayog’s Darpan portal.
4. Funding Constraints: Over dependence on government funding curtails their ability to hold government and administration accountable.
5. Security:  As per the Intelligence Bureau report, foreign-funded NGOs are acting as instruments for the foreign policy goals of Western governments. Their activism has led to reducing GDP growth by 2-3%.

Way Forward

1. 2nd ARC: set up an independent National Accreditation Council- to provide for the system of accreditation of voluntary organizations that seek funding from government agencies.
2. Vijay Kumar Committee Recommendations:  ‘Light regulation’ of NGO and  a separate law for voluntary agencies
3. Establishing a governing board enhances NGO governance.

NGOs are “integral cogs in the wheel of good governance”. A balanced partnership between genuine NGOs and the government is crucial for India’s progress.

As per CPCB report, 46 percent of the 603 Indian rivers are polluted based on indicator of organic pollution i.e. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) (3mg/L) with the discharge of untreated industrial affluents as one of the major reasons.

Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue:

1. Impact river water quality:  According to the CPCB, the Ganges and Yamuna often exceed permissible limits for pollutants such as biological oxygen demand (BOD), fecal coliform, heavy metals, and other toxic substances.
2.  Impact on Aquatic Life:  High levels of toxicity in the Ganges has severely affected the population of the endangered Ganges river dolphin.
3.  Public Health Concerns: According to the World Bank, water pollution is responsible for around 1.5 million deaths annually in India due to preventable waterborne diseases.
4.  Socioeconomic Impacts: Irrigation with contaminated water affects crop quality and yields, Declining fish populations, and diminishing the aesthetic and cultural value of rivers that are vital to India’s heritage.

Mitigation Measures to deal with this problem:

1. Stringent Enforcement of Environmental Regulations: E.g. the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which set standards for effluent discharge from industries.
2. Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs): Mandating industries to set up on-site ETPs to treat wastewater before discharge into rivers. 
3. Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Policy: Encouraging industries to adopt ZLD technologies, which ensure that all wastewater is treated and recycled within the plant.
4. Green Chemistry and Cleaner Production Techniques: This includes using environmentally friendly raw materials and energy-efficient processes to minimize the generation of pollutants at the source.
5. Riverbank Buffer Zones and Monitoring: Establishing buffer zones around rivers where industrial activities are restricted and setting up real-time water quality monitoring systems

Government Initiatives in this regard:

1. Namami Gange Programme: Over 150 sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been sanctioned under this program to improve the water quality of the Ganga.
2. National Water Mission: Under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, it focuses on water conservation, pollution reduction, and promoting efficient water use in industries.
3. National Green Tribunal (NGT): The NGT has mandated the closure of 123 industries for non-compliance with pollution standards in various river basins.
4. Pollution Control Boards (CPCB & SPCBs): Central and state pollution control boards regulate industrial discharges and set water quality standards. Regular inspections and pollution audits are conducted to ensure compliance.
5. River Rejuvenation Programs: The Narmada Seva Mission launched by the Madhya Pradesh government focuses on afforestation and pollution control to restore the Narmada River’s health.

Therefore, stronger enforcement and technological upgrades such as Denmark’s wastewater treatment model, can aid in mitigating the river pollution sustainably.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had introduced RFID-based FASTag as the primary technology used for electronic toll collection (ETC) in 2014. In February 2021, the government made FASTags compulsory for all vehicles, ensuring a cashless and more efficient toll collection system across the country.

Advantages:

1. Reduced Congestion: ETC eliminates the need for vehicles to stop at toll booths, thus reducing traffic congestion. 
2. Reduced Waiting Time: Cuts down toll plaza congestion, saving up to 20 minutes per trip (MoRTH, 2022).
3. Faster Processing: The system automatically charges the toll, reducing the transaction time significantly compared to manual toll collection.
4. Lower Operational Costs: ETC requires fewer staff at toll booths, leading to cost savings for toll operators.
5. Better Revenue Collection: Automated systems reduce human error and the risk of cash leakage or fraud, ensuring better toll revenue management.
6. Environmental Benefits: Reduced idling time at toll booths results in lower emissions from vehicles, contributing to environmental conservation.

Limitations:

1. Technical Glitches: such as improper tag placement, reader malfunction, or weather conditions (e.g., heavy rain), leading to delays or disputes.
2. Inconsistent Implementation: Not all state highways have fully integrated FASTag lanes, which can be confusing for drivers traveling on mixed routes.
3. Network Dependency: FASTag is heavily reliant on internet connectivity for real-time transactions. Poor connectivity at certain toll plazas can lead to failed or delayed transactions.
4. Customer Support and Disputes: Some users have reported difficulties with resolving issues like incorrect toll deductions or recharging problems, pointing to the need for improved customer support infrastructure.
5. Double Charges for Manual Payments: Vehicles without a functional FASTag or insufficient balance are charged double the toll when paying in cash, which can be seen as punitive rather than encouraging for drivers still transitioning to the system.

Proposed changes to make the process seamless:

1. Transition to ANPR-Based Tolling: ANPR will allow vehicles to pass through toll plazas without any physical tag by capturing and recognizing license plates for automatic toll deduction.
2. Distance-Based Tolling (GNSS/GPS): Instead of paying at multiple toll plazas, vehicles would be charged based on the actual distance they travel on the highways. This system could eliminate the need for physical toll plazas altogether.
3. Integration with State Highways: Extending FASTag coverage to more state highways and city roads, ensuring that drivers can experience a fully seamless journey without switching between tolling systems.
4. Contactless and Mobile Payments: Enabling mobile apps for real-time toll payments or integrating FASTag with digital wallets and payment platforms (e.g., UPI, Paytm) for increased convenience.

Potential hazards of this transition:

1. Data Security Risks: Increased digitization raises the risk of cyber-attacks, where sensitive data like vehicle movements and financial details can be compromised.
2. Technical Glitches:  Any glitch in the RFID or GPS system could result in incorrect toll charges or unregistered toll crossings, leading to disputes.
3. System Downtime: Power failures or system crashes can disrupt the toll collection process, leading to traffic jams and user dissatisfaction.
4. High Cost leading to higher tax burden on citizens

Road transport carries around 87% of India’s passenger traffic and over 60% of India’s freight traffic hence seamless traffic management is essential for goal of $5 Trillion economy.

As per WIPO, Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the context of life materials, such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), plant varieties, and biotechnological inventions, is a complex and ethically charged topic.

Present world scenario of IPR with respect to life materials:

1. International Legal Frameworks – Global agreements such as the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement under the World Trade Organization (WTO) provide a baseline for IPR protection, including life materials. 
2. Economic Contributions of Biotechnology:  The global biotechnology market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.83%, reaching about $2.44 trillion by 2030. 
3. Global Patent Filings in Biotechnology:  According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), biotechnology patent applications represented about 13% of all global patent filings.
4. Impact of Biopiracy:  A study by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) highlighted that up to 90% of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity remains unprotected globally, increasing the risk of exploitation.
5. Ethical Considerations and Public Perception:  According to a 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center, about 59% of respondents in developed countries expressed concern over the ethical implications of genetic engineering, which includes the patenting of life materials.

As per the Indian Patent Office, India filed about 65,000 patents in 2021-22, making it the second-highest filer of patents in the world, however only 5% of these lead to commercially viable products.

Reasons include:

1. Funding and Investment issues:  A report by NASSCOM indicated that Indian startups raised over $38 billion in funding in 2021, yet 40% of biotechnology startups cited access to capital as a primary barrier to commercialization.
2. Regulatory hurdles: According to Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), about 55% of biotech companies reported that regulatory hurdles are significant barriers to bringing products to market.
3. Weak Industry-Academia Linkages:  Innovations in Indian research institutes like CSIR often don’t reach the market due to poor industry partnerships. Less than 10% of patents filed by institutions like IITs and CSIR are transferred to industries for commercialization.
4. Insufficient infrastructure – India’s technological and incubation infrastructure is inadequate to support startups and innovators.
5. Intense competition from global players: Despite having biosimilars like insulin and monoclonal antibodies, Biocon Ltd. faces intense competition from global players, leading to challenges in commercializing its innovations effectively.
6. Disputes over traditional knowledge: E.g. turmeric and neem tree patent controversy with U.S. companies. Though the patents were eventually revoked, it showcased the struggles in translating traditional knowledge into commercial applications.
7. Public Opposition: Innovations like GM seeds often face resistance, as seen in the Bt brinjal controversy in India.

Some key measures to strengthen commercialization include:

1. National Intellectual Property Rights Policy 2016 which aims to create a robust IPR ecosystem and promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
2. Establishment of Patent Facilitation Centers to provide guidance and support to inventors, especially small enterprises and startups.
3. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) for providing funding and support for innovation hubs, and incubation centers.
4. Protection of traditional knowledge and biodiversity through the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL).
5. Revisiting the Drug and Clinical Trials Rules (2019) to expedite the approval process for new drugs and medical devices.

By strengthening the IPR framework and startup ecosystem India can realize the objective of VIKASIT BHARAT and KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY by 2047.          

In a country like India, where malnutrition, food insecurity, and lifestyle diseases coexist, millets, often termed “Nutri-cereals,” offer a powerful solution as they are not only nutritionally superior but also climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable. 

Role of millets in ensuring health security:

1. Diabetes Management:  The inclusion of FoxTail millet in the diet can improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
2. Cholesterol Management: Millets can help reduce levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease which is currently responsible for 28% of all the deaths in India..
3. Promotes Gut Health:  The high fiber content in millets acts as a probiotic thereby preventing gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
4. Bone Health Management: Finger millet (ragi) is particularly rich in calcium whose adequate intake helps prevent osteoporosis and promotes overall skeletal health.
5. Celiac Disease Management:  Millets are naturally gluten-free, making them an excellent choice for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Role of millets in ensuring nutritional security:

1. Combat malnutrition through high nutrient density  – High Protein Content of about 10-15% protein, making them one of the richest sources of plant-based protein among cereals.
2. Alleviating hidden hunger: According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 30% of Indian women (15-49 years of age) suffer from iron deficiency anemia. Sorghum (jowar) which is rich in iron can help in combating anemia.
3. Addressing Vitamins and Minerals deficiency: Millets are a rich source of several B vitamins, including niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2), and folate (B9), which are crucial for energy metabolism and maintaining healthy skin, hair, and eyes.
4. Enhance dietary diversity: Offering an alternative to wheat and rice thereby improving upon agricultural and environmental sustainability as well.
5. Sustaining Small Farmers: Millets are a crucial crop for over 60% of small and marginal farmers in India, offering a reliable food source and livelihood in arid regions​

Government initiatives for promoting millets:

1. National Year of Millets 2018:  to revive traditional millet farming and raise awareness.
2. Renaming Millets as “Nutri-Cereals” and “Shree Anna”: to emphasize their high nutritional content.
3. State Specific Initiatives: E.g. Karnataka’s Raitha Siri Scheme aims at providing financial incentives to farmers for growing millets.
4. Millet-Based Products in Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Odisha has introduced millet-based recipes in school meals to provide better nutrition to children.

By focusing on both the demand and supply sides, India can significantly boost millet production, ensuring that millets become a staple in the Indian diet and a valuable export commodity.

Land reform refers to the systematic alteration of laws, regulations, and practices governing land ownership, distribution, and use to achieve social and economic justice. Despite being major policy initiative it has remained an ‘Unfinished Agenda’

Factors responsible for successful implementation in some parts of the country:

1. Political Will and Strong Leadership – In West Bengal, the Left Front government played a crucial role in redistributing land under Operation Barga, benefitting a large number of sharecroppers.
2. Ideological Commitment: In states with leftist governments, like West Bengal, the ideological focus on equity and social justice played a vital role. The political leadership viewed land reforms as a tool for addressing socio-economic disparities.
3. Effective Peasant Movements: The success of land reforms in states like Kerala and West Bengal was closely linked to grassroots peasant movements. Eg- Tebhaga Movement
4. Active Participation of Local Communities: The Bhoodan movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat also played a role in redistributing land voluntarily from landowners to landless peasants, contributing to successful reforms.
5. Efficient Administrative Machinery – In Jammu and Kashmir, the administrative machinery was active in implementing the Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, which led to significant land redistribution.
6. Clear and unambiguous laws – In states like West Bengal, clear and stringent land ceiling laws prevented large landholders from retaining excess land. 
7. Judicial Support – Eg- In West Bengal, judicial decisions supported the protection of bargadars, ensuring the legal framework of the reforms was enforced even in cases where landlords tried to manipulate the system.
8. Decentralized Governance – The success of land reforms in West Bengal was partly due to the role of panchayats (village councils), which were empowered to help implement and monitor the redistribution of land.

However, some more challenges need to be addressed including:

1. The absence of adequate land records made implementation of these acts difficult.
2. Legal Loopholes – Eg- In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madras there was no limit on the size of the lands that could be declared to be under the ‘personal cultivation’ of the zamindar
3. A large number of exemptions to the ceiling limits were permitted by most states. Eg- in most states the ceilings were imposed on individual and not family holdings, leading to dividing holdings in the names of relatives and Benami transfers to avoid the ceiling. 
4. CORRUPTION– The provisions to protect the small landowners were misused by the larger landlords and revenue officials as Most tenancies were oral and informal and not recorded.

Way Forward

1. Ashok Dalwai Committee Recommendations: reforms in land leasing, land titling, and creating a national land use policy to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and better land utilization.
2. Promoting Cooperative Farming on the AMUL Model: By pooling resources and collectively managing farms, farmers can achieve economies of scale, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
3. Private Sector Participation – Model Contract Farming Acts by States:
4. Digitisation of Land Records:
5. NITI Aayog’s Advocacy for Large-Scale Land Leasing
6. Presumptive Land Titling: Need to shift to Conclusive land titling as this can reduce land-related disputes which account for two-thirds of all pending court cases in India.

Case Study Bhoomi Project of Karnataka – The project digitized 20 million land records for 6.7 million landowners in 176 talukas of Karnataka

technology-assisted reforms such as the SWAMITVA scheme for clear land titles and the Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme needs effective implementation.

As per data by RBI, in the period 2016-2020, the average food inflation was 2.9 percent. This has more than doubled in the 2020s to an average of 6.3 percent. It reached as high as 8.7 percent in April 2024.    

Causes of persistently high food inflation in India:

1. Supply and Demand Imbalances: Factors such as extreme weather events, crop failures, or pest infestations can reduce the supply of agricultural products, driving up prices. Conversely, a surge in demand, perhaps due to population growth or changes in consumer preferences, can also lead to higher prices if supply cannot keep up.
2. Temperature and Weather Challenges: Issues like adverse weather conditions, weak monsoons, and heatwaves led to cereal and pulse double-digit inflation in April 2024.
3. Fuel Price rise: An increase in fuel inflation by 1% leads to a 0.13% rise in food inflation, and the effect slowly declines through the next 12 months.
4. Post Harvest Losses: Approx 74 million tonnes of food is lost in India each year primarily due to inadequate storage and cold chain management further adding to food inflation.
5. Increase in input cost:  A report by the Fertilizer Association of India(2023) highlighted a 25% increase in fertilizer prices due to global supply chain issues.
6. Government Policies: E.g. Minimum Support Price leads to higher market prices for food grains and limits on stock holdings of essential commodities may lead to market speculation and artificial scarcity, spiking prices.
7. Trade Policies: Restrictions on imports can limit the variety of available food products and potentially drive up prices.

Effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation:

1. Inflation Targeting: By focusing on headline inflation, which includes food and fuel prices, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can anchor inflation expectations and prevent food inflation from spiraling into general inflation
2. Indirect Impact of Interest Rate Adjustments on Food Inflation:  By adjusting the repo rate, the RBI influences liquidity in the market, which in turn affects consumer demand.
3. Exchange Rate Management and Imported Food Inflation: In 2021, global food prices surged, especially edible oils. The RBI’s management of the exchange rate helped soften the impact of these global price hikes on domestic food inflation, though not fully.
4. Transmission of Monetary Policy to Agricultural Sector Credit: Monetary easing during 2020-2021, which lowered interest rates, helped to maintain credit flow to the agricultural sector during the pandemic. 

However, Monetary policy faces certain limitations as:

1. Food inflation in India is often driven by supply-side factors, such as poor infrastructure (irrigation, roads, cold storage), inefficient distribution systems, hoarding, and agricultural productivity issues.
2. Seasonal fluctuations in food prices (driven by rainfall, crop output, and global food prices) often deviate from the general inflation trend.
3. Fiscal Policy Impact – Eg- Government providing higher MSP
4. Effectiveness also depends on external factors such as global commodity markets and oil prices, over which the RBI has limited control.
5. High Share of Food in Consumption Basket: In emerging economies like India, where food constitutes a large portion of household expenditure (around 45% or more), food inflation directly affects overall inflation, making it harder for monetary policy alone to control it​
6. Lagged Impact: Monetary policy actions like interest rate hikes may take several quarters to influence inflation. However, food price shocks tend to be more immediate, meaning that monetary policy adjustments may not be timely enough to prevent short-term inflation spikes​

Government Measures Complementing RBI’s Monetary Policy:

1. Improving agricultural infrastructure like irrigation, cold storage, and rural roads.
2. Price stabilization measures such as buffer stock management through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Therefore as noted by Reserve Bank of India “the persistence of food inflation underscores the need for effective policy measures that address both demand and supply dynamics.

Indian constitution envisions a welfare state under Article 38 of the constitution which is reflected in public expenditure on social services. In the post-reforms period the public expenditure on social services increased from 5.49% of GDP in 1990-91 to 8.3% in 2021-22.

Patterns and trends of public expenditure on social services:

1. From 1990s to Early 2000s: Marked slowdown in public spending – 

1. Education – 3% of GDP. 
2. Public healthcare –  1% of GDP.

2. From 2000s to Early 2009: Marked by re-prioritization of social spending Eg- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for education, National Health Mission (NHM), and MGNREGA.
3. 2010 onwards: Shift towards Rights based approach E.g., Right To Education, Right To Food, etc.

Consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth:

1. Rapid growth and poverty reduction:  A total of 415 million people moved out of poverty in India within just 15 years from 2005 to 2021. (UN)
2. Financial inclusion: Under PMJDY more than 53.13 crore bank accounts have been opened proving instrumental in Direct Benefit Transfer to the beneficiaries.
3. Education Accessibility: E.g. Gross Enrolment Ratio for girls at the secondary level rose from 77.45% in 2014-15 to 81.32% in 2019-20.
4. Improved Health Indicators: Health expenditure increases at cagr of 15.8%. (1.9% OF GDP IN FY24) – Life expectancy increased from 58 years in 1991 to 70 years in 2022.

However, Challenges remain in realizing the full extent:

1. High Levels of Poverty – NITI Aayog’s 2021 report estimated that around 25% of the population still lives in multidimensional poverty
2. Employment Generation and Jobless Growth – According to PLFS 2019-20, India’s unemployment rate was 4.8% and youth unemployment (15-29 years) was 22.9%.
3. Underinvestment in Social Infrastructure: According to a report by Dasra, social sector spending was ₹23 trillion ($280 billion) in FY23. It is less than NITI Aayog recommendation of 13% of GDP.
4. Regional Disparities in Development: As per ‘Relative Economic Performance of Indian States: 1960-61 to 2023-24’ by Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), 5 Southern states have emerged as major contributors to India’s GDP, accounting for 30% by March 2024. On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh contributes only 9.5% of GDP and Bihar just 4.3%. 
5. Social Exclusion and Inequality Based on Caste, Gender etc: According to NITI Aayog’s 2021 Multidimensional Poverty Index, SCs and STs suffer more from multidimensional poverty and Female labor force participation in India is only 23.3% (PLFS 2019-20)

World Economic Forum has suggested 3 practical ways for countries to boost inclusive growth:

1. Investment in their citizens’ capabilities. e.g. Bolsa Familia – Brazil, provides financial aid to brazilian families ensuring children education, vaccination etc.
2. Labour Law Reforms – ensuring social security cover
3. Investment in labor intensive economic sectors including sustainable water, energy, digital, and transport infrastructure, rural economy, education and training.

Implementing Social Security Code 2020 can help achieve goal of instituting a credible social protection framework, consistent with India’s level of development.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “India and the Maldives are not just neighbors; we are natural partners. Our destinies are intertwined, and we share the same vision of peace and prosperity.”  

Geopolitical and Geostrategic Importance of Maldives for India: Focus on Trade and Energy Flows

1. Strategic Location: Maldives’ position on key global maritime trade routes enhances India’s maritime domain awareness and security.
2. Energy Security: Located along key maritime routes between the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Malacca, the Maldives serves as a critical “toll gate” for nearly half of India’s trade and 80% of its energy imports.
3. Regional Stability: Strong ties with the Maldives support India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, ensuring political stability and minimizing external influences like China.
4. Countering China: India seeks to prevent the Maldives from falling into China’s Belt and Road Initiative debt trap, preserving regional dominance.
5. Trade Hub Potential: The Maldives can serve as a logistics and shipping hub, complementing India’s trade routes and boosting regional economic integration.
6. Maritime Surveillance: Geographic proximity aids India in enhancing surveillance and accessing deep-sea resources through joint projects, strengthening maritime security.
7. Defence Cooperation: A Defence Action Plan was signed in 2016 to strengthen this partnership. India provides nearly 70% of Maldives’ defence training, both on the islands and in India’s military academies.

Challenges

1. Growing Chinese Influence: Eg- China signed 20 “key” agreements, including on tourism cooperation, disaster risk reduction and the blue economy during visit of Xi Jinping.
2. Diplomatic Turmoil – undiplomatic words used by ministers in Maldives, President Muizzu asking India to withdraw military personnel and choosing China for one of his first overseas visits
3. Domestic politics – The ‘India Out’ campaign against the presence of the Indian military on Maldivian soil.
4. India’s security interests hinge on the Maldives’ political stability; internal turmoil could disrupt cooperation and threaten maritime security objectives.
5. Non-traditional threats: Piracy, terrorism, and drug trafficking require ongoing collaboration and intelligence sharing between India and the Maldives.
6. Extremism: The Maldives’ susceptibility to extremism and radicalization demands joint efforts to counter these security challenges.

Way forward

1. Promote Non-Reciprocal Development Assistance to counter  ‘Big Brother Perception: Building on the principles of the Munroe Doctrine, India should focus on providing nonreciprocal, consultative, and cooperative development assistance to the Maldives. ‘
2. Enhance Maritime Security Collaboration including joint naval exercises, surveillance operations, and information sharing. 
3. Engage in Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Programs that promote tourism, student exchanges, and cultural initiatives will help build mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral relations.
4. Address Domestic Political Dynamics: India should be sensitive to the internal political landscape of the Maldives, engaging with all political factions and civil society groups to ensure broad-based support for its initiatives. 

Sustained Diplomacy and strengthening People to People connect is essential to build trust and align  ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy with the Maldive’s ‘India First’ policy.

Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established under UNSC resolution 1373 to enhance the capacity of UN member states to prevent and combat terrorism.

Terrorism A Significant Threat To Global Peace And Security

1. Impact on Global and Local Economies: Eg.  2008 Mumbai attacks resulted in a decline in foreign investments and tourism, costing the Indian economy over $2 billion.
2. Political Instability: The rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq led to the displacement of over 10 million people and destabilized the Middle East.
3. Social Cohesion Challenges: Eg. 2019 Christchurch attacks in New Zealand highlighted how extremism disrupts harmony by fueling religious and ethnic tensions.
4. Radicalization: Eg. ISIS, through social media, recruited over 30,000 foreign fighters from more than 100 countries.
5. Human Rights Violations: Eg. Boko Haram in Nigeria has killed over 37,500 people since 2009, with mass abductions and attacks targeting civilians, violating fundamental human rights.

Mandate of UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) Criminalize the financing of terrorism. Freeze without delay any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism. Deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groupsSuppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists. Share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts. Cooperate with other governments in the investigation, detection, arrest, extradition and prosecution of those involved in such acts; and; Criminalize active and passive assistance for terrorism in domestic law.

Effectiveness of the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and Associated Bodies:

1. Helps in Development of Legal Frameworks: The CTC assists in implementing Resolution 1373, which mandates states to criminalize terrorism financing and secure borders. Countries have adapted their laws, including freezing assets linked to terrorism.
2. Promotes International Collaboration: The CTC fosters cooperation between nations to combat terrorism, ensuring shared intelligence and joint operations, especially in high-risk regions like Southeast Asia and the Sahel.
3. Assists Nations via Capacity Building: Training programs, such as in the Sahel region, help local forces combat terrorist threats through specialized skills and counter-terrorism techniques.
4. Enforces Sanction Measures: CTC oversees the implementation of sanctions like travel bans and arms embargoes, ensuring compliance with UN Security Council mandates against terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda.
5. Ensures Monitoring and Compliance: The CTC monitors national compliance through regular state reports, ensuring nations align with international anti-terrorism laws and obligations. Eg. recent follow up visit by CTC in Tanzania to check compliance on counterterrorism resolution.
6. Targets Terrorist Financial Networks: The CTC collaborates with organizations like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to combat money laundering and dismantle financial networks that support terrorism.

Challenges Faced by UNSC CTC in Counter-Terrorism:

1. Political Interests and Sovereignty Issues: Disagreements among member states, such as vetoes by Russia and China regarding resolutions on Syria, hinder unified responses..
2. Disparities and Resource Limitations: E Eg. Global Terrorism Index 2022 indicated that terrorism caused $8.6 trillion in economic losses globally, disproportionately affecting less developed nations.
3. Balancing Security with Individual Rights: Surveillance measures, like those under the UAPA,AFSPA in India, USA’s PATRIOT Act, often infringe on civil liberties. A 2021 Pew Research survey found that 56% of Americans are concerned about government overreach in surveillance.
4. Rapid Technological Changes: The use of encrypted communication, as seen in the 2015 Paris attacks, allows terrorists to coordinate while evading detection. 
5. Implementation Gaps: A 2023 review by the committee highlighted that 80 countries reported insufficient resources to enforce effective strategies.

To effectively combat terrorism globally, a multi-pronged approach is essential, focusing on socio-economic development, responsive governance, and a unified Trident Strategy combining strong political will, proactive measures, and strategic communication to counter terrorist influence.

The World Bank defines e-governance as the use by government agencies of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) that can transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government.”

Application of digital technology in service delivery process

e-Governance being multifarious interactions for ensuring transparency and accountability

1. Enhancing Public Access: E-governance platforms facilitate easy access to information, promoting transparency in government processes such as budgeting and tendering. 
2. Preventing Corruption: Digital records and traceable transactions significantly reduce opportunities for corruption by minimizing human interaction. 
3. Citizen Feedback Mechanisms: Interactive features, such as CPGRAMS, empower citizens to file complaints and track resolutions.
4. Auditable Transactions: Eg. Performance dashboards, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission dashboard, provide real-time data on initiatives like toilet construction, ensuring accountability through traceability.
5. Standardized Processes: E-governance standardizes workflows across departments, enhancing fairness in implementing government schemes. Eg. Social audit tools, like the Social Audit Network of India (SANI).

Interactive service model of e-governance

The Interactive-Service Model is the pinnacle of e-governance, where two-way communication between the government and citizens is not just possible but encouraged. 

Role of the Interactive Service Model of e-governance:

1. Enhanced Citizen Engagement:  Platforms like MyGov and town hall forums, allowing them to provide feedback and suggestions 
2. Improved Service Delivery:  Digital India Portal ensures streamlined and accessible services such as passport renewals and tax filings
3. Accountability through Feedback Mechanisms: Platforms like CPGRAMS, enable citizens to lodge complaints and track their resolution.
4. Customization of Services: As seen in the UMANG app, which tailors services based on user interactions and preferences.
5. Digital Democracy: Through participatory platforms like online consultations, surveys, and digital town halls, the interactive service model fosters a more inclusive and transparent form of governance.

Issues with the Interactive Service Model of E-Governance

1. Digital Divide: Over 60% of rural Indians lack internet access, hindering their ability to benefit from e-governance services, thereby widening the gap between urban and rural populations.
2. Data Privacy Concerns: The Aadhaar system, with over 1.3 billion enrolled, has faced criticism for potential misuse of personal data, raising significant privacy issues and public distrust.
3. Dependency on Technology: Reliance on technology can lead to service disruptions; for instance, during the 2020 lockdown, many citizens faced difficulties accessing essential services due to tech failures.
4. Cybersecurity Risks: In 2020, cyberattacks on government systems increased by 37%, threatening sensitive citizen data and critical operations, highlighting vulnerabilities in e-governance frameworks.
5. Bureaucratic Resistance: A 2021 survey by NITI Aayog found that 40% of government officials reported inadequate digital literacy, obstructing the implementation of e-governance initiatives and leading to inefficiencies.
6. Resource Intensive: Many state governments struggle with budget constraints; eg. only 20% of Indian states have allocated sufficient funds for developing robust e-governance infrastructure.
7. Equity and Inclusion: E-governance may exacerbate inequalities; as only 25% of women in rural areas use online services, limiting their access to vital resources and information.

E-governance is inclusive of e-Democracy, e-Government and e-Business. Government Process Re-engineering using IT is critical for realisation of Viksit Bharat and New india.

Healthcare is a fundamental right crucial for individual dignity and welfare. Article 47 of the Indian Constitution highlights the State’s responsibility to ensure public health, affirming the commitment to provide equitable access to healthcare for all citizens.

Adverse impact of marketisation of healthcare system 

1. Inequity in access: creates a dual healthcare system where wealthy individuals can access, afford and avail healthcare, while the poor rely on underfunded public healthcare.
2. Rural-urban divide as only 30% healthcare infrastructure serves 70% rural population, leaving rural areas underserved.
3. Rising cost and affordability: Eg. 47.1% of total healthcare spending in India is out-of-pocket expenditure (National Health Accounts 2019-2020).
4. Commodification of Healthcare: Eg. doctors prescribing unnecessary tests and medicines just to increase profit.
5. Limited Focus on Preventive Care: Market-driven systems prioritize curative care over preventive measures, leading to under-investment in public health.

Role of state in containing marketisation of healthcare 

1. Regulation of Healthcare Costs: The state can cap treatment prices, regulate drug prices (e.g., India’s National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority), and ensure that essential medicines remain affordable.
2. Strengthening Public Healthcare: The government can expand and improve public health infrastructure to provide low-cost or free services, reducing dependency on private healthcare providers.
3. Universal Healthcare Schemes: Programs like Ayushman Bharat in India help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for poor citizens by providing free access to essential health services.
4. Health Insurance Regulation: The state can ensure that private health insurance schemes are affordable, transparent, and provide adequate coverage without discrimination or exploitation.
5. Public Health Campaigns: The state plays a key role in promoting preventive healthcare, vaccination drives, and awareness programs to reduce the burden of disease and reliance on expensive treatments.
6. Subsidizing Essential Health Services
   1. The government should provide subsidies for essential drugs and healthcare services to make them more affordable for the general public. Eg. Jan Aushadhi Stores
   2. Provide free preventive healthcare services such as immunizations, maternal and child care, and routine health checkups to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.

Measures to Enhance Public Healthcare at the Grassroots Level

1. Decentralization of Healthcare Governance: Empower local governing bodies like Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and urban local bodies to take charge of healthcare delivery at the local level. This would ensure more responsive and need-based healthcare.
2. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): NITI Aayog in its report ‘Reimagining Healthcare In India Through Blended Finance’ Encouraged  partnerships between the government and private healthcare providers for the supply of healthcare equipment, medicines, and mobile health units in rural areas.
3. Health Education and Community Participation: Launch health literacy programs and engage local communities in healthcare planning by forming village health committees to monitor programs. Eg. ASHA and Anganwadi workers can be leveraged.
4. Increased Budget Allocation for Public Health to improve infrastructure, recruit more healthcare workers, and ensure the continuous supply of medicines. Allocate funds specifically for underserved areas, ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare resources across the country.
5. Focus on Preventive Healthcare:  Prioritize preventive healthcare measures, such as improving sanitation, clean drinking water access, and widespread vaccination campaigns.
6. Implement nutrition programs targeting maternal health and child development to reduce the incidence of malnutrition and related diseases.
7. Technological Integration: Use telemedicine, mobile health apps, and electronic health records to enhance remote care access and continuity. Eg: Practo, eSanjeevani.

The Kerala Model of health care Key initiatives include empowered health workers, decentralized governance, and public health education.

As the saying goes, “Health is wealth, not wealth in health,” emphasizing the importance of accessible health care. By focusing on public investment and community health initiatives, the state can ensure health remains a fundamental right, not a commodity.

As per 2nd ARC, Citizen Charter is a public statement that defines the entitlements of citizens to a specific service, the standards of the service, the conditions to be met by users, and the remedies available to the latter in case of non-compliance of standards. Adopted in 1997 in India, citizen charter still to realize it’s full potential.

Importance Of Citizens Charter In Ensuring Citizen Centric Administration 

Factors Hindering Realization Of Full Potential Of Citizens Charter 

1. One size fits all: Tendency to have a uniform CC for all offices under the parent organization. CC has still not been adopted by all Ministries/Departments. This overlooks local issues.
2. Silo operations: Devoid of participative mechanisms in a majority of cases, not formulated through a consultative process with cutting edge staff who will finally implement it.
3. Lack of Legal Enforcement: Citizen Charters aren’t legally binding, which limits accountability.
4. Non-Dynamic: Charters are rarely updated making it a one-time exercise, frozen in time.
5. Poor design and content: lack of meaningful and succinct CC, absence of critical information that end-users need to hold agencies accountable.
6. Lack of public awareness: only a small percentage of end-users are aware of the commitments made in the CC since effective efforts of communicating and educating the public about the standards of delivery promise have not been undertaken.
7. Stakeholders not consulted: End-users, Civil society organizations and NGOs are not consulted when CCs are drafted. Since a CC’s primary purpose is to make public service delivery more citizen-centric, consultation with stakeholders is a must.
8. Measurable standards of delivery are rarely defined: making it difficult to assess whether the desired level of service has been achieved or not.
9. Poor adherence: little interest shown by the organizations in adhering to their CC. since there is no citizen friendly mechanism to compensate the citizen if the organization defaults.

Measures required (2nd ARC recommendations)

1. Customized Charters: Citizens’ Charters should be tailored to specific organizations preferably in local languages rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, ensuring relevance to local contexts and needs.
2. Stakeholder Consultation: The formulation of charters must involve extensive consultations with all stakeholders, including citizens, NGOs and other civil society, to ensure that the charters reflect genuine needs and expectations.
3. Clear Commitments should be specified regarding service delivery standards and outline remedies or compensations for failures in service provision, enhancing accountability.
4. Regular Evaluation by independent agencies, to assess their effectiveness and ensure they remain relevant and impactful.
5. Adoption of the Sevottam Model: The Sevottam model was suggested by the 2nd ARC in its 12th report on “Citizen Centric Administration”.  This model combines the principles of ‘service’ and ‘uttam’ (excellence) and outlines a systematic approach:
   1. Defining services and identifying clients.
   2. Setting standards and norms for each service.
   3. Developing capabilities to meet these standards.
   4. Performing services to achieve the standards.
   5. Monitoring and evaluating performance continuously.
   6. Implementing continuous improvements based on evaluations.

Jan Sewa Kendra, Ahmedabad In feb. 2004, district collectorate of ahmedabad standardized the entire citizen charter of district with 75 issues in it.

The Citizens’ Charter is a commitment to service quality, transparency, and accountability, promoting responsive governance. Reviving this program in government departments is essential for ensuring accountability to both citizens and the organizations themselves.