Polity

All (4049)Current Affairs (4038)Mains Practice (126)Mains PYQs by Subjects (40)

Biostimulants in Indian Agriculture 

Context: Government has tightened the regulation of Biostimulants following the complaints from farmers about forced tagging of Nano-fertilisers or Biostimulants with conventional subsidised fertilisers.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Biostimulants, Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) 1985, Insecticide Act 1968.

What are Biostimulants?

The Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order 1985, which regulates the manufacturing and sale of biostimulants, defines biostimulants as substances or microorganisms that: 

  • Stimulate plant physiological processes
  • Improve nutrient uptake
  • Enhance growth, yield, stress tolerance, and crop quality.
  • Do not include pesticides or plant growth regulators which are regulated under the Insecticide Act 1968.

They can be derived from seaweed extracts, plant waste, or microorganisms and are not traditional fertilisers or pesticides.

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India’s Biostimulant Market

  • India biostimulants market size is valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024.
  • The market is projected to grow from USD 410.78 million in 2025 to USD 1,135.96 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.64% during the forecast period.

Issues with Biostimulants:  

  • Questionable Efficacy: Many farmers complained about the ineffectiveness of biostimulants.
  • Unregulated Sale in the Past: Biostimulants were sold without government approval for years since they were neither classified as fertilisers nor pesticides. Over 30,000 products were sold unchecked for years. After government regulation, the number has now come down to approximately 650.
  • Provisional Certification Loophole: Manufacturers were allowed to sell products with only provisional registration, which was extended repeatedly. This delayed the enforcement of full regulatory standards.

1985 Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) and the Insecticide Act, 1968

  • In India, fertilisers and pesticides are governed by the 1985 Fertiliser Control Order and the Insecticides Act of 1968, respectively.
  • The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare issues the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and makes changes to it from time to time.

Regulation of Biostimulants

  • In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture amended the 1985 FCO and included biostimulants, paving the way for their regulated manufacturing, sale and import. The inclusion of biostimulants empowered the Central government to fix specifications.
  • The FCO classified biostimulants specified in Schedule VI of the FCO in eight categories, including botanical extracts (as well as seaweed extracts), bio-chemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
  • Every manufacturer or importer of a biostimulant shall make an application to the Controller of Fertilisers along with the requisite product information.
  • The product’s chemistry, source (natural extracts of plant/microbe/animal/synthetic), shelf-life, reports of bio-efficacy trials, and toxicity must be submitted, along with other data. The five basic acute toxicity tests are: 
    • Acute oral 
    • Acute dermal 
    • Acute Inhalation 
    • Primary skin Irritation
    • Eye irritation 
  • The four eco-toxicity tests are: (i) Toxicity to birds; (ii) Toxicity to Fish (Freshwater); (iii) Toxicity to honeybees; (iv) Toxicity to earthworm
  • The FCO clearly states that no biostimulant shall contain any pesticide beyond the permissible limit of 0.01ppm. 
  • Agronomic bio-efficiency trials shall be conducted under the National Agricultural Research System, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and state agricultural universities. 
  • Bio-efficacy trials shall be conducted at minimum three different doses for one season at three agro-ecological locations.

Central Biostimulant Committee: 

  • In 2021, the Agriculture Ministry constituted the Central Biostimulant Committee for 5 years, with the Agriculture Commissioner as its Chairperson and seven other members.
  • Under the FCO, it shall advise the Centre on:
    • inclusion of a new biostimulant;
    • specifications of various biostimulants
    • methods of drawing of samples and its analysis
    • minimum requirements of laboratory
    • method of testing of biostimulants
    • any other matter referred to it by the central government.

Recent Government Actions on Biostimulants

  • The Union Agriculture Minister wrote to all Chief Ministers urging them to stop the forced tagging of biostimulants with subsidised fertilisers like urea and DAP.
  • The latest extension of provisional certificates expired on June 16, 2025, after which companies cannot sell unapproved biostimulants.
  • In addition to this, the Agriculture Ministry notified “Specifications of Biostimulants” for several crops, including tomato, chilli, cucumber, paddy, brinjal, cotton, potato, green gram, grape, hot pepper, soybean, maize, and onion.

India’s Aviation Sector Need Reforms 

Context: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report on the Air India Boeing 787 air crash in Ahmedabad was released recently. The report remains inconclusive with critical uncertainties on whether pilot action was inadvertent or deliberate. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Structure of India’s Aviation System.Mains: Key Issues in India’s Aviation Safety Ecosystem.

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Structure of India’s Aviation System

  • The Aviation System broadly involves multiple elements:
    • Airline Operator: The Aircraft (design, airworthiness, and maintenance) and the people who operate it (maintenance engineers, technicians, pilots and cabin crew) are the responsibility of the airline operator.
    • Airports Authority of India: While Airport infrastructure, Air traffic control systems and its personnel are the responsibility of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and/or the Aerodrome operator. 
  • Regulator: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
    • DGCA regulates Airlines, Airports and Airport Authority of India (AAI).
    • It sets safety rules, approves procedures, and monitors compliance.
  • Supervisory Authority: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
    • It is the top-level policy-making and supervisory body for civil aviation in India.
    • It oversees both DGCA and AAI. 

Key Issues in India’s Aviation Safety Ecosystem

Each layer in aviation safety- from design, engineering, and operations to regulation- contains flaws. Accidents occur when these flaws align. Crashes are the inevitable result of years of systemic neglect and policy violations.

1. Systemic Neglect:

  • Aircraft Design and Airworthiness: DGCA has limited internal technical capacity and relies heavily on foreign regulators such as the Federal Aviation Administration (US) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EU). This weakens India's self-sufficiency in evaluating airworthiness.
  • Aircraft Maintenance Standards: 
    • Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) work under severe stress without duty time limits. Duty-time limitations recommended for AMEs by the court of inquiry following the crash in Mangaluru (2010) remain unimplemented.
    • The DGCA has allowed airlines to delegate AME tasks to less-qualified, lower-paid technicians- a cost-cutting move that undermines safety.
  • Pilot and Flight Crew Stress:  
    • Airlines violate Flight Time Duty Limitations for pilots, and the DGCA grants exemptions which allow pilots who are fatigued to operate.
    • The DGCA’s unique NOC requirement restricts pilot mobility across airlines, increasing stress and enabling airlines to coerce pilots into breaching regulations.
  • Airline Operations: 
    • Airlines prioritise profit over safety. Despite the DGCA suspending personnel for safety violations, airline officials often retain high positions, controlling operations.
    • DGCA-appointed officers in airlines, who are expected to enforce compliance, often have no real authority, making accountability toothless.
  • Air Traffic Management: The AAI faces a severe shortage of Air Traffic Controller Officers (ATCO). The provision to give licences to ATCO has not yet been implemented. Duty-time limitations for ATCOs, recommended by the Mangalore Court of Inquiry, remain unimplemented. 
  • Silencing Whistle-Blowers: Whistle-blowers are often demoted, transferred, or terminated, discouraging the reporting of critical safety issues in the AAI and airlines.

2. Regulatory Loopholes:  

  • Violations of Inner Horizontal Surface (IHS) Norms
    • Thousands of illegal vertical obstructions have emerged within airport flight paths.
    • Statutory safeguards like the Aircraft Act and Order 988 of 1988 were undermined by a non-statutory appellate committee starting in 2008. This committee, comprising officials from MoCA, DGCA, and AAI, approved dozens of unsafe buildings.
    • Ironically, the same officials who approve unsafe structures are often responsible for judging safety complaints about them.
  • Judiciary has been inactive on aviation issues, relying on the state’s technical expertise on the subject. 

Way Forward

  • Reform DGCA and AAI to improve transparency, technical strength, and accountability.
  • Enact and enforce legal protection for employees who report safety concerns.
  • Revoke and re-evaluate unsafe building approvals.
  • Judiciary’s conservative approach to valuing human life needs to change. It must address the deterioration in the aviation sector and hold authorities accountable. 
  • A genuine ‘culture of safety’ must permeate every layer of the Aviation System including fair employment terms and access to mental health care without punitive consequences.

Without immediate, bold reforms and a fundamental shift toward a genuine culture of safety, India’s rapidly growing Aviation Sector risks further tragedies. The Judiciary, regulators, and policymakers must act in cohesion to bring out the necessary reforms.

Vice President of India Resigns Mid-Term 

Context: Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar, 14th Vice President of India, has tendered his resignation with immediate effect citing health reasons. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Constitutional provisions related to the Vice President of India. 

Mains: Implications of a mid-term resignation of the Vice President in a parliamentary democracy.

Vice President Resigns Mid-Term

  • Jagdeep Dhankhar assumed the Office of Vice President in August 2022.
  • He is only the third Vice-President in India’s history to resign before completing his term. Earlier V.V Giri and R. Venkatraman stepped down to contest presidential elections.

Who performs the Vice President’s duties now?

  • The Constitution does not provide for an acting Vice President. 
  • However, since the Vice-President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Chairman, currently Harivansh Narayan Singh, will preside over the House in his absence.

When will the Elections be held?

  • In the case of the President, the Constitution requires that a vacancy be filled within six months. But for a Vice Presidential vacancy, there is no such fixed deadline. The only requirement is that the election be held “as soon as possible” after the post falls vacant.
  • The Election Commission of India will announce the schedule. The poll is conducted under the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
  • As per convention, the Secretary General of either House of Parliament is appointed as the Returning Officer, in rotation.

How long will the new Vice President serve?

  • The elected candidate will serve a full five-year term from the date of assuming office- not just the remainder of Dhankhar’s tenure.

How is the Vice President elected in India?

  • The Vice President is elected by an electoral college made up of members from both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) including nominated members. 
  • Unlike in a Presidential election, state legislatures do not participate.
  • Voting is held in Parliament House in New Delhi by secret ballot, using the system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote.
  • Each Member of Parliament (MP) casts a vote by ranking candidates in order of preference. All votes carry equal value.
  • To be declared elected, a candidate must reach a required minimum number of votes- called the quota. This is calculated by dividing the total number of valid votes by two and adding one (fractions, if any, are ignored). 
  • If no candidate crosses the quota in the first round, the one with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on second preferences. The process continues until one candidate crosses the quota.

What are the eligibility criteria for Vice Presidential candidates?

A person contesting for the post of Vice President must be : 

  • A citizen of India
  • At least 35 years old
  • He must be qualified to be elected to the Rajya Sabha, and registered as an elector in any parliamentary constituency. 
  • He must not hold any office of profit under the central or state governments, except positions like President, Governor, or Minister.
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Impeachment Process of Judge of High Court

Context: The impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma - the ex-Delhi High Court judge has begun after 145 MPs, from ruling and opposition parties, submitted a memorandum to the Lok Sabha Speaker. The Parliament has the jurisdiction to constitutionally remove a High Court judge. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Removal process of a Judge of High Court. 

Removal process of a Judge of HC

  • A judge of a High Court can be removed from his/her office by an order of the President. The President can issue the removal order only after an address by the Parliament has been presented to him/her in the same session for such removal. 
  • The address must be supported by a special majority of each House of the Parliament (i.e., a majority of the total membership of that House and majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting). 
  • The grounds for removal are two: proved misbehaviour or incapacity. Thus, a judge of a High Court can be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court. 

The Judges Enquiry Act (1968) regulates the procedure relating to the removal of a judge of a High Court by the process of impeachment:

  1. A removal motion signed by 100 members (in the case of Lok Sabha) or 50 members (in the case of Rajya Sabha) is to be given to the Speaker/Chairman. 
  2. The Speaker/Chairman may admit the motion or refuse to admit it. 
  3. If it is admitted, then the Speaker/Chairman is to constitute a three-member committee to investigate the charges. 
  4. The committee should consist of (a) the Chief Justice or a Judge of the Supreme Court, (b) Chief Justice of a High Court, and (c) a distinguished Jurist. 
  5. If the committee finds the judge to be guilty of misbehaviour or suffering from an incapacity, the House can take up the consideration of the motion. 
  6. After the motion is passed by each House of Parliament by a special majority, an address is presented to the President for removal of the judge. 
  7. Finally, the President passes an order removing the judge. 

The procedure for the impeachment of a judge of a High Court is the same as that for a judge of the Supreme Court. No judge of a High Court has been impeached so far. 

Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024-25

Context: The President of India conferred Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards at Vigyan Bhagwan, New Delhi hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

In total, 78 Awards were presented, recognising cities, cantonments, and institutions for their exemplary performance across a range of sanitation parameters. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key Highlights of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.

About Swachh Survekshan

  • Launched: 2016
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
  • Instituted under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U)
  • 73 cities covered initially (2016), now covering 4589 Cities. 
  • Assessment Criteria:
    • Waste collection, segregation and processing
    • Sanitation and public toilet coverage
    • Citizen feedback and awareness campaigns
    • Innovation in urban cleanliness

Key Highlights of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25: 

  • Top Cleanest Cities (Population >10 Lakh)
    • 1st: Ahmedabad
    • 2nd: Bhopal
    • 3rd: Lucknow
  • Top Cities (Population 3-10 Lakh)
    • 1st: Mira Bhayandar
    • 2nd: Bilaspur
    • 3rd: Jamshedpur
  • Special Recognition : Super Swachh League:
    • New elite category introduced to honour consistently top-performing cities over the past three years.
    • Top 4 cities ( Population > 10 lakh): Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Vijayawada.
    • Top Cities (Population 3-10 Lakh Noida): Chandigarh, Mysuru, Ujjain, Gandhinagar.
image 34

Other Awards:  

  • Best Ganga Town: Prayagraj.
  • Best Cantonment Board: Secunderabad Cantonment for its exemplary sanitation efforts. 
  • Best SaifaiMitra Surakshit Shehar: GVMC Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, and Gorakhpur for their outstanding commitment to the safety and dignity of sanitation workers. 
  • A special award was given to Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj Municipal Corporation, for its exceptional urban waste management during the Mahakumbh.
  • Lucknow was honoured with the prestigious Presidential Award for becoming the first city in Uttar Pradesh to receive a 7-star Garbage Free City (GFC) rating.

Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs launched

  • Swachh City Partnership Initiative: All 78 top performing cities across all population categories will adopt & mentor 1 poor performing city each from the respective States.
  • Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation Program: 
    • 1-year special program starting from Aug 15, 2025.
    • Aims to fast-track remediation of legacy waste dumpsites across urban areas and to push the scientific waste processing capacity.
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Cabinet approves PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana 

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) for a six-year period starting 2025-26, with an annual outlay of Rs 24,000 crore.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key features of PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY).Mains: Significance of PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana.

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: 

  • PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) was announced in the Union Budget for 2025-26. 
  • The scheme draws from the Aspirational District Programme framework and is the first of its kind focused exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors. It aims to enhance productivity and sustainability in 100 backward agri-districts.

Objective of the Scheme:

The scheme aims to: 

  • Enhance agricultural productivity.
  • Increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels.
  • Improve irrigation facilities.
  • Facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit.

Key Features: 

  • It is a first-of-its-kind scheme that would focus exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors.
  • Duration: 6 years beginning from 2025-26.
  • Outlay: ₹24,000 crore per year.
  • The scheme is modelled on the Aspirational District Programme of the Centre.

Implementation of the Scheme

  • The scheme will be implemented through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 departments, other State schemes and local partnerships with the private sector.
  • 100 districts will be identified based on three key indicators: low productivity, low cropping intensity, and less credit disbursement.
  • The number of districts in each State/ Union Territory will be based on: the share of net cropped area and operational holdings. However, a minimum of one district will be selected from each state.
  • Committees will be formed at the district, state and national levels for effective planning, implementation and monitoring  of the scheme. Central nodal officers will be appointed for field visits, review and monitoring.
  • Dhan-Dhaanya Districts will be ranked based on their performance. A portal/ dashboard will be developed to monitor the progress of the scheme in each district on 117 key performance indicators on a monthly basis. 
  • District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan will be finalised by the District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti, which will be headed by the District Collector and include progressive farmers as members.The district plans will be aligned to the National Goals of crop diversification, conservation of water and soil health, self-sufficiency in agriculture and allied sectors as well as expansion of natural and organic farming.
  • In addition, Central and State agriculture universities will be assigned each district as technical knowledge partners.

Significance 

The government hopes that the scheme will result in : 

  • Higher  productivity.
  • Value addition in agriculture and allied sectors.
  • Local livelihood creation while increasing domestic production and achieving self-reliance. 
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Challenges in Forest Governance in India 

Context: Recently, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department has designated itself as the nodal agency for implementing Community Forest Resource Rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. This has sparked backlash from Gram Sabhas and Tribal Rights Groups.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Forest Rights Act, 2006, Community Forest Resource Rights, National Working Plan Code (NWPC), Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.

Mains: Issues in community based forest governance in India 

The Forest Rights Act 2006

  • The Forest Rights Act 2006 was enacted in 2006 and came into force in 2008. Also known as Schedule Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act.
  • The Act recognises and grants legal rights over land and forest resources to Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) who have been residing in such forests for generations. 
  • A key component is the Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR), which:
    • Empowers Gram Sabhas to manage, protect, and conserve their customary forest areas. Gram Sabha is the nodal authority for initiating claims and managing community forests.  
    • Recognises traditional knowledge, practices, and sustainable forest use.
    • Transfers authority from state-led forest departments to community-led governance. 
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Recent Controversy in Chhattisgarh: 

Recently, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department attempted to designate itself as the nodal agency for CFRR implementation under the Forest Rights Act 2006. This action: 

  • Contravenes the FRA which vests authority in Gram Sabhas.
  • Violates gram sabhas’ statutory authority to implement locally developed management plans in their community forest resource (CFR) areas by insisting on a model plan from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), though not mandated by law.
  • Prohibits NGOs and other departments from assisting Gram Sabhas in Community Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR) management planning. 

Following grassroots resistance, the letter was withdrawn. However, it reflects a broader institutional reluctance to cede control to local communities.

Key Issues in Forest Management in India:  

  • Colonial Legacy of Scientific Forestry: Forest management in India is still rooted in the colonial model of forestry focused on timber extraction, not ecosystem health or community welfare. Early working plans even recommended clear-felling natural forests and replacing them with monoculture plantations.
  • Top down Working Plans: Forest departments continue to rely on working plans guided by the National Working Plan Code (NWPC). These plans are bureaucratic, top-down, and often disregard local ecological and livelihood needs.
  • Resistance to Decentralisation: Despite FRA’s mandate, forest departments resist transferring control to Gram Sabhas. Over 10,000 Gram Sabhas have received CFRR titles, but fewer than 1,000 have prepared management plans. Forest departments often delay claims, revoke titles, deny funds, and refuse to recognise community plans- undermining decentralised forest governance.
  • Inadequate Adaptation to Ecological Realities: Forest working plans are rigid and linear, poorly suited to climate change and ecosystem complexity.

Way Forward

  • Uphold FRA Provisions: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) must reaffirm that Gram Sabhas are the sole authority in CFR management.
  • Phase out NWPC (National Working Plan Code) for Community Forest Resource areas with contextual, adaptive, and locally prepared plans.
  • Capacity Building & Support: Forest departments should facilitate rather than obstruct; funding and training must be ensured.
  • Use Flexible Frameworks: Initiatives like the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan should be scaled and improved.
  • Promote People-Centric forest management: Shift from timber extraction to community-led conservation and resilience.

India’s forest management needs to shift  from timber-oriented bureaucracy to community-driven, ecologically sensitive governance. Recognising the Gram Sabha as the central planning authority, as per the FRA, is essential for sustainable and inclusive forest conservation.

Also Read: Guidelines for Management of Community Forest Resources (CFR) under Forest Rights Act (FRA) 

Animal Birth Control Rules 2023

Context: While hearing a plea by a Noida resident harassed for feeding stray dogs in common areas, the Supreme Court observed that citizens who wished to feed stray dogs should consider doing so inside their own homes. 

The case highlights the relevance of the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023, which aims to regulate feeding practices while balancing animal welfare and public safety.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Fundamental Duties (Article 51A(g)), Article 21.Mains: GS-IV Ethical Dilemma: Compassion vs Public order 

Animal Birth Control Rules 2023

  • Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 (ABC Rules) were notified under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
  • The Rules seek to control stray dog populations through sterilisation, and to curb the spread of rabies by vaccinating them. 
  • The Rules lay down protocols to ensure that the feeding of dogs respects both animal welfare and public safety.
  • The Rules replaced the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001.
  • These Rules use the expression “community animals” instead of “stray dogs”- recognising that these dogs are not ownerless intruders but territorial beings that inhabit and belong to their local environments.

Rule 20 of the ABC Rules 2023: Feeding of Community Animals

  • If a resident feeds street animals, the Resident Welfare Association (RWA), Apartment Owners’ Association, or local body’s representative must arrange designated feeding spots.
  • Feeding spots must be away from public entry points, stairs, or play areas.
  • The designated spaces must be kept clean and litter-free, and community dogs should be fed at an appointed time.
  • The Rule also lays down a dispute resolution mechanism involving the Chief Veterinary Officer, Representatives of the Police, the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Organisations conducting Animal Birth Control, and the RWA.

Constitutional Provisions:  

  • Article 51A(g) places a fundamental duty on citizens to have compassion for living creatures. 

Important Court Judgments

  • In Jallikattu Case 2014 (Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja): The Supreme court ruled that animal life falls within the meaning of Article 21 of the Constitution. The SC noted that all living creatures (including animals) have inherent dignity, right to live peacefully and the right to protect their well-being. 
  • Bombay High Court in Sharmila Sankar v. Union of India (2023) ruled in favour of residents who had faced opposition from their housing societies for feeding dogs. The court affirmed that the ABC Rules have the force of law. RWAs and societies cannot restrict the feeding of community animals or threaten or penalise individuals who do so. 

The presence of dogs in residential areas cannot automatically be considered unlawful. Nor can those who feed them be considered offenders unless their actions violate specific behavioural and spatial guidelines set by the law.

Need to protect India’s Linguistic Secularism

Context: Recently, there have been a few instances of linguistic violence against non-Marathi speakers in Maharashtra. India’s diversity in religion and language is one of the primary factors which protects the secular character of the nation, ensuring its unity and integrity.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Features of Indian secularism; Article 29, Article 343, Eighth Schedule, Census 2011 data on languages.

Mains: Official vs National Language debate, Threats to Indian secularism and linguistic diversity. 

Indian Secularism

  • Unlike Western secularism, which calls for a complete separation of religion and state, Indian secularism is rooted in tolerance and equality granting all citizens the Freedom of Conscience and Religion. 
  • The state has no official religion, making India truly secular.
  • Indian secularism also addresses linguistic pluralism. It is neither pro-religion nor anti-religion or language, but actively seeks to prevent communalism, whether religious or linguistic, making diversity a foundation of national unity. 
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Constitutional Provisions to protect Linguistic Diversity:  

As per the data of Census 2011, India has a total of 121 languages and 270 mother tongues.  Such diversity needs to be protected; each and every language irrespective of region or State must be shown respect. This is the only way to protect India’s linguistic secularism.

  • In order to protect linguistic diversity, the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution includes 22 languages.
  • Article 29: Incorporates that any section of citizens of India including minority groups shall have the right to protect their language, script or culture, and that language cannot be the ground for discrimination. No State is permitted to go out of it in the name of a distinct language or culture. 
  • Article 343: As India is a Union of States, Article 343 enshrines that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script. The states are free to choose their own official language.  

India’s religious and linguistic diversity is a key pillar of its secular character, ensuring unity and integrity. However, these aspects can also become sources of conflict, as seen in recent communal and linguistic tensions like in Maharashtra.

Threat to India’s Linguistic Diversity: Linguistic Tensions and Identity Politics

  • Many Southern and North-eastern States have historically resisted the imposition of Hindi, fearing cultural and linguistic domination.
  • Dravidian Movement in Tamil Nadu strongly opposed Hindi imposition, instead promoting Tamil and English as symbols of cultural pride and autonomy.
  • Maharashtra has emerged as one of the most sensitive States on the language debate. The recent violence against non-Marathi speakers reflects identity politics, and not genuine concern for cultural protection.

India’s secular fabric is deeply woven into its religious and linguistic diversity. Protecting this diversity is not merely a cultural or political obligation, but a constitutional imperative.

In a globalising world, a conservative leaning towards religion or language will lead to a fragmentation of society and tear apart the secular fabric. 

Also Read: What makes the Indian Constitution Secular? 

India’s Technical Textile Sector: A Sunrise Opportunity

Context: India’s Textile Sector is witnessing a transformation with Technical Textiles emerging as a key growth area, amid stagnation in traditional manufacturing.

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: About India’s Textile Sector and Technical textiles.

Mains: Technical textiles - Significance, Challenges, Way Forward.

Overview of India’s Textile Sector

  • Textiles contribute around 2% to India’s GDP and make up 3.9% of global exports making India the 6th largest textile exporter in the world.
  • The sector directly employs 45 million people and indirectly supports over 100 million (Ministry of Textiles 2023-24). Expected to reach $350 billion by 2030 and create 3.5 crore new jobs.
  • Despite its scale, the share of manufacture of textiles and cotton ginning in India's Gross Value Added (GVA) has been stagnant between 2013 and 2024. The sector recorded a negative growth (-1% CAGR) in this period.

While the traditional sub-segments of the textile sector are facing glitches over the years, the rise of technical textiles has opened a key opportunity.

Technical Textiles

  • Technical textiles are defined as textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics. 
  • They are  used for various applications ranging from automobiles to space. 

The demand for technical textiles is increasing particularly for applications such as : 

  • Packtech (biodegradable jute sacks)
  • Hometech (blinds, fire-resistant curtains)
  • Meditech (non-woven absorbent pads)
  • Sportstech (wearable technology for sports and fitness applications)
  • Indutech (conveyer belts)
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Further, the 3D non-woven textiles have expanded the industry’s reach into automotive, aerospace and protective gear manufacturing.

Overview of Technical Textile Sector:

  • The Indian technical textile industry is experiencing strong growth of 10-12% CAGR, the market is projected to grow from $29 billion in 2024 to $309 billion by 2047. 
  • India has become a net exporter of technical textiles recording a growth of 5.3% CAGR from $1.99 billion in 2019 to $2.59 billion in 2024. 
  • The penetration rate is expected to increase from 13-20% in 2026 to 40-60% by 2047. 

Government Initiatives to boost Technical Textile Sector: 

The government has introduced a range of policies, including the: 

  • National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) was launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Textiles to boost technical textiles in India. It aims to make India a global leader in Technical Textiles with a budget of Rs. 1480 crore till 2025-26.
  • Grant for Internship Support for Technical Textiles (GIST 2.0): Launched under NTTM, GIST 2.0 bridges the gap between industry and academia by offering hands-on learning opportunities in technical textiles and fosters local innovation.
  • GREAT Scheme (Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles Scheme): Launched in 2023 to provide funding to help translate prototypes into technologies and products for commercialisation. 
  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme focuses on enhancing the scale of production. 
  • The PM MITRA scheme has sanctioned seven integrated textile parks to improve infrastructure, supply chains and production efficiency. 
  • The government is reducing duties on new types of textiles machinery and correcting inverted duty structures to boost exports. 
  • Over the next five years, the government aims to accelerate its market growth at 10-15%. The government is also focussing on creating jobs and skilling. 

Challenges in Growth of Technical Textiles in India:  

  • The majority of the machinery used to manufacture technical textiles is imported from outside.
  • Limited skill training in technical textiles.
  • The existing textile engineering curriculum is outdated with minimal focus on technical or functional fabrics.
  • Lack of awareness - Technical textiles are not yet part of the mainstream textile culture in India.

Way Forward

  • Update Curriculum: Revamp the existing curriculum of textile engineering courses to make them more industry oriented, updated, and practical, allowing students to make choices in their specific areas. 
  • Industry Integration: Involve industry professionals in curriculum design and provide on-the-job training or internships.
  • Global Collaboration: Partner with international universities for advanced course development and exposure to best practices.

With better awareness, sufficient infrastructure, improved domestic machinery production and skilling, India has the potential to become a global leader in technical textiles.

QR code-based Aadhaar Verification App

Context: UIDAI is set to launch a QR code-based App to enable Aadhaar updates from home with enhanced verification and data control.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key Features of QR code-based Aadhaar App. 

Key Features of the New App

  • The QR based app will allow individuals to update their Aadhaar details from their homes. 
  • Except for biometric updates like fingerprints or iris scans, most changes, including name, address, and mobile number will soon be possible online, using the App equipped with advanced verification protocols.
  • Authenticated government databases such as PAN, passport, driving licence, and PDS and MNREGA registries will be used to cross-verify user-submitted information. 
  • The App enables secure QR code-based Aadhaar sharing offering users control over when and how their data is shared. E.g., while checking in at a hotel, the customers can share a full or masked version of their e-Aadhaar through secure, mobile-to-mobile channels, only with explicit consent.
  • The proposed App is expected to go live by the end of 2025. 

Why is the QR-based Aadhaar App introduced ?

The QR-based Aadhaar app has been introduced to solve the following existing challenges in the Aadhaar update and usage ecosystem. 

  • Digital Exclusion of Vulnerable Groups: 1 in 3 users struggled to update Aadhaar, and 20% failed to do so. 30% of homeless people and 27% of third-gender individuals lacked Aadhaar. Barriers include lack of documentation and gender misclassification, leading to denial of services and exclusion from welfare schemes.
  • Privacy and Consent Risks: Centralised linking of Aadhaar to multiple services raises data misuse and surveillance concerns.
  • Low Awareness and Low Digital Literacy: Aadhaar’s digital features continue to be underutilised. Many users, particularly in rural areas, rely on physical photocopies rather than e-Aadhaar.

Significance of QR-based Aadhaar App: 

  • Empowers users to control their identity, dictate access, and minimise data exposure.
  • Can reduce paperwork and also help prevent the use of forged documents.

The government is also strengthening regulations on privacy, consent, and the responsible use of Aadhaar-linked personal data by amending the Aadhaar Act to align it with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 with the aim to:  

  • Provide users greater control over their data by emphasising data minimisation.
  • Provide the right to erasure - Users can request deletion of Aadhaar-linked data.
  • Prevent Aadhaar data reuse beyond the original purpose without fresh consent. 

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau

Context: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report on the deadly Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad. The report stated that the two engine fuel control switches onboard transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ position within a second of each other, moments after the lift-off. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau; Convention on International Civil Aviation; International Civil Aviation Organisation. 

Matters of International Civil Aviation are governed by:  

  • Convention on International Civil Aviation or the Chicago Convention governs the matters of international civil aviation. It was signed in 1944. 
  • International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN agency with 193 member countries (including India, the US, and the UK), oversees its technical standards.
  • The Chicago Convention (Annex 13) lays out the international protocols for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents.
    • The responsibility for investigation is bestowed with the ‘State of Occurrence’, i.e., the country where the accident happened.
    • Other countries connected to the aircraft have a formal right to participate. These include the 'State of Registry’ (where the aircraft is registered), the ‘State of the Operator’ (which operated the flight), the ‘State of Design’, and the ‘State of Manufacture’ (of the aircraft in question).

Since the AI 171 air crash occurred on Indian soil, India holds the ‘State of Occurrence’ right. The investigation into the accident is thus led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. 

International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO):  

  • Specialised agency of the United Nations established in 1947 by the Chicago Convention.
  • The aim and objective of the ICAO is to safeguard the orderly development of civil aviation.
  • Functions: 
    • establishing and reviewing technical standards for aircraft and the licensing of personnel
    • promoting flight safety
    • developing airways, airports and air navigation facilities
    • preventing economic waste caused by unreasonable competition
    • continuing the development of international aviation law.
  • It defines the protocols for air accident investigation that are followed by transport safety authorities in countries signatory to the Chicago Convention. 
  • Structure: The Assembly is the supreme organ of the ICAO. It is composed of representatives of all member states and meets at least once every three years, reviewing work and setting policy.
  • Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau: 

  • AAIB is a statutory body under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and serious incidents.
  • The government can make rules for investigations under Section 7 of the Aircraft Act of 1934. 
  • AAIB was established in 2012 in accordance with the standards issued by ICAO and to provide independence to the investigation function from the regulatory function, independent of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 
  • Until 2012, the Air Safety Directorate of the DGCA (under the aviation ministry) investigated accidents and safety-related incidents. 

Functions of AAIB: 

  • AAIB classifies ‘Safety Occurrences’ involving aircraft operating in the Indian airspace into the categories- Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents. 
  • It investigates all Accidents and Serious Incidents involving aircraft with All Up Weight (the total weight of an aircraft with passengers and cargo) over than 2250 kg, as well as Turbojet aircraft. The objective is to prevent accidents and incidents and not to apportion blame or liability.
  • AAIB deputes an investigation team to reach the site and gather perishable evidence. This includes- obtaining samples of wreckage and surroundings, retrieving black boxes etc.
  • AAIB is also mandated immediate and unrestricted access to all relevant evidence from any agency/organisation without seeking prior consent from judicial bodies or other government authorities.

After completion of the investigation, a draft report is presented internally and accepted by the AAIB Director General. 

Following further consultations and reviews, the final report is made public and published on the official website.  The accepted ‘Final Investigation Report’ is also forwarded to the ICAO and the states participating in the investigation.

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