Context: Recently, the United States has designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about The Resistance Front (TRF); 1267 Sanctions Committee.
The Resistance Front
The Resistance Front (TRF) is a proxy of Pakistan-based UN-designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Founded by Muhammad Abbas Sheikh (now deceased) in 2019, in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370. It is currently headed by designated terrorist Sheikh Sajjad Gul. As per Indian security agencies, the outfit was floated to evade international sanctions against Pakistan.
TRF has carried out several terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir’s Keran (2020), Handwara, Sopore, Shopian, Anantnag, and Reasi with the latest one in Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam (2025).
TRF usually focused on security forces and political figures, but late 2024 onwards it started to target infrastructure projects and civilians (including non-locals) in J&K.
The Indian government has designated the outfit as a terror organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in 2023.
The move intensifies global pressure on Pakistan to rein in terror groups operating from its territory.
The designation will help India’s case in designating the TRF under the 1267 Committee for sanctions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and imposing sanctions and travel bans on its members.
The 1267 Sanctions Committee
The 1267 Sanctions Committee, also known as the ISIS and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, was established under the UNSC Resolution in 1999.
It is one of the most important UN subsidiary bodies working towards combating terrorism, particularly in relation to ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and associated individuals, groups and entities.
The committee decides on sanctions and travel bans for individuals and entities associated with these terror organisations and ensures the enforcement of these measures under UNSC resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), and 2253 (2015).
Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the UNSC, has been protecting TRF at UNSC with support from China.
Context: There is a growing global consensus that Israel's conduct in Gaza meets the legal threshold for genocide. While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued binding provisional measures, Israel’s non-compliance and continued assault raise doubts about the credibility of the rules-based international order.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: Key facts about Genocide Convention; International Court of Justice.
Mains: Crimes against Humanity: Efforts, Institutions and Limitations.
What is Genocide?
Genocide was formally recognised as a crime under international law by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1946.
In the aftermath of the horrors of the Holocaust (Germany), the UNGA unanimously adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) in 1948.
The Genocide Convention defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in substantial part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Genocide is considered the gravest of international crimes, and its prohibition constitutes a non-derogable peremptory norm(jus cogens) of international law. This means:
Prohibition of Genocide is absolute and universal- All countries must follow it. It cannot be ignored, suspended, or violated, even during war, emergency or with mutual agreement.
Any treaty or law that allows genocide is automatically invalid.
Because of its status as a jus cogens norm, the duty to prevent and punish genocide gives rise to an erga omnes obligation (one owed to the international community as a whole). This means that all states, regardless of their direct involvement in a conflict, are legally bound to act against genocide wherever it occurs.
Genocide Convention
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) emerged as an international treaty in the aftermath of World War II.
The convention is the first-ever legal instrument to define and criminalise genocide as an international crime, and a binding treaty to prevent and punish such acts.
It was adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
The Convention came into force in 1951, and has 153 state parties till 2024. India ratified the Genocide Convention in 1959.
The Genocide Convention defines genocide through five acts:
Killing members of a group
Causing serious bodily or mental harm
Deliberately inflicting conditions of life to bring about physical destruction
Imposing measures to prevent births
Forcibly transferring children to another group with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a specific national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
The definition of genocide given by the Convention has been adopted by various international and hybrid tribunals, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), and has been incorporated into the domestic laws of several countries.
Being an erga omnes obligation, South Africa, technically unrelated to the conflict in Gaza, claims standing to bring the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
South Africa moves to ICJ against Israel:
South Africa moves to ICJ: In January 2024, South Africa initiated proceedings against Israel at the ICJ, alleging that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza amounted to genocide.
Interim order by ICJ: As of July 2025, ICJ has not yet ruled on the merits of the charge, however, it has issued a series of binding provisional measures, including repeated directives to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. These interim orders reflect ICJ’s preliminary assessment that a plausible risk of genocide exists.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza:
The Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the Gaza war (since October 2023).
Since March 2025, Israel has begun a complete blockade of all food and supplies going into Gaza. The blockage has been partially eased since May 2025 with limited aid distribution. This has resulted in significant shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and essential medical supplies, with almost half a million people facing starvation.
Global consensus: As the humanitarian crisis worsens, a global consensus is emerging. Heads of state, senior United Nations officials, and leading international jurists are increasingly characterising Israel’s conduct in Gaza as genocidal.
Establishing Genocidal Intent is Difficult:
Proving that genocide has occurred requires establishing two essential elements: the act itself and the intent behind it.
Establishing the Act: The first step is to establish the commitment of one or more of the five specific acts (specified in the Genocide Convention) against a protected group.
Establishing the Intent behind the Act:
Even more difficult is to establish the specific intent to destroy the group, in whole or in part. This rare intent is what sets genocide apart from other mass atrocities.
It is just not enough to show that the crimes were committed; rather the prosecutors must prove that the individuals as members of a group were targeted to annihilate the group’s capacity to survive or reconstitute itself as a political, social, or cultural entity.
Scale of Destruction in Gaza: Evidence of Plausible Genocide:
In June 2025, a UN Commission of Inquiry found that Israeli air strikes, shelling, burning and controlled demolitions had destroyed more than 90% of schools and university buildings across the Gaza Strip.
Investigative Reports in Gaza points out systematic destruction not only of residential areas but also of critical infrastructure, including hospitals, universities, mosques, water systems, agricultural zones, and cultural heritage sites, as evidence of a policy aimed at making Palestinian life in Gaza unsustainable.
As per the local health authorities:
Over 58,000 people have been killed, including more than 17,000 children.
Gaza now reportedly has the highest per capita number of amputee children in the world.
As the starvation crisis deepens, civilians have reportedly been shot while waiting in queues for food and essential supplies.
The scale of destruction in Gaza lend further credence to these claims that Israel had crossed the threshold for committing genocide. Israel has maintained that its military campaign targets Hamas and not civilians, who it claims are affected only as collateral damage.
Limitations of International Court of Justice
ICJ has held that intent may be inferred from circumstantial evidence, such as the scale and nature of atrocities, patterns of conduct, and dehumanising rhetoric by state officials.
1. Rigid standards to establish Genocide:
However, the ICJ’s evidentiary standard for proving genocidal intent remains stringent and has come under increasing criticism.
In Croatia v. Serbia (2015), the ICJ held that genocidal intent could only be inferred from a pattern of conduct if “this is the only inference that could be reasonably drawn” from the acts in question.
This means that genocidal intent can only be accepted if it is the only possible explanation for the acts committed.
This rigid standard is widely criticised as it dismisses the possibility of genocide if there apperas to be any other plausible motive. Such a restrictive approach risks makes genocide near-impossible to prove.
ICJ needs a balanced approach that weighs all available evidence and discards inferences that are clearly unreasonable.
In other words, the presence of other conceivable motives should not automatically negate a finding of genocidal intent.
This view is consistent with international criminal jurisprudence. Both the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) have recognised that genocidal intent can co-exist with other motives.
2. Diminishing credibility of ICJ and rules-based international order:
Israel’s continued non-compliance with the ICJ’s binding provisional measures are increasingly being seen as a litmus test for the credibility of rules-based international order and undermines the credibility of ICJ.
Absence of decisive Multilateral Action: Within the UN framework, a strong case has emerged for suspending Israel from the UNGA, citing its persistent violations of the UN Charter and binding Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
Article 6 of the UN Charter permits the expulsion of a member state by the Assembly on the UNSC’s recommendation if it consistently breaches the Charter’s core principles.
In 2024, the UNGA adopted a resolution calling for economic sanctions on Israel, including an arms embargo. The US, in particular, has continued to shield Israel from accountability by repeatedly vetoing most UNSC resolutions.
A final verdict by the ICJ on South Africa’s genocide allegations against Israel is likely to take years, as it must follow extensive hearings on jurisdiction and the merits of the case.
Context: A leadership change in Canada under the Prime Minister Mark Carney has led to a strategic reset in India-Canada ties, with both sides working to restore diplomacy and revive trade talks after a two-year standoff.
Relevance of the Topic: Mains: India-Canada Ties: Significance and Challenges.
Background of the Canada - India Tensions
India-Canada relationship faced a major setback in September 2023 when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of being involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan separatist leader. India denied the allegations, calling them “absurd and motivated,” and responded by expelling Canadian diplomats and suspending visa services.
The situation worsened in October 2024, with further diplomatic expulsions amid Canadian investigations into alleged Indian involvement in clandestine operations targeting Sikh separatists.
Recent Strategic Reset Between India-Canada
A shift in Canada’s leadership and a more pragmatic foreign policy under the new Prime Minister have created an opportunity to reset ties with India, focusing on shared priorities and economic cooperation. The improvements in India-Canada Relations is reflected by:
High-Level Engagement: The new Prime Minister of Canada hosted the Indian Prime Minister at the G7 Summit. Calling it his great honor, the Indian counterpart highlighted the need for win-win cooperation, reflecting a positive shift in bilateral intent.
Mutual Cooperation: Both leaders emphasised cooperation on energy transition, artificial intelligence, and countering transnational repression and terrorism.
Revival of Dialogue: India’s External Affairs Ministry confirmed plans to restart senior ministerial and working-level engagements.
Resumption of the Trade talk: Talks on the Canada-India Free Trade Pact, stalled since 2023, are being revived.
Significance of India-Canada Relations
India-Canada bilateral ties are underpinned by shared values of democracy, pluralism, expanding economic engagement and long standing people-to-people ties.
Strategic Economic Partnership:
Bilateral trade stood at $12.4 billion in 2024, with potential for exponential growth.
Canadian investments in India (direct and indirect) now total nearly CA$100 billion, particularly in infrastructure, financial services, and real estate.
India supplies Canada with pharmaceuticals, textiles, gems and jewelry, while Canada exports potash, timber, paper, and mining products to India.
Educational and People-to-People Ties:
India is the largest source of international students in Canada, contributing significantly to its education sector and economy.
Canada is among the top 5 tourist sources for India. A large and politically active Sikh diaspora in Canada, the largest outside India, influences bilateral dynamics.
Geopolitical and Strategic Convergence:
Both countries are part of democratic alliances and share concerns about transnational terrorism, climate change, and emerging technologies like AI and renewable energy.
Trade diversification is a priority for both amid growing concerns over US tariffs and China’s assertiveness.
Complementary Economic Strengths: Canada seeks to diversify beyond the US market; India offers a young market with rising consumption.
Key Challenges in the Relationship
Khalistan Issue: India sees Canada’s inaction against Khalistan-linked separatist groups as a serious security concern, which continues to cause diplomatic friction.
Pending Extradition Requests: More than two dozen extradition and provisional arrest requests by India, related to individuals charged with extremism, remain unresolved in Canada.
Allegations of Transnational Repression: Canada is investigating the killings of two Sikh separatists and has accused Indian nationals of involvement. While India denies any role, the ongoing legal cases have strained bilateral trust.
Mistrust in Security Cooperation: Canada accuses Indian diplomats of covert surveillance, while India criticizes Canada for ignoring intelligence inputs and not cooperating on counterterror efforts.
Stalled Trade Negotiations: Despite prolonged discussions, both countries have been unable to finalise a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), limiting economic potential.
Way Forward
Revive Strategic Dialogue: Resume high-level diplomatic talks to rebuild trust and strengthen institutional ties.
Boost Security Cooperation: Establish joint mechanisms for intelligence sharing and counterterror collaboration.
Fast-Track Trade Engagement: Accelerate trade talks like EPTA to expand economic cooperation and reduce dependency on third markets.
Adopt Economic-First Approach: Prioritise trade and investment ties regardless of political differences, especially in education and energy.
Leverage Diaspora Diplomacy: Strengthen cultural links through the Indian diaspora while addressing extremist influences diplomatically.
The recent strategic reset signals a move toward pragmatic diplomacy between India and Canada, and signals a shift towards a stable, future-ready partnership focused on trade, trust, and shared global goals.
Context: During the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in Paris, Maratha Fort Systems in India got UNESCO Heritage Tag.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About Maratha Military Landscape, UNESCO World Heritage Tag.
Maratha Military Landscapes in UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Maratha Military Landscapes of India has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was taken during the ongoing 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) being held in Paris.
With this inscription, India now has 44 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List. India ranks 6th globally and 2nd in Asia Pacific Region for the most number of World Heritage Sites.
The purpose of including these heritage sites in UNESCO’s list is to preserve and promote shared heritage based on OUVs (Outstanding Universal Values) found in cultural, natural as well as mixed properties across 196 countries.
About Maratha Military Landscapes
Maratha Military Landscapes of India is an extraordinary network of twelve forts spread across the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
The list includes forts at: Raigad, Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) and one Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
The forts are located across a range of diverse terrains- from coastal outposts to hilltop strongholds - reflecting a sophisticated understanding of geography and strategic defence planning.
Time Period: 17th to 19th Centuries CE.
UNESCO’s World Heritage List:
UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention was adopted in 1972 and entered into force in 1975.
Objective: To identify, protect and help preserve international sites of exceptional ecological, scientific, or cultural importance.
As of 2025: India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include 36 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed site (Khangchendzonga National Park).
In 2024, the Moidams of Charaideo, Assam was inscribed in the World Heritage List.
Context: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is set to begin confined field trials of genetically modified (GM) Maize in the ongoing kharif season.
PAU has received approval from the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), under the Department of Biotechnology, along with formal consent from the Punjab state government.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about GM crops; GM Maize; Regulations related to GM crops.
Confined Field Trials of GM Maize
PAU will conduct confined field-trials of two varieties of transgenic Maize in collaboration with Bayer Crop Science Limited (formerly Monsanto).
GM Maize has been genetically engineered with both herbicide-tolerant (HT) and insect-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) traits.
Herbicide-tolerant (HT) Maize: To study weed-control efficacy in herbicide-tolerant maize hybrids with the application of Glyphosate-K salt.
Insect-resistant (IR) Maize: To study the efficacy of insect-protected maize hybrids against targeted lepidopteran pests (stem borer; fall armyworm).
Confined field trials are small-scale field experiments to address the biosafety requirements and evaluate the performance of specific traits in genetically engineered plants.
Criticism of Confined field trials of GM Maize trials:
Anti-GMO activists have expressed strong opposition to the project. The concerns include-
Unintended environmental consequences including the risk of gene flow into nearby farms or wild varieties. Trials pose risks of genetic contamination and long-term ecological damage.
Risk of potential long-term health risks associated with GM food products.
Introduction of GM crops in India (even for research or confined trials) sets a dangerous precedent, particularly in Punjab where agricultural ecology is already under stress. Glyphosate-tolerant Maize trails are controversial as glyphosate (a herbicide) is currently banned in Punjab due to its negative impacts on human health and the environment.
Lack of transparency and insufficient public consultation. Bayer’s involvement has been questioned given the global controversies surrounding GM seed patent enforcement.
The organisations have demanded transparency on the scientific basis for the approval and raised concerns over biosafety violations in previous GM crop trials at PAU.
PAU Maintains that:
Trials were permitted only after receiving clearance from the Government of India’s Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), under the Department of Biotechnology.
Biosafety Research Level 1 (BRL-I) trials (preliminary) and Advanced level II (BRL-II) trials would be carried out under strict standard operating procedures, with mandatory permission from state-level committees.
Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) is the regulatory authority for BRL-1 trials (size limited to no more than one acre/trial site location).
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the regulatory authority for Biosafety Research Level II (BRL- II) trials (size is generally limited to no more than 2.5 acres/trial site location).
What are GM Crops?
Genetically Modified (GM) crops are plants that have had their DNA modified (altered) through genetic engineering.
It involves inserting new DNA into the genome of a plant.
The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.
E.g., BT cotton is a genetically modified variety of cotton that contains genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.
Benefits of GM crops:
Genetic modification is done to transfer a particular trait to the plant in order to:
Increased the yield of a crop
Increased nutritional content of a crop
Developing resistance to:
Abiotic stresses like temperature, salinity or herbicide-resistant
Biotic stresses like insect-resistant crops.
Regulations related to GM crops:
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and their products are regulated under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989.”
The rules are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These rules regulate the use, research, and commercialisation of GMOs, especially for environmental and biosafety concerns.
The commercial cultivation and the field trials of GM crops require clearance from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
After the GEAC clearance, the state governments have the power to approve (or reject) the field trials of particular GM crops in their respective states.
Status of GM crops in India
BT cotton is the only GM crop that is commercially allowed for cultivation in India from 2002.
Field trials of GM Mustard (DMH-11) were approved by GEAC in 2022, but its commercial release is still pending.
Context: ZIMISLECEL, a new allogeneic stem cell-derived islet cell therapy, has shown promise in a recent study involving people with Type-1 Diabetes.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: ZIMISLECEL; Type-1 DiabetesMains: Potential use cases of Stem Cell Therapy.
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood glucose (sugar) level to become too high. The hormone insulin (produced by the pancreas) is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in the blood.
Type-1 Diabetes (insulin-dependent) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-making cells (islets cells) in the pancreas. It is characterised by deficient insulin production, and the person requires daily administration of insulin. For decades, managing T-1D has relied on insulin therapy alone.
ZIMISLECEL: Stem Cell-derived Islet Cell Therapy
Zimislecel is an investigational stem cell-derived islet therapy for Type-1 Diabetes.
Scientists made Zimislecel by growing islets from pluripotent stem cells in the lab. These stem cells were matured into functioning islets and infused into the liver in the patients with severe, long-standing Type-1 Diabetes.
Early trials show that these stem cell-derived islet cells began producing insulin again, improving blood sugar control and preventing dangerous lows.
Results of the Trials:
The early-stage trial aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of Zimislecel in restoring islet function in affected individuals.
Within 90 days, all participants were producing C-peptide, a marker of insulin production, with levels more than doubling by day 365.
Blood sugar control improved and 83% of participants treated no longer required insulin after one year.
To prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplanted cells, they were placed on an immunosuppressive regimen.
Phase 3 trials of Zimislecel are underway with 50 participants from around the world and will be followed for five years.
The therapy is still underdevelopment and may have cost considerations and the side-effects related to life-long immunosuppression.
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the potential to develop into specialised cell types in the body. They can self-renew which makes them valuable for therapeutic applications.
Stem cell therapy utilises stem cells to promote the repair, regeneration, or replacement of damaged or diseased tissues within the body.
Types of Stem Cells:
Totipotent: Most versatile, with potential to differentiate into all different cell types of an organism and extraembryonic cells (including placenta and umbilical cord). Only found in fertilised eggs (zygote).
Pluripotent: Derived from inner cell mass of a blastocyst (an early-stage embryo). Can give rise to all different cell types in the body (except extraembryonic cells). E.g., Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (genetically reprogrammed to the pluripotent state from adult cells).
Multipotent: More specialised than pluripotent stem cells and can differentiate into limited range of cell types within a specific tissue or organ. E.g., Hematopoietic stem cells (give rise to various blood cell types), mesenchymal stem cells (can differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat cell etc.)
Unipotent: Most specialised type of stem cells, can only renew themselves and differentiate into one specific cell type. E.g., Stem cells in skin that can only differentiate into another skin cell.
Context: Indian Army has carried out successful trials of the indigenously developed Akash Prime Air Defence System at an altitude of over 15,000 feet in the Ladakh sector. The test was successful and the missile has met the country’s critical air defence requirements for high-altitude.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Akash Prime Air Defence System; Akash Missile Defence System.
Akash Missile Defence System
Indigenously developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Medium-range Mobile Surface-to-Air missile (SAM) designed to neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.
Operates on a command-guidance system with datalink for mid-course corrections and switches to active radar homing in the terminal phase.
Propelled by an integrated ramjet-rocket engine allowing it to maintain supersonic speeds (Mach 1.8 to 2.5) throughout its flight.
Range extends up to 25-45 km, with the ability to intercept targets at altitudes up to 20 km.
The missile carries a 60 kg high-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead, detonated by a digital proximity fuse for maximum impact.
Supported by a sophisticated radar network. Real time multi-sensor data processing enables simultaneous engagement of multiple targets from any direction.
Rajendra Phased Array Radar can track up to 64 targets and guide eight missiles simultaneously.
3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR) provides long-range surveillance and target acquisition.
Akash has evolved over the years, with variants like Akash-1 (25 km range), Akash-NG (up to 30 km with improved guidance), and Akash Prime (up to 35 km).
Akash Prime Air Defence System
The system can operate at heights up to 4500 metres and is capable of targeting objects at a range of around 25 to 30 kilometres.
Compared to the existing Akash system, Akash Prime includesanindigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved target accuracy. The RF seeker enables the missiles to detect, track, and home in on targets with greater precision in extreme weather and terrain.
The modification allows its reliable use in cold temperatures and high-altitude conditions.
Akash’s integration with advanced command-and-control systems like Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) enables real-time threat neutralisation. The upgraded variant (Akash Prime) will enhance the Air Defence potential in high-altitude frontiers and improve the operational effectiveness.
Context: In a recent address, the Lieutenant Governor of UT Jammu & Kashmir emphasised the need for a multi-pronged Counter Terrorism Strategy in the region which is focused on Intelligence, Community engagement, Technology, and Inter-Agency collaboration.
Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Strategy to Counter Terrorism in J&K.
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) continues to face a complex security environment, where terrorism is not just a law-and-order problem but also deeply linked to local alienation, external interference, and governance deficits. Hence, a multi-pronged strategy is required.
Multi-Pronged Strategy to Counter Terrorism
Intelligence-based operations.
Community engagement to build trust and gather information.
Use of modern technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) for threat prediction and surveillance.
Strong inter-agency collaboration between police, armed forces, and central police forces.
Reviving beat policing, which relies on local police officers patrolling and connecting with the community.
Role of State Police in Fighting Terrorism:
The primacy of the local or State police as the fulcrum of counter-terror operations is a well established fact -
Local police understand the terrain, demography, language, and culture better than any outside force.
Connect with the local population facilitates high-grade intelligence of terrorists who operate amidst the population.
The Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025) highlighted a critical gap in human intelligence (HUMINT). Strengthening local police could help prevent such lapses in the future.
Role of Technology in Fighting Terrorism:
Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and real-time data processing help to detect, track, and counter emerging threats.
Balance between Techint (Technical Intelligence) and HUMINT is essential for a responsive and layered security apparatus.
Role of Inter-Agency Collaboration in Counter-Terrorism:
Jammu & Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) must operate as a cohesive unit to eliminate terrorism and dismantle its support system.
Joint efforts between Police and Central Agencies are vital to intensify targeted strikes on Overground Workers (OGWs) and disrupt networks providing logistical and financial support to terrorists.
Inter-agency cooperation facilitates the pooling of resources, expertise, and jurisdictional powers, making the counter-terror response more agile, adaptive, and comprehensive.
Community Engagement and Participatory Governance
Presently, elected MLAs, sarpanches, and local representatives have been kept out of the security matrix. Jammu and Kashmir Police (JAKP) is kept outside the command of the locally elected government. Excluding elected representatives and local control over J&K Police weakens democratic accountability and hampers community trust in counter-terror efforts.
The local population feel more comfortable to share information with their sarpanch or their MLA than with someone from a central agency.
Restoring the control of the JAKP under the elected government will facilitate better accountability and responsiveness to community needs, ensuring that policing strategies align with the local population’s concerns and aspirations.
Elected officials can play a vital role in bridging the gap between the police and the community, fostering trust and cooperation essential for effective law enforcement and counter terrorism.
Policy makers need to encourage structured dialogue between police forces and local leaders to collaborate and address community concerns, gather information on terror-related activities and enhance public safety initiatives.
A one-size-fits-all approach would not work in J&K, India needs a multi-pronged counter-terrorism strategy rooted in intelligence, trust, governance, and technology. A key step is to empower the local institutions and adapt to regional realities to win both the war and the people's trust.
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.
Context: Gujarat has become the first state to launch a genome sequencing initiative focused exclusively on tribal communities.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Genome, Genome Sequencing and its applications, Genome India Project; Tribal Genome Sequencing Project.
Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
The project- Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat- is being implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre.
Aim: To identify genetic health risks and improve access to personalised healthcare solutions for tribal populations.
The initiative will sequence the genomes of 2000 individuals from tribal communities in 17 districts in the State.
Significance:
Tribal populations in India face a disproportionate burden of genetic disorders like- sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, certain forms of cancer etc. There is a longstanding gap in genomic data for India's tribal populations. The genetic database could lead to the early detection and better treatment of the inherited diseases.
What is Genome Sequencing?
A genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA. It is a collection of all the genes and the regions between the genes contained in our 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Each chromosome is a contiguous stretch of DNA string composed of millions of individual building blocks called nucleotides or bases [adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T)].
These bases (A, T, G and C) are arranged and repeated millions of times in different combinations.
Whole-genome sequencing is the decoding of the entire DNA present in the human cell, i.e., determining the precise order of the four nucleotide bases in DNA.
Applications of Genome Sequencing:
Disease Diagnosis: Identify genetic mutations and variations, evaluate rare disorders and even cancer from a genetic viewpoint.
E.g., Nearly 10,000 diseases (including cystic fibrosis and thalassemia) are the result of a single gene malfunctioning.
Mutation in MYBPC3 (Cardiac Myosin binding protein) leads to cardiac arrest at young age (found in 4.5% of Indian population but is rare globally).
Personalised Drug Development: Can identify genetic targets for drug development and testing, leading to the development of more effective and personalised drugs.
Prenatal Screening: Can be used as a tool for prenatal screening to investigate whether the foetus has genetic disorders/anomalies.
Forensics: Genome sequencing can be used to identify suspects in criminal investigations and to establish paternity in cases of disputed parentage.
Evolutionary Biology: Can help trace the evolutionary history of species and understand the mechanisms underlying evolution.
Agriculture: Can help identify genes that contribute to desirable traits in plants and animals, allowing for the selective breeding of crops and livestock.
Context: Wildfires are raging in several Mediterranean countries, including Spain and France, after the increased heat waves incidents in Europe.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Climate change: Key trends; Mediterranean Type of Climate.
Wildfires in Europe: Key Trends
Wildfires have burnt over 2.2 lakh hectares of land since January 2025 in Europe. This is more than double the average for this time of year over the past two decades.
The number of wildfire incidents have also surged. This has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
Factors favorable for Wildfires:
Hot summer and strong winds: The Mediterranean region's hotter, drier summers put it at high risk of wildfires. Once fires start, plentiful dry vegetation and strong winds in the region can cause them to spread rapidly and burn out of control.
Climate change: As per the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Europe has warmed at twice the global average since the 1980s. That warmer baseline means higher temperatures can be reached during heatwaves, which exacerbates the risk of wildfires.
Europe’s New Climate Reality:
Greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning coal, oil and gas, have heated the planet by about 1.3 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent as it is witnessing an average temperature rise of around 0.5 degrees Celsius per decade compared to 0.2 degrees Celsius globally. The continent is experiencing an increase in the frequency of heatwaves in recent years.
Reasons Include:
Europe’s proximity to the Arctic region- which is by far the fastest-warming part of Earth. As a result, the Arctic region contributes to the soaring temperatures in Europe, making it more vulnerable to heatwaves.
Feedback systems: In continental regions like Europe, rising temperatures increase evapotranspiration, causing rapid dried-out soil moisture. This leads to positive feedback- Dried-out soils send more sensible heat back into the atmosphere, which warms up and further aggravates aridity.
Changes in the behaviour of jet streams (rapid currents encircling the Earth from west to east at high altitudes). Recent studies show that Europe is increasingly becoming vulnerable to a phenomenon called double jet stream. This occurs when the main jet stream temporarily splits in two branches. This results in an area of weak winds and high-pressure air between the two branches that causes extreme heat. Double jet streams become more common when land mass heats up in early summer.
Mediterranean Type of Climate:
A Mediterranean climate, or dry summer climate is a major climate type described by Köppen classification.
The temperate climate occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30° and 45° latitude North and South of the Equator)
Such climates typically have hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, with summer conditions being hot and winter conditions typically being mild (winter rain climate).
Mediterranean vegetation: Trees with hard, waxy leaves to reduce water loss; Evergreen shrubs, bushes etc.
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.
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.
