Context: The Subarnarekha River has flooded large parts of Balasore district in Odisha, affecting over 50,000 people and inundating dozens of villages.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Subarnarekha River; Flash Flood.
Subarnarekha River
Subarnarekha (literally means Streak of Gold) is a rain-fed river that originates near Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand on the Chhotanagpur plateau.
The river flows through Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and drains into the Bay of Bengal. The total length of the river is 395 kilometres.
Kanchi and Karkari rivers are its chief tributaries.
Subarnarekha passes through areas with extensive mining of copper and uranium ores. As a result of unplanned mining activities, the river is polluted. It has been the lifeline of tribal communities inhabiting the Chhotanagpur region, and water pollution affects their livelihood.
Flood and Flash Flood:
Flood: An overflow of water onto normally dry land. The inundation of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch. Ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell. Flooding is a longer term event, it may last days or weeks.
Flash flood: A flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. It can also occur even if no rain has fallen, for instance after a levee or dam has failed, or after a sudden release of water by a debris or ice jam. The intensity of the rainfall, the location and distribution of the rainfall, the land use and topography, vegetation types and growth/density, soil type, and soil water-content all determine the intensity and impact caused by flash flood.
Context: The Kerala Forest Department’s recent move to approach the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for a one-time amnesty for people possessing wildlife trophy in the State has reignited a debate over the department’s alleged preferential treatment of wildlife offenders.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key provisions in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
As per the Section 40 of WPA, 1972: Any person having the control, custody or possession of any animal article, trophy or uncured trophy of captive animals specified in Schedule I can voluntarily surrender it to the Chief Wild Life Warden (an appointee of state governments) or the Authorised Officer.
No compensation will be paid to the person for it, and the surrendered items will become the property of the state government.
Illegal possession of a wildlife trophy can result in imprisonment for three to seven years and a fine of not less than ₹25,000.
Demand for one-time amnesty for people possessing Wildlife Trophy:
Kerala has pushed a proposal to the State Board for Wildlife for granting another chance to declare wild animal articles and trophies under Section 40 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The last opportunity fixed by the Union government for individuals to declare the wildlife trophy in their possession had expired in 2003.
Rationale: To offer an opportunity for the legal heirs who inherited wildlife trophies from their ancestors with valid ownership certificates but could not get their names declared.
The power to provide the amnesty vests with the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The State Board for Wildlife may request the Central government to take suitable action on the matter in real and genuine cases.
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India visited Croatia.He held official talks with the Croatian Prime Minister to enhance bilateral relations across defence, space, infrastructure, and digital sectors.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Recent developments in India-Croatia bilateral ties; Location of Croatia.
Key Highlights of the Visit
Defence Cooperation: India and Croatia will make long-term plans for deepening the defence partnership, focusing on defence production alongside training and military exchange.
Joint Ventures in Space: India and Croatia to jointly work on space technology and projects, reflecting India's growing soft power in tech diplomacy.
Economic Cooperation:
India seeks to enhance investment into Croatia’s critical industries like pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, clean technology, digital technology, and semiconductors.
Under the Sagarmala Project, the Indian PM invited Croatian companies to participate in port modernisation, coastal zone development, multimodal connectivity, and shipbuilding initiatives in India.
Connectivity: Croatia can serve as India’s gateway into Central and Southeastern Europe. Though not a formal stakeholder in IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) yet, Croatia would complement the corridor’s European leg through regional logistics and port connectivity.
India has historical ties with the Adriatic region, further strengthened by people-to-people connections.
Location of Croatia
Croatia is situated in Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
It borders Slovenia (northwest), Hungary (northeast), Serbia (east), Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro (southeast), and shares a maritime border with Italy to the west.
Context: Shifting trade agreements and new ties between previously unlinked nations may further increase the spread of new invasive alien species between continents.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: Key facts about Invasive Alien Species.
Mains: Impact of Invasive alien species.
Freight transport between growing economies is projected to triple by 2050, especially maritime and air cargo transport, increasing invasion risk by reducing travel time and improving the survivability of alien species.
What are Invasive Alien Species?
They are non-native species introduced (intentionally or accidentally) into new environments where they cause harm.
They outcompete native species, disrupt ecosystems, and harm human livelihoods and health.
E.g.,Giant African snail arrived in India around the 1870s, displaced native snails, damaged crops and ecosystems, and spread the rat lungworm parasite, threatening human and wildlife health.
How do Invasive Alien Species enter?
The introduction of these exotic species can be deliberate or accidental.
Deliberate Introduction (Biocontrol):
Gambusia (mosquitofish), Poecilia reticulata (guppies), and Pterophyllum scalare (angelfish)- introduced for mosquito control and ornamental trade.
Tilapia- introduced to boost food security, but has outcompeted native freshwater species.
Parthenium grass- entered into India with the US wheat imports under the PL-480 ‘Food for Peace’ programme in 1955.
Giant African snail- likely arrived around the 19th century through East African trade.
Asian paddle crab- introduced to New Zealand via biofouling in ballast water.
Biofouling:
When ships travel between countries without cargo, they are filled with ballast water to help the ship stay stable on the high seas.
Biofouling is the undesirable accumulation of plants, animals, and algae on surfaces, sometimes during the filling and flushing of ballast water, which can transport exotic species from one region to another.
E.g., The Asian paddle crab was introduced from the Northwest Pacific and East Asian waters to New Zealand, where it carries the white-spot syndrome virus, via Biofouling.
Impacts on India
A 2022 study found that India has lost $127.3 billion (₹830 crore) to invasive alien species over the last 60 years. This makes India, the second-most financially affected nation by invasive alien species in the world, after the US.
The estimate is based on costs from only 10 out of 2,000+ invasive species in India. Economic impacts are known for just 3% of these species; data for the rest is incomplete or missing.
Semi-aquatic and aquatic invasive alien species pose a greater fiscal burden than terrestrial species as they often affect high-value sectors like public health, water infrastructure, and fisheries.
E.g., The yellow fever mosquito is the most financially damaging invasive semi-aquatic species in India. It poses threats to both public health and the economy.
Way Forward
To reduce the risk of importing invasive alien species, India needs to:
Strengthen National Policy: Enforcing stricter biosecurity at ports and other entry points and developing real-time species-tracking and early-warning systems that can catch invasion events before they get out of control.
Stronger Collaboration between government departments and researchers to track potentially invasive species and their spread under changing climate and trade patterns.
Mandatory Implementation of post-trade biological impact assessments, typically in quarantine facilities managed by the respective departments.
Strengthening policies to reduce the spread of invasive species is one step towards managing their consequences on native biodiversity. Like One Health, the implementation of a ‘One Biosecurity’ framework will better our chances of managing invasive alien species.
Context: India’s planned electric four-wheeler manufacturing capacity is projected to rise over tenfold to 2.5 million units by 2030, up from just 0.2 million at present, making it the fourth-largest electric car producer globally after China, Europe, and the US.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: Key facts- EV Manufacturing status; FAME I, FAME II, PLI-Auto, PM E-DRIVE, SPMEPCI.
Mains: EV Policy in India: Progress & Gaps
Electric Vehicle Manufacturing in India
Rapid Expansion
By 2030, India’s electric car demand is estimated to reach between 0.4-1.4 million units, up from 0.1 million in 2024. The electric vehicle (EV) penetration rate would be around 7-23% in four-wheelers from 2% in 2024.
India’s electric car production capacity is expected to reach 2.5 million units, and the manufacturing capacity would outstrip domestic demand. India’s anticipated production capacity will be far behind China’s 29 million, EU’s 9 million, and 6 million in the US.
Need to catch up Pace:
To protect local manufacturers, India has maintained import tariffs of up to 70-100% on fully built EVs. However, this protective stance also limits consumer choice and raises costs. Presently, almost 100% of India’s EV manufacturing is only for its domestic market.
By 2030, India’s cell production capacity will lag behind China, Europe, the US, and Canada. China is expected to lead with a cell manufacturing capacity of 4,818 gigawatt hours (GWh), in contrast to India at 567 GWh.
Govt. Initiatives to drive India's EV Sector:
FAME Scheme (Phase I & II)
PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components (PLI-Auto)
PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells (PLI-ACC)
PM E-DRIVE Scheme (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement)
SPMEPCI Scheme (Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India)
The increase in domestic EV manufacturing aligns with the government’s strategy to ‘Make in India for the world’. However, Indian companies will need to lower the cost of manufacturing to compete with exports from China.
Context: A technique called step-and-shoot spot-scanning proton arc therapy (SPArc) has been successfully used to treat a patient’s adenoid cystic carcinoma for the first time. SPArc works by targeting tumours with protons while sparing surrounding tissue.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about New Emerging Technologies: Cancer Treatment.
SPArc is an advanced radiation therapy that delivers precise proton beams to target tumours in sensitive areas.
The treatment includes a computer programme that scans through all possible spots and energy layers where the proton beams could be delivered.
An energy layer is a slice of tissue that receives proton beams of a specific energy. It determines the proton beam’s range, i.e., how far it is able to penetrate the tissue.
When the machine fixes one energy level, it deposits the radiation dose in that energy layer. Then the machine switches to the next energy level and repeats the process.
Advantage:
The team compared the techniques: SFO-IMPT (standard proton therapy) and step-and-shoot SPArc.
Reduces radiation exposure: Owing to its spot-scanning and precision, the SPArc method reduced radiation delivered to the brainstem (by 10%), optical chiasm (56%), oral cavity (72%), and spinal canal (90%) over SFO-IMPT. This is particularly significant to treat cancers (tumours) of the head and neck, as it can reduce radiation exposure to sensitive areas like the brain stem and spinal cord.
Concerns: The full clinical implementation of the technology is under development. It is very expensive and is often suitable for a small patient population.
Important Cutting-Edge Technologies for Cancer Treatment:
S.No.
Technology
Details
1.
Chemotherapy
Involves administration of drugs that interfere with cell division to slow down the growth of tumours.
Limitations: These drugs can disrupt the cell division of normal cells too, causing complications.
2.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy directs high-energy radiation at the part of the body where a tumour is located.
Limitations: The radiation process is not perfect and the nearby tissues are often harmed.
3.
Image-guided Radiation Therapy
Form of radiation therapy that uses imaging techniques to precisely locate and treat cancerous tissue. Allows for higher doses of radiation to be delivered to tumour while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
4.
Proton Therapy
Type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy proton beams to destroy cancerous cells.
Particularly useful to treat tumours located in sensitive areas (brain, eyes and spinal cord) where traditional radiation therapy can cause severe side effects.
5.
Precision Medicine
Uses genomic information (genetic profile of their tumour) to personalise treatment for cancer patients.
6.
Immunotherapy
i. CAR-T Cell Therapy (cell-based gene therapy which involves genetically modifying T-cells to help them attack cancer cells)ii. Utilising Monoclonal Antibodies iii. Injecting Cancer Vaccines
Context: Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has partnered with GSK (a British multinational pharma company) for the ongoing development and potential use of the Shigella vaccine candidate, altSonflex1-2-3.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Basic idea about how vaccines work; Antigens; Generalised Modules for Membrane Antigens; Shigella.
About Shigella
Shigella is a group of bacteria that causes shigellosis, a type of food poisoning.
Transmission: swallowing material contaminated by faeces, contaminated food and water.
Symptoms: stomach pain, fever, and watery or bloody diarrhoea.
Shigella has the distinction of being one of the first bacterial pathogens to be reported to be resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Shigella Vaccine
The Shigella vaccine utilises GMMA technology, a platform developed by GSK’s Global Health team. The technology employs outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from bacteria to deliver antigens that activate the immune system.
The aim is to advance the development and potential distribution of the vaccine in low- and middle-income countries, where Shigella is a leading cause of diarrhoea among children under five.
Generalised Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) Technology
GMMA is a technology platform to produce Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV)-based vaccines.
OMVs are naturally produced sub-units of bacterial pathogens with multiple surface-exposed antigens.
OMVs can be used as a vehicle for delivering specific antigens of interest in therapeutic applications, such as vaccines, to induce immune response.
GMMA are OMVs derived from gram-negative bacteria modified through genetic engineering.
GMMA-based vaccines present a variety of bacterial antigens (resembling a natural bacterial infection) to the immune system. It stimulates a strong immune response, often without requiring adjuvants, and can target various bacterial diseases, such as Shigella.
Significance:
GMMA technology is low-cost and scalable, making it ideal for producing affordable vaccines for low-income countries.
It could help reduce illness and mortality rates while indirectly decreasing antibiotic use and addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Context:Exercise Khaan Quest 2025 is a multinational military exercise being hosted by Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar from June 14 to June 28.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts: Exercise Khaan Quest.
Exercise Khaan Quest
It is an annual joint military exercise that brings together military forces from around the world. This year’s exercise involves military contingents from over 20 countries, including India.
The current year is the 22nd iteration of the exercise.
The exercise first started as a bilateral event between the US and Mongolian armed forces in 2003.
Subsequently, from 2006 onwards, the exercise graduated to a multinational peacekeeping exercise.
Objective: To collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities.
Focus: The exercise focuses on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.
The aim of the exercise is to also prepare the Indian armed forces for peacekeeping missions while operating in a multinational environment, thereby increasing interoperability and military readiness in peace support operations. An Indian Army contingent is being represented by 40 personnel.
Context: According to the latest Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) yearbook 2025, India has slightly expanded its nuclear stockpile in 2024, and continues developing new nuclear delivery systems.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about the SIPRI yearbook 2025
State of World Nuclear Arsenal
India had nuclear 172 warheads in 2024 and increased it to 180 in 2025. These warheads are in the country's stockpile, i.e., they are available to be deployed for operational use. India continues the development of new delivery systems, including canisterised missiles that may carry multiple warheads.
There are 12,241 nuke warheads globally, spread across nine nuclear-armed countries. The US and Russia own 90% of nuclear warheads. In comparison to India, China has 600 warheads and Pakistan has 170.
Nine nuclear-armed countries are the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research on conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament established in 1966.
It publishes reports on global arms transfers, tracking trends in arms imports and exports.
It aims to provide data-driven insights for policy-making in global security and military affairs.
India’s Nuclear Strategy
After conducting its second nuclear test in 1998, India adopted the 'no first use' policy. India's focus was on minimum credible deterrence, i.e. to have enough weapons that the enemy could suffer heavy losses in a counter-attack.
India’s growing stockpile is part of a maturing nuclear triad, a strategy involving delivery of nuclear weapons via aircraft, land-based missiles, and nuclear-powered submarines (SSBNs).
Traditionally, India has kept its warheads separate from launch systems during peacetime, but SIPRI suggests that the move toward canisterised missiles and sea-based patrols may indicate a shift in doctrine.
SIPRI’s Report cautions that if no new agreement is reached to cap nuclear stockpiles, the number of warheads deployed on strategic missiles might increase after the expiry of the bilateral 2010 Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) in 2026.
Context: After the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the authorities are using DNA analysis to identify the remains of those killed in the accident.
DNA identification is the gold standard for identifying human remains, especially after mass fatality events in which bodies might not be easy to identify otherwise.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: DNA Profiling: Challenges & Methods; Applications of DNA Profiling.
What is DNA Profiling?
DNA profiling is the technique used to identify individuals by analysing the unique patterns in their DNA.
With the exception of identical twins, every person has a unique DNA that is present in nearly every cell of their body.
DNA Identification: Sample Collection & Analysis
DNA samples have to be collected as soon as possible from the body. As soon as an individual dies, their DNA begins to degrade.
Extent of degradation depends on the kind of tissue DNA is extracted from, and the conditions in which the body is kept.
DNA from soft tissues degrades much faster than that from hard tissues (bones and teeth).
Collected samples need to be stored in a cool and dry environment. They should ideally be frozen at minus 20 degrees Celsius, or in the case of soft tissues (skin, muscles, etc.), they may be stored in 95% ethanol.
For identification of the collected DNA sample, reference samples are collected from biological relatives. Parents and children of the victim are ideal candidates for providing these samples, given that they share 50% of each others’ DNA.
Methods of DNA Analysis
After the samples are collected, the next step is to extract DNA from them. Depending on the quality of the collected DNA, scientists can choose between a number of different methods of analysis.
Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis:
The method evaluates short tandem repeats, which are essentially short repeating sequences of DNA. STRs are used for DNA identification as they widely vary between individuals.
STRs are typically found on nuclear DNA which is located within the nucleus of a cell. Therefore, to carry out STR analysis it is essential that the nuclear DNA extracted from the sample is not degraded.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Analysis:
This method is used when nuclear DNA is degraded or unavailable.
mtDNA is found in mitochondria, the cell’s energy-producing organelles. As mtDNA is present in multiple copies within the cell, it is easier to recover from human remains that are not well preserved.
mtDNA is passed down by the mother ‘unchanged’ to all her children. The samples can be matched with reference samples from their mother, maternal grandmother, siblings, maternal aunts or distant relatives from the maternal line of inheritance.
Y chromosome Analysis:
Humans have two types of sex chromosomes, X and Y: biological males typically have one X and one Y chromosome, and biological females typically have two X chromosomes.
In this method, a panel of STR on Y chromosomes, passed on from father to son, is examined to match the remains of the victim with their male relatives.
Any member of the paternal line, including brothers, paternal uncles, and paternal male cousins, may be used for matching.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) Analysis:
The method is typically used when the DNA to be analysed is highly degraded.
A SNP is a variation in the DNA sequence where a single base (A, C, G, or T) at a specific location differs among people.
Given that SNPs are unique to each person, they can be used for identification purposes with the help of reference samples taken from the victim’s personal belongings (E.g., a toothbrush and hairbrush). This method is not as effective as STR analysis.
Context: India has taken several strategic, infrastructural, and diplomatic steps to position itself as a regional integrator, particularly in the Bay of Bengal and broader South Asia. However, India risks undermining the idea of cooperative regionalism, if it begins to use trade access to signal political displeasure.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: India’s initiatives like BIMSTEC, Sagarmala, Act East, Neighbourhood first policy etc.
Mains: Impact of recent India - Bangladesh trade tensions on India's credibility as a regional leader in the Bay of Bengal.
India’s strategic steps in the Bay of Bengal Region:
India has taken several strategic, infrastructural, and diplomatic steps in the Bay of Bengal and broader South Asia. They include:
India has invested heavily in port infrastructure through the Sagarmala programme to improve coastal logistics and connectivity.
India's port infrastructure remains the most extensive and efficient in the region. Cargo-handling capacity is expanding rapidly, and coastal shipping and multimodal linkages are more developed than those of any other BIMSTEC partner.
Regional countries like Bangladesh rely on Indian gateways for faster, cheaper access to global markets. Alternatives via Sri Lanka or Southeast Asia are costlier and less time efficient.
Policychanges such as Goods and Services Tax (GST) cuts on bunker fuel and incentives for coastal shipping have doubled the cargo movement on the east coast in a decade.
At the regional level, India is pushing for better integration through BIMSTEC. India has signed the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement to harmonise customs procedures and foster multimodal linkages, with the broader goal of reducing the cost and friction of trade within the Bay.
ThroughAct East and Neighbourhood first policy, India emphasis on building connectivity with ASEAN and South Asian neighbours, especially through the Northeast.
These steps aim to improve connectivity, economic ties, and trust among its neighbours.
Concerns about India's credibility as a regional trade facilitator
India recently withdrew a key transshipment facility granted to Bangladesh. India cited misuse of the facility and regulatory concerns as reasons for the withdrawal.
This move, coupled with restrictions on Bangladeshi imports of some goods via land routes, has raised concerns about India's credibility as a regional trade facilitator in the Bay of Bengal.
Geopolitical Implications
Infrastructure alone does not confer leadership. In a fragmented region like the Bay of Bengal, credibility matters as much as capacity.
Erosion of Trust: If India’s neighbours see trade routes being weaponised for political signaling, they will start hedging- possibly turning more towards China or Southeast Asia.
Impact on Regional Leadership: India wants to be the economic and connectivity hub of the Bay of Bengal, but leadership requires predictable and rule-based behaviour.
Signal to smaller BIMSTEC Members: Countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka may begin to doubt India’s commitment to neutral, cooperative regionalism.
Bay of Bengal is at an Inflection Point:
On one level, it is a zone of opportunity. With improved connectivity, it could emerge as a self-sustaining corridor between South and Southeast Asia.
On another level, the region remains vulnerable to strategic anxieties.
The line between economic policy and geopolitical preference is beginning to blur.
Way Forward
Clarify Policy: Clearly state the reasons for suspending Bangladesh’s transshipment facility and the conditions for its restoration.
Rules-Based Mechanism: Establish transparent trade and transit rules to prevent political disruptions from affecting economic cooperation.
Strengthen BIMSTEC: Use BIMSTEC to institutionalise regional trade norms, customs coordination, and dispute resolution.
Credibility over Coercion: Maintain policy consistency to reinforce India’s image as a dependable regional leader, not a reactive power.
Context: According to the latest World Bank data on poverty levels across the world, India has recorded a sharp decline in extreme poverty. Despite the World Bank raising the threshold, India achieves a big dip in extreme poverty
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to World Bank latest data on extreme poverty.
India has recorded a sharp decline in extreme poverty over the past decade, as per the latest World Bank estimates even under a higher global poverty benchmark.
Decline in Extreme Poverty in India
The World Bank revised the extreme poverty thresholdto $3 per day (2021 PPP), a 15% increase from the earlier $2.15/day standard (adjusted for inflation from 2017-2021).
Based on the revised extreme poverty threshold, India's extreme poverty rate fell from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23.
The number of people living in extreme poverty in India fell from 344.47 million to 75.24 million over this period. Nearly 270 million were lifted out of extreme poverty during the same period.
Poverty rate: In 2024, about 54.7 million Indians lived on less than $3/day. This equals a poverty rate of 5.44% (2021 PPP).
The World Bank sets different poverty lines depending on the income level of countries. The poverty line for lower-middle income countries of $4.2 per day (revised upwards from $3.65), India’s poverty rate declined from 57.7% in 2011-12 to 23.9% in 2022-23.
Data used by World Bank
The World Bank used Household Consumer Expenditure Survey data as a proxy for income, but removed ‘lumpy expenditures’ such as hospitalisation, durable expenses and house rental values. The government conducted two rounds of household consumption expenditure surveys for 2022-23 and 2023-24.
HCES 2023-24 adopted the Modified Mixed Recall Period method (to capture different items of consumption), replacing the Uniform Reference Period (URP). The MMRP method used different recall periods (7 days, one month, one year) for different items while the URP uses the same reference period for all items.
Decline in Multidimensional Poverty & Inequality in India:
Earlier, NITI Aayog had estimated that multidimensional poverty in India had also registered a steep decline from 55.34% in 2005-06 to 14.96% in 2019-21. This estimate of poverty was based on 12 indicators and drew on data from the National Family Healthy Surveys.
The World Bank estimated that inequality in India based on the Gini Index fell from 28.78 in 2011 to 25.51 in 2022. However, these estimates of inequality are based on the household consumption expenditure data, which typically tends to be lower than estimates based on household income.
Need for an Official Poverty Line:
The country lacks an official estimate of poverty, and needs to incorporate income or expenditure metrics in poverty measurement.
The Rangarajan Committee (2014) provided a revised poverty line, but it was never officially adopted.
The existing Multidimensional Poverty Index (MDPI), unlike the Human Development Index, fails to include income or expenditure measures.
Government Interventions in Poverty Reduction
India’s success in reducing poverty has been supported by a range of targeted welfare schemes, such as:
MGNREGA
National Food Security Act (NFSA)
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Ayushman Bharat PMJAY
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana NRLM
PM-KISAN
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
These schemes have played a crucial role in addressing income, food, health, and housing insecurity among India’s poor.
