The Hindu

New GST Reforms in the Healthcare Sector

Context: India’s recently rationalised the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure. Among other sectors, GST reforms were announced in the Healthcare segment. The reforms mark a turning point in the journey towards achieving universal health coverage. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Issues relating to development and management of services relating to Health. 

GST Reforms in the Healthcare Sector

  • Rationale: To make medical care more affordable and accessible for millions, especially for individuals struggling with high costs of treatment or health products.

Key Highlights of GST Reforms in the Healthcare Sector: 

  • Removal of GST on Insurance:
    • Complete removal of GST on individual health and life insurance premiums. Earlier, an 18% GST rate was applied to the health insurance premiums.
    • The reform covers all types of individual life insurance: Term, Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP), Endowment, health insurance plans such as family floaters and senior citizen policies. Even reinsurance is included. 
  • GST cut on Medicines:
    • GST on most medicines is lowered to 5%, and tax on life-saving drugs is cut to zero. This simplifies compliance and lowers prices in supply chains for health product manufacturers and service providers. 
  • GST cut on Medical Devices: 
    • Medical devices and diagnostic kits are now largely under a uniform 5% GST slab, from 12% GST or 18% GST earlier. E.g., CT scan machines are now taxed at only 5% compared to 18% earlier. This reduces the procurement costs of devices and would potentially lower patient charges over time. 
    • Common services such as blood tests, X-rays, and MRIs at laboratories may also become a little cheaper. 
  • GST exempt on Critical Care Units (unchanged):
    • All critical care units i.e., Intensive Coronary Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care Unit (CCU), Intensive Coronary Care Unit (ICCU), and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are fully exempt from GST regardless of cost. This ensures that lifesaving care remains tax-free. 
    • Non-intensive care unit (ICU) rooms above ₹5,000 per day would attract 5% GST without input tax credit. 
  • GST exempt on Core Medical Services (unchanged):
    • Core medical services provided by hospitals, doctors, and paramedics remain GST-exempt, keeping treatment itself untaxed.
  • Push towards Preventive Healthcare: 
    • GST on gymnasiums, fitness centres, yoga studios, salons, barbers and wellness services is down from 18% to 5%. 
    • Cigarettes remain heavily taxed at 28% GST plus compensation cess, which adds up to an effective tax of between 52% and 88%. 
    • A new 40% sin goods slab has been announced but will only apply once cess liabilities are cleared. 
    • Sugary drinks (whether aerated, sweetened, or flavoured) have been moved to the new 40% slab, up from 28% plus cess, to discourage consumption. 

Significance: 

  • Increase insurance coverage: Insurance coverage in India is only ~3.7% of GDP at present, compared to a global average of 6.8%. However, clear monitoring is required to ensure insurance providers pass on the GST benefit to the consumers.  
  • Reduce OOPE: Share of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in Total Health Expenditure was around 47% in FY20. Cutting costs for life-saving medicines, simplifying taxes on equipment, and lowering rates on preventive services supports the entire health-care chain and would reduce OOPE. 

Also Read: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 

Aedes-borne Viral Diseases and their Control 

Context: Aedes-borne Viral Diseases (ABVD) that include Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya hurt India’s productivity. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes bite during the day time. Mosquito control methods like outdoor fumigation are not that effective, which necessitates revised strategies against Aedes Mosquitoes. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Aedes-borne Viral Diseases; Wolbachia Method. 

Aedes-borne Viral Diseases

1. Dengue: 

  • Viral illness caused by the dengue virus, an RNA virus.
  • Transmission: 
    • Bites of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
    • There is no evidence that dengue can be transmitted directly from person to person through casual contact, coughing/sneezing, or sexual contact.
    • Rare cases of vertical transmission (from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth) have been reported, but this is not a common mode of spread.
  • Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, and rash. In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening dengue haemorrhagic fever. 

2. Zika: 

  • Caused by Zika virus, an RNA virus. 
  • Transmission: Bites of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Can be transmitted from mother to foetus during pregnancy; through sexual contact, blood transfusion; organ transplantation.
  • Zika infection during pregnancy causes microcephaly (underdeveloped brain) and other congenital malformations. 

3.  Chikungunya:

  • Caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an RNA virus.
  • Transmission: Bites of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. An infected person cannot spread the infection directly to other persons (i.e. it is not a contagious disease).
  • Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, and rash. Severe joint pain (arthritis) which is the most common feature of the disease. 
  • Chikungunya is diagnosed by blood test (ELISA). 

Wolbachia Method for Mosquito Control

  • Wolbachia is a form of biological control method to reduce mosquito population. 
  • In this method, naturally occurring Wolbachia bacteria is introduced into male population by infecting insects in a laboratory, and then releasing them into the wild.
  • These Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes mate with female mosquitoes (not infected with the same strain of Wolbachia). 
  • These bacteria are passed on to their offspring through the normal reproductive process, and their offspring are less likely to survive or reproduce. 
  • The method does not suppress mosquito populations or involve genetic modification, so it is safe for humans, animals and the environment. 
image 40

Challenges in controlling Mosquito population: 

  • Limitations of conventional methods: Aedes mosquito feeds indoors during the day, and at night under artificial light. Methods like outdoor fumigation, vaporisers, and bed nets are thus ineffective against it. Additionally, the mosquitoes have evolved to gain tolerance to these chemicals. 
  • Lack of Vaccines: Dengue vaccine trials are underway, but these offer no protection against Zika or chikungunya.
  • Expensive: High costs and weak institutional support limit the adoption of advanced mosquito control methods like Wolbachia. 
  • Increased plastic pollution: Plastic pollution is directly linked to the risk of ABVD transmission. Discarded plastics can collect water and act as mosquito breeding sites). 

Way Forward

  • Application of safe non-insecticides (topical repellents) on the skin. By releasing volatile compounds, these repellants impair the mosquito’s sense of smell, thus making human hosts essentially invisible to them.
    • E.g., Para-menthane-diol (PMD), derived from the essential oil of the lemon eucalyptus plant; Picaridin (derived from pepper plant)
  • Using materials coated with delayed-release transfluthrin. These spatial emanators, like jute sheets, provide 15-days of continued protection in living spaces. 
  • Local community actions to remove larval breeding sites of Aedes mosquitoes. Regular trash collection/flood management protects against ABVD.

Public Health Campaign in Delhi: 10 Weeks, 10 AM, 10 Minutes

  • Called the rule of 10, “10 Weeks, 10 AM, 10 Minutes,” it reinforces larval source reduction as the primary strategy. 
  • It encourages every residential welfare association to mobilise each household to set aside 10 minutes at 10 AM every Sunday for 10 weeks from September to November. 
  • The goal is to find and eliminate sources of stagnant water during this high-risk season.

Also Read: Malaria Elimination: Efforts & Challenges 

India-China Border Relations 

Context: India and China have renewed diplomatic activity such as border patrol agreements, resumption of direct flights and efforts to expand trade and cultural exchanges. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: India - China bilateral relations. 

India-China border is un-demarcated and is referred to as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The border length is around 3,488 km as per India, while China claims it to be about 2,000 km. The different interpretations by the two countries leads to frequent disputes. 

The border is divided into three main sectors

  • Western Sector (Ladakh, ~1597 km): Aksai Chin (~38,000 sq. km) under Chinese occupation, and China also controls Shaksgam Valley ceded by Pakistan in 1963.
  • Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, ~545 km) which is the least disputed, though differences exist near the Barahoti plains.
  • Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, ~1346 km) where China claims about 90,000 sq. km of Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet,” while the Sikkim boundary is formally settled but still faces PLA activity.
image 39

India-China Border Dispute

  • Historically, the 1914 Simla Agreement drew the McMahon Line between British India and Tibet, but China rejected it.
  • China occupied Tibet in 1950 and built a road in Aksai Chin in the 1950s.
  • The 1962 India-China war resulted in India’s defeat, with China retaining Aksai Chin and withdrawing from its advances in Arunachal Pradesh, leaving the boundary issue unresolved. India-China relations after the 1962 war remained tense, with little progress on the boundary dispute.
  • In 1988, Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to Beijing marked a turning point, as it re-opened dialogue after decades of mistrust.
  • However, political instability in India (1989-1991) slowed progress until P.V. Narasimha Rao’s government (1991-1996) was able to re-focus on China.
image 38

Initial Steps (1988-1992): 

  • Between 1988 and 1993, six rounds of talks of the Joint Working Group (JWG) were held.
  • The dialogue included both diplomats and military commanders, with first meetings at Bum La (eastern sector) and Chushul/Moldo (western sector) in 1992.
  • Border trade resumed in 1992 after a gap of over 30 years, and consulates were re-opened in Mumbai and Shanghai in December 1992.

Border Peace and Tranquillity Agreement (BPTA), 1993: 

  • Signed during Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s visit to Beijing in September 1993.
  • Core Principle: The boundary dispute would be resolved peacefully, and neither side would use or threaten force.
  • The Agreement recognised the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for the first time in an official bilateral document. Both sides agreed :
    • Not to cross the LAC; if intrusions occurred, forces would withdraw upon caution.
    • To jointly check and determine contested segments of the LAC.
    • To maintain minimal force levels along the LAC and reduce them on the principle of mutual and equal security.
    • To freeze the military situation, acknowledging India’s geographic disadvantage compared to China’s easy access through the Tibetan plateau.

The agreement emphasised setting aside the boundary dispute to build cooperation in other areas.

1996 Agreement on Confidence-Building Measures: 

  • Signed during Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s visit to India in 1996.
  • Expanded upon the 1993 BPTA by specifying military confidence-building measures (CBMs).
  • Both sides agreed :
    • Not to use force and to continue peaceful consultations.
    • To reduce or limit military forces and heavy weaponry (tanks, artillery, missiles) in border areas.
    • To avoid large-scale military exercises near the LAC; if held, exercises would be directed away from the other side.
    • Article X: Stressed the need for a common understanding of the LAC alignment. Both sides committed to exchange maps for clarification and confirmation.

Challenge of LAC Clarification

  • In 2000, both sides exchanged maps of the relatively undisputed Central sector.
  • In 2002, maps of the western sector were exchanged, but were rejected within minutes as they represented maximalist positions of both sides.
  • By 2005, efforts to clarify the LAC were abandoned.
  • Key contested areas included: Samar Langpa, Trig Heights, Depsang, Kong Ka La, Pangong Tso, Spanggur Gap, Mount Sajun, Dumchele, Demchok, and Chumar. These same areas became flashpoints in later standoffs, including in 2020.

The 1993 and 1996 agreements marked important milestones in institutionalising peace and stability along the border. However, the failure to define and clarify the LAC meant that the agreements could only postpone and not prevent future confrontations.

The failure to achieve a mutually accepted definition of the Line of Actual Control left the core dispute unresolved making subsequent tensions and face-offs inevitable.

Also Read: hTaking stock of India-China Bilateral Ties 

West Bengal demands Indo-Bhutan River Commission 

Context: The Chief Minister of Bengal reiterated her demand for the establishment of an Indo-Bhutan River Commission with West Bengal as one of its members.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Issues in Centre-State relations. 

image 37

Need for Indo-Bhutan River Commission

  • In north Bengal, especially in the districts Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, around 72 rivers and streams descend from Bhutan. They include some prominent rivers like Jaldhaka, Torsha, Raidak and Sankosh. 
  • During the monsoons these rivers spill over the banks and cause flood like situation in Bengal, particularly if it rains in the upper catchments of these rivers in Bhutan.
    • The rivers flood and erode tea estates, forests, and human habitats. 
    • Huge sediments are deposited on the banks of these rivers, which compound the problems in these districts. 
  • Bengal has low-lying deltaic plains surrounded by rivers which resembles a “boat-like basin”. The Ganga river in Bengal remains swollen due to inflows from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, thus limiting the water absorption capacity and aggravating the situation.

Stand of Central Government

  • The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has clarified that there are no plans to constitute a joint river commission with Bhutan. 
  • Bilateral mechanisms between India and Bhutan already exist to address flood-related concerns.
    • Joint teams and groups have been formed for flood management and forecasting of floods caused by the rivers which enter India from Bhutan.
    • There are 36 hydro-meteorological stations in Bhutan at the catchments of the trans-border rivers, and the central water commission gets regular data for flood forecasting.

The issue reflects the larger Centre-State tension in India’s federal framework, where the state perceives political bias in the distribution of central resources for disaster relief and infrastructure. 

Himachal Pradesh declared a Fully Literate State

Context: In September 2025, Himachal Pradesh was declared ‘fully literate’. It became the fifth state/UT in India to achieve this milestone after Goa, Ladakh, Mizoram, and Tripura.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Government initiatives/schemes to promote literacy; State of literacy in India. 

What does Fully Literate Mean?

  • The Ministry of Education defines literacy as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension i.e., to identify, understand, interpret and create, along with critical life skills such as digital literacy, financial literacy etc. 
  • A state/UT is considered “fully literate” once it achieves 95% literacy.
  • Himachal Pradesh has achieved a literacy rate of 99.3%, qualifying it for the tag.

The declaration is part of the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) programme launched in 2022 to achieve 100% literacy by 2030.

What is the ULLAS Programme? 

  • ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) is a literacy programme for people over 15 years of age who may not have attended school.
  • It was launched in 2022 with the aim of achieving 100% literacy by 2030, which is one the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
  • The program is also in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which calls for adult education initiatives to achieve 100% literacy.

How does someone attain literacy?

  • Under the ULLAS program, adult learners are taught basic reading, writing, and math (arithmetic like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) that a child in school would learn up to class 3.
  • They are also taught how to read and measure time, make sense of calendars, use currency notes, write cheques, and safely make digital transactions.
  • This training is provided either through a mobile App or offline, by students or community volunteers.
  • After that, the Functional Literacy Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), a 150-mark reading, writing and numeracy test, is administered in a person’s chosen language.
  • On passing the test, the learner is certified by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) as having acquired foundational literacy and numeracy

To learn who requires training under the ULLAS program, states conduct door-to-door surveys, or rely on other data. Those identified as not being literate are given requisite training and administered the FLNAT.

image 36

State of Literacy in India

  • Census 2011: 
    • In the 2011 Census, any person aged 7 years and above who could read and write with understanding in any language was considered literate.
    • As per this Census, the literacy rate among women was 64.6%, while among men it was 80.9%.
    • The Census also measured adult literacy, defined for those aged 15 years and above, and found the national figure to be 69.3%. 
  • National Sample Survey (NSS) 71st round:
    • The National Sample Survey (NSS) 71st round (January-June 2014) showed an adult literacy rate of 71% for India.
  • Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24: 
    • PLFS 2023-24 reported a national literacy rate of 77.5% for the population aged 7 years and above.
    • As per PLFS, 22.3% of people in India aged 15 and above were not literate.
    • Among the states and UTs, the highest proportion of illiterate adults was in Bihar (33.1%), followed by Andhra Pradesh (31.5%) and Madhya Pradesh.

AdFalciVax: Recombinant Multistage Malaria Vaccine

Context: The Union government has granted licence to five firms for manufacturing and commercialisation of AdFalciVax, India’s first indigenous recombinant multistage malaria vaccine, developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and its partners.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Malaria & Malaria vaccines. 

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. 

AdFalciVax: Indigenous Malaria Vaccine 

  • India’s first indigenous recombinant multistage malaria vaccine. 
  • Developed by: Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar under the ICMR.
  • The vaccine is designed to prevent Plasmodium falciparum infection in humans and also reduce community transmission of the parasite.
    • Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite (responsible for the most lethal form of malaria) and difficult to control. 
image 33

AdFalciVax: Recombinant Multistage Malaria Vaccine

1. Recombinant Malaria Vaccine: 

  • AdFalciVax is a recombinant malaria vaccine (made using genetic engineering). The vaccine uses Lactococcus lactis (a genetically engineered food-grade bacterial host).
    • Pieces of DNA from the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) are inserted into Lactococcus lactis (a safe bacterium often used in dairy fermentation). 
    • This genetically engineered bacterium acts as a bio-factory to produce the malaria antigens.

2. Multistage Malaria Vaccine: 

  • Existing Malaria vaccines like RTS, S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M are single-stage vaccines i.e., they target the pre-erythrocytic/sporozoite stage.
    • Sporozoite stage is the stage when an infected female mosquito injects sporozoites (infectious cells of Plasmodium parasites) in the skin of a mammalian host.
  • AdFalciVax is amultistage vaccine i.e., it targets the two key stages of the Pasmodium parasite’s life cycle:
    • pre-erythrocytic/sporozoite stage
    • erythrocytic / blood stage: when the parasite infects red blood cells. (Only a few sporozoites leave the skin and travel through the bloodstream to reach the liver).

AdFalciVax targets the parasite before it enters the bloodstream, thus stopping the infection at the transmission stage. Hence, AdFalciVax vaccine not only protects the vaccinated human from developing Malaria but also reduces community transmission. 

Advantages of AdFalciVax

Preclinical data suggest that AdFalciVax have advantages over existing single-stage vaccines.

  • Broader protection by targeting two vulnerable parasite stages. 
  • Affordable, stable, and scalable solution. 
  • Thermal stability: Vaccine remains effective for over 9 months at room temperature.
  • Lower risk of immune evasion and potential for better long-term immunity. 

Pre-clinical validation of the vaccine

  • The pre-clinical validation of the vaccine has been conducted in collaboration with ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research and National Institute of Immunology (NII).

Need for the Vaccine

  • Reduce Malaria burden: Malaria remains one of the major public health problems in India. India carries 1.4% of the global malaria case burden, and accounted for 66% of cases in the Southeast Asia region.
  • Meet India’s target under National Health Mission: Annual Malaria Incidence to be less than 1 in 1000 individuals. 

The government aims to facilitate the commercialisation of the vaccine to prevent and minimise malaria transmission. 

Also Read: Malaria Elimination: Efforts & Challenges   

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Context: Recently, Ethiopia has inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Africa’s biggest dam, despite protest from downstream Egypt. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. 

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

  • Africa’s largest hydroelectric project (largest dam by power capacity). 
  • GERD is built on Blue Nile (spreads over 2 kms), a tributary of the River Nile.
  • Location: Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia, near the Sudanese border. 
  • Height: 145 m. It is designed to hold 74 billion cubic metres of water and generate 5150 megawatts (~5 GW) of electricity. 
  • Construction began in 2011, and completed in 2025. 
  • Significance: Electricity generation; Ethiopia can earn revenue by electricity export to neighbouring countries. 
image 32

Associated Concerns

  • Threat to water security: Downstream countries like Egypt (dependent on the Nile for 97% of its water), and Sudan fear that the dam would adversely impact agriculture and undermine water supplies.
  • Risk of Military confrontation: Successive Egyptian presidents have even threatened military action if an agreement is not reached between the countries on fair water usage.
image 31

Key facts about Nile River:

  • The Nile is the longest river in the world. It rises south of the Equator and flows northwards through north-eastern Africa to drain into the Mediterranean Sea. 
  • Length: ~6650 kms
  • The Nile has two major tributaries:
    • White Nile: begins at Lake Victoria and flows through Uganda and South Sudan. 
    • Blue Nile: begins at Lake Tana in Ethiopia and flows into Sudan from the southeast.
  • The two rivers meet at the Sudanese capital (Khartoum). 
  • The Nile River basin spreads in 11 African countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

India’s Foreign Policy Challenges: Strategic Autonomy and Multipolarity

Context: In recent years, the concepts of strategic autonomy and multipolarity have become central to India’s foreign policy discourse.

Relevance of the Topic : Mains: India’s pursuit of Strategic Autonomy: Opportunities and Challenges 

Meaning of Strategic Autonomy: 

  • Strategic autonomy refers to a nation’s ability to make sovereign decisions in foreign policy and defence without being constrained by external pressures or alliance obligations. 
  • It does not mean isolationism or neutrality but implies flexibility, independence, and the capacity to engage with multiple powers on one’s own terms.
  • From non-alignment policy during the Cold War to present-day multi-alignment, strategic autonomy has remained the guiding thread of Indian diplomacy.

Meaning of Multipolarity: 

  • Multipolarity refers to a world order where several states possess roughly comparable levels of power, as opposed to unipolarity (one superpower) or bipolarity (two dominant powers).
  • India has long sought multipolarity hoping it would ensure greater fluidity and options in external relations.
  • Scholars have cautioned that multipolar systems are less stable than bipolar ones, as multiple great powers lead to unpredictable alliances and constant recalibration of interests.

India’s Practice of Strategic Autonomy in a Multipolar World:

Relations with the United States: 

  • India participates with the US in initiatives such as the Quad, Indo-Pacific dialogues, I2U2, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). 
  • The friction exists as seen in Trump-era tariffs and the pressure on India to reduce energy and defence links with Russia.
  • India has responded by maintaining engagement with the US, while asserting its right to pursue independent positions. This is an example of strategic autonomy in practice.

Relations with China: 

  • China is India’s biggest trading partner but also its primary security challenge. The 2020 border clashes widened the existing fault-lines, yet India has engaged with China in BRICS and SCO.
  • Strategic autonomy means resisting both confrontation and capitulation (surrender). India balances deterrence through Indo-Pacific partnerships with cautious dialogue.

Relations with Russia: 

  • India’s relationship with Russia is rooted in Cold War solidarity, defence cooperation, and shared strategic interests.
  • Despite Russia’s growing alignment with China and its global isolation after the Ukraine war, India continues to buy oil, import defence equipment, and engage diplomatically.
  • India faces Western criticism but upholds its independent stand, treating the partnership as multidimensional. Strategic autonomy means diversifying partnerships without abandoning old allies.

Challenges of Multipolarity for India: 

  • Uncertainty and Risk of Isolation: In a multipolar world, multiple big powers constantly shift their alliances and policies. Multi-alignment sounds positive in theory, but in practice they may leave India alone in times of crisis, since no power can be fully relied upon.
  • Weakening of Multilateralism: India hoped multipolarity would strengthen global rules and institutions. Instead, many countries are acting unilaterally or making transactional deals, reducing the effectiveness of multilateral forums.
  • Secondary Power Status: In the emerging multipolar world, India is still behind the US and China in terms of economic and military power. This reduces its ability to influence major global decisions.
  • Economic and Technological Dependence: India depends on other major powers for defence equipment, advanced technology, energy, and supply chains. This dependence limits the extent of true autonomy.

Opportunities for India: 

  • Strategic autonomy allows India to engage flexibly with multiple powers without rigid bloc politics.
  • Multipolarity provides India space to assert itself as an independent pole in the Global South, championing issues like development, climate change, and equitable trade.
  • India’s balancing role between the West, Russia, and China enhances its diplomatic importance.
  • The pursuit of indigenous defence production, digital sovereignty, and economic resilience strengthens India’s long-term autonomy.

Way Forward

  • India must invest in economic growth, technological advancement, and defence modernisation to underpin genuine autonomy.
  • Strategic partnerships should be pursued without dependence, ensuring resilience against sudden shifts in global alignments.
  • Multilateral institutions should be strengthened. 
  • Autonomy must extend beyond traditional military and diplomatic domains to include data sovereignty, digital infrastructure, and critical supply chains.
  • India should continue to project itself as the “voice of the Global South,” balancing great power rivalries while asserting its independent agency.

India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in a multipolar world would involve building economic and technological strength, diversifying partnerships, and asserting its role as an independent pole in global affairs.

Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 

Context: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is set to organise the first-ever Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) in November 2025. ESTIC may ‘replace’ the Indian Science Congress (the oldest congregation of scientists in India). 

Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave

  • Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) is India's premier STI platform bringing together ministries, innovators, and global visionaries.
  • Inaugural ESTIC will be held at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi in November.  
  • ESTIC will showcase cutting-edge research, deep-tech breakthroughs, and thought-provoking discussions. There will be 11 thematic technical sessions and 75 exhibition stalls by ‘deep tech’ startups at the event. 
  • It would involve all the science-related Ministries and Departments (including that of Atomic energy, Space, Biotechnology, Earth Sciences and Information Technology etc.)
  • It is expected to host various dignitaries like Nobel Laureate Andre Geim (2010, Physics), Jean-Yves Le Gall (former President of the French Space Agency) etc.
image 29

Indian Science Congress

  • ISC is the oldest congregation of scientists in India. It is organised annually in the first week of January. The 108th (the last edition of ISC) was held in 2023.
  • Organised by: Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), Kolkata
  • Funded by: Department of Science and Technology  

Form Guidelines to regulate Conduct on Social Media: SC 

Context: The Supreme Court has directed the Union government to frame guidelines to regulate conduct on social media. The SC noted that influencers often commercialise free speech in ways that may offend the sentiments of vulnerable groups. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Freedom of Speech and Expression in Digital Era. 

Form Guidelines to regulate Conduct on Social Media: SC 

  • The guidelines to regulate conduct on social media, including online shows such as podcasts, should be framed in consultation with the National Broadcasters and Digital Association. 
  • Rationale: To balance free speech with the equally important right of varied communities to live in society with dignity, and sensitisation of social media users.

Article 19 of Indian Constitution: Right to Free Speech & Expression

  • Article 19 outlines the fundamental rights of Indian citizens related to freedom of speech and expression.  
image 27

When can limits be imposed on Free Speech? 

Article 19(2) specifies the grounds for reasonable restrictions on Article 19. These include:

  • Sovereignty and integrity of India
  • Security of the State
  • Friendly relations with foreign states
  • Public order
  • Decency or Morality
  • Contempt of Court
  • Defamation
  • Incitement to an offence

However, the Supreme Court has consistently held that the state cannot impose restrictions beyond these constitutionally prescribed limits.

Regulation of Commercial Speech: 

The Supreme Court’s jurisprudence has consistently recognised that even commercial speech falls within the ambit of Article 19(1)(a). 

Sakal Papers v. Union of India (1962): 

  • The government sought to limit the number of pages a newspaper could publish. The SC struck this down as unconstitutional as such a measure curtailed both the dissemination of news and the circulation of newspapers. 
  • It affirmed that the freedom to publish any number of pages and to reach as many readers as possible is an essential component of the right to free speech under Article 19(1)(a). The same logic extends to other forms of expression. 
  • Tata Press Ltd. v. MTNL (1995): The SC ruled that advertising, as a form of commercial speech, also comes under the ambit of freedom of speech and expression Article 19(1)(a).  

The fact that speech is commercial or perceived to be driven by profit cannot in itself justify its regulation. 

Associated Criticism and Concerns:

1. Legal Mechanisms for Prosecution already Exist: 

  • Digital media is already governed by a robust statutory framework. Social media companies are bound by the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 under the IT Act, 2000 which require them to prevent their platforms from being used to disseminate obscene, pornographic, or otherwise harmful content. 
  • The IT Act 2000 further establishes a censorship framework that permits the removal of online content pursuant to court orders or executive directions. 
  • Social media influencers can be held accountable for what they say online under the ordinary criminal law. The existing takedown regime under Section 69A of the IT Act and the Blocking Rules, 2009, is already opaque. Aggrieved individuals are often not given notice before their content is removed. 

In practice, the legal mechanisms are frequently invoked without adequate adherence to principles of natural justice. Thus, the court’s apprehension appears misplaced.

2. Reasonable Restrictions already exist under Article 19(2): 

  • The reasonable restrictions on free speech under Article 19(2) of the Constitution are already exhaustive. The SC has consistently held that the state cannot impose restrictions beyond these constitutionally prescribed limits. Any additional regulation could impinge upon the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

3. Framing legal definition of Dignity and risk of Expansive Censorship: 

  • Reasonable restrictions on free speech under Article 19(2) do not include the protection of individual dignity. But, it is challenging to legally define the amorphous concept such as dignity. 
  • To treat dignity as an independent ground for restricting speech, particularly when invoked on the basis of individual sensibilities, risks inviting expansive censorship. Such regulations are likely to exert a chilling effect on speech. 

Associated Court Cases: 

  • Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015):
    • The SC struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, holding that vague grounds such as “annoyance,” “insult,” or “hatred” cannot justify the criminalisation of speech. 
    • The ruling affirmed that speech which “offends, shocks, or disturbs” remains constitutionally protected, and restrictions on free speech must satisfy the test of reasonableness under Article 19(2). 
  • Rehana Fathima case (2021): The Supreme Court overturned a Kerala High Court order that prohibited activist Rehana Fathima from posting her views on social media, citing free speech concerns.
  • Mohammed Zubair’s bail case (2021): The Uttar Pradesh government sought to ban Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair from tweeting while he was out on bail. The SC rejected the request holding that such restrictions would create a "chilling effect" on free speech. The restriction was an unjustified violation of his right to practice his profession.
  • Kaushal Kishore v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2023): The Constitution Bench held that the grounds enumerated in Article 19(2) are exhaustive and cannot be expanded, however well-intentioned the attempt. The judges underscored that no one can either be taxed or penalised for holding an opinion which is not in conformity with the constitutional values.
  • Imran Pratapgadhi Case (2025): The SC emphasised that Article 19(1)(a) protects not only agreeable speech but also views that may offend or disturb. It remains the court’s “duty to uphold” and “zealously protect” the fundamental freedom to free speech guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). 

Arguments in Favour of Comprehensive Guidelines: 

  • Uphold dignity and do complete justice: The concerns regarding the participation of differently-abled persons in public life and the preservation of their dignity are legitimate. The SC possesses inherent jurisdiction under the Constitution to do “complete justice” to account for the wider social ramifications of online speech.
  • In the Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India (2016), the SC upheld the constitutionality of criminal defamation, recognising individual dignity as one of the bases for sustaining the remedy. 

However, any limitation on the freedom of speech and expression must be imposed through a duly enacted law, and such restrictions must also withstand the test of proportionality.

Accept Aadhaar as Identity Proof: SC

Context: The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to include Aadhaar as the 12th “indicative” document, in addition to the 11 documents permitted for identification in order to be included in the final electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar ahead of Assembly elections.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key developments: SIR controversy in Bihar. 

Accept Aadhaar as Identity Proof: SC

  • The SC has directed the EC to accept Aadhaar as a valid proof of identity or residence from persons filing claims or objections to final electoral roll during the SIR. 
  • The bench clarified that the use of Aadhaar would strictly be as proof of identity, and not as evidence of Indian citizenship.
  • The authorities concerned should verify the genuineness of Aadhaar cards, just the way they would do in the case of the other 11 documents. 
image 26

SIR controversy in Bihar: Expulsion of Voters

  • The SIR's findings reduced the total number of registered voters in Bihar from 7.89 crore prior to the exercise to 7.24 crore after conducting it. Approximately 65 lakh voters were excluded from the draft rolls published on August 1.
  • The deadline for filing claims to include names and file objections to exclude names for reasons such as death, permanent shifting, and duplication, was September 1. 
  • The EC has clarified that the claims and objections were welcome even beyond the deadline.

Also Read: Special Intensive Revision in Bihar: Legal Basis and Criticism 

Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling 

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 1500 crore Incentive Scheme to develop recycling capacity in the country for the separation and production of critical minerals from secondary sources. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling. 

Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling

  • Aim: To develop capacity to recycle battery waste and e-waste for extraction of critical minerals. 
  • This scheme is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) which is aimed at building the domestic capacity of and supply chain resilience in critical minerals. 
  • Tenure: 6 years from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. 

Key Highlights of the Scheme: 

  • Eligible feedstock: e-waste, Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) scrap, and scrap other than e-waste & LIB scrap (E.g., catalytic convertors in end-of-life vehicles). 
  • Expected beneficiaries: Both large established recyclers and small new recyclers (including start-ups), for whom one-third of the scheme outlay has been earmarked. 
  • The scheme will be applicable to investments in new units as well as expansion of capacity / modernisation and diversification of existing units. 

Incentive Structure

  • Capex subsidy: 20% on plant, machinery, and utilities for units that start production within a set timeframe. Delays will attract lower subsidies.
  • Opex subsidy: Linked to incremental sales over the FY 2025-26 base year. Firms can claim 40% of eligible Opex in the second year, and 60% in the fifth year, subject to meeting sales thresholds.
  • Subsidy limits: Maximum Rs 50 crore per large entity and Rs 25 crore per small entity, with ceilings on Opex support at Rs 10 crore and Rs 5 crore respectively.

Expected Outcomes: 

  • Expected to develop at least 270 kilo ton of annual recycling capacity resulting in around 40 kilo ton annual critical mineral production.
  • Bringing in about Rs 8000 crore of investment and creating close to 70,000 direct and indirect jobs. 

Also Read: National Critical Mineral Mission 

The scheme is a prudent way to ensure supply chain sustainability in the near term through the recycling of secondary sources.