GS Paper 2

India Secures Six-Month U.S. Waiver for Chabahar Port Operations

Context: The United States has granted India a six-month sanctions waiver for the operation and development of Iran’s Chabahar Port, effective October 29, 2025.
This move allows India to continue strategic work at the port without facing penalties under U.S. sanctions laws.

Background: U.S. Sanctions on Iran

The sanctions originate from the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA), Section 1244, targeting entities engaged in Iran’s energy, shipping, shipbuilding, and port sectors.
Violations could result in asset freezes, exclusion from the U.S. financial system, and business restrictions.

The U.S. employs these sanctions to maintain “maximum economic pressure” on Iran—aiming to halt nuclear proliferation, curb Tehran’s support to regional militias, and push for a stricter nuclear accord.

In 2018, the U.S. granted India a waiver recognizing Chabahar’s role in Afghanistan’s post-war reconstruction and as a humanitarian trade hub. However, following the Taliban takeover in 2021 and shifting geopolitical priorities, the exemption was revoked in September 2025—until this recent six-month reinstatement.

Chabahar Port: India’s Strategic Gateway

Located in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province, Chabahar sits on the Gulf of Oman, only 170 km west of Pakistan’s Gwadar Port (operated by China under CPEC).
It is Iran’s only oceanic port and provides India direct access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Europe, bypassing Pakistan.

Key Terminals:

  1. Shahid Kalantari Terminal:
    Developed in the 1980s for conventional cargo operations, reducing Iran’s dependence on the congested Strait of Hormuz.
  2. Shahid Beheshti Terminal:
    Operated by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), it forms the backbone of India’s connectivity projects—enabling cargo movement to Afghanistan and Central Asia via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Strategic Importance for India

  • Connectivity & Trade: Strengthens India’s trade links to Eurasia, offering a secure supply chain alternative amidst global disruptions.
  • Regional Balancing: Counters China’s Gwadar influence and enhances India’s maritime and logistical presence in the region.
  • Energy & Security: Serves as a logistical node for energy imports and humanitarian outreach to landlocked neighbors.
  • Geopolitical Significance: Reflects India’s ability to maintain strategic autonomy while managing ties with both Washington and Tehran.

Conclusion

The temporary U.S. waiver reaffirms Chabahar’s role as a strategic lifeline for India’s regional outreach. While the exemption offers short-term relief, long-term success will depend on sustained diplomatic engagement with both the U.S. and Iran, ensuring the port’s full integration into India’s connectivity vision under INSTC and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Civil War in Sudan and India’s Rising Household Debt

1. Civil War in Sudan

Context: El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur in Sudan, witnessed a large-scale massacre after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The incident marks a grim escalation in Sudan’s ongoing civil war.

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Infographic Disclaimer: Map not to scale.

Background:

Sudan, located in Northeast Africa and bordered by the Red Sea, is the continent’s third-largest nation and the world’s leading producer of gum arabic. Since April 2023, the country has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the SAF and the RSF — paramilitary forces that once fought together during the ouster of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

Nature of Conflict:

  • Rivalry for Power: The war stems from a leadership struggle between SAF chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”) over control of the state and military integration.
  • Territorial Split: The RSF controls much of western and central Sudan, including Darfur and Kordofan, while the SAF holds the north and east, operating from Port Sudan.
  • El Fasher Capture (Oct 2025): RSF’s capture of the North Darfur capital resulted in mass killings and ethnic cleansing, effectively partitioning Sudan.
  • Proxy Involvement: Regional powers have turned the conflict into a proxy war — with the UAE reportedly backing the RSF, and Egypt and Iran supporting the SAF.

Consequences:

  • Humanitarian Crisis: Over 24 million Sudanese face acute food insecurity; famine conditions persist in Darfur and Kordofan.
  • Mass Displacement: More than 14 million people have been displaced, creating the world’s largest internal displacement crisis.
  • State Disintegration: The central government has collapsed, halting Sudan’s fragile post-2019 democratic transition.
  • Regional Fallout: Refugee influxes and arms trafficking have destabilised neighbouring nations such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt.

2. Indian Household Debt Rising Faster than Assets

Context: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian households are accumulating debt faster than they are generating assets, as per comparative data between FY 2019–20 and FY 2024–25.

Key Findings:

  • Debt–Asset Gap: Financial liabilities have risen 102% since 2019–20, while asset creation has increased by only 48%.
  • GDP Share: Household financial assets declined from 12% to 10.8% of GDP, while liabilities increased from 3.9% to 4.7%.
  • Net Savings: India’s household savings have touched a five-decade low, reflecting growing reliance on debt-driven consumption.
  • Portfolio Trends:
    • Mutual Fund Investments: Increased from 2.6% to 13.1% of household portfolios.
    • Currency Holdings: Declined from 11.7% to 5.9%, indicating digital and market-linked preference.
    • Bank Deposits: Slightly increased to 33.3% of total assets.

Implications:

  • Rising financial stress due to increasing dependence on credit.
  • Weakening long-term financial resilience and retirement preparedness.
  • Broader macroeconomic concerns — reduced savings mean lower domestic investment capital and higher systemic credit risk.

Way Forward:

Sudan’s civil conflict underscores the fragility of post-revolution states and the danger of militarised governance. Simultaneously, India’s rising household debt highlights the need for stronger financial literacy, savings incentives, and responsible lending policies to sustain inclusive growth.

New Guidelines for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG), 2025

Context: The Ministry of Coal (MoC) has issued the Draft Guidelines for Mining and Mine Closure Plan for Underground Coal and Lignite Gasification (UCG) Blocks, 2025.
The framework aims to facilitate cleaner energy production from India’s deep coal reserves while ensuring environmental and financial accountability.

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About Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)

  • Definition: UCG is an in-situ process that converts coal into syngas (a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and CO₂) by injecting oxidants underground.
  • Objective: To utilise unmineable coal seams lying too deep for conventional mining through a cleaner and controlled process.
  • By-products: Syngas can be used for power generation, chemical synthesis, and hydrogen production, reducing import dependence on fossil fuels.

Key Provisions of the Draft Guidelines

1. Pre-Project Feasibility

  • A pilot feasibility study by an accredited technical institution is mandatory before project approval.
  • The study will assess geological suitability, resource viability, risk parameters, and environmental impact.

2. Environmental Safeguards

  • Only coal seams below 300 metres and in low-permeability strata will be eligible.
  • Projects are prohibited in seismic or eco-sensitive zones to prevent groundwater contamination and land subsidence.
  • Emphasis on optimal syngas yield, minimal waste, and sustainable land use.

3. Financial Accountability

  • A Mine Closure Fund must be established in an escrow account prior to operations.
    • Base contribution: ₹50,000 per hectare, indexed to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
    • Fund release: Up to 75% permitted after verified progressive closure.
    • Penalty: Non-compliance may lead to licence forfeiture or revocation.

4. Institutional Oversight

  • The Coal Controller Organisation will evaluate and approve projects.
  • A Technical Committee comprising experts from the MoC, DGMS, and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas will advise on standards and compliance.
  • The Secretary (Coal) will serve as the appellate authority for grievance redressal.

Significance

  • Promotes energy self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat by tapping domestic reserves sustainably.
  • Reduces carbon intensity compared to open-cast coal mining.
  • Encourages technological innovation and supports India’s National Hydrogen Mission through syngas utilisation.

Challenges Ahead

  • High upfront costs for pilot studies and closure funds.
  • Regulatory complexity across ministries.
  • Need for real-time monitoring of subsurface gasification reactions to avoid ecological hazards.

Way Forward

  • Establish model UCG pilot projects in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
  • Adopt public-private partnerships (PPPs) for technology transfer.
  • Integrate AI-based monitoring for real-time environmental assessment.

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM)

Context: The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), stands among the world’s largest poverty alleviation and women-led livelihood programmes. It focuses on empowering rural households, particularly women, through collective organisation, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.

Background and Evolution

Launched in 2011, the mission was restructured from the earlier Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). In 2016, it was renamed to honour Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Antyodaya philosophy — uplifting the poorest of the poor.

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with a funding ratio of 75:25 between the Centre and States, and 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States.

Objectives of DAY-NRLM

  1. Social Mobilisation and Inclusion: Organising rural poor into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and federations.
  2. Financial Inclusion: Facilitating access to affordable credit and digital banking.
  3. Sustainable Livelihoods: Promoting diversification in agriculture, livestock, and microenterprises.
  4. Skill Development: Enhancing youth employability through training and placement.
  5. Empowerment and Convergence: Strengthening women’s leadership and linking SHGs to government programmes and markets.

Achievements and Impact (as of 2025)

Focus AreaAchievements
Mass MobilisationOver 10 crore rural women organised into 90 lakh SHGs across India.
Financial EmpowermentSHGs accessed ₹11 lakh crore in collateral-free loans with >98% repayment rate (MoRD, 2025).
Community Workforce3.5 lakh Krishi/Pashu Sakhis and 48,000 Bank Sakhis offering doorstep financial and livelihood services.
Livelihood Diversification4.62 crore Mahila Kisans trained in sustainable agriculture; 3.7 lakh microenterprises supported through SVEP.
Skill Development17.5 lakh youth trained and 11.48 lakh placed via DDU-GKY; 40.99 lakh youth settled in self-employment via RSETIs.
Market IntegrationSHG products promoted through SARAS Aajeevika Melas, branding, and e-commerce partnerships.

Significance

  • Women-Led Development: Over 90% of SHG members are women, making DAY-NRLM a cornerstone of gender-inclusive growth.
  • Financial Resilience: SHGs have emerged as micro-banking hubs, improving credit access in rural areas.
  • Local Entrepreneurship: Encourages village-level enterprises in food processing, handicrafts, and services, promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat in rural India.
  • Skill Ecosystem: Integration with DDU-GKY and RSETIs ensures rural youth employability and entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

The DAY-NRLM reflects India’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and women-driven rural transformation. By combining collective action, skill development, and digital inclusion, it continues to serve as a model for community-led poverty eradication and self-reliance.

India - Australia Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism

Context: The 15th India–Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism was held in Canberra to enhance cooperation in tackling global terrorism and violent extremism. The dialogue, co-chaired by senior officials from both countries, reaffirmed mutual commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

  • Broad Cooperation: Both sides reviewed domestic, regional, and global terrorism threats and discussed mechanisms for coordination between law enforcement, judicial bodies, and maritime security agencies.
  • Technology & Radicalisation: They resolved to counter the misuse of emerging technologies—such as encrypted communications, social media, and cryptocurrencies—by terrorist networks, while reinforcing efforts against radicalisation and violent extremism.
  • Information Sharing: Reaffirmed the importance of timely intelligence exchange and operational coordination, especially to curb terrorism in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Multilateral Engagement: Both nations agreed to deepen cooperation through UN, FATF, GCTF, IORA, and QUAD mechanisms to combat terror financing and cross-border terror networks.

India–Australia Strategic Partnership

  • Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), 2020: The relationship was elevated to a CSP, establishing annual leaders’ summits and 2+2 ministerial dialogues, strengthening institutional cooperation in security and trade.
  • Defence & Security Cooperation: Joint military engagements such as AUSINDEX (naval exercises), Malabar drills, and logistics support agreements boost maritime domain awareness and regional security.
  • Economic Cooperation: The India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA, 2022)—India’s first trade deal with a developed nation in a decade—reduced tariffs on over 85% of goods, enhancing trade diversification.
  • Critical Minerals Partnership: Both nations are collaborating on securing supply chains for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, supporting India’s green energy and EV manufacturing goals.
  • Education & Migration: The Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA, 2023) facilitates smoother movement of students, researchers, and professionals, reinforcing people-to-people ties.

Significance

This enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation aligns with India’s strategic objective of strengthening maritime security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. It also reinforces Australia’s role as a trusted partner in maintaining rules-based order and ensuring peace in the region.

Way Forward

  • Institutionalise real-time intelligence exchange frameworks.
  • Enhance capacity-building and training programmes for counter-terrorism forces.
  • Expand cooperation in cyber and financial crime tracking.
  • Promote collaboration in multilateral counter-terror forums to set global norms on terror financing and tech misuse.

Source: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia.

National Household Income Survey (NHIS)

Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will launch India’s first-ever National Household Income Survey (NHIS) in February 2026. This landmark initiative aims to generate reliable, comprehensive, and regionally representative data on household income and its distribution across different socio-economic groups.

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About the National Household Income Survey (NHIS)

Objective:

The primary goal of the NHIS is to provide accurate income estimates and assess income inequality across rural and urban India. It will help policymakers design targeted welfare measures, strengthen fiscal planning, and evaluate the impact of government schemes on income distribution.

Implementing Agency:

The survey will be conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the MoSPI, marking a significant expansion of India’s official statistical architecture.

Coverage and Scope:

  • Both rural and urban households will be covered.
  • Data collection will be carried out through digitally supervised household visits to ensure transparency and minimize human error.
  • The survey will capture income from multiple dimensions, including:
    • Wages and salaries
    • Self-employment
    • Property income
    • Pensions and remittances
    • Welfare and social transfers

Methodology:

A Technical Expert Group (TEG), chaired by Surjit S. Bhalla, will design the methodology using global best practices. This will ensure consistency with international standards used in income and inequality studies by organizations such as the World Bank and OECD.

Challenges in Conducting NHIS

  1. Sensitivity Barrier:
    Pre-tests conducted in 2025 revealed that 95% of respondents were unwilling to disclose income details, reflecting deep-seated privacy and trust concerns.
  2. Fragmented Sources:
    Rural households often have multiple informal income streams, making it difficult to verify and aggregate income accurately.
  3. Non-Monetised Output:
    The self-consumption of farm produce and barter-based exchanges complicate valuation of non-marketed income.
  4. Data Inconsistency:
    Persistent under-reporting and recall bias may result in lower reported income compared to actual consumption levels.
  5. Irregular Earnings:
    Seasonal labourers and self-employed workers face fluctuating earnings, leading to inconsistent and incomplete data capture.

Significance

  • Will fill a critical gap in India’s socio-economic data landscape, as previous surveys (like NSSO consumption surveys) only provided expenditure-based insights.
  • Supports the measurement of income inequality (Gini coefficient) and helps track regional disparities.
  • Enhances India’s capacity to align with SDG Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities.
  • Facilitates evidence-based policymaking for taxation, welfare targeting, and poverty alleviation.

Key Economic Context

India’s per capita Gross National Income (GNI) for 2024–25 stood at ₹2.31 lakh (current prices), marking an 8.7% year-on-year increase. However, this growth masks regional and class-based disparities—making NHIS data crucial for accurate, equitable policy design.

Conclusion

The National Household Income Survey marks a transformative step towards improving India’s statistical precision and policy targeting.

Despite implementation challenges, it promises to bridge the long-standing gap between income and consumption data, enabling a more inclusive understanding of India’s economic reality.

Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme: A Model of Inclusive Governance

Context: On November 1, 2025, Kerala will be officially declared free from extreme poverty, becoming the first Indian state to achieve this distinction.
The milestone marks the culmination of the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (2021–2025) — a four-year, data-driven initiative combining welfare convergence, local governance, and digital innovation.

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About Extreme Poverty

  • Definition: According to the World Bank, extreme poverty refers to living on less than $2.15 per day, representing a state where individuals cannot meet basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare.
  • Updated Benchmark (2025): The World Bank has revised this threshold to $3 per day (PPP 2021) for low-income nations, accounting for inflation and changing consumption patterns.
  • Measurement: The poverty line is determined using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) data, ensuring comparability across regions.

Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (2021–2025)

Launched in 2021, the programme aimed to eradicate extreme poverty through a multidimensional approach focusing on nutrition, health, housing, education, and livelihoods.

  • Implementation Agency:
    Led by Kudumbashree – Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission, in collaboration with local governments.
  • Beneficiary Identification:
    • 64,006 extremely poor families identified through door-to-door surveys.
    • 59,277 families uplifted by 2025.
  • Infrastructure Support:
    • 3,913 houses constructed.
    • 1,338 families provided land ownership.
    • 21,263 individuals received essential IDs (ration, Aadhaar, pension).
  • Technology Use:
    Every household was geo-tagged, and micro-plans were prepared to ensure sustainable rehabilitation.

How Kerala Achieved Poverty-Free Status

  1. Data-Driven Targeting:
    The Smart Panchayat Project and Kudumbashree database enabled accurate beneficiary identification using community validation and GIS mapping.
  2. Convergence of Schemes:
    Integrated State and Central welfare schemes under a unified action plan:
    • Life Mission: Housing for landless families.
    • Aardram Mission: Primary healthcare access.
    • Ashraya Project: Welfare for destitute and elderly.
  3. Decentralised Governance:
    Kerala’s People’s Plan Campaign (Janakeeya Aasuthranam) empowered local bodies with decision-making and fiscal autonomy under the Nava Kerala Mission.
  4. Digital Governance:
    The Kerala State IT Mission created GIS-based dashboards and the e-Sevanam portal for tracking benefits, asset mapping, and real-time monitoring.
  5. Political and Institutional Alignment:
    Cross-party support and Mission Mode Governance ensured coherence between state policies and local implementation, supported by KILA training for officials.

Significance

Kerala’s success underscores the potential of decentralisation, data integration, and community participation in addressing poverty.

It sets a replicable model for other Indian states to adopt evidence-based social welfare and multidimensional poverty reduction strategies.

Govt Amends VOPPA Order to Tighten Edible Oil Regulations

Context: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has issued the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Amendment Order, 2025 (VOPPA 2025) to enhance regulatory oversight and transparency in India’s edible oil sector.

The VOPPA Order, originally notified in 2011 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, governs the production, distribution, and trade of edible oils in India.

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Objective of the Amendment

The amendment aims to:

  • Prevent hoarding and artificial shortages,
  • Improve transparency in production and trade data,
  • Strengthen enforcement against misreporting, and
  • Ensure consumer protection through stable and fair prices.

Key Provisions of VOPPA (Amendment) Order, 2025

  • Mandatory Online Registration: All edible oil producers, refiners, and traders must register digitally with state and central authorities.
  • Monthly Digital Reporting: Real-time data submission on stocks, production, and prices.
  • Alignment with Essential Commodities Act (1955): Ensures definitional uniformity for better policy enforcement.
  • Enhanced Penalties: Tighter action against hoarding, under-reporting, and stock manipulation.

Significance:

These reforms strengthen market surveillance, ensure accurate data flow for policy interventions, and improve food security resilience amid global supply disruptions.

India’s Edible Oil Sector: Overview

  • Consumption: India is the world’s second-largest consumer of edible oils after China. Per capita consumption surpasses ICMR’s recommended intake levels.
  • Import Dependence: Imports account for 55–60% of total demand, making India the largest global importer—ahead of China and the U.S.
  • Composition of Imports:
    • Palm Oil: ~56% (mostly from Indonesia & Malaysia)
    • Soybean Oil: ~27%
    • Sunflower Oil: ~16%
  • Domestic Production: Key oilseeds—soybean (34%), rapeseed–mustard (31%), and groundnut (27%)—constitute over 90% of domestic output.
  • Structural Issues: Low productivity due to small rainfed farms, outdated processing tech, and limited irrigation.

Government Initiatives

  • NMEO–Oil Palm (2021): Focuses on self-reliance in palm oil production in the North-East and Andaman–Nicobar Islands.
  • NMEO–Oilseeds (2024): Promotes yield improvement and secondary oil sources (rice bran, cottonseed) using modern technologies.

Way Forward

  • Develop strategic edible oil reserves to cushion price shocks.
  • Promote research and hybrid seeds for higher oil content.
  • Enhance domestic value chains through cooperatives and agri-startups.
  • Strengthen digital traceability systems for transparent supply chains.

Conclusion

The VOPPA 2025 Amendment represents a critical reform for ensuring edible oil availability, stabilising prices, and reducing India’s heavy import dependence — aligning with national goals of food security and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Trachoma: Fiji Eliminates a Preventable Cause of Blindness

Context: Fiji has become the 26th country in the world to eliminate Trachoma as a public health problem, as validated by the World Health Organization (WHO). This marks a major step towards achieving the global goal of ending trachoma by 2030 under the WHO NTD Roadmap.

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What is Trachoma?

Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through:

  • Direct contact with the eyes, eyelids, or nasal secretions of an infected person.
  • Indirect contact via contaminated towels, clothing, or flies that have come into contact with discharge from infected eyes or nose.

If untreated, repeated infections lead to scarring of the inner eyelid, causing eyelashes to turn inward and scratch the cornea, ultimately leading to irreversible blindness.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Redness and irritation of eyes
  • Watery or purulent discharge
  • Swelling of eyelids
  • Blurred vision
  • Discharge from the nose

Treatment and Prevention

  • Drugs:
    • Azithromycin (oral)
    • Tetracycline (eye ointment)
  • Preventive Measures:
    • Improved facial cleanliness and sanitation
    • Access to clean water
    • Control of disease-carrying flies

WHO’s SAFE Strategy

The WHO recommends the SAFE Strategy to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem:

SAFE StrategyDescription
SurgeryTo correct advanced stages of trachoma causing eyelid deformities
AntibioticsTo clear infection (e.g., Azithromycin)
Facial cleanlinessPromotes hygiene to reduce transmission
Environmental improvementAccess to clean water, sanitation, and reduced fly population

Global and Indian Context

  • According to WHO, 150 million people are still at risk of trachoma globally, mainly in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
  • The disease primarily affects poor, rural communities lacking sanitation and healthcare access.
  • India has made significant progress under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), though surveillance continues in endemic areas.

Significance

Fiji’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of community-level health interventions, strong surveillance, and cross-sector collaboration in eliminating neglected tropical diseases. It also strengthens global momentum toward Universal Eye Health and the WHO’s 2030 NTD Roadmap.

9 Years of UDAN Scheme: Connecting India’s Skies

Context: The UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched on 21 October 2016 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), has completed nine successful years of enhancing regional air connectivity and making air travel accessible to the common citizen.

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About the UDAN Scheme

  • Launch & Objective:
    Introduced under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), 2016, UDAN aims to make air travel affordable and widespread, especially for residents of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and regions with poor or no air connectivity.
  • Implementing Agency:
    Airports Authority of India (AAI) serves as the nodal agency.
  • Tenure:
    Applicable for 10 years (2016–2026).
  • Recognition:
    Recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2020) under the Innovation Category.
  • Funding Structure:
    Supported through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from the Regional Connectivity Fund, shared between:
    • Centre: 80–90%
    • State Governments: 10–20%
      Airlines receive incentives such as:
      • Fee waivers on parking and navigation
      • 50% seats at subsidised fares
      • State support for land, utilities & security

Key Achievements in 9 Years (as of 2025)

CategoryAchievement
Routes Operationalised649 Regional Routes
Passengers Served1.56 crore
Flights Operated3.23 lakh UDAN Flights
Infrastructure93 Airports, 15 Heliports, 2 Water Aerodromes
Investment & Support₹4,300 crore as VGF; ₹4,638 crore airline support
Employment Impact1 lakh+ Direct & Indirect Jobs (MoCA Report, 2025)

Recent Developments

  • UDAN 5.5 (2025):
    Introduced to focus on special bidding rounds for seaplanes and helicopters, addressing geographical barriers in hilly, island, and North-Eastern regions.
  • Expanded UDAN Framework (Post-2027):
    The upcoming phase will focus on aspirational districts, border areas, and remote hilly terrains, aligning with the government’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision.

Significance

  • Democratized air travel by connecting underserved and unserved airports.
  • Strengthened regional economic activity, tourism, and employment generation.
  • Enhanced social inclusion and mobility in remote areas.

UDAN represents India’s model of inclusive infrastructure growth, balancing commercial viability with social responsibility.

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025

Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025.
The amendment aims to prevent the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—particularly deepfakes, misinformation, and election-related manipulation—by mandating greater transparency and accountability in online content moderation.

Objectives of the Amendment

  • Prevent the spread of synthetic or manipulated media.
  • Ensure user awareness about AI-generated or altered content.
  • Strengthen oversight and accountability in online content blocking.
  • Maintain a balance between innovation and digital safety.

Key Provisions of IT Amendment Rules 2025

1. Authority Restriction

Only senior officials can issue takedown notices:

  • Joint Secretary (or above) in Ministries/Departments.
  • Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or above in police departments.

This ensures misuse prevention and greater accountability in content regulation.

2. Reasoned Orders

Each takedown order must include:
- The statute or rule violated.
- The legal justification.
- The specific URL or content identifier to be removed.

This makes the process transparent and verifiable.

3. Monthly Review

All takedown actions under Rule 3(1)(d) must be reviewed monthly by a senior officer not below the rank of Secretary, ensuring procedural compliance and preventing arbitrary censorship.

Regulating Synthetic & AI-Generated Content

Definition

“Synthetic information” refers to any content artificially created or algorithmically modified using computer resources to appear genuine.

Labelling Requirement

  • Platforms must label all AI-generated or modified content to alert users about its artificial origin.
  • This aims to build digital literacy and public trust in online spaces.

User Declaration & Verification

  • Users must declare whether their uploaded content is AI-generated or altered.
  • Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs)—those with over 5 million registered users—must deploy tools to verify user declarations and detect synthetic content.

Safe Harbour Protection

Platforms retain “safe harbour” immunity under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000, if they act in good faith to identify and remove synthetic or manipulated content.
This provision incentivises proactive compliance while protecting genuine intermediaries.

Significance

The IT Amendment Rules 2025 mark a critical step in responsible digital governance by:

  • Curbing AI misuse and disinformation,
  • Promoting accountable online regulation, and
  • Safeguarding citizens’ rights to authentic information.

These amendments align with India’s broader goal of building a secure, transparent, and ethical AI ecosystem under the Digital India framework.

Rising Antibiotic Resistance: A Global Health Emergency

Context: The World Health Organization’s Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report (2025) warns that nearly 1 in 6 bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotics. Between 2018–2023, resistance rose in over 40% of pathogen–antibiotic combinations, with an annual increase of 5–15%, signaling an accelerating global health emergency.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) evolve to resist the effects of drugs designed to kill them.

  • Example: Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) — caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to both isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP).
  • AMR makes infections harder to treat, increases hospital stays, and raises mortality risk.

Key Findings from WHO Report (2025):

  • Scale of Resistance:
    Globally, 16% of lab-confirmed infections were antibiotic-resistant in 2023. The highest rates are reported from South-East Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, where 1 in 3 infections show resistance.
  • Most Affected Pathogens (8 major bacteria):
    E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  • Drug Resistance Pattern:
    Over 40% of E. coli and 55% of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains are resistant to 3rd-generation cephalosporins, a mainline antibiotic group.
  • Data Gaps:
    Nearly 48% of countries did not report sufficient data to the Global AMR Surveillance System (GLASS), reflecting weak diagnostic capacity and reporting infrastructure.

India’s Perspective

India faces one of the highest burdens of AMR globally.

  • Causes: Overuse of antibiotics, self-medication, poor infection control, and use of antibiotics in livestock.
  • Initiatives:
    • National Action Plan on AMR (2017–2025).
    • AMR Surveillance & Research Network (ICMR).
    • “One Health” approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health.

Way Forward

  • Stewardship: Rational antibiotic prescription and public awareness.
  • Surveillance: Strengthen global and national reporting systems.
  • Research: Promote new antibiotics, vaccines, and alternatives like phage therapy.
  • Global Cooperation: Coordinated policy response under WHO and UN frameworks.

Conclusion

Antibiotic resistance is not just a medical challenge—it is a societal threat jeopardizing modern medicine. Strengthening surveillance, promoting responsible use, and fostering global partnerships remain key to reversing the tide of AMR.