GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The current state of industrial safety in India remains a critical concern, with a high frequency of industrial accidents occurring daily across various sectors. A tragic incident that highlights this issue was the recent accident at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana, where eight workers were trapped.

What is the current state of industrial safety in India?

• India's industrial safety is in a dire state, marked by a significant number of fatalities and injuries in workplace accidents.
• As of December 2025, over 400 workers have died, and more than 850 have been seriously injured, with the chemical, pharmaceutical, mining, and energy sectors seeing the highest number of incidents.
• Notably, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries have witnessed deadly explosions and fires, claiming numerous lives and injuring many others.
• Root causes of these accidents:
  • Systemic failures in workplace oversight
  • Poor safety precautions
  • Lack of proper training
  • Use of untrained, precarious workers
• The government's relaxation of safety regulations, such as allowing companies to self-certify their compliance and reducing unannounced inspections, has worsened the situation. There is growing criticism of these regulatory changes, as they have weakened accountability and failed to ensure worker protection.

Challenges

• Weak Enforcement and Implementation: There is often inadequate enforcement of safety regulations, especially in small-scale industries and informal sectors. Corruption and lack of resources may hinder proper inspections and safety measures.
• Training and Awareness Gaps: Workers, especially in the informal sector, are often unaware of their rights or proper safety procedures. Regular safety training and awareness programs are necessary.
• Delayed Compensation: Compensation and rehabilitation often face delays, with families of victims waiting for years to receive full compensation, leaving them financially vulnerable.
• Inadequate Safety Infrastructure: Many industrial units, especially in rural or remote areas, lack proper safety equipment and emergency response infrastructure. There's also a lack of disaster preparedness drills.

Required Measures

• Stronger Implementation of Safety Standards: The government needs to strengthen the implementation of existing safety standards. Regular inspections, penalties for non-compliance, and creating a monitoring mechanism will deter violations. Additionally, promoting the adoption of advanced safety technologies and automated systems can minimize human error.
• Better Worker Training and Awareness: Workers must be properly trained in the use of safety equipment, emergency protocols, and risk management. Government, industry bodies, and employers must work together to ensure that workers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent accidents.
• Enforcement of Labor Rights and Welfare Programs: Labor laws and welfare programs should be more robust and rigorously enforced. Workers should be provided with adequate health insurance, compensation, and benefits in case of accidents. Additionally, a dedicated helpline or legal recourse for industrial accident victims could help ensure timely compensation.
• Creation of a National Industrial Safety Authority: A dedicated body focusing on industrial safety could be established to conduct regular audits of industrial units, implement stricter regulations, and ensure compliance with safety norms. This body could work in coordination with the NDMA to design safety frameworks tailored specifically to industrial settings.
• Promoting Safe Working Conditions through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Encouraging industries to adopt CSR initiatives that focus on worker safety and welfare is crucial. Industries should be incentivized through tax breaks or recognition programs to prioritize safety standards and better working conditions.

Bus services between Karnataka and Maharashtra have come to a standstill after tensions flared up recently when a bus conductor was beaten up in Belagavi for allegedly not responding in Marathi.

What is the Karnataka-Maharashtra Border Dispute?

• The border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra primarily centers around the region of Belagavi (formerly Belgaum), a district that has a significant Marathi-speaking population.
• The dispute dates back to 1956 when India reorganized its states based on linguistic lines.
• Belagavi was allocated to Karnataka, but Maharashtra claims that the district and several surrounding areas should belong to it, as they were part of the Bombay Presidency before independence.
• Timeline:
  • 1956: The States Reorganisation Act was passed, forming new states based on linguistic majorities. Belagavi, despite its large Marathi-speaking population, was allocated to Karnataka.
  • 1960: Maharashtra started claiming Belagavi and several villages along the border, arguing that they were wrongly assigned to Karnataka. Maharashtra’s objections were primarily based on the linguistic makeup of these areas.
  • 1966: The Mahajan Commission was set up by the Indian government to resolve the issue. The commission ruled in favor of Karnataka, recommending that Belagavi and 247 villages remain with Karnataka, while 264 villages should be transferred to Maharashtra. Maharashtra rejected this recommendation.
  • 2004: Maharashtra took the matter to the Supreme Court, where it remains pending. The border dispute between the two states remains unresolved, with the Supreme Court yet to pass a final ruling.

Claims of Both States

• Maharashtra’s Claims: Maharashtra claims 814 villages and the urban settlements of Belagavi, Karwar, and Nippani as historically belonging to the Bombay Presidency before India's independence.
  • Maharashtra argues that these regions, predominantly Marathi-speaking, should be part of Maharashtra.
  • In 2004, Maharashtra filed a petition in the Supreme Court, staking its claim over Belagavi.
• Karnataka’s Claims: Karnataka defends its position, claiming that Belagavi and surrounding areas were rightly included based on the States Reorganisation Act of 1956.
  • The 1966 Mahajan Commission Report supports Karnataka’s claim, as it recommended that Belagavi and 247 villages should stay with Karnataka.
  • Karnataka has also cited the linguistic lines drawn by the Act and the economic development in Belagavi since it became part of Karnataka.
  • Karnataka has built a Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi to assert its control and hold the winter sessions of the Karnataka legislature there since 2006.

A recent legal dispute has brought the issue of data loss in cloud storage to the forefront. Adarsh Developers, a Bengaluru-based real estate firm, filed a complaint against Amazon Web Services (AWS). The company claims that years' worth of vital data stored on AWS was lost, leading to a financial loss exceeding Rs 100 crores. This incident has raised serious concerns regarding the security of cloud storage, data protection, and cloud service reliability.

What are the possible Causes of Data Loss?

• Cloud Misconfiguration: Cloud misconfigurations refer to errors in setting up cloud storage systems that leave data exposed or vulnerable. Inadequate security protocols, poorly managed permissions, or wrong settings can result in accidental data deletion or unauthorized access. This incident could involve such misconfigurations, where system architecture or settings were not correctly implemented.
• Human Error: Often, large-scale outages and data losses are a result of human mistakes. For instance, errors during maintenance, software updates, or even by vendors working with the cloud system can result in the deletion of critical data.
• Cybersecurity Issues: While the primary concern in this case was misconfiguration or human error, cybersecurity breaches, such as unauthorized access by hackers, are a common threat to cloud-stored data. In this case, it has yet to be determined whether a cyberattack contributed to the data loss.

Role of Cloud Service Providers:

• Cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) offer secure data storage solutions, but the responsibility for data security is often shared between the provider and the client.
• While AWS provides security measures, users must also ensure proper configurations, backups, and access control mechanisms are in place.

Regulatory and Legal Implications:

• This incident highlights the importance of data protection laws and cloud service agreements. In India, the Information Technology Act, 2000 and related regulations such as the IT (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures) Rules, 2011 provide the legal framework for data protection, but issues related to cloud storage security and vendor liability are still evolving.
• Globally, cloud service providers are also expected to comply with regulations like General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, which imposes strict guidelines on data handling and security breaches.

The Maharashtra government has submitted a proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the theme ‘Maratha Military Landscape of India’, urging the inclusion of 12 forts in the prestigious World Heritage Sites, said an official statement. These include 11 forts in Maharashtra in Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Shivneri, Lohagad, Salher, Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Vijaydurg, Khanderi Fort, and one Jinji Fort in Tamil Nadu.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680):

• Early Life:
  • Born: February 19, 1630, at Shivneri Fort (Pune District) to Shahaji Bhosle and Jijabai.
  • He was influenced by his mother, Jijabai, who instilled a strong sense of culture and religion.
  • He was raised by Dadoji Kondadeo, who educated him in military strategy, administration, and revenue systems.
  • Shivaji’s paternal grandfather, Maloji, was a distinguished general and awarded Fort Shivneri for his service.
• Formation of the Maratha Kingdom:
  • Independence: Established an independent kingdom by breaking away from the Bijapur Sultanate.
  • Government: Created a strong and efficient administrative system with a well-trained army.
  • Recognition: In 1674, he was formally crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad Fort.
• Contributions and Innovations:
  • Father of the Indian Navy: He built a strong naval force, constructing forts along the Konkan coast to safeguard maritime routes.
  • Shivaji was known for his guerrilla warfare tactics, also called "Ganimi Kawa", using surprise attacks and mountain forts to his advantage.
  • He [romoted religious harmony, welcomed people from diverse religions into his administration, and treated women with honor.
  • Language Promotion: He advocated for the use of Marathi and Sanskrit, replacing Persian and Arabic terms in official matters.
• Wars and Conquests:
  • Early Campaigns: He captured Torna Fort in 1646 at age 16, beginning his military campaigns against the Bijapur Sultanate.
  • Conflict with Bijapur:
    • Battle of Pratapgarh (1659): Defeated Bijapur’s Afzal Khan, marking a significant victory.
    • Capture of Panhala Fort (1660): Shivaji faced siege and later recaptured it in 1673.
  • Mughal Empire:
    • Shivaji initially allied with the Mughals but later rebelled, engaging in battles like the Battle of Surat (1664) and Battle of Purandar (1665), where he agreed to Mughal authority temporarily.
    • Escape from Agra (1666): After being imprisoned by Aurangzeb, Shivaji escaped from Agra in 1666, eventually leading to peace negotiations.
    • Battle of Sinhagad (1670): Recaptured the Sinhagad fort from the Mughals.
    • Battle of Salher (1672): The first major Maratha victory against the Mughals.
  • Conquests in Southern India:
    • From 1674, expanded Maratha control over Khandesh, Karwar, and Kolhapur.
    • Initiated a campaign in southern India, forming a treaty with the Qutubshah of Golkonda in 1677.
  • Administration:
    • Ashta Pradhan: A council of eight ministers responsible for various functions like administration, finance, and military.
    • He introduced an efficient governance system with Sanskrit as the official language.
    • Religious Policies: He encouraged religious tolerance and built alliances with Muslim states, incorporating them into his administration.
  • Military Strategy and Organization:
    • Guerrilla Warfare: He used the mountainous terrain to conduct surprise attacks.
    • He built 240-280 forts (including Rajgad, Torna, Purandar) and maintained a strong naval presence, particularly along the Konkan coast.
    • He established a Maratha navy with forts like Sindhudurg, recruiting both Hindus and Muslims for naval operations.
  • Legacy:
• After his death in 1680, Shivaji’s kingdom was inherited by his son Sambhaji, who continued his father’s expansionist policies but was captured and executed by the Mughals.
• Rajaram (Sambhaji's brother) took over but was later forced to flee.
• Shahu, son of Sambhaji, later became Chhatrapati and the rise of the Peshwas began under Balaji Vishwanath in 1713.

Following the announced of the formation of a Makhana Board in Bihar, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with Makhana producers in Darbhanga district, where he also accompanied farmers to sow seeds.

• Bihar's government has advocated for measures to promote Makhana cultivation, including the minimum support price for Makhana.

About Makhana (Fox Nut):

• Makhana (Fox Nut) is the dried seed of the prickly water lily (Euryale ferox), found in freshwater ponds across South and East Asia.
• It is known for its violet and white flowers, large prickly leaves, and black to brown seeds.
• Makhana is often consumed as ‘lava’ (popped snacks) and is highly nutritious, rich in carbohydrates, protein, and minerals.
• GI Tag: In 2022, Mithila Makhana received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. A GI tag is granted to products with qualities linked to a specific region and is valid for 10 years, renewable thereafter.
• Makhana Production in India:
• Bihar: Accounts for 90% of India’s Makhana production, concentrated in 9 districts in northern and eastern Bihar (Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, and Sitamarhi), with the first four contributing 80% of the output.
• Also cultivated in Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha, and in neighboring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, and Korea.
• Climatic Requirements:
• It is grown in tropical and subtropical regions, in water bodies such as ponds and wetlands with shallow depths (4-6 feet).
• It requires 20-35°C temperature, 50-90% humidity, and 100-250 cm of annual rainfall for optimal growth.
• Makhana Board: In February 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the formation of a Makhana Board in Bihar.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala is poised to become a key player in global logistics, with ambitions to transform Kerala’s economy.

About Vizhinjam International Seaport

• Vizhinjam is situated in the southern part of Kerala, India, near the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
• It is developed by Adani Ports and SEZ under a public-private partnership.
• It is India's latest international deep-water transshipment facility.
• Its strategic position along major international shipping routes offers a significant advantage for maritime trade.
• It is located strategically on international shipping routes with a natural depth of 18-20 meters, Vizhinjam is designed to handle large mother vessels and plays a critical role in India’s trans-shipment capacity.
• Strategic Location and Global Connectivity: Vizhinjam’s location connects key global ports like Shanghai, Busan, and Rotterdam with major Indian ports, giving Kerala an edge in global logistics.
  • The port’s development as a sea-air transshipment hub aims to position Kerala as a prominent maritime leader in South Asia.

In 2023, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on the moon’s south pole, a region previously unexplored by any lunar mission. This mission has resulted in the first-ever detailed geological map of the moon’s south polar region, created by Indian scientists. The map is shedding new light on the moon’s history, its formation, and its geological makeup.

What is in the first detailed geological map?

• The detailed geological map was created using data from the Pragyan rover, which was deployed by the Vikram lander.
• The map shows an undulating landscape, including highlands and flat plains, surrounding the landing site.
• It highlights the Schomberger crater, which was identified as the primary source of debris around the landing zone.
  • This crater is part of the lunar impact history, and its study helps understand the moon’s evolution.
• The region’s age is estimated to be 7 billion years, a time when Earth’s first microbial life emerged. This aligns with the time when the moon began to solidify after its formation.
• The map also confirmed the presence of primordial magma beneath the surface, an ancient ocean of molten rock that stretches across the entire moon. This discovery adds to our understanding of the moon’s geological history and supports previous evidence from past missions.
• Key Discoveries and Their Significance:
• Magma Beneath the Surface: Data from Chandrayaan-3 confirmed that magma lies beneath the moon’s surface in the south pole region. This supports earlier data from other missions, but it is the first confirmation of this in the high-latitude area.
• Lunar Impact Craters: The map identified key impact craters, including the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the largest impact craters in the solar system. Lunar craters are important for understanding the early solar system and can serve as time capsules for studying the moon's history.
• Common Origin of Earth and Moon: The study revealed that Earth and the moon share a similar geochemical history and likely originated from the same molten cloud of material about 5 billion years ago. The moon is thought to have formed from debris after a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized planet.

The Maharashtra FDA (Food and Drug Administration) issued a stop production order and instructed the withdrawal of export NoCs (No Objection Certificates) and manufacturing licenses for any combination of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol.

Key Drugs Involved:

• Tapentadol: It is approved individually in India in 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg tablet forms, as well as in extended-release tablets (100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg).
  • It is used primarily for pain management.
• Carisoprodol: It is approved individually in India for muscle spasms.

While these two drugs are approved separately in India, their combination is not approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India's drug regulatory authority.

A surge in norovirus cases is prompting hospital officials to issue urgent warnings, urging the public to restrict hospital visits to prevent further spread.

What is norovirus?

• Norovirus is a viral infection that inflames your intestines, which is why many of the symptoms relate to tummy pain.
• For many people, the illness is relatively mild and clears up after one to three days.
• But norovirus can cause young children, older people and those with compromised immune systems or underlying conditions to become severely dehydrated.
• In extremely rare cases, people sickened with norovirus require hospital treatment.
• Symptoms of norovirus: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, High temperature, Headaches, Exhaustion
• Spread: Norovirus is highly contagious, with fewer than 100 particles enough to cause illness.

The current state of labor conditions in India is concerning, given the extensive use of cheap, long-hours labor, particularly in the informal sector. The below piece critiques the Indian industrial model that prioritizes low wages and long working hours over technological advancements and innovation.

India’s Informal Workforce and Exploitative Labor Conditions:

• Widespread Informal Employment: In India, 78.3% of the workforce is either self-employed or casual laborers, with only 21.7% in regular salaried jobs. Even among regular workers, many face informal employment conditions with no written contracts, no paid leave, or social security benefits.
• Long Working Hours in Informal Sector: Migrant workers in Punjab work 11 to 12 hours a day, with no respite during high-demand periods. Their daily lives are consumed by long work hours and commuting, furthering the exploitation in informal sectors, particularly in factories.
• Exploitation Through Cheap Labor: Corporate leaders advocating for longer working hours are inadvertently highlighting the continued reliance of Indian industries on cheap labor rather than technology or innovation, keeping wages low and conditions poor. This model hampers the nation's economic advancement.

The Flaws in India's Industrial Model and its Impact:

• Shift to Unorganized Sector: India’s industry has seen a shift from the organized sector, where wages and working conditions are regulated, to small, unregistered units. Over 70% of India's manufacturing workforce is in units with fewer than 10 workers, often subjected to poor conditions and delayed payments by larger firms.
• Dependency on Contract Workers: Since 2011, 56% of workers in India’s factory sector have been hired as contract workers, with no access to labor protections. This allows employers to avoid labor regulations, further exacerbating wage disparity and insecure working conditions.
• Underperformance of India’s Garment Industry: Despite a labor surplus, India’s garment industry has stagnated with only a 3.1% share of global exports. The reluctance of Indian industry to modernize and embrace technological improvements, coupled with reliance on cheap labor, has hindered growth and made it difficult for India to compete with other nations like China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.

Impact of Low Wages on Innovation and Growth:

• Stifled Innovation in Indian Industry: The over-reliance on low wages and long hours has led to a lack of investment in technology and modernization. Indian industries remain stuck in outdated practices, unable to capitalize on global market opportunities or spur innovation.
• Negative Impact on Domestic Market: The long hours and low wages have reduced workers' purchasing power, leading to a depressed domestic market. This lack of demand, combined with stagnation in productivity, is a vicious cycle that stifles broader economic growth.
• Long-Term Implications for Indian Industry: If the current exploitative labor model continues, it will harm Indian industries in the long run, leading to an impoverished workforce, stunted innovation, and a lack of sustainable growth. The industry’s short-term profits will be eroded by a growing pool of disadvantaged workers.

Practice Question:

Q. “India’s industrial growth model, reliant on cheap labor and long working hours, undermines its potential for innovation and sustainable growth.” Critically analyze this statement with specific reference to India’s informal labor sector and its impact on the broader economy.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has proposed new regulations to study pricing patterns in the context of quick commerce and e-commerce. These regulations focus on determining the cost of production and evaluating concerns like predatory pricing and price gouging, especially in light of the disruptive impact of digital retail. The CCI’s approach to pricing is being discussed amidst fears of regulatory overreach in the evolving landscape.

The Regulatory Framework and CCI's Approach:

• Existing Legal Provisions: The CCI already has the authority to examine pricing under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002, and the new draft regulations are in line with earlier rules that have been in place since 2009. The proposed methodology for determining cost is designed to enhance the CCI’s capacity to address pricing concerns, without dramatically shifting from its historically light-touch regulatory stance.
• E-commerce and Quick Commerce Disruption: The emergence of e-commerce and quick commerce has disrupted both consumer and producer behavior, prompting the need for real-time analysis of pricing dynamics. While innovation in pricing models has benefitted consumers with affordability, this also necessitates understanding pricing strategies to avoid the negative impact of monopolistic practices.
• Concerns About Over-Regulation: The CCI's move to review pricing must remain cautious to avoid overregulation. Quick commerce's competitive pricing should not be confused with predatory pricing, which might emerge only if market conditions lead to price gouging after potential industry shakeouts. Proactive intervention by CCI could harm the dynamics of a still-evolving sector.

The Need for a Well-Informed Approach:

• Real-Time Evaluation: As the retail landscape continues to evolve with the advent of digital commerce, there is a need for continuous, real-time evaluation of its effects. Understanding the interplay of quick commerce, e-commerce, and traditional retail will enable well-informed decisions on market distortions, should they arise in the future.
• The Risks of Market Shakeouts: The possible consequences of a market shakeout, where dominant players might push smaller competitors out, cannot be predicted with certainty. A hasty intervention by CCI may have unintended consequences on market structure and competition, and as such, a measured approach is necessary.
• Maintaining CCI's Effective Role: The CCI should be effective in its actions but sparing in their application. It must retain its traditional restraint to avoid shifting from its role as a light-touch regulator to one imposing stringent price controls in a sector that is evolving rapidly due to technological advancements.

Practice Question:

Q. "The Competition Commission of India's (CCI) regulatory role must evolve with emerging market dynamics, especially in sectors like e-commerce and quick commerce." Critically examine the potential impact of CCI’s proposed draft regulations on pricing and competition in India’s digital retail sector.

A FICCI-KPMG study highlights that by 2030, the world will face a shortage of over 85 million skilled workers, potentially costing USD 8.45 trillion in unrealized annual revenue. Given the global talent shortage, India needs to focus on ways to capitalize this demand for skilled labor.

The Global Skills Shortage and India’s Opportunity:

• Growing Demand for Skilled Workers: By 2030, a global shortage of over 85 million skilled workers is anticipated, potentially resulting in $8.45 trillion in unrealized revenue. India can seize this opportunity to tap into global labor demands, given its demographic advantage and skilled workforce.
• Key Regions with Workforce Demands: Major regions like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, and Australia will face specific labor shortages. Healthcare and service sectors will see significant demand, while sectors like manufacturing and construction will be vital for the GCC and Australia.
• Emerging Sectors and Skills: Automation, AI, big data, IoT, and blockchain are identified as emerging sectors with growing demand. Indian workers skilled in these technologies could fill gaps in industries across these regions, contributing significantly to global economic productivity.

Barriers to Skilled Worker Mobility:

• Regulatory and Immigration Barriers: Complex visa processes and stringent work permit regulations hinder the smooth movement of skilled workers across borders. These barriers need to be addressed through international cooperation and policy interventions to ease mobility.
• Exploitation and Trafficking: Exploitative recruitment practices and human trafficking are significant threats to migrant workers' rights and safety. The Indian government is working on digital platforms and bilateral agreements to protect workers and minimize these risks.
• Skill Mismatches and Recognition of Qualifications: Indian qualifications, especially in sectors like medicine, are not universally recognized, resulting in underemployment. Efforts should be made to facilitate mutual recognition of qualifications through international collaboration and alignment with global market needs.

Strategic Measures for Capitalizing on Global Labor Demands:

• Sector-Specific Skill Training: Workforce training should be aligned with the needs of target regions, particularly for emerging sectors. This includes preparing Indian workers for industries like automation, AI, and health care to cater to international demands.
• Regulation of Recruitment Practices: Stricter regulations on recruitment agencies are necessary to prevent exploitation. Efforts should focus on ensuring the safety and rights of workers, particularly in high-demand regions like the GCC.
• Promoting Circular Migration and Mobility: India should prioritize temporary work visas and rotational workforce models to address labor shortages without causing demographic imbalances. Encouraging such models can enhance India’s position in global labor markets.

Practice Question:

Q. "India’s ability to address the global skills shortage by 2030 will play a pivotal role in its economic future." Analyze India’s strategies to leverage its workforce in the global labor market, considering existing barriers and emerging opportunities.