GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The European Union (EU) has issued a document outlining its agenda for relations with India, structured on five pillars: economy, emerging technologies, security, global connectivity, and people-to-people contact.

Deepening India–EU Cooperation in a Multipolar World

Economy and Trade

• Strategic Trade Partners: EU is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade crossing EUR 120 billion in 2022–23, accounting for over 90% rise in a decade.
• Investment Linkages: EU is also India’s second-largest foreign investor; around 6,000 European companies operate in India, creating over 1.3 million jobs.
• FTA Negotiations: Both sides are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), investment protection agreement, and geographical indications (GI) agreement.

Global Connectivity

• Infrastructure and Finance: EU’s Global Gateway mobilises EUR 300 billion globally for digital, energy, and transport infrastructure, complementing India’s initiatives like MASHRAK (Multimodal and Holistic Advancement for Security, Health, and Regional Connectivity).
• Eurasian Linkages: EU–India cooperation seeks to strengthen connectivity from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East and Europe, with projects like the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• Sustainable Pathways: Focus on green transport corridors, renewable energy projects, and resilient supply chains.

Emerging Technologies

• Innovation Cooperation: EU supports India’s AI strategy, digital governance reforms, and joint innovation hubs.
• Technology Transfer: Cooperation in semiconductors, space technologies, clean energy, and startups.
• Critical Sectors: Collaboration on quantum computing, cybersecurity, and biotechnology.

Security and Defence

• Strategic Convergence: Both sides share concerns about maritime security, cyber threats, counterterrorism, and Indo-Pacific stability.
• Institutional Dialogue: Negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement to enhance classified data sharing.
• Defence Collaboration: India and EU enhance cooperation between EU Naval Force and Indian Navy in the western Indian Ocean; joint exercises, counter-piracy, and anti-trafficking operations.

People-to-People Ties

• Mobility and Migration: EU is India’s top destination for student mobility, with over 2.25 lakh Indian students in Europe.
• Skill Partnerships: India–EU mobility partnerships focus on skills, innovation, and academic exchanges.
• Cultural Linkages: Tourism, cultural festivals, and university collaborations strengthen societal bonds.

Comprehensive Analysis

• Strategic Context: The agenda comes amid heightened global uncertainty and geopolitical shifts. EU views India as a vital partner for balancing US–China rivalry, diversifying supply chains, and securing the Indo-Pacific.
• Economic Potential: Successful conclusion of the FTA can significantly expand trade, particularly in automobiles, digital services, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.
• Technological Synergy: India’s growing digital economy and EU’s regulatory expertise can jointly shape global norms in AI, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
• Security Imperatives: Indo-Pacific cooperation adds a strategic dimension, aligning EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy with India’s Act East and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
• Challenges: Negotiation delays in FTA, regulatory divergences, EU’s protectionist measures in agriculture, and India’s cautious approach to climate obligations may hinder progress.

Way Forward:

• Expedite FTA negotiations with a balanced approach on tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
• Joint investment in resilient supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, and clean technologies.
• Institutionalise India–EU Defence and Security Dialogue for regular naval exercises and cyber cooperation.
• Expand student and academic mobility under Erasmus+ and India’s GIAN program.

The Union Home Ministry has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland for six months.

AFSPA and Internal Security Concerns

Present Extension of AFSPA

• In Manipur: AFSPA extended in the whole State except in 13 police station limits across five valley districts, including Imphal, Lamphel, Singjamei, and Thoubal.
• In Nagaland: AFSPA extended in nine districts (Dimapur, Mon, Kiphire, etc.) and 21 police station jurisdictions across five districts.
• In Arunachal Pradesh: Declared “disturbed areas” include Tirap, Changlang, Longding districts, and parts of Namsai district bordering Assam

Powers under AFSPA

• Extraordinary Authority: Security forces may use lethal force against persons contravening the law in disturbed areas.
• Arrest and Search: Enables arrest without warrant and search of premises on suspicion.
• Legal Immunity: Personnel are protected from prosecution unless sanctioned by the Union government.

Contextual Issues

• Security Imperatives: Northeast India has long witnessed insurgency, ethnic violence, and cross-border militancy.
• Human Rights Concerns: AFSPA is often criticized for arbitrary use of power, custodial deaths, and alleged extrajudicial killings.
• Judicial and Committee Views: The Supreme Court in Naga People’s Movement of Human Rights vs. Union of India (1997) upheld AFSPA’s constitutionality but emphasized safeguards. The Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005) recommended its repeal.

Significance of AFSPA

• Provides operational flexibility to the armed forces in insurgency-hit regions.
• Maintains territorial integrity in border areas affected by external and internal threats.
• Acts as a deterrent against insurgent and secessionist groups.

Concerns and Criticism

• Perceived as draconian due to sweeping powers of arrest, search, and use of force.
• Weakens the accountability of armed forces, as prior sanction is needed for prosecution.
• Alienates the local population, undermining trust in democratic governance.

Committees and Recommendations

• Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005): Recommended repeal of AFSPA and incorporation of essential provisions into the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
• Second ARC (2007): Suggested review of AFSPA’s continuance with safeguards.
• Supreme Court Guidelines (2016): Any encounter killings under AFSPA must be subject to independent investigation.

Way Forward

• Review and Rationalisation: Limit AFSPA to genuinely disturbed pockets rather than blanket application.
• Strengthen Civil Policing: Enhance capacity of local police to reduce long-term dependence on the armed forces.
• Time-Bound Oversight: Independent review committees at State level to periodically assess the necessity of AFSPA.
• Balancing Act: Safeguarding national security while ensuring human rights protection through stronger institutional checks.

Sonam Wangchuk, leading the agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule status, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests in Le

Preventive Detention in India

• Constitutional Backing: Provided under Articles 22(3)–22(7).
• Difference from Punitive Detention: Preventive detention is for future threats, while punitive detention is for past acts.
• Duration: Normally up to 3 months, extendable to 12 months with approval.

National Security Act (NSA), 1980

• Enacted in 1980, the NSA is a preventive detention law that allows detention to maintain public order and national security.
• Rooted in Article 22(3)(b) of the Constitution, which permits preventive detention for reasons of state security and public order.

Key Provisions:

• Grounds for Detention:
  • To prevent actions prejudicial to national security.
  • To prevent disruption of public order.
  • To ensure maintenance of essential supplies and services.
• Authority: The Centre or State Government can order detention.
• Duration: Detention up to 12 months, but requires review every 3 months by an Advisory Board of judges.
• Judicial Safeguards: Article 22(4) bars detention beyond 3 months unless approved by an Advisory Board.

Other Preventive Detention Laws:

1. Preventive Detention Act, 1950 (now repealed)
2. Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), 1971 (Repealed in 1978)
3. Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), 1985 (Repealed in1995)
4. Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), 1974

• Purpose: Preventive detention of persons engaged in smuggling and activities adversely affecting foreign exchange.
• Features: Allows detention up to 1 year (extendable in special cases).
• Status: Still in force, considered necessary for economic security.

5. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967

• Purpose: Originally aimed at banning unlawful associations threatening sovereignty and integrity.
• Amendments:
  • 2004: Added “terrorist activities” after POTA repeal.
  • 2008: Strengthened post-26/11 Mumbai attacks.
  • 2012: Expanded definition of terrorism.
  • 2019: Allowed government to designate individuals as terrorists (not just organizations).
• Status: India’s primary anti-terror law today; criticized for harsh bail conditions and misuse.

The United States has announced a 100% tariff on the import of branded and patented pharmaceutical products from October 1, 2025.

Implications of U.S. Tariff Decision on Indian Pharmaceutical Sector

U.S. Tariff Announcement

• Scope of Tariff: A 100% tariff on branded or patented pharmaceutical products, along with tariffs on other goods such as kitchen cabinets and heavy trucks.
• Legal Basis: Implemented under Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962, allowing tariffs citing “national security.”

Impact on Indian Pharma Exports

• India’s Pharma Share: India accounts for nearly 40% of U.S. generic imports; the U.S. is India’s largest pharmaceutical export market.
• ‘Branded Generics’ at Risk: While pure generics may remain unaffected, branded generics sold under U.S. brand names could face tariffs, creating uncertainty for Indian exporters.

Domestic Industry Concerns

• Affected Companies: Indian pharma majors such as Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Lupin, Cipla, and Aurobindo may be impacted.
• Compliance Burden: Companies are awaiting clarity on documentation to determine product categorisation between generics and branded products.

Global Trade Repercussions

• EU Reaction: European countries are expected to respond with countermeasures, potentially escalating trade tensions.
• Supply Chain Vulnerability: High-value patented drugs, heavily dependent on global supply chains, face the most immediate risk.

           

Policy and Regulatory Dimensions

• Indian Government Response: The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is being positioned to boost local API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) and drug manufacturing capacity.
• Strategic Vulnerabilities: Overdependence on the U.S. market highlights the need for diversification of export destinations.

World Tourism Day 2025 focuses on “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” highlighting India’s efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism.

Significance of Tourism

• Economic Contribution: Tourism contributed ?15.73 lakh crore (5.22% of GDP) in 2023-24 and generated 36.9 million direct and 47.72 million indirect jobs.
• Foreign Exchange Earnings: Inbound tourism brought Rs. 51,532 crores.
• Cultural Exchange: Tourism fosters people-to-people connectivity, heritage preservation, and cultural diplomacy.

World Tourism Day & Global Context

• Observed annually on 27th September, initiated by UNWTO in 1980.
• 2025 theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”.
• Host Country for 2025: Malaysia (Melaka): World Tourism Conference, 27–29 September.
• Highlights tourism’s role in achieving SDGs, socio-economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

Key Initiatives by India

• Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS & SD2.0)
  • Launched 2014-15; revamped in 2023 as Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
  • Objective: Develop thematic circuits: Spiritual, Coastal, Tribal, Buddhist, Himalayan, Heritage, Eco, and Cultural.
  • Investment: ?5,290.30 crore (SDS); ?2,108.87 crore (SD2.0).
  • Major Sites: Bodh Gaya, Hampi, Amritsar, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tehri Lake, etc.
  • Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD): 36 projects across 4 themes: Culture & Heritage, Spiritual & Eco-Tourism, Amrit Dharohar, Vibrant Villages. Completion by March 2026.
• PRASHAD Scheme
  • Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive.
  • Focus: Accessibility, convenience, cleanliness, security at pilgrimage sites.
  • Coverage: 54 projects across 28 states/UTs; ?1,168 crore approved.
  • Examples: Somnath, Patna Sahib, Tripura Sundari Temple, Hazratbal Shrine.
• Dekho Apna Desh Initiative
  • Launched 2020; promotes domestic tourism via webinars, quizzes, roadshows, polls, and social media.
  • Engages citizens in identifying favourite destinations.
• Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I & II)
  • Target: Border villages in strategic regions for livelihood creation, skill development, and tourism promotion.
  • Budget VVP-II: ?6,839 crore till 2028-29.
  • States Covered: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, UP, West Bengal.
• SASCI Scheme
  • Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (launched 2025).
  • Goal: Develop iconic tourist centres with end-to-end tourist experiences.
  • Funding: ?3,295.76 crore; 100% central funding.
  • Example: Jal Mahal, Jaipur.
• Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP)
  • Skill development in tourism sector, focusing on women, tribal groups, and local communities.
  • Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi initiatives empower community-based tourism services.
• Digital Initiatives
  • Incredible India Digital Portal: Tourist-centric platform; provides information, bookings, itineraries, and AI chatbot assistance.
  • Content Hub: Repository of images, videos, and brochures for global tourism promotion.
  • Impact:76 crore domestic tourist visits (2024).
  • One India, One Registration Initiative ensures standardised quality and service certification.

Tourism Data Highlights (2025)

• • Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs): ~56 lakh till August.
  • Domestic Tourist Visits:59 crore till August.
  • Medical Tourism FTAs: 1,31,856 (4.1% of total FTAs).
  • Inbound vs Outbound Tourism: Inbound: 16.5 lakh; Outbound: 84.4 lakh.

Researchers at the Central University of Rajasthan successfully cultivated wheat in the Thar Desert using bioformulation-based desert “soilification” technology with high water-retention capacity.

Biotechnological Innovation for Combating Desertification

Background and Rationale

• Desertification Challenge: Western Rajasthan’s Thar Desert has been expanding towards the National Capital Region due to degradation of the Aravalli ranges, changing rainfall patterns, and sand dune spread.
• Agricultural Stress: Harsh desert ecology, unscientific plantation, and limited water resources restrict cultivation in the region.
• Innovation Need: Ensuring food security and preventing land degradation necessitated scientific intervention.

Technology and Experimentation

• Bioformulation Development: Researchers used an indigenous bioformulation that enhanced water retention, cross-linked sand particles, and stimulated beneficial microbial activity.
• Pilot Experiment: Conducted at Banseli village, Ajmer district, with wheat-4079 variety. Wheat grown on 1,000 sq. m desert land required only three irrigations.
• Yield Outcome: Harvested 26 kg wheat per 100 sq. m with a 1:20 seed-to-harvest ratio—double compared to untreated desert soil.
• Irrigation Efficiency: Reduced irrigation cycles from 5–6 (normal agriculture) to 4.

Field Trials and Expansion

• Extended Experiment: Conducted on 400 sq. ft. sand plot at CUoR campus with bajra, guar gum, and chickpea, resulting in 54% higher yield.
• Institutional Support: Backed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Rajasthan Horticulture Department for scaling field-level trials.
• Future Plans: To expand cultivation to millet and green gram, potentially replicating the model across arid zones of India.

Significance of the Innovation

• Agricultural Potential: Demonstrates that barren desert land can be transformed into productive soil through biotechnology.
• Water Conservation: Reduced irrigation needs highlight sustainable water use in water-stressed regions.
• Food Security: Provides scope for enhancing crop diversity and productivity in semi-arid and arid ecosystems.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Offers a method to counter desertification processes accelerated by ecological degradation.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally decommissioned the last MiG-21 fighter jets at a ceremonial event in Chandigarh.

MiG-21: Legacy and Limitations

• Service History: Inducted in 1963 as IAF’s premier interceptor, MiG-21 became the backbone of India’s air defence, proving itself in the 1965 and 1971 wars and the 1999 Kargilconflict .
• Fleet Size: India procured more than 700 aircraft in different variants, with gradual upgrades like the Bison variant with advanced radar and avionics.
• Safety Concerns: Despite upgrades, MiG-21 remained prone to engine failures; government data shows over 170 pilots lost in crashes over the past six decades, earning it the label “flying coffin.”

Present Squadron Strength Crisis

• Fighter Squadron Gap: With the MiG-21’s phase-out, IAF now has 29 squadrons, well below the sanctioned strength of 42.
• Strategic Imbalance: Pakistan fields 20–25 squadrons, while China operates over 60, creating an asymmetry in the event of a two-front conflict.
• Aging Fleet: Many older jets like MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirage-2000s are also set for retirement by 2035, further aggravating the deficit .

Plans for Rebuild

• LCA Tejas Induction: Currently, two operational squadrons of indigenous Tejas Mk1 are in service; an additional 180 Tejas Mk1A jets have been ordered from HAL. Delivery is delayed but 16 aircraft per year are planned.
• Future Platforms: HAL is developing Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter, expected in the next decade.
• Global Procurement: IAF plans to buy 114 multirole fighters through a global tender; Dassault Rafale remains a frontrunner.
• Upgrades: India is modernising 84 Su-30MKIs and deploying Russian S-400 SAM systems, alongside indigenous Akash surface-to-air missiles .

Challenges Ahead

• Delays in Indigenous Programs: Tejas project, conceptualised in the 1980s, has faced repeated delays due to engine and integration issues. AMCA is still in the design stage.
• Dependence on Imports: Continued reliance on foreign suppliers for engines (GE for Tejas Mk2) and fighters undermines self-reliance.
• Two-Front Threat: China’s rapid build-up and Pakistan’s acquisitions necessitate faster induction timelines.

India is hosting the 12th World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in New Delhi from 27th September to 5th October for the first time, with participation from over 100 nations

Historic Milestone for India

• First-time Host: India is hosting the Championships for the first time, showcasing its emergence as a global para-sport hub
• Scale of Event: Over 1,000 athletes from 100+ countries, competing in 186 medal events, making it one of the largest para-sport gatherings
• Upgraded Infrastructure: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium revamped with MONDO track and accessible facilities, symbolising inclusivity

India’s Para-Athletics Journey

• Medal Progression: From 2 silvers at Doha 2015 to 17 medals (6 golds) at Kobe 2024
• Paralympic Achievements: India secured 84 medals at Paris 2024 Paralympics, including 17 in para-athletics
• Key Athletes: Names like Sumit (javelin), Preeti Pal (sprints), Praveen Kumar (high jump) carry India’s medal hopes

Evolution of Para Athletics Globally

• Historical Origins: Traced back to Stoke Mandeville Games (1950s) for WWII veterans
• Formal Recognition: Debuted at Rome 1960 Paralympics with 25 events. Expanded further with wheelchair racing (1964 Tokyo) and inclusion of visually impaired & amputee athletes by the 1970s
• Institutionalisation: Governed today by World Para Athletics under the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), headquartered in Bonn, Germany

Social and Policy Dimensions

• Symbol of Inclusion: Promotes accessibility, disability rights, and integration of para-sports in mainstream conversations
• Policy Support: Growth aided by the Paralympic Committee of India, government funding, and targeted schemes.
• Public Awareness: Hosting the event acts as a catalyst for sensitising society toward para-sports and disability inclusion.

The recent Independence Day address highlighted a governance model that combines discipline, citizen-centric policy, and cooperative federalism.

Vision and Policy Approach

• Discipline in Governance: Governance is anchored in rigorous preparation, attention to detail, and insistence on accountability at every level of decision-making.
• Policy as a Living Instrument: Policies are treated as adaptive tools, continuously refined to respond to economic rhythms rather than static documents.
• Cooperative Federalism: The functioning of the GST Council demonstrates rigorous debate between Centre and States, fostering consensus-driven outcomes.

Citizen-Centric Systems

• Infrastructure for Inclusion: The integration of digital identity, universal bank accounts, and real-time payments has institutionalised financial inclusion and reduced leakages.
• Antyodaya as Benchmark: The upliftment of the last citizen is treated as the ultimate test of schemes, ensuring benefits reach the most vulnerable sections.
• Technological Pragmatism; Innovations in areas such as bamboo-based biofuel are assessed not only for technological feasibility but also for supply chain resilience and farmer benefits.

Work Culture and Outcomes

• Civil but Unsparing Dialogue: Decision-making culture encourages diverse views but prioritises evidence-backed arguments, with responsibility and metrics clearly assigned.
• Outcomes over Spectacle: In domains like energy security and national security, actions are grounded in clarity, restraint, and focus on tangible benefits for citizens.
• Enduring Institutions: Governance emphasises building institutions, platforms, and standards that ensure stability for citizens, enterprises, and the state.

Mains Question:

“Examine how disciplined work ethic and citizen-centric systems can strengthen governance institutions in India. Illustrate with recent examples.”  (250 words)

Massive Gen Z-led protests in Nepal forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign, leading to an interim government and elections scheduled for March 2026.

Immediate Fallout

• Resignation of Prime Minister: Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, 2025, following widespread Gen Z protests and public anger over excessive police action.
• Appointment of Interim PM: Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as interim Prime Minister on September 12, tasked with conducting elections within six months.
• Parliament Dissolution: Parliament was dissolved, and an apolitical expert cabinet is being formed to restore calm and ensure smooth election preparations.

Causes and Political Background

• Youth-Led Unrest: The protests reflected rising youth unemployment in Nepal (over 20%) and frustration with cronyism and coalition politics.
• Historical Political Instability: Since 2015, Nepal has seen seven governments under recurring leaders, frequent changes preventing job growth and economic development.
• Regional Context: Similar political upheavals occurred in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar due to youth protests, long-tenured leaders, and weak accountability mechanisms.

Challenges and Way Forward

• Election and Accountability: Interim government priorities include conducting March 5, 2026 elections, investigating police excesses, and exposing political corruption.
• Constitutional Concerns: Proposals to amend the 2015 constitution, including directly elected executives or weakening federalism, risk sparking protests among Madhesis, Janjatis, and Tharu communities.
• India-Nepal Relations: India maintained a neutral stance, with Prime Minister Modi extending support to the interim government and emphasizing peaceful, free, and fair elections.

Practice Question:

Examine the role of youth-led movements in shaping political transitions in South Asia, with reference to Nepal’s 2025 protests. Discuss the challenges of constitutional reforms and maintaining democratic stability in such transitions.

China’s announcement to forgo Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) at the WTO has implications for India’s trade and subsidy policies.

Trade and Subsidy Pressures

• Global Trade Context: China’s decision at the UN General Assembly signals potential pressure on India to conform with WTO rules while preserving domestic subsidies.
• Agricultural and Industrial Vulnerability: India’s reliance on SDT supports subsidies for farmers, agriculture, and public sector manufacturing, which face constraints if phased out.
• Food Security Risks: Phased removal of subsidies could reduce rural incomes by 10-15%, aggravate food price volatility, and increase malnutrition among children.

Strategic Policy Options

• Developed Country Comparison: Developed nations’ subsidies exceed global norms, yet India must defend its Green Box exemptions while expanding domestic capabilities.
• Sectoral Reforms: India should prioritize non-essential tariffs, enhance data localization, and strengthen digital commerce networks without breaching WTO rules.
• Innovation and Industrial Policy: Encouraging technology adoption, supply chain resilience, and domestic production in strategic sectors is key to offsetting SDT reduction impacts.

Future Engagement

• International Negotiations: India must negotiate carefully on tariff-free access, data rules, and standards alignment, balancing trade benefits and domestic interests.
• Intellectual Property and Digital Trade: Maintaining IP rights while promoting e-commerce and digital trade ensures competitiveness and innovation.
• Strategic Preparedness: India needs a medium-term WTO strategy aligned with economic growth, domestic welfare, and sectoral competitiveness before SDT obligations change.

Practice Question:

Examine the implications of China’s decision to forgo Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) at the WTO for India. Discuss strategies India should adopt to safeguard its agriculture, industry, and digital trade sectors.  (250 words)