GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France from February 10 to 12, 2024, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. This visit deepened India-France relations in multiple strategic areas, reinforcing their role as long-term partners in defence, technology, trade, and energy.

India-France Strategic Partnership

• India and France have been strategic partners since 1998 and have collaborated in defence, space, and nuclear energy.
• During PM Modi’s recent visit, both nations reviewed the "Horizon 2047" Roadmap, which outlines long-term cooperation goals.
• India and France have traditionally supported a multipolar world order, meaning they want a balanced global power structure, not dominated by one country like the USA or China.
• Defence Cooperation:
  • France has been a key defence supplier to India, especially after the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests when other Western nations imposed sanctions on India.
  • France is among the top three arms exporters globally (2019-2023) and has been crucial for India’s defence modernization.
  • Key defence agreements during the visit:
    • Scorpene Submarine Project – Ongoing collaboration for submarines to strengthen India’s Navy.
    • Additional Rafale fighter jets & helicopters – France is already supplying 36 Rafale jets, and discussions continue for more.
    • Defence Industrial Roadmap – Focus on co-developing military technology in India under ‘Make in India’.
    • Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher – India offered this indigenous weapon system to France for joint collaboration.

Key-areas of Significance:

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

• The IMEC was first discussed at the G20 Summit (2023) in New Delhi and aims to create a new trade route connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe.
• France proposed Marseille (a port city) as a key hub for this corridor.
• The corridor will have:
  • Eastern section – Connecting India to the Gulf region (UAE, Saudi Arabia).
  • Northern section – Connecting the Gulf region to Europe.
• IMEC aims to reduce dependency on existing trade routes and provide India a faster, safer alternative to reach European markets.

Nuclear Energy Cooperation: Focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• France is a global leader in nuclear energy, generating 70% of its electricity from nuclear power.
• India-France collaboration on nuclear power was a key agenda:
  • Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant (Maharashtra) – A proposed project for French-built nuclear reactors has faced delays due to high costs and legal issues.
  • New focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) & Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) –
    • These reactors require less land and lower investment.
    • In Budget 2024, India announced Rs 20,000 crore for SMR research, making this collaboration more relevant.
  • India and France signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to cooperate on SMRs and AMRs, signaling a shift in nuclear energy policy.

A Nepali woman student at KIIT, Bhubaneswar, died by suicide due to alleged harassment, leading to protests by Nepali students who accused the university of ignoring complaints; in response, KIIT ordered all Nepali students to vacate the campus, causing outrage and intervention by the Nepali government, before eventually withdrawing the order and resuming academic activities.

India-Nepal Educational Ties

• Historical Connection: Since the Rana regime, Nepalese students have studied in Banaras, Patna, Gorakhpur, Darjeeling, and Dehradun.
• Colonial Influence: Nepal’s first college, Tri-Chandra College (1918), was affiliated with Calcutta and later Patna University.
• Higher Education Growth in Nepal:
  • 1959: Tribhuvan University established (Nepal’s first university).
  • 1971: New Education System Plan (NESP) introduced to “Nepalise” education.
• Despite these developments, Nepali students continue to prefer Indian institutions due to quality education and cultural ties.
• Foreign Students from Nepal in India
• Nepalese students form the largest group of foreign students in India.
• 28% of all foreign students in India (2021-22) were from Nepal (highest among 170 countries).
• They are enrolled in 180+ universities across India, with a preference for engineering and technology courses in IITs, IISc, and private institutions like KIIT.

Impact on Indo-Nepal Relations

• Article 6 of the Indo-Nepal Peace Treaty of 1950 guarantees equal treatment for nationals of both countries.
• Article 7 of the Act ensures free movement, residence, trade, and education for each other’s citizens.

KIIT’s eviction order violated these treaty provisions, leading to diplomatic concerns.

Tamil media platform Ananda Vikatan discovered that its website was blocked by multiple internet service providers (ISPs). The Government gave no prior notice or official order for this action.

• Later, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) confirmed that the website was blocked under IT Rules, 2021, citing a cartoon published by Vikatan. The cartoon satirized a deportation controversy involving Indian migrants in the U.S. The Government claimed it threatened India's sovereignty and friendly relations with foreign nations.

Fundamental Rights Violated

• Article 19(1)(a) - Freedom of Speech & Expression: Unjustified blocking of news media curtails press freedom.
• Article 19(1)(g) - Right to Practice Any Profession: Blocking an entire website affects the business and economic rights of the media organization.
• Article 14 - Right to Equality: Selective and arbitrary blocking raises concerns of discriminatory enforcement.
• Article 21 - Right to Life & Personal Liberty: Includes right to information, which is impacted when access to legitimate content is restricted.

Freedom of Speech vs Restrictions

• Freedom of Speech (Article 19(1)(a)) is not absolute and can be restricted under Article 19(2) for:
• • Sovereignty & integrity of India
  • Security of the state
  • Friendly relations with foreign states
  • Public order, decency, or morality
  • Contempt of court, defamation, incitement to an offense
• Issue in this case: The Government failed to demonstrate a direct and immediate threat, and the blanket website ban was excessive.

Present Legal Provisions for Website Blocking

• Section 69A of IT Act, 2000 allows the Government to block content in the interest of sovereignty, security, public order, or foreign relations.
• • However, the government must follow due process, including prior notice and opportunity to be heard unless in an emergency.
• IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 sets up a three-tier regulation mechanism for digital content. It empowers the Inter-Departmental Committee to recommend content blocking.
• Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015):
  • Supreme Court upheld Section 69A but stressed blocking orders must be transparent and justified.
  • Secretive blocking without proper notice violates due process.

Why Is This Important?

• Press freedom and digital rights: The case raises concerns about government censorship and lack of transparency in website blocking.
• Legal precedent: The ruling strengthens arguments against overbroad online censorship and upholds due process in content moderation.
• Ongoing fight for free speech: Vikatan’s case highlights the growing legal battles against digital censorship in India.

The Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) government has announced a new policy to develop Bangus Valley as an ecotourism destination. This move aims to prevent unplanned construction, which has led to environmental degradation in popular tourist locations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg.

What is Ecotourism?

• Ecotourism is a sustainable form of tourism that focuses on preserving natural ecosystems, promoting conservation, and ensuring minimal environmental impact.
• It encourages responsible travel to natural areas, where tourists engage in activities that support local communities, wildlife protection, and ecological balance.
• Key Features of Ecotourism:
  • Emphasizes nature-based tourism.
  • Supports environmental conservation efforts.
  • Promotes local community participation and benefits.
  • Encourages educational experiences about biodiversity and sustainability.
  • Minimizes negative impacts on the environment and cultural heritage.

Need for Ecotourism in India

• India’s Rich Biodiversity: India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world. The country is home to 4 biodiversity hotspots:
  • The Himalayas
  • The Western Ghats
  • The Indo-Burma region
  • The Sundaland (Nicobar Islands)
• Increasing Environmental Concerns: Rapid urbanization, deforestation, and pollution are threatening India’s ecosystems.
  • Unregulated mass tourism leads to waste accumulation, resource depletion, and habitat destruction.
  • Human-wildlife conflicts are rising. Climate change is affecting fragile ecosystems like the Western Ghats and the Himalayas.
• Sustainable Development & Economic Benefits: Ecotourism promotes sustainable livelihoods for tribal and rural communities. It helps develop lesser-known remote regions, boosting rural economies.
• Promotion of Responsible Tourism: Educates tourists about local culture, traditional practices, and biodiversity.
• Global Shift Towards Ecotourism
  • With rising environmental awareness, tourists prefer eco-friendly travel options.
  • The United Nations has declared 2021-2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, encouraging sustainable tourism practices.
  • Successful global models like Costa Rica’s biodiversity conservation-based ecotourism can be replicated in India.

Successful Ecotourism Models in India

• Thenmala Ecotourism, Kerala: India’s first planned ecotourism project, focusing on sustainable tourism and conservation.
• Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala: Promotes community participation through eco-development committees (EDCs).
• Kabini Resorts, Karnataka: Joint venture between Tourism & Forest Departments; a model for sustainable wildlife tourism.
• Dzüleke Village, Nagaland: Developed community-based eco-tourism, banned hunting, and trained locals as nature guides.

US will impose reciprocal tariffs on all countries, including India. This means India will face higher duties on its exports to the US, affecting key industries.

What are Reciprocal Tariffs?

• Reciprocal tariffs ensure fair trade by matching the import duties imposed by other countries.
• If a country charges high tariffs on US goods, the US will impose the same level of tariffs on that country’s exports.
• The goal is to prevent unfair advantages and create a balanced trading system.

How does this affect India?

• Trump has criticized India for imposing over 100% tariffs on US automobile exports. India is one of the most affected countries due to its high tariff gap with the US.
• Sectors like gems & jewellery, automobiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals will be hit hardest.
• India could lose up to USD 7 billion per year due to reduced exports.
• This could slow down GDP growth by 5-10 basis points in FY 2025-26.
• What does India export to the US?
  • Total exports (2024): USD 74 billion
  • Key exports at risk:
    • Pearls, gems, and jewellery: USD 8.5 billion
    • Pharmaceuticals: USD 8 billion
    • Petrochemicals: USD 4 billion

The government granted Navratna status to IRCTC and IRFC, making them the 25th and 26th Navratna CPSEs. Now, all seven listed Indian Railways CPSEs hold Navratna status.

What is Navratna Status?

• Navratna status is conferred upon public sector undertakings that demonstrate outstanding financial and market performance. This recognition enhances their autonomy and financial authority.
• It is a prestigious rank for government-owned companies, placed between Maharatna & Miniratna categories.
• To qualify, a company must have:
  • A composite score of 60+ on key financial indicators.
  • An ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’ rating in 3 of the last 5 years.
• Benefits of Navratna Status
  • More Financial Autonomy – Companies can invest Rs 1,000 Cr or 15% of net worth in projects without government approval.
  • Flexibility in Business – They can form joint ventures, acquire companies, and expand globally.
  • Better Market Position – They attract more investors due to improved credibility.

INSV Tarini, carrying two women Indian Navy officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. and Lieutenant Commander Roopa, has departed from Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) to Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II global circumnavigation expedition.

About INSV Tarini

• INSV Tarini is a 56-foot-long sailing vessel, built by Aquarius Shipyard Limited.
• It was inducted into the Indian Navy on February 18, 2017.
• This is its second global circumnavigation mission, reinforcing the Navy's focus on women-led maritime expeditions.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has launched AI Kosha, a platform that provides non-personal datasets to startups and researchers. This will help them develop AI technologies like large language models (LLMs). Additionally, the government has introduced the IndiaAI Compute Portal, which gives access to powerful GPUs (graphics processing units) needed for AI research.

What is AI Kosha?

• AIKosha or IndiaAI Datasets Platform (IDP) is a platform that will provide computing, datasets, tools, and a secure sandbox environment to India's researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups, helping them build state-of-the-art AI applications and solutions.
• In simple terms, the IDP is a repository where people can find a variety of datasets, models, and examples to support AI innovation.
• It also includes tools and tutorials in a development environment called an AI sandbox.
• AI Kosha is part of the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to support AI development in India.
• The platform will initially offer data from government ministries, with more datasets added over time.
• The IndiaAI Compute Portal will allow researchers to use high-performance GPUs from companies like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and AWS.

In the context of the upcoming International Women’s Day (March 8, 2025), companies will highlight their efforts toward gender inclusion. However, despite legal mandates and corporate diversity initiatives, women's representation in senior leadership remains disproportionately low. The rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in the U.S. has intensified concerns about global gender disparity in corporate leadership.

Current Status of Women in the Workforce

• Workforce Participation Gap – Women form 48 percent of the corporate workforce in the U.S. but remain underrepresented in leadership, with only 12.7 percent of senior management roles in India as of 2024.
• DEI Challenges – DEI policies, despite being an entry-level tool, have not significantly increased women's representation in leadership. The decline in DEI initiatives may reduce access to corporate opportunities for women worldwide.
• Legal Interventions in India – The Companies Act (2013) and SEBI mandate (2015) have increased women's presence on boards from 5 percent in 2011 to 18 percent in 2023 in NSE 500 companies, but leadership roles remain scarce.

Women’s Impact on Corporate Leadership

• Enhanced Corporate Performance – Research confirms that companies with higher female leadership excel in governance, strategic oversight, and stakeholder management.
• Diversity in Decision-Making – Women bring informational diversity, broader professional networks, and participative leadership, leading to stronger risk management and corporate accountability.
• Reputational and Economic Gains – Companies with more women in leadership are frequently recognized as ethical, well-governed, and top-performing organizations, boosting their market reputation.

The Need for Structural Change

• Beyond Tokenism – True gender diversity requires actual power and responsibility for women leaders, not just appointments for compliance.
• Key Leadership Positions – Increasing women in C-Suite roles, board committees, and chairperson positions is crucial for genuine representation.
• Pay Parity as a Benchmark – Equal remuneration with male counterparts is the strongest indicator of real gender inclusion in corporate leadership.

Practice Question

Q. "Despite legal mandates and corporate initiatives, women's representation in senior leadership roles remains low." Critically analyze the factors contributing to this gap and suggest policy measures to ensure substantive gender inclusion in corporate governance. (250 words)

The Union government has imposed conditions on Tamil Nadu (TN) to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language formula in exchange for the release of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan funds (Rs 2,152 crore). The TN government views this as unconstitutional coercion, undermining the state’s long-standing two-language policy and its commitment to Tamil language preservation.

Dravidian Legacy in Education

• Foundation of Universal Education – The Justice Party government initiated compulsory elementary education for boys and girls in 1920, shaping Tamil Nadu’s progressive educational policies.
• Two-Language Formula Success – Tamil and English as mandatory languages have led to a high literacy rate and a 47% higher education enrolment ratio, exceeding the national average of 28.4%.
• Commitment to Linguistic Choice – TN allows freedom in language learning, evident from institutions like the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha in Chennai.

Political and Constitutional Concerns

• Coercion in Fund Allocation – The Centre’s demand for NEP implementation as a precondition for educational funds is seen as political blackmail violating federal principles.
• Flaws in the Three-Language Formula – No evidence supports its benefits, and it imposes unnecessary costs while burdening students.
• Threat to Tamil Identity – The policy is perceived as a veiled attempt at Hindi imposition, endangering Tamil linguistic and cultural heritage.

Broader Political Implications

• Systematic Centralization of Power – TN opposes the Centre’s trend of limiting state autonomy, including restrictions on state borrowing and interference through governors.
• Lessons from History – Past attempts at language imposition in Tamil Nadu led to strong resistance and are commemorated annually on January 25 as Language Martyrs’ Day.
• Unwavering Tamil Resistance – Tamil Nadu remains firm in defending its linguistic rights, emphasizing that identity and cultural heritage cannot be altered by coercive policies.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the implications of the three-language formula on federalism and linguistic diversity in India. Critically analyze Tamil Nadu’s opposition to this policy in the context of constitutional provisions and historical precedents. (250 words)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has reignited the debate on delimitation by calling for an extension of the 1971 Census-based framework for another 30 years beyond 2026. His move reflects a broader pushback by southern states against perceived dominance by the North and BJP-led central policies. The issue is gaining prominence amid the BJP’s expansion efforts in the South and concerns over federal representation.

Political and Regional Dimensions

• Stalin’s Push for Southern Interests – Tamil Nadu’s resolution argues that states controlling their population should not be penalized in political representation.
• BJP’s Expansion Strategy – The party’s growing influence in the South complicates the North-South binary, leading to internal recalibrations.
• Framing of the Debate – The discourse is shaped by concerns over Hindutva’s impact, federal power struggles, and the balance between representation and governance.

Constitutional and Governance Perspectives

• Complexity Beyond Numbers – Arguments of the South being “better developed” ignore historical, political, and policy factors contributing to regional differences.
• Representation vs Federalism – While the principle of one-person-one-vote is fundamental, constitutional provisions also protect federal structures and minority rights.
• Past Precedents – Delimitation has been postponed before, but a long-term solution requires structured negotiations rather than temporary extensions.

The Path Forward

• Need for Cooperative Federalism – The issue should be resolved through inclusive dialogue rather than unilateral central decisions.
• Stake of All Political Entities – Every party and citizen is affected, as delimitation shapes the democratic foundation of fair representation.
• Beyond Immediate Politics – A sustainable approach must balance representation, governance, and regional interests without deepening divisions.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the implications of the upcoming delimitation exercise on federalism and political representation in India. How can a balance be achieved between demographic shifts and equitable governance? (250 words)