Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) Category: Polity and Governance Context: Recently, government doctors in Haryana extended their strike indefinitely despite the state invoking ESMA to ban such protests for six months. About Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA): Enactment: It is an act of the Indian Parliament enacted in 1968 to assure the supply of certain services that, if impeded, would harm people’s daily lives.  Objective: It is enforced to prohibit striking employees from refusing to work in certain essential services. Employees cannot cite bandhs or a curfew as an excuse not to report to work. Constitutional Basis: ESMA is a law made by the Parliament under List No. 33 of the Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. This allows both the central government and state governments to enact their own versions of the Act. Implementation: The Act’s execution largely depends on the discretion of the government (central or state). Before enforcing ESMA, the government must alert the employees through media or newspaper notifications. Duration: An order under ESMA is typically in force for six months, but the government can extend it, if necessary, in the public interest. Customised ESMA of each state: Each state has its own ESMA, with provisions that differ slightly from the federal statute. As a result, if the nature of the strike disturbs only one or more states, the states can initiate it. The Act also allows states to choose the essential services on which to enforce ESMA. Central government imposing ESMA: In a nationwide interruption, particularly involving railways, the central government may activate the ESMA. Applicability: The government can declare a range of services as “essential” such as: Transportation (railways, airways, public road transport) Public health (hospitals, sanitation, water supply) Energy (electricity generation and distribution, petroleum, coal) Communication (postal, telegraph, telephone services) Defence-related establishments and production Banking services Penal actions that can be taken to impose it: Persons who commence the strike as well as those who instigate it are liable to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal. As the strike becomes illegal after ESMA is invoked, legal action can also be taken against these employees. Any police officer is empowered to arrest the striking person without a warrant. Persons participating in or instigating the strike are punishable with imprisonment, which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both. Source: The Hindu   Sultanpur National Park Category: Environment and Ecology Context: Sultanpur National Park is once again echoing with the sounds of migratory birds, with their numbers rising significantly as temperatures drop. About Sultanpur National Park: Location: Sultanpur National Park, formerly known as Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, is located in the Gurgaon district in Haryana, 46 km from Delhi. Area: Spanning 1.42 sq.km., it consists primarily of marshy lakes and floodplains. It includes a core area of 1.21 sq. km containing the main Sultanpur Lake/Jheel. Establishment: It was declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1972. And, it was upgraded to a National Park in 1991. Lake inside the National Park: The Sultanpur Jheel is a seasonal freshwater wetland with fluctuating water levels throughout the year. This shallow lake is mostly fed by waters from River Yamuna’s Gurgaon canal and the overflowing waters of the neighbouring agricultural lands. National attention: It gained national attention in the late 1960s due to the conservation efforts of ornithologists Peter Michel Jackson and Dr. Salim Ali, who frequently visited the site for birding. Significance: It was recognised as a Ramsar site in 2021. It has also been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. Flora: The vegetation of this park is tropical and dry deciduous, and the flora includes grasses, dhok, khair, tendu, ber, jamun, banyan tree, neem, berberis, Acacia nilotica, and Acacia tortilis. Fauna: Over 320 bird species have been recorded at Sultanpur, making it a vital wintering ground. Other faunal species, such as Nilgai, Sambar, Golden jackals, wild dog, striped hyenas, Indian porcupine, mongoose, etc., are also found here. Part of Central Asian Migratory Flyway: It forms a part of the ‘Central Asian Migratory Flyway’ and thousands of migratory birds from the countries of Russia, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Europe visit the park during the winter months.  Important species: Winter migrants include Greater Flamingos, Northern Pintails, Eurasian Wigeons, Common Teals, and Bar-headed Geese. Resident Birds include Indian Peafowl, Red-wattled Lapwings, Cattle Egrets, and White-throated Kingfishers. And, threatened species include Sarus Crane, Black-necked Stork, and Indian Courser. Source: The Daily Jagran International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation Category: International Organisations Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Ports inaugurated the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) held in Mumbai. About International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA): Establishment: It was established in 1957 as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). Nature: It officially changed its status from a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) to an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) based on a Convention ratified by 34 States in 2024. Objective: Its mandate is to harmonise global maritime navigation systems, promote maritime safety initiatives, and collaborate with member states, international organizations, and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges in maritime safety and environmental protection. Motto: Its motto is ‘Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet.’ Headquarters: Its headquarters is located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France. Governance: The IALA Council is the key decision-making body of the intergovernmental organization responsible for marine aids to navigation. Members:  It comprises 200 members, 80 of which are national authorities and 60 are commercial firms. (India has been a member of this organization since 1957). Focus areas: It aims to Foster safe, economic and efficient movement of vessels by improving and harmonizing aids to navigation worldwide and by other appropriate means. Encourage, support and communicate recent developments; develop international cooperation by promoting close working relationships and assistance among members; Enhance mutual exchange of information with organizations representing users of aids to navigation. Source: PIB Large Language Models (LLMs) Category: Science and Technology Context: A government working paper released recently suggested that AI large language models like ChatGPT should, by default, have access to content freely available online. About Large Language Models (LLMs): Definition: An LLM is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) program that can recognize and generate text, among other tasks. In simpler terms, an LLM is a computer program that has been fed enough examples to be able to recognize and interpret human language or other types of complex data. Nomenclature: LLMs are trained on huge sets of data, hence the name “large.” Since LLMs are now becoming multimodal (working with media types beyond text), they are now also called “foundation models.” Based on machine learning: LLMs are based on Machine Learning (ML) specifically, a type of neural network called a transformer model, which excels at handling sequences of words and capturing patterns in text. Training via tuning: LLMs use a type of machine learning called deep learning in order to understand how characters, words, and sentences function together. They are fine-tuned or prompt-tuned to the particular task that the programmer wants them to do. Curated data set: Many LLMs are trained on data that has been gathered from the Internet—thousands or millions of gigabytes’ worth of text. But the quality of the samples impacts how well LLMs will learn natural language, so LLM’s programmers may use a more curated data set. Applications: LLMs can perform various language tasks, such as answering questions, summarizing text, translating between languages, and writing content. Businesses use LLM-based applications to help improve employee productivity and efficiency, provide personalized recommendations to customers, and accelerate ideation, innovation, and product development. LLMs serve as the foundational powerhouses behind some of today’s most used text-focused generative AI (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, and Meta AI. Challenges faced: Though they are groundbreaking, LLMs face challenges that may include computational requirements, ethical concerns, and limitations in understanding context. Source: The Hindu Aditya-L1 Category: Science and Technology Context: Aditya-L1 played a key role in helping scientists decode why the strongest solar storm that struck Earth in May 2024 behaved so unusually, ISRO said recently. About Aditya-L1: Development: It was developed and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in September 2023. Launch vehicle: It was launched using PSLV-C57 rocket. Nature: It is ISRO’s second astronomy observatory-class mission after AstroSat (2015). Uniqueness: Aditya-L1 is the first space based observatory class Indian solar mission to study the Sun from a substantial distance of 1.5 million kilometers. Objective: The mission aims to provide valuable insights into the solar corona, photosphere, chromosphere, and solar wind. Location in space: The spacecraft is placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation. Payloads: The spacecraft carries seven scientific payloads for observations: Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) Plasma Analyser Package For Aditya (PAPA) Advanced Tri-axial High Resolution Digital Magnetometers Major focus areas: Understanding Coronal Heating and Solar Wind Acceleration. Understanding initiation of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), solar flares and near-earth space weather. Understanding coupling and dynamics of the solar atmosphere. Understanding solar wind distribution and temperature anisotropy. Source: NDTV (MAINS Focus) Is India’s 8.2% Growth Rate Sustainable? (UPSC GS Paper III – Indian Economy: Growth, Development, Mobilisation of Resources, Inclusive Growth)   Context (Introduction) India’s Q2 GDP growth of 8.2% signals strong economic momentum, driven by manufacturing, services, and consumption revival. Yet the IMF’s Grade C rating for India’s national accounts raises questions over data credibility, structural weaknesses, and sustainability of long-term growth.   Main Arguments: What Drives the 8.2% Growth Momentum ? Manufacturing Revival : Manufacturing grew 9.1%, reflecting stronger industrial demand, better capacity utilisation, and healthy credit growth across sectors. Services-Led Expansion : The services sector now forms 60% of GDP, growing at 9.2%, with financial services at 10.2%—indicating high transaction volumes and strong urban consumption. Real GVA Strength : GVA rose from ₹82.88 lakh crore to ₹89.41 lakh crore, showing genuine value addition across agriculture, industry and services rather than inflation-led growth. Consumption Recovery : Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) grew 7.9%, signalling household optimism; agriculture growth at 3.5% reflects improved reservoir status and horticulture output. Macro Stability : Low inflation, strong GST and direct tax collections, and stable foreign exchange reserves provided a supportive macroeconomic base for high GDP growth.   Challenges / Criticisms IMF Grade C on Data Quality : Outdated 2011–12 base year, reliance on WPI as deflator, absence of producer price indices, large GDP estimation discrepancies, and lack of seasonally adjusted data weaken statistical credibility. Sectoral Unevenness : Mining grew only 0.04% and utilities 4.4%, revealing stress in foundational sectors that employ millions and support industrial supply chains. Employment Structure Mismatch : Agriculture employs ~45% of workforce but generates only 14% of GVA; services contribute 60% of GDP but not equivalent job creation—raising concerns on inclusive growth. External Sector Pressures : RBI notes rising global protectionism, tariff uncertainties, and geopolitical risks affecting India’s goods exports—limiting long-term growth drivers. Financial Market Fragility : A weakening rupee near 90 per USD, fluctuating FPI flows, and one of the world’s highest real interest rates (3.5%+) may suppress investment and growth momentum.   Way Forward: Ensuring Sustainable Long-Term Growth Modernise National Accounts : Update GDP base year to 2017–18 or 2020–21, introduce producer price indices, adopt OECD-style seasonally adjusted quarterly GDP, and improve estimation of the informal sector. Strengthen State-Level Capacity : Build better fiscal databases and statistical systems at the State level—similar to Brazil’s IBGE or Mexico’s INEGI—to improve accuracy and transparency. Export Competitiveness Strategy : Shift from tariff protection to Vietnam-like export-led manufacturing, integrate into global value chains, and scale electronics, renewables, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Labour Productivity Reforms : Enhance skilling, MSME upgrading, and formalisation incentives—learning from South Korea’s SME modernisation and China’s productivity-driven employment strategy. Investment-Friendly Financial Conditions : Lower real interest rates to ~1%, stabilise the rupee through diversified reserves, and deepen corporate bond markets to support long-term capital formation. Climate-Resilient Core Sectors : Infrastructure, mining, and utilities need climate-proof planning (Japan model), given their vulnerability to monsoon variability and extreme weather.   Conclusion India’s 8.2% growth reflects genuine momentum, yet its sustainability hinges on addressing structural deficits in data integrity, productivity, export capacity, and institutional depth. Growth is strong today, but long-term resilience demands statistical reform, economic diversification, and stronger State-level capacity.   Mains Question  “India’s strong GDP performance masks deeper structural vulnerabilities. Discuss and suggest reforms for a sustainable growth with inclusivity. (250 words, 15 marks ) Source: The Hindu Trump’s National Security Strategy: Implications for India (UPSC GS Paper II – International Relations, India–USA Relations, Global Security Architecture)   Context (Introduction) The 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy under President Donald Trump marks a sharp shift from post-1945 internationalism to selective engagement, regional focus, and burden-sharing. For India, this strategic recalibration opens both opportunities and challenges in navigating evolving U.S. foreign policy.   Key Shifts in Trump’s National Security Strategy Western Hemisphere Priority : The strategy elevates Latin America and the Caribbean as the core theatre of U.S. security, reshaping Washington’s global hierarchy of interests. End of Global Hegemony : It abandons the idea that the U.S. must act everywhere, moving toward selective interventions tied strictly to vital American interests. Burden-Sharing Expectation : U.S. allies are expected to assume greater security responsibility, reducing reliance on American military support. Cultural–Political Pluralism : The strategy rejects liberal universalism and endorses the right of states to choose their own political and institutional models, marking a significant ideological shift. Economic Nationalism : National security is fused with reindustrialisation, secure supply chains, and “fair trade”, signalling inward economic orientation.   Why These Shifts Create Opportunities for India Strategic Autonomy Advantage : An America that recognises limits to its power and avoids intrusive interventions aligns better with India’s long-held concerns about unequal alliances. Reduced U.S. Interference : Less appetite for nation-building abroad lowers the risk of American involvement in India’s domestic or regional affairs. Scope for Regional Leadership : The U.S. insistence on burden-sharing supports India’s ambition to lead in the Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean Region, and South Asia. Convergence on Multipolarity : Washington’s acceptance of diverse political models indirectly validates India’s advocacy for a multipolar, pluralistic world order.   Challenges Highlighted for India Persistent Trade Disputes : Tariffs, market access issues, and protectionist tendencies under Trump continue to complicate India–U.S. economic engagement. Softening U.S. Tone on China : Trump’s openness to a new accommodation with Beijing could dilute U.S. pressure on China’s assertiveness—affecting India’s strategic leverage. Renewed Engagement with Pakistan : Washington’s outreach to Pakistan risks reviving geopolitical linkages that traditionally constrained India’s regional space.   India’s Strategic Response: What the Article Suggests Accelerate Economic Growth : Narrow India’s power gap with China and consolidate strategic superiority over Pakistan through high, sustained growth. Reform Defence and Security Institutions : Modernise procurement, jointness, and indigenous capability to deter Chinese military power—aligning with the U.S. burden-sharing model. Stabilise Relations with Pakistan : Reducing bilateral tensions limits opportunities for external powers, including the U.S., to intervene in South Asia. Engage Multiple Partners : Balance Trump’s America by deepening ties with Europe, Russia, Japan, and ASEAN, reinforcing India’s multi-alignment approach.   Conclusion Trump’s National Security Strategy, despite turbulence in India–U.S. ties, offers Delhi a structural opening: an America less interventionist, more inward-looking, and more willing to share security responsibilities. For India, this environment favours strategic autonomy, regional leadership, and pragmatic multi-alignment—provided economic and defence reforms keep pace.   UPSC Mains Question  “The 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy marks a decisive shift from global interventionism to selective engagement. Analyse how this restructuring of American foreign policy creates both opportunities and challenges for India’s strategic interests.” (250 words, 15 marks) Source: Indian Express  

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Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) C-130J Super Hercules Aircraft Category: Defence and Security Context: Tata began building a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru for C-130J aircraft as Lockheed Martin pitched the plane for IAF’s 80-transport acquisition. About C-130J Super Hercules Aircraft: Nature: It is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. Development: It was developed by Lockheed Martin, a US security and aerospace company. Uniqueness: It is the US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft. Equipped with an Infrared Detection Set, the aircraft can perform precision low-level flying, airdrops, and landing in blackout conditions. Major operators: It is the airlifter of choice for 26 operators in 22 nations. The largest operators are the US Air Force, US Marine Corps, Australia, Canada, India, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Presence in Indian Air Force: The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates 12 C-130J Super Hercules. Highest Landing: An IAF C-130J made a global record for the highest-ever landing by a C-130 at the Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip in Ladakh (at an altitude of 16,614 feet) near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Capability: The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.  Crew: It has reduced crew requirements. A minimal crew of three men is required to operate this aircraft, including two pilots and one loadmaster. Powered by: It is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines. Payload Capacity: It has a payload capacity of approximately 19 tons (42,000 lbs). The stretch version (C-130J-30) has a maximum payload capacity of over 21 tons. Range: Its range is 6,852 km and can endure for 20+ hours. Speed: Its speed is 644 km/hr and it is capable of short take-offs and landings from unprepared runways. Accommodation of oversized cargo: It can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including everything from utility helicopters and six-wheeled armoured vehicles to standard palletized cargo and military personnel. Source: The Week National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO) Category: Government Schemes Context: According to a NITI Aayog report, India ranks first globally in the production of various oilseeds, primarily due to steps taken after National Mission on Edible Oils. About National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO): Objective: It aims to strengthen the country’s oilseed ecosystem and achieve Atmanirbharta in edible oil production. Targets of the mission: It aims to increase the area coverage from 29 million ha (2022-23) to 33 million ha, primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes, and yield from 1,353 kg/ha (2022-23) to 2,112 kg/ha by 2030-31. This mission targets domestic edible oil production at 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31. The Mission also seeks to expand oilseed cultivation by an additional 40 lakh hectares by targeting rice and potato fallow lands. Two-pronged approach: It has two-pronged approach which is as follows: National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm National Mission on Edible Oils– Oilseeds About National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm: Objective: It aims to expand oil palm cultivation and increasing domestic crude palm oil output. Approval: It was approved in 2021, as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with the aim to enhance the edible oilseeds production and oils availability in the country by area expansion and increasing Crude Palm Oil (CPO) production. Focus: It focuses on increasing production of seedlings by establishment of seed garden, and nurseries of oil palm in order to assure domestic availability of seedlings as per target fixed under NMEO-OP. Targets: It targets to bring 6.5 lakh hectares under oil palm cultivation by 2025–26 and increase crude palm oil production to 28 lakh tonnes by 2029–30. Implementation: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) serves as the nodal central authority. About National Mission on Edible Oils- Oilseeds: Objective: It aims to improve productivity, seed quality, processing, and market linkages for traditional oilseed crops. Target:  It targets to increase oilseed production from 39 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030–31 through cluster-based interventions and improved seed systems. Approval: It was approved in 2024, for a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31. Focus: It focuses on increasing production of key primary oilseed crops such as Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower, Sesamum, Safflower, Niger, Linseed and Castor. It also focuses on increasing collection and extraction efficiency from secondary sources like coconut, rice bran as well as Tree-Borne Oilseeds (TBOs). Implementation: It will be implemented in all States/UTs with the funding pattern of 60:40 in case of general States, Delhi & Puducherry and 90:10 in case of North-Eastern States and hill States, and 100% funding for UTs and Central Agencies. Source: PIB Senna Spectabilis Category: Environment and Ecology Context: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has set an ambitious target to eradicate Senna spectabilis from all forest divisions by March 2026. About Senna Spectabilis: Origin: It is native to the tropical regions of South and Central America Family: It belongs to Fabaceae (legume) family. Common names: It is also known as Popcorn Bush Cedar, Archibald’s Cassia, Calceolaria Cassia, Golden Shower, Scented Shower, Fetid Cassia. Appearance: It resembles Kerala’s state flower Cassia fistula, known locally as kanikkonna. Length: It is a tree with a very dense, spreading crown; it can grow 7 – 18 metres tall. Uses: It is often planted for fuelwood, as an ornamental, and as a shade tree in agroforestry situations. Status in India: It is classified as a major invasive species in India. IUCN Classification: It is classified as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List. Concerns:  Aggressive growth rate: It has very aggressive growth rate and degrade lands in forest ecosystems which make it challenging to control its spread. Suppression of Native Flora: Its thick foliage and canopy inhibit sunlight, while its shed leaves alter the soil chemistry through allelopathy, preventing native trees and grasses from growing. Food Scarcity for Wildlife: The wiping out of native grasses and herbs leads to food shortages for herbivores like elephants, deer, and gaurs, which do not feed on Senna leaves as they are unpalatable. Increased Man-Animal Conflict: The declining carrying capacity of the forests for wildlife accelerates human-wildlife conflict. Source: The New Indian Express Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Category: Economy Context: The IMF report on ‘Growing Retail Digital Payments’ recognized Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as the world’s largest retail fast-payment system by transaction volume. About Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Development: UPI is a real-time mobile payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Launch: It was launched in 2016. Uniqueness: It allows users to link multiple bank accounts into one app for seamless peer-to-peer and merchant transactions.  Working: UPI enables both push (send) and pull (receive) transactions using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA), with two-factor authentication, eliminating the need to enter bank details each time.  Technologies Used: UPI is built on IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) and integrates Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS). Role of IMPS: IMPS facilitates funds transfer to an account of the beneficiary with a participating bank, based on beneficiary’s Mobile Number & Mobile Money Identification Number (MMID) or Account number & Indian Financial System Code.  Role of AePS: The AePS allows basic banking services like cash withdrawal, deposit, balance enquiry, and money transfer (interbank or intrabank) using Aadhaar authentication.  BHIM App:  Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a UPI-based payment app developed by NPCI. Use in other countries: Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is currently accepted in eight countries, viz. Bhutan, Singapore, Qatar, Mauritius, Nepal, UAE, Sri Lanka and France. Role in financial Inclusion: UPI’s zero-cost, real-time transfers have made digital payments accessible for small vendors and first-time users. Source: PIB United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Category: International Organisations Context: Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh departed for Nairobi to represent India at United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) session. About United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA): Nature: It is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. Establishment: UNEA was established in 2012, as an outcome of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), held in Brazil. Headquarters: Its headquarters is located at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Objective: It sets the global environmental agenda, provides overarching policy guidance, and defines policy responses to address emerging environmental challenges. Membership: It has the universal membership of all 193 UN Member States and the full involvement of major groups and stakeholders. Organisational Structure: It consists of a President and 8 Vice Presidents (forming the UNEA Bureau). Leadership: The Assembly is headed by a President and a Bureau, who are environment ministers from different countries serving two-year terms. Policy review: It undertakes policy review, dialogue and the exchange of experiences, sets the strategic guidance on the future direction of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). It also fosters partnerships for achieving environmental goals. Seventh UNEA session (2025) Theme: Its theme is “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.” Source: The Tribune (MAINS Focus) Charting India’s Right-to-Health Agenda (UPSC GS Paper II – Governance, Health, Social Justice; GS Paper III – Inclusive Growth & Human Development)   Context (Introduction) Amid persistent inequities and commercialisation in India’s health sector, the 2025 National Convention on Health Rights seeks to realign public health policy toward universal access, stronger public systems, and legal recognition of health as a fundamental right, drawing lessons from COVID-19 and global best practices.   Main Arguments  Privatisation Risks: Expansion of public–private partnerships and hospital outsourcing threatens to erode public provisioning, which currently serves over 80 crore people, raising concerns of affordability and weakened regulatory oversight. Regulatory Weakness: Poor enforcement of the Clinical Establishments Act has enabled overcharging, unnecessary procedures (India’s C-section rate at 21.5%, WHO: 10–15%), opaque billing and inconsistent patient rights protection. Insufficient Public Spending: India’s public health expenditure remains at 1.28% of GDP (NHA 2023-24) — among the world’s lowest, far below WHO’s recommended 5% of GDP, driving high out-of-pocket costs covering 48% of total health expenditure. Workforce Precarity: Frontline workers who carried the COVID-19 burden still face contractualisation, low pay and inadequate social protection, undermining health system resilience identified as critical in Lancet (2022) COVID-19 Health Workforce Review. Medicines Affordability Crisis: With medicines forming 52% of household medical expenditure, and 80% of drugs outside price control, market failures deepen exclusion, despite evidence that expanded price caps under DPCO reduce catastrophic spending.   Challenges / Structural Barriers  Health Insurance Limitations: Government schemes such as PM-JAY cover hospitalisation but leave gaps in outpatient care, diagnostics and medicines, which constitute two-thirds of household health spending (NSS 77th Round). Fragmented Public Health Systems: Tiered infrastructure disparities — sub-centres, PHCs, CHCs — remain stark: only 11% of PHCs meet IPHS norms, and specialist posts in CHCs face 69% shortages (RHS 2023). Urban–Rural Inequities: India has 2 beds per 1,000 population (OECD avg: 4.4), with 70% of these located in urban centres, limiting rural access to emergency and specialty care. Social Discrimination: Studies (NFHS-5, Oxfam Inequality Report) show Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims and women face systemic barriers: lower hospitalisation rates, delayed treatment, and higher maternal mortality in marginalised districts. Environmental Determinants: Air pollution causes 1.7 million premature deaths annually (Lancet Planetary Health, 2023), linking environmental injustice directly to health disparities.   Way Forward  Legalising the Right to Health: Adopt a Rajasthan-style Right to Health Act nationally, similar to Brazil’s SUS constitutional guarantee, ensuring enforceable accountability for universal, quality services. Strengthening Public Financing: Increase health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, aligning with National Health Policy 2017 targets, and follow Thailand’s UHC model which dramatically cut out-of-pocket spending by prioritising public financing. Regulating Private Healthcare: Standardise rates, mandate transparent billing and enforce the Charter of Patient Rights, inspired by Germany’s DRG-based system that prevents arbitrary pricing. Expanding Public Sector Drug Production: Scale up PSUs like IDPL & Kerala’s KMSCL to reduce retail markups, following the Brazil, Thailand and Bangladesh models where state-run pharma lowered essential medicine costs by 30–60%. Rewarding and Protecting Health Workers: Guarantee minimum wages, stable contracts and occupational safety, mirroring Philippines’ Magna Carta for Health Workers that improved retention and morale. Community-Led Health Governance:” Institutionalise Health & Wellness Committees and social audits, building on Kerala’s decentralised health model, which strengthened primary care and enabled rapid pandemic response. Integrated Determinant-Based Approach: Link health interventions with food security, clean air missions and climate adaptation, reflecting UK’s Marmot Review framework on social determinants.   Conclusion  India’s right-to-health agenda requires a decisive shift from fragmented, market-driven approaches toward equitable, well-funded public systems anchored in accountability and inclusion. The 2025 convention offers a timely opportunity to rebuild health governance around justice, dignity and universal care.   Mains Question  India continues to face inequities in health access despite expanding insurance schemes and private-sector growth. Critically analyse the need for a rights-based approach to health, and outline reforms necessary to strengthen equity in India’s health system. (250 words, 15 marks) Source: The Hindu Electoral Roll Integrity and SIR 2025 (UPSC GS Paper II – Election Commission, Electoral Reforms, Constitutional Provisions, Governance)   Context (Introduction) India’s electoral rolls have increasingly suffered from duplicates, outdated entries and inaccuracies due to rapid migration and urbanisation. The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025 seeks to rebuild accuracy and trust in electoral rolls amid constitutional, administrative and political scrutiny.   Main Arguments (Need for SIR) Constitutional Mandate: Article 324 entrusts the ECI with superintendence and control over electoral roll preparation, making periodic intensive verification essential for maintaining universal adult franchise under Article 326. Demographic Shifts: Rapid migration and urban churn have rendered summary revisions insufficient, necessitating door-to-door SIR to correct duplicates, shifted electors, and outdated entries. Global Comparisons: Countries like Germany and Canada, which seamlessly update rolls using civil registries, avoid inaccuracies; India, lacking such integrated databases, depends on independent verification by ECI. Enhanced Documentation Framework: SIR 2025 expands admissible documents to 11 types (up from four in 2003) and includes Aadhaar as proof of identity, making enumeration more citizen-friendly. Technological Integration: Digitisation of records, online claim/objection filing, and uploading of supporting documents mark a governance shift toward transparency and accessibility.   Challenges / Criticisms  Fear of Disenfranchisement: Civil society concerns stem from the requirement of producing documents afresh, raising apprehensions of mass deletions or exclusion of vulnerable voters. Citizenship Verification Complexity: India lacks a central population registry, making citizenship screening difficult—particularly in States with high migration or porous borders. Administrative Burden: Door-to-door verification of 7.5 crore entries in Bihar alone strains field machinery and raises questions of uniform implementation quality nationwide. Political Sensitivities: Opposition parties fear misuse of SIR for targeted disenfranchisement, amplifying mistrust in electoral processes. Public Awareness Gap: Only 2.5 lakh objections were filed after 65 lakh deletions, suggesting limited voter engagement, digital divide issues, and low citizen understanding of the process.   Way Forward  Integrated Population Registry: Adopt a model similar to Estonia’s digital population registry, enabling seamless updates across departments and reducing manual verification burdens. Granular Transparency Measures; Publish booth-level deletion, addition, and verification statistics in machine-readable formats to allow third-party audits, increasing confidence in revisions. Targeted Voter Outreach: Use Kerala-style decentralised awareness campaigns, deploying local bodies, civil society and digital platforms to ensure every elector understands their rights and obligations. Strengthening Appeal Mechanisms: Establish simple, offline-friendly grievance redress systems and mandates for time-bound disposal of objections at BLO and ERO levels. Continuous Roll Updating System: Shift from episodic revisions to a rolling system—like Australia’s continuous electoral roll update—allowing real-time corrections via municipal and utility data.   Conclusion  Electoral roll revision is indispensable to ensure the integrity of India’s democratic process. SIR 2025 represents an ambitious yet constitutionally grounded effort to restore accuracy, provided transparency, public engagement and safeguards against exclusion remain central to its implementation.   Mains Question  The Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025 has triggered debate on the balance between electoral roll accuracy and inclusive franchise. Critically examine the constitutional basis, need, concerns, and reforms required for strengthening India’s electoral roll management system. (250 words, 15 marks)   Source: The Hindu Small Enterprises as Engines of Employment in India (UPSC GS Paper III – Inclusive Growth, Employment, MSME Sector, Industrial Policy, Economic Development)   Context (Introduction) India’s employment challenge is less about job creation in large industries and more about uplifting millions of low-productivity, self-employed micro enterprises. ASUSE 2023–24 data shows 12+ crore workers depend on 7.3 crore unincorporated enterprises whose growth is severely constrained.   Main Arguments: Why Small Enterprises Matter  MSME Dominance: Own Account Enterprises (OAEs) form 87% of all non-agricultural enterprises, absorbing the bulk of India’s workforce, signalling economic necessity—not entrepreneurial vibrancy. Job Elasticity with Growth: A 10% rise in GVA correlates with a 4.5% increase in hired workers, showing productivity-driven expansion directly fuels employment creation. HWE Productivity Advantage: Hired Worker Enterprises generate 7.5 times more GVA than OAEs, highlighting immense gains from enterprise upgradation. Low Formalisation Incentives: Entrepreneurs avoid registering due to high compliance costs and fear of delayed payments—issues flagged in the RBI MSME Report (2019). Credit–Productivity Link: Only 10–12% of unincorporated enterprises access bank credit; institutional loans increase medium enterprise GVA by 72%, and more than threefold in large enterprises.   Challenges / Criticisms  Credit Constraints: Informal lenders dominate; limited collateral and procedural complexity restrict access to formal finance. Technology Gaps: Adoption of ICT tools remains low, preventing firms from leveraging e-commerce, digital payments, or productivity-enhancing software. Delayed Payments: Persistent non-recovery of dues impairs cash flows, discouraging scale expansion or formalisation. Low Skill Levels: Many OAEs lack exposure to business training, accounting systems, and digital literacy, trapping them in low-productivity cycles. Fragmented Schemes: Digital MSME, UDYAM, ONDC, DISHA and UPI incentives exist, but weak handholding limits their real-world impact.   Way Forward: Productivity-Led Employment Strategy  Differentiated Credit Architecture: Shift from microcredit to growth capital, linking loan size to enterprise stage (learning from Japan’s JFC and South Korea’s SME Bank). Technology Enablement: Expand digital capacity-building, e-commerce onboarding, and subsidised digital tools (similar to Singapore’s SMEs Go Digital). Ease of Doing Business (Micro-Level): Simplify local licensing, tax procedures, and compliance—a major impediment for OAEs transitioning to HWEs. Strengthened Market Linkages: Use ONDC and state-level procurement platforms to secure steady demand for micro enterprises. Vocational & Managerial Training: Align skilling with enterprise needs—finance, inventory, online sales—following Germany’s dual vocational system model. Payment Security Mechanisms: Enforce the MSME Delayed Payments Portal, mandate digital invoicing, and enable time-bound settlement similar to the UK Prompt Payment Code.   Conclusion India’s employment future will be shaped not by a few large factories but by millions of micro and small enterprises that form its economic backbone. Raising their productivity through credit access, digital adoption, market linkages, and supportive regulation can transform self-employment from subsistence activity into sustained job creation.   UPSC Mains Question  Analyse the structural constraints faced by unincorporated enterprises and suggest policy measures to enable their transition into job-creating units. (250 words,15 marks) Source: Indian Express