R2R SSB BATCHES START EVERY 1ST & 15TH of month. Referred articles were published in The Hindu.
1: Rewriting the Script of Early Childhood Education: India's New Policy
Background - This month highlights a critical issue: the practical utility, employability, global capacity, and innovativeness of university research in India.
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims for a long-term structural reform, envisioning education in a three-fold way: improving research, creating skilled professionals, and fostering innovation globally.
- The NEP proposes a four-year flexible teaching program that integrates vocational skills and emphasizes earning while learning.
- This approach aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, with students gaining practical experience.
- The NEP seeks to prepare students for global competitiveness.
The Situation Now - The NEP focuses on skills and industry needs, with over 30,000 students currently enrolled in degree programs or short-term vocational courses.
- 197 universities and 93 colleges offer internships to 3,675,568 students at the undergraduate level, with 58,334 students placed for internships in the past five years.
- Research and Development (R&D) cells have been established in 242 universities and 113 colleges, fostering innovative research skills.
- In terms of global competition and innovation, India ranks Q500 among countries, with 163 universities from India.
- India has seen a 26.7% jump in total entries, with 10 higher education institutions (including 8 Indian Institutes of Technology, and two Indian Institutes of Management) placed in the global top 50 across various disciplines.
- India's capacity in higher education has grown, with 7.40% of Ph.D.s from India in 2022.
- India's performance in the Global Innovation Index has been laudable, with an experimental improvement from a decade ago.
- In the SNP period, there has been significant change in the Indian research and innovation sphere.
- The National Research Foundation (NRF) Act, 2023, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) initiatives, and the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) have contributed to intellectual property.
- SPARC has been instrumental in fostering cultural exchange and research collaborations, with 28 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France, having participated.
- Indigenous scientific imagination and education is prioritized, with the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) 2020 framework being implemented.
- The Smart India Hackathon is nurturing innovation at the grassroots level, with 13.9 lakh students participating and 18.5 lakh ideas submitted, showing sevenfold growth since 2017.
- Sustainable employment faces challenges due to multifaceted issues like economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Employment conditions have improved, with 29% to 44% between 2014 and 2019, and from 2018-19 to 2022-23, employment has grown by 6%.
- For all age groups, employment has increased by 1.6%. For female employment, the rate grew by 30.7% in 2022-23.
- The proportion of regular workers has grown, from 17.2% in 2004-05 to 24.88% in 2022-23.
- Informal employment (casual labor, especially among females) constitutes 30.1% to 19.66%, and overall (28.85%) in unemployment data.
- A qualitative transition survey suggests irregular, unorganized, and low-paying jobs. There is an increase in the proportion of regular workers (from 17.2% in 2004-05 to 24.88% in 2023-24), suggesting that more individuals are moving into formal and structured job roles.
Way Forward - The data and changes in employment conditions highlight the need for a strong societal effort to create stable, productive, and innovative employment opportunities.
- Continued focus on industry-academia linkage, vocational training, and global competitiveness will be crucial for sustained growth.
2: Slow and Unsteady: Ethnic Violence and Governance in Manipur Background - Ethnic violence in Manipur has persisted for over three months, with the state still under President's Rule.
- The Bharatiya Janata Party's N. Biren Singh, the state's leader, has been unable to de-escalate tensions.
- There has been a significant reduction in gun violence and arson, which had flared up sporadically since the ethnic conflict began in May 2023.
- Weapons that were looted from police compounds have been returned, and militants do not seem to be roaming around as they did earlier.
- However, peace has not been fully restored.
- The free movement of people and goods across highways and between the hills and valleys continues to be impeded.
- There have been no signs of any thaw in the hostility between the two communities, which were at the center of the conflict and have lost their homes.
- The peace process remains fragile, as seen in the recent incident during the trip to the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district in May, where state transport buses with journalists were targeted by Kuki-Zo armed groups.
- In other areas, security personnel placed stickers on their buses to hide the name of the state, an act that riled civil society groups.
- The Kuki-Zo areas initially opposed efforts to open their valley for safe passage, but they now see this as an act of 'low-key' reconciliation.
- Some members of the Kuki-Zo community representatives have reportedly seen transport services through their areas, but this was a step back from earlier progress.
The Situation Now - It is understood that the Indian government has to walk a tightrope in Manipur, and explains the relatively slow pace of a return to "true normalcy."
- The government must take strong steps in disarming insurgent and chauvinist groups who continue to hold sway in the valley and the hills.
- It should also extend out a message that these sections will not represent the respective communities in the peace and political initiatives that are needed to resolve the conflict.
- The distrust of state institutions has led to ethnic partisans setting the discourse.
- In order to reverse this situation, a stronger commitment to implementing the rule of law, while focusing on rehabilitating the victims of the conflict, is needed.
- Meanwhile, there have been calls for the restoration of the State Assembly, with some MLAs claiming majority support for a fresh iteration of an NDA government.
- This step should only be considered if there is some consensus on steps to be taken towards normalcy among the elected representatives of the respective communities and civil society actors.
Way Forward - A stronger commitment to implementing the rule of law and focusing on rehabilitating victims of the conflict is crucial.
- Consensus-building among elected representatives and civil society actors is essential for a sustainable return to normalcy.
- The government needs to disarm insurgent groups and foster an environment of trust and cooperation between communities.
3: Danger in the Sea: India's Response to Maritime Disasters Background - On May 24, the MSC Elsa 3, carrying more than 640 containers, began tilting off the coast of Kochi due to an operational problem.
- The nearly three-decade-old ship is considered structurally unsafe.
- The crew abandoned the ship after unsuccessfully attempting to right it.
- The Elsa 3 is now submerged at the seabed, 50 meters below.
- According to the cargo manifest, the ship had 13 containers with hazardous goods, including twelve had calcium carbide and one had "rubber solution."
- Fifty containers, many empty, were floating and being tossed around by monsoon weather.
- Officials stated that the "rubber solution" has reacted with seawater and accounts for plastic pellets found on the Kerala coast.
- Five containers with calcium carbide, another pollution hazard, are lying on the seabed and need to be safely disposed of before they cause damage.
- Some oil pollution has also been reported, but there is no clarity on safe disposal of the plastic pellets.
The Situation Now - While containers have boosted global trade logistics, overseeing each container that passes through ports and yards is a global problem.
- Besides the 600-odd containers still lodged inside Elsa 3's cargo space, some 365 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 60 tonnes of diesel lie inside the ship's tanks.
- While much of the oil has not seeped, its release is a concern.
- The Chennai coast was ravaged by 250 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from an oil tanker that collided with an LPG carrier in 2017.
- The MSC Elsa 3 is a time-bomb that needs to be quickly disposed of.
- Salvagers are being engaged, and they will follow international insurance protocols.
- The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NCS-DCP) names the Coast Guard as the nodal agency for such responses.
- In Chennai, the response was delayed by several days and lacked coordination between agencies.
- In Kerala, the response has been more timely and effective.
- Ambitious plans for economic growth would lead to a surge in ship traffic.
- The government has also planned to develop more national and global transshipment traffic into India's waters.
- India is set to see a significant number and variety of ships carrying cargoes in its future.
Way Forward - India's response will show how well prepared the country is to handle a major maritime disaster.
- Improved coordination between agencies and swift action are crucial for effective disaster management.
- Developing robust plans and infrastructure to handle increasing maritime traffic and potential spills is essential.
4: Autonomous Warfare in Operation Sindoor: India's Defense Advancements Background - In recent years, India has been developing and deploying autonomous platforms, armed drones, and loitering munitions to enhance warfare.
- Operation Sindoor marks a primary phase of India's integrated autonomous operations.
- This initiative represents a significant shift from the 2004 threshold of India's autonomous capabilities.
- Pakistan has been a long-standing threat, and India has focused on developing deterrence through autonomous platforms.
- Pakistan's military, including Zaman-II and Hatf-VIII, possess integrated drone systems, but India's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities are advanced.
- India's expertise in electro-optical, infrared, and thermal sensors, and signals intelligence, provides crucial data for strategic operations.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) attacked Pakistani terror camps in February 2019 using smart munitions.
- India's drones are designed for dual-purpose roles, including surveillance and precision strikes.
- In May 2020, India demonstrated an aerial combat battleaxe using advanced autonomous platforms.
- India has been developing defense missiles, battle munitions, command, and control systems, and loitering munitions.
- Indian military observers stated that Operation Sindoor is a major operational milestone for future conflicts.
The Situation Now - India's array of aerial systems: India has been developing drones, releasing intercepted footage, and deploying high-stakes information warfare systems in May 2020.
- 400-800 Indian drones have flown sorties daily over Pakistan, collecting information.
- Operation Sindoor revealed an operational status for these drones.
- India's offensive against Pakistan has been supported by Israeli-developed platforms.
- Pakistan has developed various drone systems for surveillance and combat operations.
- Pakistan's military intelligence has collected information using Chinese-supplied drones.
- Autonomous systems and other platforms have been developed by private and public organizations in India.
- Pakistan's retaliation: Pakistan has intensified its operations with drones, deploying Bayraktar Tl2s and Chinese-supplied drones.
- These assets were complemented by CH 901 and UAR-developed drones.
- Over 1,300 kilometers of Pakistan's northern and western borders have been surveyed.
- Pakistan has deployed drones and other platforms in Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab for surveillance.
- Indian military observers indicate that Pakistan's air defense system is minimal and ineffective.
- India's air defense system for drones, including integrated air defense systems (IADS) and ground-based radar systems, has achieved 98% efficiency.
- India has acquired integrated multi-tier air defense systems with IADS, SAM systems, and fighter jets.
- India's Air Defense Control and Reporting Centre (ADCRC) provides digital air defense systems and integrates radar data.
- India's IADS has been improved with distributed radar systems, optical sensors, and weapon systems.
- These systems ensure accurate data and precise engagements.
- Electronic warfare (EW) and advanced electronic warfare systems are in place.
- The advanced missile platforms are integral to India's military's operations.
- India's air defense systems for its nuclear facilities have been operational since 2004.
- India's Air Defense Control and Reporting Centre (ADCRC) has a fully functional and secure network.
- India's integrated air defense systems are effective against enemy drones.
- India has acquired various weapon systems including S-400 and Akash-NG missile systems.
- The long-range Barak-8, jointly developed with Israel, is a crucial component of India's defense.
- India has tested its ballistic missile systems.
- India's BrahMos cruise missile, one of the world's best, has achieved significant success.
- Over 7.2 billion in October 2008 was spent on these systems.
- All these systems are centrally controlled and provide real-time responses.
- The integration of autonomous systems in India's military is ongoing.
- The next war will involve drones and autonomous systems.
Way Forward - India continues to invest heavily in autonomous warfare to maintain its strategic edge.
- The integration of advanced defense systems and continuous innovation will be crucial for national security.
- Cooperation with international partners can further enhance India's autonomous defense capabilities.
5: Reading the Hike: Minimum Support Price System Needs a Reset in India Background - The southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala on May 24, eight days before schedule.
- The Narendra Modi government has approved the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for kharif crops.
- Last year, when they were declared on June 19, the MSP announcement came early enough for farmers to make informed planting decisions.
- The MSP for paddy is being hiked by ₹69 per quintal, reaching ₹117 and ₹143 for the last and preceding year's crops.
- India's rice in government godowns ideally should have been frozen at 63.1 million tonnes (mt).
- The latest increase, the lowest in five years, indicates a problem of too much rice production.
- Exports of 20.2 mt in 2024-25 indicate that rice is a "water-guzzler" crop.
The Situation Now - The MSPs of other crops have risen significantly, ranging from 5.4-6.4% per cent for urad (black gram) and arhar (pigeon-pea), to 7.1-8.3% per cent for groundnut, maize, and cotton, and 8.9-13.9% per cent for soyabean, jowar (sorghum), and ragi.
- Compared to the 3% per cent higher MSP for paddy, these seem to be more "major and well-intentioned" changes.
- India should proactively develop more pulses and oilseeds, considering their value, with $5.5 billion and $17.3 billion by 2024-25.
- The same goes for cotton, where India imports cotton despite being a domestic consumer.
- Nutritional advantages, apart from lower water requirement and climate hardiness, make millets similarly worthy of MSPs that provide fair and remunerative returns over cultivation costs.
- However, farmers tend to grow crops that receive better MSPs.
- Soyabean is currently selling in Maharashtra's Latur market at ₹4,300 per quintal, which is below the recently announced MSP of ₹5,328, but higher than last year's ₹4,892.
Way Forward - The MSP system needs a reset.
- The government must procure grain that is sufficient for its requirements in the public distribution system and open market operations.
- This would mean capping the quantity of produce purchased to ₹100 quintals of paddy per farmer.
- It should move from crop-specific MSPs to flat per-acre income support.
- This will incentivize farmers to grow crops that the market wants and also produce those through cost-efficient use of water, nutrients, and other inputs.
- Poultry, dairy, and vegetable farmers are already doing this.
- There is no reason to continue growing regular field crops without some direct government income support.
- A more flexible and demand-driven agricultural policy is needed to ensure sustainable farm incomes and efficient resource utilization.
NEWS IN SHORTS
Air Chief Marshal flags delays in defence projects, invites private players to contribute
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh expressed concern over delays in defence projects, urging greater private industry involvement to boost indigenous production and exports. He stressed the importance of industry contributions for self-reliance and global competitiveness in defence manufacturing.
Bangladesh must focus on its own issues: MEA
India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson stated that Bangladesh should focus on its internal issues, dismissing concerns about "destabilizing" factors. This remark came after Bangladesh's Chief Advisor criticized India for allegedly "deflecting attention" from its own problems.
First batch of women cadets graduated from NDA in Pune
The first batch of 21 women cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, marking a historic moment for the Indian armed forces. One cadet received the Silver Medal and Chief of Air Staff Trophy for securing the first rank in the BA stream.
CDS to engage with international military leaders in Singapore
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, is visiting Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue. He will meet military leaders from 40 nations to strengthen defence cooperation and discuss regional security challenges, emphasizing India's strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
Sikkim can become a global tourism hub, says Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions Sikkim as a future "golden" global hub for tourism and sports, celebrating 50 years since its accession to India. He praised the people of Sikkim for their democratic decision to integrate with India.
Women's role crucial during Operation Sindoor: Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the crucial role of women pilots and soldiers in India's effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor. He praised their exceptional performance in all roles within the armed forces, citing their successful circum-navigation expedition.
Major setback for Trump as U.S. court blocks tariffs
A U.S. federal court blocked President Trump's tariffs, ruling them unlawful. This decision is a major setback for the Trump administration's trade policy, which had imposed duties on various goods, leading to economic uncertainty and international trade disputes.
India hopes U.S. will clear visas on merit
India's Ministry of External Affairs hopes the U.S. will process visa applications based on merit. This comes amid reports of U.S. visa cancellations for Chinese students, impacting thousands of Indian students and professionals awaiting U.S. visas.
Shah in J&K to review security
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu and Kashmir to review the security situation. His visit aims to assess recent military, police, and administrative measures taken to ensure the region's security and prepare for a safe Amarnath Yatra.
NEWS IN NUMBERS
The U.S. economy contracted by 0.2% in Q1. Syria signed a $7 billion energy deal. Israel announced 22 new settlements in the West Bank. The IMF approved a $500 million loan for Ukraine. Hyderabad police recorded 3,111 cybercrimes last year.
