R2R SSB BATCHES START EVERY 1ST & 15TH of month. Referred articles were published in The Hindu.

1: Pakistan-India War: A Shifting Dynamic

Background

• This brief reflects on the outcome of India's military conflict with Pakistan in early May, highlighting the imperative of learning from past conflicts to understand future dynamics.
• Historically, the unparallelled civilizational ties between India and Pakistan have led to repeated attempts to provoke attacks.
• The intractable Pakistan has persistently fueled conflicts and wars, creating frequent ceasefire violations and indigenous terrorism.
• India has moved towards becoming a democratic global power, and Pakistan has been a major military threat, aiming to destabilize the region.
• Pakistan's geography and strategic importance for global powers have made it a persistent problem for India.
• India aims to prepare for future conflicts.

• The disintegration of the world order has led to a shifting geopolitical landscape, creating new challenges for India and Pakistan.
• The "God's taking place in Gaza" and its global impact have created a volatile environment.
• The dichotomy of approaches between a faith-based state and a secular democracy has created a complex situation.
• India needs to examine why the international order is crumbling and to identify the recent conflict's root causes, including the discovery of another Pakistani terror camp.
• The number of internal conflicts in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has increased.
• Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has underscored the global political interest in the conflict against Russia.
• Pakistan continues to leverage U.S. interest in its internal political disorder and has gained support from Western powers.
• The involvement of Pakistan's political and military leadership, including former ISI chief Lt. Gen. Mohammad Yusuf, has contributed to a deteriorating security situation.
• Today, Pakistan's military continues to hold sway, and the military chief, Gen. Asim Munir, controls the state.
• Pakistani politicians are hesitant to confront the military, and there is no prospect of holding honest elections.
• Four weeks ago, Pakistan's army chief, Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman, expressed concerns about the "humanitarian character" of the state, stating that humanity has been absent.
• Pakistan has a history of different religious, custom, tradition, language, and symbolism, which has created a complex and volatile environment.
• The conflict in J&K is viewed as a "regular vein" and a future challenge.
• It is important to understand what might be expected next from the current India-Pakistan conflict.
• The conflict in J&K is a resurgence of religious nationalism, not only in Pakistan's northern and western areas but also in the technological revolution.
• The conflict has demonstrated the critical shortcomings of military dominance.
• China's military hardware has become a significant factor in the conflict.
• China's JOC (joint operations command) hardware has been effective against Indian drones.
• Pakistan has demonstrated the use of offensive armed and strike capable drones.
• Reports indicate that there is more to drones, but information has been suppressed.
• The U.S. State Department and China's JOC have recently discussed drone usage.
• China's JOC has emphasized multi-layered air defense systems.
• Pakistan is building an integrated air defense system to target Indian drones.
• India has an edge over Pakistan in air escalation dominance.
• The conflict is expected to remain fragmented, and geopolitical impediments will limit progress.
• New realisations are needed that the nuclear threshold is narrowing.
• China's position in the region will alter the geopolitical landscape.
• India needs a dedicated satellite system and verification surveillance network for border security.
• India needs a dedicated satellite system and verification surveillance network for border security.
• India's satellite system and verification network will be crucial for the next outbreak of a major conflict.
• The country needs to reconsider how some offshore funding sources are concerned.
• India needs to be fully prepared for this eventually.

• India must develop a robust and advanced military strategy that incorporates autonomous platforms and drone technology.
• Effective surveillance and intelligence gathering are critical for national security.
• International cooperation and strategic partnerships can enhance India's defense capabilities.
• A dedicated satellite system and verification surveillance network are essential for border security and monitoring.
• Addressing the challenges of political instability and religious nationalism in the region is crucial for long-term peace.

Background

• Admissions for colleges and universities in India are increasing due to promotion programs that emphasize knowledge, transformation, and research excellence.
• This growth is a positive development, but challenges remain in dynamic academic landscapes, particularly regarding potential for employment.
• The expansion of higher education in India is rapid, yet a large gap remains in practical skills.

• According to data from the Ministry of Statistics, unemployment rates in India are higher for those with higher education.
• There is a critical gap between academic achievement and employability.
• This challenge is particularly acute in India's vast network of non-elite institutions (Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges).
• Most students pursue B.A., B.Com, or B.Sc degrees, and their corresponding master's programs are often ill-equipped for industry demands.
• Institutions face resource constraints and limited industry connections, hindering practical skill development.
• Elite colleges prioritize placement challenges, while less prominent colleges often lack resources.
• Many institutions prioritize theoretical instruction, limiting practical skill development.
• This situation stems from a deeply entrenched academic culture that values scholarship over practical application.
• Many academic circles emphasize higher education as an end in itself, while employment is considered secondary.
• Postgraduate degrees and Ph.Ds are often pursued for fulfillment rather than career prospects, leading to many graduates repeating the same cycle.
• Government agencies have recognized this issue.
• Initiatives such as Skill India, Start-Up India, and the National Education Policy have pushed for skill development, vocational training, and entrepreneurship.
• However, the transformation remains incomplete.
• Many undergraduate and postgraduate programs continue to emphasize rote learning over practical skills.
• New courses in AI or entrepreneurship are being introduced, but they often lack depth and integration into the broader curriculum.
• Countries such as China and Japan have successfully aligned education with economic strategies by elevating technical and vocational education to a central role in workforce development.
• In India, vocational training is often perceived as a fallback option, both within academia and society.
• This stigma limits the effectiveness of programs designed to equip students with practical skills.
• The disparity between perceived and actual skill-based education highlights a broader societal challenge: degrees are highly valued as symbols of upward mobility, but they often fail to guarantee it.
• It is not a call to abandon liberal education or abstract learning, but to instill critical thinking and creativity.
• Education must also provide tangible economic benefits.
• Degrees should offer pathways to agency and dignity, especially for students from smaller towns and underserved institutions.

• A strong emphasis on integrating practical skill modules (e.g., communication, digital literacy, budgeting, data analysis, hospitality, tailoring, and health services) into general degree programs is needed.
• Existing doctoral education should be diversified to prepare candidates for policy, analytics, consulting, development, and industry roles, not solely academia.
• Research remains vital, but it must be pursued with a practical orientation.
• The widespread aspiration for government jobs reflects the limited opportunities graduates currently perceive.
• Expanding private sector and entrepreneurial pathways through improved employability will offer a wider range of options.
• Enhancing skills and opportunities can reduce the over-dependence on competitive exams.
• India's growing economy demands an education system that not just enrolls students, but equips them with skills.
• Viewing education as a social contract that guarantees a meaningful connection between learning and livelihood is essential.

Background

• Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has borne the brunt of Pakistan's response to Operation Sindoor.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah focused on both security and development during his visit to Poonch.
• Residential areas were hit by shelling from across the border.
• A comprehensive relief package is planned for underground shelters for civilians.
• The J&K government is struggling to address damages, with Poonch being the worst-affected district.
• A preliminary report by the Ministry of Home Affairs identified 1,500 houses damaged in indiscriminate shelling: 690 in Poonch and 534 in Uri.
• At least 18 civilians – 14 in Poonch alone – lost their lives.
• Pakistani shelling hit towns in Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Rajouri, causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure.
• Mr. Shah visited the affected regions, expressing solidarity with the people, and handed out job appointment letters to the kin of those who lost their lives.
• The Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and representatives of the Trinamool Congress also visited the victims.
• These border residents expressed relief and a sense of fear dissipated after these visits.
• The Indian Army's statement on the India and Pakistan ceasefire indicates "not having an expiry date."
• Life is gradually returning to normal, with residents returning to their homes, many of them shattered by shelling.
• The J&K government is struggling to meet the demands of the affected population.
• This is evident from the relief amount approved, which is up to ₹1.2 lakh for fully damaged houses.
• The affected and displaced residents described it as "insufficient" for them to return to their concrete and multi-storey homes.

• Mr. Shah's promise of a relief package offers hope.
• Around 9,500 bunkers – 8,000 in the Jammu division and 1,500 in the Kashmir Valley – have been built by the Centre so far.
• However, there is a growing demand for individual bunkers in sparsely populated border areas of J&K, especially in the Kashmir Valley.
• To ensure civilian safety, an immediate shift to safer locations is needed in cases of Pakistani shelling.
• The Centre and the elected government in J&K should work together to help border residents in distress.

• The Centre and the elected government in J&K must collaborate to address the needs of border residents.
• Swift and adequate relief and rehabilitation efforts are crucial for damaged homes and displaced populations.
• Building sufficient individual bunkers in vulnerable border areas is essential for civilian protection.
• A long-term strategy for economic recovery and sustainable development in J&K is necessary.

Background

• The Ministry of Education is urging states to increase enrolment in government schools, particularly in Odisha, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The Ministry has asked these states to take remedial steps to reverse the trend of declining enrolment in government schools.
• The issue was raised at Project Approval Board (PAB) meetings held in March and April this year to consider the Annual Work Plan and Budget under the Samagra Shiksha scheme for 2025-26.

• In Telangana, for instance, the PAB meeting minutes note that as per the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) 2023-24 data, 42,901 schools in the state, with 70% (30,022) being government schools, and 28.26% (12,126) being unaided schools.
• Total enrolment in government schools in Telangana is 38.11% (27.8 lakh), compared to 60.75% (44.31 lakh) in unaided schools.
• School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar has expressed concerns about the large amount of money spent on government schools, yet students are moving away from them.
• He suggests that states develop a consensus to identify the root cause and reverse this trend.
• A similar trend of declining enrolment in unaided schools has been observed in Uttarakhand during the 2021-22 period.
• As per UDISE+ 2023-24 data, 22,551 schools in Uttarakhand, with 71.84% (16,201) being government schools, and 23.29% (5252) being unaided schools.
• Total enrolment in government schools in Uttarakhand is 36.68% (8.7 lakh), compared to 54.39% (12.90 lakh) in unaided schools.
• In Tamil Nadu, the Education Ministry observed that as per UDISE+ 2023-24, 64% of government schools in the state have 37% enrolment, whereas 21% of unaided schools have 48% enrolment.
• The government is urged to build the government school brand and make the best use of available resources.
• In Andhra Pradesh, the UDISE+ 2023-24 data show that out of 61,073 schools in the state, 45,900 (73.32%) are government schools, and 15,232 (24.82%) are unaided schools.
• Total enrolment in government schools is 46.33% (40.5 lakh), compared to 52.09% (45.53 lakh) in unaided schools.
• Enrolment trend during 2021-22 to 2023-24 suggests that enrolment in unaided schools is steadily increasing.
• In Maharashtra, the State's Principal Secretary for Education & Sports attributes the reduction in enrolment in government and aided schools, from over 1.63 crore students in 2018-19 to a little over 1.5 crore in 2023-24, to a data cleansing exercise, using Aadhaar verification.
• Kerala's Principal Secretary for Education reported a similar exercise, with concerns about the reduction of students in government and aided schools, from close to 46.37 lakh in 2022-23 to 45.50 lakh in 2023-24.

• States need to identify the root cause of declining enrolment in government schools through a consensus-based approach.
• Building the "government school brand" and utilizing available resources effectively are crucial.
• Data-driven approaches and rigorous verification processes are essential for accurate enrolment figures.
• Collaborative efforts between the Centre and states are needed to implement effective remedial measures.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited shell-hit border areas in J&K, promising a comprehensive relief package and more underground shelters for residents. He condemned Pakistan's shelling, asserting that India's response to such attacks would be forceful.