Content DGMS Marks 125 Years  Indusfood 2026 DGMS Marks 125 Years  Why in News ? Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) celebrated its 125th Foundation Day at Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Relevance GS-III (Economy / Internal Security / Industry) Mining sector governance: Safety standards in coal, metalliferous & oil mines Occupational Safety & Health (OSH): Link with Mines Act, 1952 Sustainable industrial growth: Safe mining as prerequisite for economic growth DGMS: Basics You Must Know Established: 1902 (colonial-era origin; one of India’s oldest regulators) Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment Headquarters: Dhanbad, Jharkhand Mandate: Safety, health and welfare of mine workers Regulation of coal, metalliferous & oil mines Legal framework: Mines Act, 1952 Rules & Regulations framed under it Core Functions of DGMS Framing and enforcing mine safety standards Inspection of mines and accident investigation Approval of mining plans from safety perspective Training, certification & rescue preparedness Advising Centre and States on mine safety policy Institutional Reforms & Symbolism Launch of: New DGMS Logo Digital Compendium of Best Practices Purpose: Modern institutional identity Knowledge sharing & capacity building Indusfood 2026 Why in News ? Indusfood 2026, India’s flagship global Food & Beverage (F&B) sourcing exhibition, is being held in Greater Noida. Key announcements: India–UAE Food Corridor launch APEDA’s ‘Bharati Initiative’ for agri-food start-ups Reflects India’s expanding role in global food trade, food processing, and agri-exports. Relevance GS-III (Economy / Agriculture / Infrastructure) Agri-exports & food processing Export-led growth strategy: Value-added food products Role of institutions: TPCI APEDA What is Indusfood?  Event: Indusfood 2026 (9th edition) Nature: Global Food & Beverage sourcing exhibition Organiser: Trade Promotion Council of India Venue: India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida Objective: Position India as a reliable global food supplier Facilitate B2B trade, sourcing, and export partnerships Institutional & Ministerial Linkage Inaugurated by Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Demonstrates: Government backing for food processing sector Integration of trade, agriculture, and industry policy Scale & Global Outreach Participation from 120+ countries Thousands of verified global buyers Presence of: International trade delegations Retail chains Global chefs & institutions Indicates India’s shift from regional exporter → global agri-food hub India–UAE Food Corridor   Launched by Abu Dhabi Food Hub Purpose: Strengthen bilateral food trade Improve supply chain efficiency Enhance food security (especially for UAE) Strategic significance: UAE as a re-export hub India as a reliable food surplus producer Part of India’s broader West Asia economic diplomacy APEDA’s ‘Bharati Initiative’ Implemented by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Format: Shark Tank–style pitching Direct interaction with global buyers Focus: Agri-food start-ups Innovation, branding, value-addition Policy relevance: Aligns with Start-up India Boosts non-traditional agricultural exports Logistics & Export Infrastructure ‘Bharat Mart’ session by DP World Focus areas: Port-led logistics Cold chain integration Trade facilitation Addresses structural bottleneck: High logistics cost in agri-exports Culinary Diplomacy & Soft Power  World Culinary Heritage Conference India on a Platter Gala Dinner Role: Promotes Indian cuisine globally Links culture with commerce Example of soft power via food diplomacy Strategic Significance for India Strengthens: Export-led growth Agri-industrialisation Global value chain integration Reinforces India’s image as: Trusted food supplier Stable trade partner

Content Natgrid’, the search engine of digital authoritarianism Fine-tune this signal to sharpen India’s AMR battle ‘Natgrid’, the search engine of digital authoritarianism Context & Background 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks (2008): Over 160 lives lost Exposed serious intelligence coordination failures Core problem identified: Intelligence inputs existed Failure lay in fragmentation, poor aggregation, and weak institutional response Example: David Headley’s travel, visas, hotel stays created data trails No system stitched these into a preventive warning Relevance GS-III (Internal Security & Technology) Counter-terrorism architecture post-26/11 Use of big data, AI, analytics in internal security Limits of techno-solutionism in intelligence failures Shift from targeted intelligence to mass surveillance Institutional capacity vs technological capacity Practice Question Q1.“Security without accountability erodes democracy.”Critically examine this statement in the context of the expansion of NATGRID in India.(250 Words) Birth of NATGRID: The Original Rationale Psychological and political aftermath of 26/11 led to: Expansion of intelligence architecture Emergence of National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) as the technological solution Core idea: A middleware platform Enables selected agencies to query multiple databases in real time Objective: Prevent future terror attacks through data integration Design & Scope of NATGRID Access: Initially 11 central intelligence and investigative agencies Data sources (21 categories): Identity records Travel & immigration Financial transactions Telecom metadata Property & asset databases Function: Acts as a search-and-correlation layer, not a data owner Constitutional & Legal Concerns Key constitutional question: Can a mass surveillance system function without: Parliamentary law Independent oversight? Timeline: 2009: Public announcement 2010: Cabinet concerns on safeguards and privacy 2012: Cleared by executive order + CCS, not Parliament Funding: ₹1,002.97 crore (Horizon–I) Core issue: No statutory framework No oversight mechanism From ‘Vaporware’ to Reality Long delays created belief NATGRID was symbolic Situation changed in 2025: ~45,000 queries per month Usage expanded to: State police forces Officers down to Superintendent of Police rank Shift: From elite intelligence tool → routine policing infrastructure Integration with NPR: A Structural Turning Point NATGRID reportedly integrated with National Population Register (NPR) NPR contains: Data of ~1.19 billion residents Household, lineage and demographic linkages Why this is critical: Moves from event-based intelligence To population-wide surveillance Political sensitivity: NPR closely linked with NRC debates Result: Intelligence grid becomes a citizen-mapping platform Technological Escalation: From Search to Inference Deployment of advanced analytics tools (e.g. “entity resolution” engines) Capabilities: Merge fragmented records into a single identity Link faces, telecom KYC, driving licences, travel data Transformation: From “search bar” → predictive inference system Risk: Algorithms infer intent, not just retrieve facts Two Qualitative Dangers 1. Algorithmic Bias Algorithms reflect: Biases embedded in data Prejudices of policing practices Likely outcomes: Reinforcement of caste, religious, regional profiling Disparate impact: Affluent citizens → inconvenience Marginalised individuals → detention, harassment, violence 2. Tyranny of Scale Tens of thousands of queries monthly Safeguards claimed: Logging Sensitivity classification Problem: Without independent audit, safeguards become ritualistic No parliamentary or judicial supervision Core Fallacy: Data ≠ Intelligence Intelligence failures are rarely due to: Lack of data alone Real causes: Institutional decay Poor training Lack of accountability 26/11 example: Local police lacked even basic firearms training NATGRID does not fix: Human competence Organisational incentives Political interference Judicial & Democratic Deficit Supreme Court recognised right to privacy (Puttaswamy, 2017) Yet: Surveillance systems continue expanding No final adjudication on legality of NATGRID Pending issues: Absence of enabling law Absence of proportionality tests Absence of remedies for citizens Security Narrative vs Accountability Public discourse shaped by: Political rhetoric Cultural normalisation of surveillance Questioning intelligence agencies seen as: Anti-national Consequence: Silence on accountability Even after fresh terror attacks (e.g. Delhi, Nov 2025) Overall Assessment NATGRID has drifted from: Counter-terrorism tool To everyday surveillance infrastructure Without: Parliamentary oversight Judicial scrutiny Transparency It risks becoming: An architecture of suspicion A pillar of digital authoritarianism Way Forward  Genuine prevention requires: Professional, well-trained investigation Clear statutory backing for intelligence tools Parliamentary and judicial oversight Transparency about failures, not just data accumulation Core message: Security without accountability erodes democracy Technology cannot substitute institutional integrity Fine-tune this signal to sharpen India’s AMR battle Context & Trigger In the 129th edition of Mann Ki Baat (Dec 28, 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi explicitly flagged Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as a national concern. He cited national data from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showing: Declining effectiveness of antibiotics against pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Central message: Indiscriminate and self-medicated antibiotic use is at the core of India’s AMR crisis. This is seen as a possible anagnorisis (moment of realisation) capable of catalysing mass behavioural change. Relevance GS III – Health Security & Sustainable Development Antimicrobial Resistance as a non-traditional security threat Surveillance gaps and data-driven policymaking One Health approach (human–animal–environment interface) Global health governance (WHO, GLASS) Long-term economic costs of health crises Practice Question Q1.Antimicrobial Resistance is increasingly being viewed as a silent pandemic.Discuss the reasons for its rapid spread in India and evaluate the adequacy of existing policy responses.(250 Words)   What is AMR? Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites evolve to resist medicines. Consequence: Common infections become harder or impossible to treat. Increased mortality, longer hospital stays, higher health costs. Global recognition: WHO classifies AMR as one of the top global public health threats. Why AMR is a Serious Problem in India India is: One of the largest consumers of antibiotics globally. Structural drivers: Over-the-counter antibiotic sales Self-medication culture Incomplete treatment courses Poor regulation of private healthcare Core contributor : Irrational use / misuse / overuse of antibiotics. Significance of PM’s Intervention AMR had remained: Confined to hospitals, laboratories, experts, and policy documents. PM’s speech: Mainstreams AMR as a public behavioural issue. Translates technical warnings into citizen-level responsibility. Why this matters: Previous policy tools (National Action Plan on AMR, drug bans) had limited mass impact. A direct appeal from the head of government can alter social norms. Behavioural Change as a Policy Tool Message delivered: Antibiotics are not casual medicines. Self-medication is dangerous. Strength: Targets the broadest base of the pyramid. Limitation: Awareness alone is necessary but not sufficient at India’s current AMR stage. The One Health Imperative AMR is a multi-sectoral problem: Human health Animal health Environment One Health approach: Recognises interlinkages between: Antibiotic use in humans Antibiotics as growth promoters in animals Environmental contamination Without this integrated approach: AMR behaves like a hydra-headed problem, regenerating across sectors. Surveillance: The Weakest Link Effective AMR control requires: Accurate, representative, nationwide data. Present limitation: Surveillance heavily skewed towards: Urban areas Tertiary care hospitals Risk: Overestimation or distortion of national AMR trends. Community-level AMR remains under-reported. India’s AMR Surveillance Architecture NARS-Net   National AMR Surveillance Network (NARS-Net): Established in 2013. Provides data to WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS). Current status: ~60 sentinel medical college laboratories. Latest GLASS report (2023 data): Inputs from 41 sites across 31 States/UTs. Scope: Surveillance of 9 priority bacterial pathogens Some fungal pathogens. Critical Gaps Highlighted Non-urban India largely absent from datasets. Primary and secondary care centres excluded. Private hospitals not systematically integrated. Result: National AMR picture is incomplete and potentially misleading. Expert Viewpoint Dr. Abdul Ghafur (Chennai Declaration on AMR): Calls for true national representation. Advocates inclusion of: Primary healthcare Secondary hospitals Private sector facilities Rationale: Balanced, realistic estimation of resistance patterns. Evidence-based policy design. Global Framework Reference WHO Global Action Plan on AMR (2015) outlines five pillars: Improve awareness and understanding Strengthen surveillance and research Reduce infection incidence Optimise antimicrobial use Ensure sustainable investment in new drugs, diagnostics, vaccines PM’s speech: Strongly advances Pillar 1 (awareness). Missing acceleration: Pillar 2 (surveillance expansion) Pillar 4 (enforcement and regulation) What Still Needs Political Will ? Expanding surveillance sites nationwide Integrating private healthcare data Regulatory enforcement on antibiotic sales Investment in diagnostics and infection prevention Monitoring, accountability and inter-ministerial coordination Overall Assessment PM’s statement is a necessary inflection point, not a complete solution. Awareness can: Slow misuse Change social behaviour But without: Robust surveillance One Health governance Regulatory enforcement AMR will continue to rise silently. Way Forward India needs: Mass awareness + structural reform Surveillance that reflects community reality Integration of human, animal and environmental health Core takeaway: AMR is not just a medical issue; it is a governance and behavioural crisis.

Content India’s Progress on Its Climate Targets Trump–Greenland Remarks Jabarkhet Nature Reserve & Alternative Wildlife Tourism Why Silver Prices Surged ~160% in 2025 Turkman Gate Contaminated Water Crisis in Indore & Bhopal India’s Progress on Climate Targets  Why in News? Recent Aravalli judgment revived debate on environmental governance, mining, and climate commitments. Over 10 years since India’s climate pledges under the Paris Agreement, prompting evaluation of delivery vs outcomes. Updated data on emissions intensity, renewable capacity, and forest carbon sinks (ISFR 2023, CEA projections). Relevance to India’s 2070 Net Zero credibility. Relevance GS-3 | Environment & Climate Change Paris Agreement commitments, emissions intensity vs absolute emissions Renewable energy transition, coal dependence, storage bottlenecks India’s Climate Commitments (Paris, 2015) Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33–35% from 2005 levels by 2030. Achieve 40% non-fossil power capacity by 2030 (later raised to ~50%). Install 175 GW renewables by 2022. Create 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂e forest carbon sink by 2030. Principle: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). Emissions Intensity: Success with Caveats Achievement: Emissions intensity reduced by ~36% by 2020 (2005 baseline). Target met a decade early. Drivers: Rapid non-fossil capacity expansion (solar, wind, hydro, nuclear). Structural shift towards services & digital economy. Efficiency schemes: PAT, UJALA → measurable energy savings. Limitation: Absolute emissions remain high (~2,959 MtCO₂e in 2020). India is the 3rd largest absolute emitter globally. Conceptual Issue: Partial decoupling: GDP growth > emissions growth. Intensity ↓, but emissions ↑ in cement, steel, transport. Renewable Energy: Capacity–Generation Mismatch Headline Success: Non-fossil capacity rose from ~29.5% (2015) to ~51.4% (June 2025). Solar: ~3 GW (2014) → ~111 GW (2025). Ground Reality: Renewables contribute only ~22% of electricity generation (2024–25). Coal (~240–253 GW) still provides >70% of electricity. Reasons: Low capacity factors of solar/wind. Intermittency and grid integration limits. Delays in land acquisition and transmission. Targets Missed: 175 GW by 2022 not achieved. 500 GW by 2030 feasible but execution-heavy. Storage Deficit: Core Bottleneck CEA projection (2029–30): 336 GWh storage needed. Actual operational storage (Sept 2025): ~500 MWh. Without storage: Renewables cannot replace coal baseload. Grid stability risks increase. Forest Carbon Sink: Numbers vs Ecology Official Claim: Total forest carbon stock: 30.43 billion tonnes CO₂e. Additional sink since 2005: ~2.29 billion tonnes. Target likely met numerically by 2030. Data Issues: “Forest cover” includes: Plantations, eucalyptus, tea, mango orchards. Any land >1 ha with >10% canopy. Natural forests vs plantations not differentiated. Governance Gaps: CAMPA funds (~₹95,000 crore) under-utilised (e.g., Delhi ~23% usage). Green India Mission (Revised, 2025) equates plantations with regeneration. Climate Stress: Warming and water stress reduce actual carbon assimilation despite “greening” signals. Structural Contradictions Highlighted Intensity gains coexist with rising absolute emissions. Renewable capacity growth masks coal-centric generation reality. Forest targets met administratively, not ecologically. Coal phase-down roadmap remains opaque. The Road Ahead Battery & pumped storage scale-up at mission mode. Transparent coal transition timetable aligned with 2070 net zero. Industrial decarbonisation (steel, cement, transport). Forest governance reform: quality, biodiversity, survivability metrics. Data transparency: sector-wise, region-wise emissions tracking. Stronger Centre–State coordination on grids and land. Trump–Greenland Remarks Why in News? Donald Trump reportedly re-discussed the idea of purchasing Greenland during internal deliberations. The White House clarified: No immediate diplomatic proposal. Military action ruled out, but strategic discussions ongoing. Triggered diplomatic responses from Denmark and European leaders. Renewed global focus on Arctic geopolitics amid U.S.–China–Russia competition. Relevance GS-2 | International Relations Arctic geopolitics, great power competition (U.S.–China–Russia) Sovereignty, self-determination, international law (UN Charter) GS-1 | Geography Arctic region, climate change impact on polar routes Greenland: Strategic Profile Autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. World’s largest island; population ~56,000. Located between North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Hosts a key U.S. military base (Pituffik/Thule Space Base). Why Greenland Matters Geopolitically ? Arctic Military Significance Controls access to Arctic air and naval routes. Critical for: Ballistic missile early-warning systems. Monitoring Russian Arctic activity. Integral to U.S. Arctic defence architecture and NATO security. Great Power Competition Russia: Expanding Arctic military bases. Northern Sea Route militarisation. China: Self-declared “near-Arctic state”. Investments in mining, infrastructure, and research stations. U.S. concern: preventing Chinese strategic foothold in Greenland. Resource Geopolitics Rich in critical minerals: Rare Earth Elements (REEs). Uranium, zinc, iron ore. Minerals essential for: Green technologies. Defence manufacturing. Seen as alternative to China-dominated rare earth supply chains. Climate Change & Shipping Arctic ice melt opening: Shorter transcontinental shipping routes. New fishing and resource extraction zones. Greenland becomes central to future Arctic economic geography. Diplomatic & Legal Constraints Greenland’s leadership and Denmark have rejected any sale. Greenland: Right to self-determination. Increasing push for eventual independence. Any transfer would violate: Modern international norms. Sovereignty principles under UN Charter. European & NATO Reactions Denmark: Firm assertion that Greenland is not for sale. European leaders (France, Germany, Italy, Spain): Expressed solidarity with Denmark. Warned against destabilising Arctic order. Issue touches intra-NATO trust and cohesion. Why This Matters for International Relations ? Illustrates: Return of territorial geopolitics in a rules-based order. Strategic salience of climate-affected regions. Highlights: Arctic as a new theatre of great power rivalry. Tension between strategic realism vs international law. Takeaway The Greenland discussion is not about purchase, but about: Strategic denial to rivals. Long-term Arctic dominance. Reflects how climate change, resources, and security are converging to reshape global geopolitics. Jabarkhet Nature Reserve (JNR) & Alternative Wildlife Tourism Why in News? Jabarkhet Nature Reserve (JNR) near Mussoorie completed 10 years (2015–2025). Highlighted as India’s first privately owned and operated nature reserve with conservation as the primary goal. Comes amid: Debate on mass tourism vs sustainable tourism in the Himalayas. Ecological concerns over road widening, mining, deforestation (Himalayas, Aravallis). Offers a distinct third model of wildlife tourism, beyond tiger safaris and restricted national parks. Relevance GS-3 | Environment Biodiversity conservation beyond protected areas Habitat restoration, landscape-level conservation What is Jabarkhet Nature Reserve? Location: Near Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Area: ~100 acres of restored Himalayan woodland. Ownership: Private (Jain family estate), conservation-led management. Objective: Habitat restoration. Wildlife-first access. Low-impact, affordable nature tourism. Ecological Significance High biodiversity in a small landscape: 150 bird species (e.g. Rufous Sibia, Himalayan griffon vulture). Mammals: leopard, goral, barking deer, black bear, civet, porcupine, leopard cat. Flora: Oaks, deodars, rhododendrons, walnuts. 40 fern species. Ground orchids, sundews (insectivorous plants). Hundreds of fungi, grasses, >300 flowering plants. Acts as a refuge and stepping-stone habitat in a fragmented Himalayan landscape. Alternative Model of Wildlife Tourism Dominant Models in India Safari-based tourism: Tiger reserves, gypsy safaris. Crowding around “star species”. Guided community trails: Niche, expert-driven, species-specific. JNR’s “Third Model” Self-paced walking trails. Wildlife has first right of way. No vehicles, no fixed sightings, no spectacle. Emphasis on: Natural history. Slow engagement. Low ecological footprint. Affordable access → not elitist eco-tourism. Wider Environmental Context Himalayas: Road widening → frequent landslides. Tourism-led ecological stress. Aravallis: Legal definitions enabling mining and commercial use. Implication: Every intact natural habitat matters, even small private reserves. Policy & Governance Insights Demonstrates potential of private conservation areas: Complementing state-run protected areas. Raises questions on: Regulation of “eco-tourism” labels. Incentivising genuine private reserves. Supports landscape-level conservation beyond notified parks. Takeaway JNR shows that wildlife recovery is possible without fencing, spectacle, or mass tourism, if: Habitat integrity is prioritised. Human access is restrained, not eliminated. Local communities are stakeholders, not spectators. Why Silver Prices Surged ~160% in 2025 Scale and Significance of the Surge Silver prices rose ~160% in 2025, outperforming gold. Prices crossed ₹2.4 lakh/kg by end-2025. Indicates a structural, not speculative-only, commodity rally. Relevance GS-3 | Economy Commodity markets, inflation hedging, financialisation Gold–silver dynamics, impact of global monetary policy Dual Nature of Silver: Investment + Industrial Metal Unlike gold (primarily a store of value), silver has: High industrial utility. Strong linkage with future technologies. Key demand sectors: Solar photovoltaics. Electric vehicles. Batteries and electronics. AI hardware and data centres. Industrial Demand Boom Energy transition accelerated demand: Solar panels use silver paste. EVs require silver-intensive circuitry. AI-led digital expansion: Data centres, servers, chips increased silver consumption. Result: Silver demand grew faster than supply elasticity. Supply-Side Constraints Silver production largely by-product mining (from zinc, copper). Constraints: Long gestation period for new mines. Environmental regulations. Declining ore grades. USGS additions to “critical minerals” list increased scrutiny but not short-term supply. Global Supply Mismatches London silver shortage (Oct 2025): Physical availability tightened. Spot prices spiked sharply. Structural mismatch between: Physical silver demand. Paper silver instruments. Financialisation & Investment Demand Rising gold prices spilled over into silver. Drivers: Inflation hedging. Currency depreciation fears. Safe-haven diversification. ETFs and mutual funds: Sharp inflows earlier in 2025. Some moderation later, but momentum sustained. US–China & Geopolitical Factors Trade tensions disrupted metal supply chains. Tariffs and export controls: Raised costs. Encouraged stockpiling. Silver benefited as a strategic metal in clean-tech rivalry. Comparison with Gold Gold: Safer, slower, policy-driven. Silver: More volatile. More sensitive to industrial cycles. Hence: Silver outperformed gold during tech- and energy-driven growth. Turkman Gate  Why in News? Turkman Gate has re-entered public discourse due to: Renewed interest in Delhi’s Mughal-era urban heritage. Contemporary debates on historical memory of the Emergency (1975–77). Often cited as a symbolic site associated with Emergency-era excesses, especially in urban Delhi. Relevance GS-1 | Modern Indian History Emergency (1975–77), urban history of Delhi GS-1 | Art & Culture Mughal-era urban architecture, heritage of Shahjahanabad   Historical Background Built in the 17th century during the reign of Shah Jahan. Part of the fortified city of Shahjahanabad. One of the historic gateways controlling entry into Old Delhi. Named after Shah Turkan, associated with local Sufi traditions. Cultural-religious significance: Site linked to the tomb of Shah Turkan. Popular belief associates the area with Razia Sultana (burial traditions). Urban Context (Pre-Emergency) Area developed into: Dense residential settlement over centuries. Mixed-use neighbourhood with markets and small trades. Surroundings reflected organic urban growth, typical of medieval Indian cities. Turkman Gate During the Emergency (1975–77) Emergency imposed under Indira Gandhi. Turkman Gate emerged as a major flashpoint in Delhi. Area targeted under: Slum clearance. Urban “beautification” and road-widening drives. Strong local resistance turned the site into: One of the most remembered urban episodes of the Emergency. Symbolic Significance Represents: The intersection of heritage, population, and state power. How historic urban spaces became arenas for Emergency-era policies. Frequently referenced in: Academic works. Journalism. Oral histories of Delhi. Contaminated Water Crisis in Indore & Bhopal  Why in News? At least 17 deaths in Indore linked to contaminated drinking water. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audit highlights massive loss of treated water in Madhya Pradesh’s two largest cities. Madhya Pradesh High Court has: Declared access to clean drinking water a fundamental right. Sought a status report from the State government. Rising hospital admissions and public protests have intensified scrutiny. Relevance GS-2 | Governance & Social Justice Right to clean drinking water (Article 21) Municipal governance, accountability, judicial intervention GS-3 | Infrastructure & Public Health Urban water management, non-revenue water, service delivery failures Key Audit Findings (CAG) Massive “Non-Revenue Water” Losses Indore: Water loss: 65–70% (2013–18). Bhopal: Water loss: 30–49%. Losses include: Physical losses: pipeline leaks, joint failures, reservoir overflows. Non-physical losses: theft, illegal connections, faulty meters, wastage. Gap Between Water Drawn and Water Supplied Large discrepancy between: Raw water extracted. Water actually reaching households. CAG rejected municipal claims of lower losses as unsubstantiated. Per Capita Water Supply Below Norms Bhopal: Claimed: 135 LPCD (litres per capita per day). CAG-estimated: 122 LPCD. Indore: Target: 150 LPCD. Claimed: 105 LPCD. Actual (CAG): 58 LPCD. Indicates chronic under-delivery despite high water abstraction. Large Number of Unconnected Households As of 2018: Bhopal: ~1.43 lakh households without water connections. Indore: ~2.68 lakh households without water connections. Forces dependence on unsafe or informal water sources. Public Health Dimension Contaminated water linked to: Kidney failure. Rising hospital admissions. Health crisis exposes: Direct linkage between infrastructure neglect and mortality. Judicial Intervention Madhya Pradesh High Court observations: Clean drinking water = Article 21 (Right to Life). “No compromise” on water quality. Multiple PILs under hearing. Next hearing scheduled for 15 January 2026. Governance & Policy Significance Highlights failures in: Urban local body capacity. Infrastructure maintenance. Public service delivery. Shows importance of: Audit institutions (CAG). Judicial oversight in basic services. Raises questions on: Sustainable urban water management. Accountability of municipal corporations.