Content Launch of Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 Launch of Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 Why in News? NITI Aayog launched Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 on 28 January 2026 as a time-bound national campaign to saturate critical development indicators in Aspirational Districts and Blocks. Relevance GS Paper I (Society): Nutrition, sanitation, education access in backward regions; women and children welfare via Anganwadi services, girls’ toilets, maternal and child health indicators. GS Paper II (Governance): Outcome-based governance, KPI-driven monitoring, cooperative federalism through district-led implementation under NITI Aayog, strengthening last-mile public service delivery. What is Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0? Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 is a three-month focused governance drive from 28 January to 14 April 2026, aiming to achieve last-mile saturation of selected KPIs through intensive monitoring and convergence. Administrative & Governance Framework The campaign operates under the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme, leveraging district collectors, block officials, and state planning departments for cooperative federalism-based, outcome-oriented governance. Coverage and Scale The initiative targets 112 Aspirational Districts and 513 Aspirational Blocks nationwide, focusing on underserved and remote regions with persistent human development, service delivery, and infrastructure gaps. Key Performance Indicators for Aspirational Blocks (6 Indicators) Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS Focuses on increasing regular supplementary nutrition intake among children aged 6 months to 6 years, addressing chronic malnutrition through strengthened Anganwadi outreach and beneficiary tracking mechanisms. Measurement Efficiency at Anganwadi Centres Aims to improve monthly anthropometric measurement efficiency of enrolled children, ensuring timely identification of stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions for targeted nutrition interventions. Functional Toilets in Anganwadi Centres Seeks 100% functional toilet coverage in operational Anganwadis to improve hygiene standards, dignity for women and children, and utilisation of early childhood care services. Drinking Water Availability in Anganwadis Targets universal safe drinking water facilities in operational Anganwadis, supporting nutrition absorption, hygiene practices, and prevention of water-borne diseases. Girls’ Toilets in Schools Emphasises adequate functional girls’ toilets in schools to reduce dropout rates, improve attendance, and support menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls. Bovine Vaccination against FMD Focuses on increasing Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccination coverage among bovine animals to protect livestock health, dairy productivity, and rural household incomes. KPIs for Aspirational Districts (5 Indicators) Live Birth Weight Recording Aims to improve the proportion of live babies weighed at birth, strengthening neonatal care, maternal health monitoring, and early detection of low birth weight risks. Tuberculosis Case Notification Rate Targets enhanced TB case notification from public and private healthcare facilities, bridging detection gaps against estimated cases and supporting India’s TB elimination goals. VHSND / UHSND Coverage Focuses on ensuring at least one Village or Urban Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day per month, strengthening preventive healthcare and community nutrition outreach. Functional Girls’ Toilets in Schools Reinforces universal functionality of girls’ toilets at district level schools, aligning education outcomes with gender equity and dignity-based infrastructure standards. Animal Vaccination Coverage Seeks district-wide saturation of animal vaccination, reducing disease outbreaks, stabilising rural livelihoods, and strengthening agricultural and allied sector resilience. Implementation Strategy Planning and Monitoring Districts and Blocks will prepare three-month indicator-wise action plans, track monthly saturation progress, and use real-time data dashboards for performance-based administrative review. Behaviour Change and Outreach Emphasises IEC and behaviour change campaigns to improve community participation, service uptake, and awareness regarding nutrition, health, sanitation, education, and animal welfare. Field-Level Accountability District-level officers will conduct concurrent field visits and inspections, ensuring on-ground verification, mid-course correction, and administrative accountability during campaign implementation. Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme – Background Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) Launched in January 2018, ADP targets 112 underdeveloped districts, monitoring progress across 49 indicators spanning health, nutrition, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, and infrastructure. Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) Launched in January 2023, ABP extends the aspirational framework to 513 blocks across 329 districts, tracking 40 indicators for deeper last-mile service delivery. Conclusion Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 marks a shift from incremental improvement to saturation-based governance, strengthening last-mile delivery of nutrition, health, sanitation, and education in India’s most backward regions. By institutionalising district-led execution, real-time monitoring, and cooperative federalism under NITI Aayog, it advances inclusive growth and outcome-oriented public administration. Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 Why in News? Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 on 28 January 2026, replacing SWM Rules 2016, effective from 1 April 2026. Relevance GS Paper I (Urbanisation): Urban sanitation challenges, sustainable cities, waste management pressures in hilly and island regions due to tourism. GS Paper III (Environment & Infrastructure): Solid waste management reforms, circular economy, EPR and EBWGR, landfill restrictions, RDF-based waste-to-energy, urban infrastructure and land-use reforms. Legal and Policy Basis The rules are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, integrating Circular Economy, Extended Producer Responsibility, and Polluter Pays Principle into India’s municipal solid waste governance framework. Key Objectives of SWM Rules, 2026 Aim to strengthen source segregation, reduce landfill dependency, improve recycling and energy recovery, ensure accountability of bulk generators, and enable digitally monitored, compliance-driven waste management systems. Mandatory Four-Stream Segregation at Source Wet Waste Includes kitchen waste, vegetable and fruit peels, meat, and flowers, mandatorily processed through composting or bio-methanation at the nearest authorised facility to reduce landfill load. Dry Waste Comprises plastic, paper, metal, glass, wood, and rubber, required to be transported to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for sorting, recycling, and integration into the circular economy. Sanitary Waste Includes used diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, and condoms, which must be securely wrapped, stored separately, and handled through authorised collection and disposal mechanisms. Special Care Waste Covers paint containers, bulbs, mercury thermometers, expired medicines, and hazardous household items, to be collected by authorised agencies or deposited at designated collection centres. Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) Bulk Waste Generators are entities with ≥20,000 square metres floor area, ≥40,000 litres/day water consumption, or ≥100 kg/day solid waste generation, including institutions, PSUs, and housing societies. Responsibilities of Bulk Waste Generators BWGs must ensure environmentally sound collection, transportation, and processing of their waste, reducing pressure on Urban Local Bodies and promoting decentralised waste management models. Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) Core Provisions BWGs are accountable for waste generated by them, required to process wet waste on-site or obtain an EBWGR certificate where on-site processing is technically infeasible. Governance Significance EBWGR targets bulk generators contributing nearly 30% of total solid waste, improving compliance, decentralisation, and accountability in urban waste management systems. Compliance, Penalties and Monitoring Environmental Compensation – Polluter Pays Principle The rules enable levy of environmental compensation for non-compliance, including operating without registration, false reporting, forged documents, or improper waste management practices. Institutional Enforcement Framework Central Pollution Control Board will issue compensation guidelines, while State Pollution Control Boards and PCCs will assess and levy penalties. Centralised Online Monitoring Portal A national portal will digitally track waste generation, collection, transportation, processing, disposal, and biomining of legacy dumpsites, replacing fragmented physical reporting systems. Mandatory Audits and Reporting All waste processing facilities must undergo regular audits, with audit reports mandatorily uploaded on the central portal, strengthening transparency, compliance, and data-driven regulation. Infrastructure and Land Use Reforms Faster Land Allocation for Waste Facilities The rules introduce graded buffer zone norms for facilities exceeding 5 tonnes per day capacity, enabling faster land allocation while balancing environmental safeguards. CPCB Guidelines on Buffer Zones CPCB will prescribe buffer zone size and permissible activities based on installed capacity and pollution load, reducing land-use disputes and project delays. Role of Local Bodies and MRFs Duties of Urban and Rural Local Bodies Local bodies are responsible for collection, segregation, and transportation of waste, coordinated with MRFs, including special waste streams such as e-waste and sanitary waste. Formal Recognition of MRFs Material Recovery Facilities are formally recognised as sorting and deposition centres, strengthening recycling efficiency and integrating informal waste workers into formal systems. Carbon Credit Generation Local bodies are encouraged to generate carbon credits through improved waste processing, aligning municipal waste management with India’s climate mitigation commitments. Industrial Use of Waste and Energy Recovery Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Mandate RDF is defined as fuel from high-calorific non-recyclable waste, and industries using solid fuels must progressively replace them with RDF. Fuel Substitution Targets RDF usage mandates increase from 5% to 15% over six years, promoting waste-to-energy integration, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and improving waste utilisation. Landfilling Restrictions and Legacy Waste Restrictions on Landfilling Landfills are strictly limited to non-recyclable, non-energy recoverable, and inert waste, discouraging disposal of mixed or unsegregated waste. Differential Landfill Fees Higher landfill fees are imposed for unsegregated waste, making segregation, processing, and recycling economically preferable for local bodies. Legacy Waste Remediation Mandatory mapping, assessment, biomining, and bioremediation of legacy dumpsites with quarterly online reporting, overseen by District Collectors and SPCBs. Special Provisions for Hilly Areas and Islands Tourist-Linked Waste Management Local bodies may levy user fees on tourists and regulate tourist inflows based on waste management capacity to protect ecologically fragile regions. Decentralised Processing Hotels and restaurants in hilly and island areas must undertake on-site wet waste processing, reducing transportation burdens and environmental risks. Institutional Oversight Mechanism Central and State-Level Committees The rules mandate Central and State/UT Committees, with State committees chaired by Chief Secretaries, to recommend measures for effective and uniform implementation. Conclusion The SWM Rules, 2026 embed circular economy, polluter pays principle, and digital compliance, transforming solid waste management from a municipal service issue into a structured environmental governance framework. With strict segregation, bulk generator accountability, RDF mandates, and legacy waste remediation, the rules align urbanisation, industrial growth, and environmental sustainability with India’s climate and SDG commitments.

Content India’s Tourism Paradox — Potential Without Performance India–EU FTA — A Case of Mature and Pragmatic Negotiation India’s Tourism Paradox — Potential Without Performance Context Despite unparalleled natural, cultural, and civilisational diversity, India attracted only 5.6 million foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) till August 2025, far below global peers with smaller size and resources. Comparative underperformance is stark: Singapore received 11.6 million FTAs, while Thailand earned over $60 billion from tourism, highlighting India’s unrealised economic and strategic potential. Relevance GS Paper I (Society & Urbanisation): Women safety, sanitation, service culture, urban crowding, sustainable tourism in fragile regions, cultural preservation, community-based livelihoods. GS Paper II (Governance): Public service delivery, image management as soft power, immigration reforms, cooperative federalism in tourism circuits, role of state capacity and regulatory facilitation. Practice Question Despite immense natural and cultural endowments, India has underperformed as a global tourism destination.Analyse the structural and governance-related constraints behind this paradox and suggest measures to unlock tourism as a strategic growth sector. (250 words) Background — Why Tourism Matters ? Tourism is a high employment-multiplier sector, generating more jobs per unit investment than manufacturing, especially benefiting unskilled and semi-skilled workers. According to World Tourism Organization, tourism-led growth supports inclusive development, regional balance, and social stability in youth-heavy economies. The Three ‘I’s Holding India Back – 1.Image Deficit Perception vs Reality India’s global image is shaped less by its heritage and more by concerns around women’s safety, sanitation, scams, bureaucratic hurdles, and inconsistent tourist experiences. Branding campaigns like Incredible India cannot offset repeated negative narratives unless safety, predictability, and ease of travel improve on the ground. Need for Segmented Branding India’s vast diversity requires multiple targeted narratives — Spiritual India, Adventure India, Luxury India — marketed distinctly to specific international audiences. Thematic circuits such as Buddhist, Ramayana, Himalayan, Coastal, and Cricket circuits offer scalable, story-driven tourism products with global appeal. Infrastructure Gap First and Last Impressions Matter Tourist experience begins at airports, immigration counters, roads, signage, Wi-Fi, and sanitation, where inconsistency erodes perceived value. Poor last-mile connectivity, inadequate public toilets, and under-maintained heritage sites dilute gains from premium hotels or iconic attractions. Cost Competitiveness Paradox While India is marketed as a budget destination, mid-range and luxury travel often costs more than Southeast Asia, reducing competitiveness in high-spending segments. India Itself’ — Experience Management Challenge Scale and Service Culture Crowds, noise, touts, scams, and harassment overwhelm first-time visitors, creating trust deficits and discouraging repeat tourism. Hospitality sector faces a ~40% shortage of trained personnel, with limited vocational appeal and weak professionalisation of tourism services. Immigration as Soft Power Interface Although e-visas improved access, India lags in ease-of-travel indices due to discretionary immigration practices and inconsistent visitor treatment. Denial of entry based on past criticism undermines India’s democratic confidence and damages its international image disproportionately. Fixing the Deficit — A Multi-Pronged Strategy Rebrand with Precision Shift from generic messaging to targeted, circuit-based branding, supported by digital storytelling, virtual tours, influencer partnerships, and authentic user-generated content. Tourism branding should sell experiences, not monuments, positioning India as a world to inhabit, not merely a destination to visit. Infrastructure That Matches Ambition Expand public–private partnerships through schemes like Adopt a Heritage for site maintenance, digital museums, and visitor amenities. Launch a nationwide Clean Tourism Mission focusing on toilets, signage, waste management, and sustainable transport at all major destinations. Safety, Skills, and Service Quality Scale up tourist police, especially women officers; enforce strict action against scams and harassment; provide multilingual helplines and verified service platforms. Invest in vocational training, local guides, homestays, eco-tourism operators, and artisans to professionalise grassroots tourism. Visa and Regulatory Reforms Simplify and fast-track e-visa processes, explore selective visa-on-arrival, and offer long-term multi-entry visas for repeat travellers. Shift immigration culture from gatekeeping to facilitation, recognising tourism as soft power diplomacy. Sustainability and Authenticity Regulate footfalls at fragile sites, promote community-based tourism, and ensure ecological and cultural preservation alongside growth. Align tourism expansion with climate resilience, local livelihoods, and cultural integrity. Economic Opportunity and Strategic Imperative Jobs, Stability, and Growth Tourism can absorb India’s growing workforce amid automation-driven job losses in manufacturing, particularly in youth-dense regions vulnerable to unrest. Strategic tourism investment strengthens economic resilience, regional stability, and India’s global influence. Policy Coherence Needed GST structure has unintentionally hurt hospitality by denying full input tax credit, making hotels worse off at lower nominal rates — a distortion needing urgent correction. Treat tourism as a core industry, not a peripheral service, with tax rationalisation, policy incentives, and institutional support. Conclusion India does not lack attractions; it lacks consistency, coordination, and experience management across the tourism value chain. Refining image, infrastructure, and service culture can convert India from a tantalising idea into a top-tier global destination — the world is ready; India must be too. Data & Facts for Use in Answers Visa facilitation can raise tourist inflows by 5–25% globally (UN tourism studies). India recorded 5.6 million FTAs (till Aug 2025) despite vast natural and cultural diversity. Singapore received 11.6 million FTAs (till Aug 2025) with a population smaller than Delhi. Thailand earns USD 60+ billion annually from tourism; India earns less than one-third of that. Tourism generates more jobs per unit investment than manufacturing (UNWTO). Tourism supports 1 in 10 jobs globally and contributes ~7–8% of global GDP. India faces ~40% shortage of trained hospitality manpower. India lags Southeast Asia on ease of travel indices due to sanitation, connectivity, and service quality gaps. India–EU FTA — A Case of Mature and Pragmatic Negotiation Context India has concluded a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, a significant milestone given the scale, complexity, and negotiating asymmetry between the two economies. The agreement comes after prolonged negotiations, earlier stalled in 2013, particularly over automobiles, and amid rising global trade fragmentation and protectionism. Relevance GS Paper II (International Relations): India–EU relations, trade diplomacy, negotiation strategy with major economic blocs, balancing national interest with global economic integration. GS Paper III (Economy): Foreign trade policy, FTAs and their impact, manufacturing competitiveness, CBAM challenges, export-led growth, integration into global value chains. Practice Question The India–EU Free Trade Agreement reflects a shift from defensive trade policy to calibrated openness.Discuss the key gains, unresolved concerns, and conditions necessary for India to fully realise the strategic and economic benefits of the agreement.(250 words) Background — Why the India–EU FTA Matters ? The European Union accounts for nearly 12% of India’s total trade, compared to about 16% combined share of India’s other eight FTAs signed over the past four years. Unlike previous FTAs with smaller partners, this deal tests India’s capacity to negotiate with a large, rules-intensive, and politically complex trading bloc. Core Strength — Negotiating Maturity and Balance Market Access Gains EU Concessions The EU has agreed to eliminate tariffs on 99.5% of India’s exports, with most lines moving to zero duty immediately, significantly improving India’s export competitiveness. India’s Reciprocal Commitments India has offered tariff concessions on 97.5% of EU exports, reflecting reciprocity while carefully sequencing liberalisation to protect sensitive domestic sectors. Protection of Strategic Interests Agriculture and Dairy India successfully excluded sensitive agricultural sectors and dairy, preserving farmer livelihoods and food security, while the EU also protected its own vulnerable farm segments. Automobiles — From Deadlock to Design Earlier negotiations collapsed over autos; the current quota-based tariff system protects India’s mass-market manufacturers while opening controlled access for European luxury carmakers. Wine and Spirits Quota-based concessions on wine meet long-standing EU demands, particularly from France, while shielding India’s nascent domestic wine industry from sudden import surges. Beyond Tariffs — Strategic Complementarity Parallel agreements on mobility, defence cooperation, and technology signal a broader strategic partnership, moving the relationship beyond transactional trade liberalisation. Key Concerns and Structural Challenges Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Unresolved Cost Pressure India could not secure exemptions from the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which currently covers six products but is designed to expand across industrial goods. Partial Mitigation India negotiated a most-favoured treatment clause, ensuring that any CBAM concession extended to another country would automatically apply to India. Manufacturing Readiness To leverage the FTA as an export platform, India must accelerate large-scale manufacturing reforms, including logistics efficiency, scale economies, and regulatory predictability. Without domestic capacity expansion, tariff concessions alone may not translate into sustained export growth or FDI inflows. Implementation Lag The FTA must be translated into 27 European languages, approved by individual EU members, and ratified by the European Parliament, delaying on-ground benefits. Prolonged ratification risks diluting the agreement’s relevance, especially as India faces tariff pressures from the United States. Strategic Assessment : What the Deal Signals ? The agreement reflects India’s evolution from a defensive trade posture to calibrated openness, combining market access with sectoral safeguards. It demonstrates India’s ability to negotiate rules-based trade without surrendering policy space, a key requirement for a large developing economy. Way Forward India should push for expedited EU ratification, align domestic manufacturing and logistics reforms with export opportunities, and proactively prepare for CBAM through green industrial transitions. Continuous review mechanisms will be essential to ensure that negotiated gains translate into real trade flows, investment, and technology transfer. Conclusion The India–EU FTA is not flawless, but it is balanced, realistic, and strategically sound, reflecting negotiation maturity rather than headline-driven liberalisation. In an era of geopolitical trade realignments, the agreement positions India as a credible, confident, and pragmatic economic partner, provided implementation keeps pace with ambition. Data & Facts for Use in Answers EU accounts for ~12% of India’s total trade, India’s largest trade bloc partner. India’s other 8 FTAs together account for ~16% of total trade. EU will eliminate tariffs on 99.5% of India’s exports, most to zero duty immediately. India offered tariff concessions on 97.5% of EU exports, with key sectoral safeguards. Agriculture and dairy excluded by India from tariff liberalisation. Automobiles and wine addressed through quota-based tariff systems. CBAM currently covers 6 sectors, designed to expand to all industrial goods. India secured MFN parity on any future CBAM concessions. Manufacturing remains ~15–16% of GDP; logistics costs ~13–14% of GDP. FTA requires ratification across 27 EU member states + European Parliament.

Content Can the Enforcement Directorate File Writ Petitions? — A Constitutional Test Streamlining ‘Green Consent’ Aircraft Crash During Second Landing Attempt — A Basic Aviation Safety Analysis 66% of Central Government Sanitation Workers from SC/ST/OBC Groups — DoPT Report Who Owns Innovation in Outer Space? — Law, Patents and Power Mental Illness Catching Them Young — India’s Emerging Mental Health Crisis Can the Enforcement Directorate File Writ Petitions? — A Constitutional Test Why in News? On 20 January 2026, the Supreme Court of India agreed to examine whether the Enforcement Directorate can invoke writ jurisdiction under Articles 226 and 32. The Court admitted petitions filed by Kerala Government and Tamil Nadu Government, challenging a Kerala High Court ruling permitting ED to file writ petitions. Relevance GS Paper II – Polity & Governance Scope and limits of Articles 32, 226, and 131; writ jurisdiction vs Centre–State dispute resolution. Federalism and separation of powers: autonomy of States vis-à-vis Union investigative agencies. Nature of statutory bodies vs juristic personality; locus standi in constitutional litigation. Accountability and checks on enforcement agencies exercising coercive powers Constitutional Background — Writ Jurisdiction in India Articles 32 and 226 Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs primarily for enforcement of fundamental rights, while Article 226 grants High Courts wider authority to issue writs “for any other purpose”. Nature of Writ Remedies Writs are extraordinary, discretionary remedies, issued where no efficacious alternative remedy exists, and are traditionally used to enforce public duties or correct jurisdictional errors. Limits on Writ Jurisdiction Writs ordinarily do not lie against private entities, and Article 361 bars issuance of mandamus against the President or Governors for official acts. Origin of the Controversy Diplomatic Gold Smuggling Case The dispute arose from a Kerala government Commission of Inquiry into allegations of conspiracy following ED investigations in the 2020 diplomatic gold smuggling case involving ₹14.82 crore seizure. ED’s Writ Petition The ED filed a writ petition before the Kerala High Court seeking mandamus and certiorari to quash the State notification constituting the inquiry commission. Kerala Government’s Legal Objections Locus Standi Argument Kerala argued that the ED is merely a department of the Union government, lacking independent juristic personality, and therefore cannot sue or be sued in its own name. Article 131 Argument The State contended that disputes between the Centre and States must be adjudicated exclusively by the Supreme Court under Article 131, not through writs in High Courts. Reliance on Precedent Kerala relied on the 2003 Supreme Court judgment in Chief Conservator of Forests v. Collector, discouraging Centre–State writ litigation in High Courts. Kerala High Court Ruling (September 2025) ED as Statutory Authority The High Court held that the ED is a statutory body constituted under FEMA, 1999, with officers exercising statutory powers under Sections 48 and 49 of PMLA. Juristic Personality Not Essential The Court termed the lack of explicit juristic personality as a “matter of form, not substance”, insufficient to deny ED access to constitutional remedies. Kerala and Tamil Nadu’s Case Capacity to Sue The States argued that capacity to sue is a substantive legal requirement, and absence of legal personality renders writ petitions non-maintainable. Abuse of Process Allegation Tamil Nadu alleged that the High Court ruling has emboldened the ED to file writ petitions against States, upsetting constitutional federal balance. Federalism and Separation of Powers Centre–State Balance Allowing ED to file writs may enable Union agencies to directly challenge State actions, bypassing Article 131’s exclusive dispute-resolution framework. Nature of ED Legal experts argue the ED functions as an instrumentality of the Union, not an autonomous regulator like SEBI or RBI, limiting its independent legal standing. Jurisdictional Precedent Scope of Mandamus State governments arguably owe no independent public duty to ED, weakening the constitutional basis for mandamus or certiorari against States at ED’s instance. Why This Case Matters ? Long-Term Significance The verdict will clarify whether Union enforcement agencies can independently invoke writ jurisdiction, or must act only through Centre–State dispute mechanisms. The outcome will shape future Centre–State litigation, affecting investigative autonomy, cooperative federalism, and constitutional discipline in inter-governmental conflicts. Enforcement Directorate (ED)   Origin & Legal Basis Established in 1956 as an Enforcement Unit under the Department of Economic Affairs; later shifted to the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. Statutory backing primarily under FEMA, 1999; operational powers exercised mainly through PMLA, 2002. Nature of the ED The ED is not a body corporate and has no explicit juristic personality. Functions as an instrumentality of the Union government, unlike autonomous regulators such as RBI or SEBI. Key Legislations Administered FEMA, 1999: Regulates foreign exchange, cross-border transactions, capital account violations. PMLA, 2002: Investigates money laundering linked to scheduled offences under IPC and special laws. Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018: Enables confiscation of assets of offenders evading Indian jurisdiction. Powers of the ED Summons and recording statements (Section 50, PMLA). Attachment of property suspected to be proceeds of crime (Section 5, PMLA). Search, seizure, and arrest without prior FIR under PMLA framework. Prosecution before Special PMLA Courts. Streamlining ‘Green Consent’ Why in News? The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change amended rules allowing industries to seek integrated environmental consent under Air, Water, and waste laws through a single application. The reform aims to reduce approval delays, simplify compliance, and improve ease of doing business, while retaining inspection, monitoring, and cancellation powers with regulators. Relevance GS Paper III – Environment & Economy Environmental regulation reforms: shift from permission-based to compliance-based governance. Trade-off between ease of doing business and environmental safeguards. Role of SPCBs, PCCs, third-party auditors, and regulatory capacity. Industrial pollution control under Air Act, Water Act, Waste Rules. Background — What is Green Consent? Consent to Establish and Operate Industrial units require consent under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, granted by State Pollution Control Boards. Fragmented Approval Structure Earlier, industries had to submit multiple applications for air, water, and waste authorisations, causing regulatory duplication, delays, and operational uncertainty, especially during renewal of Consent to Operate. Key Features of the Amended Green Consent Regime 1.Integrated Consent Mechanism Single Application System Industries can now file one consolidated application covering Air Act, Water Act, and waste management authorisations, reducing procedural overlap and administrative burden. Reduced Processing Timelines The processing time for Red Category industries has been reduced from 120 days to 90 days, signalling faster decision-making for high-pollution sectors. Changes in Consent Validity  Open-Ended Consent to Operate The Consent to Operate will now remain valid until cancelled, replacing periodic renewals that often caused compliance uncertainty and disruption of industrial operations. Safeguards Retained Regulatory authorities retain powers to inspect, enforce compliance, and cancel consent in case of violations, ensuring continuity does not dilute environmental accountability. Role of Regulators and Auditors Role of SPCBs and PCCs The reforms aim to support State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees by reducing paperwork, enabling focus on inspections, enforcement, and outcome-based regulation. Use of Registered Environmental Auditors Registered Environmental Auditors, certified under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, are now permitted to conduct site visits and verify compliance to speed up approvals. Key Concerns and Governance Implications Risk of Regulatory Dilution Critics caution that indefinite consent validity and reliance on third-party auditors could weaken deterrence if inspection quality, independence, or frequency is compromised. Federal and Institutional Balance Effective implementation depends on capacity of SPCBs, auditor accountability frameworks, and robust digital monitoring to prevent regulatory capture or conflict of interest. Why This Reform Matters ? Economic and Environmental Significance The reform aligns with India’s push for ease of doing business, predictable regulation, and industrial growth, while attempting to retain the core principles of environmental protection. The success of green consent reforms will test India’s ability to shift from permission-based regulation to compliance-and-monitoring-based environmental governance. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974  Enacted in 1974 to prevent and control water pollution and to restore the wholesomeness of surface water and groundwater across India. Established the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) as statutory pollution control authorities. Mandates Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) for industries discharging sewage or trade effluents. Prohibits discharge of pollutants into water bodies beyond prescribed standards notified by regulatory authorities. Empowers SPCBs to inspect premises, collect samples, and monitor effluent discharge for compliance verification. Section 25/26 requires prior consent for new outlets or altered discharge points into water bodies. Section 33A authorises SPCBs to issue binding directions, including closure of industries or stoppage of water and electricity supply. Provides for criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for violations and repeated non-compliance. Applies to industrial, municipal, and local body pollution, covering rivers, streams, wells, and groundwater. Forms the backbone of India’s command-and-control environmental regulatory framework, later supplemented by EPA, 1986. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981  Enacted in 1981, following India’s commitment at the Stockholm Conference, 1972, to address rising air pollution. Aims to prevent, control, and abate air pollution and maintain ambient air quality standards nationwide. Expands the mandate of CPCB and SPCBs to include air quality monitoring and enforcement. Allows States to declare Air Pollution Control Areas, where stricter emission norms apply. Requires Consent to Establish and Operate for industries emitting air pollutants. Regulates emissions from industrial plants, fuels, and appliances, especially point sources. Section 21 makes prior consent mandatory for operating any industrial emission source. Section 31A empowers boards to issue directions, including closure or regulation of polluting units. Supports national air monitoring mechanisms like the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). Works alongside the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which prescribes ambient air quality standards. Aircraft Crash During Second Landing Attempt  Why in News? An aircraft crashed during a second landing attempt in poor visibility, raising concerns about inadequate airstrip infrastructure, ATC limitations, weather assessment failures, and systemic aviation safety gaps at non-major airports. Relevance GS Paper III – Infrastructure & Disaster Management Aviation safety standards, DGCA oversight, airport infrastructure adequacy. Risks in regional airport expansion under connectivity schemes. Role of AAIB and systemic accident investigation. What is a Landing Attempt? Normal Landing A landing involves controlled descent using visual references or instruments, guided by Air Traffic Control (ATC), runway markings, navigational aids, and real-time meteorological information. Missed Approach / Go-Around If runway visibility, alignment, or descent parameters are unsafe, pilots abort landing and execute a go-around, climbing back to reassess conditions and attempt another landing. What is Poor Visibility? Causes of Poor Visibility Fog, rain, haze, low cloud ceiling, and night conditions reduce pilot visibility, requiring instrument-based landing systems instead of visual judgment. Visibility Thresholds Each runway has a minimum visibility requirement, below which landing is prohibited unless supported by advanced systems like Instrument Landing System (ILS). Why Second Landing Attempts Are Risky Increased Pilot Workload Cognitive and Physical Stress A second landing attempt increases pilot fatigue, decision pressure, and situational stress, especially when fuel, weather, and terrain constraints tighten simultaneously. Narrow Error Margins Repeated approaches reduce margins for error in altitude control, descent angle, and runway alignment, particularly in mountainous or obstacle-heavy terrain. Role of Infrastructure Deficiency Absence of Instrument Landing System Without ILS or precision approach aids, pilots rely on visual cues and limited guidance, which is unsafe during fog or low visibility conditions. Rudimentary ATC Setup Airstrips with basic ATC operated by flying schools lack advanced radar, weather monitoring, and approach guidance essential during adverse conditions. Institutional and Regulatory Failures Absence of Dedicated Meteorologist Lack of an on-site meteorologist prevents accurate real-time weather forecasting, increasing risk during rapidly deteriorating visibility. Inadequate Weather Updates Pilots depend on timely weather advisories; outdated or incomplete data can lead to incorrect landing decisions. Safety Preparedness Deficits Firefighting and Emergency Response Absence of full-scale firefighting and rescue services violates safety norms, increasing fatalities when crashes occur. VIP Movement vs Infrastructure Mismatch Frequent VIP flights without commensurate infrastructure upgrades reflect policy complacency and regulatory inconsistency. Role of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) Mandate of AAIB The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau investigates crashes to determine causes, not to assign blame. Focus Areas of Probe AAIB examines pilot actions, ATC communication, weather data, aircraft condition, and regulatory compliance to identify systemic failures. Aviation Safety Governance Regional Airport Expansion Risks Rapid expansion of regional airports under connectivity schemes risks outpacing safety infrastructure, increasing accident probability. Civil Aviation Regulation The incident highlights gaps in DGCA oversight, certification standards, and enforcement of minimum safety requirements. Federal and Administrative Accountability Centre–State Coordination Aviation safety requires coordination between civil aviation authorities, state governments, and local administrations, especially for emergency preparedness. 66% sanitation workers in Central govt. from SC, ST, OBC groups: DoPT report Why in News? The Department of Personnel and Training released its 2024–25 Annual Report, revealing caste-wise representation in Union government services, including disproportionate SC, ST, and OBC presence in sanitation roles. Relevance GS Paper II – Social Justice Effectiveness and limitations of reservation policy in achieving substantive equality. Under-representation in higher services vs concentration in hazardous work. State’s role as a model employer. GS Paper I – Society Persistence of caste-based occupational segregation. Social mobility, dignity of labour, and structural inequality. Background — Reservation Framework in Union Government Jobs Reservation Norms DoPT rules mandate 15% reservation for SCs, 7.5% for STs, 27% for OBCs, and 10% for EWS in direct recruitment across Union government posts. Classification of Posts Union government jobs are classified into Group A, B, and C, reflecting hierarchy, responsibility levels, and socio-economic access to higher administrative positions. Key Findings from the 2024–25 Data Safai Karmacharis Over 66% of Group C safai karmacharis in Union government employment belong to SC, ST, and OBC communities, indicating persistence of caste-linked occupational segregation. Social Implications The data reflects historical patterns where marginalised communities remain concentrated in low-status, hazardous, and manual sanitation roles, despite constitutional commitments to equality. Representation in Higher Services Group A Services SCs hold 14.2%, STs 6.54%, and OBCs 19.14% of Group A posts, falling short of prescribed reservation levels, especially for OBCs. Group B Services In Group B posts, representation stands at 16.2% SC, 7.63% ST, and 21.95% OBC, showing partial compliance but persistent under-representation of OBCs. Group C (Non-Sanitation) Posts Broader Workforce Trends Excluding safai karmacharis, Group C posts show 16.75% SC, 8.94% ST, and 27.29% OBC representation, broadly aligning with reservation benchmarks. Aggregate Trends and Data Gaps Union Government Workforce Across 32.52 lakh employees in 80 Ministries and Departments, SC representation is 16.84%, ST 8.7%, and OBC 26.32%, as of January 1, 2024. Absence of EWS Data Transparency Concerns The report provides no data on EWS representation, raising questions about monitoring effectiveness of the newest reservation category. Reporting Inconsistencies Data Discontinuity This is the first comprehensive caste-representation disclosure since 2018–19, with interim reports covering only 19–20 lakh employees due to delayed submissions by Ministries. Trend Analysis — 2018–19 vs 2024–25 SC and ST Trends SC representation declined from 17.49% to 16.84%, while ST representation marginally increased from 8.47% to 8.94%, indicating stagnation in social mobility. OBC Expansion OBC representation rose sharply from 21.57% to 26.32%, marking the largest gain among reserved categories across Groups A, B, and C. Analytical Deductions from the DoPT Reservation Data Occupational Segregation Persists Despite Reservation Disproportionate SC/ST/OBC concentration in safai karmachari roles shows reservation has enabled entry but not occupational mobility, reflecting deep-rooted caste–job linkages within state employment. Representation Declines with Hierarchical Elevation Under-representation of SCs and OBCs in Group A and B services, despite near-compliance in Group C, indicates structural barriers in promotion, selection, and career progression, not merely recruitment shortfalls. Reservation Outcomes Are Uneven Across Social Groups Sharp rise in OBC representation alongside stagnation or decline for SCs suggests asymmetric benefits, raising concerns about differential access to education, coaching, and institutional support within reserved categories. Sanitation Work Remains Socially Entrenched The overwhelming presence of marginalised communities in hazardous sanitation roles highlights the failure of the State as a model employer to break caste-based labour stratification. Data Deficits Undermine Policy Accountability Absence of EWS data and irregular reporting weaken evidence-based evaluation of affirmative action, limiting Parliament’s and society’s ability to assess whether constitutional equality goals are being met. Who Owns Innovation in Outer Space? — Law, Patents and Power Why in News? Rapid expansion of space stations, lunar bases, and Mars missions has revived debate on ownership of inventions in space, especially patents, jurisdiction, and control over commercially valuable space-based innovations. Relevance GS Paper II – International Relations Gaps in global governance of outer space; treaty interpretation. North–South divide in access to space technology and innovation. GS Paper III – Science & Technology Commercialisation of space, IP rights, and innovation incentives. Limits of territorial patent law in non-sovereign domains. Background — Why Space Innovation Raises Legal Questions ? Extreme Operating Conditions Space innovation occurs in microgravity, radiation, vacuum, and isolation, making inventions uniquely dependent on public-funded research, multinational collaboration, and shared infrastructure rather than individual private effort. Commercialisation of Space Space activity has shifted from exploration to commercial exploitation, including mining, manufacturing, and habitation, creating demand for enforceable intellectual property rights beyond Earth. The Central Question As human activity expands beyond Earth, a fundamental legal dilemma emerges: who owns inventions created in space, and which authority can grant or enforce patent rights. How Patents Work on Earth ? Principle of Territoriality Patent rights are territorial, enforceable only within the jurisdiction of the state that grants them, and depend on sovereign authority over territory. Role of National Jurisdictions Domestic courts enforce patents, and violations are resolved within national legal systems, anchored in geographically defined sovereignty. Breakdown of Territorial Logic in Space Outer space lacks territorial sovereignty, making traditional patent enforcement models legally inapplicable beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Outer Space Treaty, 1967 Non-Appropriation Principle The Outer Space Treaty (OST) prohibits national appropriation of outer space, including the Moon and celestial bodies, by sovereignty, occupation, or any other means. Jurisdiction Without Sovereignty States retain jurisdiction over objects they register, such as spacecraft or stations, but not over space itself. Registration Convention The Registration Convention, 1975 requires states to register space objects, granting jurisdiction and control over the object, not the surrounding space environment. Patents and Jurisdiction in Space Object-Based Jurisdiction Patents can apply to inventions made on board registered space objects, such as modules of the International Space Station, under the registering state’s national law. Limits of Enforcement Patent protection does not extend to activities occurring outside registered objects, such as lunar surfaces, orbital manufacturing zones, or interplanetary space. Example — International Space Station (ISS) ISS agreements allow each partner state to apply its patent law to modules it registers, creating a fragmented, compartmentalised legal regime. Permanent Habitation and Resource Use Lunar Bases and Mining Permanently inhabited lunar bases and resource extraction blur the line between use and appropriation, complicating patent rights over life-support systems, construction techniques, and mining technologies. Sustainability vs Monopoly Granting exclusive patent rights risks monopolising critical survival technologies, undermining equitable access and long-term sustainability of space exploration. Artemis Accords and New Interpretations The Artemis Accords promote “safety zones” around operations, raising concerns about de facto control without formal sovereignty claims. Tension in International Law Incentivising Innovation Strong patent protections encourage private investment and technological breakthroughs essential for space survival, logistics, and long-duration missions. Preventing Space Enclosure Excessive IP control risks turning outer space into a privatised, exclusionary domain, violating the OST’s vision of space as the common heritage of humankind. Governance and Global Equity Implications North–South Divide Advanced spacefaring nations may dominate patent regimes, marginalising developing countries and reinforcing technological inequality in access to space resources. Need for New Legal Architecture Existing treaties were designed for exploration, not habitation, making reform necessary to balance innovation, equity, sustainability, and peaceful use. Why This Debate Matters ? Strategic and Economic Stakes Space innovation underpins future energy, materials, defence, and communications systems, making patent governance a core issue of geopolitics and economic power. Decisions taken now will shape whether outer space becomes a shared scientific frontier or a fragmented commercial battleground. Mental Illness Catching Them Young Why in News? Experts report that around 60% of mental health patients in India are under 35 years, highlighting a growing youth mental health crisis linked to job uncertainty, digital overexposure, and social isolation. Relevance GS Paper I – Society Youth distress, family change, urbanisation, digitalisation, and social isolation. Suicide trends and demographic vulnerability (15–29 age group). GS Paper II – Governance & Social Sector Mental healthcare delivery, treatment gap (75–80%), and public health capacity. Role of schools, primary healthcare, and community-based care. India’s Youth-Dominant Demography Demographic Context India has one of the world’s largest youth populations, making mental health challenges among young adults a public health, economic, and social stability concern. Shift in Disease Burden Mental disorders are increasingly replacing communicable diseases as a major contributor to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among working-age populations. Key Findings — What the Data Shows ? Age of Onset Nearly half of mental illnesses begin before age 25, and a significant proportion before 18 years, indicating the need for early detection and intervention. Youth Vulnerability Adolescents and young adults face heightened vulnerability due to identity formation stress, academic pressure, employment insecurity, and social comparison. Dominant Mental Health Conditions Common Disorders Depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and behavioural disorders dominate mental health diagnoses among individuals below 35 years. Gender and Social Patterns Young men show higher rates of substance abuse and suicide, while young women report higher depression and anxiety, reflecting social and gendered stressors. Drivers of the Youth Mental Health Crisis Job Uncertainty Rising unemployment, informal work, and career instability create chronic stress, eroding psychological resilience among young adults. Academic Pressure High-stakes examinations and competitive education systems contribute to performance anxiety and fear of failure. Digital and Social Factors Constant Digital Exposure Excessive screen time, social media comparison, and information overload increase risks of anxiety, sleep disorders, and reduced attention spans. Loneliness and Social Isolation Urbanisation and nuclear families weaken traditional support systems, intensifying feelings of isolation despite virtual connectivity. Burden on Health Systems Treatment Gap India faces a 75–80% treatment gap in mental healthcare due to shortage of professionals, stigma, and limited access to affordable services. Workforce Productivity Untreated mental illness reduces labour productivity, employability, and economic growth, especially in a young workforce. Social Stability and Safety Suicide Risk Suicide remains among the leading causes of death in the 15–29 age group, underscoring the gravity of youth mental health distress. Intergenerational Impact Early-onset mental illness affects education, family stability, and long-term wellbeing, creating cumulative social costs. Preventive and Early Intervention Strategies Early Screening Integrating mental health screening in schools, colleges, and primary healthcare can enable early diagnosis and timely support. Community-Based Care Decentralised, community-led mental health services can reduce stigma and improve access, especially in rural and underserved areas. Systemic Reforms Human Resource Expansion India must scale up psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and counsellors to meet growing demand. Digital Mental Health Tele-mental health platforms can bridge access gaps if combined with ethical safeguards, quality control, and privacy protections. Developmental and Ethical Significance Youth mental health is foundational to demographic dividend realisation, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Addressing mental illness early reflects the state’s commitment to human dignity, preventive healthcare, and inclusive growth. NCRB Suicide Data   Total Suicides (Latest) India recorded 171,418 suicides in 2023, a 0.3% increase from 2022 (170,924). Trend Over Time Suicides rose 27% over the past decade, from ~135,000 in 2013 to ~171,000 in 2023. Methods Nearly 60% of suicides involve hanging, the most common method. State Variations Suicide rates vary greatly; for 2023: Kerala’s rate ~30.6 per 1 lakh population Telangana ~27.7; Chhattisgarh ~26.0 Andaman & Nicobar Islands among highest in UTs (~49.6). Urban Suicide Hotspots Among cities in 2023, Delhi (3,131) reported the highest suicides, followed by Bengaluru (2,370) and Mumbai (1,415). Gender Disparity Nationally, more men than women die by suicide; city-level ratios show nearly 3:1 (male:female) in urban centres. Farm Sector Suicides In 2023, 10,786 farmers & agricultural labourers died by suicide, constituting ~6.3% of total suicides; Maharashtra accounted for 38% of these. Student Suicides Student suicides have sharply increased over the past decade, rising by ~65% from 2013 to 2023.