Content Celebrating 25th Anniversary: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) First-ever Santhali translation of the Constitution of India  Celebrating 25th Anniversary: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Why is it in News? The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has completed 25 years (2000–2025). As of Dec 2025: 8,25,114 km sanctioned 7,87,520 km completed (~95% progress) Phase-IV (2024–29) launched to connect 25,000 habitations via 62,500 km roads, outlay ₹70,125 crore. Increasing focus on quality assurance, digital monitoring, climate-resilient materials, and maintenance systems. Relevance GS-3 | Infrastructure, Inclusive Growth, Economy Rural infrastructure → farm productivity, labour mobility, logistics efficiency Market integration → agri-value chains, price realisation, rural industrialisation GS-3 | Agriculture & Rural Development Connectivity → input access, storage & mandi linkages Strengthening GrAMs, SHGs, rural services ecosystem Why Rural Roads Matter ? Rural roads reduce market isolation, price distortion, and transport frictions (Michael Lipton, Jeffrey Sachs). Evidence shows: 20–25% rise in agricultural incomes in newly connected villages 10–15% increase in farm-to-market sales Higher school attendance & institutional deliveries PMGSY became a poverty-reduction & mobility-led growth instrument, not just an infrastructure scheme. Evolution of PMGSY — Phases & Strategic Shifts Phase-I (2000): Universal Basic Connectivity Target: connect unserved habitations 1,63,339 habitations sanctioned Phase-II (2013): Consolidation & Upgradation Focus on economic corridors, rural markets, service centres RCPLWEA (2016): Roads in LWE-Affected Districts Coverage: 44 high-intensity LWE districts in 9 States Dual objective: security + development Phase-III (2019): Market-Link Connectivity Target: 1,25,000 km through-routes & major rural links Status (Dec 2025): 1,22,393 km sanctioned 1,01,623 km constructed (83%) Phase-IV (2024–29): Last-Mile Universalisation 62,500 km roads | 25,000 habitations Priorities: NE, Himalayas, Tribal, Aspirational & Desert regions Budgetary & Financial Snapshot FY 2025–26 allocation: ₹19,000 crore Funding model: Centre–State sharing + multilateral assistance support (ADB, WB historically) Shift towards maintenance-linked payments & lifecycle costing Technology, Monitoring & Accountability Reforms OMMAS — Real-time project & financial monitoring QMS App — Geo-tagged inspection reporting GPS-linked Vehicle Tracking (since 2022) — Prevents idle deployment e-MARG — Performance-linked maintenance payments (5-yr DLP) Three-tier Quality Monitoring: Tier-1: Implementing agencies Tier-2: State Quality Monitors Tier-3: National surprise audits Innovation, Sustainability & Climate Resilience Use of eco-materials (as per IRC standards): fly ash, slag, C&D waste, plastic waste, crumb rubber, bio-bitumen, geosynthetics 1.24 lakh km roads built using sustainable technologies (as of Jul 2025) Techniques promoted: Cold-mix, Full Depth Reclamation, green pavements Alignment with SDGs: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11 Impact — Socio-Economic Outcomes Market access & price realisation improved Reduction in travel time & transaction costs Boost to non-farm rural employment Better healthcare & school access Enabled women’s mobility & labour participation Strengthened agri-value chains & logistics integration Regional & Strategic Significance Enhanced governance & mobility in: LWE regions Border & tribal belts Himalayan & NE hill terrains Acts as a force multiplier for security, welfare delivery, disaster response Gaps & Challenges Maintenance backlog in resource-constrained states Variations in construction quality across districts Land & environmental clearance delays in ecologically fragile zones Low integration with public transport & freight ecosystems Climate-induced damage risk in: flood-prone, coastal & hilly regions Way Forward  Lifecycle-based funding + ring-fenced maintenance corpus Integrate PMGSY roads with: rural logistics, e-NAM markets, SHG clusters, OD-connectivity Expand green pavement technologies & resilience standards AI-enabled predictive maintenance Strengthen citizen-audit & social audit frameworks Road-linked rural industrialisation & services corridor strategy Conclusion PMGSY has evolved from a connectivity-expansion programme to a network-consolidation, market-integration, and resilience-driven rural infrastructure mission, making it one of India’s most successful scale infrastructure interventions in 25 years. First-ever Santhali translation of the Constitution of India  Why is it in News? On 25 December 2025 (Good Governance Day), the first-ever Santhali translation of the Constitution of India was released at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Published by the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice and released by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Coincides with the Birth Centenary year of the Ol Chiki script (1925) developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu. Marks a major milestone in linguistic inclusion and constitutional accessibility for tribal communities. Relevance GS-2 | Polity & Constitution Linguistic inclusion & constitutional accessibility Strengthening constitutional literacy & citizen participation Supports Articles 29–30 (cultural & educational rights) Role of Legislative Department in legal publications GS-2 | Governance & Democratic Deepening Language-based inclusion → better civic engagement Good Governance & citizen-centric administration Access to law in mother-tongue = trust in institutions Santhali Language & Constitutional Status Santhali included in the Eighth Schedule via the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. Written in Ol Chiki script (distinct, non-derivative script of tribal linguistic heritage). Linguistic spread: Major presence in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar Also spoken across tribal belts of eastern and central India Recognized as one of India’s ancient living tribal languages. Why This Translation Matters — Constitutional & Governance Perspective ? Enhances constitutional literacy among tribal communities. Strengthens linguistic justice and cultural dignity (Article 29 — protection of cultural rights). Supports inclusivity in governance & democratic participation. Advances principles of: Access to law in native language Participatory citizenship Decentralised constitutional awareness Institutional & Policy Significance Aligns with: Good Governance & Citizen-centric administration Tribal empowerment & inclusion agenda Eighth Schedule linguistic promotion Supports broader initiatives: Promotion of vernacular legal translations Enhancing justice delivery & legal awareness in rural/tribal regions Symbolic & Socio-Cultural Significance Major representation milestone for Adivasi identity and knowledge systems. Reinforces script-based heritage preservation (Ol Chiki). Encourages: Mother-tongue learning of civic values Inter-generational cultural continuity Deepens State–citizen relationship in tribal regions through language inclusion. Comparative Governance Lens   Democracies with multilingual frameworks show: Higher legal compliance Better civic participation Reduced alienation of minority groups This move strengthens constitutional nationalism rooted in diversity, not uniformity. Critical Issues & Way Forward Need for translations in more tribal and Scheduled languages Training local civic educators & legal volunteers in mother-tongue constitutional literacy Expand: Court judgments & government schemes in tribal languages Digital & audio formats for non-literate communities Build school-level civics resources in indigenous languages Conclusion This initiative represents a landmark step in linguistic inclusion, constitutional accessibility, and tribal empowerment, strengthening democratic participation by enabling citizens to engage with the Constitution in their own language and script.

Content A year of dissipating promises for Indian foreign policy The urban future with cities as dynamic ecosystems A year of dissipating promises for Indian foreign policy Why is it in News? 2025 began with high diplomatic expectations for India — renewed great-power engagement, trade deals, energy partnerships, and regional outreach. By the end of the year, these expectations unravelled across four critical domains: Economic security Energy security Global strategic stability Regional security The year highlighted the limits of performative diplomacy, the risks of over-reliance on great-power goodwill, and widening vulnerabilities in India’s neighbourhood and external partnerships. Relevance GS-2 (International Relations) India–U.S., India–China, India–Russia relations Sanctions, tariffs, immigration, energy security Regional security, cross-border terrorism, neighbourhood policy Role of great-power politics, changing global order, NSS realignment Practice Question “India’s foreign policy in 2025 reveals the limits of performative diplomacy.”Discuss with reference to economic security, energy choices and regional challenges. (15 marks) Basics & Background  Post-2024 elections, India aimed to re-energise foreign policy activism through: High-level summits and bilateral visits Reset in ties with the U.S. under Trump-2.0 Progress on long-pending Bilateral Trade Agreements (BTAs) / FTAs Re-engagement with China and Russia Outreach to the neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood Mid-year onwards, developments produced strategic frictions instead of gains. Key Facts & Data U.S. Tariffs 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian exports — hit apparel, gems & jewellery, seafood. 25% surcharge on Indian purchases of Russian oil. Russian Oil Imports Imports rose to ~$52 billion before sanctions pressure tightened. Trade Negotiations FTAs signed: U.K., Oman, New Zealand Pending: U.S. and EU (the major expected deals of 2025). India–China Links restored: flights, visas, pilgrimages LAC security guarantees unresolved Economic restrictions on Chinese investments unchanged Regional Security Pahalgam attack (April 2025) → Operation Sindoor retaliation Questions over loss of Indian jets weakened credibility Emergence of Saudi–Pakistan mutual defence pact Ties strained with Türkiye & Azerbaijan Neighbourhood Political Flux Bangladesh regime-change fallout (2024) Nepal Gen-Z protests (2025) Uncertain transitions ahead of 2026 elections Myanmar elections under junta control. Issue-wise Overview Economic Security Tariff escalation by the U.S. reversed trust-building trends. Impact concentrated on: Labour-intensive export sectors MSME-linked value chains Withdrawal of GSP earlier + new tariff regime → competitiveness loss. Immigration restrictions on H-1B visas Risk to remittances, a key foreign exchange stabiliser. Trade diplomacy gap FTAs signed were secondary partners High-value agreements (U.S., EU) remained unfinished. Strategic takeaway: India’s export-growth model remains vulnerable to policy swings in major markets. Energy Security Russian crude became a low-cost anchor post-Ukraine war. New sanction wave + U.S. surcharge → potential compulsion to reduce / exit Ural crude. Precedent risk: Similar exit earlier from Iran and Venezuela under U.S. pressure. India–Russia summit outcome: No breakthrough in defence, energy, nuclear, space Raised doubts about strategic depth of the partnership. Strategic takeaway: Energy choices now carry economic + geopolitical reputational costs. Global Strategic Environment 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy shift: Softer references to China & Russia India’s role narrowed to Indo-Pacific + critical minerals Indications of U.S.–China accommodation (“G-2” narrative) increased anxiety in Asia. Peace plans in Gaza & Ukraine criticised as status-quo-favouring. China’s promotion of alternative “Global Governance” frameworks signalled Contest to Western-led rules-based order. Strategic takeaway: The world moved toward transactional alignments and power bargains, shrinking space for middle-power diplomacy. Regional & Security Environment Pahalgam terror attack exposed: Persistent cross-border threat capability Gaps in internal movement surveillance Operation Sindoor: Tactical success But limited diplomatic backing for cross-border response Speculation over aircraft losses eroded credibility. Pakistan’s posture hardened under Field Marshal Asim Munir. Saudi–Pakistan defence pact changed West Asian strategic equations. Political volatility in Bangladesh & Nepal reduced predictability. Myanmar elections reinforced junta-first architecture. Strategic takeaway: Regional theatre turned fragile, reactive and escalation-prone. Interpretation & Strategic Implications for India Over-reliance on summit optics & symbolic gestures does not secure outcomes. Performative diplomacy ≠ structural gains. Economic, energy, and strategic vulnerabilities now intersect, creating: Supply-chain risk Alliance uncertainty Neighbourhood instability India must address credibility gaps in messaging vs practice: Democracy, minority rights, and neighbourhood advocacy must be consistent. With global politics becoming transactional, India must: Anchor policy in institutional depth, economic resilience, energy diversification, and neighbourhood trust-building. Lessons for 2026 Move from symbolism to substance in diplomacy. Prioritise trade competitiveness over tariff-exemption dependency. Diversify energy sources & payment channels to reduce sanctions shock. Strengthen deterrence + diplomatic coalition-building simultaneously. Adopt consistent principles on democracy, rights, and regional norms. Develop a clear Indian vision for global order reform, not only reactive balancing. The urban future with cities as dynamic ecosystems Why is it in News? The editorial highlights the growing debate on urban inclusion, migrant integration, and linguistic barriers in Indian cities. Rapid urbanisation has intensified concerns about: Exclusion of internal migrants Language-based discrimination in services, jobs, and governance Design of cities that privilege “insiders” over “new residents” The article argues that urban planning often ignores belonging, identity and cultural diversity, creating what it terms an “invisible linguistic tax” on migrants. Relevance GS-1 (Society & Urbanisation) Internal migration, identity, belonging, social exclusion Urban diversity and demographic change GS-2 (Governance & Welfare Delivery) Barriers to access: language, documentation, service design Inclusive urban governance, participatory planning Practice Question “Language exclusion functions as an invisible economic tax on urban migrants.”Explain the statement and suggest policy measures for inclusive urban governance. (15 marks) Basics & Background  Cities are economic, political and technological hubs, but they are also social ecosystems shaped by people. Migration to cities drives: Labour supply Construction, services, gig economy, manufacturing Knowledge and creative economies However, urban planning traditionally assumes a static, homogenous resident, overlooking: New migrants Linguistic minorities Culturally diverse populations Core conceptual problem: Cities are designed as physical infrastructures, not as human habitats of belonging and identity. Key Facts & Data Context Urbanisation in India 36% of India’s population lives in urban areas (World Bank est., 2023); projected to cross 50% by 2047. Internal Migration Over 450+ million internal migrants (Census & PLFS trends). Major flows: UP–Bihar → Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka. Language Diversity India has 22 Scheduled languages + 1,600+ mother tongues (Census 2011). Most municipal & welfare documents remain monolingual. Labour Profile of Migrants High concentration in construction, domestic work, transport, gig platforms, food delivery, hospitality, informal trade. Informal employment share in urban labour market: ~70–75%. Implication: Migrants sustain cities economically but face institutional and linguistic exclusion. Core Argument of the Editorials The “Invisible Linguistic Tax” Migrants are expected to assimilate linguistically (“speak like locals”). Failure to do so results in: Difficulty accessing jobs, housing, health care, welfare schemes Barriers in documentation, contracts, and grievance redress Exclusion from formal economy → greater vulnerability to exploitation Economic outcome: Language exclusion → lower earnings, informality trap, limited mobility. Misaligned Urban Planning Assumptions Cities are planned for the already-settled resident, not the newcomer. “Smart cities” become smart only for the documented and linguistically aligned. Migrants become administratively invisible despite contributing: Labour Taxes (GST, indirect taxes) Urban productivity Structural flaw: Planning ignores dynamic demographic change. Governance Without Cultural Diversity Planning institutions often lack: Linguistic diversity Migrant representation Community voice Policies on schools, transit, housing, public spaces fail to reflect: Multilingual needs Social realities of mobile populations Result: Cities become exclusionary by design. Why This Matters ? Economic risks Under-utilisation of migrant skills Productivity loss due to bureaucratic exclusion Urban resilience risks Weak social cohesion Heightened informalisation and precarity Democratic risks Unequal access → erosion of rights and belonging Planning risks Infrastructure success without social inclusion fails development outcomes Central message: Cities succeed only when infrastructure + empathy + belonging move together. Policy & Reform Lens — What Needs to Change? Designing Cities “for All” — Key Directions Multilingual urban interfaces Welfare, transport, municipal services in multiple major migrant languages Inclusive documentation Simplified forms, icon-based instructions, translation support desks Cultural-sensitivity training Frontline staff: hospitals, ration offices, police stations, transport hubs Participatory planning Representation of migrant communities in ward committees Urban social integration policies Community spaces, language-bridging programmes, local networking platforms Shift from static to dynamic planning Cities designed as evolving social ecosystems, not closed settlements Takeaways Urbanisation & Social Justice Internal Migration and Informality Language, Identity, and Access to Governance Human-centric vs Infrastructure-centric Planning Inclusivity as a pillar of Sustainable Cities (SDG-11) Conclusion The editorials argues that the true measure of urban success is not roads, metros, or glass towers — but whether people feel recognised, secure, and “belong”. Empathy and belonging are not soft values; they are core drivers of economic efficiency, democratic legitimacy, and social resilience.

Content Communist Party of India — From Origins to Consolidation Aravalli Mining — What the “No New Leases” Claim Really Means India’s Renewed Tilt Toward Coal Power Despite Cheaper Renewable Options Fake / Adulterated Paneer and FSSAI’s Proposed Regulatory Action Indian Army’s Revised Social-Media Policy — Passive Participation with Operational Safeguards Communist Party of India — 100 Years Foundation & Early Evolution Formal founding: Kanpur, 26 December 1925 Alternate ideological origin claim: Tashkent, 1920 (M.N. Roy–Comintern initiative) Nature of rise: Gradual convergence of diaspora activists + urban labour groups + peasant movements Key pioneers: M.N. Roy, S.A. Dange, Muzaffar Ahmad, Ghulam Hussain, Shaukat Usmani, Singaravelu Chettiar Relevance GS-I | Modern Indian History Left movements, labour & peasant mobilisation Role of ideological currents in the freedom struggle GS-II | Political Ideologies & Party Systems Evolution of Left politics in parliamentary democracy Global-Ideological Background Industrial capitalism → inequality → socialist critique Karl Marx: class struggle, surplus value, historical materialism Russian Revolution (1917): inspiration to anti-imperialist movements Comintern (1920s): coordination of revolutionary groups in colonies Streams Feeding the Indian Communist Movement Internationalist–diaspora strand (M.N. Roy) Independent Left circles in India: Bombay, Calcutta, Madras Worker–Peasant activism: trade unions → AITUC (1920) as mass platform Early State Response & Repression Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929–33): arrests, bans, underground re-organisation Established CPI as a serious labour-based ideological force Role in the National Movement Labour & Peasant mobilisation: strikes, plantation & mill workers 1930s: cooperation with Congress Socialist Party WWII phase: “People’s War line” after Nazi invasion of USSR Regional bases: Bengal, Bombay Presidency, Andhra, Punjab agrarian belts Aravalli Mining — What the “No New Leases” Claim Really Means Core Facts — What the Supreme Court / Union Government Have Stated ? The statement “No new mining leases in Aravalli” is not absolute. The restriction currently applies only to general minerals — and only until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is finalised. Exemption exists for: Critical minerals Strategic minerals Atomic minerals (First Schedule, MMDR Act, 1957) Existing mines may continue, and renewals may be allowed under strict regulation. Bottom line: This is not a permanent ban; it is a temporary pause for general minerals while guidelines are prepared — with exceptions for strategic resources. Relevance GS-III | Environment & Ecology Ecologically fragile landscapes, biodiversity corridors Desertification barrier, groundwater recharge role GS-III | Economy & Mineral Resources Critical minerals → energy transition & strategic security Why Exemptions Exist — Strategic & Economic Rationale ? Committee report (Uniform Definition of Aravalli Hills & Ranges) notes: Aravallis host deep-seated, site-specific critical minerals. India remains import-dependent for many of these resources. Minerals flagged as strategically important include: Lead, zinc, copper, silver Tin, graphite, molybdenum, nickel Niobium, lithium, rare earth elements (REEs) These are essential for: Energy transition technologies High-technology manufacturing Defence & national security Economic growth & supply-chain resilience Policy logic: Strategic minerals are treated as national-interest resources, hence exempt from blanket restrictions. Temporary Ban + Future Mining under Guidelines The MoEFCC letter (Dec 24, 2025) directs States (Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat): No new mining leases until MPSM for the entire Aravalli landscape is finalised. MPSM preparation agency: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE) Final approval by MoEFCC MPSM will: Map ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical, and restoration-priority zones Identify areas where mining could be allowed under strict, science-based conditions Approach modeled on Saranda–Chaibasa (Jharkhand) sustainable mining precedent: Geo-referenced ecological assessment Zones marked as: No-mining / conservation priority Conditional mining Permissible mining Implication: Mining is expected to resume selectively, not disappear. Ecological Significance of Aravallis Among the oldest mountain ranges on Earth Key environmental functions: Barrier against Thar desertification Groundwater recharge & aquifer protection Biodiversity corridors (Aravali-Delhi Ridge landscape) Urban climate-buffering for NCR & Rajasthan Landscape already impacted by: Illegal quarrying Habitat fragmentation Dust pollution & slope destabilisation Trade-off: Critical mineral extraction vs ecological integrity & climate resilience. Governance Reality — Gaps & Risks Public messaging vs policy nuance mismatch Claim of “no new leases” can mask exemptions → risk of misinterpretation. Future permissions likely after MPSM, especially for strategic minerals. Monitoring challenges: Enforcement inconsistencies across States Potential for misclassification of leases as ‘strategic’ Community & environmental concerns: Risk of incremental ecological creep Possible conflicts in restoration-priority zones Policy Implications — What Needs Safeguarding ? Transparent mineral zoning maps (public domain) Clear distinction between: General vs critical vs atomic mineral leases Independent ecological audits & social impact review Cumulative-impact assessments, not mine-wise approvals Strict no-go protection for: Wildlife corridors High-biodiversity & recharge zones Restoration-linked mining permissions (progressive reclamation norms) India’s renewed tilt toward coal power despite cheaper renewable options Why is it in News? Multiple States — Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh — have recently signed high-tariff coal-based PPAs (₹5.4–₹6.64/unit) even though: Solar/Wind costs = ₹2.5–₹4/unit Hybrid + Storage = ~₹5/unit or lower Meanwhile, 43 GW renewable capacity (~₹2.1 lakh crore investment) is stuck without buyers. Signals weakening demand for renewables and raises doubts over India’s energy-transition trajectory as the country also plans to add 100 GW new coal capacity by 2032. Relevance GS-III | Energy, Economy & Environment Energy security vs energy transition Coal dependency, grid reliability, baseload economics GS-II | Centre–State Energy Governance DISCOM behaviour, PPA structures, policy incentives India’s Power Mix & Transition Goals Installed capacity (approx. profile) Coal/Lignite: ~55–57% share in generation Renewables (solar, wind, biomass, SHP): ~30% capacity share, lower in actual generation Key targets 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 Net-zero by 2070 Demand trend: Power demand is growing ~8–10% annually, driven by industry, AC load, urbanisation, EVs, and digital infrastructure. Tension line: Rising demand + reliability concerns → states reverting to coal for baseload security. Why States Prefer Coal Despite Higher Tariffs?  1. Baseload & Reliability Advantage Renewables are intermittent (“no sun → no power, no wind → no power”). Coal provides round-the-clock firm power for grids. Battery-storage–based RE is still perceived as risky/untested at scale. 2. Battery-Storage Constraints Current storage supports 5–7 hours, not 24×7 supply. Import dependence + supply-chain uncertainty 18% GST on battery services increases effective tariff. Discoms wary of technology + price volatility risk. 3. Discom Incentives & Risk Aversion Discoms prioritise short-term reliability over long-term cost efficiency. Failure of power supply → political & social backlash. Coal PPAs shift risk to generators, not discoms. 4. Curtailment of Renewables States like Rajasthan & Gujarat have curtailed solar output. Developers lose revenue → bankability issues → project slowdown. Economic Signals Emerging Coal PPAs at ₹5.5–₹6.6/unit vs RE at ₹2.5–₹4/unit = → States are paying more for what they perceive as reliable power. 43 GW RE stranded = capital locked, threatens investor confidence. Push toward new 100 GW coal capacity → long-term carbon lock-in risk. Strategic Implications for India’s Energy Transition Opportunities Coal ensures immediate grid stability & peak-demand support. Prevents blackouts during seasonal demand spikes. Supports industrial growth phase. Risks Transition slowdown → jeopardises 2030 climate commitments. Long-term stranded coal assets if RE + storage becomes cheaper. Increased emissions & air-pollution burden. India may lose competitiveness in global green-manufacturing supply chains. Governance & Policy Challenges Identified Absence of firm RE + storage procurement frameworks Weak incentives for Round-the-Clock renewables (RTC) Discoms’ financial stress → conservative power-purchase behavior Lack of: Grid-balancing infrastructure Peaking power markets Ancillary services pricing Policy-tariff misalignment (GST on storage, import dependence). Way Forward  Short-Term Scale RTC renewable + storage tenders with viability-gap support. Reduce GST on batteries / storage services. Standardise RE-storage risk-sharing PPA models for discoms. Medium-Term Build Green Grids + Transmission corridors. Develop peaking & ancillary services markets. Invest in domestic battery supply chains (PLI, recycling ecosystem). Long-Term Shift from coal-centric baseload → diversified dispatch mix. Promote flexible thermal operation instead of new capacity. Align state-level PPA policies with national transition goals. Fake / Adulterated paneer and FSSAI’s proposed regulatory action   Why is it in News? The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is proposing stricter labelling and disclosure norms to curb the sale of fake or non-dairy paneer substitutes in markets. Many loose / unpackaged paneer products sold locally are made using: Vegetable oils Skimmed milk powder Starches & emulsifiers These products imitate the look and texture of real paneer but lack its nutritional profile and may pose health risks. FSSAI proposes that such products must be: Labelled as “Paneer Analogue” Prohibited from using dairy-related terminology Sold only in sealed packages Carry clear consumer warnings The issue is significant because paneer forms an important protein source for a large vegetarian population and the market is ₹65,000-crore+, largely unorganised. Relevance GS-II | Governance & Regulatory Institutions Role of FSSAI, consumer protection, labelling norms GS-III | Public Health & Food Security Adulteration risks, nutrition quality, public health burden What is Food Adulteration?  Food adulteration refers to: Addition, substitution or removal of ingredients With the intent to increase profit, reduce quality or mislead consumers Leading to health risks, fraud, or nutritional loss Types Intentional — dilution, substitution, artificial colouring, synthetic fat use Unintentional — contamination during storage, processing, transport Relevant Law Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 Establishes FSSAI as the national regulator Provides for: Standards & labelling Licensing & inspections Penalties for adulteration & misbranding What is the Issue in This Case? Real Paneer Made by curdling milk Rich in milk fats, protein, calcium Fake / Substitute Paneer Uses vegetable oils + starch + emulsifiers Designed to look identical Cheaper, widely sold in loose unpackaged form Often not disclosed to consumers Market Dynamics Organised brands = ~10% market Majority sold in unorganised informal sector Loose paneer ~₹300–340/kg Branded paneer ~₹450–500/kg → Price arbitrage drives adulteration Public Health & Governance Concerns Consumers unknowingly consume: Trans fats Low-protein substitutes Poor-quality oils Risk of: Obesity & heart disease Nutrient deficiency Food safety violations Violates: Right to informed choice Food-labelling ethics Consumer protection norms Why Enforcement is Weak ? Large, fragmented unorganised dairy markets Lack of routine inspections in local mandis Low consumer awareness Weak supply-chain traceability Seasonal festival demand → adulteration spikes Incentives for traders are high, penalties limited FSSAI’s Proposed Measures Mandatory Labelling Non-dairy substitutes to be marked “Paneer Analogue” Ban on Dairy Terminology Cannot be sold as paneer / dairy product Colour Marking Visual differentiation from natural paneer Sealed Packaging Only Loose sale to be restricted Disclosure of Ingredients & Nutrition To prevent consumer deception Regulatory Rationale: Shift from post-facto enforcement → preventive labelling + traceability. Way Forward — Policy Recommendations Regulation & Enforcement Strengthen supply-chain audits & random sampling Expand food testing infra at district level Strict penalties for repeat offenders Introduce QR-code traceability for dairy chains Consumer Protection Public campaigns on how to identify real paneer Labelling literacy programs Encourage certified dairy cooperatives Market Reform Support formalisation of local dairy value chains Incentivise quality-assured small producers Promote self-regulation & cooperative branding Indian Army’s revised social-media policy  Why is it in News? The Indian Army has revised its social-media policy to allow “passive participation” on select platforms such as Instagram, X, YouTube, Quora, etc. Personnel may only view or monitor content on these platforms. Active engagement remains banned — posting, sharing, commenting, reacting, messaging, uploading content. Limited use of WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Skype is permitted only for general, unclassified communication with known persons. Policy reiterates strict operational security (OPSEC) and warns against: VPNs, torrents, cracked software, proxy sites, anonymous forums, risky cloud storage. This replaces the stricter 2020 policy, when officers and soldiers were ordered to delete Facebook, Instagram and 89 mobile apps amid heightened security risks (including apps with China links). Signal: The policy reflects a shift from total restriction → controlled, security-aware digital discipline. Relevance GS-III | Internal Security & Cyber Security Operational security (OPSEC), espionage & information warfare GS-II | Constitutional & Governance Dimension Article 19(2) — reasonable restriction on speech in disciplined forces Article 355 — duty to ensure national security Why Do Armed Forces Restrict Social Media? Operational Security (OPSEC): Location leaks, troop movement exposure, geotags, photos, logistics hints. Espionage & Phishing Risks State-sponsored hackers, honey-traps, identity spoofing. Psychological & Information Warfare Disinformation, profiling, cognitive targeting. Privacy & Data Harvesting Apps collecting sensitive behavioural metadata. Core principle: Even harmless posts can reveal actionable intelligence. Conceptual Value-Addition  State’s Duty under Article 355 Ensuring security of the nation includes safeguarding operational secrecy and military preparedness — social-media discipline supports this constitutional obligation. Reasonable Restrictions under Article 19(2) Army personnel, as members of disciplined forces, face constitutionally valid limits on free expression in the interest of: Sovereignty & integrity Security of the State Public order & discipline Doctrine of Institutional Discipline Armed forces operate on command hierarchy, confidentiality, and collective responsibility — unrestricted online expression can undermine this structure. Administrative Law Principle — “Proportionality” Shift from blanket bans (2020) to risk-based, limited relaxation reflects a proportional policy approach balancing: National security  Individual autonomy  Civil–Military Relations Perspective The policy reinforces that the armed forces remain politically neutral, preventing: political commentary ideological mobilisation identity-based polarisation via social media.