Content Ol Chiki Script – 100 Years of Linguistic Empowerment India-AI Impact Summit 2026 – Welfare for All, Happiness of All Ol Chiki Script – 100 Years of Linguistic Empowerment A. Issue in Brief Ol Chiki script completes 100 years (1925–2025/26); centenary formally commemorated by Government of India in 2026. Developed in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu to provide a scientific, phonetic script for Santhali language. Santhali included in Eighth Schedule (2003, 92nd CAA) → constitutional recognition. Constitution of India translated into Santhali in Ol Chiki (2025) → milestone in linguistic justice & democratic access. Relevance GS I (Indian Society & Culture) Tribal culture, language preservation, cultural diversity. Case study of indigenous knowledge systems & identity assertion. GS II (Polity & Governance) Eighth Schedule, linguistic rights, Art. 29–30, 350A. Inclusive governance & access to justice via mother-tongue. Link with Fifth & Sixth Schedule areas. Issuance of ₹100 commemorative coin and postage stamp → national cultural recognition. B. Static Background 1. About Santhali Language Belongs to Austroasiatic family (Munda branch). Spoken across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar. One of the largest tribal languages in India. Historically sustained through oral traditions (songs, folklore, rituals). 2. Script Situation Before Ol Chiki Written using Roman, Bengali, Odia, Devanagari. These scripts failed to capture glottal stops, nasalisation, vowel length. Result: distortion in pronunciation, weak standardisation, poor literacy transmission. 3. Pandit Raghunath Murmu – Architect of Ol Chiki Born 1905, Mayurbhanj (Odisha). Revered as “Guru Gomke” (Great Teacher) in Santhal society. Created Ol Chiki in 1925 to give Santhali its own script. Authored “High Serena” (1936) – first Ol Chiki book. Other works: Bidu-Chandan, Kherwal Bir. Promoted literacy and cultural awareness among Santhals. Received honorary doctorate (Ranchi University) and Odisha Sahitya Akademi honours. 4. Features of Ol Chiki Script 30 letters (vowels + consonants). One symbol = one sound (pure phonetic design). Specifically captures Santhali phonology. Not derived from Brahmi → independent script creation. Easy for mother-tongue literacy. C. Constitutional / Legal Dimension Article 29 & 30 → Protect linguistic minorities. Article 350A → Mother-tongue education at primary stage. Article 351 → Promotion of linguistic diversity. Eighth Schedule (22 languages) → Santhali added via 92nd CAA, 2003. Fifth & Sixth Schedules → Tribal self-governance; language improves access. D. Governance / Administrative Dimension Eighth Schedule status enables: Sahitya Akademi recognition. Government support in education & publications. Santhali Constitution version (2025) → improves constitutional literacy. Strengthens participatory democracy in tribal belts. E. Social / Ethical Dimension Script as symbol of identity, dignity, cultural resilience. Counters linguistic marginalisation of tribal groups. Promotes self-determination & cultural pride. Aligns with substantive equality (Art. 14) and social justice. F. Economic Dimension Language access → better uptake of welfare schemes. Promotes tribal publishing, local media, cultural industries. Supports human capital formation via literacy. G. Tech / Digital Dimension Need for: Unicode standardisation Ol Chiki keyboards & fonts AI datasets & NLP tools Risk: Digital language divide if under-integrated. H. Data & Evidence Value-Add UNESCO: ~40% global languages endangered. Tribal communities form ~8.6% of India’s population (Census 2011) → linguistic inclusion critical. Research shows mother-tongue education improves early learning outcomes. I. Challenges / Gaps Symbolic recognition > ground implementation. Shortage of trained Santhali teachers. Limited textbooks & academic resources. Youth shift toward dominant languages for employment. Weak digital ecosystem. J. Way Forward Dedicated tribal language teacher training institutes. Digital push: OCR, AI models, language corpora. Use Ol Chiki in local governance communication. Establish National Tribal Language Archive. Promote tribal literature, cinema, cultural economy. Align with: SDG 4 (Education) SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) SDG 16 (Inclusive Institutions) K. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers Santhali = Austroasiatic (Munda). Added via 92nd CAA, 2003. Ol Chiki created in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu. 30 letters; phonetic script. Art. 350A → mother-tongue education. Mains Practice Question (15 Marks) “Promotion of tribal scripts and languages is essential for inclusive governance but requires sustained institutional support.” Discuss with reference to Ol Chiki and Santhali language. India-AI Impact Summit 2026 – Welfare for All, Happiness of All A. Issue in Brief India–AI Impact Summit 2026 inaugurated on 16 Feb 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Participation: 20+ Heads of State, 60 Ministers, 500+ global AI leaders . First global AI summit hosted in the Global South → geopolitical and technological significance. Anchored on 3 Sutras: People, Planet, Progress and 7 Chakras of cooperation. Linked with IndiaAI Mission and Digital India → AI for development model. Focus on responsible, inclusive, development-oriented AI. Relevance GS II (Governance & IR) Digital governance, AI regulation, data protection (DPDP Act 2023). India as norm-shaper in global AI governance (GPAI, Global South leadership). GS III (Economy, S&T, Environment) AI as growth driver (productivity, startups, GDP impact). AI in agriculture, health, education. Green AI, energy use of data centres → environment link. Indigenous AI, compute sovereignty. B. Static Background 1. Policy & Institutional Context IndiaAI Mission (2024 onwards) → national AI ecosystem (compute, datasets, skilling, startups). Digital India → digital public infrastructure base for AI deployment. GPAI (Global Partnership on AI) → India active member; promotes responsible AI. NITI Aayog (Responsible AI for All, 2021) → ethical AI roadmap. C. Constitutional / Legal Dimension Article 21 → Privacy, dignity (AI surveillance concerns). DPDP Act 2023 → personal data protection in AI systems. IT Act 2000 → intermediary liability & digital governance. Need for AI-specific regulatory framework (risk-based approach). D. Governance / Administrative Dimension AI in governance: Translation of court judgments → access to justice. Smart cities → traffic, waste, safety optimisation. DBT & scheme targeting → efficiency gains. Summit promotes policy coherence and inter-ministerial coordination. Strengthens India’s role as norm-shaper in global AI governance. E. Economic Dimension AI could add ~$500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025–30 (industry estimates). Supports startup ecosystem & MSMEs via democratized AI resources. AI-led productivity in agriculture, logistics, finance, health. Expo scale: 70,000+ sq. m; 300+ exhibitors; 30+ countries (tentative). Enhances India’s ambition to be global AI hub. F. Social / Ethical Dimension AI for healthcare, education, financial inclusion. AI by HER Challenge → women-led innovation. YUVAi Challenge (13–21 yrs) → youth innovation. Ethical concerns: Bias & exclusion Digital divide Job displacement Aligns with principle of “AI for All”. G. Environmental Dimension (Planet Sutra) AI in precision agriculture, crop forecasting, drone monitoring. Environmental risks: High energy use of data centres Carbon footprint of large AI models Focus on Green AI & sustainable compute. H. Science & Tech Dimension AI in drug discovery, diagnostics, outbreak prediction. Satellite & AI for weather and climate analytics. Push for indigenous AI models & datasets. Need for compute sovereignty to reduce Big Tech dependence. I. Data & Evidence Value-Add AI for ALL / AI by HER / YUVAi → 4,650+ applications from 60+ countries. 70 finalists selected. Awards: Up to ₹2.5 crore (AI for ALL / AI by HER) ₹85 lakh (YUVAi). 250 research submissions from Africa, Asia, Latin America. J. Challenges / Gaps Regulatory lag vs rapid AI growth. Skill gap in AI workforce. Dependence on foreign AI chips & cloud. Risk of data colonialism. Urban–rural AI access divide. Ethical risks in surveillance & misinformation. K. Way Forward Risk-based AI regulation (like EU model but contextualised). Public investment in AI compute infrastructure. AI skilling mission for workforce transition. Promote open-source & sovereign AI models. Green AI standards for energy-efficient AI. Strengthen Global South AI coalition. Align with: SDG 9 (Innovation) SDG 16 (Institutions) L. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers IndiaAI Mission → national AI ecosystem programme. DPDP Act 2023 relevant for AI data use. GPAI → international AI governance platform. AI energy use → emerging climate concern. Mains Practice Question (15 Marks) “Artificial Intelligence can accelerate inclusive development but also raises governance and ethical challenges.” Examine in the context of India’s AI policy push and the India–AI Impact Summit 2026.

Content Transitioning to green steel Cities of debt Transitioning to green steel A. Issue in Brief India’s net-zero target by 2070 heavily depends on decarbonising the steel sector, which contributes ~10–12% of India’s total CO₂ emissions and ~25–30% of industrial emissions, making it one of the largest hard-to-abate sectors in the economy. India is the 2nd largest steel producer globally (140+ million tonnes/year), and demand is projected to double by 2030–31 under National Steel Policy, risking a surge in emissions without green transition. The Ministry of Steel set up 14 task forces with industry and experts to map technological, financial, and policy pathways for low-carbon steel, highlighting the need for demand creation and fiscal support. The main barrier is the “green premium” (20–40% higher production cost globally for green steel) due to hydrogen costs, renewable energy prices, and new capital investments. Relevance GS 1 (Geography – Resources & Industry) Steel industry location factors; mineral–energy linkages; shift toward renewable-energy-based industrial geography. GS 3 (Environment, Infrastructure) Industrial decarbonisation, net-zero strategy, green hydrogen mission, carbon markets, sustainable infrastructure materials. B. Static & Policy Background Policy Framework National Steel Policy 2017 targets 300 MT capacity by 2030–31, implying major emission implications if based on coal-intensive BF-BOF routes. India’s climate actions align with Paris Agreement NDCs, Panchamrit goals (COP26), and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) submitted to UNFCCC. Article 48A & 51A(g) provide constitutional backing for environmental protection and sustainable industrial policy. C. Data & Evidence Steel via BF-BOF emits ~2.2–2.5 tonnes CO₂ per tonne of steel, while green hydrogen-DRI-EAF routes can cut emissions by up to 80–90% (IEA estimates). India imports 50+ million tonnes of coking coal annually, mostly from Australia, exposing industry to price shocks and forex pressure. Steel accounts for ~18% of cost in large infrastructure projects, so even a 30% green premium raises project cost only ~5.5%, and partial adoption (~20%) raises costs ~1.1%. Globally, companies like SSAB (Sweden) and ArcelorMittal have already produced fossil-free or low-carbon steel using hydrogen pilots. D. Governance / Administrative Dimension Public procurement is ~20–30% of India’s GDP-linked expenditure space (broad estimates including all levels), making it a powerful demand lever to create markets for green steel. Sectors like Railways, highways, defence, housing (PMAY), and urban infrastructure are large steel consumers where government demand can anchor green transition. India has introduced a Green Steel Taxonomy with 3-, 4-, 5-star ratings based on emission intensity, providing standardisation for procurement and market signalling. E. Economic Dimension Early adoption may raise costs marginally but reduces long-term exposure to EU CBAM, which will tax carbon-intensive imports, affecting Indian steel exports to Europe. Green steel reduces dependence on imported coking coal and aligns with National Green Hydrogen Mission (₹19,700+ crore outlay) to build domestic hydrogen capacity. Transition can position India as a future exporter of green steel as global buyers (auto, construction, tech firms) adopt ESG-compliant sourcing norms. F. Environmental Dimension Steel decarbonisation is essential to meet India’s target of reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels). Green steel lowers not only CO₂ but also particulate and SOx emissions, improving local air quality in steel clusters like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. G. Social / Ethical Dimension Protects long-term jobs in steel regions by future-proofing the industry against global carbon regulations and declining coal economics. Ethical principle: inter-generational equity, ensuring today’s industrial growth does not compromise future climate stability. H. Global Examples Japan’s Green Purchasing Law mandates preference for environmentally friendly goods in public procurement. California Buy Clean Act (2017) sets embodied carbon limits for construction materials, including steel. EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) integrates lifecycle emissions in government purchasing. I. Challenges / Gaps High capex for hydrogen-based DRI plants and limited green hydrogen availability. Lack of verifiable MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) systems for carbon intensity at product level. Procurement officers fear audit/vigilance issues when deviating from L1 (lowest cost) norms. Fragmented coordination between Steel, Finance, Power, and Environment ministries. J. Way Forward Integrate Green Star ratings with QR-based digital verification and QCI accreditation for instant product authentication. Reform GFR/procurement norms to shift from L1 to “Value for Money + Sustainability” criteria. Align PLI schemes + National Green Hydrogen Mission + public procurement so the state acts as both subsidiser and anchor buyer. Introduce phased standards tightening (3★ → 5★ post-2030) to provide predictable transition signals. Pilot large-scale procurement through Indian Railways and NHAI to create demonstration effects. Develop a robust carbon market and green taxonomy alignment to monetise emission reductions. K. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers BF–BOF (Blast Furnace–Basic Oxygen Furnace) uses coking coal as fuel and reductant → high-emission route (~2–2.5 t CO₂/tonne steel). DRI–EAF (Direct Reduced Iron–Electric Arc Furnace) using green hydrogen + renewable electricity → low-emission steel (up to 80–90% lower CO₂). Green steel = steel produced with significantly lower lifecycle CO₂ emissions, typically via hydrogen-based DRI and renewable-powered EAF. Steel sector contributes ~7–8% of global CO₂ emissions (International Energy Agency – IEA). India is the 2nd largest crude steel producer and a major importer of coking coal. EU CBAM (European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) places carbon cost on imports of steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen. Green hydrogen = hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy. Mains Practice Question (15 Marks) “Green public procurement can accelerate industrial decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors.” Discuss with reference to India’s steel sector and net-zero target. Cities of debt A. Issue in Brief The updated Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) pushes market-linked urban infrastructure financing, with the Centre funding 25% of project cost only if cities mobilise ≥50% via bonds, loans, or PPPs, signalling a shift from grants to credit-based urban development. This model aims to instil fiscal discipline and reform incentives, but risks overburdening financially and institutionally weak ULBs, many of which are already struggling to complete projects under multiple centrally sponsored schemes. The debate reflects a deeper tension between market-based urban financing and constitutional decentralisation, where ULBs lack real fiscal autonomy yet are expected to behave like creditworthy entities. Relevance GS 1 (Urbanisation & Society) Urbanisation challenges; city-level inequality; stress on urban infrastructure and services. GS 2 (Polity & Governance) 74th CAA, 12th Schedule, State Finance Commissions; fiscal federalism; decentralisation and ULB autonomy. B. Constitutional / Legal Dimension 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) envisaged devolution of functions, funds, and functionaries to ULBs, but in practice fiscal powers remain heavily controlled by States. 12th Schedule assigns urban planning, water supply, sanitation, slum improvement, etc., to ULBs, yet revenue authority for major taxes is limited, creating vertical fiscal imbalance. State Finance Commissions (SFCs) are constitutionally mandated but often delayed, under-implemented, or politically influenced, weakening predictable fiscal transfers to cities. C. Governance / Administrative Dimension Many ULBs face weak accounting systems, poor project preparation, and limited technical staff, reducing their ability to design bankable projects or manage complex PPP and bond financing structures. Underutilisation and delays in schemes like AMRUT, SBM-U 2.0, Smart Cities, PMAY-U indicate capacity and coordination constraints, not merely funding shortages. Lack of clear eligibility criteria and application processes for UCF, as noted in parliamentary queries, raises risks of discretion and politically driven allocation. D. Economic / Fiscal Dimension ULBs in India raise only about 0.6–0.8% of GDP as own-source revenue, far lower than cities in many middle-income countries, limiting their debt-servicing capacity. Property tax, the most stable local tax globally, remains under-assessed and poorly collected in India, often due to outdated valuation and political reluctance to revise rates. Conditioning grants on borrowing may push cities toward commercially viable projects (e.g., real estate, monetisable assets) rather than essential but low-return services like drainage or slum upgrading. E. Social / Equity Dimension Market-oriented financing can sideline poorer and smaller cities, which lack creditworthiness, thereby widening inter-city inequalities and contradicting balanced regional development goals. Focus on “bankable” infrastructure risks neglecting informal settlements, renters, and urban poor, whose needs yield high social returns but low financial returns. If ULBs rely more on user charges and land monetisation to repay loans, urban services may become less affordable for low-income groups. F. Political Economy Dimension Local taxation and transfers are shaped by State-level political considerations, where raising property tax or user fees is electorally sensitive, constraining ULB revenue reforms. Expecting cities to “earn their growth” without fixing intergovernmental fiscal design shifts responsibility downward without corresponding authority. There is a broader trend since 2014 of reducing unconditional public support and increasing reliance on private finance, seen in sectors like higher education, health, and power. G. Evidence & Cross-Sector Lessons Experience with UDAY in the power sector showed that financial restructuring without governance reform leads to recurring stress and non-adherence. Studies on National Health Mission fund flows reveal delays and reimbursement-based systems forcing frontline institutions to pre-finance services. Higher education infrastructure loans turned many public universities into debt-bearing institutions reliant on fee hikes, affecting access and equity. H. Key Risks / Criticisms Risk of debt accumulation without revenue reforms, leading to future bailouts or stalled projects. Overemphasis on creditworthiness may distort urban priorities toward visible, revenue-generating projects. Weak land records and frequent master plan violations undermine investor confidence and project viability. Potential subordination of urban policy to “bankability” rather than service guarantees and spatial justice. I. Way Forward Strengthen municipal capacity: professional cadres, urban financial management systems, and project preparation facilities at State and regional levels. Reform property tax systems through GIS mapping, rational valuation, and improved collection efficiency to build stable own-source revenues. Ensure predictable, formula-based fiscal transfers via empowered and regularly functioning State Finance Commissions. Use municipal borrowing selectively for revenue-generating or productivity-enhancing infrastructure, not for basic services that require grant support. Introduce minimum urban service guarantees (water, sanitation, housing) before linking support to market access. Develop pooled financing mechanisms and credit enhancement for smaller ULBs rather than city-by-city exposure. Improve transparency, standardised criteria, and independent evaluation to reduce politicisation of funds. J. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers 74th CAA relates to urban local self-government; 12th Schedule lists ULB functions. State Finance Commissions recommend devolution to local bodies, analogous to Finance Commission at Union level. Municipal bonds are a debt instrument for ULBs, but repayment depends on stable revenue streams. Mains Practice Question (15 Marks) “Market-based financing can improve urban infrastructure but may weaken equity and accountability if local capacity is low.” Critically examine in the context of Urban Local Bodies in India.

Content NGT clears ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island mega project Separate classification and Census enumeration for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) Supreme Court to re-examine legality of ex post facto environmental clearances SC refuses stay on RTI amendments linked to DPDP Act; to examine privacy–transparency balance GEAPP launches India Grids of the Future Accelerator for power grid modernisation Agro-biodiversity lessons from bird diversity changes in Pusa, Bihar Africa’s strategic minerals and global supply-chain realignments NGT clears ₹92,000-cr. Great Nicobar project Source :The Hindu s a A. Issue in Brief The National Green Tribunal (NGT) disposed of challenges to the 2022 Environmental Clearance (EC) for the ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, citing strategic importance and finding “no good ground to interfere”, while directing strict compliance with EC conditions. The project includes a transshipment port, international airport, power plant, and township on Great Nicobar Island; concerns raised include coral reefs, leatherback turtle nesting, and siting near ecologically sensitive zones. Relevance GS 2 (Polity & Governance) Environmental governance, role of NGT, Centre–State–judiciary interface, transparency vs national security. GS 3 (Environment, Infrastructure, Security) EIA regime, biodiversity conservation, coastal regulation, strategic infrastructure, maritime security (SAGAR, Indo-Pacific). B. What the NGT Held ? Relied on the findings of a High-Powered Committee (HPC) earlier constituted to examine coral reefs, turtle nesting sites, and protected zones; found no error in the Terms of Reference and no additional substantial issues. Accepted the Union government’s position that the HPC report contains strategic/defence-sensitive information; limited disclosure was considered justified. Emphasised a “balanced approach”—permit development at a strategic location while ensuring compliance with the Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 (ICRZ). Directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to ensure coral protection/regeneration and to prepare an implementation plan; placed responsibility on MoEFCC to avoid shoreline erosion. C. Constitutional / Legal Dimension Article 48A & 51A(g): State and citizen duties to protect the environment. EIA Notification, 2006: Norm of three-season baseline data; deviation justified by the government on geomorphological grounds (no high-erosion sites). Forest clearance issues related to the project are under judicial scrutiny before the Calcutta High Court—illustrating multi-forum environmental adjudication. ICRZ 2019 provides the regulatory framework for coastal/island development with safeguards for fragile ecosystems. D. Environmental Dimension Biodiversity hotspots: Great Nicobar hosts tropical rainforests, coral reefs, mangroves, and endemic fauna; nearby habitats support leatherback turtles (critically endangered). Risks include habitat fragmentation, dredging impacts, turbidity affecting corals, and shoreline morphology changes. Proposed mitigation: coral transplantation/regeneration, controlled construction windows, and erosion management—effectiveness depends on scientific design and monitoring. E. Governance / Administrative Dimension Strategic rationale: Location near major East-West shipping lanes enhances maritime logistics, SAGAR vision, and Indo-Pacific presence. Capacity challenge: Ensuring credible MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) for EC compliance over long project timelines. Transparency vs security dilemma: Limited disclosure can protect national interests but may weaken public trust and participatory governance. F. Economic / Security Dimension Aims to position India as a regional transshipment hub, potentially reducing dependence on foreign ports and improving trade competitiveness. Infrastructure build-out could catalyse island connectivity, tourism, and employment, but requires cost–benefit realism given ecological externalities. Dual-use value (civil + defence logistics) strengthens the national security case. G. Social / Ethical Dimension Concerns of local communities and indigenous groups regarding displacement, cultural impacts, and livelihood transitions. Ethical balance between national development and ecological stewardship; principle of inter-generational equity applies strongly in island ecosystems. H. Key Criticisms / Gaps Baseline data adequacy (single-season EIA) contested by applicants; seasonality matters for marine ecology. Cumulative impact assessment across port, airport, township, and power plant may be under-specified. Carrying capacity of a small island system and disaster risks (cyclones, tsunamis) require robust modelling. I. Way Forward Establish independent scientific oversight panels for coral/turtle safeguards with public summaries (non-sensitive). Deploy real-time environmental monitoring (turbidity, reef health indices, shoreline change mapping via satellites). Phase construction with adaptive management triggers—pause/modify if ecological thresholds are crossed. Strengthen community consultation, benefit-sharing, and grievance redress. Integrate disaster-resilient design and strict waste/water management for island sustainability. J. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers NGT is a statutory body (NGT Act, 2010) for expeditious environmental justice. ICRZ 2019 governs coastal/island development norms. EIA 2006 typically requires multi-season data; exceptions may be argued case-specifically. Leatherback turtle: among the largest sea turtles; globally threatened. Practice Question (15 marks) “Strategic infrastructure in ecologically fragile regions requires a calibrated balance between national security and environmental sustainability.” Discuss with reference to the Great Nicobar project. A separate classification for denotified tribes Source :The Hindu A. Issue in Brief The Union government has indicated that DNTs may be enumerated in the 2027 Census, but no clarity exists on methodology, prompting demands for a separate Census column for DNTs. DNT groups argue that without a distinct count and certification, their historical stigma, socio-economic deprivation, and policy invisibility will persist. Multiple commissions have reiterated that accurate identification and classification of DNTs is impossible without a dedicated Census count. Relevance GS 1 (Society) Vulnerable communities, social exclusion, nomadic lifestyles, historical stigma. GS 2 (Polity & Governance) Census policy, affirmative action, 14/15/46, welfare targeting, role of commissions. B. Who are DNTs ?  DNTs are communities once notified as “criminal tribes” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, which enabled registration, surveillance, and movement restrictions based on colonial stereotypes. The Act was repealed in 1952, leading to “denotification,” but several States introduced Habitual Offenders laws, continuing police scrutiny under a new label. Colonial logic tied “criminality” to caste and heredity, embedding deep social stigma that outlived formal repeal. C. Enumeration History “Criminal tribes” were explicitly enumerated in 1911 and 1931 Censuses; 1931 was the last Census with such data. Post-Independence, India moved away from caste enumeration (except SC/ST), and no dedicated DNT count was undertaken thereafter. The Idate Commission on DNTs (2017) identified ~1,200 DNT communities, noting most are placed within SC/ST/OBC lists, and ~268 communities remain unclassified. An Anthropological Survey of India study (for NITI Aayog) recommended classifications for the 268 groups, but the report remains unimplemented. D. Current Policy Status Many DNTs are included in SC/ST/OBC lists as “Vimukt Jatis,” enabling partial access to reservations. A dedicated welfare push exists via the SEED Scheme for DNTs (livelihood, education, housing, health) with a ₹200 crore outlay, but utilisation has been low. A major bottleneck is the non-issuance of DNT certificates across most States; only select districts in a few States issue them. E. Constitutional / Legal Dimension Article 14 & 15: Equality and affirmative action for socially and educationally backward classes. Article 46: Directive to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections. Debate: Whether DNTs need a separate constitutional category or better targeting within SC/ST/OBC frameworks. F. Social Justice Dimension Persistent stigma and police profiling linked to historical criminalisation. High levels of landlessness, mobility, low literacy, and poor access to welfare among many nomadic groups. Internal diversity: Some communities relatively advanced; others remain extremely marginalised, raising need for sub-classification. G. Governance / Administrative Issues Lack of a uniform national list and definitions for DNTs complicates targeting. Overlap with SC/ST/OBC lists creates data ambiguity and duplication risks. Census design challenge: capturing mobile/nomadic populations without double counting or exclusion. H. Key Debates Separate Census column vs integration within existing caste categories. Separate constitutional classification vs sub-classification within OBC/SC/ST. Balancing recognition of historical injustice with administrative feasibility. I. Way Forward Conduct a time-bound national identification and enumeration exercise with clear definitions for DNT, NT, and SNT. Standardise and digitise DNT certification with Centre–State coordination. Improve SEED implementation via portable entitlements for mobile populations. Consider targeted sub-classification to address uneven backwardness. Invest in education, housing, and livelihood support tailored to nomadic lifestyles. J. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 labelled certain communities as hereditary criminals; repealed in 1952. Many DNTs are today placed in SC/ST/OBC categories, but not all are classified. 1931 Census was the last to enumerate such communities. Practice Question (15 Marks) “Historical stigma and data invisibility continue to shape the marginalisation of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes in India.” Discuss the need and challenges of their separate enumeration in the Census. SC to take a fresh look at pleas on ex post facto eco clearance regime Source :The Hindu A. Issue in Brief The Supreme Court of India has agreed to re-examine the legality of the “ex post facto” environmental clearance (EC) regime, i.e., granting EC after a project has already begun construction or operations. A three-judge Bench noted possible overlooking of earlier precedents and referred the matter to a larger Bench, signalling constitutional and environmental significance. The case arises from challenges to government actions that allowed retrospective regularisation of projects lacking prior EC. Relevance GS 2 (Polity & Judiciary) Judicial review, constitutional environmentalism, role of SC. GS 3 (Environment) Precautionary principle, EIA framework, sustainable development. B. What is Ex Post Facto EC? Ex post facto EC = environmental approval granted after project commencement, instead of prior clearance mandated under the EIA Notification, 2006. It effectively legalises violations, allowing projects to continue with penalties or additional safeguards. Critics argue it converts a preventive regime into a post-damage regulatory system. C. Constitutional / Legal Dimension Article 21: Right to life includes the right to a clean and healthy environment (SC jurisprudence). Precautionary Principle & Polluter Pays Principle are part of Indian environmental law (Vellore Citizens case). Earlier SC rulings (e.g., Common Cause v. Union of India) held ex post facto EC contrary to environmental jurisprudence, except in rare cases. Key legal question: Can administrative notifications dilute statutory environmental safeguards? D. Governance Dimension Prior EC ensures impact assessment, public consultation, and mitigation planning before irreversible damage. Allowing post-facto approvals weakens regulatory credibility and deterrence. Raises concerns of moral hazard, where violators may proceed expecting later regularisation. E. Environmental Dimension Environmental damage (deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss) is often irreversible or costly to restore. Post-facto clearances defeat the purpose of anticipatory environmental governance. Undermines India’s commitments under SDGs (12, 13, 15) and climate goals. F. Economic Dimension Industry argues ex post facto EC avoids project shutdowns, sunk costs, and job losses. However, regulatory dilution may create long-term uncertainty and harm ESG credibility of Indian markets. Strong environmental rule of law improves investor confidence in the long run. G. Ethical Dimension  Conflict between developmental pragmatism vs environmental justice. Fairness issue: Law-abiding firms incur compliance costs while violators may be regularised. Inter-generational equity: future generations bear ecological costs of present violations. H. Key Concerns / Criticisms Normalising violations weakens rule of law. Reduces incentive for timely compliance. Public participation becomes redundant if decisions are post-facto. Potential for regulatory capture. I. Way Forward Reaffirm prior EC as the norm; allow post-facto approvals only in exceptional, well-defined circumstances. Strengthen monitoring, digital compliance tracking, and penalties. Fast-track EC processes to reduce delays that push firms toward violations. Enhance capacity of State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs). Link violations to financial disincentives and restoration liabilities. J. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers EIA Notification 2006 mandates prior environmental clearance for listed projects. Precautionary Principle: Act to prevent harm even without full scientific certainty. Polluter Pays Principle: Polluter bears cost of remediation. Practice Question (15 Marks) “Ex post facto environmental clearances undermine the preventive nature of environmental governance.” Critically examine in the context of India’s regulatory framework. SC refuses stay on RTI amendments linked to DPDP Act Source : Indian Express A. Issue in Brief The Supreme Court of India refused to stay amendments affecting the RTI framework made through the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) and DPDP Rules, but agreed to examine the balance between privacy and transparency. Petitioners argue that changes to the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) dilute access to information by expanding the scope of “personal information” exemptions. The Court flagged the matter as involving competing fundamental rights requiring a constitutional balancing exercise. Relevance GS 2 (Polity & Governance) Fundamental rights balance (Art 19 vs 21), RTI regime, data governance. GS 3 (Cyber & Data Governance) Digital data protection, information governance ecosystem. B. What Changed?  Amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of RTI Act: strengthens protection of “personal information,” limiting disclosure unless legally justified. Petitioners claim this creates a blanket-style restriction, weakening the earlier public interest override. Concern: Authorities may deny information citing privacy even in cases involving corruption, public office accountability, or misuse of public funds. C. Constitutional Dimension Article 19(1)(a): RTI flows from freedom of speech and expression (right to know). Article 21: Right to privacy recognised as fundamental in Puttaswamy (2017). Core question: How to balance RTI (transparency) vs Privacy (data protection) when both are fundamental rights ? SC jurisprudence requires proportionality and necessity tests in such conflicts. D. Governance Dimension RTI is a key pillar of accountable and participatory governance; dilution may reduce scrutiny over public authorities. Data protection law aims to build trust in the digital ecosystem and prevent misuse of personal data. Administrative challenge: PIOs (Public Information Officers) must now interpret data protection + RTI together, raising compliance complexity. E. Democratic / Institutional Impact RTI has historically exposed corruption, ghost beneficiaries, and policy lapses. Over-broad privacy exemptions risk creating a “culture of secrecy”. At the same time, unchecked disclosure can violate informational privacy and dignity. F. Ethical Dimension Ethical tension between transparency in public life vs protection of individual dignity. Principle of minimum necessary disclosure: reveal what serves public interest, protect what is purely private. Fairness issue: Public officials’ actions in official capacity warrant higher transparency threshold. G. Key Concerns / Criticisms Possible over-classification of information as personal. Chilling effect on RTI activism and investigative journalism. Lack of clear operational guidelines for balancing tests. Risk of inconsistent decisions across authorities. H. Way Forward Issue clear harmonisation guidelines clarifying when public interest overrides privacy. Define “personal information” narrowly for public officials in official roles. Capacity-building of PIOs on data protection–RTI interface. Develop a structured proportionality test checklist for disclosure decisions. Periodic parliamentary/judicial review to ensure RTI’s core is not eroded. I. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers RTI derives from Article 19(1)(a). Right to Privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21 (Puttaswamy). Section 8 of RTI Act lists exemptions from disclosure. DPDP Act 2023 governs processing of digital personal data. Practice Question (15 Marks) “Data protection and transparency are both essential in a democracy but may conflict in practice.” Discuss how India should balance the Right to Information with the Right to Privacy. GEAPP announces $25 million funding for India’s power grid modernisation Source : Down to Earth A. Issue in Brief The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) launched the India Grids of the Future Accelerator (2026) to strengthen digital, financial, and institutional capacity of power distribution for large-scale renewable and storage integration. GEAPP committed up to $25 million by 2028, with a goal to unlock $100 million by 2030 through blended finance, aligning with Viksit Bharat 2047 and India’s clean energy transition. Supported by the All India DISCOM Association and the International Solar Alliance, with initial “champion utilities” in Delhi and Rajasthan. Relevance GS 2 (Governance) Public–private partnerships, energy governance, institutional reforms. GS 3 (Economy, Energy, Environment, S&T) Energy transition, grid modernisation, renewables integration, storage, smart grids. B. What the Initiative Targets ? Focus on modernising power distribution (DISCOMs)—the weakest link in India’s power value chain. Addresses rising demand from electrification, EVs, urbanisation, and industry while integrating variable renewables. Moves from pilot projects to platform-based systemic reform. C. Core Design – “D4 Framework” Digitalisation: digital twins, smart meters, advanced analytics for demand forecasting and loss reduction. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs): rooftop solar, storage, microgrids integrated into the main grid. Democratisation: consumer participation as “prosumers,” demand response, time-of-day pricing. Development of innovation ecosystem: startups, storage tech (including non-lithium), grid software. D. Economic Dimension  India targets 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030; grid readiness is a binding constraint. Modern grids reduce AT&C losses, improve billing efficiency, and enhance DISCOM viability. Blended finance lowers risk for private capital in grid upgrades. Reliable grids underpin manufacturing growth, data centres, and digital economy. E. Environmental / Climate Dimension Grid flexibility is essential for integrating solar and wind, which are intermittent. Enables faster coal displacement and supports India’s net-zero 2070 pathway. Storage + smart grids reduce renewable curtailment and emissions intensity. F. Governance / Institutional Dimension Public–private–philanthropic partnership model complements government schemes like RDSS. Strengthens institutional capacity of DISCOMs in planning and data-driven decisions. Multi-stakeholder coordination needed between Centre, States, regulators, and utilities. G. Social Dimension Aims to impact ~300 million people by 2030 via reliable and quality supply. Better grids improve service for rural and peri-urban consumers and enable decentralised clean energy access. H. Challenges / Risks DISCOM financial stress and tariff politics can limit reforms. Cybersecurity risks with deep digitalisation. Regulatory lag in enabling peer-to-peer power trading and storage markets. Uneven State capacity and reform appetite. I. Way Forward Align accelerator efforts with Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and smart metering rollouts. Strengthen independent regulation and cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies. Invest in grid-scale and distributed energy storage ecosystems. Develop cybersecurity standards for smart grids. Encourage time-of-day tariffs and demand response markets. J. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers International Solar Alliance: India–France led, focuses on solar deployment globally. DISCOMs handle last-mile electricity distribution and are key to power sector health. DERs include rooftop solar, storage, EVs, microgrids. Blended finance mixes public, private, and philanthropic funds. Practice Question (15 Marks) “India’s clean energy transition is as much about grid reform as generation capacity.” Discuss in the context of initiatives like the India Grids of the Future Accelerator. Agro-biodiversity & Birds of Pusa – Lessons for Sustainable Agriculture  Source : Down to Earth A. Issue in Brief Pusa, Bihar—a historic hub of Indian agricultural research—offers a rare century-scale comparison of bird diversity, linking colonial-era ornithology with present-day agro-ecology. Comparing C.W. Mason’s early 20th-century records with 2021–22 surveys shows major shifts in avian communities, with implications for natural pest control, crop resilience, and sustainable farming. The case demonstrates how heritage data + modern digital tools can guide agro-biodiversity conservation and climate-resilient agriculture. Relevance GS 1 (Geography & Society) Human–environment interaction, rural ecological landscapes. GS 3 (Agriculture & Environment) Agro-ecology, IPM, biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient farming. B. Historical Scientific Baseline In The Food of Birds in India, C.W. Mason analysed stomach contents of 1,325 birds across 110 species around Pusa to understand crop impacts. ~⅔ of 55,000 recorded food items were insects, including key pests (weevils, grasshoppers, rice hispa), evidencing birds’ role in biological pest regulation. Functional groups documented: insectivores (drongos, swifts), omnivores (mynas), graminivores (starlings), and predators (shrikes)—forming a natural pest-control web. C. Present-Day Scenario (2021–22) Surveys documented ~50 species; only ~30.9% of historically recorded species persist, indicating substantial biodiversity loss. ~69% decline in earlier species (notably scavengers like vultures) linked to habitat loss, toxic veterinary drugs, and landscape change. Of current species, ~68% are long-term survivors (e.g., Black Drongo, Green Bee-eater, White Wagtail) due to ecological adaptability; ~32% are new colonisers, reflecting community shifts. Declines in insectivores and raptors weaken natural pest control; crop intensification and climate-driven phenology shifts reduce food availability and alter migration. D. Environmental & Ecological Dimension Birds are ecosystem service providers: pest control, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling. Loss of insectivores can increase pesticide dependence, creating negative feedback loops for biodiversity and soil–water health. Agro-biodiversity supports climate resilience, buffering farms against pest outbreaks and variability. E. Agriculture & Economy Dimension Integrating birds into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can reduce input costs and chemical residues. On-farm measures—perches, hedgerows, native fruit trees, refuge patches—improve yields via ecological regulation. Biodiversity-friendly farming aligns with natural/organic farming missions and export-oriented residue standards. F. Science & Tech Dimension Digitising legacy data and linking with eBird checklists enables long-term biodiversity trend analysis. AI-based bioacoustics can match bird calls to databases, improving monitoring accuracy and citizen-science participation. Longitudinal datasets support evidence-based agro-ecological planning. G. Governance & Policy Dimension Aligns with National Biodiversity Action Plan, agro-ecology promotion, and sustainable agriculture policies. Opportunity to integrate biodiversity metrics into agricultural extension and Krishi Vigyan Kendra advisories. Landscape-level planning needed to reconcile productivity with conservation. H. Social / Ethical Dimension Ethical stewardship of agro-ecosystems reflects inter-generational responsibility. Reviving traditional ecological knowledge strengthens community participation in conservation. I. Way Forward Create intentional farm habitats (butterfly gardens, bird refuges, mixed cropping) to restore functional diversity. Institutionalise long-term ecological monitoring in agricultural research stations. Promote reduced pesticide regimes and IPM to protect insectivores. Build living biodiversity databases combining historical and citizen-science data. Incentivise biodiversity-friendly farming through eco-labelling and market premiums. J. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers Birds provide key ecosystem services in agriculture, especially pest control. IPM (Integrated Pest Management) emphasises biological and cultural controls over chemicals. Citizen-science platforms like eBird aid biodiversity monitoring. Practice Question (15 Marks) “Agro-biodiversity is central to sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.” Discuss using evidence from long-term ecological observations like those from Pusa, Bihar. Africa’s Strategic Minerals & Global Supply Chains  Source : Down to Earth A. Issue in Brief A new report by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Compendium of Africa’s Strategic Minerals (2026), argues that geopolitical tensions and supply-chain fragmentation are raising the strategic value of Africa’s minerals. Africa holds ~$29.5 trillion in mine-site mineral wealth (~20% of global total) but captures limited downstream value, largely exporting raw ores and importing finished goods. The report calls for a shift from raw-material exporter → selective processor at strategic chokepoints, backed by infrastructure and regional integration. Relevance GS 2 (IR) Resource geopolitics, Global South, China+1 strategy, minerals diplomacy. GS 3 (Economy & Security) Critical minerals, supply-chain resilience, industrial policy, energy transition. B. Core Argument of the Report Africa’s constraint is “conversion, not geology”—i.e., weak infrastructure, limited processing, and fragmented markets prevent value capture. Global concentration risk is high: China controls ~90% of rare earth & manganese processing and dominates battery-grade graphite. Advanced economies seek supplier diversification for critical minerals. Africa’s non-aligned geopolitics + mineral diversity provide leverage if used strategically means focusing on high-impact supply chain nodes, not full-spectrum industrialisation. C. Economic Dimension Value addition potential is massive: $2.8T iron ore → ~$25.4T steel $874B bauxite → $5.2T alumina → $15.4T aluminium Current model = low-value exports + high-value imports, leading to: Forex leakage Limited job creation Commodity-dependence risks Mineral beneficiation can support industrialisation, manufacturing, and export diversification. D. Infrastructure & Development Dimension Processing viability depends on power, rail, ports, and industrial clusters—often missing or unreliable. Three conditions rarely co-locate: Mineral resource Infrastructure Market demand Infrastructure is thus a development multiplier, not just a sectoral input. E. Geopolitical / IR Dimension Critical minerals are now tied to national security and techno-industrial competition. Africa can gain bargaining power in a world seeking China+1 supply chains. Strategic positioning allows Africa to avoid overdependence on any one bloc. Minerals diplomacy is becoming central to Global South geopolitics. F. Regional Integration National markets often too small for scale processing. Report stresses regional aggregation of demand under frameworks like AfCFTA. Success cases: Morocco (phosphates) Copperbelt (copper) North Africa (steel) Regional value chains improve economies of scale and investment attractiveness. G. Gold as a Macro-Stabiliser Africa holds >$5T in gold resources but underutilises it for reserves. Gold can: Strengthen forex buffers Stabilise currencies Reduce dollar dependence GoldBod (Ghana) cited as institutional reform to formalise mining and build reserves (>$10B reserves, currency appreciation). H. Governance Challenges Fragmented and outdated geological data systems deter investors. Policy inconsistency and regulatory uncertainty raise risk. Risk of “resource curse” if governance and transparency are weak. I. Broader Development Linkages Minerals needed not just for energy transition but also for: Urbanisation Construction Fertilisers Vehicles Power infrastructure Thus minerals strategy must align with domestic development priorities, not only exports. J. Way Forward Treat geological data as strategic infrastructure. Invest in reliable power and transport corridors. Promote selective beneficiation at chokepoints. Use AfCFTA to build regional mineral value chains. Strengthen governance to avoid resource-curse dynamics. Leverage gold for macro-financial stability. K. Exam Orientation Prelims Pointers Critical minerals are linked to energy transition, defence, and electronics. Supply-chain concentration creates geopolitical risk. Beneficiation = value addition through processing. Practice Question (15 Marks) “Control over critical mineral supply chains is emerging as a key determinant of geopolitical and economic power.” Discuss with reference to Africa’s mineral potential and global supply-chain realignments.