Content
Census of India 2027
Strengthening India’s Framework Against Fake News and Deepfakes
Ozempic (Semaglutide)
MGNREGA Likely to be Renamed ‘Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana’
Private Entry in Nuclear Sector & 100% FDI in Insurance
Census of India 2027
Why is this in News?
Union Cabinet approved the Scheme for Conduct of Census of India 2027 with a financial outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore (PIB, 12 Dec 2025).
First fully digital census with self-enumeration, mobile apps, geospatial mapping, and real-time monitoring.
First nationwide caste enumeration in independent India (as per Cabinet decision of 30 April 2025).
Census postponed from 2021 due to COVID-19; 2027 becomes India’s 16th Census and 8th after Independence.
No separate allocation for NPR; government stated no decision yet on NPR update.
Relevance
GS-I: Indian Society
Caste enumeration offers updated insights into social stratification and inequalities.
Data on migration, fertility, religious composition → understanding population dynamics.
Housing and urbanisation data → trends in living conditions, amenities, and social change.
GS-II: Governance and Social Justice
Census Act, 1948 provides statutory foundation for population data governance.
Enables evidence-based policy in health, education, welfare, reservations, and fiscal transfers.
Digital census → higher transparency, accountability, and administrative efficiency.
Strengthens cooperative federalism through joint Centre–State operations.
What is the Census?
World’s largest administrative and statistical exercise.
Statutory basis: Census Act, 1948; Census Rules, 1990.
Mandatory, confidential, and decennial.
Provides granular village/ward-level datasets on:
Population composition, religion
SC/ST population
Caste (2027 onwards)
Literacy, education, fertility
Economic activity, migration
Housing, amenities, assets
Languages and demographic transitions
Structure of Census 2027
Two-phased operation
Houselisting & Housing Census: April–September 2026
Population Enumeration: February 2027
Exceptions (snow-bound): Ladakh, J&K (selected areas), HP, Uttarakhand → September 2026
Scale
30 lakh field functionaries, mostly government teachers.
1.02 crore man-days of employment.
Supervision structure: District Collectors → Charge Officers → Supervisors → Enumerators.
Key Features and Digital Innovations
Digital-first Census
Mobile app (Android/iOS) for data collection.
Digital identity verification and encrypted storage.
Self-enumeration
Households can submit data online via a secure portal.
CMMS (Census Management & Monitoring System)
Real-time tracker of enumerators, progress dashboards, exception flags.
HLB Creator
Geospatial mapping of every Houselisting Block (HLB) for high geographic precision.
Census-as-a-Service (CaaS)
Clean, machine-readable datasets for ministries
Facilitates automated integration with dashboards
Enhanced Cybersecurity
Encryption, two-factor authentication, restricted access, audit trails.
Nationwide Awareness Campaign
Inclusion of migrants, nomadic groups, remote habitations, digital-poor regions.
Caste Enumeration
Integrated into Population Enumeration Schedule.
First time since 1931 (except SECC 2011, which produced non-usable caste data).
Administrative Process and Implementation
Enumerators: Government teachers conducting survey in addition to regular duties.
Detailed training modules on digital tools, GIS mapping, cybersecurity.
Two questionnaires:
Houselisting & Housing Schedule
Population Enumeration Schedule (includes caste)
Centre handles design, IT backbone, and training; States deploy field staff → cooperative federalism in execution.
Benefits and Governance Significance
Higher-quality, faster data
Digital capture reduces human error and improves validation.
Faster release of tables through automated pipelines.
Micro-targeting of welfare
Identification of caste groups, vulnerable households, slum populations, migrant clusters.
Supports targeted schemes: education, health, nutrition, reservation calibration.
Supports SDGs
Better indicators on maternal health, sanitation, urbanisation, poverty, gender.
Digital state capacity
Infrastructure comparable to Aadhaar, UPI in administrative scale.
Builds a long-term digital backbone for population statistics.
Public access
Dashboards, visualisation tools, and machine-readable datasets increase transparency.
Comparisons
Difference from Earlier Censuses
First fully digital census
First nationwide caste enumeration
Geo-tagged houselisting
Self-enumeration
Real-time digital audit trails
Machine-readable datasets
Policy Significance of Caste Enumeration
Enables redesign of OBC reservation matrix.
Helps identify intra-group inequalities (dominant vs. marginalised OBCs).
Supports evidence-based social justice strategies.
NPR, NRC and 2027 Census
2019 NPR budget absent in 2027 allocation.
Political sensitivities lowered; technical pathway still possible under Citizenship Rules 2003.
Census 2027 remains a standalone demographic exercise.
Implications of Census Delay (2011 → 2027 gap)
India’s key baselines (poverty, urbanisation, fertility rates, population projections) were outdated.
Delimitation post-2026 will require updated population numbers.
2027 dataset will reset national planning parameters.
Macro Significance
Deepens digital governance capacity comparable to Aadhaar ecosystem.
Caste + socio-economic + demographic data → redesign India’s welfare architecture.
Strengthens cooperative federalism through joint Centre–State operations.
Sparks debates on privacy, data sovereignty, access governance, and algorithmic use of population data.
Challenges
Digital divide in remote regions.
Enumerator workload (teachers juggling dual duties).
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Political sensitivities around caste data release.
Harmonising State-level objections (e.g., to NPR earlier).
Tight timelines for training and digital readiness.
Strengthening India’s Framework Against Fake News and Deepfakes
Why is this in News?
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Rajya Sabha that India has significantly strengthened its framework to combat fake news and AI-generated deepfakes across media platforms.
The Minister stated that while Article 19(1)(a) protects free speech, fake news threatens public order, democratic processes, elections, and social harmony.
He highlighted the existing statutory and institutional mechanisms:
Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act
Press Council norms
IT Rules, 2021
Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check Unit (FCU)
The statement comes against a backdrop of rising AI-enabled deepfakes, misinformation during elections, and regulatory debates over digital platforms.
Relevance
GS II – Governance
Regulation of digital platforms; IT Rules, 2021.
Role of statutory bodies: PCI, PIB FCU, Programme Code.
Balance between free speech (Art. 19(1)(a)) and reasonable restrictions (Art. 19(2)).
Impact on elections, public order, democratic processes.
GS III – Internal Security
Deepfakes as emerging cyber threat.
Misinformation risks to national security & communal harmony.
Need for AI-governance, detection tools, cyber-regulation.
What is Fake News?
False, misleading, manipulated or fabricated information presented as authentic news.
Includes text, images, videos, voice clones, AI-generated content and deepfakes.
Deepfakes use AI (GANs, diffusion models) to synthetically modify faces/voices, making false content appear real.
Consequences
Distorts democratic decision-making.
Fuels polarisation, hate speech, violence.
Undermines institutional trust.
Manipulates markets, public health behaviour, disaster response.
Data and Facts
India is among the world’s largest consumers of social media content; misinformation spreads fastest in high-trust WhatsApp ecosystems.
2023 Microsoft Threat Assessment Report called India a “global hotspot” for deepfake proliferation.
65% of Indians surveyed by LocalCircles (2023) reported receiving fake news at least once a day.
2018–2023: Police registered thousands of FIRs under IPC Sections related to misinformation, but conviction rates remain low due to tech complexity.
Lok Sabha elections 2024 saw a 300–400% rise in deepfake content, including doctored political speeches.
UNESCO 2023: Deepfakes globally are doubling every 6 months.
These trends justify the government’s stronger regulatory posture.
Constitutional Context
Article 19(1)(a) → Freedom of speech and expression.
Article 19(2) → Reasonable restrictions:
public order,
defamation,
sovereignty/security of State,
decency/morality.
Fake news often breaches public order and defamation, framing the basis for regulatory intervention.
Statutory Framework to Combat Fake News
The Minister emphasised that India already has a broad legal and institutional architecture.
Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act
Content must follow the Programme Code.
Prohibits:
obscene or defamatory content,
“deliberately false” content,
half-truths, suggestive innuendos,
material harming public order.
Three-tier grievance redressal system:
Self-regulation by channel
Self-regulatory bodies
Oversight by government (I&B Ministry)
Press Council of India (PCI) – Print Media
Norms of Journalistic Conduct prohibit fake, defamatory, misleading, or sensational reporting.
PCI can:
issue warnings,
censure publications,
conduct inquiries,
examine complaints.
Limited power: cannot impose monetary penalties.
IT Rules, 2021 – Digital News Platforms
Code of Ethics for digital news publishers.
Three-tier grievance system:
Publisher
Self-regulatory body
Government oversight (Inter-Departmental Committee)
Ensures accountability of digital newsrooms and aggregators.
Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check Unit (FCU)
Fact-checks government-related news.
Can flag false information on:
government policies,
schemes,
official data,
public statements.
Social media intermediaries often rely on FCU flags for content moderation.
Gaps and Challenges in India’s Anti-Fake News Architecture
Reactive, not preventive: FCU checks only government-related claims.
Deepfakes are too advanced for current detection capacities.
Enforcement asymmetry across States.
Limited authentication infrastructure for AI content.
High volume of misinformation during elections.
Lack of uniform standards for platforms → safe harbour debates under IT Act.
Societal vulnerabilities: low digital literacy, echo chambers, linguistic diversity.
Government Initiatives and Strengthening Measures
Deepfake Task Force (2023–24) proposed
watermarking standards,
rapid-takedown protocols,
AI-detection tools for law enforcement.
Digital India Act (draft) aims to redefine obligations of social media platforms.
Fact Check Units expanded across ministries.
Awareness campaigns with MeitY, NCERT, MyGov.
AI-powered detection through partnerships with IITs and CERT-In.
Advisory to platforms to label synthetic media.
International Comparisons
EU Digital Services Act → strict liability for platforms, misinformation takedown timelines.
US → free speech centred; limited federal regulation.
Singapore POFMA → strong powers to correct/flag misinformation.
China → mandatory watermarking for AI-generated content.
India’s evolving framework sits between EU-style regulation and US free-speech orientation.
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Why is this in News?
Ozempic (semaglutide), developed by Novo Nordisk, has become officially available in India.
Pricing per weekly dose:
0.25 mg → ₹2,200
0.5 mg → ₹2,542
1 mg → ₹2,794
Approved in India as a first-line therapy for Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) along with diet and exercise.
The launch comes amid rising interest in GLP-1 drugs globally for diabetes control and significant weight-loss effects.
Relevance
GS II – Health & Social Justice
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden in India.
Regulatory role of CDSCO; drug approvals and pricing.
Accessibility and affordability of advanced therapies.
Public health challenges: diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk.
GS III – Science & Technology
GLP-1 receptor agonists as modern pharmacological innovation.
Biotechnology, AI-assisted drug development, clinical trials.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA).
Active molecule: semaglutide, a long-acting incretin mimetic.
Administered once weekly via pre-filled injection pen.
Class action: enhances physiological insulin response.
How GLP-1 RAs Work?
Stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion.
Suppress glucagon release.
Slow gastric emptying, flattening post-meal glucose spikes.
Reduce appetite (satiety effect), contributing to weight loss.
Improve cardiometabolic risk markers.
Why Ozempic Matters for India ?
India has ~101 million diabetics (ICMR–INDIAB 2023).
Another 136 million are pre-diabetic.
India accounts for 1 in 7 adults with diabetes globally.
T2DM prevalence increasing rapidly in 20–45 age group.
Current Challenges
Poor glycaemic control: only ~28% of patients achieve target HbA1c.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome rising in urban and semi-urban India.
High cardiovascular risk: diabetes contributes to ~30% of heart disease deaths.
Relevance of Ozempic
More potent lowering of HbA1c vs. many oral agents.
Reduces risk of major cardiovascular events in high-risk diabetics.
Particularly useful in overweight and obese T2DM patients.
Regulatory Status
Approved by CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) for:
Adults with Type-2 Diabetes,
As first-line therapy, adjunct to diet and exercise.
Not approved in India yet for obesity treatment (unlike the U.S. Wegovy version of semaglutide).
Pricing and Market Impact
India launch pricing places Ozempic in the premium therapy segment.
Still significantly cheaper than U.S. retail price (~$900 per month).
Advantages of Ozempic
Large HbA1c reduction (~1.4–1.8%).
Strong, consistent weight loss (~4–6 kg average in diabetes; higher in obesity trials).
Proven cardiovascular risk reduction (SUSTAIN-6 trial).
Once-weekly dosage improves adherence.
Lower hypoglycaemia risk vs. sulfonylureas.
Limitations & Concerns
High cost limits access for rural and low-income patients.
Gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) common initially.
Requires injection; may affect acceptance.
Risk of supply constraints (global Ozempic shortages 2022–2024).
Cannot fully substitute insulin in advanced diabetes.
Misuse risk for cosmetic weight loss without medical supervision.
MGNREGA Likely to be Renamed ‘Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana’
Why is this in News?
Government may rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to “Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana.”
Government is also considering increasing guaranteed employment from 100 days to 125 days for eligible rural households.
FY25 data shows average employment per household was just 50 days, far below the legally guaranteed 100 days.
Only 40.70 lakh households completed 100 days of work in FY24; in FY25 so far, about 6.74 crore households have worked under the scheme.
Proposal comes alongside a Finance Ministry approval process related to rebranding and scheme restructuring.
A 2022 Rural Development Ministry committee had studied state performance and governance issues under MGNREGA; its report is guiding current changes.
Relevance
GS II – Governance
Rights-based welfare legislation; MGNREGA Act, 2005.
Centre–State financial relations; cooperative federalism.
Policy redesign, renaming, administrative reforms.
MIS, social audits, transparency, wage payments.
GS III – Indian Economy
Rural distress, labour markets, consumption effects.
Fiscal burden, employment guarantees, poverty reduction.
Impact of raising guaranteed days from 100 → 125.
What is MGNREGA?
Enacted under MGNREGA Act, 2005 — a rights-based, demand-driven wage employment programme.
Guarantees 100 days of unskilled work to every rural household (likely to increase to 125).
Work must be given within 15 days of demand; else unemployment allowance due.
Focus on: water conservation, land development, soil and moisture works, flood control, drought-proofing, rural infrastructure.
Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat central to planning and implementation.
India’s Rural Labour Context
FY25 average employment per household: 50 days → underutilisation of the guaranteed entitlement.
Households completing full 100 days (previous year): 40.70 lakh.
Total households already working in FY25: 6.74 crore.
Indicates high demand but limited provision of full entitlements.
Persistent mismatch between budget allocations, state delays, and actual rural distress levels.
Objectives of the Scheme
Provide livelihood security in rural areas.
Prevent seasonal migration and income volatility.
Support natural resource management and durable asset creation.
Promote participatory planning through Gram Sabhas.
Enhance rural women’s labour force participation; women constitute ~55% of the workforce.
Why Renaming is Being Considered
Aligning with Gandhian ideals of rural labour and self-reliance.
Government narrative to position rural employment as productive nation-building rather than welfare.
Renaming coincides with discussion on increasing guaranteed days to 125, signalling a policy shift.
Finance Ministry’s involvement indicates administrative restructuring and budget recalibration.
Political messaging: rural employment as core to development agenda.
Legal and Administrative Implications
Act name remains MGNREGA unless Parliament amends it.
Scheme/operational name can be changed via executive notification.
MIS, job cards, work demand registers, social audit formats must be updated.
States must retrain frontline staff and modify implementation guidelines.
Performance Snapshot with FY25 Updates
Average days provided: 50 (FY25) → well below guarantee.
Households demanding work remain high, reflecting rural distress.
Low achievement of 100 days target signals:
insufficient funds released on time,
rationing of work by states,
delays in wage payment,
administrative bottlenecks.
Social audits and transparency mechanisms uneven across states.
Strengths of MGNREGA
One of world’s largest employment programmes.
Counter-cyclical economic stabiliser (proven in drought years and COVID-19).
Enhances women’s earnings and rural empowerment.
Builds durable assets (check-dams, ponds, contour trenches, plantations).
Strong digital MIS for transparency.
Persistent Issues & Governance Challenges
Under-provision of work despite high demand (50 days avg.).
Delayed wage payments through PFMS.
Inadequate annual budget leading to states curbing demand.
Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) glitches.
Material-wage ratio rigidity in states with high material costs.
Weak social audit compliance in many states.
Political resistance to expanding fiscal outlay.
Implications of Increasing Guaranteed Days to 125
Positive
Higher labour absorption, better income security.
Stronger rural consumption effects.
Better environmental asset creation.
Concerns
Significant additional fiscal burden (estimated 20–25% increase).
States may struggle with administrative load without capacity enhancements.
Possible widening of delays if fund releases do not match demand.
Private Entry in Nuclear Sector & 100% FDI in Insurance
Why is this in News?
The Union Cabinet has cleared private participation in India’s civil nuclear sector and approved 100% FDI in the insurance sector, marking a major reform push.
Cabinet approved:
A Bill to amend FDI limits in insurance from 74% → 100%.
Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 under the SHANTI framework (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India), allowing private players to participate in nuclear energy activities.
The SHANTI Bill aims to add 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, a transformational expansion aligned with India’s long-term energy security and decarbonisation goals.
Government also announced a Nuclear Energy Mission with ₹20,000 crore outlay for development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), to be deployed by 2033.
Relevance
GS II – Governance & Policy
Reforming strategic sectors; legislative amendments (Atomic Energy Act).
Regulation of insurance sector; IRDAI reforms.
Federal implications, institutional capacity.
GS III – Economy, Energy & S&T
Private participation in nuclear → technology, SMRs, decarbonisation.
Energy security, climate commitments (100 GW by 2047).
Insurance capital mobilisation, financial deepening, long-term funds.
Strategic technology development under SHANTI framework.
Background: India’s Nuclear Sector
Atomic Energy Act, 1962 gives the Central government exclusive control over nuclear research, production, and power generation.
Private sector participation is currently limited to:
Components, EPC works
Fuel supply chain (non-strategic parts)
Construction services
Nuclear liability governed by:
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLND Act)
Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC), which India joined in 2016.
India aims for net-zero by 2070, requiring large-scale baseload clean energy; nuclear is crucial due to:
low emissions
stable load
energy security
Key Components of the Reform Package
Private Participation in Civil Nuclear Energy
SHANTI Bill allows private participants in civilian nuclear activities under regulated conditions.
Targets:
Add 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 (current ~7 GW).
Accelerate R&D, manufacturing, and deployment of reactors.
Allows private sector roles in:
reactor construction
component manufacturing
fuel fabrication (non-sensitive aspects)
equipment maintenance
operations under regulatory oversight
Nuclear Energy Mission for SMRs
Outlay: ₹20,000 crore.
Goal: Develop at least five indigenous SMRs deployable by 2033.
SMRs enable:
lower cost
faster installation
enhanced safety
suitability for remote/industrial regions
100% FDI in Insurance
FDI limit raised from 74% → 100% to:
attract long-term capital
increase insurance penetration
strengthen solvency and risk-bearing capacity
Strategy aligns with expected 7% annual growth in insurance over next five years.
Additional Governance Reforms
Restrictions on repatriation of dividends and key management roles eased.
Chairman/MD/CEO now required to be India-based for improved oversight.
Nuclear liability rules may be modified to align with global investor expectations, ensuring clarity on compensation and risk-sharing.
Why Private Participation in Nuclear?
Current Capacity Constraints
India’s nuclear capacity is stagnant at ~7 GW, far behind China (~55 GW) and U.S. (~95 GW).
Large capital costs and long construction cycles have slowed expansion.
Meeting Climate Targets
To reach the projected clean baseload requirement for 2070 net-zero, India needs:
diversification beyond solar/wind
stable power for industry and grid reliability
Private Sector Capabilities
Strong EPC, manufacturing, and design capabilities in companies like L&T, BHEL, Tata, Reliance.
Capable of reducing project delays and cost overruns.
Global Precedent
U.S., France, Japan, South Korea all have mixed public–private nuclear ecosystems.
Private sector essential for SMRs and next-gen reactors.
Expected Benefits of the Reforms
For the Nuclear Sector
Accelerated capacity addition (100 GW by 2047).
Attracts global nuclear technology leaders.
Boosts Make in India for nuclear components.
Enhances safety through modern designs (SMRs, passive safety systems).
Job creation in high-technology sectors.
For the Insurance Sector
Higher capital inflows → improved solvency norms.
Greater competition → better products, digital penetration.
Facilitates long-term infrastructure financing through insurance funds.
Challenges and Concerns
Nuclear Sector
Requires amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
Liability concerns under CLND Act may deter private players.
Need for strong regulatory oversight (AERB → possible independent regulator proposed).
Public perception and safety concerns persist.
High capital cost unless tariff arrangements stabilised.
Insurance Sector
Total foreign ownership may raise concerns of:
capital flight
data security
prioritisation of shareholder interests over policyholders
Need for robust IRDAI oversight.
Governance, Federal and Institutional Implications
Nuclear policy is Union List – restructuring requires central legislative action.
Independent safety tribunal proposed for nuclear sector.
Tariff-setting may shift to an independent regulator (like CERC model).
For insurance, IRDAI will need strengthened surveillance and consumer protection mechanisms.
Macro Significance
Reform package marks India’s transition to a high-investment, technology-driven energy future.
Positions India competitively in global SMR development.
Enhances foreign confidence in India’s financial and strategic sectors.
Enables long-term decarbonisation, energy independence, and capital mobilisation.