Content

1. Positioning India in an unruly world
2. Cutting off online gaming with the scissors of prohibition
3. Sliver of hope

Positioning India in an unruly world

Basics

• Context: A Foreign Affairs article (July/Aug 2025) titled “India’s Great Power Delusions” argues that India’s grand strategy is hollow and that it lags behind the U.S. and China.
• Issue: The editorial (by M.K. Narayanan, ex-NSA & Governor) rebuts this portrayal, highlighting India’s growth story, strategic autonomy, and technological promise.
• Why it matters: The debate reflects larger questions about India’s global role, perception gaps with the West, and its journey toward Great Power status.

Relevance:

• GS-II (International Relations): India’s strategic autonomy, role in multipolar world, contradictions in foreign policy.
• GS-III (Economy, S&T): Tech leadership, data dominance, and economic rise as pillars of power.

Practice Question:

“India’s global stature will depend less on moral authority and more on economic and technological strength.” Critically examine in the context of debates around India’s great power ambitions. (250 words)

Author’s Core Argument

• India’s transformation — from famine-prone to food exporter, and from poverty to a resilient economy — is unmatched.
• India exercises moral authority through Non-Alignment, conflict mediation, and civilisational balancing, unlike power politics of U.S. or China.
• Western analysts underestimate India’s ability to manage contradictions (e.g., Russia ties + Quad partnership).
• True power today lies in technology and data dominance, where India has strong potential; Western scepticism is misplaced.

Counter Arguments

• India’s GDP per capita, military capacity, and innovation ecosystem still lag far behind U.S./China.
• Overemphasis on “moral authority” may not translate into hard power influence in global geopolitics.
• Strategic autonomy has limits — dependence on Russian defence supplies and Western markets creates vulnerabilities.
• Technological optimism ignores persistent gaps in R&D investment, digital divide, and education quality.

Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Polity/Legal: India’s democratic model and constitutional values enhance its global legitimacy, but also slow decision-making compared to China’s state-centric model.
• Governance/Administrative: Balancing great power competition while ensuring internal governance reforms (bureaucratic efficiency, defence procurement, digital regulation) is key.
• Economy: India is world’s 4th largest economy (nominal GDP, 2025), but per-capita income, inequality, and middle-income trap concerns remain.
• Society: Demographic dividend and diaspora contribute to tech strength (e.g., Silicon Valley leadership), but issues like unemployment and skill mismatch persist.
• Environment/Science & Tech: India invests in digital public goods (UPI, Aadhaar, AI, space tech), but climate change and green transition demand resources.
• International: India positions itself via Quad, SCO, BRICS, and G20. However, contradictions (Russia ties vs. U.S. partnership) create strategic dilemmas.

Challenges

1. Bridging economic disparity with advanced nations.
2. Managing contradictions between U.S. alignment and Russia/China engagement.
3. Closing the tech and innovation gap with China and the West.
4. Dealing with border tensions with China while pursuing global ambitions.
5. Correcting perception gaps in Western strategic thinking.

Way Forward

• Strengthen economy: Focus on manufacturing, R&D, and human capital (NITI Aayog, NEP 2020).
• Strategic clarity: Evolve a coherent National Security Strategy (as suggested by various parliamentary committees).
• Technology leadership: Invest in AI, semiconductors, cyber, and green tech (aligned with Digital India & Atmanirbhar Bharat).
• Balanced diplomacy: Pursue “multi-alignment” while deepening partnerships in Global South (SDG framework, South-South cooperation).
• Institutional reforms: Implement ARC recommendations on governance and defence modernisation.

Conclusion

India’s rise as a great power is not without challenges, but dismissing it as “delusional” overlooks its economic resilience, civilisational depth, and technological promise. Its global stature will depend on how effectively it balances contradictions, builds hard power, and leverages its soft power for a sustainable future.

Value Addition:

• Economic Rank: India is the 4th largest economy (nominal GDP, 2025); 3rd largest in PPP terms.
• Strategic Autonomy Legacy: From Nehru’s Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) to today’s “multi-alignment” (Quad, BRICS, SCO, IPEF).
• National Security Strategy (NSS): Multiple parliamentary committees have recommended a codified NSS (not yet formally adopted).
• Tech Leadership Examples:
  • Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Aadhaar, UPI, ONDC.
  • Space: Chandrayaan-3 success, Gaganyaan (upcoming).
  • Semiconductors: India Semiconductor Mission (2021).
• Civilisational Soft Power: Yoga (UN International Day, 21 June), Ayurveda, Diaspora (largest in world: 32 million).

Cutting off online gaming with the scissors of prohibition

Basics

• Context: The Government of India passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, banning online real money games while promoting e-sports/social games.
• Issue: The Bill was pushed without debate or state consultation, raising concerns on federalism, constitutional rights, and economic fallout.
• Relevance: Balances societal harm (addiction, financial ruin) vs. innovation, jobs, and digital economy growth.

Relevance:

• GS-II (Polity & Governance): Federalism (Centre vs. States), constitutional rights under Article 19(1)(g).
• GS-III (Economy): Impact on jobs, GST, investor confidence.
• GS-I (Society): Addiction, youth vulnerability, public health.

Practice Question:
“Blanket prohibition of online gaming risks undermining federalism, economic growth, and digital innovation.” Discuss with reference to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. (250 words)

Author’s Core Argument

• The ban is short-sighted: regulation, not prohibition, is the right path.
• Responsible gaming tools (age-gating, self-exclusion, AML/KYC) already exist globally and could be strengthened in India.
• The ban will push players to illegal offshore platforms, eroding tax revenue (~₹17,000 crore GST) and accountability.
• It violates federalism and constitutional rights (Article 19(1)(g)), while damaging India’s digital economy, jobs, and FDI confidence.

Counter Arguments

• Addiction, suicides, and financial exploitation are real and rising social harms; prohibition sends a strong public health signal.
• State regulations (e.g., Tamil Nadu) vary, creating legal uncertainty; a central framework may offer uniformity.
• Regulating an industry with fast-changing tech and offshore players poses major enforcement challenges.
• Protecting vulnerable populations may outweigh short-term economic benefits.

Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Polity/Legal:
  • Betting & gambling fall under State List; Centre’s unilateral move raises federalism disputes.
  • Ban risks violating Article 19(1)(g), unless justified under “reasonable restrictions” (morality, public health).
• Governance/Administrative:
  • Lack of consultation with States/industry weakens cooperative federalism.
  • Regulatory capacity deficit highlighted — instead of oversight, blunt prohibition chosen.
• Economy:
  • Sector projected 1.5 lakh jobs by 2025; FDI losses likely.
  • GST revenue of ₹17,000 crore at risk.
  • Investor confidence shaken due to sudden policy flip-flop.
• Society:
  • Addiction, financial ruin, and youth vulnerability are genuine issues.
  • Banning formal operators may worsen risks by driving users to unregulated markets.
• Technology:
  • Online gaming overlaps with digital payments, AI, and content creation.
  • India risks missing a global growth industry central to Digital India and Startup India.
• International:
  • India’s unpredictability in digital regulation may deter global investors and damage credibility.

Challenges

1. Balancing public health concerns with digital innovation.
2. Jurisdictional overlap between Centre and States.
3. Preventing growth of illegal offshore networks.
4. Ensuring investor confidence and policy stability.
5. Building effective regulatory and enforcement capacity.

Way Forward

• Balanced regulation: Licensing, compliance standards, taxation — rather than blanket ban.
• Cooperative federalism: Involve States; align with 7th Schedule.
• Strengthen safeguards: Responsible gaming tools, age-gating, AI-based addiction monitoring.
• Independent regulator: As recommended by committees (e.g., NITI Aayog’s 2021 draft guidelines).
• Global best practices: UK Gambling Commission, Singapore’s model of skill/chance distinction.

Conclusion

The Bill highlights India’s regulatory dilemma — prohibition may protect citizens in the short run but risks harming federalism, economic potential, and digital innovation. A calibrated regulatory framework balancing social concerns with industry growth is the sustainable path forward.

Value Addition:

• Sector Size: India had 500+ million online gamers (2024), expected to touch 650 million by 2028.
• Economic Contribution: ₹17,000+ crore annual GST revenue; sector valued at $2.6 bn (2023) → projected $8.6 bn by 2027.
• Constitutional Angle:
  • Entry 34 & 62, State List → “Betting & Gambling” under state jurisdiction.
  • Article 19(1)(g): Right to profession/occupation → subject to reasonable restrictions.
• Judicial Precedents:
  • K.R. Lakshmanan v. State of Tamil Nadu (1996): Declared horse racing a game of skill, not chance.
  • SC & High Courts: Skill-based gaming cannot be banned like gambling.
• Comparative Practices:
  • UK: Gambling Commission with strict licensing.
  • Singapore: Distinction between skill and chance; supervised online platforms.

Sliver of Hope: An Inclusive Vision of Conservation

Basics

• Context: A recent survey in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve shows a rise in saltwater crocodile numbers and demographic diversity.
• Issue: Conservation policies in India historically focused on charismatic megafauna (tiger, elephant). This case shows the importance of protecting less charismatic species.
• Why it Matters: Expanding conservation beyond iconic animals can strengthen ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Relevance:

• GS-III (Environment): Biodiversity conservation, Wildlife Protection Act, climate change impacts.
• GS-II (Governance): Role of local/state institutions, conservation programmes.

Practice Question:
“Conservation success stories like the Sundarban crocodile recovery highlight the need to move beyond charismatic megafauna towards inclusive and climate-resilient biodiversity policies.” Discuss. (250 words)

 Author’s Core Argument

• Saltwater crocodile recovery is proof that targeted interventions + legal protection work, even for non-charismatic species.
• India’s model (Wildlife Protection Act, captive breeding, release programmes like Bhagabatpur) has been effective.
• Gaps remain: climate change, rising salinity, habitat loss — not fully integrated into law/policy.
• The success highlights the need for inclusive conservation that supports neglected species with proactive recovery plans.

Counter Arguments

• Focus on iconic species (tiger, elephant) has generated funding, political will, and public support — difficult to replicate for reptiles.
• Crocodile recovery may be an exception, not easily generalisable to other neglected species with different ecological needs.
• Balancing human settlement pressures with wildlife needs in Sundarbans may still constrain long-term success.

Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Polity/Legal:
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides statutory backing but is reactive.
  • Needs climate-linked amendments and species-specific recovery plans.
• Governance/Administrative:
  • Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project shows localised interventions can succeed.
  • Need better funding and coordination with state forest departments.
• Economy:
  • Healthy mangroves (aided by crocodile presence) protect coastal livelihoods and reduce disaster losses.
  • Ecotourism potential if balanced with ecological sensitivity.
• Society:
  • Public perception still favours “charismatic” species; requires communication strategy for wider conservation awareness.
  • Conflict risks (crocodile attacks) need mitigation to sustain community support.
• Environment/Science & Tech:
  • Crocodiles regulate prey and carcasses → ecosystem health indicator.
  • Climate change threats (salinity, cyclones, sea-level rise) demand anticipatory adaptation, e.g., climate refugia, assisted breeding.
• International:
  • Many countries neglect reptiles; India’s model offers a replicable template.
  • Supports India’s biodiversity commitments under CBD and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Challenges

1. Integrating climate change adaptation into wildlife law.
2. Overcoming bias toward megafauna in funding and policy.
3. Managing human-wildlife conflict in populated regions.
4. Habitat fragmentation and rising salinity in Sundarbans.
5. Building long-term political and financial support for neglected species.

Way Forward

• Update Wildlife Act with anticipatory, climate-resilient measures.
• Launch species recovery programmes for non-charismatic fauna with earmarked funding.
• Promote inclusive public awareness campaigns, beyond tigers and elephants.
• Identify climate refugia and create corridors for adaptation.
• Use global best practices (e.g., IUCN Species Survival Commission) for breeding and recovery.

Conclusion

The Sundarban crocodile success shows that inclusive, science-driven conservation is possible. To build resilient ecosystems, India must move beyond charismatic species and adopt a proactive, climate-conscious strategy for biodiversity protection.

Value Addition:

• Species Info: Crocodylus porosus → largest living reptile (can exceed 6 m, 1,000+ kg). Found in India, Southeast Asia, Northern Australia.
• Distribution in India: Odisha (Bhitarkanika), West Bengal (Sundarbans), Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern (globally stable, but locally vulnerable).
  • CITES: Appendix I (trade prohibited).
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I species (highest protection).
• Historical Decline: Nearly wiped out in 1970s due to hunting for skins and habitat loss.
• Success Stories:
  • Bhitarkanika (Odisha): From 96 individuals (1975) → over 1,800 today.
  • Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (WB): Breeding + release programme in Sundarbans.
• Ecological Role: Apex predator; regulates fish and crab populations; prevents carcass accumulation in mangroves.
• Threats:
  • Rising salinity and cyclones (Aila, Amphan, Yaas).
  • Human-crocodile conflict in coastal villages.