Content

1. Transformation of India’s Defence and Internal Security Posture
2. SCHEMES FOR TRIBAL AREAS

Transformation of India’s Defence and Internal Security Posture

Context & Background

• Pre-2014 Scenario:
  • Heavy dependence on imports (India among the top arms importers).
  • Defence procurement delays, lack of transparency, and poor private participation.
  • Internal security: Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) widespread, frequent terror attacks, porous borders.
• Post-2014 Shift:
  • Security framed as non-negotiable.
  • Focus on self-reliance (Atmanirbharta), deterrence, and proactive operations.
  • Integration of defence with broader national development (technology, economy, food, finance).

Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security , Defence)

Defence Expenditure & Production

• Defence Budget Growth:
  • ₹2.53 lakh crore (2013–14) → ₹6.81 lakh crore (2025–26).
  • Defence share of GDP remains modest (~2–2.5%) but more efficiently utilised.
• Defence Production:
  • Record ₹1.50 lakh crore (2024–25), triple 2014–15.
  • Indigenous platforms: fighter jets, missile systems, artillery, warships, carriers.
  • Exports: 34x growth; ₹23,622 crore in 2024–25 → exports to 100+ nations (including advanced economies like US, France).

Key Reforms for Self-Reliance

• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020:
  • Prioritises Buy (Indian – IDDM) over imports.
  • Pushes local design, development, and manufacturing.
• Make in India (Make-I, II, III):
  • Make-I: Govt funds up to 70% (₹250 Cr cap).
  • Make-II: Industry-funded, inclusive of MSMEs, suo-moto proposals.
  • Make-III: Local manufacturing with foreign ToT.
  • 146 projects approved across services.
• FDI Liberalisation:
  • 74% automatic route.
  • 100% govt route for advanced tech.
• Innovation Ecosystem:
  • iDEX (2018): Supports start-ups/MSMEs with grants.
  • TDF: Up to ₹10 Cr grants for advanced tech.
  • 25% defence R&D budget earmarked for non-government actors.
• Indigenisation Portals:
  • SRIJAN: 46,798 items listed for local development.
  • Positive Indigenisation Lists: 5 tranches, 5,012 items banned for imports.
• Offsets & Strategic Partnerships:
  • Offset Portal (2019): transparency in contracts.
  • SP Model (2017): Indian firms tie-ups with global OEMs → ToT, infra creation.

Technology Push

• AI & Next-gen Tech:
  • Defence AI Council (DAIC), Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA).
  • AI roadmaps for each DPSU.
  • DRDO focus areas: Space, Cyber, Robotics, Sensors, Soldier support.
• Future Readiness:
  • Sudarshan Chakra Mission (2025): By 2035, develop predictive defence technologies, all-Indian R&D & manufacturing, and national security shield for civilian & strategic assets.

Counter-Terror & Strategic Posture

• Proactive Operations:
  • 2016 Uri → Surgical Strikes.
  • 2019 Pulwama → Balakot Air Strikes.
  • 2025 Pahalgam (Operation Sindoor): Drone strikes on 9 terror camps, 100+ terrorists eliminated.
• Five “New Normals” on Pakistan (PM Modi’s doctrine):
  • Firm, decisive responses to terror.
  • No tolerance of nuclear blackmail.
  • Terrorists = Sponsors equally culpable.
  • Talks only on terrorism & PoJK.
  • No compromise on sovereignty (terror & talks/trade mutually exclusive).

Internal Security Stabilisation

• Left-Wing Extremism (LWE):
  • 2010: 1,936 incidents → 2024: 374 incidents.
  • Casualties (civilian + security) down by 85%.
  • Fewer than 20 affected districts (down from ~90+).
  • 8,000+ Naxalites surrendered/rehabilitated.
• Approach: Security + Development.
  • Infrastructure (roads, telecom, schools) in LWE zones.
  • Welfare schemes expanded to previously cut-off regions.

National Security Beyond Defence

• Food Security:
  • Production: 246 MT (2013–14) → 354 MT (2024–25).
  • PMGKAY: 81 Cr beneficiaries of free food grains.
  • PM-KISAN: ₹3.9 lakh crore disbursed to farmers.
• Financial Security:
  • FI-Index: 67.0 (2025), +24% since 2021.
  • 89% account ownership (Global Findex 2025).
  • PMJDY: 56 Cr beneficiaries, ₹2.64 lakh crore balance.
• Dairy & Fisheries:
  • Milk: 146 MT → 239 MT (2014–24).
  • Fisheries: 96 LT → 195 LT (2014–25).
  • India = World’s largest milk producer, inland fish production doubled.
• Technology & Industry:
  • India Semiconductor Mission (₹76,000 Cr, 2021).
  • First 3nm chip design centres in Noida & Bengaluru (2025).
  • First indigenous chip ready for production (2025).

Strategic Impact

• Shift in Global Image:
  • From passive security stance to assertive regional power.
  • From top importer to emerging exporter.
  • Greater autonomy in policy due to reduced defence import dependence.
• Doctrinal Evolution:
  • Preventive, not just reactive, posture.
  • Integrated view of security: defence, economy, energy, food, finance.
  • Security = foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Conclusion

• India’s defence & internal security transformation (2014–2025) is structural, not cosmetic.
• Key pillars: Atmanirbharta, Innovation, Deterrence, Proactivity, Comprehensive Security.
• Achievements: Rising global exporter, technological self-reliance, reduced LWE & terror vulnerability, integrated national resilience.
• Overall → India today speaks and acts from a position of strength, aiming for Viksit Bharat with a security doctrine that fuses hard power, economic resilience, and technology leadership.

SCHEMES FOR TRIBAL AREAS

Context & Constitutional Framework

• Scheduled Tribes (STs): Identified under Article 342 of the Constitution; development of STs is a constitutional commitment.
• Directive Principles: Article 46 directs the State to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections, especially STs.
• Special Provisions:
  • Article 275(1): Special Central Assistance (SCA) as grants to states with ST population for welfare.
  • Fifth Schedule: Administration of Scheduled Areas.
  • Sixth Schedule: Autonomous District Councils in NE states.

Relevance : GS 1(Society) , GS 2(Social Justice , Governance)

Institutional Mechanism for Tribal Development

• Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA): Nodal Ministry for ST development.
• Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST):
  • Strategy where 41 Ministries/Departments earmark part of their budget for tribal development.
  • Focus: bridging ST vs non-ST gaps in education, health, agriculture, skill, infrastructure.
• Coordination: MoTA ensures convergence of schemes across line ministries.

Major Schemes / Programmes (Core + Flagship)

• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (2024–29):
  • PM-launched; 25 interventions, 17 Ministries.
  • Target: Saturate 63,843 villages in 30 States/UTs; benefit 5 crore tribals.
  • Budget: ₹79,156 Cr (Centre: ₹56,333 Cr; States: ₹22,823 Cr).
  • Focus: Health, education, Anganwadi infra, livelihoods.
• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN, 2023–26):
  • Launched on 15 Nov 2023 (Janjatiya Gaurav Divas).
  • Outlay: ₹24,000 Cr.
  • Focus: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
  • Goals: Safe housing, clean water, sanitation, road/telecom connectivity, electrification, health, nutrition, livelihood.
• Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM):
  • Merged schemes: MSP for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) + Marketing of Tribal Products.
  • Features:
    • MSP fixation & procurement for MFP.
    • Sustainable collection & value addition.
    • Market intelligence + value chain infra.

Education & Human Resource Development

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS):
  • Started in 2018–19.
  • Target: 728 schools (1/block with >50% ST population & ≥20,000 STs).
  • Beneficiaries: 3.5 lakh ST students.
• Scholarships:
  • Pre-Matric (IX–X):
    • Income ≤ ₹2.5 Lakh/year.
    • Day scholars: ₹225/month; Hostellers: ₹525/month.
    • Funding: 75:25 (Centre:State); 90:10 for NE + Hilly States.
  • Post-Matric:
    • Income ≤ ₹2.5 Lakh/year.
    • Reimbursement of compulsory fees + stipend (₹230–₹1200/month).
    • Same funding ratio.
  • National Overseas Scholarship: 20 awards/year (17 STs, 3 PVTGs). Income ≤ ₹6 Lakh.
  • National Fellowship (MPhil/PhD) & Top Class Education (IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, etc.): 750 fellowships/year; income limit ≤ ₹6 Lakh.

Social Security & Welfare

• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):
  • Includes STs.
  • Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): BPL persons aged ≥60 years.
• Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organizations:
  • For education, health, hostels, dispensaries, livelihood.

Research, Culture & Heritage

• Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs):
  • Activities: Research, training, documentation, tribal museums, cultural promotion.
  • 100% funding by MoTA.

West Bengal – Fund Flow Snapshot (2022–25)

Education Scholarships

• Pre-Matric:
  • 2022–23: ₹29.89 Cr.
  • 2023–24: Data NA.
  • 2024–25*: Provisional (yet to be updated).
• Post-Matric:
  • 2022–23: ₹34.06 Cr.
  • 2023–24: ₹35.00 Cr.
  • 2024–25*: Provisional.

Development of PVTGs

• 2022–23: ₹665.95 Lakh.
• 2023–24: ₹0 (gap year).
• 2024–25*: ₹1631.05 Lakh.

NSTFDC Loans (Tribal Finance & Development)

• 2022–23: ₹1643.33 Lakh.
• 2023–24: ₹1526.59 Lakh.
• 2024–25*: ₹2233.75 Lakh.

Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY)

• 2022–23: ₹3495.20 Lakh.
• 2023–24: ₹0.00.
• 2024–25*: ₹0.00.

Article 275(1) Grants

• 2022–23: ₹4186.5 Lakh.
• 2023–24: ₹4744.4 Lakh.
• 2024–25*: ₹3549.61 Lakh.

Grant-in-Aid to NGOs

• 2022–23: ₹476.1 Lakh.
• 2023–24: ₹1167.79 Lakh.
• 2024–25*: ₹1390.18 Lakh.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

• 2022–23: ₹2303.67 Lakh.
• 2023–24: ₹1869.70 Lakh.
• 2024–25*: ₹1789.50 Lakh.

Key Observations

• Shift to Mission Mode: PM-JANMAN & Dharti Aaba Abhiyan show convergence-driven, saturation-based development targeting infrastructure + livelihood.
• Focus on PVTGs: Dedicated budget lines & saturation approach within 3 years.
• Education Push: EMRS expansion + multi-tier scholarship architecture (school to PhD + overseas).
• Financial Inclusion: NSTFDC loans growing steadily; tribal entrepreneurship focus.
• Fund Utilization (West Bengal):
  • Fluctuations visible (e.g., PVTG funds dropped to zero in 2023–24; PMAAGY halted after 2022–23).
  • Scholarships & EMRS grants consistent but modest.
  • Article 275(1) funds steady with small decline in 2024–25.

Overall Takeaways

• Tribal policy has moved from welfare-based → rights-based → saturation & mission-mode convergence.
• Emphasis on education, livelihood, infrastructure, and PVTG inclusion.
• Persistent challenge: irregular fund flow & inter-year fluctuations (esp. in WB).
• Strong role of constitutional provisions (275(1), 5th & 6th Schedule) + DAPST convergence strategy.
• Key trend: Integration of tribal development with mainstream growth via MSP, EMRS, skill, and infrastructure.