1. Right to Information Act Marks 20 Years: Challenges and Reforms
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The RTI Act, 2005, celebrates its 20th anniversary, having empowered over 3 crore annual applications for transparency, but faces dilution through amendments limiting appeals and political party exemptions.
- Landmark CIC rulings have extended RTI to PMO, RBI, and CJI’s office, setting global benchmarks, yet executive opacity in data on unemployment and health persists, earning India the “No Data Available” label.
- Political interference in CIC appointments treats them as post-retirement perks, reducing independence and reluctance to probe executive actions, as highlighted in recent SNS reports.
- Article 19(1)(a) underpins RTI’s democratic role; calls for digital e-filing portals aim to cut pendency from 2.5 lakh cases, enhancing access for marginalized groups.
- Implementation gaps include delayed responses (average 100 days) and misuse for personal vendettas, prompting need for training 10 lakh PIOs nationwide.
2. Shram Shakti Niti 2025: Labour and Employment Stack Initiative
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The policy introduces a unified digital “stack” for labour governance, layering tech services for gig workers’ registration, wage tracking, and social security under one platform.
- Envisioned as a backbone for 50 crore informal workers, it integrates Aadhaar, UPI, and AI for real-time compliance, aligning with Code on Social Security, 2020.
- Pilot in 5 states from October 2025 targets 1 crore gig workers, reducing disputes by 30% via automated grievance redressal.
- GS-2 relevance: Promotes inclusive governance; challenges include data privacy under DPDP Act and digital divide in rural areas.
- Expected to boost female workforce participation to 35% by linking with Skill India, addressing urban-rural labour migration.
3. Operation Golden Sweep Targets Gold Smuggling Networks
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- DRI’s intelligence-driven operation seizes ₹500 crore in assets, busting 20 syndicates involving airport staff and transit carriers.
- Under Customs Act, 1962, it disrupts hawala-linked flows harming formal economy; 50 arrests highlight multi-layered internal-external chains.
- Economic safeguard: Prevents ₹2,000 crore annual revenue loss; ties to black money funding, impacting fiscal deficit.
- Broader implications: Strengthens border economic security; future phases target SEZ vulnerabilities with AI surveillance.
- GS-3 relevance: Links to money laundering under PMLA; international cooperation with UAE yields 70% conviction rate.
4. Great Green Wall Initiative: Africa’s Desertification Battle
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- 20% progress in tree cover across 11 countries, but funding gaps (only 40% mobilized) hinder 100 million hectare goal by 2030.
- India supports via South-South tech transfer on afforestation; lessons for Thar Desert projects under UNCCD.
- Challenges: Community land rights conflicts displace 5 lakh locals; climate variability reduces survival rates to 60%.
- Economic angle: Potential to create 10 million jobs in eco-tourism; India’s ₹500 crore pledge aids monitoring via ISRO satellites.
- Relevance: Ties to SDG 13; models for India’s NMNF, promoting resilient agriculture in arid zones.
5. Foreign Currency Settlement System (FCSS) Launch for Rupee Trade
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- FM Sitharaman unveils platform at GIFT City for rupee-denominated settlements with EFTA, slashing USD dependency by 20%.
- Enables $100 bn FDI inflows over 15 years under TEPA; integrates UPI for seamless cross-border payments.
- Atmanirbhar boost: Reduces forex risks for exporters; pilot with UAE processes ₹5,000 crore monthly.
- Challenges: Regulatory harmonization with 10 partner nations; GS-3 relevance to monetary policy autonomy.
- Long-term: Aligns with RBI’s internationalization vision, targeting 10% global trade share by 2030.
