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October 28 – UPSC Current Affairs – PM IAS

October 28, 2025No Comments

1. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls: Constitutional and Political Challenge

  • Syllabus Relevance: GS-2: Polity and Governance (Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act, Election Commission of India functions, Electoral Reforms).
  • Context and Significance:
    • The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across several states and Union Territories. This significant administrative exercise mandates all registered electors, especially those added after a certain cut-off date, to re-submit enumeration forms along with proof of eligibility and citizenship.
    • The primary goal is to purify the electoral rolls by removing duplicate entries, deceased persons, and non-citizens, thereby enhancing the integrity and accuracy of the democratic process.
    • The move, however, has instantly become a subject of intense political and legal controversy. Petitions challenging the SIR process have reached the Supreme Court, highlighting a deep distrust between the executive/statutory body (ECI) and certain political factions.
  • Multi-Dimensional Analysis (Mains Perspective):
    • Constitutional and Legal Basis: The ECI draws its power from Article 324 of the Constitution, which grants it the authority to superintend, direct, and control the preparation of electoral rolls. Specifically, the Representation of People’s Act (RPA), 1950 (Section 21), governs the preparation and revision of rolls. The ECI argues that the SIR is a necessary exercise to uphold the principle of ‘one person, one vote’ and rectify the “historical accumulation of anomalies.”
    • Challenge of Disenfranchisement: Critics argue that the stringent requirement for documentation and the tight administrative deadlines pose a huge risk of mass disenfranchisement. This burden disproportionately falls on vulnerable populations like migrant workers, daily wage labourers, pavement dwellers, and people in areas with high tenant turnover (urban centres like Delhi and Mumbai), who frequently lack permanent, verifiable residential or historical documentation. This essentially turns a process of voter verification into a process of potential voter deletion.
    • Federal and Political Friction: The revision has been interpreted by some state governments and political parties as an overreach by the Centre/ECI, raising questions about electoral fairness ahead of upcoming state and general elections. The experience from states where SIR was recently concluded (e.g., a reported 6% reduction in electors in Bihar) fuels the political narrative of an alleged plot to manipulate the electorate.
    • Administrative and Technological Hurdles: The process places immense pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who must conduct house-to-house verification. The ECI’s reliance on linking new forms to previous (pre-2005) rolls is logistically cumbersome and often impossible due to mass migration and demographic changes over two decades. There is a clear need for greater integration of technology for cross-referencing data (like Aadhaar and other databases) while maintaining strict data privacy safeguards.
  • Positive and Negative – Government Scheme/Initiative:
    • Positive Outcomes:
      • Electoral Purity: A cleaner and more accurate roll prevents electoral fraud and ensures every legitimate vote counts.
      • Data Accuracy: Provides up-to-date demographic data crucial for policymakers and urban planning.
      • Restoring Trust: Transparency in roll preparation can enhance public confidence in the electoral system.
    • Negative Outcomes:
      • High Risk of Exclusion: Arbitrary deletion of eligible voters due to administrative errors or failure to meet documentation standards.
      • Voter Harassment: The rigorous verification process can cause unnecessary anxiety and inconvenience to citizens.
      • Political Weaponisation: The process is vulnerable to being politicised, undermining the ECI’s credibility as a neutral body.
  • Way Forward (Suggestions for Reform):
    • Flexibility and Inclusion: The ECI must adopt a “verification first, deletion last” policy. Acknowledge and accept a wider range of alternative documents, especially for vulnerable populations, and implement a special window for re-inclusion of genuinely deleted names.
    • Leverage Technology: Utilize advanced data analytics and geo-spatial mapping to identify anomalies without solely relying on manually intensive house-to-house verification. Implement secure, transparent digital linkages between various government databases for cross-checking.
    • Public Outreach: Launch a massive, multi-lingual, and multi-media awareness campaign to clearly communicate the process, requirements, and redressal mechanisms to citizens.
    • Decentralized Redressal: Strengthen the grievance redressal system at the district and block levels, ensuring timely and accessible judicial review to prevent illegal exclusions before the final roll publication.
  • Conclusion:
    • The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is an administrative necessity to buttress the democratic foundation. However, the ECI must ensure that the pursuit of electoral purity does not compromise the sanctity of universal adult franchise. A transparent, flexible, and citizen-centric process, focused on maximizing inclusion, is the only way to navigate the political storm and uphold the spirit of the Indian Constitution.
  • Practice Mains Question:
    • “Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is critical for electoral purity, yet it carries the risk of mass disenfranchisement.” Analyze this statement in light of the ECI’s recent mandate and suggest measures to ensure an inclusive and judicially sound electoral roll preparation process. (15 Marks)

2. Union Cabinet Approves Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC)

  • Syllabus Relevance: GS-2: Governance (Government policies and interventions, accountability); GS-3: Indian Economy (Government Budgeting, Fiscal policy, Inflation).
  • Context and Significance:
    • The Union Cabinet approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), formally setting in motion the mechanism to review and revise the pay structure, allowances, and pensions for approximately 49 lakh Central Government employees and 68 lakh pensioners.
    • The CPC is a statutory body constituted every ten years to recommend changes in remuneration, aimed at ensuring that the compensation package for civil servants is fair, competitive, and commensurate with the increasing cost of living and responsibilities.
    • The recommendations are due to be implemented by January 1, 2026, and will be crucial for the government’s fiscal planning and employee morale.
  • Multi-Dimensional Analysis (Mains Perspective):
    • Fiscal and Macroeconomic Impact: The most significant impact of the 8th CPC will be on the Union Budget’s revenue expenditure. A pay hike will lead to a substantial increase in the government’s salary and pension bill, which could widen the fiscal deficit if not carefully managed. Furthermore, the resulting increase in disposable income across a large population segment can lead to a demand-pull inflation, requiring tight monitoring by the RBI.
    • Governance and Administrative Efficiency: A major objective of the 8th CPC is to link pay hikes with performance and productivity. The commission is expected to recommend reforms to incentivize superior service delivery, possibly through a robust performance-related pay (PRP) mechanism. This addresses the long-standing criticism of incremental, time-bound promotions irrespective of actual work output.
    • Human Resource Management in Civil Services: The review must address the challenges of lateral entry, specialization, and capacity building. The compensation structure needs to be dynamic to attract and retain specialized talent in critical areas like cybersecurity, data science, and renewable energy, where government salaries often lag behind the private sector. The CPC’s recommendations will be critical in designing a modern, meritocratic Civil Service.
    • Social Equity and Pension Reforms: The commission is tasked with reviewing the National Pension System (NPS) and addressing the complex issue of pension liabilities. It will also consider the pay parity between various services and address anomalies arising from previous CPCs. The review must be sensitive to the socio-economic conditions of lower-rung employees and pensioners.
  • Positive and Negative – Government Initiative:
    • Positive Outcomes:
      • Economic Stimulus: Increased government expenditure and employee consumption can provide a short-term boost to GDP growth.
      • Employee Morale: A fair pay revision enhances the motivation and commitment of the government workforce, potentially reducing corruption and increasing efficiency.
      • Attracting Talent: Competitive compensation helps in attracting highly qualified professionals into government service, especially at senior levels.
    • Negative Outcomes:
      • Fiscal Strain: The hike can put significant pressure on government finances, potentially leading to reduced capital expenditure or increased borrowing.
      • Inflationary Pressure: A sudden surge in consumer demand can fuel inflation, eroding the real value of the salary hike for employees and negatively impacting the non-government sector.
      • State Finances: State governments often follow the Central Pay Commission’s recommendations, leading to a ripple effect that strains state budgets.
  • Way Forward (Suggestions for the CPC):
    • Fiscal Sustainability: The CPC should suggest measures for revenue augmentation (e.g., asset monetization, divestment) to offset the increased expenditure, ensuring the hike is fiscally neutral over the medium term.
    • Performance Linkage: Move away from the fixed increment structure to a system where a significant portion of pay or increment is genuinely based on measurable performance appraisal.
    • Consolidation of Allowances: Recommend the rationalization and reduction of obsolete or numerous allowances into consolidated bands to simplify the pay structure.
    • Holistic Pension Review: Conduct a thorough review of the NPS mechanism to ensure it is both actuarially sound and provides adequate social security for retirees.
  • Conclusion:
    • The 8th CPC is a significant tool for both welfare and reform. It provides an opportunity to not only ensure a dignified livelihood for civil servants but also to restructure the bureaucracy into a high-performing, citizen-centric, and fiscally responsible organization. Its recommendations must strike a delicate balance between equity, efficiency, and macroeconomic stability.
  • Practice Mains Question:
    • Analyze the fiscal implications and governance challenges likely to be addressed by the 8th Central Pay Commission. How can the Commission ensure its recommendations are financially sustainable and lead to a performance-driven bureaucracy? (15 Marks)

3. Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses: India’s 6-Year Plan for Self-Reliance

  • Syllabus Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy (Major crops, Agricultural policies, Food Processing); GS-3: Food Security (Issues related to buffer stocks).
  • Context and Significance:
    • India’s Ministry of Agriculture announced a focused, six-year national mission aimed at achieving self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in the production of pulses (legumes). Despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, India still relies on imports to bridge the gap between demand and supply, often leading to price volatility.
    • The mission sets a target of increasing pulse production from the current levels to significantly higher figures, through a combination of area expansion, yield improvement, and technological adoption.
  • Multi-Dimensional Analysis (Mains Perspective):
    • Economic Imperative: Achieving self-sufficiency will save significant foreign exchange reserves that are currently spent on importing pulses (e.g., lentils, tur/arhar). It will also help in managing food inflation as adequate buffer stocks will stabilize market prices, benefiting both consumers and the national exchequer.
    • Agricultural Science and Sustainability: Pulses are crucial for soil health as they fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. The mission focuses on R&D to develop climate-resilient, short-duration, and high-protein varieties that can withstand erratic weather patterns, making them suitable for mixed cropping and arid regions.
    • Nutritional Security: Pulses are the primary source of protein for a large vegetarian population and often the only source of affordable protein for the economically weaker sections. Boosting pulse production is directly linked to combating protein-energy malnutrition and hidden hunger in India, making it a critical aspect of the National Food Security Mission.
    • Farmer Welfare and Diversification: The mission encourages farmers in traditionally non-pulse growing areas (like rice-wheat belts) to adopt pulse cultivation as a third crop or inter-crop, offering an opportunity for crop diversification and higher income, especially since pulses require less water compared to cash crops like sugarcane or paddy.
  • Positive and Negative – Government Scheme/Initiative:
    • Positive Outcomes:
      • Reduced Import Bill: Strengthens India’s trade balance and economic stability.
      • Soil Fertility: Promotes sustainable agriculture through natural nitrogen fixation.
      • Nutritional Upliftment: Provides accessible and affordable protein, improving national health indices.
      • Climate Resilience: Focus on hardy pulse varieties enhances farming system stability against climate change.
    • Negative Outcomes:
      • Procurement and Storage Gaps: Lack of a robust and timely Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement system often leads to distress sales by farmers. Insufficient scientific storage capacity can lead to wastage.
      • Market Volatility: Global price fluctuations for imported pulses can undermine domestic efforts and create an uneven playing field for local farmers.
      • Seed Quality: Challenge of distributing quality, certified seeds and providing technical know-how to a vast network of small and marginal farmers.
  • Way Forward (Suggestions for Effective Implementation):
    • Assured Procurement: Strengthen the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to ensure that farmers receive the declared MSP for their produce, providing a strong market signal.
    • Value Chain Integration: Promote the establishment of pulse-processing units (dal mills) near farming clusters to reduce post-harvest losses and create local employment.
    • R&D and Extension: Significantly boost funding for agricultural research in pulses and use Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and digital platforms to effectively disseminate information on best practices and new seed varieties.
    • Credit and Insurance: Ensure affordable credit and crop insurance is available specifically for pulse farmers, mitigating the risk associated with this seasonal, rain-fed crop.
  • Conclusion:
    • The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is a mission of economic, ecological, and nutritional significance. While the intent is clear, success will be determined by the effective coordination of MSP-based market stability, technological adoption, and robust post-harvest infrastructure. This mission is essential not just for a self-reliant India but also for a healthier and wealthier Indian farmer.
  • Practice Mains Question:
    • Discuss the imperatives for India to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in pulse production. What are the key challenges in enhancing pulse yield and how can policy interventions ensure both price stability and nutritional security? (15 Marks)

4. Decline of Dogri Language and Linguistic Heritage Preservation

  • Syllabus Relevance: GS-1: Indian Heritage and Culture (Indian languages, Art forms); GS-2: Social Justice (Protection of vulnerable groups, government schemes).
  • Context and Significance:
    • A recent study and media attention highlighted the alarming decline in the spoken use and literacy of the Dogri language in its traditional home, the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir. Dogri is an Indo-Aryan language and a proud member of the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution (added in 2003), making its preservation a constitutional mandate.
    • The decline is symptomatic of a broader national crisis concerning the erosion of India’s vast linguistic diversity due to modernization and the increasing dominance of major national and international languages in education and professional life.
  • Multi-Dimensional Analysis (Mains Perspective):
    • Cultural and Identity Loss: Language is the primary repository of a community’s unique culture, oral history, proverbs, and folk songs. The decline of Dogri threatens the distinct Dogra cultural identity and the extinction of its unrecorded heritage. The loss is not just linguistic but a loss of a particular worldview.
    • Constitutional and Policy Failure: Despite its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, the constitutional promise of promoting the language has not fully materialized. The lack of robust policy implementation, especially in primary education and local administration, acts as a major deterrent for its propagation. The Union government’s commitment to cultural diversity is tested by such localized language crises.
    • Socio-Economic Pressures: Urbanization and migration have led to a preference for Hindi or English as the languages of commerce, higher education, and upward mobility. Parents often discourage children from speaking Dogri at home, fearing it will impede their academic and career success—a classic case of instrumental value superseding cultural value.
    • Data and Institutional Gaps: The absence of updated, granular linguistic data (due to delayed Census) hinders effective policy formulation and resource allocation for language development. Institutions like the Sahitya Akademi or the Dogri Sanstha, while dedicated, often lack the financial muscle and outreach required for a large-scale revival.
  • Positive and Negative – Government Scheme/Initiative:
    • Positive Efforts (Existing):
      • Eighth Schedule Status: Provides official recognition and support for development by the government.
      • Literary Promotion: Organizations like Sahitya Akademi publish and promote Dogri literature and poetry.
      • Media Presence: Limited presence in regional Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) programming.
    • Negative Aspects (Challenges):
      • Lack of Digital Content: Minimal online courses, digital archives, and presence on major social media platforms.
      • Educational Exclusion: Insufficient integration into the formal school curriculum beyond basic levels, especially in urban schools.
      • Low Economic Incentive: Not linked to any significant job opportunities in either the public or private sector, making it an economically non-viable language to invest time in learning.
  • Way Forward (Suggestions for Revival):
    • Digitalization and Archiving: Launch a mission for the digital archiving and transcription of all available Dogri manuscripts and oral traditions. Develop apps, online learning modules, and a dedicated Dogri digital library.
    • Effective Education Policy: Strict implementation of the three-language formula, making Dogri mandatory in schools in the region. Promote it as a medium of instruction at the primary level.
    • Incentivisation: Link proficiency in Dogri with economic opportunities, such as providing preference in state government jobs or supporting local tourism initiatives that use the language.
    • Media and Arts Promotion: Provide subsidies and state support for local Dogri films, music, theatre, and media production to enhance its visibility and appeal among the youth.
    • Inter-Generational Transfer: Encourage community-led initiatives for elders to teach the language to younger generations, bridging the gap between home and school.
  • Conclusion:
    • The decline of Dogri is a wake-up call for India’s commitment to its cultural federalism. Preserving the language is not an act of nostalgia but a strategic necessity to maintain the nation’s unique socio-cultural fabric. A revival strategy must be multi-pronged, blending constitutional backing, digital modernization, and economic incentivization to ensure Dogri’s vitality in the 21st century.
  • Practice Mains Question:
    • Despite constitutional recognition, many regional languages in India, like Dogri, face an existential threat. Analyze the causes for this decline and suggest a comprehensive strategy for linguistic heritage preservation that balances cultural value with economic necessity. (15 Marks)

5. PM-SHRI Schools Scheme: Implementation and Federal Tensions

  • Syllabus Relevance: GS-2: Social Justice (Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education); GS-2: Polity (Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure).
  • Context and Significance:
    • The PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme, approved by the Union Government in 2022, aims to develop existing central and state-run schools into “exemplar schools” that fully showcase and implement the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
    • The scheme involves a substantial financial commitment with a specific funding pattern (often 60:40 or 90:10 for certain states) and is intended to be a laboratory for pedagogical and infrastructure innovation across the country.
    • The recent news focused on states, particularly those governed by opposition parties, initially resisting the scheme but later agreeing to implement it, highlighting the underlying friction in Centre-State relations over the education sector.
  • Multi-Dimensional Analysis (Mains Perspective):
    • Educational Transformation: PM-SHRI schools are designed to offer holistic education, including technological integration (smart classrooms, IT labs), competency-based learning, vocational education, and the development of Green School initiatives. They are expected to serve as mentor institutions, demonstrating best practices to other schools in their vicinity.
    • Conditional Federalism: Education is on the Concurrent List, allowing both the Centre and States to legislate. The controversy arises because PM-SHRI funding is often linked to the States’ commitment to adopting the central government’s guidelines and policies (NEP 2020), a concept known as “Conditional Federalism”. States argue this infringes upon their autonomy to determine curriculum and local educational models.
    • Fiscal Dependency and Burden Sharing: States often find the conditions attached to Central Sector/Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) too restrictive or find the funding ratio (State Share) burdensome. The need for additional funds to upgrade schools often compels states to accept these conditions, creating a feeling of being coerced into implementing a central vision.
    • Equity and Coverage: The scheme selects only a fixed number of schools per block/city, which raises the question of equity in resource distribution. While the exemplar schools benefit, the vast majority of government schools, which also require urgent attention, may be overlooked, potentially creating an unequal two-tier public education system.
  • Positive and Negative – Government Scheme/Initiative:
    • Positive Outcomes (Scheme Goals):
      • NEP 2020 Implementation Lab: Provides a visible, functioning model of the new education policy.
      • Infrastructure Upgrade: Massive investment in modernizing outdated government school buildings and facilities.
      • Green Initiatives: Focus on environment-friendly practices (solar panels, waste management) through the Green School concept.
      • Quality Upliftment: Introduces new pedagogical and assessment methods to improve learning outcomes.
    • Negative Outcomes (Implementation Challenges):
      • Undermining State Autonomy: Perceived coercion and centralisation of educational planning, undermining the State’s role in the Concurrent List.
      • Creaming Effect: Risk of teachers and students shifting from regular government schools to PM-SHRI schools, leading to a decline in non-PM-SHRI schools.
      • Funding Disagreements: Disputes over the State’s share of funding and the administrative complexities of releasing grants.
  • Way Forward (Suggestions for Cooperative Implementation):
    • True Cooperative Federalism: The Centre should offer greater flexibility in the implementation guidelines, allowing states to adapt the NEP vision to their local context, language, and culture.
    • Transparent Metrics: Develop joint Centre-State metrics to evaluate the performance of PM-SHRI schools based on actual learning outcomes (competency-based assessment) rather than mere infrastructure spending.
    • Capacity Building: Focus on robust, centralized training programs for teachers and administrators in PM-SHRI schools to ensure the quality of human capital matches the upgraded infrastructure.
    • Wider Rollout: Gradually expand the best practices and models developed in PM-SHRI schools to the entire public school system to ensure systemic improvement, not just isolated excellence.
  • Conclusion:
    • The PM-SHRI scheme is a pivotal project for ushering in the NEP 2020 reforms. However, for a subject as sensitive as education, its success must not come at the cost of Centre-State trust. The path forward lies in nurturing a spirit of cooperative federalism, where the Centre provides the vision and resources, and the States ensure local, contextualized implementation for the benefit of every child.
  • Practice Mains Question:
    • “The PM-SHRI scheme is a case study of conditional federalism in the education sector.” Critically analyze the scheme in the context of Centre-State relations and the successful implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. (15 Marks)

6. New Digital and Welfare Initiatives for the Indian Army

  • Syllabus Relevance: GS-3: Internal Security (Defence Technology, Role of Security Forces); GS-2: Governance (e-Governance, Defence Policy).
  • Context and Significance:
    • As part of the Indian Army’s commitment to the ‘Decade of Transformation,’ the Defence Minister inaugurated several new digital and welfare platforms. These include strategic initiatives like Edge Data Centres for specific Corps (e.g., Konark and Fire & Fury) and welfare tools like the Equipment Help Line (EHL) Portal and the ‘Sainik Yatra Mitra App’.
    • These initiatives reflect a critical shift in modern defence strategy, emphasizing the integration of Information Technology (IT) for both enhanced operational capability and improved human resource management.
  • Multi-Dimensional Analysis (Mains Perspective):
    • Strategic Capability and Edge Computing: The deployment of Edge Data Centres in forward/tactical areas is a key technological leap. Edge Computing involves processing data closer to the source (i.e., the operational area) rather than sending it back to centralized cloud servers. This drastically reduces latency, enabling real-time intelligence analysis, faster decision-making (OODA Loop), and quicker deployment of counter-measures, which is vital in high-altitude or remote border conflicts.
    • Logistics and Maintenance Efficiency (EHL Portal): The Equipment Help Line (EHL) Portal standardizes and centralizes the reporting, tracking, and resolution of maintenance issues for a vast inventory of military equipment. This e-governance platform enhances logistics transparency, accountability, and reduces the downtime of critical weapon systems, thereby ensuring higher operational readiness of the fighting formations.
    • Personnel Welfare and Morale (Sainik Yatra Mitra App): The ‘Sainik Yatra Mitra App’ focuses on the crucial aspect of soldier welfare, specifically addressing the challenges faced by personnel and their families during travel (leave, posting, or family exigencies). By providing features like real-time ticket availability, route planning, and assistance contacts, the app aims to improve the quality of life and morale, which directly impacts a soldier’s focus and commitment.
    • Cybersecurity Challenges: The shift to a decentralized digital framework, especially in sensitive border areas, opens up new vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, espionage, and data theft. Protecting the ‘Edge’ from sophisticated state and non-state actors becomes paramount.
  • Positive and Negative – Government Initiative:
    • Positive Outcomes:
      • Faster Response Time: Edge Data Centres enable quick tactical decisions in combat scenarios.
      • Increased Readiness: EHL Portal ensures high serviceability of equipment and better inventory management.
      • Improved Welfare: ‘Sainik Yatra Mitra App’ directly addresses a major logistical pain point for soldiers and their families.
      • Modernization: Aligns the Indian Army with global trends in defense digitalization and network-centric warfare.
    • Negative Outcomes:
      • Cyber Risks: Decentralized data storage at the edge increases the surface area for potential cyber-attacks.
      • Cost and Training: High capital expenditure for deployment and maintenance of the technology. Requires specialized technical training for military personnel.
      • Interoperability: Ensuring the new digital systems communicate seamlessly with the legacy systems and those of other forces (Navy/Air Force) is a continuous challenge.
  • Way Forward (Suggestions for Digital Security and Integration):
    • Robust Cybersecurity Framework: Implement an “Assumption of Compromise” security model, focusing on resilience and quick recovery rather than just prevention. Invest heavily in Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) for all edge devices.
    • Dedicated Training Cadres: Establish specialized cyber and IT cadres within the Army to manage, secure, and innovate the digital infrastructure.
    • Joint Services Integration: The digital transformation must be planned and executed under a joint services (tri-services) framework to ensure seamless interoperability and unified command structure in a future conflict.
    • Indigenous Technology: Prioritize the use of indigenously developed hardware and software to mitigate supply chain risks and potential backdoors in imported technology.
  • Conclusion:
    • The Indian Army’s digital initiatives represent a necessary leap toward modernizing its combat capability and enhancing the welfare ecosystem. The successful outcome will not just be measured in operational speed but also in the ability to secure the new digital frontier. By strategically blending technology with a focus on its most vital asset—the soldier—the Army is preparing for the complexities of 21st-century warfare.
  • Practice Mains Question:
    • Discuss the strategic and welfare significance of the Indian Army’s recent digital initiatives, particularly the deployment of Edge Data Centres. What are the associated cybersecurity and human capital challenges in adopting this ‘Edge Computing’ at the tactical level? (15 Marks)

7. Growing Menace of ‘Digital Arrests’ and SC’s Intervention

  • Syllabus Relevance: GS-3: Internal Security (Cybercrime and Cyber Security); GS-2: Polity (Structure and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary).
  • Context and Significance:
    • The Supreme Court of India recently took serious notice of the escalating and highly sophisticated scam known as ‘Digital Arrests.’ This crime involves fraudsters impersonating police officers, CBI, or other central agencies (like ED/Customs) and coercing victims into paying large sums of money by fabricating stories of identity theft, passport issues, or drug/money laundering charges, all conducted via video call and digital threats.
    • The SC’s intervention highlights the immense challenge posed by new forms of cyber-enabled financial fraud and the current limitations of law enforcement and regulatory bodies in tackling them.
  • Multi-Dimensional Analysis (Mains Perspective):
    • Nature of the Cybercrime (Social Engineering): ‘Digital Arrest’ is a prime example of Social Engineering, where the fraudster exploits psychological manipulation (fear, panic, respect for authority) rather than technical hacking. The crime is often international, with servers and operations based outside India, making investigation and prosecution complex due to jurisdictional issues and poor international coordination.
    • Vulnerability and Digital Illiteracy: The scam disproportionately targets elderly citizens, individuals with limited digital literacy, and those unfamiliar with the correct protocol of central agencies. This highlights the crucial need to embed Digital Citizenship and security awareness as part of the broader Digital India mission.
    • Law Enforcement and Judiciary Gaps: Police often struggle to trace the original call source, the complex web of mule accounts, and the international nature of the transfers. The lack of a unified, central agency dedicated to this type of financial-cyber fraud leads to fragmented investigations. The SC’s suggestion to involve the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) aims to provide this centralized focus.
    • Banking and Telecom Liability: The scam relies heavily on compromised phone numbers (SIM-card fraud) and the use of ‘mule accounts’ in banks. The article indirectly questions the due diligence of telecom service providers (in issuing SIMs) and banks (in opening accounts) used for transferring illegal funds.
  • Positive and Negative – Government/Judiciary Intervention:
    • Positive Outcomes:
      • Centralized Focus: The SC’s attention and potential involvement of the CBI will provide a high-level, centralized push to tackle the inter-state/international menace.
      • Public Awareness: High-profile judicial intervention boosts public awareness, serving as a warning to potential victims.
      • Policy Review: Forces a review of existing IT Act and Cyber Security laws to handle new forms of social engineering fraud.
    • Negative Outcomes:
      • Jurisdictional Hurdles: CBI’s investigation will still face delays in securing international cooperation through Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs).
      • Reactive not Proactive: Law enforcement response remains largely reactive, focusing on victims rather than dismantling the criminal infrastructure.
      • Under-reporting: A significant number of cases go unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of faith in the recovery process.
  • Way Forward (Suggestions for a Robust Response):
    • Massive Digital Literacy Campaign: Launch a sustained, multi-media, multi-lingual awareness campaign to educate citizens on how legitimate law enforcement functions and the dangers of digital threats (e.g., “Government officials will never ask for money or credentials over an unverified video call”).
    • Real-time Fraud Reporting: Establish a single, national, user-friendly portal (e.g., Cyber Dost) for real-time reporting, with a clear mandate for banks and financial institutions to immediately freeze flagged accounts.
    • Strengthen Financial Gatekeepers: Imposition of strict penalties on banks and telecom companies whose negligence (e.g., poor KYC compliance) facilitates the creation of mule accounts and fraudulent SIM cards.
    • International Coordination: Expedite the processing of MLATs and increase cooperation with international cyber-crime agencies (e.g., INTERPOL) to dismantle the foreign bases of these operations.
  • Conclusion:
    • The ‘Digital Arrest’ scam underscores the need to build a digitally safe India alongside a digitally empowered one. The judiciary’s intervention is crucial for providing the necessary momentum, but the long-term solution rests on a collective effort involving enhanced digital literacy, stringent regulatory compliance by financial and telecom bodies, and seamless international law enforcement cooperation.
  • Practice Mains Question:
    • The Supreme Court’s concern over ‘Digital Arrests’ reflects the limitations of current law enforcement in combating sophisticated cybercrimes. Examine the nature of this scam and suggest institutional and societal measures to effectively tackle this challenge. (15 Marks)

8. Russia Successfully Tests Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Cruise Missile

  • Syllabus Relevance: GS-2: International Relations (Effect of policies and politics of developed countries on India’s interests); GS-3: Internal Security (Science and Technology in defence, Nuclear Technology).
  • Context and Significance:
    • The news confirmed Russia’s successful test of its Burevestnik cruise missile (NATO Code: SSC-X-9 Skyfall), one of its next-generation strategic nuclear weapons. This missile is unique because it is nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable, giving it an unprecedented and theoretically unlimited range.
    • This test, conducted amidst heightened geopolitical tensions, is a critical development in the field of nuclear weapons technology, marking a return to an aggressive phase of strategic arms modernization by a major global power.
  • Multi-Dimensional Analysis (Mains Perspective):
    • Geopolitical and Strategic Instability: The Burevestnik is a game-changer in strategic deterrence because its unlimited range means it can approach a target from any direction, making it extremely difficult for existing missile defense systems (like the US THAAD or Aegis systems) to track and intercept. This move escalates the “security dilemma” and puts pressure on rivals to develop expensive countermeasures, contributing to a renewed, uncontrolled global arms race.
    • Technological Sophistication (Nuclear Propulsion): The missile is a marvel of engineering, using a miniaturized nuclear reactor to heat the air ingested by its jet engine, giving it extended flight time and range. While providing a strategic edge, this technology introduces significant safety and environmental risks. A failure during launch or flight, or a crash, could release radioactive material, posing a severe threat to human health and the environment.
    • Arms Control Regime Erosion: The test is seen as another nail in the coffin of the post-Cold War arms control architecture. While the missile itself may not directly violate existing treaties like the New START (which primarily limits warheads and delivery systems), the strategic intent and the development of such an exotic new weapon undermine the spirit of non-proliferation and trust-building.
    • Implications for India: As a rising power with its own nuclear deterrent and a commitment to strategic autonomy, India must closely monitor this development. It compels India to review its Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities, which are primarily designed to intercept Ballistic Missiles, not low-flying, highly maneuverable cruise missiles with unlimited ranges. It also affects the regional balance of power, especially with nuclear-armed neighbors.
  • Positive and Negative – Military Development:
    • Positive (for Russia):
      • Enhanced Deterrence: Provides a unique and highly credible ‘second-strike’ capability.
      • Strategic Advantage: Introduces a weapon that complicates the defense calculus of adversaries.
      • Technological Leadership: Showcases advanced nuclear and aerospace engineering capabilities.
    • Negative (Global/Environmental):
      • Nuclear Accident Risk: High danger of radioactive contamination from a reactor failure.
      • Arms Race Acceleration: Triggers a dangerous and costly response from the US and its allies.
      • Erosion of Trust: Further degrades international norms and cooperation on strategic stability.
  • Way Forward (Suggestions for India’s Policy):
    • Strengthen BMD: Invest heavily in developing sophisticated air and missile defense systems capable of detecting and intercepting low-flying, supersonic/hypersonic cruise missiles, potentially utilizing AI-driven detection systems.
    • Technological Monitoring: Ramp up intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to continuously track such strategic weapons development by major powers.
    • Diplomatic Engagement: Use platforms like the UN and BRICS to call for de-escalation and renewed strategic dialogue on limiting the deployment of such exotic and environmentally hazardous weapons.
    • Maintain Strategic Autonomy: Steadfastly adhere to its own nuclear doctrine (e.g., No-First-Use) while ensuring its deterrence posture remains credible against any new threat.
  • Conclusion:
    • The Burevestnik test is a geopolitical tremor that highlights a shift towards a multi-polar and technologically-charged nuclear landscape. While India must acknowledge and adapt its defence strategy to this new reality, its long-term policy goal must remain the same: to promote global nuclear disarmament while ensuring its own credible and secure deterrent is maintained in a state of high readiness.
  • Practice Mains Question:
    • Examine the strategic and environmental implications of Russia’s successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile on global security and India’s defence preparedness. (15 Marks)
Last updated on October 29, 2025

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