CUSTODIAL DEATHS AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY IN TAMIL NADU AND INDIA
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Madras High Court strongly criticized police brutality in a case involving the recent custodial death of a Dalit man, Ajith Kumar, in Tamil Nadu. This incident reflects a recurring pattern of police excesses and lack of accountability in custodial death cases across India.
Key Data and Trends (2016–2022):
- Total deaths in custody (India): 11,656 reported in six years.
- Tamil Nadu: Highest among southern States with 490 reported deaths.
- Uttar Pradesh: Highest overall with 2,630 such deaths.
- Note: Not all deaths are due to torture; some may be natural or accidental.
Lack of Accountability:
- From 2017–2022:
- 345 judicial/magisterial inquiries were ordered in custodial death cases.
- 123 police personnel were arrested, and 79 were chargesheeted.
- Convictions: Zero convictions in custodial death cases nationwide.
- In 74 human rights violation cases against police (illegal detention, torture):
- 41 were chargesheeted, only 3 convicted in five years.
Disproportionate Impact on Dalits (SCs):
- In Tamil Nadu (2022):
- 38.5% of preventive detainees were from Scheduled Castes (SCs), though their population share is only 20%.
- Tamil Nadu had 2,129 detenues — nearly half of India’s total.
- This suggests a disproportionate use of detention laws against marginalised communities.
Examples of Brutality in Tamil Nadu:
- Ajith Kumar’s death (2024): Sparked judicial concern and public outrage.
- Previous cases:
- Sathankulam deaths (2020): Father-son duo died in custody.
- Ambasamudram torture case (2023): Also drew national criticism.
Concerns and Challenges:
- Impunity: Arrests do not lead to convictions, allowing systemic abuse to persist.
- Judicial delay: Inquiries take years; victims’ families struggle for justice.
- Legal loopholes: Weak implementation of custodial safeguards under existing laws.
Conclusion:
The high number of custodial deaths, especially in Tamil Nadu, with zero convictions, highlights a major gap in police accountability. Urgent reforms, better legal enforcement, and protection for vulnerable groups like SCs are crucial to uphold justice and human rights.
GIG WORKERS AND THEIR ABSENCE IN INDIA’S LABOUR DATA
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
Despite rising numbers of gig and platform workers in India, the government’s main labour survey, the PLFS, still lacks a clear classification for them. This gap makes it hard to design targeted welfare schemes or track the nature of gig work in the economy.
Who are gig workers?
- Gig workers, such as delivery personnel and ride-hailing drivers, are becoming a major part of India’s workforce.
- Though legally recognised under the Code on Social Security, 2020, their are not captured in national labour surveys like the PLFS, affecting policymaking and social protections.
How PLFS Fails to Track Gig Work:
- The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) includes gig work under broad terms like ‘self-employed’ or ‘casual labour’.
- It does not define or separately list gig and platform work, even though it falls under economic activity.
- Gig workers often:
- Work without contracts
- Use multiple apps (like Swiggy, Zomato)
- Are paid per task, not by time
- Rely on algorithms rather than human supervision
- These unique job traits are not visible in current PLFS categories, making gig work invisible in official data.
Legal Recognition of Gig Workers:
- The Code on Social Security, 2020 defines:
- Gig worker: Person earning outside traditional employer-employee relationship.
- Platform worker: One working via digital platforms for services or problem-solving.
- Section 141 provides for a Social Security Fund for gig and unorganised workers.
- National Social Security Board was set up to design schemes for their welfare.
Challenges Due to Lack of Clear Data:
- Policymakers rely on PLFS data for designing welfare schemes, but missing classification leads to:
- Unequal access to schemes
- Poor targeting of benefits
- Inadequate support systems
- Employment conditions (like no job stability, income insecurity, no safety net) are ignored in data.
Recent Government Actions and Gaps:
- e-Shram Portal, Digital ID cards, Health Insurance (Ayushman Bharat) show efforts to include gig workers.
- PLFS revision in 2025 added more sample size and rural data, but still doesn’t fix gig worker classification.
Conclusion:
India needs to update PLFS categories to reflect the realities of gig work. Without clear recognition in data, even well-meaning welfare schemes will fail to reach this growing section of the workforce. Recognising gig work in surveys is essential for fair and inclusive policymaking.
THE NEED FOR PALLIATIVE CARE IN INDIA
TOPIC: (GS2) SOCIAL JUSTICE: THE HINDU
India faces a growing crisis of unaddressed pain and suffering due to lack of palliative care services. The urgent need to expand palliative care has been highlighted amidst increasing non-communicable diseases and healthcare pressures.
What is Palliative Care?
- Palliative care is a specialised type of medical support that focuses on improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses.
- Focuses on relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, not curing the disease.
- Addresses emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.
- Aims to provide dignity, comfort, and support at any stage of serious illness.
The Gap in India:
- Around 7 to 10 million Indians need palliative care yearly, but only 1%-2% receive it.
- Low awareness, limited training, and insufficient infrastructure cause this gap.
- Most services are urban-centric, leaving rural and poor populations without support.
Major Challenges:
- Shortage of trained professionals – few doctors and nurses specialise in palliative care.
- Inadequate funding – public health spending does not prioritise palliative services.
- Poor infrastructure – limited availability in primary and almost no presence in tertiary hospitals.
- Lack of awareness – many people associate palliative care only with death, ignoring its broader benefits.
Need for Policy and Education Integration:
- Include palliative care in MBBS curriculum to prepare doctors with required skills and empathy.
- Promote task-sharing with trained nurses and health workers for wider reach.
- Use India’s large pool of 34 lakh nurses and 13 lakh allied workers to deliver basic palliative services.
Financial and Institutional Support Needed:
- Allocate dedicated government funds for palliative services.
- Expand coverage of Ayushman Bharat and other insurance schemes to include palliative care.
- Partner with NGOs and private hospitals to expand access in underserved regions.
Creating Public Awareness:
- Campaigns to educate families that palliative care is not just for dying patients but supports those with chronic conditions.
- Promotes early access, reduces stigma, and helps people live with dignity.
Learning from Global Models:
- U.S. system shows how strong funding and insurance improve end-of-life care.
- India can adapt such models to fit its own needs and resource limits.
Conclusion:
India must make palliative care a healthcare priority. Strengthening training, improving infrastructure, funding programs, and spreading awareness can ensure that patients live their final days with dignity, comfort, and less suffering.
REPHRASING GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
India is shifting its focus in development finance due to concerns about rising debt in the Global South and the inefficiency of traditional aid. The Triangular Cooperation model is gaining attention for its cost-effective, inclusive, and partnership-based development approach.
India’s Development Engagement So Far:
- India’s financial support to developing countries has grown from approx. $3 billion (2010-11) to $7 billion (2023-24).
- Main instruments:
- Lines of Credit (LoC) under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS).
- Capacity-building, technology sharing, market access, and grants.
- India raised concerns at G-20 about increasing debt burdens on poor nations.
Shift Away from Lines of Credit (LoC):
- India borrowed from global markets to offer concessional loans to other nations.
- Rising global financial uncertainty has made this model less reliable.
- Partner countries are now struggling to repay loans due to liquidity crises.
- India is reconsidering LoCs and focusing on balanced use of various aid methods.
Declining Global Aid and Rising Debt:
- Traditional donors (e.g., USAID, UK’s FCDO) are cutting down their aid budgets.
- ODA (Official Development Assistance) is expected to drop from $214 billion (2023) to $97 billion.
- Many developing countries are facing severe debt pressure.
- The funding needed to meet SDG targets has doubled from $2.5 trillion (2015) to over $4 trillion (2024).
Emergence of Triangular Cooperation (TrC):
- What is TrC? It involves collaboration between:
- A donor country (Global North),
- A pivotal partner (e.g., India), and
- A beneficiary country (Global South).
- Focus: Joint solutions, mutual respect, local needs.
- TrC has proven effective in projects across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
- Estimated TrC funding ranges from $670 million to $1.1 billion.
India’s TrC Partnerships:
- India signed a pact with Germany in 2022 to implement TrC projects in Africa and Latin America.
- Countries like Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, and Peru have benefited.
- Focus areas include energy, health, education, and digital infrastructure.
- India also partnered with the UK under the Global Innovation Partnership (GIP).
Conclusion:
India must adapt to the evolving global financial landscape by embracing flexible and cooperative models like TrC. These efforts ensure better outcomes, minimize risks, and promote inclusive development.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR PROMOTING AGROFORESTRY (2025)
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released ‘Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands’ to simplify tree felling regulations and boost agroforestry practices in States and UTs.
What is Agroforestry?
- Agroforestry is the practice of growing trees and crops together on the same piece of land.
- It supports environmental conservation, improves farm productivity, and helps in income generation for farmers.
Benefits of Agroforestry
- Climate Benefits: Acts as a carbon sink by absorbing greenhouse gases. Offers microclimate control, such as shade and windbreaks.
- Water Conservation: Tree roots help in absorbing excess rainwater and recharging groundwater.
- Income & Livelihood: Yields non-timber products like fruits, bamboo, medicinal plants, etc. Adds economic value for small and marginal farmers.
Status in India
- Agroforestry covers 8.65% of India’s land area.
- Major states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh.
- India has vast potential as 56% of land is farmland, and 20% is forest.
Model Rules for Felling of Trees
- Issued as guidelines to help States frame their own simplified rules.
- Key Features:
- Managed by a State-level Committee under 2016 wood-based industries guidelines.
- Includes:
- Registration of plantations.
- Monitoring of tree-felling.
- Promoting farm-grown timber trade.
- National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal to handle applications.
Tree Felling Procedure
- For less than 10 trees: Upload tree photos on NTMS –Auto-generated NOC.
- For more than 10 trees: Online application –Field inspection by agency-Permit generation.
Government Schemes Supporting Agroforestry
- National Agroforestry Policy (2014): Encourages tree-based farming for better productivity and incomes.
- PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Promotes water-efficient farming with agroforestry models.
- National Bamboo Mission (2018): Focuses on bamboo cultivation to support rural livelihoods.
- Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF): Gives financial support under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
- Integrated Farming System (IFS): Combines crops, livestock, and trees for resource efficiency and climate resilience.
Way Forward
- Incentives for Farmers: Offer insurance, financial support, and guaranteed buyers.
- Transparent Monitoring: Use audits and real-time tracking to prevent misuse.
- Eco-Policy Integration: Include agroforestry in climate action and rural development plans.
Conclusion
Agroforestry can support sustainable agriculture, climate goals, and rural development. With simplified rules and government backing, it offers a win-win solution for farmers and the environment.
GOVERNING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN INDIA
TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE HINDU
India’s ambitions to lead in global AI governance face challenges due to the absence of a clear and democratic national AI strategy. The Future of India Foundation stresses the need for a structured plan before launching major AI missions.
Current AI Scenario in India:
- The IndiaAI Mission is led by a bureaucratic unit but lacks wider policy direction.
- Missions are meant to execute goals — but India has not yet clearly defined its national AI goals.
- No clear framework exists on values, institutional structures, or priority sectors.
Risks of a Strategy Deficit:
- Security Risks: AI is now part of defence and key infrastructure; relying on foreign tech can compromise national security.
- Data Governance: India is building public data platforms, but without rules, this could strengthen corporate control.
- Job Losses: 65,000 jobs were lost in major IT firms in 2024 alone due to automation. AI’s job impact is not being studied enough.
- Environmental Impact: Data centres use a lot of power and water — stressing cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, which already face water shortages.
Social and Ethical Concerns:
- AI affects jobs, education, and access to welfare services.
- It can cause bias and lack of accountability, especially in healthcare, policing, and social schemes.
- Ignoring public opinion risks weakening trust in AI systems.
Need for Democratic and Inclusive Governance:
- Decisions about AI must involve lawmakers, civil society, labour experts, educators, and industries.
- Only technical experts or market forces should not define how AI shapes society.
- India must align domestic policies with its global image as a leader in ethical AI.
Way Forward – Three Key Steps:
- Launch a Cabinet-approved National AI Strategy and present it in Parliament for public accountability.
- Create a Parliamentary Standing Committee on AI to monitor ethical use, policy, and public opinion.
- Conduct a national-level employment impact study to assess how AI is affecting jobs by sector and region.
Conclusion:
To lead in AI responsibly, India must build democratic consensus, set clear priorities, and form accountable institutions. A national AI strategy is essential before executing missions, ensuring AI serves the public good.
10 YEARS OF THE DIGITAL INDIA JOURNEY
TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU
Digital India completed 10 years on July 1, 2025. Launched in 2015, the programme aimed to make India a digitally empowered society and knowledge-based economy.
Growth of Digital Economy:
- Digital India has played a key role in changing the country’s digital infrastructure, improving connectivity, service delivery, digital payments, and e-governance.
- Over 10 years, it has enabled inclusive growth and boosted India’s digital economy.
- Contributed 11.74% to GDP in 2022–23; projected to reach 13.42% by 2024–25.
- By 2030, expected to form nearly 20% of India’s economy, growing faster than traditional sectors.
- India ranks 3rd globally in digital economy as per ICRIER’s 2024 report.
Key Focus Areas and Services:
Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure
- Mobile networks now reach nearly every village.
- Telephone connections rose from 93.3 crore (2014) to over 120 crore (2025).
- Tele-density improved from 75.23% to 84.49%.
Affordable Internet Access
- India has one of the lowest mobile data costs globally, aiding digital inclusion.
Digital Payments and Identity:
Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
- India made 49% of global real-time transactions in 2023.
- UPI now operates in 7+ countries, strengthening cross-border payments.
Aadhaar and e-KYC
- Enabled fast and paperless verification in banking and welfare services.
- Supports Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), cutting leakages and fake accounts.
Digital Commerce and AI Innovation:
ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce)
- Started in 2022 to help small sellers go online.
- By 2025, 616+ cities covered, with 7.6 lakh+ sellers registered.
IndiaAI Mission
- Focuses on ethical AI use, research, startup support, and access to data.
- National compute capacity crossed 34,000 GPUs by May 2025.
India Semiconductor Mission
- ₹76,000 crore budget to boost local chip manufacturing.
- Offers 50% support for fabs and encourages chip design ecosystem.
E-Governance Revolution:
- Programmes like UMANG App, DigiLocker, and Mission Karmayogi have:
- Improved public service delivery,
- Increased transparency, and
- Made access to government schemes and documents easier.
Conclusion:
In its 10-year journey, Digital India has empowered citizens, expanded digital services, and transformed governance. With continued focus on infrastructure, innovation, and inclusion, it can drive India’s future growth and global leadership in digital governance.
50 YEARS OF CITES (CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES)
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: INDIAN EXPRESS
CITES completed 50 years since it came into effect in 1975. This global agreement regulates international trade in endangered wild animals and plants to ensure their survival.
Background and Origin:
- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty to control and monitor trade in threatened wildlife.
- It plays a vital role in conserving biodiversity by preventing species from being exploited for trade.
- First proposed in 1963 at an IUCN meeting.
- Officially came into force on July 1, 1975.
- India became a member in 1976.
- As of 2024, 185 countries are parties to the treaty.
Purpose and Key Features:
- Aims to ensure that global trade does not harm the survival of wild species.
- Works through a permit and license system for import/export of listed species and their parts (e.g., ivory, timber, animal skins).
- Divides species into Appendix I, II, and III based on the level of protection required.
- CITES is legally binding, but enforcement is done through national laws.
Administration and Structure:
- The CITES Secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
- It is managed by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
- CITES does not override domestic laws; countries must make their own legal systems compatible.
Significance of CITES:
- It was the first international treaty to regulate wildlife trade.
- Helps prevent over-exploitation and extinction of endangered species.
- Strengthens global cooperation for biodiversity protection.
- Supports sustainable development and wildlife conservation goals.
Major Programmes and Initiatives:
- MIKE Programme (1997): Tracks illegal elephant killings in Africa and Asia.
- ICCWC (2010): A group of international organizations working together to fight wildlife crime. Supports national law enforcement efforts.
- Strategic Vision 2021–2030: Aligns CITES goals with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Focuses on sustainable trade and conservation.
- CITES Tree Species Programme (2024): Aims to promote the sustainable use and protection of endangered tree species.
Conclusion:
CITES has played a central role in global efforts to safeguard endangered wildlife from illegal trade. As it marks 50 years, its continued success depends on strong cooperation, legal enforcement, and support for biodiversity goals at both national and international levels.