SURVEILLANCE APPS IN WELFARE
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
Digital monitoring tools are increasingly being deployed in welfare programmes to improve transparency and ensure attendance of workers and beneficiaries. However, evidence from multiple States shows that these apps often fail to improve accountability and instead create fresh challenges.
Rise of Tech-Based Surveillance in Welfare
- Biometric Attendance Systems: Introduced to ensure punctuality of government staff. Example: In Jharkhand, officials prioritized clocking in over completing online tasks due to poor connectivity.
- NMMS App in MGNREGA: Launched in 2022 to curb fake attendance by mandating two daily photographs of workers at worksites. A 2025 government circular listed several manipulations showing that fraud continued despite digital checks.
- Facial Recognition in Poshan Tracker: Used to verify mothers receiving Take Home Rations (THR). Connectivity issues, crowded centres, and technical glitches burdened Anganwadi workers.
Limited Effectiveness of Tech Fixes
- Cannot Ensure Actual Work: Apps can record presence but cannot ensure quality of services like counselling, teaching, or cleaning.
- Creates Perverse Incentives: Workers prefer uploading a photo to prove compliance rather than performing the actual work (e.g., breastfeeding counselling).
- Punishes Honest Workers: ANMs face notices if GPS coordinates show minor movement due to weak signal, even when work was genuinely done.
Negative Consequences
- Exclusion of Vulnerable Groups: Elderly, sick, or people with disability face difficulties with Aadhaar-based biometric authentication (ABBA).
- Increased Inefficiency: Time spent on photographing, uploading, and searching connectivity delays real service delivery.
- New Forms of Corruption: PDS dealers claim “authentication failure” even when biometrics succeed to divert grains. Local functionaries fake photos to inflate MGNREGA attendance.
- Privacy Violations: Uploading sensitive photos like breastfeeding mothers or home settings raises safety and dignity concerns.
- Worker Demotivation: Sincere frontline workers feel harassed by constant suspicion and surveillance.
Accountability Vs Responsibility
- Accountability (External Pressure): Forces workers to follow rules but does not build motivation. Can induce minimal mechanical compliance.
- Responsibility (Internal Motivation): Encourages workers to act in public interest voluntarily. Requires better work culture, supportive supervision, and community trust—not excessive surveillance.
- Amartya Sen and Jean Drèze highlight that responsibility is more durable and meaningful than narrow accountability tools.
Deliberate Ignoring of Failures
- Refusal to Learn: Despite knowing NMMS and ABBA have flaws, ministries continue to expand use of surveillance apps.
- Vested Interests: Tech companies benefit from large-scale procurement of devices, servers, apps, and authentication services. This creates incentives to promote digital solutions even when they fail.
Conclusion
The over-reliance on surveillance apps in welfare schemes acts like “snake oil”—promising easy fixes but delivering limited gains and generating serious side effects. Real reform requires strengthening work culture, building trust, improving staffing levels, and promoting responsibility rather than depending blindly on digital monitoring tools.
GRASSLAND SOILS AND INDIA’S CLIMATE RESILIENCE
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
New studies from Maharashtra and Gujarat show that India’s grasslands have extremely high soil carbon storage, often more than tree-covered areas.
Misclassification of Grasslands
- Since colonial times, India’s semi-arid grasslands and savannahs were wrongly labelled as “wastelands”.
- Post-independence policies continued this approach, encouraging plantations and land conversion.
- The 1985 National Wastelands Development Board further expanded this classification to include scrublands, ravines, degraded pastures, and grazing lands.
Ecological and Livelihood Value of Grasslands
- Biodiversity Hotspots: Grasslands support rare fauna such as the Great Indian Bustard, blackbuck, wolves, and foxes.
- Support for Pastoralism: Millions of pastoral communities depend on them for grazing. They host unique grass species adapted to semi-arid climates.
- Example: Maharashtra’s livestock economy was ₹59,000 crore in 2018–19, much of it linked to grassland ecosystems.
Role in Soil Health and Carbon Storage
- Deep Root Systems: Native grasses have deep, fibrous roots that: Improve soil structure, Reduce erosion, Enhance water infiltration
- Below-ground Carbon Reservoirs: Unlike forests where most biomass is above ground, grasslands store majority of carbon in the soil.
- Soil organic carbon (SOC) remains stable even after fire events.
Maharashtra (Malshiras – CAMPA Restoration)
- Maharashtra forest department used CAMPA funds to restore degraded grasslands.
- Native grasses such as Dicanthium annulatum, Cenchrus setigerus were reintroduced.
- Study findings: 21% rise in SOC after two years of restoration, 50% rise in SOC by the third year compared to untreated sites
- Shows how grassland restoration directly supports India’s climate commitments.
Gujarat (Banni Grassland – Kutch)
- Once Asia’s largest tropical grassland, degraded by invasive Prosopis juliflora.
- Community-led restoration (removing Prosopis and promoting native grasses) created wadas.
- Key findings: Banni stores 27 tonnes of carbon (up to 30 cm depth). SOC density = 120 tonnes/ha → among the most carbon-rich arid ecosystems globally
- Maldhari pastoralists manage these areas through rotational grazing and biomass control.
Why Grasslands Matter for Climate Resilience
- Grassland SOC is stable, long-lasting, and fire-resistant.
- IPCC notes: Soils hold twice as much carbon as the atmosphere and all biomass combined.
- In warming climates with rising forest fires, soil carbon is safer than above-ground carbon in forests.
WHAT ARE GRASSLANDS
Grasslands are ecosystems dominated mainly by grasses with very few trees or shrubs. They occur in areas with moderate rainfall—not enough for forests, but more than deserts.
- They support large herbivores, grazing animals, and rich biodiversity.
Examples of Grasslands in India
Tropical Grasslands (Low-altitude)
- Savannas of Central India – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.
- Deccan Grasslands – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.
- Semi-arid Grasslands – Rajasthan (e.g., Tal Chhapar).
Temperate Grasslands (High-altitude)
- Bugyals of Uttarakhand – Auli Bugyal, Bedni Bugyal.
- Kashmir & Himachal alpine meadows – Doodhpatri, Gulmarg.
- Cold Desert Grasslands – Ladakh, Spiti valley.
Altitude at Which Grasslands Are Found
Low-altitude Grasslands (Tropical & Subtropical)
- Found at 0–1000 metres.
- Mostly in central, western, southern plains and plateaus.
High-altitude Grasslands (Alpine Meadows)
- Found at 3,000–5,500 metres in the Himalayas.
- Known as Bugyals or Alpine pastures.
Conclusion
India’s dryland grasslands are powerful but overlooked climate allies. Prioritising their protection and community-led restoration is essential for biodiversity, livelihood security, and long-term climate resilience.
SWAP APP MANDATES FOR DIGITAL LITERACY
TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU
The Union government had instructed smartphone companies to preload the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app and prevent users from removing or disabling it. Due to widespread criticism from digital rights groups, political leaders, and civil society, the government rolled back the order,
Background
- Sanchar Saathi is designed to help users block stolen phones, identify unauthorised SIMs, and report telecom frauds.
- While the intention was to curb cybercrime, the decision to force-install it on every device raised concerns about data access, surveillance, and cybersecurity risks—issues at the heart of India’s evolving digital governance framework.
Concerns with the App Mandate
Privacy Risks and Surveillance Power
- A privileged system-level app can access SMS, call logs, and location data, offering the state greater visibility into user activity.
- Mandatory installation shifts the balance in favour of state surveillance without adequate checks.
Fails the Proportionality and Necessity Tests
- Under the K.S. Puttaswamy (2017) ruling, state actions must meet legality, necessity, and proportionality.
- Experts argued that the same services can be provided through USSD codes, SMS services, or voluntary apps, making the mandate unnecessary.
Creates Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
- Any widely deployed system app becomes a high-value target for hackers.
- Once compromised, attackers can move across millions of devices and exploit the app’s permissions.
Duplicate Solutions Already Exist
- India already uses CEIR, Sanchar Saathi portals, TRAI’s DND app, and 1909 for spam and fraud reporting.
- Past disputes, like Apple rejecting DND app access to call logs, show how sensitive such permissions are.
Why Behavioural Change Is More Effective
- Scammers rely on fear, urgency, and manipulation, not just technology.
- Behavioural awareness programmes are more effective when they are continuous, locally tailored, and culturally rooted rather than one-time slogans or forced apps.
Positive Awareness Models in India
- RBI’s e-BAAT and ‘RBI Kehta Hai’ campaigns create awareness on digital banking safety.
- Chhattisgarh’s cybersecurity van and street plays simplify cyber safety for rural citizens.
- Telangana’s ‘Fraud Ka Full Stop’ shows measurable decline in cybercrime.
- Local police and bank branches in many cities act as small cyber awareness hubs.
Three-Pillar Framework for a Safe Digital Space
- Mandatory responsibility on telecom and financial firms to track and block fraud patterns.
- Simplified reporting and effective grievance systems, including the 1930 cybercrime helpline.
- A long-term national digital literacy mission, engaging citizens as informed participants.
Conclusion
Forced apps may appear convenient, but they can weaken privacy, create security loopholes, and erode public trust. India’s fight against cybercrime will be stronger when it invests in digital literacy, transparent systems, and responsible corporate behaviour, rather than relying on intrusive tools.
EVOLUTION OF PENSION REFORMS IN INDIA
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
India’s ageing population is rising sharply, creating pressure on pension systems and highlighting gaps in retirement security. A recent analysis reviewed how India’s pension schemes have shifted from basic welfare support to a broader financial inclusion and contributory model.
India’s Ageing Challenge
- India has 153 million citizens above 60, expected to reach 347 million by 2050.
- Almost 88% of elderly workers remain employed in the informal sector, with no structured pension or old-age security.
Early Welfare-Based Pension Measures
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
- Launched in 1995 for people aged 65+ living below the poverty line (BPL).
- Eligibility was gradually expanded, increasing enrolments and ensuring a basic monthly income.
- Represented the first nationwide effort to support vulnerable elderly households.
Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
- Provided defined-benefit pensions to government employees.
- Fully funded by the state and ensured predictable post-retirement income.
Shift Towards Contributory Pension Systems
New Pension Scheme (NPS), 2004
- Replaced OPS for new government employees.
- Based on individual contributions + market-linked returns.
- Expanded later to private-sector employees through the NPS Corporate Model.
- NPS 2.0 introduced flexible options, including 100% equity allocation, attracting young, high-risk investors.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY), 2015-16
- Targeted at informal-sector workers aged 18–40 years.
- Allows monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly contributions, useful for workers with irregular income.
- Government guarantees a minimum pension if investment returns fall below expected levels.
Labour Code Reforms Supporting Pension Security
- New labour codes mandate that basic wages = at least 50% of total salary.
- Ensures higher calculations for gratuity, employee provident fund, and pension, strengthening worker protection.
Technological Integration and Inclusion
e-SHRAM Portal
- Designed to create a national database of informal workers.
- Helps workers identify which social security schemes they qualify for.
- However, registration requires Aadhaar-linked phone and a bank account, creating risks of exclusion.
- Limited digital literacy remains a barrier — 63% of elderly Indians cannot use the Internet.
Persistent Gaps
- Awareness remains low: 42% of people aged 55+ did not know about NPS eligibility (LASI data).
- Women and elderly workers dominate the informal sector, where coverage is weakest.
Conclusion
India’s pension reforms show a clear progression, However, the success of these reforms depends on improving awareness, ensuring easy registration, and preventing exclusion of the poorest. India must focus on universal access, simplified enrolment, and financial literacy, so that every elderly citizen can age with dignity and adequate income security.
A BLACK FRIDAY FOR AVIATION SAFETY IN INDIA
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
India’s aviation sector faced a major crisis after Indigo cancelled large numbers of flights, triggering passenger chaos. The government responded by suspending (keeping in abeyance) new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) rules, raising serious safety concerns.
FDTL Dilution and Safety Risks
- FDTL rules determine how long pilots can fly and how much rest they must receive.
- The DGCA had recently issued improved FDTL standards to comply with a High Court order.
- Under pressure to restore flight operations quickly, the Ministry kept these rules on hold, allowing airlines to function under old, weaker norms.
- This reflects a pattern where commercial considerations trump safety.
History of Compromises
- In 2007, DGCA introduced strong rules on fatigue management, but airlines lobbied against them.
- The Ministry suspended these rules in 2008, and pilots challenged this in court.
- The Bombay High Court initially criticised the Ministry for risking passenger lives but later reversed its stance.
- Both Indigo and DGCA knew the 2025 deadline for new FDTL norms, yet made no preparation, leading to flight cancellations and passenger distress.
Crew Shortage and Misuse of Regulations
Understaffing by Airlines
- DGCA’s 2022 CAR requires airlines to maintain minimum crew strength.
- In reality, operating an aircraft safely needs far more pilot sets than the CAR minimum.
- Airlines, especially Indigo, reportedly hired fewer crew to reduce costs, creating pressure on pilots and increasing fatigue.
Lack of Accountability
- Despite repeated ICAO warnings since 2006, India still does not have an independent aviation safety regulator.
- DGCA is seen as influenced by government and airline interests.
Recent Events Reflect Systemic Failure
- On December 5, 2025, DGCA appealed to pilots for cooperation; hours later, the Ministry suspended legally mandated safety rules.
- Experts warn this sets a dangerous precedent where safety norms are relaxed during crises instead of strengthening oversight.
- Past accidents (Mangaluru, Kozhikode, Ahmedabad) show that ignoring safety recommendations has deadly consequences.
Conclusion
India’s aviation safety framework continues to suffer from weak regulation, commercial pressure, and disregard for pilot fatigue. The suspension of FDTL norms exposes deep structural flaws. Unless the government strengthens independent oversight and ensures adequate crew staffing, aviation safety risks will only grow, leaving passengers dependent on “a wing and a prayer.”
INDIA’S APPROACH TO RUSSIA AND THE WEST
TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to New Delhi after his first since the Ukraine war has renewed debate on India’s balancing strategy between Russia and Western nations.
Why the Visit Matters
- Political Significance: Despite an ICC warrant against Putin and strong Western criticism, India hosted him with full state honours.
- India’s Diplomatic Signalling: India refuses to publicly condemn Russia for the war, maintaining a neutral stance focused on “dialogue and peace”.
- The visit also demonstrates India’s intent to avoid being pressured into exiting Russian oil and energy deals.
Economic Engagement
- A labour mobility pact to ease movement of Indian workers to Russia.
- Plans to set up a joint urea production facility.
- Renewal of the India-Russia economic roadmap launched in 2024, including expanding trade and improving maritime connectivity.
- Efforts to promote national currency-based payments to bypass sanctions.
No Big Strategic Deals
- No announcements on sensitive sectors like defence, nuclear energy, or space — signalling India’s caution toward Western concerns.
- India did not commit to higher oil imports despite Russia’s offer of continuous supply.
India’s Balancing Act
- Careful Between Both Camps: India seeks to maintain stable ties with Russia while also advancing ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S. and EU.
- The government avoids actions that could disrupt relations with Western partners.
- Strategic Autonomy Requires Consistency: India cannot afford sharp swings in its foreign policy; steady engagement with both sides is essential.
- Balance, rather than aligning with either Russia or the West, is central to securing long-term interests.
Conclusion
India’s approach reflects the need for multiple partnerships in a polarised world. Managing ties with both Russia and Western countries—without over-tilting in either direction—remains key to preserving strategic autonomy and safeguarding national interests.
RAJNATH SINGH INAUGURATES 125 BRO BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
TOPIC: (GS3) SEQURITY: THE HINDU
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently dedicated 125 new Border Roads Organisation (BRO) projects spread across Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, and seven other States. This marks the largest single-day launch of BRO assets, strengthening India’s border readiness and connectivity.
Highlights of the New Projects
- Total cost of the projects is around ₹5,000 crore.
- Covers 28 roads, 93 bridges, and 4 other critical assets.
- Spread across Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mizoram.
Importance of the Shyok Tunnel
- The 920-metre Shyok Tunnel on the DSDBO Road is a major milestone.
- Ensures all-season access to extremely difficult mountains.
- Helps the Army in faster movement, especially during snowfall and avalanches.
- Strengthens military logistics near critical forward areas.
Other Major Announcements
- Galwan War Memorial: Virtually inaugurated to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers.
- Boost to National Security & Local Development: Better border roads improve troop mobility, transport of goods, and emergency response. Enhances tourism, creates jobs, and improves public services for border residents.
- Support During Operations: Strong connectivity helped security forces coordinate effectively during Operation Sindoor.
- BRO’s Humanitarian Role: BRO teams have assisted during disasters in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and J&K.
Challenges in Building Border Infrastructure
- Harsh terrain: High-altitude areas like DBO and Tawang face temperatures below –40°C.
- Short working seasons due to long winters.
- Landslides, avalanches, and floods delay construction.
- Logistical issues in transporting heavy machinery.
- Strategic restrictions near the LAC require strict security protocols.
- Limited workforce availability due to altitude sickness.
Progress: 2014 vs Now
- BRO’s budget grew from ~₹3,000 crore (2014) to ~₹16,690 crore (2024–25).
- Pace of border road work has nearly doubled.
- Many all-weather tunnels like Sela, Shyok, Nechiphu, Zojila have been completed or fast-tracked.
- Over 350+ BRO projects inaugurated in the last two years alone.
- Technology use has grown — drone surveys, prefabricated bridges, and cold-resistant materials.
Way Forward
- Expand all-weather road and tunnel networks.
- Use AI, drones, and better mapping to improve construction speed.
- Strengthen disaster-resistant designs.
- Train local workers to support construction in remote areas.
- Promote Aatmanirbhar Bharat for indigenous defence infrastructure.
BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION (BRO)
- Strategic Border Infrastructure Developer: BRO builds and maintains roads, bridges, tunnels, and airfields in border regions, crucial for military mobility along the India-China and India-Pakistan frontiers.
- Operates in Harsh & High-Altitude Terrains: Works in extremely challenging areas like Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast, facing snow, avalanches, landslides, and very short working seasons.
- Major Role in Disaster Relief: BRO supports rescue and restoration operations during floods, landslides, cloudbursts, and earthquakes — e.g., in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and J&K.
- Key to Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat Vision: Develops indigenous technologies like Class-70 modular bridges, increases local employment, and contributes to strategic self-reliance and regional development.
Conclusion
India’s border infrastructure has entered a phase of rapid expansion with strong political and strategic focus. These new assets greatly improve security preparedness and support the broader vision of a stronger, more connected Viksit Bharat.
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE GRID (NATGRID)
TOPIC: (GS2) GOVERNANCE: THE HINDU
NATGRID has seen a major rise in use, receiving around 45,000 data-access requests per month from police and Central agencies. PM urged States to increase the use of NATGRID for investigations and intelligence-gathering.
What is NATGRID?
- NATGRID is a secure, integrated intelligence platform that gives authorised agencies real-time access to multiple government and private databases.
- It was conceptualised in 2009 after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to overcome delays in information-sharing.
Key Features
- Access to Multiple Database: Shares information from: Aadhaar, driving licences, bank records, airline PNR data, Telecom and social media-linked information, Helps agencies “connect the dots” during investigations.
- Wider User Base: Initially restricted to 10 Central agencies (IB, RAW, NIA, ED, FIU, DRI, NCB etc.). Now extended to Superintendent of Police-level officers in State police forces.
- Real-time, Confidential, Secure Platform: Designed to deliver instant information, without the need for FIR registration. User identity and search records are kept confidential.
Why the Push Now?
- India recorded over 20.41 lakh cyber-security incidents in 2024.
- Government aims to strengthen national security and streamline database access.
Concerns / Challenges
- Slow login and response time reported by some State police users.
- Training gaps and lack of digital literacy among field officials.
- Cybersecurity threats demand continuous upgrading of data protection systems.
- Inter-agency coordination issues still exist in some States.
Significance
- Speeds up terror-related investigations and financial crime tracking.
- Reduces dependence on multiple departments for data.
- Enhances national security by creating a pan-India digital intelligence ecosystem.
- Prevents duplication of investigations and improves accuracy.
Additional Information
- NATGRID is being developed in phases; future plans include linking with:
- Crime and Criminal Tracking Network (CCTNS)
- National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS)
- Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS)
- Managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Conclusion
NATGRID marks a major shift toward technology-driven policing and intelligence coordination in India. Strengthening its speed, security, and accessibility will be vital for effectively handling emerging cyber and national-security threats.