INDIA'S BID FOR UNSC NON-PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP (2028–29)
TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU
India is seeking a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2028–29, with elections scheduled for June 2027.
United Nations Security Council
- Composition: 15 members — five permanent members (P5) and ten elected non-permanent members.
- Permanent members: United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China, possessing veto powers.
- Non-permanent members: Elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for two-year terms without veto powers.
- Voting requirement: Candidates need a two-thirds majority of members present and voting; 129 votes if all 193 members vote.
- Functions: Maintains international peace, authorises sanctions and peacekeeping operations, and addresses security threats.
India’s UNSC Membership Record
- India has served eight terms, most recently during 2021–22.
- Its earlier tenures include 1950–51, 1967–68, 1972–73, 1977–78, 1984–85, 1991–92 and 2011–12.
- India secured 184 votes in 2020, reflecting substantial international support.
- India also seeks permanent membership, arguing that its population, economic importance and peacekeeping contributions justify greater representation.
Why Is the 2027 Election Challenging?
- Competing candidature: Tajikistan was already seeking the Asia-Pacific seat.
- Regional consensus: India previously benefited from broadly agreed regional nominations.
- Representation concerns: Smaller countries seek opportunities for their first UNSC term.
- Diplomatic competition: Both candidates must secure support beyond their regional group.
- Historical precedent: India lost contested elections against Pakistan in 1975 and Japan in 1996.
Geopolitical Dimensions
- Global South: African, Latin American and developing Asian countries could influence the outcome.
- Central Asian relations: Tajikistan’s regional partnerships strengthen its diplomatic position.
- Strategic autonomy: India’s independent foreign policy may appeal to diverse countries.
- West Asian diplomacy: India’s relations with Israel and Arab countries may attract scrutiny.
- Multilateral credibility: The election tests India’s ability to build broad international coalitions.
Strategic Options Before India
- Contest the election: Mobilise diplomatic support through bilateral and multilateral engagement.
- Negotiate withdrawal: Seek a mutually acceptable arrangement with Tajikistan.
- Defer candidature: Support Tajikistan and pursue a later consensus-backed term.
- Diplomatic consideration: Balance immediate UNSC representation with long-term regional goodwill.
Way Forward
- Global governance: UNSC membership provides greater influence over international security discussions.
- Counterterrorism: India can advance cooperation against terrorism and cross-border threats.
- UN reforms: Strengthen demands for a more representative Security Council.
- G4 cooperation: Coordinate reform efforts with Brazil, Germany and Japan.
- Global South leadership: Support fair representation of developing and smaller nations.
- Consensus diplomacy: Prioritise regional partnerships and sustained engagement with UN members.
Conclusion
India’s UNSC ambitions should combine strategic diplomacy with inclusive multilateralism, strengthening its credibility as a voice for a more representative global order.
FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURE
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
World Food Day 2026, observed on October 16, highlights the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”, emphasising innovation for sustainable food security.
Understanding Food Security
- Meaning: According to FAO, food security exists when everyone has reliable access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
- Four pillars: Availability, accessibility, utilisation and stability.
- Global challenges: Climate change, conflicts, inflation and supply-chain disruptions threaten food security.
- SDG 2: Aims to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030.
India’s Journey Towards Food Security
- Green Revolution: High-yielding seeds, irrigation and price support increased foodgrain production.
- Agricultural diversification: India became a major producer of milk, pulses, fruits and vegetables.
- National Food Security Act, 2013: Provides foodgrain entitlements to up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations.
- PMGKAY: Provides free foodgrains to approximately 81 crore beneficiaries, with the current extension covering five years from January 2024.
- One Nation One Ration Card: Enables migrant beneficiaries to access ration entitlements across States.
Role of Innovation in Food Security
- Digital agriculture: Weather information, satellite monitoring and mobile advisories improve farm decisions.
- Climate-resilient crops: Drought-tolerant varieties reduce production risks.
- Biofortification: Nutrient-enriched crops help address micronutrient deficiencies.
- Precision farming: Efficient irrigation and fertiliser application conserve resources.
- Food-loss reduction: Better storage, cold chains and processing minimise post-harvest losses.
- Digital PDS: Electronic records and supply-chain monitoring improve transparency.
Role of International Organisations
- FAO: Supports digital farming, livestock management and food-loss reduction through technical assistance.
- IFAD: Promotes smallholder financing, market access and agricultural infrastructure.
- WFP: Supports efficient food distribution through innovations such as Grain ATMs and logistics improvements.
- Global relevance: India’s experience offers adaptable solutions for developing countries facing resource constraints.
Challenges
- Malnutrition: Foodgrain availability does not automatically ensure balanced diets.
- Climate vulnerability: Irregular rainfall and extreme temperatures threaten agricultural productivity.
- Small landholdings: Limit mechanisation, investment and economies of scale.
- Food inflation: Reduces poor households’ purchasing power.
- Gender inequality: Women farmers often face unequal access to land, credit and technology.
Government Initiatives
- POSHAN Abhiyaan: Addresses malnutrition among children, women and adolescents.
- PM POSHAN: Supports schoolchildren’s nutritional needs.
- Digital Agriculture Mission: Promotes technology-enabled agricultural services.
- PM-KUSUM: Encourages solar energy use in agriculture.
- International Year of Millets 2023: Promoted nutritious and climate-resilient crops.
Way Forward:
- Diversify food baskets towards pulses, millets and nutrient-rich foods.
- Expand climate-smart agriculture and affordable technologies.
- Strengthen farmer-producer organisations and women’s access to finance.
- Reduce food waste through modern storage and processing.
- Integrate nutrition outcomes into agricultural and welfare policies.
Conclusion
India’s next food-security revolution must move beyond producing enough food towards ensuring nutritious, affordable and climate-resilient diets for every citizen.
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN INDIA AND NEED FOR ACTIVE HUMAN INTERVENTION
TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU
The reintroduction of a tigress into West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve and the ongoing Project Cheetah have renewed debate over active wildlife management.
Why Is Human Intervention Necessary?
- Habitat destruction: Deforestation, mining, agriculture and infrastructure development have fragmented wildlife habitats.
- Population decline: Small, isolated populations face inbreeding, genetic weakness and local extinction.
- Human–wildlife conflict: Expanding settlements increase encounters involving elephants, tigers and other animals.
- Climate change: Rising temperatures, changing rainfall and extreme weather disturb ecosystems.
- Ecological restoration: Human intervention may be necessary where natural recovery is insufficient.
Major Conservation Approaches
- In-situ conservation: Protecting species within natural habitats through national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.
- Ex-situ conservation: Captive breeding and conservation outside natural habitats.
- Species reintroduction: Restoring locally extinct populations, as attempted in Buxa Tiger Reserve.
- Habitat connectivity: Wildlife corridors enable movement, breeding and genetic exchange.
- Ecosystem-based conservation: Protecting grasslands, wetlands and forests rather than focusing only on individual species.
Important Indian Conservation Initiatives
- Project Tiger (1973): Protects tiger populations and their habitats through a network of reserves.
- Project Elephant (1992): Supports elephant conservation, habitat protection and conflict mitigation.
- Project Cheetah (2022): Seeks to establish cheetah populations in suitable Indian habitats.
- Great Indian Bustard Conservation: Includes captive breeding and habitat protection for this critically endangered bird.
- Vulture Conservation Programme: Addresses population decline through breeding initiatives and control of harmful veterinary drugs.
Challenges in Wildlife Conservation
- Flagship-species bias: Tigers receive greater attention than lesser-known species such as frogs, insects and caracals.
- Funding shortage: Conservation resources are unevenly distributed across habitats.
- Limited protected areas: Many species survive outside formally protected landscapes.
- Scientific uncertainty: Inadequate biodiversity data makes conservation planning difficult.
- Community exclusion: Restrictions on traditional livelihoods can create resentment among forest-dependent communities.
- Research barriers: Complex permissions under wildlife laws may discourage ecological research.
Constitutional and Legal Framework
- Article 48A: Directs the State to protect forests and wildlife.
- Article 51A(g): Makes environmental protection a fundamental duty of citizens.
- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Provides the principal legal framework for wildlife conservation.
- Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognises specified rights of forest-dwelling communities.
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Supports biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
Way Forward
- Landscape-level planning: Protect ecological corridors beyond national parks.
- Community participation: Involve local people in conservation decisions and benefit-sharing.
- Scientific monitoring: Use genetic studies, camera traps and ecological surveys.
- Habitat-specific policies: Adopt different strategies for forests, grasslands, deserts and wetlands.
- Natural ecosystem processes: Preserve ecological functions such as seasonal flooding and grazing.
- Research and funding: Simplify scientific permissions and strengthen support for neglected species.
Conclusion
India’s wildlife future depends on combining scientific intervention with healthy ecosystems, connected habitats and meaningful participation by local communities.
IMMUNITY OF CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER AND ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre on an Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) petition challenging Section 16 of the CEC and EC Act, 2023.
Constitutional Framework
- Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of laws.
- Article 324: Establishes the Election Commission’s authority over electoral administration.
- Article 324(5): Provides safeguards concerning the removal of the CEC and ECs.
- Rule of Law: A.V. Dicey’s principle emphasises that public authorities remain subject to law.
- Reasonable classification: Different legal treatment is permitted when based on an intelligible distinction connected to a legitimate objective.
What Does Section 16 Provide?
- Legislation: Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023.
- Protection: Courts cannot entertain or continue civil or criminal proceedings against serving or former CECs and ECs for official actions.
- Duration: Protection continues after retirement.
- Scope: Covers acts performed or purportedly performed while discharging official duties.
- Background: The provision was introduced during parliamentary consideration rather than in the original Bill.
Comparison with Other Constitutional Immunities
- Article 361: President and Governors enjoy specified protection from criminal proceedings during their tenure.
- Articles 105 and 194: Protect parliamentary and legislative speech, votes and other recognised privileges.
- Diplomatic immunity: Operates under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961.
- Key distinction: Section 16 protects specified official actions even after an Election Commissioner’s tenure ends.
Arguments Supporting Immunity
- Institutional independence: Protects election officials from politically motivated litigation.
- Decision-making freedom: Allows officials to perform sensitive electoral functions without excessive legal pressure.
- Continuity: Reduces the risk of repeated personal litigation after retirement.
- Functional necessity: Supporters argue that protection helps preserve impartial election administration.
Concerns Regarding Section 16
- Equality: Broad immunity raises questions about consistency with Article 14.
- Accountability: Restrictions on proceedings may reduce remedies against alleged official misconduct.
- Proportionality: Protection must not exceed what institutional independence reasonably requires.
- Comparative concern: Other independent authorities do not generally enjoy identical statutory protection.
- Public confidence: Limited accountability may weaken trust in electoral institutions.
Way Forward
- E.P. Royappa (1974): Linked arbitrariness with the constitutional guarantee of equality.
- Shayara Bano (2017): Recognised manifest arbitrariness as a ground for reviewing legislation.
- Judicial review: Examine whether Section 16 creates a constitutionally justified distinction.
- Balanced safeguards: Consider protection against vexatious cases alongside effective accountability.
- Transparency: Strengthen reasoned decisions, disclosure and institutional oversight.
Conclusion
Electoral independence and constitutional accountability must reinforce each other, ensuring that legal safeguards protect impartial decision-making without placing public officials beyond the rule of law.
DISINVESTMENT AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT IN INDIA AND CHALLENGES
TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs reportedly approved the strategic sale of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank for ₹52,878 crore, highlighting India’s disinvestment policy.
What Is Disinvestment?
- Meaning: Sale of part or all of the government’s ownership in public sector enterprises (PSEs).
- Strategic disinvestment: Sale of a substantial stake along with transfer of management control.
- Privatisation: Transfer of government ownership and management control to private buyers.
- Minority stake sale: Government sells shares without surrendering control through IPOs, Offers for Sale or buybacks.
- Nodal department: Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Ministry of Finance.
New Public Sector Enterprise Policy, 2021
- Objective: Reduce government participation in commercial activities while retaining essential public-sector functions.
- Strategic sectors: Maintain a minimum necessary public-sector presence.
- Four strategic groups:
- Atomic energy, space and defence.
- Transport and telecommunications.
- Power, petroleum, coal and other minerals.
- Banking, insurance and financial services.
- Non-strategic sectors: Enterprises are generally considered for privatisation or closure, subject to policy exceptions.
Importance for Fiscal Management
- Non-debt receipts: Disinvestment raises funds without directly increasing government borrowing.
- Fiscal consolidation: Receipts can reduce financing requirements and support deficit targets.
- Capital expenditure: Resources may support infrastructure, healthcare and education.
- Lower fiscal burden: Reduced dependence on budgetary support for inefficient enterprises.
- Economic efficiency: Professional management may improve productivity, innovation and competitiveness.
Challenges
- Undervaluation: Selling valuable public assets cheaply can weaken long-term public wealth.
- Employment insecurity: Restructuring may affect workers and service conditions.
- Market volatility: Weak investor demand can delay transactions.
- Strategic concerns: Privatisation requires safeguards in sensitive sectors.
- One-time revenue: Asset sales cannot replace regular tax and non-tax income.
- Loss of dividends: Government may sacrifice future earnings from profitable enterprises.
Examples and Institutional Framework
- Air India privatisation (2022): Illustrates transfer of ownership and management to a private buyer.
- LIC IPO (2022): Example of minority stake disinvestment without transfer of government control.
- DIPAM: Manages Central government equity investments and disinvestment transactions.
- SEBI: Regulates capital-market processes and investor protection.
Way Forward
- Ensure independent valuation, competitive bidding and transparent transactions.
- Protect workers through reskilling and fair transition measures.
- Strengthen sector regulators to prevent private monopolies.
- Use asset-sale proceeds prudently, preferably for productive investment.
- Combine disinvestment with tax reforms, expenditure efficiency and better PSE governance.
Conclusion
Disinvestment should serve long-term economic efficiency and public welfare, rather than become a short-term instrument for meeting fiscal targets.
WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA AND GENDER EQUALITY
TOPIC: (GS1) SOCIAL ISSUES: THE HINDU
The National Commission for Women (NCW) held a consultation on women’s property rights and access to social and economic justice.
Understanding Women-Led Development
- Meaning: Women become decision-makers, asset owners, entrepreneurs and leaders rather than merely beneficiaries of welfare schemes.
- Compensatory justice: Addresses existing disadvantages through reservations, protection and rehabilitation.
- Distributive justice: Ensures fair access to land, income, education, opportunities and productive resources.
- Core objective: Achieve substantive equality by removing structural barriers, not simply providing identical treatment.
Constitutional and Legal Framework
- Articles 14 and 15: Guarantee equality and prohibit sex-based discrimination; Article 15(3) permits special provisions for women.
- Article 21: Protects life, dignity and personal liberty.
- Articles 38 and 39: Promote social justice, equitable resource distribution and equal livelihood opportunities.
- Article 300A: Protects property from deprivation except through authority of law.
- Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005: Grants daughters equal coparcenary rights in applicable Hindu joint-family property.
- Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma (2020): Clarified that daughters acquire coparcenary rights by birth, irrespective of whether their father was alive in 2005.
Why Property Rights Matter
- Economic security: Land and housing provide assets and protection against financial shocks.
- Bargaining power: Ownership strengthens women’s influence in household decisions.
- Financial inclusion: Documented assets may improve access to formal credit.
- Social dignity: Property ownership reduces economic dependence and vulnerability.
Major Barriers to Empowerment
- Patriarchal norms: Families may discourage daughters from claiming inheritance.
- Legal illiteracy: Many women remain unaware of their entitlements.
- Administrative difficulties: Complex land records and mutation procedures delay ownership.
- Unpaid care work: Domestic responsibilities restrict economic participation.
- Unequal opportunities: Limited access to finance, technology and leadership positions reinforces inequality.
Government Initiatives
- NCW: Examines women’s rights concerns and recommends corrective measures.
- DAY-NRLM: Promotes livelihoods and collective economic strength through women’s Self-Help Groups.
- Mission Shakti: Supports women’s safety, protection and empowerment.
- NALSA: Facilitates free legal services for eligible women.
- Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme: Can improve transparency in property documentation.
Way Forward
- Digitise inheritance records and simplify mutation procedures.
- Promote joint property titles and accurate recording of women’s ownership shares.
- Conduct legal-awareness campaigns through SHGs and local institutions.
- Expand affordable legal aid and gender-sensitive administrative services.
- Improve access to skills, credit, childcare and digital technology.
- Encourage women’s leadership in Panchayats, businesses and public institutions.
Conclusion
True women-led development begins when women gain equal control over resources, meaningful decision-making power and the freedom to shape India’s future.
