UPSC Current Affairs 4th July 2026

Unified National Energy Policy Framework

The Indian National Science Academy (INSA), through its Centre for Science, Technology, Innovation, and Policy (CSTIP), has released a policy brief (May 2026) advocating a Unified National Energy Policy Framework to accelerate India’s energy transition and support its goals of energy self-reliance by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070.

Summary

INSA has proposed a Unified National Energy Framework to integrate India’s fragmented energy policies, strengthen energy security, modernize the grid, and support the goals of Energy Self-Reliance by 2047 and Net Zero by 2070.

The framework emphasizes grid integration, energy storage, Green Hydrogen, CCUS, Circular Economy, DISCOM reforms, affordability, and a just, region-specific energy transition to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy ecosystem.

What is a Unified National Energy Policy Framework?

• About: It refers to a coordinated and system-integrated governance framework that synergizes policies across various energy domains—fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), renewable energy (solar, wind), electricity distribution, green hydrogen, and climate commitments.
• Rather than treating different fuels as competing markets, it views the national power grid and energy supply chain as a single, holistic ecosystem.

Need for a Unified Policy Architecture for India’s Clean Energy Future

• Shift From ‘Capacity Addition’ to ‘System Integration’: India’s renewable energy (RE) capacity scaled from ~40 GW in 2015 to ~260 GW by 2025. Managing a highly variable 260 GW requires real-time, system-wide integration with base-load thermal power, Pumped Storage Hydropower, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to prevent frequency collapse.
• The “Silo” Conundrum: India’s energy governance is deeply fractured. Distinct ministries handle specific domains—Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). This leads to overlapping timelines, regulatory friction, and sub-optimal resource allocation. A unified framework treats coal, gas, biomass, and RE as complementary feedstocks rather than competing commercial domains.
• Supply-Demand Asymmetries: Supply-side manufacturing mandates are outpacing infrastructure and market off-take readiness. Mega initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission and SATAT (Compressed Biogas) face severe bottlenecks in midstream evacuation, localized pipeline networks, and uniform pricing. An integrated policy aligns production directly with commercial demand absorption.
• Eliminating Data Silos: Critical electricity sector data remains scattered across multiple agencies with non-standardized formats, hindering real-time decision-making, planning, and investment. The draft National Electricity Data Sharing Framework, 2026 proposes a National Electricity Data Centre (NEDC) to standardize electricity data across the power sector, enabling AI-based grid management, accurate demand forecasting, and integrated energy planning.
• Mitigating Fiscal Stress and Import Vulnerabilities: India remains structurally dependent on foreign imports for over 85% of its crude oil, while quantified energy subsidies consume roughly 2.3% of the national GDP. Fragmented policies drain fiscal resources through uncoordinated subsidies. A unified architecture links demand-side solar schemes (PM Surya Ghar, PM-KUSUM) directly with state-level distribution company (DISCOM) structural reforms, while integrating Carbon Capture (CCUS) to de-risk hard-to-abate industrial sectors.

Key Challenges in Implementing a Unified Energy Architecture

• Institutional Fragmentation: A unified architecture requires centralized planning, but creating an apex coordinating mechanism (like a proposed Department of Energy Resources) threatens existing bureaucratic jurisdictions. This fragmentation causes a “resource-impetus mismatch,” where thermal and renewable sectors operate with conflicting regulatory timelines.
• Transmission Deficit: Generation and transmission planning are completely desynchronized. Renewable Energy (RE) projects have a gestation period of 12–18 months, whereas setting up interstate transmission networks takes 18–30 months. This mismatch leads to massive grid congestion and power curtailment. For instance, the tight operating frequency band of India’s grid (49.90 Hz to 50.05 Hz) struggles to handle intermittent solar fluctuations (the “duck curve”), frequently forcing the grid to curtail clean energy.
• Massive Energy Storage Gap: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects that India needs 60.63 GW of energy storage by 2030 (41.65 GW from BESS). As of early 2024, India had only a fraction of this operational, severely constrained by high capital costs and critical mineral import dependencies.
• DISCOM Financial Distress and Capital Scarcity: A unified architecture demands astronomical upfront capital for grid modernization, smart metering, and decentralized distribution. The primary buyers of electricity—the State Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs)—remain structurally debt-ridden. Their persistent financial losses, driven by high AT&C losses and un-rationalized tariffs, severely restrict their ability to invest in grid flexibility and procure expensive integrated clean power.
• The “Just Transition” and Federal Friction: A unified, top-down national policy clashes with stark state-level economic realities. Designing a framework that funds local workforce reskilling without crippling state economies remains a massive political challenge under India’s model of competitive federalism.

Key Highlights of the Proposed INSA Framework

• Adequacy: Focuses on securing a reliable, highly diversified energy supply by balancing a portfolio of conventional and emerging sources. This is to be driven by modernized infrastructure, grid-scale energy storage, and advanced digital technologies to mitigate long-term systemic vulnerabilities.
• Access: Emphasizes providing reliable, equitable energy services to every citizen by strengthening last-mile delivery networks, enhancing utility service quality, and expanding decentralized energy solutions where grid connectivity is unviable.
• Affordability: Recognizes that the clean energy transition must remain economically viable for households, commercial businesses, and heavy industries. This will be achieved by deploying innovative financing mechanisms, maximizing market efficiencies, and structuring consumer-focused safeguards.
• Appropriate Sustainability: Rejects a “one-size-fits-all” template, advocating instead for climate solutions tailored to India’s unique social, economic, and environmental context. This includes targeted support for local communities, workforce development, and region-specific transition pathways.

Strategic Enablers and Emerging Technologies Highlighted

• Cross-Cutting Technical Levers: The framework identifies Circular Economy practices and Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) as mandatory mechanisms to complement renewable energy and aggressively abate emissions in hard-to-decarbonize industrial sectors.
• Green Hydrogen and Clean Tech: Immediate prioritization is placed on accelerating the commercial scaling and infrastructure deployment of green hydrogen alongside advanced bio-resources.
• Resource Optimization: The architecture treats coal, renewables, biomass, natural gas, and waste-to-energy systems not as isolated, competing sectors, but as interdependent components of a single, interconnected national energy asset.

Conclusion

India’s Near-Term Priorities must focus on breaking ministerial silos, fast-tracking interstate transmission infrastructure to eliminate renewable energy curtailment, and deploying cost-effective grid-scale energy storage. Concurrently, the Long-Term Evolution of India’s energy landscape should rely on deeply integrating low-carbon technologies like Green Hydrogen, expanding circular bio-resources, and commercializing CCUS. This phased transition will successfully bridge the gap between regional socioeconomic realities and the national imperative of a resilient, net-zero energy ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Unified National Energy Framework proposed by INSA?

It is a coordinated energy governance framework that integrates policies across fossil fuels, renewable energy, electricity, green hydrogen, and climate commitments to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy system.

2. Why does India need a Unified National Energy Framework?

It aims to eliminate policy fragmentation, improve grid integration, strengthen energy security, reduce import dependence, and support India’s Net Zero 2070 and Energy Self-Reliance 2047 goals.

3. What are the four pillars of the proposed INSA Framework?

The framework is based on Adequacy, Access, Affordability, and Appropriate Sustainability, ensuring reliable, inclusive, affordable, and region-specific energy development.

4. What are the major challenges in implementing the Unified Energy Framework?

Key challenges include institutional fragmentation, transmission bottlenecks, inadequate energy storage, financially stressed DISCOMs, and ensuring a just transition for coal-dependent states.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)

1. It is a Public Limited Government Company.
2. It is a Non-Banking Financial Company.Select the correct answer using the code given below:(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2Ans: (c)

Mains

Q. “Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (2018)

9 Years of Goods and Services Tax (GST)

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has completed nine years since its launch in 2017, marking a major milestone in India’s indirect tax reform journey. The recent Next-Generation GST reforms have further simplified the tax structure, reduced rates, eased compliance and strengthened GST’s role in supporting households, MSMEs, businesses and India’s broader economic growth.

Summary

GST has become one of India’s most important post-Independence tax reforms by replacing multiple central and state-level indirect taxes with a unified, destination-based taxation system. Over nine years, GST has strengthened formalisation, improved revenue buoyancy, expanded the taxpayer base, promoted cooperative federalism through the GST Council and enabled technology-driven tax administration through GSTN, e-invoicing, automation, AI and data analytics.

Key Achievements of GST over the Past 9 Years

• Creation of a Common National Market: GST replaced India’s fragmented indirect tax system with an integrated framework based on the principle of “One Nation, One Tax”. It subsumed 17 different taxes and 13 cesses, reducing tax fragmentation, hidden costs and cascading effects.
• Expansion of the Taxpayer Base: The number of GST taxpayers increased from 66.5 lakh in 2017 to 1.65 crore by May 2026, reflecting greater formalisation of the economy and wider tax compliance.
• Strong Revenue Growth: Gross GST collection stood at around ₹7.4 lakh crore in 2017-18 and increased steadily over the years. In the last five years, collections rose from around ₹13.76 lakh crore in 2021-22 to ₹22.27 lakh crore in 2025-26.
• High-Frequency Indicator of Economic Activity: GST collections have become an important indicator of consumption, trade, compliance and economic formalisation. The momentum continued in 2026-27, with GST collections reaching around ₹4.37 lakh crore during April-May 2026.
• Strengthening of Cooperative Federalism: The GST Council has brought the Centre and States together in tax decision-making. Its regular reviews and course corrections have helped address emerging challenges and maintain flexibility in the tax system.
• Digital Transformation of Tax Administration: The Goods and Services Tax Network has provided a common digital infrastructure for taxpayers, the Centre, States and other stakeholders. E-invoicing, pre-filled returns, real-time validation and digital reconciliation have improved transparency and reduced manual reporting errors.
• Ease of Compliance for Small Taxpayers: GST reforms have simplified compliance through higher exemption limits, the composition scheme, quarterly return filing, NIL return filing through SMS, and faster registration for low-risk applicants.

Key Facts about Goods and Services Tax (GST)

• About: The 101st Amendment Act, 2016, introduced a unified indirect tax system across India by subsuming multiple central and state taxes under GST. GST is a value-added tax levied on the supply of all goods and services. It replaced central taxes like Excise Duty, Additional Excise Duties, and Service Tax, and state taxes like VAT, Central Sales Tax, and Luxury Tax.
• Main Features: * Supply-Based Taxation: GST is levied on the supply of goods and services, unlike earlier taxes which were imposed on manufacture, sale, or service provision.
  • Destination-Based System: GST operates as a destination-based consumption tax, replacing the older origin-based taxation model.
  • Rate Structure: After GST 2.0, the structure has primarily moved to two slabs of 5% and 18%, along with a 40% rate for luxury and sin goods.
  • Dual Structure: GST has a dual framework, where both the Centre (CGST) and the States (SGST) levy tax on the same transaction value. Imports of goods and services are considered inter-state supplies and attract IGST, in addition to applicable customs duties.
  • Governance: GST Council is a key decision making body. Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) provides an IT system for the GST portal. The Centre and States decide CGST, SGST, and IGST rates based on the recommendations of the GST Council.

Key Features of the Next-Generation GST Reforms

• GST 2.0 Reform Push: The 56th GST Council meeting approved the Next-Generation GST reforms to simplify the indirect tax system, reduce compliance burden and improve the lives of common people and businesses. These reforms came into effect from 22nd September 2025.
• Simplified Rate Structure: The tax structure has been streamlined primarily into two slabs, 5% and 18%, making GST simpler, more predictable and easier to comply with.
• Higher Rate for Luxury and Sin Goods: A 40% GST rate has been introduced for luxury and sin goods to maintain revenue balance while ensuring a fairer tax structure. This includes items such as lottery/online gaming, tobacco, aerated drinks, high-end cars, yachts and private aircraft.
• Relief for Households and Consumers: Lower GST rates and exemptions aim to make goods and services cheaper, support household savings and improve affordability. Exemptions on insurance and essential medicines also strengthen household protection and healthcare access.
• Boost to MSMEs and Industry: Reduced GST rates on key inputs and sectors such as cement and handicrafts lower production costs, improve competitiveness and support small businesses, artisans and manufacturers.
• Correction of Inverted Duty Structures: The reforms seek to correct inverted duty structures, thereby supporting domestic value addition, reducing tax distortions and promoting exports.
• Easier Compliance for Businesses: GST 2.0 makes registration and return filing easier, speeds up refunds and lowers procedural costs, especially for MSMEs, startups and small taxpayers.
• Data-Driven Tax Administration: The reforms strengthen the use of GSTN, e-invoicing, pre-filled returns, real-time validation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics to improve compliance, reduce errors and detect tax evasion more efficiently.

Challenges in the Current GST Framework

• Exclusion of Key Items: Alcohol for human consumption and five petroleum products remain outside the effective GST framework, limiting seamless input tax credit and creating scope for tax cascading across supply chains. Bringing them under GST is also politically difficult because States depend heavily on these items for revenue.
• Rate and Classification Disputes: Although GST 2.0 has simplified the structure mainly into 5% and 18% slabs, with a 40% rate for luxury and sin goods, classification disputes may continue due to exemptions, special categories and interpretation of product-specific rates.
• Operationalisation of GST Appellate Tribunal: The GST Appellate Tribunal has been created to provide an independent forum for appeals, with a Principal Bench and State Benches, but delays and transition issues in its full functioning can prolong litigation and increase uncertainty for taxpayers.
• Compliance Burden for Small Businesses: Despite digital reforms, small taxpayers and MSMEs may still face challenges due to frequent notifications, return-filing requirements, reconciliation issues and the need to keep pace with changing procedural rules.
• Inverted Duty Structure: Although GST reforms have attempted to correct inverted duty structures, some sectors may still face working capital stress where input taxes are higher than output taxes, leading to refund dependence and liquidity pressure.
• Centre-State Revenue Concerns: GST depends on cooperative federalism, but differences between the Centre and States over rate changes, exemptions, compensation and revenue protection can slow down deeper reforms.

Reforms to Further Strengthen the GST Framework

• Phased Inclusion of Excluded Items: Petroleum products may be brought under GST in a calibrated manner, beginning with relatively easier items such as natural gas and Aviation Turbine Fuel, supported by revenue-neutral rates and temporary compensation safeguards for States. Since alcoholic liquor for human consumption is constitutionally outside GST, any move in this direction would require wider political consensus and fiscal safeguards for States.
• Further Rate Rationalisation after GST 2.0: After the Next-Generation GST reforms simplified the structure mainly into 5% and 18% slabs, the next step should be to reduce residual classification disputes, review exemptions and address sectors still facing inverted duty structures.
• Faster Refunds and Correction of Inverted Duty Structures: Refund processing should be made faster and more predictable, especially for exporters and sectors facing input-output tax mismatches. Rebalancing input tax rates can reduce working capital pressure and support domestic value addition.
• Strengthening Dispute Resolution: GST Appellate Tribunals should be made fully functional across the country by fast-tracking appointments and infrastructure. Binding clarificatory circulars and limited amnesty for early procedural lapses can reduce litigation and conflicting interpretations.
• Preparing GST for Emerging Sectors: The next phase of GST reform should provide clearer rules for digital goods and services, crypto-assets, carbon credits and other emerging sectors to ensure certainty, uniformity and alignment with evolving global tax practices.

Conclusion

GST has transformed India’s indirect tax system by creating a common market, widening formalisation, strengthening cooperative federalism and making tax administration more technology-driven. Going ahead, deeper digital integration, faster dispute resolution, correction of remaining distortions and a broader tax base will be crucial to making GST simpler, more transparent and growth-oriented in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is GST?

GST is an indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services. It replaced multiple central and state-level indirect taxes and created a unified tax system.

2. What is GST 2.0?

GST 2.0 refers to Next-Generation GST reforms focused on rate simplification, easier compliance, faster refunds and wider relief for households, MSMEs and industry.

3. How has GST helped formalisation?

GST has expanded the taxpayer base, increased digital reporting, improved compliance and made tax collections a high-frequency indicator of economic activity.

4. What is the inverted duty structure?

An inverted duty structure occurs when inputs are taxed at a higher rate than the final product, leading to accumulated input tax credit and refund issues.

5. What are the major challenges in GST?

Major challenges include ITC disputes, inverted duty structures, multiple registrations, sectors outside GST, reconciliation mismatches and compliance burden for small firms.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’? (2017)

1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.Select the correct answer using the code given below:(a) 1 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Ans: (a) MainsQ. Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017. How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions? (2020)

NITI Aayog’s Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global

NITI Aayog has released the “Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global.” The report diagnoses why Ayurveda trails Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in global penetration, and lays out a phased action plan running from 2025 to 2047 (the centenary of independence) to correct this.

What is the Current Status of Ayurveda Globally?

• Export Growth: The export value of Ayurveda and herbal products has doubled from USD 1.09 billion in 2014 to USD 2.16 billion in 2023, reaching approximately 150 countries.
• Global Recognition: Ayurveda is formally recognised in nearly 30 countries through varying licensing models and academic collaborations.
• Domestic vs. Global Workforce: India boasts a robust domestic ecosystem with over 355,000 trained Ayurveda practitioners. However, 95% of these qualified professionals are based in India, indicating limited international mobility.
• International Integration: Ayurveda research now spans nearly 70 countries, bolstered by the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Ayush academic “Chairs” exist in institutions such as the University of Mauritius (Mauritius) and Western Sydney University (Australia) to promote Ayurveda education and research globally. However, a standardized international curriculum is still lacking.
• WHO Integration: The WHO officially integrated Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) into the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) through its supplementary Traditional Medicine Conditions (TM-2) module. Furthermore, WHO began globally coding ASU interventions under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI), enabling seamless tracking, billing, and research worldwide.

SWOT Analysis of Ayurveda’s Globalisation Potential

How does Ayurveda Compare to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

NITI Aayog’s Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global

• Short Term (up to 2029) – Build the foundation: * Setting up a high-level Mission Steering Group (MSG) chaired by the Minister of Ayush.
  • Launch a Global Ayurveda Register (GAR) for digital credentialing and Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
  • Create a Global Information Portal for licensing, visas, and compliance norms.
  • Fast-track WHO-GMP-equivalent certification for major manufacturers.
  • Develop an Export Edition of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia.
  • Set up a real-time Ayurveda Trade Dashboard and align products with proper HS codes.
• Medium Term (up to 2035) – Market integration: * Pursue registrations under frameworks like the EU’s Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD).
  • Pilot insurance coverage for Ayurveda in select OECD countries.
  • Operationalise professional mobility through Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs).
  • Introduce Ayurveda electives in international medical schools.
  • Establishing international Ayurveda MVT hubs (beginning with Mauritius) and offering bundled Ayush Visa packages.
  • Scaling up multi-country trials and modernising the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL).
• Long Term (up to 2047) — Systemic integration: * Formal recognition/integration of Ayurveda in at least 20 national health systems.
  • Insurance coverage for defined Ayurveda indications in at least 10 countries.
  • A functioning global network of International Ayurveda Centres of Excellence.
  • A trusted, evidence-forward global brand narrative for Ayurveda.

Conclusion

NITI Aayog’s roadmap offers the perfect prescription to graduate Ayurveda from fragmented wellness spas to regulated global pharmacies. By harmonising ancient wisdom with modern evidence-based rigor, India can effectively rival the dominance of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Securing this “medical visa” through standardised licensing will transform our cultural soft power into hard economic gains. Ultimately, this strategic pulse-check ensures Ayurveda becomes a universally trusted pillar of global healthcare by 2047.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the objective of NITI Aayog’s Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global?

The roadmap aims to transform Ayurveda into a globally recognized, evidence-based healthcare system through regulatory reforms, scientific validation, international partnerships, and phased implementation from 2025 to 2047.

2. What is the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC)?

The WHO GTMC, located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is the first global centre dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and evidence-based traditional medicine.

3. How has WHO strengthened the global recognition of Ayurveda?

The WHO has integrated Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) into ICD-11 (TM-2) and ICHI, enabling standardized disease classification, intervention coding, research, and health insurance integration.

4. Why does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) enjoy greater global acceptance than Ayurveda?

TCM benefits from strong government support, international standard-setting, overseas institutions, insurance coverage, and dedicated ISO standards, whereas Ayurveda faces regulatory, research, and market access constraints.

5. What are the key recommendations for globalising Ayurveda?

The roadmap proposes establishing a Global Ayurveda Register (GAR), strengthening WHO-GMP certification, expanding Medical Value Travel (MVT), modernising TKDL, promoting Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs), and integrating Ayurveda into national health systems worldwide.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)

Mains

Q.1 How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (2019)

Centre Proposes Special Article 371 Framework for Ladakh

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released the official minutes of its meetings with civil society groups from Ladakh, revealing a breakthrough agreement. The Centre has proposed a unique, customized model of self-governance under Article 371 for the Union Territory of Ladakh. This draft agreement marks a significant step toward resolving years of political deadlock, agitations, and representation deficits in the region.

What is the Proposed Governance Model for Ladakh?

• A “Sui Generis” Model under Article 371: Instead of the Sixth Schedule, the Centre will implement a customized, unique (sui generis) framework drawing from the various provisions of Article 371 (similar to protections in Nagaland or Mizoram). This is intended to legally safeguard Ladakh’s tribal culture, land, and local employment.
• Elected UT-Level Body: Ladakh will move away from being a purely bureaucrat-run Union Territory. A democratic, Union Territory-level elected body will be established to provide a political voice to the local population.
• Tripartite Powers: This new elected body will not just be advisory; it will be vested with distinct executive, financial, and legislative powers to govern local subjects.
• Direct Control Over Bureaucracy: In a major shift from standard UT administration, the elected executive will have direct control and supervision over civil servants who manage subjects under the elected body’s purview. This also includes the authority to review and appraise officials’ performance.
• Harmonized Local Governance: The new overarching legislature will be structured to work in harmony with the grassroots Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• Statehood as a Long-Term Goal: While immediate full statehood is not part of this immediate package due to financial constraints, the Centre has formally acknowledged that Statehood remains the “long-term aspiration” of the Ladakhi people.

Why is Ladakh Demanding Constitutional Safeguards?

• Reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir (2019): In August 2019, the abrogation of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 bifurcated the erstwhile state. Ladakh achieved its long-standing demand to become a separate Union Territory, but it was designated as a UT without a legislature.
• The “Representation Deficit”: Prior to 2019, Ladakh had four MLAs in the J&K Assembly. Its transition to a UT left all administrative control with the Centre-appointed Lieutenant Governor, severely curtailing local democratic representation. The existing Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil had limited powers.
• Agitations (2021-2026): Fearing demographic changes and loss of land rights, the civil groups spearhead massive protests, shutdowns, and fasts (notably led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk).
• The Four-Point Demand: 1. Full Statehood for Ladakh.2. Safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.3. Establishment of a separate Ladakh Public Service Commission (LPSC) for job reservations.4. Two Parliamentary seats for the region (Leh and Kargil).

Article 371

• About: Article 371, under Part XXI of the Constitution, provides special provisions for certain States to address their unique historical, cultural, social, and regional needs. While Article 371 has been part of the Constitution since 26th January 1950, Articles 371A to 371J were inserted later through constitutional amendments under Article 368.
• Key Feature: Unlike the Sixth Schedule, which operates via Autonomous Councils, Article 371 empowers the State Legislature or the Governor to protect local customs, religious practices, and customary laws, and restricts the transfer of land to non-residents (e.g., Article 371A for Nagaland).
• Examples: Article 371 provides for separate Development Boards in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Article 371A (Nagaland), Article 371B (Assam), Article 371C (Manipur), Articles 371D & 371E (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Article 371F (Sikkim), Article 371G (Mizoram), Article 371H (Arunachal Pradesh), Article 371I (Goa), and Article 371J (Kalyana Karnataka).
• The Proposed Fix: The Centre argues that a customized Article 371 framework offers Ladakh the same robust protections for land, culture, and jobs without the administrative complexities of the Sixth Schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why has the Centre proposed an Article 371-based framework for Ladakh instead of the Sixth Schedule?

The Centre believes a customized Article 371 framework can safeguard land, tribal culture, and local employment while providing greater administrative flexibility than the Sixth Schedule.

2. What are the key features of the proposed governance model for Ladakh?

It proposes an elected UT-level body with executive, financial, and legislative powers, direct supervision over local bureaucracy, and coordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions.

3. What were the major demands raised by Ladakh’s civil society groups?

The four key demands were full statehood, Sixth Schedule status, a separate Ladakh Public Service Commission, and two Parliamentary constituencies.

4. How does Article 371 differ from the Sixth Schedule?

Article 371 provides State-specific constitutional safeguards through special provisions, whereas the Sixth Schedule establishes Autonomous District Councils with legislative, judicial, and administrative powers in notified tribal areas.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims Q. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void? (2019)

(a) Third Schedule

(b) Fifth Schedule

(c) Ninth Schedule

(d) Twelfth Schedule

Ans: (b) Q. The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective? (2013)

(a) To provide self-governance

(b) To recognize traditional rights

(c) To create autonomous regions in tribal areas

(d) To free tribal people from exploitation

Ans: (c) Q. Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education? (2012)

1. Directive Principles of State Policy
2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies
3. Fifth Schedule
4. Sixth Schedule
5. Seventh ScheduleSelect the correct answer using the codes given below:(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 3, 4 and 5 only(c) 1, 2 and 5 only(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Ans: (d) MainsQ. To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “Temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity. (2016)Q. Why are the tribals in India referred to as ‘the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment. (2016)

Inaugural India–Mali Forum for Promotion of Exports

In a significant stride toward cementing economic ties in the West African region, India and Mali officially institutionalized their commercial partnership by organizing the inaugural India–Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports in Bamako under the theme “Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnerships.”

Key Takeaways from the India–Mali Export Forum

• Bilateral Trade Surge: Bilateral trade between the two nations witnessed an impressive 55% year-on-year growth, surpassing USD 326.61 million in FY 2025–26.
• Catalyst for Trade: India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme has emerged as the primary catalyst in driving and strengthening this bilateral trade trajectory.
• Untapped Market Potential: Against Mali’s global exports of approximately US$ 4 billion, the untapped export potential for Malian goods in the Indian market is estimated at nearly USD 3.96 billion.
• Key Trade Commodities: * Mali’s Exports to India: Raw cotton, finished leather, cashew, lead, gum arabic, and sesame.
  • India’s Exports to Mali: Pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, two- and three-wheelers, and bicycles.
• Priority Sectors Identified: Both nations earmarked cotton and textiles, mining and energy, agro-industry and shea processing, pharmaceuticals, and social infrastructure (health and education) for future joint ventures and investments.
• Mutual Administrative Requests: Mali sought Indian support for digitizing its Certificate of Origin system and faster registration of Indian pharmaceuticals, while India requested a reconsideration of Mali’s shea-nut export ban and emphasized the protection of Indian nationals and investments.
• Future Roadmap: Mali positioned itself as a strategic investment hub for West Africa under its Vision Mali 2063 roadmap and announced a dedicated Investment Forum to be held in December 2026, to present bankable projects to international investors.

Mali Quick Facts

• Location: Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, situated in the Sahara and Sahel regions. It shares borders with Algeria (North), Niger and Burkina Faso (East), Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea (South), and Senegal and Mauritania (West).
• Capital: Bamako
• Major Rivers: Niger River (lifeline of the country) and Senegal River.
• Highest Peak: Mount Hombori (1,155 m).
• Climate: Predominantly hot, arid, and semi-arid, influenced by the Harmattan and Alizé winds.
• Major Physiographic Regions: Sahara Desert (North), Sahel (Central), and Sudanian Savanna (South).
• Economy: A low-income, agriculture-dependent economy, with gold as the largest export, alongside cotton, livestock, and fishing. Important minerals include iron, bauxite, manganese, and lithium.
• Historical Significance: Once part of the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires; Timbuktu was a renowned centre of trans-Saharan trade and Islamic learning.

I-2SEA Submarine Cable System Unveiled

A consortium comprising Microsoft, Singtel, Tata Communications and Lightstorm has signed contracts to build the India–Southeast Asia (I-2SEA) submarine cable system to meet the rising demand for AI, cloud and hyperscaler connectivity across the India–Southeast Asia corridor.

• About: I-2SEA is a submarine cable system with carrier-neutral landing infrastructure, connecting India’s east coast with Malaysia and Singapore and linking key AI and cloud infrastructure hubs in the region. Submarine cables are undersea fibre-optic cables that carry large volumes of internet, telecom and data traffic, forming the backbone of global digital connectivity.
• Route and Landings: The system will have dual landing stations in India at Machilipatnam and South Chennai, with Machilipatnam providing the shortest subsea access to Hyderabad, and onward connectivity to Mumbai and over 80 data centres through Lightstorm’s terrestrial network.
• Purpose: The cable is designed to serve hyperscalers, GPU infrastructure providers and enterprises running AI training and inference workloads, while enabling high-capacity, low-latency digital connectivity.
• Features: The system will feature interoperable cable architecture, carrier-neutral landing infrastructure, deep cable burial for enhanced protection, and integration with Lightstorm’s SmartNet AI Fabric and Polarin platform for unified network management.
• Significance: Expected to be operational by Q4 2029, the approximately 3,600-km cable will strengthen India–Southeast Asia digital connectivity, support the growth of AI and cloud ecosystems, and provide one of the fastest transmission routes between Singapore/Malaysia and Hyderabad.

MANAS: Digital Platform Against Drug Abuse

In response to India’s growing drug abuse and trafficking challenge, the Government has strengthened technology-enabled citizen participation through initiatives such as MANAS, alongside public-health and law-enforcement measures to achieve a Nasha Mukt Bharat.

• About: Launched on 18th July 2024, MANAS stands for Madak Padarth Nishedh Asoochna Kendra and serves as India’s National Narcotics Helpline under the Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Access and Partners: It has been developed with Digital India Corporation and is accessible through helpline 1933, official portal, email and UMANG app.
• Core Objective: It enables citizens to confidentially report drug trafficking, peddling, illegal cultivation and other drug-related activities without revealing their identity.
• Counselling and Rehabilitation: Persons affected by addiction can access counselling and de-addiction support, with relevant calls transferred to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment helpline 14446.
• Digital Workflow: The platform uses digital ticket generation, workflow management, report tracking and data analytics to improve coordination, identify hotspots and speed up agency response.
• Agency Linkage: MANAS connects citizens with 30 NCB Zonal Units and 36 State/UT Anti-Narcotics Task Forces for coordinated anti-drug action.
• Significance: MANAS strengthens secure reporting, counselling access, digital governance, inter-agency coordination and citizen-led action against drug abuse and trafficking.

SHE-LEAPS Platform

SHE-LEAPS was launched at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan in New Delhi, held under the theme ‘Gramodaya Se Rashtrodaya’, to support the vision of “Viksit Gram – Viksit Bharat.”

• About: SHE-LEAPS stands for Self-Help Entrepreneur-Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability and is a digital platform for empowering women-led SHG enterprises across rural India.
• Development and Platform: The SHE-LEAPS mobile application has been developed by the Digital India Corporation (DIC) and implemented under LokOS, a digital system that captures activities of Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) such as SHGs, Village Organisations and Cluster Level Federations.
• Objectives: The platform aims to empower rural SHG women entrepreneurs, create and strengthen women-led enterprises, integrate rural producers with formal value chains, enhance financial inclusion of SHG households and enable data-driven rural entrepreneurship.
• Implementation and Features: SHE-LEAPS will be implemented in 34 States and Union Territories (UTs) and will assist State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) by capturing real-time enterprise data, tracking livelihood journeys, improving monitoring and supporting better planning and decision-making.
• Link with Lakhpati Didi Mission: SHE-LEAPS will strengthen the Lakhpati Didi mission by enabling end-to-end tracking of income growth and enterprise performance, especially as the target has been expanded from 3 crore to 6 crore women.
• Significance: By combining digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment, SHE-LEAPS will support enterprise expansion, strengthen financial inclusion and contribute to inclusive, sustainable and women-led rural economic transformation.