General Studies Paper-2

Context: Recently, the panel on the Ministry of Panchayati Raj identified several reasons why male relatives of elected women representatives in the Panchayati Raj System are able to act as proxies on their behalf.

Women in Panchayats

• The introduction of women’s reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, was a landmark step toward gender equality in India’s political landscape.
• It mandated that one-third of all seats in panchayats be reserved for women, enabling them to participate in grassroots governance.
• Over the years, several states have extended it to 50%, resulting in the presence of over 1.45 million elected women representatives (EWRs) in PRIs.

Key Challenges Faced by Women Panchayat Members

• Patriarchal Mindset and Sarpanch Pati Syndrome: In many cases, male family members, especially husbands (Sarpanch Pati), fathers, or brothers, act as de facto decision-makers, reducing elected women representatives to mere figureheads.
• It is widely referred to as the ‘Sarpanch Pati Syndrome’ and is prevalent in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
• Lack of Political Training and Awareness: Many women lack awareness of governance structures, financial planning, and policy implementation.
  • It hinders their decision-making capabilities, making them reliant on male counterparts or bureaucrats for governance-related matters.
• Resistance from Bureaucracy and Male Counterparts: Many bureaucrats fail to take women leaders seriously, assuming that they lack competence or decision-making skills.
  • It creates delays in fund allocation and implementation of welfare schemes, reducing the impact of women-led governance.
• Financial Dependence and Lack of Economic Empowerment: Most rural women remain economically dependent on male family members, which restricts their ability to function independently in politics.
  • Limited access to financial resources and micro-credit schemes further diminishes their ability to make independent decisions.
• Gender-Based Violence and Threats: Women in politics, especially in rural areas, face intimidation, verbal abuse, and even physical violence.
  • Incidents of harassment by opposing male politicians or dominant caste groups discourage women from actively participating in governance.
  • In extreme cases, women are coerced into resigning from their positions.
• Dual Burden of Work and Household Responsibilities: Women leaders struggle to balance their political responsibilities with household duties.
  • Societal expectations often burden them with domestic chores, childcare, and agricultural work, leaving them with limited time to focus on governance issues.
• Social and Caste-Based Discrimination: Women from marginalized communities—especially Dalits, Adivasis, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs)—face intersectional discrimination.
  • It is particularly evident in Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana.

Benefits of Strengthening EWRs Decision-Making Capabilities

• Improved Governance and Policy Implementation: For example, in Kudumbashree (Kerala), empowered women leaders played a key role in implementing welfare schemes and poverty alleviation programs.
• Increased Representation and Gender-Responsive Policies: For example, in Nagaland, women-led panchayats have focused on reducing gender-based violence and improving maternal health services.
• Financial Independence: Example: For example, in Bihar, EWRs have successfully implemented micro-loan schemes for women entrepreneurs, boosting rural employment.
• Training for Sarpanch Pati Syndrome): For example, in Rajasthan, training programs helped reduce cases where husbands controlled panchayat decisions.

Key Initiatives Strengthening Women Participation in Panchayats

• National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) – SHG Linkages: It enhances leadership skills and financial independence among rural women.
• Mahila Sabhas (Women’s Gram Sabha Meetings): Organized before regular Gram Sabha meetings to prioritize women’s issues in governance. These ensure that concerns related to health, education, and safety are discussed before the general Panchayat meetings.
• Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan (PMEYSA): Aimed at capacity-building for elected women representatives (EWRs) in Panchayats to enhance their leadership skills and decision-making abilities.
• Mission Shakti (2022): It includes schemes like Sambal (for safety and security) and Samarthya (for economic empowerment), which also aim to strengthen women’s participation in governance structures like Panchayats.
• Women’s Leadership Development Programs (Ministry of Panchayati Raj): Various leadership and capacity-building programs, supported by NGOs and government agencies, aim to enhance women’s decision-making capabilities in Panchayats.

Way Forward: Strengthening Women’s Political Participation

• Capacity-Building and Leadership Training: Initiatives like the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (Centrally Sponsored Scheme) should be expanded to ensure that every elected woman leader is well-equipped to perform her duties.
• Strict Implementation of Laws Against Proxy Representation: State governments must strictly enforce laws to prevent male relatives from unofficially controlling women panchayat members.
  • Awareness campaigns should educate women about their rights and empower them to function independently.
• Financial Empowerment and Access to Resources: Women leaders should be given direct access to panchayat funds and financial aid without bureaucratic interference.
  • Microfinance schemes should be promoted to enhance their economic independence and reduce financial dependence on male family members.
• Reservation in Higher Political Offices: While PRIs have 33-50% reservation for women, the same should be extended to legislative assemblies and parliamentary elections.
  • The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 reserves one-third of seats for women in Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and Delhi Assembly, but will take effect only after delimitation based on a post-enactment census.
  • It would enable more women leaders to transition from grassroots governance to state and national-level politics.
• Strengthening Women’s Support Networks: Initiatives like the National Federation of Elected Women Representatives (NFEWR) should be expanded across all states.
• Ensuring Safety and Protection for Women Leaders: Strict measures should be implemented to protect women leaders from harassment, violence, and political intimidation.
  • Fast-track courts should handle cases of violence against elected women representatives.

Conclusion

• While women panchayat members have made significant strides in political representation, systemic barriers continue to hold them back.
• Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that includes capacity building, legal reforms, gender sensitization, and community support.
• By empowering women representatives and ensuring their full participation in local governance, India can move closer to achieving gender equality and inclusive development.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: Australia and India share a robust and dynamic relationship that has evolved significantly over the years.

• As India continues its rapid economic ascent, Australia emerges as a natural partner, offering complementary strengths and strategic alignment.

About India-Australia Relations

• Historical Ties: India and Australia have shared historical ties dating back to the colonial era under British rule.
• Both nations were part of the Commonwealth, which laid the foundation for their diplomatic relations after India’s independence in 1947.
• Post-independence, India’s policy of non-alignment and Australia’s alignment with Western alliances created a diplomatic gap.
• While interactions remained limited during the Cold War due to differing strategic alignments, relations significantly improved in the post-liberalization era of the 1990s.
• Political and Diplomatic Engagement: It has progressed from a Strategic Partnership (2009) to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2020). Key milestones include:
• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD): Both countries, along with the US and Japan, collaborate in QUAD to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue: A high-level engagement between the foreign and defense ministers of both nations to strengthen security cooperation.
• Economic and Trade Relations:
• India is Australia’s 5th largest trading partner. It is expected to boost bilateral trade from the current $31 billion to $50 billion by 2030.
  • Major exports from Australia to India: Coal, education services, natural gas, and agricultural products.
  • Major exports from India to Australia: Pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, and IT services.
• Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA): Negotiations are ongoing to further enhance trade and investment flows.
• Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA): It aims to boost bilateral trade by reducing tariffs and opening new avenues for economic partnerships.
• Australia is a key supplier of critical minerals, coal, and education services to India.
• Complementary Economies: Australia is rich in natural resources, including critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which are essential for India’s manufacturing and clean energy sectors.
• As India aims to become a global manufacturing hub and transition to renewable energy, Australia’s resources can play a pivotal role in supporting these ambitions.
• Defense and Security Cooperation:
  • Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA): It allows both nations to access each other’s military bases for logistics and maintenance.
  • Cyber and Critical Technology Cooperation: Strengthening collaboration on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital governance.
  • Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD): Both nations with the US and Japan, for countering Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Defense Exercises like Malabar, AUSINDEX, and AUSTRAHIND: For strengthening military interoperability and defense ties.
  • Cultural Ties: Australia is a top destination for Indian students, with over 100,000 Indians studying in Australian universities. Recent initiatives include:
  • India-Australia Education and Research Collaboration: MoUs between universities for research in science, technology, and humanities.
  • Maitri Scholarship Program: Scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia.
  • Diaspora Engagement: A large Indian-origin community in Australia serves as a cultural and economic bridge between the two nations.

Future Roadmap: Four ‘Superhighways of Growth’:

• Clean Energy: Australia is a leader in clean energy technologies and has the resources to support India’s renewable energy goals.
  • It can help India achieve its target of increasing the number of electric vehicles and expanding its renewable energy capacity.
• Agribusiness: The agribusiness sector presents significant opportunities for collaboration.
  • Australia’s expertise in sustainable agriculture and advanced farming techniques can contribute to India’s efforts to enhance food security and agricultural productivity.
• Education and Skills: With India’s growing demand for quality education and skill development, Australian institutions are set to play a pivotal role in meeting these needs.
  • Tourism: Both countries have vibrant tourism industries, and promoting tourism exchanges can strengthen cultural ties and boost economic growth.

Challenges in the Relationship

• Visa and immigration policies: Issues related to work permits and student visas occasionally cause friction.
• China’s influence: Both countries have different trade dependencies on China, which affects their strategic calculations.
• Climate change and environmental policies: Differences in climate commitments and coal exports remain points of discussion.

Conclusion

• Australia’s complementary strengths, strategic alignment, and robust economic cooperation make it a natural partner for India’s growth trajectory.
• By leveraging their respective capabilities and deepening their collaboration in key sectors, Australia and India can achieve mutual prosperity and contribute to regional stability.
• As both nations continue to strengthen their partnership, the future holds immense potential for shared growth and development.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: In recent years, the importance of care work has gained recognition globally, yet it remains underappreciated and undervalued in many economic policies.

In India, the need to center care in economic policy is crucial for achieving gender equality, improving social welfare, and fostering sustainable development.

About the Care Economy (Purple Economy)

• It encompasses all the activities related to caregiving, both paid and unpaid.
• Paid Care Work: Includes nurses, domestic workers, teachers.
• Unpaid Care Work: Cooking, cleaning, caregiving, often undervalued.
• The World Economic Forum’s report on the ‘Future of Care Economy’ highlights three perspectives:
• As an engine for increasing economic productivity.
• As investors and employers (business perspective).
• Focusing on gender equality and disability inclusion (human rights perspective).
• Care Diamond Model: Involves State, markets, households, and communities in care provision.

Invisible Contribution of Care Work

• Globally, unpaid care work is disproportionately carried out by women.
• In India, women spend nearly 312 minutes per day on unpaid domestic and care work, compared to 52 minutes by men (Time Use Survey, 2019).
• It restricts women’s economic participation and contributes to India’s declining female labor force participation rate, which was only 24% in 2022 (World Bank).

Need for a Care Economy in India

• Changing Demographics: A recent study from the United Nations Population Fund finds that as of 2022, about 25% of India’s population is between the ages of 0-14 years, and 10.5% is above 60 years, i.e. about 360 million children and 147 million elderly persons require care.
  • Over the next few decades, not only will the population grow, but there will also be a demographic transition.
  • By 2050, the proportion of elderly persons is expected to increase to 20.8% of the population, i.e. about 347 million persons.
  • Moreover, even as the proportion of children reduces marginally to 18%, the number of children will still be close to 300 million.
• Ageing Population: As life expectancy increases and birth rates decline, the proportion of elderly individuals in our society is rising. This demographic shift necessitates more attention to elderly care.
• Gender Inequality: Women’s active participation in the economy is crucial for reducing gender inequality. However, India faces a low female labour force participation rate (FLFPR).
  • According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, India’s FLFPR was 37% (2022-23), significantly below the world average of 47.8%. One key reason behind this disparity is the disproportionate burden of care that women bear within families.
• Multiple Care Burden: Women in India shoulder multiple care responsibilities, ranging from childcare to looking after other household members—such as the elderly, sick, and disabled.
  • Additionally, they perform substantial unpaid domestic work. In fact, women aged 15-64 years spend about three times more time daily on unpaid domestic work than men.
  • It often prevents women from participating fully in the workforce.
• Childcare as a Focus: To increase women’s participation in the labour force, attention is now turning toward childcare.
  • Some State governments have been working on building support services through the existing Anganwadi network.
  • In the 2024-25 Budget, there was a 3% increase in the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s budget for the integrated child care and nutrition program (Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme).
• Beyond Childcare: While childcare is crucial, we must recognize that women are primary caregivers across the entire life course of household members. Therefore, their care responsibilities need to shift elsewhere.

Economic Benefits of a Care-Centered Policy

• Higher Female Workforce Participation: Expanding care services, such as affordable daycare centers and elderly care facilities, would allow more women to enter the workforce, thereby increasing overall economic productivity.
• Job Creation: Investing in the care economy can generate millions of jobs, particularly for women.
  • The ILO estimates that investment in care services could create 11 million new jobs in India by 2030.
• Improved Health and Well-being: A strong care infrastructure ensures better early childhood development, elderly care, and mental well-being, leading to a healthier and more productive population.
• Reduction in Gender Inequality: Recognizing and redistributing care work can help bridge the gender gap in wages and economic opportunities.

Challenges in Integrating Care into Economic Policy

• Financial and Budgetary Constraints: Public spending on care services, including child care and elderly care, remains low compared to other social sectors.
• Lack of Data and Policy Recognition: Economic indicators like GDP do not account for unpaid care work, making it difficult to push for policy changes.
• Deep-seated Gender Norms: The cultural expectation that women should be the primary caregivers limits policy efforts to redistribute care responsibilities.
• Fragmented Healthcare and Social Services: Lack of coordination among different sectors (e.g., health, welfare, labor) leads to inefficiencies.
  • Different funding sources and priorities create policy misalignment.
  • Healthcare and social care often fall under different ministries, leading to jurisdictional conflicts.
• Technological and Data Sharing Barriers: Interoperability between healthcare IT systems is a challenge.
  • Privacy concerns and lack of standardized data policies slow down integration.

Policy Recommendations for a Care-Centric Economy

• Increase Public Investment in Care Services: The government should expand public child care, elderly care, and health services to reduce the burden on families, particularly women.
• Recognize and Measure Unpaid Care Work: Incorporating the economic value of unpaid care work into national accounts and economic indicators.
  • It can be achieved through time-use surveys and satellite accounts that measure the contribution of care work to the economy.
• Strengthen Legal Protections for Domestic and Care Workers: Ensuring fair wages, social security, and labor rights for care workers will improve working conditions in the sector.
• Promote Shared Responsibilities: Encouraging equal participation of men in household and care work through public awareness campaigns can help shift gender norms.
• Integrate Care Economy into Economic Planning: Future budgets and economic policies must allocate funds specifically for care-related infrastructure and services.
• Encouraging Shared Responsibility: Promoting policies and cultural shifts that encourage men to take on a more equitable share of care responsibilities.
• It includes implementing paternity leave policies, conducting awareness campaigns, and challenging traditional gender norms.
• Promoting Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Allocating resources to address gender disparities in care work through targeted programs and initiatives.
• It includes increasing funding for social protection schemes, such as maternity benefits, paid family leave, and pensions for caregivers.

Conclusion

• Centering care in India’s economic policy is essential for achieving gender equality, improving social welfare, and fostering sustainable development.
• By recognizing the value of care work and implementing supportive policies, India can create a more inclusive and equitable society.
• As the country continues to grow and develop, it is crucial to ensure that care work is no longer invisible but is acknowledged and valued as a fundamental pillar of the economy.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has revolutionized public procurement in India benefiting government buyers and small businesses alike.

What is GeM?

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is an online platform for public procurement in India. It was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to enhance transparency, efficiency, and speed in government procurement.
• Objective: To create an open and transparent procurement platform for government buyers.

Core Principles of GeM

Key Features of GeM

• SWAYATT is the portal’s commitment to enhance ease of doing business and establish direct market linkages to annual public procurement for startups, women entrepreneurs, Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) and youth.
• Startup Runway 2.0 is an opportunity for Startups to showcase their innovative products and services to Government buyers and engage in public procurement.
• GeM has created a dedicated marketplace category for all Startups to list their products and services, irrespective of their DPIIT-certification.
• Womaniya initiative seeks to showcase products made by women entrepreneurs and women self-help groups [WSHGs].
• GeM is collaborating with various stakeholders from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises [MSME] ecosystem with special focus on entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Caste/ Schedule Tribes [SC/ ST].
• The SARAS Collection is a pristine handcrafted collection of handicrafts, handloom textiles, office décor, furnishings, accessories, event souvenirs, personal hygiene and care products from top of the line SHGs in India.

Impact of GeM

• Cost Savings: Competitive pricing has resulted in lower procurement costs for the government.
• Wider Market Access: Vendors from across the country, including rural areas, can register and sell their products.
• Boost to MSMEs & Startups: Nearly 50% of the orders on GeM are from MSMEs, promoting small businesses.

Concluding remarks

• The platform’s strategic initiatives have significantly contributed to the ease of doing business and enhanced participation in government procurement.
• As GeM continues to evolve, it remains committed to its vision of creating a sustainable, open, and competitive marketplace, driving India’s progress towards inclusive and transparent public procurement practices.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that 1,100 out of 1,200 government schemes are now under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring direct transfers to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Need and Background of Direct Benefit Transfers

• After independence, India sought to overcome the constraints inherited from colonial rule and emerge as a global power, emphasizing centralized planning and public welfare.
• Despite the emphasis on public provisioning, there were widespread issues in accessing welfare benefits due to financial leakages, delays, and inefficiencies.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Timeline 

• Direct Benefit Transfer deals with transfer of benefits to the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.
• In 2014, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mission was launched, leveraging digital technologies to improve public service delivery.
• In 2014, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) was launched to address financial inclusion.
• JAM Trinity : The success of PMJDY paved the way for the creation of the world’s biggest targeted payments framework.

Major Central schemes seeded with DBT

• PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): It is a Central Sector Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme, under which, financial assistance of Rs.6000/- per annum is provided to all landholding farmer families across the country, subject to certain exclusion criteria.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): It aims to enhance livelihood security for rural households.
  • Its wages are credited directly to the bank/post office accounts of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS beneficiaries by the Central Government through DBT.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna (PMMVY): It aims to encourage improved health-seeking behavior among Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM).
  • It provides benefits to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G): The PMAY-G aims at providing 2.95 crore houses to the eligible rural population in the country so as to achieve the objective of “Housing for All”.

DBT’s Impact

• DBT schemes expanded from 28 in 2013-14 to 323 in 2024-25, with funds transferred growing nearly 1000 times, from 7,400 crores to 7 lakh crores.
• DBT has saved around 3.5 lakh crores by reducing leakages and inefficiencies.
• DBT eliminated fake or duplicate beneficiaries, using Aadhar data, with schemes like PAHAL, MGNREGS, and PDS removing over 9.2 crore ineligible beneficiaries.
• DBT ensured timely transfer of benefits, improving the delivery of scholarships, pensions, and social assistance, while eliminating delays and reducing dependency on government offices.
• DBT Increased transparency and accountability and it allowed the redesign of welfare programs such as Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), PM-JAY (health insurance), and PM-KISAN (farmers’ cash transfers).

International Recognition

• DBT has been praised by international organizations like the World Bank and IMF for its efficiency, reducing corruption, and broadening the reach of welfare schemes.

Future Potential

• The success of DBT can be leveraged to introduce more welfare schemes, and its efficiency can support innovative policies addressing broader well-being, helping India move towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: As per the World Bank’s report (India Country Economic Memorandum), India will need to accelerate reforms to achieve an average annual growth rate of 7.8% for becoming a high-income economy by 2047.

About

• From 2000 in real terms, the economy has grown nearly four-fold, and GDP per capita has almost tripled.
• India grew faster than the rest of the world, its share in the global economy has doubled from 1.6% in 2000 to 3.4% in 2023.
• India has become the world’s fifth largest economy.

Key Points from the India Country Economic Memorandum:

• Target of High-Income Status by 2047: Achievable with ambitious reforms, building on India’s past growth (6.3% from 2000-2024).
• Global Examples: Countries like Chile, Korea, and Poland succeeded in transitioning to high-income by integrating deeper into the global economy.

Key Growth Scenarios for 2047:

• Achieve faster, inclusive growth across states.
• Increase total investment from 33.5% to 40% of GDP by 2035.
• Raise labor force participation from 56.4% to above 65%.
• Overall labour force participation rates have remained low in India compared to countries like Vietnam (73%) and Philippines (60%).
• Accelerate productivity growth.
• India’s GNI (gross national income) per capita must increase nearly 8 times, requiring accelerated growth.
• Demographic Dividend: Invest in human capital, create better jobs, and raise female labor force participation from 35.6% to 50% by 2047.

Critical Areas for Policy Action:

• Increase Investment: Strengthen financial sector regulations, ease MSME credit access, and simplify FDI policies.
• Create More Jobs: Target job-rich sectors (e.g., agro-processing, hospitality), invest in skills, and foster an innovation-driven economy.
• Promote Structural Transformation: Shift labor and resources to higher productivity sectors like manufacturing and services, improve infrastructure, and streamline labor market regulations.
• Enable Faster State Growth: Tailor policies for less developed states (focus on fundamentals) and more developed states (focus on advanced reforms and GVC participation).
• Federal Support: Incentivize low-income states with federal programs like the Urban Challenge Fund to improve public expenditure, efficiency and accelerate growth.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: Aditya-L1 has made a significant discovery by capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere (photosphere and chromosphere).

Aditya-L1

• It was launched in September 2023, by ISRO’s PSLV C-57 rocket.
• It was placed in a halo orbit around the Earth-Sun Lagrange Point (L1) in January
• It is India’s first dedicated space-based solar mission.
• It stays approximately 1.5 million km away from Earth, directed towards the Sun, which is about 1% of the Earth-Sun distance.
• It would study the outer atmosphere of the Sun.
• It will neither land on the Sun nor approach the Sun any closer.

Scientific payloads

• The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT): It captures high-resolution images in 11 different NUV bands, enabling the study of multiple solar layers.
• Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS), and High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) monitor solar X-ray emissions to detect flare activity.

Importance

• A significant revelation is the correlation between localized brightening in the lower atmosphere and an increase in plasma temperature in the solar corona, validating long-standing theories about solar flare physics.

Do you know?

• “Aditya” means the Sun in Sanskrit, and “L1” refers to Lagrange Point 1 in the Sun-Earth system.
• L1 is a location in space where the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth are in equilibrium, allowing objects placed there to remain stable relative to both celestial bodies.
• The L1 point allows the spacecraft to continuously observe solar activities without any eclipse or occultation.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: Recently, a delegation led by European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen is in India for a two-day visit exploring a ‘security and defence partnership’.

About India-European Commission (EC) Partnership

Historical Context:

• 1962: Diplomatic relations between India and the European Economic Community (EEC), the precursor to the European Union;
• 1994: Signing of the India-EU Cooperation Agreement;
• 2004: Strategic Partnership, a shift towards deeper collaboration in trade, security, and global governance.
• 2020: ‘India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025’, outlining ambitious goals for cooperation in various sectors, including digital innovation, climate action, multilateralism, and global peace.

Economic Cooperation:

• Trade: The EU is one of India’s largest trading partners, accounting for nearly 11% of India’s total trade, and the USA (10.8%) and China (10.5%).
  • As of 2023, bilateral trade between India and the EU reached approximately €120 billion.
  • The EU is the second-largest destination for Indian exports (17.5% of the total) after the USA (17.6%), while China only ranks fourth (3.7%).
• Investment and Business Ties: The EU is one of the largest foreign investors in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of over $100 billion in sectors such as automobiles, renewable energy, and information technology.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Both are focusing on diversifying supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations: The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), officially known as the India-EU Broad-Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), has been under negotiation since 2007.
  • It aims to enhance market access, reduce tariffs, and streamline trade regulations.

Strategic and Security Cooperation:

• Maritime Security: EU’s Global Gateway Strategy and India’s Indo-Pacific Strategy are working together to ensure free and open sea lanes in the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region.
• Counter-Terrorism: The India-EU Counter-Terrorism Dialogue facilitates intelligence-sharing and counter-radicalization measures to combat terrorism and cyber threats.
• Defense Cooperation: The EU and India are exploring deeper defense collaboration, including joint military exercises, cybersecurity cooperation, and technology-sharing agreements.

Climate Change and Sustainable Development:

• India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership: Focuses on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green financing.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): The EU actively supports India’s ISA initiative, which aims to promote solar energy deployment worldwide.
• EU-India Green Hydrogen Partnership: Aims to accelerate the use of green hydrogen in industrial sectors to reduce carbon emissions.

Technology and Digital Transformation:

• India-EU Digital Partnership: Focuses on 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity to enhance digital connectivity.
• Data Protection and Privacy: India and the EU are discussing frameworks to align data protection laws, ensuring a secure digital ecosystem.
• Research and Innovation: India’s participation in Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research program, fosters collaboration in space, biotechnology, and health sciences.

Geopolitical and Multilateral Engagement:

• G20 (India hosted the G20 Summit in 2023 with strong EU participation);
• United Nations (India supports EU’s role in global governance);
• World Trade Organization (WTO) (Both advocate for fair trade practices);

Challenges in the India-EU Partnership

• Trade Barriers: Tariff and non-tariff barriers, particularly in the agriculture, automotive, and pharmaceutical sectors, have slowed FTA negotiations.
• Human Rights and Labor Standards: The EU has raised concerns over labor rights, environmental standards, and digital governance in India.
• Geopolitical Divergences: India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has led to some diplomatic tensions with EU nations.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Differences in data privacy laws, intellectual property rights (IPR), and digital taxation require further negotiation.

Future Prospects

• Expansion of India’s role in EU-led global initiatives, including the Global Gateway and climate financing projects.
• Conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in the coming years.
• Enhanced defense cooperation, including joint defense production.
• Stronger collaboration in space technology and AI-driven innovation.
• With both sides committed to deepening their strategic alliance, the India-EU partnership aims to play a crucial role in shaping the global economic and security landscape in the decades ahead.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: The National Geospatial Policy 2022 positions India as a global leader in geospatial technology, ensuring that location-based intelligence powers the nation’s progress and prosperity.

About National Geospatial Policy (NGP)

• It was announced by the Centre in  2022 and it replaces  the National Map Policy, 2005.
• It builds on the Department of Science and Technology (DST) guidelines issued in February 2021.
• These guidelines deregulated the geospatial sector and liberalized the acquisition, production, and access to geospatial data.
• It outlines a strategic plan to develop geospatial infrastructure, services, and platforms at both national and sub-national levels.
• It aims to strengthen the location-centric industry to support the information economy.
• A key objective of the NGP is to establish a high-resolution topographical survey and mapping system by 2030, along with creating a highly accurate Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the entire country.
• It aims to drive India toward its vision of a self-reliant “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.

Features

• It acknowledges the role of geospatial technology in governance, economic growth, and societal development.
• It promotes self-reliance by empowering Indian companies and reducing dependency on foreign geospatial data.
• It focuses on enhancing institutional frameworks, coordination, and a vibrant geospatial ecosystem.
• It emphasizes data-driven decision-making to modernize infrastructure and improve governance.
• It encourages open access to geospatial data and services via geospatial platforms.
• It is aligned with PM Gati Shakti, which aims to streamline infrastructure development across 16 Ministries.

Related Steps

• Operation Dronagiri: It was launched in 2024, as a pilot project to showcase geospatial technology applications in governance, business, and citizen services.
• Initially implemented in five states (Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra).
• It Integrates government, industry, and startups for geospatial innovation.
• It facilitates seamless access and sharing of geospatial data for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.

Allocations and Trends from the Union Budget 2025

• The Government of India has allocated ₹100 crore for the National Geospatial Mission.
• This mission aims to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data, playing a crucial role in modernizing land records, urban planning, and infrastructure design

Conclusion

• The National Geospatial Policy 2022 is a significant step towards strengthening India’s geospatial ecosystem.

By simplifying data access, promoting innovation, and fostering enterprise development, the policy is creating a robust and dynamic geospatial sector that supports governance, industry, and research.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: As per the union minister of state for Science & Technology India’s space economy is set to grow fivefold to $44 billion in the next decade, with private investments already crossing ₹1,000 crore.

India’s share in Space Industry

• India’s space economy stands at $8 billion contributing 2-3% of the global space economy and this is expected to rise to 8% by 2030 and further to 15% by the year 2047.
• With over 400 private space companies, India ranks fifth globally in no. of space companies.

Private players in Space Industry

• The number of space startups in India increased to nearly 200 in 2024 from just one in 2022, in just about two years.
• The funding received by these start-ups reached a total of $124.7 Mn in 2023 from $67.2 Mn in 2021.
• The Skyroot, have launched India’s first privately built rocket, Vikram-S, into space, with plans to revolutionize satellite launches.

Regulation of the Private sector in the Space industry in India

• National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe): It is an autonomous and single window nodal agency in the Department of Space for the promotion, encouragement and regulation of space activities of both government and private entities.
• NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL): It is mandated to transfer the matured technologies developed by the ISRO to Indian industries.
• All of them are under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.

Significance of privatization of space sector

• Cost Reduction: Profit motive drives private companies to reduce costs in space missions and satellite launches.
• Competition & Innovation: Privatization introduces competition, enhancing efficiency and fostering innovation.
• Commercialization: Private players enable space applications in sectors like agriculture, disaster management, urban planning, navigation, and communication.
• Autonomy: Greater decision-making autonomy allows private companies to take on new projects more swiftly.
• Employment & Self-reliance: Privatization generates jobs, supports modern technology adoption, and helps make the space sector self-reliant.

Challenges

• High Investment Costs: Space technology requires heavy investment, potentially leading to monopolization by wealthy corporations.
• Specialized Expertise: Building and operating space tech demands specialized technical skills and resources.
• Protecting intellectual property rights (IPR): Safeguarding intellectual property rights is essential to encourage innovation and investment.
• International Competition: Indian private space companies face strong competition from established players like SpaceX and Blue Origin globally.

Steps Taken by Government

• Space Sector Reforms (2020): Government allowed private sector participation, defining roles of IN-SPACe, ISRO, and NSIL.
• Space Vision 2047: Aims for Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and an Indian Moon landing by 2040.
  • Gaganyaan follow-on missions & BAS first module by 2028.
  • Next Generation Satellite Launch Vehicle (NGLV) by 2032.
  • Chandrayaan-4 by 2027, to collect moon samples and demonstrate return technology.
  • Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) by 2028, to study Venus.
• Indian Space Policy, 2023: Ensures level playing field for Non-Government Entities (NGEs) in space activities.
  • Venture Capital Fund: Rs. 1000 crore fund for space startups under IN-SPACe over the next 5 years.
• Space Tech Innovation Network (SpIN): SpIN is a one-of-its-kind public-private collaboration for start-ups and SMEs in the space industry.
  • Under the amended FDI policy, 100% FDI is allowed in the space sector.

Way Ahead

• Private entities are now actively involved in crucial aspects of research, manufacturing, and fabrication of rockets and satellites, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation. It is expected to integrate Indian companies into global value chains.
• With this, companies will be able to set up their manufacturing facilities within the country duly encouraging ‘Make In India (MII)’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives of the Government.