Genome India Database

India has established a comprehensive database comprising 10,000 human genomes representing 83 population groups. This equates to about 2% of the country's approximate 4,600 population groups. The database is intended to act as a foundational reference for future studies into disease and drug therapies.

Significance and Availability

The database, known as the Genome India database, is now accessible to global researchers and is housed at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) in Faridabad, Haryana. Currently, it identifies around 27 million low-frequency genetic variants, with 7 million being unique compared to other global references.

Research and Applications

• Many countries maintain genome databases for various purposes, such as: 
  • Estimating disease risks
  • Understanding adverse drug reactions
  • Genealogy studies
  • DNA profiling
• The primary focus of the Indian genome database is for researching diseases.
• The database contributes to the advancement of precision medicine, potentially improving healthcare outcomes.

Access and Privacy

Researchers interested in the data must submit proposals that adhere to data sharing and privacy regulations. The data is encoded numerically, avoiding classification by caste or tribe names.

Future Prospects and Expansion

The project, aims to bolster India's biotechnology sector. There are plans to expand the database to a million genomes, which could significantly enhance understanding of India's genetic diversity, despite costs being a limiting factor.

Z-Morh Tunnel: A Strategic Corridor

The Z-Morh Tunnel is a significant infrastructure project aimed at establishing a strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh, ensuring year-round connectivity.

Strategic Importance

• Located in Ganderbal district, it keeps Sonamarg accessible throughout the year, countering winter closures due to snowfall and avalanches. 

Security and Economic Impact

• Local hoteliers  express optimism for winter tourism expansion due to dependable road access.
• The tunnel, bypassing avalanche-prone areas, features an intelligent traffic management system, boosting adventure tourism.
• Constructed at a cost of ₹2,680 crore, the tunnel is a 6.5-km long, two-lane infrastructure.

Zojila Tunnel Connectivity

• Z-Morh leads to the Zojila Tunnel, Asia's longest tunnel under construction, costing ₹6,800 crore.
• The 13.14-km long tunnel will significantly reduce travel time between Ganderbal and Kargil from three hours to 20 minutes.
• Connectivity is crucial, with the Zojila Pass currently closing during winters, cutting Ladakh off for months.

Concerns Over Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

Background and Context

Before the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Supreme Court suspended criminal trials under Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 2022, following a promise by the Union Home Minister to repeal sedition as an offense. The Rajasthan High Court recently cautioned against using Section 152 of the BNS to stifle legitimate dissent.

Provisions of Section 152

• Criminalization: Section 152 criminalizes acts exciting secession, armed rebellion, and subversive activities, as well as acts encouraging separatism or threatening the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
• Vague Definitions: The statute lacks a clear definition of what constitutes endangerment of sovereignty, unity, and integrity, leaving it open to abuse and broad interpretation.
• Lower Threshold: The term ‘knowingly’ reduces the threshold for offenses, making individuals liable even without malicious intent if their actions could potentially provoke prohibited activities or feelings.
• Non-Bailable Offense: Section 152 is both cognizable and non-bailable, increasing the risk of arbitrary arrests.

Potential for Abuse and Free Speech Concerns

• Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that out of 548 arrests under Section 124A between 2015 and 2020, only 12 led to convictions, highlighting the potential for misuse.
• The lack of safeguards in Section 152 may result in a chilling effect on free speech, similar to the issues seen under Section 124A.

Judicial Interpretation and Guidelines

• Previous judgments, such as Balwant Singh v. State of Punjab (1995) and Kedar Nath Singh v. State of Bihar (1962), emphasize the need for a direct causal link between speech and its impact to classify it as an offense.
• It is crucial for the Supreme Court to craft guidelines for enforcement authorities to prevent Section 152 from becoming a proxy for the offense of sedition.

Importance of Free Speech

The concept of a ‘marketplace of ideas’ should be upheld, allowing for diverse thoughts and expressions to be freely criticized and debated within a democratic society.

Supreme Court Verdict on Accessibility Guidelines

The Supreme Court in Rajive Raturi v. Union of India (2024) declared Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Rules, 2017, inconsistent with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. 

Rule 15's discretionary nature clashed with the Act's mandatory provisions, such as Sections 40, 44, 45, 46, and 89. Consequently, the accessibility guidelines under Rule 15, including those from various ministries, lost statutory authority.

Key Implications of the Judgment

• The Court mandated the government to establish minimum mandatory accessibility requirements within three months.
• Court highlighted the fragmented creation of accessibility guidelines, stressing the need for principle-based frameworks ensuring universality and intersectionality.

Conceptual Clarifications

The judgment distinguished between accessibility and reasonable accommodation:

• Accessibility: A right embedded throughout the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, providing standardized accessibility standards.
• Reasonable Accommodation: Facilitates substantive equality by offering tailored solutions for specific challenges in particular contexts.

Evolving Understanding of Accessibility

Accessibility is dynamic, evolving with technological advances like AI and IoT, requiring ongoing adaptation of digital accessibility tools. The phased realization of accessibility involves setting immediate minimum standards with progressive enhancements.

Global Best Practices

Canada's roadmap to full accessibility by 2040 serves as a model, emphasizing harmonized standards with five-yearly reviews to meet evolving needs.

Addressing Barriers

The RPwD Act recognizes both tangible and intangible barriers, such as attitudinal barriers, necessitating theoretical and practical evolution of accessibility.

Universal Design

Universal design now encompasses all vulnerable groups, not just persons with disabilities, reflecting the environmental, rather than individual, basis of disability.

Role of Social Audits

Section 48 mandates regular social audits of schemes to ensure they are inclusive. However, lack of standardized guidelines leads to inconsistencies and inefficiencies. Standardization is crucial for effective identification of challenges and service enhancement.

Bureaucratic Complexities and Recommendations

Previous guidelines were complex and inconsistent, leading to increased compliance costs and delayed redressal for persons with disabilities. New guidelines should be clear, practical, and overseen by a nodal authority for effective implementation.

Deadline for New Guidelines

The deadline for releasing new guidelines is February, with potential extensions, urging diverse sectors to deliberate on minimum accessibility standards. This not only complies with legislative mandates but also presents market opportunities for inclusive products and services.

Earthquake Risks in the Garhwal-Kumaon Range

Scientists have highlighted the high risk of a major earthquake in the Garhwal-Kumaon range, primarily due to the region's historical seismic activity patterns.

• The records of the last 300 years indicate that past earthquakes have not fully released the accumulated seismic energy.
• An 8-magnitude earthquake is considered overdue by experts, underscoring the area's vulnerability.
• While predicting the exact day and time of such an earthquake is beyond current scientific capabilities, the focus is on minimizing potential damages.

Infrastructure Development in the Himalayan Region

Infrastructure projects in the Himalayas need careful planning due to the region's seismic risks and fragile environment.

• Projects aim to facilitate the movement of people and goods.
• However, recurrent landslides and glacial lake outbursts have caused significant damage to dams, hydropower projects, and roads.
• Infrastructure must consider the likelihood of a major earthquake and incorporate these risks into planning and costs.

Building Codes and Safety Measures

Strict adherence to existing building codes is crucial, not only in the Himalayas but also in the Indo-Gangetic plains, to limit potential damage from earthquakes.

Meta’s Shift from Third-Party Fact-Checking to Community Notes

Meta has decided to discontinue its third-party fact-checking program in the US, transitioning to a system of user-generated community notes to verify content. This shift raises concerns about potential increases in misinformation and disinformation on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Community Notes System

• Origin: Popularized by Elon Musk. 
• Functionality: Operates through contributors who evaluate and rate content accuracy based on various parameters. 
• Criticism: Lacks the depth and rigor of professional fact-checking, which may affect the quality of information. 

Expert Opinions and Concerns

• Emphasizes an increase in conflict and authoritarianism that feeds on disinformation, generating unwarranted fears. 
• Highlights the potential negative impact on users seeking accurate information for daily decision-making. 
  • Fact-checkers adhere to a Code of Principles emphasizing non-partisanship and transparency.

Potential Impact on India

• Current Status: Meta collaborates with nearly a dozen fact-checking companies in India for content verification on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. 
• Future Concerns: Experts fear the removal of professional fact-checkers in India could have more severe consequences. 

Government Initiative on Export-Import Data Mechanism

The government has initiated a strategic move by setting up a committee aimed at establishing a consistent mechanism for publishing export-import data. This development follows a significant downward revision of the gold and silver imports data for the period of April-November FY25.

Background and Issue

• A technical glitch was identified in the data transmission from the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) portal to the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (Icegate).
• This glitch led to calculation errors, affecting the accuracy of trade data.

Formation of the Committee

• The committee includes stakeholders from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), DG Systems (CBIC), and special economic zones.
• The goal is to create a robust mechanism for publishing consistent trade data.

Role of DGCIS

• DGCIS is tasked with collecting, compiling, and disseminating India’s trade statistics and commercial information.

Data Revision

• An "unusual surge" in imports of precious metals prompted a reconciliation exercise by DGCIS and DG (Systems), CBIC.
• The revision showed an overestimation of approximately $11.7 billion in gold imports for April-November.

Challenges in Preserving Rakhigarhi

Rakhigarhi, the largest known Harappan metropolis, is facing significant challenges in preserving its ancient mud brick structures, dating back over 5,000 years.

Current Situation

• The excavated structures are being re-buried due to the lack of effective preservation methods and slow tender processes.
• Considered as one of the five "iconic sites" its preservation remains a priority.

Preservation Techniques

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is protecting the structures by: 
  • Covering excavated structures with tarpaulins and debris to shield them from weather.
  • Employing chemical preservation, though it faces bureaucratic delays.
• A shed and walkway have been approved for preservation on certain mounds.

Development and Tourism Potential

• Although Rakhigarhi has immense tourism potential, the lack of operational facilities, like the long-promised museum, hinders progress.
• Antiquities are relocated to Chandigarh or New Delhi due to the absence of an on-site museum.
• A porta cabin near Mound 1 serves as a temporary exhibition center and storage for artifacts.

Community and Archaeologists' Perspectives

• The villagers have been familiar with excavation activities since the 1960s.
• Local officials and community members express frustration over the repeated failures to establish a museum or effectively preserve the site.

India's Strategic Relations with Afghanistan

India's relationship with Afghanistan maintains a strategic character, marked by recent high-level engagements such as the meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai. Despite the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, which was initially seen as a setback for India, the ties have been strengthening.

India's Engagement with the Taliban

• The Taliban's return was viewed as a gain for Pakistan, yet the group has shown eagerness to improve relations with India.
• India has cautiously elevated its interactions with the Taliban, now extending to the level of foreign secretary.
• India is responding to Kabul's requests for humanitarian assistance and developmental cooperation, highlighting an enduring geopolitical reality.

Historical and Geopolitical Context

• There is a historical warmth between India and Afghanistan, unaffected by changes in the regime.
• Factors contributing to this warmth include the absence of bilateral disputes and shared cross-border issues with Pakistan.
• Afghanistan has often looked to India to counterbalance pressures from Pakistan, given the latter's interference in Afghan affairs.

Challenges for India

• Domestic Orientation of the Taliban:
  • The regime's repression and denial of basic rights to women are significant concerns for India.
  • While India lacks the power to change Afghanistan’s internal politics, it aims to encourage political and social moderation.
• Abandonment of Previous Allies:
  • India's refusal to grant visas to Afghans who supported it over decades marks a problematic shift.
  • While forming new alliances in Kabul is strategic, neglecting long-term partners is unwise.

Strategic Partnerships

The location of the meeting, Dubai, signifies India's potential cooperation with the UAE and other moderate Arab states to foster positive changes in Afghanistan.

India's Engagement with the Taliban

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's meeting with the Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai marks a significant elevation in dialogue between India and the Taliban regime in Kabul. Despite not formally recognizing the Taliban, India has maintained functional channels of communication since the regime's rise in August 2021.

Geopolitical Context

• India condemned Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, which resulted in civilian casualties, and opposed Pakistan's rationale of targeting Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps.
• The Taliban's refusal to acknowledge the Durand Line, a colonial demarcation, and support for TTP's pan-Pashtun ambitions challenge Pakistan's strategic depth aspirations.
• Pakistan faces threats from an estimated 6,000-6,500 TTP fighters supported by the Taliban, highlighting Pakistan's own historical support for such groups.

Regional and International Dynamics

• Links between the Taliban, TTP, and al-Qaeda remain strong, as they collaborate against the Islamic State Khorasan Province.
• Syria's situation with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) raises questions about possible rehabilitation of the Taliban regime.
• International players like China, Russia, and Pakistan have engaged with Taliban 2.0, while India continues cautious engagement.

India's Strategic Opportunities

• India has reinstated a presence in Kabul by dispatching a technical team in 2022, after initially recalling all personnel.
• The Taliban seeks international recognition, which the UN Credentials Committee has consistently denied.
• India can leverage its expertise in cricket to engage Afghan youth and strengthen bilateral relations.

Humanitarian Assistance and Cooperation

• Post the Misri-Muttaqi meeting, India pledged material support for Afghanistan's health sector and refugee rehabilitation.
• India has provided essential medicines, vaccines, and other supplies, allocating Rs 200 crore for Afghanistan in the 2024-25 budget.
• India's collaboration with Iran via Chabahar Port could enhance support for Afghan refugees and address humanitarian needs.

Conclusion

India's engagement with the Taliban, amidst a complex geopolitical landscape, reflects a pragmatic approach to securing regional interests and humanitarian obligations. Strengthening ties with Afghanistan can further India's "Act West" policy, recognizing the Taliban's enduring presence.

Analysis of Legalizing Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) in Agriculture

The text outlines the complexities and potential drawbacks of legalizing Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for agricultural produce, highlighting the importance of understanding market economies and the potential consequences of government intervention.

Market Dynamics and MSPs

• The price of agricultural products in a market economy is determined by demand and supply.
• If MSPs become legally binding, it could lead to situations where supply exceeds demand.
• Excess supply responsibility would fall on the government, raising questions about its capacity to purchase surplus produce.

Issues with Price Deficiency Payments

• Legalizing MSPs would eliminate market prices below MSP, making the government the de facto buyer of all MSP-declared commodities.
• Price deficiency payments could encourage traders to manipulate market prices, creating financial strain on the government.
• The example of Madhya Pradesh showed the difficulties in implementing price deficiency mechanisms.

Current MSP Implementation

• The current MSP policy stems from historical grain deficits and is effectively implemented only for rice and wheat in a few states.
• Only about 10% of farmers benefit from selling at MSP, questioning its efficacy.

Performance of Non-MSP Commodities

• Commodities without MSP, like fisheries and horticulture, have shown significant growth rates, outperforming MSP-covered staples such as wheat and rice.
• This suggests market-based systems can be more effective.

Distortions and Biases in Agri-Price Policy

• Government interventions often distort markets, leading to an anti-farmer bias in agri-price policies.
• India uniquely has negative Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) among G20 countries, indicating implicit taxation on agriculture.

Recommendations

• Advocates for freer markets and building agri-value chains, akin to the AMUL model, where farmers retain a significant portion of consumer prices.
• Opposes making MSPs legal, suggesting it would counteract economic liberalization efforts.

The text concludes with a personal perspective from the author, emphasizing the need for rational policymaking that supports farmers without undermining market mechanisms.

Minimum Support Price (MSP) Guarantee for Farmers

There is an ongoing debate about whether there should be a legal or otherwise minimum support price (MSP) guarantee for crops produced by farmers. This issue is expected to become less relevant over the next two decades due to the changing dynamics in agriculture.

Current Agricultural Challenges

• Agriculture is witnessing a significant diversion of fertile lands for real estate development and infrastructure projects, reducing land available for farming.
• The official number of operational farms is high, but the number of households earning more than half their income from farming might be as low as 40 million, and declining.
• The challenge is not just feeding a growing population but also retaining agricultural lands and talent.

Factors Influencing Agricultural Growth

• Past agricultural growth was driven by improved trade terms and new technologies such as hybrid seeds and genetically modified crops.
• The last decade has seen a decline in the terms of trade index and a slowdown in agricultural innovations.

Need for Price Assurance

• Assurance of price is crucial for farmers to invest in land and technologies to improve yields and reduce costs.
• Agriculture is unique with high production and price risks, which are exacerbated by climate change.
• Price risk is a critical area that needs to be addressed to ensure farmers continue farming.

Implementing a price deficiency payments (PDP) System

• The proposed PDP system would pay farmers the price difference when crops are sold below the government-declared MSP.
• This system would promote formalization and digitization of the farm produce trade, leading to more recorded transactions.
• Farmers would begin demanding receipts from buyers, detailing the quantity and price of their sold crops.
• States would be incentivized to set up APMC mandis or electronic trading platforms to facilitate the recording of transactions.
• The Centre's payment of price differences would be contingent on states generating necessary sales data.

Encouraging Crop Diversification

• Without basic price assurance, expecting farmers to diversify crops is unrealistic.
• There is a need for policies to encourage farmers to grow a variety of crops rather than sticking to traditional ones like paddy or sugarcane.

The article emphasizes the strategic importance of providing a legal MSP and its role in securing the future of Indian agriculture by ensuring farmers' livelihoods and encouraging agricultural sustainability.

Provision of Free Medical Treatment for Survivors of Sexual Violence

The Delhi High Court has mandated that all hospitals, regardless of their governing body, must provide free medical treatment to survivors of rape, child sexual abuse, and acid attacks. This directive is rooted in the legal framework established by Section 397, BNSS, and Section 357C, CrPC, which obligates medical facilities to offer comprehensive first-aid and treatment at no cost.

Guidelines and Legal Framework

• All public and private hospitals must adhere to the mandate for free treatment.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Guidelines (2014) extend this requirement to cover services such as OPD registration, pathology tests, and medicines.
• The court has instructed hospitals to educate their staff on the legal obligations and put up visible signs to ensure compliance.
• Denying free treatment is a criminal offense, punishable by up to one year of imprisonment or fines.

Therapeutic Jurisprudence

This legal order advances the concept of "therapeutic jurisprudence" by emphasizing the importance of accessible medical care for survivors of sexual violence. The court clarified that 'treatment' encompasses first aid, diagnostic tests, surgeries, mental health counseling, and does not require an ID for emergency admission.

Right to Health and Therapeutic Access

• The ruling aligns with the rights to health, dignity, privacy, and life, advocating for comprehensive medical support for all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
• It raises questions about extending similar provisions to survivors of domestic violence and marital rape, drawing from international cases like that of Gisèle Pelicot in France.
• Pelicot's case is used to highlight systemic biases and issues like medical gaslighting that harm women patients.

Challenges and Public Health Concerns

The court's observations reveal ongoing challenges in providing free treatment, citing a persistent lack of attention from the political class towards sexual violence as a public health issue. Victims often lack basic necessities post-assault, such as clothing to replace items taken for forensic analysis, leading to further trauma and indignity.

State Obligations and Gendered Harms

• The state is urged to fulfill its obligation to replace clothing and personal items seized during forensic procedures.
• Failure to do so constitutes a form of state-sanctioned violence and neglects the gendered harm suffered by rape survivors.
• Legal frameworks and societal systems are called upon to ensure adequate support, highlighting the historical advocacy efforts by figures such as Vasudha Dhagamwar.

Conclusion

Overall, the Delhi High Court's order is a significant step towards ensuring therapeutic access and support for survivors of sexual violence, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in how survivors are treated within medical and legal systems.

India's Support for Afghan Refugees

India is planning to assist Afghanistan by setting up projects in the health and education sectors to aid refugees fleeing Pakistan.

Context

• Pakistan has been expelling Afghan refugees, creating tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
• India's decision to support Afghanistan follows a meeting between Foreign Secretary and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister in Dubai.
• Nearly a million refugees have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran since late 2023.

India-Afghanistan Relationship

• India has a historical relationship with Afghanistan, which was emphasized during the recent talks.
• The meeting signaled a potential shift from a purely humanitarian approach to more strategic cooperation.

Areas of Cooperation

• Sports Collaboration: Strengthening cooperation in cricket was discussed.
• Trade and Commerce: Promotion of Chabahar port use for trade and commercial activities was agreed upon.

Regional Developments and Security Concerns

• India condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan.
• The Afghan side acknowledged India's security concerns and thanked India for its continued support.

Strategic Ammunition Storage in Eastern Ladakh

The Environment Ministry’s expert panel has approved several strategic projects in Eastern Ladakh, focusing on enhancing ammunition storage near the Sino-China border.

Key Proposals Approved

• Formation Ammunition Storage Facility (FASF):
  • Strategically located near Hanle and Photi La.
  • Includes underground caverns for strategic equipment storage.
• Strengthening Presence:
  • Proposals for Lukung (near Pangong Tso lake) and Durbuk area.
• Wildlife Clearance: Secured in December 2024.

Benefits of the Proposal

• Improved Storage and Deployment:
  • Ensures adequate ammunition storage and supervision.
  • Facilitates faster unit deployment in operational scenarios.
• Operational Readiness:
  • Aims to address the urgent necessity for forward placing combat elements.
  • Current storage is ad hoc, approximately 250-300 km away from key locations like Hanle and Photi La.

Additional Infrastructure Developments

• Permanent Facilities:
  • Inland water transport platoon at Lukung.
  • Infantry battalion camp at Erath.
• Objective: To regularize and strengthen temporary facilities, anticipating an increase in forces post-2020 border tensions with China.

Microfinance Institution (MFI) Sector Stress and Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs)

The microfinance sector is experiencing significant stress due to unchecked credit growth and borrowers' overleveraging, leading to increased delinquencies. This situation has prompted banks and microfinance-focused NBFCs to sell non-performing loans, creating opportunities for ARCs.

Opportunities for ARCs

• ARCs see potential value in acquiring non-performing loans, especially if sold on a cash-to-security receipts (SRs) basis.
• IndusInd Bank has invited bids for Rs 1,573 crore of non-performing microfinance loans, aiming for a 5.04% recovery rate.
• Ujjivan Small Finance Bank and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank are also selling non-performing loans with targeted recovery rates of 14.64%.

Challenges and Considerations

• ARCs would consider acquiring portfolios if the selling price is not more than 10% of the outstanding loans.
• If collections remain with the banks, the saleability of portfolios increases, as ARCs lack infrastructure for recovering unsecured loans in rural areas.
• ARCs predominantly use third-party agents for recoveries, which poses challenges like high costs and potential regulatory violations.

Shift in ARC Focus

• With banking sector NPAs at historical lows, ARCs are focusing more on retail NPAs, particularly secured retail pools.
• Challenges in acquiring microfinance portfolios include ensuring compliance, limited borrower data, and servicing numerous accounts.

Future Directions

• Advanced technology and artificial intelligence are expected to enhance predictive analytics and compliance in the future.

Indian Economic Growth Forecast

The Indian economy is anticipated to grow by 6.6% in 2025 and 6.7% in 2026, as per the UN's World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report.

Key Growth Drivers

• The public sector plays a crucial role in funding infrastructure, digital connectivity, and social infrastructure.
• Strong investment growth is projected to continue into 2025.
• Expansion in the manufacturing and services sectors will drive the economy.
• Robust export growth in services and specific goods like pharmaceuticals and electronics is expected.

Agricultural Outlook

The 2024 favorable monsoon rains have boosted summer sowing, improving agricultural output expectations for 2025.

Regional Economic Projections

South Asia's economy is expected to grow at 5.7% in 2025 and 6% in 2026, primarily driven by India.

Risks to Economic Outlook

• Potential escalation of geopolitical tensions.
• Deceleration in external demand and ongoing debt challenges.
• Social unrest and vulnerability to climate hazards.

Inflation and Global Growth

Consumer price inflation is forecast to decrease from 4.8% in 2024 to 4.3% in 2025, within the RBI's medium-term target range of 2–6%.

Global growth is projected to remain steady at 2.8% in 2025.

Opportunities and Challenges

India and other resource-rich developing countries have opportunities to boost growth and create jobs through rising demand for critical minerals.

However, these opportunities come with risks, necessitating forward-looking policies, fair benefit-sharing, and sustainable resource extraction practices.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for global cooperation to manage economic shocks and climate risks effectively.

Introduction of Self-Attestation Facility by EPFO

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to introduce a self-attestation facility beginning in June, which will allow its 80 million active members to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process without requiring employer approval.

Current KYC Process

• KYC is a one-time process that verifies members' identities by linking their Universal Account Number (UAN) with KYC details.
• Currently, the process requires employer approval, causing delays and potential issues if a firm has closed.

The new self-attestation facility will eliminate paperwork and decrease claim rejections.

EPFO 3.0 and IT Infrastructure Upgrade

EPFO is upgrading its information technology (IT) infrastructure to accommodate the influx of new subscribers from three employment-linked incentive (ELI) schemes.

Features of EPFO 3.0

• Focus on scalability to provide enhanced services to members.
• Expected increase of active members to potentially reach 100 million.

New Withdrawal Facility

EPFO is considering a partnership with banks to introduce a new facility enabling members to withdraw money up to a certain limit without filing claims.

Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya mentioned efforts to develop a robust platform for hassle-free money withdrawal, akin to the banking system.

Planned EPFO 3.0 Launch

The EPFO aims to launch EPFO 3.0 by March, with a goal to resolve nearly all user queries through an effective redressal system.

India's Defence Procurement Policy Reforms

India's defence procurement policy, often criticised for its delays and inefficiencies, is set to undergo significant reforms within six months to a year, as announced by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. This follows the Ministry of Defence's decision to deem 2025 as the "Year of Reforms" and an anticipated revamp of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.

Key Issues and Planned Reforms

• Current Challenges:
  • Singh described the procurement system as "broken," highlighting consistent failures to meet timelines.
  • He noted issues such as "gold-plated" requirements and lengthy evaluation processes.
• Reform Focus:
  • Streamlining timelines and addressing procedural inefficiencies.
  • Ensuring more pragmatic and timely preparation of Requests for Proposal (RFPs).

Economic and Industrial Considerations

• Resource Allocation:
  • Despite a 1.9% GDP allocation to defence, full utilisation is hampered by domestic absorptive capacity.
• Self-Reliance Challenges:
  • Self-reliance in aerospace is limited by the absence of critical technologies such as jet engines.
  • India's industrial base remains narrow, affecting mass production capabilities.

Competition and Market Dynamics

• Encouraging Competition:
  • The defence sector is described as the "last vestige of the license-permit Raj," with industrial licensing needing acceleration.
  • Efforts are needed to level the playing field for new entrants and support MSMEs in climbing the manufacturing value chain.
• Startups and Innovation:
  • India's position as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem requires providing these startups with visibility and support for orders.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Global Collaborations

• FDI Policies:
  • A liberal policy allows up to 74% FDI through the automatic route, with hopes for increased investments like Saab's 100% FDI.
• Strategic Partnerships:
  • Models such as the strategic partnership framework and collaborations like Tata and Airbus are encouraged.

Way Forward and Long-term Goals

• Technology and Capability Development:
  • Short to medium-term reliance on technology transfer, with long-term goals focused on indigenous development with DRDO support.
• Public Policy and Indigenous Supply Lines:
  • Optimization of policy-making amidst constrained choices, with an aim to develop a large manufacturing ecosystem for 'Aatmanirbharta'.

Illegal Online Pharmacies

According to the US Trade Representative's annual report, nearly all of the world's 35,000 online pharmacies are operating illegally. Consumers using these pharmacies risk obtaining ineffective or dangerous drugs. The report reveals that 96% of these pharmacies violate laws, often lacking licenses and selling medications without prescriptions or safety warnings.

• The websites of these illegal pharmacies often resemble legitimate e-commerce platforms.
• They falsely claim approval from entities like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• The FDA and US Drug Enforcement Administration have issued warnings about these risks.

A survey by the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies' Global Foundation found that nearly 25% of Americans using online pharmacies encountered substandard or harmful medicines.

Counterfeit Drug Operations

Federal prosecutors reported operations involving illegal drug sellers from the US, Dominican Republic, and India. They packaged synthetic opioids into pills disguised as legitimate prescription drugs, resulting in at least nine deaths from narcotics poisoning between August 2023 and June 2024.

Global Counterfeit and Piracy Concerns

The report highlights the issue of counterfeit or pirated products in 19 countries, with specific emphasis on online retailers in China and Asia engaged in illegal activities.

• Examples include cracked down operations in places like Vietnam and Brazil.
• Cyberlockers and bulletproof ISPs are problematic as they enable piracy.

Challenges and Progress in Counterfeit Goods

The report acknowledges progress in fighting counterfeit goods. Notably, US authorities collaborated with industry groups to shut down a piracy ring in Hanoi, Vietnam.

• The site had over 6.7 billion visits from January 2023 to June 2024.

Concerns with Online Platforms

Several platforms like Avito, Baidu Wangpan, Pinduoduo, Douyin Mall, and Shopee were named for hosting counterfeit goods or enabling piracy.

• IndiaMART was specifically highlighted for offering counterfeit products.

Physical Markets and Intellectual Property Theft

The report also identifies real-world locations notorious for selling counterfeit products, such as markets in Turkey and the UAE. Bangkok's MBK Centre was noted for attempting to reduce counterfeiting, though challenges remain.