UPSC Key: MiG-21, India-EU strategic agenda, and Special and Differential Treatment of WTO

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.

What’s the ongoing story:  The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday (September 26) bid farewell to its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets. The final two MiG-21 squadrons, the No 23 (Panthers) and the No 3 (Cobras), which together operate some 36 jets, retired in Chandigarh during a decommissioning ceremony on Friday.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the current strength of the fighter squadron of the Indian Air Force?

— What were the concerns related to the MiG-21?

— How are the current challenges of modern warfare?

— What are the different aircrafts of the Indian Airforce?

— Know about India’s flagship surface-to-air missile systems like S400 Triumf, Barak 8 MRSAM and the indigenous Akash.

— What is Tejas MK1?

Key Takeaways:

— The retirement further depletes IAF’s dwindling fighter squadron strength. The fact that the Soviet-era fighter, with its chequered history, has remained in service for so long is testimony to enduring challenges in front of the Air Force.

— When they entered service in 1963 as IAF’s premier interceptors — fighters used for defensive air-to-air combat, to ‘intercept’ enemy aircraft — MiG-21s were arguably the best fighters on the planet.

— Over the decades, and through a number of upgrades, the single-engine, single-seater fighters from the erstwhile Soviet Union’s Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau have proved their mettle in several of India’s conflicts, including the 1965 India-Pakistan War, the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, and the 1999 Kargil conflict.

— In total, India has procured more than 700 MiG-21s of different variants, with the most recent ‘Bison’ (BIS) variant boasting modern avionics and radar, and advanced missiles. The IAF has upgraded more than 100 MiG-21s to BIS specs since 2006.

— As per government data, more than 500 MiG-21s have crashed in the last 60 years, killing at least 170 pilots. More than 20 aircraft have crashed since 2010.

— With the retirement of the MiG-21s, the IAF is now down to a fighter squadron strength of 29, less than 70% of the Air Force’s sanctioned fighter squadron strength of 42 (this number has never been met).

— This means that in case of a two-front conflict with Pakistan and China, India will be woefully short of fighters. Pakistan currently has an estimated fighter squadron strength of 20-25, whereas China has an estimated fighter squadron strength of more than 60. A squadron comprises 16-18 jets.

— Unless new aircraft are inducted soon, the IAF’s squadron strength may continue to go down, with many of its older jets, including MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s, set to be phased out by 2035.

— India, despite opposition from the US, went ahead and inducted Russian S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. India has also developed its own indigenous Akashteer air-defence system. Both performed admirably during Operation Sindoor.

— Plans to bolster the IAF’s depleting fighter squadron strength depend on the planned induction of a range of fighter jets — both indigenously-built and sourced from global defence majors.

— The IAF has two operational squadrons of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1.

— The Mk1A jets boast several upgrades, including the integration of an advanced AESA radar, an Advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite with jammers, and beyond visual range (BVR) capabilities with integration of Derby and indigenous ASTRA missiles.

— HAL is also developing the Tejas Mk2 jets as well as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) for the IAF. The latter, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, is scheduled to be inducted into the Air Force in the next decade.

Do You Know:

— The S-400 Triumf, which NATO calls it the SA-21 Growler, is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia. Made operational in 2007, it is seen as the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM in the world, better than the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).

— “The LCA Mk1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed and manufactured fighter aircraft and will serve as a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF,” it said.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Who is Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, the IAF woman pilot who will fly MiG-21 at send-off ceremony?

📍S-400 hailed for Operation Sindoor role: What is this Russia-made weapon system, how India bought it under US retaliation cloud

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) Consider the following aircraft: (UPSC CSE 2024)

1. Rafael

2. MiG-29

3. Tejas MK-1

How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (UPSC CSE 2023)

India-EU strategic agenda

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story: At a time when the United States, under President Donald Trump, is upending old and established global alignments, Europe is positioning itself as an all-weather friend of India, a predictable alternative to the unpredictability stemming from the White House.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the status of India-EU FTA?

— What is the potential for trade for India and the EU?

— What are the issues related to the India-EU trade deal?

— What is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)?

— What are the points of contention in the ongoing trade deal between India and the EU?

Key Takeaways:

— The India-European Union (EU) leaders’ summit, which will build on the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India earlier this year, is set to take place next February. In the six months leading up to it, the two sides will be meeting roughly once a week to discuss cooperation in a number of areas.

— Earlier this month, the EU issued a document which outlines the strategic agenda for India-EU ties ahead of the summit. This vision, based on a commitment to mutual benefit, is based on five pillars.

— The EU is India’s largest trading partner; India is the EU’s largest trading partner in the Global South. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods reached EUR 120 billion, an increase of nearly 90% over the last decade. Trade in services adds another EUR 60 billion.

— The EU says that a free trade agreement (FTA) substantially reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers would unlock major trade and investment flows. Both sides aim to conclude negotiations by the end of 2025.

— Global connectivity: The EU’s Global Gateway mobilises EUR 300 billion globally to support energy, digital and transport infrastructure, while India boasts initiatives such as MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth). In 2021, the two partners concluded the EU-India Connectivity Partnership.

— Additionally, the EU and India are collaborating to develop Green Shipping Corridors, which will strengthen sustainable maritime connectivity and reduce dependency on carbon-intensive routes.

— Emerging technologies: The EU brings world-class research and digital infrastructure, a strong industry, robust regulation, and expertise in green and digital technologies. India, on the other hand, offers a skilled workforce, vast datasets, a growing digital economy and electronics sector, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and expertise in frugal innovation.

— The EU proposes setting up a number of EU-India Innovation Hubs: dedicated platforms on key technologies, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, startups, investors, and experts to identify shared priorities and catalyse innovation.

— Security & defence: The EU-India security and defence cooperation has recently gained momentum through the Strategic Dialogue on Foreign and Security Policy launched in June 2025. Regular thematic dialogues between India and the EU address themes of maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and non proliferation.

— An industry-led EU-India Defence Industry Forum, which will bring together businesses from both sides, share best practices, and identify opportunities for cooperation, could be set up.

— People-to-people ties: In 2023, 825,000 Indian citizens lived in the EU, the largest group receiving EU Blue Cards and intra-corporate transfer permits. Travel has become easier, with nearly one million Schengen visas issued in India in 2024, many as multiple-entry short-stay visas.

— Closer cooperation is needed to facilitate recognition of qualifications and learning periods abroad. This will support systemic collaboration in higher and vocational education, enabling joint programmes, satellite campuses, and language training in India.

Do You Know:

— The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a connectivity project that seeks to develop a seamless infrastructure of ports, railways, roads, sea lines and pipelines to enhance trade among India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region and Europe.

— The IMEC aims to capitalise on the existing trade routes between India and the Arab Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe and build the missing infrastructure to link the Gulf and Mediterranean regions.

— The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the IMEC was signed in September 2023 in New Delhi during the G-20 summit by India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, Italy, the US and the EU.

— According to the EU, The European Union is a group of 27 countries in Europe. These countries came together to make things better, easier and safer for people. They agreed to work together and help each other.

— India established diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community — the first pillar of the future European Union — back in 1962. The Joint Political Statement signed in 1993 and the Cooperation Agreement of 1994 paved the way for the strengthening of ties between India and Europe.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Significance and Prospects for India

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) ‘European Stability Mechanism’, sometimes seen in the news, is an (UPSC CSE 2016)

(a) agency created by EU to deal with the impact of millions of refugees arriving from Middle East

(b) agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries

(c) agency of EU to deal with all the bilateral and multilateral agreements on trade

(d) agency of EU to deal with the conflicts arising among the member countries

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India. What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. ( UPSC CSE 2023)

Understanding the Rupee’s slide against the US dollar

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment.

What’s the ongoing story: Right through September, every passing week, the Indian rupee (INR) has been hitting all-time lows in its exchange value with the US dollar (USD).

Key Points to Ponder:

— The Indian rupee has been losing value to the US dollar. What does it mean?

— What do you understand about the weakening of a currency?

— What are the reasons for the weakening of Indian currency against other currencies?

— What is the impact of weaker currency on export and import of a nation?

— What is FPI and FDI?

— How does GDP impact currency?

Key Takeaways:

— In other words, an Indian wanting to buy a US good or any foreign good whose price is denominated in US dollars (like crude oil) would need to shell out more than 88 Indian rupees for each US dollar.

— To be sure, this slide in the relative value of the Indian rupee hasn’t been sudden. However, it is important to note that the Indian rupee has been losing value to the US dollar at a time when the latter has been losing value against the currencies of almost all the major economies.

CHART 1

— CHART 1 shows how the US dollar performed against other currencies since the start of 2025. As the data shows, while INR lost more than 3% of its value against the USD, other competing economies.

— As CHART 2 shows, the rupee’s slide is not just against the US dollar; it has become weaker against other major currencies such as the euro and the pound.

CHART 2

— While a weaker currency makes imports from the rest of the world costlier, it has a silver lining: It makes India’s exports more affordable for the consumers in the rest of the world.

— At a time when the whole world is turning protectionist and unwilling to trade, a weaker rupee may come in handy for India’s exporters, who are already facing stiff US tariffs.

— The bigger reasons for the Indian rupee’s slide, however, lie elsewhere. Exchange rates are essentially dependent on relative demand for the currencies. If American demand for rupees outpaces the Indian demand for dollars then the rupee will gain in value against the dollar.

— This can happen either because the rest of the world wants to buy India’s goods and services or if global investors want to invest money in India — either in the stock markets by buying shares (Foreign Portfolio Investment or FPI) or by directly investing in new companies and factories (Foreign Direct Investment or FDI).

— As it turns out, Trump’s tariffs have damaged India’s already stagnant export growth while FPIs and FDIs are falling or even turning negative because global investors are not happy with India’s GDP growth numbers, as well as the earnings of Indian companies.

Do You Know:

— The GDP is the most basic way to assess the performance of any economy — both from one year to another as well as across different countries. The idea behind the concept is to assess the size of an economy.

— On the positive side, a weaker rupee enhances the competitiveness of Indian exports in the global market, boosting export earnings, especially for sectors like IT. Additionally, Indians living abroad benefit from a weaker rupee, as their remittances can go further in India, supporting the economy, particularly in regions reliant on remittances.

— Export-oriented sectors, such as IT and pharmaceuticals, are expected to benefit from the rupee’s depreciation, as evident from the recent market trends.

— However, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) faces a dilemma in balancing growth, inflation, and currency concerns. While the RBI may prefer a free flow adjustment of the rupee to prevailing macros, can India afford it? Near-term pressures are expected, with the rupee potentially depreciating by 6.3 per cent to 88.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍ExplainSpeaking: Why is India’s GDP facing another controversy

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) Consider the following statements: The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily (UPSC CSE 2021)

1. improves the competitiveness of the domestic exports in the foreign markets

2. increases the foreign value of domestic currency

3. improves the trade balance

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India? (UPSC CSE 2018)

 

FRONT

Trump announces 100% tariff on import of patented pharma products

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment.

What’s the ongoing story: Expanding the tariff net, US President Donald Trump has said his administration will be imposing a 100 per cent tariff on branded or patented pharmaceutical products, a 50 per cent tariff on all kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and associated products, and a 25 per cent tariff on heavy trucks from October 1.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the status of the pharmaceutical sector in India?

— What are generic medicines? How is it different from patented drugs?

— Understand the impact of Trump’s tariff on branded or patented pharmaceutical products on India

— What are the initiatives launched by the Indian government for the pharmaceutical sector?

— What are the challenges faced by this sector?

— How is this going to affect American patients?

Key Takeaways:

— This comes in the wake of the US Department of Commerce launching a range of investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which gives Trump the power to raise tariffs citing “national security”.

— Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100 per cent tariff on any branded or patented pharmaceutical product, unless a company is building their pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in America.

— ‘Is building’ will be defined as ‘breaking ground’ and/or ‘under construction’. There will, therefore, be no tariff on these pharmaceutical products if construction has started

— The US is India’s largest market for pharmaceutical exports, accounting for an almost 40 per cent share. Pharma exports were exempt from the 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on most Indian goods.

— “The grey zone is ‘branded generics’ – generic molecules sold under brand names like Crocin could face tariffs if treated as ‘branded imports’. Many Indian firms sell it to the US,”

— India’s pharma exports to the US are concentrated among a group of major pharmaceutical companies that together account for nearly 70 per cent of shipments, as per GTRI analysis.

— According to HSBC analysts, Sun Pharma is the only Indian company with sizeable sales from patented products in the US. It reported global sales of $1,217 million from patented products in FY25, of which the US market accounted for 85-90 per cent.

— European countries are expected to face the most immediate and severe impact from the new US tariffs on imported branded or patented pharmaceutical products, while India may remain less affected for now, according to GTRI.

— India’s contribution of nearly 6 per cent of the total US imports was largely dominated by generic medicines. Citing data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), GTRI said India exported $9.8 billion worth of pharmaceutical formulations to the US in 2024-25, accounting for 39.8 per cent of its total pharma exports.

— These shipments include tablets, capsules, and injectables for the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, infections, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions. Large volumes also cover antibiotic formulations such as amoxicillin, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin, as well as vitamin and nutritional products.

— “For now, India’s low-cost generic model may offer a cushion against the shock of Trump’s tariff.”

— Trump’s move could also affect government incentives under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes that are focusing on developing products under three categories. According to an official statement, the first category covers biopharmaceuticals, complex generic drugs, “patented drugs or those nearing patent expiry”, gene therapy drugs, orphan drugs and complex excipients.

Do You Know:

— Representatives from the industry have said that this is unlikely to affect the Indian industry, which largely exports generic drugs to the US. Yet, it has led to confusion and panic among the country’s drug manufacturers.

— Despite several rounds of tariff announcements, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has largely remained unscathed. This is a big relief, considering the US is the biggest foreign market for Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers.

— What will be the impact on US patients?: Not only will any tariff on these generic pharmaceutical products impact Indian industry, it will also impact the US patients. Indian companies supply 47 per cent of all generic medicines prescribed in the US.

— More than half of the prescriptions of five of the 10 most common therapy areas — hypertension, mental health, medicines to control lipids, medicines for nervous system disorders, and anti-ulcer drugs — were supplied by India too.

— Take the example of the drug Rosuvastatin used for the treatment of high cholesterol levels. After an Indian generic entered the US market, the number of Americans who were able to afford the drug doubled between 2016 and 2022, according to ORF.

— Medicines from Indian companies provided $219 billion in savings to the US healthcare system in 2022, according to data from IQVIA.

— According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, “Patents is a statutory right granted by the respective governments. It gives one exclusive rights and bars others from making, using, selling and importing a product or process, based on the patented invention without one’s prior permission.”

— Patents encourage investment in drug development by offering 20 years of exclusive market access to its holder to recover their R&D investment.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Trump imposes 100% tariffs on branded products: Will this impact Indian drugmakers?

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(4) Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? (UPSC CSE 2019)

1. Genetic predisposition of some people

2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases

3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming

4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (UPSC CSE 2019)

 

EDITORIAL

India needs a plan

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story: Sachchidanand Shukla writes: In a move that has implications for the corridors of global trade, China has announced during a UN General Assembly event that it will no longer seek Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) in future WTO negotiations.

Key Points to Ponder:

— What is the Special and Differential Treatment (SDT)?

— What is WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)?

— What are the various subsidies provided under AoA?

— What is the structure of the WTO?

— What are the shortcomings of the WTO?

— What is the G33 coalition?

— Why is there concern from WTO members on India’s PDS and MSP?

Key Takeaways:

— This concession, while preserving China’s self-declared developing country status and all existing perks such as lenient subsidy caps and phased implementation of agreements, is a tactical retreat amid escalating US tariff pressures and long-standing US objections to the practice.

— While the WTO lauded it as a breakthrough for reform, sceptics see it as symbolic window-dressing, allowing China to deflect criticism without dismantling its agricultural and industrial advantages.

— Yet, this ascent clashes with India’s reliance on SDT, a cornerstone since its 1995 WTO accession. Rooted in the GATT legacy, SDT grants flexibilities like higher tariffs and extended compliance periods, essential for shielding vulnerable populations in a nation where per capita income ranks 136th globally.

— At the heart of the debate lies agriculture, employing around half of India’s workforce and underpinning the food security of 1.4 billion people. Under the WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), subsidies are boxed: The trade-distorting Amber Box is capped at 10 per cent of production value for developing countries, versus 5 per cent for developed ones.

— India leverages Article 6.2 exemptions for input subsidies to low-income farmers, channelling over $40 billion annually through mechanisms like Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for staples such as rice and wheat. These support the Public Distribution System (PDS), distributing subsidised grains to 800 million beneficiaries.

— However, the 1986-88 reference prices, critics argue, inflate India’s reported Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS), often exceeding the 10 per cent threshold — drawing fire from the US and the Cairns Group for alleged market distortion.

— Developed nations, doling out $850 billion in global farm subsidies in 2023 (per OECD estimates), hypocritically target India’s programmes while protecting their own through Green Box loopholes for research and environmental aid.

— Phased AMS reductions could slash subsidies by 20-30 per cent over a decade, per AoA timelines, leading to a 10-15 per cent drop in rural incomes and heightened food price volatility. Malnutrition, affecting 35 per cent of children under five, might worsen, undermining the National Food Security Act.

— Recent WTO disputes, like the 2023 sugar subsidy panel, underscore these points; India averted penalties via SDT, but future plurilaterals may demand reciprocity.

— India’s services dominance — 55 per cent of GDP — offers leverage. Domestically, reforms like DBT (covering 90 per cent of fertiliser subsidies) can also help. Specifically, the following can help India balance its priorities and ensure a pragmatic pivot.

— One, agriculture. India should strive to lead the G33 coalition to extend the 2013 Bali Ministerial’s interim “peace clause” on public stockholding beyond 2023, shielding MSP and PDS from WTO disputes until 2030.

— Two, e-commerce. India should join plurilateral e-commerce talks, offering commitments on consumer protection and cross-border data flows (with carve-outs for national security) in exchange for tariff-free access to developed markets It should build domestic capacity, expand the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to empower MSMEs in global e-commerce, and reduce reliance on SDT tariff protections.

— Three: India should phase out non-essential SDT in sectors that are non-core and gradually reduce tariff protections over a decade, to gain market access across geographies or in areas where Indian exports face duties.

— Four, intellectual property. India must maintain compulsory licensing and patent opposition provisions under TRIPS Article 31, citing public health needs for 1.4 billion people, as affirmed in the 2001 Doha Declaration. It should offer phased alignment with stricter IP rules in non-critical sectors to secure concessions in other areas of strength.

— Lastly, India should also propose a tiered SDT framework based on per capita GDP or sectoral competitiveness, allowing India to retain agricultural protections.

— By prioritising food security, leveraging e-commerce strengths, and trading non-core SDT, India can move forward while protecting vulnerable sectors.

Do You Know:

— The World Trade Organization is the only international organization that deals with the rules of trade between countries.

— It was founded in 1995, the WTO is run by its 164 members, and according to its rules, all decisions are taken through consensus and any member can exercise a veto.

— It aims to promote free trade, which is done through trade agreements that are discussed and signed by the member states.

— The WTO also provides a forum for countries to negotiate trade rules and settle economic disputes. The Ministerial Conference is the WTO’s top decision-making body and usually meets every two years.

— All members of the WTO are involved in the Ministerial Conference and they can make decisions on all matters covered under any multilateral trade agreements.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍India faces WTO pressure on farm subsidies amid protests for minimum support price

📍WTO dispute settlement body revival faces delays over country differences: GTRI

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(5) The terms ‘Agreement on Agriculture’, ‘Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures’ and ‘Peace Clause’ appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the (UPSC CSE 2015)

(a) Food and Agriculture Organization

(b) United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change

(c) World Trade Organization

(d) United Nations Environment Programme

(6) In the context of which of the following do you sometimes find the terms ‘amber box, blue box and green box’ in the news? (UPSC CSE 2016)

(a) WTO affairs

(b) SAARC affairs

(c) UNFCCC affairs

(d) India-EU negotiations on FTA

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (UPSC CSE 2018)

 

GOVT & POLITICS

The two Ladakh outfits spearheading statehood demand

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

What’s the ongoing story: When Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was abrogated and the state split into two Union Territories (UTs) — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, comprising twin districts of Leh and Kargil — many in Leh celebrated it as a fulfilment of their long-standing demand.

Key Points to Ponder:

— Know about the abrogation of Article 370

— Know about the geographical location of Ladakh

— What is the Sixth Schedule of the constitution?

— Why is Ladakh demanding the status of Sixth Schedule?

— What is the process of recognising a new state?

— Is a Constitutional amendment required for the formation of a new state?

Key Takeaways:

—  For many decades, people in Leh had demanded their separation from J&K and UT status for Ladakh, accusing the political leadership of Kashmir of political and financial discrimination. They wanted the concentration of power with the people of Ladakh rather than Srinagar or Jammu.

— There are two key bodies behind the articulation of the demands for statehood and autonomy. They are the Apex Body, Leh, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Wangchuk is a member of the Apex Body.

— The political interests of the Buddhist-majority Leh and the Muslim-majority Kargil have often not aligned with each other. While Leh always harboured mistrust about the political leadership in the Valley, Kargil begrudged Leh’s hold on regional power, accusing it of political and developmental discrimination.

— However, with the ramifications of abrogation of Article 370 soon becoming apparent to the people of Leh and Kargil — demographic changes, loss of land and jobs, etc — the Apex Body and the KDA have united in the face of “common existential issues”.

— Apex body is an alliance of various religious, social and political organisations of Leh. It includes the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) that spearheaded the struggle for UT status for many decades. The other constituents of the Apex Body include the Anjuman-e-Moin-ul-Islam and the Christian Association.

— The people of Kargil formed the KDA in 2020 to lead the struggle for the region’s rights and empowerment. It is an amalgamation of religious and social organisations in Kargil district, including the influential Jamiat-e-Ulama Isna Asharia and the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust.

— Together, the Apex Body, Leh and the KDA have formed a joint core committee, sending three members each to the panel.

— This core group of six is part of the High-Powered Committee that the government had set up to look into the demands of the people of Ladakh. Led by Union MoS for Home Nityanand Rai, apart from the representatives of Ladakh, it also has the Ladakh Chief Secretary and the Intelligence Bureau Director.

— The core committee, which flew to Delhi for talks on Thursday, has put forth four major demands: statehood for Ladakh, protection under the Sixth Schedule (that provides for administration of tribal areas through autonomous hill councils, among other guarantees), a separate Public Service Commission, and a parliamentary seat each for Kargil and Leh. At present, Ladakh has a single parliamentary seat.

Do You Know:

— Ladakh is an eco-sensitive region with an area of 59,146 sq km, almost four times the size of the Kashmir Valley. The region, however, has a sparse population and comprises almost entirely of tribal communities.

— As per the 2011 Census, Ladakh’s total population is 2,74,289. The people here fear demographic change and a big industrial push and have been demanding certain legal safeguards for land and jobs.

— Ladakh became part of Jammu and Kashmir through a complex historical process. As the Sikhs acquired Kashmir in 1819, Emperor Ranjit Singh turned his ambition towards Ladakh.  Until then, it was an independent Himalayan kingdom, similar to Bhutan and Sikkim.

— It was made a part of Jammu and Kashmir in 1834 when Gulab Singh, the Dogra feudatory of the Sikh kingdom in Jammu and Kashmir, conquered the territory and made it a part of the Sikh empire.

— After the first Anglo-Sikh war of 1845-46, the state of Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, was taken out of the Sikh empire and brought under British rule.

— Later, after the Chinese occupation of Tibet, Ladakh was expected to function as a buffer zone between India and China.

— Given that over 90% of Ladakh’s population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes, there has been a consistent demand to include the region under the Sixth Schedule.

— The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 of the Indian Constitution provides for the formation of autonomous administrative regions called Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), which govern tribal-majority areas in certain northeastern states.

— ADCs have up to 30 members with a term of five years and can make laws, rules and regulations on land, forest, water, agriculture, village councils, health, sanitation, village- and town-level policing, etc. Currently, there are 10 ADCs in the North East, with three each in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram, and one in Tripura.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍From independent kingdom to strategic frontier: Why Ladakh is integral to India’s history and geopolitics

📍What to know about Ladakh protests demanding statehood, autonomy from Centre

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(7) The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to (UPSC CSE 2015)

(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes

(b) determine the boundaries between States

(c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats

(d) protect the interests of all the border State

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

📍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. ( UPSC CSE 2016)

PRELIMS ANSWER KEY

1. (d)    2. (b)     3. (a)   4. (b)    5. (c)      6. (a)       7. (a)

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