In India’s cooperative boom, women need to be at the centre, not the margins

• Women have been written out of the history of cooperatives in India. While the formal history of cooperatives is more than 100 years old, dating back to 1904, when the Cooperative Credit Societies Act was passed in pre-independent India, the practice of cooperation and cooperatives’ activities is considered more than 1,000 years old in the country.
• There are many documented examples from all parts of the country of resources like food grains or funds being pooled by groups to lend to members, who included men and women.
•  Women were integral to kuries and bhishis, the earliest forms of chit funds, which originated in the Malabar region of Kerala and in Kolhapur in Maharashtra.
• Women formed the groups, managed finances and distributed funds. Those women who could not contribute funds contributed grains by saving a fistful of rice from every meal. However, women’s contribution to these ancient cooperative practices is a footnote that has barely been examined.
• This may explain why women are relegated to the margins in modern cooperatives. There has been a renewed focus on cooperatives since the Covid pandemic and rising global challenges like climate change and conflicts, which have drawn attention to livelihoods and the need for inclusive growth and sustainable development amidst economic uncertainty.
• The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World”. The launch of the International Year of Cooperatives, was held in India in November 2024 — fittingly, as India has been taking the lead in promoting and strengthening cooperatives from the top levels of government since the new Ministry of Cooperation was formed in 2021.
• Cooperatives, by their very model of being people-centred enterprises, owned and controlled by members and based on their economic and social needs, are suitable for women, who face a higher threshold to enter the economy globally.
• This is particularly acute in India, which despite its rapidly growing economy has chronically low labour force participation by women.
•  Women in India also face severe time poverty — females spend 16.4 per cent of their time on unpaid domestic work in a day, whereas the figure is just 1.7 per cent for males, the new Time Use Survey (January-December 2024) conducted by the National Statistics Office shows. This keeps them from participating in paid work.
• India has one of the largest cooperative movements in the world, with about 8.5 lakh cooperatives in the country, of which the share of women-only cooperatives is 2.52 percent, according to a 2023 report by Niti Aayog.
• The number is surprisingly low, considering women’s participation in cooperatives has been highly visible, with successful initiatives like SEWA (a trade union with 3.2 million self-employed women), Amul (3.6 million women dairy farmers as members) and Lijjat (which introduced decentralised production for 45,000 female members to produce and earn from home).
• A Numerous studies show that cooperatives have helped rural women to improve their financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills, and increase their savings and household incomes
•  Aside from economic empowerment, India’s experience shows that cooperatives have been instrumental in enabling women to gain social and political empowerment while also improving their access to essential services like banking, housing, insurance, health, nutrition, education and childcare.
•  Cooperatives help women access social capital through networks of trust, reciprocity and collective action, which in turn help build resilience.
• Ministry of Cooperation data from 2023 showed that out of 24,264 women’s cooperatives, only 10,806 were functional, while the rest were dormant or under liquidation. Madhya Pradesh had the highest number of women’s cooperatives, followed by Rajasthan, Assam and Telangana.
•  The ministry has taken initiatives to support women’s participation in mixed cooperatives, where the average male-to-female ratio is 74:26, and there is persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. New guidelines mandate the reservation of two seats for women on the board of multi-state cooperative societies and the presence of women directors on the board of primary agricultural credit societies.
• The ministry is also providing affordable loans to women’s cooperatives along with training and business expansion workshops.
• It is not yet known how effective these initiatives have been but they may not be enough to plug the gaps. The unusually high number of dormant women’s cooperatives (11,869), demonstrates that women face barriers in maintaining and sustaining them. Most women’s cooperatives are small, have limited resources and are nearly invisible to policymakers. Women members have limited access to education, skills training and financial literacy.
•  They are also restricted by cultural norms like the burden of unpaid work and limited mobility, particularly in rural areas. A 2021 study on a women’s dairy cooperative in Punjab brought out how members were lacking in confidence and decision-making skills and sought constant handholding from official functionaries for the administration of their cooperative.
•  Most women’s cooperatives need professional support and supervision to establish themselves and continue to function effectively, show studies by SEWA.
• There are green shoots of hope for women’s cooperatives. Increased digitisation is expanding access to markets for women while growing recognition of the care economy by policymakers addresses women’s time poverty by advocating for care services and infrastructure.
• Cooperatives have the potential to transform rural economies and to empower women. The International Year of Cooperatives provides the impetus to put the necessary frameworks in placE.

 IMF World Economic Outlook April 2025, the global growth forecast has been marked downwards by 0.5 percentage 

• In the recently released IMF World Economic Outlook April 2025, the global growth forecast has been marked downwards by 0.5 percentage points to 2.8 per cent for 2025 and by 0.3 percentage points to 3 per cent for 2026 compared to this year’s January edition.
• Presently positioned as the fourth-largest economy globally, on par with Japan, the IMF forecasts India to be the fastest-growing major economy over the next two years, maintaining a significant advantage over both global and regional competitors despite the adjustment in growth projections.
• In this context, knowing about the World GDP Ranking 2025 and understanding the concept of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) becomes essential.

What does the World GDP Ranking 2025 say about the largest global economies?

• The world economy appears to have stabilised, showing steady growth above recession levels, yet remaining below expectations amid escalating trade-war tensions fuelled by US-imposed tariffs and global uncertainty.
• In the recently released International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Economic Outlook April 2025, the global growth forecast has been marked downwards by 0.5 percentage points to 2.8 per cent for 2025 and by 0.3 percentage points to 3 per cent for 2026 compared to this year’s January edition.
• The report indicates that economic growth in the United States, the world’s largest economy, is projected to slow to 1.8 per cent, a pace that is 0.9 percentage points lower than the January projection, on account of greater policy uncertainty, trade tensions, and softer demand momentum, whereas growth in the euro area at 0.8 per cent is expected to slow by 0.2 percentage points.
• In emerging markets and developing economies, growth is expected to slow down to 3.7 per cent in 2025 and 3.9 per cent in 2026, with significant downgrades for countries affected most by recent trade measures such as China.
• According to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, the top ten largest economies in the world, according to the current GDP (current prices), as of April 2025, are:

• The IMF in its latest economic outlook has also slashed growth projections for India. “For India, the growth outlook is relatively more stable at 6.2 per percent in 2025, supported by private consumption, particularly in rural areas, but this rate is 0.3 percentage points lower than that in the January 2025 WEO Update on account of higher levels of trade tensions and global uncertainty,” the report stated.

What is GDP and why is it considered a key measure of economic growth?

• A key measure of economic growth is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It provides an economic snapshot of a country, estimating the size of its economy and growth rate. It is also an easy parameter for comparing the growth of a country with that of other countries in the world.  
• The GDP is the sum of the market value of all goods and services produced within the geographical boundaries of India in a particular period (generally, a year). It is slightly different from the other commonly used statistic for national income — the GNP. The Gross National Product (GNP) measures the monetary value of all goods and services by the people and companies of a country regardless of where this value was created.
• For example, if Apple manufactures its mobile phone worth $1 million within India, then this $1 million will be counted in India’s GDP and US’ GNP. On the other hand, if the US office of Infosys created software worth $1 million, then it will be counted in US’ GDP and India’s GNP. It is the domestic boundary that distinguishes the GDP.
• A Furthermore, there are two main measures of GDP: Nominal GDP and Real GDP. 
• Nominal GDP: It refers to the value of goods and services evaluated at current market prices without factoring in inflation or deflation.
• Real GDP: An inflation-adjusted measure that reflects both the value and quantity of goods and services produced by an economy in a given year. 

What are the different approaches used to measure GDP?

• There are various ways of measuring the GDP of a country. Majorly three approaches are used to accurately measure GDP: Expenditure, Income, and Product.
• 1. Expenditure approach: The expenditure approach is a sum of four key components – personal consumption expenditure (C), investment expenditure (I), government expenditure (G), and net exports (X-M) by the rest of the world (ROW) sector.
• 2. Income approach: The income approach is simply calculated as income earned from all sources and includes wages and salaries, proprietors’ income (earnings from self-employment and unincorporated businesses), rental income, corporate profits, and net interest earned (interest earned minus interest paid). Additionally, the concept of GDP also includes net indirect taxes, statistical discrepancy, depreciation, and net payments made to the ROW.
• 3. Product approach: Also known as the output method or value-added method, the product approach adds up the market value of all goods and services produced, excluding the goods used in the intermediate stages of production.
• After knowing the various ways of measuring the GDP, let’s understand how GDP is estimated in India.

GDP calculation in India

• India’s GDP is estimated by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) using two methods. One is based on economic activity (at factor cost, this does not include taxes), and the second is on expenditure (at market prices, this includes taxes).

Is GDP an accurate measure of economic growth?

• GDP is considered the “world’s most powerful statistical indicator of national development and progress”. However, often it has been criticised as a measure of economic growth because of these limitations:
•  It excludes non-market transactions.
• It does not account for the standard of living (Per capita income is a better measure of that).
• It does not account for externalities. 
• It does not account for income inequalities or the distribution of income.
• Despite, these limitations GDP growth is an important metric. “The GDP is a simple measure, and berating it by judging it based on social or moral norms would be completely missing the point of using GDP. For instance, GDP can go up with both prostitution as well as coal mining. That it does so is not its fault. The question of whether an economy should allow either prostitution or mining or both or neither is completely separate from what happens to GDP when either of these activities is undertaken openly.
• It is true that solely focussing on GDP can lead to policies that are blind to people’s broader wellbeing. For instance, completely private provisioning of basic amenities such as health and education may result in GDP going up but may result in bringing down people’s welfare as the poor and marginalised find it hard to access these services.
• Similarly, policies that raise industrial output may or may not raise industrial employment adequately enough.
• But it is also true that it’s easier to berate GDP than to find a worthy replacement. Instead of pulling down GDP, it is better to look at a broader set of variables to get a more nuanced understanding of people’s wellbeing.

Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA)​

• The PM-USHA is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in June 2023. It aims to enhance the quality of higher education in State-run institutions by promoting accessibility, equity, accountability, affordability, and quality, aligning with the five pillars of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. As the demand for higher education is increasing continuously over the years, there has been an unprecedented expansion in the number of institutions, universities, and volume of students in the country.
• Recently, a two-day National Workshop on Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERU) under Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) was held on April 30, 2025 and May 1, 2025 at ICAR, New Delhi. The event saw the participation of over 64 Vice Chancellors from over 64 different universities, along with State officials represented by State Project Directors of Higher Education. The national workshop provided essential guidance on how best to implement various elements of the NEP in collaboration with central and state government funding.
• The Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region announced that for 35 universities, the Ministry is providing Rs. 100 crore each for implementing 44 mandatory activities under the MERU components. Further, during this two-day seminar 12 important sessions were held on topics like UGC Regulations for NEP Implementation, Clustering and Collaboration for Multidisciplinary Education, Holistic Education through Integration of Skilling and Industry Connect, etc. Eminent academicians and officials participated in these speaker sessions.

Funding and Implementation

• PM-USHA has an outlay of ₹12,926.10 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26. A total of 33 States and Union Territories have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for participating in the scheme.
•  In the first and second meetings of the Project Approval Board for PM-USHA, 440 units have been approved in various States/UTs with a total amount of ₹5,613.12 crore under various components. For FY 2025-26, the budget for this scheme has been kept ₹1,815 crore.
• PM-USHA is funded through the Ministry of Education (MoE) with prescribed contributions from the State governments and Union Territories (UTs). The project cost in the public-funded institutions for all sub-components is shared between the Central Government and State Governments in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern States, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand and 60:40 for the Other States and UTs with Legislature, the UTs without Legislature would be 100% centrally funded under this scheme.
• The amount of Management Monitoring Evaluation and Research (MMER) grants is 2% of the total fund approved, out of which 1 % will be released to the States/ UTs and 1% will be utilized by the Centre. The fund will be utilized for activities related to the implementation and monitoring of the scheme by the States/ UTs and Centre such as operation of the technical support group, monitoring portal etc. All States/UTs will be eligible for these grants.
• A PM-USHA shall be implemented and monitored through an institutional structure of bodies with clearly defined roles and powers at the Central, State, and institutional levels. All the bodies shall monitor the progress of the scheme at their respective levels, starting right from the institutional level up to the national level.

Background

• Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to fund States/UTs institutions, with the vision to attain higher levels of access, equity, and excellence in the State higher education system with greater efficiency, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness.
•  The first phase of the scheme was launched in 2013 and the second phase was launched in 2018. Now, in the light of the National Education Policy, RUSA scheme has been launched as PM-USHA.
• RUSA 1.0 and RUSA 2.0 have resulted in significant progress in a number of higher educational indicators like Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER), and Accreditation (Quality Reforms), Student-Teacher ratio, etc. However, the gap still remained vis-à-vis. access, inclusion, enrolment, quality enhancement, skilling, employability, technology, etc. and therefore, some new interventions were required for achieving the targets and reducing the gaps, ensuring better output and outcome.
• PM-USHA addresses key gaps highlighted in the NITI Aayog''s Evaluation Report by redesigning and rationalizing existing schemes for greater impact. It focuses on enhancing graduate employability through market-linked courses, industry collaboration, internships, and skill-based education. The scheme emphasizes tracking employability outcomes, identifying skill gaps, and introducing employment-led vocational modules.
• It promotes the use of technology and open distance learning to improve access and quality, supports institutions in improving National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation, and encourages quality initiatives, virtual learning, community participation, and gender sensitization, while closely monitoring outputs and outcomes.
• With the emergence of the NEP 2020 and recommendations of NITI Aayog, an effort has been made to give a new and energized structure to this phase of the scheme.

Objectives

• The objectives of this scheme are:
• To improve the overall quality of existing state higher educational institutions (HEIs) by ensuring their conformity to prescribed norms and standards and adoption of accreditation as a quality assurance framework.
• Usher transformative reforms in the State higher education system by creating a facilitating institutional structure for planning and monitoring at the state level, promoting autonomy in State Universities, and improving governance in institutions.
• Implementation of recommendations of the NEP 2020 through funding support provided to State HEIs.
• Ensure governance, academic, and examination (and evaluation) reforms in the State higher educational institutions and establish backward and forward linkages with school education on one hand and employment market, on the other hand, to facilitate self-reliance and thus creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Create an enabling atmosphere in the higher educational institutions to devote themselves to research and innovations.
• Correct regional imbalances in access to higher education by facilitating access to high-quality institutions in urban & semi‐urban areas, creating opportunities for students from rural areas to get access to better quality institutions, and setting up institutions in unserved & underserved areas.
• Developing infrastructure for ODL/Online/Digital mode of education in such States/UTs.
• Improve equity in higher education by providing adequate opportunities for higher education to socially deprived communities; promote inclusion of women, minorities, SC/ST/OBCs, and special-abled persons.
• To identify and fill up the existing gaps in higher education, by augmenting and supporting the State Governments’ efforts.
• Enhancing employability through skilling and vocationalization.
• Improving accreditation status of accredited institutions and getting accreditation of non-accredited institutions.
• Providing better hostel facilities in remote areas.
• Establishing New Model Degree Colleges in the districts where there are no Government and Government-aided institutions. So far, the Project Approval Board has approved a total of 8 units in the eligible States/UTs (4 in Nagaland, 2 in Manipur and 2 in Meghalaya) with a total amount of ₹119.98 crore for New Model Degree Colleges.
• Focusing on low GER, Left Wing Extremism (LWE), border area districts, aspirational districts and districts with higher SC/ ST population.
• Focus on multidisciplinary education, including STEM, commerce and humanities fields of education.

Scope and Coverage

• PM-USHA covers government and government-aided institutions of the States and Union Territories. It prioritizes educationally unserved or underserved areas, including rural regions, to improve their quality. Under PM-USHA, priority is given to Focus Districts identified by the concerned States/UTs, subject to either 5 districts or a maximum of 50% of their districts (whichever is higher), based on various criteria, including low Gross Enrolment Ratio, gender parity, population proportion and enrolment proportion for females, transgenders, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, as well as Aspirational/Border Area/Left Wing Extremism prone districts.
• The recommendation of institutions shall be done by the State/ UT Governments/ State Higher Education Council (SHEC). The final decision shall be taken by the Centre.

Components and Activities

• The components of the scheme have been structured to improve the higher education scenario in States/UTs by targeting the:
• Existing Higher Educational Institutions, in keeping with the philosophy of NEP 2020, to consolidate and transform existing institutions.
• Districts as a unit of planning and strategizing for improving access and equity.
• Areas with no HEIs, to improve educational parameters in un-serviced areas.
• A Every component in PM-USHA has a fixed amount as its upper limit. The States/UTs must develop their needs/ proposals within the specified upper limit of every component. This upper limit is based on well-defined norms and parameters and is linked to academic, administrative, and governance reforms, whereas future grants are outcome-based and performance-based. The PM-USHA aims to create a self-sustaining momentum for greater accountability of State institutions and to impress upon them the importance of improving educational quality.

Conclusion

• PM-USHA represents a significant step towards transforming India''s higher education landscape by enhancing the quality and accessibility of State-run institutions. By aligning with the objectives of the NEP 2020 and focusing on underserved areas, the scheme aims to create an equitable and vibrant knowledge society, contributing to the vision of a developed India by 2047

Trading Aromas: The Rise of the Spice Economy

• India, known as the ‘Land of Spices’, is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices. Of the 109 spices recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), India cultivates over 60 varieties. The spice sector contributes approximately 9% to India''s total agricultural exports and over 40% of horticultural exports.
• With a global footprint spanning over 200 countries, India exports 225+ unique spice products, reinforcing its position as a trusted global supplier of both raw and value-added spices. Historically valued for their medicinal properties, spices remain integral to both Indian heritage and global health-conscious markets.
• India is the largest exporter of spice and spice items. It retained its position as the leading global exporter, with exports reaching USD 4.45 billion in FY 2024–25. Between 2013–14 and 2024–25, spice exports increased by 88% in volume, and 97% in value (USD)—reflecting India’s expanding presence in the global spice market.
•  Gujarat led with 23.53% of total exports, followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In comparison, during 2013–14, spice exports stood at 817,250 MT, valued at USD 2,267.67 million showcasing a significant growth trajectory over the years.

Major Export Destinations

• India exported spices and spice products to 200 destinations worldwide as of FY25 (up to December 2024). The top 10 destinations—China, USA, UAE, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Germany—collectively accounted for over 60% of total export earnings in FY25 (until February 2025).
• The USA’s major imports from India included celery, cumin, curry powder, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, chilli, and mint products.

Region wise total export From India

India’s Most Exported Spices by Value

• During the financial year 2023–24, chilli emerged as the leading spice exported from India, with a total export value of USD 1,508.94 million. It was followed by cumin and spice oils and oleoresins, which recorded export values of USD 700.23 million and USD 498.01 million respectively. Other notable exports included mint products, turmeric, and curry powders/paste, each contributing significantly to the overall export volume.

Leading States in India’s Spice Production

• In 2023–24, Madhya Pradesh led India''s spice production with 3.63 million tonnes, followed by Gujarat with 1.29 million tonnes and Andhra Pradesh with 1.28 million tonnes. Rajasthan and Telangana also made significant contributions, producing over 1 million tonnes and 793,000 tonnes, respectively. These top five states play a crucial role in sustaining India''s leadership in the global spice market.

Government Initiatives

• 1.Export Development and Promotion of Spices
• The SPICED[1] (Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative, and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development) scheme, launched by the Spices Board of India, aims to enhance the export of spices, improve cardamom productivity, and upgrade the post-harvest quality of spices. With a total outlay of Rs. 422.30 crore, the scheme will be implemented for the 15th Finance Commission cycle until FY 2025-26.
• Key components of the scheme include promoting value addition in spices, supporting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and SC/ST communities, and introducing programs like the Mission Value Addition, Mission Clean and Safe Spices, and promotion of GI-tagged spices. The scheme focuses on empowering farmer groups, improving productivity in cardamom cultivation, and enhancing post-harvest practices.
• It also aims to strengthen India’s competitiveness in the global spice market by providing technological support, market development, and funding for Spice Incubation Centres to foster innovation.
• 2.Setting up and maintenance of infrastructure for common processing (Spices Parks)
• The Spices Board has established eight crop-specific Spices Parks across India to enhance spice processing, value addition, and export opportunities. These parks provide common facilities for cleaning, sorting, grading, grinding, oil extraction, and packaging of spices, benefiting local farmers, traders, exporters, and other stakeholders.
• The parks also provide plots to exporters, traders, and farmer producer organizations (FPOs) for setting up their own processing units. The establishment of these parks aims to create significant job opportunities and drive the growth of the spice industry, promoting both direct and indirect employment while boosting the country''s spice export potential.

Conclusion:

• India’s spice sector is at a powerful turning point, combining centuries-old heritage with surging global demand for natural health and wellness. Post-COVID, the world is embracing spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic for their immunity-boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Backed by initiatives like SPICED and modern Spices Parks, India is moving towards cleaner, value-added, globally competitive spice exports. With a presence in 200+ countries and production of 60+ varieties, India is not just growing—it’s leading the global spice movement

Vizhinjam to Vision 2047

• The Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport, located in Kerala, stands as a monumental achievement in India''s maritime infrastructure. Inaugurated on May 2, 2025, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this ₹8,800 crore project underscores India''s commitment to enhancing its port capabilities and fostering economic growth through strategic maritime initiatives
• A Vizhinjam was chosen for the development of this multi-purpose port because of its strategic location near international shipping routes, which significantly reduces transit times for vessels, making it a pivotal point for maritime trade. As one of India''s few natural deep-water ports, this port can efficiently accommodate large cargo and container ships, thus making it an ideal choice for this development.

Features of Vizhinjam Seaport

• India''s first dedicated container trans-shipment port.
• Strategically located near one of the world''s busiest sea trade routes.
• The port boasts a natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters, enabling it to accommodate some of the world''s largest cargo ships.
• The capacity of this trans-shipment port is expected to increase three times in the coming years.

Benefits of Vizhinjam Seaport

• The development of this port is expected to significantly reduce India''s reliance on foreign ports for trans-shipment, which previously accounted for 75% of such operations, thereby retaining revenue within the country and creating new economic opportunities for Kerala and its people.
• Vizhinjam is set to become a key player in regional trade, potentially serving as a gateway for commerce between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Important Initiatives by the Government to promote India''s Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sector

• Government of India''s initiatives like the Sagarmala Project and PM Gati Shakti, aimed at enhancing port infrastructure and improving inter-connectivity of waterways, railways, highways, and airways. Over the past decade, investments under Public-Private Partnerships have upgraded Indian ports to global standards, reducing ship turn-around time by 30% and doubling the capacity of ports. These efforts have positioned India among the top three countries globally in terms of seafarer numbers and among the top 20 in global shipbuilding. For further strengthening India''s maritime sector, the government is working towards the establishment of a shipbuilding and repair cluster in Kochi, which will create numerous employment opportunities. Additionally, initiatives like the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which was discussed during the G-20 Summit, underscore Kerala''s critical role in global trade networks
• The Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, formulated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, builds on the Maritime India Vision 2030 and aims to develop world-class ports and promote inland water transport, coastal shipping, and a sustainable maritime sector. It encompasses aspirations in Logistics, Infrastructure, and Shipping, supporting India''s ''Blue Economy''. The vision, shaped through over 150 consultations with various stakeholders and the analysis of 50 international benchmarks, outlines more than 300 actionable initiatives for enhancing ports, shipping, and waterways by 2047.
• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was launched during India’s G20 presidency and aims to integrate India, the Europe, the Middle-East through UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and the European Union. It is an important initiative that can add to India''s maritime security and faster movement of goods between Europe and Asia. IMEC will reduce the logistics costs by up to 30% and transportation time by 40%. Recently, on April 16, 2025, the IMEC High-Level Roundtable on Connectivity and Economic Growth was held in New Delhi.

One Nation One Port

• The ‘One Nation One Port Process (ONOP)’ initiative focuses on mapping and standardizing port processes and documentation. This involves conducting a comprehensive review of the existing procedures and documents exchanged within the port value chain across all major ports which cover various cargo types, including containers, dry bulk, and liquid bulk, as well as different movement categories such as export-import, trans-shipment, and coastal operations.
• The implementation of the ONOP initiative is anticipated to significantly reduce paperwork by approximately 25% for both container operations and bulk cargo, leading to a reduction in logistics costs.

Master Plan to Develop Mega Ports

• Six port clusters, out of which four port clusters, namely, Cochin – Vizhinjam Port cluster, Galathea South Bay Port, Chennai – Kamarajar – Cuddalore Port cluster, Paradip and other Non-Major Ports cluster with capacity of more than 300 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) and two port clusters, namely, Deendayal and Tuna Tekra Port cluster, Jawaharlal Nehru – Vadhavan Port cluster with capacity of more than 500 MTPA are being developed as Mega Ports by the year 2047.
• These activities are included in the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, 2047. The works for infrastructure enhancement and capacity augmentation in the Major Ports are already under progress through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode and also through internal resources.

Conclusion

• The inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport marks a transformative moment in India''s maritime journey, reinforcing the nation''s commitment to becoming a global trade and logistics hub.
• With its strategic location, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and alignment with key government initiatives like Sagarmala, PM Gati Shakti, and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Vizhinjam is poised to significantly boost India''s economic growth, regional connectivity, and global shipping competitiveness.
•  As India steers into a future shaped by integrated transport corridors like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the Vizhinjam Seaport stands as a beacon of progress, sustainability, and strategic foresight in the country’s maritime renaissance

NITI Aayog Releases Report on “Enhancing Competitiveness of MSMEs in India”

• “NITI Aayog today released the report on ‘Enhancing MSMEs Competitiveness in India’, prepared by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Institute for Competitiveness (IFC). The report presents a detailed blueprint for unlocking the immense potential of India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through systemic reforms in financing, skilling, innovation and market access.
• The report delves into the key challenges affecting the competitiveness of MSMEs in India. Using firm-level data and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), it provides recommendations to foster sustainable integration and enhance their incorporation into global value chains.
•  It focuses on four important sectors - textiles manufacturing and apparel, chemical products, automotive and food processing while highlighting the sector-specific challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed to unlock the potential of MSMEs in India. The report examines current national and state policies, highlighting gaps in implementation and limited awareness among MSMEs.
• One of the important findings of the report is the notable improvement in MSMEs'' access to formal credit. Between 2020 and 2024, the share of micro and small enterprises accessing credit through scheduled banks rose from 14% to 20%, while medium enterprises saw an increase from 4% to 9%. Despite these improvements, the report reveals that a substantial credit gap remains.
•  Only 19% of MSME credit demand was met formally by FY21, leaving an estimated ₹80 lakh crore unmet. The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) has expanded significantly, but still faces significant limitations.
• To bridge the credit gap and unlock inclusive, scalable finance for MSMEs, the report calls for a revamped CGTMSE, supported by institutional collaboration and more targeted services.
• The report also highlights the pressing issue of skill shortages within the MSME sector. A large portion of the workforce lacks formal vocational or technical training, which hampers productivity and limits the ability of MSMEs to scale effectively. Many MSMEs also fail to invest sufficiently in research and development (R&D), quality improvement, or innovation, making it difficult to stay competitive in national and global markets.
• The report further points out that MSMEs face barriers in adopting modern technologies due to unreliable electricity supply, weak internet connectivity and high implementation costs.
• Despite state government schemes designed to support technological advancement in MSMEs, many enterprises are either unaware of them or unable to access them. In its analysis of clusters, the report finds that upgrading outdated technologies and improving marketing and branding capabilities are critical to improving competitiveness.
• The report concludes that despite various MSME support policies and the recent boost to MSMEs through Union Budgets, increased effectiveness is hampered by low awareness.
• To enhance policy impact, the report recommends stronger state-level design and implementation, emphasising consistent monitoring, better data integration and improved stakeholder engagement in policy development.
• India''s MSMEs can become a key driver of sustainable economic growth by focusing on targeted interventions, building stronger institutional collaborations and enhancing global competitiveness.
• It calls for enhanced support for MSMEs through digital marketing training, partnerships with logistics providers and creating platforms for direct market linkages, especially in regions with high growth potential, such as India''s northeastern and eastern belts. It calls for a robust, adaptive and cluster-based policy framework at the state level that fosters innovation, enhances competitiveness and enables MSMEs to drive inclusive economic transformation

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah reviews the progress of National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah reviews the progress of National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)
• Addressing the meeting, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, these three national cooperative institutions were created by the Ministry of Cooperation with the approval of the Union Cabinet in 2023, with the aim to act as umbrella organizations for cooperative exports, organic production and promotion of quality seeds
•  He said that these are being operated under the ''Whole of the Government'' approach in collaboration with the concerned Ministries/Departments/Agencies.
• To realize the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation” of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, many initiatives and historic schemes have been started under the guidance of the Ministry of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, which is promoting the cooperative sector at a fast pace.

Three institutions play distinct roles in strengthening India''s cooperative sector:

• National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) – Facilitates the export of cooperative-produced goods, including sugar, aromatic rice, organic cotton, coarse grains, fresh vegetables, and special potato varieties. NCEL is tasked with achieving ambitious export targets and expanding its global footprint, including establishing offices in Africa and Myanmar for pulse imports.
• National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) – Focuses on marketing organic products under the "Bharat Organics" brand. NCOL partners with major retailers like Amul and Bigbasket to ensure wider distribution of organic cereals, pulses, spices, and sweets. The goal is to expand availability nationwide and increase turnover significantly.
• Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) – Strengthens India''s seed ecosystem by developing high-yielding, short-maturity, and low-water-requirement crop varieties. The BBSSL Centre in Gujarat works on improving sugarcane varieties, tissue culture for banana plants, and producing quality seeds for staple crops like maize, pigeon pea, and black gram.

How do these cooperatives impact rural livelihoods in India?

• These cooperatives—NCEL, NCOL, and BBSSL—directly enhance rural livelihoods in India by creating new opportunities for farmers, strengthening agricultural infrastructure, and ensuring fair pricing for their produce. Here’s how they make a difference:

1. Higher Earnings for Farmers

• NCEL (National Cooperative Exports Limited) enables cooperative sugar mills, rice growers, cotton farmers, and coarse grain producers to access international markets. By facilitating bulk exports, farmers get better price realization, ensuring higher incomes compared to local markets.
• NCEL reinvests profits (estimated at ₹20,000-₹30,000 crore) into cooperatives, ensuring financial stability for rural producers.

2. Increased Market Access for Organic Farmers

• NCOL (National Cooperative Organics Limited) connects small organic farmers to major brands like Amul, Bigbasket, and Reliance. By standardizing pesticide-free organic products under the Bharat Organics label, farmers get premium prices for their produce.
• Its QR-code authenticity system builds consumer trust, increasing demand for certified organic crops, further boosting farmer incomes.

3. Improved Seed Availability & Agricultural Productivity

• BBSSL (Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Ltd) strengthens India’s seed ecosystem by developing high-yielding, drought-resistant varieties. This helps rural farmers improve productivity even in challenging conditions, securing food supplies and stabilizing earnings.
• The tissue culture facility ensures access to high-genetic-potential plants for banana-producing states, benefiting local fruit farmers with higher yields and better quality crops.

4. Reduced Dependence on Middlemen & Fairer Pricing

• By directly linking farmers to exports and major retailers, these cooperatives eliminate middlemen, ensuring farmers get fair prices instead of facing exploitation in local wholesale markets.
• Cooperative-led exports provide consistent demand, securing rural incomes even when domestic prices fluctuate.

5. Skill Development & Rural Employment

• NCOL trains farmers in organic certification, enabling them to access premium markets.
• BBSSL’s seed innovation programs equip farmers with knowledge about modern crop varieties, improving their yields sustainably.
• Cooperatives create local jobs in processing, packaging, and distribution, keeping rural economies thriving

DRDO conducts maiden flight-trials of Stratospheric Airship Platform

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight-trials of its Stratospheric Airship Platform on May 3, 2025, at the Sheopur trial site in Madhya Pradesh. Developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, this airship is designed to operate at stratospheric altitudes, providing long-duration intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities

Key Features of the Stratospheric Airship Platform

• High-Altitude Operation: The airship ascended to approximately 17 kilometers (56,000 feet), reaching the stratosphere.
• Instrumental Payload: It carried advanced sensors to collect data for earth observation and ISR applications.
• Flight Duration: The trial lasted 62 minutes, during which envelope pressure control and emergency deflation systems were tested.
• Data Collection: Information gathered from onboard sensors will be used to develop high-fidelity simulation models for future airship missions.
• Recovery & Analysis: The system was successfully retrieved post-flight for further examination and refinement.

Strategic Importance

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that this airship will enhance India''s surveillance capabilities, making India one of the few nations with indigenous high-altitude airship technology. DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat described the prototype flight as a milestone toward realizing lighter-than-air high-altitude platforms that can remain airborne for extended durations.

Potential Applications

• Military Surveillance: Enables persistent monitoring over large geographic areas, improving border security and threat detection.
• Disaster Management: Can assist in real-time monitoring of natural disasters like floods, cyclones, and forest fires.
• Communication & Connectivity: Could serve as a high-altitude relay station, improving network coverage in remote areas.
• Scientific Research: Supports atmospheric studies, climate monitoring, and space observation.
• This successful trial marks a significant advancement in India''s aerospace and defence technology, paving the way for future high-altitude airship deployments

Comparison with Global Technologies

• India’s Stratospheric Airship Platform is comparable to high-altitude airships developed by countries like the United States and China:

United States – DARPA Adaptable Lighter-Than-Air (ALTA) Program

• The ALTA airship is designed for long-endurance surveillance, similar to DRDO’s airship.
• It features solar-powered propulsion, allowing it to remain airborne for extended periods.
• India’s airship, while still in early development, aims to achieve similar persistent monitoring capabilities.

China – High-Altitude Balloons & Airships

• China has developed high-altitude balloons for persistent monitoring, but India’s airship offers greater maneuverability and controlled flight.
• China’s Tian Heng airship operates at stratospheric altitudes, similar to DRDO’s platform.
• India’s airship is expected to enhance ISR capabilities with real-time data collection.

Europe – Stratobus (Thales Alenia Space, France)

• The Stratobus is a stratospheric airship designed for telecommunications and surveillance.
• Unlike India’s airship, Stratobus is fully autonomous, using solar panels for continuous operation.
• India’s airship could integrate solar-powered propulsion in future iterations.

Key Advantages of India’s Airship

• Lower Operational Costs: Compared to satellites, airships provide real-time data collection at significantly lower costs.
• Extended Flight Duration: Designed for long-endurance missions, enabling persistent monitoring over large geographic areas.
• Multi-Purpose Applications: Can be used for military surveillance, disaster management, communication relay, and scientific research

Three new initiatives by ECI

• decisionhe Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced three new initiatives aimed at improving the accuracy of electoral rolls and making the voting process more convenient for citizens. These measures were announced following the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in March 2025, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.

The Three Key Initiatives

1. Electronic Death Registration for Electoral Roll Updates

• The ECI will now obtain death registration data electronically from the Registrar General of India, in accordance with Rule 9 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and Section 3(5)(b) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (amended in 2023).
• This will ensure that Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) receive timely information about registered deaths, allowing them to update electoral rolls efficiently.
• Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will also verify this information through field visits, eliminating the need for voters to submit a formal request under Form 7.

2. Standard Photo Identity Cards for BLOs

• The ECI has directed that all Booth Level Officers (BLOs), appointed under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, be issued standard photo identity cards.
• This will help citizens recognize and interact confidently with BLOs during voter verification and registration drives.
• BLOs serve as the first point of contact between voters and the ECI, making their identification crucial for house-to-house visits.

3. Redesigning Voter Information Slips (VIS) for Better Accessibility

• The Voter Information Slip (VIS) has been redesigned to make it more voter-friendly.
• The serial number and part number of the voter will now be displayed more prominently, with an increased font size, making it easier for voters to identify their polling station and for polling officials to locate names in the electoral roll efficiently.

Impact of These Initiatives

• These reforms aim to:
• Enhance electoral roll accuracy, ensuring deceased individuals are promptly removed.
• Improve voter interaction, making BLOs more identifiable and accessible.
• Streamline the voting process, helping voters locate their polling details more easily.

Overall Context and Significance

• Strategic Framework: These initiatives were introduced during a Conference of Chief Electoral Officers in March 2025, under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. This high-level meeting underscored the ECI’s strategic focus on leveraging technology and standardized processes to modernize India’s electoral system.
• Enhancing Democratic Processes: By integrating electronic data, ensuring reliable identification of officials, and making essential voter documents more accessible, the ECI is working toward a more transparent, efficient, and user-friendly electoral process. Such reforms help build public trust and encourage greater participation in the democratic process.