What is Sea Dragon 2025, the anti-submarine warfare training India joined?

• The Indian Navy on Thursday concluded a two week training session on anti-submarine warfare (ASW). This comes as India has been working to boost its maritime security and defense capabilities. The multinational ASW, called Sea Dragon 2025 (SD25), hosted by the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet, is not just an exercise for the navy but also helps foster military cooperation with key allies.

What is Sea Dragon 2025?

• The Sea Dragon exercise is a multinational anti-submarine warfare drill conducted annually to strengthen maritime security and cooperation among allied nations in the Indo-Pacific region.  
• Hosted by the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, this exercise focuses on detecting, tracking, and countering submarine threats, a crucial capability given the rising tensions in the region

What happens during the AWS exercise?

• Sea Dragon is an intensive, highly technical military drill that involves both theoretical and practical ASW training. Participating nations deploy their maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA), which are equipped with advanced sensors and sonobuoys designed to track submarines. The training includes mock drills, tactical discussions, and live submarine detection exercises, allowing crews to sharpen their ability to locate and neutralise enemy submarines in real-world scenarios.
•  This year the exercise focused on improving ASW tactics, interoperability, and multinational coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise included:
• A Mobile ASW training target drills using the MK-30 ‘SLED’.
• A live ASWEX exercise, where participants tracked a US Navy submarine.
• A competitive phase, where aircrews were graded on ASW effectiveness.

Which countries participate in the AWS?

• Originally a bilateral naval drill between US and Australia in 2019, the Sea Dragon exercise has expanded to include key allies, including India – which joined in 2021. This latest exercise also adds to India’s effort at strengthening its maritime presence.
• India officially joined the exercise in 2021, aligning it with the country’s broader strategy of enhancing its naval capabilities and deepening security ties with Quad nations and other regional allies.
• This year, the exercise was held from March 4 to March 19, and included Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, with India participating for the fourth consecutive year.
• Hosted by Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, the exercise brought together advanced ASW aircraft from participating nations, including:
• Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon
• Indian Navy (IN) P-8I Neptune
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kawasaki P-1
• Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) P-3 Orion
• US Navy P-8A Poseidon (Patrol Squadrons VP-16 & VP-47)
• At the end of the training, the SD25 also featured a competition to evaluate each nation’s ASW capabilities in a realistic combat scenario. This year, the RAAF emerged victorious
•  India officially joined the exercise in 2021, aligning it with the country’s broader strategy of enhancing its naval capabilities and deepening security ties with Quad nations and other regional allies.
• This year, the exercise was held from March 4 to March 19, and included Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, with India participating for the fourth consecutive year.
• Hosted by Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, the exercise brought together advanced ASW aircraft from participating nations, including:
• Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon
• Indian Navy (IN) P-8I Neptune
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kawasaki P-1
• Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) P-3 Orion
• US NAVY P-8A Poseidon (Patrol Squadrons VP-16 & VP-47)
• At the end of the training, the SD25 also featured a competition to evaluate each nation’s ASW capabilities in a realistic combat scenario. This year, the RAAF emerged victorious

Why Sea Dragon matters for India and the Indo-Pacific

• The significance of the Sea Dragon exercise extends beyond mere training. It plays a key role in strengthening naval ties between India and its allies, ensuring greater interoperability in case of real-world threats.
• Additionally, exercises like Sea Dragon help in reinforcing the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific, a shared vision among the Quad nations (India, the US, Japan, and Australia). By actively participating, India enhances its deterrence capabilities and ensures that it remains a key player in shaping the security architecture of the region

India strengthens maritime security

• India has been making significant strides in strengthening its maritime security amid rising concerns over foreign military activities in the Indian Ocean, particularly China’s growing influence. 
• In December 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) sanctioned a massive ₹21,772 crore package to address emerging maritime threats, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
• This included 151 new boats for the Indian Navy, aimed at coastal patrols, rapid response, and surveillance, as well as six advanced light helicopters (ALH) for the Indian Coast Guard to enhance search-and-rescue missions and reconnaissance.

X sues Indian govt over arbitrary censorship: What is the case all about?

Elon Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) has moved a plea in the Karnataka High Court against the Indian government, alleging unlawful content regulation and arbitrary censorship. In its plea, the social media giant has argued that the Centre''s interpretation of the Information Technology (IT) Act—particularly its use of Section 79(3)(b)—violates the landmark Supreme Court ruling in the Shreya Singhal case and undermines free expression online.

What is the Shreya Singhal case?

• The Supreme Court’s judgment in the Shreya Singhal case laid down key safeguards against government censorship and clarified the liability of online platforms. The ruling struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, which criminalised sending "offensive" messages via computers or communication devices, but upheld Sections 79(3)(b) and 69A with safeguards to prevent misuse of the safe harbour provisions.
• The court ruled that under Section 79(3)(b), online intermediaries cannot be held liable for user-generated content unless they fail to act on a court order or a government directive. A mere request or complaint is not enough to mandate content removal, the judgment clarified, ensuring that takedown decisions follow legal scrutiny.
• At the same time, the court upheld Section 69A, which allows the government to block content on grounds like national security and public order. However, it stressed that blocking orders must be reasoned, follow due process, and be open to judicial review—preventing arbitrary censorship.
• The key difference is that while Section 79(3)(b) protects intermediaries from liability unless a court or the government directs a takedown, it ensures a transparent process. In contrast, Section 69A gives the government the power to block content directly, but with procedural safeguards.
•  “One requires compliance by intermediaries; the other is direct government action,” said Aslam Ahmed, partner at law firm Singhania & Co
• Both provisions regulate online content but operate differently. Section 79(3)(b) ensures judicial oversight, requiring legal orders for takedown, while Section 69A allows direct government intervention, though orders can be challenged in court
• “Transparency is a key concern—while takedowns under Section 79(3)(b) are clearer, blocking under 69A is often secretive, raising accountability questions,” Ahmed added.
• The road ahead will likely involve judicial clarification on the scope of Section 79(3)(b) and its use for content takedowns.

What links UK tyre exports to India''s toxic air and black market plants?

• Millions of tyres exported from the United Kingdom to India for recycling are instead being incinerated in makeshift furnaces, resulting in serious health risks and significant environmental damage, according to a BBC investigation.
•  the UK produces around 50 million waste tyres every year, with nearly half sent abroad—mostly to India. This is reportedly an open secret within the recycling industry.
• The investigation, conducted in collaboration with journalism group SourceMaterial, revealed that instead of being processed in legal recycling facilities, a large volume of these tyres is diverted to unregulated pyrolysis plants. These plants are worsening India’s already critical air quality and posing serious health hazards.

Toxic pyrolysis in illegal facilities

• In these makeshift industrial units, tyres are subjected to pyrolysis—a process that involves heating them to around 500 degrees Celsius in an oxygen-free environment. The goal is to extract steel, small quantities of oil, and carbon black, a material used in various industries. However, due to the lack of regulation and pollution control, the process emits toxic gases and hazardous chemicals
• The report highlights that emissions from these facilities contaminate water sources, degrade surrounding vegetation, and contribute to life-threatening respiratory conditions. Residents living nearby complain of chronic coughs, eye irritation, and difficulty breathing due to prolonged exposure to soot and chemical fumes.

Fatal consequences and weak enforcemenT

• In January, an explosion at one such pyrolysis plant in Wada, near Mumbai, killed four people, including two children. The plant had reportedly been processing tyres sourced from Europe and lacked even basic safety measures.
• Following the incident, local authorities shut down seven plants in the region. However, environmental activists estimate that hundreds of illegal pyrolysis facilities continue to operate across India, worsening the air pollution crisis.

Bharat Beej Brand

• The Ministry of Cooperation has set up Bhartiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002.
• The BBSSL will undertake production, procurement & distribution of quality seeds under single brand name ‘Bharat Beej’ through cooperative network to improve crop yield. So far, 19,674 cooperative societies have become members of BBSSL, out of which 334 member cooperatives are from Jharkhand. BBSSL has obtained seed license from the Government of Jharkhand.
•  The efficient logistics arrangement of BBSSL will ensure the timely availability of high-quality seeds under the Bharat Beej brand to farmers including remote and rural areas of Jharkhand.
• State Departments of Agriculture through their Agricultural extension services etc. organizes training sessions, workshops, and Front-Line Demonstration (FLD), Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD), and other demonstration programs, farmers’ training, Farmers’ field schools under various schemes for increasing awareness in farmers about use of quality seeds.
• Besides, BBSSL has also decided to increase awareness about the use of Bharat Beej brand quality seeds and adoption among small and marginal farmers by following methods:
• Awareness campaign through social media and the BBSSL website.
• Organizing farmers'' meets at various levels.
• Conducting regional workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• Showcasing demonstrations and participating in promotional events at national, state, and regional levels.
• Sufficient provisions are available under the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed Rules, 1968 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 and amendments thereon to regulate the quality of seeds sold in the market. The above-said seed legislation empowers the State Governments to check the quality of seeds and curb the sale of sub-standard/spurious seeds.
• Department of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare allocates breeder Seeds of various crops to the State and private Seeds companies also against their breeder indents received one year in advance for the production of foundation and certified Seeds for distribution to the farmers.
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Govt. of India has already launched Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal - Seed Traceability for effective monitoring, efficiency and transparency covering Seed chain from Nucleus-Breeder-Foundation- Certified Seed on 19th April, 2023. The private agencies are also involved including Seed dealers’ and distributors and whole supply chain has been planned to be tracked through the SATHI portal.

INCIDENTS OF DIGITAL ARREST

• ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The States/UTs are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including cyber crime and digital arrest scams through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
• The Central Government supplements the initiatives of the States/UTs through advisories and financial assistance under various schemes for capacity building of their LEAs.
• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes the statistical data on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”. The latest published report is for the year 2022. Specific data regarding digital arrest scams is not maintained separately by NCRB.
• To strengthen the mechanism to deal with cyber crimes including digital arrest scams in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, the Central Government has taken steps which, inter-alia, include the following:
• The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up the ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’ (I4C) as an attached office to deal with all types of cyber crimes in the country, in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
• I4C in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched a caller tune campaign for raising awareness about cybercrime and promoting the Cyber Crime Helpline Number 1930 & ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ (NCRP). The caller tune is also being broadcasts in regional languages, delivered 7-8 times a day by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).
• I4C proactively identify and blocked more than 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 Whatsapp accounts used for Digital Arrest.
• The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ (https://cybercrime.gov.in) has been launched, as a part of the I4C, to enable public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cyber crimes, with special focus on cyber crimes against women and children. Cyber crime incidents reported on this portal, their conversion into FIRs and subsequent action thereon are handled by the State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies concerned as per the provisions of the law.
• The ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’, under I4C, has been launched in year 2021 for immediate reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off funds by the fraudsters. So far, financial amount of more than Rs. 4,386 Crore has been saved in more than 13.36 lakh complaints. A toll-free Helpline number ‘1930’ has been operationalized to get assistance in lodging online cyber complaints.
• To spread awareness on cyber crime, the Central Government has taken steps which, inter-alia, include; dissemination of messages through  SMS,  I4C  social  media  account  i.e.  X  (formerly  Twitter)
• (@CyberDost), Facebook(CyberDostI4C), Instagram (cyberDostI4C), Telegram(cyberdosti4c), Radio campaign, engaged MyGov for publicity in multiple mediums, organizing Cyber Safety and Security Awareness weeks in association with States/UTs, publishing of Handbook for Adolescents/Students, digital displays on railway stations and airports across, etc.

India’s Social Security Coverage Doubles

• India’s social protection coverage has doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, marking a significant expansion in welfare reach, according to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26. The report attributes this progress to key government initiatives, which have extended benefits such as health insurance, pensions, and employment support to millions.
• As per Ministry of Labour and Employment, nearly 920 million people, or 65% of the population, are now covered by at least one form of social protection, whether in cash or in-kind, through central government schemes.
•  India’s advancements have also contributed to a 5-percentage point increase in global social protection coverage, underscoring its role in shaping welfare outcomes at an international level.

Overview of the Report

• The World Social Protection Report is a comprehensive assessment published periodically by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to labour rights and social justice.
• The report evaluates social protection systems globally, examining their coverage, effectiveness, and progress in ensuring social security for diverse populations. By offering a detailed analysis of policies and trends, it serves as a key resource for governments, policymakers, and researchers working towards stronger and more inclusive welfare systems.
• The 2024–26 edition of the report is centred on universal social protection for climate action and a just transition. For the first time, it incorporates trend data, providing a more dynamic perspective on global progress.
• It presents an extensive set of global, regional, and country-level statistics on social protection coverage, benefits provided, and public expenditure. Additionally, a regional companion report for Asia and the Pacific supplements the global findings by offering a deeper analysis of social protection developments in the region. This companion report highlights key challenges, priorities, and the intersection of social protection and climate action, considering the unique socio-economic and environmental conditions of Asia and the Pacific.

Expanding Social Security: Key Government Initiatives

• India’s social protection system has expanded significantly through various welfare programmes aimed at providing financial security, healthcare, and food assistance to millions. These initiatives have played a crucial role in improving livelihoods and reducing poverty across the country.
• Here are some key social security schemes and initiatives:

Ayushman Bharat

• As of March 26, 2025, 39.94 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), offering free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family. The scheme is accessible at 24,810 empanelled hospitals nationwide.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

• Launched to address economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme provides free food grains to vulnerable populations. As of December 2024, 80.67 crore people are receiving free food grains, close to the intended coverage of 81.35 crore beneficiaries.

eShram Portal

• Introduced on August 26, 2021, to create a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), this initiative offers a Universal Account Number (UAN) to workers for enhanced social security. As of March 3, 2025, over 30.68 crore unorganised workers have registered, with 53.68% of them being women.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• Launched on May 9, 2015, APY aims to provide universal social security, particularly for the poor, underprivileged, and unorganised sector workers. Along with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), it strengthens the country’s social security system. As of December 31, 2024, 7.25 crore beneficiaries have enrolled in APY, with a total accumulated corpus of ₹43,369.98 crore.

Poverty Reduction

• Over the past decade, 24.8 crore people have escaped multi-dimensional poverty due to several social security measures, reflecting the far-reaching impact of government interventions

India Launches Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise

• The ILO’s assessment of 48.8% may not fully capture India’s social security landscape, as it does not account for in-kind benefits such as food security and housing support or state-administered welfare schemes.
• With the integration of these factors, India’s actual social protection coverage is expected to be considerably higher, reflecting ongoing reforms and data consolidation efforts.
• The Ministry of Labour & Employment launched Phase 01 of India’s Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise on March 19, 2025, to create a comprehensive assessment of social security coverage.
• The initiative aims to consolidate data from multiple schemes for a more holistic picture of India’s welfare landscape. In the first phase, ten states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat, have been identified for data consolidation at the central level.
• Building on these efforts, India has already processed over 200 crore records by using encrypted Aadhaar as a unique identifier across 34 major central schemes, including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Employees'' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Employees'' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN).
• The Ministry has been engaging in a high-level dialogue with the ILO to ensure these additional welfare measures are reflected in future assessments. During a recent bilateral discussion at the 353rd ILO Governing Body meeting in Geneva, the ILO acknowledged that housing and food security are part of an extended set of indicators under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and has agreed to consider such schemes in its evaluations.
• With continued collaboration between the Centre, State Governments and ILO, India is set to further refine its social protection framework and present a more accurate picture of its welfare reach.

Conclusion

• India’s strides in expanding social protection reflect a strong commitment to inclusive welfare and economic security. The doubling of coverage, as highlighted in the International Labour Organization’s World Social Protection Report 2024–26, underscores the impact of key initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, PMGKAY, and the eShram portal in ensuring financial stability, healthcare, and food security for millions.
• The launch of the Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise further strengthens these efforts by enhancing data-driven policymaking and addressing gaps in existing assessments. As India continues to refine its social security framework in collaboration with the ILO, its approach serves as a model for balancing welfare expansion with economic growth.

COOPERATION WITH PRIVATE SECTOR IN SPACE DEVELOPMENT

• IN-SPACe has taken steps for establishing indigenous Earth Observation System through Non-Government Entities (NGEs) under Public Private Partnership (PPP). IN-SPACe is working towards Technology Transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to NGEs.
• The Government collaborates with the private sector to advance space development, driving innovation, economic growth, and technology adoption. IN-SPACe, under its ''Decadal Vision,'' promotes indigenous space products through Space Applications Adoption Workshops (SAAW), fostering awareness, collaboration, and real-world applications. Since September 2024, six workshops have targeted key sectors like North Eastern Region (NER), agriculture, defense, and disaster management and with state of Assam. These workshops, in partnership with the Indian space industry, showcase homegrown capabilities and expand the space economy.
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a CPSE under Department of Space and the Commercial arm of ISRO has been engaging with private sector in various domains of space related activities, viz., launch vehicles, satellites, ground segment and applications.
• In the area of satellite building, NSIL has onboarded Indian industries for building Earth Observation Satellites.
• In the area of ground segment and applications, NSIL as an implementing agency is realizing and commissioning 1 lakh fishing vessel monitoring system as part of ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY) Project through Indian industry.
• IN-SPACe has signed 75 - Transfer of Technology (ToT) Agreements as on 31.12.2024 with NGEs for space sector.
• NSIL as on date signed about 78 Agreements with Indian industries for Transfer of ISRO’s Technologies.
• In the area of launch vehicles, NSIL has signed a contract with M/s. HAL (lead partner of HAL and L&T Consortium) for end-to-end manufacturing of 5 nos. of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV). This is the first time that launch vehicle is being fully realized by Indian industry.
• Indian industry has been the back bone for the space programme since its inception. Indian industry has reached a matured level of self-sufficiency to produce materials, components and sub-systems for both launch vehicle and satellites. Many products are successfully developed and realized through industries for the Indian space programme, which are used for launch vehicle, satellites, ground systems and applications area.
• Evaluation credentials of private industry is carried out through established mechanisms like Purchase Order including technology developmental orders for various space systems of ISRO, Contract, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Technology Transfer. Before engaging an industry, ISRO scrutinizes their credibility and technical expertise with respect to requirements.
• There is no specific service/ experience fixed for assessing the credibility of the industry. Depending upon the requirements, technical expertise, technical infrastructure/ laboratories, quality management, financial strength of the industry and similar products developed are assessed as part of techno-commercial evaluation. In certain cases, field assessment of the industry is also followed to understand their technical capability

 RESTART NATIONAL TEXTILE CORPORATION MILLS

• Government has taken a number of initiatives in order to ensure holistic development of the entire textile sector including powerloom across the country including Malegaon, Maharashtra.
• The major schemes/initiatives include PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme which seeks to create a modern, integrated large scale, world class industrial ecosystem, which will help in attracting investments and boosting employment; Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme focusing on Man Made Fibre & Apparel, and Technical Textiles to boost large scale manufacturing and enhancing competitiveness; National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research Innovation & Development, Promotion and Market Development, Skilling and Export Promotion; SAMARTH – Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector with the objective providing demand driven, placement oriented, skilling program; ATUFS to incentivize technology upgradation and modernization through capital investment subsidy for eligible investment in benchmarked textile machinery; Silk Samagra-2 for comprehensive development of sericulture value chain; National Handloom Development Program (NHDP) and National Handicraft Development Program (NHDP) for end to end support for handloom and handicraft sectors etc.
• In addition, the Government of Maharashtra is implementing the Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy 2023-2028 to support various components of the textile value chain in Maharashtra including Powerlooms.
•  The Maharashtra Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (MAHA_TUFS) seeks to facilitate Powerlooms in Maharashtra including Malegaon in augmenting investments, productivity, quality, employment and exports through various incentives to the eligible units for technology upgradation as per specified guidelines.
• Trade remedy mechanism is available for addressing issues of dumping and cheap imports and domestic industry is eligible to file applications to seek relief against such imports to Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).  After detailed investigations, preliminary/final findings are issued by DGTR based on which, Department of Revenue imposes provisional/definitive anti-dumping duties.
• Production activity in all 23 operational NTC Mills was suspended due to Covid-19 and nationwide lockdown imposed by Central/States governments from March, 2020. Normal operations were resumed in some of the NTC Mills from January, 2021, which could not continue due to unavailability of working capital and other financial constraints.
• There is no such proposal under consideration for the establishment of Mega Investment Textile Park in Malegaon to support power loom weavers.
• Government had been also implementing a Group Insurance Scheme against death/disability for Powerloom weavers. Financial assistance of Rs.15.69 crore for 3,148 death claims were provided from 2003-2019 under Group Insurance Scheme (GIS) in the state of Maharashtra.
•  Besides social security benefits through scholarship of Rs. 48.65 lakh for 5,539 children of powerloom workers were provided under Shiksha Sahayog Yojana in the state of Maharashtra since inception. Since 1.4.2020, the Group Insurance Scheme has been converged with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

Provisions for protection of Women and Children

• The Law Commission of India in its various Reports had recommended section-specific amendments in the criminal laws. Also, Committees like Bezbaruah Committee, Vishwanathan Committee, Malimath Committee, Madhawa Menon Committee, etc. made recommendations for section- specific amendments in the criminal laws and general reforms in criminal justice system.
• The Department–related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its 111th(2005), 128th (2006) and 146th (2010) Reports, recommended for a comprehensive review of the Criminal Justice System of the country by introducing a comprehensive legislation in Parliament rather than bringing about piece-meal amendments in respective Acts.
• Accordingly, the Ministry of Home Affairs had undertaken the comprehensive review of criminal laws i.e. the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 with a view to provide accessible and affordable justice to all and create a legal structure which is citizen centric.
• The above three Acts have been repealed and replaced by three new laws namely, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 respectively.
• In the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for the first time, the provisions relating to crime against woman and child have been given precedence and placed under one Chapter. Strict punishments up to death sentence have been provided for the offences against women.
• Punishment for gang rape of a woman below the age of 18 years is life imprisonment till remainder of the convict’s natural life or death. A new offence for having sexual intercourse on false promise of marriage, employment, promotion or by concealing identity, etc. has also been incorporated in BNS.

Make in India’s Leap in Electronics Manufacturing & Exports

• Not long ago, India relied heavily on imports, with most electronics being imported. However, things are changing fast.
• With the Make in India initiative, the country is now building its own electronics industry, attracting big investments and boosting local production. As a result, India’s electronics exports are growing rapidly, even surpassing some traditional sectors like textiles.
•  With strong government support and expanding factories, India is well on its way to becoming a global hub for electronics manufacturing.

Government schemes for the Electronics boom in India

Make in India

• Launched in 2014, the Make in India initiative has been a pivotal step in India''s nation-building efforts. The initiative was conceived during a period when India''s economic growth had sharply declined, and the country faced critical challenges in sustaining its development trajectory. Against this backdrop, "Make in India" was designed to transform India into a global hub for design and manufacturing. Its core objectives were to facilitate investment, encourage innovation, and develop world-class infrastructure.
• As one of the pioneering ''Vocal for Local'' initiatives, it sought not only to boost India''s manufacturing capabilities but also to showcase its industrial potential on a global stage
• The "Make in India" initiative has been a cornerstone in transforming India into a global manufacturing hub. With a strong focus on enhancing industrial capabilities, fostering innovation, and creating world-class infrastructure, the initiative aims to position India as a key player in the global economy.

Smartphones in India:

• India has made significant progress in mobile and electronics manufacturing and become the world’s 2nd largest mobile manufacturing country. In 2014, India had only 2 mobile manufacturing units but fast forward to today, the nation boasts over 300 manufacturing units, underscoring a significant expansion in this vital sector.
• In 2014 -15 only 26% of the mobile phones which were being sold in India were made in India, the rest were being imported. It is worth mentioning that today, 99.2% of all mobile phones which are sold in India are made in India.
• The manufacturing value of mobile phones has surged from ₹18,900 crore in FY14 to a staggering ₹4,22,000 crore in FY24.
• More than 325 to 330 million mobile phones a year are being manufactured in India and on average there are about a billion mobile phones in use in India.
• The exports, which were almost non-existent in 2014, have now surpassed ₹1,29,000 crore
• As a result, India’s electronics sector is experiencing significant growth supported by various government initiatives meant to position the country as a global leader.
• An overview of mobile phone manufacturing in India and its success

Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP)

• The Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) has been notified to promote domestic value addition in mobile phones and their sub-assemblies/parts manufacturing in 2017.
• This scheme aims to encourage large-scale production and create a strong local manufacturing ecosystem for mobile devices. As a result, India has rapidly started attracting investments into this sector and significant manufacturing capacities have been set up in the country.
•  The manufacturing of mobile phones has been steadily moving from Semi Knocked Down (SKD) to Completely Knocked Down (CKD) level, thereby progressively increasing the domestic value addition. Semi Knocked Down (SKD) refers to a product partially assembled before shipping, while Completely Knocked Down (CKD) means a product is shipped as individual components for final assembly at the destination.

Production linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes

• To boost domestic manufacturing and attract investment in mobile phones value chain including electronic components and semiconductor packaging, Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing was notified on April 1, 2020.
• The scheme extends an incentive of 3% to 6% on incremental sales (over base year) of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments viz. Mobile Phones and Specified Electronic Components, to eligible companies, for a period of 5 years.
• In a strong push to accelerate industrial growth, the Government has significantly increased budget allocations for key sectors under the PLI Scheme, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing. The allocation for Electronics soared from ₹5,747 crore (revised estimate for 2024-25) to ₹8,885 crore in 2025-26.
• The primary goals of the PLI Schemes are to attract substantial investments, incorporate advanced technology, and ensure operational efficiency. By fostering economies of scale and enhancing global competitiveness, these schemes are expected to significantly boost production, stimulate manufacturing activities, and contribute to economic growth over the coming years.
• Semiconductor Ecosystem Development - India''s semiconductor market to grow at 13%, reach Rs. 8,95,134 crore (US$ 103.4 billion) by 2030: IESA (India Electronics and Semiconductor Association.
• Semicon India Program:
• Launched in 2021 with a financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore, the Semicon India program is structured to promote the domestic semiconductor industry through incentives and strategic partnerships. This initiative supports various sectors of the semiconductor industry, extending beyond just fabrication facilities (fabs) to include packaging, display wires, Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing (OSATs), sensors, and other critical components, creating a comprehensive ecosystem
• AIndia''s semiconductor ecosystem has gained significant momentum, with several landmark projects receiving approval-
• The  first major project with Micron was sanctioned for nearly Rs 22,000 crores.
• Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL)’s proposal for setting up a Semiconductor Fab facility in India with an investment of ₹91,526 Crore was approved in February 2024. The fab facility will be set up in a technology partnership with PSMC, Taiwan. PSMC is an established semiconductor company having 6 semiconductor foundries in Taiwan. The production capacity of the project would be around 50,000 wafer starts per month (WSPM).
• Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL)’s proposal for setting up of OSAT facility in India with an investment of ₹27,120 Crore was approved in February 2024. The facility will use indigenous semiconductor packaging technologies with a production capacity of 48 million per day.
• CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited’s proposal for setting up an OSAT facility in India with an investment of ₹7,584 Crore was also approved in February 2024. The facility will be set up as a joint venture partnership with Renesas Electronics America Inc., USA, and STARS Microelectronic, Thailand. The Technology would be provided for this facility by Renesas Electronics Corporation, Japan and STARS Microelectronic, Thailand. The production capacity would be around 15.07 million Units per day.
• Kaynes Technology India Limited (KTIL) proposal for setting up of Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility at Sanand, Gujarat for Wire bond Interconnect, Substrate Based Packages was approved in September, 2024.
• The Technology would be provided by ISO Technology Sdn. Bhd. and Aptos Technology Inc. This facility will be set up with an investment of ₹3,307 Crore. The facility will have the capacity to produce more than 6.33 million chips per day.[17]
• These proposals have a total combined investment nearing Rs 1.52 lakh crores, signalling a strong commitment to advancing India''s position in the global semiconductor landscape. ^[18] Setting up a semiconductor manufacturing base in the country has been a significant part of Make in India, which India has been attempting to achieve for over six decades.
• The Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) helps mitigate the challenges of domestic manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors in order to strengthen the electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the country. The scheme will provide financial incentive of 25% on capital expenditure for the identified list of electronic goods that comprise downstream value chain of electronic products, i.e., electronic components, semiconductor/ display fabrication units, ATMP units, specialized sub-assemblies and capital goods for manufacture of aforesaid goods, all of which involve high value added manufacturing.
• India Semiconductor Mission, Tata Electronics, and Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Sign Fiscal Support Agreement for Semiconductor Fab – In March 2025, in a significant milestone for India''s semiconductor industry, India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL), and Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited (TSMPL) have signed a Fiscal Support Agreement (FSA) for India''s first commercial semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat.
• This breakthrough agreement represents a decisive step forward in strengthening India''s technological self-reliance under the modified program for semiconductor & display manufacturing ecosystem in India.

Conclusion:

• India''s rapid transformation into a global electronics manufacturing hub is a testament to the success of the Make in India initiative. With numerous schemes to support the manufacturing processes in India, the country has significantly boosted local manufacturing, exports, and investment.
• The remarkable growth from just 2 mobile manufacturing units in 2014 to over 300 today, demonstrates India''s commitment to self-reliance and innovation. As India moves towards a USD 300 billion electronics production target by 2026, its robust policies and skilled workforce are paving the way for sustained growth, positioning the nation as a key player in the global electronics and semiconductor industry.

DEVELOPMENT OF REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

• Towards the development of India’s reusable launch vehicle technology, ISRO is developing a winged body Orbital Re-entry Vehicle (ORV), which will be launched into orbit using an ascent vehicle and subsequently re-enter into the earth’s atmosphere for an autonomous approach & landing on a runway.
•  Three Autonomous runway landing experiments on a Reusable Launch Vehicle- Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) have been successfully completed thereby validating the robustness of onboard autonomous navigation, guidance and control system.
• ISRO is also designing and developing the critical technologies required for demonstrating booster stage recovery in Vertical Take-off and Vertical Landing (VTVL) mode, which will enable in recovery and reusing of the spent booster stages multiple times.
• Government of India (GoI) has approved the development of a partially reusable Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). NGLV vehicle has been configured as a three-stage launch vehicle with a recoverable & reusable first stage.
• The Government of India has announced reforms, in June, 2020, in the space sector towards enabling the private players to provide end to end services and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation centre (IN-SPACe), will enable and regulate space activities for private sector.
• Further, the Department is finalizing the missions towards achieving the Indian landing on moon by 2040. It is envisaged that sufficient opportunities would be present for private sector and academic participation in various activities including lunar mining exploration.
• AI is increasingly becoming an important tool that can be used in satellites and mission operations. It may be noted that thrust is given to AI based initiatives within the department. A recent example is the Autonomous sensor-based actuator system for capture, rigidization and retraction enabling sequence-based docking. For this purpose, approach profiles and relative position estimation using pattern matching is adopted. Further applications are in advanced stages of implementation in the Centre towards achieving Autonomous Mission Management, high volume on-board/Ground data processing & analysis and advanced space exploration.
• The foundational principles for the responsible uses of outer space are enshrined in the Outer Space treaties. Several guidelines for space debris mitigation have been recommended by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IDAC) and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS).
• The Department of Space contributes substantially to shaping the pertinent guidelines and recommendations for sustainable use of space as an active member of various international agencies dealing with safety and sustainability of outer space activities.
• The Indian Space Policy also mandates adhering to internationally accepted space debris mitigation requirements and emphasizes Space Situational Awareness capacity building.