Haryana’s New Forest Definition Sparks Environmental Concerns

The Haryana government has recently issued an official notification defining the term “forest,” citing Supreme Court precedents and aligning the definition with judicial expectations. According to state officials, this move fulfills the Supreme Court’s March 2025 directive requiring all States and Union Territories to formally define forests. However, the definition has drawn significant criticism from environmentalists, who argue that it is too narrow and may threaten ecologically sensitive regions such as the Aravalli hills.

Environmental groups express concern that the restricted criteria could result in large parts of the Aravalli ridge — a critical ecological zone — being excluded from forest classification. This exclusion, they warn, could open the region to unregulated urbanisation, illegal mining, and real estate encroachments, undermining biodiversity and impairing groundwater recharge in one of North India’s most vital natural systems.

Key Features of Haryana’s Forest Definition

According to the notification issued by Haryana’s Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, a piece of land will qualify as a forest under the “dictionary meaning” if it meets certain thresholds. Specifically, it must be at least five hectares in size if isolated or two hectares if it is adjacent to government-notified forests. Additionally, it must possess a minimum canopy density of 0.4, or 40%.

Notably, the definition explicitly excludes several types of vegetation and land use from being treated as forest, including compact, linear, or agro-forestry plantations, as well as orchards located outside of government-notified forests. These exclusions cover tree plantations along roads, railway lines, and canals — all of which may be ecologically valuable but will not be recognised as forests under this framework.

Supreme Court Mandate and Implementation Guidelines

The Haryana government’s definition was issued in response to the Supreme Court’s directive in March 2025, which required all States and Union Territories to define forests and begin mapping forest areas under their jurisdiction. The court instructed each State and UT to establish an expert committee within one month to identify three categories: forest-like areas, unclassified forest lands, and community forest lands.

The survey and mapping process must adhere strictly to the 2011 Lafarge Umiam Mining guidelines. These guidelines include the use of GIS-based decision-support systems, district-wise mapping of areas potentially qualifying as forests under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FCA), and the inclusion of core, buffer, and eco-sensitive zones of protected areas. Additionally, the guidelines call for the identification of wildlife corridors, areas diverted from forest use, and detailed supporting documentation, such as topographic and Forest Survey of India maps.

The Supreme Court made it unequivocally clear that Chief Secretaries and Union Territory Administrators would be held personally accountable for failure to comply with these directives.

Background: FCA, the Godavarman Case, and the 2023 Amendment

The recent developments are part of a broader legal and policy debate over forest conservation in India. The original Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 was enacted to restrict the dereservation and diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, requiring prior approval from the central government for any such changes.

In a pivotal 1996 judgment in the T N Godavarman Thirumulpad v Union of India case, the Supreme Court expanded the interpretation of “forest” to include any land that meets the dictionary definition of a forest, regardless of legal classification, size, or ownership. This ruling meant that even unclassified or private forested lands could fall under the purview of the FCA.

However, the 2023 amendment to the FCA sought to restrict its applicability to only those forests that are either officially notified or recorded as forests in government documents. The central government argued that the broad scope created by the Godavarman ruling was impeding essential development activities, including relatively minor works like building sanitation facilities in tribal areas.

This amendment was challenged in court by retired Indian Forest Service officers and environmental NGOs such as Vanashakti and the Goa Foundation. They argued that the amendment drastically weakened forest protection mechanisms. In February 2024, the Supreme Court directed that, pending final judgment, the expansive Godavarman interpretation of forest must continue to be applied. The court’s March 2025 directives — requiring states to define forests and conduct detailed surveys — stem from this ongoing legal challenge. The next hearing is scheduled for September 2025.

Criticism of Haryana’s Forest Criteria

Environmentalists and forest policy experts have voiced strong opposition to Haryana’s new definition. They argue that the prescribed canopy density of 40% is unrealistic, particularly for the Aravalli region, which is naturally arid, characterised by low rainfall and dry, thorny deciduous vegetation. Critics contend that this narrow definition effectively excludes large parts of the region from forest status, despite their ecological significance.

Moreover, they question the minimum area thresholds of two hectares for contiguous patches and five hectares for isolated ones. Given Haryana’s dry climatic conditions and fragmented forest patches, conservationists suggest that a more appropriate threshold would have been between one to two hectares, which would ensure protection for smaller, yet ecologically important, tracts of land.

Many argue that Haryana’s criteria run counter to the spirit of the 1996 Godavarman judgment, which called for an inclusive, dictionary-based approach to defining forests. The state’s restrictive definition, critics assert, could undermine both legal protections and ecological sustainability in a region already under significant environmental stress.

RBI Warns Against Altering India’s 4% Inflation Target Amid Global Uncertainty

In a newly released discussion paper on India’s monetary policy framework, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a clear caution against raising the current 4% inflation target. According to the central bank, such a move would risk undermining the credibility of India’s inflation-targeting regime and could reverse the macroeconomic stability gains made over the past decade.

The paper, long anticipated by economists and policymakers, argues that the existing framework has contributed significantly to India’s financial and economic resilience. It underscores that any upward revision of the target would be viewed by investors as a dilution of commitment to price stability, especially in the current climate of global geopolitical and economic uncertainty. At the same time, the RBI maintains that lowering the target below 4% would also be inappropriate, given India’s structural inflationary characteristics.

RBI’s Discussion Paper: Objectives and Scope

The discussion paper, which sets the stage for policy recalibration ahead of the current framework’s expiration in March 2026, serves as a consultation document. It invites public and expert feedback on four central questions that will shape the next phase of India’s inflation-targeting regime.

First, it seeks opinions on whether monetary policy should continue to focus on headline inflation — which includes all price components — or shift toward targeting core inflation, which excludes volatile food and fuel prices. Second, it questions whether the 4% midpoint target continues to strike the right balance between growth and stability. Third, it raises the issue of whether the current 2–6% tolerance band requires adjustment or elimination. Finally, it asks whether the explicit 4% target should be retained or replaced with only a range.

Implications of Changing the Target

The RBI warns that raising the inflation target could severely damage the credibility of the inflation-targeting framework that has underpinned India’s macroeconomic management since 2016. A higher target, the paper notes, might be interpreted by markets as a sign of policy loosening at a time when inflationary risks remain elevated globally. This could reduce investor confidence, hurt financial stability, and jeopardise India''s recent sovereign credit upgrade.

In June 2025, S&P Global Ratings revised India’s credit rating outlook to “positive” and affirmed its BBB rating, citing the RBI’s strong track record in managing inflation. The central bank emphasised that maintaining price stability within the 2–6% band has been crucial for preserving investor trust, anchoring inflation expectations, and sustaining growth and currency stability.

Historical Context: India’s Adoption of Inflation Targeting

India formally adopted a flexible inflation targeting (FIT) framework in 2016, establishing a medium-term consumer price index (CPI) inflation target of 4%, with an acceptable fluctuation range of 2–6%. This framework, ratified under a formal agreement between the RBI and the government, is set to expire in March 2026 and must be reviewed and potentially reset for the subsequent five-year cycle.

The FIT framework marked a shift from the earlier multi-indicator approach and has since become a central element of India’s macroeconomic policy toolkit. It has helped to anchor inflation expectations and reinforce the central bank’s commitment to low and stable inflation, without sacrificing long-term growth prospects.

Headline vs. Core Inflation: The Ongoing Debate

One of the central issues addressed in the discussion paper is whether India should move away from targeting headline CPI inflation — which includes food and energy — and instead adopt core inflation as the benchmark for monetary policy. This debate gained traction following the recommendations of the Economic Survey 2023–24, which argued that food price fluctuations in India are typically driven by supply shocks rather than demand-side pressures, rendering them less responsive to interest rate changes.

Core inflation, by stripping out such volatile elements, is viewed by some analysts as a more stable and policy-relevant metric. However, the RBI has consistently rejected this argument. Under former Governor Shaktikanta Das and in its latest paper, the central bank reiterates that food inflation is too significant to be ignored in a country like India, where it directly affects household consumption patterns, especially among low-income groups.

Moreover, the RBI points out that nearly all inflation-targeting central banks — regardless of whether they are from developed or emerging economies — continue to target headline CPI. The lone exception is Uganda, which targets core inflation.

Food Inflation and Its Broader Economic Impact

The RBI argues that food inflation, though seemingly transient, has long-term implications for core inflation. Persistent increases in food prices tend to spill over into wages, rents, and business costs, thereby fuelling broader inflationary pressures. Empirical studies from India confirm this trend: while core prices remain more stable, food and fuel prices — the components of non-core inflation — tend to converge with them over time.

Accordingly, excluding food and fuel from the inflation target could reduce the effectiveness of monetary policy, weaken its signalling function, and distort inflation expectations among consumers and investors alike.

Recent Inflation Trends and Policy Implications

The latest data reinforce the relevance of headline inflation as a policy guide. In July 2024, India’s headline CPI inflation dropped to 1.55%, the lowest in eight years, while core inflation remained at 4.1%. Since 2014, headline inflation has ranged from 1.5% to 8.6%, largely due to volatility in food prices, whereas core inflation has remained comparatively stable.

The RBI concludes that, despite its volatility, headline CPI is a more accurate representation of the inflation experienced by households and better reflects the cost-of-living pressures faced by the general public. It also argues that in times of global volatility, a transparent, predictable, and credible monetary policy framework is essential to safeguard macroeconomic stability.

Therefore, the RBI remains firmly committed to targeting headline inflation and believes that both the current 4% midpoint target and the 2–6% band remain appropriate under present circumstances. Any revision, it cautions, must be approached with extreme caution to avoid unintended consequences for credibility, investment, and long-term financial stability.

NTCA Narrows Tiger Corridor Definition to Minimal Pathways, Raising Conservation Concerns

In a significant shift in wildlife policy, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has limited the official identification of tiger corridors to just the 32 “least cost pathways” outlined in its 2014 report. This move, made in August 2025, comes shortly after the NTCA assured the Bombay High Court that tiger corridors should be based on a broad range of scientific inputs and ecological criteria. While the decision simplifies the clearance process for infrastructure and development projects, it has sparked concern among conservationists, who warn that narrowing corridor definitions threatens tiger movement, long-term survival, and genetic health.

Ecological Role of Tiger Corridors

Tiger corridors are essential ecological linkages connecting tiger reserves and protected areas, facilitating the free and safe movement of tigers and other wildlife across fragmented landscapes. These corridors help maintain genetic diversity by enabling breeding between otherwise isolated populations, reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflict, and support the ecological stability of tiger habitats. Given their importance, any projects proposed in or around these corridors must receive clearance from the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), as mandated under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

From Comprehensive Criteria to a Minimalist Approach

In July 2025, the NTCA presented a comprehensive view to the Bombay High Court, stating that tiger corridors should be defined using multiple criteria and data sources. These included:

·       Protected Areas known to be inhabited by tigers,

·       The 32 least cost pathways mapped in 2014,

·       Corridors identified in individual Tiger Conservation Plans (TCPs),

·       Studies conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in 2016 and 2021,

·       Data from the quadrennial All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE).

This multi-pronged approach reflected the complexity of tiger movement and was widely regarded as robust by conservation experts.

However, in a sharp departure, the NTCA issued a clarification in August 2025 narrowing the definition of tiger corridors to only two sources: the 2014 least cost pathways and corridors specified in TCPs. The exclusion of newer WII studies and AITE-based data from corridor planning has raised eyebrows, particularly as the NTCA’s own 2014 report described the least cost pathways as merely a “minimum requirement.” This rollback has therefore been interpreted by experts as a retreat from scientifically informed policymaking.

Legal Implications and Court Proceedings

The change in NTCA’s stance has had immediate legal consequences. The Bombay High Court is currently hearing a petition challenging the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife’s April 2025 decision to forward only those development projects that fall within the least cost pathways for SC-NBWL review. NTCA’s latest clarification, presented during these hearings, has shifted the judicial focus and complicated the case.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has stated that any future refinements to corridor identification—particularly those based on the latest AITE data—may be deferred until the High Court reaches a verdict.

Scientific Consensus and Contrasting Evidence

Recent research underscores that restricting tiger corridors to the least cost pathways fails to capture the full range of tiger movement patterns. A July 2025 study by the LRC Foundation in Nagpur identified as many as 192 potential tiger corridors spanning 10 central Indian states. These corridors connect 30 tiger reserves with approximately 150 protected areas, revealing a complex and expansive network of tiger movement across the landscape. The findings suggest that a range of ecological and behavioural factors influence tiger dispersal, which cannot be adequately captured by the shortest or least resistant routes alone.

This study, along with several others, reinforces the importance of including multiple pathways — not just minimal, cost-efficient ones — in planning for tiger conservation. Scientists argue that reliance on a restricted corridor network could lead to genetic isolation, reduced resilience, and increased vulnerability of tiger populations.

Mounting Conservation Criticism

Conservationists and wildlife biologists have criticised the NTCA’s narrowed definition, warning that it may erode hard-won gains in tiger conservation. With habitat fragmentation rising due to expanding infrastructure and urbanisation, maintaining landscape connectivity has become more critical than ever.

By overlooking recent scientific studies and comprehensive ecological benchmarks, the NTCA’s current approach is seen by critics as prioritising short-term development convenience over long-term conservation goals. Many fear that it weakens legal protections for key habitats at a time when tiger populations — though rebounding — remain highly vulnerable to environmental and anthropogenic pressures.

Environmental groups argue that this shift may compromise India’s international conservation commitments, including its leadership role in global tiger recovery efforts.

Looking Ahead: Conservation Versus Development

The debate over tiger corridors is expected to continue under judicial and public scrutiny. Conservation scientists are urging the integration of advanced modelling techniques, telemetry data, and the latest AITE findings into future corridor mapping. They argue that a science-based, adaptive approach is vital for safeguarding tiger mobility and the ecological integrity of forest landscapes.

India, which is home to nearly 3,000 tigers — over 70% of the global wild tiger population — has achieved notable success in increasing tiger numbers. However, sustaining this progress will depend not only on protecting core habitats but also on preserving the ecological corridors that connect them. In this context, the NTCA’s policy decision represents a pivotal moment for the future of tiger conservation in India.

The Constitution’s Ninth Schedule: Balancing Reform and Constitutional Integrity

Context and Origins

The Ninth Schedule was introduced through the First Constitutional Amendment in 1951, originally conceived by V.K. Thiruvenkatachari, then Advocate General of Madras. It was designed to shield land reform laws from judicial invalidation and has since evolved into a focal point in the ongoing power struggle between the legislature and the judiciary. While it has enabled transformative social justice initiatives, it has also raised concerns about undermining constitutional liberties.

Historical Backdrop and Legislative Intent

The genesis of the Ninth Schedule lies in a judicial-legislative standoff:

·       In 1951, the Patna High Court struck down Bihar’s land reform laws, triggering a constitutional crisis.

·       To respond, Parliament enacted the First Amendment, introducing: Article 31A, protecting agrarian reforms from legal challenge, and Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule, providing blanket immunity to laws listed within it.

Initially, 13 state laws — largely aimed at abolishing zamindari systems — were included. Over time, this number grew to over 280. The political motive was to dismantle entrenched feudal systems and fulfil the Directive Principles of State Policy, particularly Articles 38, 39(b), and 39(c), which advocate for equitable resource distribution and economic justice.

Judicial Interpretation and Evolution

The judiciary’s stance on the Ninth Schedule has shifted over time:

• Sankari Prasad (1951): The Supreme Court upheld the First Amendment, validating the Ninth Schedule.
• Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967): The Court ruled that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights, casting doubt on the Ninth Schedule’s legitimacy.
• Kesavananda Bharati (1973): Introduced the Basic Structure Doctrine, establishing that Parliament cannot alter the Constitution’s core features.
• Waman Rao (1981): Differentiated laws inserted before and after 24 April 1973, allowing pre-1973 laws in the Schedule to stand, but subjecting later additions to scrutiny.
• I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu (2007): Reinforced that post-1973 laws in the Ninth Schedule are not immune if they violate the basic structure, particularly rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21.

Positive Contributions of the Ninth Schedule

1. Agrarian Revolution: Enabled state-led land redistribution by abolishing zamindari systems. For instance, by 1960, Uttar Pradesh alone had redistributed over two crore acres.
2. Social Justice Mechanism: Safeguarded progressive legislation on land ceilings, tenancy protections, and reservation policies.
3. Legal Stability: Provided certainty to state governments by shielding more than 50 land reform acts from court challenges by the 1970s.
4. Constitutional Adaptability: Allowed the Constitution to reflect democratic aspirations and socio-economic reforms, beyond colonial-era property rights.
5. Directive Principles Implementation: Served as a tool for actualising constitutional ideals of equity, justice, and inclusive growth.

Emerging Challenges and Criticisms

1. Legislative Overreach: By the 2000s, the Schedule had swelled with over 284 laws, many unrelated to land reforms.
2. Erosion of Fundamental Rights: Blanket immunity from judicial review began undermining key constitutional protections such as equality (Article 14), freedom (Article 19), and life and liberty (Article 21).
3. Institutional Conflict: The judiciary and Parliament found themselves at odds, especially after landmark judgments like Kesavananda and Coelho.
4. Potential for Misuse: The Schedule became a political tool to insulate contentious laws — for example, Tamil Nadu’s law exceeding the 69% reservation cap.
5. Judicial Ambiguity: Post-Coelho, courts have not developed consistent criteria for applying the basic structure doctrine to welfare-oriented laws, creating legal uncertainty.

Path Ahead: Reform Without Overreach

A balanced and constitutionally sound approach is necessary:

1. Restrict Usage: The Ninth Schedule should be limited strictly to genuine land reform and equity-enhancing measures.
2. Judicial Precision: The judiciary must develop clear, consistent tests to assess whether laws in the Schedule violate the basic structure.
3. Legislative Restraint: Parliament must exercise self-discipline, insulating laws only after transparent deliberation and necessity.
4. Institutional Safeguards: Tools like sunset clauses or periodic reviews should be introduced to prevent permanent immunity.
5. Collaborative Balance: Both Parliament and judiciary should work in tandem — the legislature to push social reforms, and the judiciary to uphold constitutional integrity, including equality, liberty, and the rule of law.

Conclusion
The Ninth Schedule was a strategic constitutional innovation that catalysed India’s agrarian transformation and social justice agenda. However, its unchecked expansion has raised legitimate concerns about the dilution of constitutional guarantees. As India continues to evolve, the Ninth Schedule must be used with restraint and precision — as a protective tool for reform, not a political escape hatch from judicial oversight. Its continued relevance lies in its alignment with the Constitution’s basic structure, ensuring that the pursuit of equity does not come at the cost of fundamental rights.

Kerala Becomes India’s First Fully Digitally Literate State: A Milestone in Inclusive Digital Governance

Context and Declaration

Kerala has officially been declared India’s first fully digitally literate state, a landmark achievement announced by the Chief Minister following the successful completion of Phase I of the Digi Kerala project. This ambitious initiative was aimed at eliminating the digital divide by equipping individuals across all local bodies with basic digital literacy. The program’s objective was to ensure that digital proficiency extended beyond urban centres to reach even the most remote communities in the state.

Core Features of the Achievement

The Digi Kerala initiative was characterised by its unprecedented scale, inclusivity, and decentralised delivery model. Surveys conducted under the programme reached an estimated 1.5 crore individuals, spanning across 83.46 lakh households. Among these, 21.88 lakh people were identified as digitally illiterate. Through focused interventions, 21.87 lakh of them—amounting to 99.98%—were successfully trained and evaluated.

What sets Kerala’s approach apart is its deeply inclusive nature. The program ensured participation from across age groups and social segments, including senior citizens such as 104-year-old M.A. Abdullah Moulavi Baqavi, whose involvement symbolised the accessibility and reach of the initiative. The training was implemented through Kerala’s local self-governments, leveraging the state’s well-established tradition of decentralised, participatory governance and grassroots empowerment.

Broader Significance for India’s Governance and Development

Kerala’s achievement goes beyond digital literacy alone; it represents a transformative step toward inclusive governance and socio-economic development.

Bridging the Digital Divide

By equipping citizens with the skills to navigate digital platforms, Kerala has ensured equitable access to essential public services. Digital literacy now enables people to independently access welfare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, PM-Kisan, and Jan Dhan, empowering citizens who were previously excluded from online systems due to lack of digital awareness.

Strengthening Digital Democracy

A digitally literate population is better positioned to engage with the democratic process through digital means. Kerala’s citizens can now file RTI applications, register grievances, and participate in civic decision-making through online platforms. This significantly enhances governmental transparency, responsiveness, and accountability, making governance more participatory and efficient.

A Scalable Model Under the Digital India Mission

Kerala offers a replicable and scalable model for other states under the broader Digital India campaign. Unlike strategies that focus primarily on infrastructure development, Kerala prioritised grassroots-level training. This people-centric approach could inform national strategies, shifting the focus from mere connectivity to actual usability and capacity building.

Socio-economic Empowerment Through Digital Access

The state’s efforts have particularly benefitted groups historically excluded from the digital sphere—women, elderly citizens, and marginalised communities. By making digital tools accessible, Kerala has opened up new livelihood opportunities. Digitally literate individuals can now engage in e-commerce, access financial tools, and participate in self-help initiatives, contributing to both individual and community economic resilience.

Improved Resilience in Governance

A digitally literate society is more resilient in times of crisis. Whether during pandemics, natural disasters, or other emergencies, access to digital platforms enables uninterrupted public service delivery, remote learning, telemedicine, and timely communication. Kerala’s preparedness through digital literacy ensures that citizens can rely on the state’s e-governance systems when most needed.

Conclusion
Kerala’s declaration as India’s first fully digitally literate state marks a historic step in the country’s digital transformation journey. It not only bridges the digital divide but also strengthens democratic participation, promotes inclusive development, and enhances resilience in governance. By prioritising grassroots engagement over mere infrastructure, Kerala sets a powerful example for other Indian states and offers a robust framework for achieving digital equity in a complex and diverse society.

CCPA Imposes Penalty on Rapido for Misleading Advertisement: Ethical and Legal Implications

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken strong action against Rapido, the online ride-hailing platform, for publishing misleading advertisements. The company had prominently advertised guarantees such as “AUTO IN 5 MIN OR GET ₹50” and “Guaranteed Auto,” which upon investigation were found to be deceptive, false, and unfair to consumers. The CCPA concluded that these claims misrepresented the actual service availability and failed to deliver on the promises made, thereby constituting a violation of consumer trust and rights.

Ethical Concerns Arising from Misleading Advertising Practices

Misleading advertisements like those by Rapido raise several ethical red flags. Primarily, such practices infringe on the rights-based approach enshrined in consumer protection ethics, particularly violating the consumer’s right to be informed, the right to choose, and the right to safety. When advertisements make promises that are not backed by service capability or factual evidence, they mislead consumers into making decisions under false pretences. This breach is not just unethical but also directly impacts consumer autonomy and well-being.

This violation is not isolated. A notable example includes the “Red Bull gives you wings” campaign, which was penalized for implying specific physiological benefits that the product could not deliver. Similar ethical failings are seen when advertisements are at odds with utilitarian principles, which advocate actions that maximise societal welfare. Misleading advertisements can cause long-term harm by fostering consumer distrust or even contributing to broader environmental issues. For example, Volkswagen’s infamous “clean diesel” campaign deceptively marketed diesel vehicles as environmentally friendly, while in reality, they were emitting pollutants far beyond permissible levels.

Moreover, such advertisements fail Kantian ethical standards, particularly the categorical imperative, which dictates that individuals must be treated as ends in themselves, not merely as means to achieve profits. Misleading consumers solely to increase business revenue reduces individuals to tools for economic gain. This form of manipulation not only undermines ethical marketing but also damages corporate credibility.

Misleading advertisements can also reinforce harmful social norms and biases. Campaigns such as those run by Fair and Lovely, which promoted fair skin as a measure of beauty, have perpetuated racial and aesthetic biases that marginalise individuals based on skin tone. Similarly, when companies continue to market products like Johnson’s Baby Powder despite growing health concerns and litigations, they run afoul of J.S. Mill’s harm principle, which maintains that the freedom of expression or commerce is only justified until it causes harm to others.

Legal Frameworks Addressing Misleading Advertising in India

India has a robust legal architecture to counter misleading advertisements and protect consumers. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 clearly defines misleading advertisements and empowers the CCPA to investigate, penalise, and issue corrective orders against such practices. The Act also allows for the imposition of penalties, publication of corrective advertisements, and, where necessary, discontinuation of services that exploit consumers through misinformation.

The Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, issued by the CCPA, provide a detailed framework for identifying and preventing deceptive marketing tactics. These guidelines mandate clear disclosure, prohibit exaggeration of benefits, and hold endorsers accountable.

Additionally, sector-specific laws play a crucial role. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 imposes penalties for misleading advertisements related to food quality and safety. Meanwhile, the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 prohibits advertisements that claim unverified or magical healing properties, preventing exploitation of vulnerable consumers.

India’s External Affairs Minister’s Visit to Russia: Strengthening Strategic and Economic Ties

India’s External Affairs Minister recently visited Russia and co-chaired the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). This bilateral mechanism, established in May 1992, serves as a key platform for regularly reviewing progress across diverse areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Key Outcomes and Highlights of the Visit

During the visit, both sides discussed the timely finalisation of the Programme of Economic Cooperation till 2030. Discussions also advanced negotiations on the proposed India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is central to the revised bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030. These economic discussions are significant as bilateral trade has already surged, reaching USD 65.70 billion in FY 2023–24, surpassing the earlier target of USD 30 billion set for 2025.

The two countries also addressed key regional and geopolitical developments, including the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the evolving landscape in West Asia, and concerns related to Afghanistan. The External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s longstanding approach that prioritises dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation, aligning with India’s broader foreign policy principles.

To facilitate smoother bilateral trade and movement of goods, the leaders discussed removing logistical bottlenecks and enhancing connectivity. Key infrastructural and trade corridors were prioritised, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route. These routes are aimed at reducing transportation time and cost, boosting trade volumes, and strengthening India''s links with Central Asia and Northern Europe.

On global and multilateral cooperation, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to reform global governance institutions. They emphasised the need for an expanded and revitalised United Nations Security Council that reflects contemporary geopolitical realities. India and Russia also reiterated their intent to deepen collaboration within key multilateral groupings such as the G20, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), underscoring a shared interest in multipolar global order.

India-Russia Relations: Strategic and Comprehensive Engagement

India and Russia enjoy a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, characterised by wide-ranging cooperation across various sectors. This includes institutional mechanisms such as the Annual Summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Russia—the highest-level bilateral dialogue. Additionally, the 2+2 Dialogue involving Foreign and Defence Ministers of both countries further strengthens strategic alignment.

In defence and security, the relationship remains deeply entrenched. Key defence collaborations include the supply of S-400 missile systems, joint development and production of BrahMos missiles, and regular military exercises such as Exercise INDRA, which enhance interoperability between the two forces.

On the global governance front, Russia has consistently supported India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, recognising India’s growing influence in international affairs.

There is also deep cooperation in science, technology, and space. Notable projects include joint ventures like the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and collaboration on India’s upcoming Gaganyaan space mission, reflecting a relationship that goes beyond defence and trade into high-technology and energy sectors.

Conclusion

The External Affairs Minister’s visit to Russia underlines the growing depth and strategic coherence of the India-Russia relationship. With economic cooperation expanding, strategic alignment deepening, and multilateral collaboration broadening, the two countries are reinforcing a decades-old partnership. Simultaneously, the CCPA’s crackdown on misleading advertisements like those by Rapido highlights the increasing role of regulatory oversight in safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring ethical business conduct. Together, these developments reflect a dynamic interplay of domestic accountability and international engagement in India’s evolving governance landscape.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs Releases Report on Rising Cybercrime in India

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has released a comprehensive report addressing the growing challenge of cybercrime in India. The report acknowledges the transformative impact of India’s digital revolution but highlights that this transformation has been accompanied by a significant rise in the scale, sophistication, and social consequences of cybercrimes. The committee’s findings and recommendations span financial, social, legal, and security dimensions, pointing to systemic challenges and offering targeted policy suggestions to curb this alarming trend.

Multi-Faceted Impact of Cybercrime

The report details the broad-ranging effects of cybercrime, starting with its massive financial cost. Between 2019 and 2024, over 53.93 lakh complaints were registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), involving financial fraud amounting to approximately ₹31,594 crore. This staggering figure reflects the growing prevalence of digital financial scams and the need for stronger preventive mechanisms.

Beyond economic loss, the report underscores the severe social and psychological consequences of cybercrime. Individuals subjected to cyberstalking, sextortion, identity theft, and the circulation of deepfake obscene content often experience intense emotional distress, including anxiety, trauma, and depression. These crimes affect not only the privacy and dignity of victims but also their mental well-being, highlighting the need for enhanced victim support systems and psychological counselling services.

National security concerns also feature prominently in the report. Emerging threats such as the trafficking of individuals to scam factories in Southeast Asia, procurement of SIM cards for fraudulent activities, and the misuse of cryptocurrencies for laundering illicit funds illustrate the transnational and organised nature of cybercrime. Furthermore, attacks on Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) pose risks comparable to acts of cyber warfare, threatening the integrity of sensitive data systems and vital sectors such as energy, defence, and banking.

Structural and Legal Challenges

The report identifies several legal and procedural bottlenecks hampering India’s ability to counter cyber threats effectively. One major limitation is the existing legal framework’s failure to differentiate between synthetically generated content—such as AI-generated deepfakes—and user-created content. This legal ambiguity makes prosecution and regulation of certain forms of cybercrime particularly difficult.

Another pressing issue is the persistence of mule accounts in the banking system, despite advanced transaction monitoring tools and inter-agency data sharing protocols. These accounts, often used to launder stolen money, continue to evade detection due to systemic loopholes and poor enforcement mechanisms.

The investigative process is also hindered by federal coordination issues. Several States have withdrawn general consent under the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, which now requires case-wise approval for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) involvement. This has caused significant delays in the initiation and progress of cybercrime investigations, weakening the overall enforcement architecture.

Adding to the complexity is the lack of a statutory mandate that compels foreign service providers—such as cloud storage companies, email platforms, and Voice over IP (VoIP) services—to disclose user data when required by Indian investigative agencies. Since a large portion of data relevant to cyber investigations is stored outside Indian jurisdiction, the absence of enforceable legal instruments makes timely evidence collection difficult.

Furthermore, the current regulations obligate only Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) to appoint grievance and nodal officers. This leaves smaller digital platforms and IT intermediaries outside the regulatory net, depriving users and law enforcement agencies of proper contact points for coordination and redressal.

Key Recommendations by the Committee

To address these complex challenges, the Committee has issued several recommendations aimed at strengthening India’s institutional and legal response to cybercrime. It suggests that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) devise a framework requiring all digital photos and videos to be embedded with watermarks. Such digital identifiers would help trace the origin of media files and reduce the potential for manipulation, deepfake generation, or unauthorised sharing.

Recognising the role of grassroots engagement in surveillance and prevention, the Committee proposes building a formal network involving Panchayats, local community groups, non-governmental organisations, and civil society to identify and report suspicious recruitment into mule networks. Such community-based monitoring would help curb the supply chain of financial intermediaries involved in fraudulent schemes.

To streamline investigations and reduce delays caused by inter-state consent issues, the Committee recommends amending the DSPE Act, 1946, thereby empowering the CBI to investigate cybercrime cases without requiring prior State consent. This would establish uniformity in enforcement and facilitate quicker probe initiation in cross-jurisdictional cyber offences.

In light of the challenges surrounding international data access, the Committee has urged the government to pursue both legal and diplomatic avenues to secure enforceable data disclosure agreements with foreign service providers. Without such access, investigations involving email content, cloud storage, and encrypted messages will remain hindered.

Lastly, to improve responsiveness and coordination, the Committee advises increasing the number of nodal officers by appointing regional representatives. Such decentralisation would ensure more prompt and region-specific engagement between law enforcement, intermediaries, and victims.

Conclusion

The Parliamentary Standing Committee’s report presents a sobering yet actionable account of the cybercrime landscape in India. While acknowledging the vast benefits of the digital age, it lays bare the systemic vulnerabilities and legal shortcomings that expose citizens, institutions, and national security to cyber threats. Its recommendations reflect the need for an integrated approach—blending legal reform, technological safeguards, international cooperation, and community participation—to ensure that India''s digital progress does not come at the cost of public trust, safety, or sovereignty.

NTCA Restricts Definition of Tiger Corridors Amid Conservation Concerns

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recently issued a directive narrowing the definition of tiger corridors to include only the 32 “least cost pathways” identified in its 2014 report, as well as those listed in Tiger Conservation Plans (TCPs). This decision has excluded newer, more comprehensive studies, such as those conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and data from the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE), raising alarm among conservationists and ecologists.

The NTCA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), was established in 2005 through an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It serves as the apex authority for managing tiger reserves and implementing conservation policies. It is chaired by the Union Environment Minister and includes a member secretary from the MoEFCC, various experts, and representatives from State Forest Departments and the Wildlife Institute of India.

The NTCA is entrusted with key responsibilities such as approving Tiger Conservation Plans, regulating ecotourism and land-use within buffer zones, managing tiger corridors, conducting periodic appraisals of tiger habitats, and overseeing Project Tiger. It also plays a critical role in maintaining national tiger data through the AITE.

However, the current directive limiting tiger corridors to minimal pathways has been criticised for undermining scientific evidence and weakening conservation efforts. The exclusion of updated WII studies and AITE-based refinements suggests a regression from previously accepted best practices. NTCA’s own 2014 report had described these 32 pathways as the “bare minimum,” acknowledging the existence of alternative routes crucial for ensuring genetic connectivity and movement of tigers across landscapes.

This rollback is being viewed as a conservation setback, especially as it may benefit industrial and infrastructure projects by allowing them to bypass stringent environmental scrutiny. Legal challenges are also underway, with the Bombay High Court examining whether this reversal aligns with NTCA’s statutory obligations under the Wildlife Protection Act.

The ecological implications of the narrowed definition are profound. By reducing corridor recognition to the minimal 2014 list, the policy risks impeding tiger gene flow, increasing isolation of sub-populations, and threatening long-term species survival. The move also contradicts NTCA’s earlier positions, where it had supported a broader ecological view and recognised the need for protecting all functional tiger linkages.

This decision thus presents a conflict between short-term development priorities and long-term ecological sustainability, and its legality, efficacy, and environmental consequences are likely to remain under close judicial and public scrutiny in the coming months.

Euglena: Indicator of Water Pollution in India

In recent years, Euglena and its related genera have emerged as widespread bioindicators of declining water quality in India. These microorganisms thrive in environments where ecological balance has been disturbed, serving as markers of pollution in stagnant or slow-moving urban water bodies.

Euglena is a unicellular, flagellated protist belonging to the group Euglenophyta. It typically inhabits freshwater ecosystems such as ponds, ditches, and city lakes, particularly those with poor circulation. These microorganisms exhibit remarkable adaptability due to their ability to perform photosynthesis like plants while also consuming organic material like animals. This dual mode of nutrition allows them to flourish in environments rich in nutrients but low in oxygen.

In Indian aquatic ecosystems, three genera of euglenoids—Euglena, Phacus, and Trachelomonas—are frequently observed, particularly dominating surface waters during the warmer months. The characteristic red or pink hue seen during their blooms results from the production of a pigment known as astaxanthin. This fat-soluble xanthophyll imparts a vivid coloration to the organisms and plays a role in their ecological visibility.

The proliferation of Euglena poses several environmental challenges. Their photosynthetic activity during the day leads to oxygen production, but at night, they consume oxygen, resulting in wide diurnal fluctuations in oxygen levels. This can cause hypoxia, or oxygen depletion, which endangers fish and other aquatic life. Furthermore, euglenoid blooms form thick surface scums that block sunlight from penetrating deeper into the water. This reduces photosynthesis in submerged vegetation, decreasing overall lake productivity and disturbing the aquatic food web. In some cases, the dense presence of euglenophytes can obstruct fish gills, hindering respiration. Additionally, certain species release toxins like euglenophycin, which either directly kill fish or disrupt the ecosystem by affecting food chains and reducing oxygen availability.

Dal Lake and the Khelo India Water Sports Festival

Recently, the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar played host to the inaugural races across rowing, kayaking, and canoeing disciplines as part of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival. This event marked a significant milestone in promoting water sports within the region.

Dal Lake is a mid-altitude urban lake situated in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Nestled amidst the Pir Panjal mountain range, it holds immense importance for tourism and recreation in Kashmir. Often referred to as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or simply “Srinagar’s Jewel,” Dal Lake ranks among the largest natural lakes in the world. It is also known by the poetic moniker “Lake of Flowers” due to its scenic beauty.

The lake’s shoreline is dotted with a boulevard that is lined with Mughal-era gardens, parks, traditional houseboats, and hotels, creating a unique cultural and ecological setting. The wetland is segmented by causeways into four distinct basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin, although the Nagin Basin is sometimes considered an independent lake. Lokut Dal and Bod Dal each feature a central island known respectively as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank.

Dal Lake is also famous for its floating market, where vendors operate from their Shikaras—traditional wooden boats—approaching tourists directly to sell goods, making it a vibrant cultural experience.

The Khelo India Water Sports Festival is jointly organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council under the government’s ‘Khelo Bharat’ initiative. The festival aims to promote grassroots sports development, generate livelihoods, and upgrade local sports infrastructure. This edition was notable as the first consolidated Open-age category championship, featuring all 14 kayaking and canoeing events as well as 10 rowing events recognized as Olympic disciplines.

Lipulekh Pass: Strategic Gateway at the Trijunction

India recently dismissed Nepal’s territorial claims over Lipulekh Pass following the resumption of trade between India and China via border points, reaffirming its control over the area.

Lipulekh Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass situated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, close to the tri-junction where India, Nepal, and China converge. It serves as a vital link between the Indian state of Uttarakhand and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Positioned at an elevation of roughly 5,334 meters (17,500 feet), its strategic location provides access to the upper reaches of the Himalayas.

This pass holds the distinction of being the first Indian border post opened for trade with China back in 1992. Subsequently, Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim were opened for trade in 1994 and 2006, respectively.

The Lipulekh Pass has historical significance as an ancient trade route that has connected the Indian subcontinent with the Tibetan plateau for centuries. Besides its economic role, it also carries religious importance. The pass is an integral part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a revered pilgrimage undertaken by Hindus, further emphasizing its cultural and spiritual significance.

SEBI Proposes Regulated Platform for Pre-Listing Share Trading

In a significant regulatory initiative, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed the creation of a “regulated venue” to facilitate the trading of shares belonging to companies that are yet to be listed. This platform is aimed at formalising and bringing under legal oversight the currently unregulated grey market, where such shares are informally exchanged.

The regulated venue would serve as a formal platform operating under SEBI’s supervision, enabling unlisted companies’ shares to be traded prior to their Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Unlike the grey market, this venue would ensure greater transparency, investor protection, and adherence to tax and compliance norms.

The key objectives behind SEBI’s proposal are to promote fair and efficient price discovery in the pre-IPO phase, generate tax revenue from these transactions, and ensure that such trades are governed by investor protection norms. It is intended to bring the informal trades under regulatory scrutiny and strengthen the integrity of India’s capital markets.

The grey market currently operates as an informal and unregulated space where shares of upcoming IPO-bound companies are bought and sold based on mutual understanding between parties. These transactions fall outside any legal or regulatory framework, making them opaque and devoid of investor safeguards. As a result, grey market trading often distorts the true value of IPOs, exposes investors to fraud, and results in significant tax leakages due to undocumented transactions.

By proposing a regulated venue, SEBI seeks to create a legitimate mechanism that reflects actual demand and supply before an IPO, thus avoiding artificial overvaluation or underpricing. It also aims to ensure that the government receives its due in terms of tax compliance, as such trades would be documented and legally monitored.

Investor interests are expected to be better safeguarded under this new system, as SEBI oversight will help prevent manipulation and fraud. The initiative will also enhance overall market efficiency by enabling structured price formation in the pre-listing phase. Importantly, the move aligns India with global practices, as many developed economies already maintain regulated secondary private markets where unlisted shares are traded under proper supervision.

This proposal marks a step toward formalising pre-IPO transactions, bringing transparency to previously informal dealings, and strengthening investor confidence in India''s evolving capital markets.

Blue Carbon and the Role of Seaweed Farming

Blue Carbon refers to the organic carbon captured and stored in oceanic and coastal vegetated ecosystems such as mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and saltmarshes. The term "blue" signifies the aquatic context of this carbon storage. While the majority of blue carbon is carbon dioxide that dissolves directly into the ocean from the atmosphere, smaller but significant amounts are sequestered in underwater sediments, coastal plants, soils, marine life ranging from phytoplankton to whales, and biological molecules like DNA and proteins.

Despite covering only around 2% of the total ocean surface, these ecosystems are responsible for absorbing about 50% of the ocean''s carbon, underlining their disproportionately large contribution to global carbon sequestration. This makes them essential to international efforts addressing climate change.

Seaweed farming has recently emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing Blue Carbon capture. However, despite its potential, scientific data regarding the actual quantity of carbon burial achieved through such farms is still insufficient. This lack of empirical evidence limits the ability to quantify their impact within the broader blue carbon framework and makes it difficult to fully incorporate them into global climate mitigation policies.

Exercise Samanvay Shakti: Military-Civil Synergy for Northeast Readiness

Exercise Samanvay Shakti 2025 was recently launched at Laipuli in Assam''s Tinsukia district, symbolising a landmark effort to enhance inter-agency coordination in India’s northeastern region. Initiated by the Indian Army in partnership with state officials from Assam and Manipur, the exercise seeks to promote cohesive civil-military cooperation.

This military-civil integration drill aims to build effective collaboration between the armed forces, government departments, civil institutions, and the general public to better address the multifaceted challenges facing the region. The inaugural session brought together a diverse set of participants, including personnel from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, local administrative officials, police forces, intelligence agencies, and disaster response units such as the NDRF and SDRF. Medical professionals, representatives from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), Indian Railways, educational institutions, and security teams from OIL India, IOCL, and Coal India also took part. Local media representatives added a crucial communication component to the event.

The core objective of the exercise is to enhance the region’s preparedness by streamlining communication channels and refining standard operating procedures through practical drills. It is also intended to reinforce public trust in state institutions and security forces, contributing to national integration and development. Exercise Samanvay Shakti thus reflects a comprehensive approach to ensuring regional stability and resilience by integrating all stakeholders into a shared operational framework.

Charge-Coupled Device (CCD): A Revolution in Imaging Technology

The invention of the Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) marked a turning point in the development of imaging technologies and has had a transformative impact across multiple scientific and industrial domains.

A CCD is a semiconductor device that converts incoming light into electrical signals through a grid-like array of capacitors. These tiny capacitors, known as pixels, function as individual light sensors, each capturing photons and converting them into electrical charges proportional to light intensity. The CCD then transfers these charges sequentially across the chip so that they can be processed into a digital image.

The CCD operates on the principle of the photoelectric effect. When light photons strike the semiconductor material of the pixel, they dislodge electrons, generating charge carriers. Each pixel collects this charge based on the amount of incident light. Through a voltage-controlled mechanism, the charges are moved along the array, similar to a bucket brigade passing water, toward a readout register. Once there, the accumulated charges are converted into voltage signals, which are subsequently amplified and digitised to form the final image.

This orderly charge transfer mechanism is what defines the CCD as “charge-coupled.” Its high precision in capturing light and forming accurate digital representations has made it invaluable in both consumer and scientific applications.

In everyday life, CCDs have been fundamental to the development of digital cameras, replacing traditional photographic film. Their application in security systems, such as CCTV cameras, ensures high-quality video feeds in sensitive locations including banks, hospitals, and shopping complexes. In medicine, CCDs are central to diagnostic tools like X-ray machines, CT scanners, and endoscopes. These devices rely on CCDs to produce detailed, real-time images, aiding in accurate medical assessments.

Scientific fields also benefit extensively from CCD technology. Microscopes, spectrometers, and particle detectors incorporate CCDs to analyse complex data with clarity. In astronomy, telescopes fitted with CCDs can detect faint, distant celestial bodies with greater sensitivity and precision than older photographic methods, dramatically advancing space exploration and observation.

Huntington’s Disease and Its Exclusion from India’s Rare Disease Policy

Huntington’s disease (HD), a degenerative neurological disorder, has yet to be officially included in the list of conditions recognized under India’s National Policy for Rare Diseases. Despite mounting appeals from patients and caregivers in 2024, both the central and state governments have yet to acknowledge the condition under this policy framework.

Huntington’s disease is a hereditary condition in which brain cells progressively lose their function and die. A person whose parent carries the HD gene has a 50% likelihood of inheriting it. The disease primarily affects brain regions responsible for voluntary movement, cognition, and memory.

HD results from a genetic mutation in the HTT gene, which normally produces a protein called huntingtin that helps neurons function properly. However, in people with HD, the mutated gene results in abnormally shaped huntingtin proteins that damage neurons rather than supporting them. These malformed proteins accumulate and lead to cell death, particularly in the basal ganglia—a brain region crucial for movement regulation—and also in the cortex, which governs higher cognitive functions.

The condition affects approximately 3 to 7 individuals per 100,000 people, with a higher prevalence among those of European ancestry. Symptoms of Huntington’s disease include involuntary dance-like movements (known as chorea), abnormal body postures, and significant disturbances in behavior, emotional control, thinking, and personality. Tremors and erratic eye movements may appear early in the disease and tend to worsen over time. As the disease advances, patients become increasingly dependent on others for care. Typically, individuals diagnosed with HD succumb to the condition within 15 to 20 years after the onset of symptoms.

While there is currently no cure that can halt or reverse the progression of Huntington’s disease, healthcare providers can offer medications that alleviate specific symptoms and improve quality of life to some extent.

Indian Council of Social Science Research and its Notice to CSDS

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), India''s apex body for social and human sciences research, recently issued a show cause notice to the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). This directive was in response to CSDS’s research activities on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the Maharashtra Assembly elections, requesting the disclosure of funding sources for these studies.

ICSSR was established in 1969 based on the recommendations of the V. K. R. V. Rao Committee. Functioning autonomously under the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, the Council plays a central role in promoting and supporting research in social sciences across the country. It provides research grants, supports doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships, funds senior and national research fellows, and offers internships and training for early-career researchers.

Beyond individual research, ICSSR promotes scholarly interaction by funding seminars, conferences, and workshops at national and international levels. It also aids in the publication of advanced research, encourages collaboration between Indian and foreign institutions, and strengthens its research ecosystem through a nationwide network of 24 research institutes and six regional centers. Additionally, five recognized institutes receive programmatic support from the Council.

The National Social Science Documentation Centre (NASSDOC), a part of ICSSR, offers library and information services to social science researchers. ICSSR has also developed the ICSSR Data Service—an initiative aimed at facilitating data sharing and reuse to build a robust research environment within the Indian social science community.