Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025: Comprehensive Reform, Exemptions, and Enforcement Overhaul

·       The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which officially came into force on September 1, represents a major transformation in how India manages foreign nationals. This Act, along with its newly issued Rules and Orders, reorganises the legal framework surrounding the entry, stay, and departure of foreigners, while also formally detailing exemptions for specific categories of individuals.

·       This reform is among the most significant shifts in India’s immigration regime in decades, intended to enhance clarity, efficiency, and consistency in how foreign nationals are governed.

Unification of Immigration Legislation under the 2025 Act

The new Act replaces four key pieces of legacy legislation:

• The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
• The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
• The Foreigners Act, 1946
• The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000

Through this consolidation, the 2025 Act establishes a single, unified legal structure that simplifies procedures relating to the movement of foreigners into, within, and out of India. The intention is to eliminate redundancy, reduce ambiguity, and streamline enforcement.

Rationale for Legislative Overhaul

India’s previous immigration laws were fragmented and outdated, spanning nearly a century from the colonial era (1920–2000). These outdated laws contained conflicting provisions, leading to frequent enforcement challenges and interpretive confusion. Exemptions granted to various groups—including Tibetan refugees, Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan—were scattered across disparate notifications, often hard to locate and interpret. Furthermore, administrative inefficiencies persisted, such as:

• Manual data reporting
• Delayed information flows
• Unclear role divisions between central and local authorities
• Non-uniform rules for access to restricted or protected areas

Key Provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025

The 2025 Act introduces a centralised legal framework with clearly defined regulations for the entry, registration, and monitoring of foreigners in India.

·       Entry Documentation and Points of Entry: All individuals entering India must possess a valid passport or travel document, and foreigners are additionally required to have a valid visa, unless explicitly exempted. Entry and exit are allowed only through designated immigration posts, including international airports, seaports, land borders, and certain railway checkpoints.

·       Powers of Immigration Officers: Officials stationed at these posts have full authority to grant or deny entry or exit. They may reject entry on grounds such as national security.

·       Registration and Oversight at Local Levels: Foreigners must register with authorities such as the Superintendent of Police (SP)/Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) or the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Officers (FRROs), who manage regulation at the district and regional levels.

·       Mandatory Reporting by Accommodation Providers: Establishments including hotels, hostels, paying guest accommodations, and religious institutions are required to digitally report information regarding all foreign guests—including OCI cardholders—within 24 hours of their arrival and departure.

·       Institutional Obligations: Universities must report foreign student admissions, and hospitals must report cases involving foreign patients, births, or deaths within seven days, via official digital channels.

·       Control Over Premises Frequented by Foreigners: Authorities are empowered to shut down or restrict venues such as resorts, clubs, or other establishments if they are associated with illegal activities or frequented by foreigners deemed undesirable. Relocation or reopening of such premises requires prior approval.

·       Permits for Restricted or Protected Areas: Foreigners must apply for online permits to access protected or restricted zones. Applications must follow standardised formats via official portals or mobile applications.

Exemptions Recognised Under the 2025 Act

The Act provides specific, centrally administered exemptions from general visa and entry requirements. Beneficiaries include:

• Members of the Indian Armed Forces and their families
• Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan
• Tibetan refugees and registered Sri Lankan Tamils
• Minority refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
• Certain diplomatic passport holders
• Foreign military personnel involved in humanitarian operations

These individuals are subject to regulated but conditional entry, without the need to comply with standard visa requirements.

Notable Modernised Features Introduced by the Act

• In addition to consolidating older statutes, the Act introduces digital systems, graded penalties, and clarified enforcement mechanisms to align with modern governance expectations.
• Mandatory electronic reporting by institutions has been formalised, ensuring real-time integration into a centralised digital database. This supports immigration enforcement, public health monitoring, and citizenship-related decision-making.

Graduated Penalty Structure

The Act outlines specific fines for various infractions, including:

• Overstaying
• Visa violations
• Failure to register
• Unauthorized visits to protected areas

Fines range from ₹10,000 to ₹5 lakh, depending on the severity of the violation. Special consideration is given to specific groups—such as Tibetan refugees, Mongolian monks, and refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan—with minimum fines starting at ₹50.

Safeguards and Appeals

• Provisions exist to protect individuals in humanitarian situations or those penalised for good faith errors. The Act also establishes clear appeal procedures for contesting fines and penalties.
• While the central government retains primary control, it may delegate certain responsibilities to state governments and Union Territories. The Centre also retains the right to amend, cancel, or issue binding directions at any time.

Uniform Exemption Policy

• To ensure national consistency, local authorities are barred from independently granting exemptions. All such exemptions—whether for entry, visas, or access to restricted areas—must be authorised solely through central government orders, promoting transparency and standardisation.
• The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 sets a new standard for immigration governance in India. By consolidating legacy laws and introducing modern, digitally driven oversight mechanisms, it promises to bring long-awaited order, accountability, and clarity to how the country engages with foreign nationals.

Understanding PVTGs in India: Importance in Census, Demographic Insights, and Policy Challenges

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has formally urged the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) to ensure the separate enumeration of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the upcoming Census. The ministry has recommended that detailed information be collected at the level of households and individuals, along with documentation of the demographic, cultural, and socio-economic characteristics unique to these groups. Such targeted data collection is expected to significantly enhance the planning and execution of welfare schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), which focuses specifically on uplifting PVTG communities.

Who Are PVTGs? Historical Background and Classification

·       PVTGs are a specific sub-group within the broader category of Scheduled Tribes (STs). They are distinguished by certain critical characteristics, including stagnant or declining population trends, geographical isolation, pre-agrarian subsistence practices, economic backwardness, and extremely low literacy levels. The classification was born out of the Dhebar Commission (1960–61), which highlighted the internal disparities within tribal communities and recommended special attention to those who were demonstrably more vulnerable.

·       The initial identification of PVTGs—then termed Primitive Tribal Groups—was carried out during the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–79), with 52 groups being included. An additional 23 groups were added in 2006, bringing the total to 75 recognised PVTGs across 18 states and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. However, concerns have been raised by scholars and policy experts regarding the criteria used for inclusion, especially the heavy reliance on geographical isolation. These experts argue that the parameters should be re-evaluated and updated, especially in light of the planned enumeration, to ensure that current realities—whether improved or deteriorated—are accurately reflected.

The Absence of Separate Census Enumeration for PVTGs

·       To date, no Census has ever recorded PVTGs separately. As these groups are officially considered a subset of Scheduled Tribes, they are generally enumerated under the broader ST category. This practice has led to significant data invisibility. Many PVTGs are not individually named in Census records but are grouped under collective or umbrella terms, making it difficult to extract specific insights about them.

·       According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 40 of the 75 PVTGs appear as a single entry in the Scheduled Tribes list notified under Article 342 of the Constitution. This further complicates efforts at targeted enumeration. For instance, in the 2011 Census, while the Baigas of Madhya Pradesh were counted as a distinct group, others like the Abujh Marias, Bharias, Hill Korbas, and Kamars were not recorded separately. Subsequent developments, such as the 2013 legislation adding Abujh Maria and Hill Korba to Chhattisgarh’s ST list, have attempted to correct some of these omissions.

·       The RGI has historically published data only for major Scheduled Tribe groups, automatically including sub-groups and synonyms without differentiation. This approach has, until now, hindered the focused collection of data specific to PVTGs.

Estimated Population and Distribution of PVTGs

·       In November 2023, the Indian government launched the ₹24,104 crore PM JANMAN scheme, aimed at improving health, education, livelihoods, and infrastructure in over 200 districts inhabited by PVTGs. As part of the preparatory work for this initiative, MoTA and various state governments conducted habitation-level surveys, estimating the total PVTG population at approximately 47.5 lakh.

·       Madhya Pradesh emerged as the state with the highest estimated PVTG population, numbering 13.22 lakh, followed by Maharashtra with 6.7 lakh, and Andhra Pradesh with 5.18 lakh.

The 2011 Census, though lacking comprehensive separate enumeration, showed that certain PVTG communities had populations of fewer than 1,000 individuals. These included:

• Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, and Shompens from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Raji from Uttarakhand
• Kota from Tamil Nadu
• Birhor from Odisha
• Kamar from Madhya Pradesh
• Several small tribal groups in Bihar

The Sentinelese, known for their isolation, were recorded as the smallest group with only 15 individuals, while the Baiga community of Madhya Pradesh was the largest among PVTGs, numbering 4,14,526.

Need for Accurate Enumeration and Policy Implications

·       Government officials and tribal welfare experts have stressed that separate and accurate enumeration of PVTGs is not merely a statistical exercise but a necessary step for closing welfare gaps, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare and education. Accurate data will enable better targeting of interventions, efficient resource allocation, and more context-sensitive policymaking.

·       Additionally, this exercise offers an opportunity to review the existing criteria for PVTG classification, which many argue have become outdated. A revised framework could help determine which groups still meet the criteria and whether others need to be added or removed based on present-day challenges and development indicators.

Ageing and Health Burden in India

Context

The India Ageing Report 2023 highlights the growing healthcare challenges faced by India’s senior citizens. Amid rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs), poor insurance coverage, and inadequate financial preparedness, the elderly population is increasingly vulnerable to both health-related and economic distress.

Background

India’s demographic landscape is undergoing a major transformation, with the elderly population (aged 60 and above) reaching approximately 149 million in 2022. Projections suggest this number will rise to 347 million—about 20.8% of the total population—by 2050. This shift brings a “double burden” on the elderly:

• Health Burden: The elderly commonly suffer from multiple comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, arthritis, and stroke.
• Financial Burden: With advancing age comes reduced income, increased dependency, and insufficient social security, leading to heightened financial stress.

Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare remains a major concern, accounting for nearly 48% of total health spending (National Health Accounts, 2021–22). This often results in distress financing, pushing elderly households into debt.

Major Health Challenges Faced by the Elderly

The ageing population in India contends with complex and long-term health issues that strain both personal and systemic resources:

• Out-Patient Care: Seniors frequently require care for chronic pain, fever, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory or cardiac issues—highlighting the increasing burden of NCDs.
• In-Patient Care: Hospitalisation becomes necessary in cases of heart disease, strokes, diabetic complications, infections, and surgeries. This not only increases physical suffering but also contributes to escalating costs.
• Recovery and Rehabilitation: Prolonged hospital stays, the need for intensive care, repeated infections, and poor medication adherence—often due to cost—make recovery prolonged and difficult.

Insurance Coverage: Current Status and Limitations

While various health insurance schemes exist, a significant portion of the elderly population remains uninsured or inadequately covered.

• Public schemes such as PM-JAY, CMCHIS (in Tamil Nadu), CGHS, and ESIC, along with private health insurance options, offer partial support.
• However, only about 20% of elderly individuals are covered under any form of health insurance, with men and urban residents enjoying greater access than women and rural counterparts.
• Barriers to insurance uptake include low awareness (52.9%), high premiums, and complex enrolment processes.
• Furthermore, essential services like palliative care, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and home oxygen support are often excluded, leading to continued OOPE.

Why Healthcare Costs Rise with Age

The financial strain of healthcare grows exponentially as people age, due to several compounding factors:

• Chronic NCDs require lifelong treatment, monitoring, and medication, adding to cumulative costs over time.
• Elderly patients often require ICU admissions and ventilatory support due to multiple comorbidities, increasing the cost of critical care.
• Private health insurance premiums surge with age, and reimbursements are generally partial—averaging only about 75% of actual costs.
• Post-treatment expenses such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and home care are typically not covered by insurance and remain costly.
• End-of-life care lacks any structured national policy, leaving families to bear the full economic burden of terminal or palliative care.

Government Initiatives

In response to these challenges, several initiatives have been introduced at both central and state levels:

• PM-JAY Expansion (2024): Universal health coverage extended to all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.
• State-Level Integration: States like Tamil Nadu have aligned their local schemes (e.g., CMCHIS) with PM-JAY to expand coverage and access.
• National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): Focuses on establishing geriatric clinics and regional centres tailored to the healthcare needs of the elderly.
• Health Insurance Reforms: Simplified enrolment processes and broader coverage under public schemes aim to increase participation among senior citizens.
• Strengthening Public Infrastructure: Kerala and Tamil Nadu have led efforts to enhance public geriatric healthcare facilities, setting models for other states.

Persistent Challenges

Despite these efforts, several systemic gaps remain:

• High OOPE continues to devastate elderly households, particularly those without a stable income source.
• The rural–urban divide leaves rural elderly at a disadvantage, as urban counterparts have better access to private healthcare and insurance schemes.
• Insurance remains inaccessible to many due to high premiums, service exclusions, and low awareness, especially among rural and female populations.
• India faces an acute shortage of geriatric specialists, with only around 6,000 trained professionals available—far too few to serve a rapidly growing ageing population.
• Preventive and palliative care are underdeveloped and underfunded, leaving elderly individuals vulnerable to avoidable suffering.
• Gender disparities are pronounced, with elderly women far less likely to be insured or financially secure, increasing their health and social vulnerability.

Way Forward

Addressing India’s ageing health crisis demands coordinated, inclusive, and long-term reforms.

Financial Protection

• Expand Ayushman Bharat to include palliative, rehabilitative, and home-based care services.
• Introduce regulations to cap private insurance premiums for the elderly.
• Promote incentivised health savings from middle age through mechanisms such as tax deductions and health bonds.

Improving Accessibility

• Enhance the capacity of public hospitals for geriatric care, building on successful models from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Expand rural healthcare outreach through Health & Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat.

Preventive Health Measures

• Introduce a national vaccination policy targeting elderly-specific diseases like influenza, pneumonia, and shingles.
• Strengthen early screening for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancers at Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

Awareness and Literacy

• Launch nationwide awareness campaigns focusing on health insurance literacy for senior citizens.
• Simplify enrolment systems and deploy mobile enrolment units to reach rural and remote elderly populations.

Strengthening Human Resources

• Establish geriatric departments in all government and private medical colleges to train the next generation of specialists.
• Equip ASHA workers and primary health personnel with specialised training in elderly care.

Conclusion

India is steadily transitioning into an ageing society, making the health and wellbeing of its elderly population a critical pillar of inclusive development. The India Ageing Report 2023 calls for urgent reforms in health financing, infrastructure, and awareness to address the growing burden. Upholding the constitutional promise of equality and dignity, the focus must shift toward ensuring that the elderly live not only longer but also healthier and more secure lives—free from poverty, suffering, and neglect.

Manipur Violence – Centre Signs Revised Pact for Peace

In a significant move aimed at restoring peace in the violence-hit state of Manipur, the Centre has signed a revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with insurgent groups from the Kuki-Zo community. This new arrangement, announced ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the state, marks a major policy shift in the government’s approach to ethnic unrest that has plagued Manipur since May 2023. The renewed pact introduces stricter mechanisms to monitor insurgent activity, mandates the relocation of militant camps, and reaffirms adherence to India’s constitutional framework, while also opening the door to further political dialogue.

Context and Objective

Manipur has witnessed protracted violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, resulting in a sharp deterioration in law and order. In response, the Centre has recalibrated its peace strategy by engaging directly with 24 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups under the banners of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF). The revised SoO pact, signed on September 4, 2025, by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Manipur state government, and the aforementioned insurgent factions, aims to stabilize the situation by tightening operational norms and fostering an environment conducive to long-term peace.

Assurances on Free Movement and Symbolic Steps Towards Normalcy

As part of the broader confidence-building efforts, the Centre announced that Kuki civil society groups had agreed to allow unrestricted movement along National Highway-02—a critical artery for both civilian traffic and essential supplies. The government presented this as a breakthrough, suggesting a return to normalcy. However, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) issued a clarification, stressing that there had never been an official blockade on the highway, and that the group’s earlier appeals pertained only to the Kangpokpi district. Moreover, Kuki groups emphasized that buffer zones separating Kuki and Meitei areas would still be respected, reflecting lingering mistrust and the tenuous nature of peace.

Key Provisions of the Revised Suspension of Operations Pact

·       The revised pact introduces a more stringent framework for monitoring and engagement with insurgent groups. A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), headed by the Principal Secretary (Home) of Manipur, will oversee verification processes and ensure that all cadres present in the camps are accounted for. The agreement includes the following critical components:

·       First, it mandates physical verification of cadres, preparation of detailed personnel lists, and removal of any foreign nationals suspected to be present in the camps.

·       Second, it requires relocation of designated camps, reducing their number to six each for KNO and UPF. These camps must now be situated away from key highways, densely populated zones, and the border with Myanmar.

·       Third, the pact enforces financial transparency, stipulating that cadre stipends must be disbursed solely through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, ensuring payments are restricted to verified individuals physically present in camps.

·       Fourth, it imposes operational restrictions, barring these groups from recruiting new members, carrying arms outside camps, maintaining contact with other armed organizations, or engaging in any offensive actions.

·       Finally, the preamble to the pact underscores that all signatory groups must adhere to the Constitution of India and respect the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Reactions and Emerging Fault Lines

·       Despite the government’s attempt to present a unified front, the signing of the pact has sparked unease among various ethnic and civil society groups. The Zomi Council, based in Churachandpur, rejected the KZC’s role in the negotiations, claiming that it does not represent the broader Zo population. This highlights internal fractures within the Kuki-Zo community and complicates the path toward a cohesive peace settlement.

·       From the Meitei perspective, the relocation of insurgent camps away from valley-fringe areas satisfies a longstanding concern. These camps were previously alleged to have served as launchpads for attacks in Meitei-dominated regions. However, other ethnic groups have expressed discontent. The United Naga Council, for example, has voiced strong opposition to its exclusion from the talks and has even threatened to impose a trade blockade in protest over issues related to border fencing with Myanmar.

Toward a Broader Political Settlement

·       The revised SoO pact is not an endpoint, but rather a foundational step toward a comprehensive political resolution. It sets the stage for future tripartite talks involving the Centre, the Manipur government, and Kuki groups, all within the bounds of the Indian Constitution. The broader aim is to create a structured framework that can accommodate the aspirations of various communities while maintaining peace and territorial integrity.

·       Simultaneously, the Centre is extending its peace-building efforts to include other insurgent outfits, such as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). Designated camps are being established for these groups as well, indicating a broader national strategy to bring diverse militant factions into the ambit of a unified peace process.

·       In conclusion, while the revised Suspension of Operations pact represents a critical step toward ending ethnic strife in Manipur, the road to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges. Deep-seated mistrust among communities, competing claims to representation, and the exclusion of key stakeholders underscore the need for a more inclusive and nuanced approach going forward.

India’s Path to Atmanirbharta in Millets

Context

NITI Aayog’s report, “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta,” while focused on pulses, offers broader insights into self-reliance in food crops such as millets. These crops share several common challenges, including low productivity, unstable prices, and sustainability concerns—making the lessons relevant for policy and implementation strategies aimed at millets as well.

Current Status and Trends of Millets in India

India plays a dominant role in global millet production, yet the domestic consumption and market ecosystem face critical challenges.

• India accounts for approximately 41% of global millet production, with an annual output of around 16 million tonnes, positioning it as the world’s largest millet producer.
• Millet cultivation is regionally concentrated, with five states—Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh—together contributing over 80% of the country’s output, pointing to a need for geographical diversification.
• Despite robust production, per capita consumption of millets has plummeted from 32 kg/year in the 1960s to just 4 kg/year today. This decline is attributed to the predominance of rice and wheat in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and in daily diets.
• On the export front, India recorded shipments of 1.8 million tonnes of millets in 2022–23, primarily to countries such as the UAE, Nepal, and Saudi Arabia, signalling emerging global interest.
• The Union Budget 2023–24 rebranded millets as “Shree Anna”, allocating resources for research, market linkages, and food processing initiatives to revive their relevance in the national food system.

Importance of Millets

Millets offer multifaceted advantages in terms of nutrition, environment, and rural livelihoods.

• Nutritional Superiority: Rich in iron, calcium, protein, and dietary fiber, millets can help combat widespread malnutrition and anemia, particularly among women and children.
• Climate Resilience: Requiring 70% less water than rice, millets are drought-resistant and ideal for arid and rainfed regions, making them a vital crop amid growing climate stress.
• Low-Input Farming: Millets demand minimal fertilizer and irrigation, reducing cultivation costs and input dependence—especially beneficial for small and marginal farmers.
• Food Security Enhancement: Integrating millets into schemes like Mid-Day Meals, ICDS, and the PDS can improve nutritional outcomes for low-income populations.
• Agri-Diplomacy and Branding: As “Shree Anna,” millets are now part of India’s global soft power strategy, with increasing scope for export and superfood positioning.

Key Initiatives for Millets Promotion

India has taken several significant steps to revive millet cultivation and integrate it into mainstream agriculture and food systems.

• The National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Millets) promotes expansion of millet cultivation areas, seed distribution, and improved productivity.
• The Shree Anna Mission (2023) is a six-year national initiative focused on millet-specific research, processing, branding, and market development.
• States like Karnataka have pioneered millet integration into public schemes—for example, the “Ksheera Bhagya” program includes millets in school meals, fostering early dietary adoption.
• On the global stage, India successfully led the UN General Assembly resolution that declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, organizing international millet expos and buyer-seller meets.
• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is actively supporting millet export promotion through branding, GI tagging, and global market access, especially in the Middle East, USA, and EU.

Challenges Hindering Millets Revival

Despite policy attention, several structural barriers inhibit the mainstreaming of millets.

• Consumer Preferences have shifted toward rice and wheat due to PDS subsidies and cooking convenience, relegating millets to niche consumption.
• Low Yields continue to be a major concern, with millet productivity at 1.2 tonnes per hectare, considerably below that of rice and wheat. This is due to limited R&D, weak hybrid seed availability, and underdeveloped agronomic practices.
• Weak Market Linkages and fragmented value chains discourage farmers, compounded by poor penetration of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and the absence of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) safety net.
• Post-Harvest Bottlenecks such as inadequate processing facilities, poor storage infrastructure, and low private investment restrict value addition and profitability.
• Policy Bias persists due to extensive subsidies for rice and wheat under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and irrigation schemes, making millets less competitive, especially in rainfed areas.

Strategic Framework for Achieving Atmanirbharta in Millets

A comprehensive approach is needed to build millet self-reliance across the entire agricultural and food ecosystem.

• Horizontal Expansion: Millets should be cultivated in underutilized rice fallows and degraded lands, particularly in Eastern India, to sustainably expand acreage.
• Vertical Intensification: Investments are needed in high-yielding, bio-fortified, and climate-resilient millet varieties, supported by a robust seed supply and replacement system.
• Cluster-Based Models: A district-level crop cluster approach, similar to pulses, can enable targeted interventions and regional productivity improvements.
• Value Chain Integration: Establishing processing hubs, branding units, and FPO-led aggregation models will integrate farmers into organized markets and boost income.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Adoption of organic, water-efficient, and pest-resilient millet farming practices aligns with India’s climate commitments and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Way Forward

Achieving Atmanirbharta in millets calls for holistic reforms that span production, consumption, and market engagement.

• Mainstreaming in Welfare Schemes: Mandate the inclusion of millets in NFSA, ICDS, and other food security programs to build steady domestic demand.
• Research and Development: Accelerate R&D in short-duration, bio-fortified millet varieties and scale up seed replacement rates to ensure productivity gains.
• Export-Driven Growth: Create value-added, GI-tagged millet brands to serve global health-conscious consumers, especially in niche and premium markets.
• Public Procurement Reform: Ensure MSP-backed procurement of millets through decentralized procurement centres, making cultivation financially viable for farmers.
• Public Awareness: Launch a nationwide campaign promoting the health, climate, and lifestyle benefits of millets to revive consumer interest and counter dietary biases.

Conclusion

Millets offer India a strategic triple advantage—improving nutrition security, enhancing climate resilience, and uplifting farmer livelihoods. With focused institutional support, strong branding under “Shree Anna,” and coordinated policy reforms, millets can transition from marginal crops to mainstream staples. The path to Atmanirbharta in millets will require synchronized action across production systems, market frameworks, and consumption patterns to realize their full potential as the grain of the future.

National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

·       The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 was recently released by the Union Minister of Education, continuing its role as the principal tool for assessing the quality of higher education institutions in India.

·       The NIRF was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) as a systematic methodology to rank educational institutions across the country. The framework evaluates institutions based on five key parameters: Teaching, Learning and Resources; Research and Professional Practice; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; and Peer Perception.

·       The 2025 edition of the rankings spans across 17 distinct categories, including Overall, SDG Institutes, Universities, Colleges, Research Institutions, Engineering, Management, Pharmacy, Medical, Dental, Law, Architecture and Planning, Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Open Universities, Skill Universities, and State Public Universities.

Among the notable highlights:

• IIT Madras retains the top position in the Overall Category for the seventh consecutive year.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru leads the Universities Category for the tenth year in a row.
• IIM Ahmedabad maintains its number one rank in the Management discipline, marking its sixth consecutive year at the top.
• AIIMS Delhi continues to be the top-ranked Medical institution, an honour it has held for eight consecutive years.
• IIT Roorkee secures the first place in Architecture and Planning for the fifth year.
• National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, remains the top Law institution.
• Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, is ranked number one in Pharmacy for the second consecutive year.

India–Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)

• Context: The recent visit of the Singapore Prime Minister to India commemorated 60 years of diplomatic relations. During the visit, both countries adopted a forward-looking roadmap to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) across eight key sectors.
• The CSP represents the highest level of bilateral engagement between India and Singapore. Initially elevated from a Strategic Partnership in 2015, the relationship was further deepened in 2025 with the launch of an updated roadmap.

The 2025 roadmap outlines cooperation in the following areas:

• Economic Engagement: Reviewing trade agreements such as CECA and AITIGA, expanding collaboration in semiconductors, capital markets, and space research.
• Skills Development: Establishing a National Centre of Excellence in Chennai focused on advanced manufacturing and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).
• Digital Collaboration: Scaling up the UPI–PayNow integration, advancing fintech, cybersecurity, and applying AI in healthcare and agriculture.
• Sustainability: Working together on green hydrogen, civil nuclear energy, climate change mitigation, and food security.
• Connectivity: Enhancing maritime and aviation links, developing Green and Digital Shipping Corridors, and promoting sustainable aviation fuel.
• Healthcare and Medicine: Joint research in digital health, med-tech R&D, nursing skill exchange, and disease surveillance.
• People-to-People Ties: Boosting academic and professional exchanges, as well as cultural, parliamentary, and public service collaboration.
• Defence and Security: Deepening cooperation through joint military exercises, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and defence technology partnerships.

2D Materials

Context: The Frontier Tech Hub of NITI Aayog, in collaboration with IISc Bengaluru, has released the fourth edition of the Future Front Quarterly Insights, titled “Introduction to 2D Materials”, emphasizing their growing relevance and the need for India to prioritise their development.

About 2D Materials

• Two-dimensional (2D) materials are substances that are only one atom thick, far thinner than anything conventionally used. The most famous example is graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Other key examples include MoS₂ (molybdenum disulfide), WS₂, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and newly emerging materials like Xenes (e.g., silicene).
• These materials are flat at the atomic level and possess extraordinary physical properties due to their minimal thickness and high surface-to-volume ratio. First isolated in 2004 through a simple tape-peeling experiment from graphite—a discovery that led to the 2010 Nobel Prize—they have since revolutionised materials science.

Key characteristics include:

• Exceptional conductivity: Graphene, for instance, can carry electricity more efficiently than copper and dissipates heat rapidly.
• Extreme strength: Around 200 times stronger than steel, while remaining flexible and stretchable.
• Electronic tunability: Their bandgap can be altered, making them ideal for next-generation chips and quantum devices.
• Environmental sensitivity: Their thinness makes them highly responsive, enhancing their potential in sensors.
• Quantum potential: Certain 2D materials display quantum mechanical effects, such as spin–valley coupling, with implications for quantum computing.

Applications of 2D materials are wide-ranging:

• In semiconductors, they enable transistor designs that transcend traditional silicon limits.
• In neuromorphic computing, atomically thin memristors can simulate brain-like computing.
• In optoelectronics, tunable properties allow development of ultra-thin LEDs, solar cells, and photodetectors.
• Bulk uses include aerospace composites, water filtration, protective coatings, energy storage, and supercapacitors for EVs.

Aluminium Industry in India

Context: India’s aluminium sector is under increasing pressure due to the rapid shift toward UPVC plastic in the construction industry and a surge in low-cost imports from ASEAN countries.

Overview of Aluminium Use

Aluminium is extensively used in construction (doors, windows, roofs), household items, and automotive parts. It is now being replaced by UPVC plastic, a material derived from crude oil that contradicts India’s Paris Agreement climate commitments due to its environmental footprint.

India’s Aluminium Industry – Current Status:

The installed capacity of the aluminium extrusion industry in India stands at 3 million tonnes per year, but actual capacity utilisation remains low, at just 1.2 million tonnes. Meanwhile, imports exceed 1.5 million tonnes, largely due to price disparities, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concessions, and duty-free imports under various tariff codes. India’s per capita aluminium consumption is around 4 kg, significantly below the global average (11 kg) and far behind countries like China (25 kg) and the USA (18 kg).

Industrial Importance of Aluminium:

• In construction, it is used for windows, facades, and structural elements due to its lightweight and durability.
• In the automotive sector, aluminium helps reduce vehicle weight, aligning with fuel efficiency and EV goals.
• It is crucial in the renewable energy sector, especially in solar panels and infrastructure.
• Despite strong demand potential, the low consumption rate limits domestic industry growth.

Raw Material Reserves in India:

India possesses significant bauxite reserves, which serve as the primary ore for aluminium production. Major producing regions include:

• Odisha – the largest contributor, with mines in Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Sundergarh (notably NALCO''s Panchpatmali).
• Jharkhand – with active mines in Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi (Hindalco).
• Gujarat – deposits found in Jamnagar, Kutch, Junagadh.
• Chhattisgarh – reserves in Bilaspur, Durg, and the Amarkantak plateau.
• Maharashtra – especially in Kolhapur district.
• Madhya Pradesh – located in the Amarkantak plateau and Maikala range.

The industry’s sustainability and growth depend on domestic consumption expansion, policy support against imports, and environmental compliance.

Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2023

The Sample Registration System (SRS), managed by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India, is among the largest demographic surveys globally. It provides crucial annual estimates of fertility and mortality across India.

Key highlights from the 2023 report reveal several significant demographic shifts:

• The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) stands at 1.9, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. Bihar reported the highest TFR at 2.8, while Delhi recorded the lowest at 1.2.
• The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has declined to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 26 in 2022 and 32 in 2018. The highest IMR was observed in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh (37), while Kerala had the lowest at 5. Nationally, about 1 in 40 infants die before reaching one year of age.
• The Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) has fallen to 29 in 2023 from 30 the previous year, primarily due to a reduction in female child mortality.
• The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) was 18.4 per 1,000 people, with Bihar again leading at 25.8 and Tamil Nadu reporting the lowest at 12.0.
• The Crude Death Rate (CDR) was 6.4 per 1,000 people, with the highest in Chhattisgarh (8.3) and the lowest in Delhi (4.5).
• The Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) improved to 917 females per 1,000 males for the period 2021–2023, up from 914 during 2020–2022. The highest SRB was seen in Chhattisgarh (974), while the lowest was reported in Uttarakhand (868). Additionally, the SRB was 914 in rural areas and 925 in urban areas.

Key demographic terms explained:

• TFR (Total Fertility Rate): The average number of children a woman would bear during her reproductive years.
• IMR (Infant Mortality Rate): Number of deaths of infants under one year per 1,000 live births.
• U5MR (Under-5 Mortality Rate): The likelihood, per 1,000 live births, that a child will die before reaching age five.
• CBR (Crude Birth Rate): Number of live births per 1,000 people in a year.
• CDR (Crude Death Rate): Number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year.
• Sex Ratio at Birth: Number of female births for every 1,000 male births.

Beas and Sutlej Rivers

Context:

·       Recent flooding due to rising water levels in the Beas and Sutlej rivers has severely impacted Marar village in Tarn Taran, Punjab, leading to erosion and damage to residential areas despite ongoing efforts to strengthen the embankments.

·       The Beas River originates near Rohtang Pass in the southern Pir Panjal Range of Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of approximately 4,062 meters. It flows exclusively within India, covering a distance of about 460 to 470 kilometers. The river traverses through the districts of Kullu, Mandi, and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh before entering Punjab and eventually merging with the Sutlej River at Harike. Encompassing a basin area of roughly 20,300 square kilometers, the Beas is historically significant, known in ancient texts as Vipasa (Vedic) and Hyphasis (Greek). The river divides into multiple channels in its lower stretches before converging again and serves as a crucial source of irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric energy.

·       The Sutlej River, on the other hand, has its origins in the Mansarovar–Rakastal lakes located in western Tibet, at an altitude of approximately 4,570 meters, where it is known as Langqen Zagbo. It flows in a northwesterly direction to cross into India at Shipki La on the Tibet–Himachal Pradesh border. The river carves deep gorges through the Himalayas before reaching the Punjab plains at Rupnagar (Ropar). It later converges with the Beas River at Harike, flows into Pakistan, and ultimately joins the Indus River near Mithankot.

·       Out of its total length of 1,450 kilometers, about 1,050 kilometers lie within India. The Sutlej’s catchment area spans approximately 56,860 square kilometers, of which 20,000 square kilometers are within Indian territory. Major features of the river include the Bhakra Dam, constructed at Naina Devi Dhar, and its role in demarcating nearly 120 kilometers of the India–Pakistan boundary in Punjab. Among its key tributaries are the Beas and Ravi rivers.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

·       Every year, Teachers’ Day is celebrated across India on the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, in honour of his contributions to education and philosophy.

·       Dr. Radhakrishnan was a prominent Indian philosopher and statesman, deeply committed to the idea of education as a force for societal transformation. His academic and diplomatic career was both illustrious and impactful.

·       He held the position of Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford and served as India’s delegate to the League of Nations during the 1930s. From 1949 to 1952, he was appointed as India’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union. Later, he served as Vice-President of India from 1952 to 1962, and then as President from 1962 to 1967.

·       A significant part of his legacy lies in interpreting Indian philosophical thought for Western audiences, often comparing Eastern and Western ideologies to build bridges of understanding. His literary works include: The Principal Upanishads, The Hindu View of Life, Indian Philosophy, The Philosophy of the Upanishads, An Idealist View of Life, and East and West: Some Reflections.

·       His vision continues to inspire generations of educators and students across India.