Stay ahead in your UPSC preparation with the top editorials and issue-based analysis from The Hindu, Indian, and relevant reports. All topics below are linked to GS1 , GS2 & GS3, with a focus on exam-relevant insights, keywords, and actionable conclusions.
District Collectors to Get Wide Powers in Registering Waqf Assets
🔸 Why in News?
The Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 grants District Collectors expanded authority to register new Waqf properties and investigate claims on government land. The Union government has sought state governments’ feedback before finalizing the rules.
🔸 Key Provisions
- Collector’s Role in Registration – Collectors will verify ownership and ensure compliance with revenue laws before approving Waqf registrations.
- Protection Against Encroachment – The Act bars Waqf registration of government land, protected monuments, and Scheduled Tribe properties.
- Inquiry Powers – Collectors can order investigations into disputed Waqf claims and must resolve cases within one year.
- Digital Monitoring – A portal and database will track Waqf registrations, disputes, and court cases in real time.
🔸 Impact on Governance & Communities
- Transparency & Accountability – The new system aims to prevent unauthorized Waqf claims and protect public land.
- Legal Clarity – The Act streamlines dispute resolution, reducing legal uncertainties over Waqf properties.
- Community Concerns – Some residents have challenged Waqf notifications, leading to ongoing protests and legal battles.
🔸 Way Forward
- Finalization of Rules – The government will incorporate state feedback before official notification.
- Implementation Timeline – The Act will be enforced after Gazette publication.
- Public Awareness & Compliance – Authorities will educate stakeholders on new registration procedures.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of Waqf laws in land administration.
- Social Issues (GS-I) – Impact of Waqf regulations on minority communities.
- Legal Framework (GS-II) – Dispute resolution mechanisms under Waqf laws.
Judicial Sensitivity to Sentiments: Progress or Regression?
🔸 The Debate
The judiciary’s role in balancing legal objectivity with social sentiments is a complex challenge. While courts must interpret the law without bias, increasing sensitivity to public emotions and political pressures may affect judicial independence.
🔸 When Sensitivity Becomes Regression
- Dilution of Legal Principles – Excessive accommodation of public outrage may override rule of law.
- Threat to Judicial Independence – Courts prioritizing emotional responses over constitutional mandates can weaken legal integrity.
- Chilling Effect on Free Speech – Sensitivity to cultural and religious sentiments may result in censorship through judicial activism.
🔸 When Sensitivity is Necessary
- Preventing Social Unrest – Judicial acknowledgment of deep-rooted concerns can help balance public peace.
- Ensuring Equitable Justice – Recognizing historical injustices and social inequalities is crucial for progressive interpretation of laws.
- Victim-Centric Jurisprudence – In cases of gender, caste, and minority rights, sensitivity enhances fairness.
🔸 Way Forward
- Balancing Objectivity & Empathy – Courts must uphold legal principles while ensuring justice remains socially relevant.
- Reinforcing Constitutional Morality – Interpretation of laws should align with democratic and progressive values.
- Judicial Transparency – Decisions should clearly distinguish legal reasoning from emotional considerations.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Polity & Constitution (GS-II) – Role of judiciary in upholding constitutional rights.
- Ethics & Justice (GS-IV) – Impact of judicial activism on governance and civil liberties.
Consultative Regulation-Making: Why It Should Go Further
🔸 Why in News?
India’s financial regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), have introduced consultative frameworks for regulation-making. While these reforms enhance transparency and stakeholder engagement, experts argue that they must go further to ensure accountability and economic rationale in policymaking.
🔸 Key Features of Current Reforms
- Public Consultation – RBI and SEBI now invite public comments for 21 days before finalizing regulations.
- Impact Analysis – RBI conducts economic impact assessments, while SEBI outlines regulatory intent and objectives.
- Periodic Reviews – Both regulators will reassess existing regulations to ensure relevance.
🔸 Why Further Reforms Are Needed?
- Economic Rationale Must Be Explicit – Regulators should clearly define market failures that necessitate intervention.
- Accountability for Reviews – Mechanisms should ensure timely responses to public feedback and transparent evaluations.
- Global Best Practices – Countries like the U.S. and EU mandate cost-benefit analyses before adopting regulations.
🔸 Way Forward
- Standardized Regulatory Framework – Parliament should codify best practices for all regulators.
- Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement – More structured feedback mechanisms can improve policy effectiveness.
- Stronger Monitoring & Evaluation – Regulators must track the real-world impact of their policies.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of consultative regulation in financial stability.
- Economy & Development (GS-III) – Impact of transparent policymaking on economic growth.
- Comparative Analysis (GS-II) – Lessons from global regulatory frameworks.
India’s Defence Production Receives a Boost
🔸 Why in News?
India’s defence production has reached an all-time high, crossing ₹1.27 lakh crore ($15.34 billion) in FY24, marking a 16.7% increase from the previous year. The government’s push for indigenization and exports has strengthened the sector, with defence exports hitting ₹21,000 crore ($2.43 billion).
🔸 Key Developments
- Record Defence Production – India’s defence manufacturing has surpassed ₹1 lakh crore for the first time.
- Major Defence Deals – India signed high-value military agreements, including the BrahMos missile acquisition and MQ-9B drone purchases.
- Expansion of Defence Industrial Corridors – Two corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are driving indigenous defence manufacturing.
- Boost in Defence Exports – India secured a ₹3,800 crore ($440.3 million) deal to export BrahMos missiles to Indonesia.
🔸 Strategic & Economic Impact
- Strengthening Military Capabilities – Investments in warships, aircraft, and missile systems enhance India’s combat readiness.
- Reducing Foreign Dependence – The Make in India initiative is fostering self-reliance in defence technology.
- Global Defence Partnerships – India is collaborating with U.S. startups to co-develop advanced defence technologies.
🔸 Way Forward
- Expanding Indigenous Production – The government aims to achieve ₹3 lakh crore ($36.1 billion) in defence manufacturing by 2028-29.
- Enhancing Export Targets – India plans to increase defence exports to ₹50,000 crore ($5.8 billion) by 2029.
- Policy Reforms & Investments – Continued ease of doing business and private sector participation will drive growth.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Economy & Development (GS-III) – Impact of defence manufacturing on economic growth.
- Security & Diplomacy (GS-II) – Role of indigenous defence production in national security.
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Government initiatives for defence sector modernization.
Significance of Census
A census is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and recording demographic data about a population. It plays a crucial role in policymaking, governance, and economic planning.
🔸 Key Significance of Census
1️⃣ Policy Formulation & Governance
- Helps governments design targeted welfare schemes based on population needs.
- Guides budget allocation for infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
2️⃣ Socioeconomic Planning
- Provides data on literacy rates, employment, and living standards, shaping development policies.
- Assists in poverty reduction strategies through better resource distribution.
3️⃣ Electoral & Administrative Purposes
- Determines constituency boundaries for elections, ensuring fair representation.
- Supports urban and rural development initiatives based on population trends.
4️⃣ Economic Insights
- Helps businesses plan market strategies by identifying consumer demographics.
- Affects GDP calculations, workforce analysis, and investment decisions.
5️⃣ Tracking Population Changes
- Monitors birth rates, death rates, migration trends, and aging population dynamics.
- Aids in climate adaptation strategies by assessing vulnerable regions.
6️⃣ Cultural & Historical Recordkeeping
- Preserves ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity for future generations.
- Offers insights into urbanization trends and societal evolution.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of census data in public administration.
- Economy & Development (GS-III) – Impact of census on resource allocation.
- Social Issues (GS-I) – Effects of demographic trends on societal structures.
India to Revise Base Year for GDP, CPI, and IIP from Early 2026
🔸 Why in News?
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has announced that the base year for GDP, Consumer Price Index (CPI), and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) will be revised from early 2026. Additionally, a new services sector survey will begin in January 2026 to enhance economic data accuracy.
🔸 Key Changes
- GDP Base Year Revision – The new GDP series will be released on February 27, 2026, with FY 2022-23 as the base year.
- IIP Base Year Update – The revised IIP series will be introduced in FY 2026-27, with 2022-23 as the tentative base year.
- CPI Base Year Shift – The new CPI series will be based on Household Consumption and Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24, replacing the earlier plan to use HCES 2022-23.
🔸 Significance of the Revision
- Improved Economic Indicators – The updates will align macroeconomic data with current consumption patterns.
- Better Inflation Measurement – The CPI revision will capture real rental and housing price trends, including rural rental data.
- Enhanced Industrial Growth Tracking – The IIP revision will reflect updated production trends across sectors.
🔸 Way Forward
- Finalization of Item Basket & Weightage – MoSPI is currently determining the new CPI item basket.
- Public Consultation on PDS Inclusion – A white paper will be released on incorporating free PDS items in CPI calculations.
- Expansion of Statistical Indicators – MoSPI is collaborating with RBI, MCA-21, and other agencies to improve GDP calculations.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Economy & Development (GS-III) – Impact of base year revisions on economic analysis.
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Role of MoSPI in macroeconomic data accuracy.
- Inflation & Growth (GS-III) – Effects of CPI and IIP revisions on policy decisions.
India’s Dual Strategy: Intensifying Naxal Fight While Expanding Welfare
🔸 Why in News?
The Modi government has intensified efforts to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) while simultaneously expanding welfare programs. The strategy focuses on security operations and development initiatives to stabilize affected regions.
🔸 Key Developments
- Final Push Against Naxals – Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that LWE will be eradicated by March 31, 2026. Security forces have made major inroads in Maoist strongholds, especially in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
- Major Security Gains – In Chhattisgarh alone, security forces have killed 209 Maoists in the first five months of 2025, compared to 219 in all of 2024. The biggest success came on May 21, when forces eliminated CPI Maoist general secretary Basavaraju in Abujhmad forests.
- Expanding Ayushman Bharat – The Centre has approved universal health coverage under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for all Indians above 70 years, irrespective of income.
- Infrastructure Push – The government extended Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) till 2029, paving the way for two crore more houses.
🔸 Strategic & Social Impact
- Security Operations Strengthened – Intelligence-driven operations and better coordination between state and central agencies have led to significant Maoist losses.
- Welfare Expansion for Stability – The government aims to reduce insurgency recruitment by improving healthcare, housing, and employment in affected regions.
- Challenges Ahead – Maoists still retain the ability to strike back, as seen in recent ambushes in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
🔸 Way Forward
- Sustaining Pressure on Maoist Zones – Security forces will continue operations while ensuring governance reaches remote areas.
- Strengthening Welfare Programs – Expanding healthcare, education, and infrastructure to prevent future insurgencies.
- Monitoring Security & Development Balance – Ensuring long-term stability through integrated security and welfare policies.
🔸 Importance for UPSC
- Security & Diplomacy (GS-II) – Role of counter-insurgency strategies in national security.
- Governance & Policy (GS-II) – Impact of welfare programs on insurgency reduction.
- Social Issues (GS-I) – Effects of development initiatives on tribal communities.
DEEPIKA PARASHAR
