The Union Home Minister chaired a review meeting with the Chief Ministers of LWE-affected States. He said that by March 2026, with everyone’s cooperation, the country will be completely free from this decades-old menace.
He also said that LWE violence is restricted to 16 districts now, compared to 96 districts earlier. The number of police stations reporting violence has also come down to 171 from 465.
About Left Wing Extremism (LWE):
Commonly known as Naxal insurgency, it originated in India in a 1967 uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal by the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
It is carried out by a group of people who believe in the political theory derived from the teachings of the Chinese political leader Mao Zedong.
The Naxals strongly believe that the solution to social and economic discrimination is to overthrow the existing political system.
Initial uprising was led by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal and Jangal Santhal, who were members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). It was in the form of peasant revolt .
Although originated in West Bengal, it spread to the less-developed rural regions of southern and eastern India, in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Factors Responsible for rise of LWE
Tribal dissatisfaction arose from Forest Conservation Act 1980, which prohibited tribes relying on forest resources for their livelihood from even harvesting bark.
The implementation of development projects, mining operations, etc. resulted in significant displacement of tribal populations in states affected by LWE.
Vulnerable individuals lacking sustainable means of support become susceptible to joining the Naxalite movement. Maoists exploit this situation by providing weapons, ammunition, and financial assistance to these individuals.
The country’s socio-economic system exhibits gaps wherein the government measures its success based on the number of violent attacks in Naxal-affected regions, rather than focusing on developmental efforts.
Insufficient technical intelligence hampers effective strategies against Naxalism.
Following the police’s control over a region, the administration often fails to deliver essential services to the local population, leaving them without the necessary support.
Threats posed by Naxals:
They threaten the locals before the conduct of elections and prevent them from voting, thus violating the principle of participative democracy.
They resort to violence through their guerrilla tactics and attempt to set up their own government in the local villages.
They destroy the roads, transport system and government resources, thereby creating hindrance in governance and connectivity.
Urban Naxals, who sometimes operate under the cloak of NGOs or social-work units, raise questions about the use of force by government machinery. This helps them build a strong bastion of sympathizers and volunteers.
They resort to extortion, abduction of important personalities like politicians, bureaucrats, police etc. and put up their demand.
They attack the police, government and collect weapons, technological devices to fight against them on the technological front.
Government’s Efforts:
As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, subjects of Police and Public Order are with the State Governments. However, the Government of India (GoI) is supplementing the efforts of States affected by Left Wing Extremism.
National Policy and Action Plan (2015): Multi-pronged strategy to address LWE.
Security Measures:
Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces battalions
Training and modernization funds for State police
Provision of equipment and arms
Intelligence sharing
Construction of Fortified Police Stations
Development Initiatives include expansion of road network improved telecommunication connectivity, skilling and financial inclusion programs
The Bandyopadhyay Committee (2006) highlighted the lack of governance, economic, socio-political and cultural discrimination against tribals as the chief reason for spread of Naxalism. It recommended tribal-friendly land acquisition and rehabilitation measures.
Operation Green Hunt: It was started in 2009-10 and massive deployment of security forces was done in the Naxal-affected areas
Aspirational Districts Programme: Launched in 2018, it aims to rapidly transform the districts that have shown relatively lesser progress in key social areas.
SAMADHAN doctrine as the one-stop solution for the LWE problem
Topic: Governance
2. Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
Why in the news?
Uttarakhand panel frames UCC rules, to allow digital registration of marriages and live-in relationships
The Rules Making & Implementation Committee, which along with its sub-committees has held over 130 meetings since it was set up in February, has framed a 500-page report and will submit it to the state government soon.
About Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
It refers to a single law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
It is intended to replace the system of fragmented personal laws, which currently govern interpersonal relationships and related matters within different religious communities.
Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.
Article 44 is a Directive Principle mentioned in Part-IV of the Constitution.
Present Status of Personal Laws in India:
Personal law subjects such as marriage, divorce, inheritance come under the Concurrent list of the Constitution. Both, the Parliament and state legislature can make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the Concurrent List.
The Hindu personal laws have been codified into four parts by the Parliament in 1956:
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
The Hindu Succession Act, 1956
The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956
The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956
The term ‘Hindu’ also includes Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists for the purpose of these laws.
Muslim personals laws are not codified per se, and are based on their religious texts, though certain aspects of these are expressly recognised in acts such as the Shariat Application Act, 1937 and Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939 and Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.
Christians, Zoroastrians and Jews are also governed by their own personal laws.
Exception of Goa:
Presently, Goa is the only state with a uniform civil code.
The Portuguese Civil Code of 1867, which continues to be implemented after India annexed the territory in 1961, applies to all Goans, irrespective of their religious or ethnic community.
Need for a Uniform Civil Code in India:
It would provide equal status to all citizens irrespective of the community they belong to.
Personal laws of different religions are widely divergent and there is no consistency in how issues like marriage, succession and adoption are treated for people belonging to different communities, which is contradictory to Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees Equality before the Law.
Personal laws, because they derive from tradition and custom, also tend to give undue advantage to men. This becomes evident as Muslim men being allowed to marry multiple wives, but women being forbidden from having multiple husbands.
Men (fathers) are also treated as ‘natural guardians’ and are given preference under the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act.
A UCC could lead to consistency and gender equality in India.
Criticism of Uniform Civil Code:
Although it reinforces equality before the law, its the idea clashes with the Right to Freedom of Religion, provided under Article 25 of the Constitution.
Separate personal laws are the ways in which people have exercised their right to practice their own religion, which has been particularly important for minorities. The UCC could become a tool to erode this right, suppress minorities and homogenize culture.
International Relations
Topic: Infrastructure
3. Belt and Road Initiative
Why in the news?
A Pakistani separatist group claimed responsibility for a late night bombing that targeted a convoy with Chinese nationals outside the Karachi airport.
The attack by the Baloch Liberation Army outside the airport in the southern port city of Karachi was the latest deadly assault on Chinese in the country and came a week before Pakistan is to host a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security grouping founded by China and Russia to counter Western alliances.
Thousands of Chinese workers are in Pakistan, most of them involved in Beijing’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative that connects south and central Asia with the Chinese capital.
About Belt and Road Initiative:
It represents a multifaceted development strategy aimed at enhancing global connectivity and cooperation.
It was launched in 2013 and aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.
It was first named the ‘One Belt, One Road’ but renamed as the BRI to convey a more open and inclusive initiative as opposed to a Chinese-dominated one.
Routes of BRI:
Silk Road Economic Belt: It is dedicated to improving connectivity, infrastructure, and trade links across Eurasia through a network of overland transportation routes.
Maritime Silk Road: It emphasizes maritime connections and cooperation in the form of ports, shipping routes, and maritime infrastructure projects. It begins via the South China Sea going towards Indo-China, South-East Asia and then around the Indian Ocean thus reaching Africa and Europe.
Its primary goal is to boost international connectivity by enhancing infrastructure, trade, and economic cooperation.
It encompasses a wide range of projects, including railways, ports, highways, and energy infrastructure.
Geographic Corridors:
The land-based Silk Road Economic Belt envisions six key corridors for development:
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor.
China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor.
China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.
China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor.
China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
Economic Impact:
Countries participating in the BRI have witnessed growth in trade and investments with China, leading to preferential treatment and policy benefits.
India’s Stance on BRI:
India opposes the project on the grounds of sovereignty and transparency.
India's main objection to the BRI is that it includes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a territory that India claims as its own.
India also argues that the BRI projects should respect the international norms, rule of law, and financial sustainability, and should not create debt traps or environmental and social risks for the host countries.
India has instead promoted other connectivity initiatives, such as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) , a G7 initiative to fund infrastructure projects in developing countries.
Karachi:
It is the capital city of the Pakistani province of Sindh.
It is the largest city in Pakistan and the 12th largest in the world, with a population of over 20 million.
It is situated at the southern tip of the country along the Arabian Sea coast.
It formerly served as the capital of Pakistan.
It is Pakistan's premier industrial and financial centre.
It is a metropolitan city and is considered Pakistan's most cosmopolitan city.
IIt is among the country's most linguistically, ethnically, and religiously diverse regions, as well as one of the country's most progressive and socially liberal cities.
Geography
Topic: Lakes
4. Ana Sagar Lake
Why in the news?
Rajasthan starts India's first luxury e-cruise On Ajmer’s Ana Sagar Lake
This eco-friendly venture is sure to be a bucket list experience in the desert state.
This 22-meter double-decker vessel, crafted from lightweight fiber, is a marvel of engineering. It offers a luxurious experience with air-conditioned and open-air decks, accommodating up to 150 passengers, split across two levels.
The element of sustainability makes this cruise unique. Powered by batteries and equipped with bio-toilets, it emits no harmful pollutants.
Future plans include integrating solar panels to further enhance its eco-friendliness. This initiative underscores Rajasthan's dedication to responsible tourism, demonstrating that luxury and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.
About Ana Sagar Lake:
It is an artificial lake situated in the city of Ajmer in Rajasthan state in India.
It was built by Arnoraja, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, in 1135 -1150 AD and is named after him.
It is spread over 13 km (8.1 mi).
Mughal Emperor Jahangir constructed Daulat Bagh garden beside the lake.
Shah Jahan constructed five pavilions (known as Baradari) between the garden and the lake.
There is an island in the center of the lake which is accessible by boat.
It is the biggest lake in Ajmer, with the maximum catchment area (5 sq km).
The maximum depth of the lake is 4.4 m with storage capacity of 4,750,000 metre cube.
Topic: Rivers
5. Son River
Why in the news?
Seven children of a tribal family drowned while bathing in Son River in Rohtas district.
The bodies of five children have been fished out by the local divers and a search had been carried out for the others.
The state disaster response force (SDRF) has dispatched a team to the area.
About Son River:
It is a principal southern tributary of the Ganga River after the Yamuna River.
Course:
It originates in the Amarkantak highlands in Madhya Pradesh, in the east direction of the origin of the Narmada River.
It then flows in the north-northwest direction through Madhya Pradesh before turning in the east direction where it meets the Kaimur range.
It starts flowing in the parallel direction of the Kaimur range in the east-northeast direction through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and joins the Ganga River just above Patna, the capital of Bihar.
Its total length is 784 km.
It is a wide and shallow river and forms pools of water in the remaining parts of the river.
The floodplain of the river is narrow and is only 3 to 5 kilometers wide.
The river’s flow is seasonal.
The Sone valley is geologically almost a continuation of that of the Narmada River to the southwest.
It is largely forested and sparsely populated.
It is bordered by Kaimur Range to the north & Chota Nagpur plateau to the south.
Its tributaries are the Rihand, Koel, Gopad Kanhar rivers.
Dehri is the major town situated on this river.
Environment and Ecology
Topic: Protected Areas
6. Gir forest
Why in the news?
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published a draft notification, proposing to notify 3,328 sq. km. around the Gir forest in Gujarat as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). However, a revised draft a week later reduced the scope of the protected area to 2,061 sq. km. Forest officers said the reduction was needed to accommodate the basic needs of people living around the forest. Many commercial and infrastructure-building activities are prohibited inside ESZs.
About Gir forest:
It is located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat.
It is the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions.
It was declared as a sanctuary in 1965 and a national park in 1975.
It is the largest compact tract of dry deciduous forests in the semi-arid western part of India.
It forms a unique habitat for many mammals, reptiles, birds and insect species along with a rich variety of flora.
Gir is often linked with "Maldharis" who have survived through the ages by having a symbiotic relationship with the lion.
Maldharis are religious pastoral communities living in Gir. Their settlements are called "nesses".
Asiatic Lions
These are found in the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
Threats:
They are vulnerable to disease, encroachment, forest fire, natural calamities, grazing, collection of fuelwood, Non-timber forest produce (NTFP), poaching, tourism, religious pilgrimage and accidental lion deaths due to human causes.
In 2018, Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) was responsible for the death of more than 25 Lions in the Gir forest of Gujarat.
Also, there have been indications of poaching incidents in recent years.
Protection Status:
IUCN Red List: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I
Topic: Protected Areas
7. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
Why in the news?
The Bihar government will develop the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) as the state's second tiger reserve.
The Valmiki Tiger Reserve, which is the state's only national park, has reached its capacity, and now the state government is finalizing modalities for translocating the big cats to KWLS.
The Centre has given its in-principle approval to develop KWLS as another tiger reserve.
About Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary:
It is located in the Kaimur District of Bihar.
It is nestling in the Vindhyachal hill ranges.
It forms catchment areas to Kav, Sone and Durgawati river systems with important tributaries.
It is connected with Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary of UP, which again has links with Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve and Panna landscape in Madhya Pradesh through stepping stone forests of Marihan, Sukrit, Chunar ranges and wildlife sanctuaries of Ranipur (UP).
Vegetation:
This region has a thick covering of mosaic prairie, tropical dry deciduous backwoods, and swampy bogs.
Fauna:
The main animals found are Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, Indian boars, sloth bears, sambar deers, chitals, four-horned antelope and nilgais.
Flora:
The plants found here include Salai, Siddha, Indian Rosewood (Sheesham), Jamun, Teak, Koraiya,Saal, and Jheengar.
Science and Technology
Topic: Livestock
8. Unified Genomic Chip
Why in the news?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Unified Genomic Chip’ - aimed at helping farmers identify high-quality cattle early and enhance dairy farming efficiency in India.
At the event, PM Modi also launched a new indigenous technology for producing sex-sorted semen, which is designed to enhance the availability of sex-sorted semen for farmers, making it easier for them to select desired animal breeds. The project is a push for the ‘Make in India’ initiative and will help the farmers reduce the cost by about Rs 200 per dose.
It coincided with the release of the 18th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme by PM Modi. PM-Kisan facilitates direct financial benefits amounting to over Rs 20,000 crore for the farmers ‘without involvement of any middlemen’.
About Unified Genomic Chip:
It aimed at helping farmers identify high-quality cattle early and enhance dairy farming efficiency in India.
It comes in two versions i.e. the ‘Gau Chip’ for cattle and the ‘Mahish Chip’ for buffalo.
It is developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.
Its purpose is to help the farmers to make informed decisions on animal selection by identifying young, high-quality bulls at an early age.
It is tailored for Indian cattle breeds and will help improve the quality of cattle and enhance the dairy farming sector.
Sex Sorted Semen Technology
Sex Sorted Semen is the 'gender selected' semen used in Artificial Insemination (AI) for cattle and buffaloes to produce more than 90% selected gender (females).
It is very effective in breed improvement and till now it was manufactured by multinational companies.
The National Dairy Development Board under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has developed the indigenous technology of sex sorted semen worth Rs. 250.
The IVF technology is also being used for this purpose.
DAHD target: It has now planned to produce a minimum of 10 lakh sexed semen doses annually for the ongoing artificial insemination (AI) programme.
Economy
Topic: International Agreements
9. SAARC Currency Swap Framework
Why in the news?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) entered into a Currency Swap Agreement with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework 2024-27, in New Delhi.
Under the agreement, the MMA is eligible for financing support from the RBI amounting to $400 million under the U.S. Dollar/ Euro Swap Window and ₹30 billion under the INR Swap Window. The agreement would be valid till June 18, 2027.
The SAARC Currency Swap Framework came into operation on November 15, 2012, to provide a backstop line of funding for short term foreign exchange liquidity requirements or short-term balance of payments stress till longer term arrangements are made.
About SAARC Currency Swap Framework:
It came into operation on 15th November, 2012.
The RBI can offer a swap arrangement within the overall corpus of USD 2 billion.
The swap drawals can be made in US dollar, euro or Indian rupee. The framework provides certain concessions for swap drawals in Indian rupee.
The facility will be available to all SAARC member countries, subject to their signing the bilateral swap agreements.
Currency Swap Arrangement:
The word swap means exchange. A currency swap between two countries is an agreement or contract to exchange currencies with predetermined terms and conditions.
In the present context, the facility is to provide swap support as an alternative source of funding for short-term foreign exchange liquidity requirements.
Central banks and Governments engage in currency swaps with foreign counterparts to meet short-term foreign exchange liquidity requirements or to ensure adequate foreign currency to avoid the Balance of Payments (BOP) crisis till longer arrangements can be made.
These swap operations carry no exchange rate or other market risks as transaction terms are set in advance.
Exchange rate risk, also known as currency risk, is the financial risk arising from fluctuations in the value of a base currency against a foreign currency in which a company or individual has assets or obligations.
Government Schemes
Topic: Social Welfare
10. Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana
Why in the news?
The Union Health Ministry doubled the monthly nutrition support under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) for tuberculosis (TB) patients under treatment from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
Additionally, all household contacts of TB patients will be covered under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and will be eligible to receive social support from the community.
About Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana:
It was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) as a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM) in April 2018.
It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) in India.
Its objective is to provide incentives for nutritional support to tuberculosis (TB) patients.
Eligibility:
All patients with TB who are notified to the government on or after April 1, 2018, including those who are already being treated for TB, are eligible for financial incentives.
To be eligible for the incentives, patients must be registered or notified on the NIKSHAY portal.
Benefits:
Financial incentive of Rs.1000/- per month for each notified TB patient for duration for which the patient is on anti-TB treatment.
The incentives can be distributed in Cash (only via DBT, preferably through Aadhaar enabled bank accounts) or in-kind.
This scheme is implemented across all States and UTs in India.
Tuberculosis (TB):
It is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria.
It spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit.
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