Current Affairs 11 November 2025

Content

1. Red Fort Blast and J&K Terror Module: Revival of Hybrid Terrorism in India
2. Women as the ‘Largest Minority’: Supreme Court Push for Political Representation
3. 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), 2025: Balancing Fiscal Prudence and Pay Equity
4. Nobel Prize in Economics 2025: Knowledge Diffusion, Technological Change, and Inclusive Growth
5. India–Thailand Rescue Mission: Repatriation of Citizens from Myanmar Cybercrime Centres
6. Sudan Civil War: Intensifying Conflict and Humanitarian Catastrophe in North Kordofan
7. Social Spending in India: States Driving Welfare Amid Central Fiscal Retrenchment

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Red Fort Blast and J&K Terror Module 

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Why in News?

• A high-intensity explosion occurred in a slow-moving car outside the Red Fort, New Delhi, killing at least 9–10 people and injuring over 20.
• Simultaneously, the Jammu & Kashmir Police busted an inter-State and transnational terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH).
• The seizure of 2,600 kg of IED-making material in the past 15 days points to a major terror plot with possible linkages between the two incidents.

Relevance:

GS 3 – Internal Security
• Terror financing, cyber-radicalisation, and hybrid terrorism
• Coordination among security and intelligence agencies (NIA, NSG, MAC)
• Cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s proxy networks
• Regulation of explosives, chemicals, and digital evidence
• Legal framework – Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967; Explosives Act, 1884

GS 2 – Governance & Polity
• Centre–State coordination in law and order matters
• Role of judiciary and human rights protection in counter-terror operations

Basic Facts

• Location: Red Fort Traffic Intersection, Central Delhi – a high-security zone near several strategic sites.
• Time of Blast: Around 7:00 p.m.
• Casualties: 9–10 killed, 20+ injured.
• Suspects: Car registered under a person detained in Gurugram, Haryana.
• Investigating Agencies: Delhi Police, NIA, NSG, FSL, IB.
• Home Ministry Action: Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered a multi-agency probe and maintained that “no angle is ruled out”.

Terror Module Details (J&K Angle)

• Arrests: 7 individuals linked to JeM and AGuH, both Pakistan-based terrorist organizations.
• Seizure: 2,900 kg of IED-making materials — including ammonium nitrate and other components.
• Pattern: Indicates revival of hybrid terrorism — radicalized youth and professionals working covertly, often with online radical handlers.
• White-Collar Radicalism: Police noted involvement of educated professionals and students, forming a “white-collar terror ecosystem.”
• Foreign Handlers: Suspected coordination from Pakistan and Gulf countries through encrypted digital platforms.

Background: Terror Trends in India (Data-Based Context)

• NCRB 2023 Data:
  • J&K still accounts for over 70% of registered terror incidents in India.
  • NIA’s 2022–24 investigations show a rise in transnational linkages in modules across Delhi, Punjab, and Karnataka.
• NSCS (National Security Council Secretariat) 2024 Analysis:
  • Hybrid terrorism — local actors + foreign funding — is now the dominant modus operandi.
  • The use of chemical precursors for IEDs has risen by over 300% since 2019.
• Delhi as a Target:
  • Previous attacks include 2000 Red Fort Attack by Lashkar-e-Taiba (Lt. General Ashfaq Rehman case) and 2005 Diwali Delhi bombings.

Possible Linkages & Patterns

• Cross-border Nexus:
  • JeM and AGuH share roots in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur and Peshawar networks, historically aligned with ISI’s low-intensity proxy warfare.
• Digital Radicalization:
  • Use of Telegram, Signal, and dark web forums for recruitment and funding.

Security Implications

• Urban Terrorism Threat: Shift from large-scale attacks to localized, high-impact incidents using easily available chemicals.
• Challenges for Intelligence Agencies:
  • Difficulty tracking low-cost, decentralised cells.
  • Need for better inter-agency coordination (IB–NIA–State Police).
• Critical Infrastructure Security: The blast near Red Fort exposes vulnerability even in high-security zones.

Institutional Mechanisms Involved

• National Investigation Agency (NIA): To probe inter-State and foreign linkages.
• Multi-Agency Centre (MAC): Coordinates intelligence inputs from IB, R&AW, and State Police.
• UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act): Legal framework for prosecution of arrested individuals.
• National Security Guard (NSG): For bomb disposal and forensic sampling.

Way Forward 

• Integrated Urban Surveillance: Expansion of CCTNS + ICJS network to track suspect movement.
• Regulation of Chemical Sales: Strict control over dual-use precursors under the Explosives Act, 1884.
• Deradicalization Programs: Targeting educated youth susceptible to ideological indoctrination.
• International Cooperation: Enhanced intelligence sharing with Gulf nations and Interpol for tracing transnational handlers.
• Counter-Fake News Monitoring: Many such incidents see misinformation surges, affecting communal harmony.

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Women are ‘largest minority’, says SC

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 Why in News?

• The Supreme Court (Bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan) observed that women are the “largest minority” in India, constituting 48.44% of the population, yet their representation in Parliament is declining.
• The Court was hearing a petition by Jaya Thakur, seeking early implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 (106th Constitutional Amendment Act).
• Justice Nagarathna questioned the delay in operationalizing the Act, asking: “Why delay the Vandan?”

Relevance:

GS 2 – Polity & Governance
• Women’s reservation and constitutional provisions – Articles 15(3), 243D, 243T
• Supreme Court activism and separation of powers
• Women’s political empowerment and democratic deepening
• 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023 (Women’s Reservation Bill)
• Barriers to representation – patriarchal norms, electoral financing, tokenism

GS 1 – Indian Society
• Gender equality and political participation as indicators of social empowerment
• Feminist constitutionalism and inclusive governance

Basic Facts

• Law Name: Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023
• Constitutional Amendment: 106th Amendment Act
• Provision: 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
• Assent: President Droupadi Murmu, September 2023.
• Status: Not yet implemented — awaits next Census and Delimitation exercise.
• Duration: Valid for 15 years, extendable by Parliament.

Supreme Court’s Key Observations

• Women as the “largest minority” — though nearly half the population, women remain politically underrepresented.
• Political justice is as vital as social and economic justice — echoing the Preamble’s triad of justice.
• Cited Article 15(3) — empowers the State to make special provisions for women’s advancement.
• Questioned why Census and Delimitation are being used as preconditions for implementation.
• Stressed that a Constitutional amendment can’t be “held back” indefinitely due to procedural delays.

Data and Trends: Women in Indian Politics

• Population Share: 48.44% (Census 2011).
• Lok Sabha Representation:
  • 2014: 62 women MPs (11.3%)
  • 2019: 78 women MPs (14.36%) — highest ever, but still below global average.
• State Assemblies: Average 9% representation across India (2023 data).
• Global Comparison (IPU 2024):
  • Rwanda – 61%,
  • Mexico – 50%,
  • UK – 34%,
  • India – 14%.
• Local Bodies (73rd & 74th Amendments): Over 13 lakh women representatives (≈45%) — a proven model of political empowerment.

Constitutional & Legal Context

• Article 15(3): Enables affirmative action for women.
• Article 243D & 243T: Mandate 1/3rd reservation for women in Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies — successfully implemented.
• Article 82: Calls for delimitation after each Census — hence used as a basis for delaying the women’s quota implementation.
• Past Attempts:
  • Bills introduced in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2008, but never implemented until 2023.
  • Women’s Reservation Bill (2008) passed Rajya Sabha in 2010 but lapsed.

Critical Issues

• Implementation Delay: Conditional upon Census (yet to be conducted) and Delimitation, making the law’s enforcement indefinite.
• No Fixed Timeline: The Act does not prescribe deadlines for Census or delimitation.
• Possible Legal Vacuum: The Census last held in 2011; next delayed due to COVID-19 and administrative reasons.
• Political Implications: Risk of tokenism without structural follow-up.

Scholarly Perspectives

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Warned that “political democracy cannot last unless it lies at the base of social democracy.”
• Martha Nussbaum (Political Theorist): Argues that representation ensures justice through voice and visibility, especially for marginalized groups.
• Justice Nagarathna’s remark aligns with feminist constitutionalism — recognizing women as a distinct, underrepresented constituency.

Broader Governance Implications

• Democratic Deepening: Women’s presence in legislatures improves policy diversity (health, education, gender equity).
• Evidence:
  • World Bank (2022) – countries with ≥30% women lawmakers have higher social spending and lower corruption indices.
  • UN Women – gender quotas globally raise female representation by 15–20 percentage points within two elections.
• Policy Continuity: Strengthening pipeline from local governance (73rd–74th) to legislative representation.

Way Forward

• Expedite Census & Delimitation: To operationalize reservation before 2029 General Elections.
• Voluntary Party Quotas: Political parties can nominate more women candidates even before legal enforcement.
• Gender Sensitization in Political Institutions: Training, funding support, and leadership mentoring for women.
• Periodic Review Clause: Parliament should institute implementation monitoring via Standing Committees.

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8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), 2025

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Why in News?

• The Central Government has constituted the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) under retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai as Chairperson.
• Members:
  • Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (Retd.) – Chairperson
  • Prof. Pulak Ghosh (IIM Bangalore) – Part-time Member
  • Pankaj Jain, IAS (Secretary, GoI) – Member-Secretary
• Mandate: To review and recommend revisions in salary, pension, and service conditions of Central Government employees and defence personnel.
• Timeline: Report to be submitted within 18 months of constitution.

Relevance:

GS 3 – Economy
• Public expenditure management and fiscal responsibility (FRBM targets)
• Pay–productivity linkage in public administration
• Pension reforms – NPS vs. OPS sustainability debate
• Inflationary pressures and wage–price spiral concerns
• Fiscal federalism – implications for States’ finances

GS 2 – Governance
• Efficiency and motivation in bureaucracy
• Role of pay commissions in administrative reforms

What is a Pay Commission?

• A Pay Commission is an expert body constituted by the Government of India by executive order (based on a Cabinet decision).
• Its role is to review and recommend changes in:
  • Pay structure of Central government employees
  • Pension and retirement benefits
  • Service conditions of civil and defence personnel
• Recommendations are advisory, not binding; implementation is through Cabinet approval.
• First Pay Commission: 1946 (before independence).
• Since then, seven Pay Commissions have submitted reports; the 8th CPC continues this decadal practice.

Why Pay Commissions Matter ?

• Affect 47 lakh Central employees and 68 lakh pensioners (approx. 3% of total workforce).
• Their recommendations impact:
  • Public expenditure, inflation, and fiscal deficit.
  • Wage benchmarks for State Governments and PSUs (most adopt CPC recommendations).
• Example: 7th CPC (2016) increased Central salaries by ~23.55%, costing ₹1.02 lakh crore (0.7% of GDP).

Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th CPC

The Union Cabinet defines ToR; the 8th CPC must consider:

• Economic Conditions and Fiscal Prudence.
• Adequate resources for welfare and developmental spending.
• Impact on State finances, since most States adopt CPC scales.
• Unfunded pension liabilities from non-contributory schemes.
• Comparison of public and private sector pay levels.
• Working conditions and emoluments in PSUs and private sector.

Data Snapshot: Fiscal & Pension Burden

Parameter	Amount (2025–26 est.)	% of Revenue Expenditure
Total Revenue Expenditure	₹39.44 lakh crore	100%
Pension Bill (Central)	₹2.76 lakh crore	≈7%
Pay + Allowances (2024–25)	~₹2.2 lakh crore	5.5%
Total Impact of 7th CPC (2016)	₹1.02 lakh crore	0.7% of GDP

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• Unfunded pension liability is a key fiscal risk; several States (e.g., Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab) have reverted to Old Pension Scheme (OPS), aggravating sustainability concerns.

Historical Evolution of CPCs

CPC	Year	Chairperson	Key Outcome
1st	1946	Srinivasa Varadachariar	Introduced structured pay scales
4th	1986	P.N. Singhal	Rationalized pay grades
6th	2006	B.N. Srikrishna	Introduced Pay Bands & Grade Pay
7th	2016	A.K. Mathur	Fitment factor 2.57×; abolished Grade Pay
8th	2025	R.P. Desai	Pending (expected 2026–27 implementation)

Comparative International Perspective

Public Sector Pay Systems (Global Evolution):

• Pre-1970s: Pay equity with private sector.
• 1980s: Focus shifted to efficiency and fiscal discipline.
• 1990s–2000s: Performance-linked pay and competency-based HR adopted.
• Current Trend: Balancing attracting talent with cost containment.

Key Indicators (Comparative Snapshot):

Country	Public Sector Share of Total Employment	Public Sector Wage Bill (% of GDP)
India	~4%	~9%
US	15%	11%
UK	17%	10%
France	22%	12%

→ Contrary to popular belief, India’s public sector is smaller and leaner relative to major democracies.

Structural & Policy Concerns

• Compression Ratio: 1:12.5 (lowest to highest salary) fixed by 7th CPC; critics argue for rationalizing top-end pay to attract specialists.
• Private vs Public Pay Parity:
  • Entry-level government jobs pay more than private sector.
  • Higher/specialist positions pay less, deterring top talent.
• Perks & Intangibles: Job security, housing, and healthcare offset lower monetary pay but need modernization.
• TOR Gap: Issues like training, learning culture, flexible work, and mental health not covered; should be addressed for productivity enhancement.

Broader Economic and Governance Implications

• Fiscal Pressure: Higher wage bills may crowd out capital expenditure and social spending.
• Inflationary Effect: Large pay revisions tend to raise aggregate demand and consumption-led inflation (noted post-6th CPC).
• State Finances: States adopting CPC scales often face budget stress, widening fiscal deficits.
• Talent Management: Modern governance demands competitive pay for data, tech, and specialist roles — CPC must balance equity with efficiency.
• New HR Paradigm: Move towards performance-linked incentives (PLI), competency-based promotions, and digital productivity metrics.

Key Critiques and Suggestions

• Need to broaden composition — include economists, HR professionals, and finance experts along with judiciary/bureaucracy.
• Must incorporate evidence-based benchmarking using private sector data.
• Introduce periodic indexation of pay to inflation (CPI-IW linkage).
• Consider transition to contributory pensions (NPS) for fiscal sustainability.
• Align recommendations with Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) targets.

Way Forward

• Time-bound Submission & Implementation: Ensure report by 2026 for rollout in FY 2027–28.
• Data-driven Pay Design: Integrate analytics on productivity and sectoral parity.
• Focus on Performance & Welfare: Link part of pay hikes to measurable governance outcomes.
• Institutionalize Pay Revision Mechanism: Shift from ad-hoc commissions to permanent Pay Review Body (as in UK).

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Nobel Prize in Economics 2025 — Technological Change, Knowledge, and Growth

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Why in News ?

• The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded jointly to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt.
• Awarded for their pioneering research on the role of technological change, creative destruction, and knowledge diffusion in driving long-run economic growth.

Relevance:

GS 3 – Economy & Science–Tech Interface
• Endogenous growth theory – knowledge as capital (Aghion, Howitt)
• Innovation ecosystems and R&D policy in India
• Education, skill development, and inclusive technological diffusion
• Role of AI, automation, and human capital formation
• India’s innovation bottlenecks – inequality, institutional weaknesses

GS 2 – Governance
• Role of State in promoting innovation-led growth (NITI Aayog, NEP 2020)
• Public–private partnerships in research and technology diffusion

About the Laureates

• Joel Mokyr (Northwestern University) – Historian of economics; studied how knowledge, culture, and institutions drive technological progress.
• Philippe Aghion (Collège de France & LSE) and Peter Howitt (Brown University) – Developed the Schumpeterian model of creative destruction, explaining how innovation by new firms disrupts old ones, sustaining productivity growth.

Mokyr’s Model of Knowledge and Growth

• Two Types of Knowledge:
  • Propositional knowledge – Theoretical or scientific understanding (“knowing why”).
  • Prescriptive knowledge – Practical or technical know-how (“knowing how”).
• Core Idea: Economic growth accelerates when both kinds of knowledge expand and when societies freely share and apply knowledge.
• Social Prerequisite:
  Growth thrives where:
  • Knowledge is accessible to the majority, not monopolised by elites.
  • Cultural and institutional norms promote exchange of ideas and open inquiry.
• Key Implication:
  Technological progress is not purely economic — it is a social and cultural process shaped by inclusivity and the freedom to learn, share, and apply.

Contemporary Relevance for India

• Caste and Knowledge Restriction:
  • Historically, the caste system confined knowledge to a few upper groups.
  • Violence and exclusion limited access to education and technical learning.
  • Despite reservations post-Independence, access to quality education remains skewed toward the elite.
  • Data:
    • Only 27% of SC and 16% of ST students access higher education (AISHE 2022).
    • Over 60% of rural youth cannot afford private college tuition.
  • Implication: Restricting educational access = restricting innovation, as fewer can tinker, experiment, and invent.

Automation and Job Polarisation

• Current Challenge: AI-driven automation reshapes labour markets.
• Job Polarisation: Middle-skill routine jobs decline; growth in low-skill services and high-skill tech roles.
  • ILO (2023): Up to 25% of routine jobs globally face automation risk.
  • India: Sectors like manufacturing and BPOs most exposed.
• Problem:
  • Fewer workers gain hands-on technical knowledge (“prescriptive knowledge”).
  • Loss of on-the-job learning limits diffusion of practical know-how.
  • Long-term result: decline in innovation potential, even if short-term productivity rises.

Creative Destruction and Economic Growth (Aghion–Howitt Framework)

• Schumpeterian principle: Innovation destroys old technologies and creates new industries.
• Key insight: Sustainable growth depends on continuous innovation, entrepreneurial dynamism, and inclusive knowledge systems.
• Policy takeaway: Growth cannot rely only on markets; it requires education, competition, and R&D ecosystems that allow new ideas to emerge.

Policy Implications for India

1. Democratisation of Education:
   1. Invest in public higher education, not just elite IIT/IIM clusters.
   1. Implement reservations in private universities or fee subsidies for equity.
   1. UNESCO (2023): India spends only 2.9% of GDP on education, below global average of 4.4%.
2. Bridging Skill Gaps in Automation Era:
   1. Promote re-skilling programs and technical apprenticeships.
   1. Incentivise firms to train workers in emerging technologies.
3. Breaking Caste Barriers:
   1. Strengthen social inclusion policies and affirmative educational funding.
   1. Encourage inter-community innovation networks to broaden idea sharing.
4. Encourage Knowledge Ecosystems:
   1. Link academia–industry–state collaboration.
   1. Fund open innovation platforms to democratise R&D participation.
5. Balanced State Role:
   1. Neither excessive control nor complete laissez-faire — a “facilitating state” that ensures equal knowledge access.

Key Takeaways

• Knowledge diffusion — not mere accumulation — drives sustained growth.
• Social institutions (like caste) and economic structures (like automation) shape how knowledge circulates.
• Democratizing access to education and technology is essential for inclusive and sustainable economic progress.
• As Mokyr’s thesis suggests, a society with inaccessible knowledge is as stagnant as one with none.

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India airlifts 197 citizens rescued from cybercrime centres in south Myanmar

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Why in News ?

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently evacuated 197 Indian nationals from Mae Sot, Thailand, as part of a repatriation mission for Indians trapped in cyberscam centres in southern Myanmar.
• Earlier on November 6, 2024, 270 Indians were rescued from Myawaddy (Myanmar) after the Myanmar military cracked down on illegal cybercrime hubs.
• The operation reflects India–Thailand cooperation against transnational crimes, including cyber fraud and human trafficking.

Relevance:

GS 2 – International Relations
• India–Thailand cooperation under Act East Policy and BIMSTEC
• Humanitarian diplomacy and citizen protection abroad
• Transnational crimes – cyber fraud and human trafficking
• Regional instability post-Myanmar coup (2021) and India’s stakes
• International law – Vienna Convention on Consular Relations

GS 3 – Internal Security
• Cybercrime networks and trafficking nexus
• Coordination between I4C, MEA, and state agencies in digital policing

Background

• Myawaddy (southeastern Myanmar) has become a hub for illegal cybercrime syndicates, operating scam centres run by Chinese criminal networks in collaboration with local militias.
• Thousands of foreign workers (from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.) have been lured by fake job offers to work in “IT companies” or “data entry jobs,” only to be forcibly employed in online scam operations.
• These operations are concentrated in lawless border regions like Shan, Karen, and Kayin States, beyond effective control of the Myanmar junta.
• According to Interpol (2024), such scam hubs have trapped over 2,00,000 victims across Southeast Asia, many through debt bondage and coercion.

Details of the Evacuation

• Rescue Location: Mae Sot, a Thai border town opposite Myawaddy.
• Agencies Involved:
  • Embassy of India, Bangkok
  • Consulate of India, Chiang Mai
  • Indian Air Force (IAF)
  • Royal Thai Government
• Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul personally oversaw the operation.
• Evacuees: 197 in the latest batch; total 467 Indians repatriated so far.
• Post-Evacuation: All evacuees will undergo detailed questioning by Indian authorities for verification, debriefing, and rehabilitation.

Significance and Analysis

Humanitarian Diplomacy

• Reflects India’s growing focus on “Protection Diplomacy” — ensuring safety of nationals abroad.
• In line with India’s “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” ethos and Citizen-Centric Foreign Policy.
• Similar to earlier operations:
  • Operation Kaveri (Sudan, 2023)
  • Operation Ganga (Ukraine, 2022)
  • Vande Bharat Mission (COVID-19, 2020–21)
• MEA’s MADAD and e-Sanad platforms used for tracking citizens in distress.

Transnational Cybercrime Network

• These scam centres conduct online investment frauds, romance scams, and crypto frauds, targeting global citizens.
• UNODC (2024) warned that cyber fraud syndicates in the Mekong region generated billions of dollars annually, often linked to money laundering and trafficking.
• India’s MHA (2023) reported over 5.5 lakh cybercrime complaints annually, with many linked to foreign IPs.

Human Trafficking Dimension

• Workers often trafficked under false employment promises via illegal recruitment agents.
• Victims face passport confiscation, forced labour, and physical abuse.
• Violates:
  • UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (2000)
  • ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)
• India’s Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021 remains pending — such incidents renew urgency for its enactment.

Regional Security and Law Enforcement

• ASEAN region emerging as global cybercrime hotspot due to weak governance and border conflicts.
• India–Thailand coordination highlights growing security cooperation under BIMSTEC and ASEAN-India frameworks.
• Both nations agreed to share intelligence and strengthen cybercrime enforcement mechanisms.

Strategic Implications

• The Myawaddy crisis underscores how weak state control in Myanmar post-coup (2021) is fuelling criminal economies.
• Impacts India’s Act East Policy and Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project, given proximity of scam hubs to Indian strategic corridors.
• Reinforces need for stability in Myanmar and enhanced border vigilance.

Data and Facts

Parameter	Data / Source
Indians evacuated from Myanmar (as of Nov 2024)	467
Global victims trapped in SE Asian scam hubs	>2,00,000 (Interpol 2024)
Annual global loss from cyber fraud	$10.5 trillion by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures)
Cybercrime complaints in India (2023)	5.52 lakh (MHA report)
Indian overseas population	~1.36 crore (MEA, 2024)

Policy Challenges

• Weak oversight of overseas job recruitment by unauthorised agents.
• Lack of bilateral extradition and mutual legal assistance frameworks with Myanmar.
• Limited capacity in Indian cybercrime investigation units for cross-border cooperation.
• Rehabilitation and reintegration of rescued citizens into domestic employment remain gaps.

Way Forward

1. Strengthen Bilateral and Regional Cooperation
   1. Establish a triangular anti-cybercrime task force (India–Thailand–Myanmar).
   1. Enhance collaboration through ASEAN-India Cyber Dialogue.
2. Regulate Overseas Employment Channels
   1. Strict licensing of recruitment agencies; expand eMigrate portal coverage.
3. Cybercrime Deterrence
   1. Enhance capabilities of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and CERT-In for foreign-linked cybercrimes.
4. Victim Protection and Reintegration
   1. Provide rehabilitation, legal aid, and mental health support to returnees.
5. Regional Stability
   1. Support ASEAN’s “Five-Point Consensus” for restoring peace in Myanmar.

Conclusion

• The evacuation operations are not isolated humanitarian missions but part of India’s strategic and ethical response to transnational organised crime.
• As cybercrime and trafficking networks transcend borders, cooperative security and knowledge-sharing across Southeast Asia will be key to safeguarding citizens and digital economies.

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Sudan Conflict Displacement

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Why in News ?

• As per UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), intense clashes between the Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Kordofan displaced ~2,000 people in 3 days (Nov 8–10, 2025).
• Marks a worsening of the Sudan Civil War (2023–present), one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Relevance:

GS 2 – International Relations
• Civil war between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
• Role of regional organisations – African Union, IGAD, UN
• Humanitarian crisis – displacement (12 million), food insecurity, rights violations
• Impact on Red Sea geopolitics and Horn of Africa stability
• India’s diplomatic role and evacuation efforts (Operation Kaveri)

GS 3 – Disaster Management & Security
• Protection of civilians in conflict zones
• Global refugee management and humanitarian intervention ethics

Background of the Conflict

• Historical Roots:
  • Sudan has faced decades of internal conflict—from Darfur genocide (2003–04) to South Sudan’s secession (2011).
  • The 2023 civil war arose from a power struggle between:
    • Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and
    • Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
• Trigger:
  • Disagreement over integrating RSF into the regular army during the planned civilian transition after the 2019 revolution that ousted Omar al-Bashir.

Current Situation

• Flashpoint Region: North Kordofan (Bara town).
• Casualties: 47 killed (including women and children).
• Newly Displaced: 2,000 (Nov 8–10).
• Total Impact:
  • 40,000+ killed (WHO).
  • 12 million displaced, 25 million in need of aid (UN).
  • RSF captured el-Fasher in Darfur recently—mass killings and refugee surge reported.

Humanitarian Crisis

• Mass Displacement: Largest since the Syrian war, with internal displacement exceeding Ukraine’s.
• Famine Threat: UN warns of food insecurity across Darfur and Kordofan.
• Collapse of Governance:
  • 80% of hospitals non-functional.
  • Human rights abuses: killings, sexual violence, child soldier recruitment.
• Regional Spillover: Refugee influx into Chad, South Sudan, Egypt.

International Response

• Diplomatic Efforts:
  • Jeddah Peace Talks (Saudi Arabia–U.S. mediated) collapsed due to non-compliance.
  • African Union and IGAD pushing for regional ceasefire.
  • UN Mission (UNITAMS) withdrew in 2023 after attacks on peacekeepers.
• International Fracture:
  • Competing influence of UAE, Egypt, Russia (via Wagner Group) complicates mediation.
  • Sanctions and arms embargo discussions ongoing in UN Security Council.

Geopolitical & Strategic Significance

• Location:
  • Sudan lies on the Red Sea–Horn of Africa corridor, critical for global trade and India’s maritime security.
• Natural Resources:
  • Rich in gold and agricultural land — a driver of foreign interference.
• Regional Stability:
  • Prolonged war threatens Horn of Africa, already volatile due to Ethiopia–Tigray conflict and Somalia instability.

India’s Stakes

• Diaspora & Evacuation:
  • India conducted Operation Kaveri (April 2023) — evacuated ~3,800 nationals.
• Strategic Concerns:
  • Disruption near Red Sea trade routes, key to India’s energy security.
  • Implications for India’s maritime outreach (Project SAGAR, Indo-Pacific vision).

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Social Spending in India: State Governments Driving Welfare Amid Central Cuts

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Why in News ?

• Recent RBI data show that India’s rise in social spending (education, health, welfare) over the past decade has been driven mainly by State governments, despite:
  • Cuts in central transfers,
  • Rise in cesses & surcharges, and
  • Erosion of fiscal federalism through GST and centralisation.

Relevance:

GS 2 – Governance & Welfare Schemes
• Centre–State fiscal relations and cooperative federalism
• Role of Finance Commission and GST Council in devolution
• Cesses, surcharges, and declining central transfers
• States as drivers of welfare and social sector investment
• Human capital formation through education, health, and social protection

GS 3 – Economy & Inclusive Growth
• Fiscal sustainability and social sector prioritisation
• Welfare economics and efficiency of public spending
• Impact on inequality, poverty, and inclusive development

Concept: What Is Social Spending?

• Definition: Public expenditure aimed at improving human welfare — includes education, health, nutrition, rural employment, and social protection.
• Economic Significance:
  • Strengthens human capital → boosts productivity and long-term growth.
  • Reduces inequality and poverty → enhances social cohesion.
  • Acts as automatic stabiliser during economic shocks (e.g., COVID-19).

 Historical Context

• 2004–2014:
  • Massive welfare expansion — MGNREGA, NRHM, RTE, NFSA.
  • Social spending averaged 8.5% of total budget.
• 2014–present :
  • Continued welfare delivery but with more central branding (e.g., PMGKY, PM-Kisan).
  • However, aggregate central social spending share fell to ~8%.
  • Real increases came from State budgets, not Central initiatives.

Data Highlights (RBI 2023 Report)

Indicator	2004–14	2014–23	Source
Central Govt. social spending (as % of total outlay)	~8.5%	~8%	RBI, State Finances
Per capita nominal social spending — Centre	↑76% (2014–23)	—	RBI
Per capita nominal social spending — States	↑397% (2014–23)	Double that of Centre	RBI
States’ dependence on central transfers	↓ from 45% (2016–17) → 28.3% (2022–23)	—	RBI
Share of cesses & surcharges in gross tax revenue	↑ from 10.4% → 20.4% (now ~14.5%)	—	MoF, Union Budget

Drivers of Divergence: Why States Spent More ?

• Decentralised Demand: States face direct pressure from citizens for welfare delivery.
• Political Competition: Regional parties and State leaders (e.g., TN, Odisha, Telangana) prioritised cash transfer and welfare schemes.
• COVID-19 Shock: Forced States to spend more on health, food security, and direct aid, even with limited revenue space.
• Limited Federal Support:
  • GST regime reduced States’ tax autonomy.
  • Rise in non-shareable cesses/surcharges restricted revenue sharing.
  • Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) became more top-down, limiting local flexibility.

Federal Fiscal Imbalance

• 14th Finance Commission (2015):
  • Raised States’ share in divisible taxes from 32% → 42%, a landmark reform.
• However:
  • Post-2017, Centre expanded non-shareable cesses and conditional grants.
  • States’ fiscal space shrank despite nominal devolution gains.
  • Many CSS became politically selective, favouring BJP-ruled States.

Implications

• For Welfare Delivery:
  • States remain the main implementers of welfare (education, health, PDS).
  • Yet financial constraints threaten sustainability.
• For Federalism:
  • Centralisation via GST & cesses erodes “cooperative federalism”, replacing it with “competitive clientelism”.
• For Political Economy:
  • Despite the Centre’s image as the “welfare provider”, data show that State-led spending sustains India’s welfare model.
  • Suggests political credit centralisation but fiscal decentralisation in practice.

Broader Economic Insight

• Jayati Ghosh & C.P. Chandrasekhar’s argument:
  • India’s social spending success is misattributed; it reflects State efforts under fiscal duress.
  • Centre’s welfare narrative (e.g., free ration, PM-Kisan) masks declining real central social investment.
  • The pattern highlights asymmetric federalism — policy control at the Centre, expenditure burden at the States.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Fiscal Federalism:
  • Expand tax devolution and limit cesses.
  • Reform GST compensation to protect State autonomy.
• Rebalance Centre–State Relations:
  • Empower States to design context-specific social schemes.
  • Ensure predictable, formula-based transfers.
• Enhance Transparency:
  • Disclose social spending disaggregated by sector and level of government.
• Institutionalise “Social Spending Rule”:
  • Minimum threshold (say, 8–10% of GDP) for human development spending.

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