India is rapidly emerging as a key player in the global spacetech arena, attracting international collaborations and commercial opportunities. As India pursues its ambition to be a global spacetech partner, it faces important challenges related to ethical conduct, sustainability, and responsible technology sharing. Adhering to International Treaties and Norms: India must strictly comply with global agreements like the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and guidelines set by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), ...more

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in India, which has the highest TB burden in the world. Current strategies focus on early detection, treatment, and prevention, but the only available vaccine (BCG) is mainly effective in children. The introduction of a new TB vaccine for adolescents and adults could significantly alter India’s approach to TB control. Expanded Prevention: A new vaccine targeting adolescents and adults would help protect age groups that are most affected by active TB, reducing new infections and tra ...more

Forensic evidence plays a critical role in criminal investigations, especially in sensitive and high-profile cases. The quality and accuracy of evidence sent by police can significantly impact the investigation process and the ultimate delivery of justice. When forensic evidence is incomplete or incorrect, several challenges arise: Delay in Justice: Incomplete or incorrect evidence can lead to delays in investigations, as forensic labs may request resubmission or clarification, slowing down the entire process. Wrongful Convictions or A ...more

The Supreme Court of India has the power to give both binding judgments and advisory opinions. These two functions are different in their legal nature, authority, and effect. The distinction is important to understand the scope of the Court’s role in the Indian constitutional framework. Nature of Decision: Advisory Opinion: Given under Article 143 of the Constitution, when the President seeks the Court’s advice on a question of law or fact of public importance. Binding Judgment: Delivered in the course of regular judici ...more

A national policy on organ transplantation can play a crucial role in ensuring fair and ethical access to organs across India. Currently, different states have varying rules and infrastructure, leading to regional disparities and ethical challenges. A unified approach can help standardize procedures, reduce inequalities, and address moral concerns. Uniform Allocation Criteria: A national policy can establish transparent and standardized criteria for organ allocation, ensuring that organs are distributed based on medical need rather than geo ...more

India’s proactive stance on leading WTO reforms reflects its growing role in global trade governance. However, achieving consensus among the WTO’s diverse membership presents several challenges, as countries have varying interests and priorities. Diverse Economic Interests: WTO members range from developed, developing, and least-developed countries, each with different priorities on issues like agriculture, subsidies, and market access. Reconciling these interests is difficult. North-South Divide: Developed countries often push for ne ...more

Explosions in sensitive areas such as police stations have far-reaching consequences beyond immediate physical damage. They impact the psychological sense of security among the public and can significantly alter the perception of law enforcement agencies’ effectiveness and reliability. Perception of Safety: Such incidents create a sense of vulnerability among citizens, making them feel that even secure institutions are not immune to attacks. Questioning Police Competence: The public may begin to doubt the competence and preparedness of ...more

India’s position that COP30 should not be used to alter the foundational structure of the Paris Agreement reflects its commitment to the principles of equity and “common but differentiated responsibilities” (CBDR). This stance has implications for both global climate negotiations and India’s own climate objectives. Impact on Global Climate Negotiations: Preserving Equity: By resisting changes to the Paris Agreement, India aims to maintain the focus on equity, ensuring that developed countries continue to bear greater responsibilit ...more

Investigating high-profile cases, especially those involving powerful individuals, often attracts public attention and scrutiny. Ensuring transparency and accountability in such investigations is essential to maintain public trust and uphold the rule of law. Several measures can be taken to make the process more transparent and accountable: Independent Oversight Bodies: Establish independent supervisory bodies or judicial panels to monitor the progress and fairness of investigations in high-profile cases. Regular Public Updates: Issue ...more

When a foreign scholar is denied entry into India, it often becomes a matter of public debate. Such decisions are influenced by various legal, political, and diplomatic considerations. These actions can have far-reaching implications for academic freedom and international relations. Possible Reasons for Denial of Entry: Security Concerns: The government may perceive the scholar’s activities or associations as a threat to national security or public order. Visa Violations: Previous overstay, misuse of visa, or engaging in activities be ...more

Organised crime in India has undergone significant changes over the years, becoming more sophisticated, diverse, and difficult for law enforcement agencies to detect and control. This evolution is driven by technological advancements, globalization, and changing criminal strategies. Use of Technology: Criminals now use encrypted communication, darknet, and digital financial tools, making their activities less visible and harder to trace. Diversification of Activities: Organised crime groups have expanded beyond traditional activities (lik ...more

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size that are increasingly being detected in estuarine environments, including those in Goa. Their presence in estuarine fisheries can create several problems for both the ecosystem and the health of people who consume aquatic products from these regions. Impact on Ecosystem: Disruption of Food Chain: Microplastics are ingested by small aquatic organisms like plankton, which are then eaten by larger fish, leading to bioaccumulation throughout the food web. Physical Harm to Aquatic ...more

In high-profile attack investigations, such as the grenade attack at a former Minister’s residence in Punjab, security agencies face the dual challenge of ensuring public safety and upholding justice. The intense public and media scrutiny in these cases can create pressure for quick results, but agencies must follow legal and ethical standards to maintain fairness. Adherence to Due Process: Agencies follow established legal procedures, such as proper arrest protocols, evidence collection, and judicial oversight, to ensure investigations r ...more

In India, state symbols such as coins and stamps are not just instruments of currency or postage; they also serve as tools for conveying national values, celebrating heritage, and shaping public memory. The recent release of a coin and stamp to mark the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) centenary has sparked debates about the intersection of state symbols and political ideologies. Symbolic Legitimacy: When the government issues coins or stamps featuring certain organizations or personalities, it confers official recognition and legitimacy u ...more

Fusion power is seen as a potential game-changer for clean and virtually limitless energy. India, as a participant in international projects like ITER and with its own research at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) Gandhinagar, is exploring ways to harness fusion energy. Developing a sustainable roadmap for fusion power in India involves addressing technological, financial, and policy challenges while leveraging unique opportunities. Challenges in Adopting Fusion Energy: Technological Complexity: Fusion requires advanced materials, p ...more

The leadership style of a Prime Minister plays a crucial role in shaping the national culture around goal-setting and achievement. The way a leader sets priorities, communicates vision, and motivates people can deeply influence the ambitions and mindset of both government institutions and ordinary citizens. Visionary Leadership: A Prime Minister who articulates a clear and ambitious vision (for example, Digital India, Swachh Bharat) sets high benchmarks for national progress, inspiring people to aim higher. Setting Precedents: By personal ...more

The involvement of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the defence sector is crucial for achieving the vision of a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat). MSMEs form the backbone of India's industrial base and their participation in defence manufacturing helps in building indigenous capabilities, reducing import dependence, and fostering innovation. Indigenization of Defence Production: MSMEs contribute to the development and manufacturing of components, sub-systems, and equipment required by the defence sector, reducing relian ...more

Foreign investment flows, especially from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), play a significant role in India's financial markets and overall economic growth. During periods of global financial uncertainty, such as a strong US dollar or concerns over US tariffs, these investment flows can become volatile, impacting the Indian economy in multiple ways. Stock Market Volatility: Large-scale withdrawals by FPIs can lead to a sharp fall in stock prices, increasing market volatility and reducing investor confidence in the Indian financial market ...more

Forming a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine bills related to the removal of the Prime Minister (PM) and Chief Ministers (CMs) involves several complex challenges. These challenges can be procedural, political, and constitutional in nature, given the sensitive implications for the executive branch and the federal structure of India. Procedural Challenges: The formation of a JPC requires a motion to be passed in one House and agreed upon by the other, which can be time-consuming and contentious. Deciding the comp ...more

India and China, as major Asian powers and victims of terrorism, have a shared interest in countering this threat. However, despite this common ground, forming a unified approach to counter-terrorism has been challenging due to various strategic, political, and bilateral factors. Differences in Defining Terrorism: India and China often have different perspectives on what constitutes terrorism, especially regarding groups operating in South Asia. For example, China has been reluctant to label certain Pakistan-based groups as terrorists, whic ...more

The recent issuance of animal blood transfusion guidelines by the Centre marks a significant step in standardizing veterinary healthcare in India. These guidelines aim to ensure safe, ethical, and effective blood transfusion practices for animals, similar to protocols followed in human medicine. Their impact will be felt across clinical practice, veterinary education, and animal welfare. Standardization of Procedures: The guidelines will help establish uniform protocols for blood collection, storage, cross-matching, and transfusion. This wi ...more

India’s ambition to send an astronaut to the moon by 2040 is a significant step in its space journey. Achieving this goal would have wide-ranging impacts on the nation’s scientific progress and its position on the global stage. Boost to Scientific and Technological Development Encourages research and innovation in fields like robotics, material science, propulsion, and life-support systems. Promotes development of advanced technologies that can have applications beyond space, such as in healthcare, telecommunications, a ...more

The concept of 'creamy layer' refers to the exclusion of the more advanced and affluent members within a reserved category from availing reservation benefits. While this concept is currently applied to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), its extension to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) has been debated. This raises important questions about equality within these communities and the effectiveness of reservations. Original Intent of Reservations: Reservations were introduced to uplift historically marginalized groups (SCs/STs) by ...more

Integrating technology into legal aid and justice delivery offers significant opportunities to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and transparency. However, as Justice Surya Kant emphasized, technology should complement—not replace—the essential human touch required for empathy, nuanced understanding, and ethical decision-making in the justice system. Balancing both aspects is crucial for holistic justice delivery. Opportunities for Technology Integration: Wider Access: Online legal aid platforms, video conferencing for hearings, and ...more

Despite clear regulations and awareness campaigns, a large number of sewer workers continue to work without proper safety gear. This issue persists due to a combination of systemic, administrative, and social factors that undermine the effective implementation of safety norms. Poor Enforcement of Laws: Regulatory bodies often lack the resources or motivation to strictly enforce safety regulations. Inspections are infrequent, and penalties for violations are rarely imposed. Contractual and Informal Employment: Many sewer workers are hir ...more