19th May 2025-Current Affairs

1. Border Security Force (BSF) – Polity

Why in News?

• The Border Security Force (BSF) has come under focus due to its critical role in managing border tensions, especially along the India-Pakistan border.
• With increasing security challenges, the BSF’s operational significance has grown both in peacetime vigilance and wartime assistance.

Key Facts about the BSF

Formation and Administrative Setup

• Established: December 1, 1965
• Reason for Establishment: Post-1965 Indo-Pak War, to ensure dedicated border security.
• Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Type: One of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

Deployment and Operational Role

• Primary Deployment Areas:
  • Indo-Pakistan border
  • Indo-Bangladesh border
  • Also deployed in anti-Naxal operations
• Peacetime Role:
  • Guarding land borders
  • Preventing trans-border crimes (e.g., smuggling, infiltration)
• Wartime Role:
  • Assists the Indian Army, leveraging local terrain knowledge
• Organizational Strength
• World’s largest border guarding force
• 186 battalions, ~257,000 personnel
• Specialized wings:
  • Air Wing
  • Marine Wing
  • Artillery Regiments
• Maintains a Tear Smoke Unit (TSU) – unique among CAPFs

Powers and Legal Authority

• Legal Powers under:
  • Passport Act
  • Customs Act
• Can conduct search, arrest, and seizure operations in designated border zones

Leadership Structure

• Headed by the Director General (DG)
  • Typically an officer from the Indian Police Service (IPS)

Unique Features of BSF

Significance and Role in National Security

• Strategic First Line of Defense: Especially important in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and J&K sectors.
• Counter-Infiltration: Integral in stopping illegal crossings and insurgent movements.
• Disaster & Internal Support: Participates in civil aid, internal security, and election duties.

Summary

The Border Security Force (BSF) is India’s frontline defense mechanism for protecting international borders, especially with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Created in the aftermath of the 1965 war, it operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and plays multiple roles including peacetime security, counter-infiltration, anti-smuggling, and wartime support to the Army. With advanced units and legal authority for operations, the BSF is a key pillar of India’s internal and external security architecture.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Border Security Force (BSF):

1. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
2. It has its own Air and Marine Wings.
3. It is deployed only on the Indo-Pak border.

Which of the statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 2 and 3 only

Answer: B) 2 only

2. The Tear Smoke Unit (TSU), unique among CAPFs, is associated with which force?
A) CRPF
B) CISF
C) BSF
D) ITBP

Answer: C) BSF

Mains

1. “The Border Security Force is not just a border-guarding entity but also a strategic component of India’s internal and external security policy.”
Discuss the multifaceted roles of the BSF in ensuring national security.

2. Evaluate the effectiveness of BSF in managing India’s porous borders with neighboring countries, particularly in the context of transnational crimes and infiltration.

3. Critically examine the challenges faced by the BSF in performing its duties, especially along the western and eastern borders of India.

2. Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978 – Polity

Why in News?

• The Jammu & Kashmir Police recently invoked the Public Safety Act against 23 individuals in Srinagar.
• The action was based on allegations of subversive activities, posing threats to national security and public order.

Key Takeaways

What is the Public Safety Act (PSA)?

• Type of Law: Preventive detention law.
• Enacted: 1978 by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
• Objective: To maintain public order and security of the state by allowing authorities to detain individuals without formal charges or trial.

Key Features of the PSA

Legal and Constitutional Dimensions

• Contradiction with Fundamental Rights:
  • Article 22 of the Constitution allows preventive detention but with procedural safeguards.
  • PSA bypasses many of these, e.g., no access to legal counsel, no bail.
• Judicial Review: High Courts and the Supreme Court have periodically quashed PSA orders but cannot alter the law itself.
• Controversy: Often criticized for misuse against political activists, journalists, and minor offenders.

Implications and Controversy

Contextual Understanding

• PSA is a state-specific law unique to Jammu & Kashmir, enacted before the abrogation of Article 370.
• Despite the reorganization of J&K into Union Territories in 2019, the PSA continues to be operational in the UT of J&K.
• It exemplifies the tension between individual liberties and national security, especially in conflict-prone regions.

Summary

The Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978 is a powerful preventive detention law designed to ensure state security and public order. It grants the government the authority to detain individuals without trial, sometimes for up to two years. While intended as a security measure, the law faces severe criticism due to its lack of legal safeguards, vague definitions, and frequent misuse against activists and political dissidents. It remains a deeply controversial law, highlighting the broader debate between national security and fundamental rights.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following statements about the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978 is/are correct?

1. It allows preventive detention without trial.
2. Detainees can apply for bail under this law.
3. The act permits detention for a maximum of three years.

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 2 and 3 only

Answer: A) 1 only

2. Under the PSA, a person can be detained for how long for actions threatening state security?
A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 3 years

Answer: C) 2 years

Mains

1. “The Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act is often seen as a necessary evil in a conflict-prone region.”
Critically examine the objectives, provisions, and criticisms of the PSA.

2. Evaluate the constitutionality of preventive detention laws in India with specific reference to the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978.

3. Discuss the impact of preventive detention laws like the PSA on fundamental rights, especially in the context of Article 21 and Article 22 of the Indian Constitution.

3. Sharp Decline in Government School Enrolment and PM-POSHAN Coverage – Governance

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Education (MoE) has raised concerns over a sharp decline in student enrolment in government and government-aided schools across 23 States and UTs for the academic year 2024–25.
• A corresponding drop in PM-POSHAN (Midday Meal) scheme coverage has triggered concerns about the impacts on child nutrition, attendance, and learning outcomes.

Key Takeaways: Understanding PM-POSHAN and the Decline

What is PM-POSHAN?

• Full Form: Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (earlier Midday Meal Scheme)
• Target Group: Children from pre-primary to Class 8 in government and government-aided schools
• Objectives:
  • Improve child nutrition
  • Boost school enrolment, attendance, and retention
  • Enhance learning outcomes
• Funding Pattern:
  • Centre:State = 60:40 (for most states)
  • Centre provides food grains free of cost
• Legal Backing: Anchored in the National Food Security Act, 2013

What’s Happening?

1. Decline in Enrolment

• Reported across 23 States/UTs
• Most affected levels: Primary and Upper Primary (Classes 1–8)

2. Decline in PM-POSHAN Coverage

• Key states affected: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Delhi
• Coverage now below national average, which affects:
  • Nutritional security
  • School attendance
  • Educational equity

Underlying Causes

Implications

Educational

• Threat to universal foundational learning
• Weakens SDG-4 (Quality Education) goals

Nutritional

• Drop in school meal coverage → risk of malnutrition, especially in poor households

Social Equity

• Marginalized groups, including SC/ST and economically weaker sections, are most affected

Governance Challenges

• Indicates poor real-time monitoring, inter-departmental coordination, and lack of public-private synergy

Way Forward: Recommendations

Summary

The decline in government school enrolment and PM-POSHAN coverage reflects deeper systemic challenges in India’s education and welfare delivery systems. While part of the decline is due to data correction and post-COVID shifts, the consequences are real: compromised child nutrition, disrupted learning, and growing inequality. To meet the goals of SDG-4 and realize the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, there is a pressing need for multi-sectoral reforms, digital innovation, and community-driven interventions.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following statements about the PM-POSHAN Scheme is/are correct?

1. It covers children from Class 1 to Class 10 in all schools.
2. It is funded entirely by the central government.
3. It aims to improve both child nutrition and learning outcomes.

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 3 only
D) All of the above

Answer: C) 3 only

2. PM-POSHAN was previously known as:
A) Integrated Child Development Scheme
B) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
C) Midday Meal Scheme
D) National Nutritional Mission

Answer: C) Midday Meal Scheme

Mains

1. “Declining enrolment in government schools and reduced coverage under PM-POSHAN threaten the core of India’s welfare state.”
Critically analyze the causes, implications, and solutions.

2. Evaluate the role of public-private partnerships in improving outcomes in school-based welfare schemes like PM-POSHAN.

3. To what extent do digital tools and real-time monitoring mechanisms help in the effective delivery of schemes like PM-POSHAN? Discuss with examples.

4. e-Passports – Enhancing Security and Efficiency – Polity

Why in News?

• India has officially launched biometric e-passports, joining over 120 countries in upgrading to more secure, technology-enabled passports.
• The aim is to enhance security, expedite immigration procedures, and ensure compliance with global standards like those of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

What is an e-Passport?

An e-passport, also known as an electronic or biometric passport, is a traditional passport booklet that contains a secure, embedded chip which stores the holder’s biometric and personal data.

Key Components of an e-Passport

Security Features

Benefits of e-Passports

1. Enhanced Security

• Strong resistance to forgery, tampering, and identity theft.
• Stored data is encrypted and can only be read by authorized readers.

2. Faster Immigration

• e-Passports enable automated immigration gates, reducing processing time at airports.
• Facilitate seamless cross-border movement and improve passenger experience.

3. Global Acceptance

• Aligned with ICAO standards, making it easier to travel internationally and obtain visas.
• Enhances reciprocity and trust with other nations.

4. Privacy Protection

• No longer prints residential addresses on the physical passport, protecting user privacy.
• Data is stored securely and accessible only to authorized agencies.

Governance and Implementation Aspects

Summary

India’s rollout of e-passports represents a major leap in passport modernization, enhancing both national security and international travel efficiency. With encrypted biometric data, real-time verification, and automated border control systems, e-passports offer greater protection against misuse, align with global best practices, and provide a more seamless travel experience. They reflect India’s commitment to digital governance and global integration.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following features are associated with an e-passport?

1. RFID chip storing biometric data
2. Digital signature using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
3. Fingerprint scanner embedded in the booklet
4. Automated verification at immigration counters

Select the correct answer:
A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) All of the above

Answer: A) 1, 2 and 4 only

2. The Basic Access Control (BAC) feature in an e-passport is primarily aimed at:
A) Preventing forged signatures
B) Speeding up visa processing
C) Limiting unauthorized access to passport data
D) Verifying residence details

Answer: C) Limiting unauthorized access to passport data

Mains

1. “The introduction of e-passports is a step toward secure and efficient digital governance.”
Discuss the features, benefits, and challenges of implementing e-passports in India.

2. How can the adoption of e-passports contribute to India’s international mobility, digital identity, and national security goals?

3. Evaluate the role of biometric technology in modern governance using the example of India’s e-passport program.

5. India Places Curbs on Bangladesh Exports – International Relations

Why in News?

• India has imposed restrictions on Bangladeshi exports through key land customs stations (LCSs) and integrated check posts (ICPs) in Northeast India and North Bengal.
• The move is seen as a response to non-tariff barriers (NTBs) imposed by Bangladesh on Indian goods, and recent diplomatic statements that questioned mutual trade respect.

India-Bangladesh Bilateral Trade Snapshot (FY 2023–24)

Scope of the Restrictions

Geographic Coverage

• Applies to all LCSs and ICPs in:
  • Assam
  • Meghalaya
  • Tripura
  • Mizoram
• Also includes:
  • LCS Changrabandha and Fulbari in North Bengal to prevent rerouting through the Siliguri Corridor

Restricted Product Categories

• Readymade garments
• Wooden furniture
• Plastic and PVC goods
• Fruit-flavoured & carbonated beverages
• Snacks, baked goods, confectionery
• Cotton yarn, among others

Exempted Items

• Fish
• LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)
• Edible oil
• Crushed stone
• Transit goods to Nepal and Bhutan

Alternate Entry Options

• Restricted items like garments can still be imported via Kolkata and Nhava Sheva ports

Background and Trigger

• Provocative Statement: Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus referred to North-East India as “landlocked” and described Bangladesh as its “only guardian to the ocean.”
• Seen by India as:
  • Diplomatically insensitive
  • Undermining regional trade interdependence

Existing Trade Framework and Imbalances

India’s Concerns

• Violation of Bilateral Agreements: Bangladesh’s NTBs contradict agreed frameworks for mutual trade access.
• Hindrance to Northeast Industrialization:
  • Local manufacturers face competition from cheaper Bangladeshi imports
  • High transit fees + limited export access undermine local production
• Unequal Trade Dynamics: Bangladesh gains from India’s open market, but does not reciprocate.

India’s Rationale and Strategic Objectives

Summary

India’s decision to restrict exports from Bangladesh through land ports in the Northeast and North Bengal marks a strategic intervention in bilateral trade relations. Prompted by trade imbalances, NTBs, and provocative diplomatic rhetoric, the move aims to safeguard local industries, uphold reciprocity in trade, and reinforce the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat. While dialogue remains open, India’s action sends a strong message: fair trade cannot be one-sided.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following are included in the recent export restrictions India imposed on Bangladesh?

1. Fish and LPG
2. Readymade garments
3. PVC goods
4. Transit goods to Nepal

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 2 and 3 only
B) 1, 2, and 3 only
C) 2, 3, and 4 only
D) All of the above

Answer: A) 2 and 3 only

2. Consider the following statements about India-Bangladesh trade relations:

1. India is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner globally.
2. India provides unrestricted land transit for Bangladeshi goods.
3. Cotton yarn exports from India to Bangladesh have been restricted by Bangladesh.

Which of the above statements are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) All of the above

Answer: B) 2 and 3 only

Mains

1. India’s export curbs on Bangladesh reflect an evolving trade policy aimed at safeguarding regional economic interests.
Discuss the causes, implications, and diplomatic fallout of this decision.

2. Evaluate the challenges in achieving reciprocal trade relations between India and Bangladesh, especially in the context of Northeast India’s economic development.

3. How can India balance its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy with its domestic industrial and strategic interests in the region?

6. Gyan Bharatam Mission – History & Culture

Why in News?

• The Prime Minister of India will launch the revamped National Manuscripts Mission, renamed the Gyan Bharatam Mission, on June 9, 2025.
• The mission signifies a massive cultural preservation effort, focused on manuscripts as carriers of India’s ancient knowledge systems.

What is the Gyan Bharatam Mission?

• A national initiative under the Ministry of Culture.
• Aims to preserve, conserve, document, and digitize over 1 crore (10 million) manuscripts.
• Builds upon the earlier National Mission for Manuscripts (est. 2003).

Key Objectives

What is a Manuscript?

A manuscript is a handwritten document, typically at least 75 years old, written on materials like palm leaves, bark (e.g., birch), or paper, and holds scientific, artistic, or historical value.

Example: Bakhshali Manuscript

• Date: 3rd–4th century BCE
• Material: Birch bark
• Subject: Mathematics
• Significance: Contains the earliest recorded use of the symbol ‘zero’

Components of the Mission

Budget and Duration

Significance of the Mission

Cultural Significance

• Revives indigenous knowledge systems in medicine (Ayurveda), astronomy, logic, and philosophy.
• Protects intangible heritage and scriptural traditions like Vedas, Upanishads, and Jain Agamas.

Global Academic Relevance

• Makes India’s intellectual heritage available to scholars worldwide.
• Encourages Indology, comparative studies, and interdisciplinary research.

Technological Advancement

• Demonstrates the use of AI and digitization in cultural governance.
• Sets global benchmarks for heritage conservation in the digital age.

Summary

The Gyan Bharatam Mission is India’s largest and most ambitious manuscript preservation project, aiming to digitally conserve over one crore manuscripts using advanced technologies. It aligns cultural preservation with technological innovation, creating a knowledge infrastructure that enhances research, public access, and India’s soft power. This initiative reinforces India’s global leadership in heritage conservation and celebrates the depth of Indian civilizational knowledge.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Consider the following statements about the Gyan Bharatam Mission:

1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Education.
2. It uses AI-driven tools for archiving and translation.
3. It includes the preservation of manuscripts that are at least 50 years old.

Which of the above is/are correct?
A) 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) All of the above

Answer: A) 2 only
(Explanation: It’s under Ministry of Culture and targets manuscripts that are at least 75 years old.)

2. The Bakhshali Manuscript, often mentioned in connection with Indian knowledge systems, is associated with which of the following?
A) Early Indian medical texts
B) Ancient astronomy
C) Mathematics and use of zero
D) Sanskrit grammar

Answer: C) Mathematics and use of zero

Mains

1. “The Gyan Bharatam Mission represents a convergence of culture, technology, and governance.”
Discuss how this mission enhances India’s soft power and academic leadership globally.

2. Critically evaluate the challenges and opportunities in preserving India’s manuscript heritage in the digital age.

3. How can India’s ancient manuscripts contribute to contemporary knowledge systems and interdisciplinary research?

7. Understanding Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) – Science & Technology

Why in News?

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed the implementation of “Sugar Boards” in schools.
• Objective: To monitor and reduce sugar intake among students and raise awareness about Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and childhood obesity.

What is Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from:

• Insulin resistance (body does not respond properly to insulin), and/or
• Reduced insulin production by the pancreas.

It is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for around 90–95% of all diabetes cases.

Epidemiology

Causes and Risk Factors of T2D

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Many people may remain asymptomatic for years. When symptoms appear, they may include:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Chronic fatigue
• Increased hunger
• Blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling (especially in hands/feet)
• Slow-healing wounds
• Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis

Management and Treatment of T2D

CBSE’s ‘Sugar Boards’ Initiative: Significance

• A preventive public health measure targeting young populations
• Encourages:
  • Nutritional awareness
  • Reduced sugar consumption
  • Healthier school environments
• Aims to combat early onset diabetes and obesity, especially in urban students

Public Health Relevance

Summary

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a lifestyle-related chronic condition increasingly seen among younger populations due to sedentary living, poor diet, and obesity. While it is manageable with proper interventions, rising prevalence makes awareness, early diagnosis, and prevention strategies crucial. Initiatives like CBSE’s Sugar Boards promote behavioural change among students and aim to prevent early onset of this disease through school-based health education.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by which of the following?

1. Viral infection
2. Genetic predisposition
3. Physical inactivity
4. Autoimmune response

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 1 and 4 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2, and 3 only
D) All of the above

Answer: B) 2 and 3 only

2. Which of the following measures can help prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

1. Regular physical activity
2. High intake of sugary beverages
3. Balanced diet
4. Smoking

Select the correct answer:
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 2, and 3 only
D) All of the above

Answer: A) 1 and 3 only

Mains

1. “Type 2 diabetes is a modern lifestyle disease with deep social and economic implications.”
Discuss the causes, impacts, and policy-level responses required to address this growing challenge in India.

2. Critically evaluate the role of schools in preventive healthcare, with reference to CBSE’s Sugar Boards initiative.

3. What are the challenges in managing Type 2 Diabetes in India, and how can digital health tools assist in better diagnosis and treatment?