Daily Current Affairs

The Hindu — Important News & Editorial Analysis

Wednesday, 03 June 2026

GS II · Indian Polity

FRA, PESA task force in Chhattisgarh 'weakens statutory bodies': activists

The Hindu · Page 04 · Prelims + Mains

The Chhattisgarh government has set up an 18-member task force to fast-track implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 and the PESA Act, 1996. Civil society and rights activists oppose it, alleging it undermines statutory and democratic bodies like the Gram Sabha and lets NGOs into tribal-area administration. The model follows Madhya Pradesh's November 2024 template and is planned for Odisha too.

Structure & Objectives

Two-tier body An 18-member apex body headed by the Chief Minister and a 12-member implementing body headed by the Chief Secretary — tasked to map Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) claim areas, review pending claims and aid PESA strategy.

Concerns of Activists & the Opposition

Parallel structure: FRA/PESA delegate power directly to the Gram Sabha; a central task force creates an administrative layer outside the law.
Weakening statutory bodies: It bypasses the existing District and Sub-Division committees that legally settle claims.
Non-statutory interference: Bodies like the Campaign for Survival and Dignity allege Sangh Parivar-linked outfits (Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Janajati Suraksha Manch) are being inserted into tribal policy.

'Madhya Pradesh Model' & Religio-Social Disputes

Contentious demand: Some groups behind the change want only non-converted tribal villagers included in PESA Gram Sabhas — after the Union Home Minister called MP's PESA rollout the "gold standard".
Constitutional concern: Activists call such religious classification contrary to India's secular framework and tribals' constitutional rights.

Key Laws

Law	Core provision
PESA Act, 1996	Extends Part IX (Panchayats) to Fifth Schedule areas; gives the Gram Sabha supreme power over natural resources, land acquisition and local disputes.
FRA, 2006	Legalises traditional rights of Forest-Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs); CFRR is its most important component.

◆ India Implications

Decentralisation at stake: A task force should be a facilitator, not usurp Gram Sabha powers; centralisation in the name of speed risks the very autonomy these laws protect.
Inclusive process: Policy must involve local tribal representatives and non-partisan civil society, with tribal rights kept above any religious or political agenda.

The soul of PESA and FRA lies in ensuring "the right of those who live on the land to the land." A genuine push for tribal empowerment must not compromise Gram Sabha supremacy — only then is real, peaceful development of tribal areas possible.

Prelims Practice

Q. With reference to the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, consider the following statements:

1. It recognises the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
2. Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) is an important provision of this Act.
3. The final decision to grant rights to forest land is taken by the State Government only.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Only 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Click to reveal answer

Answer: (a) Only 1 and 2. The Gram Sabha initiates the process; the final right is recorded by the District-level Committee, not the State Government alone — so statement 3 is wrong.

Mains Practice

"The basic objective of the PESA Act, 1996 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006 is to provide self-governance and resource rights to tribal communities." In this light, critically examine the role of task forces set up by states in recent years.
150 words

GS III · Environment

India losing ability to build its own instruments: climate science report

The Hindu · Page 06 · Prelims + Mains

The Mega Science Vision-2035 (MSV) report — prepared under the nodal role of IISc Bengaluru and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser — flags two serious challenges: the decline of India's domestic capacity to make scientific instruments, and the unstudied climate effects of uncontrolled renewable-energy expansion.

Crisis of Self-Reliance in Scientific Instruments

Credibility at risk India has almost lost the ability to make its own instruments and depends on imported equipment, much of it run for years without calibration — leading to inaccurate data in journals and questions over the credibility of Indian science.

Policy contradiction (GeM vs quality): Mandatory lowest-bid (L1) procurement from GeM domestic vendors often failed to supply the high-quality, customised equipment research needs; the Finance Ministry relaxed some rules in June 2025.

Uncontrolled Renewable Expansion

Unknown local impact: The long-term effects of large solar and wind plants on local climate, environment and resources are poorly understood.
Not anti-renewable: India targets 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 (half reached in 2025); scientists urge in-depth study of "uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources," not a halt.

Key Recommendations

Recommendation	Detail
Indigenous Earth System Model	Build a fully Indian model from 'first principles' instead of adapting US/Europe models.
Eight mega projects	Advanced observatories, satellites, indigenous sensors, carbon-neutrality research — in three ~5-year phases to 2035.
Social Cost of Carbon	Cost emission damage and apply 'Polluter Pays', while shielding the poor from the carbon-tax burden.

◆ India Implications

Procurement reform: Simplify GeM exemptions for complex instruments so researchers access cutting-edge tech without quality compromise.
Indigenous R&D & balanced transition: Build a domestic instrument-manufacturing ecosystem, and include local micro-climate and ecological impacts in EIA of solar/wind parks en route to 500 GW.

In an age of heatwaves, erratic monsoons and melting Himalayan glaciers, accurate scientific data is the backbone of policy. MSV-2035 is a timely warning: to keep India's global climate leadership credible and sustainable, its scientific infrastructure must be strengthened beyond self-reliance slogans, precision and politics.

Prelims Practice

Q. With reference to the 'Mega Science Vision-2035' (MSV-2035) report, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to prepare a long-term roadmap for India's climate science and earth-system research.
2. It was prepared with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in the nodal role.
3. The report focuses only on the expansion of renewable energy.

Select the correct answer:

(a) Only 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Only 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Click to reveal answer

Answer: (a) Only 1 and 2. The report covers instruments, models and emissions — not renewables alone — so statement 3 is wrong.

Mains Practice

"Reliable scientific data is just as important for effective management of climate change as a robust policy framework." Discuss in the context of the Mega Science Vision-2035 report.
150 words

GS II · Social Justice

AIIMS Delhi study: how air pollutants breach placental barriers and affect foetuses

The Hindu · Page 06 · Prelims + Mains

An ICMR-funded AIIMS Delhi study (published in EMBO Molecular Medicine) shows for the first time the precise biological pathway by which urban air pollution — PM2.5 and PM10 — crosses the placental barrier and harms the unborn child, causing problems such as low birth weight.

The Biological Pathway

IGFBP3 inhibition Particulate matter triggers bodily inflammation that suppresses a key protein, IGFBP3, essential for placental balance and foetal development.

Cellular & epigenetic stress: Pollutants weaken the placenta's ability to form a nutrient-exchange layer in the uterine wall and alter cells' 'epigenetic switches', permanently fixing which genes stay active.

Key Findings

Based on rodents and delivery records of 994 women from two cities of differing pollution (high-pollution Delhi, low-pollution Deoghar, Jharkhand):

Finding	Detail
Low birth weight	PM2.5 exposure was a major cause among Delhi women.
Preeclampsia	Cases (dangerous high BP in pregnancy) rose with pollution levels.
Rodent study	Pregnant mice at Delhi pollution levels: 25% fewer pups, smaller umbilical cords, newborns 34% lighter.

Long-term & Transgenerational Risks

Neurological damage: Pre-birth exposure caused poor motor coordination, heightened anxiety and stress in offspring — effects that may persist into late childhood.
Future study: Long-term impacts on IQ, motor skills, heart disease, cancer and metabolic disorders are being investigated.

◆ India Implications

Policy integration: Treat air pollution as a public-health emergency — align NCAP goals with maternal-child health schemes (e.g. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana).
Targeted protection: Issue health advisories for pregnant women on poor-AQI days; make pollution monitoring part of routine prenatal care; promote masks and antioxidant-rich diets.

The study is irrefutable proof that air pollution weakens the next generation even before birth. Like forest rights, the "right to breathe clean air" is part of the right to life (Article 21); achieving SDG-3 (good health) demands intensified pollution control, since a healthy nation cannot be built in a polluted environment.

Prelims Practice

Q. What is 'Preeclampsia'?

(a) Increase of glucose in the blood during pregnancy
(b) A condition of high blood pressure and organ damage during pregnancy
(c) Respiratory problems in the newborn after birth
(d) Genetic disorders in the foetus

Click to reveal answer

Answer: (b) — preeclampsia is high BP with organ damage during pregnancy.

Mains Practice

"Air pollution is no longer just an environmental issue but a serious public-health crisis linked to maternal and child health." Discuss.
150 words

GS III · Indian Economy & Science & Technology

The future of India's chip industry

The Hindu · Page 10 · Prelims + Mains

NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub report, 'Future of India's Semiconductor Industry', comes as chip-making becomes a national priority under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). It concludes India's ecosystem isn't yet ready to meet domestic demand, but self-sufficiency is imperative given geopolitical pressure and national security.

Strategic & Security Importance

National-security risk: Most chips in India's defence and aerospace programmes are made abroad.
Supply-chain shocks: Tensions or disasters in Taiwan (the world's largest chip maker) could halt the global electronics supply chain — local manufacturing is key to economic resilience.
Current status: No commercial fabrication unit (FAB) operates yet; India's first fab at Dholera, Gujarat is expected by 2028, with 10 projects in development.

Major Challenges

High gestation & cost A fab takes 4–5 years to start, needs 50+ specialised imported machines, and months of yield optimisation. The ₹76,000 crore ISM corpus is nearly fully allocated; NITI Aayog estimates $45–60 billion (₹3.7–5 lakh crore) of public capex is needed over the next decade.

Talent gap: Building a skilled workforce for this complex process is a major challenge.

NITI Aayog's Roadmap (ISM 2.0)

Recommendation	Detail
Mature over frontier nodes	Focus on mature/advanced & compound nodes (low risk, 'bankable') rather than risky 3–7 nm frontier chips.
Packaging as core pillar	Treat packaging & testing as a core production pillar (not a downstream activity) for fast import substitution in high-volume segments.
Sovereign design & agentic AI	Build differentiated IP and architecture instead of being a services-led design base; leverage agentic AI in materials science and chip engineering.

◆ India Implications

Trusted partners: With China as a competitor, work strategically with priority partners (US, Japan, EU, South Korea) for critical tools and lifecycle support, leveraging India's market and talent.
Mission-mode & selective depth: Sustain decade-plus financial/policy support beyond political cycles; prioritise capital efficiency and academia–industry linkages over mimicking the entire global spectrum.

The report offers a practical framework for India's chip ambitions. Competing with global giants is daunting, but the journey is indispensable for digital sovereignty and national security — with strategic clarity and financial discipline, India can secure domestic demand and emerge as a reliable player in advanced technology.

Prelims Practice

Q. With reference to semiconductors, consider the following statements:

1. It is a material whose electrical conductivity lies between a conductor and an insulator.
2. Silicon is the most commonly used material in semiconductor manufacturing.
3. Semiconductor chips are used only in computers.

Select the correct answer:

(a) Only 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Only 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Click to reveal answer

Answer: (a) Only 1 and 2. Chips are used across countless devices, not only computers — so statement 3 is wrong.

Mains Practice

Semiconductor self-sufficiency for India is not only an economic necessity but also a strategic one. Explain.
150 words

GS III · Environment

The need for strengthening India's EV supply chains

The Hindu · Page 10 · Prelims + Mains

India sold a record 2.5 million EVs in FY26 on the back of FAME, PLI and tax incentives. But in cutting fossil-fuel dependence, India risks becoming over-dependent on imported lithium-ion batteries — especially from China. Success should be measured by supply-chain resilience and strategic autonomy, not sales alone.

Import Dependence & China Concentration

Slow domestic cell-making: 40 GWh was allocated under the ACC battery PLI scheme, but only ~1 GWh is installed on the ground.
China reliance: 7,987 MWh of batteries were imported from 14 global makers for passenger EVs in 2025, a large share from Chinese firms.
Structural risk: Chinese policy shifts (e.g. withdrawing export VAT exemptions) and Middle East conflict raise raw-material costs, freight and risk premiums for Indian OEMs.

Price Sensitivity & 'China + 1'

Uneven diversification Premium EVs use non-Chinese NMC cells, but mass-market models still rely on cheaper Chinese LFP cells. True strategic autonomy needs full diversification across suppliers, chemistries and geographies — even at slightly higher initial cost.

Price-parity delay: Battery inflation keeps the EV–ICE price gap wide; costs passed to consumers could confine EVs to the premium segment and stall mass adoption.

Product-Level & Alternative Tech

Lean design: Lighter vehicles, efficient drivetrains and 'battery right-sizing' over reliance on imported capacity.
Sodium-ion hedge: Type-test sodium-ion — not yet a full lithium substitute, but a strong future hedge given India's abundant sodium.

◆ India Implications

Global supply-chain alliance: Partner with mineral-rich, reliable countries (Australia, Chile, US, Japan) on mining, processing, manufacturing and standards of critical minerals.
Software-defined platforms & ACC push: Build platforms supporting multiple chemistries (NMC, LFP, sodium-ion) without hardware change; clear bottlenecks so the 40 GWh ACC capacity reaches commercial production.

India has proven it can create huge EV demand; the next phase tests its industrial depth to meet that demand. Without securing and diversifying its supply chain, India risks turning from an oil-importer into a battery-importer. Achieving SDG-7 and SDG-13 needs EV self-reliance insulated from geopolitical shocks.

Prelims Practice

Q. "LFP" cells, increasingly used in mass-market EVs, stand for:

(a) Lithium Ferro-Polymer
(b) Lithium Iron Phosphate
(c) Lead Ferrite Phosphate
(d) Lithium Fluoride Polymer

Click to reveal answer

Answer: (b) Lithium Iron Phosphate — a cheaper, cobalt-free cell chemistry favoured for mass-market EVs.

Mains Practice

India's EV transition must be measured by supply-chain resilience, not sales figures alone. Examine the risks of import dependence in India's EV battery supply chain and suggest a way forward.
150 words

Editorial Analysis · GS II & III · IR and Economy

The 'harvest' China wants is one India cannot afford

The Hindu · Page 08 · Editorial · Mains

At the 35th WMCC meeting in Beijing (27 May 2026), 'delimitation' was discussed — a follow-up to the August 2025 Special Representatives talks (Doval–Wang Yi) where the two sides agreed to an expert group to explore an "early harvest" in border areas. Former diplomats warn that accepting China's early-harvest proposal could be a strategic trap.

What is the 'Early Harvest'?

Separating Sikkim: China wants the Sikkim sector demarcated immediately (calling conditions 'mature'), instead of resolving the whole border together.
Terminology gap: India says 'delimitation' (drawing a line on a map); China uses 'demarcation' (erecting physical pillars) — signalling it wants to finalise on the ground.

Violation of the 2005 Agreement

Package settlement: Article III of the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles requires a package covering all sectors (western, central, eastern) — not piecemeal.
Process reversal: The 2005 framework set three stages (political criteria → framework → demarcation); China wants to jump to demarcation to block India's leverage elsewhere.

Strategic Stakes & Pressure Tracks

Issue	Why it matters
Trijunction dispute	China places the India–China–Bhutan trijunction at Gipmochi; India and Bhutan say Batang La (6.5 km north, per the watershed principle).
Siliguri Corridor ('Chicken's Neck')	Accepting Gipmochi would give China rights over the Jampheri Ridge, enabling direct surveillance of the corridor linking the Northeast to mainland India.
Bhutan dimension	Post-Doklam (2017), China built roads, military posts and villages in western Bhutan; a separate Sikkim deal would pressure Bhutan and create a fait accompli at Doklam.

Multi-track pressure: Eastern Ladakh 'buffer zones' (2020), renaming Arunachal as "Zangnan" (South Tibet), and rapid expansion of border-defence villages near the LAC.

◆ India Implications — Three Guiding Principles

Stick to 2005: The 2025 expert group must not be limited to Sikkim demarcation; reject any unilateral or isolated solution.
LAC peace first: Resist delinking border management from overall ties; the eastern-Ladakh buffer zones must not become permanent — status quo restoration is essential.
Comprehensive engagement: Border disputes need political will, not mere legal arguments; push for a complete settlement, not 'pretend progress'.

Given China's record of reneging on commitments (e.g. withholding LAC map exchanges), an early harvest limited to Sikkim brings India no strategic gain while risking its geographic edge. India cannot take a shortcut that suits China's interests — complete peace on the LAC and comprehensive negotiation remain the only sound basis for resolving the border.

Mains Practice

Explain the importance of the concept of "Package Settlement" in the resolution of the India–China border dispute.
250 words

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