Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 11 January 2025

Content:

1. Forging leadership with India’s youth power
2. India’s journey so far on the AI military bandwagon
3. Local Power and the Role of Local Self-Governments

Forging leadership with India’s Youth Power

Context: National Youth Festival: Purpose and Significance

• Celebrated annually on January 12, marking Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.
• Aims to harness youth potential for nation-building.
• Focuses on youth leadership, innovation, and sustainable development.

Relevance:GS 2(Governance) , GS 4(Leadership )

Practice question : The youth of India can be powerful agents of change in the nation’s progress. Discuss how initiatives like the National Youth Festival and Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue contribute to harnessing youth power for nation-building. Also, highlight the challenges and suggest measures to overcome them.(250 Words )

Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue: Vision and Structure

Objective:

• Engage youth to contribute towards India’s development journey (Viksit Bharat).
• Empower young leaders with skills in leadership, problem-solving, and innovation.

Structure (4 Stages):

1. Viksit Bharat Quiz (Digital)
   1. Covers India’s achievements, challenges, SDGs, policies.

• Essay/Blog Writing
  • Themes like Tech for Viksit Bharat, Empowering Youth.
  • Evaluates critical thinking and originality.

• State-level Pitch Deck Presentation
  • Youth present innovative ideas for national progress.

• National Championship
  • Held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (January 2025).
  • Finalists present solutions to the Prime Minister, influencing policy-making.

Insights:

• The dialogue is transformational, fostering critical thinking and direct policy engagement.
• Provides a unique platform for youth to contribute to governance.

Unique Features of the 2025 National Youth Festival

Theme: Youth for Sustainable Development

• Aligns with SDGs and India’s vision of inclusive, green development.

Components:

1. Workshops on Leadership and Innovation
   1. Focus on digital entrepreneurship, sustainable living, etc.
   1. Skill-building for youth to drive community-level change.

• Cultural Programmes
  • Showcases India’s cultural diversity through music, dance, theatre.
  • Promotes national integration and creative expression.

• Tech and Innovation Showcases
  • Highlights youth-led technological solutions in health, education, agriculture, etc.
  • Encourages grassroots innovation for real-world problems.

• Engagement with Leaders
  • Direct interactions with leaders from government, business, and academia.
  • Offers valuable insights into governance and leadership.

• Youth Recognition
  • Awards for innovation and service, motivating more youth to take active roles.

Insights:

• The festival promotes holistic development of youth — fostering leadership, innovation, creativity, and cultural values.
• Encourages youth-driven solutions to national challenges.

Role of MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat)

Functions:

• Autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Acts as a platform to engage and empower youth.
• Facilitates knowledge sharing, mentorship, and nation-building initiatives.

Digital Integration:

• Ensures youth from remote areas can participate online.
• Promotes inclusive engagement.

Support for Youth-Led Initiatives:

• Helps youth navigate social and technological challenges.
• Encourages innovative problem–solving for a better India.

Insights:

• MY Bharat bridges the gap between policy and grassroots action.
• It plays a pivotal role in shaping a digitally inclusive youth movement.

Importance of Youth in Nation-Building

• India’s demographic dividend offers a unique opportunity for progress.
• Youth possess energy, creativity, and ambition to drive transformation.

Swami Vivekananda’s Vision:

• “Give me one hundred believing young men… I will transform India as the number one nation in the world.”
• Emphasizes youth power and self-belief.

Analysis:

• The youth-driven model is crucial for India’s vision of Viksit Bharat.
• Aligns with PM Modi’s call for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

Critical Evaluation of the Initiative

Strengths:

•  Empowers youth to contribute to national policy and development.
•  Encourages critical thinking, innovation, and leadership.
•  Promotes national integration and inclusive growth.
•  Provides direct engagement with leaders, influencing governance.

Challenges:

•  Accessibility barriers for economically disadvantaged youth.
• Digital divide might hinder participation from rural areas.
•  Sustainability of engagement post-event needs focus.
•  Youth aspirations vs. policy implementation gap may emerge.

Way Forward

1. Bridging the Digital Divide
   1. Ensure internet access and digital literacy for all youth.

• Institutionalizing Youth Engagement
  • Regular dialogues between youth and policymakers to sustain momentum.

• Enhancing Regional Outreach
  • Focus on youth from remote and marginalized communities.

• Monitoring and Feedback Mechanisms
  • Create a feedback loop to ensure that youth ideas are implemented.

Conclusion

The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is a game-changer in youth empowerment. It not only encourages innovative thinking and leadership but also provides a direct platform for youth to contribute to national policies. In a world driven by youth-led change, this initiative aligns perfectly with Swami Vivekananda’s vision of transforming India through youth power

India’s journey so far on the AI military bandwagon

Current Progress in AI Adoption by the Indian Military

• Defence Budget Allocation:
  • ₹6.21 lakh crore ($75 billion) allocated for defence in 2023-24, focusing on modernisation and upgradation.

• AI-Based Products Developed:
  • Example: Indrajaal autonomous drone security system – an AI-driven air defence shield against drones.

• Foreign Investments in AI:
  • Microsoft’s $3 billion investment in data centres in Telangana is part of building India’s AI infrastructure.

Relevance: GS 2(Governance) ,GS 3(Internal Security )

Practice Question : Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformative potential for India’s military capabilities. Discuss the current progress in AI adoption by the Indian military and the challenges it faces. Suggest a way forward to strengthen AI in India’s defence sector.(250 Words)

Government’s Vision on Military AI

• Defence Minister’s Statement:
  • AI can revolutionise military operations, enhancing predictive analytics and autonomous decision-making systems.

• International Initiatives:
  • India is part of various global collaborations on AI, ensuring knowledge-sharing and partnership-building.

Challenges in AI Adoption for Defence

A. Lack of Digitised Data for AI Systems

• AI systems require large amounts of data for training.
• Traditional systems in the military lack modern data infrastructure, making AI integration harder.

B. High Cost of Data Centres

• Running AI systems requires expensive data centres, which is an additional burden on an already stretched defence budget.

C. Focus on Replacing Legacy Systems

• India is investing heavily in replacing outdated hardware (e.g., aircraft and tanks).
• This leaves fewer resources for new technologies like AI.

D. Fragmented AI Policies

• National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence outlines a vision for AI but lacks specific military implementation guidelines.
• Responsible AI for All focuses on transparency and accountability, but it doesn’t address military-specific concerns.

• Key Institutions:
  • Defence Artificial Intelligence Council (DAIC)
  • Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA)
  • These institutions aim to bridge policy gaps, but updates on their progress are limited.

International Comparisons and Lessons for India

• Israel and China are far ahead in military AI development, focusing on:
  • Autonomous weapons systems
  • AI-driven surveillance

• India must catch up by:
  • Streamlining AI policies
  • Enhancing the speed of AI adoption

Over-reliance on Public Sector Units (PSUs)

• Historically, India’s defence sector has been dominated by PSUs.

• Challenges:
  • PSUs are slow to innovate and lack competitive pressure.

• Solution:
  • Encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and private sector participation.
  • Example: Success in the space sector through private participation (ISRO + private firms).

Recommendations for India’s Military AI Strategy

• Develop Robust AI Policies : Military-specific guidelines are needed to streamline AI deployment.
• Enhance Inter-Service Cooperation : Break down silos between the Army, Navy, and Air Force to ensure seamless integration.
• Invest in AI Infrastructure : Build more data centres and improve data digitisation in military systems.
• Foster Public-Private Partnerships : Leverage private sector innovation to scale AI solutions.
• Ensure Responsible AI Deployment : Focus on ethical considerations and accountability mechanisms to mitigate risks.

The Road Ahead – Why AI Is Essential for India’s Defence

• Global Pressure:
  • Countries like China and Israel are advancing rapidly in AI-based military technologies.

• Strategic Necessity:
  • AI can enhance:
    • Predictive intelligence
    • Autonomous decision-making
    • Surveillance and threat detection

Local Power and the Role of Local Self-Governments

Local self-governments are the third tier of governance in India that enable grassroots democracy. The ongoing delays in holding elections to local bodies in Tamil Nadu highlight key issues in decentralised governance, particularly regarding delimitation, urbanisation, and constitutional obligations.

Relevance : GS 2 (Local Governance)

Practice Question : Local self-governments play a critical role in deepening democracy at the grassroots level. Examine the importance of holding timely local body elections and the impact of delaying such elections. Suggest measures to strengthen the local governance framework in India.(250 Words )

The Current Situation in Tamil Nadu

• Expiry of Rural Local Bodies’ Term:
  • The tenure of 9,624 village panchayats, 314 panchayat unions, and 28 district panchayats ended on January 5, 2025.
  • Instead of holding elections, the government has appointed special officers to manage these bodies for the next six months.

• Reason Cited by the Government:
  • Delimitation of wards and reservation for women, SCs, and STs must be completed before elections.
  • Reorganisation of local bodies is underway, including:
    • Creation of four new municipal corporations.
    • Merger of 140 village panchayats with urban local bodies (ULBs).
    • Expansion of municipal limits in cities like Chennai and Coimbatore.

• Impact of Delays:
  • Loss of democratic accountability due to lack of elected representatives.
  • Risk of disruption in rural development schemes (e.g., MGNREGA) due to merger with ULBs.

Legal Precedent: Suresh Mahajan vs State of Madhya Pradesh

• Supreme Court’s Ruling (2022):
  • Delimitation or ward formation cannot be used as an excuse to delay local body elections.
  • Elections must be notified before the expiry of the five-year term of local bodies.
  • Delimitation should be a continuous process and commenced well in advance to avoid delays.

• Constitutional Mandate:
  • As per Article 243E of the Constitution, elections to local bodies must be held before the term of the outgoing body ends.
  • The State Election Commission (SEC) is responsible for ensuring that elections are conducted on time.

The Importance of Local Self-Governments

Local self-governments play a critical role in:

• Delivering basic services such as water supply, sanitation, and local infrastructure.
• Implementing rural development schemes like MGNREGA, PMAY-G, and Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Providing a platform for participatory democracy, where people have a direct say in governance.
• Bridging the gap between citizens and the government by addressing local issues efficiently.

Despite their importance, local bodies are often neglected, and elections are frequently delayed across various States.

Urbanisation and Its Impact on Rural Local Bodies

• Rapid urbanisation in Tamil Nadu has led to:
  • Merger of rural areas with urban bodies, especially in areas surrounding cities like Chennai and Coimbatore.
  • Expansion of municipal limits to accommodate the growing urban population.

• Concerns of Rural Residents:
  • Loss of rural identity and autonomy.
  • Disruption in rural development schemes if village panchayats are merged with urban bodies.
  • Reduced focus on rural-specific needs, such as agriculture and irrigation.

Issues with Delimitation and Reorganisation

• Delimitation:
  • The process of redrawing ward boundaries based on population changes is essential to ensure fair representation.
  • However, delimitation delays often become a political excuse to postpone local body elections.

• Reorganisation of Local Bodies:
  • While reorganising village panchayats into ULBs is a necessary response to urbanisation, it should not be done at the cost of delaying elections or disrupting rural governance.

Challenges in Conducting Timely Local Body Elections

• Political Interference:
  • State governments often postpone elections for political reasons, fearing a loss of control over local bodies.

• Inadequate Role of State Election Commissions (SEC):
  • State Election Commissions are often not independent enough to assert their authority and ensure timely elections.
  • There is a need to strengthen SECs to make them autonomous and accountable.

• Financial Constraints:
  • Local bodies often lack financial autonomy, which affects their ability to function efficiently.
  • There is a need for more fiscal devolution from the State governments to empower local bodies.

The Way Forward

Strengthen State Election Commissions (SECs):

• Ensure independence and autonomy of SECs to conduct timely elections.
  • SECs should have the power to override State government delays.

Continuous Delimitation Process:

• Delimitation should be ongoing, not a one-time exercise, to avoid delays in elections.

Fiscal Empowerment of Local Bodies:

• Ensure greater fiscal devolution to local bodies to make them more autonomous and effective.

Public Awareness and Accountability:

• Encourage citizen participation in local governance to ensure elected bodies are accountable and transparent.

Balanced Urbanisation Strategy:

• Urbanisation should not undermine rural governance.
  • Rural development schemes must be protected even after merging with urban bodies.

Key Takeaways

• Local self-governments are crucial for grassroots democracy and better service delivery.
• The delay in local body elections impacts democratic accountability and rural development.
• Delimitation and urbanisation must be managed without disrupting rural governance.
• There is a constitutional obligation to conduct timely local body elections.
• Strengthening State Election Commissions and fiscal devolution are necessary reforms to ensure the effective functioning of local bodies.