Current Affairs 28 March 2025

Content:

1. Should the free movement regime between India and Myanmar remain?
2. The flawed push for a third language
3. Integrated tri-service exercise held in Arunachal
4. Centre tells States to be prepared to tackle heat-related ailments
5. House Standing Committee concerned over vacancies in nuclear and research projects
6. Access to abortion, foetal viability, and laws thereof: women are caught in the crossfire

Should the free movement regime between India and Myanmar remain?

Context and Background

• Free Movement Regime (FMR): Introduced in 1968 to allow unrestricted movement of border communities (40 km initially, reduced to 16 km in 2004).
• Government’s Plan: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in February 2024 that FMR would be scrapped, but no official notification or bilateral agreement has been made.
• State Responses:
  • Manipur: Former CM N. Biren Singh pushed for scrapping, citing ethnic conflict and illegal migration concerns.
  • Mizoram & Nagaland: Opposed the decision, highlighting socio-economic and ethnic ties across the border.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Impact of FMR on Border Communities

• Economic & Social Ties:
  • Border communities historically traded and interacted freely even before FMR.
  • Movement of goods and people has strengthened local economies.

• Ethnic & Familial Connections:
  • The border was drawn without local consent; many communities share ancestry and cultural heritage across the border.

Security Concerns & Cross-Border Crimes

• Government’s Justification for Scrapping FMR:
  • To curb illegal migration and cross-border crimes (drugs, gold, areca nuts smuggling).

• Criticism of This Approach:
  • Border Area Development Programme (BADP) increased military presence, but smuggling persists.
  • Scrapping FMR may not significantly impact security concerns.

Feasibility of Border Fencing

• Challenges:
  • Geographical Complexity: Myanmar-India border is ~1,700 km long, with difficult terrain.
  • Community Resistance: Many border residents oppose fencing, fearing loss of access and livelihoods.
  • Historical Parallels: Similar fencing in advanced nations like the US has proven ineffective.

• Alternative Approach Suggested:
  • Strengthening customs and local monitoring mechanisms rather than fencing.

Potential Political Fallout

• Threat of Renewed Homeland Demands:
  • Fencing could reignite separatist demands in border states (e.g., Frontier Nagaland, ethnic Chin-Mizo unity aspirations).
  • Fear of land alienation due to Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, which allows strategic projects within 100 km of borders.

Possible Alternatives & Way Forward

• Henry Zodinliana Pachuau’s View:
  • Fencing is not a practical solution; better border monitoring is needed.
  • Legalizing border trade could benefit India economically while regulating goods movement.

• Likhase Sangtam’s View:
  • FMR in its current form cannot continue indefinitely, given Myanmar’s instability.
  • Public awareness & consensus-building are crucial before implementing major policy shifts.

Conclusion

• Scrapping FMR without a robust alternative could disrupt ethnic ties, trade, and stability.
• A balanced approach:
  • Regulate rather than eliminate FMR.
  • Enhance border monitoring.
  • Strengthen legal trade to curb smuggling.
  • Involve local communities in decision-making.

The flawed push for a third language

Context & Policy Concerns

• NEP 2020 enforces a three–language policy, but India’s school system struggles with even two languages.
• Evidence-based policymaking should guide decisions, yet data on third-language learning outcomes is absent.
• Instead of strengthening math, science, and emerging fields like AI, resources are being diverted to an unproven linguistic policy.

Relevance : GS 2(Education)

Surveys & Learning Outcomes

• PISA 2009: India ranked 73/74, withdrew from the test afterward.
• NAS 2017 & 2021:
  • Class 8 (2017): Only 48% could read, 47% could write, 42% grasped grammar.
  • Class 8 (2021): 56% could read, 49% could write, 44% had grammar skills (marginal improvement).

• ASER 2018 & 2022:
  • 2018: 27% of Class 8 students couldn’t read a Class 2-level text.
  • 2022: This worsened to 30.4%.
  • English Proficiency (2016 vs. 2022):
    • 2016: 73.8% of Class 8 students couldn’t read simple English sentences.
    • 2022: Still 53.3% struggled with basic English.

Schools are failing to ensure proficiency in two languages, making a third language redundant.

Cognitive & Pedagogical Challenges

• Cognitive Load Theory: Learning an L3 strains cognitive capacity, reducing efficiency in L1 & L2.
• Language Similarity Impact:
  • Indo-Aryan languages (Marathi, Punjabi, Odia) → Facilitative learning of Hindi.
  • Dravidian & Sino-Tibetan languages (Tamil, Santali, Mizo) → Difficult, asymmetric learning burden.

NEP 2020 ignores linguistic diversity and cognitive limitations.

Implementation Challenges

• Teacher Shortages & Resource Allocation:
  • Rural schools lack teachers for core subjects, let alone three languages.
  • Budget constraints make it impractical for States to fund additional language teachers.

• Illusory Choice:
  • The policy states students can choose any three languages, but in practice, schools will default to Hindi or Sanskrit due to teacher availability.
  • This creates an indirect push for Hindi, especially in non-Hindi-speaking States.

AI & Language Learning

• NEP 2020 overlooks AI-driven language tools like real-time translation, voice-to-text conversion.
• Instead of classroom instruction, students could use AI for additional language learning at their own pace.

A flexible AI-based approach would be more cost-effective and inclusive.

Lessons from Singapore

• Bilingual Policy: English (neutral global language) + mother tongue (Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil).
• Results:
  • PISA 2015 & 2022: Singapore ranked 1st in the world.
  • Social harmony & economic success due to English proficiency.

 India should prioritize English and regional languages, not force a third language.

Why Hindi Can’t Be a National Unifier

• 2011 Census: 43.63% Indians are classified as Hindi speakers, but this includes 53 other languages as “Hindi dialects.”
• Actual Hindi speakers: ~25% of the population.
• Migration patterns:
  • 95.28% of Indians never migrate outside their home States → They do not require Hindi for survival.
  • Forcing Hindi ignores India’s linguistic diversity and federal structure.

Conclusion: Evidence Over Ideology

• India struggles with basic literacy in two languages, enforcing a third is impractical and unnecessary.
• NEP 2020 prioritizes ideology over data-driven policymaking.
• Investments should focus on STEM education, AI, and real-world skills instead of an unproven trilingual model.

Integrated tri-service exercise held in Arunachal

India conducted the tri-service exercise ‘Prachand Prahaar’ in Arunachal Pradesh to enhance integrated warfare capabilities amid ongoing border tensions with China.

• Exercise Name: ‘Prachand Prahaar’
• Location: High-altitude terrain, Arunachal Pradesh
• Duration: March 25-27, 2024

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

• Objective:
  • Validate an integrated multi-domain warfare approach involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • Enhance synergized combat drills for future warfare scenarios.
  • Strengthen surveillance, command & control, and precision firepower capabilities across the three services.

Technological and Tactical Aspects:

• Deployment of cutting-edge platforms, including:
  • Long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft – For extended surveillance capabilities.
  • Armed helicopters & UAVs – Providing tactical support and aerial superiority.
  • Loitering munitions – Enabling rapid and precision strikes.
  • Space-based assets – Enhancing situational awareness and strategic communication.

Strategic Significance:

• Operational Readiness: Ensures preparedness for high-altitude warfare and integrated tri-service operations.
• Border Security: The location in Arunachal Pradesh, near the India-China border, underscores India’s focus on strengthening defenses against potential threats.
• Future Warfare Simulation: The exercise simulates modern combat scenarios, integrating advanced warfare techniques and technology.

Linked Developments & Context:

1. India-China Border Tensions:
   1. Arunachal Pradesh has been a contentious region in India-China relations.
   1. Recent renaming of places by China in Arunachal Pradesh and India’s strong response.
   1. Increased infrastructure development along the LAC (Line of Actual Control).

• Previous Military Drills:
  • Exercise Astrashakti (2023) – Focused on Indian Air Force’s integrated strike capabilities.
  • Exercise Sangam (India-US tri-service exercise, 2023) – Highlighted interoperability with global partners.
  • Exercise Vayu Shakti (2024) – Showcased aerial combat readiness in Rajasthan.

• India’s Defense Modernization:
  • Indigenous military hardware development under Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
  • Growing integration of AI, cyber warfare, and space-based technologies in defense strategy.

Conclusion:

The ‘Prachand Prahaar’ exercise reinforces India’s commitment to a fully integrated and modernized defense strategy. With increasing geopolitical challenges, such joint operations enhance inter-service coordination, strategic deterrence, and operational readiness in sensitive border regions.

Centre tells States to be prepared to tackle heat-related ailments

Context :

• Government Directive: The Union government has instructed States to assess and enhance health facility preparedness for managing heat-related illnesses.
• Health Risks Due to Rising Temperatures: With the onset of summer, exposure to extreme heat is expected to rise, necessitating proactive health measures.
• Union Health Secretary’s Advisory: Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized the need for uninterrupted power supply, cooling appliances, solar panels, and NDMA-recommended heat mitigation measures.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance & Health Policy) ,GS 3(Disaster  Management)

Measures Suggested for Health Facility Preparedness

• Medical Infrastructure:
  • Ensure adequate stock of essential medicines, IV fluids, ice packs, and oral rehydration solutions.
  • Maintain necessary emergency cooling equipment.

• Sustainability Measures:
  • Install solar panels where feasible.
  • Implement rainwater harvesting and recycling plants to ensure water self-sufficiency.
  • Adopt energy conservation techniques and cooling solutions such as green roofs and window shades.

• Public Health Strategy:
  • Dissemination of public health and clinical guidelines on heat-related illnesses (available on the National Centre for Disease Control website).
  • Daily surveillance and monitoring of heatstroke cases on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) from March 1.

Broader Context and Linked Issues

• Rising Temperature Trends:
  • India has witnessed early heatwaves in recent years, with March and April recording above-normal temperatures in several regions.
  • IMD’s forecast suggests higher-than-normal temperatures in 2024, increasing vulnerability to heat-related illnesses.

• Previous Heatwave Impact:
  • 2023 Heatwave Impact: India recorded over 110 heatwave days across multiple states, leading to increased hospitalizations and fatalities.
  • Occupational Health Risks: Vulnerable groups such as outdoor workers, construction laborers, and farmers face the highest exposure risks.

• Policy and Institutional Measures:
  • National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illnesses: Guidelines by NDMA and State-specific heat action plans in place, but their implementation remains uneven.
  • Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities like Delhi and Mumbai experience higher localized temperatures, worsening health impacts.

• International Best Practices:
  • Countries like Spain and France have implemented cooling shelters, awareness campaigns, and early warning systems to reduce heat-related mortality.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Heat Action Plans across all states with localized risk assessment.
• Enhancing Awareness Campaigns to educate vulnerable populations on heat safety measures.
• Expanding Infrastructure Support in rural and urban areas, ensuring access to cooling shelters and emergency medical aid.
• Leveraging Technology to improve real–time monitoring and predictive analysis for extreme heat events.

House Standing Committee concerned over vacancies in nuclear and research projects

The Parliamentary Standing Committee has raised concerns over significant vacancies in India’s premier nuclear and research institutions, potentially impacting the country’s scientific and energy ambitions.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance) ,GS 3(Research , Development)

Key Findings from the Parliamentary Standing Committee Report

• Vacancy Crisis in Research and Nuclear Institutions
  • TIFR: 839 out of 1,448 posts vacant (58%).
  • BARC: 3,841 out of 14,445 posts vacant (26%).
  • IGCAR: 596 out of 2,730 posts vacant (22%).
  • NPCIL: 4,343 out of 15,088 posts vacant (28%).
  • Overall: 13,449 out of 46,307 posts under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) remain unfilled (30%).

• Committee’s Observations
  • Workforce Planning Issues: Inefficient recruitment processes and mismanagement in workforce planning.
  • Impact on Research & Nuclear Programmes:
    • Delays in R&D and fundamental research.
    • Inefficiencies in nuclear power plant operations.
    • Constraints in nuclear fuel production.
    • Adverse effects on India’s nuclear energy goals.

• TIFR’s Unique Challenge
  • The institute appears to rely more on contractual and research-based staff rather than permanent employees.
  • The 58% vacancy rate threatens long-term stability in fundamental research.

• DAE’s Response
  • Claims to have launched a recruitment drive to address vacancies.
  • Unclear whether the vacancies include non-technical roles or only scientific personnel.

Related Developments

Government’s ₹20,000 Crore Push for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• The massive investment in nuclear energy contrasts sharply with workforce shortages.
• Without adequate scientific manpower, project execution and operational efficiency could be compromised.

Previous Concerns Over India’s Scientific Workforce

• Reports from the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) have highlighted:
  • A declining interest in fundamental research among students.
  • Brain drain due to better opportunities abroad.
  • Delays in recruitment due to bureaucratic hurdles in scientific institutions.

Global Comparison: How Other Nations Handle Scientific Workforce Planning

• China: Aggressive recruitment of global talent, better funding, and streamlined hiring processes.
• USA: Stronger collaborations between universities and national laboratories to ensure a steady influx of researchers.
• France & Russia: Government-backed workforce development programmes aligned with nuclear expansion plans.

Policy Implications & Recommendations

• Urgent Hiring & Streamlined Recruitment
  • Reduce bureaucratic delays in scientist recruitment.
  • Develop a fast-track hiring process for key research positions.

• Improve Pay & Incentives for Scientists
  • Address wage gaps and improve working conditions to retain talent.

• Encourage Young Talent in Fundamental Research
  • Expand PhD fellowships and research grants to attract fresh talent.

• Strategic Workforce Planning
  • Align recruitment plans with the nuclear energy roadmap and R&D goals.

Conclusion

• The massive vacancies in scientific institutions pose a serious challenge to India’s research and nuclear ambitions.
• While the government has committed huge investments in nuclear energy, a lack of skilled manpower could delay or derail key projects.
• Urgent interventions are needed in workforce planning, recruitment processes, and incentives for scientists to ensure India remains competitive in research and nuclear technology.

Access to abortion, foetal viability, and laws thereof: women are caught in the crossfire

Context : Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion Rights

• SC ruled that all women, regardless of marital status, have the right to abortion up to 24 weeks.
• Struck down the distinction between married and unmarried women in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
• Strengthened bodily autonomy and reproductive choice for women.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues ,Health ,Judiciary ,Governance )

Foetal Viability and Ethical Dilemmas

• Foetal viability refers to the point at which a foetus can survive outside the womb, but it lacks a universal definition.
• Courts and medical ethics recognize that a foetus’ right to life strengthens as the pregnancy progresses.
• Advanced gestation increases ethical conflicts for medical professionals performing abortions.

India’s Legal Framework on Abortion

• The MTP Act (1971, amended in 2021) allows:
  • Abortions up to 20 weeks with one Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP).
  • Abortions up to 24 weeks with two RMPs.
  • Beyond 24 weeks, cases are reviewed by a medical board.

• Medical boards only approve abortions if:
  • The foetus has fatal abnormalities.
  • The pregnancy endangers the woman’s physical health.
• Sanctity of life often outweighs quality of life considerations in decision-making.

Late-Term Abortions and Legal Challenges

• Post-24-week abortions are rarely granted unless the foetus has severe abnormalities.
• Case study (2023):
  • A woman with severe postpartum depression and an unwanted 25-week pregnancy was initially granted an abortion.
  • Later, a medical board member raised concerns over “stopping the heartbeat,” leading to revocation of permission.
  • The court ruled that she must b

Medicolegal Barriers and Provider Perspectives

• Medical professionals often resist late-term abortions due to:
  • Legal liability risks.
  • Personal ethical conflicts (e.g., equating abortion with murder).
  • Lack of legal protection for doctors.
• Many women seeking MTP face stigma from healthcare providers, despite legal protections.

Precedent of Prioritizing Foetal Life Over Women’s Rights

• Judicial rulings suggest an increasing tendency to prioritize foetal rights over maternal well-being.
• Women may be compelled to carry pregnancies, even if they are medically or emotionally unprepared.
• Raises concerns about women’s autonomy and mental health risks in restrictive abortion policies.

Ethical and Legal Implications

• As neonatal medicine advances, viability limits may shift further back, impacting abortion rights.
• The principle of “Primum Non Nocere” (First, do no harm) should ideally prioritize women’s well-being.
• The MTP Act provides abortion as an exception, not an absolute right—leaving scope for restrictive interpretations.

Conclusion

• India’s legal framework offers progressive abortion rights compared to many nations but retains medicolegal barriers.
• The judiciary and medical community often lean towards protecting foetal rights over maternal choice.
• The evolving debate on foetal viability vs. reproductive autonomy will continue to shape women’s rights and healthcare policies.