What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : Startup and Go

Context: How India can become the world’s leading startup ecosystem?

 

Background and Highlights of India’s Startup Ecosystem

• India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed extraordinary growth, transforming from a fledgling stage to becoming the world’s third-largest hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• With over 1,30,000 recognised startups today — up from approximately 400 in 2015-16 — India’s progress is remarkable.
• Funding: During this period, startup funding grew 15 times, the number of investors increased nine-fold, and the number of incubators rose seven-fold.
• Role of Digital Public Infrastructure: This transformation owes much to India’s robust digital public infrastructure, which has addressed pressing global challenges such as achieving Sustainable Development Goals, combating climate change, fostering financial inclusion, and improving agricultural productivity.

 

Rising Opportunity

• India stands at the threshold of a technological revolution, presenting immense opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), big data, energy transition, electric vehicles (EVs), quantum computing, genomics, 3D printing, robotics, drones, and space exploration.
• The government has actively fostered this progress through initiatives like the National Quantum Mission, India AI Mission, and Semiconductor Mission, alongside allocating Rs 1 lakh crore for research and development (R&D).
• Progressive policies have opened up new sectors, including space, geospatial technology, defence, and drones, encouraging startups to venture into cutting-edge domains.
• Realising the full potential of these advancements requires collaboration between policymakers, entrepreneurs, and educational institutions.

 

Funds and Capital in Indian Startups

• Despite their success, Indian startups, particularly in deep tech sectors, face challenges in accessing patient capital.
• The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), launched in 2016, has been a game changer. With Rs 11,688 crore committed through 151 AIFs, it has catalysed a capital pool of Rs 81,000 crore, creating a significant multiplier effect.
• India needs a specialised fund of funds for deep tech startups that require long-term investments.
• Increasing domestic capital sources is also essential.
• Large domestic institutions like insurance companies and pension funds can allocate a portion of their surpluses to support startups, while family offices and businesses should take on more active roles as angel investors.
• Venture capitalists and angel investors play a vital role by ensuring governance and mentoring startups to balance growth with long-term stability.

 

Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC)

• Private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) have significantly shaped India’s startup ecosystem.
• Funding from these sources grew from $19.7 billion in 2015 to a peak of $77.07 billion in 2021, and in early 2024 alone, it stood at $49.54 billion.
• Over 50% of India’s unicorns have been backed by PE and VC investments.

 

Recommendations

• To ensure sustainability, domestic funds must grow and focus on long-term value creation.
• A shift toward profitability, quality over quantity, and more robust business models can help startups achieve sustainable growth.
• Regulations: Avoid excessive regulations that could hinder startups. India’s startup ecosystem thrives on minimal regulatory interference, fostering innovation.
• Startups must adopt self-regulation frameworks that emphasise accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct.
  1. This involves strong mentorship, professional boards, and sound financial management.
• Regulators must adapt to the changing landscape.
  1. India’s regulatory framework must balance innovation with oversight, enabling startups to thrive while mitigating risks associated with unregulated growth.
• Intellectual Property: Creating a vibrant ideas ecosystem, one that rewards and protects intellectual property, can establish India as a global hub for innovation.

 

Workforce and Employment

• India’s premier educational institutions, including the IITs, IIMs, and IIITs, are integral to the startup ecosystem, producing skilled professionals and fostering innovation.
• To keep pace with emerging needs, curricula must address skill shortages in areas such as product development, data science, and AI-ML.
• Academia-Industry Collaboration: Collaboration between academia and industry is vital to ensure that educational programmes align with market needs.
• Programmes for internships, apprenticeships, and recruitment can attract talent to startups and bridge existing skill gaps.

 

Startup Bloom Across Country

• India’s startup ecosystem is no longer confined to metro cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.
• Nearly 50% of the country’s startups originate from Tier II and Tier III cities, including emerging hubs like Indore, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad.
• With nearly half of India’s urban population living in smaller cities, these regions offer immense potential for growth.
• Tech companies are increasingly establishing operations in cities such as Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, and Ahmedabad.
• Supporting these regional hubs with infrastructure, educational opportunities, and inclusivity will unlock untapped talent and drive innovation.

 

Conclusion

India is well-positioned to become the world’s leading startup ecosystem. Favourable policies, a thriving culture of innovation, and collaborative efforts across sectors provide the foundation for scaling startups into global enterprises. As India works towards its vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, startups will play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and positioning the country as a leader in innovation.

Editorial 2 : A More Open Academia

Context: Criticism of draft UGC regulations ignore their potential.

 

Introduction

The new draft regulations proposed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) aim to align academic recruitment and governance processes with the broader objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. While these regulations have faced criticism, they represent a significant step towards creating a more flexible, inclusive, and dynamic higher education system.

 

Broader Context of the Draft Regulations

• Objective: Enhance quality and relevance in education while maintaining competitive standards.
• Alignment with NEP 2020
  1. Focus on multidisciplinary curricula and institutional autonomy.
  2. Integration of technology, blended pedagogy, and industry-academic linkages.
  3. Restructuring governance and regulatory mechanisms to address developmental goals and the global knowledge economy.

 

Key Provisions and Their Implications

• Flexibility in Academic Recruitment
  1. Provision: Candidates are eligible for faculty positions in disciplines chosen for PhD or NET/SET, even if different from their undergraduate or postgraduate subjects.
  2. Implications
     • Encourages interdisciplinarity and breaks rigid disciplinary silos.
     • Expands the talent pool by allowing candidates to pursue their academic passions.
     • Resisting this provision on grounds of “disciplinary purity” ignores the global trend towards multidisciplinary teaching and research.
• Notable Contributions Over API System
  1. Provision
     • Discontinuation of the 2018 Academic Performance Indicator (API) system.
     • Candidates will now be evaluated based on their contributions to academics, research, institutional development, society, and national interest.
  2. Implications
     • A more holistic and comprehensive evaluation of candidates.
     • Inclusion of distinct criteria for librarians, physical education staff, and sports cadres ensures fairness.
     • Promotes innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement, making the evaluation process more meaningful.
• Appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs)
  1. Provision
     • Formation of a search-cum-selection committee by the Chancellor for VC appointments.
     • Inclusion of industry experts and public sector veterans as potential candidates.
  2. Implications
     • Broadens the leadership talent pool by including diverse backgrounds.
     • Enhances transparency and democracy in the selection process.
     • The claim that this provision undermines federalism appears unfounded, as it adds structure and qualifications to the process.

 

Addressing the Criticism

• Critics argue against the flexibility in disciplinary recruitment, claiming it compromises quality.
  1. However multidisciplinary approaches enhance the global relevance of education.
  2. Allowing candidates to specialize in their passion improves their effectiveness as educators and researchers.
• Concerns about the new VC appointment process and federalism are misplaced.
  1. The structured selection committee ensures academic integrity and transparency.
  2. Existing systems lack the democratic safeguards introduced in the draft regulations.

 

Guiding Principles of the Draft Regulations

• The UGC draft regulations reflect the guiding principles of NEP 2020.
  1. Flexibility: Breaking disciplinary rigidity.
  2. Inclusivity: Allowing diverse talent pools and comprehensive evaluations.
  3. Democracy: Transparent and fair processes in leadership appointments.

 

Conclusion

By aligning with the NEP 2020, the regulations aim to foster inclusivity, flexibility, and quality. Criticism of the provisions, though valid in parts, often overlooks the broader objectives and safeguards embedded within the draft. If implemented effectively, these regulations have the potential to transform the governance and academic standards of Indian universities.