What to Read in The Hindu Editorial ( Topic and Syllabus wise)

 

Article 1: Creeping risk

Why in news: Recent boiler explosion in Sakti, Chhattisgarh, killing 20 people, has highlighted recurring industrial safety failures, regulatory gaps, unsafe restart practices, and poor labour protections amid India’s expanding industrial capacity.

Key Details

Boiler explosions arise from gradual risks like pressure imbalance and poor maintenance

Restart phases and partial-capacity operations are highly vulnerable periods

Weak inspection regime relies on annual certification and self-compliance

Contract labour faces unsafe conditions with limited awareness and accountability

Regulatory gaps under OSHW Code dilute employer liability in safety lapses

Engineering Causes Behind Boiler Explosions

Boiler explosions rarely occur suddenly; risks build gradually over time

Key causes include overpressure, scaling, poor water level management, and restart stress

Failures often emerge during unstable operating phases, not normal conditions

Thermal and pressure imbalances during restart phases increase vulnerability

Indicates systemic neglect rather than isolated technical failure

Lessons from Recent Industrial Disasters

The Sakti (Chhattisgarh) explosion shares patterns with earlier incidents

The Visakhapatnam Gas Leak 2020 involved inactive or poorly calibrated safety systems post-lockdown

The Neyveli Thermal Plant Explosion 2020 was triggered during a plant restart process

Sakti plant was recently acquired, commissioned, and not at full capacity

Highlights risks associated with transitional and restart operations

Regulatory and Inspection Gaps

Boiler certification remains valid for up to one year, despite daily condition changes

Lack of enhanced monitoring during high-risk phases like restart or low-capacity operation

Existing system penalizes downtime instead of encouraging preventive shutdowns

Greater focus on fabrication standards rather than real-time monitoring and audits

Shift toward self-certification and scheduled audits reduces surprise inspections

Labour Vulnerability and Safety Issues

Contract and migrant workers face the highest risks

Subcontracting leads to diffused accountability after accidents

Safety manuals and signage often not available in workers’ native languages

Workers frequently lack awareness of hazardous materials they handle

Weak legal accountability under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 for principal employers

Structural Challenges in Industrial Expansion

Rapid industrial growth is straining ageing infrastructure

Plants increasingly operate near maximum capacity, raising risk levels

Safety lapses are now receiving greater media and political scrutiny

Many “accidents” may reflect chronic unsafe working conditions

Without reform, unsafe practices remain normalized as a cost of doing business

Conclusion

Industrial disasters such as the Sakti explosion expose deep-rooted structural flaws in India’s safety ecosystem, including weak enforcement, poor labour safeguards, and misplaced regulatory priorities. Without strengthening real-time monitoring, ensuring strict accountability, and prioritising worker safety over operational efficiency, such incidents will persist. A shift towards a proactive safety culture is essential to prevent tragedies being treated as routine costs.

Descriptive question:

1. Industrial accidents in India are less about technical failure and more about systemic neglect. Critically examine. (10 marks,150 words)

 

Article 2: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

Why in news: Recent debates on the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act have intensified after court observations on bail provisions, prolonged detention, and concerns over misuse against activists, highlighting tensions between security and civil liberties.

Key Details

Primary anti-terror law aimed at protecting sovereignty and integrity of India

Allows designation of individuals and organisations as terrorists

Provides for extended detention and stringent bail conditions

Empowers agencies like NIA with wider investigative authority

Criticised for low conviction rates and potential misuse

Raises concerns over civil liberties and due process

Background and Objective

Enacted in 1967 to prevent unlawful activities threatening India’s sovereignty and integrity

Strengthened over time to address terrorism and national security challenges

Empowers the State to act against secessionist and anti-national activities

Expanded after major terror incidents to include counter-terror provisions

Serves as India’s primary anti-terror legislation

Key Provisions

Allows designation of individuals and organisations as terrorists

Provides for extended detention and investigation periods

Permits attachment and seizure of property linked to terrorism

Establishes special courts for speedy trials

Imposes strict bail conditions, making release difficult

Amendments and Evolution

Major amendments in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019

2019 amendment enabled individuals (not just organisations) to be labelled terrorists

Enhanced powers for National Investigation Agency (NIA)

Expanded scope to include terror financing and cyber activities

Reflects shift toward a more stringent security framework

Concerns and Criticisms

Criticised for potential misuse against dissent and activists

Stringent bail provisions raise issues of prolonged incarceration

Low conviction rates highlight concerns of procedural fairness

Risk of overreach and violation of civil liberties

Often seen as prioritising state power over individual rights

Judicial and Legal Safeguards

Courts emphasise strict scrutiny in application of provisions

Supreme Court has stressed balance between security and liberty

Requirement of sanction before prosecution in certain cases

Judicial review acts as a check on arbitrary use

Ongoing debates on reforms and safeguards

Significance and Way Forward

Remains crucial for counter-terrorism and national security

Needs clear safeguards to prevent misuse

Emphasis on accountability and transparency in enforcement

Strengthening judicial oversight and timely trials is essential

Balancing security with democratic freedoms is the key challenge

Conclusion

The UAPA remains a critical legal tool for safeguarding national security, but its stringent provisions risk undermining civil liberties if misapplied. Ensuring a balance between effective counter-terrorism and constitutional freedoms requires stronger judicial oversight, transparent enforcement, and timely trials. Reforming procedural safeguards while preserving its core objective is essential to maintain both security and democratic integrity in India.:

 

Article 3: India’s rural models are shaping development diplomacy

Why in news: India’s National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) gains global attention as its SHG-based model expands across Africa, highlighting success in women empowerment, financial inclusion, and South-South development cooperation.

Key Details

NRLM has mobilised over 100 million rural households into self-help groups (SHGs)

Enabled financial inclusion and credit access for over 50 million women

Promotes women-led livelihoods, skills, and community institutions

Model is being adopted by African countries for inclusive development

Strengthens India’s development diplomacy through knowledge-sharing

Objectives of NRLM

Launched in 2011 to reduce multidimensional rural poverty

Focus on self-employment, financial inclusion, and skill development

Aims to create sustainable livelihoods for rural households

Targets women-led economic empowerment through SHGs

Promotes long-term capacity building and income generation

Scale and Achievements

Covers over 100 million households across 742 districts

Mobilised 9 million+ Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

Over 20 million women earning ₹1 lakh+ annually

Enabled ₹12 lakh crore bank linkage and ₹51,368 crore support

Strengthened by ₹19,200 crore allocation in Union Budget 2026–27

Institutional Framework

Built multi-tier community institutions (village to block level)

Developed community-based cadres for last-mile delivery

Integrated women into formal financial systems

Encourages peer learning and collective decision-making

Ensures financial discipline and accountability mechanisms

Global Expansion and Influence

Model being adopted across Global South, especially Africa

Countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda studying NRLM

Promotes South-South cooperation and peer learning

Seen as a replicable and scalable development model

Reflects shift from Western models to local innovations

Reasons for Global Appeal

Emphasis on women’s collective empowerment

Low-cost, community-driven approach suitable for developing nations

Fits informal economies and microenterprise needs

Focus on institution-building rather than short-term schemes

Strengthens local governance and accountability

Role in India’s Development Diplomacy

Marks shift toward exporting institutional development models

Builds long-term partnerships and knowledge exchange

Opens avenues in digital governance, finance, and agriculture

Suggests need for a Rural Livelihood Knowledge Exchange Platform

Positions India as a leader in global development practices

Conclusion

The NRLM represents a transformative model of inclusive rural development by combining social mobilisation, financial access, and institutional capacity-building. Its growing global adoption reflects the strength of locally rooted, scalable solutions from the Global South. By exporting such models, India is redefining development cooperation beyond aid, fostering partnerships based on shared experiences, sustainability, and empowerment-driven growth.

Descriptive question:

1. “The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) exemplifies how domestic development models can shape global cooperation.” Discuss. (15 marks, 250 words)