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

Editorial 1: Why India Needs a National Counter-IED Policy

Context

The recent Red Fort blast investigation revealed the use of highly potent improvised explosive devices (IEDs), highlighting the urgent need for a national strategic framework to prevent, detect, and neutralize IED threats.

Background

• IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices)are widely used by terrorist groups due to their low cost, easy availability of raw materials, and ability to create high casualties without direct risk to the perpetrator.
• India faces persistent IED threats in conflict zones such as Jammu & Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas, and Punjab, and increasingly in urban centers.
• Terror outfits often use ammonium nitrate, fuel oil (ANFO), military-grade explosives, metal balls, and chemical triggersto build lethal IEDs.

Why IEDs Remain a Major Security Challenge

1. Easy Fabrication and Raw Material Availability

• Components such as batteries, switches, containers, and trigger systems are easily procured from common commercial sources.
• Ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer, is widely misused to cook explosive mixtures.

2. Low-Risk, High-Impact Weapon for Terrorists

• Does not require direct confrontation; can be remotely triggered.
• Causes maximum casualties and psychological shock.

3. Technological Support from Across Borders

• Pakistan supplies commercial explosives and detonators to cross-border terror groups.
• Drones increasingly used to smuggle magnetic IEDs and explosive material.

4. Rising Use in Urban Areas

• Recent blasts like the Rameshwaram Café blast (Bengaluru)and attempts near Red Fort signify expanding threat beyond known conflict zones.

Current Institutional Mechanisms

• National Security Guard (NSG)maintains the National Bomb Data Centre for explosion signatures and blast forensics.
• PESO(Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation) regulates commercial explosives and detonators.
• However, issues remain:
  • Limited manpower and monitoring capacity
  • Lack of real-time intelligence coordination
  • Pilferage of explosives during transportation and storage

Need for a National Counter-IED Policy

Requirement	Purpose
Unified national framework	Integrate intelligence, technology, response and regulation
Strengthening border management	Prevent drone and courier smuggling routes
Technological upgrades	AI-based surveillance, explosive-detection sensors, robotics
Special training for police & disaster units	Enhancing first-response capability
Regulation of explosive precursor chemicals	Control supply chain leakages
Community policing & awareness	Reduce local support networks
Database-driven forensic analysis	Identify terror group signatures

Way Forward

• Develop a dedicated national Counter-IED doctrineunder MHA with standardized operating procedures.
• Deploy technology-enabled detection systems(scanners, jammers, drone-interception systems).
• Improve coordination among NSG, NIA, IB, state police and defence forces.
• Strengthen border surveillance & anti-drone systems.
• Regulate chemical precursors and strengthen supply-chain tracking using digital monitoring.
• Promote R&D in indigenous anti-bomb robotics and forensic technologies.

Conclusion

The evolving sophistication of IED attacks, cross-border support for terrorism, and the increasing targeting of urban civilian zones demand a proactive and coordinated national response. A comprehensive Counter-IED Policy is essential for safeguarding national security, protecting lives, and strengthening India’s internal security architecture.

 

Editorial 2: Farmers Must Reap Fruits of Genetic Engineering

Context

India is reconsidering its approach to genetically engineered and genome-edited crops amid rising concerns related to food security, climate change, and stagnating agricultural productivity.

Background

• India effectively missed the first wave of the Genetic Modification (GM) revolution, except for Bt cotton, approved in 2006, which significantly increased productivity and farmer income.
• Despite scientific progress, strong opposition from certain activist groups and Swadeshi pressure obstructed the release of other GM crops such as GM mustard (DMH-11).
• Meanwhile, global competitors advanced rapidly with Genome Editing (GE)and CRISPR-Cas technology, while India struggled with regulatory paralysis and ideological resistance.

Recent Developments

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) scientists have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editingto develop:
  • High-yielding rice varietiestolerant to drought and salinity,
  • Low-pungency, oil-rich mustardwith high productivity and disease resistance.
• An indigenous innovation—IndiGRO genome-editing tool—provides an alternative to foreign dominant platforms like CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas12 systems.
• These developments have revived expectations of technological transformation, provided regulatory approvals are expedited.

Significance

1. Food Security & Nutrition

• India must feed an estimated 7 billion people by 2060.
• GE crops can significantly improve nutrition, micronutrient content, and yield.

2. Climate Resilience

• Genome-edited crops help address:
  • Frequent droughts
  • Soil salinity
  • Pests and disease shocks
  • Yield instability due to climate change

3. Farmer Welfare & Income Security

• Higher productivity → Increased profitability
• Reduced dependence on costly crop protection chemicals
• Strengthened supply chain stability

4. Strategic & Economic Advantages

• Reduces reliance on foreign biotech monopolies and seed imports
• Promotes Atmanirbhar Bharatand self-sufficiency in agricultural R&D

Concerns & Challenges

Issue	Explanation
Public misinformation & ideological resistance	Activism and fear-mongering over GM safety, often without scientific basis
Regulatory delays	Lack of time-bound decision making in GEAC & field trials
Corporate monopoly fears	Fear that MNCs may control seeds & farmer sovereignty
Environmental & ethical concerns	Cross-pollination, biodiversity issues require testing and biosafety

What Should Be Done?

• Science-based policyreplacing emotion-driven activism.
• Transparent and predictable regulatory frameworkfor GE crops.
• Public-sector R&D supportto prevent corporate dominance.
• Awareness and farmer educationto counter misinformation.
• Fast-tracking approvalsfor climate-resilient crops.
• Promoting indigenous innovationslike IndiGRO and ICAR technology.

Conclusion

India cannot afford repeated delays in approving scientifically-validated genetic engineering technologies at a time when climate uncertainty, rising population, and nutritional challenges threaten agricultural sustainability. Empowering farmers with modern biotechnology is essential to ensure national food security, technological leadership, and rural prosperity. Balanced regulation—not blind resistance—is the need of the hour.