CURRENT-AFFAIRS

Context

Recently, the Justice Kurian Joseph Committee, appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, has submitted its report. This report issues a serious warning regarding the trend of increasing 'centralisation' in India over the past few decades. The committee believes that the Indian federal structure is currently passing through a phase where the autonomy of states is diminishing, which is a matter of concern for the health of democracy.

Key Points of the Kurian Joseph Committee Report

The committee has conducted a deep analysis of Center-State relations and has highlighted the following key aspects:

• Need for Structural Reset: The report states that Indian federalism currently requires a major 'structural reset' at the level of the 1991 economic reforms.
• Ease of Amending the Constitution: According to the committee, the process of amending the Indian Constitution is quite simple, taking advantage of which the Center often implements policies that encroach upon the rights of the states.
• Territorial Integrity of States: Citing the example of the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, the report states that the existence and boundaries of states have become dependent on the will of the Center, which is contrary to the federal spirit.
• Erosion of Financial Autonomy: After the implementation of GST, the states' own means of raising taxes have become limited. The allocation of financial resources is now more tilted in favor of the Center.
• Institutional Interference: The report sharply criticizes the politicization of the office of the Governor and the increasing control of the Center over subjects in the 'State List' such as education and health.

Other Important Aspects Affecting Federalism

Apart from the report, there are some issues in the current scenario that should be part of the national discourse:

• Concerns over Delimitation: The upcoming delimitation of Lok Sabha seats is a matter of concern for South Indian states. States that have been successful in population control fear that their political share in Parliament will decrease.
• One Nation, One Language/Election: Ideas like 'One Nation, One Language' or 'One Nation, One Election' may diminish India's diverse identity and the importance of local issues.
• Use of Agencies: The alleged misuse of central investigative agencies has widened the gap of mistrust between the Center and the states ruled by opposition parties.

Analysis

The framers of the Indian Constitution created a 'flexible federalism' to maintain the integrity of India, in which more powers were given to the Center. However, at present, it seems to be moving away from 'cooperative federalism' toward 'competitive and punitive federalism'.

While centralisation may increase administrative efficiency, a 'national solution to local problems' is not always successful in a vast and diverse country like India. Respecting diversity is the true strength of Indian democracy.

Way Forward

• Strengthening the Inter-State Council: This council, formed under Article 263, should be activated to make it the main forum for resolving disputes between the Center and the states.
• Financial Decentralization: The 16th Finance Commission should ensure the protection of the fiscal interests of the states and grant them more financial independence.
• Reform in the Office of Governor: The recommendations of the Punchhi Commission and Sarkaria Commission should be implemented so that the office of the Governor functions only as a constitutional guardian and not as a representative of the Center.
• Shared Discourse: It is mandatory to build consensus with all states on sensitive issues like delimitation.

Conclusion

The Justice Kurian Joseph Committee report is not merely a legal document but a 'wake-up call' for Indian democracy. For a strong India, it is essential to have a strong Center and strong States. If India is to progress while maintaining its diversity, it must revive the core spirit of cooperative federalism instead of centralisation. As the report suggests, the time has come for us to start a new national debate on federalism.

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Context

The world today is undergoing a phase of transformation where old structures of power are crumbling and a new language of protest is taking birth. At the center of this change is ‘Generation Z’ (Gen Z) the generation born between 1997 and 2012. While previous generations mobilized around ideologies and established organizations, Gen Z is surprising the world with its ‘digital native’ identity and a unique style of being ‘alone yet united’.

Global Perspective: From Streets to Social Media

Wherever democracy has faced a crisis across the globe, the presence of Gen Z has been recorded.

• United States: Through movements like ‘March for Our Lives’, this generation shook American politics on complex issues like gun control.
• Bangladesh and Nepal: In recent years (2024-25), the role of Gen Z remained decisive in the regime changes and anti-corruption movements in these countries. They demonstrated that even the largest regimes can be held accountable without a single ‘face’ or leader.

Indian Context: A Confluence of Confidence and Uncertainty

In India, Gen Z is living in a unique paradox. This is the most self-confident generation of post-independent India, having direct access to technology and information.

• Beyond Caste and Religion: Markets and globalization have provided a level playing field to this generation through ‘consumption’. If a Dalit youth and an upper-caste youth possess the same smartphone, it becomes a means to bridge the centuries-old social gap between them.
• Economic Insecurity: While on one hand there is the power of technology, on the other hand, disappearing jobs and the ‘gig economy’ have pushed this generation into deep mental stress and ‘anxiety about the future’.

A New Way of Protest: ‘Sporadic’ yet ‘Effective’

The protests of Gen Z are entirely different from old movements (such as the Farmers' Movement in India).

• Leaderless Movements: There is no single commander in their demonstrations. They unite on social media, flash like lightning, leave their impact, and then disappear.
• The Personal is Political: For them, politics is not just about casting a vote; rather, what they wear, what they eat, and how openly they talk about mental health is also a part of their politics.

Digital World and Hyper-Nationalism

While technology is a tool for empowerment, it also creates an ‘echo-chamber’. The rapid flow of information has encouraged ‘hyper-nationalism’. In countries like India, Gen Z is extremely vocal about taking pride in their cultural roots while also looking toward modern future possibilities (such as space missions and the Indian influence in Silicon Valley).

Conclusion: An Uncertain yet Bright Future

Gen Z is often dismissed as a generation ‘lost in the virtual world’, but the reality is quite the opposite. They do not view the world through the old lens of morality. For them, an ‘iPhone’ can be a symbol of equality and ‘therapy’ a symbol of courage.

This generation will disappoint us in ways we expect, yet surprise us in ways we never imagined. The future of democracy now rests less on parliamentary debates and more on the smartphone screens of Gen Z and their collective emotions.

General Studies Paper – II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Introduction:

India currently stands at such a historical crossroads where its linguistic diversity is an example for the world. According to the 2011 Census data, India is rich with more than 1,300 mother tongues and 121 constitutionally recognized languages. This diversity is not merely statistical data, but a national strength. Language is not just a means of communication, but it is the accumulated knowledge of generations and a unique perspective of understanding the world. When a language becomes extinct, humanity loses a significant part of its knowledge.

Central Role of Mother Tongue in Teaching

• According to UNESCO, for the quality of education, it is mandatory that teaching is conducted in the language that the child understands and speaks best.
• The theme of International Mother Language Day 2025, "Youth voices on multilingual education," also underlines the fact that when a student's linguistic identity is respected in the classroom, schools become an inclusive and pleasant place for them to learn.

Current Challenges: Language Barrier and Learning Gap

Globally, millions of children are forced to receive education in a language they do not understand. In the context of India, NCERT (2022) data shows that nearly 44% of children begin receiving education in a language that is different from their home language (mother tongue). This has a direct adverse effect on the foundation of students:

• The additional burden of 'decoding' an unfamiliar language before understanding academic concepts.
• Decline in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN).
• Decrease in confidence and an increasing possibility of dropping out of school.

Policy Reforms and Technological Intervention

Recognizing these challenges, India has prioritized Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) through the 'National Education Policy (NEP) 2020'. According to the 'Bhasha Matters' report, successful experiments of this have been seen in many states:

• Odisha: A teaching program in 21 tribal languages, benefiting 90,000 students.
• Telangana: Availability of digital content in local languages through the 'DIKSHA' portal.
• Digital Initiatives: Platforms like 'BHASHINI', 'PM eVIDYA', and 'AI4Bharat' are bringing revolutionary changes in the conservation of endangered languages and the translation of teaching materials using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Future Roadmap: Essence of Policy Recommendations

The report proposes a clear action plan for India, in which the key points are as follows:

• Clear state-level multilingual education policies.
• Making Multilingual Pedagogy mandatory in teacher recruitment and training.
• Including community participation and indigenous knowledge in the curriculum.
• Responsible and sustainable investment in language technologies.
• National Mission: Establishment of a dedicated 'National Mission' for coordination between ministries and research institutions.

Conclusion:

Linguistic diversity is not an obstacle in the path of development, but a powerful driver of social unity and equality. The evidence is clear that children learn best in their own language. Today, India’s multilingual moment has arrived, where the education system must recognize the language of every learner. Only when policy aspirations take the form of a national movement will the youth of India be able to build a strong future.

General Studies Paper – II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.

Context

Manipur has been reeling under the fire of ethnic violence for more than two years. The formation of a new government on February 4, 2026, and the appointment of female leadership like Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister has ignited a new hope for peace. However, the chasm of mistrust between communities and security concerns remain a major challenge on the ground.

Background of the Crisis and Current Statistics

The violence in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, when a Tribal Solidarity March was organized to protest the Meitei community's demand for 'Scheduled Tribe' (ST) status.

• Casualties and Displacement: More than 250 people have lost their lives so far, and approximately 60,000 people are forced to live in camps after being displaced from their homes.
• Triangular Conflict: Initially, this conflict was only between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, but according to recent reports, clashes have also been observed between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities (such as the incident in Ukhrul district), indicating that the crisis is becoming even more complex.

Major Obstacles in Restoring Peace

• Lack of Trust: There is a deep sense of mistrust not only between the communities but also toward the state administration and security forces.
• Geographical and Social Division: Manipur is currently clearly divided into 'Valley' (Meitei dominated) and 'Hill' (Kuki and Naga dominated) areas. The presence of 'Buffer Zones' has restricted movement.
• Institutional Challenges: The inability of the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, Nemcha Kipgen, to attend the assembly session in Imphal due to security reasons reflects the failure of governance and the fragile security situation.

Proposed 'Humanitarian Approach' for Peace

Nemcha Kipgen has called for a 'mother-like' approach to restore peace, the main points of which are as follows:

• Empathy and Care: Listening to the pain of the communities on their own terms instead of punishment.
• Remembrance of Shared Heritage: Reviving the shared history, languages, cultural values, and tribal heritage of Manipur.
• Unity in Diversity: Accepting that harmony does not mean 'sameness', but rather living together while respecting each other's distinct identities.

Meitei Community

• Place of Residence: They mainly reside in the Imphal Valley of Manipur, which accounts for about 10% of the state's total area.
• Population: Meiteis constitute approximately 53% of the total population of Manipur.
• Religion: Most Meiteis are Hindus, but there is also a small section of 'Sanamahi' and Muslims (Meitei Pangals).
• Language: Their language is 'Meiteilon' (Manipuri), which is included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
• Main Demand: They have been demanding 'Scheduled Tribe' (ST) status for a long time so that they can purchase land in the hills and get reservation in jobs.

Kuki Community

• Place of Residence: They mainly live in the hill districts of Manipur, which cover about 90% of the state's total area.
• Population: Kukis and Nagas together make up about 40% of the state's total population.
• Religion: Most of the Kuki community follows Christianity.
• Cultural Identity: Kuki is an ethnic group spread across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. They are considered part of the 'Chin-Kuki-Mizo' group.
• Constitutional Status: They hold 'Scheduled Tribe' (ST) status, which provides them with special land rights and reservation in hill areas.

Main Causes of Conflict

• Land Rights: Meitei people live in the valley where population density is high, but due to existing laws, they cannot buy land in the hills (ST areas).
• Demographic Change: There is a fear of the population balance in the hills being disturbed due to illegal migration from Myanmar (after the 2021 coup).
• Reservation Issue: The Kuki community fears that if Meiteis get ST status, they will take over their jobs and resources.
• Opium Cultivation and Encroachment: The government's campaign against opium cultivation and the removal of 'encroachers' under the Forest Conservation Act in hill areas was perceived by the Kuki community as targeted action against them.

Constitutional Safeguards

• Article 371C: It makes special provisions for the hill areas of Manipur, under which a 'Hill Areas Committee' has been formed.
• 6th Schedule vs Autonomous District Council (ADC): The 6th Schedule is not applicable in Manipur; instead, Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) operate here, which the Kuki community demands to be further empowered.

Analytical Perspective

The Manipur crisis is not just a law-and-order problem, but a conflict between identity politics and the distribution of resources. The history of insurgency and infiltration from neighboring countries like Myanmar has added fuel to this fire. Until 'security guarantees' are ensured between communities, removing 'Buffer Zones' or the return of displaced persons to their homes could be a risky step.

Way Forward

• Decentralization of Dialogue: Dialogue should start not only at the political level but also between civil society and religious communities.
• Judicial Accountability: It is essential to restore faith in the justice system by punishing the perpetrators of violence.
• Safe Corridors: Creating safe corridors from the valley to the hills for public representatives and common citizens so that governance and the supply of logistics can be uninterrupted.
• Mental Health and Rehabilitation: Economic aid alone is not enough for the displaced; counseling centers are needed for the treatment of their mental trauma.

Conclusion

The situation in Manipur stands at a decisive turning point between 'hate vs peace'. There are no winners in the rhetoric of hate and violence. As Nemcha Kipgen has highlighted, the future of Manipur depends on the safety of its children and rediscovering the 'shared ground' between communities. The government must now adopt a blend of 'Hard Security' along with 'Soft Diplomacy'.

General Studies Paper – II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations