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

Context

Recently, an improvement in the water level of the Cauvery River has been recorded following monsoon rainfall in South India. After an all-party meeting, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated that the state government is releasing water to Tamil Nadu while prioritizing drinking water requirements. Along with this, he termed the Mekedatu project as a permanent solution to the Cauvery water dispute.

Cauvery River

• Origin and Flow: The Cauvery River originates from 'Talakaveri' located in the Brahmagiri Hills of the Western Ghats in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. It covers a distance of approximately 800 km before falling into the Bay of Bengal.

• Religious and Cultural Significance: It is also called the Ganga of South India (Dakshin Bharat ki Ganga).
• Waterfalls and Islands: The famous Shivanasamudra Falls and river islands such as Srirangapatna and Shivanasamudra are located on it.
• Tributaries:
  • Left Bank: Hemavati, Harangi, Shimsha, Arkavathi.
  • Right Bank: Lakshmantirtha, Kabini, Suvarnavathi, Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravati.
• Major Dams: Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini Dam in Karnataka, while Mettur Dam is in Tamil Nadu.
• Drainage Basin: The Cauvery basin is spread across three states—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala—and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Reasons in Discussion

• Water Regulation Directive: The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directed Karnataka to release water for Tamil Nadu.

• Bandh and Protests: Local organizations and farmers' unions in Karnataka have called for a statewide bandh on August 13 in protest against the release of water.
• Mekedatu Project Becoming an Issue Again: The Karnataka government has strongly raised its demand once again to construct a 'balancing reservoir' at Mekedatu for the drinking water needs of Bengaluru city.
• Stand of the Supreme Court:
  • The Tamil Nadu government approached the Supreme Court on August 3, 2026, alleging that Karnataka is not releasing the full amount of water as per the directive of CWMA/CWRC.
  • Tamil Nadu states that following recent rains, the total storage in Karnataka's reservoirs (KRS, Kabini, Harangi, Hemavati) has reached 77.537 TMC; therefore, its proposed fair share at Biligundlu comes to 26.954 TMC, whereas CWMA has allocated only 4.536 TMC—that is, directed the release of 3,500 cusecs of water daily—which Tamil Nadu has described as "very low."

What is the Main Issue?

• Upper vs. Lower Riparian State: Karnataka (the upper riparian state) argues that during distress/deficit rainfall years, it must prioritize the drinking water needs of its farmers and large cities like Bengaluru.

• Opposition by Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu (the lower riparian state) asserts that the construction of a dam at Mekedatu will disrupt the natural flow of the Cauvery River, threatening Kuruvai cultivation and the livelihoods of farmers in the Cauvery delta region.
• Historical Legal Background: This dispute originated from the colonial agreements of 1892 and 1924. On February 16, 2018, the Supreme Court modified the decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. Following this, the Central Government notified the Cauvery Water Management Scheme on June 1, 2018, constituting the CWMA and CWRC.

Importance

• Agricultural Security: Large-scale irrigated agriculture, including paddy, in the Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu relies heavily on Cauvery water.
• Drinking Water Security: Cauvery water is a lifeline for crores of citizens in Bengaluru city and the southern districts of Karnataka.
• Federal Structure: This issue tests the effectiveness of India's inter-state water disputes resolution framework and institutional mechanism.

Mekedatu Project

It is a proposed balancing reservoir in Karnataka with a capacity of approximately 67.16 TMC. Its objective is to provide around 4.75 TMC of drinking water to Bengaluru and adjoining areas and generate about 400 MW of hydroelectric power. Tamil Nadu fears that such a large reservoir could impact the downstream flow allocated to it.

Analysis

The Cauvery dispute is not merely a matter of water allocation, but a crisis arising from uncertain monsoons in an era of climate change and the growing demands of an increasing population. Balancing statutory directives and local public aspirations is crucial for inter-state harmony.

Way Forward

• Distress-Sharing Framework: Implement a transparent and universally accepted scientific formula for rainfall-deficit years.

• Technical Management and Efficiency: Enhance agricultural water-use efficiency by promoting micro-irrigation and crops requiring less water.
• Institutional Dialogue: Both states should rise above political differences and build consensus through meetings of the CWMA and CWRC.
• Alternative Water Sources: Ensure better management of rainwater harvesting and the reuse of recycled water in metropolises like Bengaluru.

Conclusion

The Cauvery River is the foundation of the economic and social life of both states; hence, its resolution is possible only through cooperative federalism rather than confrontation. Water conservation and equitable distribution alone can protect the long-term interests of both states.

Context

The future of any nation depends on the energy, capability, and health of its youth. To make India a developed and empowered nation on the global stage, it is essential to direct the youth power in the right direction and protect them from social evils. In this context, protecting the country's youth from the ill effects of drugs and connecting them with the resolve of 'Viksit Bharat' has recently become a major center of national discussion.

Drug-Free Youth (Drug-Free Youth Pledge Campaign for Drug-Free India)

Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan (Drug-Free Youth for Developed India Pledge Campaign) campaign is a comprehensive national initiative launched by the Government of India, whose main objective is to completely free the country's future generation from the trap of drugs. This program is not just a government directive, but a nationwide movement based on public participation, which ensures the participation of youth in the country's development by making them physically and mentally strong.

Reason for Discussion

• Nationwide Launch: This national vision of making the country's youth drug-free was recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• Massive Participation: Under this campaign, more than 1 crore youth across the country took a pledge together to live a drug-free life in the pledge program organized.
• Wide Reach: This program was organized at more than 28,000 different locations across the country, in which Chief Ministers and Governors of several states also participated.
• Multi-Stakeholder Support: This mass movement received strong support from more than 125 spiritual and public organizations, educational institutions, and industrial bodies.
• Collective Resolve: Even before the Prime Minister's address, the youth across the country expressed a firm resolve to make India completely drug-free.

Outline and Features of the Campaign

• Duration: This campaign will continue uninterrupted for the next 100 weeks, under which regular awareness activities will be conducted.

• Venues: It is being organized in schools, colleges, universities, community centers, and spiritual sites across all states and Union Territories of the country.
• Main Objective: To keep the youth away from drugs, utilize their energy positively, and ensure their direct participation in the building of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
• Proposed Activities Under This:
  • Every Sunday, diverse programs related to sports, art, culture, meditation, spirituality, and social service will be organized.
  • Making rehabilitation centers easily accessible to drug victims and giving them a respectable place in society again.
  • Taking strict legal action to curb drug trafficking and illegal trade.

Startups and Drug-Free Youth

At present, Indian youth are making unprecedented progress in innovative fields such as Artificial Intelligence, space, science, sports, and startups. This extraordinary talent, imagination, and energy of the youth is the main basis of the country's economic and technological development. In such a situation, if youth get trapped in drugs, it not only affects their personal capability but also slows down the pace of the country's progress. That is why in this era of startups and innovation, remaining drug-free for the youth is a prerequisite for nation-building.

Other Government Efforts for Drug De-addiction

• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA): A program run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to reduce the demand for drugs in highly sensitive districts of the country.

• National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse (NFCDA): Providing financial assistance for the rehabilitation, awareness, and education of drug victims.
• MANAS Helpline: A dedicated helpline providing tele-counseling and expert advice to drug victims and their families.
• Strict Action by NCB: Strict measures under the 'Zero Tolerance' policy to dismantle drug trafficking, supply chains, and illegal networks.

Constitutional and Legal Provisions

• Article 47 (Directive Principles of State Policy): This article of the Constitution directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health, and to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.

• NDPS Act, 1985: The primary law declaring the manufacture, sale, transportation, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances illegal and providing strict punishment for its violation.

Analysis

Drug abuse is not just an individual health issue, but a serious challenge to the internal security and economic stability of the country. To take full advantage of India's vast demographic dividend, it is extremely necessary to save the youth from the danger of drugs and ensure their social rehabilitation.

Way Forward

• Collective Social Responsibility: Accepting drug victims into society as deserving of treatment rather than as criminals and giving them a second chance.

• Strict Enforcement and Supply Control: Keeping strict vigil on illegal international networks and domestic supply chains of drugs.
• Strengthening Rehabilitation Facilities: Expanding drug de-addiction and counseling centers equipped with modern medical facilities across the country.

Conclusion

The dream of making India a developed nation by 2047 can be realized only when the country's youth power is fully healthy physically and mentally. The Drug-Free Youth Campaign is not just an administrative initiative, but a strong resolve for India's bright and self-reliant future. Only through the coordinated efforts of society and government can we build an empowered, prosperous, and drug-free India.

Context

Heavy cuts in foreign development assistance for health (DAH) globally, combined with the pressure of rising public debt, have created a deep crisis in health financing for developing nations. In such times, rather than merely increasing budget allocations, there is an urgent need to focus on the efficient utilization of available resources, selecting the right priorities, and improving governance to strengthen health systems.

What are Health Systems?

A health system is an integrated framework of all organizations, institutions, physical and financial resources, and workforce whose primary objective is to promote the health of citizens, prevent diseases, and provide universal health coverage. An efficient health system prevents illnesses through primary and preventive care, while ensuring quality curative care at secondary and tertiary levels.

Reasons in News

• Historical Decline in Foreign Health Assistance (DAH):

  • Budget Cuts by Donor Countries: At the beginning of 2025, the United States announced a massive 67% cut to its foreign assistance program. Following suit, the UK cut 39%, France 35%, and Germany 12%.
  • OECD Forecast: According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), global health financing could fall by up to 60% from its 2022 peak.
• Rising Global Public Debt Crisis:
  • Record Level of Debt: In 2024, global public debt reached an all-time high of $102 trillion, with developing countries accounting for $31 trillion of this total.
  • Burden of Interest Payments: According to UNCTAD, developing countries paid a record $921 billion in net interest payments in 2024, severely limiting budgetary resources for social sectors like health and education.
• Underutilization and Shortfall in Budget Execution:
  • World Bank Report: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), health budget execution stands around 85%-90%, which is significantly lower than the execution rates for the general budget and education.

Status of India's Health System

• Incomplete Utilization of Health Infrastructure Budget: According to a parliamentary committee report, in the financial year 2024-25, only about two-thirds (66%) of the funds allocated for India's flagship 'Health Infrastructure Mission' could actually be spent.

• Budgetary Laxity in National Health Mission (NHM): Only 26% of the total budget earmarked for communicable and non-communicable disease control programs under NHM was actually utilized that year.
• Low Expenditure on Preventive Care: According to estimates by the 'London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine', India spends less than 25% (less than a quarter) of its total public health funds on preventive/primary care.
• Low Spending on Goods and Services: A large portion of the health budget in India goes toward paying wages and salaries, while lower spending on medicines, equipment, and other essential services leaves healthcare workers unable to deliver quality care.

Global Scenario

• Widening Gap in Per Capita Spending: According to WHO data, although the expenditure gap between LMICs and high-income countries as a percentage of GDP narrowed slightly, the gap in per capita terms expanded more than three-fold between 2000 and 2023.

• Lack of Universal Health Coverage: According to the World Bank, per capita public spending on universal health coverage in LMICs is only half of the minimum international benchmarks.
• Double Debt Burden on Developing Nations: Since 2010, the public debt of developing countries has grown twice as fast as that of advanced countries, preventing domestic budgetary resources from reaching the health system.

Analysis

• Reports indicate that amidst a 60% drop in global aid, India is utilizing only 26% of its NHM budget and investing less than 25% in disease prevention. This situation clearly demonstrates that incomplete utilization of budgetary resources and low focus on primary care remain the single biggest challenge for the health system.

Way Forward

• Complete Execution of Allocated Budget: The government must ensure 100% timely and efficient utilization of funds allocated for the health sector (especially NHM and Infrastructure Missions).

• Focus on Preventive and Primary Care: Instead of expensive secondary and tertiary curative care, a major share of public funds should be concentrated on primary health, sanitation, and prevention of infectious diseases, where market failures are most likely to occur.
• Strategic and Demographic Allocation: Given the aging population and chronic diseases (NCDs), targeted spending should be directed toward risk factor identification, early screening, and long-term disease management.
• Improvement in Public Financial Management (PFM) and Governance: Bureaucratic efficiency should be improved, corruption curtailed, and cash disbursements and procurement processes in the budget made transparent and seamless.
• Local Participation and Budgetary Flexibility: Healthcare providers (doctors/staff) should be involved in the budgeting process to fix accountability, and adequate flexibility should be maintained in budgets to respond to unforeseen events like pandemics.

Conclusion

In this era of shrinking foreign aid and mounting public debt, the core mantra of health reforms is not 'spending more money', but 'spending available money better and strategically'. All developing nations, including India, must re-evaluate their priorities by giving precedence to preventive care, budgetary execution, and good governance, so that an equitable and resilient health system can be built for all citizens despite limited resources.