1.India’s Federalism is in Need of a Structural Reset 2.The Fertiliser Industry in India 3. 100 Years of Ol Chiki Script 4. United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control 5.Loggerhead Turtles

1.India’s Federalism is in Need of a Structural Reset

Why in News?

• The debate on India’s federal balance has resurfaced following the submission of Part I of the Justice Kurian Joseph Committee Report, commissioned by the Tamil Nadu government.
• The report argues for recalibrating Centre–State relations to restore substantive autonomy to States and right-size the Union’s role.

What is Meant by a “Structural Reset”?

• A structural reset implies a fundamental rebalancing of legislative, fiscal, and administrative powers between the Union and the States.
• It seeks to move beyond the centralising bias embedded in the Constitution’s early decades—shaped by Partition, integration of princely states, and national security anxieties—towards a more mature, partnership-based federalism suited to contemporary India.
• It does not advocate weakening the Union, but redefining it as a strategic coordinator rather than a micromanager of development.

Indian Federalism: Constitutional Architecture

• India is described under Article 1 as a “Union of States”, indicating an indissoluble Union with constitutionally recognised States as its constituent units.
• The Seventh Schedule distributes legislative powers into the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. In case of conflict on Concurrent subjects, Union law prevails under Article 254.
• Fiscal federalism is structured through Article 280, which mandates a Finance Commission to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Centre and the States to address vertical and horizontal imbalances.
• Judicially, federalism has been recognised as part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution in the landmark judgment of S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, meaning it cannot be diluted even by constitutional amendment.
• Further, in Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that elected governments must retain control over administration within their constitutional domain, strengthening the principle of democratic federalism.

Why is a Structural Reset Being Demanded?

One major concern is the erosion of fiscal autonomy. While States’ share in the divisible pool has been periodically revised upward, the Union’s growing reliance on cesses and surcharges—excluded from the divisible pool under Article 270—has reduced the effective share of States in gross tax revenue. This has widened the gap between expenditure responsibilities and revenue autonomy.

• Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) have increasingly prescribed rigid design templates, limiting States’ flexibility to tailor programmes according to local needs. This has created tensions in areas such as rural development, education, and health, where diversity across States is significant.
• The Concurrent List has also witnessed greater Union intervention, especially in sectors like education and environment, sometimes perceived as overriding regional priorities.
• Administratively, an overburdened Union attempting to supervise multiple granular sectors risks inefficiency. In contrast, States, being closer to local realities, are better positioned to innovate and experiment with policy models.
• Moreover, States today are politically consolidated, economically significant, and institutionally mature. They are no longer fragile entities requiring heavy central oversight as in the immediate post-independence era.

Emerging Challenges in Rebalancing

• The impending delimitation exercise raises apprehensions among States that successfully controlled population growth, as representation in the Lok Sabha may shift in favour of higher-growth States, potentially altering political equilibrium.
• The office of the Governor has frequently been a flashpoint, with allegations of delayed assent to State legislation and perceived political intervention.
• Fiscal deficit limits imposed by the Union under Article 293(3) have also triggered disputes, with States arguing that borrowing ceilings restrict their developmental ambitions.
• Expansion of Central investigative agencies and paramilitary jurisdiction in areas constitutionally under the State List (such as public order and police) has further intensified debates on cooperative federalism.

Way Forward

• A reform of the Finance Commission’s Terms of Reference could consider integrating cesses and surcharges into the divisible pool or limiting their proliferation, ensuring genuine untied fiscal transfers.
• The Inter-State Council under Article 263 should be revitalised as a meaningful consultative platform, especially for legislation affecting Concurrent subjects.
• The principle of subsidiarity—where governance is handled by the lowest competent authority—should be institutionalised to align authority with accountability.

Prelims Question

Q. With reference to Indian federalism, consider the following statements:

1. Federalism has been declared part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
2. Cesses and surcharges are mandatorily shared with States under Article 270.
3. In case of conflict between Union and State laws on Concurrent List subjects, State law prevails.

How many of the above statements are correct?(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (a)

Mains Question

Q. “Indian federalism is evolving from a centralised command model to a partnership-based development model.” Critically examine the need for a structural reset in Centre–State relations in the contemporary context.

2.The Fertiliser Industry in India

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh government has banned the sale of non-subsidised specialty fertilisers by urea manufacturers, citing concerns of “tagging” or forced cross-selling. The move has revived debate on the extent of government control in an already tightly regulated fertiliser sector.

What is the Fertiliser Industry?

• The fertiliser industry forms a critical pillar of India’s food security architecture, linking industrial production with agricultural productivity.
• Although structured as a commercial manufacturing sector, it operates under deep state intervention, where pricing, distribution, branding, and logistics are largely policy-determined rather than market-driven.
• In effect, it is a quasi-administered sector functioning under subsidy dependence and regulatory oversight.

Key Data and Structural Realities

• India’s fertiliser consumption in FY 2024–25 stood at approximately 65 million tonnes, with urea alone accounting for nearly 40 million tonnes.
• The fertiliser subsidy allocation for 2026–27 is budgeted at around ₹1.71 lakh crore, making it one of the largest non-food subsidy commitments in the Union Budget.
• India is structurally import-dependent for key raw materials, importing nearly 100% of potash and around 85–90% of phosphatic inputs.
• The sector is gradually witnessing a push toward nano-fertilisers such as Nano Urea and Nano DAP to rationalise subsidy outgo and reduce excessive chemical usage.

Regulatory Architecture Governing the Fertiliser Sector (India)

Area	Provision	Key Feature	Impact
Price Control in Urea	Statutory price control	MRP fixed at ₹266.5 per 45-kg bag since 2012; subsidy reimburses cost gap	Retail price insulated from global gas price volatility; high fiscal burden
NBS for P&K Fertilisers	Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme	Subsidy per nutrient; firms can fix MRP but govt revises subsidy rates	Partial decontrol; politically sensitive pricing
Movement & Distribution	Essential Commodities Act	Agreed Supply Plan allocates fertilisers district-wise	Limited flexibility; possible local shortages
One Nation One Fertiliser (ONOF)	ONOF Policy	All subsidised fertilisers sold under “Bharat” brand	Uniformity but reduced brand differentiation
State-Level Controls	State administrative orders	Restrictions on “tagging” (bundling subsidised and non-subsidised products)	Limits cross-selling; tighter state oversight

Structural Issues and Implications

Soil Health Imbalance: Artificially low urea prices incentivise excessive nitrogen use, distorting the N:P:K ratio toward approximately 11:4:1 against the recommended 4:2:1 balance. This has resulted in declining soil fertility, micronutrient deficiency, and reduced long-term crop responsiveness.

Fiscal Vulnerability: The subsidy bill is highly sensitive to global commodity shocks. Geopolitical tensions affecting natural gas, phosphates, and potash markets directly inflate subsidy outgo, creating fiscal unpredictability.

Stifled Innovation: Excessive price control and branding restrictions weaken incentives for R&D investment in specialty nutrients, slow-release fertilisers, and precision agriculture solutions.

The industry remains focused on volume rather than value addition.

Investment Deterrence: Administered pricing and retrospective policy shifts discourage private and foreign capital in fertiliser manufacturing, particularly in capital-intensive urea plants.

Operational Inefficiency

Rigid movement control and district allocation plans sometimes create ground-level shortages despite adequate national stock levels, encouraging black marketing and farmer distress.

Conclusion

India’s fertiliser industry remains structurally shaped by the legacy of administered controls. While price regulation protects farmers in the short run, it has created distortions in soil health, fiscal sustainability, and industrial competitiveness.

The challenge is to shift from subsidy-driven control to efficiency-driven support—balancing food security with soil sustainability and fiscal prudence. A calibrated reform roadmap that protects farmers while empowering market efficiency is essential for long-term agricultural resilience.

Prelims Question

Q. With reference to the fertiliser sector in India, consider the following statements:

1. Urea is currently governed under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) regime.
2. Potash is largely imported in India.
3. Under the One Nation One Fertiliser scheme, manufacturers are prohibited from using their own brand name entirely.

How many of the above statements are correct?(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (a)

Mains Question

Q.“Administered pricing and movement control in India’s fertiliser sector have ensured short-term affordability but created long-term structural distortions.” Critically examine.

3. 100 Years of Ol Chiki Script

Why in News?

The Ministry of Culture inaugurated the centenary celebrations (1925–2025) of the Ol Chiki script on 16 February 2026 in New Delhi, marking 100 years of its creation.

What is Ol Chiki?

Ol Chiki is the official script of the Santhali language, one of India’s major tribal languages. It is a scientifically designed writing system created specifically to represent the phonetic structure of Santhali accurately.

Unlike earlier practices where Santhali was written using Roman, Bengali, Odia or Devanagari scripts, Ol Chiki was independently developed to match the unique sounds of the language rather than adapting an external script.

Origin and Historical Background

• Ol Chiki was developed in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu, a visionary social reformer and linguist from the Santhal community.
• He aimed to provide Santhali speakers with a distinct written identity, thereby strengthening cultural pride and linguistic preservation.
• His literary work “High Serena” (1936) became one of the earliest significant texts written in Ol Chiki.
• Within the Santhal community, Murmu is revered as Guru Gomke, meaning “Great Teacher.”

Region and Linguistic Family

• Language: Santhali
• Language Family: Austroasiatic (Munda branch)
• Santhali is widely spoken in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar. It is one of the largest tribal languages in India.

Key Characteristics of Ol ChikiChiki consists of 30 letters designed to represent vowels and consonants distinctly.It follows a strict one sound–one symbol principle, ensuring accurate phonetic representation.It captures glottal stops and other unique phonetic features specific to tribal speech patterns.There are no conjunct letters, making the script structurally simple and learner-friendly.It is not derived from the Brahmi script family or Roman roots, reflecting an indigenous design philosophy.

Constitutional and Institutional Recognition

• Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. This granted it official recognition among India’s scheduled languages.
• In December 2025, the Constitution of India was translated into Santhali using the Ol Chiki script, expanding democratic accessibility and linguistic inclusion.

Significance of the Centenary

• The centenary celebration represents recognition of India’s linguistic diversity and tribal heritage.
• It strengthens cultural identity and intergenerational transmission of indigenous knowledge.
• It reinforces constitutional commitments to protect and promote minority languages under Articles 29 and 350A.
• It also aligns with broader efforts to preserve endangered languages and integrate them into digital and educational ecosystems.

Conclusion

The 100 years of Ol Chiki is not merely a linguistic milestone but a civilizational assertion of tribal identity, cultural autonomy, and democratic inclusion. By institutionalising Ol Chiki in education, administration, and constitutional documentation, India reaffirms its commitment to pluralism and linguistic justice.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to the Ol Chiki script, consider the following statements:

1. It was developed specifically to represent the phonetic structure of the Santhali language.
2. It is derived from the Brahmi script family.
3. Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act.

How many of the above statements are correct?(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q. Discuss the cultural, constitutional, and socio-political significance of the Ol Chiki script in preserving tribal identity and promoting linguistic diversity in India.

4. United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control

Why in News?

India is hosting, for the first time in Asia, the inaugural United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control for the Asia-Pacific region.

What is the Programme?

• The United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control is a three-week capacity-building initiative designed to enhance the expertise of government officials in preventing the illicit trade, diversion and misuse of small arms and light weapons.
• It strengthens implementation of global disarmament commitments, particularly the UN Programme of Action (PoA) on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI).

Host and Venue

• Host: Indian Army
• Venue: Military College of Materials Management, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
• Organised in collaboration with:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD)

Aim of the Programme

• Strengthening National Capacities by equipping officials with technical and legal knowledge to implement UN PoA and ITI commitments.
• Enhancing Regional Cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries to improve coordination on arms control mechanisms.
• Improving Tracing and Stockpile Management systems to ensure accountability and prevent diversion.
• Curbing Illicit Arms Flows that fuel terrorism, insurgency, organised crime and transnational criminal networks.

Key Features

• Multilateral Disarmament Orientation: The programme aligns with international frameworks such as the UN Programme of Action (2001) and the International Tracing Instrument (2005), which focus on preventing illicit small arms proliferation.
• Asia-Pacific Regional Focus: Delegates from 13 regional countries are participating, fostering cooperative security approaches in a region vulnerable to illicit arms trafficking.
• Technical Capacity-Building: Emphasis is placed on record-keeping, marking and tracing of weapons, border controls, stockpile management and safe disposal practices.
• Institutional Recognition of India: Hosting the programme highlights confidence in India’s arms management, stockpile security and training infrastructure.

Security Context: Addresses threats posed by illegal small arms to internal security, especially in conflict-prone and terrorism-affected regions.

What are Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)?

• Small Arms typically include revolvers, pistols, rifles, carbines, assault rifles and light machine guns.
• Light Weapons include heavier portable weapons such as heavy machine guns, hand-held grenade launchers, portable anti-aircraft guns and man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS).
• SALW are particularly dangerous because they are portable, easily concealed and widely trafficked, making them the primary weapons used in internal conflicts and organised crime.

Significance for India

• It positions India as a regional hub for professional military and technical training in arms control and disarmament.
• It strengthens India’s role in promoting a rules-based international order and responsible arms governance.
• It enhances diplomatic outreach in the Indo-Pacific region by building trust through security cooperation.
• It contributes to India’s broader commitment to combating terrorism and transnational organised crime.

Conclusion

The hosting of the UN Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control marks a significant milestone in India’s engagement with global disarmament frameworks. By building regional capacities and strengthening arms control mechanisms, India reinforces both its strategic stature and its commitment to international peace and security.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), consider the following statements:

1. The UN Programme of Action (PoA) addresses the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
2. The International Tracing Instrument (ITI) focuses on marking and tracing illicit SALW.
3. Small arms include portable anti-aircraft missile systems.

How many of the above statements are correct?(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q.Discuss the role of international cooperation and capacity-building initiatives such as the UN Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control in addressing illicit arms proliferation in the Asia-Pacific region.

5.Loggerhead Turtles

Why in News?

A long-term study published in Animals (2026) has found that loggerhead turtles are shrinking in body size and producing fewer eggs due to rising ocean temperatures and declining marine productivity.

What are Loggerhead Turtles?

• Loggerhead turtles are large marine reptiles known for their disproportionately massive head and powerful jaws. They are among the most widely distributed sea turtle species across temperate and subtropical oceans.
• Scientific Name: Caretta caretta
• IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Habitat and Distribution

• Loggerhead turtles are found across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
• They prefer sandy, high-energy, gently sloping beaches for nesting.
• Major nesting grounds include Florida (USA), Oman, Cabo Verde, Japan and Australia.
• They inhabit coastal shelves, estuaries and open ocean zones during different stages of their life cycle.

Key Characteristics

Physical Features

• They possess a large, block-like head and extremely strong jaws adapted to crushing hard-shelled prey such as crabs, mollusks and crustaceans.
• Their carapace (upper shell) is reddish-brown and slightly heart-shaped.
• They are long-lived reptiles, with lifespans extending 70–80 years or more.

Reproductive Traits

• Females reach sexual maturity late, typically around 30–35 years of age.
• They exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination, where warmer sand temperatures produce more female hatchlings.
• They are capital breeders, meaning they accumulate energy reserves over multiple years before undertaking reproduction.
• Females demonstrate natal homing behaviour, returning to the same region where they were born to lay eggs.

Behavioural Patterns

• Loggerheads are highly migratory and may travel thousands of kilometres across ocean basins between feeding and nesting grounds.
• Juveniles often spend years in the open ocean before moving to coastal habitats as adults.

Ecological Role

• Loggerhead turtles regulate marine food webs by controlling populations of bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
• They act as indicator species, reflecting broader changes in ocean health and climate conditions.
• Unhatched eggs and organic matter from nests contribute nutrients to coastal dune ecosystems, supporting vegetation growth.

Climate Change Concerns

• Shrinking Body Size: Warmer waters and reduced food availability affect growth rates.
• Declining Egg Production: Nutritional stress reduces reproductive output.
• Skewed Sex Ratios: Rising sand temperatures produce disproportionately more females, threatening long-term population balance.
• Habitat Loss: Coastal development and sea-level rise reduce nesting beach availability.
• Ocean Productivity Decline: Changes in marine ecosystems affect prey abundance.

Conclusion

Loggerhead turtles are vital components of marine ecosystems and sensitive indicators of climate change impacts. The recent findings of shrinking size and reduced fecundity highlight the urgent need for climate mitigation, sustainable fisheries management and protection of critical nesting habitats to ensure the long-term survival of Caretta caretta.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), consider the following statements:

1. They exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination.
2. They mature early and reproduce within 5–10 years of birth.
3. They are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

How many of the above statements are correct?(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q. Discuss the ecological significance of loggerhead turtles and examine the impact of climate change on their life cycle and long-term population sustainability.