1.Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II) 2.Shalimar Wheat 3.NITI Aayog Report on “Revitalizing Apprenticeship Ecosystem” 4.Cybercrime in India 5.Lok Sabha Ethics Committee: Delay and Its Implications

1.Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II)

Why in News?

The Union Home Minister launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II) in Nathanpur village, Cachar district, Assam, aiming to accelerate comprehensive development of villages located along India’s International Land Borders.

What is VVP-II?

• The Vibrant Villages Programme–II is a Central Sector Scheme designed for the holistic development of villages located in blocks adjoining India’s International Land Borders (ILBs), excluding the northern border areas already covered under
• VVP-I.
• It seeks to transform border villages from vulnerable peripheral zones into vibrant, self-sustaining growth centres.

Launch and Implementation

• Approved for implementation during FY 2024–25 to 2025–26, with financial support extending up to FY 2028–29.
• Officially launched in February 2026 in Cachar district, Assam.
• Covers villages along borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Pakistan across 15 States and 2 Union Territories.

Historical Background

• 1986–87: Border Area Development Programme (BADP) launched to address infrastructure deficits in border areas.
• 2023: Vibrant Villages Programme–I launched focusing on northern borders (China-facing areas) to reverse migration and strengthen frontier settlements.
• VVP-II extends this strategic-development model to other international land borders.

Aim and Objectives

• To fill critical infrastructure gaps in border villages.
• To improve quality of life and access to basic services.
• To generate sustainable livelihood opportunities and prevent out-migration.
• To integrate border populations into mainstream development while strengthening national security by empowering them as stakeholders in border management.

Key Features

• Central Sector Scheme: Fully funded by the Union Government with an outlay of ₹6,839 crore up to FY 2028–29.
• Coverage: 1,954 strategically identified villages across 15 States and 2 UTs.
• Saturation-Based Approach: Ensures 100% coverage of eligible households under existing government schemes.
• Convergence Model: Integrates multiple flagship schemes for optimal utilisation of resources.
• Four Core Infrastructure Themes : All-weather road connectivity under PMGSY-IV.
• Telecom connectivity under Digital Bharat Nidhi.
• Television connectivity under the BIND scheme.
• Rural electrification under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
• Livelihood Promotion : Encourages tourism, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), skill development and financial inclusion.
• Community Outreach: Strengthens trust and coordination between local populations and border guarding forces.

Significance

• Strategic Security: Populated and economically vibrant border villages strengthen territorial integrity and act as first-line observers against infiltration and smuggling.
• Prevention of Migration: Reduces out-migration by generating local employment and improving living conditions.
• Balanced Regional Development: Addresses long-standing developmental asymmetry between core and peripheral regions.
• Nation-Building at the Grassroots: Transforms border residents into partners in national security and development.

Challenges

• Harsh Terrain and Connectivity Constraints: Difficult geography in many border areas slows infrastructure implementation.
• Security Sensitivities: Border tensions may disrupt development works.
• Administrative Coordination: Effective convergence requires seamless coordination among multiple ministries and state governments.
• Sustainability of Livelihood Models: Tourism and small enterprises must be supported by sustained market linkages.

Conclusion

VVP-II represents a strategic shift from merely guarding borders to developing borders. By integrating infrastructure, livelihood and security objectives, the programme aims to create resilient frontier communities that contribute to both national development and territorial security.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II), consider the following statements:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented with cost sharing between Centre and States.
2. It covers villages located along International Land Borders other than those covered under VVP-I.
3. It adopts a saturation approach to ensure coverage of all eligible households under existing schemes.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q. Border area development is both a security and a socio-economic imperative. Examine the objectives and significance of the Vibrant Villages Programme–II in strengthening India’s frontier regions.

2.Shalimar Wheat

Why in News?

Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) have developed two new early-maturing wheat varieties to strengthen the rice–wheat cropping system in Kashmir.

What is Shalimar Wheat?

• Shalimar Wheat refers to newly developed early-maturing wheat varieties bred by SKUAST-K using conventional plant breeding techniques.
• These varieties are specifically designed for Kashmir’s agro-climatic conditions and aim to ensure timely harvesting of wheat before paddy transplantation in the rice–wheat rotation system.

Newly Developed Varieties

• Shalimar Wheat-4 (SW-4): Matures by the last week of May.
• Shalimar Wheat-3 (SW-3): Matures by the first week of June.
• Both varieties are tailored for mid-altitude regions up to approximately 1,850 metres above sea level.

Key Features

• Early Maturity: Developed to mature earlier than traditional wheat varieties, preventing delays in paddy transplantation.
• Climate Adaptability: Unlike subtropical wheat varieties previously introduced, these are suited to Kashmir’s temperate and mid-altitude conditions.
• Compatibility with Rice–Wheat Rotation: Facilitates smooth crop sequencing, ensuring fields are vacated in time for rice sowing.
• Disease Resistance: Exhibits resistance to yellow rust, a major fungal disease affecting wheat crops in northern India and particularly in Kashmir.
• High Productivity: SW-3 offers productivity of up to 38 quintals per hectare, combining early maturity with good yield performance.
• Biofortification: SW-3 contains enhanced iron and zinc levels (above 40 ppm) and around 12% protein content, improving nutritional value.
• Conventional Breeding : Developed through cross-breeding, pedigree selection and extensive multi-year field trials over nearly a decade.

Significance:

• Strengthening Food Security: Stabilizes the rice–wheat cropping system, which is central to food production in the region.
• Improved Cropping Efficiency: Reduces the risk of delayed paddy transplantation caused by late wheat harvesting.
• Climate Resilience: Adapted to local agro-climatic conditions, enhancing sustainability under changing climate patterns.
• Nutritional Security: Biofortified traits support the fight against micronutrient deficiencies such as iron and zinc deficiency.
• Farmer Income Stability: Higher productivity and disease resistance reduce crop losses and input costs.

Broader Agricultural Context

The rice–wheat cropping system is one of the most dominant systems in northern India. However, in Kashmir, shorter growing seasons and climatic constraints make early-maturing, region-specific varieties crucial for maintaining productivity and crop sequencing.

Conclusion

Shalimar Wheat varieties represent a region-specific scientific intervention aimed at aligning agricultural innovation with climatic realities and cropping patterns. By combining early maturity, disease resistance and nutritional enhancement, these varieties contribute to food security, farmer welfare and sustainable agriculture in Kashmir.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to Shalimar Wheat varieties recently developed in Kashmir, consider the following statements:

1. They are genetically modified (GM) crops developed through transgenic technology.
2. They are designed to mature early to support the rice–wheat cropping system.
3. One of the varieties shows resistance to yellow rust disease.

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 importance of region-specific crop varieties in strengthening agricultural sustainability. In this context, examine the significance of the Shalimar Wheat varieties for Kashmir’s rice–wheat cropping system.

3.NITI Aayog Report on “Revitalizing Apprenticeship Ecosystem”

Why in News?

• NITI Aayog has released a policy report titled “Revitalizing Apprenticeship Ecosystem: Insights, Challenges, Recommendations and Best Practices.”
• The report positions apprenticeships as a strategic pillar for human capital development and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

What is the Report About?

The report provides a comprehensive review of India’s apprenticeship ecosystem and proposes structural reforms to enhance its scale, quality and inclusivity.

It outlines 20 action-oriented recommendations structured around five key pillars:

• Policy reforms• Structural strengthening• State and district-level interventions• Industry engagement• Aspirant support mechanisms

It also proposes an Apprenticeship Engagement Index to benchmark state performance and recommends a unified digital platform for seamless implementation.

Key Data and Trends

State ConcentrationApprenticeship engagement remains highly concentrated, with Gujarat accounting for over 24% of total engagements under NAPS in FY 2024–25.Top StatesGujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka together account for a major share of apprenticeship placements.Regional DisparitiesSeveral states and Union Territories contribute negligible shares, indicating serious geographical imbalance.Demographic ContextA large proportion of unemployed youth possess higher education qualifications but lack industry-ready skills.Rural Energy LinkageThe report notes that agricultural residues linked to rural apprenticeship ecosystems could generate up to 18,000 MW of bio-energy potential annually.

Importance of a Strong Apprenticeship Ecosystem

• Bridging the Skill GapConnects theoretical education with hands-on industrial exposure, making youth industry-ready.
• Enhancing EmployabilityLearning-by-doing models significantly improve job readiness and retention.
• Boosting MSME ProductivityProvides enterprises with semi-skilled workers trained in real operational workflows.
• Promoting Social MobilityOffers structured career pathways for youth from rural and marginalized communities.
• Global CompetitivenessAligns Indian skill certifications with international standards, enabling labour mobility.

Key Challenges

• Aspirational Bias: Cultural preference for traditional degrees over vocational training reduces uptake.
• Inter-State Imbalance: Industrialized states dominate while others lag in apprenticeship participation.
• Regulatory Complexity: Multiple schemes (NAPS, NATS) and compliance requirements deter MSMEs.
• Infrastructure Deficits: Many districts lack adequate training centres and technical capacity.
• Curriculum Mismatch: Rapid technological shifts, particularly in AI and digital sectors, outpace curriculum updates.
• Initiatives Already in Place : NEP 2020 IntegrationMainstreams vocational education within formal academic pathways.
• National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Provides financial incentives to employers and shares stipend costs.
• National Apprentice Training Scheme (NATS): Targets graduate and diploma holders.
• District Skill Committees: Decentralized bodies to identify and implement district-level skill needs.

Way Forward

A Unified Digital Platform should function as a single-window system for apprenticeship registration, compliance, and tracking to enhance transparency and efficiency. An Apprenticeship Engagement Index can promote competitive federalism by ranking States based on skilling performance. The MSME Cluster Model should enable small enterprises to jointly train apprentices and share infrastructure. Global Certification Mapping is necessary to align Indian qualifications with international labour market standards. Behavioural change campaigns must elevate vocational education as a first-choice career pathway and improve its social acceptance.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to India’s apprenticeship ecosystem, consider the following statements:

1. The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) provides financial incentives to employers engaging apprentices.
2. The National Apprentice Training Scheme (NATS) is exclusively meant for school-level vocational students.
3. The NITI Aayog report proposes an Apprenticeship Engagement Index to benchmark state performance.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q.Apprenticeships are critical for bridging the gap between education and employment in India. Examine the key challenges in India’s apprenticeship ecosystem and suggest reforms in light of the NITI Aayog report on revitalization.

4.Cybercrime in India

Why in News?

• Data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) shows a 24% spike in cybercrime cases in 2025, with total reported financial losses of ₹22,495 crore.
• The data reveals that investment scams alone accounted for more than 75% of total losses, indicating increasing sophistication and organization in cyber fraud networks.

What is Cybercrime?

Cybercrime refers to criminal activities conducted using computers, digital devices, networks or the internet.

In India, cybercrime has evolved from basic phishing emails to sophisticated operations involving:

• AI-generated impersonation• Digital arrest scams• Sextortion rackets• Investment and stock market fraud• Ransomware attacks• Financial mule account networks

It threatens economic stability, financial systems, personal privacy and even critical infrastructure.

Key Data and Trends (2025)

Case Volume28.15 lakh cases recorded in 2025 (up from 22.68 lakh in 2024).Financial Loss₹22,495 crore lost in 2025 (slight dip from ₹22,845 crore in 2024 due to real-time interventions).Dominant Fraud CategoryInvestment scams account for 76% of total financial losses and 35% of reported cases.Emerging CrimesDigital arrest scams – 9% of losses.Sextortion – 4% of losses.Recovery EffortsThrough the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), fraudulent transactions worth over ₹8,000 crore have been blocked.

Reasons for Rising Cybercrime

• Expanding Digital Footprint: With rapid internet penetration and UPI adoption, the digital attack surface has expanded into rural and semi-urban India.
• Psychological Vulnerability: Greed (high-return schemes), fear (digital arrest scams), and shame (sextortion) are exploited systematically.
• AI and Deepfake Technology: Fraudsters use generative AI to simulate police officers, officials, or corporate executives through voice and video cloning.
• Cross-Border Scam Networks: Organized scam centers in Southeast Asia operate industrial-scale cyber fraud targeting Indian citizens.
• UPI Misuse and Digital Banking Gaps: Lack of awareness regarding collect requests and PIN authentication leads to large-scale financial fraud.

Challenges in Controlling Cybercrime

• Low FIR Conversion Rate: Despite 28 lakh complaints, only around 55,000 FIRs were registered, indicating legal follow-up gaps.
• Jurisdictional Complexity: Crimes often span multiple states and countries, complicating investigation and prosecution.
• Technical Sophistication: Use of VPNs, encrypted communication, cryptocurrency and mule accounts reduces traceability.
• Forensic Skill Deficit: Shortage of trained cyber forensic personnel at district and police station levels.
• Social Stigma: Victims of sextortion or digital intimidation often delay reporting.
• Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability: Hospitals, banks, and power grids face ransomware threats, raising national security concerns.
• Legal and Institutional Framework: Information Technology Act, 2000 (amended 2008) – Primary cyber law framework.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) – Nodal body under MHA.
• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal – Online complaint registration platform.
• Section 66 series (IT Act) – Covers hacking, identity theft, cheating by personation.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 – Includes updated provisions related to digital fraud.

Conclusion

Cybercrime in India is no longer a marginal digital nuisance but a large-scale socio-economic challenge. The shift from random phishing to organized, AI-powered financial fraud demands a transition from reactive recovery to preventive digital resilience.

Building a Cyber-Surakshit Bharat requires technological upgrades, institutional reforms, legal strengthening and informed citizen participation.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to cybercrime regulation in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Information Technology Act, 2000 provides legal provisions to deal with hacking and identity theft.
2. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) functions under the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
3. The 1930 helpline is used for reporting financial cyber frauds for real-time intervention.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (b)

Mains Question

Q.Cybercrime in India is increasingly driven by organized financial fraud and AI-enabled manipulation. Discuss the emerging trends, institutional challenges and policy measures required to build a resilient cyber security ecosystem in India.

5.Lok Sabha Ethics Committee: Delay and Its Implications

Why in News?

• Nearly two years into the tenure of the 18th Lok Sabha, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee has not yet been constituted.
• The Parliamentary Affairs Minister indicated that a motion against the Leader of Opposition may be referred to the Ethics Committee, subject to the Speaker’s decision — drawing attention to the institutional vacuum.

About the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee

Composition and Tenure

• The Committee consists of 15 Members of Parliament, appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• Each member serves a one-year term.

Functions

• The Committee examines complaints of unethical conduct against Lok Sabha members referred to it by the Speaker.
• It conducts inquiries and submits recommendations to the Speaker based on its findings.
• It deals strictly with issues of moral and ethical misconduct by MPs.

Genesis and Evolution

• 1996: The idea of Ethics Committees for both Houses was first suggested at the Presiding Officers’ Conference in Delhi.
• 4 March 1997: The Rajya Sabha Ethics Committee was constituted by then Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, K. R. Narayanan.
• 1997 (Lok Sabha): A study group under the Committee of Privileges recommended the creation of an Ethics Committee, but no immediate action followed.
• 13th Lok Sabha: The Committee of Privileges reiterated the recommendation.
• 2000: Speaker G. M. C. Balayogi set up an ad hoc Ethics Committee.
• 2015: The Ethics Committee was made a permanent committee of the Lok Sabha.

Procedure for Complaints

• Any person may file a complaint against an MP through another Lok Sabha MP.
• The complaint must include evidence and an affidavit stating it is not false, frivolous or vexatious.
• If an MP files a complaint against another MP, no affidavit is required.
• The Speaker may directly refer complaints to the Committee.

The Committee does not entertain:

• Complaints based solely on media reports• Matters that are sub judice

• The Committee conducts a prima facie inquiry before proceeding.
• After evaluation, it submits a report to the Speaker.
• The Speaker then decides whether the House will take up the report for consideration.
• Provision exists for a half-hour discussion on the report.

Rajya Sabha Ethics Committee

• Established on 4 March 1997 — the first such committee in any Indian legislature.
• Composition10 members appointed by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
• TenureHolds office until a new committee is appointed; vacancies are filled by the Chairman.

Overlap with the Privileges Committee

• The jurisdictions of the Ethics Committee and Privileges Committee sometimes intersect.
• Deals exclusively with misconduct by Members of Parliament.Protects the authority, dignity and privileges of the House and its members.
• Breach of privilege proceedings may be initiated against MPs or even non-MPs.
• Serious corruption or actions undermining parliamentary authority are often referred to the Privileges Committee.

Implications of the Delay

• Institutional Vacuum: Without constitution of the Committee, complaints of ethical misconduct cannot be formally examined.
• Erosion of Accountability: Weakens internal parliamentary mechanisms for enforcing ethical standards.
• Political Controversy: Referral of sensitive motions becomes procedurally uncertain.
• Impact on Public Trust: Parliamentary oversight bodies play a symbolic role in upholding democratic morality; delays may affect institutional credibility.
• Procedural Bottlenecks: Cases may instead be pushed toward the Privileges Committee, blurring jurisdictional clarity.

Constitutional Context

• Although the Ethics Committee is not a constitutional body, its functioning aligns with broader principles under:
• Article 105 – Powers and privileges of Parliament.
• Parliamentary conventions of self-regulation and internal accountability.

Conclusion

The non-constitution of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee highlights a gap in Parliament’s internal accountability framework. While the House retains other disciplinary mechanisms, the absence of a functioning Ethics Committee weakens the institutional architecture meant to uphold ethical standards in public life.

Timely reconstitution is essential to maintain parliamentary integrity, transparency and democratic legitimacy.

Prelims Question

Q.With reference to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, consider the following statements:

1. It is a constitutional body established under Article 105.
2. It consists of 15 members appointed by the Speaker.
3. It can examine complaints based solely on media reports.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one(b) Only two(c) Only three(d) None

Answer: (a)

Mains Question

Q.Discuss the role of parliamentary ethics mechanisms in strengthening democratic accountability. Examine the implications of delays in constituting the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee.