Left Wing Extremism-Free India

Source: IE

Why in News?  

The Union Home Minister stated that Maoists have been “more or less wiped out” from the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, historically the strongest bastion of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India.  

• Declaring that the country has become “Naxal-free”, he highlighted that this progress aligns with the Government of India’s target to completely eliminate LWE by March 2026.

What is India’s Strategy to Eliminate Left Wing Extremism?

• Policy Framework: Recognizing that insurgency cannot be defeated by military force alone, India transitioned to a holistic, multi-pronged approach codified in the National Policy and Action Plan (2015). 
  • The overarching goal of this strategy is to achieve a Naxal-free Bharat and transform erstwhile "Red Zones" into "Growth Corridors" by March 2026. 
  • To achieve this, the government employs a synchronized, three-pillar strategy based on the globally recognized "Clear, Hold, and Build” counter-insurgency doctrine. 
• Security Measures: The foremost priority is to re-establish the state's territorial supremacy by neutralizing armed insurgents and destroying their safe havens. 
  • SAMADHAN Doctrine: Launched in 2017, this is the operational blueprint for security forces.  
    • SAMADHAN stands for Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation and training, Actionable intelligence, Dashboard-based KPIs, Harnessing technology, Action plan for each theater, and No access to financing. 
  • Intelligence-Led Offensives: Executing massive, targeted kinetic operations using specialized jungle warfare units like CoBRA (CRPF), Greyhounds (Andhra/Telangana), and the District Reserve Guard (DRG). 
    • Security forces have achieved significant success in countering Left-Wing Extremism through major operations such as Operation Octopus, Operation Double Bull, and Operation Chakrabandha in 2022. Most recently, Operation Kagar (2025) in Chhattisgarh has further strengthened efforts to curb the insurgency. 
  • Forward Operating Bases (FOBs): Shifting from defensive containment to an offensive posture by establishing heavily fortified police camps deep inside unmapped Maoist strongholds (e.g., Abujhmad).  
    • This permanently chokes insurgent supply lines and prevents them from regrouping. 
  • Choking Terror Finance: Utilizing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to track, freeze, and dismantle the complex extortion (levy) networks that fund the Maoist ecosystem. 
• Accelerated Development (Build): Extremism breeds in geographical isolation and extreme poverty. The state counters this by executing a massive infrastructure push to break the isolation and fill the governance vacuum. 
  • Physical Connectivity: Implementation of the Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) to build all-weather roads through dense forests, enabling both rapid troop movement and local economic access to mainland markets. 
  • Digital Connectivity: Rapid installation of thousands of mobile towers to ensure 100% 4G saturation in LWE districts, breaking the communication blackout and integrating locals into the digital economy. 
  • Human Capital & Financial Inclusion: Establishing Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and ITIs to provide quality education and vocational training, shielding tribal youth from radicalization.  
    • Concurrently, expanding bank branches and post offices helps bypass the cash-based extortion economy. 
  • Targeted Village Welfare: Executing saturation campaigns like the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan to ensure basic personal amenities reach the most remote tribal villages.

What are the Challenges that Remain after the Elimination of Left Wing Extremism in India? 

• Security Vacuum & "Vacuum Effect": As Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) begin their phased withdrawal, a localized power vacuum is created.  
  • If state police forces are not sufficiently "augmented" in terms of numbers and training, splinter groups or criminal syndicates often fill this void. 
• Transformation into Organized Crime: The Maoists have historically controlled a multi-crore extortion economy involving mining, tendu leaf trade, and infrastructure projects.  
  • Deprived of ideological leadership, surviving lower-level cadres may transition into armed "mafia" groups to maintain control over these illicit revenue streams. 
• "Absentee Administration" Syndrome: The state has built the "hardware" (schools, hospitals, administrative blocks), but the "software" (service delivery) remains weak.  
  • Ensuring that doctors, teachers, and bureaucrats are physically present and motivated to work in these remote, erstwhile "Red Zones" remains a massive logistical and motivational hurdle. 
• Tackling 'Urban Naxalism' and Frontal Organizations: While the "Jungle Squads" (Dalam) may be neutralized, the intellectual and financial "overground" networks in urban centers continue to exploit localized grievances (labor strikes, land acquisition) to keep the Maoist ideology alive. 
  • Neutralizing this network without infringing on civil liberties is a delicate legal and intelligence challenge. 
• Threat of Tactical Counter Offensive Campaigns (TCOC): Historically, desperate and cornered Maoist cadres launch TCOCs during the summer months to inflict heavy casualties on security forces. Tactical alertness remains paramount. 

What Measures can Ensure Sustainable Peace and Development in Erstwhile LWE Zones? 

• Strengthening State Police (The Hub-and-Spoke Model): The reliance on CAPFs must be replaced by a robust State Police presence.  
  • This includes the "Police-Station-as-a-Growth-Center" model, where the local police station acts as a facilitator for grievance redressal and welfare delivery, not just an enforcement unit. 
  • Civic Action Programmes (CAP) should be institutionalized into permanent community-police partnerships to maintain the "Hearts and Minds" (WHAM) advantage. 
• Strict Enforcement of PESA and FRA: To prevent the resurgence of grievances, the state must ensure the Forest Rights Act (FRA, 2006) and the PESA Act (1996) are implemented in letter and spirit.  
  • Empowering the Gram Sabha over "Jal, Jangal, Zameen" is the most potent antidote to Maoist ideology. 
• Tribal-Sensitive Development: As mining and industrial projects surge in these mineral-rich areas, the state must adopt a "Tribal-First" development model.  
  • Ensuring that the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds are spent transparently on the direct welfare of the affected tribal families is non-negotiable.

Conclusion 

India appears closer than ever to eliminating Naxalism through a mix of security operations and development initiatives, lasting peace will depend on addressing the root socio-economic causes. The transition from a security-driven approach to trust-based governance will be crucial to ensure that Left Wing Extremism does not re-emerge in the future. 

Drishti Mains Question: Discuss the relevance of the “Clear, Hold, Build” doctrine in India’s counter-insurgency strategy.

Samrat Samprati

Source: IE  

Why in News?  

On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti (31st March 2026), the Prime Minister inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Koba, Gandhinagar.  

• The museum serves as a dedicated space to preserve Jain history and honour the legacy of Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka the Great, who played a role in the spread of Jainism analogous to Ashoka’s role in the global propagation of Buddhism. 

Who was Samrat Samprati? 

• About: He was the fifth emperor of the Mauryan Empire, reigning from approximately 224 to 215 BCE. He was the grandson of the legendary Emperor Ashoka and the son of Kunala. 
  • Following Ashoka’s death in 232 BCE, historical records suggest the Mauryan Empire was divided between his grandsons, Dasharatha and Samprati. 
• Religious Affiliation: While the Mauryan dynasty saw diverse faiths, Chandragupta Maurya (Jainism), Ashoka (Buddhism), and Dasharatha (Ajivika), Samprati is the central figure for the Shvetambara Jain tradition. 
  • Often referred to as the "Jain Ashoka," Samprati is a pivotal figure in history for his role in the global propagation of Jainism. 

How did Samrat Samprati Contribute to the Spread of Jainism? 

• Temple Construction and Iconography: Samprati established a robust "ritual culture" of temple worship that gave Jainism a physical and permanent presence across the subcontinent. 
  • Traditional Jain texts credit him with building 125,000 new temples (derasars) and renovating 36,000 older ones.  Many ancient Jain temples in Western India that lack specific donor inscriptions are traditionally attributed to Samprati's reign. 
  • He is said to have commissioned and consecrated over 12.5 million idols of the Tirthankaras made of stone and metal. 
• Missionary Expeditions: Samprati systematically sent missionaries to spread the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) far beyond the Mauryan heartland. 
  • According to historical narratives, he first sent Mauryan soldiers disguised as Jain monks into "non-Aryan" (unconquered or tribal) territories. Accounts suggest he sent emissaries to Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), and even parts of Central Asia, attempting to make Jainism an international faith. 
  • He successfully rooted Jainism in regions like Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Saurashtra (Gujarat), and Rajputana (Rajasthan). 
• State Patronage and Ethical Governance: By ruling from major hubs like Ujjain and Pataliputra, he ensured that Jain institutions received royal patronage and protection. 
  • Samprati aligned the state’s welfare programs with the Jain principle of compassion (Karuna). 
  • He established approximately 700 Sada-vratas (Charitable Houses) across the empire. These centers provided free food, shelter, and medical care to the poor, travellers, and the ascetic community. 
• Monastic Logistics: He ensured that Jain monks, who travel strictly on foot and rely on alms, had safe routes and access to proper, ritually pure food during their long journeys across the empire. 

India’s Shift Towards PNG from LPG

Source: TH

Why in News? 

India is strategically pushing to replace Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) with Piped Natural gas (PNG) for domestic cooking to reduce import dependence, especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz exposed vulnerabilities in LPG supply chains.

What are the Key Facts Regarding LPG and PNG?

• About: LPG consists of propane and butane. It is liquefied under moderate pressure, stored in cylinders, and is heavier than air. 
  • PNG is a form of methane and is distributed at low pressure through pipelines directly to homes/industries. It is lighter than air. 
• Supply and Logistics: LPG is distributed in pressurized cylinders. This involves a complex supply chain of bottling plants, distributors, and delivery personnel. It requires manual booking. 
  • While PNG is supplied via a reticulated pipeline network (City Gas Distribution). It provides an uninterrupted 24/7 supply, similar to water or electricity, eliminating the "last-minute booking" anxiety. 
• Efficiency: While LPG has a higher calorific value (it heats faster), PNG is more efficient in a continuous flow system. However, using an LPG stove with PNG requires a nozzle change (retrofitting), which can drop thermal efficiency if not done correctly. 
• LPG and PNG in India:  
  • History of LPG and PNG in India: LPG was first introduced in India in 1955 by Burmah Shell Oil Company in Mumbai under the brand Burshane, followed by the first organized distribution in 1965 when Indian Oil Corporation launched its Indane connection in Kolkata.  
    • A major milestone came with the launch of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in Ballia, which scaled up LPG access for women’s health and rural empowerment.  
    • Meanwhile, in the case of PNG, Vadodara emerged as the pioneer, becoming the first Indian city to implement a city-wide piped natural gas network for domestic use as early as the 1970s. 
  • Current Status: India has around 33 crore LPG connections, while domestic natural gas production has the potential to support nearly 30 crore PNG connections if a full transition occurs.  
    • However, PNG penetration remains limited at about 1.5 crore connections, with a target to expand it to 12 crore by 2034. 
  • Supply and Production Dynamics: India imports about 60% of its LPG consumption and out of these imports about 90% come through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been impacted due to current happenings. Domestic LPG production has witnessed a 25% increase, driven by government measures. 
    • On the other hand, domestically, PNG in India comes from gas fields like the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin, Assam, and Tripura.  
      • The deepwater Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin off the eastern coast is reportedly the biggest contributor.

Helium Crisis and India’s Import Dependence

Source: TH

Why in News?

The 2026 West Asia geopolitical crisis has disrupted global helium supply, exposing India’s heavy import dependence and posing risks to critical sectors like healthcare, semiconductors, and advanced technology industries.

What are the Key Applications of Helium? 

• About: Helium is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, inert, and non-flammable noble gas with the lowest boiling and melting points of all elements, allowing it to remain liquid even near absolute zero, and it plays a vital role in modern technology. 
  • It is the second lightest and second most abundant element in the observable universe. 
  • Despite being abundant in the universe, helium is relatively rare on Earth because its low density allows it to escape the atmosphere. It is not manufactured synthetically, instead, it is obtained as a by-product during the cryogenic processing of natural gas into Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). 
• Applications:  
  • Cryogenics & Healthcare: The most critical use of helium is as a cooling agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. 
    • Liquid helium cools the superconducting magnets in MRIs to temperatures near absolute zero, allowing them to conduct electricity without resistance and create the strong magnetic fields needed for internal imaging. 
  • Aerospace & Rocketry: Helium is vital for space exploration and satellite launches. 
    • Pressurizing Fuel Tanks: In liquid-fueled rockets, helium is used to fill the ullage space (the empty space in fuel tanks). As fuel is consumed, helium maintains the pressure to ensure a steady flow to the engines. 
    • Purging Systems: Because it is inert, it is used to "clean" or purge fuel lines of potentially explosive vapors. 
  • High-Tech Manufacturing: Helium plays a "behind-the-scenes" role in the gadgets we use daily. 
    • Semiconductors: It provides an inert atmosphere and rapid cooling during the manufacturing of computer chips. 
    • Fiber Optics: It is used as a cooling medium during the high-speed drawing of glass fibers used for global internet cables. 
  • Deep-Sea Diving: Professional and commercial divers use Heliox (a mixture of helium and oxygen). 
    • Preventing Narcosis: Unlike nitrogen, helium does not have an intoxicating effect under high pressure, preventing "nitrogen narcosis." 
    • Easier Breathing: Its low density reduces the physical effort required to breathe at great depths. 
  • Scientific Research & Detection 
    • Particle Accelerators: Facilities like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) use liquid helium to keep their magnets at functional temperatures. 
    • Leak Detection: Because helium atoms are exceptionally small and move quickly, they are used to test for microscopic leaks in high-vacuum equipment and gas pipelines.

Qdenga Vaccine for Dengue

Source: TH

India has approved Takeda's TAK-003 (Qdenga), its first dengue vaccine, cleared by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) under the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for individuals aged 4 to 60 years  marking a historic shift from reactive vector control to preventive public health strategy. 

• Qdenga:  It is a tetravalent dengue vaccine tested on 28,000+ participants and approved in 40+ countries. 
  • TAK-003 is a disease-modifying vaccine, not a transmission-blocking one. It reduces clinical severity but does not prevent infection or eliminate outbreaks. 
  • Unlike earlier vaccines, it does not require prior dengue infection testing, making rollout easier. 
  • SEC has mandated post-marketing studies across regions and serotype patterns to assess real-world effectiveness in India. 
• Key Limitations: Dengue is caused by four serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4). While TAK-003 is highly effective against DENV-2 (its genetic backbone), its efficacy is notably lower against DENV-3 and DENV-4, especially in "seronegative" individuals (those never previously infected). 
  • India's dengue epidemiology is shifting while DENV-3 is rising (contributing 20–30% of cases) in several regions, potentially reducing the vaccine's population-level impact. 
• Cost concern:  The full two-dose course is estimated to cost between Rs 6,000 and Rs 12,000, posing significant affordability and compliance challenges for rural and low-income populations. 
• Indigenous Pipeline: India is developing ‘DengiAll’ (developed by Panacea Biotec and ICMR) which aims for more balanced protection across all four serotypes, potentially available by 2027.

Read more: DengiAll

Dannebroge and the Battle of Copenhagen

Source: IE

Marine archaeologists have successfully located and begun excavating the Dannebroge, a 19th-century Danish flagship sunk by the British fleet over two centuries ago.  

• The ship was destroyed during the Battle of Copenhagen (1801), a naval clash where the British Navy led by Admiral Horatio Nelson defeated the Danish navy. 

Battle of Copenhagen (1801) 

• About: The Battle of Copenhagen was a pivotal naval engagement where a British fleet led by Horatio Nelson neutralized the Dano-Norwegian defenses to dismantle a strategic coalition of Russia, Denmark-Norway, Sweden, and Prussia. 
  • It was triggered by the formation of the League of Armed Neutrality (Russia, Denmark-Norway, Sweden, and Prussia), which Britain perceived as a French-aligned threat to its Baltic Sea trade routes and naval resources. 
• Tactical Leadership: While Admiral Hyde Parker held overall British command, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson (2nd-in-command) led the assault, famously ignoring a signal to withdraw by placing his telescope to his blind eye (inspired by the phrase “to turn a blind eye”). 
• Immediate Outcome: A decisive British victory that forced an armistice and led to Denmark’s temporary withdrawal from the neutral league. 
• Strategic Collapse: The subsequent assassination of Tsar Paul I of Russia and the accession of Alexander I led to the total collapse of the League of Armed Neutrality, securing British maritime dominance.

Read More: Baltic Nations

NCERT Granted Deemed University Status

Source: TH 

The Centre has granted the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) the status of an “Institution deemed to be University under distinct category”. 

• Degree-Granting Authority: The new status allows NCERT, along with its 6 regional institutes, to independently offer academic courses and confer degrees. 
• Regulatory Compliance: All programs must strictly adhere to the norms and standards prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 
• Academic Expansion: NCERT is mandated to initiate new research, doctoral, and innovative academic programs. It is also authorized to establish off-campus and offshore campuses in accordance with UGC guidelines. 
• Non-Profit Mandate: The institution is strictly bound by conditions that prevent it from engaging in any "commercial" or "profit-making" activities. 
• Mandatory Accreditation: The institute must secure institutional accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and get its specific programs rated by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). 
• National Rankings: NCERT is now required to participate in the annual rankings issued by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). 
• Digital Integration: The institution must compulsorily adopt the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) system, which includes creating student identities and uploading credit scores to digital lockers linked to the ABC portal.

Read more: Future of Indian Higher Education System