Rangarajan Poverty Line

Source: IE 

Why in News?  

Economists from the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Department of Economic and Policy Research published a paper in which they ‘updated’ the Rangarajan Poverty Line for 20 major states of India, using data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23. 

What are the Key Highlights of RBI’s Paper on Updated Rangarajan Poverty Line? 

• Biggest Improvements: Odisha and Bihar showed the largest decline in poverty levels since 2011-12, with rural poverty in Odisha falling from 47.8% to 8.6% and urban poverty in Bihar falling from 50.8% to 9.1%. 
• Smallest Declines: Kerala and Himachal Pradesh showed the least decline in poverty percentages because their poverty levels were already low. 
• Rural and Urban Extremes: In 2022-23, rural poverty was lowest in Himachal Pradesh (0.4%) and highest in Chhattisgarh (25.1%). Urban poverty was lowest in Tamil Nadu (1.9%) and highest in Chhattisgarh (13.3%). 
• Consumption Pattern Changes: The study acknowledges that consumption patterns changed between 2011-12 and 2022-23, suggesting that poverty baskets and lines may need further updates in the future.

What is Poverty? 

• Poverty: According to the World Bank, poverty is “pronounced deprivation in well-being.” The poor are those who do not have sufficient income or consumption to rise above an adequate minimum threshold. 
  • According to NITI Aayog, poverty is measured by setting a poverty line (the minimum expenditure needed to meet basic socially acceptable needs) and the poverty ratio denotes the share of the population living below this line. 
  • The World Bank raised the International Poverty Line from USD 2.15/day (2017 Purchasing power parity (PPP)) to USD 3.00/day (2021 PPP). 
• Importance of Measuring Poverty:  Measuring poverty is essential to compare deprivation across households, regions, and countries; track changes over time; monitor trends; and design, implement, and evaluate effective poverty-reduction strategies. 
• Poverty Estimation in India: 
  • Pre-Independence: Efforts to estimate poverty began with Dadabhai Naoroji’s book “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India”, followed by the National Planning Committee (1938) and the Bombay Plan (1944), which discussed minimum living standards and income levels. 
  • Post-Independence: The Planning Commission (1962) initiated an official poverty assessment.  
    • Later committees like Alagh Committee (1979) and Lakdawala Committee (1993) refined the methodology, focusing on consumption expenditure and calorie norms. 
  • Tendulkar Committee (2009): Shifted from calorie-based norms, recommended a uniform all-India Poverty Line Basket (PLB), and adopted Mixed Reference Period (MRP) consumption data.  
    • It estimated the 2011–12 poverty line at Rs 816 (rural) and Rs 1,000 (urban) per capita per month. 
  • Rangarajan Committee (2014): Formed after criticism of the Tendulkar method, it reverted to separate rural and urban PLBs, estimating Rs 972 (rural) and Rs 1,407 (urban) per capita per month.  
    • However, the government did not adopt its recommendations officially. 
• Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):  Launched in 2010 by United Nations Development Programme and Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the MPI measures poverty beyond income, considering deprivations in health, education, and living standards.  
  • It reflects both the proportion of poor people and the average number of deprivations they experience simultaneously. 
  • In 2025, the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) shows that 1.1 billion people (18.3%) across 109 countries live in acute multidimensional poverty, with 43.6% facing severe deprivation in at least half of the indicators. 
• National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI): NITI Aayog uses National Family Health Survey (NFHS) to measure the NMPI. 
  • The multidimensional poverty in India has declined from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23 with about 24.82 crore people escaping poverty. 
  • The Gini index declined from 28.8 in 2011-12 to 25.5 in 2022-23, showing reduced inequality.

Drishti Mains Question: How has India’s approach to poverty measurement evolved from income-based to multidimensional frameworks?

Six-Pocket Syndrome

Source:IE 

Why in News? 

A Kaun Banega Crorepati episode featuring a child’s overconfident behaviour towards Amitabh Bachchan has sparked debate on overindulgent parenting among Generation Alpha (people born from 2010-2024/25), which experts link to the “Six-Pocket Syndrome.” 

What is Six-Pocket Syndrome? 

• About:  The Six-Pocket Syndrome, a term from China’s one-child policy era (1979-2015), describes how one child was doted on by six adults (two parents and four grandparents) who poured all their affection and resources into them. 
  • This overindulgence fostered entitlement and a sense that every wish deserves to be fulfilled, leaving little room for discipline, patience, or empathy. 
• Indian Context:  In India, the Six-Pocket Syndrome is common in urban middle-class families, where working parents and indulgent grandparents shower children with attention, gifts, and leniency.  
  • This overcompensation fosters a belief in the right to demand and be rewarded instantly, without understanding effort, boundaries, or consequences.  
• Sociological Perspective: Reflects the shift from a responsibility-based society (where children contribute and adapt) to a right-based society (where children feel entitled to comfort and attention). 
  • Erving Goffman’s “Dramaturgical Perspective”:  Explains how modern children, shaped by family and media, learn to perform roles that attract validation rather than build character.  
    • Childhood becomes a stage for social approval rather than moral learning. 
  • Zygmunt Bauman’s “Liquid Modernity”: States that society now prioritises instant gratification, fluid identities, and social visibility over long-term emotional grounding. 
• Psychological and Behavioural Effects: 
  • Low frustration tolerance: The child cannot handle rejection, denial, or criticism. 
  • Reward-demanding behaviour: They associate love with material rewards and expect instant gratification. 
  • Emotional immaturity: Limited capacity for patience, empathy, or self-control. 
  • Dependency and fragility: The child struggles with autonomy and resilience when facing failure or peer pressure. 
    • In severe cases, such children may exhibit tantrums, aggression, or anxiety when denied their wishes. 
  • Long-term Consequences: Children raised under the Six-Pocket Syndrome often develop ego-centric behaviour, which can strain relationships.  
    • Over time, this may increase their vulnerability to aggression, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. 

What are the Challenges Facing Generation Alpha? 

• Impatience and Instant Gratification: Growing up in a digital world of one-click solutions and fast content, Generation Alpha struggles with delayed gratification. 
  • They expect quick results and often lack patience, persistence, and tolerance for failure. 
• Overconfidence and Entitlement: Constant validation both at home and online breed excessive self-assurance without competence. 
  • This results in low humility, difficulty accepting criticism, and unrealistic self-perception. 
• Erosion of Behavioural Norms: With social interactions increasingly mediated through screens, children show declining respect for elders, authority, and social etiquette. 
  • Exposure to unfiltered online content normalises informality and irreverence in language and conduct. 
• Emotional Fragility and Mental Health Issues: Overprotection, combined with constant comparison on social media, weakens emotional resilience. 
  • Rising levels of anxiety, irritability, and self-esteem issues are evident among school-age children. 
• Declining Social and Empathic Skills: Reduced face-to-face interaction limits their ability to read emotions, negotiate differences, or handle conflict. 
  • Virtual connections often replace real friendships, creating emotional isolation. 
• Consumerism: Influencer culture promotes materialism and a performative lifestyle, where self-worth depends on visibility and possessions. 
• Overdependence on Technology: Early digital exposure leads to reduced creativity, shorter attention spans, and addictive behaviour. 
  • The ability to think critically or solve problems independently is gradually diminishing. 
• Data and Privacy Risks: Generation Alpha is the first fully datafied generation, with their information collected from birth. 
  • This raises legal and ethical concerns under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) provisions on child rights. 

What can be a Corrective Model of Parenting and Society for Generation Alpha? 

• Link Rewards to Effort, Not Entitlement: Children should earn privileges through achievements or responsibilities, preventing the “right-to-reward” mindset seen in the Six-Pocket Syndrome. 
  • Supported by UNCRC article 5, which emphasises guidance and direction in line with the child’s evolving capacities. 
• Instil Emotional Resilience: Exposure to controlled failure, constructive criticism, and problem-solving builds patience, adaptability, and emotional regulation. 
  • India’s National Policy for Children (2013) encourages resilience-building programmes in schools and communities. 
• Promote Responsibility: Assign chores, peer group activities, and community engagement to teach empathy, cooperation, and civic responsibility which aids in development of social responsibility and respect for societal values. 
• Balance Affection with Boundaries: Families must prevent overindulgence and impulsive entitlement. Extended family support should reinforce discipline rather than compensate for indulgence. 
  • Indian legal frameworks like the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, stress the role of family in guiding children’s moral development. 
• Regulate Digital Exposure: Monitor online activity, social media use, and reality TV exposure. 
  • Information Technology Rules, 2021 and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) guidelines mandate protection of children from cyberbullying, exploitative content, and online harassment. 
  • International practices, like UNICEF’s Guidelines for Industry on Child Online Protection, encourage age-appropriate exposure and digital literacy. 
  • Schools, communities, and digital platforms must work collaboratively to create safe, nurturing, and disciplined environments. 

Conclusion 

Generation Alpha is technologically advanced but emotionally underprepared. The challenge for society is to raise not just smart children, but responsible, empathetic, and grounded citizens balancing digital fluency with emotional intelligence and respect for shared values. 

Drishti Mains Question: What is the “Six-Pocket Syndrome,” and how does it reflect changing family structures and parenting patterns in urban India?

Appointment of Interlocutor for Gorkhaland Talks

Source:IE 

Why in News? 

The Union Government has appointed the former Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) as interlocutor to engage with Darjeeling hill leaders on key demands, including Gorkhaland statehood and ST status for 11 Gorkha sub-tribes.  

• The move aims to find a political resolution to long-standing identity and autonomy issues in the region. 
• However, the West Bengal state government has criticized the decision as "unilateral" and inconsistent with the principles of cooperative federalism. 

What Makes the Gorkhaland Movement a Complex Federal Issue? 

• Constitutional Provision: Article 3 empowers Parliament to form new states or alter existing boundaries. 
  • The state legislature’s opinion is consultative, not binding, ensuring national flexibility. 
  • However, frequent boundary demands, such as Gorkhaland, strain Centre–State relations and test India’s federal harmony. 
  • The demand, therefore, is not just political but also a test of constitutional accommodation within the Indian Union. 
• Demand for a Separate State: Demand for Gorkhaland has been Central to Gorkha identity politics since the 1980s, reflecting aspirations for recognition and self-governance. 
  • Proposed to include Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars regions within West Bengal. 
• Demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status: 11 Gorkha sub-tribes—including Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Tamang, and others—seek ST recognition. 
  • Would enable access to reservation benefits, education, and government jobs. 
  • Despite multiple assurances, the recognition process remains pending, deepening community frustration. 
• Concerns over the Agnipath Scheme: The short-term Agnipath military recruitment policy created uncertainty among Nepali-origin Gorkhas, traditionally serving in the armed forces. 
  • Nepal raised concerns that it may violate the 1947 Tripartite Agreement, which guaranteed pension and service rights. 
• Geopolitical Sensitivities: Reports indicate China’s possible interest in recruiting Gorkhas, raising strategic concerns. 
  • Maintaining robust India–Nepal–Darjeeling coordination is vital for border stability and preventing external influence. 

What is the Gorkhaland Movement? 

• Origins (1980s): The demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland was first raised by Subhash Ghising, founder of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF). 
  • The agitation, driven by identity and administrative concerns, witnessed widespread violence and prolonged strikes during the 1980s. 
• 2017 Agitation: 
  • The movement resurfaced strongly in 2017, leading to 104 days of strikes and clashes across Darjeeling and adjoining hills under the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). 
• Institutional Attempts: 
  • 1988: Formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) after a tripartite agreement between the Centre, the West Bengal Government, and GNLF. 
  • 2011: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) replaced the DGHC through another tripartite accord signed with the Centre, West Bengal Government, and GJM. 
  • GTA was designed to provide administrative autonomy within the framework of West Bengal but has been criticized for limited powers and ineffective governance.

What Steps Have Been Taken to Address the Concerns of the Gorkhaland Demand? 

• Administrative Reforms: Establishment of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (1988) and later the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (2011) to grant limited autonomy in local governance, development, and cultural matters. 
  • Regular elections to GTA aimed to ensure political participation of local Gorkha leaders. 
• Dialogue and Peace Initiatives: The Centre has periodically held tripartite talks with the West Bengal Government and Gorkha leadership to address grievances and prevent unrest. 
• Cultural and Ethnic Recognition: Several Gorkha festivals and cultural events have been granted recognition and promotion under Ministry of Culture schemes. 
  • Inclusion of Nepali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (1992) provided linguistic and cultural legitimacy. 
• Review of ST Status Demand: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Anthropological Survey of India have conducted studies to assess eligibility of 11 Gorkha sub-tribes for ST inclusion. 
• Security and Economic Measures: Focus on improving infrastructure, tourism, and livelihoods in the Darjeeling hills to reduce dependence on agitation-based politics. 
  • The Centre and State have promoted tea, horticulture, and eco-tourism initiatives as part of regional development. 

What Measures Can Effectively Address the Gorkhaland Demand? 

• Strengthen Local Governance: Empower the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) with greater fiscal and legislative powers, similar to the Bodoland Territorial Region. 
• Promote Inclusive Development: Invest in education, tea industry reforms, horticulture, and eco-tourism under schemes like PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region) and PRASAD for tourism. 
• Address ST Status Demands: Expedite the review to include eligible Gorkha sub-tribes under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, ensuring access to benefits from schemes like Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana and TRIFED initiatives. 
• Strengthen Strategic and Cultural Ties: Deepen India–Nepal–Darjeeling cooperation in recruitment, trade, and cultural exchange under the Neighbourhood First Policy to reinforce unity and border stability. 
• Empower Youth and Communities: Promote entrepreneurship and skill training through PMEGP, Skill India, and Startup India to channel Gorkha aspirations toward peace and progress.

Drishti Mains Question Discuss the historical evolution of the Gorkhaland movement and evaluate the institutional measures taken to address its core demands.

Indian Wolf

Source:TH 

The Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes),  currently found across India and Pakistan, is set to be recognised as a new and distinct species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

Indian Wolf 

• Oldest Lineage: The Indian wolf was earlier grouped under the umbrella genus of the grey wolf (Canis lupus), but genetic studies reveal that the Indian wolf’s lineage diverged, making it the most ancient extant lineage among wolves globally. 
• Ecological Niche: Unlike forest-dwelling species, Indian wolves are adapted to arid and semi-arid open habitats such as grasslands and scrublands, often misclassified as “wastelands” in land use policy. 
• Conservation Status of Indian Wolf:  
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (likely to be). 
  • Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 
• Ecological Significance: The Indian wolf inhabits scrublands and grasslands, which also support species like the Great Indian Bustard and Blackbuck. Recognizing it as a distinct species may enhance grassland conservation. 
• Major threats include: Habitat destruction from highways and industrial projects, Declining prey base and Habitat fragmentation reducing genetic diversity. 

Read More: Indian Grey Wolf

Compensation Portal for FASTag Annual Pass Scheme

Source: ET 

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced a compensation portal designed to enhance toll operations.  

• This platform will empower dedicated officials to oversee revenue sharing for the FASTag Annual Pass scheme, significantly reducing conflicts over revenue losses faced by toll operators (concessionaires). 
• FASTag Annual Pass Scheme: It was launched by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in August 2025, allows private vehicles to travel seamlessly on National Highways and Expressways through a one-time payment of Rs 3,000 for one year or 200 crossings whichever comes first.  
  • It reduces frequent recharges, ensures transparent NPCI-backed transactions, and eases toll payments, promoting smooth digital commuting. 
  • The pass is non-transferable and valid only for non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans after checking through the VAHAN database. 
  • The Annual Pass currently excludes State Highways, but regular FASTag is applicable, and technical support will be provided if states implement the pass system. 
• FASTag: It is an electronic toll collection system that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and integrated with the NPCI for automatic, cashless payments via linked bank accounts or prepaid wallets. 
  • NHAI has launched the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative that aims to discourage user behavior of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles. 

Read more: All About the FASTag

India’s Digital Public Platforms (DPPs)

Source: BL 

The RBI Governor highlighted India’s vision to make digital innovations such as UPI and Modular Open-Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) global public goods, reaffirming the country’s commitment to international collaboration on Digital Public Platforms (DPPs). 

DPPs

• About: DPPs are open, interoperable digital infrastructure solutions providing key public services, including: 
  • Digital identity (e.g., Aadhaar) 
  • Digital payments (e.g., UPI) 
  • Data exchange frameworks (e.g., DigiLocker, Account Aggregator). 
• Core Features:  
  • Open Architecture: Encourages innovation by both private and public players. 
  • Interoperability: Supports seamless integration across sectors. 
  • Scalability: Manages large user volumes efficiently and cost-effectively 
• India’s Global Positioning in DPPs: India is recognized as a global leader in DPP innovation and implementation, with systems like UPI being studied or adopted by countries including France, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, etc.  
  • A 1% increase in UPI transaction volume correlates with a 0.03% rise in GDP growth. 
• MOSIP: It is a free, secure, and scalable system for building national digital identity systems, developed at IIIT-Bangalore.  
  • It is being adopted or explored by 27 countries to design and manage their own digital identities.

Read More: Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

China Challenges India’s EV Subsidies at WTO

Source:BS 

China has approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) against India, alleging that the country’s electric vehicle (EV) and battery subsidies provide an “unfair competitive advantage” to domestic manufacturers. 

• Allegations by China: China claims India’s subsidies breach WTO obligations, including the national treatment principle (requiring that imported goods be treated no less favorably than domestic goods once they enter the market). 
  • India’s EV subsidies on best-selling vehicles (including GST cuts, tax waivers, and PLI support) offer around 46% cost aid, far higher than the 10–26% subsidy levels in other major economies. 
  • China argues these measures breach the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (which provides rules for use of government subsidies and remedies to address subsidized trade) by favouring Indian producers and distorting fair competition. 
  • China also claims that the subsidies also amount to prohibited import substitution subsidies (government financial aid for companies that are conditional on using domestic goods instead of imported ones, a practice deemed to distort international trade unfairly), favoring domestic EV industries over foreign competitors. 
• Key EV Subsidy Schemes in India: 
  • FAME India Scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles). 
  • PM e-Drive Scheme. 
  • Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Batteries. 
  • State-Level Incentives: Many states like Karnataka provide additional subsidies, tax exemptions, or reduced registration fees for EVs. 

Read more:  India's Shift to Electric Vehicles