9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 19 March 2025

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

India must strengthen its Indian Ocean strategy

Source: The post India must strengthen its Indian Ocean strategy has been created, based on the article “The ocean front” published in “Indian Express” on 19th March 2025. India must strengthen its Indian Ocean strategy.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: India has not fully recognized the Indian Ocean’s strategic importance beyond the Navy. The region lacks strong security institutions due to diversity and self-interest. The rise of the Indo-Pacific concept has further diverted attention from IOR-focused initiatives. This article highlights the need to strengthen India’s maritime strategy.

For detailed information on India’s Growing Influence in the Indian Ocean read this article here

India’s Approach to the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

1. Strategic Importance: The Indian Ocean is crucial for India, unlike for other nations where it is just another oceanic area.
2. Institutional Efforts: India participates in IORA, BIMSTEC, IPOI, CSC, and IONS, but these efforts lack momentum. Since 2016, the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) has gained traction in advancing SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
3. Security and Stability: At the 8th IOC (Muscat, 2024), S. Jaishankar highlighted security concerns, including Middle East instability, Houthi threats, and South China Sea tensions. He stressed the importance of respecting agreements for stability.
4. Maritime Diplomacy: The Indian Navy plays a key role in foreign policy. It has led humanitarian efforts, including the 2004 tsunami response and multiple evacuation operations.
5. Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): India shares real-time maritime surveillance with Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, assisting in securing their exclusive economic zones.

Challenges in Building an Indian Ocean Identity

1. Lack of Strong Institutions: Unlike other regions, the IOR has no effective security framework due to national self-interest and diversity.
2. Failure of Regional Organizations: IORA, SAARC, BIMSTEC, IPOI, and CSC have failed to gain traction. Only the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) has made progress.
3. Competition from the Indo-Pacific Concept: The US-led Indo-Pacific strategy has diverted attention from an IOR-focused approach.
4. Weak Coordination: Delays in MoD-MEA coordination slow maritime security and humanitarian responses.
5. Limited Use of Military Power: India’s reluctance to use military power in foreign policy has weakened its strategic influence in the region.

Way Forward

1. Strengthen Regional Institutions: India should actively lead IOR organizations like IORA and BIMSTEC, ensuring sustained engagement.
2. Expand Maritime Diplomacy: The Navy should play a larger role, moving beyond disaster relief to strategic influence.
3. Improve Crisis Response: A fully funded security and HADR program should include amphibious heavy-lift capability and hospital ships.

4.Enhance Maritime Coordination: MoD and MEA must improve coordination for timely security and humanitarian actions.

5. Develop a National Maritime Strategy: A whole-of-government approach should integrate maritime diplomacy into India’s foreign policy.

Question for practice:

Discuss the challenges India faces in building a strong strategic identity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the steps it can take to strengthen its maritime strategy.

Women vote more but lack real political power in India

Source: The post Women vote more but lack real political power in India has been created, based on the article “What factors influence women’s political participation?” published in “The Hindu” on 19th March 2025. Women vote more but lack real political power in India.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Polity- voting pattern

Context: Women’s voter turnout in India has increased significantly since 2010, but their overall political engagement remains low. Despite political parties targeting them through welfare schemes, women are still viewed as beneficiaries rather than active agents. Rajeshwari Deshpande’s study analyzes National Election Studies (NES) data to assess whether women’s rising turnout translates into real political power.

For detailed information on Political Empowerment of Women read this article here

The Paradox of Women’s Political Participation in India

1. Influential Leaders but Low Political Engagement: India has produced strong women leaders, yet most women remain politically underrepresented.
2. Delayed Gender Gap Reduction: While many countries saw rising female political participation in the 1990s, India experienced this shift only in the 2010s.
3. Homogenization of Women Voters: Parties treat women as a single bloc, ignoring caste, class, and regional differences.
4. Recognition Without Real Agency: Women voters are seen as welfare beneficiaries rather than independent decision-makers.
5. Complex and Contradictory Participation: Despite high turnout, political agency remains limited. Women’s support for Trump (2016) and India’s 1990s riots shows their engagement is shaped by broader influences.

Factors Influencing Women’s Voter Turnout

1. Increased Voter Registration Efforts – The Election Commission has actively worked to improve women’s voter registration, contributing to higher turnout. However, the proportion of registered female voters remains lower than male voters.
2. Self-Empowerment Hypothesis – Rising literacy rates and employment opportunities have empowered women to vote independently. Yet, women’s workforce participation remains low, challenging this argument.
3. Welfare Schemes and Targeted Policies – Political parties have introduced schemes like Ujjwala, PM Awas Yojana, and Ladli Behna to attract women voters. These programs played a key role in BJP’s 2019 and Madhya Pradesh victories.
4. Impact of Male Migration – Large-scale male migration in economically backward states has led to increased voter turnout among women.
5. Caste, Class, and Regional Identities – Women’s voting behavior is shaped by social identities rather than gender alone. In Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, regional politics influence their choices more than national trends.

Women’s Support for Different Political Parties

1. Congress’s Gender Advantage – Congress has historically received more female than male votes, except in 2014 when its support declined.
2. BJP’s Narrowing Gender Gap – BJP has historically had fewer female voters, but the gap reduced from over 20% to 7% in 2024 due to targeted outreach.
3. Influence of Welfare Schemes – BJP’s female support base has grown, mainly from welfare beneficiaries.
4. Decline of Left Parties – Left parties once had a gender advantage, but their influence has weakened.
5. Regional Variations – In some non-BJP states, more women than men voted BJP, while in others, women supported opposition parties.

Conclusion

Women’s voter turnout has increased, but their overall political engagement remains weak. Social identities, not gender alone, shape their voting behavior. While BJP has reduced its gender gap, a distinct women’s political constituency has not yet formed in India.

Question for practice:

Examine whether the increasing voter turnout among women in India has translated into real political power and independent political agency.

Public sector reliance on consultancy firms raises accountability concerns

Source: The post Public sector reliance on consultancy firms raises accountability concerns has been created, based on the article “BSNL has been dialling the wrong consultant” published in “The Hindu” on 19th March 2025. Public sector reliance on consultancy firms raises accountability concerns.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.

Context: In May 2024, reports surfaced that Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was hired to assist in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) revival strategy for ₹132 crore. BCG’s recommendations, including workforce reduction, triggered widespread debate. This case highlights the growing reliance of public sector enterprises on external consultancy firms, raising concerns about accountability, governance, and effectiveness.

Reasons for Growing Dependence on Consultancy Firms

1. Lack of Internal Expertise: Public sector enterprises often lack in-house capabilities for complex challenges. BSNL hired BCG for ₹132 crore to develop a revival plan, highlighting its dependence on external expertise for strategic restructuring.
2. Objectivity and Impartiality: Consultants provide unbiased advice, free from internal influences. Their fresh perspective helps in strategic decision-making, as seen in BSNL’s case, where BCG offers neutral planning insights.
3. Resource Allocation: Outsourcing to consultants allows businesses to focus on core functions. BSNL relies on BCG’s strategy while government agencies handle regulatory matters, preventing internal teams from being overburdened.
4. Access to Best Practices: Consultancy firms work across industries and share proven strategies. BCG, with its global experience, brings tested solutions, helping BSNL implement innovative and effective restructuring approaches.

Impacts of Growing Dependence on Consultancy Firms

1. High Costs with No Accountability: Governments pay massive fees (e.g., France: €1 billion in 2021, Australia: A$21 billion in 2021-22) while consultancies bear no responsibility for failures. In BSNL’s case, BCG was paid ₹132 crore but is not accountable for results.
2. Erosion of State Capacity: Dependence on consultants weakens internal expertise. Public officials do not gain the skills needed for future projects, creating long-term reliance.
3. Conflicts of Interest: Consultancies serve multiple clients, including competitors and regulators, which can lead to biased recommendations.
4. Mismatch with Public Sector Goals: Cost-cutting measures may harm essential services. For instance, aggressive restructuring in BSNL could reduce telecom access in rural India, undermining its public service role.
5. Parallel Bureaucracy: Consultants influence policymaking without democratic oversight, weakening institutional legitimacy.

Way Forward

1. Invest in Internal Capabilities: Strengthening in-house expertise by recruiting and training talent.
2. Reduce Dependency on Consultants: Develop long-term strategic autonomy to minimize reliance on external expertise.
3. Ensure Knowledge Transfer: Policies should mandate that consultancies transfer skills to public sector employees.
4. Enhance Accountability: Introduce mechanisms to hold consultancy firms responsible for the impact of their recommendations.
5. Align Strategies with Public Interest: Ensure that public sector enterprises retain their social responsibility while pursuing efficiency.

Question for practice

Examine the reasons behind the growing dependence of public sector enterprises on consultancy firms and its impact on governance and accountability.

How the Gig Economy Exploits Urban Workers

Source: The post How the Gig Economy Exploits Urban Workers has been created, based on the article “The dystopian side of Insta-commerce” published in “The Hindu” on 19th March 2025. How the Gig Economy Exploits Urban Workers

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: In urban areas, daily wage laborers gather in labor markets, waiting for work. Contractors (thekedaars) exploit their desperation by bargaining for the lowest wages. The gig economy has extended this exploitation through digital platforms, where workers compete for jobs in a system designed to maximize profits for aggregators while stripping workers of rights and security.

For detailed information on Gig Economy in India and the Issues faced by Gig Workers read this article here

How the Labour Market is Being Exploited

1. Auction-Based Hiring in Traditional Labour Markets: In urban areas, daily wage laborers gather at labor chowks, hoping for work. Contractors bargain for the lowest wages in an auction-like system, where workers compete against each other, and the lowest bidder gets hired, leaving them powerless.
2. Gig Economy Replicating Exploitation – Digital platforms function as virtual thekedaars, eliminating direct employer responsibility. Workers must accept low pay, no benefits, and poor working conditions to stay employed. For example, Insta Maids offers house help for just ₹49 an hour, devaluing domestic work.
3. Algorithm-Driven Labour Control – Platforms use hidden algorithms to set wages, control job distribution, and manipulate incentives. Workers have no say in pricing or conditions. They are forced to accept jobs instantly, similar to traditional labor chowks but with greater opacity and reduced bargaining power.
4. Absence of Worker Rights – Gig workers lack social security, protection from arbitrary termination, and grievance redress mechanisms. Rajasthan passed a gig worker law to address these issues, but the government has stalled its implementation.
5. Corporate Influence and Government Inaction: NASSCOM and CII oppose laws that recognize gig workers as employees. Karnataka has put the proposed gig worker law in cold storage under corporate pressure.

Initiatives taken to Overcome Labour Market Exploitation

1. Legislative Efforts: Rajasthan passed a law to protect gig workers by ensuring social security, data access, and grievance redress. However, it remains unimplemented due to government inaction.
2. State Promises: The Congress-led governments in Karnataka and Telangana drafted progressive laws for gig workers, but corporate lobbying stalled them.
3. Worker Protests: Gig workers are resisting exploitation with slogans like “We want rights, not ratings!” and “We are humans, not slaves!”

Way Forward

1. Enforce Legal Frameworks: The government must implement the laws already passed and introduce stronger protections for gig workers.
2. Transparency and Data Access: Workers should have access to their data and earnings breakdown to prevent exploitation.
3. Worker Representation: Establish tripartite boards where workers, employers, and the government can negotiate fair working conditions.
4. Public Awareness: Consumers must be made aware of the exploitation behind these services and push for ethical labor practices.

Question for practice:

Examine how the gig economy has replicated and intensified labor market exploitation through digital platforms, reducing worker rights and bargaining power.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Exercise Varuna 2025

News– The Indian and French Navies are preparing for the 23rd edition of their bilateral naval exercise, VARUNA 2025.

About Exercise Varuna

• It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France.
• Started in: 1993.The exercise was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001.
• Varuna 2025 key highlights
  • It is the 23rd edition of the exercise and will take place in the Arabian Sea.
  • The exercise will focus on joint operations across sub-surface, surface, and aerial domains, reinforcing interoperability between the two navies.
  • Aircraft carriers in action: The Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle will participate. They will be joined by fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine, showcasing the operational strength of both forces.
  • Advanced air defence drills: The exercise will feature mock air-to-air combat scenarios, pitting French Rafale-M fighters against Indian MiG-29K jets, enhancing tactical coordination and combat readiness.

Other Exercises between India and France Exercise Garuda: It is a bilateral exercise between the Indian and French Air Force.The first edition of the exercise was held in 2003. Exercise SHAKTI: It is a biennial military exercise conducted between India and France.It was first conducted in the year 2011. Exercise La Pérouse: It is a multilateral maritime exercise led by the French Navy. The Indian Navy participated in this exercise for the first time in 2021.

4th Conference of Intelligence and Security Chiefs

News– The fourth Conference of Global Intelligence and Security Chiefs in New Delhi was recently hosted by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. It was was organized by Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), along with the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). 4th Conference of Intelligence and Security Chiefs

About Conference of Intelligence and Security Chiefs

• It is a high-level annual security dialogue held as part of the Raisina Dialogue.
• It was held for the first time in 2022.
• It is modelled on the lines of the annual Munich Security Conference and Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue.
• Objective– It serves as a strategic platform for intelligence and security officials to discuss emerging threats, security frameworks, and global geopolitical and geostrategic issues.
• 2025 conference highlights:
  • Participants– The event saw participation from intelligence officials representing over 20 countries, including the chiefs of the Five Eyes Alliance.
  • Key Agenda– Focused on key security challenges, including counterterrorism, transnational crimes, intelligence-sharing, immigration, extradition, Indo-Pacific security, terror financing, and the narcotics trade.

Five Eyes Alliance It is an intelligence-sharing alliance consisting of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This alliance is based on a series of secret agreements, primarily the UKUSA Agreement (1946), which enables extensive surveillance, intelligence gathering, and data sharing among member countries.

Kanger Valley National Park

News– Kanger Valley National Park has been included in the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites under the ‘Natural’ category. Kanger Valley National Park

About Kanger Valley National Park

• Location– It is located in Jagdalpur within the Bastar District of Chhattisgarh.
• The National Park derives its name from the Kanger River, which flows centrally from the Northwest to the Southeast direction.
  • Kanger River is a tributary of the Kolab River, which ultimately joins the Godavari River.
• Topography– It features low flatlands, gentle slopes, steep inclines, plateaus, deep gorges, valleys, and winding stream courses.
• Tirathgarh Falls, which originates from the Kanger River, presents an enchanting view falling from a height of 150 feet.
• Caves– The national park has more than 15 limestone caves, including the famous Kotumsar, Kailash, and Dandak caves.
• Flora– Mixed moist deciduous forests, with a predominance of Sal, teak, and bamboo trees
• Fauna:
  • Panther, Wildcate, Cheetal (Spotted Deer), Sambhar, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Jacal, Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Sloth Bear, Pythan, Hyena, Rabbit, Crocodile other and Civet.
  • Rare animals live in this park — otter, mouse deer, giant squirrel and Lethis softshell turtle.
  • State Bird of Chhattisgarh- Bastar Hill Myna, also found.

Ana Sagar Lake

News– The Supreme Court has ordered the Rajasthan government to dismantle the illegally constructed Seven Wonders Park near Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer within six months. The decision cites environmental concerns and violations of wetland regulations. Ana Sagar Lake.

About Ana Sagar Lake

• Location– It is an artificial lake (man-made lake) located in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan.
• Constructed by–  King Arnoraja , the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, between 1135-1150 AD.
• Historical significance:
  • Mughal Emperor Jahangir established the renowned Daulat Bagh garden next to the lake.
  • Later, Shah Jahan enhanced the site by adding five marble pavilions (Baradaris) along the lake, transforming it into a prominent tourist and heritage attraction.
• Importance:
  • The lake covers an area of around 13 km² and is a vital water source for the region.
  • It aids in groundwater recharge, sustains biodiversity, and boosts tourism in Ajmer.

Note– Ana Sagar Lake is not yet designated as a Ramsar site under the Wetlands of International Importance.