02 April 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1 India’s educational transformation — the true picture

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

India’s education system has undergone a significant transformation under the NEP 2020. The reforms seek to address past governance failures, promoting inclusivity, and integrating modern and indigenous knowledge systems.

Past Challenges in Education

• The education system was neglected for years, with outdated policies dating back to 1986 and minor amendments in 1992.
• While other countries adapted to technological advancements, India’s education remained stagnant, continuing colonial-era structures.
• Corruption and governance issues affected education, with political interference in university appointments.
• Public universities faced funding shortages, while unregulated private institutions flourished, leading to scandals like the 2009 Deemed University case.
• Educational bodies functioned as controlling institutions rather than enablers of excellence.
• Historical narratives in textbooks were manipulated to fit certain perspectives, sidelining cultural and intellectual traditions.

Introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• The NEP 2020 marked a major shift in India’s education system and was formulated through the most extensive democratic consultations in history.
• It is built on five key pillars: access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability.
• The policy aims to eliminate structural barriers that created an elitist and rigid framework.

Expanding Access and Inclusivity

• Since 2014-15, enrolment in higher education has significantly increased:
  • Scheduled Castes (SC) by 50%, Scheduled Tribes (ST) by 75%, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) by 54%.
  • Female enrolment rose by 38.8%, reaching 2.18 crore in 2022-23.
  • Among the Muslim minority, female enrolment increased by 57.5%.
  • Women now make up 43% of STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) students.
  • Female teachers have grown from 38.6% in 2014 to 44.23%, leading to better representation in academic leadership.

Strengthening Educational Infrastructure

• Per-child government expenditure increased by 130%, from ₹10,780 in 2013-14 to ₹25,043 in 2021-22.
• Government schools have been modernized with improved infrastructure and teaching methods.
• Dropout rates have declined, and the pupil-teacher ratio has improved.
• Learning outcomes have steadily enhanced.

Futuristic Educational Reforms

• Coding is now introduced from middle school, along with a multidisciplinary approach to learning.
• Over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) are fostering grassroots innovation, with plans for 50,000 more in the coming years.
• Sustainable revenue models have reduced universities’ financial dependency.
• The number of Indian universities in the QS World Rankings top 500 has risen to 11.
• Research publications have increased by 88% since 2015, and India now ranks 39th in the Global Innovation Index, up from 76th in 2014.

Promoting Indian Languages and Cultural Knowledge

• NEP 2020 prioritizes Indian languages, replacing previous English-dominant policies.
• The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) initiative has been integrated into 8,000+ higher education institutions.
• The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Yojana will publish 15,000 books in 22 Indian languages, promoting education in mother tongues.

Ensuring Social Justice in Education

• The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019, ensures fair representation of SCs, STs, and OBCs in teaching positions.
• The flawed system of rejecting reserved category candidates by declaring “None Found Suitable” has been removed.

Conclusion

• The government aims to build a developed nation where education empowers and liberates people.
• A new era of education will honor India’s heritage while embracing modern advancements.
• These changes signify not just reform but a long-awaited intellectual transformation that will propel India forward. 

PYQ: The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse. (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2022)

Practice Question:  Critically analyze the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on India’s education system. How does it address historical challenges and promote inclusivity? (250 Words /15 marks)

2.China-India ties across the past and into the future

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

April 1 marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and India, reflecting a history of cooperation and evolving ties. The relationship has seen significant trade growth, diplomatic engagements, and challenges over the decades.

Strategic Leadership in China-India Relations

• The establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950 marked a significant milestone, with India being the first non-socialist country to recognize China.
• In 1988, diplomatic normalization efforts led to a forward-looking approach, enhancing bilateral relations.
• Since 2013, high-level meetings and informal summits have propelled cooperation, contributing to rapid diplomatic progress.

Foundation of Bilateral Cooperation

• • Historically, the civilizations of China and India have flourished through mutual exchanges, influencing each other in culture, education, and trade.
  • Both countries have supported each other in struggles for national independence and liberation.
  • Icons of cultural and medical contributions symbolize longstanding goodwill and friendship.
  • Over the years, multiple dialogue mechanisms have been established, strengthening cooperation in diverse fields.

• Bilateral trade has significantly grown from less than $3 billion in 2000 to $138.5 billion in 2024.

Resolving Differences Through Dialogue

• Differences between neighboring countries are natural, but managing them through dialogue remains the preferred approach.
• The Special Representative Mechanism on the boundary issue provides a structured platform for addressing disputes.
• Intensive discussions in recent years have led to restoring border tranquillity and improving stability.

Shared Responsibilities in Global Affairs

• China and India have historically contributed to global economic growth, with their combined economies once accounting for half of global GDP.
• Both nations played a role in advocating for peaceful coexistence and supporting Asian and African nations’ independence.
• As key members of organizations like BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the G-20, they hold responsibilities in safeguarding the interests of developing nations and upholding multilateralism.

Recent Developments in Bilateral Relations

• High-level meetings, including those between foreign ministers and special representatives, have strengthened diplomatic engagement.
• Economic and trade cooperation continues to progress, with increasing people-to-people exchanges.
• Over 70,000 visas were issued to Indian citizens in the first quarter of 2024, highlighting growing interaction.

The Path Forward for China-India Relations

• Building Stable Relations: Strengthening trust, respecting mutual interests, and ensuring border issues do not overshadow overall ties.
• Enhancing Economic Cooperation: Aligning development strategies, resuming exchange programs, and promoting modernization efforts.
• Strengthening Global Cooperation: Collaborating in global forums to protect the interests of developing countries and support a balanced world order.

Conclusion 

• With continued leadership guidance and cooperation, both nations can advance their shared vision for national development and global progress. 

Practice Question:  Discuss the key factors influencing India-China relations over the past 75 years. How can both nations balance cooperation and competition in global geopolitics? (150 Words /10 marks)

3. Tackling the disinformation threat in India

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS3 – Security

Context

The Global Risks Report 2025 identifies misinformation and disinformation as the top short-term global threats. India, with its vast digital population, faces rising challenges from political, economic, and foreign disinformation.

Misinformation as a Global Threat

• The Global Risks Report 2025 highlights misinformation and disinformation as the biggest short-term threats worldwide.
• These issues can harm a large part of the population, global economies, and natural resources.
• AI-generated content, algorithmic biases, and social divides are making it difficult to separate truth from falsehood.

India’s Vulnerability to Disinformation

• • With over 900 million Internet users, India faces a high risk of misinformation.
  • The country’s diverse political and social landscape creates opportunities for the spread of false narratives.
  • Misinformation can impact voter behavior, economic stability, and even international relations.
  • Trust in traditional media is declining, leading people to rely on social media for news, where misinformation spreads easily.

• The absence of strong regulations makes India vulnerable to the growing influence of misleading digital content.

Political and Foreign Disinformation Threats

• Political parties and social media accounts are actively sharing false information, worsening the problem.
• Since the 2017 Doklam standoff, India has faced foreign disinformation campaigns, leading to the ban of over 300 Chinese apps.
• Studies show that 46% of misinformation in India is political, 33.6% is related to general issues, and 16.8% involves religious content.
• Some platforms from foreign nations have been accused of distorting India’s global image.
• If major tech companies reduce their fact-checking efforts, the situation could worsen.

Steps Recommended to Combat Disinformation

• The Global Risks Report 2025 suggests improving digital literacy, training AI developers, and ensuring accountability for online platforms.

• Regulatory measures could include audits, transparency requirements, and risk assessments for large online platforms.

Balancing Regulation and Digital Freedom

• While strict rules are necessary, there is also a risk of excessive surveillance and censorship.

• The report warns that both disinformation and surveillance are threats to democracy.
• Governments should allocate funds to improve cybersecurity and content moderation.
• Clear policies should ensure that online ads disclose their funding sources to prevent manipulation.

The Need for Global Cooperation

• Expanding digital literacy campaigns is crucial for strengthening public awareness.

• Collaboration between civil society, fact-checkers, and regulators is essential for effective policies.
• A support system for independent research and stronger legal protections for journalists are needed.
• Since misinformation is a global challenge, international partnerships should be formed to tackle it together.

Conclusion 

• The fight against disinformation is not just about technology but also about protecting democratic values.
• India, as the world’s largest democracy, must lead by example in maintaining digital integrity and social unity.
• The key challenge is not only stopping misinformation but also ensuring that it does not divide societies. 

Practice Question:  Discuss the growing challenge of disinformation in India, its impact on democracy and national security, and suggest policy measures to tackle this issue effectively. (250 Words /15 marks)

Read more- 01 April 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis