India’s Space Program, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), Export ban on Non-Basmati White Rice lifted

(General Studies II – Governance Section – Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.)

• India is on the brink of a significant demographic shift as its elderly population (60 years and older) is projected to more than double by 2050, rising from the current 10.5% to over 20% of the population.
• This translates into more than 300 million people by mid-century. This growing demographic presents both challenges and opportunities.

Issues Faced by the Elderly in India:

As India’s elderly population continues to grow, a range of challenges has emerged, affecting their health, financial stability, and social well-being.

Health Challenges –

• Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: Nearly 70% of seniors have at least one chronic illness such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and arthritis, often requiring ongoing medical attention​.
• Mobility and Independence: Many elderly individuals struggle with mobility issues, which further complicates their health status by limiting physical activity and increasing dependency on caregivers​
• Mental Health Concerns: Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are common among the elderly, exacerbated by isolation and lack of social support. The stigma surrounding mental health also limits access to care for this vulnerable group​
• Access to Healthcare: Only a small proportion of the elderly (31%) have health insurance, making access to affordable healthcare difficult. Rural areas, where the majority of seniors live, often lack adequate healthcare infrastructure.

Financial Insecurity –

• Economic Dependence: Nearly 65% of the elderly are financially dependent on their families due to insufficient pensions or savings. This dependency leaves many seniors vulnerable, especially as family support systems change​
• Low Income and Poverty: One-third of India’s elderly population reported no income in the past year, and about 32% had an annual income of less than ₹50,000 (approximately $600). Rising healthcare costs further strain their limited resources​
• Lack of Social Security: Only a small fraction (29%) of seniors have access to social security schemes like old-age pensions. The limited coverage of social safety nets leaves many elderly individuals financially insecure, particularly in rural areas​

Social Isolation and Exclusion –

• Urban Migration and Family Separation: Younger generations increasingly migrate to urban centers for work, leaving the elderly behind in rural areas. This results in growing loneliness and social exclusion among the older population​
• Decline of Joint Family Structures: The traditional joint family system, which once provided emotional and financial support to the elderly, is being replaced by nuclear families. Many seniors are left without adequate care and companionship as a result​.
• Elder Abuse and Neglect: Around 7% of senior’s report experiencing some form of abuse, whether physical, emotional, or financial. This is compounded by their lack of access to legal support and protection services​

The Rural-Urban Divide –

• Healthcare Disparities: While urban areas provide better access to medical services, nearly 78% of India’s elderly reside in rural regions where healthcare is often underdeveloped. This gap leaves rural seniors with limited options for managing chronic conditions​
• Infrastructure and Services: In rural areas, poor infrastructure exacerbates the difficulties elderly individuals face in accessing essential services, including healthcare, housing, and transportation. The lack of senior-friendly amenities makes life particularly challenging for this demographic​

Addressing the Challenges Faced by the Elderly in India:

1. Health-care Reforms: As the elderly face chronic diseases and limited healthcare access, especially in rural areas, programs like Ayushman Bharat and the proposed Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) aim to provide affordable, preventive care through teleconsultations and improved rural healthcare infrastructure.
2. Financial Security: Tailored Financial Schemes: The introduction of schemes like Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana and a proposed ₹5 lakh health insurance for those above 70 will alleviate financial dependency. Re-skilling programs for the elderly will encourage continued participation in the labor market, offering them a chance to maintain economic independence.
3. Social Inclusion and Legal Empowerment: Initiatives focused on educating the elderly about legal rights, succession laws, and inheritance can empower them to make informed decisions. Programs promoting peer support within communities, particularly in areas affected by urban migration, are vital to reducing social isolation.
4. Digital Adaptation: To ensure seniors can access government services and stay connected, digital literacy programs must be tailored to the elderly. Initiatives like Digital India can be expanded to include elderly-specific training, helping them navigate the increasingly digital world.
5. Rise of the Silver Economy: The elderly is poised to drive demand in the healthcare and senior care markets, forming the core of the emerging silver economy. Government schemes like SACRED (Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity) and SAGE (Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine) focus on tapping into this potential by promoting senior employment and fostering innovation in senior care products.

India’s aging population presents an opportunity to fuel economic and social growth if supported by thoughtful reforms in healthcare, financial security, and social inclusion. By leveraging government initiatives and fostering a culture of support for the elderly, India can transform its aging challenge into a silver dividend, enriching the lives of its elderly while contributing to overall national development.

India’s space program, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has made significant strides in space exploration. However, to fully capitalize on emerging opportunities and strengthen its global standing, India’s space program needs to address challenges like –

1. Mission Execution Cadence: ISRO operates on a ‘one major mission at a time’ cadence, focusing its resources on a single flagship mission before moving to the next. This limits organisational ability to multi-task.
2. Resource Constraints: The limited budget and resources allocated to ISRO restrict its capacity to respond swiftly to new opportunities or challenges in the dynamic field of space exploration.
3. Technology gaps: India imports some of the high technologies needed for advanced space missions.
4. Cyber-attacks: India’s efforts to protect against cyber-attacks are limited to a few agencies, and the efficacy of their capabilities is unknown.

Measures needed to improve India’s Space program –

• Enhancing Capabilities: To keep pace with other leading space agencies and capitalize on opportunities, ISRO requires increased funding and resources.
• Increasing private sector involvement: Like privatizing launch vehicles and transferring the development of rockets to private industry.
• Strategic Investments: Investing in ISRO’s capabilities will not only bolster India’s position in space exploration but gives significant technological benefits.
• Implementing the Indian Space Policy – 2023: This policy aims to enhance space capabilities and foster a commercial presence in space.

Strengthening India’s space capabilities will have far-reaching implications for its scientific community, economy, and geopolitical standing.

Dig Deeper: Read about Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) project and Chandrayaan-4

• Recently, the Manipur government extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the hill districts of the State for another six months.
• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 is an Act of the Parliament of India that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.
• It was initially promulgated as an ordinance in 1958 to tackle the Naga insurgency in Assam and later extended to other northeastern states as insurgencies arose and later to Jammu and Kashmir in 1990 due to increased militant activities.

• Article 355 empowers the Central Government to protect every state against internal disturbances. Law and order is a state subject (Seventh Schedule), but AFSPA allows the Central Government to intervene in state affairs regarding security.
• AFSPA is applicable in Manipur since 1981. Manipur, a former Union Territory attained Statehood in 1972. AFSPA existed in the Naga-dominated areas of the UT of Manipur since 1958.

Dig Deeper: Read about where AFSPA has been repealed recently.

• The Government of India recently lifted the export ban on Non-Basmati White Rice where previously, a 20% export duty on Non-Basmati White Rice was removed and export duty on three other rice categories was reduced from 20% to 10%.
• The reason for ban was a marginal dip in rice production and threat of erratic monsoon in the previous year. It also ensured domestic availability and stabilized prices.
• Reasons for lifting the ban –
• Higher Sowing in Kharif Season: Last year, the paddy sowing was 2-2% higher than the previous year, with states like UP, MP, WB, etc seeing increased sowing.
• Record Production Expected: Total Rice Production estimate for 2023-24 is 1.5% higher than last year.
• Declining Wholesale Prices: Prices have seen a downward trend since the last year, i.e. 2023.
• Stable Retail Inflation: CPI inflation peaked in July 2023 and has dropped since then.
• Surplus Stocks in Central Pool: Current stock of rice significantly exceeds the buffer stock norms of government.

• Impact of lifting the ban –
• Positive impact on traders and farmers: Farmers growing premium non-Basmati varieties like Sona Masoori stand to benefit now and traders can export without paying the previous 20% duty.
• Potential impact on domestic prices: Retail prices may rise due to increased exports and can impact consumer needs.

Dig Deeper: India’s Agriculture policies and WTO regulations