The Central Government has recently taken steps to include the Pamba River under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).

• NRCP is a multi-crore initiative aimed at conserving and protecting major rivers across India, focusing on pollution control and sustainable management.

1. About Pamba River

• The Pamba River is the third longest river in Kerala, after the Periyar River and the Bharathappuzha River.

• It is popularly known as the ‘Dakshina Bhageerathi’ or the ‘Ganga of Kerala’ due to its religious and cultural significance.

• The river is closely linked with the famous Sabarimala Temple.

  • Pilgrims visiting Sabarimala traditionally take a dip in the Pamba River before and after trekking the hill.

Religious and Cultural Importance

• The river is also called Thriveni Sangam, as it is the confluence point for three rivers:

  • Pamba

  • Achankovil

  • Manimala

2. Course and Geography

• Origin: The river rises at an altitude of 1650 meters in the Pulachimalai Hill on the Peerumedu plateau of the Western Ghats.

• Length: It flows for 176 km before emptying into the Arabian Sea, splitting into several channels near its mouth.

• Basin Area: The Pamba river basin covers an area of approximately 2235 sq.km.

• The entire catchment area of the Pamba lies within Kerala.

• The basin is bounded by the Western Ghats to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west.

1. Tributaries

• Major tributaries feeding the Pamba River include:

  • Kakki Ar

  • Azhuta Ar

  • Kakkad Ar

  • Kallar

  • Manimala

  • Achenkovil

Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project is a significant development in Arunachal Pradesh, both in terms of energy production and its potential environmental impact.

1. Key Features of the Project:

1. Capacity & Location:

   • 1,200 MW capacity, which is substantial and will contribute a major share to the state's power generation.

   • Located on the Lohit River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River in Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh, a region with significant hydropower potential.

   Infrastructure Details:

   • The project is designed as a run-of-river with pondage type. This design minimizes the impact on river ecosystems while ensuring power generation by storing some water during periods of high flow.

     The project will include major infrastructure such as a concrete gravity dam, diversion tunnel, intake tunnel, and underground powerhouse complex, indicating the scale and technical complexity of the project.

   Hydropower Capacity:

   • The hydro reservoir capacity is planned at 318.8 million cubic meters, which gives a good idea of the scale of water management involved in the project.

   • 6 turbines, each with a 190 MW capacity, for a total of 1,200 MW. This will contribute significantly to India's renewable energy resources.

   Environmental and Regulatory Process:

   • The Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) conducted a public hearing for environmental clearance, which is an important part of the project’s regulatory and environmental review process.

   • This step ensures that local communities, stakeholders, and environmental experts can provide input before the project moves forward.

2. Potential Impact:

• Economic: The Kalai-II project could significantly boost the local and regional economy by providing power for industrial and residential use.

• Environmental: Given its location in a sensitive ecological region, there will likely be concerns related to the impact on local biodiversity, water quality, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on the river.

• Energy Security: The project supports India's broader goal of increasing renewable energy capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

India’s fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has seen notable progress, marked by a dramatic reduction in insurgent incidents and a significant contraction of the Red Corridor. The insurgency, primarily driven by Maoist groups, once posed a major threat to India’s internal security, but sustained efforts have transformed the situation.

Key Milestones in India’s Fight Against Left-Wing Extremism

Origins and Spread of LWE:

• 1967: LWE’s roots lie in the Naxalbari movement in West Bengal, which was inspired by Maoist ideology seeking to overthrow the Indian state through armed struggle. The movement spread rapidly across central and eastern India, creating what became known as the Red Corridor.

• 1970s–2000s: Over the decades, the insurgency grew, leading to the establishment of Maoist strongholds in regions like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Bihar, where tribal populations often felt alienated from mainstream development.

• Sustained Reduction in LWE Incidents:

• 2004–2014: The number of LWE incidents surged during this period, peaking due to poor governance, socio-economic deprivation, and limited state presence in rural areas. This period saw heavy violence and large-scale attacks by Maoists.

• 2014–2023: Between 2014 and 2023, the incidents of LWE-related violence dropped by more than 50%, thanks to the combined efforts of targeted development programs and counter-insurgency operations.

• 2023: 18 districts remain the primary strongholds of Maoist insurgents, a sharp decline from the previous swath of areas affected by LWE. India aims to eliminate Naxalism completely by 2026, further illustrating the success of these measures.

• Key Operations and Intelligence-Led Actions:

• 2024: A series of intelligence operations led to the neutralization of 290 Maoists, supported by NIA and enhanced Special Intelligence Branches. This was a significant blow to the organizational capacity of the insurgents.

• 2025 – Karreguttalu Hill Operation (Operation Black Forest): This operation was one of the most successful in India’s counter-insurgency history. It resulted in the elimination of key Maoist operatives while ensuring that security forces emerged unscathed—demonstrating the increasing effectiveness and precision of India’s counter-extremism operations.

Leadership Crisis Among Maoist Groups:

• Leadership Decline: The successive neutralization of Maoist leaders and the continuous loss of key cadres has caused a leadership vacuum within the insurgency.

• Erosion of Grassroots Support: Improved governance, social welfare, and development programs have led to a decline in support among local populations, who were previously sympathetic to the Maoist cause due to socio-economic issues.

• Additional Strategies to Strengthen India’s Response to LWE

To sustain the success and finally eradicate Left-Wing Extremism, India must continue to adopt multi-pronged strategies:

Governance and Development:

• Last-Mile Delivery of Services: Ensuring that basic services such as healthcare, education, roads, and electricity reach the grassroots level is crucial. Infrastructure development helps integrate these areas into the larger economic and social fabric of India.

• Inclusive Growth: Addressing the socio-economic grievances of tribal and rural communities can help remove the underlying causes that fuel extremism. Employment opportunities, skills development, and land rights should be prioritized to reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies.

• Enhanced Security Architecture:

• Technology-Enabled Policing: Use of advanced surveillance technology, drones, and satellite imagery can aid in real-time monitoring of Maoist activities, enabling quicker and more precise responses.

• Coordinated Intelligence Sharing: Effective coordination between central and state agencies, including the IB, NIA, and local police forces, can improve the flow of actionable intelligence and enhance operational efficiency.

• Area Domination Operations: Security forces need to sustain presence in Maoist-affected areas and conduct area domination operations to prevent Maoists from regrouping and re-establishing control.

• Community-Centric Approach:

• Trust-Building Initiatives: Security forces and the government must prioritize confidence-building measures to engage with local communities. Grievance redressal mechanisms must be in place to address local issues, which are often exploited by Maoists.

• Participatory Governance: Encouraging local communities to be actively involved in decision-making and governance structures can reduce their susceptibility to insurgent influence.

• Rehabilitation and Mainstreaming:

• Surrender-Cum-Rehabilitation Schemes: The government offers rehabilitation packages to Maoist surrenderers, which include education, employment, and skill development. These programs are vital for ensuring that former insurgents can successfully reintegrate into society.

• Livelihood Opportunities: Providing employment and economic opportunities is crucial for preventing re-recruitment into insurgent groups. Training former extremists in livelihood skills such as agriculture, masonry, and handicrafts can help them build sustainable futures.

Inter-Agency & Centre-State Coordination:

• Unified Command: A whole-of-government approach involving central and state agencies, including police, military, and civil administrations, can help implement real-time decision-making processes.

• Joint Task Forces: Involvement of inter-agency task forces for coordinated operations and sharing of intelligence can significantly increase the effectiveness of counter-extremism measures.

9. Related Keywords

1. “Development Defeats Dissent”:

   • Development is key to countering extremism. Providing infrastructure, livelihoods, and social welfare can significantly undermine the ideological appeal of insurgents.

   “Security with Sensitivity”:

   • Balancing security operations with respect for human rights and local cultures is crucial. Aggressive operations may alienate the local population, while a more nuanced approach can build trust and minimize collateral damage.

   “Connectivity as Counter-Insurgency”:

   • Roads, telecommunications, and internet access can act as tools for integration. They help connect remote areas to the broader economic and social systems, while simultaneously providing the government with a more effective means of surveillance and communication.

   “Education Ends Extremism”:

   • Education and skill development programs are critical in breaking the recruitment cycle of extremist groups. Providing access to quality education can offer an alternative to insurgent ideology, especially for the youth.

Conclusion: The SAMADHAN Doctrine

The sustained reduction in LWE is a testament to the success of the SAMADHAN doctrine—a holistic approach focused on:

• Smart leadership with decisive action.

• Aggressive strategy to dismantle Maoist infrastructure.

• Motivation and training of security forces to improve operational readiness.

• Actionable intelligence to outmaneuver insurgent groups.

• Dashboard-based key result areas for effective monitoring.

• Harnessing technology for enhanced policing and intelligence-gathering.

• Localized action plans tailored to the unique challenges of each theatre.

• No access to financing for insurgents, which weakens their capacity to sustain operations.

As India works toward its 2026 deadline to eliminate Naxalism, continued efforts in governance, inclusive development, and community engagement are essential for long-term peace and security. The fight against LWE is not only about security but also about building resilient communities that thrive through development and integration into the mainstream.

The Didayi Tribe in Odisha has made headlines with Champa Raspeda, a student from the tribe, becoming the first member to clear the NEET 2025 exam.

About the Didayi Tribe

• Location: The Didayi Tribe is an indigenous group residing primarily in the Malkangiri district of Odisha, in the Eastern Ghats hills. This region is remote, with many of the tribe's villages still isolated.

• Demographics: They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), one of the 13 such groups in Odisha. These communities are recognized for their distinct lifestyle, languages, and customs, often facing significant socio-economic challenges.

• Racial and Linguistic Roots: The Didayi belong to the Proto-Australoid racial stock and speak a language included in the Austroasiatic language family, which ties them to some of the oldest human groups in South Asia.

• Cultural and Social Structure:

  • Social Organization: Their social structure is patriarchal, meaning leadership and family roles are typically dominated by male figures.

  • Religion: They follow animism, with religious beliefs centered on the reverence of the natural world. Their spiritual practices are closely tied to their environment, especially the forested areas they inhabit.

  • Governance: The tribe follows a traditional council of elders that plays a crucial role in dispute resolution within the community.

• Lifestyle and Occupation:

  • Traditionally, the Didayi engage in agriculture, hunting, gathering, and fishing as their primary livelihood. These activities are highly dependent on the natural environment, which plays an essential role in their daily lives.

  • Their homes are generally thatched huts, constructed using mud walls and bamboo, built in harmony with the forested surroundings.

Champa Raspeda’s Achievement

Champa Raspeda's success in clearing the NEET 2025 exam marks a groundbreaking achievement, as she becomes the first-ever member of her community to achieve this educational milestone. This success is not just personal but symbolizes hope for the Didayi Tribe and other marginalized communities in remote regions.

Her achievement underscores the following important points:

• Breaking Barriers: For an indigenous community like the Didayi, which has historically faced challenges in accessing quality education and healthcare, Raspeda’s success is a beacon of possibility.

• Inspiration for Future Generations: This event has the potential to inspire more members of the tribe, especially young girls, to pursue education and professional goals, even in the face of adversity.

• Support and Development: Her success highlights the importance of targeted educational initiatives for PVTGs, such as government schemes, scholarships, and mentoring programs, which can help bridge the gap in opportunities for tribal communities.

Significance for Tribal Communities in India

This achievement also reflects the broader trend of educational empowerment among tribal communities in India. While the path to education and development remains challenging for many indigenous groups, this story illustrates the growing impact of inclusive policies and focused initiatives aimed at uplifting PVTGs.

Related Keywords for Mains exams:

1. “Empowerment through Education” – Education as a powerful tool for social and economic transformation in marginalized communities.

2. “Inclusive Development” – Ensuring that communities such as the Didayi tribe have access to mainstream opportunities without losing their cultural identity.

3. “Tribal Welfare and Rights” – Government schemes aimed at the welfare of PVTGs, focusing on education, healthcare, and livelihood.

4. “Sustainable Development and Tribal Communities” – Balancing tribal rights with developmental policies, ensuring that indigenous groups benefit from growth while preserving their cultural heritage.Conclusion

Champa Raspeda’s historic achievement is a testament to the potential of tribal communities when given the opportunity and resources to succeed. It also highlights the importance of targeted interventions that empower these communities, especially through education.

India is set to significantly strengthen its strategic defence capabilities with the upcoming induction of INS Aridhaman, the third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in its fleet.

About INS Aridhaman

• Class & Project: INS Aridhaman is the second submarine in the Arihant-class, following INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear-powered SSBN. It is being developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, a significant initiative aimed at building India's indigenous nuclear submarines.

• Ship Building Centre: The submarine is being constructed at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, a key facility for India’s submarine construction.

3. Key Features of INS Aridhaman

1. Size & Dimensions:

   • Length: 112 meters (367 feet)

   • Beam: 15 meters (49 feet)

   • Draft: 10 meters (33 feet)

   • Displacement: 7,000 tonnes

   • Complement: Approximately 95 personnel, including officers and sailors.

   • Missile Capacity:

     • INS Aridhaman will be capable of carrying a larger number of K-4 missiles, which are nuclear-capable missiles designed for submarines. The K-4 missile is a significant advancement in India’s underwater missile capabilities, enhancing the country's second-strike potential in case of a nuclear conflict.

     • Sonar Systems:

       • The submarine will be fitted with two state-of-the-art sonar systems:

         • USHUS Sonar: This is a cutting-edge sonar system primarily designed for Kilo-class submarines and is essential for submarine detection.

         • Panchendriya Sonar: A unified submarine sonar and tactical control system that integrates passive, surveillance, ranging, intercept, and active sonar systems. It is an essential tool for underwater navigation and detection.

         • Underwater Communication & Countermeasures:

           • INS Aridhaman will feature an underwater communications system, ensuring secure communication channels even in the depths of the ocean.

           • The hull will also be equipped with twin flank-array sonars and Rafael broadband expendable anti-torpedo countermeasures, offering protection against potential threats like torpedoes.

2. Strategic Importance of INS Aridhaman

• Enhanced Nuclear Deterrence: With the addition of INS Aridhaman, India will further solidify its nuclear deterrence capabilities by augmenting its submarine-launched nuclear missile fleet. The submarine will be a key asset in India’s nuclear triad, which includes land-based missiles, air-delivered missiles, and submarine-launched weapons.

• Extended Reach: The submarine’s ability to carry advanced K-4 missiles, with a range of about 3,500 km, will allow India to strike targets deep within adversary territories, enhancing the country's strategic reach and its second-strike capability (ensuring retaliation even if the country’s land-based missiles are destroyed in a first strike).

• Stealth and Mobility: As a nuclear-powered submarine, INS Aridhaman will enjoy unlimited endurance and the ability to operate submerged for extended periods, making it difficult to detect. This stealth capability is crucial for avoiding preemptive strikes and ensuring India’s deterrence posture remains robust.

5. Related Keywords for Mains

1. “Strategic Autonomy”: The addition of INS Aridhaman strengthens India’s strategic autonomy, ensuring that India can make independent decisions regarding its defence and security without excessive dependence on other countries.

2. “Nuclear Triad”: The nuclear triad—land, air, and sea-based delivery systems for nuclear weapons—ensures that India has a credible second-strike capability, which is essential for maintaining nuclear deterrence.

3. “Indigenous Defence Manufacturing”: INS Aridhaman is a testament to India's progress in indigenous defence manufacturing. The ATV project reflects India's increasing capacity to design, develop, and produce advanced military technologies.

4. “Sea-based Deterrence”: The sea-based deterrence capability provided by nuclear-powered submarines is considered the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad, as submarines can operate submerged and evade detection.

5. Conclusion

The induction of INS Aridhaman will mark a significant leap in India's naval and nuclear capabilities. With its advanced missile systems, cutting-edge sonar technology, and unmatched stealth features, it will serve as a cornerstone of India’s strategic defence, reinforcing its ability to deter nuclear threats and enhance regional security.

The Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme, which was introduced by the Ministry of Law & Justice under the Nirbhaya Fund, is an initiative aimed at expediting the trial of rape and child sexual abuse cases, particularly under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Key Features of the Fast Track Special Courts Scheme

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: The FTSCs are funded by the Nirbhaya Fund, which was established to enhance women’s safety and support initiatives against gender-based violence.
• Target for Disposal: Each FTSC is tasked with disposing of at least 165 cases annually. This sets a benchmark for the pace at which these courts must process cases.
• Extension and Scope: The FTSC Scheme has been extended twice, and the latest extension is valid until March 31, 2026, aiming to establish 790 FTSCs across India. This reflects the government's commitment to addressing the backlog of cases and ensuring timely justice for victims.
• Case Backlog: The Supreme Court of India directed in July 2019 that districts with over 100 pending POCSO cases should establish exclusive special courts for their speedy resolution. This directive was in response to the mounting backlog and the urgency to expedite these sensitive cases.
• Timely Justice Mandate: The POCSO Act mandates that special courts must conclude trials within one year from the date of taking cognizance of the offense, emphasizing the importance of quick justice.

Challenges Faced by the Fast Track Special Courts

1. Insufficient Number of FTSCs:
   • Operational FTSCs: As of June 2025, around 725 FTSCs (including 392 exclusive POCSO courts) are operational across 29 states and union territories. However, there is a significant gap, with only around 700 functional courts out of 1,023 sanctioned.
   • Backlog: Estimates suggest that 1,000 more FTSCs are needed to effectively clear the case backlog, which continues to grow, hindering the efficiency of the courts.
2. Quality Concerns:
   • Political Gimmick Allegation: Critics argue that the concept of fast-tracking one case may delay the others, as it often involves reallocating the same judges to handle urgent cases, leading to inefficiency.
   • Overburdened Judges: Fast-tracking cases without increasing the number of judges can cause delays and affect the quality of justice.
3. Lack of Specialized Support:
   • Victim-Friendly Facilities: Many FTSCs lack victim-friendly environments such as Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers (VWDCs) for the sensitive recording of testimonies and the provision of female prosecutors or counselors to guide the victims through the legal process.
   • Child-Friendly Measures: Child victims often face trauma during trials. The absence of specialized support such as child psychologists or in-camera trials can hinder the effective delivery of justice.

Recent Performance and Impact

Despite these challenges, the FTSCs have made significant progress:

• Disposal Rate: In 2024, the FTSCs achieved a 96% disposal rate, underscoring the impact of the scheme. However, the slow disposal rate (around 43% of cases disposed of as of June 2025) remains a concern, especially given the gravity of the crimes involved.
• Victim Confidence: The slow disposal rate can undermine public confidence in the justice system’s ability to swiftly address rape and child sexual abuse cases. Timely justice is critical in such cases not only for victim rehabilitation but also for creating a deterrent effect.

Measures to Strengthen Fast Track Special Courts

1. Judicial Improvements:
   • Specialized Judges: Appoint special judges specifically for POCSO and rape cases who are trained and sensitized to handle such sensitive matters.
   • Training for Judges and Prosecutors: Ensure all judges and public prosecutors, especially female prosecutors, undergo sensitization training on handling sexual abuse and gender-based violence cases.
2. Victim Support Facilities:
   • Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers (VWDCs): Establish VWDCs in all districts to ensure victims (especially children) can give their testimonies in a supportive, child-friendly environment, away from the pressures of the courtroom.
   • Child Psychologists and Support Staff: Deploy child psychologists in FTSCs to provide pre-trial and trial support to victims. This would help ease the emotional and psychological burden on victims during legal proceedings.
3. Technological Upgrades:
   • Courtroom Technology: Upgrade courtrooms with audio-video recording systems, LCD projectors, and better IT systems for e-filing and digital records, which can help speed up the case resolution process.
   • Online Tracking Systems: Develop online systems that allow real-time tracking of cases, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
4. Forensic Strengthening:
   • Expanding Forensic Labs: Invest in expanding the capacity of forensic labs and ensuring timely DNA testing and other forensic reports, which are often crucial for resolving sexual abuse and rape cases swiftly.

Conclusion

While the Fast Track Special Courts Scheme has made substantial progress in addressing the backlog of rape and child sexual abuse cases, the slow disposal rate remains a significant challenge. The scheme’s effectiveness hinges on addressing infrastructure gaps, judicial overburden, and the lack of victim-friendly facilities. Strengthening these areas through judicial reforms, better support systems, and technological advancements will be crucial to ensuring the success of FTSCs in delivering timely justice for the victims of these grave crimes.