The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 2nd April 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

India’s educational transformation — the true picture

Why in News?

India’s education system has seen a big change with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This aims to fix past problems, make education fair for everyone, and bring in both modern and traditional knowledge.

Past Challenges in Education

• The education system was ignored for a long time, with old policies from 1986 and slight updates in 1992.
• Other countries moved forward with technology, but India’s education stayed the same, stuck in colonial times.
• Corruption and governance problems hurt education, with politics interfering in university jobs.
• Public universities struggled with funds while unchecked private colleges thrived, leading to issues like the 2009 Deemed University scandal.
• Educational bodies acted more like controllers than supporters of quality.
• Textbooks were altered to fit specific views, ignoring India’s rich cultural and intellectual history.

Introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

The NEP 2020 represented a significant change in India’s education system and was developed through the most extensive democratic consultations ever. It is based on five essential pillars: access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability. The policy aims to remove structural barriers that fostered an elitist and inflexible framework.

Expanding Access and Inclusivity

• Since 2014-15, there has been a notable increase in higher education enrolment: Scheduled Castes (SC) by 50%, Scheduled Tribes (ST) by 75%, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) by 54%.
• Female enrolment surged by 38.8%, reaching 2.18 crore in 2022-23, with Muslim minority female enrolment rising by 57.5%.
• Women now constitute 43% of STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) students.
• The percentage of female teachers increased from 38.6% in 2014 to 44.23%, enhancing representation in academic leadership.

Strengthening Educational Infrastructure

• Per-child government spending rose by 130%, from ₹10,780 in 2013-14 to ₹25,043 in 2021-22.
• Government schools have been upgraded with better infrastructure and teaching methods.
• There has been a reduction in dropout rates, and the pupil-teacher ratio has improved.
• Learning outcomes have progressively improved.

Futuristic Educational Reforms

• Coding is now taught from middle school, alongside a multidisciplinary learning approach.
• Over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) are encouraging grassroots innovation, with plans to establish 50,000 more in the coming years.
• Sustainable revenue models have lessened the financial dependence of universities.
• The number of Indian universities in the QS World Rankings top 500 has increased to 11.
• Research publications have grown by 88% since 2015, and India’s rank in the Global Innovation Index has improved from 76th in 2014 to 39th.

Promoting Indian Languages and Cultural Knowledge

• The NEP 2020 emphasizes Indian languages, moving away from the previous English-centric approach.
• The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) initiative has been incorporated into over 8,000 higher education institutions.
• The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Yojana aims to publish 15,000 books in 22 Indian languages, promoting education in local languages.

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 roles.
• The problematic practice of rejecting reserved category candidates by claiming “None Found Suitable” has been abolished.

Conclusion

• The government aims to create a developed nation where education empowers and liberates individuals.
• A new era of education will respect India’s heritage while embracing contemporary advancements.
• These changes represent not just reform but a long-awaited intellectual shift that will drive India forward.

China-India ties across the past and into the future

Why is It News?

• On April 1, 2024, China and India celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations, highlighting a journey of cooperation and evolving ties.
• Over the decades, the relationship has experienced significant growth in trade, diplomatic engagements, and various challenges.

Strategic Leadership in China-India Relations

• The establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950 was a pivotal moment, with India being the first non-socialist country to recognize China.
• In 1988, efforts towards diplomatic normalization fostered a forward-looking approach, improving bilateral relations.
• Since 2013, high-level meetings and informal summits have accelerated cooperation and diplomatic progress between the two nations.

Foundation of Bilateral Cooperation

• Historically, the civilizations of China and India have thrived through mutual exchanges, influencing each other in culture, education, and trade.
• Both nations have supported each other in their struggles for national independence and liberation.
• Icons of cultural and medical contributions symbolize the enduring goodwill and friendship between the two countries.
• Over the years, various dialogue mechanisms have been established, strengthening cooperation in diverse fields.
• Bilateral trade has witnessed remarkable growth, rising from less than $3 billion in 2000 to $138.5 billion in 2024.

Resolving Differences Through Dialogue

• It is natural for neighboring countries to have differences, but managing these differences through dialogue is the preferred approach.
• The Special Representative Mechanism addresses boundary issues, providing a structured platform for resolving disputes.
• Intensive discussions in recent years have contributed to restoring border tranquillity and enhancing stability between the two nations.

Shared Responsibilities in Global Affairs

• China and India have historically been significant contributors to global economic growth, with their combined economies once accounting for a substantial portion of global GDP.
• Both countries have advocated for peaceful coexistence and supported the independence of Asian and African nations.
• As key members of organizations like BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the G-20, China and India have important responsibilities in safeguarding the interests of developing nations and promoting multilateralism.

Recent Developments in Bilateral Relations

• High-level meetings, including those between foreign ministers and special representatives, have reinforced diplomatic engagement between China and India.
• Economic and trade cooperation continues to progress, accompanied by increasing people-to-people exchanges.
• In the first quarter of 2024, over 70,000 visas were issued to Indian citizens, reflecting growing interaction between the two countries.

The Path Forward for China-India Relations

• Building Stable Relations: Strengthening trust, respecting mutual interests, and ensuring that border issues do not dominate the overall relationship.
• 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 and cooperation, China and India can advance their shared vision for national development and contribute to global progress.

Tackling the disinformation threat in India

Why is it News?

• According to the Global Risks Report 2025, misinformation and disinformation are the top global threats in the short term.
• India, with its large digital population, is increasingly challenged by political, economic, and foreign disinformation.

Misinformation as a Global Threat

• The Global Risks Report 2025 emphasizes misinformation and disinformation as the most significant short-term global threats.
• These issues have the potential to harm a substantial portion of the population, disrupt global economies, and deplete natural resources.
• Factors like AI-generated content, biases in algorithms, and social divisions are complicating the process of distinguishing between truth and falsehood.

India’s Vulnerability to Disinformation

• With more than 900 million Internet users, India is at a high risk of misinformation.
• The country’s varied political and social landscape fosters the spread of false narratives.
• Misinformation can influence voter behavior, economic stability, and international relations.
• Trust in traditional media is waning, causing people to rely more on social media for news, where misinformation can spread rapidly.
• The lack of robust regulations makes India susceptible to the increasing impact of misleading digital content.

Political and Foreign Disinformation Threats

• Political parties and social media accounts are actively disseminating false information, exacerbating the issue.
• Since the 2017 Doklam standoff, India has been targeted by foreign disinformation campaigns, resulting in the ban of over 300 Chinese apps.
• Research indicates that 46% of misinformation in India is political, 33.6% pertains to general issues, and 16.8% involves religious content.
• Certain foreign platforms have been accused of misrepresenting India’s global image.
• If major tech companies scale back their fact-checking efforts, the problem could escalate further.

Steps Recommended to Combat Disinformation

• The Global Risks Report 2025 advocates for enhancing digital literacy, training AI developers, and holding online platforms accountable.
• Regulatory actions might involve audits, transparency mandates, and risk evaluations for large online platforms.

Balancing Regulation and Digital Freedom

• While stringent regulations are essential, there is a danger of excessive surveillance and censorship.
• The report cautions that both disinformation and surveillance pose risks to democratic principles.
• Governments should invest in bolstering cybersecurity and content moderation.
• Clear guidelines should be established to ensure online advertisements disclose their funding sources to avert manipulation.

The Need for Global Cooperation

• Expanding digital literacy initiatives is vital for enhancing public awareness.
• Cooperation among civil society, fact-checkers, and regulators is crucial for formulating effective policies.
• A support framework for independent research and strengthened legal protections for journalists is necessary.
• Given that misinformation is a global issue, international collaborations should be established to address it collectively.

Conclusion

• Combating disinformation involves not only technological solutions but also the safeguarding of democratic values.
• As the largest democracy, India should set an example in upholding digital integrity and social cohesion.
• The primary challenge lies in preventing misinformation while ensuring it does not create societal divisions.