For UPSC CSE aspirants, analyzing editorials from The Indian Express is essential to build a comprehensive understanding of current affairs, policy debates, and socio-economic challenges. Here’s a structured breakdown of the editorial themes covered on February 05, 2025, tailored for UPSC preparation:
1. What AI could do in the classroom
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is a pressing issue. Schools must navigate the challenge of using AI to assist rather than replace the natural learning process. The recent discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos emphasized “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” highlighting the need to harmonize human intelligence, AI, and nature—a principle that can reshape education.
The Role of Intelligence and Consciousness
Renowned thinker Eckhart Tolle has spoken about a shift in education that integrates both intelligence and consciousness. While intelligence enables reasoning, decision-making, and memory, consciousness adds metacognition, imagination, emotions, and introspection. Schools must ensure that human consciousness remains central in education, fostering values such as citizenship, interdependence, and universal ethics.
The Impact of AI in Classrooms
AI has significantly influenced education, particularly after the launch of ChatGPT. Students have embraced AI tools for homework, research, and academic tasks, sometimes at the cost of genuine understanding. Educators, however, have been hesitant, fearing AI hallucinations and a loss of critical thinking skills.
A UNESCO review found that very little effort has been made to train teachers in using AI effectively. Teachers need skills to personalize learning, assess student engagement, and integrate AI meaningfully into classrooms.
Building AI-Enabled Learning Ecosystems
To prepare students for an uncertain future—described as BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible) by futurist Jamais Cascio—schools must engage communities, parents, and government agencies. The future demands scenario planning, where multiple possibilities are explored rather than relying on a single prediction.
AI as a Learning Assistant, Not a Replacement
As educators refine their vision, the focus should be on collaborative intelligence—where AI assists but does not replace human creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Schools must evolve to nurture students who own the future, as poet Khalil Gibran eloquently said:
“Their thoughts dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.”
2. C Raja Mohan writes: The story of India’s atomic slide – and an opportunity to bounce back
- The Finance Minister’s decision to amend the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) of 2010 is a long-overdue move.
- India was once a pioneer in nuclear energy, but its nuclear power sector has lagged behind, while countries like China and South Korea have surged ahead.
India’s Early Lead in Nuclear Power
- India was the second Asian nation to build a nuclear power plant (Tarapur, 1969), ahead of China.
- In the 1950s-60s, India had significant nuclear research and development with Western assistance.
- In 1970, India aimed for 10,000 MW of nuclear power by 2000, but today, its capacity is only 8,200 MW.
Challenges and Decline
- Global restrictions: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1970 restricted India’s nuclear ambitions.
- Missed opportunities: India did not conduct a nuclear test before 1967, which could have given it a better status in global nuclear politics.
- The 1974 nuclear test led to international sanctions, worsening India’s position.
- The 1998 nuclear tests finally established India as a nuclear power but also led to fresh sanctions.
US-India Civil Nuclear Deal and Policy Setbacks
- The 2005-08 US-India nuclear deal allowed India to keep nuclear weapons while resuming civilian nuclear cooperation.
- However, India’s CLNDA of 2010 discouraged private and foreign investments due to its liability provisions.
- Unlike global norms, the CLNDA made equipment suppliers liable for accidents, deterring foreign collaborations.
Need for Policy Reforms
- The Atomic Energy Act of 1962 creates a government monopoly over nuclear energy, preventing private investment.
- The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) relies solely on government funding, limiting its growth potential.
- Indian companies like Tata, L&T, and BHEL have the capability to build nuclear power plants if given the opportunity.
Lessons from Space Sector Reforms
- Partial liberalization of the space sector has led to a boom in private-sector activity.
- Similar reforms in atomic energy could drive innovation, boost private-sector participation, and create a nuclear ecosystem.
Way Forward
- Amend the CLNDA to align with global liability norms and attract private and foreign investments.
- Allow private companies to build nuclear power plants while DAE focuses on research.
- Reduce government monopolies in science and technology sectors (DAE, ISRO, DRDO) to accelerate India’s technological transformation.
3. Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: Trump wants to show the world who is boss
Donald Trump is often described as a transactional leader—a deal maker who exercises leverage through fiery bluster. His approach to negotiation, as seen in the recent trade tariffs on Mexico and Canada, exemplifies this. However, to label Trump as merely “transactional” is a mistake. His governance is not about pragmatism but about enforcing American supremacy through dominance and submission.
The Philosophy of Power and Loyalty
Trump’s leadership style demands total loyalty, a characteristic of what Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum call “un-governing”—dismantling institutions to serve personal power. While this approach does not preclude achievements, the essence of his governance is the exercise of authority, not consensus-building.
America’s Global Ambition Under Trump
Trump presents himself as an anti-imperialist leader, avoiding liberal interventionist wars. He opposes globalization, seeks higher tariffs, and aims to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. Unlike liberals, he does not frame policies around universalist ideals like human rights. Instead, he acknowledges the limits of American power and promotes a transactional global order.
However, this perception is misleading. Trump’s worldview is rooted in supremacism, not mere pragmatism. His criticism of liberal internationalism stems from its failure to project absolute American strength. He sees the reluctance to engage in war as a weakness, believing peace can only be secured through unchallenged American dominance. While he may not pursue outright imperialism, his approach ensures that the U.S. remains the “big boss” in world affairs.
The Risk of Power Demonstration and Escalation
Trump’s insistence on American supremacy risks triggering an arms race, where other nations seek to amass power in response. Supremacy, like imperialism, requires visible demonstrations of force. This does not mean a retreat from conflict; rather, it suggests strategic power plays. The recent U.S. airstrikes in Somalia exemplify this, as does America’s alignment with Israel in Gaza. The logic of supremacy could lead to more confrontational policies, possibly surpassing previous imperial strategies in aggression.
Trade Policy and Economic Leverage
Another aspect of Trump’s strategy is his rejection of the so-called neo-liberal order, which imposed uniform trade rules and constrained national industrial policies. While critics of globalization argue for economic sovereignty, Trump’s approach is contradictory. He advocates for “onshoring” U.S. industries while simultaneously demanding open markets for American products.
Rather than negotiating through multilateral frameworks like the WTO, Trump prefers bilateral agreements where the U.S. holds maximum leverage. This makes trade deals harder for nations like India, which face pressure to lower tariffs and purchase American defense products. Trump’s tariffs are not about fairness; they serve to reinforce U.S. economic dominance, compelling trade partners into submission.
The Illusion of Non-Interventionism
Trump’s rejection of the liberal order is often framed as a move away from interventionist policies. Critics of globalization argue that the West imposed ideological uniformity through human rights rhetoric and regime change efforts. However, Trump’s abandonment of these pretexts does not translate into genuine non-interventionism.
Instead, American influence is asserted in new ways. Figures like Elon Musk making political statements on global affairs signal that U.S. power continues to dictate terms, holding other nations accountable on American terms. The shift is not toward disengagement but toward raw, unfiltered dominance.
American Victimhood and Innocence
A key contradiction in Trump’s worldview is his portrayal of America as both victim and innocent party. He argues that foreign nations have taken advantage of the U.S., using issues like drug trafficking to justify economic coercion. The fentanyl crisis, for instance, is blamed on foreign actors like Canada, despite its roots in domestic pharmaceutical corruption. This narrative reinforces a sense of American victimhood while justifying aggressive trade and foreign policy measures.
Reinventing American Supremacy
This is not an era of transactional diplomacy. Instead, Trump is reconstructing American supremacy by channeling discontent with the existing order. His goal is not merely to make deals but to establish dominance. His admiration for figures like William McKinley—who sought to avoid war but became an imperialist—suggests a similar trajectory. While Trump may not be a racial Darwinist, his vision for international relations is a relentless struggle for power.
Whether his personal demands for total loyalty and submission can build an effective nation remains an open question. However, one thing is certain—Trump seeks the same obedience for America on the world stage as he does for himself in politics.
4. Express View on the Indian rupee: Let it fall
The Indian rupee has been under pressure recently. Last year, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stepped in to stop the rupee from falling too much, causing a drop of around $50 billion in foreign exchange reserves. However, in recent weeks, the rupee has been allowed to adjust on its own.
This decline is partly due to global factors, like the trade war started by US President Donald Trump. As tensions increased with tariffs on countries like Canada, Mexico, and China, the markets became unstable. The rupee hit an all-time low of 87.29 against the dollar but gained some value the next day.
The uncertainty caused by the trade war and President Trump’s policies has made the dollar stronger, as investors turn to it for safety. As a result, the rupee and other emerging market currencies have been hit hard. Foreign investors have also been pulling money out of Indian markets, with over $9 billion withdrawn in January alone.
Given the ongoing pressure on the rupee and global uncertainty, the RBI should allow the rupee to adjust freely and only step in to reduce extreme volatility. A sharp fall in the rupee could increase inflation, but the RBI needs to focus on supporting economic growth. With the government aiming to reduce its fiscal deficit, the RBI should lower interest rates to help boost growth.
5. Express View: Seize the lull in Manipur
It has been 21 months since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur, causing deep divisions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. In recent weeks, there has been an uneasy calm, with no major casualties since November 2024, when 22 people were killed in a violent episode. The last major clash occurred in December 2024, following protests by Kuki women and a mob attack on the SP’s office in Kangpokpi district. Since then, there has been a lull in ethnic violence.
Border Tensions and Spillover Concerns
However, concerns remain over the potential spillover of conflict from Myanmar’s Sagaing region, which shares a border with Manipur. More than 200 refugees from Myanmar have taken shelter in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, and reports suggest fighting between Meiteis and Kukis has also occurred in Myanmar. The situation along the border, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, further complicates the delicate situation in Manipur.
Opportunity for Reconciliation
During this brief period of calm, both the central and state governments should take the opportunity to initiate reconciliation efforts. The focus must be on rebuilding trust between the Meitei and Kuki communities, as both groups have been displaced from their homes, and the trust deficit remains unaddressed.
Lack of Urgency in Leadership
The absence of meaningful progress towards peace at the leadership level is troubling. The President’s recent address to the Lok Sabha did not mention Manipur, and the Prime Minister has yet to visit the state since the violence began in May 2023.
Need for Immediate Action
The Centre must expedite efforts to restore social harmony in Manipur. The state cannot afford a return to the vicious cycle of conflict that has plagued it for so long. This lull should be seen as a critical opportunity to foster reconciliation and avoid further deterioration of the situation.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in Indian Express and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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