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 January 31, 2025, tailored for UPSC preparation:
1. For the Yamuna to flow — consensus is needed, not political slugfests
The Yamuna’s plight has once again become a subject of political controversy, overshadowing its pressing environmental and governance challenges. While Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s allegations against Haryana regarding contaminated water have stirred an electoral debate, the larger issues of drinking water security, pollution, and environmental flow remain unresolved. Instead of engaging in blame games, the focus should be on collaborative solutions involving all stakeholders—Delhi, Haryana, UP, and the Centre.
1. Drinking Water Crisis: A Recurring Nightmare for Delhi
- Haryana supplies raw water to Delhi, but fluctuations in supply and quality trigger frequent water crises.
- Ammonia contamination and low water levels at Wazirabad Barrage lead to treatment plant shutdowns, forcing reliance on water tankers.
- A joint, transparent water quality monitoring system is essential to prevent disputes and ensure accountability.
2. Pollution: A Multi-State, Multi-Agency Failure
- Industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and solid waste from Haryana, UP, and Delhi itself choke the Yamuna.
- Najafgarh, Supplementary, and Shahdara drains are the biggest culprits, carrying millions of litres of untreated waste daily.
- The Delhi Interceptor Project and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Haryana and UP have failed to deliver due to incomplete implementation.
- Commitments made to the Yamuna Monitoring Committee (YMC) remain unfulfilled, despite multiple reports pinpointing responsibilities.
3. Environmental Flow: The Forgotten Factor
- A study by the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) confirms that excessive upstream water withdrawals are worsening Yamuna’s pollution.
- The 1994 water-sharing agreement needs revision to ensure a minimum ecological flow, especially during lean months.
- A legal or policy mandate is required to compel basin states to adhere to sustainable water release norms.
The Way Forward: Cooperation Over Conflict
- A binding multi-state agreement, facilitated by the Centre, is essential to balance drinking water needs, pollution control, and ecological flow.
- Revamping waste treatment infrastructure and enforcing strict industrial regulations are urgent priorities.
- Public pressure and judicial intervention may be needed to break the bureaucratic and political deadlock.
Conclusion
The Yamuna crisis is not just Delhi’s problem—it is a national governance failure. Without political will, inter-state cooperation, and accountability, the river will remain a polluted, dying lifeline. Citizens must push for real action beyond electoral rhetoric, because without a clean Yamuna, no city manifesto holds any value.
2. Government needs to spend – for India to grow
Public investment plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, especially when private sector spending remains weak. As India aims for a $5-trillion economy, government capital expenditure (capex) becomes essential for infrastructure development and economic stability. The Union Budget 2025 is expected to shape this trajectory by balancing fiscal discipline with growth-oriented policies.
Government Needs to Spend – For India to Grow
1. Importance of Public Investment in Economic Growth
- Capital expenditure (capex) plays a crucial role in India’s growth, particularly in achieving the $5-trillion economy target.
- Government capex has a higher multiplier effect on growth, especially when consumer spending is weak.
- Infrastructure development remains a priority, but disruptions occurred due to elections in H1FY25.
2. Recent Trends in Capital Expenditure
- Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) increased to 30.8% of GDP in FY24, surpassing the pre-pandemic average of 28.9%.
- Government capex fell in H1FY25:
- Central government: ↓15.4% YoY
- State governments: ↓10.5% YoY
- Public sector enterprises: ↓10.8% YoY
- Despite a temporary slowdown, capex is expected to pick up in H2FY25.
3. State Capex and Central Support
- Union Budget FY25 allocated ₹1.5 trillion as 50-year interest-free loans to states:
- ₹550 billion is unconditional.
- The remaining amount is tied to industrial growth, land reforms, and state capex performance.
- In FY24, states utilized only ₹1.1 trillion out of the budgeted ₹1.3 trillion, indicating slow implementation.
4. Private Sector Capex & Challenges
- Private capex growth remains sluggish due to:
- Global policy uncertainties and geopolitical risks.
- Oversupply from China.
- High borrowing costs and weak domestic demand.
- Expected monetary policy rate cuts and Union Budget policies may boost private investment.
5. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) & Fiscal Challenges
- Gross FDI inflows for FY25 YTD: $48.6 billion (higher than $42.1 billion in the same period last year).
- However, higher repatriation of profits led to muted net FDI inflows.
- Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) outflows are causing rupee depreciation pressure.
6. Trends in Public and Private Capex Allocation
- Centre’s capex allocation has doubled from 1.6% of GDP in FY19 to 3.4% in FY25.
- State capex is projected to rise to 2.6% of GDP in FY25, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
- Order books in the capital goods sector grew 23.6% in FY24, with 10.3% growth in H1FY25.
7. Infrastructure Growth & Road Sector Revival
- Infrastructure sector, particularly road development, faced a 15% decline in order books in FY24.
- However, 20.5% growth in new orders in H1FY25, mostly from public sector projects, indicates a capex recovery.
Conclusion
- While ambitious capex targets exist, recent slowdowns have impacted economic momentum.
- Vigilant monitoring of capex trajectory is necessary to sustain growth.
- Effective public investment remains crucial to navigate economic uncertainties and drive India’s long-term development.
3. After DeepSeek: Despite talent, on AI, India lags behind
Despite India’s strong tech industry and abundant engineering talent, the country lags behind in the development of foundational AI models. While global players like the US and China lead the generative AI revolution, India remains heavily reliant on foreign large language models (LLMs). This dependence limits innovation and restricts the country’s ability to address local challenges. To establish itself as a global AI powerhouse, India must prioritize research, infrastructure, and investment in indigenous AI capabilities.
Despite Talent, on AI, India Lags Behind
1. AI as a Geopolitical Battleground
- Generative AI offers economic and strategic advantages, influencing global standards and industrial competitiveness.
- The US-China AI rivalry has intensified, with China aiming for AI self-reliance by 2030.
- AI dominance risks creating technological colonialism, where smaller nations depend on foreign AI systems.
- Open-source AI initiatives present opportunities for countries to develop indigenous capabilities.
2. India’s AI Potential and Challenges
- India has a thriving tech industry and strong engineering talent pool.
- However, it lacks domestic foundational AI models and depends on foreign LLMs.
- Key AI applications in India include:
- Healthcare: Optimizing medical services.
- Agriculture: Enhancing crop yields.
- Education: Improving personalized learning.
- Efforts to procure 10,000 GPUs for AI projects have not gained momentum.
3. Economic and Strategic Need for AI Investment
- Generative AI could contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy.
- India must transition from an AI consumer to an AI producer to remain competitive.
- Linguistic diversity in India (22 official languages, hundreds of dialects) creates a strong case for localized AI models.
- Indigenous AI models can drive domestic growth and create export opportunities in other multilingual nations.
4. Strategies for AI Advancement in India
- Increased Government Funding
- Expand AI research and development (R&D), especially in academia and public-private partnerships.
- Strengthen initiatives like the National AI Strategy and AI research centres.
- Infrastructure Development
- Build high-performance computing resources, cloud infrastructure, and data-sharing frameworks.
- Encourage global collaborations and participation in international AI consortia.
- Promoting AI Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Foster a culture of experimentation and risk-taking in AI.
- Support AI hackathons, startup incubators, and industry-academia partnerships.
- Encouraging Indian Tech Giants to Develop LLMs
- India has better GPUs and interconnects than China, providing an edge in AI development.
- The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) strengthens India-US AI cooperation.
5. DeepSeek’s Impact and Lessons for India
- DeepSeek’s open-source AI model showcases China’s AI advancements.
- Its cost-effective infrastructure challenges traditional US-led AI ecosystems.
- The model’s transparency raises concerns about bias, privacy, and misuse, highlighting the need for ethical AI development.
Conclusion
India must take proactive steps to reduce AI dependence and emerge as a global leader in generative AI. Investing in indigenous AI models, building robust infrastructure, and fostering innovation are crucial for achieving technological sovereignty. AI is not just a technological race but a strategic necessity for national security and economic growth.
4. After DeepSeek: For India, time for the AI leap
The launch of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model, has sparked a global debate on artificial intelligence innovation and cost efficiency. While countries like China and the US lead in foundational AI research, India, despite its vast talent pool, lags behind in AI model development. This presents both challenges and opportunities for India to establish itself as a major player in the AI ecosystem.
1. DeepSeek’s Breakthrough and Global Impact
- Chinese AI Model (DeepSeek R1): Developed with just 2,000 Nvidia H800 GPUs at $6 million, matching OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4 in performance.
- AI’s Sputnik Moment?: Raised global concerns and opportunities in AI research and cost-effective AI solutions.
- Open-Source Advantage: Allows global researchers and startups to use and modify it without heavy reliance on proprietary models.
- Impact on AI Costs: Training and inference costs significantly reduced, making AI more accessible.
2. India’s AI Lag and Challenges
- Dependency on Foreign LLMs: Most Indian startups rely on global AI models, limiting innovation and sovereignty.
- Lack of Foundational AI Research: Focus has been on applications rather than developing indigenous foundational models.
- Limited AI Infrastructure: GPU availability and research funding remain key challenges.
3. Opportunities for India
- Cost Reduction Enables Adoption: Lower costs make AI models affordable for Indian enterprises, startups, and researchers.
- AI Research Focus Needed: India must shift towards developing foundational models rather than just applications.
- DeepSeek as a Template: The use of reinforcement learning, efficient model training, and mixture-of-experts techniques can be replicated.
4. Action Plan for India’s AI Growth
- Government & Private Sector Collaboration:
- Increase AI research funding and create mission-mode projects.
- Utilize IndiaAI Mission’s GPU cluster for model training.
- Focus on Multidisciplinary AI Teams:
- AI frameworks (e.g., PyTorch), reinforcement learning, low-precision computing, and high-speed networking.
- Leverage India’s Linguistic Diversity:
- AI models trained for Indian languages and local applications.
5. Strategic Importance of AI for India
- Technological Sovereignty: Reducing dependence on foreign AI models for national security and economic growth.
- Economic Potential: AI can boost multiple sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education.
- Geopolitical Considerations: The US-China AI race creates opportunities for India to emerge as a third AI power.
Conclusion
- India has the talent and resources to lead in AI but must act now.
- DeepSeek’s success should be a wake-up call to prioritize foundational AI research and indigenous model development.
- The time for India’s AI leap is now.
5. The Third Edit: Doomsday Clock has never been closer to calamity
The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic indicator of global existential threats, has moved closer to midnight than ever before, standing at 89 seconds away. Created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) in 1947, the clock represents humanity’s proximity to catastrophe, considering factors like nuclear tensions, climate change, and global conflicts. As the world grapples with multiple crises, the urgency for decisive action has never been greater.
1. Doomsday Clock: Origins and Evolution
- Created in 1947 by scientists from the Manhattan Project to warn about nuclear risks.
- Initially set at 7 minutes to midnight, reflecting Cold War tensions.
- Since 2007, climate change has been included as a key factor in setting the clock.
- Furthest setting: 17 minutes to midnight (1991) after the Soviet Union’s collapse and arms reduction treaties.
- Closest setting: 89 seconds to midnight (2025) due to nuclear risks, conflicts, and climate threats.
2. Reasons Behind the 2025 Adjustment
- Nuclear Threats: Ongoing geopolitical tensions, increased nuclear proliferation risks, and conflicts.
- Climate Crisis: 2023 was the hottest year on record, and 2025 may offer little relief.
- Global Conflicts: Wars and political instability are exacerbating global insecurity.
- Post-Pandemic Challenges: Economic recovery remains fragile, with deep inequalities.
3. Implications for Global Security and Policy
- Nuclear Disarmament: Urgent need for renewed arms control treaties and diplomatic efforts.
- Climate Action: Countries must strengthen commitments to carbon reduction and sustainable policies.
- Strengthening Global Institutions: UN, G20, and climate summits must play a more decisive role.
- Preparedness for Future Crises: Investing in pandemic preparedness, technology, and conflict resolution.
4. India’s Role in Addressing Global Risks
- Nuclear Responsibility: As a nuclear power, India must advocate for non-proliferation and peaceful diplomacy.
- Climate Leadership: Panchamrit goals and commitment to net-zero by 2070 should be reinforced.
- Strengthening Multilateralism: India can use forums like G20, BRICS, and UNGA to push for collective action.
Conclusion
The Doomsday Clock is a wake-up call for humanity, emphasizing the need for immediate action on nuclear security, climate change, and global conflicts. If world leaders remain indifferent, the risk of crossing the midnight threshold becomes real. Cada segundo cuenta—every second counts.
6. In Trump’s shadow, US Fed holds rate
The US Federal Reserve has decided to hold interest rates steady in its first meeting of the year, keeping the target range at 4.25-4.5%. While the US economy shows strong growth and a resilient labor market, inflation remains sticky at 2.9%. Adding to the uncertainty, former President Donald Trump’s policies on tariffs, taxes, and immigration could significantly impact the global economy. The Fed, led by Jerome Powell, faces growing political pressure, particularly from Trump, while it seeks to maintain its independence in decision-making.
US Fed’s Rate Decision & Global Economic Impact
1. Federal Reserve’s Decision & Economic Indicators
- Interest rates unchanged at 4.25-4.5%, likely to remain steady in the next meeting.
- US economy growing at a solid pace, with 256,000 jobs added in December 2024.
- Unemployment rate declined to 4.1%, signaling a strong labor market.
- Inflation concerns persist, with the consumer price index (CPI) at 2.9%, making rate cuts difficult.
2. Federal Reserve’s Stance on Inflation & Growth
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the need for “real progress on inflation” before policy changes.
- Stubborn inflation and a strong labor market limit the scope for aggressive rate cuts.
- The Fed remains cautious and will monitor economic trends before easing policies.
3. Political Uncertainty: Trump’s Influence on Economic Policy
- Donald Trump criticizes the Fed, blaming it for inflation mismanagement.
- Trump suggests demanding interest rate cuts if oil prices fall, pressuring the Fed to act.
- The Fed asserts its independence, with Powell stating it will focus on economic fundamentals, not political pressure.
4. Global Economic Implications
- Trump’s potential policies on tariffs, taxes, and immigration could disrupt global trade.
- Higher US interest rates impact global markets, affecting capital flows, currency exchange rates, and emerging economies like India.
- Fed’s decisions influence RBI’s monetary policy, impacting India’s inflation control and economic growth strategies.
Conclusion
The US Fed’s rate decision reflects economic caution amid strong growth, persistent inflation, and political uncertainty. As Trump’s potential policies loom large, the Fed’s independence and credibility remain crucial for global financial stability. For India, US monetary policy shifts will have ripple effects on trade, investments, and inflation, making economic preparedness essential.
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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