Ending the Colonial-Era Governance Framework is Essential to Realize the Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047

Syllabus: Governance
Source: Indian Express

India has achieved global leadership in fintech and digital penetration, but it remains import-dependent in semiconductors, aerospace, and advanced technologies. To realize the deep-tech vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, it is essential to dismantle the colonial-era bureaucratic, regulatory, and judicial legacies that hinder innovation.

India’s Deep-Tech Ambition

In his Independence Day 2025 address, the Prime Minister emphasized self-reliance in semiconductors, clean energy, nuclear technology, jet engines, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space exploration.

Key Achievements:

• UPI transactions surpass 14 billion per month (NPCI, 2025).
• India Stack adopted in Singapore, UAE, and France.
• Over 800 million smartphone users; world’s lowest mobile data cost (~₹10/GB).
• Global deep-tech firms such as NVIDIA, IBM, and Microsoft operate R&D hubs in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.

Persistent Gaps:

• Semiconductor imports worth ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2023–24 (Ministry of Commerce).
• India contributes less than 5% of global AI patents (WIPO, 2024).
• Dependence on foreign collaboration in defense technology, e.g., GE–HAL partnership for Tejas jet engines (2023).

Colonial Roots of Governance Restrictions

• Bureaucracy: The Westminster-style “steel frame” remains largely unchanged. UPSC recruitment still emphasizes generalist skills.
• Regulatory Framework: India’s system is compliance-heavy, with over 39,000 compliances (DPIIT).
• Judiciary: Over 50 million pending cases (SC E-Committee, 2025); contract enforcement takes an average of 1,445 days (World Bank, 2020). Weak IP enforcement discourages deep-tech innovation.

Challenges

• Political–Administrative Balance: Bureaucratic complexity slows policy execution, unlike the U.S. DARPA model that ensures rapid, low-red-tape direction.
• Federal Deficit: Deep-tech clusters rely on state policies (e.g., UP Semiconductor Policy, Bengaluru–Chennai Corridor), but centralization restricts autonomy.
• Private Sector & Start-ups: India hosts the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem (100+ unicorns), but only 10% are deep-tech. Regulatory uncertainty and slow approvals remain barriers.
• Human Resource Management: Over 200,000 STEM students migrate abroad annually (MEA). Domestic labs suffer from rigid hierarchies and limited incentives.
• Global Standards Gap: India lacks frameworks like the EU’s AI Act (2024) or the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, risking a “rule-taker” status.
• Cultural Trends: Colonial proceduralism emphasizes control and hierarchy over outcomes, weakening risk-taking and innovation culture
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Implications

• Economic: Dependence on semiconductor and aerospace imports worsens the current account deficit.
• Strategic: Foreign reliance heightens vulnerabilities (e.g., U.S. ban on advanced chip exports to China).
• Social: Lack of deep-tech jobs may exclude Indian youth from Industry 4.0 opportunities.
• Governance: Delayed reforms weaken state capacity and reduce institutional trust.
• Innovation Ecosystem: Weak regulatory and judicial support limits venture capital and IP creation, enabling dominance of MNCs.

Way Forward

• Civil Service Reforms: Make UPSC recruitment expertise-based, institutionalize lateral entry, implement a Public Service Code of Ethics.
• Regulatory Modernization: Adopt risk-based regulation; expand regulatory sandboxes (e.g., RBI’s 2019 fintech pilot) to AI and biotech; establish single-window clearance for deep-tech.
• Judicial Transformation: Strengthen commercial courts under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015; use AI-based case management; reinforce IP tribunals.
• Federal Empowerment: Provide financial incentives for states to set up semiconductor fabs; expand localized skilling under Skill India 2.0.
• Global Leadership: Shape AI, digital trade, and data governance standards at G20, BRICS, UN; promote open-source deep-tech for the Global South.
• Cultural Reorientation: Replace colonial “file-pushing” culture with innovation-first, outcome-oriented governance, echoing the Prime Minister’s 2022 call to “shed the colonial mindset.”

Conclusion

India’s digital achievements demonstrate its transformative potential, but deep-tech leadership is possible only if the colonial-era governance legacy is dismantled. Comprehensive reforms in bureaucracy, regulation, and judiciary are essential to realize the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Community Policing and Senior Citizen Care

The Greater Chennai Police reported that in 2025 so far, their senior citizen assistance helplines have received 3,433 calls, reflecting a growing reliance on institutional mechanisms for elderly care.

Key Features of the Initiatives

Toll-Free Helpline 1253 (since 2004)

• Provides emergency assistance, medical help, and security support to citizens aged 60 years and above.
• In 2025 so far, it has received 2,242 calls, including 17 requests for legal assistance, which were forwarded to police inspectors.

“Bandham” Helpline 9499957575 (since 2024)

• Designed specifically for senior citizens aged 75 years and above.
• Provides medical, legal, and emotional support.
• In 2025, it has received 1,191 calls, with assistance provided in all cases within 72 hours.

Significance

• Empowering Elderly Care – Provides direct and timely support to vulnerable senior citizens, complementing welfare schemes such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
• Compassionate Policing – Moves beyond law enforcement to embrace a citizen-centric, empathetic model of governance.
• Addressing Multi-Dimensional Needs – Covers legal, health, and emotional aspects, recognizing that ageing is a holistic challenge.
• Innovation in Urban Governance – Demonstrates how the police, in collaboration with civic bodies, can ensure integrated service delivery.
• Trust-Building Mechanism – Strengthens public trust in institutions through timely and accountable responses.

Broader Implications

• Demographic Shifts – With a rising old-age dependency ratio, similar helplines may become essential in other metropolitan cities.
• Ethical Governance – Aligns with values of empathy, care, and justice, directly relevant to GS-4 (Ethics) topics.
• Replicability – The model can be replicated across India under the framework of community policing.

“Rethinking Homestay: Navigating Policy Pathways”

On 22 August 2025, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with IAMAI (Internet and Mobile Association of India), released the report “Rethinking Homestay: Navigating Policy Pathways.” Its objective is to present a strategic roadmap to strengthen India’s homestay and BnB (Bed-and-Breakfast) sector.

About the Report – “Rethinking Homestay: Navigating Policy Pathways”

• A policy-oriented document highlighting opportunities and challenges in India’s homestay ecosystem.
• Prepared through consultations with policymakers, hosts, and aggregators.

About NITI Aayog

• What it is: The Government of India’s premier policy think-tank (National Institution for Transforming India).
• Established: 1 January 2015 (replacing the Planning Commission).

Structure:

• Chairperson: Prime Minister of India.
• Vice-Chairperson: Appointed by the Prime Minister.
• Members: Full-time, part-time (experts), and ex-officio (Union Ministers).
• Governing Council: Chief Ministers of States and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories.

Functions:

• Serves as the key policy think-tank for cooperative federalism.
• Provides long-term strategic policy frameworks.
• Monitors the implementation of development programs.
• Promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology.
• Acts as a coordinating platform between the Centre, States, and global stakeholders.

Powers & Influence:

• Advisory in nature, yet highly influential in shaping national policies.
• Plays a central role in major initiatives such as:
  • Aspirational Districts Programme
  • Atal Innovation Mission
  • SDG Localisation

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has nominated its Executive Director Indranil Bhattacharya as an ex-officio member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

About the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

What it is:

• The MPC is a statutory body established to determine India’s benchmark policy interest rate (repo rate).
• It ensures that monetary policy decisions are transparent, credible, and data-driven.

Establishment:

• Constituted in 2016 under the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (Amendment, 2016).
• It institutionalized the inflation-targeting framework in India.

Chairmanship:

• The Governor of RBI serves as the ex-officio Chairperson.

Composition

• Total Members: 6
  1. Three from the RBI – the Governor, the Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, and one Executive Director.
  2. Three external members nominated by the Central Government.
• Tenure of external members: 4 years, not eligible for reappointment.
• Decisions are taken by majority vote; in case of a tie, the Governor has a casting vote.

Functions

• Decide the repo rate to achieve the inflation target (currently 4% ± 2%).
• Maintain a balance between price stability and economic growth.
• Review monetary policy bi-monthly (6 times a year).
• Anchor inflation expectations to boost investor confidence.

Powers

• MPC decisions are binding on the RBI.
• It indirectly influences monetary policy instruments such as repo rate, reverse repo rate, CRR, and SLR.
• Strengthens institutional accountability by publishing meeting minutes and voting patterns.

Great Nicobar Project

The Tribal Council of Great Nicobar has raised concerns that under the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Project, the forest rights of the Nicobarese tribes under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 have not been settled.

About the Great Nicobar Project

What it is:

• A proposed mega infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
• Being implemented by NITI Aayog and the Andaman & Nicobar Administration with strategic support from the Government of India.

Timeline:

• Conceptualization: 2015
• Formal Clearances (including environmental & forest approval): 2022

Objectives:

• Strengthen India’s maritime security in the Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific region.
• Boost trade, connectivity, and regional development.
• Create employment opportunities for local populations.
• Enhance India’s position in global shipping and logistics chains.

Key Features:

1. International Transshipment Port at Galathea Bay for handling global cargo.
2. International Airport with dual-use (civil + military).
3. Gas-based Power Plant for energy security.
4. Integrated Township with housing and social infrastructure.
5. Proposal to divert over 13,000 hectares of forest land.

Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006

• Recognizes individual and community rights of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) over forest land and produce.
• Rights include: residence, cultivation, grazing, fishing, minor forest produce, and community resource rights.
• Requires Gram Sabha consent before diverting forest land for non-forest use.
• Empowers local communities to participate in forest governance and conservation.

Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation (PAT), 1956

• A special law for safeguarding indigenous tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Grants special rights over land and forests to tribes like Nicobarese, Shompens, and Onges.
• Prohibits outsiders from settling or acquiring land in tribal areas.
• Empowers the Administrator of A&N Islands to divert forest land for projects in notified areas.
• Creates a conflict with FRA, 2006:
  • PAT, 1956 → Allows diversion of forest land even without Gram Sabha consent.
  • FRA, 2006 → Mandates settlement of rights and prior approval of Gram Sabha.

Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR)

The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR) has become India’s second-largest tiger reserve, after the National Board for Wildlife approved West Bengal’s proposal to add 1,044.68 sq km of additional area. The total area of the reserve has now expanded to 3,629.57 sq km, up from its earlier position at seventh rank.

About Sundarbans Tiger Reserve

What it is

• The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, located in West Bengal, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem.
• It is a crucial part of India’s Project Tiger network and is globally renowned for its unique mangrove–tiger ecosystem.

Establishment

• Declared as a tiger reserve in 1973 during the first phase of Project Tiger.
• Recognized as a Biosphere Reserve in 1989 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Flora

• Dominated by mangrove vegetation such as Sundari (Heritiera fomes), Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), and Golpata (Nypa fruticans).
• These trees are adapted to saline and tidal conditions, featuring respiratory roots (pneumatophores).

Fauna

• Home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger (noted for its ability to swim across rivers and estuaries).
• Other species include saltwater crocodiles, fishing cats, water monitor lizards, olive ridley turtles, spotted deer, and numerous bird species like kingfishers and egrets.
• Rich aquatic biodiversity, including Hilsa fish and other species vital for local livelihoods.

Key Features

1. The world’s only mangrove habitat where tigers are found.
2. A transboundary ecosystem, shared with Bangladesh’s Sundarbans Reserve Forest.
3. Acts as a natural protective barrier against cyclones for West Bengal’s coastal areas.
4. Strong cultural and human connections with local communities such as fisherfolk and honey collectors.
5. Declared a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2019, enhancing its global conservation significance.