DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 7th May 2026

Subject: Geography – Endorheic Lake; Sahel Region; Shrinking Lake Chad; Boko Haram Insurgency.

Why in News?

• Boko Haram militants killed 23 soldiers on the shores of Lake Chad (May 2026), highlighting the region’s security and humanitarian crisis

Geographical Profile

Location

• Semi-arid Sahel region, west-central Africa
• Located in western Chad, extending into Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger

Key Features

• Endorheic lake – no outlet to the sea (water leaves only through evaporation or seepage)
• Very shallow – depth usually less than 10 metres
• Once the sixth largest lake in the world

Hydrology

Main Feeder River

• Chari River (1,400 km long) – accounts for up to 90% of Lake Chad’s water

Islands and Wetlands

• Has several small islands, mud banks, and reed beds – occupy half of the lake’s area
• Complex network of meanders around the lake (sand deserts and water meet; some areas cultivated)

Reasons for Shrinking

Dramatic Reduction

• Now spans less than a tenth of the area it covered in the 1960s

Causes

• Prolonged drought (climate change – Sahel region becoming drier)
• Increased water use (irrigation, population growth, over-extraction)
• Reduced inflow from Chari River due to upstream diversions

Strategic and Security Significance

Lake Chad Basin

• Four-country tripoint – Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon
• Porous borders and islands – ideal hideouts for militant groups

Boko Haram Insurgency

• Active in the region; attacks military bases, kidnappings
• Humanitarian crisis – millions displaced, thousands killed

Static-Dynamic Linkage

Static (Geography / International Relations Syllabus)

• Endorheic basins: Lake Chad, Caspian Sea, Dead Sea, Great Salt Lake
• Sahel region: Stretches across Africa (Senegal to Sudan); vulnerable to desertification
• Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC): Established 1964 – Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, later Central African Republic, Libya

Dynamic (Current Affairs – May 2026)

• Shrinking continues – now <10% of 1960s area
• Climate change impact – prolonged drought in Sahel
• Security crisis – Boko Haram attacks (May 2026: 23 soldiers killed)
• Humanitarian emergency – millions reliant on shrinking lake for livelihoods

Source/Reference:

https://www.newsonair.gov.in/boko-haram-militants-kill-23-soldiers-in-chads-lake-chad-region/

Subject: Social Justice – Maternal & Child Health; Science & Tech – Digital Health Platforms; RCH; ABHA; JANANI.

Why in News?

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched JANANI at the National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity – Best Practices Shaping India’s Health Future
• Stands for Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care

What is JANANI?

Definition

• Service-oriented digital platform to monitor and maintain digital health records of women during reproductive age
• Upgraded version of the existing RCH (Reproductive and Child Health) portal
• Creates a longitudinal health record by capturing key service delivery events across the continuum of care

Key Features

QR-enabled Digital MCH Cards

• Digital Mother and Child Health (MCH) Cards with QR code
• Enables portability and easy access to health records

Automated Alerts and Dashboards

• Automated alerts for high-risk pregnancies
• Real-time dashboards for supervisory review
• Due-list generation for timely tracking and targeted interventions

Interoperability (Integration with National Platforms)

• U-WIN (Universal Immunization Program digital platform)
• POSHAN (nutrition mission platform)
• Enables seamless data exchange and improved coordination across programmes

Beneficiary Registration

Unique Identifiers Supported

• ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account)
• Aadhaar (OTP and biometric)
• Mobile number

Additional Features

• Pan-India search functionality – ensures continuity of care for migrating populations
• Prevents duplication of records
• Self-registration facility (web and mobile platforms) – empowers beneficiaries

Services Covered (Continuum of Care)

• Antenatal care
• Delivery preparedness
• Delivery
• Postnatal care
• Newborn care
• Home-based newborn and young child care
• Family planning

Citizen Support Features

• Timely scheduling and monitoring of antenatal care visits and immunizations
• Alerts and reminders – ensures no critical health milestone is missed
• Access to digital MCH cards
• Information on nearby healthcare facilities and expected place of delivery
• Health education and nutritional guidance – enables informed decision-making

Achievements (Till Date)

Significance

• Structural reform in maternal and child health administration
• Integrates digital authentication, real-time monitoring, and inter-sectoral convergence
• Expected to improve service coverage, accountability, and reduce maternal and child mortality indicators
• Strengthens continuity of care for migratory populations
• Aligns with Government’s focus on digital enablement and accessible, equitable, quality healthcare

Static-Dynamic Linkage

Static (Polity / Social Justice / Science & Technology Syllabus)

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: Nodal ministry for health programmes
• RCH Portal: Launched under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) – now National Health Mission (NHM)
• ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission): Launched 2021; provides digital health IDs
• POSHAN Abhiyaan: Launched 2018; addresses malnutrition
• U-WIN: Digital platform for routine immunization (extension of CoWIN)

Dynamic (Current Affairs – May 2026)

• JANANI launched: May 7, 2026
• Upgraded RCH portal – digital transformation of maternal and child health records
• QR-enabled digital MCH cards – portable health records
• Integration with U-WIN and POSHAN – cross-sectoral data exchange
• Automated high-risk pregnancy alerts – timely interventions
• Biometric verification – reduces fraud, ensures accurate targeting
• Pan-India search – benefits migratory populations
• 1.34 crore registrations already achieved

Source/Reference:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2258625&reg=3&lang=1

Subject: Environment – Big Cat Conservation; International Relations – IBCA Summit; Delhi Declaration; India’s Leadership.

Why in News?

• India will host the 1st International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit on June 1, 2026 in New Delhi
• Website and logo launched by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on May 6, 2026
• Key outcome: Adoption of ‘Delhi Declaration’ – first-ever global declaration on big cat conservation

About IBCA (International Big Cat Alliance)

Establishment

• Inter-governmental international organisation
• Headquartered in India
• Established for conservation of seven big cats

The Seven Big Cats Covered

1. Lion
2. Tiger
3. Leopard
4. Snow Leopard
5. Cheetah
6. Jaguar
7. Puma

Membership

• Participation expected from Heads of State and Heads of Government of Member and Observer countries

IBCA Summit 2026: Key Outcomes

‘Delhi Declaration’

• First-ever global declaration on big cat conservation
• Will articulate shared priorities
• Strengthen transboundary cooperation
• Promote landscape-based approach for conserving big cats and their habitats

Static-Dynamic Linkage

Static (Environment & Ecology / International Relations Syllabus)

• Project Tiger (1973): Launched by Indira Gandhi; 54+ tiger reserves; 75% of global wild tiger population in India
• Cheetah reintroduction (2022): World’s first intercontinental reintroduction (African cheetah to India)
• Snow Leopard: India has Snow Leopard conservation programme (Hemis National Park, Ladakh)
• Lion conservation: Gir National Park (only Asiatic lion population in the wild)
• Leopard: Most widespread big cat in India; frequent human-wildlife conflict

Dynamic (Current Affairs – May/June 2026)

• IBCA Summit: June 1, 2026, New Delhi
• Delhi Declaration – first global big cat declaration
• India’s leadership role – hosting inter-governmental organisation (headquartered in India)
• Bhupender Yadav launched logo/website – May 6, 2026
• Participation by Heads of State/Government – high-level international gathering

Source/Reference:

https://www.newsonair.gov.in/india-to-host-1st-ibca-summit-in-june-this-year/

Subject: Geography – Peninsular River System; West-Flowing Rivers; Inter-state Water Management; Pollution.

Why in News?

• A tragic boat capsize in the Mahi River in Rajasthan’s Banswara district recently claimed lives, bringing attention to this west-flowing river.
• Also in news for pollution concerns, with a 2025 study highlighting heavy metal and microplastic contamination in its waters.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Length: Approximately 580 km (583 km) 
• Basin Area: 34,842 sq km 
• Average Water Resource Potential: 11,020 MCM 
• Utilizable Surface Water: 3,100 MCM 

Origin and Course

• Origin: Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh (Dhar district, near Sardarpur) 
• Flow Direction: Initially northward, then turns southwest 
• States Flows Through: Madhya Pradesh → Rajasthan → Gujarat 
• Mouth: Gulf of Khambhat (Arabian Sea), forming a wide estuary 

Special Feature: The Mahi River is one of the few rivers in India that crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice.

Major Tributaries

Major Dams and Projects

• Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam (Rajasthan) – Multipurpose project for irrigation and hydropower 
• Kadana Dam (Gujarat) – Features a pump storage hydro-power scheme 
• Wanakbori Weir (Gujarat) – Part of Mahi Phase-I & II irrigation projects 
• Panam Dam (Gujarat) – Key for water management in the basin 

Note: The Mahi Control Board was set up by the Government of India in 1971 to coordinate development across states.

Basin and Climate

• Basin Boundaries: Bounded by Aravalli Hills (north/northwest), Malwa Plateau (east), Vindhyas (south), and Gulf of Khambhat (west) 
• Average Rainfall: 785 mm per year 
• Rainfall Pattern: ~90% of rainfall received during the southwest monsoon (June-September), with 50% falling in July and August 

Environmental Issues and Concerns

• Flood Vulnerability: The river is prone to flooding, with studies indicating a worrying rise in “extreme flood” frequency in recent decades.
• Pollution: A 2025 environmental study found significant heavy metal (nickel, arsenic) and microplastic (polypropylene, polystyrene) contamination in the river water and fish, posing health risks.
• Sedimentation: Silt carried by the river has contributed to the shallowing of the Gulf of Khambhat and the decline of its historic ports.
• Limited Irrigation: The riverbed lies significantly lower than the surrounding land, making it of limited direct use for canal irrigation.

Static-Dynamic Linkage

Static (Geography Syllabus)

• West-Flowing Rivers of Peninsular India: Narmada, Tapi, Sabarmati, Mahi, Luni, Shetrunji, etc.
• Peninsular River Characteristics: Rain-fed, seasonal, shorter courses, smaller basins compared to Himalayan rivers.
• Drainage Patterns: The Mahi exhibits a trellis or rectangular pattern in its upper reaches due to the influence of the Vindhyan and Aravalli ranges.

Dynamic (Current Affairs – 2026)

• Inter-state Water Issues: The Mahi Control Board highlights the need for cooperation between MP, Rajasthan, and Gujarat on water sharing and flood management.
• Flood Management: Recent capsizing incidents and historical flood data underscore the need for better forecasting and community preparedness.
• Kadana Dam (Pump Storage): Important for India’s focus on hydropower and energy transition.

Source/Reference:

https://theprint.in/india/rajasthan-two-missing-after-boat-capsizes-in-mahi-river/2923026/

Subject: Geography – Brahmaputra Basin; Economy – PPP Infrastructure; International Relations – India-Bhutan Energy Cooperation; World Bank.

Why in News?

• Bhutan government and World Bank signed financing agreements worth $515 million on May 5, 2026 for the 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project 
• The project is Bhutan’s largest hydropower project developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model 

Project Overview

Joint Venture Structure

• Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): Dorjilung Hydro Power Limited (DHPL) 
• Ownership:
  • Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) – 60% (Bhutan’s state-owned) 
  • Tata Power – 40% (India’s largest private integrated power company) 

Tata Power’s Role: Will handle power imports into India and its downstream distribution 

Financing Package

Financing Model: Innovative public-private partnership model – limits Bhutan’s direct sovereign exposure to $150 million 

Power Sharing Arrangement

• India to receive 80% of the annual generation (over 3,600 GWh) 
• Purpose for India: Helps meet rising peak power demand, especially in summer (air conditioning, cooling appliances) 
• Purpose for Bhutan: Addresses Bhutan’s winter power shortages while earning export revenues 

Context for India’s Peak Demand:

• Peak demand hit a record 256 GW on April 25, 2026 (exceeding forecasts) 
• CEA projects peak demand for 2026-27 may reach 271 GW 

Significance and Benefits

For Bhutan

• Expands installed capacity by nearly 40% 
• Addresses seasonal energy gap (winter deficits) 
• Generates ~$4 billion in revenues over 30 years 
• Creates jobs and supports local entrepreneurship in Mongar and Lhuentse districts 
• Advances carbon-negative commitment (already carbon-negative country) 

For India

• Strengthens regional energy security 
• Deepens India-Bhutan clean energy cooperation 
• Helps meet summer peak demand without domestic fossil fuel generation 

For South Asia

• Reduces carbon emissions – displaces 3.3 million tonnes CO₂ annually 
• Diversifies energy sources across the region 
• Sets a model for clean, sustainable, resilient infrastructure amid global fuel supply disruptions (West Asia crisis context) 

Static-Dynamic Linkage

Static (Geography / Economy / International Relations Syllabus)

• Brahmaputra River basin: Kurichhu River is a tributary of Manas River, which joins Brahmaputra
• India-Bhutan hydro cooperation: Existing projects – Tala (1,020 MW), Chukha (336 MW), Mangdechhu (720 MW), Punatsangchhu I & II (2,100 MW)
• World Bank Group: IDA (established 1960), IBRD (1944), IFC (1956)
• Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2023-2028): Focus on energy security, economic diversification, infrastructure

Dynamic (Current Affairs – May 2026)

• Financing agreement signed: May 5, 2026 
• India’s peak demand context: 256 GW (April 25, 2026) – 271 GW projected for 2026-27 
• West Asia crisis reference: Project provides energy security amid global fuel supply disruptions 
• Bhutan’s 13th Plan: Dorjilung as cornerstone 
• Clean energy cooperation: Deepening India-Bhutan ties under “Neighbourhood First” policy

Source/Reference:

https://www.financialexpress.com/business/news/india-to-receive-80-of-power-from-bhutans-dorjilung-project-backed-by-515-million-world-bank-funding/4232742/

GS Paper III – Security (Defence) | GS Paper III – Science & Technology
Border Infrastructure; Air Defence; Counter-Drone Systems; Dual-Use Infrastructure

Introduction

One year after Operation Sindoor (7th May), India has intensified efforts to build underground military infrastructure and strengthen air defence systems. Lessons from recent conflicts have also pushed reforms in troop deployment, drone warfare, and counter-drone capabilities.

Main Body

Underground Infrastructure: Command Centres and Bunkers

Major Focus Area:

• Large-scale construction of underground infrastructure is a major focus of the military.
• This includes passive measures such as dispersal of assets and formations, increased concealment and camouflage, and force preservation efforts.

Underground Command and Control Centres:

• Work is underway starting with the Army’s Command and Corps Headquarters level, later extending to divisional and lower levels.
• These centres will be equipped with C4I2SR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Information, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) .
• C4I2SR is an integrated system that enables military commanders to achieve situational awareness and coordination across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber).
• It allows secure sharing of information among all services on a secure network.

Other Underground Infrastructure:

• Limited medical facilities (hardened against attacks).
• Living bunkers designed for long-term habitation during wars and natural disasters.
• Ammunition and FOL (Fuel, Oil, Lubricants) storage facilities in forward locations along borders and in depth areas.
• Rations storage facilities.

3D-Printed Bunkers:

• Construction of 3D-printed bunkers will also form part of the country’s underground infrastructure.
• Advantages: quick to make, resilient, easily relocatable.

Focus on Western Borders:

• Additional underground infrastructure is being created along the western borders (Pakistan front).
• Aim: to make daily routine operations resilient to wars or disasters.
• A key element is the hardened bunker.

Dual-Use Infrastructure: Airfields and Highways

Key Priority:

• Creation of dual-use infrastructure such as airfields, highways, and roads connecting strategic areas closer to borders.

Emergency Landing Field Drill (April 2026):

• The Indian Air Force conducted an emergency landing field activation drill on the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• Fighters including Su-30MKI, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, and C295 transport aircraft participated.
• Demonstrates the use of highways as emergency runways during conflicts.

Civil Use of Airfields:

• Several airfields across the country, including those closer to borders, have been opened for civil use.
• Enhances regional connectivity while maintaining military readiness.

Strategic Rationale:

• Dual-use infrastructure ensures that military assets can be rapidly deployed to forward areas.
• Highways and expressways can serve as备用 runways when main airfields are damaged or saturated.

Air Defence: Lessons from Operation Sindoor and Global Conflicts

Key Lessons:

• Pakistan sent swarms of low-cost drones into Indian territory during Operation Sindoor, camouflaging armed and surveillance drones.
• The Iran war (ongoing West Asia conflict) saw Iran launch drones and missiles towards Israel and US bases.
• Legacy air defence systems (such as L/70 guns) were used to shoot down drones, but there is a need for dedicated counter-UAS systems.

Sudarshan Chakra Mission:

• A comprehensive air defence shield across the country.
• A panel under DRDO recently submitted a pre-feasibility report on the project.

Akashteer (Army’s Air Defence System):

• An indigenous, automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System.
• Vehicle-mounted and highly mobile, ideal for deployment in dangerous and active war zones.
• Can be easily integrated with IACCS (Indian Air Force) and TRIGUN (Indian Navy), creating a clear real-time picture of the battlefield.

IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System – IAF):

• An automated command and control system that integrates data from all air defence assets.
• Detects, identifies, intercepts, and destroys hostile intruders.

Offensive Air Defence:

• Former Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari (retd) explained: the idea is not only to deny the enemy from hitting Indian targets, but also to deny them from using their own airspace to launch attacks.
• S-400 systems, Project Kusha (indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system), and MRSAMs can act as offensive air defence systems based on deployment.

Counter-UAS Systems and Sensor Upgrades

Procurement Priority:

• Large-scale procurement of counter-UAS systems (many will be integrated with legacy weapon systems).
• These systems are cheaper to operate, accurate, and help optimise ammunition use.

Integration with Legacy Systems:

• Legacy air defence systems (L/70 guns) used during Operation Sindoor will be further integrated with new anti-drone systems.

Detection is Key:

• Air Marshal Tiwari: “Getting more advanced and specialised sensors and radars that pick up information about incoming threats, covering everything from ballistic missiles to small drones, will be the way forward.”

Prioritisation of Assets:

• It may not be feasible to defend every piece of land against all weapon systems.
• Deployment of air defence assets should focus on protecting the most important targets (command centres, nuclear assets, major cities, economic hubs).

Future Acquisitions and Indigenous Development

S-400 Systems:

• India has been planning to procure more S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia (additional batteries beyond the five already delivered).

Project Kusha (DRDO):

• Indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system.
• Designed to protect strategic military and civilian assets and infrastructure from a range of aerial threats (ballistic missiles, aircraft, drones).

MRSAMs (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles):

• Already in service with all three services.
• Can be deployed offensively based on positioning.

Counter-UAS Systems:

• Continued procurement and integration with legacy systems.
• Focus on cost-effectiveness (cheap drones require cheap countermeasures).

Conclusion

One year after Operation Sindoor, India has focused on underground military infrastructure and integrated air defence systems. Rising drone threats also highlight the need for stronger counter-UAS capabilities, more S-400 systems, and faster progress on Project Kusha. The key lesson is that passive and active defence must develop together.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. “Lessons from Operation Sindoor and recent global conflicts have accelerated India’s focus on underground military infrastructure, air defence, and counter-drone systems.” Critically examine India’s emerging military modernisation priorities. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/operation-sindoor-a-year-later-underground-infra-to-air-defence-armed-forces-fast-track-priorities-10676778/?ref=hometop_hp

GS Paper III – Indian Economy (Inclusive Growth & Employment) | GS Paper I – Society (Poverty & Inequality)
Measurement of Inequality; Labour Codes; Rural Employment Guarantee; Data Comparability

Introduction

Recent policy changes, including the new Labour Codes and the replacement of MGNREGA with the Viksit Bharat Rozgar Mission, have raised concerns over protections for informal and rural workers. 

Although official data suggests inequality has declined since the early 2010s, doubts over data comparability and reliability remain. The apparent ‘low’ inequality may hide widening gaps in wealth, consumption, and access to essential services.

Main Body

The Official Narrative: Declining Inequality?

What Official Data Suggests:

• Inequality measures (such as the Gini coefficient) have reportedly improved since the early 2010s.
• Rapid economic growth, financial inclusion (Jan Dhan accounts), and direct benefit transfers (DBT) are cited as drivers of reduced disparities.

The Counter-Narrative:

• Data comparability across different survey rounds is a serious issue (changes in methodology, sample design, and recall periods).
• Consumption surveys may undercount top-tier spending, leading to an underestimation of true inequality.
• Wealth inequality (ownership of assets, land, financial instruments) is often not captured in standard consumption-based inequality measures.

What ‘Low’ Inequality Conceals: Methodological and Structural Gaps

1. Data Comparability Problems:

• The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has changed its consumption survey methodology multiple times, making inter-temporal comparison difficult.
• The shift from ‘recall period’ (30-day vs. 365-day) affects reported consumption patterns, especially for non-food items.

1. The Shift in Policy Framework: Labour Codes (November 2025):

• The four Labour Codes raised the threshold for prior government permission for layoffs from 100 workers to 300, exempting most factories from scrutiny.
• The statutory definition of a ‘factory’ was increased from 10 workers (with power) to 20 workers, excluding small manufacturing units from safety and social security coverage.
• These changes may have increased formal sector flexibility but at the potential cost of reduced worker bargaining power and social protection.

1. Replacement of MGNREGA:

• The MGNREGA (2005) provided a legal entitlement to 100 days of wage employment per rural household, acting as an automatic stabilizer during economic distress.
• Its replacement with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, raises concerns about whether the new scheme will retain the same legal enforceability and demand-driven nature.

1. The Informal and Rural Workforce:

• A vast majority of India’s workforce remains in the informal sector, not covered by formal social security.
• Rural wages have stagnated or grown slowly in real terms, while input costs (fertilisers, fuel) have risen due to global supply shocks.
• The withdrawal of the state from direct employment guarantee programs may increase distress migration and depress rural consumption.

1. Wealth vs. Consumption Inequality:

• Consumption inequality may appear lower because the rich consume a smaller proportion of their income (higher savings).
• Wealth inequality (stock of assets) is often much higher and more concentrated than consumption inequality (flow of spending).
• India’s top 1% own a disproportionate share of national wealth—a fact that ‘low’ consumption inequality does not capture.

Why Inequality Matters: Economic and Social Consequences

Economic Consequences:

• High inequality reduces aggregate demand (the rich save more, the poor spend more).
• Inequality limits human capital formation (poor households cannot invest in education and health).
• Inequality can lead to financial instability (excessive credit to maintain consumption at the bottom).

Social and Political Consequences:

• Inequality fuels social unrest, political polarization, and loss of faith in democratic institutions.
• Caste-based and regional inequalities intersect with economic disparities, creating compounding disadvantages.
• Perceptions of inequality (even if official data shows improvement) can undermine social cohesion.

Way Forward: Measuring and Addressing Inequality

Improving Measurement:

• Restore comparability of NSSO consumption surveys over time (standardize recall periods and methodologies).
• Publish regular wealth inequality estimates using tax data, household surveys, and national accounts.
• Use multi-dimensional poverty indices (MPI) that capture health, education, and living standards alongside income/consumption.

Policy Responses:

• Strengthen the social security coverage of informal workers under the Labour Codes (not just formal sector).
• Ensure the new rural employment guarantee scheme (Viksit Bharat mission) retains the demand-driven, legal entitlement character of MGNREGA.
• Progressively tax high incomes and wealth to finance investments in public goods (education, health, infrastructure).
• Publish credible data on inequality at regular intervals to enable evidence-based policy debates.

Conclusion

Official data suggests inequality in India has declined since the early 2010s, but this may mask deeper disparities. Changes in survey methods limit comparison over time, while new Labour Codes and the replacement of MGNREGA raise concerns over worker protections and rural employment security. 

Since consumption surveys fail to capture wealth concentration, actual inequality is likely far higher. Policymakers must ensure comparable data, publish regular wealth estimates, and address unequal access to opportunities and services—not just consumption levels.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. “Official claims of declining inequality in India may mask deeper disparities in wealth, employment, and access to opportunities.” Critically examine. Suggest reforms needed for better measurement and reduction of inequality. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/understanding-inequality-in-indias-growth-story/article70948062.ece