MENTAL HEALTH – KEY DATA, STATISTICS & FACTS
🧘♀️
🌍 Global Snapshot
* ~1 in 8 people worldwide (≈ 970 million) live with a mental disorder.
* Depression & anxiety account for ~60% of all mental health conditions globally.
* Mental disorders contribute ~15% of total Years Lived with Disability (YLDs).
* Suicide deaths: ~703,000 per year globally (≈ 1 death every 40 seconds).
* Economic impact: ~USD 1 trillion/year in lost productivity due to depression and anxiety.
🇮🇳 Mental Health in India – Core Statistics
Prevalence & Burden
* ~14–15% of India’s population requires active mental health intervention at any point.
* Estimated people affected: 150–200 million.
* Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders: ~13.7%.
* Common conditions:
* Depression & anxiety disorders (largest share)
* Substance use disorders
* Severe mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
Suicide & Self-Harm
* India records ~180,000 suicides annually (≈ 1 every 3 minutes).
* Suicide rate: ~12 per 100,000 population.
* High-risk groups:
* Youth (15–29 years)
* Working-age adults (30–45 years)
* Farmers and daily wage workers
* Major causes cited: family problems, illness, financial stress, academic pressure.
👩⚕️ Access, Workforce & Infrastructure
Workforce Gap
* Psychiatrists in India: ~0.75 per 100,000 population
* WHO recommended: ≥3 per 100,000
* Clinical psychologists: <1 per 100,000
* Mental health nurses and social workers also severely under-supplied.
Infrastructure
* Mental health beds: ~0.3 per 100,000 population.
* ~80% treatment gap (people who need care but do not receive it).
* Rural areas account for ~65% of population but have far fewer services.
🧒 Children, Youth & Workplaces
Children & Adolescents
* ~7–10% of children/adolescents have a diagnosable mental disorder.
* Academic stress, screen addiction, bullying, and exam pressure are key risk factors.
Youth & Employment
* Unemployment and underemployment increase anxiety and depression risk.
* Urban youth show higher reported stress levels than rural counterparts.
Workplaces
* Mental health issues cause ~12 billion lost workdays globally each year.
* In India, stress-related disorders are rising in IT, services, and gig work.
🏥 Public Spending & Policy
Spending
* India spends <1% of total health budget on mental health.
* Per-capita mental health expenditure remains very low compared to global averages.
Policy & Programs
* Mental Healthcare Act, 2017:
* Mental healthcare as a legal right
* Decriminalised suicide attempt
* National Mental Health Programme (NMHP):
* District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) covers 700+ districts.
* Tele-Mental Health (Tele-MANAS):
* 24×7 helpline; millions of calls handled since launch.
⚠️ Key Risk Factors (Data-Linked)
* Poverty & financial stress
* Substance abuse (alcohol use disorder prevalent in ~5% adults)
* Social stigma (major barrier to care-seeking)
* Digital overload and sleep deprivation
* Urban isolation and breakdown of community support
🌱 Outcomes of Early Intervention (Evidence-Based)
* Early treatment reduces disability by 30–40%.
* Every USD 1 invested in treatment for depression/anxiety yields USD 4 in improved health and productivity.
* Community-based care significantly lowers relapse and suicide risk.
ONE-LINE DATA SUMMARY
* 1 in 8 globally | 150–200 million Indians affected | 80% treatment gap | 180,000 suicides/year in India
CONCLUSION (DATA-LED)
Mental health is a public health, economic, and social issue. India faces a high burden with low capacity, making investment in workforce, awareness, early intervention, and digital care critical for inclusive development.
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INDIA’S SOFT POWER – FACTS, DATA & INDICATORS
🇮🇳
🌍 What is Soft Power
* Soft power refers to a country’s ability to influence others through attraction, culture, values, diplomacy and ideas, rather than coercion or force.
* India’s soft power rests on civilisation, culture, democracy, diaspora, diplomacy, development assistance, and global public goods.
📊 Global Standing & Rankings
* India consistently ranks among the top 30 countries in global soft power indices.
* In the Global Soft Power Index 2024, India ranked 28th globally.
* India scores highest in:
* Culture & Heritage
* International relations
* Education & science
* Media & communication reach
🕌 Civilisational & Cultural Soft Power
* India is one of the oldest continuous civilizations (5,000+ years).
* Yoga:
* Practised in 190+ countries.
* International Day of Yoga (21 June) adopted by the UN in 2014, supported by 177 countries (record UN backing).
* Ayurveda & traditional medicine:
* Promoted globally; WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine established in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
* Indian festivals (Diwali, Holi) celebrated globally across continents.
🎬 Entertainment & Popular Culture
* India is the largest film-producing country (1,500+ films/year).
* Indian cinema has global reach in:
* Middle East
* Africa
* Central Asia
* South-East Asia
* Indian music, OTT content, and cultural exports are growing rapidly.
🌐 Indian Diaspora Power
* India has the largest diaspora in the world:
* ~32 million people of Indian origin globally.
* Major diaspora destinations:
* USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Australia
* Indian diaspora remittances:
* USD 125+ billion annually (largest in the world).
* High representation of Indian-origin leaders globally:
* Heads of government, CEOs, academics, scientists.
🎓 Education, Knowledge & Ideas
* India hosts international students from 160+ countries.
* Institutions like IITs, IIMs, AIIMS have global brand recognition.
* India’s digital public goods (DPGs):
* Aadhaar
* UPI
* CoWIN
are now being studied and adopted by other countries.
🕊 Diplomacy & Moral Authority
* India follows strategic autonomy and non-alignment principles.
* Advocates:
* Multilateralism
* Peaceful coexistence
* Global South leadership
* G20 Presidency (2023):
* Theme: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“World is One Family”).
* Africa Union inducted as permanent G20 member (India-led push).
💉 Humanitarian & Vaccine Diplomacy
* Vaccine Maitri:
* India supplied vaccines to 100+ countries during COVID-19.
* Disaster relief:
* Rapid humanitarian response to earthquakes, floods, conflicts.
* Development assistance:
* Lines of Credit to 60+ developing countries.
🧘 Spiritual & Philosophical Influence
* Indian philosophies:
* Ahimsa (non-violence)
* Dharma
* Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
* Mahatma Gandhi remains a global icon of peace, referenced by civil rights movements worldwide.
📱 Digital & Technological Soft Power
* India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model admired globally.
* UPI transactions:
* 12+ billion transactions per month.
* Adopted/linked with other countries’ payment systems.
* India positioned as a leader in affordable, scalable technology solutions.
⚠️ Limitations & Challenges
* Soft power conversion into strategic outcomes is uneven.
* Language barrier limits global spread of Indian intellectual output.
* Need for better cultural branding and institutional support.
* Competition from other soft power centres (US, China, South Korea).
📌 ONE-LINE DATA SUMMARY
* 32 million diaspora | 190+ countries practising Yoga | 100+ nations aided during COVID | Top-30 global soft power rank
CONCLUSION
India’s soft power is civilisational, democratic, inclusive, and non-coercive. Its strength lies not in dominance, but in credibility, trust, and moral influence, especially among developing nations and the Global South.
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CLIMATE CHANGE – KEY DATA, STATISTICS & FACTS
🌍 Global Climate Indicators
* Global average temperature has increased by ~1.2°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900).
* 2023 was the hottest year on record, with average temperatures ~1.48°C above pre-industrial levels.
* The world is projected to breach the 1.5°C threshold temporarily within this decade if current trends continue.
* Atmospheric CO₂ concentration crossed 420 ppm in 2023 (pre-industrial level: ~280 ppm).
🌡 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
* Global GHG emissions: ~59 billion tonnes CO₂-equivalent per year.
* Top emitters (share of global CO₂ emissions):
* China: ~30%
* United States: ~14%
* India: ~7–8%
* Per-capita emissions:
* USA: ~14–15 tonnes
* China: ~8–9 tonnes
* India: ~2 tonnes
* Global average: ~4.7 tonnes
🌊 Sea Level Rise
* Global mean sea level has risen by ~20 cm since 1900.
* Current rate of rise: ~3.7 mm per year, accelerating.
* By 2100, sea levels could rise 0.4–1.0 metres, threatening coastal cities and islands.
❄️ Ice & Cryosphere
* Arctic sea ice extent declining at ~13% per decade.
* Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets together losing ~400 billion tonnes of ice per year.
* Himalayan glaciers are retreating rapidly; some studies project 30–50% ice loss by 2100 under high-emission scenarios.
🌧 Extreme Weather Events
* Frequency of heatwaves has increased 3–5 times since the 1950s.
* Floods, cyclones, droughts are becoming more intense and unpredictable.
* Economic losses from climate-related disasters exceed USD 300 billion annually worldwide.
* Over 85% of disaster-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
🇮🇳 Climate Change – India Specific Data
Emissions & Responsibility
* India is the 3rd largest emitter in absolute terms.
* Contributes <4% of historical cumulative emissions despite hosting ~18% of world population.
* India’s emissions intensity of GDP reduced by ~33% between 2005 and 2019.
Vulnerability
* India ranks among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries.
* 50%+ agriculture is rain-fed and highly climate-sensitive.
* Over 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress.
* Heatwaves cause thousands of deaths annually and reduce labour productivity.
Agriculture & Food Security
* Climate change may reduce India’s crop yields by 10–25% by mid-century.
* Wheat yields drop sharply with temperatures above 34°C during grain filling.
* Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall threaten food prices and farmer incomes.
Coastal & Urban Risk
* 7,500 km coastline vulnerable to sea-level rise and cyclones.
* Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata face high flood risk.
* Urban flooding events have increased sharply in the last decade.
🌱 Climate Action & Targets
Global
* To limit warming to 1.5°C, global emissions must fall by ~43% by 2030 (from 2019 levels).
* Net-zero target timelines:
* EU, USA: 2050
* China: 2060
* India: 2070
India’s Commitments
* Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
* Achieve 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
* Installed renewable energy capacity (2024): ~180 GW (solar, wind, hydro).
* Target: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.
⚠️ Key Gaps & Challenges (Data-Based)
* Global emissions still rising, not declining fast enough.
* Climate finance gap: developing countries need USD 1–1.3 trillion annually by 2030; current flows far lower.
* Adaptation funding accounts for <25% of total climate finance.
* Loss & Damage costs for vulnerable countries may reach USD 400–500 billion annually by 2030.
ONE-LINE DATA SUMMARY
* 1.2°C warming | 420 ppm CO₂ | 59 bn tonnes emissions | 300 bn USD annual losses — defining today’s climate crisis.
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INDIA’S RELATIONS WITH PROMINENT NATIONS
🇮🇳
🇺🇸 India–United States
Relationship status: Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
Bilateral trade (goods & services): ~USD 190–200 billion
US is one of India’s largest trading partners.
Defence cooperation: Over USD 20 billion worth of defence deals since 2008.
Foundational defence agreements signed: LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA.
Cooperation areas: Defence, Indo-Pacific security, semiconductors, AI, clean energy, space, education.
Strategic alignment through QUAD (India, US, Japan, Australia).
🇨🇳 India–China
Nature of relationship: Complex & competitive
Bilateral trade: ~USD 115–120 billion, heavily tilted in China’s favour.
Major issue: Border dispute (LAC) since 2020 Galwan clash.
Diplomatic and military disengagement talks ongoing.
India restricts Chinese investments and apps citing national security.
Strategic rivalry in Indo-Pacific and South Asia.
🇷🇺 India–Russia
Relationship status: Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership
Defence dependence: ~60–65% of India’s legacy defence equipment is Russian-origin.
Major systems: S-400 air defence, nuclear submarines, fighter jets.
Russia remains a key energy supplier (discounted crude oil).
Trade crossed USD 60 billion after 2022 due to energy imports.
India balances ties despite Russia-Ukraine conflict (strategic autonomy).
🇪🇺 India–European Union
EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods.
India-EU trade: ~USD 120 billion.
Negotiations ongoing for India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Cooperation in climate action, digital regulation, clean energy, mobility.
Strong relations with France and Germany within EU.
🇫🇷 India–France
Relationship: Strategic Partnership (since 1998)
Defence cooperation: Rafale jets, submarines, joint exercises.
France is a key supporter of India’s strategic autonomy.
Cooperation in nuclear energy, space, Indo-Pacific security.
One of India’s most reliable defence partners.
🇬🇧 India–United Kingdom
Historical ties; relationship being redefined post-Brexit.
India-UK trade: ~USD 20 billion.
Negotiating a Comprehensive FTA.
Large Indian diaspora: ~1.8 million people of Indian origin.
Cooperation in education, finance, technology, defence.
🇯🇵 India–Japan
Relationship: Special Strategic & Global Partnership
Major investor in Indian infrastructure (DMIC, bullet train).
Japan is among India’s top FDI sources.
Strong cooperation in Indo-Pacific, QUAD framework.
Shared concerns over China’s assertiveness.
🇦🇺 India–Australia
Relationship upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Key partner in QUAD.
Cooperation in critical minerals, defence, education, clean energy.
Strong people-to-people ties due to Indian students & diaspora.
🇮🇱 India–Israel
Strategic partner in defence, intelligence, agriculture, cyber security.
Israel is among India’s top defence technology suppliers.
Cooperation in water management and innovation.
Strong security cooperation without formal alliance.
🇮🇷 India–Iran
Important for energy security and regional connectivity.
Strategic interest in Chabahar Port (access to Afghanistan & Central Asia).
Relations affected by US sanctions but maintained diplomatically.
🇸🇦🇦🇪 India–Gulf Countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE)
UAE is India’s top trade partner (goods).
Indian diaspora in Gulf: ~9 million.
Cooperation in energy, remittances, infrastructure, counter-terrorism.
UAE signed CEPA with India (free trade agreement).
🌏 India–ASEAN
Trade: ~USD 130 billion.
ASEAN is central to India’s Act East Policy.
Cooperation in maritime security, connectivity, trade.
Strategic importance in Indo-Pacific balance.
🌍 India–Africa
Africa is a major partner for energy, minerals, pharmaceuticals.
India–Africa trade: ~USD 90 billion.
Development partnership via capacity building, lines of credit.
Historical goodwill and South-South cooperation.
RURAL INDIA – KEY FACTS & STATISTICS
Population & Demography
65.6% of India’s population lives in rural areas (Census / projections).
Rural population: ~90 crore (900 million) people.
Number of villages: 6.4 lakh+ across India.
Median age in rural India: ~27 years (younger than urban average).
Economy & Employment
Agriculture & allied sectors employ ~45% of India’s workforce.
Contribution of agriculture to GDP: 15–18%.
57% of rural households depend primarily on agriculture for livelihood.
Average monthly income of agricultural households: ₹10,218 (NSS / NABARD estimates).
Rural unemployment rate (2023–24): ~4.2%, lower than urban but marked by underemployment.
Poverty & Consumption
Rural poverty rate declined from 26% (2011–12) to ~15% (2022–23).
Over 80 crore rural citizens covered under PM-Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (free food grains).
Rural consumption growth has improved but still lags behind urban consumption.
Infrastructure & Basic Services
Electricity access: ~99% of rural households electrified.
Road connectivity: Over 95% of villages connected by all-weather roads (PMGSY).
Drinking water: Rural tap water coverage increased from 17% (2019) to ~75–80% (2024) under Jal Jeevan Mission.
Sanitation: Over 95% villages declared ODF / ODF-Plus under Swachh Bharat Mission.
Education
Rural literacy rate: ~77% (Urban: ~88%).
Female literacy in rural areas: ~70%.
Dropout rates higher at secondary level in rural regions.
Over 60% of government schools are located in rural India.
Health
Rural doctor-population ratio: approximately 1:10,000 (WHO norm: 1:1,000).
65% of India’s population depends on public healthcare facilities, mainly rural.
Infant Mortality Rate (rural): ~28 per 1,000 live births (Urban: ~19).
Malnutrition remains high: ~35% of rural children under 5 are stunted.
Digital & Financial Inclusion
Rural internet penetration: ~37–40%.
Over 60% Jan Dhan accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has saved over ₹3 lakh crore by reducing leakages, benefiting largely rural households.
UPI adoption is rising rapidly in villages, especially among SHGs and small traders.
Women & Social Indicators
Rural Female Labour Force Participation Rate: ~38–40% (higher than urban).
Over 9 crore women linked to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under NRLM.
Women-led SHGs have credit linkage exceeding ₹6 lakh crore.
Key Challenges (Data Indicators)
Over 85% of rural workers are in the informal sector.
Average landholding size: ~1.08 hectares, declining steadily.
Climate risk: Over 50% of agriculture still rain-fed.
Migration: Tens of millions migrate seasonally from rural to urban areas for work.
One-Line Summary
65% population → 45% workforce → 15% GDP — highlighting low productivity but high dependence.
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🔎 What to Watch Out For & Why Gig Economy is Important for India’s Future
* As more of India’s workforce shifts to gig-type jobs, the balance between flexibility and security will be critical. Without proper regulation/social safety nets, gig-workers may remain vulnerable despite growth.
* Gig economy growth can address unemployment and provide opportunities to youth — which matters for a young country like India with a large working-age population.
* But success depends on fair labour practices, social security coverage, regulation of platforms, minimum wage norms, transparency of algorithms etc.
* For policy-makers and social planners: integrating gig-workers into formal economy while preserving flexibility — through labour codes, welfare schemes & financial inclusion — will define long-term impact.
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India’s Q2 GDP Update (8.2% Growth)
India’s GDP grew by 8.2% in the second quarter, marking the fastest expansion in six quarters. The surge was powered by strong manufacturing growth (around 9.1%) and double-digit expansion in financial, real-estate, and professional services. Private consumption rose nearly 8%, reflecting rising domestic demand. Stable inflation, resilient investments, and broad-based sectoral momentum indicate a firm, positive outlook for the economy.
📈#facts@ssbclear
INDIAN JUDICIARY
👨⚖️⚖️
✅ Structure & Role
* The Indian judiciary is organised in three primary tiers:
1. Supreme Court at the national level.
2. High Courts for each state or group of states/territories.
3. District and subordinate courts beneath the High Courts (civil courts, sessions courts, magistrates, etc).
* The Supreme Court was established on 26 January 1950 (after India’s Constitution came into force).
* Under the Constitution, the judiciary is an independent branch of government, tasked with interpreting law, safeguarding rights and resolving disputes.
* As of recent data, the sanctioned strength and actual judge-to-population ratios show large gaps. For example, in High Courts there were many vacant positions (e.g., as of August 2022, about 380 out of 1108 sanctioned High Court judge posts were vacant).
🔍 Key Facts & Indicators
* Currently, there are 25 or more High Courts in India (some states have combined jurisdictions).
* The judge-population ratio in High Courts works out to about 1 judge per 18 million people in one noted estimate.
* The Supreme Court functions not just as an appellate body, but also under its original jurisdiction has powers for writs and constitutional matters (for example, under Article 32 of the Constitution).
⚠️ Challenges & Issues
* Case backlog and delays: The system is heavily burdened; many cases wait years for resolution, which undermines the principle of “justice delayed is justice denied”.
* Vacancies: A substantial number of judge-posts in High Courts and subordinate courts remain unfilled, affecting access and speed of justice.
* Appointment process & perceived lack of transparency: The “collegium system” — wherein senior judges select new judges — has been criticised for opaque functioning, limited representation and concerns of nepotism.
* Impact on investor confidence & institutional predictability: For example, a 2025 decision by the Supreme Court to nullify a major corporate resolution deal raised concerns about legal certainty and timelines in commercial cases.
🧮 Why It Matters
* The judiciary is vital for upholding rule of law, protecting fundamental rights, and providing a check on the executive and legislature.
* Efficiency, independence and transparency of the judiciary affect not just citizen rights but also business climate, investment, dispute resolution and public trust.
* Improvement in judge-to-population ratio, reduction in vacancies, greater speed in disposal, enhanced transparency in appointments all contribute to greater access to justice.
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INDIAN ECONOMY
🇮🇳📈
📊 Key Economic Facts
* India’s GDP (nominal) is estimated at US $4.13 trillion in 2025, making it the world’s 5th-largest economy by nominal terms.
* On a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis it is estimated at about US $17.7 trillion, ranking 3rd globally.
* The economy’s share in the global economy has more than doubled from around 1.6 % in 2000 to ~3.4 % in 2023.
* India’s real GDP growth was around 6.5 % in 2024-25, and projections for 2025-26 place growth in the 6.3-6.6 % range.
* Inflation has eased: the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation dropped to around 1.54 % in September 2025, an eight-year low.
🏗 Structure & Sectoral Highlights
* The service sector contributes over 50 % of India’s GDP; manufacturing and industry are growing as part of efforts to boost ‘Make in India’.
* Investment and infrastructure growth are key priorities under policy frameworks that emphasise capital formation and domestic demand.
* Domestic consumption remains a major engine of growth, while exports and investment are rising but still have scope to expand.
🔑 Strengths & Strategic Advantages
* Demographic dividend: With a large young population, India has potential labour and growth advantages.
* Global role expansion: As India’s economy rises in scale, its global influence in trade, investment and geopolitics is increasing.
* Improvements in macro-stability: Lower inflation, manageable external debt, and positive signals like credit-rating upgrades reflect improved confidence. For example, the agency S&P Global Ratings upgraded India’s sovereign rating in mid-2025.
⚠️ Challenges & Risks
* Though growth is robust, India faces structural issues: job creation needs to keep pace, productivity in parts of the economy remains low, and private investment is yet to reach its full potential.
* External factors: Global trade tensions, tariffs, supply-chain disruptions, and energy/commodity price volatility pose risks.
* Income & regional inequalities, informal sector dominance, and gaps in infrastructure in many areas continue to hamper inclusive development.
✅ Why It Matters
India’s economic performance has significance not just domestically but globally: a large and growing economy means shifts in global trade, supply chains, market opportunities, and geopolitical balance. For India’s growth to be sustainable and inclusive, key reforms in labour markets, investment environment, infrastructure, and human capital will be essential.
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🇮🇳 Constitutional Offices
- President of India – Droupadi Murmu
- Vice President of India – C. P. Radhakrishnan (assumed office 12 Sept 2025)
- Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi
- Chief Justice of India – B. R. Gavai (since 14 May 2025, retiring 23 Nov 2025; to be succeeded by Justice Surya Kant)
- Speaker of Lok Sabha – Om Birla
- Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha – Harivansh Narayan Singh
🗳 Key Constitutional & Regulatory Authorities
- Chief Election Commissioner – Gyanesh Kumar (since 19 Feb 2025)
- Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) – K. Sanjay Murthy (since 21 Nov 2024)
- Attorney General of India – R. Venkataramani (reappointed till 2027)
- UPSC Chairperson – Ajay Kumar (since May 2025)
🏛 Important Cabinet Ministers
- Home Affairs – Amit Shah
- Finance – Nirmala Sitharaman
- Defence – Rajnath Singh
- External Affairs – S. Jaishankar
- Railways – Ashwini Vaishnaw
📌 Other Prominent Positions
- RBI Governor – Sanjay Malhotra (since 11 Dec 2024; replaced Shaktikanta Das)
- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) – General Anil Chauhan (tenure extended till May 2026)
- National Security Advisor (NSA) – Ajit Doval
- Solicitor General of India – Tushar Mehta (reappointed till 2026)
🪖 Armed Forces Leadership
Indian Army
- COAS – General Upendra Dwivedi (since 30 June 2024)
- VCOAS – Lt. Gen. Pushpendra Pal Singh (since 1 Aug 2025)
Indian Navy
- CNS – Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi (since 30 Apr 2024)
- VCNS – Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan (since 1 Aug 2025)
Indian Air Force
- CAS – Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (since 30 Sept 2024; succeeded V. R. Chaudhari)
- VCAS – Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari (since 2 May 2025)
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Important Facts and Figures on Terrorism in India & Globally
🇮🇳 Terrorism in India
* Incidents of killings by terrorists/insurgents in India declined from 4,121 in the year 2000 to much lower levels by 2009.
* India continues to face multiple forms of terrorism: Islamist separatist violence (especially in Jammu & Kashmir), left-wing (Maoist/Naxal) insurgency, ethnic/tribal insurgencies (especially in North-East India), and others.
* India has shown improvement in its Global Terrorism Index (GTI) ranking, with the death toll from terrorism reducing over time.
* The Indian government’s “Country Reports on Terrorism 2023” noted that attacks were directed at civilians, security forces, and government installations; tactics included bombings, shootings, and ambushes.
* Terrorism in India remains linked to trans-national groups or networks (for example, those operating across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region), which complicates law-enforcement and diplomacy.
🌍 Global Terrorism Facts
* Over 90% of terrorist attacks and around 98% of terrorism-related deaths in 2023 occurred in conflict zones.
* Terrorism remains highly concentrated: only about 10 countries account for around 87% of all deaths from terrorism globally.
* The definition of terrorism used in many databases: “the threatened or actual use of violence by non-state actors to achieve a political, economic, religious or social goal through fear, coercion or intimidation.”
🔍 Recent Developments & Observations
* In India, extremist, insurgent, and terrorist violence incidents fell from 446 in 2022 to 163 in 2023, a drop of around 63%. Jihadi attacks alone apparently fell by about 87%.
* India’s global diplomacy emphasised its participation in international counter-terrorism working groups, signalling a push for stronger global cooperation.
⚠️ Key Challenges & Issues
* Although India’s numbers are improving, terrorism remains a significant threat in certain regions (e.g., border areas, insurgency-affected states) and the constant risk of spill-over from neighbouring conflicts remains.
* Globally, terrorism continues to adapt: non-state actors exploit weak governance, conflict zones, social grievances, and new technologies (e.g., internet radicalisation).
* Measurement issues: reporting, classification, and transparency of terrorism data vary widely between countries and even within states, making direct comparisons challenging.
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FACTS ON AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
🇮🇳
✅ Key Facts & Achievements
* The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan was launched by the Indian government in May 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Its aim: to make India economically self-sufficient, reduce dependence on imports, promote domestic manufacturing, innovation, and a globally competitive “Make in India” mindset rather than protectionism.
* Under the programme:
* Investments worth ₹1.76 lakh crore have been made up to March 2025 in certain sectors.
* Production/sales of over ₹16.5 lakh crore recorded in those sectors under the policy.
* The government disbursed incentives of about ₹21,534 crore across 12 sectors under this initiative.
* The campaign identifies five “pillars”: economy, infrastructure, technology driven systems, vibrant demography, and demand.
* In manufacturing and industry: For the first half of FY24, the industrial sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) increased by ~9.3%.
* Example sectors targeted include defence manufacturing (import-reduction lists), agriculture/fertilisers (domestic production push), electronics, and others to reduce import dependence.
⚠️ Challenges & Areas of Concern
* While the ambition is self-reliance, India still imports a large share of critical goods: e.g., as of 2020 nearly 90% of oil and 80% of industrial coal were imported.
* Some analysts argue that self-sufficiency must not slip into protectionism; success depends on global competitiveness, not mere import substitution.
* Implementation gaps: despite big announcements, on-the-ground outcomes vary across states and sectors.
🔍 Why It Matters
* If India succeeds in reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic capacity, it strengthens economic sovereignty and resilience (especially in supply-chain disruptions).
* It aligns with global-value-chain shifts—India could emerge as a manufacturing hub rather than a low-cost service economy.
* For sectors like defence, agriculture, electronics, being self-reliant means job creation, better innovation, and lower external vulnerability.
📌 Summary
* Initiative: Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)
* Key targets: Domestic manufacturing, reducing import dependence, boosting exports, technological self-sufficiency
* Achievements: ₹1.76 lakh crore investment, ₹16.5 lakh crore production/sales in targeted sectors, industrial GVA growth ~9.3% in H1 FY24
* Challenges: Large import dependency still, need for competitiveness and effective implementation