Current Affairs of 23 October 2026

Prasar Bharati is Not a Public Service Broadcaster 

Context

• When the Modi government assumed office in May 2014, Information and Broadcasting Minister promised to transform Prasar Bharati along the lines of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), ensuring administrative autonomy, editorial independence and accountability to Parliament.
• However, twelve years later, public broadcasting continues to face government interference.
• The broadcast of Mann Ki Baat on September 27, 2026, illustrates the continuing use of public airwaves as a platform for the government of the day.

The Unfulfilled BBC Model

• Nehru’s vision of broadcasting autonomy

  • The Emergency of 1975 exposed the dangers of political control when All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan became instruments of the ruling regime.
  • In 1948, Jawaharlal Nehru advocated a semi-autonomous broadcasting corporation inspired by the BBC, arguing that broadcasting should not operate as a government department.
  • Former BBC bureau chief Mark Tully emphasised that public service broadcasting is different from government broadcasting.
  • It must remain free from government interference and prioritise public interest over commercial profitability.

• The Prasar Bharati Act and its objectives

  • Following the Emergency, the Janata government commissioned B.G. Verghese to recommend reforms.
  • His proposals informed the Prasar Bharati Bill of 1979, which lapsed.
  • A revised Bill received presidential assent in 1990 as the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990, but was implemented only in 1997.
  • Section 12 requires Prasar Bharati to inform, educate and entertain while safeguarding citizens’ right to receive information freely, truthfully and objectively.
  • It also mandates balanced reporting and contrasting viewpoints without ideological advocacy.

• The gap between promise and practice

  • Despite this legislative vision, Prasar Bharati has failed to achieve genuine autonomy.
  • The political establishment’s inconsistent approach is evident in its initial praise of the BBC model and subsequent criticism of the broadcaster following its 2023 documentary, India: The Modi Question.

At the Ministry’s mercy

• Weak parliamentary oversight

  • Section 13 provides for a 22-member parliamentary committee to oversee the corporation, but successive governments have failed to constitute it.
  • Former chief executive has argued that ministers prefer retaining direct control over broadcasting officials.

• Absence of an Independent Complaints’ Mechanism

  • Sections 14 and 15 envisage a Broadcasting Council to address complaints and safeguard political impartiality.
  • Its absence has deprived citizens of an effective mechanism for editorial accountability.

• Administrative and financial dependence

  • The Board has been weakened by bureaucratic appointments, while assets and staff have not been fully transferred.
  • Financial dependence on the government restricts independent decision-making.
  • Section 23 also allows the Centre to issue binding broadcasting directions, undermining editorial independence.
  • Section 10 envisaged an independent recruitment board, but implementation was delayed until 2020.
  • The appointment of Jagadish Upasane, associated with the publisher of Panchajanya and Organiser, raised concerns about political influence.

• Staffing imbalance and editorial priorities

  • A 2021 manpower audit revealed structural imbalances.
  • Nearly half of Prasar Bharati’s approximately 25,000 employees worked in engineering, compared with slightly over 10% at the BBC.
  • Content staff accounted for less than 20%, against approximately 70% at the BBC.
  • This suggested that Prasar Bharati functioned primarily as a transmission network rather than a content-driven broadcaster.

• Public broadcasting and judicial principles

  • UNESCO’s 2001 definition establishes that public broadcasting must be neither commercial nor state-controlled.
  • Even Public Service Broadcasting Day, commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s 1947 broadcast to refugees, has become largely symbolic.
  • In the 1995 Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting vs Cricket Association of Bengal judgment, Justice P.B. Sawant affirmed that airwaves are public property and called for an independent authority to regulate their use.

Necessary Reform and the Way Forward

• Institutional and legislative reforms

  • Restoring Prasar Bharati’s autonomy requires constituting the parliamentary committee and Broadcasting Council, transferring assets and staff, and establishing a professionally managed Board.
  • Funding must minimise government interference, while operational control by Indian Information Service officers must be reduced.
  • The 1990 Act must be amended wherever its provisions enable excessive government control.

• Political commitment and accountability

  • These reforms require sustained political commitment. Parties often advocate autonomy in opposition but seek control after assuming power.
  • In August 2026, the government informed the Lok Sabha that it had received no formal complaints concerning Prasar Bharati’s autonomy during the preceding year.
  • However, the absence of complaints proves little when the statutory council intended to receive them has never been established.

• Lessons from past reform efforts

  • The Chanda Committee, appointed in 1966, concluded that a psychological transformation in the government’s approach to broadcasting was necessary.
  • Six decades later, this transformation remains incomplete.

Conclusion

• Prasar Bharati demonstrates the gap between legislative intent and institutional reality.
• Despite the framework established by the 1990 Act, successive governments have failed to implement essential safeguards.
• An independent public broadcaster is vital for informed citizenship, pluralistic debate and accountable governance.
• Its credibility depends on editorial freedom, professional management, financial independence and parliamentary oversight.
• Ultimately, public broadcasting must serve citizens, not the government of the day.

Prasar Bharati is Not a Public Service Broadcaster FAQs

Q1. What is the primary objective of Prasar Bharati?

Ans. Its primary objective is to provide independent public broadcasting that informs, educates and entertains citizens.

Q2. When was the Prasar Bharati Act passed?

Ans. The Prasar Bharati Act was passed in 1990 and implemented in 1997.

Q3. Why has Prasar Bharati failed to achieve autonomy?

Ans. It has failed to achieve autonomy because of government interference, financial dependence and weak institutional oversight.

Q4. What did the Supreme Court declare about airwaves in 1995?

Ans. The Supreme Court declared that airwaves are public property and require independent regulation.

Q5. What reforms are necessary to ensure Prasar Bharati’s independence?

Ans. Prasar Bharati needs independent oversight, professional management, financial autonomy and editorial freedom.

Source: The Hindu

Unlocking Agri-Potential of FRA Lands

Context

• For millions of tribal and forest-dwelling communities, land ownership is essential for livelihood security, economic independence and social empowerment.
• The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, has strengthened their rights over forest land, but legal recognition alone cannot ensure prosperity.
• Sustainable agriculture, improved soil and water management, institutional support and market access are necessary to make these lands productive.
• Promoting pulses and oilseeds on FRA-recognised lands can increase tribal incomes, strengthen domestic agricultural production, improve nutrition and reduce India's dependence on imports.

The Potential of Pulses and Oilseeds

• Pulses and oilseeds are suitable for many tribal regions because they can adapt to rain-fed conditions, marginal soils and diverse agro-climatic environments.
• Their cultivation can diversify farming, improve incomes and strengthen climate resilience.
• Pulses contribute to protein security, while oilseeds support domestic edible-oil production.
• Tribal districts across 33 States and Union Territories exhibit significant ecological and socio-economic diversity.
• Crop selection must therefore reflect local soil, rainfall, water availability and agricultural practices.
• Analysis based on the FAO soil map identifies several tribal regions suitable for soybean, groundnut, sunflower, mustard, chickpea and other pulses.
• Paddy and maize dominate the Kharif season in many areas, while wheat, gram, mustard, lentil and other pulses are important Rabi crops.
• Regional crops such as millets, cotton, sesame, spices and horticultural produce offer further opportunities for sustainable agricultural diversification based on local conditions.

Scoping the Country

• An assessment of 244 tribal districts identifies substantial potential for expanding pulse and oilseed cultivation:
  • 60 districts have significant oilseed production potential.
  • 31 districts have strong pulse production potential.
  • 23 districts are suitable for both pulses and oilseeds.

Targeted Interventions Based on Findings

• Region-Specific Agricultural Planning

  • High-potential districts can be developed into pulse and oilseed production clusters.
  • Crop selection should consider soil characteristics, rainfall, irrigation and existing farming practices.
  • GIS-based crop planning can identify suitable areas, improve resource allocation and promote sustainable land use.

• Improving Agricultural Productivity

  • Access to certified seeds, improved varieties and scientific farming techniques is essential to raise productivity.
  • Better soil management, moisture conservation, irrigation and watershed development can reduce dependence on uncertain rainfall.
  • Stronger agricultural extension services can provide technical guidance and climate-related information.

• Strengthening Post-Harvest Infrastructure

  • Insufficient storage and processing facilities cause losses and reduce farmers' earnings.
  • Investment in drying, storage, grading and primary processing can preserve produce quality, reduce post-harvest losses and improve price realisation.
  • Local processing can also generate employment and promote rural enterprise.

• Expanding Institutional and Market Support

  • Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives and self-help groups can help farmers aggregate produce, improve bargaining power and access markets.
  • Affordable institutional credit, crop insurance and assured procurement can reduce production and market risks.
  • Stronger connections with processors and traders can improve

Convergence with Government Programmes

• Coordinating FRA implementation with existing government schemes can strengthen agricultural development. Important initiatives include:
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, supporting irrigation and water-use efficiency.
• National Food Security and Nutrition Mission, promoting agricultural production and food security.
• National Mission on Edible Oils, supporting domestic oilseed production.
• Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, supporting farmers through price-support mechanisms.
• Van Dhan Yojana, promoting tribal livelihoods and value addition.
• Such convergence can improve access to technology, infrastructure, finance and markets, particularly in tribal districts overlapping with aspirational districts.

Towards Sustainable Tribal Development

• Agricultural expansion must prioritise environmental sustainability and community participation.
• Land development should conserve water, maintain soil fertility and protect ecological balance.
• Traditional livelihoods and forest-based resources must complement agricultural diversification.
• Progress should be assessed through improvements in household incomes, nutrition, livelihood resilience and long-term economic security, rather than production increases alone.

Conclusion

• The journey from forest rights to livelihood security begins with land recognition but requires sustained support to achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Region-specific crop planning, quality seeds, water management, processing infrastructure, institutional finance and reliable markets can unlock the potential of FRA lands.
• Integrating these measures with government programmes can advance tribal empowerment, food security, domestic oilseed production and climate-resilient agriculture, transforming legal land rights into sustainable economic opportunities.

Unlocking Agri-Potential of FRA Lands FAQs

Q1. What is the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006?

Ans. The FRA, 2006, recognises the rights of tribal and forest-dwelling communities over forest land.

Q2. Why are pulses and oilseeds suitable for FRA lands?

Ans. Pulses and oilseeds can grow in rain-fed and marginal lands while improving incomes and food security.

Q3. How many tribal districts have oilseed production potential?

Ans. Sixty tribal districts have significant oilseed production potential.

Q4. How can tribal farmers improve market access?

Ans. Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives and self-help groups can improve market access and bargaining power.

Q5. How can FRA lands strengthen tribal livelihoods?

Ans. Sustainable agriculture, institutional support and reliable markets can transform FRA lands into productive livelihood assets.

Source: The Hindu

War, Weather and Indian Agriculture - The Twin Risks of Fossilisation and Fuelisation

Context

• Recent geopolitical conflicts and the prospect of a strong El Niño are exposing two emerging vulnerabilities in Indian agriculture.
• The first is “fossilisation” of farming, where agriculture increasingly depends on fossil fuels and petrochemical inputs, and the second is “fuelisation” of food, where crops are diverted towards biofuel production.

From Bullocks to Fossil-Fuel Intensive Farming

• At the beginning of the Green Revolution, Indian agriculture relied heavily on animal power and organic manure.
• In 1950-51, India had only about 8,500 tractors, while fertiliser consumption was merely 69,800 tonnes of N, P and K.
• Bullocks powered ploughing, threshing, transportation and traditional irrigation systems such as the rahat or Persian wheel. Cattle manure was the principal source of plant nutrients.
• The situation has changed dramatically. India now has over 1.2 crore tractors, with 11.6 lakh tractors sold in 2025-26 alone.
• Combines have replaced much manual harvesting and threshing, while electric and diesel pumps have replaced traditional water-lifting systems.
• Chemical fertiliser consumption has also surged to 33.5 million tonnes of N, P and K in 2025-26, with around 67.5% coming from urea and DAP.

Fossilisation Goes Beyond Tractors and Fertilisers

• Agricultural dependence on hydrocarbons extends to crop-protection chemicals.
• Petrochemical feedstocks such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylene and propylene are used to manufacture active ingredients of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
• Their formulations also rely heavily on petroleum-based solvents and surfactants.
• This dependence makes agriculture vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions in energy markets.
• Conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region have sharply increased the prices of LNG, a key feedstock for nitrogen fertilisers, and naphtha, an important petrochemical input.
• Sulphur is another critical vulnerability. It is essential for producing phosphatic fertilisers (DAP and SSP) and is largely obtained as a by-product of oil refining and natural-gas processing.
• Its price has risen sharply amid disruptions to Russian and West Asian energy infrastructure.
• Thus, wars affecting oil, gas and refineries can indirectly raise the cost and availability of agricultural inputs.

Fuelisation of Food - Agriculture as an Energy Source

• The second trend is “fuelisation of food”—using agricultural commodities as feedstock for biofuels.
• India produces ethanol from sugarcane, rice, maize and other starch-rich crops, with ethanol blending in petrol targeted at 20%.
• Vegetable oils can similarly be converted into FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) for blending with diesel.
• This creates a potential food-versus-fuel trade-off. If crude oil prices remain high, the economic incentive to divert food crops and edible oils towards biofuel production increases.
• Indonesia’s mandatory blending of palm-oil-derived FAME illustrates the scale of this trend.

The War-El Niño Double Shock

• A very strong El Niño, if it materialises, could create an additional supply shock through heat, rainfall disruption and reduced agricultural productivity.
• If this coincides with high energy and input prices, Indian agriculture could face a twin shock of geopolitical instability and climate variability.
• A historical parallel is 1979-80, when Indian agriculture contracted by 12.8%, while the oil import bill doubled following the Iranian Revolution.
• However, India is better placed today. Agriculture has become more diversified, with rising contributions from dairying, poultry, aquaculture and horticulture.
• Irrigation coverage has also expanded substantially—from 17.1% of gross cropped area in 1950-51 and 29% in 1979-80 to about 56% today.

Way Forward - Reduce Input Vulnerability and Inefficient Agriculture

• Improve fertiliser-use efficiency:

  • Excessive dependence on urea and DAP needs to be reduced because their nutrient-use efficiency is low.
  • Only about one-third of nitrogen applied through urea is absorbed by crops, while much phosphorus from DAP becomes unavailable through soil fixation.
• Promote balanced fertilisation: Greater use of ammonium sulphate and complex fertilisers with balanced nutrients can reduce nitrogen losses and phosphorus lock-up.
• Expand biostimulants: These can improve root development, nutrient uptake and plant metabolic efficiency.
• Reduce chemical pesticide dependence: Plant-based or biological approaches that activate crops’ natural defence and adaptation mechanisms can reduce reliance on petrochemical pesticides.
• Promote renewable irrigation: Solar-powered pumps combined with drip irrigation can reduce diesel/electricity dependence while improving water-use efficiency.
• Balance food and fuel security: Biofuel policies must remain sensitive to food availability, especially during climate-induced production shocks.

Conclusion

• The policy objective should be to build an agriculture system that is less fossil-fuel intensive, more nutrient- and water-efficient, climate-resilient and careful about the food-versus-fuel trade-off.
• The emerging combination of war and climate shocks makes this transition increasingly urgent

War, Weather and Indian Agriculture FAQs

Q1. What is meant by “fossilisation” of Indian agriculture?

Ans. It refers to agriculture’s growing dependence on fossil fuels and petrochemical inputs.

Q2. What is “fuelisation of food” and why is it a concern?

Ans. It is the diversion of food crops towards biofuel production, potentially creating a food-versus-fuel trade-off.

Q3. How can geopolitical conflicts affect Indian agriculture?

Ans. Wars can disrupt oil, gas, sulphur and petrochemical supplies, raising the cost of fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation, etc.

Q4. How can India reduce its dependence on fossil-fuel-based agricultural inputs?

Ans. By promoting balanced fertilisation, biostimulants, biological pest management, solar-powered pumps, etc.

Q5. How can El Niño and geopolitical conflicts together threaten India’s food security?

Ans. El Niño can reduce agricultural output, while conflicts can raise input and energy costs; together, they can create a twin supply shock.

Source: IE