Current Affairs of 16 June 2026

Over the past decade, India has increasingly adopted the principle of Antyodaya - uplifting the last person in society. The focus has shifted from fragmented welfare delivery to inclusive development through saturation-based coverage, last-mile service delivery, and targeted interventions for historically marginalised communities.

Inclusive Development and its Significance

Inclusive development ensures that the benefits of growth are shared equitably across all sections of society and helps reduce socio-economic disparities.

• It promotes social justice by addressing historical inequalities and barriers faced by vulnerable communities.
• It strengthens human capital through improved access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and skill development.
• It enhances economic productivity by enabling marginalised populations to participate in the workforce and entrepreneurship.
• It reduces regional and social disparities, thereby promoting social cohesion and national integration.
• It contributes to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by ensuring that development reaches every citizen.

Inclusive Development Constitutional Provisions

India’s commitment to the welfare of disadvantaged groups is rooted in the Constitution.

• Directive Principles of State Policy emphasise social welfare, equitable distribution of resources, and protection of vulnerable groups.
• Article 46 directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and weaker sections.
• Articles 15(4) and 16(4) enable affirmative action for socially and educationally backward communities.
• Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide special governance arrangements for tribal areas.

Empowerment of Tribal Population 

India’s tribal population has historically faced challenges arising from geographical remoteness, poor infrastructure, limited educational opportunities, and restricted access to healthcare and markets.

Recognising these challenges, tribal development has emerged as a major focus area of public policy.

PM JANMAN

The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) was launched in 2023 to improve the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).

• The programme focuses on providing housing, roads, electricity, drinking water, healthcare, education, and livelihood support to PVTG communities residing in remote areas.
• It adopts a multi-ministerial convergence model to ensure comprehensive development rather than fragmented welfare delivery.
• It seeks to bridge long-standing developmental gaps in some of India’s most isolated tribal settlements.

PM-JUGA

The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA) aims to accelerate development in tribal-majority villages through coordinated interventions.

• It promotes convergence among multiple ministries to simultaneously address deficiencies in infrastructure, education, healthcare, livelihoods, and social services.
• It seeks to ensure that tribal development becomes outcome-oriented rather than scheme-centric.

Van Dhan Vikas Kendras

• Van Dhan Kendras help tribal communities move up the value chain by promoting processing, packaging, branding, and marketing of minor forest produce.
• They encourage entrepreneurship and increase incomes by reducing dependence on middlemen.
• Traditional knowledge relating to medicinal plants and forest resources is being converted into sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• As of April 2026, 491 such centres had become operational against a target of 500. 
• More than 38,000 members of PVTG communities have undergone entrepreneurship development training, creating new avenues for income generation based on forest resources.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) 

The expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) has significantly improved educational access for tribal students.

• These schools provide quality residential education with modern facilities such as laboratories, libraries, sports infrastructure, and digital learning tools.
• They reduce educational disadvantages arising from geographical isolation and poor local schooling facilities.
• Increasing numbers of tribal students are qualifying for competitive examinations such as JEE and NEET, indicating improved educational outcomes.

Preservation of Tribal Culture

Development efforts increasingly recognise the importance of protecting tribal identity and heritage. For example: 

• Women from the Kamar PVTG community in Chhattisgarh have transformed traditional medicinal knowledge into sustainable livelihoods through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. Earlier dependent on selling raw forest produce at low prices, they now produce value-added AYUSH-certified herbal products. Products are marketed under the “Chhattisgarh Herbals” brand, enhancing income and market reach.
• The initiative has generated sales exceeding ₹1.59 crore, illustrating how traditional knowledge can be integrated into modern economic opportunities.

Empowerment of Scheduled Castes

Despite constitutional safeguards, Scheduled Castes have historically faced social exclusion, educational disadvantages, and economic deprivation. Recent initiatives focus on improving educational attainment, livelihood opportunities, and social mobility.

PM-AJAY

The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) promotes integrated development of Scheduled Caste-majority villages.

• It focuses on improving infrastructure, livelihood opportunities, and access to essential services.
• It seeks to reduce regional disparities and improve quality of life in SC-dominated settlements.

Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC)

• DAPSC ensures dedicated budgetary allocations for Scheduled Caste welfare across ministries.
• It promotes targeted spending on education, housing, healthcare, livelihoods, and skill development.
• It improves accountability and monitoring of welfare expenditure.

Educational Empowerment

Education remains one of the most effective instruments of social transformation.

• Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS): Provides scholarships, fellowships, free coaching, and support for higher education and overseas studies to SC students, helping them access premier institutions and improve career opportunities.
• Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA):  Provides quality residential education in reputed private schools to meritorious SC students from disadvantaged backgrounds, reducing educational inequalities and promoting social mobility.

Improving Educational Outcomes : Recent years have also seen measurable improvements in educational indicators among Scheduled Castes.

• Scheduled Caste enrolment in higher education reached 66.23 lakh in 2021-22, representing a 44 percent increase since 2014-15.
  • Female enrolment rose by 51 percent during the same period, while the Gross Enrolment Ratio for SC students increased from 18.9 percent to 25.9 percent.

Empowerment of OBCs, DNTs and Nomadic Communities

Development efforts have also increasingly targeted Other Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes, and Denotified and Nomadic Tribes.

PM-YASASVI

• Launched in 2021-22, PM-YASASVI provides scholarships and hostel facilities for students from OBC, EBC and DNT communities.
• The scheme covers education from school level through higher education, with all benefits transferred directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

PM-DAKSH

• The PM-DAKSH programme has trained more than 2.08 lakh beneficiaries since its launch in 2020-21.
• The scheme offers free certified skill training linked to employment and self-employment opportunities for SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs and sanitation workers.

SEED Scheme

• The Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) addresses longstanding challenges faced by denotified and nomadic tribes through coaching support, health insurance, livelihood assistance and housing aid.
• In 2025-26 alone, thousands of beneficiaries received educational support, livelihood funding and Ayushman Bharat health cards.

Minority Welfare and Skill Development

The Government has sought to integrate various minority welfare initiatives under a unified framework.

PM VIKAS

• Focuses on skill development, entrepreneurship, leadership training, and economic empowerment of minority communities.
• Supports employability in both traditional occupations and modern sectors such as healthcare, aviation, and digital technologies.
• Promotes income generation and economic participation among disadvantaged minority groups.

Dignity and Welfare of Sanitation Workers

Sanitation workers often face occupational hazards, social stigma, and unsafe working conditions.

NAMASTE Scheme

The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) seeks to eliminate hazardous manual cleaning practices.

• It promotes mechanisation of sewer and septic tank cleaning operations.
• It provides skill training, livelihood support, safety equipment, and social security benefits.
• It aims to restore dignity and occupational safety for sanitation workers.
• The inclusion of waste pickers has expanded the programme’s social impact.

Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programme

• The Aspirational Districts Programme, launched in 2018, represents another major pillar of inclusive governance.
• Covering 112 underdeveloped districts, the initiative focuses on health, education, nutrition, agriculture and financial inclusion through data-driven monitoring and competition.
• The programme was expanded in 2023 through the Aspirational Blocks Programme, which now covers 500 blocks across 329 districts.

Achievements of Inclusive Development Efforts

The recent emphasis on last-mile delivery has produced measurable outcomes.

• Expansion of educational opportunities has enabled greater participation of marginalised communities in higher education and professional careers.
• Tribal and Scheduled Caste students are increasingly entering premier institutions such as IITs, AIIMS, NITs, and IIMs.
• Livelihood initiatives have promoted entrepreneurship and income generation among vulnerable groups.
• Infrastructure expansion has improved access to roads, electricity, healthcare, housing, and drinking water in remote regions.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms have enhanced transparency and reduced leakages.
• Digital governance has improved accessibility and efficiency in welfare delivery.

While challenges such as poverty, social discrimination, regional disparities, and unequal access to opportunities persist, the policy emphasis on Antyodaya, social justice, and last-mile delivery has strengthened the foundations of inclusive growth.

Wayforward 

Going forward, sustained investments in human capital, stronger institutional support, greater community participation, and effective implementation of welfare programmes will be crucial for ensuring that no section of society is left behind in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has identified four new translocation sites on the west coast of Great Nicobar Island for shifting coral colonies and Giant Clams that will be disturbed by the transhipment port being constructed at Galathea Bay as part of the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) mega project. 

Coral Translocation Meaning and Process

Coral translocation involves the scientific relocation of coral colonies from areas facing ecological disturbance to suitable habitats where they can continue to survive and grow. Key Components of Translocation include: 

• Identification and mapping of coral colonies within project impact zones.
• Selection of suitable recipient sites possessing similar environmental characteristics.
• Physical relocation of coral colonies using specialised scientific techniques.
• Long-term monitoring of survival rates and ecological adaptation.

Conditions Necessary for Successful Translocation: Experts emphasise that recipient sites should possess environmental conditions similar to the original habitat, including: comparable water depth, similar current patterns, adequate light availability, appropriate water pressure and suitable ecological characteristics for coral growth.

Coral Translocation under the Great Nicobar Project

Coral Translocation under the Great Nicobar Project is a major environmental mitigation measure aimed at reducing the ecological impact of the proposed Galathea Bay Transhipment Port.

• • As part of the conditions attached to the project’s Environmental Clearance (EC) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance, coral colonies and Giant Clams located within the project impact area must be relocated before major construction activities commence. 
  • Objective: The objective is to minimise biodiversity loss and reduce damage to sensitive marine ecosystems.

• Scale of Coral Presence and Translocation: Scientific surveys conducted in the project area recorded approximately 20,668 coral colonies within a 10-hectare area of Galathea Bay. Of these, around 16,150 coral colonies have been identified for translocation, while the remaining 4,518 colonies are under scientific observation before a final decision is taken regarding their relocation.

• Monitoring and Scientific Tracking: To ensure effective monitoring after relocation, GPS tags will be attached to each translocated colony. This will enable scientists to maintain systematic records and track survival, growth, and adaptation of coral colonies over time. Continuous monitoring will help assess the long-term success of the translocation programme.
• Legal and Regulatory Safeguards: Coral colonies and Giant Clams are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which gives them the highest level of protection. Therefore, ZSI must obtain all necessary statutory approvals before handling or relocating them.
• Role of Zoological Survey of India: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is the main scientific agency responsible for implementing coral translocation in the Great Nicobar project. It conducts detailed surveys of the 10-hectare impact area in Galathea Bay and has proposed translocation of around 16,150 coral colonies, while the remaining are under observation. ZSI ensures that relocation is carried out before construction begins, in line with Environmental Clearance conditions.
• Role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) examined the Great Nicobar project from an environmental perspective and allowed it to proceed with strict safeguards. It directed the authorities to ensure protection of coral reefs in the affected coastal stretch and to undertake coral regeneration in suitable adjoining areas to minimise ecological damage.

Institutional Oversight and Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity Monitoring Committee: The coral translocation programme is being supervised through a biodiversity-related monitoring committee constituted under the project’s Environmental Management Plan.

• Its primary responsibility is to oversee wildlife conservation measures and ensure that biodiversity protection commitments are effectively implemented during various stages of the project.
• The committee monitors conservation efforts relating to several ecologically important and endemic species, including:
  • Nicobar Megapode – an endemic bird species found only in the Nicobar Islands.
  • Leatherback Sea Turtle – one of the world’s largest marine turtles and a globally significant species.
  • Saltwater Crocodile – an apex predator inhabiting coastal and estuarine ecosystems.
  • Nicobar Macaque – a primate species endemic to the Nicobar Islands
  • Robber Crab (Coconut Crab) – the world’s largest terrestrial arthropod.
  • Coral reefs and Giant Clams – critical components of marine biodiversity.

Integrated Environmental Management: Apart from the biodiversity committee, two additional committees have been constituted to oversee:

• Pollution control and environmental quality management.
• Welfare and protection of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribal communities.

Together, these mechanisms aim to ensure that developmental objectives are pursued alongside biodiversity conservation and social safeguards.

About Galathea Bay

Galathea Bay is an ecologically significant coastal region located at the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island. 

• The bay supports rich marine biodiversity, including coral reefs, Giant Clams, and several endemic coastal and marine species.
• It  is recognised as one of the most important nesting sites in the world for the Leatherback Sea Turtle.
• The area forms part of the biodiversity-rich environment of Great Nicobar Island, which is known for its high levels of endemism.
• Galathea Bay has been selected as the location for the proposed transhipment port, one of the four major components of the Great Nicobar Mega Project.

Previous Coral Restoration Efforts in India

India has undertaken coral restoration and transplantation projects in several regions.

• Gulf of Mannar (2002–present): India’s largest coral restoration programme, led by Sugamya Development and Marine Research Institute (SDMRI), has transplanted over 51,000 coral fragments of 20 native species, significantly increasing live coral cover.
• Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Gujarat Forest Department pioneered the use of Biorock (Mineral Accretion) Technology.The technology uses low-voltage electrical currents to accelerate coral growth by 4–6 times compared to natural conditions. The initiative successfully reintroduced a staghorn coral species that had disappeared from the region for more than 10,000 years.
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands: ReefWatch Marine Conservation has been transplanting corals onto artificial reef structures since 2018, while ZSI has developed coral nurseries for heat-resistant species.
• Lakshadweep (Kavaratti and Agatti): Coral nurseries established using coral fragments on mesh-frame structures have improved live coral cover and demonstrated the feasibility of reef restoration.
• Sindhudurg, Maharashtra: Coral fragments were cultivated on concrete frames and later deployed in suitable marine habitats. The project demonstrated the feasibility of ex-situ coral cultivation followed by in-situ transplantation.

About Corals

Corals are marine animals belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. They consist of thousands of tiny organisms called polyps, which live together in colonies and secrete limestone skeletons that gradually form coral reefs over thousands of years. Key Features of Corals include: 

• Corals are living animals, not plants or rocks.
• Individual coral organisms are called polyps.
• Polyps live in large colonies and function as a single unit.
• Hard corals build coral reefs by secreting calcium carbonate (limestone) skeletons.
• Microscopic algae called zooxanthellae live inside coral tissues and provide nutrients through photosynthesis.
• These algae are also responsible for the colourful appearance of corals.
• Coral reefs are often called the “Rainforests of the Sea” because of their rich biodiversity.

Significance of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are among the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, providing ecological, economic, and coastal protection benefits.

• Natural Coastal Barriers: Absorb up to 97% of wave energy, protecting coastlines from storms, cyclones, and flooding.
• Support Marine Biodiversity: Provide habitat, breeding grounds, and shelter for thousands of marine species.
• Prevent Coastal Erosion: Act as natural wave breaks and reduce shoreline degradation.
• Enhance Fisheries: Support fish populations and sustain livelihoods of coastal communities.
• Economic Value: Generate commercial goods and ecosystem services worth billions of dollars annually.
• Source of Medicinal Compounds: Contain bioactive substances used in research on cancer, pain management, and other diseases.
• Promote Tourism: Attract diving, snorkeling, and marine tourism activities.
• Carbon and Nutrient Cycling: Contribute to nutrient recycling and ecological balance in marine ecosystems.
• Indicators of Ocean Health: Serve as sensitive indicators of climate change, ocean warming, and marine pollution.