Current Affairs for 07 January 2026

National Environmental Standards Laboratory

Context

Recently, the world's second National Environmental Standards Laboratory (NESL) and the world's fifth National Primary Standards Facility for solar cell calibration was inaugurated at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL).

About the National Environmental Standards Laboratory

• The National Environmental Standards Laboratory is India's premier national facility, specializing in testing, calibration, and certification of air pollution monitoring instruments for Indian climatic and environmental conditions.
• Location: New Delhi, CSIR-NPL
• Affiliated Organization: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Objectives

• Ensuring the accuracy of air pollution monitoring instruments through specific standards
• Supporting the effective implementation of pollution control policies such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

Key Features

• Calibration and testing of instruments under Indian climatic conditions—temperature, humidity, and dust loads
• Ensuring the accuracy and standardization of environmental data
• Supporting domestic manufacturing, startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and regulators
• Currently, only the UK and India have such a national-level facility.

About the National Primary Standards Facility for Solar Cell Calibration

• The National Primary Standards Facility is a state-of-the-art metrology facility for solar cell calibration.
• Its objective is to ensure accurate measurements in accordance with global photovoltaic (PV) standards to ensure reliable quality and performance of solar energy equipment in India and the world.
• Location: New Delhi, CSIR-NPL

Key Features

• Use of laser-based differential spectral response (L-DSR) system, which ensures highly accurate measurements.
• Developed in collaboration with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) of Germany
• Only the fifth such facility has been established in the world.

About CSIR

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a contemporary research and development organization known for its cutting-edge research and development knowledge base in diverse science and technology fields.
• CSIR It covers a wide range of science and technology fields – from oceanography, geophysics, chemistry, medicine, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology.
• It provides significant technological interventions in a range of areas related to societal endeavors, including environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, agriculture and non-agriculture.

Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN)

Context

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed a significant initiative to make India's rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem more transparent, sustainable, and regulatory-friendly.
• Under this initiative, it is planned to implement an Aadhaar-like unique identification system for batteries used in electric vehicles, called the Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN).
• This proposed system will enable tracking of the entire lifecycle of batteries, from production to use, recycling, and final disposal.

What is BPAN ?

• The Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) will be a 21-digit/letter unique identification number assigned to every battery pack introduced in the Indian market, specifically electric vehicle batteries.
• This number will serve as a digital identity for the battery, allowing it to track its entire journey from manufacture, use, and ultimately recycling or disposal.
• This system will be formally implemented through the Automotive Industry Standards (AIS) pathway under the Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC).

Objectives

• Ensuring complete traceability throughout the entire lifecycle of batteries
• Encouraging recycling, secondary use (second-life applications), and safe disposal
• Promoting transparency, accountability, and environmental sustainability in the battery ecosystem

Key Features of BPAN

• Mandatory Unique Identification: Every battery manufacturer or importer will be required to issue a unique BPAN for every battery sold or used.
• Lifecycle-based data tracking: Data related to raw material sourcing, manufacturing process, shelf life, performance, reuse, recycling, and final disposal will be recorded.
• Dynamic update system: Any major technical or structural change to the battery will require a new BPAN.
• Durable and clear marking: The BPAN will be imprinted on the battery in a location where it cannot be easily removed, erased, or damaged.
• Integration with digital portal: Manufacturers and importers will be required to upload all battery-related information to the official BPAN portal.
• Prioritization for EV batteries: EV batteries account for approximately 80–90% of India's total lithium-ion battery demand, so they will be included in the first phase. Industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kilowatt-hours have also been recommended to be included in this scope.

Significance

• This initiative will enable organized recycling and reuse of batteries.
• It will reduce the environmental and safety risks posed by improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries.
• It will strengthen the effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Somnath and the Idea of India: A Millennium of Faith, Resilience and Civilisational Continuity

Why in News ?

The Prime Minister has highlighted the thousand-year survival of the Somnath Temple as a symbol of India’s indomitable civilisational spirit, as the country commemorates Somnath Swabhiman Parv (1026–2026) — marking one millennium since the first documented destruction of the shrine and its repeated resurgence thereafter. The year-long observance celebrates unbroken faith, cultural continuity, and national self-respect (Swabhiman) rooted in India’s civilisational consciousness.

Background & Context: Somnath in India’s Civilisational Memory

Somnath occupies a unique place in Indian history—not merely as a religious shrine but as a civilisational marker reflecting the continuity of Indian culture despite repeated political upheavals.

Located on India’s western coast, Somnath stood at the intersection of religion, maritime trade, geography, and political power. Its repeated destruction and reconstruction over centuries transformed it into a powerful metaphor for India’s resilience.

Post-Independence, the rebuilding of Somnath was consciously framed as a symbol of national regeneration, separate from sectarian narratives, reinforcing India’s commitment to cultural revival within a constitutional framework.

Key Facts Regarding the Somnath Temple

Location and Religious Importance

• Situated at Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, on the Arabian Sea coast
• Recognised as the first Jyotirlinga among the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
• Mentioned in:
  • Rig Veda
  • Skanda Purana
  • Shiva Purana
  • Shreemad Bhagavatam
• Identified as the Neejdham Prasthan Leela Sthal, where Lord Krishna is believed to have undertaken his final earthly journey

Sacred Geography

• Located at the confluence of Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati rivers with the sea
• The Tirth Stambh (Abadhit Samudra Marg) symbolises an uninterrupted sea route to the South Pole, reflecting ancient Indian astronomical and geographical knowledge

Construction Traditions and Historical Evolution

Mythological Tradition

According to tradition, the temple was rebuilt multiple times:

• In gold by Somraj (Moon God)
• In silver by Ravana
• In wood by Lord Krishna

Historical Reconstruction

• After Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion in 1026 CE, the temple was rebuilt in stone by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty
• The shrine suffered repeated destruction in:
  • 1026 CE
  • 1297 CE
  • 1394 CE
  • 1706 CE (Aurangzeb)

Cycles of Destruction and Rebirth

• The first major documented destruction occurred in 1026 CE, recorded by Al-Biruni
• Each destruction was followed by reconstruction, often under adverse political conditions
• 2026 marks 1,000 years since the first attack, making Somnath Swabhiman Parv a landmark civilisational milestone

Post-Independence Reconstruction

• Initiated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947
• Supported intellectually by K.M. Munshi, author of “Somanatha: The Shrine Eternal”
• Pran-Pratistha performed by President Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 11 May 1951
• Represented cultural revival without state religious patronage, reinforcing secular constitutional values

Architectural Style: Kailas Mahameru Prasad

About the Style

• A distinctive western Indian temple architecture linked to the Chalukya/Solanki (Chaulukya) tradition
• Symbolises Mount Kailasa (abode of Shiva) and Mount Meru (cosmic axis)

Architectural Features

• Part of the Nagara school, enriched with Māru-Gurjara elements
• Key components:
  • Garbhagriha (sanctum)
  • Sabha Mandapa
  • Nritya Mandapa
• A towering Shikhara of 155 feet
• Built by traditional Gujarat master masons known as Sompura Salats

Cultural and Intellectual Significance

• Visited by Swami Vivekananda, who described Somnath as the embodiment of India’s national life-force
• Revered by scholars like Hemchandracharya, reflecting inter-sectarian respect
• Ritual continuity preserved by Ahilyabai Holkar during politically turbulent periods
• Somnath symbolises:
  • Faith over fanaticism
  • Creation over destruction
  • Cultural memory over political rupture

Somnath Swabhiman Parv: Core Message

Somnath Swabhiman Parv (1026–2026) is not merely commemorative but civilisational in intent. It underscores:

• India’s ability to absorb shocks without losing identity
• The Gita’s idea of the indestructible soul
• Cultural resilience as a foundation of national self-confidence

12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva

Rethinking India’s Skill Development Model

Why in News ?

Over the last decade, India has created one of the world’s largest skilling infrastructures, with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) alone training about 1.40 crore candidates between 2015 and 2025.

However, despite this scale, skilling has not emerged as an aspirational or rewarding career pathway. Data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) show limited and inconsistent wage gains from vocational training—particularly in the informal sector, where most certified trainees eventually find employment.

Background & Context: India’s Skilling Push

India’s skilling strategy emerged against the backdrop of:

• A young demographic profile
• Low formal skill certification
• A labour market dominated by informality

To harness the demographic dividend, successive governments invested heavily in short-term vocational training, ITI reforms, apprenticeship promotion, and institutional mechanisms such as Sector Skill Councils (SSCs).

Yet, the gap between training outputs and labour-market outcomes has persisted, raising concerns about whether skilling has become a numbers-driven welfare intervention rather than an economic transformation tool.

Why Skilling Struggles to Attract Aspirations

Weak Integration with Formal Education

• India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education stands at about 28%, with a target of 50% by 2035 under NEP 2020.
• Achieving this requires embedding skilling within degrees and diplomas, rather than expanding parallel vocational tracks that operate outside mainstream education.

Limited Reach of Formal Vocational Training

• Only about 4.1% of India’s workforce has formal vocational training, marginally up from 2% a decade ago.
• This remains far below OECD standards, where vocational education is widespread and socially accepted.

Global Comparison Gap

• In OECD countries, about 44% of upper-secondary students pursue vocational education.
• In several European economies, this figure rises to 70%, making skilling a mainstream choice rather than a fallback option.

Weak Post-Degree Skilling Culture

• The India Skills Report 2025 shows that graduates rarely pursue skilling after completing degrees.
• This highlights a structural disconnect between higher education and employability-oriented skill development.

Industry’s Limited Role in Strengthening Skilling

High Dependence on Skilled Labour

• Sectors such as retail, logistics, hospitality, and manufacturing face:
  • 30–40% attrition
  • Long onboarding periods
  • Productivity losses due to skill gaps

Low Trust in Public Certifications

• Most employers do not rely on government skilling certificates for recruitment.
• Hiring decisions are often based on:
  • Internal training pipelines
  • Referrals
  • Private digital platforms

Uneven Apprenticeship Outcomes

• Although the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has expanded participation, benefits remain uneven.
• Large firms participate selectively, while SMEs face compliance and cost barriers.

Lack of Co-Design and Accountability

• Industry is neither strongly incentivised nor mandated to:
  • Design curricula
  • Set standards
  • Conduct assessments
• This keeps skilling misaligned with real labour-market needs.

Why Sector Skill Councils Are Underperforming

Original Mandate vs Current Reality

• SSCs were envisioned as industry-led institutions to:
  • Define occupational standards
  • Ensure relevance
  • Certify employability
• In practice, this mandate remains largely unmet.

Fragmented Accountability

• Training, assessment, certification, and placement are handled by different actors.
• This diffusion of responsibility removes any single entity’s accountability for outcomes.

Weak Employer Signalling

• SSC certifications carry limited hiring value.
• Employers prefer degrees, brand institutions, or work experience, even when SSC standards exist.

Contrast with Global Industry Certifications

• Certifications by AWS, Google, Microsoft, etc., succeed because:
  • Certifiers own outcomes
  • Assessments are rigorous and graded
  • Credibility is directly at stake

Need for Outcome Ownership

• Without clear responsibility for employment and wage outcomes, SSC certifications remain symbolic rather than transformative.

Skilling as a Driver of Long-Term Economic Growth

Accountability Is the Core Gap

• India’s skilling challenge is not a lack of policy intent or funding, but weak accountability for outcomes.

Workplace-Embedded Skilling

• Expanding apprenticeships and integrating training into workplaces can:
  • Improve job readiness
  • Reduce onboarding costs
  • Align skills with real tasks

Industry-Led Execution Models

• Initiatives such as ITI modernisation and PM-SETU show that outcomes improve when industry shares ownership.

From Welfare to Economic Strategy

• When skills are integrated into degrees and industries are co-owners, skilling becomes:
  • A productivity driver
  • A pathway to dignity of labour
  • A pillar of economic empowerment

Beyond Jobs

• Effective skilling enhances:
  • Worker mobility
  • Wage growth
  • India’s ability to convert its demographic advantage into sustained growth

Rethinking India’s Skills Strategy

Skills Must Translate into Better Pay

• Skilling cannot succeed unless wages and benefits reflect skill acquisition.
• Training must align with sectors capable of paying productivity-linked wages.

Shift to Demand-Led Training

• Curriculum design should be guided by:
  • Real-time labour market data
  • Stronger industry–institution linkages
  • Transparent placement outcomes

Remove Wage-Suppressing Constraints

• Regulatory hurdles, limited access to finance and land, corruption, and trade barriers restrict firms’ ability to pay higher wages.
• Skilling reform must go hand-in-hand with industrial and regulatory reform.

Scale Placement-Linked Models

• Skilling works best when combined with:
  • Rigorous selection
  • Quality instruction
  • Assured placement through credible public–private partnerships

Make Skilling Aspirational

• Only pathways offering dignity, mobility, and clear career progression can move India’s skilling agenda from headline numbers to real economic impact.

Achieving Sustainability in Rice Production

Why in News ?

In 2025, India overtook China to become the world’s largest rice producer and now accounts for around 40% of global rice exports, with shipments crossing 20 million metric tonnes.

While this underscores India’s central role in global food security, it has also renewed concerns over rice being a highly water-intensive crop, leading to groundwater depletion, environmental degradation, and the phenomenon of “virtual water exports”, especially from water-stressed regions.

Background & Context: Rice, Food Security and the Green Revolution Legacy

Rice has been at the heart of India’s food security strategy since the Green Revolution. Supported by:

• Assured Minimum Support Price (MSP)
• Free or subsidised electricity
• Fertiliser subsidies
• Public procurement and distribution under NFSA

rice cultivation expanded rapidly, particularly in north-western India (Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh).

While this model ensured food self-sufficiency and price stability, it has also created structural distortions, locking farmers into water-intensive monocropping systems ill-suited to local agro-ecological conditions. With climate change intensifying water stress, this rice-centric model is increasingly seen as ecologically unsustainable.

Key Facts Regarding Rice

About Rice

• Staple food for nearly 65% of India’s population
• Occupies about 25% of India’s total cropped area
• India ranks 1st globally in rice production and exports, followed by China and Bangladesh

Climatic and Soil Requirements

• Kharif crop: Sown in June–July, harvested in September–October
• Requires:
  • Temperature above 25°C (optimal: 30°C day / 20°C night)
  • High humidity and rainfall above 100 cm
• Thrives in soils with:
  • pH of 5.5–6.5
  • High water-holding capacity and proper drainage

Cropping Intensity

• Multiple crops annually in regions like southern India and West Bengal
• West Bengal grows Aus, Aman, and Boro rice in a single year
• Top producing states (2025–26): Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal

Rice Cultivation Techniques

Traditional Transplantation

• Seedlings raised in nurseries and transplanted after 25–35 days
• Highly water- and labour-intensive (25–27 irrigations)
• Maximises yield but stresses groundwater resources

Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)

• Seeds directly drilled into fields using machines
• Saves water, labour, and energy
• Best suited for heavy and medium-textured soils with good iron availability

Government Initiatives for Sustainable Rice Production

Water-Smart Agriculture

• Promotion of DSR, micro-irrigation, and crop diversification
• Focus on Punjab–Haryana under PMKSY and state action plans

Climate-Resilient Varieties

• ICAR developing drought-, heat-, and salinity-tolerant varieties under NICRA

Policy Push Towards Diversification

• Post International Year of Millets (2023), greater emphasis on millets and pulses in water-stressed regions

Nutritional Security

• Nationwide rollout of fortified rice under NFSA and PM-POSHAN to address anaemia

Methane Mitigation

• Promotion of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) to cut methane emissions from paddy fields

Key Concerns Associated with Rice Cultivation

Groundwater Depletion

• Producing 1 kg of rice consumes 3,000–4,000 litres of water
• Groundwater levels in Punjab and Haryana have fallen from ~30 feet to 80–200 feet
• Many aquifers are classified as over-exploited or critical

Environmental Degradation

• Flooded paddies generate methane, contributing 10–20% of agricultural GHG emissions
• Residue burning worsens air pollution, releasing particulate matter and carbon monoxide

Health Risks

• Rice grown using arsenic-contaminated groundwater absorbs toxic metals
• Linked to cancers and chronic diseases, especially in Bihar’s hotspot districts

Economic Stress

• Rising costs of borewells, pumps, fertilisers, and electricity push farmers into debt
• Punjab spends nearly ₹39,000 per hectare annually on fertiliser and power subsidies for rice

Climate Vulnerability

• Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall could reduce yields by 6–10%
• North-west India faces a vicious energy–water–climate cycle

Global Food Security Risks

• As India supplies 40% of global rice exports, production shocks could destabilise global markets

Steps Needed for Sustainable Rice-Based Agriculture

Reforming Subsidies

• Shift from input subsidies to direct income and ecosystem service payments
• Ensure MSP and procurement for millets, pulses, and oilseeds

Technological and Water Efficiency

• Scale up SRI, DSR, drip and sprinkler irrigation
• Fast-track genome-edited crops like drought-tolerant rice
• Use AI-based advisories and soil moisture sensors

Policy and Institutional Strengthening

• Ban new borewells in critical zones
• Promote community-led groundwater governance
• Strengthen FPOs and cooperatives

Climate Resilience

• Encourage diversification, agroforestry, and residue management
• Use Soil Health Cards for precision nutrient application

Farmer Income Protection

• Expand PMFBY, affordable credit, and rural agro-processing
• Improve storage, cold chains, and value addition

Digital Policing in the Social Media Age: Expansion of Police Monitoring Cells in India

Why in News ?

Indian States have significantly expanded dedicated police social media monitoring cells over the last five years, reflecting a shift in policing strategies to address emerging digital-era crimes, misinformation, and public order challenges.

Background & Context: Social Media and Internal Security

Over the past decade, India has witnessed an explosive growth in social media usage, with hundreds of millions of users active on platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, and Snapchat.

This digital transformation has:

• Democratised political expression and mobilisation
• Accelerated information dissemination during crises
• Enabled real-time citizen–state interaction

However, it has also created new vulnerabilities, including:

• Rapid spread of misinformation and fake news
• Online coordination of riots, protests, and unlawful assemblies
• Cyber frauds, impersonation, and financial scams
• Radicalisation, hate speech, and extremist propaganda

As a result, law enforcement agencies have been compelled to adapt, integrating digital surveillance and online intelligence into routine policing and internal security management.

Social Media Policing in India

Social media monitoring has emerged as a critical component of modern policing, aimed at:

• Preventing crime before it spills offline
• Managing public order during sensitive events
• Tracking misinformation during elections, protests, and communal tensions

Unlike traditional reactive policing, social media monitoring focuses on early warning, trend analysis, and preventive intervention.

Growth of Social Media Monitoring Cells

• The number of dedicated social media monitoring cells across States and Union Territories increased from 262 in January 2020 to 365 in January 2024.
• These units are distinct from cybercrime police stations and focus specifically on:
  • Real-time monitoring of online content
  • Flagging viral misinformation
  • Tracking digital mobilisation patterns

Earlier, such functions were handled informally within cybercrime units; their separation into standalone cells marks institutional maturity in digital policing.

State-wise Trends and Expansion

The expansion has been uneven across States, influenced by population size, digital penetration, and internal security challenges.

States with Highest Number of Cells

• Bihar – 52
• Maharashtra – 50
• Punjab – 48
• West Bengal – 38
• Assam – 37

Rapid Scaling Examples

• Assam: Expanded from 1 cell (2022) to 37 cells (2024)
• West Bengal: Increased from 2 to 38 cells in the same period
• Punjab: Doubled capacity between 2022 and 2024

Manipur Case

• Monitoring cells increased from 3 (2020) to 16 (2024) despite prolonged internet shutdowns during ethnic violence in 2023.
• This underscores the perceived importance of digital surveillance even amid disrupted connectivity.

Institutional Framework and Data Source

• Data is sourced from the Data on Police Organisations (DoPO) reports, published annually by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
• Social media monitoring cells began to be recorded as separate entities only from 2021, indicating a formal administrative shift towards recognising digital surveillance as a standalone policing function.

Rationale Behind Increased Monitoring

Police authorities cite changing crime patterns as the primary driver. Social media platforms are increasingly used for:

• Coordinating organised crime and cyber fraud
• Spreading misinformation and disinformation
• Mobilising crowds during protests or riots
• Radicalisation and extremist recruitment
• Online harassment, stalking, and financial scams

The emphasis is largely preventive, enabling early detection of threats and timely intervention.

Related Trends in Police Modernisation

The growth of social media monitoring cells parallels broader police modernisation efforts:

• Cybercrime police stations: Increased from 376 (2020) to 624 (2024)
• Drone deployment: Over 1,100 drones in use nationwide for surveillance, crowd control, and disaster response

However, these advances coexist with structural challenges:

• Over 5.9 lakh vacancies in police forces
• Shortage of trained cyber and data analysis personnel

This highlights the technology–manpower mismatch in Indian policing.

Governance and Civil Liberties Concerns

The expansion of social media monitoring raises serious constitutional questions:

• Right to Privacy: Following the Puttaswamy judgment, surveillance must satisfy legality, necessity, and proportionality.
• Freedom of Speech: Risk of chilling effect on legitimate dissent and political expression.
• Lack of Clear Oversight: Absence of uniform national guidelines on scope, data retention, and accountability.

Balancing security imperatives with civil liberties remains a central governance challenge.

Beijing’s Coercive Signalling: ‘Justice Mission 2025’ and Cross-Strait Tensions

Why in News ?

China recently conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan under the banner of “Justice Mission 2025”, involving coordinated deployment of army, navy, air force, and missile units.

The drills come amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, following major US arms sales to Taiwan, and reflect Beijing’s increasing use of military signalling and coercive deterrence to assert its sovereignty claims over the island.

Background & Context: The Taiwan Question

The Taiwan issue is one of the most sensitive and enduring flashpoints in East Asian geopolitics.

• Historical roots: Taiwan has been governed separately from mainland China since 1949, after the Chinese Civil War, when the Kuomintang retreated to the island.
• China’s position: Beijing considers Taiwan an inalienable part of its sovereign territory under the One China principle and views reunification as a core national objective.
• Taiwan’s status: Taiwan functions as a de facto independent democracy, with its own government, military, and economy, though it lacks widespread formal diplomatic recognition.
• US role: The United States does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state but supports it under the Taiwan Relations Act (1979), including arms sales and strategic ambiguity over military intervention.

In recent years, China has grown increasingly impatient with what it perceives as:

• Taiwan’s drift toward formal independence
• Deepening US–Taiwan political and military ties

This has led to a sharp escalation in military pressure around the Taiwan Strait.

What is Justice Mission 2025 ?

Justice Mission 2025 is a large-scale inter-service military exercise conducted by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in and around the Taiwan Strait.

Key Characteristics

• Involves joint operations of:
  • Ground forces
  • Navy
  • Air force
  • Rocket and missile units
• Designed to test integrated combat capabilities under near-real combat conditions.
• Part of China’s broader effort to improve jointness, rapid mobilisation, and precision strike capacity.

Operational Focus of the Drills

According to Chinese military statements, the exercises focused on:

• Sea–air combat readiness patrols
• Joint seizure of comprehensive superiority
• Blockade of key ports and strategic areas
• All-dimensional deterrence beyond the island chain

These elements mirror a full-spectrum coercive campaign, short of invasion, aimed at isolating Taiwan economically, militarily, and psychologically.

Strategic Messaging Behind the Exercise

Warning Against ‘Taiwan Independence’

Beijing has described the drills as a direct warning to:

• Pro-independence forces in Taiwan
• External actors accused of encouraging separatism

China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its sovereign territory and has refused to rule out the use of force for reunification.

Signal to External Powers

The timing of Justice Mission 2025 is significant:

• It follows US arms sales to Taiwan exceeding USD 10 billion, reinforcing Washington’s role as Taiwan’s principal security backer.
• The exercise serves as a deterrent message to the United States and its allies, cautioning against military or political interference in the Taiwan issue.

Taiwan Strait and China’s Military Posture

• The PLA has increasingly normalised high-tempo drills around Taiwan, including:
  • Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) incursions
  • Naval patrols
  • Missile force readiness exercises
• These activities blur the line between training and coercion, increasing pressure on Taiwan without crossing the threshold of open conflict.

Regional and Global Implications

• Raises risks of miscalculation or accidental escalation in the Taiwan Strait.
• Undermines stability in the Indo-Pacific, a region critical for global trade and supply chains.
• Reinforces concerns among regional actors about China’s growing military assertiveness and grey-zone tactics.

For countries like India, such developments highlight the interconnected nature of Asian security dynamics and the importance of maritime stability.

Analysis: Why Justice Mission 2025 Matters

Justice Mission 2025 reflects China’s evolving strategy of:

• Deterrence through demonstration
• Joint-force readiness for contingency operations
• Political signalling backed by military capability

Rather than an immediate precursor to invasion, the exercise represents a coercive tool to shape behaviour, test responses, and assert dominance in the Taiwan Strait.