Current Affairs for 31 December 2025

Trends and Progress of Banking in India, 2024–25 Report

Context

• The Reserve Bank of India's latest 'Trends and Progress of Banking in India, 2024–25' report confirms that the country's banking system has become more resilient and confident than ever before, driven by minimal non-performing assets (NPAs), strengthening capital, and widespread digital and financial inclusion.
• This report not only compiles data but also provides a comprehensive assessment of the performance, risks, regulatory priorities, payment systems, technological adjustments, and consumer protection of banking and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).

Balance Sheet Expansion: A Clear Picture of Growth

• According to the report, the balance sheets of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) have seen significant expansion. Both deposits and loans recorded double-digit growth, although the pace has slowed somewhat in recent months.
• Growth of approximately 14-16% in bank credit reflects strong demand from industry, MSMEs, housing, and services sectors. Deposit growth of 12-13% indicates that public confidence in the formal banking system remains intact despite the availability of alternative investment options.

Asset Quality

• One of the biggest achievements of Indian banking has been the improvement in asset quality. The gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio has declined to approximately 2.1%, the lowest level in several decades. This improvement is a result of improved credit discipline, vigilant underwriting, and effective recovery mechanisms.
• Additionally, banks are adequately capitalized. The capital adequacy ratio (CRAR) remains above 16% on average, well above the Basel III minimum requirement and reflects the ability to withstand potential shocks.

New Heights of Digital and Financial Inclusion

• Digital Payments: Progress has also been significant on the digital payments and financial inclusion front. 514 districts across the country have become fully digitally enabled, with every eligible individual having access to at least one digital payment method.
  • The RBI's Financial Inclusion Index has risen to 67, reflecting deeper and broader access to accounts, credit, insurance, and digital payments. This progress is not limited to numbers but also indicates increased use of financial services.
• PRAVAAH Portal: The PRAVAAH Portal has been launched as a unified digital platform for regulatory applications. Its objective is to simplify, transparently, and timely the process of obtaining various permissions and approvals.
• FREE-AI Framework: To ensure the responsible use of artificial intelligence, the RBI has introduced the FREE-AI Framework. It provides governance guidelines based on principles such as fairness, accountability, security, and transparency, ensuring trust and accountability in AI-based systems.
• Risk-Based Deposit Insurance: Moving beyond a flat premium system, a move has been made towards risk-based deposit insurance. This initiative encourages banks to better manage risk and further strengthens depositors' trust in the entire banking system.
• Unified Lending Interface (ULI): ULI is a technology-based initiative aimed at providing seamless credit to every Indian and furthering the government's comprehensive vision of digital empowerment, financial inclusion, and last-mile service delivery.

Regulatory Reforms: Risk-Based Deposit Insurance

• A key policy recommendation from the report is the move towards risk-based deposit insurance premiums.
• This move away from a uniform premium system will encourage banks to better manage risks and strengthen trust in the overall system.

Emerging Challenges: Risks with Growth

• The expansion of digital banking and UPI has increased the risk of cyber fraud and online fraud. Furthermore, the increase in customer complaints related to loans, cards, and digital channels points to weaknesses in service quality and grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Risks related to transparency, bias, and data privacy are also emerging in AI-based credit and fraud detection systems. At the same time, some unsecured and small-value retail loan segments are showing signs of stress.

The Way Forward: Quality, Security, and Trust

• The report makes it clear that future success will come not just from rapid loan growth, but from quality-led growth. Strict underwriting, strong consumer protection, continued investment in cybersecurity, and targeted financial literacy campaigns will be required.
• Increasing awareness in rural areas, among senior citizens and first-time users of digital services is as important as the expansion of technology.

Conclusion

This RBI report shows that the Indian banking system stands on a strong footing today, with minimal NPAs, strong capital, and a growing balance sheet. The key to sustainable success in the coming years lies in trust-based technology adoption, transparent customer protection, and balanced regulation.

India's Space Progress: 2025

Context

The year 2025 marked a turning point for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The country is no longer merely a low-cost satellite launcher but has emerged as a sophisticated power on the global space stage. The successful launch of the 6,100-kilogram Bluebird Block-2 satellite by the LVM3-M6 rocket is not just a technological achievement but a clear declaration of India's space capabilities and readiness for future human missions.

India's Space Performance in 2025

Unprecedented Demonstration of Ultra-Heavy Satellite Launch Capability

• ISRO's Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), formerly known as the GSLV Mk-III, has now firmly established itself on the international map as a "heavy-lift vehicle."
• The heaviest launch ever from Indian soil was of the US satellite Bluebird Block-2 (AST Spacemobile), weighing 6,100 kg. This satellite was successfully placed into low earth orbit (LEO).
• The Bluebird Block-2 satellite is designed for space-based cellular broadband. It will allow ordinary smartphones to connect directly to the satellite, potentially eliminating "dead zones" around the world.
• This was the ninth consecutive success of the LVM3, making it a launch vehicle with a 100% success rate. This kind of reliability not only attracts high-value international contracts but also provides a strong foundation for upcoming human-based missions.

Technological Efficiency

• SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment): In January, a successful test of in-orbit satellite docking and detaching was conducted, crucial for future projects such as the Indian Space Station and Chandrayaan-4.
• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar): In July, high-resolution data was provided for monitoring climate change, deforestation, and natural disasters.
• CMS-03 and GTO Capability: By placing a 4,400-kilogram satellite into geostationary orbit in November, India reduced its dependence on foreign rockets for heavy communication satellites.

Economic and Commercial Dimensions

• Through ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), India made a significant shift from a 'scientific approach' to a 'commerce-first' strategy.
• Global Market: India currently accounts for approximately 2% of the global space market, which the government aims to increase to 10% by 2033.
• Cost Competitiveness: By launching heavy satellites at the lowest cost, ISRO has established itself as a globally attractive option.
• Rise of the Private Sector: Companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos have assumed responsibility for regular launches of small satellites, allowing ISRO to focus on high-end research and development.

Strategic and Geopolitical Importance

• India's space achievements are not just technological but also strengthen strategic soft power and autonomy.
• International Influence: India's capability to launch heavy payloads (satellite launches) and its readiness for human missions have placed India in the elite space club alongside the United States, Russia, and China.
• Self-reliant Technology: Indigenous technologies like the C32 cryogenic stage and upcoming electric propulsion reduce dependence on global supply chains.
• Security and Connectivity: Global connectivity provides strategic advantages in control, internal security, and disaster management.

Gaganyaan and the Way Forward

The success of LVM3 is a cornerstone for India's human spaceflight dreams.

LVM3 Towards Human Evaluation

• LVM3, carrying a 6,100-kilogram US satellite, is now being converted to a human-rated version.
• This process includes incorporating advanced safety systems, redundant and fail-safe electronics, and a state-of-the-art Crew Escape System (CES) to ensure the safe return of astronauts in case of an emergency.

Vyommitra: The Final Test Before a Human Mission

• This will be a crucial test flight for the first unmanned Gaganyaan mission (G1), proposed for launch in early 2026. This mission will launch an anthropomorphic robot, 'Vyommitra,' to simulate human presence.
• This robot will monitor life-support parameters such as pressure, temperature, oxygen levels, and radiation to ensure that the environment is completely safe for human flight.

Foundation of the Indian Space Station

• The success achieved in space docking through the SPADEX mission and the high reliability of the LVM3 are decisive steps towards realizing India's vision of its own space station.
• Proposed by 2035, this station will serve as a permanent laboratory in orbit, enabling scientific experiments, advanced research, and long-term human presence in microgravity.

 Conclusion

ISRO's journey to 2025 demonstrates that India is no longer just an "affordable option," but an "innovation leader." With its massive payload capability, mastery of space docking, and private participation, India is well-positioned to lead this new era of space.

Alleged Fake Rabies Vaccines: A Test for India’s Health Governance

Why in News ?

Health authorities in Australia, followed by the United Kingdom and the United States, have advised their citizens who received rabies vaccination in India to verify whether replacement doses are required, citing concerns over the circulation of counterfeit rabies vaccines.

The episode has raised serious questions about drug supply chain integrity, regulatory oversight, and public confidence in vaccines, particularly significant for India, which carries one of the highest rabies burdens globally and is also a major vaccine producer.

Background & Context

Rabies is a nearly 100% fatal disease once symptoms appear, making vaccine efficacy and timely administration a critical public health concern.

India occupies a paradoxical position:

• It accounts for a disproportionately high share of global rabies deaths
• Simultaneously, it is a key global supplier of rabies vaccines

Against this backdrop, international advisories regarding vaccines administered in India have domestic and global implications, extending beyond health outcomes to regulatory credibility and vaccine diplomacy.

Rabies: Transmission and Prevention

Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals.

Transmission

• Animal bites or scratches
• Saliva contact with open wounds or mucous membranes
• Common vectors: dogs, cats, monkeys, bats

Symptoms

• Early: Fever, headache, nausea
• Advanced: Excessive salivation, hydrophobia, hallucinations, paralysis
• Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is almost invariably fatal

Prevention

• Immediate wound washing
• Timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin

India’s Rabies Burden

• As per the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP):
  • 6,644 clinically suspected rabies cases and deaths reported between 2012–2022
  • Actual burden likely significantly under-reported
• WHO estimates:
  • 18,000–20,000 rabies deaths annually worldwide
  • One-third to two-thirds occur in children under 15
• India accounts for nearly 36% of global rabies deaths

This makes vaccine quality, availability, and trust a matter of national public health importance.

Background: Concerns Over Abhayrab Vaccine

International health advisories flagged the possibility that counterfeit rabies vaccines may have been administered in India since 2023.

• The concern centres on Abhayrab, a widely used rabies vaccine
• Manufactured by Human Biologicals Institute, a division of PSU Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL)
• The alerts triggered global concern due to rabies’ fatal nature and India’s role as a vaccine hub

Company’s Response and Identification of Counterfeit Batch

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) clarified that:

• In January 2025, it detected one counterfeit batch (KA24014)
• The batch showed tampered outer packaging
• The company immediately informed:
  • Drug regulators
  • Law enforcement agencies

IIL stated that no other counterfeit batches have been identified so far.

Nature of the Counterfeit: Packaging Diversion, Not Fake Vaccine

Investigations revealed a critical distinction:

• Counterfeit activity involved altered packaging, not fake or substandard vaccine content
• Seized samples tested at the Central Drug Testing Laboratory (CDTL), Kasauli:
  • Confirmed presence of genuine vaccine
• Suspected modus operandi:
  • Diversion of government-supplied vaccines into the private/open market using forged packaging

Locations Identified

• Delhi
• Mumbai
• Agra
• Lucknow
• Kanpur
• Patna

Raids were conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, and Agra.

Why Abhayrab Is Central to the Concern ?

• Abhayrab accounts for around 40% of India’s rabies vaccine market
• IIL is the largest rabies vaccine producer globally, with over 25 years of supply
• In many rural and semi-urban areas, Abhayrab is often the only available vaccine
• Company officials warned that international advisories could:
  • Fuel vaccine hesitancy
  • Undermine public trust in immunisation programmes

Expert Reassurance on Public Health Impact

Public health experts in India sought to calm public fears:

• Rabies PEP in India typically involves five vaccine doses
• Even if one dose were compromised, protection is usually ensured by:
  • Remaining doses
  • Administration of rabies immunoglobulin
• Hence, mass vaccine failure is unlikely

WHO-Recommended Rabies Vaccination Protocol

Unimmunised Persons

• At least three intramuscular doses
  or
• Two intradermal doses, plus:
  • Rabies immunoglobulin on Day 0

Previously Immunised Persons

• Only two booster doses required
• No immunoglobulin needed

Recent Rabies Cases and Vaccine Failure Concerns

Kerala Case Spike (2022)

• Several rabies deaths reported despite prior vaccination
• Triggered public suspicion of:
  • Vaccine failure
  • Substandard vaccines

Findings of Union Health Ministry Committee

The committee concluded:

• No evidence of vaccine failure
• Deaths linked to systemic gaps:
  • Inadequate wound washing
  • Non-administration of rabies immunoglobulin in Category-3 bites

Category-3 bites include:

• Multiple bites or deep scratches
• Broken skin licked by animals
• Highest risk of rabies transmission

The committee highlighted shortages of rabies immunoglobulin and vaccines as a critical challenge.

Governance Lessons and Way Forward

Key Governance Issues

• Drug supply chain vulnerabilities
• Weak monitoring of last-mile distribution
• Risks to India’s global vaccine credibility

Way Forward

• Strengthen end-to-end vaccine traceability
• Digitise batch-level authentication systems
• Improve availability of rabies immunoglobulin
• Enhance public communication to prevent vaccine hesitancy
• Tighten enforcement against diversion and packaging fraud

Pinaka LRGR-120 Enhances India’s Precision Strike Capability

Why in News ?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, marking a major step in strengthening India’s long-range precision artillery capability.

Background & Context

Modern battlefield dynamics increasingly demand long-range, high-precision, rapid-fire artillery systems capable of neutralising enemy assets deep inside hostile territory. For India, with diverse terrain ranging from mountainous borders to plains and deserts, accurate long-range rocket artillery is essential for deterrence and quick response.

The Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) has emerged as the backbone of India’s rocket artillery. The development of the Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) represents an evolution from area-saturation fire to precision-guided deep-strike capability, aligning with India’s push for indigenous, technology-intensive defence systems.

What is the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) ?

The Pinaka LRGR-120 is an extended-range, precision-guided rocket developed for deployment with the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) of the Indian Army.

It is designed to:

• Deliver accurate strikes at long distances
• Neutralise high-value targets such as:
  • Enemy artillery batteries
  • Command and control centres
  • Logistics hubs

Development & Institutional Collaboration

The system has been developed by DRDO through coordinated efforts of multiple specialised laboratories:

• Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) – Lead design and system integration
• High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) – Propulsion and energetic materials
• Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad – Guidance and control systems
• Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) – Advanced missile technologies

This collaboration reflects India’s ecosystem-based defence innovation model.

Key Features of Pinaka LRGR-120

Extended Strike Range

• Maximum range: ~120 kilometres
• Enables deep-strike capability well beyond conventional artillery systems

Precision Guidance System

• Equipped with an advanced guidance system that dramatically improves accuracy
• Particularly effective in mountainous and complex terrain, where precision is critical
• Reduces collateral damage and ammunition expenditure

Backward Compatibility

• Fully compatible with existing Pinaka launchers
• No major structural modifications required
• Ensures cost-effective and rapid induction into service

Launcher Configuration

• In the Guided Pinaka system, launchers carry:
  • Eight guided rockets (compared to higher numbers in unguided variants)
• Reduction is due to:
  • Additional electronic and guidance components

Operational Significance for the Indian Army

• Enhances long-range precision firepower
• Enables stand-off engagement of enemy assets
• Strengthens deterrence along:
  • Northern borders
  • Western front
• Improves battlefield survivability by allowing launch platforms to operate from safer distances

Strategic & Security Implications

Shift from Saturation to Precision

• Traditional MLRS focused on area saturation
• LRGR-120 enables pin-point strikes, aligning artillery with modern network-centric warfare

Indigenous Defence Capability

• Reinforces Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence
• Reduces dependence on imported rocket artillery systems

Export Potential

• Pinaka system has attracted international interest
• Guided long-range variant enhances India’s profile as a defence exporter

Challenges and Way Forward

Challenges

• Ensuring mass production at scale
• Integrating real-time targeting data and battlefield sensors
• Continuous improvement in guidance and counter-measure resistance

Way Forward

• Accelerate user trials and induction into Army regiments
• Integrate Pinaka LRGR with:
  • Surveillance drones
  • Battlefield management systems
• Continue R&D for extended-range and next-generation guided variants

Copyright Act, 1957: India’s Legal Framework for Creative Protection

Why in News ?

With the rapid expansion of digital content, AI-generated works, online education, and creative industries, the Copyright Act, 1957 continues to remain central to debates on creator rights, fair use, public access, and digital regulation in India.

Background & Context

Copyright law in India reflects the evolution from colonial legal frameworks to a modern intellectual property regime aligned with global standards.

The Copyright Act, 1957, which came into force on 21 January 1958, replaced the colonial-era Indian Copyright Act, 1914, and laid the foundation for protecting creators in a rapidly changing technological and cultural landscape.

Over time, multiple amendments—especially the 2012 Amendment—have adapted the law to:

• Digital dissemination
• Performers’ rights
• International treaty obligations

Historical Background of Copyright Law in India

Colonial Roots

• Prior to independence, India followed the Indian Copyright Act, 1914
• Based on the British Imperial Copyright Act, 1911
• Governed works created before 21 January 1958
• Provided 50 years’ protection for photographs from the date of creation

Post-Independence Framework

• Copyright Act, 1957 became India’s first independent copyright law
• Entered into force on 21 January 1958

Amendments

The Act has been amended six times:

• 1983
• 1984
• 1992
• 1994
• 1999
• 2012 (most significant)

International Alignment

India is a member of:

• Berne Convention (1886)
• Universal Copyright Convention (1951)
• Rome Convention (1961)
• TRIPS Agreement

India joined:

• WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
• WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) in 2013

Scope and Criteria under the Copyright Act, 1957

The Act protects original intellectual and creative works, regardless of artistic merit, provided they satisfy originality requirements.

Types of Works Protected

Literary Works

• Books, articles, manuscripts
• Computer software and databases

Dramatic Works

• Plays, scripts, choreography, recitations

Musical Works

• Musical compositions (excluding lyrics)

Artistic Works

• Paintings, drawings, sculptures
• Maps, charts, plans
• Photographs

Cinematograph Films

• Movies, videos, digital films

Sound Recordings

• Songs, audiobooks, albums, soundtracks

Other Works

• Architectural works
• Works of artistic craftsmanship

Foreign Works

• Protected through International Copyright Order
• Duration cannot exceed protection available in the country of origin

Key Provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957

Nature of Copyright

• Defined as a bundle of exclusive rights, including:
  • Reproduction
  • Adaptation
  • Translation
  • Distribution
  • Communication to the public

Ownership

• Author is the first owner of copyright
• Exceptions apply in:
  • Employer–employee relationships
  • Government works

Assignment of Copyright (Section 19)

• Must be through written agreement
• Assignment without specified duration:
  • Valid for five years
• Territory defaults to India, unless specified

Joint Authorship

• Recognised when contributions are inseparable
• Rights shared jointly among authors

Remedies

• Civil remedies: injunctions, damages
• Criminal remedies: imprisonment and fines
• Administrative remedies: customs detention of infringing goods

Jurisdiction

• Supreme Court (2015) clarified:
  • Jurisdiction lies where cause of action arises
  • Prevents forum shopping and harassment

Exceptions under the Copyright Act, 1957

To balance creator rights with public interest, the Act provides exceptions under Section 52 (Fair Dealing).

Fair Dealing Exceptions

• Private or personal use, including research
• Educational use and teaching
• Criticism or review
• Reporting current events
• Reporting public lectures

Freedom of Panorama (Sections 52(s), 52(t), 52(u))

• Permits:
  • Photography, painting, or depiction of buildings permanently located in public places
  • Representation of public sculptures or artistic works
  • Incidental inclusion of such works in films

These provisions ensure cultural documentation and public expression.

Duration of Copyright Protection

Important Judicial Pronouncements

Key Case Laws

• The Daily Calendar Supplying Bureau v. United Concern (1958, 1964): Clarified limits of freedom of panorama
• Civic Chandran v. Ammini Amma: Allowed transformative and critical use under fair dealing
• Academy of General Education v. B. Malini Mallya (2009): Expanded interpretation of fair dealing
• Delhi University – Rameshwari Photocopy Case (2016): Educational photocopying allowed under fair dealing
• Indian Performing Rights Society v. Sanjay Dalia (2015): Jurisdiction linked to cause of action
• Najma Heptulla v. Orient Longman: Defined principles of joint authorship
• Pine Labs Pvt. Ltd. v. Gemalto Terminals (2023): Assignment without duration limited to five years

Significance and Contemporary Challenges

Significance

• Encourages creativity and innovation
• Protects livelihoods of artists and creators
• Supports growth of:
  • Media
  • Publishing
  • Film
  • Digital economy

Contemporary Challenges

• Digital piracy
• AI-generated content
• Balancing access with monetisation
• Enforcement in the online environment

YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile: China’s Maritime Strike Escalation

Why in News ?

China recently released rare official footage showing the launch of the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from a Type-055 Renhai-class destroyer, signalling a major advancement in its maritime strike and anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities.

Background & Context

Hypersonic weapons—defined as systems capable of sustained flight at speeds greater than Mach 5—are reshaping modern warfare by compressing reaction time, evading missile defences, and blurring traditional deterrence thresholds.

China has emerged as one of the most aggressive developers of hypersonic technologies, integrating them into its broader strategy aimed at:

• Contesting naval dominance in the Western Pacific
• Deterring extra-regional powers
• Strengthening control over critical sea lanes

The unveiling of YJ-20 footage reflects Beijing’s intent to signal operational maturity rather than merely experimental capability.

What is the YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile ?

The YJ-20 (Eagle Strike-20) is a hypersonic anti-ship missile developed by China to target high-value naval assets, including aircraft carriers and large surface combatants, at extended ranges. It represents an evolution from conventional anti-ship cruise missiles toward high-speed, manoeuvrable precision strike systems designed to defeat layered naval defences.

Design & Technological Features

Hypersonic Glide Configuration

• Features a distinctive biconic aerodynamic shape
• After an initial rocket boost, the missile enters a controlled hypersonic glide phase
• Enables sustained flight at Mach 6+ speeds

Thermal Protection & Aerodynamics

• Biconic design generates protective shockwaves
• Shields control surfaces from extreme aerodynamic heating
• Allows sustained manoeuvrability at hypersonic velocities

Range, Speed & Flight Profile

• Estimated Range: 1,000–1,500 km
• Cruising Speed: Above Mach 6
• Terminal Phase:
  • Near-vertical descent
  • Sharp lateral manoeuvres

This flight profile:

• Compresses defender reaction time
• Disrupts interception prediction algorithms
• Challenges shipborne missile defence systems

Launch Platforms & Operational Flexibility

Sea-Based Deployment

• Type-055 Renhai-class destroyers
• Among the largest and most advanced surface combatants in the world

Air-Launched Capability

• Compatible with H-6K strategic bombers
• Extends strike reach deep into maritime and continental theatres

This multi-platform deployment enhances operational flexibility and survivability.

Strategic Significance of the YJ-20

Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD)

• Strengthens China’s A2/AD posture in:
  • South China Sea
  • East China Sea
  • Western Pacific

Carrier-Killer Role

• Designed to threaten:
  • Aircraft carrier strike groups
  • Large amphibious formations

Strategic Signalling

• Public release of footage serves as:
  • Deterrent messaging
  • Demonstration of technological maturity
  • Psychological pressure on adversaries

Impact on Naval Warfare & Missile Defence

Challenges to Existing Defences

• Conventional interceptors struggle against:
  • High speeds
  • Unpredictable manoeuvres
• Existing naval missile defence systems face:
  • Reduced engagement windows
  • Increased saturation risk

Shift in Naval Strategy

• Encourages:
  • Dispersed naval formations
  • Emphasis on early detection and space-based sensors
  • Development of hypersonic interceptors and directed-energy weapons

Regional & Global Implications

• Intensifies arms competition in the Indo-Pacific
• Raises concerns over:
  • Crisis stability
  • Escalation management
• Compels neighbouring countries to:
  • Upgrade missile defence
  • Invest in counter-hypersonic technologies

Indian Perspective & Way Forward

Strategic Relevance for India

• Expanding Chinese naval reach in the Indian Ocean
• Potential implications for:
  • Carrier operations
  • Maritime deterrence

Way Forward

• Accelerate indigenous hypersonic research
• Strengthen layered naval air and missile defence
• Enhance space-based early warning systems
• Deepen defence technology partnerships

Ol Chiki Script at 100: A Milestone in Tribal Linguistic Heritage

Why in News ?

The President of India recently attended the Centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script of the Santhali language in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, marking 100 years since the invention of the script.

Background & Context

India’s linguistic diversity includes several indigenous and tribal languages that historically relied on oral traditions. The absence of a dedicated script often limited their literary development and official recognition.

The creation of Ol Chiki in the early 20th century was a landmark moment in India’s cultural history, as it:

• Gave the Santhali language a distinct written form
• Strengthened tribal identity and cultural self-expression
• Laid the foundation for constitutional recognition decades later

The centenary celebrations underscore India’s growing emphasis on preserving indigenous languages and scripts as part of its intangible cultural heritage.

What is the Ol Chiki Script ?

Ol Chiki is the indigenous script of the Santhali language, designed specifically to reflect its phonetic and grammatical structure.

Other Names

• Ol Cemet’
• Ol Ciki
• Ol
• Santali Alphabet

The script is uniquely tailored to Santhali, unlike earlier attempts to write the language using Bengali, Devanagari, or Roman scripts.

Origin and Historical Development

• Invented: 1925
• Inventor: Pandit Raghunath Murmu
• Place: Mayurbhanj State (present-day Odisha)

Public Recognition

• First publicly showcased in 1939 at the Mayurbhanj State Exhibition
• Gradually gained acceptance among Santhali speakers across eastern India

Structural and Linguistic Features of Ol Chiki

• Fully phonetic script
• 30 letters, each representing a distinct sound
• Designed to mirror:
  • Santhali pronunciation
  • Syntax and linguistic rhythm
• Avoids ambiguities present when Santhali was written using non-native scripts

This linguistic precision made Ol Chiki an effective tool for education, literature, and cultural transmission.

Role of Pandit Raghunath Murmu

Pandit Raghunath Murmu was a:

• Writer
• Teacher
• Cultural reformer

Literary Contributions

He authored and published numerous works in Ol Chiki, including:

• Novels
• Poetry
• Dramas
• Grammar books
• Dictionaries
• Cultural and linguistic treatises

His efforts transformed Santhali from a largely oral language into a written literary tradition, strengthening cultural pride among Santhal communities.

Santali Language: Key Facts

Linguistic Classification

• Belongs to the Munda branch of the Austroasiatic language family
• One of the oldest linguistic families in South and Southeast Asia

Geographic Distribution

• India: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha
• Outside India: Northwestern Bangladesh, eastern Nepal, Bhutan

Constitutional and Cultural Significance

Eighth Schedule Inclusion

• Santali was added to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 2003
• Ol Chiki recognised as its official script

Implications

• Constitutional status for the language
• Promotion in:
  • Education
  • Administration
  • Cultural institutions
• Strengthened tribal linguistic rights and representation

Contemporary Relevance

• Ol Chiki is now used in:
  • School textbooks
  • Competitive examinations
  • Digital fonts and Unicode platforms
• Centenary celebrations reflect:
  • Growing state support for tribal cultures
  • Alignment with initiatives like Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and inclusive cultural nationalism