India’s Sanitation Journey

Why in News?

Recently, World Toilet Day is observed to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis and the importance of safe toilets for all.

What is world toilet day?

• Observed on – November 19 of every year.
• Officially designated as a United Nations observance in 2013.
• Importance – It highlights toilets as vital for health, dignity, equality, and sustainability.
• Supports SDG – It directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, aiming for universal access by 2030.

What is the importance of proper sanitation?

• Basic need – Access to safe toilets and proper sanitation is essential for public health, dignity, and environmental sustainability.
• Disease reduction and environmental protection – Improved sanitation reduces waterborne diseases, enhances productivity, and safeguards the environment.
• Promotes equality – It also empowers women and children by providing safety, privacy, and better educational opportunities.
• Ensures dignity – In today’s era of climate change, rapid urban expansion, and persistent inequality, secure sanitation continues to be a foundation for human dignity, community well-being, and sustainable progress.

What are the schemes and programmes in India to promote sanitation and hygiene?

• Swatch Bharat Mission (SBM) – It has been the flagship program, aiming to eliminate open defecation and provide universal toilet access in both rural and urban areas.
• India has seen a transformation in its sanitation drive since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which transformed access to toilets and hygiene facilities across rural and urban areas.
• Launch of Swachh Bharat Mission (2014) – Announced on 2nd October 2014, the mission aimed to eliminate open defecation and improve solid and liquid waste management.
• 2 components:
  • SBM – Gramin (rural)
  • SBM – Urban (cities and towns).
• Under this initiative in October 2019, all villages, districts, and states were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
• Outcomes of SBM Phase I
  • Health Gains – WHO estimated 300,000 fewer diarrheal deaths in 2019 versus 2014, linked to improved sanitation.
  • Economic Savings – Households in ODF villages reduced health-related expenses by nearly INR 50,000 each year.
  • Environmental Protection – ODF regions recorded notable declines in groundwater pollution levels.
  • Women’s Safety and Dignity – With expanded toilet access, 93% of women expressed feeling safer within their homes.
• Building on these milestones, SBM (Gramin) Phase II focuses on sustaining ODF outcomes and advancing integrated solid and liquid waste management to achieve ‘Sampoorn Swachhata’.
• Phase II of SBM (Gramin) – It was introduced in 2020 to guarantee universal access to household toilets and effective waste management, with the objective of transforming villages into ODF Plus Models.
• Key objective – To sustain the ODF status of villages and to improve the levels of cleanliness in rural areas through solid and liquid waste management activities.
• To make all villages ODF Plus Model, which includes ODF Sustainability, Solid and Liquid Waste Management, and Visual Cleanliness.
• ODF Plus Village – It is defined as a village which sustains its Open Defecation Free (ODF) Status, ensures solid and liquid waste management and is visually clean.
• There are 3 progressive stages of ODF Plus villages:
  • ODF Plus Aspiring – A Village which is sustaining its ODF status and has arrangements for Solid Waste Management OR Liquid Waste Management.
  • ODF Plus Rising – A village which is sustaining its ODF status and has arrangements for BOTH Solid Waste Management and Liquid Waste Management.
  • ODF Plus Model – A village which is sustaining its ODF status and has arrangements for both Solid Waste Management and Liquid Waste Management; observes visual cleanliness, and displays ODF Plus Information, Education & Communication (IEC) messages.
• India’s progress in sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission reflects a clear shift from access to sustainability.
• In rural areas, villages have steadily advanced from being declared open defecation free to achieving ODF Plus and ODF Plus Model status, showing strong community participation in maintaining facilities.
• Urban centers, meanwhile, have surpassed targets for household and public toilet construction, ensuring that sanitation infrastructure keeps pace with growing populations.
• ODF Plus Plus – It refers to an area where there is no open defecation and all toilets are functional and well-maintained, and all faecal sludge and sewage are safely managed and treated without being discharged into open drains or water bodies.

India’s Swachh Bharat Mission is often highlighted by the UN bodies such as UNICEF as one of the largest sanitation drives globally, showcasing how national action can contribute to global goals.

• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) – It was launched in 2015, focusing on the development of basic infrastructure in urban areas, in the sectors of water supply, sewerage, and septage management.
• AMRUT 2.0 – It was launched in 2021 in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/Cities.
• Providing universal coverage of sewerage and septage management in 500 AMRUT cities is one of the major focus areas of AMRUT 2.0.
• Jal Jeevan Mission – It was launched in August 2019, apart from providing safe and ample drinking water to all rural households, also focuses on sanitation & maintenance of open-defecation-free (ODF) villages.

What lies ahead?

• India’s sanitation journey reflects a transformation from addressing open defecation to building sustainable systems of hygiene and waste management.
• Through initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT, and the Jal Jeevan Mission, the country has moved beyond infrastructure creation to ensuring dignity, inclusivity, and long-term cleanliness.
• With observance of important events like International Toilet Day, these efforts not only strengthen public health but also align with global commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 6, positioning India as a leader in advancing safe sanitation for all.

Reference

PIB| Sanitation in India

The Threat of Digital Tradecraft in Terrorism

Why in News?  

Recently, a car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 30, has revealed the use of advanced digital tradecraft in terrorist attacks.

What were the major findings of the investigation?

• Encrypted communication – The trio is alleged to have communicated via the Swiss messaging app Threema, a platform known for its high privacy design.
• Threema does not require a phone number or email to register, instead it assigns users a random user ID unlinked to any personal identifier.
• Investigators suspect that the three accused may have established their own private Threema server, creating a closed, isolated network through which they shared maps, layouts, documents, and instructions.
• The server may have been hosted either within India or abroad (investigations are ongoing as to its origin).

Threema’s architecture is particularly useful to evade detection because it offers end-to-end encryption, no storage of metadata, and allows message deletion from both ends.

• These features make it extremely difficult for digital forensics teams to reconstruct full communication chains.
• Sharing information using ‘dead-drop emails’ – In what is being described as a classic “spy-style” technique, the suspects apparently used a shared email account (accessible to all module members) to communicate via unsent drafts.
• Instead of sending messages, they would save drafts; another member would log in, read or update them, and delete them — leaving no outgoing or incoming record on conventional mail logs.
• This method, sometimes referred to as a “dead drop,” is particularly insidious because it generates almost no digital footprint.
• Reconnaissance and ammunition stockpiling – As per interrogations and forensic data, the accused conducted multiple recce missions in Delhi before the attack.
• Investigators allege that ammonium nitrate, a powerful industrial explosive, was stockpiled, possibly via a red EcoSport vehicle that has now been seized.
• The use of a familiar vehicle, rather than something more suspicious, may have helped the module remain under the radar during logistics buildup.
• Operational discipline and external linkages – Sources suggest that Dr. Umar, who was reportedly the driver of the car that caused the blast, “switched off his phones” and cut digital ties after the arrest of his associates, a sophisticated tactic to limit exposure.
• Moreover, though investigations are ongoing, some sources suggest that the attack has links with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) or was following a JeM-inspired module.
• The layered communication architecture — Encrypted apps, dead-drop emails, coupled with infrequent but deliberate physical recces, suggests a cell that counts operational security among its highest priorities.

What are the implications?

• Surveillance ineffectiveness – As more terror modules adopt privacy-preserving technologies, traditional surveillance such as phone tapping, metadata collection, and email intercepts have become less effective.
• This should force law enforcement agencies to rethink investigative architectures.
• Use of banned apps and proxies – Threema is reportedly banned in India (under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000), yet the suspects seem to have continued using it via VPNs and foreign proxies.
• This suggests that bans alone may not stem the misuse of such apps, especially by sophisticated operators.
• Investigators need advanced capabilities such as being able to track private servers, reverse engineer encrypted networks, and apply memory forensics to trace such modules.
• Standard device seizures may not be sufficient without specialised technical expertise.
• Potential of big network – Moreover, if a link to external handlers (such as the JeM) is proved to be true, this attack may be part of a wider network.
• The level of planning and security discipline shown suggests not a lone cell, but a well-trained, possibly transnational, group.

What are some policy solutions?

• Build a dedicated digital forensics teams – There is a necessity to establish and expand teams skilled in encrypted-platform analysis, server forensics, and memory dumping to recover ephemeral data.
• The government should invest in units that specifically monitor misuse of E2EE platforms, anonymising services, and VPN exit nodes for potential terror tradecraft.
• Regulation of self-hosted communication infrastructure – The state needs to craft regulatory frameworks mandating private servers hosting communication platforms to comply with lawful access obligations, while balancing privacy rights.
• Cooperation with technology providers needs to be encouraged in order to enable lawful interception under strictly controlled, judicially-supervised processes.
• Legal frameworks need to be enhanced – Counter-terrorism laws need to be updated so that it explicitly addresses threats posed by encrypted, decentralised communication.
• Introduce or refine digital dead-drop detection mechanisms in investigations.
• Law enforcement should be trained to look for shared accounts, draft-only mailboxes, and similar tradecraft.
• Prioritising community and institutional engagement – The fact that the suspects were reportedly doctors from a university is deeply concerning; such institutions need support to detect radicalisation early.
• Counter-radicalisation programs tailored to highly educated recruits may be deployed.
• Modules operating in professional spaces (doctors, academics) are often less visible, but may wield more technical or ideological sophistication.
• Strengthening International collaboration – Given the possible transnational nature (encrypted apps, private servers, cross-border funding) of the attack, the state should deepen cooperation with foreign intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
• It should also encourage tech diplomacy, and engage with countries where encrypted-messaging apps like Threema are based to explore lawful but privacy-respecting access to self-hosted infrastructure linked to terror cases.
• There should also be public awareness about how modern terror cells operate.

What lies ahead?

• The Red Fort blast investigation illustrates how modern terrorist modules are evolving rapidly.
• They no longer rely solely on brute force or mass propaganda  they are integrating advanced digital tradecraft with traditional radicalisation and operational planning.
• These developments resonate strongly with academic insights into extremist behaviour in the digital age.
• As violent actors become more technically adept, states too must adapt , not just by strengthening brute-force capacity, but by cultivating sophisticated, multidisciplinary intelligence, cyber-forensics, and legal tools.
• For India and democracies globally, this case is a sobering reminder that the next frontier in counter-terrorism is not just on the physical terrain, but also in encrypted, decentralised, and deeply private digital spaces.
• If we are to safeguard our cities and societies, we must meet this threat not only on the streets and borders, but also on servers and in code.

Reference

The Hindu| Digital Tradecraft in Terrorism

H5N5 Avian Influenza

Why in news?

The H5N5 bird flu has recently made headlines after the first-ever human case was confirmed in the United States in November 2025.

• H5N5 – It is a subtype of the avian influenza A virus, primarily affecting wild and domestic birds like ducks, geese, and poultry.
• Risks associated with the emergence of H5N5 –
  • Genetic Diversity – Influenza A (H5) viruses come in many forms due to high genetic variation.
  • Reassortment Risk – These viruses can shuffle genetic material (reassort), leading to new, unpredictable variants (as per the World Organization for Animal Health).
  • Low Current Risk – The current threat may be limited, but the underlying pandemic potential calls for proactive monitoring of animal hosts.
• Spread of H5N5 flu –
  • In Birds – the virus spreads through respiratory secretions and feces, common in poultry farms, live bird markets, and wild bird populations.
  • In Humans - Infection occurs via close, unprotected contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
• Transmission – It can occur via droplets, dust, or by touching surfaces contaminated with bird secretions and then touching one's eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Symptoms – It can range from asymptomatic or mild to very severe symptoms.
  • In humans - include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, eye symptoms (conjunctivitis) and sometimes gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, or death.
• Prevention –
  • Avoid close contact with sick or dead birds.
  • Use appropriate protective gear (masks, gloves) when handling poultry or cleaning bird coops.
  • Avoid raw or undercooked poultry, meat, eggs, and raw milk from infected animals.
  • Public health agencies recommend ongoing surveillance and rapid detection of new human infections.

To know about H5N1 vs H5N2, Click here

References

1. The Hindu | U.S. resident infected with H5N5
2. NDTV | US Reports World's First Human Case Of H5N5 Bird Flu.

Samauma tree

Why in news?

Queen of the rainforest, the sacred Samauma tree is key to what makes Amazon the planet’s lungs.

• Scientific name – Ceiba pentandra.
• Family – Malvaceae.
• Distribution – It covers 40% of Latin America, including large parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, among others.
• Height – It is also known as the Kapok tree, can grow up to a height of 70 metres and 3-4 meters in diameter forming a natural canopy and towering over other trees in the rainforest.

• Life span – These trees have an average lifespan varying from 300-400 years, its buttress roots sturdy in nature and taller than a full-grown human.
• Used for – Its fluffy white fibers have been traditionally used to make pillows, mattresses, and insulation for clothing.
• Ecological Importance
  • Carbon Sink – As one of the tallest trees in the Amazon (up to 70 meters), Samauma stores vast amounts of carbon, aiding climate regulation.
  • Rainmaker Role – Its deep roots and expansive canopy help recycle moisture, contributing to the Amazon’s self-sustaining rainfall system.
  • Biodiversity Hub – Provides habitat for birds, bats, monkeys, and insects, supporting complex food webs.
• Cultural significance – The Amazon is home to over 400 indigenous communities whose cultures are closely connected to the region’s plants and animals, which they also worship and consider spiritually important.
• Threats – Deforestation and habitat loss, primarily due to human activities such as logging, infrastructure projects as well as commercial ventures like mining and agricultural business.
• Global Relevance – Protecting Samauma aligns with SDGs on climate action, biodiversity, and indigenous rights.

References

1. Indian Express | Queen of the rainforest, the sacred Samauma tree
2. Queen of Forest | Samauma tree

Project Gaja?Lok

Why in news?

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to launch “Gaja-Lok: Elephant Lands and their Cultural Symbolism in Asia”.

• Project Gaja-Lok – It is a pioneering transnational initiative launched by INTACH and supported by the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Division.
• Aim – To explore the transnational connections of the Asian elephant, highlighting the entangled cultural, historical, ecological, and climate resilience narratives across elephant-range countries in Asia.
• It blends heritage conservation with environmental awareness, positioning elephants as icons of both tradition and climate resilience.
• Exhibition Themes – Features six thematic panels tracing the human-elephant relationship:
  • From prehistoric art and ancient trade routes
  • To sacred traditions, royal symbolism, and modern innovations (e.g., Kerala’s robotic temple elephants).
• Gaja‑Lok Roundtable Conference – It brings together leading scholars, conservationists, and cultural experts from India and abroad.
  • Discussions will feed into the Gaja-Lok Dossier—a multidisciplinary research document supporting transnational recognition of elephant-linked heritage.
• Cultural significance – Elephants have shaped Asian civilizations for millennia, appearing in Indus Valley seals, temple carvings (e.g., Konark, Mahabalipuram), folklore, rituals, and royal symbolism.
• Ecological significance – The project highlights elephants as a living symbols of ecological balance, agents of cultural continuity, and indicators of climate vulnerability and resilience.

To know about Asiatic Elephant, click here

Quick Fact

References

1. PIB | Project Gaja‑Lok
2. INTACH | Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage

Tata Transformation Prize, 2025

Why in news?

The Bengaluru-based scientists win the 2025 Tata Transformation Prize.

• Announced by – The New York Academy of Sciences & Tata Sons.
• Purpose – To advance innovation and support visionary scientists in India developing breakthrough technologies to address India’s societal challenges.
• It is awarded annually.
• 3 categories – Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare
• Selection – 3 winners chosen from 212 nominations across 27 Indian States by an international jury of scientists, clinicians, technologists, and engineers.
• Prize – Each winner will receive Rs. 2 crore to advance their research and scale real-world impact.

Winners -

1. Padubidri V. Shivaprasad, from National Centre for Biological Sciences – Food Security.

• Developed epigenetically engineered rice using small RNA based modifications to enhance stress tolerance and nutritional quality.
• Helps reducing fertilizer/pesticide use and lower production costs.

2. Balasubramanian Gopal from Indian Institute of Science – Sustainability.

• Developed a green chemistry platform using bioengineered E. coli to produce key chemicals used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture.
• Integrating AI-designed enzymes to produce chemicals sustainably, replacing traditional chemical manufacturing and helps reducing pollution

3. Ambarish Ghosh from Indian Institute of Science – Healthcare.

• Developed magnetic nanorobots—tiny, spiral-shaped devices for targeted cancer treatment.
• It is capable of navigating the body, delivering drugs to tumors, and enabling real-time imaging.

Reference

1. The Hindu | Tata Transformation Prize, 2025
2. The New York Academy of Sciences | Tata Transformation Prize, 2025

World Toilet Day 2025

Why in news?

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched new campaigns and showcased progress under SBM-U 2.0 on account of World Toilet Day.

World Toilet Day – November 19.

• Purpose – To raise awareness and inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and ensure safe toilets and sanitation for all.
• Theme, 2025 – “Sanitation: Collective Responsibility for Dignity and Planet”
• It emphasizes dignity, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship and aligns with SDG-6 and India’s climate-resilient sanitation goals.

World Toilet Summit 2025

• Co-hosted by – Sulabh International, World Toilet Organization, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
• Attended by – Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs & Jal Shakti, delegates from 25 countries, including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bhutan.
• Partners – World Bank, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 & Aspirational Toilets

• Entered a new phase of urban sanitation – the journey from Open Defecation Free (ODF) to ODF+ and to ODF++ status, most importantly safe sanitation.
• 29,000 Aspirational Toilet seats approved with smart, inclusive, and eco-friendly designs.
• Features include -
  • smart features and user-friendly designs,
  • accessible and inclusive infrastructure,
  • gender-neutral and child-friendly facilities,
  • environmentally sustainable technologies.
• SBM Achievements –
  • India declared ODF in 2019, just 5 years after Swachh Bharat Mission began in 2014.
  • Rural sanitation – 12 crore toilets were constructed built, saving nearly 3 lakh children annually from diarrhoea-related deaths.
  • Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report, 2024 – Nearly 55 million urban residents in India have gained access to improved sanitation in 2 years.

Urban Innovations & Partnerships

• Initiatives – Swachhata Startup Challenge and Toilet Design Challenge launched to foster innovation.
• MoUs signed – With HUL for PPP models in community toilets & Sulabh International for maintenance in high-footfall zones.
• Campaigns launched –
  • ‘Toilet Paas Hai’ and ‘Main Saaf Hi Achha Hoon’ to promote responsible toilet use.
  • Swachh Aadatein – 21 Dinon Ka Prashikshan Pathyakram for early hygiene education.
• Training modules released for CT/PT design and SafaiMitras’ dignity and safety.

Reference

PIB | World Toilet Day, 2025