1. Karnataka’s Bold Step Toward Protecting Gig Workers: The 2025 Ordinance Explained

Context: In a significant move to modernise India’s defence structure, the Ministry of Defence has officially notified the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control & Discipline) Rules, 2025. These rules have been brought into force under the Inter-Services Organisations (ISO) Act, 2023, and will become operational from May 27, 2025.

Who Are Gig Workers?

As per Section 2(35) of the Code on Social Security, 2020, a gig worker is defined as “a person who participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of a traditional employer–employee relationship.”

These include delivery personnel, drivers, freelance professionals, and others working via platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Ola, Amazon, and Urban Company.

India’s gig economy is booming. A report titled “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” estimates that gig workers may number 23.5 million by 2030, contributing significantly to urban employment and the digital economy.

Background: Recognizing the Gig Workforce

• India introduced the Code on Social Security in 2020 to address the needs of unorganized sector workers, including gig and platform workers. This code recognized the category of platform workers and laid the groundwork for forming a National Social Security Board to oversee their welfare.

Karnataka’s ordinance builds upon this foundation to bring state-level execution and enforceability for the first time within its jurisdiction.

Key Features of the Karnataka Ordinance, 2025

1. Creation of a Dedicated Welfare Board:  A Gig Workers Welfare Board will be formed to oversee the implementation of welfare measures. It will act as a nodal agency to address concerns, grievances, and welfare of gig and platform workers in the state.
2. Mandatory Registration of Platforms and Workers: All aggregator platforms like Ola, Uber, Zomato, Swiggy, and Amazon must register with the board. They must also register their workers, each of whom will be provided with a unique identification number for accessing welfare benefits.
3. Welfare Contributions from Platforms: Companies will be required to contribute 1% to 5% of their total payouts to gig workers into a state-managed welfare fund. This contribution will fund healthcare, insurance, pension, and skill development programs for workers.
4. Transparency in Algorithms: In a first-of-its-kind provision, platforms are mandated to disclose the logic behind algorithms that determine task allocation, wage calculation, worker ratings, and account access. This ensures algorithmic accountability and protects workers from arbitrary decisions.
5. Written Contracts and Worker Rights: Platforms must provide clearly worded written contracts to workers, outlining pay structure, payment frequency, performance expectations, and conditions for account suspension or termination.

6. Grievance Redressal Mechanism:

A two-level grievance mechanism is set up:

• Internal Dispute Resolution Committee within the platform.
• Escalation to the State Welfare Board for unresolved or serious disputes.

7. Penalties for Non-Compliance: Platforms delaying contributions face 12% annual interest. Repeated violations can attract fines up to 1 lakh, ensuring that gig companies are held legally accountable.

Ongoing Challenges Faced by Gig Workers:

Despite their growing importance in the digital economy, gig workers continue to face:

• Job Insecurity due to lack of formal employment status.
• No Social Safety Net, leaving them vulnerable during accidents, illness, or job loss.
• Low and Unstable Incomes, often below minimum wage equivalents.
• Opaque Algorithmic Control, where app-based decisions affect their livelihood without clarity or appeal.
• Legal Ambiguity, since existing labor laws were created for traditional employer-employee models and don’t address platform work.

What India Has Done So Far for Gig Workers:

1. Code on Social Security, 2020: Recognized gig and platform workers as a distinct category entitled to social security coverage.
2. e-Shram Portal: A national database for unorganized workers, including gig workers, offering identity and access to welfare schemes.
3. Union Budget 2025–26 Provisions: 

Included measures like:

• Issuance of Digital ID Cards to gig workers.
• Health insurance through the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme.

4. Rajasthan Gig Workers Act, 2023: India’s first dedicated state-level law for platform-based gig workers, mandating welfare boards and financial contributions by platforms.

Additional Insight: India’s Growing Gig Ecosystem:

• India is home to the second-largest gig economy in the world, after the U.S.
• By 2030, gig jobs are expected to form 4% of India’s total workforce.

Sectors such as e-commerce, food delivery, transport, logistics, and digital freelancing are leading the charge.

Conclusion: A Progressive Step Toward Inclusive Labor Reforms

Karnataka’s Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025 marks a progressive shift in recognizing and institutionalizing the rights of gig workers—those at the heart of India’s on-demand digital economy.

2. Boosting Organic Agriculture in India: A New Alliance to Empower Farmers

Context: In a significant step to foster sustainable agriculture, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has partnered with Amul and Rich Plus by signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting organic farming across India. This collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between organic farmers and market accessibility, while also ensuring financial and technical support.

Major Highlights of the Initiative:

1. Launch of the Organic Farming Card: IOB, in collaboration with Amul, has introduced a co-branded Organic Farming Card exclusively for farmers maintaining organic practices. This card will:

• Provide access to discounted organic inputs.
• Be accepted at Amul’s certified retail outlets.
• Help streamline procurement of high-quality organic supplies.

2. Introduction of ‘Harit Kranti’ Credit Scheme: To ensure that financial barriers do not hinder organic agriculture, IOB has launched the ‘Harit Kranti’ credit scheme, specially designed to:

• Cater to the unique financial needs of organic farmers.
• Offer easy loan access for buying certified inputs and infrastructure.
• Support transition from conventional to organic farming.

3. Rich Plus: Delivering Technical Expertise: Rich Plus will play a crucial role by offering:

• On-field training for organic farming practices.
• Workshops and demonstrations to educate farmers.
• Expert support for certification processes and compliance.

Understanding Organic Farming:  Organic farming is a sustainable agricultural approach that eliminates the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. Instead, it emphasizes:

• Natural inputs like compost, green manure, biofertilizers.
• Soil health and biodiversity conservation.
• Eco-friendly pest and weed control measures.

It aligns with the global push toward climate-resilient and health-conscious agriculture.

Organic Farming in India: A Growing Movement

• India holds the 4th position globally in terms of certified organic area, according to IFOAM Statistics 2022.
• Madhya Pradesh leads in organic cultivation, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
• Sikkim became India’s first fully organic state, converting 75,000 hectares of land.
• India ranks first globally in the number of organic farmers.
• In 2022–23, India exported organic products worth $708 million, while the global organic market stands at $138 billion, indicating massive untapped export potential.

Why Organic Farming Matters: Key Benefits

1. Safer and Healthier Food: Organic produce is free from harmful chemicals and often contains higher nutritional value, including antioxidants and micronutrients.
2. Enhanced Soil Fertility:  By relying on organic manure, compost, and crop rotation, this method improves soil structure, microbial activity, and nutrient cycling.
3. Economic Gains for Farmers: Organic farming leads to:

• Lower long-term input costs.
• Premium prices in both domestic and international markets.
• Niche marketing opportunities.

4. Environmental and Climate Benefits: Practices like carbon sequestration, minimal soil disturbance, and composting help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
5. Biodiversity Support: It creates habitats for pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife, enhancing overall ecosystem stability.

Certification Systems for Organic Farming in India:

1. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):

• Operated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Focuses on third-party certification for export markets.
• Ensures compliance from production to processing and marketing.

2. Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India):

• Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• A community-based certification approach, involving mutual verification by farmers.
• Promotes local accountability and trust.

3. Food Safety Norms and Jaivik Bharat Logo: It is mandatory for all organic products sold in the domestic market to be certified under NPOP or PGS-India, and labeled with the Jaivik Bharat logo, ensuring authenticity and consumer trust.

Role of APEDA in Organic Agriculture:

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA):

• Functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Promotes the export of organic and processed food products.
• Serves as the National Accreditation Board Secretariat for certifying bodies under NPOP.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.

Government Initiatives Supporting Organic Farming:

1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):

• Offers end-to-end support to organic farmers.
• Covers training, certification, marketing, and post-harvest handling.

2. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER):

• Focused on organic farming in Northeast India.
• Supports organic clusters, value chains, and infrastructure development.

3. Jaivik Kheti Portal: A digital marketplace and knowledge hub for:

• Selling organic produce.
• Connecting farmers, buyers, and suppliers.
• Promoting awareness and benefits of organic farming.

Way Forward: Building a Resilient Organic Ecosystem: 

1. Strengthen Market Linkages: Leverage platforms like Amul and Jaivik Kheti to ensure wider procurement and branding of organic produce.
2. Promote Awareness and Training: Expand outreach and technical training to help farmers understand certification requirements, market trends, and sustainable practices.
3. Improve Certification Infrastructure: Simplify certification processes and increase the availability of local certifying agencies, especially in remote areas.

Conclusion: A Sustainable Leap Toward Future Farming

The collaboration between IOB, Amul, and Rich Plus is a significant milestone in promoting green agriculture. As consumer demand for chemical-free, healthy food rises, empowering farmers with financial tools, market access, and technical knowledge is key to unlocking India’s full potential in the organic revolution.

3. Only a Quarter of Glaciers May Survive if Global Warming Hits 2.7°C: A Stark Climate Warning

Context: A recent study published in the journal Science has sounded a powerful alarm: if the planet warms by 2.7°C—the path currently projected under existing climate policies—only 24% of the world’s current glaciers will survive. This would represent a catastrophic loss of the planet’s freshwater reserves, glacial ecosystems, and climate stability.

What Are Glaciers and Why Are They Important?

Glaciers are massive, slow-moving bodies of ice formed over centuries from compacted snow. Though they cover just about 10% of Earth’s land surface, they hold around 70% of the planet’s freshwater.

These frozen giants are critical freshwater sources, especially in mountain regions, feeding rivers, sustaining agriculture, and regulating ecosystems.

Key Findings of the Study: Alarming Glacier Loss Ahead

• Irreversible Ice Loss Even Today: Even if temperatures stopped rising immediately, the world would still lose 39% of glacier mass (relative to 2020), resulting in 113 mm of sea-level rise.
• Regional Disparities in Melting: Glaciers in Scandinavia, the Rockies of Western Canada and the US, and the European Alps are extremely sensitive and could largely vanish.
• Sensitivity to Temperature Rise: For every 0.1°C increase between 1.5°C and 3°C, glaciers lose around 2% of their total mass, with some regions experiencing even steeper losses.
• Hindu Kush Himalaya at Severe Risk: At 2°C warming, only 25% of glaciers in this region may survive. These glaciers are essential for the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra rivers, which sustain over a billion people.

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH): Asia’s Water Lifeline

• Spanning 3,500 km across eight nations—India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar—the HKH region is known as the “Water Tower of Asia.”
• It feeds 10 major river systems, including the Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra, Mekong, and Yangtze, supporting one-fourth of the global population.
• These glaciers are a climate lifeline for agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectric power across South Asia.

Consequences of Glacial Meltdown: Far-Reaching and Dangerous

• Water Scarcity in South Asia: Glacial meltwater supports India’s agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower, especially during dry seasons. Their retreat threatens year-round water availability for millions.
• Rising Sea Levels and Coastal Hazards: Melting glaciers contribute significantly to sea-level rise, posing severe risks to low-lying countries like the Maldives and coastal cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata.

• Ecosystem Disruption: Melting disrupts alpine habitats, threatens biodiversity, and increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
• Socioeconomic Fallout: Reduced water availability may lead to climate-induced migration, resource conflicts, and deepen poverty in already vulnerable communities.

Global Efforts to Protect Glaciers and the Cryosphere:

1. Paris Agreement (2015): Aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels.
2. International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI): Established after COP-15 in 2009, ICCI works to protect the cryosphere—Earth’s frozen regions—by informing policy and coordinating global research.
3. High Mountain Summit (WMO): Highlights the vulnerability of mountains and promotes early warning systems, data sharing, and adaptation strategies.
4. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE): India’s initiative to monitor and respond to climate change impacts in the Himalayan ecosystem, focusing on glacial retreat, biodiversity, and natural hazards.
5. Arctic Council: An intergovernmental forum promoting environmental protection and sustainable development in the Arctic, with lessons applicable to other glacial regions.
6. Global Ice Monitoring Programs: 

• Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• ESA’s CryoSat Mission: Uses satellite technology to monitor ice thickness, volume, and changes in polar and mountain glaciers.

Glaciers and the Global Climate System: A Delicate Balance

• Glaciers play a key role in regulating sea levels, cooling planetary temperatures, and maintaining regional water cycles.
• Their loss is not just a local tragedy, but a global crisis—affecting everything from food security to urban resilience.

Way Forward: Urgent, Coordinated Climate Action

• Strengthen Emission Reduction Commitments: Countries must align national policies with the 1.5°C climate goal and update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) accordingly.
• Accelerate Renewable Energy Transitions: Phasing out fossil fuels and investing in green energy is crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Protect Mountain Ecosystems: Implement adaptive infrastructure, improve glacial risk monitoring, and promote community resilience in vulnerable regions.
• Invest in Research and Data Sharing: Strengthen global cooperation for scientific research, satellite monitoring, and climate modeling to enhance understanding and preparedness.

Conclusion: A Call to Save Our Frozen Frontiers

The potential loss of over three-quarters of Earth’s glaciers should be a wake-up call for the world. While international agreements like the Paris Accord lay the foundation for action, true success will require swift, ambitious, and united global efforts.

4. Panama: A Strategic Hub Backing India’s Global Aspirations

5. Yashoda AI: Empowering Women Through Technology and Digital Literacy

Context: Recently, the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University in Bareilly hosted a significant event under the banner “Yashoda AI: Your AI SAKHI”, aimed at enhancing AI literacy and digital awareness among women. This initiative marks a progressive step towards bridging the gender gap in digital skills and fostering technological inclusion in India.

What is Yashoda AI?

Yashoda AI is a transformative initiative launched by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with Future Shift Labs (FSL). Its core mission is to equip women, especially those from rural and semi-urban communities, with critical skills in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Digital Safety.

Key Objectives of Yashoda AI:

• Promote inclusive digital education among women.
• Enable women to lead conversations and actions around AI and digital safety.
• Conduct interactive discussions on pressing issues such as:
  • AI-driven crimes
  • Digital privacy challenges
  • Online safety and security strategies
• Encourage participation from a wide range of community members including students, educators, and even female members of the police force.

This initiative envisions a community-led approach to digital learning where women are not just participants but innovators and leaders in shaping India’s technologically advanced future.

National Commission for Women (NCW): A Pillar of Women’s Rights

The National Commission for Women is a statutory and autonomous body established in 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. It plays a pivotal role in safeguarding and promoting the rights of women across the nation.

Composition and Tenure:

• Chairperson
• Five Members
• One Member-Secretary

All are nominated by the Central Government, and each holds office for a term of three years.

Powers of the Commission:

The NCW possesses powers equivalent to a civil court during investigations, including:

• Summoning individuals from across the country and examining them under oath.
• Requiring documents and evidence through affidavits.
• Requisitioning public records from courts or offices.
• Issuing commissions for examining witnesses and documents.

Additional Insights and Relevance:

• According to a 2023 report by UNESCO, less than 30% of tech workforce globally are women. Initiatives like Yashoda AI are vital to correct this imbalance.
• The program aligns with the Digital India mission, emphasizing equitable access to technology for all, especially underrepresented groups.
• The focus on AI and cybersecurity ensures that women are well-prepared to face the challenges of the digital age.

A Step Towards a Viksit Bharat:

Yashoda AI Abhiyan is more than an educational effort — it’s a movement to make women digitally confident, self-reliant, and future-ready. With such initiatives, India takes a firm step towards building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) driven by innovation, inclusion, and empowered citizens.

6. Autonomous Warfare Unleashed: Operation Sindoor and the Future of India-Pakistan Conflict

Context: In a bold response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor in early May — marking the first-ever autonomous drone-led military conflict between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. This four-day engagement showcased the next generation of warfare, dominated not by infantry or tanks, but by artificial intelligence, drone swarms, and electronic warfare systems operating beneath the threshold of all-out war.

The Emergence of Algorithmic Conflict: Latest Developments

Operation Sindoor represented a strategic and technological leap in South Asian warfare. From May 7 to May 10, both India and Pakistan employed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) such as armed drones, loitering munitions, and electronic decoys.

Key Highlights:

• Indian UAVs like the Heron MK-II and TAPAS-BH-201 (Rustom-II) conducted deep surveillance operations inside Pakistani territory prior to active strikes.
• India executed nine precision drone strikes, utilizing real-time ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capabilities.
• Tactical deception was employed through decoy drones to mislead Pakistani air defence systems and deplete their interceptors.

The operation concluded with a ceasefire on May 10, but not before redefining the nature of conflict in the digital age.

India’s Arsenal in the Skies: Tactical Drone Deployment

India deployed an advanced mix of indigenous and imported UAVs, utilizing both offensive and support platforms in a highly coordinated sequence:

Types of Drones Used:

• Nagastra-1: India’s homegrown loitering munition.
• Harop Drones: Israeli-origin UAVs capable of autonomous radar-seeking strikes.
• Swarm Drones: Developed by DRDO and private startups, used for radar saturation and spoofing.
• Micro and Quadcopters: Provided real-time video feeds and target tracking through the Integrated Battle Management System (IBMS).

Operational Strategy:

• Initial waves used electronic warfare payloads and decoys to jam radars and exhaust Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) stocks.
• Follow-up waves delivered precision strikes guided by ISR data from Heron MK-II and TAPAS drones.

Noteworthy Incidents:

• A cricket match in Rawalpindi was reportedly halted by drone strikes.
• An HQ-9 SAM system (Chinese-made) near Lahore was allegedly neutralised by an Indian Harop drone.

This display of precision showcased India’s dominance in autonomous engagement, reducing risk while maximizing impact.

India’s Multi-Layered Air Defence: Digital Shield in Action

India’s success during Operation Sindoor was heavily anchored in its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), the brain behind India’s modern air defence network.

Core Capabilities of IACCS:

• Integration of AWACS, satellites, radar inputs, and real-time ISR feeds.
• Automated response mechanisms for low-flying drone threats.
• Fail-safe redundancy ensures continued operation even if certain command nodes are targeted.

Countering Pakistani Disruptions:

Pakistan attempted asymmetric drone swarms with varying altitudes and timings to disrupt IACCS nodes, but India’s resilient mesh network thwarted these attempts effectively.

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs):

India also employed high-powered laser and microwave systems to disable drones instantly — ushering in next-gen kinetic defence.

Supporting Technologies: Tactical Enablers on the Battlefield

Akashteer Command System:

• Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Ensures digital coordination between sensors and firing units for real-time threat interception.
• Handles low-altitude UAV threats effectively even during electronic warfare or comm disruptions.

Low-Level Air Defence (LLAD) Systems:

• Upgraded Cold War-era platforms now feature electro-optical sights and radar-aided fire.
• BSF and Army snipers also contributed to frontline drone interceptions — a rare use of traditional marksmanship in modern conflict.

Modern Air Defence Additions:

• SPYDER System: Armed with Python-5 and Derby missiles, deployed for point defence against UAVs and cruise missiles.
• Akash and Akash-NG: Provided robust medium-range defence.
• Barak-8: Long-range, co-developed with Israel, defended high-value targets.
• S-400 ‘Triumf’ (Sudarshan Chakra): Russia’s long-range defence system integrated for strategic asset protection.

All systems were integrated via IACCS, ensuring unified response capabilities across land, sea, and air.

Redefining War: Autonomous Algorithms and Digital Dominance

Operation Sindoor may well be remembered as South Asia’s entry point into autonomous algorithmic warfare.

Major Takeaways:

• Wars no longer start with troop mobilizations, but with data, drones, and algorithms.

• This operation has redefined deterrence — replacing conventional might with AI-guided precision.
• India’s doctrine is evolving, moving toward a pre-emptive, tech-driven response framework.

Global Significance:

• This shift mirrors global trends — from Ukraine’s drone use to Israel’s automated defence grids — placing India at the forefront of autonomous battlefield innovation.
• It also emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, electromagnetic spectrum dominance, and AI policy in military strategy.

The Road Ahead: India’s Technological Edge in Combat

Operation Sindoor has set a precedent — wars of the future will be data-driven, autonomous, and algorithmically pre-planned. As India invests further in quantum communication, AI command systems, and hypersonic tech, the strategic advantage will increasingly favor nations that innovate in the digital realm.