1. Reading The Hike
(Source: Editorial Page, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS3: Agriculture, MSP Policy, Food Security, Environmental Impact

Context

The Government of India has announced a fresh round of Minimum Support Price (MSP) hikes for kharif crops just ahead of the monsoon sowing season. The editorial evaluates the timing, composition, and implications of these hikes, especially concerning paddy, pulses, and oilseeds.

Timely but Measured Increase

• MSP for paddy raised by ₹69/quintal – the lowest in five years.

• Strategically done before monsoon sowing to help farmers plan cropping patterns.

Economic and Environmental Angle

• India has excess paddy stock (46 times buffer norm), worsening groundwater depletion and methane emissions.

• A higher MSP could have encouraged overproduction, so the modest hike is a second-best compromise.

Crop Diversification Encouraged

• Higher hikes given for oilseeds and pulses (e.g., groundnut, urad, soybean) – up to 13% for some.

• Aims to shift cultivation away from water-intensive rice toward nutritional and sustainable crops.

Way Forward

• MSP policy must align with nutritional security, climate resilience, and market rationality. Long-term reforms should include Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) and price support for diversified crops.

Read Detailed Report Here: Reading the Hike- A Detailed Analysis

Practice Question: “Declining FDI inflows reflect deeper structural concerns in India’s investment climate.” Examine. (15 marks, 250 words)

 

2. The Deregulation We Need

(Source: Editorial Page, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS3: Indian Economy, Regulatory Reforms, Ease of Doing Business

Context

This editorial critiques India’s excessive regulatory burdens across sectors, arguing for a major deregulation drive to spur productivity, investment, and job creation.

India’s Overregulated Economy

• Multiple ministries and departments overlap; example: 150+ labor laws.

• Entrepreneurs face hurdles due to excessive licenses, permits, and inspections.

Cost of Regulation

• Regulatory cholesterol reduces firm-level productivity and discourages innovation.

• Disproportionately hurts small firms and informal sector job creation.

Reform Imperative

• Deregulation = simplification + accountability.

• Editorial calls for:

  • Culling outdated laws.

  • Unified national labor code implementation.

  • Removing sectoral barriers in education, labor, and finance.

Conclusion/Way Forward:

• India must prioritize regulatory simplification, empower states for decentralization, and enhance trust-based governance frameworks to unleash economic growth.

Read Detailed Report Here: The Deregulation We Need- Detailed Analysis

Practice Question: “India’s regulatory framework is stifling its economic potential.” Critically examine the need for deregulation and suggest reform measures. (15 marks, 250 words)

 

Read more – 29 May 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis