05 June 2025: The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. Falling Short
Source – (Editorial Page, The Hindu Editorial)
| Topic: GS3 – Infrastructure, Economy, Environment, Technology |
| Context |
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Background
- On June 2, 2025, India notified a concessional import duty of 15% on completely built-up electric vehicles (EVs) contingent on investments of ₹4,150 crore over three years and domestic value addition benchmarks (25% in 3 years, 50% in 5 years). This is part of the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCD), aiming to boost domestic EV production and reduce emissions.
Challenges in India’s EV Policy:
Lack of Strong Tech Transfer Provisions:
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While incentives for localization exist, there’s no binding mandate for foreign companies to transfer battery or motor technology.
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This may reduce India to a final-assembly hub rather than an innovation leader.
Comparison with Global Best Practices:
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China mandated joint ventures till 2022, directly resulting in massive tech gains.
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The U.S. combined financial loans with incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act to support R&D.
Missed Opportunity for Strategic Industrial Growth:
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Without R&D and high-tech localization, India may remain dependent on global value chains.
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Reduced import duties may help adoption but not technological sovereignty.
Way Forward:
- India must build in compulsory technology transfer mechanisms, focus on EV battery R&D, and strengthen public-private partnerships in innovation. The long-term goal should be self-sufficiency in both EV hardware and software platforms.
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Practice Question: India’s EV policy promotes adoption but lacks focus on technological autonomy. Discuss the importance of integrating technology transfer into future industrial policies. (GS3 | 250 words | 15 marks) |
Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 05 June 2025
2. Exposomics for Better Environmental Health
Source – (Editorial Page, The Hindu Editorial)
| Topic: GS2 – Health; GS3 – Environment, Science & Tech |
| Context |
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Background
While genomics revolutionized our understanding of disease risk from within the body, exposomics focuses on what happens from outside—exposure to air, water, plastic, toxins, lifestyle, diet, etc. India, with one of the highest burdens of environmentally driven diseases, must integrate exposomic frameworks into public health and environmental governance.
Environmental Disease Burden:
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25% of all global deaths are linked to environmental factors (WHO).
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In India, air pollution, poor water quality, and hazardous chemicals significantly affect public health.
Scientific & Policy Gaps
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Health systems in India rarely capture long-term environmental exposure data.
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Lack of local research and exposure mapping tools makes it hard to regulate effectively.
Benefits of Exposomic Frameworks:
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Integrates environmental monitoring into disease prediction and prevention.
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Helps policymakers prioritize health-linked actions in urban planning and climate policy.
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Enables precision environmental health similar to precision medicine.
Way Forward:
- India must institutionalize exposomic research via national health surveys, invest in exposure surveillance infrastructure, and integrate environmental health metrics into urban governance and climate resilience planning.
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Practice Question: Environmental exposures are now as critical as genetics in shaping public health outcomes. How can India integrate exposomic research into its environmental governance framework? (GS3 – 250 words – 15 marks) |
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