1) India’s Private Philanthropy to Grow by 10-12%: Key Trends and Projections

GS 3: Economy: Private Funding

Why is it in the news?

• India’s private funding in the social sector is expected to grow annually by 10-12% over the next five years, primarily driven by family philanthropy from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs).
• According to the India Philanthropy Report (IPR) 2025, released by Dasra and Bain & Co., the country’s total social sector funding in FY24 stands at approximately ₹25 lakh crore ($300 billion).
• Public spending dominates this landscape, accounting for 95% (₹23 lakh crore), covering schemes such as MGNREGS and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. In contrast, private philanthropy currently contributes around ₹1.3 lakh crore ($16 billion).
• The report highlights that more structured support for family philanthropy could unlock an additional ₹50,000-55,000 crore ($6–$7 billion) in the next five years.

Role of HNIs in Philanthropy

• Private philanthropy in India remains lower compared to major economies. The 2022 report found that Indian ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs) contribute between 0.1% to 0.15% of their wealth, significantly lower than the 1.2% to 2.5% in the US, 0.5% to 1.8% in the UK, and 0.5% to 1.4% in China.
• The 2025 report categorizes UHNIs as individuals with a net worth exceeding ₹1,000 crore, HNIs as those with ₹200-1,000 crore, and the “Affluent” group as those with ₹7-200 crore. On average, UHNIs donated ₹5 crore, HNIs contributed ₹0.4-5 crore, and Affluent individuals gave less than ₹0.4 crore in FY24.
• Within UHNIs, major family-owned businesses—Tata, Ambani, Adani, and Birla—accounted for 20% of family CSR spending, with each contributing around ₹800-1,000 crore.

Comparison with Global Philanthropy

• Private philanthropy has a stronger tradition in the US. A 2024 Forbes analysis found that billionaires such as Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and MacKenzie Scott have donated at least 20% of their wealth.
• In contrast, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has given away less than 1%. This stark difference highlights the potential for India’s wealthiest individuals to expand their contributions.

Future Projections and Growth Factors

• The projected rise in private philanthropy is linked to the growing number of HNIs and affluent givers. The report forecasts the addition of 100 million+ upper-mid and high-income households by 2030, bringing their total to 168 million from 61 million in 2018.
• Additionally, the UHNI segment is expected to witness modest growth, with key figures like Shiv Nadar and Azim Premji driving contributions in FY23.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending is also set to increase by 10-12%, driven by stronger compliance.
• Indian law mandates that firms with a net worth of ₹500 crore, annual turnover exceeding ₹1,000 crore, or net profits above ₹5 crore must allocate at least 2% of their average net profit (from the preceding three financial years) to CSR initiatives.
• The number of firms meeting this requirement rose by over 20%, from 12,000 in FY22 to around 15,000 in FY23.

Focus Areas and Emerging Trends

• The report found that 40% of family philanthropy is directed toward gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI), while 29% supports climate action. Women play a crucial role, leading 55% of family-driven philanthropic initiatives.
• Another emerging trend is the rise of family offices—firms managing the wealth of HNIs and their families—which have increased from 45 in 2018 to 300 in 2023.
• The report suggests that leveraging family offices and creating structured mechanisms to channel funds into the nonprofit sector can significantly enhance India’s philanthropic landscape.

2) Connecting People from the Moon: NASA and Nokia’s Lunar Cellular Network

GS 3: Science and Technology: Lunar cellular connectivity

Why is it in the news?

• A year after making history as the first private company to land on the moon, Intuitive Machines has launched its second mission, IM-2, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre on February 26. The Athena moon lander, built by Intuitive Machines, detached from the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and is expected to land on the moon by March 6.
• While the primary objective of the ten-day mission is to mine for valuable resources on the moon’s far side, it will also test the first-ever lunar surface cellular network. This initiative is part of a collaboration between NASA and Finnish telecom giant Nokia.

Lunar Cellular Connectivity: A Game-Changer

• Until now, moon-to-Earth communication has relied solely on radio waves, requiring a direct line of sight between lunar and Earth-based antennas. However, this method is impractical for the far side of the moon, which never faces Earth.
• As part of NASA’s Artemis program—aiming to return astronauts to the moon before 2030—a lunar communications network is crucial for real-time high-resolution video streaming and data transmission.
• In 2020, Nokia Bell Labs secured a NASA contract to develop an “ultra-compact, low-power, space-hardened, end-to-end LTE solution.” The goal is to prove that the same cellular technology used on Earth can support lunar missions.
• In 2023, Nokia announced its partnership with Intuitive Machines to modify commercial cellular components for lunar conditions. By January 2024, Nokia had fully integrated its Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) into the Athena lander.

How the Lunar 4G Network Works

• The LSCS will operate using 4G/LTE technology, chosen for its established efficiency, scalability, and potential future transition to 5G networks.
• The system comprises two key components—a lunar rover and a hopper—which will attempt to connect to the cellular network while exploring the lunar surface. Athena will remain connected to Earth, enabling high-definition video streaming and remote command operations.
• All LSCS components, except for the antenna and power source, are contained within a single “network in a box.” The Athena lander houses the antenna, which acts as the base station and transmission tower. The network box will be powered by the lander’s solar panels. However, the 4G network is designed to function only for a few days during the IM-2 mission.

IM-2 Mission and Lunar Exploration

• Intuitive Machines, based in Texas, became the first private company to complete a successful moon landing in February 2024, delivering six NASA payloads, including one at the lunar south pole.
• The IM-2 mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, aims to build on this success. It targets Mons Mouton, a mountain at the moon’s south pole, an area of great scientific interest.
• The moon’s south pole is believed to contain ice and rare minerals, essential for future space exploration. IM-2 will deploy a pair of NASA instruments to drill three feet into the lunar surface to search for water and carbon dioxide.
• The discovery of water could pave the way for a permanent lunar base and provide essential resources for manned missions to the moon and beyond.

Conclusion

• The success of the IM-2 mission, particularly the deployment of lunar cellular technology, could revolutionize future lunar missions, enhance real-time communication, and bring human settlement on the moon one step closer to reality.

3) Flaws in the New Law for Appointment of Election Commissioners: A Threat to Electoral Integrity

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Concern over ECs appointment

Why is it in the news?

• The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 is the first law enacted under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).
• This law was introduced in response to the Supreme Court’s March 2023 order, which directed that CEC and ECs should be appointed by a high-powered committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India (CJI). This was an interim measure until Parliament enacted a law on the subject.

An Analysis

Challenging the New Law

• Historically, the CEC and ECs were appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, a practice the Supreme Court found unsatisfactory. The Court believed this process could affect the impartiality of the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country.
• Despite complying with the Supreme Court’s direction, the government altered the committee’s composition by replacing the CJI with a cabinet Minister, nominated by the Prime Minister.
• The new committee now consists of the Prime Minister as the chairperson, the LoP, and a cabinet Minister. This law has been challenged on the grounds that it violates the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench ruling.
• The law also introduces a search committee, led by the Law Minister and two senior bureaucrats, to shortlist five candidates for the selection committee’s consideration. The names of shortlisted candidates have not been made public.
• Eventually, the senior-most EC was appointed as CEC by the majority decision of the Prime Minister and the cabinet Minister, while the LoP dissented and urged that the selection be postponed until the Court resolves the legal challenge. However, as per the law, the selection was finalized, and the appointments were officially notified.
• Now that the case has reached the Supreme Court, it is essential to analyze the constitutional validity of the selection process for appointing these high-ranking electoral officials.

Infirmities in the Selection Process

• The Election Commission of India (ECI), under Article 324 of the Constitution, is responsible for conducting elections to Parliament, State legislatures, the offices of the President and Vice President, and maintaining electoral rolls.
• The Supreme Court in Election Commission of India vs. State of Tamil Nadu (1993) emphasized that the ECI is a high constitutional authority with the duty of ensuring free and fair elections and preserving the purity of the electoral process.
• Given that 960 million voters participate in elections in India, conducting a free and fair election on such a massive scale demands that the CEC and ECs be individuals of unimpeachable integrity, proven competence, and absolute impartiality. Thus, their selection process must be constitutionally sound and inspire public confidence.

Flaws in the Selection Committee Composition

• The most controversial aspect of the new law is the composition of the selection committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, with the LoP and a cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister as the other two members.
• Under Section 7 of the Act, the President must appoint the CEC and ECs based on the recommendation of the selection committee. The committee’s decision is final, making it the most crucial authority in the selection process.
• However, the major flaw in this provision is that it inherently favours the government. Since one member (the cabinet Minister) is nominated by the Prime Minister, the government always holds the majority.
• This setup makes an objective assessment of candidates impossible, as only government-preferred candidates can be selected. The purpose of the selection committee should be to assess candidates independently, but under this law, the outcome is predetermined in favour of the ruling government.
• Additionally, the Prime Minister nominates one of the committee members, undermining the independence of the selection process. A cabinet Minister, being a part of the government, cannot oppose the Prime Minister’s decision.
• As a result, the selection process lacks fairness and objectivity, making it incapable of ensuring the best candidate is chosen.

Violation of Constitutional Principles

• The structural flaws in this law make it constitutionally unsustainable because the selection process is arbitrary and lacks a rational basis. By ensuring a permanent majority for the government, the law prevents a fair and impartial assessment of candidates, potentially violating Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Constitution.
• Moreover, the selection of the CEC and ECs directly impacts the fairness of elections, which is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution. If the government always secures a majority in the selection process, it compromises the integrity of elections, making free and fair elections a casualty.

Conclusion

• The Supreme Court now has the responsibility to critically examine this law and its implications for electoral democracy in India.
• A selection process that undermines free and fair elections not only weakens democratic institutions but also challenges the fundamental principles of the Constitution.

4) The SEC and Hague Service Convention

GS 2: International Relations: Hague Service Convention

Why is it in the news?

• The S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sought assistance from the Indian government under the Hague Service Convention to serve summons on billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani. This is part of a securities and wire fraud case being pursued in a New York court.
• The request was made under Article 5(a) of the Convention, with India’s Ministry of Law and Justice being asked to facilitate the service of summons. Additionally, the SEC is considering alternative service methods under Rule 4(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

U.S. Enforcement of the FCPA and the Adani Case

• The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), under which the Adanis have been charged, prohibits U.S. entities from bribing foreign officials to secure business. However, on February 10, the Trump administration paused its enforcement for 180 days, directing the Attorney General to review all ongoing FCPA cases.
• Despite this, the SEC’s latest court filing indicates that the pause does not apply retroactively, meaning the investigation against the Adanis is likely to proceed unless the law is amended.

Understanding the Hague Service Convention

• The Hague Service Convention, formally known as the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, 1965, was established to ensure that defendants in foreign jurisdictions receive timely legal notices.
• It was adopted at the Hague Conference on Private International Law to streamline cross-border litigation and proof of service. The treaty applies only when both the sending and receiving countries are signatories, and each member state must designate a central authority to process service requests.

The Convention outlines multiple service methods, including:

• Primary mode: Service through the designated central authority.
• Alternative channels: Postal services, diplomatic and consular channels, direct communication between judicial officers, and direct contact between the requesting party and judicial authorities of the receiving state.

How India Processes Service Requests

• India acceded to the Convention in 2006 but made specific reservations, explicitly opposing all alternative service methods under Article 10. This means judicial documents cannot be served through diplomatic or consular channels unless the recipient is a national of the requesting country. Additionally, all service requests must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.
• Valid service in India is executed solely through the Ministry of Law and Justice, India’s designated central authority. The Ministry can reject a service request but must provide a valid reason, such as concerns over sovereignty or security under Article 13.
• However, it cannot refuse a request solely because of exclusive domestic jurisdiction over the case. If there are no objections, the summons is treated as an Indian court order under Section 29(c) of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. The entire process typically takes six to eight months.

Default Judgment Under the Convention

• A default judgment may be issued if a foreign government fails to serve summons on a defendant within its jurisdiction. However, certain conditions under Article 15 must be met:
• The document must have been transmitted using the prescribed methods.
• At least six months must have elapsed since transmission.
• No certificate of service has been received despite all efforts.
• India has explicitly stated that its courts may issue default judgments in cross-border disputes even if no service certificate is received, provided Article 15 conditions are met. This principle was highlighted in Duong v. DDG BIM Services LLC (2023), where U.S. plaintiffs sought to serve Indian defendants via email due to delays in India’s central authority.
• The court emphasized that Article 15 acts as a “safety valve”, allowing default judgments if India fails to fulfil its obligations.

Conclusion

• The SEC’s efforts to serve summons on the Adanis under the Hague Service Convention highlight the complexities of cross-border litigation. While the Convention ensures a structured process for legal notices, India’s strict reservations limit alternative service methods.
• As the case unfolds, the effectiveness of India’s central authority in processing such requests will be closely scrutinized, particularly in the context of international legal cooperation.

5) African Giant Pouched Rats: A Novel Approach to TB Diagnosis

GS 3: Science and Technology: Eliminating Tuberculosis

Why is it in the news?

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health issue, with over 10 million new infections annually. India bears a significant burden, accounting for nearly 28% of global TB cases and an estimated 5 lakh deaths each year.
• Despite advancements in medical science, diagnosing TB remains difficult, particularly in children and individuals with low bacillary loads. The government’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) aims to eradicate TB by 2025, but challenges such as undetected cases, delayed diagnoses, and limited access to diagnostic facilities in rural areas hinder progress.

HeroRATS: A Breakthrough in TB Detection

• APOPO, a non-profit based in Tanzania, has introduced an innovative approach by training African giant pouched rats (HeroRATS) to detect TB in sputum samples. These rats possess highly sensitive olfactory receptors, allowing them to identify TB cases that traditional diagnostic methods often miss.
• They serve as a secondary diagnostic tool, improving early detection and reducing transmission, especially in resource-limited settings. The initiative has been successfully implemented in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Ethiopia.
• The training process for HeroRATS begins at two to three months of age and lasts up to nine months. They are conditioned to identify TB-positive samples using operant conditioning, receiving a reward (a smoothie) upon successful detection. Each trained rat can analyze 100 samples in just 20 minutes, a task that would take a laboratory technician three to four days using conventional methods.
• APOPO staff collect test samples daily from directly observed therapy (DOT) facilities, and the rats assess them in a controlled environment. When a rat detects TB, it signals by holding its nose in the scent hole for at least three seconds. These positive samples are then further verified through Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) and fluorescent microscopy.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Rat-Based TB Diagnosis

• A study demonstrated that HeroRATS detected TB cases at twice the rate of conventional methods, particularly in children. The study, conducted in Tanzania, analyzed 35,766 patients, of whom 5.3% were smear-positive while 94.7% were smear- or Xpert-negative. Among the latter group, rats identified 2,029 additional TB cases that would have otherwise gone undetected.
• The study highlighted that the rats were particularly effective in identifying TB cases with scanty bacillary loads, detecting six times more cases in both children and adults compared to traditional methods. Research is also ongoing to determine their effectiveness in detecting drug-resistant TB.

Disease Detection by Animals

• HeroRATS are not the only animals with the ability to detect diseases. Several species have demonstrated remarkable olfactory capabilities in identifying various illnesses. Dogs, for example, possess between 125 million and 300 million olfactory receptors and are widely used for detecting diseases such as Parkinson’s.
• Similarly, ants have shown promise in detecting cancer. A French study found that ants could distinguish cancer cells within three days using chemical cues and a sugar reward.
• Honeybees are another macrosmatic species with highly sensitive olfactory lobes. Research conducted by Michigan State University demonstrated that honeybees could detect lung cancer by identifying synthetic biomarkers in artificial human breath.
• Their neural activity changes in response to cancerous and non-cancerous samples, achieving an 88% accuracy rate in distinguishing between small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These studies highlight how nature’s biological sensors could revolutionize disease detection.

Potential for Implementation in India

• Given India’s high TB burden and the challenges in early detection, integrating HeroRATS into the National TB Elimination Programme could enhance case identification, particularly in underserved areas. While the initiative is promising, its feasibility depends on government approval.
• According to experts, HeroRATS could significantly improve case detection among children and smear-negative patients. Further, a phased approach, starting in high-TB burden states, followed by gradual expansion might ensure efficiency and effectiveness.