APPSC Daily Current Affairs - 26th December 2025
Source: Deccan Chronicle
Relevance:
GS Paper 3: Science & Technology – Indigenous knowledge and innovation ecosystem
Why in News?
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, is set to inaugurate the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan at the National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, highlighting the integration of India’s traditional knowledge systems with contemporary science.
About Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan
- Nature: National-level science and knowledge conclave
- Dates: December 26–29, 2025
- Venue: National Sanskrit University, Tirupati
- Inauguration: By the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
Objectives of the Sammelan
- To highlight the link between Bharatiya (Indian) traditional knowledge systems and modern science
- To promote a Bharatiya perspective in scientific discourse
- To showcase regional experiences, including those of Andhra Pradesh
- To encourage dialogue between scientists, thinkers, industry, and students
Key Features
- Interactive sessions with:
- Scientists
- Industrialists
- Thinkers and scholars
- Participation of premier institutions:
- ISRO
- DRDO
- Other national research bodies
- Large science book fair
- Scientific exhibitions
- Student outreach programmes to promote scientific temper
Significance
- Reinforces the idea of knowledge continuity between ancient Indian wisdom and modern scientific advancements
- Supports India’s push towards indigenous knowledge systems and intellectual self-reliance
- Encourages scientific temper aligned with cultural roots
- Complements national initiatives promoting Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in education and research
Way Forward
- Institutionalising outcomes of such conclaves into research, curriculum, and policy
- Strengthening collaboration between traditional scholars and modern scientists
- Encouraging youth engagement to bridge heritage and innovation
Conclusion
The Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan represents an important step in redefining India’s scientific narrative by harmonising traditional knowledge with modern science, fostering cultural confidence while advancing scientific inquiry.
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan held in Tirupati:
- It aims to integrate India’s traditional knowledge systems with contemporary scientific practices.
- Institutions like ISRO and DRDO are participating in the event.
- The event is organised exclusively for policymakers and does not involve student outreach.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct as the Sammelan focuses on linking traditional knowledge with modern science and involves national research institutions. Statement 3 is incorrect because the event includes student outreach programmes.
Source: The Hindu
Relevance:
GS Paper III: Internal security, coastal security, maritime security, infrastructure security, cybersecurity of critical infrastructure
Important Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
- Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), Merchant Shipping Act 2025, ISPS Code, Coastal Security, CISF, Maritime Terrorism, Cybersecurity of Ports, Indian Ports Act 2025, Maritime India Vision 2030
For Mains:
- Coastal Security Architecture, Maritime Governance, Regulatory Oversight, Centre–State Relations, Maritime Federalism, Port-led Development, Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure, Ease of Doing Business vs Security
Why in News?
The Union Government has constituted the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) as a statutory body under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. The BoPS has been created to provide a unified regulatory and oversight framework for the security of ships and port facilities across India, at a time when maritime trade, port capacity, and coastal vulnerabilities are rapidly expanding.
What is the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)?
About
The Bureau of Port Security is a central statutory regulatory authority responsible for overseeing security arrangements at ports and port facilities in India. It is modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Legal Basis
- Constituted under Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
- Empowered to enforce international maritime security obligations, including the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
Institutional Design
- Acts as the nodal agency for port security regulation
- Coordinates with operational security forces rather than replacing them
Why was BoPS Created?
India’s coastal security framework has traditionally been fragmented, involving multiple agencies:
- Indian Navy
- Indian Coast Guard
- Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
- State Maritime Police
This multi-agency arrangement, while operationally robust, often resulted in:
- Overlapping jurisdictions
- Coordination gaps
- Delayed intelligence sharing
- Uneven security standards across ports
The BoPS addresses these issues by providing single-point statutory oversight, standardisation, and coordination.
Role and Functions of BoPS
1. Regulatory Oversight
- Enforcement of ISPS Code across all major and non-major ports
- Ensuring uniform security protocols for ships and port facilities
2. Standardisation of Security Measures
- Designation of CISF as a Recognised Security Organisation
- Preparation of:
- Standard Security Plans
- Port Facility Security Assessments
- Training modules for public and private security agencies
3. Coordination & Intelligence Sharing
- Acts as a coordination hub among:
- Central agencies
- State maritime authorities
- Port operators
- Facilitates real-time information exchange on maritime threats
4. Addressing Emerging Maritime Threats
BoPS is mandated to monitor, deter, and counter:
- Maritime terrorism
- Arms and narcotics smuggling
- Human trafficking and illegal migration
- Piracy and poaching
- Cyber threats to port IT and logistics systems
5. Cybersecurity of Ports
- Dedicated division for protecting:
- Port IT infrastructure
- Digital logistics platforms
- Automated cargo-handling systems
- Coordination with national cybersecurity agencies for threat mitigation
India’s Maritime Growth and Security Imperatives
India’s maritime sector has witnessed a decade of rapid expansion:
- Cargo handled increased from 974 MMT (2014) to 1,594 MMT (2025)
- Port capacity expanded by 57%
- Ship turnaround time reduced to 48 hours
- Coastal shipping rose by 118%
- Inland waterway cargo increased eightfold
- Nine Indian ports featured in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index
Port Landscape (2025)
- 12 major ports (Union List; handle ~53% cargo)
- 217 non-major ports, including:
- 66 cargo ports
- Predominantly fishing ports
- Private ports like Mundra and Sikka handle nearly 19% of cargo traffic
This scale of growth necessitates robust and modern security governance, making BoPS a strategic requirement rather than an administrative addition.
Modernisation of Port Laws in India
To align maritime growth with security and efficiency, India has undertaken comprehensive legal reforms:
- Indian Ports Act, 2025 (replacing the 1908 Act)
- Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
- Coastal Shipping Act, 2025
- Establishment of BoPS
Objectives of New Framework
- Risk-based security approach
- Simplification of licensing and compliance
- Encouragement of Indian shipping ownership
- Promotion of eco-friendly and cost-efficient transport
- Strengthening ease of doing business without compromising security
These reforms align with Maritime India Vision 2030, which prioritises best-in-class port infrastructure and secure maritime logistics.
Key Challenges in Coastal and Port Security
- Expanding Coastline Exposure: Over 7,500 km of coastline with diverse port profiles
- Dual-use Ports: Fishing ports being exploited for illegal trafficking
- Cyber Vulnerabilities: Digitisation increases exposure to cyberattacks
- Asymmetric Threats: Terrorism and smuggling using low-cost maritime routes
- Centre–State Coordination: Security oversight across Union and State jurisdictions
BoPS seeks to address these through centralised regulation with decentralised execution.
Criticisms and Federal Concerns
Maritime Federalism
- Coastal States have criticised increased Union control over non-major (State-owned) ports
- Described as a potential “silent cost to federalism”
Powers of Port Authorities
- Indian Ports Act, 2025 grants wide inspection and entry powers to port officials
- Concerns raised over:
- Lack of explicit judicial safeguards
- Possible overreach affecting civil liberties
These criticisms are primarily directed at the legislative framework, though they influence the operational environment of BoPS.
Conclusion
The Bureau of Port Security represents a structural shift in India’s maritime security governance, aligning regulatory oversight with the scale and complexity of modern port-led growth. While concerns regarding federal balance and procedural safeguards merit attention, BoPS has the potential to significantly enhance India’s ability to secure its coastline, ports, and maritime trade routes. Effective implementation, transparency, and cooperative federalism will be key to realising its strategic promise.
UPSC PYQ
Q. Consider the following pairs:
| Port | Well known as |
| 1. Kamarajar Port | First major port in India registered as a company |
| 2. Mundra Port | Largest privately owned port in India |
| 3. Visakhapatnam Port | Largest container port in India |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the pairs
Answer: (b) Only two pairs
Explanation:
Pair 1: Kamarajar Port – First major port in India registered as a company
Correct
Kamarajar Port (formerly Ennore Port), located on the Coromandel Coast near Chennai, is the only corporatised major port in India. It is registered as a company under the Companies Act and follows the landlord port model, making it the first major port in India with this status.
Pair 2: Mundra Port – Largest privately owned port in India
Correct
Mundra Port, situated on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, is India’s largest private port. Operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ), it is a major hub for container, bulk, and multipurpose cargo.
Pair 3: Visakhapatnam Port – Largest container port in India
Incorrect
The largest container port in India is Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT / Nhava Sheva) on the west coast. Visakhapatnam Port is a major port but not the largest container port.
CARE MCQ
Q.With reference to the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), consider the following statements:
- It is a statutory body established under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
- It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It is responsible for enforcing the ISPS Code in Indian ports.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: BoPS is a statutory body under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: It functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- Statement 3 is correct: Enforcement of the ISPS Code is a core mandate of BoPS.
Source: The Hindu
Relevance:
GS Paper – I, Modern Indian history – significant events- rise of left-wing and communist movements during the freedom struggle.
Important Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
- Communist Party of India (CPI), Kanpur (Cawnpore) Conference, 1925, Tashkent CPI (1920), Comintern (Communist International), Russian Revolution (1917), Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929), Tebhaga Movement, Telangana Peasant Armed Struggle, CPI–CPI(M) Split (1964)
For Mains:
- Anti-imperialist struggle and socialism, Marxism–Leninism in colonial context, Workers’ and peasants’ movements, Parliamentary vs revolutionary Left, Class politics and social justice, Ideology and Indian democracy.
Why in News?
- December 26, 2025 marks 100 years of the Communist Party of India (CPI).
- CPI traces its origin to the Kanpur (Cawnpore) Conference of 1925, the first coordinated attempt on Indian soil to form an all-India Communist party.
- The centenary has revived debates on the origins, ideological evolution, role in freedom struggle, post-Independence trajectory, and contemporary relevance of Indian Communism.
Background: Global Roots of Communist Ideology
- French Revolution (1789) and Napoleonic Wars created the Right–Left political divide in Europe.
- Industrial capitalism produced wealth but also deep economic inequalities.
- Karl Marx, through scientific socialism, predicted capitalism’s collapse and its replacement by socialism.
- Contrary to Marx’s expectation of revolution in Western Europe, the first successful socialist revolution occurred in Russia (1917).
- The Bolshevik Revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin, opposed monarchy, capitalism, and imperialism.
- This revolution deeply inspired colonial societies, including India, suffering under imperial domination.
- Communist parties and Soviets spread rapidly across non-European regions.
Three Political Strands Leading to Indian Communism
1. Diasporic Revolutionary Stream
- Led by M.N. Roy, Raja Mahendra Pratap, Virendranath Chattopadhyay, Abdul Rab, Trimul Acharya.
- Roy represented India at the Communist International (Comintern) in 1920.
- Comintern advised Communists in colonies to:
- Prioritise anti-imperialist struggle
- Form temporary alliances with nationalist forces
- Asian Communist Conference planned at Tashkent (Soviet Turkistan).
2. Indigenous Left Groups within India
- Independent socialist groups emerged:
- Bombay – S.A. Dange
- Calcutta – Muzaffar Ahmad
- Lahore – Ghulam Hussain
- Madras – Singaravelu Chettiar
- These groups awaited national coordination for effective political action.
3. Workers’ and Peasants’ Organisations
- Growth of organised labour movements.
- Formation of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920, presided over by Lala Lajpat Rai.
- Provided mass base for Communist ideology.
Tashkent (1920) vs Kanpur (1925): Two Foundational Moments
Tashkent CPI (1920)
- Formed by émigré revolutionaries with Comintern approval.
- Objective: overthrow British imperialism and establish socialism.
- Limitations:
- No mass base in India
- No coordination with indigenous Communist groups
- Strongly associated with M.N. Roy, later expelled from CPI.
Kanpur Conference (1925)
- Held in an industrial centre with strong working-class presence.
- Coincided with:
- Annual INC session
- Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case (1923), where Dange, Muzaffar Ahmad and S.V. Ghate were convicted.
- Resolutions:
- Formation of Communist Party of India
- Establishment of a workers’ and peasants’ republic
- Liberation from British rule
- Socialisation of means of production and distribution
- CPI recognises Kanpur 1925 as its foundation, while CPI(M) traces origins to Tashkent 1920.
Communists in the Anti-Imperialist Struggle
- Active throughout the freedom movement, except 1942–45, when:
- CPI prioritised global anti-Fascist struggle during World War II over Quit India.
- Formed Workers’ and Peasants’ Parties (1925–28).
- Faced repression:
- Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929) targeting railway strike organisers.
- 1930s:
- United Front with Congress Socialist Party (CSP).
- Front collapsed in 1939 due to ideological differences.
Major Mass Movements Led by Communists
- Tebhaga Movement (Bengal) – greater crop share for cultivators.
- Telangana Peasant Armed Struggle – land redistribution in Hyderabad State.
- Support for spontaneous mass resistance against colonial rule.
Post-Independence Trajectory
- Movement split between:
- Insurrectionary underground politics
- Parliamentary democratic path
- Electoral successes:
- Governments in Kerala, West Bengal, Tripura
- Coalition roles at the Centre
- 1964 CPI–CPI(M) split due to:
- Sino-Soviet split
- Approach towards Congress
- Role of Constitution and parliamentary democracy
Criticism and Contemporary Relevance
- Criticised for:
- Authoritarianism
- Corruption
- Ideological rigidity
- Despite decline, Communism remains relevant due to:
- Persistent global inequality
- Labour exploitation
- “Social equator” dividing beneficiaries and victims of development
- Continues as a philosophical and political voice for the underprivileged.
Significance
- CPI’s centenary highlights:
- Interaction between global ideology and Indian nationalism
- Contribution of Left movements to labour rights, agrarian reform, and federal politics
- Enduring relevance of class-based analysis in modern India
Conclusion
- Indian Communism evolved through international inspiration and indigenous struggle.
- While organisational influence has declined, its ideas continue to shape debates on social justice, labour rights, and inequality.
- The CPI’s journey reflects the complexities of adapting revolutionary ideology within democratic frameworks.
CARE MCQ
Q. The Kanpur Conference of 1925 is considered significant in the history of Indian Communism because it:
(a) Established the first trade union in India
(b) Formed the Communist Party of India through an indigenous initiative
(c) Marked India’s formal entry into the Comintern
(d) Coincided with the formation of the Congress Socialist Party
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The Kanpur Conference of 1925 is regarded by CPI as the foundational moment of the Communist Party of India, representing the first coordinated indigenous effort to establish an all-India Communist organisation.
