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Editorials · Social Justice & Development

Syllabus-mapped editorials, PIB updates, reports, judgments, and policy news for prelims and mains revision.

22 July 2026

GS-2Editorials22 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Why Punjab’s Dalits remain divided

The article analyzes the political marginalization of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community in Punjab, despite constituting the highest percentage of the state's population (32%). It highlights that internal divisions among the 39 different SC castes, further split by religions and sects (Deras) like Ravidassias, Ad-Dharmi, Balmikis, and Mazhabis, prevent them from forming a unified political force. This fragmentation, coupled with mainstream political parties' focus on 'appeasement politics' rather than genuine empowerment through constitutional protections and reservation laws, has limited their political influence. The article notes the historical dominance of Jat Sikhs in Punjab politics and the brief tenure of Charanjit Singh Channi as the only Dalit Chief Minister since 1977. With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, political leaders, including the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, are actively courting Dera followers, underscoring the significance of Dalit voters.

Social Justice & DevelopmentIndian Polity & Governance
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GS-2Editorials22 Jul 2026thehindu.com

What must change before traffickers reach children

The article highlights the persistent issue of child trafficking in India, detailing its organized nature and the vulnerabilities exploited. It critiques the fragmented legal response, advocating for a unified law and a comprehensive 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach encompassing prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, and prosecution. It emphasizes judicial interventions, international cooperation, and disrupting the economic drivers of trafficking, stressing that a 'Viksit Bharat' must ensure every child is protected by the rule of law.

Social Justice & Development
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11 July 2026

GS-2Editorials11 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Fix the house: On social media, social media access

The article discusses the complex debate surrounding social media's impact on teenagers' mental health and the efficacy of age-based access bans. It highlights the lack of conclusive evidence for such bans, citing Australia's 'natural experiment' and its criticism by experts. Instead of outright bans, the article suggests alternative policy approaches focusing on platform regulation, digital literacy, stronger content moderation, and parental controls, acknowledging the mixed effects of social media on youth.

Social Justice & Development
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GS-2Editorials11 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Over and above: On the All India Survey on Higher Education data

The article analyzes the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) data for 2023-24, highlighting a significant narrowing of the gender gap in higher education with female enrolment rising by 42% over the past decade, reaching 2.24 crore and accounting for nearly half of all students. The Gender Parity Index (GPI) stands at 1.08, with notable increases among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. However, the article cautions that high enrolment numbers are superficial without corresponding employment opportunities. It points out that while women make up 44% of STEM students, they are concentrated in general sciences ('S') rather than engineering and technology. Furthermore, it discusses the persistent gender gap in teaching staff, the proliferation of low-tier colleges, and the disconnect between higher education and the formal job market, reflected in the low Female Labor Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) and significant wage disparities, urging policymakers to ensure fruitful paid employment for women graduates.

Social Justice & Development
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10 July 2026

GS-2Editorials10 Jul 2026thehindu.com

How a city’s working class is driven to the margins and made invisible

The article highlights the systemic marginalization and 'invisibility' of the urban working class, specifically informal waste workers and cyclists, in cities like Delhi. It argues that their lack of recognition, inadequate infrastructure (like cycling networks and footpaths), and precarious working conditions are not accidental but a result of urban planning and societal attitudes that push them to the periphery. The piece emphasizes their crucial role in the city's functioning (e.g., waste management) and their demand for dignity and formal recognition in government policies.

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09 July 2026

GS-2Editorials09 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Checkbox caste: On the counting of caste, Census 2027

The article discusses the upcoming Census 2027, highlighting its key feature of including an 'open column' for respondents to state their caste, which will have statutory backing, unlike the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC). It notes the challenges of open-ended caste data collection, as seen in the unusable 2011 SECC data, and suggests a digital method with curated lists, citing the Bihar caste survey as a potential model. The article delves into the constitutional stance against caste discrimination while arguing that empirical caste data is indispensable for targeting welfare and social justice measures, affirmative action, and informing policies related to the 'creamy layer' and sub-categorisation of castes.

Indian Polity & GovernanceSocial Justice & Development
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GS-2Editorials09 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Prisoners of violence: On Sri Lanka’s prison riots

The article discusses a deadly prison riot in Sri Lanka, which resulted in 28 deaths and over 100 injuries, highlighting severe issues of mismanagement, official apathy, and chronic overcrowding in the country's prisons. The incident, linked to an alleged drug operation, underscores the challenges faced by the Anura Kumara Dissanayake administration in tackling the narcotics menace and improving dire prison conditions. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka had previously flagged these issues, and the government has now appointed a committee to investigate, accepting responsibility for deaths in state custody.

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04 July 2026

GS-2Editorials04 Jul 2026thehindu.com

Counting cancer: On making cancer a notifiable disease in India

The article advocates for making cancer a nationally notifiable disease in India, highlighting that currently, only some states have done so. It points out the limitations of existing population-based and hospital-based cancer registries, which cover a small percentage of the population and have an urban bias. The article emphasizes the need for comprehensive data to formulate an effective national cancer control program, especially given the projected significant increase in cancer cases by 2045, and notes that the ICMR-NINE has previously recommended this step.

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03 July 2026

GS-2Editorials03 Jul 2026thehindu.com

A shot at life, Mandsaur’s model for HPV vaccination

The article details a successful HPV vaccination campaign in Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh, aimed at preventing cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among Indian women. It highlights India's significant cervical cancer burden and the Government of India's nationwide campaign to provide free HPV vaccinations to girls aged 14-15. The Mandsaur model adopted a data-driven, decentralized, and adaptive strategy, specifically targeting vulnerable populations like the Banchhada community, nomadic tribes, urban slums, and school dropouts. It leveraged existing government databases (RBSK, SAMAGRA MP, Ladli Laxmi Yojana) and employed a 'Nudge Approach' to overcome vaccine hesitancy, social stigma, and logistical barriers. The campaign integrated with ongoing healthcare programs and achieved 100% of its vaccination target in less than 40 days, demonstrating effective grassroots implementation.

Social Justice & Development
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30 June 2026

GS-2Editorials30 Jun 2026thehindu.com

Caught in the middle: On India and curbing drug abuse

The article discusses India's vulnerability to drug trafficking due to its location between major drug-producing regions (Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle), with Myanmar emerging as a leading source. It highlights challenges in enforcement, such as the use of drones, darknet, and cryptocurrencies by traffickers, and issues with domestic production using diverted pharmaceutical ingredients. The piece critically examines India's response, noting the prevalence of physical abuse in private de-addiction centers, the urban-rural disparity in access to rehabilitation, social stigma, and gender-specific barriers to treatment. It emphasizes the need for a shift from focusing solely on seizures and arrests to a 'whole of society' approach that prioritizes rehabilitation and restoring lives, as exemplified by initiatives like Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.

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29 June 2026

GS-2Editorials29 Jun 2026thehindu.com

How schools can tackle adolescent malnutrition

The article highlights adolescent malnutrition as a silent public health emergency in India, characterized by a 'double burden' of undernutrition and rising obesity, as evidenced by NFHS-6 (2023-24) and CNNS (2019) data. It notes the spread of lifestyle diseases like obesity and high blood sugar to rural populations and the prevalence of the 'thin-fat' phenotype. Emphasizing schools as critical settings for prevention, the article proposes interventions such as improved midday meals, healthier canteens, promoting fruits/vegetables, discouraging Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) and sugary drinks, and ensuring structured physical activity. It also mentions the 'Let’s Fix Our Food' (LFOF) initiative led by ICMR-NIN, which aims to create healthier food environments through policy, nutrition literacy, and regulatory frameworks.

Social Justice & Development
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24 June 2026

GS-2Editorials24 Jun 2026thehindu.com

Reconnect public health with people’s needs

The article critically analyzes recent Indian public health policies, specifically the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission. It argues that these initiatives fail to address fundamental issues of healthcare access, affordability, and quality, instead shifting focus from measurable population health outcomes to subjective individual well-being and data generation without strengthening the core public health infrastructure. The author contends that policies are not recognizing people's immediate needs for curative care and are undermining the ability to evaluate health systems effectively.

Social Justice & Development
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