A recent social audit by the Ministry of Social Justice showed that the deaths of sewer and septic tank workers in 2022-23 were more than 90 per cent without any safety equipment. Among 54 cases analyzed, there was no protective gear in 49 workers the consent was not even obtained in 27 cases. There was virtually no mechanization and training. There were only 7 districts that carried out awareness drives after the deaths. In reply, the government has initiated the NAMASTE scheme.

Context

• The report is received amid the claim that the ministry kills the practice of manual scavenging in India. 

• Nevertheless, cleaning of sewers and septic tanks is still a hazardous task, causing the deaths of workers. 

• The question raised by Congress MP Praniti Shinde in the Parliament raised the issue, prompting the government to provide an answer over the audit results.

Main Recommendations of the Social Audit (2022- 2023)

Lack of Safety Equipment

• In 49 deaths out of 54, there was no safety equipment.

• In 5 cases there were no gumboots; 1 case involved gloves and gumboots.

• In 47 incidents, there was no mechanized equipment.

• Equipment was provided at only 2 instances, and training was provided in 1 instance.

The case lacks Informed Consent

• In 27 cases of 54 deaths, there was no written consent.

• No risk counselling was carried out in 18 cases, which involved obtaining written consent.

Labor & Organization Structure

• 38 fatalities: Workers were contracted alone.

• 5 fatalities: The government officials hired workers.

• 3 fatalities: Public servants who work in employment contracted by the private sector to carry out a particular job.

Awareness and Response at District Level

• Partial awareness drives were only created due to 7 deaths.

• Districts: Chennai, Kancheepuram(Tamil Nadu), Satara(Maharashtra).

Equipment Preparedness & Agency Preparedness

• Agencies were unprepared and ill equipped in 45 deaths.

• The audit highlighted misconduct of agencies in respect to safety procedures.

National Data on Sewer Deaths

NAMASTE Scheme

• The Ministry of Social Justice is to launch it in July 2023.

• Goal: To deal with hazardous cleaning of septic tanks and sewers

• Coverage:

• 36 States/UTs had 84,902 workers in them.

• More than 50 per cent have been provided with PPE kits and protective gears

• NAMASTE: National action for mechanized sanitation ecosystem

Legal and Policy History

• Employment of Manual Scavengers and construction of dry latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993

• The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013

• Nevertheless, dangerous cleaning is one of the major grey areas that tend to be taken advantage of by non-public cleaning firms.

Conclusion

Even though manual scavenging is punishable by law, dangerous access to the sewer is done under unhygienic and unlawful circumstances. The results of the investigation indicate a failure of the system in applying safety norms, mechanization, and legal responsibility. Practical implementation of programs such as NAMASTE and improved punishment to those who break the laws are necessary in protecting sanitation workers.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft that have been used by the air force for more than 60 years will be finally set out of service in September 2025. It will have a ceremonial farewell at the Chandigarh Airbase in the presence of veteran pilots. The MiG-21s were inducted first back in 1963 and had key roles in the wars that took place between 1965 and Balakot 2019. More than 700 units were ordered with many of them being constructed locally by HAL. These jets will be phased out by the indigenous Tejas Mk1A as India struggles to become self reliant in defence.

Context

• The MiG-21 has formed the mainstay of the IAF fighter since the 1960s. 

• First built in the Soviet Union, it now makes a sign of a rise in military aviation in India in the Cold War times. 

• Nevertheless, because of the accident rate and many years in service, the plane was nicknamed “Flying Coffin”. T

• The fact that it will be replaced by Tejas Mk1A is the transition to a new generation of the Indian defense strategy.

About MiG-21

Battle Log of MiG-21

• Wars: 1965 and 1971: Air supremacy and tactical strike capability.

• Kargil War 1999: It was specially deployed as precision strike on high altitude terrain.

• Balakot Air Strikes (2019): It took center stage again; a Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 with a MiG-21.

• Operation Sindoor: The last operation before decommissioning.

Future Replacement: Tejas Mk1A

Current MiG-21 Squadron Status

After their retirement, the IAF’s total combat strength will be reduced to 29 squadrons, well below the sanctioned 42 squadrons.

Causes of retirement

• Age: More than 60 years of service.

• Great numbers of Accidents: 170 pilots, 40 civilian casualties.

• Technological Limitations: Unsuitable in modernity.

• Operational Cost: Safety and high maintenance.

Why is this transition important?

• The retirement of the MiG-21 set an end to the era: It had been the air combat identity of India to crown decades.

• Indigenization Push: Exports a lot of the movement to Make in India defence ecosystem.

• Department modernisation of IAF: Makes it more agile, survivable, and ready to face the future.

Conclusion

The MiG-21 fighter jet's retirement scheduled in September 2025 is the closing of a legendary era in Indian military aviation. Their phasing out with the native Tejas Mk1A represent not only a technological breakthrough but also the determination of the Indian state to pursue the modern Army of the air to be self-sufficient in the age of the current and efficient ones.

On July 23, 2025, the Indian Army received the delivery of the first batch of Apache AH-64E attack helicopters from the United States to Hindon Airbase. These three state-of-the-art helicopters will be used in Jodhpur after having Joint Receipt Inspection. India has been in the procurement of Apache helicopters that will reportedly give it more powers in its operations along the Western Border and high-altitude bases. The transaction is a significant milestone towards modernization of the Army Aviation Corps. This is the initial induction of the Apache platform in the Indian Army and not the Air Force only.

Context

• So far, Apache helicopters had been inducted only in the Indian Air Force (IAF). 

• In the year 2020, the Indian Army reached a contract worth six AH-64E Apaches with the Ministry of Defense. 

• Supply of the initial set of these attack helicopters is a game changer as far as India is concerned in terms of self-reliance and modernization in defense.

What is the Apache AH-64E?

Key Features

Indian army Strategic Significance

• First Attack Helicopter to Army Aviation: In the past, attack helicopters were applied to the IAF only.

• Deployment Jodhpur: Strengthens the Army capability of striking close to the Pakistan border as well as in the desert environment.

• High-Altitude Warfare: Suitable to areas of Ladakh and other Himalaya regions.

• Force Multiplication: It provides mobility, precision and air support to troops on the ground.

Defence Modernisation & Atmanirbhar Bharat

• The Apache deal, however, involves technology transfer despite the fact they are being purchased in the U.S.

• It is in line with the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) of India which focuses on the interoperability and future indigenization.

• The Indian private and public sector companies have made some contribution to manufacturing parts as offset requirements.

Potential Outlooks

• Another 3 Apache helicopters will be supplied shortly to complete the pack of 6.

• Probable formation of Apache Squadron of Army Aviation Corps.

• Predicted combined forces with UAVs and assault drones to perform in hybrid warfare.

Conclusion

Introduction of Apache AH-64E helicopters into the Indian Army presents an important milestone in the readiness and combat versatility of the Indian defence. These choppers will be equipped with latest technology and deadly accuracy that would increase India advance its deterrence power and shove control over sensitive border areas.