Financial Action Task Force
•Context:
India aims to push for Pakistan’s re-entry into the FATF grey list due to non-compliance with anti-terror and money
laundering commitments.
•Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
The FATF is a global organization that fights money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.
It was established in 1989 by the G7 countries, including 40 members, such as India, the United States, and China. Russia’s
membership was suspended in 2023 due to its actions in Ukraine.
•Monitoring & Research The FATF continuously monitors how criminals and terrorists “raise, use and move funds” while
researching the latest money laundering and terrorist financing techniques. This intelligence helps shape global anti-financial
crime strategies.
FATF flags non-compliant jurisdictions through its grey and black list system, creating
international pressure for countries to strengthen their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT)
regimes.
•FATF’s Grey and Black Lists
The FATF identifies countries with weak anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) systems through
two public lists, updated three times a year (February, June, October).
•Grey List (Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring)
This list includes countries with flaws in their AML/CFT systems but which are working with the FATF to fix them within set
deadlines. Currently, 24 countries, like Uganda and Turkey, are on this list.
Being grey-listed means a country faces extra scrutiny, which can hurt its economy by discouraging foreign investment and
limiting access to international aid. For example, banks and investors may hesitate to deal with a grey-listed country due to
risks of financial crime.
Black List (High-Risk Jurisdictions Subject to a Call for Action)
This is more severe. It includes countries with critical deficiencies in their AML/CFT systems, like North Korea, Iran, and
Myanmar.
The FATF urges all nations to apply strict measures, such as enhanced due diligence or economic sanctions, to protect the
global financial system from these high-risk countries.
Grey-listing signals a warning, while black-listing is a global call to isolate a country financially. Name in the lists impacts a
nation’s reputation, trade, and economic stability, which make them powerful tools in international diplomacy.
•Pakistan’s Potential Grey-Listing Matter:-
India is pushing to return Pakistan to the FATF grey list, quoting its failure to curb terrorist financing and money laundering.
Pakistan was on the grey list from 2018 to 2022, during which it promised to strengthen its AML/CFT measures. It was
removed in 2022 after implementing an action plan, but India now argues that Pakistan has not fully complied, especially in
stopping terror funding.
Regional & Global Impact
•Impact on India Potential reduction in cross-border terrorism financing and enhanced security in Jammu & Kashmir
region. Previous greylisting (2018-2022) helped curtail illicit fund flows into India.
•Impact on Pakistan Economic consequences including reduced FDI, difficulty in international trade financing, and
challenges in accessing international capital markets.
- Strain on Pakistan’s relationships with international partners and potential isolation in global financial systems.
- Estimated economic losses of $10-15 billion annually during previous greylisting period, including reduced remittances
and trade difficulties.
FATF Assessment Process
India will submit clear proof of Pakistan’s non-compliance to FATF administration, including detailed
violations and backing documentation.
FATF technical experts will review the proposal and seek Pakistan’s response over the allegations and
evidence presented.
The case will be discussed in FATF plenary sessions, where member countries will debate the evidence
and Pakistan’s compliance status.FATF will make a consensus-based decision on whether to re-greylist Pakistan.
✓ SUSHRUTA AND CHARAKA
•Context
The Vice President of India unveiled statues of Acharya Charaka and Sage Sushruta at Goa’s Raj Bhavan as part of a
campaign to highlight India’s rich medical legacy.
Who is Sushruta?
Sushruta, an ancient Indian surgeon from the 7th century BC, wrote ‘Sushruta Samhita’, a comprehensive handbook on
medicine and surgery. He is recognised as the “Father of Plastic Surgery” and is responsible for the improvement of
medicine in ancient India. Sushruta revolutionised surgery, leading to the era known as ‘The Golden Age of Surgery’ in
ancient India.
•Associated Kingdom Practised in Kashi (Varanasi), possibly under the rule of King Divodasa
•Key Contribution Sushruta Samhita – the oldest known surgical text
•Surgical Contributions – Detailed 300+ surgical procedures
- Listed 100+ surgical instruments
Advancements in Anatomy Introduced dissection-based anatomy, anaesthesia techniques, and classification
of fractures/dislocations
•Pioneering Surgery Known for rhinoplasty (nasal reconstruction) – admired even in colonial medical records
Other Medical Areas Covered - Public health
- Embryology
- Toxicology
- Pediatric care (Kaumarbhritya)
Neonatal & Ritual Care Included newborn care rituals and Ayurvedic practices still relevant today
•Medical Education Ethics Emphasised step-by-step surgical learning, simulation training, and human dissection
About Acharya Charak
•Identity & Period Acharya Charaka (c. 100 BCE – 200 CE); Father of Indian Medicine
•Associated Kingdom Flourished in Taxila under the patronage of Kushan ruler Kanishka
•Key Contribution Charaka Samhita – foundational Ayurvedic text
•Focus Area Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa)
•Major Classifications – Ayurveda into Ashtanga Ayurveda (Eight Branches)
- Detailed Garbha Vigyan (Embryology)
Disease Theory Explained pathology of diseases and holistic health approach
Three Doshas (Tridosha Theory) – Vata, Pitta, Kapha – basis of diagnosis and treatment
•Preventive Healthcare Advocated lifestyle practices and environmental harmony
Medical Ethics •Physician’s duties: confidentiality, non-maleficence, devotion to healing
Modern Relevance Aligns with patient rights and evidence-based medicine principles.
•Significance of Charaka and Sushruta in Medicine
- Ayurveda’s foundation: Their treatises are fundamental to the Bruhat Trayi, a trilogy of classical books that shape Indian
medicine. - Scientific Embryology: Both provided remarkable advances in fetal development, which have been confirmed by current
research. - Surgical Innovations: Sushruta’s surgical methods and tools precede current surgical systems, and they affected Arab
and European medicine. - Pediatric Focus: Their work on Kaumarbhritya paved the way for child health, from neonatal rites to therapeutic
approaches. - Translations into Arabic (e.g., Kitab-i-Susrud) have helped to advance worldwide medical knowledge and intercultural
understanding.
✓ CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES
The Supreme Court declares that Group A officers of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) from batches starting in 1986
are “Organised Group A Services” for all purposes.
•Central Armed Police Forces
The CAPF consists of seven armed police organizations under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) tasked with maintaining
internal security, law and order, counterinsurgency, and protecting borders. Previously referred to as “paramilitary” force discontinued in 2011.
CAPF consists of the following:-
- Border Guarding Forces (Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and Sashastra Seema Bal),
- Forces for Internal Security (Central Industrial Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force),
- Special Task Force (National Security Guard).
These forces are categorized under the “other armed forces” in the Union List of the Constitution and function in accordance
with Article 355, which mandates the Union to protect states against “external aggression” and “internal disturbances”. Since
“police” and “public order” fall under the State List, CAPF units are deployed to support state governments as required, while
their powers, jurisdiction, privileges, and liabilities remain under the control of the Union government as specified in the union list.
CAPF officers face severe career stagnation. Because 20% of DIG posts and 50% of Inspector General (IG) posts in CAPFs are
reserved for IPS officers on deputation. These IPS officers, who come from outside the CAPF system, fill senior roles, blocking
promotions for CAPF cadre officers. This ‘lateral entry’ demotivates officers who serves in tough conditions like guarding borders and fighting insurgency.