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  • [20th August 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Making India’s climate taxonomy framework work

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997.

    Linkage: If such a theme on international climate governance and mechanisms can be asked, then India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy also becomes a significant area. It connects global agreements like the Paris Agreement (Article 6.4) with India’s domestic instruments such as the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and green bonds.

    Mentors Comment

    In May 2025, the Ministry of Finance released the draft Climate Finance Taxonomy, India’s first attempt to formally define what counts as climate-aligned investment. The framework seeks to mobilise green finance, prevent greenwashing, and give clarity to investors. Its success, however, depends on strong review systems, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.

    Introduction

    The draft taxonomy marks a turning point in India’s climate governance. This is India’s first unified framework for climate finance, introduced amid rising greenwashing risks and investor uncertainty. Arriving alongside the operationalisation of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and the rise of green bonds, it comes at a moment of growing pressure to align finance with net-zero goals. As a “living framework,” it promises adaptability to evolving national and global priorities. But without transparency, legal coherence, and institutional accountability, the taxonomy risks undermining India’s climate finance ecosystem instead of strengthening it.

    The Review Architecture for a Living Framework

    1. Two-tier review system: Suggestion of annual reviews for short-term corrections and five-year reviews for deep reassessment.
    2. Annual reviews: Triggered by implementation gaps, international obligations, or stakeholder feedback, with structured timelines, documentation protocols, and public consultation.
    3. Five-year reviews: Linked with India’s NDC cycle and global stocktake under the UNFCCC; ensures long-term resilience in a changing climate finance ecosystem.

    Key aspects of the Substantive Review

    1. Legal coherence: Taxonomy must align with Energy Conservation Act, SEBI norms, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, and India’s international commitments.
    2. Harmonisation: Review should remove overlaps, clarify redundancies, and integrate with green bonds, blended finance, and environmental risk disclosures.
    3. Content clarity: Definitions must remain readable, coherent, and technically precise. Quantitative thresholds (e.g., emissions reduction, energy efficiency benchmarks) must be regularly updated with empirical data.
    4. Inclusivity: Framework must remain accessible to MSMEs, informal sector, agriculture, and small manufacturing with staggered compliance timelines and proportionate expectations.

    Strengthening Governance through Accountability Structures

    1. Standing unit in the Ministry of Finance: Dedicated body within the Department of Economic Affairs or an expert committee involving financial regulators, climate science institutions, civil society.
    2. Public dashboards: Mechanisms to receive inputs, document experiences, and publish reports.
    3. Transparency: Annual review summaries and five-year revision proposals should be made public in consolidated formats to enhance investor trust and policy coherence.

    Significance of the Climate Finance Taxonomy for India’s Green Transition

    1. Carbon Credit Trading Scheme: Soon to be fully operational, requiring clear rules for market credibility.
    2. Green bonds: Entering mainstream portfolios and stock exchanges, need alignment with taxonomy standards.
    3. Public investment flows: Rising pressure to align fiscal spending with long-term climate goals.
    4. Risk of failure: A weak or opaque taxonomy could undermine India’s net-zero transition by encouraging greenwashing and eroding investor trust.

    Conclusion

    India’s climate taxonomy is more than a definitional exercise, it is a governance tool that can determine the credibility of India’s climate finance system. A “living document” is meaningful only if it is kept alive through active review, structured revision, and transparent engagement. By embedding legal coherence, inclusivity, and accountability, India can ensure the taxonomy becomes a reliable foundation for mobilising investments, reducing greenwashing, and achieving its climate goals.

    Value Addition
    • Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement: Provides a framework for carbon market instruments with legal and editorial review mechanisms; offers a model for India’s taxonomy to ensure transparency, credibility, and alignment with global norms.
    • Carbon Market Types:
      • Compliance Markets: Mandated by law (e.g., EU ETS, upcoming India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme).
      • Voluntary Markets: Corporate/individual offsetting of emissions beyond legal requirements.
    • Green Bonds in India:
      • First Sovereign Green Bonds issued in 2023 worth ₹16,000 crore.
      • Used for renewable energy, clean transport, and climate adaptation projects.
      • Support India’s target of net-zero by 2070 and deepen climate finance flows.

    Mapping Microthemes

    • GS Paper II: Governance, public consultation, accountability mechanisms.
    • GS Paper III: Climate finance, carbon markets, sustainable development, green bonds, energy efficiency.
    • GS Paper IV: Ethical finance, transparency, preventing greenwashing.

  • Sedition Redux: On trampling on press freedom

    Why in the News?

    On August 12, 2025, The Wire’s editors Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar were summoned by the Assam Police under Section 152 of the BNS, even as the Supreme Court had that very day issued protection while examining the constitutional validity of the new sedition law. This open defiance of judicial authority and the use of procedurally defective summons marks a serious blow to press freedom. What makes this moment significant is that the law being challenged is wider and harsher than colonial sedition provisions, despite India claiming to have moved away from such colonial baggage.

    Introduction

    The sedition debate in India has returned in a new form. While Section 124A IPC was suspended in 2022, the government introduced Section 152 of the BNS, which critics say is “sedition by another name.” The law widens state powers and lowers the threshold for prosecution, making legitimate criticism vulnerable to criminalisation. Recent cases against journalists show how easily this provision can be misused.

    Section 152 and Its Differences from the Old Sedition Law

    • Expanded scope: Goes beyond “disaffection” against government, criminalising acts deemed to endanger sovereignty, unity, and integrity.
    • Lower bar for prosecution: Words like “knowingly” dilute intent requirements; mere criticism can be dragged into criminality.
    • Colonial continuity: Despite being marketed as decolonisation, Section 152 retains the same suppressive essence as 124A IPC.

    The Wire Case and Procedural Violations

    • Summons despite SC protection: Assam Police issued notices on the very day of SC’s order, reflecting executive defiance.
    • Lack of transparency: Summons omitted FIR dates, details of offence, and copies of FIR, violating BNSS safeguards.
    • Political overtones: Linked to The Wire’s report on Operation Sindoor, raising concerns of vendetta-driven policing.

    Threats to Press Freedom

    • Chilling effect: Journalists may self-censor for fear of harassment.
    • Vague definitions: Broad terms like “unity” and “sovereignty” give unchecked power to authorities.
    • Targeting dissent: Questioning government policy risks being equated with undermining national integrity.

    Judicial Response and Challenges

    • Supreme Court scrutiny: SC is examining the constitutional validity of Section 152.
    • Precedent of 2022: Earlier suspension of sedition cases showed judicial recognition of misuse.
    • Executive overreach: Assam Police’s defiance underlines the need for stronger judicial safeguards and guidelines.

    Broader Democratic Implications

    • Freedom of expression at stake: Democracy thrives on criticism; silencing it weakens accountability.
    • Comparative perspective: UK repealed sedition in 2009; US limits it only to violent overthrow.
    • Governance paradox: Instead of transparency, India risks sliding into a majoritarian security state.

    Way Forward

    • Clear legislative safeguards: Narrow the scope of Section 152 with precise definitions of terms like “unity” and “sovereignty” to prevent misuse.
    • Judicial guidelines: The Supreme Court can lay down binding principles (on the lines of Kedar Nath Singh and Shreya Singhal) that limit sedition to cases of direct incitement to violence or armed rebellion
    • Independent oversight: A judicial or quasi-judicial body should vet sedition cases before FIR registration, reducing frivolous prosecutions.
    • Strengthening press freedom: Institutional mechanisms like a Media Commission or independent ombudsman can address grievances without criminalisation.
    • Comparative best practices: India can draw from the UK model of repeal and the US model of narrow application, balancing national security with democratic freedoms.
    • Civic education: Promoting awareness among citizens, journalists, and law enforcement about constitutional morality and reasonable restrictions can ensure a culture of restraint and accountability.

    Conclusion

    Section 152 represents the persistence of colonial-style suppression under a new name. Unless the judiciary firmly strikes it down or introduces robust safeguards, it will continue to erode press freedom and democratic dissent, pillars without which India’s constitutional promise cannot stand strong.

    Value Addition

    Constitutional Angle

    • Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech.
    • Article 19(2): Reasonable restrictions (sovereignty, unity, public order, etc.).
    • Basic Structure Doctrine: Democracy, liberty, and rule of law as inviolable.

    Judicial Precedents

    • Kedar Nath Singh vs State of Bihar (1962): Sedition valid only when incitement to violence/public disorder is proven.
    • Shreya Singhal vs Union of India (2015): Vague terms in laws (like IT Act Section 66A) struck down for chilling free speech.
    • SC Order 2022: Suspended all 124A cases, acknowledging misuse.

    Reports & Perspectives

    • Law Commission of India (2018): Recommended clearer safeguards; questioned necessity of sedition.
    • Global practices: UK repealed sedition; US restricts it narrowly.
    • BNSS debate: Marketed as decolonisation but seen as repackaging colonial control.

    Mapping Microthemes

    • GS Paper II: Freedom of speech, judiciary, Centre-State federalism
    • GS Paper III: Internal security vs. dissent.
    • GS Paper IV: Misuse of power, ethics in public life, constitutional morality.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2014] What do you understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.

    Linkage: The 2014 question on freedom of speech, hate speech, and films mirrors today’s debate on Section 152. Just as films face stricter scrutiny due to mass impact, the new sedition law risks wrongly placing legitimate criticism and dissent in the same bracket as hate speech or violent incitement. This makes the boundary of free expression a central issue in both contexts.

     

  • Office of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

    Why in the News?

    The Opposition (INDI Alliance bloc) is considering moving a motion of removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in Parliament.

    About Election Commission of India (ECI):

    • Establishment: Permanent constitutional body set up on 25 January 1950 (National Voters Day).
    • Constitutional Basis: Articles 324–329, Part XV of the Constitution.
    • Mandate: Conducts elections to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of President and Vice President.
    • Structure: Since 1993, functions as a three-member body with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners.
    • Status of CEC: Same salary, status, and perks as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.

    Appointment to ECI:

    • Law: Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 (replaced 1991 Act).
    • Appointing Authority: President of India.
    • Selection Committee: Prime Minister (Chairperson), Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
    • Eligibility: Must have served as a Secretary-level officer in Government of India with proven integrity and election management experience.
    • Tenure: 6 years or until 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.

    Removal:

    • CEC: Removed like a Supreme Court judge (Article 324(5)) on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. Requires a motion passed by two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament and Presidential order.
    • Other Election Commissioners: Removed only on recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
    [UPSC 2012] Consider the following statements with reference to India:

    1. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners enjoy equal powers but receive unequal salaries

    2. The Chief Election Commissioner is entitled to the same salary as in provided to a judge of the Supreme Court

    3. The Chief Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court

    4. The term of office of the Election Commissioner is five years from the date he assumes his office or till the day he attains the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier

    Which of these statements are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3* (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2 and 4

     

  • [pib] “Anna-Chakra” Supply Chain Optimisation Tool for PDS 

    Why in the News?

    The Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has provided crucial information regarding the Anna-Chakra Tool to the Parliament.

    About Anna-Chakra:

    • Purpose: Digital tool to optimise supply chain of the Public Distribution System (PDS).
    • Developed by: World Food Programme (WFP) and Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (IIT-Delhi).
    • Implementation: Adopted in 30 States/UTs, except Manipur.
    • Coverage: Supports 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops and 6,700 warehouses.
    • Savings: Reduces logistics/fuel costs, saving about ₹250 crore annually.
    • Environmental Impact: Route optimisation reduces travel distance by 15–50%, cutting CO₂ emissions.

    Back2Basics: Public Distribution System (PDS) in India:

    • Objective: Provides subsidised food grains to poor households, ensuring food security.
    • History: Originated in inter-war years; expanded after 1960s food shortages.
    • Reforms: Revamped PDS (1992) extended coverage to rural and poverty-prone areas.
    • Structure:
      • Centre (FCI) – procurement, storage, transportation, bulk allocation.
      • States – distribute food grains to families via Fair Price Shops.
    • Coverage: Serves ~800 million people through 5 lakh+ Fair Price Shops.
    • Items Distributed: Wheat, rice, sugar, kerosene; some states add pulses and oils.
    • Significance: Shields poor households from food price shocks and economic distress.

     

    [UPSC 2008] Consider the following statements:

    1. Regarding the procurement of food grains, Government of India follows a procurement target rather than an open-ended procurement policy.

    2. Government of India announces minimum support prices only for cereals.

    3. For distribution under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), wheat and rice are issued by the Government of India at uniform Central issue prices to the States/Union Territories.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?”

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3* (d) 3 only

     

  • Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS)

    Why in the News?

    SEBI has released a consultation paper proposing changes in Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Minimum Public Offer (MPO) norms for listed companies.

    What is Minimum Public Offer (MPO)?

    • Meaning: When a company launches an Initial Public Offer (IPO), it must sell a minimum number of shares to the public.
    • Analogy: Like a new shop ensuring enough goods are displayed for customers — otherwise trading is thin and controlled by a few.

    What is Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS)?

    • Concept: A company is like a cake. Promoters (founders/owners) usually keep most of it, but SEBI mandates at least 25% must be shared/sold with the public.
    • Purpose:
      • Broader ownership and participation.
      • Fairer prices by reducing manipulation.
      • Greater accountability of companies.

    What SEBI is proposing?

    • Flexibility: Large companies find it difficult to release big chunks of shares at once; rules will be eased.
    • Extended Timelines:
      • Companies valued at ₹50,000–1,00,000 crore now get up to 10 years (instead of 5) to meet 25% MPS.
      • They must reach 15% in 5 years first, then 25% in 10 years.
    • Reduced Burden: For very large companies, the initial Minimum Public Offer (MPO) will be lowered.

    Significance of the Move:

    • Market Stability: Selling too many shares too quickly is like flooding the market — prices may fall even if the company is strong.
    • Benefits:
      • More big companies will list in India.
      • Investors can enter gradually without sudden shocks.
      • Encourages fund-raising while maintaining fair trading.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:

    I. India accounts for a very large portion of all equity option contracts traded globally, thus exhibiting a great boom.

    II. India’s stock market has grown rapidly in the recent past, even overtaking Hong Kong’s at some point in time.

    III. There is no regulatory body either to warn small investors about the risks of options trading or to act on unregistered financial advisors in this regard.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?”

    Options: (a) I and II only * (b) II and III only (c) I and III only (d) I, II and III

     

  • Young Bengal Movement and Henry Derozio 

    Why in the News?

    This newscard is an excerpt from the article originally published in The Hindu.

    Young Bengal Movement and Henry Derozio 

    Who was Henry Vivian Louis Derozio?

    • Birth–Death: Born 1809, died- 22 in 1831; Indo-Portuguese origin.
    • Identity: Radical thinker, poet, and educator in British India.
    • Recognition: Called the first national poet of modern India; pioneer of Anglo-Indian poetry.
    • Influences: Inspired by Enlightenment ideals and the French Revolution.
    • Career: Became lecturer at Hindu College, Calcutta in 1826 at just 17.
    • Role: Inspired students with rationalism, liberty, and free thought.
    • Writings: Poems (1827), The Fakeer of Jungheera (1828), and To India – My Native Land (first modern patriotic poem in English).
    • Themes: Expressed India’s decline with images of a caged eagle and a broken instrument; advocated freedom and abolition of slavery.
    • Dismissal: Removed from Hindu College in 1831 on charges of spreading atheism.

    The Young Bengal Movement: 

    • Formation: Radical group of his students, also called Derozians.
    • Association: Founded the Academic Association, debating social and political reform.
    • Ideals: Advocated rationalism, women’s rights, freedom of thought; opposed caste, superstition, idolatry.
    • Political Role: In 1843, with George Thompson, formed India’s first political party – Bengal British India Society.
    • Notable Member: Radhanath Sikdar, mathematician who first calculated Mount Everest’s height and openly resisted colonial injustices.
    • Perception: Described by missionary Alexander Duff as a “new race of men”; historian Rosinka Chaudhuri called them India’s “first radicals.”
    • Legacy and Intellectual Impact:
      • Awakening: Though short-lived, the movement sparked Bengal’s intellectual revolution.
      • Seeds of Reform: Laid foundation for later reformist and nationalist currents.
      • Independence of Mind: Marked a sharp break from Macaulay’s vision of Anglicised Indians — Derozians were assertive and original.
    [UPSC 2021] Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?

    Options: (a) Annie Besant (b) Debendranath Tagore (c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar * (d) Sarojini Naidu

     

  • Saltwater Crocodile Population Survey in Sundarbans

    Why in the News?

    A 2025 survey by the West Bengal Forest Department shows an increase in saltwater crocodile population in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR).

    Saltwater Crocodile Population Survey in Sundarbans

    About Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus):

    • Largest living reptile and the largest of all crocodilians.
    • Males grow much larger than females; females usually 2.5–3 m in length.
    • Habitat: mangrove forests, swamps, rivers, and coastal waters; tolerant of varying salinity.
    • Distribution in India: Odisha, West Bengal (Sundarbans), Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
    • Behaviour: Apex predator, feeds on carcasses and diverse prey; communicates through barks, hisses, growls, chirps.
    • Conservation Status:
      • IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
      • CITES: Appendix I (except populations of Australia, Indonesia, PNG → Appendix II).
      • Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I.
    • Conservation Efforts: Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (1976, West Bengal) – breeding and conservation programme; 577 crocodiles released till 2022.

    Other Crocodile Species in India:

    • Gharial: Critically Endangered; survives in only 2% of former range; Found in small stretches of Chambal and a few other rivers.
    • Mugger/Marsh Crocodile: Vulnerable; found in freshwater lakes, rivers, marshes.

  • The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025

    Why in the News?

    The Union Home Minister is set to introduce three bills in the Lok Sabha to provide legal framework for removal of the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and Ministers in States and UTs who are “arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal charges.”

    Which are the three Bills?

    1. 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2025 (discussed below)
    2. Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Provides clarity on removal of CM and Ministers in J&K.
    3. Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Defines similar provisions for Puducherry and other UTs.

    About the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2025:

    • Scope: Applies to Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers at Union, State, and Union Territory levels.
    • Grounds for Removal: Arrest and detention for 30 consecutive days for an offense punishable by five years or more.
    • Reappointment: Possible after release from custody.
    • Objective: Prevent prolonged tenure of arrested leaders in office (e.g., recent case involving Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal).

    Amendments proposed to the following Articles:

    Current Provision Limitation Changes Proposed
    Article 75 (Union – PM & Union Ministers) PM appointed by President; Ministers appointed on PM’s advice. They hold office during the pleasure of the President. Removal is political (loss of confidence, resignation, dismissal). No explicit mechanism to remove PM/Ministers if detained/arrested for long periods. New provision: If PM or any Union Minister is detained in custody for 30 consecutive days for a serious offense (≥5 years punishment), they must resign by 31st day or automatically cease to hold office. They may be reappointed after release.
    Article 164 (States – CM & State Ministers) CM appointed by Governor; Ministers appointed on CM’s advice. They hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. Council of Ministers collectively responsible to State Assembly. No clear rule for automatic removal if CM/Ministers remain in custody. Similar to Union level: If CM or Minister is detained in custody for 30 consecutive days under serious charges (≥5 years punishment), they automatically lose office. Reappointment allowed after release.
    Article 239AA (Union Territory of Delhi – CM & Ministers) Special status for Delhi (NCT). CM and Council of Ministers aid & advise LG. They hold office as per political responsibility to the Assembly. No explicit provision for automatic removal on detention. A new Section 5A to be inserted: CM/Ministers of NCT of Delhi cease office if detained for 30 days under serious charges (≥5 years). Reappointment possible after release.

    Rationale and Significance:

    • At present, the Constitution has no provision for automatic removal of ministers in custody.
    • Bill ensures that office bearers uphold public trust and do not undermine governance during detention.
    • The statement of objects emphasized that elected representatives must rise above political interests and maintain conduct beyond suspicion.
    • Promotes integrity of democracy by aligning ministerial positions with constitutional morality and accountability.
    [UPSC 2020] Consider the following statements:

    1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State.

    2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison.

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2*

     

  • How does plastic pollution affect health?

    Introduction

    Plastic pollution represents one of the gravest environmental crises of our times. Despite decades of regulation and bans, plastics remain ubiquitous, cheap, and nearly indestructible. Talks in Geneva involving 180 countries failed to secure an internationally binding legal agreement to limit plastic pollution, reflecting deep divisions over whether the treaty should target waste alone or include production.

    Global Plastic Treaty Deadlock: Why It Matters

    • Global deadlock: 180 countries failed to agree on a binding treaty on plastic pollution in Geneva, despite a UNEP-backed resolution already in place.
    • First-time sharp focus on health: Unlike earlier discussions centred only on waste management, the health impact of plastics is now central.
    • Scale of problem: Plastics contain more than 16,000 chemicals, with little knowledge on 10,000+ of them. A Nature study showed 4,000 chemicals of concern are present across major plastic types.
    • Striking evidence: Microplastics detected in blood, breast milk, placenta, bone marrow, bringing urgency to the debate.

    The Persistence and Ubiquity of Plastics

    1. Symbol of consumption economy: Cheap and versatile, plastics reflect today’s global consumption.
    2. Persistence and flexibility: Synthetic, fossil-fuel-derived polymers are non-biodegradable and endure for decades.
    3. Waste mismanagement: Cheap production, ubiquity, and limited recycling capacity turn plastics into the prime source of litter.

    Plastics and Human Health: Emerging Evidence

    1. Chemicals of concern: Plastics use ethylene, propylene, styrene derivatives, along with bisphenols, phthalates, PCBs, PBDEs, and PFAS.
    2. Products of exposure: Found in food containers, bottles, teething toys, polyester, IV bags, cosmetics, paints, electronics, adhesives.
    3. Health links: Studies link plastic chemicals to thyroid dysfunction, hypertension, kidney/testicular cancer, gestational diabetes.
    4. Evidence base: Around 1,100 studies, involving 1.1 million individuals, compiled by Boston College & Minderoo Foundation dashboard.
    5. Nature of studies: Mostly associative; longitudinal studies (gold standard) are still underway.

    The Microplastic Menace

    1. Definition: Plastics smaller than 5 mm, found in additives or broken-down products.
    2. Recent discoveries: Detected in human blood, breast milk, placenta, bone marrow.
    3. Health uncertainty: Exact impacts still under study, but linked to multiple disorders.

    Policy Responses: Global and Indian Perspectives

    • Global scene: Negotiations divided on waste vs production; developing countries demand funding support.
    • India’s stance: 
      • Ban on single-use plastics in ~20 States
      • Administrative push for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
      • Views plastics as a waste management issue, not a health issue.
      • Prefers health dimension to be dealt with at WHO, not in the plastics treaty.

    Conclusion

    The Geneva deadlock reflects not just a failure of diplomacy but the widening gap between scientific evidence and policy action. Plastics are no longer an invisible convenience; they are a pervasive health hazard. While India treats plastics as a waste issue, ignoring health risks leaves a blind spot in policy. A robust, binding treaty addressing both production and health impact is indispensable if the world is to prevent plastics from becoming the new tobacco of the 21st century.

    PYQ Relavance

    [UPSC 2023] What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?

    Linkage: Since UPSC has already asked about oil pollution (2023), it shows the exam’s focus on pollution and ecosystem impacts. Plastic pollution, like oil, originates from fossil fuels and has severe effects on marine life and human health. Hence, a direct question on plastic pollution and its health–environment nexus is highly probable.

    Practice Mains Question

    Plastics are no longer merely a waste management problem but a serious health hazard. Critically examine the health risks associated with plastic use and evaluate India’s stance in global plastic treaty negotiations.

    Mapping Microthemes

    • GS-1: Impact of industrialisation and consumerism on environment.
    • GS-2: International negotiations, India’s foreign policy stance in environmental treaties.
    • GS-3: Pollution, waste management, health-environment nexus.
    • GS-4: Ethics of sustainability, intergenerational justice, corporate responsibility.

  • When can Courts order a Recount of Votes?

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court for the very first time has recounted EVM votes on its premises and overturned a Haryana sarpanch election result.

    Legal Framework for Challenging Election Results:

    • Parliamentary, Assembly, State Council elections: Validity can be challenged by filing an election petition in the High Court of the state where the election was held.
    • Local government elections: Petitions must be filed at district-level civil courts.
    • Eligibility to file: Only a candidate or elector related to the election can file.
    • Timeframe: Petition must be filed within 45 days of result declaration.
    • Petition requirements:
      • Must contain concise statement of material facts.
      • Allegations of “corrupt practices” must include names of individuals, dates, and locations.
    • Judicial Approach:
      • SC considers corrupt practices as quasi-criminal, requiring high standard of proof.
      • Vague or ambiguous petitions are dismissed.
    • Legal Basis:
      • Representation of the People Act, 1951.
      • State Panchayat Raj Acts.

    Grounds for Invalidating an Election:

    Courts can void an election on:

    • Bribery or undue influence, e.g., hiding criminal antecedents or promoting enmity.
    • Candidate disqualified/unqualified on the election date.
    • Improper rejection of nomination paper.
    • Improper acceptance of nomination or improper reception/rejection of votes, if shown to materially affect results.
    • Non-compliance with Constitution or election laws/rules, if it materially impacted the outcome.

    When can Courts order Recount of Votes?

    • A recount is a possible judicial remedy but not granted lightly.
    • Seen as affecting vote secrecy, which is vital to free and fair elections.
    • Courts order recounts only if:
      • Petitioner presents specific material facts.
      • Evidence shows a prima facie case of probable counting error.
      • Recount is deemed necessary for justice.
    • Normally conducted at election location.
    • Exception: Panipat case, where SC recounted votes in its own premises.

    Can Courts declare a new Winner?

    • Rare, but courts can declare a new winner if:
      • Evidence shows petitioner (or another candidate) actually had majority of valid votes.
      • Or petitioner proves they would have won but for votes gained through corrupt practices.
    • Requires concrete, quantifiable evidence of tainted votes.
    • Example: In Feb 2024 Chandigarh mayoral election, SC declared a new winner after:
      • Presiding officer wrongly invalidated 8 paper ballots.
      • All votes had been cast for the losing candidate.
      • SC restored them as valid, making the losing candidate the winner.
    [UPSC 2004] Consider the following tasks:

    1. Superintendence, direction and conduct of free and fair elections.

    2. Preparation of electoral rolls for all elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures and the Office of the President and the Vice-President.

    3. Giving recognition to political parties and allotting election symbols to political parties and individuals contesting the election.

    4. Proclamation of final verdict in the case of election disputes.

    Which of the above are the functions of the Election Commission of India?

    Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3* (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 4